South Africa: 22 South Africans stuck in Egypt to return home

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed on Tuesday that it has successfully intervened on behalf of 22 South Africans who were still trapped in Egypt after fleeing the conflict-torn Sudan.

This comes after the Gift of the Givers received a call on Monday about the locals stuck on a ship in Safaga port, Egypt, since Saturday, 29 April.

The disaster response non-governmental organisation said they arrived from Port Sudan, where they had been on contract since September last year for a project that required two more weeks for completion and then the war broke out.

The organisations said they were stuck on a cargo ship, not a commercial liner, which complicated matters.

Regarding the 22 South African nationals who were stranded at Safaga port and refused permission to disembark from their boats by the Egyptian authorities because clearances were required by authorities, were happy to report this morning that we have successfully intervened on their behalf, said DIRCO spokesperson, Clayson Monyela.

According to Monyela, Egyptian authorities have since granted the South African citizens permission to get off the boat to proceed with their journey and an official from the South African Embassy in Cairo has been tasked with signing them off.

They will then proceed to Cairo, fly via Ethiopian Airlines back to South Africa with the stopover at Addis Ababa.

Meanwhile, 51 South African citizens, who were stranded in Sudan, touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The lesson from this experience is that private companies who choose to make their own private arrangements for the employees, in a situation like this at play in Sudan, it is always beneficial to inform and talk to government because there are processes that need to be complied with and certain interventions that can only be made by government.

Were happy now that all South African nationals that we know and are aware of have all been successfully evacuated out of Sudan.

He described the mission as dangerous and risky and thanked Egypt, Sudan and Saudi Arabia and Gift of the Givers for offering their helping hand.

Weve brought our people home and were happy about that. We also acknowledge the role of the South African National Defence Force for their role in making this possible.

Tensions erupted in Sudan on 15 April between the army and the Rapid Support, killing over 500 people, with thousands injured.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
NAIROBI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenya said Tuesday it has so far evacuated 409 nationals from Sudan since the conflict between rival military factions broke out on April 15, said a government official Tuesday.

Alfred Mutua, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the country has also evacuated more than 500 persons of other nationalities.

"The evacuation process is still open and we have retained a team in Sudan that is working closely with Kenyans who are willing to leave Sudan," Mutua said.

He revealed that the East African nation has also put in place resources and technical support to assist Kenyans in Sudan.

He noted that South Sudan and Ethiopia have also assisted Kenyans in crossing their borders so that they can reach Kenya.

The death toll from the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has risen to more than 500, with thousands more injured, according to Sudan's Ministry of Health. 
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is targeting to clear the more than 20,000 suspended passport application backlog by the end of Oc...
SANDPOINT, Idaho  At a brewery in this northern Idaho city, hundreds of people recently held a wake of sorts to mourn the closure of Sandpoints only labor and delivery ward, collateral damage from the states Republican-led effort to criminalize nearly all abortions.

Jen Quintano, the events organizer and a Sandpoint resident who runs a tree service, called to the crowd, packed shoulder to shoulder as children ran underfoot, Raise your hand if you were born at Bonner General! Raise your hand if you gave birth at Bonner General! Nearly everyone raised their hand.

Later this month, the hospital, founded in 1949 near the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, will stop providing services for expectant mothers, forcing patients across northern Idaho to travel at least an additional hour for care. In June, a second Idaho hospital, Valor Health, in the rural city of Emmett, will also halt labor and delivery services.

Those decisions came within months of Idahos abortion ban, one of the nations strictest, going into effect in August 2022. Physicians can now perform the medical procedure only to stop the death of a pregnant woman or in the case of rape or incest reported to the police.

In March, Bonner General Health officials said the law was a driving force in the closure, noting Idahos legal and political climate.

Highly respected, talented physicians are leaving, the hospital wrote in a statement. Recruiting replacements will be extraordinarily difficult. In addition, the Idaho Legislature continues to introduce and pass bills that criminalize physicians for medical care nationally recognized as the standard of care.

OB-GYNs Face Dangerous Dilemmas

Amelia Huntsberger, an OB-GYN, has delivered babies and treated miscarriages at Bonner General for more than a decade. Soon after abortion became illegal here, she saw a patient with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy  where a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus  and faced a dangerous dilemma. The state law did not allow physicians to terminate ectopic pregnancies, which are never viable.

I went to the emergency room and evaluated the patient, Huntsberger said. Her vital signs were stable at the time of my evaluation, but I knew based on her imaging we needed to move quickly to stabilize her.

Huntsberger said her duty as a doctor was clear  to prioritize the safety of her patient  but added that she also knew that I was putting myself potentially at risk of felony charges, which would have a minimum of two years in jail, [and] loss of my medical license for six months.

She added, I took care of multiple cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy in the first weeks following that law going into effect.

The Idaho Supreme Court has since ruled that the law does not apply to ectopic or molar pregnancies, a rare complication caused by an unusual growth of cells. But physicians say that limited change does not account for many common pregnancy complications that can escalate rapidly.

That has led to deep frustration and turmoil in hospital emergency rooms.

When is it OK for me to act? Huntsberger said. Do I wait until she bleeds out? Do I wait until we do CPR? When is it that I can intervene? How close to death does she need to be before I take care of her?

State Rep. Mark Sauter, a Republican from this lakeside community 60 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington, said he hadnt thought much about the state abortion ban.

It really wasnt high on my radar other than Im a pro-life guy, and I ran that way, he said during an interview at his home overlooking the lake and forested mountains. I didnt see it as having a real big community impact.

Then in December, Sauter had dinner with Huntsberger, whose husband is an emergency physician at Bonner General. They started explaining all the details of whats going on and how it was uncomfortable for them, Sauter said.

Those conversations proved revelatory. You get exposed to something, all of a sudden you go, Wow, theres a different way to look at this, he said. What are we going to do about all this?

With Sandpoints maternity ward closing, Sauter supported a bill that would have allowed doctors to terminate pregnancies to protect a womans health, not just prevent her death. But that effort was shot down by other Republicans during a committee hearing in late March.

The list was endless when we began considering the conditions that could fall under that language, said Rep. Julianne Young, a Republican from Blackfoot. We want to make sure that health of the mother doesnt become so broad that everything becomes an exception to take the life of a potential child.

The effects of the ban are being felt statewide. In Boise, the state capital, Lauren Miller, an OB-GYN, resigned earlier this month from her position at one of the states largest hospitals, St. Lukes Health System, further shrinking the states already minuscule corps of maternal fetal medicine specialists.

As a doctor who cares for complex and high-risk cases, Miller said, shes had to send patients out of state to end dangerous pregnancies, including a woman with a serious kidney disease.

I could very easily have taken care of that patient along with my partners, she said, noting that the Boise-based medical center has kidney specialists and an intensive care unit. Instead, she had to leave her family and fly several more hours away to receive care in an expeditious time frame. Its just not what we signed up to do.

Miller said the abortion ban and threat of prosecution were not the only factors that drove her to resign. She cited lawmakers failure to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage beyond two months and to renew the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The state panel investigates deaths of pregnant patients and new mothers and whether they could have been prevented.

During a hearing before the House Health and Welfare Committee, Rep. Mike Kingsley, a Republican, said the maternal mortality reports all seem to identify the same thing: substance abuse, mental health. So, I think this has served its purpose.

The Start of an Exodus

Directors of womens health care services at Idaho hospitals are bracing for whats next: 75 of 117 Idaho OB-GYNs recently surveyed by the Idaho Coalition for Safe Reproductive Health Care said they were considering leaving the state. Of those, nearly 100%  73 of 75  cited Idahos restrictive abortion laws.

An exodus could affect broader medical coverage for women who rely on OB-GYNs for routine and urgent gynecological care unrelated to pregnancy, like menstrual disorders, endometriosis, and pelvic pain.

Idaho is one of 15 states that have implemented strict abortion laws since last years Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. And while there is no official nationwide count yet, anecdotal evidence shows that womens health specialists from states where abortion is criminalized are beginning to relocate to places like Washington state, which has strong abortion rights laws.

In Seattle, for example, about 270 miles west of Sandpoint, Sarah Villareal, an OB-GYN, is now practicing medicine without fear of prosecution after moving from Texas, where performing an abortion is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. In Texas, private citizens can file civil lawsuits against anyone who aids or abets an abortion, earning a minimum of $10,000 for cases prosecuted successfully.

The difference between Texas and Washington is stark, said Villareal, noting an atmosphere of fear and distrust at many Texas hospitals. She recalled caring for a patient in a Gulf Coast emergency room who was having a miscarriage, though the fetus still had a heartbeat. The patient, already in physical and emotional crisis, had to navigate a legal issue, too.

She was trying to figure out if me as the provider was going to report her if she did decide that she wanted to do a procedure to save her life over the life of her fetus, Villareal recalled. And the worst part was I could assure her that Im going to try to do everything that I can for her, but I could not assure her that someone else in the emergency room or someone else in the operating room was not going to report her.

Sarah Prager, an obstetrics and gynecology professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who has been recruiting OB-GYNs from states with abortion bans, including Texas and Tennessee, says physicians believe deeply that they are failing their patients.

Theres really a moral and an ethical injury that happens when you are unable to do the job that you want to do, Prager said. Being unable to take care of our patients is what makes doctors stressed out. And when you add that we are legally unable now to prevent harm to patients, it leads to incredible rates of burnout.

Even medical students are beginning to change their plans.

Kathryn Tiger and Allie Ward, first-year medical students in Moscow, Idaho, are both planning to become surgeons, though both say they intend not to practice in Idaho.

I wouldnt feel safe here as a provider, and I wouldnt feel safe here as a patient, said Tiger, 25.

Ward said the new laws criminalizing abortion in the state are constricting the ability of physicians to provide comprehensive care.

You have to be able to refer and collaborate with not only just your care team and nurses and everyone thats involved there, but also with other physicians, Ward said. Its terrifying to think that I wouldnt be able to refer a patient who was seeking care or even just education to a colleague of mine that I trusted because of the laws in place.

Back in Sandpoint, Huntsberger and her family are saying their goodbyes to Idaho, saddened by the idea that some patients left behind may be in medical peril.

Its heartbreaking to me to think about what it will mean for a woman experiencing a pregnancy crisis, the doctor said.

But, she added, This isnt a safe place to practice medicine anymore.

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.

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MONDAY, May 1, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Denying a woman an emergency abortion and risking her life broke U.S. federal law, a federal government investigation contends.

The woman, who went into premature labor after her water broke at 17 weeks, was denied the lifesaving procedure last August at two hospitals that are now the center of an investigation: Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, and University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, according to the Associated Press.

Despite the fact that doctors at both hospitals told Mylissa Farmer that she was at risk for serious infection, could lose her uterus, and the fetus would not survive, they also said they would not terminate the pregnancy to save her because they could still detect a heartbeat, the AP reported.

"Fortunately, this patient survived. But she never should have gone through the terrifying ordeal she experienced in the first place," U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told the AP. "We want her, and every patient out there like her, to know that we will do everything we can to protect their lives and health, and to investigate and enforce the law to the fullest extent of our legal authority, in accordance with orders from the courts."

The investigation is the first of its kind that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has publicly acknowledged, the AP reported. It shows the impact of changing abortion laws around the country after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June. U.S. federal law takes precedence over state law and requires that doctors provide an abortion when a woman's health is at risk.

When a hospital receives Medicare and Medicaid money, as most do, the federal government can investigate it for violating the law, the AP reported.

Although most abortions are banned in Missouri, exceptions exist for medical emergencies. Abortion was still legal in Kansas up to 22 weeks at the time Farmer was seen in that state.

Becerra sent a letter Monday to hospital and doctor associations about the investigations. He said he hopes this clarifies that they must follow the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Women in Indiana will be able to obtain birth control without a doctors prescription under a bill signed into law Monday, which grants broader access to contraception months after the Republican-dominated legislature enacted a statewide abortion ban.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb also signed a GOP-backed proposal requiring voters to submit more identification information to obtain mail-in ballots, which was approved during the legislative session that ended last week.

The new birth control law, which takes effect July 1, will allow pharmacists, not just physicians, to prescribe some hormonal contraceptives such as the patch or the pill. Supporters say the measure will offer women quicker access to contraceptives, especially in areas where they struggle to receive primary care. But opposing lawmakers doubted pharmacists could provide the same level of care as physicians.

The governor's office didnt release any comment Monday about Holcomb's decision, but when asked Friday about the birth control bill, he said more access is typically better, in my mind.

The law limits birth control prescriptions from pharmacists to no more than six months, and pharmacists cannot prescribe a contraceptive to a woman after 12 months unless the woman has been seen by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant in the past year, the bill states.

Pharmacists also will be allowed to decline to prescribe the medications under ethical, moral, or religious grounds.

Its important to recognize the necessity of access to safe birth control options for Hoosier women," bill author Republican state Rep. Elizabeth Rowray said in a Friday statement. Allowing highly trained, specialized health care professionals like pharmacists to prescribe birth control will go a long way in helping Hoosier women access to this important resource.

Lawmakers last summer debated a proposal for easier birth control access as Republicans pushed an abortion ban into law. Enforcement of that ban has been blocked while the Indiana Supreme Court weighs arguments that it violates the state constitution.

A vote for such access to birth control from pharmacists failed by one vote last summer, when Democratic Rep. Rita Fleming of Jeffersonville offered an amendment with similar language into a spending bill for low-income women and children that lawmakers advanced alongside the abortion ban.

This legislation will allow more Hoosier women to control when and if they grow their families and will enhance public health for years to come, Fleming said in a statement Friday.

The tougher mail-in balloting rules that Holcomb signed into law were approved in near-party line votes as Democrats and voting rights groups argued that the steps will make voting more difficult for many people.

The new law will require Indiana voters submitting a paper application for a mail ballot to include a photocopy of a government-issued identification card or at least two ID numbers, such as their 10-digit drivers license or the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Tim Wesco of Osceola maintained that the tighter rules were aimed at increasing voter confidence in elections by putting identification requirements for mail-in ballots in line with those for in-person voting.

The changes will take effect July 1 and first be required for mail-in ballots cast in the falls city and town elections around the state.

Voting rights groups argued that the stricter ID requirements werent necessary because confirmed instances of voter fraud are rare in Indiana. They noted that county election workers already must confirm whether a persons signature on an application matches their voter registration record.

Some who testified before lawmakers in support of the bill argued that the current signature matching process was not stringent enough and that voters were screaming for tighter rules around mail voting.

Associated Press writer Tom Davies contributed to this report.

Rodgers is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/arleighrodgers
Opioid painkillers have left millions of Americans addicted or dead over the past three decades. Now, state and local governments are receiving more than $50 billion in settlement funds from the companies accused of aggressively promoting those medications. Many people see the money, which will be distributed over the next 15 years, as an opportunity to transform the countrys addiction treatment landscape.

But many states arent being transparent about where dollars are going, and others are facing contentious battles over what should be funded. Although most of the settlements require states to spend the bulk of the money on addiction treatment and prevention, defining those concepts often depends on geography and politics.

KFF Health News senior correspondent Aneri Pattani appeared on NPRs 1A on May 1 to discuss these critical issues and what people need to know to hold their governments accountable. Shes joined by three people featured in her previous reporting: Jackie Lewis, a mother and grandmother personally affected by the opioid epidemic; Christine Minhee, founder of OpioidSettlementTracker.com; and Cara Poland, an addiction medicine doctor and chair of Michigans Opioid Advisory Commission.

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.

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DENVER (AP)  When Tomas Beauford was arrested after getting into a fight at a group home for intellectually disabled people in 2014, a device he wore around his wrist to help regulate his seizures was confiscated as if it were jewelry when he got to jail, according to a lawsuit filed by his mother. When he refused to take an array of medications there for his epilepsy and mental illness, he was allowed to skip them even though he had the mental capacity of a 5-year-old, the lawsuit said.

Nearly a decade after Beauford was found dead in his cell after allegedly suffering multiple seizures behind bars, lawyers for Tiffany Marsh announced Monday that she won a $2 million settlement with Mesa County and the health care company which the county had hired to provide medical care for people housed at its jail.

Her lawsuit alleged that jail workers did not provide Beauford medical attention after witnessing his seizures during a six-week stay in jail. He was found dead on April 16, 2014, his body on the ground and his head wedged inside the bottom shelf of a desk in his cell, after deputies had witnessed him having seizures in the hours before, according to Marsh's lawsuit.

It's just like they gave up on my kid completely, said Marsh, who had urged jail staff to try offering her son Sprite or root beer to coax him take his medications, as she had.

One of her lawyers, David Lane, said Beauford, who had an IQ of 52, should never have been put in jail in the first place. He said police should have just diffused the situation at the group home and then allowed staffers to handle things.

Once the machine gets turned on, stopping the machine is almost impossible, he said, referring to the criminal justice system.

Under the settlement, no one was disciplined for Beauford's death, Lane said. The county did not admit any wrongdoing but did agree to place a plaque with Beauford's photo on it in the lobby of the jail so those who work there will see it every day. The county has also promised to provide annual trainings on inmates who refuse to take medication, intellectually disabled inmates and recognizing and treating seizures.

The current Mesa County sheriff, Todd Rowell, also wrote a letter of apology to Marsh as part of the deal.

We take our responsibilities seriously and while it may be difficult to find any positive from the loss of a loved one, please know we have examined and will continue to look for ways to improve ourselves, our policies and procedures to make sure that all life is respected and cared for to the best of our ability, he wrote.

Mesa County agreed to pay $1.6 million under the settlement and Correctional Health Care Companies, Inc., which is now part of Wellpath, paid $400,000.

The county referred questions to the sheriff's office. Spokesperson Wendy Likes said the office regretted the loss of Beauford's life but said that it does not comment on litigation.

Wellpath did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the settlement.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  National and regional advocacy groups have urged the New Mexico Supreme Court to strike down recent abortion-ban ordinances in several cities and counties, in a legal filing Monday.

The Supreme Court has not said yet whether it will consider legal arguments from independent parties, including a professional society for obstetricians and gynecologists, and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. The court blocked local abortion ordinances while it deliberates.

The new briefing says that local abortion restrictions would create a checkerboard of regulatory restrictions and enforcement schemes that undermines uniform health care access and standards, especially pregnancy-related care in remote and impoverished communities. The arguments were cosigned by Planned Parenthood, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the local advocacy group Bold Futures NM.

Three anti-abortion groups, including a member of the national Family Policy Alliance, also recently entered the legal fray with their own briefing. They argued local governments have the right to enforce federal abortion restrictions under a 19th century U.S. law that prohibits the delivery of abortion medication and supplies.

The state attorney general petitioned the high court to strike down abortion-ban ordinances approved by local governments spanning much of eastern New Mexico. Attorney General Raul Torrez argued that the local laws violate state constitutional guarantees  including New Mexicos equal rights amendment that prohibits discrimination based on sex or being pregnant.

Local governments of Lea and Roosevelt counties, and the cities of Hobbs and Clovis, where opposition to abortion runs deep, are disputing that interpretation of the state constitution as they defend local abortion restrictions. Since the court case began, additional abortion bans have been adopted near Albuquerque in central New Mexico and in Eunice near the Texas state line.

State abortion laws in New Mexico are among the most liberal in the country.

In 2021, the Legislature repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, ensuring access to abortion even after the U.S. Supreme Court last year rolled back guarantees.

This year, Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed two abortion-rights bills that override local ordinances aimed at limiting access and shield abortion providers from prosecution by out-of-state interests.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Pennsylvania's state Senate on Monday approved legislation to ban so-called safe injection sites, after Philadelphia became the center of a legal battle over opening safe havens where opioid users could legally inject heroin and other drugs under supervision as a way to reduce overdoses.

The bill passed, 41-9, with every Republican in favor of it and nine of 22 Democrats against it.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Christine Tartaglione, D-Philadelphia, said she supports recovery and harm-reduction efforts, such as needle exchanges and mobile methodone units, but not what she called programs that perpetuate addiction without a path to recovery.

Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Philadelphia, said efforts to ban the centers are based on misconceptions that they provide drugs or contribute to crime. Rather, the centers are sanitary and staffed by professionals who save lives by connecting addicts to treatment and services that can help them and reduce pressure on police and emergency responders, Saval said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, has said he opposes safe injection sites. The subject has divided Democrats, making it unlikely that the bill will come up in the Democratic-controlled state House of Representatives.

The U.S. Department of Justice in 2021 won a lawsuit when the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia rejected a plan to open a supervised injection site in the city. The court concluded the operation would violate a 1980s-era drug law aimed at crackhouses.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take the case. The Justice Department has since said it is evaluating such facilities and talking to regulators about appropriate guardrails.

Rhode Island and New York City have allowed their use while the governors of California and Vermont each vetoed safe injection sites bill last summer.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  An Indiana law that requires abortion clinics to either bury or cremate fetal remains will remain in effect after the U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to consider a lawsuit challenging it.

The court gave no explanation for its decision in an order it issued turning down hearings in several dozen cases.

That action will leave in place the law first adopted by Indianas Republican-dominated Legislature in 2016 and signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence.

The Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in November overturned an Indiana judges decision that the law infringed upon the religious and free speech rights of people who do not believe aborted fetuses deserve the same treatment as deceased people. The appeals court said the law didnt require any woman to violate her beliefs as it only applied to hospitals or clinics.

The appeals court cited a 2019 ruling by the Supreme Court upholding the fetal remains provisions of the law and that the state had a legitimate interest in how those remains are disposed.

The latest lawsuit against the fetal remains law was filed in 2020 on behalf of the Womens Med Group abortion clinic in Indianapolis, its owner, two nurse practitioners who work at the clinic and three women.

Rupali Sharma, senior counsel at the New York-based Lawyering Project, which represented the group, said in a statement Monday that it was disappointed with the courts order. Sharma said the group believed it remains blatantly unconstitutional for the state to force upon people its views about when life begins.

Indianas Republican attorney general has defended the law as recognizing fetal remains as more than medical waste and deserving of cremation or burial.

Indiana lawmakers last summer adopted a statewide abortion ban, but abortions have continued to be permitted in the state while awaiting an Indiana Supreme Court decision on the bans constitutionality.
NAIROBI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Long-term growth, peace, and stability in the Horn of Africa region will be dependent on the enactment of policies and legislation to facilitate structured human mobility across borders, says the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a report launched Tuesday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

The inaugural State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa report, compiled by the IOM in conjunction with the East African Community and Intergovernmental Authority on Development, both regional blocs, says that the free movement of civilians will enable the region to harness the full benefits of integration.

Kenyan President William Ruto in the report's foreword said the Horn of Africa region stood to gain from seamless human mobility, citing sustained economic growth, political stability, and social cohesion.

"Allowing people, goods, and services to move freely across the region and the continent creates opportunities and wealth for Africa and its people," Ruto said, adding that human mobility will be key to realizing aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ruto also said that Kenya was committed to the regional integration agenda, having enacted legal and policy instruments aimed at facilitating the free cross-border movement of skilled labor, goods, and services.

The State of Migration in the East and Horn of Africa report, covering 12 countries, offers a comprehensive insight into the mobility dimension of regional integration, trade, and the impact of migration on health, gender parity, and climate resilience.

In addition, the report calls for enhanced labor mobility, revamping of border posts through digitization, and sustainable reintegration of migrants fleeing turmoil and economic hardships.

The report calls on Horn of Africa states to address climate change, human trafficking, high youth unemployment, and infectious diseases that posed existential threats to the safe, orderly, and human movement of civilians.

Mohammed Abdiker, regional director of the IOM Office for East and Horn of Africa, said human mobility if well-managed has the potential to lift the region out of poverty besides easing inter-communal tensions.

Abdiker noted that by fully integrating migrants and protecting their civil liberties, Horn of Africa countries will address the shortage of skilled labor, and unleash innovations and enterprises. 
Welcome to the newest offering at The Ridge Above Rock Creek! This well appointed home offered by award winning builder Cornerstone Construction focuses on style, elegance and function. It starts with almost 3,000 SF of living space split up between 5 bedrooms ( two suits) and elegantly styled by well known interior designer to offer a best in class experience. We are available for builder and design consultations upon request. Located just 20 miles east of Missoula, The Ridge Above Rock Creek would speak to the heart of anyone who ever loved Norman McLean's' A River Runs Through it. Residency at the Ridge Above Rock Creek gives you the opportunity to explore and recreate on 437 acres of shared recreational area. For more information, call Jeremy Williams at (406) 926-6767 or text "RARC" to 59559 or your real estate professional. (See Additional Remarks) For those who crave wider spaces and untouched lands, the Ridge Above Rock Creek is the perfect place to call home with a blend of tranquility and outside adventures all found within this distinct mountain community. Imagine beginning your day waking up to the whisper of pine trees and the sounds of nature outside your bedroom window, or the view from your deck as you sip your morning coffee and capture the gaze of a deer or an eagle soaring. One of the most distinct features of life at the Ridge Above Rock Creek is close proximity to the iconic Rock Creek drainage, a mecca for anglers of all skill levels. Located conveniently close to Missoula, Rock Creek flows primarily through National Forest lands, allowing for excellent access to most of the creek's length. This creek is often referred to nationally as 'the angler's dream' with cool and clear waters that are known for brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout. If you are searching for the perfect place to call home and embrace the Western Montana lifestyle, we invite you to schedule a private tour and meet with our team to learn more about living at the Ridge Above Rock Creek. Renderings represent the floor plan only and may not represent final specs of the home please call Listing Agent for complete package. Call or text Jeremy Williams at 406-926-6767, or your real estate professional. Stop dreaming and start exploring new possibilities for a captivating and adventurous way of life!

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Looking for a spacious and remodeled home with a separate 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment? Look no further than this stunning 2 bedroom home with 2 bonus rooms and a fully furnished apartment at the rear of the property. Zoned C2-4 there are plenty of opportunities from primary residence to short term rental or even using the property for business use. As you step inside the main home, you'll be greeted by an inviting living room featuring ample natural light, new paint, light fixtures and flooring throughout. The renovated kitchen is perfect for a chef, boasting stainless steel appliances, space for entertaining at the new peninsula, and plenty of storage. This home also features 4 updated rooms, with the main suite complete with a  bath and bonus rooms that could easily be used as a bright office or add in egress windows to create 4 true bedrooms. The updated bathrooms are sure to impress with modern fixtures and finishes, the largest of which has a brand-new soaking tub. The separate apartment at the rear of the property offers an additional 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. With its own private entrance and the privacy of separate alley access its perfect for guests, a separate work space or even as a rental unit to help offset your mortgage. Located in the Franklin to the Fort neighborhood in Missoula, you'll love the convenience of being close to local shops, restaurants, and outdoor recreation. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this stunning home yours - schedule a showing today! It is the responsibility of the buyers and their agents to verify all info regarding this property. Info is provided by outside sources and deemed reliable but it is not guaranteed by listing agent or listing office. Call Melissa Huus; 406-531-0015 or your real estate professional.

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HELENA  A transgender Democratic state lawmaker is asking a state district court to block the House Republicans' actions last week that banned her from accessing the chamber.

Rep. Zooey Zephyr of Missoula is still allowed to vote remotely, but has been forbidden from accessing the House chamber since last week. Republicans, who voted in lockstep to keep her out of the House, argued it was necessary following her support for protesters who had disrupted the chambers proceedings earlier that week. Seven were arrested after the protest on misdemeanor charges; law enforcement has said they are not aware of damage or violence during the event.

The complaint was filed by the Montana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in Lewis and Clark County District Court on Monday. It alleges that the ban violated Zephyrs rights to free speech under the state and federal constitutions, and her right to equal protection under the state constitution.

Four of Zephyrs House District 100 constituents  Anna Wong, Dean Chou, Brady Schwertfeger and Sarah Velk, all from Missoula  are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit. It alleges that their rights to representation, equal protection, self government and freedom of assembly under the Montana Constitution are being violated.

House Speaker Matt Regier, a Kalispell Republican, and Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley Murfitt are named as defendants. Sergeant staff act at the direction of House leadership. The lawsuit asks the district court judge for a temporary restraining order blocking them from denying Zephyr the ability to fully participate in proceedings on the House floor.

Voters elect their representatives to do more than simply vote on bills, the complaint states. Representatives also are elected to use of the floor of the House to pursue their constituents interests and views  using the platform provided by the Peoples House to educate and persuade their colleagues and the public through speech, debate, and lobbying.

The case is before District Court Judge Kathy Seeley. As of Monday afternoon, she had not issued any order in the case.

In a statement, Department of Justice spokesperson Emily Flower called the lawsuit performance litigation.

The ACLU is trying to use the courts to interfere with the Legislature as it carries out its constitutional duties on behalf of Montanans, Flower said. Any relief granted by the court would be a gross violation of the separation of powers.

Zephyr is a member of two committees, and her ability to participate in those is not being restricted, Regier has said. She was recognized and participated in a discussion on a bill before the House Judiciary Committee on Monday morning.

The dispute began two weeks ago, when Zephyr spoke in opposition to a bill that would ban some gender-affirming health care for transgender minors in Montana. The freshman lawmaker scolded those supporting the bill, saying they should be ashamed and that they would have blood on their hands  the latter a reference to the higher rate of suicide among trans youth.

Only Republicans have supported the bill. Following initial objections to Zephyrs wording, Regier stopped recognizing Zephyr when she attempted to join debate on the House floor, a ruling that was backed up by most of the other Republican representatives and opposed by Democrats.

There is a maximum of four days left in the legislative session after Monday.
Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court, in the Dobbs abortion case, flouted 50 years of precedent, overruling Roe v. Wade. Concurring, Justice Clarence Thomas said, this is only the beginning  the Courts 1965 privacy ruling regarding access to contraceptives is now in his sights.

Now evidence has surfaced that Justice Clarence has, for years, accepted lavish gifts from a right-wing billionaire benefactor. Further, Thomass wife also generated substantial sums from conservative benefactors. Ginni Thomas, who self-identifies as a woman, actively promoted the lie that the election was stolen.

Clarence has been quiet about these breaches, saying only that somebody told him he didnt have to disclose these lavish gifts, and that he didnt understand the forms  an explanation worthy of a third-grader who got caught with his fingers in the cookie jar.

Perhaps, the benefactor made these gifts solely because of Clarences good looks and Ginnis vivacious personality  and perhaps pigs can fly.

On her Stop the Steal antics, Ginni said she and Clarence never talk politics in their quiet moments. Thats a visual we could all do without.

Courts must be insulated from politics. However, with such insulation comes an important responsibility  the courts, as an institution, must rely on the publics trust and moral suasion. Courts must police themselves or be policed. Particularly in their financial dealings, judges must be purer than Caesars wife. But no one, including the Court itself, seems capable of reigning Thomas in. So much for draining the swamp.

Thomass corruption has betrayed that public trust.

The contrast between Washington and Montana is illuminating. In Montana, legislators are turning over every stone looking for a judge scandal, but finding none. In Washington, there is an ugly financial scandal right in front of us, but no one is doing anything about it.

Thankfully, Montana has a code of ethics that applies to all judges. Importantly, judges must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. In Washington, it appears that the Supreme Court Justices feel that they are above such ethical strictures.

Undaunted by the lack of evidence of judicial misbehavior, some in the Montana Legislature continue to seek a solution. These legislative attacks have been highly political and largely motivated by losses in the court.

Several unsuccessful bills were introduced proposing to eliminate non-partisan election of judges. Several other wacky resolutions claim the Legislature, not the courts, has the ultimate say in interpreting the Constitution.

One of the few surviving measures in this Session is HB 326, which proposes to alter the membership of the Judicial Standards Commission. This is a constitutionally-required commission, designed to oversee the conduct of judges. Currently, three of the members are appointed by the judicial branch. HB 326 changes that so that the Attorney General appoints the attorney member, and the two district judge members will be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Why? Has there been a problem with the operation of the Judicial Standards Commission? Or, on the more cynical side, is this just an attempt to rig the system? Will this Commission now be perverted into a Star Chamber to investigate heretical court rulings?

The work of the Judicial Standards Commission is not an enviable job. Who would relish the job of informing a declining, but respected judge that its time to retire? It seems that somebody wants that job, but probably not for the right reasons.

This is the ultimate irony. Montanas judges, who have done nothing wrong, are being hounded. Meanwhile, in Washington, Clarence the Corrupt skates.
Portions of Interstate 55 south of Springfield reopened in both directions Tuesday morning after being closed much of the afternoon and evening Monday due to a series of fatal crashes.

Illinois State Police said that the closed areas of the interstate reopened around 6 a.m. after vehicles and debris from the crashes were cleared off the road. Dozens of cars and commercial vehicles were involved in the crashes, which took place around 11 a.m. Monday near mile marker 76 in Montgomery County.

The crashes were the result of blowing dust in the area stemming from farm fields being plowed in preparation for the spring planting season. The National Weather Service in Lincoln said that winds reached as high as 54 mph at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield Monday afternoon, with gusts ranging between 35-45 mph helping to kick up the dust that caused visibility in the affected areas to be reduced to zero in some parts.

During a press conference along I-55 Tuesday, ISP Director Brendan Kelly said that the flat nature of the road and lack of wind breaks made it easy for conditions to deteriorate like they did Monday.

"(It) caused zero visibility, complete blackout conditions," Kelly said.

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly addresses the media on a series of fatal crashes along Interstate 55 Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

He later said that investigators would attempt to ascertain exactly from where the dust was coming, with any number of factors being potentially responsible for the quick-moving dust cloud. He said that the agency wasn't going to jump to any conclusions when it came to theories that inadequate farming techniques led to the storm.

"Some of these things may be related to a period of dryness," Kelly said. "There's not as much rain as there usually has been (at this time) and we're going to try to connect as many dots as we can to see if there's anything that we can learn from that. We're not going to jump to any conclusions."

More: Trial begins for 2018 Springfield murder

As a result of the crashes, traffic was shut down in both directions from mile marker 63 near Zanesville in Montgomery County to mile marker 80 near Divernon in both directions in order for law enforcement to clear and investigate the crash. Kelly said that there wasn't any reason to pre-emptively shut the roads down prior to the crashes, even with the looming dust cloud.

Story continues

"It is a pretty extreme thing to shut a road down," Kelly said. "We do that during blizzards (and) HazMat or circumstances like this and the parameters for shutting a road down are not always predictable in the sense that the weather's not always predictable. To this point, there's nothing to indicate that IDOT or ISP or anybody had any information that would warrant shutting a road down."

ISP said that at least 72 vehicles were involved in the crash, with 37 people being sent to area hospitals with a wide range of injuries. Late Monday night, ISP said that six people died as a result of the crashes, with each death occurring in the northbound lane.

Montgomery County Coroner Randy Leetham has already identified one victim in the crashes  Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin. The identity of the other five people is being withheld pending notification of the families.

Kelly said that at least three other people had been tentatively identified by Leetham's office, with two others still unidentified. Kelly said that one person had been driving a blue Chrysler 300 and another driving a Hyundai when they were killed.

He recommended that people who had any information on the two outstanding identities contact ISP at (618) 346-3653.

To identify the victims and clear the scene, ISP received help from a wide range of government agencies, with the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, Springfield Police Department, Springfield Fire Department and Chatham Fire Department among others providing their assistance. SFD Chief Brandon Blough said that his department's HazMat teams were needed to help with the cleanup, in addition to helping to extricate people trapped in their vehicles.

Kelly praised the work of the ISP troopers, the Illinois Department of Transportation and other law enforcement assigned to the scene, saying that they acted in a professional and timely manner when it came to ensuring the safety of people in the area.

"Dust storms happen, but it's something that doesn't happen every day in this part or any part of Illinois," Kelly said. "This is a series of unusual circumstances. It's simply a terrible, terrible tragedy (and) it was a terrible day in this part of the state and for the families affected by this."

State leaders have sent their condolences to the families impacted by the crashes, with U.S. 13th Congressional District Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) saying she was "heartbroken" by the fatalities.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of these individuals and everyone who has been hospitalized with injuries," Budzinski said.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said that his office was ready to assist those affected, if needed.

"(I'm) heartbroken to hear of at least six fatalities and more than 30 people being transported to four local hospitals," Durbin said. "My office is in close contact with federal, state, and local officials and stands ready to offer any assistance."

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Westchester, also provided his condolences, with praise for the first responders who acted quickly to save lives.

"My prayers go out to all those who were affected by this horrific accident," Welch said. "I send my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and I continue to pray for those who suffered injuries. I also want to thank our brave first responders who acted diligently to save lives and prevent further tragedy."

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: 'A terrible, terrible tragedy': High winds, dust to blame for fatal pileup
SPINDALE  A Rutherford County man pleaded guilty Monday to giving his 16-year-old girlfriend a pain pill laced with fentanyl, leading to her September 2022 death.

In return for his plea, Nicholas Gage Ivey, 19, of Spindale, will serve up to three years in prison. He also has agreed to testify against his co-defendant, Deontae Jaquise Miller, 24, of Rutherfordton.

Both were arrested in connection with the death of Abigail Saunderson, 16, of Gaston County.

At his arraignment Monday, Ivey pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to sell/deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, and felony conspiracy, District Attorney Travis Page told The Charlotte Observer. He received consecutive sentences of 10-21 months and 6-17 months.

As a condition of his plea, Ivey is expected to testify against Miller, Page said.

The victims mother, Tracy Saunderson-Ross, told Observer news partner WSOC that Abigail asked for a pain pill from Ivey, never knowing it contained fentanyl, a powerful narcotic responsible for thousands of deaths in the Carolinas and across the country. The number of fentanyl-related fatal overdoses in North Carolina has risen from 442 in 2016 to 3,163 in 2021, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

On Sept. 26 just before 7 a.m., officers with the Gaston County Police Department found Abigail unconscious near Bessemer City, 10 minutes from Gastonia. Ivey and Miller were arrested in December.

Abigails mother told WSOC that she brought a strand of her daughters hair to court with her on Monday.

(Abigail) was a little light in everybodys life. Anybody that met her, she said.
Editors note: Calendar items must be submitted at least five days before an event. Email all items to news@morganton.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 2

American Legion meeting

American Legion Post 21 Morganton will be meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Timberwoods Family Restaurant, 1501 Bethel Road in Morganton. We are looking for new members as well as young men for the Sons of the American Legion. To be eligible for membership in the Sons of the American Legion, you must be a male descendant (son, grandson, stepson, or adopted son) of a member of The American Legion; a veteran who died in service during World War I or since Dec. 7, 1941; or a veteran who died after their honorable discharge from such service.

THURSDAY, MAY 4

NAACP meeting

The Burke County NAACP will meet at the Mountain View Recreation Center, 645 1st St., Morganton, at 6:30 p.m. All members are invited to attend, and all COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

Republican Party meeting

The Burke County Republican Party will meet at Granny's Country Kitchen, 3448 Miller Bridge Road, Connelly Springs. The Dutch treat dinner will begin at 6 p.m., with the program starting at 7 p.m. Guest speakers are to be announced. Fellow republicans and conservatives are invited to attend.

BCPS listening session

Burke County Public Schools will host a community listening session at 6 p.m. at Mountain View Elementary School. The topic will be "School Finance and Legislative Impacts on Public Schools."

FRIDAY, MAY 5

Clothing sale

The ladies of Morganton First Baptist Church will hold their 12th annual Ladies Clothing Sale for U.S. Missions on May 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations will be accepted on May 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

Clothing Sale

The ladies of Morganton First Baptist Church will hold their 12th annual Ladies Clothing Sale for U.S. Missions from 8 a.m. to noon. All items will be 1/2 price. Donations will be accepted on May 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Yard sale

Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church will hold a yard sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Mary Lou at 443-5569 to rent a table for $10 or space for $5. A full breakfast will be available at $10 a plate.

Hamburger, hot dog and bake sale

Nebo First Baptist Church, at the intersection of U.S. 70 and Harmony Grove Road, Nebo, is hosting a hamburger, hot dog and bake sale starting at 11 a.m. The sale is dine in or takeout, and funds raised will go toward medical expenses.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Wreath-making workshop

The Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Museum, 24 Water St., Old Fort, will host a spring wreath-making workshop at 11 a.m. The workshop, led by Toni Jo McCoart, will cost $15 per wreath, and registration and pre-payment are required by May 10. For more information, call the museum at 828-668-9259 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email brittany.bennett@ncdcr.gov.

MONDAY, MAY 15

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

Sons of the American Revolution meeting

The Col. Alexander Erwin Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will meet at 6 p.m. at the Morganton Community House, 120 N. King St., Morganton. William Caldwell will present a program titled "Rogues, Banditti & Crackers: 'The Southern Backcountry by the time of the American Revolution.'" The chapter also will recognize its youth middle school brochure and elementary school poster contest winners. The meeting is open to the public, but those who wish to attend must RSVP by contacting Robert Patton at 828-443-3720 or robert.patton1@icloud.com. Dinner is $13 per person.

SATURDAY, MAY 20

Wilson Creek Cleanup

The Wilson Creek Faithful will be organizing a cleanup on Wilson Creek on Saturday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Trash bags and beverages will be provided. For more information, contact David Benner at 828-433-7932 or Leonard Baker at 252-289-0211.

MONDAY, MAY 22

Business marketing class

The Morganton Downtown Development Association, in collaboration with the Small Business Center at Western Piedmont Community College, will offer a business marketing training session on Finding Your Customers and Creating a Marketing Plan from 4-6 p.m. at the Morganton Community House at 120 N. King St. in Morganton. A second session will take place from 8-10 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, at the Community House called Dynamite Marketing for Small Businesses. The sessions are free to attend, but those interested must register in advance. To register for the first session, visit https://bit.ly/3ZTIPml. To register for the second session, visit https://bit.ly/3Fw3Hbb.

MONDAY, JUNE 19

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

MONDAY, JULY 17

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

MONDAY, AUG. 21

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

MONDAY, SEPT. 18

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

TUESDAY, OCT. 10

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

TUESDAY, NOV. 21

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

MONDAY, DEC. 18

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.
Drag story time ban amendments get initial OK in House

The House approved amendments made by a free conference committee that would ban drag story hours at libraries and classrooms that receive public funding, as well as minors in drag shows in some public places.

A free conference committee is a small group of legislators that is appointed when the House and Senate cannot agree on amendments to the bill. In this case, that was House Bill 359, from Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls.

The bill started as a ban on minors attending drag shows, but was heavily amended in the Senate to block minors from attending adult-oriented performances. Amendment sponsor Sen. Chris Friedel, R-Billings said the change would make the bill defensible in court. Earlier this spring, a bill in Tennessee that recently passed was temporarily blocked in court because it was found to be unconstitutionally vague.

But Mitchell opposed the change, saying it stripped the bill of his original intention. The amendment made in the free conference committee bans drag story hours in schools and libraries that receive public funding and bans minors from attending sexually oriented or obscene performances on public property.

The bill also defines both drag kings and queens as "a male or female performer who adopts a flamboyant or parodic (male or female) persona with glamorous or exaggerated costumes and makeup."

The House passed the bill on a 65-35 margin, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in voting against it.

 Holly Michels

Citizenship verification for voters

A legislative response to a pair of foreign citizens who were alleged to have voted illegally in a Hi-Line mayoral election in 2021 failed on a narrow vote after a spirited debate Monday.

House Bill 402, sponsored by Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, directs the Secretary of State to develop a process for verifying the citizenship status of newly registered voters.

Sen. Manzella was apparently mistakenly assigned to carry the bill in the Senate, meaning she is responsible for presenting it during a floor debate. Though Manzella is a fellow Republican from the Bitterroot, she has frequently been at odds with Bedey on issues of voter integrity and urged her fellow senators to kill the bill, which had recently emerged from a conference committee.

That committee had restored language allowing people to cast their ballots if their citizenship is still being verified. Eliminating that language, some feared, would open the state up to lawsuits if people were denied the right to vote simply because the verification process was ongoing.

Manzella, however, saw the bill as implicitly granting noncitizens the right to vote in those circumstances.

Our citizens are watching this closely, Manzella said. They have lost trust in our elections and putting this into law is not going to rebuild their trust.

House Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick emphatically rejected those arguments as ignoring the need to comply with federal law, and said the bill as amended would fix the problem of noncitizens being potentially able to vote.

Youre screwing up a good bill, said Fitzpatrick, adding, Either were for election integrity or were not.

After passing the Senate on second reading, it narrowly failed a final vote Monday evening, 24-25.

 Sam Wilson
By Alex Pologruto | May 2, 2023

The Graphic Design program housed in Murray State Universitys Department of Art & Design is ranked #1 in the state of Kentucky for 2023 and in the Top 25 in the South by the Animation Career Review (ACR), a major online resource for people aspiring for careers in animation, game design, graphic design, digital art and related fields.

MURRAY, Ky.  The Graphic Design program housed in Murray State Universitys Department of Art & Design is ranked #1 in the state of Kentucky for 2023 and in the Top 25 in the South by the Animation Career Review (ACR), a major online resource for people aspiring for careers in animation, game design, graphic design, digital art and related fields.

ACR began publishing regional and national rankings in 2012 in response to myriad emails from aspiring animators and game designers asking what the best schools were in the United States, a given state or in a particular area of the country. The organization considers every degree-granting school of which they are aware, with the exception of two-year community colleges. ACRs end goal is to provide students and their parents access to ample information so they can make an informed decision about the school they choose to attend and the program they pursue.

Graphic Design program rankings consider over 700 colleges and are ranked on the following criteria in no particular order: academic reputation, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of the program, value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness and employment data.

In the Spring 2023 semester, the Department of Art & Design at Murray State University will celebrate its third graduating class of students earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design. Students earning a BFA in Graphic Design learn branding, corporate identity, logo design, typography, web design, motion graphics, animation, package design, mobile interface design and illustration.

Sarina Hamilton, a sophomore Graphic Design major from Paducah, Kentucky, says she cant imagine herself in any other program.

The graphic design program is incredible, said Hamilton. Jim Bryant (professor of art and coordinator of the program) and Scott Cook (assistant professor of graphic design) are excellent designers whose top priority is always to strengthen and foster the skills of each student they teach. I've never felt more accepted and confident than in this department. Upon graduation, I will be more than ready to enter my career. For anyone interested in this field, I couldn't recommend it here more!

Jesus Gallegos Moreno, a senior Graphic Design major from Durango, Mexico, has found the artistic challenge and high expectations of the program to be rewarding.

In Graphic Design, I was just enraptured by the atmosphere, said Gallegos Moreno. I thought I would easily finish and outdo the assignments and my classmates, but I couldn't at all, and I loved that. The program pushed my comfort zone and made me explore more 3D and 2D physical works which will give me the skills to edge in my future in the Graphic Design world. Scott and Jim provide an excellent balance of teaching styles and experiments with digital and print media.

Over the past 20 years, students with an emphasis in Graphic Design have had a nearly 100 percent job placement. Graduates have found employment in companies across the country working with Google, Amazon, Sony Playstation, The Pentagon, Bungie Games, All State, Big Ass Fans and in industries including corporate branding, game design, advertising, icon design, web design, illustration, designing movie posters in Hollywood and many others.

Jim and Scott are extremely dedicated to fostering successful student learning environments coupled with delivering skill sets that are relevant to the contemporary design workplace, said Chris Lavery, chair of the Department of Art & Design. Our students are prepared through a blend of coursework that involve design, studio art and art history courses. We look at our design program as an integral component of the overall department and each student benefits from the hybridization we champion our students to partake in. A student who graduates from the Department of Art & Design is truly graduating with a future career, filled with opportunities to interact in the field of art and design.

To view the complete list of top-ranked graphic design program schools in the state of Kentucky please visit bit.ly/42gbKlF. To view the top 25 graphic design program colleges and schools in the South please visit bit.ly/3LpQLWz.

For more information about the graphic design program at Murray State University please visit the Department of Art & Design website at murraystate.edu/art.
MOGADISHU, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army on Tuesday killed 60 al-Shabaab militants during a special operation in the Mudug region of central Somalia, a military official confirmed.

Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, the Somali National Army chief, told Somali National News Agency that the troops arrested some militants and recovered weapons during the operation.

"Our forces and the local forces got an intelligence report about the militants' intention and movement in the area and jointly made the operation. They destroyed a big truck loaded with explosives and captured a Toyota Hilux car during the operation," Rageh said.

The al-Shabaab militants are yet to comment on the latest operation by Somali troops in central Somalia. 
Wisconsins conservative-controlled Supreme Court ruled a hospital couldn't be forced to give a deworming drug to a patient with COVID-19, saying a county judge did not cite a legal basis for ordering the facility to administer ivermectin. Ivermectin became popular among conservatives after commentators and even some far-right doctors held up the antiparasitic drug as a miracle cure for the coronavirus and other illnesses. But the Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved it for use in treating COVID-19 and warns that misusing ivermectin can be harmful, even fatal. Tuesday's decision upholds a lower court's ruling against Allen Gahl, who sued Aurora Health Care in 2021 when doctors refused to treat his uncle with ivermectin.
Chinese electric car exporters are starting to compete with global brands in their home markets. They bring fast-developing technology and low prices that Tesla's chief financial officer says are scary. BYD Auto is the biggest-selling Chinese electric brand. It opened a dealership in Japan in February. NIO, a maker of premium-priced SUVs, exports to Europe. The ruling Communist Party has made China the biggest EV market with the help of multibillion-dollar subsidies. The ruling party wants to make China a creator of renewable energy and other profitable technologies. Other Chinese EV exporters include Geely Group's Zeekr and Ora, a unit of SUV maker Great Wall Motors.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippines' security and noted the deep friendship of the two nations as he hosted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for White House talks Monday as concerns grow about the Chinese navy's harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.

Marcos' visit to Washington comes after the U.S. and the Philippines last week completed their largest war drills ever and as the two countries' air forces on Monday will hold their first joint fighter jet training in the Philippines since 1990. The Philippines this year agreed to give the U.S. access to four more bases on the islands as the U.S. looks to deter Chinas increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea.

Meanwhile, China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard patrols and chasing away fishermen in waters that are close to Philippine shores but that Beijing claims as its own.

But as Biden sat down with Marcos, the U.S. president went out of his way to note the progress in the U.S.-Philippine relationshipone that has had ups and downs over the years and was in a difficult place when Marcos took office less than a year ago.

We are facing new challenges and I couldnt think of a better partner to have than you. Biden told Marcos at the start of their Oval Office meeting. The United States also remains ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support the Philippines military modernization.

Marcos said the relationship was essential as Philippines and the Pacific finds itself in possibly the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.

Monday's Oval Office meeting is the latest high-level diplomacy with Pacific leaders by Biden as his administration contends with increased military and economic assertiveness by China and worries about North Korea's nuclear program. Marcos official visit to Washington is the first by a Philippine president in more than 10 years.

The U.S. president last week hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit during which the two leaders introduced new steps aimed at deterring North Korea from launching an attack on its neighbors. Biden is scheduled to travel to Japan and Australia in May.

Following the meeting, the White House announced the transfer of three C-130 aircraft and two coastal patrol vessels to the Philippines. The two countries also said they adopted defense guidelines aimed at deepening cooperation and interoperability between the two nations' militaries across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.

The administration also said it is launching a new trade mission focused on increasing American investment in the Philippines' innovation economy, new educational programing and more.

Increased Chinese harassment of vessels in the South China Sea has added another dimension to the visit. On April 23, journalists from The Associated Press and other outlets were aboard the Philippine coast guards BRP Malapascua near Second Thomas Shoal when a Chinese coast guard ship blocked the Philippine patrol vessel steaming into the disputed shoal. The Philippines has filed more than 200 diplomatic protests against China since last year, at least 77 since Marcos took office in June.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Saturday called media reporting on the encounters a stark reminder of Chinese harassment and intimidation of Philippine vessels as they undertake routine patrols within their exclusive economic zone."

"We call upon Beijing to desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct, Miller said.

U.S. and Taiwanese officials have also been unnerved by recent critical comments by Chinas ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, over the Philippines granting the U.S. military increased access to bases.

Huang at an April forum reportedly said the Philippines should oppose Taiwan's independence if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan, using the acronym for overseas Filipino workers.

China claims the self-ruled island as its own. The Philippines, like the U.S., has a One China policy that recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations with Taiwan. Marcos has not explicitly said that his country would assist the United States in any armed contingency in Taiwan.

The officials described Huangs comments as one of many recent provocative actions by the Chinese to put pressure on the Philippines.

One official said that Marcos still desires to work closely with both Washington and Beijing but that he finds himself in a situation in which the steps that China is taking are deeply concerning.

Close U.S.-Philippines relations were not a given when Marcos took office. The son and namesake of the late Philippines strongman had seemed intent on following the path of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who pursued closer ties with China.

Before Marcos took office last year, Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs on the White House National Security Council, acknowledged that historical considerations could present challenges to the relationship with Marcos Jr. It was an oblique reference to long-standing litigation in the United States against the estate of his father, Ferdinand Marcos.

A U.S. appeals court in 1996 upheld damages of about $2 billion against the elder Marcos estate for the torture and killings of thousands of Filipinos. The court upheld a 1994 verdict of a jury in Hawaii, where he fled after being forced from power in 1986. He died there in 1989.

Marcos noted that he last visited the White House when his father was in power.

Biden and Marcos met in September during the U.N. General Assembly, where the U.S. president acknowledged the two countries' sometimes rocky past.

During their private meeting at the UN, Biden, a Democrat, stressed to Marcos his desire to improve relations and asked Marcos how the administration could fulfill your dreams and hopes" to do that, a senior administration official told the Associated Press.

Marcos is also slated to visit the Pentagon, meet Cabinet members and business leaders and make remarks at a Washington think tank during his visit.
CHICAGO (AP)  First responders took 16 people, including nine teenage special needs students, to hospitals Tuesday after an SUV crashed head-on into a bus, authorities said.

The SUV attempted to pass a semi-tractor-trailer and collided with bus traveling in the opposite direction Tuesday morning, police said.

Nine students between the ages of 16 and 18 were injured but did not suffer serious injuries, the Chicago Fire Department said. They were taken to hospitals in good condition. The two drivers were listed in serious to critical condition.

The bus also carried five adults who were injured, the fire department said.

The driver of the SUV was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving on a revoked license, police said.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has revealed plans to hold a protest outside former President Uhuru Kenyattas home in Gatundu, Kiambu.

Speaking at Thika stadium during the 25th music anniversary for crooner Muigai wa Njoroge, the former Gatundu MP said he will lead President William Rutos allies in Mount Kenya region in the demonstration.

CS Kuria said they will protest Uhuru Kenyattas recent inroads in the political scene amid wrangles within the Jubilee Party.

It might be as soon as coming week. We will hold that meeting not anywhere else but outside the Kenyatta family homestead in Ichaweri village in Gatundu South, Kiambu, Kuria said.

The CS also hurled unprintable abuses at the former President and told him that his time in power was up.

Uhuru must get used to the fact that we are the ones in power, not him, he said.

Moses Kuria also accused Uhuru Kenyatta of orchestrating Azimio leader Raila Odingas protests. He alleged that Uhuru wants to destabilise President Rutos government through sponsoring opposition-driven upheavals.

There are those who are known for fighting investments through public protests and this time round they will have it rough, the CS said.

Kuria said he cannot be travelling around the world in search of investors while others known for their seasonal turmoil in the political scene scheme on how to sabotage our efforts.
By PCS

President William Ruto on Monday convened a virtual meeting with the heads of the United Nations agencies and other partners to mount a response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The meeting resolved that it is imperative to find ways to provide humanitarian support to the people of Sudan with or without a ceasefire.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic levels. The protagonists have declined to heed the calls by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the international community to cease fire,the President said.

Consequently, water, food and medicines are in short supply. Internally, the number of displaced people keeps rising as many more flee to neighboring countries.

The meeting was attended by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed, African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat and former Prime Minister of Sudan Abdallah Hamdok.

The UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr Martin Griffiths, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mr Filippo Grandi and Daniel OMalley from the International Committee of the Red Cross also attended the meeting.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced a major crackdown on plastic bags to protect the environment from pollution.

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations, Sakaja blamed plastic bags and bottles for clogged drainage systems leading to flooding in the city.

Sakaja regretted that the polythene bags have returned, threatening to reverse the environmental protection gains made following the ban effected four years ago.

A lot of roads and drainages are flooded because of dumping of plastic bags and bottles, we will not allow this as we have to keep our city clean, said Sakaja.

He said in a weeks time, the county government will undertake an operation within the city to ensure that the plastic bags and bottles that have been banned are no longer in the market and supermarkets.

Plastic paper bags were banned, but they have come back. In a week, we are going to go into another operation to make sure that plastic paper bags are no longer in our markets because they are the ones that are clogging our drainage he said.

The governor noted that Nairobi is the environment capital of the world, hosting the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and would not allow the banned plastics to be used in the city.

Sakaja also announced that his administration is working with Kenya National Highways Authority and Kenya Urban Roads Authority to finish the uncompleted work at the Nairobi Expressway.

He said a contractor has already been sourced to undertake the works at Uhuru highway.

Sakaja also requested the President to intervene on the private security wages which he lamented were underpaid regardless of the governments pronouncement every year during labour day that the minimum wage be above Sh13,000.

He said it is sad that the private security workers numbering 450,000 countrywide and in Nairobi County 250,000 are only paid between Sh4,000 to Sh5,000 when people are grappling with economic challenges.

Others sufferings are the drivers of Bolt, Uber and Taxify because of competition, said Sakaja, adding that 90 percent of the accidents caused by the drivers could be as a result of driving for 22 hours a day to make money.

The Governor disclosed that his government has already done regulations on transport touching on the digital companies and urged AA of Kenya and the Communication Authority to gazette the regulations so that the drivers can get something.He added that the County government has already designated picking and dropping of passengers by drivers.

Governor Sakaja further stated that his government managed to increase the countys revenue collection by Sh 673 million from January to March 2023 compared to the same period last year.

Sakaja who attributed the increase in revenue collection to the hard work and commitment by employees said in April 2023 the county also managed to collect Sh800 million, terming it the highest monthly amount ever collected since the start of devolution.

He announced that the county government will towards the end of this week employ 3500 workers in the cleaning section.
A morgue neighbouring Pastor Ezekiel Oderos prayer centre in Kilifi has confirmed collecting bodies and receiving others from the premises.

Milele Funeral Homes, which recently slammed Pastor Ezekiel for lying that his miracle drove them out of business, said it had collected bodies from the preachers New Life Prayer Centre in Mavueni.

The morgues Chief Executive, Johnson Amani Keya, said they started collecting bodies from pastor Ezekiels Mavueni complex last year.

Mr Keya reportedly told the Standard that they collected at least four bodies from the church before they fell out with the wealthy preacher.

We collected about four bodies with our morgue vehicles at the church premises after the church administration contacted us on different occasions. However, we stopped going there after we had a clash with Pastor Ezekiel, he said.

Keya said after they stopped collecting the bodies from the premises, families started ferrying their dead to the funeral home from Ezekiels church.

We have lost count of how many because so many families have brought in their dead relatives, he said,

Pastor Ezekiels Mavueni church complex has since been shut down after he was arrested on April 27. The sanctuary sits on 65 acres of land and can host up to 45,000 people.

Ezekiel is facing charges for alleged fraud, money laundering, murder, aiding suicide and radicalisation.
American Canyon officials want to annex 83 acres and develop a portion with industry and businesses and  if all goes as described  a road extension that takes some traffic off busy Highway 29.

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The city is working on an environmental impact report for its proposed Paoli/Watson Lane annexation. This land is east of Highway 29 near Paoli Loop Road.

What might seem to be an American Canyon-centric issue could have ramifications for anyone driving in the south county. The proposed annexation would allow a Newell Drive extension to connect with the highway.

The city intends to extend Newell Drive as a parallel roadway to (Highway) 29 to relieve traffic congestion, the draft environmental impact report said.

How much relief is unclear, though an extended Newell Drive would handle more than existing traffic in this fast-growing area. Nearby Watson Ranch is planned to someday host more than 1,000 homes.

Last week, the city Planning Commission held a public hearing on the 500-plus-page, draft environmental impact report by Rincon Associates.

My take is this is long overdue and Im thrilled we are at the point we are considering the annexation, city Planning Commissioner Eric Altman said. I believe it should be part of the city.

Newell Drive is to someday run for about 2.5 miles from American Canyon Road to Highway 29. It would allow drivers on the east side of Highway 29 to traverse American Canyon without using the highway.

The first mile of Newell Drive has for years existed from American Canyon Road going north to near the Newell Open Space Preserve. Now the road is being extended through the Watson Ranch development.

Annexing the Paoli/Watson Lane land would allow for the final piece, the connection to Highway 29 near Green Island Road.

Although there are no cost estimates, the proposed road extension has some expensive features. Taking Newell Drive over the Paoli/Watson Lane land along the preferred route would include constructing two bridges. One would pass over railroad tracks, the other over North Slough.

An alternative mentioned in the draft environmental report is to extend Newell Drive in this area using existing Watson Lane. This route might have an at-grade rail crossing instead of a bridge and would avoid North Slough.

But some Watson Lane residents dont want to see their rural road turned into a bustling relief route because it's the cheaper option. Resident Sam Clerici said widening Watson Lane would mean removing trees.

That would be a lot of trees and stuff that my grandmother and grandfather planted and I wouldnt like that, he told the Planning Commission. "And I wouldn't want that to happen."

Altman later said that environmental impact reports are required to have alternatives.

The alternatives are there because they have to be there, he said. Theyre not something that I think we want to actually be focused on. Just to kind of hopefully ease anybodys concerns.

American Canyon resident Fran Lemos expressed confusion over this Newell Drive plan. She thought the goal was to extend Newell Drive still farther north, connecting it to South Kelly Road, where drivers could then reach both Highway 29 and Highway 12.

That idea is on the table. But Community Development Director Brent Cooper explained that much of the needed land is in the unincorporated county and outside the citys jurisdiction and control.

The 83 acres American Canyon proposes to absorb is about eight times the size as the city of Napas downtown Fuller Park. It is about half the size as Napas Alston Park.

For its calculations, the environmental study assumed up to 494,942 square feet of commercial uses could be developed, 696,888 square feet of industrial uses, and 189,698 square feet of visitor-serving and hotel uses.

The draft report lists 34 mitigations that it said would reduce the environmental impacts of the annexation to less than significant levels. Mitigations range from blocking development within 50 feet of North Slough to requiring all-electric buildings.

The environmentally superior alternative would be no project, the report said. But, it said, this wouldnt meet such city objectives as promoting economic growth by attracting new industries.

Another option is to decrease the amount of development to be allowed on the 83 acres. That would mean accomplishing project objectives to a lesser extent, the draft report said.

American Canyon will prepare a final environmental impact report that responds to comments on the draft version. The city cannot annex the land on its own, as the Local Agency Formation Commission of Napa County would have to grant approval.

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ABUJA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government is showing keen interest in studying the Chinese modernization which has been transforming the Asian country into a global economic powerhouse, a Nigerian official has said.

"As a government, Nigeria is very keen on following very closely the Chinese model of development," Garba Shehu, a senior spokesman for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Nigeria, Shehu said, has recognized the potential benefits of adopting a similar approach as China, as the Asian country had witnessed rapid economic growth and become one of the world's leading economies by focusing on modernization and infrastructural development.

"It used to be assumed wrongly that countries of that size could not achieve national development and modernization," he said.

The Nigerian official hailed the Communist Party of China as "a driver of change," bringing about transformation.

The official noted that the expansion of trade and investment, transfer of technology from the Chinese side had largely helped to transform the most populous country in Africa.

"We are happy with it. We continue to encourage it," he said.

The Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari had witnessed rapid and progressive development of relations with China over the past years, the spokesman said, adding Nigeria has benefited from their win-win cooperation, which involves major projects on railway modernization, airports expansion, hydroelectric power and agricultural modernization.

"We could not have achieved all of these things without Chinese support and cooperation," Shehu said. 
Tuesday, April 25

0620  Medical aid for a fall victim on Sulphur Springs Avenue.

0834  A parked car was damaged in a hit-and-run.

0953  Medical aid/lift assist on Ridgeview Lane.

1009  Someone left graffiti in the public restrooms near Money Way.

1055  Someone lost $4,900 due to a fraudulent check.

1623  Police cited a driver near Main/Crinella.

1757  Police were told to be on the lookout for a motorcyclist who had fled the CHP at 110 mph on northbound Highway 29.

1815  Police held a Zoom meeting with school officials and parents about emergencies.

2057  Police were asked to check on a person in a car on the side of Highway 29. An officer contacted the person and made sure they werent in distress.

Wednesday, April 26

1330  Police cited a driver near Main/Madrona.

1340  Report of a verbal dispute between two drivers at a local gas station.

1546  Medical aid on Sulphur Springs Avenue.

1948  Police cited a driver on Main Street.

Thursday, April 27

0012  Loud music complaint on Spring Street.

0015  Police cited a driver on Main Street.

0911  Someone asked an officer for information about leaf blowers.

1342  Non-injury accident involving a vehicle and a trailer at Main/Charter Oak. Police took a report.

1408  Report of a car weaving all over southbound Highway 29.

1804  Medical aid for a fall victim on Spring Mountain Road.

2201  Report of a party with fireworks, possibly in the Charter Oak Avenue area.

Friday, April 28

0919  Police cited a driver near Main/Sulphur Springs.

1609  Police cited an SUV parked in a red zone near Main/Spring.

1826  Police were told to be on the lookout for a driver whod fled police in Calistoga and was last seen on southbound Highway 29.

2218  Report of an event continuing past 10 p.m. at a community hall on Spring Street.

2231  A water pipe burst outside a Signorelli Circle home.

Saturday, April 29

0200  Report of a suspicious and possibly unstable woman near Main Street.

0803  Police cited a driver on Main Street.

1044  Police cited a driver on Main Street.

1126  A road rage incident started on Charter Oak Avenue when an angry driver sped up behind another car, honked the horn, and almost collided with the other car. The other driver parked on Meadowcreek Circle, but the angry driver kept circling the block. Police checked the area.

1354  Medical aid for a woman who fainted on Main Street.

1512  Police cited a driver on Main Street.

1731  Police were told to be on the lookout for a car with two men inside. One of them had reportedly brandished a gun at somebody in Calistoga.

2126  Police pulled over a suspected drunk driver on Main Street. The driver turned out not to be drunk, but police cited him for driving without a license.

2250  Loud music complaint on Crinella Drive.

Sunday, April 30

1039  Police cited a driver for expired registration near Main/Vintage.

1127  Police cited a driver near Railroad/Fulton.

1408  Police were asked to provide backup on a traffic stop on Silverado Trail near Rutherford.

1418  A vehicle was blocking a driveway on Grayson Avenue. Police had it towed forward just enough to clear the driveway.

1520  A child custody exchange occurred in the lobby of the police station.

2126  Report of a possible drunk driver on Highway 29. Police pulled over the car and determined the driver was not drunk.

Monday, May 1

0217  Police tried to pull over a silver BMW near Main/Grayson, but the driver failed to yield. The car finally stopped on Pratt Avenue and the people inside fled on foot in the dark. Police searched the area and didnt find them. Police impounded the car.

0718  Police received a noise complaint about roofers starting work already on Madrona Avenue.

0754  A pickup was reported stolen from Valley View Street.

0948  Someone pried open a door and rummaged through an office on Spring Street.

1131  Police cited two cars parked in disabled spaces on Grayson Avenue.

1347  Two-car accident on Main Street.

1443  Someone fraudulently used another persons Social Security number.

1445  Report of someone using a gas-powered leaf blower on Fir Hill Drive.

1655  A person came to the police station asked for medical help after a possible assault. Officers contacted a suspect at Lyman Park whod been involved in the incident and arrested the 21-year-old Calistoga man for violating probation.

1734  Someone reported smelling smoke on Oak Avenue.

1832  Police were told to be on the lookout for a possible drunk driver on southbound Highway 29 outside Calistoga.

2239  Report of a suspicious man near a shed on a Main Street property.

PHOTOS: Training for an active shooter situation in St.Helena
Napa's First Presbyterian Church is marking the 170th anniversary as a congregation  and 155 years since its bell first sounded across the city.
Sunday was a time to celebrate one of Napas oldest churches  as well as the bell that has announced its presence for most of its history.

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Shortly after 9:30 a.m., a handful of people young and old ascended a balcony at First Presbyterian Church and began taking turns grabbing a rope that extended upward into a steeple towering over Third and Randolph streets. Each tug produced a resounding peal from an 850-pound bell some 160 feet above ground level  once for each of the 155 years that bell has called worshipers to services, at a congregation that is marking its own 170th anniversary this spring.

The bell ringing highlighted a ceremony First Presbyterian hosted before its Sunday morning service at its downtown Napa sanctuary, one of the oldest  and most prominent  links to the citys origins.

I feel a great deal of pride. I know these people in my family were important to this community, said Claire Wickens, a Lafayette resident whose ancestors include a silversmith who created Communion items for First Presbyterian and a longtime organist at the church.

The ceremony also featured brief presentations by Wickens  who presented a flagon and chalice once used at First Presbyterian services  and Sheli O. Smith, executive director of the Napa County Historical Society

First Presbyterian dates to April 1853, when the Rev. J.C. Herron, whom a missionary board in Philadelphia had dispatched to Napa, began leading services in the county courthouse. Fifteen years later  when the young church had moved into a chapel on Randolph Street  the Rev. Richard Wylie and his father James dug into their own funds to endow their church with a bell.

Richard went to San Francisco to order a bell, which will be sent to Napa on Friday week by steamboat, the makers to put it on board, James Wylie wrote in his diary at the time, according to First Presbyterians six-panel storyboard set, which the church displayed Sunday.

The bell makers charged the Napa church $550 in gold  with an extra fee for shipment  and offered a one-year warranty for their work. The Wylies continued to ring in services after First Presbyterian moved into a new neo-Gothic structure six years later, and has remained in service ever since, expect when temporarily stilled by damage to the sanctuary from the Napa earthquake of August 2014.

Generations after the expiration of the bell makers guarantee, the bell pealed across a town utterly transformed from the one it had entered  a world of wine tasting rooms instead of dry-goods stores, with Teslas traversing streets where horse carriages once rolled.

One of the last to pull the bell rope on Sunday was Ken Winans, who has been a member of the Napa church for only two years  but whose familys Napa connections run five generations deep.

Winanss great-grandfather Theodore Eisen was one of the architects who planned First Presbyterians sanctuary a century and a half ago. Family members remained in Napa for generations, but Winans himself was born and raised in Los Angeles before returning to the Bay Area as a college student.

Nonetheless, the Novato resident would not find his way to the church his ancestor helped build until during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led him to become a member in 2021.

The people in this congregation are so friendly and nice, he said after tolling the church bell. Its actually a relief in a world that can be very angry.

Even as First Presbyterians members celebrate the history of their congregation, its leaders already are looking ahead to another anniversary  of the church building itself. The church will plan a larger ceremony in 2024 to mark the 150 years since its current sanctuary  the countys only house of worship to be classified as a state historic landmark  opened at Third and Randolph, according to Julie Worthington, a member of the Napa churchs governing session.

For Winans, descendant of the churchs co-architect, the ceremony drove home the strength of connections to Napa that can remain even after families move on.

Its an honor, he said of his bell-ringing turn. Id say it reminds me that I am a part of a very deep community, and I will forever be a part of this community.

Photos: Anniversaries for a Napa church, and its bell First Presbyterian 2 First Presbyterian 3 First Presbyterian 1 First Presbyterian 4 First Presbyterian 5 First Presbyterian 6 First Presbyterian 7 First Presbyterian 8 First Presbyterian 9 First Presbyterian 10 First Presbyterian 11 First Presbyterian 12 First Presbyterian 13
ST. HELENA  The St. Helena City Council isnt quite ready to vote on the most controversial subdivision to come before the council in decades.

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The council agreed Monday to hold one more hearing  no date has been set  to consider the 87-unit Hunter projects tentative map and environmental impact report.

That approval would be a crucial step toward approving the project, but developers would still have to obtain other entitlements and show how the project would comply with St. Helenas water-neutrality and affordable housing requirements.

The council decided to take a few more weeks to digest concerns raised in dozens of letters and more than an hour of public testimony. California law allows for just one more hearing on the project, so the council will need to act at the next hearing.

The applicants want to build 87 housing units behind the levee, past the eastern terminus of Adams Street. Neighbors have uniformly opposed the project since its inception in 2010, and opponents and the applicants each seem poised to file lawsuits depending on how the council votes.

Councilmember Anna Chouteau said shes not happy with the project, but St. Helena is under heavy pressure from the state to build housing.

Our hands are tied with this project, Chouteau said. We see this outpouring from the community  they dont want it. Yet if we dont approve it, we put our own city and our own funds at serious financial risk.

She also responded to public concerns about evacuation routes in case of disaster.

I place a lot of value in our police chief and fire chief, she said. When they study this and say that people can be safely evacuated, I need to put weight in that and believe them.

Vice Mayor Eric Hall called evacuation routes a key issue. He said city staff and emergency responders feel that weve looked at this issue and that its effectively mitigated.

Like Councilmember Chouteau, Im comfortable with that, Hall said. It doesnt mean were going to stop thinking about (evacuation routes).

Councilmember Lester Hardy said he was deeply troubled by opponents who say their concerns about important issues like water have been dismissed.

Hardy said process is important, and people need to feel heard. When it seemed like the council was moving toward a vote, Hardy said he needed more time to consider how to vote "and explain to my constituents why."

"I'm not there yet," he said.

Councilmember Billy Summers said its a difficult project to accept.

With the position that were in with this political chess game, theres not a lot of moves to make at this stage, Summers said.

Even if the council approves the tentative map and environmental report, the developers won't be able to build anything until the council approves a final map and an affordable housing agreement, the Planning Commission approves a use permit and design review, and the city awards building permits.

The projects EIR found that mitigation measures could reduce each of its effects to less than significant except for its impact on traffic (vehicle miles traveled), which would be significant and unavoidable.

The council could still certify the environmental study, but they would need to adopt a statement of overriding considerations ruling that the projects benefits outweigh its impact on traffic.

Mayor Paul Dohring said he was frustrated by a lack of information about those benefits. He said he wanted to hear more details about affordable housing, deed restrictions on the proposed accessory dwelling units, and possible off-site improvements at places like the Pope Street Bridge.

Im struggling to come up with the benefits  that will override the considerations of (vehicle miles traveled), he said. This project has to meet our needs, and our needs are a missing middle class and work force housing.

Dohring also acknowledged concerns about evacuation routes, saying he doesn't want to create a "fire trap.

We have a lot of information in the record saying that is not a concern. We have folks whove looked at that very carefully, he said. Im not there yet.

Under state law, the council can deny the tentative map only if the project violates the citys General Plan or zoning, fails passive heating and cooling requirements, or would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety.

This is different from a lot of decisions you make where you have broader discretion than you do in this context, City Attorney Ethan Walsh told the council.

Public criticism

During more than an hour of public comments, nearly 20 people spoke against the project. They raised concerns about evacuation routes, water consumption, groundwater recharge, the risk of flooding, and affordable housing.

Just think of the number of people trying to evacuate down Main Street and Highway 29, Elizabeth Green said. Its a recipe for disaster and its not a question of if, but a question of when. And our lives may depend on it.

Affordable housing advocate Steve Goldfarb called out the lack of specifics about the projects affordable housing. City code requires 20% of the projects units to be affordable, but its unclear how developers will meet that goal.

You cannot approve an EIR for a housing project without knowing what that housing project is, Goldfarb said.

St. Helena resident Angela Zivkovic started an online petition opposing the project. As of Tuesday morning, it had 610 signatures.

Photos: Go inside the most expensive home sold in Napa County in March. 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa 2937 Pine St. in west Napa
Napa city commissioners and resident have recently expressed strong support for The Crescent housing project, which would bring more than 160 housing units to Napa Countys former Health and Human Services campus at 2344 Old Sonoma Road.

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Tuesday evening, the City Council is set to consider approving the project.

The council decision's will be informed by positive reviews in recent weeks by the citys Planning Commission and its Cultural Heritage Commission, which reviewed the part of the plan that would reuse three historic Mission-style buildings and a similarly historic crescent-shaped driveway.

If approved, The Crescent would bring 154 condominium units and eight single-family homes to the 8.6-acre Old Sonoma Road site. It will also add several affordable units, though the exact number depends on the success of a $50 million grant application to California, submitted jointly by applicant Heritage Housing Partners and the city.

Approval of the grant would allow the project to include 65 low-income and 47 moderate-income for-sale units. That represents an increase of 64 affordable homes from the 23 low-income and 23 moderate-income units that are planned without the state funding.

Many Napa organizations have supported the project for various reasons, and some have called it a potential model for similar future developments. Representatives from Napa County Landmarks have, for example, noted the group has been involved in discussions of how to use the site since 2016, and they fully support The Crescent plan because of how Heritage has approached historic reuse of the site, which dates to 1912.

We hope you agree with our assessment that this development by (Heritage) is a shining example of what can benefit Napa and be a successful model for other communities in Northern California to replicate, Ernie Schlobohm, a board member for Napa County Landmarks, told the planning commission in April.

Other organizations have spoken more about the great need Napa has for affordable housing, and how The Crescent would help fill that need. Terence Mulligan, president of the Napa County Community Foundation, noted in a letter to the California Strategic Growth Council that the foundation believes Napas lack of affordable housing is the primary driver of poverty in the community.

Craig Smith, executive director of the Downtown Napa Association, noted in an emailed comment that such housing would support Napas downtown businesses, which employ many who currently must commute from outside the city.

Many of Downtown Napas employees commute here from surrounding cities, because they cannot afford housing, Smith wrote. Affordable housing and moderate income missing middle housing is a must if employees can ever expect to be a true part of the community and raise their families in the same town in which they work.

Also Tuesday, the City Council is set to hear several presentations, including one from the county's Mosquito Abatement District, one on Historic Preservation Month, and one on National Bike Month and Bike to Work and School Day.

Photos: Earth Day cleanup, celebration in Napa Earth Day cleanup 3 Earth Day cleanup 2 Earth Day cleanup 1 Earth Day cleanup 4 Earth Day cleanup 5 Earth Day cleanup 6 Earth Day cleanup 7 Earth Day cleanup 8 Earth Day cleanup 9 Earth Day cleanup 10 Earth Day cleanup Earth Day cleanup Earth Day cleanup Earth Day cleanup Earth Day cleanup Earth Day cleanup Earth Day Celebration 1 Earth Day Celebration 2 Earth Day Celebration 3 Earth Day Celebration 4 Earth Day Celebration 6 Earth Day Celebration 5 Earth Day Celebration 7 Earth Day Celebration 8 Earth Day Celebration 9 Earth Day Celebration 10 Earth Day Celebration 11 Earth Day Celebration 12 Earth Day Celebration 13
Negotiations between the heads of foreign affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the "Agreement on Normalization of Relations" document, with the mediation of the US, have started in Washington. Several senior US diplomats gave details of the negotiations, the VOA Armenian Service reports.

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will have a series of meetings this week, high-ranking officials of the US State Department said during a telephone briefing with reporters. The discussions between the parties, which started Monday morning, are proceeding constructively, said Luis Bono, US Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations of the US State Department and US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.

According to these senior diplomats, the United States is committed to contributing to the peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future of the South Caucasus region, and direct dialogue is the only way to resolve issues and achieve lasting peace, which Washington promotes.

The talks are taking place at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center nearby Washington, D.C. Monday morning, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken already hosted Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramovfirst in separate short meetings, and then in the format of trilateral discussions.

The American side expressed disappointment regarding Moscow's negative reaction to these negotiations. The most important thing is for the parties to be able to communicate with each other, wherever it happensin Washington, Brussels or Moscownoted the high-ranking US diplomats, emphasizing that Washington's goal is to provide a platform to achieve a lasting, balanced, and dignified peace.

As per Bono, the Munich meeting made it clear that the parties are committed to the peace process, which Bono describes as very complex and comprehensive. The document being discussed is called "Agreement on the Normalization of Relations." Bono notes that the United States seeks for the parties to normalize their relations, to be able to live together, to strengthen economic ties and even their collective security in the region. This is a complex and comprehensive process, within which all issues are discussed, he says.

According to this representative of the US State Department, one of the issues being discussed between the parties in the ongoing negotiations on a comprehensive agreement is the treatment of ethnic minorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan, which refers to the rights and security of ethnic minorities.

Speaking about the Lachin corridor, the American side reaffirmed that in the past few months, Washington has made very clear the importance of ensuring commercial and humanitarian free movement through the Lachin corridor, and continues to be engaged in those discussions, expecting that movement through the corridor will soon be restored.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Erica Olson also expressed hope that the parties will have direct and honest discussions this week to reach a settlement of the issue. The US is committed to supporting that process and is honored to host this important dialogue, which can continue, said Olson, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the negotiations.
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Parliament chair: Armenia underlines importance of unobstructed access to sea by all means

Alen Simonyan in Ankara: Certain achievements recorded in Armenia-Turkey relations normalization process

Armenia parliament speaker in Ankara: We have no territorial claims from our neighbors, we expect same from them

Legislature head in Ankara: Until now Azerbaijan holds at least 33 Armenian POWs

Czech premier: We must try to achieve lasting peace, we need Azerbaijanis as well for that

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Czech Republic premier: We share same democratic values as Armenia

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Armenia PM: Azerbaijan is populating de-Armenianized villages of Karabakh with Azerbaijanis

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Presidential spox: We will not leave unanswered the move accusing Turkey of genocide

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Karabakh FM, head of Frances Hauts-de-France regional council sign joint statement

Prosecutor General: No data to support existence of political prisoners in Armenia

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Kremlin: Putin not injured as result of terrorism

Russian presidential press service: Kiev tried to attack Kremlin with UAVs

European Commissioner for Energy: Azerbaijan is pan-European natural gas supplier

Association of Independent Pharmacies: Some drugs circulating in Georgia are consumed by Armenia citizens

Azerbaijan president refuses to even discuss Karabakh issue

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Zakharova: Moscow remains committed to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia leaders tripartite statements implementation

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TOKYO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) has recovered the sixth body apparently from the accident involving a missing GSDF helicopter off the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, local media reported.

The body was discovered and pulled from the seabed on Monday when a private salvaging company moved the apparent wreckage of the UH-60JA helicopter underwater in preparation to salvage it, Jiji Press cited the GSDF as saying.

The body appears to be that of an adult male, and his clothing suggests that he was a GSDF member. The GSDF is working to identify the body, it said.

Five bodies that were recovered following a deep-sea dive on April 16 have already been identified, it added.

On April 6, the chopper with 10 GSDF members onboard disappeared from radar in what's believed to be an aircraft accident at about 18 km northwest of an airport in Okinawa's Miyakojima Island. 
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  The Philippines and the US are set to co-host the 6th annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) in Manila next year, the White House said on Tuesday (Manila time).

In a statement, the White House said the forum would strengthen the Philippines position as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment.

The IPBF is the US governments annual commercial event in the region, gathering top leaders from the public and private sectors to review policy developments, disclose new investments, and explore partnerships.

The plan was bared as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with US President Joe Biden, with both nations seeking to bolster their security and economic relations.

The White House said Biden also targets to launch a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines to deepen US firms investment in the local economy, covering energy transition, critical minerals sector, and food security.

It noted that the mission would feature the highest caliber of US business leaders.
Emory University will celebrate its Class of 2023 with Commencement ceremonies May 5-8 on the Atlanta and Oxford College campuses.

As the time draws near, here are 10 things you need to know about the celebrations.

1. Anthony Ray Hinton is this years Commencement speaker and one of three honorary degree recipients.

Activist, writer and justice advocate Anthony Ray Hinton will deliver the keynote address at the Emory University Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 8.

On Dec. 17, 1986, Hinton entered Death Row in Alabama for crimes he did not commit. He spent the next 30 years in custody until the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) secured his freedom. Hinton now serves as an EJI community educator and is a tireless and powerful advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. He also works with LifeLines, which supports prisoners on Death Row through letter writing, and is the author of the New York Times 2018 bestselling book The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.

Emory will confer honorary degrees on three individuals at the Commencement ceremony: Hinton and philanthropists and health care advocates James Cox Kennedy and Sarah Kenan Kennedy.

Jim Kennedy is chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises and chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation. The foundation supports conservation and the environment, early childhood education, and empowering families and individuals for success and health. He launched Cox Conserves, a sustainability program at Cox that seeks to send zero waste to landfills by 2024 and become carbon- and water-neutral by 2034.

Sarah Kennedy, one of Atlantas most active, compassionate and effective civic leaders, serves on the Executive Advisory Council of the Emory Brain Health Center  a body whose members serve as ambassadors locally and nationally, contributing to the mission of the center through philanthropy, networking and advocacy.

Through personal and foundation giving, the Kennedys have made landmark investments in patient care, brain health and cancer. Their contributions in the areas of sustainability, early childhood education, health care and the arts have helped improve the quality of life in our community.

2. Graduates and their guests need tickets to attend in person.

The main Emory University ceremony on Monday, May 8, is on the Emory Quadrangle at 8:30 a.m. Graduating students and their guests are invited to attend in person and enjoy the pomp and circumstance of Emorys processional march featuring full academic regalia, Anthony Ray Hintons keynote address, honorary degree presentations, President Gregory L. Fenves address to the graduating class and the formal conferral of all student degrees earned. Student representative Nicole Felix-Tovar will also speak. Registration and tickets are required.

3. You dont have to be a graduate to get involved or watch the ceremony.

Members of the Emory community who are not graduating students or their guests can also join the celebration. Faculty can participate in the processional (learn about faculty participation). Staff members can fill a variety of volunteer roles, including helping with the annual Chair Rodeo on May 3 or assisting with guest relations on May 8. Learn more and register to help.

You can also watch online or from other areas on campus. The May 8 ceremony will be livestreamed on the Emory Commencement 2023 website and available for viewing on Emory Television 28.1 (QAM). A simulcast will be shown in Rooms 206, 207 and 208 of White Hall and other locations on campus. Soon after Commencement, the live event video will be available for archival viewing.

4. Attendees must follow safety protocols.

All graduates, guests and others at the Commencement ceremonies should follow any safety protocols that are in place. Masks are optional in most spaces on Emorys campuses and on Emory shuttles and buses.

In the event of potentially dangerous weather, check the universitys website, or call the dangerous weather hotline (404-727-1234) after 7 p.m. Sunday for the status of Commencement activities scheduled for Monday. Check the Commencement website for details about plans in case of dangerous weather.

5. Numerous celebrations will occur before Commencement.

From Class Day Crossover to Baccalaureate to school diploma ceremonies, the Class of 2023 is being honored with a full slate of events surrounding Commencement. The celebration began with an open house for graduating students at the home of President Gregory L. Fenves on April 23 and continues through May 8.

Special Belonging and Community Justice graduation festivities honor graduating Black students (May 6), Latinx students (May 6), Asian Pacific Islander Desi/American graduates (May 7) and students who are the first in their families to graduate from college (May 7); ceremonies honoring women and LGBTQ students have already been held. Learn about those ceremonies here.

Class Day Crossover, a student-organized event for those receiving undergraduate degrees, will be Thursday, May 4, at 6 p.m. The evening will include a student reception, inspiring remarks from Kal Penn  actor, writer, producer and former associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement  and Emory leaders, and the presentation of senior awards (including the Boisfeuillet Jones Medals). The Candlelight Crossover tradition continues when graduating undergraduate students will cross as a group from the Emory Student Center to McDonough Field for a party in their honor.

Emory alumni, faculty, staff and trustees also are invited to a special pre-Crossover Reception and to cheer on the graduates during the Candlelight Crossover. This group will then join the party on McDonough Field for a final Coke toast to the graduates.

The Class of 2023 Multifaith Baccalaureate Ceremony will be Friday, May 5, at 4:30 p.m. in Cannon Chapel. The program will celebrate the academic and personal journeys of the graduating senior class and send the class into the world with music, prayers, inspiring reflections and blessings. The Oxford College Baccalaureate Ceremony will be at Old Church on Friday, May 5, at 5 p.m.

View the Commencement events schedule.

6. Honors will extend beyond the graduates.

Commencement will pay tribute to several individuals and groups in addition to the graduates.

The Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award and the Thomas Jefferson Award, which honor faculty or staff who have significantly enriched the intellectual and civic life of the Emory community, will be presented during the May 8 Emory University Commencement ceremony. Other honors presented to faculty and staff during Commencement events include:

Members of the Society of Corpus Cordis Aureum, a group of alumni celebrating 50 or more years since their graduation, will also be honored at the Oxford and Atlanta ceremonies. You can recognize them in their distinctive gold Commencement robes.

7. Be prepared for special parking and transportation situations.

Expect heavy traffic on the Atlanta campus Friday, May 5, and Monday, May 8. Staff who are not involved in Commencement are encouraged to work remotely on those days, if possible. University parking deck gates will be open for Commencement guests at no charge from Friday, May 5, through Monday, May 8. Visitor parking fees will still apply in the Lowergate East and Lowergate West decks since they support Emory University Hospital and the Emory Clinic patients and visitors.

A modified shuttle schedule will be in place Monday, May 8. Check the Transportation and Parking Services website for specific route information. You can also track Commencement shuttles in real time on the Transloc Rider website or by downloading the Transloc Rider app.

8. Services for those needing hearing or mobility assistance will be offered.

Live captioning will be available for the university ceremony on the Quad on May 8. A passenger drop-off area is located on Dowman Drive near the Administration Building, closest to the accessible seating area of the Quadrangle. Emory University does not provide wheelchair rental services, but several vendors can help with rental arrangements. Visit the Emory Commencement Planning Your Visit page and click on Prior to the Event for details.

9. Share your memories with the graduating class.

Congratulate Class of 2023 graduates or share memories of your time together by leaving a message on the virtual Memory Wall. Messages and photos can be uploaded for specific students or schools; you can also discover memories that others have shared by searching via student or school.

10. Join the celebration with #Emory2023.

Use the #Emory2023 hashtag to join the Commencement celebration on social media posts. You might even see your post shared on the universitys social media accounts.
When Creative Writing Fellow Sanjena Sathian took home the Townsend Prize for Fiction on April 13 for her novel Gold Diggers, her department chair, Tayari Jones, had two reasons to celebrate.

Expanding the joy in Sathians win was the fact that another member of the creative writing faculty, Tiphanie Yanique, was among the 10 finalists for her novel Monster in the Middle. Noting that the Atlanta Writers Club (AWC) has a very active membership of top-notch writers, Sathian expressed gratitude for the recognition.

The Townsend Prize is given every two years by the AWC to honor the best literary fiction by a Georgia author since the last award. It was established in 1981 in memory of Jim Townsend, founding editor of Atlanta magazine and mentor to a remarkable generation of Southern authors that included Pat Conroy, Terry Kay, William Diehl and Anne Rivers Siddons.

Emory Libraries helped sponsor the event, which was held at the AWC Wimbish House. Melissa Fay Greene, Kirk Distinguished Writer-in-Residence at Agnes Scott College and author of six celebrated works of nonfiction, gave the keynote. In it, she probed what neuroscience can teach writers about engaging with their audiences.

A well-told ad, with high storytelling value, brings us to tears in a minute. Its because our brains have quickly gone on the story-arc inner rollercoaster ingrained in us since the Stone Age, she asserted.

For Creative Writing, a banner month and year

Professors Sathian and Yanique represent the best of Emory, says Jones. The Townsend Prize is a special award because it celebrates talent here in the state of Georgia. Both Gold Diggers and Monster in the Middle are significant in that they are international yet local. It is a profound literary accomplishment to achieve universality through specificity.

The high point in April is but one element in a successful year for the program, which also has seen Yanique be awarded a Fulbright fellowship, while Robyn Schiff won one of four 2022-23 Rome Prizes in Literature. It entails a stipend, workspace, and room and board at the American Academy in Rome.

A solid-gold first novel

Gold Diggers previously was honored as a Top 10 Best Book of 2021 by the Washington Post as well as a Best Book of 2021 by NPR, Electric Literature and Amazon. It also was longlisted for the First Novel Prize given by the Center for Fiction.

For Sathian, receipt of the Townsend Prize is a coming-out in a literal sense. Gold Diggers was released in 2021 but, because of the pandemic, Sathian had little opportunity to do in-person promotional events.

While teaching in New Zealand, with her belongings in India and COVID-19 raging, Sathian had a decision to make. So, she flew to Atlanta  her hometown  describing it as bittersweet to come back but not be present in the city with the novel.

When she first arrived here with her family in 1993, Sathian describes living in a white, conservative neighborhood that had, in her words, little bubbles of Asian-ness. The question of belonging is one that her book takes up, creating a mashup of suburbs such as Alpharetta and Johns Creek.

According to Sathian, I didnt do it intentionally, but I realized as the book was coming out that there are very few white characters. The Atlanta section is about Asians and the California section even more so. Without making a grand political statement, artistically I wanted to tell a story that came from inside the community. The book is about writing from the inside, where you do feel that  sometimes, at least  you belong.

Coming to the small screen

Exploring some new projects, Sathian also is working with Mindy Kalings production company, Kaling International, on a television adaptation of the novel. Though some reviewers have seen Gold Diggers as a satire, she pitched it as a drama with comedic elements.

There is a magical element in the novel that satirizes and gently mocks my Indian American worlds addiction to ambition. A hard satire doesnt have many moments of psychological or emotional realism, which is why I avoided it, Sathian says.

She is writing the pilot now. Asked about the adaptation process, Sathian is glad to be learning new things but grateful that Gold Diggers began as it did.

In television, a lot more people are involved with your work. I think of writing as necessarily quite private. It is important that I got to write this particularly complex and personal story as a book first  in the dark, if you will  before considering the market or outsiders gazes, she says.

There is always the option to take refuge in the classroom, which Sathian finds incredibly generative for her writing and thinking.

As Jones reflects on what Sathian and Yanique bring to the department, she concludes: Students flock to their classes because they provide the best of both worlds  superb practitioners of creative writing who are also extraordinary teachers.

Photos by Kai Smith of Eikonik Images
Biden: US-Philippines partnership is ironclad

Biden: US-Philippines partnership is ironclad

President Joe Biden reiterated the US commitment to the Philippines' security and noted the deep friendship of the two nations as he welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for White House talks on Monday.



Marcos' visit to Washington comes after the US and the Philippines last week completed their largest war drills ever and as the two countries' air forces on Monday will hold their first joint fighter jet training in the Philippines since 1990.



The Philippines this year agreed to give the US access to four more bases on the islands. Beijing's ambassador to Manila has accused the Philippines of "stoking the fire" of regional tensions by offering the expanded base access.



The development also prompted China to accuse the United States of endangering regional peace and stability.



As Biden sat down with Marcos, he noted the progress in the US-Philippine relationship  one that has had ups and downs over the years and was in a difficult place when Marcos took office less than a year ago.



We are facing new challenges and I couldnt think of a better partner to have than you. Biden told Marcos at the start of their Oval Office meeting.



The United States also remains ironclad in our commitment to the defence of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support the Philippines military modernisation.



Marcos said the relationship was essential as Philippines and the Pacific finds itself in possibly the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.



The two sides are expected to discuss the security situation and come out with new economic, education, climate and other initiatives as part of Marcos four-day visit to Washington, according to two senior Biden administration officials. (AP)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that some 390,000 doses of bivalent vaccines for COVID-19 are expected to arrive in the country by the end of the month.

However, DOH Officer-in-Charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire did not name the country which donated the vaccines.

"Tayo po ay nakapag-umpisa na at nakuha na natin yung [EUA] na kailangan mula sa Food and Drug Administration. Atin na lang pong ginagawa ay nagfa-finalize ng mga dokumento, she said during a press briefing.

[Translation: We have started working on this, and we already received the EUA needed from the FDA. What we are doing now is finalizing the documents.]

"Hopefully, by the end of May, we can be able to receive these 390,000 doses, she added.

The Food and Drug Administration granted the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the bivalent vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna last December.

The bivalent vaccines made by the two companies can be used for the original strain of the coronavirus as well as Omicron and its subvariants.

One million doses of bivalent vaccines donated by the COVAX facility were supposed to arrive in the country last March. However, the DOH is still waiting for legal clearance to receive the doses.

"Unang una yung sa COVAX, hindi pa naman tayo nagkakaroon ng final agreements because yung unang batch na dapat ide-deliver sa atin ay medyo naantala. Kaya naibigay muna nila sa ibang bansa, Vergeire said.

[Translation: With the COVAX, we have not yet made any final agreements because the first batch that was supposed to be delivered was delayed. That's why they gave it to another country.]

"They have committed that once we are already ready with our basis legally, ay maari naman tayong mabigyan pa rin (they could still give us doses)," she noted

According to DOH's latest data, 78.4 million Filipinos were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of March 20. Meanwhile, 23.8 million have received their first booster shot and 4.4 million have their second booster.
More than 1,800 students will be honored at SIU Carbondale commencement exercises

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  The academic achievements of more than 1,800 Southern Illinois University Carbondale students will be celebrated during spring 2023 commencement exercises May 12-13.

Festivities start with the SIU School of Law commencement on Friday, May 12, at Shryock Auditorium. On Saturday, May 13, Banterra Center will hold two commencement ceremonies.

As of late April, there are 1,823 candidates for degrees and certificates, including 1,214 candidates for bachelors degrees, 382 candidates for masters degrees, 102 candidates for doctoral degrees, 73 law degree candidates, 50 candidates for associate degrees and two candidates for undergraduate certificates.

Our students imagine a better world and their role in it, said Chancellor Austin A. Lane. Commencement is a celebration of their drive, hard work, persistence and vision. Were proud of them and delighted to honor them for reaching this milestone.

There is no ticketing for guests, and guest seating for all of the ceremonies is on a first-come, first-served basis. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed at commencement.siu.edu/videos.

Here is the ceremony schedule and honorary degree and distinguished service award recipients where applicable.

Friday, May 12

1 p.m.  SIU School of Law. Dr. Sameer Vohra, director, Illinois Department of Public Health, and J.D./M.D. graduate from the SIU School of Law and SIU School of Medicine in 2011, is the keynote speaker.

Saturday, May 13

9 a.m.  College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences; College of Arts and Media; College of Liberal Arts; School of Education.

John ONeal, the prolific writer, playwright, educator and civil rights champion of the theater and the arts and a 1962 SIU Carbondale graduate in philosophy and English, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree posthumously.

Gregory W. Webb, vice president for state government relations for Archer Daniels Midland and a 1979 SIU Carbondale graduate in agricultural economics, will receive a Distinguished Service Award.

1 p.m.  College of Business and Analytics; College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics; College of Health and Human Sciences; SIU School of Medicine (SOM Ph.D. and masters degrees only).

Tammera L. Holmes, president and CEO of Chicago-based Aerostar Consulting Corp. and a 2000 SIU Carbondale graduate in aviation management, will receive a Distinguished Service Award.

SIU to award a posthumous degree

The university will award a posthumous degree during May 13 ceremonies. Pravin Varughese will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in criminology and criminal justice at the 1 p.m. ceremony for the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Medallions, honor cords and veterans cords reflect achievement

A total of 524 students who are participating in commencement exercises will wear special medallions and honor cords during the ceremonies that reflect significant academic achievement.

Among the 524 students earning recognition:

259 will receive cum laude distinction, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.749.

134 will receive magna cum laude distinction, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.899.

121 students will receive summa cum laude distinction, carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.9 to 4.0.

80 University Honors Program students will receive a certificate for completing 18 honors credit hours while maintaining a 3.3 GPA; four of those students also completed a 3-credit thesis.

19 Saluki student-athletes will earn Latin honors, and one student athlete will also receive an honors program certificate.

In addition, graduating students in active military service or military veterans will wear red, white and blue cords provided by the university in recognition of their sacrifice, commitment and service to our country.
Phenomenal SIU zoology student wins national Goldwater Scholarship

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  A science student from Chicago with Latin American roots is Southern Illinois University Carbondales latest Goldwater Scholar.

Aleida Iriarte, a member of the University Honors Program at SIU and a junior majoring in zoology and chemistry, won the prestigious award for outstanding students pursuing research careers in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. Iriarte, who ultimately plans to become a researcher and advocate for conservation, was one of just 413 winners culled from nearly 1,300 nominations nationwide. Created by federal endowment in 1986, Goldwater Scholars have won impressive prestigious postgraduate awards, including the National Science Foundations Graduate Research Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship and Marshall Scholarship.

As she prepared for college, Iriarte wanted to find a university that would help her build a strong science background and ground her in the fundamentals of conducting research. SIUs reputation for offering research opportunities for undergraduates, along with a strong zoology program, led her to Carbondale.

Those things put SIU on my radar pretty early on, she said. I knew I wanted to get involved in research early, so that was a big selling point for me.

Upon arriving at SIU, Iriarte joined the University Honors Program, which challenges top undergraduate students to develop their own academic path within a comprehensive research environment, while also supporting them with individualized attention. The program allowed Iriarte to substitute core curriculum classes with honors classes that better fit her interests and career goals. In her first semester, Iriarte took an honors seminar, Sustainability and the Collective Imagination, taught by Jyotsna Kapur, director of the honors program. Students considered sustainability across multiple disciplines, worked collaboratively and learned about contemporary efforts, including meeting Jackson (Mississippi) Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba over Zoom.

Kapur said she identified Iriartes passion for sustainability and equity during that class.

Iriarte said she also benefited from the Research-Enriched Academic Challenge (REACH) program, which funds undergraduate research projects, and the McNair Scholars program, which supports promising first-generation and low-income students.

Ultimately, the support and mentoring connected her with Jason Brown, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, who involved her in DNA sequencing and analysis conducted through his laboratory.

Brown said Iriarte has since developed a broad set of tools that make her well-suited to excel as a student researcher, including working with geographic information systems and experience with evolutionary theory and bioinformatics. She also has a talent for effective writing and is an extremely driven and motivated student.

She is also incredibly creative and always brings novel perspectives to the many research topics addressed in my lab, Brown said. Aleida is a phenomenal person. Shes super intelligent and a blast to be around, always emitting positivity, which is contagious.

A connection to South America

Born in Bolivia, Iriartes family moved to Chicago when she was a small child. Her connection to the country in South America, which includes frequent trips to Bolivia, has instilled a great interest biodiversity conservation, Brown said.

Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America and has some of the highest rates of deforestation, Brown said. Shes had firsthand observation of Bolivias predicament, and it has galvanized the idea that conservation biology doesnt operate in a vacuum from human society. It has led Aleida to also advocate for the betterment of poorer countries as a conservation strategy.

Iriarte said the deforestation problem is a major motivator.

Bolivia is also full of rich culture, unique wildlife and beautiful natural areas, and Im very proud to have been born there, Iriarte said. "The connection to this country motivates me to work towards conservation efforts to preserve it.

Chasing the Goldwater

The University Honors Program also introduced her to Elizabeth Donoghue, the assistant director who leads the major scholarship efforts, including offering a class each spring that prepares students to apply for these prestigious awards. Donoghue also became a mentor and major influence in the Goldwater application process, Iriarte said.

I noticed the Goldwater Scholarship through the honors newsletter, she said. I had been looking for financial assistance for next year, and due to the research aspect of the Goldwater Scholarship, this was right up my alley.

Donoghue said Iriarte has a relentless enthusiasm for intellectual inquiry.

She is constantly seeking to improve herself while also helping those around her, Donoghue said. When shes not in the lab, class or studying, you find her volunteering or participating in multiple extracurricular organizations for which she cares deeply.

Iriarte said the biggest challenge for the Goldwater application was the research essay portion, which she decided to model on what she hopes to be her honors thesis project. Her research is centered on evolution and chemical ecology with a focus on how human impacts on the environment shape the evolution of species and affect biodiversity.

It was still not fully fleshed out, but having to write the essay forced me to sit down and finish planning the project, which was ultimately helpful, but stressful at the time, she said. Along with financial support, she also will participate in Goldwater social events with other students during the next few months.

Looking ahead to making a difference

Iriartes ultimate goal is to earn a doctorate in zoology and become a researcher at a university.

I want to study the interplay of evolution, animal behavior and chemical ecology, she said. Id like to use my position as a university professor and researcher to advocate for the conservation of biodiversity and the diversification of STEM.
The state-owned Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam plans to enter neighbouring Myanmar by setting up retail outlets once the situation is conducive in the trouble-torn country. Chairman and Managing Director of NRL, Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan, said: "We are now working in Bangladesh. Myanmar has been on our radar for quite some time. In the past we had exported through roads directly from Numaligarh to Moreah covering roughly 421 km." "The regime change had delayed the plan. The area close to Moreah on the Indian side is Sagaing region of Myanmar. This is an area of high potential, a totally unserviced area. Around 40 lakh people are living in the area. We have chalked out a detailed plan for it," Phukan told the media. He also said that the NRL had plans to open retail outlets in the Sagaing region of Myanmar, which is still there on the drawing board. He said the company has selected a partner to jointly work in the Myanmar area. "We are not very confident as of now that the current regime in Myanmar would favourably come forward, but gradually things will fall in place. As the Asian highway is also coming up there, it is a very potential area which is still under service. We would start executing our plans once the situation becomes conducive." Myanmar's Tatmadaw' (military) has often engaged in armed clashes with the civilian forces since February 2021 after the military junta seized power in the neighbouring country. The clashes also took place along the borders with India. NRL is increasing its capacity from 3 to 9 million metric tonnes per annum with an investment of Rs 28,000 crore. However, the cost of transportation from Numaligarh to Myanmar is very high. A senior NRL official said that the Chinese are investing heavily in Myanmar. "They are bringing products to Yangon all the way from Mandalay. China has set up tankers in Myanmar," the official said. The NRL, one of the four refineries in oil and gas-rich Assam, was set up at Numaligarh in Golaghat district in accordance with the provisions made in the Assam Accord signed on August 15, 1985. It was conceived as a vehicle for speedy industrial and economic development of the region. The NRL was dedicated to the country by former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on July 9, 1999. --IANS sc/arm ( 409 Words) 2023-05-01-22:52:02 (IANS)
Udaipur (Rajasthan) [India], May 2 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Most people will probably find it challenging to take up an electrician's course that involves the fundamentals of wiring, switches, electric metres, and lightbulbs. Rekha Mali, a local of Gudli village, Debari pursuing science stream on learning about the opportunity grabbed it with both her hands as she knew the additional skill meant lighting up her own future. No wonder, she jumped with joy when the first lightbulb she wired to a switch lit up every nook and corner of the room. Under Shiksha Sambal program, two batches of Pre-Vocational Training in Agriculture and Electrical were conducted for higher secondary students from Zawar, Dariba, and Debari. The mindset to do something out-of-the-box & learn something unconventional is a common trait amongst each of the 1st All Girls batch of electrical course conducted under Shiksha Sambal's pre-vocational program. Shiksha Sambal, a flagship project of Hindustan Zinc was established to meet a variety of objectives as per the findings derived from early interactions with the students. Learning gap, lack of self-confidence due to limited exposure and lack of student-teacher bonding were the key setbacks observed. Shiksha Sambal program was created largely to alleviate such critical challenges by providing additional materials, remedial classes to build conceptual clarity, facilitate peer-group learning and identify potential learning opportunities outside the school. Furthermore, the teacher-fellow collaboration model was established which included organising a Reading Mela - an activity to encourage learning and personality development. Currently, Shiksha Sambal program is reaching out to 8,000 rural & tribal students from across 57 villages in the five districts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, and Ajmer. It offers school-level education in languages, science and mathematics through classroom, digital and hybrid mode. Additionally, to ensure individual attention to the academic need of each kid, a team of Field Personnel (FP) were found who eventually turned to be the fulcrum of the program. They play a significant role in increasing the teaching-learning time by providing model papers, ensuring learning material compliance, and focusing on library and lab practical sessions for the students. Shiksha Sambal program now functions with at least 1 FP per school who not only supports the students in case of absence of government teachers but also plays an active role in organising learning camps during summer & winter vacations and taking extra classes during holiday breaks. The students of senior secondary level lacked the understanding about the opportunities available for the stream they had chosen. To bridge this gap, several career counselling sessions are conducted wherein industry experts interact with the students about various career & job opportunities, academic courses which can be pursued after schooling. Since the inception of the program, the summer camps have evolved as an activity that focuses on bridging the learning gaps whereas the winter vacation camps focus on board examination preparation. Every year, more than 150 volunteers from reputed college institutions participate and share their learnings and contribute to the overall development of students from rural & tribal areas. All efforts are made to build a holistic learning environment that can ensure each of the students a brighter tomorrow. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 2 (ANI/GPRC): Trusted Data Solutions (TDS), one of the leading global players in legacy data management, today announced that it is betting big on India's fast-growing legacy data and tape restoration market. It has acquired Pune-based digital solutions and services company, Assured Data Technologies (ADT), as part of the growing focus on the market. With the integration of ADT's team into its fold, TDS will have a significant presence in the Indian market. The company also announced that it has set up an India Restoration Assurance Center in its financial capital, Mumbai. The center will deploy TDS's proprietary tools and software to help recover legacy information for financial institutions, corporations and other regulated institutions. To mark its India entry, it hosted a conference in Mumbai titled "The CXO dialogue - Mitigating compliance risks with legacy data management" which saw senior leaders from Axis bank, Quantiphi, Iron Mountain and IndusInd bank besides Chris Clark, President & CEO of TDS and Tarang Daptardar, CEO of ADT, speaking on various trends and perspectives in this area. In his comments, Chris Clark, President & CEO of TDS, said, "We already had an ongoing partnership with ADT to provide tape restoration services to their global customers operating in India. The acquisition only takes that partnership a step ahead and will hugely strengthen not just our Indian presence but the APAC capacities as well. India fast adopting to global standards for data governance creates huge opportunities in the legacy data and tape restoration market which we would like to tap into." Added, Tarang Daptardar, CEO, Assured Data Services, "There is excellent synergy between both the companies and the acquisition further strengthens our position in India. Together we are truly well positioned to generate additional business from our existing international customers besides more new business, resulting in exponential growth overall. We are delighted to be part of TDS." Providing his perspective, Santanu Ganguly, CEO, StrategINK, said, "The flurry of new technologies in Tape storage, the pace of data growth and the recent revival of retention mandates which will spur data protection are all pointing to a market that is at an inflection point. TDS has timed its India entry right and with the ADT acquisition it has both the right leadership, capabilities and presence to tap into the potential." About Assured Data Services (ADT): combines the years of experience, insights, and knowledge to the Modern World of Data. Striving to be our Customers trusted partner by ensuring they remain Assured about their Data, Data Infrastructure, Data Management Technologies and Solutions. With our structured approach we unveil your most relevant data and help you built the winning deck and stay assured." About Trusted Data Solutions (TDS): A wholly owned subsidiary of privately-held TDS Global Holdings, the has its North American Headquarters in New York City and its international headquarters in the UK, Singapore and now India. TDS manages nearly 10 million backup tapes for 500 customers globally and maintains one of the most expansive global restoration assurance capacities with locations in the US (New York, New Jersey & California), Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. It's the preferred & trusted partner for compliance & data transformation initiatives for corporations, regulated institutions, eDiscovery specialists, government agencies and law firms. About StrategINK: a team of pragmatic and experienced Industry Experts, who passionately help Business Organizations (Buyers, Sellers, Business/Channel Partners) with a variety of services towards accelerating 'Business Innovation & Go-to-Market' pursuits. With our core offerings of 'Research based Business Insights', 'Content driven Marketing Solutions', 'Digital Transformation Consulting & Advisory', and 'Learning, Enablement & Skill augmentation Services', we catalyse & accelerate business transformation, digital led innovation, sales acceleration, skill enhancement, and customer delight. With our rich, diverse & hybrid model of digital and physical tools, techniques and industry proven frameworks and best practices, we develop unique solutions to address complex business challenges of our clients and create compelling value through sustainable innovation. Editorial queries contact: Swatantra@prhub.com, Asish@prhub.com This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC)
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI/NewsReach): One Spot Realtor Finance Business Services, a leading business management and start-up solutions provider, has recently announced that its Scale Heights team of experts offers the best experience for business growth. With over 10 years of experience and more than 200 happy clients, One Spot Realtor has built a reputation for delivering top-quality services to its clients. The creator of One Spot Realtor, Abhishek Goyal, stated, "Our team of talented professionals is united by the desire to help entrepreneurs convert their ideas into executable and scalable plans." "Using us on the backend is like hiring a team as opposed to a single person or a freelancer. You can scale more quickly." He further added that "One Spot Realtor devises ways for its clients to evolve and grow in the most competitive environment, providing "articulated differentiation" to help its clients stand out from the crowd. Abhishek Goyal's dedication, expertise, and exceptional service in the field of financial consulting have earned him prestigious India's Brand Icon 2023 Awards for being named the best financial consultant of the year 2022-23. One Spot Realtor's services include start-up solutions, modeling and analytics, equity research, corporate finance advisory, and administration and IT services. Its start-up solutions are aimed at helping start-ups achieve fast growth and establish processes and systems for small business environments. Whether it is fundraising documents or simple accounting needs, One Spot Realtor provides end-to-end solutions. "We provide end-to-end solutions to start-ups including business plan formulation for investors, financial forecasting, marketing plan, budgeting, strategic plan, e-commerce launch, regulatory registrations, obtaining licenses, and fund-raising consultancy," said the spokesperson. One Spot Realtor is a business plan consultant and strategic advisor to some of the growing start-ups around the world. The company has formulated business plans and strategic directions for start-ups from diverse backgrounds, including non-banking financial corporations (NBFCs) in India, interest-free banking start-ups in Europe, SaaS start-ups in the US, social networking start-ups in the US, expatriate social networking start-ups in Australia, healthcare start-ups in the US, cash collection system start-ups in India, and share broking and trading start-ups in the US. The company's modeling and analytics team can help clients get actionable insights from their data for making better business decisions. One Spot Realtor is proficient in conducting all kinds of financial modeling and statistical analysis in MS Excel, SPSS, Frontline, or other software. The company's modeling and analytics team can also statistically analyze clients' data to come up with useful results to help them understand the dynamics of their business better. One Spot Realtor's equity research services provide consultancy in financial management, capital budgeting, business strategy, equity research, and valuation models. The company provides advisory services in equities, mutual funds, commodities, and real estate. Its highly qualified and experienced research team would guide clients at every stage of investment to achieve the best combination of risk and reward. "We provide equity research services to many independent consultants, financial advisors, corporates, and high net worth individuals (HNWIs). Our equity research division boasts clients from the US, Europe, and Australia. The services include daily market reports, newsletters, website content maintenance of data providers, and online content development for financial services providers," said Abhishek Goyal. One Spot Realtor's corporate finance advisory services provide consultancy in financial management, capital budgeting, business strategy, project appraisal, and preparation of investor pitches. The company's financial advice helps enhance organizations' financial performance and increase their business value associated with large transformation projects. The company's project appraisal team works with clients from the seed stage till the execution and commissioning of projects. The team works with clients from the start with the idea generation, feasibility analysis to project execution plan, and complete project management consultancy. One Spot Realtor's administration and IT services help clients focus on key business and growth activities by managing ancillary accounting and administrative tasks such as lease management, rent collection, and property maintenance. Additionally, the company provides marketing and advertising services to help clients attract potential tenants and buyers, as well as brokerage services to facilitate property transactions. Overall, One Spot Realtors strives to provide comprehensive and efficient real estate solutions to its clients. This story has been provided by NewsReach. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsReach)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 2 (ANI/Seraphim): WikiConference India 2023 (WCI 2023), a flagship community conference of Indian and South Asian contributors to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, gathered nearly 200 people in Hyderabad from April 28-30, 2023, to explore ways to increase access and sharing of Indian history, culture, and experiences on free knowledge projects globally. Participants from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka met for the first large meeting of Wikimedia contributors since 2016. WCI 2023 centered around the theme of "Strengthening Bonds," chosen to underscore the vital role of building and maintaining robust connections within Wikimedia's open-source communities. The theme is rooted in the belief that a strong support system and opportunities for cross-learning are essential for achieving collective success. Wikipedia is the world's largest online encyclopedia and one of the most visited websites. Indian volunteers are integral and valued contributors to the website, which is available in 24 languages spoken across India. In addition, Indian volunteers contribute to the wider ecosystem of Wikimedia projects such as Wikimedia Commons, Wikisource, and Wikidata, and also help in improving technology development and features on Wikimedia websites. Readers in India visit Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects more than 797 million times, each month, the fifth highest number of views from any country. "India continues to be a key region of expansion for Wikimedia's knowledge communities, with a growing number of volunteer contributors and enormous potential to expand our reader base in the country. Wikiconference India is an opportunity to celebrate our local communities and their achievements in increasing access to free knowledge across languages," said Lisa Seitz-Gruwell, Chief Advancement Officer and Deputy to the CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. "This weekend's event created an important platform for us to enable active growth and collaboration within the South Asia region." The conference provided a common platform for Wikimedians (volunteer contributors and Wikimedia Foundation staff members), invitees, and stakeholders interested in Indic-language Wikimedia projects and other aspects of the movement in India and South Asia. As one of the first volunteer-focussed gatherings since the pandemic, WCI 2023 offered a space to connect, share stories, learnings, best practices, and challenges, and discuss the future strategy for the region. "WikiConference India stands as a testament to the power of leadership and community collaboration in advancing knowledge-sharing and creating a more informed society. Through trust building and language diversity, this conference has become a vital platform for community members to connect, collaborate and contribute to the growth of Wikimedia's global communities," said Nitesh Gill, Lead Volunteer Coordinator for WikiConference India. Participants attended panel discussions, workshops, project showcases, and learning sessions on topics ranging from technology, the sustainability of open source communities, and knowledge building through collaborative tools and projects. The conference also brought the opportunity for Wikimedians to talk about the future of the Wikimedia free knowledge mission and their strategy for the region in the coming years. "It is encouraging to see the sheer enthusiasm and participation of Wikimedians at WCI 2023, and I am looking forward to seeing its impact on the development of open knowledge in not only India but the broader South Asia region. I hope this conference provides the grounds needed for further community growth and engagement," said Nivas Ramisetty, WikiConference India coordinator. The event was co-organized with local partner, IIIT- Hyderabad and was supported by the Department of Language and Culture, Government of Telangana who arranged a cultural dance show and excursion tour to present local dance and art forms for the attendees. The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Our vision is a world in which every single human can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. We believe that everyone has the potential to contribute something to our shared knowledge and that everyone should be able to access that knowledge freely. We host Wikipedia and the Wikimedia projects, build software experiences for reading, contributing, and sharing Wikimedia content, support the volunteer communities and partners who make Wikimedia possible, and advocate for policies that enable Wikimedia and free knowledge to thrive. The Wikimedia Foundation is a United States 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with offices in San Francisco, California, USA. Press Contact: Seraphim Communications LLP Sunanda Rao-Erdem/Ann Mary Thomas sunanda@seraphimcommunications.com ann@seraphimcommunications.com This story is provided by Seraphim Communications on behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Seraphim)
With Go First airline announcing suspension of its flights on May 3 and May 4 owing to financial crunch, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday described the development as unfortunate. "Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to its engines. The government has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved. Yet, it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position," Scindia said while reacting to the development. He added that the government is aware that the airline has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). "It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights. It's incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for the passengers so that the inconvenience is minimal," the minister said. Earlier in the day, DGCA had issued a show cause notice to Go First after the airline abruptly cancelled fresh bookings for May 3 to 4. An official said that the DGCA recently became aware that Go First has cancelled all its scheduled flights on May 3and 4 without providing any prior notification to the regulatory authority. This act of sudden cancellation by the airline is considered to be a violation of the conditions of approval for scheduling, according to the aviation watchdog. While the carrier has suspended flights for May 3 and 4, it has also stopped taking bookings for the next two days. --IANS ans/arm ( 294 Words) 2023-05-02-20:26:03 (IANS)
Carl Icahn, a legend of Wall Street, has made a classic mistake of taking on too much leverage in the face of sustained losses: a combination that rarely ends well, Hindenburg Research said in a new research. Icahn has been using money taken in from new investors to pay out dividends to old investors. Such ponzi-like economic structures are sustainable only to the extent that new money is willing to risk being the last one "holding the bag", Hindenburg Research said. Supporting this structure is Jefferies, the only large investment bank with research coverage on Icahn Enterprises (IEP), the research said. It has continuously placed a "buy" rating on IEP units. In one of the worst cases of sell-side research malpractice we've seen, Jefferies' research assumes in all cases, even in its bear case, that IEP's dividend will be safe "into perpetuity", despite providing no support for that assumption, the research said. Since 2019, one bank has run all of IEP's $1.7 billion in ATM offerings: Jefferies. In essence, Jefferies is luring in retail investors through its research arm under the guise of IEP's 'safe' dividend, while also selling billions in IEP units through its investment banking arm to support the very same dividend, the research said. Icahn Enterprises (IEP) is an $18 billion market cap holding company run by corporate raider and activist investor Carl Icahn, who, along with his son Brett, own approximately 85 per cent of the company. Given limited financial flexibility and worsening liquidity, we expect Icahn Enterprises will eventually cut or eliminate its dividend entirely, barring a miracle turnaround in investment performance, the report said. Carl Icahn's relationship with Jefferies & Co (Jefferies) goes back to the corporate raider leveraged buy-out days of the 1980's. Several articles from the time noted Icahn's ties to the founder of Jefferies, Boyd Jefferies, who eventually pleaded guilty to two felony counts of securities fraud and resigned from the firm he founded. Jefferies current CEO, Richard Handler, has maintained a close relationship with Carl Icahn over the years. A 2014 article reported that Icahn helped bail out Jefferies during the global financial crisis. Jefferies now appears to be returning the favour (and collecting fees along the way through its ATM unit sales), Hindenburg Research said. --IANS san/pgh ( 401 Words) 2023-05-02-20:42:04 (IANS)
Amid the controversy surrounding the upcoming film "The Kerala Story", the youth wing of a leading state party and two individuals separately promised cash awards for those who prove its storyline correct and provide facts. The film starring Adah Sharma, slated to release on May 5, claims that around 32,000 women have gone missing from Kerala after being brainwashed, converted and sent for terror missions in India and abroad. P.K. Firoz, chief of the Muslim Youth League, the youth wing of IUML, the second-largest member of the Congress-led UDF, said they will give Rs 1 crore if those who made the film prove the storyline to be actually correct. The second announcement came from a blogger, K. Nazeer Hussain. He said that he would "give Rs 10 lakh to anyone who can produce evidence that women were converted and forced to join the Islamic State". Lawyer, and also an actor, Shukkur, wrote on Facebook that he would also give "Rs 11 lakh to anyone who will name the Kerala women who were converted, and then joined the Islamic State". As soon as the teaser of the film was released, the ruling CPI-M-led Left and the UDF demanded that the film should not be screened. Kerala Culture Minister, Saji Cherian said "if 'The Kerala Story' is screened, people should boycott it". He also said that legal action would be taken. The film is directed by Sudipto Sen. It traces the journey of four female college students in Kerala who become part of Islamic State. The film also stars Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani. It is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. --IANS sg/pgh/vd ( 288 Words) 2023-05-01-22:46:02 (IANS)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  Senators should push for a new Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) division to try agricultural smuggling cases instead of creating a separate court, officials and legal experts said on Tuesday.

Court administrator of the Supreme Court Raul Villanueva initially suggested that regional trial courts (RTCs) be designated for the function, but Senator Cynthia Villar said it would be ineffective.

"If the intention of Congress is to elevate the rank of the judges who would hear anti-smuggling cases, another division may be added to the CTA," Gener Gito, Philippine Judges Association's (PJA) vice president for administration, said during the Senate hearing on the amendment of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

Danilo Cruz, president of PJA, added that doing so would be swifter and more practical.

While Villanueva expressed support for the proposal, he pointed out that there may be a need to amend the law, given the limited jurisdiction of the CTA. The court currently has three divisions.

"Expand lang 'yung jurisdiction nila [Just expand their jurisdiction] on special laws pertaining to violations, for example, sa smuggling," Villanueva said.

"Pwede [rin] namang i-raffle lang sa apat na divisions 'yun (cases) para hindi exclusive for one division," he added, noting there are only nine agricultural smuggling cases pending with the SC to date.

[Translation: We just need to expand their jurisdiction to include special laws pertaining to, for example, smuggling. We can also raffle such cases among all CTA divisions instead of making them exclusive.]

According to the Department of Justice, a total of 159 cases have been filed with the agency from 2016 to February 2023. Of that number, 76 cases or 48% were dismissed for lack of probable cause. Only nine have reached the Supreme Court.

"Maybe we can add a specific crime, refusal to prosecute large-scale agricultural smuggling," Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Koko Pimentel III suggested, adding that legal departments, even DOJ prosecutors, can be held liable depending on the evidence.

Economic sabotage as non-bailable crime

Under Senate Bill 1963, Villar proposed the creation of special courts in four areas: Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cebu, and Davao.

The courts aim to hear criminal cases against persons involved in agricultural smuggling.

"We are amending the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act (RA 10845) to include hoarding, price manipulation and cartels as economic sabotage and non-bailable," Villar said. "We intend to create an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Court to ensure the proper implementation of the law will be made."

Under RA 10845, the amount to be declared as economic sabotage is 10 million for rice and 1 million for other agricultural products.

However, Villar said no smugglers were charged with economic sabotage.

According to the Bureau of Customs, 24 cases of large-scale agricultural smuggling have been filed in the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2022 and 46 cases in 2023. However, all cases are still under preliminary investigation.

Villar said the only "deterrent" to smuggling would be to put those liable behind bars, even while they are still being tried for economic sabotage.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture said it will look into the 2.87-billion budget released to the Bureau of Animal Industry this year for the establishment of first border inspection facilities for imported produce after it was questioned over the status of the project.

CNN correspondent Currie Cator and multiplatform news writer Mariel Celine Serquina contributed to this story.
Anne wore a body-hugging white tweed Versace gown. The strapless piece included sultry cutouts on the torso--with one extended into a thigh-high leg slit. The cutouts were held together by the Italian fashion house's iconic gold safety pins.

Hathaway accessorized the gown with matching tweed opera gloves, white platform pumps, and a brilliant diamond choker by Bulgari.

Anne is a veteran on the Met gala carpet. Among the striking ones, the actor wore a magnificent Valentino Couture ball gown in a red-hot hue in 2018 to honour the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme.

Referred to as "fashion's biggest night out," the Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event welcomes stars, young creatives, and industry paragons The annual fundraiser began in 1948. Publicist Eleanor Lambert came up with the idea to raise money for the newly opened Costume Institute exhibit.

This year's theme is "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," based on the new Costume Institute exhibition exploring the work of the iconic designer. Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 at the age of 85, spent decades creating clothes for Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi and Chanel in addition to his own namesake label. (ANI)
Dharmendra and Hema Malini, one of Bollywood's most iconic couples, are celebrating their 43rd marriage anniversary today. On Tuesday, the actor-turned-politician thanked her fans for their heartfelt wishes. Taking to Twitter, Hema dropped a string of throwback pictures and wrote, "I personally thank all those who have wished us on our wedding anniversary today. It has been a wonderful journey spanning 43 years of togetherness and with all your good wishes, will continue to be a smooth journey in tandem. Few photos over the years." https://twitter.com/dreamgirlhema/status/1653283436688478214 She dropped some more pictures and wrote, "Here are a few more spanning our years together." https://twitter.com/dreamgirlhema/status/1653283988440760322 Soon after she dropped the pictures, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons. "Wish u a happy marriage Anniversary DharmSir & Hema Ma'am, "a user wrote. Another user commented, "Perfect Jodi of Bollywood ever." "Wow 43 years. Congratulations, "a user commented. Married in 1980, the couple has stood strong, hand-in-hand, turning their marriage into one of the most successful celebrity weddings in Bollywood. She also added new photos taken on the occasion of their 43rd anniversary. Hema could be seen dressed in a red saree while Dharmendra wore a pink T-shirt with a black cap. https://twitter.com/dreamgirlhema/status/1653322083710164992 Dharmendra and Hema appeared in films like 'The Burning Train', 'Sholay', 'Raja Jani', 'Baghavat', 'Dharm Aur Qanoon', 'Do Dishayen' and many more. The duo shared two daughters, actor Esha Deol and Ahana Deol and also have five grandchildren. Esha and her husband Bharat Takhtani are parents to two daughters Radhya and Miraya. Ahana is married to Vaibhav Vohra and has three children, a son Darien and twin daughters, Astraia and Adea. Meanwhile, on the work front, Dharmendra will be next seen in director Karan Johar's upcoming film 'Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani' alongside Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The film is all set to release on July 28, 2023. Apart from that, he also has Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon's upcoming untitled romantic film. (ANI)
This year's theme was "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," based on the new Costume Institute exhibition exploring the work of the iconic designer. Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 at the age of 85, spent decades creating clothes for Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi and Chanel in addition to his own namesake label, Page Six reported.

But did you know that apart from the Indian celebs who walked the red carpet at the event, this year's Gala night had another big Indian connection?

The beautiful red carpet on which the celebs walked was actually "made in India". Yes, you read that right.

The carpet, not exactly red, was beige with a smattering of red and blue lines on it and was designed by an Indian design house based by Neytt by Extraweave, a design house based in Kerala.

Taking to Instagram, Neytt shared the news on their official Instagram handle and captioned it, "A proud moment for our team to provide carpets to the Met Gala for the second time in a row. Contemporary design, woven with love, rooted in Kerala. Made in India," they wrote along with a picture of the carpet at the gala.

Reportedly, the carpet for the 2023 Met Gala took 60 days to make. The 6960 square metre carpet was made out of 58 30x4 metre rolls.

Several big celebs like Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Karlie Kloss, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Kylie Jenner, Isha Ambani, Jennifer Lopez, Robert Pattinson, Jared Letto, Zendaya, Rihanna. Kim Kardashian and Gigi Hadid among others marked their presence at the Gala. (ANI)
Met Gala, one of the biggest fashion nights, was held in New York City on Monday. The event witnessed numerous Indian celebrities walking the red carpet like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Isha Ambani, Natasha Poonawalla and Shloka Mehta's sister fashion consultant Diya Mehta Jatia. This year's theme was "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," based on the new Costume Institute exhibition exploring the work of the iconic designer. Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 at the age of 85, spent decades creating clothes for Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi and Chanel in addition to his own namesake label, Page Six reported. Several big celebs like Karlie Kloss, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Robert Pattinson, Jared Letto, Zendaya, Rihanna. Kim Kardashian and Gigi Hadid among others marked their presence at the Gala. Alia made her debut at the fashion night on Monday. The 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' star opted for a beautiful white gown with pearl embellishment all over it by designer Prabal Gurung. She teamed the gown with embellished gloves, matching diamond earrings and rings. For the glam, she opted for centre-parted half-tied ponytail, high heels, subtle smoky eye shadow, kohl-lined eyes, nude lip shade, and a dewy base. This appearance of Alia will precede her Hollywood debut in 'Heart of Stone'. Helmed by Tom Harper, 'Heart of Stone' is intended to be the first instalment in a series akin to Tom Cruise's 'Mission Impossible'. The movie stars Sophie Okonedo, Matthias Schweighofer, Jing Lusi, and Paul Ready in addition to Gal, Jamie, and Alia. Several pictures and videos of the star went viral on social media in which she could be seen posing for the camera at the Gala. Taking to Instagram, Alia shared a string of pictures of her outfits which she captioned, "Met Gala -- Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. I have always been fascinated by the iconic Chanel brides. Season after season, the genius of Karl Lagerfeld shone through in the most innovative and awe-inspiring couture. My look tonight was inspired from this and in particular by supermodel Claudia Schiffer's 1992 Chanel bridal look." https://www.instagram.com/p/CruL6K3oG_u/ "I wanted to do something that felt authentic (hello, pearls!) and proudly made in India. The embroidery, made with a 100,000 pearls is a labour of love by @prabalgurung. I'm so proud to wear you for my first Met. A girl can never have too many pearls... and the right accessories to complement the look which in our case translated to the bow of pearls on my hair. Oh, and it's white, for my Choup-ED," she concluded. Talking about Priyanka, the desi girl arrived at the Gala night along with her husband Nick Jonas. The power couple twinned in black as they wore Valentino outfits. Priyanka styled her thigh-slit black off-shoulder gown with regal bell sleeves. She matched her white gloves with the sleeves of her dress. Nick looked dapper in a black leather jacket. Priyanka also sported an 11-carat diamond necklace. The actor kept her hairstyle simple in a side-parted bun. Priyanka made her debut at the Met Gala in 2017. The Bollywood icon, draped in a Ralph Lauren trench coat dress made the heads turn. While her entrance alongside Nick Jonas caused a stir, it was the trench coat dress's extended train that caught the fashion world's attention. Priyanka's sartorial prowess was in full display in 2018, as she flawlessly embodied the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme with a deep ruby-red velvet gown. In 2019, Chopra's Met Gala look continued to stun audiences, showcasing a stunning display of whimsy and extravagance in a statement Dior gown, keeping in mind the dress code that pays homage to Susan Sontag's 1964 essay, "Notes on 'Camp'. Taking to Instagram, Priyanka also dropped a string of pictures of her look and she captioned it, "First Monday in May." https://www.instagram.com/p/CruvschtpqM/ Apart from her, Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha Ambani also marked her presence at the Gala night. Isha Ambani walked the red carpet in a beautiful Prabal Gurung's black silk saree gown. Her ensemble featured black silk fabric draped over one shoulder, plus thousands of crystals and pearls hand-embellishments extended into a floor-length train. For the glam, she opted for minimal makeup look and she kept her hair straight. She made her debut at the fashion show in a Christian Dior gown in 2017 and again in a lilac Prabal Gurung outfit in 2019. Natasha Poonawalla was another Indian celeb who arrived at the Gala night. Natasha never stops surprising the fans with her unconventional and striking fashion choices. The socialite-fashionista sported a structured gown with mirror-work finishing for this year's Met Gala. She opted for a sleek ponytail that she adorned with silver accessories. Sharing the pictures on her Instagram handle, Natasha wrote, "Karl ...a line of beauty #metgala2023." https://www.instagram.com/p/CruDWGPqP7d/ Last year, keeping the gilded glamour theme of last year in mind, Natasha wore designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's ensemble. Her saree with bustier and elaborate jewellery gave the Met Gala 2022 red carpet a dash of Indian elegance. Last but not least, Shloka Mehta's sister fashion consultant Diya Mehta Jatia nailed her Gala presence in a beautiful outfit and a Radha-Krishna hair accessory. https://www.instagram.com/p/CruHpNaKQel/ She got dressed in a black halter neck bodice with green coloured pleated satin skirt. She opted for minimal makeup with black eyeliner, well-defined eyebrows and glossy lipstick. The highlight of her look went to the diamond-studded hair accessory of the deity Radha-Krishna decorated with white, green and pink stones all over it. But did you know that apart from the Indian celebs who walked the red carpet at the event, this year's Gala night had another big Indian connection? The beautiful red carpet on which the celebs walked was actually "made in India". Yes, you read that right. The carpet, not exactly red, was beige with a smattering of red and blue lines on it and was designed by an Indian design house based by Neytt by Extraweave, a design house based in Kerala. Taking to Instagram, Neytt shared the news on their official Instagram handle and captioned it, "A proud moment for our team to provide carpets to the Met Gala for the second time in a row," they wrote along with a picture of the carpet at the gala. Reportedly, the carpet for the 2023 Met Gala took 60 days to make. The 6960 square metre carpet was made out of 58 30x4 metre rolls. Referred to as "fashion's biggest night out," the Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event welcomes stars, young creatives, and industry paragons The annual fundraiser began in 1948. Publicist Eleanor Lambert came up with the idea to raise money for the newly opened Costume Institute exhibit. (ANI)
Happiness of Priyanka Mallick, a fashion designer from West Bengal's Hooghly district knew no bounds after she received a transcontinental e-mail cum appreciation letter straight from the United Kingdom, thanking her enough for designing a "butterfly brooch" for His Majesty The King Charles III. Priyanka Mallick was doubled with joy after she came to know that two of her designs found their way from a white sheet of paper to the evening party of the Coronation ceremony, scheduled to be held on May 7, 2023. Not only The King Charles III, but Camilla, the Queen Consort, will also don a rose-centred red dress designed by Priyanka. 29-year-old, Priyanka, comes from a small village situated about 50 km from Kolkata. She holds degrees from Italy's Milan, Harward and the Stanford University of the US. She is also a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society of the UK. After Priyanka recieved the direct invite to be a part of the Coronation of The King Charles III, a symbolic ceremony combining a religious service and pageantry, her family also looked overjoyed and expressed immense happiness on seeing her progress. "We are very happy with her progress. A village girl has reached Buckingham Palace. I myself received the [invitation] envelope. We always supported her and will continue to support her," Priyanka's brother Rajesh Mallick told ANI. On the making of the dresses for the to be crowned King and Queen, Priyanka said, "The dresses will be stitched locally with her inputs as she is in touch with London-based stylists and workers." "I am fortunate and thrilled that my designs were selected for The King Charles III and Queen's Coronation ceremony to be held on May 6 at Westminster Abbey," she said. Unfortunately, Priyanka will not be among the forelock-tugging masses despite the invitation as she is recovering from an ailment. "But I will attend the ceremony virtually," she added. From childhood, Priyanka was fascinated with designing and drawing and was fond of the Queen Elizabeth dresses she wore. Later, her interest in fashion designing developed into an alluring art and after completing class XII, she virtually joined the international fashion designing courses and got recognition for her work. (ANI)
Concerning the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) for rural areas in the northeast, the minister said that the states have made "great progress", citing Assam as an example, which began with about 1 per cent coverage and has now reached about 50 per cent.

"By 2024, we hope to have 100 per cent coverage in the northeast," Shekhawat said.

The minister also said that the funds for building drinking water plants were included under the Jal Jeevan Mission and only pure drinking water is made available to the people.

Shekhawat, who presided over the Brahmaputra board's 12th high-powered review meeting during the day, said the board has been studying and working to maximise the region's water resources.

He also said that the northeastern region may soon get a water resource management body.

The new body will engage with the states and the Centre to find holistic solutions to the region's water-related concerns, Shekhawat said.

"The northeastern water management authority was proposed to provide a new direction with a holistic approach. The states have mostly agreed, and the proposal has been sent to the Union Cabinet," Shekhawat said.

"I am confident that the body will be approved during the next Parliamentary session," he added.

The minister also said that the northeastern states are in a "crisis of either too much or too little water".

--IANS tdr/arm

( 268 Words)

2023-05-01-22:42:03 (IANS)
Amid the ongoing controversy over the 'The Kerala Story' film, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stressed that he wasn't calling for a ban on the film but it is a misrepresentation of the state's reality. This comes on the heels of his remark that the film may be "your" Kerala story but not "our" Kerala story. "Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud and clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality," Tharoor tweeted. https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1652951532655230976 'The Kerala Story' has become a topic for discussion around the numbers being exaggerated in the trailer of the film. Helmed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film is all set to hit the theatres on May 5, 2023. 'The Kerala Story' stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani and Sonia Balani in the lead roles. The trailer of Sen's film 'The Kerala Story' came under fire as it claimed that 32,000 girls from the state went missing and later joined the terrorist group, ISIS. Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly VD Satheesan recently said that the film 'The Kerala Story' should not be granted permission for screening. "The film 'The Kerala Story' which falsely claims that 32,000 women in Kerala converted and became members of the Islamic State, should not be granted permission for screening. The trailer clearly shows what the film intends to say", Satheesan said in a Facebook post. He also alleged that the film is part of an attempt to implement Sangh Parivar's agenda and create a social divide by casting a shadow of doubt over the minority groups. "This is not an issue of freedom of expression but part of an attempt to implement the Sangh Parivar agenda to create a divide in the society by casting a shadow of doubt over the minority groups", he said. (ANI)
Subsequent to BJP's promise ahead of the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections in its manifesto to complete the disputed irrigation project at Kalasa-Bhanduri, Goa Forward Party (GFP) has called it as another nail in the saffron party's 'coffin of lies'. "Another nail in BJP Goa's and Pramod Sawant's COFFIN OF LIES! BJP Karnataka's election manifesto is yet another proof of #Goa #BJP leaders' active participation in selling off #MotherMhadei," Vijai Sardesai, President of GFP and Fatorda MLA, tweeted. "While these betrayers hop from village to village in Karnataka, they can't find their voice to speak for Mhadei, but can shout on top of their voices to seek votes for Basavaraj Bommai, who has the CMO Goa dancing to his tunes," Sardesai said. For the last many days, BJP leaders and ministers from Goa are camping in Karnataka's many Assembly constituencies to campaign for their candidates. They are also seen speaking in Kannada during public meetings to attract the voters. The opposition in Goa had targeted these leaders for helping those who are trying to divert Mhadei water. In January, during a rally in Belagavi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said, "Today, I am here to tell you that the BJP at the Centre has resolved the long dispute between Goa and Karnataka over Mhadei and allowed the diversion of Mhadei to Karnataka to satisfy the thirst of farmers of many districts." Sardesai during the last Assembly session had attacked Pramod Sawant over Shah's statement questioning him as to whatever the Union minister said was correct or wrong, to which Sawant had replied, "We have not given consent of Mhadei diversion and will never give it." Reacting to it, Sardesai had said, "This means the Chief Minister admits that the Union Home Minister had lied (to the public)." However, Chief Minister Sawant had hastened to clarify that he didn't say like that. "I have not said as such," Sawant had said. Sardesai on many occasions has targeted the BJP leaders over the Mhadei diversion issue, stating the they have compromised the Mhadei issue. Criticising the Central government's announcement in the Budget 2023-24 of Rs 5,300 crore assistance to Karnataka for irrigation purposes, Sardesai had said, "It furthers the cause of (Karnataka) stealing water from neighbouring states." Goa and Karnataka are currently battling out a dispute over the Kalasa-Bhanduri dam project across the water of Mhadei river at a central tribunal. --IANS sbk/arm ( 416 Words) 2023-05-01-23:14:04 (IANS)
Extending his greetings on International Labour Day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday announced the withdrawal of the amendment to the Tamil Nadu Factories Act stating that the state government will never compromise with the welfare of the labours. While addressing the May Day celebrations in Chennai, Stalin said, "To attract huge investments in Tamil Nadu and to create employment opportunities for thousands of youngsters from North and South Tamil Nadu, the Government introduced one bill. That was not for all Industries and only for specific industries with regulations. " "Few opposed the bill with doubts. The DMK Labour Union itself opposed this Bill. I appreciate that. DMK is that much democratic. Then we had a discussion and withdrew this," he added. Targeting the Centre, Stalin said the farmers lost their lives in the protest on the borders of the national capital but "no one cares about it". "Union Government withdraws new farmers law after one year amid the farmer's huge protest. Even a few lost their lives in that Protest. No one cares about that. The DMK Government withdrew the bill in two days after Labourers Union raised doubts," he said. "I never considered giving up a shame. I see that as pride only. If introducing some bill is courage, giving up that bill immediately is also courage only," the Chief Minister added. The Chief Minister added that whenever the DMK came to power, it implemented various welfare programmes to benefit the labourers and working class. He pointed out that during the regime of the previous DMK governments, holidays with pay on May 1, apart from a 20 per cent bonus for labourers, land for landless labourers and several other welfare programmes were implemented. The passage of the bill to amend the Factories Act of 1948 witnessed stiff opposition from most, including DMK allies Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allies and trade unions had strongly opposed the move and termed it "anti-labour". On April 24, the bill was put on hold after political parties and labour unions threatened to take out a series of agitation in the coming days. (ANI)
DGCA has already ordered the services of the operator to be grounded after the official''s death on April 23.

A senior DGCA official confirmed that the operator has been grounded since the incident and a special audit has started on Monday.

The deceased official who was identified as Amit Saini, 35, was the finance controller of UCADA. He was present at Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) helipad for audit and inspection work.

"When he was about to board the helicopter he was struck by the tail rotor blade and died on the spot," an official had earlier said.

The official added that they are conducting another audit of the operator to ensure safe operation. After the incident, all other operators were asked to ensure high-level safety guidelines during operations. (ANI)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  As Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 returns to its normal operations, a joint committee is set to meet on Tuesday to determine the next steps to take following the power outage at the countrys main gateway on Labor Day, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

There will be an investigation which will be conducted by a joint committee so that we will be able to determine what is the real cause because there are claims that its not a regular fault that entered the system of NAIA Terminal 3, DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista told CNN Philippines The Source on Tuesday.

On May 1, a number of flights at NAIA Terminal 3 were either canceled or delayed after an almost eight-hour power outage at the airport, affecting over 9,000 passengers.

Bautista said the meeting will involve the Office for Transportation Security, Manila International Airport Authority, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, as well as the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police.

The Transportation chief said he also expects to be given a timeline regarding the investigation and the release of findings.

According to Bautista, initial investigation showed that the power outage was caused by a fault that entered the circuit breaker, causing the surge that damaged the elbow connector.

The angle of sabotage is also being considered, he noted.

The power outage on Monday comes four months after the New Years Day fiasco that occurred at the same terminal. A similar electric problem also occurred in September last year.

Bautista admitted that the 25-year-old terminal needs several upgrades.

He said the government is already working on procuring more generator sets to fully support the requirements of Terminal 3.

Authorities are also eyeing a full electrical audit for the terminal to also determine what other improvements in the existing electrical system are needed, he added.

Following the incident, Bautista said the DOTr welcomes the 100-billion unsolicited proposal of a newly formed consortium composed of six big Filipino conglomerates and US-based Global Infrastructure Partners to upgrade and operate NAIA.

READ: DOTr to study super consortiums proposal on 100-B NAIA upgrade

The private sector can be more efficient and can implement reforms faster to improve the system in NAIA, he added.
"In another rescue operation by BRO, 40 tourists who were stranded near Nathula due to heavy rainfall have been rescued by BRO Karmayogies," Guwahati Defence PRO's official statement said.

According to the BRO, the rescued people were served hot meals and given shelter in the BRO detachments and were sent back to Gangtok after the road was opened by the BRO.

"This selfless devotion is a hallmark of BRO under the able guidance of their DG Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry," it added.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the ongoing rain spell is about to intensify in Sikkim and other parts of the Northeast for the next five days.

As per IMD, scattered to fairly widespread rains of the light to light to moderate intensity along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds shall continue to lash Northeast India from Monday to next Friday (May 1-5). (ANI)
Veteran politician Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that he has decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after helming it for 24 years and stated that he will not contest any more elections. "After this prolonged period of political career from May 1, 1960 to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Pawar said after the launch of the second edition of his autobiography 'Lok Maze Sangati'. He further said that he would continue working in the political, social and cultural life. "I have three years tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections now," the veteran leader said. Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar supported the latter's decision to step down from the party President post. "Pawar Sahab himself had said about the necessity of change in the guard a few days ago. we should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won't take it back," Ajit Pawar said. Meawhile, Sharad Pawar recommended a committee of senior NCP leaders to decide on the future course of action. The committee will include Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, P C Chacko, Narhari Zirwal, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujabl, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Jaydev Gaikwad and chiefs of party frontal cells, Pawar said. After his announcement, several NCP leaders and workers were seen chanting slogans asking Pawar to take back his decision. Recalling his political career, the NCP supremo said, "Since the formation of the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999, I have had the privilege of being elected as its President, which today is in its 24th year. This entire journey of being in public life, which began on May 1, 1960, has continued unabated for the past 63 years, having served Maharashtra and India in various capacities during this period. "I have three years tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections henceforth. In these three years, I will concentrate more on issues concerning to state and the country. I will not take any additional responsibilities. I started my political career on May 1, 1960. Yesterday we celebrated May Day. After this prolonged political career, one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy. I will never take the position of sticking to a post after so many years. Therefore, you might feel uneasy. But I have decided to retire from the post of the NCP chief, " Pawar further said. The four-time chief minister of Maharashtra has previously served as the Minister of Defence in the Cabinet of P V Narsimha Rao and as Minister of Agriculture in the Cabinet of Manmohan Singh. He was the first and former president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was founded in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress. Speaking after the release of his autobiography, Pawar said that it was time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take. The NCP leader, however said that he would not take retirement from public life even after resigning from the party post. "Even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life. Constant travel has become an integral part of my life. I will continue attending public events, and meetings. Whether in Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Delhi or any other part of India, I will be available to all of you as usual. I will continue to work round the clock to solve the people's problems," he said. Pawar's decision came as a surprise for many of his partymen. Party MP Praful Patel said, "We have requested Sharad Pawar ji with folded hand to withdraw the decision. I request him to withdraw the decision on behalf of all. The state and the country need his leadership." In an attempt to pacify agitated party workers, Patel said, "Repeating the same thing won't solve any purpose and its meaningless. We senior leaders will talk to Pawar Saheb." (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Wednesday distribute regularisation appointment letters to 4,500 workers of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), granting permanent status to those who have spent 20-25 years of their lives working in the department. The event will be organised at Talkatora Stadium in the national capital on Wednesday evening. Earlier in February, the Home Minister had written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal informing him about the regularisation of 4,500 Regular Muster Roll (RMR) employees of the NDMC. In 2019, under Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is an ex officio member of NDMC by virtue of being the MLA of the New Delhi assembly constituency, the civic body approved the regularisation of these RMR employees. In February this year, Kejriwal had also written to the Home Minister to regularise the RMR employees. Kejriwal pointed out that the proposal for the approval of draft recruitment rules for Group 'C' posts was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs in September 2020 after it was approved by the council. The RMR employees of NDMC had met the Delhi Chief Minister several times in the recent past demanding regularisation of their services. As per officials, RMR employees or daily wagers, who are given preference when there is work, have been waiting for many years for their regularisation against the existing vacancies in NDMC. This is an issue that concerns people who have spent 20-25 years of their lives working in the NDMC and come from poor families. NDMC is also facing a shortage of employees. The regularisation of these employees will go a long way in solving this issue. (ANI)
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against National Investigation Agency (NIA) Superintendent of Police and an inspector for their alleged role in involvement in corruption and criminal practices during their posting at the NIA office in Manipur's Imphal. They have been booked for an alleged extortion case of Rs 60 lakh from three local residents in Manipur's Imphal after threatening to implicate them in a false case. The FIR in the matter accessed by ANI read that Vishal Garg, the then SP of the NIA Branch Office in Imphal, alongwith Rajib Khan Inspector, NIA, Imphal was collecting huge amounts of money from residents of Manipur through cut-outs, by threatening them for falsely implicating in NIA cases. In the FIR, the CBI has slapped Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 388 (extortion) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and several sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Garg and Inspector Md Rajib Khan. The CBI registered the case after receiving a complaint, a copy of which is now part of the FIR, from Sudhanshu Shekhar Shukla, Deputy Superintendent, administration, NIA Headquarters in the national capital. "After receiving the said information, an internal enquiry was conducted in respect of allegations levelled against Vishal Garg and Md Rajib Khan," Shukla said in his complaint. "The enquiry has revealed that NIA had registered a case in March 2022 with the allegation that the active cadres of terrorist organizations including Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), United Liberation Front (UNLF) and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), all prescribed under UAPA, are raising funds in Manipur, in furtherance of their terror activities. The said case was assigned to Tushar Bishat, Inspector, NIA, Imphal for investigation," he added. The enquiry further revealed that Vishal Garg, being SP, NIA, Imphal Branch was the Head of the Branch and the First Supervisory Officer in the case. On the directions of Vishal Garg, Md. Rajib Khan was assisting in the investigation of the said case. The enquiry has revealed that through this modus operandi, Khan collected Rs 10 lakh cash from one Inaocha Takhellambam alias Naoba, Rs 20 lakh cash from one N Momon Singh, Rs 30 lakh cash from one Laishram Hemanta Singh, all residents of Imphal between May and August 2022 at the instance of Garg," he further alleged. Shukla said there is a possibility of threatening other people or witnesses and extorting huge amounts from them. "This aspect too needs to be investigated and it is requested that needful action be taken against them," he also said. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing controversy over the 'The Kerala Story', Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday advocated for the May 5 scheduled release of the movie and said that he would go and watch the film. "This film should be released all over India and we oppose those demanding a ban on this film. I will go to watch the first show of the film," Somaiya said. The BJP leader said that he spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure there is no problem with the release of the movie. "I also spoke with the producer. We have assured him that there will be no problem with the release of the film," he said. Helmed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film is all set to hit the theatres on Friday. 'The Kerala Story' stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani and Sonia Balani in the lead roles. The trailer of Sen's film came under fire as it claimed that 32,000 girls from the state went missing and later joined the terrorist group, ISIS. Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly VD Satheesan recently said that the film should not be granted permission for screening. "The film 'The Kerala Story' which falsely claims that 32,000 women in Kerala converted and became members of the Islamic State, should not be granted permission for screening. The trailer clearly shows what the film intends to say", Satheesan said in a Facebook post. "This is not an issue of freedom of expression but part of an attempt to implement the Sangh Parivar agenda to create a divide in the society by casting a shadow of doubt over the minority groups", he added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed by the Delhi Police against the Delhi High Court's June 15, 2021 order granting bail to Pinjra Tod activists Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, and a student of Jamia Millia Islamia Asif Iqbal Tanha in the 2020 Delhi riots case. A bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah dismissed the appeal of Delhi police noting that the three students have been enlarged in bail for nearly two years. "We find no reason to keep this matter alive," the bench said. The apex court further clarified that it has not gone into the correctness of the interpretation given by the Delhi High Court of the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act while granting bail to the accused. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, urged the bench to specifically clarify that the High Court's order should not be treated as a precedent. To this, Justice Kaul replied that the bench had said earlier that High Court's order shall not be treated as precedent primarily because of elaborate discussion on merits. "The impugned order is an extremely elaborate order on bail interpreting provisions of the UAPA Act. In our view, the only issue to be examined was if, in the factual scenario, the accused is to be granted bail or not. While issuing notice we observed that the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent. The idea was to protect the State against the use of the judgment to enunciate the law in a bail matter. The accused have been enlarged on bail for two years. We find no reason to keep this matter alive," the bench said. At the outset of the hearing, the bench rejected the request of the Delhi police to adjourn the hearing of the case. The bench said that bail hearings should not be prolonged and dismissed the appeal saying that nothing survived in the case. Earlier, the top court had said that it doesn't believe in unnecessarily keeping people behind the bars, while hearing the pleas filed by the Delhi police against the bail granted to three student activists in a case of the 2020 Delhi riots case. Justice Kaul had observed that spending hours hearing the bail petitions in the case was a "complete wastage" of time of the Delhi High Court. The remarks of the apex court had come while it was hearing appeals of Delhi Police challenging the Delhi High Court's order. Delhi police had approached the apex court against the High Court order, granting them bail. The top court then refused to cancel the bail granted to three student activists in the northeast Delhi riots case but made it clear that the High Court judgment will "not to be treated as precedent by any court" to give similar relief. The Delhi police had contended that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been "turned upside down" by the High Court while granting bail in the case and that the issue can have pan-India ramifications. The three students were arrested in May 2021 under the stringent UAPA. The Delhi police, while seeking to set aside the bail verdicts, had stated before the top court that the High Court "not only conducted a mini-trial but has also recorded perverse findings which are contrary to record" and almost decided the case while adjudicating bail pleas. The High Court had on June 15, 2021, granted bail to the three student-activists saying in an anxiety to suppress dissent the State has blurred the line between the right to protest and terrorist activity and if such a mindset gains traction, it would be a "sad day for democracy". The High Court had also observed that the right to protest cannot be termed as a 'terrorist act' under the UAPA. The case relates to the 2020 communal violence in north-east Delhi during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). (ANI)
Moments after senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar announced his resignation from the party president's post on Tuesday, his nephew Ajit Pawar supported the former's decision saying that the next party chief will work under Sharad Pawar. "Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar) will always be the head of the NCP family. Whoever will be the new President will work only under Pawar Saheb's guidance," Ajit Pawar told the party cadre who were protesting against Sharad Pawar's decision urging him to withdraw it. Ajit Pawar further asked the party workers and leaders not to become emotional over the decision and said, "Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won't take it back." Ajit Pawar said the members of the committee suggested by Sharad Pawar to elect the next party President are "not from outside, but are from within the NCP family itself". Party workers and leaders, however, demanded that Sharad Pawar withdraw his decision. "We're not ready to accept your decision of resigning from the post of NCP president. We want you to reconsider your decision," said NCP leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal, Jitendra Awhad and Dilip Walse Patil Several leaders including Jayant Patil broke down after the Veteran politician's announcement. Pawar, while announcing his resignation, said that he has decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after helming it for 24 years and stated that he will not contest any more elections. "After this prolonged period of political career from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Pawar said after the launch of the second edition of his autobiography 'Lok Maze Sangati'. He further said that he would continue working in the political, social and cultural life. "I have three years tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections now," the veteran leader said. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for always talking about himself during his rallies and said that the latter should understand that the Karnataka election was not about him. Addressing a rally in Shivamogga, the Congress leader said, "This governmnet of the BJP is a stolen government. BJP stole it three years ago by destroying democracy. Why is the PM Modi not speaking about the corruption done by this government? He should tell what steps he has taken to stop corruption in Karnataka". Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi said that he was "abused 91 times." Previously this April, during a public meeting at Humnabad in Bidar district, Karnataka, PM Modi said that Congress has abused him 91 times. "Congress has started abusing me again. Every time Congress abuse me, it gets demolished. Congress has abused me 91 times...Let Congress abuse me, and I will keep on working for the people of Karnataka". Both the leaders of the ruling BJP and Congress have intensified campaigning in the southern State with the latter attempting to return to power and the former striving to hold on to power in the only southern state of the country. "He is not saying anything about Karnataka. The question is not about PM Modi. It is about the people of the state of Karnataka," Rahul Gandhi said noting that Modi did not discuss any issue about the state during his rally. "Please tell the people of the state what you ( PM Modi) are going to do for the state for the next five years," asked Rahul Gandhi. "Please accept that your government in the state took 40 per cent commission during the last three and half years," the Congress leader. Taking potshots at the ruling BJP, Rahul Gandhi said if it returns to power in the State, then the party will increase the rate of commission from 40 per cent to 50 per cent". The former Congress MP said there is not only PM Narendra Modi in this world. "There are also other people. Talk about Youth. Talk about your leaders," he said. "Let you talk for 70 per cent about yourself and the rest of 30 per cent talk about the people of the Karnataka," the Gandhi scion said. Karnataka will go to Assembly polls on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13. (ANI)
Moments after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar announced his resignation from the party president's post, party leader Praful Patel said that the prominent leaders of the party will meet and try to persuade the former Chief Minister. Speaking to the reporters, Praful Patel said, "Even when he made the announcement, I asked him on the stage itself that 'Why didn't you consult us?', to which he replied 'If I had consulted would any of you have said yes?' When he made the announcement, everybody was left shocked". "We all are very sad and disturbed. But, all the prominent leaders (from the party) will go to him and will try to persuade him. We are hopeful that something positive will come out," he added. Earlier, NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule along with several other party leaders held talks with protesting party workers. Ajit Pawar assured the protesting workers that the prominent leaders are going to meet Sharad Pawar, and urged the workers to go back home and have some food. "Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar) will always be the head of the NCP family. Whoever will be the new President will work only under Pawar Saheb's guidance," Ajit Pawar told the party cadre. Pawar, while announcing his resignation, said that he has decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after helming it for 24 years and stated that he will not contest any more elections. "After this prolonged period of political career from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Pawar said after the launch of the second edition of his autobiography 'Lok Maze Sangati'. He further said that he would continue working in the political, social and cultural life. "I have three years tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections now," the veteran leader said. Reacting to this decision, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "Pawar Sahib's decision is NCP's internal matter. It is his personal decision. He is a senior leader and he has decided something. Brainstorming over several issues is going on within his party. So, it will not be right for us to react on this. We will keep an eye on the situation and react after a day or two". (ANI)
Delhi's Dwarka court has acquitted a woman in a Rs 1.25 crore cheque dishonour case filed by a retired Brigadier of the Indian Army. This case pertains to an alleged friendly loan of Rs 80 lakh for a period of four years. It was alleged that the accused had offered a lump sum interest of Rs 45 lakh on the principal amount of Rs 80 lakh through a cheque, which was dishonoured. Metropolitan Magistrate Akanksha observed, "All the legal requirements constituting an offence under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act being cumulative in nature, the fact that the first legal requirement has not been proved in favour of the complainant, the ingredients necessary to bring home the guilt of the accused remain incomplete." Accordingly, accused Vagisha Suneja is acquitted for the alleged offence under section 138 NI Act, the court ordered on April 29. The Court noted that the accused has been able to successfully rebut the presumption of law and discharge the burden of proof by raising a probable defence that the cheque in question was not issued in discharge of his liability as the cheque was presented in excess of his liability as of the date of its presentation. Brig M L Khattar (Retd.) had filed this complaint under section 138 Negotiable Instruments Act against accused Vagisha Suneja, on January 24, 2018. It was alleged that in the discharge of her liability including the consolidated interest the accused issued the cheque in question bearing no. 007486 dated December 6, 2017, for an amount of Rs 1.25 crore with assurances of its encashment. It was also alleged that the accused pestered the complainant for a friendly loan of Rs 80 lakh for 4 years and offered a lump sum interest of Rs 45 lakh. After that, the complainant prematurely broke his FDs and gave his lifetime savings, through two cheques of Rs 66 lakh on June 14, 2013, and Rs 14 lakh on June 27, 2013, the complainant had alleged. Some days back the complaint had disposed of his property due to personal difficulty. It was also the case of the complainant that the accused and her husband were his neighbours. Therefore, they had knowledge that the complaint had cash at his disposal. On the other hand, advocate Pujya Kumar Singh, counsel for the accused argued and challenged the fact that why would any person agree to give Rs 1.25 crore in lieu of Rs 80 lakh? The counsel also contended that the complainant has failed to prove how he calculated the interest of Rs 45 lakh. On the other hand, the counsel for the complainant contended that the interest of Rs 45 lakh was a consolidated interest and no percentage or arithmetical calculation was done in calculating the interest. "It is an admitted fact that there is no written agreement for the loan. The amount of Rs 80 lakh is also not a small amount but a huge sum of money. However, the complainant has successfully proved that he transferred an amount of Rs 80 lakh in the account of the accused," the court noted in the order dated April 29. (ANI)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to immediately solve the rotational power interruptions in some areas of the Visayas including Panay, Guimaras, and Negros.

In a post, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos instructed the NGCP to regularly update the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) together with the local officials, distribution utilities, and power generators regarding the status of the Visayas grid.

The President also urged NGCP to expedite the third stage of the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project and the Ancillary Service Procurement Agreement (ASPA) in order to reduce power fluctuations.

Marcos earlier said the national government can augment efforts to address power distribution problems in Negros and Panay Island.

READ: Marcos: Gov't ready to help fix energy woes in Negros, Panay

On April 27, the NGCP placed the Visayas grid on red alert due to disturbances detected in the transmission system. It includes Panay, Cebu, Negros, Leyte, Samar, and Bohol island grids.

It was downgraded to yellow alert status the following day but the NGCP said some areas of Panay Island will continue to experience power outages as system disturbances continue to plague the grid.

READ: Panay island still facing power outages NGCP

On Sunday, the NGCP said some power plants on Panay Island have synchronized to the grid but power interruptions are still being experienced in Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Aklan, and Guimaras.

According to the PCO, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Provincial Civil Defense Cluster of Panay Island were scheduled to meet on Tuesday to formulate a resolution following Marcos' instructions. There were no immediate details if the meeting already took place and what resolutions were put forward.
Police have arrested two members of the gang of Mewat-based ATM robbers from southwest Delhi. The accused have been identified as Nazim Hussain (26) and Mubarik (19), residents of Haryana's Palwal. According to the police, the accused used to steal money from the ATM dispenser by installing an instrument in cash. Police on Tuesday said that on November 14 last year, an incident of cheating in an ATM booth at Shivpuri was reported at PS Chhawla, wherein the complainant stated that while withdrawing cash from ATM the transaction couldn't be completed at the movement. "While removing her card from the ATM machine the card was changed by someone who was present in the ATM booth. After some time, transaction messages were received on her mobile. A total of Rs 30,000 was deducted from her account," the police added. As per the statement of the complainant, a case under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at PS Chhawla. "During the investigation, on 29 April this year, secret information was received regarding the movement of Mewati gang members namely Najim and Mubarik carrying illegal firearms and ammunition, who will come near Radha Swami Satsang Vyas, Deenpur, Chhawla area in a Swift car in order to install a specially designed instrument in cash withdrawal slot of the ATM machine. Subsequently, a raiding team was constituted in this regard. As per information, the team reached near Radha Swami Satsang Vyas, Deenpur, Chhawla and a trap was laid by the team," the police added. The official also said that at the instance of the informer the team apprehended two suspect persons. During frisking, one country-made pistol with three live cartridges, one specially designed instrument for withdrawing cash from an ATM machine, and six ATM cards were recovered from their possession. "1 Swift car being used in the commission of the crime was also recovered from their possession," the official said. As per the recovery of illegal firearms and ammunition, a case under section 25 of the Arms Act was registered at PS Chhawla. The police further said that on detailed interrogation, the accused persons disclosed that they used to install a specially designed instrument in the cash withdrawal slot of an ATM machine. "When a customer tries to withdraw cash amount, cash will not come out from the ATM machine. As soon as the customer will leave the ATM booth and they will collect the cash with the help of a specially designed instrument," the police added. (ANI)
"Troops of the Trishakti Corps swung into immediate action and rescued the stranded tourists. The tourists were moved to safe areas and provided shelter, warm clothing, medical aid and hot meals," the Army official said in a statement.

The tourists got stranded on Monday afternoon due to snowfall and inclement weather.

The soldiers vacated their barracks to enable accommodation for the stranded tourists.

"The quick reaction by the troops provided relief and comfort to the stranded tourists under inclement weather conditions and ensured early clearance of the road to enable the movement of vehicles to Gangtok," it added.

The stranded tourists expressed their gratitude for the immediate relief provided by the Army.

"Indian Army, while guarding the border in super high-altitude areas of the Himalayas, remains proactive in assisting tourists and the local population," Army said.

In another rescue operation by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), as many as 40 tourists stranded near Nathula in Sikkim due to heavy rainfall were also rescued by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the officials said on Tuesday.

"40 tourists who were stranded near Nathula due to heavy rainfall have been rescued by BRO Karmayogies," Guwahati Defence PRO's official statement said.

According to the BRO, the rescued people were served hot meals and given shelter in the BRO detachments and were sent back to Gangtok after the road was opened by the BRO.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the ongoing rain spell is about to intensify in Sikkim and other parts of the Northeast for the next five days. (ANI)
"The DNA test shows no Brahmins belong to this country and they are from Russia and other European countries and now have settled here. Brahmins are trying to divide us and rule. We should chase them away from here," said RJD leader Yaduvansh Kumar Yadav.

The leader made this remark at an event in Bihar's Supaul.

Hitting back at the RJD leader's statement, Patron of Brahmin Mahasabha Sanjeev Mishra asked Yadav to tender an apology.

"I think the mental state of the RJD leader is not stable. He needs medication and should apologise to the community," Mishra said in a press conference. (ANI)
Police arrested a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in connection with the molestation of a minor girl in Madhya Pradesh's Umaria district, the police said on Monday. The BJP leader has been identified as Rahul Shitlani, aged around 25 years, and he was appointed as the district co-coordinator of the BJP IT cell in November 2022. Now, he has been removed from the IT-cell of the party. According to the police, a case was registered against Sitlani under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant sections at Nowrozabad police station in the district on April 10 this year. The accused used to molest and harass the minor victim. He also threatened to make the photo viral. According to the FIR, a copy of which is with ANI, the father of the minor girl had submitted a written application in the police station to lodge an FIR against the accused. He told the police that his daughter told him that in March this year, when she had gone to Anuppur for a wedding, she had a video call with Rahul Shitlani. The accused threatened to defame her on video call and asked her to take off her clothes. Out of fear of being defamed, she did whatever the accused asked and in the meantime the accused took screenshots. After that when the minor returned to her home in Nowrozabad after about a week, the accused phoned her and showed those obscene pictures to her. He threatened her that as long as she kept meeting him and kept talking, she was safe otherwise he would make the photo viral. The accused constantly threatened her and used to call her to meet behind the house. Finding her alone, the accused misbehaved with her. The accused also followed her on the way to school and the market. The minor was very upset, due to infamy she had not told anyone about the matter, but Sitlani made it difficult for her to get out of the house. So, she told her father about the problem. After that he reported the complaint to the police, the FIR reads. After the case was registered, the accused was on the run. The police arrested the accused on Saturday and sent him to jail. (ANI)
Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the release of the movie 'The Kerala Story' in theatres and OTT platforms saying the movie is likely to cause hatred and enmity between different sections of society in India. The plea said the film demeans the entire Muslim community and it will result in endangering the life and livelihood of the entire Muslim community. Seeking direction to not allow the release of the movie, the plea also sought direction that its trailer be removed from the internet. Alternatively, it sought direction that the movie 'The Kerala Story' be released with a disclaimer stating that it is a work of fiction and the characters in the movie bear no resemblance to any person living or dead. "The message the movie imparts is that non-Muslim young women are being lured into converting to Islam by their classmates and subsequently, trafficked to West Asia where they are forced to join terrorist organisations. The movie gives the impression that apart from extremist clerics who radicalise people, ordinary Muslim youngsters, their classmates, also play an instrumental role in luring non-Muslims and radicalising them by posing as friendly and good-natured, in accordance with instructions given by extremist scholars," the plea stated. It added that the film promotes the view that "love jihad" is being used to lure non-Muslim women into converting to Islam and also joining ISIS". However, an investigation by the State police carried out in 2009 revealed that there was no evidence of "love jihad" in the State of Kerala, it further said. The movie may adversely impact social relations between communities as well as individuals belonging to different communities by spreading enmity, hatred and suspicion, the plea stated. In the morning, the apex court declined to hear immediately an application seeking a stay on the release of the film 'The Kerala Story', which allegedly promotes hate speech. The application was mentioned before a bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna and the bench said the fresh application can't be tagged along with a batch of hate speech cases. It asked the petitioners to move the appropriate forum since the movie has gone through a process of certification by the Censor Board. "The film claims to be "inspired by many true stories". The story-line of the said film as seen from the trailer is how thousands of Hindu and Christian women are being lured and brainwashed by Muslim men pursuant to an international conspiracy, converted to Islam, turned into radicals and trafficked to become part of ISIS where they are kept against their will, abused and exploited," the application has stated. The film depicts how thousands of young women were allegedly brainwashed into joining the Islamic State (IS) and heading off to countries like Syria and Afghanistan. 'The Kerala Story', starring Adah Sharma, is set to be released in cinemas on May 5. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Roja hit out at actor Rajnikanth and said that he knows nothing about Andhra Pradesh politics and that his speech praising former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was laughable. "Rajinikanth's speech is laughable. As an actor, Rajini has great respect. But, he knows nothing about Andhra Pradesh politics. Since he praised Chandrababu Naidu all his (Rajini) good name is getting damaged", Minister Roja said. Roja alleged that the actor was speaking without knowing the Andhra Pradesh politics. "Having food at Chandra Babu Naidu's house and reading the script given is not a good approach", he said. Minister Roja also said that the actor has quit politics and shouldn't be speaking politics now. "Rajini quit politics then why speak politics now? We all feel about Rajini greatly but today he has come down to zero. It's very painful to see an artist talk in such a way and become zero", she said. "Praising Chandrababu Naidu has made NTR followers angry because Rajinikanth is praising that person who plotted NTR's murder", Minister Roja added. Roja further said that any artist visiting other states should speak understanding that state's politics or remain silent, do their job and be good. "Rajini quit politics, he may have unknowingly said what he has said. But I expect a statement from him on this for his own good", she said. Attending the centenary celebrations of late NT Rama Rao in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada on Friday, actor Rajinikanth had spoken in praise of the former CM and his 'vision 2047' plan for the state which has sparked debates in opposition. (ANI)
People queued up on both sides of the road through which the Prime Minister's cavalcade passed and cheered for him. They also showered flower petals on him.

While riding on the top of a truck, PM Modi greeted people by waving his hands.

In a major boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election campaign in Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held massive roadshows and public meetings in the poll-bound state over the past few days.

PM Modi held mega roadshows in Mysuru and Bengaluru last month.

The BJP's challenge in Karnataka is to retain power, for which party president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are having massive campaigns.

Notably, Karnataka is the only southern state where the BJP is in power.

"The Karnataka elections are also being considered as the semi-finals of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. That's why BJP is showing more focus on Karnataka than any other state," sources said.

The BJP is seeking a second term in the state and has exuded confidence in returning to power with a full majority.

Karnataka Assembly polls will be held on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13. (ANI)
India's aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to India's low-cost carrier Go First Airlines for not providing prior intimation of cancellation of flights on May 3 and May 4 to DGCA. "It has come to the notice of DGCA that Go First has cancelled all scheduled flights of 3rd May and 4th May 2023 respectively. No prior intimation has been given to DGCA for such cancellations which is non-compliance with conditions for approval of schedule," an official statement issued by DGCA said. "Go First failed to report in writing the cancellations and reasons thereof. Go First has failed to adhere to the approved schedule which would lead to passenger inconvenience thereby violating the provisions of CAR, Section 3, Series M, Part IV," the aviation regulator added. DGCA has sought a reply from Go First Airlines within the next 24 hours of the issuance of the show cause notice. "Now, therefore, Go Fist is hereby called upon to Show Cause as to why suitableaction shall not be initiated against the airline for the aforesaid violation. The reply from GoFirst shall reach this office within 24 Hours from the date & time of issue of this notice, fallingwhich, the matter would be processed ex-parte," the show-cause notice mentioned. Earlier today India's low-cost air carrier Go First informed that the company has filed an application with National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). "Go First today filed an application with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Delhi for resolution under section 10 of the Insolvency Bankruptcy Code," the statement read. Also, Go First Airlines informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that all flights of the airlines will remain cancelled on May 3 and May 4. In this regard, Go First Airlines said that due to the non-supply of engines by the US-based Jet engines manufacturer, operations will remain cancelled. "Go First is facing financial crunch due to non-supply of engines by US-based jet engines manufacturer Pratt and Whitney (P&W) that has forced grounding more than 50 planes," a Go First official told ANI. (ANI)
The Yoga Mahotsav witnessed an exhilarating atmosphere as more than 15,000 enthusiasts performed Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), along with dignitaries, at the sprawling ground of Bhawani Niketan Shiksha Samiti in Jaipur on Tuesday. The Yoga Mahotsav was a celebration to commemorate 50 days of the upcoming International Day of Yoga, 2023. The participants performed Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) in complete rhythm and harmony with a mesmerising outcome. Speaking at the occasion, the Governor of Rajasthan, Kalraj Mishra said, "Yoga and Ayurveda have a long history which dates back to centuries. The very first mention of Yoga was in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest sacred texts. This spiritual discipline is based on a subtle science that aims to bring about harmony between the body and mind. "The whole world has been going through a tough time in the form of Covid-19. Yoga and Ayurveda have helped to control the Pandemic. I am extremely happy to be part of this mega event of the 50th Day countdown of Yoga. I congratulate the Ministry of Ayush for organising this event in the Pink City of Jaipur." he added. Addressing the gathering Sarbananda Sonowal said that with a rich legacy of Yoga Jaipur has made this Yoga Mahotsav event a grand success. "As thousands of you have joined here. Our endeavour through these Mahotsav is to sustain a ripple effect around the rich heritage of yoga. Yoga has been proven to act as an elixir to realise a healthy mind and body. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Modi ji, we remain steadfast towards building a healthier nation with the help of our rich traditional medicinal system including Yoga," he added. He further said that as India is chairing the G20 for this year, the country has a special responsibility to further our soft power of yoga to enrich the health and wellness of people across the world" He added Union Minister Ayush Sonowal further said that this year, the Centre is planning to demonstrate of Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) in the Arctic and Antarctic region. "With the tremendous response to the Yoga Mahotsav in Jaipur, it has emboldened our effort to make Yoga a global healthcare movement," Sonowal said. Explaining the reasoning behind organising the 50-day countdown in Rajasthan, the Ayush Minister said, "Thousands of foreign tourists visit Rajasthan each year and avail the services of numerous yoga institutions to learn yoga and yoga therapies. There is tremendous potential for the yoga institutions of Rajasthan in the field of Medical Value Travel and spiritual tourism. We are also promoting village tourism, which is perfectly complemented by yoga in Rajasthan." He further said that the government's effort is to connect the rural population through Ayush Gram in each state. "An Ayush Gram will be a congregation of two-three villages and engage an average population of over 3,000. All out efforts would be made for special training by appointing Yoga trainers in the identified villages so that each Ayush Gram is ready to demonstrate CYP on 21st June 2023," he added Three Jaipur-based Yoga groups, namely Yogashtali Yoga Society, Yoga Peace, Madan Gurjar and the team also performed at the Yoga Mahotsav. The Ministry organised the event with the active support and cooperation of the state government of Rajasthan, local authorities and various institutions with an objective to boost Medical Value Travel in Rajasthan through Yoga. The Mahotsav was conducted by Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, Director of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi. (ANI)
"On the basis of specific information, the officers of Customs AIU batch intercepted a passenger coming from Sharjah to Kochi at the green channel who arrived by flight G9 424. During the examination of the said passenger, 1250 grams of studded gold ornaments and one gold coin of 10 grams were recovered from his person," the customs official said.

AIU further mentioned that the accused person identified as Muhammad Suhaib has been taken into custody.

"The accused has been identified as Muhammad Suhaib, a native of Kasargode district has been taken into custody," the official said.

Further investigations are going on in this matter. (ANI)
JOINT STATEMENT

BY THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

OF COUNTRIES OF SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE We, the Heads of State and Government of countries of South Eastern Europe President Kiro Gligorov, President Slobodan Mlilosevic. Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea, Prime Minister Ivan Kostov, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ismail Cem, Mr. Blagoj Handziski, Mrs. Nadezhda Mihaylova, Mr. Paskal Milo, Mr. Milan Milutinovic, Mr. Theodoros Pangalos, Mr. Adrian Sevenir and the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mihovil Malbasic, participating as an Observer, representing the freely elected governments of the South - Eastern Europe peoples met for the first time in our history in Crete and agreed on the following: We shall work together to create in our region conditions for the prosperity of our nations in a framework of peace, security, good-neighbourliness and stability. We are determined to pursue the South Eastern Europe cooperation, on a mutual and equal basis, in the firm belief that each of us has much to learn from the other. We shall promote to State of Law, the protection, of human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, including interethnic dialogue, individual freedoms and a market economy that will allow the individual enterprises to flourish and generate employment and opportunities for all and especially for the youth. We affirm our commitment to the UN Charter, the Paris Charter for a new Europe and the Helsinki Final Act including all ten principles referred therein, namely sovereign equality, respect for rights inherent in sovereignty, refraining from the threat of use of force, inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity of States, peaceful settlement of disputes, non - intervention in internal affairs, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of through, conscience, religion or belief, equal rights and self - determination of peoples, cooperation among States, fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law. We consider that the European orientation of our countries is an integral part of their political, economic and social development. We aspire to transform our region in an area of cooperation and economic prosperity and, to that effect, we decided to promote good neighbourly relations and respect for International Law. We believe that Europe can not be complete without our countries and our peoples representing civilisations and historical traditions which are essential to the establishment of a contemporary European identity. European and Euro-atlantic integration are essential in promoting the aforementioned objectives. We shall encourage the cooperation of the genuine representatives of our peoples in our national Parliaments, as well as their common intention to create a forum of undesrtanding and friendly relations. We reconfirmed our support for already existing regional initiatives sharing the same ideals with us such as Royaumont, SECI, BSEC, CEI. We shall promote the scientific, educational, cultural and sport relations as a means for strengthening our mutual understanding and friendship. We shall cooperate with each other in the field of justice, the combat against organized crime, the halting of illicit druj and arms trafficking and the elimination of all forms of terrorism and take joint action against illegal and irregular migration. Our cultural and religious diversity cannot be seen as a threat to our cooperation and security. On the contrary we believe it is a powerful source of inspiration, creativity and dynamism. We shall intensify our efforts for the increase of our economic cooperation, the improvement of infrastructure for transport, telecommunications and energy as well as for the establishment of favourable conditions for investments. We invite the competent Ministers to meet at least once a year to assess progress. We shall promote the cross border cooperation and to that effect we invite officials to meet regularly and Ministers of Economy or Finance, or other Ministers responsible for it, to meet at least once a year to review the progress achieved. We took into consideration different valuable proposals for the establishment of institutes and centres for the promotion of multilateral cooperation in various fields. . We call upon Ministers of Foreign Affairs to meet at least once a year to conduct political consulations and to promote cooperation on issues of regional stability and security. Political Directors will meet every three months for consulations and report to Ministers. In order to ensure continuity between the countries undertaking the organisation of Summit or Ministerial Meetings as well as of various technical groups, the idea of establishing a joint Secretariat will be discussed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. The Heads of State and Government of countries of South Eastern Europe expressed their warm thanks for the hospitality of Greece for hosting the Crete Summit Meeting. They decided to hold their next Summit Meeting in Turkey in 1998. Heracleion, Crete, 4 November 1997
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan have reiterated their call for respect for international law following the near collision of Chinese and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a part of the South China Sea that Manila claims.

In separate statements, the envoys of three countries expressed concerns over Chinas aggressive moves against the Philippines.

British ambassador Laure Beaufils said the UK is concerned by continued reports of dangerous conduct towards Filipino vessels in the South China Sea.

The United Kingdom stands steadfast in its commitment to international law, in particular UNCLOS, in the South China Sea, she added in her social media post.

For her part, Australian envoy Hae Kyong Yu is worried over the unprofessional and dangerous conduct against the Philippines.

Australia reiterates our call for peace, stability and respect for UNCLOS in the South China Sea, a vital international waterway, she posted on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Canadian ambassador David Hartman pointed out that peace and stability in the South China Sea are essential to the interests of the international community.

Canada reiterates its call for upholding the rules-based international order in the South China Sea. We are troubled by dangerous and unprofessional conduct in this region and unreservedly support the Government of the Philippines in enforcing its sovereign rights within its EEZ, he said.

Japans Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council chairperson Koichi Haguida also expressed concern about the "recent escalation of attempts and actions by China to change the status quo in the WPS.

Following Haguidas recent visit to the country last weekend, Japan and the Philippines said they will cooperate further regarding the tension in the disputed waters.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier confirmed that a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship maintained a perilous distance of 50 yards from the Philippine vessel BRP Malapascua last April 23 at the Ayungin Shoal, which is part of Manilas exclusive economic zone.

The PCG described the CCG ship as nearly thrice the size of the Philippine patrol vessel.

An international arbitral tribunal in The Hague in 2016 affirmed the Philippines sovereign rights in areas of the WPS that China claims, but Beijing has consistently refused to recognize the ruling.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that he already brought up the near-collision incident to the Chinese authorities, noting that Manila would identify fishing grounds in the WPS that would be proposed to Beijing.
The police recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunition from the possession of Tanveer Ahmad Wani, son of Bashir Ahmad Wani, a resident of Daramdora, Shopian.

"Based on specific input regarding the presence of terrorists in Daramdora Keegam Shopian, a joint team of police alongwith Army (44RR) and CRPF (14Bn) launched a Cordon and Search Operation in the said area. During the search, one terrorist associate linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT was arrested," an official of J-K Police said.

A case under relevant sections of the law has been registered in Police Station Shopian and further information is awaited. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday exuded confidence in Bharatiya Janata's Party victory in the upcoming first phase of municipal elections to be held on May 4. Addressing a public meeting in Lucknow, CM Yogi said, "I have visited 37 districts and 10 municipal corporations that are going to polls on May 4, and feel that people have made up their minds to shower their blessings on BJP candidates. I am confident of BJP candidates' landslide victory in the first phase of municipal elections." CM Yogi said that the triple engine government was a must to ensure the effective use of funds allotted by Central and State Governments for developmental works and appealed to people to vote for BJP candidates and to cast their ballots. "Lucknow is the largest municipal corporation in the state with 110 wards. It is a place which has been represented by towering personalities like former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lalji Tandon. Today it is being represented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Brahmos missile will also be manufactured in Lucknow," the CM informed. He said, "The green corridor is also being built in Lucknow. Kisan Tak is becoming the lifeline of Lucknow and we are planning to form a Special Protection Group soon to clean Gomti river so that it becomes like the Ganga. We are also planning to introduce night safari in Lucknow. "We will also rehabilitate street vendors, linking them with PM SVANidhi Yojana. We will also give houses to all those who have a piece of land, but have a salary of less than Rs 3 lakh per annum," CM Yogi added. CM Yogi said that India's global prestige has grown significantly in the nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government at the centre. "Indian citizens are treated with respect in foreign countries today. The security of the country is getting strengthened under PM Modi's leadership while massive work is being carried out in the infrastructure sector with IITs, AIIMS, medical colleges, airports, highways and waterways being built to accelerate development," he said. "Crores of people have got houses, toilets, LPG cylinders Jan Dhan accounts and health insurance under Ayushman Bharat in the country. 80 crore people have been getting free ration for the last three years in the country in the aftermath of Covid, which is unprecedented in the world", he asserted. Attacking the previous governments of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the State, he said that they created new records of corruption. "While, we have provided 54 lakh houses, 2.61 crore toilets and 1.75 crore LPG collections, in addition to providing free cylinders during Diwali and Holi. We have supplied electricity to 1.21 lakh villages, which did not have electricity since independence as well as 1.55 crore free electricity connections. We have been providing free ration to 15 crore people in UP," the CM said. Emphasising that the government was dedicated to the welfare of the people, he said that the SP and BSP criminalised politics and gave protection to criminals to terrorise traders. (ANI)
Directorate of Enforcement (ED) attached 12 immovable properties, located at Nagpur, Pune, Ratnagiri and Goa worth Rs 12.80 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 in the money laundering investigation against Bank loan fraud by Varron Group of Industries, officials said on Tuesday. ED initiated the money laundering investigation on the basis of 3 FIRs registered by CBI against the Varron Group and its promoter Late SP Sawaikar in a loan fraud case amounting to more than Rs 3000 crore. "ED investigation has revealed that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by Late S.P Sawaikar, promoter of the Varron with Bank officials to fraudulently discount 246 forged bills backed by the Letter of Credit (LC) of approx. Rs 300 crore opened by Canara Bank, Deccan Gymkhana Branch, Pune on behalf of M/s Varron Aluminium Pvt Ltd (VAPL)," ED said in a statement. "However, there was no real movement of the goods and the amounts were diverted to pay off older loans and the LCs got devolved later on causing loss to the Bank of India. The earlier loan accounts were not serviced regularly and the loan proceeds were diverted for other than the stated purposes and amounts were utilized to create landed assets in the name of the promoters and also to create benami assets," it added. Earlier, ED had attached proceeds of crime worth Rs 166.47 Crore in the same matter on May 25, 2021, and a Prosecution Complaint was filed before the PMLA Court, Mumbai on February 6, 2023. The total attachment in this fraud has reached Rs 179.27 Crore. Further investigation is under progress. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that previous governments in the state neglected the development of the Bundelkhand region. While addressing a public meeting in Jhansi, CM Adityanath said, "The previous governments neglected the development of the Bundelkhand region and looted its natural resources. No one would now dare to do this in our government". "After independence, Bundelkhand was supposed to participate in the development process, but the people in power never gave development any thought. Instead, their henchmen never thought twice about plundering Bundelkhand's resources," he added. CM Yogi Adityanath further mentioned that under previous governments people were forced to migrate and the youths became unemployed. "The people of Bundelkhand were forced to migrate and the youths became unemployed, he said, adding "Modi Ji gave a vision of development. PM Modi laid the foundation stone of a massive plant of Bharat Dynamics in this region and the work of the Defence Corridor is also going on, which will employ thousands of young people," he said. "The PM has dedicated the Bundelkhand Expressway, which has become the lifeline of Bundelkhand, and soon the government is going to start its Jhansi link," he said. On the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi said, "We have announced Rs 6,000 crores for constituting the Jhansi Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (JBIDA). Now the youth of Bundelkhand will not need to migrate to other cities as they will get employment here." The Chief Minister also noted that the seven districts of Bundelkhand, one of India's most parched regions, will soon have access to clean drinking water through the Har Ghar Nal Yojana. Stating that the cities of UP have been recognized as smart cities, he said, "There is no terror of miscreants in our cities now, rather they have been recognized as 'safe cities'." "Today, our youth have tablets in their hands, not 'tamanchas'," he mentioned. He also pointed out that his government will not let any criminal wander freely in the state. "Kisi gareeb aur shareef ko chhedna nahi hai, par kisi gunda aur apradhi ko seena taan ke chalne bhi nahi dena hai" (We will not let any criminal wander freely in the state)," he said. On the occasion, he also informed that now a sound and light show was being organized in Jhansi Fort based on the life of Rani Laxmi Bai and the First War of Independence in 1857. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was on a visit to poll-bound Karnataka had a light-hearted interaction with children in Kalaburagi on Tuesday. Prime Minister held a mega roadshow in Kalaburagi. Before the roadshow, PM Modi seeing a bunch of children cheering for him, went towards them and had an endearing conversation. Prime Minister asked them whether they study or not. He asked the children what they wanted to be when they grew up. One of the children replied doctor while another said police officer. PM Modi then asked, "Do not you want to become the PM?" One of the children said, "I want to become like you." In past also, PM Modi was seen interacting with children on several occasions. Meanwhile, during the roadshow, people queued up on both sides of the road through which the Prime Minister's cavalcade passed and cheered for him. They also showered flower petals on him. While riding on the top of a truck, PM Modi greeted people by waving his hands.In a major boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election campaign in Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held massive roadshows and public meetings in the poll-bound state over the past few days. PM Modi held mega roadshows in Mysuru and Bengaluru last month.The BJP's challenge in Karnataka is to retain power, for which party president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are having massive campaigns. Notably, Karnataka is the only southern state where the BJP is in power."The Karnataka elections are also being considered as the semi-finals of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. That's why BJP is showing more focus on Karnataka than any other state," sources said. The BJP is seeking a second term in the state and has exuded confidence in returning to power with a full majority. Karnataka Assembly polls will be held on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday gave a call to all non-BJP forces in the country to unite in order to bring about a change in the central regime in the Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year. On competition of the second year of her third term as Chief Minister, Banerjee released a video message in which she said that there is an urgent necessity for unity of all opposition forces in order to make the 2024 polls an "election for change". "The next Lok Sabha polls will be for change. If all the opposition parties unite, the defeat of BJP will be inevitable. The country needs a change. Let the 2024 polls bring that change," she said in the video message. However, she did not make it clear whether Congress features in the blueprint of Trinamool Congress' united opposition alliance. In the video message, she also launched a scathing attack against the Centre on the twin issues of demonetisation and National Register of Citizens (NRC). "Does such a government deserve any further support? No power is absolute and bigger than the common people who will have the final word. This time we will not lose. We will win," the Chief Minister said. However, both the Congress and the CPI(M) ridiculed Banerjee over her call for unity of opposition forces against BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. According to state Congress President and veteran Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, such comments are meaningless especially when Trinamool was responsible for consolidating the strength of the BJP in West Bengal. "I doubt whether Trinamool Congress at all enjoys any credibility in national politics. It has already lost its national party status. Probably, the Chief Minister has realised that she will lose her grip in West Bengal in the coming days and hence she is calling for opposition unity now," Chowdhury said. CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty almost echoed Chowdhury's views when he said that such call for opposition unity does not suit the Chief Minister after she indirectly helped the BJP in the polls to elect the Vice President of India as well in the Assembly polls in Goa and Meghalaya. "Trinamool Congress lacks credibility," he said. --IANS src/arm ( 388 Words) 2023-05-02-19:54:05 (IANS)
Incarcerated gangster Tillu Tajpuria, who was killed by four inmates -- said to be members of the notorious Jitender Gogi gang, on early Tuesday morning inside Delhi's Tihar Jail, was stabbed around 50 times by his assailants, an official said. The attackers are reportedly members of the notorious Jitender Gogi gang. Sunil a.k.a. Tillu Tajpuria (33), a resident of Tajpur Kalan on the outskirts of Delhi, who had a history of criminal activities, was lodged in Tihar Jail under tight security measures. Gangster Satinder Singh Brar, also known as Goldy Brar -- believed to be in hiding in Canada, has claimed responsibility for the attack on Tajpuria, citing revenge, according to an unverified social media post. "Hello everyone, our brothers Yogesh Tunda and Deepak Titar are responsible for the murder of Tillu Tajpuria in Tihar Jail on Tuesday. Tajpuria took responsibility for the loss of Gogi Maan bhai and had been an enemy of our brothers since the beginning. We will soon take care of others involved," the Facebook post read. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Akshat Kaushal said that information was received in Hari Nagar police station from Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) hospital that an undertrial prisoner was admitted to the hospital from Tihar Jail. He was later declared brought dead in the DDU hospital. During the enquiry, it was revealed that another undertrial prisoner, Rohit, was also injured in this incident and he was under treatment in DDU hospital. "The prison staff revealed that Deepak a.k.a. Titar (31), Yogesh a.k.a. Gainda (30), Rajesh a.k.a. Tunda (42), and Riyaz Khan (39) had attacked Sunil@Tillu Tajpuriya with improvised knives and brutally stabbed him. When Rohit tried to intervene he was also attacked and injured," said Kaushal. "The autopsy of the deceased has been conducted, a report of which is awaited. However, prima facie, it was found that the deceased had multiple stab wounds all over the body. Improvised knives used in the offence have been recovered from the accused," said the official. Police have also registered a case under section 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. As per prison officials, around 6.15 a.m., the attackers, Deepak, Yogesh, Rajesh, and Riyaz Khan, used bedsheets to climb down from the first floor to Tajpuriya's ground-floor ward when the cells were opened for the head-count of the inmates. The prison officials suspect that the assailants had cut the two grilles installed on the first floor and placed them there to avoid suspicion. Before the attack, they only had to remove the grilles and climb down using bedsheets. Tillu Tajpuria, an accused in the 2021 Rohini court shootout in which gangster Jitender Gogi was killed, who was lodged on the ground-floor in highly secured jail number 8, upon seeing the attackers, attempted to flee to the cell of a fellow inmate, Rohit. Rohit tried to shield himself by closing the cell gate but it could not be locked from inside, and the assailants barged in, injuring Rohit in the process. "The entire attack took place within two minutes, and the staff and security personnel immediately caught the four attackers," said the prison official. According to sources, an internal investigation has been initiated by the prison authorities. "We are also looking into preventive measures to avoid such incidents in future. We have planned to shift the four assailants to a different jail, and an investigation has been launched into the incident," a source said. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of high-profile prisoners in Tihar Jail. --IANS ssh/pgh ( 615 Words) 2023-05-02-20:34:03 (IANS)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday was informed by Shahrukh Pathan that there is no role attributed to him and that the "entire case is a farce" in a matter related to rioting and causing injuries to police personnel, including one Rohit Shukla, by an armed mob during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma was hearing Pathan's bail plea. Simultaneously, Pathan is facing charges in another case in connection with pointing a pistol at a policeman. A trial court had rejected Pathan's bail plea in December 2021. It is to be noted that the charges have already been framed against Pathan in the matter, and he had moved the high court in January last year seeking bail. Even though there are four more accused in the case, the petitioner is the only one not named in the FIR or identified by anyone and yet he is behind bars whereas others have been released on bail, Pathan's counsel Khalid Akhtar told the court. "The bail application and arguments on the charges were heard together. Bail was rejected on the ground that he [Pathan] is accused in another case, that he could be a flight risk and that there were contradictions in his statements which are the subject matter of trial. There are total five accused persons in the FIR. I am the only person who is neither named nor identified while all others were named and identified. Their addresses were also disclosed by the victim and yet all of them have been granted bail and I am the only one behind bars. This entire case is a farce," Akhtar submitted on behalf of his client. Akhtar also apprised the court that the bail application has been pending for 15 months now, and that his client is lodged in jail for three years and one month. "No role is attributed to me. It is not their case that I shot the victim. Examination of the main victim is complete. That is full of contradiction. There is nothing," he submitted. Justice Sharma then directed the special public prosecutor for Delhi Police to file a chart indicating the role of the accused persons, including Pathan, and the evidence attributed against them. The court then listed the matter for further hearing on July 24. Earlier in February, Pathan had informed the high court that the conclusion of the trial has been delayed for a long and that for more than a year now, only two witnesses have been examined out of 40. Akhtar had earlier submitted: "There is a huge delay in the conclusion of the trial. Only two witnesses have been examined so far out of about 40. I have been attacked in jail too." --IANS spr/arm ( 476 Words) 2023-05-02-21:26:02 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea to strike down a provision of the Companies Act, 2013, according to which workers' dues will not get preferential payment when a company undergoes liquidation as per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016. The top court said for the revival and rehabilitation of the companies, certain sacrifices are required from all quarters, including the workers. A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and Sanjiv Khanna said the guiding principle for the IBC in setting the priority of payments in liquidation is to bring the practices in India in line with global practices. The bench said that in the waterfall mechanism, after the costs of the insolvency resolution process and liquidation, secured creditors share the highest priority along with a defined period of dues of the workers. "The unpaid dues of the workmen are adequately and significantly protected in line with the objectives sought to be achieved by the code (IBC) and in terms of the waterfall mechanism prescribed by Section 53 of the code. In either case of relinquishment or non-relinquishment of the security by the secured creditor, the interests of workmen are protected under the code," it said. The bench said the secured creditors are taking significant hair-cut and workmen are being compensated on an equitable basis in a just and proper manner as per Section 53 of the IBC. "The code balances the rights of the secured creditors, who are financial institutions in which the general public has invested money, and also ensures that the economic activity and revival of a viable company is not hindered because it has suffered or fallen into a financial crisis. The code focuses on bringing additional gains to both the economy and the exchequer through efficiency enhancement and consequent greater value capture," the bench noted. The top court made these observations while dismissing a batch of petitions filed by Moser Baer Karamchari Union and others to quash Section 327(7) of the Companies Act, 2013 as arbitrary and violative of Article 21 of the Constitution. The bench said the waterfall mechanism is based on a structured mathematical formula, and the hierarchy is created in terms of payment of debts in order of priority with several qualifications, and striking down any one of the provisions or rearranging the hierarchy in the waterfall mechanism may lead to several trips and disrupt the working of the equilibrium as a whole and stasis, resulting in instability. "Every change in the waterfall mechanism is bound to lead to cascading effects on the balance of rights and interests of the secured creditors, operational creditors and even the Central and state governments," said the bench. The workers' union, along with others, asked the court to leave statutory claims of the workmen's dues out of the purview of the waterfall mechanism under Section 53 of the IBC. The petitioners also sought other directions, which included enabling them to get their dues of 24 months released without any further delay. The bench stressed that IBC recognises the financial impact on secured creditors or financial institutions dealing with public money, as their economic health is equally important for the general public as well as the national economy. Justice Shah, who authored the 74-page judgment on behalf of the bench, said: "These are all complex economic matters wherein various conflicting interests have to be balanced, and a holistic rather than a one-sided approach is to be taken." Justice Shah said, "Each opinion may have merit, but the court can hardly substitute its own wisdom or view for that of the legislature, especially when the enactment is the outcome of a thought-out and ruminated review on complex fiscal and commercial challenges facing the economy." The bench said for the revival and rehabilitation of the companies, certain sacrifices are required from all quarters, including the workmen and in case of insolvent companies, for the sake of survival and regeneration, everyone, including the secured creditors and the Central and state governments, are required to make sacrifices. "The workmen also have a stake and benefit from the revival of the company, and therefore unless it is found that the sacrifices envisaged for the workmen, which certainly form a separate class, are onerous and burdensome so as to be manifestly unjust and arbitrary, we will not set aside the legislation, solely on the ground that some or marginal sacrifice is to be made by the workers," said the bench. The bench added: "We would also reject the argument that to find out whether there was a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India or whether the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India was infringed, we must word by word examine the waterfall mechanism envisaged under the Companies Act, 2013, where the company is wound up in terms of grounds (a) to (e) of Section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013." --IANS ss/arm ( 840 Words) 2023-05-02-22:26:03 (IANS)
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari visited Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on Monday and sought the blessings of Lord Buddha. "Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari #CAS @IAF_MCC sought the blessings of Lord #Buddha at the sacred Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo today," tweeted the High Commission of India in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka. The CAS is visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Commander of Sri Lankan Air Force, Air Marshal SK Pathirana, according to a release issued by the Ministry of Defence. During the visit, the CAS is scheduled to meet the Sri Lankan President, the Prime Minister, the State Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commanders of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Army & Navy, and the Defence Secretary. CAS Chaudhari, during the visit, will also interact with student officers of the National Defence College, Sri Lanka and visit the Sri Lankan Air Force Academy. The visit will enhance the existing professional ties and bonds of mutual cooperation between both Nations, according to an official release. CAS Chaudhari on Saturday lauded the Air Force crew, which executed a daring rescue and airlift operation in the Wadi Seidna area of strife-torn Sudan. He also assured the country that the Air Force will take up such challenging missions in the event of an emergency. "I think the IAF displayed its core capability of being able to carry our operations in the most difficult of situations and my kudos to the aircrew who executed this mission so flawlessly. I want to assure the nation that whenever the time comes, we will do it again and again," Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari told ANI. Despite the airstrip in Sudan's Wadi Seidna having no navigational approach, aids or fuel, and landing lights (that are required to guide an aircraft's landing at night), the Indian Air Force and Garud Commandos carried out a daring, overnight operation to air-lift stranded Indians. On the night of April 27, 28, 2023, the IAF C-130J aircraft rescued 121 personnel from a small airstrip at Wadi Seidna, which is about 40 km North of Khartoum, Sudan, the IAF said in a statement. (ANI)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  The entire Philippine airspace will be shut down for six hours on May 17 due to maintenance activities seen to prevent more instances of power outages at the countrys airports.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday said the airspace will be closed shortly after midnight to 6 a.m. on May 17 to upgrade the countrys air traffic management system, repair the automatic voltage regulator, and replace the uninterruptible power supply.

In a press briefing, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) explained that this means there will be no flight operations across the country during that time period.

For six hours, wala talagang activity sa ating airspace [there will be no activity in our airspace], MIAA Senior Assistant General Manager Bryan Co said.

CAAP is saying it could happen na mas maiksi, pwedeng shorter [CAAP is saying the downtime could be shorter]," he added. "Pero [But] as far as planning is concerned, we're planning six hours.

The maintenance works come after the New Years Day technical glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights, as well as the May 1 power outage which likewise affected thousands of passengers at the countrys main gateway. [LINK STORIES]

According to Co, authorities chose the midnight to 6 a.m. time frame as it would be the least disruptive to airport operations.

While the whole country is affected, CAAP also noted that the activities will mainly impact NAIA, Clark International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and several flights at the other 42 CAAP commercially operated airports.

Meanwhile, a separate but shorter corrective maintenance activity will be conducted on May 3 from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Airlines and airport authorities have already been informed last week of these airspace closures, Co said.

He added that stakeholders will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss their plans in response to the disruption, including adjusting flight schedules.
The United States announced that the Covid vaccine requirement for international travellers will end on May 11, the White House said in the statement adding that on the same day, the COVID-19 public health emergency will also end. In a statement, the White House said, "Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends." The United States Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday that they will start the process to end their vaccination requirements for Head Start educators, CMS-certified healthcare facilities, and certain noncitizens at the land border. In the coming days, further details related to ending these requirements will be provided. The White House recalled the 2021 time when the Biden-Harris Administration announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements to promote the health and safety of individuals and the efficiency of workplaces, protecting vital sectors of our economy and vulnerable populations. "Since January 2021, COVID-19 deaths have declined by 95 per cent, and hospitalizations are down nearly 91 per cent. Globally, COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. Following a whole-of-government effort that led to a record number of nearly 270 million Americans receiving at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of these requirements were put into place," the image read. US administration's vaccination requirements helped ensure the safety of workers in critical workforces including those in the healthcare and education sectors, protecting themselves and the populations they serve, and strengthening their ability to provide services without disruptions to operations. The Federal government successfully implemented requirements for its workforce in a way that increased vaccination to achieve 98 per cent compliance, reflecting employees who had received at least one dose of a vaccine or had a pending or approved exception or extension request filed by January 2022. "We also put in place vaccination requirements for certain international travellers to slow the spread of new variants entering the country and to allow our healthcare system time to effectively manage access to care if faced with an increase in cases and hospitalizations," the statement read. "Our COVID-19 vaccine requirements bolstered vaccination across the nation, and our broader vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives. We have successfully marshalled a response to make historic investments in broadly accessible vaccines, tests, and treatments to help us combat COVID-19. While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing the health and safety of employees and promoting the efficiency of workplaces, we are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary," the statement added. (ANI)
More than 100 French policemen were injured in clashes that erupted in Paris on Monday, marking May 1, in the wake of unpopular changes to the pension system that were signed into law last month, reported CNN. Ahead of the protest, the police had warned of a heightened risk of violence, with a total of 291 detentions across France, 90 of whom were apprehended in Paris, according to the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. The France capital had turned into a pitched battle between the protesters and the police. According to CNN, around 1,12,000 people took part in the protest in the French capital, said Paris Police. It is the second-highest turnout since demonstrations against pension reform began this year, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV. A CNN team on the ground reported chaotic scenes from the protests, having witnessed fireworks and other projectiles thrown at the police who answered with tear gas as they retreated and regrouped. Reacting to the protests, France Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne tweeted, "In many cities in France, this May Day was a moment of responsible mobilization and commitment. The scenes of violence on the sidelines of the processions are all the more unacceptable. Support for our law enforcement." This is the latest day of mass action against changes that raise the state pension age from 62 to 64. Trade unions want them withdrawn. In April, French President Emmanuel Macron, despite severe protests across the country, signed a pension bill into law to raise the country's retirement age by two years, Al Jazeera reported. The key retirement-age legislation was accepted by France's Constitutional Council, which came after months of opposition to the change, which the administration rammed through parliament without a final vote. Key reform provisions, such as raising the retirement age to 64 and lengthening the number of years of employment necessary for a full pension, were approved by the nine-member Constitutional Council, which found that the legislation complied with French law. The fight to put the bill into effect ended up being the biggest domestic obstacle of Macron's second term because of both the overwhelming public resistance to the revisions and his own declining personal popularity, Al Jazeera reported. A specific contract for older workers as well as requiring large corporations to disclose the number of persons over 55 they employ were two of the nine minor ideas that were turned down in the discussion, according to Al Jazeera. Earlier, the reforms were passed by parliament on March 16 after the government used a mechanism to bypass a vote by MPs, inflaming nationwide protests. They were considered adopted by parliament when the government survived two no-confidence motions on March 20. (ANI)
The Taliban has not been invited to a United Nations-organised conference on Afghanistan in Doha. Envoys from the United States, China and Russia, as well as major European aid donors and key neighbours such as Pakistan, are among the representatives from about 25 countries and groups called to the two days of closed-door talks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the Qatari capital on Monday, Al Jazeera reported. Last week, the UN chief said the de facto Afghan rulers would not be invited to the meeting to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in the country and its international isolation. Taliban recognition was not on the agenda, Al Jazeera reported citing a UN source. The Taliban has been criticised for its growing curbs on women, including a ban on education and employment. The Doha Agreement resulted in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 after 20 years of occupation, leading to the collapse of the West-backed government, Al Jazeera reported. The Taliban was accused of violating the Doha Agreement after the country's military takeover. Before the Doha meeting, the office of the UN chief said the forum "is intended to achieve a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban" on women's and girls' rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking. The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned the curbs on Afghan women. The UN, which has been engaging with the Taliban, provides food aid to millions of Afghans. The UN deputy chief travelled to Kabul in January to meet Taliban leaders to press the group on women's rights and education, Al Jazeera reported. The Doha meeting is crucial for the international community's engagement with Afghanistan. It comes as the UN is expected to review its critical relief operation in Afghanistan in the wake of Afghan women being stopped from working with the global agency. The UN has said it faces an "appalling choice" over whether to maintain its huge operation in the country of 38 million. The review is scheduled to be completed on Friday. (ANI)
More than 20,000 Russian soldiers were killed and over 100,000 were wounded since December 2022, White House official John Kirby said, according to CNN. While talking to reporters, Kirby, on Monday, said that Russia has "exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces" and since December, the US estimates Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action. Kirby, who serves as National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, noted that nearly half of those casualties were fighters with the Russian private company Wagner. Kirby lambasted a recent assertion from Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who said Sunday that his group had only suffered 94 casualties. Kirby called Prigozhin's comments "just a ludicrous claim." Pressed on the source of the new 100,000 figure, Kirby said it was "based on some downgraded intelligence that we've been able to collect." He declined to provide information on Ukrainian casualties, noting that the US has "never" provided such information and would defer to Ukraine on the matter, reported CNN. Kirby added that the Ukrainians "are the victims here, Russia is the aggressor, and I'm simply not going to put information in the public domain that's going to, again, make it any harder for the Ukrainians." Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military said that it is locked in a "positional struggle" as fierce fighting continues to rage in Bakhmut, adding it has been able to push back Russian forces after a series of counterattacks. "I can definitely confirm the information that the enemy in Bakhmut left some positions after some of our counterattacks," Serhii Cherevatyi, the spokesperson for the Eastern Grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told a national broadcaster. "There is a positional struggle there," Cherevatyi said, explaining that the frontline was constantly shifting. "Sometimes the enemy has some success after a powerful artillery strike and the destruction of infrastructure, and they can move forward. But we counterattack and often win back our positions after inflicting fire on the enemy," Cherevatyi added. Earlier, a Russian freight train derailed on Monday in the western region of Bryansk bordering Ukraine after an "explosive device" detonated on the rail tracks, the local governor said, according to The Moscow Times. "An unidentified explosive device went off, as a result of which a locomotive of a freight train derailed," Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram. Bogomaz said the device went off "on the 136th kilometre" of the railroad between regional hub Bryansk and the town of Unecha, towards the border with Ukraine. "There were no casualties," he added. Pictures shared on social media showed several of a train's tank carriages laying on their side and dark grey smoke billowing into the air at the site of the derailment, in the Bryansk region. The attack came a day after a Ukrainian strike killed four people in a Russian village in the Bryansk region and as Kyiv prepared for a widely expected counter-offensive, reported The Moscow Times. Meanwhile, Russia's defence ministry says its forces had carried out missile strikes against Ukrainian military targets overnight, state-owned Ria news agency reported. The defence ministry said all its designated targets, including weapons depots and ammunition factories, had been hit. (ANI)
Until now, the United States has successfully evacuated over 1,000 citizens from war-torn Sudan since the start of the violence, the State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday (Local Time). In a video shared by the official Twitter handle of the US State Department, Patel said, "In a multinational effort. The US government, in concert with allies and partners, has facilitated the departure of over 1000 US citizens from Sudan since the start of the violence." "This effort has included intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, overwatch close coordination with partner nations on flights and convoys, and a sustained diplomatic and messaging effort to approximately 5000 US citizens who have sought our guidance," he added. The US State Department also announced that a third government-organized convoy had successfully evacuated its citizens and others amid the crisis in Sudan. "Three US Government facilitated convoys successfully enabled groups of US Citizens, their immediate family members, and nationals from allied and partner countries to arrive safely in Port Sudan on April 29, April 30, and today," Patel said. He further stated that they have positioned personnel to assist with consular and emergency services for US citizens. Patel informed that more than 200 US government officials have been working around the clock since the start of the crisis 24x7 to coordinate these efforts with allies and partners to facilitate the safe departure of US citizens. "Since April 24, we have moved State Department personnel from Washington, DC and overseas missions, including, among others, to Djibouti, Jeddah Nakosia and Nairobi to assist US citizens departing Sudan," Patel said in the video. "Additionally, US consular officers are on hand in Port Sudan to provide consular assistance to US citizens. I will note the security environment is dynamic and the positioning of our personnel import Sudan may be subject to change. Task force personnel here in DC and those supporting US citizens departing Sudan at posts in the region have worked more than 1200 collective hours," he added. Patel said that the US continue to call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to end the fighting that is, endangering all civilians. And also reiterated its warning to US citizens to not travel to Sudan. Sudan is experiencing bloodshed as a result of clashes between the army and paramilitary forces. Even though there is a 72-hour ceasefire, there have been allegations of violence. Fighting has erupted between soldiers loyal to Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary Rapid Support Soldiers (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Committed to ensuring that no Indian national is left behind in Sudan, India started Operation Kaveri on April 24 and has also deployed its military planes and warships in the war-torn country. On Monday, under Operation Kaveri, the IAF C-130 J flight brings the 17th batch of evacuees from Port Sudan to Jeddah with 122 Indians. "IAF C-130 J flight brings 17th batch of evacuees from Port Sudan to Jeddah. 122 Indians evacuated by this flight," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement. (ANI)
According to Oklahoma sheriff's deputies citing the amber alert, the missing girls were believed to be travelling with 39-year-old Jesse McFadden, a convicted rapist after which they did not return on Sunday evening.

Court records cited by Tulsa World indicate McFadden had a trial date in Muskogee County set for Monday to face charges of soliciting sexual conduct/communication with a minor by use of technology and a child pornography complaint, reported Fox News.

Both the girls, Ivy Webster (14) and Brittany Brewer (16), were last seen just before 1:30 am on Monday in Henryetta, about 90 miles east of Oklahoma City.

The amber alert was called off Monday afternoon. The Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office said seven bodies had been found on a property in Henryetta including those of Webster, Brewer, and McFadden.

The identities of the four others are not clear at this time. Medical examiners are working to identify the bodies found as well as the cause of death, according to Fox News. (ANI)
New York [US], May 2 (ANI/WAM): A new photo exhibit on UN Peacekeeping opened at Headquarters on Monday, honouring the service and sacrifice of uniformed and civilian peacekeepers as it marks its 75th anniversary. "For 75 years, UN Peacekeeping has helped to end conflict, protect civilians, advance political solutions, and secure sustainable peace," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. "Peacekeepers are ordinary people working in difficult and dangerous conditions to achieve extraordinary outcomes for the communities they serve," he said. "The results of their efforts to help countries navigate the difficult path from war to peace can be found in countries like Liberia, Namibia, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste." Part of a year-long global campaign, the exhibit theme "Peace Begins with Me" seeks to demonstrate the powerful impact of UN peacekeeping and its partners on the lives of millions of people caught up in catastrophic conflict. Featuring a curated collection of peacekeepers in action from the very first deployment of military observers to the Middle East in 1948, through to the current 12 missions in operation, the images document the complex and diverse work performed by peacekeeping personnel in some of the world's most fragile political and security situations. "We are not alone in our endeavours," the UN peacekeeping chief said. "Many partners work alongside us in a collective effort for peace, including local communities, women and youth, civil society, humanitarians, host governments, troop and police contributing countries and Member States. We thank them for their support throughout the history of peacekeeping and urge them to continue that commitment as the challenges we face are greater than ever." (ANI/WAM)
Muslim mayor in New Jersey said he was stunned after he got a call on Monday afternoon disinviting him from an annual Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House while he was in his car just miles away from the event. Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he was informed that the Secret Service denied him security clearance and he could no longer attend the gathering of prominent Muslim leaders. "It's disappointing and it's shocking that this continues to happen under our Constitution which provides that everyone is innocent unless proven guilty. I honestly don't know what my charge, if you want to put it that way, is at this point, to be treated in such a manner," Khairullah told journalists. In response to this allegation, Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications, United States Secret Service said, "While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening. Unfortunately, we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House." Earlier, Fox Carolina reported that Selaedin Maksut, CAIR-NJ executive director, called the move "wholly unacceptable and insulting." "If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has?" Maksut said. Khairullah, who has previously done humanitarian work in Syria and Bangladesh, was previously stopped by authorities and interrogated at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists, according to Dina Sayedahmed, a spokesman for CAIR-NJ. The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leaders to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governor's mansion, according to Fox Carolina. (ANI)
The country's deputy foreign minister Emine Dzhaparova said that Ukraine "regrets" the defence ministry's depiction of goddess Kali in a "distorted manner" and that the European country "respects unique Indian culture and highly appreciates support from India".

She added the depiction had been removed.

"We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine &its people respect unique #Indian culture&highly appreciate support.The depiction has already been removed. is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect& friendship," Dzhaparova tweeted.

On April 30, Ukraine's Defence Ministry tweeted with the caption "Work of art," and shared a picture of a blast with an improvised picture by Ukrainian artist Maksym Palenko.

In the picture, the artist depicted the blast in a unique yet offensive blend of famous American actress Marilyn Monroe in her 'flying skirt' pose with the face and detailing resembling Hindu Goddess 'Maa Kali'.

after posting the picture, the tweet triggered a massive backlash, forcing the Defence Ministry of Defence to delete the Twitter post.

One Twitter user posted, "Shocking! Official handle of Ukraine Defense Ministry is portraying Maa Kali in a demeaning pose. This is not a work of art. Our faith is not a matter of joke. Take it down and apologise @DefenceU"

Meanwhile, another Twitter user said, "Hurting sentiments of 1.4 billion Indians is not Okay @DefenceU. This is a blatant display of Hinduphobia by Ukraine's defence ministry. Please remove this."

Dzhaporava had recently visited India, the first visit by a Ukrainian minister to India since the start of the Ukraine war in February last year. During the visit the Ukranian minister held talks with Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi. (ANI)
Members of the anti-corruption division along with the police conducted a raid at Chaudhry Parvez Elahi's Gujrat home, the former chief minister of Punjab and current president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Geo News reported. The raid comes two days after they conducted a similar operation at his house in Lahore. The house was raided Monday night. While the anti-corruption department, involved in the Lahore raid, denied any involvement, police briefly searched the former chief minister's residence in Gujrat, Kunjah House. Twelve persons, largely his workers, were taken into custody during the Friday night raid by anti-corruption and police authorities who used an armoured truck to smash open the PTI president's Gulberg home's main gate, according to Geo News. The police action occurs barely hours before the PTI and the multi-party ruling coalition in the centre of the Pakistan Democratic Movement have essential discussions on elections. \ The opposition party had previously warned that if the arrests and raids continued, the negotiations might fail. The son of the former CM, Moonis Elahi, claimed that despite the police lacking a search warrant to perform the raid, he gave them permission to enter the property, Geo News reported. In a recent episode, the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Gujranwala filed a case against Elahi citing a source report, in which the former Punjab CM has been accused of taking a bribe worth Rs 2 billion for the contract of a development scheme. Earlier, Punjab police booked PTI President on terror charges following a late-night raid at his residence. The case has been registered against 50 individuals including the former chief minister in Lahore's Ghalib Market police station, according to The Express Tribune. The FIR invokes Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and has 13 other charges included pertaining to attempted murder, rioting and assault on government officials. According to the FIR, the raid tea was attacked with petrol bombs, stones and batons. Furthermore, the complaint claimed that Elahi assisted in escaping arrest during the raid. The registration of the terrorism case against Elahi came just hours after a team of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Punjab, and the Lahore police conducted a raid to arrest the PTI ally on Friday last week. Police had sealed off Zahoor Elahi Road at both ends before launching the operation. At the outset, the raiding team had approached the legal team Elahi, which informed them that Elahi had secured protective bail from the court, The Express Tribune reported. (ANI)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 2)  The Philippines and the United States are looking forward to trilateral cooperation with Japan and Australia  which the two countries believe share their views on regional security.

According to a joint statement released on Tuesday (Philippine time), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his US counterpart Joe Biden agreed to strengthen bilateral alliance and expand regional collaboration on the areas of peace and security.

The leaders welcome cooperation with partners that share the United States and the Philippines commitment to international law and mutual respect, read the two countries joint statement, which was released after the two leaders bilateral meeting in Washington.

They look forward to establishing trilateral modes of cooperation among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, as well as the Philippines, Australia, and the United States, it added.

During the meeting, the two countries said Philippine and US leaders underscored the importance of respecting the sovereign rights of states within their exclusive economic zones, as well as affirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

No details on the trilateral cooperation sought were bared, but Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said that joint patrols involving the Philippines, the US, Japan and Australia are possible.

Meanwhile, Biden also reaffirmed the US ironclad alliance commitments to the Philippines, as he reiterated that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments.
As the G20 meeting in Kashmir approaches this month, increased hue and cry against India from neighbouring Pakistan has plunged to new levels. This is backed by several terror attacks in Poonch, Rajouri. "We, the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have certain things we must be aware of and therefore accept some responsibilities," said Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza, a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoK. Currently, India holds the presidency of the G20. The decision to hold several sessions of the G20 in Kashmir Valley, a Muslim-majority union territory, is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's ultimate demonstration of the conventions of equality, so dear to Sanatan dharma, and the cultural traditions of inclusivity, which Bharat has been demonstrating unceasingly from the time when Arab Muslims, who were direct decedents of Prophet Muhammed, escaped persecution of the Umayyad Caliphate and took refuge in Sindh where Dahir, a Hindu raja, gave them sanctuary, Mirza said. The decision of the BJP government to host G20 meeting in Kashmir has laid to rest the vile propaganda disseminated by Pakistan through its ISPR-controlled media and ISI-approved diplomats that the current Indian government is maligning Muslims and other minorities and enforcing a Hindutva agenda upon them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team have decisively placed Jammu and Kashmir on the business map of the world. This is good news for all those who belong to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir including PoK. Any act that promotes a positive image of Jammu and Kashmir, in the final analysis, will benefit the people of the union territory and that includes those who are living under the occupation of Pakistan in PoK since October 22, 1947. Any trade policies that are decided during the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir will have an effect on the union territory. Financial regulation will be revised and that will help to get rid of unnecessary red tape and obsolete business regulations that have hampered the development of Jammu and Kashmir in particular, and India in general, before the abrogation of articles 370 and 35-A, he said. The G20 meeting will bring an opportunity for Jammu and Kashmir to expand its trade and investment on a global scale. Tourism and handicraft industry will flourish even more due to G20 meeting to be held in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir will become a global flash point and for the first time for the right reasons. Trade, sustainable development, energy, environment, agriculture and health sectors, only few to mention, will benefit hugely from the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. One might argue that it is a very ambitious step taken by the BJP government, but then folks, what else, if not for taking bold initiatives and ambitious strides is Prime Minister Modi acknowledged for? The G20 meeting in Kashmir is a great opportunity for us who are living under the illegal occupation of Pakistan to become part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As citizens of PoK, we must share some responsibilities to help the G20 meeting run its course smoothly from May 22 to 24. One responsibility we must embrace boldly is to defeat the anti-G20 propaganda Pakistani and their facilitators propagate in PoK, which they have unleashed through local and national media. The way to do that is to hold public meetings in neighbourhoods of PoK, convene meetings in colleges and universities, encourage discussions among the government employees and every section of PoK society and explain the difference between the oppression we face and the development and prosperity Kashmir endures as part of the Union of the Republic of India. Another responsibility we must shoulder is that of identifying terrorist launch pads and be vigilant regarding their movement and report it on social media outlets or send information to me, and I will make sure that they are broadcasted on our erstwhile Radio Himalaya. We must use the opportunity of the G20 meeting to show the people of Jammu and Kashmir living on the other side of the Line of Control that we as a people are one people and that no matter how many dirty games or conspiracies Pakistan and its military try to hatch against us, we will not be divided. Let us not forget that the twenty member countries of G20 and scores of delegates from observer countries will not be able to ignore our strife and this time around the issue of PoK occupation and liberation will definitely come up in private conversations during the session of G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. By holding the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, Narendra Modi has finally transformed PoK occupation into a global issue that the world community will not be able to ignore for much longer. Let us grab this opportunity and set the scene for our liberation from Pakistan and reunion with Mother India. Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza is an author and a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoK. He currently lives in the UK in exile. (ANI)
Saud while speaking on his first visit to his hometown Kanchanpur after assuming the role of Foreign Minister, stated that he would take the necessary steps to develop the circuit to encourage tourists coming to Uttarakhand to also visit Nepal's Far Western Province.

The Nepal Foreign Minister stated that he has requested a proposal to be prepared on how to connect religious places in both countries and plans to present it to India during the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister.

The minister emphasized the need for a concrete bridge to connect Parshuram in Dadeldhura and Purnagiri in India to promote religious and tourism activities in the region.

According to EPardafas, Saud mentioned the government's preparations to operate the country's first medical university, Dashrath Chand University of Health Sciences. The Council of Ministers has already approved making Geta the first medical college in the country, and work is underway to make a law to bring it into operation. (ANI)
China's new Ambassador to Mexico faced a Tibetan-flag protest from MPs as he visited the country's parliament on Apr 26, said the Office of Tibet, Latin America, in a report posted on the Tibet.net website of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Saturday, Tibetan Review reported. Deputy Salvador Caro Cabrera and Deputy Ines Parra Juarez, during an Ordinary Session of the Mexican Congress, rose from their seats and displayed the Tibetan national flag for about 20 minutes. They also shouted "Free Tibet" slogans, the report said. The action taken by the deputies was in response to the presence in the parliamentary area of the new Ambassador of China in Mexico. The two Deputies are founding members of the Grupo de Legisladoras y Legisladores Amigos del Tibet en Mexico, a Tibet group made up of 19 Legislators belonging to five political parties. The group was launched in November 2022, according to Tibetan Review. Several of these legislators had taken part in the commemoration of the 64th Tibetan National Uprising Day in Dharamshala, India, where the CTA is based. Meanwhile, Tibetan-in-exile politician Sikyong Penpa Tsering on Saturday said the Chinese government spends more money on internal security than external security. "Chinese government spend more money on internal security than external security. China is the only government that does that. They invest in artificial intelligence whether it's electronic identification where they watch your movement including geolocation," Penpa Tsering said. Tsering was speaking at the University of Westminster, London. Tsering further said: "We hear it only now about DNA profiling of the Tibetans and some people ask us what the Chinese government does with all this DNA profiling. The worst case scenario is Chinese scientists have managed to change DNA so if they change DNA of all the seven million Tibetans, another 20-30 years down the line, they can claim that there was never ever a Tibetan race." "I don't know whether it will go to that level or not but now we hear about Iris scanning of people so all these are aimed at control and more control and less and less and less freedom for people," he said. (ANI)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that at the meeting Qin Gang will exchange views with other SCO member states' foreign ministers on the international and regional situation.

The SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held on May 4 and 5 in Goa.

"At the meeting, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will exchange views with other SCO member states' foreign ministers on the international and regional situation and SCO cooperation in various fields, among other topics, to make full preparation for this year's SCO summit," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said Qin Gang will also visit Myanmar to deepen practical cooperation in various fields including economy and livelihood.

Qin Gang had met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in New Delhi and conveyed that the current state of the bilateral relationship was "abnormal" in the context of challenges especially that of peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

India and China have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks for disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh following the actions of the Chinese Army which led to a standoff in May 2020.

Qin Gang was appointed China's new Foreign Minister in December last year.

China's Defence Minister General Li Shangfu was in Delhi last month to attend the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting. (ANI)
"Gavel" is a public sculpture by Andrew F. Scott set in a pool outside the Ohio Supreme Court building in downtown Columbus.

An Urbana lawyer, who led police on a car chase that hit 100 miles per hour, had his law license indefinitely suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Ryan Reed lived with his girlfriend and her daughter in his house, which doubled as his law office. The girlfriend, identified as "P.S.", worked for Reed.

In May 2020, Reed's behavior and relationship with P.S. spun out of control:

P.S. found him passed out drunk in his office.

The couple argued and Reed shoved her and she left.

The next morning she called Urbana police to report her tires had been slashed.

Police arrested Reed for domestic violence and assault at the Champaign County Courthouse where he was attending a hearing on a client's behalf.

Reed failed field sobriety tests during the arrest and was charged with drunken driving.

Following his arrest, a trial judge issued a restraining order that let P.S. remain in Reed's home and gave Reed three hours to retrieve his belongings.

Reed returned to the home a week later but fled when P.S. called 911.

An arrest warrant was issued and two days later Reed crawled through a window at the home. He was caught later wearing a bulletproof vest.

A grand jury indicted Reed on nine counts, including burglary, drunken driving, domestic violence and assault. While out on bond, police were alerted that Reed was threatening to kill P.S.

Reed led the cops on a high-speed chase before losing control and crashing into a tree. His blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Reed was charged with more criminal counts, including drunken driving.

In October 2020, Reed pleaded guilty to five charges in two cases and was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of post-release supervision.

Reed violated 16 ethics rules related to the crimes and must pay two clients at total of $4,750 in restitution within 90 days, the Supreme Court said. He may apply to have his law license reinstated after his post-release supervision and if pays restitution to his clients and follows his treatment plan.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Domestic violence, drunk driving leads to Ohio law license suspension
gamora and peter talking in vol 3



Wait, how are you here?

Six years have passed since the Guardians of the Galaxy, under the watchful eye of director James Gunn, graced the silver screen in 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Since then, weve seen a lot of the Guardians, but most of it was in Avengers moviesplus a Thor movie, and Gunns Holiday Special for Disney+.

Which is a long way of saying, if you want to go see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 this week (and you should, we think its awesome), there are a lot of things you may have forgotten or missed. Never fear. Weve seen the film and have for you this list of 11 things you should remember when you sit down in theaters this weekend.

Read more

Or, if you actually do want to do a full rewatch, here are the essentials, all available on Disney+.

No More Thor

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Many moviegoers last glimpse of the Guardians of the Galaxy on the big screen came at the end of Avengers: Endgame. They were heading back into space and Thor was along for the ride. While that might seem like a story to be wrapped up in Vol. 3, it has actually already been handled.



The actual last time the Guardians appeared on the big screen was last years Thor: Love and Thunder, which concluded the shared storyline. You dont need to see or know anything about what happened in Love and Thunder to keep up with Vol. 3but just know, Thor and the Guardians are no longer hanging out. Hes not in this one.

The Whole Gamora Thing

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ended, Peter Quill and Gamora were an item. That continued into Avengers: Infinity War, where the team split up to try and stop Thanos from getting the Infinity Stones. However, to get the Soul Stone, Thanos was forced to sacrifice his daughter, Gamora, which Peter was obviously very, very upset about. So upset, in fact, he basically was responsible for half the galaxy being killed because he let his anger about Gamoras death mess up the plan he and the Guardians had with Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange.



Story continues

Nevertheless, Gamora was dead. Peter was sad. And then, due to the time travel in Avengers: Endgame, Gamora from a time BEFORE she met Peter Quill arrived. She jumped over that section of her life and ended up in the present. Peter sees this Gamora as the one who loved himbut she actually hasnt even met him, much less had the chance to fall in love with him.

Its that version of Gamora who helped defeat Thanos and then disappeared at the end of Avengers: Endgame. And its that Gamora, one that now only briefly knows Peter and the Guardians, who appears in Vol. 3.

Peter Is Heartbroken

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Jumping off the last slide, Peter is obviously confused and hurt about all the Gamora stuff. He was in love, he lost that love, that love came back, but was not the same person. And, we know from the end of Avengers: Endgame, finding this Gamora was at the top of his mind. In fact, he was specifically looking for her at the end of the film before Thor interrupted. See above.



So though lots has happened between Gamoras return in Endgame and her reemergence in Vol. 3, Peter is still heartbroken and confused about it all.

A New Home

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

As crucial (and admittedly a bit confusing) as the Peter and Gamora stuff is, there are a few other things that will be a little more jarring going into Vol. 3 if you arent caught up. Mainly, things that happened in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.



For example, in that special (which if you havent seen it, wed highly recommend watching on Disney+) we learn that the Guardians have purchased Knowhere, the disembodied head of a Celestial where the Collector was living in the previous Guardians films. Theyre now the caretakers and this is their headquarters. Pun intended.

New Members

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

The Holiday Special also introduced two new members to the Guardians, both of whom appear in the previous films. One is Kraglin, played by Sean Gunn. The former Ravager and Yondu disciple is attempting to be the force his former master wasbut hes doing it with the Guardians, not the Ravagers.



The second is Cosmo, the dog Russia shot into space decades ago, who is now very intelligent and, youll see in Vol. 3, pretty powerful too. Cosmo is voiced by Maria Bakalova.

The Sovereign

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Remember the Sovereign? Theyre the gold people the Guardians of the Galaxy were working for at the beginning of Vol. 2. The Guardians (but mostly Rocket) then insult the Sovereign, who later come after them, led by their leader Ayesha, played by Elizabeth Debicki.



The Sovereign are a carefully created, genetically controlled race of super people. Theyre made in pods. And all of that is important to remember in Vol. 3. Who created them? Why? Well find out.

That Cocoon

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had multiple end-credit scenes, but one is of the utmost importance going into Vol. 3. Its that the Sovereign leader, Ayesha, is working on the next step in her peoples evolution. Someone called Adam who will be stronger and more beautiful than all the other Sovereign. Someone whose sole purpose will be the destruction of the Guardians. Well, that character, Adam Warlock (played by Will Poulter), plays a big role in Vol. 3.



Abilisks

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

We wont say why specifically but it would be good to remember Abilisks, the massive, terrifying creatures the Guardians were hired to defeat by the Sovereign in the opening scene of Vol. 2. The Abilisks were eating very powerful batteries which the Sovereign wanted stopped. And though it wasnt easy, the Guardians did eventually defeat one. So just keep that all in mind.



More Ravagers

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Though Yondu died in Vol. 2, and Kraglin is now with the Guardians, that doesnt mean the Ravagers themselves have stopped. In fact, it would be good to remember that Stakar, played by Sylvester Stallone, is a prominent Ravager leader.



Ravagers are the space pirates that abducted a young Peter Quill on behalf of Ego, but then decided to raise him as one of their own. Theyre ruthless and driven by money.

Draxs family

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

It hasnt come up in a while but, without spoiling anything, its good to remember that Drax lost his family many years ago. His wife, Ovette, and his daughter Kamaria were killed on their home planet of Kylos by Ronan the Accuser, who was working for Thanos. Later, Draxs rage over losing his family is what drove him to become Drax the Destroyer. And though hes since gotten revenge on both Ronan (directly) and Thanos (indirectly), he still carries that pain with him.



Peters Departure

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Again, we wont spoil anything specifically, but the first few minutes of the first Guardians of the Galaxy film are worth a refresher. The year is 1988 and a young Peter Quill is in the hospital with his mom (Laura Haddock) and grandfather (Gregg Henry). Mom is very sick and says that Grandpa will take care of Peter until his Dad comes back. Then, she dies. Peter runs away crying but is then abducted by the Ravagers, leaving Earth and his family behind.

Rockets Past

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Up until now, we dont know how Rocket became Rocket. How does this walking, talking, incredibly smart and strong raccoon even exist? He himself knows, and the Guardians have seen that hes somehow enhanced, but anytime anyone brings it up, he doesnt want to talk about it. And that compartmentalization is crucial to Vol. 3.



More Mantis

Screenshot: Marvel Studios

Though Mantis character was expanded significantly in Vol. 2 and the Avengers movies, she really got her time to shine in the Holiday Special. She formed a very strong bond with Drax (who she traveled to Earth with to kidnap Kevin Bacon), and revealed to Peter that because his father, Ego, created her, theyre technically siblings. That all plays a part in Vol. 3.

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Welcome to the jungle.

In Costa Rica, a modern villa peeking out of a 1,000-acre nature reserve has hit the market, and it can all be yours for a cool $12 million. (Yes, its as magical as it sounds.) The property, known as Sea Ridge Reserve, is set in the middle of the nations Osa region, dubbed one of the most remote and biologically diverse areas in the world. Of course, its eye-popping waterfalls, lush rainforests, and epic mountains only add to its allure. Its one of the most spectacular places in the country, listing agent Matt Hogan of 2Costa Rica Real Estate told Mansion Global.

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A home in the middle of Costa Rica nature preserve has hit the market for $12 million

Built over 25 years ago, the 50,000-square-foot domed dwelling is perched atop a 2,400-foot-high knoll, offering up 60 miles of sprawling coastal vistas. Not to mention, youll be able to gaze out at three different valleys, three major waterfalls, and Mount Chirripo, the tallest mountain in Costa Rica and the highest non-volcanic mountain in Central America. Because of the residences elevation, Hogan added that you dont need air conditioning or a heater and its mosquito free. Its a high of 80 and a low in the mid-60s every night.

The domed property was built using concrete and steel

The circular-style residence is largely made from concrete and steel with soaring 30- to 40-foot ceilings inside. As a bonus, the four-floor abode is entirely open on all sides, so youll always feel at one with your surroundings. On the lowest level, youll find a series of pools, terraces, and fountains. Plus, theres a separate apartment that could be used by a caretaker. Upstairs, the second and third floors hold the majority of the seven bathrooms, in addition to the homes common spaces. Whoever gets to snag the primary suite will have the entire top level to themselves.

While the vast spread would make for a jaw-dropping personal sanctuary, Hogan told the listing site that theres also an opportunity for a conservation or research center or a tropical ecology studies camp or a biological research station. That is, if you choose to answer the call of the wild.

Click here to see all the photos of Sea Ridge Reserve.

sea ridge reserve

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Not sure what kind of fringe you want? You're in the right place.

Passakorn Techamanakitchaikul/Getty Images

So you're thinking about getting bangs  exciting! You're not alone, given that they're one of the year's hottest hair trends. And not to overwhelm you, but there are so many different fringe styles that it's worth studying them all to zero in on which you like best. Whether you try beginner-friendly bottleneck bangs or experiment with something a little bolder, like the baby bangs trend, there's no doubt you'll be in good company. After all, countless celebrities have experimented with fringe recently, including Mandy Moore, Bella Hadid, and Gabrielle Union, proving now's the perfect time to go under the scissors.

But back to the different types, because there are many. Some, like blunt bangs or baby bangs, are undeniably statement-making, and others, such as curtain bangs or wispy bangs, are more soft and forgiving (in other words, much less of a commitment). If you need help deciding what style you're interested in or want a comprehensive look at all your options, keep scrolling. We spoke with leading hairstylists to break down everything you need to know about the 12 most popular types of bangs, along with photo inspiration for your upcoming hair appointment.

Blunt Bangs

Traditional blunt bangs are cut straight across, with no texture whatsoever and a really clean edge," says Charlie Brackney Love, hairstylist, co-founder and creative director of Haus Salon in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you want to ease into the look, consider asking your stylist for a layered fringe cut straight across the forehead and longer at the temples. This cut will give you a softer and less harsh transition from your new bangs to the rest of your hair.

Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs are a low-maintenance type of face-framing fringe that's shorter in the middle and longer on the sides, which, as its name implies, looks and sounds like draping curtains. They're more forgiving than blunt bangs because they're longer, and you can style them in various ways, whether blown out and parted in the center or tucked behind your ears when you want a break from them.

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Bottleneck Bangs

Out of all the bang styles on this list, bottleneck bangs are the newest. Just last year, London-based hairstylist Tom Smith coined the term, inspired by the hairstyle Margot Robbie debuted for her August 2021 British Vogue cover. The expert explains that they're "narrow in the middle at the top and wider on each side," adding that they're "a type of fringe that sits at two separate lengths. Their shortest point sits somewhere between the eyebrows and the longest between the cheekbones and jawline." What separates them from curtain bangs, he says, is that bottleneck bangs have a "fluid curved angle from shortest in the middle of the brows to longer at the cheekbones," whereas curtain bangs are "simply one sweeping angle."



Baby Bangs

It's no secret that baby bangs aren't for everyone. They're a flash from the past, initially popularized in the 50s thanks to celebrities like Aubrey Hepburn. Regardless, the hairstyle has returned to the spotlight, and they've not-so-quietly become one of the most covetable hairstyles among stars. If you're new to the style, "a baby bang typically lands mid-forehead or at the upper-third of the forehead, has a soft edge, and tends to be piecey, not super blunt," says Love.

Micro Bangs

Want to go even shorter? You might like the buzzy-yet-contentious micro bangs. Be warned: Baby bangs and micro bangs aren't the same: the latter is "very specific," and most hairdressers interpret it to mean cut as close to the hairline as possible," says Love. That doesn't make them any less popular; they're no stranger to social media, street style, or the red carpet.

Curly Bangs

Curly textures and bangs are a match made in hair heaven. They can "completely change your look," says Lindsay De Los Santos, a Miami-based hairstylist. Case in point: Her client, seen in the accompanying photo. In the dramatic before-and-afters, the expert urges you to pay attention to how the fringe "opens the face up to show off her facial features and bone structure."

Birkin Bangs

French actress Jane Birkin was not only the muse for the renowned Hermes Birkin bag but also for Birkin bangs. What separates them from blunt bangs is that they typically graze past the brow and have a wispy texture, whereas traditional blunt bangs famously do not.



Braided Bangs

Take your protective style to the next level with braided bangs. You can either wear them in plaits cut straight across your forehead or take the fashion-forward approach of accessorizing them with various types of beads. Opt for a double-take-worthy look using multicolored beads, as shown in the accompanying hairstyle, or wear the same colored beads for a more subtle look.



Side-Swept Bangs

For some, the thought of side-swept bangs might give you cringe-worthy flashbacks to the early aughts. But unlike the flat-ironed and deep-parted swoop fringe of the early 2000s, the modern-day style is more natural. The bang usually starts at a "natural side part near the outer corner of the eyebrow," explains Love, and is softer and more voluminous than in years past.

Wispy Bangs

Prefer a light, feathery fringe to sharp, blunt cuts? Wispy bangs might be perfect for you. To be clear, "wispy" refers to texture, not the cut. That means you'll still have to decide the shape of your bangs, whether you opt for a lighter straight-across bang or softer curtain bangs.



Korean Air Bangs

Korean air bangs fall into the wispy fringe category, recognized for their thin and piece-y strands, Los Angeles-based hairstylist Mika Fowler previously told Real Simple. She deems them a smart option "for people who haven't had bangs before who don't want to fully commit." After all, "if you don't like them, you have the option of just blending them with the side hair," she says.

Shaggy Bangs

Shaggy bangs tend to be "shortest and piece-est in the center, before they bottleneck out on the forehead, meaning they get gradually longer towards the temples," explains Love. He deems them a smart alternative for those who "don't want a full-on shag haircut" but still want to "change things up for a more edgy vibe."

Choppy Bangs

Another fun way to play with texture is by trying choppy bangs or intentionally uneven fringe. How dramatic you decide to go with the varying lengths ultimately comes down to you and your hairstylist's discretion and your ideal aesthetic. You can keep it subtle by giving your blunt bangs a little texture, or go for an edgy vibe and give your baby bangs more definition.

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Four teenagers were charged Monday with crimes related to Sundays fatal shooting of a teen and her unborn son.

The Gulfport Police Department charged Brenton Brumfield, 15, with one count of second degree murder and one count of homicide of an unborn child.

The other three teenagers were charged with hindering the prosecution of another. The arrests of Jamarrion Jackson, 19, as well as two minors, age 13 and 17, send a clear message that this heinous crime will not go unpunished, said Sgt. Jason DuCre in a press release Monday night.

Gulfport resident JaKamori Kamori Lake, 16, was killed by a single gunshot wound to the head shortly after she was brought by personal vehicle to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, said Harrison County Deputy Coroner Whitney Valles.

Valles said that someone arrived at the hospital with Lake at 1:10 p.m. Sunday, and she was pronounced dead at 1:32 p.m.

She was pregnant, but we are not sure how far along she was, Valles said.

Police said in a press release Monday she was three and a half months pregnant.

The shooting occurred at the Gables Apartments, where Lake lived. The apartment complex is in the 4000 block of 32nd Street.

The events leading up to the shooting are not immediately known, but Gulfport investigators said Brumfield was the alleged shooter. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with funeral expenses.

Kamori is the third teenager to die Sunday from gun violence on the Coast. Two Hancock High students were killed just after midnight Sunday in a mass shooting at an after-prom party in Bay St. Louis.

Following the suspects booking and processing, Brumfield and Jackson were taken to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center to be held in lieu of their bonds. Judge Patano set Brumfields bond at $500,000 and Jacksons bond at $25,000.

The juveniles were transported to the Harrison County Youth Detention Center.

To report information, call the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
Jennifer Lopez in "The Mother." Netflix

Check out the best movies on Netflix this month.

The streamer will have classics like the "Austin Powers" trilogy and "Pitch Perfect."

Plus, the Netflix original "The Mother," starring Jennifer Lopez, premieres this month.

"Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" (May 1)

Mike Myers in "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." YouTube/Screenshot

Sit back and enjoy Mike Myers' memorable character Austin Powers in this memorable love letter to the spy genre of the 1960s.

The comedy led to an unlikely hit trilogy with sequels "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," and "Austin Powers in Goldmember." All three are available now on Netflix.

"Black Hawk Down" (May 1)

Josh Hartnett in "Black Hawk Down." YouTube screenshot

This gritty war movie depicts a US Black Hawk helicopter that goes down in enemy territory during a raid in Mogadishu in 1993. We watch the heroic rescue mission to save the survivors.

The movie stars Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, Orlando Bloom, Tom Hardy, and Sam Shepard.

"The Cable Guy" (May 1)

(L-R) Matthew Broderick and Jim Carrey in "The Cable Guy." Sony

Ben Stiller's dark comedy stars Jim Carrey as an unusual cable-repair man who becomes desperate for the friendship of one of his customers, played by Matthew Broderick.

Though the movie received mixed reviews when it opened in theaters, it's since gained a cult following thanks to Carrey's over-the-top performance.

"Captain Phillips" (May 1)

Tom Hanks in "Captain Phillips." Sony Pictures Releasing

Tom Hanks delivers a powerful performance in this true story that chronicles the first American ship to be hijacked in 200 years.

"Cliffhanger" (May 1)

Sylvester Stallone in "Cliffhanger." TriStar Pictures

If you're looking for a good action movie to watch this month, you can't go wrong with this Sylvester Stallone classic.

In it, he plays a mountain climber who is suddenly entangled in a heist when a friend (Michael Rooker) is forced to help retrieve packages of cash that are stuck in the Colorado Rockies.

John Lithgow is great as the movie's villain.

"Flight" (May 1)

Denzel Washington in "Flight." Paramount Pictures

Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his powerful performance as a skilled pilot who saves all the passengers when his plane malfunctions  but it's later revealed he was intoxicated while doing it.

Story continues

Things spiral out of control when his addiction grows in the midst of his hero public profile.

"Girl, Interrupted" (May 1)

(L-R) Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie in "Girl, Interrupted." Columbia Pictures

With a powerful ensemble cast made up of Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Britanny Murphy, Elizabeth Moss, Jared Leto, and Whoopi Goldberg, we follow Susanna (Ryder) during her stay in a mental hospital during the tumultuous late 1960s.

"Kindergarten Cop" (May 1)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Kindergarten Cop." Universal

Arnold Schwarzenegger played against type in this movie and delivered a hilarious comedic performance as a rugged cop who must go undercover as a kindergarten teacher to catch a dangerous criminal.

"Last Action Hero" (May 1)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Last Action Hero." Sony

This Schwarzenegger movie was a big box-office bust when it opened in 1993, but it's one of the most unique action movies in the star's filmography.

It boasts over-the-top action and loads of jokes pegged to the genre, Hollywood, and Schwarzenegger.

"Legends of the Fall" (May 1)

(L-R) Henry Thomas, Brad Pitt, and Aidan Quinn in "Legends of the Fall." "Legends of the Fall"/Sony Pictures Entertainment

Set in 1900s Montana, this drama looks at a family that is crippled to its core due to love, war, and betrayal.

Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn, Henry Thomas, Anthony Hopkins, and Julia Ormond all give fantastic performances.

"Leon: The Professional" (May 1)

Natalie Portman in "Leon: The Professional." Gaumont

Director Luc Besson delivers this stylish thriller starring Jean Reno as a disciplined assassin living in New York City who decides to take in a young girl (Natalie Portman) after her family is murdered.

"Paranormal Activity" (May 1)

Oren Peli's "Paranormal Activity." Blumhouse

First-time filmmaker Oren Peli delivers one of the best found-footage movies ever made with this low-budget horror movie in which a couple is tormented by an evil spirit.

"Pitch Perfect" (May 1)

Anna Kendrick in "Pitch Perfect." Universal

This college comedy is set in the world of a cappella and follows a group of incoming students as they make an all-female group and then try to gain respect in a music competition.

Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, and Brittany Snow all give great performances.

"Traffic" (May 1)

Benicio Del Toro in "Traffic." USA Films

Winner of four Oscars, including best director for Steven Soderbergh, we are thrust into the war on drugs by looking at the different perspectives of how it travels from the dealers to those addicted.

The great ensemble includes Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, and Benicio Del Toro, who also won an Oscar.

"A Man Called Otto" (May 6)

Tom Hanks in "A Man Called Otto." Sony

Hanks hits the list again. This time in his latest movie where he plays a grumpy man who turns soft when a young family moves in nearby.

"The Mother" (May 12)

Jennifer Lopez in "The Mother." Netflix

In this Netflix original, Jennifer Lopez plays an assassin in hiding who must come out to protect her daughter.

"Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me" (May 16)

Anna Nicole Smith. Kypros/Getty Images

This documentary recounts the life of the Playboy playmate whose life was sadly cut short due to the horrors of fame at the age of 39.

"The Boss Baby" (May 22)

"The Boss Baby." 20th Century Fox

This hit animated movie looks at a boy's life that's turned upside down when he gets a baby brother  but not just any baby brother, a suit-wearing boss baby.

Read the original article on Insider
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  Military drills between the Philippines and the United States continue with the revival of Cope Thunder involving both countries air forces this May and July.

According to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the first such military exercise since 1991 is set on May 1 to 12, while the second would take place on July 2 to 21.

The PAF said the exercises intend to boost the capabilities and readiness of the air forces to respond to potential threats in the region.

Some 400 PAF airmen and 160 USAF service members would participate in the exercise, it added.

The first wave of the drill, which would take place at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, would focus on the mission planning cell, which is responsible for planning and coordinating the integration of different aircraft and the execution of defensive and offensive counter-air operations.

The joint training of air forces in the Philippines began in 1976 until 1990. The program was suspended following the closure of US military bases in Clark and Subic Bay.

The revival of Cope Thunder follows the conclusion last week of the largest Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between the two defense treaty allies.

This year's Balikatan was joined by nearly 18,000 American and Filipino troops. More than 100 Australian soldiers also participated for the first time.
Archeologists discovered the remains of a 19th century quarantine hospital and cemetery submerged in the waters off the Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys, officials said Monday.

The small hospital was used to treat yellow fever patients at Fort Jefferson between 1890 and 1900, the National Park Service said in a press release. Dry Tortugas staff conducted a survey in August of 2022 that led to the findings.

Only one grave has so far been identified at the underwater Fort Jefferson Post Cemetery, according to the NPS. Dozens of people, mostly soldiers stationed at the fort, may have been buried there.

The identified grave belonged to civilian John Greer, NPS said. He worked as a laborer at the fort and died there on Nov. 5, 1861, according to the headstone found by divers.

The headstone of John Greer was found underwater by archeologists during a survey at Dry Tortugas National Park. May 2023. / Credit: National Park Service Photo/C. Sproul

"This intriguing find highlights the potential for untold stories in Dry Tortugas National Park, both above and below the water," said Josh Marano, maritime archeologist for the South Florida national parks, and project director for the survey. "Although much of the history of Fort Jefferson focuses on the fortification itself and some of its infamous prisoners, we are actively working to tell the stories of the enslaved people, women, children and civilian laborers."

The 100 square-mile national park is made up of several islands in the Florida Keys, about 70 miles west of Key West, and can only be reached by boat or plane.

Fort Jefferson was used as a prison during the Civil War, according to NPS. As the population of prisoners, military personnel, slaves, engineers and support staff increased, disease spread, killing dozens throughout the 1860s and 1870s. Nearby islands were used as quarantine hospitals because there wasn't enough space on Garden Key.

"Although the use of many of the quarantine hospitals on the surrounding islands ceased after Fort Jefferson was abandoned in 1873, the fort's future use by the U.S. Marine Hospital Service between 1890 and 1900 again required the development of an isolation hospital on one of the keys," NPS said.

Story continues

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A TikTok video showed two men stranded in Ho Chi Minh City, after their hotel booking was canceled. Screenshot/TikTok

Two backpackers say they were stranded in Vietnam after their hotel booking was canceled by Agoda.

Robbie Leigh posted photos on TikTok that showed him and a friend sleeping outside an airport.

Agoda apologized but said it couldn't find alternatives to house Leigh for the night.

A backpacker says he was stranded in Vietnam after a third-party website canceled his hotel booking, and he documented the experience on TikTok.

Robbie Leigh, who goes by the username @robbiejleigh on TikTok, posted a series of photos claiming that he was forced to sleep outside the airport after Agoda canceled his stay at a hotel in Hue, a province in central Vietnam.

The TikTok, posted on Monday, has garnered over 430,000 views as of the time of writing.

One of the photos showed Leigh with another backpacker, whom he tagged @elliot.mathieson, posing outside a hotel called the OYO 882 Lucky Hotel. Leigh did not specify which dates he was booked to stay at the hotel.

Leigh said the pair arrived at Lucky Hotel at 8:30 p.m.and found that Agoda had canceled their booking. He said the hotel manager kicked them out of the hotel two hours later.

In an email to Agoda, as shown in his TikTok, Leigh asked the Singapore-based travel agency to relocate them to a new hotel. "Please call me. I am begging," he wrote. In the TikTok, Leigh said he and his friend tried their luck at three other hostels, but they were all fully booked.

At 12:40 a.m., Leigh sent Agoda another email. "We are about to be on the street with nowhere to go. This city is dangerous please help me!!!!!!" Leigh wrote, per his TikTok.

Leigh and his friend headed to the airport an hour later, eight hours before their flight to Hanoi. But the pair was in for a surprise  the airport was closed, forcing them to wait on the metal seats outside the building.

At 2:26 a.m., Agoda responded to Leigh's emails, writing, "We have tried our best to search for alternatives but unfortunately there are no accommodations available in the area matching your original booking dates."

Story continues

"Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience to your travel plans," Agoda wrote, per the screenshot. The screenshot did not show if Leigh had been compensated for the ordeal.

Leigh claimed he was kicked to the curb by the hotel manager after his booking was canceled. Screenshot/TikTok

A series of photos showed that after receiving Agoda's email, Leigh and his friend got ready for the night, brushing their teeth outside the airport.

OYO Hotels told Insider it plans to work with Agoda to refund Leigh.

"Agoda and OYO's booking systems didn't communicate to each other properly. Agoda's system accepted the bookings while the hotel was already fully booked," an OYO spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that the hotel manager "offered the guest to stay at his home as a last resort," after he helped Leigh look for another hotel.

"We are really pained to know that the guest ended up spending the night outside," the spokesperson added.

TikTok users flooded Leigh's post, sympathizing with their experience.

"How did you guys survive outside it's so hot," one user asked, referring to Hue's tropical weather, where temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Oh no I'm so sorry for these bad experiences," another user wrote. "If I was the hotel manager, I would have let you in," she continued.

It's not the first time travelers have been left stranded after booking on a third-party website. In December 2018, dozens of tourists were left without hotel rooms after the now-defunct booking site HotelQuickly canceled their reservations. The company shuttered that same month and did not refund its customers.

Leigh and Agoda did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Two high school seniors died when the car they were in ran off the road and slammed into a tree in Oklahoma, police and family members say.

Oklahoma City police said Kaleb Newport, 18, was driving a Chevrolet Camaro just before 4 a.m. on Sunday, April 30, when the vehicle ran off the road and struck a tree head on. Newport and his backseat passenger, 18-year-old Nathan Nguyen, died at the scene.

The cars front-seat passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken to Oklahoma University Medical Center, police said in a preliminary report.

Investigators said Newport was driving at a high speed and did not brake before hitting the tree. There were several alcohol containers in the car and none of the passengers were wearing a seatbelt, according to police.

That is a very bad combination when youre talking about speed, alcohol and no seatbelts, Gary Knight with Oklahoma City Police Department told KOKH. Thats often times a fatal combination. Very tragic event.

All three passengers in the car were students at Westmoore High School, school district officials confirmed to KOCO.

On April 30, 2023, Moore Public Schools was notified that two of our students passed away in an auto accident. They will be deeply missed by the Westmoore Jaguar family. Another student is at OU Medical Center, but specifics about his status are unknown, the district said in a statement, according to KOCO.

Newport and Nguyen were both seniors just weeks away from graduating, the outlet reported.

Nothing you do can prepare you for this, Nguyens aunt told KOKH. I regret not giving him a hug. I regret not talking to him more. Its just too young. Too soon.

Loved ones have also shared tributes for Nguyen and Newport on social media.

Nathan, there arent enough words for me to describe the pain that our family is feeling right now, another of Nguyens aunt wrote on Facebook. We are devastated and heartbroken, how do we go on from here?

Please keep my niece & her family in your thoughts and prayers as they try to figure out what happened and go from making graduation plans to funeral plans, Newports great aunt shared in a Facebook post.

Story continues

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Ukrainian soldier cleans mud from bullets in Bakhmut Andre Alves/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ukraine's armed forces are gearing up for a long-anticipated counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine, and Russian forces are digging in to try and defend the remaining territory they seized since invading in February 2022. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said said on Ukrainian TV Monday night that the military is "reaching the finish line" in counteroffensive preparations, and commanders will decide "how, where, and when."

Meanwhile, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday that, according to declassified U.S. estimates, "Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action," since December. About half the casualties were Wagner Group mercenaries "thrown into combat and without sufficient combat or combat training, combat leadership, or any sense of organizational command and control," especially in the ruined city of Bakhmut, he added.

Russia's average daily casualty rate fell in April, following "exceptionally heavy Russian casualties over January-March 2023," Britain's Ministry of Defense assessed last week. "Figures released by the Ukrainian General Staff suggest a reduction from a daily average of 776 Russian casualties in March, to an average of 568 so far in April," as Russia's "attempted winter offensive has failed to achieve its objectives."

"Russia's attempt at an offensive in the Donbas largely through Bakhmut has failed" and even "backfired," Kirby told reporters Monday. "Russia has been unable to seize any real strategic and significant territory," and after months of "extraordinary losses, Russia continues to be focused on a single Ukrainian city with limited strategic value."

Logistics problems "remain at the heart of Russia's struggling campaign in Ukraine," Britain's Ministry of Defense said Monday night. "Russia does not have enough munitions to achieve success on the offensive."

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Russia and its Wagner paramilitary forces have made incremental gains in Bakhmut over nearly a year of attritional battle, and they now control most of the city. But the battle is fluid, and Ukraine has been able to push Russian forces back in some parts of Bakhmut, Ukrainian military spokesman Serhii Cherevatyi said Monday. Russia still does not "completely" control Bakhmut, so "we are conducting a successful defense operation and are achieving our main goal: destroying the enemy's military potential, personnel, and equipment to the maximum extent possible," he added. "In particular, Wagner is close to being completely destroyed."

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Russias winter push in Ukraine may have made little progress and at a stunning cost.

More than 100,000 fighters from the Kremlins forces have been killed or wounded since December alone, the U.S. now estimates  outlining Moscow's massive losses as its military leaders scramble to recruit more men and prepare for an impending counteroffensive.

The figure, if accurate, could spell trouble ahead for President Vladimir Putin. He faces a second year at war with the land he seized increasingly in Kyiv's sights and with his military's struggles forcing the Kremlin to balance battlefield necessities with domestic pressures.

The casualty figure includes around 20,000 Russians who have been killed in about six months, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday, citing newly declassified American intelligence that the Kremlin swiftly rejected.

For comparison, around 4,500 American troops were killed during the invasion of Iraq.

"It's really stunning, these numbers," Kirby said.

Russian servicemen fire a 2A18 D-30 howitzer toward Ukrainian positions (RIA Novosti / Sputnik via AP file )

Half of those killed were from the Wagner mercenary group, the majority of whom were ex-convicts thrown into combat in Bakhmut, Kirby said, who lacked sufficient combat training, combat leadership or any sense of organizational command and control.

The eastern mining city has turned into something of a modern day Stalingrad and became the focus of a Russian winter offensive that was fueled by the call-up of hundreds of thousands of military reservists but that has failed to make substantive progress.

Both sides have suffered heavy losses in and around the city, with their armies bogged down in a brutal battle of attrition that has seen Russian troops make steady incremental gains but fall short of what would be a symbolic victory.

Some Western analysts criticized Kyivs decision to contest the city, arguing it should have pulled back weeks ago in a move that would have allowed Russia a short-term win but preserved Ukrainian soldiers for its own looming counteroffensive.

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But the figures released by Kirby will give weight to the Ukrainian counterargument, that fighting for Bakhmut would allow them to kill lots of Russians, while also preventing them from being deployed elsewhere.

Russias attempted winter offensive through the city has stalled and failed and backfired, Kirby said. And Russia has been unable to seize any real strategically significant territory after months of fighting and extraordinary losses," he added.

In his daily press briefing Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the White House numbers had been taken from nowhere and were unreliable.

Washington simply does not have the possibility to name any correct figures. They do not have such data, he said.

Of course Russia is not the only side incurring heavy losses.

Analysts have cautioned that the fighting in Bakhmut had shifted in recent weeks to take an increasingly heavy toll on the citys Ukrainian defenders, too. Kyiv has been loath to release official figures, and Kirby was similarly reluctant to do so Monday.

But in November Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the war had left each side with around 100,000 soldiers dead or wounded.

As of February, the U.S. estimated that Russia had suffered 189,500 to 223,000 casualties, including 35,500 to 43,000 killed in action, according to a leaked Pentagon document obtained by NBC News and other news outlets, part of a trove of classified material posted online. The same document estimated that Ukraine had suffered 124,500 to 131,000 casualties, with 15,500 to 1 7,500 killed in action.

U.S. authorities have accused Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira of leaking the classified material and charged him under the Espionage Act.

A key difference between Moscow and Kyiv is how news of these mass casualties plays at home.

Ukrainians support for their countrys defensive war remains high. Russian support for its invasion is more passive and has continued as more vulnerable, less politically powerful groups of people are conscripted and sent to fight, according to James Nixey, head of the Russia-Eurasia program at Chatham House, a think tank in London.

For Putin and Wagner, this has so far largely meant former convicts and immigrants from Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

Russia has been cherry-picking from the easiest parts of society where theyll get the least pushback, Nixey told NBC News. That gets harder as you start to churn through the cannon fodder and you get to people who are more likely to refuse and rise up.

Russia called up some 300,000 men during the first wave last September, leading to protests and a mass exodus of men from the country.

Seemingly reluctant to do so again but aware of the pressing need for more troops ahead of a potentially decisive period in the war, the Kremlin has stepped up its efforts to find new recruits.

The Russian Defense Ministry launched an advertising campaign last month trying to entice real men away from peacetime jobs and onto the front lines. Last month, Russian lawmakers hastily approved new legislation allowing authorities to deliver conscription notices electronically, making it almost impossible to avoid getting drafted.

For its part, Ukraine has been training troops and accumulating Western hardware for a counteroffensive that it says is imminent and that will seek to retake land in the country's south and east.

As soon as there is Gods will, the weather and a decision by commanders, we will do it, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said at an online news briefing last week.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Twenty Marines from a unit that was still in the midst of training have been sent to the Central Command region on short notice to provide air-defense support, according to the Marine Corps, which provided little information about the impetus for the deployment.

These Marines will temporarily provide routine air defense support to a larger, layered air-defense effort within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Lt. Col. L. L. Gilbert, a Marine Corps spokesman, wrote in a statement to Marine Corps Times on Monday. Due to operational security, no further detail is available.

The deployment of the small group of Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit was first announced via a news release Saturday by the unit.

The Marines were deploying on short notice to United States Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations under the direction of the Combatant Commander, May 1, 2023, the news release stated, but offered no additional details about the deployment.

CENTCOM includes 21 counties in and near the Middle East and is commanded by Army Gen. Michael Kurilla.

Gilbert confirmed to Marine Corps Times that the deployment of the 20 Marines has no direct connection to the ongoing situation in Sudan, where deadly fighting between the Sudanese military and a rival paramilitary force erupted in April, killing at least 500 and prompting the evacuation of the U.S. embassy by U.S. special operations forces. Sudan falls under Africa Command.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is entering the last stage of a training program in preparation for a deployment to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, according to the news release.

When deployed forward, Marine expeditionary units are expected to be ready to respond quickly if crises, ranging from humanitarian disasters to armed conflict, arise nearby.
In a filing late on Monday, the prosecution responded for the first time to multiple claims made by Officer John OKeefes girlfriend Karen Reads defense team that shes been framed  and this was some sort of cover-up.

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Officer John OKeefe was found dead outside of the Canton home of a Boston police officer in January of 2022.

Police have accused Karen Read of hitting OKeefe with her SUV and leaving him to die in a blizzard.

High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer

As 25 investigates reported earlier this month, Reads lawyers say autopsy photos show OKeefe was not hit by a car, but was severely beaten and had marks on his arms that appear to be dog bites.

According to prosecutors, the medical examiner who performed an autopsy on OKeefe detailed that she observed no signs of an altercation or fight from her examination and went on to describe his right arm injuries as scratches caused by a blunt object.

The defense says one of the witnesses made an incriminating Google search hours before she claimed OKeefes body was discovered.

The prosecution responded on Monday, that the Google search Ho(w) long to die in cold, did not occur at 2:27:40 a.m.

In fact, in the new filings, the prosecution argues that the defense incorrectly interpreted the cell phone data. People inside Brian Alberts Canton home told police OKeefe never came inside.

Reads defense disputes that claim, saying their data pulled from OKeefes phone shows not only did he go inside but he traveled 3 flights of stairs once in the house.

The prosecution has an answer for that too.

In the records released on Monday, prosecutors say their data shows OKeefe hadnt even arrived at the house when that movement on his phone was recorded, saying Mr. OKeefes phone would have (been) ascending/descending within the Fairview residence, prior to his arrival.

Story continues

Commonwealth vs. Read Opposition by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd

Last week, 25 Investigates reported that the cause of OKeefes death was never determined.

The case against Karen Read is due back in court for a hearing on May 3rd, and both sides say they will release more information in that hearing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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

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A 25-year-old woman screamed for help during a 911 call before vanishing from a Washington town, her family says. Now shes been missing for nearly two weeks.

A 911 call came from Mikayla Standridge-Martones phone at 5:04 a.m. on April 21 in Concrete, the Skagit County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

She was reported missing at 7:39 p.m., hours after she called 911, Lt. Jeff Willard told McClatchy News.

When authorities went to the area where the call came from, which was near the Skagit River, she was nowhere to be found, deputies said.

Her phone was later found by the river, so authorities began searching the area with boats, drones and a helicopter.

Deputies also searched the area where Standridge-Martone was last seen. She had been staying at a house the night before she went missing, authorities said in the release.

They also have searched Skagit View Village and several areas in Concrete, Cedar Grove and Cape Horn developments, Willard said.

Its just been a horrible nightmare our family has gone through, her aunt Angela Anderson told KIRO-TV.

Her family and friends have been looking for her, too.

We just want you to come home. We love you. I want you to know that. Dont let anybody keep you from your family, aunt Mardi Martone told KIRO-TV.

We appreciate the communitys concern in this matter. We are treating this as an active missing persons case. Our detectives will take the necessary steps to conduct a thorough investigation using the tools, facts, and evidence at our disposal, Chief Criminal Deputy Tobin Meyer said in the release.

Concrete is about 100 miles northeast of Seattle.

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[Source]

Three men have been arrested in connection with a string of robberies that targeted Asian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose police announced on Monday.

Joel Contreras Barron, 26, Francisco Rincon, 28, and Juan Rodriguez-Ramirez, 26, are accused of 13 robberies, five grand thefts and countless vehicle burglaries. The crimes allegedly occurred between December 2022 and February of this year.

Rodriguez-Ramirez, of Richmond, California, was the first to be apprehended on Feb. 25 by Stockton police. Barron, of Antioch, California, was arrested on April 14 following car burglaries at the Grand Century Mall, while Rincon, also of Richmond, was nabbed on April 26.

Authorities reportedly recovered stolen property, around $6,000 in cash and high-capacity magazines and ammunition in subsequent searches.

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The trio were booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail and San Joaquin County Jail on multiple felony charges. Prosecutors are still determining whether to add hate crime enhancements.

Its very difficult to prove a hate crime unless somebody says something very specific that they're committing this crime for the purposes against a protected class, said Deputy District Attorney Charles Huang, as per NBC Bay Area.

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The arrests follow recent, multiple arrests for similar crimes in the Bay Area.

Three men taken into custody on April 17 are now facing hate crime charges for allegedly targeting Asian Americans during robberies earlier in the day.

Another trio of alleged thieves was apprehended on March 30 and April 13 for similarly targeting Asian American victims.

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A separate individual was also arrested and charged with hate crimes for robberies that occurred between April and August last year.

Story continues

Investigations continue, and anyone with information on the robberies or similar cases is urged to contact Detective Yee #4342 of the San Jose Police Robbery Unit at 4342@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4166.

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Pennsylvania State Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information about a cold case involving a teenagers death in Dunbar Township.

John David Watson, 14, was originally reported missing and was found dead exactly 49 years ago.

State police said Watson left his house in the evening and biked to a motel to buy his mother cigarettes.

Watson didnt return home that night. He was found dead on a neighbors property the next morning with a bullet in the back of his head.

State police said there are no known witnesses to the homicide.

Any persons with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the PSP Uniontown Station at 724-439-7111 and speak to Trooper Bell or you can contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers if you have information on this crime, any serious crime, or wanted person, call the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online here.

All callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

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PETIONVILLE, Haiti (AP)  Vigilante killings are surging in Haiti's capital and surrounding areas, where an additional five men were slain and set on fire Tuesday by a crowd that left one of the bodies near a police station in an upscale community.

The male victims were apparently brought out alive from the slum of Jalousie outside Port-au-Prince and then killed, according to people in the crowd. Most of the bodies were left strewn along the road that leads to the home of former President Jovenel Moise, who was killed in July 2021. A fifth body was left close to the police station in suburb of Petionville.

Its horrible for them to be killed in front of the eyes of the police, said Jean Marc Etienne, who witnessed the scene while sitting in a park in front of the station. That shows nobody is safe, that anybody can be killed.

The Associated Press visited the police station, where authorities declined to comment. A police spokesman did not return calls for comment.

At least 18 people have been reported killed by crowds in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas since last week, although videos and pictures shared on social media suggest the number is higher. The images largely show crowds pelting men with big rocks and setting fire to gasoline-soaked tires placed around or over their bodies.

The killings come as some Haitians say they are tired and angry over escalating gang violence, with the U.N. noting a 20% increase in killings from January to the end of March, compared with the last quarter of 2022. In addition, 637 kidnappings have been reported so far this year, a 63% increase compared with the last three months of 2022.

The police and the justice (officials) have to take control, Etienne said of the vigilante killings.

Overall, more than 130,000 Haitians have fled their communities as gangs break into homes, set them on fire and kill people in territory held by rival gangs.

On Monday, Prime Minister Ariel Henry condemned the ongoing vigilante killings and ordered people to calm down.

Story continues

The insecurity we experience is appalling, he said, adding that people should not be dragged into mindless violence.

Some Haitians have condemned the violence on social media, saying that alleged gang members also have a right to life and that they dont support a growing vigilante movement.

Pictures and videos shared on social media have shown Haitians sharpening machetes and using big trucks to block entrances into neighborhoods as they vow to root out gangs that the U.N. says control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.

Over the weekend, Haitis National Police issued a statement saying officers are dismantling gangs across the country that are terrorizing the civilian population.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force, a plea that the U.N.'s special envoy to Haiti echoed last week. It's a request that Haiti's prime minister first made in October, but the U.N. Security Council has shown no interest.

___

Associated Press reporter Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico contributed.
We wish we could say with a degree of certainty that we can trust the Kansas City, Kansas Police Departments handling of an investigation into how a traffic stop ended in the shooting death of 25-year-old Amareeya Henderson of Kansas City.

Why should we  or any resident of Wyandotte County  have confidence in the agencys decision to hand the investigation into Hendersons death across the state line to Kansas City, Missouri, police?

We dont, and for good reason. The KCPD cant be trusted to investigate its own officers when theyre involved in fatality shootings.

After years of turning a blind eye to egregious acts committed by its own personnel, the department finally agreed to give the Missouri State Highway Patrol authority to investigate on-duty police shootings.

That arrangement, while welcome, isnt immune from criticism. Too often, the public is still left with more questions than answers when an encounter with law enforcement turns fatal.

Henderson wasnt armed, family members contend. His girlfriend was a passenger in the car. At the time he was struck by bullets, she was talking to Hendersons mother using the FaceTime video chat app.

A KCPD spokesman said a confrontation ensued before officers shot their weapons. But did Henderson pose a threat to officers by attempting to flee a traffic stop last week?

An investigation will determine that. Will the inquiry be totally independent and free of bias? We have questions.

We echo the calls of social justice advocates in Kansas City, Kansas: For accountability purposes, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation must review the shooting.

Kansas City, Kansas Police Chief Karl Oakman was hired from the Kansas City, Missouri police department. The potential for conflict is obvious.

Neither Oakman or the officers under his leadership can conduct an impartial investigation.

Hendersons family doesnt trust the police department to look into the fatal encounter. And who can fault them?

Story continues

In too many officer-involved shootings, the police version of what occurred doesnt pass the smell test. In Hendersons killing, we have still learned little from Kansas City, Missouri police officials about the traffic stop that led to the death of the DoorDash food delivery worker.

Another hard fact is easy to ignore but shouldnt be: An unarmed Black man was killed by police and the public must rely on KCPD, a police agency with its own dubious record of fatal police encounters, to present its findings to the Wyandotte County District Attorney.

Inherently, that is a bad idea.

Five days after Henderson was shot, we still didnt know who the officers were that pulled the trigger, how long they have been on the force, or whether they have a history of on-duty use of force incidents.

Did officers violate police department policy by shooting into a moving vehicle, a practice frowned upon by national law enforcement experts? According to department policy, that step can be taken if the vehicle is a threat to them or others, KCK police officials said.

Did Henderson use his car as a deadly weapon against police? If that contributed to the incident, the public deserves to know.

Wheres Oakman, the KCK police chief, anyway? He cannot duck from accountability. His officers shot and killed a man under questionable circumstances, and the citys top cop is hiding behind generic statements and press releases from his staff.

We have questions for him about the process for the Kansas City Police Department to investigate the shooting, a practice that began late last year as part of an agreement between the two agencies.

On its website, Kansas City, Kansas Police Department policies are posted for all to see. Residents should have access to information about the way police conduct business, law enforcement officials said.

But almost a week later, why cant the public at least learn which officers fatally shot Henderson?

Silence from law enforcement officials sows distrust in the community they serve. We would like to see a citizen review committee with real power established for each department on both sides of the state line.

That would take time. Here, the people just want some simple, direct answers. And now.
Sand storm over the road in the deser Anton Petrus/ Getty Images

Six people died and at least 37 others were injured in a massive highway pileup caused by "a rare dust storm" in a rural area in central Illinois, The New York Times reports. Illinois State Police say the sudden storm led to "zero visibility" conditions.

The crashes occurred on both sides of a two-mile stretch of Interstate 55 just before 11 am on Monday, the police said in a statement. The highway in the area of the incident was closed in both directions until this morning. In a later update, authorities said there were 72 vehicles involved in the accident and that all six deaths occurred in the northbound lanes. The wrecks "involved passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including two tractor-trailers that caught fire," the Times summarizes.

"The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility," Illinois State Police said.

Dust storms can occur anywhere in the U.S., but the National Weather Service says they are most common in the Southwest. Ben Deubelbeiss, a meteorologist with the service, told the Times that they rarely occur in central Illinois. Earlier this year, a similar storm that caused near "brown out" conditions led to an eight-vehicle pileup in Amarillo, Texas, though authorities said there were no serious injuries.

A recent research paper from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Air Resources Laboratory found that dust storms "are contributing to a larger number of U.S. traffic fatalities than are recorded." The team examined records from 2007-2017 and found about 232 deaths from "dust storm-related traffic events," while previous data only reported a total of 10 deaths for the same time period.

"We found that dust events caused life losses comparable to events like hurricanes and wildfires in some years," said Daniel Tong, author of the paper and research scientist at NOAA.

Story continues

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HENRYETTA, Okla.  Authorities found seven bodies, including two missing teenagers, during a search Monday in eastern Oklahoma, state officials confirmed.

In an interview streamed by News on 6, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer were found dead on a rural property near the town of Henryetta after they were declared missing. The two teenagers were last seen earlier Monday and a missing endangered person advisory was issued at about 10:29 a.m. Monday, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Though the bodies have not yet been identified by the medical examiner, Rice told reporters late Monday afternoon his office believed they had found "everything that we were seeking this morning." Rice declined to provide further details on the case but said authorities "believe theres no other threat to the community."

Authorities believe they also found the body of Jesse McFadden, 39, a convicted sex offender the teen girls were thought to be with, on the property along with four other unidentified victims, Rice said. In the Amber Alert, authorities said Webster and Brewer were possibly traveling with McFadden.

Brewers father told KOTV in Tulsa that one of the bodies discovered was his daughter.

Brittany was an outgoing person. She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta ... coming up in July for this Miss National Miss pageant in Tulsa. And now she aint gonna make it because shes dead. Shes gone, Nathan Brewer said.

Henryetta Public Schools posted on Facebook and its website that it is grieving over the loss of several of its students.

Our hearts are hurting, and we have considered what would be best for our students in the coming days, the district said. District officials said the school would be in session with mental health professionals and clergy on hand to help counsel students. But they said they would understand if families want to keep their children home from school.

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Henryetta, a town of about 6,000, is located about 90 miles east of Oklahoma City.

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Who was Jesse McFadden and what was his criminal history?

Online records show that McFadden is a convicted sex offender, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

McFadden was due Monday in Muskogee County District Court for a jury trial on one count of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor by use of technology and one count of possession of child pornography, according to court records. McFadden failed to appear in court. The judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Records also show McFadden was accused of the crimes while he was a state prisoner serving a 20-year sentence for first-degree rape, which he was convicted of in 2004.

The Muskogee Phoenix previously reported McFadden was accused of having a cell phone while an inmate at Jess Dunn Correctional Center in Taft in July 2016. He was accused of using the phone to communicate with a 16-year-old girl in Muskogee, the newspaper reported. Oklahoma Department of Corrections records show McFadden was discharged Oct. 30, 2020.

In Oklahoma, first-degree rape is considered an 85% crime, meaning those convicted of the offense must serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Law enforcement stand outside of Henryetta High School on Monday, May 1, 2023, as people arrive for a vigil after Okmulgee County Sheriff reported seven people dead after a search for two missing teenage girls.

Okmulgee County Sherriff investigating what led up to seven Henryetta deaths

Rice said the county has not seen anything "of this magnitude" during his nearly two decades of service as sheriff.

"We've had our share of troubles and woes, but this one's pretty bad," Rice said.

Rice said his team is still following leads to hopefully find out what led up to these deaths, which come just seven months after four Okmulgee men's bodies were found shot, dismembered and dumped in a nearby river.

"It's a tragic day in Okmulgee County again, and we just ask that you pray for the families," Rice said.

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: 7 people found dead during search for missing Oklahoma teenagers
Amina al-Dabai is one of several million Palestinian refugees living in the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

From her modest home in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Amina al-Dabai remembers the very different world in which she grew up more than seven decades ago.

Born in 1934, Dabai was still only a child when Israel was created on May 14, 1948.

Now she is one of 5.9 million Palestinian refugees living in the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria according to the United Nations.

They are descendants of more than 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes 75 years ago.

The event is known by Palestinians as the Nakba, or "catastrophe", during which more than 600 communities were destroyed or depopulated by Jewish forces, according to the Israeli organisation Zochrot.

The memory of the Nakba, which is commemorated on May 15, has become a rallying point for the Palestinian quest for statehood.

It falls a day after Israel declared statehood in 1948, prompting an invasion by five Arab armies which the young nation defeated.

Ahead of the anniversary, AFP spoke to eight Palestinians in their 80s and 90s who were exiled during the Nakba to the Gaza Strip.

- Soldiers in disguise -

Dabai recalled the day "Jewish soldiers in disguise" arrived in her hometown of Lydda, now known as Lod in central Israel.

Because the fighters' faces were covered in keffiyehs, a scarf that has come to symbolise the Palestinian struggle, locals thought they were reinforcements sent from Jordan.

People were so delighted they "rushed for the fountain" in the town centre to celebrate.

But realising the soldiers were Jews, they "fled into the mosque and their homes".

"They (soldiers) stormed the mosque and killed everyone inside," she added. "I was young and saw it with my own eyes."

Planned deportation, expulsion or voluntary exile? A massacre of hundreds of civilians and unarmed fighters in a conflict where both sides were guilty of atrocities?

The events of July 12 to 13, 1948, during the capture of Lod by Israeli forces, remain the subject of debate and intense controversy even to this day.

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One thing seems certain: the town was emptied of almost all of its 30,000 Arab residents practically overnight.

Following the war, the West Bank fell under Jordanian rule while Gaza was controlled by Egypt.

"We lived comfortably" until that point, recalled Dabai, as she reminisced about children playing on swings, the central market, and the trickling of water from a large fountain surrounded by shops.

But she is bitter about what she lost: "We were a weak country and we did not have powerful weapons."

The day after the disguised soldiers arrived, she said, they returned with orders -- leave Lod, or be killed.

"We said we don't want to leave. They said they would kill us. So all the poor people left, and we were among them," said Dabai.

The family fled on foot, walking for several days until they reached the Christian town of Bir Zeit, near Ramallah in the West Bank, then moving on towards Egypt.

But the journey was too expensive and so the family settled in Gaza instead.

Like many, they were sure they would be back soon.

Only after the Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s did Dabai manage to obtain a permit to visit her old neighbourhood in Lod.

"I put my hand on the wall of our house and said: 'my love, my grandfather's house, is destroyed, and our neighbours' homes are inhabited by Jews'", she said.

She told AFP she would not accept any compensation for the home, and no longer expected to return, but insisted that "future generations will liberate the country and return".

"No one was filming the massacres and what was happening, in the way we do today," she added, her voice breaking.

- 'They surrounded the village' -

Umm Jaber Wishah was born in 1932 in the village of Beit Affa, near Ashkelon in what is now southern Israel.

Decades later, with her greying hair covered by a white shawl, she painfully recounts how things were initially peaceful.

When Jews first came to the area of the village, "they did not harm us and we didn't harm them," she told AFP from her home in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

"The Arabs worked for them (Jews) without problems, in safety," she added.

Yet the coexistence did not last long. She remembers the day in May 1948 that it shattered.

"I was baking bread, and they surrounded the village," she said, fighting back tears.

"They (Jewish soldiers) began besieging the village from the eastern side, and we hid from the shooting until the next day."

"The men were tied up and were then taken prisoner, the children were screaming," she said.

According to Zochrot, Beit Affa was taken by Jewish forces the first time in July 1948 for a few days. During this period the residents in all likelihood left, ahead of the village's decisive capture later that year.

As in Palestinian refugee camps across the region, Bureij has long since traded temporary tents for more permanent structures of brick and wood. But many displaced still live in poverty.

Wishah, a wooden walking stick resting against her leg, said her Bureij home "means nothing".

"Even if they gave me the whole Gaza Strip in exchange for my homeland, I wouldn't accept it. My village is Beit Affa."

- Rusty keys -

Ibtihaj Dola, from the coastal city of Jaffa, also remembers living side-by-side with Jews before Israel was established.

One of her relatives through marriage was Jewish and the city's large Jewish minority "could speak Arabic", said the 88-year-old.

Dola remembered returning home from school one day to find her family packing and preparing to flee.

They boarded a boat for Egypt. She was still wearing her school uniform.

"I know Jaffa inch by inch," she said, fiddling with four rusty keys at her bedside in Gaza's Al-Shati refugee camp.

After the Oslo Accords she found an opportunity to return to Jaffa, where she discovered a Jewish woman was living in her house.

"We drank tea together and I started crying," she said, realising the woman was not interested in the fate of the previous owners.

Many of those who were displaced assumed it would just be temporary. They locked their front doors and took large metal keys with them.

Those keys today have become a symbol of their plight and their over-riding demand to return. In many homes, these keys are kept safely in a locked box under a bed, or memorialised in drawings and embroidery.

Israel claims Palestinians left voluntarily during the fighting and has repeatedly rejected claims its forces may have been responsible for war crimes.

It has steadfastly denied Palestinians the right to return -- often a sticking point in peace talks -- claiming it would be tantamount to a demographic surrender of the state's Jewish nature.

In 2011, after demonstrators marking Nakba day clashed with police, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the participants of "questioning the very existence of Israel".

Recognition of the Nakba is strongly rejected by Israelis, according to Zochrot which works to raise awareness of this period in history.

According to the organisation, Israelis "are taught a false, greatly distorted but convincing narrative of 'a land without a people for a people without a land'."

- 'Injustice does not last' -

Hassan al-Kilani, born in 1934 in Burayr village just north of the Gaza Strip, said he would only accept compensation if there was a political agreement.

"We, Arabs and Palestinians, cannot match the strength of Israel, let's be realistic," he said, wearing a crisp white headscarf.

"We resist, but our resistance is limited compared to our enemy," he added.

Kilani, a former construction worker, sketched a plan of Burayr, noting the name of each family, plot by plot.

The drawing now hangs on the wall of his living room, a constant reminder of the village where he grew up.

"Everyone who remained in the country was killed... even livestock, camels and cows," he said.

On another wall of the living room, a key is hung, symbolising the longed-for return.

"Injustice does not last," he added, but acknowledged, "I am old. How many years do I have left to live?"

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Chris Wallace, Megyn Kelly, Bret Baier Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

What's next for Tucker Carlson after being sacked by Fox News, where he was one of the most-watched and most influential personalities on cable news? He hasn't said  and he doesn't need the money  but there may be clues in what other stars at Fox News did after they left or, in many cases, were forced out. And there are a lot of people in the former-Fox community. Here's what some of the most prominent are doing now.

Bill O'Reilly

O'Reilly  host of the 8 p.m. O'Reilly Factor  was the face of Fox News and its biggest star for the last stretch of his two-decade run, until he was fired in 2017 amid revelations the network had settled $13 million worth of sexual harassment claims against him. O'Reilly denied the sexual harassment allegations, but advertisers started fleeing his show and he was ousted while on "vacation." Fox News immediately named Carlson as O'Reilly's replacement.

"O'Reilly, once the most-watched man in cable news, has never fully recovered since being forced out of Fox," Paul Farhi writes at The Washington Post. "He took the reinvention route, with diminished returns; he now has a website and hosts a podcast." On the other hand, The Wall Street Journal reports, O'Reilly reportedly "makes nearly $30 million a year."

"Tucker will have options, whether they're entrepreneurial as he was before he came to Fox, or more traditional outlets," former CNN president Jonathan Klein tells the Journal. But he "probably won't reach the same size audience and he won't have the same influence that he had."

Megyn Kelly

Kelly ended her 13 years at Fox News in Jan. 2017 as the well-regarded host of her own popular 9 p.m. show. Instead of renewing her contract, she moved to NBC, where she hosted a short-lived Sunday night program and a weekday morning talk show. Megyn Kelly Today notched disappointing ratings and a handful of controversies, including a comment Kelly made about blackface on an Oct. 2018 show, and she left NBC in Jan. 2019 with a reported $69 million payout.

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Kelly now has her own podcast and a show on SirusXM radio. Kelly, like O'Reilly, was aided in her shift to digital media by a firm called Red Seat Ventures. "Most of our clients are earning far more than they did in their previous jobs, but also have the freedom to build their own businesses," Red Seat Ventures pasture Chris Balfe told the Journal, which reports that "Kelly makes well into the eight figures" now.

Firing Carlson "is a terrible move by Fox, and it's a great thing for Tucker Carlson," Kelly said on her SiriusXM show. "I predict Tucker goes independent. Tucker launches a podcast or digital show and crushes it. Absolutely crushes it."

Glenn Beck

Beck started his meteoric run at Fox News the day after former President Barack Obama was inaugurated in 2009. He turned the sleepy 5 p.m. hour into a ratings juggernaut, peppered with controversy and intricate conspiracy theories. Beck "sparked an advertising boycott after saying Obama had a 'deep-seated hatred for white people,'" The Associated Press reports, and "there were signs that Beck was fading" when Fox pulled the plug in April 2011, replacing him with the panel show The Five.

"Carlson may want to take notes from Glenn Beck," the Post's Farhi writes. "Since leaving Fox in 2011, Beck has reinvented himself as an internet entrepreneur and hosts a widely syndicated radio program." In fact, Beck has the sixth-most popular radio talk show in the U.S., Talkers magazine publisher Michael Harrison tells AP, but he doesn't have the influence he had at Fox News.

"Beck was hailed as an elder statesman when Carlson brought him on as a guest" back in March, AP reports. "He predicted the U.S. would be at war with Russia, China, and Iraq by 2025."

Gretchen Carlson

Carlson worked her way up from Fox & Friends co-host to anchor of her own program in 2013, but her contract wasn't renewed when it expired in June 2016. Two weeks later, Carlson filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired in retaliation for refusing to sleep with Roger Ailes, the founding chairman of Fox News. Her allegation led to more women  including Kelly  stepping forward, and Ailes stepped down under pressure in July 2016 with a $40 million payout. (He died in May 2017.)

Carlson settled with 21st Century Fox for $20 million and a nondisclosure agreement she asked to be released from in 2019. She co-founded a nonprofit organization called Lift Our Voices and is now an advocate for getting rid of nondisclosure agreements and forced arbitration clauses "that keep toxic workplace issues silent."

Chris Wallace

Wallace was Fox News' most prominent news anchor when he announced unexpectedly in Dec. 2021 that he was leaving to join CNN's new streaming service, CNN+. "I just no longer felt comfortable with the programming at Fox," he told The New York Times in March 2022, a month before CNN+ was scrapped. Wallace was particularly upset with Fox's decision to broadcast Carlson's revisionist whitewashing of the Jan. 6 Capitol siege.

"I'm fine with opinion: conservative opinion, liberal opinion," Wallace told the Times. "But when people start to question the truth  Who won the 2020 election? Was Jan. 6 an insurrection?  I found that unsustainable." He also said he wanted to "get out of politics" and interview a wider variety of people. After CNN pulled the plug on its streaming service, Wallace's Sunday night talk show, Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?, was moved over to CNN and HBO Max. It is now in its third season.

Shepard Smith

Smith, Fox's studiously nonpartisan daytime news anchor, announced his departure from the network in Oct. 2019, after months of ire from Trump fans and clashes with Tucker Carlson. He joined CNBC, which started broadcasting The News with Shepard Smith in 2020. The show was canceled in Nov. 2022 as part of a "strategic realignment" at CNBC away from general interest news and toward business news.

"If Shepard Smith and Megyn Kelly  much more mainstream figures  could not make the transition from [Fox News] to NBC News successfully, there is no chance that a radical like Carlson can," TV news analyst Andrew Tyndall told CBS MoneyWatch. "He has already tried and failed at CNN and MSNBC and PBS . . . and that was in the days when he was a conventional conservative, before he became an unreconstructed white supremacist propagandist"

Eric Bolling

Bolling, whose many on-air roles at Fox culminated in a short-lived afternoon talk show, was suspended in 2017 after reports that he had sent unsolicited lewd photos and texts to three co-workers. He denied the allegations and left the network "amicably" while the investigation was still underway.

Bolling went on to join Newsmax in 2021, where his 8 p.m. show, The Balance, saw its ratings jump fourfold in the week of Carlson's firing while Fox News Tonight  the replacement for Tucker Carlson Tonight  shrank by nearly half. Both shows were trounced by MSNBC's All In With Chris Hayes. "How weird is it that I was on that show giving my take on Tucker's firing and whether anything else will change at Fox," mused Gretchen Carlson.

The viewers will return, conservative commentator Erick Erickson told AP. "Fox will offer another host who speaks into the audience's concerns. There'll be a dip, just like after O'Reilly, but I expect the host will be competent enough to earn the audience's trust quickly."

Ed Henry

Henry, America's Newsroom anchor and former chief White House correspondent, was fired in July 2020 amid an investigation of claims by a Fox News producer that he raped her and asked her to be his "sex slave" in a "coerced" sexual relationship that began when she was 24. Henry denied the charges and (unsuccessfully) sued Fox News for defamation in 2021  and, briefly, NPR and CNN in 2022. He joined the little-watched far-right Real America's Voice network and anchors a morning show.

"History would show that the talent needs Fox more than Fox needs any particular talent," Klein, the former CNN president, told the Journal. "Every one of the journalists who left re-emerged in diminished positions," and "I expect that will be the same" with Carlson, SiriusXM and CNN host Michael Smerconish told AP. "I think he will have a better shot than the others, but I don't think he will be at the level he was on Friday night."

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After two false alarms Monday, hundreds of law enforcement officials are still involved in an intense manhunt for the suspect accused of fatally shooting five of his neighbors in Cleveland, Texas.

Sheriffs deputies, K9 units and air units searched an area where a person reported a possible sighting of 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, but the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office later said he was not among the people in the area. Another possible sighting prompted several schools to secure their campuses as local, state and federal officials searched the area and again did not find Oropeza, the sheriffs office said.

Although more than 250 officers from over a dozen agencies are searching for Oropeza and $80,000 has been offered for information on his whereabouts, investigators have zero leads," James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, told reporters Sunday.

Law enforcement experts told USA TODAY in addition to scouring the area, investigators are likely trying to find Oropeza by digging into his past, interviewing people close to him and sorting through any tips from the public.

This person's off the grid, they've gone dark, which is expected, said Lenny DePaul, the former chief inspector and commander of the U.S. Marshals' New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Right now, you got an intense manhunt going on, but there's also a fugitive investigation going on behind the scenes.

They're chasing a ghost, unfortunately, DePaul later added.

FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge James Smith speaks during a news conference, Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Cleveland, Texas. The search for a Texas man who allegedly shot his neighbors after they asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard stretched into a second day Sunday, with authorities saying the man could be anywhere by now. The suspect fled after the shooting Friday night that left five people dead, including a young boy.

Ground search is very much a necessity

The investigation began after Oropeza allegedly opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle just before midnight Friday. Before the shooting, Wilson Garcia said he asked his neighbor to stop shooting his gun because Garcia's 1-month-old son was sleeping and the family called police five times, according to the Associated Press.

Smith said officials believe Oropeza, who is considered armed and dangerous, fled the area on foot, but they dont know for sure.

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Police were able to identify Oropeza based on a Mexican identity card and doorbell camera footage, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said. Law enforcement set up a perimeter and found clothes and a cell phone in the area around the home, which includes a dense forest, according to Capers.

Police also found weapons, including the one they said was used in the shooting, Capers said. But tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Corrections lost the scent during the early hours of the manhunt and the search area was widened as far as 20 square miles from the scene, he said.

John Moriarty, former Inspector General at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said during fugitive operations his team would leave the perimeter in place until they found hard evidence that confirmed the suspect had left the area. He said ground searches are very expensive and manpower intensive, but it's very much a necessity until you can eliminate him out of that area.

Police investigate Oropezas background

Moriarty said in addition to the ground search, investigators are likely interviewing and possibly surveilling family members, coworkers and associates to learn as much as they can about Oropezas habits and determine if he has reached out to any of them for help. Capers said police have interviewed the suspects wife multiple times.

Theyll know absolutely everything there is to know about this guy within the first 48 hours pretty much, Moriarty said.

He said a major obstacle in the search is Oropezas connection to Mexico. Oropeza is a Mexican national who was deported four times between 2009 and 2016, the Associated Press reported citing a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The border is an impediment, especially if he's familiar with it and knows how to cross without getting detected, Moriarty said. You don't have as much oversight by the Mexican authorities over the border like you do on the U.S. side, but the ability for him to run back into Mexico is real and it happens a lot.

Moriarty said the apparently spontaneous nature of the crime means Oropeza likely didnt have much time to plan an escape. He said that may make it easier for investigators to track him down, but how long a search for a fugitive takes all depends on how dedicated they are to staying away.

Just like I told you the family gets worn down, they get worn down, too, if they don't have the resources, he said. They're hungry. They're hot. They don't have food, shelter and clothing, the three basic things everybody needs.

Reward money, tips could aid search

The national media attention and thousands of dollars in reward money is likely bringing in tips from the public which could lead to a break in the case, Moriarty said. He said an influx of tips can also become overwhelming, without the proper infrastructure and manpower to chase them down.

Though Smith, the special agent in charge, said Sunday investigators dont have any tips on Oropezas location, DePaul said its unlikely police have exhausted all leads and they "may just be saying that."

There's a fugitive investigation going on behind the scenes and I can pretty much guarantee there's been a lot of leads coming out of that," he said.

Capers said the FBI Houston Office and its SWAT team, the U.S. Marshals and Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, the Harris, Montgomery and Liberty County Sheriffs Offices, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers are supporting the search.

Though its unclear how long the search will take, both DePaul and Moriarty said the U.S. Marshals are among the best in the country at tracking down fugitives and its unlikely Oropeza will evade authorities forever.

As far as the investigation goes, the best in the business are out there doing their thing, and they'll find him sooner or later, one way or another, said DePaul.

Contributing: John Bacon and Terry Collins, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

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The popular procedural series will air its last episode on Fox this May, before moving to ABC in the fall.

9-1-1 is switching networks this fall. The popular procedural drama from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear will move to ABC after airing on Fox for six seasons.

(L-R) Actors Peter Krause and Angela Bassett and show creator/showrunner/writer/director/executive producer Ryan Murphy of the television show 9-1-1 speak onstage during the Fox portion of the 2018 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour on Jan. 4, 2018 at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

As theGrio previously reported, 9-1-1 became a hit series for Fox after debuting in 2018, earning high ratings throughout the six-year run. Starring Angela Bassett, the series follows the high-pressure experiences of first responders in Los Angeles. Despite being the highest-rated scripted series on the network, Foxs decision not to renew 9-1-1 is final, with its last episode on the channel set to air May 15, per Deadline.

It has been an honor to be the founding network of 9-1-1 and we are grateful to Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, together with Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Ryan Guzman and the rest of the cast and crew, and 20th Television for delivering such an impactful series to Fox, the network said in a statement obtained by Deadline.

As Deadline points out, this is not the first popular Fox series that ABC has picked up. American Idol is enjoying a revived run on the Disney-owned channel after 15 years on Fox. President of Disney Television Group, Craig Erwich, thanked the cast and creative team in a statement, calling the series, one of the most defining and original dramas on network television.

As theGrio previously reported, Bassett has made history with her run on 9-1-1. After a successful fourth season, the actress became the highest-earning actor of color on a network series when the show returned for its fifth season. Despite the main shows jump to ABC, the spin-off series 9-1-1: Lone Star will remain on Fox for a fifth season this fall.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post 9-1-1 canceled by Fox, moves to ABC appeared first on TheGrio.
Hot mama in the city.

Gisele Bundchen left sunny Miami to grace the 2023 Met Gala in NYC with her presence Monday night, and her look was positively angelic.

The supermodel strutted the red carpet outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the fancy schmancy fundraiser, whose theme this time around was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. Attendees were told to honor the iconic German born designer who died in 2019 at the age of 85.

This marked the first time Bundchen came solita to this often campy celebfest (e.g., Jared Leto came as Lagerfelds pet cat Choupette) that raises money for the Mets Costume Institute.

READ MORE: How did Kim Kardashian wear Marilyn Monroes dress to the Met Gala?

The Brazilian beautys last outing to the fashion worlds equivalent to the Oscars was in 2019, with then hubs Tom Brady as her date. The exes, whose divorce was finalized in Florida last fall, apparently enjoyed gussying up for this fancy party, with their first appearance starting back in 2008.

Bundchen had no man candy on her arm this year, but did more than fine on her own.

The style maven wore her locks down, with light and airy waves, said her stylist David Von Cannon, who used Sol de Janeiros Glossy Nourishing Hair Oil from her native Brazil.

As for her outfit, Bundchen absolutely slayed in a vintage Chanel Couture gown, which featured a feathery cape that looked like the wings she used to don on the Victorias Secret catwalk back in the day.

READ MORE: Gisele donates $1 million to local shelter

Does the gorgeous frock look familiar? Style watchers will already know Bundchen wore this gorgeous frock in 2007 for a Harpers Bazaar South Korea shoot.

The mother of two looked like she was having a blast rocking this throwback gem again.

On Vogues Instagram, you can see a video of Gisele with a huge smile on her face, twirling around for photographers, showing off every angle and inch of her fabulousness.

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No one is having more fun, said the magazines caption.

Commenters couldnt help notice, too.

She said, Brady who?

Single and thriving, Id say.

This is what a free woman looks like, wrote another fan. Glowing.

On the Met Galas Insta, others were duly impressed.

Legend.

Goddess.

Best one so far.

Perhaps one follower summed up this philanthropic icon best:

The 90s queen, serving as always.
Two brawling goats ended up at a Florida jail after deputies were called to break up their fight that spilled into nearby yards, according to the Putnam County Sheriffs Office

The odd scene played out April 30 in Palatka, 60 miles south of Jacksonville, when police were alerted to a fight in progress.

Both goats were taken into custody, and even the sheriffs office cant resist making jokes about it.

The suspects were pretty maaaadd at one another and the fight escalated into the yards of nearby residences, the sheriffs office wrote on Facebook. Both were pretty hard-headed, but officers managed to separate, wrangle and bring them to the Putnam County Jail.

A photo shows the suspects were still glaring angrily at each other as police led them away on leashes. It took less than a day to find their owner thanks to tips, the sheriffs office said.

The May 1 Facebook post had racked up nearly 500 reactions and comments by May 2, including from one witness who reported the goats had been fighting all weekend.

One person offered to post bond for them, while others tried to imagine the 911 call.

All I can hear right now is (someone) saying Arrest them. They been out here fighting, Frankia Clark wrote.

The funnier part is that this is actually true events, Julie Bonham wrote.

Its 10 oclock, do you know where your kids are? David Darby said.

At least it was a good ole street brawl. One on one, no weapons, head to head. They resisting (arrest), Jenny Futch Brown posted.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts (R) office issued a statement retracting his previous statement that claimed all five victims of the Cleveland, Texas, mass shooting were illegal immigrants.

Spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement to The Hill that federal officials told the governors office the suspect and the five victims killed in the shooting near Cleveland were in the country illegally. She said the office regrets if the information provided earlier was inaccurate and noted at least one of the victims may have been in the U.S. legally.

We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal, Eze said in the statement. The true focus remains on catching this heinous criminal who killed five innocent people and bringing the full weight of Texas law against him.

Local and state authorities announced Sunday that federal, local and state authorities will offer a combined reward of $80,000 for the arrest of Francisco Oropesa, who is suspected of killing five people, including an 8-year-old, after shooting into his neighbors home last week. The FBI said on Sunday it had zero leads in the hunt for Oropesa, urging Texas residents to report any information they may know about the suspect.

When announcing the reward offered by the state of Texas, Abbotts office said in a statement Sunday that Oropesa is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants in a shooting Friday night in Cleveland, Texas. This comment sparked outrage from critics, who said the governors statement undermined the lives lost in the shooting.

5 innocent lives lost to gun violence. TX @GovAbbott decides to dehumanize & delegitimize the lives of those killed in this horrific attack by calling them illegal immigrants. Just horrible. Thoughts are with the families and the survivors during this difficult time, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus said in a statement on Twitter.

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Texas Democrats also responded to Abbotts statement, accusing the governor of fearmongering.

Tweeting this from his campaign account. Using the execution-style murder of 5 innocent souls to fearmonger about migrants and hype his botched Operation Lone Star boondoggle, Texas Democrats said in a tweet. Completely ignoring the unfettered proliferation of assault weapons in Texas. There are no words.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Social media can be a force for good, but its also a medium that produces reflexive reactions to breaking news and not every reaction to an awful story is warranted. In this case, Gov. Greg Abbotts tweet responding to a horrendous mass killing in the Houston area was wrong. The timing, the substance, and the language  all wrong.

Ive announced a $50K reward for info on the criminal who killed 5 illegal immigrants Friday. Also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout.



I continue working with state & local officials to ensure all available resources are deployed to respond. pic.twitter.com/SpkUgKqKGe  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 30, 2023

The news was bad enough: Late Friday night, a man in Cleveland, Texas, 55 miles north of Houston, asked a neighbor to stop shooting in his yard, as a baby was trying to sleep. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers told TV station KTRK that the gunman, who was inebriated, responded: Ill do what I want to in my front yard.

The gunman then stormed into the neighbors home and murdered four adults and one child. A manhunt is underway for 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa. To make matters worse, the FBI wrongly labeled a Fort Worth man as the suspect at first, sending out his photo.

On one hand, Abbotts instinct to respond reaction is understandable: The entire ordeal is horrifying, and the victims are obviously innocent. But unfortunately, Abbotts choice of language about the victims, identifying them as illegal immigrants, is insensitive if not downright dehumanizing. Some could easily read Abbotts statement, which he tweeted out as well, as discounting the innocent victims because they are in the country illegally.

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This image provided by KTRK shows the scene of a shooting early Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Cleveland, Texas. A man went next door with a rifle and began shooting his neighbors, killing several including an 8-year-old inside the house, after the family asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep, authorities said Saturday. (KTRK via AP)

Abbotts office later apologized and acknowledged that at least one of the victims appeared to be in the country legally.

Republicans like to say that they promote a culture of life from natural birth to death. They can still take a hard line on immigration and border security, but language and timing matter.

Perhaps, down the road, the victims immigration status will be more relevant, especially if theres some unknown connection to the killer that amplified the threat. Its fair to note, as some Abbott defenders did, that people here illegally will often avoid police for fear of their immigration status becoming known. But thats not a concern to be dealt with while the gunman is still on the run. And its certainly not relevant to mourning innocent life.

It followed a recent incident in which the governor leaped into a just-completed Austin murder trial, essentially promising a pardon for a convicted killer whose case became a cause on the far right because he claimed that he shot a Black Lives Matter protester in self-defense. A jury didnt agree, but shortly after Abbott took heat from TV host Tucker Carlson, he offered to short-circuit the states pardon system to help the killer.

Someone please tell the governor that, for now at least, Carlson is off the air.

The rise in violent crime risks desensitizing us all, as if some victims somehow deserved their fate or deserve less consideration because of their social status. One can take a hard line on immigration and show compassion for those victimized through no fault of their own.

The fact that Abbotts language spurred condemnation and debate shows just how distracting the tweet has become. Instead of publishing a general tweet pledging that justice will be done, offering the reward or even just offering condolences, Abbotts choice has caused everyone to dissect his poorly worded message. Its a lesson we all have to learn: When in doubt, be quiet.

Abbott cant control breaking news in Texas, any more than he can control brutal crimes that occur, but he can coordinate and orchestrate his own Twitter account and press releases. He can weigh his own words and statements against others opinions and use language thats accurate and respectful.

We know its hard to do in this age of instant news and immediate takes, but its a lot more humane and worthy of the governors office.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) responded to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoots request that he stop sending migrants to Chicago, saying that he will not stop busing people to the city and that Lightfoot should call on President Biden to secure the border.

As the mayor of a self-declared sanctuary city, it is ironic to hear you complain about Chicagos struggle to deal with a few thousand illegal immigrants, which is a fraction of the record-high numbers we deal with in Texas on a regular basis, Abbott wrote in a letter to Lightfoot on Monday.

Abbott wrote that ending Title 42 expulsions will open the floodgates to increased numbers of migrants entering the United States. He said that according to the government, more than 13,000 people could cross the U.S.-Mexico border every day once the Title 42 expulsions end later this month.

The Biden administration has been preparing to address the expected surge of migrants entering the U.S. once Title 42 expulsions end on May 11.

Lightfoot sent a letter to Abbott on Sunday urging him to stop bussing migrants to Chicago, saying that the city has no more shelters, spaces, or resources to address another influx of migrants to the city. Abbott said that the solution to Lightfoots request is asking Biden to implement stricter border policies, vowing that he will not stop sending migrants to cities, including Chicago, until Biden addresses it.

If you truly want to work together to find a real solution to this border crisis gripping our nation, you must call on the Biden Administration to do its job by securing our border, repelling the illegal immigrants flooding into our communities, classifying the Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and intercepting the deadly fentanyl that is endangering our country, Abbott wrote.

You are right that this situation is completely untenable, but this is not a Texas problemthis is a problem for the entire United States of America, he added.

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Lightfoot responded to the governors letter on Twitter Monday, blasting him for calling those seeking asylum illegal immigrants.

Heres the response from the politician who continues to race to the bottom to score political points with no regard for the human lives involved or the consequences, she tweeted. And to be clear asylum seekers paroled into the U.S. are not illegal immigrants. Shameful but sadly expected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Its happening: a 12-week abortion ban is likely to become law soon in North Carolina.

After months of private discussion, Republican leaders announced Tuesday that they have reached a consensus on new abortion restrictions that would ban abortion after the first trimester, with exceptions for rape, incest (up to 20 weeks) and medical emergencies. Ironically, their announcement comes exactly one year after the leak that revealed the U.S. Supreme Court would be overturning Roe v. Wade.

Republicans seem to think their so-called compromise is reasonable because it contains holistic measures such as adoption tax credits and funding for contraception. Its not.

How could it be, when millions of people across the state will no longer have the same rights they once did? How could it be, when people will needlessly suffer without the reproductive health care they deserve?

Many people dont know they are pregnant until well into the first trimester, sometimes even later. That doesnt leave much time to confirm the pregnancy with a doctor, weigh your options and make a decision. When you factor in the states required 72-hour waiting period and the fact that only nine counties in North Carolina have an abortion clinic, it gets more complicated. These days, it can take weeks to even get an appointment.

You also have to account for the logistical factors, which may include taking time off of work, arranging transportation and saving up enough money for the often-expensive procedure. Besides, fetal abnormalities are typically not even detected until the second trimester. Twelve weeks is an arbitrary number, one that has no basis in science or medicine. It is purely political.

The process of terminating a pregnancy is more complicated than abortion bans can account for. Before the point of viability, it should be a private decision, and it should never be co-opted by lawmakers who think they deserve a say in the matter. It doesnt matter whether the line is drawn at 13 weeks, six or 20. The effect is the same: it robs people of the ability to make a decision they alone should be able to make.

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The ban does provide exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies. Republicans seem to think that softens the blow, like its a concession to provide some recourse for people in the worst moments of their lives. In reality, it will only lead to chaos, confusion and suffering. Will people have to jump through hoops to prove they are a victim of rape or incest? Will doctors have to watch their patients suffer until their condition can, beyond a shadow of a doubt, be considered an emergency?

With a supermajority now secured in both chambers, Republicans likely have the support they need to override the governors veto. Lawmakers said Tuesday that all Republican members have committed to supporting the bill. Its possible some moderate Democrats could even join them in voting for it.

They should be ashamed, because this is not what North Carolinians want. According to a recent Meredith Poll, a majority of voters do not believe our states abortion laws should be stricter than what state law currently allows  they would like to either keep the current 20-week ban or expand access further. That, apparently, doesnt matter. The decision was made for us, behind closed doors, by politicians who are overwhelmingly male and therefore will be spared the worst of its consequences.

And there will be consequences, for children and parents alike. They will fall heaviest on the least privileged among us, who already struggle from a lack of health care, a lack of child care, poor maternal health outcomes and economic hardship. Health care providers have warned that further restricting abortion in North Carolina is dangerous, and will restrict their ability to provide critical care. Lawmakers didnt listen. Or, worse, they just didnt care.

This bill takes us a half-century step backward. North Carolina will be worse off for it.
There are whispers on the winds that our government is meeting with the Syrian government. I certainly hope so. We hope so. Austin is longing and waiting to walk free. My arms are aching to hold my firstborn again.

Our entire family is always aware of his absence. This has been our reality since August 14, 2012  10 years and 9 months. Relentless pain, an ever present awareness that we cannot see him, cannot hug him, cannot hear his voice. Deeper pain is feeling Austins pain  this long, ongoing absence from his family and his life. This is our communal, unrelenting pain. We carry it together, we carry it alone, we carry it.

Last year, on May 2, we met with President Biden in the Oval Office. In that meeting, the president directed his staff to engage and work with the Syrian government; they nodded. Our hearts rejoiced at hearing the president of the United States give the directive we have been requesting for so long. We believed we were witnessing a breakthrough. At last, we could sincerely hope our son was soon going to walk free. The country Austin honorably served was not going to leave him behind.

Just a little more pain... Waiting... Believing.

We are sorely disappointed that the clear directive has not met our expectations. We had so desperately hoped Austin would not see another birthday in captivity; prayed that he would not have to mark a 10th anniversary hidden in secrecy. But we heard nothing in August, his birthday came and went, shortly followed by that dreaded anniversary.

As the holidays approached, there was still no whisper of effort by the White House staff. Another cold winter was well underway; another season of family gatherings, with Austin joining us only as an empty chair. Our hearts were breaking, my arms were still aching.

Earlier this year there were more whispers. Secrets to be kept close; silence to be observed. Was this really happening? Was this just a ruse as the calendar became a reminder of a year almost passed since that meeting in the Oval Office? We have been down this dark path before. We opened our hearts to faithful prayer, steadfast hope and unwavering Love.

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The winds are again filled with words we long to hear  words of more meetings. My heart begs caution, fearing another wound, Hush, mother, wait until you are running to hug your firstborn. Keep faith, nurture hope, abide in love.

The meetings are only worthwhile if they are productive. We hope there is the necessary focus and sincere commitment to the goals of the meetings. We know that having our son home again rests with the success of these engagements.

Meetings never work  until they do. We must wait for the one that counts, the end of secrets  the headline! When is that meeting going to happen? How many words must be spoken before that meeting? I will continue to believe it might be today and today and today  until it is today.

I am waiting with full heart and opened arms. The winds are little comfort; my arms still ache for the child who first called me mom.
Adding to a string of false active shooter calls on college campuses across the state, law enforcement officials on Tuesday investigated a hoax report at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus.

More than a dozen deputies with the Manatee County Sheriffs Office descended on the campus to investigate the threat Tuesday morning, but there were no confirmed reports of gunfire or victims on the campus, located across the street from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

False calls also were received in South Florida on Tuesday, including one that evacuated some campus buildings at Florida International University in Miami-Dade County. A false call also came into the Broward College campus in downtown Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach.

This appears to be part of a state-wide swatting hoax at Florida colleges, the sheriffs office tweeted.

At 11:38 a.m., USFSM sent an emergency notification of shots fired. Students, faculty and staff were evacuated from the campus.

A report of shots fired near first floor gym. Urgent alert. Avoid area. Emergency personnel on scene. Please evacuate to the closest exit, the alert said.

By 1:29 p.m., USF officials announced that the scene had been cleared and there was no threat to the campus. Every room on the campus was inspected by an officer, officials said.

False active shooter threat at USFSM

At a Tuesday afternoon news conference, Jennifer Coley, interim police chief of the New College and USFSM Police Department, said the call was a hoax and an investigation is ongoing to try to find out who submitted the false report of an active shooter.

Officers from the campus police department responded immediately and cleared the building. Deputies from the Manatee County Sheriffs office also responded, Coley said. With their assistance, we were able to able to clear the building and confirm that there was no shooting.

Over a dozen Manatee County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Tuesday morning to investigate a hoax active shooter call. Other false threats were reported at Florida colleges Tuesday as well.

Manatee Sheriff Rick Wells also spoke during the news conference, issuing a strong warning to anyone who submits a false active shooter report.

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The message is youre going to jail if we find you. This is not a joke. This is not a hoax, Wells said. Im pissed. Im pissed because these kids are now traumatized.

The sheriffs office has investigated a string of false threats recently. Earlier this year, Parrish Community High School was the subject of multiple false threats.

Wells said that the callers in these false threat cases, which are known as swatting, are often hard to track down because they use technology to disguise the origin of the call.

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells speaks to reporters during a Tuesday, May 2, 2023 press conference after over a dozen deputies responded to USF Sarasota-Manatee to investigate a hoax active shooter call.

Its extremely frustrating for us because it really limits our ability to trace the call. We do have some very good detectives who have been schooled in these types of calls, but a lot of these IP addresses dont come from the United States, they come through other countries, Wells said.

According to a press release from USFSM, classes and activities on the campus were canceled for the rest of Tuesday. The school says counseling and other support services have also been made available to students, faculty and staff affected by the incident.

Anyone with information about Tuesdays false active shooter call is asked to contact the USF Police Department at (813) 974-2628.
Surrounded by fellow Democrats at a news conference at his agency, Attorney General Josh Stein spoke about proposals he and state lawmakers have pushed for, including action to tackle the fentanyl epidemic, violence and financial fraud.

On gun violence, Stein, who so far is the only Democratic candidate running for governor, spoke Monday in favor of measures such as red flag laws, which permit a temporary removal of firearms from people deemed dangerous, and universal background checks.

Democrats have filed gun bills that largely not passed or been heard in committees.

Asked what could realistically be done on gun violence considering the political parties differing viewpoints on solutions, with Democrats favoring more regulation, and considering that a deadline for legislation to advance is this week, Stein said there was a time when Medicaid expansion was an impossibility because the entire Republican Party in the General Assembly was opposed to it. And now were on the cusp of it becoming law.

The crossover deadline requires a bill to have passed either the House or Senate to continue forward.

Attorney General Josh Stein listens as legislative and community leaders speak about public safety during a press conference on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the North Carolina Department of Justice in Raleigh, N.C.

What I believe my colleagues will do is to continue to speak and continue to advocate for what is right until that time when people of all parties are willing to embrace this, he said.

Stein also touched on other measures he and Democratic lawmakers were backing, such as:

 updating a controlled substances law to include nitazines, a new drug that he said shockingly is 40 times more potent than fentanyl.

 establishing a unit to help law enforcement officers use DNA hits to reopen cold sexual assault cases.

 ensuring all schools have mental health resources.

Asked what he would say in reply to Republicans who may see the news conference as a campaign speech, Stein said that keeping the people of North Carolina safe is not a partisan issue. This is something that is incumbent upon all public officials.

Stein named several specific pieces of legislation he supports in a news release describing his agenda. Here are the bills he cited on Monday (any of which could be changed in large or small ways as part of the legislative process).

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 Senate Bill 206 would make it a felony to have equipment to make pills containing fentanyl and other drugs. Stein said there are pills presses which drug dealers use to take fentanyl and put it in the shape of a legitimate pharmaceutical. They should be illegal. Theres absolutely no valid reason to have this type of equipment. This bill is being sponsored by Republicans and has passed the Senate.

 House Bill 258 would add nitazines to the Controlled Substances Act. This bill is being sponsored by Republicans and has passed the House.

 House Bill 415 and Senate Bill 361 would prohibit patient brokering, or the practice of referring a patient to a drug treatment facility for compensation. This bill has passed the House and is bipartisan.

 Senate Bill 113 and House Bill 768 would allow a law enforcement or justice officer who has retired to return to work in law enforcement while still drawing their retirement allowance from the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees Retirement System. Both bills are sponsored by Republicans; neither have passed their respective chambers.

Rep. Carolyn Logan, a retired law enforcement officer who said she was the states first Black female trooper, said retired officers should be allowed to come back to work without it affecting their retirement pay, especially at a time when there are less law enforcement officers, and theres a great worry for law enforcement officers, all while were seeing an increase in crime.

 House Bill 612: This would expand the Criminal Justice Fellows Program, which recruits high school seniors and graduates into criminal justice professions, to all counties. This bill is sponsored by Republicans and has not passed the House.

 House Bill 140 and Senate Bill 251: would allow civilians to respond to minor traffic accidents. Both bills are sponsored by Republicans, neither have passed their respective chambers.

 Senate Bill 496, House Bill 281 and Senate Bill 215 would make various changes to gun laws, including enacting universal background checks and enacting red flag laws. All these bills were sponsored by Democrats; neither have passed their respective chambers.

 House Bill 289 and Senate Bill 210 would make it a high-level misdemeanor for a person under 21 to possess or carry an assault weapon, among various other gun law changes. Both bills are sponsored by Democrats; neither have passed their respective chambers.

 House Bill 254, House Bill 289 and Senate Bill 210 would require a person who lives with a minor to store their firearm with a lock, among various other gun law changes. All three bills are sponsored by Democrats, neither have passed their respective chambers.

 House Bill 336, Senate Bill 263 and Senate Bill 740 would ensure schools have nurses, social workers, counselors and psychologists. These bill have bipartisan backing; neither have passed their respective chambers.

 House Bill 524 would provide salary increases for employees at the State Crime Laboratory. This bill is sponsored by a Republican and has not passed the House.

 Senate Bill 733 would update security law language to cover new forms of data breaches, among other provisions. This bill is sponsored by Democrats and has not passed the Senate.
As Boston area college students prepare to graduate they are not only competing against each other but a new - formidable opponent - artificial intelligence.

Technology experts Boston 25 News spoke with tell say like it or not, AI is changing the workplace.

Dr. Simon Johnson is a professor of entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan. He just completed a book on technology and says AI is quickly making inroads.

Now that doesnt mean that weve got a handle yet on all the impacts, including on jobs. But the speed with which this is moving and currently the acceleration is really dramatic, said Johnson.

Prof Johnson says students with careers where they discern information are safe bets. Areas like:

Lab science

Biochemistry

Bioengineering

Biotech

All of which have strong roots in the Boston area job market.

Johnsons MIT colleague, Professor Yossi Sheffi, says job seekers with a tech background wont become extinct thanks to AI, but it may mean theyll need to prepare for a different future by leveraging their human qualities.

We need people to have whats called soft skills. They need to be able to convince people, manage people, work with people, partner with people.

He says thats where humans - and not machines can excel.

Skills like:

 Empathy

 A moral code

 And the flexibility to seek out answers

And those are especially important for careers in management. You have to know how to work in a team, how to manage a team and motivate the team, says Sheffi.

And in order to stay ahead, Sheffi had one more crucial tip. You have to keep learning. You have to keep studying. You have to keep with it because you can be bypassed by the technology very quickly, he said.

The professor says students who understand that will rise to the top of the candidate pool.

The MIT professor also says though its tempting dont just jump at the first job with the highest salary.

Professor Sheffi says instead take one that gives you the opportunity to learn and grow. That will help you become valuable for the long term with a clear path on how to move ahead.

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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
AI experts warn of dangers to humanity CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience on Monday that they were able to use artificial intelligence to translate a person's brain patterns into language  essentially, to read their mind. Separately on Monday, Canadian-British researcher Geoffrey Hinton, often called the "godfather of AI" for his pioneering work on neural networks, said he retired from Google last week in part so he could freely join the growing chorus of AI researchers warning about the dangers to humanity posed by their life's work.

Hinton, 75, has been fascinated by neural networks, a mathematical system that can learn skills by analyzing data, since the 1970s. He and two of his graduate students at the University of Toronto, Ilya Sutskever and Alex Krishevsky, created a neural network in 2012. Their work formed the foundation for OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Bard, and other AI chatbots that learn from analyzing massive amounts of digital text, then reconstitute that knowledge on command into natural language. Sutskever is OpenAI's chief technology officer.

The UT Austin researchers used a GPT-like large language AI model to translate brain patterns captured in fMRI scans into text that essentially paraphrased what the person was thinking, The New York Times reports. Very basically, explained Osaka University neuroscientist Shinji Nishimoto, who was not involved in the research, "brain activity is a kind of encrypted signal, and language models provide ways to decipher it."

Hinton used to think generative AI systems were inferior to the human brain, but "maybe what is going on in these systems," he told the Times, "is actually a lot better than what is going on in the brain."

"The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people  a few people believed that," Hinton told the Times. "But most people thought it was way off. And I thought it was way off. I thought it was 30 to 50 years or even longer away. Obviously, I no longer think that." The "kind of intelligence we're developing is very different from the intelligence we have," he told BBC News. Unlike biological systems, digital systems are made up of many similar copies that "can learn separately but share their knowledge instantly. So it's as if you had 10,000 people and whenever one person learned something, everybody automatically knew it."

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Google, which employed Hinton for a decade, "has acted very responsibly" and been a "proper steward" for AI technology, but it now has to compete with Microsoft's Bing and other companies in a sort of global AI arms race, he told the Times. "I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn't done it, somebody else would have."

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Air pollution could increase risk of heart arrhythmia

AI can now read your mind, researchers report as the 'godfather of AI' quits to warn about his life's work
Visibility is limited as dust blows over Salt Lake City during a windstorm on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. A new study says air pollution can impact ones heartbeat. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Air pollution has been linked to poor heart health and defects like irregular heartbeats, according to a study done by more than 20 authors, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Time reported that Dr. Renjie Chen of Fudan University in Shanghai, one of the papers 20 co-authors, said in a statement, We found that acute exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of symptomatic arrhythmia.

In the study, researchers located in China found the risks of symptomatic arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, surfaced after the first several hours of exposure and could last for 24 hours.

Thats bad news, as arrhythmias can result in blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and even sudden death in some cases, Time said.

Related

Study details

The Guardian said the study consisted of data from more than 190,115 patients in 322 Chinese cities suffering from sudden-onset arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, premature beats and supraventricular tachycardia.

The researchers analyzed the concentrations of six air pollutants from monitoring stations closest to the reporting hospitals, The Guardian reported.

According to the study, the six pollutants monitored were:

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Carbon monoxide (CO).

Ozone.

Fine particles 2.5-10 micrometers in size.

Coarse particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers.

Of the six pollutants, nitrogen dioxide was the most damaging, increasing the odds of all four types of arrhythmia, Time said.

Per Time, Incidents of atrial flutter increased 11.4% on days when nitrogen dioxide levels were high; for ventricular tachycardia it was 8.9%, followed by premature beats at 3.7% and atrial fibrillation at 3.4%.

The study found exposure to dangerous air particles that measured smaller than 2.5 micrometers had a higher chance of atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia.

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The Guardian quoted the study authors: Although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the association between air pollution and acute onset of arrhythmia that we observed is biologically plausible.

The researchers added, Our study adds to evidence of adverse cardiovascular effects of air pollution, highlighting the importance of further reducing exposure to air pollution and of prompt protection of susceptible populations worldwide.

Related

Air quality and atherosclerosis

Another study linking poor air quality to heart health was published in March.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a study spanning 10 years that found a connection between air pollution and atherosclerosis.

The researchers found that long-term exposure to air quality that barely reaches the National Ambient Air Quality Standards can prematurely age blood vessels and contribute to a more rapid buildup of calcium in the coronary artery.

Per the Mayo Clinic, atherosclerosis is when plaque, or buildup of cholesterol and other fat-like substances in and on artery walls, continues to grow, which can affect the blood flow inside an artery.
Rawlstock / Getty Images

An Alabama woman was denied an abortion, even as doctors said her fetus was unlikely to survive.

There were multiple complications with the fetus, but officials still rejected her request, ABC News reported.

Alabama banned nearly all abortions after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Alabama hospital officials wouldn't allow a mother to get an abortion, ABC News reported, even though the woman says her doctor told her the fetus had a "negligible" chance of surviving.

Kelly Shannon, who lives in Alabama with her husband and infant daughter, told ABC News she learned she was pregnant at the end of last year, but testing revealed that the fetus had swelling in its head and body, a heart defect, and a growing tumor that was already a third of the size of the fetus.

Additionally, doctors told Shannon that the fetus had an 87% chance of developing Down syndrome, ABC News reported.

Doctors told Shannon that her fetus likely wouldn't survive, ABC News reported.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year and stripped the constitutional right to an abortion, Alabama passed a near-total ban on abortion  forbidding the procedure from the point of conception except in limited circumstances when the mother's life is in danger.

Shannon told ABC News her case was reviewed by a committee of 13 doctors who denied her request to have an abortion because the fetus' complications weren't severe enough.

"The committee felt that since each condition was by itself potentially survivable  not that they would lead to any kind of quality of life, just that they could potentially lead to life  that under Alabama law they did not think that my case met the criteria for termination," Shannon told ABC News.

Ultimately, Shannon traveled more than 12 hours to Virginia to get the procedure, ABC News reported.

"This has been the single most painful and traumatic experience of my life and our lives," Shannon said.

Read the original article on Insider
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday called for ailing Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to resign, noting the senators monthslong absence from the Senate Judiciary Committee has stalled work there.

Feinstein should retire, Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Bluesky, a nascent social media platform.

I think criticisms of that stance as anti-feminist are a farce, she added, referencing comments from Feinstein defenders who argue that sexism  not truancy  is driving resignation calls.

Without Feinstein, 89, Democrats have lacked enough votes to confirm President Joe Bidens judicial nominees, halting critically important work.

Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary  precisely where repro rights are getting stripped, said Ocasio-Cortez. That failure means now in this precious window Dems can only pass GOP-approved nominees.

The California Democrat has been absent from the Senate since February, when a bout of shingles landed her in the hospital. She has said shell return as soon as her health allows. She has no plans to run for reelection in 2024, but has said she intends to finish serving her current term, which ends in January 2025.

A number of other progressives also have called on Feinstein to resign, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who framed her absence as a dereliction of duty.

Phillips said countless other congressional lawmakers privately agree with him, but are afraid to say so publicly.

Related...
PROVIDENCE  A jury on Monday convicted a 33-year-old alleged gang leader for his role in the stabbing death of a rival outside a Washington Park nightclub on July 4, 2007.

The Superior Court jury deliberated for about a day and a half before finding Jayquan Garlington, of Providence, guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the stabbing death of 18-year-old Darren "Dee" Reagans Jr. outside La Rumba nightclub.

Garlingtons co-defendant, Bruce Moten, who is serving double life sentences for his role in the murder of yet another rival, has pleaded not guilty and is set to go to trial in the coming months.

In some cases, the wheels of justice turn quickly, and in others, circumstances dictate otherwise, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said in a statement. I am grateful for the jurys verdict in this case, which will no doubt result in decades of well-deserved prison time for this defendant. And once again, I commend the Providence police investigators for their diligent, tireless work here and in so many other cases.

Garlingtons lawyer, James T. McCormick, expressed disappointment Tuesday.

I am disappointed in the verdict. The jury worked hard, McCormick said. Sentencing is July 12.

More: Gang member already convicted of murder indicted in 2007 Providence slaying

Grandy jury indictment

A grand jury in 2017 indicted Garlington and Moten on murder charges in the death of Reagans as part of a bloody gang feud that played out across the city.

Authorities at the time pegged Garlington as the leader of the YNIC street gang. Reagans was a member of the rival Comstock gang, associated with Comstock Avenue.

According to police, Reagans was in line waiting to get into an all-ages Fourth of July party with friends when a fight broke out between him and some other people. Reagans, a father of two with another on the way, died after being stabbed in the heart. One of his children was Motens nephew.

According to authorities, Moten and Garlington had conspired with the late Kasean Benton to kill Reagans. Benton was shot to death in 2009 in an ambush by Comstock member Donald Young.

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Rap lyrics as evidence

Now retired Superior Court Judge Netti C. Vogel presided over the case for years before it was transferred to Judge Joseph Montalbano. Vogel issued a ruling in 2020, which Montalbano affirmed, allowing the state to introduce rap lyrics by Garlington as evidence.

Garlington performed under his rap name Yung Jake in songs and music videos online. The state focused in particular on the song, Aint Da Same, with prosecutors contending that the line In 07 I was smokin' on D was an admission by Garlington that he killed Darren Reagans in 2007.

Also referenced in the ruling were lyrics that mentioned Kasean, Devon and Dougie, allusions to Kasean Benton, Devon Young and Douglas Cooper. In keeping with the lyrics, all met violent deaths.

McCormick argued that the state relied on speculation in its reading of the lyrics and worked to undermine the state's witnesses. Key testimony about the stabbing was contradicted by the physical evidence, said McCormick, who plans to appeal.

Cold case unit takes up slaying

Moten, of Providence, was charged within weeks of Reagans slaying after eyewitnesses named him as the killer, the police said at the time. That case died before it reached the grand jury.

Providence Detective Angelo Avant, of the cold case unit, developed new information that detectives worked with prosecutors James Baum and Timothy Healy to bring to the grand jury.

I want to thank our detectives and the Attorney Generals Office for their exhaustive investigative efforts in this case, and am pleased that today justice was served, said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. The violent, senseless behavior of this defendant will never be tolerated in our community, and I am thankful for the lengthy prison sentence he will undoubtedly face.

Moten is serving two consecutive life terms in prison, plus another 70 years, for his role in the shooting death of 22-year-old Terry Robinson and shooting at two other rivals outside the Chad Brown housing complex in October 2014.

Garlington was previously sentenced to serve 14 years in prison and found to be a habitual offender for possessing a loaded .45-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun without a license.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Jayquan Garlington convicted of 2007 murder of gang rival at La Rumba
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters/Getty

Tennessee House Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) came close to joining her two colleagues, Reps. Justin Jones (Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), in expulsion from the governing body after protesting gun violence following the shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville. But shes not backing down.

Rep. Johnson joined Danielle Moodie, co-host of The New Abnormal politics podcast, on this episode of the show to talk about what the last few weeks have been like, a heartbreaking interaction she had with a third-grade Girl Scout about gun control, and a rebuttal to one of the biggest pro-gun arguments there is.

Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.

They continually talk about, Oh, well, criminals will get guns anyway. We're a law-making body. I mean, why not have that attitude when it comes to robbery [then]? Criminals are just gonna rob people, so why have laws about it? Well, you have laws so people can get consequences, she says. To act as if that is some sort of defense is so lazy and disingenuine.

She also breaks down the obviously manipulated way that Nashvilles districts have been gerrymanderedwhich Danielle describes as a pretzel factory in terms of the way that they have drawnand has an eye-opening response, and a scathing indictment of the Tennessee legislature, when asked if she believes that racism played a role in sparing her from her Black colleagues fates of expulsion. (They've since rejoined.)

If Only Ted Cruz Cared About This Constituent Almost Dying

Then, CNNs S.E. Cupp joins co-host Andy Levy to explain why Tucker Carlsons exit from Fox News has zero chance of changing the insidious ways of the media company. The two also make educated predictions on who Carlsons replacement is likely to be.

Plus! Andy and Danielle discuss Trumps vile new low with a COVID lie as well as what Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is whining about now.

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Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Essentially, in the eyes of the law, birthing trumps everything  at least initially (Getty/iStock)

Two men sit close to a webcam. They are both in tears. The man on the left, who has stubble and a soft quiff of hair, presses a thumb into his eye socket, as if to try and push the tears back in, and laughs. Why are we crying?

I know its the process, and I know its the way it has to go, the darker-haired man at his side says, his eyes red-rimmed and glistening, but you always feel like youve done something wrong.

The reason Stuart Armfield and Francis Haugen are so overcome with emotion is that they have just become parents. Or, to put it more accurately, a judge has just granted them a parental order, which allows them to be recognised as the legal parents of their son, Rio, whom they have been parenting since his birth six months ago. If that sounds complicated or confusing, its because it is, on account of the fact that Rio was born by surrogate.

At present, under UK law, it is the surrogate that is the childs legal parent at birth. And, if the surrogate is married or in a civil partnership, their partner will automatically be the childs second legal parent. This is the case even with full surrogacy (also known as gestational surrogacy), when the eggs of a donor are used and there is therefore no genetic connection between the baby and the surrogate, or when the eggs or sperm (or both) of the intended parents are used so there is a genetic connection with them, as in Stuart and Franciss case. Essentially, in the eyes of the law, birthing trumps everything  at least initially. Legal parenthood can only be transferred by parental order or adoption after the child is born, meaning that in most cases, those raising the baby have no legally recognised relationship with the child until a parental order is granted.

Technically, intended parents can start this process six weeks after their child is born. In reality, though, it takes a lot longer, and is often expensive, emotionally draining, and involves a lot of time as well as admin. It can also raise a whole host of issues if the child has any kind of medical problem or emergency in the intervening months, while the surrogate remains the legal mother and is therefore legally responsible while not being the babys primary carer  or, in some cases, their genetic relative.

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In the video Stuart and Francis posted to their YouTube channel last September  titled Emotional journey to be our sons legal dads  their tearful moment comes after attending their third hearing in six months. It is hardly surprising that Francis declares the process makes you always feel like youve done something wrong, because, by the sounds of it, the whole ordeal was Kafkaesque.

First, a judge told them the court needed to see Rio during the proceedings. Then a different judge said she didnt usually allow children in the courtroom. The first hearing said the court had all of the surrogates consent forms, then the second said it didnt. Most frustratingly perhaps, the second hearing refused to grant Stuart and Francis the parental order until they provided a DNA test, despite the couple having submitted numerous legal and medical documents proving their genetic connection to Rio. Gay couples do not usually have to provide DNA evidence, Stuart protests in the video. It is clear that the hurdles they have to cross to be recognised as their sons parents trouble him. If that DNA test came back and it somehow turned out that we werent the father, Stuart asks, what would happen to Rio?

While this is a purely hypothetical question in Stuart and Franciss case, as one of them was the sperm donor, it is also a serious one, which goes to the heart of the uncertainty created by current surrogacy laws. If the surrogate remains the legal parent until the intended parents have satisfied every court requirement, what happens if the goalposts keep shifting, or if the court isnt satisfied? Does Rio go into the system? What happens? Youve got two people who actually want to look after this child, and it all really confused me.

I cant wait, actually, for this to never happen again to anyone else

Stuart Armfield

Before the second of their three hearings, Stuart seems excited. I cannot wait for Rio to be officially our baby in the eyes of the law, he says. But underneath his bright anticipation there is clear frustration  and a wish for something else, too. I cant wait, actually, for this to never happen again to anyone else, he says, I truly believe its so unnecessary, and actually we could just be put on the birth certificate at birth, with everyone saying yes. I feel like that should be the law.

As of last month, it looks like Stuarts wish might be a few steps closer to coming true. Under major new proposals to reform UK surrogacy laws, couples could become a surrogate childs legal parents at birth. In a joint report, the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission said the existing law, dating back almost 40 years, does not work in the best interests of any of the people involved. Their suggested reforms  including that the intended parents no longer have to apply to the courts for a parental order  aim to bring greater legal certainty, transparency and safeguards against exploitation, in order to work better for children, surrogates and intended parents.

In an email conversation with me this week, Stuart and Francis are clearly pleased that UK laws might change. The surrogacy system in the UK is really complicated and outdated, they stress, so it has been great to see that the Law Commission has finally announced its proposals for reform, and plans to address some of the challenges hopeful parents face when looking to surrogacy to start their family in the UK.

They are emphatic that, throughout the entire surrogacy process, securing the parental order was the biggest challenge they faced. Their long wait to be legally recognised as their sons parents meant that they werent legally entitled to make any critical decisions regarding the medical treatment or care of Rio until months after he was born, which, unsurprisingly, was really scary. Now, though, they are hopeful that if these reforms are enshrined in law, other intended parents might have an easier time of it than they had  and indeed are anticipating having again soon, as they are now expecting a second child via surrogacy, who they have recently learned will be a girl.

With an increasing number of people choosing to have children via surrogacy  the number of parental orders granted, transferring legal parentage from surrogates, rose from 117 in 2011 to 413 in 2020  for many it must feel like these proposed reforms are long overdue. Yet perhaps the most important question is whether they go far enough.

Harriet Errington, family partner at Boodle Hatfield (the legal firm that worked with Stuart and Francis during their attempts to be granted their parental order), certainly sees this report as an important step in the right direction. The UKs surrogacy laws havent been properly updated for almost 40 years, and have not kept up with the huge medical advancements we have seen in that time, she says. She also stresses that many other countries recognise surrogacy much more openly, including, in some countries, commercial surrogacy.

In the UK, where commercial surrogacy is unlawful, she says the key legal challenge with the current system is that you cant enforce surrogacy arrangements. This can leave both surrogates and intended parents feeling unprotected and potentially vulnerable. Interestingly, one of the most common concerns that has been raised by clients I have assisted in the past has been to ensure that the surrogate mother is properly supported, Errington tells me. Surrogate mothers take on a huge burden, with potentially life-changing consequences, but very little is required to be done in order to support them  emotionally or financially.

English law only allows a child to have two parents, and this does not reflect the growing diversity of family forms

Dr Elizabeth Chloe Romanis

In her view, these reforms address the primary concerns of many intended parents and surrogate mothers alike. I anticipate we will see a dramatic increase in surrogacy arrangements in this country once the draft bill is enshrined in law, she says. Yet she also suggests that the key question mark that remains is around commercial surrogacy and whether surrogate mothers ought to be paid. Its an emotive issue, and one that prompts much heated debate within both the surrogate and legal communities, and among the wider general public.

Two of the researchers currently engaged with debates around surrogacy law and regulation are Dr Elizabeth Chloe Romanis, assistant professor in biolaw at Durham Law School, and Zaina Mahmoud, who is undertaking a PhD that examines surrogates lived experiences, with the goal of promoting the health and wellbeing of surrogates and improving legal frameworks around reproductive rights. Mahmoud says her research has shown that surrogates would largely welcome changes that grant legal parenthood and responsibility to intended parents from birth, but are more sceptical and wary when it comes to the question of payment.

Surrogates were unconvinced by the need for a right to object or a cooling-off period before the baby becomes the legal child of the intended parents, Mahmoud says, as they view this as unnecessary and as emerging from a misunderstanding that they wanted to keep the baby.

Where things get a bit trickier, however, are the joint issues of legal unenforceability and financial compensation. Mahmoud stresses that under current UK laws, which largely rely on friendship agreements between surrogates and intended parents rather than formalised contracts, surrogates vulnerability was heightened in certain contexts, as there was no guarantee that intended parents would act according to surrogates expectations. Intended parents are currently under no legal obligation to compensate surrogates for expenses incurred during pregnancy, for example.

Yet Mahmoud also found that the majority of surrogates in the study expressed strong distaste for commercialised surrogacy, explaining how payments negated their altruism. They voiced concerns on how payments to surrogates as standard  or even as an option  necessitated safeguards against potential exploitative practices, Mahmoud says, and highlights that a few also expressed concerns that the introduction of a monetary element would render surrogacy even less financially accessible for potential intended parents. Ultimately, Mahmoud emphasises, reforms resulting in even the slightest move towards commercialisation were not supported by the surrogates in the study.

Aside from issues of payment, potential changes to surrogacy laws raise other important questions about parenthood and family. Mahmoud and Romanis recently co-authored a paper, published in the Medical Law Review, on gestation and motherhood, in which they argue for a better recognition of the differences between gestation and mothering, to promote autonomy and reflect the very different ways families may be formed.

Like Errington, Romanis also suggests that the proposals outlined by the Law Commission are a step in the right direction, because, she explains, they enable surrogates more freedom, rather than remaining legally responsible for the child for a period of time after birth until a parental order can be granted. However, she also thinks there are still lots of limitations. In general, I think we need to think about reforming the law surrounding parenthood more fundamentally, rather than trying to fix the issues that arise specifically in surrogacy arrangements, Romanis argues. For example, English law only allows a child to have two parents, and this does not reflect the growing diversity of family forms.

She also suggests that gendered legal language surrounding parenthood has resulted in the law failing to reflect many families lived experiences. The law recognises only one mother: the person who birthed, Romanis explains. This prevents trans men who birth from being recognised as fathers [because UK law defines them as mothers]. It prevents recognition of families with two same-sex parents. Indeed, the whole thing still seems highly gendered and shrouded in biological determinism. Currently, for example, if legal motherhood is abdicated through adoption or parental orders, that child has no legal mother. The intended parents are vested with legal parenthood, Romanis and Mahmoud write in their paper, but their legal status is not as legal mother(s) or legal father(s), but rather as Parent 1 and Parent 2.

Stuart and Franciss tears of frustration, as is evident in their hard-won relief at finally being recognised as the parents of their son, did at least end in joy. Surrogacy is such a gift, they affirm, and we are so grateful to be alive at a time in which it is possible to be able to call ourselves dads. Yet the difficulties they and so many others have faced surely make it impossible not to agree with Romanis that, when it comes to surrogacy and parental law in the UK, we need a real overhaul.
TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-BIDEN-ECONOMY

President Joe Biden acknowledges the crowd during an event on the creation of new manufacturing jobs at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, April 25, 2023. Credit - Jim WatsonAFP/Getty Images

With President Joe Bidens official launch of his reelection campaign, Democrats have voiced concerns about a third party run that could cut into his support in key states and cost them the presidency. One new contender, the No Labels political organization, has locked up ballot spots in a number of states in 2024, and names such as Maryland Governor Larry Hogan have been attached as potential candidates.

But despite the $70 million being poured into the No Labels effort, we shouldnt be fooled by this shooting star. Voters certainly arent. Its not just that a third party, especially one with no history of success and no national figure, has almost no hope of actually winning a race. Even the spoiler potential is overhyped, at least for 2024.

Throughout American history, the two major parties have proven to be exceptional at garnering Presidential votes. In 17 of the 24 elections since 1924, the two parties topped 98 percent of the vote. There have been only four elections in that span where the Democrats and Republicans did not combine to capture at least 94.1 percent of the vote  and two of those were Ross Perots runs in 1992 and 1996 (the other two were 1968 and 1980).

In four of the seven races where the parties got less than 98 percent, third party runs are seen as having played an important, or potentially decisive role, as spoilers. Ralph Naders 2000 Green Party run likely cost Al Gore Floridas electoral votes and the presidency itself. Ross Perots 1992 campaign, which took 19 percent of the vote, may have proved a fatal blow to George H.W. Bushs reelection chances. In 1968, George Wallaces strong performances in the southern states, including being the last non-major party to capture an Electoral College vote, definitely knocked the presidential race off-kilter, though it is possible that he took more votes from the eventual winner, Republican Richard Nixon, than from Democrat Hubert Humphrey.

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For good reason, 2016, when 94.1 percent voted for Democrats or Republicans, may be most on peoples minds. That year saw several significant runs, though again it is very unclear that it would have changed the results. Green Party candidate Jill Stein siphoned off votes, presumably from Hillary Clinton, and that may have damaged her race in key states. At the same time, though it has received less attention, the Libertarian Party candidate former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson managed to take more than three times what Stein received nationwide. An independent candidate, Evan McMullin, won 21.5% of the vote in Utah, though even that was not enough to cost Donald Trump the state.

But what may be much more important for 2024 is how the voters reacted to the shock of a strong third party or independent run. They did not rally around the idea and build momentum for a third party movement in future elections. Instead they recoiled and saw that what may have been a protest vote instead helped elect the candidate that they truly disliked.

The numbers from the succeeding elections tell the tale. The big third party boomlet was from 1992-2000. But third party performances fell each year. In 1992 during Perots first run, the Democrats and Republicans only got 80.4 percent of the vote. In 1996, they got 89.9. In 2000, during Naders critical run, they got 96.3. But Nader taught voters a strong lesson. The following three elections saw the two parties combine to get 99, 98.5 and 98 percent of the vote.

Past third party over performances saw the same results for at least two elections. 1980, when John Anderson got 6.6 percent of the vote and Reagan and Carter combined for a mere 91.4 percent, was followed by the two parties winning 99.4 and 99.1 percent respectively. 1968, where Nixon and Humphrey only got 86.1 percent, was followed by two elections with the major parties combining for over 98 percent of the vote.

This pattern goes back further in U.S. history, as third (and fourth) party candidates managed to keep the two major participants to only 94.4 percent in 1948. In the succeeding four elections, the two parties never dropped below 99.2 percent of the vote. Even the most famous third party run, the 1912 election where Theodore Roosevelt managed to come in second in the presidential race and the two main parties combined for only 65 percent of the vote, saw a bounce back in the following two elections to over 94 percent of the vote in each.

What explains the reversion back to the two parties? Perhaps voters are willing to register their protest vote when they think the election is a walk for one party or when they feel that specific election will not have much of an impact on policy, but once they see otherwise they retreat back to the two parties.With interest in politics sky high, as seen by impressive turnout numbers, and with the country locked in a bitter division in political ideology, we can expect that old patterns will continue. Voters will likely not be looking to take a gamble that their third party vote wont simply help the candidate they most object to. Instead, we should expect that discussion for the No Labels and any other party to be a flash in the pan moment, as voters stick to the main event in the ongoing Blue v. Red political fight.
American volunteers Crow and Rigan pose in their Kyiv apartment, which serves as the Augustae Annia medical supply warehouse. Both are deployed to Ukraine to bring medical supplies to both military and civilians in the eastern and southern frontlines, Donbas region. (Paula Bronstein for Yahoo News)

KYIV  Weve sold everything we own back in the States, Rigan tells Yahoo News, speaking at a cafe in Ukraines capital. And if I have $500 in my bank account, Id be surprised.

Rigan, who doesnt disclose her last name for security reasons, runs Augustae Annia, a small organization that delivers lifesaving medical equipment and training to Ukrainian troops on the frontlines, as well as Ukrainian civilians behind them, amid the Russian invasion.

She is representative of a group of Americans  unclear in number  who operate under the radar for the Ukrainian cause, and who have made extraordinary personal and financial sacrifices on behalf of the embattled country. All of Augustae Annias current budget has been financed by friends and family, as well as personal funds.

The Ukrainian military has expanded hugely and has heavily relied on such volunteer organizations  small and large  to provide this type of critical support in the months since Russias full-scale invasion began. The outfitting of the Ukrainian military midfight is a huge task, Rigan says. Volunteers like us can get an individual unit the training or equipment they desperately need  quickly.

Requests for tourniquets and other cheap but critical trauma supplies have been overwhelming Ukrainian production capabilities, Rigan explains. Another major problem has been an influx of fake or low-quality supplies, which have been costing lives when they fail during use at the frontline.

Critical trauma supplies delivered to a unit medic serving on the southern front. (Augustae Annia)

For Rigan, Ukraine is the latest in a long line of humanitarian missions, starting with the response to Hurricane Katrina in the United States back in 2005, and most recently with helping with resettlement operations for refugees from Afghanistan. Professionally, Im an incident commander for natural disaster response, she says. Its a calling.

The other member of Rigans ground operation is a Ukrainian American who goes by the callsign of Crow. He is the first member of his family to have returned to the old country for generations. Im the first one back in the country since 1942, he says. Members of his family survived the Holodomor  the devastating famine allegedly orchestrated by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin  and the Nazi concentration camps, before fleeing the country.

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Just returning to Ukraine was a big step for Crow. My grandmother told me there was nothing but pain in Ukraine, he recalled when he told her of his intent to return, in 2014, in response to the initial Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine. For both her and my grandfather, there was nothing left in Ukraine for them, he added. At the time, she successfully persuaded him not to go back.

His grandmother died a few years later. And when the full-scale Russian invasion began, over a year ago, there was no one alive to tell me no, he says. He quit his job, sold everything he owned and headed over to Ukraine. Crow initially came to Ukraine with intent to be a soldier in Ukraines International Legion but soon realized he could do more good as a humanitarian volunteer. He met Rigan through mutual friends, and they have worked together ever since.

Rigan and Crow joke as they load their vehicle with medical supplies for another mission. (Paula Bronstein for Yahoo News)

Rigan and Crows work in Ukraine is hard, routinely dangerous and totally unpaid. It has taken them into the Ukrainian fortress city of Bakhmut, where some of the most brutal fighting of the war has taken place. Christmas, New Years Day, my birthday  we spent them all in Bakhmut, Crow says.

And much of the time has been spent facing the threat of Russian artillery strikes. Crow recounted seeing incoming 203mm Pion shells demolishing a building right in front of them.

One of the teams safe houses is in a part of the city now occupied by Russian forces, and knowing what part of the city is occupied by which force is a matter of life and death. We never go anywhere without satellite maps and a detailed plan, Rigan says.

There are moments of levity during their work as well. After a recent delivery of a pair of generators to a Ukrainian National Guard Unit, fighting in the Bakhmut, their unit commander commented that they must be from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

There are also incredibly somber moments. After asking a volunteer unit from Poltava what supplies they wanted, the unit commander looked them in the eyes and said, We need tanks. We want to go home. There were only 10 out of 72 men remaining in their unit, Crow said, after two-and-a-half months of combat in Bakhmut. Despite this, the commander still insisted on giving the volunteers food and hot drinks.

Even when they cant provide what the unit needs, both Rigan and Crow are determined to continue the work. Were here until the money runs out, or they kick us out, Crow says, laughing. He then reflects for a moment. Or hopefully, Ukraine wins the war.
TAMPA  It took four days and four nights for Brenda, a 36-year-old Guatemalan national, to cross the U.S. border illegally in September somewhere near Laredo, TX, to flee extortion from one of the most lethal gangs in Central America.

Now Brenda lives in Tampa, and is one of many undocumented immigrants targeted by new laws proposed in the Florida legislature that aim to obstruct the flow of illegal immigration to the state. Brenda, who was reluctant to share her last name, is afraid the policies could lead to her eventual deportation back to Guatemala and the dangerous circumstances that she desperately seeks to leave behind.

Its a scary feeling," Brenda said in Spanish. "You know what you are running from. If our country was peaceful and we could work, we wouldnt make the decision to come here. Now you find the laws here, and you never know when someone is going to stop and deport you because you are an immigrant.

In case you missed it: Crackdown on immigration moves ahead  without DeSantis priority

More: Two Florida Republican governors with different paths on immigration, elections on mind

Illegal immigration in Florida: A by-the-numbers look at a surge

Brenda is not alone. More than 4.3 million immigrants have attempted to cross into the United States without documentation since January 2022, according to statistics compiled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis drew national attention by sending nearly 50 Venezuelan nationals from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, in a stunt meant to draw attention to concern over the amount of undocumented immigrants that eventually make their way to Florida.

Mercedes Cedeno, a 57-year-old Venezuelan national who used legal pathways to flee persecution in her country to Florida in 2015, said she understands the need to enforce immigration laws. But she would like to see more empathy for immigrants who have been forced to flee from dangerous circumstances at home.

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I understand that the country needs to improve its laws, but I wish the laws could be more sensible and see the human side of things," Mercedes said in Spanish. "They need to find balance, because not everybody that is coming is bad. The whole world isnt bad. There are entire families that are risking everything to come here. Its for a reason, its because we're desperate.

This is the story of their journey to America as told to the USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida. Brenda and Mercedes charted vastly different paths into the country, but find common ground in their fears for the future and their families back at home.

Brendas plight: Amid threats of violence, 'leaving your family is the price you pay to keep moving forward'

Brenda, the 36-year-old Guatemalan woman, now resides in the Tampa area after she made her way to Florida after crossing the U.S. border in Texas in September.

She is one of about 319,600 Guatemalan immigrants who have attempted to cross into the United States without documents since January 2022. She was fleeing from extortion from a dangerous gang known as the Maras, who would demand payment in exchange for operating a small store where she sold day-to-day goods like bread and basic groceries.

I had a store, but regrettably I couldnt operate it because I was being extorted, she said. I had to close because they were asking for a lot of money. I couldnt keep risking my life or my daughters life, so I immigrated to the United States. Im here because of that situation. Im trying to solicit a permit to work, but only God knows what will happen.

Brenda is among many Guatemalan store owners extorted under threat of violence against loved ones or death. Guatemala has been under a Level 3 "Reconsider travel" advisory by the U.S. Department of State since March 1 warning tourists of high risk of crime. The country is experiencing violent crime such as extortion, murder, armed robbery, carjackings, narcotics trafficking and gang activity.

The Maras leave a phone for you, and they keep calling and calling you until you agree to give them money, she said. They tell you the place where you are going to leave it. Sometimes they only give you a couple of hours to go and drop it off. Then they start to leave you quotas so you pay every year. You run the risk of being killed if you dont pay a quota. Its happened a lot. You risk your life and your family's lives because they have you under their watch, they know where you go and who you talk to.

Brenda said she plans to apply for legal authorization to live and work in the U.S., but fears the process will instead lead to her deportation back to dangerous circumstances at home.

I decided to immigrate, but now that Im here, the situation is complicated because its hard to find work," she said. "They ask you for documents and you dont have them. But if we are here its because of necessity. If our country was peaceful and we could work we wouldnt make the decision to come here. You have to leave. I left my daughter behind, but leaving your family is the price you pay to keep moving forward.

Mercedes' journey: She found a legal pathway, but fears closing the door as 'Venezuelans are suffering'

Mercedes flew into Florida with an American Visa in 2015 to escape political persecution in Venezuela, and has used legal pathways to remain and work in the United States ever since.

She is one of more than millions of Venezuelan nationals who have fled the country to escape extreme poverty and persecution created as a result of complex international relations between the United States and the Venezuelan government.

Mercedes' family was persecuted by "Chavistas" who supported socialist policies of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013 just a couple of years before she fled the country. Chavez was replaced by Nicolas Maduro, who has held the office for the past decade despite claims of election fraud.

The situation was dangerous when we left, but today things are so much worse, she said. You cant live in Venezuela.

My husband is an attorney, and we didnt agree with the politics in our country, so we were persecuted by grupos Chavistas, she said. "You cant speak up, you have to say and act in the image that they want or you run the risk of being killed, of being violated, of getting beaten or disappearing. Thats the fear. Our people are fleeing to save their families, to survive. Venezuelans are suffering.

Mercedes said that although she was able to find legal pathways to enter the United States, she said it is difficult for Venezuelans to find similar access today.

There has been a surge in the number of Venezuelan nationals who have attempted to cross into the United States illegally in recent years. There have been just over 284,000 encounters with Venezuelan nationals reported by CBP since January 2022, compared to just over 55,000 in 2020 and 2021 combined.

CBP reports 25,573 encounters with Venezuelan nationals in Florida in the first six months of this fiscal year, which is more than the combined 2,152 encounters reported over the past three entire years combined.

Mercedes said it has become more difficult for Venezuelans to apply for legal entry into the United States since the U.S. Embassy Caracas was shut down in 2019, making the embassy in Bogota, Colombia, the closest available to Venezuelan residents.

She believes legal pathways should remain open to immigrants who are fleeing persecution in their home countries, but indicated the government should remain selective to not inadvertently allow those dangers to make their way to the nation as well.

There is a lot of good people in every country, but there are also bad people, and we need to be conscious of that too, she said. We fled our home because of those bad people. There are some people crossing that should not be allowed here. They need to get those people. They need to be selective, because there are bad people. Its a complicated problem.

Immigration pressure from all sides

New laws being considered by the Florida legislature aim to pressure undocumented immigrants away from placing roots in the state.

Federal authorities have reported a staggering 83,065 encounters with undocumented immigrants in Florida during the first six months of this fiscal year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics. That is more than the 69,595 contacts made in the state over the previous three fiscal years combined. There were 25,261 encounters in March of this year alone.

That is in addition to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who have been apprehended at the southwest border and have relocated to Florida after being released by federal authorities.

A federal judge ruled in Florida's favor on the matter in March in a lawsuit challenging federal "Parole and Alternative to Detention" immigration policies implemented by President Joe Biden. Florida argued that hundreds of thousands of those immigrants have been released into the state, causing a rise in the cost of public services, unemployment benefits and emergency medical care.

Legislators have indicated the laws aim to curb the flow of illegal immigration to the state by requiring employers of 25 or more employees to use E-Verify for new hires, expanding criminal penalties for human smuggling, and have included a $12 million one-time appropriation to the Division of Emergency Management for its Unauthorized Alien Transport program.

The legislation also prohibits local governments from funding the issuance of ID cards to undocumented immigrants and invalidates driver's licenses granted to them in other states. It also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to collect immigration status data and report it to the Agency of Health Care Administration.

Advocates concerned over the legislation have voiced numerous concerns about the proposals, including apprehension that it could penalize those who transport immigrants who have been processed and released by federal authorities into the United States as part of the "Alternative to Detention" policies.

"If a person... was part of this catch and release program, then they would be the subject of this provision," State Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-Miami Dade, said during a news conference last week. "So the problem that became abundantly clear is one, they don't even understand who is legal and who is illegal under federal immigration law, and they are lumping people all together... That's problematic."

"They made no exemption for providers who have a federal contract to do exactly that, which is transport people to different places," she said. "There were no exemptions for emergency responders, hospital staff, churches and other providers, including family members."

The bills build upon two executive orders signed by DeSantis that direct state agencies to track undocumented immigrants by any legal means possible and quantify the cost of providing services to the population. It includes directives for shelters with federal contracts to house unaccompanied immigrant children to conduct welfare checks on children placed with sponsors, who are typically relatives, within the state.

Read it: Sarasota shelter for migrant children caught in DeSantis battle against immigration policy

Jose Fernandez, Immigration and Citizenship Services program manager for the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, said the state's policies have had a chilling effect on many immigrants who are fleeing from dangerous circumstances to Florida only to find themselves as the target of a growing amount of legal restrictions.

Florida is a state of immigrants, Fernandez said. Some people are coming to follow the opportunities here, others are fleeing from persecution in countries like Venezuela, Cuba and Haiti. A lot of people need a place to stay, food or medical attention, but their options are limited because they are undocumented. So they rely on relatives, friends, churches.

Theyre scared, he said. They see the news and ask us, 'What they are going to do?'

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida illegal immigration crackdown: Meet 2 migrants who fear for future
Armed men in military uniform slaughtered residents of Karma village in the jihadist-hit Sahel nation's volatile north on April 20

Amnesty International on Tuesday said Burkina Faso's army was responsible for a village massacre last month, putting the death toll at 147, more than double the official figure.

Armed men in military uniform slaughtered residents of Karma village in the jihadist-hit Sahel nation's volatile north on April 20.

A local prosecutor said around 60 people were killed, while a Burkinabe human rights group reported 136 deaths, adding that the attackers also killed a further 11 people nearby on the same day.

Amnesty said Burkinabe soldiers entered Karma in the morning, gathered the villagers, collected their identity documents and shot them "at point-blank range", killing "at least 147 people", including 45 children.

Amnesty said accounts from the survivors it interviewed pointed to the third battalion of the army's Rapid Intervention Brigade.

"These people were dressed in black uniforms, others in greenish combat fatigues. Some had helmets, others wore balaclavas, and they were on several pick-up trucks and motorcycles," one survivor said.

Another accused the Burkinabe army of the massacre, saying he saved his life by covering himself with the blood of corpses.

Residents of the nearby town of Ouahigouya also said they saw the battalion pass through towards Karma and return on April 23 before heading to the capital Ouagadougou, Amnesty said.

Burkina's military government on Thursday broke its silence on the Karma killings, issuing a statement condemning "barbaric acts". An investigation has been opened by a local prosecutor.

"This investigation must be carried out impartially and independently so that the perpetrators of war crimes and other serious violations" face justice, said Samira Daoud, Amnesty's regional director for West and Central Africa.

Burkina Faso's armed forces face an Islamist insurgency by groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group who swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

More than 10,000 civilians and members of the security forces have died, according to an NGO estimate, while at least two million people have fled their homes. At least a third of the country lies outside government control.

ab/stb/ybl/imm/ach
Andrew Yang, former Democratic presidential candidate and now the co-chair of the Forward Party, said in a new interview that the United States is in a faux democracy.

Our lives can just sink in the mud, it doesnt matter in this political system, and so you have this essentially faux democracy at this point, Yang told The Hills Jessica Burbank and Robby Soave on The Rising.

And thats what we have to shake up and change, he added. The only way were going to see a human centered economy or any of our problems get solved is if we recreate a genuine democracy in this country.

Yang called for a competitive 2024 primary season for Democrats, even as President Biden has emerged as the presumed candidate for the party.

When Soave pointed out that Biden has not given an indication of whether he will debate other Democratic candidates  including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson Yang blasted the Democratic Party, saying that its members are only for democracy when its convenient.

Yang also pushed for reforms to the primary system, including ranked choice voting and nonpartisan primaries. He pointed to states, including Nevada and Maine, that have recently approved changes to the election system, such as using nonpartisan primaries for some elections.

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He added that the current primary system only allows for a small percentage of Americans to choose the candidates for president. He noted that if the general public truly voted on who should be the nominees for president, neither Biden nor former President Trump would make the cut in 2024.

You have a sliver of the population controlling who the nominees are. And theyre not ideologically in tune with the average American, he said. Its distorting everything. Its one reason why Trump is trampling the field over there.

If you submitted it to the general American public and said, Who should be the nominees, you wouldnt get Biden versus Trump.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Sergio Goncalves and Catarina Demony

LISBON (Reuters) -Portugal's infrastructure minister submitted his resignation on Tuesday as a scandal around state-owned airline TAP widened, just four months after his predecessor resigned over the same issue, but the prime minister said he would keep him in the job.

The Socialist Party, led by premier Antonio Costa, won an outright parliamentary majority in January 2022, but his government has been plagued by instability with more than 10 ministers and secretaries of state leaving their posts since.

In a statement, minister Joao Galamba said he was resigning "for the sake of the necessary institutional tranquillity", adding it was crucial for him to reaffirm that his ministry had "never sought to hide any fact or document" about TAP.

Shortly after, Costa said in a televised address that although the scandal had affected the government's image, he could not accept the resignation as he believed Galamba was "not responsible for any failure".

The decision puts Costa on a collision course with conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has the power to dissolve parliament and has made clear he wants Galamba out.

Galamba's predecessor, Pedro Nuno Santos, resigned in December in the wake of a scandal involving an irregular severance payment to a former executive board member of TAP.

Opposition parties have claimed that Galamba concealed from parliament that he had proposed that then CEO Christine Ourmieres-Widener meet Socialist lawmakers to prepare for her parliamentary hearing about her severance package.

Ourmieres-Widener has since been fired after an official inspection found that the severance was illegal.

Galamba initially said the preparatory meeting was TAP's idea, but on Saturday he acknowledged it was he who had told Ourmieres-Widener that, if she wanted, she could attend the meeting where his advisors would also be present.

The political drama further intensified as Galamba said that one of his advisors, who took notes on what was discussed at the meeting, was fired on Wednesday, and took a laptop with confidential information with him.

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The laptop was later recovered by the national intelligence service SIS, leading to fresh accusations from the opposition of a government overreach since such cases are police matter.

On Sunday, Costa said that neither he nor any member of the government had given orders to SIS to recover the laptop.

The growing controversies around TAP could hinder Lisbon's plans to privatise the airline, with bigger foreign rivals Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and British Airways owner IAG laying the groundwork for potential bids.

($1 = 0.9089 euros)

(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Catarina Demony; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Sandra Maler)
Dallas salon owner and political activist Shelley Luther is back at home after being hospitalized for a more than three weeks to repair a ruptured brain aneurysm, her husband Tim Georgeff wrote in an April 27 Facebook post.

Doctors said familiar surroundings could help Luthers recovery after two brain scans showed no signs of residual bleeding, according to Georgeff.

Im very happy to finally have my wife home. For everyone who prayed for us, thank you, he said in the post.

Luthers next step is to regain her appetite and deal with any fear and anxiety from her hospitalization, Georgeff said.

The couple faces $1.5 million in medical bills, according to a post from Luthers sister Keri Byrd.

She had a plan that covered only superficial illness. Nothing else, Byrd wrote in the post.

Byrd set up a GoFundMe page to raise $250,000 for Luthers medical bills. It had raised $19,832 as of 3:39 p.m. Tuesday.

A separate crowdfunding campaign set up by friends of Georgeff and Luther to support Luthers recovery has raised $33,049 as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Luther rose to prominence in 2020 when she was arrested after refusing to close her salon, in violation of Gov. Greg Abbotts COVID-19 orders designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

She also ran an unsuccessful campaign for a Texas Senate seat in 2020 and a Texas House seat in 2022.

Former Texas gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines joined Georgeffs call for prayer, sharing his post on Twitter.

Luther was an important part of the move to open up Texas, said Warren Norred, an Arlington attorney who represented Luther in 2020.

He called her an inspiration to people around the world, and said hes prayerfully optimistic shell make a recovery.

A brain aneurysm is a ballooning or bulge of a blood vessel in the brain.

Theyre common and often not serious; however, they can become life threatening if they rupture, according to the Mayo Clinic.
(Getty Images)

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York called on Senator Dianne Feinstein of California to resign amid her continued absence from the Senate, CNN reported.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez posted her comments on the Bluesky social media app, which is meant to be a competitor to Twitter. Ms Feinstein, the oldest-serving Senator at 89, has been out of the Senate since March when she contracted shingles.

Democrats have only 51 seats in the Senate and Ms Feinsteins place on the Senate Judiciary Committee means that Democrats are unable to confirm any judicial nominees out of committee that do not have Republican support.

Last month, Ms Feinstein asked to temporarily give up her spot on the committee and have Senator Ben Cardin replace her. Republicans rebuffed the request, though they said they would seat a permanent replacement were Ms Feinstein to resign.

The self-described democratic socialist said that Ms Feinstein, who announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election, should step aside.

I think criticisms of that stance as anti-feminist are a farce, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said.

Some Democrats have hinted that calls on Ms Feinstein to resign the Senate seat that she won in 1992 are sexist given that some Senators served until they were far older than she was and others died in office.

Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary - precisely where repro rights are getting stripped. That failure means now in this precious window Dems can only pass GOP- approved nominees, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said.

Ms Ocasio-Cortezs spokesperson Lauren Hitt confirmed to CNN that the Bluesky posts were authentic.

The congresswomans spokesperson also confirmed that Ms Ocasio-Cortez would not run a primary campaign against incumbent Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand next year.

She is not planning to run for Senate in 2024. She is not planning to primary Gillibrand, she said.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York spoke out Tuesday in favor of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's resignation.

Feinstein, 89, has faced a growing chorus of critics within her own party that demand she resign from office due to her advanced age and health issues.

"[Dianne Feinstein] should retire. I think criticisms of that stance as anti-feminist are a farce," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on social media site BlueSky.

'SQUAD' MEMBER JOINS CHORUS OF DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS CALLING FOR FEINSTEIN'S RESIGNATION

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

"Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary  precisely where repro rights are getting stripped. That failure means now in this precious window Dems can only pass GOP-approved nominees," Ocasio-Cortez added.

Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for more than 30 years, was hospitalized for shingles last month and has faced other health issues, including concerning reports related to her mental fitness.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

She had previously faced calls to resign prior to announcing that she would retire after her current term ends.

FELLOW DEMOCRATS TURN ON DIANNE FEINSTEIN, CALL FOR HER TO RESIGN FROM SENATE: DERELICTION OF DUTY

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said last month that Feinstein should "know when to step aside."

The congressman told "America Reports" on April 13 that it's time for Feinstein to immediately leave her position.

"I have a lot of respect for Sen. Feinstein. She's unable to fulfill her duties," Khanna said. "And I guess I don't know any other job where if you're unable to fulfill your duties, you can continue to have the position. So, I think she should do the dignified thing. I respect her years of public service, and she should know when it's time to step aside."

PELOSI TAKES SUBTLE DIG AT FETTERMAN IN ALLEGING SEXISM AS CALLS GROW FOR FEINSTEIN TO RESIGN

Rep. Ro Khanna

Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib responded to Khanna on Sunday after the representative continued his calls for Feinstein to "step down gracefully."

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Tlaib criticized the California senator for her absences from the Senate floor, which is leading to the GOP passing bills through the upper chamber.

"Because Sen. Feinstein was absent, Republicans are passing legislation through the Senate, undermining the right of our residents to breathe clean air," Tlaib wrote on social media.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib

"And with a far-right judiciary targeting our human rights, we are unable to confirm judges," she continued. "Sen. Feinstein must step down."

A spokesperson for Feinstein pointed to the senator's statement from earlier this month when she said, "I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that its safe for me to travel."

"In the meantime, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco," Feinstein continued.
Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The New York progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on Monday that the California Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein should retire, amid a long absence from Congress due to ill health which has affected their partys efforts to stock federal courts with liberal judges.

Related: Molly Jong-Fast: calls for Dianne Feinstein to resign not sexist or ageist

Feinstein, 89, should retire, Ocasio-Cortez  33 and commonly known as AOC  wrote on the social media platform Bluesky.

She added: I think criticisms of that stance as anti-feminist are a farce.

Prominent Democrats including the former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and the New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand have labeled calls for Feinstein to quit sexist, because men in similar positions would not face such pressure.

Others have pushed back.

Feinstein was the first woman to be mayor of San Francisco and is now the longest-serving female US senator. But before her current absence began, over a case of shingles, she faced questions about her mental fitness for the job.

She has said she intends to return soon but as a member of the Senate judiciary committee, her absence has affected the pace of confirmation of judges  a key aim of any administration but a priority for Democrats and Joe Biden after Republicans forced the pace of conservative confirmations under Donald Trump.

Having removed the Democrats majority on the judiciary committee, Feinsteins absence would also hobble any attempt to force John Roberts, the chief justice of the supreme court, or any other justice to testify regarding ethics rules and scandals concerning Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, members of the conservative majority.

Republicans blocked Democratic attempts to appoint a temporary replacement.

Ocasio-Cortez previously said Feinstein should consider retirement. She has now added a powerful voice to calls for the senator to quit.

Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary  precisely where repro[ductive] rights are getting stripped, the New Yorker said.

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A recent Texas ruling which threatened access to mifepristone, a common abortion pill, came from a hard-right judge installed under Trump. The supreme court removed the right to abortion last year.

Feinsteins failure to retire, Ocasio-Cortez added, means now in this precious window Dem[ocrat]s can only pass GOP-approved nominees.

However, Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, Virginia, recently told the Guardian that Feinsteins absence had not stopped the Senate from confirming Bidens judicial nominees, but it has made confirming them somewhat more difficult.

For nominees who lack [bipartisan] support and receive tie votes, Democrats can discharge them from the committee with majority votes on the floor, which consumes valuable floor time, he said.

Bluesky is a relatively new platform, backed by the Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, which operates by invitation. An Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson confirmed her words to CNN, which first reported the post.

The spokesperson also confirmed that Ocasio-Cortez does not intend to challenge Gillibrand for her Senate seat in 2024, the subject of recent speculation.
Rocky was in a rush to get to his hotel. Twitter/NFR Podcast

A video appears to show A$AP Rocky pushing past people to hop over a barrier before the Met Gala.

A Twitter user who claimed to be in the crowd shared a selfie, saying the rapper "jumped over" her.

A$AP Rocky and his partner Rihanna were both in attendance at the Met Gala.

Before Rihanna even made an entrance at this year's Met Gala, it was A$AP Rocky who got people talking.

The rapper shocked onlookers Monday as he hopped over a barricade to get into the Carlyle Hotel in New York City ahead of the fashion event, a video posted to Twitter purportedly showed.

In the video  which was posted by HuffPost senior editor Philip Lewis  A$AP Rocky appeared to push past a group of people and jump over a barrier outside the hotel. After A$AP Rocky got onto the hotel's red carpet, someone in the crowd handed him a duffle bag, the video seemed to show.

A$AP Rocky's representatives did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the video, which has 1.3 million views at the time of writing.

Shortly after the footage went viral, the woman whose face Rocky palmed revealed herself on Twitter to be 21-year-old Madelyn Llanes from Long Island, New York.

"ASAP Rocky just literally jumped over me," she tweeted alongside a selfie with her glasses slightly askew.

Llanes later spoke to The Independent about the incident.

"I had felt someone tapping my shoulder, so I turned around and saw that it was him but my brain didn't fully comprehend that it was him," she said.

Llanes said Rocky then told her, "Sweetheart, I need to get through." She said she told him no, but he did not care.

"He just pushed his way up and then hopped over and grabbed me and the guy next to me as he did," she said. "After he hopped over, he was like 'thank you' and then just laughed and flipped me off and then he went inside and that's when I fully realized it was him."

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Some people online felt sorry for the Llanes. One wrote: "He put all his weight on that poor woman!" Another user made light of the situation, tweeting: "The power of celebrity is using someone's face as a springboard and them looking at you in awe over it lol."

One person who claimed to be in attendance captured a different perspective of A$AP Rocky's jump. The user was surprised by how close the rapper was to them.

The Carlyle is a popular hotel among celebrities attending the Met Gala, according to Cosmopolitan. It's where many Met Gala attendees will unveil their looks for the event before arriving at the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art, the venue for the famous Costume Institute gala. The Manhattan hotel has also been a favorite with royals Princess Diana, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle.

Read the original article on Insider
A hospital rescinded a job applicants offer after he asked for a religious exemption to a flu vaccine requirement, according to a Michigan lawsuit.

Mercy Health St. Marys, a hospital in Grand Rapids, offered the applicant a position as a business office coordinator in October 2019, according to the lawsuit filed on April 28.

The offer was contingent upon the applicant completing a physical exam and getting the flu vaccine, the lawsuit says.

In November 2019, the applicant applied for a religious exemption to the flu shot requirement, according to the lawsuit.

The hospital, which is part of the Trinity Health system, denied his application because it said his religious beliefs were insufficient, the lawsuit says.

When the applicant still declined to take the flu shot, the hospital rescinded his job offer, the lawsuit says.

The hospital system did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

The lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, says that the hospital system discriminated against the applicant and violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects employees and applicants from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

Instead of rejecting the applicants religious accommodation request outright, Mercy Health should have followed up with him if it had questions, said Dale Price, a senior trial attorney in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions Detroit field office. If it had questions, Mercy Health could have spoken with this individual before making a decision to determine the contours of his religious beliefs, rather than prematurely determining that his beliefs were not genuine.

Because of the hospital systems actions, the applicant suffered emotional pain, distress  loss of enjoyment of life and humiliation, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit is seeking damages of an amount to be determined at trial but including, back pay, front pay, instatement to an appropriate position, job search expenses, loss of benefits and more.

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Grand Rapids is about 65 miles northwest of Lansing.

Trinity Health, which is a Catholic healthcare system, announced in July 2021 that all employees would be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

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The contentious political climate is not letting up in Argyle.

A day after the Town Council approved a no confidence resolution for Mayor Bryan Livingston, town manager Erika McComis announced that she is on leave until May 8, after Saturdays election.

McComis said she decided to use her vacation time for her leave after she received an email from Livingston attacking her regarding negotiations with Oncor over a proposal to build a high-voltage transmission line stretching from near Rhome in Wise County into southern Denton County.

Oncor says the transmission line is needed because of the growth in North Texas.

In her email to the Town Council McComis wrote: A person can only take so much and I cannot continue to be a political punching bag without starting to punch back. For the most part I truly love my job, my staff, and the council and I do not want to do anything to jeopardize that.

McComis told the Star-Telegram that she was surprised to get the email from Livingston.

I know hes just frustrated with everything going on. As I said before, Im not going to be the punching bag, she said.

Livingston said his email to McComis was businesslike and professional and that he sent it in response to the councils April 24 decision to remove him from negotiations with Oncor, shifting those discussions to the council.

Livingston said that McComis is also handling the duties of the town secretary, which includes administering elections.

Livingston added that the state of affairs is rooted in differing points of view on keeping the Denton County town rural versus working with other communities.

The idea of working with other communities is new to Argyle, he said. They want to keep things rural.

He said he believed that the town has to be a larger part of Denton County and that Argyle needs to look at shifting more of the tax base to commercial development.

Thats what the election is all about, keeping things frozen and not building the tax base, he said.

The council approved the no confidence resolution on April 24 by a 4-1 vote with Sherri Myers voted against the motion. The came after Livingston released attorney/client privileged information concerning an investigation into an incident involving the mayor and a former employee.

Livingston is not seeking re-election as mayor, but he is running against one of his political foes, Ronald Schmidt for the town council.
Fritzgerald Vixamar is normally a businessman who runs a school in Haiti.

But not today. Today he sees himself as a soldier preparing for battle.

As he sharpens the steel blades of two machetes against each other in a street market in Cap-Haitien, above the clanging sounds he issues an ominous warning to the armed gangs terrorizing Haiti with daily kidnappings, rapes and killings.

We are not going to let gangs come from Port-au-Prince and enter the north, he says. If they do, were going to chop off their heads.

Vixamar, 49, who is appealing to Haitians abroad to provide 100,000 machetes, says people in in his country have had enough, and are joining forces with the police to fight back, with whatever weapons they can get, against the murderous gangs that have grown in strength since the brazen July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

This is a cry of war, he told the Miami Herald days after making his declaration in a video that has gone viral. Haiti is at war, and not just any war. Its a civil war between the gangs, the population and the national police and the population is taking justice into its own hands.

Residents in Port-au-Prince are doing what they can to protect themselves from violent gangs. They are joining police in manhunts, killing suspected gang members and blocking entry into their communities with vehicles. Here residents in the Solino neighborhood of the capital have scribbled, Solino says down with gangs.

In a nation where the battle cry Koupe tet, boule kay  Cut off heads, burn down houses  powered the successful 1791-1804 revolution, Haitians are once more invoking the same defiance. This time, their enemy isnt the French colonizers who kept them in slavery, but the illegal armed groups whose deadly turf wars have been turning once peaceful neighborhoods into bloody battlegrounds.

Adopting a popular Haitian Creole expression about a mans virility,Bwa Kale  street slang for an erection  and turning it into a war cry of civil disobedience and determination, Haitians are arming themselves with machetes, gasoline, matches, bottles, tires and rocks and chasing down heavily armed gangs across the country.

Their promise to uproot gangs is being welcomed by residents who have grown desperate and frustrated waiting for outside intervention, and as Haitian police remain outnumbered and outgunned by gangs.

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But the popular movement is also stoking fears that the revolt may be sowing the seeds of more violence, as it sometimes targets people other than suspected gang members  and mobs act as judge, jury and executioner.

Residents in Port-au-Prince are doing what they can to protect themselves from violent gangs. They are joining police in manhunts, killing suspected gang members and blocking entry into their communities.

Videos circulating on social media show Haitians in the mountains above the capital tying up suspected gang members and pushing them into pits made of burning tires. Elsewhere around the capital suspected gang members have been beaten or stoned to death. The reaction has spread outside Port-auPrince: Even the provinces are now in a heightened state of alert, with residents threatening to arrest or lynch any suspicious persons trying to seek refuge in their communities.

In the rural Artibonite Valley, two men were dragged out of a police precinct in the small town of Gros-Morne and beaten to death while a crowd screamed, Bwa Kale, Bwa Kale. In the city of Marigot in the southeast, where crowds also demanded that police hand over a presumed bandit, a suspected gang member was stoned to death, his battered and bloody corpse left in the middle of the road with a tire on top.

The vigilante killings have left so many suspected gang members dead in recent days  one human rights advocate has put the tally at around 100 that even policemen involved in the anti-gang effort say there are too many bodies to count.

Speaking at a press conference last week, Haiti National Police Spokesman Garry Desrosiers condemned the killings, telling Haitians: Do not take justice into your own hands.

After an angry crowd in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood killed 13 suspected gang members on Monday, April 24, residents in the capital began erecting barricades from whatever they can find to protect themselves from encroaching, menacing gangs. This truck reads, Nazon says down with gangs.

Still, he and other authorities have made it clear that Haitians have little choice but to fend for themselves because of the number of gang-related killings and the growing territory they now control. The level of violence had reached levels comparable to those in countries in situations of armed conflict, the United Nations noted in a recent report.

The way things are now there is no other way out, said a young woman in the Nazon neighborhood of the capital, where residents are using fuel and water tanker trucks as barriers to keep gangs out. We have to defend ourselves, because we dont have anyone to do it for us.

The gang-fueled violence, she said, has gone on for far too long.

If there was any political will to change it, we would have seen it already, she said, declining like so many others interviewed by the Herald to give her name.

The only visible change has been whats been going on in the last week, where we the people have decided to take charge of our own destiny.

Stray bullets and extrajudicial killings

Gang violence has become so prevalent that hospitals and schools have been forced to close as attacks against them become more common. School children are getting hit by stray bullets while sitting in class, and kids are being targeted for gang rapes, kidnapping and killing by the hundreds of criminal groups that now control about 80% of Port-au-Prince.

The anger at the gangs finally erupted in violence last week when residents in the southeast Port-au-Prince neighborhoods of Canape-Vert, Turgeau, Debussy, Pacot and Croix-Deprez woke up to the sounds of automatic gunfire and gangs announcing on megaphones that they had seized control of the communities.

Unwilling to be taken over, men in the communities evacuated the women and children, grabbed machetes and rocks and attacked the gang members who had divided into groups of 20 or 30.

Residents in Canape-Vert intercepted 13 suspected gang members traveling in a mini-bus who had been stopped at a police checkpoint. The crowd dragged the men from the police, beat them with stones and hacked them with machetes, then set them ablaze with burning tires. The explosion of violence set off a chain reaction, as residents in other neighborhoods beheaded suspected gang members and burned their bodies in the streets.

In Debussy, as police launched an assault to stop the armed groups from taking control of the strategically located neighborhood, the population joined in the manhunt. Machete-wielding residents of nearby Carrefour Feuilles followed, joined by police in civilian clothes who helped them track down armed gang members.

Elsewhere in the capital resident formed citizens brigades, imposed curfews and checkpoints, beefed up patrols from rooftops and used vehicles, sandbags and even tires to block access to their neighborhoods.

Haitis new United Nations envoy in Port-au-Prince, Maria Isabel Salvador, told the U.N. Security Council last week that Haitians decisions to take matters into their own hands will inevitably lead to the breakdown of the social fabric, with unpredictable consequences for the entire region.

After an angry crowd in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood killed 13 suspected gang members on Monday, April 24, residents in the capital began erecting barricades from whatever they can find to protect themselves from encroaching, menacing gangs.

In the making for months, the populations violent backlash to take back control of their streets is just the latest example of extrajudicial killings targeting suspected gang members. Such vigilante acts have been accompanied by a shifting attitude that the actions are justifiable in the face of Haitis overcrowded prisons, ill-equipped police and corrupt judges who quickly release detained gang members.

When a human rights advocate wrote an open letter last year to the justice ministry, expressing concerns about a government-appointed prosecutor in Miragoane, Jean-Ernest Muscadin, carrying out extrajudicial killings of a suspected gang member, she faced protests and threats.

Marie Yolene Gilles, head of the Eyes Wide Open Foundation, wrote to the ministry after a widely circulated video showed Muscadin accusing Elvain Saint-Jacques of being a member of the Village de Dieu gang. Muscadin then tells Saint-Jacques to say his last words to his parents  and shoots him at point-blank range.

Muscadin later threatened to arrest Gilles over her criticism, and thousands demonstrated in his favor in the streets saying, If Muscadin werent here, we would all be dead.

Earlier this year, support for the prosecutor extended to Haitians abroad, who launched an online GoFundMe campaign that raised thousands of dollars to buy an armored vehicle for Muscadin. The GoFundMe page was later shut down by the crowdfunding platform after someone complained.

Killings move Haiti in wrong direction

Louis-Henri Mars, the executive director of Lakou Lape, a conflict-management and peacebuilding organization in Port-au-Prince, said the vigilante killings are moving Haiti, already on the brink of anarchy, in the wrong direction.

Still, he says he understands peoples frustrations, which finally boiled over in two separate but connected incidents last week. One was the death during a police operation of notorious gang leader Carlo Petithomme, known as Ti Makak, whose gang had been terrorizing residents in the wealthy enclaves of Laboule and Thomassin. The second was the detention of some of his suspected soldiers by police and their seizure by the angry mob in Canape-Vert.

Police spokesman Desrosiers last week confirmed Petithommes death, but offered little detail other than he was fatally injured during the police operation. Others, who closely follow gang activities, claim the gang chief was killed by another leader. Either way the death removed the aura of invincibility he and others had, Mars said.

Its pent-up trauma exploding, he said about the Haitian peoples decision to fight back.

After an angry crowd in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood killed 13 suspected gang members on Monday, April 24, residents in the capital began erecting barricades to protect themselves from encroaching, menacing gangs. Here residents have scribbled, We are fed up with gangs.

Over 100,000 displaced

As of last month, at least 130,000 people had been displaced by the gang violence just in metropolitan Port-a-Prince.

Salvador, the U.N. envoy who just arrived in Port-au-Prince in April, said the gang violence is expanding at an alarming rate. Homicides, rapes, kidnappings and lynchings have more than doubled to 1,647 in the first quarter of this year, from 692 in the same period in 2022, she said. She described the violent trend as shocking.

The Haiti police force barely has 3,500 officers on the streets at any given time, she said, reiterating U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urgent call for the rapid deployment of a specialized international force to help cops counter the violence.

The national police succeed in mounting some effective anti-gang operations, but holding these security gains is merely momentary, she said. The need for urgent international support to the police to address the rapidly deteriorating security situation cannot be overemphasized.

Gangs massacres, government silence

Until this week, Haitian police, who have lost more than 20 officers to gang violence so far this year, appeared to have ceded control of the capital and parts of the Artibonite Valley to the gangs.

Despite a number of massacres, at least eight of which were documented by the human rights group National Human Rights Defense Network in its latest report, the government has remained largely silent, leading to demands for changes at the top.

James, a resident of Carrefour Feuilles, said Haitians are outraged by both the vicious cycle of violence and by the inability of Haiti National Police Chief Frantz Elbe and Prime Minister Ariel Henry to do anything about it. Neither man had personally addressed the population, either about the recent massacres or the vigilante killings, although Henry finally broke his silence Monday in a videotaped message Monday to commemorate May Day, and appealed to the population to work with the police.

We are living in a country that doesnt have any safe space, said James, who declined to give his last name. He demanded that Elbe and Henry resign. We are fed-up with the gang violence. We cant take it any longer because everyone is a victim.

Alix, who also lives in Carrefour Feuilles, said residents go to bed each night not knowing if their house will be the next one to be looted or burned by gangs, and if they too will have to flee from the encroaching sound of automatic gunfire.

The poor cannot take it anymore. Its God who is giving us strength to stand up and fight back, he said.

A deadly price

But standing up to the gangs carries a price.

For months, the people of Source Matelas lived in fear of gang attacks, as armed groups operating in nearby Canaan and Titanyen, attempted to turn the nearby womens prison in Cabaret into their base.

After an attack last November left at least 72 people dead and 29 women and girls were gang raped, a citizens brigade erected barricades to keep out gangs by blocking entry into their rural community off National Highway No. 1 connecting Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien.

It worked, for a while. Then on April 19 armed bandits once more attacked the Cabaret prison and then, traveling aboard three buses, raided Sources Matelas in broad daylight, setting homes on fire.

They killed babies, they killed pregnant women, said a resident whose 87-year-old uncle was among the victims. They killed everyone they crossed paths with.

Among the dead were members of the citizens brigade, who after sounding the alert about the coming attack found themselves outnumbered. The National Human Rights Defense Network said it it appeared the deadly attack was retaliation because the residents had dared to erect barricades to protect themselves.

Haitis Office of Civil Protection said at least 48 people were killed. Pierre Christian Jean, a government representative for the area, told the Herald that the death toll has now risen to at least 100.

Inspired by the rebellion against the gangs taking place around the country, he said thousands of residents of Source Matelas, joined by people in nearby Cabaret and the police, launched their own Bwa Kale movement Saturday to chase the gangs out. While two locals lost their lives, Jean said, at least five gang members were killed.

The population isnt standing down, he said. Its unacceptable that bandits are deciding what the population can or cant do. They are the ones who should be the run.
Neo Nazis with a swastika flag led by Christopher Pohlhaus

It has happened once again. On a Saturday afternoon in Ohio, neo-Nazis displaying swastikas and chanting neo-Nazi slogans threatened people with their flags and chants while at a drag brunch.

For the second time in as many months, neo-Nazi white supremacist skinhead Christopher Pohlhaus led his group, Blood Tribe, to protest LGBTQ-affirming events.

As part of the drag brunch event, Land Grant Brewing Company in Columbus hosted a fundraiser for Kaleidoscope Youth Center, an Ohio-based organization dedicated to providing safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in the community, according to local TV station WBNS.

As the affair started, a group of about two dozen right-wing extremists, some chanting and waving Swastika flags, protested the event, videos posted online show.

\u201cHappening now in Columbus, Ohio. Neo - nazis flying swastika flags are outside of a drag event. https://t.co/HiKJ9FDz2l\u201d  Alejandra Caraballo \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@Alejandra Caraballo \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1682792248

In contrast to most neo-Nazis in attendance, Pohlhaus did not cover his face to hide his identity.

The group held a banner reading There will be blood, behind which they performed Nazi salutes while chanting about no transgenders on our streets and other bigoted sentiments.

Pohlhaus led a similar protest last March against a drag queen story hour in Wadsworth near Akron, the video of which was jarring and widely distributed online.

At times, he led the crowd of his adherents in chants of blood and under the Aryan sun as onlookers observed and members of the Columbus Police dialogue team monitored the interactions.

Among the neo-Nazi group members was at least one who wore tactical gear and carried an AR-15-style rifle.

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In response to the presence of actual neo-Nazis in Columbus, council president Shannon Hardin tweeted his dismay.

LGBTQ+ kids & families shouldnt have to deal with obscene hate from literal nazis. While @ColumbusCouncil has an existing budget earmark for @KYCOhio, Im donating today to support the great work they do & show that our community stands with KYC and the community they serve, he wrote.

\u201cLGBTQ+ kids & families shouldn't have to deal with obscene hate from literal nazis. While @ColumbusCouncil has an existing budget earmark for @KYCOhio, I'm donating today to support the great work they do & show that our community stands with KYC and the community they serve. 1/2\u201d  Shannon Hardin (@Shannon Hardin) 1682795925

During a protest in March, Pohlhauss group joined Patriot Front, the Proud Boys, the III Percenters, and other conservative Christian groups in descending upon a public park in Wadsworth to disrupt Drag Queen Story Hour, an event planned at the park.

As hundreds of armed, snarling far-right extremists threatened their safety, 15 children and their parents watched a show.



At that event, police arrested several people.

In recent months, as Republican politicians and far-right extremists have targeted transgender Americans with laws restricting their access to medical care and seeking to erase their existence from society, radical white supremacist groups and conservatives have joined in a dangerous coalition against a common target.

The Columbus Police Department did not immediately respond to The Advocates request for information on Saturday's arrests.
Parents can no longer rely on the city of Arroyo Grande for certain kinds of child care after the City Council voted to cut preschool and other programs.

The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously April 24 to end the Parks and Recreation Departments before- and after-school child care programs, along with its preschool program for children age 3 to 5.

According to Recreation Services Director Sheridan Bolken, budgetary restrictions, declines in enrollment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing human resources and staffing issues made the programs financially unfeasible to operate past fall 2023.

Weve been talking about these issues for years and years and years and years, Arroyo Grande Mayor Caren Ray Russom said at the April 24 meeting. It breaks my heart, but I dont see a path forward.

More than 20 parents who attended the meeting voiced their frustration and disappointment with the decision to shutter the programs.

Im not going to belabor the value of the program, but it really seems like the decision is primarily a financial one, one community member said during public comment. Im so disappointed in the lack of community outreach. We didnt know this was happening.

Nicole Shipley, whose children would have used Arroyo Grandes preschool program next fall, stands outside the Mark M. Millis Community Center. The Arroyo Grande City Council voted to end the Parks and Recreation Departments child care and preschool programs April 24.

Which Arroyo Grande city programs are being cut and why?

Established in 1976, the Parks and Recreation Department-run preschool program was the most affordable in South County, Bohlken said

At the most, summer registration costs a little more than $200 per student, Arroyo Grande City Manager Whitney McDonald said.

According to Bohlken, enrollment in the preschool program dropped significantly during the height of the pandemic, though its been on the rise in recent years.

This year, 44 children are enrolled in the preschool program, she said.

The Mark M. Millis Community Center has been the home of the Recreation Services Department and its preschool program since the mid-1990s, when the Lucia Mar Unified School District donated the facility to the city, Bohlken said,

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Unfortunately, she said, the 1970s-era building is reaching the end of its useful life.

Bohlken said it would cost $6 million to fully replace the structure.

The preschool program was running at an annual deficit of around $32,000. Combined with the costs of the before- and after-school child care, the Recreation Services Department was losing around $80,000 each year by keeping the programs active.

The preschool program has broken even only twice since the 2012-13 school year: during the 2015-16 and 2018-19 school years.

Had Arroyo Grande voters voted to pass Measure D-22 in November and raise the citys sales tax by 1%, the money generated by the tax increase might have been enough to keep the programs open in some capacity, officials said during the City Council meeting April 24.

The impact of these programs is indisputable, Russom said. We asked you for money, and you said No. That was heartbreaking.

Parents respond to preschool, child care cuts

Nicole Shipley, whose children are 5, 3 and 10 months old, said she was looking forward to sending her youngest children to the citys summer preschool program.

Her children attend Arroyo Grande Montessori School during the school year. However, because Shipley and her husband both work full-time, they rely on city programs in the summer.

For that 3-to-5 age group, there are no options at all in this area, Shipley told The Tribune. The city preschool program that they just cut is the only option in the summer.

Once her children reach school age, Shipley said, she had hoped to take advantage of the before- and after-school child care programs.

That wont be possible now due to the City Councils decision to eliminate the citys child care programs.

Niccola Nelsons 5-year-old daughter Ainsley has attended the preschool program for the past two years.

Nelson, who works for the city as a yoga instructor for seniors, said she heard about the program from her students, who have grandchildren and great-grandchildren enrolled in the program.

Nelson said she originally wasnt going to send her daughter to the program because she didnt really think it was too necessary.

However, she said, the different between kids who attend preschool and does who dont is night and day.

Attending preschool has taught her daughter spelling, basic reading and even empathy  skills Nelson said other kids Ainsleys age dont have.

Nelson said she and other parents were shocked the City Council did not look into other alternatives to keep the program running, such as finding another place to host the program or raising fees.

Why kill such a long-standing tradition? Nelson said. It doesnt make sense to me, in this town that is all about values and community and family  it doesnt jive.

Jackie Ralph, whose 4-year-old daughter Edith is currently enrolled in the preschool program, said she attended the citys preschool when she was a child.

Because her daughter was born just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ralph said she was happy to see her daughter learning to socialize with other children.

She was growing up with being at home and only having contact with family members and people that we would hang out with, Ralph said. That, as a skill, I think is important  just getting the feeling of learning.

Now, Ralph said, shell have to find another place for her daughter to receive education and socialization, which will be difficult.

Were in for a struggle this summer, looking for some way that we can get her in, Ralph said. She probably wont get a full year of preschool because of it.

Shipley noted that local preschools tend to be far more expensive than the citys program and fill up fast. In fact, she said, many of those preschools are already fully booked for next year.

Youve heard the term food desert  this is a child care desert, for sure, Shipley said.

The Arroyo Grande City Council voted to end the Parks and Recreation Departments child care and preschool programs April 24. One reason was the cost to replace the Mark M. Millis Community Center, which would cost around $6 million.

City Councils move could make childcare shortage worse

According to data from the most recent California Child Care Portfolio, 36% children under the age of 12 with parents in the labor force did not have access to a licensed child care space in San Luis Obispo County in 2021.

One of the biggest problems for these programs is staffing, said Shana Paulson, child care resource connection director at Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO).

According to Paulson, many of the child care providers in San Luis Obispo County operate at less than their licensed capacity due to insufficient staffing.

We believe there are a number of different elements to the problem, Paulson said. We know this is hard work  work that people usually have a passion for  and were having a hard time finding people who want to continue to do this.

Paulson said her program would work with the city and parents of the remaining 44 children currently enrolled in the preschool program to find new child care.

Whats next for child care in South County?

With the citys child care programs winding down, McDonald said the YMCA will take over before- and after-school care at local schools that already offered the service.

The city was already struggling to adequately staff and fund child care services in the past year as the Lucia Mar Unified School District began expanding its before- and after-school care programs, McDonald said.

That expansion stressed the citys capacity for child care, which led to a partnership with the local YMCA. Branch Elementary School turned over its before- and after-school programs to the YMCA last year, and Ocean View Elementary was already set to do the same for the 2023-24 school year, according to Bohlken.

Those changes were already in the works, and again, the program is going to continue to be offered to the public by the YMCA, so there wont be any kind of end in that availability for the community, McDonald said.

The 20 part-time Parks and Recreation Department staff who were responsible for running the preschool program will be laid off, McDonald said, though in an area with severe child care and preschool shortages, she expected there would be plenty of opportunities for the staff.

The loss of the preschool program does creates a gap between the current system and the states universal preschool system coming in the next few years.

I think were in for an interesting time, Paulson said. The transition wont be the smoothest ... Its clear that families really liked what they had in their community.

In the meantime, parents expressed concern over their childrens educational future.

I think that the downstream effects to cutting this program cant really be measured on a financial statement, Shipley said. Were talking about displacing kids in preschool  they might not go to preschool because this program doesnt exist, or working parents might have to take a little bit of time off work. I think it affects a lot more than just an $80,000 deficit.
The search for a 50-year-old woman continues after she vanished more than a week ago in North Carolina, police said.

Shannon Anderson of Edenton was last seen the night of April 25, Camden County Sheriff Kevin Jones shared in a news release on Facebook. Since her disappearance, officials discovered her abandoned SUV and are working to piece together her whereabouts based on interviews and camera footage.

Deputies found Andersons vehicle on Broad Creek in the Camden Point area, according to police. Her white Ford Escape was found in the same area she was last seen, Jones said in the release.

Apparently, Miss Anderson approached a couple of residences looking for a particular person, the sheriff said in the release. We do not have a direction of travel after she abandoned her vehicle.

The neighborhood Anderson wandered through is the countys Vietnamese community, the Daily Advance reported. Anderson had told one resident that she was looking for somebody after knocking on their door, the news outlet reported.

The sheriffs office determined the person Anderson was looking for actually lived in Virginia, but after speaking to that person, deputies were no closer to finding Anderson, investigators told the Daily Advance.

Meanwhile, hundreds in the community are sharing missing posts on Facebook in the hopes of finding Anderson. Jody Anderson told McClatchy News her missing sister is a local artist, and her Instagram profile shows her carving pieces of wood art.

The U.S. Coast Guard joined the search on April 29 and used a helicopter to search a nearby wooded swamp area, the release said. They were unable to locate any objects in the wooded swamp area that resembled a human form.

Were following up on ways to locate her and checking all the boxes, but right now nothing has panned out, Jones told the Daily Advance. Some of the information we gathered was not received until almost four days after the fact.

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Neighboring law enforcement departments and fire departments have shared the countys information about Anderson, hoping to reel in more information about her disappearance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Central Communications at 252-331-1500 or Camden County Sheriffs Office at 252-338-5046.

Edenton is located along the Albermarle Sound, about 140 miles northeast of Raleigh.

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An Ashland woman is detailing her long Odyssey from war-torn Sudan back to the United States with her young daughter after being safely evacuated last week.

Trillian Clifford worked as a teacher at an international school in Sudans capital city of Khartoum. When violence broke out after a political crisis, Clifford and her 18-month-old daughter had to shelter in place for over a week.

This, they claim, was only the start of their 1,350-mile journey.

Cliffords sister-in-law, Rebecca Winter, shared with Boston 25 News a statement detailing Cliffords escape to Cairo and eventually, back to the United States.

It took over 100 hours of travel, Winter said. The first step was getting to the two-bus convoy where she was met by several other foreign nationals and their families from her school. Trillian and Alma drove to the bus with another colleague and her two-year-old. It was surreal and terrifying driving out in the open after over a week of sheltering in place. Thankfully, that part of the journey was uneventful.

However, Winter says the next leg of the journey was a different story.

Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, and her young daughter, Alma, have returned home safely from war-torn Sudan, her family said. Clifford worked as a teacher at an international school in Sudans capital city of Khartoum.

Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, Mass. and her young daughter, Alma, have returned home safely from war-torn Sudan, her family said. Clifford worked as a teacher at an international school in Sudans capital city of Khartoum.

Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, Mass. and her young daughter, Alma, have returned home safely from war-torn Sudan, her family said. Clifford worked as a teacher at an international school in Sudans capital city of Khartoum.

Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, Mass. and her young daughter, Alma, have returned home safely from war-torn Sudan, her family said. Clifford worked as a teacher at an international school in Sudans capital city of Khartoum.

Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, Mass. and her young daughter, Alma, have returned home safely from war-torn Sudan, her family said. Clifford worked as a teacher at an international school in Sudans capital city of Khartoum.

She says the bus ride took hours just to get out of Khartoum, with the convoy being stopped and rerouted several different times. After finally leaving the city, Clifford and her co-workers, along with their children, began the long drive through the desert to Egypt.

The drive through the desert presented its own challenges, a family spokesperson claims.

A co-worker of Trillians reported some of the stops were by armed guards, some of whom entered the bus with AK-47s demanding bribes or verifying there were only citizens on board, Winter said. At one point, the bus encountered fighting between both armies and the bus driver yelled for everyone to close the window shades, hide on the ground and be silent. [Cliffords daughter] was thankfully asleep when this occurred, but other families struggled to calm their terrified children.

Winter says the convoy eventually reached Wadi Halfa, a city in northern Sudan near Lake Nubia, and thus started the process of trying to enter Egypt. She describes the border of the country being chaos as thousands of refugees from Sudan tried to enter.

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Clifford and her daughter were among the first group to enter border processing, although her sister-in-law says others in her convoy werent as lucky. The small Ashland family was nevertheless stuck at the border for most of the day and had to rely on safe houses provided by private Sudanese citizens to sleep at night.

Beds were scarce, but they prioritized children getting a bed when possible, Winter said.

The next stop was Abu Simbel, which is a village situated on the western bank of Lake Nasser, which Winter says is where Clifford and her daughter needed to catch a ferry.

We are increasingly terrified: Mass. mother, young daughter trapped in war-torn Sudan

They were hopeful they would reach the pier in time, but arrived right after the last ferry departed, Winter said. They wanted to sleep on the bus by the ferry, but were told they werent allowed to stay there.

She says her convoy spent the night in shacks with most of them sleeping on the ground. After catching a ferry in the morning, Winter says the group continued on to Aswan, where they were able to purchase SIM cards for their phones so they could contact their families back home.

This is when I was finally able to get back in contact with Trillian after losing touch when she crossed out of Sudan, the sister-in-law said.

From Aswan, the family spokesperson said Clifford and her daughter took a bus to Cairo and eventually, landed in Boston on Sunday night.

Trillian is incredibly grateful to her school in Khartoum for arranging and funding her evacuation to Cairo, Winter said. She is working to help other friends who are still in Sudan or stuck at the border. Our hearts are breaking for the Sudanese people, along with all affected by this conflict.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Convicted cop killer Markeith Loyd had his appeal heard before the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The hearing lasted approximately 40 minutes. Both the defense team and the prosecutors presented their case. Now, Loyds fate lies in the hands of the Florida Supreme Court justices.

Lloyd is trying to appeal his conviction and death sentence.

READ: Who is Markeith Loyd?

He was found guilty of the 2017 murder of Orlando Police Lieutenant Debra Clayton.

Loyds attorneys want a new trial and have said that he was not competent to be sentenced.

He was first convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, and her unborn child in 2019.

READ: Markeith Loyd sentenced to death in killing of Orlando police Lt Debra Clayton

Markeith Loyd is incarcerated at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida.

Loyd was sentenced to five consecutive life terms in that case and is currently incarcerated at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida.

Now that court is adjourned, it is up to the Florida Supreme Court justices to decide if Loyd deserves a new trial and hearing to decide his sentence.

Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this story.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A stock photo of a woman vaping

Recreational vaping will be banned in Australia, as part of a major crackdown amid what experts say is an "epidemic".

Minimum quality standards will also be introduced, and the sale of vapes restricted to pharmacies.

Nicotine vapes already require a prescription in Australia, but the industry is poorly regulated and a black market is thriving.

Health Minister Mark Butler says the products are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts in Australia.

Also known as e-cigarettes, vapes heat a liquid - usually containing nicotine - turning it into a vapour that users inhale. They are widely seen as a product to help smokers quit.

But in Australia, vapes have exploded in popularity as a recreational product, particularly among young people in cities.

"Just like they did with smoking... 'Big Tobacco' has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging and added sweet flavours to create a new generation of nicotine addicts," Mr Butler said in a speech announcing reforms on Tuesday.

"We have been duped."

Vapes are considered safer than normal cigarettes because they do not contain harmful tobacco - the UK government is even handing them to some smokers for free in its "swap to stop" programme.

But health experts advise that vapes are not risk-free - they can often contain chemicals - and the long-term implications of using them are not yet clear.

The Australian government argues they are a public health threat, disproportionately affecting young people, many of whom haven't smoked before.

Research suggests one in six Australians aged 14-17 years old has vaped, and one in four people aged 18-24.

"Only 1 in 70 people my age has vaped," said Mr Butler, who is 52.

He said the products are being deliberately targeted at kids and are readily available "alongside lollies and chocolate bars" in retail stores.

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He added that vaping had become the "number one behavioural issue" in high schools. Some have begun installing vape detectors in bathrooms, Australian media have reported.

The health minister said the federal government would work with state and territory governments on potential penalties for possession of e-cigarettes unless they had been prescribed.

Reforms toughen already strict rules

Australia already has some of the strongest anti-smoking laws in the world. Mr Butler on Tuesday compared the new vape reforms to those used to reduce cigarette smoking in Australia to one of the lowest levels among advanced countries.

The reforms include a ban on all disposable vapes and a crackdown on the import of non-prescription products.

Scripts will be necessary for the vaping products that remain legal, and they will be required to have pharmaceutical-like packaging. Restrictions on flavours, colours, nicotine concentrations and other ingredients will also be introduced.

"No more bubble-gum flavours, pink unicorns or vapes disguised as highlighter pens for kids to hide them in their pencil cases," Mr Butler said.

However he said the government will also make it easier for people to get a prescription for "legitimate therapeutic use".

A timeline for implementation will be announced at a later date.

A handful of other countries, like Singapore and Thailand, have also banned vaping and Australia's medicines regulator - the Therapeutic Goods Administration - has been recommending reform.

The Cancer Council said the changes could "reverse the e-cigarette epidemic and prevent history repeating itself for a new generation of Australians".

But some politicians, industry bodies and health professionals say Australia should be relaxing its laws.

National Party leader David Littleproud has previously argued the country should emulate New Zealand's approach and regulate nicotine vapes much like cigarettes. Others have expressed concern harsher restrictions could see more people turn to the unregulated illegal market.
(Bloomberg) -- Australia will restrict the sale and use of e-cigarettes and ban all single-use vapes in what is likely the governments most significant smoking-related reform in a decade to avert a health crisis.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Health Minister Mark Butler will announce plans to crack down on e-cigarettes in a speech to the National Press Club on Tuesday where he will pledge A$234 million ($155 million) to boost enforcement and fund education campaigns to stamp out vaping.

The government will stop the import of non-prescription e-cigarettes, end the sale of the devices in most retail settings, introduce pharmaceutical-style plain packaging and prohibit all single-use disposable vapes under the new restrictions that Butler will announce. The move comes a decade since Australia ordered in 2012 for all cigarettes to be sold in logo-free, bland packaging to curb smoking.

Vaping was originally sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit, Butler will say in excerpts of his remarks that were released ahead of his speech.

It was not sold as a recreational product  especially not one for our kids. But that is what it has become: the biggest loophole in Australian history, Butler will say.

People have been calling poisons hotlines in Australia to report children under the age of four getting sick from using a vape, while one in six teenagers aged between 14 to 17 has used an e-cigarette.

While the use of e-cigarettes is largely unrestricted in many countries, including the UK and Canada, many other parts of the world have entirely banned the devices or imposed tough regulations.

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Since 2009, Brazil has maintained a ban on the sale, import and advertising of e-cigarettes, while the worlds most-populous country India announced a similar ban in September 2019.

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An avalanche carried away two skiers, leaving one with critical injuries, on King Solomon Mountain near Silverton, Colorado rescuers say.

Another skier hiked to the top of a ridge to call for help at 1 p.m. Friday, April 28, following the avalanche, Silverton Medical Rescue reported in a news release.

Two people in a group of four skiers on the north face of the mountain had been swept away by the avalanche, the release said. One suffered critical injuries.

The area where this accident occurred is incredibly difficult to operate in as rescuers, the approach is long, and the descent is very steep and rocky with challenging terrain to move through, especially with a patient, the release said.

A Flight for Life helicopter from Durango, Colorado, dropped rescuers near the avalanche. Others also arrived by snowmobile, the release said.

Rescuers moved the injured skier by sled to the valley floor, where the helicopter airlifted the person to a hospital, the release said. Rescuers also helped the other skiers out of the area.

Silverton is a town of 600 people about 350 miles southwest of Denver.

What to know about avalanches

Avalanches happen quickly and catch people by surprise. They can move between 60 and 80 mph and typically happen on slopes of 30-45 degrees, according to experts.

Skiers, snowmobilers and hikers can set off an avalanche when a layer of snow collapses and starts to slide down the slope.

In the U.S., avalanches are most common from December to April, but they can happen at any time if the conditions are right, National Geographic reported.

At least 24 in the U.S. have died in avalanches this season as of Tuesday, May 2, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

People heading into snow should always check the local avalanche forecast at Avalanche.org, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, and have an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel ready.

Emergency services are usually too far away from the scene of an avalanche, and time is important, Simon Trautman, a national avalanche specialist, said. A person trapped under the snow may not have more than 20 or 30 minutes. So, in a backcountry scenario, you are your own rescue party.

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If an avalanche breaks out, its best to move diagonal to the avalanche to an edge, Trautman said.

Try to orient your feet downhill so that your lower body, not your head, takes most of the impact, officials said. You may also get into a tight ball as another way to protect your head.

Solo skier caught and buried in fatal avalanche, Colorado authorities say

Ailing passengers airlifted from three cruise ships off California, Coast Guard says

Gruesome freak accident in P.E. class kills 16-year-old, Washington school says
Prof Olusoga said it was "humbling" to have his work "recognised in this way"

Presenter and historian David Olusoga is to receive a Bafta award for his outstanding contribution to television.

Bafta said the University of Manchester professor, who presented BBC Two's A House Through Time, will be honoured at its TV Awards ceremony on 14 May.

The award, one of the charity's highest honours, has previously been given to film and TV stars Idris Elba and Sir Lenny Henry and presenter Clive James.

Prof Olusoga said it was "humbling" to have his work "recognised in this way".

The historian has become a familiar face to many through his work on a number of BBC series, which include Civilisations, Black and British: A Forgotten History and A House through Time, and his appearances on BBC One's The One Show.

'Inspiring'

Prof Olusoga, who was born in Nigeria and grew up in Gateshead, has previously spoken about how working in TV was "the best job in the world", but also had sometimes his career left him feeling "crushed, isolated," and "disempowered".

The special award will be his second from Bafta, as his 2015 series, Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners, won the specialist factual category at the charity's ceremony in 2016.

The historian, who began his TV career five years after graduating from the University of Liverpool in 1994, said he was "honoured" to get the special award.

"It is humbling to have my work in television, as both a producer and a presenter, recognised in this way," he added.

Bafta chief executive Jane Millichip said the historian had made an "outstanding contribution, not just to the television community, but to our society and culture".

She said his "commitment and bravery in reappraising how history is presented through television is inspiring" and he represented "the best of what television can do, [showing] its power to inspire, educate and challenge".

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to: northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Sara Lemkow still owns her wooden castanets from about 80 years ago

A former Ballet Rambert dancer has shown fellow care home residents a few moves at the age of 100.

Sara Lemkow (nee Luzita) toured Europe, performed in the West End and featured in films including the original 1952 Moulin Rouge.

On Saturday, she demonstrated flamenco dancing in front of residents during an exercise class at The Orchards in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Her daughter said "joie de vivre" kept her mother "young at heart".

Ms Lemkow demonstrated some moves at an exercise class at The Orchards in Ely, Cambridgeshire

Ms Lemkow was born in Hanley, Staffordshire, before growing up in Brighton in East Sussex.

She said her mother encouraged her to dance from the age of four, before she trained in London, and then specialised in traditional Spanish and flamenco dancing.

She toured with the prestigious Ballet Rambert, since renamed the Rambert Dance Company, and among her film credits is performing as the can can dancer in the yellow dress in John Huston's Moulin Rouge.

She married Norwegian actor Tutte Lemkow - who played the Fiddler in the 1971 film musical Fiddler on the Roof - and she became an antiques dealer in London following her dancing career.

She still has her wooden castanets from about 80 years ago and can still, just about, raise her leg to her head.

"Once a boy walked up and said 'you can't lift your leg up to your head' and I said 'I can' and I did," she remembered.

Rachel Peacock said it "brought a lump to my throat" when the castanets were put in Sara's hand and she started playing them along to the flamenco music.

"She's still got it... the arm-ography, timing and her charisma," she said.

"I think her determination, joie de vivre and sense of humour have kept her young at heart.

"She said to me once 'never go grey'."

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk
Bam Margeras substance abuse is scaring his older brother, who said the Jackass star is dying in a crisis of addiction, criminal charges and strangers enabling his behavior.

I hope none of you ever have to hurt as much as me right now, musician Jess Margera wrote in an Instagram story over the weekend. He is dying and there is nothing I can do about it.

Bam Margera is free on $50,000 bail after his arrest in suburban Philadelphia last week on charges of simple assault, harassment and terroristic threats. Jess Margera said the arrest involves his brother punching him.

The charges set off a furious social media exchange between the brothers, with Bam Margera claiming his sibling will be sued for defamation for the false accusations, and Jess Margera responding on Twitter that his injuries might be serious and he could take legal action himself.

I might have permanent hearing damage from bams desperate lame ass little attack while I was making coffee, Jess Margera tweeted Sunday. If thats the case all of my bands upcoming touring income he will be sued for and I will fucking win. Im not a fun enemy to have.

Margera in 2013.

Margera in 2013.

The CKY drummer added that hed donate any lawsuit proceeds to mental health programs.

He also ripped into his bothers alleged enablers and singled out Bam Margeras girlfriend, who was named in arrest documents as a victim of a terroristic threat.

Bam Margeras struggles with addiction have been a concern to fellow Jackass mates for years, following the death of co-star Ryan Dunn. Margera was famously left out of the groups fourth film, which prompted his admission of a problem and attempt at rehabilitation.

Some of the actors supporters accused his brother of being overly dramatic. Jess Margera wasnt having it.

It sucks that you guys kind of dont realize the severity of this. I mean how could you really, you dont know him. But his lifelong friends that didnt cut him off for mental health reasons yet and came for a visit all agree that its amazing he is still alive.  Jess Margera (@jessmargera) May 1, 2023

All these strangers that dont know bam will have to live with themselves if they enable him to his death, Jess Margera tweeted Monday. But they are strangers. So I dont think they will be as affected by it as say me, or my parents or his son.

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They will just shrug & then move on to the next tmz guy on drugs, he continued.

He also reflected on his own problems with addiction, which he said he turned around in 2004 thanks to his daughter, Ava.

I found out about Ava and it scared the shit out of me, he tweeted Saturday. A little human depends on me. I cant fuck up. Im so glad I chose to be a good dad instead of a selfish fuck.

Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.

Related...
The North Carolina House passed a bill Tuesday that would prohibit the states public universities and community colleges from asking applicants for employment or academic admission about their views on matters of contemporary political debate or social action.

The language in House Bill 607 closely mirrors that of a policy passed by the UNC System Board of Governors in February. The bill would cement in law the prohibition of compelled speech for the states public universities and extend it to the states 58 community colleges.

The bill does not outline specific topics that may be prohibited, but opponents fear it would prevent schools from asking about applicants beliefs about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which are included as tenets in some universities mission statements or as part of questions on applications. Supporters, however, say it would protect conservative applicants.

This deals with, basically, loyalty pledges to one ideology or the other on the application, Rep. Destin Hall, a Granite Falls Republican and sponsor of the bill, said in the House Rules committee Tuesday.

In committee and on the House floor Tuesday, bill sponsor Rep. Steve Tyson, a New Bern Republican, cited current state law that prevents colleges and universities from requiring students or faculty to publicly express a given view of social policy, and said HB 607 extends those ideas to applicants.

This bill would extend that courtesy to prospective employees of the university, when youre taking a job application, or students that are looking to attend one of the public universities, Tyson said.

The bill passed the House 74-42 on its second reading, and by a voice vote on its third reading.

The state Senate on Tuesday passed a bill with similar language to HB 607, but one that would apply it to state employees, their workplaces and training.

Bill does not specify prohibited topics

Rep. Ashton Clemmons, a Greensboro Democrat, asked the bill sponsors in committee Tuesday what would be defined as a matter of contemporary political debate or social action, or who would decide what topics or issues colleges and universities would be prohibited from asking applicants about.

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Without a definition in the bill, Clemmons said, I dont know how institutions would make that decision. Clemmons also said the vague language could leave our institutions in a vulnerable place.

In a House education committee last week, Rep. Lindsey Prather, a Candler Democrat, asked a similar question of Tyson, about whether the bills language would prevent schools from asking applicants about their views on diversity, which UNC System universities include in their mission or vision statements.

At UNC-Chapel Hill, for example, the universitys mission statement includes that the university aims to teach a diverse community of students. N.C. State Universitys vision statement says the university will be known as a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.

N.C. States undergraduate admission application previously included a question asking applicants how they would contribute to a more diverse and inclusive environment at the university, but the question will not be required in the future, The N&O previously reported.

Responding to Prather, Tyson said he personally didnt think such questions were appropriate to ask.

If somebodys asking to do a job, I think it needs to be based on the merits of can they do the job, particularly in education, Tyson said.

Bill would not prevent background checks

The bill would not prevent applicants from voluntarily sharing their views on prohibited topics, nor prevent hiring or admissions managers from asking about the content of applicants resumes or professional work.

Rep. Amos Quick, a Greensboro Democrat, asked the bills sponsors in committee Tuesday whether the bill would prevent schools from asking applicants about any comment they may have made that goes against the values of the institution.

Hall responded that the bill would not prevent schools from asking applicants about social media posts that might be problematic for that student being on campus, saying the bill was intended to prevent compelled speech, such as making a student say something on an application as to some issue of the day thats going on.

Hall previously said in committee last week that the bill would help conservatives who feel like theyre getting the shorter end of the stick in hiring and admission by having to state their views. He has heard from conservative professors and students who have said they feel like their speech has been frozen.

Theres a chilling effect on some of these questions, Hall said.

The bill also does not prohibit the banned topics from being discussed on campus or in classrooms.
[Source]

Mattel celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a new Anna May Wong Barbie doll.

The announcement was made on Monday through Barbies official Instagram account.

Complete with the icons signature bangs and eyebrows, Wongs doll is dressed in a floor-length red gown with golden dragon details. The look was inspired by the actors appearance in the American crime film Limehouse Blues (1934).

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Crs5ouruRXR/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

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The Anna May Wong doll is the latest addition to the Barbie Inspiring Women series, which has previously recreated iconic female figures such as journalist Ida B. Wells and author Maya Angelou.

The series selected Wong to spotlight the courageous life and legacy of the actress who changed the course of Asian representation in Hollywood and left an indelible stamp on audiences around the globe.

The doll retails for $35 and will ship out on June 30, according to the product's website.

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According to Associated Press, Wongs niece, Anna Wong, gave her blessing and was heavily involved in the dolls creation.

I did not hesitate at all. It was such an honor and so exciting, she said. I wanted to make sure they got her facial features and clothing correct. And they did!

Anna May Wong, whose full name was Wong Liu Tsong, was born in Los Angeles, California, to second-generation Chinese American parents. Beginning her career during the silent film era, she would become an international star as well as a fashion icon, especially for her flapper look.

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Known as the first Chinese American actor in Hollywood, Wong would also reject Hollywoods stereotypical Asian roles, leaving for Europe in search of representation. Wong would also spend time touring China, documenting her experience as a female director.

After making her mark with her roles in Dragon Lady and Piccadilly, Wong died in 1961 at the age of 56 from a heart attack.

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Personal attacks and havoc stole the show Monday night, as five leading Republican candidates for Kentucky governor faced off for a live, televised 90-minute debate hosted by KET in Lexington.

The candidates, Daniel Cameron, Kelly Craft, Ryan Quarles, Eric Deters and Alan Keck, had their feet held to the fire by moderator Renee Shaw  and each other  in one of the final debates before the May 16 primary.

The two front-runners according to recent polling  Craft, the former ambassador to Canada and the United Nations, Cameron, Kentuckys attorney general  in particular traded barbs with one another on support from law enforcement, alleged ethics violations and more.

Theres just two weeks until the primary, when GOP voters across Kentucky decide who among a dozen candidates is their best bet to defeat presumptive Democratic nominee and incumbent governor, Andy Beshear. Despite Kentuckys increasingly Republican leanings, Beshear is likely to be a formidable opponent, as recent surveys have shown he is consistently one of the most popular governors in America.

Deters, a suspended Northern Kentucky attorney and arguably the most far-right candidate on the stage Monday night, also jumped into the fray, lobbing insults at Craft for playing the woman card and the wealth of her and her husband, Alliance Resource Partners CEO Joe Craft.

Eric Deters , Daniel Cameron, at the Governor (Republican) debate at KET on Monday May 1, 2023 in Lexington, Ky.

The chaotic exchange prompted frustration from another candidate on stage as the issues were forced to the back burner.

Quite honestly, the last 10 minutes are why people are sick of politics in America, Keck, mayor of Somerset, said. Its, He said, she said, were gonna spend a pile of money to tear each other down. I want a Kentucky where we lift each other up and get stuff done.

From the ensuing crosstalk, Deters piped in: Kumbaya doesnt work.

The Republican candidates for governor spent tonight's debate shredding each other.



With the primary just over two weeks away, the KY GOP is coming apart at the seams. pic.twitter.com/phuK6oP0zm  Kentucky Democrats (@KyDems) May 2, 2023

The Kentucky Democratic Party said the candidates used their time shredding each other.

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With the primary just over two weeks away, the KY GOP is coming apart at the seams, the KDP tweeted, referencing an attack ad from a pro-Craft PAC that has likened Cameron to a soft teddy bear.

Kelly Craft, Ryan Quarles, Alan Keck at the Governor (Republican) debate at KET on Monday May 1, 2023 in Lexington, Ky.

Speaking after the debate, Quarles, current commissioner of agriculture, said the forum allowed him to show voters he has a temperament that Kentucky needs to see in its next governor. Its a part of his approach this entire campaign season, focusing on issues not insults.

Its important that Republicans nominate a candidate who can unite the party, he said. Theres no problem with having disagreements on issues and policies and voting records, etc., but its important that if were going to defeat Andy Beshear, we need to nominate somebody who wants to help lift other people up and unite the party after May 16.

Craft and Cameron  and PACs backing them  have waged an expensive ad war against one another. Many of those same lines of attack spilled over to Mondays debate.

Craft went after Cameron and the unauthorized campaign committee Bluegrass Freedom Action, which supports Camerons election effort, for taking more than $100,000 in donations from gray machine manufacturer Pace-o-Matic, even as it sues the state in an attempt to overturn a ban passed by the 2023 General Assembly. Camerons office is defending the ban in court, and Cameron has said he has recused himself from the case, but a Craft supporter has filed an ethics complaint over the matter.

Well, the first explanation is that Kelly has not done her homework, Cameron said. Kelly was desperate, and again, this has all come about because Kelly spent, as you know, Kelly, you spent six months telling folks that you were going to get the Donald Trump endorsement. You had him at the Derby last year. And then I got the endorsement, and your team has been scrambling ever since.

Cameron went on to say the attorney behind the ethics complaint lacks credibility and the allegations are bogus.

Eric Deters , Daniel Cameron, Kelly Craft, Ryan Quarles, Alan Keck at the Governor (Republican) debate at KET on Monday May 1, 2023 in Lexington, Ky.

Craft, too, called Cameron desperate.

I was hoping that it would be civil discourse because we owe the state of Kentucky, she said after the debate. We owe it to them to be their voice.

The pair also sparred over support for and from law enforcement.

Craft slammed Cameron for allowing the woke federal Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to come into Louisville. The DOJ conducted a patterns and practices investigation into the Louisville Metro Police Department following the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor in March 2020. The results of that investigation were released earlier this year.

What does that say about backing the blue? Craft asked. We need to have complete confidence in our law enforcement. I have been sitting with law enforcement. ... I can tell you what they need. They need resources. They need resources on the street with them and they need resources within their office.

Kelly has been sitting with law enforcement and has got one to openly and publicly support her, Cameron said. Ive gotten over 100 law enforcement officials that have supported me, endorsed this campaign for governor. Im going to continue to fight for them whether Kelly Craft spends $10 million attacking me or not.

Cameron believes he defended himself well from Crafts allegations.

We might have had a disagreement or two, but in a big primary with a lot of different folks in it, Cameron said. But I felt like we presented our case very strongly and didnt back down there, certainly wont back down if I have the opportunity, which I firmly believe, to be the Republican nominee for governor.
A Barstow Police officer has been placed on administrative leave as police officials investigate his use of a baton to strike an uncooperative suspect during an arrest on Friday.

A Barstow Police officer was placed on administrative leave as police officials investigate his use of a baton to hit an allegedly uncooperative suspect during an arrest on Friday.

An online video of an identified Barstow Police officer using a baton to hit Gary Christian, 43, sparked the investigation and nationwide interest in the case.

Police said Christian, who was wanted for an outstanding felony and no bail probation violation warrant, had assaulted the officer before the arrest.

However, the suspected assault was not shown in the video, which was captured by a resident and shared by TMZ and FOX 11s YouTube channel with the title Barstow police officer seen on video beating a Black man with a baton during the arrest.

'Those involved will be held accountable'

Police Chief Andrew Espinoza, Jr. stated in a letter that after reviewing the video and the initial facts of the incident, he placed the unnamed officer on administrative leave and started an internal investigation.

I want to assure the community that we take all concerns regarding the conduct of our officers seriously and that we will conduct a thorough investigation of the entire incident, Espinoza said. "If at the conclusion of the investigation it is determined that this officer or any of our officers were involved in misconduct of their duties, it is my commitment to the residents of Barstow that those involved will be held accountable."

Barstow Police Chief Andrew Espinoza, Jr, pictured, said one of his officers has been placed on administrative leave as police officials investigate his use of a baton on an uncooperative suspect.

After the investigation, the final report will be forwarded to the State of California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training Accountability, which reviews allegations of misconduct.

The Barstow community expects their police department to be held to a high standard, and I assure you that this matter will be handled appropriately, Espinoza said.

It is unknown if the officer was placed on paid or unpaid leave.

The incident

Around 4 p.m. on Friday, a Barstow officer spotted Christian in the 1200 block of East Main Street. The officer confirmed through police dispatch that Christian was wanted for an outstanding felony, no bail probation violation warrant, police officials said.

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The officer approached Christian and tried to place him under arrest, but the suspect refused to comply with orders. Christian assaulted the officer, according to police.

The officer used his Taser, which was ineffective. The suspect then assaulted the officer a second time. The officer responded by using his baton to hit Christian while trying to arrest him.

The 57-second video begins on a sidewalk, where the officer swings his baton at the suspect, whose arms are raised as he tries to defend himself while backing up.

The video shows the officer swinging twice at the suspect, then taking him to the ground in a parking lot. The officer hits him thrice until a second and third officer arrives.

During the video, someone yells, Oh my God, hes already down. Why are you hitting him?

Back-up officers arrived at the scene and were able to arrest Christian.

Christian was taken to Barstow Community Hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruises to his right leg.

He was later booked into the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Departments High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of resisting arrest and a no-bail probation violation warrant. He is ineligible for bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Sergeant Jeremy Bledsoe at 760-255-5160 or jbledsoe@barstowca.org. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the WE-TIP hotline at 800-79-CRIME (27469) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Barstow Police officer placed on leave during investigation
Bay St. Louis Police are asking anyone who attended a prom after party to come forward to provide information about a mass shooting early Sunday morning that left two teens dead and four others hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

The Police Department issued the following statement:

The Bay St. Louis Police Department is requesting the assistance of any persons that attended the prom after party in Bay St. Louis, where the shooting incident occurred. It is crucial to the investigation and prosecution that Bay St. Louis Criminal Investigators make contact with as many attendees as possible, even if they believe they didnt witness anything pertinent to the investigation. We appreciate our communities assistance as we work tirelessly to thoroughly investigate and bring justice to those affected. 

Partygoers should call the police at 228-466-5485.

Hancock High students Haeleigh Stamper, 16, left, and DeArreis DD Smith, 18, were killed in an after-prom party in Bay St. Louis on Sunday.

Cameron Everett Brand, 19, of Pass Christian, was identified as the sole shooter. He is being held at the Hancock County jail on two counts of murder and four counts of aggravated assault, Bay St. Louis Police Chief Toby Schwartz said in an earlier statement.

On Monday, Brand had an initial appearance before Municipal Judge Stephen Maggio.

The judge kept Brands bond set at $500,000 each on the aggravated assault charges for a total bond on those charges of $2 million and denied him bond on the two murder charges.

In addition, an attorney was appointed to represent Brand.

Cameron Everett Brand

Bay police officers arrested Brand in the aftermath of the shooting Sunday at a home in the 1000 block of Old Blue Meadow Road at 12:34 a.m. Sunday.

At the home, police found the teens suffering from gunshot wounds, Schwartz said, and others were taken to local hospitals in personal vehicles.

Bay teen recounts deadly tragedy: He just started shooting and left without remorse

The two teens who died at University Medical Center in New Orleans after the shooting have been identified as Hancock County High School senior DeArreis DD Smith, 18, of Pearlington, and Hancock High student Haeleigh Stamper, 16.

Brand was arrested at his home in Pass Christian without incident the morning of the shooting.

Two dead after 6 Mississippi Coast high school students shot at Bay St. Louis house party
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Reuters?Getty

This reporting is featured in this weeks edition of Confider, the newsletter pulling back the curtain on the media. Subscribe here and send your questions, tips, and complaints here.

The 2023 White House Correspondents Dinner weekend saw the usual hefty doses of star power, smarm, and sycophancy, but it also featured a series of peculiar episodes that had attendees buzzing well into Monday.

Confider and our spy-witnesses had a front-row seat to some of the antics. One of the most talked-about incidents was the beefing between Kellyanne Conway and Molly Jong-Fast, who counts the Trump pals soon-to-be-ex-husband George Conway among her close friends.

According to witnesses, Kellyanne shot daggers on multiple occasions at Jong-Fast and openly trash-talked the liberal podcaster to her friends, which Conway denies.

Without thinking of anyone in particular, of course, it seemed that the most awkward and miserable people all weekend are the ones who live on social media. The Island of Misfit Toys believes their own circular-bullshit-self-praise and are painfully out of place in my beloved D.C. when they are forced to clean up, converse and connect offline, Kellyanne wrote to Confider, deploying the alternative fact that she has never had a conversation with Jong-Fast as a way to spin her way out of the drama.

Elsewhere, the freshly fired Don Lemon seemed to attempt to be a man about town despite some, um, recent setbacks. The ex-CNN anchor was widely rumored to have been uninvited from an Axios bash Friday night at the National Building Museuma claim Axios boss Mike Allen denied.

But Lemon was spotted at United Talent Agencys off-the-record party at the ritzy Fiola Mare seafood joint, where he managed to avoid a messy run-in with CNN boss Chris Licht, who was front and center for much of the weekends festivities.

Like what youre reading? Subscribe to the Confider newsletter here and have The Daily Beast media teams stellar reporting sent straight to your inbox every Monday night.

Speaking of which, CNNs big brunch on Sunday morning was an odd one. Climate change protesters stormed The Line Hotel to stage a sit-in, chanting Climate News Network, much to the bemusement of guests. This is the end result of a culture that defends law enforcement, one guest remarked as security guards removed demonstrators and a CNN employee used his foot to nudge them on their way out. After the breach, one of the events organizers was overheard telling security, I want a fucking discount!

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The surreal shindig was inexplicably headlined by Tiesto, who performed from a booth overlooking the room full of journalists nursing hangovers. The Dutch celebrity DJ did the set in exchange for a free seat at CNNs WHCD table, said Confiders favorite schmoozer Licht.

On Saturday evening, Axel Springers giant CEO Mathias Dopfner towered over everyone at Semafor CEO Justin Smiths posh Kalorama home, mentioning to a circle of guests how he had projected his U.S. businesses to perform better than his German ones. But when asked by Confider how his American portfolio would continue to respond to a declining market, Dopfner admitted hed continue to focus on efforts that might include more cost-cutting measures.

And in a true testament to the weekends unhinged marriage of politics and celebrity: At NBC's Saturday night after-party, Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw was seen crouched on the ground next to Lisa Vanderpump telling her how much he loves her show.

Subscribe to the Confider newsletter here and have The Daily Beast media teams stellar reporting sent straight to your inbox every Monday night.

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The flag of China

Read also: China and Putin working together on Moscow-favorable peace plan, says political scientist

"What we need to see from China is to push Russia to withdraw its troops and so that Ukraine can have all of its territory back and can be fully sovereign again in all aspects of that word," Burns said.

He added that it would be beneficial if China pressured Russia to stop bombing Ukrainian schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings, as Ukraines civilian casualties continue to mount.

Burns said the recent conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a "good first step," but it is unclear whether any action will be taken.

Read also: Ukraine nears all-for-all prisoner swap, Zelensky on holding of Bakhmut, Sevastopol struck

"We would like to see China be much more tough-minded in its advice to the Russians; we'd like to see action to end the war as quickly as possible in terms, of course, that the Ukrainian government can accept," he said.

Read also: Zelenskyy and Xi Jinping in first conversation since Russian invasion

Burns added that the United States is closely monitoring the issue of China potentially providing lethal aid to Russia, but Washington has not seen evidence of this yet.

On April 26, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had his first conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Read also: Two people killed in Russian strike on Pavlohrad, Zelenskyy says

According to Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hua Chunying, Ukraine requested the conversation. China plans to send a government envoy to deepen communication around the political settlement of the Russian war, which Beijing refers to as the Ukrainian crisis.

On the same day, Zelenskyy appointed former Minister for Strategic Industry, Pavlo Ryabikin, as Ukraines new Ambassador to China.

Read also: China benefits from prolonging the war in Ukraine, Czech president says

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On Feb. 24, China published a document outlining its position on the "settlement" of Russia's war against Ukraine, including a call for a ceasefire and negotiations, but not a withdrawal of Russian troops.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Actress Jennifer Coolidge, star of the 2001 film Legally Blonde, recently sent a special video message to Marblehead High School students who are performing in the theatrical version of the film.

Bend, and snap! Coolidge says in the video while laughing, referring to the famous scene in which her film co-star, Elle, played by Reese Witherspoon, shows Coolidges character, Paulette, how to pick up something off the floor to attract potential suitors.

Hey Marblehead High School! Its Jennifer Coolidge and I just want to say congratulations on doing Legally Blonde this weekend! Coolidge said at the start of her video message. Oh my God, I know that you had an opening night last night. Im so excited for you. Its such a great show.

Hasty Pudding celebrates Coolidge as its Woman of the Year

She congratulated cast members on landing their roles, and also spoke about how Legally Blonde changed her career, and life.

I just want to tell you all and especially to the cast: Legally Blonde brought me so much luck and so many great things happened to me after Legally Blonde, and I just have a good feeling about this for all of you. Its such a great show and it might be the beginning of many careers, and Im so sad I couldnt be there in person to see it, Coolidge said.

The actress said she had planned to watch the show in person in Marblehead but couldnt make it.

I just want to say best of luck tonight and best of luck for the finishing of the show and I hope I meet you all in person. Congratulations again! Coolidge said.

And just one last thing, one last thing. Bend and snap! Bye, she said.

Coolidge was in Cambridge earlier this year to receive a special award.

In January, the White Lotus star was named the 2023 Woman of the Year by Harvard Universitys Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

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A meals setting can stand out as much as whats on the plate.

That was clear at Loomis plant nursery, where salad greens are grown within sight of brunch munchers, or at an Uzbek food truck by a busy North Highlands road.

Location can be about convenience, too. An eye-catching Thai restaurant would be a worthy coda to any shopping trip at West Sacramentos Ikea, while Natomas workers make up the lunchtime crowd at a poke joint.

These were the best restaurants that I, The Sacramento Bees food and drink reporter, dined at over the month of April.

All of these reviews were first published in The Bees free weekly food and drink newsletter; visit https://t.news.sacbee.com/webApp/mccSignUp?newsletter=sacbee_food_drink_newsletter to sign up.

High-Hand Cafe

High-Hand Cafes chicken cider sandwich includes Brie, Granny Smith slices and apple butter.

A segment of Placer County already knows High-Hand Cafe as a go-to spot for birthday brunches and bridal showers. The rest of the region would do well to visit the restaurant within Loomis High-Hand Nursery, where a bevy of plants and a koi pond create an amiable backdrop for breakfast and lunch.

Scott Paris opened the nursery in 2003 and proceeded to build out a multifaceted complex on more than 40,000 square feet. It has an olive oil and vinegar shop, an on-site brewery, a boutique, an art gallery, a lumber showroom, a jewelry store, a scented candle shop, even a stage for concerts.

A separate coffee shop sells High-Hand fruit butters, olives, pickles and more to-go. Some of the High-Hand Cafes menu comes from the grounds, too, such as the butter lettuce for the grilled salmon salad ($25) with avocado and a sesame vinaigrette.

The almond wood bacon and pear pizza ($23) felt like a true High-Hand production as well. The meat was house-smoked, and the pie was baked in a wood-fired pizza oven. Topped with caramelized onions, a caramelly fig reduction and a restrained handful of bleu cheese, its chewy crust bubbled up into giant corniciones.

Savory, sour and sweet collided on the chicken cider sandwich ($18, including a side of potato or pasta salad). The symphony of flavors met on housemade bread (pies and brownies are baked in-house, too) with brie, apple butter, Granny Smith slices and walnuts.

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Address: 3790 Taylor Road, Loomis.





Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday.

Phone number: (916) 660-0117, Extension 3.

Website: https://www.highhandnursery.com/taste-the-cafe/

Drinks: Full bar; beers are brewed on-site.

Animal-free options: Many vegetarian choices, including a southwestern veggie omelet or mandarin salad. Some can be made vegan.

Noise level: Pleasant outside, slightly louder indoors.

Manaao Thai Cuisine

Manaao Thai Cuisine specializes in Isan dishes such as tom zabb kra dook moo.

Ikeas Swedish meatballs may be hard to pass up, but theres a more vibrant, tastier alternative a short drive away from the furniture stores West Sacramento location. Manaao Thai Cuisine is Wantana Rusjan and Paul Phoonsets family-run restaurant, serving Thai classics as well as regional fortes.

Rusjuns parents opened Manaao in 2009 after immigrating from northeastern Thailand, also known as Isan, an economically-depressed region where most people are ethnically Lao. Sticky rice and meat skewers rule Isan cuisine, and Moms Specialty still gets its own section on the menu.

That section and one called back menu are home to Manaaos most interesting dishes, such as a hot pot stew called tom zabb kra dook moo ($19). Pork ribs, white button mushrooms and coconut meat swam in a restorative broth that was tangy, spicy and salty.

The poo nim pad pong karee ($20) is worth ordering as well. Its star is deep-fried soft-shell crab, the crunch of which can barely be heard through an earthy yellow curry with mushrooms, orange tomatoes and bell peppers.

Pla pad cha ($20) looked like a spice lovers dream, its tender white fish surrounded by yellow peppercorns, garlic chili paste and green pepper slices. In reality, it was reserved enough to enjoy the sublimely-cooked protein, though a plastic cauldron of rice is still recommended.

Address: 715 Harbor Pointe Place, Suite 200, West Sacramento.





Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Happy hour is a convenient 6-9 p.m. on weekdays.

Phone number: (916) 572-0792

Website: http://manaaothaisac.com/

Drinks: Full bar; soft drinks include sodas and Thai iced tea.

Animal-free options: Many, though theyre Thai restaurant staples rather than the more obscure dishes.

Noise level: Surprisingly quiet, given the concrete floors.

Poke Fix

Poke Fix serves fresh, marinated cubes of raw fish in Natomas.

You smell the essence of Poke Fix the moment you walk in. Its warm, relaxed, in tune with the mellow hip-hop playing from the speakers. Its the scent of workers on their lunch breaks, and platters of fish baking in the oven.

The poke shop across from Natomas Marketplace shopping center opened in 2017 with bright lights, packaged Hawaiian snacks and intriguing build-your-own-bowl options. Proteins include spicy garlic tuna, albacore, Japanese scallops, and while brown rice and sushi rice are my go-to bases, zoodles are an option as well.

An Oahu-raised friend once complained to me that most Sacramento poke places just throw fish onto a rice bowl and cover it with sauces, rather than marinating it for hours beforehand. Well, Poke Fix passed that test with its Hawaiian bowl ($14), a tropical mix of salty ahi, pineapple chunks, cucumber slices and sesame shoyu.

The nori-wrapped flamin tuna burrito ($16) was essentially split into two halves. One had the fire of raw jalapenos, sriracha and tuna covered in spicy mayo; on the other side, fried onions, cucumber, imitation crab mix and (strangely) lettuce did their best to cool the mouth.

There are basic sushi rolls and cooked items, too, including miso-glazed salmon ($14). While the 5-ounce piece of fish had a crispy exterior and a creamy drizzle that formed a pretty cross-hatch pattern, I found it a little overcooked and less enticing than the fatty raw salmon available in poke bowls.

Address: 3880 Truxel Road, Suite 200, Sacramento.





Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday.

Phone number: (916) 333-4366.

Website: http://www.thepokefix.com/

Drinks: Beer, a soda fountain and various canned teas and juices.

Animal-free options: Only one, a vegetarian bowl with tofu, avocado, wakame, edamame, seasonal fruit and more. Build-your-own bowls can be made vegan as well.

Noise level: Low.

Caravan Uzbek Cuisine

Caravan Uzbek Cuisine makes shawarma from a North Highlands food truck.

Caravan Uzbek Cuisine is the Sacramento regions only eatery dedicated to the foods of Uzbekistan, a Central Asian nation of 35 million people. Far from the heart of Sacramento and with no seating, this North Highlands halal food truck needs to be intentionally sought out.

Couple and owners Farkhod Soatov and Aziza Ibragim grew up in Uzbekistans capital city of Tashkent, then immigrated, moved to Sacramento and opened Caravan in a lot near the corner of Watt Avenue and Elkhorn Boulevard in 2020.

Uzbek food shares some similarities with Afghan or Persian cuisines, with influences from Silk Road trade and centuries of Russian/Soviet control. Grains and meat dominate the landlocked countrys culinary landscape, though pork is rare because most people are Muslim.

Caravan only serves five items when fully stocked, and the truck was sadly out of kebabs (chicken, ground lamb or shish kebabs) and kazan kebabs (a lamb-and-potato Uzbek dish) on my visit. I was most disappointed not to try lagman, a hearty beef noodle stew.

Uzbekistans national dish, pilaf ($12, also known as plov), was available. Spiced long-grain rice formed a base for soft garbanzo beans, sweet roasted carrots, raisins and fatty beef fried in a manner similar to carnitas.

The other option was shawarma ($10), with a choice of shaved beef, chicken or lamb to go inside cross-hatched grilled pita. Ask for a side of the creamy orange housemade hot sauce with a quick kick; itll brighten up the cabbage/cucumber/bell pepper slaw inside the wrap.

Address: 3525 Elkhorn Blvd., North Highlands.

Hours: 12-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

Phone number: (916)860-7777.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/caravangoodfood.

Drinks: Canned sodas.

Animal-free options: None.

Noise level: No seating; road noise moderately high, if you choose to enjoy your food on-site.
The Biden administration is expecting to dispatch 1,500 active-duty service members to the US-Mexico border to assist in handling the large influx of migrants expected when pandemic-era border restrictions expire next week, according to three Biden administration sources.

The plan for deployment of active-duty troops is part of the administrations preparation for the end of public health restrictions imposed by the Trump administration at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention invoked a rarely-used section of US law known as Title 42, which allows the US Surgeon General to prohibit ... the introduction of persons and property from such countries or places as he shall designate if he finds it necessary to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the US.

The Trump-era policy, which has allowed border officials to rapidly expel most migrants who cross the US-Mexico border before they can have a chance to claim asylum, was championed by immigration hardliners but has been criticised by Democrats and immigration activists as inhumane and ineffective.

The policy has remained in place despite Biden administration efforts to rescind it due to a court order sought by a group of Republican-led states. In December, the Supreme Court allowed the Title 42 order to remain in place through February, and the Biden administration later announced that it would sunset the policy when pandemic-era emergency declarations expire on 11 May.

Because large numbers of migrants whove been effectively blocked from claiming asylum under Title 42 would now be permitted to make those claims, officials say the troops being deployed to the border will be tasked with handling administrative and support work so federal law enforcement agencies charged with securing the border can spend their time in the field.

Although an 1878 law, the Posse Comitatus Act, prohibits the US military from undertaking law enforcement responsibilities under most circumstances, the use of active duty service members to perform administrative and support tasks at the border is permissible. Biden administration officials have confirmed that the troops being sent to the border would not engage in any law enforcement work.

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The Biden administration is also rolling out a number of new policies to deal with the expected migrant surge, including what officials have described as improved access to lawful pathways to the United States for asylum seekers.

Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the establishment of regional processing centres in South and Central American nations to be operated by international aid organisations. A senior administration official said personnel at the regional centres will act to expedite pre-screening of individuals for lawful pathways to the United States with interviews to determine if they are eligible to be referred for refugee resettlement or other lawful pathways such as parole programmes, family reunification or existing labour pathways.

The new programme will be modeled along the lines of an existing Biden administration initiative to process asylum seekers from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti, but individuals from those four nations will continue to be handled by the existing programme, under which asylum seekers who are found to be ineligible for asylum after entering at the US-Mexico border will be returned to Mexico.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, held a meeting with the permanent representatives of different countries at the United Nations, as reported by his press office. This meeting took place during the visit of these representatives to Georgia, which was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and is scheduled to take place between April 30 and May 5.At the meeting held in the government administration, as per the reports of the representatives, the cooperation dynamics between the countries were discussed, and the significance of reinforcing collaboration based on shared interests was underscored.During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Georgian government considers the advancement of global partnership as one of its top priorities. The representatives also discussed the progress made by Georgia in implementing effective reforms, and the Prime Minister expressed the willingness to share the country's experience of successful and internationally acclaimed reforms in diverse domains.Lazare Grigoriadis, who is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail and burning a police car during the March protests, was brought to the Tbilisi City Court for a pre-trial session. The trial began with the defense filing a motion to replace Grigoriadis' preventive measure, which is imprisonment, with a bail of 20,000 GEL. According to the defense, there was no risk of Grigoriadis absconding, and he would cooperate fully with the investigation if released on bail.Grigoriadis, in his statement to the court, reiterated the same argument as his lawyers and said that he had no intention of fleeing from the authorities. He added that he had worn the same clothes during the rally and at the time of his arrest, indicating that he had nothing to hide. "I will say the same thing about hiding. If I wanted to hide, I would hide for a month. Even the clothes I was wearing during the arrest, I wore them at the rally as well," said Grigoriadis.The prosecution opposed the motion and argued that the preventive measure should be upheld as Grigoriadis posed a flight risk, given the severity of the charges against him. The prosecutor also highlighted that the investigation was still ongoing, and the possibility of influencing witnesses could not be ruled out.After hearing both sides, Judge Nato Khujadze refused to grant the defense's motion and ruled that Grigoriadis should remain in custody until the trial. The decision was met with disappointment by Grigoriadis and his legal team, who argued that the detention was unjustified and that the defendant was innocent until proven guilty.
The Biden administration is offering a $500,000 grant to help teach the English language in Pakistan, in part by providing "intensive professional development courses for Pakistani transgender youth."

The State Department grant said it is aimed at teaching English language skills to Pakistani youth so they can "better participate in the global community and prepare them for success in the workplace." The grant aims to reach that goal by focusing on three components: "(1) Professional Development for English Language Teachers from Non-Mainstream Institutions; (2) Professional Development for novice Pakistani English language teachers; and (3) Professional Development for Transgender Youth and for Afghan Teachers, Students, and Young Professionals Residing in Pakistan."

TRANS CYCLIST PICKS UP OVERALL VICTORY IN TOUR OF THE GILA

The program component that includes a focus on transgender youth accepts proposals from applicants "for a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $75,000 to implement: (1) intensive professional development courses for Pakistani transgender youth from the ages of 13-25, and (2) and intensive professional development courses for Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan."

2024 HOPEFUL RAISES CONCERNS ON TRANS IDEOLOGY NEGATIVELY IMPACTING KIDS

Demonstrators support transgender rights during a march in October 2022.

These components aim to improve English language communication skills among trainees and connect them to a professional alumni network. Participating teachers will "share what they learned in these trainings with English-language professional colleagues, thereby influencing pedagogy in their schools and communities."

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BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FUNDS STUDIES ON DANGER OF TRANSGENDER HORMONAL TREATMENTS EVEN AS IT PUSHES THEM ON KIDS

Interested applications to the grant program are encouraged to address, "What is the most effective way to reach the greatest number of Pakistani transgender youth and Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals from diverse locations across Pakistan?"

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A spokesperson for the State Department told Fox News Digital that the education project from the agency focuses on transgender youth as it often does with other "marginalized communities." The spokesperson added that the grant funds will not be used for gender transitions.

"In this specific grant, the Department provides funding for English-language learning, an integral skill that helps unlock educational and employability opportunities, for marginalized communities, in this case transgender youth," the spokesperson said.

The State Departments human rights report for Pakistan praises the countrys 2018 Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act. The report suggests Pakistan police should better prioritize ways to prevent increased levels of violence against transgender people. The report notes public venues in Pakistan were less likely to host "transgender events" than "religiously based anti-LGBTQI+ protests."
The Biden administration is pushing for a tax on crypto mining. (Photo illustration: Kelli R. Grant/Yahoo News; photos: Leah Millis/Reuters, Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Getty Images)

The White House is trying to persuade Congress to pass a 30% tax on the electricity used in cryptocurrency mining in the next federal budget in order to minimize the nascent industrys impact on climate change.

Cryptominers high-energy consumption has negative spillovers on the environment, quality of life, and electricity grids where these firms locate across the country, the presidents Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) argues in a blog post that will appear on the White House website on Tuesday, to which Yahoo News gained advance access. The post will lay out the case for the Digital Asset Mining Energy (DAME) excise tax, which the CEA writes is an example of the Administrations efforts to fight climate change and reduce energy prices.

Currently, cryptomining firms do not have to pay for the full cost they impose on others, in the form of local environmental pollution, higher energy prices, and the impacts of increased greenhouse gas emissions on the climate, the CEA writes in its post. The DAME tax encourages firms to start taking better account of the harms they impose on society.

Burning fossil fuels to create electricity accounts for 25% of annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and releases harmful air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

A bank of cryptocurrency miners at a plant in Kennerdale, Pa. (Alan Freed/Reuters)

Critics of the proposed tax say the crypto mining industry is being unfairly targeted. This puts a clear line in the sand that they do not like the industry. They are looking for ways to hamstring it, Tom Mapes, director of energy policy at the Chamber of Digital Commerce, told Yahoo News. This is just a way to go after the industry which they do not support.

In proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining  the most energy-intensive approach to mining, and the one used by bitcoin, by far the largest cryptocurrency  massive supercomputers compete to be the first to solve a mathematical puzzle. This process requires massive amounts of electricity. According to a White House report from last September, cryptocurrency mining consumes more power than the entire country of Australia. In the U.S., which is home to roughly one-third of crypto mining operations, it accounts for an estimated 0.9% to 1.7% of all the countrys electricity use.

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That energy use is growing rapidly as the crypto industry expands. In the United States, the worlds leader in cryptocurrency mining, 34 large-scale bitcoin mines collectively use as much electricity as nearly 3 million U.S. households, the New York Times reported. Ten of those mines are connected to the energy grid in Texas, and those mines demand for electricity has led the state grid operators to charge higher prices for all customers to make sure supply and demand are in balance and to avoid blackouts.

In New York, where one crypto mining company bought and reactivated a decommissioned natural-gas-fired power plant to power its operation, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, signed a bill late last year that would put a moratorium on licensing for any more fossil-fuel-powered crypto mining facilities.

The Greenidge Generation bitcoin mining facility in Dresden, N.Y. The plant also produces power for the state's electricity grid. (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

State or local regulation might just lead the industry to move elsewhere, the White House says, so it believes that the federal government needs to step in and provide some national regulation that reflects the social cost of crypto mining. The tax would be phased in over three years, starting at 10% next year, then rising to 20% and finally 30%.

Where we see the strains emerging are in these places that are drawing off the grid, where this starts getting noticed at the level that communities are pushing back and are experiencing consequences of it, an economist on the CEA who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Yahoo News. Localities are dealing with it, and theyre struggling to come up with solutions on their own.

The proposed tax on mining cryptocurrency would generate an estimated $3.5 billion over 10 years. But revenue isnt the point, according to the CEA, which writes in its forthcoming post that the primary goal of the DAME tax is to start having crypto miners pay their fair share of the costs imposed on local communities and the environment.

Economist James Broughel has criticized the proposal, arguing in Forbes that it would make more sense to tax the greenhouse gas emissions from crypto mining, rather than electricity usage. In other words, why penalize crypto mining companies that use clean energy?

The Hardin Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant that is also home to the cryptocurrency mining operation Big Horn Data Hub, in Hardin, Mont. (Matthew Brown/AP)

The White House counters that any increase in electricity use makes it harder to green the grid because it means that much more clean energy is needed.

Of course, there are other energy-intensive industries, such as manufacturing of chemicals and steel, that are not being targeted with a tax on their electricity use. But the White House argues that crypto mining doesnt necessarily generate the same benefits, including creating jobs and supplying essential products, as those other sectors of the economy. At the same time, the price volatility of crypto  the value of one bitcoin has fluctuated between $15,000 and $40,000 over the last year  may pose risks to the financial system.

Its not yet clear what the economic benefits of this activity are, the White House economist said of cryptocurrency. At the same time that the benefits have not been fully documented, there are concerns about risk to financial stability, and certainly the environmental concerns.

Advocates for the cryptocurrency industry say it does have benefits for its users.

Millions of people are using this to transact around the world, Mapes said. Its an opportunity for the unbanked or underbanked to bank, and its a way to send money across borders without having to pay a middleman.

Mapes argues that the White House is selectively picking winners and losers among industries.

It seems like theres an outsized focus on us, he said.
The Biden administration formally issued a record of decision Monday to green-light a massive Alaska natural gas pipeline and export project that's strongly opposed by environmental groups.

The Department of Energy's (DOE) finalized decision reaffirms the original 2020 approval of the project under the Trump administration but amends it to include additional environmental protections, according to federal filings. The $38.7 billion project  which involves an 807-mile pipeline that traverses the length of Alaska and an export terminal  would significantly boost U.S. natural gas exports to Asia.

Project developer Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), a state-owned venture founded to ensure Alaskans benefit financially from the state's natural gas reserves, applauded the record of decision, saying it would enable the U.S. to boost energy supplies to allies.

"This order is terrific news for the Alaska LNG (liquefied natural gas) project," AGDC President Frank Richards said in April after the decision was first issued. "The Biden administration has reaffirmed the authorization for and climate benefits of Alaska LNG, which will provide Alaskans and U.S. allies with a significant source of low-emissions, responsibly produced energy consistent with international environmental priorities."

BIDEN ADMIN DELIVERS BLOW TO FOSSIL FUEL PROJECT IN VICTORY FOR ECO GROUPS

Liquefied natural gas infrastructure is shown in Alaska's Cook Inlet.

"This supplemental decision adds to the record of support for Alaska LNG and our work developing this important project continues," Richards added.

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DOE's decision, which prevents venting carbon dioxide and reaffirms prior environmental requirements, ultimately allows the project developer to export LNG to non-free trade agreement nations. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved construction of the project in May 2020, years after it was first proposed in 2014.

Under the proposal, the developer would construct a pipeline that stretches from Alaska's natural gas-rich North Slope Borough to Cook Inlet in southern Alaska where an export terminal facility would be built. The project would be among the only LNG export terminals anywhere in the West.

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BIDEN ADMIN RECEIVES BACKLASH FROM NEARLY TWO DOZEN GROUPS FOR MOVE CRACKING DOWN ON GAS STOVES

"It's the only major LNG project in America that's got all its permits  it's got state and federal. That's not easy to do," Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, who has advocated for the project, told Fox News Digital in an interview. "It's got its export license. That's also not easy to do, from DOE. And, importantly, it's got federal loan guarantees. So, it's the only major project in our country that's got the full faith and credit of the United States of America backing it."

"These are great jobs. So, it's a win for the economy, win for American families, win for Alaskans getting clean-burning gas themselves, and helping our allies not only get off Russian oil and gas but flex the muscle that [President] Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party are scared to death of: American energy dominance. Especially if we're sending it to Asia," he continued.

In October, Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and State Department senior energy adviser Amos Hochstein participated in a summit in Tokyo with Japanese officials to tout the benefits of the project.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and other lawmakers from the state have been strong proponents of the project.

Overall, according to AGDC, the project would create 10,000 jobs during construction and 1,000 permanent jobs. It would also have an average throughput of 3.1 billion cubic feet (bcf) of LNG per day, much of which would be delivered to Alaskans. The DOE decision published Monday authorizes the project to export 2.6 bcf of LNG per day.

By comparison, the electric power sector across the entire West Coast  California, Oregon and Washington  consumed 2.4 bcf of natural gas per day last year, according to federal data.

"I've always said that there is a split within this administration. The rational people understand that we're going to need energy, American energy, for decades to come," said Sullivan. "They should be touting it more. But, you know, they have to kowtow to their far-left wing."

Environmental groups, meanwhile, blasted the Biden administration's approval of the project, saying it would lead to a massive uptick in greenhouse emissions.

"Not only is the Alaska LNG project unnecessary given the widespread transition to clean-energy alternatives we expect to see in the years to come, its also a major threat to ecosystems and climate in Alaska," said Erin Colon, a senior attorney for Earthjustice, an environmental law firm that has challenged the project in court.

"The states greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels would balloon by nearly 30% over todays levels in an era where all other states will be scrambling to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Colon added. "Its frustrating to see the Department of Energy rubber-stamp a massive fossil fuel infrastructure project of this kind when it clearly conflicts with the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis."
The debt ceiling crisis has arrived on President Joe Bidens doorstep  and left his administration with far less time than anticipated to solve it.

But don't expect the White House to change tactics any time soon.

Administration officials on Monday insisted that Biden has no plans to drop his demand for a clean debt ceiling increase, even after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's warning that Congress may only have until June 1 to avert a disastrous default.

The new calculation drastically raised the stakes of the ongoing standoff over the nation's debt limit, turning what officials expected would be a monthslong political fight into a brutal four-week brawl with the fate of the U.S. economy on the line.



Biden has now invited the top four congressional leaders to a meeting on May 9, setting the stage for his first substantial talks with Republicans on the issue since Feb. 1. Yet, while the timetable may have changed, Biden officials said the president's message to the GOP will not.

"If you need to hear again that it's your responsibility to address the debt ceiling without conditions and a ransom," said a senior administration official who spoke about internal thinking on condition of anonymity, "then he can say that again."

The stance reflects the West Wing's belief that they can not set a template for having the debt ceiling serve as a point of political leverage for the opposition. It also reflects continued confidence that Biden still holds the stronger hand in a debt ceiling staredown, and that it was always a matter of when  not if  the two sides reached a crisis point.

Biden has vowed for months not to negotiate over the debt ceiling, deriding Republicans' demands for concessions as "hostage taking" that risks tanking the country's global reputation and economic stability.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy similarly dug in. After passing a Republican-only bill of spending cuts tied to a debt limit increase through the House last week, he declared that "no clean debt ceiling increase would ultimately make it through the chamber. On Monday, he gave no sign of backing down, arguing Biden had "refused to do his job" by failing to negotiate.

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For months, the business community has watched with relative nonchalance as the two sides stared each other down. But that may now change with Yellens letter.



Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Analytics, said a stock market tumult may be what forces either side of the Biden-McCarthy standoff to give. "It may take a thousand points off the Dow before they actually move," he said. "There's going to be a lot of drama, for sure."

But even as the warnings on Wall Street grew more alarmist, they also put a spotlight on major logistical hurdles back in D.C.: There is painfully little time when everyone needed to solve this problem will actually be together, or when the government will be in session.

McCarthy and Biden will not both be in Washington at the same time for the majority of May, with McCarthy currently in Israel leading a congressional delegation while the House is out of session. The chamber will return on May 9, leaving only a week before Biden is slated to leave for Japan to attend the G-7 summit  and return just before the House leaves for Memorial Day recess.

Even if McCarthy and Biden could reach some kind of rapid agreement, it would take several days to get legislation through both chambers of Congress and raise the risk of disaster if it encountered any opposition.

The White House has nevertheless insisted that time  and politics  are on its side. The West Wings strategy to this point has been simple: point to the scores of times when it has been resolved in a bipartisan fashion with little drama, including under Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump.

Biden and aides have refused to engage with McCarthy on his hope to link budget talks with the debt ceiling, deeming it a non-starter. And until House Republicans passed their own debt ceiling legislation last week, Biden hadn't even been willing to talk with McCarthy.

The White House had signaled a softening of that stance in recent days, allowing that it would be open to talks  but not one-on-one, and only on the broader federal budget, not the debt ceiling. The senior administration official said Biden would continue to insist that these matters were separate tracks and scoffed at the notion that because House Republicans had passed their own bill (with no bipartisan support) that they could simply sit tight until Biden and congressional Democrats responded.

Still, as recently as this past weekend, the West Wing had believed it still had time to play the waiting game, according to three senior aides not authorized to speak publicly about internal deliberations. Pointing to other standoffs, they noted that Congress only works on a deadline and believed that McCarthy  trying to hold his conference together  would eventually blink.

The White House has leaned on polling suggesting Republicans will take the lions share of the blame if the worst should happen, according to the senior aides. Aides are confident that their messaging about important programs that the Republicans want to cut will resonate with voters  and that they will be able to link the collapse to Republican "extremism" on the economy and their out-of-step stances on other issues like abortion and guns.

Shortly after the Treasury letter, the top Democrats on Capitol Hill  Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries  locked hands in a joint response, asking Republicans to not allow right-wing extremism to hold our nation hostage.

Schumer also began a process to allow Senate votes on the House Republicans' debt limit and a separate bill to lift the debt limit without conditions through the end of 2024. Still, Biden will need to manage rising anxiety outside the West Wing from Democrats eager for a deal  as well as worries that winning the public opinion battle on the debt ceiling won't mean much for the party if it wrecks the economy at the center of Biden's case for reelection.

"I hope President Biden's invitation to Congressional leaders is sincere and he is genuinely willing to negotiate because the country cannot afford a failed negotiation," Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) said in a statement. "I urge President Biden to show true leadership and finally put politics aside and the well-being of our nation first."

Some Biden allies and Democratic lawmakers privately acknowledged even before the Treasury letter that the president will ultimately need to cut a deal, with much of the speculation so far focusing on the potential for a joint budget-and-debt-ceiling agreement later this year that offers Republicans minor concessions on spending  and crucially allows both sides to walk away claiming that they won.

But on Capitol Hill and in the administration, there's been no consensus on what exactly that compromise might look like, or even how to thaw the bitter standoff to the degree it was possible to reach a deal  much less in four weeks.

"This clearly sends off a red flare that lawmakers need to get going here," Zandi said. "The economy is so fragile that it wouldn't take much turmoil in markets to upend it and push us into recession."

Sam Stein contributed to this report.
The Biden administration is planning to temporarily deploy 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border ahead of an expected surge in migrants.

The announcement comes as Title 42, a policy that allows for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the border and blocks them from seeking asylum, is set to expire May 11.

A U.S. official told The Hill the troops would be deployed for 90 days to assist with work including ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support, but they would not be doing law enforcement work.

The troops are meant to station at the border until U.S. Customs and Border Protection can more adequately address its needs through contracted support, according to the official.

DHS officials have predicted that attempts to cross the border could climb following the end of the policy, which was first implemented under the Trump administration.

In March, U.S. officials encountered more than 191,000 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border; administration officials have said they expect that number to go up significantly with the end of Title 42.

Last week, the agency announced that in response to the end of Title 42, it plans to carry out expedited deportations using Title 8 authorities and establish two regional centers in Guatemala and Colombia, where migrants can apply for asylum on other avenues to immigrate to the U.S.

Biden administration officials say the stiffer penalties of Title 8 removals  which carry a five-year bar on entering the United States  as well as better avenues to seek legal pathways to enter the U.S., will relieve pressure at the border.

It is not unheard of for presidents to send troops to the border.

DOD personnel have been supporting CBP at the border for almost two decades now, so this is a common practice, if you will, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday.

Whats different is that these are active-duty troops. Not National Guard, said Adam Isacson, director of defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America. Trump sent active-duty troops to the border during the caravans in 2018, but Biden took them away.

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Former President Donald Trump deployed 5,000 troops to the border ahead of the 2018 midterms amid concerns about an approaching caravan of migrants, a move Democrats criticized at the time as political posturing. Trump maintained a troop presence at the border through the remainder of his presidency.

Trumps deployment, originally known as Operation Faithful Patriot, was continued under Biden, albeit with smaller numbers.

In October, Biden ordered more troops to the border under that operation, one of 17 deployments over the previous two decades.

In 2010, the Obama administration also deployed troops to assist border operations, as did the Bush administration in 2006.

Much of the criticism leveled against those operations was around their cost  the two operations cost a combined $1.3 billion.

Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), who has on occasion butted heads with the administration and centrist Democrats on immigration, condemned the latest deployment.

We condemned Trump for doing the same thing. Biden shouldnt follow his lead and move forward with these plans, Garcia wrote on Twitter.

Military deployment isnt a replacement for meaningful immigration reform.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also panned the Biden administrations decision.

The Biden Administrations militarization of the border is unacceptable. There is already a humanitarian crisis in the Western Hemisphere, and deploying military personnel only signals that migrants are a threat that require our nations troops to contain. Nothing could be further from the truth, said Menendez in a statement.

Menendez expanded on his criticism to question the administrations overall conduct on the issue.

The Administration has had over two years to plan for the eventual end of this Trump-era policy in a way that does not compromise our values as a country. I have offered them a strategic and comprehensive plan, which they have largely ignored. Trying to score political points or intimidate migrants by sending the military to the border caters to the Republican Partys xenophobic attacks on our asylum system.

Rafael Bernal and Rebecca Beitsch contributed.

Updated at 5:32 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden invited top congressional leaders for a May 9 meeting on the debt limit as the US barrels closer to a potential default that the Treasury Department warned Monday could come sooner than anticipated.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The proposed meeting is the first sign of progress in what has become a high-stakes game of chicken in Washington, with nothing short of the full faith and credit of the US hanging in the balance. The White House has said it would not negotiate with Republicans over extending the debt ceiling, while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has vowed not to extend the limit without corresponding cuts to the federal budget.

McCarthy agreed to attend the May 9 meeting after a speaking with Biden, a GOP aide said Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has yet to confirm his plans. A White House official emphasized that the invitation shouldnt be interpreted as Biden relenting from his refusal to negotiate over the debt ceiling.

The drama played out against a dire warning from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who told lawmakers earlier Monday that the nation risked default as soon as June 1.

Read More: Yellen Warns Congress Treasury May Run Out of Cash Soon as June

So far, investors are still signaling their confidence that policy makers in Washington can reach a deal in time to avert a historic default. But top officials from the Federal Reserve and Treasury have said a default could prove catastrophic to the US economy, pushing up borrowing costs on credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans while battering markets.

A look at Treasury bill pricing through the US summer shows a notable dislocation in June, indicating traders are concerned about the timeframe the secretary flagged. But the highest yields are in the vicinity of late July and August, with rates there now clearly above 5%.

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Biden plans to use the high-profile White House meeting to press Republicans to raise the debt limit without conditions and express willingness to discuss spending cuts separately in negotiations on the federal budget, the White House official said.

McCarthy, whose calls for a meeting with Biden escalated after House Republicans passed their debt plan last week, has said his party would not increase the spending limit without cuts to the federal budget.

President Biden has refused to do his job  threatening to bumble our nation into its first ever default  and the clock is ticking, he said in a statement on Monday evening.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, released a statement reiterating that Democrats would seek a clean increase.

For generations, Congress has made spending and revenue decisions as part of the annual budget process, which is currently underway, the two Democrats said, referring to Donald Trumps Make America Great Again slogan. That is the appropriate place to debate and discuss our nations fiscal picture  not in a hostage-situation in which extreme MAGA Republicans try to impose their radical agenda on America.

Biden also spoke to McConnell, the White House said.

The US hit its current statutory limit of $31.4 trillion in debt in January, and the Treasury Department has been staving off a possible default on federal obligations by using special accounting maneuvers since then.

The House is on break until next week and both chambers are scheduled to take a different week-long recess later this month. Biden is scheduled to travel to Japan and Australia later this month.

That leaves very few days when all parties are scheduled to be in Washington before June 1, adding to the urgency of next weeks meeting.

The House could push a deal through relatively quickly, if lawmakers had the political will and the votes to do so. Yet the Senate still must overcome filibuster threats and it can take several days to pass any legislation.

The tight deadline increases the chances that Congress passes a short-term increase to buy time while budget talks continue, although several Republicans scoffed at the idea on Monday.

Why are we talking about short term anything? Just get moving. Its just the first of May, said Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Schumer started the process on Monday for the Senate to consider a two-year debt limit suspension as well as the House-passed Republican debt bill. The House bill, which Democrats oppose, would be available to be amended with a future bipartisan deal on the budget after a clean debt limit passes, a Schumer spokesman said.

--With assistance from Zach C. Cohen, Laura Litvan, Justin Sink and Alexandra Harris.

(Updates with McCarthy agreeing to attend May meeting in third paragraph)

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President Biden plans to warn congressional leaders next week against a default, with the White House on Tuesday holding firm that it wont negotiate any spending cuts related to a debt limit deal.

The president has been very clear: Hes not going to negotiate about avoiding default. This is Congresss Constitutional duty, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The day after Biden invited Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and congressional leaders back to the White House for a May 9 meeting, Jean-Pierre repeatedly stressed the line shes touted for weeks, saying that Congress must act when it comes to the debt ceiling.

At times short on details of what the White House would like that to entail, Jean-Pierre did appear to leave some room for the possibility of supporting a short-term suspension or extension as a way to avoid a default but said she wont negotiate in public on any of this.

What Im going to say is weve been very clear, it needs to be done without conditions, she said. They need to take action; Congress needs to act, and thats what the president will continue to make clear, even in the meeting next week.

Jean-Pierre continued to put all responsibility for the matter on Congress, sidestepping a question on whether there is any executive action the president could take to avoid a default.

Jean-Pierre said that the White House was aware of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens plans to release a letter Monday identifying June 1 as a drop-dead deadline for the debt ceiling. Shortly after the letter was published, reports surfaced that Biden was calling congressional leaders for a White House meeting next week.

McCarthy has accepted the invitation after spending weeks criticizing Biden for refusing to speak to him on the matter. Bidens invite to McCarthy was an abrupt shift after the White House insisted last week they had no plans to call the Speaker.

Jean-Pierre wouldnt specify when the president decided to offer the meeting, but said it was after the administration analyzed a Republican-approved debt ceiling plan to raise the borrowing limit and implement sweeping spending cuts. The White House does not support pairing the two.

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Instead, Jean-Pierre said, Biden will continue to stress having separate conversations involving budget negotiations with McCarthy and other leaders.

The president and McCarthy last met Feb. 1. Biden has demanded a clean bill to raise the debt limit and has punted the issue of the default to Republicans, arguing that it will be their fault if the deadline is reached.

Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that Yellens projection that the nation would default after June 1 should be a wakeup call to Congress.

Her comments came shortly after it was revealed that House Democrats had a secret plan to force a vote on a debt limit increase, a long-shot gambit known as a discharge petition that forces floor action on legislation thats backed by a majority of House lawmakers. Jean-Pierre would not comment on where the White House stands on the House Democrat plan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
With flight delays, staff shortages, and record bookings expected to disrupt travel this summer, here's how to keep your vacation plans running smoothly.

Israel Sebastian/Getty Images

If the upcoming summer travel season fills you with equal parts excitement and anxiety, you're certainly not alone. With some airlines already reporting record bookings, searches for summer travel surging on booking platforms like Expedia, and the FAA expecting a 45 percent increase in flight delays due to staff shortages in major airports across the East Coast, it's clear that another messy travel season is on the horizon.

"Travelers have been cooped up for the last two or three years pretty much traveling domestically. But now I think they're just ready to start hitting their wish list of places," said Christina Tunnah, general manager at World Nomads, a travel insurance company, in an interview with Travel + Leisure.

World Nomads' policy sales indicate that most travelers (44 percent) are heading to Europe this summer, with Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain topping the list.

Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

About 15 percent of travelers are heading to Africa, mostly to Tanzania, Egypt, and South Africa. And lastly, destinations in Asia account for about 11 percent of World Nomads' policy sales. "When we were crawling out of the pandemic, [Asia] was still a trepidation for people, but now we're seeing Asia really come back up, and a lot of that is driven by Japan," Tunnah explained. Nepal and Thailand are also trending this summer. And most travelers plan to visit multiple countries during their trips, which average two to three weeks.

Of the insurance claims filed with World Nomads last year, the company saw the most claims for trip interruption, trip delays, and baggage delays, all of which are also expected to cause travelers significant challenges this summer.

So what can you do to make your travels go smoothly during the busy  and expensive  season ahead? Read on for Tunnah's insight and best tips.



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Elena Noviello/Getty Images

Travel Light

Arriving at your final destination without your luggage is never a pleasant experience. According to World Nomads, baggage delay claims rose by 77 percent between 2021 and 2022, with Spain, Greece, and Iceland leading the way in terms of where luggage got lost.

To minimize the possibility of baggage delay or loss, Tunnah recommends traveling with a carry-on only.

"Pack light. What you need for two weeks is pretty much what you need for one week with maybe one run at the hotel laundromat or hotel laundry services," she said.

And if you're attending a special occasion, such as a wedding for which you might need additional outfits and footwear, instead of taking up room in your carry-on or bringing a separate suitcase, research the local shopping areas and hit the stores once you arrive at the destination. "And then check [your] bag on the way home because it's not as impactful if it doesn't arrive," Tunnah said.

Book Experiences in Advance

While you don't have any control over your flight getting canceled or delayed, you can make sure that, once at your destination, you can see and do all the things you have planned by making theater, museum, and restaurant reservations in advance.

"Everything is now bookable online," Tunnah said. So, instead of traveling to a famous landmark or restaurant in a foreign country and being unable to experience it because tickets are sold out, get online as soon as possible and purchase entry passes or book a table.

Weerayut Ranmai/Getty Images

Arrive Early

If you are attending a wedding or getting on a cruise, plan to arrive at least a day early. That way, you have some extra time in case you run into any travel issues, such as flight cancellations or delays. Even if that doesn't happen, you'll have time to recover from the trip, adjust to the new time zone, and explore the area.

Sign up for your airline's automatic push notifications or use apps like FlightAware to get notified if your flight is delayed or canceled. That way, you can quickly address any flight changes with the airline as soon as you learn about them.

Keep a Copy of Important Medical Information

Having a medical emergency abroad is as scary as it is stressful. To ensure medical personnel has quick access to all the information they need to treat you or a family member, have a list of all your medical conditions and medications available digitally.

"Put your medical information somewhere in the cloud, anything that identifies you, anything that you might need in an official capacity, [send] it to yourself in an email or keep it in a secure, password-protected spot," Tunnah recommended. "It makes your situation much smoother and less harried if you've prepared for the worst."

Charday Penn/Getty Images

Choose the Right Travel Insurance

"Every traveler is unique, so there's never a one-size-fits-all in terms of a travel policy," Tunnah said. So how do you find what's right for you?

She recommended narrowing down your choices by deciding what aspect of the trip you'd most like to protect  your investment, your health, or your belongings.

"If you're more cautious, and you've invested $8,000 for everything so far, then you're going to want to tip the hat toward the plan that has a heavier loading on your trip cancellation," she explained.

Next, consider all the adventure activities you will be doing on your trip, and see what plans cover them. "So you just want to go through your own mental profile of what's important to you on a trip, what are the kinds of things that you're going to be doing, and that helps eliminate a lot of the plans," Tunnah added.

Since travel insurance is heavily regulated, taking the time to read the policy and find out what's covered is Tunnah's top piece of advice.

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Bill Nighy was Anna Wintour's date to the 2023 Met Gala. (Getty Images)

Bill Nighy managed to steal the spotlight at the 2023 Met Gala by turning up on the arm of Vogue Editor-In Chief Dame Anna Wintour.

The Love Actually star, 73, and the British fashion journalist, also, 73, had been rumoured to be dating after they were spotted dining out together in Rome in August 2021, but this was their first official public appearance as a couple.

Social media may have exploded with surprise that the rakish actor and the frosty fashionista are an item, but ultra stylish Nighy is a natural fit for a front row coupling.

Read more here: Anna Wintour's love life to date as she arrives at Met Gala with rumoured partner Bill Nighy (Yahoo Style, 3 min read)

The Pirates of The Caribbean star has a deep appreciation of clothes, style and fashion and frequently appears on Best Dressed lists.

Bill Nighy is famous for his love of tailored suits. (Getty Images)

We take a look at how Nighy dressed himself for success.

Young Mod

As a 16-year-old Nighy described himself as "an average mess... disabled by Romanticism" with his hair grown long. Then he hitchhiked to Paris and was struck by the sight of a stylish Frenchman in a suit and shades, riding on a motorbike with a woman wearing a Chanel suit and bare feet, and that was when he began to "take clothes seriously."

Watch: Bill Nighy walks the red carpet with Anna Wintour

Nighy trained as an actor and began his career on the London stage, hanging out in the Bohemian bars of Soho. While he may be famous for playing a rock star in Love Actually, it was not the style of a rocker that he embraced but that of the Mods, and he began a life-long enduring love of suits.

He has said: "I was originally a Mod, but have transcended beyond over time. Im a modernist and Im against all those b*****ks like dandy and dapper et cetera.

Bill Nighy describes his style as 'fine modern classic'. (Getty Images)

"Im now at a sweet spot where Im in between Mod and fine modern classic."

Suits you sir

He is now famous for his collection of blue tailored suits from London's Savile Row and is even rumoured to have turned down film roles because he did approve of the outfits they required.

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But while Nighy appears to cut a fine figure on the red carpet in his illustrious wardrobe - he has revealed it is actually an insecurity in his own appearance that leads him to always dress so smartly.

He once confessed: "I know its all nonsense and I know there is nothing wrong with the way I look but I have never been particularly confident in that area and a suit helps me out.

Read more here: 'I hate my body': Bill Nighy explains why he always wears suits (Independent, 2 min read)

Dedicate follower of fashion

Nighy was in a relationship with Brideshead Revisited star Diana Quick from 1982 to 2008 and the pair made a very stylish couple. They are parents to 38-year-old actor and filmmaker Mary Nighy.

Anna Wintour with Bill Nighy and his then partner Diana Quick at London Fashion Week in 2012. (Getty Images)

It's not only fine clothes for himself that he appreciates - he also admires a chic suit on women too.

He has said: "If I ruled the world, every woman would have a Chanel suit in her wardrobe. The Parisian ideal: little or no make-up, great hair, no stockings with heels, and a Chanel suit with no handbag. The recklessness of the look appeals to me."

Anna Wintour wearing a Chanel suit in Paris in 2008. (Getty Images)

Wintour's signature style is a tailored suit, often Chanel, and huge sunglasses.

More recently The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy star went viral when he took a Sylvanian Families toy rabbit as his date to the 2023 Oscars.

Read more here: Bill Nighy reveals why he took a tiny ketchup-stained rabbit to the Oscars (Evening Standard, 2 min read)

Best dressed

Over the years Nighy has been named on the Best Dressed lists of GQ, Esquire, Mr Porter and Vanity Fair.

But the modest man has confessed he struggles to even watch himself on screen, "because all my fears about my inadequacies are confirmed."

Bill Nighy took a toy bunny to the Oscars 2023. (AP)

While he may have battled demons in the past, Nighy has been a "sober alcoholic" since 1992 and is often to be spotted around London enjoying fine dining and of course rerail therapy, and is by all accounts a humble and gracious selfie-giver.

He said: "I never expected anyone to want to come up to me in the street, to want my photograph or autograph."

Classic, understated and a true British gentleman - Nighy appears to be the perfect red carpet accessory. And Wintour is known to always demand the best.
Florida medical professionals would be able to refuse to perform nearly any healthcare service if they have moral objections under a bill passed by the Senate on Friday and moving in the House this week.

Under SB 1580, medical health providers could not be held liable in a civil case if they turn away a patient on conscience grounds. Insurance companies could also refuse to pay for a service if it goes against their written, conscience-based guidelines.

A person would still be able to sue for other violations, including medical malpractice.

Opponents of the legislation say they worry the bill opens the door for medical professionals to discriminate against people, including those who may be LGBTQ+.

Part of the bill explicitly outlines that it does not allow someone to opt out of providing service because of someones race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Attempts by Democrats to broaden that to include such things as disability, gender identity, sexuality and marital status failed.

This bill screams, reeks of discrimination, said Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville.

But sponsors pushed back, arguing that doctors deserve religious protection. House sponsor Rep. Joel Rudman, R-Navarre, said in an earlier committee meeting that theres nothing in this bill that legalizes discrimination.

The bill passed the Senate on Friday on a 28-11 vote. A House vote is expected later this week. This is the final week of Floridas legislative session.

A similar bill was put forward last year but died in committee meetings.

This years legislation defines a conscience objection as something based on a sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical belief.

Between state and federal law, Florida medical providers already have conscience protections when it comes to providing abortions and prescribing contraception. But the bill opens the door for doctors to turn down any procedure if it goes against their conscience.

The bill does not name which acts are acceptable to turn down.

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Bill sponsor is a doctor

Rudman, a doctor, has said the bill is his entire reason for being here in the Florida Legislature. Rudman said he was investigated by the American Board of Medicine after he posted online about his objections to COVID restrictions and the guidance of Anthony Fauci, who was then the White Houses chief medical adviser.

The bill says professional boards cannot take disciplinary action against someone solely because of something they wrote on social media, as long as that speech doesnt violate other parts of the law.

It also says a medical professional or insurance company cannot be discriminated against because they declined to participate in or pay for a healthcare service. If a person or group feels they are discriminated against for taking a conscience objection, they can file a complaint with the attorney general.

The bill specifies that it does not preempt the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which requires hospitals to stabilize any patient with an emergency condition.

For an insurance company and entities like hospitals to claim a conscience objection, they must have governing documents, mission statements or other records delineating their ethical, moral or religious guidelines.

Medical professionals who refuse to treat a patient under this law need to document in the patients file that they notified the patient, and must provide written notice to their employer.
A surge in bitcoin inflow onto exchanges could point to the possibility of more sell-offs. Photo: Getty

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) has fallen below the $30,000 mark, decreasing by 2% to $28,028 (22,478).

The global cryptocurrency market cap stands at $1.21tn, down 1.4%, according to Coingecko.

A surge in inflow onto exchanges could point to the possibility of more sell-offs.

Over 7,000 bitcoin have been sent to crypto exchanges in the past two days, building on a steady increase since April in bitcoin exchange reserves, according to data from CryptoQuant.

Read more: Crypto live prices

Bitcoin reserves on all exchanges have been rising since 4 April, possibly indicating higher sell pressure.

Despite the retreat from $30,000, Joshua Frank, co-founder and CEO of The Tie, believes there are still positive market indicators for bitcoin.

He noted that bitcoin's market cap dominance in relation to other digital assets is surging, but liquidity remains a challenge.

He added that the digital asset is outperforming due to factors such as market consolidation, low trading volume, and banking uncertainty.

He told Coindesk: "I think a lot of institutions are excited about bitcoin. I think that the risk-off narrative is resonating right now. Just like it did in 2021.

"Bitcoin is outperforming due to several reasons, including market consolidation, low trading volume, and banking uncertainty.

Read more: Philip Hammond warns of 'real risk' to London financial services from EU crypto bill

"In the short term, bitcoin is more correlated to gold. However, the US regulatory environment is unenthusiastic and negative towards crypto, contributing to low liquidity.

UK fintech survey forecasts bitcoin price for the end of 2023

A recent Finder study polled 32 fintech and crypto experts for their end-of-year price predictions for bitcoin.

The majority forecast a positive performance, with bitcoin rising in 2023 to an average peak of $35,459, with some forecasting it could surpass $50,000.

They also predicted that bitcoin could reach $99,781 by 2025 and $297,848 by 2030.

Story continues

Watch: 'Bitcoin will eat into global finance until it's $1m per coin' | The Crypto Mile

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Blackpink's Jennie Kim rocks up to the 2023 Met Gala in a '90s vintage Chanel minidress. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

K-pop group Blackpink's Jennie Kim makes her Met Gala debut on May 1.

Kim wore a '90s vintage Chanel minidress  a repurposed look from Karl Lagerfeld's collection.

Besides Kim, K-pop legend and fashion icon G-Dragon was also one of Lagerfeld's muses.

K-pop global sensation Blackpink's Jennie Kim made her Met Gala debut on May 1 in a sweet vintage Chanel minidress, honoring the late designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Her '90s white satin bustier dress, cinched at the waist with a black ribbon and white camellia embellishment, is the Chanel team's reinterpretation of look 164 of Lagerfeld's fall 1990 ready-to-wear collection, per Vogue.

Jennie Kim's sweet and elegant Met Gala look stuns the crowd in New York City. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

As one of Lagerfeld's last handpicked muses for the house of Chanel, the K-pop "it girl" has been dubbed "Human Chanel" by fans and the media alike, often stunning crowds with expensive, classy Chanel looks.

Kim is also the second Blackpink member to attend the Met Gala, and she picked up some advice from fellow member Rose, who made her own Met Gala debut in a custom Saint Laurent minidress.

"Rose, she was here last year, and she told me, 'just have fun,' so that's the plan," Kim told Emma Chamberlain in a livestream interview for Vogue.

Kim isn't the first South Korean celebrity that Lagerfeld took a shine to.

G-Dragon, the leader of BIGBANG, South Korea's top boyband in the 2010s, was one of Lagerfeld's muses, too. In 2016, Lagerfeld shot images of G-Dragon for three separate Vogue Korea covers.

The BIGBANG leader was also spotted at multiple Chanel shows, and was the only Asian celebrity to walk in Lagerfeld's casino-themed Chanel Couture Fall/Winter show in Paris back in 2015.

In 2017, G-Dragon told Dazed what it was like to meet Lagerfeld for the first time  gushing about the fashion designer and calling him a "rockstar."

"I don't remember it perfectly, but it was such an honor. For them, it's like, 'Who's that guy? Who's that Asian kid?'  but I sat front row and everything was special for me," G-Dragon told Dazed.

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"Karl is Karl, Chanel is Chanel  period, right? He's on another level. His own zone," the rapper added.

Upon Lagerfeld's death in 2019, G-Dragon also posted a special tribute to him on Instagram  posting an old photo of Lagerfeld, himself, and 20 other celebrities at the 2015 show.

In recent years, a growing number of K-pop stars are being appointed ambassadors of luxury powerhouses as a "calculated move to tap into the booming South Korean market," as previously reported by Insider's Cheryl Teh.

Read the original article on Insider
Karl Lagerfeld and Blake Lively at the 2011 Met Gala. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Blake Lively announced last week that she wouldn't be attending the Met Gala.

Last night she shared a photo of what she was doing instead  pumping at home.

Lively is a mom of four, including a newborn.

While Hollywood A-listers gathered at the Met Gala, the world's premier fashion event, actress Blake Lively  typically a star of the red carpet  was doing something that would look familiar to many moms: pumping milk for her newborn.

"First Monday in May," Lively wrote on an Instagram story posted the same night as the gala.

Lively is a mom of four, including a baby born earlier this year. Details about the baby are scarce  Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, haven't announced the newborn's name or gender. The only announcement of the birth was an Instagram post in mid-February that showed Lively without a baby bump. In addition to the new baby, Lively and Reynolds are parents to three daughters: James, 8; Inez, 6; and Betty, 3.

Lively's absence was expected

It wasn't a surprise that Lively missed the Met Gala. She told reporters last Thursday that they wouldn't see her on the red carpet without giving a specific reason.

"But I will be watching," she said, according to People. When a reporter complimented her outfit from last year, an incredible dress that transformed into two distinct looks, she joked.

"Thank you, that's very sweet," she said. "I'll be wearing that on my couch on Monday."

Fans have become used to seeing Lively at the Met Gala  she's attended the fundraiser almost every year since 2008. During those 15 years, her red-carpet outfits have been showstoppers. The Met Gala was also the first place that Lively and Reynolds appeared at a red-carpet event as an item, back in 2014, People reported.

Lively has said that breastfeeding is a 'full-time job'

While Lively didn't say that her newest addition was why she missed the gala, her pumping post implied it. In the past, Lively has been open about the challenges of being a nursing mom. After James was born, Lively said in an interview with Allure that breastfeeding was her "full-time job."

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"I'm, like, driving down the road, pumping," she said.

In the same interview, she talked about the pressure that actresses have to "bounce back" and be red-carpet ready after giving birth.

"It is unfair," she said. "I think it's just as frustrating to see women asked questions all the time about how they lost their baby weight and then [the media] spins that to be, 'This is the only way.' Or, they make it seem like, 'You have to breast-feed and only breast-feed.' Or, 'You have to give birth this way versus that way.'"

In 2020, after Betty was born, Lively shared another pumping photo, that time while promoting the movie "The Rhythm Section."

Despite the extra work involved with raising four kids, Lively told Forbes that motherhood has boosted her confidence, which benefits her career.

"Having children for me made me feel so much more in my skin," she said. "I never felt more myself or at ease in my own body or more confident  not to say that there aren't a bevy of insecurities coming at me a million times a day, but I just feel incredibly settled."

Read the original article on Insider
Consumer demand for the Jack Dorsey-backed Twitter alternative Bluesky is outstripping access, according to the latest App Store data and figures published today by the company. In a new FAQ on Bluesky's website, the company shares that its community has topped 50,000 users. However, estimates provided to TechCrunch by app intelligence company data.ai indicate the decentralized Twitter clone has seen over 375,000 worldwide installs on iOS as of April 26, 2023, and has been ranking highly on Apple and Google's app stores' top charts by downloads.

Excitement for Bluesky has also been climbing in recent weeks, thanks to a combination of exclusivity -- the app still requires a hard-to-find invite to get in -- and the culture its community is creating. The latter has seen the app embrace what has been described as "early Twitter" energy, thanks in part to the numerous meme accounts and shitposting. This results in a sort of frenetic, chaotic vibe to Bluesky that's attracting many former Twitter users and particularly those who haven't quite meshed well with the more serious and structured environment found in the other decentralized Twitter alternative, Mastodon.

But for the time being, Bluesky isn't capitalizing on the outsized consumer demand for its app.

While other would-be Twitter alternatives like Post and T2 have broadened access to their respective networks, Bluesky invites have become such a hot commodity they've been selling for anywhere between $120 to as much as $400 on eBay in recent days.

Image Credits: eBay screenshot

Image Credits: eBay screenshot

Some sellers are now even testing the market for higher prices, as Bluesky demand increases.

(Above: sold invites. Below: Bluesky invites for sale as of May 2, 2023).

Image Credits: eBay screenshot

Consumer interest in the app has also been fueling its rise across the app stores' top charts, data.ai's analysis indicates.

The firm found that Bluesky has gained over 375,000 iOS downloads globally, having peaked on April 15th with 66,000 downloads in a single day thanks to becoming the No. 1 app across all categories in Thailand. Before that, the highest level of daily iOS downloads was more than 22,000 on March 22, 2023.

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This 375,000 figure is up from the 240,000 iOS installs Bluesky had as of April 20th, 135,000 of which had come just that month, data.ai had recently reported.

Data visualization by Miranda Halpern , created with Flourish

The app launched on Google Play in late April, so insights into its traction on Android devices is still forthcoming.

But the analysis indicates that, despite consumers' lack of access to the new social network, Bluesky has managed to trend on the downloads charts across both Apple's App Store and Google Play in several markets.

In Japan, for example, Bluesky reached as high as No. 3 among social apps on Google Play by downloads on April 24 after previously reaching No. 8 among social apps on iOS on March 4.

In the U.K., the app was No. 10 among social apps by Google Play downloads on April 26, shortly after reaching No. 10 among social apps by iOS downloads on April 23.

The U.S., meanwhile, has been responsible for much of Bluesky's more recent growth, the firm said. That's helped the app reach No. 22 among social apps by Google Play downloads on April 26 and up to the No. 11 spot among social apps by iOS downloads on April 24.

Because of its relative newness, data.ai said it's not yet able to accurately predict the number of daily or monthly active users at this time.

The rankings are impressive not just because the app is still fresh out of the gate, but because its community is still quite small.

As of a few days ago, Bluesky accounts that aim to follow all the app's users were following north of 45,000 people. However, according to the FAQ published by Bluesky today, the company says the community now has north of 50,000 users.

The FAQ also attempts to clarify how access to invite codes will be distributed, noting that existing users receive just one invite every two weeks they're on the app. Plus, the company shared that it periodically monitors the social graph, and if it finds that certain users are inviting "other trustworthy participants," they'll receive more invites.

This aspect of the invite system makes Bluesky feel even more exclusive than if it were just slowly rolling out access to its waitlist. Instead, getting in now feels like a function of who you know. This has led to existing Bluesky users being asked daily -- often by multiple folks -- if they have any invite codes to spare. (In other words, your best bet to get a Bluesky invite is to become an existing user's best friend for the next two weeks!)

Bluesky says it's limiting access to grow the network "organically," but if that were the case, it would roll out a few more codes or increase the frequency in order to capitalize on the real-world demand, because that would still be considered organic growth. At this point, restricting invites to one every two weeks is artificially slowing the app's growth.

That appears to be by design. The company explains its thinking in the FAQ, saying that it needs to limit bad actors up front.

"Social networks can be abused by spammers and bad actors who might want to manipulate the public conversation. Its much easier to limit sign-ups and let them spread through an existing social graph than to try to retroactively clean up rampant network abuse," the post reads. "Long-term, we view this invite code system as a piece of the open source tooling were building to help server admins (people running services) to help curate and moderate their communities," it says.

It's not clear if the company believes its existing user base can't be trusted to give out invites responsibly, or if it wants to have more of a hand in who gets in -- and who stays out. But with Bluesky invites now selling to the highest bidder on eBay, the company's plans for keeping out bad actors could be disrupted.

The FAQ details other aspects of Bluesky's plans, including its AT Protocol for decentralization, and its differentiators from Twitter, like algorithmic choice and composable moderation.

It also tries to clear up the nature of Bluesky's relationship to Twitter, as it was originally incubated in Twitter while Jack Dorsey was CEO. It was later spun out as an independent company (a PBLLC), having received $13 million from Twitter to kickstart its launch. Now, the FAQ notes that "Twitter closed its service agreement with Bluesky in 2022." Jack Dorsey is still on Bluesky's board.

Bluesky was asked for comment on the new figures, but an automated response to press inquiries only pointed us to the new FAQ.
PETERSBURG  A death investigation is under way after a woman was found dead Monday night on the city's east side.

Police have not yet said if the death is being considered a homicide. Deputy Chief Emanuel Chambliss said in a message to The Progress-Index that the body was taken to the state medical examiner's office in Richmond, and that is where the cause of death will be determined.

The victim was found early Monday evening in the 600 block of Cameron Street. Her name has not been released, but Chambliss said she appeared to be in her 20s.

Anyone who may have information about the death is asked to contact Detective Keith Royster at (804) 732-4222 or call Crime Solvers at (804) 861-1212. Info may also be shared on the P3Tips mobile app.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg woman found dead Monday night; police investigating
Marine units searched the swift-flowing Boise River on Monday after receiving a report of a missing kayaker, Boise Fire Department spokesperson Lynsey Amundson told the Idaho Statesman.

The Boise Police Department was also on the scene, Amundson said, and was monitoring from bridges and elsewhere.

At around 2:45 p.m., Boise fire and police units responded to a report of a missing adult male kayaker on the Boise River, according to a news release. By 4:15 p.m., a possible rescue transitioned into a recovery effort after nine units, including the Boise River rescue boat, were unable to locate the man. Boise police assisted the search with drones, the release said.

Witness reports indicated that the kayaker put in at Barber Park and was last seen in the middle of the river channel near the E. Parkcenter Bridge. The Boise Fire Dive Team recovered one inflatable kayak on the river, according to the release, and the incident was turned over to the Ada County Sheriffs Office as a missing-person investigation.

On Friday, the Boise Fire Department posted a Dangerous River Condition notice, meaning conditions are extremely dangerous for people and pets. Officials recommended that people not recreate in the river, as conditions could be life-threatening.

As river flows increase because of warmer temperatures and spring snowpack runoff, several stretches of the Greenbelt have already closed because of flooding.
A fire burnt a home at the corner of College Street and Webster Street in Boone Monday afternoon. Michael Glynn, 45, was arrested after engaging in a stand-off with Boone Police for more than two hours.

Boone officers believe a man lit a home on fire from the interior during a two-hour stand-off Monday, leading to a string of criminal charges.

Michael Craig Glynn , 45, of Boone was taken into custody for first degree arson, a Class B felony; second degree arson, a Class C felony; interference with official acts which is a serious misdemeanor, aggravated misdemeanor or a Class D felony; and a violation of a no contact order.

Glynn was arrested by the Boone Police Department Monday after he barricaded himself in his wife's home on College Street in Boone, and then allegedly burned it to the ground.

A neighbor's garage also caught fire in the incident.

Boone police officers were called to 1306 College Street shortly after 2:40 p.m. Monday for reports of a violation of a no contact order. Authorities found Glynn, 45, inside the home near the intersection with Webster Street. The order, according to court documents, legally banned Glynn from visiting the property on College Street.

A fire at the intersection of College Street and Webster Street in Boone Tuesday was the result of a more than two-hour stand-off between Michael Glynn and Boone Police.

Glynn was the only person in the residence when officers arrived, according to a Boone Police Department press release. The house is owned by Patricia Moorman.

Boone Police established a perimeter around the home and Glynn refused to leave during more than 60 minutes of negotiation. Authorities believe the suspect started a fire from within the home around 3:34 p.m., which eventually engulfed the house in flames. An officer also observed Glynn throw a flaming box out the window, court documents said.

More: Two-hour stand-off leads to house fire, arrest in Boone

More: Iowa Arboretum's Annual Arbor Day celebration 2023 draws crowds

Flames were extinguished by 5:30 p.m. though Boone Police Commander John Sloter said he believes the home is a total loss.

Glynn fled the residence at 4:44 p.m. - more than two hours after the initial standoff began - where he was shot with bean bag rounds by Boone Police. He was eventually apprehended by an Iowa State Patrol K9 officer, who bit Glynn, Sloter said. The suspect was transported to Boone County Hospital for treatment of injuries caused by the smoke and the K9.

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Glynn could be facing as many as 25 years behind bars for the Class B felony, up to 10 years for the Class C felony, and up to two years for the misdemeanor or possibly more than five years if found guilty of a Class D felony. If found guilty of these charges, Glynn could also face tens of thousands of dollars in fines and court fees.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges may be filed.

Brandon Hurley contributed to this story. Teresa Kay Albertson covers politics, crime, courts and local government in Ames and central Iowa for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her on Twitter @TeresaAlberts11 and at talbertson@registermedia.com, 515-419-6098.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Boone man facing numerous charges following house fire
A Bossier City police officer is in stable condition after being shot Tuesday morning.

Louisiana State Police (LSP), Public Information Officer LeAnn Hodges said early Tuesday morning Bossier City Police Department was called to the Valero Gas Station on Industrial Drive and I-20 on reports of a shooting.

Arriving officers were met by a subject and an exchange of gunfire occurred. During the exchange, an officer was struck and was transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.

LSP is only conducting the investigation on the officer-involved shooting. Bossier City Police will conduct an investigation on the initial call.

At this time there is no information on how many victims or injuries occurred from this incident. Bossier City Police said they will release information as it becomes available.

LSP confirmed a subject is in custody.

Louisiana State Police offer more information on second officer involved shooting in Shreveport

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Bossier City Police officer in stable condition after Tuesday shooting
Financial Services

Binance Holdings hired Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to lobby on crypto industry issues. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission recently sued Binance over alleged violations of trading laws, while federal officials are investigating whether the popular crypto exchange facilitated money laundering. Roscoe Jones, former chief of staff to Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and a Justice Department alumnus, will work on the account.

Truist Financial Corp. hired Todd Strategy Group to lobby on banking regulatory reform issues. Federal Reserve officials have said it needs to set tougher standards to prevent additional bank collapses. Ted Lehman, former chief of staff to Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), will work on the account.

Energy and Environment

The American Forest and Paper Association hired the Earth & Water Group to lobby on the Environmental Protection Agencys listing of PFAS as Superfund hazardous substances. Susan Bodine, former assistant administrator for the EPAs Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, will work on the account.

Harley-Davidson Motor Co. hired Subject Matter to lobby on issues related to transportation, consumer finance, trade and electric vehicles. Keith Castaldo, former general counsel to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), will work on the account.

Nominations

Roger Nyhus, a Seattle business leader, hired K&L Gates to lobby on his nomination as ambassador to Caribbean nations. President Biden nominated Nyhus in September. Tim Peckinpaugh, a longtime partner at the firm, will work on the account.

Technology

Afiniti, a company that implements artificial intelligence as part of companies call centers, hired Chartwell Strategy Group to lobby on AI issues. David Tamasi, a major fundraiser for former President Trump, will work on the account.

Appropriations

The Polaris Project, a nonprofit fighting human trafficking in North America, hired McCartin Public Policy Group to lobby for federal funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Muftiah McCartin, former staff director on the House Rules Committee, will work on the account.

Bottom Line is a weekly column documenting lobbying contracts filed with Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
London markets finished higher despite a slump for NatWest (Luciana Guerra/PA) (PA Archive)

The idiocy of Brexit is partially to blame for one of the UK's largest tech firms choosing to list on the New York Stock Exchange over London, it was warned on Tuesday.

Hermann Hauser, who pioneered ARMs technology whilst at Acorn computers, said the City's reputation had "suffered a lot" since Britain left the European Union.

Cambridge-based software company ARM is hoping to raise $10billion with its initial public offering (IPO), an amount he believes would not be possible in Britain.

The firm on Saturday filed with regulators confidentially for a US market listing, setting the stage for this year's largest stock offering.

When asked why the company was being listed in New York over London, Mr Hauser told BBC Radio 4: "The fact is that New York is a much deeper market than London, partially because of the the Brexit idiocy the image of the London Stock Exchange has suffered a lot in the international community."

ARM is one of the UKs few world-class tech companies and its technology is at the heart of most smartphones.

It was bought by investment holding company Softbank for $31 billion in 2016.

The decision to list the firm on the New York Stock Exchange, first announced in March, came after London was dealt a Brexit blow last year when research showed the City had lost its title of Europes largest equity market to France.

Paris became Europes largest centre for trading equities for the first time in November last year and has since has widened the gap. The French capital has a total market capitalisation of $3.13 trillion, exceeding Londons by $250 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Trade from the EU to the UK down has fallen sharply since Brexit, while the loss of hundreds of thousands of European workers has led to labour shortages in some industries.

Combined with the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and the fallout from Russias invasion of Ukraine, the impact of exiting the EU has added to the drag on Britains economy.

Mr Hauser added that there was still a "a lot of support" for ARM in London and the company could eventually be listed in the City.

He said: "ARM of course is a UK company, arguably one of the more globally successful technology companies, and there is a lot of support in the London City for ARM so it would make a lot of sense for ARM to have a secondary listing in the London stock exchange eventually."
Brimley's Lindsey Hill (18) sets during a home volleyball match against Newberry. Hill will be testing her skills against international competition in July, when she will travel to Barcelona with other America's Team athletes.

BRIMLEY  Brimley volleyball player Lindsey Hill is getting closer to having the experience of a lifetime.

The Brimley senior has been selected by the American Council of International Studies (ACIS) to play volleyball for Americas Team in Barcelona, Spain in early July.

I created an online profile, Hill said of her being invited. They saw it and reached out to me.

There are plenty of things on the volleyball side to get excited about, and Hill is on board with all of them.

Im going to get to play different positions, so Im excited about that, she said. And Im going to be playing with people that Ive never even practiced with. Well be seeing different teams. Its all going to be new and Im really looking forward to that.

Brimley senior Lindsey Hill slams one home during the 2022 volleyball season.

As lucky as Hill was to be invited, the team is equally lucky to have her in Barcelona.

Hill is the reigning Player of the Year in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference and was named third team All-State as a setter that finished her career with well over 1,000 career assists.

She has committed to North Central Michigan College in Petoskey to continue her volleyball career.

The teams that Americas Team will be playing against will be local club teams that are roughly at the competitive level of a junior college team.

Despite all the excitement, Hill does have some concerns rattling around in her head.

Ive never really travelled much, she said with a laugh. The farthest Ive ever been from home is Columbus, Ohio. Ive never flown before and Im hoping theres no turbulence on the flight. Im nervous about it, but everyone keeps telling me itll be fine.

While she may not exactly be a world traveler, Hill has done a little research into Barcelona and has some things in mind that she would like to look into while shes there.

I bought a book and Ive been reading about Barcelona, she said. I am looking forward to seeing the cathedral and eating some of the local seafood.

In addition to whatever sightseeing the team does individually, there are some planned team trips as well. The team will be visiting the 1992 Olympic Complex during their stay as well as getting some beach time.

Story continues

Hill will leave for Barcelona and will be abroad for nine days and the action starts as soon as the plane touches down as game one is schedule for arrival day. The team will not get a break until day four of the trip, playing at least one game every day until then.

Despite that on-the-go schedule, Hill is ready to soak up every second.

This is an experience that Im really looking forward to, Hill said. The volleyball will be great but some of the other things Ill get to see and do while Im there will be incredible.

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Brimleys Hill to get volleyball, cultural adventure in trip to Barcelona
Emirates Airline president Tim Clark says there is a long way to go for Saudi airlines and other competitors

The UAE's Emirates airline does not feel threatened by ambitious expansion plans in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and welcomes increased competition, its president said on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia has announced a new national carrier, Riyadh Air, and a big new airport in the capital to handle up to 120 million travellers per year.

But Emirates president Tim Clark, who put the cost of the plans at $2.5-3 trillion, said there was a long way to go for Saudi airlines and other competitors, including Air India which ordered 470 Airbus and Boeing planes in February.

"You've now got Saudi Arabia announcing these huge plans, the likes of which nobody's really seen before," Clark told journalists at the Arabian Travel Market industry fair in Dubai.

"They made statements such that they want 100 million tourists into Saudi Arabia by 2030. But you don't need one airline, you need 10 airlines to do that," he added.

Saudia and Riyadh Air, which together announced orders for 78 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in March, will be complemented by NEOM Airlines, flying from NEOM, a $500 billion futuristic city being built from scratch, from 2024.

"Paradoxically, you'll hear me saying that the more carriers that come into play, they've got quite a good chance going forward of being profitable," Clark said.

With annual air traffic at four billion worldwide before the pandemic, and rising by four-six percent per year, seven billion passengers could be flying every year by the 2030s, he added.

But Riyadh Air and Air India also need to be served by "seamless, wonderful" airports, Clark said, if they are to follow the model of Dubai-based Emirates which flies out of one of the world's busiest air hubs.

- 'Room for one more?' -

"Do I see this as a threat to us? No, I don't think so. Because Emirates has spent the best part of 35, 36 years building its brand," Clark said.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that Emirates would have it all its own way in perpetuity... but is there room for more? Well, bring it on."

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Clark would not pre-empt next week's earnings announcement but said it had been a "good year", with a seat factor or passenger load of nearly 80 percent last week.

Emirates reported record half-year profits of $1.2 billion in November as it bounced back to profit after a $1.1 billion loss in the post-pandemic 2021-2022 financial year.

The United Arab Emirates' biggest airline should regain its full pre-pandemic network of destinations by summer next year, Clark said, when "20-25" Airbus A380s grounded for technical reasons are able to fly again.

In January, Emirates flew a Boeing 777 with one engine powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel -- made from biomass, recycled food oil and synthetic fuel from captured CO2 or green hydrogen -- calling it a "milestone".

However, Clark said there were major hurdles to adopting sustainable fuel, pointing to a lack of supply and the cost of repurposing refineries.

"I don't think we should over-promise. I think we should say what we're doing and I intend to get the job done," he said.

"But... you will not fly an A380 to Los Angeles, with 500 passengers on board burning 200 tonnes of fuel, on anything other than fossil fuel for the time being."

th
By Sachin Ravikumar

LONDON (Reuters) -British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expects to meet China's Vice President Han Zheng when foreign leaders visit London for King Charles's coronation, a rare meeting between senior government officials during a low point in UK-China relations.

"I suspect that I will," Cleverly told BBC Radio on Tuesday when asked if he would be meeting Han. He said he would discuss a range of subjects including areas where Britain has "points of criticism".

A host of foreign dignitaries and heads of state are visiting London this week ahead of Charles's May 6 coronation, and ministers are likely to use the opportunity to hold meetings with foreign leaders.

UK-China relations are at their worst in decades after London restricted Chinese investment over national security worries and expressed concern at Beijing's increasing military and economic assertiveness.

Cleverly, who hopes to visit China this year, suggested he would speak to Han about some of those concerns.

"When we engage, it's about making sure that the Chinese government understand our views on a range of issues including those issues where we feel strongly their behaviour is inappropriate, like for example, their failure to abide by the commitments in Hong Kong, or by the treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang," he said.

While the leaders of France, Germany and Spain have visited China in recent months and called for engagement with the world's second-biggest economy, the U.S. and Britain are taking a tougher approach to what they consider a growing threat from Beijing to their interests and values.

Britain and China's leaders have not had a face-to-face meeting since 2018 when Britain's former prime minister Theresa May went to China on a three-day trade visit.

In a speech in London last week, Cleverly urged China to be more open about what he called the biggest military build-up in peacetime history, and said Britain should engage constructively with China despite its "revulsion" over the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

That approach faces opposition from some within Britain's governing Conservative Party who have argued for an even tougher stance against China, including by reclassifying the country as a "threat" instead of a "systemic competitor".

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Kate Holton and Ed Osmond)
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK is still helping Britons in Sudan (PA) (PA Wire)

The British mission in Sudan is not over yet despite the end of the evacuation airlift, the Foreign Secretary said.

James Cleverly said the situation remained dangerous and officials were still in Port Sudan to help Britons seeking to leave the country.

The final evacuation flights left Sudan on Monday for Cyprus, with anyone seeking to leave now relying on making their own way to safety through Port Sudan or at land borders into neighbouring countries.

Sudan update - 1 May 2023.



2,197 people have been evacuated from Sudan on 26 UK flights, with further flights landing this evening. pic.twitter.com/x4A964fMtK  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) May 1, 2023

During the airlift  the longest and largest by any western nation in Sudan  2,341 people were evacuated on 28 flights, according to No 10.

Downing Street said 1,195 were British nationals, while 1,087 people from other nations, including Sudanese dependants of British nationals, were also helped to leave.

No 10 confirmed that, as of Monday, 18 Sudanese clinicians had left the country as part of the UK evacuation.

Mr Cleverly told GB News: There is still an ongoing humanitarian situation, we still have a presence at Port Sudan, both a military presence and a number of other government officials to help British nationals and their dependents leave the country.

He added: We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals, because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile, and it is still dangerous.

As well as officials and military personnel in Port Sudan, HMS Lancaster is off the coast to support them.

Mr Cleverly said the evacuation from Sudan would have a significant cost to taxpayers.

The @RoyalAirForce has evacuated more than 2,000 people from Sudan, most of whom are UK nationals or their dependents.



We have also evacuated civilians from more than 20 other nations - supporting our Allies and partners.



 pic.twitter.com/qZfbQhtdln  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 1, 2023

But he told LBC Radio: What we have found increasingly now, as people use those land routes to Port Sudan, in many instances they are less in need of an air evacuation from Sudan itself.

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There are a number of options available from Port Sudan, including a ferry across to Saudi Arabia.

He added: At the moment we have a warship just off the coast of Port Sudan, we have a cross-Whitehall team of officials in Port Sudan to help British nationals leave the country.

We can scale that up, or indeed scale that down, according to circumstances.

The international focus is shifting to preventing a wider humanitarian catastrophe in the region and Mr Cleverly warned that any further fighting would hamper relief efforts.

The United Nations said Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan and his rival General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed to send representatives to the negotiation table in a bid to establish a more stable truce.

Generals Burhan and Dagalo, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudans fraught transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.

Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4s Today: Where there is live conflict, our ability to provide humanitarian support is massively degraded.

He added: We have given aid to Sudan, we are giving support to countries in the region, we will continue to push for an extension of the ceasefire and a permanent end to the conflict because that is the best way to maximise the effectiveness of our humanitarian support.
BROCKTON  While on vacation in the lush mystical island of Hawaii, a local couple found a treat that sent their taste buds into a frenzy. They knew they had to bring it back to Brockton as a business.

There is nothing that can compare Hawaiian shaved ice, not ice cream, not a snow cone, absolutely nothing, said Margarida Burrell, 33, co-owner of Thats So Cool Shave Ice.

Theres something in the air in Hawaii, and Margarida Burrell doesnt know if its the vibrancy of the island from the delicious fruit to the clear warm water beaches or the aloha spirit that makes the island so unique.

When Im in Hawaii, I feel at one with the land and with the community. Its a sacred place where if you embrace the traditions and celebrate the land, the land reciprocates the love back to you, Burrell said.

Alex Burrell and his wife Margarida Burrell, owners of That's So Cool Shave Ice in Brockton, give the Shaka sign known in Hawaiian culture as "hang loose" on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

The shaved ice business, which Margarida co-owns with her husband Brockton police officer Alexander Burrell, 33, launched in March to give Brockton a taste of what the couple said, the city is missing.

Margarida made sure to incorporate her heritage inside the bubbling business by adding azulejos inside the interior walls of the trailer. Azulejos are tiles found throughout Portugal and the Azores.

"My mom is from Sao Miguel an Island in the Azores. Having little touches of the island that my family is from on the trailer brings me closer to myself and my own linage," Margarida said.

As a second generation Portuguese American, owning a business has been a dream come true.

Alex Burrell and his wife Margarida Burrell, stated That's So Cool Shave Ice in Brockton after a recent trip to Hawaii where they fell in love with the sweet treat.

So far, the couple has hosted one private event but they plan on doing more.

Potential clients can book the services by calling 401-423-5070 or emailing AlexandMaggie@thatssocoolshaveice.com during normal businesses hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

First time customers receive $50 dollars off their first package for their private event.

The shaved ice trailer has several packages to choose from with dozens of exotic flavors and toppings.

We have so many flavors, and private events start from $149 dollars per hour for 30 guests, Burrell said.

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Flavors from Hawaii

With over 40 flavors, the business has something for everyone. One amazing aspect of their mission in providing authentic shaved ice is importing all their flavors straight from the motherland in Hawaii.

Margarida Burrell, co-owner of That's So Cool Shave Ice in Brockton, shows off a shaved ice bowl.

Its important to us to support local Hawaiian businesses and keep the flavors authentic, Burrell said.

Some popular flavors include passionfruit, Asian plum, honeydew, banana, blue raspberry, cherry, grape, strawberry, tigers blood, and watermelon, to name a few.

The cones even come with your choice of fresh chopped fruit ranging from strawberry to mango, coconut shavings, and condensed milk on top for a creamy snowcap.

Although the business is fairly new, the couple already feels a sense of belonging in the community in Brockton and hopes to keep sharing their loved traditions from thousands of miles away.

For more information on the shaved ice business please visit their website www.thatssocoolshaveice.com.

Enterprise staff writer Alisha Saint-Ciel can be reached at stciela@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: alexander margarida burrell opens that's so cool shave ice trailer
Image: Lego

Building official Lego sets has always been a linear experience: you start on page one of the instruction book, and work your way through each step, one by one, until you end up with the model pictured on the box. But with Legos new DREAMZzz line, builders finally have a say in how the model theyre building turns out.



Although The Lego Movie and Ninjago are two of the more popular movies and TV series featuring plastic bricks, Lego has actually been churning out animated series, movies, and direct-to-video specials since as early as 2003 with its now-retired Bionicle line. Today, the company announced its latest animated property, a new streaming series called Lego DREAMZzz that will premiere on May 15 on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, but can also be watched, completely free, on Legos YouTube channel.

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Image: Lego

As the animated series title strongly implies, Lego DREAMZzz is all about exploring the often confusing, but always completely original, world of dreams (and nightmares), and the shows storyline involves five school friends (Mateo, Izzie, Cooper, Logan, and Zoey) who become part of a secret agency that allows them to consciously explore the dream world and solve problems, or defeat enemies using something called dream crafting, where they build or modify real world objects using a heavy dose of imagination.

The show is targeted at younger viewers who are happy to modify and upgrade their own official Lego sets (something Lego encourages as evident by the plot of the original The Lego Movie, even if many AFOLsadult fan of Legostruggle with the idea) and the Lego DREAMZzz storyline carries forward to a collection of 10 new sets, debuting later this Summer on August 1, that are loosely based on reality. Imagine having a dream where youre riding on a school bus that turns into a rocket ship, and youll understand the inspiration behind the new DREAMZzz sets.

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Whats unique about the new collection of Lego sets is that, for the first time, as kids get near the end of the instruction manual, theyre given the option to complete the set in two different ways. Its reminiscent of those classic Choose Your Own Adventure books from the 80s and 90s that had readers making decisions on behalf of the characters, and jumping around the book to create a unique storyline, but with the Lego DREAMZzz sets, its all about customizing the model to accomplish different tasks.

Image: Lego

One of the larger sets in the new Lego DREAMZzz collection is the $100, Mr. Ozs Spacebus, who is a teacher at the kids school who also happens to be a part of the secret agency. The set features a school bus/rocket ship hybrid that can be customized with rockets, a giant dream cannon, or an accompanying mini spaceship, and includes Grimspawn minifigures which are one of the series baddies.

Image: Lego

In order to retrieve her plush bunny stolen by a Grimspawn, Izzie dream crafts a giant version of the toy in this $140 set that can be customized with either roller skates and gloves, or bee wings and a giant stinger.

Image: Lego

The Night Hunter, one of Lego DREAMZzz more prominent antagonists, has captured a character named Jayden and taken off on some kind of bat-winged nightmare motorcycle. The most logical way to rescue himat least in the dream worldis the $60 Crocodile Car set that can be built with a disc launcher or customized as an off-road vehicle with a mini-boat.

Image: Lego

The younger Lego DREAMZzz characters are joined by several older mentors, including Mrs. Castillo, who arrives in the dream world with a van that has been turned into a turtle. This $48 set can be assemble with the van in party mode (cowabunga!) or converted into a submarine.

Image: Lego

The cheapest set in the new Lego DREAMZzz lineup is the $20 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot featuring, as the name implies, a blob-like sidekick that turns into a towering robot in the dream world that can be built with blasters or customized with a jetpack.

Image: Lego

Theres a fine line between dreams and nightmares, and the Lego DREAMZzz collection includes some truly nightmarish creatures, like this $38 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster who can apparently capture and imprison you in your sleep. The set also includes a smaller version of the Z-Blob sidekick that can be built as a mini-plane or a hoverbike.

Image: Lego

In Greek mythology, Pegasus is a winged stallion whos pure white in color, but in the Lego DREAMZzz world, the creature answers to the Nightmare King, and is happy to do his bidding. This $50 set includes Pegasus ridden by Susan who has captured Zoeys friend Nova, and kids can help Zoey rescue her by building either a bird companion, or by giving Zoey a pair of wings of her own.

Image: Lego

The $80 Stable of Dream Creatures looks like a zoo as drawn by a two-year-old, and includes mythical creatures such as a flying flower deer, a cat cactus, and dream blooms as well as towering wheat that can be turned into grain using the wind-powered mill.

Image: Lego

Who hasnt woken up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night after a nightmare involving a giant shark turned into a pirate ship? This $140 set has kids building the Night Hunters preferred mode of transportation: an undead shark ship, that can be customized with powerful engines and sails, or wheels that turn it into a rolling tank.

Image: Lego

Every team needs their own headquarters, and for the Lego DREAMZzz crew, its this $110 Fantastical Tree House with three sections that include play areas like Mrs. Castillos kitchen, a living room, Izzie and Mateos bedroom, and a lookout tower, that can be built in either party mode, or defense mode.

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Less than a week after an Ada County judge ruled that far-right activist Ammon Bundy had essentially forfeited a lawsuit against him for repeatedly not appearing in court, Bundy has petitioned to transfer the St. Lukes Health System case to federal jurisdiction.

In a filing with U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, Bundy alleged that the case involves Federal Civil Rights violations against Petitioners and accused St. Lukes of purposefully overwhelming the defendants with filings.

St. Lukes filed the lawsuit last May after Bundy and an associate, Diego Rodriguez, led protests outside the Boise hospital over a child welfare case involving Rodriguezs grandchild, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. The lawsuit named as defendants Bundy, Rodriguez, Bundys Peoples Rights Network and other business entities affiliated with both men.

The defamation suit claims, among other things, that the defendants posted lies about the hospital system online and did so to try to raise money for their causes. Bundy, who originally filed to run for governor in Idahos Republican primary, eventually was part of the gubernatorial race as an independent candidate.

In his filing, Bundy said the case should be moved to for several reasons. He alleged that both St. Lukes and the state court had used heavy-handed tactics to deprive him of due process. He claimed the court allowed the hospital to amend its complaint four times.

Petitioner Ammon Bundy, has never appeared in the State Case, due to the tens of thousands of documents thrust upon him, the filing stated, noting that Bundy was representing himself.

Another reason the case should be moved to federal court, according to Bundys filing, is because Rodriguez now lives in Florida.

Erik Stidham, St. Lukes attorney, said the hospital has no problem with either state or federal court, but said there is no legal basis for federal jurisdiction in this case.

St. Lukes believes this is a desperate delay tactic by Bundy and PRN to avoid accountability for their cynical grift that shut down a hospital and hurt good people who did nothing but provide desperately needed medical care to an infant, Stidham told the Idaho Statesman in an email Monday.

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Stidham also said the timing of Bundys filing was telling.

Last week, 4th District Judge Lynn Norton issued a default judgment against Bundy. Such an order means that because the defense failed to participate in the litigation, the plaintiffs allegations will be taken as true and the court will move to the next step in the legal process by determining damages.

Bundy failed to appear in court four times and refused to comply with discovery requests.

Bundy has several legal issues to deal with. He is facing a warrant for contempt charges, a deposition ordered by the state where he will have to answer questions under oath, a court-ordered disclosure of financial information about his Peoples Rights Network group and a hearing to decide damages.
EBA Executive Director Anna Derevyanko

Yes, as of May 1, we can state that the business has received the relevant licenses, the statement says.

Moreover, the Association fully supports the NBUs position. After all, only companies that fulfill the requirements of Ukrainian legislation should work on the market. A transparent, reliable, and solvent market of financial payment services is what our country is heading towards, and we, as the Association, contribute in every possible way and are ready to further contribute to the achievement of this goal, said EBA Executive Director Anna Derevyanko.

Read also: Ukrainian business expects growth for the first time in over a year, NBU says

Moreover, 20 companies have already received licenses (according to the published information), which means that the requirements can be met, and not only by large businesses. And, in general, Im sure that, thanks to the regulators effective work, both the market and the payment infrastructure, as well as the entire banking system will continue to develop.

Read also: IMF program will help Ukraine get through 2023, NBU governor says

A total of 94% of money transfers within Ukraine were made through transfer systems created by non-banking institutions in 2022. Issuing licenses is an extremely important step for preserving the possibility of making payments using the non-bank financial institutions services and for preserving the indicators of cashless payments, the EBA said.

Ukraine is seeing a tendency for payment services users to prefer online payments, the EBU noted. In particular, online payments for goods and services continued to grow in the second half of 2022 and accounted for more than a quarter in terms of quantity and almost a fifth in terms of amount by the end of the year.

The business community expressed concern in late April that non-banking financial institutions were at risk of not getting licenses by May 1.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Mail thieves have been stealing checks, credit cards, and personal information from South End businesses and they are fed up.

ALSO READ: Alleged burglar arrested after breaking into package closet at South End condos

Business owners are not alone. Homeowners and church members have been the victim of mail theft, as well.

Mail theft is a frequent crime Channel 9 has followed for months.

Many business owners on Clanton Road said theyve lost thousands of dollars because of mail fraud.

Im really glad (thieves) didnt hit me last night because these are my (labels) and they cost me a lot of money, said Suuz Martinez.

Martinez said many of her neighbors at a South End business park are exasperated.

Thieves have hit their cluster mailboxes so many times she has lost count.

Thieves stole her credit card, activated it, and racked up charges on it.

The criminals went to a QT, ABC Store, then to a Courtyard Marriot where they started doing online sales, Martinez said.

Several other business owners said mail theft happens all the time.

It is such a hot spot, there are marks on the collection box where thieves tampered with it.

Part of the problem is thieves use a postal master key, called an arrow key, which opens several mailboxes.

In November 2022, a postal worker was charged with selling the keys to thieves who stole more than $8 million worth of checks.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it is the U.S. Postal Services responsibility to investigate the crimes.

Martinez said if you call the Postal Service, no one answers the phone.

9 Investigates: Thieves can steal checks from the mail and sell them on the dark web

Martinez said the property manager is also upset and they are looking at adding cameras and more lighting.

I stopped writing checks, Martinez said. I dont write checks anymore. My neighbors have had checks washed, and theyve had all sorts of problems.

Postal inspectors said theyre working on new ways to prevent attacks.

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You can protect your mail by dropping it in the blue boxes close to pick-up times or inside the post office.

You can also use gel pens to write checks to ensure your writing doesnt get erased.

VIDEO: Neighborhood in Lower South End applies to become social district
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York state is banning natural gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings, a policy that's part of a national movement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The law negotiated by Gov. Kathy Hochul and her fellow Democrats in the Legislature is part of the state budget and puts New York in the forefront of states targeting emissions from buildings. When the phase-in starts in 2026, newly constructed buildings will have to forego fossil fuel equipment in favor of devices like induction ranges and heat pumps that run on electricity.

The state mandate applies only to new construction and does not affect existing buildings.

I want to be very clear. I know people love to misinterpret this, but people with existing gas stoves, youre welcome to keep them, Hochul told reporters Tuesday, before lawmakers began voting on the budget.

This is where our nation has to go eventually, she said But I want to make sure that its not a bumpy road to the transition.

The budget bill with the ban was approved by lawmakers Tuesday night. Other budget bills still needed to be considered.

Government efforts to wean society off of fossil fuel-burning equipment  especially gas stoves  have been slammed by Republican officials and other opponents as heavy-handed infringements on consumer choice. But environmentalists say climate goals can't be reached without addressing homes and businesses.

The new construction mandate avoids  at least for now  the more politically fraught issue of replacing existing fossil fuel equipment. But critics say it will add costs to new construction and put more strain on the electrical grid, while still limiting options for buyers of newly constructed homes.

Why shouldnt people have a choice on how to heat their home? asked Republican Assemblyman Phil Palmesano.

The measure will prohibit the installation of fossil-fuel equipment in new buildings, starting in 2026 for structures of seven stories or less. The ban for larger buildings starts in 2029.

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There are number of exemptions, such as for emergency backup power and for commercial food establishments, laboratories and car washes.

Advocates say New York is the first state in the nation to adopt such a law. Though Washington state recently approved codes that will require the installation of heat pumps in most buildings.

Also, more than 80 local governments in the United States have approved all-electric new construction requirements, with many of them municipalities in California, according to the Building Decarbonization Coalition.

New York City begins phasing in its rules for all-electric new construction next year.

The focus on new construction  instead of existing buildings  is seen as a logical first step to meet broader emissions reduction goals. New Yorks long-term emissions goals include a 40% reduction by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.

In some ways, this is the technological low-hanging fruit, said Liz Moran of Earthjustice. One of the easy things for the state to do is to ensure that we arent locking ourselves into more dependance on fossil fuels.

Heat pumps transfer heat from a source  such as outside air or geothermal energy stored in the ground  to warm up interior spaces or water. Though upfront costs can run well over $5,000, proponents say heat pumps can be less expensive to operate than fossil fuel in the long run.

Critics question whether heats pumps can keep people warm in places with frigid winters, like upstate New York. Experts say models on the market today can perform when temperatures drop well below zero.

In Syracuse, New York, Walter Putter said his unit has worked well through multiple winters, though he used an electric heater element built into the system for an added boost when the overnight low plunged to minus 12 this winter.

Putter, who heats and cools his five-bedroom home with a heat pump. He has a separate heat pump for heating water, as well as roof-top solar panels.

My wife was skeptical that the house would stay warm without some sort of fire burning in the basement," Putter said. "But shes convinced.
A Shoreline man who brought high-powered guns and a sniper rifle to a Seattle hotel has been sentenced to 51 months in prison for illegally possessing ammunition, according to the Department of Justice.

On Mar. 10, 2022, Seattle police officers were called to a hotel room in downtown Seattle for reports of an agitated man who was asking staff for help.

Officers went into the room and found that furniture had been overturned and the mattress had been dragged over to block the door.

Two guns were found, including a ghost gun  a gun without a serial number.

Because of his disturbed mental state, medics took 45-year-old Rustam Yusupov to the hospital. He was later arrested.

As officers were about to leave the hotel, a staff member who was working in the hotel parking garage told them he had seen weapons inside Yusupovs car.

Records in the case said eight guns were found:

FMK Firearms Model AR-1 Extreme 5.56 NATO caliber rifle.

Aero Precision Model X15 5.56 caliber pistol.

Ruger Model 5.7 5.7x28mm caliber pistol.

Ruger Model 18029 Precision 6.5mm Creedmoor/.308 Winchester Caliber rifle.

Kel-Tec Model Sub 2000 9x19mm caliber rifle.

A North American Arms Corp. Derringer .22 revolver.

Two Polymer80 9mm caliber pistols with no serial number.

A skeletonized AR-15 5.56 NATO caliber pistol with no serial number.

When police searched Yusupovs home, they found the walls smeared with blood and a badly malnourished dog. Testing of the blood smears showed it had come from a dog.

The search turned up two inert grenades, a container for 120mm rocket projectiles, hundreds of rounds of assorted ammunition  including 600 rounds of Israel Military Industries 5.56mm caliber ammunition  multiple handgun and rifle magazines  some loaded  various pistol slides; a bulletproof vest with rifle plates, a bolt-action rifle, and assorted gun accessories and parts.

Before his arrest in March 2022, Yusupov admitted in a plea deal that he was the subject of a domestic violence protection order, and in March 2020 and May 2021, he was ordered to surrender his guns.

Yusupov had signed paperwork and told police that he no longer had any guns.

He is forfeiting his guns and ammunition to the government.
California corrections officials are investigating the death of an inmate who was fatally shot by a correctional officer after he refused to stop choking another inmate during a prison fight.

Officials say the man, Mario Rushing, 46, was fighting with another inmate and choking him about 6 p.m. Monday before prison staff ordered Rushing to stop. Officers used chemical agents and less-lethal measures to try and break up the fight, but Rushing wouldnt let go, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a news release.

After the second man appeared to lose consciousness and go limp, one officer fired his Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle at Rushing, CDCR said. Prison authorities have placed the officer on administrative leave pending investigation; they declined to identify him.

Rushing was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead shortly after 7 p.m. The Sacramento County Coroners Office will determine the official cause of death. The second inmate was treated on-site and no other injuries were reported.

An inmate-manufactured weapon was recovered at the scene, CDCR said in the statement.

Rushings death marks the second inmate fatality in the past two days and the third this year at California State Prison, Sacramento. CDCR opened a homicide investigation Monday after a fight between two inmates the night before left one of them, 53-year-old Edward C. Bergman, dead in his cell. In January, another fight between two inmates led to one of them, identified as 42-year-old Joseph D. Horne, being pronounced dead in the facilitys treatment and triage area.

Rushing was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for San Diego County convictions of first-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter with an enhancement of terminate pregnancy and arson of structure or forest fire. He had been incarcerated since 1996 and had been sentenced to addition time in 2022 for possession of a manufactured weapon while serving time at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione.

The prison, also known as New Folsom to distinguish it from nearby Folsom State Prison, houses more than 1,900 inmates.

The Bees Michael McGough contributed to this story.
Two San Diego-area middle school teachers are suing their local school district, as well as Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and the members of the California State Board of Education, alleging that they have a First Amendment right to out transgender students to their parents.

Elizabeth Mirabelli, who teaches English at Rincon Middle School, and Lori Ann West, who teaches PE at that same school, have filed their lawsuit against Escondido Union School District and the state with support from the Thomas More Society, a conservative Catholic law firm.

According to the complaint, Mirabelli and West sought  and were denied  a religious accommodation exempting them from having to comply with state law and district policy. They require that teachers recognize transgender students gender identity and use the pronouns associated with it, and to refrain from informing parents without student permission.

Faced with EUSDs immoral policies deceiving parents, both Mrs. Mirabelli and Mrs. West sought an accommodation that would allow them to act in the best interests of the children in their care  as required by their moral and religious convictions. Both Mrs. Mirabelli and Mrs. West consider it a moral and religious duty to provide such care for every child in their charge, regardless of personal differences, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says that the school districts policies are both dangerous for the students in their care and unconstitutional.

The policies endanger the children in EUSDs care through recklessly disregarding or ignoring the real harm that can occur through transitioning to another gender during childhood, while removing the key parental oversight that could protect the mental and physical wellbeing of EUSDs students, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit cites de-transitioners, people who were transgender but ceased identifying as such, as a reason why validating transgender and gender-nonconforming students identities is harmful and against the teachers beliefs.

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However, de-transitioning is incredibly rare; just 8% of respondents reported doing so, according to a 2015 survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality. Out of those, just 5% said they de-transitioned because it wasnt for them, with most doing so due to pressure from family, work or friends.

This isnt the first lawsuit against a California school district over the Department of Education policy. Another conservative group has sued Chico Unified School District on this issue as well.

The legal action comes just weeks after a California legislative committee killed a bill that would have forced the CDE to lift its policy prohibiting teachers from outing transgender students.

A spokeswoman said the department is unable to comment on pending legislation, but referred The Bee to a March 21 legal advisory stating, California law requires that schools provide all students with a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment, free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

It also referred The Bee to Frequently Asked Questions document stating that preserving transgender students privacy is of the utmost importance.

The right of transgender students to keep their transgender status private is grounded in Californias anti-discrimination laws as well as federal and state laws. Disclosing that a student is transgender without the students permission may violate Californias anti-discrimination law by increasing the students vulnerability to harassment and may violate the students right to privacy, the document reads in part.

According to a 2022 survey from the Trevor Project, fewer than a third (32%) of transgender and nonbinary youths surveyed said they view their home as a gender-affirming place.
California continued to lose residents in 2022, but the states population decline is slowing as immigration ramps up again following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state is currently home to about 38.9 million people, down more than 138,400 year-over-year, according to the California Department of Finance. The 0.35% decline from 2022 to 2023 is an improvement over the 0.53% decrease that occurred between 2021 and 2022, when California lost more than 200,000 people.

The Department of Finance calculates the population numbers using data collected from birth and death records, driver license address changes, tax return information, Medicare and Medi-Cal enrollment, immigration reports, school enrollments and other sources.

The agency attributes the slowdown in the population decline to a significant uptick in immigration and natural increase, or net births minus deaths.

Almost three times as many immigrants came to California in 2022, compared to 2021. That took the state from a net gain of 31,300 in 2021 to more than 90,000 in 2022.

On the natural increase side, births decreased slightly, while deaths also declined.

While foreign immigration to California has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, natural increase has not rebounded, the department said in a statement. Total births remain low due to fertility declines; while deaths have eased gradually from their pandemic peak, they remain elevated.

Which counties saw gains and losses?

California in 2022 lost population in all but 12 of its 58 counties. Growth in inland counties, including those in the Central Valley and Inland Empire, slowed but remained positive, the agency reported. With one exception  San Benito County on the northern Central Coast  all coastal counties, known for their higher cost of living, lost population.

Lassen (-4.3%), Del Norte (-1.3%) and Plumas (-1.2%) counties in Northern California lost the most people. Los Angeles County saw a 0.75% population decline, San Diego County a 0.2% dip and Orange County a 0.5% decrease.

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Increased housing construction drew more people to Paradise in Butte County, which experienced a 24.1% population increase as it continues to recover from the 2018 Camp Fire.

Lathrop in San Joaquin County was up 11%, Duarte in Los Angeles County added 6.6% and Wheatland in Yuba County grew by 4.6%.

The Department of Finance attributes the continuing population decline to fewer people moving to California and more moving out.

The departures have been highly politicized, with Republicans claiming Democrats liberal policies are driving away the wealthy and the taxes they pay.

However, the Public Policy Institute of California tends to agree with the Department of Finances assessment that remote work options created during the pandemic have led higher-income people to move to less expensive places. Most people who leave the state move due to family, cost of living and job factors.

The Public Policy institute reported many people cite housing costs as their reason for moving, although conservatives are more likely to consider leaving California than liberals.
Sarah DeMelo and her husband Brad Kearns are seen with their son Benjamin who was diagnosed with cancer last year. (Submitted by Sarah DeMelo)

A Canadian mother and influencer says she never thought she'd be dealing with something as awful as cancer. But in the past year, her family has been hit with "bad luck"  twice.

Sarah DeMelo is waiting on a diagnosis for what doctors are "fairly certain" is cancer, eight months after her son Benjamin was diagnosed with leukemia.

"I've been hearing lately that we're 'so strong'  but you have no choice," DeMelo said. "When you're handed this, you really have no choice but to be strong for your kids."

DeMelo, who lives in Oakville, Ont. with her husband Brad and their two toddlers, said her oldest son Benjamin had been sick towards the end of last summer. For two weeks up until Benjamins diagnosis in mid-August, the family had been in and out of doctors offices and hospitals.

"Everyone was kind of dismissing me," the 35-year-old mom said. "I knew something was wrong with him, but I never in a million years thought that this is what it was."

Benjamin was just two weeks away from his third birthday when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Benjamin was just two years old when he was diagnosed. (Submitted by Sarah DeMelo)

ALL is a type of cancer that begins in the stem cells of blood. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in leukemia there is an overproduction of immature blood cells  called blast cells  that develop abnormally. Those cells then over time crowd out the normal blood cells so they cant do their jobs.

The Canadian Cancer Society said ALL is the most common type of leukemia diagnosed in young children, and it occurs more often in boys.

Benjamin was diagnosed with B-cell ALL, a favourable classification of ALL.

DeMelo said she remembers that moment distinctly. His diagnosis was confirmed at around 1 a.m. on Aug.12, 2022.

"I remember sitting there in the dark feeling so alone, not being able to talk to anyone because everyone was asleep, thinking how am I going to tell my mom about this?,'" she recalled.

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"My husband was there with me, he was sleeping beside Benjamin and I just had this awful feeling. I didn't know what the future would hold."

Married couple Brad Kearns and Sarah DeMelo are seen with their two sons. (Submitted by Sarah DeMelo)

Her younger son Elliot had his first birthday just two days prior, which the family didnt get to celebrate.

On the morning of Aug. 12, a Friday, DeMelo had to break the news to her mom.

"I had to step out of the room to call her, and I couldn't get the words out.

"I remember just breaking down in the hallway outside of Benjamin's hospital room and the nurses rushing over and pulling me into a private room."

DeMelo said she still gets emotional every time she walks through that hallway.

Eight months of ups and downs

Benjamin began treatment the following Monday.

DeMelo said they were told the first four weeks of treatment were "really important" because on the 29th day, the doctors would do a test to determine whether he still had cancer in his bone marrow.

"The first month was awful and he had to be on these certain drugs," the mom said.

"It felt like my Benjamin was gone Like he was replaced with this crazy, emotional (kid) and just eating constantly."

Later in his treatment, he lost what DeMelo said was his "long, beautiful blond wavy hair," and developed a "moon face" from his medication.

"He just went through such a big physical change that it was really hard for me specifically to see him like that."

DeMelo said her three-year-old son Benjamin went through a huge physical change while in chemo. (Submitted by Sarah DeMelo)

On that 29th day, DeMelo said, her son got "the best news possible" and went into remission.

Because of the favourable outcome, Benjamin was able to join a study through which he will only have to do a year and a half of maintenance  shorter than the norm for boys.

Last month, he ended his frontline treatment, an intense treatment, and was on a three-week chemo break. "He's full of energy and an appetite," DeMelo said. "We've really enjoyed this last little break."

His next treatment phase began on Monday, a day the parents were dreading.

DeMelo said her son understands a lot for his age.

She said he understood early on there was something wrong and that he had to go see doctors and take medicine to get better.

"I don't think he still understands the severity of his condition," the mom added.

"I don't know if he thinks it's rare because when you go to SickKids... he sees other kids his age that have no hair, and they're getting chemo. So to him, it kind of feels normal."

For DeMelo and her husband though, it hasn't been easy.

"Its just hard as a parent to see your little boy, who's usually so full of energy and so happy, just so tired and not like not himself."

A battle of her own

In addition to her son's difficult diagnoses, DeMelo had a health scare herself.

She is still waiting on an official diagnosis, but her oncology ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist is fairly certain" its cancer.

DeMelo first felt something under her chin around July 2022, but as her son became sick she brushed it off."

In September she had an appointment for it and did an ultrasound, than a CT scan later in the fall. Doctors said her lymph nodes could just be swollen, but ordered an MRI just to be safe."

DeMelo had an "awful" hour-and-a-half-long MRI on the afternoon of Jan. 26 and was told results could take ten days. But early next morning, she got a call from her family doctor that a tumour was found in her salivary gland.

"I was scared. I was worried," she said.

That weekend, she received her MRI report to her email address.

"Needless to say, I will never open up another medical document again for myself," DeMelo said.

"I opened up the report and... the words 'highly concerning' were everywhere," she remembered.

"That was probably the worst night. I went down a really dark hole things like, 'am I going to be around for my kids?'"

The Canadian Cancer Society says salivary gland cancers are very rare. When a cancerous tumour does develop in the salivary glands, it can grow into nearby tissue and destroy it; it can also spread to other parts of the body.

DeMelo said hers was in the sublingual gland, an even rarer spot.

"I was really angry and I didn't understand why this was happening. My son had just finished the most intense part of treatment and we had felt like we just finished the hardest part and then we just got knocked down again."

DeMelo was then referred to an ENT (ear, nose, throat specialist) for a biopsy.

"She really reassured me and said 'we'll just do a surgery and maybe a little radiation and everything should be fine.' So we did a biopsy  it came back inconclusive with malignant potential."

Another biopsy with an oncology ENT also came back inconclusive, she said, and an invasive surgery was needed.

DeMelo had two glands and some lymph nodes removed from her neck. (Submitted by Sarah DeMelo)

Three weeks ago, DeMelo underwent the surgery, a neck dissection, to remove her sublingual and submandibular glands, as well as lymph nodes, on the left side. She is now healing as she waits for the pathology. Her doctors are fairly certain the tumour was cancerous.

"I always try to remain hopeful and positive, but of course, I'm scared theres still so much unknown," she said.

At least knowing the tumour is gone from her body brings some relief, she added.

An amazing support system

DeMelo said she feels "very fortunate" for her support system.

DeMelo said her husband has been hands-on throughout the whole process. (Submitted by Sarah DeMelo)

"The reason I am able to be so strong during these times is because I have an amazing supportive partner who has been so involved in it all," she said of her husband Brad.

"He has been my rock."

Her family and friends have also helped out immensely.

I have the best parents and in-laws that I can ask for. They have been so supportive, helping out around the house and taking care of the children."

DeMelo said shes also grateful for the community she built online through her work as an influencer.

That community "has been extremely supportive as well for both Benjamin and myself; sending books for Benjamin, or even gift cards," she said.

Sharing her familys health journey online has been like keeping a diary for DeMelo. But thats not the only reason shes been sharing.

"I want to champion for childhood cancer. I want to show that it's not as rare as people think it is," the mom said.

"I want people to know what childhood cancer looks like, how it affects the family, and raise awareness for it."

DeMelo also said she wants to empower parents to advocate for their childrens health  and their own.

Trust your gut and your instincts if things don't feel right," she encouraged. "If I didnt trust my mama instincts with Benjamin, he could have been in a different position at diagnosis."

In the meantime, DeMelo and her family are hopeful for the future.

"We're going to get through this, and the only way out is through," she said.

"As much as cancer sucks and I hate it, and it's taken away a lot of joy and experiences from our family, I think there could be a lot of beauty in it as well; it really teaches you to enjoy every day, every normal moment."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Gavel

CANTON  Lionell Blair III, now 24, will be 59 years old before he will be eligible to be considered for release from prison.

A Stark County Common Pleas jury last week convicted the Canton man of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault with a gun.

Stark County Common Pleas Judge Chryssa Hartnett sentenced Blair to 35 to 40 1/2 years in prison.

Prior to the sentencing on Thursday the judge also found him guilty of two counts of having weapons while under disability. Blair had waived his right to be tried by a jury on those two felony counts. The jury in its verdict on April 25 also convicted Blair of firearm and repeat violent offender specifications.

More: Canton police investigating early morning shooting, person of interest in custody

More: Stark teen sentenced for four robberies, shootout with clerk

We are pleased with the Lionell Blair conviction and sentencing, Stark County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle L. Stone said in a statement Monday. We want to send a clear message that there is no room for violence of this kind in our community.

The prosecutors in the case were Assistant Prosecutors Kristen Mlinar and Michael John.

A message seeking comment was left late Monday afternoon for Blair's attorney, Aaron Kovalchik.

Blair had just served a six-year sentence for felonious assault when he was released around August from the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.

According to documents filed by prosecutors, Blair on Sept. 13 shot a woman in a vehicle several times in the 1100 block of Walnut Avenue NE. The woman survived. Prosecutors also say Blair at the scene attempted to harm a child who was nearly 4 years old.

In 2016, Blair was sentenced to a blended juvenile and adult sentence when robbing several businesses near downtown Canton in September 2015 when he was 17 years old.

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Lionell Blair III sentenced to 36 to 40 years for attempted murder.
The issue of missing Indigenous women took center stage on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Monday morning.

Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell grilled Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, about concerns around the trend of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

As Haaland came before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Cantwell said that she has spoken to tribal groups that have maybe two law enforcement officers to patrol huge areas with hundreds, if not thousands, of acres of land. Cantwell said missing and murdered Indigenous women is a national problem, though its been particularly prominent in Washington.

KIRO 7 has tracked several cases in our region where Indigenous people disappeared or were found dead after being reported missing. Haaland said the Department of the Interiors budget does fund more than $16 million for units that will look into the concerns.

Cantwells questions to Haaland were backed by statistics. According to a report by the Washington State Patrol, there are dozens of cases of missing Native women, with the highest number of missing Natives coming from Yakima County. Cantwell did ask if more federal resources and staff are needed in Washington state for the Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU).

We dont have enough resources here. Were a target. We know that theres a lot of trafficking of women, said Cantwell.

Haaland said that the agency is willing to work to get more personnel in Washington for the MMU.

We understand that area has some of the highest missing rates, and certainly in small communities, you can imagine a dozen people went missing at one time. Were so happy to work with you on this and well take a look at what we have in the (Pacific Northwest). Theres one agent (in Washington) in the MMU, but sure, we could use more, said Haaland.

Cantwell also cited statistics that show the issue is not just a rural or reservation concern. The Seattle Indian Health Board issued a report on 71 urban areas finding that Seattle and Tacoma have some of the highest cases of missing and murdered Native women and girls. Cantwells office also cited the Washington Attorney Generals Office, which says there are at least 113 unsolved cases with an Indigenous victim right now.

In 2020, Cantwell cosponsored bipartisan legislation named Savannas Act which was signed into law. It helps federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies better respond to these missing person cases.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  The Minnesota Wild signed right wing Marcus Johansson to a two-year, $4 million contract on Tuesday, securing a key player who was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Johansson's salary cap hit of $2 million for the next two seasons will give general manager Bill Guerin some valuable certainty in a time of little flexibility because of the dead money the Wild are carrying for the 2021 buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

I think our players and our coaches deserve a lot of credit, because theyre fighting with one hand tied behind their back because of these cap restraints, Guerin said.

The 32-year-old Johansson had six goals and 12 assists in 20 regular-season games for the Wild, who reacquired him on Feb. 28 before the trade deadline from Washington for a third-round draft pick. Johansson had two goals in six games in the playoffs for the Wild, who lost in the first round to Dallas. Johansson's presence on a line with Matt Boldy was a big lift down the stretch for the budding star, who had 15 goals and eight assists over his last 19 games.

Johansson first came to Minnesota in 2020 from Buffalo in a deal for center Eric Staal. After one season with the Wild, he signed with expansion Seattle. Johansson has played 13 years in the NHL, mostly with the Capitals.

The next two seasons of roster construction will be the most painful for the Wild, with more than $14.7 million per year counting against their cap  nearly 18%  for the Parise-Suter buyouts.

Boldy's seven-year, $49 million contract extension kicks in next season. There's only about $8 million left under the cap, with goalie Filip Gustavsson a restricted free agent who will command a big raise after his breakout year. Third-line and fourth-line wings Gustav Nyquist, Ryan Reaves and Oskar Sundqvist will be unrestricted free agents, as will defenseman Matt Dumba.

Replacing the 10-year veteran Dumba on Jonas Brodin's blue line pair with rookie Brock Faber, who joined the Wild just before the playoffs after his college career ended, seems like a given despite Dumba's leadership, skill and longevity.

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Things like that are going to be really important for us to have younger players in the lineup for cheaper, or maybe its a veteran guy whos at a cheaper number, Guerin said. But we might have to make some moves to create space.

Speaking at his season-ending news conference on Tuesday, Guerin ardently defended the Wild against the criticism they've faced for another first-round ouster  having lost eight straight series since the most recent time they advanced in 2015.

Im very disappointed. But I dont view this season as a failure. Our team played well, said Guerin, who has spent four years with the Wild. We have a lot of new players. We have a lot of young players who are just getting going, and they werent a part of that.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
By M. Sriram

MUMBAI(Reuters) - Private equity firm Carlyle and Indian billionaire Azim Premji's investment unit are in separate talks to invest about $150 million in TVS Credit Services, an arm of scooter and motorcycle maker TVS Motors, two sources told Reuters.

The winner of the race to bet on India's fast-growing shadow-banking sector could get a stake of 20%, one of the sources said. A valuation of about 50 billion rupees ($612 million) for TVS Credit is being discussed, both sources said.

The non-bank financial firms in India's shadow-banking industry, as it is called, chiefly serve lower-income customers typically ignored by traditional lenders in the world's most populous nation.

TVS Credit, which mainly offers loans for two-wheel vehicles and used cars, supporting its parent's business, recently expanded into personal, consumer loans and pre-approved credit via credit cards for items such as mobile phones.

Carlyle engaged with the company a few months ago but Premji Invest is now the front-runner to strike a deal, said one of the sources, both of whom sought anonymity as the details of the talks were private.

A decision is expected by the end of May, the source added.

"There are two components to this business - the older, stable motor-financing arm and the new-age loans and services, which can be an add-on growth lever," the second source said.

Carlyle and TVS declined to comment on the deal while Premji Invest did not reply to queries seeking comment.

TVS Credit's total income grew 14% to 10.9 billion rupees for the quarter ended Dec. 31, while net profit stayed nearly flat at 979 million, unaudited financial statements on its website show.

Private equity funds bet $2.2 billion on India's non-bank financial services companies last year, up 57% from 2021, a report from Bain and Co showed. Last year, Warburg Pincus invested in Indian non-bank lender Vistaar.

($1=81.7650 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by M. Sriram; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
A month after state lawmakers repealed North Carolinas permit law for buying handguns, the GOP-controlled legislature is moving forward with legislation to do away with another permit requirement, this time for carrying concealed guns.

Lawmakers introduced House Bill 189, the NC Constitutional Carry Act, back in February. The bill, which would allow anyone over the age of 18 to carry a concealed handgun without having to get a permit from their sheriffs office, hadnt moved in the House until this week.

HB 189 could end up on the House floor this week. On Tuesday, the bill cleared its first committee ahead of an imminent deadline of Thursday for bills to pass one chamber of the General Assembly so that they can be taken up by the other chamber.

State law currently allows people 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun, if they first obtain a permit from their sheriffs office. HB 189 would lower the age after which concealed carry is allowed to 18, and allow eligible North Carolinians to carry concealed guns without possessing a permit.

A group of people that included Elizabeth Hoane of Durham spoke against the bill at a demonstration Tuesday. Hoane said moving the permitting, the training and the control that we currently have over concealed carry is going to introduce more chaos into our public areas and our streets.

We already know that we are not safe in our schools in our grocery stores, in our movie theaters, in our front yards. We think that this is going to make it worse.

The bill doesnt do away with the permitting process altogether, as the repeal of the pistol purchase permit back in March did.

Language in HB 189 states that while it would legalize concealed carry without a permit in North Carolina, it is often convenient to have a concealed handgun permit for the purpose of reciprocity when traveling in another state, to make the purchase of a firearm more efficient, or for various other reasons.

For that reason, the bill states, it would keep the permit available to anyone who qualifies for one under state law.

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Rep. Keith Kidwell, a Beaufort County Republican and one of the main proponents of the bill, said during the House Judiciary 2 committee meeting on Tuesday that passing the bill would make North Carolina the 28th state in the country to pass a similar bill removing restrictions on carrying a concealed gun.

Kidwell said he had received just one message from constituents opposing the bill, versus hundreds of messages from constituents supporting it. Rep. Laura Budd, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, said the messages she has received have fallen along opposite lines: hundreds against and almost none in favor.

Supporters and critics speak in committee

Paul Valone, the president of Grass Roots North Carolina and one of the bills strongest supporters, told lawmakers that the bill represented a relatively modest bite at the apple when it comes to making changes to current restrictions.

Valone pushed back on concerns raised by Democrats that the bill was getting rid of firearm training and education requirements currently in place, and pointed out that a new version of the bill included some education requirements.

Andy Stevens, with Gun Owners of America, also said the bill was necessary to address an issue that gun rights supporters raised during the debate over repealing the pistol permit, that sheriffs in larger, more populous counties have been slow walking approval of permit applications.

Becky Ceartas, the executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, said the bill would make communities less safe.

Who can be against training and background checks? Ceartas asked.

During debate on Senate Bill 41, the bill that repealed the pistol permit law, GOP lawmakers repeatedly pointed to the N.C. Sheriffs Associations support for removing the permit requirement as proof that law enforcement officials agreed that the permits were no longer necessary.

But when it comes to allowing people to carry concealed guns without a concealed carry permit, the association isnt on the same page, said Marie Evitt, the associations director of government relations.

Evitt said that under current law, sheriffs run mental health checks and check if an applicant has a criminal history, and have the ability to make sure someone applying to carry a concealed weapon knows the law and has a minimum level of accuracy. With HB 189, lawmakers are expecting citizens to determine if theyre capable of carrying a concealed weapon and complying with state law.

Practically, this bill would make it nearly impossible for law enforcement to know, when they approach someone, whether they qualify as someone who can carry concealed, Evitt said.

Staff writer Virginia Bridges contributed to this report.
Cpl. Edward Burckhardt poses with a rescued a kitten that he named Suribachi Sue. Courtesy of US Naval Institute.

Seafaring cats have been a staple of culture dating back to ancient Egypt.

Scot Christenson, the author of "Cats in the Navy," spoke to Insider about these forgotten felines.

The animals served vital roles as pest control on boats and friends to the world's sailors.

As long as humans have been sailing the seas, cats have been by their side.

A US Navy officer pets a boat cat. Courtesy of Scot Christenson

Cats have been passengers aboard ships for thousands of years, traversing the world and spreading around the globe, according to Scot Christenson, the director of communications for the US Naval Institute and the author of "Cats in the Navy."

Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings that date back 5,000 years show cats hunting birds from a boat, Christenson told Insider.

The Phoenicians and the Vikings  both master seafaring communities  later helped spread cats throughout Europe.

British, French, and Spanish explorers in the late-15th century carried cats to the Americas upon the discovery of the "new world" during the age of exploration.

The animals were so universally revered that local islanders visited by British trading ships would often sneak onboard the ships to try and steal a cat for themselves, Christenson said.

Cats were originally brought on board as pest control.

A cat walks across the HMS Queen Elizabeth off of the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Cats served a vital role: catching and killing rodents on ships.

During the Age of Sail, from the mid-16th to the mid-19th century, rats were known to leave an easily-ignitable trail of gunpowder aboard wooden ships as they scurried across the deck, posing a risk to the sailors on board, Christenson said, and cats could help stop the rodents in their tracks.

Even in the modern era, rats and mice remained an inherent danger to many ships, spreading disease, chewing through sails, and eating food supplies, according to Christenson

"But cats are effective predators," he told Insider.

Cats eventually became valued members of several countries' navies.

Men aboard the USS Olympia use a small mirror to play with a cat on board in 1898. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Cats were considered akin to crew members aboard the British Royal Navy, according to Christenson.

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Some sailors would bond so closely with a cat that they would bring the animal home with them at the end of a voyage.

When the US Navy was founded in the 18th century, the military branch borrowed certain customs from its British predecessor, including a penchant for seafaring cats.

"Cats have been on almost all ships," Christenson said of the world's navies.

Sailors held strong superstitions about cats.

A portrait of Brunhilde, a US Navy cat. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Long believed to be powerful and spiritual animals, cats served as omens and portents among early sailors, according to Christenson.

The Japanese believed cats could protect their ships from evil spirits, Christenson told Insider.

Sailors around the globe also believed that a cat's behavior could predict the outcome of a voyage.

If a cat jumped on board a ship prior to setting sail, seaman believed their vessel would be protected on its journey. But if a cat deserted a boat ahead of its departure, sailors thought themselves doomed, according to Christenson.

The worst sign of all was the sight of two cats fighting on the pier ahead of a sailing, which some sailors interpreted as the devil and angel fighting for their souls, Christenson said.

Cats were once believed to control the weather.

A cat cuddles up on the HMAS Encounter. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Sailors initially believed cats were in control of their fate, Christenson said. The animals were thought to have a gale inside their tail because they would begin shaking during storms.

Sailors interpreted this behavior as angry cats calling down foul weather.

Sailors realized years later that the cats were actually reacting to drops in air pressure.

Cats would respond to the physical agitation they felt when the air pressure around them would drop. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Seamen later discovered that moody cats weren't in fact conjuring storms, instead, they were responding to the physical agitation they felt when the air pressure around them would drop.

Sailors started to watch cats' mannerisms to detect coming storms.

The animals are also sensitive to high-pitched whines, so cats helped Navy sailors detect coming air crafts during the World Wars, Christenson said.

Some cats were even paid for their hard work.

Cpl. Edward Burckhardt poses with a rescued a kitten that he named Suribachi Sue. Courtesy of US Naval Institute.

Feline members of the Royal Navy received a weekly allowance, which the sailors often paid themselves, contributing one shilling and sixpence to buy treats and milk for their cat friends, Christenson said.

The extra snacks helped make sure the cats were sustained on board even after they had caught all the rodents.

Despite many cats' dislike of water, the animals adapted surprisingly well to life at sea.

A collection of cats congregate at the US Naval Air Station Squantum in July 1942. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Most cats quickly learned to love their seafaring lives, Christenson said. Some learned to swim and dive for fish themselves, while others who never fully embraced the ocean, taught themselves to catch fish that jumped over the ship's bow.

The animals, which originally come from desert climates, can survive on very little water, obtaining most of their necessary moisture from their prey, according to Christenson. Cats have such adept internal filtration systems, that the animals could even drink a bit of salt water and be fine.

There could be dozens of cats on board the same ship at one time.

A gathering of kittens play at the Naval Air Station Squantum in 1942. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

During World War I, the US Navy scooped up hundreds of thousands of stray cats and assigned them to ships, Christenson said.

The animals would typically stay on the same boat for long periods at a time, becoming territorial over their space. But every once in a while, a cat would jump ship if they determined they could get better food options on another boat, even if it was with another country's navy, according to Christenson.

The smartest cats claimed control of the ship's galley where they received extra treats and grew extra fat. Other felines opted to spend time in a boat's laundry room where there were plentiful soft and warm items on which to sleep.

Cats are notoriously difficult to train and could get themselves  or their sailors  into trouble.

During prohibition, federal officials learned to look for cats scurrying away to hiding holes on a ship, often inadvertently leading investigators to the ship's store of illegal booze Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

The animals are known for having minds of their own, opting to remain loyal to territory, and often not to people.

"Cats are going to cat," Christenson said with a laugh.

A cat that chose to ditch its crew right before departure could be recaptured by a superstitious sailor, but would often run off again as soon as an opportunity arose.

During prohibition, federal officials learned to look for cats scurrying away to hiding holes on a ship, often inadvertently leading investigators to the ship's store of illegal booze, according to Christenson.

But Navy cats were known to offer their human colleagues companionship.

A Navy man holds a group of small cats. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

"Cats were a unifying friend to everybody on the ship," Christenson said.

Officers and enlisted men alike formed strong bonds with the animals, who offered them companionship during difficult journeys.

Cats provided an emotional outlet for military men who could derive stress relief from a quick cuddle.

Political and legal liabilities ultimately led to the end of cats' reign on the open waters.

A 1907 postcard depicts US Navy men with a goat and cats. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Budget cuts after World War II dealt a death knell to Navy cats, Christenson said.

Advocates for the financial cuts ridiculed the Navy, accusing the military branch of complaining about a lack of funds while planning birthday parties for their cats.

The public relations aspect of the campaign embarrassed the Navy, even though more often than not, it was the sailors themselves paying for the upkeep of their feline friends.

But it was updated quarantine laws that ultimately led to the end of cats' seafaring days, according to Christenson.

For years, Navy cats were granted special permission to forgo most country's standard laws that required incoming private citizens to quarantine their accompanying cats and other pets for several months.

But as nations began cracking down on animal quarantine laws in the aftermath of World War II, ship captains faced serious repercussions if one of their boat's felines escaped and went exploring in a port city, Christenson said, leading to the demise of the practice altogether.

Almost all the world's navies have since banned cats from ships.

Political and legal liabilities led to the end of Navy cats. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Ships face hefty penalties for breaking the rules, according to Christenson.

But while most ships no longer carry furry seamen, anecdotal evidence suggests that the Russian navy may still employ cats on their boats, Christenson told Insider.

Their legacy lives on.

US Marine Frank Praytor uses a medicine dispenser to feed a stray cat. Courtesy of Scot Christenson.

Christenson spent years collecting stories of the cats who served in the Navy.

Of all the cases he found, his favorite anecdote is the tale of "Mis Hap."

Mis Hap was a tiny kitten found by a Marine during the Korea War, Christenson told Insider. The animal had just been orphaned, and her human rescuer named her Mis Hap because she had "been born in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The Marine was photographed feeding the cat with a medicine dropper in a heartrending photo that was picked up by dozens of newspapers around the globe, according to Christenson.

Prior to Mis Hap's discovery, the Marine in question was at risk of being court-martialed after submitting one of his own photographs of wounded Marines to a photo contest, flouting military censors that had banned the publication of such content at the time.

But the marine's newfound newspaper fame ultimately spared him from the charges and yielded hundreds of marriage proposals from women across the country who were moved by his tender care toward Mis Hap, according to Christenson.

Mis Map went on to become the mascot of headquarters in Korea.

Her Marine eventually brought her back to Chicago where she lived a long, happy life.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed it is conducting an investigation into several dozen COVID-19 cases linked to the agencys annual conference that occurred in Georgia last week.

The CDCs three-day 2023 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) conference began April 24 in Atlanta, where the agency is headquartered. The purpose of the meeting is for EIS members to share their work in improving public health.

The event was free and open to the public, and the CDC noted the conference regularly drew diverse attention each year from various public health sectors around the world.

Just days after the conference, however, The Washington Post was first to report that several CDC staffers who attended the gathering had tested positive for COVID-19.

CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that about 35 people had tested positive as of May 2.

CDC is working with the Georgia Department of Health to conduct a rapid epidemiological assessment of confirmed COVID-19 cases that appear to be connected to the 2023 EIS Conference to determine transmission patterns in this phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nordlund said.

Whenever there are large gatherings, especially indoors, such as at a conference, there is the possibility of COVID-19 spread, even in periods of low community spread, she added.

According to CDC data, Fulton County where Atlanta is located is currently considered to have a low COVID-19 community level, along with nearly the rest of the U.S.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jared Leto, dressed as Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette, at the 2023 Met Gala John Shearer/WireImage

Jared Leto pulled up to the 2023 Met Gala dressed as Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette.

The costume comprised a fluffy white suit with a cat head, complete with Choupette's baby blue eyes.

Other celebrities like Doja Cat and Lil Nas X also channeled the feline with cat-inspired costumes.

While celebrities showed up to the 2023 Met Gala in elegant jewels and ballgowns, Jared Leto showed up dressed as a gigantic white cat.

In a homage to the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who inspired this year's theme  "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty"  Leto pulled up to the red carpet dressed as Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette.

The costume comprised a fluffy white suit with a fake cat head, complete with Choupette's baby blue eyes.

The actor's fluffy costume delighted other celebrities on the red carpet, including Anne Hathaway, who rushed up to hug Leto.

Even after Leto's wardrobe change, where he changed into a black dress with a bejeweled cape, he continued to hold the cat's head with him. Talk show host Jimmy Fallon was seen giving the cat's head an affectionate kiss on the nose.

Jimmy Fallon and Jared Leto at the 2023 Met Gala. Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner also posed for a picture with Leto-as-Choupette.

Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Jared Leto and Kylie Jenner attend the 2023 Met Gala. Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Lagerfeld adopted his famed Birman cat in 2011 when she was a 10-week-old kitten. She now has a following of 178,000 on Instagram, and is represented by Lucas Berullier, of My Pet Agency, in Paris, per The New York Times.

Leto was not the only attendee to show up in feline garb. True to her name, Doja Cat channeled Choupette in an ornate white gown with cat ears, complete with prosthetics to make her features appear more cat-like.

And Lil Nas X blinded audiences by wearing just underwear and painting his whole body silver, with whisker-shaped jewels stuck on his face. He also sported long talon-like nail extensions.

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Choupette has led a lavish life, flying in Lagerfeld's private jet and eating from Goyard plates, per The Times.

While it was rumored that she would inherit the designer's wealth after his death in 2019, a report by Bloomberg said that she would not be getting it directly.

Choupette also did not make it to the Met Gala, opting to "stay peacefully & cozy at home," per an Instagram post on Monday.

"We pay tribute to my Daddy every day since his parting and we are very moved to see one more day dedicated to him," the post's caption read.

Representatives for Leto and Choupette did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Insider
Pink Floy co-founder Roger Waters (left) and Hollywood actor Steve Seagal. Rick Kern Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been losing friends ever since he invaded Ukraine last year.

But some public figures have stayed loyal to him, including Hollywood actors and musicians.

While some of them continue to defend Putin, they have also said they are against the war.

From actor Leonardo DiCaprio to martial arts star Jean-Claude Van Damme, some celebrities were once happy to be pictured with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme during a martial arts event in St Petersburg April 14, 2007. Reuters/Itar-Tass/Presidential Press Service (RUSSIA)

Source: The Guardian

But after the Russian leader launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, many have been eager to distance themselves from him.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Eurasian Economic Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 9, 2022. Contributor/Getty Images

Martial artist and actor Van Damme, for example, visited Ukraine last month and was filmed shouting "Glory to Ukraine" alongside Russian soldiers.

In 2007, Van Damme, his daughter, and Putin  also a known martial arts enthusiast  visited an MMA event in St. Petersburg, Russia, together, the Kremlin reported at the time.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who met with Putin in 2010 to discuss the endangerment of the Siberian Tiger, has since donated to humanitarian groups operating in Ukraine.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with US actor Leonardo DiCaprio (R) on November 23, 2010. Alexey Druzhinin/AFP via Getty Images

A month after Russia launched its attack, DiCaprio donated to groups including the United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees and Save the Children, the Associated Press reported.

Source: The Guardian

Another former showbiz pal, French actor Gerard Depardieu, has since criticized Putin for his "crazy excesses" and was critical of the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) greets French actor Gerard Depardieu (L) in Sochi, Russia, on January 5, 2013. Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Pool via Reuters

In 2013, Putin signed an executive order making Depardieu a Russian citizen. The actor wanted to become a Russian citizen to save taxes in France, The New York Times reported.

In a letter to Russian state television at the time, he said: "I love your president, Vladimir Putin, very much and it's mutual," according to The Times.

After the war, Depardieu told Agence France-Presse in an interview: "Russia and Ukraine have always been brother countries. I am against this fratricidal war."

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"I say, 'Stop the weapons and negotiate,'" he added.

In March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, French media reported that Depardieu became a citizen of the United Arab Emirates. It is unclear when exactly this occurred.

Source: Sky News

In 2003, the Beatles frontman Paul McCartney visited the Kremlin to perform for Putin. Since the war, he's shown his solidarity with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R), pop star Paul McCartney (C) and his wife Heather Mills-McCartney (L) walk at the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 24, 2003. Maxim Marmur/AFP via Getty Images

In April last year, McCartney waved the Ukrainian flag as he kicked off his 2022 world tour in Spokane, Washington, MailOnline reported.

In 2001, actor Jack Nicholson reportedly offered Putin a film producer role in a future film after the Russian leader said he loved his movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Nicholson has since come out in support of Ukraine.

Hollywood star Jack Nicholson (L) gestures as he talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin outside Moscow, Russia, on June 27, 2001. Reuters

In a video posted several months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Nicholson was seen holding up a rock with the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

The caption said: "We are with the people of Ukraine."

Source: The Guardian

However, some A-listers have decided to stay loyal, even if they might not fully agree with the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin carries a bouquet of red roses during a ceremony at the Red Square, in Moscow, on November 4, 2022. Contributor/Getty Images

Arguably his most public supporter is the Hollywood actor Steven Seagal, who also became a Russian citizen in 2016 after Putin personally gave him his passport.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with actor Steven Seagal after presenting him a Russian passport during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on November 25, 2016. Alexey Druzhinin/AFP via Getty Images

Seagal and Putin are long-time friends.

The actor previously backed the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and is also in support of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

In February, Putin awarded him the Order of Friendship award for his "international humanitarian and cultural work," Reuters reported.

Seagal, who is 70 years old, is known for his appearances in several Hollywood action films, including "The Patriot" and "Above the Law."

In 2017, Ukraine banned Seagal from entering the country on national security grounds, The Guardian reported.

Source: Insider, CNN

Roger Waters, the co-founder of the rock band Pink Floyd, addressed the UN security council at Russia's invitation last month.

Pink Floyd star Roger Waters performs on June 21, 2022. Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty Images

In his speech to the UN security council on February 8, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

"The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms," he said. "Also, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not unprovoked, so I also condemn the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms."

In another interview with the Berliner Zeitung in February, Waters said Putin "governs carefully, making decisions on the grounds of a consensus in the Russian Federation government."

After his comments, Polly Samson, the wife of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, called Waters a "Putin apologist," The Guardian reported.

A week before Russia's invasion, Waters told Russia Today that talk of any attack was "bullshit" and "propaganda demonizing Russia."

Source: The Guardian

In October last year, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi boasted about his friendship with Putin and said the Russian leader sent him 20 bottles of vodka and a "very sweet letter" for his birthday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (R) are seen in Yalta, Crimea, on September 11, 2015. Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

In a secret recording, published in October by LaPresse, Berlusconi can be heard telling lawmakers during a parliamentary meeting about his "re-established" relationship with Putin.

In the audio clip, which his office confirmed was authentic, he boasts that the Russian leader called him "the first of his five true friends."

Berlusconi has also blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war in Ukraine telling Italian media last month that Zelenskyy could have stopped the war.

"I judge, very, very negatively the behavior of this gentleman," Berlusconi added.

Berlusconi, who was Italy's prime minister for close to a decade, is now a senator and heads the conservative party Forza Italia.

But Berlusconi has previously also condemned the war and admitted in April last year that he was "deeply disappointed and saddened" by the behavior of the Russian leader.

The former chief executive of the Formula 1 Group and billionaire Bernard Ecclestone said he would "take a bullet" for Putin last summer.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Bernie Ecclestone (right) at Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia, on September 30, 2018. Clive Mason/Getty Images

"Unfortunately he's like a lot of business people, certainly like me, that we make mistakes from time to time and when you make the mistake, you have to do the best you can to get out of it," Ecclestone told Good Morning Britain in June 2022.

Ecclestone also criticized Zelenskyy and argued that the Ukrainian leader wasn't making a "big enough effort" to discuss a peace plan and described Putin as a "sensible person."

"The other person in Ukraine, his profession I understand, used to be a comedian, and I think it seems that he wants to continue that profession," Ecclestone said of Zelenskyy.

After his comments prompted a backlash, Ecclestone apologized, telling Sky Sports: "Often people, I think, come out and say things or do things without really too much thinking. Probably I did the same, and I can understand people thinking I'm defending what he's done in Ukraine, which I don't."

He added: "I was brought up during the war, the last war, so I know what it's like. And I feel sorry for the people in Ukraine having to suffer for something they haven't done. They've done nothing wrong."

Source: Sky News

American filmmaker Oliver Stone, who has previously interviewed the Russian president, said in May that Putin is "a great leader for his country and the people love him."

Oliver Stone attends the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 1, 2022. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival

In 2017, Stone released a 4-hour-long documentary about Putin, which was sympathetic about the Russian president. Stone said at the time that Russian people "have never been better off."

In a follow-up interview by The Guardian this month, Stone indicated that his views on Putin had not changed much despite the war.

"I think Russia is doing a great job with nuclear energy," he told The Guardian. "China is also a leader in that field, although I never was able to penetrate into China, which was a shame for the movie I wish we had. But Putin is a great leader for his country and the people love him."

Read the original article on Business Insider
group of people standing behind counter on food and travel series, Searching For Soul Food

A new, mouthwatering series is coming to Hulu next month, giving foodies and avid travelers something new to watch. Searching For Soul Food is a new food and travel series that follows celebrity chef and restaurateur Alisa Reynolds as she discovers what soul food looks like around the world. In addition to exploring the food, shell dive into the stories, the people, and the traditions of each place she visits. Not to be missed, Chef Reynolds is also bringing her own flavor along with her.

The show, which debuts on Hulu on June 2, will take viewers on an international food and culture journey. During her travels, Chef Reynolds explores the culinary worlds of Mississippi, Oklahoma, Appalachia, South Africa, Italy, Jamaica, Peru, and Los Angeles.

Searching For Soul Food is one of the newest projects under the Onyx Collective. The content brand primarily consists of projects from creators of color and other underrepresented groups. The series is directed by Rodney Lucas and executive produced by Melina Matsoukas, Jacob Cohen-Holmes, and Ali Brown.

Travel Noire spoke with Chef Reynolds to discuss Searching For Soul Food and her experience while filming the series.

Photo Credit: Disneys Onyx Collective/ABC Signature

On The Inspiration For Searching For Soul Food

Travel Noire: What was the inspiration for Searching for Soul Food?

Chef Reynolds: Searching For Soul Food was birthed from the trials and tribulations of almost losing my restaurant in Los Angeles, My Two Cents. At that point in my life, I wanted to get away and embark on a journey that would remove me from my crazy life at the time. However, every day I had the pleasure of cooking my own version of food from my community. [I] watched how it made people of all colors and backgrounds feel.

With that, I began to wonder if there were other places in the world that had a similar survival story. I wanted to be able to use my craft to inspire the world through the eyes of one of, if not, the first Black American woman to go around the world as it relates to food and our story through a non-conventional travel and food series.

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TN: What can foodies and travel enthusiasts expect when watching the show?

CR: I want foodies and travel enthusiasts to be inspired to think more deeply about the meals they enjoy while traveling. I want people to be inspired to go to places that most travelers may not always visit. Or, revisit the destinations that theyve been to and start looking at food through a different lens.

For example, Jamaica is literally stories on a plate. Stories of survival, trials, and tribulations. It can change your perspective when you visit these countries and go on their local food tours.

Connecting Globally Through Food

TN: What are some of the most exciting dishes you discovered during filming?

CR: I have four that stand out to me the most. Each dish carries an in-depth historic purpose. To understand the why and the history of those dishes  youll have to tune into the series on June 2nd!

Chakalaka (South African spicy tomato bean relish)

Samosas (Cape Malay minced meat pastry)

Chicha Morada (A Peruvian beverage)  Chicha Morada is a type of purple corn drink that is good for ones health and carries various medicinal qualities.

Fry/Fried Bread (Oklahoma)  Not your typical hot water cornbread; [as a] matter of fact, there is no corn involved!

TN: What destinations surprised you the most with their take on soul food?

CR: Most definitely Oklahoma! I was surprised to learn that Native Americans have their own take on soul food or food dedicated to their native culture. I was also surprised by how close Black American soul food is to Native American soul food.

RELATED: The Cultural Significance Of Comfort Food
Centenary University's former first lady was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, the Hackettstown school announced on Tuesday, even as her alleged killer in a drunk-driving accident remains in jail awaiting a trial.

Retired U. S. Army Col. Jeanne Picariello Murphy, the wife of university president Bruce Murphy, was buried in an April 12 ceremony, the school said in a statement.

Jeanne Murphy, 70, was killed while walking her dog in Hackettstown on Jan. 7, four months after her husband announced his plans to retire at the end of his contract, effective July 1. Both Murphys served in the Army: Bruce Murphy went into academia after retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Former Centenary University president Bruce Murphy places a flower on top of the casket of his wife, U.S. Army Col. Jeanne Picariello Murphy, following her funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery on April 12. Jeanne Murphy died in a hit-and-run accident in Hackettstown in January.

His wife was a career Army nurse who served for 30 years in posts around the world. She was interred beside her parents and grandparents, all of whom were military veterans, the university said on Tuesday.

Jeanne Murphy was walking along Reese Avenue near First Avenue about 7:30 a.m. when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Hackettstown resident, Jefferson Chimbo-Pelaez, according to Lt. Darren Tynan of the Hackettstown Police Department. Prosecutors said Chimbo-Pelaez, who had received his learner's permit only three months prior, was drunk at the time of the crash.

Murphy was taken to Hackettstown Medical Center and then flown to Morristown Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on Jan. 8. Chimbo-Pelaez, 25 was charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide.

In March, he declined a plea deal that would have carried a 12-year prison sentence. Chimbo-Pelaez remained at the Warren County Correctional Facility as of Tuesday, jail officials said.

More: Centenary president says he's departing with university on stronger footing

According to the university, Murphy's 30-year military career included leadership roles as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee board of directors. She chaired the USOC Multi-Sport Organizations Council for 10 years.

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A former competitive runner and swimmer, she was also the first woman selected to the U.S. Modern Pentathlon Team in 1975, Centenary wrote. After retiring from the military in 2001, Murphy was designated chef de mission for the U.S. Paralympic Team in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Jeanne Murphy, wife of Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, was killed in a hit-and-run accident while taking a morning walk in Hackettstown.

Bruce Murphy said in a February interview that he was grateful for the support he received from the Centenary community, including a memorial service for his wife attended by 400 people in person, with others watching via livestream.

"They really responded. Not just the university but neighbors," Murphy said at the time. "It's been so gratifying and in a way, overwhelming. But it does help somewhat to get through this."

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Centenary University first lady buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Seven decades after his death, the remains of a Korean War soldier have returned to Lompoc for burial in his hometown.

U.S. Army Cpl. Carmen Carrillo, 20, of Lompoc died during the Korean War, and he was accounted for Feb. 3, 2023, according to the federal Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Lompoc Police Department chaplain Keith McClellan asked community members to gather with American flags as the procession traveled from Starbuck-Lind Mortuary after a memorial service to Lompocs Evergreen Cemetery for burial on April 28.

The remains returned to Lompoc on April 25, with Lompoc police providing an escort into the city.

Carrillo attended Lompoc Elementary School in the 1940s.

In spring 1951, he was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

He was seriously wounded by the enemy in South Korea on Feb. 12, 1951, and returned to duty on April 12, 1951, according to military records.

Carrillo was reported missing in action on May 17, 1951, after fighting against the Chinese Peoples Volunteer Forces in Gangwon Hongcheon, Republic of Korea.

There is no indication his remains were recovered after the battle, and he was never recorded as a prisoner of war. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953, and his remains were determined to be nonrecoverable in January 1956, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense.

In 2013, multiple sets of remains were recovered near where Carrillo went missing.

Six sets of remains, believed to belong to U.S. military members, were transferred to the United States.

The remains were disinterred on Sept. 22, 2021, and transferred to the DPAA Laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for analysis.

To identify Carrillos remains, scientists used dental and anthropological analysis along with DNA, the military said.

Carrillos name is recorded on the American Battle Monuments Commissions Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who remain missing from the Korean War.

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To reflect that his remains have been found and identified, a rosette will be placed next to his name.

Carrillo was awarded a number of medals, including the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Since 1982, the remains of more than 450 Americans killed in the Korean War have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors, according to the DPAA.

More than 7,600 Americans are still unaccounted-for from the Korean War, although hundreds of those are believed to be in the non-recoverable category, according to the DPAA tally.

Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com.
Editors note: The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey to all school board candidates with questions about a number of issues. Twenty four candidates responded and 18 did not. We have published their unedited responses, which were limited to 1200 characters. We will publish additional responses in other stories.

With the May 16 primary election fast approaching, the Centre Daily Times recently asked school board candidates to weigh in on school safety issues and the role of school security officers.

All five Centre County districts employ some form of school safety, whether it be school resource officers or school police officers. Although day-to-day tasks may look similar, school resource officers are municipal police that are contracted out to the district while school police are employed by the district. School police officers are their own municipal force employed by school districts, often made up of retired municipal and state police.

The role of police in schools has been debated across the county. Some educators have questions about the effectiveness of SROs when it comes to school safety, while others worry about the damaging effects on minority students. Studies from the ACLU found that historically, school law enforcement has disproportionally targeted students of color and students with disabilities.

But with school shootings on the rise, some believe a strong law enforcement presence in schools is necessary.

Recently, local districts have planned community events to discuss school law enforcement. Penns Valley held meetings for local community members to meet SPOs that started in April after a monthslong process for the district to form its own police force. State Colleges Community Oversight Board recently hosted a forum on SROs in State College Area schools to look at its impacts on students and the community.

We asked candidates their position on SROs and SPOs in schools. Their unedited answers are below.

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State College Area School District candidates

Amy Bader  This is a complex issue that requires districts evaluate their unique circumstances  there is no one-size fits all approach, in my opinion. How do we make our school communities safe? What are proven methods? How is the well-being of individuals impacted? These are critical questions. SCASD has evidence that secondary school SROs are a valuable resource to administrators in dealing with a variety of circumstances (medical emergencies, traffic accidents). When adolescents occasionally engage in activities that necessitate the involvement of law enforcement, the availability of an SRO and their relationships in the school can be an asset. Additionally, SROs are key members of the team that continually evaluates all district buildings for safety. However, it is clear while some community members feel safer due to the presence of SROs, others most certainly do not. In considering this concern, the board and administration have worked to clearly define the required training and expectations for SCASD SROs. Additionally, we have made it clear that the SRO has NO role in student discipline. I support continued efforts to engage our community in an on-going dialogue on this issue.

Nathan Bish  SROs are a crucial part to any building and district.

Gretchen Brandt  The SROs in SCASD are a great source of relationship building between, teachers, staff, students and the SROS, and help build community within the schools.

Anne Demo  We all want our children, teachers, and school staff to be and feel safe. My position on SROs has evolved as Ive learned more. I follow news about effective measures to prevent gun violence, such as safe gun storage at homes and access control measures in schools and classrooms. I met with State Highs Officer Aston before my childs scheduled extracurricular trip to Boston about advice for city safety. I listened in the community meetings to secondary school staff members who feel safer with SROs and students who dont. While door-knocking last weekend, I heard from a father concerned about how SCASD vets contracted SPOs. My position is that SCASD elementary schools should not be assigned SROs. The SROs in secondary schools should play no role in school discipline or immigration enforcement. SROs should be well-integrated into the school community, be answerable to school administrators, and be trained in mental health/crisis intervention, disability awareness, QPR (suicide prevention), implicit bias, and restorative justice. SCASD currently follows all these policy recommendations. I also support a process for regular input from identified school and community stakeholders.

Daniel Kolbe  Clear guidelines are needed to ensure that SROs promote safety without negatively impacting schools, trainings on de-escalation, cultural competence, and bias avoidance. Oversight committees can monitor SRO activities.

John Krajcovic  Safety is the most important priority in school. I support an appropriate number of SROs/SPOs based on the number of students at the buildings. Effort to calm the fears of uncomfortable students and their families must be made by holding events to acquaint students and families with the SROs/SPOs. Examples would be a school cookout, pickup sports, or other games (where students are grouped with the SROs/SPOs) where uncomfortable families and students could meet and get to know the SROs/SPOs. The SROs/SPOs could also greet kids at the door in the morning or mingle during lunch. Selecting candidates with the right personality and conflict resolution skills for the job would be very important. I believe the school needs to take hiring very seriously and should thoroughly vet applicants for these positions.

Aaron Miller  SROs and SPOs can be a valuable part of our schools provided that their role is clearly defined and theyre not a distraction to the educational mission. The cost of adding more SROs may be prohibitive with limited ROI.

Michelle Young  I support SROs in our district. Go to facebook.com/young4scasd2023 for more information.

Laurel Zydney  I take seriously parental concerns about children being afraid and anxious when they see an armed officer in the school or a police car parked in front. SROs should have district-approved extra de-escalation and anti-bias training and work within an agreed-upon job description developed with community input. Other parents and students have reported positive experiences and outcomes from interacting with SRO. Overall, I think SROs are an effective model of community policing, i.e. strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime (DOJ). Even though SCASD is fortunate that law enforcement can get to our schools in minutes, a SRO who is intimately acquainted with school layouts and personnel can improve response when seconds count. The SRO also plays an important role in monitoring and implementing best practices for greater school safety and in assessing and responding to Safe2Say calls.

Barry Fenchak and Megan Layng did not respond to the survey.

Primary election 2023 voters guide: Candidates for school board in State College & Bellefonte

Bellefonte Area School District candidates

Jennifer Barnhart  SROs/SPOs is a tragic realization of how scary our schools have become for all. I hope they are never needed but appreciate the precautionary nature. I am thankful for those building strong, trusting relationships that go above and beyond.

Patrick Buck  I believe that the presence of SROs and SPOs in schools are essential to ensure the safety of the students, teachers, and staff. These officers can also cultivate a positive image and relationship between students and law enforcement.

Nate Campbell  Bellefontes current SROs are doing a great job, from teaching young students about the dangers of internet to becoming another resource in the older grades. The recent swatting incident proved just how necessary they are to help protect students.

Julie Fitzgerald  I have been a strong, vocal advocate for maintaining a School Resource Officer presence in the school. I believe SROs are an important and valuable partner within the educational setting. The SROs have established trust and developed positive relationships with students and staff in an effort to help the school community maintain safe learning environments. The SROs have also provided valuable education to students and parents on various topics that relate to keeping kids safe including cyber safety, drugs and alcohol. Because of the relationships established and proximity to the students, SROs are able to address many issues within the schools before they become escalated to more traditional law enforcement agents.

Darrell Sharp  Given the current state of our society, the SROs are almost necessary at this point. We should be doing everything possible to keep everyone safe at school. This is not free, and the board should be looking at the finances to make this a reality.

Donna Smith  Their presence in our schools has been invaluable. From incident prevention to education to relationship building, our SROs have been an overwhelmingly positive addition to our district.

Kimberly Weaver  I believe that our schools should have SROs and SPO. If we need to allocate more funds for school safety, then so be it. Our staff and student safety should be one of our top priorities.

Joe Yech  SROs in the BASD serve many purposes; they provide a protective service, they provide training, and they help educate students. I appreciate their service to the school and community. I support their continued employment in the school system.

Denelle Korn, Timothy Kessling and Paul Dombrowski did not respond to the survey.

Bald Eagle Area School District candidates

Erica Danneker  Having SROs and SPOs in the school setting is a sensitive and complex topic that many people feel passionate about and any decisions about this topic require careful consideration. School board members have a responsibility to educate themselves and the school community on the topic, but more importantly to listen to the school community including students, faculty and staff, administration and parents in order to come to an acceptable decision. Regardless of the decision, adequate resources are needed to handle student disciplinary issues, promote safety and security and to provide social-emotional support to students rather than relying solely on law enforcement interventions.

Gary Heverly Jr.  As a school employee who works closely with a School Resource Officer daily, I see the vital role he plays in keeping our campus safe and secure, providing professional development, offering informal mentoring and counseling, and coordinating threat assessment and crisis management involving first responders across the county. Priority number one for all school districts is to return every student home safely after a full day of comprehensive education. Having a School Resource Officer not only helps to accomplish this, but it also brings an added element of protection and ease of mind to those in our schools. I believe SROs are a necessity in todays schools and districts that are spread out across several miles like BEA should strongly consider having one in each building.

Jason Penland  In todays world, essential. If their only job was to protect the school from acts of violence they would be justified. They also specialize in helping with disciplinary matters that would otherwise take instruction time from faculty and admin.

Molly Hoover and Brandi Bartley did not respond to the survey.

Penns Valley Area School District candidates

Kim Kellerman-Domin  I am in support of SROs and SPOs in our schools. My husband (a retired LEO) and I spoke at numerous board and town hall meetings in support of hiring SROs and/or SPOs at Penns Valley. In fact, it was during a district comprehensive planning meeting over a year ago that I brought up the need to have SROs in our schools. Hiring the personnel, however, is only the first step towards providing a greater level of protection for our students and staff. Our SPOs will require ongoing training/resources so as to best support our students/staff and this is something that I will continue to support.

Michael Pase  I believe every school district should have SPOs for the safety of the students, faculty and staff.

Celesta Powell, Molly Miller, Dan Hall, Karla Groy, Daniel Pick, Domer Smeltzer, Nickelaus Engle and Scott Butler did not respond.

Philipsburg Osceola Area candidates

Tiffany Warlow  Keeping our students safe must be our number one priority! Schools must be safe for student learning to occur. Every single person coming into our buildings  students, teachers, staff, and visitors need to feel safe when in our buildings.

Tim Bainey, Todd Jeffries and Alexander Boumerhi did not respond to the survey.
Editors note: The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey to all school board candidates with questions about a number of issues. Twenty four candidates responded and 18 did not. We have published their unedited responses, which were limited to 1200 characters. We will publish additional responses in other stories.

With the primary election fast approaching, the Centre Daily Times asked local school board candidates to share their positions on school funding and budgets.

Approving a districts annual budget is one of the most important functions of a school directors job. Four hundred and ninety out of 500 Pennsylvania school districts have had to raise property taxes to keep up with costs.

We asked candidates how they would ensure financial stability for their district. Their unedited responses are below.

State College Area School District candidates

Amy Bader  In my tenure on SCASD, the district has maintained an excellent bond rating, at a level that only about ten percent of districts state-wide achieve. This is a result of the excellent work of our business office and the high-expectations the board maintains regarding our budget process. In budgeting, there should be a constant re-evaluation of many factors (earned income tax projections, tax appeals, new developments that can result in transfer tax changes, etc) while also monitoring the overall health of the local economy. These are all factors that go into budget formulation and approval, and of course subsequent tax increases. Aside from monitoring the revenue side of budgeting, the board must work with administration to always evaluate the districts staffing needs. Unfortunately, the major costs of a school district are people-costs (salaries and benefits) and these never remain stagnant due to cost-of-living increases and escalating healthcare costs. Thus, the district must continually justify and update its staffing requirements and tie those directly to student experiences and needs.

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Nathan Bish  As school directors, its not only our responsibility to be fiscally responsible on funds that are allocated to the district but its also our duty to be fiscally responsible on the amount of taxes we are charging members of our community.

Gretchen Brandt  Through responsible budgeting and being respectful of taxpayers. Ensuring high quality priming within the budget is a must.

Anne Demo  SCASD has nearly 7000 students enrolled and is the 4th largest employer in Centre County. Salaries and benefits for teachers and staff serving our students account for 70% of the budget. Although public schools are the cornerstone of communities, Pennsylvania ranks 45th in the nation for public education funding. The state needs to pay its fair share for the mandates it imposes. If elected, I welcome the opportunity to support efforts advocating for fair funding. Financial stewardship requires effective oversight, transparency, and accountability. With a district our size, data-driven deliberations routinely negotiate the tension between retaining expert teachers, maintaining academic excellence, and not overburdening taxpayers. Ive been attending school board meetings this spring to learn more about district revenues and areas where smart budgeting can make a difference.

Daniel Kolbe  Develop a 3-5-year strategic plan to address inefficiencies and outdated processes. This includes forecasting expenditures and reducing costs. Prioritize financial stability and aim for positive academic outcomes in the school.

John Krajcovic  Expenditures need tracked and Committees that review them need established. Long range planning to meet future needs also should be addressed. As a Project Manager for PennDOT, I have managed approximately $100 million in Government projects. I am also a licensed Professional Engineer and could possibly offer insight for issues relating to infrastructure. I would want to establish and possibly act on a committee that reviews all capital expenditures. Teachers are the best resource that SCASD has. Great teachers can present materials in a special way that inspires students. I have the greatest respect for teachers and want to give them my honest support. Buildings need to be maintained to keep them clean, structurally safe, free from mold and with the best air quality. There needs to be a balance in what is necessary and what isnt. I would do my best to offer insight into these issues and minimize tax increases while improving education.

Aaron Miller  In addition to annual budget oversight in partnership with district administration, we will use tools at our discretion (such as property tax increases) to ensure we have sufficient capital to meet SCASDs educational needs.

Michelle Young  By ensuring accountability. Go to facebook.com/young4scasd2023 for more information.

Laurel Zydney  One of the most important jobs of the Board is financial oversight, which includes ongoing review of projected revenue and expenses. The Board needs to conduct honest analysis of current programs and and insist on well-documented cost projections before starting or renewing programs, then follow up to assess whether programs are operating within budget and meeting objectives. Ensuring financial stability sometimes means saying no to something we would very much like to offer so we can focus on our core mission: providing our students with the education and skills they need to be successful. Even relatively small sums need to be carefully considered since they add up to real money. This has been, and continues to be, one of the guiding principles of my work as a Board member. We need to continually balance investing in our students and high-quality employees and providing excellent academics and activities with the impact taxes have on keeping the community affordable for young families and those on fixed incomes.

Barry Fenchak and Megan Layng did not respond to the survey.

Bellefonte Area School District candidates

Jennifer Barnhart  Careful and consistent evaluation of expenses and needs. I also encourage creative and innovative input to continue growth of learning and awareness of financial resources.

Patrick Buck  The district needs to continue to assess their budget, how it is allocated, and ensure they are meeting the needs of the students and community. Prioritizing where to allocate funds is essential to maintaining a healthy budget.

Nate Campbell  Bellefonte has has done a great job at staying in a good financial position. We are in a position to build an elementary school with little to no tax increase. Making informed decisions and spending wisely will keep our district stable.

Julie Fitzgerald  As a board member, I have continued to educate myself and ask questions about the budget to ensure it aligns with community priorities. Good financial stewardship of tax dollars comes from proper planning and oversight and I have taken this role very seriously. As a board, we need to continue developing a long-range vision for the district. In doing so, board members can understand current and future needs as well as projected revenue streams so that current resources can be allocated appropriately. While we all want to keep taxes as low as possible, the board needs to understand and also plan for the resources needed in the future to preclude any extreme future tax burdens on the community. In that same vein, the board also needs to place priority on identifying other available funding sources and community partnerships which can lessen the fiscal burden while striving to provide the best for our students. Involving the community in these discussions is important to develop awareness and trust in the districts financial plan and stability.

Darrell Sharp  The school board must always respect the budget. Bellefonte is not a large district with overly deep pockets. This does not equate to a lower quality educational environment. Ensure all spending is going to improve the educational environment.

Donna Smith  I will continue to monitor the financial reports of the district and ask the appropriate questions. I will only approve a budget that leads to the districts financial and educational stability.

Kimberly Weaver  We need a consistent review of the budget, which, in my opinion, we do quite well. Our business office manager does a fabulous job at updating the district and helping the board to understand our budget. We need to continue to allocate resources so our students and staff are successful.

Joe Yech  Our students deserve the best educational experience we can deliver. This requires funding. We need to be responsible with taxpayer money even as costs increase and should pursue other avenues for revenue to shift some burden off taxpayers.

Denelle Korn, Timothy Kessling and Paul Dombrowski did not respond to the survey.

Bald Eagle Area School District candidates

Erica Danneker  Ensuring a school districts financial stability involves developing a financial plan with a team of administrators and financial professionals. The development of a budget process should include the following: documentation of all revenue and expenditures as well as long-term goals; frequent monitoring of financial performance to help identify any potential problems and allow for corrective action to be taken; diversifying revenue streams to reduce vulnerability to sudden decreases in funding; implementing cost control measures such as energy efficiency, shared services and reducing unnecessary expenses; seeking grants and other funding; and engaging stakeholders.

Gary Heverly Jr.  By asking questions during board meeting, ensuring money is being appropriated the way the Board decided, and paying attention to account balances and line items.

Jason Penland  Plan for the worst and hope for the best. One time grants like ESSERS cannot lead to permanent positions or legacy costs. We must always have sufficient reserves to avoid unexpected expenses with facilities or mandates.

Molly Hoover and Brandi Bartley did not respond to the survey.

Penns Valley Area School District candidates

Kim Kellerman-Domin  Financial stability is about a mindset, not a bank account. As it relates to a school district, it is knowing that you have the financial means to cover your expenses and that you are able to financially support the students and staff with exceptional resources that are needed for providing a public education. Achieving financial stability takes individuals who are dedicated to a financial plan and disciplined enough to stick with that plan. It takes responsible budgeting, spending taxpayers dollars on items that are needed-not necessarily wanted (we dont have to have what all the other districts have), saving money for emergencies, investing wisely in things that are important-in this case our teachers and students, and avoiding debt at all costs. My husband and I were both able to retire at 50 years of age and we have achieved what we believe is our personal financial stability. I know what it takes. I know it isnt always easy, but I know it can be done on both a personal level and at the school district level.

Michael Pase  I would encourage the school board and administration to strive to provide the necessary resources for the students, teachers, staff, and facilities, while at the same time being a good steward of the tax payers money.

Celesta Powell, Molly Miller, Dan Hall, Karla Groy, Daniel Pick, Domer Smeltzer, Nickelaus Engle and Scott Butler did not reply.

Philipsburg Osceola Area School District candidates

Tiffany Warlow  Being on the board the last two years, I also have a better understanding of the budget, and balancing what the district needs vs wants with the financial realities of our community. Making financially sound and fiscally responsible decisions that benefit ALL our students must be one of the top priorities, while also taking into consideration our taxpayers. These decisions must not only benefit our students, but also put our district on a good financial path for our future.

Tim Bainey, Todd Jeffries and Alexander Boumerhi did not respond to the survey.
When North Carolinians went to the polls last November, no one told them they were voting on whether to privatize public education.

But apparently they were.

The elections results  with the help of a post-election party switch by Democratic Rep. Tricia Cotham  gave Republicans a veto-proof majority in the General Assembly. Now theyre using that power to launch an assault on what the GOPs most vitriolic public schools critics call government schools.

The attack started with a bill seeking to remove the State Board of Educations review of proposals to create new charter schools and another that would require local school districts to share their federal grants and reserves with charter schools. Those changes would accelerate the creation of charter schools and increase the funding diverted from traditional public schools.

But that was just the opening volley. Now come twin bills moving through the state House and Senate  Senate Bill 406 and House Bill 823  that would offer all parents  even millionaires with children already in private school  a savings on private school tuition at taxpayers expense. The subsidy, or school voucher, would be tied to income.

Lower-income families would qualify for this years average per-student spending by the state, more than $7,200. Incomes up the ladder would get from 90 percent to 60 percent of the state per-pupil allocation. All families above those income levels would get a voucher equal to 45 percent of the states per-pupil allocation.

That means parents sending their child to an exclusive private high school could see their annual tuition bill of $27,000 reduced by about $3,000.

See, Republicans do support education. They just dont support traditional public schools.

A WRAL-TV analysis found that under the proposed funding levels for vouchers, traditional public schools could lose, under one scenario, as many as 100,000 students, which would deprive public schools of $740 million in state funding.

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The Republican-controlled General Assembly has balked at a court order in the Leandro case to provide additional public school funding to comply with the state constitutions promise that all children are entitled to a sound basic education. But approve a huge boost in voucher funding that would grow from $181 million now to $540 million by the 2032-33 school year? Absolutely.

Helen Ladd, a Duke University professor emeritus whose career has focused on public school funding, told me that conservatives fixation on increasing school choice by expanding charter schools and vouchers fractures an essential common effort. She called the plan to expand vouchers a disaster.

Implicit in (school choice) is that education is servicing the needs of individuals. It should be serving collective needs, she said. Otherwise, why do we have public schools?

The expansion of vouchers would increase the programs most striking deficiencies: Using tax dollars to fund private schools without setting standards for whats taught or providing adequate measurements of how well students are learning. Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood ruled in 2014 that lack of oversight made vouchers an unconstitutional public expenditure. His ruling was reversed by the state Supreme Court in 2015, but in a dissent, then-Justice Robin Hudson said Hobgood got the decision right.

Hudson wrote: The main constitutional flaw in this program is that it provides no framework at all for evaluating any of the participating schools contribution to public purposes; such a huge omission is a constitutional black hole into which the entire program should disappear.

But instead of disappearing, its expanding.

No one campaigned on the platform of imploding the public school system. That its being proposed now shows the insidious effects of partisan gerrymandering that the state Supreme Court just said it wont review to ensure fair elections. Republican lawmakers know they can take extreme measures with little chance of being held to account by the voters they selected.

Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com
When it comes to answering medical questions, can ChatGPT do a better job than human doctors?

It appears to be possible, according to the results of a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, led by researchers from the University of California San Diego.

The researchers compiled a random sample of nearly 200 medical questions that patients posted on Reddit, a popular social discussion website, for doctors to answer. Next, they entered the questions into ChatGPT (OpenAIs artificial intelligence chatbot) and recorded its response.

A panel of health care professionals then evaluated both sets of responses for quality and empathy.

CHATGPT FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: CAN THE AI CHATBOT MAKE THE PROFESSIONALS' JOBS EASIER?

For nearly 80% of the answers, the chatbots won out over the real doctors.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Our panel of health care professionals preferred ChatGPT four to one over physicians," said lead researcher Dr. John W. Ayers, PhD, vice chief of innovation in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at the University of California San Diego.

One of the biggest problems facing todays health care providers is that they're overburdened with messages from patients, Ayers said.

"With the rise in online remote care, doctors now see their patients first via their inboxes  and the messages just keep piling up," he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

When a panel of health care professionals evaluated responses for quality and empathy, chatbots won out over real doctors 80% of the time.

The influx of messages could lead to higher levels of provider burnout, Ayers believes.

"Burnout is already at an all-time high  nearly two out of every three physicians report being burned out in their jobs, and we want to solve that problem," he said.

Yet there are millions of patients who are either getting no answers or unsatisfactory ones, he added.

Thinking of how artificial intelligence might help, Ayers and his team turned to Reddit to demonstrate how ChatGPT could present a possible solution to the backlog of providers questions.

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Reddit has a "medical questions" community (a "subreddit" called f/AskDocs) with nearly 500,000 members. People post questions  and vetted health care professionals provide public responses.

The questions are wide-ranging, with people asking for opinions on cancer scans, dog bites, miscarriages, vaccines and many other medical topics .

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTH CARE: NEW PRODUCT ACTS AS COPILOT FOR DOCTORS

One poster worried he might die after swallowing a toothpick. Another posted explicit photos and wondered if shed contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Someone else sought help with feelings of impending doom and imminent death.

"These are real questions from real patients and real responses from real doctors," Ayers said.

"We took those same questions and put them into ChatGPT  then put them head to head with the doctors answers."

After randomly selecting the questions and answers, the researchers presented them to real health care professionals  who are actively seeing patients.

They were not told which responses were provided by ChatGPT and which were provided by doctors.

"Our panel of health care professionals preferred ChatGPT four to one over physicians," said lead researcher Dr. John W. Ayers, PhD, of the University of California San Diego.

First, the researchers asked them to judge the quality of the information in the message.

When assessing quality, there are multiple attributes to consider, Ayers said. "It could be accuracy, readability, comprehensiveness or responsiveness," he told Fox News Digital.

STUDENTS USE AI TECHNOLOGY TO FIND NEW BRAIN TUMOR THERAPY TARGETS  WITH A GOAL OF FIGHTING DISEASE FASTER

Next, the researchers were asked to judge empathy.

"It's not just what you say, but how you say it," Ayers said. "Does the response have empathy and make patients feel that their voice is heard?"

ChatGPT was three times more likely to give a response that was very good or good compared to physicians, he told Fox News Digital. The chatbot was 10 times more likely to give a response that was either empathetic or very empathetic compared to physicians.

Its not that the doctors dont have empathy for their patients, Ayers said  its that theyre overburdened with messages and dont always have the time to communicate it.

"An AI model has infinite processing power compared to a doctor," he explained. "Doctors have resource constraints, so even though they're empathetic toward their patient, they often zero in on the most probable response and move on."

ChatGPT, with its limitless time and resources, might offer a holistic response of all the considerations that doctors are sampling, Ayers said.

Vince Lynch, AI expert and CEO of IV.AI in Los Angeles, California, reviewed the study and was not surprised by the findings.

"The way AI answers questions is often curated so that it presents its answers in a highly positive and empathetic way," he told Fox News Digital. "The AI even goes beyond well-written, boilerplate answers, with sentiment analysis being run on the answer to ensure that the most positive answers are delivered."

AI HEALTH CARE PLATFORM PREDICTS DIABETES WITH HIGH ACCURACY BUT WONT REPLACE PATIENT CARE'

An AI system also uses something called "reinforcement learning," Lynch explained, which is when it tests different ways of answering a question until it finds the best answer for its audience.

"So, when you compare an AI answering a question to a medical professional, the AI actually has far more experience than any given doctor in relation to appearing empathetic, when in reality it is just mimicking empathetic language in the scenario of medical advice," he said.

The length of the responses could have also played a part in the scores they received, pointed out Dr. Justin Norden, a digital health and AI expert and a professor at Stanford University in California, who was not involved in the study.

"Length in a response is important for people perceiving quality and empathy," Norden told Fox News Digital. "Overall, the AI responses were almost double in length compared with the physician responses. Further, when physicians did write longer responses, they were preferred at higher rates."

"Overall, the AI responses were almost double in length compared with the physician responses. Further, when physicians did write longer responses, they were preferred at higher rates."

Simply requesting physicians to write longer responses in the future is not a sustainable option, Norden added.

"Patient messaging volumes are going up, and physicians simply do not have time," he said. "This paper showcases how we might be able to address this, and it potentially could be very effective."

Rather than replacing doctors guidance, Ayers is suggesting ChatGPT could act as a starting point for physicians, helping them field large volumes of messages more quickly.

"The AI could draft an initial response, then the medical team or physician would evaluate it, correct any misinformation, improve the response and [tailor it] to the patient," Ayers said.

Its a strategy that he refers to as "precision messaging."

Rather than replacing doctors guidance, Ayers is suggesting ChatGPT could act as a starting point for physicians, helping them field large volumes of messages more quickly.

He said, "Doctors will spend less time writing and more time dealing with the heart of medicine and elevating that communication channel."

"This will be a game changer for the patients that we serve, helping to improve population health and potentially saving lives," Ayers predicted.

Based on the studys findings, he believes physicians should start implementing AI language models in a way that presents minimal risk.

AI-POWERED MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC TOOL COULD BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO PREDICT, TREAT DEPRESSION

"People are going to use it with or without us," he said  noting that patients are already turning to ChatGPT on their own to get "canned messages."

Some players in the space are already moving to implement ChatGPT-based models  Epic, the health care software company, recently announced it is teaming up with Microsoft to integrate ChatGPT-4 into its electronic health record software.

Ayers said he is aware people will be concerned about the lack of regulation in the AI space.

"We typically think about regulations in terms of stop signs and guard rails  typically, regulators step in after something bad has happened and try to prevent it from happening again, but that doesn't have to be the case here," he told Fox News Digital.

The researchers compiled a random sample of nearly 200 medical questions that patients had posted on Reddit for doctors to answer. Next, they entered the questions into ChatGPT and recorded its response.

"I don't know what the stop signs and guard rails necessarily should be," he said. "But I do know that regulators could set what the goal line is, meaning the AI would have to be demonstrated to improve patient outcomes in order to be implemented."

One potential risk Norden flagged is whether patients perceptions would change if they knew the responses were written or aided by AI.

He cited a previous study focused on mental health support , which found that AI messages were far preferred to human ones.

"Interestingly, once the messages were disclosed as being written by AI, the support felt by the receiver of these messages disappeared," he said.

"A worry I have is that in the future, people will not feel any support through a message, as patients may assume it will be written by AI."

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Dr. Tinglong Dai, professor of operations management and business analytics at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in Baltimore, Maryland , expressed concern about the studys ability to represent real scenarios.

"It is important to note that the setting of the study may not accurately reflect real-world medical practice," he told Fox News Digital.

"In reality, physicians are paid to provide medical advice and have significant liabilities as a result of that advice. The claim that AI will replace doctors is premature and exaggerated."

While there are numerous unknowns, many experts seem to agree this is a first-of-its-kind study that could have far-reaching implications.

"Overall, this study highlights the new territory we are moving into for health care  AI being able to perform at the physician level for certain written tasks," said Norden.

"When physicians are suffering from record levels of burnout, you see why Epic and partners are already planning to incorporate these tools into patient messaging."
Coca leaf is taken from the same plant cocaine is manufactured from

Bitter and tough, the coca leaf chewed throughout the South American Andes for thousands of years as a natural pick-me-up has been getting an appetizing makeover in Bolivia.

Traditionally sold as untreated, chopped leaves, several small businesses are now bruising the foliage to make it softer, and adding flavors such as strawberry, mango or coffee.

What started as an experiment about a decade ago has really taken off, especially in Bolivia's economic capital of Santa Cruz -- a city of 3.4 million people.

"The flavoring is like adding seasoning to food. Normally flavors such as bubblegum, banana are used, and it adds a special something," consumer Isaac Salazar, 21, told AFP.

"They come already crushed, soft, with a savory or sweet flavor added, which makes it perfect for passing the time."

The practice of chewing coca has its own verb in Bolivia's Indigenous Aymara language: "pijcheo." It means to masticate the leaves, like chewing gum, without swallowing.

The leaf -- from the same plant that cocaine is manufactured from -- has been ascribed with the wide-ranging properties of quelling hunger, inhibiting stress and imparting an energy boost.

Coca is also consumed in infusions, and in some countries it is included in flour used to make special breads and cakes.

- Bruised coca -

The work of transforming the fibrous leaf into a more easily chewable product is laborious.

At the El Dogor factory and store run by 23-year-old Luis Vasquez in Santa Cruz, about 20 workers share the tasks of removing the hard stems, placing what is left of the foliage into plastic bags, adding flavorings, and pounding away with a mallet.

The flattened end product, labeled Machucada (bruised) Coca El Dogor is placed in the fridge, and sold for $4.30 per unit of four ounces (about 113 grams).

The shop does a brisk business.

"We have a variety of coca leaf products, including fruit-flavored leaves and any other flavor a customer may ask for," said Vasquez.

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More and more, clients "prefer it mixed with a flavoring," he said.

Consumer Gary Soleto, 45, said the traditional way of consuming unadulterated coca leaf will never disappear.

"But we change and we have taken on new habits... to continue consuming and tasting new flavors," he said.

Official data show that one in three people in a country of 12 million -- almost a third of them Indigenous -- chew coca or use it for medicinal and ritual purposes.

In 2021, there were 30,500 hectares (75,000 acres) of coca plantations in Bolivia, according to a UN estimate -- up four percent from 2020.

Potential coca leaf production was estimated at 44,900 to 56,200 metric tons with an estimated value of $352 million to $431 million, according to a report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

The Bolivian state authorizes the cultivation of a maximum of 22,000 hectares.

In recent years, there have been clashes between coca leaf producers and police in Bolivia in a dispute over control of commercialization of the plant.

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The youngest victim of the east Texas shooting that left five family members dead used to ride his bicycle to the school bus stop with the child of the neighbor who is now wanted for carrying out the massacre.

In a telephone interview with NBC News on Monday, the uncle of 9-year-old victim Daniel Enrique Laso said he never exchanged words with the suspected shooter, Francisco Oropesa, 38.

"But my nephew, he always would take his bicycle to where the school bus would stop," Ramiro Guzman said. "Sometimes they went together, my nephew and his child."

"They always went on their bicycles together. They were like friends. And he killed him, Guzman said of the suspect.

Guzman spoke out as police continued to search for Oropesa, who vanished into the woods after allegedly barging onto the property late Friday in the small, largely rural town of Cleveland and killing all five victims "execution style" with gunshots to the head using an an AR-15 rifle.

Oropesa was allegedly angered after his neighbors complained that he was waking up their baby by firing gunshots on his adjacent property, police said. Sixteen members of Guzmans extended family  eight adults, eight children  were in the home at the time, police said.

My son, he died because he was defending his mother," Wilson Garcia, who was Daniel's father, said in an earlier interview.

Daniel's mother, Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, was also killed. So was an 18-year-old relative, Jose Jonathan Casarez. The other two victims were identified by police as Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, and Julisa Molina Rivera, 31. All were believed to be from Honduras.

Guzman said he survived by hiding in a closet with his wife and child, from where he repeatedly called 911. He said Daniel was just 3 when his parents brought him to Texas "for a better future."

"He was a great kid," Guzman said of Daniel.

When the shooting was over, Guzman said he emerged from his hiding place and spotted his mortally wounded nephew.

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My nephew, despite everything, I thought he would survive," Guzman said. "He was writhing on the floor and I said, 'Oh my God, hes still alive.

Guzman said he also saw his slain sister's body.

To see her the way I did, its unbelievable," he said. "I still think maybe shes going to call me, that Im going to get to see her again and shed be like always, strong and supporting us through everything.

Sonia, he said, was the glue in the family. "She was the best sister. She supported us through everything, absolutely everything," he said.

Guzman said his sister sacrificed everything for a new life in the United States. He said she hadn't seen their mother, who still lives in Honduras, in 10 years.

Everyone comes here with a plan, with a goal, Guzman said. "Now my mom is going to see my sister, but in the worst way. Shes going to see my nephew in the worst way.

As for Daniel, Guzman said he was like a second son to him.

We were so close throughout our whole lives, ever since he was born," he said. "I would take him to wherever he wanted to go. After school, he liked to come play with my son. As soon as he got home from school he would come play with my son. He was always there waiting. And now 

He was very loving, with his siblings, with everyone, he said. He never looked for trouble. He was always very loving.

Casarez "was like a brother to me," Guzman added.

In an earlier interview with The Houston Chronicle, Guzman said the family hailed from the tropical town of La Mision, in the Comayagua region. He said they were drawn to east Texas, in part, because the green lushness of the area reminded them of home.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
When the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Spice Up Spring Pueblo Chile Recipe Competition launched, I felt nervous to serve as a judge.

As a green chile fanatic and bona fide foodie, I figured it was in my wheelhouse, but I also wondered what I should do to prepare. All I could think of was to stuff my pockets with tissues in case the food was so hot it made my eyes water.

I also wore the loosest clothes I could find in my closet.

Luckily, I was joined by fellow judges John Jakeman and Jerry Carter, both longtime experienced executive chefs who've been down this road before. They graciously educated me on the finer points of judging.

Jakeman, director of nutritional services for the Senior Resource Development Agency, joked that its not too hard to judge food because Ive been eating all my life. He has judged as many as 18 green chile dishes in a day during past Chile and Frijole Festival events, so hes a pepper expert.

Carter, director of catering for Aladdin Dining Services at both Pueblo Community College and Colorado State University Pueblo, has judged at least a dozen chile competitions at the Colorado State Fair. He said he prepared for the competition by skipping breakfast.

Both chefs have a well-seasoned sense of humor that made it an absolute delight to spend the entire day with them traveling to nine Pueblo eateries to judge delectable dishes.

Chef John Jakeman, left, Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon, and Chef Jerry Carter, right, cheers while judging a cocktail at Ruby's. The three were judges for the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Spice Up Spring contest in April.

The event set my spring on fire, made my tongue dance and exposed my senses to a peppery plethora of culinary chile combos the likes of which I would never have dreamed possible.

Competing chefs were asked to create their most delicious recipes inspired by the versatility of the iconic Pueblo chile. Four categories  cocktail, appetizer, entree and dessert  were established. Some contestants competed in all four categories while others opted to focus on just one.

All told, the chefs and I sampled 20 different delightful creations.

Without further ado, following are the first-place winners.

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The Pueblo Chile Paloma cocktail from Twenty One Steak.

Cocktail category: Twenty One Steak

The Pueblo Chile Paloma dreamed up by Twenty One Steak bartenders Dimitri Orozco and Alec Garcia is an ideal summer cocktail perfect for sipping on the outdoor patio. The citrus-infused tequila drink features grapefruit, orange and lemon juices, Pueblo green chile and agave.

The rim of the glass was garnished with Milberger Farms Pueblo chile seasoning salt and topped with dehydrated blood oranges and lime peels.

Judges Jerry Carter (left) and John Jakeman sample at Romero's Cafe, where the winning appetizer, Chile Cones, was served.

Appetizer category: Romeros Cafe

Pueblo Chile Cones are a tortilla filled with cheddar cheese and Pueblo chile supplied by Crites Produce, wrapped in bacon before being expertly deep fried to crisp-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside perfection.

Thats my creation for the Chile Festival, said Robert Romero, restaurant owner. I sold 2,000 of them at last years festival  they flew off the shelf.

Romero is a two-time world champion and has more than 75 awards for his chile creations, so he has earned his moniker, Mr. Chile.

Tiffany Gernazio (right) and her daughter Michaella serve up "The Senior" grilled cheese sandwiches at the Papa Mario's food truck.

Entree category: Papa Mario's food truck

Tiffany Gernazio won big with her grilled cheese, called The Senior, which she dedicated to her father. It is a secret family recipe that features marinated roast beef, lots of cheese, fresh grilled onion and loads of Musso Farms Pueblo chiles, so it oozed with juices and delicious flavors.

That was the ultimate Pueblo comfort food, Carter said as the other judges and I waddled away from the Papa Mario's food truck.

I am literally completely shocked, Gernazio said Monday after learning she won the top prize for the entree.

The win is the crown jewel in Gernazio's cache of honors In 2 years of running the food truck, shes won Governors Plate and Peoples Choice awards at the Colorado State Fair, won in both entree and dessert categories during Flavor of Pueblo, and grabbed a half-dozen Best of Pueblo awards too.

Brues Alehouse Japanese style cheesecake

Dessert category: Brues Alehouse

A Japanese-style cheesecake dessert dreamed up by certified Pastry Chef Isabel Burson was a glorious dessert: a Pueblo chile-infused white chocolate cheesecake. The cheesecake was accompanied by costars like a milk chocolate cream, a candied honey comb, a chile chocolate fudge and fresh berries, all topped with a delicate sliver of candied Pueblo chile.

The top four finishers all will be presented Wednesday with $250 cash, two bushels of Musso Farms Chile and a Victoria Krage chile-themed urban sheet metal plaque.

More chile news: Slop till you drop: Pueblo's Top 10 slopper stops named by local foodies

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon takes notes while serving as one of three judges for the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Spice Up Spring contest on Friday.

Tracy's Choice Awards

Five contestants didnt take home a top prize, but in my heart they are all winners, so I made up my own awards.

Best cheese: Milberger Farms

Dalton Milberger has been cooking for 23 years and farming even longer, so when he and his family decided to supply their homegrown Pueblo chiles to Springside Cheese for its pepper jack cheese, it was a match made in heaven. That cheese is the best ever.

Best use of chorizo: Taco Casa

Taco Casas Pueblo Chorizo Grinder sandwich is the perfect pairing of hot Pueblo chile and Double J Meats homemade chorizo.

Cindy Reyes' Pueblo Chile hummus, from Cinfully Delicious Catering

Best hummus: Cinfully Delicious Catering

Cindy Reyes created a homemade Pueblo Chile hummus that I believe could outsell any commercial hummus brand. It was so creamy, fresh and lovely that Carter said he could eat it all day long.

Best fry bread: The Lunchbox food truck

Jessica Casack makes her fry bread dough the night before to allow it ample time to rise. She served the fry bread perfection topped with a tender, juicy roast beef, Pueblo Chile and a citrus sour cream.

Ruby's entry for the Spice Up Spring competition was the Pueblo Mary cocktail featuring PexPeppers Pueblo Red hot sauce.

Best collaboration: Ruby's and PexPeppers

Rubys Isabella Serena teamed up with Garrett Peck of PexPeppers Hot Sauces to create a Pueblo Mary cocktail, a new take on the Bloody Mary. The vodka cocktail featured a miniature jar of Pecks Pueblo Red Hot Sauce made from roasted red Pueblo chile so each judge could make the drink as hot as they wanted it.

Twenty One Steak pastry chef Francisca Chacon prepares a frozen green chile tart for the dessert category of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Spice Up Spring contest on Friday.

Best Friday ever: Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce

Best Friday ever, Carter said, toasting our chamber chauffeurs and all-things-Pueblo experts Cara Siegel, Lisa Hendricks and Krystle Herrera, who made sure we got to each venue, had plenty of water and thanked us with a gift bag full of Pueblo chile swag.

The real winners here are Pueblo residents who have endless opportunities to eat Pueblo chiles at local restaurants and food trucks on a daily basis.

At the end of the day, what a culinary blessing we have in Pueblo, Carter said. The diversity we have, all these amazing dishes and locally sourced food  you dont see that in a town this size.

We are doing Pueblo proud, Carter said.

More chile news: Here's how a man fought liver failure, started a hot sauce company and found Pueblo chiles

Pueblo Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo chile dishes to try if you go for a visit soon
By James Pomfret and Angel Woo

HONG KONG (Reuters) -China is increasingly barring people from leaving the country, including foreign executives, a jarring message as the authorities say the country is open for business after three years of tight COVID-19 restrictions.

Scores of Chinese and foreigners have been ensnared by exit bans, according to a new report by the rights group Safeguard Defenders, while a Reuters analysis has found an apparent surge of court cases involving such bans in recent years, and foreign business lobbies are voicing concern about the trend.

"Since Xi Jinping took power in 2012, China has expanded the legal landscape for exit bans and increasingly used them, sometimes outside legal justification," the Safeguard Defenders report reads.

"Between 2018 and July of this year, no less than five new or amended (Chinese) laws provide for the use of exit bans, for a total today of 15 laws," said Laura Harth, the group's campaign director.

The group estimates "tens of thousands" of Chinese are banned from exit at any one time. It also cites a 2022 academic paper by Chris Carr and Jack Wroldsen that found 128 cases of foreigners being exit-banned between 1995 and 2019, including 29 Americans and 44 Canadians.

Attention on the exit bans comes as China-U.S. tensions have risen over trade and security disputes. This contrasts with China's message that it is opening up to overseas investment and travel, emerging from the isolation of some of the world's tightest COVID curbs.

The Reuters analysis of records on exit bans, from China's Supreme Court database, shows an eight-fold increase in cases mentioning bans between 2016 and 2022.

China last week beefed up its counter-espionage law, allowing exit bans to be imposed on anyone, Chinese or foreign, who is under investigation.

Most of the cases in the database referring to exit bans are civil, not criminal. Reuters did not find any involving foreigners or politically sensitive subversion or national security issues.

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By comparison, the U.S. and European Union impose travel bans on some criminal suspects but generally not for civil claims.

DUE DILIGENCE

China's Ministry of Public Security did not respond to Reuters requests for comment on exit bans, including inquiries on how many individuals, including foreigners, are subject to them.

One person prevented from leaving China this year is a Singaporean executive at the U.S. due-diligence firm Mintz Group, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The company, the executive and China's Public Security Bureau did not respond to requests for comment.

Mintz said in late March the authorities had raided the firm's China office and detained five local staff. The foreign ministry said at the time Mintz was suspected of engaging in unlawful business operations. Police visited Bain & Co's office in Shanghai and questioned staff, the U.S. management consultancy said last week.

"Because of rising tensions between the U.S. and China, the salience of this (exit ban) risk has risen," said Lester Ross, a veteran lawyer in China who has handled exit ban cases.

"I've seen a rise in companies and entities being concerned about this and asking for our advice on how to prepare and reduce risks" of exit bans, said Ross, the head of the American Chamber of Commerce's China policy committee.

'UNCERTAINTY IS HUGE'

Foreign businesses are concerned about the heightened scrutiny and the vague wording of the counter-espionage legislation, which says exit bans can be imposed on those who cause "harm to the national security or significant damage to national interests".

"The uncertainty is huge," said Jorg Wuttke, head of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. "Can you do due diligence? Clarity has to come."

The EU chamber told Reuters in a statement: "At a time when China is proactively trying to restore business confidence to attract foreign investment, the exit bans send a very mixed signal."

People barred from leaving China include regular Chinese embroiled in financial disputes as well as rights defenders, activists and lawyers, and ethnic minorities such as Uyghurs in China's northwestern Xinjiang region, according to the Safeguard Defenders report.

It cites a Chinese judicial report saying 34,000 people were placed under exit bans between 2016 and 2018 for owing money, a 55% rise from the same period three years earlier.

Some activists say the wider use of exit bans reflects tighter security measures under President Xi.

"They can find any reason to stop you from leaving the country," said Xiang Li, a Chinese rights activist who was denied exit for two years before escaping from China in 2017 and later receiving asylum in the United States.

"China doesn't have the rule of law," she told Reuters by phone from California. "The law is used to serve the purposes of the Chinese Communist Party. It's very effective."

(Reporting by James Pomfret and Angel Woo; Additional reporting by Engen Tham and Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Michael Martina in Washington; Editing by William Mallard and Gerry Doyle)
Tokyo  Something unimaginable just one year ago is happening in China. With coronavirus lockdowns and travel restrictions behind them, hundreds of millions of Chinese are flocking to tourist attractions around the country.



Centered around the May Day public holiday on the first of the month, China's spring break lasts five days, starting on April 29. The China Tourism Academy predicted that more than 240 million passenger trips would be made during the five-day period this year, beating even pre-pandemic figures.

COVID surge casts shadow over China's Lunar New Year travel rush

On the first day, travel surged 151.8% compared to the same day last year, with tickets to popular sites including the Badaling section of the Great Wall, near the Chinese capital, and Shanghai Disney all sold out. Both of Beijing's airports saw record numbers of flyers on Saturday.

Tourists visit Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge during the May Day holiday, May 1, 2023, in Chongqing, China. / Credit: He Penglei/China News Service/VCG/Getty

Hotspots and resorts that looked like ghost towns only a few months ago have come fully back to life, with some even forced to post online notices warning holidaymakers to look elsewhere as they'd reached capacity.

China's tourism industry has not missed the chance to cash in. Official media reported that a resort town in southwest China was charging rates 16-times higher than its normal fees on April 30 as demand soared. Flights prices are also up an estimated 39% from 2019, before COVID struck and locked the country down.

China lashes out at WHO, defends its search for COVID origin

It's a much-needed windfall for an increasingly important sector of China's mammoth economy. Three of China's largest airlines collectively lost almost $3 billion during the three years of travel restrictions, according to a Chinese financial news outlet.

The Chinese economy's recovery from COVID has been shaky, so the boost from tourism will be more than welcome both by industry, and government. New data have shown an unexpected decrease in factory activity last month amid weaker global demand for China's exported goods.



But China's ministry of commerce has said major retail and food service companies saw 21% sales growth on the first day of the "golden week" holiday compared to the previous year. Many are thanking a trend of what's been dubbed "revenge spending," as people with repressed retail and travel cravings have tried to catch up since the stringent "Zero-COVID" policy was abandoned last winter.

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The Chinese crowds are not flocking to overseas destinations yet, however. Only 10% of Chinese travelers have international trips booked this year, according to new data. While domestic travel has bounced back to pre-COVID levels, the number of international flights departing China is still only about an eighth of the figures from 2019.

The study points to lingering safety concerns among Chinese travelers to explain that lag, rather than cost or availability.

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Chris Packham was accused of misleading the public into donating to the Wildheart Trust, of which he and his partner, Charlotte Corney, are trustees - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Chris Packham has been accused of abusing his privileged position as a BBC presenter to encourage donations to a charity by falsely claiming a well-treated tiger donated from a circus had been rescued, a court has heard.

The TV naturalist is suing three men over articles on the website Country Squire Magazine, which claim he defrauded people into donating to a charity to rescue tigers while knowing the animals were well looked after - described in court as tiger fraud.

At the start of the trial on Tuesday, the High Court in London heard that the environmentalist was accused of abusing his privileged position as a BBC presenter to dishonestly appeal for donations for the Wildheart Trust, which runs a wildlife sanctuary on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Packham was accused of misleading the public into donating to the charity, of which he and his partner, Charlotte Corney, are trustees.

Dominic Wightman, editor of Country Squire Magazine, was defending the libel claim along with writer Nigel Bean and a third man, Paul Read, whom the court heard was not responsible for the publications attributed to him as he was a mere proofreader.

Statements made dishonestly

Nicholas OBrien, for Mr Wightman and Mr Bean, said the articles in the claim were true and could be defended as under the public interest.

In written submissions, the barrister said: It is clear that the tigers had not been rescued from a circus, were not then in need of rescue, and were not rescued by Mr Packham.

Mr OBrien said the pair contend that Mr Packham knew the statements were false and they were therefore made dishonestly.

They were also fraudulent in that they were made with a view to a gain, and constituted an abuse of his privileged position as a BBC presenter, he added.

An animal welfare campaigner

Jonathan Price, the lawyer for Mr Packham, said: It is now a facility that rescues animals in need of a forever home, as they put it, because for whatever reason, they are unwanted by their former owners.

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A central allegation in this case [is] that it is fraudulent to attach the word rescue to this process.

The strongly denied allegations were repeated in several tweets and videos.

Mr Packham is well-known for his decades of vociferous campaigning for, and strongly held beliefs on, animal welfare and nature conservation issues, Mr Price said in written submissions.

An argument that he does not genuinely hold those beliefs, but has instead sought to defraud the public for money is, at best, an ambitious one.

Puerile and damaging material

The court was told that Mr Packham had been described by the defendants as a fraud, a notorious liar, of having an obvious nastiness, and of playing the Aspergers victim card.

Mr Price argued that the three men intended to run a full-frontal attack on Mr Packhams character during the legal case and get him fired.

As the litigation has progressed, the defendants have published an enormous amount of puerile, offensive and damaging material about the claimant, often under the guise of fundraising for their defence, the barrister said in written submissions.

The case came as Mr Packham was crowdfunding for another legal fight, against publisher Fieldsports Channel, which he accused of making claims he faked his own death and that those claims have caused such hatred towards him that he fears for the safety of his family.
The FCAs Nikhil Rathi -- a former head of the London Stock Exchange, -- outlines plans from the UKs main regulator to make the City more competitive for share listings. ((PA))

Londons main market watchdog has started outlining plans to make the City a more attractive place for companies to list shares, in a long-awaited move that follows a series of high-profile wins for New York, the square miles arch rival.

The Financial Conduct Authority wants to reform and streamline Londons stock marketrules governing what companies must do to put their shares on sale. The changes come after listings in the UK plunged by 40% since 2008 according to data from The UK Listing Review quoted by the regulator.

It also follows a major blow struck to London when the biggest success story of Britains tech sector -- the chip design giant Arm Holdings -- chose New York as the new home for its shares when it returns to life as an independent company.

Arms current parent Softbank is expected to raise between $40 billion and $80 billion when it spins Arm back out as an independent company. Softbank bought Arm, which helped power the smartphone revolution, when the Cambridge-based company was a FTSE 100 constituent.

The FCAs proposals intend to make Londons rules more effective, easier to understand and more competitive by replacing the current system of two tiers of shares, each featuring different voting rights, with one single class of stock.

Nikhil Rathi, the watchdogs chief executive, said: We want to encourage more companies to list and grow in the UK, versus other highly competitive international markets.

He pledged the changes would significantly rebalance the burden of regulation to the benefit of listed companies and investors who are willing to set their own risk appetite and terms of engagement.

That kind of reform has long been seen as one of the main potential benefits of Brexit, which its backers said could help transform London into Singapore-on-Thames, a reference to the stellar growth of one of Asias main market venues.

But the hopes for a new dawn for the City as a trading centre were clouded when a series of high-profile companies, most notably Arm, favoured the US, where rules look less onerous and easier to understand. Valuations are also seen as more likely to be higher over the Atlantic, due to a deeper pool of capital.

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The FTSE 100 also lost the worlds biggest building products firm, CRH, which shifted its listing to the US.

The FCAs fightback is the biggest single effort to simplify listings rules since the UK left the EU.

A simpler and easier single-share structure should appeal to young firms, which tend to be the fast-growing and innovative companies most sought after by governments.

It may also remove the need for costly and cumbersome mandatory shareholder votes on certain matters, including acquisitions, which are seen as a bureaucratic barrier for London listings.

Complex reporting criteria for decision making between parts of Arm Holdings  which were classed as internal matters when it was part of Softbank  were blamed in part for its decision to go to New York.

Last month, shock analysis for The Standard found that Britains top 100 companies would be worth towards 500 billion more if they moved their stock market listings to the US.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt pledged at his first full Budget earlier this year that there would be reform to help restore Londons fortunes, which are also thought to have suffered from a lack of incentives for pension funds to sink their capital into UK shares.

The FCA wants an open discussion about how a streamlined listing regime, based on disclosure and engagement, rather than regulatory rules, would change risk appetite.

It said today it has been acting to improve the UKs position for years.

Rathi added: While regulation plays an important part, a companys decision on whether, and where to list, is influenced by many factors so substantive change will require a concerted effort from government and industry as well.
North Carolinas failure to regulate poultry farms has endangered the environment and jeopardized human health, leaving people of color to suffer disproportionate impacts from the waste, a new federal civil rights complaint alleges.

Environmental regulators here dont issue permits for poultry farms or regularly inspect their barns, which can stretch as long as two football fields and house as many as 40,000 birds.

They dont alert neighbors when a farm is coming to a community or monitor where all the poultry waste goes. State environmental regulators dont even know where most of the farms are. North Carolina agriculture officials keep that information confidential.

The new federal complaint, filed with the EPA by nonprofit groups and North Carolina residents, notes that poultry farms in North Carolina are deemed permitted, meaning they dont have to pass through any environmental approvals before construction. In recent years, the business has grown rapidly across the state and is now North Carolinas largest agricultural industry.

The lack of permitting punishes Black, Latino and American Indian residents, the complaint alleges.

Poultry farms now dot most of North Carolina. The smallest farms raise about 20,000 chickens at a time. The largest: more than 1.5 million. This map, built from two datasets and verified with satellite imagery, may be the most accurate view yet published. It shows 4,679 farms in 79 counties.

A recent investigation by The Charlotte Observer and The Raleigh News & Observer found some 4,700 poultry farms in 79 North Carolina counties. An estimated 230,000 people live within a half mile of a farm, the distance odor from the manure can travel.

Researchers elsewhere have found that living near poultry farms increases the risk of acquiring pneumonia and decreases the value of homes.

The Title VI complaint focuses on three eastern North Carolina counties  Robeson, Duplin and Sampson. Combined, the three counties are home to about 850 poultry farms, data show.

The complaint argues that the counties are among the states most diverse and have experienced a disproportionate growth in poultry facilities in recent years, resulting in threats to health and quality of life.

The complaint alleges that the N.C. Department of Environmental Qualitys failure to adequately regulate poultry farms violates the civil rights of people living nearby. It also argues that by not permitting poultry farms, DEQ is unable to assess their impact on the environment.

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Limited public information about poultry farms prevents state regulators from assessing the cumulative environmental impacts that neighborhoods around them feel, said Christophe Courchesne, interim senior attorney of the Environmental Justice Clinic.

The Environmental Justice Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School filed the complaint April 19 on behalf of Lumber River Waterkeeper Jefferson Currie; Donna Chavis, a Robeson County environmental justice advocate; and Friends of the Earth.

The EPA has six months to decide if it has the authority to require N.C.s DEQ to change its permitting process, as clinic officials are asking.

The justice clinic is one of the few law school programs devoted to environmental justice  combining civil rights with the environment. It previously worked on a 2014 Title VI complaint looking at North Carolinas hog farm industry.

DEQs failure to adequately regulate by creating this massive loophole  deemed permitted for dry litter poultry  has allowed for this explosion of these facilities in some of the poorest and least white, most racially diverse areas in North Carolina, Clara Derby, a Vermont Law and Graduate School Environmental Justice Clinic student, told The News & Observer.

DEQ officials declined to comment on the complaint Friday, saying they had not yet seen it.

Unique regulatory gap

In their investigation into the industry last year, the Observer and the N&O found:

 Impacts from poultry farms extend beyond the farms property lines. Odor from manure and dead birds can travel a half mile, research shows. Proximity to big poultry barns can increase the risk of illness for people living within three-quarters of a mile and reduce home values within a mile, studies say.

 North Carolinas broiler chickens, birds raised for meat, produce more waste than 7.5 million people, or nearly 72% of the states population.

 It is impossible to track where all the waste ends up. Poultry farms must record where they spread it but arent required to tell the state. Only some manure haulers must.

 At least 232 barns  housing as many as 5.8 million birds at once  sit in floodplains. North Carolina bought out many hog farms in flood-prone areas, but not poultry farms.

 Poultry waste washes into North Carolina streams and rivers, scientists say. That can contribute to algae blooms and fish kills. But with all the secrecy, knowing where and how often is impossible to know.

The rapid growth is insane, said Larry Baldwin, North Carolina CAFO Coordinator for the Waterkeeper Alliance, a nonprofit group. From the air, or even from the ground, we can see one being built today and going back the following day, theres two more down the road or close by. And the lack of permitting is allowing that to happen uncontrolled.

The new complaint alleges that poultry farms operate in a unique regulatory gap because they are the only kind of animal feeding operation exempt from permitting requirements and regulatory oversight.

At the same time, the complaint says, poultry farms are the single largest contributor to excess nutrient pollution in the states waterways.

City rendering by Google Earth, Data SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy. Graphics composite by

In essence, North Carolina dry litter poultry facilities operate on an honor system, the complaint states.

North Carolina is the only state in which dry litter poultry operations  by far the most common type of chicken and turkey farms  are categorically deemed permitted, the complaint says. South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi have all put in place some form of permitting, the complaint notes.

Some North Carolina lawmakers also want to see the states industrial poultry farms regulated more aggressively.

A bill introduced last month by Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Guilford County Democrat, would require farms with 30,000 or more birds to apply for environmental permits. It would also prohibit the construction of industrial animal operations in floodplains and require a sweeping study of the environmental and public health impacts of poultry waste.

But industry leaders have argued that theres no need for additional regulation. Bob Ford, executive director of the N.C. Poultry Federation, declined to comment on the complaint against DEQ.

Industry leaders have previously noted that theyve put in place voluntary setbacks designed to ensure farms arent built too close to homes. The federations guidelines say that poultry farms shouldnt be built closer than 1,000 feet to an occupied residence.

Previous Title VI complaints

North Carolinas agricultural industry has been the subject of several other federal civil rights complaints in recent years.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires any agency that accepts federal funds to act without discriminating toward race, color or national origin.

The EPA is currently investigating a 2021 complaint that alleged the N.C. DEQs approval of permits allowing methane to be captured from hog lagoons violated the civil rights of Black, Latino and Native American residents of Duplin and Sampson counties.

And in 2014, environmental groups alleged that DEQs general permit process for hog farms overburdened Black, Hispanic and Native American people in Duplin, Robeson and Sampson counties. A 2018 settlement of that complaint included the development of North Carolinas first environmental justice mapping tool, a temporary ambient air quality monitoring effort in Duplin County and some additional surface water monitoring.

As part of the 2018 settlement, DEQ had to re-affirm its commitment to protecting civil rights by making sure its programs and policies didnt result in uneven burdens. That statement rings hollow in the face of the poultry industrys continued growth, according to the newest complaint.

DEQ has no comprehensive means for evaluating the dry litter poultry industrys growing disparate impact and is therefore unable to integrate better protections for human health, vulnerable communities, the environment or civil rights, the complaint states.

The poultry complaint draws on many of the same ideas as the 2014 complaint centered on the hog industry, said Sophia Hampton, a Vermont Law Environmental Justice Clinic student who worked on the complaint.

The situation is almost more extreme, though, because there arent even that many regulations.  Theres just a gaping hole in the regulatory scheme, Hampton said.
The U.S. Air Force says it is laying the groundwork for accelerated production of the future AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, or JATM. The service is doing this, in part, to help ensure there are enough of these air-to-air missiles to arm its coming fleets of advanced drones with high degrees of autonomy, currently referred to as Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCAs.

Armed with these missiles, these uncrewed aircraft, which are expected to work closely with current and next-generation combat jets, could help significantly extend the reach of their crewed counterparts. In doing so, they could potentially enhance lethality and survivability drastically.

Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown highlighted JATM's relevance to the CCA program while testifying before members of the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier today. Brown was responding to a question about what steps his service was taking to make sure it would have enough missiles to reasonably arm its future CCAs and their crewed companions.

Earlier this year, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced that his service was planning around acquiring at least 1,000 CCAs, if not more, as well as some 200 examples of a future sixth-generation combat jet. Both of these programs are part of a larger, multi-faceted modernization effort called Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD). The 1,000 CCA figure was based on a concept of operations involving pairing two of those drones with each of the 200 NGAD combat jets and 300 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters.

A rendering of an F-35 flying together with multiple types of drones. Lockheed Martin

"Extra [missile] funding will help to facilitize [sic] so... we can increase the production rate not only for AMRAAM [the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile], but JATM, which is a follow-on to AMRAAM," Brown said. JATM "is also going to be an important aspect to support the Collaborative Combat Aircraft."

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The extra funding Brown was talking about here refers to requests in the Air Force's proposed 2024 Fiscal Year budget for money to cut multi-year missile procurement contracts. The service is asking for roughly $1.5 billion in total to put it on a firm track to buy more AMRAAMs, as well as AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) series cruise missiles and examples of the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile derivative, in the coming years.

The Air Force has previously said that the multi-year AMRAAM buy, specifically, will help provide a bridge to the introduction of the JATM.

The Fiscal Year 2024 budget request contains, along with some AMRAAM investment, some facilitization [sic] money that will help us get to JATM faster," Lt. Gen. Richard Moore, vice chief of staff of the Air Force for Plans and Programs, said last month during a panel discussion hosted by the Air & Space Forces Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. "Once we can start procuring it, well get to quantity as fast as we can."

Details about the AIM-260, including its expected capabilities and when it might begin to enter service, are limited. The Air Force disclosed the existence of the JATM program, which it is running together with the U.S. Navy, in 2019. At that time, the service said it expected initial flight testing of the missile to wrap up in 2021 and then operational testing would begin sometime in 2022. Last year, Air Force Maj. Kevin Autrey, the lead F-22 Raptor operational test pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada told The War Zone in an interview that preparations were being made to begin live fire testing in the summer of 2023.

Speaking at the panel talk in April, Lt. Gen. Moore had insisted that there was no delay in the JATM program. We want to get to JATM as quickly as we possibly can," he added.

Otherwise, the missile's development has since been shrouded in heavy secrecy within a so-called Special Access Program (SAP). So sensitive are these weapons that the Air Force asked for around $6.5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to build a special secure storage facility for them at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

We do know that a significant increase in range is a major focus of the JATM program. It seems reasonable that JATM would be able to fly the latest AIM-120D-3 variant of the AMRAAM further, the range of which is classified, but believed to be between 75 and 100 miles, depending on the launch envelope and other factors.

Air Force personnel prepare AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for loading onto F-15 fighters at Kadena Air Base in Japan during an exercise. USAF

Air Force officials have said in the past that Chinese very long-range air-to-air missile developments, and the PL-15 missile in particular, which may have a range up to 124 miles, were key drivers behind work on the AIM-260. What kind of advanced propulsion arrangement the JATM will use to achieve that range has not yet been disclosed, but ramjets and dual-pulse rocket motors have been suggested as possible options.

It seems very possible that the AIM-260 could have a multi-mode seeker arrangement, possibly including active radar and imaging infrared seekers. This would help its accuracy and its resistance to radio-frequency electronic warfare attacks and other countermeasures. Being able to home on something other than a radar signature would be especially useful when engaging low-observable (stealthy) targets.

Especially given its extended range, it seems all but certain that JATM will have a two-way datalink, just like the AIM-120D-3, too. A link like this allows the weapon to receive mid-course targeting updates or be redirected altogether.

All of this is expected to fit inside an AIM-260 missile that has a similar, if not identical form factor to later-generation variants of the AIM-120. This is extremely important to ensure its ability to be carried internally by the Air Force's F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, as well as F-35 variants across the U.S. military. Stealth combat jets, in general, have to carry stores internally to maximize their low-observable (stealthy) characteristics.

A rendering showing F-22 Raptors with various upgrades and one launching an advanced missile, possibly meant to represent the AIM-260. USAF

The F-22 is expected to be one of, if not the first aircraft to be armed with the AIM-260. There are also plans to integrate into all three variants of the F-35, as well as the Air Force's F-15EX Eagle II and the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters.

Gen. Brown's disclosure today that the Air Force's future CCA drones, which the service is developing increasingly in cooperation with the Navy, are also expected to be armed with AIM-260s is new, but hardly surprising. The service has repeatedly said that the first role it envisions for these advanced uncrewed aircraft is as weapons platforms to support fifth-generation stealth fighters, including the future NGAD jet, in aerial combat. CCAs are expected to eventually perform other missions and could work with fourth generation combat jets and other aircraft.

"We see three kinds of basic mission sets for collaborative Combat Aircraft. The first is the ability to augment the combat force as shooters. The second is the ability to conduct electronic warfare and the third is the ability to be sensors in the battle space," Lt. Gen. Moore had explained at another hearing before a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in March. "We'll concentrate first on the ability for CCA to augment shooters and to be shooters themselves."

Adding the extended range of the AIM-260 to this equation can only further extend the 'reach' of the future CCA drones. Those uncrewed aircraft are already expected to be able to operate well forward of the crewed platforms they're teamed with, further expanding the overall area the entire flight group could conceivably hold at risk. Off-board targeting data, fed to the CCAs directly or their crewed companions, could give the drones even greater abilities to engage threats they might not even be able to 'see' themselves. This would also help keep the entire group that much further away from hostile aircraft or air defenses down on the surface.

An artist's conception of various drones under development as part of General Atomics' Gambit family, including an example firing a missile. One or more of these designs might be CCA contenders. GA-ASI

"The analysis that we've done shows that the adversary has to honor each of those [CCA] aircraft as it is a full threat. And that gives you a great advantage relative to the cost of having those things in the air," Secretary of the Air Force Kendall said today while testifying at the same hearing alongside Gen. Brown. "It both increases the targeting problem, but also gives them [the enemy] tactical dilemmas that he doesn't have to face right now [which] we can."

"We can sacrifice one of these aircraft, put it well out in front, use it to draw fire and force the other side to expose itself and then be subject to engagement," Kendall continued. "We call them attritable. They're not expendable. But we can afford to lose on them operationally. There's nobody in them that we're going to lose. So it changes our tactical options."

All of this speaks to the broader expected benefits of CCAs, overall. For instance, when working as part of a larger networked crewed-uncrewed team, only a portion of the drones, at most, might actually need to carry radars or other sensors at all. The rest could conceivably be configured purely as weapons trucks, receiving targeting information for other platforms. This would help reduce their cost and complexity.

"Our analysis shows... by augmenting crewed aircraft with relatively inexpensive CCAs you get a net combat capability, which is much more significant than if you tried to do it with all fully crewed aircraft," Secretary Kendall said today. "One way to think about it is that the pod or the weapon that might have been under the wing of a crewed aircraft is now flying in separate aircraft and managed by that commander of that [crewed] aircraft."

Thanks to the hearing today, we know that one of those weapons will be the AIM-260, which will only further increase the combat capabilities offered by the CCAs.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Afghan women protested in Kabul on April 29, defying a dissent crackdown to voice opposition to foreign nations formally recognizing the Taliban government ahead of a U.N. summit next week.

Afghan women protested in Kabul on April 29, defying a dissent crackdown to voice opposition to foreign nations formally recognizing the Taliban government ahead of a U.N. summit next week.

Thousands of people around the world are protesting against the ongoing closed-door United Nations meeting about the future of Afghanistan, as fears grow that the talks could lead to the Taliban being recognized as a legitimate governing group.

Diplomats from nearly 25 countries and groups  including the U.S., China and Russia, as well as major European aid donors and key regional neighbors like Pakistan  are attending the two-day meeting chaired by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Taliban were not invited to attend the meeting, and they have expressed their displeasure over the exclusion.

The attendees are set to discuss key issues affecting Afghanistan, including terrorism and womens rights, according to the U.N.

Activists against the U.N. formally recognizing the Taliban hold banners during a demonstration in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 30.

Activists against the U.N. formally recognizing the Taliban hold banners during a demonstration in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 30.

After regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has cracked down on womens access to public life, including barring them from attending universities and high schools. The group also decided last month to enforce a ban on Afghan women working for the U.N., which the U.N. warned could force closure of their operation in Afghanistan.

However, shortly after the Taliban announced the ban, senior U.N. official Amina Mohammed suggested finding baby steps toward recognition of the group. Later, the U.N. retracted her comment and clarified that the Doha meeting is not focused on recognition.

Still, Mohammeds comments have contributed to widespread concerns about the meeting, with critics pointing out a lack of transparency about the discussions.

Civil society groups and human rights activists highlighted their apprehensions about the possible recognition of the Taliban in an open letter to the U.N. shared on Sunday.

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Past experiences show that giving into the demands of such regimes by compromising on human rights will only strengthen their grip on power, and prolong the suffering of the people of Afghanistan, the letter reads.

They also insisted that women of Afghanistan should be meaningfully represented in all talks regarding its future.

A member of Taliban fires in the air to disperse the Afghan women during a rally to protest against Taliban restrictions on women, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 28, 2021.

A member of Taliban fires in the air to disperse the Afghan women during a rally to protest against Taliban restrictions on women, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 28, 2021.

Videos have surfaced on social media showing women in Kabul protesting against the Taliban, holding up placards with slogans such as #NoToTaliban and #AfghanWomenLivesMatter. They can be heard chanting Taliban recognition is a disgrace to the world and We will fight, we will die, but we will get our rights.

Taliban are terrorists and criminals, Amiri, a protester in Kabul who is being identified by a pseudonym due to fear of retaliation from the group, told HuffPost. The U.N. must not turn a blind eye to the plight of Afghan women and recognize a terrorist organization that has no achievement except for oppressing women.

Its funny that we have come to a point where the recognition of the Taliban is a topic of global discussion, Amiri said. In a fair world, Taliban should be brought to the International Criminal Court to face justice for the decades of crimes they have committed against the people of Afghanistan.

Along with those in Kabul, hundreds of Afghan diaspora members and activists worldwide, including in Washington, D.C., raised their voices in support.

During a press briefing at the State Department on Tuesday last week, department spokesperson Vedant Patel said the U.S. has no intention of acknowledging the Taliban regime, and that the Talibans ongoing human rights violations, particularly against women and girls, are a major obstacle to its goal of being recognized internationally.

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings and District Attorney Spencer Merriweather were in Raleigh Tuesday asking lawmakers to change the way bond is given in the court system.

PAST COVERAGE: Mecklenburg County judge says fixing bail bonds is up to legislature

There have been complaints that some suspected criminals are getting out of jail too easily.

On Tuesday, Jennings met with multiple representatives in their offices after publicly backing a proposed law that would change the way the bond is given.

The proposed changes come after several suspects from Charlotte were given low bonds or no bonds after being accused of violent crimes.

Its accountability for the entire criminal justice system that needs to be looked at, said Jennings after his Raleigh visit.

The police chief explained why he thinks a judge should be calling the shots.

The judges are accountable to the people who voted them into office, Jennings told Channel 9 via Zoom. Oftentimes, magistrates, you dont know who they are.

Some lawmakers pushed back for the first time because they are worried that the proposed law could threaten constitutional rights.

I appreciate the opportunity to meet with legislators, like @repabejones and @ElectLauraBudd, to discuss issues and how we can work together on solutions. This bill addresses issues that bridge any party lines. Im encouraged to see it moving forward in the legislative process. pic.twitter.com/6nHvgtihpx  Chief Jennings (@cmpdchief) May 2, 2023

Were not focusing on the problem here, were creating a solution that is too broad, said Rep. Marcia Morey, who represents the Durham area. Lets address bonds with magistrates. Lets teach them. Lets keep victims safe but this bill is not a way to do it.

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Under the proposed law, anyone who is out on pretrial release and is arrested for another crime would get no bond for at least 48 hours.

Morey and other lawmakers pointed out concerns about that as well, arguing those who are arrested have a constitutional right to bond.

The proposed bill was passed onto the Rules Committee and has overall support from Republicans and Democrats.




















WASHINGTON  A series of Supreme Court ethics scandals that started with luxury trips gifted to Justice Clarence Thomas has renewed focus on the idea of a code of conduct for the nine most powerful jurists in the nation.

But what if a code of conduct isn't enough?

A series of bills that would require the high court to adopt a code of conduct is reopening a debate over how such guidelines might be enforced, who would do the enforcing and whether an ethics code would have actually headed off the steady stream of controversies over travel, property sales and a lack of disclosure.

"Once such a code exists, there is no simple way for it to become 'binding' or 'self-enforcing,'" said Josh Blackman, a law professor at South Texas College of Law Houston. "Each justice would still have to make their own judgment calls."

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That debate is likely to come up Tuesday as the Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on Supreme Court ethics amid calls from its chairman, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to take some action in response to the scandals.

How would a code of ethics work for the Supreme Court?

Legislation introduced last week by Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, would require the Supreme Court to create a code for itself and publish that document on its website. It would also require the court to designate someone  the bill doesn't specify who  to "process complaints" about alleged violations and publish an annual report describing the complaints and whether any action was taken to address them.

But the proposal carries no penalties for violations and would likely give the justices considerable leeway to interpret its requirements. "Transparency is the enforcement mechanism," King told reporters last week. "We're not talking about sanctions or any kind of penalties. But what we're saying is, establish the standards, and there will be transparency in terms of any charges of violations of those standards."

In a statement to Senate Democrats last week, Chief Justice John Roberts appeared to question the enforceability of the code followed by other federal judges, asserting its demands are "broadly worded principles that inform ethical conduct" but "are not themselves rules." Its canons, he wrote, are "far too general" to be rules.

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Temporary security fences align along a path to the plaza of the Supreme Court Building on April 19, 2023.

Supporters say a code of conduct would be a big improvement

The code of conduct for lower federal courts requires judges to "avoid all impropriety and appearance of impropriety" and bars them from using their "judicial position or title to gain advantage in litigation involving a friend or a member of the judges family." While that language is vague, supporters say it's better than nothing  which is what the Supreme Court has in place currently.

"The Supreme Court remains the most powerful, least accountable institution in Washington," said Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, a nonpartisan judicial watchdog.

Roth acknowledges a code of ethics, on its own, isn't a panacea. But, he said, a code coupled with a designated ethics point person would be an improvement. Roth would also like to see justices required to get approval from an ethics body before accepting a trip or gift worth more than $250 and more detailed disclosures about trips.

Ethics: Chief Justice John Roberts declines to testify on ethics, Clarence Thomas revelations

Congress: Durbin asks Chief Justice John Roberts to testify about Supreme Court ethics after Thomas revelations

"The one thing we know for certain is that more people are paying attention to the conflicts at the Supreme Court, both real and perceived, than ever before, and it's better to disclose information than to be caught trying to hide something," Roth said.

Charles Gardner Geyh, an Indiana University law professor, said he agrees with some of the concerns raised about enforcing a code of ethics  that a disciplinary process might devolve into political theater. But Geyh pushed back on criticism from some that a code of conduct, without specific enforcement, would be meaningless.

"The Constitution requires Supreme Court justices to swear an oath," Geyh said. "That oath is not meaningless, just because there is no formal enforcement mechanism....The same is true of a code of conduct: When a group of judges get together and buy into a code of ethical conduct that they discuss, internalize, and revisit on a regular basis, it creates a code culture that influences the way judges think about their work."

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Sept. 16, 2021.

Supreme Court plays defense as ethical questions mount

The number of stories raising questions about ethics at the high court have increased significantly in recent weeks. Here's a rundown on some of the cases that have drawn the most attention.

The latest round of scrutiny on the Supreme Court started with a series of stories in ProPublica last month, including one that offered new revelations on private jet trips and luxury yacht travel Thomas accepted from Harlan Crow. The GOP megadonor also purchased three properties from Thomas and his family  none of which were reported on the justice's annual disclosure forms. Thomas acknowledged the trips, describing the Crows as among our dearest friends" and said he was "advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the court, was not reportable."

Justice Neil Gorsuch, meanwhile, was the subject of a report in Politico that he sold a vacation property he owned in Colorado with two partners to the chief executive of a law firm, Greenberg Traurig, that has represented clients before the Supreme Court. Greenberg's Brian Duffy told Politico that he'd never spoken to Gorsuch.

A New York Times report Sunday suggested George Mason University law school developed an "unusually expansive relationship" with several of the Supreme Court's conservative justices in order to "accelerate its already meteoric rise to the top rank of law schools in the United States," according to emails obtained by the newspaper. That amounted to bringing the justices in as lecturers and guests at school events and then marketing those relationships to potential students and donors.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Would an ethics code stop luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas?
A row of political signs greet voters at the voting center at the ballroom of the St. Joseph County Public Library on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in South Bend for the 2023 primary election.

SOUTH BEND  The ice-cold drizzle and temperatures in the upper 30s sure were more conducive to remaining under the covers a bit longer on Tuesday morning than getting out to the polls.

But even still, a trickle of voters showed up at Adams High School before 7 a.m. to vote for their favorite candidates in a wide variety of primary races for mayor, council members and clerk. And just an hour later, there was a line of voters at the main branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library as downtown employees opted to vote before heading into work.

Get out to vote: Where can you vote Election Day? Pick one of these 24 places Tuesday in St. Joseph County

Its our patriotic duty, Barbara and Greg Brownell said, referring to their motivation for showing up at Adams before 7 a.m. to vote. They wouldnt reveal whether there was a particular municipal race that might have motivated them, but they said they didnt like the amount of debt the city has taken on in recent years.

Coreen Chimutu casts her first ballot as a citizen of the United States on Tuesday morning at Adams High School. Despite the cold and rain, she showed up to vote after completing an overnight shift.

Lindsey Connolly was out voting before heading into work at St. Joseph Health System in Mishawaka. She said shes a supporter of Mayor James Mueller, who was running against fellow Democrat Henry Davis Jr. In the primary.

But she admitted shes become a lot more responsible about voting since her husband became a citizen a couple of years ago. Its not something that he takes lightly, she said of her Irish-born husband.

Voting guide: Voting and candidate information online and in Tribune ahead of May 2 Indiana primary

That was the same motivation for Coreen Chimutu, who became a citizen in 2020 but was voting in her first election on Tuesday. A native of Malawi, Chimutu was voting after her overnight shift was completed and showed up to vote even though she said she was very nervous.

But she got through the process with help from poll workers at Adams, who helped her through the process for the first time.

I just wanted to be part of voting, she explained. You cant complain if you dont vote.

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Poll workers at Adams had about 23 turn out before 7 a.m., which they said is about normal for a primary involving municipal candidates.

Tom Swartz was among those who vote in every election, saying its his civic duty to pay attention and participate in the election process. Im sticking with the Mueller team, he said, volunteering his primary choice for mayor.

An hour later, there was a steady stream of visitors to the library, seeking to cast their choices in the municipal races before heading off to work.

Two voters cast ballots at the voting center at the St. Joseph County Public Library ballroom Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in South Bend for the 2023 primary election.

We always vote, Patti Toering said. We want to make sure that the people were voting for are doing whats best for the city.

Overseeing her first election, St. Joseph County Clerk Amy Rolfes said things were going very smoothly. No glitches, no hiccups, no nothing, she said. The leadership is what has made this smooth so far. Were all working together, and its been a great experience.

With it also being a lighter municipal election, its also a great way to test the changes that have been implemented since Rolfes took over the position. Though polls close at 6 p.m., those standing in line will still be able to cast their ballots, Rolfes added.

Email Tribune staff writer Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Voters brave cold and rain to cast ballots in South Bend elections
HAVANA, Cuba (AP)  Representatives of Colombias government and the countrys largest remaining guerrilla group met in Cuba on Tuesday to restart peace talks aimed at reaching a cease-fire and resolving a conflict dating back to the 1960s.

It is the third round of talks with the communist-inspired National Liberation Army, known as ELN, in negotiations relaunched in November shortly after President Gustavo Petro was elected as Colombias first leftist president.

We encourage you to take advantage of the magic, mysticism and hope that Cuba always offers, said Cubas Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, welcoming Colombias government officials and a delegation of the ELN to the capital Havana.

Pablo Beltran, the rebels chief negotiator, said the ELN is committed to a transformation to achieve peace and called the meeting a historic coincidence to reach a bilateral cease-fire.

Tuesdays meeting was marked by a surprise appearance of Nicolas Rodriguez Bautista, alias Gabino, who led the ELN from the 1990s until 2021, when he left citing health reasons.

Also in attendance were Colombian senators Ivan Cepeda and Maria Jose Pizarro, who said the talks seek to find real solutions for a country overwhelmed by six decades of war.

Petro has said that peace talks with the ELN are a cornerstone of his plan to bring total peace to the nation of 50 million people, where some rural areas are still under the grip of drug gangs and rebel groups despite a 2016 peace deal with the larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Colombia's National Liberation Army guerrilla commander Pablo speaks in Havana on the eve of peace talks with the government

The lead negotiator of Colombia's National Liberation Army said Monday the guerilla movement hoped to reach a preliminary ceasefire with the government "that works 100 percent."

"It's not a ceasefire for the end of the conflict, it is a preliminary ceasefire. We're very interested in it working," Pablo Beltran told a news conference on the eve of the third round of negotiations in Havana, set to open in the Cuban capital Tuesday.

"In a conflict as complex as the Colombian one, where there are multiple (armed) groups and where there is a very high level of distrust, we must be very cautious so that what is specified is achievable, because otherwise it will lead to more distrust," Beltran said.

Negotiations nearly fell through after an ELN attack last month that killed nine soldiers, but Beltran said the group was committed to the talks.

Colombia has suffered more than half a century of armed conflict between the state and various groups of left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and drug traffickers.

Fighting has continued despite a breakthrough peace deal that saw the massive FARC guerrilla group disarm in 2017.

The government resumed peace talks with the left-wing ELN, considered the last active guerilla group in Colombia, after President Gustavo Petro took office last August pledging to bring a "total peace" to the country.

"We feel like partners of the government," Beltran said, saying that with Colombia's first left-wing government in charge, "it is possible to move forward."

He added that it was important for society to weigh in not just on how to stop the violence, but also on the social and economic problems that the ELN views as the root of the conflict.

The 3,500-strong ELN has taken part in failed negotiations with Colombia's last five presidents.

lp-jb/juf-nro/md
By Dave Sherwood

HAVANA (Reuters) - A ceasefire between Colombia's ELN rebel group and the government must be adhered to "100%" if it is to win the confidence of the Colombian people, the head of the ELN delegation said on Monday ahead of fresh talks in Havana.

Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro restarted peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) last year, but those negotiations were thrown into disarray in March, after the ELN killed nine Colombian soldiers near the border with Venezuela.

Any ceasefire must be "achievable and measurable" to win over the Colombian public, ELN chief negotiator Pablo Beltran told reporters shortly after arriving in Havana for a third round of talks since Petro's election.

"We want ... the Colombian people to see a ceasefire is possible, and that we have agreed to comply," Beltran said. "This (would be) a preliminary ceasefire, not an end to the conflict, so we are interested in it working 100%, that is, zero errors."

Beltran said the March attack that killed nine soldiers was brought on by an "offensive campaign" by Colombia's military.

"There was a series of attacks. What was our response? To defend ourselves. That was the directive," Beltran said.

The attack by the ELN, Petro's government said, damaged Colombian's confidence in the group's commitment to peace. But Beltran said the Colombian military had also killed its fighters in combat operations since the talks began.

"For now, there is no ceasefire. And operations on both sides continue," Beltran said, reaffirming his group's desire to reach a ceasefire during the Havana talks.

Negotiations with the ELN under previous administrations faltered after dissent flared from within its ranks, but Beltran rejected that would be a problem this time around, saying any such agreement would be abided by all of the ELNs fronts.

Petro's government and the ELN concluded a first round of peace talks in Caracas at the end of 2022. A second round of peace talks were held in Mexico this year.

The ELN, founded in 1964 by radical Catholic priests, has some 5,850 members, including 2,900 combatants, and is accused of financing itself through drug trafficking, illegal mining and kidnapping.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood in Havana; Additional reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta and Oliver Griffin in Bogota; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander, has visited the fighters who are holding the defence on the Bakhmut front.

Source: Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi on Telegram; Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote: "We are continuing with defence operations and deterrence of the enemy in the east of Ukraine. I came to see our soldiers who are performing combat tasks on the Bakhmut front.

Together with the commanders, we made a number of necessary decisions aimed at ensuring effective defence and inflicting maximum losses on the enemy."

Details: Syrskyi said that he had spoken with defenders of the Eastern Front.

As the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces states, "people, from a soldier to a brigadier, should always be our focus."

"No one should be left out, because it is thanks to their dedication and professionalism that Bakhmut is holding on," the Ukrainian Ground Forces commander emphasised.

Syrskyi noted that despite all predictions, Ukrainian defenders are holding Bakhmut, killing Wagner mercenaries and other most capable units of the Russian army.

"We are giving our reserves the opportunity to prepare and we are preparing ourselves for further actions," said the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.

Syrskyi expressed his gratitude to the soldiers for their resilience, courage and heroism and presented them with gifts and decorations.

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

The commissioner plans to ask the Cabinet of Ministers to explain the opposite position of Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

Earlier, Lubinets advised Ukrainians in the occupied territories to take Russian passports to survive and to wait for liberation. He says that a law is being drafted that will help to officially relinquish the document.

Read also: Deputy PM Vereshchuk appeals to Russian commissioners to provide lists of Ukrainian orphans

At the same time, the Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, Iryna Vereshchuk, urged residents not to take Russian passports, not to cooperate with the occupation authorities, to evacuate if possible, and to wait for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Read also: Lubinets names numbers of political prisoners held by Russia

Lubinets emphasized in his comments to Suspilne that the state should proceed from the interests of the individual. According to international humanitarian law, the aggressor state is responsible for citizens in the temporarily occupied territory.

"This means that we as a state appreciate that we have no means of protecting the rights of citizens who are there," he added.

The day before, the President's Office said that Ukraine would not prosecute Ukrainian citizens who had been forced to become Russian citizens.

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
President Vladimir Putin has long promised to address low birth rates that have shrunk Russia's labour force

Russia's offensive in Ukraine has aggravated a long-simmering demographic crisis that President Vladimir Putin has struggled to tackle, which could further damage its sanctions-hit economy.

For a country already suffering from a shrinking labour force because of persistently low birth rates, the conflict means even more difficulties that could persist for years.

The mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of men took them off the job market, while prompting many of the most educated parts of the population to flee the country.

"Russia lacks workers," Alexei Raksha, a demographer who previously worked at the Rosstat statistics agency, told AFP.

"It's an old problem, but it has gotten worse due to mobilisation and mass departures," he said.

Russia inherited low birth rates with the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, when birth rates had halved due to economic hardship and uncertainties over the country's future.

Putin has since tried to push families to have children, heralding "traditional values" as a way to solve what he believes to be an existential crisis.

As part of his efforts to boost population growth, he introduced a financial bonus for a second and every following child.

- Already hit by Covid -

Russian authorities have not given updated estimates of troop losses in Ukraine since September 2022, when the Defence Ministry reported 5,937 dead.

Western estimates suggest around 150,000 dead and wounded on each side.

"We don't know about the exact losses in the military operation, but 300,000 people were mobilised, further reducing the number of young people working," said Natalya Zubarevich, an expert at the Moscow State University.

The battlefield losses come on the heels of a deadly coronavirus pandemic, which "hit Russia hard", demographic expert Igor Yefremov told AFP.

Official figures count around 400,000 deaths from Covid-19, but the actual toll is estimated to be much higher.

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Given the shrinking labour force, Russia's low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent is not a healthy sign -- showing instead a shortage of recruits, with various sectors struggling to fill posts.

A survey published on April 19 by the Russian Central Bank confirmed "acute" tensions, particularly in "processing industries", transport and "water supply".

- Will some 'come back'? -

A study last month from the Higher School of Economics said Russia needed to take in 390,000 to 1.1 million migrants every year until the end of the century to avoid population shrinkage.

But some sectors will not be able to compensate the losses of workers, particularly industries requiring high levels of education.

Raksha said the Ukraine conflict triggered two waves of departures, with "many highly qualified people, including IT specialists", leaving Russia.

He estimated that around 150,000 people, including around 100,000 men, quit Russia in February-March 2022, just weeks after the conflict erupted.

After Putin announced a mobilisation for the country in September, Raksha estimates that another half a million left.

A recent law has imposed economic restrictions on draft dodgers, which could encourage those who have fled abroad to settle there permanently.

Still, Zubarevich said more than 60 percent of those who left continue working for Russian companies remotely.

"And some of them will come back," she said.

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When U.S. Senators Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, and John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, introduced a bill in June 2022 to expand grants for civics education, most observers saw it as something of an olive branch. Colleagues on both sides of the aisle immediately announced their support for the proposal, a near-miracle in an age of withering bipartisanship.

But despite initial momentum, three now-familiar letters stopped the bill in its tracks: C-R-T.

A mostly unknown conservative scholar writing in the National Review that month claimed the bill would allow the Biden administration to push Critical Race Theory (CRT) on every public school in the country, calling the Republican co-sponsors naive victims of a hidden leftist agenda. Critical race theory, which posits that racism permeates American institutions, has become right-wing shorthand for any classroom discussion of race.

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Cornyn, who proposed the legislation and is the former GOP majority whip, dismissed the allegations, writing on Twitter that the false, hysterical claims are untrue and worthy of a Russian active measures campaign, not a serious discussion of our bill.

But truthful or not, the criticisms spread like wildfire. The National Review op-ed racked up thousands of interactions on social media and, within 24 hours, 1776 Action and America First Policy Institute, groups that support whats known as patriotic education, had published dire reports pulling directly from the article.

Then, just days later, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mimicked the message, stating in a press release the $1 billion federal civics bill would award grants to indoctrinate students with ideologies like Critical Race Theory.

Soon after, far-right Breitbart News ran an article whose headline pulled word-for-word from the National Review editorial and targeted Cornyn as the bills key backer. High-profile commentators took to social media urging their followers to call their lawmakers opposing what they described as Trojan horse garbage sponsored by RINOs, or Republicans In Name Only.

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The senators Civics Secures Democracy Act went no further.

How did this firestorm start and who wrote the op-ed that lit the match?

The story begins years prior and revolves around Stanley Kurtz, a little-noticed power player shaping the rights recent offensives in the education culture wars.

The Civics Secures Democracy Act, co-sponsored by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, right, stalled after Stanley Kurtz penned an op-ed in the National Review saying the bill would allow the Biden administration to push Critical Race Theory (CRT) on every public school in the country. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

An enemy of action civics

Though his writings are regularly shared by GOP heavy hitters including Fox News analysts, groups like Parents Defending Education and sitting U.S. senators, Kurtz has flown mostly under the radar.

Nobodys talking about his role at all, said Jeremy Young, a senior manager for the free expression advocacy group, PEN America.

Kurtz, a 69-year-old former university instructor and longtime conservative commentator, has spearheaded a quiet but influential campaign to cleanse classrooms of what he calls woke civics.

He certainly has a fairly large megaphone among conservatives, said Neal McCluskey, director of the libertarian Cato Institutes Center for Educational Freedom.

Stanley Kurtz (EPPC)

In Youngs estimation, only two figures have had a wider national influence on anti-CRT legislation than Kurtz: Christopher Rufo, the man who brought the lightning-rod term into the rights vernacular, and Russell Vought, president of the Center for Renewing America, who has fought to add teeth to the bills.

But Kurtz has made his mark in a niche way.

He goes after specific things like civics education that are not as central for some of the other [figures], Young said.

At least eight bills proposed in five states have pulled from Kurtzs 2021 Partisanship Out of Civics model legislation, according to a PEN America report, making the scholar one of the key thought leaders driving the recent surge in classroom censorship bills. And his advocacy in Texas led to the 2021 passage of an unprecedented state law banning assignments that involve direct communication between students and their federal, state or local lawmakers.

Related: How Texas Lawmakers Gutted Civics

At the core of Kurtzs activism is a central idea: That hands-on civics lessons, such as students writing to their legislators, will lead to school-sponsored indoctrination and political action in support of progressive policy positions.

The scholar, who draws a roughly $172,000 yearly salary from a think tank and lists an apartment address in Washington D.C.s affluent Forest Hills neighborhood in tax records, declined a phone interview, saying he prefer[s] to comment by email. In written messages, he explained he believes hands-on civics projects tilt overwhelmingly to the left.

Any sort of political protest or lobbying done by students is subject to undue pressure from the biases of teachers, peers and non-profits working with schools. Political protest and lobbying ought to be done by students outside of school hours, independently of any class projects or grades, he said.

Kurtzs arguments amount to a fabricated boogeyman, said Derek Black, a University of South Carolina law professor.

Derek Black

Nonetheless, the idea that frothing-at-the-mouth Democratic teachers [could] create little warrior bands of students to go out and fight their political wars for them has become a captivating concern for some on the right, Black said, largely thanks to Kurtz.

Its a worry that traces back to 2017 when the National Association of Scholarss David Randall, who told The 74 hes a personal friend of Kurtzs, published a report warning of the proliferation of a New Civics that teaches students a good citizen is a radical activist.

At issue for Kurtz was a type of programming known as action civics popularized by the nonprofit Generation Citizen. In the approach, celebrated by several academic researchers, students learn to navigate local government by picking an issue they care about, studying it and presenting their findings to officials.

The central philosophy is that students learn civics best by doing civics, Generation Citizen Policy Director Andrew Wilkes said.

The 74 reviewed over three dozen student projects from Texas and found that the vast majority dealt with apolitical local issues, such as reducing texting while driving in school zones. A handful in Austin and nearby Elgin did lean left, such as on gun control or school admissions prioritizing diversity, topics educators said students selected based on their own interests.

McCluskey, at the Cato Institute, has documented over 3,400 ideological battles in public schooling for more than a decade and said he has yet to see compelling evidence that liberal bias in civics classes has become a widespread problem. A 74 review of McCluskeys tracker revealed that only a handful of incidents concerned civics.

Accurate or not, Kurtzs depiction of woke civics is now being felt in Americas classrooms.

A bill with wonderful uptake

When the scholar penned his model legislation in 2021, which said students should be banned from receiving class credit for lobbying or advocacy at the federal, state or local level, lawmakers and advocates across the country pounced. The response was thanks, in part, to impeccable timing: Kurtz published just a few months before policies to restrict lessons related to race and gender began to crop up in dozens of state legislatures nationwide.

The Manhattan Institute, where Rufo now works, included the bills anti-lobbying provisions in its own model bill that author James Copland said he presented at the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, an annual forum to swap right-wing law-making proposals.

And Linda Bennett, a recently retired GOP South Carolina state representative, introduced a 2021 bill by the exact same name as Kurtzs Partisanship Out of Civics Act.

No need to reinvent the wheel if somebodys got it right, she told The 74.

Bennett insisted that her office had become flooded with young students, coerced by their educators, demanding that she please support allowing teachers to teach critical race theory. But neither she nor Copland could name a specific school or teacher that had distorted their civics lessons in such a way or influenced students to take an activist stance.

In Texas, where a piece of Kurtzs model legislation on civics became law, the result was an unprecedented restriction on students civic engagement. Legislators tucked a clause into the eighth page of their classroom censorship bill outlawing all assignments involving direct communication between students and their federal, state or local officials.

In the two years since passage, Texas educators say they have been forced to abandon time-honored assignments such as having students attend a school board meeting or advocate for local causes like a stop sign at an intersection near campus.

There are all sorts of other civics education thats getting rolled up here, PEN Americas Young said, adding that its a byproduct of what he calls shockingly vague legislation.

Sarai Paez, a recent high school graduate from a suburb outside Austin, said the new law is a step backwards. Students in her ninth-grade civics class passed a 2018 city ordinance calling for youth representation in their local government  advocacy that would now be outlawed.

Theres no need to take away something that has affected  a group of people in a positive way, she said.

Sarai Paez and her classmates present to the Bastrop, Texas, city council. Perez stands behind the speaker wearing a gray dress and black tights. (Megan Brandon)

Though Kurtz said by email he has a policy of not commenting on any consultations by office holders or policy experts, Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, the bills Republican sponsor, acknowledged to The Texas Tribune that he conferred with Kurtz in drafting the legislation.

Toth and state Sen. Bryan Hughes, the GOP sponsor in the other chamber, did not respond to requests for comment.

In Ohio and South Dakota, where proposed legislation also pulled from Kurtzs bill, Kurtz himself testified on behalf of the policies in 2021 and 2022, respectively, though neither proposal passed.

Randall, research director at the National Association of Scholars, where Kurtz published the model legislation, said hes been quite pleased with the bills uptake.

If you had asked me when this was published, Would you be happy if, several years from now, it had been turned into law in Texas?  I would have said that was a wonderful result.

Money trail

Kurtz and the right-wing lawmakers and advocates who have helped translate his policy agenda into practice are linked by more than just shared philosophy. Theyre also connected by money.

His employer, the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank dedicated to applying the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to critical issues of public policy, has a dozen funders in common with the Manhattan Institute, tax filings reveal, including mega-donors like the Charles Koch Foundation.

Copland, at the Manhattan Institute, said he did not consult with Kurtz while putting together his anti-CRT model legislation, but acknowledged some of his colleagues may have.

Toth, in Texas, also receives campaign funds from the Koch Foundation. And Gov. DeSantis, in Florida, shares at least one donor, Fidelity Investments, in common with Kurtzs think tank.

On more than one occasion, the issues Kurtz speaks out on have soon found their way to DeSantiss bully pulpit. The governor recently doubled down on civics education rooted in patriotism and his rejection earlier this year of the College Boards AP African American Studies curriculum came just a few months after Kurtz began writing critically about the issue. Kurtz named two authors specifically in his September article, Robin Kelley and Kimberle Crenshaw, who the Florida Department of Education later objected to.

Education department press secretary Cassie Palelis said Floridas concerns with the course were the result of a thorough review, and that its correspondence with the College Board had begun in early 2022. When asked whether officials referenced Kurtzs work during that process and, if so, what role it played, Palelis did not address the question.

Kurtzs work drew one of the Ethics and Public Policy Centers more sizable recent donations, according to the most recently available tax records. In 2019, the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation donated $150,000 to support one of his projects. The foundation funds a variety of causes including instilling Americas founding values in the next generation of citizens.

The Ethics and Public Policy Center did not respond to requests for comment.

Despite the overlapping web of donors, Young, who has tracked the nationwide spread of anti-CRT laws, does not see a coordinated campaign.

There are some people who look at this and sort of see a conspiracy, he said. I just see a bunch of people talking to each other who have aligned interests.

Lawmakers tend to pull from legislation circulating in other states and it just snowballs, he added.

As for the Kurtz model legislation, its influence continues to spread. Randall, at the National Association of Scholars, which shares nine funders in common with the Ethics and Public Policy Center, said the organizations work in advancing the bill continues, particularly at the local level.

In January, a district outside of Colorado Springs voted to adopt a new Birthright social studies curriculum developed by Randalls Civics Alliance that bans awarding course credit for service learning or action civics.

We are in it for the long haul, Randall said. Our mission is to inspire as many Americans as possible to join this work.

Disclosure: The Stand Together Trust, which was founded by Charles Koch, provides financial support to The 74, which also participates in the Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellowship.
Cooking oil may be the new copper, a commodity ripe for thievery and easy to resell.

Recently, federal agents in the Rochester region arrested six individuals, accused of stealing used cooking oil with plans to sell it for refinement into biodiesel fuel. While this appears to be a unique case locally, it is a crime that has become far more common nationwide.

The Albany region and Long Island this year reported a spike in the theft of cooking oil from barrels and storage containers typically left outside of restaurants. Restaurants across the country can generate up to three billion gallons of used cooking oil a year, according to past research by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

"This crime has happened plenty of times," said Sumit Majumdar, the owner of Buffalo Biodiesel, a North Tonawanda, Erie County business that sells grease and oil to companies for the creation of biodiesel fuels. Majumdar has long been vocal about the prevalence of theft, but said it for many years has been ignored.

Law enforcement investigators have likened the crimes to the common theft of copper from homes and business. Just as stolen cooking oil often goes through a intermediary to biodiesel companies, copper materials typically went from thieves to middlemen then into a booming international copper trade.

Surveillance photo of alleged cooking oil theft in Monroe County NY.

Majumdar alleged that some of the oil thieves he has encountered through his experience and research are working for organized crime circles. The hesitancy by law enforcement to tackle the crime has allowed it to fester, he said.

"It's like anything else," he said. "If law enforcement does its job, this gets resolved very quickly."

He said he has lost millions through theft.

Arrested for alleged thefts in Monroe County were: Guodeng Chen, Didi Huang and Fangfang Yan, all of Pittsford, according to federal prosecutors, and Ruimao Yang, Yan Han and Wen Xiao Zhang, all of New York City. They are accused of conspiracy and the transportation and sale of stolen goods in interstate commerce.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan McGuire said in a news release that they are accused of stealing the oil from restaurants across the county, and the cooking oil can be refined into biodiesel fuel and resold for $4 to $5 a gallon.

The investigation included the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the federal Department of Homeland Security. Sheriff's deputies first encountered two of the accused leaving a restaurant in a storage truck in the early hours of an April morning last year. The truck's ownership tracked to a packaging supply company, and the investigation mushroomed from there, leading to court-ordered tracking devices on the company trucks and search warrants at businesses located at the multi-use facilities at 300 and 350 Commerce Dr. in Henrietta.

During the warrant executions last year, deputies "discovered 12,461 gallons of unrefined oil, worth over $73,000, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. "A review of documents and records found during the search warrants revealed that the defendants sold and shipped the stolen oil to a refinery located in Erie, Pennsylvania."

Investigators were able to track two shipments totaling 95,320 gallons of oil from the warehouse to the Pennsylvania refinery. The accused were paid $60,051 for the shipments, prosecutors allege.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Cooking oil thefts on the rise; 6 arrested in Rochester NY region
President of upcoming UN climate talks Sultan Al Jaber told a climate forum in Berlin that renewables' capacity must triple by 2030

The president of upcoming UN climate talks Sultan Al Jaber on Tuesday called on participants to drastically ramp up their use of renewable energy ahead of the key summit in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

The meeting in November needs "ambitious, transparent and accountable commitments from countries and businesses", Al Jaber said in a speech at the opening of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, a meeting of climate diplomats in Berlin.

"We will accelerate delivery in sectors like renewables that must triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040," he added.

The summit chief's call echoes a key target laid out by the International Energy Agency.

Al Jaber had already raised the potential target at a closed-door meeting with G7 leaders in Japan last month.

While setting out a goal for faster renewables expansion, Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, did not call for a complete end to the use of fossil fuels.

Rather, the future COP28 chair said the focus must be on removing the emissions such fuels produce.

"We must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero-carbon alternatives," said Al Jaber.

Climate activists have criticised the decision to hold COP28 in the oil-rich UAE and the choice as COP president of Al Jaber, who also serves as the Gulf state's minister of industry and advanced technology.

- Climate fund -

Al Jaber also used his speech to call on developed countries to deliver a long promised $100-billion climate package for developing countries.

"This is holding up progress. And as part of my outreach, I am requesting donor countries to provide a definitive assessment on the delivery of this commitment before COP28," Al Jaber said.

In 2009, the chaotic UN climate summit in Copenhagen saw rich nations promise $100 billion a year by 2020 to the Global South, but last year the OECD said the amount delivered was still $17 billion short.

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At the same time, the funding needed for developing countries to stop burning planet-heating fossil fuels and prepare for future climate disasters has already far outstripped that sum.

Campaigners are pushing for a redesign of the global financial architecture to help countries cope, as many emerging nations grapple with rising costs, soaring debts and extreme weather events.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is hosting the Petersberg dialogue, however, reported that the pledged sum may finally be close.

"The good news is we are on the way to finally reaching this $100-billion sum this year," she said.

- Protest group -

Earlier this year, the UNs climate expert panel said the world risks crossing the key 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit in about a decade, urging a drastic reduction in planet-heating emissions.

While solar and wind power are already increasing dramatically, the UN report said that existing fossil fuel infrastructure will be enough to push the world beyond 1.5C, without the effective use of costly and emerging technology to capture and store the carbon pollution.

The meeting in Berlin came as the German capital was roiled by days of climate protests, with the action continuing Tuesday.

Campaigners from the Last Generation group have caused widespread disruption in the city by sticking themselves to the road surface to stop traffic and agitate for more climate protection.

Among other measures, Last Generation has called for the government to provide a "detailed plan" to meet the goal of a 1.5C-limit and introduce a general speed limit.

Representatives from the group met Germany's Transport Minister Volker Wissing on Tuesday.

Wissing said on radio Deutschlandfunk that he was surprised the activists "make so few sensible suggestions for climate protection and at the same time act so radically".

burs-sea/hmn/kjm
People will be invited to pledge their allegiance to King Charles during his coronation alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort. (AP)

Brits watching King Charles's coronation will play a part in proceedings  but the jury's out on whether they're particularly keen on the idea.

As part of the ceremony, members of the public will be invited to join in the "homage of the people", which will be used for the first time and replaces the traditional "homage of peers" in the service, in what has been dubbed the pledge of allegiance.

But campaign group Republic branded the pledge "offensive, tone deaf and a gesture that holds the people in contempt".

For the first time in the coronation of a British monarch, someone who is not a member of the Church of England will participate in the service, as prime minister Rishi Sunak, whose religion is Hindu, will read from the Bible.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak will take part in the ceremony. (AP)

Additionally, there will be a procession of faith representatives into Westminster Abbey, and King Charles will receive a greeting from representatives from the Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist faiths after he is crowned.

The service will also for the first time feature female bishops, as well as a hymn sung in English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish Gaelic  which is reportedly intended to represent the diversity of modern Britain.

What is the coronation allegiance pledge?

Officially called the homage of the people, the pledge replaces the homage of peers, which saw dukes pledge their allegiance to the monarch.

The order of service will read: All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together:

All: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.

A fanfare will play following the pledge.

Royal enthusiasts will no doubt take part in the pledge of allegiance to King Charles. (AP)

A Lambeth Palace spokesperson said: Those watching and listening at home and elsewhere will be invited to make their homage by sharing in the same words  a chorus of millions of voices enabled for the first time in history to participate in this solemn and joyful moment."

Why is the pledge controversial?

While the palace may view the homage of the people as "a chorus of millions of voices", the people don't necessarily feel the same.

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A recent poll from YouGov showed that the majority of Brits are not interested in the coronation, while an exclusive survey for Yahoo showed that 54% of people said they would not be tuning in to watch King Charles's big day.

The idea of swearing an oath to the monarch was dismissed as "tone deaf" by critics of the Royal Family, with Graham Smith from the campaign group Republic commenting: "This oath plan has been widely mocked, and the chances of more than 0.001% of the country taking this seriously are zero. With just 9% of people enthusiastic about the coronation, this plan shows just how out of touch the royals are."

Protesters hold placards with the message 'Not my king' before King Charles III arrives to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March. (AP)

Political economist and chartered accountant Professor Richard Murphy wrote on Twitter: "I don't mind swearing. It's the allegiance to an outdated legacy of eugenic feudal power that I have a problem with."

A poll from Yahoo News UK showed that more than 70% of users dd not plan to swear their allegiance to the king during the coronation. Have your say here.

Protests have been threatened during the coronation, which, alongside security fears, has pushed the expected coronation bill up to an estimated 250m, according to The Mirror.
A Chinese man's harrowing ordeal at a Tibetan hotel, where a corpse was found under his bed, has led to a murder investigation and a suspect's arrest.

The man noticed a "strong" smell when he checked into his hotel in Lhasa on 21 April.

After he moved to a different room, a body was discovered under the bed he had slept on for three hours.

Later that night, police told him they had arrested a person in connection with the case.

The man, identified in local media only as Mr Zhang, later told Shangyou News that he left Lhasa the next day.

With its warm lights and wooden balconies, Guzang Shuhua Inn, where Mr Zhang stayed, is a so-called influencer hotel, popular on social media as an ideal spot for photos.

Mr Zhang posted a review of his stay online, but it didn't attract much attention until another user shared a screengrab of the review on social media on 28 April. The hotel responded to this post, denying the incident altogether.

Mr Zhang then shared his experience on Weibo, and included a receipt as evidence of his stay. This drew the attention of local media, who soon contacted him for an interview.

"I am very scared and I am still struggling to sleep," he told Shangyou News in an interview on 30 April.

He said once he checked into the room, he rested for a few hours, even sleeping on the bed, before going out around 15:30 local time.

He returned a few hours later to change for dinner. He again noticed the smell, but assumed it might be coming from the bakery downstairs, or the result of the room's heating system. He wondered if his feet were the problem. But when he returned after dinner, the smell was so bad that he asked to be moved to a different room.

Late into the night, hotel staff knocked on Mr Zhang's door and asked him to come downstairs to the room he had vacated.

Police were waiting there to record his statement, and collect his DNA sample. He says they told him not to worry because they had already arrested someone as part of their investigation.

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The police have not disclosed any more details about the case, but they released a video of the suspect being arrested on a train to Lanzhou city, which is located in another province.

Mr Zhang said he had been reluctant to publicise his experience, but was forced to because of the hotel's denial and accusations on social media that he had made up the incident.

His posts describing what happened have since sparked thousands of comments, and tens of thousands of reactions.
Corpus Christi police assisted the Drug Enforcement Administration in arresting 49 people in an operation targeting an organization accused of distributing fentanyl-laced drugs in the Coastal Bend.

Corpus Christi Police Departments Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division logo

Corpus Christi Police Department narcotics investigators, along with DEA, served 11 search warrants targeting the Chad Wesevich Drug Trafficking Organization, according to a news release from the police department.

"DEA described this operation as the largest and most productive counterfeit pill investigation in the Southern District of Texas," the release stated.

While executing search warrants, investigators seized two industrial pill presses, thousands of counterfeit pills, methamphetamine, cocaine, THC products and $2 million in assets.

Forty-nine people were arrested on state and federal charges. According to the news release, one suspect, whose identity was not released, fled to Ecuador after her arrest. She was apprehended and extradited back to the United States.

"She is the first federal fugitive in over 20 years to be extradited to the United States from Ecuador on federal drug charges," the release stated.

During the investigation, officials identified 10 people who died because of fentanyl-laced pills and heroin distributed by the drug trafficking organization.

"The operation sought justice for the families of victims who lost their lives to the poison circulated by Chad Wesevich and his co-conspirators," the release stated.

CCPD did not immediately respond to requests for more information.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi police, DEA arrest 49 in fentanyl trafficking bust
Donald Trump will not testify in his own defense in writer E. Jean Carroll's civil defamation and battery case against the former president, Trump's attorney said Tuesday at the end of the day's testimony.

Carroll, who brought the lawsuit in November, alleges that Trump defamed her in a 2022 Truth Social post by calling her allegations "a Hoax and a lie" and saying "This woman is not my type!" when he denied her claim that Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the 1990s.

She added a charge of battery under a recently adopted New York law that allows adult survivors of sexual abuse to sue their alleged attacker regardless of the statute of limitations. Trump has denied all allegations that he raped Carroll or defamed her.

MORE: E. Jean Carroll says 'shameful' feelings kept her from reporting alleged assault by Trump

As Judge Lewis Kaplan was asking the lawyers Tuesday to forecast the remainder of the case, defense attorney Joe Tacopina affirmed that he has just one expert witness.

"So Mr. Trump is not going to be coming?" the judge asked. "Correct," Tacopina said.

"It's his call," the judge said. "I understand that. You understand that. He understands that."

Tacopina had said at the start of the trial that Trump would make the decision as the trial progressed. Trump was not required to appear, as the trial is a civil case and not a criminal one.

PHOTO: Former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll departs Manhattan federal court, May 1, 2023, in New York. (John Minchillo/AP)

During Tuesday's testimony, a businesswoman told jurors that Trump had groped her during a flight to New York in 1979, in what Carroll's attorneys said showed a pattern of behavior on Trump's part. Jessica Leeds is one of two women who the court has ruled are allowed to testify about prior alleged assaults by Trump.

Leeds, who first made her allegations to The New York Times just before the 2016 presidential election, testified that she was on a flight to New York when she was bumped up to first class from her coach seat and wound up next to Trump.

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"When I got up there and sat down, the gentleman sitting by the window introduced himself as Donald Trump. We shook hands," Leeds, who was 37 at the time, testified. "What happened was, they served a meal. And it was cleared and we were sitting there, when all of a sudden Trump decided to kiss me and grope me."

She said there was no conversation -- "It was out of the blue."

Leeds described the alleged encounter "like a tussle," saying, "He was trying to kiss me. He was trying to pull me towards him. He was grabbing my breasts. It was like he had 40 million hands."

"It was when he started putting his hand up my skirt, that gave me a jolt of strength," testified Leeds, who said she freed herself and went "storming back to my seat in the back of coach."

Trump has denied the allegations.

Leeds, like Carroll, did not scream or yell during the alleged encounter.

"It never occurred to me to yell out," Leeds said. When asked "Why not?" by Carroll's attorney, she said, "I don't know."

Leeds recalled waiting until every other passenger had deplaned before she left, because she didn't want to risk running into Trump again. She said she told no one about the alleged incident.

"I did not tell anybody at work because I didn't think they would be interested in my experience," Leeds said. "At that time and that place, in the work environment, men could basically get away with a lot."

Leeds said she only revealed what allegedly happened to her when Trump started running for president.

"I started off telling my family, telling my children, telling my friends, my neighbors, my book club, anyone and everyone who would listen to me," Leeds said. "I thought he was not the kind of person we wanted as president."

Leeds said that three years after the alleged incident, she saw Trump with his pregnant then-wife, Ivana, at a Humane Society of New York gala at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she was giving out table assignments.

"He looked at me and he said, 'I remember you, you're that c--- from the airplane,'" Leeds said. "It was like a bucket of cold water thrown over my head."

MORE: 'Trump raped me,' E. Jean Carroll testifies in battery, defamation case

On cross-examination, Tacopina asked, incredulously, "That was from a few-second interaction from an airplane that he remembered you, apparently?"

Leeds testified that she could not recall the exact date of the alleged assault, could not recall the origin of her LaGuardia-bound flight, and did not know who Trump was at the time, describing him as "some random guy sitting next to me on the airplane."

"Fair to say you can't name one witness who saw what happened to you?" Tacopina asked. "Correct," Leeds replied.

"Not a single person can corroborate your story?" Tacopina asked. "That is correct," Leeds said.

On re-direct, Carroll's attorney, Michael Ferrara, asked, "Are you making this up because you hate Donald Trump?"

"No, I'm not making this up," Leeds answered.

Asked why she didn't report the alleged assault to her bosses, since it occurred on a business trip, Leeds said, "If I had gone in and complained about what had happened, my feeling was my boss would say to me, 'That's really too bad, how about lunch?'"

"I didn't want any sympathy. I wanted this job," said Leeds. "It was a good paying job."

The jury also saw a clip of Trump on the 2016 campaign trial denying Leeds' accusation, saying, "She would not be my first choice" -- echoing his response to Carroll that "she's not my type."

MORE: E. Jean Carroll says Harvey Weinstein, #MeToo movement made her come forward about Trump

Earlier Tuesday, a friend of Carroll, writer Lisa Birnbach, testified that Carroll called her within "five to seven minutes" of Trump's alleged attack at Bergdorf Goodman's.

"She told me that Donald Trump recognized her outside or right in the doorway of Bergdorf Goodman, he asked her to help him shop, and assaulted her upstairs in a dressing room," Birnbach testified.

Birnbach testified that she "thought it was kind of nutty" for Carroll to go to the lingerie department with Trump, but she did not think it was dangerous.

"I had just spent a few days with him," Birnbach said of Trump, referring to two days she spent at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate for a Feb. 12, 1996, piece she wrote for New York magazine. "He didn't strike me as dangerous."

Birnbach described the alleged assault as she said Carroll relayed it to her, saying, "He slammed his whole arm, pinned her against the wall with his arm and shoulders and with his free hand pulled down her tights."

"And E. Jean said to me many times, 'He pulled down my tights, he pulled down my tights.' Almost like she couldn't believe it had just happened to her," Birnbach said.

"As soon as she said that, even though I knew my children didn't know the word, I ducked out of the room and I whispered 'E. Jean, he raped you, you should go to the police,'" Birnbach testified.

"She said, 'No, no I don't want to go to the police,'" Birnbach told the jury, saying that Carroll made her promise that "'you will never speak of this again and promise me that you will tell no one.' And I promised her both those things."

A former executive at Bergdorf Goodman, Robert Salerno, testified Tuesday that there were no security cameras in the sixth floor lingerie department at the time of the alleged assault. He also testified that he's seen Trump shop in the store.

MORE: Judge rules Trump can't claim 'logistical burdens' if he decides not to attend upcoming trial in NYC

In earlier testimony, Carroll described being in somewhat of a stupor when she called Birnbach after leaving the department store, laughing as she relayed her alleged encounter with Trump. It was Birnbach, Carroll said, who told her to stop laughing because she had been raped.

"And even when Lisa said it, it took a real effort for me to take it in," Carroll testified. "Lisa is the one who focused my brain for that moment. It was Lisa saying that."

Birnbach said the account that Carroll gave when she went public with the accusation in her 2019 book matched what Carroll told her in the spring of 1996.

"After I read the excerpt, I called E. Jean and told her how brave she was and what a good piece it was," Birnbach said.

"She's not a victim," Birnbach said. "She doesn't want anybody's pity. She is somebody who, and I think it's the way she was raised, instead of wallowing, she puts on lipstick, dusts herself off, and moves on. I think that's how she has gotten through her life."

Birnbach told the jury that she supported Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, was "surprised and upset" Trump won, and, on her podcast, called Trump a "narcissistic sociopath" who is "an infection like herpes that we can't get rid of."

But, she said, she was only testifying "because my friend, my good friend, who is a good person, told me something terrible that happened to her. As a result she lost her employment and her life became very, very difficult. I am here because I want the world to know that she was telling the truth."

The defense has said that Carroll was motivated by "political reasons" to publish her allegation against Trump and, subsequently, sue him for defamation and battery. In its cross-examination of Birnbach, the defense questioned her about unflattering things she has said about Trump online and on various podcasts.

"Do you recall saying in a Facebook post the following: 'Does it get worse than Donald Trump? I'll tell you in my entire life I've never felt a hatred like a feel toward this person,'" defense attorney Perry Brandt asked Birnbach. He asked if, on a podcast, she said, "President Trump, and I don't like to use those two words together." On a different podcast, he asked if she said of Trump, "He's a madman. He's a narcissistic sociopath. He's a malignant sociopath. He's a Russian agent. He's bad, he's bad, and God knows what he can do before he leaves."

MORE: Trump calls E. Jean Carroll 'whack job' in newly released deposition transcript

Birnbach testified that all of those things sound like something she would have said.

On re-direct, Carroll's attorney, Shawn Crowley, asked Birnbach, "When Ms. Carroll had called you in 1996 and told you he had just assaulted her, was he a political figure?" Birnbach replied, "Not at all."

"Donald Trump in 1996 was a well-known New York person," Birnbach said. "He was not in politics. He was not near politics. He was a guy who liked publicity and attention and he was also a known womanizer. My friend wasn't raped by a president. She was assaulted by a guy, a real estate guy."

"Would you lie to prevent Donald Trump from being president?" Crowley asked.

"Never," Birnbach replied.

Testimony concluded for the day with the plaintiff's expert on the witness stand.

Dr. Leslie Lebowitz, a clinical psychologist, testified that she had concluded that Carroll had been harmed by Trump's alleged assault.

"There were three dominant ways that I felt that she had been harmed," Lebowitz said. "She has suffered from painful, intrusive memories for many years. She endured a diminishment in how she thought and felt about herself. And perhaps most prominently, she manifests very notable avoidance symptoms which have curtailed her romantic and intimate life and caused profound loss."

On Monday, under cross examination by Tacopina, Carroll said she didn't contact police after she was allegedly attacked by Trump because, as a woman born in the 1940s, she's a member of the "silent generation" that didn't speak up about such things. The exchange came after Tacopina introduced several of her advice columns for Elle magazine in which she suggested that her readers call police in the event of a sexual assault or threat.

MORE: In deposition, Trump mistook rape accuser E. Jean Carroll for his 2nd wife

"There were numerous times where you've advised your readers to call the police" despite Carroll never reporting her own alleged rape to police, Tacopina said to Carroll.

"In most cases I advised my readers to go to the police," Carroll replied.

"I was born in 1943," she said. "I am a member of the silent generation. Women like me were taught to keep our chins up and not complain. The fact that I never went to the police is not surprising for someone my age. I would rather have done anything than call the police."

The answer was stricken from the record as nonresponsive to the question posed, but the exchange continued the defense's questioning of Carroll's actions following the alleged assault, and their suggestions that her behavior -- not going to the police, not seeking security camera footage, continuing to shop at Bergdorf's -- is at odds with how other sex assault victims might behave.

The nine-member jury of six men and three women is weighing Carroll's defamation and battery claims and deciding potential monetary damages.

Carroll's lawsuit is her second against Trump related to her rape allegation.

She previously sued Trump in 2019 after the then-president denied her rape claim by telling The Hill that Carroll was "totally lying," saying, "I'll say it with great respect: No. 1, she's not my type. No. 2, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" That defamation suit has been caught in a procedural back-and-forth over the question of whether Trump, as president, was acting in his official capacity as an employee of the federal government when he made those remarks.

If Trump is determined to have been acting as a government employee, the U.S. government would substitute as the defendant in that suit -- which means that case would go away, since the government cannot be sued for defamation.

This month's trial is taking place as Trump seeks the White House for a third time, while facing numerous legal challenges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, his handling of classified material after leaving the White House, and possible attempts to interfere in Georgia's 2020 vote. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said last week she would decide whether to file criminal charges against Trump or his allies this summer.

Trump will not testify in E. Jean Carroll battery, defamation case, his attorney says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Correction: Earlier versions of this article reported Erie County Council voted 5-2 to use $1 million in gaming revenue to sustain the county's Fire/EMS Transformational Grant Program. The vote was changed to 6-1 after County Councilman Andre Horton switched his vote to the affirmative once the vote was complete.

Fire and emergency medical services in Erie County are in crisis.

Staffing and funding shortfalls, and rising costs, have placed local fire departments and EMS providers in a financial bind, and have left the administration of Erie County Executive Brenton Davis scrambling for funding remedies.

Their latest target: casino gaming revenue.

EMS crisis: Summit agency wants to keep its ambulances close to home. What it means for Erie County

Erie County Council on Tuesday approved a request by the administration to use $1 million in gaming revenue to sustain its Fire/EMS Transformational Grant Program.

The program, which began in 2021, has been using American Rescue Plan funds to provide checks of up to $150,000 to fire departments and EMS providers that aim to bolster staffing and improve their service area coverage.

Those ARP funds are running out.

By the end of March, a little more than $60,000 remained of the $575,615 allocated to the program, said Erie County Director of Public Safety John Grappy.

A commission made up of representatives of Albion and Cranesville boroughs and Conneaut and Elk Creek townships has contracted with the Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department to provide fire protection in the four municipalities and has a temporary contract with the department to provide emergency medical service.

In his request to council, Grappy argued that a $1 million infusion of gaming revenue would keep the grant program alive. He also said it would foster long-term benefits, as the program  via a competitive grant application process  incentivizes applicants to collaborate and devise strategies to sustain costs after the grant money runs out.

"The grant is to incentivize a model of regionalization," he said.

Council voted 6-1 in favor of the request. Councilman Andre Horton, who initially voted against the measure, requested his vote be switched to the affirmative. Councilwoman Mary Rennie was the sole nay vote.

Rennie and Horton, who each represent large blocs of the city of Erie, argued that the $1 million in gaming revenue has already been obligated to other areas. Diverting it, they said, could place a number of projects at risk, or give way to a tax hike.

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Rennie, Horton say gaming revenue fund balance depleting

Rennie and Horton discussed how council's former financial advisor had warned this past fall that the gaming fund balance would be depleted by the end of 2024 as a result of overuse.

Rennie said the gaming fund balance was purposely being accrued to help fund the Erie County Community College, both in terms of its rising operating costs and as matching funds for a $10 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant.

More: Community College receives $10 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project grant

"If that funding is not available, then it's going to fall on taxpayers  there's no way we can dodge that," she said.

Horton said the "No. 1 argument" of those critics who had fought against the formation of a community college  to include members of the administration  was that taxpayers were going to pay for it.

Davis opposes community college: Erie County community college opponents question plan

"So, it kind of feels like (they're) trying to make the college implode," Horton said of the administration.

When Rennie said "we're obligated to fund the community college," County Director of Finance Paul Lichtenwalter responded "the county is (but) the gaming fund is not."

County Director of Administration Doug Smith agreed that "if we don't use gaming money for a commitment to the college, then we would use other county funds."

Rennie reminded her colleagues that council in 2021 had approved an additional $1 million in ARP funds to public safety projects like the transformational grant program.

But, she said, it was Davis who re-budgeted and redirected those funds to plug the general fund deficit and to fund projects like the construction of a manufacturing and battery-testing center at Penn State Behrend.

"I thought it was a good plan the first time I voted for it," Rennie said of the public safety investments. "I still think it's a good idea, but the money got pulled out from underneath our feet."

Finance director says there's enough gaming revenue

Erie County receives roughly $11 million in revenue each year from Presque Isle Downs & Casino.

Of that $11 million, $5.5 million goes to county government, $1 million goes to the Land Bank and the remaining $4.5 million goes to the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.

The $1 million for the Fire/EMS Transformational Grant Program would come from the county government share.

Lichtenwalter told council the annual $11 million figure is now closer to $14 million as a result of increased patronage at the casino. He also said the gaming revenue fund balance has grown as a result of the county not using up its annual share in the past couple years.

In 2021, the fund balance was roughly $8.5 million and roughly $12 million in 2022, according to charts provided to the Erie Times-News by the administration.

"If we take $1 million out of that fund, there will still be a lot of money there " Lichtenwalter said.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County EMS crisis: Casino gaming revenue tapped to fund EMS grant
A couple is suing the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and Waltham police and city officials alleging civil rights violations after their children were removed from their Waltham home last year without a warrant amid suspicion of child abuse.

Absolutely the worst moment of our lives, said Sarah Perkins about the night her children were taken away from her.

Sarah Perkins and Joshua Sabey, who now live in Idaho, claim that on July 16, 2022, Waltham police went to their home in Waltham and demanded they surrender their children to the government, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court.

According to the lawsuit, their children were taken into state custody after Perkins had taken one of her children, a 3-month-old infant, who had a fever, to a local emergency room.

Ultimately we were told that they would break down our door if we didnt give them the kids, said Josh Sabey, the father.

There, an x-ray of the infant revealed a healing rib fracture, which hospital staff later reported to the state Department of Children and Families, alleging physical abuse of the infant by his parents, the lawsuit states.

His grandmother was watching him and she went to get the baby out of the car seat with one hand and as she was picking him up, he threw his head back and she thought she was going to drop him, so she gripped pretty tight, said Perkins.

The couple was later cleared of any wrongdoing, the lawsuit states.

This lawsuits important to hold DCF and police officials accountable for what they know was unconstitutional, said Joshua Thompson, senior attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, representing the family.

Their two young boys were in foster care for four months, after which they were returned to the couple.

The couple is suing four Waltham police officers, four employees of the state Department of Children and Families, and the city of Waltham, the lawsuit states.

The Waltham Police Department issued the following statement on Tuesday: The Waltham Police Department does not comment on ongoing litigation and will be referring all media inquiries to the city of Waltham Law Department.

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The lawsuit claims the couple endured an emotional and physical toll after their children were taken into state.

While the Sabeys were ultimatelyand obviouslycleared of any wrongdoing, and the children were eventually reunited with their parents, nothing can undo the trauma of that early July morning and the prolonged abrogation of the Sabeys parental rights, the lawsuit states. For parents, the emotional and physical toll of having your crying children torn from your arms never goes away.

What we really hope is we will make a change for other families, said Sabey.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Jean-Marc Hero/Wikimedia Commons

Natasha Lechner had applied the toxins of an Amazonian tree frog to burns on her skin on several previous occasions before the ritual which led to her death on March 8, 2019. But according to court testimony given by the last person to see her alive, Lechners reaction to the medicine in her final ceremony was alarming.

She felt faint quite quickly and she lay herself down in a kind of semi-recovery position, Victoria Sinclair, a self-described spiritual teacher, told an inquest into Lechners death on Tuesday morning. Then she sat up and grabbed my arm and just looked at me and said: Its not good.

Spirit Tripping With Colombian Shamans

Lechner, 39, died during a shamanic Kambo ritual in Sinclairs apartment in the town of Mullumbimby in the Australian state of New South Wales. Sinclair said Lechner was conducting the ceremony, which involves making small burns in the skin and applying poison to them to induce severe vomiting or purging.

One of the substances Lechner used was the mucus secreted from the giant monkey froga species of leaf frog native to the Amazon basin in South America. The mucus was banned in Australia in 2021 after the countrys Therapeutic Goods Administration found Kambo had no medicinal benefit and could be deadly, but it was still easy to obtain online at the time of Lechners death.

Sinclair joined the inquest in Lismore into Lechners death by video link from Bali. She said shed known Lechner for around five years before the 2019 ritual and that Lechner had been her client for earlier ceremonies in which Kambo was used.

Sinclair explained that Lechner had just finished a course in administering Kambo herself and that it was Lecnher who led the proceedings before her death. I wasnt being brought in [in] my capacity as her practitioner that day, Sinclair told the inquest, according to the Guardian. It was more of a colleague actually. Australias ABC quoted Sinclair as saying that Lechner had done her training, she was really in a way showing what she had learned, adding that Lechner had quite a high threshold for the medicine.

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Sinclair said Lechner first used an incense candle to make three small burns on Sinclairs left calf and one on her left ear. She then applied the Kambo which provoked a strong reaction, with Sinclair describing womb cramping that was not necessarily normal. Sinclair said she then began purging within 15 minutes.

Sinclair explained that she then made five burns on Lechner and applied the Kambo. Thats when Lechner became unwell, said Its not good, and fainted as she tried to sit up. Lechner also started murmuring and her lips turned blue. Sinclair also said her friends hands began twitching and her breathing became labored.

As the situation deteriorated, Sinclair said she performed CPR on Lechner and told the court that she didnt know Australias 000 emergency phone number, nor did she have a phone on her person at the time. An ambulance was only called when Sinclairs roommate came home later. Although paramedics arrived within five minutes of the call, Lechner couldnt be saved.

Medical Director at the NSW Poisons Information Centre Darren Roberts said Lechners death was most likely caused by an acute cardiac event, and that Kambo probably played a role. He added that Lechner had a perfect heart and showed no evidence of heart disease, and that he believed she saw Kambo as complementary to mainstream medicine.

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Drake featured in one of the student's AI-generated songs, which amassed more than 13 million TikTok views. Getty/Frazer Harrison

A student behind some popular AI-generated music says it was easy to make the songs sound real.

"It's honestly kind of scary how easy these things are to do," he told The Verge.

The videos have yet to be removed by TikTok and many have gathered millions of views.

A student behind some of the popular AI-generated music on TikTok discussed how easy it was to make the songs sound real.

The Verge reported the news. Jered Chavez, a college student in Florida, told the outlet: "I was very surprised how easy it was. Right out of the AI, it sounds pretty good. It sounds real."

"It's honestly kind of scary how easy these things are to do," he added.

Chavez has been going viral on TikTok for his AI-generated music over the last few months. One such clip was labeled as "Drake, Kendrick and Ye sing Fukashigi no Carte," with the latter two names referring to Kendrick Lamar and the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. The song was an anime theme tune.

That particular clip has amassed more than 13 million views on the platform.

Since then, he's been generating more clips. Chavez runs acapella versions of songs through AI models that are trained to sound like famous musicians, The Verge reported. The videos have yet to be removed by TikTok and many have gathered millions of views.

Another viral AI-generated song, "Heart on My Sleeve," which mimicked Drake and The Weeknd, went viral last month. The song was posted by an unidentified TikToker and was streamed millions of times before it was removed by Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Some record labels and media companies have already indicated they are willing to push back on the new kind of content. Drake also criticized the new technology via his Instagram story, The Guardian reported.

Last month, Universal Music Group asked streaming sites to block AI companies from training generative AI models on lyrics and melodies on copyrighted songs from Universal's catalog, according to emails viewed by the Financial Times.

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Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek, appeared to address some of the concerns during Spotify's first-quarter earnings call last month.

"I think the AI pushback from the copyright industry or labels and media companies, and it's really around really important topics and issues like name and likeness, what is an actual copyright, who owns the right to something where you upload something and claim it to be Drake, it's really not and so on. Those are legitimate concerns," Ek said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Oleksii Reznikov

Knowing that Crimea has been built into a fortress, Ukrainians talk about the political military liberation of Crimea, not a purely military counteroffensive, he said.

Read also: Ukrainian pop group Antytila announces concert in Crimea, tickets already on sale

Once we have cut off the roads, railroads, and waterways to the peninsula, and targeted the military infrastructure with drones, we presume that many Russian inhabitants, especially recent immigrants, will become convinced that they would be better off living elsewhere, he said.

Some have reportedly fled already, The Atlantic noted, following an explosion on the Kerch Strait Bridge (which connects Crimea to Russia) and other explosions on the peninsula.

Read also: Russians, fearing strikes on Kerch bridge in Crimea, scrambling to organize more ferry services  Chubarov

We will take Crimea without a fight, Reznikov told journalists.

Reznikov said on May 1 that preparations for Ukraines counteroffensive are in the final stretch, when we can say that everything we need is ready.

Read also: There can be no lasting peace with Russia until Ukraine liberates Crimea - opinion

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
Conflict is not war, but it has become more challenging to separate the ideas when it comes to the Chinese Communist Party and the U.S.

Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has taken a stricter stance on the CCPs economic and political activities. From executive orders limiting trade on semiconductors to sanctions on foreign companies with military ties to the CCPs Military-Civil Fusion initiatives to strengthening regional alliances within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

One of the propellants for this hawkish security approach is the development of artificial intelligence. Unsurprisingly, many critics believe the world is in a tech cold war with the Chinese leading. Although this competition is, by all accounts, only getting started, the U.S. should work to develop safety practices for AI regardless of the pace of the race.

In 2017, the CCP announced the A New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan. The elaborate program sought to expand the Partys investment in AI research and development, train talent, and construct a world-leading AI ecosystem within China. This strategic effort intends to place China as a major technological superpower and overtake the US in certain sectors. Washington rightfully sees this as a realignment in the global order and a national security threat that minimizes competition and increases potential conflict.

The Chinese state-directed economic model repositioned the country as an economic juggernaut and global influencer in emerging technology development. China has become the worlds second-largest economy while maintaining a large state sector, accounting for forty percent of its economy. Furthermore, it has changed the global balance between the public and private sectors. The Chinese financial industry is central to the operations of state capitalism, and the channels of state influence over the private sector are multiplying.

AI ecosystem

China has managed to create an ecosystem conducive to developing cutting-edge AI capabilities faster than what may have otherwise been possible under purely free market conditions. Whether these same tactics will pay off long term remains unclear; however, if current trends continue, there is no doubt that this type of economic example will be considered a model to emulate among other non-democratic nations seeking rapid technological advancement.

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The competition over access markets is a larger area of worry for the U.S., which is increasingly concerned about Chinese companies gaining market share in critical sectors like semiconductors through unfair trade practices. China exploits state subsidies and manipulates currency exchange rates to gain leverage over American firms competing abroad. Similarly, Beijing worries that Washington will continue to use its economic power by blocking Chinese investments into sensitive industries like telecommunications or defense-related tech development within the US. President Biden has signed multiple executive orders limiting foreign investment in US companies, banned the sale of sensitive semiconductors to China by NVIDIA and AMD, and forged stronger alliances with Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

Conflicting geopolitical interests embroil the relationship between the U.S. and China. With China vying for power and influence on the global stage, competition has also extended beyond economics into geopolitics. The U.S. is wary of Chinese expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, its potential blockade of the South China Sea, and the possibility of a Taiwan invasion. At the same time, Beijing feels encircled by America with a permanent military presence in South Korea and Japan and bilateral training agreements like those with Mongolia, Japan, and Taiwan. Air and sea collisions have historically ensnared the two countries in tension. These escalating issues lead to tense standoffs with freedom of navigation through the South China Seapotentially leading to armed conflict only adds to the list of issues.

Prelude to war?

As AI technology develops, its potential implications on U.S.-China tensions are immense. Chinas growing presence within global technology innovation will threaten American dominance in certain areas, particularly when developing new AI technology applications that are being used militarily. The CCPs control of data structures plays a major role in the AI race. Training models on large datasets is easier when the state can leverage its citizens and private industry to develop dual-use tech and share its data.

The U.S. government, however, is legally and morally restricted from unjustly imposing its will on its citizens or forcing companies to surrender data to a competitor. This makes it more difficult to acquire large datasets, thus making the training of AI more challenging. The U.S. will need to do more with private industry to find creative ways to compete in this field with China.

As both countries continue to invest heavily in the R&D of emerging technologies, there is an increased risk that one country might gain control of crucial IP-related assets before the other, creating even more significant economic disparities that could lead to heightened geopolitical issues down the line. Additionally, if either nation could leverage their respective technological advantages against each other through espionage activities (e.g., stealing trade secrets), we would likely see an escalation in current U.S.-China tensions due solely to developments surrounding AI technology alone.

The Chinese government has recognized AI as a critical priority in its national development plan. It invests heavily in AI research, development, and deployment to achieve economic and technological advancement, with social stability and control remaining a vital aspect of its development. The rush to adopt AI by companies worldwide and the absence of standard AI safety regulations will result in unintended consequences that developers should have anticipated had the pressure of competition not created a proverbial Black Box of issues.

Cross-pollination

We have already seen the consequence of the lack of regulation regarding cybersecurity which led to globally impacting security breaches and malicious attacks. Most neural networks for machine learning are opaque and difficult to understand, making identifying and addressing potential safety concerns challenging. This belief parallels the idea that many people use their cars without understanding how they function. So long as it gets them where they need to go, the condition under the hood is left to the experts.

This lack of transparency can erode public trust in AI and limit its adoption. If an AI system is compromised, it could be used to spread misinformation or launch cyberattacks. Therefore, it is crucial to develop standard AI safety regulations and policies to mitigate the risks associated with AI use.

On the other hand, policymakers should only impart restrictions with an understanding of the consequences. Too many governmental barriers can hinder innovation in emerging technologies and AI. By breaking down these barriers, it may become possible to combine different perspectives and areas of expertise, leading to new insights and solutions to complex problems. In some cases, collaboration with Chinese developers could build better understanding of AI challenges.

Instead of conflict, cross-pollination of ideas between the two nations could result in novel approaches and applications that have the potential to benefit a more significant number of people than either group could achieve individually. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, both countries could better equip themselves to meet the challenges posed by emerging technologies and AI.

Maj. Nicholas Dockery is a Downing Scholar at Yale Universitys Jackson School of Global Affairs and an active-duty Special Forces Officer.

Have an opinion?

This article is an Op-Ed and the opinions expressed are those of the author. If you would like to respond, or have an editorial of your own you would like to submit, please email C4ISRNET and Federal Times Senior Managing Editor Cary OReilly.
Vermont on Tuesday become the first state in the nation to update its medically assisted suicide law to allow out-of-state terminally ill people to use the procedure to end their lives.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill removing the residency requirement for the decades-old law. Vermont is the latest state that allows either medically assisted suicide or authorizes medical aid in dying, according to Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization.

"We are grateful to Vermont lawmakers for recognizing that a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony, Compassion & Choices President and CEO Kim Callinan said in a statement Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.

In March, Vermont had reached a settlement with Lynda Bluestein, a 75-year-old Bridgeport, Connecticut, woman with terminal cancer to allow her to take advantage of its law, provided she complies with certain aspects of the state guidelines.

"I was so relieved to hear of the settlement of my case that will allow me to decide when cancer has taken all from me that I can bear," Bluestein, who has fallopian tube cancer, told the Associated Press. "The importance of the peace of mind knowing that I will now face fewer obstacles in accessing the autonomy, control, and choice in this private, sacred and very personal decision about the end of my life is enormous."

'DEATH THAT WAS MEANINGFUL': Connecticut woman becomes first non-Vermont resident allowed assisted suicide right

Vermont legislators sought to 'doing the right thing,' expert says

Almost as soon as last years lawsuit was filed, several state legislators began calling local organizations such as Patient Choices Vermont, which educates residents about medical aid in dying, help to find strategies to fix the law, Betsy Walkerman, the groups president, told USA TODAY on Tuesday.

Walkerman said many Vermont residents go to nearby states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and even New York for health care and it seemed only right that her state provide similar options.

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"Were very pleased that the signed the legislation that was supported passed overwhelmingly in the state House and the Senate based on a recognition that medical care really does cross state borders," Walkerman said. "People should have equal access to medical care that is consistent with their priorities and values. Its doing the right thing."

'THIS IS A COMPROMOISE': Vermont Senate OKs end-of-life legislation

New York doctor also pleased with Vermont's assisted suicide law change

Another woman, Diana Barnard, a physician from Middlebury, Vermont, also sued Vermont in federal court last year, claiming its residency requirement is a violation of the state's Constitutions commerce, equal protection, and privileges and immunities clauses.

Barnard, who specializes in hospice and palliative care and has patients in New York state, similar to Connecticut, doesnt allow medically assisted suicide, is pleased with Vermont's updated law.

"I thank Vermont lawmakers for repealing the residency requirement for medical aid in dying for the sake of all of my out-of-state patients," Barnard said in a statement. "I know they will be greatly relieved to have access to this end-of-life care option, whether they decide to use it or not."

How Vermont will handle the updated law is unknown

Walkerman added with Vermont being one of the smallest states in the nation with a population of nearly 650,000, theres uncertainty about how much it can handle those who are seeking medical assistance "to control the timing of their end-of-life status."

She said those seeking an option in Vermont should first do a checklist, which includes discussions with their primary care physicians and their family, to make sure the state is the right choice to meet their needs.

"We dont know exactly how its going to go here. Our doctors who are familiar with this option already have full practices," Walkerman said. "Exactly how this going to evolve is unknown at this time."

Vermont Rep. Willem Jewett, D-Ripton, chats with his daughter, Anneke, during the first day of the Legislature in Montpelier on Jan. 5, 2004. He died on Jan. 12, 2022. Jewett, who had cancer, helped pass a Vermont's aid-in-dying law that allows terminally ill patients to ask their doctors for a lethal dose of medication.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Assisted suicide law in Vermont first to allow nonresident use
The influx of crypto mining facilities in Texas has raised annual power bills across the state Photo by Mark Felix / AFP) (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP /AFP via Getty Images

Texas has become home to crypto mining companies due to the state's cheap electricity.

The energy involved in these operations has increased costs for power customers across the state.

These could add up to an extra $1.8 billion per year, according to a simulation done for The New York Times.

If you live in Texas and noticed your energy bill has risen over the past year, cryptocurrency mining might be one contributing factor.

Since 2021, a number of bitcoin mining companies have moved to Texas, and they are causing an uptick in energy consumption that could lead to a 5% annual increase in electric bills for Texas power customers  or an extra $1.8 billion per year  according a simulation performed by energy research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie for The New York Times.

When considering the more than 26 million customers on Texas' Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, that's an extra $69 per annual bill.

The costs show how the presence of crypto mining in the state is impacting all of the state's residents.

Riot Platforms, which runs the state's largest mine in Rockdale, uses the same amount of electricity as the nearest 300,000 homes, per the Times.

"The alleged increase in energy bills was created using a proprietary black box simulation, not real-world data, and the NYT and their sources have not made the data available to the public so that it can be appropriately challenged," a Riot Platforms spokesperson told Insider.

The company did not respond when asked to detail the amount of energy it uses.

In 2021, China cracked down on crypto. Financial institutions and payment companies were banned from facilitating cryptocurrency transactions in May of that year, and just four months later, another ban was issued that prevented crypto transactions and crypto mining in the country, per Reuters.

Crypto mining companies needed to move elsewhere, and some rural counties in Texas welcomed these companies.

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Milam County, for example, which was home to a once-thriving aluminium plant that closed in 2008, offered Riot Platforms "a 45% discount on local taxes for 10 years," per the Texas Tribune.

Plus, the state's inexpensive electricity costs made it a desirable location for these companies, Carey King, the assistant director of the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, told Texas Observer.

However, the energy required to mine crypto  which involves a number of interconnected servers solving increasingly difficult mathematical problems  is significant. Not only does the machinery that processes crypto-related transactions require energy, but these data centers also have to be cooled down.

The energy costs associated with these trickle down to everyday Texans, who are already seeing their electric bills increase due to severe weather swings that have put pressure on the state's energy grid.

"Texans have continued to experience high electric bills due to a number of factors," an ERCOT spokesperson told Insider.

The spokesperson cited weather and fuel prices as the main reasons for increased electric bills.

In February 2021, arctic weather swept across the state, leading to increased demand for power in order to maintain heating in residents' homes, which caused state-wide blackouts. Then, in July 2022, mining companies were urged to wind down operations in order to lower the strain on the energy grid as temperatures rose across the board, threatening the possibility of power outages.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mother's Day

Every culture has its own set of unique traditions. Mothers Day is no exception and when it comes to celebrating the mommies of the world, there isnt any short stepping. But have you ever wondered what other countries do to celebrate the mothers they love?

Believe it or not, every country doesnt celebrate Mothers Day on the second Sunday in May. In fact, places outside the US have their own customs that define the love they shower on their moms. Heres how a few cultures around the world celebrate Mothers Day.

Australia

Photo credit: Jessica Lewis Creative

Australia celebrates Mothers Day very similar to the United States. The country recognizes the holiday on the second Sunday in May and flowers are the primary gift choice for moms. Believe it or not, Australian children prefer to give their mom mums. The chrysanthemum is the perfect gift for Australian moms. They also like handing out carnations to symbolize their love for mothers.

Peru

Photo credit: Pixabay

In Peru, families also celebrate moms on the second Sunday in May. Gifts, flowers, and admiration are on full display. However, there is a slight twist. Peruvian families spend most of Mothers Day in cemeteries honoring the mothers, grandmas, and aunts who have passed away. Families clean off the gravesites and decorate them with flowers. They dine in the cemetery and use the day to reflect on the moms theyve lost.

Mexico

Photo credit: Los Muertos Crew

Mexican families celebrate Mothers Day on May 10 and its the countrys biggest holiday of the year. Of course, everyone has flowers available for the mommies. But Mexico is unique because children are expected to stay home to honor their mothers. Its also not uncommon to see mariachi bands serenading mothers with the song Las Mananitas.

Haiti

Photo credit: Ezekixl Akinnewu

Haitian children celebrate their mothers on the last Sunday in May. Families attend church together and everyone wears a different color flower to honor their moms. Those with mothers still living wear red flowers while those whose moms recently passed away wear white ones. If a mother has been deceased for a long time, Haitian children wear lavender flowers on their clothes.
PROVIDENCE  A federal judge ruled Monday that a disgruntled former union business agent violated federal cybersquatting laws by posting disparaging commentary to a website he purchased that closely resembles that of his once employer, Teamsters Local 251.

U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on Monday granted Teamsters Local 251s request for a preliminary injunction barring Nick Williams from using the website he purchased the day after he was fired in January that is near-identical to the unions web address teamsterslocal251.org.

McElroy found that Williams had purchased the site  teamsterslocal251.com  clearly in bad faith" in violation of anti-cybersquatting law based on his apparent efforts to get money in exchange for ceding it. She ordered him not to use the domain name or acquire others that closely resemble it, but said he was free to post in other forums as long as he didnt hold himself out as the union.

"It meets the standard for cybersquatting. He did it with bad intent to profit," McElroy said.

Federal law dictates that to establish a cybersquatting claim an entity must show that its distinct website is entitled to protection, that the defendant's domain name is confusingly similar to its trademark, and the domain name was registered in bad faith, with the intent to profit.

The union had accused Williams of violating anti-cybersquatting law by demanding three years pay and benefits  worth roughly $500,000  with no corresponding job duties in exchange for turning the website over to the union.

We think its clearly extortion  He purchased it with the sole purpose to sell it back to the union, Elizabeth A. Wiens argued for the union.

Williams has said his intentions were misinterpreted, that he was trying to negotiate a severance.

Matt Taibi, secretary-treasurer and principal officer of Teamsters Local 251, was pleased with the outcome.

Mr. Williams, through his attorney, admitted to purchasing the website to attempt to extort funds from the Union. While we disagree with Mr. Williams decision to disparage his former Union and co-workers, this lawsuit is not about attempting to silence Mr. Williams," Taibi said in a statement.

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"If Mr. Williams finds it necessary to continue to sow discontent, he is free to do so; but cannot use the Unions domain name,"" Taibi continued. "That said, any attempts to extort funds from the Union and any other illegal activity impacting the Union and its employees, including the use of defamatory language, will be handled in the appropriate manner.

Williams had previously said he was exercising his First Amendment rights and was trying to inform members about his complaints to leadership about another agent.

Despite the Teamsters having no registered federal trademark of `Teamsters Local 251 (A requirement of any Cybersquatting claim) as well as the website prominently displaying a disclaimer that no reasonable person could misinterpret, I have agreed not to post on teamsterslocal251.com in the interim, and will be fighting the remaining charges against me in court under [the state] anti SLAPP statute, Williams, of East Providence, said in an email Monday.

His lawyer, Lawrence L. Goldberg, pointed out during the remote hearing before McElroy that Williamss site included the disclaimer that it is not affiliated with Teamsters Local 251 and was not for sale.

The disclaimer would dispel any confusion, Goldberg said.

McElroy pushed Goldberg to explain how Williamss actions werent cybersquatting as defined by the law. Goldberg conceded It would appear to be cybersquatting.

According to the unions complaint, Williams, an at will business agent, was fired Jan. 23 after the executive board and Union President Paul Santos determined the union would be best served by letting him go. The following day Williams purchased the domain name and promptly began posting criticisms of union leadership and denigrated union officiars for sexual harassment, bragging about cocaine use, and lying about sexual conquests.

Williams made an overture to Santos via text message, offering to meet to discuss a proper exit after nine years. He accused Santos of hypocrisy and failing to follow through with labor principles of just cause and progressive discipline, the union said.

Williams revealed that he was the new owner of teamsterslocal251.com and warned that he had a website to build, according to the suit. The union asked that he immediately stop using the domain name or any similar imitation and cautioned that he was violating state and federal law.

According to the suit, Williams replied that the domain name was for sale.

[W]hile you have deleted some content, you have persistently threatened to publish defamatory and disparaging information about Local 251, its officers and employees unless Local 251 pays you for the website. That is extortion, Local 251 lawyer Marc Gursky wrote Williams.

Lol extortion? C'mon man, Williams said.

Local 251, representing 6,400 members from bus drivers to custodians at 110 area employers, sued Williams in March seeking an injunction.

Williamss site on Monday morning featured a snippet of a police report from Jacksonville, Florida, involving Thomas D. Aaron Wazlavek, whose LinkedIn profile identifies him as an assistant business agent at Teamsters Local 251.

Wazlavek said Monday afternoon that the report related to a 2007 incident at a time when he struggled with an alcohol-use disorder. There was no adjudication of the matter, he said, and he is thankfully now in recovery.

I think he has better things to do with his time. Hes got a lot of it, Wazlavek said.

Williams said Monday that he plans to continue to defend against the case and to bring his own allegations that the union violated its duty of fair representation by discharging him without a hearing or due process. He has lodged a wrongful termination charge with the U.S. Department Of Labor, he said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Judge rules for Teamsters Local 251 in cybersquatting case
No criminal charges will be brought against a Memphis police officer who was fired for his involvement in the traffic stop that led to the death of Tyre Nichols, the Shelby County, Tennessee, district attorney said Tuesday.

Nichols, 29, who was Black, was brutally assaulted after he was pulled over Jan. 7 for alleged reckless driving, and he died three days later. Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy explained in an update Tuesday why criminal charges against former Officer Preston Hemphill were not warranted.

Hemphill was at the scene of the traffic stop but was never present at the later scene where Nichols was seen on video being punched and struck with a baton, Mulroy said.

By no means do we endorse the conduct of Officer Hemphill at that first traffic stop, Mulroy said. But we do not believe that criminal charges are appropriate.

Tyre Nichols. (Courtesy Ben Crump Law)

He added that officials reviewed hours of body camera video and conducted hours of interviews with Hemphill, who fired a stun gun at Nichols as he was running away from the initial traffic stop.

Hemphill was fired for several violations, including using a Taser, police said in February.

Mulroy said Tuesday that in reviews and analysis of body camera video, Hemphill appeared to be trying to deploy the stun gun "because he saw Nichols was not fleeing towards the neighborhood but was in fact heading towards an open car door of a police cruiser."

"That had to bear weight on our evaluation of his decision," he said.

Mulroy said his office consulted with the family and attorney Ben Crump, who said they supported the decision not to press charges.

He read a statement from Crump on behalf of Nichols' family that said: We understand that this individual has been fully cooperating with the investigation and has promised to provide substantial cooperation going forward. In light of this, we are supportive of no charges for this individual.

"It is our deepest hope and expectation that justice will be served fully and that all who had a role to play in this senseless tragedy will be held accountable, the statement said.

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A police spokesperson could not be reached Tuesday for the department's reaction to the DAs decision.

Lee Gerald, an attorney for Hemphill, said the announcement "didnt come as a surprise to us."

As we prepared a defense for what we thought might be pending charges, in our investigation we discovered evidence that Officer Hemphill did not violate Tennessee or federal law," he said. "In fact, the evidence we discovered and presented to the DA's trial team was that Officer Hemphill at the first scene actually on more than one occasion attempted to de-escalate the confrontation."

Hemphill will continue to cooperate and "maintain his oath to enforce the laws of Tennessee and the U.S. Constitution," Gerald said. However, it was unclear whether he plans to seek reinstatement as an officer.

Mulroy also said Tuesday that Nichols autopsy is almost complete.

We expect that it will confirm that Mr. Nichols died as a result of the injuries sustained during the beating, he said.

Videos of the police stop and the beating shocked and horrified people across the country. FBI Director Christopher Wray said he was appalled, and President Joe Biden said he was outraged and called the video horrific.

Five Memphis police officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder and other counts.

The officers  Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith  pleaded not guilty in February.

Four of them cannot work as law enforcement officers again in Tennessee. The Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission voted to decertify Haley, Martin and Smith at a meeting in March. It also approved Mills decision to surrender his certification.

Bean, Hemphill and Dewayne Smith have not yet had decertification hearings in front of the commission. Smith, the supervising lieutenant who arrived on the scene after the beating, retired instead of being fired.

Smith and a seventh police employee who was not publicly named after having been relieved of duty have not been charged.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
DADEVILLE  Now that five of the six co-defendants charged with four counts of reckless murder each in the Dadeville shootings are being held without bond, whats next?

To say its a complicated case is an understatement. Four victims dead, 32 injured, some critically, by gunshots, and six co-defendants that include a 15-year-old. There are mountains of forensic evidence to sift through. The recent Aniahs Law hearing  a judge ruled the five co-defendants being charged as adults will be held without bond  included the first public airing of details in the case.

Investigators recovered 89 shell casings, many from .45-caliber, .40 caliber, 9 mm and .22-caliber handguns. Testimony indicated that seven guns were fired, including a gun found on one of the slain victims. There were 50 to 60 people in the tightly packed room when gunshots began about 10:30 p.m. on the recent Saturday night.

Evidence continues to be gathered, interviews of witnesses and injured party celebrants are ongoing. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation, which also includes the Dadeville Police Department, Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Office, 5th Circuit District Attorneys Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI.

And dont forget, charges relating to those injured in the shootings have not been filed yet. They could range from felonious assault, since a firearm or other dangerous weapon or instrument was used, to attempted murder.

The makeshift memorial to those killed and injured is seen at the site of the fatal shooting in Dadeville, Ala., on Friday April 21, 2023.

A Tallapoosa County Grand Jury is likely to review the cases to determine if enough evidence exists that a crime occurred. There are also several stages in the lengthy legal process where charges against the defendants could be dropped.

The brutal truth is, it could be years before any trials occur. Along the way will be possibly several years worth of court proceedings before the first jury is selected and seated.

Its going to be a long, difficult journey for this close-knit community.

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A 'Sweet 16' birthday erupts in gunfire

The shootings occurred at a 16th birthday party April 15 at a dance studio in downtown Dadeville.

Killed were: Philstavious Phil Dowdell, 18, Shaunkivia Nicole Keke Smith, 17, Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23.

Police arrested brothers Tyreese "Ty Reik" McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, of Tuskegee on April 18. Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn, was arrested April 19, and cousins Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, were arrested on April 20.

A 15-year-old juvenile from Tuskegee was arrested on April 20. His name has not been released due to his age. District Attorney Mike Segrest is seeking to have the teen charged as an adult. That requires a hearing in juvenile court.

How court actions may play out

The following court action will precede any trials. For the purposes of this story, these are the proceedings that will involve the co-defendants who are being charged as adults.

Initial appearance

Set for May 23 before District Judge Clayton Taylor. The defendants will be read the charges against them and asked if they understand the charges. The matter of bond again can be raised for Taylor to consider. A purpose of the initial appearance also is to ensure the defendants have attorneys. The court has appointed attorneys for each of the defendants.

ALEA Sgt. Jeremy Burkett speaks, on Wednesday April 19, 2023, announces initial arrests a press conference on the fatal shooting in Dadeville, Ala.,

Preliminary hearing

Defendants have a right to a preliminary hearing, where the state informs the court of the evidence investigators have collected so far. Defense attorneys can cross examine prosecution witnesses. Defense attorneys often waive preliminary hearings. After an initial appearance or preliminary hearing, the judge will determine if enough evidence exists to establish probable cause that a crime occurred so the grand jury can review the case.

Youthful Offender Status

Alabama has a Youthful Offender Statute where defendants ages 18 to 21 can seek review. It is open to people who have not been in legal trouble before and who are charged with non-violent crimes. If the judge grants Youthful Offender Status, the original charge or charges are dropped and the defendant is found guilty of violating the Youthful Offender Statute. The maximum punishment is three years in prison, and the persons record is sealed.

Its common for people who fall within the given age range and who are charged with violent crimes, up to capital murder, to seek Youthful Offender Status. The courts entertain the motions so as not to present an issue for any conviction to be reversed upon appeal. The court of criminal appeals could also order a retrial on the charges if a higher court finds proper legal methods were not followed.

Stand Your Ground

During testimony in the Aniahs Law bond hearing, allegations were raised that Holston, one of the four who were killed, was armed and allegedly fired the first shot. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) investigations showed his gun had been fired, testimony revealed. That opens the door for defendants to argue self-defense. A judge would review evidence to determine if Alabamas Stand Your Ground Law applies. If it does, charges against all or some of the defendants could be dropped. If the judge determines Stand Your Ground doesnt apply, the cases go to the grand jury.

Students look on as the funeral for Shaunkivia Keke Smith is held at First Baptist Church in Dadeville, Ala, on Saturday April 29, 2023. Smith was one of the four victims who died in the Dadeville shooting.

Grand Jury

The grand jury reviews the evidence and could return indictments if the panel believes there is enough evidence present that a crime occurred. An indictment is not a finding of guilt, but is required for the case to go to trial. The grand jury could also no bill the case against some or all of the defendants, finding no evidence exists that a crime occurred; charges would then be dropped.

If a grand jury clears a defendant, they can never be charged with that particular crime again under the Constitutional guarantee against double jeopardy.

Arraignment

If indictments are returned by the grand jury, they can be on the original charge, or a stronger or lessor charge. The defendants appear before a circuit judge at arraignment to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Then the trials can be scheduled.

Defense attorneys could also seek a change of venue, asking that any trials be moved from Tallapoosa County. A change of venue is sought when the defense believes that media attention, or the high-profile status of the case, makes it impossible to find an impartial jury in the county.

The Timing

Tallapoosa County is unique, divided into an Alexander City judicial district and a Dadeville district. Jurisdiction is determined by which side of the Tallapoosa River the crime occurs. Assuming no change of venue, any trials in the shootings would take place at the courthouse in Dadeville.

The grand jury meets twice a year in Tallapoosa County. During an April 16 press conference, Segrest said the grand jury serves a six-month term, and he could call them back at any time during those six months for a special session. He called such a move unprecedented in the history of the county.

Each district in Tallapoosa County has two, two-week criminal terms a year. The six co-defendants, if the 15-year-old is charged as an adult, would be tried separately. So, with that court schedule, it could take three years to have all the trials, trying two defendants a year.

Hopefully it wouldn't take that long, Segrest said during a Friday morning phone conversation.

These cases are a priority, he said, adding that the first trial could take place in June of 2024, if everything falls into place. We are going to follow the law in preparing for trials. There are also two, two-week civil terms a year. We could use any leftover civil term court days to have criminal trials. That would allow us to have more than two trials a year in these cases.

Shortcuts cannot be taken, said Tom Azar, a seasoned River Region defense attorney and former Montgomery police officer. He does not represent any of the defendants, but he has decades of courtroom time under his belt.

This is a complicated case, a very complicated case where you have multiple defendants and multiple victims, he said. You cant get in a hurry. You want to preserve the defendants rights to a fair trial. While you are also seeking justice for the victims and their families.

No one; not the defense, not the state, wants to do any of these trials more than once due to some mistake in the process.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Dadeville mass shooting cases now head to courts. What happens next?
Daily Show correspondent Dulce Sloan kicked off her week as host with a look at Egypts complaint about a Netflix series in which a Black actor was cast to play Cleopatra.

Egypts Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities said in a statement that Cleopatra was of Greek descent and had white skin and Hellenistic characteristics.

Oh, OK. Egypt is concerned about historical accuracy, Sloan said, complete with air quotes. I didnt hear you complain when all the Mummy movies came out. We got mummies coming back from the dead, chasing Brendan Fraser, and yall dont have a problem, and then a Black woman plays Cleopatra and all of a sudden its like, That didnt happen! That didnt happen!

But she also proposed a solution.

OK, you can have Cleopatra, she said. But then we get Jesus. I mean, its only fair. We all know Jesus was Black because he was found guilty in court  and he did nothing wrong.

See more in her Monday night monologue:
A Dallas woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to scamming insurers out of more than $7 million for COVID-19 testing that was never actually performed, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. The defendant faces up to five years in prison.

Connie Jo Clampitt, 52, was indicted in December on one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, 10 counts of healthcare fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. She pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez.

As the country struggled to cope with a devastating pandemic, this defendant conspired to swindle insurance providers out of millions of dollars. She exploited the healthcare system when it was at its most vulnerable, indirectly raising healthcare costs for everyday Americans. We are proud to hold her accountable for her role in this conspiracy, and look forward to proving our case against her co-conspirators in court, Simonton said in a news release.

Clampitt admitted that she and her co-conspirators accessed private patient information  including names, dates of birth, and insurance subscriber numbers  through various clinics where one defendant, Terrance Barnard, 39, worked as a contract lab technician, according to plea papers.

They then used the patient information to submit claims to insurance providers  including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna, Humana, and Molina Health Care  for COVID-19 testing that was never performed, according to court documents. The patients had not requested COVID-19 testing and they were not aware their information was being used to submit claims, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Clampitt also admitted that the labs at which the co-conspirators claimed the testing occurred, including TC Diagnostics, ME Diagnostics and PHR Diagnostics, were shell entities that never operated as labs, authorities said. Collectively, these three entities submitted approximately $30 million in claims and were paid more than $7 million in reimbursements for fake testing.

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Clampitt has agreed to a $7.29 million forfeiture money judgment and will forfeit a number of items seized during the investigation, including $2.5 million in funds from numerous bank accounts, two residences, six vehicles, and six luxury watches, according to the terms of her plea agreement.

Barnard; William Paul Gray, 49; and Donn Hogg, 37, are also charged in the scheme. They are all presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Dallas Regional Office of the United States Department of Labor  Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Dallas Office of the Department of Labor  Office of Inspector General, the Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Units Fort Worth Field Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Hunter is prosecuting the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dimitri Rocha is handling the forfeiture.
Davis officials on Tuesday described a series of stabbings over the past five days as one of the worst spasms of violence in city history but said they still have not linked the three attacks and are not ready to declare a serial killer is targeting Davis.

The attacks were particularly violent and brazen, Police Chief Darren Pytel said at a news briefing Tuesday morning, less than 12 hours after a man attacked a homeless woman by stabbing her several times through a tent sidewall near Second and L streets.

The woman was in critical but stable condition at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento after undergoing surgery for multiple stab wounds following the attack, which occurred at about 11:46 p.m.

We were able to get a statement from her, she was able to provide a description of the assailant and she was able to tell us what happened, Pytel said.

That attack was the latest in a series that began Thursday with the stabbing death in Central Park downtown of David Henry Breaux, 50, who was known as the citys Compassion Guy and was found slumped over on a bench in the park.

The second attack came 9 p.m. Saturday in Sycamore Park near Sycamore Lane and Colby Drive, where 20-year-old UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm was found dead.

Stabbings have similarities

No suspects have been identified and police say they still are not ready to link all three attacks.

But they said they had noted the fact that the stabbings had occurred every other night since Thursday and that they were working with an army of state, local and federal law enforcement officials to keep residents safe.

We are using every available resource to solve these crimes, to bring an end to this violence and keep our community safe ... Davis Mayor Will Arnold said. Our entire community will never be the same.

Our sense of normalcy and security has been fractured.

Before dawn Tuesday, downtown Davis was inundated with police SUVs and officers on foot searching yards, alleys and parking lots for hours as they sought the suspect in the latest attack and residents were ordered to shelter in place.

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Davis Police investigate on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the site where a homeless woman was stabbed several times through the side of her tent near Second and L streets before midnight. The city issued issued a shelter in place order that was lifted around 5 a.m.

Pytel said that attack came after a man was seen by homeless camp residents nearby appearing to duck under trees. After some camp residents called out to him, saying he resembled the description of the suspect from Saturdays slaying, the man fled on foot, Pytel said.

But he returned later and exchanged words with three of the camp residents before stabbing the woman through her tent and fleeing west on Third Street toward downtown.

Pytel said four witnesses and the victim saw the man, who was described as a light-complected male, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9, with a thin build wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with white stripes, black shoes carrying a brown backpack.

Residents on alert

Several blocks north of the latest stabbing, three men stood outside a 7-Eleven near Fifth and L streets armed with a hatchet and their dog, Snooter. One of the men, who would only identify himself as Aaron, said he and his friends had been out Monday night into Tuesday looking for the killer when the attack occurred at the encampment.

We spoke to a firsthand eyewitness, Aaron said. There was some sort of altercation that happened and the assailant came back and stabbed someone. The person had left, and changed their clothing, and came back and stabbed the person.

The three men said the residents of the encampment had seen him, and talked to him before the stabbing began.

The men said they were out in hopes of protecting the community.

Were local, Aaron said. Its our community.

One of his friends, wearing a security ball cap and T-shirt and carrying the ax on his belt added, We dont want that in our town.

The suspect in Monday nights stabbing was described as having long, curly hair and closely matched the description of a suspect in Saturdays night slaying. An area resident saw a man fleeing the area where that stabbing occurred and provided that description.

Volunteers from the Yolo County Search and Rescue Team look for evidence from the stabbing murder of Karim Abou Najm near Sycamore Park in Davis, Monday, May 1, 2023. It was the second of three stabbings  two fatal  in Davis in less than a week.

A memorial of flowers marks the location in Davis Sycamore Park on Monday where Karim Abou Najm, a graduating senior at UC Davis, was stabbed to death Saturday. It was the second of three stabbings  two fatal  in the city in less than a week.

There were no witnesses to the first stabbing, and Pytel said police are not yet ready to link all the attacks, adding that they are awaiting evidence submitted to crime labs  including possible DNA evidence  and a composite sketch to be completed by the Sacramento Sheriffs Office.

We arent able yet to positively link the three crimes, the chief said. Were still waiting for evidence to come back that may help us link them.

He added, As everybody suspects, we are looking for DNA that will help us find the offender.

Attacks violent and brutal

Each of the attacks involved multiple stab wounds, officials said.

The similarities of the two homicides are that both involved male victims, they occurred at Davis parks, and the attacks with knives were particularly violent and brutal, Pytel said. There were many and very significant knife wounds.

Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel gives a statement at a news briefing Tuesday, May 2, 2023, less than 12 hours after a man attacked a homeless woman by stabbing her several times through the side of her tent near Second and L streets  the third stabbing in less than a week in the city. Davis Mayor Will Arnold stands at left.

By contrast, Monday nights attack involved fewer wounds, he said, but the fact that the attacker returned to the scene after first being spotted by camp residents was a concern.

There was an interaction between the offender last night and several witnesses who were able to provide us descriptions, Pytel said. That is particularly concerning in that the suspect didnt care that there were several witnesses who could identify him.

None of the victims have been robbed, Pytel said, adding that FBI profilers and homicide detectives from the Sacramento sheriff and police department were being brought in to help.

Yolo County sheriffs deputies, Woodland and West Sacramento police departments, along with officers from Sacramento and Elk Grove police, joined the manhunt overnight after the third stabbing.

We split up the perimeter and did a very extensive search, including house-to-house searches for the entire neighborhood near where the attack occurred, Pytel said. And we were unable to locate the suspect.

The police chief said the attacks with knives were particularly brutal and violent in the two fatal stabbings.

These were not stabbings where a person would normally be a victim of a robbery or something like that where there was just a couple of wounds, Pytel said. These were many and significant knife wounds.

College town on edge

The attacks have left many residents and UC Davis students fearful for their safety, and officials said people need to be aware of their surroundings and stay in groups at night.

The last few days have been shocking and incredibly challenging for our community, the mayor said. People are scared.

Arnold said that fear is a natural and reasonable reaction to the incomprehensible.

But the people of Davis are also strong and resilient, Arnold told reporters. Were a community that watches out for one another, that helps those in need.

He said residents must not forget the three victims of brutal violence; two who were killed and one who is battling for their life.

Their families and loved ones will never be the same. Our entire community will never be the same.

But Pytel rejected suggestions that the city impose a curfew until a suspect is captured.

Curfews are an extraordinary measure ... Pytel said. Essentially, it would shut down the city, all the businesses would close, campus would close and people would be confined indoors. And then we have to police that.

Instead, Pytel said the city plans to use saturation patrols with help from regional police agencies until a suspect is caught.

We are stepping up patrols all over town, he said. Our intent is to have a very visible presence, both so people see the police department out to potentially prevent crime but also for our residents to offer tips.

Since the attacks began, Pytel said, officers have received hundreds of tips.

The mayor said the college towns sense of identity is being challenged by these violent attacks.

We will walk together, we will bike together, we will look out for one another, Arnold said. We will get through this together, and we will emerge stronger.
With three stabbings, two of which were fatal, within five days and no suspect in custody as of Tuesday morning, a tense atmosphere hung over the city of Davis and the UC Davis community.

Police launched an overnight manhunt to search for the assailant in the latest stabbing, reported around 11:45 p.m. Monday at a homeless encampment near Second and L streets, but were unsuccessful. Authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order for downtown Davis around 5 a.m.

Stabbings last Thursday at Central Park and Saturday night at Sycamore Park killed 50-year-old David Henry Breaux and 20-year-old UC Davis senior Karim Abou Najm, respectively. Police said Monday nights victim, a homeless woman stabbed multiple times through her tent, was hospitalized in critical condition.

Davis residents and university students were going about their business Tuesday morning, but anxiety and trepidation prevailed.

I am freaked out about it

On Tuesday, students said, professors and teaching assistants canceled night classes or moved them online. Some daytime classes were also canceled. Laila Penny and Iris Xu, both 19, walked into their scheduled 1:40 p.m. Arts of Asia class and walked right back out because the professor abruptly decided to cancel the lecture. When the students parted ways, Penny said something she normally wouldnt have said on a sunny afternoon: Stay safe.

Students have been leaning on each other to keep themselves out of danger. Nikki Moreno, a UC Davis student, uses her bike to get around town. Fellow students have sent her emails offering her rides. Three stabbings and no suspect caught has her feeling on edge.

I am freaked out about it, Moreno said Tuesday morning as she locked her bike not far from where the first stabbing occurred last Thursday. I think after this third one, I am more fearful. It doesnt seem like this is a person whos targeting people.

She speculated that whoever this assailant is could be someone suffering from mental illness who needs help and would continue these attacks.

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Moreno lives on campus in transfer student housing. Shes supposed to graduate with a bachelors degree in genetics and genomes this June, but shes worried these attacks will make it difficult for students to focus on their studies.

Moreno said some professors have extended deadlines for schoolwork as news reports of the attacks filtered through campus over the past several days. But her midterm hasnt been delayed.

Shes mainly worried about her fellow students, especially those who commute from other cities in the region and have to walk from the Amtrak station, which is about a half-mile from campus.

She said she longs for the days of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, when students were in hybrid classes and could do some of the work from home. But she said students are looking out for each other, because at the end, thats all we can do.

On Tuesday morning, UC Davis Police Chief Joseph Farrow told KCRA that school leaders were discussing the possibility of moving evening classes online to limit the number of students on campus after dark.

University officials said they expected an update around 2 p.m. but there were no changes to instruction and administrative operations during the day.

Campus buildings are open, administrative support continues and all instruction continues as normal, UC Davis officials said.

A decision on moving or canceling classes would need to be made by the academic senate, along with university officials.

It seemed like almost everyone was talking about the stabbings in Julio Vasquezs lab class Tuesday morning. The first-year student didnt feel as scared as others. Still, the wailing of sirens in the middle of the night had jarred the 18-year-old, who is being more cautious about venturing out in the evening.

Maggie Garza, a third-year linguistics major, had considered not coming to class Tuesday morning but felt a responsibility to do so.

Im just being a bit more hesitant, Garza said, before riding away on a bike.

A memorial of flowers marks the location in Davis Sycamore Park on Monday, May 1, 2023, where Karim Abou Najm, a graduating senior at UC Davis, was stabbed to death Saturday. It was the second of three stabbings  two fatal  in the city in less than a week.

Residents discuss safety on social media

Minji Kim, a UC Davis researcher, was walking downtown to get coffee Tuesday. Like many, she was awakened around 1 a.m. by alerts of the third stabbing.

Im really shocked and scared, said Kim, who has lived in Davis for 10 years. Im not sure if this (assailant) is one person or more.

After receiving the alert, she logged onto the Nextdoor app, a social media site for residents to share information with their neighbors. Kim said Davis residents were frantically sharing what they knew about the latest stabbing.

I got up and checked all my windows and made sure they were locked, Kim said. I need to be secure.

Shes exchanged a lot of text messages with her friends over the past several days. Theyre warning each other about not going out at night and looking for anything suspicious in their surroundings. Kim said the fear is elevated just knowing that police have not captured a suspect.

As officials scrambled to keep the campus safe  extending Safe Ride services, as well as escorts to walk student around campus  some said they had only received scant information on how to handle the situation.

Graduate student Zack Scovel, 33, said he wished the university would provide more information to instructors, like himself, about how to accommodate students needs during the tense time.

How do we go on with normal if that guy is still out there? Scovel said.

The university said in a letter to students and faculty Monday that officials shared concerns over safety in our community, urging everyone to be aware of their surroundings and call campus or city police should they have any information to help solve these crimes.

Maybe it was because of the rain, or the stabbings, but members of a cultural Japanese drumming club didnt have any competition for a table Tuesday afternoon. Second-year student Fiona Okida said the group was promoting an upcoming event and the club.

Hearing a little music is helping, and bringing up our spirits, Okida, 20, said. She and her peers thumped on a drum and played a flute near the Memorial Union.

Okida needed some comfort. I am feeling unsafe, she said.

Earlier in the day, she had hugged a friend and cried. The computer engineering major wanted more information from the university about what it did and did not know.

Wed like to focus on our studies instead of our lives being in danger, she said.

It couldve been any one of us

The spate of violence is unusual for the placid college town 15 miles east of Sacramento. The Davis Police Department reported only one homicide in 2022 in the city of nearly 70,000 people.

Penny, an art history major and a fan of true crime podcasts, said the quiet little city seemed rocked by violence almost seemed cliche. A lot of (those stories) do start with, in a small town..., she said. But it definitely feels like it wouldnt happen so nearby.

City and campus police in statements have urged people to travel in groups if they must venture out at night.

Rex Pyles of Davis knew Breaux, the man who was stabbed to death early Thursday at Central Park and a well-known figure known locally as the Compassion Guy. Pyles was out for his morning walk Tuesday around the downtown park.

He said news of the third stabbing is shocking, but that residents were already gripped by fear.

Its shaken us up, Pyles said, emphasizing what appear to be victims randomly attacked. It couldve been any one of us.

David Henry Breaux, left, and Karim Abou Najm were stabbed to death in Davis parks days apart.

Police still searching for attacker

Davis Police Department spokesman Lt. Dan Beckwith called the investigations extremely preliminary, but said that the suspect descriptions in Saturdays Sycamore Park stabbing and Mondays incident at the homeless encampment were similar.

An emergency alert from authorities sent just before 1 a.m. Tuesday said officers were looking for a suspect described as a light-complected male, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9. Police said the man had a thin build wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with white stripes, black shoes carrying a brown backpack.

The suspect was last seen running westbound on Third Street from L Street, police said.

In Saturdays stabbing, which took place near Sycamore Lane and Colby Drive just after 9 p.m., police said they were looking for a man between the ages of 19 and 23 and 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8, describing him as a light-skinned male, possibly Hispanic, with long curly loose hair.
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Three stabbings, two men dead, one woman in critical condition  and a city fearful of another attack.

The attacks in Davis have rattled the Yolo County city and triggered an all-out response from Davis police and allied agencies from across the capital region.

But, for people living in the college town of nearly 70,000 residents, the series of crimes, which may be connected, have raised fears for safety in whats typically one of the Sacramento Valleys safest places, reporting just one homicide in all of 2022.

Trio of stabbings in California are likely the work of a serial killer, experts say. Heres why

Heres what we know so far about the three stabbings that occurred across the city in five days, as of Tuesday morning:

What happened?

First stabbing: Thursday, April 27

At about 11:20 a.m., officers were called to Central Park at 401 C St., just east of the UC Davis campus, for a report of an unresponsive male.

Davis resident David Henry Breaux, 50, was discovered by authorities and pronounced dead at the scene after a significantly violent attack left him with multiple stab wounds.

The homicide stunned residents and city leaders, who said Breaux was affectionately known around town as the Compassion Guy because of his regular interactions with everyone who walked by. They said he would often wave and greet people or ask them to share their views on compassion.

The death of David Breaux is utterly and completely devastating, Davis Mayor Will Arnold said in a city statement posted online. Many of us knew David. We talked with him. We shared in his vision for a kinder world.

Second stabbing: Saturday, April 29

Davis police said a resident living near Sycamore Park heard a disturbance outside just after 9 p.m.

After the resident called 911, police found a 20-year-old UC Davis student dead from multiple stab wounds near Sycamore Lane and Colby Drive.

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The victim was identified as Karim Abou Najm. His father, Majdi Abou Najm, said his son was on his way home Saturday night, using a path through the park hed often used. His son had been on campus Saturday for a student research project presentation and had been with friends before he decided to head home.

He was just six weeks away from graduation, the father said Monday. Its devastating. Instead of attending his graduation, were making arrangements for his departure.

Karim Abou Najm graduated from Davis High School in 2020 and had planned to graduate this June from UC Davis with a bachelors degree in computer science, according to university officials, his father and his LinkedIn profile.

Majdi Abou Najm said his son already had two jobs lined up to start his career after college, including a startup company where he would work on developing technology for speech recognition for smart glass.

The technology would be beneficial for people with hearing impairments.

Third stabbing: Monday, May 1

Police responded to a 911 call about a stabbing just before midnight in an encampment near Second and L streets in downtown Davis.

A homeless woman was stabbed more than one time through her tent from the outside. Her identity has not been released, but witnesses described her as a woman in her 60s.

The alleged assailant then fled the scene, last seen running westbound on Third Street from L Street.

The victim was taken to UC Davis Medical Center and was listed in critical condition, though she is expected to survive.

After a manhunt that went yard to yard through downtown Davis with K-9 teams, drones and other special personnel from multiple law enforcement agencies, the Davis Police Department was not able to locate the suspect.

Tents near the scene of a stabbing are blocked by law enforcement vehicles and police tape following a stabbing Monday night at a homeless encampment near 2nd and L streets in Davis. It was the third stabbing in the city in less than a week.

Where did the attacks occur?

The first stabbing occurred Thursday, April 27, at Central Park in downtown Davis; the second on Saturday, April 29 at Sycamore Park near Sycamore Lane and Colby Drive about 1 miles from the first attack; the third happened on downtowns east side at a homeless encampment near Second and L streets.

What we know about the suspect or suspects

April 27 stabbing

As of last week, investigators were working on several tips sent in by residents but had no solid leads to the stabbing that left Breaux dead.

Police said all available resources will be used to solve this horrific crime.

Investigators asked anyone who was in the area of Central Park in the early-morning hours on Thursday or has security video cameras directed at the park or in the downtown area to call the Davis Police Department at 530-747-5400 or send an email to policeweb@cityofdavis.org.

Investigators also asked anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous can call the departments tip line at 530-747-5460.

David Henry Breaux, left, and Karim Abou Najm were stabbed to death in Davis parks days apart.

April 29 stabbing

After an exhaustive search using canines and drones, a suspect in the killing of Abou Najm was not found.

Police said theyre looking for a light-skinned male, possibly Hispanic with long curly loose hair between the ages of 19 and 23.

The potential suspect, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8, was last seen wearing a white hat and a light-colored T-shirt beneath a button-up shirt with a bike with straight handlebars.

Officers later booked a person of interest near the crime scene who matched the description at the Yolo County Jail for an outstanding warrant issued out of Placer County.

Mondays stabbing

The suspect who left a homeless woman in critical condition Tuesday morning was last seen running westbound on Third Street from L Street.

The suspect is described as a light-complected male, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9.

Police said the man had a thin build, wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with white stripes and black shoes. He was carrying a brown backpack.





WarnMe: Shelter in place until further notice. Davis and UC Davis police are searching for a suspect following a stabbing in the area of 2nd and L streets. pic.twitter.com/DvGLnynWnR  UC Davis (@ucdavis) May 2, 2023

A cyclist rides Monday, May 1, 2023, past a memorial of flowers marking the location that Karim Abou Najm, a graduating senior at UC Davis, was fatally stabbed Saturday in Sycamore Park in Davis. It was the citys second deadly stabbing at a park in three days.

People view a memorial set up at the compassion bench in Davis on Monday, May 1, 2023, to honor David Henry Breaux, 50, who was found stabbed to death Thursday in Central Park.

Are the Davis stabbings connected?

The April 29 and April 27 stabbings share similarities, including the brutal nature and the weapon used, but have not been definitively linked to one suspect, police said.

A knife was also used in Mondays attack when the assailant tore open a tent and stabbed the woman multiple times.

While the suspect descriptions are similar, police have yet to definitively link the crimes to one person.

What agencies are investigating?

The Davis Police Department has been assisted by a constellation of law enforcement agencies from across the capital region, including the police departments from UC Davis, West Sacramento, Sacramento, Elk Grove and the Yolo and Sacramento sheriffs offices.

The California Highway Patrol vehicles have also been seen on Davis streets in the hours after Mondays attack.

Mutual assistance resources from agencies have included search-and-rescue teams combing the sites where the attacks occurred, as well as aerial drone resources and K-9 units.

In addition, officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the state Department of Justice have lent support to the investigation. That includes analysts from the FBIs crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.

Are classes on UC Davis campus canceled or online?

On Tuesday morning, UC Davis Police Chief Joseph Farrow told KCRA that school leaders were discussing the possibility of moving evening classes online to limit the number of students on campus after dark.

University officials said in an update before noon that there were no changes to instruction and administrative operations during the day.

Campus buildings are open, administrative support continues and all instruction continues as normal, UC Davis officials said.

The universitys academic senate is weighing potential changes to instruction during evening hours, including moving classes online, but no decisions have been made.

Students were told to expect further information at 2 p.m.: That guidance will include decisions on evening instruction as well as evening operational mitigations.

Residents told to protect themselves

Extra officers have been deployed to patrol around schools and parks to ensure the public safety presence throughout Davis.

Officials at UC Davis said Sunday they were working collaboratively with the citys police department following the stabbings, providing extra patrols in the city and on campus.

UCD police have added personnel and vans to maximize the schools Safe Ride program and escort availability this week.

School officials moved up by two hours the start time for rides from campus to off-campus locations in the city of Davis  rides will run from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. every day.

The Bees Sam Stanton, Michael McGough and Rosalio Ahumada contributed to this story.
Davis police are hunting a monster. And its extremely likely the suspect is a serial killer, experts say.

The person behind three stabbings in the normally quiet college town is likely full of rage and has targeted his victims with no clear connection to one another, criminal experts told The Sacramento Bee. Given Davis relative isolation, 15 miles west of Sacramento and surrounded by farmland, the suspect probably lives in the city.

Its also possible the person responsible is battling mental illness.

The chances that these cases are not linked is very small, said Mark Safarik, a former Davis police detective and investigator with the FBIs behavioral analysis unit. One of the things here is we dont really have a motive, Davis is a relatively small community, and its very likely these cases are linked.

By definition, Sararnik said, two or more homicides separated by time are serial killings.

The nature of the killings has added to the gravity of the case. The first two victims died of multiple stab wounds after being attacked in city parks. The third was a homeless woman stabbed multiple times through her tent; she was in critical condition Tuesday.

It could be someone so rageful, so intent on doing harm that hes just seeking out the most vulnerable, said Michael Vitiello, a criminal law scholar at the University of the Pacifics McGeorge School of Law. Think about the violence, the rageness that you have to have.

Law enforcement officials have not definitively linked the three attacks, but have said they share similarities, including the brutal nature of the crimes. Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig said law enforcement agencies in the region are responding with all hands on deck.

Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said, to his knowledge, the city has never encountered a wave of stabbings similar to this one in at least the past 40 years.

This is different, he told reporters Tuesday. These attacks were particularly violent and brazen.

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Davis police are likely being cautious before labeling the crimes the work of a serial killer.

Once you label someone as being a serial killer, the case takes on a whole other life, Safarik said. He said media attention intensifies and task forces are formed, attracting law enforcement from around the nation.

Its going to change the dynamics of the case, he said. They want to be absolutely certain.

Law enforcement vehicles and police tape block multiple streets Tuesday in Davis, including at Third and L streets, following a stabbing at a homeless encampment overnight. It was the third stabbing in the city in less than a week.

Up close and personal

Stabbing murders are not rare, but serial stabbings involving multiple victims are uncommon, law enforcement officials said.

Its a completely different kind of crime, former Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said. Its up close and personal. Youve got to feel the force of the weapon as it penetrates the body.

Stabbings are not rare, certainly, but a serial stabbing? Im not thinking of any.

A series of stabbings presents an unusual challenge to law enforcement.

When victims are killed by gunfire, the shots are often heard by others, hastening police response to the scene. In stabbings, however, there may be little audible evidence, giving suspects extra time to flee, experts said. All three of the Davis attacks have also occurred at night, police said.

The first killing occurred Thursday, when 50-year-old David Henry Breaux was found dead in the citys Central Park. Breaux, known in the community as the Compassion Guy, was likely killed hours before his body was found, meaning there were no witnesses to the act, Pytel said.

There appeared to be a witness to the killing of UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm, 20, in Sycamore Park on Saturday night. Police said a neighbor heard a disturbance and went outside to find Najm suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Multiple people were also nearby when a homeless woman was stabbed late Monday in an encampment near Second and L streets. Police conducted a detailed search of the downtown Davis area, the department said. Still, after a brief call to shelter in place, an army of officers from multiple jurisdictions ended the manhunt without a suspect in custody.

Police said they were looking for an assailant described as a light-complected male, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9. The man had a thin build wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with white stripes, black shoes carrying a brown backpack.

Investigating stabbings

If the attacks are connected, the fact that the victims were stabbed may help investigators connect the crimes. There may be evidence, particularly DNA evidence, left at the scene of attacks in which the suspect and victim came into close contact.

Without knowing the facts of a particular case, it is possible DNA is left behind in stabbings, said former Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, whose office helped break the notorious Golden State Killer case using DNA and genealogy. Given the latest technology and advancements in DNA, I would anticipate law enforcement is doing everything it can to identify potential forensic evidence.

Pytel, the Davis police chief, said his department was consulting with the FBI to help determine whether the attacks are the work of a serial killer. Experts said knives are an uncommon weapon used in serial killings.

The reason stabbings are less likely in serial killings is its harder to kill, Vitiello said. You need to get close and its more likely youll be detected.

Homicides in general are also extremely rare in Davis. There were just nine homicides in the city between 2012 and 2021, according to the California Department of Justice. And the city had just one last year, according to records maintained by The Sacramento Bee.

One of the more heinous killings came in April 2013, when then-15-year-old Daniel Marsh used a hunting knife to slice open a screen window on an elderly couples south Davis condominium.

Marsh, who had covered his shoe soles with tape to quiet any noise, slipped inside the bedroom and butchered 87-year-old Oliver Chip Northup and his 76-year-old wife, Claudia Maupin.

Marsh, who eventually was sentenced to 52 years to life, told investigators he watched the couple sleep before stabbing them more than 60 times.

There have been recent high-profile mass stabbings in North America.

Last weekend, three people were injured during a random series of stabbings in Toronto, Canadas largest city. In October, a man was charged in connection with the stabbings of eight people, two fatally, on the Las Vegas strip. He was later found unfit for trial.

And in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last year, a 42-year-old man was arrested after police said he rode around the city on a bicycle and stabbed 11 people over the course of a weekend.
The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" - Arrivals

Emma Chamberlain attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. Credit - Mike CoppolaGetty Images

YouTuber Emma Chamberlain is back at the Met Gala, and she appears to be the only major internet personality attending the event this year. It marks a departure from galas of the past few years, all of which have included at least a handful of influencers.

The Met Gala is the most exclusive fashion party of the year, held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event has historically hosted only the most famous and elite. As internet influencers have grown in their follower counts and cultural cachet in the last several years, it was only inevitable that some would make the guest list.

Last year, several influencers were at the Met Gala, including popular TikTokers Addison Rae, Dixie DAmelio, and Avani Gregg. In September 2021, the first gala held since the COVID-19 pandemic began, influencers in attendance included makeup vlogger NikkieTutorials, beauty guru Jackie Aina and Try Guys member Eugene Lee Yang.

The first influencer to attend the Met Gala was blogger Chiara Ferragni, in 2015. YouTuber Liza Koshy attended in 2018, and conducted red carpet interviews for Vogues YouTube channel.

YouTube makeup guru James Charles graced the carpet in 2019, writing in an Instagram caption of his look, Being invited to such an important event like the ball is such an honor and a step forward in the right direction for influencer representation in the media and I am so excited to be a catalyst. YouTuber and, later, late-night show host Lilly Singh was also in attendance that year.

This year, Chamberlain was on her own in representing the world of internet stars. The YouTuber attended the gala as Vogues YouTube channel official red carpet host for the third consecutive year, wearing a Miu Miu cropped blazer and matching baby blue floor-length skirt and headband. She quickly switched her look at the top of the carpet into a similar look in black, with a Miu Miu cropped undershirt for her hosting duties.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/Crt37HTN8Ww

The inclusion of influencers at the Met Gala has been criticized over the years, as some have called out internet stars as not being on par with what they consider more traditional celebrities. A 2019 tweet with over 140,000 likes reads: Met Gala is actually losing its exclusivity I dont know how they can have these boring YouTubers and D list celebrities walking around like its The Kids Choice Awards.

Influencers arent the only non-traditional guests who have caught flack for their invites. Kim Kardashian, who in many ways is thought of as the OG influencer, and the Kardashian-Jenner family have notoriously received controversial invites. Even this year, rumors flew that Anna Wintour had not invited the famous family.

Kim attended for the first time in 2013 in a Givenchy skin-tight flower gown that embraced her baby bump. Last years gala, themed In America: An Anthology of Fashion, marked the first time all Kardashian-Jenner sisters attended the event.
Shinnecock tribal member and grave protector Denise Silva-Dennis (left) walks beside Southampton's former archaeologist, JoAnn McLean to see the land disturbed within the sacred Shinnecock Hills. (Photo: Evan Mills)

Native American ancestors buried in New York will soon be protected by state law from unintentional excavationa right the states tribal nations have been advancing for more than 20 years.

On Monday night, the states Senate and Assembly passed the unmarked burial site protection act as part of a budget bill. The law, once signed by the governor, will enact measures to prevent unmarked Native American burial sites from destruction when human remains or funerary objects are unearthed by developers during home construction or renovation.

A previous burial protection act was shot down at the last minute by New York Governor Kathy Hochul last December for failing to balance the rights of property owners with the interests of the families of lineal descendants and other groups, the governor wrote in her veto memo.

But after five months of continued negotiations between the Assembly, the Senate, and representatives from five tribal nations of New YorkShinnecock Nation, Seneca Nation, Oneida Nation, Unkechaug Nation, and St. Regis Mohawk tribal representatives say they are happy with the bill on its way to the governors desk.

We go from no protection, to significant protection, said Unkechaug Nation Chief Harry Wallace, who lives on the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic, Long Island. Thats a big deal.

Wallace is one of the tribal leaders involved in a decades-long effort to pass legislation to protect unmarked graves.

Currently, New York is one of only four statesincluding New Jersey, Wyoming, and Ohio that doesnt have a process in place for when burials are unintentionally unearthed on private property during development.

The new law establishes a chain of commands: First, developers or anyone disturbing the ground that discovers human remains are required to immediately cease work and notify a local coroner, who will call the state archeologist if the remains are more than 50 years old. The law also establishes a burial review committee tasked with affiliating remains and their burial items to a present-day Native American tribe, and establishes criminal penalties for those who dont comply with the law.

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Most importantly, Chief Wallace told Native News Online, the law bars property owners from handling any human remains or funerary objects themselves. Thats a significant change from the previous version of the bill that Hochul vetoed. That version gave property owners the right to remove human remains themselves after 60 days.

The new law only allows the state archaeologistat the expense of the property owner to remove human remains, and gives the right of possession and stewardship of human remains and cultural objects exclusively to lineal descendants or culturally affiliated groups, or to the state archeologist while cultural affiliation is being determined. Additionally, a culturally affiliated group has the right to having a cultural monitor on site prior to and during excavation.

When property owners, which is a euphemism for developers, remove Indian bodies, they do so in a way that desecrates the remains, and they steal the funerary objects, Wallace said.

Over the last two decades, there have been several grave desecrations on Long Island. In 2003, a developer on Shelter Island, off the coast of Long Island, unearthed a mass Native burial site on his property, then built a horse barn over the site.

In just the last two years, a local task force of roughly half a dozen Algonquian-speaking tribes from Long Island has reclaimed more than 150 human remains unearthed by archeologists and museums in Suffolk CountyLong Islands easternmost countyin the late 1800s and early 1900s.

We know from our experience, and our history, that when a property owner touches Native remains, they desecrate them, Wallace said. Really this bill is just a correction of human behavior thats long overdue.

One of the bills negotiators from the Shinnecock Nation of Long Island, Tela Troge, told Native News Online that the legislation fairly and equitably protects all interested parties, including landowners and lineal descendants of those persons who may be inadvertently discovered.

Hochul is expected to sign the bill by the end of this week, according to Gioele Feltrin, the deputy legislative director for Assemblymember Fred Theilewho reintroduced the unmarked burial protection act in January 2023. The sooner she signs it, the better. Feltrin said.

About the Author: "Jenna Kunze is a staff reporter covering Indian health, the environment and breaking news for Native News Online. She is also the publication's lead reporter on stories related to Indian boarding schools and repatriation. Her bylines have appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Country News, Indian Country Today, Tribal Business News, Smithsonian Magazine, Elle and Anchorage Daily News. Kunze is based in New York."

Contact: jkunze@indiancountrymedia.com
Troy Victorino and Jerone Hunter leave the courtroom after their sentencing trial is delayed, Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Attorneys in the Xbox mass murder case continue their battle over Florida's new death penalty law with the defense arguing that applying the non-unanimous jury death recommendation would violate the killers' due process rights.

The 5th District Court has set a deadline of 5 p.m. Tuesday for a reply to the latest filing.

The resentencing of Troy Victorino, 46, and Jerone Hunter, 35, for the 2004 murders in which six people were killed was about to enter its third day on April 27 when the appeals court granted a prosecution request to stop the proceedings. Jurors were sent home and told to await word from the court on when to return.

Prosecutors are fighting to apply the new state law, which requires eight jurors to recommend death for a judge to be able to sentence someone to death. The new statute was signed into law on April 20, shortly after the 15-member jury was sworn in for the resentencing trial at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.

Victorino and Hunter were sentenced to death in 2006, but those sentences were overturned because the state Supreme Court later ruled that death recommendations must be unanimous. The state Supreme Court subsequently reversed itself and ruled that unanimity was not required.

Two other men convicted in the killings, Michael Salas and Robert Cannon, were sentenced to mandatory life in prison.

Killed in the massacre were Erin Belanger, 22; Michelle Nathan, 19; Roberto "Tito" Gonzalez, 28; Jonathan Gleason, 17; Francisco "Flaco" Ayo-Roman, 30; and Anthony Vega, 34. A dog was also killed.

Xbox resentencing halted: Appeals court orders halt to Xbox mass murder trial while it considers death penalty dispute

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Deltona Xbox mass murder: Here's what you need to know

Assistant State Attorneys Heatha Trigones and Andrew Urbanak asked Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III to apply the new law to the court case. But Rowe declined, saying the trial had already begun and jurors were sworn in. Prosecutors asked the 5th DCA to intervene.

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Troy Victorino and Jerone Hunter leave the court room after their sentencing trial is delayed, Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Deltona mass murder legal fight

Hunters defense attorneys, Allison Miller and Garry Wood, and Victorinos attorneys, Ann Finnell and Gonzalo Andux, filed a response Monday stating that "the circuit court found that, to suddenly apply the non-unanimity statute when no one was expecting it, would violate the due process rights of Mr. Hunter and Mr. Victorino."

Their response also stated that prosecutors filed their legal argument in the wrong court because the 5th DCA would not have jurisdiction over any death sentence imposed on Hunter and Victorino.

The defense response accused prosecutors of having slow-walked jury selection so they could use the new law.

Despite the legislatures progress toward approving the new law and Gov. Ron DeSantis saying he supported it, prosecutors sat silent about the likely change in the law or their desire to have it applied if the statute changed mid-trial, according to the response.

The judge instructed all three panels of approximately 288 potential jurors that unanimity was required, the defense response stated.

Prosecutors did not weigh in when a potential juror brought up the new law, the defense stated.

Prosecutors in an earlier motion have argued that Rowe declined the states request to question the jurors about the new law and also declined the states request not to swear in the jury until he ruled on whether prosecutors could use the new law.

Prosecutors in an earlier motion argued that the defense had the chance to question potential jurors about the new law and both declined.

Prosecutors also argued that the jury was not sworn in until April 20 when the final panel was selected, as opposed to April 10 when jury selection began.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona mass murder defense argues death penalty law would violate rights
The nine justices of the US Supreme Court

US senators pressed Tuesday for a binding code of conduct to be forced on the Supreme Court amid a mushrooming scandal over justices accepting lavish gifts and benefiting from undisclosed real estate transactions.

Members of the nation's highest judicial body are the only federal judges not explicitly subject to ethical oversight, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee pointed out, as they voiced dismay over the refusal of Chief Justice John Roberts to appear before them to discuss reform.

Senator Dick Durbin, the chairman of the Democratic-led panel, opened the session by detailing a litany of expensive gifts conservative Justice Clarence Thomas had welcomed from rich Republican donor Harlan Crow over two decades.

Durbin said Thomas had faced "no apparent consequences" for accepting numerous luxury trips, including on a mega-yacht and private jet, from the real estate billionaire without disclosing them.

"We wouldn't tolerate this from a city council member or an alderman," Durbin told the committee.

"It falls short of ethical standards we expect of any public servant in America and yet the Supreme Court won't even acknowledge it's a problem."

Durbin said he was "troubled" by Roberts declining his invitation to testify by citing separation of powers concerns, adding that sitting justices have testified in 92 congressional hearings since 1960.

The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing came with polls showing that a majority of Americans disapprove of the job being done by the bench of six conservative and three liberal justices.

- 'Honest ethics process' -

Questions have also been raised about another conservative justice, Neil Gorsuch who, according to Politico, neglected to disclose the buyer of a large vacation home on the Colorado River -- the head of a major US law firm which regularly handles cases before the high court.

Democrats called the hearing in a bid to ratchet public pressure on the justices, with Congress divided between the two parties and a series of bills aimed at strengthening oversight standing little chance of becoming law.

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Democrats have a 51-49 majority in the Senate but would need an unlikely 60 votes to pass any ethics bill, which would not get the consent of the Republican-led House of Representatives in any case.

"Until there is an honest ethics process at the Supreme Court, these messes will continue," Rhode Island Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse said.

"The court has conclusively proven that it cannot police itself."

Experts called by Republicans to testify were skeptical over the concept of Congress legislating to bring the high court into line, however, pointing to its status as a coequal branch of government.

"It is the Supreme Court and not the Congress that has the constitutional prerogative to decide whether to adopt a formal code of conduct governing the individual justices," said Michael Mukasey, a former attorney general during president George W. Bush's administration.

- 'Sour grapes' -

Republicans accused Democrats of mudslinging, "alarmism" and "sour grapes" over decisions led by conservative justices that had not gone their way.

They pointed to what they said was inflammatory language by Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, who warned justices in 2020 they would "pay the price" for poor decisions, and to activists picketing justices' homes and threatening them.

"My Democratic colleagues should file a 'hurt feelings' report and move on for the sake of the Constitution," said Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, while South Carolina's Lindsey Graham called the hearing an "unseemly effort of the Democratic Left to destroy the legitimacy of the Roberts Court."

Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge called to testify by Democrats, acknowledged the Supreme Court's need to defend its independence but suggested a panel of retired judges could help justices comply with ethical guidelines.

"The point is that a formal code of conduct would provide clearly stated, visible rules and procedures to which the justices are expressly committed," he said.

"Adoption of such an ethical framework wouldn't make controversies about the court or its decisions disappear, but it would be a statement to the American people that their faith in the court's adherence to core ethical principles matters."

ft/tjj
The flag of Denmark

In particular, Denmark will transfer armored medevac and demining vehicles, equipment and ammunition for anti-aircraft defense system, which will reinforce Ukraine's ability to launch a counteroffensive in the coming months. A total of almost $250 million worth of equipment will be allocated.

Read also: Denmark, the Netherlands to transfer 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

We know that the Russians have entrenched themselves in the occupied territories of Ukraine, dug trenches and planted mines in the fields, the ministry quotes Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmarks acting Defense Minister.

The equipment in the aid package will help Ukrainian tanks and infantry on the frontline. said Troels Lund Poulsen, the acting Danish Minister of Defense.

Read also: Ukrainian troops finish training on Caesar artillery systems in Denmark

The message provides the following breakdown of the package:

 Armored recovery and engineering vehicles;

 Demining and landmine-resistant vehicles;

 Specialized mine clearance equipment;

 Mortar rounds;

 Ammunition for Carl Gustav anti-tank grenade launcher;

 Field bridging equipment;

 Night visors;

 Funding for additional anti-air missiles.

Read also: Denmark confirms sighting of Russian vessel near Nord Stream explosion site

On April 15, Poulsen said Denmark expects to deliver Leopard-1 main battle tanks to Ukraine in near future.

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
Q: What is the main consideration behind State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gangs visit to Myanmar?

A: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gangs visit to Myanmar is aimed to further follow through on the outcomes of President Xi Jinpings historic visit to Myanmar in January 2020, deepen practical cooperation in such fields as economy and livelihood, and support Myanmars efforts to maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve peoples lives, and realize sustainable development.

Q: Could you share the main program of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting and Chinas expectation for the event?

A: The upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting will be held on May 4 and 5 in Panaji, the capital of Goa, India. At the meeting, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will exchange views with other SCO member states foreign ministers on the international and regional situation and SCO cooperation in various fields, among other topics, to make full preparation for this years SCO summit.
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Denmark will donate military equipment and financial support to Ukraine worth 1.7 billion Danish crowns ($250 million), the Nordic country's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on Tuesday.

The minister also said Denmark will reduce its military presence in Iraq starting in early-2024 and instead focus on the Baltic countries, offering NATO a battalion to defend the region.

The battalion is expected to consist of between 700 and 1,200 soldiers, and is expected to be deployed in Latvia between four and six months every year.

The rest of the year, the troops will remain in Denmark, ready to be deployed to the Baltic states in case of a crisis, the ministry of defence said.

"We must be prepared for the Danish presence in the Baltics to be long-term, and there is a need for balancing between having soldiers on the ground and being ready to deploy them from Denmark," Poulsen said.

Denmark will withdraw one of its security and escort units of about 105 soldiers in Iraq as of February next year, but will continue to provide staff and advice to NATO's mission in Iraq, the defence ministry said.

($1 = 6.8051 Danish crowns)

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Terje Solsvik)
Deontay Wilder in training last September (Getty Images)

Deontay Wilder posted a mysterious tweet following reports he was arrested and jailed by police in Los Angeles for carrying a gun.

Wilder was pulled over by police while driving his Rolls Royce through Hollywood in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to TMZ, and a weapon was discovered in the vehicle. The former heavyweight world champion was taken in to custody at around 1.15am and was cooperative throughout the incident.

In a message that could be interpreted as an attempt to justify carrying the 9mm pistol, Wilder tweeted: Id rather be safe than sorry. The End.

The 37-year-old was held for several hours before being released from jail at 6.34am.

Wilder is set to fight Anthony Joshua later this year after the Briton claimed the fight is 95 percent done from his side.

Talks are under way over a heavyweight tournament that would pit Joshua against Wilder, while Tyson Fury would take on Oleksandr Usyk on the same night, mostly likely in Saudi Arabia this December.

Joshua, 33, told Metro: From my experiences with Saudi, if they say they are going to do something, they are more than likely going to do it. So, thats one end of it. And then you let the other guys [promoters] do what they do. But as the man behind the scenes, it is important to start getting ready.

In terms of it getting delivered [from my side], I honestly believe it is 95 percent there.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday allowing for the death penalty for child rapists, setting up a potential Supreme Court challenge.

The bill, which will become law Oct. 1, makes sexual battery of a person under 12 a capital crime.

DeSantis, a likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has sought to project a law-and-order message as he tries to take Florida's policies to a national audience. In a statement announcing the bills signing, DeSantis touted his "tough-on-crime policies."

"We think that in the worst of the worst cases, the only appropriate punishment is the ultimate punishment, and so this bill sets up a procedure to be able to challenge that precedent," DeSantis said at a Monday news conference in Titusville, Florida, speaking behind a podium with a sign that said "Law & Order."

The bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the Florida House and Senate, is the state's second change to death penalty policy in recent months. In April, DeSantis signed a bill that lowered the threshold of jurors needed to recommend the death penalty from 12 to eight.

The bill signed Monday goes against a 2008 Supreme Court decision preventing states from imposing the death penalty for child rape if the victim does not die. At the time, a coalition of social workers and organizations opposing sexual violence had supported the court's decision, arguing that making child sexual abuse a capital punishment would leave victims more reluctant to name their abusers and increase the incentives for child rapists to kill their victims.

In a statement, DeSantis said he is prepared to "take this law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court," charging judicial precedents with "unjustly" shielding child rapists from the death penalty.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(AP/Getty/iStock)

For years, Florida legislators and the governors office enjoyed a close relationship with The Walt Disney Company, among the states largest employers, wielding enormous political influence while bringing in billions of dollars to the state each year.

Now, the company and allies of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis are suing one another, following a year-long feud over opposition to what opponents have called Floridas Dont Say Gay law that boiled over into political and legal battles that could shape the companys business in the state.

The states feud with the company is entangled with volatile far-right attacks smearing Disney and LGBT+ people as groomers and pedophiles, while similar threats to LGBT+ people are making their way through state legislatures and governors offices across the country

Last year, Governor DeSantis endorsed a broadly written bill from Republican lawmakers  the Parental Rights in Education Act  that prohibits instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through the third grade and any such discussion that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in other grades.

LGBT+ advocates and civil rights groups warned that the measures broad scope could freeze classroom speech involving LGBT+ people and issues  from civil rights history lessons to discussion of LGBT+ students, school staff and their families  under the threat of potentially financially destructive litigation and harassment from third parties who accuse schools of violating the law.

Following passage of the bill, more than three dozen similar measures have been proposed in nearly half of US states, including 26 measures in 14 states in their current legislative sessions alone.

Here is how  as Disney writes in a recent lawsuit  it has come to this.

Disney faces pressure to respond to Dont Say Gay threats

Disney is a political heavyweight in the state. The company dispatches several lobbyists to the state capitol in Tallahassee and spends millions of dollars through its many entities to both Democratic and Republican officials every election cycle to promote its business.

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Its also a cultural and economic powerhouse, drawing millions of visitors to the state each year. The companys voice on controversial legislation could, until recently, carry significant weight.

But reporting from The Independent and other outlets found that Disney entities contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Mr DeSantis and other Republican lawmakers central to the Dont Say Gay law, despite the companys history of LGBT+ advocacy.

Following weeks of pressure from LGBT+ advocates and Disney employees urging the company to publicly lobby against the bill, now-former CEO Bob Chapek announced that the company would oppose the bill and suspend its political donations in the state.

(REUTERS)

On 11 March 2022, Mr Chapek announced the company would immediately begin supporting efforts to combat similar legislation in other states and pause all political donations in the state pending a review of the companys political giving, conceding that the company failed to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights.

The companys LGBT+ employees and staff opposed to the legislation staged daily walkouts to pressure Disney to indefinitely cease all campaign donations to state officials who created or helped pass the measure and demand that Disney leadership publicly commit to an actionable plan that protects employees from anti-LGBT+ legislation. The actions culminated in a full workday walkout or sick out on 22 March.

Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down by the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organisations working to achieve that, the company said on 28 March 2022, when the governor signed the bill into law.

Governor DeSantis and members of his administration quickly lashed out at the company, igniting a feud that escalated to Republican threats to punish its operations in the state.

DeSantis pushes for the end of Reedy Creek

In April, Governor DeSantis expanded the scope of a special legislative session on the states redistricting plans to also consider the termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968, including the municipal taxing and government district that allows Disney to tax and regulate its sprawling park and resort properties in the Orlando area.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District was first created in 1967 to give Disney control of its land use, zoning rules and public services without putting a tax burden on Florida residents.

The district encompasses Disney World properties in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, spanning 39 square miles and land across Orange and Osceola counties.

With Disney as the primary landowner for the district, the company is largely responsible for all costs of those municipal services that otherwise would fall under the jurisdiction of county and local governments, including the taxpayers who live within them. In effect, Disney used the Reedy Creek board to tax itself to foot the bill for all of its municipal needs.

The governor and Republican lawmakers wanted to blow up that arrangement.

On 19 April 2022, Republican state Rep Randy Fine introduced House Bill 3C, the Independent Special Districts bill. A companion measure, Senate Bill 4C, was introduced in the state Senate.

The governor and his administration insisted that the initial proposal was intended to block what they called special privileges for big business in the state, but fundraising messages promoting Reedy Creeks demise pointed to Disneys woke opposition to the so-called Dont Say Gay bill.

Disney thought they ruled Florida, an email from his campaign on 19 April said. They even tried to attack me to advance their woke agenda. Now, parents see Disney for what it is. And now is the time to put the power back in the hands of Floridians and out of the pockets of woke executives.

State lawmakers bristled over the governors initial plans to dissolve Reedy Creek over concerns that doing so would not only violate state law but force Florida taxpayers to pay for infrastructure projects like road construction that Disney was effectively paying for through the districts arrangement.

Instead, the governors own appointees will be in charge of the district and its powers to tax, build and borrow money under a new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

(REUTERS)

During an event on 27 February, Governor DeSantis signed a bill that amounts to a state takeover of the new district, with a five-member board made up of his own appointees.

Today, the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end, the governor said inside a Reedy Creek fire station in Lake Buena Vista that day. Theres a new sheriff in town and accountability will be the order of the day.

Orlando-area Democratic state Rep Anna Eskamani said in a statement that it is absolutely wild to see a self-proclaimed capitalist like DeSantis celebrate the government takeover of a private board.

All this bill does is rename Reedy Creek and allow Governor DeSantis to appoint hostile conservative cronies to a new board, she said. Disney still maintains the same tax breaks  but their First Amendment rights have been suppressed, and it sends a message to any private individual or company that if you dont purport to what the governor wants, then youll be punished.

DeSantis appointees take control

Among the governors controversial appointees include a donor who gave the DeSantis campaign $50,000 in 2022 and supported the governors efforts to remove an elected state attorney from office.

The governor also appointed the CEO of a right-wing ministry, and the founder of the right-wing activist group Moms for Liberty that the governor has supported to transform local school boards.

Board member Ron Peri, CEO of The Gathering USA ministry, was captured in a since-deleted YouTube video suggesting tap water has turned Americans gay.

So why are there homosexuals today? There are any number of reasons, you know, that are given. Some would say the increase in estrogen in our societies. You know, theres estrogen in the water from birth control pills. They cant get it out, Mr Peri said in the video, according to CNN. The level of testosterone in men broadly in America has declined by 50 points in the past 10 years. You know, and so, maybe thats a part of it.

Despite public notice of proposed changes before the new board stepped in, the governors appointees were outraged to find the Reedy Creek board approved new agreements to make major changes at Disneys campus, changes that would remain in effect for years to come.

Then came the lawsuits

Moments after the new board voted to strip control of its Florida resort, the company filed a federal lawsuit against the governor and state officials alleging a targeted campaign of government retaliation.

On 26 April, the board voted to nullify those agreements, the latest strike from Mr DeSantis, according to the lawsuit.

Disney regrets that it has come to this, the lawsuit states.

At the governors bidding, the states oversight board has purported to void publicly noticed and duly agreed development contracts, which had laid the foundation for billions of Disneys investment dollars and thousands of jobs, the complaint alleges. This government action was patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional.

(AP)

The lawsuit also quotes the governors other retaliatory statements directed towards the company, including weighing potential new taxes and tolls on its hotels and roads and the possibility of a state prison near the parks.

A statement from the governors communications director Taryn Fenske shared with The Independent said that we are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state.

This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law, the statement added.

Disney CEO Bob Iger hinted at the companys case against the board when he told shareholders in April the company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do.

The governor got very angry about the position that Disney took, and it seems like hes decided to retaliate against us.  in effect, to seek to punish a company for its exercise of a constitutional right, Mr Iger said. And that just seems really wrong to me  against any company or individual, but particularly against a company that means so much to the state that you live in.

It didnt take long for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to respond.

On 1 May, days after Disneys federal lawsuit was filed, the board unanimously agreed to sue the company in state court.
The Desert Light Film Festival (DLFF) held its final, statewide event Friday morning, April 28, at the Tays Event Center at the New Mexico State University-Alamogordo.

Students listened to speakers Don Foster, comedy screenwriter for Two and a Half Men, and Erin Quigley an Adobe-certified expert in post-production techniques for underwater photographers.

Keynote Speaker Don Foster at the Desert Light Film Festival

Quigley presented through a Zoom call from the Maldives where she trained underwater photographers. Quigley is also a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, Boston Sea Rovers and Ocean Artists Society.

The DLFF was eager for both speakers to present said Director Joan Griggs as this year's event was the last for the festival.

"We started two film festivals: The White Sands Film Festival for professionals (which has become the Las Cruces Film Festival after being the White Sands International Film Festival) and then Desert Light for high school and middle school students," Director for the DLFF Joan Griggs said.

More: Over 100 films screened during Las Cruces International Film Festival

Over the last 20 years, DLFF provided competitions, cash prizes, and educational seminars to students that have participated in all the events.

After the Tays Event Center, students and teachers went to the Flickinger Center where nearly 250 students from High Schools and Middle Schools presented their top-rated films.

Last Desert Light Film Festival 2023 at the Flickinger Center

Schools from all across New Mexico participated in the event. Griggs said, Lovington High School, New Mexico Academy for Media Arts (Albuquerque), Public Academy for Performing Arts (Albuquerque), Moreno Valley High School (Angle Fire), Centennial High School (Las Cruces), Organ Mountain High School (Las Cruces), Sierra Middle School and Picacho Middle School (both Las Cruces) and Alamogordo High School were all in attendance.

The winner of Best of Festival, Mason Carmona took home a $100 cash prize and a movie sized poster of his own film.

Film poster made for winner of the Desert Light Film Festival

"I have enjoyed meeting film teachers all over New Mexico, as well as talented students who are on their own  either their school has no film program, or they are home schooled. This year we had over 140 films submitted for judging, it may not be a record-breaking number but for us it is a lot," Griggs said.

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DLFF was funded by the Otero County Economic Development Council but after its dissolvement, DLFF had its final event this year. DLFF also received funding for prize money through internet provider, TDS Telecom.

"We are a part of the community, and we support our local community," Barbara Mick, film market manager for TDS said. "We have several different areas we service in New Mexico and that is one thing we want to be is a part of the community not just a service provider."

Mick said TDS were partners with the Otero Economic Development Council (EDD). She said TDS did the funding through EDD that provided awards for the festival.

"Due to the dissolving of Otero County Economic Development Council, we will be ending DLFF. They have served as our umbrella organization all these years for insurance and financial affairs. We appreciate them so much for all they have done. They have been a great partner," Griggs said.

The Alamogordo Daily News reached out to EDD for comment but did not receive a response.

"I think EDD was an important part of our community but the City of Alamogordo, Alamogordo Center of Commerce and the Main Street organization, from what I have seen, are all pulling together to bring more economic development for Alamogordo," Mick said.

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Desert Light Film Festival ends after 20 years of student films
Desmond Tutu said on his 85th birthday early in October 2016 that he wanted the right to end his life through assisted dying. Mike Hutchings/Reuters

Euthanasia represents one of the oldest issues in medical ethics. It is forbidden in the original Hippocratic Oath, and has consistently been opposed by most religious traditions since antiquity  other than, incidentally, abortion, which has only been formally banned by the Catholic Church since the middle of the 19th century.

Euthanasia is a wide topic with many dimensions. I will limit myself in this article to the issue of assisted death, which seems to me to be one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Desmond Tutu, emeritus archbishop of Cape Town, raised it again on his 85th birthday in an article in the Washington Post. He wrote:

I have prepared for my death and have made it clear that I do not wish to be kept alive at all costs. I hope I am treated with compassion and allowed to pass onto the next phase of lifes journey in the manner of my choice.

Assisted death can take the form of physician assisted suicide (PAS). Here a suffering and terminal patient is assisted by a physician to gain access to a lethal substance which the patient himself or herself takes or administers. If incapable of doing so, the physician  on request of the patient  administers the lethal substance which terminates the patients life.

The latter procedure is also referred to as voluntary active euthanasia (VAE). I will not deal with the issue of involuntary euthanasia where the suffering patients life is terminated without their explicit consent - a procedure which, to my mind, is ethically much more problematic.

Passive form of euthanasia

The term voluntary active euthanasia suggests that there also is a passive form of euthanasia. It is passive in the sense that nothing is actively done to kill the patient, but that nothing is done to deter the process of dying either, and that the termination of life-support which is clearly futile, is permitted.

However, the moral significance of the distinction between active and passive euthanasia is increasingly questioned by ethicists. The reason simply is the credibility of arguing that administering a lethal agent is active, but terminating life support (for example switching off a ventilator) is passive. Both clearly are observable and describable actions, and both are the direct causes of the patients death.

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There are a number of reasons for the opposition to physician assisted suicide or voluntary active euthanasia. The value bestowed on human life in all religious traditions and almost all cultures, such as the prohibition on murder is so pervasive that it is an element of common, and not statutory, law.

Objections from the medical profession to being seen or utilised as killers rather than saviours of human life, as well as the sometimes well-founded fear of the possible abuse of physician assisted suicide or voluntary active euthanasia, is a further reason. The main victims of such possible abuse could well be the most vulnerable and indigent members of society: the poor, the disabled and the like. Those who cannot pay for prolonged accommodation in expensive health care facilities and intensive care units.

Death with dignity

In support of physician assisted suicide or voluntary active euthanasia, the argument is often made that, as people have the right to live with dignity, they also have the right to die with dignity. Some medical conditions are simply so painful and unnecessarily prolonged that the capability of the medical profession to alleviate suffering by means of palliative care is surpassed.

Intractable terminal suffering robs the victims of most of their dignity. In addition, medical science and practice is currently capable of an unprecedented prolongation of human life. It can be a prolongation that too often results in a concomitant prolongation of unnecessary and pointless suffering.

Enormous pressure is placed upon both families and the health care system to spend time and very costly resources on patients that have little or no chance of recovery and are irrevocably destined to die. It is, so the argument goes, not inhumane or irreverent to assist such patients  particularly if they clearly and repeatedly so request  to bring their lives to an end.

I am personally much more in favour of the pro-PAS and pro-VAE positions, although the arguments against do raise issues that need to be addressed. Most of those issues (for example the danger of the exploitation of vulnerable patients) I believe, can be satisfactorily dealt with by regulation.

Argument in favour of assisted suicide

The most compelling argument in favour of physician assisted suicide or voluntary active euthanasia is the argument in support of committing suicide in a democracy. The right to commit suicide is, as far as I am concerned, simply one of the prices we have to be willing to pay as citizens of a democracy.

We do not have the right, and we play no discernible role, in coming into existence. But we do have the right to decide how long we remain in existence. The fact that we have the right to suicide, does not mean that it is always (morally) right to execute that right.

It is hard to deny the right of an 85-year-old with terminal cancer of the pancreas and almost no family and friends left, to commit suicide or ask for assisted death. In this case, he or she both has the right, and will be in the right if exercising that right.

Compare that with the situation of a 40-year-old man, a husband and father of three young children, who has embezzled company funds and now has to face the music in court. He, also, has the right to commit suicide. But, I would argue, it would not be morally right for him to do so, given the dire consequences for his family. To have a right, does not imply that it is always right to execute that right.

My argument in favour of physician assisted suicide or voluntary active euthanasia is thus grounded in the right to suicide, which I think is fundamental to a democracy.

Take the case of a competent person who is terminally ill, who will die within the next six months and has no prospect of relief or cure. This person suffers intolerably and/or intractably, often because of an irreversible dependence on life-support. This patient repeatedly, say at least twice a week, requests that his/her life be terminated. I am convinced that to perform physician assisted suicide or voluntary active euthanasia in this situation is not only the humane and respectful, but the morally justified way to go.

The primary task of the medical profession is not to prolong life or to promote health, but to relieve suffering. We have a right to die with dignity, and the medical profession has a duty to assist in that regard.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Anton van Niekerk, Stellenbosch University.

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Anton van Niekerk is director of the Centre for Applied Ethics and Head of the Unit for Bioethics in that Centre. The Unit receives an annual contribution from Mediclinic, but that is not for the exclusive use of Anton van Niekerk.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Walt Disney Pictures/Everett Collection

Disneys Peter Pan turned 70 years old this year, and it remains as whimsical and joyful as ever. In scenes like the fantastic You Can Fly sequence, in which the Darling family soars across the London skyline with Peter Pan on their way to Neverland, the movie remains evidence of Disney operating at its finest. We, too, feel like anything is possible.

But those feelings of wonder make Peter Pans skin-crawlingly racist representations of American Indians even more startling, especially when revisiting the film today. Perhaps it shouldnt be shocking that these depictions are in a Disney film of this erathis is the same studio that made Song of the South in 1946, less than a decade before Peter Pans 1953 release. But the song What Made the Red Man Red? really does feel like Disney at its most unabashedly racist, and it taints an otherwise classic film.

What Made the Red Man Red? is posed as a celebration, in a scene where the Natives of Neverland are celebrating the return of their princess Tiger Lily. It begins with the Indian chief telling Peter Pan to recount to the other kids the story of the white man. Thankfully, the song isnt actually sung by our hero Peter; the chief sings it instead. But no matter who sings it, it quickly dives into offensive territory, as it recalls the so-called origins of the red man.

Among the questions the song poses are, What makes the red man red? When did he first say, Ugh? and Why does he ask you, How? In answering these for the curious children, the song devolves into a portrait of the Natives as primitive, cruel, sexist, and ignorantopenly inviting audiences to make a mockery of American Indians, upon which these characters were based. The biggest of these horrific gut punches comes from the explanation for why the red man is red: Its because one time, one Native blushed when a woman approached him, and theyve all been blushing since.

In the middle of a largely charming movie comes a horrifying representation of vulnerable people, painting them as sex-crazed, overly violent, primitive, and irresponsible. (They also are seen forcing the kids to smoke, as if the rest wasnt enough.) In just a few short minutes, What Made the Red Man Red? takes a rich, diverse history of Indigenous people and eviscerates it, dissociating it from anything that represents reality.

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MCDPEPA EC097 Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Peter Pan & Wendy: When Will This Lost Boy Grow the Hell Up?

Its historical context makes the songs placement within the film less shocking. Hollywood has a long history of dehumanizing Indigenous people. This trope was especially prominent in Westernsextremely popular in the 40s and 50swhich depicted American Indians as savages. These brutal people cared only about murdering white men and taking advantage of white women and children. These images were rampant in Hollywood and paved the way for Disney to utilize them as well.

While Disney as a studio was no stranger to completely altering aspects of the stories it adapted (Snow White, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, etc.), when it came to making a film based off J.M. Barries Peter Pan story, it chose to stick to the script. The original story contains awful characterizations of Native Americans as well, which made their way into the film via the Natives of Neverland characters. Neither the source material nor the predominant racist of Hollywood at the time, however, excuses how dreadful What Made the Red Man Red is, as both a song and a scene.

Disney has seemingly learned from its mistakes in portraying Peter Pans Indigenous characters. The 1995 film Pocahontas features Disneys most prominent representation of Native Americans since Peter Pan. While that film has issues of its own, Pocahontas is infinitely more dimensional than Tiger Lily, who has no discernible agency of her own. Notably, the film even includes the song Savages, which takes offensive ideas about Indigenous peoples in order to clarify how grotesque racism is.

Peter Pan & Wendy: When Will This Lost Boy Grow the Hell Up?

Thats not to say Pocahontas or Disney is faultless, but it's encouraging to see any studio attempt to correct the egregious errors of yesteryear. The live-action Barrie adaptation Peter Pan and Wendy, which premiered on Disney+ last week, also includes a much less politically offensive take on the Tiger Lily character; shes played by an Indigenous actress this time. But none of that can undo or paper over Peter Pans own racism from 70 years ago.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Mexico's ministry of defence has tweeted photos of the puppy as it set off from Turkey

A German Shepherd puppy has arrived in Mexico after being flown from Turkey as a gesture of gratitude from the Turkish government for the help Mexico's search dogs lent after February's earthquake.

Turkey said it hoped the puppy would "carry on the legacy" of Proteo, a Mexican rescue dog which died during the search for survivors of the quake.

More than 50,000 people died in the quake which had its epicentre in Turkey but also affected parts of Syria.

The puppy is yet to be named.

Mexico's ministry of defence, which trains search and rescue dogs for their missions at home and abroad, has asked people to cast their votes for one of three names: Proteo II, Arkadas (Turkish for "friend") or Yardim (Turkish for "help").

Mexico said Turkey's canine gift showed that "humanitarian aid knows no limits or borders".

On its Twitter account, the ministry had also provided a link on which fans of the puppy could track the flight which took it to Mexico City from Istanbul.

The puppy was given a warm welcome by staff from the ministry of defence at Mexico City's airport. Dog trainers, who were carrying the puppies they are training in rucksack-like pouches in front of them, stood to attention as the new recruit arrived.

A banner reading "welcome home" greeted the puppy on its arrival

Mexico, a country prone to earthquakes, has a number of civilian and military teams with canine units specialised in searching for survivors when disasters strike.

The dogs won the hearts of many Mexicans when they saved several lives after the 2017 earthquake which struck central Mexico.

When Turkey and Syria were hit by a massive quake on 6 February, Mexico quickly deployed teams with rescue dogs to help locate people under the rubble.

Among the dogs deployed was Proteo, a nine-year-old German Shepherd, who managed to locate a man and a woman from under the rubble.

Proteo died while on duty in the Turkish town of Adiyaman

Proteo died while in Turkey. His trainer denied rumours that the dog had been hit by falling rubble, saying that he had died from "exhaustion" after the long journey and arduous hours searching for survivors in very cold conditions.

His remains were returned to Mexico, where he was honoured in an emotional ceremony before he was buried.

On its Facebook page, Mexico's ministry of defence said that it was "waiting with open arms" for the puppy Turkey had donated, saying that it hoped it would follow in his pawsteps.
A still from a video Latifa Al Maktoum that was released in March 2018, which she said should be released if her escape plans went wrong. Free Latifa/YouTube

Two of Dubai's princesses tried to flee the country, seeking freedom from their controlling father.

They were both tranquilized and detained, according to sources and their own writings cited by The New Yorker.

Princess Latifa once wrote that her sister was left "like a zombie."

Dubai princesses who tried to escape the country were tranquilized and imprisoned for long periods after they were caught, according to a new report from The New Yorker.

The report detailed the escape attempts of two daughters of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: Princesses Latifa and Shamsa. The report was based on interviews with people involved and looked at the communications of Latifa before and after her multiple escape attempts.

Shamsa tried to escape her family while they were staying at her father's estate the UK in 2000, but she was caught by Emirati men, brought back to the estate and returned to Dubai, the report said. She continued her efforts to flee when she was back in Dubai, seeking the help of UK authorities.

When the UK media reported the case, Shamsa lost any outside contact and was put under heavy sedation, the report said.

She was later imprisoned, the report said, and Latifa wrote that Shamsa came back from prison as "only a shell of her former self, with all the will power tortured out of her."

She said her sister was left "like a zombie" after she was given tranquilizers and antidepressants.

Shamsa tried to kill herself three times while in prison, including by trying to set fire to her own cell, the report said.

Latifa said that when her sister first came back from prison she was so used to the dark that she couldn't properly open her eyes and had to be led around by hand.

Latifa later wrote to one of her helpers, saying of Shamsa that "They give her sedatives as well as psychiatric drugs every single day."

Shamsa has not been seen in public since her escape attempt, a span of more than 20 years.

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Latifa also made multiple attempts to leave the country, and wrote that freedom was "something worth dying for."

The New Yorker detailed an attempt she made in 2002, when she crept out of her mother's house at 16, in the first time she was outside alone in her life.

She was caught in her attempt to travel to neighboring Oman, taken home, and beaten, the report said.

She was then brought to a desert prison, and beaten for five hours, according to her writings cited by The New Yorker. She was beaten again, and ultimately kept in prison for 13 months.

She was brought home in July 2003, where, after a week, she exploded with rage and demanded to see Shamsa, she wrote.

Latifa said she was then tranquilized and locked up for two more years.

Latifa also said she was tranquilized during her escape attempt in 2018, when she was taken from a ship that she was trying to use to flee. She said she was returned home by helicopter and then a private jet.

She wrote that when she was detained after being caught that she was given tranquilizers three times  the third after the first two doses appeared to have no effect.

She wrote: "I want them to be embarrassed that it took the navy, several warships, armed commandos, 3 tranquilizer injections and an hour long struggle to put an unarmed pint-sized woman on a jet."

Latifa has been seen in public a few times since, saying in statements that she is now independent, and wants privacy.

The people who tried to help her escape told The New Yorker that they worried she is under duress. The New Yorker noted that she wrote before her 2018 escape attempt that "There will never be a conclusion where 'Latifa is happily with her UAE family' never."

The wife of the Dubai leader's brother, Sheikha Bouchra bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, was also tranquilized, the report said.

Her son said that she was kidnapped onto her husband's private jet at the UK's Farnborough Airport in 2000, though UK police said that the situation was just a misunderstanding between family members, The New Yorker reported.

A source close to the Dubai royal family told The New Yorker: "They made her house prisoner, and they would just keep drugging her with tranquilizers to say that she's crazy."

Dubai denies kidnapping or mistreating any of the women.

A UK court adjudicating the divorce of Sheikh Mohammed from his wife found in 2021 that he kidnapped his two daughters and forcibly returned them to Dubai.

Read the original article on Insider
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) scolded Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at a hearing Tuesday for what he called the courts oblivious response to the obvious ethical conflicts facing its members.

He chastised the high court for not adopting the same judicial code of conduct binding every other federal court and warned it had undermined public confidence in the court.

The highest court in the land shouldnt have the lowest ethical standards. That reality is driving a crisis in public confidence in the Supreme Court. The status quo must change, the majority whip said in his opening statement at a hearing on Supreme Court ethics reform.

Roberts was not in attendance at the hearing, having declined an invitation from Durbin to appear.

A Gallup poll conducted in December found the Supreme Court had a 58 percent disapproval rating, the worst Gallup had measured in more than 20 years.

Durbin noted that over the course of several decades, Congress and most of the federal judiciary has created a system of ethics to promote transparency and disclosure of potential conflicts, but the Supreme Court does not consider itself bound by those rules.

And he dismissed the courts Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices, which Roberts sent to the Judiciary Committee last week along with a letter declining an invitation to testify before the committee, as a troubling response to growing ethical concerns.

It makes clear that, while the Justices are fine with consulting certain authorities on how to address ethical issues, they do not feel bound by those authorities, Durbin said.

Much of the document explains why justices think they should not be treated the same as other federal judges when it comes to ethics standards. And it stresses that recusal decisions are made by individual justices alone, with no review of their discretion, he said.

The chief justices letter and statement of principles are a defense of the status quo. But they are oblivious to the obvious, Durbin added.

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Durbin scheduled the hearing in response to two bombshell reports published last month by ProPublica detailing luxury trips conservative Justice Clarence Thomas received from Texas billionaire Harlan Crow over more than two decades, as well as the sale of a property Thomas owned a one-third interest of to one of Crows companies.

Thomas did not disclose the trips or the property sale, as was required under the 1978 Ethics in Government Act.

Durbin said Thomas has faced no apparent consequences under the courts ethics principle.

We wouldnt tolerate this from a city council member or alderman. It falls short of the ethical standards we expect of any public servant in America. And yet, the Supreme Court wont even acknowledge its a problem. The chief justices letter doesnt mention it, he said.

Durbins opening statement received a sharp response from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the ranking member of the Judiciary panel, who accused Democrats of trying to intimidate conservative members of the court.

Graham cited Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) March 2020 warning that conservative Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch would pay the price for the whirlwind they had released.

I think, heres what youre trying to do on the Democratic side. Remember when Sen. Schumer went to the court and started yelling at everybody in the court? Not everybody, just pretty much our folks, Graham said.

He said Wednesdays hearing is part of a concentrated effort by the left to delegitimize this court and to cherry-pick examples to make a point.

He pointed to a recent article in The New York Times about perks conservative justices received from George Mason Universitys law school to teach classes in tourist destinations such as Padua, Italy, Rome and London.

Graham said, however, that the Times failed to balance its reporting with examples of liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayors travel paid for by New York University, and former centrist Justice Anthony Kennedys trips paid for by the Aspen Institute and University of the Pacific.

He accused liberals of waging an assault on Thomas.

It is about trying to delegitimize a conservative court that was appointed through the traditional process, he said, accusing liberals of wanting to expand the number of justices to dilute the conservative majority that exists today.

From our point of view, this is not going to work, Graham said.

Graham also pointed out that liberal Justice Elena Kagan, the former dean of Harvard Law School, has raised half-a-billion dollars for the law school.

After she left, shes been trying to raise money for Harvard Law School. Theres a case involving Harvard before the court, shes not going to recuse herself, he said, referring to a challenge to Harvards affirmative action policies the justices are now considering.

Theres a very selective outrage here, Graham said. Were going to push back as hard as we can and tell the American people the truth about whats going on here.

This about destroying a conservative court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A great blue heron watched from the audience as the Durham City Council debated Monday night how to protect its home on Ellerbe Creek, a hidden oasis a short drive from downtown.

The bird was crafted from cardboard, its 7-foot wingspan to scale, painted in shades of blue, white and gray, a black stripe of feathers leading to the eyes.

They cant be here, so we have to speak for them, said artist Joanne Andrews, who also brought along a handful of smaller birds she painted with her neighbors.

The city voted after a lengthy debate to permanently preserve the 215-acre breeding grounds by creating a state preserve.

We cannot see into the future, but we can take some examples from the past, Mayor Elaine ONeal said. We dont have a Grandfather Mountain in Durham, North Carolina. We dont have a Florida Everglades. We dont have a Grand Canyon.

But somebody, in their infinite wisdom, thought to preserve them forever, and I thank them for that, ONeal said. We have that unique opportunity today.

Raheem Reshamwala, 9, holds a to-scale replica of a great blue heron at a Durham City Council meeting on Monday, May 1, 2023.

The 4-2 vote to put the rookery, home to great blue herons and great egrets, into a dedicated nature preserve came despite concerns about trusting the state with the land, which the city owns.

Its really difficult to overstate how precarious the political landscape in our state is, Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton said. I just trust the people of Durham more.

State or local control?

City staff had recommend the land be registered as a heritage area, not dedicated as a nature preserve.

A dedicated nature preserve can only be undone by an act of the governor and Council of State, while a registered heritage area can be reversed or shrunk by the City Council.

In one hand, were looking at local control and in the other hand, were looking at state control, said David Fleischer, the citys real estate director.

ONeal voted in favor of permanent preservation alongside council members DeDreanna Freeman, Monique Holsey-Hyman and Leonardo Williams.

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The two who voted no, Middleton and council member Jillian Johnson, argued the city would provide better better protection.

We probably thought Disney was off limits too, said Williams, who was on the fence throughout the discussion, referencing the companys recent struggles with Florida Gov. Ron Desantis over its longstanding self-governance around Disney World.

Misty Buchanan, director of the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, said the state manipulating a dedicated nature preserve would be unprecedented.

Some of the most recognized jewels of our natural heritage are dedicated nature preserves, places like Grandfather Mountain, Jockeys Ridge, much of Eno River State Park, Buchanan said. They really are seen as being permanent protection.

Amy Armbruster, Sustainabilty Manager for City of Durham, observers Great blue herons and great egrets on the edge of a beaver pond on Ellerbee Creek in Durham Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Freeman said conjuring a conspiracy was unhelpful.

I mean, thats just nonsense, she said.

Fleischer said, under state control, the city may have trouble maintaining or adding utility infrastructure through the land, such as water lines or telecommunications equipment. They also considered about 35 acres potentially developable.

The boundary abuts the citys closed landfill and one of its current wastewater treatment plants. Monday nights vote carves out space for the Northern Durham Parkway, which transportation agencies eventually plan will bisect the site.

This is a complicated issue in terms of the terminology, said Rickie White, the executive director of the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association. I understand the reticence.

Great blue herons and great egrets roost in treetops on the edge of a beaver pond on Ellerbee Creek in Durham Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

A hidden gem

Last year, the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association counted more than 160 nesting herons and egrets in a beaver pond on several hundred acres along Ellerbe Creek north of downtown.

The waterbirds typically arrive by March and leave in early summer.

Its about as far west as great egrets breed in North Carolina, according to the National Audubon Society. State wildlife agents have observed great blue heron nests in most counties east of the mountains.

Middleton called it an urban oasis.

ECWA has known about the site for a couple of decades, and nominated it about five years ago to the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, a state agency that joined ECWA in proposing the nature preserve.

Wilson Salls, a member of the Durham Environmental Affairs Board, observes Great blue herons and great egrets on the edge of a beaver pond on Ellerbee Creek in Durham Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

City Manager Wanda Page will now negotiate a management plan for the property with the state.

Residents inundated the City Council with emails advocating for protection ahead of Monday nights vote.

Vanessa Mason Evans was one of a couple of dozen who attended Monday nights meeting to speak in favor of permanent protection.

It is a space of peace and quiet, she said, speaking virtually. Its a gem, a hidden gem. As a child, we used to play on that land.

Contact ECWA at ellerbecreek.org to participate in its annual Memorial Day tours of the rookery.

A panoramic view of the beaver pond along Ellerbe Creek in Durham that is home a thriving population of great blue herons and egrets.

The Durham Report

Calling Bull City readers! We've launched The Durham Report, a free weekly digest of some of the top stories for and about Durham published in The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. Get your newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday at 11 a.m. featuring links to stories by our local journalists. Sign up for our newsletter here. For even more Durham-focused news and conversation, join our Facebook group "The Story of my Street."
The News & Observer publishes a weekly roundup of restaurant sanitation scores to keep you up-to-date on the health grades at Triangle dining spots.

Sanitation scores and their corresponding letter grades are used in North Carolina to assess restaurants adherence to rules and standards intended to mitigate and prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses.

Youve likely seen sanitation grade cards at restaurants youve visited, and The N&O previously explained what those scores mean and how theyre calculated.

Here are sanitation scores in Triangle counties for the week of April 25-May 2.

Wake County sanitation scores

The Wake County sanitation grades database shows that 99 inspections were completed between April 25-May 2.

 Most restaurants received an A grade, or a score of at least 90%.

 One restaurant received a B grade, or a score of at least 80% but lower than 90%.

Lime & Lemon Indian Grill (105 Friendly Drive, Raleigh) received a score of 84.5% during an inspection on April 26.

The restaurant was in violation of 16 standards, with deductions ranging from zero to three points.

Violations included employees changing tasks without changing their gloves or washing their hands, several containers of raw chicken being stored above ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in cooler, some foods being stored at improper temperatures and several foods being held past their date.

Some violations were corrected during the inspection.

The restaurant previously scored a 94% in November 2022, a 93% in June 2022 and a 94% in February 2022.

 No restaurants received a C grade, or a score of at least 70% but less than 80%.

 No restaurants received a failing grade, or a score below 70%.

You can search all restaurant inspections in Wake County at wake-nc.healthinspections.us.

Durham County sanitation scores

The Durham County inspection management system shows that 33 restaurant inspections were completed between April 25-May 2.

 Most restaurants received an A grade.

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 One restaurant received a B grade, or a score of at least 80% but lower than 90%.

Twisted Noodles (4201 University Drive, Suite 112, Durham) received a score of 85% during an inspection on May 1.

The restaurant was in violation of 18 standards, with deductions ranging from zero to three points.

Violations included raw meats being stored above ready-to-eat foods in two coolers, several foods being held at improper temperatures, a bag of carrots being stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler and the facility being in need of deep cleaning.

Some violations were corrected during the inspection.

The restaurant previously scored a 92% in October 2022, a 91% in February 2022 and a 97.5% in July 2021.

 No restaurants received a C grade, or a score of at least 70% but lower than 80%.

 No restaurants received a failing grade.

You can search all restaurant inspections in Durham County at bit.ly/3pVQfpG.

Orange County sanitation scores

The Orange County inspection management system shows that seven restaurants were inspected between April 25-May 2.

 All restaurants received an A grade.

You can search all restaurant inspections in Orange County at bit.ly/3eQqpxc.

Johnston County sanitation scores

The Johnston County sanitation inspections database shows that 22 restaurants were inspected between April 25-May 2.

 All restaurants received an A grade.

You can search all restaurant inspections in Johnston County at johnston-nc.healthinspections.us.

Chatham County sanitation scores

The Chatham County inspections management system shows that four restaurants were inspected between April 25-May 2.

 All restaurants received an A grade.

You can search all restaurant inspections in Chatham County at bit.ly/3JfiHwq.
Eight brigades of the Offensive Guard have been completely formed and will come under the command of Ukraine's Defence Forces after receiving a combat mission, and additional units will be built up.

Source: Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's Interior Minister, in an interview with the Ukrainian news agency Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "The brigades [of the Offensive Guard  ed.] are fully formed. A total of eight brigades. We have plans to form additional ones as there is demand for them, and we have the capacity [to do so].

We are completing the re-equipment of the brigades that have been formed; they will undergo appropriate training, which will take two-three weeks, and at the same time, we are starting to create additional units."

Details: Klymenko states that the task of each of these formations is to conduct joint offensive assault operations with the Defence Forces during military operations.

"The success of the operation in a particular area will depend on each brigade, each unit, and each serviceman and policeman," the minister stressed.

The Interior Minister did not specify the total size of the brigades due to security concerns but noted that this figure could be estimated theoretically.

When asked whether the Offensive Guard brigades were under the command of the Defence Forces, the minister replied, "No, they come under the command of the Defence Forces after they receive a combat mission".

Background:

In early February 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine announced the formation of volunteer battalions of the Offensive Guard. Eight brigades were planned based on units with combat experience. The Burevii, Chervona Kalyna, Kara-Dag, Rubizh, Spartan and Azov brigades were to be formed by the National Guard, Lut by the National Police, and Stalevyi Cordon by the Border Guard.

Recruitment to the eight brigades lasted until 1 April. As of 30 March, more than 35,000 applications had been submitted.t was decided to extend the application period.

Later, it became known that Khartia, the ninth brigade, would be formed within the Offensive Guard; it is also being formed by the National Guard of Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
MEXICO CITY  With Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman serving a life sentence, his sons steered the family business into fentanyl, establishing a network of labs churning out massive quantities of the cheap, deadly drug that they smuggled into the U.S., prosecutors revealed in a recent indictment.

Although Guzman's trial revolved around cocaine shipments, the case against his sons exposes the inner workings of a cartel undergoing a generational shift as it worked "to manufacture the most potent fentanyl and to sell it in the United States at the lowest price," according to the indictment unsealed April 14 in Manhattan.

Synthetic opioids  mostly fentanyl  now kill more Americans every year than the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined, feeding an argument among some politicians that the cartels should be branded terrorist organizations and prompting once-unthinkable calls for U.S. military intervention across the border.

"The problem with fentanyl, as some people at the State Department told me, has to be repositioned. It's not a drug problem; it's a poisoning problem," said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico. "Very few people go out deliberately looking for fentanyl."

Hope predicted fentanyl would probably become an issue in next year's U.S. elections, but he opposed any threat of U.S. intervention, saying "I don't think that would be a very good way of addressing a public health issue."

Hope died Friday.

The groundwork for the U.S. fentanyl epidemic was laid more than 20 years ago, with aggressive over-prescribing of the synthetic opioid oxycodone. As U.S. authorities clamped down on its prescription, users moved to heroin, which the Sinaloa cartel happily supplied.

This Oct. 17, 2019, frame grab from video provided by the Mexican government shows Ovidio Guzman Lopez at the moment of his detention, in Culiacan, Mexico. Mexican security forces were forced to release the son of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman that day after his gunmen shot up the western city of Culiacan.

But making its own fentanyl  far more potent and versatile than heroin  in small, easily concealed labs was a game changer. The cartel went from its first makeshift fentanyl lab to a network of labs concentrated in the northern state of Sinaloa in less than a decade.

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"These are not super labs, because they give people the illusion that they're like pharmaceutical labs, you know, very sophisticated," said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. "These are nothing more than metal tubs and they use wooden paddles  even shovels  to mix the chemicals."

A single cartel "cook" can press fentanyl into 100,000 counterfeit pills every day to fool Americans into thinking they're taking Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. The pills are smuggled over the border to supply what Chapo's son Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar said are "streets of junkies," the indictment said.

Fentanyl is so cheap to make that the cartel reaps massive profits even wholesaling the drug at 50 cents per pill, prosecutors said.

The drug's potency makes it particularly dangerous. The narcotic dose of fentanyl is so close to the lethal dose that a pill meant to ensure a high for a habituated user can easily kill a less experienced person taking something they didn't know was fentanyl.

More: Fentanyl overdose deaths, epidemic continues to grow in El Paso, border communities

Between August 2021 and August of last year, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, most from synthetic opioids. Last year, the DEA seized more than 57 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills, according to the New York indictment.

To protect and expand that business, the "Chapitos," as the sons are known, have turned to grotesque violence, prosecutors said.

Enforcers Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are the lead defendants among 23 associates charged in the New York indictment. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, alias "the Mouse," who allegedly pushed the cartel into fentanyl, is charged in another indictment in the same district. Mexico arrested him in January and the U.S. government has requested extradition. Joaquin Guzman Lopez is charged in the Northern District of Illinois

According to the Guzman Salazar indictment, the cartel does some lab testing on its product but conducts more grisly human testing on kidnapped rivals or addicts who are injected until they overdose.

In this Feb. 22, 2014, file photo, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the head of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, is escorted to a helicopter in Mexico City following his capture in the beach resort town of Mazatlan, Mexico. The Mexican drug kingpin, who was convicted in a New York federal court in February 2019 on multiple conspiracy counts in an epic drug-trafficking case, was sentenced to life behind bars in a U.S. prison.

The purity of the cartel's fentanyl "varies greatly depending on the method and skill of the particular manufacturer," prosecutors noted. After a user overdosed on one batch, it was still shipped to the U.S.

When the elder Guzman and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada led the Sinaloa cartel, it operated with a certain degree of restraint. But with Guzman serving a life sentence and Zambada believed to be suffering from health issues, the Chapitos moved aggressively to avoid a power vacuum that could fragment the cartel.

"What was really a unique advantage of the Sinaloa cartel and El Chapo was the ability to calibrate violence," said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at the Brookings Institute.

The wide-ranging New York indictment against the Guzman Salazar brothers details their penchant for feeding enemies to their pet tigers and describes how they tortured two Mexican federal agents, ripping through one's muscles with a corkscrew then stuffing the holes with chile peppers before shooting him.

The indictment also provides context to some recent violence in Mexico.

In August 2022, gunmen shot up Juarez, across from El Paso. Two prison inmates and nine civilians in the city were killed. U.S. prosecutors say the Chapitos' security arm ordered their local gang associates to commit the violence, targeting a rival cartel's businesses.

"This is not their father's Sinaloa cartel," Felbab-Brown said. "These guys just operate in very different mindsets than their father."

More: Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman sons among 28 Sinaloa cartel members charged by US

The Guzman Salazar indictment makes an initial attempt at disrupting the cartel's supply chain, naming four people tied to a China-based chemical company and a broker in Guatemala who allegedly helped the cartel get the chemicals and even instructed them on the best recipes for fentanyl.

"When they talk about labs and you're trying to focus in on labs, that's not going to have an impact unless you get the finished product or the precursor chemicals," Vigil said.

Mexico's government has stumbled through the mixed messaging of its security forces playing up their decommissioning of labs even while President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has asserted that fentanyl is not being produced in Mexico.

In congressional testimony April 27, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram was pressed about whether Mexico and China are doing enough to cooperate with the U.S.

"We want the Mexicans to work with us and we want them to do more," Milgram said, adding that the DEA wouldn't hesitate to go after public officials in Mexico or elsewhere should it find evidence of ties to the cartels.

Experts say Lopez Obrador is one obstacle to slowing the cartels' fentanyl production. After U.S. prosecutors announced the concerted effort against the Sinaloa cartel, Lopez Obrador reacted angrily. The president accused the U.S. government of "spying" and "interference," suggesting that the case had been built on information gathered by U.S. agents in Mexico.

The president already had severely reduced Mexico's cooperation with the DEA, experts said.

Hope, the security analyst, said a fundamental problem is that Lopez Obrador doesn't appear to understand fentanyl's threat. The president rails against a deterioration of family values in the United States and paints addiction as a moral failing.

"He's trapped in a moral universe from 50 years ago," Hope said.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's sons charged with smuggling fentanyl to US
Elon Musk. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Elon Musk says Geoffrey Hinton "knows what he's talking about" after he voiced concerns about AI.

Hinton, an ex-Googler, told the NYT he worried about the impact of future versions of the tech.

Musk recently signed an open letter calling for a six-month pause on advanced AI development.

Elon Musk has weighed in on comments about the dangers of advanced AI by Geoffrey Hinton, who is nicknamed the "Godfather of AI."

"Hinton knows what he's talking about," Musk tweeted in response to a Breitbart article on the subject.

Hinton, who formerly worked at Google, recently gave an interview to The New York Times where he discussed his concerns that future versions of the technology could harm humanity. He told the publication he worried the technology could lead to the dissemination of fake information, among other problems.

Musk has been sounding the alarm about the potential dangers of AI for years. Recently, he put his name to an open letter that called for a six-month pause on advanced AI development. He has also discussed the potential risks of the technology in several interviews.

Despite this, the billionaire has been pushing ahead with his own generative AI project, which involves a large language model like the one that powers ChatGPT, Insider's Kali Hays reported.

Hinton said on Twitter after the interview that he quit Google so he could warn about the risks of AI without worrying about impacting his employers. He added that "Google has acted very responsibly."

Google launched its AI chatbot, which many saw as the company's answer to Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, in March. Since then, several employees have expressed concern about the new tech. Two workers even tried to block the company from releasing the bot, citing concerns about inaccurate and dangerous responses, the New York Times reported last month.

Representatives for Elon Musk did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elon Musk has become increasingly vocal about the dangers posed by AI. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Elon Musk tried to buy DeepMind ahead of Google because of trust issues, a new report says.

Musk had concerns that Google could not be trusted with developing technology as dangerous as AI.

Musk is pushing ahead with his own AI plans despite being increasingly vocal about the tech's harms.

Elon Musk made a last-minute attempt to buy DeepMind before Google finalized its $500 million deal for the AI lab a decade ago because he feared the search giant couldn't be trusted to create advanced AI, according to a new report.

The billionaire made the bid for the London-based AI lab towards the end of 2013 while raising concerns about how Google's then-CEO Larry Page would develop AI, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the talks and Musk's thinking. Google announced it was buying DeepMind in January 2014.

Musk's plans to buy DeepMind were informal and didn't reach DeepMind's board, the Journal reported.

DeepMind, founded in 2010, is best known for developing AI programs that can learn games and either equal or beat human players. Examples include its mastery of the strategy game Go. The lab has become an increasingly integral part of Google's AI ambitions, particularly as its core search business comes under pressure from Microsoft's integration of advanced AI into its rival Bing search engine.

On April 20, Google announced that DeepMind would be combining with Google Brain, a separate AI unit formed in 2011, to create a new research team that it said would "significantly accelerate" its progress with AI.

Elon Musk has become increasingly vocal about AI. He has warned the technology could lead to "civilization destruction." He has also criticized the rival AI lab he cofounded, OpenAI, for publicly rolling out tools such as ChatGPT despite issues such as bias.

Musk, who left OpenAI's board in 2018, has been particularly critical of the commercialization of AI, suggesting in an interview with Fox News last month that he put a lot of effort into creating OpenAI as "a counterweight to Google."

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"I kind of took my eye off the ball, I guess, and they are now closed-source and they are obviously for-profit and they're closely allied with Microsoft," Musk said in the interview.

Despite the concerns Musk claims to have about AI, Insider reported in April that the billionaire Tesla and Twitter CEO was moving ahead with his own AI project at Twitter, having purchased around 10,000 graphics processing units typically used to work on large AI models.

Musk, Google, and DeepMind did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elon Musk is paying $10,000 to settle a Tesla critic's defamation suit. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

A Tesla critic said he is accepting Elon Musk's offer of $10,000 to resolve a defamation suit.

Randeep Hothi, the critic, said the outcome leaves him "vindicated."

Hothi had alleged the Tesla chief defamed him in an email claiming Hothi "almost killed Tesla employees."

Elon Musk is settling a lawsuit filed by a Tesla critic who had accused the electric carmaker's chief executive officer of defaming him.

The critic, Randeep Hothi, said on Monday that he'd accepted Musk's offer to settle his defamation suit for just $10,000 and one cent, pointing to Musk's tweet last year in which the Tesla chief had said that he'd "never surrender/settle an unjust case against us."

"This case was about taking a stand, not seeking fame or money," Hothi said in a statement on Monday. "I feel vindicated."

Musk, his attorney, and a representative for Tesla did not immediately respond to Insider's emailed request for comment on Monday evening.

Hothi had brought his lawsuit in 2020, taking issue with Musk's comments in an email to Aaron Greenspan, who runs a legal information initiative called PlainSite, in which Musk had suggested Hothi had been violent toward Tesla employees.

Hothi and Tesla had been at odds for some time then, as Hothi had taken pictures of Tesla vehicles at their facility, Insider previously reported.

On one particularly contentious occasion in 2019, Hothi encountered a Tesla security guard  after that, the company filed a restraining order against Hothi over those interactions, accusing him of endangering Tesla employees by driving near them. Hothi has "vehemently denied" Tesla's allegation that his car hit any employee.

Still, Musk around the time had then sent an email alleging that Hothi "actively harassed" Tesla employees and "almost killed" them, Hothi said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elon Musk at the 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022, in New York City. Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Elon Musk travels more by private jet than nearly anyone else in the US.

His annual carbon footprint  just from flying private  is 132 times that of the average American.

That's according to a new report by the Institute for Policy Studies and Patriotic Millionaires.

Elon Musk traveled more by private jet than virtually anyone else in the US last year, according to a report published on Monday by the Institute for Policy Studies and the nonprofit group Patriotic Millionaires.

The climate impact of his travel habits, which included taking a private flight nearly every two days on average, are significant.

Private planes are notoriously harmful to the environment. They emit up to 14 times more climate-warming pollution per passenger than commercial planes, since they carry far fewer people on board, the NGO Transport & Environment found in 2021.

Musk's carbon footprint from his 171 private flights in 2022 was 132 times the size of the average US resident's total annual footprint from all activities, the report found. His private plane burned about 221,358 gallons of jet fuel and emitted about 2,112 metric tons of carbon emissions last year, the report found.

The billionaire's massive carbon footprint is notable, given his car company's mission of reducing transportation emissions. Tesla estimates that its electric cars allowed its customers to avoid 8.4 million metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions in 2021, Bloomberg reported in March.

Musk is one of a growing number of ultra-wealthy people who regularly fly private  a practice that's surged in the US over the past few years. Private-jet use  and emissions from it  are up about 20% since the pandemic hit, the report found. It notes that Musk purchased an additional private plane last year  a $78 million Gulfstream G700, the world's largest purpose-built private jet  that's expected to replace his G50ER model.

"It's not just him," Chuck Collins, the director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies and a coauthor of the report, said of Musk. "He's an example of excess within excess."

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Inside a Tesla showroom on April 26, 2022, in New York City. Kena Betancur/Getty Images

A spokesperson for Tesla didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The report recommends that the government double the federal jet-fuel tax  from $0.219 per gallon to $0.438 per gallon  and impose a transfer tax on the sales of both new and used private aircraft. It found that Musk would've paid $3.9 million in taxes on the purchase of his new plane under the proposed 5% tax on new planes and nearly $97,000 in federal jet-fuel taxes last year.

"If we can't phase it out, we should tax it at a high level and use that money to build a better transit system," Collins said of private air travel.

Collins said Musk deserves a bit more scrutiny than other billionaire jet-setters because he's attempted to quash watchdogs who've exposed his travel habits.

Shortly after Musk bought Twitter last year, he suspended a Twitter account, @ElonJet, run by a college student who tracked and posted the whereabouts of his private jet, calling the real-time tracking "a physical safety violation." The student, Jack Sweeney, has since created another account, @ElonJetNextDay, which posts delayed updates on Musk's flights.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters/Courtesy of Maria Farmer

When Maria Farmer worked for Jeffrey Epstein in 1996, she saw girls in school uniforms visit the financiers Manhattan townhouse, and encountered binders with photographs of teens and young women at his mansion in Palm Beach.

At the time, Farmer told The Daily Beast, Epsteins then-girlfriend and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell claimed these young visitors and photographs were related to modeling jobs for Limited Brands, owned by Epsteins billionaire client Les Wexner.

But Farmers suspicions about her employer turned into a living nightmare after Epstein and Maxwell allegedly assaulted her in Ohio, where she spent the summer working on an art project at Wexners estate. Wexners security guards, she says, held her against her will for hours after she tried to flee the premises.

When she returned to New York, Farmer filed reports with the NYPD and FBI, which both ultimately shrugged off her warnings about Epstein and Maxwell.

"Maria Farmer at Les Wexner's estate." Courtesy of Maria Farmer

Now, nearly 27 years later, Farmer is demanding that the FBI examine why it failed to investigate her complaints about Epsteinsimilar to how the agency probed its errors in other crimes including the Parkland, Florida, school shooting and Larry Nassars sex abuse.

On Tuesday, a lawyer for Farmer sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz demanding an inquiry into the FBIs failure to seriously investigate Epstein and Maxwell.

The 15-page document, reviewed by The Daily Beast, raises questions about why the feds seem to have given Epstein a hall pass for one of the largest sex-trafficking and child sex abuse material (CSAM) conspiracies in recent memory.

As counsel to many survivors of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking conspiracy, we write regarding the failure of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to properly, adequately, or timely investigate the sex trafficking of hundreds of girls and young women, wrote Jennifer Freeman, senior counsel at the Marsh Law Firm. The FBI utterly failed to investigate serious allegations involving Epsteins, and perhaps others, child sex abuse materials (CSAM), significant additional criminality which, until recently, has been disregarded, disrespected, and essentially denied.

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Freeman, whose firm also represents Sarah Ransome, another victim of Epstein and Maxwell, wrote that the FBI, Justice Department, and Attorney General must conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine why there was and remains such abject failure to timely investigate, expose, and prosecute this unprecedented, decades-long criminal conspiracy.

For many years, the public has been asking for a reckoning by the FBI and the United States government for its clear dereliction of duty to serve and protect the American people against the Epstein sex trafficking conspiracy, wrote Freeman, adding, However, we are aware of no investigation of the FBI and certainly no public disclosure or explanation.

Epstein and Maxwells victims, and the public at large, are owed a full accounting of the FBIs many failures and missed opportunities. The American people, the victims, and the survivors deserve the truth.

The letter arrives amid a years-long battle to hold Epsteins powerful enablers accountable for his crimes. Billionaire philanthropists, multinational banks and their executives, academics, and other elites who associated with Epstein have found themselves under the microscope in the wake of his 2019 arrest and death in a federal lockup in New York.

Since then, more than three dozen accusers have brought lawsuits against his estate, and a victim compensation fund paid about $121 million to 150 of his victims. By the end of 2021, Manhattan federal prosecutors also secured Maxwells conviction for child sex trafficking. Last summer, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years behind bars and is serving time at the low-security FCI Tallahassee in Florida.

Now a trio of lawsuits against JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank are revealing how banking executives apparently knew of accusations that Epstein trafficked women and girls but continued to provide the financial infrastructure for his international sex ring.

The U.S. Virgin Islands government and a victim referred to as Jane Doe 1 have both filed complaints accusing JPMorgan of participating in Epsteins illegal venture. JP Morgan knew that it was providing the financial lifeblood for Epsteins international sex-trafficking organization from 1998 through August 2013, Does lawsuit says, adding that the banks crucial financial support allowed Epstein to successfully rape, sexually assault, and coercively sex traffic Jane Doe 1 and numerous other women.

On Friday, lawyers for Doe and another victim suing Deutsche Bank submitted legal memorandums asking a federal judge to grant their cases class-action status, indicating more than 100 victims could join the litigation based on the banks own financial records.

Meanwhile, these legal proceedings have possibly uncovered new photos and video evidence related to Epsteins victims. In response to a subpoena from Doe, counsel for the Epstein estate notified her lawyers that it had located materials and was concerned some of it might contain child sex abuse imagery (CSAM), according to an April court filing.

As a result, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff signed an order directing the Epstein estate to review the materials and to notify the FBI if a recording appears to contain possible CSAM.

Farmer says that shed warned the FBI about Epsteins graphic images nearly three decades ago when she contacted them about his sexual abuse.

Courtesy of Maria Farmer

Freemans letter states Farmer reported to the FBI that Epstein, and perhaps others, appeared to be engaged in the production, possession, and distribution of sexually suggestive or exploitative images of children that could constitute CSAM.

It adds that, in response to Ms. Farmers clear-eyed, prescient report, and despite subsequent repeated red flags that Epstein trafficked girls and collected sexualized images of children, the FBI appears, for years, to have done little to investigate and prosecute Epsteins sex trafficking, and, to date, done nothing regarding reports of possible CSAM.

The letter suggests that Epstein may have had a special relationship with the government that led to the FBIs refusal to target him and high-profile men in his orbit.

Its paramount that people know about these systemic failures within our government, Farmer told The Daily Beast, adding that she believes that the agency favored wealth and power over American children. I want to see those girls, those women [victimized by Epstein] brought justice before I die. Thats my main goal.

The FBI declined to comment.

Maria Farmer poses in front of her artwork of the elites who turned a blind eye to Epsteins abuse. Courtesy of Maria Farmer

Farmer, an artist and recent graduate of the New York Academy of Art, was likely the first victim of Epsteins to contact police.

As The Daily Beast has reported, after the financier and Maxwell assaulted Farmer, she would soon learn that they tried to groom her younger sister, Annie, during a visit to his New Mexico compound. (At Maxwells trial, Annie testified that she was 16 when Maxwell groped her chest during a massage at Epsteins New Mexico ranch, and that Epstein had entered her room, announced he wanted to cuddle with her, and pressed his body against her.)

Freemans letter notes that Farmer also believed that Epstein and Maxwell had snatched some photographs of her younger sisters, one of whom was 11 years old and partially dressed, from her collection during her stay at Wexners property. Farmer told us those images were for an art series on adolescence. They were not sexual, she said.

When Farmer confronted Epstein and Maxwell about their activities, they allegedly threatened her safety and warned theyd light her artwork on fire.

Farmer reported the duo to the NYPDs Sixth Precinct, which took a report on the alleged fire threats but directed her to bring her claims of sex abuse to the FBI, the letter says. A 1996 police report reviewed by The Daily Beast shows that Farmer told cops that Epstein stated he was going to [her] painting and send her polaroids of the damage.

The FBIs repeated and continual failures, delays, and inaction allowed Epstein and others to continue their sex trafficking conspiracy for nearly a quarter of a century, Freeman wrote. Unfortunately, Ms. Farmers 1996 report regarding Epsteins sex trafficking and sexually concerning images proved to be spot on.

Had law enforcement taken even minimal action to respond to Ms. Farmers and others 2006, 2008, 2011, and other reports, more sex trafficking and likely CSAM crimes could have been avoided, Freeman added.

The discovery of video footage and photos in Epsteins lairs, as well as victims claims that he kept hidden cameras throughout his homes, has led to speculation about whether some video was recorded to blackmail rich and powerful friends.

When Palm Beach cops raided Epsteins Florida mansion in 2005, they discovered nude photographs of teen girls and turned the images over to the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office. Before the bust, however, an assistant of Epsteins removed computers from the residence.

The existence of lewd images made news again in 2019 after the feds arrested Epstein for trafficking dozens of underage girls in New York. At the time, the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys Office announced that a search of his Upper East Side townhouse unearthed an extraordinary volume of photographs of nude and partially-nude young women or girls. Some images were found inside a locked safe, on CDs with labels such as Girl pics nude and Misc nudes 1.

At Maxwells criminal trial in late 2021, an FBI agent testified that authorities also discovered boxes of hard drives, mysteriously covered in evidence tape that hadnt been placed there by police. And when prosecutors showed jurors a video of Palm Beach polices 2005 walk-through of Epsteins home, the footage revealed the decor included sexualized photos of underage girls and one photo of Epstein posing with a girl in her underwear.

While the FBI did interview Farmer and other victims in 2006, the case was scuttled by the Miami U.S. Attorneys Office after secret meetings with his high-powered legal team.

Back then, the FBI likely knew that Epstein had illicit recordings of children, according to a 2020 report by the Department of Justices Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), which examined Epsteins plea agreement and lack of notification to victims.

The document reveals that then-assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Villafana told OPR that the FBI had information that Epstein used hidden cameras in his New York residence to record his sexual encounters, and one victim told agents that Epsteins assistant photographed her in the nude. Villafana and other witnesses also told OPR that Epsteins computers might have contained child pornography. OPRs report noted, The interstate transmission of child pornography was a separate, and serious, federal crime that could have changed the entire complexion of the case against Epstein.

In her letter to the FBI, Freeman wrote, To date, law enforcement still has not seriously pursued possible CSAM crimes involving Epstein. Had law enforcement done their job, the Epstein trafficking and possible CSAM crimes could have been stopped.

Its imperative to hold the FBI responsible for failing to investigate what happened to so many survivors, Freeman told The Daily Beast in an interview. Accountability is critical in order to ensure that this never happens again.

Freeman and Farmer are pushing for a federal investigation into the FBIs handling of Epstein that could be similar to probes into the agencys actions with regard to the Parkland shooting, Larry Nassar sex abuse case, and the Charleston Church massacre.

Last year, families for the victims of the 2018 high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, reached a $127.5 million settlement with the U.S. government in connection to the FBIs failure to follow up on a tip about the gunman. A month after the shooting, the FBI released a public statement about its own investigation into the bureaus lack of response.

In 2021, DOJ Inspector General Horowitz issued a report revealing FBI officials failed to respond to accusations against Nassar, the disgraced USA gymnastics team doctor, leading to the sexual abuse of 70 more young athletes. Months later, the Justice Department settled with families of victims of the Charleston, South Carolina, church shooting. After the incident, the FBI published a statement about the lapses in its background check system that led to the white-supremacist gunmans purchase of a weapon.

Much like the Parkland, Nassar, and Charleston Church cases, government agencies have a responsibility to investigate and explain why the FBI failedfor a quarter of a centuryto properly investigate Ms. Farmers and others repeated allegations of Epsteins abuse, Freeman wrote.

The letter highlights some of Epsteins prior entanglements with the government and alleged financial misconduct including a reg d violation while working at Bear Stearns.

Curiously, Epstein was known and tied to federal authorities for decades, often in connection with suspicious and illegal activities, Freeman wrote, referring to his ties to Steven Hoffenberg, a former business partner who in 1995 was convicted in a massive Ponzi scheme, and Epsteins 1992 rental of a Manhattan townhouse that had been controlled by the State Department.

There has been rampant speculation for years that Epstein was a confidential informant, Freeman wrote, adding that Epstein told colleagues and friends that he was an intelligence asset.

Indeed, Epsteins prominent connections continue to be revealed.

On Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported that William Burns, now the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, held meetings with Epstein in 2014 when he was deputy secretary of state. Others who hobnobbed with Epstein in recent years include former White House counsel and Goldmach Sachs top lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler, linguist Noam Chomsky, and Ariane de Rothschild, the head of a Swiss private bank whom Epstein reportedly asked for help in finding a new female assistant.

A CIA spokeswoman said Burns and Epstein had no relationship and had only met him twice, while a Goldman spokesman said Ruemmler never flew on Epsteins plane or visited his private island and didnt see anything concerning at his townhouse.

Chomsky told the Journal that he met with Epstein to discuss political or academic topics and at the time, what was known about Jeffrey Epstein was that he had been convicted of a crime and had served his sentence. According to U.S. laws and norms, that yields a clean slate.

A spokesperson for de Rothschilds bank said she was unaware of any questions regarding his personal conduct and that she feels for and supports the victims.

In 2018, the Miami Herald reported that it obtained documents showing Epstein provided unspecified information to the government as part of his 2008 plea deal, and that he was allegedly a key witness in the prosecution of two Bear Stearns executives. (Months later, however, Fox Business cited sources who denied Epstein was such a witness.)

There is strong circumstantial evidence in the public domain that Epsteins special relationship with the government explains the FBIs failure to investigate or prosecute Epstein in 1996, the special treatment he received from 2005 to 2008, and the failure to investigate the possible wrongdoing of important public officials and powerful businessmen, Freeman wrote.

She isnt the only one to emphasize the FBIs apparent decision to overlook Epstein.

In 2020, ABC News reported that a woman who was abused by Epstein in New Yorkand whose accusations were crucial to his Manhattan indictmentwas questioned by the FBI in Florida more than a decade before. Before she could testify to a grand jury, Epstein secretly inked his non-prosecution agreement and the federal investigation died.

I certainly think with the FBIs capabilities, even back then, that they could have unraveled the entire network from New York to Paris to New Mexico, Spencer Kuvin, an attorney who represented three of Epsteins accusers in Florida, told ABC at the time.

The potential was always there, Kuvin added. [The government] shut this thing down and pled this thing out before going through and talking to probably more than half of the women that were involved in this whole thing. Had they conducted a full investigation and taken their time, this wouldve been a whole different story.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A 17-year-old boy was critically injured and a 28-year-old man was wounded in pair of shootings in Erie that were reported less than 90 minutes apart Monday.

Both shootings remained under investigation by the Erie Bureau of Police on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old was found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen when Erie police were called Monday at about 5:30 p.m. to a residence in the 500 block of East 32nd Street. The boy was taken to UPMC Hamot and was last reported to be in critical but stable condition, according to police.

Police located several individuals at the residence and brought them to the Erie police station for interviews, Erie police Deputy Chief Rick Lorah said. Detectives later charged Alexander D. Froehlich, 17, with offenses including aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering and possession of a firearm by a minor.

Froehlich was charged under the Fisher Bill, a state law that permits juveniles accused of committing violent crime to be charged as adults. He was arraigned by Erie 2nd Ward District Judge Ed Wilson late Monday night and was placed in the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center on $75,000 bond, according to Erie police arrest records and online court docket information.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, according to police.

At about 6:50 p.m. Monday, Erie police learned that a man had arrived at Saint Vincent Hospital for treatment of a gushot wound.

The 28-year-old man, who lives in Buffalo, suffered a gunshot wound to the left foot, Lorah said.

The man told police he was in Erie for a funeral and was near the 900 block of East 18th Street Monday afternoon when he heard three or four gunshots and started running toward McKinley Park, Lorah said. The man said he felt a burning in his foot and took off his shoe to find that he had been shot.

Erie police had no suspects in the shooting Tuesday morning. Detectives are following up on the investigation, Lorah said. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Nico Fiorovanti at 814-870-1517 or Detective Adam Edmonds at 814-870-1310.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie, PA, teen charged in shooting that critically injured 17-year-old
Every spring, stargazers are able to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower.

The meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through a dusty trail of space debris left behind by comet 1P/Halley, perhaps the most famous comet, according to NASA.

Earth passes through dust grains from Halleys path twice a year to create two meteor shower events  the Orionids in October and the Eta Aquarids in May.

The Eta Aquarids will be active until May 27, but they will peak in just a couple days for only a few hours.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will peak on the night of May 4 and into the early morning hours of May 5. The meteors will be best viewed during the pre-dawn hours, specifically.

LOOK OUT FOR THESE ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS IN MAY

NASA said folks in the Southern Hemisphere will have the best view of the Eta Aquarids, with the potential to see up to about 30 meteors streaking across the sky per hour.

In contrast, residents in the Northern Hemisphere may see about 10 meteors per hour.

In the United States, many residents will have to fight cloud cover to see the Eta Aquarids.

Americans in Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York will have between 86% and 100% cloud cover Thursday night.

Others will have nothing but clear skies. Residents in El Paso, Texas, Bismarck, North Dakota and Chicago are expecting crystal clear skies Thursday night.

People lie on the ground to watch a meteor shower in Spain. 2020.

Residents in the Southern Hemisphere will be able to see the Eta Aquarids high in the sky.

Those in the Northern Hemisphere, however, will need to look closer to the horizon to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. According to NASA, the Eta Aquarids are often seen as "Earthgazers," as they are long meteors that appear to graze the surface of the Earth at the horizon.

HOW THE TELESCOPE BECAME OUR WINDOW INTO THE UNIVERSE

To view the meteor shower, Earthgazers and stargazers alike should find a dark sky, lie flat on their back and look straight up after giving their eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

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Speaking of darkness, lead for NASAs Meteoroid Environment Office William Cooke advises not looking at cellphones while watching the meteor shower.

The Eta Aquarids are named after the point in the sky where the meteor showers appear to come from, the constellation Aquarius.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

While the constellation is not the true source of the meteor showers, it helps orient stargazers as they look to the infinite sky to try to find the Eta Aquarids.
A US Senate committee is to conduct a hearing on the ethics rules for the justices of the Supreme Court

The US Supreme Court is used to doing the grilling but it will be the high court itself in the hot seat on Tuesday as a Senate panel conducts an extraordinary examination of the ethics of the justices.

The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing comes with a record 58 percent of Americans disapproving of the job being done by the court, composed of six conservative and three liberal justices.

The Democratic-controlled Senate committee has called the hearing following recent revelations about business dealings by two conservative justices and lavish gifts received by one of them.

Chief Justice John Roberts, a moderate conservative, was invited to testify but declined, citing "separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence."

Instead, the five witnesses for the hearing which begins at 10:00 am (1400 GMT) will include two former US District Court judges, one of whom served as US attorney general under president George W. Bush, a law professor and the director of ethics at a campaign finance watchdog group.

Senator Dick Durbin, chair of the Senate panel, called the hearing after news outlet ProPublica reported that Justice Clarence Thomas, a staunch conservative, had accepted expensive gifts and luxury travel from a Republican political donor, billionaire real estate tycoon Harlan Crow.

Thomas, 74, the longest-serving member of the court, responded by saying it was his understanding that "personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the court, was not reportable."

Crow has made more than $10 million in donations to Republican political groups, according to ProPublica, including half a million dollars to a conservative lobbying group founded by Thomas' wife, Ginni Thomas.

Ginni Thomas' involvement in politics has drawn its own scrutiny for her support of efforts by former Republican president Donald Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

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Questions have also been raised about another conservative justice, Neil Gorsuch.

According to Politico, Gorsuch, just after being confirmed to the court in 2017, sold a large rural Colorado property to the head of Greenberg Traurig, a major US law firm which regularly handles cases before the high court.

Gorsuch had tried without success to sell the property for two years before joining the Supreme Court, and he did not disclose the buyer on his personal disclosure reports, according to Politico.

- 'Historic lows' -

The revelations follow a tumultuous year during which the court handed down rulings in a number of major cases -- overturning the constitutional right to abortion, rolling back environmental protections and affirming gun rights.

The abortion case was rocked by the extraordinary leak of a draft of the eventual majority opinion.

Steven Schwinn, a University of Illinois Chicago law professor, said it is unusual for Congress to hold a hearing on Supreme Court ethics but it is rare to have controversy surrounding "so many justices and so many issues."

"This confluence is contributing to the historic lows in confidence and popularity of the court and eroding trust in it as a special institution, one that really is supposed to be independent," Schwinn told AFP.

According to a September 2022 Gallup poll, 40 percent of Americans approve of the court's performance while 58 percent disapprove. A decade earlier 49 percent approved while 40 percent disapproved.

In his letter inviting Roberts to testify, Durbin, the committee chair, said "there has been a steady stream of revelations regarding justices falling short of the ethical standards expected."

The chief justice responded with a copy of court ethics guidelines and a statement signed by all nine justices in which they "reaffirm and restate foundational ethics principles and practices."

Supreme Court justices are the only federal judges not explicitly bound by a code of conduct and Schwinn said the recent controversies illustrate the limits of their "self-policing."

"They appear utterly unconcerned with an ethical standard that is ubiquitous in other portions of the government and that is the appearance of impropriety," he said. "The court seems utterly tone deaf to it."

cl/md
On Wednesday, the European Commission will propose a plan to increase the production capacity for the production of artillery shells to one million a year against the background of the need to meet the military needs of Ukraine and replenish its own reserves.

Source: European Pravda with reference to AFP, this was stated by Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market Affairs.

The European Commission's plan, which will be released on Wednesday, provides for the use of 500 million euros from the EU budget to increase the production of ammunition. The funds will be used to finance new production lines for howitzer shells and missiles, increase the production of gunpowder and upgrade old ammunition.

Funds from the EU budget will finance about 50% of shell production projects, and member states will have to find the other half. Thus, the total cost of the plan will be one billion euros.

"When it comes to defence, our industry must now switch to war economy mode. I am confident that within 12 months we will be able to increase our production capacity to one million rounds per year in Europe," Breton said.

"The act we are proposing is unprecedented. It aims to directly support, with EU money, the ramp-up of our defence industry for Ukraine and for our own security," he added.

The European commissioner acknowledged that the EU defence industry "does not have the scale today to meet the security needs of Ukraine and our member states. But it has the potential to do so," Breton said.

The decision, which will be proposed by the European Commission on 3 May, should be the last link to implement the EU plan to provide Kyiv with artillery shells to counter the full-scale Russian invasion.

Earlier, the EU promised to spend two billion euros to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells over the next year by using inventory and placing joint orders. But now this plan has slowed down due to member states' dispute regarding whether the funds can be allocated to producers outside the European Union.

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Ammunition near the positions of Ukrainian defenders in Bakhmut

Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, stated that the European defense industry must switch to a military economy as it is currently unable to meet the security demands of Ukraine and EU countries.

Read also: Estonia sends military assistance package for Ukraine, including 155 mm artillery munitions

Ukraine is currently facing a shortage of artillery shells, which limits their military usage, and on April 22, an unnamed EU representative said the bloc is preparing to spend one billion euros for joint artillery ammunition purchases for Ukraine.

Read also: Estonia sends military assistance package for Ukraine, including 155 mm artillery munitions

On March 20, EU countries agreed to purchase one million artillery rounds for Ukraine.

Financial Times reports indicate that Ukraine has asked the EU to send 250,000 artillery shells every month to the Ukrainian armed forces to address the deficit, while Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov stated that millions more are required.

Read also: Poland's priority during EU Council presidency will be Ukraine's membership  Duda

During an informal meeting in Stockholm in March, EU defense ministers backed a proposal by the head of European diplomacy Joseph Borrell to utilize EUR 1 billion from the European Peace Fund to resupply Ukraine from available stocks. Borrell added that another EUR 1 billion could be used for joint ammunition procurement.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Eurovision will have alternative Scouse commentary. (Eurovision)

The BBC has unveiled its alternative Scouse commentary team for the upcoming Eurovision finals later this month.

After a lengthy audition process, the broadcaster announced that Paul Quinn would join Claire Sweeney on Radio Merseyside and the BBC Red Button.

Read more: Everything we know about Eurovision 2023

Quinn was informed of his role during The One Show where he responded by saying: "To think I can look back and say, 'it was in Liverpool and I was the voice of it for BBC Radio Merseyside'  people will think back and say, 'remember when Paul Quinn was the Voice of Eurovision?' It's brilliant."

Which #Eurovision fan will be the voice of Merseyside on the big night? @kevduala surprises Paul the winner!   #TheOneShow  https://t.co/26HbnBOYJT pic.twitter.com/Q5FAfqbW1n  BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) May 1, 2023

Sweeney, who is from Liverpool and known for her role in soap opera Brookside, said: "The Scouse alternative commentary is going to be a fabulous addition to the show. It's going be such fun, I can't wait."

BBC Radio Merseyside undertook a seven week talent search to find a partner for Sweeney with Quinn coming out ahead of 500 other hopefuls.

Claire Sweeney will provide alternative Scouse commentary on Eurovision. (Getty Images)

The radio station went around shopping centres in Liverpool asking members of the public to record a 40 second audition in a booth.

According to the BBC, the judges selected Quinn because of his "sense of Scouse" and how he passionately talked about Ukraine which was originally supposed to host the competition.

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Read more: Who is Mae Muller? UK's Eurovision 2023 entry revealed

Liverpool is hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine after the Eastern European country was invaded by Russia early last year.

Ukraine won last year's contest in Turin.

Mae Muller will represent the UK in this year's Eurovision. (AP)

Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc will be providing the commentary on the Grand Final's main feed while Rylan and Scott Mills will voice the semi-finals.

Read more: How many times has the UK won Eurovision?

You will be able to listen to the alternative Scouse commentary of the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday 13 May 2023 from 8pm on BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Sounds, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Red Button.

Watch below: Liverpool is 'bouncing' in anticipation ahead of Eurovision Song Contest.
The statue is the work of 16-year-old Mexican artist Osbelit Garcia-Morales

A monument created as a "symbol of hope" for Ukraine has been unveiled in Liverpool as it prepares to host Eurovision on behalf of the country.

The Ukrainian Global Peace Monument, which stands 16ft (5m) tall, has been installed at Strawberry Field, the former children's home where John Lennon played as a child.

The work by 16-year-old Mexican artist Osbelit Garcia-Morales will be kept at the site until it can be moved to Ukraine to become a permanent monument when it is safe.

Major Kathy Versfeld, mission director for the Salvation Army-owned site said it invited visitors "to make a stand for peace, whoever they are, wherever they are".

Cast in aluminium, the statue depicts a man holding a book, a dove and the Ukrainian flag, with messages in keeping with Lennons famous anti-war anthem Give Peace a Chance.

Lennons sister, Julia Baird, was among those who gathered to see the monument unveiled at the site, which was made famous in The Beatles' 1967 single Strawberry Fields Forever.

The statue was created by Garcia-Morales after she was awarded the commission in 2022 by California-based artist coalition, the Global Peace Initiative.

John Lennons sister, Julia Baird, was among those who gathered to see the monument unveiled

Mjr Versfeld said it was "a beautiful new symbol of hope for Ukraine, and it will be a reminder to the rest of the world of the path to peace: serve, share, forgive, dialogue".

"Strawberry Field is honoured to be the custodian of the monument until it can make its final journey to Ukraine, fulfilling the wishes of the Global Peace Initiative which aims to reduce violence and conflict around the world," she added.

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool between 9 May and 13 May after it was decided it was not safe to stage it in Ukraine.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Evan Nierman, founder and CEO of Red Banyan, a strategic communications and public relations crisis management business based in Florida, is photographed inside the W hotel in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Nierman recently published his second book, The Cancel Culture Curse, with co-author Mark Sachs, which explores the history and trends of cancel culture in society. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News

Although cancel culture has been making headlines for years, some people still struggle to define it, and others insist that it doesnt exist. For them, Evan Nierman is here to help.

The founder and CEO of a company that helps individuals and businesses weather crises, Nierman became interested in cancel culture several years ago after helping several clients withstand cancellation, which he compared to a modern-day witch hunt. The subject became a passion project for him, and now, with Mark Sachs, Nierman has written what he hopes will be the definitive book, The Cancel Culture Curse: From Rage to Redemption in a World Gone Mad.

Cancel culture is real, Nierman says, and targets people on both of sides of Americas ideological divide. Theres a misconception that its mainly conservatives decrying cancel culture, and hes experienced that when talking about the book. People have wrongly assumed that hes approaching the subject from the right, when in fact, hes politically independent and not motivated by partisanship but by his concern about what cancel culture is doing to our country  particularly to ordinary Americans who dont have the ability to fight back like politicians and celebrities do.

And trying to end cancel culture is definitely not part of his business, given that his company, Red Banyan, gets new clients when an internet mob sets out to destroy a business or an individuals life.

Nierman, a father of two who lives in Florida, spoke with the Deseret News recently about the least cancellable person on the planet and what has to happen for cancel culture to end. He also talked about what he sees as the most interesting attempt at cancellation happening right now and how it differs from other cases in the past.

The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Deseret News: Although people have been writing about cancel culture for years, it seems theres not one definition accepted by everyone. What went into coming up with your definition, which is The use of intimidation by a morally absolute coalition to isolate and disproportionately punish an alleged transgressor?

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Evan Nierman: Before you can defeat it, you first have to define it. Ive been reading about cancel culture for years without ever seeing a clear articulation of what it was. So much of what was happening felt like political witch hunts ... people turning on each other with little evidence, or no evidence, and enacting mob justice. So we identified six core elements of cancel culture, which enabled us to come up with a definition we thought captured it.

The elements are in the acronym CANDEM: Crime committed against a collective; arises and accelerates quickly; nature of the offense is trivial or fabricated; disproportionate response; everyone afraid to get involved; and moral absolutism by those doing the canceling.

DN: You talk in the book about how people behave differently online than they do in real life. The ability to be anonymous has something to do with this, but are there other factors involved?

EN: You can do things online that you would never endeavor to do in real life since you can hide behind a pseudonym. But also so much of our online activity has to do with attracting attention. We see the research showing that people are seeking approval and validation based on how many likes or views their content gets. If they post something and it only gets a handful of likes, their (sense of) self-worth plummets. That dynamic leads people to say outrageous things as a way of getting attention, or to weigh in on a hot topic of the day. Many times they jump into that trending story and theres a villain in that story whether they deserve to be a villain or not. Then you end up with an internet pile-on by these cancel vultures. Not only do they not really care about the person who is attacked, but in the next couple of days, they fly off to their next outrage.

Related

DN: Some people say that cancel culture is simply accountability. How does it differ from justice?

EN: Social media is the great equalizer. For the first time in our lives, a Hollywood A-list celebrity, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and an unemployed guy who lives in his moms basement all can use the same communications tools and reach a global audience. And so you have people who have may have never been empowered in their lives, and all of a sudden, theyre able to weigh in on all sorts of topics, to have opinions and feel powerful. And for a lot of people who participate in cancel culture, they tell themselves what theyre doing is OK because its in the greater good of society. Some truly do feel that they are campaigning for justice, but what they dont understand is that theyre not allowing due process to play out, and they dont have the information they need in order to make a rational decision.

DN: Can you talk about how Gen Z entering college in 2013 played into the development of cancel culture? How much blame does this generation bear?

EN: Its not about assigning blame, but in the book, weve identified the perfect storm of elements that came together to create cancel culture. Gen Z going to college marks a pivotal moment related the upbringing that they had. College campuses have become echo chambers and are not driving debate but indoctrinating students, reducing their exposure to multiple viewpoints. Combine that with the 24-7 news cycle, instant access to the internet, ability to access a global community, people seeking attention, that generation wanting to feel empowered and wanting to take an active role in pursuing social justice  you take all these elements and throw them into one big cauldron and it cooks up cancel culture.

DN: You say in the book that former President Donald Trump is the least cancellable person on the planet. But you also say politicians as a group have a way to fend off these attacks in a way that ordinary people dont. Is there anything ordinary Americans can learn from Donald Trump, or this protected class in general? Is there a playbook we can get from them?

EN: Donald Trump has his own entirely different set of rules that hes allowed to play by. Thats not a partisan statement  its not an endorsement or a condemnation  its an observation of fact. Other people who have been subjected to all of the scrutiny that he has, and have been embroiled in even a fraction of the controversy, their professional careers would have been over decades before. But for whatever reason, theres something so unique about Donald Trump and his irreverence and utter lack of shame that makes him his own creature entirely. It would be a mistake for other people to try to model themselves on Donald Trump. Some have tried and failed.

For the average person (threatened with cancellation), their family and friends are scared to defend them, because theyll attract the cancel vultures to themselves. With politicians, though, theyve got a built-in tribe, a network of people who will defend them to the hilt. They have a built-in defense system; its very hard to cancel politicians, but I do tell the story of (former Minnesota Sen.) Al Franken, which was a fascinating case study. Al Franken was canceled. But the reason Al Franken had to resign was because his own tribe turned on him. If the Democrats hadnt canceled Al Franken, hed probably still be in the Senate today.

DN: Included in the advice you give in the book is Refuse to be canceled. How can a person refuse to be canceled? Did Al Franken refuse to be canceled?

EN: In the case of Franken, no. He has been quoted as saying he should have fought it harder. And some of his colleagues have rued the fact that they were so quick to cancel him. Franken went into seclusion when he was canceled. With other people, who refused to be canceled, they find other avenues to be in public view and pursue other opportunities.

Look at Peter Boghossian. He was a professor who got canceled, and now theres a whole critical mass of people who hold him up as a hero and celebrate him; he has more influence today, more people who pay attention to his philosophy and what he thinks, than if hed never become a public figure, and he became a public figure when he was canceled. Look at Bari Weiss. At The New York Times, she was a very impressive journalist, but she was one of a whole stable of journalists. Now she has much more control over her career, and shes involved in so many initiatives and shes not hamstrung by the constraints that exist in working for The New York Times. Shes gone on to flourish and have an exponentially larger impact on society.

DN: In the book, you say that todays parents have the power to end cancel culture by what they are teaching their children. Can you elaborate on that?

EN: Not all cyberbullying is cancel culture. But all cancel culture is a form of bullying. If parents speak with their children about cancel culture, they can perhaps help them not be canceled in the future. But I also want them to talk to their children so they can stop them from participating as future cancel vultures. If parents help their kids understand the human impact behind their actions, they can help, and it really does come back to the golden rule, treating others how you would want to be treated.

As parents, we have to teach our kids the difference between accountability and cancellation. Our society has always had mechanisms for dealing with bad behavior. Some of that is in the legal arena; there are also mechanisms built into our workplaces. Thats why we have human resources professionals and most organizations have codes of conduct and processes in place to address things.

Also, and I think our children understand this, every child makes mistakes. Every person makes mistakes. So when were teaching our kids, we need to remind them of this. The problem with cancel culture is, no one is ever allowed to make a mistake and your punishment is permanent.

DN: Whats the most interesting thing going on in cancel culture today?

EN: The Bud Light controversy is fascinating. It didnt start as cancel culture; it started as a boycott. Boycotts have existed forever. Sanctions are boycotts. But what happens with a boycott? Youre trying to effect a policy change using economic means. And when that policy change happens, the boycott ends. But cancel culture isnt necessarily about a policy change; its about vengeance. Even if you apologize, it doesnt matter, youre still canceled, youre permanently deplatformed.

And in the case of Bud Light, it morphed into cancel culture. It became less about whether Bud Light believed one thing, and it became, lets rally together and drive a stake into their heart and use it as a way to put other companies on notice that if you cross us, were coming for you next. It was meant to have a chilling effect. Theres a rallying cry on the right now: Go woke, go broke. But there are people on the left who say cancel culture doesnt exist; its a figment of our imagination. But all you have to do is read the first chapter of the book, about Lisa Alexander (a San Francisco woman who confronted a man stenciling Black Lives Matter on the front of his house), to know that it is very real and very dangerous.

DN: Id like to give you a few names and you tell me if their cases were cancel culture, as alleged. Lets start with J.K. Rowling. Has she been canceled?

EN: They tried, but they failed.

DN: Scott Adams, the Dilbert creator?

EN: He was canceled, yes.

DN: Joe Rogan?

EN: Absolutely not, theyve tried to cancel Joe Rogan, and they cant. Hes too big to cancel, and he refuses to be canceled. And hes done a really good job, when he was forced to apologize, he gave an apology from a position of strength, but hes still at the top of his game. Not canceled.

DN: Will Smith?

EN: He suffered consequences of his actions (slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars), but he committed assault on live, international TV. That is not cancel culture. He committed a crime against a person, and I dont think it was a disproportionate response.

DN: Ye, or Kanye West?

EN: He canceled himself. It was a self-immolation, Kanye West.

DN: Any parting words?

EN: I was not afraid to write this book; I didnt think that I would be canceled for it. But I have been surprised about misperceptions that have been circulating about me. There have been numerous media outlets that have declined to talk about my book or have me on because they falsely presume Im a hard-right political figure. Im an independent. Ive supported Democrats; Ive voted for Republicans. Im the perfect example of a swing voter. Im not a devotee to any political party.

But just the title of the book  describing cancel culture as a curse  has led people to prejudge me and make false assumptions about me. I find that surprising, and disappointing. This underscores how important it is to get this book and its messages out in the world.
There have been eight "Harry Potter" films and two "Fantastic Beasts" films. Warner Bros

The "Harry Potter" books have inspired 11 films, and fans have rated them online.

Most Rotten Tomatoes fans seem to love "Deathly Hallows - Part 2" and "Prisoner of Azkaban."

But "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" is the lowest-rated film of the group.

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" (2018) is the lowest-rated film.

Jude Law played Albus Dumbledore in the film. Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Audience score: 54%

Audiences felt the sequel to 2016's "Fantastic Beasts" left a lot to be desired.

Many fans felt like they didn't care about the new characters introduced in the "Fantastic Beasts" universe, even though they really felt for the ones in the "Harry Potter" movies.

"I had my hopes up for 'Crimes of Grindelwald' thinking it would actually expand the Potterverse in a new and intriguing way but like it's predecessor, is full of plot fluff," audience reviewer Anna R. wrote. "A lot of this new information isn't all that important or engaging. I find myself bored by most of these new characters and their stories."

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2005) didn't wow fans as much as the other films.

The film centers on the Triwizard Tournament. Warner Bros.

Audience score: 74%

"Goblet of Fire" is the fourth installment in the "Harry Potter" series.

Although some complained that it felt "episodic," or like a long "teaser" for the fifth film, others thought it did a fine job ushering in the final chapters of the series.

"A very solid movie in the 'Harry Potter' franchise. While it may not have been as good as the third, this is the first movie where you get the sense that these characters have matured, and are no longer the same as when we first met them," audience reviewer Aiden S. wrote.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009) was called "decent" by fans.

Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe in "Goblet of Fire." Warner Bros.

Audience score: 78%

The sixth installment, "Half-Blood Prince," is the second lowest-rated "Harry Potter" film.

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Audience reviewer Emilio C. wrote, "[It] gets you excited in the beginning, but then we cut to a movie that only deals with a lot of teen drama and it's has a lot of unnecessary plots."

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (2016) received mixed reviews.

The spin-off was inspired by J.K. Rowling's novels. Warner Bros.

Audience score: 79%

Five years after the "Harry Potter" series came to an end, the Potterverse reared its delightful head and gave us the spin-off series "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Audiences weren't quite sure what to make of this film. Some fans called it "a fanciful stroll through a dreamlike world," but others thought long-time Potter fans would be "underwhelmed by this extension of the wizarding world."

"It's not without fun elements, but there's an almost total lack of compelling characters," wrote audience reviewer Alec B.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002) was met with average responses from audiences.

"Chamber of Secrets" is the second "Harry Potter" film. Warner Bros.

Audience score: 80%

By the time "Chamber of Secrets" came out in 2002, fans were already reading "The Goblet of Fire," so the film seemed to bore some of the series' aging audience.

However, other fans feel that the film was a solid adaptation of the book.

"With a darker tone and an extreme loyalty to the original source material, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' is both a treat for fans and non-fans alike," wrote audience reviewer Matthew M.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2007) impressed many fans.

Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson returned for the fifth film. Warner Bros.

Audience score: 81%

Fans praised director David Yates for miraculously condensing the longest book in the series into a film that's just over two hours.

However, many fans felt that "Order of the Phoenix" was more of a transitional moment in the series.

As audience reviewer Daniel M. wrote, "'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is a middling installment [sic] in the franchise which contains potential but lacks focus in its execution."

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001) was a great start to a series, according to audiences.

"Sorcerer's Stone" was the first film in the "Harry Potter" series. Warner Bros.

Audience score: 82%

The first film debuted to rave reviews, mostly due to its faithful retelling of J.K. Rowling's source material.

"Sorcerer's Stone" will always be warmly remembered as the beginning of an unforgettable series for many fans.

"It's a tough job when you are hired to make an adaptation of a popular children's book. And it's even more tough when that movie is also intended to be the beginning to a long series of movies," wrote audience reviewer Lasse G. "But Chris Columbus actually does a good job."

"Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" (2022) is the best-received of the prequel series.

Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law in "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore." Warner Bros.

Audience score: 83%

Although fans weren't as fond of the second installment in the "Fantastic Beasts" series, "The Secrets of Dumbledore" won them over. The film follows the conflict between a young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen).

Audience reviewer Ruben A. wrote, "Best movie of the saga till now, what a trip full of magic, they should continue and finish the lore."

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1" (2010) kept viewers entertained.

The films split the final book into two parts. Warner Bros.

Audience score: 85%

"Deathly Hallows - Part 1" is the set-up for the triumphant finale in "Part 2," and yet, Yates managed to keep audiences entertained in a movie that could have been pretty boring.

Audience reviewer David A. wrote, "The performances were spectacular and the direction was superb. It's the best 'the beginning of the end' installment you could ever want."

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004) is a fan favorite.

Daniel Radcliffe in "Prisoner of Azkaban." Warner Bros.

Audience score: 86%

Widely lauded as the "darkest" of all the "Potter" films, the Alfonso Cuaron-directed adaption of the third book resonated with many fans.

Audiences raved about new character introductions  like Sirius Black  and said the film "finally transcends the child-like nature of the first two films."

Audience reviewer Daniel Mumby wrote, "['Prisoner of Azkaban'] is far superior to anything that came before in the series and set the bar very high for all that came after."

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" (2011) was applauded by fans as a perfect final film.

The series ended on a high note. Warner Bros

Audience score: 89%

It makes sense that the long-awaited finale would be the most beloved of all the "Harry Potter" films.

"Ten years comes to a close in grand fashion," wrote audience reviewer John Manard. "Two hours of stand up and cheer, break out the kleenex cries, and closure on a series of movies that captured a generation."

Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change.

Every film from the Wizarding World and an exclusive reunion special are available to stream on HBO Max:

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Read the original article on Insider
On Saturday 6 May, Britain will crown a new Queen for the first time in more than 70 years at the coronation of Queen Consort Camilla and King Charles III.

As the country prepares to usher in a new era for the royal family, many might be feeling curious about our head of state and his partner, who will be crowned Queen this weekend.

Camilla Parker-Bowles has been a member of the royal family for many years, but her rise to the very top of the royal family tree was only cemented in 2005, when she married the King (then the Prince of Wales).

Even before their wedding, she and Charles were inseparable. Their relationship has lasted many decades, but it hasnt always been smooth sailing.

Over the years however, the Queen Consort shed her reputation as the other woman to become a firm favourite within the royal family. The late Queen Elizabeth gave her blessing for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort during her platinum jubilee last year, signifying a major shift in her position in the family and in the countrys minds.

Camilla was born Camilla Rosemary Shand at Kings College Hospital on 17 July 1947. Her parents were Major Bruce Shand, a British Army officer who went on to become a businessman, and Rosalind Cubitt, a British aristocrat and daughter of Roland Cubitt, 3rd Baron Ashcombe.

The eldest of three children, she grew up in The Laines, an 18th-century country house in Plumpton, East Sussex. They also had a second home: a three-storey house in south Kensington.

Camilla has described her childhood as idyllic. She told Womens Weekly Australia: I was one of the very lucky ones. I had an idyllic childhood right in the country, sitting on the South Downs with my brother and my sister and our pets and our ponies. I think it was a simple childhood.

Camilla, aged four, and her sister Annabelle, aged three, as bridesmaids for the wedding of Jeremy Gubbitt and Diana du Cane in 1952 (Getty Images)

She recalled riding to school on her pony alongside her siblings, Annabel Elliot and Mark Shand. We just pottered along this very pretty road with two or three cars going past. Life was very laid-back, she reminisced. I suppose I thought life was always going to be like that.

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But life had its own plans for Camilla. At age 16, she attended the Mon Fertile finishing school in Tolochenaz, Switzerland, and later decided to go to France to study French literature at the University of London Institute in Paris for six months.

In 1965, she became one of 311 debutantes in London. Camilla spent the next few years moving around flats in the city with friends and family, working as a secretary for various firms in the West End, and honing her love for horse-riding and equestrian activities.

It was during this period of her life that she met the man who would become her first husband, Andrew Parker-Bowles. Camilla and Andrew met through his younger brother, Simon, and embarked in an on-and-off relationship.

Andrew and Camilla Parker-Bowles (PA) (PA Archive)

It was during one of their off-periods, in the middle of 1971, that Camilla met Charles, the then-Prince of Wales. Andrew, meanwhile, was dating the Princess Royal. Biographer Gyles Brandreth wrote in his book Charles and Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair that they were formally introduced by their mutual friend, Lucia Santa Cruz, despite orbiting one another in the same social circles for years.

The future king and Camilla began dating, and it is understood that Charles was serious about Camilla. But when Charles went overseas in 1973 to join the Royal Navy, the relationship was put on hold. Not long after, Camilla and Andrew rekindled their romance and announced their engagement. By July that same year, they were married.

Charles was heartbroken over the breakup, as documented in his letter to his uncle Lord Mountbatten, in which he wrote of his sadness that such a blissful, peaceful and mutually happy relationship had come to an abrupt end. However, he and Camilla continued to keep in touch and carried out their affair while she was married to Andrew  who was also unfaithful  and Charles was married to Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles walk through to The Gala Dinner at The Prince's Foundation in London late 20 June 2000 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The tumult in Charless marriage to Diana has been well-documented. As for Camilla, her own nuptials came to a definitive end after a 1989 recording of the now-infamous Tampongate phone conversation between her and Charles became public. Embarrassed by the intimacy of the call, it was Andrew who asked Camilla for a divorce.

Before their split, Camilla and Andrew had two children together, Tom and Laura Parker-Bowles. She now has five grandchildren: Lola and Freddy, from Toms first marriage to Sara Buys, and Eliza, Louis and Gus from Laura and her husband Harry Marcus George Lopes.

During the years of their affair, it was claimed that the late Queen did not approve of Camilla. Royal biographer Katie Nicholl wrote in her 2022 book, The New Royals: In 1998, when Charles was trying to persuade his mother to be more accommodating of Camilla, the Queen described her as that wicked woman. Those damning words were reported in distress by Prince Charles himself. Nicholl also wrote that the Queen would not have Camillas name uttered in her presence.

(Getty Images)

But nevertheless, the couple stayed true to one another, and eventually married on 9 April 2005. During the ceremony, they both read the strongest act of penitence from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer in order to acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness.

Clarence House announced at the time that Camilla would use the title HRH The Princess Consort when Charles acceded the throne.

Then, last year, the late Elizabeth expressed her sincere wish that when the time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service. After Elizabeth died in September 2022, it was widely speculated that this title would be changed to Queen. The title change was confirmed earlier this year.

The public perception of Camilla has also changed over the years. While she was widely vilified for being Charless mistress before they made their relationship official, Camilla is now one of Britons favourite royals  higher in popularity compared to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Duke of York, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Although she is only now preparing for her crowning, which her former butler has said she will be absolutely terrified about, Camillas place in history was solidified many years ago. All eyes will be on her as she embarks on her future as the Queen.
Missing girls Brittany Brewer, 16, left, and Ivy Webster, 14, right, were found dead in Oklahoma in May 2023 (Brewer family / Webster family via Facebook)

Two teenage girls were spending the weekend having a sleepover with a friend.

They planned to go swimming at a local ranch in Oklahoma.

But they were never seen alive again.

On Monday, their bodies were discovered among seven people found dead on a rural property near Henryetta.

Among the other bodies was that of a convicted rapist who was due to stand trial on child porn and solicitation charges that very day.

Heres everything we know so far about the shocking case:

What happened?

On Monday morning, an Amber Alert was issued to find two missing teenagers  14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer.

Okmulgee County Sheriffs Office said that Ivy had gone out with a friend to the McAlester area and was supposed to return home by 5pm on Sunday.

She failed to return home.

The two teens were last seen at around 1.30am on Monday morning travelling with Jesse McFadden  a convicted rapist who was on the states sex offender registry  in a white Chevrolet pickup.

Ivys mother told KJRH that her daughters cellphone tracking had been turned off and said it was unlike her daughter not to respond to messages or calls.

Ivy and Brittany had gone to the McFaddens house for a sleepover with his teenage daughter over the weekend and had been planning to go swimming on a ranch in McAlester but never showed. She said she was unaware of the mans criminal history.

Amber Alert was issued for the missing girls (Oklahoma Highway Patrol)

Brittanys father, meanwhile, told KOTV that the girls had been to the mans house many previous times without incident.

Ive known this family for a while and Brittany was a beautiful, smart and full of life 16 year old young lady, Facebook user Cassandra Apperson wrote .

She went out this weekend with her friends and was supposed to return home last night, and her father reported her missing and just a little while ago they found her and a few others deceased and the man responsible was also found deceased. If you could please share this or donate if youre able.

On Monday morning, McFadden, 39, also failed to show up for a court appearance.

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Authorities went to McFaddens property on the outskirts of Henryetta and found the bodies of seven people.

The bodies were found not in the residence, but just on the property, said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Gerald Davidson.

Who are the seven people found dead?

While the bodies are yet to be officially identified, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said the bodies were believed to include those McFadden and the two missing girls Ivy and Brittany.

We believe that we have found the persons, he said.

We are no longer looking. We believe to have found everything that we were seeking this morning. Our hearts go out to the families and friends, schoolmates and everyone else.

The missing endangered person advisory was canceled on Monday afternoon by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Brittanys father Nathan Brewer told KOTV that his daughter was about to appear in an upcoming pageant.

Missing girls Brittany Brewer, 16, left, and Ivy Webster, 14, right, were found dead in Oklahoma in May 2023 (Brewer family / Webster family via Facebook)

Brittany was an outgoing person, he said.

She actually was selected to be Miss Henryetta in [an upcoming] pageant in Tulsa, and now she aint gonna make it because she dead. Shes gone.

At a vigil held on Monday night, he said his daughter had dreams of being a teacher or a veterinarian.

Its just a parents worst nightmare, and Im living it, he said. I am just lost.

The other four victims have not been identified by law enforcement and it is unclear how the seven individuals died.

Who is Jesse McFadden?

McFadden is a convicted rapist who was scheduled to appear in court on new charges on the day that the bodies were found.

According to Oklahoma prison records , McFadden was sent to prison in 2003 for first-degree rape, and served nearly 16 years before being released in 2020.

Jesse McFadden (KOTV-DT)

On Monday, he was due to stand trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.

The charges were filed back in 2017 when he was still in prison for his rape conviction.

While behind bars, he allegedly exchanges nude photos and videos with an underage girl from behind bars.

When he failed to appear in court on Monday, police began searching for him.

What comes next in the investigation?

Okmulgee county sheriff Eddy Rice said on Monday that while he was still waiting for the identities of the bodies to be confirmed, we believe we have found everything that we were seeking this morning.

How can we support the victims of the Oklahoma disappearance?

A GoFundMe page in memory of Brittany Brewer has been set up to assist with funeral expenses.

This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult times they will ever experience and they need to be focused on their healing instead of worrying about how they are going to pay for Brittanys funeral, a message alongside the fundraiser reads.

School pays tribute to several students killed

Henryetta Public Schools released a statement saying that it is grieving over the tragedy of the loss of several of our students.

Our hearts are hurting, and we have considered what would be best for our students in the coming days, the school system said.

Classes will still take place but mental health services are available to students.

We understand if you feel it is more appropriate to keep your student at home. Please continue to keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.

Is this disappearance related to other crimes in the area?
Mr Staley had not been named as a defendant by either Epstein victim and has repeatedly denied involvement in Epsteins abuse - AFP

Former Barclays chief Jes Staley was not only aware of client Jeffrey Epsteins abuse of young women but allegedly assaulted at least one victim himself, according to a court ruling which claims Mr Staley was sent sexually suggestive photographs of them.

Mr Staley, who once advised Epstein as head of JP Morgans private banking division, is accused of being personally involved in some of the abuse at the disgraced late financiers US Virgin Island retreat and had Epsteins permission to do what he wanted.

Two of Epsteins victims, named only as Jane Doe to protect their identities, are suing JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank in the US Virgin Islands, claiming the banks knowingly profited from Epsteins sex trafficking scheme.

According to the lawsuit, Epstein agreed to bring many ultra-high wealth clients to JP Morgan while, in exchange, Mr Staley would use his clout within JP Morgan to make the billionaire untouchable.

He would ignore any alleged red flags and ultimately allowed Epstein to run and grow what the civil suit described as an obvious operation to sexually abuse and traffic countless young women.

Knowingly profited

Mr Staley had not been named as a defendant by either Epstein victim and has repeatedly denied involvement in Epsteins abuse.

However, in a 54-page ruling issued late on Monday, US District Court Judge Jed Rakoff in New York explained his reasoning as to why he would hear the claims alleging that JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank knowingly profited from the trafficking scheme, revealing new details about the banks and accusations against Mr Staley.

He noted that the women are alleging Mr Staley himself abused some of Epsteins victims, including JPM Jane Doe herself, abbreviating JP Morgan.

JPM Jane Doe claims that one of Epsteins friends - whom she later identified as Mr Staley - used aggressive force in his sexual assault of her and informed [JPM Jane Doe] that he had Epsteins permission to do what he wanted to her, the ruling states.

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Boston-born Mr Staley, 66, was known to have visited the convicted sex offender while he was serving time for soliciting a minor in Florida in 2009 and then flew to Epsteins private Caribbean island for a four-hour lunch just months before taking the top job at Barclays in 2015.

In December 2009, Mondays order states, Epstein allegedly sent Mr Staley two emails, each showing a photograph of a young woman in a sexually suggestive pose.

According to the ruling, one victims $7.4 million (5.9 million) settlement with Epsteins estate specifically noted it does not release James (Jes) Staley (...) or (his) respective entity affiliations from future claims.

Staley was the key to making all of Epsteins depraved dreams of sexual abuse and sex trafficking of countless young women possible, the original suit alleged.

Forced to resign

Mr Staley was forced to resign from the top job at Barclays in 2021 following a regulatory investigation into his past ties to Epstein.

JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank have tried to shift the blame to Mr Staley, claiming that their former executive disguised his Epstein ties for personal reasons.

They have claimed in motions to dismiss the case that there was no explicit connection between the money they received from Epsteins financial activities and the crimes he used that money to commit.

However, Judge Rakoff states that Mr Staleys actions as a top executive were enough to decide to continue his courts inquiry into whether either bank personally knew of the nature of Epsteins business and what the illegal activity they were allegedly funding was.

If the allegations in plaintiffs complaints are taken as true, Mr. Staley had actual first-hand knowledge that Epstein conducted a sex-trafficking venture, the judge wrote.

The role of Mr Staley at the very least supported the allegation the bank recklessly disregarded the existence of the venture, said Judge Rakoff.

The Telegraph reached out to Mr Staley for comment. Representatives for JP Morgan declined to comment.
George Floyd

Nearly three years after the senseless killing of George Floyd, Minnesota courts continue to hold those responsible accountable.

On Monday (May 1), a state judge found former Minneapolis officer Tou Thao guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, CNN reported. In 2020, the ex-cop kept bystanders back as his then-fellow officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyds neck for nine minutes, killing him. Floyds tragic death was recorded by an onlooker and led to the firing of Thao, Chauvin, and two other officers and re-ignited the Black Lives Matter movement.

In the verdict, Judge Peter Cahill stated Thao actively encouraged his three colleagues dangerous prone restraint of Floyd despite his knowledge of the positionings deadly results.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Minneapolis ex-officer Tou Thao, who held back bystanders in George Floyd killing, convicted of aiding manslaughter. pic.twitter.com/6b15jpnRBj  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 2, 2023

Like the bystanders, Thao could see Floyds life slowly ebbing away as the restraint continued, the verdict mentioned. Yet Thao made a conscious decision to actively participate in Floyds death. He held back the concerned bystanders and even prevented an off-duty Minneapolis firefighter from rendering the medical aid Floyd so desperately needed.

The outlet noted the Minnesota courts decision in Thaos case was the last of both state and federal trials for former officers involved in Floyds death. In 2021, Chauvin was convicted and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison by a state court. The charges, in that case, included second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. In the federal court, Chauvin pleaded guilty to robbing Floyd of his rights and an unrelated count of civil rights violations. Both earned him 21 years in prison, which will run concurrently with his state sentence.

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The three other ex-policemen  Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng  were also previously found guilty in a federal court. The outlet noted that they were sentenced for violating Floyds civil rights and failing to stop Chauvin during the restraint. Like Thao, Lane and Kueng were convicted of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. They received 3 1/2 and three years in prison, respectively. Thao is currently serving time for his federal charges. The outlet mentioned his state sentencing is set for Aug. 7. He faces between 41 to 57 months behind bars.

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The last of four former Minneapolis police officers facing state charges in the death of George Floyd has been convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

Tou Thao was convicted for his role in the murder of Floyd, who died May 25, 2020, when former police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes despite his fading cries of I cant breathe.

Floyds killing led to worldwide protests, and his last words became a rallying cry in the call for police reform.

Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in April 2021 and later pleaded guilty in a federal case. He is now serving a state sentence of 22 1/2 years in prison and a federal sentence of 21 years concurrently.

Two other officers on the scene that day, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, also pleaded guilty to state charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter and were convicted. Kueng is serving a 3 1/2-year sentence and Lane three years.

Thao, who was standing nearby during the incident, blocked bystanders from interfering with the police. When Floyd continued to plead for air and called for his mother, Thao mocked him and told bystanders, This is why you dont do drugs, kids.

Thao is already serving a 3 1/2-year sentence for a federal conviction of violating Floyds civil rights and of failing to stop Chauvin during the restraint.

But Thao rejected a plea agreement in his state case, insisting that it would be lying to plead guilty. He also waived his right to a trial by jury to instead let Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill decide the verdict based on filings by each side and evidence from previous cases.

In a 177-page verdict released Tuesday, Judge Peter Cahill said that Thao actively encouraged his three colleagues dangerous prone restraint of Floyd despite his training informing him that such positioning could cause fatal asphyxia.

Like the bystanders, Thao could see Floyds life slowly ebbing away as the restraint continued, Cahill wrote. Yet Thao made a conscious decision to actively participate in Floyds death: He held back the concerned bystanders and even prevented an off-duty Minneapolis firefighter from rendering the medical aid Floyd so desperately needed.

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Thao faces sentencing on August 7; Minnesota guidelines recommend four years for manslaughter.

Thao will serve his state term concurrent with his federal sentence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Jonathan Allen and Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) -Former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao was found guilty of aiding and abetting in the 2020 killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died after his neck was pinned to the ground by another officer's knee during a botched arrest.

The verdict against Thao, who held back a small crowd of bystanders while three other officers subdued Floyd, concludes the final criminal case related to the killing, which ignited a wave of protests over racism and police brutality across the U.S. and around the world.

Thao, a nine-year veteran of the force, had opted to allow Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill to decide whether he was guilty or not guilty, waiving his right to a trial by jury. Cahill's 177-page decision was posted on the court's website on Tuesday morning.

"Based on his training, Thao was actively aware that the restraint he witnessed grossly deviated from the standard of care, was extremely dangerous, and risked Floyd's death," Cahill wrote in his decision.

When sentenced on Aug. 7, Thao faces up to four years in prison, which are expected to run concurrently with the 3-1/2 years he received after he was found guilty in federal court of violating Floyd's civil rights.

Derek Chauvin, a white officer captured on cellphone video kneeling on the handcuffed Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes, was found guilty of murder in 2021.

With Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck, and the other two officers, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, restraining his knees and buttocks, Floyd pleaded for his life before falling limp.

While Floyd was pinned, Thao stood to one side and kept back the bystanders, who repeatedly yelled at the police to get off Floyd and check his pulse. Police were arresting Floyd on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a nearby store.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement Tuesday that the verdict "brings one more measure" of accountability in Floyd's death.

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"Accountability is not justice, but it is a step on the road to justice," Ellison said.

Last year, Lane and Kueng pleaded guilty in state court to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, the same charge Thao faced. Lane was sentenced to 3-1/2 years in prison, while Kueng was sentenced to three years.

At a federal trial last year, Kueng and Lane were also found guilty of violating Floyd's civil rights. Lane was sentenced to 2-1/2 years and Kueng to three years in federal prison, to run concurrently with the state sentence.

Thao's lawyers wrote that he believed Floyd was high on narcotics and having a distressed reaction. The officer's police training had told him that knee restraints on a neck were appropriate in some instances, the lawyers wrote, and he believed the other three officers were mindful of Floyd's medical needs.

Chauvin was sentenced to 22-1/2 years in prison for the unintentional second-degree murder of Floyd, and last year received a concurrent sentence of 21 years in prison on federal charges of violating Floyd's civil rights.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Jonathan Oatis)
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III plans to plead guilty in the fatal DUI crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor.

Police say that Ruggs was driving his Corvette 156 mph early Nov. 2, 2021, on a Las Vegas street while under the influence of alcohol before crashing into Tintor's Toyota Rav4, rupturing the gas tank, killing Tintor and her golden retriever Max. According to police, Ruggs' blood alcohol content was 0.16, twice the legal limit in Las Vegas. The posted speed limit on the residential street was 45 mph.

Ruggs waived a right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday with the intention of pleading guilty to a felony charge of DUI resulting in death and a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Ruggs initially faced additional charges of DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving and a misdemeanor firearms charge. Police say that they found a loaded gun in his car.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed that Ruggs will serve a sentence of three to 10 years in prison. He initially faced up to 50 years in prison. Terms of the agreement aren't binding. A judge will have the final say on the length of Ruggs' sentence.

This is the first step toward a fair resolution to this matter, and we look forward to closure for all the parties involved," Ruggs' attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said via a statement.

Henry Ruggs III, seen here with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, intends to plead guilty in a fatal DUI case. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Ruggs has not yet entered a formal plea. He plans to do so in district court. Chesnoff said during Tuesday's hearing that Ruggs' plea is contingent on the court accepting the agreed-upon sentencing terms.

This resolution is conditioned upon the court accepting the stipulations of the parties, Chesnoff said. In the event that the court does not accept the stipulations, Mr. Ruggs will be permitted to withdraw his guilty plea, proceed to trial and litigate all issues.

Ruggs, 24, joined the Raiders in 2020 as a first-round draft pick out of Alabama. After he played 13 games as a rookie, the crash ended his Raiders career seven games into his second NFL season. A standout with game-breaking speed at Alabama, Ruggs won a national championship with the Crimson Tide in 2017 and joined the NFL with the expectation of developing into a high-end starter. The Raiders released Ruggs on the same day as the crash.
A group of Richland residents delivered three boxes of petitions to the Benton County Voting Center on Tuesday afternoon in their effort to oust three school board members.

The 18,788 signatures were gathered over the last 75 days as part of a Richland School Board Recall campaign to remove Semi Bird, Audra Byrd and Kari Williams from office.

Brian Brendel, Brad Rew, Anthony Peurrung and others with the recall campaign group are trying to remove them after the boards surprise vote last year to go mask optional in schools and defy the states mask law during the COVID pandemic.

We cant have this type of reckless behavior, Rew told the Tri-City Herald on Tuesday This is not good when it comes to recruiting teachers and giving our kids the best education we possibly can. You cant do that when you have leaders acting so inappropriately.

He said he was pleased with the support of the community and believes they will succeed in replacing the three members.

Each board member faces three recall charges alleging their actions:

Violated Washingtons Open Public Meetings Act by taking final action on a matter not included on a published meeting agenda.

Violated state law on masking at the time, exceeding their powers and responsibilities as school board members.

Violated district policies and procedures by failing to assure compliance with laws and policies.

Opponents of the recall say the action is frivolous and expensive, and that the charges levied against the school board members dont hold merit.

They maintain the mask mandate was not a law and was causing harm to children, says the Resist the Recall campaign. Bird, whos planning to run for governor in 2024, previously called the recall charges spiteful and revengeful.

Last week, the Washington state Supreme Court issued its written opinion that allowed the recall process to continue. The unanimous decision said despite the board members saying they did not think that their vote violated the law, the evidence shows they were aware that the mask mandate carried the force of the law  and that they were knowingly defying a law with which they disagreed.

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Whats next?

Benton County Elections Office officials must now verify the signatures and if there are enough, the issue will be put on a ballot for voters to decide. Voters then would vote individually on each of the three.

Verification and canvassing of the signature forms  the vigorous process of going line-by-line, page-by-page checking each name, signature, date of birth and matching it with their voter registration records  is expected to take 10 days or more.

Election officials plan to start verification on May 11, due to state law.

Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton said her employees are well within the window to check signatures to meet the deadline for the Aug. 1 primary ballot.

Richland residents Bradley Rew, Elizabeth Lugo, Carrie Hallquist and Roy Hallquist, from left, watch as Benton elections employees Amanda Hatfield, left, and Grace Davidson, stamp three boxes of signed recall petition papers to the Benton County Elections Center in Richland.

The bar for recalling an elected official is generally high because you shouldnt be able to overturn the vote of the people, Chilton said. These individuals were duly elected by a vote of the people, and it shouldnt be easy to overturn the vote.

The verification process will be open to the public. Visitors can stop by 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to watch staff verify signatures over a monitor at the Voting Center, 2618 N. Columbia Center Blvd.

The Elections Center will have six workers verifying signatures, with two working on each set at the same time.

Recall signatures

Each elected official requires his or her own set of signatures to be verified to move on to the next stage of the process. Heres how many were delivered for each:

Audra Byrd: 6,299

Semi Bird: 6,270

Kari Williams: 6,219

The recall campaign needed to collect the signatures of 25% of the total number of votes cast in the last election that each school board member was involved in.

Richland School Board members Semi Bird, Kari Williams and Audra Byrd, from left.

In the end, the campaign collected an additional 900-1,500 signatures for each school board member to account for any problem signatures.

Holding a recall during the primary election will cost the Richland School District about $75,000 to $100,000.

But two of the three school board members  Williams and Bird  are already up for reelection this fall anyway, so its possible they theoretically could be recalled and then re-elected on the same ballot if they file for office.

Recall elections are rare and often dont get this far along in the process.

In 2021, then Sheriff Jerry Hatcher became the first elected official in Benton County to ever be recalled by the voters, and possibly the first Washington state sheriff, too.

A Resist the Recall sign supporting three members of the Richland School Board facing a recall petition asking residents not to sign the petition is posted along George Washington Way near the Uptown Shopping area.

COVID frustrations

Kari Williams, a longtime school district volunteer with a teaching background, was elected in 2019 to the Richland School Board during a time when the district was marred with budgetary concerns and controversies finding a new superintendent. She said then that she wanted to add a teachers voice to the board.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, parent and voter frustration boiled over pandemic-era health mandates requiring students wear masks and teachers get vaccinated. Semi Bird and Audra Byrd rode into office on a platform of mask denialism and frustration aimed at the state.

But state officials had repeatedly told districts that they risked losing funds from the state if they didnt follow the governors proclamations around COVID.

If the recall is in the affirmative  if 50%, plus 1, vote in favor of removing any of the school board members from office  then they will have until the day that Chilton certifies the election results to vacate their office.

However, being recalled would not preclude them from running for office again, either later this year or in the future.

School board members will get to keep their seat if the recall election fails to get a clear majority of voters in support of removing them from office.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
By Sarita Chaganti Singh

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India, backed by China, is trying to build a consensus within the G20 group to let countries choose a roadmap to cut carbon emissions instead of setting a deadline to end the use of fossil fuels, three Indian government officials said.

India, the current G20 president, is keen on introducing the phrase 'multiple energy pathways' in a communique to be released at a group summit in September and has been supported by countries including China and South Africa, one of the officials said. The three officials declined to be identified since they were not authorised to speak to media.

Multiple pathways for energy transition would enable countries to choose resources, even coal, while working towards plans on net zero emissions.

At a meeting of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) in the western state of Gujarat last month, India opposed a deadline proposed by rich nations to end the use of coal, said the official who was at the meeting. Coal accounts for nearly three-fourths of India's annual electricity generation, according to government data, and New Delhi has long defended its use of the fuel, citing lower emissions per capita, compared to other countries.

China supported India during the meeting, saying it cannot put a timeline on ending fossil fuel dependence and would want to put 'all' its available resources to optimum use, the official said.

The two countries are the top two consumers of coal in the world.

China's foreign affairs and environment ministries did not respond to queries sent by Reuters.

The Indian power ministry declined comment. The ministries of environment and renewable energy did not respond.

Climate ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy nations agreed last month "to accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest".

Officials said it was the first time India used the phrase 'multiple pathways' in global climate negotiations against repeated demands by Western nations to end coal usage.

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A second official said the phrase is in conformity with the 2015 Paris Agreement on combating climate change that favours "common but differentiated responsibilities, under different national circumstances". He said rich countries overlook this while asking for the exit from coal.

"A dominant view was seen emerging on every country to have individual pathways to achieve their national commitments and endowments," a third official who attended the meeting said.

Faced with calls to phase down the use of coal at the last climate change deliberations in Egypt in November 2022, India said all fossil fuels should be phased out including natural gas. At the G20 meeting last month, India kept the focus on fossil fuels, rather than singling out coal, the third official said.

India and China, the world's two most populous countries, have often taken common positions at international climate change negotiations, despite long-standing border disputes.

In March, the European Union agreed to promote a global fossil fuel phase out ahead of the COP28 summit in Dubai in November.

Delhi will host a summit of G20 leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in September. Officials are meeting in the run-up to that meeting to finalise the group's position on global issues including climate change.

The G20 includes the G7 countries as well as Russia, China, India, Brazil, Australia and Saudi Arabia, among other nations.

(Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi; Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington & Laurie Chen in Beijing; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
San Luis Obispo County spent more than $3 million to investigate and convict Paul Flores for murdering Kristin Smart, a Tribune review of financial records shows.

That includes money spent by both the county Sheriffs and District Attorneys offices over the course of nearly two decades.

And its not a full total, as not all of the money was tracked.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office only has itemized records since the 2004-05 fiscal year, and the District Attorneys Office began tracking expenses in 2019.

San Luis Obispo Superior Court does not keep track of expenses for specific cases, court executive office Michael Powell told The Tribune in an email. Records also do not include any money spent by federal agencies, such as the FBI.

Smarts disappearance after an off-campus Cal Poly party in 1996 shook the community, and Smarts parents have said on multiple occasions law enforcement should have done more immediately after her initial disappearance.

Cal Poly student Kristin Smart was 19 when she went missing after an off-campus party on Memorial Day weekend in 1996. On Oct. 18, 2022, Paul Flores was found guilty of murdering Smart after walking her back to the red bricks dorms after the party.

Missteps early on in the investigation, such as Cal Poly Police Department waiting days before taking the matter seriously, led the case to become a long-running unsolved mystery.

The case was never considered cold by the Sheriffs Office, which said it continued to work on the investigation over more than two decades.

Financial records confirm this, with resources being allocated to the case each year.

In total, the sum of tracked money spent on the case adds up to $3,036,298.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office tracked expenses from January 2019 through March 2023, for a total of $1,433,321  $988,747 toward employee salaries and benefits and $444,684 on services and supplies.

The Sheriffs Office spent $1,602,977 and 19,928 hours on the case between the January 2005 and April 2023.

Majority of money spent on investigation after 2010

The investigation into the Smart case unfurled in fits and starts over more than two decades.

And that fluctuation in activity is apparent in the financial records.

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The fiscal year with the highest price tag was 2019-20 with $374,741 and 4,227 hours spent on the case, while the lowest was the 2007-08 fiscal year with $8,384 and 134 hours on the case.

Former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Pat Hedges oversaw the investigation from 1998 to 2011, when Ian Parkinson was elected to office.

According to financial records, deputies worked 3,320 hours and spent $197,412 on the investigation from 2004 through 2010 when Hedges was in charge.

It should be noted that the records do not include the first six years Hedges was in office.

One of Parkinsons campaign promises was to solve the Smart case. Now-retired San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office Detective Clint Cole told The Tribune Parkinson was dedicated to the case and would spare no expense to solve it  even to buy a $5,618 car from Mexico that was connected to the Flores family.

In total, Parkinsons office spent $1,405,565 investigating Smarts murder. Deputies, detectives and other employees clocked a grand total of 16,608 hours working on the case.

The first year of Parkinsons tenure, the Sheriffs Office more than quadrupled the money and hours spent on the case versus the year before.

But the hours and spending did fluctuate, with money and hours skyrocketing to $205,107 and 2,112, respectively, in the 2016-17 fiscal year before falling to $14,651 and 174 the following year.

Expenses saw the biggest increase in 2019, when Cole began working the case. That same year, Chris Lambert began releasing episodes of his Your Own Backyard podcast, which law enforcement and the Smart family have credited with both helping put the case back in the national spotlight and bringing forth new witnesses.

From 2019 to 2023, $880,835 and 10,120 hours were spent on the case.

Thats more than 60% of the money and hours spent on the case under Parkinson, and more than 50% of the money and hours spent on the entirety of the case since the 2004-05 fiscal year.

More than $40,000 spent on forensics, records show

By far the largest expense in the Smart case was wages and salaries.

Altogether, the Sheriffs Office paid its employees $1,447,687 for their work  $1,189,245 in regular pay, $250,392 in overtime pay and $8,050 in other pay.

Cal Poly Restoration  Public Works, was also paid $19,821 for 130 hours of work in the 2016-17 fiscal year, for expenses related to the 2016 dig at the Cal Poly P.

Yellow tape cordons off the area where San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office and FBI personnel dug in September 2016 in a search for clues in the 1996 disappearance of Cal Poly freshman Kristin Smart. The search focused on a campus hillside.

Negranti Construction, a Cayucos company that specializes in excavation and grading, also received $15,750 in the 2016-17 fiscal year.

DNA testing was the next biggest expense, adding up to $39,618 over the years. Serological Research Institute alone received $36,088 of it.

The institute tested the soil from Ruben Flores home and the mattress cover from Paul Flores dorm room in 1996, which had been kept in evidence for two decades. One of their top forensic DNA analysts, Angela Butler, testified at the trial that the soil tested positive for human blood. A DNA mixture found on Paul Flores mattress pad from his 1996 dorm room could or could not include Smart or Flores DNA, she said on the stand.

A plywood sample from the van of Mike McConville, Susan Flores boyfriend, was also tested by Butler, but it only found DNA for McConville.

Astrea Forensics LLC also was paid $3,100 for DNA testing, and Central Valley Toxicology was paid $430, though it is unclear what years they were paid. Hoslett Forensic also received $5,000, according to records, but the records do not indicate what for.

Natural Investigations Co., a Sacramento-based company that uses ground-penetrating radar, was paid $6,328 in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Archaeologists Cindy Arrington and Phillip Hanes are both leaders at the company who testified in the trial. They said they were both present when investigators dug up Ruben Flores yard.

A photo of the soil disturbance found underneath Ruben Flores deck is shown to jurors overseeing the Kristin Smart murder trial at Monterey County Superior Court on Sept. 1, 2022. The photo depicts the hole in the middle of the digging process.

Hanes operated a ground-penetrating radar, which identified a soil anomaly the size of a grave, and Arrington supervised the excavation of that anomaly.

Arrington testified the staining found in the soil anomaly was consistent with a body that had been buried and moved after a period of time.

Travel throughout the case cost $30,405, with the majority occurring between 2018 and 2021.

The resources allocated to the case culminated in Paul Flores conviction for Smarts murder, for which he is now serving a prison sentence of 25 years to life. His father, Ruben Flores, was acquitted of helping his son conceal the crime.
By Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's grain exports could fall to around 26 million tonnes in the 2023/24 season as the grain harvest has sunk, largely due to Russia's invasion, a senior ministry official said on Tuesday.

Ukraine harvested a record 86 million tonnes of grain in 2021 and 53 million tonnes in 2022, the first year of Russia's invasion.

Ukraine has already exported 41.6 million tonnes of grain in the 2022/23 July-June season and overall exports could exceed 50 million tonnes, almost twice the estimate for the new season.

The ministry sees this year's crop at around 44 million tonnes. Taras Vysotskiy, the first deputy minister, told Reuters that the ministry was keeping the grain harvest outlook unchanged despite poor weather.

Heavy rains and chilly weather in effect halted Ukraine's sowing campaign in April and farmers resumed active work in fields only this month.

Up to half a million hectares of spring grain crops may not be sown this year because it is no longer technically possible to sow the fields in the required terms.

Vysotskiy said the ministry had slightly increased the 2023 wheat crop forecast to 17 million tonnes from the previous 16.6 million tonnes thanks to a wet spring.

"About 9 million tonnes from the new crop could be exported (in 2023/24), but given that there are carryover stocks, wheat exports in the new marketing year could be 11-12 million tonnes," Vysotskiy said.

He said the area sown to corn could be 10% less than originally expected -- 3.5 to 3.6 million hectares -- due to poor weather and the delay in sowing.

He said the harvest of corn, a major Ukrainian grain commodity, was likely to be around 22 million tonnes and that 15 million tonnes of the volume could potentially be exported.

Vysotskiy added that Ukraine consumes around 7 million tonnes of corn per season.

Ukraine is a major global grain and oilseed producer and exporter, but its production and exports fell sharply after Russia occupied a swathe of Ukrainian territory and blocked key Black Sea ports in the second half of last season.

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After an almost six-month blockade caused by Russia's invasion, three Ukrainian Black Sea ports were cleared at the end of July under a deal between Moscow and Kyiv brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

Actual grain exports from Ukraine depend on the continued operation of the corridor, which may end on May 18, as the parties have not yet agreed on its operation for a longer period.

A senior Ukrainian source said on Tuesday that talks on a U.N-brokered deal that allows the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain are scheduled for Wednesday, with all sides in the negotiations involved.

Ukraine handles almost 60% of its current grain shipments through Black Sea seaports, with the remaining volumes going through small river ports on the Danube and by rail across its western border.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
The Investigative Committee of Russia reports that an assassination attempt of the so-called "deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Zaporizhzhia Oblast" was committed in the occupied city of Melitopol. Reportedly, a bomb was planted near his house.

Source: Russian Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti with reference to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation

Quote: "An assassination attempt on the deputy head of the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Zaporizhzhia Oblast was committed in Melitopol. A bomb had been planted near the gates of his house. The victim was taken to the hospital, and a criminal case was opened."

Details: Earlier, Ivan Fedorov, Mayor of Melitopol, reported that at 6:45 on 2 May an explosion sounded in Melitopol. The residents of the northern districts of the city heard the sounds of the explosion. Right after that, a police and ambulance vehicles raced through the streets.

Later, he stated on Telegram that, according to the updated data, the explosion occurred when the so-called "deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs" of the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast was opening the gate.

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The U.S. Air Force sent a trio of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to intercept what was eventually assessed to be a balloon of unknown origin off the Hawaiian Islands last week. The U.S. military and the Federal Aviation Administration are continuing to track it in the Eastern Pacific. The Pentagon says it does not know who the owner of this balloon is, but that they do not believe it is "controlled by a foreign or adversarial actor" and added that it has not been assessed to pose a threat.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) confirmed the intercept and provided additional details about this recent balloon incident to The War Zone today. We had seen indications that something was brewing off of Hawaii last Friday and had reached out to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), the top Air Force command in the region, and INDOPACOM at the time.

"U.S. Indo-Pacific Command responded to an unidentified radar signature Friday in the vicinity of the island of Hawaii. Pacific Air Forces launched three F-22s to assess the situation and visually identified a spherical object," a spokesperson for INDOPACOM told The War Zone in a statement. "We monitored the transit of the object and assessed that it posed no threat. As a part of our normal daily operations, we closely track all vessels and aircraft in the Indo-Pacific area of operations through a combination of joint capabilities to protect the U.S. homeland, support our Allies and partners and secure a free and open Indo-Pacific."

A pair of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters. USAF

Separately, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) confirmed various details about this balloon incident to The War Zone.

"The Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) detected and observed April 28th an unmanned, balloon off the coast of Hawaii, floating at approximately 36,000 feet," a Department of Defense spokesperson told The War Zone in a statement. "Ownership of the balloon is unknown, but there is no indication that it was maneuvering or being controlled by a foreign or adversarial actor."

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A picture of a Chinese spy balloon taken from a US Air Force U-2S Dragon Lady spy plane over the midwestern United States in February 2022. The Pentagon says the balloon recently tracked off Hawaii remains unidentified, but that there are no indications that it belongs to a foreign or otherwise adversarial actor, or that it has posed any sort of threat. DOD

"The balloon did not transit directly over defense critical infrastructure or other U.S. Government sensitive sites, nor did it pose a military or physical threat to people on the ground. Although it was flying at an altitude used by civil aviation, it posed no threat to civil aviation over Hawaii," they continued. "Based on these observations, the Secretary of Defense concurred with the recommendation of his military commanders that no action need be taken against the balloon. The balloon is now out of Hawaiis airspace and territorial waters. We will continue to track the balloon with the FAA."

NBC News had been the first to report on this incident today, citing anonymous U.S. government officials. That outlet reported that the balloon currently appears to be heading on an easterly course toward Mexico.

This all comes around three months after the Federal Aviation Administration told pilots to be on the lookout for a possible balloon soaring at altitudes between 40,000 and 50,000 feet hundreds of miles to the east of Hawaii.

This also follows the disclosure in February by American authorities that they were tracking what they assessed to be a Chinese spy balloon passing through U.S. and Canadian airspace. A U.S. Air Force F-22 subsequently shot that balloon down on February 4 off the coast of South Carolina. By the end of the following week, Air Force fighters had brought down three more still-unidentified objects that had been detected in the skies over the United States and Canada.

Though many details about this latest balloon incident in Hawaii still remain unknown, the first indications that a situation like this was developing had already begun to emerge online last Friday. The open source intelligence Twitter account @IntelWalrus shared a message apparently sent through the Aircraft Communications, Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) from the U.S. Air Force's 613th Air Operations Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii to a C-17A Globemaster III cargo plane, serial number 01-0187 and using the callsign Reach 572 at the time.

"SIR THIS IS TE 613 AOC AND WE HAVE A CURRENT SITUATION BREWING HERE SOUTH EAST OF THE BIG ISLAND AND LEADERSHIP IS ASKING IF YOU HAVE PHOTO TAKING CAPABILITY," the message read. "Big Island" is a common way of talking about the actual island of Hawaii within the larger Hawaiian Islands chain.

Message text was the following: "SIR THIS IS TE 613 AOC AMD WE HAVE A CURRENT SITUATION BREWING HERE SOUTH EAST OF THE BIG ISLAND AND LEADERSHIP IS ASKING IF YOU HAVE PHOTO TAKING CAPABILITY"  IntelWalrus (@IntelWalrus) April 29, 2023

Online flight-tracking software showed 01-0187 arriving at Travis Air Force Base in California on a flight from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State. That aircraft was then observed departing and heading out toward Hawaii. That aircraft was then tracked flying over the Big Island. It eventually returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Though not a surveillance platform by design, the C-17A does have significant range and good visibility for multiple crew members from the cockpit and other locations on the aircraft. If the balloon soaring past Hawaii was indeed at around 36,000 feet, the Globemaster III could have been able to see it and even document it, but it's no easy task considering the speed of the C-17 and a slow-flying balloon-like object. The C-17A also has a robust communications suite that could, depending on the configuration, allow its crew to rapidly share images and video of the balloon taken from cellphones.

A view from inside the cockpit of a C-17A. USAF

In comparison, in the case of the Chinese spy balloon in February, the extremely high altitudes that it was flying at demanded that the Air Force send U-2S Dragon Lady spy planes to monitor it, as well as collect information about it.

Details about the F-22s involved in the balloon chase, which were supported by at least one KC-135 tanker, had also begun to appear online over the weekend.

"Yesterday morning I was flying with a student pilot. Not long after we took off from Hilo, the Departure Controller called us and the other aircraft near Hilo to tell us that the [sic] Honolulu Control Facility had just told them that there was a military operation over the Big Island and all civilian aircraft were to remain off shore until further notice," Scott Wilson, a flight instructor at Aloha Skies Aviation in Hawaii, wrote in a public post on Facebook on April 29. "About 20 minutes later an F-22 declared an emergency and was given landing instructions. ... The controller never repeated back what the emergency problem was so I don't know what it was.

"After the F-22 landed, they were told to continue toward the airport," he added. "Then a second F-22 declared an emergency for low fuel (per what the controller repeated back to the F-22 pilot that we could hear on VHF) and everyone had to hold again."

https://twitter.com/TieDyeIntel/status/1653145385802637315?s=20 https://twitter.com/TieDyeIntel/status/1653145389174759430?s=20

The Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing has F-22s that sit alert at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in support of the homeland defense mission.

The 154th's F-22s, again with a supporting KC-135, are known to have been scrambled in response to another mysterious high-altitude balloon spotted off the northern coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai last year near a sensitive U.S. missile defense test site. The U.S. government, to date, has not confirmed whether or not that particular balloon was tied to China's high-altitude surveillance program.

The Pentagon has also confirmed to The War Zone that the detection and tracking of this latest balloon had involved the application of unspecified "newly-established parameters for monitoring U.S. airspace."

In February, President Joe Biden announced a number of policy and procedural changes in the wake of the various intrusions into U.S. and Canadian airspace that month. The included changing how the U.S. government, as a whole, would respond to unidentified objects entering American airspace, as well as other actions to help get a better sense of what is happening in the skies over the country, as you can read more about here.

I've directed my team to set sharper rules on how we deal with unidentified objects.



We will inventory, improve capacity to detect, and update rules for launching these objects  and @SecBlinken will work to establish global norms.



Americans will be safer because of it.  President Biden (@POTUS) February 17, 2023

Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, the head of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), had told The War Zone and other outlets at a press conference earlier that month that the Chinese spy balloon, specifically, highlighted what he called a "domain awareness gap." In response to that incident, the U.S. military made a number of more immediate changes, including to how various air defense radars functioned in order to be better able to detect and track such objects.

Why those changes were only made at that time when the threat of such aerial surveillance balloons had apparently already been well established remains largely unexplained. The War Zone has been reporting for years on the related topic of how many reported sightings of so-called unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), previously known commonly as unidentified flying objects (UFO), are very likely balloons and other lighter-than-air craft, as well as drones, which foreign countries are operating to gather intelligence and for other malign purposes.

Whatever this new object being tracked around Hawaii does or doesn't turn out to be in the end, we do now know that new policies and procedures are being employed to respond to the appearance of such objects in American skies.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty/Jefferson County Jail/Tarrant PD/Twitter

An Alabama town has reached a boiling point amid wild incidents involving city leaders exchanging blows, accusations of vile bigotry, verbal harassment, expletive-laced tirades, and at least one alleged threat by the mayor to service a local officials wife with his twelve-inch genitalia.

Things finally came to a head when Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major was suspended last week for what Mayor Wayman Newton said amounted to insubordination.

On or about April 24, 2023, you refused to obey orders made and given by [Newton], states the disciplinary Newton hand-delivered to Major, who shared the document on Tuesday with The Daily Beast.

The notice goes on to accuse Major of having failed to order Tarrant police personnel to comply with Newtons directive to release a pair of detainees at the local lockup.

Your inaction caused the unnecessary retention of two inmates in the Tarrant City Jail, the notice says. Further, you incompetently placed the city in financial jeopardy by holding people under arrest who should be released upon execution of a bond[,] without legal footing to do so.

One of the people arrested was there on a domestic violence charge, according to Major, who declined on Tuesday to elaborate further on Newtons allegations. However, he has emphasized in public statements that no detainee can be set free without a court order, and that only a judgenot the mayorcan issue one. Major re-emphasized this point at a Monday night city council meeting, saying, I will not obey orders that I dont believe are legally justifiable.

Chief Wendell Major. City of Tarrant

Mayor Pro Tempore Tracie Threadford said at Mondays meeting that she and the others wanted Major back to work, and called Newton paranoid.

Newton told the city council members that he understood you guys do not like me. I get that. I dont like you guys. Its mutual.

I think the mayor is spiraling out of control, Major told AL.com. I think the mayor is in crisis. Hes lashing out at everybody he thinks isnt on his side.

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Newton, a conservative Republican who has railed against everything from aid to Ukraine to COVID vaccines, was elected mayor of Tarrant, a Birmingham exurb of around 6,000 residents, in Nov. 2020. Reached by phone on Tuesday, he told The Daily Beast that he is not at liberty to discuss the issue.

Believe me, I would love to, he said, quickly promising a new development in the saga soon.

The hostility between Newton and Major, who was appointed by Newton in 2021, can be traced back to an altercation in the Tarrant City Hall parking lot last November.

After a tense meeting, 78-year-old City Councilman John Tommy Bryant, a divisive figure Newton has called an unapologetic bigot, slugged Newton in the face.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=480096594098391

Bryant was charged with third-degree assault, and ordered by a judge to stay at least 50 feet away from Newton. Newton, for his part, said at the time that everything had happened so fast, he couldnt remember exactly what prompted the sucker punch.

But Major, who had escorted Bryant to his car and saw the entire episode unfold, told a different story.

In court filings, Major said Newton had approached Bryant in the parking lot and said something that he wasnt quite able to make out. Bryant then allegedly said to Newton, Im cheap tonightdo you have a quarter? According to Major, Newton responded, I prefer your wife. She is cleaned out and I wont have to worry. At that point, Bryant hauled off on Newton, and Major placed him under arrest.

Tommy Bryant Jefferson County Jail

I noticed the change shortly after I arrested (Bryant) where I had to give evidence that wasnt very flattering of the mayor, Major told AL.com last week after Newton suspended him. Since then, our relationship has been almost non-existent.

At Monday nights city council meeting, Threadford told Newton, Youre at this gentleman because he told the truth about what you said to Mr. Bryant. We all know that. (Newton replied that he could not care less about that.)

The relationship between Newton and Bryant had already become frayed long before the parking lot episode. In July 2021, Newton apparently became upset during a council work session and cursed Bryant out, saying, Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, according to an incident report filed by sheriff's deputies. Newton then allegedly said to Bryant, Im going to fuck your wife, claiming he had a twelve-inch [penis] and would use it on Bryants spouse, as Bryant left the room.

Newton was arrested on a harassment charge, but later acquitted.

Jefferson County Sheriffs Office

The mayor, a lawyer by training, was also arrested and charged with assault for allegedly slamming former Tarrant Police Chief Dennis Renos arm in a door amid a heated argument over hiring more Black officers.

In a bench trial, Newton was found not guilty.

Last week, Major, who is also an attorney, told AL.com, It is unfortunate that because he is in a public position that his outbursts are being exposed in such a public manner.

But as Newton told The Daily Beast in a 2021 interview, My election kind of represented a transition from the old guard to the new. If you actually go and talk to most people that actually live here in the city, they actually like the things that Im doing.

Mayor Wayman Newton. City of Tarrant/Facebook

Majors suspension was overturned on Monday night, with the entire city council voting to bring him backwith the exception of Newton, the sole dissenter.

On Tuesday, Major was all business and ready to move on.

The council has voted to reinstate me, Im back at work serving the people of this city, and were going to do it without fear or favor for anyone, he told The Daily Beast. Thats all I want to say.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The FAA has approved more than 100 new and more efficient flight routes along the East Coast in an effort to ease congestion and speed up summer travel.

Angus Mordant/Getty Images

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved more than 100 new and more efficient flight routes along the East Coast in an effort to ease congestion and speed up summer travel.

The 169 new routes, which primarily operate along the East Coast and over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, are more direct and therefore shorter in distance, according to the FAA. They are mostly flown above 18,000 feet in altitude.

Angus Mordant/Getty Images

"These significant improvements to our national airspace system are just in time for summer and will help travelers get to their destinations more efficiently," Tim Arel, the chief operating officer of the FAAs Air Traffic Organization, said in a statement. "The new routes will reduce complexity and redistribute volume across all available airspace. Im proud of the FAA and [the] industrys strong collaboration on this project to get it done."

In total, the new routes  more than seven years in the making  will save airlines about 40,000 miles and 6,000 minutes of travel time annually. They will replace legacy routes, which tend to zig-zag more and were used when aircraft largely relied on ground-based radar, limiting the directness of routes, instead of GPS, according to the FAA.

The decision to activate these routes comes weeks after the FAA allowed airlines to cut back on service from New York and Washington D.C.-area airports ahead of the busy summer season amid a staffing shortage. Carriers like United Airlines and American Airlines followed suit, temporarily cutting back on flights from the affected airports.

Beyond the East Coast, the summer is shaping up to be very busy for airports all over the world. Last month, Delta Air Lines reported its international flights were already 75 percent booked for the summer. And a new study noted international airfare is expected to reach a 5-year high this summer with the most expensive flights seen when flying to Europe and Asia.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
The claim: Japan is sending tanks to Ukraine

An April 18 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows a series of clips depicting soldiers in action and military equipment on the move.

"Japan Has Warned Russia for the Last Time: Japanese Tanks are on Their Way to Ukraine! Big Support," reads the video's caption.

The video was shared more than 100 times and viewed more than 80,000 times in two weeks.

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Our rating: False

There is no evidence that Japan is sending tanks to Ukraine. The country has strict rules that prevent it from sending weapons to countries involved in a conflict. Japan has sanctioned Russia and provided financial aid to Ukraine.

Japan has given financial aid to Ukraine, but no weapons

Japan has imposed sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, and it has provided Ukraine with economic support and some equipment, including helmets, bulletproof vests and drones, according to a PBS NewsHour report.

But Japan hasn't sent tanks or any other weapons to Ukraine.

There is no mention of a plan to send tanks to Ukraine in any recent statements released by Japan's defense or foreign affairs ministries. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Ukraine in late March, but multiple news reports about his visit don't say anything about sending tanks.

Fact check Israel has given humanitarian aid to Ukraine but isn't fighting there

Japan has not sent weapons to Ukraine, but it has pledged about $5.5 billion in financial aid, according to the Associated Press. There have been no reputable media reports of a plan to send tanks.

Japan has strict rules that "effectively forbid (it) from exporting weapons or defense equipment to countries involved in conflicts," according to The Japan Times. However, Japan has considered revising those rules to allow weapons to be sent to countries fighting off an invasion.

Story continues

Multiple countries, including the U.S., U.K. and Germany, have committed to sending tanks to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, but Japan has not yet made such a commitment.

USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Check Your Fact also debunked the claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant fromFacebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Japan has provided financial aid to Ukraine, but no tanks
A family is looking for answers after their daughter was shot multiple times in Tukwila.

Police are investigating the incident, reporting that the woman was shot in Tukwila on Saturday, April 22.

Officers responded to the 3200 block of South 136th Street after multiple 911 callers reported hearing gunshots in the area, according to the Tukwila Police Department.

At the scene, police found a woman in the road with gunshot wounds to her head.

Ronald Clay says his daughter, Cristel, was the victim.

It just hurts. She didnt deserve this. She really didnt, says Ronald.

Officers began performing CPR until medics arrived and took over care. She was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Her family says she remains on life support.

Were praying. Were praying for a miracle. At this point, thats all we have, but its just not looking good for her, says cousin, Trina Clay.

TPDs major crimes unit is investigating the shooting but has yet to make an arrest.

If somebody knows anything about what happened, whos involved, any of it. Were just asking that you call Tukwila police and let them know. Because its not right, says Trina. She just doesnt deserve that. Not that anybody does, but not her.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Tukwila police by calling (206) 241-2121, emailing tips@tukwilawa.gov, or sending a private message on its social media accounts, referencing case number 230002286.

Trina says what happened to her cousin is just another example of senseless gun violence.

It just needs to stop. Its too much. Theres so many lives that are impactedthe funeral homes are becoming richer and richer. And were just burying our kids, says Trina.

This week the Tukwila Police Department is holding a community town hall to address the recent violence, discuss safety initiatives, and hold a Q&A with the Tukwila Police Chief. The event will be this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Tukwila Justice Center.
Fang Bin has been released after three years in jail, sources say

Fang Bin, who documented the initial Covid outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has been freed from jail after three years, sources told the BBC.

Mr Fang is one of several so-called citizen journalists who disappeared after sharing videos of scenes in Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic.

After disappearing in February 2020, he was sentenced to three years in jail at a secret trial in Wuhan, sources said.

He was released on Sunday and is in good health, they added.

Mr Fang is now back home in Wuhan. The BBC could not reach his family for comment.

The video that caught the attention of the outside world was one where he counted eight body bags outside a Covid hospital in the space of five minutes. He said he was detained that night but released. Then came a video with the message: "All people revolt - hand the power of the government back to the people". That was the last video he shared.

Although activists have welcomed his release, they are concerned about the fate of another whistleblower - Zhang Zhan, a 39-year-old former lawyer, was detained in May 2020 and jailed for four years in December 2020.

Like Mr Fang, she too was convicted for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", according to activists who say the vague offence has often been used against critics of China's government. Two other citizen reporters Chen Qiushi and Li Zehua also disappeared in Wuhan in February 2020, but surfaced months later.

Their videos provided a rare glimpse into Wuhan in the early months of 2020. Cases were climbing and lockdowns had come into force, but information from officials remained scarce. Wuhan's 76-day lockdown - which inspired the country's harsh zero-Covid strategy - put the city under severe strain.

Ms Zhang, who lived in Shanghai, travelled to Wuhan in February 2020 to report on the outbreak after reading about a resident's experience. She was active on YouTube and Twitter, both of which are banned in mainland China, and continued sharing videos despite reportedly being threatened by local authorities.

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"Maybe I have a rebellious soul... I'm just documenting the truth. Why can't I show the truth?" she said in an interview with an independent filmmaker that was obtained by the BBC.

Shortly after the arrest, she began a hunger strike and was sometimes force-fed as her weight plummeted to under 40kg (88lb), according to the Free Zhang Zhan group. It's unclear if she is still on a hunger strike. Her family knows little about her condition.

Last December, her brother uploaded photos of a letter written by Ms Zhang in now-deleted tweets. She drew flowers on the envelope to reassure their mother, he said.

In the letter, Ms Zhang mostly asked after her mother, who had recently undergone surgery and chemotherapy. She added that she was being treated well by the authorities.

Mr Fang's release came quietly and with no warning as China tries to move on from the pandemic. Years of gruelling lockdowns and unyielding Covid rules took a huge toll, but their abrupt end late in 2022 brought on a devastating Covid wave.

The country has reported 120,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Nearly half of those were recorded between 8 December 2022 and 12 January 2023. But the numbers don't represent the true toll.

In February, the Chinese Communist Party's top leaders declared a "decisive victory" over Covid, boasting the lowest fatality rate in the world. They also said the country's Covid exit was a "miracle".

A new history textbook talks of how the government "achieved major achievements in co-ordinating the prevention and control of the pandemic".

And China's swift and effective censorship machine also means that the videos and accounts shared by those such as Mr Fang or Ms Zhang will likely fade from memory, if they haven't already.

"I visited China in March, and my observation is that people there want to move on and leave the past behind," says Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"They had to endure the draconian zero-Covid for a prolonged period, and now they yearn for a return to a more normal way of life." But, he adds, that this desire to move on is also driven by the lack of public discussion or debate.

Not everyone in Wuhan has forgotten what life was like in early 2020.

One 31-year-old resident, who did not wish to reveal his full name, said he had not heard of Fang Bin but does remembers Li Wenliang, a doctor who tried to warn the world about the coronavirus and died after contracting it. Mr Li was investigated for "spreading rumours", although local authorities later apologised to him.

China's stringent lockdowns sparked huge public anger

He says he often talks about the pandemic with his friends, even though he admits they might be a minority.

"Society is revising the memory of this period," he says. He said he lived with his parents throughout the lockdown. His mother would be so anxious and wash her hands so often that her hands cracked because of it.

"My mum still doesn't really understand the virus. If the media start reporting about virus again, she will wear a mask. She is really frightened."

And there are others like Yang Min, who lost her only child to Covid in January 2020. She believes an early warning from officials would have saved her daughter.

Now, three years on, she is still fighting to hold officials accountable and trying to file a lawsuit against the local government.

She is under surveillance but, she told the BBC earlier this year, she was not afraid.

"I have already lost the most precious thing in life. What else can they take away from me?"

Additional reporting by Lok Lee, BBC Chinese
One party or the other is going to have to blink in the debt ceiling standoff. The question is when.

Washingtons frozen negotiations over the imminent breach of the nations borrowing limit thawed for the first time in months Monday night as the four top congressional leaders agreed to meet with President Joe Biden next week. Yet after senators held their party leadership meetings with the House out of town, it quickly became clear that Congress is not at all prepared for the new early-June deadline imposed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

The House and Senate are scheduled to be in session simultaneously for just two weeks this month. And with potentially less than 30 days to get the job done, Senate Democrats are now openly discussing the prospect of bringing a clean debt ceiling increase to the floor  effectively daring the GOP to either buckle and advance the bill or filibuster it.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats have crafted a proposal to extend the debt limit through next years election. They arent ready to call that play on the Senate floor quite yet, given the very real possibility that a Republican filibuster of that debt hike could send economic forecasters into a downward spiral. Instead, the chamber is focusing this week on judicial picks.

In an ominous sign for House Republicans who are refusing to budge, several senators in President Joe Bidens party predicted that Congress ends up passing a clean debt hike or something close to clean, in the words of Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats. Some Democrats signaled theyd be willing to make significant spending concessions  but only after the debt ceiling drama is solved.

We should pass a clean debt ceiling and then we should figure out a path forward so we arent doing this every year, said Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who faces a difficult reelection campaign, I would like to see it done by figuring out ways that we can reduce the deficit and reduce the debt for a long term. And, quite frankly, get to a point where we have a balanced budget.

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Yet Senate Republicans are still not backing away from Speaker Kevin McCarthys negotiating position. They support his hardline tactic as the GOPs opening bid to avoid default  driving negotiations with Biden by passing a conservative wish list  and are aware that any move away from McCarthy right now weakens the partys position.

When asked if he would vote for a clean debt bill, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), no stranger to bipartisan deals, replied that Im supporting the House provision.

We should get out of the way in the Senate and just let Biden and McCarthy cut a deal. It should be somewhat encouraging that Biden has now decided to get off the couch, said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), an ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Its not going to be a clean debt ceiling increase.



Of course, Senate Republicans have said that before and twice buckled in 2021, lifting the debt limit with no strings attached. Clearly Schumer sees the same possibility: He spoke to Biden about a clean debt ceiling increase on Monday, according to a spokesperson, and put out a joint statement with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) calling for a debt increase without concessions.

But with McCarthy leading the House, conditions are less favorable for that type of result. And several dealmaking GOP senators who provided key debt-ceiling votes last Congress have retired, replaced by more conservative members.

Putting a finer point on it, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said: I dont think theres 10 Republican votes to undercut Kevin McCarthy.

Those factors have forced the Senate GOP in lockstep behind McCarthy, who passed a debt ceiling increase last week that includes repeal of major Democratic priorities and blunt spending cuts.

Asked if its a good thing that GOP leaders are meeting with Biden, conservative Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) chuckled and said hed take a positive view on it for now: Maybe this is progress. Were going to be urging Majority Leader Schumer to put the House bill on the floor.

Some Democrats say theyd be fine with that. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said hed feel very comfortable voting down McCarthys bill to show it cant pass the Senate.

A failed vote on a clean debt ceiling hike might be less palatable to Republicans who could be painted as obstructionist by Bidens camp. Cornyn said the Senate should not take that route: I dont think it helps get anything done for the Senate to weigh in. We know its a Biden-McCarthy deal.

Schumer is instead deploying his troops to hold hearings on the House bill and focus on attacking its potentially corrosive effect on government programs and the people that rely on them. His allies said the party is not backing off its position: A clean debt ceiling increase is the precursor to negotiations.

Baked into both parties moods are memories of 2011, when Democrats winced as debt ceiling talks with the House GOP resulted in a higher borrowing limit but, eventually, blunt budget cuts.

The Senate should vote for a clean debt ceiling. And we should have 100 votes in favor of that, said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who serves on Schumers leadership team.

Crises have a way of scrambling fixed positions, however. Yellens warning of the impending deadline arrived just after markets closed on Monday, and a month is a long time in Congress. Already there are whispers about canceling the next congressional recesses to deal with a clash that could quickly consume all of Washington.

There are also GOP doubts about how real Yellens stated early June deadline is. The independent Congressional Budget Office, which previously said the U.S. could default sometime between July and September, agreed with Yellen on Monday that theres a significantly greater risk the Treasury Department would run out of cash next month thanks to a disappointing tax season.

The Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank that also specializes in predicting debt default dates, plans to release its updated estimate next week after waiting for full tax season data.

Yet for now, Republicans feel they have a stronger negotiating position because the House GOP passed a bill and the Democratic Senate has not. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of her partys leadership, said McConnell should support the speaker and his efforts, and I think thats what he will do.

The balls in their court, she said about Democrats.

Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.
Fast food is the largest employer of homeless workers in California, with one of 17 unhoused individuals in the state working in the industry.

Thats according to a new report released Monday by the Economic Roundtable, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit research organization. The report highlights how the fast-food industrys low-wage jobs contribute to the states homeless crisis and proposes improvements to keep workers and their families housed.

The research found fast food workers make up 5.9% of Californias homeless population and 11% of all homeless workers in the state. The poverty rate for the households of frontline fast food workers is also roughly three times higher than the rest of the states workers.

We need to raise the playing fieldIf we raise the expectations, the wage levels, the hours of employment for everyone in the industry, then it doesnt hurt any company individually, said Daniel Flaming, president of Economic Roundtable and lead author of the report. But it makes the service they provide socially sustainable rather than a bottom feeder activity.

Flaming argues if the industry provided sustaining pay and stable employment, there would be roughly 10,000 fewer homeless workers in California.

That alone is not the sole solution to homelessness, but its a big piece of a solution, he said.

Per the report, a fast food worker collects $59 per hour for corporations. The top five publicly traded fast-food corporations operating in California generated $12 billion in 2022.

In a state with the fourth largest economy in the world, corporations are able to get away with paying poverty wages simply because we let them, said Devon Gray, president of End Poverty in California. And the reason theyre allowed to do this is because weve internalized classist and, often, racist notions of deservedness that say fast food workers and other low-wage workers dont need to get paid enough to meet their basic needs.

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The report comes in the middle of an ongoing battle between labor advocates and the fast-food industry over a first-in-the-nation council that would set pay and working standards for fast-food employees in California.

The council would apply to any chain restaurant with at least 100 locations in the United States and could lead to a $22 per hour minimum wage for workers.

Gov. Gavin Newsom approved the council by signing the FAST Recovery Act last year on Labor Day. But the following day, opponents filed a referendum to halt its formation.

Paid signature gatherers would collect more than 1 million signatures over the next few months while facing accusations of lying and misrepresentation. Following a statewide count, 77% of the signatures were deemed valid and the referendum qualified.

The approval sets the stage for voters to decide the councils fate on the November 2024 ballot. It also likely means a costly battle, with spending reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

The labor organization Service Employees International Union, which has worked for more than a decade to organize in fast food restaurants, provided $50,000 to the Economic Roundtable to produce the independent report.

SEIU led a campaign in 2016 to push California to raise its minimum wage to $15. And most recently, the organization has advocated for a measure that would make fast food corporations liable for any health and safety violations of their California franchisees.

Some fast food industry representatives took issue with the study, saying it inflates the number of homeless fast food workers in the state. They point to the data using a broader category of restaurant worker, which includes jobs specific to full-service restaurants and some college students in student housing. Jeff Hanscom, vice president of state and local government relations for the International Franchise Association, called it not a scientific study and said the numbers were manipulated for SEIUs cause.

Its shameful that SEIU would try to exploit the very serious issue of homelessness to pump out a bogus report to advocate for its union growth agenda, Hanscom said.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) wants to make changes to deposit insurance in the wake of the collapse of First Republic Bank.

The regulator on Monday proposed three options: raising the limit to a higher number, eliminating the cap entirely, or raising the insurance cap only for banks business accounts, which are used to pay workers.

The FDIC would need Congress to pass legislation to make any of those changes. Lawmakers last raised the FDIC cap after the 2008 financial crisis.

FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg acknowledged Monday that expanding deposit insurance has the potential to create moral hazard by providing an incentive for banks to take on greater risk, but he said strong regulation and supervision could alleviate those concerns.

Gruenberg said expanded deposit insurance for business accounts has the greatest potential for meeting the fundamental objectives of deposit insurance relative to its costs.

Business payment accounts pose greater financial stability concerns than other accounts given that the inability to access these accounts can result in broader economic effects, he said.

First Republic on Monday became the second-largest U.S. bank to collapse. The FDIC seized control of the San Francisco-based lender, which had $230 billion in assets as of last month, and orchestrated its sale to JPMorgan Chase.

Regulators are seeking to stem the crisis of confidence in the banking system that caused depositors to pull their funds from midsize banks that had a high rate of uninsured deposits. Some fear other regional lenders could be targeted next.

Midsize banks reportedly urged the FDIC to insure all deposits for two years to stop the outflow of deposits to larger banks.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called for raising the FDIC cap in March, stating it could be as high as $10 million. She noted the system would rely even more heavily on the regulators to do their jobs if Congress lifts the cap.

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The House Freedom Caucus came out against raising the insurance limit, however. The group of conservative lawmakers said a higher FDIC cap simply encourages future irresponsible behavior to be paid for by those not involved who followed the rules.

Updated at 9:19 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is investigating two hospitals that violated federal law by refusing to provide emergency abortion care to a woman who was experiencing life-threatening pregnancy complications, the agency announced Monday.

The federal investigation's findings, revealed in documents obtained by The Associated Press, are a warning to hospitals across the nation facing several new state laws that ban or severely restrict abortions. After the overturn of Roe V. Wade last year, a guidance was issued on a federal law that mandates providers continue offering emergency abortion care.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Monday that the two hospitals were in violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, the federal law that ensures public access to emergency services regardless of conflicting state laws.

"Fortunately, this patient survived. But she never should have gone through the terrifying ordeal she experienced in the first place," Becerra said in a statement. "We want her, and every patient out there like her, to know that we will do everything we can to protect their lives and health, and to investigate and enforce the law to the fullest extent of our legal authority, in accordance with orders from the courts."

The EMTALA enforcement and federal investigation, the first of its kind since the overruling of Roe V. Wade, is in response to a complaint filed in November 2022 by the National Womens Law Center on behalf of Mylissa Farmer with the CMS.

ABORTION BANS: Sweeping abortion bans fail in these conservative states. What was in the bills?

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Pregnant woman denied abortion despite risk of death

Farmer was denied care by two different hospitals  Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, and University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas,  in August 2022 when her water broke early at 17 weeks of pregnancy.

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Doctors at both hospitals told Farmer that her fetus would not survive and that since her amniotic fluid had emptied, she was also at risk of a serious infection or losing her uterus. But doctors said they would not provide emergency abortion care because a fetal heartbeat was still detectable.

Farmer, who still struggles emotionally with the experience, had to travel to an abortion clinic in Illinois.

"It was dehumanizing. It was terrifying. It was horrible not to get the care to save your life," Farmer, who lives in Joplin, Missouri, said. "I felt like I was responsible to do something, to say something, to not have this happen again to another woman. It was bad enough to be so powerless."

Farmer's care at the University of Kansas followed hospital policy, Jill Chadwick, the media relations director for the hospital system, said in a statement.

"It met the standard of care based upon the facts known at the time, and complied with all applicable law," Chadwick said in an email. "There is a process with CMS for this complaint and we respect that process. The University of Kansas Health System follows federal and Kansas law in providing appropriate, stabilizing, and quality care to all of its patients, including obstetric patients."

But at the time when Farmer visited the hospital, abortions in Kansas were still legal up to 22 weeks. And while abortions in Missouri are banned, there are exceptions for medical emergencies.

FEDERAL ABORTION PILL FIGHT: Biden officials defend mifepristone approval as abortion pill fight returns to appeals court

Mylissa Farmer stands for a portrait at her home in Joplin, Mo., on Sept. 28, 2022. In early August, Farmer had to travel to Illinois to terminate her pregnancy when her water broke at 17 weeks and 5 days and put her life in danger. (Nathan Papes/The Springfield News-Leader via AP, File)

CMS to ensure federal law compliance

Across the country, pregnant people have reported being turned away from hospitals for abortions, despite doctors telling them that this puts them at further risk for infection or even death.

The Biden administration has urged health care providers to not turn away patients in those situations, even if state law bans abortions. The federal government can investigate hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid money  which encompasses most facilities in the United States  for violations of EMTALA.

But doctors across the United States, especially those in the nearly 20 states who have banned or limited abortion care, have reported uncertainty or fears in providing the care to pregnant women. Some states have enacted criminal and civil penalties for those who provide abortion care.

The CMS also announced Monday that Becerra had sent a letter to hospital and provider associations across the United States "reminding them that it is a health care providers professional and legal duty to offer necessary stabilizing medical treatment to a patient who presents to a covered emergency department and is found to have an emergency medical condition (or, if appropriate, to transfer them)."

The CMS said it will ensure that hospitals are in compliance with the federal law and that EMTALAs guarantees are protected.

I am pleased with this decision, but pregnant people across the country continue to be denied care and face increased risk of complications or death, and it must stop, Farmer said in a statement with the National Womens Law Center. I was already dealing with unimaginable loss and the hospitals made things so much harder. Im still struggling emotionally with what happened to me, but I am determined to keep fighting because no one should have to go through this.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hospitals under federal investigation for denying abortion care
A powerful horse tranquilizer is at the center of a new federal effort to combat the nations rising fentanyl crisis.

The White House recently declared xylazine combined with fentanyl an emerging drug threat in the United States, and here in California.

To parents, loved ones, community leaders, and those affected by xylazine use, Dr. Rahul Gupta, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in the designation, I want you to know that help is on the way.

The California Department of Public Health alerted local health officers to the presence of xylazine in March. Since then, the CDPH said it was aware of one death as a result of the drug in Santa Clara County. Xylazine is in the drug supply, state health officials warn, but is not yet common or widespread.

Xylazine, also known as tranq, has been found laced with fentanyl in San Francisco and San Diego, according to local officials. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has seized xylazine-mixed-fentanyl in 48 states, including California. About 23% of powdered fentanyl examined by the DEA contained xylazine in 2022.

But its prevalence is likely widely underestimated, the DEA warned in 2022, because of lacking testing and the similarity of xylazines effects to other opioids.

What and where is xylazine?

Xylazine was detected in about 800 drug deaths in the U.S. in 2020. It was involved in more than 3,000 in 2021, according to the DEA.

This zombie drug is one of the scariest Ive seen, Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, said. It doesnt take much to put someone into a coma. And now that its mixed with fentanyl, we could have an even deadlier drug tearing through our neighborhoods.

Tranq slows human breathing and heart rate and lowers blood pressure. The drug can cause skin and tissue abscesses at both injection spots and elsewhere that could necessitate amputations.

Xylazine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for veterinary use  never for humans. It is used to sedate a wide range of animals, including horses, dogs and deer. Unlike fentanyl or heroin, xylazine is not a scheduled drug under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act..

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Just as when heroin was laced with fentanyl  a powerful synthetic opioid drug used in medical settings for severe pain relief  xylazine is being cut into illicit drugs unaware to many buyers. The increase in xylazines presence may be driven in part by its low cost and lower risk of law enforcement scrutiny as it is not a controlled substance, the DEA wrote in an October 2022 report.

The DEA warned that xylazine was taking the same path as fentanyl throughout the United States, beginning with white powder heroin markets in the Northeast before spreading to the South, and then working its way into drug markets westward.

Xylazine is not an opioid and has not shown that it responds to naloxone the same way that fentanyl does. Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

What is the federal government doing about illegal drugs?

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House are pushing to make xylazine a controlled substance.

Legislation presented by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, and others would make xylazine a Schedule III drug with the likes of ketamine, aspirin and testosterone. Schedule III drugs are ones that have some medical uses and have less potential for abuse compared to Schedule I or II ones. Regulating it could allow for more research into its properties and prevent it from spreading illegally.

Although xylazine has legitimate uses in agriculture, we need to prevent it from being misused on the streets, Panetta said. My bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide federal and local law enforcement with better tools to track xylazine, prevent its misuse, prosecute and penalize its illegal traffickers, and, ultimately, help protect our families and communities from the scourge of fentanyl.

President Joe Bidens administration has been ramping up U.S. regulation against the opioid epidemic, especially when it comes to fentanyl trafficking. At the State of the Union, Biden reaffirmed the White Houses commitment to cracking down on illegal drug markets and providing more tools against overdose deaths.

The president requested that Congress allocate more than $46 billion to agencies under the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for next fiscal year, expanding on previous years.

The White House estimates that someone in the United States dies every five minutes from a drug overdose, topping 100,000 lives lost per year. Fentanyl kills more than 70,000 Americans a year, Biden said during the State of the Union.

How to respond to an overdose

Even though xylazine is not an opioid, officials say to use naloxone to reduce or reverse effects of the drugs its mixed with. The CDPH recommends reading the Overdose Prevention Toolkit for the most current information on handling an opioid overdose.

If you think someone is overdosing, follow these steps:

 Call 911 and give naloxone.

 Keep the person awake and breathing.

 Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.

 Stay with the person until 911 responders arrive.
GRAPEVINE, Texas  In this suburb 20 miles northwest of Dallas, some religious and political leaders have framed a nonpartisan school board election this week as a spiritual battle between forces of good and evil.

During a Sunday worship service, Robert Morris, a megachurch pastor and spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump, warned his congregation that Satan was at work in the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and other area schools, then shared the names of Christian school board candidates who would stand against such demonic forces.

David Barton, a leading promoter of the claim that America was founded as a Christian nation, recently spoke at a local theater, urging followers of Jesus to go on the offensive to restore prayer and biblical values in classrooms.

And at a church-based political rally ahead of Saturdays vote, Rafael Cruz  a pastor and the father of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas  called on believers to reclaim territory that the devil has stolen from us by electing committed Christians.

There is an evil agenda, Cruz said. We are the only thing that stands between the destruction of America or the revival of America.

Image: Voters leave after casting ballots for the GCISD school board election at the Colleyville Public Library in Texas on Saturday. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

This coordinated and well-funded campaign to exalt God in the halls of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, or GCISD, has divided local residents and raised alarm among religious liberty advocates who oppose what they view as a growing embrace of Christian nationalism in America.

The race has, in effect, split the community in three. Theres a slate of school board candidates backed by a far-right Christian cellphone company thats affiliated with Cruz and Barton. Theres another group of candidates supported by a political action committee and local nonprofit opposed to religious indoctrination in schools. And theres a third slate of moderate conservatives who say they oppose the influence of PACs of any kind in local elections.

At a series of recent candidate forums, the debate over religion and education rarely came up, with candidates instead focused on recent teacher departures, shoring up the budget and changes to the districts dual-language program. But behind the scenes, on social media and inside churches, the issue has been at the forefront.

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Image: GCISD school board candidate Kimberly Phoenix outside a voting location at the Grapevine Library in Texas on Saturday. (Danielle Villasana for NBC news)

Image: Kimberly Phoenix hugs an acquaintance outside a voting location at Grapevine Library in Texas. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

Kimberly Phoenix, a Grapevine-Colleyville parent whos running with the support of organizations opposed to forcing religion in schools, has campaigned on a promise to reverse recent changes in the district, including restrictions on discussions of gender and race. She believes outside groups have sowed division in the community by stoking baseless fears about teachers indoctrinating students with ungodly values.

I believe in the separation of church and state, said Phoenix, a Christian who has primarily voted for Republicans in past elections. Everyone deserves to come to a public school and feel safe and feel like they fit in.

In response to that stance, a conservative voter recently accused Phoenix on social media of supporting gay porn in our school libraries and counselors convincing our kids to change genders.

Its gotten ugly, Phoenix said.

The bitter division in Grapevine-Colleyville is emblematic of a broader nationwide battle over LGBTQ inclusion in education and the role of public schools in imparting religious values.

As Grapevine-Colleyville voters head to the polls, state lawmakers in Texas are debating a bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom, and another that would force schools to schedule time for students and teachers to pray or read the Bible. States across the country are contemplating legislation that would give parents public funds to send their children to private religious schools. And in Oklahoma, Roman Catholic organizers are pushing to open the nations first publicly funded Christian charter school  a bid designed to challenge the separation of church and state before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Image: signs of GCISD candidates outside Grapevine Library where people are casting their votes. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

Image: People walk to cast ballots for GCISD school board candidates at Grapevine Library on Saturday. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

David Brockman, a scholar of religion at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy, said these efforts are rooted in Christian nationalism  the belief that America was founded as an explicitly Christian nation and that Christians are called on to re-establish God as the head of government and society.

If they want to take the nation back, take our country back as they put it, Brockman said, one particularly effective way would be to educate the next generation to share their beliefs.

The fight over faith and politics in Grapevine-Colleyville can be traced back to a year ago, when Patriot Mobile Action, a political action committee bankrolled by a far-right Christian cellphone company, spent $600,000 backing a slate of 11 school board candidates across North Texas, winning every race and gaining majority control of four area school boards, including GCISD.

Afterward, Grapevine-Colleyville officials hung In God We Trust posters donated by Patriot Mobile in every district building, and the board voted 4-3 to adopt a sweeping policy banning lessons on systemic racism, prohibiting teachers from discussing gender fluidity and limiting the rights of transgender children to be called by their preferred names and pronouns at school.

Image: PatriotMobile donated

Were not here on this Earth to please man, Leigh Wambsganss, Patriot Mobile Actions leader, said in a radio interview last year celebrating the election victories and policy changes. Were here to please God.

This spring, Patriot Mobile  which has openly embraced the label of Christian nationalism  is once again backing a slate of three Grapevine-Colleyville candidates, with the goal of solidifying and expanding its influence on the board. The PAC has spent $130,000 on flyers and get-out-the-vote efforts in GCISD, including more than $88,000 paid to a pair of heavy-hitter GOP consulting firms that have worked on campaigns for Ted Cruz and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  once again bringing sophisticated national-level political strategies to a local school board race.

This time, a coalition of progressive parents and disillusioned conservatives have deployed a political action committee of their own, the Texas Nonpartisan PAC, which has spent about $30,000 supporting candidates who are promising to move the district in a different direction.

Richard Newton, a former Colleyville mayor running for school board with Patriot Mobiles backing, said he supported the boards policy on gender fluidity and student pronouns because it gave teachers clarity on how to handle difficult situations, and because he said it protected students who may feel very uncomfortable about what other students want to do.

Public schools are there to give every student, not just some, every student across the whole spectrum, an opportunity for a great education, Newton said when approached outside an early voting site. The other thing  is to teach the students what it is to be a great citizen, a good citizen, and to teach the founding documents.

Image: Candidate supporters gather outside of Grapevine Library on Saturday. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

Newton declined to say whether he believed public schools should instill Christian values or whether he supported setting aside time for prayer during the school day.

That is not an issue in this election, Newton said, adding that he did not seek Patriot Mobiles endorsement and had not spoken to the group. (His campaign has hired the same national consulting groups as Patriot Mobile, according to public disclosures.)

Patriot Mobile and its surrogates, in contrast, have set this elections stakes in starkly religious terms. During a recent sermon at Patriot Mobiles corporate office in Grapevine, which the company filmed and posted on YouTube, pastor Cruz warned that our children are being destroyed by an evil agenda in public schools.

Its gotten to the point that they are telling girls youre not really a girl, youre a boy, Cruz said.

Patriot Mobile also sponsored the March lecture in Grapevine by Barton, a self-taught historian and founder of WallBuilders, a group dedicated to promoting the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation. Several Patriot Mobile-backed school board members and current candidates were in the audience as Barton encouraged them to allow Christian prayer and the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

We can now go back to teaching things we havent been able to teach in 50 years, Barton said, before arguing that public schools should present the biblical creation narrative as an alternative to the science of evolution.

Wambsganss, the executive director of Patriot Mobile Action, did not respond to a message requesting an interview.

Patriot Mobiles focus on injecting religion into local politics and recent decisions by members of the Grapevine-Colleyville school board to restrict classroom content and publicly attack teachers have turned some conservative Christian voters against the group.

Kim Slater, the parent of a middle school-aged student, said she voted for all of the Patriot Mobile-backed candidates last year because shes a conservative and believed that they would improve the district.

But Slater, whos a Christian, is bothered by the groups emphasis on imposing their version of religious morality into schools, which she believes has led to a decline in academic rigor. Grapevine-Colleyville teachers have reported having to pull down entire classroom libraries to comply with board policies, and Slater said she has to give consent in writing anytime her middle school-aged child asks to read a book above grade level.

I can tell you flat out that I will not vote for a single candidate that is aligned with Patriot Mobile, Slater said. I do not think they are serving an agenda that serves the kids in our school district.

The heated rhetoric has drawn an unlikely demographic into a local, off-cycle election typically decided by older voters: high schoolers.

Image: Teddy, a senior at Grapevine High School, led a walkout protesting the school board's anti-transgender policies last year. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

Teddy, a nonbinary student at Grapevine High School, was one of several students who turned 18 in time to vote in the school board election this week. The senior, who led a student walkout to protest the school boards anti-transgender policies last year, said it felt good to cast their first ballot ever for candidates who support LGBTQ inclusion.

Not everyone in this country, not everyone in the state, not everyone in the district is Christian, said Teddy, who asked to be identified only by their first name because theyve been bullied at school and feared online harassment. The idea of pushing Christianity into these places, that is simply oppressive.

Young people arent the only ones working to turn out voters.

Last week at Gateway Church, the names of Patriot Mobile-backed school board candidates flashed on giant screens above the pulpit as pastor Morris encouraged his congregation to pray for fellow Christians running for office and to vote their faith.

Image: A service at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, on Saturday/ (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

Gateway Church does not support or endorse any candidate or any political party, but we do endorse biblical principles, Morris said. And many of you see what Satan has been trying to do even in our school systems.

Sergio Harris, who has worn a purple WWJD?  What would Jesus do?  wristband as hes campaigned door-to-door for a seat on the Grapevine-Colleyville board, thinks he knows why his name wasnt listed on screen among his fellow believers.

Image: Teddy and their mom, center, speak with GCISD school board candidate Sergio Harris on Saturday. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

Image: Sergio Harris hugs his son while speaking to supporters. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

I hate the narrative that they push that they are the ones that are bestowed or chosen by God to fix education, said Harris, a high school social studies teacher whos in a three-way race against a Patriot Mobile-backed candidate and a third contender.

Harris said his faith calls him to be kind to everyone, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Thats one moral value that he thinks should be reflected in public education.

If were really going to truly walk as Jesus walked, Harris said, then we need to not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk.

IMage: GCISD School board candidate Sergio Harris leaves Grapevine Library with his son on Saturday. (Danielle Villasana for NBC News)

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The fight over potential budget cuts to veterans care has devolved into finger-pointing and accusations of lying as the larger debt limit battle between Democrats and Republicans heats up.

Democrats and veterans groups say the GOPs Limit, Save, Grow Act, which passed the House last week, will end up slashing key programs and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at a time when it is supposed to be expanding care.

But Republicans are aggressively hitting back against those claims, accusing Democrats of outright lying and using veterans as pawns in the fight over the debt ceiling.

President Biden trolled Republicans on Tuesday with a tweet of an image of a flow chart, arguing that because the VA is not explicitly exempted from proposed cuts to domestic spending, Republicans voted to cut veterans care.

I hear House Republicans out on TV saying they would never vote to cut veterans benefits.



In case theres any confusion, I made a little chart that could help them out. pic.twitter.com/SVvamK3KC2  President Biden (@POTUS) May 2, 2023

But Republicans point out there is no explicit mention of cutting the VA in the bill.

Theyre shamelessly lying about veterans benefits and politicizing the VA to do so, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) told reporters Sunday.

Republican lawmakers point out that other federal agencies could be gutted more, and the VA budget preserved or even bumped up, to reach the desired overall spending target.

Carrie Farmer, the co-director of the Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute at the nonpartisan think tank RAND Corporation, said the VA budget will ultimately depend on how reductions are spread out during the appropriations process.

The text itself is silent on the VA budget, she said. All of those possibilities exist.

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The Limit, Save, Grow Act would return non-defense government spending to fiscal 2022 levels, amounting to a cut of an estimated $130 billion, or 22 percent, across federal agencies, while also capping annual growth at 1 percent over a decade.

But it remains far from the finish line, given Democratic control of the Senate and Bidens refusal to link budget talks to the GOPs debt limit demands.

Before the legislation passed the House, the VA warned it would have a particularly severe impact on the healthcare system because it is funded by discretionary spending.

The VA has claimed it would impact 81,000 jobs in the departments healthcare system, leading to 30 million fewer outpatient visits and limiting the number of cancer screenings and substance abuse disorder treatments.

A cut of that magnitude would be devastating to the VA, said Mary Kaszynski, the director of government relations at VoteVets, which has adamantly opposed the GOP budget proposal.

Kaszynski said despite the Republican vows, she believed they would end up cutting the VA.

Republicans can send any tweak they want  budgets are policy and the budget bill they just passed hurts the VA and hurts veterans, she said. Mark my words, at the end of day, where they will land is cutting the VA.

But Dan Caldwell, the vice president of the conservative Center for Renewing America, said the proposal his organization put out  which he said Republicans have viewed as a guide  actually projects the VA budget growing.

He accused Democrats of using veterans to distract away from the fact that they dont want to put our country on a better financial course.

The VA budget for fiscal 2023 amounted to more than $300 billion, and the departments funding has grown by 300 percent since 2000, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

As the budget has grown, the veterans population has dropped sharply, driven by the passing of World War II veterans and a persistent recruitment challenge across military branches.

Still, the VA is already known for long waitlists and backlogs, and the department is now handling an additional 500,000 claims from those who filed under the PACT Act, which expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxins while deployed overseas.

The Limit, Save, Grow Act was introduced as a counter to President Bidens $6-trillion budget request as Republicans seek to rein in government spending. The White House says its budget would reduce the deficit by trillions of dollars through new taxes.

The Treasury warned this week it could exhaust its options by June unless the debt ceiling is raised to authorize more borrowing, adding urgency to the standoff between House Republicans and Biden.

House Republicans held a press call Sunday afternoon fuming about what they called the politicization of the VA and false information about the legislation.

Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said during the call that the VA was being used as a political hammer to deliver a message that is false, repeating a message he delivered on the House floor last week.

You better believe that Im dead serious that we are not cutting veterans, and I mean it, Bost said on the floor. You are playing politics with our veterans and their lives and their concerns. Veterans are not political pawns to advance an agenda.

Still, that argument has done little to quell concerns from veterans groups, who say budget cuts will disproportionately impact veterans regardless of reductions to the VA.

Veterans groups are also concerned by a provision in the legislation that claws back unspent COVID-19 relief funds. The VA has about $4.5 billion of unspent funds from the American Rescue Plan passed in 2021.

Suzanne Gordon, a senior policy analyst at the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, said veterans would also be impacted by cuts to the Department of Education or the postal service, where many of them work or require services.

Veterans dont just depend on the VA  they live in the same universe we live in, she said. Many veterans hanging by their fingernails are very triggered by this.

Veterans organizations are asking for explicit language to be inserted into the bill that protects the VA, noting similar commitments have been made to other agencies and programs.

How we take care of our veterans, how we allow them to get involved in our politics, sends a huge signal to people who are about to raise their hands to service, said Allison Jaslow, the CEO of the nonprofit group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

We have an imperative that we are keeping our promises here, and I dont understand why its so difficult.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ex-officer Tou Thao has also been found guilty by a federal court of violating George Floyd's civil rights

One of the Minneapolis officers involved in the death of George Floyd has been found guilty of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

A Minnesota judge issued the guilty verdict for Tou Thao on Monday night.

Four former police officer were charged in the aftermath of Mr Floyd's death. His killing led to mass protests around the world.

Thao's conviction on the latest charges marks the end in a series of state and federal cases against the four men.

Minnesota's attorney general Keith Ellison said Thao's conviction is "historic and the right outcome".

"While we have now reached the end of the prosecution of Floyd's murder, it is not behind us," he said.

"There is much more that prosecutors, law-enforcement leaders, rank-and-file officers, elected officials, and community can do to bring about true justice in law enforcement," he said.

All four former police officers have already been convicted on federal civil rights charges. Additionally:

Derek Chauvin was convicted on state murder charges in April 2021

Thomas Lane was sentenced in September 2022 on a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter

J Alexander Kueng pleaded guilty to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in October 2022

Mr Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in May 2020 when Chauvin pressed his knee into Mr Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes.

The two other officers helped hold him down while Thao held back bystanders.

On Monday, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said in his 177-page verdict that Thao "actively encouraged his three colleagues' dangerous prone restraint" of Mr Floyd.

"Like the bystanders, Thao could see Floyd's life slowly ebbing away as the restraint continued," Judge Cahill wrote in his verdict.

"Yet Thao made a conscious decision to actively participate in Floyd's death: he held back the concerned bystanders and even prevented an off-duty Minneapolis firefighter from rendering the medical aid Floyd so desperately needed."

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Thao waived his right to a jury trial in the Minnesota case, opting instead for Judge Cahill to determine the verdict.

He also waived the right to testify and question witnesses.

His sentencing for the manslaughter charge has been scheduled for 7 August.
Mason Dark before and after suffering life-changing burns. GoFundMe

Numerous media outlets attributed Mason Dark's severe burns to a supposedly viral TikTok trend.

The challenge is said to involve using spray paint and a lighter to create a makeshift flamethrower.

Insider was unable to find evidence of such a viral challenge. TikTok said it doesn't exist on the platform.

Numerous news outlets blamed a North Carolina teenager's severe burns on a viral TikTok challenge, prompting widespread coverage suggesting the app was driving dangerous behavior.

They suggested that 16-year-old Mason Dark's use of highly-flammable spray paint and a lighter to create a makeshift flamethrower was part of a challenge on the app.

Per Insider's research, there's little evidence to suggest that such a challenge was widespread on TikTok.

Insider searched for various terms related to the supposed viral challenge, all of which returned only a handful of relevant videos with a relatively few views.

Genuine trending issues on TikTok can rack up tens of millions of views in a short space of time  Insider found no evidence of posts approaching that threshold.

"Spray paint lighter," "aerosol lighter," "flamethrower challenge," and "blowtorch challenge," were among some of the terms which produced only limited results. Many posts were a year or more old.

It is still possible that Dark was reacting to one of those posts  but it does not appear to be part of a wider phenomenon where lots of other people were doing the same.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement provided to Insider: "This is not a 'challenge' on our platform."

They noted that the platform applies warnings to some videos that could be dangerous when they do appear on the app.

The spokesperson pointed to the existence of these sorts of videos on other platforms, notably YouTube, which go back as far as a decade.

Nonetheless, The Sun, DailyMail.com, and the New York Daily News were among numerous high-profile publications to describe it as a viral TikTok trend.

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Insider also framed the accident as a TikTok challenge gone wrong, citing the local outlet WRAL.

WRAL quoted Dark's mother saying "it is challenges on TikTok" that are to blame, without giving any specifics.

This phenomenon of attributing harmful incidents involving the death or injury of a child to TikTok has a long history, Insider's Palmer Haasch and Kieran Press-Reynolds previously reported.

A number of challenges, including the "blackout challenge," have been tied to TikTok despite there being little evidence that it originated or even existed on the platform.

Abbie Richards, a misinformation researcher who specializes in TikTok, told Insider in 2021 that many adults just don't understand TikTok, which creates an "alarm zone" and allows the platform to become a "boogeyman" for parents to place blame on.

Instead of adults "doing the actual work of understanding" TikTok, Richards said it's easier for them to create or add to a moral panic.

Read the original article on Insider
Florence Pugh has become a fashion darling, serving some of the best looks on and off the red carpet. (Getty Images)

Florence Pugh never shies away from a big fashion moment, and her debut at the 2023 Met Gala with a shaved head has proved just that.

The 27-year-old arrived at the annual fashion event in New York City wearing a dramatic black and white Valentino gown with a bow-tied plunging neckline. She accessorised her newly-shaved head with a statement feathered headpiece.

It's not the first time the Black Widow actor has had fun with fashion. The actor regularly pulls out all the stops for both glamorous red carpet events and film photo-calls, and 2022 alone had her wearing some of the most recognisable and talked-about fashion looks of the year.

Florence Pugh wore Valentino to the 2023 Met Gala. (Getty Images)

A close relationship with Valentino has meant that Pugh and her stylist, Rebecca Corbin-Murray, have often turned to the fashion house for big events over the years.

Read more: Rare condition forced Florence Pugh to move out of UK

Not least for her incredible sheer pink, nipple-baring look at the Valentino Haute Couture fashion show earlier this year sparked much debate and prompted the star to defend her sartorial decisions.

"Listen, I knew when I wore that incredible Valentino dress that there was no way there wouldnt be a commentary on it," Pugh wrote on Instagram.

"Whats been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a womans body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see," she continued.

"Whats more concerning is. Why are you so scared of breasts? Small? Large? Left? Right? Only one? Maybe none?" she added. "What. Is. So. Terrifying."

Florence Pugh's nipple-bearing Valentino dress at the brand's Haute Couture fashion show in July 2022. (Getty Images)

Pugh donned a rouge satin number by the brand for The Fashion Awards in December and a silk, dusty pink negligee and co-ordinating diaphanous cape by Rodarte for the British Independent Film Awards red carpet a few days later, rounding off her 2022 with stylish aplomb.

The Oscar-winning Little Women star has put a particularly stylish foot forward and wowed in a number of stunning ensembles at red carpet premieres and fashion shows alike in recent months.

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Florence Pugh posed up a storm with her flowing cape on the British Independent Film Awards red carpet on Sunday. (Getty Images)

Pugh and Corbin-Murray  who is also behind the fashion-forward looks from the likes of Lily James, Gemma Chan and Simone Ashley  have since experimented with the soft lace of Rodarte and gilded glamour of Louis Vuitton.

One thing's for sure, Pugh's daring approach to red carpet fashion always keeps us guessing  and we can't wait to see what she wears at forthcoming premieres, fashion shows and awards seasons.

As she continues to be one of fashions most talked-about stars, take a look back at some of Florence Pugh's most head-turning ensembles...

At the 2023 Met Gala

Florence Pugh shaved her head just hours before the 2023 Met Gala. (Getty Images)

Pugh's affinity for Valentino saw her arrive at the Met Gala arm in arm with the fashion house's creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli. Pugh wore a voluminous white gown with a statement black bow and larger than life headpiece to the event.

Crop top for Oscar's after party

Florence Pugh attends the 2023 Vanity Far Oscars after party. (Getty Images)

For the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar after party, Pugh wore her second Valentino look of the evening wearing sprawling pink coat over the top of high waisted black trousers and a micro crop top.

In a plunging sequin dress

Florence Pugh at a Fashion Awards after party to celebrate Jefferson Hack hosted by Tilda Swinton and Lila Moss. (Getty Images)

Pugh slipped into a plunging sequinned number for a Fashion Awards afterparty.

The actor kept her make-up on point with a deep berry-red lip, but switched her red Valentino gown for a gilded look, complete with gold necklace, earrings and shoes.

In classic red Valentino

Florence Pugh on The Fashion Awards 2022 red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall in December, 2022. (Getty Images)

Pugh chose one of The Fashion Awards honourees to design her custom-made red carpet gown.

The Midsommar star presented Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli with the Designer of the Year award whilst wearing one of his desgns.

In a silk Rodarte negligee

Florence Pugh on the 2022 British Independent Film Awards red carpet in December, 2022. (Getty Images)

Pink really is Pugh's colour. She stepped out in a boudoir-style slip dress and coordinating tulle cape by Rodarte for the British Independent Film Awards red carpet.

The actor paired the candy-coloured silk slip dress with Tiffany & Co. jewels and a pair of strappy Aquazzura heels.

In sheer slinky Victoria Beckham

Florence Pugh on the red carpet at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 13th Governors Awards. (Getty Images)

Pugh stunned in yet another sheer number at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards in November 2022.

The white and gold Victoria Beckham gown featured a cowl neckline and strategically placed opaque sections of fabric.

In pink Valentino at the brand's haute couture show

Pugh attends the Valentino Haute Couture fashion show in Rome in July 2022. (Getty Images)

Pugh looked every bit the Hollywood princess in a bright pink Valentino gown complete with ruffles and sheer detailing in Rome in July 2022.

However, the ensemble  which she wore to the Valentino Haute Couture fashion show  prompted some "vulgar" comments, and the star defended the nipple-baring look on Instagram.

In Valentino at Paris Fashion Week

The actress pictured in October 2022 during Paris Fashion Week. (Getty Images)

Undeterred by the criticism, the star wore sheer Valentino again during Paris Fashion Week in October 2022.

Accessorising her matching long-sleeved crop top and skirt, she clutched an elegant white handbag.

Purple Valentino at Venice Film Festival

The star arriving at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2022. (Getty Images)

In September, the actress exhibited the most perfect, stylish airport look we've seen in a while when she arrived at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2022.

She wore a coordinated crop top, shorts and skirt by Valentino, along with a handbag and heels in complementary shades of purple.

In voluminous Valentino at the Venice Film Festival

Florence on the red carpet at the Don't Worry Darling screening in September 2022. (Getty Images)

During the same trip to the Venice International Film Festival, Pugh then sparkled bright in a dramatic, black Valentino ensemble.

She posed on the red carpet, ahead of the Don't Worry Darling screening, alongside her glamorous grandmother Pat.

In chic Emilia Wickstead lace

Pugh at the Tiffany & Co. exhibition opening in June 2022. (Getty Images)

For the opening of the Tiffany & Co. exhibition in June 2022, the star opted for a lacy, black matching top and skirt by New Zealand-born designer Emilia Wickstead.

She finished off her look with some striking Tiffany jewels, her silver nose ring and long-sleeved black gloves, giving an edgy twist to her lace look.

In layered Louis Vuitton at the Oscars

The star at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards in February 2022. (Getty Images)

The actress picked up her first Oscar for Little Women at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards in February 2022.

For the most important occasion in the film calendar, she opted for a stunning silky, teal blue ruffled gown by Louis Vuitton.

In Carolina Herrera at the BAFTAs

The actress wowed on the red carpet at the EE British Academy Film Awards in March 2022. (Getty Images)

Shortly afterwards, at the EE British Academy Film Awards in March 2022, the actress wowed in a long-sleeved, button-front Carolina Herrera LBD.

However, always keeping things fun, her look came complete with a bubblegum pink train.

In ruffled purple Valentino

The star posing at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 11th Annual Governors Awards in October 2019. (Getty Images)

Proving she has been an emerging style icon for a number of years, Pugh posed up a storm at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 11th Annual Governors Awards in October 2019.

She accessorised her frilly, purple Valentino dress with a pair of chunky black heels and an elegant up-do.

In sheer black Rodarte

The star the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences in October 2022. (Getty Images)

The star's latest sheer look is a sparkly, black dress by Rodarte  which she wore to the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences in October 2022.

She accessorised with sleek blonde hair, red lipstick and a silver nose ring.

Watch: Florence Pugh praises 'sensitive' and 'considerate' director of her new film The Wonder
State lawmakers are assigning $25 million to help police replace their aerial drone fleets after Gov. Ron DeSantis administration forced local governments this year to stop using drones made in China.

Under an agreement reached by lawmakers and the DeSantis administration this week, police could apply for funding to replace their Chinese-made drones. The Chinese-made drones would then be turned over to the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida to analyze what security risks, if any, they pose.

We want to start over with drones to make sure theyre securely safe, said the Senates appropriations chairperson, Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze.

The agreement attempts to remedy a rare conflict between DeSantis and Floridas police, who loudly protested an administration rule that took effect last month forbidding state agencies and local governments from using non-approved drones. The state said certain foreign-manufactured drones posed security risks.

But police from across the state told lawmakers in March that the drones werent a risk.

And they said that Chinese-made drones, particularly those made by the worlds leading drone manufacturer, Da Jiang Innovations, or DJI, were vastly superior and cheaper than the American- and French-made drones on DeSantis original approved list.

One of the drones from that approved list started a fire in a Palm Beach County Sheriff deputys car, forcing the deputy to pull over and drag out the carpet and flaming object on the side of the road, a department colonel told lawmakers.

The Legislatures solution was blasted by one key GOP lawmaker, who vowed earlier this year to allow police more time to replace their fleets.

Its money, taxpayer money, thats gonna get wasted  wasted, Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, said of the $25 million plan.

He estimates that police and local governments have spent at least $200 million on Chinese-made drones. Replacing them will cost at least twice that much because American manufacturers have doubled their prices in recent months, Wright said.

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Police have found drones to be critical life-saving tools. Theyre cheaper and faster than launching a helicopter. Having a drone chase a bad guy down an alleyway is safer than sending an officer, officials testified. Drones infrared cameras have helped locate missing people.

Fire departments and mosquito control districts have also found the Chinese-made drones useful.

Some federal agencies have forbidden the use of Chinese drones, but no one, including from DeSantis administration, has been able to say exactly how the drones pose a threat.

DJIs drones cannot connect to the internet, police say, and use software prohibiting them from flying around airports and other critical places. A 2021 U.S. military study found no security risks from DJI drones and recommended them for government use. (The Pentagon later said the report was inaccurate and uncoordinated.)

Wright said the benefits to police outweigh the perceived security risks.

Im very frustrated, Wright said. Im very concerned about our law enforcement officers.

The new rules around drones are likely to benefit Americas fledgling drone industry, including Skydio, one of four companies that made the DeSantis administrations original approved drone list. Lobbyists for Skydio met with DeSantis administration officials in 2021, records show.

Several other states have placed limits on foreign drones, including Arkansas this week. But Arkansas is allowing police to keep using their drones until 2027, according to the online trade publication DroneXL.

Senators last week wanted to allow police to use their DJI drones through their life expectancy, but decided against it after vigorous discussion between lawmakers and the governors office, Broxson said.

Wright said the governors office was against it.

I was told specifically the governors office took it out, Wright said.

DeSantis office didnt respond to requests for comment.
A bill that would prevent credit-card companies from using a code that could help track firearm and ammunition sales is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In an 83-32 vote along party lines Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Florida House backed a measure (SB 214) that House sponsor John Snyder, R-Stuart, described as protecting people who support the Second Amendment from having their ability to purchase and spend their money freely without fear of reprisal.

The issue deals with concerns that credit-card companies could establish a separate merchant category code for sales at gun businesses. Similar four-digit codes are already used to separate purchases and collect data from places such as grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and bookstores.

Visa, Mastercard and American Express announced plans to categorize gun-shop sales. But after Republican pushback in several states, the plans have been paused.

Democrats argued the bill is a culture-war issue that will hinder efforts to track potential gun violence.

These are private corporations that collect the data, Rep. Hillary Cassel, D-Dania Beach, said. They send you emails to get you to buy more. And now were infringing on private corporations and how they collect this data and how they maintain it.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 27-11 along almost-straight party lines to approve the bill on March 23.

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"I am extremely proud of Master Deputy Jones's quick actions and dedication to serving our community in any capacity," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister

HCSOSheriff Police footage from delivery

Talk about an unexpected arrival!

A deputy in Hillsborough County in Florida helped a pregnant woman deliver a baby on the shoulder of Highway 60, authorities said in a news release.

In "panic," a driver approached the deputy, Master Deputy Daniel "Red" Jones, on the side of the highway, explaining that his wife was about to give birth, per the release.

After calling for help, Jones "sprang into action"  and just minutes later, the baby was born in the front seat of the car.

Authorities said the officer provided encouragement and emotional support and used his training to help deliver the newborn, a baby girl.

Related:Georgia Mom Gives Birth to Baby No. 3 in Car on the Way to the Hospital: 'We Got Stuck in Traffic'

Police provided the bodycam video of Jones helping the woman give birth. In the video, Jones could be seen telling the woman to "breathe" as he took her hand.

Later in the video, the woman told the officer that her baby was "coming." The video then cut to show the officer holding up the baby girl to her mother.

After the child was delivered, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and transported the mother and child to the hospital for evaluation.

Related:Georgia Woman Discovers She's Pregnant While Giving Birth in Car: 'It's a Miracle He's Alive'

Authorities say the officer was "thrilled" to help deliver the baby and even recommended that the couple name the baby "Red" after him, the release noted.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister lauded the officer for his quick response during the hectic situation, saying, "I am extremely proud of Master Deputy Jones's quick actions and dedication to serving our community in any capacity."

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He went on to note that this was the officer's third time helping to deliver a baby in an emergency situation since joining the team in December 2021.

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.

"While delivering in the front seat of a car was not the original birth plan, Master Deputy Jones reassured the mother of six that she was in good hands," the sheriff said. "I wish mom, dad, and their new baby girl all the joy and happiness. Congratulations!"

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Read the original article on People.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is poised to sign tough penalties and restrictions that aims to obstruct the flow of illegal immigration to the state after the House approved the measure, (CS/SB 1718), in a mostly party line, 83-36 vote on Tuesday.

The new legislation strengthens employment requirements, bans local governments from contributing money to organizations creating identification cards for undocumented immigrants, bars drivers licenses issued to non-citizens in other states from use in Florida and repeals a 2014 law that allowed undocumented immigrants to be admitted to practice law in Florida.

Opponents of the bill, like Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-Miami, say the bill brings little clarity.

Immigration bill approved: Illegal immigration crackdown approved by House, sent to DeSantis

'What are we going to do?' Two migrants share fears for the future in Florida crackdown

Im just trying to figure out why the state is interfering with federal immigration enforcement, Joseph said.

The legislation (CS/SB 1718) was approved by the House Commerce Committee in a mostly party-line vote on April 24.

What is the new immigration bill?

The new legislation includes nearly every requirement, penalty or limit on undocumented immigrants that DeSantis has pushed for except for an in-state tuition ban for children of immigrants.

Employment requirements

The immigration package allows businesses to conduct random audits of businesses suspected of hiring undocumented workers and increases criminal penalties for human smuggling.

This part of the bill was rewritten because opponents initially feared that it could ensnare friends or family members driving a migrant across town. The bill now only applies to those transporting people from outside the country to Florida.

Immigration bill dialed back: Not a rebellion, but Republican lawmakers dial back DeSantis on immigration, universities

Immigration crackdown: Crackdown on immigration moves ahead  without DeSantis priority

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Companies with 25 or more employees will have to use the federal E-Verify system when hiring workers, expanding on a requirement set by the Republican-led Legislature in 2020 that is limited to public employers and contractors, which effectively exempted the states powerful agriculture industry.

Penalties for employers who dont verify their employees status could face suspension of their licenses to operate.

IDs and drivers licenses

Local governments will be banned from contributing money to organizations creating identification cards for undocumented immigrants, and drivers licenses issued to non-citizens will be barred from use in Florida.

Opponents fear that this provision could cause confusion and lead to law enforcement profiling.

Health care

Hospitals receiving state and federal Medicaid reimbursements will be required to track how much money is spent on undocumented immigrants in emergency rooms.

Illegal immigration in Florida: A by-the-numbers look at a surge

Education

The new law repeals a 2014 law that allowed undocumented immigrants to be admitted to practice law in Florida.

DeSantis pushed for a tuition prohibition but couldnt find the support to make it into the final legislation. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said that several lawmakers served in 2014 when the Florida Legislature under then-Gov. Rick Scott extended in-state tuition to undocumented Dreamers.

President Barack Obama signed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, intended to protect undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from removal proceedings and gain work authorization.

Immigrants driving labor force growth: How immigrants are driving labor force growth, easing worker shortages and inflation

A sponsor of that bill was DeSantis lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nunez, then a House member from Miami.

Democrats and immigrant groups have supported in-state tuition for Dreamers along with some Republicans and the business community, stating that access to higher education is better for the overall economy.

Division of Emergency Managements Unauthorized Alien Transport Program

The legislation also authorizes spending $12 million for the Division of Emergency Managements Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, a descendant of the spending allowance DeSantis used last year to transport about 50 mostly Venezuelan asylum-seekers from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, off the Massachusetts coast.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media in the Florida Cabinet following his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the state Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla.

Where are most immigrants in Florida from?

Florida ranks just ahead of New York and well ahead of most other states nationwide, with a total of 57,816 contacts with those who have entered the country illegally between October and February.

The Tallahassee Democrat reported that immigration from four countries has fueled the growing trend, with authorities making contact with 19,442 Venezuelan nationals, 12,840 Cuban nationals, 6,344 Haitian nationals, and 4,201 Ukrainian nationals in Florida between October and February.

However, Cuban nationals account for the bulk of undocumented immigrants who were detained, accounting for 4,398 of the total 5,005 apprehensions this year. Only 349 Haitians were apprehended, and zero Ukrainians and Venezuelans.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida immigration Senate bill 1718 passes House. What's in it?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reacts after signing HB 7, the "Stop WOKE" bill, at Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School in Hialeah Gardens, Florida, on Friday, April 22, 2022. Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Florida is the No. 1 state for education, says an annual ranking from US News & World Report.

DeSantis has made education policy one of his top priorities, receiving backlash over curriculum bans.

The state's teacher's union warned Florida schools wouldn't stay in the top tier.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has aggressively made far-reaching changes to education policy in Florida during his time in office, whether it be on curriculum, diversity initiatives, or leadership overhauls.

He frequently faces outside backlash over such moves, including from Democratic governors. But on Tuesday, Florida came in first for education as part of the annual Best States rankings from US News & World Report. It displaced former No. 1 New Jersey and No. 2 Massachusetts, after coming in third during last year's rankings.

As governor, DeSantis moved to strip diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from higher ed. He also replaced leaders at the New College of Florida, a public, liberal arts school in Sarasota. These and other factors that have generated national headlines and resistance for DeSantis, such as book removals from school libraries or restrictions on how LGBTQ topics can be taught, weren't measured in the US News rankings.

Instead, Florida's No. 1 ranking in higher education  in addition to its No. 1 ranking in education overall  is thanks to its low tuition and debt, as well as high college-graduation rates.

During press conferences throughout Florida, DeSantis frequently boasts about how he, with support of the GOP-controlled legislature, kept the costs of public colleges steady by refusing to increase tuition. He also signed a bill into law that allows certain students who have grandparents in Florida to receive in-state tuition.

DeSantis' education agenda has led to a lot of attention from conservatives and backlash from liberals, helping the governor consistently rank in second place in polling for a hypothetical 2024 Republican presidential primary behind former President Donald Trump.

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DeSantis hasn't said whether he'll run, but he's widely expected to mount a campaign sometime after the Florida legislature finishes its lawmaking session this month.

Alex Lanfranconi, spokesman for Florida's education department, told Insider that the US News results were "no surprise."

"Governor Ron DeSantis has eliminated common core, protected parental rights, provided historic teacher salary increases, abolished woke indoctrination from the classroom, and exposed the DEI scam in higher education," he said. "The results speak for themselves. The Florida education model works."

The state rankings released Tuesday looking at higher education are separate from US News Best Colleges, the well-known rankings that have received varying degrees of criticism over the years but still remain widely used by prospective students and their families.

Students from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools School for Advanced Studies-Wolfson campus protest during a statewide walkout on April 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The students joined with others across the state for school walkouts in protest of what they say is an assault on educational freedom by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled legislature. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Florida ranked 14th for grade school rankings

Looking at Pre-K-12, Florida's US News rankings had solid scores in high-school graduation rates, though the state came in 14th overall when adding in measures such as college readiness, reading and math scores, and preschool enrollment.

The rankings do not take pandemic-related factors into account, such as factoring in when schools reopened, Jeanette Perez Colby, US News spokeswoman, told Insider. DeSantis made school openings a key platform during his 2022 reelection race and on his national book tour.

"Florida was a refuge of sanity when the world went mad," DeSantis often says.

Among DeSantis' other most well-known education policies are bills he signed into law to limit the way race, gender, and sexuality are taught in public schools. He has defended the changes on the grounds that parents should have a say on what their children learn, though it has led to confusion in certain districts.

The DeSantis administration rejected math books for "indoctrination," as well as an AP course on African American history, which DeSantis said imposed "a political agenda" with its content on queer theory and prison abolition.

The governor also expanded vouchers for families to pay for private or charter schools, while public school educators in Florida lament that they're deeply underfunded and understaffed.

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar panned the US News analysis as a "narrow view of education" and predicted curriculum restrictions and book removals would "impact student scores in the years ahead." Florida ranks 44th in the US for spending per student on public schools, according to the Florida Education Association, which is the state's teacher's union.

Some of the other factors the US News rankings measured were SAT and ACT scores when the DeSantis administration is considering shopping around for a standardized-testing alternative.

"Gov. DeSantis may use this ranking as a political badge of honor, but his own actions over the past two years will likely drag Florida down," Spar said.

The Sunshine State came in No. 10 in the rankings overall for Best States, when factoring measures such as crime, the economy, and healthcare, where the state came in 17th, 7th, and 27th, respectively. US News ranked Utah as the best state in the US, drawing from more than 70 metrics.

Florida's worst ranking, at No. 46, was in the category of "opportunity," which measures factors such as affordability, economic mobility, and racial and gender equality.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Gov. Ron DeSantis will get to decide if his travel records, and those of other state leaders, will be concealed from the public.

The Republican-controlled Florida House on Tuesday voted 84-31 along party lines to pass a measure (SB 1616) that would shield past and future travel records of DeSantis, the governors immediate family, the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members, the House speaker, the Senate president and the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court.

Democrats said the public records exemption would go beyond travel itineraries to also prevent the release of information about where the governor went and who attended meetings and events. They argued the legislation is less about safety than helping DeSantis as hes expected to run for president next year.

RELATED: Gov. DeSantis travel records could be shielded under a proposal

Republicans countered the measure would help prevent people from being able to map out the travel plans of DeSantis and other officials.

House sponsor Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, said a very simple bill about safety has become politicized.

This bill is necessary because our senior state officials receive threats and death threats all of the time, Holcomb said.

Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, said public officials in a state that prizes its public records law should expect to provide transparency to their constituents.

Having a level of transparency on the amount thats being spent, where its being spent, we owe the people we work for an answer to that, Gantt said. And we have that mechanism in place right now.

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said the bill would apply retroactively and will halt public records requests by journalists.

We should not bend laws to benefit one individual and their political aspirations, said Eskamani, who added that the intent of the bill could include keeping DeSantis travel plans away from opposing candidates.

DeSantis traveled last week to Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom on a trip with the Enterprise Florida business-development agency.

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Former President Donald Trumps campaign on Tuesday sent out an email that highlighted a Politico report titled, Who paid for Ron DeSantis trip overseas? No one will say. As Trump tries to regain the presidency, DeSantis has not formally announced whether he is running.

DeSantis, while at a bill-signing event Monday in Titusville, said he didnt come up with the bill, which was motivated by alleged security concerns.

With the security situation, how you do patterns of movements, if youre somebody that is targeted, which unfortunately I am, and I get a lot of threats, that could be something that could be helpful for people that may not want to do good things, DeSantis said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides security for the governor.

The agencys annual Report of Transportation and Protective Services said it spent $5.94 million during the 2021-2022 fiscal year to protect DeSantis and his family, including the costs of securing the governors mansion. The total was up more than 25% from the previous year.

The governor and other state leaders could extend the public records exemption to other officials for security reasons.

The measure would also keep from the public the names of people visiting the governors mansion on non-governmental matters.

The Senate voted 28-12 to pass the bill on April 19.

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Joseph Calvin Jaynes II looks on as a Volusia County Sheriff's bailiff carries an evidence box with the rifle Jaynes is accused of using to shoot at officers in 2021, during Jaynes' trial, Monday, May 1, 2023, where he's charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder of law enforcement officers.

Daytona Beach Police officers were investigating a possible break-in at a house during a well-being check when they heard a gunshot nearby, according to trial testimony Monday.

The officers ran toward the gunfire. When they looked across a drainage ditch, they saw a man holding a rifle. One of the officers said it was "an AR-15 pattern rifle." They yelled at the man to show his hands and drop the firearm.

Instead, an officer testified, the man, Joseph Calvin Jaynes II, started to raise the weapon. Another officer said Jaynes took a firing stance with the rifle raised to his shoulder.

Joseph Calvin Jaynes looks around the courtroom, Monday, May 1, 2023, during his trial. He's charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder of law enforcement officers.

The officers opened fire and Jaynes fired back, according to testimony.

No officers were hit. Jaynes was shot in the leg.

And this week, Jaynes, 27, is on trial, charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer.

Man accused of trying to kill officers: Officers shoot Daytona man in the leg after he fired at them

Othal Wallace trial to be moved: Trial won't be in Volusia for Othal Wallace, man accused of shooting Daytona Beach officer Jason Raynor

Jason Raynor's car to museum: Slain Daytona Beach Officer's patrol car goes to Titusville museum

The shooting in the early morning hours of Oct. 4, 2021, in the neighborhood near Jimmy Ann and Piccadilly drives, led to an hours-long standoff as police summoned an armored vehicle to eventually arrest Jaynes. It also delayed the opening of Westside Elementary School at 1700 Fifth St., Daytona Beach.

A jury of four men and three women began hearing testimony Monday before Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

Officer Sterling Martin testified he had responded to the home on Picadilly for a well-being check. It was the home in which Jaynes lived before a recent incident with his roommate. Assistant State Attorney Kevin Sullivan, who is prosecuting the case along with Assistant State Attorney Erica Cane, questioned Martin.

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While no one answered the front door, Martin saw that the deadbolt lock was on the floor instead of in the door. He also saw the garage was open. Other officers arrived. They were standing out front talking about another case when they heard a gunshot.

Martin's body camera video shows him and other officers running toward the sound of the gunshot. Martin testified he saw across a drainage ditch a man standing outside a pickup truck. The man had a flashlight which sometimes was pointed directly at the officers.

Then Martin said he saw the silhouette of a rifle in the mans hands. Martin said he believed the flashlight was attached to the rifle because the two were moving in unison.

He said he yelled at the man to show his hands. But instead, the man lifted the rifle and pointed it at another group of officers nearby.

Martin said thats when he fired at the man.

Martin testified that while he fired first, the man returned fire. He said a bullet struck the water in the drainage ditch in front of him.

In response to a question from Sullivan, Martin said he did not have to wait for someone to fire at him before firing. He said he could respond to defend himself, another officer or the public without having to wait for someone to shoot first.

No. If someone points a gun at me, I'm going to defend myself, Martin said.

Jaynes' defense attorneys, Terry Shoemaker and Tim Pribisco, are the same attorneys representing Othal Wallace, the man accused of fatally shooting Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor on June 23, 2021.

During cross-examination, Martin said he had actually spoken to Jaynes days earlier over an incident involving Jaynes roommate on Piccadily. In that incident, Jaynes' roommate had fired a gun at Jaynes, Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker asked Martin if he later learned that the flashlight was not attached to the rifle as he had believed.

Martin said he had.

Shoemaker asked him if Jaynes had fired back during the first gunfire from police.

Martin said he could not recall and that it was a chaotic situation.

Shoemaker also played radio traffic in which another officer says that the man had put something in his truck.

Shoemaker asked him if recalled hearing that now that he heard the recording.

Martin said he did.

In her opening statement, Cane told jurors that Jaynes knew he was shooting at police.

You are going to hear about law enforcement shooting at the defendant. You are going to hear about the defendant shooting back at law enforcement, knowing they are law enforcement officers, knowing he should have dropped his rifle, knowing he should have put his hands up, Cane said.

In his opening, Shoemaker read from police communications that night in which he said that officers at one spot knew Jaynes had put his rifle down but the other officers did not.

"After he is shot, he then eventually returns fire in hopes that hell be able to save his own life," Shoemaker said. "You never hear anybody say hes shooting directly at them. Hes shooting in the ground, hes shooting in the water. He's shooting in the air."

The trial continues Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona man on trial for attempted 1st-degree murder against police
The Florida Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would increase criminal penalties for people who assault hospital employees and volunteers.

The Senate voted 38-1 to pass the bill (HB 825), which was unanimously approved last month by the House. It is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Current law leads to increased penalties for people who assault emergency-room employees, but the bill would expand those protections to other hospital workers, Senate sponsor Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral, said.

She described hospitals as a very high-stress setting.

For example, assault charges typically are second-degree misdemeanors, but under the bill, they would be upgraded to first-degree misdemeanors for assaults on hospital workers.

Similarly, battery charges are typically first-degree misdemeanors but would be upgraded to third-degree felonies.

After the House passed the bill on April 20, the Florida Hospital Association released a statement that said hospital workers are six times more likely than average workers to suffer from workplace violence.

This legislation will lead to better patient care by creating a safer working environment for our healthcare workers, Mary Mayhew, president, and CEO of the association, said at the time.

Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, cast the only dissenting vote Tuesday. He pointed to concerns about people with mental illnesses potentially facing increased criminal penalties because of incidents when they are having a mental health crisis.

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A Tallahassee woman was arrested and charged with battery after throwing a drink on U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival.

Selena Jo Chambers, 41, was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery and one count of battery on an elected official, which is a felony.

A Walton County Sheriff's Office report on the incident stated that Gaetz told police Chambers threw a drink at him while walking past him at the event.

Deja vu: A woman was charged with a felony for throwing a drink at Matt Gaetz. She's not the first.

Misdemeanor versus felony battery: A Florida woman was charged with battery for throwing a drink at Gaetz. Why it's a felony:

The report said Gaetz told police he wanted to press criminal charges against her for throwing the drink.

The report said Chambers recognized Gaetz while walking at the event and began cursing at him and throwing her drink at him.

Gaetz was speaking with another person at the time, and the drink hit both of them.

The other person was identified as Blaine Odom, who told police that after Chambers threw the drink at them, she walked away "yelling and flipping him off." Odom said his clothing was soaked from the drink and told police he also wanted to press charges against Chambers.

Chambers told police she was walking and tripped and spilled her drink on Gaetz, though she recognized Gaetz before spilling her drink on him.

Sentenced to 15 days: Woman who threw slushie on Matt Gaetz at Pensacola event sentenced to 15 days in prison

The woman with Chambers told police she was the one who cursed at Gaetz as they walked passed.

Chambers was arrested at the event and transported to the Walton County Jail.

On his "Firebrand" podcast on Tuesday, Gaetz addressed the incident.

"We were enjoying catching up with new friends and old, and folks recognized me, and we were taking pictures and having polite conversations," Gaetz said. "As I was chatting with one gentleman, a lady threw a drink on the both of us."

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Gaetz versus endangered whales: Despite best efforts of US Rep Matt Gaetz, Rice's Whale remains protected in Eglin fire zone

Gaetz defended pressing charges against Chambers saying he had no problem with facing criticism, but it crossed the line when it became physical.

"If we start allowing stuff to be thrown or hurled, if we allow people to be harmed, there is a severe risk of escalation and accident," Gaetz said. "And we don't want to see anyone in harm's way, whether it's family members, supporters or even our detractors. We want them to be safe too, but when they really cross the Rubicon beyond just words to throwing stuff and striking me and striking a gentleman I was speaking with, with a drink, then that has really caused harm to our community. And it's something that we want to contain and extinguish and not see going forward."

It's the second time Gaetz has had a drink thrown at him in public. In 2019, Amanda Kondrat'yev was sentenced to 15 days in prison for throwing a drink at Gaetz as he left a campaign event in Pensacola.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Matt Gaetz 'assaulted' in Florida after woman threw drink at him
The former Bear's Place building has been sold to IU Foundation.

The lights have been out and the doors locked at the former Bear's Place on East Third Street since February. There's no immediate plan for what's next for the building and its small parking lot at 1316 E. Third St.

That's what Matt Kavgian, director of strategic communications and projects at Indiana University Foundation, said recently about the Foundation's purchase of several properties, including the Bear's Place location and an adjacent residential property, which has occupants and will continue to provide housing.

"It was a package deal, if you will," Kavgian said. "Bear's Place came to us. We didn't pursue it."

The properties were sold Feb. 28 for $3,155,000. The registered agent for the seller is Angela Parker with Bruce Storm Real Estate and Management. Repeated attempts to contact the real estate business were unsuccessful.

Excluded: Indiana University president condemns defunding of Kinsey Institute by state Legislature

A few weeks before the sale, on Feb. 11, the Bear's Place Facebook page had a post:

"We have some unfortunate news to share. We have decided to close Bear's at this time. The current business climate has just made things too difficult, and we feel the best course of action is to take a break and put our efforts toward the future of Bears Place. We are looking forward to jumping into the creative process and deciding how, where, and when to bring Bears Place back. We'll let you know what that looks like when we know. Until then, thank you honestly for the endless love and support."

The mural on the back side of the former Bear's Place gives an idea of the musical entertainment that was part of the business.

The Herald-Times reached out to the former owners numerous times over several months, but no one responded. There have been no new posts on the Facebook page.

"Any time property becomes available at the periphery of the campus" IU Foundation officials will be interested, Kavgian said  especially when they're in what he called "an important gateway" to IU.

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Neither the foundation nor the university has an intended use for the property right now. Kavgian anticipates the parking lot will taken over by IU parking for students and staff.

The situation is similar to what happened in July 2017 when the former Yogi's location at 519 E. 10th St. closed because it had been sold to the IU Foundation. That property remains vacant although Yogi's reopened under new ownership in the former Scotty's Brewhouse property at 302 N. Walnut St.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU Foundation purchases Bear's Place without a plan for its use
Former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.) on Monday suggested a simple political solution to Americas gun violence.

I would say the political answer to gun violence in America is never again elect a Republican. Its that simple, Jolly told MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace during an analysis of the latest mass shooting in Texas in which five people were killed.

They are bad-faith actors, Jolly, who left the GOP in 2018, said of his former Republican colleagues, further slamming them for focusing on motive as opposed to the means.

Listen, there is no motive that can accomplish gun violence without the means and the means is the weapon and the access to that weapon and in cases like we just saw, to weapons of war, he explained.

Jolly noted a general consensus nationwide about common sense measures for gun control but said he felt we need to get more aggressive and talk about licensing and registration and much deeper background checks.

Watch the video here:

"The political answer to gun violence...is never again elect a Republican, it's that simple... If they want to focus on motive as opposed to the means...there is no motive than can accomplish gun violence without the means" - @DavidJollyFL w/ @NicolleDWallacepic.twitter.com/oeWM19BsCr  Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) May 1, 2023

Related...
Yevhen Borysov comments to ArmiyaInform in November 2020

Mosiychuk said that there is evidence to prove that Borysovs dishonesty on at least five occasions.

Read also: EU Council removes Ukraine from blacklist of states that prevent combating corruption

The first is the importation of an expensive personal car under the guise of humanitarian aid.

The second is that for almost a year "his family lived in a rented property for 5,000 euros ($5,485) a month, which does not correspond to the family's income."

The third was the purchase by Borysov's mother of an "elite house in Marbella worth 3.95 million euros ($4.33 million), which Borysov helped to facilitate its purchase.

Read also: Southern Operational Command suspends official suspected of corruption

The fourth is Yevhen Borysov's vacation in Marbella during martial law from Dec. 22, 2022, to Jan. 18, 2023.

The fifth is the purchase of an office by Borisov's wife in January 2023 "in one of the uptown office centers in Marbella".

"We have collected all the documents," Mosiychuk said.

We have all the evidence of when he left, through which checkpoint, how the cars were imported, how the property was acquired... That is, my colleagues and I have a full package of documents, a package of video and photo evidence, and I handed them over to NABU. On the same day I made the first publication, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau received documents regarding this scoundrel and his wealth.

Read also: Wartime Corruption: Weve seen it all before  just read the classics

The former MP says he also has information that the case is being investigated by special services.

On April 25, Mosiychuk accused Borysovs mother, Nadiya Borysova, of purchasing an elite residential property during the martial law  an 857-square meter 2017 luxury home on a 1,530 square meter plot of land in Marbella, Spain. After the auction, the price of the house devalued from 4.4 million euros to 3.96 million euros.

"The legal support for the real estate transaction was provided by a well-known real estate agent who handles all transactions of Russian clients in the region," Mosiychuk said.

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Thus, it should be assumed that the military commissar may become (if he has not already done so!) an object of intelligence investigation of the Russian special services, as he has access to a huge amount of classified information about the manning of military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Read also: Top officials from Presidents Office, government and almost all MPs in no rush to return to reporting wealth

He noted that Nadiya Borysova is the founder and beneficiary of Yuh LLC, whose net profit in the pre-war period amounted to just over UAH 800,000 ($21,670) per year for the three founders.

"So, to save up for the purchase of this luxury real estate abroad, she had to work for 33 years!" the former lawmaker emphasized.

On April 26, Mosiychuk added that Yevhen Borysov's wife, Oleksandra Borysova, also purchased an office in Marbella during martial law. In a video of April 25, the former MP said that the cost of this office was up to 2 million euros ($2.2 million).

Also on April 25, Mosiychuk said that in the fall of 2022, Borysov imported a premium 2022 Mercedes Benz G63 AMG under the guide of a humanitarian aid. According to the former MP, it is used by the military commissar's wife, who lives in a rented apartment in Marbella, and by Borysov when he visits. Mosiychuk said that Borysov himself stayed in Marbella from Dec. 22, 2022, to Jan. 18, 2023.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A former Marine was killed last week in Bakhmut amid heavy fighting for control of the Ukrainian city, according to multiple outlets.

Cooper Harris Andrews, 26, of Cleveland, was likely killed April 19 on the outskirts of Bakhmut after he was hit by a mortar on a route used to resupply Ukrainian troops and evacuate civilians, CNN first reported Monday.

Andrewss mother, Willow Andrews, told CNN that his body has not yet been recovered due to the ongoing fighting around Bakhmut.

Journalist Jake Hanrahan on Sunday wrote of Andrewss death on Twitter.

The State Department on Tuesday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine but would not release the individuals identity.

We are in touch with the family and providing all possible consular assistance, a spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. Out of respect for the familys privacy during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.

Andrews is at least the 12th American to be killed in the Ukraine-Russia war and the fourth Marine veteran, according to Task & Purpose. The U.S. government has urged its citizens not to travel to Ukraine.

Andrewss mother said he left Cleveland in November to join the Foreign Legion, a military unit of foreign fighters helping the Ukrainians fight against the Russian invasion. His contract ended in March but he decided to stay, she said.

His Marine Corps records show he entered the service in January 2017 and served for five years as a ground vehicle electronics technician before leaving as a sergeant, though he never deployed.

Fighting in Bakhmut has proved to be particularly deadly thanks to the citys symbolic importance, leading to Russias increased desperation to take control of the area. But White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday that most of Moscows efforts have stalled and failed in trying to take the city.

After months of fighting and extraordinary losses, Russia continues to be focused on a single Ukrainian city with limited strategic value, Kirby said.



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The endorsement form the conservative True Texas Project took Fort Worth city council candidate Rick Herring by surprise.

The group, which began as the NE Tarrant Tea Part before re-branding in 2019, listed Herring as its preferred candidate for the newly created District 11 seat in Fort Worths May 6 election.

I dont know why anyone would endorse someone they havent spoken to, Herring said, adding that he learned about the endorsement from a Star-Telegram article Tuesday that examined claims about his partisan leanings.

He said he emailed the group Tuesday morning to request he be taken off its list but hadnt heard back. He was still listed on the groups site as of 4:48 p.m. Tuesday.

Representatives for the True Texas Project did not respond to an email Tuesday requesting comment.

Herring said he is shocked by the amount of partisanship in Fort Worths 2023 election cycle. He said he has been civically engaged for more than 30-years.

The issues that Fort Worths City Council are supposed to address, whether it is the budget, safety, libraries or streets are nonpartisan, Herring said.

District 11, sometimes referred to as the horseshoe district, includes neighborhoods just east and northeast of downtown Fort Worth along with predominantly Hispanic south side neighborhoods of Rosemont and Hemphill Heights.

Herring is running against Tara Maldonado-Wilson, Jeanette Martinez, Ricardo Avitia, and Christopher Johnson.

Election day is May 6. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff June 10.
Founders Brewing Co. closed its Detroit taproom today.

The Grand Rapids-based brewery, Michigan's largest, cited "an ever changing craft beer market, coupled with the struggle to regain foot traffic after temporary COVID-19 closures" as the reasons for shuttering its second location, which originally opened in late 2017 at 456 Charlotte in Midtown Detroit.

This decision involved a lot of careful consideration of each aspect of our business, and ultimately, what we felt was best for the company and our employees overall, said Founders CEO Elton Andres Knight in a statement. We explored every possible avenue to course correct the business and gave it as much time as we could. We are now working diligently to find new positions within the company for the employees who are displaced upon this closure.

Founders' Detroit taproom employed 38 of its 400-plus employees, the company said.

Founders said it is in communication with all Detroit taproom Mug Club members about the status of their memberships, though exact details are still being worked through. Its original Grand Rapids taproom will remain open.

The Detroit location "proudly hosted thousands of guests during its tenure," according to Founders. But those five-plus years did not come without controversy.

Founders, which had announced a majority-stake sale to Spanish beer company Mahou San Miguel just weeks earlier, temporarily closed its Detroit taproom in October 2019 after a racial discrimination lawsuit a former employee filed against the company made national headlines and caused a social media firestorm. It reopened the taproom in February 2020 with plans to donate 100% of the profits from the taproom to charities and community organizations through "at least 2022" (it continued that commitment through Sunday, the company said). The COVID-19 pandemic began a month later.

Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers co-founded Founders in 1997 and, along with Larry Bell and Bell's Brewery, helped lead the Michigan craft beer boom into the 2000s and 2010s. Founders became best known for its sessionable All Day IPA, which represents more than half its output, as well as its Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Dirty Bastard scotch ale and Centennial IPA. It routinely ranked among America's top craft breweries.

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Founders sold a 30% stake to Mahou San Miguel in 2014 before ceding majority ownership in 2019. In 2023, it was rolled into the Mahou USA brand along with Avery Brewing Co. in Colorado and Mahou Imports, forming America's 13th largest brewery by 2022 production numbers.

Stevens stepped down as CEO in 2022. Engbers is still with the company as president.

After enjoying nearly exponential growth in the 2010s, the American craft beer industry has largely flattened in recent years due to market saturation, the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Overall beer volume sales in the United States were down 3% in 2022, according to the latest Brewers Association data, while craft brewery volume sales were on par with 2021. Craft makes up 13.2% of the $115.4-billion overall beer market.

Brian Manzullo covers craft alcohol for the Free Press. Contact him: bmanzullo@freepress.com and on Untappd, bmanzullo and Twitter, @BrianManzullo and @SpiritsofDET.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Founders Brewing Co. closes Detroit taproom permanently
Believe it or not, theres something that gets mouths watering more than Nashville-style hot chicken.

Free Nashville-style hot chicken.

Expect drooling Idahoans to flock to Daves Hot Chicken in Meridian this week. The restaurant, which opened last November at 3450 N. Eagle Road, is hooking everyone up, as a media release says. The entire chain will give away free chicken sliders  the same delicious-looking ones that cost $6.69 on the menu.

All you have to do is download the Daves Hot Chicken app between now and the end of the day Tuesday. Thats the companys sixth anniversary. Do it, and a slider magically will appear in your rewards. A free chicken sandwich, Daves promises in a media release, with hot, crispy and spicy chicken straight out of the fryer, topped with secret sauce, crunchy pickles and slaw.

Whats not to like? Customers will be able to cash in the free slider through Sunday.

If you already had the app downloaded before hearing about this promotion? Youre good to go.

Get the app, get the free slider. Its that simple.

Six years ago, four friends created something phenomenal, and on May 2, well be celebrating that success by making sure everyone has the ability to enjoy Daves, CEO Bill Phelps said in the release, whether youve been visiting since the parking lot pop-up days or have just been wanting to give the best hot chicken on the planet a try.

Headquartered in Pasadena, California, Daves keeps the menu tight. Its basically two things: chicken tenders and sliders. The bird comes in seven spice levels, from No Spice to blowtorch-to-the-face Reaper. And each piece of juicy, hand-breaded chicken is spiced to order, Daves promises.

Sides? Choose from four: kale slaw, mac n cheese, french fries and cheese fries. Beverages include sodas and shakes.

As a growing brand, Daves Hot Chicken truly is en fuego. Rights have been sold to more than 700 franchise locations in the United States, Middle East and Canada, Daves says.

The Meridian location is a locally owned franchise. But the company has a crew of celebrity investors behind it, ranging from rapper Drake to actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Hours at Daves Hot Chicken in Meridian are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Protesters threw Molotov cocktails at police. At least three officers caught laight, with one sustaining serious burns - JB Autissier/Avalon

Rioters intent on killing a police officer injured 406 during disturbances across France on May Day, the countrys interior minister said on Tuesday.

Gerald Darmanin blamed anarchists from the Black Bloc group for leading the violence on Monday.

They joined hundreds of thousands of others expressing their opposition to Emmanuel Macrons decision to increase the pension age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote.

The vast majority of protesters were peaceful, but in Paris, Lyon and  notably  Nantes, police officers came up against extremely violent thugs who had [two] objectives  to kill a police officer and to attack the property of others, he said.

Mr Darmanin confirmed that 406 officers were injured and 291 people were arrested in connection with the rallies.

The worst attack was in eastern Paris, where Black Bloc agitators dressed in black, and wearing helmets, goggles, and balaclavas threw Molotov cocktails at police.

More than 400 officers were injured in the violent riots - AURELIEN MORISSARD/AP

At least three officers who were carrying heavy equipment, including tear gas cannisters, caught alight, with one sustaining serious burns.

He was in intensive care on Tuesday, as Paris prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into attempted murder of a public official  a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Around 2,000 Black Bloc rioters  some from European countries outside France  were seen at the forefront of the main Paris march, from Republique square to Nation square.

They threw bottles, bricks, paint pots and stolen building equipment at officers.

Riot police responded with baton charges, tear gas and water cannons.

Police responded to protesters with baton charges, tear gas and water cannons - AURELIEN MORISSARD/AP

Such scenes were replicated across the country, in cities including Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes and Toulouse.

Mr Darmanins words were supported by opposition MPs, including Marine Le Pen, presidential candidate in 2022 for the far-Right Rassemblement National (National Rally) party.

Ms Le Pen said: We are no longer just facing violence, but attempts to murder the security forces.

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As for the ones that set apartment buildings on fire, they should be sent to the high criminal court.

Organisers of the trade union-led May Day rallies claimed at least a million people were on the street, while the official figure was 780,000 nationally.

Opinion polls show at least 70 per cent of the country is against the retirement reforms, which were pushed through via presidential decree  a move that was sanctioned by Frances constitutional council last month.

Despite the fierce opposition, Elisabeth Borne, Mr Macrons prime minister, has pledged there will be no U-turns.
Turns out the owner of Friendly Auto Repair in Charlotte was a little too friendly.

Now, Jamal Saymeh will spend a year and a day in prison.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Frank Whitney of Charlotte sentenced the North Tryon Street repair-shop owner for fraudulently approving more than 15,000 cars and trucks that otherwise would have failed North Carolina vehicle-emission tests.

As part of his scheme, prosecutors say Saymeh billed his customers more than twice what they would have normally paid for an actual emissions check while also short-changing the state by more than $80,000 in inspection fees.

In December, Saymeh pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the Clean Air Act, and two counts of violating the act. As part of his sentence, Saymeh must also pay almost $1.3 million in combined fines and restitution.

U.S. Attorney Dena King and other state and federal officials say that Saymeh single-handedly helped worsen the air and increase the risk of respiratory disease in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Vehicle emissions testing is required to protect the health and safety of our communities, King said in a statement after the sentencing.

 ... We will hold polluters accountable for their actions.

Saymehs attorney, Rob Heroy of Charlotte, said Monday that his client has accepted responsibility for his decisions and was prepared to face the consequences. He is now ready to get past this and move on with his life.

Saymeh, 59, opened his repair shop in 2017. The N.C. Department of Transportation licensed him to perform emissions inspections that same year.

His scheme, which involved a practice known as county swaps, was deceptively simple, and Saymeh dealt in bulk.

Under the Clean Air Act, vehicles in urban counties such as Mecklenburg are required to undergo annual emissions tests. Those in counties with better overall air quality do not.

Over a five-year period ending in 2022, Saymeh falsely re-coded the registration of more than 11,500 vehicles from a county that required testing to one that did not. He also changed the vehicle information for 3,622 light trucks, which require testing, to heavy models, which dont. Prosecutors say all 15,000 vehicles would have failed their emissions tests if Saymeh had done legitimate checks.

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Mecklenburg County is home to more than 865,000 registered vehicles. Court documents reveal the vast amount of emission testing one garage can do. Or not.

Saymeh performed his first coding county swap on May 5, 2017, documents claim, then quickly expanded his operation. Over a four-month period starting in mid-May 2021, Friendly Auto performed more than 6,900 inspections with a high percentage of them falsified, prosecutors say.

Over a five-day period in February 2021, Friendly Auto Repair performed almost 1,100 inspections. Roughly 10% of them were fraudulent, the filings show. On June 26 of that year, the shop logged in 26 inspections. All but two were false.

Undercover officers visited the garage in September 2021 and January 2022. Both investigators drove vehicles registered in Mecklenburg that had the check engine light engaged. Saymeh, according to plea documents, told the officers that an inspection with an emissions test, normally $30, would instead cost $80.

Neither car ever entered an inspection bay or was connected to an emissions analyzer. Instead, Saymeh flipped the registered counties.

He also asked the first undercover officer to share his name with her friends.
Regent Bank will so become Gateway First Bank.

Gateway First Bank will acquire Bartlesville's branch of Regent Bank, 422 Dewey Avenue, to provide a more comprehensive selection of deposit and banking services for both private customers and businesses in the area.

The transaction is expected to be completed in early August.

Chris Revard, Bartlesville's market president for Gateway First Bank, joined Gateway in October of 2022 to specifically oversee the banks growth in the Bartlesville community.

"Gateway is a strong community bank, one of the largest banks in Oklahoma, and one of the largest mortgage companies in the country," said Revard. "To have the depth and breadth of this company behind me to positively affect the local community is an honor."

Gateway has been making residential home loans for the past five years in the Bartlesville community. In 2022, Gateway opened a loan production office and began offering consumer and commercial loans in addition to mortgages.

As a native of Bartian who is now raising his family in Bartlesville, Revard is very familiar with the community and its banking needs. He has worked as a commercial banker in the Bartlesville financial community for the past six years focusing on consumer and commercial loans, mainly working with small businesses, real estate, and agriculture customers.

Gateway is an Oklahoma company with roots that go back 23 years, said Gateway Regional Banking President Kyle Hubbard. I lived and worked in the Bartlesville community for over 20 years. Bartlesville is a great place, full of terrific people and Im excited for Gateway to expand into this local community.

Hubbard is a former banking executive and market president in Bartlesville and is still a board member of his alma mater, Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

Gateway and Regent leadership have worked closely over the years to assist customers and the community in joint projects.

Last summer, Gateway approached Regent about assuming the banking center lease and acquiring local Bartlesville customers. With a contract now signed, the two banking teams will work closely to achieve a seamless transition for customers, with Regent closing one day and Gateway opening the next.

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Regent will continue to offer servicing after the transition on some of the loans made in the local community. Both banks will notify customers with further details closer to the August transition date.

We are very proud of our Bartlesville team, and we love the people of Bartlesville. This transition just made strategic sense for both organizations, said Sean Kouplen, Chairman and CEO of Regent Bank. I have close relationships with Gateways leadership, and I feel very good about the cultural fit for our employees and clients.

The unique mural on the bank building reflects a community filled with early Oklahoma history, so it is fitting for Gateway to operate in a building that represents Oklahoma so well, officials said in a news release.

In 2019, Gateway Mortgage merged with a 100-year-old community bank named Farmers Exchange Bank. As an Oklahoma-based company with local ownership and management, Gateways leadership has long had a great appreciation for Oklahomas state history, the release said.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Gateway First Bank to acquire Bartlesville's Regent Bank branch
Tech layoffs and a precarious economy are driving Gen Z to apply to what they see as more stable industries, like retail and finance. Taiyou Nomachi/Getty Images

Upcoming college graduates aren't as interested in Big Tech jobs, a Handshake survey found.

They're submitting job applications to retail, finance, and manufacturing industries instead.

Searches for big tech brands dropped nearly 15% compared to the previous year's class, per the survey.

Upcoming college graduates are less interested in jobs in Big Tech, a recent Handshake survey found. Instead, students say they're prioritizing stability and well-paying positions by submitting job applications to retail, finance, and manufacturing industries.

Tech layoffs and a precarious economy, concerns about the impacts of new AI technologies, and conflicting opinions over hybrid work arrangements are all front-of-mind issues for this recent class. Amid these changes in the workplace, Gen Z is focusing on stable employment  a main reason the latest graduating class is showing less interest in Big Tech, according to data from Handshake, a college student career site.

For its survey, Handshake polled 954 students from the class of 2023 in March and analyzed search traffic data. The career site found searches from the class of 2023 for Big Tech brands dropped nearly 15% compared to the previous year's class.

Instead, the class of 2023 is searching for companies in retail, finance, and manufacturing. Raytheon, Nike, Toyota, Chevron, Capital One, Bank of America, and NASA were among some of the companies that saw surges in search traffic.

Handshake

After noticing the wave of layoffs across the tech industry, this class has shifted their focus to securing positions that provide a sense of stability, Christine Cruzvergara, Handshake's chief education strategy officer, said in a statement to Insider.

The dip in interest in tech brands also signals their "efforts to explore new industries and companies that can offer them solid benefits, secure career paths, and give them the level of stability that they've been craving," Cruzvergara said.

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That doesn't mean graduating students are setting aside tech altogether. Nearly 3 out of 4 graduates said they want to develop new tech skills within the next few years. And most of this class already has some experience with tech skills: 85% of these graduates said they have experience in at least one tech skill, like data analysis or information technology.

This contrasts with findings from a ResumeBuilder.com survey from last month, which reported nearly 74% of managers and business leaders think Gen Z is the most challenging group to work with. In that survey, 40% of managers said those challenges stemmed from a lack of technological skills among Gen Z workers.

These skills could help them keep up with the changes in their fields due to generative AI  a topic that was on the mind's of these graduates. Less than half of respondents to the Handshake survey said they were worried about how these generative AI tools would impact their careers, but 60% admitted they expected this tech would impact their fields within the next decade

They also want their jobs to be at least partly in-person  and believe that this in-office face-time would help benefit their careers. Seven out of 10 respondents said they wanted to work in a hybrid work environment, and very few said they wanted to work entirely remote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A law granting welfare benefits to pregnant women was among a package of a dozen health-related bills signed into law in Georgia Tuesday.

Were taking important steps to improve access to and quality of health care, Gov. Brian Kemp said during a signing ceremony inside the Georgia Capitol.

Federal law currently allows low-income pregnant women to receive cash aid through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, but Georgia law does not. The General Assembly overwhelmingly passed House Bill 129 to rectify that.

Kemp pledged in his State of the State address in January to push for legislation extending TANF benefits to pregnant women. The bill was introduced by freshman state Rep. Soo Hong, R-Lawrenceville, one of the governors floor leaders in the House.

The other health-care bills Kemp signed Tuesday include:

 House Bill 85, which requires insurance companies to cover biomarker testing if supported by medical and scientific evidence.

 House Bill 383, increasing penalties for assaulting a health-care worker.

 House Bill 295, beefing up consumer protections against surprise billing.

 Senate Bill 46, requiring testing of all pregnant women for HIV and syphilis.

 Senate Bill 106, creating a three-year pilot program providing coverage for remote maternal clinical health services.

 Senate Bill 223, requiring reimbursements of expenses incurred by patients participating in cancer clinical trials.
A man, who fled from Flagler County deputies after robbing a gas station in Palm Coast early on Friday and was later shot approximately eight times at a convenience store in Kingsland, Georgia is "still alive" police said, and facing charges.

Qwinntavus Kwame Jordan, 32, of Douglas, Georgia, was charged with armed robbery by Flagler County deputies for robbing a convenience store in Palm Coast before fleeing to Georgia, stealing a car, ramming it into another convenience store, and getting shot.

As far as we know at this time, Jordan is still alive, said Flagler County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Ava Hanner. No further details on his condition were available.

'Dont make me pull it out'

Flagler sheriffs deputies said that at 3:11 a.m. on Friday, Jordan, armed, robbed the Circle K at 6125 East State Road 100 in Palm Coast.

Jordan demanded all the money from the cash register and when the clerk asked him if he was joking, Jordan said Dont make me pull it out, pointing to his waistband. The clerk gave him $90, investigators said.

Palm Coast gas station robbed Volusia man charged in armed robbery of Mobil gas station in Palm Coast

Palm Coast bank robbed Suspect in Palm Coast bank robbery identified

In addition to the money, Jordan stole two bottles of Gatorade, a bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos, 15 Black & Mild cigars, and two packs of Swisher Sweets cigars, according to his arrest report.

As he was leaving, Jordan ordered the clerk to activate a gas pump and stole $44 in premium gas to fill up his 2012 Ford Focus, investigators said.

Jordan fled but deputies quickly spotted him at State Road 100 and Old Kings Road where he made a U-turn and headed toward Interstate 95. Jordan then got on I-95 fleeing north, deputies said.

Shoots at deputies, hits civilian's car

As he escaped Flagler County, deputies from St. Johns and Jacksonville sheriff's offices joined the pursuit.

During the pursuit, it appeared Jordan fired at the deputies but hit a motorist's vehicle instead, authorities said.

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"The civilian described that she was in the middle lane on I-95 between the suspect vehicle and a law enforcement vehicle and that after the suspect side-swiped her vehicle, she heard a loud bang. A bullet hole was subsequently located on the drivers side of her vehicle, Jordans arrest report noted.

Jordan refused to stop and continued to flee entering Nassau County where deputies opted not to pursue him, his arrest report states.

A Florida Highway Patrol Agriculture Trooper then reported that Jordan crossed the state line into Georgia.

By 4 a.m., Jordan was in Kingsland, Georgia, where the Kingsland Police Department set up stop sticks at the state line. Police lost sight of Jordan after deploying the stop sticks but later discovered he had crashed into a ditch, authorities said.

Steals a car

At 4:20 a.m. Jordan stole a car at the Friendly Express convenience store at 1310 Boone Street in Kingsland, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that is assisting the Kingsland Police Department.

Jordan drove off but for some reason returned, ramming the vehicle into the stores entrance. He went inside the store and found the store clerk and a customer hiding in a back room, bureau investigators said.

Jordan pointed his gun at the customer and the clerk, but the clerk who had armed himself, shot Jordan. He was taken to a hospital, Georgia investigators said. Georgia investigators said criminal charges are pending against Jordan.

The Flagler County Sheriffs Office said Jordan had four arrest warrants in Coffee County for armed robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm/knife during the commission of a crime.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Georgia man faces criminal charges after getting shot
BERLIN (Reuters) - German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday called for a global target for the expansion of renewable energies.

Speaking at the start of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Baerbock said the G7 had already set such targets, but that there should be globally-binding goals for the expansion of wind and solar energy.

Representatives of more than 40 countries are coming together in Berlin this week as part of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in order to discuss further steps towards achieving climate goals enshrined in the 2015 Paris agreement.

Alongside Germany, the United Arab Emirates is hosting the next global climate conference, COP28, from November 30 to December 10 in Dubai.

The climate dialogue is considered preparation for the conference. Among the participants is Washington's special envoy for climate, John Kerry.

(Reporting by Alexander Ratz, Writing by Friederike Heine; editing by Matthias Williams)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz heads to Ethiopia and Kenya, hoping to strike clean energy partnerships

Chancellor Olaf Scholz heads Thursday to East Africa, seeking clean energy partnerships particularly with "trailblazer" Kenya where 90 percent of power needs are covered by renewables.

Scholz's government sees great potential in achieving energy and climate partnerships with Nairobi, a government source said.

Kenya is already Germany's biggest trading partner from East Africa and is planning to fully cover its energy needs with renewables by 2030.

Geothermal power is key in Kenya's energy mix and offers "excellent conditions" for the production of green hydrogen.

"The hope is that green hydrogen could eventually be imported from Kenya," added the German government source.

Scholz will be visiting a geothermal power plant at Lake Naivasha on Saturday.

German leaders have over the last months been sealing energy deals with a wide variety of countries after it was forced to rapidly wean itself off cheap Russian energy imports following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

For Scholz's government, Kenya plays a role as an "important economic and value partner".

The relationship is more complex with Ethiopia, where Scholz will begin his three-day trip.

The country slipped into a civil war in 2020, when the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked military installations in the Tigray, triggering a major counter-offensive.

Scholz, who is due to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday, aims to "acknowledge and support the progress made in the peace process that began in November, but at the same time call for further steps".

In particular, focus will be on "grave human rights violations" that Scholz will seek to raise.

In Addis Ababa, the German chancellor will also visit the headquarters of the African Union, which is currently mediating in the Sudan crisis.

This week's trip marks the second time that the chancellor is visiting Africa since taking office in December 2021.

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The tour underlines the strategic importance of the continent and the efforts undertaken by Western states to counter China and Russia's overtures to the region.

Scholz will seek to rectify Russian propaganda justifying its war on Ukraine as a result of NATO's expansion zeal.

With an eye on China's huge economic investments in Africa, Scholz will also seek to "offer political and economic cooperation on equal terms," the government source said.

pw-hmn/dlc/kjm
A massive seaweed bloom expected to grow to record proportions before peaking in June is assaulting Florida beaches in hit or miss fashion depending on the way the wind blows.

An April sargassum forecast by the University of South Florida found mats of seaweed clogging the Caribbean Sea last month in amounts higher than previous Aprils, but the Gulf of Mexico's seaweed proliferation was below top levels.

The monthly sargassum report, which found 3 million tons of the pelagic flora in the Caribbean Sea, shows its growth spurt reaching its pinnacle in June before starting to dissipate.

USF oceanography professor Chuanmin Hu said sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico was in the high range at about the 75th percentile compared to years dating back to 2011.

Live look at beaches: Florida beach live webcams show surf, waves, sargassum seaweed conditions

What we know about the massive bloom: Sargassum aside, this seaweed is nothing to scoff at

It isn't pretty, but it's just seaweed: Sargassum bloom not all bad as it creates habitat, absorbs carbon. Here's what you should know

Where is the sargassum in Florida?

And while some South Florida beaches have been hit by seaweed incursions this spring, recent offshore winds have left many on the east coast free of the itchy plant, which can release a stinky hydrogen sulfide gas when it decays.

That doesn't mean beaches that are clean today will be that way tomorrow.

"You are going to have more in the coming weeks," Hu said about southeast Florida beaches. "There is a large amount in the lower Florida Keys and it will travel up the east coast."

From 2019: World's largest sargassum bloom, why it's probably here to stay

More: Change in giant sargassum blob offers 'glimmer of hope' but Florida could get hit in March

The 2023 sargassum bloom, possibly the largest on record, is expected to peak in June but could continue to wash ashore for weeks or months past the peak date.

Once in the Gulf of Mexico, sargassum can get entrained in the loop current which runs through the Florida straits and becomes the north-flowing Gulf Stream current.

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But how much sargassum lands on Florida beaches or along the immediate coast depends on winds. An easterly breeze, or onshore flow, can blow it toward the coast, causing it to stack up in piles that can be waist-high in some areas.

"Offshore of Palm Beach, there is no doubt that you will have a lot of sargassum in the coming weeks, but on the beach it could be a different story," Hu said.

How long will the sargassum seaweed last in Florida?

Sargassum piles up in the ocean and on the beach next to the Boynton Inlet jetty in August 2019.

The natural growing season for sargassum is during spring months and the total amount of seaweed is expected to increase in May and then peak in June.

Hu said the past few months' growth of sargassum has not been a surprise, but researchers were taken aback in January, which was the second consecutive month that the amount of sargassum in the Atlantic doubled.

"We knew from there it would get bigger and bigger, and that's what's happened," Hu said.

April 2023 satellite image of sargassum in the tropical Atlantic. The darker red and orange colors indicate heavier densities.

Where did sargassum come from? What - or who - is most likely to blame for the bounty of sargassum that keeps coming?

Impact on beaches: Will Florida's beaches lose national rankings because of sargassum?

Worldwide mystery: What are those things the oceans been dumping on Palm Beach?

An upwelling of cool water that brings nutrients from the bottom of the ocean to feed the sargassum may be to blame for the winter growth, but Hu said that's just speculation at this point.

A total measurement of the Great Atlantic Sargassum belt, which stretches from the coast of Africa into the Gulf of Mexico, was difficult last month because of cloud cover, Hu said. Last year was a record-breaker for the total amount of sargassum, with it reaching a peak of 22 million tons in July. Hu said 2023 could be another major sargassum year, possibly surpassing 2022.

Is sargassum harmful?

Sargassum is a lifeline for fish nurseries, hungry migratory birds and sea turtle hatchlings seeking shelter in its buoyant saltwater blooms. But in mass quantities, it chokes life from canals, clogs boat propellers and is a killjoy at the beach, piling up several feet deep like a rotting bog emitting hydrogen sulfide as it decomposes.

While sargassum can help turtle hatchlings once they hit the water, high mounds on the beach are a barrier to them reaching it.

It's generally safe to swim in, but can turn the water an uninviting brown and be uncomfortable when it scratches against your skin.

Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Seaweed sargassum blob in Florida is growing: Updates on the bloom
By Blake Brittain

(Reuters) - Gilead Sciences Inc is headed to trial in Delaware federal court this week to fight claims that it owes the U.S. government a share of multibillion-dollar profits from its HIV-prevention drug regimen.

The government is seeking more than $1 billion from Gilead for allegedly failing to compensate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for discovering that Gilead's HIV-treatment drug Truvada could help prevent the disease.

Jury selection starts on Tuesday in the case, which marks one of the first times the U.S. government has sued a drug maker to enforce its patent rights.

Foster City, California-based Gilead collaborated with the CDC in the mid-2000s to test if Truvada could prevent HIV as well as treat it.

The government received four patents for HIV prevention drug regimens that CDC researchers invented. Its lawsuit claims the patents also cover Gilead's pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug regimen for lowering HIV infection risk.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Gilead's Truvada for HIV prevention in 2012 and approved its related drug Descovy for the same purpose in 2019.

Gilead made more than $2 billion last year from worldwide sales of Truvada and Descovy, according to a company report. Descovy, which earned Gilead over $1.8 billion last year, is its fourth-best selling drug behind the HIV drugs Biktarvy and Genvoya and COVID-19 treatment Veklury.

The federal government sued Gilead for patent infringement in 2019, claiming Gilead "exaggerated" its role in developing PrEP, ignored the CDC's contributions and refused to license the CDC's patents.

Gilead has denied the allegations and argued the patents are invalid. In parallel to the jury trial, Delaware U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika will separately consider Gilead's argument that the patents are unenforceable based on government misconduct.

Another court decided in a separate lawsuit last year that the government breached research agreements with Gilead by applying for the patents without giving sufficient notice.

The damages in that case have not yet been determined but could offset any award the government wins in the infringement lawsuit.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by David Bario and Josie Kao)
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is living her best life on the steps of the Met, just months after ending a 13-year marriage to football player Tom Brady.

Bundchen walked the red-but-actually-white carpet at the 2023 Met Gala in a stunning vintage white Chanel gown.

She told hosts of Vogue's red carpet show the dress was from an editorial she'd done with the late designer and theme of the event, Karl Lagerfeld.

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating

Bundchen and Brady, who raised three children together, announced their split in October 2022.

With much gratitude for our time together, Tom and I have amicably finalized our divorce, the Brazilian supermodel wrote in an announcement on her Instagram Story. My priority has always been and will continue to be our children whom I love with all my heart.

Wearing a feathered gown, Bundchen looked free as a bird at the 2023 Met Gala. The dress seemed to echo imagery from her recent Vanity Fair profile, the first extensive interview she's done since her divorce.

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating

The profile opens with the image of Bundchen cupping a wounded bird at her Costa Rican home.

The writer later describes Bundchen caring for the bird and giving it "a little reiki," before wondering if it will fly again.

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating

At the 2023 Met Gala, Bundchen is her own flying bird.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
(Bloomberg) -- US trade officials have solicited the advice of lobbyists for Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and other major technology companies to help craft the new Indo-Pacific trade framework.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Officials with the US Trade Representative invited Amazon and Google lobbyists early last year to meet personally with Sarah Bianchi, the deputy trade representative, according to emails obtained by Senator Elizabeth Warren and shared with Bloomberg News.

That gave the companies insight into the confidential talks long before the public knew about the 14-nation economic initiative, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.

We wanted to speak with experts like yourself to get your thoughts and feedback on our Indo-Pacific Economic Framework strategy and to further discuss the digital element of the strategy, an assistant to Bianchi wrote in an email to Google.

The emails were obtained by the advocacy group Demand Progress via a public-records request and shared with Warrens office. Warrens office issued a report on the ties between the big tech companies and USTR as advocates increasingly scrutinize corporate influence over digital trade policy.

The lobbyists had worked in the Trade Representatives office.

Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said the emails show that the Biden administrations trade representatives are continuing to coordinate with large tech companies despite President Joe Bidens promises to make workers and consumers a priority in setting trade policy.

Big Tech companies and their army of lobbyists, including former government officials, are secretly trying to undermine President Bidens trade policy and his committment to promote competition, Warren said in a statement.

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In a January 2022 email to Amazon, a USTR official requested multiple meetings between Bianchi and Michael Punke and Jennifer Prescott, members of Amazons government affairs team and former USTR officials, to get to know them better. Punke had been a deputy trade representative and ambassador to the World Trade Organization, while Prescott was an assistant trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources.

Bianchis staff emailed to set up an additional meeting with Amazon lobbyist Arrow Augerot, previously deputy assistant for congressional affairs at USTR, in February. And Bianchis staff in February contacted Google Cloud lobbyist Behnaz Kibria, another former USTR official, to request an off-the-record meeting to get feedback on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

The trade talks are well underway, although the framework has not yet been released to the public. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is to meet with the Senate Finance Committee behind closed doors later on Tuesday to discuss the trade deal, according to a person familiar with the briefing.

Another round of talks is set to begin next week in Singapore. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the negotiations could produce results by the end of the year. The framework is intended to strengthen US trade relationships in the region and represents the most significant American economic engagement since Donald Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017. Participants include Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and Indonesia.

Progressive lawmakers are concerned that language in the US proposal related to digital trade could undermine artificial intelligence, privacy and competition regulations. In an April 21 letter, Warren and lawmakers in both the House and Senate said the draft could tie Congresss and regulators hands, citing how similar language in the US-Canada trade deal has emerged in debates about digital regulations under consideration in Canada.

Countries including Japan, South Korea and Australia have been leaders on regulation related to the tech giants.

The emails released by Warrens office on Tuesday reveal close ties between current USTR officials and former officials who left to work at big tech companies. A USTR official in June 2021 asked for Punkes availability to meet with Tai in your personal capacity to discuss your time in Geneva and how you approached the job.

In July 2021, Tai personally thanked Karan Bhatia, global head of public policy and government affairs for Google, for his ability to be candid in a private meeting.

They also show that USTR reached out to South Korean government officials about legislation intended to pare back the power of Apple Inc. and Googles app stores.

Bhatia in August 2021 emailed Tai about Googles concerns with the South Korean legislation, adding we would be grateful for your attention to this issue and for raising those concerns with the Korean government. Tai wrote back within a few days, agreeing to touch base with my counterpart(s) in Seoul, and promising to make sure we and our teams are in touch with any insights we are able to glean.

Amazon, Google and tech industry-backed groups like the Computer & Communications Industry Association have hired former USTR officials to work on trade policy. Jonathan McHale, a former deputy assistant US trade representative for ICT services and digital trade, was hired by CCIA in June 2022. The year before, McHale told Google lobbyists it would be good to know what you think the best response would be to issues that could arise in negotiations with Mexico.

Amazon communicates with officials across the government, said spokeswoman Julia Lawless. Like many other American companies with significant domestic investments and job creation, we advocate on issues that are important to our customers and our sellers.

CCIA didnt comment on any communication with USTR, but President Matt Schruers said that that failing to address the benefits of the digital economy in IPEF would be a lost opportunity.

Google has very publicly advocated for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to include strong digital trade provisions that ensure digital technologies are widely accessible, and that support privacy, security, and trust in cross-border data flows, said spokesman Jose Castaneda.

(Updates with Google comment in final paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Brazil Justice Minister Flavio Dino accused Google of "manipulating" search results

The Brazilian government accused Google Tuesday of "deceitful and abusive propaganda" against a bill to tackle disinformation online, ordering the US tech giant to stay out of the debate or label its positions as advertising.

The row came as lawmakers in Brazil's lower house prepared to vote on the so-called "fake news bill" -- dubbed the "censorship bill" by critics -- which aims to make tech companies regulate disinformation, hate speech and violent content on their platforms.

Brazil's National Consumer Protection Bureau ordered Google, which has criticized the bill, to label as "advertising" messages on its site warning the legislation could "make your internet worse" and "increase confusion about what is true or false in Brazil."

The bureau gave the company two hours to balance that with "counter-propaganda" or face a fine of one million reais ($200,000) an hour.

Justice Minister Flavio Dino accused Google of "manipulating" search results to display content opposed to the bill more prominently -- a charge the company denied.

"No one should be manipulating Brazilians' freedom of expression," Dino told a news conference, accusing Google of abusing its platform to promote its own position.

Addressing the same conference, consumer protection secretary Wadih Damous announced a series of measures against what he called Google's "deceitful and abusive propaganda."

Google's Brazilian home page had prominently displayed a message against the bill, linking to a blog post by the company's public policy director, Marcelo Lacerda.

Lacerda warned of "undesirable consequences" of the bill, including inadvertently protecting those who spread disinformation, by preventing companies from implementing their own terms of use.

The link to the blog was removed from Google's Brazilian home page Tuesday. A Google spokeswoman told AFP it had been scheduled to expire anyway, saying the decision was not related to the government's measures.

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The bill, which has already passed the Senate, was introduced three years ago -- one in a series of efforts worldwide to grapple with the flood of misinformation online.

It shot to prominence more recently, after supporters of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro invaded the halls of power in Brasilia on January 8, allegedly egged on by social media disinformation claiming their candidate's 2022 election loss to leftist successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was fraudulent.

Bolsonaro attacked the bill Monday in an interview with conservative news site Revista Oeste, calling it "the beginning of the end of our freedom."

jhb/tjj
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pulled out all the stops last week to move a debt ceiling bill through the House, twisting arms, modifying language and cutting last-minute deals with leery Republicans to send the package to the Senate by the narrowest of margins.

That might have been the easy part.

The next step  finding a bill that can win support from House Republicans and President Biden, and by the June 1 date set by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday  will be a much heavier lift.

Its a challenge that will test McCarthys ability to work across the aisle for the sake of preventing a government default, while keeping the confidence of conservatives in his conference who expect him to hold a hard line on federal spending and deficit reduction.

Im sure its going to be tougher, said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a McCarthy critic-turned-ally who backed the Republicans debt limit package.

Treasury announced Monday that the government will exhaust the ability to pay all of its obligations as early as June 1  even sooner than many lawmakers and economists expected  lending a heightened sense of urgency for both parties to set aside their differences.

For House Republicans, the passage of their debt ceiling package was the opening bid in that effort, and it marked a hard-fought victory for McCarthy and his leadership team, who spent the better part of a week scrambling to convince GOP holdouts to back the bill. It moved through the House on Wednesday by a marginal vote of 217-215, with four Republican defections  the most they could spare.

The vote lends Republicans new leverage in the debt ceiling fight by removing the Democrats argument that GOP leaders have no plan to tackle deficit spending. But exactly how much leverage remains an open question.

Biden, who is demanding a clean hike, hasnt budged from that position. The Republican proposal is dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate, where legislation to lift the borrowing cap to prevent a default will require bipartisan buy-in and will look very different if and when it returns to the House.

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Indeed, some lawmakers in both parties are already anticipating Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has worked with Biden on high-stakes budget deals in years past, will step off the sidelines to help negotiate a bipartisan debt limit compromise that would originate in the Senate.

Those political dynamics may soon present McCarthy with a dilemma unique to the new Congress, where conservatives are dead set against any effort to water down their deficit-reduction demands and any one of them can launch a vote of no confidence against the Speaker.

It will be more difficult, and therein lies the problem. Because both sides created this problem, said Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who opposed the initial House bill until McCarthy promised to work with her on longer-term efforts to cut away at the nations $31.4 trillion debt.

For the Speaker, those difficulties will come from several directions.

Most obviously, McCarthy is facing pressure from the right to preserve the $4.8 trillion in deficit reduction included in the House debt limit proposal, while Biden, from the left, is refusing to negotiate on the debt limit at all. The president instead wants to eliminate the threat of default as a standalone issue, reserving discussions of deficit reduction for a separate debate on future government funding, which will demand action before Oct. 1.

Im happy to meet with McCarthy, but not on whether or not the debt limit gets extended. Thats not negotiable, Biden said last week.

Less evident is the lingering internal threat facing McCarthy, who agreed to alter House rules in January to make it easier for disgruntled rank-and-file lawmakers to topple a sitting Speaker.

That change could be an outsized factor in the debate in a chamber where some conservatives are pressing McCarthy to keep any more moderate proposals off the floor, where they could pass with help from Democrats.

Im not interested in anything coming back  anything but what we voted on, said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).

No Republican has yet threatened to vacate the chair if McCarthy were to allow an unpopular debt ceiling hike to pass on a floor he controls. But the prospect hovers, and some lawmakers are already predicting one scenario in which the Speaker is presented with a thankless choice: saving the economy or his job.

What Im confident about from the conversations that Ive had is that there are enough  let me pick my words carefully here  but serious Republicans who would vote for a package that was agreed upon by Mitch McConnell, Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), head of the New Democrat Coalition, told reporters Friday. And I think, then, Kevin McCarthy may have the biggest decision in his tenure.

Some lawmakers are lamenting that politics have devolved to the point that such speculation is even being contemplated.

If the fear of losing the gavel overrides the consequences of defaulting on our debt, thats the saddest commentary Ive ever heard about American politics, said Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.).

Phillips, a member of the moderate Problem Solvers Caucus, is urging the sides to come together on a deficit-reduction plan, but he also supports Bidens position of divorcing those talks from the debt limit debate.

The ceiling should not be negotiable right now, he said. But there has to be a negotiation on the budget.

As Congress rushes closer to June 1, McCarthys allies are racing to his defense, noting the Speaker has repeatedly disproven the skeptics.

I just continue to hear that: Speaker McCarthy cant get this done, he cant get that done, he cant even get elected Speaker. And I think at every turn hes exceeded expectations, said Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), head of the Main Street Caucus.

I believe hes going to be able to get a strong conservative product, have the president come to the table, and ultimately, were going to be able to get something that puts us in the right direction.

Johnson also rejected the notion that a bipartisan debt ceiling bill will be a tougher endeavor than the Republicans partisan proposal, for the simple reason that some Democrats would be on board.

When you can pull from 435 members, it is easier to get 218, he said.

More conservative Republicans are warning that theyll oppose anything that doesnt take aggressive steps toward deficit and debt reduction.

Id like to see real debt reduction, not statements like, Were seeing the rate of growth decline in our debt, said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who was among the four Republicans to oppose the GOP bill last week. Thats a suckers bet.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Age isnt just a number in 2024  its also proving to be a major campaign weapon wielded by Republicans trying to recapture the White House.

The main target is President Biden, who at 80 years old is the oldest president in history running for reelection. But hes not the only Democrat drawing attacks.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), 89, has been absent due to illnesses, prompting calls by younger Democrats to step down, while giving GOP candidate Nikki Haley, 51, an opportunity to buttress her campaign call for political mental competency tests.

The attacks illustrate how the GOP sees age as a way to defeat Biden in 2024, even as its party is led by a 76-year-old in former President Trump and an 81-year-old in Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).

Haleys call for mandatory mental competency tests for politicians older than 75 was seen as a clear jab at Trump and Biden. The former South Carolina governor has specifically called on politicians to take the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is defined as a brief, 30-question test that helps health care professionals detect cognitive impairments very early on.

On Monday, Haley called on Feinstein to resign in a Fox News op-ed as her team also released a video on the issue.

Whats incredible is how the Washington establishment continues to cover for those who likely lack the mental acuity to do their job, Haley wrote in the op-ed.

Haley last week said that Biden would not make it to 86 years old  his age at the end of a second full term. Its a way of telling voters that if they vote for Biden, theyre really casting a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, 58.

This uncertainty about Bidens mental competence means Americans must consider the actual competency of the vice president, Haley wrote in the op-ed, calling Harris one of the most incompetent elected officials in the country.

Its not only a line of attack from Haley.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who is expected to run for the Republican presidential nomination, said in an interview with Fox News last week that a Harris presidency would be a scary proposition.

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The only thing worse than a Joe Biden presidency is a Kamala Harris presidency, he added.

Biden knows the attacks are coming and has sought to make light of them, cracking jokes at the weekend White House Correspondents Association dinner.

You call me old? I call it being seasoned. You say Im ancient? I say Im wise. You say Im over the hill? Don Lemon would say thats a man in his prime, Biden quipped on Saturday, referring to the former CNN host who faced controversy for saying Haley wasnt in her prime.

Biden also signaled he sees a double standard in his treatment.

I get that age is a completely reasonable issue. Its on everybodys mind. And everyone, by everyone I mean the New York Times. Headline: Bidens advanced age is a big issue. Trumps, however, is not, Biden said.

Republicans constantly bash the president for showing his age, signaling they think its something on the mind of voters.

GOP strategist Doug Heye said its not an issue that is going away, and that while Trump is only four years younger than Biden, the fact Biden appears older is a problem.

Trump is behind Biden so theres that fact and, yes, every individual is different, he said. But also, whatever argument people make against Trump, and I certainly make a lot of them, his lack of stamina is not one of them.

Trump is the GOP frontrunner, but other GOP candidates or would-be candidates are decidedly younger than Biden and Trump.

Haley is 51, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is 44. Scott is 57, while former Vice President Mike Pence is 63. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is the youngest in the field at 37.

Ramaswamy is the first millennial Republican to run for president, something he and his campaign have highlighted since he announced his bid earlier this year. However, his campaign says Ramaswamy is not campaigning on his age.

Its less of a factor of age, its more of a factor of vision and acuity, and right now, clearly Joe Biden does not have the mental capacity to be commander in chief currently or for another four years, said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy.

Democrats have coalesced around Biden, who does not have a formidable primary challenger. Younger Democrats who took him on in 2020 have decided against doing so in this cycle.

At the same time, the age of some leaders and their perceived unwillingness to move on has been a theme in Democratic political circles in recent years  most notably in the House, where former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last fall decided to step down from leadership.

Feinstein is now under pressure to resign amid a series of health ailments.

McConnell has stayed in his position as the GOP leader in the Senate, though he was recently absent after being injured in a fall.

Republicans using age as a weapon against Democrats in 2024 could be a risky strategy, given their own octogenarian members and the possibility it could annoy some older voters.

But one GOP strategist brushed off such concerns, saying it would come down to who voters saw as competent.

Im from a state that elected Strom Thurmond and Fritz Hollings, said Stroman, referring to the late South Carolina Republican and Democrat who were the longest-serving Senate duo in history.

Im happy electing a competent person in their 90s if theyre competent, Stroman continued. I dont think it is always about age, and I think that was what Nikki Haley was arguing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Why isnt Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asking how an illegal immigrant accused of shooting and killing five people, including a child, got an AR-15-style rifle?

That should be top priority for the governor, who clearly only cares about the legal status of the suspected gunman and the victims of this heinous crime.

Francisco Oropeza, 38, is the man accused of killing his neighbors over the weekend after he was asked to stop firing rounds in his yard in Cleveland, Texas. Authorities said Oropeza used an AR-15-style rifle in the killing spree.

Law enforcement authorities removing bodies from a scene where five people were shot the night before Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Cleveland, TX.

Abbott is going all-out to catch the guy, offering a $50,000 reward and deploying every available resource to the manhunt  as he should. Additional money from other law enforcement agencies has added to the reward.

But what seems to matter most to the governor is not the loss of human lives but rather labeling the gunman and the victims as illegal immigrants. He noted as much in a tweet and a news release about the reward.

I saw the Louisville shooting happen. What we're doing now on gun violence isn't working.

The violence is our problem, too: Americans kidnapped in Mexico is a wake-up call for all of us

Texas shooting is a chance to play politics

Abbott doesnt waste any opportunity to capitalize on the anti-immigrant sentiment  and this time is no exception.

This is despicable, Star Trek actor George Takei wrote on Twitter. I would have thought bringing up the immigration status of the innocent victims of this senseless violence would be beneath even you. But I was wrong.

This is despicable. I would have thought bringing up the immigration status of the innocent victims of this senseless violence would be beneath even you. But I was wrong.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 30, 2023

Despicable, indeed. And not only because the illegal status of the victims may turn out to be untrue  some were reporting that at least one of the victims wasnt in the country illegally  but because Abbott is politicizing the whole thing.

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If the governor truly cares about the immigration status of the people involved in this Texas shooting, he should also be angry that an illegal immigrant obtained an AR-15-style rifle in the first place.

But no mention of that.

How did Oropeza get the firearms if he had no legal documents? Abbott doesnt care about that or about the lives he cut short  obviously.

Elvia Diaz is editorial page editor for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Reach her at elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Abbott should focus on Texas shooting victims, not immigration status
A warning sign outside a home in Cleveland, Texas, where a shooting took place Sunday. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

On Sunday, police in Texas say , a 38-year-old man in a Houston suburb gunned down a neighboring family. He had been firing shots in his yard, and they asked him to move farther from their home because their baby was asleep. Gone are Sonia Argentina Guzman, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, Julisa Molina Rivera, Jose Jonathan Casarez and Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, who turned 9 in January.

This pushes us to more than 180 mass shootings in the U.S. this year. There have also been about 6,000 gun homicides so far.

Gun violence has become such a normal part of American life that we have different terms to describe the various forms the way ancient Greece had multiple words for love or Eskimos for snow. Our shootings? We have: mass, police, drive-by, school, workplace and on and on.

To enter the vernacular, a term must describe something that is both widely known and frequently encountered. In 2023 America, the search is on for a word to describe shot for ringing the wrong doorbell.

Author Rita Mae Brown has said: Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going. So what does our morbid gun violence taxonomy say about where we are going?

Or with near-constant shootings, have we already arrived?

Sadly after moments like Sundays shooting in Texas, our language has gravitated more toward nonsense than nuance.

Elected officials speak of senseless violence, as if the senseless kind were the outlier. In fact it is sensible violence that has been proved to be the rarity. Gun advocates push the phrase good guy with a gun, even though civilians end mass shootings fewer than 3% of the time .

Many will talk about gun restriction, either for or against it, but what can that possibly mean in a land where guns outnumber people?

Leaders send out their thoughts and prayers. Once a sign of compassion, now a phrase that shows the speaker is putting in no thought at all, just reflexively using religion as a cover for inaction.

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A deflection like now is not the time pretends to honor victims but ultimately just makes more of them. Mass shootings are so common in our country that under this pretense of respect for the recently killed, it is usually not the time to talk about gun violence.

Hearing how we talk about mass shootings today, you would think this reality had been imposed on us like weather, not chosen repeatedly at the polls. But Americans have continued to elect candidates who bow to the National Rifle Assn. and enthusiastically misconstrue the 2nd Amendment.

Candidates like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The day after that shooting, he wasnt calling for tighter gun laws. He was calling the slain family illegal immigrants. His attempt to change the subject failed. Because even though Americans have put his ilk in office too many times, weve also seen far too many innocent people die in a hail of bullets  and were sick of the bloodshed.

When San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers spoke about the boy who was killed Sunday, he got emotional.

I dont care if he was here legally. I dont care if he was here illegally. He was in my county, he said. Five people died in my county, and that is where my heart is  in my county, protecting my people to the best of our ability.

Capers words hark back to a time when the nation mourned the victims of mass shootings for an interval before turning them into political fodder. Back when such headlines were unusual. Shocking.

It feels as though even our extensive American vocabulary for gun violence cant keep up with 2023. Some are school. Some workplace. One in a dance studio in Monterey Park . Different circumstances and yet painfully familiar, hence our dark and twisted vocabulary.

Capers words are a reminder that cold classification and callow deflection are not the only possible responses. The more that leaders and voters can hold to that kind of compassion, the greater the chance that recent bloodshed will bring a familiar word back into our national vocabulary for gun violence: Enough!

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Texas Governor Greg Abbotts office walked back on the language used in a statement about the immigration status of victims in the Cleveland, Texas mass shooting.

Spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement provided to The Independent that the governors office regrets if the information they provided was incorrect or detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

The true focus remains on catching this heinous criminal who killed five innocent people and bringing the full weight of Texas law against him, Ms Eze said in the statement.

Over the weekend, Mr Abbott released a statement on his Twitter account and website addressing the mass shooting in which five innocent people were shot dead, allegedly by their neighbour.

However, the Texas governor faced backlash after describing both the suspected shooter and five victims as illegal immigrants. All five victims were from Honduras, though the husband of one of the victims said his wife was a permanent resident.

That information has not been verified by law enforcement.

Celebrities, former and current politicians and activists slammed Mr Abbott for referring to the victims as illegal immigrants believing it subtracted their value as people who were killed in the United States.

Ms Eze said in the statement that federal officials provided the state of Texas information on the criminal and the victims, including that they were in the country illegally. Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally.

The suspected shooter, Francisco Oropesa, is from Mexico and had been deported from the United States four times, a source within US Immigration and Customs Enforcement told The Independent.

Mr Oropesa is accused of walking into his neighbours home and opening fire with an automatic rifle-style firearm, killing five people including a nine-year-old boy.

As of now, over 200 members of law enforcement are searching for Mr Oropesa.

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Announcing a $50K reward for a @TxDPS top 10 fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants Friday night.



I also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout for the criminal and any attempts to flee the country.https://t.co/SLJcBRPrmO pic.twitter.com/2RWrSDkRBa  Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) April 30, 2023

Mr Abbotts office has contributed $50,000 to the $80,000 reward for information and tips leading to the arrest of Mr Oropesa.

In his statement announcing the reward, Mr Abbott said his offices hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the five victims that were taken in this senseless act of violence.
(Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns that the United States goverment could default as early as June 1 if Congress does not act quickly enough to pass an increase to the debt limit.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns government could default by June 1

The official's remarks have placed pressure on President Joe Biden's administration and other lawmakers to agree on a deal quickly

Democrats and Republicans are divided on how to approach the issue and have not started negotiations

On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the country's government could run out of funds to pay bills by June 1 if Congress does not take immediate actions to raise the debt limit.

Her remarks have pressured United States President Joe Biden's administration and other lawmakers to reach a deal that would stave off a default. Yellen's relatively specific warning over the timeframe that the US government could default reduces the amount of time lawmakers have to negotiate to raise the debt limit.

Janet Yellen Warns US Could Default by June 1

However, due to the Treasury Department secretary's warning, lawmakers from the House, Senate, and Biden himself may be forced to begin ironing things out. This comes amid a high-stakes standoff between the Democratic leader and House Republicans who demand raising the debt limit by including deep spending cuts, as per the New York Times.

On Monday, the president called for the top four leaders in Congress to request a meeting set on May 9, where they will discuss the country's fiscal issues. Biden reached out to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Mitch McConnell.

The situation comes as economists warn that failure to raise the debt limit would result in dire consequences for financial markets and could throw the global economy into chaos. Due to the US having a budget deficit, which means it is spending more than it is making, the government needs to borrow funds to pay its bills.

On top of paying for Social Security benefits, the government needs to have money for the salaries of military and government workers and make interest and other payments to the bondholders who own the debt.

Read Also: Transgender Legislator Zooey Zephyr Sues Montana House Republicans

Pressure to Negotiate a Debt Limit Agreement

In her Monday letter, Yellen said that federal cash flow is "inherently variable," meaning the US could default several weeks earlier than anticipated. According to Politico, the Treasury secretary added that Congress must act as soon as possible to increase or suspend the debt limit.

The Treasury Department's warning comes as cash from tax season has come in substantially lower than officials expected. The Congressional Budget Office has echoed Yellen's warning and said there is a "significantly greater risk" of a default coming in early June.

Technically, there is still a month between Yellen's warning letter and the earliest anticipated default date. However, congressional calendars shown on Monday revealed that there are only eight legislative days left this month when both House and Senate will be in session at the same time.

The situation could severely impact any efforts of lawmakers to negotiate on raising the debt limit that could gain enough support to pass in the GOP-led House and the Democrat-led Senate, said CNBC.

Related Article: Hunter Biden's Child Support Case Moves Forward

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Fox News

Being woke, the bane of many right-wing politicians and commentators, is apparently just as racist as advocating for white nationalism, Fox News host Greg Gutfeld argued Monday on The Five.

The Fox panel was reacting to Elon Musks chummy interview Friday with Bill Maher, in which the Twitter CEO once again explained his issues with what he dubbed the woke mind virus, mainly that it poses a threat to free speech.

Co-host Dana Perino, who not long ago admitted that being woke could mean different things to different people, began by voicing concerns about it stalling progress in the arts and in tech. Even Hollywood, she claimed, wants to pump the brakes on it.

Gutfled followed up by saying that there are signs that society is turning a corner on woke-ism, which is scary because the left always comes up with something worse.

Because woke-ism is so absurd, the most persuasive critics are progressives. People on the left, actually, are the people that everybody is believing because theyre going, Wow, these guys are destroying us, Gutfeld said. Its like when youre a conservative, you come out against white nationalism. And this is kind of the mirror image. Woke-ism is like that. In fact, I would argue that woke-ism is every bit as racist as white nationalism.

None of Gutfelds colleagues objected to his comparison. The discussion moved right along to Jesse Watters, who offered an analogy for the woke mind virus while acknowledging that he is not the most persuasive figure to supposedly help those affected by it.

If youve caught it, then you have your antibodies. Thats why you need the Democrats to help slow the spread, because this thing is transmissible, Watters said. If you have people like a Musk or like a Maher telling the left to knock it off, thats who theyre going to listen to. Theyre not going to listen to Jesse Watters. Youre only going to kill this virus if the Republicans and the Democrats unite to kill it.

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Lurking in the muck at a Pennsylvania wastewater treatment plant was a grinning creature that didnt belong.

Then a worker spotted the exotic critters tail, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

Lo and behold, there it was, alive, Lehigh County Authority communications manager Susan Sampson told the news outlet.

The worker had discovered an American alligator that somehow made it to the Klines Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, WTXF reported.

This alligator was found at a Lehigh County wastewater treatment plant.

It rode up the climber screen with other solids and survived the journey when it was spotted on April 28, according to a Facebook post from Lehigh County Authority.

That journey was filled with other solids that are removed from the water, WNEP reported.

What they found was a huge boulder of this horrible grease and fat and diapers and rags and everything that accumulates in this very special corkscrew unit and pulls that stuff out of the water, and this boulder of it came up and saw a tail sticking out of it, wildlife expert Barbara Miller told WNEP after helping rescue the foot-long reptile.

While officials arent sure how the alligator ended up with the solids, its possible it may have been flushed down a toilet, according to The Morning Call.

Employees at the wastewater plant cleaned the sewage off the gator, then it was taken to Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center, the news outlet reported. There, the alligators mouth was cleaned and it was given an antibiotic bath.

Close up on an alligator found at a Lehigh County wastewater treatment plant.

The exterior, hes in pretty decent shape, Janine Tancredi, an executive director at the center told WNEP. His eyes are still a little bit irritated. Still cleaning out his mouth, but hes recovering well.

After time in rehabilitation, the alligator will be taken to Clyde Peelings Reptiland, according to The Morning Call.

Lehigh County is about 60 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia.

Scaly intruder gets tangled up in electrical box  so Virginia cops have to pry it out

Three unlikely creatures seen sharing the same den. They havent eaten each other yet

Exotic reptile with very big teeth discovered in Pennsylvania park, photos show
Expansion would immediately restore balance to a court controlled by an unaccountable, unethical majority that has put their personal political bias above the law, said New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

The Supreme Court, a branch of the United States government that was established to be impartial, nonpartisan, just and fair, is now facing scrutiny for potential ethical violations that have called its future into question.

The Just Majority coalition hopes to change the plight of the highest court and salvage what is left of its reputation. The organization has launched a campaign to protect democracy and advance fairness, justice and equality within the Supreme Court, joined by other groups and activists who want to expand the number of justices that are appointed to the courts bench.

Political strategist Alencia Johnson, 1063 West Broad founder and chief impact officer, is working with Just Majority to advocate for expanding the court.

Democratic New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman speaks at a press conference calling for the expansion of the Supreme Court in July 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Take Back the Court Action Fund)

We want to make sure that there are enough justices to cover each of the different districts across the nation, she told theGrio.

Johnson says that while some may be skeptical of whether Congress will support expanding the court, she asserts that it would be in the best interest of U.S. citizens.

The American people have very little faith in the Supreme Court, she contended, claiming if the size of the court increased, justices will have to look at precedents and set their personal and political beliefs aside when issuing decisions on behalf of Americans.

Color of Change President Rashad Robinson also backs Just Majority and told theGrio in a statement the court needs critical reform.

As more and more stories surface about unethical and corrupt behavior, like those of Justice Gorsuch and Justice Thomas, it is impossible to think of them as unrelated to the fact that decisions coming out of this court tend to side with the wealthy and the powerful, Robinson said, often at the expense of both precedent and everyday people.

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Last month, ProPublica released a scathing report which showed for nearly three decades, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has received lavish gifts from a GOP donor, leaving many to question his integrity and the respectability of the court, as theGrio previously reported.

For decades, conservative politicians and their powerful donors have worked to undermine democracy and used the Supreme Court to do it, said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) during a press conference over the weekend.

She continued: Seemingly every month or so a new scandal emerges, from Justice Thomas gifts  to Chief Justice Roberts refusing to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee  Expansion would immediately restore balance to a court controlled by an unaccountable, unethical majority that has put their personal political bias above the law.

Robinson stated that since the Supreme Court has not done anything to reassure the public, it will do what it can to salvage its reputation. He believes expanding the court is the answer.

Structural reforms like expansion and a binding code of ethics are needed as accountability mechanisms to ensure that these policies are not bought and paid for, he declared. We are beyond the question of whether something should be done; that is clear. The question is whether Congress has the courage.

For years many organizations have called for the Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics, yet it has failed to do so, leaving many to believe that justices think they are above the law.

Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter, has also joined Just Majority in its fight to expand the court, to ensure that issues impacting the Black community are not met with bias, like the upcoming decisions in the affirmative action and voting rights cases.

The court has been a force in advancing racial justice  such as in Brown v. Board of Education and other civil rights cases, but it has also been a significant tool for upholding systemic racism throughout history, he said.

By expanding the court and implementing reforms that ensure diverse representation on the bench, we can work towards a more just and equitable society. This is especially important for Black voters, who have been disproportionately impacted by voter suppression, gun violence, attacks on reproductive health and much more, Albright pleaded.

Johnson told theGrio expanding the Supreme Court could take a while; however, she believes it is doable and would be a step in the right direction.

I am hopeful that we will get to a place where we have expanded the court, she said, and there are people who are literally looking at precedents, looking to expand the rights of people and expanding the opportunity for justice for all people.

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 advocates for Supreme Court to expand the court appeared first on TheGrio.
Melissa Woolfson, who was part of the group staying at the Airbnb, said in an interview with CTV News that the experience was "super violating." Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

A group of friends on a holiday on the Sunshine Coast found hidden cameras at their Airbnb rental.

One group member described their experience in a TikTok video that has since gone viral.

Airbnb guests have found hidden cameras in alarm clocks, smoke detectors, and even phone chargers.

A group of friends staying at an Airbnb rental on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada were horrified to find hidden cameras in the bathrooms of the property.

Kennedy Calwell, one of 15 friends who stayed at the Airbnb, shared her experience in a TikTok video last month, which has since gone viral. CTV News was first to report the news.

Calwell explained in her TikTok video that one of her friends felt "paranoid" about there being cameras in the house and decided to investigate each room with a flashlight. Calwell later told CTV News that her friend had recently seen a video about small hidden cameras in rental properties, which sparked her concern about this.

"She looked in like every single showerhead, all the picture frames, doorknobs, everywhere in the house for a camera and she found one in the bathroom," Calwell said in the TikTok video, adding that this camera was hidden inside an outlet in the bathroom that faced the shower.

According to CTV News, another camera was located in an outlet in the second bathroom.

Calwell said that the group alerted local police, who searched the property and confirmed that there were hidden cameras. Sunshine Coast RCMP confirmed to Insider that an investigation is ongoing after cameras were reportedly located within a short-term rental home.

"They're sending (the cameras) for analysis ... we don't have the footage for sure or anything like that, but they did find cameras and that's the latest update," Calwell told CTV News.

Melissa Woolfson, who was also part of the group staying at the Airbnb, said in an interview with CTV News that the experience was "super violating."

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"No one should have to go on vacation and feel that their naked images are now somewhere online," she added.

Insider reached out to Calwell and Woolfson via TikTok and Linkedin for further comment but did not immediately hear back.

A spokesperson for Airbnb told Insider that it has since suspended the listing and refunded the group for the booking while it investigates the allegations.

While it states on its website that hosts are prohibited from using security cameras or recording devices in private areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms, there have been other reports of privacy violations of this sort. This has included finding hidden cameras in places like phone chargers or alarm clocks.

One family from New Zealand who was vacationing in Ireland in 2019 even found a hidden camera in a smoke detector at their Airbnb rental.

Read the original article on Business Insider
GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  The president of a Guatemalan investigative newspaper went on trial Tuesday on money laundering charges in a case media observers have criticized as politically motivated.

Jose Ruben Zamora, 66, arriving at the court in handcuffs, told reporters he was a political prisoner and expected to be convicted because he had no confidence in the court.

Zamora, leader of El Periodico newspaper, is an award winner whose work has been recognized internationally.

Zamora has been held in jail since his arrest last year. Prosecutors accuse him of money laundering related to a deposit of about $30,000 he asked someone else to make for him. The money was a donation to keep the newspaper running, but the donor wanted to remain anonymous, Zamora has said.

El Periodico was known for aggressive reporting on government corruption. It was forced to stop publishing its print edition and went completely online.

The Guatemalan Association of Journalists and human rights activists have called the case a politically motivated campaign against Zamora because of his anti-corruption efforts.

The trial is a setback not only for journalists, also to media and society, said Mario Recino, vice president of journalists' association. The prosecutor's office is prosecuting and criminalizing journalists' work.

The U.S. government has sharply criticized the weakening of anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala under President Alejandro Giammattei. U.S. authorities cancelled the visa of the countrys last top prosecutor after a number of anti-corruption officials fled the country under threat of prosecution.
Emily Blunt attends the 2023 Met Gala. Noam Galai/GA/Getty Images

Emily Blunt attended the 2023 Met Gala on Monday night in a custom Michael Kors ensemble.

She also wore a laid-back bun created by her longtime hairstylist Laini Reeves.

Speaking with Insider, Reeves shared how she planned the look, the products she used, and more.

Need some hair inspiration post-Met Gala? Look no further than Emily Blunt.

The "Jungle Cruise" actor made a fashionable appearance at the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" event on Monday night, wearing a custom Michael Kors ensemble and a laid-back, messy bun atop her head.

The latter perfectly complemented her complex look, adding more texture while still keeping the focus on her fashion.

Just hours before the big night, hairstylist Laini Reeves spoke with Insider about how she planned the style, the affordable products she used to create it, and what it's like to work with Blunt on events like the Met Gala.

Emily Blunt wears a bun styled by hairstylist Laini Reeves at the 2023 Met Gala. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Laini Reeves planned Emily Blunt's Met Gala hairstyle in just a few days

"We sort of knew what she would be wearing about a week ago, so we were going off the designer's timeline," Reeves told Insider.

She said she focused on the outfit's high neckline and thought about how it would impact Blunt's hairstyle.

"If it's something up here," Reeves said while gesturing to her neck, "then you're not going to have loads of hair. We're thinking, hair's gotta be gone. It's gotta be an updo, or something like that."

It was also key for Reeves to collaborate with fashion stylist Jessica Paster, makeup artist Jenn Streicher, and Blunt herself.

"For this type of thing, you can go a bit more extreme  but I know my limits with her," Reeves said about working with the actor. "There's no point in me showing up going, 'OK, we're gonna do this. We're gonna do that.' Because she'll be like, 'Hell no, it ain't gonna happen.'"

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That said, she focused on making sure Blunt felt comfortable and confident in the hairstyle they chose.

"She has to carry it. She has to feel confident, and she has to feel beautiful," Reeves said. "If I'm doing a hairstyle and she's not feeling it, you'll see it straight away."

They decided on a 'less is more' approach with the messy bun

Reeves said she doesn't usually do much prep when working with Blunt because the actor "always shows up with really lovely, clean hair."

"She's actually very thoughtful and a really good client to work with because she always thinks ahead," the hairstylist said. "Normally, she goes a little bit far and tries to style it herself! I have to back her up a little bit, calm her down, and say, 'No, no, no, no.'"

So for the Met Gala, Reeves was able to focus on styling. She used a selection of items from John Frieda's Frizz Ease line and minimal tools.

"I never use products that are really hard, like alcohol-based. I always use things that are more natural and more cream-based," she added.

As for the bun's placement, she typically tries updos "two or three times" to see what spot suits the outfit best.

It doesn't take Reeves and Blunt too long to complete hairstyles like the one she wore on Monday. Still, Reeves said she and the actor usually pencil in three hours together.

"That's purely because we talk," Reeves said with a laugh. "We might order some lunch. It doesn't physically take that long to get it ready. We just make it an event."

Ultimately, Reeves knew that less would be more with such a standout outfit on Monday night.

"Choosing the right thing for a look from head to toe is the right way to go," Reeves said. "So if that means I just do some really slick little bun, I'll make sure it's the best slick I've ever done and that it's done to perfection. That's what it's about."

Read the original article on Insider
Haley Lu Richardson is reflecting on the horror film that got away.

The White Lotus Season 2 star revealed that she turned down auditioning for Ari Asters Midsommar due to having already starred in disturbing film Split, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

More from IndieWire

There are a lot [of roles] that got away. But I did get the script for Midsommar,' Richardson told Backstage. I remember reading it; it was such a well-written, creepy script. I actually still havent seen the movie because I kind of cant bring myself to watch it.

She continued, They wanted to meet me. I had actually done Split, I think, a year or two before [in 2016]. And I was like, I dont want to do another disturbing movie right now. I just dont have it in me, going around and crying at these disturbing things. It wasnt something that I wanted, and I felt really strongly about that. So I didnt even take the meeting.

Richardson added, And, you know, thats a pretty iconic movie, isnt it? But I do think that everything happens the way that its supposed to. There was a reason I didnt have it in me. And also, Florence Pugh is just such a good actor.

Midsommar breakout actress Pugh recently admitted to abusing herself during the intense production. Pugh played Dani in the 2019 thriller, a psychology grad student whose toxic relationship unravels while visiting a cult-like community in Sweden.

When I did it, I was so wrapped up in her and Ive never had this ever before with any of my characters, Pugh said during the Off Menu podcast. Id never played someone that was in that much pain before, and I would put myself in really shitty situations that maybe other actors dont need to do but I would just be imagining the worst things.

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Pugh recalled, Each day the content would be getting more weird and harder to do. I was putting things in my head that were getting worse and more bleak. I think by the end I probably, most definitely abused my own self in order to get that performance.

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Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

HARDER DRAWS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER

Conservative Ripon pastor Brett Dood (Dood rhymes with road) has announced that he is running as a Republican to unseat endangered Central Valley Democratic Rep. Josh Harder, D-Stockton, in the 2024 election.

I am running for Congress, because like most Californians, Im frustrated with the antics in Washington. California families are struggling, something has to be done, Dood said in a statement.

Dood said he supports putting people over political parties, but his campaign website shows a fairly standard conservative platform, including opposition to abortion, support for the Second Amendment and a pledge to prevent transgender women from competing in womens sports.

Though Harder managed to hold on to his CD-9 in 2022, California Gov. Gavin Newsom lost the district to Republican challenger Sen. Brian Dahle. Democrats, however, hold a significant voter registration advantage over Republicans  43.5% to 28.4%.

In a statement, Doods campaign pointed to the fact that Harders congressional district is viewed by the National Republican Congressional Committee as a top Democrat-to-Republican pickup opportunity.

According to election tracker Ballotpedia, Dood is the first candidate to file to run against Harder next year.

REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRAT TO UNVEIL AMENDMENT TO REPEAL DEATH TAX

Republican Sens. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, and Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, are joining Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Carson, on Tuesday to unveil SCA 4, a proposed constitutional amendment to alter 2020s Proposition 19. They want to repeal the tax on inheriting a home from your parent or grandparent, also known as the death tax.

Tax reassessments on inherited property often lead to the family being forced to sell their homes or close down their business, which is an unacceptable consequence for hard-working families who are trying to set themselves and future generations up for success. Economic mobility cannot be achieved unless we let people own what they create through decades of hard work, Seyarto said in a statement.

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The proposed amendment is set to be heard by the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on May 10.

Joining the lawmakers on the west steps of the Capitol at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday will be Jon Coupal of the conservative Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Los Angeles estate planner Rosie Milligan, Elk Grove realtor Lynda Chac, and other lawmakers.

For more than 30 years, hard-working California families had a constitutional protection that helped them climb the economic ladder. And now, its gone, said Coupal in a statement. We must fix this before more families are forced to sell the properties their parents worked so hard to acquire.

CALIFORNIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PRIORITIES

Monday was International Workers Day, and the California Faculty Association used the occasion to announce that it will be reopening portions of its 2022-24 collective bargaining agreement with the California State University system later this month.

The union said in a statement that it will be seeking higher salaries at all ranks and ranges, a defined workload based on appropriate class sizes, improved paid leaves of absence and better campus safety, particularly for faculty, students and staff from marginalized communities.

With this announcement, we are initiating our fight for a better CSU for all of our Unit 3 members, including those most precariously and historically marginalized, said CFA President Charles Toombs in a statement. This bargaining campaign will center our most vulnerable faculty and address long-standing inequities experienced by many members, an expanded and strengthened parental leave policy and a vision for community safety rooted in our anti-racism and social justice principles.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Daniel Enrique Laso, 9

Jonathan Casarez, 18

Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21

Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25

Julisa Molina Rivera, 31

These were HUMAN BEINGS whose lives were stolen by gun violence.

- California Gov. Gavin Newsom, replying to a tweet from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott referring to recent mass shooting victims as illegal immigrants, via Twitter.

Best of The Bee:
When it comes to blending politics and comedy in entertainment, no one does it better than former Veep showrunner David Mandel, who has now taken on the Watergate scandal in the new HBO series White House Plumbers, starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux (streaming on Crave in Canada).

A guiding light for Mandel and the writers of this limited series was to focus on the story that we've never seen before on this Nixon-era scandal.

White House Plumbers tells the story of E. Howard Hunt (Harrelson) and G. Gordon Liddy (Theroux), who were hired by the White House to investigate the Pentagon Papers leak in 1971. They end up on the Committee to Re-Elect the President but after trying to break into the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate in 1972, they end up toppling the presidency.

Most Watergate stories have traditionally been told in the White House, in the paths of the corridors of power, if you will, Mandel explained. The burglars are always a tiny little part of it, they're always, if you will, the first minute or two of the movie. You see the flashlights, you see the break-in and then all of a sudden you hear a phone ring and someone gets told there's been an arrest.

It seemed like this was the opportunity to tell this other story of those guys on the ground. We always hear about the break-in  and let's hear about the guys that actually did the break-in, and let's find out about what they were like before the break-in and why they did the break-in, and what this did to their lives.  They're the guys that end up in jail, not the president.

Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux in the HBO series "White House Plumbers" (Phil Caruso/HBO)

'I found my character rather reprehensible as a human'

Both Liddy and Hunt have this unwavering commitment to the U.S. government and their president, to the point where they are willing to make some rather outlandish sacrifices in their commitment to the State.

In fact, I was a zealous Republican at one point, when I was 18, Harrelson said. I kind of get that ideology. I don't relate to it anymore, but I do get it.

Story continues

As Mandel describes, one of the biggest challenges of crafting this story was that Liddy and Hunt are unlikeable characters, but in order for the series to work, the audience does need to be able to put themselves in their shoes, and even feel bad for them at times.

That's where Harrelson and Theroux come in, absolutely thriving as these almost unbelievably odd individuals.

I found my character rather reprehensible as a human, Harrelson said. But I was quite enamoured of Liddy.

Whenever anyone mentions Watergate, you immediately think of Woodward and Bernstein and the journalism, and how they sort of came to find out about the break-ins, Theroux added. But this is the story of the Watergate and it's kind of hilarious, because it's the actual crime that brought down Nixon.

I also find aspects of my character reprehensible, but in the playing of him I kind of really fell in love with him because he's such an optimist. I fell in love with certain traits of his.

Aside from their individual performances, Harrelson and Theroux are even stronger as a dynamic duo.

We did kind of think of it as kind of this sort of budding bromance," Theroux said. "It kind of follows that trope of the buddy cops.

The truth is, I think it's two guys with enormous egos that ... are trying to do something together, which is probably part of the reason why they had such a glorious downfall. It does sort of follow the trajectory of a love story, of two guys who meet, not sure of each other at first, then they start to really like the way the other works and what they bring to the situation.

Harrelson added that there were even some great "buddy" moments that didn't make it to the final cut of the series.

We had this one thing where we get approval to do something ... and we just start celebrating, Harrelson said. It never made it into the show, but I loved it because it was great just to see how far [Justin Theroux] would go as a dance partner.

He goes the limit. We ended up on the floor, leg wrestling, and it was great. That dynamic, you have to ultimately work up trust for your fellow actors. We did that relatively early on and I've got to say, it gave me all the trust in the world for him.

Justin Theroux, Judy Greer, Lena Headey and Woody Harrelson in HBO's "White House Plumbers" (HBO)

'The story of Watergate is the story of Dorothy Hunt'

While the story of these men is fascinating, Mandel's telling of the story brings forward the often neglected wives of Liddy and Hunt, Dorothy Hunt (Lena Headey) and Fran Liddy (Judy Greer).

In some ways, the story of Watergate is the story of Dorothy Hunt, Mandel said. It is the story of these two women, in a way, trying to keep their families together.

Dorothy, in particular, is a fascinating character. In some ways she may be the smartest person in this entire misadventure. She was a former agent, she says at one point she was on the last train out of Shanghai  with a gun strapped to her leg. When she says that you're like, 'holy crap this woman seems dangerous,' in a really great way."

As Mandel describes, Hunt's wife is often "the voice inside his head."

"[Dorothy is] saying, This is not right. Why are you doing this? Yet at the same time, not necessarily being able to put a stop to it," Mandel said. "Then when things go really wrong she's the one that goes, 'I'm going get us out of this,' and she almost did.

We don't necessarily always bring women to the front of anything, Lena Headey said about her character in White House Plumbers. She enjoyed the money, as well as Howard, but she always knew that there was a better way."

For Liddy's wife, Mandel praised Judy Greer's interpretation of this character, who is committed to sticking by her husband.

Mrs. Liddy, this is the beauty of Judy Greer, she comes off initially as perhaps a little simple, but especially when you get to that end, the fifth episode,  you realize she knows what she has here, Mandel said. She knows who her husband is and in some ways, she's made a similar decision of, I'm going to stick with you. This is what we do.

I feel like Fran was more kind of under the thumb than Dorothy was, Headey added in a separate interview. Dorothy kind of made the break to escape at one point, she'd had enough.

Justin Theroux, David Mandel and Woody Harrelson on the set of HBO's "White House Plumbers"

While it can be quite easy to draw parallels between some of the political actions that take place in White House Plumbers and the current political environment, particularly in the U.S., Mandel believes there is a "danger" in people forgetting the Watergate scandal.

I think if nothing else, that is a great reason for why we made this show, he said. In the United States, ... a former sitting president getting indicted here in New York City. It's more relevant than ever."

"There are lessons from it about the abuses of power and about what I call true believerism. This idea that, I support this guy, this party so much that I will do things that are go against my best interest in the name of this idea, this president. These are more relevant today.
The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, April 14, 2023. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

The US Supreme Court will take up a case brought by a group of New Jersey fishermen.

The case could lead to the overturning of the legal precedent known as the "Chevron deference."

If overturned, the case could have major impacts on federal climate and environmental regulations.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case brought by a group of New Jersey herring fishermen that could lead to the overturning of a decades-old precedent and have major impacts on federal climate and environmental regulations.

The case, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, stems from a 2020 lawsuit brought by the fishermen against the federal government that challenges a regulation forcing them to pay for at-sea government-mandated monitors on their boats.

With the nation's highest court agreeing on Monday to hear the case, it gives it a chance to shoot down a commonly cited legal precedent known as the "Chevron deference," which conservative groups have long attacked.

The doctrine, established in the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron USA v. Natural Resources Defense Council, calls for courts to defer to federal agencies' interpretations of ambiguous federal laws. It has been repeatedly used by the federal government in a wide range of cases.

Lawyer Paul Clement, who served as the Solicitor General under former President George W. Bush and is representing the fishermen along with attorneys from the Cause of Action Institute, said in a statement praising the Supreme Court's decision to take the case that the Chevron doctrine "has enabled the widespread expansion of unchecked executive authority."

Cause of Action Institute counsel Ryan Mulvey added that the Supreme Court "has an opportunity to correct one of the most consequential judicial errors in a generation."

"Chevron deference has proven corrosive to the American system of checks and balances and directly contributed to an unaccountable executive branch, overbearing bureaucracy, and runaway regulation," said Mulvey.

Story continues

University of Chicago law professor Jonathan Masur told The Washington Post that the case before the Supreme Court "is a very big deal because it could be a vehicle for the Court to dramatically reduce agencies' authority to regulate under existing statutes."

The outcomes of the case "would be particularly likely to affect the [Environmental Protection Agency], which has relied heavily upon Chevron in recent years," Masur said.

The conservative-majority Supreme Court is slated to hear the case in its next term. Liberal-leaning Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will recuse herself from the case.

"Our way of life is in the hands of these justices, and we hope they will keep our families and our community in mind as they weigh their decision," said Bill Bright, a New Jersey fisherman and plaintiff in the case.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Gas prices in Bulgaria in May were reduced by 21 percent compared to April due to gas supplies from Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports, citing local media, this is stated in the message of the Bulgarian Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (EWRC).

Thus, prices for May are set at BGN 77.55 (USD 43.60) per MWh compared to BGN 98.16 per MWh in April.

The EWRC stressed that gas supplies from Azerbaijan via the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector (IGB) are the key to achieving competitive prices.

The main factors that lead to lower gas prices are the downward trend in prices in European spot markets and the reduction in gas consumption.

The price mix for May includes the entire volume of Azerbaijani gas transported via the IGB, which will cover 62.65 percent of Bulgaria's consumption this month. The state gas supplier Bulgargaz also added liquefied natural gas to the mix.

It should be noted that the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector began commercial deliveries on October 1, 2022.

Since the beginning of the current heating season, the interconnector has provided about 1/3 of winter natural gas consumption in Bulgaria. IGB is the first route for a diversified supply of natural gas to Bulgaria, guaranteeing increased security of supply and making a significant contribution to competition in the natural gas market, which is a prerequisite for optimizing prices for businesses and households in the country.

While deliveries of 1 billion cubic meters per year under a contract with Azerbaijan are the backbone of the project, IGB has long-term capacity booked by other shippers as well. Most of them are brand new for the Bulgarian market. The Greece-Bulgaria interconnector will have access to several gas sources in 2024.
(Photo : Ameer Alhalbi/Getty Images)

France's May Day protests resulted in more than 100 police officers amid clashes with demonstrators where law enforcement personnel used teargas and water cannons to push people back.

French May Day protests resulted in more than 100 police officers being injured

Law enforcement personnel fired teargas into crowds

The protests come in opposition to President Emmanuel Macron's retirement reform bill

French protesters took to the streets in opposition to President Emmanuel Macron's bill that raised the retirement age requirement as police fired teargas into crowds of demonstrators.

More than 100 law enforcement personnel were injured in clashes with protesters across the nation, based on data released by the country's interior ministry. French Minister of Interior Gerald Darmanin noted that many police officers being injured was rare.

French May Day Protests Against Retirement Reform

The official added that 291 people were arrested during clashes with police officers amid the demonstrations. Hundreds participated in the May Day protests against Macron's retirement reform bill.

Most demonstrations were peaceful, but radical groups threw petrol bombs and fireworks. According to BBC, law enforcement personnel fired teargas and used water cannons in response to the groups.

In a Twitter post, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said the violence amid the protests was "unacceptable." She also praised demonstrators' "responsible mobilization and commitment" in several other cities nationwide.

The May Day protests mark the latest mass action against Macron's bill that raised the retirement age requirement to get a pension from 62 to 64 years. Trade unions in the country have called for the government to withdraw the order.

The Interior Ministry released data that estimated the number of protesters to be roughly 782,000, which includes 112,000 in Paris. However, the CGT union said that the number of people present was three times higher than what officials showed.

The situation comes as President Macron continues to defend his reform bill as being needed to address the problem within the system. However, even some of the government's experts had argued that the pension system before the passage of the bill was in relatively good shape and was set to return to a balanced budget, according to France24.

Read Also: Turkey Intelligence Kills ISIS Leader in Syria

Police Clash with Protesters

Anger among the people of France was exacerbated after the government used Article 49.3, otherwise known as the "nuclear option," to push the reform bill through parliament without having to go through a vote in March.

Police authorities in France also approved using drones equipped with cameras to monitor the crowds during the protests. However, several rights groups have filed a complaint against the effort, arguing that using the machines violates fundamental rights.

At Place de la Nation, a building caught fire amid protests, and authorities were able to contain the blaze at the end point of the demonstrations in the area. Police officials said that two fuel containers in front of a work site were set ablaze by a radical group.

In the same area, police used tear gas to push demonstrators back, but protesters did not give an inch on Monday. CNN said law enforcement personnel charged at the groups of demonstrators supported by a water cannon only to be met with a barrage of fireworks and stones.

Related Article: Mexico Bus Plunges Off Cliff, Killing 18, Injuring Dozens of Tourists

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Eliza Anderson, Deseret News

For seniors about to graduate college with low confidence in the future and no job secured, there may be comfort in knowing youre not the only one.

Quite the contrary, actually.

Of the 949 American college seniors surveyed by Quality Logo Products last month, 84% have no job locked down for post-graduation, while 69% are either somewhat or not-at-all confident about how prepared they are for their first job.

Other key findings from the survey include:

68% of college seniors listed flexible hours as their top priority in a job.

40% plan to begin their first job upon graduating.

12% predict they will stay five or more years at their first job.

I think only 12% anticipate staying at their first job for five or more years is a very surprising statistic, Sara Hornung, one of the lead researchers of the survey, told the Deseret News.

Unrealistic expectations

The world of work has changed considerably over the years.

When I entered the workforce as a teacher in 2018, I was surrounded by teachers who were considered veterans or tenured and the cultural norm among educators was to pick one school and teach there until you retire, Hornung said.

The up-and-coming culture of young professionals suggests doing what makes you happy and leaving your job if you are not, she said. It shines a light at how young professionals are viewing their job experiences and what expectations they have as they enter the workforce.

In the survey, 61% of students reported feeling it is important to have a positive work environment and to enjoy the work they do.

That doesnt seem to be whats happening, contrasting sharply with the picture painted by job search assistance website Zippia. As of 2023, its survey found that 61% of Americans want to leave their job. In that survey, only 20% are passionate about their current profession.

And expectations may not be realistic. The Quality Logo study said that despite the national average starting salary for college graduates being $41,636, merely 18% of seniors expect to earn around that amount. Instead, 43% expect to earn a mid-level salary at the get-go of at least $60,000, with 1 in 5 seniors anticipating earning between $70,000 and $100,000 in their first job.

Story continues

The economy

Though many seniors believe they wont stay at their first job past five years, 70% anticipate enjoying the occupation. But having a solid first job may be an opportunity that gradually becomes more rare and competitive in todays economy. According to The Wall Street Journal, fresh college graduates are less likely to be hired in the countrys current economic state.

While companies used to make offers to graduates weeks after school began, the Journal reported college career offices said employers are now slow to approach graduating seniors.

CNBC News said earlier this year, These young professionals will enter a job market that even the most seasoned experts cant quite explain: prominent layoffs are in the news even as unemployment numbers remain historically low, and more than a year of recession warnings have yet to materialize while millions of jobs go unfilled.

The Deseret News has previously reported on large companies experiencing massive employee layoffs, including Disney, Meta and Amazon. Reasons range from a decline in consumer demand to today's overall unpredictable economy.

In the new study, 54% of college seniors admitted to being concerned about affording rent and utilities once they graduate and enter the workforce.

Low confidence

Its clear that many college graduates are feeling shaky about their chosen career path and their life after graduation. Their future is full of intimidating unknowns like the economy, exorbitant rent prices, striking the perfect work-life balance and the ever-nagging question of if they will be able to find a job in their field at the salary they believe they deserve, the study said.

When asked more about the low confidence college seniors have for their future, Hornung said, I think colleges have a tendency to glamorize many professions.

She said a students first impression when entering the workforce could come with rose-colored glasses, which may disappear when the reality of their profession sets in.

I dont think the professors are at fault, however, I think its a natural human tendency to want your students to be happy and excited about the field you are preparing them for, and the transition from school to the workforce is scary for anyone!

Looking forward

Per the study, the students that reported feeling most prepared for their occupations were those who were seeking jobs in:

Education (96%).

Health care as professionals (95%).

Health care support (95%).

Life/physical/social sciences (94%).

Computer/mathematics (90%).

The top three industries students expect to enjoy once they secure jobs are as health care practitioners, in education and in life/physical/social sciences.

Having happy educators and health care workers seems like a win to us. We hope reality aligns with their expectations, the report said.

Students who feel the most prepared for their future are those entering the education or life/physical/social sciences workforce.

Some seniors plan to hold off on finding work after graduation, with 35% planning to travel and another 34% planning to take a break.

Hornung said graduating college students can take some comfort as they approach the job search, knowing theyre not alone.

With social media like LinkedIn, Twitter and even some niches on Instagram, there are infinite resources and people to connect with to help with finding a good job, negotiating salary, etc., she said.
Ukraine and Poland launch interconnector

Read also: Ukrenergo completes restoration of energy facilities after Russias March 9 mass missile attack

The interconnection has been operational since April 27 and successfully passed three days worth of testing. Ukrenergo emphasized that the cross-border power transmission line brings additional stability for the Ukrainian energy system as part of the European grid.

The additional high-voltage line expands Kyivs energy export-import capabilities.

"By selling electricity, we will accumulate resources to restore the energy sector before the next winter season," said Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal.

He added that Ukraine will begin importing electricity and receive emergency assistance from its neighbors, if necessary.

Read also: Slovakia becomes third country to resume electricity imports from Ukraine

"Ukrainians will have access to electricity, despite hostile missile and drone attacks," the PM said.

The total length of the transmission line is almost 400 kilometers, with over 70% of it running through Ukrainian territory. The line is connected to the main grid through an open distribution switchgear at one of the Ukrainian grid facilities.

Read also: Ukraine resumes electricity exports

The power grid node was upgraded to convert electricity generated by the Ukrainian energy system into European 400 kV voltage current and transmit it to Europe.

In turn, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of Ukrenergo, stated that this line is an additional element of European energy security and contributes to the development of a stable network in Ukraine.

Read also: Russian strikes could cause electricity deficit this summer in Ukraine  Ukrenergo

The total cost of the project was UAH 350 million ($9.5 million), and some of the necessary equipment was provided free of charge by Polish partners.

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
So following up on my recent story about a few Belleville businesses shuffling locations, theres one other that has a great new location in a historic building.

The super fun, more-than-an-arts-and-crafts store, Sawdust & Glitter, recently moved from 119 E. Main St. to the ground floor of Lofts on the Square in downtown Belleville.

The Art Deco-style building, which opened in 1931 as the Hotel Belleville, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Store owner Lacie Loose said because of its historical significance, it took a little longer than expected to secure the space at 16 S. Illinois St., but there were no other issues.

Loose reopened her business on April 22, the same day as the Belleville Main Street Homebrew Walk.

She said that a lot of the events participants visited her new place, many of them likely because they could bring their brews into her awesome shop.

Many people lingered, said Loose. People had room to roam and took their time looking around.

The days sales were three times what they were during the same event last year, she said.

All in all, it sounds like it was a very good first day.

Sawdust & Glitter, 16 S. Illinois St., Belleville

Bigger and brighter

Upon entering the stores new location, I was impressed with how much room there was (its huge!), all of it basked in natural light.

If you never visited Sawdust & Glitter  at the old or new location  many of the available items are fun and creative pieces of home decor.

The shop also offers glitter tumblers. You know. Travel mugs and cups  with glitter. Pretty straightforward.

Checking out the phrases on painted signs is great, especially for someone like me, who enjoys pop culture references and sassy phrases and wordplay.

And not only can you buy such items, you can make your own too!

Loose said that in the beginning, she taught herself how to make glitter tumblers by watching YouTube videos.

Then she started having glitter tumbler parties in her moms kitchen.

What started as a way to pay for nursing school (she was already accepted) exploded into a legit business.

Story continues

Realizing she was building something special, Loose turned down her school acceptance to keep doing her own thing.

She opened Sawdust & Glitter on Dec. 1, 2019, at 119 E. Main St.

Then, of course, COVID hit. During that time, Loose converted her basement into a temporary shop.

After the ugliness that was the pandemic, Sawdust & Glitter carried on and outgrew the Main Street building over the last year, according to Loose. Aside from the tight fit, she said the lighting wasnt ideal either.

The space was dark with minimal natural lighting and not-so-great interior lighting, making it difficult to see the merch well.

Many people couldnt even tell if they were open, said Loose. Shoppers often thought they were just another closed business.

But now, at 16 S. Illinois St., there is so much natural light coming in all of the windows that the interior lighting isnt even needed on a clear, sunny day.

A display of planters, coffee-themed signs and other items with a peek at the classroom studio area in the background at Sawdust & Glitter in Belleville

Fun times, great shopping

Sawdust & Glitter still hosts parties too.

Sign painting parties, candle-making and a couple of others are available.

And tumbler parties, which are the most popular, according to Loose.

At these parties, people get to select a vessel of their choosing  travel mug, wine cup, coffee tumbler  and design their own personalized cup.

From there, decorate the cup with glitter, maybe add some decals.

Loose will seal the designs with an epoxy finish, making them safe to use and wash, according to the Sawdust & Glitter website.

If you dont want to make your own tumbler, custom orders are an option.

I make everything, said Loose, who comes up with different ideas and designs for the farmhouse wooden signs.

Her husband builds the wooden canvases.

Guests at the parties can pick what they paint. Custom canvases are also an option, but you have to request them in advance.

The parties take place in the studio area, which, in the new space, feels more separate from the retail side.

I visited (just browsing) several months ago, when the biz was in the old place. At the time there was a party taking place. With such close quarters, it felt like I was intruding.

So I didnt stay long.

Painted wood signs at Sawdust & Glitter in Belleville come in different themes.

But now I feel like I could hang out and take my time looking at everything. Because I have to say, theres some pretty great stuff.

There are painted farmhouse wooden signs and decorative items, candles and wax melts, planters and printed towels.

Theres a towel that reads, Im just a girl, standing in front of a salad, asking for it to be a donut.

I must have this towel.

A painted towel at Sawdust & Glitter in Belleville

There are items with different themes  coffee, dogs, plants, bathroom signs  with just enough sass to make them all fun.

Loose said its sometimes hard to come up with new ideas and themes, so she takes to websites like Pinterest to search for inspiration.

Shell find a design she likes and tweak it to make it her own.

Loose said theyll soon offer printed T-shirts. There will be a press wall. Customers can pick a design, which will be pressed to a tee right there.

Because the new space is so much larger than before, the retail displays have more space between them.

While setting up shop, Loose thought it looked sparse at first. Now she looks at it as having plenty of room to grow.

As Loose settles in at the new location and enjoys all of the space and light, she acknowledges the significance of the East Main Street location.

That was a great starter shop, she said. This is better.

Soy candles and wax melts display at Sawdust & Glitter in Belleville

About Sawdust & Glitter

Sawdust & Glitter is located at 16 S. Illinois St. on Bellevilles Public Square.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The shop is closed Sunday-Monday.

Parties can be booked outside of store hours Tuesday-Saturday and start as late as 6 p.m.

To book a party, visit sawdustnglitter.com, send a message via the Facebook page or lacie@sawdustnglitter.com, or call 618-607-4880.
Dallas historian Donald Payton says gentrification like that in Gilbert-Emory is common nationwide. Its a story, he said, about the fight to endure and protect in the face of development in traditionally Black communities.

A historically Black neighborhood in Dallas is watching itself vanish as gentrification continues to sweep in.

Gloria Johnsons residence is in West Dallas Gilbert-Emory neighborhood, one of the citys most sought-after areas. According to The Dallas Morning News, the community received its name for Cecil and Helen Emory and Nathan and Margaret Gilbert, two Black families who ran grocery stores that provided food for the locals during a time when segregation prevented them from doing their shopping in white districts.

Many old homes in the formerly redlined area have already been destroyed by the swift gentrification sweeping through Dallas. Johnson believes developers have taken the historically Black neighborhoods identity.

West Dallas Gilbert-Emory neighborhood is named for Cecil and Helen Emory and Nathan and Margaret Gilbert, two Black families who operated grocery stores serving local residents during segregation. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/The Dallas Morning News)

We actually feel like the place that time has forgotten, said Johnson, who believes developers are trying to force her out of the neighborhood, the Morning News reported. Not important. Not significant. They dont care.

While many of Johnsons childhood friends no longer reside in the area, she wishes to remain on the land her father worked two jobs to acquire.

According to census block data, roughly half of the neighborhoods population was Black in 1990. Black people now make up only one-fifth of its populace.

Dallas historian Donald Payton noted that the issue Gilbert-Emory residents face is common nationwide. The story, he said, is about the fight to endure and protect in the face of costly development that puts housing in traditionally Black communities in danger.

According to research, Black homeownership rates in Dallas are significantly lower than white ones. Payton says the effect is a loss of Black culture, generational wealth and community.

When you say gentrification, thats a new word, Payton contended, the Morning News reported. At one time it was called urban renewal, then it was called urban redevelopment, and then it all boils down to relocation.

Story continues

Greater Mount Pilgrim Church is the largest church in Gilbert-Emory. While most congregants have moved to other neighborhoods, Pastor Ned Armstrong asserted that the church is here to stay.

Armstrong said Greater Mount Pilgrim had had a few new visitors after contacting neighbors and passing out fliers containing church information. However, he also noted that a few weeks ago, one of the churchs neighbors complained about noise, which was upsetting. For parishioners who sit outside, speakers are positioned on the structure and project the sermons and musical selections into the parking lot.

Armstrong said the church attempted to purchase the property across the street, where the Frederick Douglass School stood years ago. The school  which produced its own set of teachers and even a school principal  was so significant that many longtime neighbors still use the abolitionists name when talking about the neighborhood.

Some residents in the neighborhood wanted to see the land developed into a city park after the school closed in 1980. Armstrong yearned for a neighborhood center. However, Dallas Independent School District sold the land to a private developer for $1.7 million six years ago.

A street sign pointing to a housing development is the only clue that a school once stood there. The site of one of the first Black schools in Texas is now home to 27 gray townhomes with asking prices over $500,000.

They came in, and we cant compete with those guys. They have millions of dollars, Armstrong said, the Morning News reported. Next thing we know, it was sold. Boom. No notice. Man, really. That was pretty cruel.

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The Heritage Foundation is having a midlife transformation.

At the age of 50, the conservative think tank is rethinking itself and testing whether its possible for the conservative Washington institution to get edgy.

Heritage has long been at the center of what some on the anti-establishment right have disparagingly dubbed Conservatism Inc.  the network of wonks, consultants, and commentators who make up establishment conservative thought that drives Republican policy and politics.

But now, it is turning back the dial on its once-hawkish foreign policy and entertaining ideas that challenge strict adherence to free-market economics, putting itself at the forefront of crafting a standard of right-wing thought and style that echoes New Right post-Trump populism.

At the crux of that transition has been Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, who joined the organization in 2021 by way of the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation.

In an interview with The Hill, Roberts said one of his goals is to disabuse people of that notion that Heritage is part of Conservatism Inc.

But the think tank is not abandoning its Reagan-era roots.

Were actually honoring our past, were honoring all my predecessors, Roberts said in an interview with The Hill. Were going to build on your foundation by recognizing the present-day policy and political challenges are different  in some respects, very different  than what Heritage had to confront as recently as 10 years ago.

One of the first major recent shifts in the Heritage ecosystem came with its advocacy arm, Heritage Action, opposing a $40 billion Ukraine funding package last year  a notable shift from the organizations hawkish tendencies like supporting the U.S. invasion of Iraq two decades ago.

While Roberts said that there is still an expansive interventionist foreign policy mindset that has to change in Washington, and the Heritage Foundation is advocating a third way that is neither interventionist or isolationist.

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We love America. We believe in Reagans peace through strength. We believe that in the right situation, Americas power should be explicit and dominant and overwhelming, but that we simply cant afford the level of adventurousness that the neoconservatives, in particular, have been supporting, Roberts said.

Another move that raised eyebrows was a report released last month that examined how those on the right are rethinking the relationship between freight free enterprise and the common good, raising eyebrows and alarm among free-market fundamentalists in the Washington libertarian and conservative space.

The free market is the outgrowth of even higher goods, like the institution of the nuclear family, like a healthy civil society, Roberts said. Youre never going to have a free market  which we dont have today, I mean, we have a managed economy  if you dont first have those other things.

Heritage is trying to remind conservatives that the free market is not an altar. The free market is a good, Roberts said.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative voice, has also shifted his tone on the think tank.

Carlson had criticized the Heritage Foundation on his show after its most recent former president, Kay Coles James  the first Black person or woman to lead the organization  wrote a 2020 op-ed on racism as mass demonstrations broke out over the killing of George Floyd.

James wrote that racism in America is a fatal wound and wondered How many times will protests have to occur? Carlson accused James and other conservative leaders of joining the lefts chorus.

But last month, Carlson, who started his career at the Heritage Foundations now-defunct Policy Review, was the keynote speaker at the Heritage Foundations 50th-anniversary gala. He gushed over Roberts for breaking with a society where the government and key institutions are all run by weak people.

To see someone whos not a weak leader at the helm of Heritage just thrilled me, so I wanted to come for that reason, Carlson said.

Some anonymously sourced reports suggested Carlsons religious themes in his Heritage Foundation speech upset Fox Corp owner Rupert Murdoch, contributing to his abrupt firing just days later. Roberts said at the dinner  and reiterated after news of Carlsons ouster  that there was always a job for Carlson at Heritage.

Roberts is also embracing a more confrontational style at Heritage. In introducing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) at the 50th-anniversary summit, Roberts praised his radical candor  something we love at Heritage.

But the conservative think tank is not shifting its stances on every traditional conservative position of the past few decades. It remains steadfast in opposition to abortion, an issue that has challenged Republicans politically since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

Were not going to stop working on this issue until theres zero abortions in America, Roberts said.

And Roberts said that he thinks the organizations biggest shift has been in increasing the amount of time and resources it puts in on state-level action on issues, like school choice policies, and pushing back on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment scoring policies.

Roberts summed up the Heritage Foundations changes in his opening remarks at its anniversary summit last month.

Decades of frustration and failure have shown us that the old Washington red team of free marketers, neoconservatives, and evangelicals alone is simply not enough, Roberts said.

Its not enough for conservatives to hold power. We have to wield it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is just one of the shows expected to be replaced by re-runs

Thousands of Hollywood TV and movie screenwriters have downed tools after last minute talks with major studios over wages broke down.

A Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, the first in 15 years, saw more than 11,000 writers - 98% of voting members - walk out from midnight.

Tuesday's late-night shows are expected to shut down first, while forthcoming shows and films could face delays.

Picketing will begin on Tuesday afternoon, the Guild also said.

In 2007, writers went on strike for 100 days, at an estimated cost of around $2bn to the industry.

This time around, writers are clashing with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) - which represents the major studios, including Amazon, Disney, Netflix and Paramount - in demand of higher pay and a greater share of the profits from the modern streaming boom.

On Monday evening, the WGA said the decision to strike was made after six weeks of negotiations produced a "wholly insufficient" response to "the existential crisis writers are facing".

Key issues in the talks have been how writers get paid for shows which often remain on streaming platforms for years, as well as the future impact of artificial intelligence on writing.

The AMPTP said it had offered a "comprehensive package proposal" including higher pay for writers.

But it was unwilling to improve that offer further "because of the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the Guild continues to insist upon."

On Sunday evening, the Deadline Hollywood outlet reported that production on late-night live comedy chat shows, including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, will all come to a halt.

Colbert, who taped his show before negotiations unravelled, shared an image of his writers while expressing support for them in his opening monologue on Monday evening.

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Arriving at the Met Gala, Fallon said he hoped the strike would not go ahead, but at the same time wanted to see "a fair deal" agreed for writers. "I need my writers real bad, I got no show without my writers".

Late Night host Seth Meyers expressed his support for the strike on the corrections segment of his show on Friday.

"I also feel very strongly that what the writers are asking for is not unreasonable," Meyers said. "As a proud member of the Guild, I'm very grateful that there is an organisation that looks out for the best interests of writers."

'Sticking points'

The WGA has criticised studios for creating a "gig economy" that aims to turn writing into an "entirely freelance" profession. "For the sake of our present and our future, we have been given no other choice,' the guild stated in a lengthy document.

It called for a TV staffing minimum, ranging from six to 12 writers per show, as well as a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of employment per season.

In their own statement on Tuesday, the AMPTP called those the two "primary sticking points".

For their part, the collective studios previously said they must cut costs due to financial pressures, while noting how the overall "residuals" payments to writers hit an all-time high of $494m (395m) in 2021.

The AMPTP also rejected a guild demand that the use of AI bots be banned from writing or rewriting material, instead offering to hold "annual meetings to discuss advancements in technology".

What happened on screen during the last writers' strike?

The last writers' strike to rock Hollywood came in 2007

Many readers will remember how TV and film productions felt and looked a little different during the Covid lockdown-era, due to strict safety protocols, but some may not recall the similar effects of the last big writers' strike during the winter of 2007.

The strike saw writers asking studios for new contracts that gave them more money when their work got sold on DVD, downloaded or streamed online.

For viewers it meant that big named late-night talk shows, which rely heavily on writers for their scripts and jokes, dropped off-air. One such name, host Conan O'Brien, showed his support for the striking writers while on-air by simply spinning his wedding ring around on his desk for as long as possible. No really.

Production also stopped on major soaps, sitcoms and prime-time dramas, including Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and the Office. The strike cost Breaking Bad fans two episodes of its first season, however (*spoiler alert!*) it did reportedly also spare the life of one of its main protagonists Jesse Pinkman, who had been at risk of being written out of the show early on.

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul (right), aka Walter and Jesse from Breaking Bad

Other productions plodded on without their writers, often with less than desirable effects. Season two of Heroes, shot during the strike using first drafts of their work, was regarded by many as a shadow of its former self and the show arguably never really recovered.

The best example of this though was perhaps the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, as star Daniel Craig recalled in an interview. "We had the bare bones of a script and then there was a writers' strike and there was nothing we could do," he said. "We couldn't employ a writer to finish it. I say to myself, 'never again', but who knows? There was me trying to rewrite scenes - and a writer I am not".

James Bond star Daniel Craig had to help rewrite scenes during the making of Quantum of Solace

As well as bothering Bond, the writers' strike inadvertently helped to make a pre-presidential Donald Trump a bigger star. Trump's version of the Apprentice had been on the verge of being canned but the strikes gave it a new lease of life. With fewer scripts around, reality TV had its time in the sun. Shows like Project Runway and the Biggest Loser got bigger slots and audiences; and everybody began Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E!.

More than 31 million watched the 2008 final of American Idol, which helped Fox become the US's most-watched channel for the first-time.

After a compromise was reached - which saw writers promised a percentage of future profits generated - it took months for TV to get back to normal.

The latest strike, at least, arrives in time for summer, so viewers can play outside if there's nothing on.

Stars of the TV series The Bear, including Jeremy Allen White (front row, second left)

Alex O'Keefe, award-winning writer on the comedy-drama series The Bear and a member of the WGA, told the BBC on Monday while some writers are "doing very well", many others are being paid the minimum amount by studios, a situation which has created "a huge underclass in Hollywood right now".

He said the creative output of his writing colleagues was better than ever, matching the demands of the streaming age, but that half of them were struggling to stay in the profession.

"And writers like me, especially young black writers, indigenous writers, writers of colour, have brought a whole new wave of creativity to the process.

"But we are finding ourselves unable to survive in places like New York City and Los Angeles, where we need to be to be in writers' rooms."

The actors' union SAG-AFTRA and the directors' union DGA have voiced solidarity with striking writers.
NEW YORK (AP)  The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday as the economic pressures of the streaming era prompted unionized TV and film writers to picket for better pay outside major studios, a work stoppage that already is leading most late-night shows to air reruns.

No contracts, no content! sign-carrying members of the Writers Guild of America chanted outside the Manhattan building where NBCUniversal was touting its Peacock streaming service to advertisers.

Some 11,500 film and television writers represented by the union put down their pens and laptops after failing to reach a new contract with the trade association that represents Hollywood studios and production companies.

The union is seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and shorter exclusive contracts, among other demands  all conditions it says have been diminished in the content boom driven by streaming.

Theres too much work and not enough pay, said demonstrator Sean Crespo, a 46-year-old writer whose credits include the former TBS show Full Frontal With Samantha Bee.

The labor dispute could have a cascading effect on TV and film productions depending on how long the strike lasts, and it comes as streaming services are under growing pressure from Wall Street to show profits.

Late-night television was the first to feel the fallout, just as it was during the 2007 writers strike that lasted for 100 days.

All of the top late-night shows, which are staffed by writers that pen monologues and jokes for their hosts, immediately went dark. NBCs The Tonight Show, Comedy Centrals Daily Show, ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBSs The Late Show and NBCs Late Night all made plans for reruns through the week.

NBCs Saturday Night Live, which had been scheduled to air a new episode Saturday, will also go dark and air reruns instead.

Everyone including myself hope both sides reach a deal. But I also think that the writers demands are not unreasonable, host Stephen Colbert said on Monday's Late Show.

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This nation owes so much to unions," Colbert said. "Unions are the reason we have weekends, and by extension why we have TGI Fridays.

Playwright Tony Kushner (The Fabelmans) and Dopesick creator Danny Strong were among those demonstrating in New York on Tuesday.

The strike's impact on scripted series and films will take longer to notice. If a strike persisted through the summer, fall TV schedules could be upended. In the meantime, those with finished scripts are permitted to continue shooting.

During the 2007 strike, late-night hosts eventually returned to air and improvised their way through shows. Tonight show host Jay Leno angered WGA leadership when he began writing his own monologues.

One late-night show won't go dark. Fox News' Gutfeld! with Greg Gutfeld will continue airing new episodes, Fox said Tuesday.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios and productions companies, said it presented an offer with generous increases in compensation for writers as well as improvements in streaming residuals.

The trade association said in a statement that it was prepared to improve its offer but was unwilling to do so because of the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the guild continues to insist upon."

A shutdown has been widely forecast for months. The writers last month voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, with 98% of membership in support. Writers say their pay isn't keeping pace with inflation, TV writer rooms have shrunk too much and the old calculus for how residuals are paid out needs to be redrawn.

Streaming has exploded the number of series and films that are annually made, meaning more jobs for writers. But writers say theyre making less than they used to while working under more strained conditions. The WGA said the companies behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce.

The union is seeking more compensation for writers up front. That's because many of the payments writers have historically profited from on the back end  like syndication and international licensing  have been largely phased out by the onset of streaming.

The studios' trade association said Monday that the primary sticking points to a deal revolved around so-called mini-rooms  the guild is seeking a minimum number of scribes per writer room  and the duration of employment contracts.

The writers' union says more flexibility is needed for writers at a time when theyre contracted for series that tend to be shorter-lived than the once-standard 20-plus episode broadcast season. They are also seeking more regulation around the use of artificial intelligence, which writers say could give producers a shortcut to finishing a WGA writer's work.

Understand that our fight is the same fight that is coming to your professional sector next: its the devaluing of human effort, skill, and talent in favor of automation and profits," said the writer-director Justine Bateman.

Many studios and production companies are slashing spending. The Walt Disney Co. is eliminating 7,000 jobs. Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting costs to lessen its debt. Netflix has pumped the brakes on spending growth.

With a walkout long expected, writers have rushed to get scripts in and studios have sought to prepare their pipelines to keep churning out content for at least the short term. But the loss to local economies can be considerable. Los Angeles is estimated to have lost $2.1 billion in economic output during the last strike.

Were assuming the worst from a business perspective, David Zaslav, chief executive of Warner Bros. Discovery, said last month. Weve got ourselves ready. Weve had a lot of content thats been produced.

Overseas series could also fill some of the void. We have a large base of upcoming shows and films from around the world, Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-chief executive, said on the companys earnings call in April.

The WGA strike may only be the beginning. Contracts for both the Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, expire in June. Some of the same issues around the business model of streaming will factor into those bargaining sessions.

The actors' union on Tuesday encouraged its members to join the writers picket lines in solidarity. ___

Aron Ranen and David Bauder contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
Hollywood writers launched their first strike in more than a decade on Tuesday, halting their work on film and television projects to pressure the big studios into boosting pay.

The most recent contract between the studios and the writers unions expired on Monday, with the two sides still in disagreement over pay rates, residuals and other key items in the streaming era. The two unions representing the workers, the Writers Guild of America West and the Writers Guild of America East, had warned of a strong likelihood of a work stoppage.

The strike involves more than 11,000 writers, most of them in Los Angeles and New York City, where the unions were planning picket lines.

Writers are expected not to produce new work for struck studios. The work stoppage could quickly affect late-night talk shows, but there would be a lag before viewers saw the effects of a prolonged strike on scripted television shows and film.

The companies have leveraged the streaming transition to underpay writers, creating more precarious, lower-paid models for writers work.The Writers Guild of America West and the Writers Guild of America East

Writers say that it has become increasingly difficult to receive a reliable paycheck as streaming platforms have boomed. Streaming series typically use smaller writing staffs and have fewer episodes per season compared with traditional network shows. Writers also say the system for residuals  payments for when work is reused, such as in television reruns or the sale of DVDs  has been undermined by the shift to streaming platforms like Netflix.

In a sign of how frustrated writers have grown, the unions recently held a strike authorization vote in which nearly 98% gave their union leaders the green light to call a strike. Nearly 80% of eligible members took part in that vote, and the unions said both figures were record highs.

As screenwriter Alex Blagg recently put it on Twitter, [E]ven though Ive co-created shows, won Emmys, been on The Black List, sold two features and staffed steadily in TV for 8 straight years, I still cant figure out how to earn a stable living as a writer.

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The last time Hollywood writers went on strike was 2007.

The last time Hollywood writers went on strike was 2007.

The contract the two sides are negotiating is known as the three-year minimum basic agreement, and it sets baseline standards for work done at the covered studios, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal and Netflix. Those studios bargain the agreement collectively through an industry group known as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

According to the unions, a growing share of writers, editors and showrunners are now receiving the industrys minimum pay under the contract. For example, a decade ago, 10% of co-producers were working at the minimum rate and now that number is 59%. The unions also say median pay for writers and producers has dropped 4% nominally over that period.

The companies have leveraged the streaming transition to underpay writers, creating more precarious, lower-paid models for writers work, the WGAW and WGAE said in a recent memo. (HuffPosts unionized employees are represented by the WGAE.)

Chris Keyser, a co-chair of the unions negotiating committee, recently described the challenges facing writers as existential.

The move to the streaming model has devalued writers work in a way we have not seen before and leaves us with an agenda that is central to the economic survival of writers, Keyser recently told the Los Angeles Times. While the companies are making billions of dollars, spending more and more on streaming, writers are making less and less.

The last time the industrys writers went on strike was in 2007 and 2008. That work stoppage lasted 100 days.

Related...
(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong plans to slash the number of directly elected seats in local district councils as authorities seek to prevent activists from gaining power.

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The proposal would see the city hold direct elections for just 20% of Hong Kongs district council seats, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said at a Tuesday press briefing. Lee would appoint roughly 40% of the seats, while the rest would be indirectly elected via community organizations.

Changes to the citys once-open electoral systems have been in the works for years. At the briefing, Lee alluded to the councils last election in 2019, when protests swept the city and pro-democracy candidates won 85% of the 452 seats up for election in a stunning rebuke of the citys Beijing-backed government.

Those victories were short-lived. After Beijing in 2020 imposed a national security law on Hong Kong that quelled dissent, the city required elected officials to pledge allegiance to the Basic Law  Hong Kongs mini-constitution. Instead of doing so, hundreds of them resigned, according to local media. Others were disqualified.

They acted in a way that was contrary to the interests of Hong Kong, and so many of them refused to swear allegiance, Lee said at the briefing, where he accused those councilors of trying to obstruct the governance of Hong Kong.

The total number of seats would be reduced to 470 from 479, Lee said. The government is drafting a bill containing the amendment so that it can implement the changes. The next district council election is scheduled for later this year.

District board elections were first held in Hong Kong in 1982, when the city was still British-controlled, with one third directly elected.

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The local district councils are considered the lowest rung of the citys government, and mostly advise the chief executive on matters including on the use of public facilities and organizing community activities.

But Tuesdays announcement was emblematic of what has become a series of changes to chip away at a system that once provided its people a far greater ability to directly elect representatives.

In 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed orders to amend Hong Kongs Basic Law. The sweeping plan from Beijing revamped the body that picks Hong Kongs leader and gave it the power to directly elect 40 members of the Legislative Council, the citys more powerful lawmaking body.

Changes to the rules also ensured that only patriots can hold an elected seat in the citys parliament.

--With assistance from Olivia Tam.

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WASHINGTON  The only clue to the gambit was in the title of the otherwise obscure hodgepodge of a bill: The Breaking the Gridlock Act.

But the 45-page legislation, introduced without fanfare in January by a little-known Democrat, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier of California, is part of a confidential, previously unreported, strategy that Democrats have been plotting for months to quietly smooth the way for action by Congress to avert a devastating federal default if debt ceiling talks remain deadlocked.

With a possible default now projected as soon as June 1, Democrats on Tuesday began taking steps to deploy the secret weapon they have been holding in reserve. They started the process of trying to force a debt-limit increase bill to the floor through a so-called discharge petition that could bypass Republican leaders who have refused to raise the ceiling unless President Joe Biden agrees to spending cuts and policy changes.

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House Democrats are working to make sure we have all options at our disposal to avoid a default, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the minority leader, wrote in a letter he sent to colleagues Tuesday. The filing of a debt ceiling measure to be brought up on the discharge calendar preserves an important option. It is now time for MAGA Republicans to act in a bipartisan manner to pay Americas bills without extreme conditions.

An emergency rule that Democrats introduced Tuesday, during a pro forma session held while the House is in recess, would start the clock on a process that would allow them to begin collecting signatures as soon as May 16 on such a petition, which can force action on a bill if a majority of members sign on. The open-ended rule would provide a vehicle to bring DeSaulniers bill to the floor and amend it with a Democratic proposal  which has yet to be written  to resolve the debt-limit crisis.

The strategy is no silver bullet, and Democrats concede it is a long shot. Gathering enough signatures to force a bill to the floor would take at least five Republicans willing to cross party lines if all Democrats signed on, a threshold that Democrats concede will be difficult to reach. They have yet to settle on the debt ceiling proposal itself, and for the strategy to succeed, Democrats would likely need to negotiate with a handful of mainstream Republicans to settle on a measure they could accept.

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A handful of hard-right Republicans explicitly warned their colleagues on Tuesday not to go down that path. House Republicans: dont defect! Sen. Mike Lee of Utah wrote on Twitter.

Still, Democrats argue that the prospect of a successful effort could force House Republicans into a more acceptable deal. And Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens announcement Monday that a potential default was only weeks away spurred Democratic leaders to act.

House Democratic leaders have for months played down the possibility of initiating a discharge petition as a way out of the stalemate. They are hesitant to budge from the party position, which Biden has articulated repeatedly, that Republicans should agree to raise the debt limit with no conditions or concessions on spending cuts.

But behind the scenes, they were simultaneously taking steps to make sure a vehicle was available if needed.

There were no signs Tuesday of any momentum toward even a temporary resolution. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, brushed aside the idea of putting off a confrontation by passing a short-term debt limit increase, telling reporters: We should not kick the can down the road.

And Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, reiterated that he intended to leave the negotiations to Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, again dashing the private hopes of some Democrats that the veteran Republican would ultimately cut a deal with them to allow the debt ceiling to be lifted, as he has done in the past.

There is no solution in the Senate, McConnell said.

The White House had no public comment on the discharge effort, according to Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary. Biden is scheduled next week to host McCarthy and other congressional leaders at the White House to discuss raising the debt limit. His goal at that meeting, a senior administration official said, will be to stress the importance of averting default and creating a separate negotiation to address other budget issues.

The discharge petition process can be time-consuming and complicated, so House Democrats who devised the strategy started early and carefully crafted their legislative vehicle. Insiders privately refer to the measure as a Swiss Army knife bill  one that was intended to be referred to every single House committee in order to keep open as many opportunities as possible for forcing it to the floor.

It would create a task force to help grandparents raising grandchildren, create a federal strategy for reducing earthquake risks, change the name of a law that governs stock trading by members of Congress, extend small business loans, protect veterans from the IRS, authorize a new Pentagon grant program to protect nonprofit organizations against terrorist attacks and more. The legislation was so broad and eclectic that it was referred to 20 committees, where it has sat idle for months. That was the point.

DeSaulniers intent was never to pass the elements of the bill, although he favors them all. It was to create what is known on Capitol Hill as a shell of a bill that would ultimately serve as the basis for a discharge petition  and a way out of the debt-limit standoff.

I wrote it in a way to be prepared, said DeSaulnier, a former member of the Rules Committee who worked with Democratic procedural experts to craft legislation that could provide a debt-limit escape hatch. I anticipated there would be these problems with the Republican caucus, whether it was abortion or the debt limit. I think it was the responsible thing as a legislator to do.

Democrats say the beauty of DeSaulniers bill  which Republicans have ignored  is that it long ago passed the threshold of being held in committee for at least 30 days, the minimum length of time to initiate a discharge petition to force action on legislation. And they said that the fact that it was under the jurisdiction of so many committees gave them several options for moving forward.

DeSaulnier was picked to sponsor the measure because his low profile meant there was likely to be little attention to his bill. In contrast, any legislation introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Rules Committee, would have drawn attention immediately, and Republicans might have been able to take action to derail it.

Discharge petitions have spurred action in the past by prompting House leaders to move on issues rather than lose control of the floor through a guerrilla legislative effort. But the procedure is rarely successful and has produced a law in only a handful of cases, including the approval of major bipartisan campaign finance legislation in 2002. Congressional leaders of both parties have been disdainful of such efforts, since they effectively wrest control of the House floor from the majority.

Democrats say that the current situation, with a default looming, showed that they were taking prudent precautions with DeSaulniers bill. Besides thwarting gridlock, the legislation says its purpose is also to advance common-sense policy priorities.

Catie Edmondson and Katie Rogers contributed reporting.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Darnell Bernard Edwards, 33, of Antioch, was sentenced today to 19 years and seven months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release for the sex trafficking of two minors, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in April and May 2019, Edwards transported two minors to the Desert Star Motel in Bakersfield and had them engage in prostitution. Edwards also transported the minors to other locations within California, supplied them with marijuana, and all three had the letter D and a crown tattooed on their bodies.

READ NEXT: Federal Officials Meet With The Family Of Shanquella Robinson

This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bakersfield Police Department with assistance from the Antioch Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploited children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the "resources" tab for details about internet-safety education.

READ MORE: Two Arrested for Operating Illegal Overseas Police Station of the Chinese Government

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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet with President Joe Biden on May 9 to discuss the debt limit, a source familiar told USA TODAY early Tuesday.

The meeting will end a three-month stall in negotiations and comes three weeks before the U.S. is projected to run out of money to pay its bills. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday estimated the government could reach its borrowing limit as soon as June 1.

Biden invited the top congressional leaders in both parties to meet next week, including McCarthy, R-Calif; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

"McCarthy spoke to Biden and agreed to meet on the 9th," the source familiar told USA TODAY.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks to reporters just after the Republican majority in the House narrowly passed a sweeping debt ceiling package as they try to push President Joe Biden into negotiations on federal spending, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Biden's invitation came about an hour after Yellen warned the government could default on its debt next month for the first time in U.S. history.

"After reviewing recent federal tax receipts, our best estimate is that we will be unable to continue to satisfy all of the government's obligations by early June, and potentially as early as June 1, if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt limit before that time," she said in a statement Monday.

The Biden administration and the GOP-controlled House have been in a standoff over the impending deadline. Republicans want to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts, and the president wants to raise the government's borrowing limit without conditions.

Biden will stress the urgency of acting as well as discuss how the White House can deal separately with House Republicans on future spending decisions, according to a White House official.

McCarthy wants spending cuts

Meanwhile, McCarthy's position remains unchanged, as a source familiar with his thinking pointed to a statement after the House passed their debt limit bill last week with $4.5 trillion in spending cuts.

"Todays vote also sends a clear message to President Biden  continuing to ignore the problem is not an option. The President must come to the table to negotiate," McCarthy said on April 26.

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After Yellen's announcement Monday, McCarthy reiterated in a statement that Republicans "did their job" in passing a debt limit bill.

However, it's a bill that cuts spending and has no chance of passing the Democratic-led Senate and would be vetoed by Biden.

McCarthy, who is leading a congressional delegation in Israel this week, said Biden has "refused to do his job" while "the clock is ticking."

U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, center, is joined by a U.S. Congressional delegation as he speaks after a session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset in Jerusalem, Monday, May 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Biden wants a clean debt ceiling

Biden insists future spending decisions be negotiated separately  and the debt limit be increased without conditions as it has been under past presidents, including Donald Trump.

"We pay our bills, and we should do so without reckless hostage-taking from some of the MAGA Republicans in Congress," Biden said Monday.

If the government defaults on its debt  something the U.S. has never done - financial markets could tank, hurting 401(k)s and other investments. A debt ceiling standoff in 2013 cost the economy 1% in GDP.

Since 1960, Congress has acted 78 times to permanently raise, temporarily extend, or revise the definition of the debt limit  49 times under Republican presidents and 29 times under Democratic presidents, according to the Treasury Department.

As Democrats and Republicans debate the issue, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office updated its forecast to warn of a "significantly greater risk" that the Treasury will run out of funds in early June. The agency had previously estimated that could happen sometime between July and September.

The forecast changed, CBO Director Phillip Swagel said in a statement Monday, because taxes collected through April were less than the CBO had projected in February.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet with President Joe Biden on May 9
A protest for Mahsa Amini, who died after being arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly not complying with dress code laws, in Tehran on Sept. 19, 2022. Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Every year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) releases a report on religious oppression around the world, recommending that the State Department designate specific countries as especially severe violators. In this years report, released May 1, 2023, Iran came in for particular criticism after months of protests and arrests sparked by headscarf laws. Sri Lanka, Cuba and Nicaragua were also singled out as areas of concern; Nicaragua is specifically accused of persecution against Catholics.

Created through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the commission exemplifies how the right to freedom of religious expression has come to play a significant role in U.S. discussions about human rights  and not just abroad. Legislation and recent Supreme Court rulings have created a new legal landscape in which religious freedom claims have become more likely to prevail at home, including well-known court cases like the Hobby Lobby ruling on contraception.

Underlying many debates about how courts and policies treat religion is an often-unspoken question: Is any human right  religious freedom in particular  more important than another? And what happens when human rights claims come into conflict?

As a scholar of human rights and religion, I believe its important to unpack those questions  and to unpack the difference they make in the lives of people affected by U.S. policies around the world.

For one, for all

For the last several decades, the United Nations has been careful to describe all human rights as interdependent. In this view, protecting any human right requires protecting all human rights.

As an example, think of two distinct rights recognized in the Declaration of Human Rights: the right to adequate food and the right to protest. A person who doesnt have enough food to live on is unlikely to have the health and energy to protest, and someone deprived of food because of government policies may find it necessary to protest in order to claim their right to food.

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The U.N. and many human rights advocates have also argued that all rights are equal: No human right outweighs another.

According to this view, the only permissible reason one right could ever be temporarily suspended is to protect some other right. Even then, restricting the first right should be a last resort, and it should be restored as soon as possible.

For instance, a person with active tuberculosis or some other contagious disease might be ordered to quarantine for a period. Forced quarantine restricts the individuals right to freedom of movement, but it is considered more urgent to protect other peoples rights to life and health.

In other words, rights might sometimes conflict, but they all depend on each other and are of equal importance in principle. No human right can be ignored or downplayed.

Picking and choosing?

International discussion of human rights has not always reflected this view.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948, after the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II. It captured a general international consensus that rights protection should shape international humanitarian policy. However, when the U.N. General Assembly attempted to make the rights in the declaration enforceable in international law, disagreements about the importance of different types of rights led to not one but two treaties: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Some countries have not ratified the first, including China and Saudi Arabia; others have not ratified the second, including the United States.

Children of the United Nations International Nursery School look at a poster of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Today, too, many political leaders do not view all rights as equally weighty. For example, the Chinese government is known to regularly invade citizens privacy and has brutally repressed minority groups. Chinese leaders and state-owned media have insisted that advancing peoples social and economic rights, such as peace and the right to basic subsistence, takes priority over pursuing civil and political rights.

In the United States, the opposite is true. U.S. leaders and influential thinkers have often argued that civil and political rights, like the right to vote or to a fair trial, are more fundamental than economic and social rights, that they are more practical to uphold, or that they fit more neatly into the countrys history of political thought. For example, some Republican politicians, such as Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, have argued that health care is a privilege, not a right.

Two-tier rights?

Questions about how U.S. foreign policy should balance protections for different kinds of rights came under a spotlight in 2019, when then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo created the Commission on Unalienable Rights. This commissions stated goal was to advise the U.S. government on human rights, drawing on both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the founding documents of the United States.

USCIRF was not involved in the Commission on Unalienable Rights, but put out a statement in support of its work. At the time, USCIRFs president was Tony Perkins, best known for his leadership of the evangelical nonprofit Family Research Council. In the statement, Perkins referred to religious freedom as the most foundational fundamental right.

The commissions report received both praise and criticism from advocates and scholars for its attempt to distinguish unalienable rights, which all individuals have by nature, from positive rights, which are based in custom and written law. The report contends that, from the founders point of view, property rights and religious liberty are most essential, and governments should promote economic rights only insofar as those rights do not infringe on property and religious liberty rights.

Mike Pompeo meets with Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox world, during a 2020 meeting on religious freedom. Umit Bektas/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

The report also describes a few types of rights claims as matters of debate rather than settled law, such as the right to same-sex marriage, which it calls one of several divisive social and political controversies where it is common for both sides to couch their claims in terms of basic rights. Two sentences later, the writers argue that an increase in rights claims, in some ways overdue and just, has given rise to excesses of its own.

In short, the commission prioritized property rights and religious freedom claims. Pompeos State Department acted in line with these priorities, holding two summits on religious freedom with civic and religious leaders from around the world. The State Department also created an International Religious Freedom Alliance with more than two dozen nations, without similar initiatives around other human rights.

The course ahead

Under the administration of President Joe Biden, the Commission on Unalienable Rights was shelved. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has argued that all human rights are co-equal and has criticized the commissions report for seeming to create a hierarchy of rights.

The State Department under Biden has expressed its intent to advance rights claims of LGBTQ+ individuals. Recently, it threatened sanctions on Uganda over a new bill that would impose punishments as severe as death for same-sex relationships.

The latest International Religious Freedom report demonstrates that the right to religious freedom is threatened in many places. The entire world has a long way to go in ensuring it is meaningfully protected. At the same time, debates remain heated over whether protecting this right should ever mean violating others.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Laura E. Alexander, University of Nebraska Omaha.

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Laura E. Alexander receives funding as a Public Fellow of the Public Religion Research Institute.
Lunden Alexis Roberts is the mother of Hunter Bidens 4-year-old daughter, Navy Joan Roberts, whom both President Biden and the first lady refuse to acknowledge as their seventh grandchild.

A former stripper at the Mpire Gentlemen's Club in Washington, D.C., Roberts had a brief affair with Hunter Biden about five years ago that resulted in a pregnancy, not long after he ended a torrid affair with Hallie Biden, the widow of his brother, Beau Biden.

Both Roberts, 32, and Hunter Biden, 53, appeared in person Monday in Batesville, Arkansas, before Independence County Circuit Judge Holly Meyer. The judge ordered that both parents be present for proceedings and can no longer only send attorneys in the ongoing child support and paternity case involving their daughter.

The girl was born in August 2018. A paternity suit was filed in May 2019  the same month Hunter Biden married his second wife, Melissa Cohen, with whom he now shares a young son named Beau after his late brother who died in 2015 from brain cancer.

Unlike 4-year-old Navy, the 3-year-old Beau is often photographed at the White House with both his father and president grandfather, most recently during the annual Easter Egg Roll.

HUNTER BIDEN APPEARS IN ARKANSAS COURT FOR HEARING IN CHILD SUPPORT CASE OF 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In a January 2020 order, Meyer declared following a DNA test "with near scientific certainty" that Hunter Biden is the biological father of the girl, referred to in documents as "Baby Doe."

Lunden Roberts arrives at the Independence County Courthouse in Batesville, Arkansas, on May 1, 2023. Roberts and Hunter Biden appeared in court regarding child support for their 4-year-old-daughter.

Roberts modest Instagram profile, which has slightly more than 6,000 followers as of Tuesday, features several photos of the daughter she shares with Hunter Biden. Most recently, she shared a photo of the blonde-tressed toddler with a pink bow in her hair during a trip to the beach. The caption quotes Nikita Gill, reading, "Her mother told her she could grow up to be anything she wanted to be, so she grew up to become the strongest of the strong, the strangest of the strange, the wildest of the wild, the wolf leading the wolves."

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In another photo on the girls birthday last year, Roberts described her as "My World."

"Happy birthday to my greatest blessing. God knew I needed you. I love you, always and forever," Roberts wrote. Navy is seen wearing black sunglasses, an Air Force One T-shirt and matching white and black plaid shorts and a blazer. Her mother quoted Gill once more, writing, "And in all the stories my daughter shall hear, it will not be the princes that slay the dragons but little girls that believe in magic, with big, brave hearts and even bigger dreams."

SECRETARY OF STATE BLINKEN DENIES ROLE IN HUNTER BIDEN RUSSIAN DISINFO LETTER: WASNT MY IDEA'

A sketch shows Independence County Circuit Judge Holly Meyer presiding over the child support hearing with, from left, Hunter Biden, Clint Lancaster and his client, Lunden Roberts, on May 1, 2023.

Roberts and Hunter Biden reached an agreement in 2020 over the childs paternity and child support, but the case was reopened when the presidents son requested adjustments to the payments. In December, Roberts requested her daughters last name be changed to Biden, with her attorneys writing in a motion, "The Biden name is now synonymous with being well-educated, successful, financially acute, and politically powerful." Bidens team demanded an explanation into why a name change would be in the childs best interests.

In court Monday, Hunter Bidens new attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that the presidents son has been paying $20,000 per month in child support, amounting to $750,000 paid so far.

According to Page Six, Roberts graduated from Arkansas State University in 2014 and enrolled at George Washington University, where she attended classes during the summer and fall semesters of 2015 in pursuit of a certificate program in forensic investigation but never graduated. At Mpire, she reportedly danced under the stage name "Dallas."

Around the time Roberts became pregnant with his child, Hunter Biden was reportedly making at least $83,000 per month while sitting on the board of Burisma Holdings, one of Ukraines largest natural gas companies. Hunter Bidens ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, to whom he was married from 1993 to 2017, detailed years of his alleged alcoholism, drug addiction and infidelity in a memoir published last year.
International Business Machines (IBM) CEO Arvind Krishna said in a new interview with Bloomberg that the company is expecting to pause hiring for jobs that he says could be done with artificial intelligence (AI).

According to Bloomberg, Krishna said that hiring in back-office jobs will be slowed down in the coming year, noting that he could see 30 percent of those 26,000 jobs being replaced by AI. This means that about 7,800 of those jobs would be lost, as concerns rise about how AIs influence could impact academic, technology and business industries.

I could easily see 30% of that getting replaced by AI and automation over a five-year period, he said.

Krishna said that tasks like providing employment verification letters and switching employees between departments could be fully automated. According to the report, he said that other human resources tasks like evaluating productivity would likely not be replaced by automation or AI for over the next 10 years.

He also said that the country may face a shallow and short recession at the end of the year after previously saying that he thought the country could avoid it at the end of last year.

IBM announced earlier this year that the company would be laying off nearly 4,000 jobs as a result of one of its branches breaking off to become its own company. The company said at the time that it is not a reflection of IBMs financial outlook.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
IBM's CEO Arvind Krishna Brian Ach / Stringer / Via Getty

IBM will slow or suspend hiring for back-office roles that AI could replace.

IBM's CEO told Bloomberg 7,800 jobs, roughly 30% of back-end roles, would be replaced over 5 years.

Roles in human resources and non-customer-facing jobs will be impacted.

AI-induced job cuts are here.

IBM, the international computing giant headquartered in New York, is halting hiring in its non-customer-facing roles that could be replaced by artificial intelligence, Arvind Krishna, the company's CEO, told Bloomberg.

The cuts will primarily impact non-customer-facing roles, such as human resources, Krishna said  a division that accounts for approximately 26,000 workers.

"I could easily see 30% of that getting replaced by AI and automation over a five-year period," Krishna told Bloomberg  a figure which represents roughly 7,800 jobs. While people currently in these roles won't be fired, an IBM spokesperson told the outlet any roles vacated by attrition wouldn't be filled.

Bloomberg previously reported that the company, which employs about 260,000 people, had announced job cuts earlier this year, amounting to 1.5% of its workforce.

A spokesperson for IBM told Insider in an emailed comment: "There is no blanket hiring 'pause' in place. IBM is being deliberate and thoughtful in our hiring with a focus on revenue-generating roles, and we're being very selective when filling jobs that don't directly touch our clients or technology. We are actively hiring for thousands of positions right now."

In recent months, as capabilities of AI like ChatGPT have expanded exponentially, experts have warned of potential impacts to the labor market. Tech, media, and legal industries are among those most likely to be impacted, Insider previously reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Idaho Supreme Court Justice John R. Stegner has announced that he will retire from judicial service on Oct. 31 and eventually return to private practice as an attorney, ending a total of 26 years on the bench.

Gov. Phil Batt appointed Stegner to be a district court judge in Latah County in 1997, and Gov. Butch Otter appointed him to the Idaho Supreme Court in 2018, according to a news release Tuesday from the State of Idaho Judicial Branch.

It was always a goal of mine to be on the bench, Stegner said in the release.

Born in Grangeville, Stegner said he once considered a career in education but chose to attend law school at the University of Idaho. He clerked for a federal judge in Boise before developing a practice at a legal firm in Lewiston.

Nobody wants to be sued. Nobody wants to sue, Stegner said. But our court system enables us to resolve those disputes successfully.

Stegner has chaired the Idaho Supreme Court Education Committee since 2019, helping train many judges and collaborate on education projects across the courts, the release said. But treatment courts became Stegners passion, as he established two in Latah County during his time as a district judge.

He once performed a wedding for two treatment court graduates and recalls parents approaching him at graduations to say, Thank you for giving me my child back, according to the release. In an interview last year, he described presiding over treatment courts as the most gratifying work I have done as a judge.

As he prepares to leave the bench, Stegner said hes concerned by society questioning the legitimacy of Americas courts in a way thats never happened.

If we lose the independence of the judiciary, its a loss we will never be able to overcome, he said.

Stegner thanked his wonderful, diligent, hardworking colleagues on the states highest court  there are five Idaho Supreme Court justices  and said he learned these lessons in a long career: Dont stoop to match others contentious behavior and check your ego at the courtroom door.

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Justice Stegner brings a principled, deliberate approach to both the appeals we resolve and his vision of what Idahos courts should be, Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan said in the release. His drive to better ourselves and our work has improved justice for Idahoans. We wish him the best as he prepares for retirement.

Stegner intends to serve as a senior justice in retirement until pending appellate cases are resolved, the release said.

The Idaho Supreme Courts most recent high-profile case involved the states strict new abortion laws, which were challenged by Planned Parenthood. Stegner was part of the minority in the 3-2 decision that upheld three Idaho laws, and he provided the strongest dissent.

Idaho women have a fundamental right to obtain an abortion because pregnancy  and whether that pregnancy may be terminated  has a profound effect on pregnant womens inalienable right to liberty, as well as their rights to life and safety, Stegner wrote in January.

Under state law, Gov. Brad Little will appoint a justice to replace Stegner from a list of applicants provided by the Idaho Judicial Council. That person will serve the rest of Stegners term, which ends in January 2027.
A crash involving more than 70 vehicles shut down a highway in Illinois, Monday, May 1, 2023. Illinois State Police say a windstorm that kicked up clouds of dust in south-central Illinois led to numerous crashes and multiple fatalities on Interstate 55. | WICS TV via Associated Press

A dust storm swept across an interstate road in central Illinois, causing more than 70 commercial and passenger cars to crash and pile up, killing six and injuring at least 37 on Monday.

The crashes occurred within a two-mile stretch of Interstate 55, just north of Farmersville, in Montgomery County, Illinois State Police said in a statement. Police responded Monday close to 11 a.m., closing the road and diverting traffic, until the vehicles can be removed and inspected for safety.

As of Tuesday morning, the interstate has at least one lane open, per WGN News.

Identified as deceased in the wreck was 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin, reported police. The identities of other victims have not been released yet. Those injured in the crash range from two years old to beyond 80 years old, police said.

Kevin Schott, the director of Montgomery Emergency Management Agency, said the scene was very emotional, and something thats hard to train for, in a press conference, per ABC 7.

What was it like to be in the dust storm pileup?

Quetta Penson, who was driving home to Chicago at the time, witnessed the pileup and told ABC 7 that it looked like a war zone.

We could see bodies that were just lifeless laying in the grass on the side of the road, Penson said.

Another driver named Nathan Cormier said that when he first drove into the dust storm, it was light at first, and then became a gray out, he told ABC 7. He pulled off to the side of the road when his visibility was reduced and started helping people out of their cars, seeing one man with cracked ribs and a lot of facial contusions from airbag deployments.

He captured this footage, posted by Fox 2 St. Louis.

It was a doozy day, Cormier said.

What caused the dust storm in Illinois?

During this time of year, farmers in the area begin to plow their fields which contributed to the big dust storm, reported CNN.

The deciding factor today was the tilled fields, CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said. This was a localized event by localized conditions.

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With winds blowing at 45 miles per hour, the plowed dirt took to the sky and moved across the road, creating a cloud that reduced visibility to a quarter of a mile, even making it zero at times, per the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois. The height of the dust storm varies by day, the service station said, but can vary to a wall of dust thats 5,000 to 7,000 feet tall.

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Emine Dzhaparova

The image was dedicated to a blast at an oil depot in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Sevastopol in Crimea. It depicted a female who looked like goddess Kali in an upskirt pose reminiscent of Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe with the caption Work of Art.

However, the tweet triggered outrage among netizens. It was later deleted.

Before being scrubbed, the image screengrab was widely shared on social media, with many tagging the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, demanding that he seek an apology, reported The Hindustan Times.

Read also: Russia fails to meet its commitments on weapons delivery to India due to war in Ukraine

Defense of Ukraine/Twitter

Russian propagandists widely discussed the image.

Ukraines First Deputy Foreign Minister, Emine Dzhaparova, apologized on May 1 for the post, saying that Ukrainians appreciate Indias support.

Read also: Putin may attend G20 summit in India, Bloomberg writes

We regret Ukraines Defense Ministry depicting Hindu goddess Kali in a distorted manner, she tweeted.

Ukraine and its people respect (the) unique Indian culture and highly appreciate Indias support. The depiction has already been removed.

Ukraine is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect and friendship, Dzhaparova added.

Dzhaparova visited the Indian capital of New Delhi for two days in early April. She invited India to join the peace formula and the Grain from Ukraine initiative.

She also announced at the time that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would like to hold phone talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
For the first time, Action News Jax has received images of children in Ukraine receiving toy donations from the Jacksonville area.

Action News Jax first told you in April 2022, when then-11-year-old Sage Goodall decided to collect stuffed toys for children suddenly caught in the middle of a war against Russia.

Hugs for the Children of Ukraine was founded by Sage to help children ...feeling sad that their country is under attack and they have to leave everything.

Sage said in 2022, The kids of Ukraine need something to hug onto. So, I am collecting stuffed animals. So if theyre scared or sad, they can hug it and make sure they feel happy, joyful inside, not sad or scared.

READ: St. Johns County 11-year-old collecting stuffed toys for kids in Ukraine

Sages family has now obtained videos and pictures of the children getting the toy donations a few months ago and shared them with us.

Over eight thousand toys and backpacks filled with books were able to be collected by Sage for the children in Ukraine.

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Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Tick season is here, and parts of the U.S. could see a bumper crop. This past mild winter and early spring heat provide the perfect ingredients for an earlier, longer and more active tick season.

"Because of the milder winter, we're seeing many more ticks," said Dr. Purvi Parikh when she sat down with Meteorologist Ian Oliver Monday. "And with the ticks, there are a lot of illnesses to that they carry."

A closeup of a tick.

THREATS FROM TICKS, FLEAS AND MOSQUITOS ON THE RISE AFTER HISTORIC RAINFALL, CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS WARN

Oliver agreed with her saying, "It was more so the winter that wasn't. We didn't really see brutally cold temperatures. We saw almost no snow here in New York City."

New York rewrote the record books this 2023. Weather stations didn't record snow until February 1, the latest in 50 years of records. That marked the second-longest snowless streak for the city as well. Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington also didn't see snow until February.

NEW YORK CITY FINALLY SEES SNOW WEDNESDAY, ENDING 328-DAY SNOWLESS STREAK

The photo shows the life stages of a brown dog tick. From far left see the larva, nymph, adult male, adult female, partially engorged adult female and engorged adult female.

So ticks escaped the extreme cold that can diminish their numbers, especially in the Northeast.

Oliver told FOX Weather viewers that he knows how debilitating tickborne diseases can be. He grew up in Massachusetts and contracted Lyme disease from an infected tick.

"The threat here (is) of ticks carrying a variety of diseases. This is something for me, speaking personally and candidly, Lyme disease, I suffered from it with some serious consequences," he admitted. "Each person in my family, same thing. It is so prevalent now."

And reported cases are increasing every year. U.S. cases of Lyme disease have doubled since 2000, says the CDC.

MALARIA FEARS RISE AS WARMING CLIMATE EXTENDS RANGE OF DISEASE-CARRYING MOSQUITOES, STUDY FINDS

Confirmed and probable Lyme disease cases in the U.S. between 1992 and 2005.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and the most commonly reported vector-borne disease (transmitted from animal to human). The CDC estimates that 476,000 Americans were diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease in 2021.

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The CDC estimates the cost of the disease for an average patient is $1,200 per infection. Research suggests that it costs the U.S. between $345 million to $968 million every year.

Many more tickborne diseases are just as debilitating. One bite from a lone star tick can cause a life-threatening food allergy to meat. A 3-year-old from Pennsylvania spent weeks in a hospital with a brain infection from a tick.

NEW REASON TO FEAR TICKS: EXTREME FOOD ALLERGY POSSIBLE FROM SINGLE BITE

Johnny spent 12 days in the hospital undergoing multiple tests. He tested positive for Powassan virus, a rare and dangerous tick-borne disease.

"Another one might be Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or what we call the spotted group Rickettsia because there's a whole bunch, a slew of tick-borne diseases, frankly, that probably make your eyes glaze over, that physicians know about," Dr. Sarah Park told FOX Weather. "And it's really more important to realize that ticks carry disease, and that could be in any part of the country pretty much."

Ticks love the warm, moist spring, and the CDC shows that emergency room visits for ticks spiked in May and June.

"Depending on the location, 1%-50% of black-legged ticks may have the bacteria," said Amy Korman, Ph.D., Extension Educator with PennSate Extension and entomology expert using Lyme disease as an example.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Don't fear the outdoors, doctors say. Covering up and doing tick checks can prevent illness. Ticks take hours and days to transmit the disease. For example, a black-legged tick takes 1 to 2 days to transmit bacteria causing Lyme disease.

"So if you live in an area that has predominantly many ticks, that means areas that are very wooded in the Northeast like Massachusetts, Long Island, Connecticut, wooded areas, make sure you're fully covered, especially when you're outdoors and hiking," Parikh continued.

"And that includes socks, long sleeves. And there's also insect repellent spray that you can use as well," she said. "And when you come home, take off all your clothes and check for those ticks because if you catch it early, you can stop the tick before that illness has spread."

An adult deer tick.

"Sometimes you just don't even realize because, as you've noted, the ticks can be really tiny," said Park.

"But if you develop fever, aches and pains, nonspecific kind of people lump it as flu-like symptoms, you should let your doctor know if you know that you've been hiking within maybe the last week or even two weeks you've been outdoors, or you live in an area where you know there's a lot of tick activity," she continued. "Make sure your doctor is aware of that, so they can consider that as they examine you and take into account what might be going on."

Remove a tick immediately if you find one on your body, advises the CDC . Grasp the tick as close to the head as possible with fine-tipped tweezers and steadily pull. Dont jerk, twist or crush the tick. Make sure to remove the head from the skin.

Wash the wound and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Dispose of the insect by flushing it down the toilet, sealing it in a bag or putting in alcohol before throwing away.
(Photo : Go Nakamura/Getty Images)

Texas authorities found that the suspect in the shooting that killed five people in San Jacinto County, including child, was deported four times since 2009.

Texas authorities found that the suspect in the shooting that killed five people in San Jacinto County was deported from the US four times since 2009

The incident resulted from an altercation between the suspect and his neighbors

The suspect refused to stop practicing shooting his rifle in the area when asked by his neighbors

Texas authorities found that the suspect in the shooting in San Jacinto County was deported four times from the United States since 2009 before the recent horrific mass killing.

The man, identified as Francisco Oropesa, killed five of his neighbors, including a child, after he argued with them regarding his practice shooting with his semi-automatic weapon in the area.

Texas Shooting Suspect Deported Four Times

One resident in the area, Wilson Garcia, said that he and his wife initially called law enforcement on Friday night when Oropesa refused to stop shooting his gun outside and even threatened them.

However, as assistance did not arrive, the suspect turned up at the couple's house, occupied by several members of their extended family from Honduras. As per NBC News, Oropesa had a rifle and began shooting at the people inside the home.

A family member, Ramiro Guzman, said that Oropesa hid in a closet with his wife and infant son when he began shooting his rifle. He immediately called 911 several times, where a dispatcher said that deputies were already in the area, but they were not.

He said the dispatcher would cut off the call, forcing him to call again, only to be cut off once more. In an interview, Guzman said that he called his aunt, who lived only two blocks away, to try calling 911 if they would answer her phone.

But when San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived, five people, including Garcia's wife and nine-year-old son, were already fatally wounded. Furthermore, Oropesa had already fled the scene of the crime.

Read Also: New York Gun Buyback Program Takes in Over 3,000 Firearms in Exchange for Gift Cards

No Leads on Suspect's Whereabouts

Authorities are offering an $80,000 reward for any information that could lead to the whereabouts of the 38-year-old Mexican national. According to BBC, Texas officials said that the search for Oropesa was ongoing and warned residents that he should be considered armed and dangerous.

In a statement, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers revealed that they found at least three weapons inside Oropesa's home. FBI special agent James Smith added that they had zero leads in the investigation.

Following the horrific shooting, more than 150 officers gathered in a wooded area near the crime scene to search where the suspect was thought to have fled on foot to find any evidence of his escape, where they found clothes and a phone.

The Mexican national's history of deportation began on Mar. 17, 2009, when an immigration judge ordered his removal. Later, he unlawfully returned to the United States and was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and subsequently deported in September of that same year, January 2012, and July 2016, said ABC News.

Related Article: Texas Shooting Tragedy Leaves 5 Dead, Including 8-Year-Old

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Reuters) -

India's Ambuja Cements on Tuesday reported a better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit, aided by increased government spending on infrastructure and lower raw material costs.

Cement makers have seen prices of key raw materials such as coal and petcoke drop in recent months, analysts say.

Ambuja's profit after tax for the quarter ended March 31 rose to 5.02 billion rupees ($61.3 million)from 4.94 billion rupees a year earlier. Analysts, on average, had expected the Adani Group-owned company to report a profit of 4.55 billion rupees.

The margins on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization expanded to 22.6% from 17.3% a year earlier after kiln fuel costs fell 10%.

"With the rise in construction activities across our markets, we see the continuation of the elevated demand and strong volumes in the coming quarters as well," Chief Executive Ajay Kapur said in a statement.

"We are encouraged by the governments increased spending on infrastructure development," the company said.

Revenue from operations climbed 8.4% to 42.56 billion rupees, while the board recommended a final dividend of 2.50 rupees per share for the fiscal year that ended in March.

The increase in revenue comes even as it halted operations at its plants in northern India's Himachal Pradesh state for 50 days.

Late January, U.S.-based short-seller Hindenburg Research raised concerns about Ambuja's new owner Adani Group's debt levels and use of tax havens, allegations the group has denied. Ambuja's shares have fallen about 14% since then.

After buying Holcim AG's cement businesses in India - Ambuja and ACC Ltd - for $10.5 billion last year, the debt-laden group was reportedly looking to sell a 4-5% stake in Ambuja Cements to cut its debt. Ambuja said the company remains debt-free.

Last month, larger rival Ultratech Cement reported a 32% slump in March-quarter profit.

($1 = 81.8700 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Manvi Pant in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil)
A woman has died after forcing her way through the wrong set of doors of a lift at an Indonesian airport and falling down the shaft.

Airport staff found the body of Aisiah Sinta Dewi, 38, after being called to investigate the smell of a foul stench three days later.

A spokesman for the airport told CNN Indonesia on Monday that, when checked, the lift was running normally.

They did not say when the checks were conducted.

Ms Dewi's body has been sent to a local hospital for a post-mortem examination.

CCTV footage shows Ms Dewi's final moments before her fatal fall off the lift at the Kualanamu Airport in Medan, northern Indonesia, on 24 April.

She entered the lift through a set of doors, then turned to push a button for the second floor. She stood, waited, and began looking at her phone as a second set of doors opened up behind her. Then she appeared to push the lift button again, still facing the doors she had entered from. Ms Dewi then appeared to make a distressed phone call as she pried through the shut doors, stepping through the void.

Her body was found at the bottom of the shaft three days later following complaints to airport staff about a foul smell.

Ms Dewi's family had requested airport staff to search for her after they lost contact and could not find her at the airport terminal. Before she died, Ms Dewi reportedly phoned her niece to tell her she was trapped.

Her brother, Raja Hasibuan, blamed the incident on poor elevator security.

"This is an international-level airport. How are safety standards like this?" he said. "The response from the staff was very, very unsatisfactory."

Police have questioned 12 witnesses, including airport officers and security personnel.

They said additional witnesses may be interviewed as they search for answers.
During an emotionally-charged hearing Tuesday, a Washington County Circuit Court judge declared the West Virginia man who shot and killed three co-workers near Smithsburg last June, and tried to kill three others including two state troopers, to be not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.

Judge Brett R. Wilson ordered Joe Louis Esquivel, 24, of Hedgesville, W.Va., to be taken to the Washington County Detention Center while the Maryland Department of Health can prepare the paperwork to transfer him to a state mental-health institution.

Wilson said that institution would likely be Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, a maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital in Howard County.

Crosses hang from a chain link fence outside the Columbia Machine, Inc. building where there workers were killed in a mass shooting in June of 2022.

Esquivel suffers from schizophrenia, according to a state Health Department assessment performed on him after the June 9 shooting. Assistant State's Attorney Christopher McCormack relayed the results of the report during the hearing Tuesday morning.

Schizophrenia is a major mental disorder in which people may experience a distorted reality and hallucinations.

Wilson confirmed what the family members of the deceased victims, at least one surviving gunshot victim and others were told April 5 by the prosecuting team  that Esquivel's insanity defense would be accepted and he will not be sentenced to state prison.

Due to press deadlines, more details from the hearing will be available online at www.heraldmailmedia.com and in Thursday's newspaper.

More about those lost: Remembering community members killed, injured in Columbia Machine shooting near Smithsburg

Esquivel faced 34 charges in the mass shooting at Columbia Machine off Bikle Road on June 9 and the ensuing shootout with police after he fled in his car.

The charges included three counts of first-degree murder for the shooting deaths of Mark Alan Frey, 50, of Waynesboro, Pa.; Charles "C.J." Edward Minnick Jr., 31, of Smithsburg; and Joshua "Josh" Robert Wallace, 30, of the Hagerstown area.

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The attempted murder charges were for shooting co-worker Brandon Chase Michael, then 42, and  during the shootout  Maryland State Police Detective Sgt. Phil Martin. The third attempted murder charge was for trying to kill state police Lt. Vincent Upole, commander of the Rockville, Md., state police barrack who responded to the emergency call in an unmarked Ford Explorer.

When police confronted the fleeing Esquivel at the traffic roundabout at Mapleville and Mount Aetna roads, Esquivel drove his car head-on into Upole's SUV, according to charging documents. There also appeared to be two "gun shot strikes" to Upole's vehicle.

Intense moments as victims' families confront Esquivel

Michael, Martin, Upole and family members of Frey, Minnick and Wallace were in the downtown Hagerstown courtroom Tuesday morning.

Some of them submitted written impact statements to the court and some addressed Wilson in person during the hearing.

The hearing was intense at times as Esquivel stared straight ahead except to speak to his defense attorney.

As family members of the victims spoke angrily about the torment and hell he had put them through, they demanded he turn around and look at them in the eye.

But he never looked back.

District Public Defender Angela Oetting, at least the second public defender to have Esquivel's case, refiled pleas for him in October. They included pleas of not guilty, not competent to stand trial and not criminally responsible, the latter of which is a legal term for an insanity plea. She cited state code regarding not criminally responsible, "in that at the time of the commission of the offense alleged, the Defendant suffered from a mental disorder and lacked substantial capacity to either appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law."

While state police medical personnel were treating Esquivel after the June 9 shootout, Esquivel allegedly asked to be killed, charging documents state. Later, he allegedly told investigators he shot at police to get them to kill him.

If Esquivel is one day found to no longer be a danger to himself or others, he could be released without serving time in state prison.

One of many: Mass killing database: Revealing trends, details and anguish of every US event since 2006

Family members of Frey and Wallace told The Herald-Mail last month that they wanted Esquivel to get mental-health treatment, but that he also should get prison time rather than the possibility of being released some day.

Esquivel has spent most of his time, since the shootings, at the Washington County Detention Center.

Capt. Edward Long, assistant warden for the local detention center, said recently that Esquivel has been held in protective custody status, meaning he has his own cell to keep him and others safe and secure.

Wilson had signed off on Esquivel being transported to Perkins or another facility for mental health evaluations to determine if he was competent to stand trial and whether he was not criminally responsible.

The maximum penalty for one count of first-degree murder alone would have been life without the possibility of parole.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Smithsburg, MD mass shooting: WV man ordered to psychiatric hospital
Interstate 55 in central Illinois reopened in both directions Tuesday morning after a deadly dust storm caused a chain reaction of crashes that killed seven people and injured more than 30 more, authorities said.

A windstorm in Montgomery County blew blinding dust off farm fields Monday, causing a pileup involving at least 72 vehicles near milepost 76 of the highway, according to Illinois State Police. The number of fatalities climbed Tuesday to seven after authorities discovered that the remains of one individual were two.

They were very unusual circumstances. Certainly dust storms happen, but it is not something that happens every day here in this part of Illinois or any part of Illinois, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a news conference Tuesday.

The crashes, which occurred within a two-mile stretch of I-55, shut down the highway in both directions for nearly 30 miles. The highway reopened around 6 a.m. Tuesday, about 19 hours after shutting down, according to state police.

Crash on I-55 south of Springfield backed up traffic for some 30 miles.

What we know about victims in Illinois dust storm

Police said 37 people at ages spanning from 2 years old to 80 years old were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.

Seven people died, all in crashes on I-55's northbound lanes. Illinois State Patrol initially reported that six people died in the crashes but said Tuesday that "the severity of the crash masked the remains and what was previously believed to be the remains of one individual was two."

One person who died was identified Monday as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office is working to identify the other victims, according to the Illinois State Police.

Kelly said Tuesday two of the victims remain unidentified and asked the public for help identifying them. One person was driving a blue Chrysler 300 and the other was in a Hyundai of an unknown color.

Forecasters warn of more strong winds, low visibility Tuesday

A dust storm warning is in effect until 4:15 p.m. along US-51 near the central Illinois town of Pana, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service warned of "near zero visibility" and "dangerous, life-threatening" travel conditions in the area. A dust storm warning is also in effect until 4:30 p.m. along I-55 near Farmersville and Waggoner.

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Strong winds are expected to continue in central Illinois through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service based in Lincoln, Illinois.

Winds gusting from 35 to 40 mph may result in reduced visibility due to more blowing dust near freshly plowed farm fields, the weather service said Tuesday. The service residents to use extra caution while driving and pull off the roadway as far as possible if encountering blowing dust.

What caused Illinois dust storm?

The crashes were caused by "excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility," said Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick, adding that the "whiteout situation" Monday was what's typically seen during winter snowstorms.

Winds Monday were gusting between 35 and 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

"It's very flat, very few trees," meteorologist Chuck Schaffer said. "It's been very dry across this area really for the last three weeks. The farmers are out there tilling their fields and planting. The top layer of soil is quite loose."

Video, photos show pileup in Montgomery County

Photos and videos showed a pileup of dozens of cars and tractor-trailer amid billowing smoke and dust and burnt wreckage. Flames were still visible from at least one vehicle.

Witnesses describe scene of I-55 highway pileup

After he was hit during the pileup, Tom Thomas, 43, who was traveling south to St. Louis, said "the only thing you could hear...was crash after crash after crash behind us."

Dairon Socarras Quintero, 32, who was driving to St. Louis, watched a chain reaction of crashes behind him before checking on other motorists while the dust blew ferociously. His backpack was caked with dust even though it was inside a closed truck cab.

Evan Anderson, 25, who was returning home to St. Louis from Chicago, said a semi turned before striking his vehicle.

"You couldnt even see," Anderson said. "People tried to slow down and other people didnt, and I just got plowed into. There were just so many cars and semitrucks with so much momentum behind them."

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dust storm accident on I-55 in Illinois: Road reopens after 7 killed
An Action News Jax exclusive investigation found the man who makes decisions in times of crisis, like hurricanes, has also been described by top law enforcement and public safety officials as displaying reprehensive conduct, inappropriate behavior, and deplorable actions.

Those words are used to describe Chief Todd Smith of the Emergency Preparedness Division. He runs the Emergency Operations Center for Jacksonville and is in charge in times of emergency.

Investigator Emily Turner found that during training for that job, his conduct was called into question not only by some of the highest authorities with both the city and the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department but also by an out-of-state law enforcement agency whose employee said he sexually harassed her at the National Homeland Security Conference.

So Action News Jax tracked down Chief Smith on his hour-and-a-half lunch break. JFRD denied our request to interview him so we followed his midday entourage to Southern Grill restaurant.

Were here for you, investigator Emily Turner told him when he walked out an hour and a half later.

As soon as Smith heard Action News Investigator Jax Emily Turner say, We want to talk to you about the national homeland security conference you attended last year, he ran inside the restaurant and out a different door. He gave his keys to a coworker and gave ANJ the slip.

But official documentation paints a very clear picture of what happened with the woman at an evening event for the conference. Shes a Criminal Intelligence Analyst for Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). Action News Jax requested internal emails from MSHP that state Chief Smith grabbed her arm and dragged her onto the dance floor, asked where she was staying, and continuously intruded on (her) personal space, physically placing his hands on her arms, encircling her waist and touching her buttocks. Until she was able to remove herself from Todds presence.

The woman didnt want to file an official report, hoping it could be handled administratively. But the incident was serious enough her MSHP supervisor contacted Chief Smiths boss, Chief Keith Powers with JFRD so it could be handled appropriately, according to an internal email exchange. The email says Smith didnt deny his behavior or try to justify it and the Chief Powers promised MSHP hed fire Smith if it ever happened again and would place a formal reprimand in Smiths personnel file.

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So Turner pulled his personnel file and went through it page by page. Theres nothing about the incident anywhere. But the internal City of Jacksonville emails show Smith was called to City Hall to meet with the Office of General Council, Chief Powers, and COJ Employee Services.

That email also stated Smith was reminded that he must maintain a professional relationship...when operating in a job-related capacity. That he was advised that he can be demoted... and disciplined for violating City of Jacksonville policy and counseled on city policy to ensure his understanding. Finally, he was assigned remedial sexual harassment training. But theres no way to know whether he completed that or not because none of this is in anything other than internal emails.JFRD said it was following orders from the citys Office of General Counsel. So Action News Jax went to City Hall to find Chief Administrative Officer Brian Hughes. Turner asked why Chief Powers, his boss, promised something would officially go in his file and yet theres nothing there. To which Hughes replied, I cant tell you about MSHP records, but I can say Chief Powers and I have followed every process for every complaint for every employee using the Office of General Counsels office.

This particular employee, our investigation found, is paid $153,367.56 to oversee the team that prepares for, protects against, responds to, and recovers from all hazards. So since its Hurricane Preparedness Week, Action News Jax thought it was important to ask whether hes the right man for that job.

Turner asked Hughes, If he doesnt have the judgment to walk away when a woman tells him no, should he be running the EOC? He replied, I cant speak to a specific complaint of reference, but obviously public records will speak for themselves.

Turner found public records also reveal something else. Internal documents show Chief Smiths request to go back to the National Homeland Security Conference this summer has been approved. So taxpayers could be footing the almost $10,000 bill for Smith and three coworkers to head to Chicago in July.

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A juvenile shot and killed by a Merced County Sheriffs Deputy during an exchange of gunfire in Winton on Saturday, has been identified as Jonathan Daniel Diaz-Duarte, according to Merced County Sheriffs Office Spokesperson Michelle Oliver.

Authorities have not released Diaz-Duartes age.

Oliver said the deputy is expected to make a full recovery after she was shot in the ear while attempting to apprehend the juvenile suspect.

Authorities said the incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. Saturday, when deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Winton. Deputies were involved in a short pursuit of the vehicle which ultimately crashed at the corner of Walnut Avenue and Susie Street.

Authorities said Diaz-Duarte, exited the vehicle and ran from deputies shortly after the collision. When the deputy approached Diaz-Duarte, he allegedly fired one round from what authorities called an AR-style rifle, striking the deputy in the ear.

The deputy returned fire and struck Diaz-Duarte. Authorities said deputies provided medical aid but he died at the scene.

Local law enforcement agencies as well as the California Department of Justice are assisting the Merced County Sheriffs Office with an investigation.

According to Oliver, investigators are looking for additional occupants of the vehicle who fled the scene.

Oliver said investigators are also looking into a shooting that occurred at about 12:40 a.m. Monday at what authorities described as a candlelight vigil in the area of the deputy-involved shooting. According to the Sheriffs Office, no injuries were reported.

Anyone with information regarding either of the shooting incidents is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriffs Office at 209-385-7472.
(Bloomberg) -- Irelands foreign minister criticized China on human rights and its stance over Russias war in Ukraine and rejected the idea that Europe is being squeezed between Beijing and Washington.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In comments that clashed with French President Emmanuel Macrons call last month for Europe to avoid being dragged into a conflict between China and the US over Taiwan, Micheal Martin underscored a divide between the worldview of China and Europe.

While he said Dublin will continue to work constructively with the worlds second-largest economy, he vowed to pursue the values of human rights laid out in the UN Charter and to voice opposition when we see evidence of those core principles being undermined.

There is much chatter about US-China competition, and about the need for the EU to avoid being squeezed between these two hegemons; to build and main its strategic autonomy, Martin, who is also Irelands deputy prime minister, said in a speech in Dublin on Tuesday. I disagree with this framing.

Martin said Ireland would continue to maintain robust trade ties with China, while also working to address climate change, pursue sustainable development and human rights and building a global trading and investment system.

But he laid into Beijing for failing to acknowledge that Russia started the war in Ukraine, and urged it to use its considerable influence to end the invasion.

He next called on China to avoid escalation over Taiwan, where Beijing has responded to visits from US House Speaker and other US lawmakers with military drills around the island.

Any attempt to change the status quo by force would not be acceptable, said Martin, who added that Ireland continues to respect the One China policy.

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He also targeted Chinas record on human rights, citing a UN report that noted the arbitrary and discriminatory detention of the Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups in Chinas Xinjiang region. The report said the situation may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity, he added.

Irish officials will continue to conduct visits to China to support companies and two-way trade that amounted to 34.5 billion in 2021, he said.

But we are not naive, he added. Chinas worldview is different from ours. Our interests and values differ. This reality will inevitably shape how we engage with one another.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian.

Someone asked me recently what started the tourist pilgrimage to the Irish Hills. I answered honestly that I wasn't sure what the exact tipping point was. However, I would do my best to find out.

Historians know the increase in tourism and resulting business creation along today's U.S. 12 started in the early 1920s. Up to that point, the rolling hills and lakes seemed to only catch passing interest of the media.

The earliest reference I could find in The Daily Telegram was from March 9, 1909, when the newspaper recognized an entry in the March issue of the National Sportsman, where M.F. Turrell of Hillsdale weighed in on fishing the lakes there: "We are now fairly in the midst of the historic Irish Hills, whose inhabitants have been famously known for their hospitality since Michigan history began." Turrell wrote he visited the Sand Lake cottage of Irving Finch of Adrian.

This image of the Irish Hills from a stereoscope card dates to the late 1800s, two decades before the modern tourism of the region took place.

The next few years' worth of articles identified the Irish Hills as a "perilous" region, as the advent of the automobile and unimproved roads and steep hills posed a hazard to the motorist. However, stores and lake resort hotels dotted throughout the region offered the "welcome red tank with the all-important gasoline."

One of the most interesting sources of early information came from Eleanor Secor, the daughter of a Lenawee County pioneer, Isaac Powers. She remembered in 1916 to the newspaper her childhood growing up in the Irish Hills. Born in 1835, she shared her recollections, and separated fact from fiction in the stories often told about the rolling hills. Legend had it the local indigenous villages had devised a "fish trap" between two lakes among the hills that supposedly allowed waters to build and recede and catch thousands of fish. She said there was no such concoction, and the closest thing to it was a modest trap her father had fashioned in a creek between lakes, one of them being today's Wolf Lake, near their home. The Irish Hills were, in her youth, rolling timberlands and lakes. She confirmed the uncovering of tribal artifacts and partial skeletons from the hills as they were dug out for improving roads.

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One of those times, Secor noted, involved a discovery of remains and copper kettles near Springville. Travelers heard of the discovery and took it upon themselves to excavate the site and take the items. However, Isaac Powers heard of the deed and tracked the men down. He ordered them to rebury the items just as they found them, admonishing them that taking anything from a gravesite was against all things "sacred."

Little more can be found on that discovery, overshadowed in 1923 by the sizable uncovering of human remains and burial items along the hill now known as Dead Man's Curve on U.S. 12 east of Person Highway.

Secor in her advanced years also remembered the "Catholic settlement," as it was known as before taking on the Irish Hills name. The first settler from Ireland to buy land from her family was Humphrey Egan, she said. Secor died in January 1922 at the age of 86 and one of the last with memories of the early, and original, Irish Hills.

Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Irish Hills recreation history dates back a century
A new Italian restaurant with Philadelphia roots is expected to open in downtown State College later this year, after Borough Council approved a liquor license transfer  with conditions  Monday.

Figo Italian, which has one other location in Philadelphias Northern Liberties neighborhood, is planned for the ground floor of The Standard at State College (330 W. College Ave.). According to public documents, the full-service restaurant will include a 35-seat bar in addition to an unknown number of booths and tables. Its also permitted to have music.

After publication, Timothy Chiye Lu  one of the principal owners  told the CDT the group would ideally like to open sometime this fall. They only just started the planning and design phase for the new location.

Figo Italians attorney last month implied it would not be a student bar, as most entrees at the Philadelphia location range between $24 (Chicken Saltimbocca) and $40 (Bone-In Veal).

License conditions

Because the liquor license came from outside the borough  from College Township  Borough Council was able to impose certain restrictions that it otherwise wouldnt have the authority to do. (It also couldve rejected the transfer altogether.)

Among the conditions for Mondays approved transfer:

Food-alcohol beverage ratio : Figo Italian must abide by a 60%/40% food-alcohol beverage ratio for each biannual (every 2 years) renewal period, with quarterly reports to the borough to verify sales. Although Borough Council has opted to exclude such ratios in past instances, Figo Italians owners did not object since they said they were aiming for a 75%/25 or 70%/30% split anyway. So were good to go with that, said Figo attorney Mark Kozar, of Flaherty & OHara.

Food stipulation : Alcohol sales will not be permitted when food sales are not available.

Container size: Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold in containers that exceed 22 fluid ounces, meaning no beer pitchers, for example.

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Background / Looking Ahead

Figo Italians proposal came six months after borough officials expressed concern over vacant storefronts downtown, especially among the high-rises, which boasted enough combined empty space at the time to nearly fill up a Walmart Supercenter (200,000 square feet).

But some borough leaders appeared to see the restaurants addition as a catch-22. Police Chief John Gardner expressed apprehension over an additional restaurant serving alcohol, noting it could put extra strain on police. And Councilman Peter Marshall summed up a lot of concerns Monday night.

I think its worthwhile noting that there are 42 establishments selling alcoholic beverages, and 36 of them operate within five blocks of 330 W. College Ave., Marshall said, adding that one institute recommended reducing the density of such establishments. Its also worthwhile noting that 64% of our population is between 15 and 24 and, also, (police) calls to restaurants with liquor licenses are 16 times greater than other restaurants.

Still, Council voted 6-0 to approve the liquor license transfer  with conditions  with one abstention.

Figo Italian expects to have a fast-casual pizza counter in State College, with 16-inch pies at its Philadelphia location ranging from $18 (Buffalo Chicken) to $26 (Lobster). In its application, Figo Italian also originally listed its anticipated hours as noon to midnight Monday-Thursday; noon to 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday and noon to 10/11 p.m. Sunday  but its unknown if thatll change, due to the restriction that food must be served as long as alcohol is.

The restaurants parent company, GLU Hospitality, boasts at least eight venues around Philadelphia  including 1225 Raw, Anejo, Bagels & Co., Izakaya by Yanaga, Leda Cocktail Lounge, Omakase by Yanaga and Vesper Center City. Bagels & Co. is also expected to open a State College location at The Standard, although that opening date is also not yet known.
Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co, during a Bloomberg Television interview in London - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, has announced that following First Republics crash and burn the US banking crisis is over. He might well be right on that: betting against Dimons views has not been a known money maker over the decades. But his announcement is as much an attempt by him to stabilise US banking as it is a genuine forecast. If we who have deposits in US banks believe him, what he says is true; if we disbelieve him, it is not.

Investors clearly think that the Fat Lady may still be warming up in her dressing room. Shares in other American regional banks are falling this morning. This is a good time for American depositors to remember that all banking, not just US based banking, is essentially a giant con  a confidence trick.

Thats not to say, of course, that theres anything criminal going on. But its the plain truth that banking only works by getting us marks  sorry, depositors  to have confidence in something which is not true: namely that our money is in the bank and we can get it out whenever we like.

In fact, of course, we cant. The bank has lent much of our money out to other people and businesses. If we all turn up to ask for our deposits at the same time then the bank fails. Thats just what happens.

If we dont, if we maintain our confidence that we can have our money back and therefore dont ask for it, the bank will be fine. Loss of confidence is what took down First Republic and Silicon Valley Bank before it. Its what happened to Northern Rock in Britain back in the noughties.

So Dimons statement will be a self-fulfilling prophecy if we believe it. If we dont believe it, then the troubles will move on to the next banks on the list  thus the weakening share prices of potential candidates this morning. Dimon may be concerned at the prospect of the government twisting his arm to make JP Morgan buy up more failures, as it has already bullied him into buying First Republic.

So when Dimon tells us that the US banking crisis is all over, we do have reason to suspect that Mandy Rice Davies Applies: He would say that, wouldnt he?

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Another point to note about all this is the light it casts on one of the more foolish progressive ideas of modern times: Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), aka Magic Money Tree. As youd expect with an economic theory, economists struggle to agree on what MMT actually says, let alone whether they think its true or not. However one aspect of it is the idea that the US and UK governments, and others which are in control of their own currencies, can spend as much as they want to regardless of how much revenue they may be collecting. Another MMT notion is that its not deposits which create loans, but rather loans which create deposits. If depositors run for the door, then, all a bank needs to do is make some more loans.

As were seeing, this piffle has failed to save various banks over the years and a couple of quite big ones just recently, so we can file MMT in the bin where it belongs. Given the types who have advocated MMT ideas  AOC, Bernie Sanders and Britains Jeremy Corbyn are all fans  we probably all suspected that anyway.

Getting back to US banking, Dimon may well be right and it would be nice if he were. But the truth or not of his proposition is not based on any objective facts about the world out there. It depends purely upon whether we believe him. Or not.

For all banking, everywhere and everywhen, is a con: and like any con it only works if we have confidence in it.
(Photo : Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Antony Blinken says he never emailed first son, Hunter Biden, despite emails between the two appearing on the "laptop from hell."

Anthony Blinken insisted he was not behind the infamous letter signed by 51 former intelligence officials

Morrell revealed that Blinken was behind the public statement claiming Hunter Biden's laptop was disinformation

Emails suggest that Blinken and his wife had been in communication with the first son for a long time

Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied involvement in the 2020 letter signed by 51 current and former intelligence officers attempting to undermine Hunter Biden's laptop as part of a Russian disinformation effort.

In October 2020, only weeks before the presidential election, hundreds of former national security officials signed a statement alleging that Hunter Biden's laptop bore "all the hallmarks of a Russian information operation."

Anthony Blinken Denies Involvement

Former CIA Director John Brennan, former Obama DNI James Clapper, and former CIA Director, then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta were among the former officials.

Former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell testified before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees last month, revealing that Blinken was "the impetus" behind the public statement signed in October 2020 that claimed Hunter Biden's laptop was disinformation.

Based on Morell's testimony, Republican lawmakers concluded 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."

The discoveries have sparked Republican claims that America's top diplomat committed perjury only weeks before he was formally appointed to President Joe Biden's cabinet. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) alleged on Fox News Sunday that Blinken "lied boldface to Congress about never emailing Hunter Biden."

Last week, The Washington Post reported on contact between Hunter Biden, Blinken, and Blinken's wife, Evan Ryan, while the couple worked for Joe Biden's vice presidential office and later at the Obama-era State Department.

Lying to Congress is a felony punishable by up to five years in jail. Still, the Justice Department, overseen by Attorney General Merrick Garland, will decide whether to charge such individuals.

According to an IRS whistleblower who alerted lawmakers on April 19 to claim a coverup, Garland allegedly offered misleading testimony to Congress on the independence of Hunter Biden's criminal tax fraud investigation.

Republicans have been increasingly critical of Blinken for his alleged role in obscuring President Biden's position in the overseas business dealings of his son Hunter and brother James Biden.

The House Judiciary Committee published deposition testimony from ex-CIA acting director Michal Morell last month, who said Blinken's outreach just before the 2020 election inspired a letter signed by 51 former spy agency leaders, casting doubt on The Post's reporting on laptop records linking Joe Biden to ventures in China and Ukraine.

Additional records seized from the laptop reveal Hunter, now 53, kept his business associates updated on his interactions with Blinken and Ryan.

Read Also: Yellen Warns US Could Default on Debt by June 1

Hunter Biden's Laptop

Hunter Biden forwarded Blinken's reaction to his May 2015 message to Devon Archer, a business associate with whom the younger Biden had recently joined the board of Ukrainian gas giant Burisma - a post for which he earned up to $1 million per year despite having no relevant industry experience.

Emails from Hunter's abandoned laptop suggest that Blinken and his wife, Evan Ryan, had communicated with the first son for a long time. Hunter Biden forwarded communications regarding a meeting with Blinken to Burisma board members on many occasions, as per Daily Mail.

While Hunter Biden was on the board of Burisma, the two met at the State Department in 2015. Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani cited the laptop, which had been placed in a Delaware repair shop, as evidence of alleged corruption among the Biden family.

The laptop contained explicit photos of the troubled Hunter Biden naked, with prostitutes, and using drugs, as well as a massive trove of emails and texts between the 53-year-old and his father, as well as the rest of the Biden family and business associates eager to meet his former VP and then-future president father.

Related Article: Hunter Biden's Child Support Case Moves Forward in Arkansas Court

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Janet Yellen. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to House and Senate leaders on Monday, informing them that if legislators don't raise the debt ceiling, the United States could run out of money to pay its bills by June 1.

Congress needs to act now to "protect the full faith and credit of the United States," Yellen wrote, adding, "We have learned from past debt limit impasses that waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States."

The debt ceiling is the amount of money the government is authorized to borrow to pay its bills, and last week, House Republicans narrowly passed a bill that raises the ceiling by $1.5 trillion, but slashes federal spending. President Biden has said Congress must raise the debt ceiling without any conditions, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said his chamber won't take up the measure.

On Monday afternoon, Biden invited Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to a meeting on May 9 to discuss the debt limit, a White House official told The Washington Post. Earlier in the day, Biden said Republicans need to "make sure the threat by the speaker of the House to default on the national debt is off the table. For over 200 years, America has never, ever failed to pay its debt. To put in the capital  in colloquial terms, America is not a deadbeat nation. We have never, ever failed to meet the debt."

Treasury officials have made it clear that there is no time to waste  should Congress fail to raise the debt limit, "a default by the U.S. government  including the failure to pay any of the United States' obligations  would be an economic catastrophe, sparking a global downturn of unknown but substantial severity," Eric Van Nostrand, acting assistant secretary of economic policy, said.

Story continues

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Japan has been looking at several penal code changes to strengthen legislation against sex crimes

Lawmakers are introducing Japan's first laws against taking sexually exploitative photos or videos of others without consent.

The bill against "photo voyeurism" would prohibit acts such as upskirting and secret filming of sexual acts.

Until now, such criminal cases had to be prosecuted under local prefecture laws, which greatly vary in scope.

The bill is part of a wider overhaul of Japan's laws on sex crimes, which will also expand the definition of rape.

It explicitly prohibits the taking, distribution and or possession of photographs of someone's genitals without their consent.

It also criminalises the act of taking photographs of people being manipulated without their knowledge into sexual positions. Specifically, the bill bans the filming of children "in a sexual manner without justifiable reason".

In Japan, child models - mostly girls - are routinely portrayed in sexually provocative ways. For instance, some have been asked to pose in lingerie or swimsuits.

Offenders would face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 3 million Japanese yen (17,500; $22,000).

The reforms are expected to be passed in June this year.

It comes after growing public outcry for stronger laws criminalising acts facilitated by mobile phone photography.

In 2021, Japanese police made more than 5,000 arrests for clandestine photography - a record number and about three times the cases in 2010.

About seven in 10 flight attendants in Japan have also reported that their photos were secretly taken, according to a survey by a national aviation trade union published in March.

Already, most cell phone manufacturers in Japan have installed audible shutter sounds on their mobile devices, to prevent secret filming.

According to local media reports, photographs of athletes in sporting attire have sometimes also been used for sexual or malicious purposes. However, the proposed bill does not address this behaviour explicitly.

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Several Asian countries have laws against voyeurism but enforcement varies.

In South Korea, those convicted of secretly filming images of a sexual nature face a fine of up to 10 million won (6,000; $7,500) or a maximum prison sentence of five years.

But the Korean Women Lawyers Association said just 5% of 2,000 illicit filming cases that went to court between 2011 and 2016 resulted in jail time.

In Singapore, someone convicted of voyeurism can face up to two years in jail, fines, caning, or a combination of these penalties. Voyeuristic crimes involving victims younger than 14 years old will mean mandatory imprisonment, plus fines and caning.

Japan has been looking at several penal code changes to strengthen legislation against sex crimes, after multiple rape acquittals in 2019 caused national outcry.

In February this year, a panel of the Japanese Justice Ministry proposed raising the age of consent from 13 to 16. The statute of limitations for reporting rape will also be increased to 15 from 10 years.

The ministry's proposal also aims to criminalise the grooming of minors and expand the definition of rape.

Currently, Japan has the lowest age of consent in advanced countries, and the lowest in the G7 group.
(Bloomberg) -- The leaders of Japan and South Korea are set to hold their first formal summit in Seoul in 12 years, seeking to mend ties that hurt trade and security cooperation between the two US allies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Japan and South Korea formally announced the visit Tuesday, saying they see the two-day trip as a way to restore shuttle diplomacy. The main talks between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are set for Sunday, Japans government said.

Regular summits had been halted by political acrimony and Kishida told reporters during a visit to Ghana this week that his meeting with Yoon would be a good opportunity to exchange views on the ways to deepen bilateral relations in a rapidly changing international situation.

The trip is part of a new push between the neighbors looking to restore relations that plunged to new depths in recent years. The friction caused headaches for the US, which needs the cooperation of the two Asian powerhouses to advance Washingtons global economic agenda and to bolster their joint security against the likes of North Korea and China.

The rift was largely due to fights over whether Japan justly compensated Koreans forced to work in Japanese mines and factories during the countrys 1910-1945 colonial rule over the peninsula. The relationship worsened in 2019 when Japan removed South Korea from its preferential trading list, leading to reciprocal action.

Read: Why South Korea-Japan Ties Are Plagued by History: QuickTake

Yoon in March unveiled a proposal to end the dispute by planning to have South Korean firms pay into a fund offering compensation for conscripted Korean workers. The payments were meant to avoid forcing Japanese companies to provide compensation, in line with Tokyos contention that all such claims were settled under a 1965 agreement.

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President Joe Bidens administration welcomed the move, calling it a groundbreaking deal. Yoon also went to Tokyo a few weeks after rolling out the plan for the first formal summit on Japanese soil by a South Korean leader since 2011.

In the wake of the deal, South Korea reinstated Japan to its list of preferred trading partners in April, a major step in mending ties that aligned with Washingtons efforts to create a global supply chain less reliant on China.

Last week, Japans trade ministry started seeking public opinions on restoring South Korea to Tokyos list of preferred trading partners, in a procedural step that would eventually streamline the export processes to South Korea.

The last visit by a Japanese premier to South Korea came in 2018 when then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the opening of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and held talks separately with then President Moon Jae-in. The last formal summit in Seoul by a Japanese leader was in October 2011, according to Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Yoon returned to Seoul a few days ago from a trip to the US, where he reached a deal in talks at the White House with Biden that would increase South Koreas say in how America deploys its nuclear umbrella and assurances it would be used to retaliate against a North Korean strike. Japan is also reliant on the US nuclear umbrella for its protection.

Yoon is due to have talks with Kishida and Biden later this month when the three hold a trilateral meeting at the Group of Seven nations summit to be held in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Ahead of the summit, the secretary general of Japans National Security Secretariat, Takeo Akiba, is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Wednesday for economic security talks with his counterpart Cho Tae-yong that will focus on subjects including securing supply chains, South Koreas presidential office said. It will be the first visit to Seoul by the Japanese national security adviser since 2014, the office added.

--With assistance from Takashi Hirokawa and Jeong-Ho Lee.

(Updates with visit from official in last paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Japanese PM Fumio Kishida (L) and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are pursuing warmer ties between their nations

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit South Korea next week, Japan's foreign ministry said Tuesday, as the two US allies pursue warmer ties.

Kishida will hold talks on Sunday with President Yoon Suk Yeol on the first trip to South Korea by a Japanese premier since 2018.

It comes after the leaders agreed to end tit-for-tat trade curbs at a March summit in Tokyo, de-escalating a bitter dispute over Japan's use of wartime forced labour.

Japan's foreign ministry and the South Korean presidential office both confirmed the May 7-8 trip after Kishida told reporters that it was being arranged.

He called the visit "a good opportunity to hold a candid exchange of opinions over accelerating Japan and South Korea's relationship, and the rapidly changing international situation".

Kishida, who is on a tour of four African nations and Singapore, added that his trip to South Korea would "give momentum to 'shuttle diplomacy'" between the neighbours.

The two leaders had pledged in March to restart regular mutual visits, a practice suspended for over a decade, and Kishida has invited Yoon to the G7 summit in Hiroshima later in May.

"Through Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Korea, shuttle diplomacy between the leaders will begin in earnest," South Korea's presidential office said in a statement.

Often-testy relations between the countries deteriorated after South Korea's Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of forced labour in World War II.

But Yoon, who took office a year ago, has been keen to end the spat and form a united front against regional challenges including North Korea.

Earlier this year, Seoul announced a plan to pay those affected without Tokyo's involvement.

In further efforts to thaw ties, Japan's trade ministry said last week it had started the process to add South Korea back to a so-called "white list" of trusted trade partners, having downgraded it in 2019.

kh-kaf/qan
By Leika Kihara and Jihoon Lee

INCHEON, South Korea (Reuters) -Japan and South Korea held their first finance leaders' meeting in seven years on Tuesday and agreed to resume regular dialogue as tensions in the wider region and slowing growth prod them to increase co-operation and mend strained relations.

The resumption of bilateral financial discussions comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's planned visit to South Korea on Sunday and Monday for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol.

It also came as Asian policymakers, gathering for the annual Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting this week in the South Korean city of Incheon, discussed regional economic challenges and ways to beef up buffers against various shocks.

In a joint statement issued after their meeting on Tuesday, Asian finance leaders warned of risks to the region's economy and called for countries to stay vigilant to potential spillovers from the recent U.S. and European banking sector turmoil.

"Japan and South Korea are important neighbours that must cooperate to address various challenges surrounding the global economy, as well as the regional and international community," Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said at the meeting with his South Korean counterpart Choo Kyung-ho.

"As for geo-political challenges, we're experiencing incidents like North Korea's nuclear missile development and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Japan sees these as unacceptable, and something the two countries must address together," he said.

Choo said the two countries can strengthen private and government partnerships in high-tech industries such as semiconductors and batteries.

Japan and South Korea will resume regular finance dialogue, likely to be held annually, at "an appropriate timing," Suzuki told reporters after the bilateral meeting.

Choo is expected to visit Japan this year for another meeting with Suzuki, South Korea's finance ministry said.

Story continues

Relations between the two North Asian U.S. allies have been strained in the past over disputes dating to Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea.

Washington has pressed both countries to resolve these disputes to better counter rising threats from China and North Korea and other regional challenges.

DEFUSING RISKS

Asia's economy has been a bright spot in the world with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgrading this year's growth forecast for the region thanks to China's post-COVID rebound.

But the recent failures of three U.S. banks have alarmed policymakers about the possibility of market turbulence as a result of aggressive U.S. interest rate rises.

"The risks Asia faces are smaller than those for other regions because its financial institutions have sufficient buffers, and their exposure to problematic banks is limited," Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda told a news conference.

"But policymakers must guard against possible spillovers from uncertainties over U.S. and European economies," he said.

Building stronger buffers against shocks became a key topic of debate at a finance leaders' meeting of the ASEAN+3 - which comprises the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan, China and South Korea, on Tuesday.

At the meeting, the finance leaders agreed to create a financial facility that allows members to access funds rapidly in the event of shocks such as a pandemic or a natural disaster.

"The crisis may not be purely financial. It could be triggered by a pandemic, which is non-financial or a natural disaster that can create a domino effect," Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, co-chair of the meeting, told a news conference.

"So these are all the shocks that are potentially affecting the stability of the economy as well as even triggering a financial crisis," she said in explaining the need for stronger safeguards against future risks.

(Reporting by Leika Kihara and Jihoon Lee;Editing by Sam Holmes, Shri Navaratnam and Jacqueline Wong)
In 2018, Jeff Bezos, one of the richest people in the world, announced that he would create a network of free Montessori-inspired preschools. The move was met with surprise from some Montessori educators and a fair bit of skepticism from many in the early childhood education space. Bezos has said he was inspired by his experience as a child at a Montessori preschool in New Mexico to invest in high-quality early education.

Five years later, Bezos Academy is here. And its expanding.

The network now has 16 preschools across Washington, Texas and Florida, with the goal of getting to nearly 20 by the end of the year.

Of course, thats not nearly enough to make up for the nationwide dearth of affordable programs offering high-quality care and education for young children. Half of Americans live in a child care desert, or a census tract with more than 50 children under the age of 5 that has either no or very limited licensed care providers, according to estimates by the Center for American Progress. Nearly 16,000 child care programs across dozens of U.S. states permanently closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a 2022 report from Child Care Aware of America, a national membership association that works to improve child care and the early childhood profession.

A new venture: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announces $2 billion fund to build preschools, help homeless families

Programs that remain open often cant serve all interested families, in part because of difficulties hiring and retaining enough workers. Additionally, many child care providers are struggling financially due to high inflation. These trends have led experts to say that the early education system is still in dire straits, and it will take more than one billionaire to fix it.

Last year, Florida Atlantic University officials announced that the Bezos Academy, a tuition-free preschool, would be opening its newest location on their Boca Raton campus in late 2022.

Were not going to solve our child care and early education shortage by depending on very wealthy people making schools, said Aaron Loewenberg, a senior policy analyst for education at the left-leaning think tank New America. Early signs are good at the Bezos Academy, but we need to have a better long-term strategy as a nation to provide access to high-quality child care and pre-K, and a huge part of that has to be more significant federal funding for those types of programs.

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Yet some observers also believe that Bezos Academy is a promising model in the few regions where its operating so far, and that early results have been encouraging there.

Child care crisis: What costly daycare and fewer workers mean for US economy and taxpayers

How do Bezos Academy Preschools work?

Bezos Academy preschools are free for children ages 3 through 5 and open to families who make less than 400 percent of the federal poverty line. Thats a bit more than $92,000 annually for a family of three, according to Bezos Academy eligibility guidelines for this school year. They are open year-round and typically from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They provide children with three meals per day, plus snacks.

Students at a Bezos Academy location.

The preschools are situated within other institutions, like elementary schools and community colleges, which provide space to the academies for free. The partnership can benefit host organizations by creating affordable child care options for the people that they serve. Rob DeHaas, vice provost of the School of Education at Dallas College, said this is the case for the college, which is hosting a Bezos Academy site.

A lack of access to child care is one of those barriers that our employees, our students, and specifically these communities in the southern sector of Dallas County have experienced, he said. We really feel like this is an opportunity.

The preschools take inspiration from the Montessori education curriculum, which was founded in Italy in the early 20th century. The focus is typically on allowing students to learn through experience rather than direct instruction and letting students choose their activities. Montessori is often associated with wealthy families at private schools, but there are programs aimed at low-income children.

More: Why children of color aren't getting the physical, speech therapy some need

It provides a good structure. Its a program that encourages a child to use their language, to use their words, to look at processes, said Chris Duggan, executive director of the Florida chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Its a very highly respected curriculum.

Jeff Bezos arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The Bezos schools are distinctive when it comes to pay. The nationwide median for preschool teachers is just a little over $30,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hourly, that works out to less than $15. And educators and caregivers who work with younger children earn even less, about $13 an hour.

Jeff Bezos main venture, Amazon, has drawn criticism from labor advocates for poor working conditions among delivery drivers and warehouse staff. Some have accused the company of union busting.

OPINION: Hoisting heavy bins, racing the rush of orders, Amazon doesnt keep employees like me safe

But his chain of preschools offers compensation packages that surprised experts. For an assistant Bezos Academy teacher in Washington state, for example, the bottom of the salary range is about $50,000, with 10 days of paid time off and seven days paid sick time, as well as medical insurance.

First in line: Jeff Bezos to open a free preschool for children from low-income families in October

Oftentimes early educators dont have access to things like retirement or even health insurance, said Loewenberg, at New America  which means the benefits for Bezos Academy educators are noteworthy.

It's not clear how much is money the preschools have access to. Bezos' 2018 pledge about the schools committed $2 billion to the effort, along with other work to help homeless families, but the nonprofit that supports the programs declined to say how much is allocated for the early childhood work.

We need to have a better long-term strategy

Many families make too much money to qualify for federally subsidized child care programs but still struggle to find an affordable option for children. If the Bezos Academy preschools can effectively target those children, the model could have a positive effect on the system.

More: Pandemic babies are behind after years of stress, isolation affected brain development

There is evidence that that sort of targeting may not be happening to the best effect everywhere.

In Washington state, for example, home to eight Bezos Academy preschools, the model has real potential to bridge access to child care and early education for families who dont qualify for state-funded programs and cant afford other high-quality options, said Joel Ryan. Ryan is the executive director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP, the states Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. But most of the Head Start and ECEAP directors Ryan said hes spoken to feel that the Bezos Academy preschools compete with them for low-income students instead of targeting those middle-income families.

Competition for low-income students who have other options could also leave more middle-income families unserved, and lead to a decrease in funding at some Head Start and ECEAP centers, which are underenrolled and have room for more students. In addition, while families participating at private Bezos Academy preschools will still be getting an education for their children, they wont be part of the public systems that offer outreach and social services to parents and families. These can take the form of job, housing and education assistance.

Bezos Academy is welcome, it's an important player. Theres plenty of need and I think that they can absolutely serve a critical gap, Ryan said. But the majority of people who responded to my queries on this have said Bezos operates on an island. Theyre not particularly collaborative.

Ryan said those who work for Head Start and ECEAP programs are interested in partnering with the Bezos Academy preschools to better serve families and target enrollment.

Thats already happening in some areas. Michelle Rahl-Lewis, director of early learning for Tacoma School District in Washington state, said the two private preschools embedded at elementary schools in the system, serving about 100 children, work closely with the district.

Its been going great, she said. Weve had lots of great communication about the best way to serve the most families within our community and making sure were catching those families that are at that cliff where they dont quite qualify for Head Start or ECEAP which we offer but dont make enough money for private Montessori placement.

Michael Abello, chief education officer at Bezos Academy, said that the network is very thoughtful about where to place new preschools, using data to identify areas where there are not enough seats to serve children in the community.

If we are entering a community and have an adverse effect on another program, thats counter to our mission, he said. Weve actually had a really positive reception from families and communities and frankly other early learning providers that weve had a chance to collaborate with on that admissions model.

One goal is to allow families to identify the right program for them and allow them to consider Montessori as an option, Abello said.

Students at a Bezos Academy location.

In large part, our work is going to be dependent on partnership, learning from and learning with those leaders in the early learning space, he said.

The Bezos Academy preschools aim to serve 1,000 children by the end of the year, a relatively small figure considering there are 4 million 4-year-olds in the country alone.

How affordable is child care near me? Search our database of day care prices by county

But Bezos Academy is growing far more modestly than Bezos main business: Amazon.

That means other entities have a huge role to fill when it comes to meeting the nations early childhood education needs  if policymakers can agree its a priority. President Joe Bidens proposed Build Back Better plan included significant investments in early childhood education, but failed to pass. (The president did sign an executive order in April asking federal agencies to find ways to make child care more affordable and accessible.) Thats left it to states, including California, Colorado and New Mexico, to take on filling the void, Loewenberg said.

The issue of solving the child care crisis is multifaceted, said DeHaas, from Dallas College. There needs to be a multifaceted approach.

This article was co-published with EdSurge. EdSurge is a nonprofit newsroom that covers education through original journalism and research. Lilah Burke is a freelance reporter from New York

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Welcome to Bezos Academy: Jeff Bezos preschool now has 16 locations
A teenage sleepover turned to tragedy this week when seven people were found dead at the Oklahoma home of a convicted rapist.

Jesse McFadden, 39, had been scheduled to appear in court on the same day that the bodies were found on his rural property.

He is believed to be among the dead.

Also killed were two teenagers who were reported missing and endangered on Monday morning after they failed to return home after being in his company.

The identities of the other four victims are yet to be publicly confirmed.

So who is the man at the centre of this horrific tragedy?

Who is Jesse McFadden?

Jesse McFadden is a convicted rapist who was scheduled to appear in court on new charges on the day that the bodies were found.

McFadden was convicted in 2003 for first-degree rape, and served nearly 16 years before being released in 2020, according to Oklahoma prison records.

On Monday, he was due to appear in court for the start of his jury trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.

The charges were filed back in 2017 when he was still in prison for his rape conviction.

Amber Alert issued for missing teens (AP)

While behind bars, he allegedly exchanges nude photos and videos with an underage girl from behind bars.

When he failed to appear in court on Monday morning, police began searching for him.

Missing girls

On Monday morning, an Amber Alert was issued to find two missing teenagers  14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer  after they failed to return home from a sleepover at McFaddens home.

Ivys mother told KJRH that the two girls had gone to McFaddens house for a sleepover with his teenage daughter over the weekend and had been planning to go swimming on a ranch in McAlester.

They never showed at the ranch and failed to return home by 5pm on Sunday as had been expected, Okmulgee County Sheriffs Office said.

The two teens were last seen at around 1.30am on Monday morning travelling with McFadden in a white Chevrolet pickup.

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Missing girls Brittany Brewer, 16, left, and Ivy Webster, 14, right, were found dead in Oklahoma in May 2023 (Brewer family / Webster family via Facebook)

Ivys mother said her daughters cellphone tracking had been turned off and that it was unlike her daughter not to respond to messages or calls.

After the Amber Alert was issued, authorities went to McFaddens property on the outskirts of Henryetta.

Investigators discovered the bodies of seven people there not in the residence, but just on the property, said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Gerald Davidson.

The victims

While the bodies are yet to be officially identified, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said they were believed to include McFadden and the two missing girls Ivy and Brittany.

We believe that we have found the persons, he said.

We are no longer looking. We believe to have found everything that we were seeking this morning. Our hearts go out to the families and friends, schoolmates and everyone else.

The missing endangered person advisory was canceled on Monday afternoon by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Brittanys father Nathan Brewer confirmed that his daughter was among the victims.

At a vigil held on Monday night, he said his daughter had dreams of being a teacher or a veterinarian.

Its just a parents worst nightmare, and Im living it, he said. I am just lost.

The other four victims have not been identified by law enforcement and it is unclear how the seven individuals died.

Unanswered questions

Questions are being asked about McFaddens ability to be around the teenage victims due to his prior rape conviction and pending sex offender charges.

During the search for the mising girls, Ivys parents said that they were unaware of McFaddens criminal history.

Justin Webster told a local outlet they were shocked to learn about his past.

He should not have been out and its our justice system that needs to be harder, he said.
HENRYETTA  Okmulgee County officials are investigating the deaths of seven people, including two teen girls who had been missing and the man they were suspected to be with.

Jesse McFadden, 39, was reported by Oklahoma Highway Patrol to possibly be with the girls, 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer. The bodies of McFadden, Webster and Brewer were believed to have been found by the Okmulgee County Sheriff's office Monday afternoon, Sheriff Eddy Rice said.

What we know: Who were the victims found dead in Henryetta?

Here is everything we know so far about McFadden:

What was Jesse McFadden's criminal history?

Court records show McFadden was due Monday in Muskogee County District Court for a jury trial on one count of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor by use of technology and one count of possession of child pornography.

McFadden failed to appear in court. The judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Law enforcement stand outside of Henryetta High School on Monday, May 1, 2023, as people arrive for a vigil after Okmulgee County Sheriff reported seven people dead after a search for two missing teenage girls.

Records show McFadden was accused of the crimes while he was a state prisoner serving a 20-year sentence for first-degree rape, which he was convicted of in 2003.

Deaths near Henryetta, Oklahoma: Okmulgee County Sheriff reporting seven people dead after search for two missing girls

The Muskogee Phoenix previously reported McFadden was accused of having a cell phone while an inmate at Jess Dunn Correctional Center in Taft in July 2016.

He was accused of using the phone to communicate with a 16-year-old girl in Muskogee, the newspaper reported.

State Department of Corrections records show McFadden was discharged Oct. 30, 2020.

In Oklahoma, first-degree rape is considered an 85% crime, meaning those convicted of the offense must serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who was Jesse McFadden? What we know after 7 bodies found in Oklahoma
Jessica Chastain attends the 2023 Met Gala. Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Jessica Chastain looked unrecognizable with her new platinum-blonde hair at the Met Gala.

Chastain paired her new hair with a black strapless gown and sheer opera gloves on Monday.

She also wore sunglasses to fit the theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty."

Kim Kardashian made headlines at last year's Met Gala when she walked the red carpet in Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress  and her matching platinum-blonde locks.

But this year it was Jessica Chastain who wowed everyone with a major hair transformation.

One of Hollywood's most famous redheads looked unrecognizable with her new icy-blonde hair on Monday night.

Jessica Chastain wore head-to-toe Gucci on the 2023 Met Gala red carpet. Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Chastain's new hair appeared to pay tribute to Monday night's theme "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," a celebration of the German designer's mark on the fashion world.

The actor's new hairdo is a huge departure from her signature red locks, as seen at the 2023 Oscars below.

Jessica Chastain attends the 2023 Academy Awards. Kayla Oaddams/WireImage/Getty Images

The actor was one of many stars at this year's Met Gala to opt for an all-black ensemble in honor of Lagerfeld, who was known for wearing a lot of black.

Karl Lagerfeld was Chanel's creative director. Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

Chastain's strapless black gown featured a sweetheart neckline and a dramatic, ruffled skirt. She accessorized with sheer, black opera gloves and sported a pair of black sunglasses on the red carpet  another nod to Lagerfeld's personal style. Her entire ensemble was designed by Gucci, according to E! News.

Jessica Chastain poses in Gucci sunglasses at the 2023 Met Gala. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Read the original article on Insider
First lady Jill Biden and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will travel to New York together to make an appearance at the Bronx Childrens Museum, which opened its permanent location in the city late last year.

The first lady and Sotomayor, who was born in the Bronx, will head to the museum at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday to celebrate the opening of its permanent home and its new multicultural education programming, the White House announced Monday.

The Bronx Childrens Museum was founded in 2005 and has hosted programming for children through the fourth grade since 2010. According to the museums website, it opened a new 13,650-square-foot space in a city-owned building last December, where it will provide children in the area with an interactive place to learn and play.

The museum is near Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Terminal Market. The website said the museum plans to serve 36,000 children and families in 2023, including 23,750 in the building alone. The museum is regularly open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with advanced registration for attendees.

Most Bronx children lack access to affordable, modern arts and cultural museum programming and experiences geared specifically to them, the museums website says. Museum educators have seen time and again what research shows: access to arts and STEAM give children a freedom to express themselves, become better communicators, learn to problem solve, build confidence, and think creatively.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are sparring on Twitter over the busing of migrants.

Chicago Mayo and Texas Governor clash over migrant crisis

Gov. Greg Abbott vows to continue busing migrants in Chicago

Chicago faces a severe lack of shelter, space, and resources

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Texas Governor Greg Abbott clash on Twitter in response to the news that Texas will once again transport migrants to sanctuary cities, including Chicago.

Despite her pleading, Texas Governor Greg Abbott informed Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday that he would continue sending migrants to her city.

Abbott Continues Sending Migrants to 'Sanctuary Cities'

In a letter sent on Sunday, Lightfoot, a Democrat, complained that the city lacks the resources to keep up with the influx of people. Until shelter is available, some of them are being held in public areas such as police stations, as per NBC News.

Abbott told Lightfoot in a response letter on Monday to take her complaint to President Joe Biden, placing the blame for an ongoing border crisis on his shoulders.

According to Fox32, Lightfoot responded on Monday evening via Twitter that Abbott "continues to race to the bottom to score political points with no regard for the human lives involved or the consequences." She continued, "Shameful, but sadly expected."

Lightfoot visited the White House and explicitly raised the need for federal funding to facilitate an influx of migrants into Chicago, according to a source familiar with the conversation.

This individual added that Lightfoot spoke with Julie Chavez Rodriguez, director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, who was recently appointed as Biden's re-election campaign manager.

In a recent letter exchange, Abbott and Lightfoot concurred that the May 11 expiration of Title 42, a COVID-19 ban on migrants, will only exacerbate an already unmanageable influx of migrants.

The dust-up is just one way in which the end of COVID-era rule is anticipated to impact not only border communities but also cities in the center of the nation. frontier officials have already warned of a record-breaking influx of individuals crossing the frontier. Abbott is among the leaders who have sent border migrants to other cities, arguing that so-called sanctuary cities must address the plight of border communities.

Lightfoot argued that federal funds migrate into states such as Texas to mitigate the economic impact of immigration but do not follow those bused or flown to Chicago.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, city leaders of Chicago stated at a joint City Council committee meeting on Friday that they face a $53 million deficiency to manage the incoming migrants and have not received federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Read Also: Anthony Blinken Denies Role in Hunter Biden Laptop Disinformation Despite Proof

US Migrant Crisis

Abbott has stated that his decision to transport migrants to Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York City is a direct response to President Joe Biden's "open border policies" that, according to him, have inundated his state's border communities.

The cities he targeted with these migrant depots have identified themselves as "sanctuary cities," which will accept refugees regardless of their legal status.

Chicago has stated that it will not inquire about an individual's immigration status, disclose that information to authorities, or deny city services based on immigration status. Abbott has declared sanctuary cities illegal in his state, claiming that they promote lawlessness.

Federal officials have acknowledged that a record number of migrants have arrived at the US-Texas border as the western hemisphere experiences "the greatest displacement of people since World War II."

Related Article: Texas Shooting Update: Suspect Found to Have Been Deported 4 Times

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Finding a job that pays enough to support for you and your family without a long list of job requirements can be difficult.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology calculated the living wage by county by evaluating typical expenses to find how much an individual must make hourly to support themselves, or multiple children or dependents in a full-time job.

MIT records living wages for individuals, couples and families that vary based on the number of dependents, number of children and the number of adults who are working. The living wages have also increased compared to Januarys calculations, according to previous reporting in The Bellingham Herald:

 Whatcom Countys living wage for an individual with no dependents is $17.47 per hour, working full time.

 For a household with two adults, no children, and only one individual working, a living wage in Whatcom County is $27.62 per hour.

 For a household with two adults, no children and both adults working, the living wage is $13.81 per hour.

 For a household with two adults, one child, and only one adult working, the living wage is $34.53 per hour. If this household had two children the living wage would be $39.51 an hour.

 For a household with two adults and two children and both adults working, the living wage is $25.98 per hour. If the family had three children, both individuals would need to make $32.10 per hour.

As Washington states minimum wage is $15.74 per hour, this amount is not considered a living wage in Whatcom County unless you have multiple adults working in a household with no dependents.

The Bellingham Herald has searched the job website Indeed and local Craiglist listings to find positions with minimal requirements that are available as of Monday, May 1, that advertise wages at or above living wages:

Customer service representative at Ashley Furniture

 Bellingham.

 Full-time.

 $19-$19.50 per hour.

 Requirements: must be at least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or equivalent and 1 year of customer service, office or administrative experience.

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Delivery driver for FedEx Ground

 Bellingham.

 Full-time or part-time.

 $850-$1,100 per week.

 Requirements: valid drivers license and work authorization.

House cleaner at Merry Maids

 Bellingham.

 Full-time.

 $17-$21 per hour.

 Requirements: valid drivers license.

Maintenance driver through Express Employment Professionals

 Bellingham.

 Full-time, six-month employment opportunity.

 $24.75 per hour with benefits.

 No requirements listed.

Team member at Whole Foods Market

 Bellingham.

 Full-time and part-time.

 $16-$24.40 per hour.

 Requirements: some physical requirements such as standing and walking for multiple hours and lifting products.
Sen. Joe Manchin's committees racked up significant charges on high-end dining and travel expenses in the first quarter of the year, continuing a trend of extravagant spending heading into the 2024 election cycle.

The West Virginia Democrat spent over $50,000 from his campaign, leadership PAC and joint fundraising committee on the expenses in Washington, D.C., and other areas outside his home state, with costs running higher than $7,000 at some establishments.

Most of the spending came from Manchin's campaign, which disbursed nearly $20,000 in charges at D.C. restaurants for catering services, according to a Fox News Digital review of campaign finance records.

JOE MANCHIN REIGNITES BATTLE OVER ENERGY PROJECT PERMITTING

Sen. Joe Manchin's committees spent big at fancy Washington, D.C., restaurants.

The Manchin campaign's lavish D.C. spending went to various high-end restaurants, including $5,730.90 at Mi Vida, a premium Mexican eatery, and $5,189.66 at Bobby Van's, a well-known steakhouse considered a top-tier dining destination in the city, the filings show.

Additionally, the campaign reported $4,037.25 in charges at Joe's Seafood, known for its tuxedo-clad service and fresh daily seafood; $2,600 at Cafe Milano, a famous Italian restaurant and meeting spot for D.C. elites; and $1,028.15 at the Capitol Yacht Club, where he docks his luxury yacht.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The West Virginia senator's committees also spent extravagantly on hotel accommodations, including four- and five-star resorts.

SEN. MANCHIN DRAGGED ON TWITTER FOR CRITICIZING BIDEN'S INFLATION REDUCTION ACT AFTER HE CAST PIVOTAL VOTE

Manchin's fine dining expenditures far eclipse those of fellow West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

Manchin's campaign doled out $7,120 at Houston's luxurious Four Seasons resort, known for its 5-star amenities such as a perfumery boutique and exclusive experiences like the Four Seasons driving experience. Guests can enjoy luxury vehicles and Michelin-starred meals arranged by the hotel.

His joint fundraising committee, meanwhile, dropped $5,510.03 at the Brown Palace in Denver, Colorado, a four-star hotel with six restaurants and bars and a boutique spa.

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And as Manchin pushed large sums into catering costs, fellow West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, reported just $4,351 in similar expenses during the first quarter from her campaign and leadership PAC. The costs typically involve fundraising events, and Manchin's campaign received nearly $371,000 in contributions during this time, while Capito's campaign brought in almost $97,000.

Overall, just 29% of Manchin's total expenditures went to places in West Virginia between January and the beginning of April, the filings show.

JOE MANCHIN QUIETLY LOBBIED BIDEN ADMIN TO GRANT FUNDING TO CAMPAIGN TREASURER'S ORGANIZATION

Manchin's spending garnered media attention earlier this year.

"Sen. Manchin's bipartisan and common sense message continues to inspire Americans that there is a productive way forward for West Virginia and our entire country," a Manchin campaign spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

"He has always been and will continue to be in complete compliance with all Senate ethics and financial disclosure rules," the campaign spokesperson said.

Manchin's spending habits previously garnered media attention. The Daily Mail reported in January that his committees spent over $1.1 million on high-end dining over the past 12 years. Much of the spending was at the same places where he spent a notable amount during the first quarter of this year.

Manchin has said he would decide whether to run for re-election later this year.
The Jonas Brothers have finally announced the dates for their highly anticipated 2023 North American tour.

Its official, the trio posted on social media on Tuesday (2 May). FIVE ALBUMS. ONE NIGHT. THE TOUR.

The popular band  consisting of Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas  will kick off their tour on 12 August in The Bronx, New York, with stops in Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta and more, before eventually wrapping up in Miami on 14 October.

Earlier this year, the brothers were honoured with a star on the Walk of Fame. During the ceremony, they shared they would be releasing their newest album, simply titled The Album, on 5 May.

The upcoming record marks their second since their 2019 comeback with their fifth album, Happiness Begins.

Established in 2005, the Jonas Brothers gained popularity with their appearances on Disney Channel shows and their series of Disney Channel Original Camp Rock films.

Prior to their initial disbandment in 2013, they produced four studio albums, Its About Time (2006), Jonas Brothers (2007), A Little Bit Longer (2008) and Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009).

Its official!



FIVE ALBUMS. ONE NIGHT. THE TOUR.



Register for Verified Fan now through Saturday, May 6th at 11:59PM ET for your chance to purchase tickets! Let's go! pic.twitter.com/lkmMrNJ7Jm  Jonas Brothers (@jonasbrothers) May 2, 2023

Nick, 30, went on as a solo artist, releasing his hit song Jealous in 2021. He married actor Priyanka Chopra in 2018 and they welcomed their daughter Malti Marie via surrogate in 2022.

Joe, 33, went on to form the dance-rock band DNCE, best known for their 2015 banger Cake by the Ocean. He married Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner in 2019, and they welcomed their daughter Willa in 2020, and a second child in 2022.

Meanwhile, eldest brother Kevin, 35, appeared on The Celebrity Apprentices seventh season in 2014. He then founded his own construction company and joined influencer marketing company The Blu Market as co-CEO. He married his wife Danielle in 2009, with whom he shares two daughters: Alena, eight, and Valentina, six.

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The singing siblings also have a fourth brother, 22-year-old Frankie, who appeared on Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam in a minor role.

In 2019, Kevin, Joe and Nick announced their comeback as a group. Their Happiness Begins album earnt them their third No 1 album on the Billboard 200 and its lead single Sucker marked the pop-rock bands first-ever Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper.

The Album will be released on 5 May.
The Jonas Brothers are stopping in Sacramentos Golden 1 Center this summer as a part of their 35-day stadium and arena tour called The Tour.

The pop band will be playing five of their albums each night of the tour, according to a media release. This would include their debut record, Its About Time, which features their 2000s hit track Year 3000.

The brothers recently released a single called Waffle House in early April. Their last album, Happiness Begins, was from 2019. It was the first record after reuniting from their 2013 split.

Nick Jonas and his brothers perform to the delight of thousands of young fans in 2009 during the Sacramento stop of the Jonas Brothers World Tour at Arco Arena.

When do tickets go on sale?

Tickets for the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12, on the Golden 1 Centers website.

If you register to be a Verified Fan before 8:59 p.m. Saturday, you get a chance to access pre-sale tickets. If selected, youll get a code starting May 9.

Citi cardholders will also have access to presale tickets starting at 10 a.m. May 10 to 10 p.m. May 11. Verizon customers have presale access, too, starting during the same time frame.

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.
Attendees hosted a vigil for Donald Dillbeck, the first Florida inmate executed by the state since 2019, outside the Florida State Prison in Raiford.

The death penalty is a divisive issue that has well-meaning people arguing for similar goals but by different means. Proponents assert the death penalty is necessary to maintain order in society, but many believe that it more serves the power of the state, most often against vulnerable defendants. From this perspective executions are not about preserving the safety of citizens, but rather about retribution and sending a message.

As a former psychiatrist treating Florida death row prisoners, I argue we should not be executing anyone, especially not those who are sick and broken.

In February the state of Florida executed Donald Dillbeck, and it was undisputed that his life story was one of childhood abuse and neglect. His history of physical and emotional abuse began in utero and resulted in documented medical and mental consequences. Sadly, he never received mental health treatment and was bounced around the foster care system, dropping out of school in the ninth grade and fleeing to Florida as a teenager.

Grim milestone: Florida reaches 100 executions with lethal injection death of Donald Dillbeck

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There, he found himself asleep in a stolen car in a beachfront parking lot when Lee County Deputy Sheriff Dwight Hall awakened him. Dillbeck panicked and tried to flee but was tackled. In the struggle, he pulled the gun out of Deputy Hall's holster and fired two fatal shots.

The state sought the death penalty against the 15-year-old. Less than two months after his indictment, Dillbeck pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty and was sentenced to life in an adult prison. Today, both of those sentences would be unconstitutional under U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

Dillbeck was sent to one of Florida's most violent adult prisons, known as a "gladiator camp," where he was subjected to violence and rape on several occasions. In 1990, feeling hopeless and desperate, he walked away from a minimum-security catering detail and committed the tragic murder of Faye Vann, for which he has now been executed, more than 30 years later.

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Prior to his death sentence, he never had access to care for developmental, physical and psychological brain injuries.

Four of the 12 members of the jury heard his compelling mitigation and voted for a life sentence. In no other state in the country would his execution be legal on that basis alone. Several other states, including Ohio and Kentucky, have legislation protecting those with serious mental illness from the death penalty.

Donald David Dillbeck appears in court for the killing of Faye Lamb Vann.

The death penalty is not necessary to protect society. If we want to protect the victims of child abuse and the population from the consequences of childhood abuse, we should provide services for family support and mental health treatment. In Dillbeck's case, once on death row, he got clean and sober, developed meaningful relationships with friends on the outside and found prayer and meditation as a way to cope. He had no violent incidents in the last three decades. Killing him did not make us any safer.

While Dillbeck's crimes were undoubtedly terrible, he is not the worst of the worst. The death penalty served no deterrence as his mental disorders had him act too impulsively to consider the consequences of his actions. Florida is among the lowest-funded states for childrens mental health services, yet is on the forefront for executing those with impaired intellectual functioning and serious mental illness.

Veterans with uncontrolled PTSD are especially overrepresented on Florida's death row.

Death penalty executions are a unique form of homicide. The state kills not for self-defense, not for deterrence, not for justice, but for pure retribution. We must not accept this and we must tell our legislators to say, "not in my name may you kill." As someone with over 40 years' experience seeing patients with serious mental illness who are stigmatized, ostracized and blamed for their symptoms, I believe that recovery care, not ostracization, respects life and saves lives.

Once again  we should not be executing anyone, let alone the sick and the broken.

Thornton

Dr. Joseph E. Thornton is a board member of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. He is the former medical executive director of a Florida maximum security prison, where he treated death row inmates.

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Execution of mentally ill is only retribution; doesn't make us safer
By Nupur Anand, Anirban Sen, David French and Isla Binnie

NEW YORK (Reuters) -On March 12, as several U.S. banks reeled from a crisis in confidence, JPMorgan Chase & Co put its might behind First Republic Bank, giving the troubled lender what two sources said was a $10 billion financing.

The JPMorgan facility did not stop depositors from fleeing the lender. But it turned out to be the start of a series of events - some details of which are reported here for the first time - that put JPMorgan and its chief executive, Jamie Dimon, in a pivotal role in one of the most extraordinary U.S. bank rescues of recent years.

JPMorgan bought First Republic on Monday in a government auction, culminating weeks of failed rescue attempts and aborted discussions involving some of the most powerful Wall Street executives and U.S. officials. The deal talks went down to the wire, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Four bidders, including JPMorgan, made it to the final rounds of the auction on Sunday night, one of the sources said.

JPMorgan did not know till about 1.15 a.m. in New York that it had won, even though final bids were initially due several hours prior. At one point late at night, as Dimon and other senior executives waited for the outcome of their bid, silence from Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) made them think they had lost, one of the sources said.

The final deal, announced around 3:30 a.m., cements Dimon's reputation as one of Wall Street's most powerful bankers.

But the deal also raised fresh questions about the dangers of having banks that are too big to fail, the quality of regulatory oversight of the banking industry and the Biden administration's resolve to keep corporations from becoming too powerful through deals.

Piper Sandler analysts said more than the finances, the deal was significant for JPMorgan as it solidifies the bank "as the go-to industry leader in times of turmoil."

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"The only worry we have is the at-present unknowable. JPM was already a hugely significant player that has now managed to make itself even more so at a time when 'too-big-to-fail' is still a political concern," they wrote.

Dimon pushed back against any suggestion that his bank is getting too big.

"We have capabilities to serve our clients, who can be cities, schools, hospitals, governments; we bank the IMF, the World Bank," the banker said in a conference call after the deal. "And anyone who thinks the United States should not have that can call me directly."

The FDIC said earlier on Monday the resolution involved a "highly competitive bidding process," and was the least costly alternative for its deposit insurance fund.

BANKING CRISIS

First Republic was founded in 1985 by James "Jim" Herbert, son of a community banker in Ohio. The bank was bought by Merrill Lynch in 2007 right before the financial crisis. It became public again in 2010, after Merrill Lynch itself was bought by Bank of America Corp and the new owner decided to dispose of it.

First Republic's attraction was its rich clients, and it gave them preferential rates on mortgages and loans. Its reliance on the rich also made it more vulnerable - it had a high level of uninsured deposits.

In early March, as a run on Silicon Valley Bank spooked depositors and investors, sending them into the arms of institutions they thought were safer, First Republic quickly became a target. It saw more than $100 billion fleeing in the first quarter, leaving it scrambling to raise money.

By the weekend of March 12, as regulators seized Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and announced a series of emergency measures to shore up confidence in the system, First Republic said it had taken additional steps to access a total of $70 billion in funds, including from JPMorgan.

The assurance, however, failed to calm markets, and First Republic's stock fell again the following day.

Reuters could not determine when, but at some point JPMorgan's interest in First Republic grew to become more than its role as an adviser helping the bank bolster its finances. Part of its attraction: the lender's roster of wealthy individuals which would add to JPMorgan's own private banking franchise.

Prevailing wisdom at the time, however, suggested that regulators would not allow JPMorgan to buy another bank. JPMorgan holds more than 10% of the nations total bank deposits, and federal law prevents a large bank from an acquisition that would put it above that threshold. Acquisitions of failed banks can be exempted from the rule.

JPMorgan started a process internally, which looked at various options for First Republic, including an acquisition, according to a source familiar with the matter. The deal was internally code-named "Forest", the source said.

The bank kept the teams separate, the source said. First Republic also had Lazard Ltd as an adviser.

TOP BIDDER

In March, a series of ideas were floated to save the bank. Dimon was among the power brokers that discussed a package by large banks to inject $30 billion in deposits. After that failed to improve confidence in the lender, Dimon was among bankers that met in Washington at a forum, where topics included aiming to work out details on what needed to be done. JPM proposed another idea that was briefly considered, of forming a consortium to buy the bank, two sources previously said.

A key hurdle to doing a private sector deal, however, was that there were billions of dollars of unrealized losses on First Republic's books, and they would have to be funded if anyone bought the bank.

As weeks progressed, regulators came close at least once in late April to pulling the plug on the bank, one of the sources said. The situation became worse last week after its shares went into a free fall following earnings.

By Friday, the FDIC decided the bank had run out of time to find a private solution, a source previously told Reuters. Advised by Guggenheim Securities, the regulator reached out to various potential bidders, including banks and private equity firms, to solicit offers, two sources familiar with the situation said.

By late Sunday the race had narrowed to four bidders, one source said. Besides JPMorgan, PNC Financial Services Group, Citizens Financial Group Inc and Fifth Third Bancorp were also in the auction, sources have said.

The auction dragged out through the night as the FDIC's advisors examined each bid on its merits, a source familiar with the matter said.

Each bidder put in bids for the whole bank as well as part of its assets, the source said, and the FDIC's advisors were looking for the one which would cost the least to the depository insurance fund.

JPMorgan deployed more than 800 employees to do due diligence on the bank. While the partial bids from the three other banks held some attraction in finding a solution for First Republic, none could top JPMorgans pitch to buy the whole bank, one of the sources said.

(Reporting by Anirban Sen, Nupur Anand, Isla Binnie, David French, Saeed Azhar, Lananh Nguyen; Writing by Megan Davies; Editing by Paritosh Bansal and Stephen Coates)
Twelve jurors found Robin Rocky Myers guilty of killing neighbor Ludie Mae Tucker in 1991, despite the absence of any physical evidence, a murder weapon, bloodied clothing or hair samples.

An Alabama man a jury suspected was innocent of a crime that occurred more than 30 years ago now faces execution using an untested method.

Ludie Mae Tucker was stabbed in her Decatur home in October of 1991. According to AL.com, 12 jurors found Robin Rocky Myers guilty of killing his neighbor despite the absence of any physical evidence, a murder weapon, bloodied clothing, or hair samples.

Tucker, who died at the hospital, described her attacker as a stocky Black man wearing a white or light-colored, blood-stained T-shirt and probably a plaid shirt over the top. Her cousin, Marie Dutton, was also stabbed but survived the attack, though she could not identify the culprit.

Robin Rocky Myers has been on death row in Alabama for the past 29 years. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/ACLU)

A VCR taken from Tuckers home was the only item that police could reportedly link to Myers via witnesses.

They never ever placed him in the house that night, recalled Mae Puckett, who served on the Morgan County jury in 1994, AL.com reported. She said that, at the time, it appeared the holes in the case  which she believed Myers was innocent  would result in a hung jury.

There were several jurors who refused to be budged on a verdict of guilty, so, according to Puckett, she and others fearing a second trial would result in a capital punishment agreed to convict Myers of murder and sentence him to life without parole, not death.

Those of us who thought he was innocent had very strong feelings about it, Puckett added, [but] we knew those guys werent going to change their mind. We decided to vote him guilty  the best thing we thought we could do was spare his life.

But Morgan County Circuit Court Judge Claude Bennett McRae disregarded the jurys verdict and gave Myers, 61, the death penalty. He has now spent 29 years on Alabamas death row.

Police initially detained Myers for violating his probation for an auto theft conviction. During the interrogation, Myers denied being involved but began to modify his responses to accommodate the possibilities.

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His former attorney, Earle Schwarz, lost his chance to appeal in 2003 when he missed a crucial deadline. In 2004, witness Marzell Ewing acknowledged lying about seeing Myers sell Tuckers VCR the night of the crime.

Myers current attorney, Kacey Keeton, is urging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to grant him clemency, which might result in his release from custody or a reduction of his sentence to life in prison without the chance of parole.

He was scheduled for execution in the summer of 2015 but was spared after choosing to participate in legislation concerning the states use of medicines in its lethal injection protocol. In 2018, he consented to die through nitrogen asphyxiation.

The state asserts that the new procedure will be available this year. If executed, Myers would be among the first people in the U.S. to be killed by nitrogen asphyxiation, a recently authorized and untested technique in Alabama.

Alabama reportedly has a history of executing people who, like Myers, assert they have an intellectual disability, despite a Supreme Court decision that doing so violates the Eighth Amendment.

Still, Myers is clinging to hope for the future. He said he looks at a photo of roses on the prison cell wall, hoping he will one day return to the outside world.

I gotta stay strong, said Myers, AL.com reported. I cant be in here, you know, with my bottom lip poked out. I dont want to live like that.

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The post Jurors thought suspect was innocent. Now he faces execution by untested method appeared first on TheGrio.
A 30-year-old man faces two felonies for allegedly beating a stranger with a metal pipe to the point of fracturing his neck and jaw in a daylight attack on Kansas Citys East Side.

Jackson County prosecutors charged William R. Andrews, of Kansas City, with armed criminal action and first-degree assault, a Class A felony under Missouri law. As of Monday, Andrews was being held in the county jail on a $50,000 cash bond.

On Friday, shortly before 7 p.m., Kansas City police officers were dispatched to East 31st Street and Van Brunt Boulevard on a report of a disturbance. Responding officers were flagged down and directed to a person suffering serious injuries in an abandoned parking lot.

His teeth appeared to be falling out and blood was coming from his face as officers provided first aid until medics arrived, according to court documents. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and put on a ventilator.

Several witnesses reported seeing a man, armed with a pole, beating the assault victim minutes earlier and then walking away. Witnesses said the person was not fighting back, and reported seeing as many as 10 strikes.

Witnesses also said the man with the pole threatened others who came to the assault victims aid. Two thought the assault victim had been killed based on what they saw.

Roughly 15 minutes after the first 911 call came in, police officers were led to Andrews by two witnesses who said they had followed the suspect. He allegedly had a pole in his hand when he was spotted by police and was subsequently arrested near East 26th Street and Brighton Avenue.

During a police interview, Andrews allegedly said he had been minding his own business when someone at a bus stop called over to him and started asking dumb questions, according to court documents.

After walking across the street, he said, the person put a hand on him. He allegedly admitted to striking him, but said he did so because he believed he was going to be attacked.

Under Missouri law, Andrews faces between 10 and 30 years in prison if convicted of first-degree assault. Court records also show Andrews faces a five-year prison suspended sentence for a separate felony assault conviction from March.

Online court records did not list a defense attorney for Andrews as of Monday.
Noam Galai/GA - Getty Images

Karlie Kloss is expecting her second child!

The model announced she was pregnant at the 2023 Met Gala, wearing a form-fitting black Loewe dress. Her outfit, stylist Karla Welch shared on Instagram, was inspired by Karl Lagerfeld's trompe-l'oeil dress.

Noam Galai/GA - Getty Images

Per the Met Museum, he showed a trompe loeil in his first collection for Chanel in 1983. The museum writes, "This design from that first effort cites one of her favored looks, a black dress adorned with a mass of costume jewelry. Lagerfelds embroidered trompe loeil baubles, executed by the specialist House of Lesage, are a witty take on Chanels embrace of fake jewelry.

Noam Galai/GA - Getty Images

Kloss accessorized with lots of pearl necklaces, along with a big black bow in her slicked-back hair. She wore Jimmy Choo heels to complete her outfit.

Matt Winkelmeyer/MG23 - Getty Images

At Kloss's last public appearance in early April, she kept any signs of her pregnancy hidden under an oversized blazer.

Tonight, Kloss attended the Gala with her husband, Josh Kushner. The two are already parents to Levi, born in March 2021. "The moment he was placed on my armsI literally cry at commercials now, so I might cry right nowI just had this moment of, 'Now, every woman who has a child, every parent, goes through this,'" Kloss said last year about motherhood. "And it's just the most profound experience that I had no idea [about] until having a kid."

Levi was at the Mark Hotel with Kloss as she got ready. She posted on her Instagram story that he is her "favorite visitor."

Karlie Kloss/Instgram

Kloss and Kushner tied the knot in October 2018, and threw a larger wedding in Wyoming in June 2019.

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Princess Charlotte is turning 8 and per tradition, her family released a new photo of the young royal!

The photo, taken by her mother, the former Kate Middleton, shows Charlotte smiling big  with a few teeth missing  and wearing a white dress with pastel flowers. The young princess turns 8 on May 2.

"Wishing Princess Charlotte a very happy birthday! 8 tomorrow," reads an Instagram caption alongside the picture.

This was the first time the public has seen the princes since she joined her royal family at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2023. That day, she color coordinated with the Princess of Wales in a blue floral dress.

The British Royal Family Attend Easter Mattins Service (Antony Jones / GC Images)

This time of year is awfully busy for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family.

On April 23, the family also celebrated Louis' 5th birthday, which they also marked with a new photo of William and Kate's youngest child.

Just two days before Charlottes birthday, Kate and William celebrated their 12-year wedding anniversary. To commemorate the special day, their official Instagram shared a photo of themselves out on a bike ride.

The family is also gearing up for King Charles' coronation, which is taking place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London.

Princess Charlotte, along with her older brother, Prince George, is expected to participate in this weekend's coronation. Prince Louis could be joining his siblings as well, although he was known for stealing the show when he joined the family at last summer's jubilee for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
(Photo : SAIF DAHLAH/AFP/GettyImages)

Israeli prison authorities announce the death of Palestinian Khader Adnan following an 87-day hunger strike.

Khader Adnan has died in an Israeli jail after 86 days on a hunger strike

Adnan's lawyer accused Israel of medical negligence

Sirens rang out in Israeli-Gaza border communities

Khader Adnan, a commander of the Islamic Jihad who became a symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israeli detention policies, died on Tuesday after 87 days of hunger strike.

According to a statement from the Israeli Prison Service announcing his demise, Adnan, 45, had been on hunger strike since his arrest on February 5. During his detention, he also refused medical examinations.

Palestinian Khader Adnan Dies in Israel Prison

The prison service added that he was discovered deceased in his cell early Tuesday morning following his nearly three-month hunger strike. The Palestinian Prisoners Society also reported Adnan's demise, stating that "the Israeli occupation assassinated Sheikh Khader Adnan."

According to CNN, Adnan was arrested in February on suspicion of membership in a terrorist organization, support for terrorism, and incitement. He had never been tried prior to his death. The Palestinian militant group sponsored by Iran is responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis through suicide bombings and projectile attacks.

In mourning for Adnan, Palestinian political parties on Tuesday declared a general strike in the West Bank, closing schools, universities, and shops in response to the news of his demise.

Adnan "refused to undergo medical tests and receive medical treatment," according to Israel, and was "found unconscious in his cell" early Tuesday morning, local time.

Per ABC News, Israeli jail officials claimed Adnan was transferred to a hospital after attempts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead. According to the Israeli prison service, he was charged with "involvement in terrorist activities" this time.

Read Also: Texas, Chicago Clash Over Migrant Crisis

Jihad Warns Israel Would Pay for What Happened

Adnan's attorney accused Israel of medical negligence. "After 36 days of Adnan's arrest, we demanded he be moved into a civil hospital where he can be properly followed-up. Unfortunately, such a demand was met by intransigence and rejection by the Israeli prison authorities," lawyer Jamil Al-Khatib told Reuters.

Sirens sounded out in Israeli-Gaza border towns shortly after Adnan's death was revealed, sending people fleeing for safety. According to the Israeli military, three rockets were fired from Gaza into Israeli territory but landed in open regions.

Adnan's death is "a very dangerous thing that has happened," according to Mustafa Barghouti, former Palestinian communications minister and general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative political organization.

Barghouti said the Israeli government and its national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, "are personally responsible for this act of assassination."

Following Adnan's death, the armed group Islamic Jihad warned Israel that it would "pay the price for this crime," Aljazeera reported. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, Israel held Adnan 12 times, spending about eight years in jail, most of which was spent under administrative detention.

The Israeli human rights group HaMoked said Israel is keeping over 1,000 Palestinian inmates without charges or trial, the largest number since 2003.

The government claims that the contentious method helps officials foil assaults and detain dangerous radicals without revealing damning information for security reasons. Palestinians and rights groups believe the system is commonly misused and violates due process, with administrative prisoners and their attorneys unable to build a defense owing to the private nature of the information at issue.

Related Article: France May Day Protests: Police Fire Teargas Amid Clashes With Demonstrators

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Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) talks about her upcoming Senate run and her memoir, "I Swear: Politics is Messier Than My Minivan," with Melanie Mason at the 43rd annual L.A. Times Festival of Books. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

At the recent Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Celine Marcos was giddy after chatting with Rep. Katie Porter and getting the Democratic Irvine congresswoman to sign a copy of her newly released memoir, "I Swear: Politics is Messier Than My Minivan."

The moment wasn't just a book-lover fangirling. Marcos lives in the district of Rep. Adam B. Schiff, a rival of Porter's in California's 2024 Senate race, and has felt "torn between the candidates" in what promises to be a fierce campaign.

Though she had been following Porter's career in Congress for some time, Marcos, 28, who works for the L.A. Community College District, was struck by how Porter's appearance at the festival "was way more on a personal level" than about politics. The one-on-one experience helped shift Marcos' preference in the Senate race  in Porters favor, for sure.

Porter is far from the first politician to try to elevate her profile and charm voters and potential donors by releasing a memoir while kicking off a campaign for higher office. But Porter's strategy is another example of how a Senate campaign in California, a vast territory that's home to nearly 40 million people, can require almost quasi-national campaign tactics.

Book tours are practically de rigueur for prospective presidential candidates, as former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott have shown over the last year.

Porter's work, which peaked at No. 6 on the New York Times Best Seller list, offered her a chance to speak before big crowds around the state and across the nation. Already a popular talk show guest, she booked a fresh round of appearances on ABC's "The View," NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" and HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher"  along with a slew of podcasts, magazine interviews and radio broadcasts.

She also did in-person events in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Chicago, the San Diego area, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

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"Going on 'The View' was one of the best appearances I could do," Porter said at the book festival in late April as she scrambled across the USC campus to get from her appearance to the book signing. " 'The View' is a program where people are coming on because they're interested in hearing smart women engaging in a wide variety of issues, whether it's shopping for new tableware, or it's talking about abortion rights. I think, for those audiences, inserting politics into areas of conversation that are part of larger things is important."

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) is photographed in the L.A. Times Festival of Books studio at USC on April 23. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Political consultant Bill Carrick said the book circuit allowed Porter to tell her story on her own terms and offer to readers and voters a reason for why the candidate-cum-author should be elected. In 2021, Schiff, fresh off leading the House effort to impeach then-President Trump, released a book about his efforts to counter Republican demagoguery and democratic backsliding.

The Burbank congressman's tome was a New York Times bestseller and helped him maintain a national profile by jumping onto the national talk show circuit as well. "Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could" even won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the current interest category.

"These books do answer that question that everybody who is voting is wondering, which is 'Well, what are you for? What are you going to do if you get to the Senate?'" Carrick said.

An added benefit for Porter's campaign is that it didn't have to pay for any of the travel associated with the book promotion. Stacey Stein, a Crown Publishing Group spokeswoman, told The Times all travel arrangements were made by the publisher.

Rose Kapolczynski, former Sen. Barbara Boxer's longtime political advisor, noted that in previous eras it was rare for a new member of Congress like Porter to be writing a book and doing national tours.

"One thing a book tour does for you, it gives you a news hook with no need for reporters to talk to your opponents, Kapolczynski said. "There's also a voter outreach side because you can't get elected without being known. Just becoming a more familiar name to voters is a huge step up. If you can do it for free via a news appearance, it saves more money for your campaign later.

The strategy has been used by past candidates for statewide office in California  with mixed results. Republican Meg Whitman, a former EBay chief executive, released "The Power of Many: Values for Success in Business and in Life" during her 2010 campaign for governor, which she ultimately lost to Democrat Jerry Brown. Vice President Kamala Harris published "Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer" in 2009 while successfully running for California attorney general.

Porter's appearance on Maher's show included a clash with former CNN host Piers Morgan over the expulsion of three Tennessee lawmakers and whether transgender athletes had a place in women's sports. On Meyers' program, she had a welcoming audience who listened to her talk about Tucker Carlson's recent firing from Fox News.

Porter used the appearance to discuss topics in her book  and defuse potential attacks against her during the campaign. On "The View," she found a sympathetic forum to talk about her contentious divorce and allegations that she is a bad boss. She accused her critics of trying to weaponize painful moments in the lives of her three children for political gain.

"It only comes up in these contexts where people are trying to tear down a strong, outspoken woman," Porter told "The View's" hosts about her husband's domestic violence allegations against her.

Like many political tomes, Porters is part memoir, part manifesto. She writes about her upbringing in rural Iowa during the farm crisis of the 1980s and the lessons learned from her 2018 underdog win in a traditionally Republican Orange County House district. She denounces the influence of big corporations in Washington and offers tips on how to become politically engaged.

But Porters book also strays from the norm, exploring normally taboo issues such as the strain her job has put on her finances, her family and her self-image. She calls out fellow Democrats  and names names  for out-of-touch behavior and writes about the small and large indignities of serving in Congress.

Rep. Katie Porter, right, talks about her upcoming Senate run and her memoir, "I Swear: Politics is Messier Than My Minivan," with Melanie Mason at the 43rd annual L.A. Times Festival of Books at USC on April 23. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

For example, during her appearance at the Times book festival, she was asked about her bracingly honest writing about her weight. This comes up in the book's second chapter, but Porter said it was the first chapter she wrote and recalls in it that after she won in 2018, commenters on social media said that her ascent was a victory for "fat positivity."







"I say in the book, I remember crying and thinking, 'First, I never really knew I was fat,' " she said to a laughing sellout crowd who had all paid $5 to reserve a seat. "Like most middle-aged woman, the struggle is real, and I sure as hell wasn't feeling positive about it."

Her session at the festival was a mix of lighthearted one-liners and serious comments about the state of American politics. She offered high-level analysis of the Senate race and an explanation of why she thinks California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein should get to serve out the rest of her term.

At one point, she sidestepped a question about whether the calls for Feinstein to resign were sexist, saying: "We need to think about how to modernize Congress so that when we have these kinds of situations, we have a set of rules and policies in place so that it doesn't become sort of personalized or politicized, and we don't allow any biases to creep into the discussion."

Kiely Wilcox, 28, of Costa Mesa, a product manager for a tech company, said she was excited by the opportunity to see the congresswoman in a unique venue.

I think when you go see politicians at rallies, its very scripted. Kind of a get in and get out situation," Wilcox said. "Its really nice to hear her honest, first-thought responses."

The room was rapt when Porter spoke about Trump and the conservative U.S. Supreme Court. After the event, Palos Verdes retiree Ros Wolf stood at the very back of a nearly 200-person line eager to interact with a political hero.

The 76-year-old former lawyer wanted to show Porter photos she had from volunteering on the Irvine resident's 2018 campaign, which launched her political career. And yet Wolf, who said she loves Porter, is undecided about whom she'll vote for in the 2024 California Senate primary.

"I have supported Barbara Lee for 20 years," she said, referring to the Oakland congresswoman and Senate candidate.

Wolf said hearing Porter helped her wrestle with the knotty decision about whom to back in the primary.

"Today is the first time I've heard her speak really in a long time, and I thought she was very powerful," Wolf said.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
One of the Royals top prospects will be added to the teams roster ahead of Tuesday nights game against the Orioles at Kauffman Stadium.

Infielder Nicky Lopez was placed on the 10-day injured list following appendicitis surgery in Minnesota, so the Royals called up infielder Maikel Garcia from Triple-A Omaha.

Garcia, an infielder, is the franchises No. 3 prospect, according to MLB.com.

Defensively hes always been a pretty special player, Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. So just thinking in the vein of, How do we improve on the margins? (Its) an unfortunate situation with Nicky, going through what hes going through, but defensively I think (Garcia) can help us.

From an offensive standpoint he was having a solid month of April when you look at some of the things that we value the most. His swing decisions have been good. Results probably dont speak for what we think the swing decisions indicate, but all around hes done a nice job.

In 24 games for the Storm Chasers, Garcia batted .242 with 16 walks and 22 strikeouts. He had seven doubles and a home run.

Mighty Maikel



Maikel Garcia hits a double to score Taylor. pic.twitter.com/cxfLLyX93J  Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) April 30, 2023

Garcia, 23, made his big-league debut last July. In nine games with the Royals, he hit .318 with a double and two RBIs.

Royals manager Matt Quataro put Garcia in the starting lineup. Hes batting eighth and playing third base in Tuesday nights game against the Orioles at Kauffman Stadium.

Quatraro also shared a tentative plan for Lopezs return.

Hell see a doctor early next week as a followup to make sure hes OK, Quatraro said. You know, make sure everythings healing the way it should. Hopefully, if everything goes well, about two weeks til he can play in some rehab games, and then well see how that goes.

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The Royals also optioned outfielder Framil Reyes to Omaha and recalled catcher Freddy Fermin.

Rehab assignments

The Royals announced rehab assignments for starting pitcher Daniel Lynch and outfielder Drew Waters.

Waters, who has been out because of a left oblique strain since February, was set to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. However, Quatraro said Waters had a small setback unrelated to his oblique and will start play with the Storm Chasers later this week.

The Royals had planned on Waters being their center fielder this season, but the spring injury derailed those plans.

Waters batted .240 with five home runs, six doubles and 18 RBIs in 32 games a year ago after coming over in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. The Royals sent a draft pick to the Braves for Waters and minor-leaguers Andrew Hoffmann and CJ Alexander.

MLB rules say position players can spend a maximum of 20 days in a rehab assignment, so Waters should return to the Royals later this month.

Lynch, who has been out because of a strained left shoulder, will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He was injured late in spring training while pitching in a Cactus League game.

A year ago, Lynch made 27 starts for the Royals. He had a 4-13 record with a 5.13 ERA. Lynch, who was drafted by the Royals with the 34th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, struck out 122 batters in 131 2/3 innings pitched.

Pitchers can spend 30 days on a rehab assignment.
Kendall Jenner wore a bold Met Gala after-party look. Gotham/GC Images

Kendall Jenner attended the 2023 Met Gala in a Marc Jacobs bodysuit.

For an after-party, Jenner changed into an entirely sheer romper from Nensi Dojaka.

She wore a black thong over the see-through garment.

Kendall Jenner wore a daring sheer outfit after the Met Gala.

The 2023 Met Gala took place on Monday, with celebrities gathering at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to celebrate a night of fashion.

This year's theme was "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," so celebrities wore outfits that honored the late designer.

Kendall Jenner attended the event, as did her sisters Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian.

Kendall Jenner attends the 2023 Met Gala. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Jenner wore a sequin bodysuit designed by Marc Jacobs that paid tribute to Lagerfeld's archival swimwear designs from the '90s, according to Vogue.

The black bodysuit had a statement silver collar that was clearly a nod to Lagerfeld, as well as long sleeves that flowed out to the floor like twin capes on her arms. Sparkly, platform boots completed her ensemble.

Like many Met Gala attendees, Jenner continued her night by attending an after-party following the event. She was photographed walking down the street with Bad Bunny.

Kendall Jenner after the 2023 Met Gala. Gotham/GC Images

Jenner changed into a Chanel-inspired ensemble designed by Nensi Dojaka for the late-night festivities, according to Vogue. The outlet reported that Jenner's look was reminiscent of one supermodel Nadja Auermann wore on a Chanel runway for the brand's spring/summer 1994 ready-to-wear collection.

The bulk of the outfit was an entirely sheer, sequin-covered romper that featured corset boning and mini-shorts. The romper's spaghetti straps were lined with pearls, and Jenner added a black harness to the top of the look.

The garment was entirely sheer. Gotham/GC Images

For a bit of coverage, Jenner wore a black thong over the romper, which coordinated with the harness. She paired the ensemble with black sling-back heels from Gianvito Rossi and a silver clutch.

Jenner wore her hair pulled back, allowing the details on the outfit to shine.

Read the original article on Insider
As Louisvillians, its easy to take our city for granted. But in the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby, as we all notice more out-of-state license plates on the roads and longer wait times at restaurants given the high number of tourists coming into our city to enjoy Derby festivities, its a great reminder that Louisville is a world-class city that is often overlooked.

I can say with confidence, as someone who was born and raised in Kentucky and went to high school at Pleasure Ridge Park, and who has since lived in seven different states across three different time zones, that Louisville is one of the best cities in the country. Some of the reasons are obvious: We have 17 well-maintained Olmsted Parks (one of only four complete Olmsted park systems in the world), a thriving bourbon tourism scene, the #3 ranked riverwalk, numerous award-winning schools and universities, downtown gems like the Muhammad Ali Center and the Big Four Bridge, and of course, Churchill Downs. Census records also show that both Louisville and Jefferson County have an increasingly diverse population, giving rise to a wealth of amazing restaurants.

Cultural melting pot: Kentucky Derby unites people from all over world at Churchill Downs

A horse and a stable employee stand outside in preparation for the day Friday morning, April 28, 2023 at Churchill Downs.

Louisville is an affordable place to live

But one surprising fact that a lot of tourists may not know about Louisville is how affordable it is to live here compared to other major cities. I was personally amazed at Louisvilles cost of living after relocating last year from Denver, Colorado, where Ive lived off and on since 2016. According to a recent RentCafe study, Denver is the sixth-most desirable city for renters in the US given its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and sunny weather. However, Denver is also the 8th most expensive city to buy a home according to Zillow, with median home prices in excess of $600,000. Its the same for renters: RentCafe estimates show that median monthly rent in Denver for an 839-square-foot apartment comes in at just under $2,000 and can balloon up to $2,500 a month depending on the neighborhood. When my former landlord raised my rent by $400 (a 17% year-over-year increase) in 2022, I knew it was time to go.

In comparison, Louisvilles median monthly rent for a 931-square-foot apartment is less than $1,200. I personally pay just $1,100 for a 1,000-square-foot, two bedroom apartment in the Highlands, just steps away from Bardstown Roads top-tier restaurant scene, and just a few short blocks away from Cherokee Park. This is far less than I paid for lesser accommodations in other places Ive lived, including Houston, Texas; Hartford, Connecticut; Manchester, New Hampshire; Madison, Wisconsin; Atlanta, Georgia, and even Newark, Delaware.

Chicken soup for his soul: Lord Miles' owner Peter Vegso in Kentucky Derby for first time

The importance of affordability  particularly for millennials like me  cant be overstated. According to USA Today, millennials have spent approximately 45% of our income just on rent alone by the time we turned 30. Roughly half of millennials (defined as anyone between the ages of 24 and 39) dont make enough to afford even a one-bedroom apartment in eight US cities. For perspective, most rental applications ask tenants to prove that they make at least three times the monthly rent. Young professionals who want to live in a diverse, urban environment and who are looking to relocate from expensive cities would do very well in Louisville.

Its true that Louisville doesnt currently register with out-of-towners as an international powerhouse the same way as cities like Atlanta and Chicago. But Louisville is absolutely a world-class city in which we should all be proud to live. If we all work to keep it that way, the Derby City could one day ascend to its proper place as a top American city.

Carl Gibson

Carl Gibson is an independent journalist and columnist whose work has been published in CNN, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Houston Chronicle, Barrons, Business Insider, The Independent, and NPR, among other publications.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby: Louisville is a world-class city we can still afford
Police this month launched a wide-ranging investigation into the Good News International Church and its notorious leader after a tip-off

A Kenyan taxi driver turned pastor, who allegedly preached that starvation brought salvation, Paul Mackenzie Nthenge was under scrutiny years before 109 of his followers were found dead.

Police last month launched a wide-ranging investigation into the Good News International Church and its notorious leader, who is due in court on Tuesday.

A tip-off led investigators to a forest where Nthenge preached.

There, they found 15 starving people -- four of whom died -- while the others were taken to hospital.

But it was not Nthenge's first time in the crosshairs of law enforcement.

The discovery of dozens of bodies -- most in mass graves -- raised questions about how he was free to preach such dangerous teachings.

According to the church's website, Nthenge founded the movement in 2003 and set up branches in Nairobi and along Kenya's coast that attracted more than 3,000 devotees.

It aimed to "nurture the faithful holistically in all matters of Christian spirituality as we prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ through teaching and evangelism", the website said.

Titus Katana joined Nthenge's flock and even preached sermons alongside him at one point.

"We felt like we saw God in that church," the 39-year-old told AFP.

But he eventually left the church due to differences over new restrictions pushed by Nthenge.

"It came to a point where too many laws were introduced in that church -- asking women not to braid their hair, (saying) people should not go to hospital, people should not go to school," the daily wage labourer said.

- Radicalisation -

Nthenge's YouTube channel, launched in 2017, is packed with videos warning followers against "demonic" practices like wearing wigs and using mobile money.

Later that year, the televangelist was arrested on charges of "radicalisation" after urging children not to attend school because education was not recognised by the Bible.

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He was acquitted but arrested again in 2019 over charges including the possession of films intended to incite Christians against Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. The case is still being heard.

Nthenge said he closed the church in 2019 and moved to the sleepy town of Shakahola, telling The Nation newspaper in an interview last month that he "got a revelation that the time to call it quits had come".

"I just pray with myself and those who chose to believe," he said.

He was arrested again in March this year, according to local media, after two children starved to death in the custody of their parents.

He was released on bail and told The Nation he was "shocked about the accusations".

Less than three weeks later, a police raid in a forest near the coastal town of Malindi led investigators to scour the woodland for mass graves.

As they come to grips with what has been dubbed the "Shakahola Forest Massacre", Nthenge is once again in police custody after surrendering to the authorities.

- 'Heinous acts' -

"I don't really know what got into him," former follower Katana said about Nthenge.

Devotees sold "their property, houses, factories because they were coming to the 'wilderness' to wait for Jesus in Shakahola forest", he said.

According to the "fasting schedule" Katana's friend shared with him, the plan was for children and single people to starve first, followed by women and then men, he said.

"Mackenzie and his family would go last," he added, sketching out a timeline that appears to be supported by the fact that more than half the corpses found so far belonged to children, according to three sources close to the investigation.

The macabre saga has raised questions about how a self-styled pastor with a history of extremism has managed to evade law enforcement despite his prominent profile.

It has also drawn President William Ruto to weigh in on the sensitive subject of Kenya's homegrown religious movements -- and failed efforts to regulate unscrupulous churches and cults that have dabbled in criminality.

"Terrorists use religion to advance their heinous acts. People like Mr Mackenzie are using religion to do exactly the same thing," Ruto said.

bur-amu/txw/bp
Paul Mackenzie, who led the Good News International Church, appears at Malindi Law Courts on Tuesday - AP

A Kenyan taxi driver-turned-pastor accused of inciting followers to starve themselves to death in order to gain salvation faces terrorism charges after more than 100 people died.

Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, 50, was in court on Tuesday as the Kenyan authorities disclosed the results of the first post-mortems.

Examination of 10 bodies - nine children and a woman - confirmed that starvation was the cause of death, although the authorities said two children appeared to have been asphyxiated.

The death toll has hit 109, including 101 bodies found in mass graves and eight people found alive who later died.

More than half of the bodies found so far were children and the interior ministry said over 400 people were still missing.

The deeply religious Christian-majority country has been stunned by the discovery of mass graves in Shakahola forest near the Indian Ocean coastal town of Malindi.

One former follower, called Katana, told AFP that the congregation were given a fasting schedule, under which the plan was for children and single people to starve first, followed by women and then men, with Mr Mackenzie and his family going last.

Ezekiel Odero also expected in court

Following a brief hearing in Malindi, the case against Mr Mackenzie and eight other defendants was moved to the high court in Kenyas second-largest city, Mombasa.

There is a court (in Mombasa) that is gazetted to handle cases under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Vivian Kambaga, the prosecutor, told the court.

Ezekiel Odero, a wealthy, high-profile televangelist who is the leader of another church, is also expected to attend the high court, following his arrest in connection with the case.

Both men are being investigated under suspicion of crimes that include murder, abduction and child cruelty.

Friends and relatives of victims await the start of post-mortem analysis on victims of the Shakahola massacre at the Malindi District Hospital Funeral Home on Monday - SIMON MAINA/AFP

Prosecutors allege the men had shared business interests and extorted money from their congregations.

Mr Mackenzie has denied any wrongdoing.

Lawyers for Mr Odero said there was no evidence linking him to the Shakahola deaths and he has told the court he wants to strongly disassociate himself from Mr Mackenzie.

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Previous warnings about the church

Questions have been raised why Mr Mackenzie continued to operate his Good News International Church, despite many previous warnings and several police investigations.

Authorities repeatedly investigated the church after Mr Mackenzie encouraged his followers to drop out of school, and reject education, doctors and hospitals.

He launched a YouTube channel in 2017, which was packed with videos warning against demonic practices, such as wearing wigs and using mobile money.

An emaciated member of the Christian cult is guarded by Kenyan police officers and officials - STRINGER/Reuters

The same year, he was arrested on charges of radicalisation after urging children not to attend school.

Mr Mackenzie was acquitted, but arrested two years later for possessing films intended to incite Christians against Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. The case was still being heard.

He then moved his church from Malindi to the more remote town of Shakahola, and his followers sold their homes and moved to be with him.

A task force for religious activities

Comparisons have been drawn with previous cult-related mass deaths, including Jonestown, Waco and the Uganda Doomsday Sect.

Kenyan ministers have promised tighter regulation of fringe churches and religious groups.

Kithure Kindiki, the interior minister, said a task force would be set up to better govern religious activities.

He said the government must make sure we dont infringe on the sacred right of the freedom of worship, opinion and belief.

But at the same time, we dont allow criminals to misuse that right to hurt, kill, torture and starve people to death.


Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, who has died after nearly three months on hunger strike, had carried out at least four previous hunger strikes during 13 stints in Israeli jails

Khader Adnan was no stranger to Israel's prisons. His Tuesday death came during his 13th stint in Israeli custody, with nearly eight years of his life spent behind bars.

Born in the town of Arraba, near Jenin in the north of the occupied West Bank in 1978, Adnan, become involved with Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad while studying mathematics at Birzeit University in the late 1990s.

He spent the following two and a half decades in and out of Israeli custody, periods of incarceration marked by a string of high-profile hunger strikes -- at least five, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club told AFP.

The advocacy group said Adnan, who leaves behind nine children, is the first Palestinian to die as a direct result of a hunger strike, having refused food since his February 5 arrest by Israel on terror and incitement charges.

In 2012, a 66-day hunger strike turned Adnan into a national hero, and revitalised hunger striking as a form of protest among Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli jails.

At the time it was the longest hunger strike ever staged by a Palestinian prisoner.

The 2012 protest shone a light on administrative detention -- a controversial Israeli measure under which people are interned without charge for renewable periods of up to six months.

In 2015, he again secured his release from Israeli custody with a 56-day hunger strike.

- Arrested by Palestinians too -

Adnan also found himself in the crosshairs of President Mahmud Abbas' Palestinian Authority.

In 1999, he was arrested by the Palestinian security forces for leading student protests against the visiting French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. He was arrested by Palestinian security forces on at least two other occasions.

An Israeli official described Adnan to AFP as an "operative" of Islamic Jihad who "took part in dozens of organisational activities... and delivered inciteful speeches that support a hostile organisation".

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The official stressed that unlike Adnan's previous four hunger strikes, which he carried out to protest administrative detentions, "this time charges had been filed against him".

Hasan Khreisheh, deputy speaker of the Palestinian parliament told AFP that Adnan, with whom he was friends, was victorious in his death.

"Adnan won more than once in the occupation prisons, and today he was victorious once again when he was martyred in his new battle," Khreisheh said.

Alongside his time in and out of custody, Adnan ran a bakery in Arraba, and had also worked as a banker.

Today, his face can be seen stencilled across walls in Palestinian cities and refugee camps across the West Bank and Gaza.

Islamic Jihad, which is considered a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States, warned Israel would "pay the price for this crime".

Speaking at a press conference after his death, his widow Randa Mousa said: "We will only receive well-wishers, because this martyrdom is (like) a wedding, a (moment of) pride for us and a crown on our heads."

She warned against retaliation for his death. "We don't want anyone to respond to the martyrdom. We don't want someone to launch rockets and then (have Israeli) strikes (on) Gaza."

gb-he/jjm/kir
Kim Kardashian arrived at the 2023 Met Gala solo, but her daughter North West wasnt far behind.

The 42-year-old reality star walked the Met Gala red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday 1 May. While Kardashian famously attended the 2022 Met Gala with her then-boyfriend Pete Davidson, the SKIMS founder was riding with her sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner this year.

While speaking to Vogue livestream co-hosts Derek Blasberg and Chloe Fineman, Kardashian revealed that she was wearing a head-to-toe pearl outfit designed by Schiaparellis creative director, Daniel Roseberry.

The white gown was even adorned with real pearls, to which Kardashian said: What is more Karl?

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum also revealed that her nine-year-old daughter, North West, was waiting in the car and watching her mother walk the red carpet from a distance.

In videos posted to Twitter, the mother-daughter duo could be seen leaving the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York City as they made their way to The Met museum. North appeared to match her mother in white suit jacket dripping with pearls, along with a pair of baggy jeans.

Meanwhile, TMZ also captured Kylie Jenner leaving the hotel with her five-year-old daughter, Stormi Webster.

Kim Kardashian and North West for the 2023 #MetGala.



pic.twitter.com/AKXlogGPgh  Pop Base (@PopBase) May 1, 2023

Kim Kardashians attendance at the 2023 Met Gala comes just one day after the mother of four revealed that her eldest daughter had surprised her with some pre-Met Gala massages. In a video posted to Instagram, Kardashian shared footage of the relaxing spa day set-up, which included massage tables, candles, bouquets of white roses, and silver balloons that spelled out, Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala.

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The silver balloons were in line with this years Met Gala theme  Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty  which pays tribute to the legendary German designer.

Kim Kardashian attends the 2023 Met Gala in Schiaparelli (Getty Images)

How sweet is North for surprising me tonight with this for us to relax before the Met, she wrote over her Instagram Story on Sunday. In the clip, Kardashian said: Massages before the big day. How beautiful!

Last week, Kim Kardashian joined the handful of celebrities who confirmed their attendance at this years Met Gala ahead of the annual fashion event. In an Instagram post featuring none other than Karl Lagerfelds cat, Choupette, Kardashian wrote: Had a date with @choupetteofficiel in Paris.

The post also showed Kardashian preparing for her Met Gala look, which is likely to be inspired by Lagerfelds archival looks from his time as creative director of Fendi or Chanel. We then spent some time at @karllagerfelds office to get a little inspiration for the Met, she added.

Kardashians appearance at the Met Gala comes after much speculation over whether the famous family received an invite from Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. A report from Page Six in March claimed that the reality stars have not received an invitation because Wintour was allegedly cracking down on the guest list.

Follow for live updates from the Met Gala 2023 red carpet.
On May 6, Camilla will be crowned alongside King Charles at London's Westminster Abbey  but many others could have been queen.

Once upon a time, the former Prince Charles was the worlds most eligible bachelor and was nicknamed the "Playboy Prince" for his lengthy dating history. Queen Elizabeth IIs eldest son, the heir to the throne, was on the hunt for an eligible bride and gave himself a deadline of age 30 to find his future queen.

During the 1970s Prince Charles (born 1948) was an eligible bachelor, romantically linked to a series of young women. He is seen here at a sporting event with Sabrina Guinness, heiress to the Guinness drinks empire.

True Royalty TV recently premiered a new documentary, "Charles and the Women Who Could Have Been Queen," which explores the royals quest to find a bride. He missed his target by two years, but it wasn't for lack of trying. He reportedly romanced at least 20 women coined "Charlies Angels."

Prince Charles is seen here with his longtime love, Camilla Parker-Bowles, in 1979.

And Charles had a specific checklist for his wife  she needed to be aristocratic, not a Catholic and a virgin. She also needed the queens approval. Still, his life changed when he met Camilla Shand in 1970, whose family had long links with the royals. They eventually went on to marry in 2005.

KING CHARLES CORONATION INTIMATE GUEST LIST INCLUDES NOTABLE SNUBS

Charles and Camilla married on April 9, 2005.

Here are the eight women who could have been queen if history took a different turn:

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Prince Charles' first serious relationship was said to be with Lucia Santa Cruz, daughter of the Chilean ambassador.

Lucia Santa Cruz is the daughter of Victor Santa Cruz, the Chilean ambassador in London. Little is known about her relationship with Charles, but according to reports, the pair met in the spring of 1969. Charles cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, who was also friends with Santa Cruz, allegedly once said, "She was the first real love of his life."

In the documentary, royal author Tom Quinn described Charles as being "instantly smitten" by Santa Cruz, who became his first serious girlfriend. Several royal experts also described the relationship as a "physical one."

Its unclear when the romance ended, but Quinn pointed out that Santa Cruzs Catholic faith meant she would never be queen. Not only did she go on to introduce Charles to Camilla, but she has remained close friends with the couple to this day.

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Prince Charles was romantically linked to Lady Jane Wellesley, daughter of the Duke Of Wellington.

Unlike Santa Cruz, Lady Jane Wellesley was considered to be the first woman who was seen by the press as a possible future princess. The Duke of Wellingtons daughter, an independent aristocrat who yearned to be a career woman, dated Charles in the 70s, but the relationship was brief. According to the documentary, Wellesley found the pressures of royal life overbearing. "Do you honestly believe I want to be queen?" she once asked a reporter.

Davina Sheffield was depicted as "a breath of fresh air."

Davina Sheffield, the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, was viewed as "a breath of fresh air" by the British tabloids thanks to her "new money" background. While not an aristocrat, Sheffield was well-connected within royal circles and an avid horsewoman to Charles delight.

She was romantically linked to Charles in 1976, and its been said that the future king was seriously considering a proposal. However, the whirlwind romance ended nearly as quickly as it began. An ex-boyfriend, being hounded by the press, publicly admitted that they "lived in sin" or lived together at one point. A devastated Charles called it quits.

Lady Sarah Spencer is Princess Diana's older sister.

Before Charles dated Diana, he was involved with her older sister, Lady Sarah Spencer. The pair met at one of Queen Elizabeths parties and the future king was said to be taken by her sense of humor and reddish hair. They dated in 1977 and on paper, she seemed like a perfect match for the heir to the throne.

"She was from the Spencer family, fully aristocratic," True Royalty TV co-founder Nick Bullen explained to Fox News Digital. "And in many ways, they would have been a very good match. Shes probably more like Camilla than she is Diana. Sarah loves horses, loves hunting. She smokes, she speaks her mind  all the attributes that Camilla had when Charles was going out with her in the early years. So in many ways, Sarah matched all the things that Camilla was and what drew Charles to Camilla. But she also had all the things Camilla didnt have, which was the aristocratic heritage."

But that all changed in 1977 when Spencer, targeted by tabloids, told reporters that she frankly wouldnt marry someone she didnt love. According to the documentary, an embarrassed Spencer allegedly called Charles after her bombshell statement in an attempt to clear the air. But Charles, who loathed when his girlfriends spoke to the press, remarked, "Youve done a very stupid thing." The film noted that Spencer "played cupid" between Charles and her younger sister, who found her future ex-husband "dashing."

KING CHARLES' CORONATION: TOM CRUISE, WINNIE THE POOH, NICOLE SCHERZINGER ADDED TO ROYAL CONCERT LINEUP

Lady Amanda Knatchbull was childhood friends with the former Prince Charles.

Charles attempted to keep it in the family when he dated Lady Amanda Knatchbull, his second cousin and a descendant of Queen Victoria. Knatchbull is the granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten, Charles godfather and beloved mentor. According to reports, they dated on and off in the 70s, which led Charles to propose. But according to the film, Knatchbull was firm in saying no on the spot to her childhood friend. With little chemistry between the two, there were no hard feelings. Knatchbull had no desire to be queen and was "unwilling to step onto the royal treadmill."

Anna Wallace was nicknamed "Whiplash Wallace" for her fiery temper.

Anna Wallace is the daughter of a Scottish landowner who was coined "Whiplash Wallace" for her fiery temper. Wallace, a statuesque blonde, was described as a "more dangerous Lady Di" for sharing similar features with a more timid Diana.

Wallace and Charles met on the hunting field in 1980, and they quickly bonded over sports. The film described the pair as having a "hands-on relationship," one that scored Wallace a coveted lunch with the queen. According to the documentary, Charles proposed twice, and both times Wallace turned him down, suspecting that he wasnt completely over Camilla. The film described how the relationship soured after Charles ignored Wallace at a party  for Camilla. A furious Wallace immediately called it quits.

Lady Dale Tryon's family has vehemently denied that the Australian fashion designer, who was good friends with Prince Charles, was a mistress to the future king.

Lady Dale Tryon, an Australian socialite, reportedly received the nickname "Kanga," short for "Kangaroo," by Charles. The pair met in 1966 when Charles spent two terms studying at Geelong Grammar School in Victoria. Their friendship allegedly cooled after Charles met Camilla. She went on to become Baroness Tryon after marrying Anthony Tryon, 3rd Baron Tryon, in 1973. Still, that didnt stop the press from insisting she was a mistress to Charles, a claim that the Tryon family has continuously denied over the years.

Charles was quoted as saying that Tryon was "the only woman who ever understood me," but some reports alleged that statement may have come from Tryon herself. Nevertheless, Charles was named godfather to Tryons son, Charles Tryon, in 1976. Camilla also made Charles the godfather to her son, Tom Parker-Bowles.

"Kanga  Lady Tryon  was an Australian fashion designer who Charles was seeing at the same time he was seeing Camilla," Bullen claimed. "There was definitely a very close, passionate relationship and friendship there. Could she have been queen? Who knows. But it would have been interesting to have had an Australian queen on the throne. It could have been good for the Commonwealth."

BUCKINGHAM PALACE RELEASES NEW PORTRAITS OF KING CHARLES, CAMILLA AHEAD OF CORONATION

Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a pale blue and white dress designed by Lady Dale Tryon aka Kanga, attends a polo match on Nov. 12, 1985, in Wellington, Palm Beach Country, Florida.

Diana and Tryon reportedly joined forces against Camilla. The Princess of Wales seemingly sent a strong message to Charles great love by wearing one of Tryons clothing designs. Like Diana, Tryon met with a tragic end.

Reports claimed that Tryon was iced out by Charles after he and Diana called it quits. It is also believed that Tryons willingness to speak with the press prompted the move. In 1996, Tryon fell from a window of a rehabilitation clinic, which left her wheelchair bound. In September 1997, a month after Dianas death, Tryon and her husband divorced. Two months later, she died from septicemia. She was 49.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married from 1981 until 1996.

The former Lady Diana Spencer was introduced to Charles in 1977 by her sister, Lady Sarah Spencer. However, it wouldnt be until three years later that they began dating. According to the documentary, their time spent together was "absolutely minimal" and Charles proposed after less than 15 dates. Diana suspected that Charles wasnt over Camilla, but the two went on to have a lavish wedding in 1981.

The Prince and Princess of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, circa 1981. Diana is seen here wearing the Spencer family tiara.

A happily ever after wasnt meant to be for the prince and princess. The couple was married for 15 tumultuous years, a union plagued by jealousy, infidelity and resentment. In between, they welcomed two sons, Prince William in 1982 and Prince Harry in 1984. The couple separated in 1992 and their divorce was finalized in 1996. In 1997, Diana died from injuries she suffered in a Paris car crash. She was 36.

Before her death, Diana gave an explosive interview to BBC journalist Martin Bashir, where she discussed the breakdown of her marriage. When Bashir asked Diana if she thought she would ever be queen, her response was, "No, I dont."

PRINCESS DIANA DID NOT THINK CHARLES WAS FIT TO BE KING: EXPERTS

Martin Bashir is seen here interviewing Princess Diana in Kensington Palace for the television program "Panorama."

"I'd like to be a queen of people's hearts, in people's hearts, but I don't see myself being queen of this country," said Diana at the time. "I don't think many people will want me to be queen. Actually, when I say many people, I mean the establishment that I married into because they have decided that I'm a non-starter. Because I do things differently. Because I don't go by a rule book. Because I lead from the heart, not the head, and albeit that's got me into trouble in my work, I understand that. But someone's got to go out there and love people and show it."
By Kate Holton

LONDON (Reuters) - On Savile Row, the London street long celebrated for turning out sharp suits, tailors have been racing to prepare the red and gold uniforms that will feature in Britain's first coronation for 70 years, adorned with the new insignia of King Charles.

The salesrooms have been busy too, as customers arrive to collect such uniforms as well as suits for people who will be guests this Saturday for one of the country's most elaborate ceremonial occasions.

Savile Row tailors have dressed kings, queens and their offspring for more than 150 years, and their craft gets a particular boost from long-time customer Charles - a lover of the countryside who also champions the farmers, weavers and mills producing much of the fabric.

"It's a real honour," said Jules Walker, military tailor at Gieves & Hawkes who will be on hand from 4 a.m. on the morning of the coronation to make any final adjustments. "We're all working hard. There's a lot to do.

"On the day it's all going to look fantastic. We'll all be able to see our work and be proud of it. It's an historic event. So people will be looking at this for years and years."

Previous royal events, such as last year's Platinum Jubilee celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on the throne or the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry to his American wife Meghan, have led to a spike in interest in the craftsmanship of Savile Row, where archives record the measurements and orders of venerable customers including Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens and Cary Grant.

Troops dressed in bright red wool uniforms with elaborate gold braid are an essential part of British pageantry, seen on the streets of the capital last year for both the queen's jubilee celebration and then just months later, for her vast funeral procession in September.

The changing of a monarch requires insignia to be replaced, with Charles' Tudor crown, buttons and royal cypher - or monogram - stitched on to the ceremonial uniforms that will be on display among the 6,000-strong military procession.

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William Skinner at the Dege & Skinner tailoring house said the uniforms last for decades, and that the focus on repairing and refreshing the outfits rather than making new ones was in line with Charles' well-known regard for the environment.

The big names on the street, such as Gieves, Henry Poole, Dege & Skinner, Anderson & Sheppard and others all boast royal warrants, confirming that they dress the royal family among their clients.

In return they have had to steadily improve their environmental record, supplying energy bills and invoices to show how they have reduced their use of packaging or lighting.

'SLOWEST FASHION'

Henry Poole, credited with creating the dinner jacket, or tuxedo, has held a British royal warrant since the 1860s when it supplied Queen Victoria. Simon Cundey, the latest member of the family to run the business, said customers in Britain and around the world were drawn by the royal warrant.

"The sustainability side of that is a major part of what Savile Row has always had," he said.

King Charles, who has been photographed wearing the same double-breasted suits that he has owned for decades, has long been an advocate for the "slowest fashion" approach that has gained greater traction in recent years.

"I'm one of those people who hate throwing anything away," he told British Vogue in 2020. "Hence, I'd rather have them maintained, even patched if necessary, than to abandon them."

Anda Rowland, vice chairman of the king's tailor, Anderson & Sheppard, said Charles had provided a "sort of halo effect" for British menswear, with international television crews asking about his approach to sustainable fashion.

"It ticks a lot of boxes in the modern world, even though it's extremely traditional," she said. "And we still do things and train in the same way that we did when we were founded in 1906".

(Additional reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Writing by Kate Holton; Editing by Frances Kerry)
(Photo : MADE NAGI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

South Korea and Japan finance ministers met for the first time in nearly seven years, indicating that relations between the two nations are thawing.

Japan and South Korea conducted their bilateral finance leaders' meeting after seven years

South Korea's finance minister stated that the two nations might expand their collaboration

Choo Kyung-ho said cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and China has become more significant

On Tuesday, Japan and South Korea conducted their first bilateral finance leaders' meeting in seven years, indicating that relations between the two countries are improving as they face common concerns such as geopolitical tensions and declining economic growth.

The two nations agreed to begin a regular financial conversation "at an appropriate timing," Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told reporters following the meeting. Suzuki predicted that the discussion would take place on a yearly basis.

South Korea, Japan Finance Ministers Meet

The resumption of bilateral finance negotiations comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's upcoming visit to South Korea for meetings with President Yoon Suk Yeol next week.

Due to disagreements over wartime history, the regular yearly discussion between the two nations' finance ministers has been discontinued since 2016, as per CNBC. Despite North Korea's frequent missile launches and China's more assertive role on the global stage, relations between US allies have improved in recent months.

Kishida and Yoon decided to set aside their rough shared past and work together to address regional security concerns at a historic conference in Tokyo last month. Suzuki expressed his hope that Japan and South Korea can continue their bilateral financial dialogue, which would help to improve relations between the two nations.

The resumption of bilateral finance negotiations comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's upcoming visit to South Korea for meetings with President Yoon Suk Yeol next week.

It also came as Asian policymakers gathered this week in the South Korean city of Incheon for the annual Asian Development Bank (ADB) summit to address regional economic concerns and strategies to strengthen buffers against various shocks.

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Asian Economy

Choo Kyung-ho, South Korea's counterpart, stated that the two nations might expand corporate and public sector collaboration in high-tech areas such as semiconductors and batteries. Japan and South Korea will begin regular financial discussions at "an appropriate timing," Suzuki told reporters following the bilateral meeting. Choo will likely return to Japan this year for another meeting with Suzuki.

According to ADB forecasts, despite decreasing growth in advanced economies, emerging Asia is predicted to have robust economic growth of 4.8% in 2023, stronger than 4.2% growth in 2022, primarily to China's resurgence. However, a number of risks cloud the region's economic outlook, as per Reuters.

Moreover, South Korea's finance minister stated on Tuesday that trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and China has grown in significance as the global economy approaches a tipping point. Per US News, Choo Kyung-ho stated that such cooperation would benefit not just the three nations, which account for more than 20% of the global economy, but also the Asian region and the rest of the world.

Related Article: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Warns US Could Default on Debt by June 1

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LONDON (AP)  Rabbi Nicky Liss wont be watching King Charles IIIs coronation. Hell be doing something he considers more important: praying for the monarch on the Jewish sabbath.

On Saturday, he will join rabbis across Britain in reading a prayer in English and Hebrew that gives thanks for the new king in the name of the one God who created us all.

Liss, the rabbi of Highgate Synagogue in north London, said British Jews appreciated Charles pledge to promote the co-existence of all faiths and his record of supporting a multifaith society during his long apprenticeship as heir to the throne.

When he says he wants to be a defender of faiths, that means the world because our history hasnt always been so simple and we havent always lived freely; we havent been able to practice our religion, Liss told The Associated Press. But knowing that King Charles acts this way and speaks this way is tremendously comforting.

At a time when religion is fueling tensions around the world  from Hindu nationalists in India to Jewish settlers in the West Bank and fundamentalist Christians in the United States  Charles is trying to bridge the differences between the faith groups that make up Britains increasingly diverse society.

Achieving that goal is critical to the new kings efforts to show that the monarchy, a 1,000-year-old institution with Christian roots, can still represent the people of modern, multicultural Britain.

But Charles, the supreme governor of the Church of England, faces a very different country than the one that adoringly celebrated his mothers coronation in 1953.

Seventy years ago, more than 80% of the people of England were Christian, and the mass migration that would change the face of the nation was just beginning. That figure has now dropped below half, with 37% saying they have no religion, 6.5% calling themselves Muslim and 1.7% Hindu, according to the latest census figures. The change is even more pronounced in London, where more than a quarter of the population have a non-Christian faith.

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Charles recognized that change long before he became king last September.

As far back as the 1990s, Charles suggested that he would like to be known as the defender of faith, a small but hugely symbolic change from the monarchs traditional title of defender of the faith, meaning Christianity. Its an important distinction for a man who believes in the healing power of yoga and once called Islam one of the greatest treasuries of accumulated wisdom and spiritual knowledge available to humanity.

The kings commitment to diversity will be on display at his coronation, when religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions will for the first time play an active role in the ceremonies.

I have always thought of Britain as a community of communities, Charles told faith leaders in September.

That has led me to understand that the Sovereign has an additional duty  less formally recognized but to be no less diligently discharged. It is the duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals.

Thats not an easy task in a country where religious and cultural differences sometimes boil over.

Just last summer, Muslim and Hindu youths clashed in the city of Leicester. The main opposition Labour Party has struggled to rid itself of antisemitism, and the governments counterterrorism strategy has been criticized for focusing on Muslims. Then there are the sectarian differences that still separate Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.

Such tensions underscore the crucial need for Britain to have a head of state who personally works to promote inclusivity, said Farhan Nizami, director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

Charles has been the centers patron for 30 years, lending his stature to Nizamis effort to build an academic hub for studying all facets of the Islamic world, including history, science and literature, as well as religion. During those years, the center moved from a nondescript wooden structure to a complex that has its own library, conference facilities and a mosque complete with dome and minaret.

It is very important that we have a king who has been consistently committed to (inclusivity), Nizami said. It is so relevant in the modern age, with all the mobility, with the difference and diversity that exists, that the head of this state should bring people together, both by example and action.

Those actions are sometimes small. But they resonate with people like Balwinder Shukra, who saw the king a few months ago when he officially opened the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, a Sikh house of worship, in Luton, an ethnically diverse city of almost 300,000 north of London.

Shukra, 65, paused from patting out flatbreads known as chapatis for the communal meal the gurdwara serves to all comers, adjusted her floral shawl, and expressed her admiration for Charles decision to sit on the floor with other members of the congregation.

Referring to the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, Shukra said that all the people (are) equal. It doesn't matter'' if you are king, she added.

Some British newspapers have suggested that Charles desire to include other faiths in the coronation faced resistance from the Church of England, and one conservative religious commentator recently warned that a multifaith ceremony could weaken the kingly roots of the monarchy.

But George Gross, who studies the link between religion and monarchy, dismissed these concerns.

The crowning of monarchs is a tradition that stretches back to the ancient Egyptians and Romans, so there is nothing intrinsically Christian about it, said Gross, a visiting research fellow at King's College London. In addition, all of the central religious elements of the service will be conducted by Church of England clergy.

Representatives of other faiths have already been present at other major public events in Britain, such as the Remembrance Day services.

These things are not unusual in more contemporary settings," he said So I think of it the other way: Were there not to be other representatives, it would seem very odd.

Charles commitment to a multifaith society is also a symbol of the progress thats been made in ending a rift in the Christian tradition that began in 1534, when Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church and declared himself head of the Church of England.

That split ushered in hundreds of years of tensions between Catholics and Anglicans that finally faded during the queens reign, said Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the most senior Catholic clergyman in England. Nichols will be in the Abbey when Charles is crowned on Saturday.

I get lots of privileges,'' he said cheerfully. But this will be one of the greatest, I think, to play a part in the coronation of the monarch.
Watch: Charles urged to hurry up and apologise for slavery ties

There is an ongoing debate about how the Royal Family - and King Charles in particular - should handle its historic ties to slavery and colonialism.

Calls demanding the royals take accountability for their links have intensified in recent months, with some asking for an official apology and others saying financial reparations should be considered.

Earlier this month, Charles signalled some support around the issue and said he would allow a historian access to the royal archives as part of a research project being undertaken by Historic Royal Palaces.

During a discussion about the Royal Family's colonial past on Yahoo's 'Future of the Monarchy' panel, Robert Jobson, the royal editor of The Evening Standard, said the process of an official apology needs to be accelerated by the King - adding there was a danger his reign "is going to be over" before the issue gets properly addressed.

Omid Scobie hosted Yahoo's 'Future of the Monarchy' panel, during which Robert Jobson said he believes King Charles needs to speed up the process of an official apology for the Royal Family's role in the slave trade. (Yahoo)

Last year, William and Kate's visit to the Caribbean was deemed a PR disaster with images like this evoking colonialism. (Getty Images)

Jobson said: "It's obviously coming in that direction and there's been an awful lot of developments since the Black Lives Matter movement in the Caribbean.

"This has been on the agenda of education for a long time and I remember when I was a kid studying at a comprehensive in the 70s, I did a whole project on the slave trade and I was very passionate about it, so I think it's always been there, I think more needs to be done.

"Equally, I think Charles is right to do what he's doing. I think it's the right step to do it, it's absolutely right that he puts an academic in the archives and starts the process, because that's where you're going to get more and more information that they can base a proper investigation upon.

Charles, then Prince of Wales, attended the official ceremony in which Barbados was declared a republic and the late Queen removed as head of state. (Getty Images)

"But equally, things need to be speeded up, because how long is this reign going to last? I mean it might not even be finished before the reign is over at this point.

"So, in my opinion we need to speed things up".

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He added: "This monarchy is in a new time, it's a new reign and things need to be done differently".

There is clearly currently little appetite for the UK government to address the matter head on. As recently as 26 April, Rishi Sunak made it clear the UK government would not be apologising for the country's role in slavery.

Jobson's sentiments were shared by the other panelists, with royal biographer and founder of the Women's Equality Party  Catherine Mayer  noting that Charles giving one historian access to the royal archives was relatively minimal.

"One person to look in the archives as well, it's hardly kind of throwing them open to scholars."

"Exactly", replied royal commentator Afua Hagan, "and she's going to be doing that until 2026, that's a long time".
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday he is arranging a trip to South Korea for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol in return for his March visit to Tokyo, aiming to further strengthen their ties before the upcoming summit of the Group of Seven industrialized natioins.

Tokyo and Seoul have been working to repair relations that were strained over wartime history disputes as they deepen three-way security cooperation with Washington in response to growing regional threats from North Korea and China.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Ghana as part of his trip to Africa and Singapore, Kishida said he hopes to visit May 7-8 and exchange views with Yoon on ways to speed up the strengthening of bilateral ties and discuss regional and global issues.

If my South Korea visit is achieved ahead of the G-7 summit, I expect it will be a great opportunity to give impetus to our shuttle diplomacy and have a heart-to-heart exchange of our views on accelerating Japan-South Korea ties and drastically changing the global situation, said Kishida, who is hosting the May 19-21 G-7 summit in Hiroshima.

Later Tuesday, both governments confirmed Kishida's trip and their talks in Seoul.

Yoon's office said Kishida will make a working visit to South Korea with his wife, Yuko Kishida, following the president's invitation during his Tokyo visit in March, marking a fresh start in their diplomacy. Kishida's office said talks between the leaders were scheduled for Sunday.

Kishida will be the first Japanese leader to visit South Korea since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Pyeongchang Olympics in February 2018. The two leaders are expected to focus on cooperation and responses to North Koreas nuclear and missile development.

Japan and South Korea want to ensure their relationship is on track for a considerable recovery ahead of the G-7 summit, where Yoon is invited as one of eight outreach nations. The two leaders are also expected to hold a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines.

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But later Tuesday, Japan's Foreign Ministry said it strongly protested to South Korea's embassy in Tokyo over a trip by South Korean opposition lawmakers to a disputed island called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea. Seoul controls the island, which continues to strain ties between the nations, including when then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited it in 2012.

The ministry said the visit by the opposition lawmakers to the island was "absolutely unacceptable and extremely regrettable."

Washington has been stepping up cooperation with its key Asian allies.

Yoon was in Washington last week and won stronger U.S. commitment on extended nuclear deterrence, including improved information sharing and nuclear submarine visits to South Korea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was at the White House on Monday and Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippines security and noted the deep friendship of the two nations.

Ties between Japan and South Korea have improved rapidly since March, when Yoon's government announced plans to use South Korean funds to compensate forced laborers without requiring contributions from Japan. The plan aims to end a dispute stemming from South Korean court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean workers for abusive treatment and forced labor during World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was a Japanese colony.

Since Yoon's trip to Japan in March, Tokyo and Seoul have mostly resolved their trade disputes. The two sides also held the first talks between their finance ministers in seven years, seeking strengthened cooperation in resilient supply chains amid China's growing influence.

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Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

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Find more of APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
A ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender youth will soon be debated on the Texas House floor.

Prohibitions outlined in Senate Bill 14 include procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment or gender dysphoria. It would not allow taxpayers money to be spent to provide those services.

There are currently an estimated 29,800 youths ages 13-17 in Texas who identify as transgender, according to a statistical analysis by the Williams Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles.





According to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, physician groups across the U.S.  including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association  support gender-affirming care.

But the Texas Medical Association, the states largest physicians group, has taken a neutral stance on the legislation, the Dallas Morning News reports.

What is gender-affirming care?

Sometimes referred to as transition-related care, it is healthcare for transgender people of all ages.

It is not a single category of services but a range of services that include mental health care, medical care and social services.

It is designed to help treat gender dysphoria, or the distress experienced by people whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth.

It is meant to assist transgender and non-binary people live safe and healthy lives.

Does gender-affirming care include surgery?

There is no single gender-affirming surgery, and surgery is not needed to be transgender. There are a range of gender-affirming procedures that can be done.

Plastic surgery  to change facial features to typically be more masculine or feminine.

Top surgery  to make changes to the chest or torso.

Bottom surgery  to make changes to genitals.

These U.S. states have banned gender-affirming care

At least 15 U.S. states have gender-affirming bans at the moment.
Just days after three 9-year-old students and three adults were killed in The Covenant School shooting on March 27, two Knoxville trauma therapists were leading a team in Nashville to provide support for the first responders who were on the scene that tragic day.

Lynn Smith and Bonnie Barclay saw the news about the school shooting and immediately began mobilizing the East Tennessee Trauma Recovery Network, a network of therapists who specialize in gun and interpersonal violence and in helping emergency workers process trauma.

We had therapists from Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, New Jersey, New York that came in to help, Smith told Knox News at her Mind Body Knox wellness center in April. It was a remarkable team.

Bonnie Barclay, left, and Lynn Smith of the East Tennessee Trauma Recovery Network were on a team of therapists who helped emergency workers in Nashville after The Covenant School shooting. Both Barclay and Smith specialize in EMDR therapy.

The team of nine therapists worked with the first responders in group and individual settings, utilizing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing techniques, also known as EMDR therapy.

EMDR enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences, according to the EMDR Institute. And early intervention is key.

If you eat a large meal, it's harder for your body to digest it than if you eat an appropriate portion. It's the same thing with (trauma); it's just too much for the brain to process," Barclay explained.

"So, by doing early intervention (with EMDR), we can break it down into smaller bites and then it can digest and move forward."

The East Tennessee Trauma Recovery Network offers up to 10 pro bono sessions following mass tragedies like the Covenant shooting. Individuals can continue treatment through insurance or other arrangements.

Smith and Barclay spoke in-depth with Knox News about the trauma that first responders face and EMDR therapy, and they shared strategies everyone can use to cope with mass trauma.

This Q&A has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

How were the first responders when you first arrived in Nashville to offer support?

Lynn Smith: Anytime there's an exposure of this nature, it's gonna be held very differently than just a typical day-to-day trauma that a first responder will experience. So, we would expect to see a lot of shock, especially after the dust begins to settle, a lot of emotion.

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Bonnie Barclay: The thing I think about first responders is that, for us, we can go home and leave work pretty easily. But because something is more than the brain can digest in that moment, then sometimes the body sensations, that hyper-vigilance and adrenaline at the time, is still there. Some of the images from the event can come up no matter what role they were in. That can be different for each person, which is the nice thing about the group protocols, that their unique experience is still addressed in a group setting.

But you're gonna have the feelings, the body sensations, the images, the thoughts at the time of the event, which is why early intervention is so important. We want to get in there before any maladaptive information sets in. We want to move it toward health, and allow the brain to process it.

How are first responders impacted by traumatic experiences? Does it differ from victims and witnesses?

Smith: The initial hit of adrenaline is: Get the job done. That's what they're trained to do. It's often not until several days later, weeks later, that some of the more painful parts of the experience that begins to thaw and they begin experiencing that overload again. If you can imagine there's a trunk full of trauma and then you layer this huge trauma of a mass casualty situation, particularly involving children, and those who are most vulnerable and most innocent, and we layer that on top. A lot of times its too much. It's all of a sudden; it's overwhelming. So, we're gonna experience a lot of symptoms of acute stress disorder. This can be really varied and all types of anxiety. We see depression. We see panic disorder and hypervigilance, isolation, avoidance. A lot of times individuals are going to struggle going back to work, particularly, if there's no treatment or they're expected to go immediately back to work, which a lot of them are.

Barclay: The other piece that I see a lot is issues around responsibility. These are people who are supposed to serve, protect, help, rescue. So when something happens and they couldn't stop it or they couldn't do something about it, I think they grapple around the issues of responsibility, and that's why getting in there so quickly is to help them see where that expectation of responsibility is healthy and unhealthy.

Do you regularly work with first responders here in Knoxville?

Smith: I treat a fair amount of different types of first responders in my practice. It's one of my areas of specialty. It's really a different approach in a lot of ways because these are individuals who are extraordinarily high-functioning and can manage extraordinary exposure to trauma, and so treatment needs to be very specialized. Simply just talking about it may not be effective. EMDR therapy is a way that we work with the brain's own healing processes, which are innate and built in, and that way we are able to really help individuals heal faster and continue to do the work that they love without having this heavy weight of baggage that they're carrying around.

Barclay: I do mostly other trauma work. But I also think that some of that is needing to increase, the awareness and availability of this type of therapy, the effectiveness of it, and coming from a departmental level for this to be something that is helpful and not a sign of weakness. It's not something that may put them in a position to question their fitness for duty. It will actually enhance their fitness for duty.

Unfortunately, we hear and read about school shootings or mass shootings regularly. How are we coping collectively with these tragedies?

Smith: Not well.

Barclay: It's important to be informed, but when you are consuming something too much, you can develop vicarious trauma and still have to cope with those images and all the things as if you were there. Its really finding that protective boundary of where you're informed but you're not consuming too much information to trigger your own nervous system.

Are we becoming desensitized by a consistent number of incidents? And how is EMDR a healthier solution?

Barclay: When you say the word desensitize, EMDR therapy is removing the reactivity to the situation, whether that reactivity be hyperreactivity, hyperarousal or a numbness where they're shutting down because the system is so overwhelmed. I think there's a little bit of a different component to that level of numbness and EMDR doesn't create that same sensation. The mechanism is different. It's an adaptive desensitization, not a numb and detached desensitization.

Smith: We're working with the brain's own innate qualities in order to help digest this information to move it in an adaptive way. When we're watching something over and over again on the news, it may have a desensitizing quality to it. However, it is not necessarily adaptive in nature because we have an increasingly high number of individuals suffering from anxiety disorders, depression, a wide range of mental health disorders. The idea that (multiple mass shootings) is desensitizing in that way, I don't think so. I think that, in fact, it's contributing to a lot of anxiety and fear, and we're really creating a culture of fear.

How can we remove the political debate around guns and focus on mental health solutions?

Smith: In our culture, we're far more polarized and pitted against one another and I think that we all have the same goal here, which is to protect innocent people. And until everybody comes to the table together and says, this is the goal: We don't want to see dead children. We don't want to have school shootings. We don't want to have mass casualties and shootings in any circumstances and the loss of lives. I think that setting aside politics is going to be in order.

Barclay: I talk to clients all the time, whether it's a couple or parent-child, "Do you want to be right or do you want to be in relationship?" Sometimes you can't be right and be in relationship. If everybody wants to be right, we're not going to get to a place of compromise and community,

What are things people can do when a tragic event happens? How can we help each other?

Smith: One way is to really destigmatize mental health. If you're struggling, ask for help. It's not a sign of weakness. Everyone has anxiety. Everyone has depression. These are universal human conditions. The more we can destigmatize that and say you're not alone in this, in your suffering. Listen to our friends, listen to our neighbors, our community members. Are you struggling? Let's find some help." There's a lot of organizations locally (such as) the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee and other organizations. Coming together in community groups, whether that be a group, or a church or any kind of community involvement to kind of bind together and say, Hey, we're all here to help each other. There's not a shame in that; theres no stigma about that. Its not a sign of weakness; its a sign of strength.

Barclay: It's more productive to be talking with someone. So, it's limiting that media exposure, social media exposure that is kind of faux connection, if you will. Good sleep, eating healthy, drinking a lot of water. That's good for us any day, but when something like that happens, then we get those stress hormones released in our body, we have to attend to ourselves with more care. I think it's important to recognize when we see something, our nervous system takes on this perspective that it's happening right now. So, as we distance or have balance with social media or television, I think it's really important to ground ourselves to our current present safety in the moment.

Lynn Smith, left, and Bonnie Barclay advise anyone struggling to ask for help.

As mental health professionals on the frontlines of trauma, how do you cope?

Barclay: Just thinking about Nashville, after we were done, we had a debriefing ourselves where we check in with each other, we talk about it. And I think that's a wonderful thing about our community of EMDR therapists here. We do care support group meetings, case consultations. So, we really help each other all along the way.

Smith: And we do EMDR, too. Sometimes, I go like, Hey you wanna do some EDMR?

Barclay: We practice what we preach.

Smith: We do get the front line of everybody's worst day. And that's one of the reasons why we developed Mind Body Knox here, because we have incorporated yoga and mindfulness meditation into our practice.

Barclay: We added massage at my place and I do a massage once a month. It's taking care of and releasing that tension and things that we hold in our body. It has to be done in a lot of different ways.

Smith: Wellness! Its the full spectrum. It's not just one thing; it's a combination of things.

Is there anything else our readers should know about healing from traumatic events?

Smith: The East Tennessee Trauma Recovery Network is available to help in these sorts of situations and mass tragedies, and that EMDR therapy is more than just trauma therapy. It's a complete therapy that addresses a wide spectrum of mental health issues.

Barclay: Anxiety, depression, phobia, trauma. And it is different than talk therapy. I've had clients that have been to therapy before and may be frustrated that, in session, they cognitively understand how to cope or how to do something outside of session, but when triggers hit you on a full-body nervous system perspective, that thinking brain goes offline. With EMDR therapy, when you change things on a brain level, then you can hold on to the thinking brain and respond to triggers more effectively.

Smith: And early intervention is key.

Barclay: People have this mantra: Time will heal all wounds. Or let's just wait and see if it gets better. We don't want to wait because then it's more complicated. No, time does not heal all wounds, especially when it's something big.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville therapists helped Covenant School responders process trauma
Self-driving trucking company Kodiak Robotics plans to introduce an electric autonomous Class 8 truck to its fleet in 2024. The news comes as California, one of the states Kodiak hopes to do business in, recently voted to ban the sale of new diesel heavy-duty trucks by 2036 and will require that all trucks be zero emissions by 2042.

With the exception of Swedish company Einride and its electric autonomous pods, most autonomous trucking companies are still testing and deploying diesel engine trucks. Thats largely because the electric trucking industry isnt yet well developed, as evidenced by the less than desirable ranges on the electric semis coming to market today. Kodiaks Peterbilt Model 579EV, for example, only has a range of 150 miles, which wouldnt cover even a one-way trip on most of the routes Kodiak drives.

Kodiak says while it believes zero-emissions vehicles have a future across America, the intended use for this vehicle is in California. California has long been a champion of greener vehicles, but the same cannot be said for the states willingness to embrace autonomous trucking technology.

It's currently illegal to test or deploy heavy-duty AVs in the state, and in January, regulators introduced a bill that would require a trained human safety operator to be present any time a self-driving truck operates on public roads in California. If passed, the bill would prevent the testing of driverless trucks as they were intended to be used, and would complicate the interstate freight runs that Kodiak and others are already trialing.

The bill is still currently in the California Assembly and would need to pass in the lower house before going through a range of committees in the state Senate. Kodiak founder and CEO Don Burnette said the company was disappointed that the Assembly is considering the ban, but he didn't explain how Kodiak's strategy would shift if the bill goes through.

Regardless of California's regulatory environment, Kodiak says the introduction of the 579EV, which will be outfitted with Kodiaks self-driving technology and latest generation of sensors, will help the company test future electric integrations.

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Today, the range and charging infrastructure for electric semis is lacking. But by working with EV technology now -- mostly for short-haul and drayage deployments, rather than long-haul -- Kodiak says it will be ready to deploy more quickly when the range catches up to market needs.

We believe that the future of trucking is the combination of electric and autonomous vehicles, said Burnette in a statement. Given advancements in battery and fuel cell technologies, achieving zero-emissions trucking will soon be within reach. Kodiaks work on the Peterbilt Model 579EV will help us gain valuable experience in how to build autonomous electric vehicles, and help us realize that vision. Customers have been long asking for an autonomous electric vehicle and we are delivering on that need.

Like many other autonomous technology companies, Kodiaks autonomous system is vehicle and powertrain-agnostic, which allows the company to integrate its tech into new truck platforms as they become available. Kodiak says it will explore other sustainable vehicle platforms, such as fuel cells, as they come to market.
PRISTINA (Reuters) -Leaders of Kosovo and Serbia failed to agree on how to lower tensions in Serb-majority areas in north Kosovo, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, warning that any further escalation could undermine the EU-backed deal on normalising ties.

In March, Pristina and Belgrade verbally agreed to implement a Western-backed plan aimed at improving ties but little progress has been seen since.

Some 50,000 Serbs who live in north Kosovo still refuse to take part in Kosovo institutions including police, judiciary and municipal governments they had left last November. They boycotted local election organized by Kosovo authorities last month.

Borrell said that in a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, he had expressed "grave concern about the situation in the north Kosovo" following elections "with a very low turnout."

He urged parties to compromise and warned that any further escalation could "undermine" the implementation of the EU-backed deal on normalising ties.

Vucic and Kurti failed to agree on framework for securing greater autonomy for Serb-majority municipalities, which is a condition set by Serbs to participate in Kosovo institutions.

Kurti told reporters that a draft proposal on greater autonomy for Serb-majority municipalities, which was presented in the meeting on Tuesday, was not in accordance with Kosovo constitution and cannot be accepted.

"I am very concerned," Vucic told reporters. "It is clear that Pristina does not want to fulfill its commitments," he added, referring to the association of Serb municipalities.

However, the two parties on Tuesday pledged to work together to locate Kosovo war-era burial sites to identify the remains of those still missing from the 1998-99 conflict.

Almost 24 years later, 1,621 people remain missing from the war that left more than 13,000 people dead. The majority of those killed and missing are ethnic Albanians.

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Both parties have agreed to share documents, including those that are classified, and to use satellite data and other technology to detect the sites of suspected mass graves.

The war began in 1998 when ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, then a province of Serbia, took up arms in an uprising against rule from Belgrade. It ended in June 1999 after NATO intervened. Kosovo was then governed administratively by the U.N.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008 but Serbia refuses to recognize the statehood of its former province.

(Reporting by Fatos Bytyci and Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Lisa Shumaker)
Flags of Ukraine and NATO

Read also: US, Germany not willing to make specific commitments on Ukraines NATO membership at July summit, reports

German journalists, citing unnamed sources, have suggested that steps towards NATO membership could distract from much more important support for Ukraine. German news agency DPA also claims that new commitments from NATO could push Russia towards a more aggressive war. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry dismissed these arguments as erroneous judgments, and pointed to Ukraines success in defending itself against Russian aggression as evidence of its readiness to join the Alliance.

Firstly, indeed, there are important battles ahead of us, but Ukraine has already achieved striking success in defending itself against Russian aggression, Nikolenko said in a Facebook post on May 2.

In February 2022, skeptics gave Ukraine 72 hours, and optimists  a week. Thanks to the heroism of Ukrainian defenders and international support, Ukraine not only withstood the blow, but is also conducting successful operations to liberate occupied territories. It would not be an exaggeration to call the Ukrainian army the strongest army in Europe. Ukrainians are currently making the largest contribution to Euro-Atlantic security.

Read also: US, Germany not willing to make specific commitments on Ukraines NATO membership at July summit, reports

Earlier, Ukraine's partners had already stated the necessity of refraining from steps that could provoke Russia into an even more aggressive stance.

The only thing that provokes Russia is uncertainty; I would like to remind you that in 2014, when Russia occupied Crimea and unleashed war in the east, Ukraine was officially a neutral country, Nikolenko continues.

Read also: Blast in Russias Bryansk Oblast destroys locomotive, causes massive fuel leak

Ukraine's non-aligned status did not help deter Russia's aggression. Diplomatic efforts by Ukraine, France, and Germany within the framework of the Minsk Agreements also did not help prevent full-scale Russian invasion.

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He added that Moscows goal is to dismantle Ukraine, and advancing towards the countrys membership in NATO "will force Russia to tame its aggression."

On May 2, German news agency DPA, citing anonymous sources, reported that behind closed doors the United States and Germany agreed they did not want to take on any obligations regarding specific steps for Ukraine's NATO membership.

Read also: Military base on fire in occupied Crimea, photos show

During a recent meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that there are "no barriers to making political decisions" regarding the country's membership in the Alliance. Ukraine is waiting for specific proposals regarding membership from NATO at the Vilnius summit in July.

Read also: South Africa warns Putin of threat of arrest should he attend BRICS Summit in person

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the United States, Germany, and Hungary were against the idea of proposing a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine's membership in NATO at the summit, while Poland and Baltic countries insist on doing so.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Lake Murray could soon host a new major residential and commercial development with a town-owned conference center at the middle of it.

Lexington Town Council on Monday approved the proposed Smallwood Cove development.

The 93.5-acre development will hug the coast of Lake Murray along North Lake Drive, above Jakes Landing and below the Lake Murray Public Park and Dreher Shoals Dam, according to documents reviewed by the town council Monday.

Part of the development will be a 50,000-square-foot conference center long planned by the town of Lexington. Lexington officials secured a $1 million state budget proviso last year to help pay for the new Lake Murray conference center, which will provide the town with a new venue for both in-town businesses and events as well as attract visitors to the lake. The center could also become a competitor to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on Lincoln Street in the state capital, which is partly owned by Lexington County.

The 5-acre conference site will be donated to the town as part of an expected $733 million investment into the new development, according to a news release issued by Lexington. The town estimates that $6 million in state dollars have been committed in the last couple of years to building the conference center, with an expected opening date in 2028.

Mayor Steve MacDougall said the town has been hoping to add a facility like this for some 15 years. He believes adding the conference center will make Lexington a one of a kind destination for visitors from around South Carolina and beyond.

The property owners agreed to give us the 5-acre site for the conference center, and we will build roads out there and provide water and sewer service, MacDougall said. This is such a win-win for the entire community.

The new lakeside development will also include both single family and multi-family/townhome-style developments, as well as space for retail, restaurants, a hotel and a lakeside marina.

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The cove is currently only lightly developed, the proposal says, and satellite images show a mostly wooded area with only a few structures visible. Existing structures will be removed, but docks and a boat ramp will remain.

About 40 acres will be used for low-density housing, with a minimum lot size of 4,000 square feet, and more than 30 acres for higher-density housing development, with under 20 acres for commercial and hospitality uses. The final plan would include 160 units of single-family homes and 940 townhome units. The hotel will have 290 rooms, retail space 40,000 square feet and restaurant space 10,000 square feet.

The town council also voted Monday to annex all parcels on the property into the town of Lexington. The plan also calls for open space for recreation and walking trails  some of which may tie into the neighboring Lake Murray Public Park  as well as resident access to the lakefront.

Smallwood Cove is expected to be built out over 15 years, and create some 400 jobs in the tourism industry, the town said. The development will still need to be reviewed by the town planning commission later in May.
Police gather near the site where two students were stabbed on Monday afternoon outside Los Angeles High School. (Howard Blume / Los Angeles Times)

The Los Angeles Police Department was investigating the stabbing of two students Monday afternoon near Los Angeles High School, agency officials said.

Two 16-year-olds were stabbed near the intersection of Olympic and Rimpau boulevards around 4:20 p.m.

The violence "was the result of an on-campus dispute," the LAPD said in a statement.

School police had been near the campus until shortly before the stabbings occurred as part of the "safe passage" program, which provides patrols before and after school, L.A. School Police Department officials said. Units left the school to respond to a report that a gun had been found at another campus.

Following the attacks, the injured students were taken to a hospital, both in stable condition.

LAPD and Los Angeles School Police blocked the roadway in the area along the school's southwest corner for their investigation.

School district police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times.

Los Angeles High School has a rich history in L.A. Unified. It sits at the southern end of Hancock Park, one of the wealthiest enclaves in Los Angeles, although most of its students are not residents of the affluent area.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Supt. Alberto Carvalho called the attacks "senseless."

"All of our students deserve to go to school free of fear and full of hope," Carvalho said. "We must work together to continue to provide safe passages to and from school."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Photo : MURTADHA RIDHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Six people were killed in a series of highway crashes in rural Illinois caused by a blinding dust storm.

(not the actual photo)

A rare dust storm caused vehicle crashes in Illinois

Passenger cars and commercial vehicles were involved in the crashes

Illinois Interstate 55 road would remain closed until the evening

Six people were killed, and at least 37 others were injured in damages Monday when a rare dust storm blew through near farms and onto a roadway in a rural area of Illinois, creating "zero visibility" conditions, according to the Illinois State Police.

According to authorities, the incidents occurred on both sides of a two-mile stretch of Interstate 55 in central Illinois just before 11 a.m. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles were involved in the crashes, including two tractor-trailers that caught fire.

Illinois Dust Storm Causes Huge Pileup

The police later stated that 72 automobiles were involved in the crashes, with all six deaths occurring in the northbound lanes, NY Times reported. The disaster occurred in Farmersville, Illinois, south of Springfield and west of Indianapolis. As of early Tuesday morning, the roadway in that region was still closed in both directions.

The injured varied in age from 2 to 80 years old, with injuries ranging from mild to life-threatening, according to police. They noted that it had been challenging to extricate passengers from their vehicles, some of which were engulfed in flames.

According to police, the dust storm came on quickly, making conditions akin to a snowfall whiteout, in which vision is considerably limited.

The incidents involved two large rigs that had caught fire and other commercial trucks and passenger automobiles, the latter of which made up most of the damage, according to State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick. According to the latest state police statement, all fatalities were discovered in the northbound lanes. However, there was further devastation on the southbound side.

Per NBC News, one of the collision victims was 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office expected to identify others in the coming days.

"This is not uncommon," remarked Starrick. "This has happened before in various parts of the state of Illinois."

Read Also: Japan, South Korea Finance Ministers Hold 1st Bilateral Meeting in 7 Years

Illinois Interstate 55 Remains Closed

However, he said that the number of automobiles and injuries were uncommon. During the news conference, a Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency official stated that it was difficult to reach the injured because some vehicles were on fire when first responders arrived.

On Monday, the National Weather Service predicted "widespread blowing dust" with gusts up to 34 mph for the Farmersville region. Winds were blowing from the northwest, according to federal forecasts. USA Today said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the Monday incident "horrific." Interstate 55 was closed in both directions for about 30 kilometers.

Several cars and tractor-trailers were in disarray on both sides of the interstate, with billowing smoke and dust. Flames could still be seen from at least one car. One image showed a nearly apocalyptic picture of burned debris silhouetted against the cloud.

I55 dust storm and reported 100 car pile up. pic.twitter.com/gyIvg2Owqc  James Lewallen (@JamesLewallenIV) May 1, 2023

WOW: Dust storm causes massive pileup along I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois; numerous injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/CoybQwje6b  BIG DAVE (@2bz4thot) May 1, 2023

A dust storm caused by high winds and dry soil has resulted in multiple fatalities, with at least 30 people taken to hospitals after a 100+ vehicle pileup on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois. pic.twitter.com/BwVkQsYKYc  Shaun Tyson (@ShaunPTyson) May 1, 2023

People who want to reunite with people involved in the crash should call 1-800-RedCross. Officials predicted that the road would remain closed until the evening, and passengers were advised to seek other routes. According to Weather.com, gusts of 35 to 45 miles per hour blew through the area.

Related Article: Texas, Chicago Clash Over Migrant Crisis

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On Tuesday (2 May), the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike after a deal failed to be reached with representatives from Hollywood studios.

The union represents more than 11,500 writers across film, television and other entertainment forms. As a result of the strike, production across the industry is expected to be affected, with multiple US late night shows already announcing that they are going on hiatus.

There is a precedent for this strike. In 2007, the WGA took industrial action, with a key issue in the negotiations being royalties from DVD sales.

The 2007/08 season strike lasted for 100 days. Nearly 25 per cent of primetime scripted programming over that period was lost completely.

With TV productions unable to employ unionised writers during the strike, a number of adjustments were made.

Firstly, there was a heavy pivot towards unscripted (reality) programming. While some scripted shows did hire non-union writing staff (such as General Hospital or Power Rangers), others entered a period of hiatus, or cut short existing seasons.

Among the series to have seasons cut short due to the writers strike were Breaking Bad, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Family Guy, Friday Night Lights, Greys Anatomy, Heroes, and The Simpsons.

In some instances, the effects of the strike were worse than others. Many fans of Heroes blame the turbulence of the work stoppage for the poor reception of the shows second season.

Many TV series were, however, able to air as scheduled, if the writing had already been completed before the strike began.

Paul Howes, national secretary of the Australian Workers Union (AWU), addresses striking WGA members on the picket line outside 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles, California, 16 January 2008 (AFP via Getty Images)

After going dark for the first two months of the strike, ome late night talk shows began airing episodes without writers, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan OBrien and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. OBrien was praised for his solidarity with the striking writers, often performatively drawing attention to their absence by engaging in nakedly improvisational bits, such as timing how long he could spin his wedding ring atop his desk.

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More than a dozen series were cancelled outright as a result of the strike, including Bionic Woman and Notes From the Underbelly.

Ultimately, the strike was brought to a close when the WGA struck a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the entity that represents Hollywoods studios, streamers and production companies in negotiations.

The writers guild has in fact gone on strike on five other previous occasions: in 1960, in 1973, in 1981, in 1985 and in 1988. The lattermost of these lasted for exactly five months, making it the longest strike to date.

This time around, there are a number of factors at stake in the negotiations. At the very heart of the dispute is the residual pay  royalties recieved for syndicated re-runs  which the WGA argues has not adjusted for the streaming business model.

Other issues to be agreed upon are guardrails for AI-generated content down the line, and other challenges that the streaming era has brought about.

With the two parties said to be far apart on a deal, some expect the strike to last for months.
The co-chairs the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs are urging state public health officials to extend the mask mandate in health care settings.

The masking requirement is slated to expire on May 11, following Gov. Maura Healeys decision to end the COVID-19 public health emergency on that date -- a move that aligns with the federal governments action.

In an April 25 letter to Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein, Sen. Pat Jehlen of Somerville and Rep. Thomas Stanley of Waltham urged him to reconsider the states masking policy. Prolonging masking can protect the states most vulnerable residents and frontline workers who are already in short supply, the letter stated.

We strongly believe that masking is an effective and relatively inexpensive protective measure to protect both the workforce and those being treated in hospitals, nursing facilities, and other medical offices, the lawmakers wrote. We are all aware of the devastation wrought by COVID-19 among older people, especially those residing in nursing facilities and other congregate care and congregate living sites along, with the caregivers employed there.

DPH confirmed to the lawmakers that it received the letter but has not followed up since, a spokeswoman for Jehlen said Tuesday.

Jehlen and Stanley lamented that only 29 percent of Massachusetts residents have received the COVID-19 bivalent booster shot, according to DPH data as of April 17.

Please extend the mask mandate in health care settings at least until a time when the rate of booster utilization increases to a higher level, and we can be more confident that frail older adults and other vulnerable residents will be more protected from contracting COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, they wrote in the letter.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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As he opened the 2023 legislative session nearly two months ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis targeted illegal immigration.

We must further strengthen our laws against illegal immigration by enhancing employment verification, increasing penalties for human smuggling and further disincentivizing illegal migration to the state of Florida, DeSantis said on March 7 during his State of the State address.

On Tuesday, with just days left in the session, Republican lawmakers carried out DeSantis wishes.

The House gave final approval to a controversial bill (SB 1718) that includes stepping up requirements on businesses to check the immigration status of workers, cracking down on people who bring undocumented immigrants into Florida and collecting data about whether hospital patients are in the country legally.

The bill drew intense, often-personal debate that included lawmakers talking about their families moving to the United States and House sponsor Kiyan Michael describing the day her son Brandon was killed in a car accident caused by an undocumented immigrant.

Heaven has borders, Michael, R-Jacksonville, said as she finished speaking to the House. Hell has none.

But Democrats called the bill cruel and said it would hurt migrants who, for example, might not seek needed hospital care because of concerns about being questioned about their immigration status.

Immigrants are not the enemy, Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami, said. Hate is.

The House voted 83-36 to pass the bill along almost straight party lines. Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, crossed party lines, joining Democrats in opposing the bill. The Senate voted 27-10 to pass the bill last week, meaning it is now ready to go to DeSantis.

DeSantis and the Legislature in recent years have passed a series of changes to target illegal immigration, including a 2019 law that banned so-called sanctuary cities. A federal appeals court last month tossed out a constitutional challenge to that law.

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As he prepares for a potential 2024 White House bid, DeSantis frequently blasts federal immigration policies. Republican lawmakers Tuesday pointed to a flood of migrants coming across the countrys southern border in arguing that they need to take steps to address immigration issues and protect Florida residents.

We cant solve the problems in Washington, but we can send a message that says in Florida, weve had enough, Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, said.

But Rep. Marie Woodson, a Hollywood Democrat who immigrated from Haiti, told lawmakers that until you have walked in the shoes of an immigrant, you will simply never understand.

Im asking (House members) to show some empathy and humanity for immigrants, Woodson said.

Among key parts of the bill:

All businesses with 25 or more employees would be required to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of workers. Since 2021, such businesses have been required to use E-Verify, or what is known as I-9 forms.

Toughen criminal penalties for transporting undocumented immigrants into Florida. While the bill indicates the changes are aimed at curbing human smuggling, opponents raised the prospect of family members and groups such as churches being prosecuted for transporting immigrants into the state.

Require hospitals to ask patients whether they are U.S. citizens or are in the country legally. Hospitals would be required to submit reports about the responses to the state.

Require law enforcement agencies to take DNA samples from people being held on federal immigration detainers. The samples would be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Provide $12 million to the state Division of Emergency Management for the Unauthorized Alien Transport program, which could transport undocumented immigrants to other states. The program would be similar to the DeSantis administrations controversial flights last year of 49 migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts.

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Lawyers for Donald Trump have asked the judge overseeing the Manhattan district attorneys hush money case against the former president not to muzzle him with a protective order proposed by the prosecution.

The People have proposed what would be an unprecedented and extraordinarily broad muzzle on a leading contender for the presidency of the United States, Trumps lawyers said in a filing on Monday.

Prohibiting President Trump from publicly discussing the evidence against him  infringes on President Trumps constitutional right to make his case to the American people for why he should be elected President, they added.

Manhattan prosecutors have asked for a protective order that would block Trump from disseminating evidence obtained during discovery in the case, pointing to the former presidents history of attacking those involved in legal proceedings against him.

This pattern, particularly given that Defendant is currently under federal investigation for his handling of classified materials, gives rise to significant concern that Defendant will similarly misuse grand jury and other sensitive materials here, prosecutors wrote.

However, Trumps lawyers dismissed his previous attacks on his former personal attorney Michael Cohen and adult film star Stormy Daniels  both witnesses in the case  claiming that they have personally maligned Trump as well.

They also argued in the court filing that the protective order bars Trump from addressing the allegations against him throughout the campaign and unfairly applies to him alone and not the prosecution or its witnesses.

This is, in practice, an attempt to gag a leading candidate for the Presidency of the United States and it is a clear infringement upon the First Amendment rights of the President Trump and the American electorate, Trumps attorneys said in the filing.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for his role in a $130,000 hush money payment that Cohen made to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Waynesboro Assistant Superintendent Ryan Barber and William Perry third-grade teacher Amber Gibson, the school division's teacher of the year.

WAYNESBORO  As Ryan Barber began to announce the Waynesboro Public Schools teacher of the year Monday afternoon, he read from an essay that all nominees were required to submit.

"I saw myself in the students that I worked with," Barber read. "Particularly those with complicated backgrounds. And I saw that I could be a supporting force in the lives of those students. I wanted to be the teacher that I wished I had had in my own childhood. I could support students by providing a safe space and building a learning environment that helped all students succeed."

It didn't take long for Amber Gibson to realize the words being read were her own. As Barber continued to read. Gibson reached over and squeezed her husband's hand as she waited for the assistant superintendent to finish and call her name.

"I immediately thought, 'Oh my gosh, I hope I don't pass out,'" Gibson said. "I didn't expect it at all."

A third-grade teacher at William Perry, this is only her third year as a teacher. She didn't always want to be in an elementary school classroom, at one point saying her dream was to be Indiana Jones.

"I wanted to go to school for archaeology," she said. "And life happened, things happened and my priorities changed."

She is still interested in archaeology, and third grade is perfect for that. Virginia's standards of learning cover the heritage and contributions of the peoples of ancient China, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the West African empire of Mali.

"I'm still super into history," Gibson said. "(Third grade) is a perfect tie-in. I get to geek out on that stuff."

William Perry Principal Sharon Barker said Gibson walks the talk.

"Amber leads from the heart," Barker said. "Amber finds a way to make things happen for students. She goes the extra mile for our entire school."

As for wanting a teacher like she wished she'd had, Gibson said, like a lot of students, she had some struggles as a child, but was also a good student. Teachers aren't always able to notice those struggles if a student is succeeding in the classroom.

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"I really wanted to be sure that I noticed every student, when they were succeeding and when they were not," Gibson said. "And if something seemed off just touching base with them and seeing what was going on."

She wrote in her essay that the best and most memorable teachers are not the ones who power through the content but the ones who take time to get to know their students and incorporate social and emotional learning, making memories with their class.

Gibson said third graders are her favorite age group.

"We can have real conversations about things that matter," she said. "But also they're young enough that we're not having as many of the drama, hormone-related things. So it's the sweet middle spot. And I just love the content. I love the things that I get to teach in third grade."

Erika Smith is the chair of the Waynesboro School Board. She said other than celebrating students' achievements throughout the year, the teacher of the year luncheon at the Wayne Theater is her favorite event.

"It's because we, as a school system, get to acknowledge the individuals who are on the front lines of education," Smith said. "Those individuals who spend 50 to 60 hours a week with our students, providing our children with the best education in Virginia."

School-level winners for teacher of the year:

Berkeley Glenn- Molly Via

Wenonah- Susie Driskill

Westwood Hills- Jenny Allen

Kate Collins- Isaac Diehl

Waynesboro High- Aislinn Bowen

Valley Academy- Janet Buchheit

More: Sheriff's Office: Runner reports attempted assault at Augusta County campground

More: The Digest: Musical journey, Transportation Board tour, 'One Week in October'  Now it's a party!

 Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Leading from the heart: William Perry educator Waynesboro's teacher of the year
The best thing that can be said of the 2023 session of the Kansas Legislature is that it is over. The second-best? It wasnt quite as bad as it couldve been.

But it came close.

During the just-completed session, Republicans who control the House and Senate focused their energies on culture war battles that benefit almost nobody. They passed legislation that would undermine public education, public health and the states finances. And, too often, they did so with techniques that make a mockery of democratic transparency.

The damage would have been worse, except that Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, wielded her veto pen an astonishing 29 times this year.

But is Kansas better off than when the session began in January? We dont think so. There were a few particularly egregious lowlights:

 The session will be remembered mostly for Republican assaults on the rights and dignity of transgender Kansans. Legislators overcame Kellys veto to pass a new law keeping transgender kids out of school sports, and a Womens Bill of Rights that will prevent transgender women from accessing some domestic violence and rape services. Lawmakers fell just short of the votes needed for a bill that would have revoked the licenses of doctors who provide gender-affirming care to transgender kids.

These measures were presented as a defense of women, and of the idea that gender is binary, more broadly. In reality, they amounted to little more than the needless bullying of a small and embattled minority. Indeed, that very much seemed to be the point.

 Republicans mostly fell short of their efforts to undermine the states public schools, thankfully ditching a bill that would have created vouchers to pay for private schools and unregulated home schools. Instead, they passed legislation that fully funds public education. Thats the good news.

The bad news? The education bill also includes a massive expansion of the states so-called scholarship tax credit program, another measure designed to send students  and money  to private schools. Kelly may yet veto that effort. And legislators whiffed on Kellys request to fully fund special education, despite an outcry from educators across the state.

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 There was a real opportunity for bipartisan cooperation on some sort of tax cut for Kansans. The state started the year with a $2 billion budget surplus, after all. And Kelly was clearly amenable, offering a plan to eliminate grocery taxes, cut taxes for Social Security recipients and create an annual sales tax holiday for school supplies.

We didnt get that. We didnt get anything. Why? Because Republicans chose instead to shoot for the moon  channeling their efforts into a Sam Brownback-esque flat-tax bill that would have delivered most of its benefits to wealthy Kansans while taking a drastic toll on the states revenues. Kelly wisely vetoed that bill.

 And just for good measure, legislators decided to play games with public health, passing legislation banning COVID-19 vaccine requirements to attend school or day care and neutering the ability of state and local public officials to order quarantines and other measures to contain infectious diseases. Luckily, Republicans fell short of veto-proof majorities on those issues.

Kansas Republicans didnt just give us bad legislation. They also used bad processes.

That education bill? The Kansas House ignored its own rules to include a late provision that allows the state to buy closed school buildings. (Democrats speculated the new measure might be used to turn those facilities over to private schools.) And legislative leaders once again made use of the gut and go technique to strip bills of their original content to replace them with provisions more to their liking  depriving the public its opportunity to examine and comment on the replacement measures.

What a disaster.

No matter their party, lawmakers should do their level best to leave the state and its residents better than they found it. Republican supermajorities in the Kansas Legislature fell wildly short of that goal during the just-completed legislative session. Kansans deserved better than they got.
On one level, little has changed since Leo Schofield Jr. last appeared before the Florida Commission on Offender Review in 2020.

Schofield, convicted in 1989 for the stabbing death of his young wife, Michelle, two years earlier, continues to declare his innocence. As a result, he says that he is unable to express remorse as the three-person commission considers his bid for parole in a hearing scheduled for Wednesday in Tallahassee.

The State Attorneys Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit, which handled the prosecution 34 years ago, maintains an unequivocal assertion of Schofields guilt.

What has changed, aside from the passage of three more years for Schofield in confinement, is that his quest for release has become an international cause. Schofield, 56, is the subject of Bone Valley, a 12-part podcast promoting his innocence that has drawn an audience of more than 7 million, according to the production company.

The ABC program 20/20 also devoted an episode to Schofield last fall.

Supporters, most of them having learned of Schofields plight from the Bone Valley podcast, have sent letters to the Commission on Offender Review pleading for his release from prison. Nearly 31,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org seeking to have Schofields case transferred to a conviction integrity unit for an independent review.

But Schofields immediate fate will be determined by just three people, the members of the Commission on Offender Review. Schofield is one of 52 inmates scheduled for hearings Wednesday at the Betty Easley Conference Center in Tallahassee.

A wrongful conviction? Podcast explores 1987 Polk murder and the man in prison for it

'No doubt' Polk Commission won't back a new trial for convicted murderer Leo Schofield

More: Court denies new trial in 1987 Lakeland murder

Schofield faces what is officially known as an effective interview, but he wont actually be in Tallahassee. Candidates for parole or other forms of release do not attend the hearings.

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The commission can opt to grant parole, decline parole or extend the subjects presumptive parole release date. Schofields date, set about a decade ago, is in June. If the commission declines parole, his release date goes into suspended status.

Scott Cupp, a retired judge now advocating for Schofields innocence, is expected to speak on behalf of Schofield, who is now incarcerated at Hardee Correctional Institution near Wauchula. Gilbert King, the creator of the Bone Valley podcast, plans to attend and has been in regular contact with Schofield.

He's cautiously optimistic, King said Monday by phone from Tallahassee. But he's also really anxious about this. This is his whole life at stake. If he's not successful in this attempt, it's going to be years. There's no more legal avenues, so he's just going to have to wait for another parole hearing.

Under the hearing rules, each side is allotted 10 minutes to state its case. For Schofields previous hearings, the State Attorneys Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit has sent a representative to argue against Schofields release.

Jacob Orr, a spokesperson, said Thursday that he anticipated that the State Attorneys Office will have someone present for the hearing. He declined to comment further, referring to his previous statements.

One of the commissioners, David Wyant, is a retired detective with the Bartow Police Department. The other two  Chair Melinda Coonrod and Vice Chair Richard Davison  are both former prosecutors.

Schofield received a life sentence after being convicted by a Polk County jury in 1989 and has so far served nearly 35 years. Florida abolished parole in the 1980s, but inmates convicted of murder before 1994 are eligible for release.

Schofield, then a Lakeland resident and aspiring rock musician, was 21 when he reported the disappearance of his 18-year-old wife, Michelle Saum Schofield, in February 1987, triggering a search by law enforcement. After three days, Schofields father found Michelles body submerged beneath a piece of plywood in a phosphate pit along State Road 33, not far from Interstate 4.

She had been stabbed 26 times in the neck, chest and back.

In what proved to be a crucial element of the investigation by the Polk County Sheriffs Office, the elder Schofield claimed that an inner force had led him to the spot. Leo Schofield and his father had both joined in the search for Michelle, whose abandoned car had been found earlier along I-4.

Schofields conviction in 1989 hinged largely on the testimony of a woman who lived across the street in the mobile-home community where Leo and Michelle resided. The neighbor testified that she had seen the couple arguing just before Michelles reported disappearance and told investigators that she had seen Schofield carrying something heavy from the home that night.

Podcast generates support

King is the author of Devil in the Grove, a Pulitzer Prize-winning book that explored the 1949 case of the Groveland Four, a group of Black men accused of raping a white woman and the actions of Lake Countys notorious Sheriff Willis McCall. He first learned of the Schofield case from another man who is now one of Schofields leading advocates.

Cupp, then a Circuit Court judge, approached King after the author spoke at a judicial conference in Naples in 2018. The judge implored King to read the transcript of Schofields trial.

After doing so, King became convinced that Schofield had been wrongly convicted. He spent four years investigating Schofields case, with help from a researcher turned producer, Kelsey Decker, before launching the podcast in September.

Bone Valley examines the Schofield case in deep detail. Though King takes a journalistic approach in reporting details such as Schofields history of anger issues, he clearly advocates for the claim that Schofield did not kill Michelle. In multiple recorded interviews with Schofield, mostly conducted by phone, King unveils a growing friendship and connection with his subject.

The podcast focuses on what King presents as weaknesses in the prosecutions case, including the lack of physical evidence and the unreliability of the main witness, the neighbor described as a busybody. King reports that a relative of the key witness said she had gotten the day wrong.

King says investigators found no blood or residue from cleaning products at Schofields home, though the neighbor said she had seen him cleaning the home after carrying out the heavy object  which Schofield said was probably an amplifier.

Witnesses at the trial portrayed Schofield as an abusive spouse, according to previous Ledger reporting. And witnesses testified to seeing two men standing near where Michelles body was later found in the early morning after her reported disappearance.

King also makes the case that Schofield had incompetent representation in his trial.

Above all, Bone Valley argues that another man, Jeremy Scott, actually killed Michelle Schofield. When the Polk County Sheriffs Office examined Michelles abandoned orange Mazda, it found a fingerprint on an interior window that didnt match either Schofield or the victim.

Using improved technology, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2004 matched the print with Scott, who was serving a life sentence for another murder.

Scott had admitted to a practice of stealing stereo equipment from abandoned vehicles, and prosecutors argued that he had left the print in Michelles car after finding it along the road and breaking into it.

Schofield filed an appeal in 2009, seeking a new trial based on the fingerprint evidence, but was denied. He filed again in 2017, after his lawyers talked to Scott, who confessed both verbally and in writing to killing Michelle. A former cellmate also claimed Scott had confessed to him.

During a subsequent evidentiary hearing in Bartow, Scott said he had seen Michelle Schofield at a convenience store and asked her for a ride. Inside the car, he dropped a hunting knife while reaching for a cigarette, he said, and Michelle responded by hitting him, after which he lost it and stabbed her.

But Scott appeared to recant under a cross-examination from Assistant State Attorney Victoria Avalon. When Avalon showed an autopsy photo of Michelle Schofields stab wounds, Scott said, I didnt do that.

In the podcast, King suggests that Scott was reacting to the degraded state of Michelles body after days in the canal and emphasized the word that, meaning only that he hadnt left her in such a condition. King said that Scott later in the hearing repeated his claim of having killed Michelle.

Prosecutors said that Scott told Schofields lawyers that he would confess if they paid him $1,000 and later claimed to be responsible for every murder committed in Polk County in 1987 and 1988.

Circuit Judge Kevin Abdoney ruled in 2018 after the evidentiary hearing that Scott was not credible and could not recount facts accurately.

In the podcast, King says that Scott had entered the court in an addled condition because he was being denied psychiatric medication.

Legal challenges fail

Floridas Second District Court of Appeal in 2020 rejected Schofields bid for a new trial, writing that Scotts testimony at the hearing had been to put it mildly, bizarre. Writing for the three-court panel, Judge Samul Salario Jr. noted that Schofields lawyer had to have Scott declared an adverse witness and that he said an oath he swore in court did not mean much to him.

Bone Valley includes subsequent interviews with Scott. Initially evasive, he eventually repeats his claim that he killed Michelle and offers additional details. King also elicits a confession from Scott for a murder of a taxi driver in Osceola County that officially remains unsolved.

The podcast includes interviews with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and retired Ledger reporter Suzie Schottelkotte, who covered Schofields trial and the related hearings. King and Decker also speak at length with Crissie Schofield, a social worker who married Leo in 1995 after meeting him while teaching in prison.

The podcast includes interviews with Jesse Saum, Michelles brother. Saum says that he no longer has confidence in Schofields conviction and would like to see him released.

Bone Valley has posted three bonus episodes beyond the original nine segments. In an episode released April 19, King talks to the director of a post-incarceration halfway house in Tampa that has offered Schofield a space, should he be granted parole.

The segment includes excerpts from letters that listeners have sent to the parole commission urging Schofields dismissal from prison. Some of the writers offer to provide support to Schofield if he is released.

Though Schofield is not allowed to attend Wednesdays hearing, the recent episode of Bone Valley presents a recording of him reading a letter addressed to the commission. He acknowledges that parole hearings are not intended to determine innocence but reiterates his claim of innocence.

Please understand that I am not stating this fact in arrogance, Schofield says. The only reason I am emphatically stating my position here is because I cannot make a statement of remorse for this crime, as the state has highlighted in my last appearance before you in (2020).

Schofield says that he turned down an offer of a plea agreement because he was unwilling to claim guilt for a crime that he insists he didnt commit. He promises that if released he will make the commissioners proud and offers to work with the prison system to support other inmates.

King said the letter was included as part of Schofields parole packet, which includes letters of support from friends, relatives and prison officials. He said Schofield has been a model inmate and serves as a mentor to other incarcerated men.

King said he had no sense of how the hearing might go.

I'm kind of optimistic that something's going to happen in this hearing, but I have no idea, King said. Its one of those situations where three people are voting, and its really hard to tell what's going to happen. So I think there's going to be some tension to this.

Prosecution has opposed parole

When Schofield had his first parole hearing in 2012, the original prosecutor, Assistant State Attorney John Aguero, spoke in opposition to his release. (Aguero died in 2017.)

Another prosecutor from the State Attorneys Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Victoria Avalon, attended Schofields 2015 hearing and urged the commission to deny his parole. Avalon spoke in graphic detail about Michelles stab wounds and said she feared for the safety of Crissie Schofield if Leo were released.

For Schofields 2020 hearing, retired State Attorney Jerry Hill delivered the argument against his parole. Bone Valley features a recording of Hill speaking at the hearing and making an incorrect statement.

Leo said he was driven by an inner force to go back to the pit area again, Hill said in describing where Michelles body was discovered. Leo said he felt drawn to that area and said he felt Michelle was calling out to him.

In fact, it was Schofields father who later told deputies that he had felt divine guidance steering him to the location during the search.

King also reports in the podcast that Hill failed to read a letter given to him by Saum, Michelles brother, expressing support for Schofields release. Schofields lawyer, Seth Miller, executive director of the Innocence Project of Florida, says that Hill showed the commissioners what he believes were autopsy photos, an act he called inappropriate and incredibly incendiary.

The Ledger made an interview request to Hill through the State Attorneys Office and did not get a response.

Schofields presumptive parole release date was set about a decade ago for June 2023. In the latest Bone Valley episode, Miller says that in 2020 he asked to have the date moved up one year and to have Schofield transferred to Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami, which has a lifers program for inmates preparing to be released from life sentences.

Crissie Schofield said she spoke to one of the commissioners before the hearing and had the impression the panel would agree to the changes Miller sought. But after hearing from Hill, the commission voted not to change Schofields status.

In the recent segment, Saum says that Avalon recently called him and spoke for about an hour, going over details of the case.

It just seems like to me that someone whos so dead-set on the result of the original conviction that theres no sense for me to even try to battle, Saum said. Thats just going to be a one-sided argument. So I just listened to what she said.

Asked if he found Avalons argument persuasive, Saum replied, Not really. It seemed to have a lot of holes in it.

Bone Valley reports that Cupp, who retired as a judge this year, met with Florida Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, to discuss Schofields case. According to Cupp, Martin said that Coonrod, the commission chair, had listened to the podcast and read the transcript of Schofields trial.

King notes that Wyant, one of other commissioners, developed a close professional relationship with Hill during his career as a detective in Bartow. All three members of the commission were appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican.

The commission is expected to decide on Schofields parole during the hearing, and a decision does not require unanimity.

The Commission on Offender Review had received 14 letters expressing views on Schofields case as of Friday.

King and his assistant, Decker, will be recording the details of the hearing for another bonus episode, which could post as early as Friday. King said that 20/20 and the New York Times also planned to send reporters to the hearing.

In March, former Polk County School Board member Billy Townsend and former County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson addressed the County Commission, urging members to adopt a resolution supporting a new trial for Schofield. None of the commissioners made a motion to do so, and Commissioner George Lindsey declared the matter far outside our lane of responsibility.

Orr, the chief assistant state attorney, spoke about the case at the March meeting.

Its been reviewed by multiple prosecutors and multiple judges as you just heard, and it's even been heard by more, including the appellate courts, Orr said. And each of those reviews has been based on the 'actual' evidence and the 'actual' testimony in the case. And each of those reviews found there is no reason to disturb this verdict. Those reviews have not been based on summaries, mischaracterizations or opinions of internet bloggers or podcasters or other outside groups.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Leo Schofield, convicted of 1987 Lakeland murder, has chance at parole
Leonard Leo, who helped to choose judicial nominees for former President Donald Trump, obtained a historic $1.6 billion gift for his conservative legal network via an introduction through the Federalist Society, whose tax status forbids political activism.

Leo first met Barre Seid, the now 91-year-old manufacturing magnate turned donor, through an introduction arranged by Eugene Meyer, the longtime director of the Federalist Society. At the time, Leo was the societys executive vice president, and he is currently its co-chair. Meyer envisioned Seid as a contributor to the society, according to a person familiar with the introduction. Instead, Leo cultivated Seid as a funder of his own dark money network. The result was a $1.6 billion gift announced last year  which is believed to be the largest political donation ever.

The unusual arrangement in which Leo met his top donor through the prestigious Federalist Society  which describes itself as a nonpartisan educational organization  suggests closer ties between the society and Leos activist network than previously known. Leo has used the dark money network to donate millions of dollars to the society and to pay at least $1.54 million to one Federalist Society employee and $775,000 to an entity run by another, according to federal disclosure forms.

Interviews with people familiar with the internal workings of the Federalist Society, including two board members, paint a picture of a symbiotic relationship in which Leo uses his connection to the vast network of scholars in the society to earn credibility with donors, who then contribute to dark money operations that engage in the kind of partisanship the society officially eschews.

Leos political activism and his use of donor money to enhance his own wealth have prompted increasing tensions between him and his fellow co-chair, Northwestern University Law Professor Steven Calabresi, and Meyer, who has been executive director or president for more than 30 years, according to three people familiar with the society. But they said Leos ties to the conservative donor base fans fears that a rift would leave the society struggling for funds, while members also worry that any breach in the facade of the conservative legal movement would only empower the liberals that all sides disdain.

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Leos business empire and his leadership position at the society easily gets blurred, creating a public relations problem, said professor Lloyd Hitoshi Mayer, an expert on nonprofit organization advocacy at the University of Notre Dame.

The society must decide whether Leos personal activities have become detrimental enough to its image that he should leave, he said.

That can happen in a smooth way, with Leo agreeing to leave, or it can happen in an ugly way, with that person threatening to take donors with them or maligning them publicly, said Mayer, who is listed as a contributor on the societys web page, meaning that he participated in events.



The society remains highly dependent on Leos network. It received $5.6 million in grants in 2020 and $3.5 million in 2021 from The 85 Fund, a rebranded dark money group that Leo has said he plans to use to fund conservative causes nationwide, according to federal disclosures. This makes the Federalist Society the second biggest beneficiary of Leos primary dark money vehicle, aside from Donors Trust, another conservative nonprofit.

Calabresi and Meyer did not respond to requests for comment. In a sign of the close professional relationship between the Federalist Society and Leos for-profit businesses, a spokesperson at Leos new for-profit company, CRC Advisors, sent POLITICO a statement on behalf of Meyer. Leonard Leo did an outstanding job at the Federalist Society for 20 years and we are enormously grateful for his faithful service, Meyer said in the emailed statement.

Seven other board members contacted by POLITICO either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment on Leos activities.

One board member, granted anonymity to freely discuss a sensitive topic, defended Leos dual roles as activist and society leader. The board member said others in the organization have similar dual loyalties, pointing to David McIntosh, another Federalist Society co-founder and current board member who is also president of the Club for Growth, which spends heavily on House and Senate campaigns through its affiliated political action committees. The Club also paid for ads related to Trumps Supreme Court picks.

But critics, including some within the society, note that Leos dual arrangement provides a potential end-run around prohibitions on political activity by nonprofit educational organizations, with the prestigious debating society attracting the donors and Leo collecting the funds through politically active independent groups.

The great majority [of Federalist Society members] is in this debating society mode, and then you have this one person [Leo] who is kind of influential in a different mode, said one longtime member, who was granted anonymity to speak freely about a sensitive topic.

Leo appears to be planning to use Seids money to create a new ecosystem of conservative activism that hes likening to a Federalist Society for cultural institutions from schools to boardrooms. That he and a small circle of his friends appear to be getting wealthy in the process is all the more in contrast with many of the societys largely academic members whove spent 40 years building the groups pedigree as the nations premier debating society, which is above the political fray.



Seid did not respond to a request for comment.

Leos dual roles have served to attract one key backer  Trump. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump promised that his nominees would all [be] picked by the Federalist Society. Yet, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation, the list of Supreme Court nominees that Trump drew from in creating a conservative supermajority was devised by Leo alone. Neither the organizations top brass nor its board directors had any official role in crafting it.

It is another example of how Leo's association with the society helped Leo build his brand with donors and politicians.

Theres always been a tension between the societys scholarcentric majority and Leos money-making juggernaut, said the person. Now, the society member says, Leos role in creating the courts supermajority has created unwanted challenges for the society. This includes trouble lining up Democrats or more moderate speakers to participate in its events due to harsh feelings over Leo, said the member.

The Society has a strong reputation for hosting speakers on all sides of the ideological spectrum, it boasts on its website.

Steven Teles, a Johns Hopkins University political science professor who authored a book on the rise of the conservative legal movement, including the Federalist Society, concurred.

It is possible that tension that was always there may have become more impossible to manage, but it was always there, he said.

In 2020, that tension seemed to break the surface when Leo left the societys payroll as deputy director, in a move that seemed designed to separate him from the societys day-to-day dealings. But at the same time he has continued to reign as co-chair along with Calabresi, who is widely considered an intellectual leader in conservative legal circles.

The rise of Leos dark money groups has coincided with an increase in his personal wealth and an expansion of his lavish lifestyle, beginning in 2016, when Trump came into office, as POLITICO reported previously.

During this period, Leos network also facilitated millions of dollars in combined payments to at least two co-workers at the Federalist Society, both of whom have since joined him at his private company, CRC Advisors. An entity listing Maria Marshall, previously director of operations at the society, as its sole officer received $775,000 over three years from the Leo-connected Rule of Law Trust, while Jonathan Bunch, now president at CRC Advisors, received $1.54 million from the same nonprofit, which lists Leo as its principal officer, according to federal disclosure forms.

Bunch and Marshall did not respond to requests for comment, and CRC won't be providing additional comment on the matter, said spokesperson Adam Kennedy.

Leo also appears to have used his network to pay between $1 million and $5 million to Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway for the sale of her business while she was advocating for Leos list of preferred court nominees, which raised concerns among ethics experts and led to at least one complaint from a liberal watchdog group that called on Congress to investigate.

The dark money group Leo used to facilitate the transaction, BH Fund, was dissolved days after POLITICO inquired about its role in facilitating the sale of Conways polling company.

A second for-profit entity tied to Leo was also dissolved around the same time. The Barton Group  registered to the same address as Leos BH Fund  took in $2.59 million from the same nonprofit, the Rule of Law Trust, which lists Leo as its principal officer. Virginia State Corporation Commission filings show that, along with BH Fund, the Barton Group was also dissolved days after POLITICOs story ran in December.

The Federalist Society, an organization of 60,000 lawyers, law students and scholars, has made clear that it does not lobby, take policy positions, or sponsor or endorse political candidates.

But the philosophical distance between its top leaders couldnt be more evident.

Calabresi, who has remained an academic and an unpaid Federalist Society leader, has been vocal about the politicization of the high court and, in 2020, publicly arguedfor 18-year justice terms.

On Oct. 24, 2022, Calabresi co-authored an amicus brief in Moore v. Harper arguing against the idea that state legislatures could act without any check in regulating federal elections. Traditionally conservative organizations such as the Rutherford Institute and the Niskanen Center co-authored a similar amicus brief alongside the ACLU.

These briefs are in opposition to several filed in support of the petitioner and linked to Leo and the funders of the Federalist Society, including the Honest Elections Project, the Claremont Institutes Center for Jurisprudence, Citizens United and the American Legislative Exchange Council.

More broadly, Leo became a fixture advising Trump on judicial appointments that coincided with a loss in confidence in the court.

Meanwhile, Calabresi called for the impeachment of Trump  twice. In a July 2020 op-ed, he called unconstitutional Trumps suggestion the Nov. 2020 election be delayed. Calabresi again called for Trumps impeachment on Jan. 12, 2021, following the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.
Amid a statewide push to restrict care for transgender Missourians, a former City Council candidate is urging councilmembers to speak out on behalf of the transgender community in Springfield.

Jeremy Dean, who ran unsuccessfully for City Council in the April election, penned a letter with former campaign manager Liz Wertz that was sent to Springfield City Council last week. The letter urges the body and its members to publicly affirm the "LGBTQIA+ community that they are welcome and safe to live in Springfield."

"Continuous displays of harmful rhetoric within our state legislature have shown that city leaders must step up and rebuke this government overreach," reads the letter.

"We know that city governments cannot undo what the state legislature has done, and that the city is required to abide by state law; however, you can act to ensure that our neighbors know that their community is an inviting place for all people no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation."

Dean and Wertz reference ongoing legislation proposed at the state level that bans or restricts gender affirming care for minors as well as a recent administrative rule by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey that highly curtails such medical care for minors and adults. Previously set to go into effect last month, the AG rule is on pause as it faces a legal challenge by the ACLU.

More: Judge's ruling will prevent AG's rule restricting trans healthcare until May 15

According to the letter, council should take action, even if it is symbolic, to ensure queer residents of the city feel safe and welcome.

"At a time when there has been an overwhelming amount of hostile rhetoric, you can choose to be a positive force. You can look at other municipalities, such as Columbia, Missouri, and see how leaders have stepped up to ensure community members understand where you stand on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Acknowledging Springfield as a place for all people will set a precedent for our community and bring many neighbors to support them as they lack such support from our state government," it reads.

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Some of the other largest cities in Missouri are considering similar measures. Kansas City City Council is currently considering a resolution in support of their transgender residents.

Springfield Councilwoman Monica Horton said a statement of support is the "bare minimum" and "very least" City Council can do.

"Feedback on the treatment and ostracism of LGBTQ+ Springfieldians documented in The Mayor's Commission for Human Rights and Community Relations' 2020 Springfield Inclusion Survey have only been minimally addressed at best and at worst, ignored."

Approximately one in 15 respondents in the 2020 survey mentioned the LBGTQ community as one that "particularly needs support and protection."

More: Springfield's short-lived SOGI ordinance protected gay, trans residents. Is it time to try again?

Speaking to the News-Leader, Dean clarified that he does not expect a formal vote on LGBTQ+ protections, but hoped councilmembers would speak out in opposition to actions at the state level targeting that community.

"We would like to see something as simple as a public statement. I would be a estatic to see an actual resolution to be passed in this manner. That way, it can be a little more documented and a little more formal. But I mean, at this time, we're really just kind of looking for any type of support that we can get because we just really haven't received it from council," Dean told the News-Leader.

Ban conversion therapy

The letter goes on to request Springfield ban conversion therapy, a discredited therapy that attempts to change one's sexual orientation or gender identity, within city limits.

"Banning the pseudo-scientific practice of conversion therapy for minors is an action you can take to show that our city cares about the health and well-being of children who might be dealing with the struggle of self-acceptance. Conversion therapy has been detrimental to many people and has a meager success rate," reads the letter.

"According to the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, conversion therapy causes increased risks of harm to self-esteem, self-loathing, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality. You can look to other communities and states to see the positive effects of this ban, including at least 70 cities across the United States. We can follow in the footsteps of Jackson County, Missouri, the first county in Missouri to ban conversion therapy. Banning this practice will protect our communitys children."

Jackson County banned conversion therapy in legislation passed last month. Dean, who is gay, said he attended conversion therapy in Springfield.

"I dreaded going to those sessions every single time. I ended up dropping out before completing the program because I felt it was useless, and harmful to my wellbeing," he told the News-Leader. "I left each session feeling more and more guilty for who I was as a person."

The letter also asks the city remove "gender bias terms" from the city charter.

"Several instances throughout our city charter address individuals or positions with gender-biased terms. For example, section 2.1.2 includes terms for council members, stating that they must be referred to as Councilman or Councilwoman, depending on the gender of the individual. "Another example includes Section 2.15, where the charter describes the use of an investigator and refers to this position as 'He' and 'His.' By rewriting our city charter to reflect our diverse community, you can welcome everyone who wants to serve our community, regardless of gender identity, and create a space that encourages all to use their voice and feel respected."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Letter asks city to make a statement in support of LGBTQ community
A Lexington-born teen was one of two individuals killed by a gunman who opened fire at a prom after party in Mississippi over the weekend.

Haeleigh Stamper, 16, who was born in Lexington, as reported first by LEX 18, and DeArreis DD Smith, 18, were killed by gunfire at a prom after party early Sunday, according to reporting from the Sun Herald. Four others were injured in the shooting.

Both Stamper and Smith were students at Hancock High School in Hancock County, Miss., which is less than 60 miles from New Orleans.

A GoFundMe fundraiser set up for Stamper says the 16-year-old was shot three times, and describes Stamper as a sweet soul with an infectious smile.

Her beautiful smile would light the whole room up, the fundraiser states. Someone so sweet & adorable like her didnt deserve this at all.

The Associated Press reports police have charged a 19-year-old man, Cameron Everest Brand of Pass Christian, with killing the two teenagers and wounding four others. He has been charged with murder and aggravated assault, AP reports, citing jail records.

Police believe him to be the sole shooter based on witness and victim statements.

The AP reports the shooter was arrested at his home in Pass Christian, which is part of the broader Gulfport-Biloxi metro area in southern Mississippi. He is being held in Hancock County jail without bail.

Casey Woods, an 18-year-old junior at Pass Christian High School who attended the party with his girlfriend, told the Sun Herald he saw the shooter talking to party-goers before walking away and then returning. Thats when the individual allegedly started shooting.

Me and my girl looked up and saw sparks coming from the gun, Woods told the Sun Herald. Many fled the party, but Woods said he remained to wait for police to arrive.

The shooter had other encounters with law enforcement prior to his arrest, the Sun Herald reports. It cited records showing previous charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana and domestic violence by simple assault, along with violating a protection order.

On his Facebook profile, he can be seen in a picture posing in front of a bathroom mirror while holding a gun.
(Photo : Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Two hospitals that refused to offer an emergency abortion to a pregnant woman violated federal law, according to a federal investigation.



Two hospitals refused to provide an emergency abortion

Abortions are outlawed in Missouri, but there are exceptions

The Biden administration reminded hospitals that they are required to provide abortions under federal law

According to a letter from US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are investigating two hospitals that "did not provide necessary stabilizing care to an individual experiencing an emergency medical condition, in violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)."

EMTALA requires healthcare professionals to offer treatment, including abortion care, that the provider reasonably determines is necessary to stabilize the patient's emergency medical condition.

Feds: 2 Hospitals Break the Law by Denying Abortion

The National Women's Law Center stated that it lodged the initial EMTALA complaint on Mylissa Farmer's behalf and identified the hospitals as Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri, and the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas.

According to CNN, Becerra wrote that the patient was nearly 18 weeks pregnant when she experienced a premature rupture of membranes, but she was told her pregnancy was not viable.

On Monday, Becerra added, "Luckily, this patient survived. However, she should have avoided the harrowing ordeal she endured in the first place. We want her and all patients like her to know that we will investigate and enforce the law to the full extent of our legal authority."

Missouri prohibits abortion, with limited exceptions, such as the need to save the mother's life. The state legislature mandates counseling and a 72-hour waiting period. In Kansas, abortion is generally prohibited at or after 22 weeks of pregnancy, with counseling and a 24-hour waiting period required.

The findings warn hospitals nationwide as they struggle to reconcile dozens of new state laws that ban or severely restrict abortion with a federal mandate requiring physicians to provide abortions when a woman's health is at risk.

Per ABC News, since the Supreme Court invalidated the constitutional right to an abortion a year ago, competing regulations have been implemented. However, federal law, which requires physicians to treat patients in emergencies, supersedes state laws, according to the nation's top health official.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has not announced any sanctions or other penalties against the two hospitals in its investigation. Still, it has warned them that they violated the law and requested that they remedy the issues that led to Farmer being turned away.

Before closing the investigation, federal Medicare investigators will conduct follow-ups with the institutions.

Read Also: WATCH: Blinding Illinois Dust Storm Kills 6, Injures Dozens

US Abortion Law

Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, believes this will not persuade hospitals and physicians to provide abortions in states where they face imprisonment or hefty penalties for terminating pregnancies.

Even when state law prohibits abortions, the administration of President Joe Biden has urged hospitals not to reject patients in such circumstances.

A few weeks after the Supreme Court's ruling, the Democratic administration reminded hospitals that federal law requires them to provide abortions when a pregnant woman is in imminent danger from a life-threatening medical condition.

The federal government can investigate hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid funds - the vast majority of hospitals in the United States - for legal violations.

Doctors across the country have reported uncertainty regarding how to provide care to pregnant women, particularly in the nearly 20 states where new laws have prohibited or restricted the care. In certain jurisdictions, doctors who perform abortions face criminal and civil penalties, as per NBC News.

Related Article: Texas, Chicago Clash Over Migrant Crisis

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In an effort to keep more renters from being evicted, Lexington is using $1.9 million in federal money earmarked for eviction relief to hire lawyers to represent renters in court.

The city set up a pilot program in Fayette County District Court Judge Denotra Gunthers court in the fall to hire lawyers to represent renters. That program was very effective in helping renters avoid an eviction judgment.

An eviction on a renters record can make it difficult and sometimes impossible for renters to find another rental property.

Research shows the tenants get better outcomes when they have access to legal representation and mediation services, said Charlie Lanter, Commissioner for Housing Advocacy and Community Development. Coupled with our remaining work in rent assistance, these initiatives will expand our ability to prevent evictions.

The pilot program provided 10 tenants with lawyers. Everyone who participated was able to come to a resolution and the renters walked away without an eviction on their record, Lanter said.

Under the program, Legal Aid of the Bluegrass and Kentucky Equal Justice Center will provide mediation services and access to legal counsel.

Since February 2021, Lexington has spent more than $46.5 million in federal coronavirus relief money to help 6,337 households stay housed or pay past due rent and utilities. Money has gone to 1,100 landlords. During the height of the pandemic, the program was designed to keep people housed when unemployment was high, many kids were still learning from home and COVID vaccines were not readily available.

A lot of families avoided evictions, said Mayor Linda Gorton during a press conference Tuesday announcing the new mediation program. We were able to keep thousands of people in their homes.

But that money is almost exhausted.

To prepare for the loss in funding, the city clamped down on who could receive that money earlier this year to make sure that only those with an imminent threat of eviction could access the funds. The mediation program is a way to help stop evictions without abruptly stopping the program.

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Lanter said studies show that employing lawyers for renters can help avoid evictions. Almost all landlords in Kentucky have lawyers but most tenants do not, Lanter and others have said.

Rich Seckel of the Kentucky Equal Justice Center said housing stability is key for children to learn and parents to parent. Seckel said the program will not only connect tenants with lawyers but also connect tenants with other programs and services.

Lanter said they hope to have the program up and running within the next month. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass and Kentucky Equal Justice Center will need to hire additional lawyers to staff the program.

The city will track the program to look at outcomes. If mediation works, as it has in other cities, the city hopes it can find other funding for the program, Lanter said.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan abruptly cleared the public from the chambers gallery Tuesday, after LGBTQ Texans and parents of transgender kids chanted in opposition of a bill that would ban transition-related care for children.

Phelan ordered state police to clear the gallery just as Senate Bill 14 came to the House floor and as opponents began their chants and unrolled banners in support of trans kids. As bill opponents started filing out of the gallery, they chanted, Trans rights are human rights.

Minutes later, an expected vote on the bill was delayed until later in the week after a parliamentary concern was raised.

Shortly after state police cleared the gallery, protesters continued to chant in the lobby outside the chamber on the third floor. After several minutes, a trooper with a bullhorn directed the group to leave, and state police began to usher protesters down the stairs and out to the rotunda. During this event, several troopers and two protesters began pushing and shoving each other in an altercation that lasted about 10 seconds. Troopers handcuffed one individual and led them away.

Trans advocates had been at the Capitol since Tuesday morning, awaiting debate on SB 14. The legislation would prohibit trans youth from getting puberty blockers and hormone therapy  care that medical groups say is vital to their mental health  in order to transition. Immediately after the bill was brought up for consideration, Democratic state Rep. Mary Gonzalez called a point of order, a legislative maneuver meant to kill the bill on a technicality.

The swift developments came on a day when LGBTQ advocates and parents of trans kids spent hours at the Capitol, hoping to kill a bill they consider to be one of the most consequential for their community. Hours earlier, before the House convened Tuesday, a crowd of people opposing SB 14 weaved up a staircase as they filled the hallway outside the chamber. Many donned rainbow clothes and flags and waved signs to show their support for trans Texans. The Rev. Erin Walter  one of several clergy members there to support trans kids as part of the Texas Freedom Networks Just Texas project  led the group in song.

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We are fighting for our rights, and we shall not be moved, the crowd sang.

Under SB 14, trans kids who are already accessing these treatments for gender-affirming purposes would have to be weaned off in a medically appropriate manner. The bill would also prohibit transition-related surgeries, though these are rarely performed on kids. As the House was convening Tuesday morning, LGBTQ Texans and their allies began entering the gallery overlooking the chamber floor. Some also stayed outside for a rally at the nearby indoor rotunda.

There is nothing more Texan than fighting for your rights, said Adri Perez, an organizing director with the Texas Freedom Network, before LGBTQ Texans broke into a chant.

Supporters of the bill, wearing red shirts with the words save Texas kids also sat in the gallery. Republican state Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress, who is shepherding the bill through the House, said in a tweet that their presence strengthens our resolve to get this done today!

SB 14 is a legislative priority for the Republican Party of Texas, whose platform opposes all efforts to validate transgender identity. The Senate has already passed a version of the bill, and a majority of state representatives  all of them Republicans  support the measure.

This is the furthest this proposed ban has advanced in the lower chamber, which has often served as a moderating force on legislation targeting how LGBTQ Texans live. It is among a bevy of bills lawmakers are pushing this session that target gay and trans Texans. And Tuesdays scheduled debate and vote on the bill put to rest the question of whether Phelan would intervene on the issue. In the past few months, some LGBTQ advocates had hoped that the Beaumont Republican would put up roadblocks against SB 14 in the lower chamber. In 2019, as a House committee chair, Phelan told The Texas Tribune that he was done talking about bashing on the gay community.

The Houses expected vote could represent a significant step in Texas toward joining more than a dozen other states in restricting transition-related care for trans youth. And because Texas is home to one of the countrys largest trans communities, such a ban would have a far-reaching impact. For trans kids and their parents, the stakes are high. If SB 14 becomes law, some say they would have to travel out of Texas or flee the state altogether to ensure their kids can still access the care they need  and these options are not affordable for or available to all families.

There are so many layers to what it would look like to have to up and move, aside from the pretty significant financial impact to our family, Rachel Gonzales told the Tribune last month. I have three kids who are deeply rooted in the community and our schools and our neighborhood.  These people around us are our chosen family.

On Monday evening, she and her husband, Frank, were once again hustling around the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and advocate for their daughter Libby. Several other parents of trans kids from across the state were doing the same. The following morning, the Gonzales family said, they and other families waited outside the speakers office for nearly an hour and a half  but were not given the chance to meet with Phelan. Rachel Gonzales said theyve been trying to reach the speaker all session but have not had any success.

Phelans office didnt immediately respond to the Tribunes request for a comment Tuesday.

As is the case in the Senate, supporters of SB 14 in the House dispute the science and research behind transition-related medical treatments. They also portray doctors who provide this care as opportunists capitalizing on a social contagion and misleading parents into approving treatments for kids who may later regret them.

[Parents] were given a false dichotomy choice between its either this or suicide, said Oliverson during the committee hearing for House Bill 1686, his companion bill for SB 14. The science doesnt support that. It is unconscionable to me that a licensed health care provider would put a parent in that position.

Medical experts, trans youth and their families disagree. They say transition-related care  which leading medical associations support  is critical to supporting the mental health of a population that is already facing higher risk of depression and suicide than their cisgender peers. They added that the treatments arent rushed and involve a long and thoughtful evaluation process.

Before the House debate on the bill, LGBTQ advocates and their allies also dropped a massive banner saying, Let trans kids grow up, from the second floor of the indoor rotunda. Sofia Sepulveda, a board member of the Transgender Education Network of Texas and staff member of Equality Texas, said she was banned from the Capitol for one year after doing so. She was cited with criminal trespass, according to a citation provided to the Tribune. The Texas Department of Public Safety did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the incident.

I am a proud Texas resident, a Mexican-American, and a transgender woman, and I deserve to have my voice heard just like any other Texan invested in the policies shaping our lives, Sepulveda said in a press release. This is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate me and members of other marginalized communities from speaking our truth. I know I have done nothing wrong and I refuse to be silenced.

Under the original language authored by state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, SB 14 banned any minors from getting transition-related care. During the Senate debate, she amended the legislation to allow those currently getting this care to continue treatments, which prompted criticism from her party. The senator later backpedaled and cut this exemption before it was passed out of the upper chamber.

Once in the lower chamber, Oliverson changed the bill in the House Public Health Committee to allow kids currently receiving the care to be weaned off of puberty blockers and hormone therapy instead of being abruptly cut off.

But the bills critics say there are few differences between cutting off treatments gradually or suddenly because SB 14 would still ultimately stop trans kids from getting the care that has improved their mental health. Medical experts have also raised alarms about the psychological distress this process could cause; some trans youth have referred to the bill as forced detransitioning.

I think you can say from the side effects of stopping the hormones, a better approach is to taper off than to stop suddenly, Louis Appel, president of the Texas Pediatric Society, told the Tribune. He has also testified publicly against the bill. I dont know that you can say its medically safe because you still have the issue that someone has been forced off a medication that they were taking for their health.

Several states have faced legal challenges to their bans on gender-affirming care. For instance, Tennessee is fielding a lawsuit from the Department of Justice, and civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal have brought cases or are considering doing so against several states like Indiana, Idaho and Missouri.

In Texas, these groups planned to sue the state in 2021 when a bill seeking to ban transition-related care for trans youth was heading to the House floor  though the legislation died before then. On the eve of Tuesdays House vote, the ACLU of Texas was closely examining SB 14 and considering all options.

Banning healthcare for transgender Texans is a deeply unconstitutional assault on the rights of trans youth and the rights of parents to provide evidence-based, life-saving healthcare for their children, Brian Klosterboer, an attorney with the ACLU of Texas, said in a statement to the Tribune. It is immensely cruel and a waste of Texas state resources to pass a bill so harmful and unconstitutional.

But Rachel Gonzales also cant imagine telling Libby she wouldnt have access to transition-related care as she goes through puberty.

I have a commitment to keeping my daughter safe, she said. Were definitely working to figure out what we can do as families  not just us but other families are all in communication, trying to figure out what we can possibly do to preserve the safety of our kids.

Disclosure: Equality Texas and Texas Freedom Network have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism.
A woman working as a high school librarian is fighting back in court against local residents who she says are targeting her and calling her a child predator over books on the schools shelves.

Roxana Russo Caivano, a librarian at Roxbury High School in New Jersey since 2010, accuses four Roxbury town residents of slandering and libeling her by suggesting shes exposing students to books that they consider pornographic, according to a lawsuit filed in state superior court in late March.

One resident attacked Caivanos character online on a Facebook page for high school students parents  writing shes including hard-core pornography in the schools library collection  while three others accused her of luring and exposing children to pornographic material, characterizing (her) as a child abuser, at a school board meeting, a complaint says.

Now shes suing the four residents for defamation. She says their accusations, which began in September, wrongly accuse her of criminal behavior and are aimed at harming her reputation and job, according to the complaint.

McClatchy News contacted attorney Walter Harold Schneider, whos representing one of the defendants, for comment on May 1 and didnt immediately receive a response.

The other defendants are being represented by Corinne Mullen, who told The Daily Record, which first reported the case, that Caivanos lawsuit would impose a chilling effect on the First Amendment rights of the parents.

Anthony Caivano, Caivanos attorney who is also her husband, told the outlet that parents concerned about any school library books should redirect their efforts to the township board of education or the state, which has approved the books as part of the curriculum.

McClatchy News contacted Anthony Caivano for comment on May 1 and didnt immediately receive a response.

What books are residents complaining about?

One of the books at issue in this case is Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, according to Patch.com

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The illustrated coming-of-age story is considered the most challenged book of 2022 by the American Library Association, which is strongly against book censorship. The ALA says a challenge to a book could result in it being banned from libraries and schools.

According to the ALA, Gender Queer: A Memoir is challenged for its LGBTQIA+ content and accusations of being sexually explicit.

In addition to this novel, six other books included on the ALAs most challenged 2022 list, such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, are challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, among other reasons.

The organization says 2022 saw the largest number of attempts to ban books since the ALA started tracking book censorship in libraries over 20 years ago.

Banning access to certain books in schools could restrict students from learning about the world outside of their communities and prevent them from hearing different perspectives they may not be introduced to otherwise, according to Maoria Kirker, who leads George Mason University Libraries Teaching and Learning team.

While families have the right to restrict their children from reading certain books, they cant enforce that on other families, Kirker said. Banning books also has the potential to create significant gaps in knowledge for young learners.

More on the accusations against school the librarian

Three defendants named in the complaint are women who spoke out against Caivano at a March 6 Roxbury Board of Education meeting, according to the lawsuit.

At the meeting, they attacked (Caivanos) credentials and employment status, and caused (her) emotional distress by stating that (she) has engaged in luring children with sexually explicit materials, stating that (she) is a child predator, stating that (she) exposed minors to pornographic material, the complaint says.

Caivano argues these three women do not have children who attend Roxbury High School.

Two of the women have said they are parents of children who go to the school, including in an interview with Fox News on April 28.

McClatchy News is not naming the women to protect the identity of their children.

One woman told the outlet that at the board meeting, they were arguing theyre in the fight against the sexualization of our children in America and especially in New Jerseyand we feel that this content should not be made available to minor children, especially in the school district.

Caivano says one of the women has published libelous and defamatory information on a blog, saying shes guilty of criminal acts by including certain works of literature at the school library, according to the complaint.

That blog is titled The Roxbury Parental Rights in Education, The Daily Record reported.

The blog says Pornography, obscenity, pervasively vulgar. Regardless of how you describe them, there are books in Roxbury Public High School that are not age or school appropriate. Parents have sent us correspondence with the librarian and the Superintendent who defend keeping them in there under the guise of inclusivity and reflecting the community.

McClatchy News contacted Roxbury Public Schools Superintendent Loretta Radulic for comment on May 1 and didnt immediately receive a response.

With her lawsuit, Caivano is seeking an unspecified amount of damages in connection with her defamation claims.

The case comes as the amount of books banned in U.S. schools are on the rise, with Texas and Florida the top two states that have banned the most, CBS News reports.

School libraries banned more than 1,600 books nationwide in 2021-2022, according to the outlet.

Roxbury Township is about 45 miles west of New York City.

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Lil Nas X

Esteemed guests arrived at the 2023 Met Gala Monday night wearing beautiful, vintage designs by the nights honoree. But, much to no ones surprise, Lil Nas X had jaws dropping once again with his quite literal outfit choice of glitz and glamour to honor the late Karl Lagerfeld, all the way down to intricate jewels, pearls and even whiskers.

While Lil Nas X has worn some wild outfits, his nearly naked moment on Monday was likely his boldest. The boundary-pushing recording artist stayed in character when asked to explain his look, answering only with, Meow.

The 24-year-old rapper was one of many stars to bring cat-inspired looks to the red carpet in honor of the late designers beloved feline, Choupette. This included Doja Cat, who transformed her face with prosthetics to look like a feline; Jared Leto, who emerged from a giant, furry suit and Janelle Monae, who came carrying a cat bag.

The Industry Baby hitmaker arrived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday in a head-to-toe, crystallized, feline look created by legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath and designer house Dior Men, with creative direction by Nicola Formichetti, manicure by Temeka Jackson and hair styling by Coree Moreno.

The musician took the naked dressing trend and made it his own, completing the cheeky, gilded look with a single item of clothing: a tiny, silver Dior thong  which exposed his buttocks  and only a belt made out of pearls as an accessory. Every part of his body, from his cheekbones, coating his lips and down to his toes in chunky, dazzling silver platform boots, was covered in silver paint and tons of bejeweled Swarovski crystals and pearls.

Lil Nas X showed up to the Met Gala in a metallic thong, silver body paint, and jewels pic.twitter.com/fHlzOrkxUV  YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) May 2, 2023

Much like one of the late designers embellished tie pins come to life, the Montero artist took it to the next level with silver makeup and exquisite pearl detailing in a lace-inspired pattern that flowed down his neck and onto his chest, all the way down to inch-long silver and gemstone-covered claws. In addition, the look included opulent face details, from bold, black eyeliner behind a matching jewel-adorned eye mask to beaded whiskers.

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The Met Gala coincides with the unveiling of New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institutes annual fashion exhibition. Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, this years collection, honors the life, aesthetic and legendary career of the late designer, who died at 85 in February 2019.

The dress code in honor of Karl really leaves it up to the interpretation of celebrities and their stylists.

According to Vogue, Lil Nas X and McGrath met up in New York City on Monday at 9 a.m. to begin the nine-hour process of creating the full-body Choupette-inspired design the Old Town Road pop star would grace the Met Gala red carpet with.

Its really taken to new, three-dimensional crystal and pearl levels, McGrath said.

It also demanded of her team to fly all over the globe to find all of the pieces for their creation, from couture lace from 25 years ago to crystals from Austria.

According to a news release from Swarovski and her representative, the silver-encrusted design involved an extraordinary 5,000 stones and 218,784 round flatback Swarovski crystals.

The look is a celebration of self-expression and individuality while pushing the limits of traditional beauty standards, she said in the release.

According to Allure, stylist Coree Moreno used Matrix products to shape Nass short curls.

With his whole body covered in silver, we needed his hair to shine like the ensemble but remain natural to provide contrast, Moreno explained.

We opted for luscious and ultra-hydrated curls to frame the headpiece, Moreno said.

Mondays outfit continues Lil Nas Xs streak of metallic, monochrome outfits at the Met Gala. In 2021, the Grammy-winning musician arrived in three head-turning looks for the theme In America: An Anthology of Fashion. Styled by Hodo Musa, the threefold gold-played Atelier Versace outfit required him to strip down on the red carpet.

The #MetGala is for the fashion champions, so Lil Nas X's 2021 look fit right in.  pic.twitter.com/va4piw2ifS  E! News (@enews) April 29, 2023

We can only expect Lil Nas X to continue to shine, as thats what he does best. We cant wait to see how the Georgia rapper tops the look next year.
LinkedIn is experimenting with a new generative AI feature for job hunters. The company is testing a new feature that will generate brief, cover letter-like messages candidates can send to hiring managers on the platform. The feature is starting to roll out now for the site's premium subscribers.

With the update, users will see the option to Let AI draft a message to the hiring team alongside open roles on the platforms jobs page. The feature draws on information from your profile, the hiring managers profile, the job description, and the company of interest to create a highly personalized message, according to the company.

An example of the Ai written message.

In the example provided by LinkedIn, the message reads like the opening few sentences of a cover letter. However, the AI-written message users see will likely vary based on how much information is in your LinkedIn profile. The company notes that customization is still important, and that users should double check and edit the text before sending it.

LinkedIn, which is owned by OpenAI partner Microsoft, has experimented with other generative AI features. The platform added AI writing suggestions to profiles, and collaborative articles which also make use of AI-written text.
He called it the Cruzing to Victory Tour 2023.

A northwest Missouri man convicted for his role in the Capitol riot took to the highways last week, riding his motorcycle to Washington, D.C., for his sentencing on Tuesday.

Lloyd Casimiro Cruz Jr., of Polo  about 50 miles northeast of Kansas City  saw the event as a way to raise funds for his legal bills and highlight what he says are the bogus cases brought against him and other J6ers charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.

The Justice Department, however, saw it as a failure to take responsibility for his actions and one of multiple reasons why he should be sentenced to a year in jail.

On Tuesday morning in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Reggie B. Walton handed down a sentence of 45 days incarceration followed by one year of supervised release and $500 restitution for the nearly $2.9 million in damages the government said resulted from the attack.

Cruz, 40, was facing up to 18 months incarceration, restitution and a $5,000 fine. The government requested 12 months incarceration, one year of supervised release, 60 hours of community service, and $500 restitution.

The stay-at-home father of four had declined to accept a plea deal and instead agreed to a Jan. 13 bench trial before the judge, waiving his right to a trial in front of a jury. He was found guilty of one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and one count of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Prior to his conviction, Cruz filed a motion to dismiss his case, saying the charges were undeniably unconstitutional and that he was merely exercising his First Amendment rights when he entered the Capitol. In another motion, Cruz argued that the evidence obtained from the search of cellular location data that showed he was in the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack should be suppressed and the case dismissed because it originated with a massive violation of the Fourth Amendment.

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The judge denied both motions.

Cruz, the first Missouri Capitol riot defendant to go to trial, created a website about his case and a GiveSendGo site to raise money that he said would help pay for his lawyer and other court expenses. Anything left over, he said, would be given to other Jan. 6 defendants for their legal costs.

Please help with anything you can I am looking at 2 years for only walking around the Capitol, he wrote on the fundraising site. There were no signs nor no one saying I couldnt be in there.

As of Tuesday morning, hed received $9,995 of the $35,000 requested.

Thank you Patriot brother to you and your family, wrote Bryan Nicklow, who donated $200 last week. Godspeed as you embark on your journey on behalf of yourself and all J6ers and freedom loving Americans. I am praying for your safety and success.

Cruzs case has attracted the attention of his state representative, Mazzie Boyd, a Republican from Hamilton. His website features photos of Boyd posing with him and his family around the motorcycle.

In an April 12 letter To the Great People of Missouri, Boyd  whose bio says she has worked in the Trump White House and in the congressional office of Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia  wrote that it is disheartening to see the United States Judicial system being perverted.

Not only has it been used as a political tool against President Donald Trump, but also against my Constituent Lloyd Cruz, she wrote.

She called Cruz a political prisoner, adding that the only reason he is being charged is because of his support for President Trump.

Cruz left Kansas City on Wednesday and live streamed updates on Rumble, an online video-sharing site. He told supporters that he has paid a high price for his actions.

I went to D.C. to support President Trump and because I thought that if it was his last time, then at least I got to see him one last time, he said on his stream Saturday night. And from there, it was spur-of-the-moment. He said he walked into the Capitol on Jan. 6, walked around briefly, then left.

Never said a word, never touched anything, he said. For walking around for less than seven minutes, its literally cost me everything. Ive received hate mail  people I thought were close to me, they tossed me aside, too  my own family refused to help me out when I needed it.

Prosecutors described Cruzs Jan. 6 involvement in a sentencing memorandum filed last week.

Cruz drove with two others to Washington to attend the pro-Trump Stop the Steal rally, the document said. After the rally, it said, he walked to the Capitol, where he joined a mob of rioters that had gathered on the West Plaza.

While there, he observed  and video-recorded  police officers deploying flash bangs and chemical spray to disperse the crowd of rioters. Around 2:10 p.m., the document said, Cruz followed the protesters who had broken through police lines.

As Cruz ascended the stairs to the Upper West Terrace, Cruz exclaimed, We broke down the gate. We broke through the gate and Im going inside! the sentencing document said.

The mob chanted Whose House? Our House! as Cruz approached the Senate Wing Door, and he saw rioters entering the Capitol through broken windows, the document said. Cruz entered the building through the Senate Wing Door at 2:14 p.m., one to two minutes after the initial breach at that location.

Prosecutors say this photo from U.S. Capitol surveillance video shows Lloyd Casimiro Cruz Jr., of Polo, Missouri, entering the building through the Senate Wing Door.

Cruz roamed the building with rioters as they chanted in the halls, then entered the Crypt about 2:17 p.m., according to the governments filing. He left through the Senate Wing Door about 2:20 p.m., recording everything on his GoPro camera.

Cruz first denied going into the building, the government said, stating that he went on the Capitol grounds to help injured people. Later, he gave the FBI a thumb drive that contained photos and videos of his trip to D.C. He said that reviewing the videos reminded him that he entered the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.

After being charged, the government said, Cruz created a Twitter account in which he posted repeated solicitations for donations, and politically charged content, including conspiracy theories about what occurred on January 6.

And in the days leading up to his trial, the sentencing document said, Cruz repeatedly posted statements minimizing his conduct.

Since his conviction, Cruz has continued to post statements downplaying the riot, the government said. Those posts, it said, include conspiracy theories that Cruz would know from his own experience are false, such as that the rioters were let in to the building by police and the Capitol riot was a set up.

The government also mentioned the Cruz for Victory motorcycle ride to D.C. and Cruzs GiveSendGo donation site, where he makes blatantly false statements about his conduct on January 6, 2021, the sentencing document said.

Those examples illustrate Cruzs complete failure to take responsibility for his actions, the government said. It added that his continued attempts to garner sympathy based on false statements about his own conduct, false statements about what happened at the Capitol on January 6, and statements portraying himself as a victim are repugnant.

The government said Cruz also has a significant criminal history that includes four felony convictions from 2004 to 2007 for distribution of a controlled substance; possession of forged instruments; theft/receiving stolen property; and forgery of a check/commercial instrument. Some of the convictions, it said, resulted in prison sentences.

Cruz has failed to pay thousands in fines and costs ordered by the court in those cases, the government said, further demonstrating that he has no respect for the law and specific deterrence for this defendant is greatly needed in this case.

In Cruzs own sentencing memorandum filed last week, his attorney, John Pierce, said Cruz cooperated with the investigation and voluntarily spoke to the FBI on four occasions. Cruz also handed over photos and videos taken when he was at the Capitol, Pierce said.

Pierce asked the court not to require Cruz to pay restitution for damage to the Capitol but to instead order a fine of $2,000 to $3,000.

He did not stipulate to nor was he charged with damaging anything or hurting anyone, Pierce wrote. He would consider it a problem with his conscience and honor to be ordered to pay restitution when he never harmed anything or anyone.

As for Cruzs criminal history, Pierce wrote that other than his current case, the record shows that the Defendant had clearly reformed and become a law-abiding citizen after some unfortunate early incidents.

This indicates that his early mistakes had a profound impact on him and caused him to turn away from them.
The criminal trial of Lori Vallow Daybell  a 49-year-old mother charged with the first-degree murder of her two children  is into its fifth week.

Vallow Daybell, and her husband, Chad Daybell, are accused of the first-degree murder of her two children: 7-year-old Joshua Jaxon JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan.

To be convicted of the first-degree murder charges, the jury will need to conclude that they killed, encouraged or commanded someone else to kill Vallow Daybells children.

Theyre also accused of conspiring to murder the two children as well as Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybells former wife.

Chad and Lori Daybell  who had a months-long affair  got married on a Hawaii beach two weeks after Tammy Daybells body was buried in a Utah cemetery, according to witnesses throughout the trial.

READ MORE: Lori Vallow Daybells case spans 3 states, 4 deaths. Here are all the key people involved.

Lori Vallow Daybells trial began early April and could last another three weeks. Chad Daybell  who is also charged with first-degree murder in Tammy Daybells death  has a hearing scheduled Thursday.

Authorities said they believe Vallow Daybells brother Alex Cox also conspired to kill JJ, Tylee and Tammy Daybell, according to the indictment filed by prosecution teams from Madison and Fremont counties.

Cox died of natural causes in 2019. Vallow Daybell also faces a felony charge for allegedly conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, with her brother.

The prosecution has called over four dozen witnesses, including a DNA analyst who examined a hair sample found with JJs body that matched Vallow Daybell.

Utahs Chief Medical Examiner Erik Christensen, who performed the autopsy on Tammy Daybell, is expected to continue testifying Tuesday morning.

3:20 p.m.  Wake up the women warriors. Vallow Daybell speaks on podcast

A podcast between Vallow Daybell, her former friend Melaine Gibb, and others describing their religious beliefs was admitted in court.

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Only 40 minutes of a roughly 100-minute-long podcast was admitted in court, and Vallow Daybell only speaks for about eight minutes of it.

In the 2018 podcast, Vallow Daybell mentions the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and said things will start to change in the next two years.

My job according to Jesus Christ is to wake up the women warriors, Vallow Daybell said, adding that Gibb was one of the women that the Lord sent to her.

Todd Gilbert, a neighbor of Chad and Tammy Daybell who also attended Latter-day Saints services with the Daybells, said during his testimony Tuesday that hed listened to the religious podcast episode.

He was on the witness stand as the recording was played in court.

Would that be considered mainstream LDS beliefs? Vallow Daybells attorney Jim Archibald asked Gilbert.

Most of it, but not all of it, Gilbert responded, adding that he believed some of the beliefs mentioned in the podcast were starting to stray.

Gilbert said that Chad Daybell was starting to stray away from the churchs mainstream beliefs as well.

Gilbert was dismissed, and court was adjourned a little after 3:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.  Religious podcast admitted in court

Seventh District Judge Steven Boyce allowed Vallow Daybells attorney Jim Archibald to admit a 40-minute portion of a podcast episode.

Chad and Lori Vallow Daybell were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and believed that the world was going to end in July 2020. They also had fringe beliefs that people could be possessed by dark spirits, witnesses said in testimony, and that the spirits would need to be cast out.

Todd Gilbert during his testimony said he was aware of Chad Daybells beliefs.

He said that Chad Daybells books  which were about the end-times and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ  were real life for Chad Daybell, despite the fact that they were marketed as fiction.

The prosecution objected to the recording, but Boyce allowed it and said religious ideologies have been central to the case.

The podcast, which was recorded in late 2018, began with Gibb, who previously testified about the Daybells beliefs and her own.

I am His and He has changed me, Gibb said in the recording, referring to Jesus Christ.

10:30 a.m.  A week after Tammy Daybells death, Chad Daybell said hes getting married

A week after Tammy Daybell died, Chad Daybell told his neighbors he was doing really good, and hed found the woman he was going to marry, Alice and Todd Gilbert said during their separate testimonies Tuesday.

We were shocked, Alice Gilbert said. The Gilberts said Chad Daybell told them he was dating Lori Vallow Daybell and met her in October 2019 at a conference in St. George, Utah.

The Gilberts said they eventually met Vallow Daybell, and roughly two weeks after Tammy Daybell died, they invited Chad and Lori Vallow Daybell over to their home. The Gilberts said they were extremely affectionate and acted like a couple of teenagers.

When the Gilberts asked Vallow Daybell whether she had any children, she said she had many, but then Chad interrupted and said Vallow Daybells daughter had recently died. Alice Gilbert said she assumed Tylee died from an illness, but she didnt question her further.

I had the impression that she had no other children, Alice Gilbert said, adding that she thought Vallow Daybell was an empty nester.

Chad and Lori Vallow Daybell also visited the Gilberts in November after theyd gotten married in Hawaii and showed them wedding photos. The Gilberts said they wouldnt see Chad Daybell again until after Vallow Daybell was arrested in Hawaii in early 2020.

Alice Gilbert said Chad Daybell approached her and asked whether he could live at their home. She told him that her daughter was planning to stay with them. Chad Daybell then asked the Gilberts whether theyd be willing to put their property up as collateral for Vallow Daybells bond.

During this exchange, Alice Gilbert said she asked Chad Daybell about Tylee.

You told me when we met that she had just lost a daughter, Alice Gilbert said, recalling her question to Chad Daybell. She said he denied that hed told her that.

Alice Gilbert also testified about the days following Tammy Daybells death. Gilbert visited the Daybell residence the morning of Tammy Daybells death, she said and noted that Chad Daybells five children and their spouses were at the house.

The children were stunned, Gilbert said, adding that Chad was not stunned.

Throughout her testimony, Alice Gilbert mentioned how quickly she felt Chad Daybell was moving on. She said that within hours of Tammy Daybells death, Chad had already begun planning her funeral and memorial service.

Alice Gilbert attended Tammy Daybells funeral, she said, which was in Springville, Utah.

I had to go see her, Alice Gilbert said as she started to cry. I had to tell her goodbye.

Chad Daybell also told Alice Gilbert he was planning to move out of his home in Salem, Idaho, she said, and move into a friends condo on Pioneer Road in Rexburg. Vallow Daybells Rexburg apartment was on Pioneer Road.

The court adjourned for lunch around noon.

9:30 a.m.  Chad Daybell received $430,000 in life insurance money from Tammy Daybells death

Rexburg Police Det. Bruce Mattingly during his testimony Tuesday said he reviewed Tammy Daybells medical records, which he obtained through his investigation.

He said the records showed that Tammy Daybell didnt have a history of seizures or low blood pressure.

When asked whether Chad Daybells statements to investigators regarding Tammy Daybells medical history were consistent with her medical records, Mattingly said, No, they were completely the opposite.

Mattingly also said Tammy was active up until the time of her death, according to data he reviewed from her Fitbit.

Chad Daybell was also the beneficiary of Tammy Daybells two life insurance policies, which totaled $430,000.

The defense asked Mattingly whether the insurance company was requesting their money back, to which he responded that he wasnt sure.

Mattingly then said he wasnt sure whether Chad Daybell faces charges for insurance fraud, but Mattingly knew Chad Daybell was living off of the insurance payments after Tammy Daybell died.

Chad Daybell has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud, according to the indictment.

8:45 a.m.  Medical examiner says its possible Tammy Daybell died from a seizure

Vallow Daybells attorney John Thomas spent roughly 20 minutes questioning Christensen about Tammy Daybells autopsy results.

Tammy Daybells death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation, Christensen said Monday. He said that her autopsy was a negative autopsy because nothing else could explain her death, and examiners ruled out other factors such as seizures, heart disease, poison or drugs.

But when questioned by Thomas, he said that he couldnt 100% rule out a seizure, but that it was very unlikely Tammy Daybell died from one.

I cant absolutely exclude that she had a seizure activity, Christensen said.

Christensen said there arent any tests you can do to document seizures once someone has died. But he added that one of his colleagues performed a neurological pathology test on Tammy Daybells brain  where they examined her brain for abnormalities that are common for seizures.

Christensen said her brain was normal.

When asked by the prosecution, Christensen added individuals who have had seizures can have normal brains, but he said in Tammy Daybells case, they ruled out a seizure because of other factors, including her age and the lack of documented medical history regarding seizures.
WASHINGTON  By the end of the year, a new and unusual deal for the F-35 fighters spare parts could be in place  one that would flip the current supply model on its head.

If the proposed performance-based logistics contract works the way F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin has promised, it will save the government money, improve the availability of spare parts and give the company greater flexibility on how it assists repairs, such as making it easier to fix a broken part without fabricating a new one.

Lockheed has for years sought a performance-based logistics, or PBL, contract for the F-35, albeit in a different form. Instead of the traditional transactional model in place today, in which a contractor is paid for specific parts or services, a PBL deal pays the contractor based on how well it meets expected performance outcomes.

The PBL contract now in negotiations, referred to as a demand reduction deal, would be a more limited version of the tip to tail agreement Lockheed first proposed in 2019, and would cover only the spare parts needed to repair the fighter. Lockheeds original tip to tail pitch would have also covered support and sustainment activities, and judged the company on overall mission-capable rates, but the Pentagon balked. The militarys F-35 Joint Program Office told Defense News it opted to scale back the deals scope to one that incentivizes [Lockheed] to take risks in areas they have full control over.

The JPO said it is on track to award the five-year deal to Lockheed by the end of this year, if a study using data from the Pentagons Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office verifies to Congress that a PBL deal would either reduce cost or improve readiness. A companion deal, for repairs and other nonmaterial sustainment support and services not covered by the PBL contract, would also be awarded at the same time.

Officials from the JPO and Lockheed said in interviews with Defense News that a performance-based logistics contract could be better for both parties than the transactional model, particularly by encouraging the company to reduce the demand for new spare parts for the F-35.

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Ed Apollo, the JPOs product support manager, said a PBL contract incentivizes Lockheed to invest in new processes and improvements to make parts last longer.

The lower the demand, the more gravy for industry, Apollo said. The higher the demand, the less the [profit] margins.  That is the No. 1 benefit that were looking at in a performance-based logistics contract.

But some experts said the deal could carry risk; most notably, could a PBL contract handle a surge in capacity required during a war?

Brad Martin, director of the National Security Supply Chain Institute at the think tank Rand, said some major programs have used PBL deals in recent years, including the Aegis weapon system and the P-8 Poseidon aircraft. But theyre not as common as they once were, he told Defense News, and they have a lot of baggage.

It yields to the contractor an awful lot of discretion as to how theyre going to fill the orders and how theyre going to deal with the demand, Martin said. As a result, [the contractor] is in a position of managing things up to the point where theres a crisis  and then when theres a crisis, what are you going to do?

Martin said PBL deals were more customary in the early 2000s, when the Pentagon sought to achieve efficiencies of the kind typical in a private sector business. The department in 2001 identified PBL contracts as its preferred weapon system support strategy, according to a 2008 Government Accountability Office report.

But they didnt always produce the promised cost savings, Martin said.

He said a PBL contract would likely incentivize Lockheed to maintain an inventory of parts sufficient for normal, day-to-day operations, such as flying standard patrols, training sorties or test flights.

But during a war that causes F-35s to fly significantly longer and harder, while possibly suffering wear and tear from battle, hard landings and more sorties, he said, its hard to say what kind of supply inventory and pace would be required, and whether a PBL approach could keep up.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Martin, 944th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, finishes preparing an F-35's cockpit for flight on Jan. 29, 2019, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (Staff Sgt. Lausanne Kinder/U.S. Air Force)

How would a PBL deal work?

The military has awarded Lockheed Martin multiple iterations of the current transactional contract to sustain F-35s since the fighter programs inception, most recently in 2021. But for years the program has struggled to hold sustainment costs down and keep the planes readiness rates high enough. The average mission-capable rate for all U.S. F-35s is 56%, which falls below the 70% readiness rate the military wants for the Air Forces F-35A, and the 75% goal set for the Department of the Navys F-35B and F-35C variants.

Today, Lockheeds transactional sustainment contract spells out how many of the thousands upon thousands of spare parts needed to repair the planes will be on hand, Apollo said.

A supply chain-focused PBL contract would operate differently, Apollo added, as Lockheed wouldnt need to keep specific numbers of parts on hand. Instead, the company would be judged on whether those parts are available when needed, or whether it can get those parts to the field within a certain amount of time.

Because PBL contracts are firm-fixed-price deals, he explained, Lockheed would bear the risk if it makes the wrong call on how many of each part to have on hand.

They still have to provide  the products, the performance, but if they have to spend beyond the [firm-fixed-price], that is all industry risk, Apollo said. The benefit [to a PBL deal] is it incentivizes industry to reduce demand. A healthy supply chain system that were looking for is not one where industry is incentivized to buy more parts.

There are several ways the JPO believes a PBL deal could push the contractor to reduce demand on parts. When the onus is on Lockheed Martin to keep demand low, the company will be motivated to have parts that last longer and to make process improvements that stretch out their time on the aircraft before repair or replacement, Apollo said.

For example, he added, if a part leaks due to a failing seal, under a standard transactional contract the government could pay Lockheed to fix the problem by removing it  sending it to the original manufacturer for repair before reinstallation.

Airman 1st Class Bryce Jarvis checks equipment needed for his shift on the flight line at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. All equipment needed for the daily maintenance of the F-35A must be checked out from the supply desk to keep tools accounted for and in inspection order. (Senior Airman Andrea Posey/U.S. Air Force)

But under a PBL contract, Apollo said, Lockheed would have a reason to pressure the subcontractor that makes that part redesign it to avoid frequent failures. With that redesign, lo and behold, they reduce demand of that part by an order of magnitude, with some level of investment that was enabled by a firm-fixed-price PBL contract.

Apollo also said a PBL deal offers industry more authority, accountability and ownership of the supply chain. In many cases, he added, its faster and cheaper to repair a part than making a new one. This will increase the velocity of the supply chain, he explained, and get parts on shelves quicker, which is financially advantageous for Lockheed.

While Lockheed would take on more risk, company officials said the flexibility of such a deal is worth it, and they have expressed confidence in their ability to cut demand for F-35 parts. Audrey Brady, Lockheed Martins vice president for F-35 global sustainment, said in an interview that about half the parts on an F-35 havent had to come off the plane for repair or replacement, and that more than 90% of parts on the average F-35 are staying on the aircraft longer than expected.

Do we know exactly where the parts need to be and when? Brady said. When [maintainers] go to reach for the part, is it available to them? Thats what well be measured on.

Wartime surge

But Rands Martin said a PBLs design could give Lockheed an incentive to keep its inventory  particularly of rare or expensive parts  near the minimum required. And the number of spares a defense program will need in wartime is almost always vastly more than in peacetime.

When you need them, you really need them, Martin said.

Dan Grazier, a defense analyst for the Project on Government Oversight, echoed those concerns.

Imagine a contract like this being signed on Sept. 10, 2001, when no one could have foreseen what was [going to] kick off the next day, Grazier said, referring to the 9/11 attacks on the United States. And all those plans the day beforehand all of a sudden get thrown out the window.

Grazier also said the global nature of the F-35 program could complicate the management of a performance-based supply contract. The JPO said earlier in April the supply chain-focused PBL would cover all F-35s worldwide.

Who knows what some of these partner countries might get themselves into moving forward? Grazier said.

Italian Air Force personnel celebrate after an F-35A made aviation history by completing the very first F-35 trans-Atlantic Ocean crossing, arriving at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., from Cameri Air Base, Italy, on Feb. 5, 2016. (Andy Wolfe/U.S. Navy)

At the Sea-Air-Space conference in April, Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, the program executive officer for the F-35, criticized the programs just in time supply chain, in which parts arrive right before theyre needed and little inventory is stockpiled.

When you have that [just-in-time] mentality, a hiccup in the supply chain, whether it be a strike  or a quality issue, becomes your single point of failure, Schmidt said.

Martin said a PBL contract could also lead to a robbing Peter to pay Paul situation, in which Lockheed might cannibalize parts from another aircraft or assembly line to meet supply requirements.

PBL deals are almost the epitome of just-in-time,  Martin said.

Apollo and Brady said the PBL contract now under negotiation includes provisions for short-term fluctuations on a month-to-month basis. Brady noted that kind of short-term surge would cover a 10% fluctuation in expected flight hours.

Apollo said that from a month-to-month standpoint, we have built in that capability [to] have industry execute these peaks and valleys and perturbations for higher demand in flight hours than normal.

But Brady said the draft PBL deal doesnt take into account longer-term surges that might come with a war or other event lasting one to six months, which could cause flight hours to significantly jump, and cause more wear and tear.

Lockheed and the F-35 Joint Program Office want to wargame those requirements, Brady and Apollo said.

Were working to  define: What does that surge look like? Brady said. And then be able to respond to what that would be. But the current construct [of the PBL draft] doesnt have a war-level surge; it has a month-to-month flight hour surge.

Brady said it will be important to look at different scenarios in which the U.S. military might use an F-35 in order to ensure a PBL deal can handle the requirements.

Apollo pointed to one option in an interview with Defense News that would see more funding added to the PBL approach to handle a lengthier surge. However, a follow-up email from the JPO explained the office could not address broader discussions at the Defense Department level in regard to requirements for a sustained surge environment.

Martin found it encouraging to hear Lockheed and JPO officials are considering wartime surge needs, but insisted they need to continue studying future needs, while also considering how to incentive Lockheed to meet a potential surge.

If we had a war, God forbid, that builds up ... to a fairly high-[operational] tempo  10% [surge capacity] might be enough, Martin said. But we dont know that, and were not going to know that without significantly more analysis. And then the problem will be that as that [conflict] occurs, its going to be too late to do much about it.
Isolation and loneliness are "profound threats to our health and well-being," the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in an advisory declaring a public health epidemic. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Isolation and loneliness are an epidemic as damaging to Americans' individual and public health as smoking and obesity, the surgeon general of the United States said in a stark advisory issued Tuesday.

Nearly half of U.S. adults reported experiencing loneliness in recent years, according to research cited in the advisory. A 2021 study commissioned by the Cigna healthcare company showed 79% of people ages 18 to 24 reported feeling lonely  a rate nearly twice as high as that of seniors ages 66 and older.

Though the issue was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has long been mounting  the rate of loneliness among young adults increased every year from 1976 to 2019, Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy pointed out.

Being socially disconnected can have both mental and physical consequences. It puts people at greater risk for anxiety and depression, and also increases the possibility of dementia by 50%, stroke by 32% and heart disease by 29%. The risk of premature death from heightened isolation is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and may be even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity, according to the report.

Still, studies show that 20% of people who feel lonely or isolated do not recognize it as a major problem, according to the advisory. Murthy laid out a national strategy to combat what he called "profound threats to our health and well-being," saying the U.S. needs to address the epidemic with the same energy and intention it does the opioid addiction crisis or tobacco use.

"If we fail to do so, we will pay an ever-increasing price in the form of our individual and collective health and well-being, Murthy said. And we will continue to splinter and divide until we can no longer stand as a community or a country.

The report describes social isolation as objectively having few social connections or interactions, while loneliness is a subjective and internal feeling resulting from a gap between the actual connections people experience versus the desired connections they yearn for.

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Research shows people are spending less time with friends and family or participating in clubs or organizations, driven in part by technology winding its way into our social interactions. Some people move away from their communities; many others focus on their careers at the expense of their personal relationships. Studies cited in the advisory showed that between 2003 and 2020, time spent with friends decreased by 20 hours per month while time spent alone increased by about 24 hours per month.

And that rise in isolation may be eroding our trust for one another: Polls conducted in 1972 showed 45% of Americans felt they could reliably trust other Americans; that number shrank to roughly 30% in 2016, the advisory notes.

It's a trend that goes against human nature and is producing adverse effects on individual and societal health, said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University and the advisory's lead science editor.

Humans are a social species, Holt-Lunstad said. Throughout human history, we've needed to rely on others for survival, so it makes sense that our bodies are adapted to promote survival.

Because of the way humans evolved and adapted, feeling disconnected, particularly from those we trust, becomes a very threatening state, Holt-Lunstad said. It takes more energy, and our bodies respond accordingly.

Isolation causes our brains to become more active and signal various physiological responses that essentially throw our bodies out of rhythm, she said. One example is inflammation: Evidence shows that being isolated and lonely is associated with chronic inflammation, which increases risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, depression and Alzheimers disease.

There are many cascading biological responses that are occurring that when these physiological changes are dysregulated on a chronic basis; this can increase risk for developing a variety of chronic illnesses, Holt-Lunstad said.

It can also affect community outcomes, ranging from population health to community safety, civic engagement and prosperity. This is both an individual as well as a societal-level health concern, she said.

The pandemic compounded the decline of social connections, as well as isolation and loneliness, by cutting people off from their support networks. But it also gave people a sense of how essential connection is, Holt-Lunstad said, as they saw how less time with friends or family harmed their well-being and that of those around them.

The surgeon general's advisory, 82 pages long, issues a public call to action to foster greater social connection and provides a national plan to achieve it.

Its six pillars include strengthening social infrastructure in local communities and mobilizing the health sector, offering recommendations that government agencies, workplaces and others can take to bring people together in meaningful ways.

In an essay published in the New York Times days before Tuesday's report, Murthy described his own struggles with loneliness and underscored the risks facing America.

Addressing the crisis of loneliness and isolation is one of our generations greatest challenges, Murthy wrote. By building more connected lives and more connected communities, we can strengthen the foundation of our individual and collective well-being and we can be better poised to respond to the threats we are facing as a nation.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic.

About half of U.S. adults say theyve experienced loneliness, Dr. Vivek Murthy said in an 81-page report from his office.

We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It's like hunger or thirst. It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing, Murthy told The Associated Press in an interview. Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that's not right. That's why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing.

The declaration is intended to raise awareness around loneliness but won't unlock federal funding or programming devoted to combatting the issue.

Research shows that Americans, who have become less engaged with worship houses, community organizations and even their own family members in recent decades, have steadily reported an increase in feelings of loneliness. The number of single households has also doubled over the last 60 years.

But the crisis deeply worsened when COVID-19 spread, prompting schools and workplaces to shut their doors and sending millions of Americans to isolate at home away from relatives or friends.

People culled their friend groups during the coronavirus pandemic and reduced time spent with those friends, the surgeon general's report finds. Americans spent about 20 minutes a day in person with friends in 2020, down from 60 minutes daily nearly two decades earlier.

The loneliness epidemic is hitting young people, ages 15 to 24, especially hard. The age group reported a 70% drop in time spent with friends during the same period.

Loneliness increases the risk of premature death by nearly 30%, with the report revealing that those with poor social relationships also had a greater risk of stroke and heart disease. Isolation also elevates a person's likelihood for experiencing depression, anxiety and dementia, according to the research. Murthy did not provide any data that illustrates how many people die directly from loneliness or isolation.

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The surgeon general is calling on workplaces, schools, technology companies, community organizations, parents and other people to make changes that will boost the country's connectedness. He advises people to join community groups and put down their phones when they're catching up with friends; employers to think carefully about their remote work policies; and health systems to provide training for doctors to recognize the health risks of loneliness.

Technology has rapidly exacerbated the loneliness problem, with one study cited in the report finding that people who used social media for two hours or more daily were more than twice as likely to report feeling socially isolated than those who were on such apps for less than 30 minutes a day.

Murthy said social media is driving the increase in loneliness in particular. His report suggests that technology companies roll out protections for children especially around their social media behavior.

There's really no substitute for in-person interaction, Murthy said. As we shifted to use technology more and more for our communication, we lost out on a lot of that in-person interaction. How do we design technology that strengthens our relationships as opposed to weaken them?

___

This story has been updated to show that the surgeon general said loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily, not 12.
Environmental and wildlife groups sued the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over SpaceX's launch last month from Texas.

The Starship soared before it exploded over the Gulf of Mexico on April 20. The rocket's self-destruct system caused the rocket to almost blow up as it spun out of control minutes into the test flight, as reported by APNews.

What the FAA Has to Say

The FAA declined to comment, noting that it will not comment on ongoing litigation. They are overseeing the accident investigation and ordered all SpaceX Starships grounded until there is 100 percent public safety.

Elon Musk, the SpaceX founder and CEO, said his company could be ready to launch the next Starship in six to eight weeks with the approval of the FAA. There are no injuries or significant damage to public property from any of the rocket wreckage or flying pad debris.

What the Environmental Groups Have to Say

The US Fish and Wildlife Service reported that huge concrete chunks, stainless steel sheets, metal, and other objects were thrown thousands of feet from the pad. There is also a plume of pulverized concrete sent material up to 6.4 miles northwest of the pad.

Other groups that joined the Center for Biological Diversity in the lawsuit against FAA are the American Bird Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, Save RGV (Rio Grande Valley), and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity Group, federal officials should make efforts to defend vulnerable wildlife and frontline communities and not give a pass to corporate interests.

Read also: NASA, SpaceX Launch TEMPO Satellite To Monitor Earth's Air Pollution

SpaceX's Move

According to Musk, they are making changes at the launch pad to avoid a dust storm and rock tornado at the next launch. He also promised to make improvements to the next Starship before it flies.

(Photo: by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) The SpaceX Starship lifts off from the launchpad during a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on April 20, 2023. -

Musk said that the self-destruct system doesn't need to be modified, so the rocket will explode immediately.

However, he did state that they will be improving the communication system between the rocket and the ground to ensure a safer launch. Musk also mentioned that they would be working on improving the landing system for the Starship, which has seen multiple failed attempts so far.

The Impact of Human Activity on the Natural World

The Center for Biological Diversity Group's call for federal officials to prioritize wildlife and communities over corporate interests comes at a crucial time, as climate change continues to threaten ecosystems across the globe. The impact of human activity on the natural world has been devastating, with many species facing extinction due to habitat loss and other environmental pressures.

Meanwhile, Musk's commitment to improving safety measures at SpaceX is commendable. Launching rockets into space is a complex undertaking that requires careful planning and attention to detail in order to avoid accidents or mishaps.

By implementing changes like better communication systems and landing mechanisms, SpaceX can reduce risks associated with their launches while continuing their mission of exploring new frontiers beyond our planet.

It remains important that both public officials and private companies take steps towards responsible stewardship of our shared environment so we can protect vulnerable wildlife populations from further harm while advancing scientific progress through innovation in fields such as space exploration.

Related article: Spiral of Light in Northern Sky Identified as SpaceX Rocket, Physicist Explains Phenomenon

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UPDATED  A wound care clinic thats been at Wesley Medical Center for a couple of decades is now moving east to its own space at the Waterfront.

Physician Justin Gooden, who is the owner and medical director of Mid-Kansas Wound and Limb Salvage, said his desire is to help people heal from wounds with advanced treatments all in one place.

The biggest reason Im moving out is basically because of capacity, he said. Weve outgrown our space significantly.

Currently, the clinic has to send patients elsewhere for some care, such as physical therapy.

At the new building, which is at 10346 E. Stonegate Lane next to Accent Lighting, there will be room for everything under one roof.

The goal is to try to prevent people from having to be hospitalized, Gooden said. People have chronic wounds for years sometimes.

The clinic treats a variety of wounds, including diabetic, arterial, venous and surgical. It also focuses on limb preservation.

Mid-Kansas Wound takes referrals from around the state.

Gooden said because wounds often deteriorate rapidly, the goal is to get the patient in within 48 hours.

Right now, we just dont have the space to be able to do that.

With the new space, Gooden said he should be able to increase capacity by 35% to 40%.

Theres also room in the new building where the clinic can expand when ready.

In addition to having its own physical therapy space, the new Mid-Kansas Wound space will have a lymphatic massage clinic. Gooden said massage and physical therapy can help offset issues related to edema and a loss in mobility. He said his goal is to help patients improve the quality of their lives.

There also will be an on-site nutritionist and a diabetes educator.

Gooden said hes already been adding staff members and should be fully staffed with 40 or more employees by the new clinics fall opening.

With the move, Gooden said hell be able to expand the products and treatments he uses. That includes additional stem cell treatments for healing.

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The new space will have double the square footage the current clinic has.

Craig Simon of Landmark Commercial Real Estate handled the deal for the Waterfront space, which should open sometime in September.

Gooden is looking forward to the new space, particularly for patients who will be able to come to one place and get all of the treatments done.
Kids Killed Doomsday Plot Trial (Post Register no sales no mags)

Prosecutors say the mother charged in a triple murder case took part in a complex conspiracy that included unusual spiritual beliefs and efforts to kill those who stood in the way of her goals. Here, a look at the defendants and some of the witnesses in the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell:

THE DEFENDANT:

Lori Vallow Daybell, 49, is a beautician by trade, a mother of three, and a wife  five times over. Shes pleaded not guilty to murder, conspiracy and grand theft charges in the deaths of her two youngest kids and her new husbands previous wife.

Vallow Daybells first marriage, to a high school sweetheart when she was just 19, ended quickly. She married again in her early 20s, and had a son named Colby before divorcing. In 2001, Vallow Daybell married again, this time to a man named Joseph Ryan. The couple had a baby girl named Tylee in 2002, but divorced just a few years later. Ryan later died in his home of a suspected heart attack.

Charles Vallow, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, entered the picture several months later. Vallow Daybell joined the LDS church and the pair married in 2006. They later adopted Joshua Jaxon JJ Vallow.

But by 2019, that marriage had also soured. Charles Vallow filed for divorce, contending in court papers that Vallow Daybell also believed herself to be a deity tasked with helping to usher in the Biblical apocalypse.

The two were estranged but still married when Vallow Daybells brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed Charles Vallow outside his Phoenix suburban home.

Cox told police the shooting was in self defense, and was never charged in the case. Shortly after Charles death, Vallow Daybell moved to eastern Idaho with JJ, Tylee and her brother Cox.

Chad Daybell became her fifth husband on November 5, 2019  roughly two weeks after his previous wife Tammy Daybell died under suspicious circumstances.

Meanwhile, JJ and Tylee were missing. They were last seen in September, and they were declared missing in November after extended family urged police to investigate. Their bodies were found the following year buried in Chad Daybells yard.

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CHAD DAYBELL:

Daybell, 54, was also a member of the LDS church and a self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction loosely based on church teachings. He married Tammy Daybell in 1990, and they had five kids.

Prosecutors say he met Vallow Daybell at a conference in Utah in 2018. The two purportedly felt an instant connection and claimed they had been married to each other in a past life, according to police records. Friends of the couple told investigators that the pair shared the same unusual beliefs, including that they could tell if someone had been taken over by an evil spirit.

Chad and Lori led a group of friends in trying to cast out the supposed evil spirits by praying and doing energy work, prosecutors said. Friends told police that in some cases they determined a person had become a zombie, fully controlled by the evil spirit. Vallow Daybell claimed the only way to get rid of a zombie was to destroy the persons body, prosecutors say, and one friend told police she heard Vallow Daybell call the children zombies before they disappeared.

Tammy Daybell was initially described as having died in her sleep of natural causes. But an autopsy showed she was asphyxiated to death, Prosecutor Lindsey Blake told jurors earlier this month.

Chad Daybell is also charged in the triple murder case. Like Vallow Daybell, he has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He is expected to stand trial several months from now.

COLBY RYAN:

Ryan, 27, is Vallow Daybells only living child. Though he was born of Vallow Daybells second marriage, when his mother remarried Colby took Joe Ryans last name.

Colby Ryan, who testified that he had a happy childhood, started crying on the stand when prosecutors showed him photos of Tylee and JJ, and talked about how Tylee was receiving social security benefits because her biological father Joe Ryan died in 2018. Sometimes she would send money to Colby Ryan through a phone app, and sometimes his mom would put money into Tylees account to send to him, he said.

After Ryan moved out of the family home, he continued to exchange texts with Tylee. But shortly after what would have been Tylees 17th birthday in September of 2019, the tone and syntax of those texts changed. Tylee had last been seen alive a few weeks earlier, but at the time Ryan didnt know she was missing.

The occasional money transfers continued too, though through a different phone app under his mothers name, he said.

After his siblings bodies were found, Ryan confronted his mother in an emotional recorded phone call that was played for jurors.

The call starts with Ryan asking Vallow Daybell if she thought she could keep hiding from him.

Im not hiding, why would you think Im hiding? she responds.

Probably because you murdered my siblings! Maybe you should understand, Ryan continued, before his mother interrupted:

I didnt. Im sorry you feel that way, she said.

KAY WOODCOCK:

Woodcock is JJs grandmother, and she convinced Idaho police to check up on JJ after her normally regular phone calls and visits with the boy dried up. That welfare check in November of 2019 revealed that both kids were missing.

JJs father, Charles Vallow, is actually Woodcocks brother: He adopted JJ as a baby because JJs biological parents  including Woodcocks son  were unable to care for the child.

Woodcock was the first witness in the trial. She told jurors that JJ was born with some disabilities and was diagnosed with autism. After Charles died, Woodcock feared Vallow Daybell no longer wanted the boy. She was also worried that JJ may had witnessed his fathers death.

We were so worried about JJ, and did he see what happened to his dad, Woodcock told jurors.

SAMANTHA GWILLIAM:

Gwilliam is Tammy Daybells sister  the only two girls in a family of five kids. As adults, they talked nearly every day, Gwilliam told the jury, and Tammy seemed healthy and was training to run a race just two weeks before her death.

Tammy's funeral happened so quickly  just three days after her death  that some family members couldn't attend, Gwilliam said. She was devastated when she learned Chad Daybell remarried just a couple of weeks after Tammy died, she said, but he told her that he and his new wife connected because they were both grieving over deceased spouses.

Chad Daybell said his new wife's name was Lori Ryan, and that her previous husband had died of a heart attack. He also said they were both empty nesters, with no young kids at home, Gwilliam told the jury.

Gwilliam later found out Lori was also associated with the last name Vallow and did an internet search. That's when she realized Charles Vallow had been shot to death. An online comment under Vallow's obituary also mentioned two kids  and that was the first time Gwilliam heard anything about Lori's son and daughter, she told the jury.

Eventually the last conversation I had with Chad was in December, of 2019, Gwilliam told the jury. It was just to ask him to stop lying about what was going on.
Fast-food workers protest for a $15 hourly minimum wage outside a McDonald's restaurant in East Los Angeles in 2021. A new union-sponsored report said fast-food workers make up 5.9% of California's homeless population. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

When Jose de la Torre began delivering pizzas for Papa Johns in 2019, he made $15 an hour and shared a one-bedroom apartment in the Florence-Graham neighborhood with half a dozen other people.

After two years on the job, his hourly rate was the same but his work schedule had been cut  to about 30 hours a week instead of the full 40, he said. Meanwhile, his everyday living expenses had gone up. He began sleeping in his Nissan Altima, parking it near the Papa Johns in Lynwood where he worked.

I made the choice, De la Torre, 53, said. It was either my car and eat, or rent.

De la Torres situation is not uncommon among current and recent fast-food workers, who make up 11% of all homeless workers in California and 9% in Los Angeles County, according to a report released Tuesday by Economic Roundtable. The nonprofit research organization estimated that there are 10,120 fast-food workers in California who are homeless.

Of the total homeless population, the group estimated that people who have worked fast-food jobs in the last 12 months make up 5.9% in California and 5.2% in L.A. County. It said the median annual earnings of frontline fast-food workers  such as cooks, cashiers, food prep workers and dishwashers  was $14,949 statewide in 2020.

The fast-food industry is a poverty employer, with a larger share of its workers in poverty than any other industry, said the report, which was underwritten by the Service Employees International Union. Raising the wage floor in this industry is the single most important step for reducing economic homelessness in the state.

California is now home to more than 171,000 homeless individuals, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a 6.2% increase since 2020.

The average hourly wage of fast-food and counter workers in California was $16.60 last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In addition to low wages, fast-food workers are hamstrung by part-time hours and unpredictable on-demand scheduling, the Economic Roundtable report said. Combined, that can create and perpetuate poverty and undercut workers ability to pay rent. A sudden change in employment or a large unavoidable expense can quickly push a worker into homelessness.

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The nonprofit examined industrywide data from restaurant chains including McDonalds, Starbucks, Burger King, Jack in the Box and Yum Brands (the parent of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut).

The fast-food industry benefits everyone but the workers, said Daniel Flaming, president of Economic Roundtable. Customers get cheap and efficient meals while the fast-food brands, which flourished during the pandemic, make billions of dollars annually.

The profits are on the backs of workers who cant keep their heads above water, Flaming said. The entire playing field needs to be raised.

Founded in 1991, L.A.-based Economic Roundtable conducts research on environmental sustainability, affordable housing, employment and social equity. Flaming said the nonprofit received $35,000 from the SEIU to conduct the homelessness study and an additional $15,000 donation from the union.

Economic Roundtables findings were heavily criticized by the International Franchise Assn. The trade group, which represents franchise brands and their franchisees, said the SEIU was using the findings "to advocate for its union growth agenda."

This report is not a scientific study, but an advocacy piece with zero credibility because the numbers were manipulated, Jeff Hanscom, vice president of state and local government relations for the association, said in a statement Tuesday. He said authors appeared to have overcounted the number of homeless fast-food workers in the state by using methodology that failed to exclude some employees of full-service restaurants and unemployed people who had earned as little as $400 in income from fast-food jobs in the last year.

Flaming said it was necessary to include former workers who were currently unemployed in the sample because "one of the attributes of this industry is it churns workers." He added, "I would welcome transparency on their part to put forward into the public credible, verifiable information about their labor force."

De la Torre is still homeless today, a situation unlikely to change in the near future after he lost his job in March when the Papa Johns branch abruptly closed.

On Monday, Papa Johns said the Lynwood location had been owned and operated by a franchisee and that the Atlanta company does not control or dictate independent franchisees' employment activities, including hiring, termination and compensation.

As a company, Papa Johns believes that all of its team members should be fairly compensated with market competitive rates and in accordance with the law, Papa Johns said in a statement. We continue to expand benefits and our compensation plans.

De la Torre said he is considering becoming a delivery driver for Uber Eats but hasnt figured out a game plan yet. His hope is to be able to find a home again soon so his children know where he is and can come visit.

It makes me really emotional because this is something that has never happened to me, he said. Its a scary situation.

Updates:

2:12 p.m. May 2, 2023: This article has been updated to include a response from the International Franchise Assn. and to clarify that the methodology used in the report included people who had worked fast-food jobs within the past 12 months.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, has convened a meeting to discuss the security and protection of the state border. He was informed that a "significant aggravation of the situation" is allegedly expected.

Source: Belarusian state-owned media outlet BelTA

Details: Lukashenko stated, as usual, that the situation around Belarus supposedly "remains difficult" and claimed that "NATO's military potential is building up and provocations are taking place near the border".

Quote from Lukashenko: "We could not postpone this meeting; the situation forces us to react to recent developments. Therefore, the government and the security forces have been instructed to prepare serious measures at the border to prevent all sorts of saboteurs from entering the territory of Belarus. Recently, such cases have become more frequent. Therefore, I would like to hear comprehensive proposals regarding counteraction."

Details: Ivan Tertel, Chairman of the State Security Committee, claimed that according to intelligence data, "a significant aggravation of the operational situation that is developing around Belarus is predicted".

Background: Lukashenko is helping Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine. It was from the territory of Belarus that the Russians invaded the north of Ukraine in February 2022. Lukashenko has also made Belarusian territory available for the deployment of Russian weapons. Missiles have been launched from the territory of Belarus at settlements in Ukraine. Russian military personnel receive medical treatment in Belarus and are trained there. Belarus is also preparing sites for the deployment of Russia's strategic nuclear weapons.

Lukashenko is attempting to justify all these actions with some mythical threat from NATO countries. At the beginning of the Russian invasion, Lukashenko even claimed that Ukraine was preparing to attack Belarus and even promised to show a map. Of course, he did not have any maps to show, and Lukashenko's nonsense has provided fodder for many jokes and memes.

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Lukashenko occasionally gathers the security forces together and discusses the "threat at the borders".

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(Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macrons government called for a crackdown on violent protesters as labor unions vowed to pursue their campaign against his pension reforms with a 14th day of demonstrations.

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Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said a total of 540 people were detained in the country Monday, as street clashes marred marches against pension reform which saw the biggest Labor Day turnout in more than two decades. The holiday, typically dedicated to marches for workers rights, saw 305 people detained in Paris, and 406 police officers wounded, most of them in the capital.

This violence must come to an end, Darmanin told BFM TV on Tuesday. He called for the introduction of a law that would ban anyone deemed by authorities as posing a threat to public order from taking part in a demonstration.

That provision was struck down by the Constitutional Council four years ago during the Yellow Vests protest, when a tax on fuel sparked a wider movement for social justice. Other measures were upheld, including allowing police to search baggage and cars before a demonstration, and a ban on people covering their faces during a protest.

June 6 Protests

Labor unions called for another day of protests and strikes on June 6.

President Macron has regularly faced violence on the streets since his first mandate, including against his first attempt to reform pensions in 2019 and 2020. He scrapped it citing the Covid pandemic, before proposing another plan last year.

The new changes, which postpone the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, will enter into force by the end of the year and have triggered demonstrations and strikes since mid-January.

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According to the interior ministry, 782,000 people marched Monday. While this is below the turnout at the start of the movement, its a record for Labor day since 2002 when the score of presidential candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen drew people out to oppose his far-right ideology. Fast forward 20 years, and his daughter Marine Le Pen represents the strongest opposition party in the National Assembly, where Macron lost his absolute majority in June. Meanwhile, Macrons popularity has dwindled.

Symbols of corporate power, such as the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the outskirts of Paris, were defaced Monday. In Paris, one police officer suffered serious injuries after being burned by a Molotov cocktail and activists spilled buckets of orange paint in front of the Justice Ministry.

Each time its the same thing: its always the ultra-left, Darmanin said. He has previously slammed what he called black bourges, referring to a violent movement known as Black Blocs and bourgeois kids from good families joining their ranks. We have to prevent vandals from going to protests, he said Tuesday.

Human rights NGOs like Amnesty International have accused the government of excessive use of force and abusive arrests.

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Council will say whether a proposal to hold a referendum to scrap Macrons plans can go through. The proposal was put forward by opposition lawmakers, but union representatives said they dont believe the Council will give its green light after it rejected a first proposal for a referendum last month.

Macron says raising the pension age is vital to boost employment rates and halt the build-up of deficits in the massive public retirement system as the population ages. Unions say changing the age thresholds to claim a full pension will damage the least well-off and that there are other options to balance the system, including higher taxes on business and the wealthy.

--With assistance from Julius Domoney.

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Police say three members of a moving crew pulled a gun on a man who was being evicted pulled and took his televisions.

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Police said the victim was being evicted from a home on Angier Ave. on April 20.

Two Fulton County Marshalls sergeants were at the home with the moving crew when the victim came home.

The victim told officers that when the officers left, three men who were part of the moving crew approached him and said a white man said they could take whatever they want and pulled out a 9mm handgun.

Three TVs were already loaded into the victims truck, but the men unloaded them and put them into two other vehicles.

Police are still searching for the robbers, who sped away from the scene in a black SUV with a drive-out tag and a silver 2013 Ford F150 with Georgia tag number CSN7639.

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Police have released photos of two of the three men involved. According to the Fulton County Marshalls Office, the men work for WDS Eviction Services, which is run by Lorenza Willaims.

Williams identified two of the men as Kilz and Von and gave officers their phone numbers.

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The three men are facing charges of robbery with a weapon. Police are still working to identify the men.

Anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or give anonymous tips online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org . Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of the suspect.
Abis mother, Tracy Saunderson-Ross holds a lock of Abis hair as she talks about her daughters fentanyl poisoning Monday morning, May 1, 2023, at the Gaston County Courthouse.

A Rutherford County man was convicted in the death of his 16-year-old girlfriend, who died of fentanyl poisoning after ingesting a pill he helped her buy.

Nicholas Ivey, 19, arranged the sale of pills to Abi Saunderson, a sophomore at Kings Mountain High School, on Sept. 25, 2022, District Attorney Travis Page said. Abi's older sister found her dead in her bed the morning of Sept. 26. The pills, it turned out, contained fentanyl.

Ivey spoke with police several times, eventually calling a detective in October and confessing to his role in Saunderson's death.

Nicholas Ivey stands with his attorney, Larry Hoyle, before Judge David Phillips Monday morning, May 1, 2023, at the Gaston County Courthouse.

"Mr. Ivey himself actually walked out to the car with Abi, handed money from Abi to the dealer and delivered some fentanyl pills to Abi, and she later died as a result of ingesting those," Page said.

District Attorney Travis Page shows a photo of Abi Saunderson to Judge David Phillips Monday morning, May 1, 2023, at the Gaston County Courthouse.

Another man, Deontae Jaquise Miller, 24, of Rutherfordton, also was charged in Abi's death. Miller faces charges of death by distribution, felony conspiracy, and felony conspiracy to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance.

He is jailed on a $500,000 bond.

Ivey pleaded guilty to felony charges of conspiracy and conspiracy to sell and deliver a controlled substance.

Ivey was also initially charged with death by distribution, but that charge was dropped. As part of his plea arrangement, he agreed to testify against Miller, and Judge David Phillips sentenced him a total of 16-38 months in prison.

Ivey's attorney, Larry Hoyle, said that Ivey regrets the role he played in Abi's death.

"He has cried real tears in my presence as a result of what happened," Hoyle said.

Ivey initially appeared to be smirking when the court hearing began, but by the end, he wasn't smiling.

Nicholas Ivey stands before Judge David Phillips Monday morning, May 1, 2023, at the Gaston County Courthouse.

Abi's mother, Tracy Saunderson Ross, called the conviction a win.

"He didn't get much time, but some is better than none," she said.

Ross brought a plastic bag with her to court.

In it was a lock of Abi's hair, something Abi herself had saved after her last haircut because she liked the way it curled.

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"I have one last physical piece with me This is the last thing I will ever touch of my baby girl. She will be with me everywhere," Ross said.

Abi was well liked and spirited. At 16, she was tiny, less than 90 pounds and not even five feet tall. Ross believes her daughter thought she was taking a Percocet for muscle spasms in her legs.

"She was my last child, my youngest She was a character. She was fun all the time, loved everybody," Ross said. "She was a little light in everybody's life, anybody that met her."

Abi Saunderson, pictured here with her older sister, Noriana, right, died in September of a fentanyl overdose.

Abi was one of an increasing number of Gaston County people who died of fentanyl poisoning. Last year, from January through June, there were 46 fentanyl-related deaths, out of a total of 60 drug related deaths in Gaston County, according to the N.C. State Center for Health Statistics.

Since her daughter's death, Ross has been on a mission. She's preparing to start a nonprofit, Abi's Angels, that will allow her to go into schools and share Abi's story in an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Abi's face is on 22 billboards across the United States, "and she just hit Times Square. She was live in Times Square," Ross said.

Abi Saunderson is featured on this billboard, which is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.

Ross said that she does not think Ivey meant to kill her daughter. He wrote her a letter from jail several months ago.

"I know in his heart he did not mean to kill Abi. He did love her. But he set the deal up, and it killed Abi," she said.

Abi Saunderson

Barb Walsh, executive director of the Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina, accompanied Ross to court. Walsh has been working to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl since her 24-year-old daughter, Sophia, died of fentanyl poisoning in 2021 after drinking from a tainted water bottle.

Walsh said that nobody was charged in her daughter's death, which occurred in Watauga County.

"My purpose today is to support Tracy," she said. "I heal because I'm with her. I heal when I'm around other families. Nobody else understands our grief. It's an acceptance that we can't get from anybody else."

Barb Walsh holds a photo of her daughter, Sophia Walsh, who died of fentanyl poisoning in 2021.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Man convicted in fentanyl death of teenager
A man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after a SWAT standoff in the parking lot of a Walmart store in far East El Paso, police said.

The situation began before 4 a.m. when police responded to a "barricaded person" call involving a man in a car in the parking lot of the Walmart store at 12236 Montana Ave., east of Loop 375, police said.

The man was taken into custody before 5 a.m. after the police Special Weapons and Tactics team and crisis negotiators responded to the scene, which is in a location with heavy traffic during the day.

The standoff with the barricaded man had blocked streets in the area of Montana Avenue and Tierra Este Road in far East El Paso, police said.

Crime: El Paso man killed in Northeast shooting identified

During the standoff, Montana was shut down from Loop 375 to Tierra Este Road, and Tierra Este Road was shut down from Montana to Tierra Arena Drive, police said. Traffic lanes were opened after the standoff ended.

*This is a developing situation. Check back later for updates.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Man in custody after Walmart parking lot standoff in far East El Paso
A man found dead outside an Atlanta-area sheriffs office had been there for days, Georgia deputies say. Now authorities are investigating.

William Roberts, 44, was arrested April 22 and charged with public intoxication before he was released the next day, according to the Newton County Sheriffs Office.

His body laid behind the facilitys entrance sign for three days before it was found April 26, deputies said in a May 1 news release. His cause of death is unknown.

Surveillance video showed Roberts did not leave the area after getting out of jail, according to the release. Investigators said he laid down behind the Newton County Sheriffs Office entrance sign, which has zero visibility to the public eye, after using a portable restroom outside the facility.

Its not clear why Roberts laid there, deputies said. Additional information wasnt available.

The incident remains under investigation.

Newton County is about 40 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

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Man eaten alive by bed bugs and insects dies in Georgia jail, family attorney says
Caleb Hammer despairs at his interviewee's finances in an episode of his podcast "Financial Audit." Caleb Hammer/YouTube

A man racked up $35,000 in debt with 8 maxed out credit cards.

He appeared on Caleb Hammer's YouTube show "Financial Audit" to get some help.

Hammer told him to cut all of the cards up immediately.

A man who was struggling with his finances came onto Caleb Hammer's show "Financial Audit" for advice paying off $35,000 of debt that included 8 maxed-out credit cards.

Hammer, 28, has built up a following of over 400,000 YouTube subscribers by helping people figure out ways to get out of debt.

One was 27-year-old Johnny, who lives in Jarrell, Texas, and didn't give his second name.

He told Hammer he worked in the natural gas industry, and that his household's annual income, which included his wife's salary, was $120,000. After taxes they had an income of around $7,000 per month, he said.

Despite the good earnings, Johnny's bank statement showed he started the month out with $-222 in his bank account, and ended with $-433. When asked, Johnny said most of the money went to "eating out."

"You're not eating out $8,000 a month," Hammer said. "What, are you going to the nicest steak houses twice a day?"

Hammer said Johnny's situation was one many Americans could probably relate to, but it may also be one of the "craziest" financial stories he'd ever had on the show.

Hammer broke down Johnny's finances through the 45-minute interview, going through all his subscriptions and expenses, including multiple Amazon purchases, a Hulu subscription, food payments to Dutch Bros, Whataburger, Domino's, Longhorn Steak, McDonald's, Starbucks, and Subway, as well as car payments and rent.

"It's not about excuses, I need to know why  where is your mindset at?" Hammer asked Johnny.

Johnny said he and his wife were in a cycle of paying off cards then getting into debt again.

Hammer also noted Johnny had spent $748 on overdraft fees so far this year, despite having $4,500 in savings.

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"That's insane," he said. "I'm not angry at you, I'm angry at the debt."

Johnny said he and his wife were new parents with a 6-month-old son. Johnny said that was when they started racking up debt again because they weren't making as much money with parental leave.

"We definitely care, I don't know what it is," Johnny said. "We have the money and then we spend it, it's there and then it's gone. Whether it be gas or eating out or going shopping or whatever."

Hammer counted eight cards in total, all of which were maxed out. Some of them were over the credit limit, meaning Johnny was paying even more in fines and fees.

Johnny also had a car he was paying for at $680 per month.

Overall, with the cards and the car debts, Johnny was in just over $35,700 of debt with minimum monthly repayments of about $1,000.

The video didn't include a total breakdown of all of the cards, but did show screenshots of several statements, including one with a balance of $620, one where Johnny was $19 over the $800 credit limit, and another where he was $248 over the $300 limit.

Overall, the individual debts weren't the highest Hammer had ever seen, he said.

The number "actually does not sound insane," Hammer said. "It is insane the way you've done it."

Johnny said he and his wife wanted to turn things around for their son because they didn't want to "live like this forever."

Hammer said the couple had to start telling themselves they were "not credit card people," as the system was taking advantage of them.

"Not credit card people, say that in your sleep, not credit card people," he said.

He also suggested Johnny and his wife cut up all their credit cards and never use them again.

"Credit cards need to be gone today," he said. "Burn them. Have a ceremony. Burn them."

"All of them?" Johnny asked, saying they were trying to build up their credit.

"Fuck your credit," Hammer said. "I don't give a shit."

Hammer said Johnny should use the snowball method to pay off his debts  paying off the smallest one first, even if it isn't at the highest interest, to create a sense of momentum as each debt disappears.

Hammer said the way the couple were going, in spiraling debt and with no retirement savings, they were being irresponsible parents. If they followed his budget, which was laid out as rent at $1,725 per month, $693 on gas, $310 on insurance, $700 on groceries, and $1,010 paying off the debts, he said they could be debt free in a year and a half.

"Your kid won't even have any memory," he said. "He won't know you guys aren't having fun and going out to eat."

Hammer said he was "terrified" because Johnny and his wife seemed to be in a pattern of spending that would be tough to break. But he said he wanted Johnny to prove him wrong by sticking to the budget and asking friends and family to hold them accountable.

"I think we'll follow it for sure," Johnny said. "I've been talking to her about cutting up the cards for a while now."

Read the original article on Insider
By Azernews

Police officers have detained persons involved in the propaganda of religious radicalism and other subversive activities in Azerbaijan financed through the sale of drugs.

Azernews reports, citing local media that during a special operation carried out by police officers, 16 people were detained and handed over to the investigation.

The goal of those who carried out the tasks of the religious-political centers, controlled mainly from Iran, was to make drug addicts and others the instrument of their nefarious intentions. There are quite a few undeniable facts about this criminal activity in their social media accounts. They never denied their radical actions, they lived according to the "rules" of those whom they considered their "masters", and not according to the laws of the country of which they are citizens.

So, S. Mamedov, R. Rustamov, A. Asadullayev, J. Balashov, V. Pyunkhanaliev, V. Farzaliev, T. Gasimov, T. Mirishov, M. Mamedov, M. Akhmedov, I. Hasanov, A. Firudunbeyli, M. Fataliyev, M. Rzayev, Sh. Suleymanov, A. Aliyev have been found guilty.








China continues to bar people from leaving the country, including foreign executives. Many Chinese and foreigners are struggling with the exit bands in the country.

Ever since Xi Jinping took over in 2012, China has expanded the legal landscape for exit bans and used them even more. There are times that they are used outside legal justification, according to the report by Safeguard Defenders.

Between 2018 and July 2022, no less than five new or amended Chinese laws provide for the use of exit bans.

China-US Tensions

The attention on the exit bans comes as China-US tensions have increased over trade and security disputes, according to Reuters.

The use of exit bans by China has also been a point of contention between the two countries.

In recent years, the US government has criticized China for using exit bans as a tool to pressure and intimidate Chinese nationals with foreign ties, including US citizens.

In response, the US has imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials involved in such actions. The issue has also been raised in trade negotiations between the two countries.

Read also: US-China Relations in Serious Trouble Amid Taiwan President's Visit

Human Rights & Political Repression

The use of exit bans has become a major issue in the ongoing tensions between China and the United States. These measures, which prevent individuals from leaving China for various reasons, have raised concerns about human rights violations and political repression.

(Photo: by NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images) Passengers wear facemasks as they arrive at the Wuhan Wuchang Railway Station in Wuhan early on April 8, 2020, to leave the city in China's central Hubei province.

Many experts believe that China uses exit bans as a way to pressure dissidents, activists, and others who speak out against government policies. This is particularly true for Chinese nationals with foreign ties or dual citizenships who may be seen as threats to national security.

The US government has been very vocal in its criticism of this practice by Beijing. In 2019 alone, the State Department issued travel advisories warning Americans about potential risks associated with traveling to China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans.

In addition to visa restrictions on Chinese officials involved in such actions, Washington also imposed sanctions on several companies it accused of facilitating these abuses against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province; an area where more than one million people are believed to be detained without trial being subjecting them towards torture-like conditions according Amnesty International reports.

Overall, the use of exit bans by China has been widely criticized by the international community as a violation of human rights and an attempt to silence dissent. While some countries still cooperate with China on these issues, others have taken steps to restrict visas and impose sanctions on those involved in these actions. The situation remains a contentious topic in international relations.

Related article: US-China Tension Intensifies After Discovery of Spy Balloon

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A fourth person is scheduled to die by lethal injection this year in Missouri, which is one of just a handful of states that has recently carried out executions.

Johnny A. Johnson, 45, was sentenced to death for the attempted rape and murder of 6-year-old Casey Williamson, who was killed July 26, 2002, in St. Louis County.

The Missouri Supreme Court handed down a warrant of execution scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Attorneys for Johnson have argued that he suffers from mental illness including schizophrenia and has diminished intellectual functioning, an appeal filed with the Missouri Supreme Court said.

Prosecutors said he was smart enough and had succeeded in manipulating the mental health system his whole life, according to the court document.

After several years of carrying out no more than one execution per year  there were none in 2018  Missouri has recently increased its pace. Kevin Johnson was executed Nov. 29, Amber McLaughlin was executed Jan. 3 and Leonard Taylor was executed Feb. 7.

Michael Tisius is scheduled to die June 6. The 42-year-old was convicted in the deaths of two Randolph County jail workers in June 2000. Last month, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights called for his execution to be halted, saying the state violated his rights by not protecting him from abuse as a child and using exaggerated evidence about his behavior in prison during resentencing.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has also requested an execution date be set for Brian Dorsey, a 51-year-old man convicted of murdering his cousin and her husband.

Gov. Mike Parson, who took office in 2018, has not granted clemency to anyone scheduled to die, despite claims of intellectual disability, sentencing loopholes and innocence.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Missouri has carried out 95 executions since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976 in the U.S., the fifth most in the country.

Four states, including Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida have used the death penalty this year. Thirty-six states do not have the death penalty or have not used it in at least 10 years, DPIC data shows.

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If you add one more state  Georgia  that small group of executors account for 85% of all the executions in the U.S. since 2013 (210 of 248) and nearly 90% of all executions carried out by states in that time frame (210 of 235). @DPInfoCtr #deathpenalty pic.twitter.com/ThBVFED8IY  Robert Dunham (@RDunhamDP) May 2, 2023

Michelle Smith, co-director of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, said the state ranks high on a horrible list.

We should be a more civilized society, Smith said. There is a better way to deal with people who have committed the most heinous crimes.

Three bills to abolish the death penalty and commute the sentences to life in prison have been filed in the Missouri House. Two were sponsored by Democrats and the third by a Republican, but none have hearings scheduled.

Prisoners sentenced to death in Missouri are held at Potosi Correctional Center and transferred to Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre. The death penalty is carried out by lethal injection.

Seventeen men remain on death row in Missouri, according to the Department of Corrections.
A Dayton man has been sentenced to prison over a month after being convicted of killing a man last July.

Jeremy Van Voorhis, 48, of Dayton, was sentenced Tuesday to 22 years to life, according to a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office.

>> U.S. Marshals arrest man accused of causing, leaving scene of deadly Dayton crash

Van Voorhis was convicted on two counts of murder and felonious assault, as well as a single count of tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse in late March.

Contributed Photo/Allen County Jail

Van Voorhis was previously accused of shooting and killing Clinton C.J. Pierce, 44, on or around July 15 in the 400 block of Burkhardt Ave, according to an affidavit and statement of facts.

>> Texas EquuSearch, family continue search for 7-year-old missing from Eastwood MetroPark

After the shooting, court records said he hid Pierces body under multiple layers of flooring materials and other items in the detached garage at the same house.

Pierces body was found on Aug. 18 after police received calls from people that had come to the garage to put a padlock on a door.

Van Voorhis was arrested after a police pursuit that started in the Lima-area and lasted an hour before ending on a county road in Shelby County.
A 48-year-old man arriving at work saw someone leaving the property with a stolen catalytic converter, according to police and news reports in Texas.

The two men got into a fight before the accused thief, 32, started running toward his truck in a nearby parking lot, the San Antonio Police Department reported.

Meanwhile, the 48-year-old got into his vehicle, according to KSAT. Their two trucks collided during the incident.

As the younger man was trying to escape in his vehicle, the 48-year-old shot him several times, authorities said in a report obtained by McClatchy News.

The 32-year-old man called police at 6:48 a.m. on Monday, May 1, police said, and officers responded to the 6100 block of San Pedro Avenue in north San Antonio.

Officers said they found a male victim shot inside a truck. He was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The accused shooter is an employee of a furniture store, KSAT reported.

He was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon while at the scene, police said.

Every case is different, an SAPD spokesperson told KENS5 when asked why the accused shooter is facing charges. We have to account for totality of circumstances before saying someones actions are justified or not. In this case, the detectives on scene were able to talk to all involved parties and make a determination.

An investigation is ongoing.

Owner of stolen truck tracks it with AirTag and kills man inside, Texas police say

Home intruders fight 80-year-old man before he shoots one in chest, Illinois cops say

Customer shoots and kills mechanic he thought was stealing his car, Georgia cops say
A man showed up at Grady Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound. Police ended up arresting him after they learned he was wanted on murder charges.

Atlanta police said they responded to the hospital Monday to speak to Jekhari Marignay, who was shot somewhere in Union City.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police ran his name and active warrants on a murder charge came back for Marignay.

Police said the charges are connected to a deadly shooting near the downtown connector. Channel 2 Action News previously reported on the shooting on Jan. 28.

TRENDING STORIES:

Police said officers pulled over a car on Interstate 75/Interstate 85 around 4 p.m. that day. Officers learned the driver was trying to get a gunshot victim to Grady Memorial Hospital.

The victim, whose name was not released, died before he could get to the emergency room.

Marignany faces murder, aggravated assault and possession of a felony during the commission of a crime. He is currently recovering at the Grady detention. A booking photo is not available at this time.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to Union City to learn details about Marignanys shooting.

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IN OTHER NEWS
ZNPP

Read also: IAEA head optimistic for safety zone around ZNPP

According to the message, these attempts to flee are not successful, as vacation time is out of the question due to critical personnel shortages at the facility.

Nevertheless, Moscow-appointed director of ZNPP, Yuriy Chernichuk, left Enerhodar for occupied Crimea on May 1.

"The traitors are looking for ways to evacuate, because they understand that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are close, so there is very little time left for escape," Energoatom said in the message.

The collaborators also want to find their replacements and are attempting to force Ukrainian ZNPP workers to perform their duties.

"We urge the courageous employees of Zaporizhzhya NPP not to sign any contracts with the enemy, so as not to aid to the aggressor and not to destroy their own future," the company said.

Read also: March 9 mass missile attack, Poland to transfer all MiGs, ZNPP out of power again

Zaporizhzhia NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and has been occupied by Russian forces since March 4. Several ZNPP facilities have been damaged by Russian shelling, and the station's employees are captives of the occupying troops.

Read also: IAEA chief contemplates Russia visit for nuclear talks after touring ZNPP

The Kremlin uses the site as cover for its forces, as Ukraine cant return fire for the risk of causing a nuclear calamity.

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
With Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray retired to the broadcast booth and Carl Edwards tending to his farm, Kansas City-area race fans have been waiting for the emergence of their next local NASCAR star.

They just might have someone in Mandy Chick, a feisty 5-foot-4 engineering major and sorority president who was born and raised a mere 20 minutes from Kansas Speedway.

Chick, of DeSoto, surprised the field with a fifth-place finish in the ARCA Menards Racing Series opener at Daytona in February and will fulfill her lifetime goal of racing at Kansas Speedway on Saturday in the ARCA Dawn 150.

Driving past there and attending races at Kansas Speedway, I cant tell you how many times I imagined myself out there on the track  a lot, said Chick, a junior at Rose-Hulman Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Chick, 21, was born just a few months after Kansas Speedway opened in 2021 when her father, Steve, was a crew chief for the tracks inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series race. As a child, she was turning wrenches and airing tires in her grandfathers race shop instead of playing with toys and games, leaving little doubt that her future was in racing.

She wasnt discouraged after flipping a four-wheeler and breaking her arm as a 5-year-old and later stripping the gears on a dune buggy by racing too fast. Chick climbed the racing ladder, starting in Quarter Midgets, running USAC all over the country and racing on the short tracks throughout the Midwest, capped by NASCAR Missouri State Rookie of the Year honors as a 14-year-old at I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri.

Mandy has been around racing her entire life, said Steve Chick, who will be atop the pit box as crew chief for his daughter on Saturday in the family-owned No. 74 Chevrolet. Until she went to college, she would do her own suspension setup before wed go to a race.

When she is here, she will pick up the wrenches and go to work just like anyone else. She actively works on her cars. Shes a driver who gets her hands dirty  grease on her face from being under the car working on it. Shes very involved.

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Thats what made the fifth-place finish at Daytona so special, as Chick, in just her third career ARCA start, became just the fourth woman in 44 years of ARCA racing at Daytona to finish in the top five on the superspeedway.

Mandy is third-generation, Steve Chick said. My dad (Steve Sr.) started the racing bug in the Kansas City area. Im a second-generation. I raced at Lakeside Speedway and I-70 in Odessa. And for all of us, it was the highlight of our careers to see Mandy run top five at Daytona. Thats beyond what any of us thought of when we started racing Quarter Midgets with her at age 6.

Theres a great deal of pride on two levels: My daughter is capable of doing that, and second of all it was a family-built car in town. This car wasnt built in North Carolina or by big money. It was put together with a family effort, with our friends. We took that car to Daytona and finished fifth. Thats a huge accomplishment.

That kind of finish on an iconic track like Daytona could lead to bigger and better things for the Chick racing team.

Its given us the recognition and respect in the series, and a lot of other people and a lot of other teams have been willing to work with us because of that solid finish and the fact we showed we could be trusted, Mandy Chick said. Plus, we have gotten media attention and a confidence booster going into other races.

Before, we would be looking for top 10 or top 15 finishes with the car in one piece, but now were looking for maybe top 5, top 10, maybe even contending to win. It really sets our expectations high.

In her last start, Chick got caught up in an early crash at Talladega and finished 27th in a car that was among the fastest in practice rounds. With experience, she is learning to be more aggressive on the track while still taking care of her race car.

Recently Ive been a little more of a risk taker, but historically people would say Im more conservative and patient and make smart moves, she said. Id like to say I do, but I also think being in the series means I know that it takes taking risks to advance our position.

More than just a driver

Mandy Chick, from DeSoto, Kansas, could be the areas next racing star. She finished fifth in the ARCA race at Daytona and will start in Saturdays ARCA race at Kansas Speedway, 20 minutes from her home.

The No. 74 team is hopeful of competing in 10-12 more ARCA races this season  after Chick completes final exams later this month  but that takes funding to race at a competitive level. Rose-Hulman supplies some sponsorship, but in racing, its never enough.

Steve Chick, whose day job is fire chief for eight Johnson County communities, depends on some retired firefighters and other volunteers to help on the pit crew to curb expenses.

They take time off work, we pay their expenses and feed them and put them in a hotel and take as good of care of them as we can, but they do it for the love of the sport and in their belief in Mandy, her dad said. We would like to do a full a season, but a lot of that depends on sponsorship.

Were working on corporate partners right now. Being from Kansas City, there are a lot of great companies that could benefit from being in motor sports, so were hoping to build those relationships and find somebody we can represent on a national level. Were putting the pieces together and, as much as funding would allow, were going to race. She would race every week if we would let her.

Mandy Chick is not limiting her future to driving the race car. She also handles the marketing of the team, manages social media and is involved in the business side of the team.

All the while attending school full-time majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in economics and entrepreneurial studies and serving as newly elected president of Delta Delta Delta...

Down the road, my big goal would be to work my way through the NASCAR ranks, through trucks, Xfinity, Cup series as a driver, said Chick, but aside from that, have some sort of position from the technical engineering side as well because of my passion for it. So maybe finding a way to mesh that technical side with the racing and still be a driver long term.

There is no give up in that kid

Chick is one of four women competing in the ARCA Series, and there are no women actively driving in the Cup or Xfinity series. In the trucks series, Hailie Deegan will be joined by Toni Breidinger, who will be making her series debut at Kansas Speedway on Saturday after competing in the ARCA event.

More success in the ARCA series could lead Chick to the next level, following another local driver, Jennifer Jo Cobb of Kansas City, Kansas, who made 231 starts in the trucks series and 31 starts in the Xfinity series from 2004-22.

Back in 2003, Bowyer was discovered by Richard Childress Racing during a second-place finish in an ARCA race at Nashville, and Edwards caught the attention of Roush Racing when he finished eighth for a Missouri-based team in a 2004 trucks race at Kansas Speedway.

So ... anything can happen.

That would be a dream come true, Chick said. Those are people Ive looked up to since I was little, because they do so well and stay humble. They accomplished great things in their careers, and they come back and theyre so loyal to Kansas and share the Kansas values and really represent very well. I would be proud to represent my hometown and home state.

Her dad has full confidence that Mandy can make it to the big time.

My daughter can do anything she puts her mind to, he said. She is a talented young lady, shes strong willed and there is no give up in that kid. At Talladega, her car was wrecked, she was fighting it, and right up until she blew a tire and a caution came out, she was going to race that car for everything it was worth. Thats what youre going to get out of her is maximum effort all the time.

I grew up racing with Clint Bowyer and know Carl Edwards and to even be mentioned in the same sentence with those guys would be quite an honor.
CLEVELAND, Texas (AP)  A man suspected of opening fire at his neighbor's home and killing five people was arrested Tuesday after a four-day manhunt, authorities in Texas said.

The hunt for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza began Friday after he fled from the scene of the deadly shooting in the rural town of Cleveland, about 45 miles (72.42 kilometer) north of Houston.

The shooting happened after Oropezas neighbors asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard because a baby was trying to sleep. The baby's mother and 9-year-old brother were among the five people killed, who were all originally from Honduras.

Here are some things to know about the case:

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE MANHUNT?

An FBI agent acknowledged Monday that authorities had little to go on in the widening search for Oropeza.

More than 250 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, took part in the manhunt, which had come up empty despite additional manpower, scent-tracking dogs, drones and $80,000 in reward money being offered.

On Monday, a heavy presence of police converged in Montgomery County after a possible sighting, but the sheriffs office later said Oropeza wasn't among the people who were questioned.

Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson confirmed Tuesday that Oropeza was arrested without incident near Conroe, roughly 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) from the home where the shooting happened.

WHO IS OROPEZA?

Oropeza is a Mexican national who has been deported four times, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Oropeza was deported in March 2009, September of that same year, January of 2012 and most recently in July 2016.

The FBI in Houston tweeted Sunday that it was referring to the suspect as Oropesa, not Oropeza, to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. His family lists their name as Oropeza on a sign outside their yard, as well as in public records.

WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING?

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Neighbors frequently fire guns in the rural community to unwind. But Wilson Garcia said his baby was struggling to sleep through it, so he and two other people asked Oropeza to move his shooting farther away from their home.

After Oropeza rejected the request, the family repeatedly called law enforcement, Garcia recalled Sunday.

He said while waiting for help to arrive, Oropeza ran toward him and reloaded. Garcia's house was packed with 15 people, several of them friends who had been there to join Garcias wife on a church retreat.

Garcias 25-year-old wife, Sonia Argentina Guzman, and 9-year-old son, Daniel Enrique Laso, were killed, along with Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18. Two of the victims were shot while shielding Garcias baby and 2-year-old daughter.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WITH IMMIGRATION?

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has faced criticism for drawing attention to the victims immigration status.

Abbott offered a $50,000 reward over the weekend for any tips that might lead to the gunman's arrest, and while doing so, he described the victims as illegal immigrants  a potentially false statement that his office walked back and apologized for on Monday.

Critics accused Abbott, who has made immigration reform a signature issue in Texas, of injecting politics into the tragic shooting.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement. We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Eze said information provided by federal officials after the shooting indicated that the suspect and victims were in the country illegally. Her statement did not address why Abbott mentioned their status and she did not immediately respond to questions about the criticism.
The Manitowoc County Courthouse is prominent in this setting that includes the Manitowoc River, Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Manitowoc, Wis.

MANITOWOC - Monica M. Walker, Miles W. Lesperance and Keeghan J. Yindra were sentenced in their respective cases in the Manitowoc County Circuit Court in April.

Here's what you should know about those cases.

Monica Walker sentenced after car crash killed her granddaughter

Walker, a 53-year-old Manitowoc woman, was sentenced to four years in state prison after a 2021 car crash killed her granddaughter.

Walker was convicted on a felony charge of homicide through the use of a vehicle with a high blood alcohol content during a sentencing hearing April 19.

She was also charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and knowingly operating a vehicle with a revoked license and causing a death, both of which were dismissed.

The car crash that took the 9-year-old girl's life happened Feb. 8, 2021, on Interstate 43 near Manitowoc Rapids. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to the one-vehicle crash at around 8:40 a.m. and found the vehicle had left the road, rolled over and ejected the young girl, who was not wearing a seatbelt.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene and Walker was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

According to the criminal complaint, a Manitowoc police officer began questioning Walker about the crash. Walker told them she and her granddaughter had just left Wendy's restaurant and she had been trying to eat a hamburger while driving when her car left the road.

The officer noted they could smell intoxicants while talking with Walker and they had seen empty beer cans in the car. However, Walker insisted she had had nothing to drink since the previous night and was not drunk.

According to the criminal complaint, a portable breath test showed Walker's blood alcohol content was 0.012% higher than the legal driving limit.

The complaint also lists that Walker had been convicted of a previous charge of operating while intoxicated in 2013 in Green Bay Municipal Court.

After completing four years in state prison, Walker will also have six years of extended supervision, during which she is required to look annually for high schools who will let her talk to students about drunk driving and the consequences she has lived through.

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Miles Lesperance sentenced in case involving child pornography

Lesperance, a 50-year-old Manitowoc man, was sentenced to three years in state prison after being convicted of two counts of possessing child pornography.

He was initially charged with five counts of possessing child pornography, but three of those were dismissed before sentencing.

Lesperance's sentencing hearing took place April 20. In addition to three years in state prison, he will also serve five years of extended supervision. Some of the requirements of his supervision include undergoing a psycho-sexual evaluation, conditional use of the internet and internet-enabled devices, and to register as a sexual offender.

According to the criminal complaint, Lesperance was arrested after law enforcement tracked him using a CyberTip from Google.

Keeghan Yindra sentenced for killing a goose in a parking lot

Yindra, a 19-year-old DePere man, was given no additional jail time after being convicted of mistreating animals.

Yindra was arrested in September 2022 after law enforcement saw surveillance footage of Yindra driving a truck through a flock of Canada geese in a church parking lot.

Manitowoc police responded to a bystander's report of a white pickup truck hitting a flock of Canada geese, which are a federally protected species, on Aug. 7 in the parking lot at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Manitowoc.

The truck fled the scene by the time police arrived, but the officer found a "large number of feathers" and a dead Canada goose in the parking lot.

Authorities obtained the church's video surveillance footage on Aug. 30, according to the report. The video revealed the truck driver turned and accelerated aggressively in the parking lot.

Police said the driver seemed to have intentionally aimed his vehicle toward the flock and one goose was run over by the front and rear driver tires.

Yindra told police he and his friends were "messing around" and trying to drift in the parking lot with his truck. He also said he meant to scare away the geese with his truck, not kill them.

Yindra was convicted of intentionally mistreating animals and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors, during a plea/sentencing hearing April 20. The sentence was misheld and Yindra was placed on probation for 18 months.

Fulfilling our obligation: This report is part of the Herald Times Reporter's mission to follow criminal cases from arrest to their conclusion.

Read more:

Contact reporter Alisa Schafer at aschafer@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @AlisaMSchafer.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc court sentences woman in crash that killed granddaughter
A longtime manufacturer in the Charlotte area is laying off dozens of workers this summer as it plans to close its facility in Cornelius.

Pennsylvania-based FXI says in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification that it will close its plant at 18801 Old Statesville Road by June 20. As a result, about 59 workers will lose their jobs.

ALSO READ: Tuesday Morning going out of business, closing Charlotte-area stores

The layoffs will begin on a rolling basis on May 22, writes Courtney Damon, chief human resources officer for FXI, in the WARN letter. The closure is expected to be permanent.

Read the full story here.

(WATCH BELOW: Charlottes proposed $3.3B budget calls for pay increase for employees, police)
WASHINGTON  Hundreds of Americans trapped in war-torn Sudan last month needed a way out of the country, but the U.S. Marine Corps, the go-to service for such rescues, couldnt help.

Typically, this kind of mission would be standard for the Navy and Marine Corps amphibious ready group and Marine expeditionary unit, made up of 2,300 Marines aboard three ships who are trained to fight their way into and evacuate citizens from dangerous locations.

Instead, as violence surged, the Pentagon relied on drones to monitor a 500-mile escape route from the capital of Khartoum to the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. For the Americans who fled to the coast, the Pentagon sent an auxiliary transport ship to shuttle them to safety in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It was a complicated and risky self-evacuation.

At the same time, off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the Bataan ARG and 26th MEU were conducting a noncombatant evacuation simulation  training for the very operation Americans in Sudan needed. But the group stayed put because it wasnt yet certified for global missions.

The Navy didnt have another set of ready amphibious ships to deploy from the East Coast on short notice.

All of this followed a similar situation a few months earlier, when service leaders were unable to send a team to Turkey and Syria to provide aid after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the region.

Maj. Gen. Roger Turner, the Marine Corps operations division director, told Defense News the naval forces have this razor-thin capacity with amphibious ships, and when emergencies arise, theres no capacity to react.

Its a trend that could continue.

Today, the Navy has 31 amphibious ships  what the Marine Corps considers the bare minimum it needs  but the Pentagon plans to shrink the fleet below that number in fiscal 2024. As a result, Turner anticipates the Corps will be more challenged to respond to global crises.

Throughout last year and into this spring, that number  31  has been at the center of debates, as the Navy, Marine Corps, Defense Department, Congress and industry weigh in on how many amphibious ships the military needs, what they should look like and how much they should cost.

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Now, the argument is about to come to a head.

In June, the Pentagon is expected to complete a study on whether to continue buying amphibious ships and, if so, what capabilities those vessels will have.

The final decision is expected to have major ramifications for the Marine Corps and defense contractor Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of HII.

For example, the study might back a requirement for 31 ships and recommend continuing to build San Antonio-class vessels at a cost of about $2 billion each. Or the report could recommend a new design that would cost less per ship  an idea the Corps already rejected, and one that could disrupt Ingalls production line.

Or theres a third option: The report could call for a continued pause in the Pentagon buying amphibious ships, which could force Ingalls to close its production line and would force the Marine Corps to reevaluate its amphibious operations plans.

But unless the Office of the Secretary of Defense approves the continued construction of ships, or unless Congress overrides the Pentagon, trying to maintain even a minimal [amphibious] presence is going to be really difficult, Turner said.

This comes at a time when he said aggressive behavior of the [Peoples Republic of China] is driving people to us; they want us to be the security partner of choice, making American amphibious presence all the more important today.

Outsider observers like Mackenzie Eaglen, an expert in military readiness at the American Enterprise Institute think tank, believe the debate itself is problematic.

Funding disagreements signal indecision to our adversaries on the role of this capability, she warned.

A 31-ship requirement

For years, the Marine Corps had a requirement of 38 amphibious ships, with the caveat it would accept 34 in a fiscally constrained environment.

This requirement was based on the rationale that the service needed 38 ships to move two entire Marine expeditionary brigades into combat for a forcible entry.

In July 2019, Gen. David Berger took command of the service and quickly released a document titled Commandants Planning Guidance that backed away from the requirement of transporting those two brigades, saying the Corps would fight differently in the future.

Since then, a range of concepts have emerged, focused on the idea that small units would already be dispersed throughout the Pacific region to be able to tamp down an emerging conflict until additional forces arrive.

The Marine Corps began talking publicly about a 31-ship requirement in 2021, and the Navy acknowledged that requirement in 2022.

According to the director of the Maritime Expeditionary Warfare Division, Shon Brodie, the 31-ship figure is based on an idea that the fleet should do three things:

Keep two three-ship amphibious ready groups at sea at any given time.

Support contingency plans that call for five three-ship amphibious ready groups to deploy on short notice.

Allow for enough ready ships  those not tied up in maintenance  that some would be available for training Marines in events like fleet exercises.

The requirement is specifically divided up into 10 amphibious assault ships (made up of the America-class LHAs and Wasp-class LHDs that host fixed-wing jets like the F-35B), and 21 medium-sized amphibious vessels (either the aging Whidbey Island-class LSDs or the newer San Antonio-class LPDs). An amphibious ready group includes one amphibious assault ship and two medium-sized ships.

Brodie told Defense News this 31-ship requirement is backed by studies undertaken from 2008 to 2022, and reflects ships recent maintenance readiness rates, which hover around 40%.

That rate means in a fleet of 31 ships, 12 or 13 might be available at any given time. If six are supposed to be deployed, and another six are getting ready to deploy next, that leaves little to no additional capacity for training or surging in response to natural disasters or conflicts.

This low readiness rate has complicated the discussion and is a key reason the Marine Corps considers 31 ships the bare minimum.

Pilots with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit fly over the amphibious transport dock Anchorage on Dec. 8, 2022. (Sgt. Brendan Custer/U.S. Marine Corps)

Bryan Clark, director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute think tank, said 31 ships is the right number, but noted presence is now the driver, rather than warfighting lift requirements.

While the amphibious ready group and Marine expeditionary unit, or ARG/MEU, team still can storm an island and take it from enemy forces, the group is most often used to train alongside partners and allies, respond to friendly nations after a natural disaster, or rescue American citizens trapped in dangerous countries.

Eaglen said this emphasis on presence as a means of deterrence has contributed to the disagreement with the Pentagon over the 31-ship requirement.

The rub as I see it between the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Marine Corps is over amphib ship requirements for operational plans, versus the additional duties of crisis response (and to a lesser extent building partner capacity) the Marines have on a daily basis, she told Defense News. To me, the commandant is saying he wants and needs more ships for tasks scoped outside [of warfighting].

Dakota Wood, a senior research fellow for defense programs at the Heritage Foundation, acknowledged concerns over the amphibious ships survivability against Chinese anti-ship missiles, but said large-scale combat operations against a highly capable enemy like China is only part of the story.

Much has been made about China being the most substantial security challenge for the U.S., but Navy-Marine Corps forces, made possible with Marines embarked aboard Navy amphibious ships, have repeatedly [proved] their worth across a range of small crises in various parts of the world, he told Defense News.

Fleet under fire

Though the Marine Corps maintains it needs 31 ships, the Pentagon has not committed to that requirement.

DoD officials have not spoken publicly on the matter. Asked by Defense News whether the Office of the Secretary of Defense backs the 31-ship requirement, Pentagon spokesman Chris Sherwood said the requirement cant be considered in isolation and the department is focused on having the right mix of capabilities to meet the objectives of the 2022 National Defense Strategy.

The Navys fiscal 2023 budget request, shaped by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the White House before going to Congress, called for truncating the San Antonio-class production line after one final ship that fiscal year. This move would end the San Antonio program after 16 ships, rather than the planned 26.

The FY24 request advances that plan, including no additional LPDs in the five-year spending plan.

With the Marine Corps and the Pentagon at odds, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the services are conducting a capability and cost analysis to consider alternative ship designs and acquisition strategies that might lower the cost of future amphibious ships. That study is set to conclude in June.

U.S. Navy vessels sail with a Royal Thai Navy ship and a South Korean ship while transiting the Gulf of Thailand during the exercise Cobra Gold on March 3, 2023. (MC3 Joshua Martinez/U.S. Navy)

Marine Corps, and later Navy, leaders have pushed to buy these ships in multiyear procurement contracts, which must generate cost-savings as a condition of service secretaries approving them. These savings are often on the order of 10%. But a top Marine general told Defense News that the Office of the Secretary of Defense wants larger savings by paring down the ship design and capability.

Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, the deputy commandant for combat development and integration, told Defense News in March that Pentagon officials had presented him with several rough drawings of ship designs that would be cheaper than the current LPDs.

None of them are acceptable, he said. Theyre trying to reduce cost by reducing my requirement. The answer to reduced cost would have been to exercise [two previous congressional authorizations for multi-ship contracts], one of which was a five-ship and would have saved the American taxpayers almost $900 million.

Heckl, speaking at the annual Sea-Air-Space conference in April, said the Marines had in 2014 worked with the Navy to scale down the LPD design to the cheaper Flight II design, now under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding. We drove out cost. Were done.

Berger, who was part of that 2014 effort, made the same point in an April 18 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, saying that every bit of efficiency [was] squeezed out of the LPD design.

If theres another effort to reduce that further, I know that we went to the minimums in 2014, the commandant added.

When Navy leadership first rolled out the plan to nix future LPDs, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said that as the service prepares for a potential fight against China, it must prioritize programs most relevant to that conflict.

But more recently, top Navy officials said they would like to continue buying LPDs. Gilday told reporters in early April: We agree on the 31 requirement, we agree on leveraging the multiyear procurement in terms of doing a bundle buy, and hopefully this study that ends in June informs these next steps.

Sherwood, when asked about the Pentagons commitment to restart LPD buys in FY25 and to use multiyear procurement authority, said the Office of the Secretary of Defense plans to address the next purchase in our FY25 budget.

Lawmakers last year included a provision in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act giving the commandant of the Marine Corps the authority to set the requirement for amphibious ships. That effectively makes the congressionally mandated requirement 31.

Todays plan

The Navys FY24 long-range shipbuilding plan, released April 17, envisions a dwindling amphibious fleet unless a compromise can be reached on building a future LPD-like ship.

Until the amphibious ship study determines the future of the San Antonio program  whether to continue or truncate it; whether to buy ships one at a time or commit to a multi-ship buy; whether to keep the Flight II design or pare it down further  the Navys existing long-range plan does not include buying medium amphibious ships.

It continues retiring the aging Whidbey Island LSDs, though, calling for six of the 10 remaining ships to be retired from FY24 to FY26.

Under the baseline plan  the long-range ship plan includes three potential options  the fleet of 31 amphibious vessels today would sit at 29 in a decade, 24 in two decades and 19 in three decades.

If the Navy were to continue buying the San Antonio-class LPDs every other year, for about a billion dollars a year, the fleet could instead sit at 34 in a decade, 34 in two decades and 33 in three decades.

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Fort Lauderdale is seen moored in Florida ahead of its July 30, 2022, commissioning ceremony. (Sgt. Gavin Shelton/U.S. Marine Corps)

Clark said the Office of the Secretary of Defense may not want the Navy to spend $2 billion every other year for a ship it doesnt highly value right now, particularly because that cadence would generate a fleet slightly larger than the Corps 31-ship requirement.

On the other hand, if the Navy stops the production line, lets the fleet size shrink and then later opts to restart the production line, the cost might be exorbitant  if Ingalls could even reconstitute its workforce and supply base.

Are you better off buying those ships? Is that actually cheaper in the long run than it would be to stop the production line and turn around and restart it? Clark said. It may be that it almost becomes a wash.

Thats the case with aircraft carriers: The Navy essentially pays HIIs Newport News Shipbuilding to keep the production line activated and fully manned in order to keep the sole builder of nuclear-powered carriers viable, Clark said. The line isnt perfectly optimized, as that would create a larger fleet than the Navy needs, but it delivers a new ship every five to six years, and the Navy retains the industrial base to produce these complex ships.

This arrangement ends up being slightly cheaper than if you started and stopped and started the construction line multiple times, Clark explained. The question is: Does Congress or [the Office of the Secretary of Defense]  mostly Congress  want to take that longer term view and say, Were just going to keep building LPDs on two-year centers because in the end its cheaper than to stop and start this line, unless you dont think you need LPDs [for future operations]? 

Several experts expressed concern the Pentagon wont take long-term measures, like approving multi-ship contracts, to build and maintain a 31-ship fleet.

Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow for naval warfare and advanced technology at the Heritage Foundation, told Defense News that the Office of the Secretary of Defense and its Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office dont see value in amphibs in a China fight, and therefore [they are] not worth the money.

Eaglen added that the the Office of the Secretary of Defense is concerned some amphibs are too slow and therefore easy targets after the shooting starts with China, despite the Marine Corps seeing amphibious ships and the surface connectors they haul as critical to fighting inside the First Island Chain using Marines as a stand-in force. (The first island chain stretches from Japans East China Sea islands through the Philippines.)

Ultimately, Congress will be the adjudicator, and they will again side with the commandant, she predicted.

The cost of falling short of a 31-ship fleet

Berger told the Senate committee that not having enough ships puts at risk Marines ability to deter or win a war, plus their ability to respond to global crises.

You have to be there with allies and partners because they have to believe that the United States is not running away from them, is going to be there even when things get tough, he said.

The commandant added that if you still believe  three amphibious ships loaded up with 2,300 Marines, if they have a deterrent value, and I think they do, then you want them right in the adversarys grill, right in their face where they can see them all the time.  Can we afford conventional deterrence? Absolutely yes, because the alternative is a lot worse.

U.S. Marines sit in formation in combat rubber raiding crafts during a launch and recovery exercise with the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in the Philippine Sea on Aug. 6, 2022. (Lance Cpl. Yvonne Iwae/U.S. Marine Corps)

Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith during a panel discussion at Sea-Air-Space said the service is providing as much airlift as possible for its forces in the Pacific, allowing Marines to get to exercises and respond to problems.

But there are still gaps when no ARG/MEUs are patrolling the Pacific, and Smith warned those would increase if the fleet size decreases.

If Americans traveling or working abroad find themselves in the middle of a violent uprising, you better hope its in the months that we have an ARG/MEU ready to come get you. If youre a combatant commander and somebody tries to close down a SLOC, a sea line of communication, youre going to want to hope thats during the months that were there.

Calling the ARG/MEU the crown jewel of our expeditionary crisis response capability, Turner said with the minimum of 31 ships that has been established and the readiness challenges that were facing that we discussed, really the confluence between capacity and readiness has pinched that capability in ways that are really not helpful.

If the Navy continues down its path of decommissioning the old LSDs and not replacing them with new LPDs, trying to maintain even a minimal ARG/MEU presence is going to be really difficult.

At a time that we should be adding capability, were actually reducing capability, Turner said.
The world's biggest tool company just launched the largest privately-funded onsite solar farm in Kentucky. Stanley Black & Decker brought the 4.3-megawatt (MW) solar farm online on 15 acres of land.

The solar project is producing enough clean energy to power the factory with 100 percent renewable energy. Additionally, it also provides excess energy back to the state, according to Electrek.

The project will deliver an annual energy savings of $400,000 and puts the company on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Solar Farms Today

The solar industry is rapidly growing, with more and more companies and individuals investing in renewable energy. Solar farms are becoming increasingly popular, especially in areas with plenty of sunshine and large tracts of land.

Solar farms work by using photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight into electricity. The panels are mounted on racks or frames and placed in large fields or on rooftops. The electricity generated by the panels is then either used on-site or fed back into the grid for others to use.

Solar farms are a great way to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. They help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and create a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Additionally, solar farms can also provide economic benefits to local communities, creating jobs and boosting local economies.

Read also: Aliens draining solar energy? NASA captures images of monster UFOs circling around the sun

More Companies Investing in Renewable Energy

As more and more companies like Stanley Black & Decker invest in renewable energy, the solar industry is set to continue to grow and play an increasingly important role in our energy mix.

(Photo: by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images) ABERDEEN, NC - JUNE 10: A new floating solar panel system is deployed on Big Muddy Lake at Camp Mackall as the U.S. Army hosts a ribbon-cutting event to unveil the solar energy system on June 10, 2022, at Camp Mackall in Aberdeen, North Carolina.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability, solar farms also have the potential to improve energy security. Unlike fossil fuels, sunlight is a renewable resource that will never run out. This means that countries can become less reliant on imported oil or gas from unstable regions of the world.

Solar farms are also becoming more efficient as technology continues to advance. New materials, such as perovskite-based cells and bifacial panels, promise even greater efficiency gains in the future. And with increasing research into storage solutions like batteries or hydrogen fuel cells, solar power could soon provide reliable baseload power for entire cities.

The Challenges

However, there are some challenges associated with building solar farms too. One key issue is finding suitable locations for large-scale projects without disrupting local ecosystems or agriculture areas; this often requires careful planning and community consultation processes before construction begins.

Despite these challenges, it's clear that investing in renewable energy sources like solar has significant benefits both environmentally and economically over time - so it's no wonder why businesses like Stanley Black & Decker continue turning towards clean tech alternatives for their long-term strategy!

Related article: Perovskite Solar Cells Could Make Energy Conversion Cheaper, More Accessible

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Marlon Wayans

As the world continues to mourn the death of Jerry Springer, some celebrities are sharing their most cherished memories of the legendary TV host.

Comedian Marlon Wayans shared a video of his time on the set of The Jerry Springer Show that left fans cracking up.

On April 27, Springers family announced that the 79-year-old TV host died peacefully at his Chicago home after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to WLWT 5. Springer once served as Cincinnatis mayor, but he is best known for hosting his self-titled daytime talk show, The Jerry Springer Show, which aired for 27 seasons from 1991 to 2018.

Known for being the first show of its kind, thanks to its provocative content, many cultural critics credit him with creating the trashy TV category. In 2022, during an interview on Davide Tontefs Behind the Velvet Rope podcast, Springer opened up and shared that this was something he later regretted.

I just apologize, Springer said. Im so sorry. What have I done? Ive ruined the culture. I just hope hell isnt that hot, because I burn real easy. Im very light-complected, and that kind of worries me.

Fellow TV hosts Maury Povich, Steve Wilkos and other celebrities paid tribute to Springer on social media after learning of his passing. Wayans was one of them, sharing two videos via Instagram of the time when he and older brother Sean Wayans visited the set of The Jerry Springer Show imitating how guests typically acted on the show.

The Wayans brothers visited Chicago to film content at The Jerry Springer Shows studio for an episode of their 90s sitcom The Wayans Bros.

So glad we got to do this classic episode with you in Chicago at the actual JERRY SPRINGER SHOW set, Wayans captioned one of the video clips. Rest well buddy. We will all be chanting JERRY! JERRY! JERRY! #ripjerryspringer.

The clip had fans laughing as if it was their first time seeing the episode. Check out some of the best reactions to the post below, then check out both clips for yourself:

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Why you bite the security though???, a fan asked Wayans.

The way jerry busted out laughing after he snatched girls hair LMFAOO, another user commented.

Best episode! I loved it in sitcoms when they used to keep scenes where people are cracking up in the background. Its so fun!, someone else wrote.
Montgomery County councilmember Will Jawando announced on Tuesday hes running for Sen. Ben Cardins (D-Md.) seat, becoming the first Democrat to officially wade into Marylands U.S. Senate race.

Theres a big lie in America, but its not about Donald Trump or his delusions that he won the election, Jawando said in a one-minute campaign ad. The real big lie  the one you feel every day that pits neighbors against neighbors  is the one that says for me to do well, you have to do worse. That we cant take care of each other and still prosper. That if some people get ahead, everyone else has to be left behind.

Well, I spent the last four years on the Montgomery County Council, serving over a million Marylanders fighting to get rents down, build more affordable housing, and take on racial injustice to prove that lie wrong, he continued. Jawando said hes running because I believe we can build a shared prosperity in Maryland that lifts everyone up. And that really would be big.

Jawandos Senate campaign launch comes one day after The Baltimore Sun first reported Cardin would not seek reelection. Several Democrats who have been widely floated as potential Senate contenders to replace Cardin include Reps. David Trone (D-Md.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D).

Meanwhile, theres been some speculation that former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) could launch a bid for the seat on the Republican side. Hogan said last month that he would not be running for the GOP presidential nomination amid much speculation, though hes left the option open to running as a third-party candidate.

Senate Democrats this cycle will be playing defense as they look to keep their 51-49 majority in the upper chamber, which includes three Democrats in states former President Trump won in 2020: Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio).

Tester and Brown have announced reelection runs, but Manchin has not yet said whether hell run for another term.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Formosa Group executive vp Matt Dubin is taking over operational responsibilities and reporting structure previously held by founder and CEO Bob Rosenthal, who caught many by surprise when he resigned on March 31, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Dubin is a familiar face at the leading audio postproduction company, where he has worked since it was founded in 2013.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

The company was contacted but declined to comment.

Bill Romeo, CEO of parent company Streamland Media, announced the news to staff on Monday, THR learned. I am confident that Formosa Group will benefit from the dedication and leadership that Matt has demonstrated since the inception of the company and that Formosa Group will continue to thrive in his capable hands, he wrote in a memo.

Also on Monday, Romeo announced that Tim Nett, one of the original partners and founders of Formosa Group and sister companies Picture Shop and Picture Head, has been named Streamlands COO. As well, original partners Barbara Glazer and Mike Greenfield will serve as consultants to the company.

THR previously broke the news of the resignation of Rosenthal, whose last official day at Formosa Group was Friday. A day earlier, a so-called Formosa Group Collective  a name that was used to include employees from all divisions, including its award-winning sound talent  sent a petition to top brass at Streamland, urging it to keep the company under Rosenthals leadership.

Formosa is home to a long roster of leading sound editors, designers and rerecording mixers, including winners of Oscars, BAFTAs, Emmys, MPSE Golden Reel Awards and Cinema Audio Society trophies. Among them are Ron Bartlett (Dune), Anna Behlmer (Mulan) and Mark Stoeckinger (John Wick: Chapter 4). The company also maintains divisions in broadcast work, music, interactive media and commercials.

Story continues

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Click here to read the full article.
Hundreds of students and community members marched in downtown Milwaukee Monday during the annual May Day strike.

May Day, an international labor holiday, honors and recognizes workers in all occupations. Voces de la Frontera, Wisconsin's largest immigrant rights advocacy group, organizes a march each year. A second march will take place Tuesday in Madison.

On Monday, Voces focused on its statewide campaign to restore driver's licenses to all adults regardless of immigration status. The march also featured students speaking out for better school lunches.

The march traveled from the Voces de la Frontera building,1027 S. 5th Street, to Zeidler Union Square Park.

The Journal Sentinel interviewed marchers Monday about why they got involved and what May Day means to them. Here's what four of them had to say.

Milwaukee resident stands in solidarity with immigrant workers

Nicholas Sinthasomphone ,36, of Milwaukee, prepares to march in the annual May Day demonstration in Milwaukee.

Nicholas Sinthasomphone, 36, is a first-generation Milwaukee resident.

He was marching for his parents who migrated to the U.S. from Laos.

"A lot of international working class people, whether war-torn or otherwise come here are sold the American dream and after they get here they realize that it's something completely different," he said.

He said although Milwaukee has a diverse community, it is still very segregated.

"I'm here to show solidarity with all of the marginalized people and all the international community residing here in Milwaukee," Sintahsomphone said.

A school worker takes off to march for those who cannot

Joshua Taylor, 30, prepares to march in an annual May Day demonstration.

Joshua Taylor, 30, of Milwaukee, marched for worker's rights and stood with a sign that read: "Revolution is the solution to capitalist violence."

Taylor took the day off from his job at Milwaukee Public Schools as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher. He said he did so to march for those who were not able to do the same.

"I have (paid time off) and health benefits," he said. "And I think everyone deserves that."

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Jeffery Payne, a 16-year-old student at Milwaukee Marshall High School, participates in the annual May Day march in Milwaukee.

A high school student calls for better school lunch

Jeffery Payne, a 16-year-old student at Milwaukee Marshall High School stood with a megaphone, shouting "May Day."

Payne marched for better school lunches  calling the current meal offerings "atrocious"  and also to support friends who are immigrants.

A survey of more than 1,000 MPS students by Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES), a youth arm of Voces, found that the quality of school lunch was the "most pressing issue" for those surveyed.

Alondra Garcia, 26, who is a bilingual teacher at Milwaukee Public Schools, participates in an annual May Day march in Milwaukee.

A teacher marches for her friend who recently immigrated

Alondra Garcia, 26, is a bilingual teacher at MPS and a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which allows immigrants who came to the U.S. as a child to work and go to school.

Garcia came to the United States in 1999 from Mexico. Now a second-grade teacher, she said it is important to set an example for her students. She took the day off from work and explained to her students why she was marching.

She participated in support of driver's licenses for all, including people who are undocumented, and dedicated her march to her friend who recently immigrated from Colombia.

"I've been a support system to him," she said. "He's told me ... how bad it is at the (border). There is so much that needs to get fixed."

Jessica Rodriguez is a Report for America corps reporter who focuses on news of value to underserved communities for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at jessica.rodriguez@jrn.com. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at JSOnline.com/RFA.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee students, residents march on May Day for workers rights
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  A coalition of 30 news organizations launched another effort Monday to get a gag order lifted in the criminal case of a man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death.

The coalition, which includes The Associated Press, had asked the Idaho Supreme Court earlier this year to reject the gag order issued in the criminal case against Bryan Kohberger, contending it violates the First Amendment rights of a free press. The order prohibits attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and others involved in the case from talking to the news media unless they are quoting directly from a court document.

But last week the Idaho Supreme Court unanimously denied the request, saying the news groups should have first asked the lower court to have the order lifted. The Supreme Court justices did not weigh in on whether the gag order violates First Amendment rights.

This Court has long respected the medias role in our constitutional republic, and honored the promises in both the Idaho Constitution and First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Justice Gregory Moeller wrote in the high courts decision, going on to quote a ruling from a federal case that said responsible press coverage, guards against the miscarriage of justice by subjecting the court system and those who are a part of it to public scrutiny.

Still, Moeller wrote, the balancing act between the First Amendment protections afforded to the press and the Sixth Amendment fair trial rights promised to defendants has become increasingly difficult with the advent of the internet and social media.

Now, the media coalition has challenged the gag order at the lower court level.

Kohberger, 28, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in connection with the stabbing deaths in Moscow, Idaho. Prosecutors have yet to reveal if they intend to seek the death penalty.

The bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found on Nov. 13, 2022, at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus. The slayings shocked the rural Idaho community and neighboring Pullman, Washington, where Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University.

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The case garnered widespread publicity, and in January Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall issued the sweeping gag order that has barred attorneys, law enforcement agencies and others associated with the case from talking or writing about it.

The coalition of news organizations contends the gag order violates the right to free speech by prohibiting it from happening in the first place.

Kohbergers' attorneys contend the gag order essentially requires the attorneys involved in the case to act ethically to ensure Kohberger gets a fair trial.

Wendy Olson, the attorney representing the news coalition, said the ruling provided a clear road map for the organizations to challenge the gag order at the lower court level.

The Goncalves family has also asked the lower court judge to lift the gag order, saying their attorney should be allowed to speak about the family's opinions on the case on their behalf. A hearing on the Goncalves' request has been set for May 25.

High-publicity cases often present a conundrum for judges, who work to protect the defendants right to a fair trial. Courts sometimes feel that controlling the flow of information around the case  by forbidding those involved from talking about it  is an effective way to limit publicity.

But gag orders can infringe on the First Amendment rights of the public and of the people involved in the case. News organizations that cover the courts serve a watchdog role, keeping the public informed about how the judicial branch operates.

During the investigation into the University of Idaho students slayings, news organizations interviews with investigators and law enforcement officials often worked to quash misinformation spread online by people who styled themselves as sleuths on social media sites.
Legal efforts to abandon a wide-ranging gag order issued by the judge overseeing the case against Moscow homicide suspect Bryan Kohberger have been renewed after a ruling last week from Idahos high court that denied one of the petitions.

Attorneys for more than two dozen media outlets, including the Idaho Statesman, resubmitted filings Monday evening in the 2nd Judicial District Court in Latah County after the Idaho Supreme Court dismissed the complaint on procedural grounds. They seek an end to the nondissemination order, arguing that it suppresses First Amendment rights.

Following the Idaho Supreme Courts guidance, intervenors now ask this court to vacate the gag order because it is vague, overbroad, unduly restrictive and not narrowly drawn, the complaint signed by Boise-based attorney Wendy Olson read. The gag order thus should be vacated.

The petition was initially filed with the state Supreme Court in February. The five justices, however, ruled against accepting the case, and unanimously decided they did not find extraordinary circumstances warranting the skipping of legal steps. The complaint should first be filed in Idaho district court, the opinion penned by Justice Gregory W. Moeller said.

Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall issued the gag order in January after Kohbergers arrest. Two weeks later, she expanded the parties to whom it applies. Presently, the order restricts law enforcement, attorneys for the prosecution and defense, as well as attorneys for witnesses, victims and the victims families from commenting about the case outside of court filings.

Four University of Idaho students were found stabbed to death at an off-campus rental home in Moscow in November. The victims were Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene; Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington.

Kohberger, 28, who at the time was a Washington State University graduate student, was arrested just under seven weeks later on Dec. 30. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in a case that qualifies for Idahos death penalty.

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Judge says gag order preserves right to fair trial

The shocking homicides almost immediately garnered national and international attention. In issuing the expanded gag order, Marshall said that it was necessary to preserve Kohbergers right to a fair trial.

There is balance between protecting the right to fair trial for all parties involved and the right to free expression as afforded under both the United States and Idaho Constitution, she wrote.

Kohbergers attorney, Anne Taylor, chief of the Kootenai County Public Defenders Office, and Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson supported maintaining the gag order as it is written in court filings.

Olson, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho who is now with the private law firm Stoel Rives, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the media coalition. The group is led by The Associated Press and also includes The New York Times, Washington Post and a dozen Idaho news outlets.

While we are disappointed that the (Supreme) Court denied the petition, the media coalition now has a clear path under Idaho law to challenge the gag order and vindicate these important First Amendment rights, Cory Carone, Olsons co-counsel in the case, told the Statesman last week in an emailed statement.

Victims family also challenges gag order

Four days before Olson filed the media petition with the Idaho Supreme Court, the attorney for the Goncalves family filed a separate challenge to Marshalls order in her 2nd Judicial District Court. But Marshall put that petition on hold until after the high courts ruling.

Shanon Gray, the Goncalves attorney, requested that Marshall amend the gag order to remove attorneys for victims family from being barred from commenting. Gray argued that he is not a party to the case.

I am not an attorney of record involved in this case. I have played no part in the investigation, prosecution or defense of the case. Neither the state nor the defense has shared any information regarding the case, Gray wrote in his February filing, adding that Marshalls nondissemination order is overbroad and vague.

Following the state Supreme Courts decision, Grays case now moves forward, with the appeal scheduled for a hearing in Marshalls court at 10 a.m. on May 25. A date has yet to be set for the case involving the media coalition.
A horrific mass killing in Texas has opened new sores in the national debate over illegal immigration and crime.

Five people, including a young boy whose age has been reported as 8 or 9, were killed Friday in Cleveland, Texas. The shooting in the small community about 45 miles north of Houston happened after neighbors reportedly told a man to stop shooting in his yard and he became enraged.

The alleged shooter has been named as Francisco Oropeza, 38. As of Monday afternoon, law enforcement agencies have been unable to apprehend Oropeza, despite a massive manhunt.

The case has taken on political power for reasons beyond the gruesome nature of the killing.

Oropeza is a Mexican national who appears to have been in the United States illegally. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have confirmed that he was deported on at least four previous occasions stretching back more than a decade.

His previous deportations, those officials said, took place in March 2009, September 2009, January 2012 and July 2016.

That record, and the terrible crime of which he stands accused, has outraged those who want a stricter border policy.

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, which represents rank-and-file Border Patrol agents, noted that seeking to illegally reenter the United States having previously been deported is a felony.

Had we prosecuted him for that felony, he would not have been able to kill his alleged victims, Judd said.

Judd also made a wider point about border policy under President Biden.

When you hear people like [Homeland Security] Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas say the border is not open, you have to look at this particular case  If somebody was able to reenter this country five different times despite being deported, that clearly shows the border is, in fact, open.

Liberal advocates hit back, arguing that, historically, immigrants commit crime at lower rates than native-born Americans  and that attempts to draw a cause-and-effect line between immigration policy and the latest killing are raw demagoguery.

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Its a point that finds support from some independent observers.

Rhetoric linking illegal immigration and violent crime has been used for a long time, said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University.

None of the social science data confirms that is true and it quite often shows the opposite  that neighborhoods with a lot of immigration are safer, said Zelizer. But politically it has been very powerful. It creates the idea of an enemy coming from outside who is now inside.

The political battle is only growing more intense.

This illegal alien brutally murdered 5 individuals in an execution-style shooting, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) tweeted Monday. He was previously deported and has been arrested numerous times. Why was he in our country roaming around freely?

Biggs called for the impeachment of Mayorkas.

Kari Lake, the defeated GOP candidate in last Novembers Arizona gubernatorial election, tweeted, How do we continue to let these criminals into the country?

At Mondays media briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre characterized the events in Cleveland as yet another shocking, horrific act of gun violence.

Jean-Pierre noted that while President Biden was praying for those affected, the president believes prayers alone are not enough.

The press secretary noted Bidens desire for Congress to pass stricter gun-control legislation  a long-held wish that has almost no chance of being fulfilled anytime soon.

Continuing the political back-and-forth, the Republican National Committee tweeted within minutes of Jean-Pierres opening remarks that she did not mention that Oropeza is an illegal immigrant who has been deported FIVE TIMES.

The atrocity in Texas arises at an especially febrile time when it comes to debates about the border.

Encounters between unauthorized migrants and Customs and Border Protection agents at the southwestern border hit their highest figure ever recorded last December, at more than 252,000.

The figure declined significantly in January and February, to fewer than 160,000 in each month. But in March, the most recent month for which data is available, those encounters rose again, to almost 192,000.

It is widely expected that those numbers will surge once Title 42 ends in less than two weeks. That Trump-era policy, continued under Biden, was used to quickly expel migrants and is expected to end on May 11.

Immigration has long been one of Bidens weakest political issues and Republicans are sure to want to press their advantage on the topic as the presidential campaign heats up.

In a Reuters/Ipsos poll in mid-April, just 27 percent of Americans approved of Bidens handling of immigration  tying for the lowest approval number in any of the 11 issues tested in that survey.

Advocates of a stricter immigration policy see the shooting in Texas as evidence of how badly the current policy is falling.

Its just another example of what happens when we fail to enforse our laws, when you fail to enforce the border, said Ira Mehlman, the media director of FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors a stricter immigration system. Virtually nobody is deported anymore.

But Mehlman distanced himself from a controversial statement from the office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, which referred to the victims of the Cleveland shooting as five illegal immigrants.

It doesnt matter what the immigration states of the victims is, Mehlman said. Nobody should be killed for asking a guy to stop shooting in his backyard.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
After the death of Tyre Nichols, the city of Memphis has faced a public reckoning over police policies, practices and transparency.

The Memphis City Council has passed multiple police reforms, while MPD Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland disbanded the SCORPION Unit, whose members included the five police officers charged with second-degree murder in Nichols death.

But the conversations about policing also come on the front end of a race for the next Memphis mayor. So far, roughly a dozen people have entered the race, even though petitions cannot be pulled until May 22 and the actual election is not until October 5.

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner announces his bid for reelection during a press conference inside Clark Tower on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.

The next mayor of Memphis is likely to determine the future of policing in the city, including who serves as the police chief and what policies are implemented.

The Commercial Appeal reached out to the campaigns of each mayoral candidate who so far has declared a run for mayor. Each campaign was asked the same set of questions about policing and public safety, the answers to which are linked below in alphabetical order by last name.

Here are the responses from Floyd Bonner, current Shelby County Sheriff. Responses from other candidates can be found by clicking here.

Responses have been edited for AP style.

Please briefly describe your background and qualifications for mayor.

I have over 42 years of law enforcement experience and have worked in every major area of law enforcement, from undercover narcotics to the Sherriff of Shelby County. I am CEO of the largest Sheriffs office in Tennessee and annually manage a $180 million budget and a staff of more than 2,000. And under my leadership, my administration received the prestigious Triple Crown Award for excellence in law enforcement, corrections and jail healthcare.

What do you believe are the primary issues facing the Memphis Police Department today?

Shortage of police officers

Need to rebuild public trust

Low police morale and frustration with arresting repeat offenders for car theft

Lack of consequences for gun violence and aggravated assaults

Overworked and underappreciated law enforcement officers

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If elected mayor, how would you approach specialized units like the Organized Crime Unit or the now defunct SCORPION Unit?

I was a member of the narcotic agency in my early days in law enforcement, and I know how vital specialized units are in keeping our community safe. For example, the multi-agency gang task force plays a critical role in keeping our kids from being recruited or killed by gangs. The Traffic Unit focuses on aggressive drivers on city roads. All specialized units require experienced officers and close supervision, and that is how they will be run under my administration.

What sort of data should be maintained and released regarding traffic stops, use of force, and other policing issues?

All the data that the law will allow should be collected and maintained, and transparency will remain a top priority of my administration.

How many police officers does MPD need?

Studies show the need for 2,500 MPD officers; however, my administration will study call volume, de-annexation and how redeploying officers from desk to duty can drive down crime.

If more than the current number, how would you go about encouraging recruitment?

Target college, military towns and cities that have made recent cuts to benefits

Build a robust explorer and PST (Police Service Technicians) program to encourage local young adults to pursue a career in law enforcement

Restructure MPD to put more commissioned police officers on the streets that are currently on desk duty

The city council has passed several ordinances on police reform. What are your thoughts on these ordinances, whether you support or do not support them?

Pursuing violent crime will be the No. 1 priority of my administration, and routine traffic stops will never be a focus of my policing strategy. I believe it is important that the public knows that even traffic laws must be followed, and I hope to work with the City Council on productive reform using my 42-year perspective in law enforcement.

Has MPD leadership met the death of Tyre Nichols with sufficient transparency? Why or why not?

Based on what we currently know, I do believe they set a national standard for how they handled the release of information after the tragedy occurred. I do not believe I can make a final judgment on sufficient transparency until further administrative review or the Department of Justice report has been released.

What, if anything, would you advocate for at the state level to change regarding policing and public safety?

I will advocate for increased mental health funding and a permanent presence of State Troopers on I-240. I lobbied against constitutional carry and against lowering the age of those allowed to carry a gun. I stood with the Tennessee Sheriffs Association and fought for stricter sentencing laws for repeat violent offenders, and I will use my relationships in Nashville to continue to fight for additional laws that will keep guns and gangs away from our kids.

Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Floyd Bonner, Memphis mayor candidate, talks policing, public safety
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Lyle and Erik Menendez , the brothers who were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for gruesomely murdering their parents seven years earlier, will be the focus of Season 2 of Ryan Murphys hit Netflix anthology series, Monster, according to a report in Deadline .

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is Murphys scripted follow-up to 2022s original installment, Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story , which dramatized serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer s murders. The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will hit Netflix in 2024, though the exact release date is unknown. Additionally, Deadline reports that Netflix will also have exclusive access to Lyle and Erik Menendez for an upcoming documentary feature about the infamous killers.

In November 2022, following the success of Dahmer  Monster, Netflix ordered two follow-up seasons and promised to tell the stories of other monstrous figures who have impacted society, according to Deadline. That certainly describes the case of the Menendez Brothers, who shot their parents, Jose and Mary Kitty Menendez, to death in their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989.

It took seven years, three trials, and many thousands of hours of TV coverage for Lyle and Erik Menendez to finally be found guilty of their parents murders. On July 2, 1996, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But in between the tragic killings and the brothers conviction, the Menendez murders became one of the most famous criminal cases of the late 20th century thanks to its potent mix of family drama, Hollywood connections, dramatic testimony, and cable TVs ability to blanket the airwaves with coverage.
The number of apps targeting mental health has exploded in recent years. But experts have mixed feelings about the efficacy of these apps  aimed at helping a variety of issues from mild anxiety to PTSD  and the privacy policies that come with them.

While apps aimed at helping mental health began popping up before 2020, the mental health app market has exploded since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially due to a widespread decline in the nations mental health.

The number of Americans between ages 18 and 44 that received mental health treatment, including therapy or medication, went up from 18.5 percent to more than 23 percent between 2019 and 2021, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Now, there are at least 15,000 mental health apps on the market, the majority of which are unregulated, said Stephen Schueller, an associate professor at the University of California, Irvine and the executive director of One Mind PsyberGuide, a nonprofit that reviews mental health apps.

An increasing number of apps are being designed to connect people with trained mental health professionals to give real-time, real-world access to support. But the bad news is that many of these apps are not evidence-based and the FDA only regulates a small number.

The FDA only regulates apps that function as medical devices which includes treatment apps but not wellness apps. And it can take years for an app to be approved or to have a specific function approved., according to Schueller.

Schueller noted that many of the mental health apps are not heavily used. But the number of apps that are high-quality or have scientific evidence supporting them are in the extreme minority.

There are only 450 to 600 evidence-based apps on the market, or about 3 percent of all mental health apps, according to Schueller.

Many non-evidence-based apps targeting anxiety for example will feature supportive content, Muniya Khanna, founder and director of The OCD & Anxiety Institute and chief digital officer at Lumate Health, told The Hill.

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Supportive content can include relaxation videos or music aimed at calming or focusing the mind. But Khanna said an app trying to treat anxiety should include some means of allowing users to understand where their anxieties are coming from and how their thoughts are involved in maintaining their cycle of anxiety, she said.

Most of the apps that are saying that theyre designed for anxiety would only have maybe a little bit of psychoeducation and not really any of the other things, Khanna said. The content is just not rich enough to be a standalone support tool.

When paired with therapy, some evidence-based apps like Mindshift can actually be beneficial, said Anne Marie Albano, professor of medical psychology at Columbia University Medical Center.

But apps are not meant to or shouldnt replace therapy, Albano said.

And if someone uses an app that isnt evidence-based or even teletherapy that is not delivered at the intensity or the quality that they need, it can make mental health struggles worse.

They can become more hopeless, they can become more stressed, things worsen over time, Albano said. And at the same time, they can lose hope that anything is going to make a difference.

The lack of oversight over mental health apps means that some apps are not abiding by health-related privacy laws.

Mental health apps that connect users with a therapist or counselors are usually bound by state and federal health privacy laws that also control in-person therapy sessions, though some have run afoul of federal law.

In March, the online therapy and counseling service BetterHelp returned $7.8 million to customers as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission after the company shared health data with companies including Facebook and Snapchat it has promised to keep private.

Other wellness apps that feature guided meditations, chatbots, or questionnaires often share or sell personal information to third-party businesses.

Over 62 percent of the top mental health apps were given a privacy warning label by The Mozilla Foundations*Privacy Not Included.

For people struggling with their mental health and who want to use an app, the American Psychological Association recommends searching to see if the app creator has published any research to show that their product works.

Something else to look for is to see if there is anyone on the companys board or as part of a scientific advisory committee, said C. Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation in the practice directorate at the American Psychological Association.

Consumers should also look to see if the apps company has privacy and security policies in place and know where user data is going.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
After months of speculation, Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin recently declared that he will not be running for president in 2024.

The conclusion?

At a Milken Institute "Governing America" event, Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker asked Youngkin if the governor planned to "dust off" the signature fleece jacket he became known for during his campaign for governor. According to the New York Post, he answered, "No."

Youngkin added, "I'm going to be working in Virginia this year," referring to the upcoming November elections for the Virginia legislative elections.

He pointed out that the Democrats controlled the Senate while the Republicans had the House. He stated, "I want to hold our House, and I'd like to flip our Senate. And I think we're doing a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to bring that to voters."

Following his historic victory in November 2021, the business wing of the Republican Party began talking openly about nominating Youngkin for president in 2024.

Baker insisted on the question: "So in the words of LBJ, you will not seek and, if nominated, you will not serve and accept the Republican nomination for President of the United States?"

Youngkin responded: "We'll leave that one to LBJ. What I am very excited about is that America seems to be paying attention to what's going on in Virginia."

However, a governor's adviser told NBC News that Youngkin was responding to Baker's inquiries solely with 2023 in mind, leaving the door open for a potential declaration in 2024 or future presidential races.

Also Read: Debt Ceiling: Americans at Risk if Debt Issue Isn't Handled Before June

Despite Speculation

Months of speculation had been put to rest by Youngkin's decision not to launch a candidacy this year as the advocate for parental rights in schools. He would have faced an expanding Republican presidential race, including former President Donald Trump, the current frontrunner.

Even before his remarks on Monday, May 1, two of Youngkin's key outside political advisors joined the super PAC backing Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, suggesting Youngkin would not be launching a presidential candidacy.

With his 2021 election triumph, Youngkin sparked enthusiasm among Republicans nationwide. According to Fox News, when he narrowly defeated Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who had served as governor of Virginia for a decade, he made history as the first Republican contender in a gubernatorial race in Virginia in a decade.

Last year, Youngkin was a sought-after Republican politician who traveled the nation in support of candidates running for office in 2022.

At a Monday event hosted by the Reagan Library in California, Youngkin said, "It was a choice to restore parents' rights because parents matter. It was a choice to lift the burdens on small businesses and to bring back more jobs. It was a choice for common sense."

Also Read: Texas, Chicago Clash Over Migrant Crisis as Abbott Vows To Keep on Busing Migrants Despite Shelter Shortage

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A 21-year-old Meridian man was sentenced to at least 25 years in prison Tuesday for fatally shooting a Boise man in September 2021, according to a news release from the Ada County Prosecutors Office.

Fourth District Judge Nancy Baskin sentenced Timmothy Morgan to life in prison with 25 years fixed, meaning he could be eligible for parole at the age of 46. The state recommended a fixed life sentence without the possibility of parole for what it called a senseless crime and Morgans propensity for violence.

Morgan was found guilty of second-degree murder in February in the death of Lamont Bam Rogers, who was found shot eight times at the intersection of 6th and Grove streets in downtown Boise, according to the release. Rogers was 28.

Morgan already had been sentenced to 20 years fixed on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in an unrelated case that involved his firing a gun into an occupied vehicle. The murder sentence will run concurrently to that, the judge ruled.

This defendants senseless actions led to the death of a young man, which will forever impact Mr. Rogers family and friends. This murder also impacted the community who expects to feel safe when theyre in downtown Boise, said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts in a statement.

Morgan still faces upcoming trials on a litany of other charges. He will be in court in two weeks for allegedly intimidating or threatening witnesses, and a trial is scheduled in June on a pair of rape charges. He also has a jury trial in August on charges including sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated assault.

The cases are connected to five incidents that occurred from April to December in 2021, but none of the charges were filed until after the fatal September shooting, according to court documents, the Statesman previously reported.
Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen, Emily Ratajkowski and Salma Hayek dressed to impress at fashion's biggest night out  the Met Gala.

While gorgeous ensembles were featured on the red carpet, the highlights of the evening also came in not one, but two baby announcements.

Serena Williams announced she and husband Alexis Ohanian are expecting their second child, and Karlie Kloss revealed she is expecting once again with her husband, Joshua Kushner.

The legacy of late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was the inspiration for the night, which notoriously falls on the first Monday in May.

GISELE BUNDCHEN MAKES FIRST MET GALA APPEARANCE AFTER TOM BRADY DIVORCE

Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Serena Williams had a blast at the Met Gala in New York.

Lagerfeld was known for leading multiple fashion houses, including Balmain, Chanel, Fendi and Chloe.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Rihanna showed up fashionably late to the Metropolitan Museum of Art wearing a crisp white Valentino gown with a matching floral hood.

Her baby bump was expertly concealed underneath the massive cape as she walked hand in hand with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, who rocked a signature Lagerfeld look complete with multiple belts and a white button down shirt under a black blazer.

MET GALA 2023 ANNOUNCES CO-CHAIRS AND KARL LAGERFELD DRESS CODE

Bundchen returned to the Met Gala in grand fashion, marking her first time at the star-studded event after finalizing her divorce from Tom Brady.

The 42-year-old supermodel sported a vintage Chanel gown with feathered wings for the opening of The Costume Institute's new spring exhibition.

"I loved the memories with him and the times together," she told Met Gala red carpet host La La Anthony of working with Lagerfeld throughout her career. "He was a gentleman and a wonderful man."

Jennifer Lopez wore a black Ralph Lauren gown with a pink satin skirt.

Gisele Bundchen spread her wings on the Met Gala red carpet in New York.

Gisele Bundchen was giddy on the red carpet at the Met Gala just seven months after divorcing Tom Brady.

Rihanna showed up fashionably late to the affair, but made quite the entrance wearing a white Valentino ensemble.

Lopez walked the carpet showing some skin in a Ralph Lauren gown with a black satin bra top to match a tight pink skirt which billowed down into a mermaid tail.

She wore a black fascinator hat, and after saying hello to herself, told Anthony at the top of the stairs: "I wasn't sure about the hat, but now I'm excited about it."

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Nicole Kidman paid tribute to a past collaboration with Lagerfeld by wearing the exact dress she donned in the Chanel No. 5 commercial nearly 20 years ago.

JARED LETO TO PORTRAY LATE FASHION ICON KARL LAGERFELD IN UPCOMING BIOPIC

Kidman, who enjoyed date night with husband Keith Urban, stunned wearing the blush pink gown. She reminisced with Anthony about the commercial she worked on with "Elvis" director Baz Luhrmann.

"I have the sketches when he was drawing it, then we fitted it," she said. "To be able to honor him and show Chanel, how these couture gowns last, and the exquisiteness and  to be able to wear the same thing 20 years later, and it still holds. It's light as a feather and hand made. It's couture."

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban shared a special date night at the Met Gala.

Margot Robbie channeled her best Cindy Crawford in a Chanel gown.

Margot Robbie also looked back to the classics and wore a remake of a black gown with a sheer corset first seen on Cindy Crawford in 1993.

It was date night for a few of Hollywood's favorite couples. Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith walked hand in hand on the red carpet. Brosnan looked sharp in a suit, and wife Keely stunned wearing a see-through black cape over a latex dress.

Hugh Jackman wore a black suit while wife Deborra-Lee Furness rocked a shimmering black turtleneck gown with mirror-mosaic pieces.

Salma Hayek pulled out all the stops wearing a red Gucci number complete with a latex corset and sheer lace skirt including tiers of ruffled tulle. Her husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, stayed close to her side throughout the glamorous event.

IRINA SHAYK DEFENDS CONTROVERSIAL LION HEAD DRESS, KYLIE JENNER FACES CRITICISM AGAIN OVER NOOSE-LIKE NECKLACE

Kim Kardashian wanted to be "feel glamorous" for this year's event, and opted for an ornate Schiaparelli gown. "We wanted to just be dripping in pearls," she said on the red carpet. The mother-of-four said her dress was made of "real pearls" and a few had fallen off along the way, prompting her daughter North to pick up the pricey baubles and save them for later.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Kardashian said the evening was full of emotions for their family. "Kendall really started her modeling career with Karl," she told their family friend, La La.

Kendall, sporting a black sequin Marc Jacobs leotard with caped sleeves added, "It's amazing. Like Kim said, I think its a little emotional. I owe a lot to him. I'm honored to be here and to celebrate him."

Serena Williams announced her pregnancy before walking the Met Gala red carpet.

Karlie Kloss revealed her baby bump at the Met Gala with husband Joshua Kushner.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith matched wearing all-black ensembles.

Kim Kardashian showed some skin wearing thousands of pearls fashioned into a dress.

Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee Furness share the look of love at Met Gala 2023.

Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner walked the Met Gala red carpet together.

Salma Hayek wore a crimson Gucci ensemble for Met Gala with her husband, Francois-Henri Pinault.

The youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner brood, Kylie Jenner, was a vision in a fiery red Haider Ackermann gown with a purple satin train which doubled as a coat.

"I'm looking forward to making more memories," the makeup mogul said. "I'm here for a good time, maybe a little tequila."

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Amanda Seyfried rocked a short beaded Oscar de la Renta dress covered in gold and diamond chains.

"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" star, Rachel Brosnahan, kept things a little more simple with a see-through black gown with strategically placed rhinestones covering her nipples.

Olivia Wilde found herself in a fashion faux-pas on the most important night of the year when Margaret Zhang, editor-in-chief of Vogue China, rocked a black version of the cut-out Chloe gown.

Amanda Seyfried wore a daring beaded gown, while "Mrs. Maisel" star, Rachel Brosnahan went almost completely sheer at the Met.

Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang walked the 2023 Met Gala red carpet wearing different versions of the same Chloe dress.

Jared Leto, who portrays Lagerfield in an upcoming biopic, paid homage to the designer in a catsuit.

Doja Cat transformed into a cat, while Lil Nas X glittered in silver sparkles at the Met Gala.

Florence Pugh shaved her head before the Met Gala.

Jared Leto went literal with the theme and rocked a full furry costume to represent Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette.

He was not the only one to catch a case of the kitten as Doja Cat showed up wearing prosthetics to transform her face into cat-like features.

Lil Nas X went for head-to-toe shimmering silver by makeup maven Pat McGrath for the red carpet.

Florence Pugh revealed a freshly shaved head at her Met Gala debut. The "Don't Worry Darling" star wore a massive feathered headpiece to match her Valentino gown. Pugh's love for the brand recently landed her a new gig as Valentino's ambassador.

The Lagerfeld gallery at the Met will also be on display to the public from May 5 through July 16, 2023.
Several celebrities paid tribute to Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette, on the Met Gala red carpet. (Getty Images/Yahoo Life UK)

Celebrities descended onto the Met Gala red carpet last night in their glitz and glam for fashions biggest night of the year, but some stars chose to take a different approach to the Karl Lagerfeld theme, and honour the late designers beloved cat, Choupette, instead.

The Metropolitan Museum of Arts exhibition, after which the Met Gala theme is decided, this year celebrates 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty' - an homage to the late French designer and Chanel creative director who died in 2019.

As such, the carpet was a veritable retrospective of his career, from his days at the fashion house, as well as his time at Fendi, Chloe and his own eponymous brand.

Jared Leto as the late designer's cat, Choupette, for the 2023 Met Gala theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. (Getty Images)

However, famous faces from Jared Leto to Doja Cat channelled feline-inspired outfits at the star-studded New York event, in apparent tribute to the blue-cream tortie Birman cat owned by the late German designer.

Leto by far went with the most literal approach, arriving on the famous Met Museum steps in a full-on cat costume, similar to that of a sporting mascot, with a removable head.

The 51-year-old actor and musician entertained photographers and onlookers with several poses before announcing, muffled and through the giant head, Im Choupette! to the crowd.

Jared Leto dressed as Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette, for the 2023 Met Gala. (Getty Images)

He later removed the whiskered head to reveal his signature long locks and eyeliner, and eventually his caped look beneath.

Doja Cat on the other hand, in true Doja Cat style, went for a more subtle, but no less impactful take on Choupette, by turning to prosthetics.

Doja Cat had a more glamorous take with her tribute to Choupette. (Getty Images)

Wearing a backless embellished custom Oscar de la Renta gown, which featured a hood with incorporated cat ears, Doja Cat  Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini  leaned into the theme with a prosthetic feline-inspired nose. She completed the look with a cat-eye liner and extremely thin eyebrows.

Committing 110% to her role, Doja Cat later baffled a red carpet interviewer by speaking only by meowing when asked about her outfit.

Elsewhere, rapper and musician Lil Nas X went all in with a head-to-toe diamante and pearl encrusted look, which were place atop the artists silver-painted body, instead of clothing.

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It reportedly took famed makeup artist to the stars, Pat McGrath, nine hours and thousands of crystals to complete Lil Nas Xs transformation into a modern version of a cat, but the result was a show-stopping look like no other on the Met Gala red carpet.

Lil Nas X spent nine hours transforming into a modern version of a cat. (Getty Images)

Lagerfelds cat travelled everywhere with him before his death in 2019, and lived a true life of luxury, with a full-time nanny, chef and bodyguard.

Choupette was also reportedly invited to walk the red carpet at the 2023 Met Gala in honour of Daddy but instead preferred to stay peacefully & cosy at home.

Watch: Doja Cat, Jared Leto dress as cats at the Met Gala
A New Mexico judge sentenced a 19-year-old mom to 16 years in prison Monday for leaving her newborn baby in a dumpster.

Jurors convicted Alexis Avila of child abuse involving great bodily harm over a year after a group of people found her baby in the trash bin behind a shopping center in Hobbs, Texas, on a winter day in January 2022.

Police arrested Avila after identifying her car using surveillance video.

Avilas lawyer argued her actions were not premeditated and that her undiagnosed mental health disorder played a role. Judge William Shoobridge took two years off Avilas 18 year sentence citing mental health concerns and her age.

I regret his first hours of life were traumatic, and I regret that he will always have this in the back of his head and will think I do not love him because thats what hell read and hear, Avila said. But thats not true at all. I do love him. I truly do.

Every state has one: Things you didn't know about Safe Haven laws

Baby box: First infant in Kentucky surrendered anonymously at fire station Safe Haven baby box

A New Mexico judge sentenced a 19-year-old Alexis Avila to 16 years in prison Monday, May 1, 2023, for leaving her newborn baby in a dumpster in Hobbs, New Mexico.

New Mexico Safe Haven laws

New Mexicos Safe Haven for Infants law allows parents to leave their baby, up to 90 days old, at a safe location without being charged for child abandonment. Every state has some sort of Safe Haven law, which allows a person to safely surrender a newborn baby.

Safe locations include a hospital, law enforcement agency or fire station. There has to be a staff member at the site when the baby is dropped off.

Lawmakers began to pass Safe Haven laws in the early 2000s to curb child abandonments and killings.

New Mexico lawmakers approved a bill to expand the states Safe Haven Program in 2022. Funds will be used to build one baby box for every county.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Mexico mom sentenced for leaving baby in dumpster
A New Mexico woman who left her newborn baby in a dumpster last year was sentenced Monday to 16 years in prison, prosecutors said.

A jury convicted Alexis Avila, now 19, of attempt to commit first-degree murder and abuse of a child in April, NBC affiliate KOB of Albuquerque reported.

Good Samaritans found the infant in Hobbs, a city of around 40,000 in the southeastern part of the state, after the Jan. 7, 2022, incident. The infant survived.

Avila, who was 18 at the time, told police that she did not know she was pregnant until a day before she gave birth, police said.

I know what I did was wrong, and the only person I truly need to apologize to is my baby, Avila said in court Monday, according to video broadcast by KOB.

Avila had faced up to 18 years in prison. The prosecutor, Fifth Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce, called it an especially heinous crime in a statement.

Passersby found the newborn after five hours in the dumpster during cold temperatures, Luce said.

New Mexico law allows people to take babies up to 90 days old to "safe haven sites" without being charged with child abandonment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Miamis most controversial cop is getting his badge back  but hes not going to be back on the street and hes already got a retirement date.

About seven months after Police Chief Manny Morales fired Capt. Javier Ortiz  the embattled former union boss and longtime firebrand known for racist social media posts and accusations of excessive force  has been reinstated. Ortiz is temporarily returning to a desk job after he reached a settlement with police brass, according an agreement obtained by the Miami Herald.

The South Florida Police Benevolent Association, on behalf of Capt. Javier Ortiz, and the city of Miami have reached a resolution to all pending matters regarding the employment of Captain Ortiz, said Steadman Stahl, president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association. Both parties believe that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the city of Miami and Captain Ortiz.

The settlement agreement awards Ortiz several months of backpay but confines him to an administrative job directly under Morales where he will not receive a gun or a take-home car, and he has narrow restrictions on when he can use police powers. Ortiz has a base salary of $155,004 that is bolstered further by incentives like running certain task forces.

He will only utilize his police power in the event someone is using or threatening to use deadly force if he reasonably believes he must act to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another, reads the settlement.

Another caveat: Hell work the desk job during late-night hours.

The deal, signed by Ortiz and Miami City Manager Art Noriega on Tuesday, requires Ortiz to retire on Nov. 7, 2025. Oritz has also agreed to stay out of police union business and no longer work off-duty hours or overtime, and will return to his rank as captain. In exchange, hes agreed to drop all pending litigation against the city.

Miami City Manager Art Noriega declined to comment on the settlement agreement.

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Morales fired Ortiz in September, citing a pattern of behavior and his failure to maintain a good moral character. Ortizs attorney said he had received a reprimand over incorrectly filling out off-duty time sheets. Ortiz challenged the firing.

Read More: Miami fires police captain after years of controversy. His attorney blames politics

This weeks settlement comes two months before Ortizs case was set to go to arbitration. Sources familiar with police disciplinary matters said it would not have been a surprise if Ortiz won his old job back.

Under the settlement, the city agreed to drop its previous reprimand and replace it with another for improper procedure.

Ortiz, an 18-year veteran and former police union boss, frequently made headlines. In 2020, he proclaimed in a public meeting that he was Black, citing the one-drop rule, an old racist trope that implied anyone with any degree of Black ancestry, was Black. He was suspended a week later.

Read More: A pattern of abuse and bias: A Miami cops history of bad policing detailed in report

State and federal authorities investigated Ortiz for two years over misconduct allegations. By April 2021, the investigation resulted in no criminal charges but highlighted a string of questionable arrests and a pattern of abuse and bias against minorities, particularly African-Americans.

Ortiz, a former SWAT commander, made numerous dubious arrests and the resulted in lawsuits and legal settlements totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the investigation done by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In 2015, he made a social media post where he called Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old shot and killed by a Cleveland cop while playing with a toy gun, a thug.

Ortiz, along with other officers, was accused of beating a Francois, Alexandre, who was celebrating the Miami Heats NBA championship victory in the summer of 2013. Alexandres eye socket was broken in the ordeal, but Ortiz dodged any charges after a federal appeals court said Ortiz had qualified immunity when he subdued Alexandre.
Helen Palin (L) and Michael Palin (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival)

Michael Palin has announced the death of his wife Helen Gibbins who he described as the bedrock of my life.

The couple had just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. Gibbins was 80.

The Monty Python star shared the news on his website, writing: My dearest wife Helen died peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning [2 May]. She had been suffering with chronic pain for several years, which was compounded a few years ago by a diagnosis of kidney failure.

We first met on a summer holiday on the Suffolk coast when we were both 16 and we married in our early 20s. Two and a half weeks ago we celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary.

Her death is an indescribable loss for myself, our three children and four grandchildren.

Helen was the bedrock of my life. Her quietly wise judgement informed all my decisions and her humour and practical good sense was at the heart of our life together.

The couple share three children  Thomas, 54, William, 52, and Rachel, 48.

Last year, Palin told The Telegraph that his wife had moved into respite care after she failed to respond to pain medication.

He said: I dont think you can cure it, but they will help her manage it.

Its such a bore. She was so active and still is, mentally. But were both getting on a bit. The body is declining. Shes going to be 80 in October, Im going to be 80 at the beginning of next year. We live life with our fingers crossed.

Palin himself underwent heart surgery to fix his mitral valve in 2019. He previously shared that his wife was often wary of him going to dangerous places as part of his various travel documentaries.

Well, my wife, shes generally quite keen on me doing long journeys, but Iraq, no she didnt want me to go to Iraq, not North Korea either, he said last year.

Shes very tolerant and weve been married a long time, he continued. And she knows that if I didnt go and didnt travel, Id be impossible to live with because Id keep saying, oh, if I were in Iraq now. So she said, well go, but look after yourself.

Palin and his family have asked for privacy.
The reviews are in: Michelle Obama was a hit.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band weren't bad either Friday, April 28, at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. But Obama joining the band for a spirited rendition of Glory Days has just received the presidential stamp of approval.

How cool is my wife!' said former President Barack Obama at the show, as captured on Michelle's Instagram.

Michelle Obama relives Glory Days with the Boss

The former first lady, actress Kate Capshaw and E Street Band member Patti Scialfa joined the Boss and the band during the encore.

Are you ready for a Barcelona house party? Springsteen asked during the song.

Bruce Springsteen (left to right), Steven Van Zandt, Michelle Obama, Patti Scialfa, Kate Capshaw and Roy Bittan at the April 28 E Street Band show at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Capshaw, Scialfa and Obama shared a microphone at the front of the stage, and they all had tambourines. Fans who weren't at the show applauded when Obama posted a snippet of the performance Monday, May 1, on her Instagram account.

Clearly President Obama isnt the only Obama with rhythm! said a fan

Just when I think you could not be anymore cool, I see this, said another. I mean which other first lady can pull this off? Yes Mr. President, your wife is very cool

Yasssss Michelle!!! (fire and clapping hand emojis) exclaimed another fan.

More: Bruce Springsteen gets state day in NJ, misses American Music Honors event due to COVID

Springsteen, Obamas go way back

Springsteen's relationship with the Obamas goes back to 2008 when he campaigned for Barack Obama. A private performance by Springsteen for the Obamas and staff at the White House in 2017 led to the creation of the hit Springsteen on Broadway at the suggestion of the president.

The Boss and Obama later collaborated on the podcast and book, Renegades: Born in the USA. The podcast was recorded in Springsteen's Colts Neck home studio in 2021.

In Barcelona, Springsteen and Scialfa were joined for dinner by the Obamas and Capshaw's husband, Steven Spielberg, at the Amar restaurant in the Palace Hotel on April 28. On April 30, a day after the show, the Obamas and Spielberg and Capshaw were spotted sightseeing at the Montserrat Monastery.

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Springsteen and the E Street Band rocked the Barcelona stadium again on Sunday, April 30. Tom Hanks was there, and he sang along with the rest of the crowd, according to numerous social media postings.

More than 117,000 fans attended the two Barcelona shows. Up next is Dublin on May 5, 7 and 9. After the European leg, the tour heads back to North America for more stadium and arena shows, starting with Wrigley Field in Chicago on Aug. 9.

Springsteen and the E Street Band return to Jersey for three shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Aug. 30, Sept. 1 and 3.

Subscribe to app.com for the latest on Bruce Springsteen and the New Jersey music scene.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen, E Street concert gets kudos from Obama
A California middle school teacher who is suing school district leaders after she was allegedly told to deceive parents about students' gender identity said her Christian faith played a role in her opposition to such policies, which she believes are teaching children to be deceptive.

"It's unfortunate that I have to go toe-to-toe and stand up against a community of people that I love," teacher Elizabeth Mirabelli told Fox News Digital. "I've been there for 25 years. This is a community of people I care about, people I've served for a long period of time. And so that gives me pause to have to stand up, but I felt that I had to make that choice."

Attorneys for Mirabelli and fellow teacher Lori Ann West, both of whom taught for decades at Rincon Middle School in Escondido, filed a federal lawsuit against the school's leadership in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California last week after the women claimed they were effectively required to lie to parents about their children if they assumed a different gender identity in school.

The lawsuit, which was also filed against administrators with the Escondido Union School District (EUSD) and the California State Board of Education, alleged that the K-8 school district's harassment and discrimination policies mandated teachers to accept a child's transgender or gender diverse identity without hesitation and to hide it from families.

SCHOOL REQUIRED US TO LIE TO PARENTS ABOUT THEIR KIDS' GENDER IDENTITY, CALIFORNIA TEACHERS CLAIM IN LAWSUIT

The suit also claims they were instructed to use students' preferred names and pronouns in school, but to revert to their biological pronouns and given names when speaking with their parents. Teachers were told to tell "a suspicious parent" that they were allowed only to discuss "information regarding the students behavior as it relates to school, class rules, assignments, etc.," according to the suit.

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READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to a transcript of a Feb. 3, 2022 training presentation to EUSD staff about the "rights of gender diverse students" obtained by Fox News Digital, teachers were instructed that a student's "assertion is enough" to determine gender identity, and that failure to affirm it would constitute harassment. The training also claimed there is "no requirement for parent or caretaker agreement or even for knowledge for us to begin treating that student consistent with their gender identity."

Mirabelli told Fox News Digital that the policy emerged in the school district around the 2019-2020 school year and that while some of her colleagues were being disciplined if they did not comply, it was not until the 2021-2022 school year that she "personally was faced with a dilemma."

That year, several of the new students on her roster approached her to request that she refer to them with a different name and not to tell their parents. She said she had been mulling over how best to handle the situation when she discovered from the school counselor that students' names were being changed in official school records without parental knowledge or consent.

KANSAS TEACHER WINS $95,000 AFTER SCHOOL PUSHED HER TO DECEIVE PARENTS ABOUT STUDENTS' GENDER IDENTITY

"How do educators know better than their own parents and families? Why are we taking over the welfare of these kids and decisions as personal as their given name?" she said. "I just felt that was really overstepping as a teacher, as an educator. That's overstepping our role in their lives. And then we're not allowed to tell their parents? I thought it just doesn't seem right."

She noted she has a good relationship with her students' parents, most of whom she said do not feel comfortable with the district's policies but feel "powerless to do anything."

LA SCHOOLS ADOPT TRANS AFFIRMING AGENDA TO ATTACK GENDER BINARY

Mirabelli, who is a Catholic, said her faith played a part in how she responded to the policies, which she claims violate her beliefs. She sought a religious accommodation to avoid them, but said she was only given partial accommodation after many weeks of bureaucratic back-and-forth.

She sued on First Amendment grounds after the school allegedly flat-out denied her request to be exempt from the aspect of the policy excluding parents.

Escondido, California, is approximately 30 miles from San Diego.

"I think we all know quite readily that lying is not something that you want to do, and it's certainly not something you want to teach to children," she said. "If I'm telling a child, 'Yes, sweetheart, you can have a whole persona here at school, but we're not going to tell your parents,' what does that teach a child?"

She said teachers who go along with such deception are weakening the bond between parents and their children, and that the message children are receiving is that "manipulating others is acceptable, and lie if you need to."

Mirabelli noted schools seem to be more concerned with exploring alternate identities than preparing students to compete academically.

"I think people from all walks of life can understand that educators have a certain role," she said. "Our role in a free society is to prepare [students] academically, to go out and achieve their goals and dreams; to compete, to attend college. It's not to overstep those bounds."

TRANS PSYCHOLOGIST FILES BRIEF AGAINST MARYLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT HIDING TRANSITIONS FROM PARENTS: TERRIBLE IDEA

Mirabelli said fellow teachers across the political spectrum have expressed support for her stand.

"The schools are normalizing and encouraging students to explore these alternate identities, but their academic progress is in the tank," Mirabelli said, adding that many students' math and reading skills are three or four years below grade level.

A photo of a Pride Progress flag, which includes colors from the Transgender Pride Flag.

"We're affirming all these social trends, but we send them out into the world, and they can't go to college and compete because they can't access the high levels of literacy that are required to become a scientist, a doctor, a lawyer or a teacher," she said. "That's the problem. We need to go back to focusing on our job."

"The Escondido Union School District is committed to providing a safe and positive environment that enables our students to learn and actualize their unlimited potential and that empowers our teachers to excel as educators," EUSD superintendent Dr. Luis A. Rankins-Ibarra told Fox News Digital in a statement. "As part of that commitment to student learning, the District observes all federal and state laws."

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL TO BECOME A REFUGE STATE FOR TRANS KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS

Thomas More Society special counsel Paul Jonna, who is representing Mirabelli and her colleague, said he believes their case could open the floodgates for similar cases, which he hopes will eventually rise to the Supreme Court and settle the issue at the national level.

Both Mirabelli and Jonna are confident in their complaint, which the teacher said is "grounded in law and in the truth."

Jonna said he was surprised to learn how "pervasive" similar policies have become in schools not just in southern California, but in other states. He noted the case of Pamela Richard, a retired teacher in Kansas who received a $95,000 settlement last fall following a lawsuit against the Geary County School District, whose administrators allegedly expected her to deceive parents about students' gender identity.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ALLEGEDLY SENT HOME FOR REFUSING TO CHANGE SHIRT THAT SAID 'THERE ARE ONLY TWO GENDERS'

Thomas More Society special counsel Paul Jonna said he was surprised to learn how "pervasive" school policies keeping gender identity from parents have become.

"[There's] no question in my mind, there's definitely been coordination on a higher level," Jonna said of why such policies have sprung up as far afield as rural Kansas. "I'm very interested to learn more about that. It's something that I don't know."

"But how these policies crept in school districts all across San Diego, and all across California, and probably many, many states? I'm sure that there were large, powerful organizations behind these policies, but I'm just speculating right now. I don't know, but we're going to find out," he added.
Explosion near Simferopol

Radio Liberty has established that the blaze occurred at what used to be a training facility for Russian border guards, a few kilometers from Simferopol airport.

Open-source intelligence project GeoConfirmed subsequently confirmed the geolocation.

Russian occupation authorities rushed to assure locals that the loud bangs were related to air defense units training.

Andriy Klymenko, Editor-in-Chief of Ukrainian outlet Black Sea News, reported that since the beginning of 2023, more than 30 major explosions occurred in Crimea.

Early in the morning on April 29th, explosions were heard at the Kozacha Bay near Sevastopol. Afterwards, a massive fire broke out at a local oil depot, marked with a pillar of thick black smoke.

Read also: Russia moving 400 occupation troops to defensive positions in Crimea, General Staff

Russian occupation authorities acknowledged that four fuel tanks were damaged, with the fire consuming 1,000 square meters of area. As of 2:00 PM, they fire was reportedly extinguished.

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
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed legislation on Monday, May 1, that prohibits providing minors with gender-affirming health treatment, making it a crime for medical practitioners to do so.

To assist a person in adjusting their emotional and biological characteristics to fit the gender they identify with, rather than the one they were assigned at birth, gender-affirming treatment is described as medically required, evidence-based care delivered via a multidisciplinary approach.

Outlawing Sex Reassignment for Minors

Senate Bill 613, signed on Monday, May 1, forbids doctors and other medical staff from performing gender confirmation surgery, prescribing puberty-delaying drugs, or administering hormone therapy to minors. Any medical professional found guilty of breaking the new rule might face serious criminal penalties.

According to Fox News, those who break this law risk having their medical licenses revoked and being sued in civil court by a parent or legal guardian.

The emergency provision makes the ban effective immediately, with certain exceptions for kids already in treatment.

With the Republican governor's blessing, Oklahoma becomes the most recent state to try to limit transgender minors' access to such health care services.

In a press statement released on Monday, the state's Republican governor said he is thrilled to sign this bill into law today. "We cannot turn a blind eye to what's happening across our nation, and as governor, I am proud to stand up for what's right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma," he added.

See Also: Transgender Legislator Zooey Zephyr Sues Montana House Republicans Over Censure

Politicizing Gender-Affirming Care on Youth

The availability of gender-affirming care for transgender youth has become a political flashpoint in many conservative states, CNN remarked.

Despite the fact that treatment is tailored to each kid, some families may choose to have their children undergo reversible puberty suppression therapy. Hormone treatment, which may result in physically confirming transition, may be used at this stage.

Yet, surgical interventions are not routinely performed on children, and many medical professionals refuse to perform them for minors.

Some Republicans are worried about the treatments' long-term effects. The American Psychiatric Association, however, states that gender-affirming treatment is clinically acceptable for young children and adults with gender dysphoria, which is a kind of psychological suffering that may occur when a person's gender identity and sex assigned at birth do not coincide.

Intention to Litigate the Ban

Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the ACLU of Oklahoma have all previously stated their intention to challenge the restriction in court in order to protect transgender youth's constitutional rights.

In a joint statement released last week, the groups said, "Transgender youth in Oklahoma deserve the support and care necessary to give them the same chance to thrive as their peers. Gender-affirming care is a critical part of helping transgender adolescents succeed, establish healthy relationships with their friends and family, live authentically as themselves, and dream about their futures."

See Also: Debt Ceiling: Americans at Risk if Debt Issue Isn't Handled Before June

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Minnesota State Sen. Calvin Bahr appears topless on a Legislative Audit Commission Zoom call on May 1, 2023. Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor/YouTube

A Minnesota lawmaker briefly appeared without a shirt on a live-streamed Zoom meeting.

State Sen. Calvin Bahr also appeared to be lying in bed during Monday's legislative meeting.

He was visible for no more than a second before his screen quickly turned to black.

Any remote worker's nightmare came to fruition on Monday for one Republican lawmaker who popped up on screen in a state of undress.

Minnesota State Sen. Calvin Bahr briefly appeared on screen shirtless when the state's Office of the Legislative Auditor met virtually to hold a vote.

Monday's Zoom meeting, which was live-streamed on YouTube, momentarily showed Bahr lying in bed with a background image of the anthropomorphic bill character from the "Schoolhouse Rock!" series on display.

He was visible for no more than a second before the camera swiftly panned up and his screen turned black, displaying just his name.

Bahr, a Republican, joined the Minnesota Senate earlier this year after serving in the state's House of Representatives for six years.

He did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

A Minnesota GOP Senate spokesperson appeared to offer an explanation.

They told Star Tribune local newspaper that Bahr had been working until 4.45 a.m. at his job as a truck driver before appearing on Zoom for the vote. They said Bahr would not be commenting himself.

Bahr's Zoom blunder is not the first of its kind, nor is it the worst. In April 2021, Canadian MP William Amos accidentally appeared naked on a parliamentary video call. At the time, he said he accidentally left his camera on while he was getting changed after a jog.

Read the original article on Business Insider
It's Met Gala Monday and not everyone was excited  climate activists blocked Paris Hilton's car from arriving at the Costume Institute's grand ball and models condemned the gala's honoree on the Met's steps.

The 2023 Met Gala kicked off with a bang (and a few honks) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Its the most extravagant red carpet haute couture event of the year, which depending on whom you ask is the Super Bowl of social fashion events (Andre Leon Talley) or such a jerk parade (Tina Fey).

Each year, the Met Gala ensembles worn by the most powerful and influential celebrities adhere to a unique theme, and this years theme, which asked attendees to dress in honor of Karl, has raised more than a few eyebrows.

Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019, made headlines through the years for his irreverent and offensive takes on hot button issues, including the #MeToo movement and body positivity.

Lily Collins attends the 2023 Met Gala celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum)

The Model Alliance (an advocacy organization for fashion industry workers) held a rally on the steps of the Met on Sunday condemning the Costume Institutes choice of honoree.

This years Met Gala, which happens to fall on International Workers Day, will honor the creative genius of Karl Lagerfeld, Ziff told rally attendees and fellow protesters. What will undoubtedly be left unsaid about Lagerfeld, who I worked with regularly as a model, is any mention of his problematic attitude toward women who didnt fit his harmful and outdated standards.

Lagerfeld told a German magazine in 2009 that the only people who objected to thin models were fat mommies sitting with their bags of crisps in front of the television, saying that thin models are ugly." Lagerfeld, the creative director of Chanel at the time, added that the fashion world was all about "dreams and illusions, and no one wants to see round women.

Jeremy Pope, with a Lagerfeld train, attends Monday's gala. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Lagerfeld also had choice remarks during the #MeToo movement, telling international fashion magazine Numero in 2018 that he was fed up with the movement and calling the models who spoke out about abuse stupid, toxic and sordid creatures.

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If you dont want your pants pulled about, dont become a model! Join a nunnery, therell always be a place for you in the convent. Theyre recruiting even!

To protect models from the abuse thats long run rampant in the industry, the Model Alliance is pushing to pass the Fashion Workers Act in New York, a bill proposing basic protections for models by regulating model management companies.

"Having worked for the most prestigious modeling agencies in New York City for over 25 years, I have experienced firsthand how insidious and corrupt the fashion business  specifically the modeling industry  is. Abusive practices, [including] rampant wage theft, sexual abuse and exploitation, enabling drug addictions and sex trafficking, are only a few of the nightmares that models of all ages have to endure if they are represented by a corrupt agency, former top modeling agent Carolyn Kramer said Sunday at the rally.

Most models are manipulated by agencies to sign contracts while being told that they will become 'stars' when in reality statistics show that models are thrown into exorbitant debt because there are no legal safety nets or protection in the modeling industry. Change is long overdue, and I'm proud to stand with the Model Alliance in support of the Fashion Workers Act.

Also protesting the fashion industrys grand ball were climate activists.

The textile industry is responsible for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes more energy than aviation and shipping combined, according to the United Nations Environment Program. And fast fashion doesnt carry the burden for those numbers alone  remember when Burberry caught flack for burning its unsold products to uphold their exclusivity in 2018? Luxury brand Stefano Ricci admitted to the same practice.

As Paris Hiltons car inched its way toward the Met Galas high society steps on Monday afternoon, the reality star moments away from sliving her first Met Gala appearance, climate change protesters rushed the street.

people are protesting in front of Paris Hiltons car rn #MetGala pic.twitter.com/GGjOHR6sVC  jimmy (@jimmyphl) May 1, 2023

Several protesters sat in a line blocking the motorcade that was bringing movie stars dressed in Lagerfeld-esque tweed and pearls and black gowns with white collars to honor the late Lagerfeld.

Chants and rally cries were yelled from the middle of the intersection, and a banner that read The 1% are killing the climate was stretched out in front of Hiltons car.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldovan former Prime Minister Iurie Leanca has been charged with abuse of power over a concession that gave control of the country's main airport to a businessman now in exile, a senior prosecutor said on Tuesday.

Veronica Dragalin, head of Moldova's anti-corruption prosecution office, said a former economy minister and six other former officials also faced similar charges in a criminal case which she said had been referred to court.

All the accused pleaded not guilty, she told a news conference in the Moldovan capital Chisinau.

The 2013 concession handed control of Chisinau International Airport for a 49-year term to a company associated with politician and businessman Ilan Shor, who fled Moldova in 2019 after the election of pro-Western President Maia Sandu.

An appeals court ruled last November that control of the airport should return to the state.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Angus MacSwan)
Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) filed a lawsuit Monday asking a court to let her return to the statehouse floor after Republicans moved to punish her for speaking out against legislation that limits health care for trans youth.

Zephyr, who is one of Montanas first transgender lawmakers, was censured last week by the Houses GOP majority and barred from the chamber floor for the remainder of the legislative session. The suit, filed alongside the American Civil Liberties Union, claims the partys actions violate her First Amendment rights and those of her constituents. It requests Zephyrs legislative abilities be restored immediately as there are just a few days left in the current session.

This effort by House leadership to silence me and my constituents is a disturbing and terrifying affront to democracy itself, Zephyr said in a statement Monday. House leadership explicitly and directly targeted me and my district because I dared to give voice to the values and needs of transgender people like myself.

I'm suing.



The recent actions violate my 1st amendment rights, as well as the rights of my 11,000 constituents to representation.



Montana's State House is the peoples House, not Speaker Regiers, and Im determined to defend the right of the people to have their voices heard. pic.twitter.com/eyDjgchWPQ  Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@ZoAndBehold) May 1, 2023

Republicans were angered last month after she spoke out against legislation that would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, a law that has since been signed into law by the states Republican governor, Greg Gianforte.

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 during a hearing before the chamber passed the legislation.

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Her GOP colleagues initially said they wouldnt allow Zephyr to speak on the chamber floor until she apologized, a decision that prompted protests from her supporters in the statehouse before the ultimate censure vote. Her case has become national news, following a separate effort by Republicans in Tennessee to expel two House Democrats who called for gun control. (Both lawmakers have since been reinstated.)

A spokesperson for Montanas attorney general, Austin Knudsen, rejected the claims in Mondays case, saying Zephyrs suit was performance litigation and political activism masquerading as a lawsuit in a statement to The Associated Press.

The ACLU is trying to use the courts to interfere with the legislature as it carries out its constitutional duties on behalf of Montanans, the spokesperson said in a statement. Any relief granted by the court would be a gross violation of the separation of powers.

Republicans have spent the past year introducing hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills nationwide, but lawmakers in Montana were outraged by Zephyrs comments, saying her statements were inappropriate, disrespectful and uncalled for.

A group of 21 conservative Republicans intentionally misgendered Zephyr in those remarks.

Related...
Erin Reed, a SWAT officer, and Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr

A transgender journalist in a relationship with Montanas sole elected trans legislator, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, thwarted a SWATting attempt at her Maryland residence Tuesday morning. She credits contacting local police months ago for the incident not ending in violence.

Erin Reed is a trans activist and independent journalist who is often attacked online. She's been tracking anti-trans legislation across the country. Reed was most recently targeted by far-right extremists because she is in a relationship with Zephyr, who has gained national attention over the last two weeks for being censured by Republican lawmakers in the Montana legislature.

Tuesday morning, Zephyr tweeted that somebody had tried to send a SWAT team to her partners home to have armed law enforcement storm the residence.

Someone just attempted to SWAT my girlfriend, Zephyr wrote. Those who hate trans people are doing everything in their power to silence & harm us. But we will not be deterred. We will stand in defiance of their cruelty and never stop working until trans people get to live our lives in peace.

\u201cSomeone just attempted to SWAT my girlfriend.



Those who hate trans people are doing everything in their power to silence & harm us. But we will not be deterred.



We will stand in defiance of their cruelty, and never stop working until trans people get to live our lives in peace.\u201d  Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1683042873

Shortly before noon, Reed tweeted about the attempt. However, she wrote that because she expected this could happen she'd already been in contact with local authorities. The incident resolved itself without much fanfare.

Somebody just attempted to SWAT me for my reporting on transgender legislation and events, she wrote. Thankfully, Ive worked closely with the police in my community, anticipating this, and the attempt failed. I will never stop advocating for my community and will never be silenced.

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\u201cSomebody just attempted to SWAT me for my reporting on transgender legislation and events.



Thankfully, I've worked closely with the police in my community anticipating this, and the attempt failed.



I will never stop advocating for my community and will never be silenced.\u201d  Erin Reed (@Erin Reed) 1683042482

Reed tellsThe Advocate shes happy to have thought to secure herself by checking in with police months ago.

Its good that this happened the way it did for me in the sense that I was able to have that foresight, but not everybody has that foresight, and not every police department is going to respond the way that this one did, she says.

Although Reed acknowledges that the LGBTQ+ community has a tenuous relationship with some law enforcement organizations, she advises LGBTQ+ individuals in the spotlight to contact the police department to get them to put a note in their system to verify claims that would prompt an elevated response.

Several months ago, Reed learned that her address had been posted on right-wing websites and forums that doxx people, especially transgender individuals.

She says she approached her local police department to let them know that she is a reasonably prominent transgender journalist. She told them she knew of other transgender people whose names appeared on such sites and ended up being SWATed.

I told them that I want to make sure that if anything happens, they are aware that my address is being shared in places that are known for doxxing, and they told me that they could put a flag on my address back then, Reed says.

It was explained to her that the flag would not prevent officers from responding to her address but would inform them of the circumstances at the address.

That didnt make me feel too good, she says. I was like, OK, well, shoot. I guess they might still show up and bust my door down.

Due to her writing about transgender issues and prior harassment by far-right extremists, Reed explains that she often worries someone will send a SWAT team after her.

This time, this was one of the bigger issues that Ive been a part of because my partner, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, is in the news everywhere right now, she says.

Last week, Republicans in Montana barred Zephyr from attending any proceedings in the state House in person. She and the American Civil Liberties Union sued over the House leadership's decision to censure her in this way, but a judge ruled against her Tuesday.

Trans influencers have in the past been targeted by SWATing. Last year, Keffals, a popular Canadian transgender Twitch streamer, was SWATed, resulting in Canadian police officers storming her home after a false report about her.

Reed was contacted by police Tuesday morning to ask if she was safe after receiving a distress call.

The flag they put did work, and they didnt have to come to bust my door down, she says. They [said they] were going to be on their way to do a wellness check, but they wanted to call because they said that they had a note or a message that they had received information saying that I was being held hostage.

The Advocate confirmed the incident with a Montgomery County Police spokesperson.

An email was sent to the Montgomery County Fifth District station. Officers responded to her residence this morning for a [welfare check], the spokesperson said. They spoke with Ms. Reed, and she stated that she was fine and that her information got leaked. She stated that she provided her information to the police department because she figured something like this might happen.

Reed says the incident isn't going to discouraged her from supporting her partner or from continuing her reporting.

It is very stressful, and my partner is very much involved in doing really important work, she says. Reed says she doesn't want to be making the news, only reporting on the legislation out there. She says that when she becomes the story, she feels "like this is yet another hateful attack on people who are just trying to get the news out there on LGBT issues and all this legislation.

She continues, I cover these hearings for hours every day. I write up bills and analyze them. And I feel like just because by virtue of my relationship with the representative, now theyre trying to target me, and theyre trying to get at her through me, which I think is very, its very hateful, and its very troublesome.

I will say that this isnt going to shut me up," Reed says. Im going to keep doing reporting. Im going to stay focused on this task. Im going to continue to do what I do every day because this just goes to show the level of hate thats out there and the level of animosity thats out there towards my community.
In December, shortly after gunfire disabled two electrical substations in Moore County, triggering multiday power outages for roughly 42,000 area residents, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ordered an expansive examination of U.S. electric grid security.

The report is out and despite acknowledging concerns over the rise of grid attacks, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recommended the federal government not set baseline physical security requirements at substations like the ones attacked in North Carolina.

That does not mean that we are insensitive to the vulnerabilities inherent in the sprawling above ground design of the electric grid, NERC President and CEO Jim Robb told FERC commissioners during an April 20 meeting.

NERC instead endorsed continuing to allow utility providers to set physical security measures using a risk-based approach.

Physical security hardening of substations can be quite expensive, Robb said, noting camera installations alone can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, it is important the risk abated is commensurate with the capital needed.

NERC sets standards for the United States bulk electric systems, which FERC and state agencies like the North Carolina Utilities Commission follow. The organization does have physical and cyber security requirements for power plants and transmission lines, which if hindered could cause widespread instability to the power grid. But it does not regulate distribution substations.

There are approximately 55,000 substations across the country, many positioned on street corners and visible behind chain link fences. They are key cogs in the overall electrical grid, reducing voltage on power from transmission lines to a level suitable for home use.

Charlotte-based Duke Energy, the predominant utility provider in North Carolina, owns around 2,100 substations statewide.

Robb said utility providers can invest in additional protections designed to mitigate the local impact of physical attacks, if deemed warranted.

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Substation attacks on rise

Near the end of his remarks, Robb acknowledged electrical grid security needs to be further evaluated in light of recent sabotage attacks.

In 2022, NERC received close to 1,700 physical security incidents on the overall grid, a 10.5% increase from the previous year. Physical attacks, Robb said, included vandalism, tampering, arson, and ballistic damage.

In November, six substations were attacked across Oregon and Washington State. The same month, a substation in Jones County, North Carolina, was briefly disabled.

Then on Dec. 3, transformer radiators and their circuit breakers at a pair of substations in Moore County were shot at and dismantled. The incident forced five unaffected substations to be powered down, Robb said, leaving tens of thousands without power for four days in the area about 60 miles southwest of Raleigh.

No arrests have been made in connection to the Moore shootings.

These recent high profile events are deeply concerning for their sophistication and effectiveness, even while noting that customer impacts were localized, Robb said.

The grid attacks did not end in Moore County. In January, officials said gunshots were fired at a Randolph County substation, which did not result in outages. And in February, law enforcement arrested two people with ties to far-right extremist groups for allegedly conspiring to shut down five substations in Baltimore.

These are sobering times indeed, Robb told the FERC commissioners.

Next steps

FERC will next hold a technical conference with NERC and other industry experts to weigh implementing any physical safety rules.

I think it is a good start, FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said following Robbs remarks. We have talked about this issue of physical security many times. There is no greater priority for me and for this commission than making sure we protect the security of our electric grid.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission, which oversees public utilities in the state, can also set physical security standards for substations. It currently does not enforce any. Through a spokesperson, the state commission declined to comment on any potential future policy changes.

This story was produced with financial support from a coalition of partners led by Innovate Raleigh as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.

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Russian naval activity due to the war in Ukraine may have killed more than 100 dolphins in the Black Sea last month, scientists are reporting.

Ivan Rusev, Head of the Research Department of the Tuzly Estuaries National Park in southwest Ukraine, reported the mammals' deaths in a May 1 Facebook post.

Many of the dead dolphins had symptoms showing they were "likely affected by military sonar," said Rusev, also a doctor of ecology. Most were Black Sea bottlenose dolphins, the scientist said.

"Unfortunately, during April 2023 , more than a hundred dead dolphins have already been registered in the bays of Sevastopol and other shores of the occupied Crimea and nearby Novorossyska, Sochi, Gelendzhik... affected by military sonarami," Rusev wrote.

Novorossyska, Sochi, Gelendzhik are all port cities or nearby resort towns along the Black Sea coast.

In his post, Rusev also wrote 77 dead whales have also been identified in the Crimea since January.

While at least 100 dead animals have already been registered, the death toll is much higher, with scientists believing the number surpasses 1,000, the post continues.

"This is confirmation of the fact that the activity of hostile submarines and submarines in that part of the Black Sea near Crimea and Novorossiysk," Rusev wrote.

Dolphins harassed in Hawaii Nearly three dozen swimmers accused of harassing dolphins in Hawaii

No evidence of fishing injury

In January, the BBC reported dolphins and porpoises have been washing up dead on the shores of the Black Sea in unusually high numbers with scientists pointing the finger at increased Russian military action.

When Rusev found dead animals in that area in previous years, the outlet reported, many had marks on their bodies suggesting they had got caught up in fishing gear.

Just like the marine mammals found in April, he reported those animals had none.

A dolphin patrols Mantanzas Pass underneath the bridge to Fort Myers Beach with its pod on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Patches the 40-pound cat Checking in with Patches, the 40-pound cat adopted in Virginia

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The uptick in deaths is unusual, Rusev said: Earlier this year, he told the outlet he finds three to four dead dolphins along the 27 miles of shoreline in the park annually.

But when the war began, the military closed a large portion of shoreline. Between February and August 2022, Rusev said he and his team discovered 35 dead marine mammals along the 3 miles of shoreline still accessible, according to the BBC.

"His team spoke to their counterparts in other Black Sea countries, except Russia and Georgia. Some of Ukraine's national parks, including one near the devastated city of Mariupol, are now in Russian occupied territory," the outlet reported.

When they added up the numbers they learned at least 2,500 dead dolphins had washed up on shore between February 2022, when the war started, and May of last year. Because most dead dolphins simply sink to the bottom of the sea and are never counted, the outlet reported, Rusev believes the actual number is much higher.

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: Hundreds of Black Sea dolphin deaths due to war in Ukraine: scientists
Wilson County Sheriff's Office squad car.

A former Lebanon school bus driver who was convicted and imprisoned for sex crimes involving minors then released at the end of his sentence has been charged in a newly discovered case.

The alleged charges occurred in 2012  at least three years before the charges that previously led to a prison sentence. In April, Stephen Massey, 54, was charged with eight counts in a case involving a newly discovered victim.

Stephen Massey, 54, was charged in April with eight more counts in a case prosecutors say dates back to 2012 and involve a newly discovered victim.

Charges include:

Two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor (possession of child pornography  more than 100 images)

Four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor (possession of child pornography), one count of sexual battery by an authority figure and one count of aggravated sexual battery of a child under 13

Sexual battery by an authority figure

Aggravated sexual battery of a child under age 13.

In October of 2017, Massey pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted solicitation of a minor. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Massey's sentence expired in July 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction.

The prison sentence resulted from a conviction for crimes that prosecutors said occurred late 2015 to early 2016 when Massey was a bus driver for the Lebanon Special School District. Prosecutors said Massey manipulated two students, then ages 7 and 9, to expose body parts.

Twenty-two additional charges for sex crimes against children were issued against Massey in 2021 for separate allegations that occurred in 2007-08 and 2013-14. That case is still open with trial set for Aug. 1-3, according to the District Attorney's Office of the 15th Judicial District.

That case did not relate Masseys employment as a bus driver, prosecutors have said. The latest charges also do not relate to previous employment as a bus driver, District Attorney General Jason Lawson said.

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Bond for Massey's latest charges was set at $100,000. Massey is released on bond, according to Wilson County jail records.

Since the latest case involves allegations that investigators believe occurred before Massey was free on bond from the case that involves 22 charges, Lawson said the suspect not subject to court-ordered bond revocation.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former Lebanon school bus driver indicted on additional sex crimes
Robert Garon, 23, poses with his puppy, Buzz Lightyear, a 5-month-old Goldendoodle who died July 29 due to possible head trauma.

Nearly nine months after a Naples family was upended with an arrest for beating a puppy to death, the man's mother says they have hope their good names will be restored.

Recent depositions in the case accusing Robert Garon, 23, of fatally beating his beloved puppy Buzz Lightyear seem to shift blame, said his mother, Suzanne Garon, also of Naples.

"The stress is just chronic, ongoing cancer," Suzanne Garon, citing lost jobs, mailed threats, hospital visits because of stress and lost family time. "I would say that we all have to live with it. It's taken a huge toll on all of us emotionally."

Some of the worst is the public's perception of the arrest. An anonymous mailed threat addressed Robert Garon, wishing death and destruction on him and his family.

"We will state this to you, you will never rest easy again," the letter collected by Suzanne Garon reads. "We are making it our mission, it will end up excruciatingly awful for you, to make sure that the only words that you hear, in your last breaths, are the words: 'Buzz Lightyear.'"

The letter further threatens that Robert Garon wouldn't sense the alleged perpetrators' attack. It includes a printed excerpt from an initial Naples Daily News story on the case.

Suzanne Garon filed a report with the Collier County Sheriff's Office. According to the report, about 4 p.m. Aug. 27, 2022, Suzanne Garon opened the letter, which arrived from California and didn't include a return address.

The law office of Donald Day, who represents the younger Garon has said the depositions expose flaws in law enforcement's procedures on scene, naming two other men in the puppy's death.

Depositions are formal statements promised to be true under oath.

Video voyeurism: Target employee arrested on video voyeurism, petty theft charges, Collier Sheriff says

Animal cruelty: Naples woman, 45, pleads not guilty, waives arraignment in dog's suffocation death

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Sizanne Garon said she's ended up in the emergency room twice with various medical conditions that were "certainly brought on by stress."

"My son ... on a daily basis ... His life has been turned upside down," Suzanne Garon said.

Suzanne Garon said Garon lost his job at JPMorgan Chase because of the case. He graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a finance degree.

Garon and his girlfriend have supported one another through the ensuing months, Suzanne Garon said. She added that his girlfriend has found a new job.

"The depositions were extremely encouraging for us because they confirmed what we've known from day one," Suzanne Garon said of the other two men who had contact with the dog. The Naples Daily News is not naming the men identified in the depositions.

Suzanne Garon says she hopes jurors will exonerate her son during the July trial.

"I think there's a difference between what our hope would be and what our expectation is," she said. "Certainly our hope would be that the real guilty party is held accountable, and that they are punished for that."

Robert Garon pleaded not guilty on Sept. 6, 2022. He passed an independent polygraph test administered by John Hisler, an independent polygraph examiner, Suzanne Garon said. While polygraphs aren't admissible in court, they could point detectives in the right direction.

According to Day's office, on the night of the incident, Robert Garon left Buzz home for two hours. When he returned, Buzz was in distress. The two other men were in the apartment while he was gone.

Garon rushed Buzz to the emergency vet, but it was too late to save him. He and his girlfriend were devastated by the loss of their beloved Buzz, who they referred to as their "son," Suzanne Garon said.

Day couldn't be reached for additional comment before publication.

How has the case affected Robert Garon's family?

Suzanne Garon said family members plan to attend Garon's jury trial, set for July 17.

"We have many friends who are 100% in support of our son who love him, who believe in him, who know his integrity, who know his personality," she said.

Suzanne Garon said the family has received other threatening letters in the mail.

"We're certainly a lot more cautious," Suzanne Garon said. "We're always looking around to see if there's any kind of crazy person that's, you know, going to come after us."

She added that the threats have died down since "the initial flurry of it all."

What restrictions does Robert Garon face?

Among others, Garon can't be around any pets when he visits his family, Suzanne Garon said.

"That's one of the many tragedies of this case," Suzanne Garon said. "Our family has had pets Robert's entire life. We've had cats, we've had dogs, guinea pigs."

She said he has always loved being around dogs.

When FGCU's campus closed for the pandemic in March 2020, Robert Garon returned home when they brought their newest furry family member home, Suzanne Garon said.

"For the first year of her life, he goes around her all the time," she said. "Now of course, she's 3-and-a-half years old and 8 pounds, and, according to the judge's orders, he's not allowed to be around her."

Suzanne Garon said for Garon to visit family, she has to find a neighbor willing to accommodate the dog.

"Our dog who loves Robert to death. She cries when she hears this voice," Suzanne Garon said. "[She] desperately wants to be around him. He desperately wants to be around her."

Background to the case

The Sheriff's Office began investigating Aug. 2 after Collier County Domestic Animal Services contacted it about a suspected abuse involving the puppy.

Detectives with the sheriffs Animal Cruelty Investigations Alliance arrested Garon on Aug. 11, 2022, and charged him with the late July slaying of his 5-month-old puppy.

The investigation showed Robert Garon and his girlfriend Buzz to the Emergency Pet Hospital where they were unable to provide hospital staff with an explanation for the puppys injuries, officials said.

The puppy was wet, disoriented, and unable to breathe normally, unable to stand or pick its head up. The puppy died at the hospital.

A witness later contacted the hospital and told staff they heard Garon beating the puppy on July 29, according to the sheriff's office report.

During a sheriff's investigation, veterinarians performed a necropsy on the puppy at Humane Society Naples.

"This dogs death was caused by non-accidental, blunt force trauma to the head and body with secondary internal hemorrhage. I believe he suffered significantly from his injuries before death," the report said in part.

Both the sheriff's office and Samantha Syoen, spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office, said they can't comment on active cases.

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 Naples Daily News: Naples mom hopes depositions will prove son's innocence in puppy death
Washington  Debra Tice woke up startled one morning last month and grabbed her phone.

"My mother's intuition woke me up incredibly early," she recalled Tuesday at an event at the National Press Club in Washington.

She opened her phone to find a roughly translated story originally by a Lebanese news outlet that appeared on a Syrian website. The report claimed that U.S. officials and representatives of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime had held meetings in Oman, and that the talks included discussion of her son, Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria nearly 11 years ago.

"It was very significant to me. Do we have movement? The president gave the directive May 2, 2022," she said, referring to a meeting she had with President Biden at the White House, where he directed his staff to secure a meeting with the Syrians and find out what they wanted in exchange for her son.

"Here are my empty arms," she said. "So you can see how effective all this effort has been."

Tice, a freelance journalist who had worked with several news organizations including CBS News, The Washington Post and McClatchy, was kidnapped near Damascus on Aug. 14, 2012, while he was reporting on the Syrian civil war.

A short video that appeared weeks later on YouTube and Facebook showed a distressed Tice blindfolded with his apparent captors. It was the last time he was seen.

Freelance journalist Austin Tice went missing in Syria in 2012 and has not been heard from since. / Credit: Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

No one has ever claimed responsibility for his disappearance. In a statement marking 10 years since he disappeared, Mr. Biden said the U.S. knows "with certainty that he has been held by the Syrian regime." He called on Syria to come to the table and negotiate.

But Debra Tice said Tuesday she believes it's the U.S. who is not ready to negotiate, saying the State Department is "exceedingly, profoundly anti-Syria, anti-engagement with Syria." In past interviews she has accused U.S. officials of dragging their feet.

"I think it's time to let a lot of concerns go," she said. "Getting Austin home does not have to change our foreign policy. We can engage with Syria. We can have a discussion. We can negotiate and we can bring Austin home without changing our foreign policy."

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She continued: "We got Brittney Griner home without changing Russian foreign policy. The Venezuelans. We get people home without changing foreign policy."

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the U.S. is "engaging extensively to try and get Austin home."

"We have and will continue to pursue every channel we can to seek his safe return to his family and we will continue to do so," he said. "And that means discussing this case with a number of countries in the region, and we're going to continue to keep working until he returns."

Mr. Biden acknowledged Austin Tice at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday and said the U.S. is continuing its efforts to find him and secure his release. Debra, who was at the dinner, said she's received repeated assurances that the U.S. is working on his case, but those assurances lose their strength with her son still in captivity.

"It's hard for me to think about what progress is because there's really only one measure for me," Debra Tice said. "Empty arms. Full arms."

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US President Joe Biden reassures Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of Washington's commitment to defend the Philippines amid escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea.

The two countries reaffirmed their long-standing security alliance and set new rules to improve military and economic cooperation.

The US views the Philippines as a key ally in countering China's aggression and will deploy additional resources to the Philippines.

In a Monday White House meeting, US President Joe Biden assured Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that Washington would defend Manila amid growing tensions with China in the South China Sea.

The United States is the only treaty ally of the Philippines, which Marcos noted on his first visit to the White House in a decade.

As the United States and the Philippines, both seek ways to counter China's escalating aggression near Taiwan and in the South China Sea, the two countries reaffirmed their long-standing security alliance, which is seen as a significant shift in US-Philippine relations, Reuters reported.

According to US sources, the presidents will set new rules to improve military and economic cooperation between the two nations. During a meeting with Philippine President Marcos Jr., President Biden reaffirmed his "ironclad" commitment to the Philippines' defense, including in the South China Sea.

In addition, Joe Biden promised the Philippines that the United States will continue to be resolute in tackling problems like climate change, workers' rights, legality, and economic cooperation.

In a joint statement, they declared that the US commitment to mutual defense under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty would be activated in the event of any military assault on the Philippines anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.

Marcos Calls For Bolstering US-Philippine Ties

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region during his five-day visit to the US and commended the US for its efforts to uphold stability, growth, and peace in the region.

The Philippines' chief executive stressed the necessity for both nations "to find ways to strengthen our alliances and our partnership" to meet the difficulties faced by the new post-pandemic economy. He said that the Philippines is now dealing with one of the world's most complex geopolitical circumstances, according to The Manila Times.

Given the complicated situation in the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the necessity for the Philippines to solidify and redefine its relationship with the United States, its only treaty partner.

Read Also: Japan, South Korea Finance Ministers Hold 1st Bilateral Meeting in 7 Years

The discussions were the first of their type between the US and the Philippines in decades, according to a senior US official.

Due to the US and China's rivalry for influence in the region, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has attempted to strike a balance in the nation's relations with both of these nations. He reiterated that the Philippines would not be utilized as a staging area for any military operation.

The Philippines' Key Role in the Asia Pacific

In its attempts to thwart a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the US views the Philippines as a key ally.

Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), Manila has permitted the US access to four additional of its military sites, and the two allies recently conducted their biggest military exercises.

According to the EDCA, the Joe Biden administration will deploy three C-130 planes and more patrol boats to the Philippines, per Al Jazeera.

Additionally, the United States and the Philippines will adopt defense policies that "institutionalize key bilateral priorities, mechanisms, and processes to deepen alliance cooperation and interoperability across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace," according to a White House statement.

Later this month, Joe Biden has meetings in Japan for the G7 and Australia for the Quad, both of which are anticipated to concentrate on China.

Related Article: Philippine Coast Guard Exposes China's Aggression in Disputed Waters

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
F-16 Vipers line up in formation on the flight line April 21, 2023, at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. A total of 49 F-16 Vipers and MQ-9 Reapers were lined up on the Holloman runway to demonstrate the incredible air power generated by the 49th Wing as the largest Viper and Reaper formal training unit in the Air Force.

Fans of U.S. Air Force elephant walks  shows of force that display levels of readiness, personnel skills, and sheer military might, as well as practicing generating large numbers of aircraft sorties quickly  have been spoiled for choice of late, with multiple such events taking place at airbases across the continental United States. Now we have the chance to watch a very unique elephant walk put on recently by Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico in an equally unique way, via the MTS-B sensor turret on an MQ-9 Reaper drone flying above the runway.

Forty-nine F-16s and MQ-9s line up on the flight line on April 21, 2023, at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, as seen from an MQ-9 flying over the base. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force

The April 21 elephant walk at Holloman involved 49 aircraft  40 F-16 fighter jets and nine MQ-9 drones, the two types that are operated by the resident 49th Wing. This pairing of manned fighters and unmanned tactical aircraft in a single elephant walk seems to be new and it is very likely just a glimpse of what's to come in the not-so-distant future.

As well as the more familiar photos of the aircraft from the Fightin 49ers gleaming on the runway under the New Mexico sun, the U.S. military's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) has also released a video and still photos shot from one of the 49th Wings Reapers overhead the base as the aircraft sat in formation on the runway.

The TV and infrared footage provided by the sensors aboard an MQ-9 give a very different look at the now-familiar elephant walk. As the jets and drones gather on the runway, the thermal signatures from their engines show up as distinct white plumes on the infrared camera.

F-16s and MQ-9s glow on the MQ-9's MTS-B infrared sensor. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force An MQ-9 sits on the flight line at Holloman Air Force Base. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force All 49 F-16s and MQ-9s line up on the flight line at Holloman. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force Engines running, F-16s line up in formation on the flight line. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force A gaggle of Vipers lines up in formation. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force Infrared and regular electro-optical imagery of the F-16s and MQ-9s at Holloman Air Force Base. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force MQ-9s and F-16s assigned to the 49th Wing as seen from directly overhead. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force Eight MQ-9s on the flight line. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force Four F-16s line up in formation behind eight MQ-9s. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force

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The F-16s involved in the elephant walk came from the 8th, 311th, and 314th Fighter Squadrons, while the MQ-9s are assigned to the 6th, 9th, and 29th Attack Squadrons. All these are training units, responsible for generating hundreds of combat-ready fighter pilots, remotely piloted aircraft pilots, and sensor operators every year. In fact, roughly a quarter of all fighter pilots in the Air Force at this time will have come through the Holloman training pipeline.

In an official release relating to the elephant walk, Col. Justin Spears, 49th Wing commander, explained: When people mention Holloman Air Force Base I want them to picture the aircraft and mission thats displayed in todays elephant walk. We have the largest F-16 Viper and MQ-9 Reaper training pipeline and this elephant walk showcases the amount of airpower and manpower we can generate.

MQ-9s assigned to the 49th Wing line up on the runway during the elephant walk at Holloman Air Force Base. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Victor J. Caputo F-16s and MQ-9s assigned to the 49th Wing line up on the runway. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Savanah Koontz The elephant walk at Holloman on April 21, 2023, was the first at the base to involve MQ-9s. U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Antonio Salfran The 49th Wing is the Air Forces largest F-16 and MQ-9 formal training unit. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Victor J. Caputo The specially painted flagship F-16s of the 311th Fighter Squadron (FS), 8th FS, 314th FS, and 49th Wing. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicholas Paczkowski U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kyle Phelps, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Unit maintainer, prepares an MQ-9 for taxi on April 21. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michelle Ferrari

I think elephant walks are important as it shows our NATO partners and other allies around the world that we care about producing pilots and operators, added Maj. Sean Robere, assistant director of operations at the 311th Fighter Squadron. It also shows other parts of the world that we are continuing to produce capable airmen and aircraft.

As mentioned, the show of force at Holloman Air Force Base is just one of a number of recent elephant walks hosted at different bases, involving a wide variety of aircraft types.

The latest series kicked off with a March 21 weather flush by seven E-3G Sentry Airborne Warning And Control, or AWACS, aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. This event was designed to give aircrews, support squadrons, and maintainers a chance to practice generating the E-3G Sentry to evacuate the area quickly in the event of a weather emergency and you can read more about it here.

Seven E-3s, based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, perform a weather flush exercise that included an elephant walk, on March 21. U.S. Air Force

On March 24, meanwhile, no fewer than 20 mobility aircraft at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, took part in another severe weather exercise, intended to simulate a mass evacuation of aircraft. Those aircraft comprised eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs, seven KC-135 Stratotankers, and five KC-46 Pegasus tankers.

C-17s, KC-135s, and KC-46s line up for the elephant walk at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on March 24. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trenton Jancze

An elephant walk at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, on March 27, saw 21 tankers  16 KC-46s and five KC-135s  line up on the runway as part of an Agile Combat Employment exercise, named Lethal Pride. The elephant walk launched the exercise and consisted of aircraft and aircrews from both the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the 931st Air Refueling Wing.

16 KC-46s and five KC-135s line up for the elephant walk during Exercise Lethal Pride on March 27, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brenden Beezley

The biggest of these events was hosted at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, on April 7, and saw no fewer than 80 training aircraft on the runway. Technical training students from the 82nd Training Wing joined 40 T-38 Talon and 40 T-6A Texan II trainers from the 80th Flying Training Wing, in what the Air Force described as an effort to shine a spotlight on the importance of training as the foundation of airpower.

Four thousand airmen and 80 aircraft participate in the elephant walk at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, on April 7. Courtesy photo/U.S. Air Force

Finally, following the April 21 elephant walk at Holloman, April 26 saw yet more tankers take to the tarmac, as 18 KC-135s lined up at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, as part of Operation Violent Storm, an exercise designed to test rapid mobilization across different units.

All in all, we are now seeing elephant walks on a more regular basis, as the Air Force showcases the kind of readiness that could be utilized during a full-blown crisis. At the same time, elephant walks are undoubtedly eye-catching in and of themselves, providing a significant morale boost and means of celebrating a base and its resident units.

With that in mind, Hollomans Fightin 49ers are to be congratulated on their different take on documenting an elephant walk, with their unique drones-eye-view of the event.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Following the slaying of Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard in June 2022, Austin Jacob Allen Davidson was charged in his death, and now the trial is underway.

Wicomico County Circuit Court has scheduled the trial for the next 10 days following a series of continuances in 2022 and pretrial conferences.

Where will the trial be held?

The trial in Wicomico County Circuit Court will be presided over by Judge James S. Sarbanes in Courtroom 3 through May 12. Currently, jury selection is underway and will take place Monday with it also extending potentially into Tuesday.

Opening arguments could be slated for as early as Wednesday, May 3.

More on the evening in question Here's what we know about the shooting death of Wicomico Deputy Glenn Hilliard

What occurred the evening of the arrest?

According to Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, deputies received information on Sunday, June, 12, 2022 that Davidson  who was wanted by Maryland State Police in several counties, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office and city of Baltimore police  was at the Talbot Apartments complex in Pittsville.

Initial responding deputies, called at about 8:30 p.m. to the 7400 block of Gumboro Road in Pittsville, did not find Davidson, though about 10 minutes later, Hilliard saw Davidson near a stairwell and drove up to him. When Davidson spotted the deputy, he took off, Lewis said.

During the pursuit, Davidson fired at the deputy with an illegal firearm hitting him at least once, according to the Sheriff's Office.

More on scenes from the community Wife and daughter of Sheriff's Deputy Glenn Hilliard speak at vigil

What are the charges?

According to the Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office, Davidson is facing first- and second-degree murder charges, felony use of a firearm in a violent crime, and a number of the other charges in connection with the possession and use of an illegal firearm.

Davidson's contact with law enforcement began as far back as 2018, when at 17 years old, Maryland State Police issued an alert saying he was missing. He was found in Salisbury three days later, unharmed.

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In 2019, Davidson was convicted in Baltimore City of armed robbery and given probation before judgment, meaning his prison sentence was suspended for three years, Lewis said. He had robbed a McDonald's of more than $1,100.

In April 2022, he was also charged by Ocean City Police Department officers with assault. A trial was slated for May 18, 2022, but he failed to appear, court records show.

In May 2022, Davidson was charged by Maryland State Police in Salisbury with second-degree burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Court records show he had a rifle or shotgun, as well as ammunition.

More on the vigil for the deputy 'We lost a very brave man': Hundreds gather for vigil for Deputy Glenn Hilliard

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Murder trial in slaying of Deputy Hilliard underway: What to know
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J.  The longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey on Tuesday called on the Biden administration to stop the use of discriminatory security practices that he said target Muslim Americans after he was abruptly blocked from joining a White House celebration to mark the end of Ramadan.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, a Democrat who has served as mayor of that North Jersey borough the past 17 years, said he was within minutes of entering the White House for a celebration of Eid al-Fitr on Monday when he was told he was not cleared by the Secret Service to attend the event. A specific reason was not given, he said.

Khairullah  who said he faced racial profiling in the past  said the scenario was due to his name allegedly being on a federal government watch list. The Council on American-Islamic Relations New Jersey chapter provided reporters with leaked records they said proved Khairullah was on such a list, which they described as arbitrary and discriminatory.

At this point, our crimes are our names, ethnicities and religion, Khairullah said during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. I call on President Biden to correct the injustices of the previous administrations by disbanding this illegal list and correcting ill-advised and racist policies.

I have no due process to clear my name, he added. This is an unintelligent dragnet.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday referred questions on the matter to the Secret Service but noted that the event at the White House was attended by nearly 400 Muslim-Americans.

When reached for comment by POLITICO Tuesday, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that Khairullah was denied entry to the White House event, where President Joe Biden gave remarks, but was not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.

Khairullah said such inconveniences and harassment are not uncommon for him. In 2019, Khairullah said he was held up for hours at JFK International Airport in New York and asked if he knew any terrorists and was forced to turn over his phone.

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Khairullah said he has not heard from the White House or Secret Service since being disinvited from the event, but wants to use his platform to raise awareness for security practices that he said unfairly targets Muslim Americans.

I've been to the White House complex prior, he said. I have posed no threat."

At an unrelated event Tuesday morning, Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he spoke with Khairullah the evening before. The governor noted that Khairullaha  whom he called an outstanding American  attended an event at the governor's mansion in Princeton celebrating Eid this past weekend.

We're trying to figure out exactly what happened as we speak, he told reporters. As you can imagine, I spoke to Muhammad last night. He's a very close personal friend of mine.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said he was profoundly disappointed that the mayor was barred from entering the event.

I believe excluding him was the wrong decision, Booker said in a statement. This incident is not just insulting to our ideals and to Mayor Khairullah but also to the community he serves.

Booker, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Passaic), whose district includes Prospect Park, also sent a letter to the Secret Service on Tuesday asking why the mayor was denied entry to the White House and to review his status so it doesn't happen again.

"Mayor Khairullah is a devoted public servant, close friend and the longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey, proudly serving his community for over 17 years. As a former volunteer firefighter, Mayor Khairullah has continuously demonstrated dedication to public safety," the lawmakers wrote.

They did not mention anything about a "watch list," but ended the letter: "We have long appreciated the work of the Biden administration to erase xenophobic policies of the past and turn a new chapter for America."

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of CAIR-NJ, said during the Tuesday press conference that the instance was emblematic of a larger issue of discriminatory profiling from the governments that targets American Muslims. Maksut also called for the White House to end the use of government watch lists."

Today is an opportunity for the nation for the government to consider an opportunity to disband the watch list once and for all, he said.
President Joe Biden speaks during a reception celebrating Eid-al-Fitr in the East Room of the White House on May 1.

President Joe Biden speaks during a reception celebrating Eid-al-Fitr in the East Room of the White House on May 1.

A Muslim New Jersey mayor said Monday the Secret Service denied him entry to the White House for a reception hosted by President Joe Biden to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah told NBC News that Secret Service informed him shortly before he was due to arrive that he didnt receive the clearance required to enter the premises.

Khairullah added he believes his name was on an FBI watchlist by mistake. He said it has been an issue when traveling in the past, but he thought it had already been resolved.

Im baffled, he told NBC News.

In a Facebook post, Khairullah wrote the incident reeks of #Islamophobia by certain federal agencies.

The Secret Service confirmed Khairullah was denied entry, but declined to provide further details.

While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not permitted to enter the White House complex for this evenings event, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement shared with multiple news outlets.

Khairullah told the Associated Press he was questioned for three hours at New Yorks JFK airport in 2019 after returning from a trip to Turkey with his family. Authorities at the airport asked if he knew any terrorists, he said.

He said he also was previously held at the U.S.-Canada border upon returning to the U.S.

Its not a matter of I didnt get to go to a party, he told AP about Mondays incident. Its why I did not go. And its a list that has targeted me because of my identity. And I dont think the highest office in the United States should be down with such profiling.

Khairullah, who fled Syria in 1980 and became a U.S. citizen in 2000, has served as mayor of Prospect Park since November 2005. He was reelected in January.

Selaedin Maksut, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in New Jersey, called Mondays events wholly unacceptable and insulting.

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We call on the White House to override the Secret Service and reinstate the mayors invitation, disband the secret watchlist, and issue an apology to the Mayor, Maksut said in a statement.

If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has? Maksut continued.

In a Twitter post following the reception, Biden wrote We must always stand against anti-Muslim hate. And stand up for the rights and dignity of all people.

Its essential to who we are: a nation founded on the idea of freedom and justice for all, he added.
The longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey said he was stunned after he got a call Monday afternoon disinviting him from an annual Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House while he was in his car just miles away from the event.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he was informed that the Secret Service denied him security clearance and he could no longer attend the gathering of prominent Muslim leaders and President Joe Biden.

"It's disappointing and it's shocking that this continues to happen under our Constitution which provides that everyone is innocent unless proven guilty. I honestly dont know what my charge, if you want to put it that way, is at this point, to be treated in such a manner," Khairullah said in an interview.

A United States Secret Service spokesman confirmed in a statement Monday night that the mayor was not permitted to attend.

"While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening," said Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service. "Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House."

Mayor: 'I think right now my crime is my name'

Khairullah, who has served as mayor for over 17 years, said a Democratic party staffer had even asked him to help compile a list of Muslim leaders in New Jersey to invite to the annual celebration for Eid, the holiday that marks the end of the Ramadan fasting month.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah speaks during a ceremony to swear in Nadia Kahf (not shown) as judge of the New Jersey Superior Court during a ceremony in Paterson on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

He claims it's not the first time he was improperly profiled. In 2019, Khairullah was held for three hours at JFK International Airport after returning from a trip to Turkey with his family. He was questioned about his travels, asked whether he met with any terrorists and forced to hand over his phone. He was detained again at the Canadian border for about three hours returning from a family vacation about two years ago, he said.

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After the incident at JFK Airport, Khairullah said he tried to find out why he had been flagged, but federal agencies would not provide any information.

"I think right now my crime is my name," said Khairullah, 47.

Watchlist with millions of names hampers freedoms

Civil liberties and anti-discrimination organizations say Americans have been unjustly added to secret watchlists that hamper their ability to travel and open bank accounts. Dozens of Americans have sued, saying their names were wrongly added and they had no meaningful way to challenge it.

The Council on American Islamic Relations has called on the Biden administration to suspend FBI dissemination of the Federal Terrorist Screening Dataset, a watchlist that reportedly contain about 1.5 million names. CAIR attorneys examined a copy leaked in January, which appeared to be almost entirely lists of Arabic and Muslim names," the organization said.

In their review, they said they spotted a name and date of birth matching the Prospect Park mayor. Khairullah suspected he had been on a list since 2019, when he began to face interrogations and searches during his travels.

The Prospect Park mayor was born in Syria, and his family fled persecution in 1980. They lived in Saudi Arabia before moving to the United States in 1991.

"In Syria that kind of stuff happens," said Khairullah. "People write a report about someone and they get detained or harassed or sometimes disappear. Luckily, Im not disappearing, but the fact is, there is a secret list I cant clear my name from and it still haunts me and follows me where I go. I cant even enter the Peoples House and meet with my president. It's shameful."

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CAIR's New Jersey chapter condemned the actions against Khairullah and called for the White House to issue an apology to the mayor.

That a well-respected Muslim leader would effectively be disinvited from the White House Eid celebration, just hours ahead of time, is wholly unacceptable and insulting," said Selaedin Maksut, the chapter's executive director.

Khairullah stood beside New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy at his Eid celebration at the governor's mansion in Princeton just two days ago, Maksut noted. The mayor is also a humanitarian activist who has delivered aid to refugees in Syria, Turkey and Bangladesh. A former volunteer firefighter, he was sworn into his fifth consecutive term in January.

CAIR said the incident on Monday demonstrates lack of transparency and government overreach.

"If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has?" Maksut asked.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New Jersey Mayor Mohamed Khairullah barred from White House Eid event
Prospect Park, New Jersey, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Mohamed Khairullah, the mayor of Prospect Park, New Jersey, was turned away from a White House event celebrating an Islamic holiday, and says he believes it was due to racial profiling.

Khairullah, the longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey, told The North Jersey Record he received a phone call from the U.S. Secret Service informing him he would not be allowed into the White House, just 30 minutes prior to the festivities. The event, which was hosted Monday by President Biden, celebrated the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed the mayor's account of the events in a statement, per the Record, saying Khairullah "was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening. Unfortunately, we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House."

However, Khairullah told the Record he believes he was racially profiled because he was Muslim, despite the fact that the event was celebrating an Islamic holiday. "I think right now my crime is my name," he said, and also claimed his security clearance had been denied because he was wrongly placed on a "government watch list."

Khairullah, who has served as Prospect Park mayor for over 17 years, said during a press conference on Tuesday, per Politico, that "our crimes are our names, ethnicities, and religion...I call on President Biden to correct the injustices of the previous administrations by disbanding this illegal list and correcting ill-advised and racist policies."

This is not the first time that Khairullah claims to have been racially profiled, telling CNN he was stopped at JFK International Airport in 2019 while returning from a trip to Turkey and asked if he had any terrorist affiliations.

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President Joe Biden talks with Imam Makhdoom Zia after speaking during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 1, 2023, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press

The Muslim mayor of a small town in New Jersey is accusing federal officials of mistreatment after he was turned away from a White House event Monday without an explanation of what he did wrong.

Mohamed Khairullah, who has led Prospect Park, New Jersey, for the past 17 years, told CNN that racial profiling likely played a role in the Secret Services decision to deny him access to an Eid celebration hosted by President Joe Biden that he had been invited to.

Theres no doubt in my mind that at this point, my crime is my race, my religion and my name, he said.

In a Monday statement, the Secret Service confirmed that Khairullah was turned away from the event but declined to offer additional details.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide additional commentary on the specifics surrounding the protective means and methods used at the White House, the statement said.

Who is Mohamed Khairullah?

Khairullah, who is currently in his fifth term as mayor of Prospect Park, was born in Syria but fled the country with his family as a child, according to The Washington Post. They briefly lived in Saudi Arabia before settling in the United States in the early 1990s.

In 2000, Khairullah became a U.S. citizen. The following year, he ran for office for the first time and was elected to the borough council for Prospect Park, which is a little more than 20 miles northwest of Manhattan, The Washington Post reported.

Khairullah previously spoke out against law enforcement officials in 2019 after being detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the airport. He said they questioned him for hours about his familys travels and held onto his personal cellphone for more than a week.

While Khairullah didnt know for certain why he had been detained, he suspected that his past travels could have been a factor, The Washington Post reported after the 2019 incident.

The mayor referenced his past detainment at the airport during his Tuesday interview with CNN, noting that hes concluded he must be on a terrorism watch list.

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Hes hoping for the opportunity to visit the White House to discuss the targeting of Muslims, South Asians, middle easterners and anybody, CNN reported.

What is Eid?

Before being turned away, Khairullah had been set to attend the White House celebration commemorating one of the most prominent Islamic holidays on the calendar: Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr, which is also referred to simply as Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the month when many Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset.

Eid al-Fitr translates to the feast of breaking the fast, according to a guide to the holiday from the University of Southern California. The guide notes that Muslims typically celebrate Eid at special worship services and family gatherings.

People greet each other with Eid Mubarak, meaning Blessed Eid and with formal embraces. Sweet dishes are prepared at home and gifts are given to children and to those in need, USC reports.

The White House typically treats Eid as an opportunity for the president and other high-ranking officials to connect with Muslim leaders.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tried to keep the focus on that goal when she was asked about Khairullahs plight on Tuesday, according to CNN.

The president was very proud to welcome nearly 400 Muslim Americans to the White House to celebrate Eid yesterday, she said. It was a meaningful event, an opportunity to celebrate along Muslim leaders from across the country who were here.

The White Houses guests included Khizr Khan, whose son was killed in Iraq in 2004 while serving as a captain in the Army, and Imam Makhdoom Zia, founder of an Islamic center in Washington, D.C., NBC News reported.
Mohamed Khairullah, the mayor of Prospect Park, New Jersey, was not allowed onto the White House grounds on Monday night for the annual Eid celebration to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Khairullah, the longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey, told CBS News that he received a phone call around 2 p.m. from the White House telling him that his clearance was denied by the Secret Service and he would not be allowed to attend the event hosted by President Biden. A spokesman for the Secret Service confirmed that Khairullah was denied entry but declined to offer further details.

"It's disappointing and it's shocking that this continues to happen under our Constitution which provides that everyone is innocent unless proven guilty. I honestly don't know what my charge, if you want to put it that way, is at this point, to be treated in such a manner," Khairullah told NorthJersey.com.

Khairullah told the outlet that he has been profiled before, and when he tried to find out why he had been flagged, federal agencies would not provide any information.

"I think right now my crime is my name," he said.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah speaks in support of Palestinians in New Jersey on May 16, 2021. / Credit: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement on Monday night calling the episode "wholly unacceptable and insulting."

"Only months ago, Khairullah was praised by elected officials across the state as one of the longest serving Muslim mayors in the country, and the longest in New Jersey," CAIR said in the statement. "Today, in an affront to the Muslim community and the American public at large, and in what could be perceived as a continued use of the secret watchlist, the Secret Service denied Mayor Khairullah entry, on the basis that he was not cleared by security."

CAIR said Khairullah had helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile a list of local Muslim leaders who could be invited.

Prospect Park is located in northern New Jersey and has a population of about 6,000. Khairullah has been mayor for 17 years.

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According to The Associated Press, Khairullah was born in Syria. His family was displaced during Hafez al-Assad's crackdowns in the 1980s, and they eventually fled from Saudi Arabia.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the town's mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Elaine Quijano and Sara Cook contributed reporting.

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Longtime Prospect Park, New Jersey, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah says he was blocked from attending a White House celebration to mark the end of Ramadan by the Secret Service.

Khairullah, a Muslim who was born in Syria, has been the Democratic mayor of the borough of 6,300 for 17 years.

The White House invited him to its Eid al-Fitr celebration Monday, and he was on his way when he was called and told that he was not cleared by the Secret Service, he said.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah delivers remarks at the news conference. New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations hold a news conference with Muslim community leaders in South Plainfield, New Jersey, United States on May 2, 2023. Leaders responded to the Secret Service's ''sudden and baseless'' revocation of Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah's White House Eid event invitation due to ''perceived profiling.'' (Photo by Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via AP) (Kyle Mazza / NurPhoto via AP)

I dont know the reason, Khairullah said Monday night. Im baffled.

Khairullah said he believes that his name is mistakenly on an FBI list and that it has caused him travel problems in the past but that he thought it had been resolved. But agencies have never given him many details, and they have offered no way to remedy it.

The Secret Service confirmed Monday that Khairullah was not allowed entry to the White House complex but would not say why.

"While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not permitted to enter the White House complex for this evenings event," Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, we cannot provide additional commentary on the specifics surrounding the protective means and methods used at the White House," Guglielmi said.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Islams holy month of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting.

President Joe Biden attended the event and thanked Muslims for their contributions to the U.S.

Among the guests was Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father whose son Humayun Khan, an Army captain, was killed by a car bomb in 2004 while he was guarding the gates of his base in Iraq. Also in attendance was Imam Makhdoom Zia, the founder and executive director of MakeSpace, an Islamic cultural hub and learning center in Washington, D.C.

Khairullah said he has had issues with travel before.

He has been involved in relief efforts in the Middle East and said he has been to Syria seven times since unrest in 2011 turned into a civil war.

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But after border patrol agents questioned him after a return to the U.S. from Turkey in 2019 and after another holdup in Canada, Khairullah said, he thought the issue had been resolved. He traveled internationally last year with no issues, he said.

"I cannot clear my name. Previously they said we cant deny nor confirm youre on a list, and if there is such a list there is no way of telling us how to clear my name," Khairullah said. "Its a Catch-22."

Khairullah said the invitation by the White House was gracious. He said the incident shows that there is still discriminatory practices within some federal agencies.

"I think theres an opportunity to do the right thing," he said.

Prospect Park is a borough in New Jersey about 15 miles west of New York City. Khairullah was first elected mayor in November 2005.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., called Khairullah a dedicated public servant who is beloved in New Jersey. He embodies the American dream, Booker said in a statement Tuesday.

"The people of Prospect Park, the citizens of New Jersey, the New Jersey Muslim community, and Mayor Khairullah deserve an explanation as to how and why this happened and an apology," Booker said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey said he was stunned after he got a call Monday afternoon disinviting him from an annual Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House while he was in his car just miles away from the event.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he was informed that the Secret Service denied him security clearance and he could no longer attend the gathering of prominent Muslim leaders and President Joe Biden.

"It's disappointing and it's shocking that this continues to happen under our Constitution which provides that everyone is innocent unless proven guilty. I honestly dont know what my charge, if you want to put it that way, is at this point, to be treated in such a manner," Khairullah said in an interview.

A United States Secret Service spokesman confirmed in a statement Monday night that the mayor was not permitted to attend.

"While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening," said Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service. "Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House."

Khairullah, who has served as mayor for over 17 years, said a Democratic party staffer had even asked him to help compile a list of Muslim leaders in New Jersey to invite to the annual celebration for Eid, the holiday that marks the end of the Ramadan fasting month.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah speaks during a ceremony to swear in Nadia Kahf (not shown) as judge of the New Jersey Superior Court during a ceremony in Paterson on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

It's not the first time he was improperly profiled, he said. In 2019, Khairullah was held for three hours at JFK International Airport after returning from a trip to Turkey with his family. He was questioned about his travels, asked whether he met with any terrorists and forced to hand over his phone. He was detained again at the Canadian border for about three hours returning from a family vacation about two years ago, he said.

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After the incident at JFK Airport, Khairullah said he tried to find out why he had been flagged, but federal agencies would not provide any information.

"I think right now my crime is my name," said Khairullah, 47.

Civil liberties and anti-discrimination organizations say Americans have been unjustly added to secret watchlists that hamper their ability to travel and open bank accounts. Dozens of Americans have sued, saying their names were wrongly added and they had no meaningful way to challenge it.

The Council on American Islamic Relations has called on the Biden administration to suspend FBI dissemination of the Federal Terrorist Screening Dataset, a watchlist that reportedly contain about 1.5 million names. CAIR attorneys examined a copy leaked in January, which appeared to be almost entirely lists of Arabic and Muslim names," the organization said.

In their review, they spotted a name and date of birth matching the Prospect Park mayor. Khairullah suspected he had been on a list since 2019, when he began to face interrogations and searches during his travels.

Learning Monday that his name was on a watchlist was not surprising, but it was upsetting, he said. The Prospect Park mayor was born in Syria, and his family fled persecution in 1980. They lived in Saudi Arabia before moving to the United States in 1991.

"In Syria that kind of stuff happens," said Khairullah. "People write a report about someone and they get detained or harassed or sometimes disappear. Luckily, Im not disappearing, but the fact is, there is a secret list I cant clear my name from and it still haunts me and follows me where I go. I cant even enter the Peoples House and meet with my president. It's shameful."

CAIR's New Jersey chapter condemned the actions against Khairullah and called for the White House to issue an apology to the mayor.

That a well-respected Muslim leader would effectively be disinvited from the White House Eid celebration, just hours ahead of time, is wholly unacceptable and insulting," said Selaedin Maksut, the chapter's executive director.

Khairullah stood beside New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy at his Eid celebration at the governor's mansion in Princeton just two days ago, Maksut noted. The mayor is also a humanitarian activist who has delivered aid to refugees in Syria, Turkey and Bangladesh. A former volunteer firefighter, he was sworn into his fifth consecutive term in January.

CAIR said the incident on Monday demonstrates lack of transparency and government overreach.

"If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has?" Maksut asked.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ mayor Mohamed Khairullah denied from White House Eid celebration
The finance ministers of Japan and South Korea have agreed to restart discussions between their respective financial officials.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance stated that Japan would dispatch officials to South Korea next month to finalize the details of the meeting.

This decision was made during a meeting between South Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, at the Asian Development Bank's 56th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in Incheon, situated 36 kilometers west of Seoul, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Choo stated prior to the meeting that Japan and South Korea share values such as freedom and human rights and that both countries regard the free trade and market system as essential components of their economic management, presenting several opportunities for collaboration between their governments and private sectors.

The finance ministers of Japan and South Korea held their first meeting in seven years, agreeing to strengthen cooperation between their financial authorities in the face of geopolitical risks and supply chain instability.

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Bolstering Ties to Address Global Economic Woes

Choo emphasized the need for sustainable communication and sharing of experiences between the two countries. Suzuki echoed this sentiment, recognizing the importance of cooperation between Japan and South Korea to address global economic challenges, according to NHK-World Japan.

The United States has urged both nations to resolve their disputes to better counter regional threats. Despite recent concerns over market turbulence following the failures of three US banks,

Asia's economy has remained a bright spot, with the IMF upgrading growth forecasts for the region thanks to China's post-COVID recovery, per Reuters.

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Dakota Honeycutt, 20, of Nampa, has been sentenced to at least 15 years in prison for killing a 48-year-old Idaho man in late 2021.

Honeycutts 35-year sentence, handed down by 4th District Judge Nancy Baskin, included 15 years fixed, meaning he wont be eligible for parole until 2038, according to a news release from the Ada County Prosecutors Office. The state had recommended a sentence of 45 years total with 18 years fixed.

Kevin Hunt, of Nampa, was found dead by a gunshot wound on the morning of Dec. 26, 2021, at a park in Star, according to the release. Ada County sheriffs detectives interviewed Honeycutt after finding him driving the victims vehicle, and he initially told detectives that he watched Hunt commit suicide, according to previous Statesman reporting.

An investigation, however, determined that was not true. Honeycutt pulled the trigger of the gun that killed Hunt and then threw it into the Boise River, where it was found by a law enforcement dive team, officials said.

Honeycutt was originally charged with first-degree murder, but in February he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal.

I extend my condolences to Mr. Hunts family and friends, said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts in the release. Thank you to the Ada County Sheriffs Office for their thorough work on this investigation, which allowed my team to ensure justice was served in this case.
The Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida.

A U.S. Magistrate judge on Tuesday said portions of a pre-trial hearing later this month in the criminal case against two former JEA executives will take place in secret, denying a legal effort by multiple Jacksonville news organizations, including The Florida Times-Union, to keep it open.

In a short order, U.S. Magistrate Judge Monte Richardson said there was "good cause" to close portions of the hearing to protect the constitutional rights of former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn and CFO Ryan Wannemacher, who plan to argue in a proceeding called a Kastigar hearing, set to begin May 15, that federal prosecutors violated their constitutional right against self-incrimination. That argument will focus on sworn statements the two men provided to City Hall attorneys in late 2019 in which they discussed their involvement in the effort to privatize the city-owned electric, water and sewer utility and a bonus scheme tied to that potential transaction  a scheme that lies at the heart of a grand jury indictment against them on conspiracy and wire fraud charges.

The Department of Justice is barred from using those statements to support a prosecution against Zahn and Wannemacher. And while the grand jury indictment does not provide any obvious indication prosecutors did so, the defense team plans to argue broad, community-wide knowledge of the contents of the sworn statements  which have been a matter of public record for years and were widely reported on by Jacksonville media  may have poisoned the entire prosecution: that jurors, grand jurors and potentially even the prosecutors themselves may be unconsciously influenced by them.

In the May 15 hearing, the burden will be on prosecutors to show the evidence they marshaled to prosecute Zahn and Wannemacher is independent of the sworn statements they provided.

Despite the wide publicity of these statements, the defense has asked, and Richardson has now granted, that portions of that hearing will take place with no member of the public or media present and that those corresponding portions of the court transcripts be redacted. The news organizations argued this was a blithe effort to undermine the fundamental constitutional guarantee of public access to court proceedings.

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Even one of the defense attorneys acknowledged closing the courtroom might have little impact: "Indeed, it is possible that at this point in the proceedings it is no more than a legal fiction to imagine the Court could now remedy the damage already done by the widespread publication of the Defendants compelled statements," defense attorneys for Wannemacher wrote Richardson.

Still, Richardson was persuaded. He said closing portions of the hearing is "narrowly tailored to serve Defendants compelling interests, namely, Defendants Fifth Amendment right to be free from compulsory self-incrimination and Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial."

Richardson ordered the courtroom closed for any portions "during which Defendants compelled statements may be discussed, including Defendants examination or cross-examination of any witness who may have been exposed to Defendants compelled statements, and any other portion of the Kastigar hearing that the parties provide notice to the Court that the contents of Defendants compelled statements or evidence derived therefrom may be discussed."

The Times-Union plans to appeal the decision to U.S. District Judge Brian Davis, who is overseeing the case.

Given the nature of the hearing and what is to be debated, that could effectively cut the public out of critical and significant portions of the proceedings.

Hours after Richardson's order, attorneys for JEA filed a motion also opposing the closing of the courtroom for portions of the Kastigar hearing, arguing it had a right to attend as a victim of the alleged crimes and that its observation of the proceedings wouldn't impact the publicity of the statements because JEA attorneys were the ones who conducted the sworn interviews in the first place  they already know, in other words, the contents of the sworn statements.

Zahn and Wannemacher are accused of being the architects of an opaque, get-rich-quick bonus plan that could have paid out millions if they had successfully sold JEA to a private firm, the campaign Zahn was leading in 2019 that imploded amid controversy. In the immediate aftermath of that failure, city attorneys conducted a workplace investigation into Zahn's leadership, placing him and several other members of JEA's executive team under oath for extended interviews. Those sit-downs were mandatory, triggering Garrity protections  meaning nothing they said in those settings could later be used against them in a prosecution.

Wannemacher's defense team has taken the argument further, asking Richardson to determine that statements he provided during a December 2019 public hearing organized by two Jacksonville City Council members also qualify for Garrity protection. Wannemacher was not subpoenaed to attend that council hearing or put under oath during that hearing. And unlike the sworn statements, prosecutors have acknowledged reviewing Wannemacher's statements from the council hearing.

It's not clear which portions of their statements might have proved useful to prosecutors.

Neither man admitted to participating in a conspiracy or any other impropriety. Throughout the hours of testimony, Zahn and Wannemacher defended their actions as top JEA executives, casting their effort to sell JEA as a legitimate exploration of the future of the business and the bonus scheme as a creative way to attract and retain talented employees.

JEA board members have said they felt misled by information they received about the plan, which was presented as a modest bonus plan with a cost of about $3.4 million. Months later, auditors and, eventually, prosecutors found evidence the payouts could have been in the hundreds of millions of dollars, much of which could have gone to the agency's top employees.

The grand jury indictment appeared to rely, in part, on testimony from bankers, outside attorneys, city officials and other JEA executives  many of whom have never spoken publicly  as well as two spreadsheets FBI agents discovered on a computer that outlined the immense payouts possible under the bonus scheme; neither Zahn nor Wannemacher discussed the existence of those spreadsheets in their sworn statements.

During the City Council hearing, Wannemacher said in various ways that he did not know if the math had been done to show what the bonus payouts would look like or if they had reason to know it would be far in excess of the $3.4 million cost.

I dont recall at this time if that equation had been formulated yet," he said at one point.

I dont know that we had determined anything other than a broad sizing at this point in the record," he said at another.

In another exchange, Wannemacher suggested he may have "looked" at the math but did not explain if that appeared different than the $3.4 million that some JEA board members believed the plan was set to cost.

Yeah, I think at some point along the way I looked at the expected forecast and ran those numbers. I dont know that I  frankly, the formula itself is relatively straightforward as it relates to the calculation. Its straight out of our financial statements and its direct line items. So, its not a complicated spreadsheet necessarily."

Prosecutors said the evidence they obtained called Wannemacher's truthfulness into question  an important question because Garrity does not protect false statements.

"(H)ow can Wannemachers Garrity statement simultaneously be both exonerating as to his involvement with the (bonus plan), and at the same time so incriminating as to a federal prosecution, the likes of which the derivative use taint is so severe that an Indictment should be dismissed and a Prosecution Team removed," assistant U.S. Attorney A. Tysen Duva wrote last year to Davis.

Nate Monroe is a metro columnist whose work regularly appears every Thursday and Sunday. Follow him on Twitter @NateMonroeTU.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nate Monroe: Judge orders portions of JEA hearing to remain secret, over media objections
The official quarters of the Naval Academys superintendent are being renamed to honor the Navys first flag officer, the militarys latest step in removing the names of Confederate troops from bases and facilities.

Going forward, the superintendents residence will be known as Farragut House, after Adm. David Glasgow Farragut, a Civil War hero who became the first naval officer appointed rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral in the 1800s, according to the Navy.

Born the son of a Spanish immigrant in 1801, Farragut was appointed a midshipman at the tender age of 9 and later coined the iconic phrase, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

He chose the Union during the Civil War, leaving his home in Norfolk, and led the fleet during the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he captured two confederate ships, according to the Navy.

Admiral Farragut was a true American hero, Del Toro said in a statement. He had a choice during the Civil War and he chose loyalty to the Union, which required moral courage.

Navy removes Confederate name from Naval Academy building

Before the name change, the superintendents house had been named after Franklin Buchanan, the academys first superintendent who joined the Confederacy and later commanded several naval battles that killed hundreds of U.S. sailors.

The 34-room residence was named after Buchanan in 1976, according to the Navy.

The renaming comes as the result of a Defense Department Naming Commission that has in recent years outlined a host of military assets across the branches that required renaming due to their Confederate ties.

The Navy has already renamed two ships and another academy building who had Confederate namesakes, and street names across Navy and Marine Corps installations will be changed by the end of this fiscal year, according to the sea service.
Editors note: The presidents of the N.C. Psychological Association, N.C. Psychiatric Association, and N.C. Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry also signed on to this op-ed.

Several bills proposed by the N.C. General Assembly threaten youth in our state and take away the rights of parents to keep their transgender and nonbinary children safe from harm.

If these bills pass, parents would no longer be allowed to follow the expert guidance of highly trained teams of healthcare providers.

These bills also reflect the flood of inaccurate information spreading across the U.S. about gender affirming care. In actuality, the process of providing gender affirming care for transgender and nonbinary youth is evidence-based, rigorous, cautious, safe and beneficial  even life-saving  when done by healthcare providers with expertise in such care.

With the very small number of trained gender care specialists in North Carolina, young transgender and nonbinary people and their parents/guardians wait months to see a specialized team of providers. After careful evaluation by the team, followed by multiple mental health and medical appointments, an evidence-based care plan is developed with the family. Expert healthcare teams do not rush something as serious as social and/or medical gender transition.

Care may include psychotherapy appointments, FDA-approved medications to temporarily delay puberty, fertility preservation, FDA-approved hormone therapy, and, in rare cases, surgical interventions for older adolescents. Studies show that access to gender affirming care saves lives.

For many transgender and nonbinary youth, it is difficult and painful to live in a world where they constantly feel stigmatized. They know there is serious risk of rejection by parents, peers and communities. But many of these children and teens feel they cannot continue enduring the pain of living in the wrong body and being treated as the wrong gender. This pain often leads to hopelessness, depression and self-harm. Gender affirming care can help relieve this suffering.

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Senate Bill 639 and House Bill 808 ban this life-saving care and take away parents rights to decide what healthcare options are best for their children. Forcing transgender and nonbinary youth to proceed with a puberty that is inconsistent with who they are is not a neutral option, as it results in irreversible changes to their body. These bills contradict the unified stance of the most well-respected medical and healthcare organizations in the U.S.  more than 1.3 million doctors.

Senate Bill 560 would prevent parents from making healthcare decisions in the best interests of their children. The requirements it proposes create so many barriers to accessing gender affirming care that it is functionally a ban on that care.

For example, the bill requires monthly in-person visits with a child psychiatrist. Our state has an extreme shortage of pediatric psychiatrists, and more than half of its counties have no pediatric psychiatrists. According to our calculations, each pediatric psychiatrist in the state would be responsible for serving the needs of 117 transgender youth under this bill. It is not feasible for the current pediatric psychiatrist workforce to comply with the proposals in SB 560.

We hope North Carolinians who want to protect our states most marginalized children will heed this alarm and call for action. Legislation like this has been shown to increase depression and risk for suicide among LGBTQ+ individuals. These bills and other anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed in North Carolina, do not keep youth safe  they cause serious harm.

We are asking the General Assembly to vote no on this harmful legislation. Were asking North Carolinians who want to protect transgender and non-binary youth to speak up for what is right.

And, to the transgender and non-binary youth of North Carolina: We see and hear you. We will never stop listening to you and advocating for you.

The writers are affiliated with Duke University School of Medicine: Moira Rynn chairs the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Leigh Spivey-Rita is a medical instructor, Dane Whicker directs Gender and Sexual Diversity Initiatives, and Sarah Wilson is an assistant professor. The views expressed are their own.
The family of a 22-year-old man shot dead by a Pierce County sheriffs deputy during a 2022 DUI stop alleges in recently filed wrongful death claims that the deputys reaction to a gun in the mans lap was grossly negligent and reckless.

The News Tribune previously reported on body-worn camera footage of the Jan. 16, 2022 shooting near Puyallup that shows then-26-year-old deputy Thomas Dolan firing 12 times at Moses Portillo, who was in the back seat of the car Dolan had pulled over. Dolan told investigators he thought Portillo, who Dolan had demanded put his hands on the ceiling, reached for the pistol in his lap with his right hand.

Portillo was seated with his back toward Dolan on the drivers side of the car and communicated over his shoulder because his left leg was in a cast, body-worn camera footage and investigative documents show. Portillos window remained closed throughout the encounter, which muffled communication between him and Dolan.

Deputy prosecutor Dru Swaim reviewed the Pierce County Force Investigation Teams probe of the shooting led by Tacoma detective Jack Nasworthy and concluded it was justified and lawful in an April 20 letter to Sheriff Ed Troyer. Swaim wrote that body-worn camera footage showed Dolan tried to de-escalate the incident, but Portillo disregarded commands and lowered a hand toward his lap.

The two tort claims  generally precursors to lawsuits  were filed on behalf of Portillos estate and his mother April 27, alleging Dolan broke department policy and failed to de-escalate the incident in violation of state law. They seek $10 million from Pierce County.

After cursing at the occupants (of the car) over the course of approximately one minute, despite no aggressive responses or actions, Dolan opened fire upon Portillo at close range, the claims state.

A spokesperson for the Prosecutors Office, which defends the county against lawsuits, declined to comment on the pending legal matter.

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The encounter began after Dolan pulled over the car Portillo was riding in just before 10 p.m. on Canyon Road East near 128th Street, according to police documents and video. The deputy wrote in a statement to investigators that he watched the BMW drive into the left lane without a signal and then move back to the middle lane without its turn signal flashing for the required 100 feet. He also noticed that the drivers side mirror was cracked.

When Dolan approached the car, he noticed Portillo wasnt wearing a seatbelt, documents show. He also had an open bottle of liquor, so Dolan asked for his ID. While Portillo griped about why Dolan needed his ID, the deputy spotted a box of 9 mm cartridges on the floorboard.

Dolan began asking about a gun in the car, and the driver appeared confused, video shows. Everyone in the car put their hands up in response to Dolans commands, but Portillo was verbally defiant.

What, you going to shoot me? Portillo asked with his hands around shoulder height, video shows.

Dolan later wrote in a statement he thought Portillo said something to the effect of, Youre going to have to shoot me, and took it as a threat.

Put your (expletive) hands on the ceiling, Dolan shouted repeatedly after Portillo responded, What? or Why?

Shortly thereafter, video and police documents show Portillo turn slightly right and sit up, straightening his head and upper body to face forward with his legs, away from Dolan. Nasworthy, the lead detective, wrote that unreleased dash camera footage shows Portillos right hand go below the back headrests as he sat up from against the door.

Thats when Dolan squeezed the trigger three times inches from Portillos head, according to video footage. He fired nine more shots in rapid succession as he walked toward the hood of the car.

Dolan later wrote: I watched in horror as the suspect kept his left hand in the air in what I perceived to be a distraction as he and (sic) began to drop his right hand to his lap. It appeared to me that the suspect was going to pick up the firearm, shoot me, and kill me.

Dolan, whos been with the department for about four years, returned to patrol duty 12 days after shooting Portillo, according to a spokesperson.

Portillo, who was a father, had recently pleaded guilty to drug-dealing charges in exchange for the prosecutors recommendation of 16 months in prison.

He was just ready to get it done and over with, Kenya Roach, his former girlfriend and mother of his child, told The News Tribune last year. He talked about getting out of prison and moving here to Oklahoma and going back to school.

He was a really good dad, Roach said in the interview. He was almost home.
[Source]

Netflix announced the release date of its upcoming series "Mech Cadets" on Monday.

The 10-episode animated show, which is an adaptation of the bestselling comic series Mech Cadet Yu by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, will premiere on Aug. 10, Deadline reported.

Fifty years in the future, after a terrifying alien species attacked our planet, teenager Stanford Yu works as a janitor at the Sky Corps Military Academy, the shows logline states. But hes only dreamed of one thing his entire life  to pilot a Robo Mech, giant robots from outer space who came to our aid."

"When he finally gets his shot, Stanford and his classmates must put aside all personal differences and work together as a team in order to defend humanity against a new invasion of aliens."

More from NextShark: James Hong admits he didnt understand Everything Everywhere All at Once after reading its script

Netflix previously announced "Mech Cadets in May 2021.

In addition to Mech Cadets, the streaming platform shared that two other Asian American-led projects  The Monkey King and Boons and Curses  will be available for streaming this year.

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More from NextShark: 'Squid Game' star Lee Jung-jae becomes first Asian to win Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series

Mech Cadets stars Daniel Dae Kim ("Lost," "Hawaii Five-O"), Disney ("Mulan," "The Mandalorian"), Brandon Soo Hoo ("Teen Titans: The Judas Contract") and Debra Wilson ("MADtv," "Family Guy"). Aaron Lam will executive produce the series alongside Boom! Studios and Japanese studio Polygon Pictures.

"It is important for us to create stories that exemplify our teams diverse voices and art as a studio based in Tokyo, Japan," Jack Liang, an executive producer at Polygon Pictures, said in a statement.

More from NextShark: New K-pop boy group XODIAC make their mark with pre-debut single 'Calling'

Polygon Pictures has previously worked on popular shows such as Disney's "Star Wars: Resistance" and Netflix's "Love, Death & Robots."
(COURTESY OF NETFLIX)

Netflix has renewed its hit political drama The Diplomat for a second season, less than two weeks after the first arrived on the platform.

The show, which stars Keri Russell as the new US ambassador to the UK, debuted at No 1 on Netflixs weekly global Top 10 list.

Netflixs vice president of drama, Jinny Howe said: Fans around the world are loving every minute of The Diplomats gripping and propulsive drama, and embracing Keri Russells powerful performance as Kate Wyler.

After that jaw-dropping cliffhanger, we cant wait for them to see what the amazing visionary team of Debora Cahn, Janice Williams and Keri Russell have in store for season two.

Russell added: I am thrilled to be headed back for another round of this smart screwball show. Dare I say its fun? Thank you Netflix for giving us another shot.

In the drama, Russells character is sent to the UK after her planned posting in Afghanistan falls through.

The series follows her as she diffuses different international crises, forges strategic alliances in London, and adjusts to her new place in the spotlight, all while trying to save her marriage to fellow career diplomat and political star Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell).

Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler in The Diplomat' (ALEX BAILEY/NETFLIX)

It comes from the showrunner who worked on The West Wing and Homeland, Debora Cahn, and also stars David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh.

Read all about how fans reacted to the first eight-episode season of the hit show here.
New Hampshire state senators are considering a bill that would require landlords to give information on legal aid to tenants who are being evicted.

House Bill 379, which passed the House on a voice vote earlier this month, would mandate that eviction notices given to tenants also include the contact information for New Hampshire Legal Assistance, which helps represent low-income residents in eviction cases.

The bill is supported by New Hampshire Legal Assistance, which provides assistance in conjunction with 603 Legal Aid.

At a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, April 27, Rep. Ellen Read, a Newmarket Democrat and the bills prime sponsor, said informing tenants of their rights could help reduce unnecessary evictions. The bill was intended to address situations where legal representation could have actually made a difference  where a judge might have ruled in the tenants favor if they had counsel and had submitted the proper motions, Read said.

Landlords often do have attorneys they rely on as part of their business, Read said, arguing that HB 379 would help tenants balance the scales.

If youre opposed to it, youre saying that you want to keep a tenant in the dark so that they do not have the ability to get their legal counsel that they should have by right, she said. In other words, you as a landlord want an unfair advantage in court.

The bill is supported by New Hampshire Legal Assistance, which provides assistance in conjunction with 603 Legal Aid.

But Nick Norman, the director of legislative affairs for the Apartment Association of New Hampshire, said the association had concerns the bill could cause evictions to be voided in court because landlords did not provide adequate information.

Norman submitted an amendment to direct the court system instead to issue the notice to tenants.

Theres a concern, structurally, if you put  the way this is worded  a demand to have this on the eviction notice, that that could be interpreted as some kind of right to be told, he said.  Were not saying that were opposed to having something of this notice on the eviction notice, we just want to clarify and handle these concerns.

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Sen Sharon Carson, the chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a Londonderry Republican, raised a concern that requiring a notice to tenants about their legal resources could give them an avenue to contest the eviction if NHLA did not have capacity to help them.

McKinney said that NHLA attorneys are often backlogged with tenants to represent, and that some tenants arent immediately represented. But she said she did not think that scenario would slow down the eviction.

I dont believe that that would change the process at all, she said.

The committee will vote on its recommendation for the bill in the coming weeks.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH bill would require landlords to inform tenants of legal aid
A thick carpet of potentially toxic sargassum algae has washed up in Capesterre, filling the air with the smell of rotten eggs

Jose Viator was hoping tourists would flock to his beachside bar on the French archipelago of Guadeloupe, but he has been forced to close because of stinky brown seaweed.

"It's a nightmare," the 61-year-old said.

The pristine sand and turquoise Caribbean waters of his coastal village are usually a magnet for tourists at this time of year.

But a thick carpet of potentially toxic sargassum algae has washed up on the beach of Capesterre, filling the air with the smell of rotten eggs as it decomposes and keeping visitors at bay.

It is just one part of the Caribbean to have tackled excessive seaweed influx in recent years, in a phenomenon that has been linked to pollution and global warming.

More than a third of the sargassum washing up in Guadeloupe over the past 12 years has landed in Viator's village.

"We make a living from tourism, but we're forced to close several months a year" because of the stench, he said.

The fumes also damage nearby houses and other property by eating away at metal, but insurance companies will not reimburse the damage, he said.

A digger ploughed up and down the beach nearby, scooping up clumps of the rotting seaweed so that a truck could ferry them away.

Jean-Fernand Diabangouaya, a 54-year-old convenience store employee, said people were resigned to the influx of brown algae.

"We're used to it. It's been 12 years now," he said.

- Health risks -

Since 2011, 40 percent of the sargassum washing up in the Guadeloupe archipelago has landed in Capesterre, according to the authorities.

"We have always known sargassum, but since 2011 it's really got worse," Sylvie Gustave-dit-Duflo, the vice-president of the Guadeloupe region in charge of environmental affairs, told AFP.

The decomposing algae emits around 30 gases in total, she said.

Among them, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) causes the rotting egg smell and is thought to have negative health effects if inhaled in large quantities.

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Since mid-April local authorities have recommended "vulnerable people" move away for the area after measuring H2S concentration in the air.

Prolonged exposure to slightly higher levels can cause headaches and problems in some asthma patients, while a 2022 study has linked the rotting seaweed to an increased risk of pregnancy complications in women living on the coast.

Scientists believe global warming, deforestation and runoff water full of sewage, agricultural waste and other nutrients have all contributed to sargassum choking Caribbean beaches in recent years.

"It's probably linked to several factors: nitrate and potassium being flushed into the ocean, whose temperature is rising," said Gustave-dit-Duflo.

- 'Curse we did not cause' -

Sargassum, whose brown branches are dotted with bubbles that keep it afloat, has existed for centuries in the north of the Atlantic Ocean.

But huge mats of the algae have started to appear in the south Atlantic in recent years, likely fed by the nutrient-rich runoff of the Mississippi, Amazon and Congo rivers.

The so-called Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt contained about 13 million tonnes of seaweed by the end of March, according to the University of South Florida.

Sargassum may provide a rich habitat for marine fauna at sea, but it harms coastal wildlife when it washes up on land.

And removing it from the coastline also costs millions of euros, says Gustave-dit-Duflo.

"We're having to manage a curse that we did not cause," she said, calling for international action to solve the problem.

Local authorities are aiming to set up a marine barrier made up of nets and buoys to protect the village's beaches from the brown seaweed by June, Mayor Jean-Claude Maes said.

Until then, the only option to get rid of the rotting algae is to spread it out across acres of isolated land until it fully decays and dries out.

But even that is not ideal.

When it decomposes, the algae leaks heavy metals into the ground, according to a 2022 government report.

asa-ah/tgb/lcm
You cant catch Brightline or Metrorail trains in Hollywood. But you have options for navigating the rails in one of Browards largest cities.

In Fort Lauderdale, just to the north, Brightline has a presence along with Tri-Rail.

Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale also have city-run shuttles and are served by Broward County buses, with routes that connect to the rail stations.

Heres what to know about staying on track as you travel to and from Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale:

Hollywood

TRI-RAIL

The Tri-rail logo greets travelers at the Sheridan Street station in Hollywood. Jeff Kleinman/jkleinman@miamiherald.com

The regional commuter train, which runs along the I-95 corridor in Broward County, travels 73 miles through Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Service started in 1989. Tri-Rail stops at two Hollywood stations.

 Hollywood Station: The historic station at 3001 Hollywood Blvd. is nestled between Interstate 95 and a Target shopping center. The station has limited parking, which is free, but some spaces are designated for Amtrak passengers. Broward Transit Route 7 serves the station as do city shuttles including Hallandale Beach. The station also is served by the new Sun Shuttle West, which stops at 18 locations west of I-95 between Johnson and Washington streets to Floridas Turnpike. Stops include the Hollywood Tri-Rail station, Target on Hollywood Boulevard, Miramar Bakery on State Road 7 and the Hillcrest neighborhood.

Train platform in Hollywood. Jeff Kleinman/jkleinman@miamiherald.com

KNOW MORE: Need a ride? A new on-demand service expands from beach and downtown to west of I-95

 Sheridan Station: The station at 2900 Sheridan St., just to the west of the I-95 ramps, offers plentiful parking and is served by Broward Transit Route 12.

KNOW MORE: Your train just pulled into a South Florida station. Can you get a free ride from there?

AMTRAK

Amtrak trains to New York stop in Hollywood.

The Amtrak ticketing area in Hollywood. Jeff Kleinman/jkleinman@miamiherald.com

 Station: The Amtrak station in Hollywood is at 3101 Hollywood Blvd., where Tri-Rail also stops. Several parking spaces are designated for Amtrak passengers. The station is staffed with Amtrak agents for ticketing and other services.

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Fort Lauderdale

TRI-RAIL

 Fort Lauderdale Station: The Trai-Rail station is at 200 SW 21st Ter., south of Broward Boulevard, and is shared with Amtrak trains. There are lots of transit options here to get to or leave the station, including stops for Broward County bus routes 9, 22, 81, and LauderGo! Fort Lauderdale city shuttle routes.

 Fort Lauderdale Airport Station: This station, technically in Dania Beach, is a transit hub. Its at 500 Gulf Stream Way, just to the south of Griffin Road, and ringing a compound that includes a park, hotel, seafood restaurant and outdoor store. Covered parking is free. Transit connections at the station include a free shuttle to and from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, along with Broward bus routes 4, 6, 15, 16. Also a stop for 595 Express bus to Brickell in Miami and a shuttle to the college campus center in Davie that includes Broward College, Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University.

BRIGHTLINE

Brightline runs from downtown Miami with stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.

Station:The Fort Lauderdale Brightline station is at 101 NW Second Ave., just off Broward Boulevard and west of Federal Highway. The station has parking. For those without a car, requests for an Uber ride from a Brightline station can be made through the train services app or website. Premium Brightline passengers get rides within a five-mile radius. Brightline+ shuttles connect passengers to Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport.

AMTRAK

 Station: Just like in Hollywood, Amtrak shares a station in Fort Lauderdale with Tri-Rail. The address is 200 SW 21st Ter. The station is staffed with Amtrak representatives for ticketing and services.
The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) announced on Tuesday that law enforcement agencies worldwide shut down the "Monopoly Market" and arrested about 300 people involved in the dark web drug and other illegal goods trade.

The operation, coordinated by Europol, is the most significant crackdown to date on online marketplaces for illegal items, and it shows the value of international law enforcement collaboration.

According to Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director of Europol, the action sends "a strong message to criminals" operating on the dark web that they can be detected and held responsible for their unlawful acts wherever they take place, per The San Diego Tribune.

Read Also: Japan, South Korea to Resume Financial Dialogue

Hundreds Arrested in Different Countries

Around 300 people were arrested in total, spread across several nations, including the US (153), Germany (52), the Netherlands (10), Austria (9), France (5), Switzerland (2), Poland, and Brazil (1 each), according to Sky News. They are suspected of being engaged in the purchase and sale of illegal narcotics, including cocaine and amphetamines, via the Monopoly Market website.

Over 43 million ($56.9 million) in cash and cryptocurrencies were seized as part of coordinated operations run by Europol and with the UK's National Crime Agency and National Police Chiefs' Council.

Authorities also discovered 117 guns and 850kg of narcotics, including 43kg of MDMA and 10kg each of LSD and ecstasy tablets.

The Hague-based organization developed its intelligence based on information from Germany, which it said had captured the "criminal infrastructure" of the Monopoly Market in December 2021, according to Alarabiya News.

German and US police shut down the "Hydra" dark web market in April of last year before the operation that was disclosed on Tuesday.

Related Article: China: Xi Tightens Political Control

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The lockdown and lockout for Rossview schools in Clarksville have been lifted after Montgomery County Sheriff's Office found no threats.

Rossview Elementary was placed on lockdown and Rossview Middle and High were on lockout as MCSO searched for someone with a gun at the elementary school.

During the lockout, MCSO continued to update its Facebook. Beginning at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday they reported there hadn't been any threats found, and law enforcement was continuing its search.

In a statement sent to parents, CMCSS said:

"Law enforcement has concluded their thorough search and investigation, searching all rooms multiple times and reviewing camera footage, and no threat has been identified. The lockdown and lockouts have been lifted. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be additional law enforcement on campus for the remainder of the day."

CMCSS has sent additional counselors, social workers and support staff for students and employees.

In the email, CMCSS said they "understand how terrifying these situations are for families and that some may choose to pick up their child from school" and asked that parents have patience as there could be delays, but will have additional staff to help with checkouts.

An early report shared that the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office was responding to a call at Rossview Elementary School after a student said they saw someone with a gun.

The student reported seeing a "male dressed in all black with a gun in the school".

During the investigation, MCSO provided updates at 9:40 and 10:03 a.m. that said that no threats had been identified and units are still investigating.

MCSO urged parents not to respond to the school while they're investigating.

"Parents arriving on scene are causing response issues," MCSO said on Facebook.

School officials told parents:

"Rossview families,Law enforcement is on site actively investigating the reports. Law enforcement has confirmed that no threats have been identified. Many families are showing up to the school, and law enforcement has indicated this is creating safety concerns. They are asking that any families who are arriving on scene to please go to Lifepoint Church. Law enforcement representatives will be on scene to provide updates. We will continue to keep families updated.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: 'No threats identified': Sheriff clears early report of gun on campus
Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

The Supreme Courts popularity is in the toilet. For months now, public support for the increasingly polarized institution has been tankinglikely hastened by its unprecedented ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the first time the courts ever revoked a right itd previously grantedand, for the first time, a majority of Americans want to see the court expanded. Yet, in the face of these stats, many of the justices dont seem chastened at all!

All those polls were conducted before the rash of recent reporting thats uncovered various ethics scandals involving Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and John Roberts and their alleged financial conflicts of interest. The investigations underscored the fact that its the justices call on whether they recuse themselves from certain cases, and theres no way to appeal a failure to recuse. Even Sen. Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D.Ill)with whom I have beefhas come out swinging, saying that the highest court in the land shouldnt have the lowest standard of ethics in the federal government. (Thats good stuff, Senator, now issue some subpoenas.)



Read more

When it comes to ethics standards, the Supreme Court is an *outlier*.



Thats unacceptable.



Congress not only has the authority to legislate here  it has a responsibility. pic.twitter.com/LLH7xW1RTR  Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) May 2, 2023

So why are lawmakers and advocates talking about court reform? Well, it goes back years with some of these folks. Lets roll the tapes!

Clarence Thomas Allegedly Lying Under Oath

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

During his 1991 Senate confirmation hearing, Thomas claimed he didnt sexually harass Anita Hill or any other women coworkers during his time at federal agencieswhen theres evidence to refute that. Thomas did, however, say that the allegations were part of a high-tech lynching. He said, it is a message that, unless you kow-tow to an old order, this is what will happen to you, you will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate, rather than hung from a tree.

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Heres journalist Jill Abramson writing in 2018:



To my surprise, the notion of impeaching Thomas resurfaced during the 2016 campaign. In the thousands of emails made public during the FBI investigation of Hillary Clinton, there was one curious document from her State Department files that caught my attention, though it went largely unremarked upon in the press. Labeled Memo on Impeaching Clarence Thomas and written by a close adviser, the former right-wing operative David Brock, in 2010, the seven-page document lays out the considerable evidence, including material from our book, that Thomas lied to the Judiciary Committee when he categorically denied that he had discussed pornographic films or made sexual comments in the office to Hill or any other women who worked for him. When I recently interviewed Brock, he said that Clinton wanted to be briefed on the evidence that Thomas lied in order to be confirmed to his lifelong seat on the Court. He said he had no idea if a President Hillary Clinton would have backed an effort to unseat Thomas.

And, yes, theres much more to say about Thomas, so please trudge along with me.

Brett Kavanaugh Allegedly Lying Under Oath

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

Where to begin? Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed in 2018 despite credible allegations that hed sexually assaulted women in high school and college. One of his former roommates said he lied under oath when he claimed not to know the meaning of a sexual euphemism while other classmates said he lied about never blacking out from drinking at Yale, among many other details. The FBI received more than 4,500 tips about Kavanaugh and did nothing with them beyond punting them to the Trump administration since the agency said it was only conducting a routine background check. In January, a surprise documentary premiered at Sundance detailing other instances of sexual misconduct that the FBI did not investigate.

Kavanaugh also appears to have lied under oath about his work in the Bush Administration during prior confirmation hearings in 2004 and 2006.



Amy Coney Barretts Ties to Alliance Defending Freedom

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has connections to the right-wing Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedomthe same group that argued the case the Supreme Court used to overturn Roe and is also representing the plaintiffs in the baseless but still hugely consequential abortion pill lawsuit. The organization paid her for speaking five times at its Blackstone Legal Fellowship, a summer program for law students meant to inspire a distinctly Christian worldview in every area of law.

ADF is also the legal counsel in a nominal free speech case that could actually destroy nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people; its called 303 Creative v. Elenis. Barrett was also a member of a religious group, People of Praise, that expelled members who had gay sex. In 2022, former members of the group called for her to recuse herself from 303 Creative; she did not. During a 2017 confirmation hearing for a spot on a lower court, Barrett claimed not to know that ADF had an anti-LGBTQ agenda.

Plus, uh, Barrett getting confirmed in late October 2020 after millions of people had already voted in a presidential electionan election that would oust the man who nominated heris just an eternal stain on this womans tenure.

Clarence Thomas Connections to a GOP Megadonor

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

For years, Justice Clarence Thomas failed to report that billionaire and GOP megadonor Harlan Crow took him on luxury vacations or that Crow bought property from him at inflated prices, including the house where Thomas mother still lives and pays zero in rent. This isnt even the first time Thomas has had to amend his disclosure forms. In 2011, he faced scrutiny for not reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars of his wifes income from conservative groups including the Heritage Foundation. Thomas then amended 13 years of his reports. Speaking of his wife...

The Ginni Thomas of It All

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

Justice Thomas wife, Ginni, has not only earned millions from conservative groups but shes also a Trump-supporting MAGA activist who wanted to overturn the 2020 election. She sent nearly 30 text messages to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows urging him to help overturn the election and also badgered state lawmakers about it. Heres one of her texts to Meadows: Biden crime family...will be living in barges off GITMO to face military tribunals for sedition.

Ginni has made headlines not only for being on the exclusive email listserv of Thomas former law clerks but also for sharing pro-Trump messages and dismay over the election results. Most notably, she testified under oath before the Houses January 6th Committee that she believed the 2020 election was stolen. Justice Thomas didnt recuse himself in any cases related to the election or January 6.

Samuel Alito Allegedly Leaking a 2014 Opinion

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

An explosive New York Times report alleged that Justice Samuel Alito leaked the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby birth control decision during a 2014 dinner with a pair of the Supreme Court Historical Societys evangelical Christian donors. Alito was the author of that rulingas well as the Dobbs decision which overturned Roea draft of which was leaked in full to a journalist in May 2022. Huh! But Alito has denied leaking either and called the Dobbs leak a grave betrayal that made the conservative justices targets of assassination. And hes still whining about it to this daymethinks he doth protest too much.

Neil Gorsuch Failing to Disclose a Real Estate Deal

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

Justice Neil Gorsuch sold a massive property he co-owned to the CEO of a law firm that often argues cases before the courtbut he didnt name the buyer, he only reported income from an LLC. The 40-acre Colorado property had been on the market since 2015, and Greenberg Traurig CEO Brian Duffy bought it just nine days after Gorsuch was confirmed by the Senate in 2017. Gorsuch has previously disclosed the names of people whove given him things like a fishing rod and a pair of cowboy boots, but no name this time. He made somewhere between $250,001 and $500,000 from the sale.

John Roberts Wife Earning Millions from Big Law

Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

Not even Chief Justice John Roberts has avoided the appearance of impropriety. His wife, Jane, was paid more than $10 million in recruiting commissions over eight years from elite law firms that also had business before the court. Naturally! Roberts own disclosure forms only list Jane as receiving a salary as a legal recruiter and dont detail the amount shes earned or which law firms the money came from. Seems fine.

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By Lewis Jackson and Muyu Xu

SYDNEY (Reuters) - More than three years since China first blocked a range of Australian imports in a political dispute, restrictions are easing, but reviving trade is proving more challenging than stopping it in the first place.

A leaders meeting late last year set off a thaw in relations that saw China relax restrictions on coal in January. But three months on, in March, coal imports were still a third the 2016-2019 average.

Bureaucratic inertia meant word took weeks to filter to Chinese customs officials, say traders, who had to visit eight government departments to sort permits. In February, Australia was still not in the import license computer system, say buyers.

The economics have also worsened. Australian miners have found new customers in the interim and no longer offer concessional prices on coking coal. Meanwhile, cheaper imports from Russia and Mongolia have taken market share in China.

"These things take time, there is no magic wand to bring everything back to normal, it will be a slow process over several months," said David Olsson, chair of the Australia China Business Council.

Relations between China and Australia first soured in 2017 when Canberra voiced concern over China's militarisation of disputed islands in the South China Sea and introduced laws criminalising foreign interference that were seen as aimed at Beijing.

After Australia called for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19, China responded with trade curbs in 2020 that throttled roughly A$17 billion of Australian imports from coal to timber.

The sluggish resumption of the coal trade suggests that reviving the markets, logistics and expectations that greased trade in restricted products could take months if not years.

Overall, however, Australian exports to China have surged despite the curbs, rising to A$175 billion last year from A$149 billion in 2019 in large part thanks to a booming iron ore trade too vital for China's steel mills to risk disrupting.

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(Graphic: Sluggish restart to the China-Australia coal trade, https://www.reuters.com/graphics/AUSTRALIA-CHINA/TRADE/zdvxdjdqzvx/chart_eikon.jpg)

The centre-left Labor government has made the restoration of unrestricted trade a priority and the end of coal restrictions were an early win. Foreign Minister Penny Wong travelled to Beijing in December and the trade minister is expected within weeks to make the same trip.

Last month, the countries agreed to resolve within three months a World Trade Organisation dispute over Chinese barley tariffs. Australia's trade minister is confident wine tariffs will follow.

One issue is a potential shortage of the Australian customs workers who certify cargoes for export. Many left when the now restricted timber log trade vanished overnight, said Frank Rudkiewicz, who is an "authorised officer" (AO) certified by the Agriculture Department to inspect export cargoes.

"There was so much work guaranteed and then overnight it all fell through," he said.

He was recently flown to Townsville from South Australia, roughly 1,800 kilometres north, to certify a consignment of grains because no one else was available.

Reuters spoke with three customs workers in three states. All mentioned shortages. One in Tasmania blamed "across-the-board" problems on government approvals that took up to 15 months, from six months previously.

The Department of Agriculture said in a statement it was not aware of any significant changes to the number of AOs. The average time from application to appointment is a minimum of 3-6 months and unchanged since 2011, the department added.

(Graphic: Barley exporters pivot after Chinese trade tariffs, https://www.reuters.com/graphics/AUSTRALIA-CHINA/TRADE/myvmoqokwvr/chart_eikon.jpg)

A NEW POLITICAL CLIMATE

Officials and exporters say competition, a desire to maintain new markets and wariness about the longevity of the diplomatic thaw will make a quick return to pre-restriction trade levels unlikely.

"Chinese coal traders see little incentive now to sign long-term contracts," said a Chinese-based coal trader, citing high inventory and "the potential risk of the relationship turning sour again."

In Australia, several producers of wine, timber and meat told Reuters they would not prioritise China at the expense of newer clients.

"It would be short sighted to lose the hard fought new businesses we've built," said David Foote, chair of Cattle Australia.

Producers who beat a path back to China will also face competitors who have had more than two years to make inroads.

Australian wine exports are unlikely to recover to pre-dispute levels soon because of entrenched French and Chilean competitors, said Lee Mclean head of Australian Grape & Wine.

Moreover, even as it works towards economic rapprochement, Australia has made clear unrestricted trade is not a signal to return to China at the expense of other markets.

And tensions between the two countries remain. Australia in February blocked a Chinese rare earth investment on national security grounds.

Foreign Minister Wong urged exporters to diversify even as she announced the deal over barley tariffs.

"We never want to find ourselves in a situation where we're so totally reliant on one market," Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Monday.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson and Muyu Xu; editing by Praveen Menon and Shri Navaratnam)
The North Carolina state Senate approved a new bill this week that would increase the penalty for people convicted of intentionally distributing obscene materials.

Senate Bill 579 passed the state Senate on Monday and now goes to the North Carolina House. The bill says a violation ... committed knowingly in the presence of an individual under 18 years of age is a Class H felony.

A news release about the bill from the states Republican Party this week says the effort is aimed at addressing some of the more disturbing trends weve seen in recent years, according to state Sen. Buck Newton.

SEE MORE: NC tied for most protests and threats against drag events, advocacy group says

Newton added that the text could apply to some drag shows that have garnered controversy, including a performance at Forsyth Technical Community College that had high schoolers in attendance.

According to the Associated Press, opponents of the bill raised concerns that it was unfairly targeting respectable drag events.

Under the current law, the penalty would be probation, a fine, or community service. The bill, if signed into law, would mean a first offense could result in jail time, the Associated Press reports.

(WATCH: North Carolina bill filed to restrict public drag performances)
Three felony cases were resolved at the Marion County Judicial Center on April 26 and 27. Here's what we know:

State v. Nelson Servando Ferguson

Trial: In November, jurors found Nelson Servando Ferguson guilty of attempted manslaughter with a firearm and shooting into an occupied dwelling. He was found not guilty of possession of a firearm by a delinquent.

Sentence: On April 26, Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon sentenced Ferguson to a 40-year prison term. He has 1,196 days of credit for time spent at the county jail.

Charged: Teen charged as an adult for 2022 crash that killed passenger, 15

Fire: Ocala police arrest man they say attempted to burn down area hospital

Special conditions: Ferguson must pay $3,394 to the Marion County Sheriff's Office for investigative costs.

About the case: The 23-year-old Ocala man was arrested in 2019 in connection with an incident where a woman was shot in the legs three times. Deputies said the residence where the victim was located was shot at multiple times.

State v. Servando Ferguson Jr.

Trial: Last month, a jury found Servando Ferguson Jr. guilty of principal to robbery with a firearm.

Sentence: On April 26, Herndon sentenced Ferguson to a 30-year prison sentence. He has 593 days of credit for time already spent at the jail.

Special conditions: Ferguson is not allowed to have contact with his co-defendants and victims, and he must pay restitution to the victim/victims.

About the case: The 27-year-old Ocala man was part of a plot to rob a man in 2019.

Ocala police officials said the victim saw an older model Chevy Impala on Craigslist for $7,000. The man met Ferguson's father, Servando Ferguson Sr., to purchase the vehicle.

The victim said he gave the elder Ferguson the money, and he was taken to a residence, where he was robbed.

Another man, 26-year-old Cortez Wilson of Orlando, was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery with a firearm. The case against a fourth man, Corey Hunt, 52, of Ocala, is ongoing, court records show.

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Ferguson Sr. was sentenced to a 15-year prison term on April 21.

State v. Cecil Eugene Wryals

Plea: No contest to aggravated battery by person in detention facility. A charge of sexual battery force likely to cause injury was not pursued by prosecutors.

Sentence: Herndon sentenced Cecil Eugene Wryals, 40, of Dunnellon, to 15 years in prison. He has 1,711 days of credit for time served at the county jail.

About the case: Law enforcement officials said an inmate at the county jail was assaulted by four men. The victim had broken ribs, a swollen eye and hand, and missing teeth, authorities said.

Charles Reynaldo Murillo, 34, of Ocala, and Steven Alexander Villafane, 37, of Ocala, have been convicted and are serving time in prison. The case against a fourth man, Juan Pagan-Ayala, 32, of Ocala, is ongoing, court records show.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Three men sentenced to prison terms in felony cases
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is asking Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to resign from her Senate seat, adding her voice to scattered calls from other Democrats.

Ocasio-Cortez, a leading House progressive with a massive social media following, wrote on the social platform Bluesky that the senator should retire.

She added, I think criticisms of that stance as anti-feminist are a farce.

Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary  precisely where repro rights are getting stripped. That failure means now in this precious window Dems can only pass GOP-approved nominees, Ocasio-Cortez wrote.

Her post was first reported by CNN.

The Squad member joins other leading progressives with her stance. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) was the first Democratic lawmaker to call for Feinstein to step down, followed closely by the more moderate Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.).

Fellow Squad member Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) joined the calls last week.

They have expressed deep concerns over what Feinsteins prolonged absence means for judicial nominees. Feinstein sits on the Judiciary Committee, which without her is deadlocked 10-10 and unable to advance nominees without GOP support.

Feinstein, 89, has been away from the Capitol for two months due to a long recovery process from shingles.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When the Idaho Legislature passed a bill in February to ban the use of Zuckerbucks throughout the state, it closed a loophole and ensured that private money cannot be used to fund public elections. But the bill failed to address an even more problematic intersection of private affairs in public elections: closed partisan primaries.

Every two years, the Republican and Democratic parties  two private organizations  hold primaries using public money to determine their nominees for the general election. Spending public funds for a private purpose is already concerning, but closed primaries also make Idaho elections less competitive, which hurts all Idahoans. Studies show that electoral competition leads to a more engaged electorate, better representation of voters interests and even economic growth.

Unfortunately, a 2011 Idaho Supreme Court decision ruled that parties can decide whether to open their primaries. Democrats have opened their primaries; Republicans have not.

Its important to note that competitive elections need not imply partisan balance. A strong majority of Idahoans identify as Republicans and that balance should be reflected in election outcomes. But too few voters deciding the outcomes of key races results in a phenomenon known as the primary problem. The winners in the primary, typically the Republican primary in Idaho, regularly cruise to victory in the general election, but these primaries are often decided by a small fraction of constituents.

Look no further than Legislative District 12, where Jeff Cornilles won a three-way Republican primary last November with 1,997 of the 5,667 votes cast before running unopposed in the general election. For a district with roughly 26,000 registered voters, support from just 8 percent of the electorate is far too low for a deciding race.

Cornilles was not the only candidate to win with little public input. Across the state in 2022, 50 of Idahos 105 state legislative seats featured candidates running unopposed in the general election, and another 23 races featured candidates winning with more than two-thirds of the vote. All told, nearly 70 percent of the state legislative races were uncompetitive in the general election, making the primary the decisive election. Restricting these decisive elections to only party members reduces legislative accountability and stifles competition.

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The Idaho GOP could open its primaries, but it has little motivation to do so. Keeping their primaries closed artificially inflates party enrollment by encouraging voters, including those who do not share the partys values, to register as Republicans just to have a say in their representation. But primary elections are funded by taxpayers, so voluntarily opening Republican primary elections is the right thing to do. If Republicans would rather not open them, then they should fund them privately and let taxpayers off the hook.

Another alternative is for Idaho to stop funding partisan primaries altogether. In states like Alaska and Washington, all candidates appear on a single primary ballot, with the top performers advancing to the general election. Alaska goes one step further and asks voters to rank candidates by order of preference, further increasing electoral competition and giving voters more power over their government. Alaskas recent changes didnt result in a substantial shift in partisan balancelike Idaho, Republicans outnumber Democrats in the state legislature and hold control of state executive officesbut the new elections were much more competitive.

Our Founding Fathers decried taxation without representation, but todays closed partisan primaries shut out tax-paying voters from important public elections. Ultimately, primary elections are not private elections. And thats why they should be open to everyone.

Matt Germer is a resident elections fellow for the Governance program at the R Street Institute.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt

Oklahoma has joined the long list of conservative states banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed the ban into law Monday. Senate Bill 613 bars health care professionals from providing hormones, puberty blockers, and surgeries to people under 18 for the purpose of gender transition. It takes effect immediately, although young people already receiving hormones or puberty blockers have six months in which to cease treatment.

Penalties for violation include felony charges, revocation of license, and civil lawsuits, which can be brought by a parent or guardian.

Last year, I called for a statewide ban on all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors, so I am thrilled to sign this into law today and protect our kids, said a statement issued by Stitt. We cannot turn a blind eye to whats happening across our nation, and as governor I am proud to stand up for whats right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma.

Actually, genital surgeries are almost never performed on minors, and the effects of puberty blockers and hormones are either fully or largely reversible. Gender-affirming care for youth is supported by every major medical association in the U.S.

Last year, Stitt signed legislation withholding federal funds made available under the American Rescue Plan Act from the University of Oklahoma Medical Center and its Childrens Hospital unless they cease providing gender-affirming medications or surgeries to people under 18. The medical providers agreed to the terms.

Before Stitt signed SB 613, civil rights groups promised legal action. In a perilous game of chicken with their governor, Oklahoma lawmakers pushed through SB 613, a dangerous bill that will jeopardize the health and lives of transgender youth, notwithstanding the overwhelming body of scientific and medical evidence supporting this care as safe, effective, appropriate and necessary, said a joint statement from Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Oklahoma. Transgender youth in Oklahoma deserve the support and care necessary to give them the same chance to thrive as their peers. Gender-affirming care is a critical part of helping transgender adolescents succeed, establish healthy relationships with their friends and family, live authentically as themselves, and dream about their futures. If this bill is signed into law, we will defend the rights of transgender youth in court, just as we have done in other states engaging in this anti-science and discriminatory fearmongering.

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The Human Rights Campaign also condemned the legislation, noting that Stitt had claimed he would veto any legislation until the Oklahoma Senate passes bills on tax cuts and education funding but made an exception for SB 613.

Governor Stitt is so dedicated to his anti-LGBTQ+ agenda that he went back on his own word in order to prevent transgender youth from accessing medically necessary healthcare, said a statement from HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. SB 613 not only attacks transgender youth, it attacks anyone that supports them. Its discriminatory, stigmatizing, and dangerous. The Governor and his extremist lawmakers know that every credible medical organization supports gender-affirming care, because it is best practice care that is delivered in an age appropriate manner in consultation with parents, doctors, and medical experts. Yet they dont care, because its not politically expedient for them. HRC will continue to fight for transgender kids in Oklahoma, even when their government wont.

Other states that have outlawed most or all gender-affirming care for trans minors through legislation are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. Florida has put a ban in place through its medical boards and is considering a bill for an even stricter measure. Missouri's attorney general has put out severe restrictions on this care, but they are now temporarily blocked by court action, as are the Alabama and Arkansas bans. Bans are pending in several other states.
Kevin Stitt. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has officially signed a bill banning gender-affirming health care for children under 18 into law. Senate Bill 613 prohibits "gender transition procedures for children" under threat of "administrative, criminal, and civil enforcement," meaning medical workers who provide said care could potentially face a felony charge.

Oklahoma is one of at least 15 other states, including Tennesee and Montana, to ban gender-affirming health care for minors. After the signing, Stitt said in a news release that he was "thrilled" about this step to "protect our kids." "We cannot turn a blind eye to what's happening across our nation," he added. "I am proud to stand up for what's right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma."

Gender-affirming health care has been proven to result in more favorable outcomes for transgender youth. According to the American Psychiatric Association, "psychological attempts to force a transgender person to be cisgender ... are considered unethical and have been linked to adverse mental health outcomes." Such care "may include pubertal suppression for adolescents with gender dysphoria and gender-affirming hormones like estrogen and testosterone for older adolescents and adults."

A number of civil rights groups have condemned Oklahoma's decision, including Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Oklahoma, all of which released a joint statement on the matter: "Transgender youth in Oklahoma deserve the support and care necessary to give them the same chance to thrive as their peers."

"Gender-affirming care is a critical part of helping transgender adolescents succeed, establish healthy relationships with their friends and family, live authentically as themselves, and dream about their futures," the groups added.

Story continues

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Oklahoma State Capitol Building. (photo:Canva)

OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, vetoed a bill yesterday that would have allowed students to wear tribal regalia at school functions.



Senate Bill 429 passed the Oklahoma legislature last Monday, April 24, 90 to 1, and would have ensured Native students in all schools are allowed to wear tribal regalia at high school graduations and other ceremonies throughout the state.

With this legislation, Governor Stitt had an opportunity to support religious freedom and families honoring their kids high school accomplishments, Chuck Hoskin Jr., Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, told Native News Online. Instead, hes chosen more division and insults to his Native American constituents.



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Stitt wrote of his decision that if the bill became law, it would open up additional efforts by other groups to push for their agendas.

Should this bill become law, the proverbial Pandoras box will be opened for other groups to go over the heads of local superintendents and demand special favor to wear whatever they please at a formal ceremony, Stitt wrote in his veto message.

Stitt added that the decision to allow students to wear traditional items such as eagle feathers or regalia rests with local school districts and not the state government.

To be clear, Oklahoma law protects the right of Native American students to wear tribal regalia and other culturally significant items during graduation ceremonies, Hoskin said. This bill would have simply made those rights more clear so public school administrators do not mistakenly violate them. Thats why the Legislature approved this bill, along with other bills supported by tribes, with nearly unanimous, bipartisan votes.

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton also issued the following statement regarding Stitts veto of SB 429.

This bill, which would have allowed all Native American students in Oklahoma to wear tribal regalia at school ceremonies, is not controversial. It allows the students to honor their native culture and traditions. In fact, only one member of the Legislature voted against it, Batton said. This is a popular, common-sense measure with no costs for the state or schools. We hope the House and the Senate will quickly override the veto to provide more freedom for Oklahoma students who want to honor their heritage.

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According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), in 2020, there were approximately 156,000 American Indian students who were enrolled in at least one of the 39 Tribal Nations of Oklahoma.

About the Author: "Darren Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) is a staff reporter for Native News Online who is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Thompson has reported on political unrest, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous issues for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Indian Country Today, Native News Online, Powwows.com and Unicorn Riot. He has contributed to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Voice of America on various Indigenous issues in international conversation. He has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Criminology & Law Studies from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "

Contact: dthompson@nativenewsonline.net
China and India, two countries that have historically avoided condemning Russia, surprised the international community by supporting a United Nations resolution recognizing Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

One hundred twenty-two votes supported the resolution, which called for better collaboration between the United Nations and the Council of Europe, 18 votes against it, and five abstentions. Russia, Belarus, Syria, Nicaragua, and North Korea were the only countries to vote against it.

One phrase of the larger resolution mentioned Russian aggression towards Ukraine, which is why the vote went unreported initially, according to Euronews.

The resolution focuses not on the Russia-Ukraine war itself but on fostering increased collaboration between the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

The United States, Canada, and a group of European nations pushed for the resolution. The votes were also positive in Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Brazil.

Read Also: Dark Web Drug Ring Dismantled By Europol

Recent Instances China, India Avoided Condemning Russia's Attack on Ukraine

Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had their first known conversation since Russia invaded Ukraine. However, neither the Ukraine war nor the word "war" appeared in the Chinese state media's summary of their hour-long phone call.

During the conversation, Xi Jinping underscored the significance of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity as the basic underpinning ties between China and Ukraine, emphasizing Beijing's "core position" of encouraging peace and dialogue, The New York Times reported.

As G20 chair and host of February's summit in Bengaluru, India initially declined to bring up the conflict at the gathering, but Western nations pushed for a rebuke.

Despite the Russia-Ukraine war, India has taken a relatively neutral stance, increasing its purchases of Russian oil while not holding Russia responsible and seeking a diplomatic solution, per Reuters.

Related Article: France May Day Protests

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Okmulgee County Sheriff/Oklahoma Department of Corrections/GoFundMe

Texts from Jesse McFaddens final night alive have shed light onto what may have been going through the convicted rapists mind just before cops found his body and six othersincluding two missing teensabandoned on his rural Oklahoma property.

Records show that McFadden, 39, was due in court Monday morning for a hearing on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and for possessing child pornography, but he never showed.

The woman central to that probewho reportedly accused McFadden of sexting with her from his jail cell when she was 16sent screenshots of eerie texts from McFadden to Fox 23. In the messages, he appears to blame her for not dropping the charges levied against him.

I did exactly what I promised I would do when I got out, McFadden texted the woman Sunday night. I got a marketing job making great money and was being advanced (sic) been there 2 years now and made a great life like I promised I would do with you.

McFadden became more pointed in his next messages, telling the unnamed woman, This is all on you for continuing this.

In separate messages, he reportedly texted the woman, Now its all gone, and that I told you I wouldnt go back.

While the cryptic texts shed light into McFaddens mental state, many questions remain about what happened Sunday night on the outskirts of Henryetta, Oklahoma, a small town roughly an hour south of Tulsa.

Rylee Allen, Tiffany Guess and Michael Mayo GoFundMe

Some family members of the victims have accused McFadden of murder, but local cops have yet to make that distinction. When reached by phone, an employee at the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office told The Daily Beast that updates would be posted to the agencys Facebook page soon.

Cops announced the grisly discovery on Monday, but havent released anything beyond the number of people found dead and where they were foundsomewhere on McFaddens sweeping property.

Authorities found the bodies just hours after an Amber Alert was blasted to phones in Oklahoma about a pair of teenage girls going missing, which listed McFadden as a person of interest. The local sheriff confirmed Monday that those girls, 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, were among the dead.

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The family of McFaddens wife, Holly Guess, identified the other victims on Tuesday as Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17; Michael James Mayo, 15; and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13; as well as Guess herself, 35. A GoFundMe page said the mom and her kids were murdered by McFadden.

This is a huge tragedy not just for my family but all of our friends and the community, Heather Pettigrew wrote. So much was lost so quickly.

The Webster and Brewer families created fundraisers of their own, but stopped short of placing blame for their loved ones' deaths on McFadden.

Websters mom, Ashleigh Webster, said Monday that her daughter went to McFadden's home to have a sleepover with Tiffany and to swim at a nearby ranch. She was supposed to be back home by 5 p.m. Sunday, but never showed.

Ashleigh Webster said she had no clue about McFaddens criminal history. The girls dad, Justin Webber, told News 2 Oklahoma that hes mad that McFaddendespite a past rape conviction and pending charges against himwas free on bail for so many years.

I ask our Congresspeople to get stricter on these pedophiles to keep them locked up, to hold them in jail because no other family should go through what we are going through now, he said.

Mom of Teen Found Dead Alongside Convicted Rapist Reveals How She Knew Something Was Wrong

Similar questions have been posed to Larry Edwards, the district attorney for nearby Muskogee County, where McFadden was due in court on Tuesday. He told The Daily Beast in a phone call that McFaddens trial had been repeatedly put on hold for numerous reasonseach as bizarre as the next.

Edwards said the trial was put on hold initially because a prosecutor broke their foot and could no longer try the case. At another point, a defense attorney for McFadden died. Then came a slew of delays associated with the pandemic that drug the trial out until this month.

The prosecutor told The Daily Beast he was personally sitting in the courtroom on Monday morning waiting for McFadden to show, but he never made it. Like thousands of others in Oklahoma, his phone had buzzed with the Amber Alert saying two teenage girls were missing, believed to be with him.

Edwards said authorities called the victim involved in the case and alerted her to McFaddens disappearance. By the time local cops moved into place to protect her, however, word had gotten out that McFadden was dead.

Janette Mayo, the mother of Holly Guess, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that McFadden was very demure and lied to her daughter about his past crimes, which Mayo claims she was kept in the dark about entirely until two months ago. The couple had gotten married last May.

The grieving mom, who also lost three of her grandchildren in the tragedy, also insinuated that McFadden was a controlling partner.

He was very standoffish, generally very quiet, but he kept my daughter and the kids basically under lock and key, she said. He had to know where they were at all times, which sent red flags up.

Brewers dad, Nathan Brewer, fought back tears as he spoke at a vigil on Monday night, telling hundreds that he was living every parent's worst nightmare. He said his daughter aspired to be a teacher or a veterinarian, and that she was once selected as the winner of a local beauty pageant, Miss Henryetta.

I am just lost, he said.

Michael Daly contributed to this report.

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Filmmaker Oliver Stone has voiced his ardent support for nuclear power in the face of the mounting climate crisis.

The JFK directors latest film project, Nuclear Now, is adapted from the book A Bright Future: How Some Countries Have Solved Climate Change and the Rest Can Follow by US scientists Joshua S Goldstein and Staffan A Qvist.

Nuclear Now is a documentary looking at the nuclear industries in the US, France and Russia, making the case for further investment in nuclear energy globally.

Were getting it all wrong, and in the face of climate change, nuclear isnt only an option its the only option, said Stone, in an interview with The Guardian.

The truth is, we had solutions, and we f***ed it up.

The filmmaker blamed the conflation of nuclear energy and nuclear warfare in mid-20th century popular culture.

The movie business has not been kind to nuclear at all from Silkwood, The China Syndrome, and all the horror movies of the Fifties, he said.

Theres not an issue [with nuclear waste], its completely handleable, especially compared to the waste of gas, oil, and coal, my God, Stone claimed.

Filmmaker Oliver Stone pictured in September 2022 (Getty Images)

Politicians could get votes by making people afraid. And then its hard to reverse yourself after many years and say: Well, actually, weve changed our mind now. And we see that climate change is the bigger threat and that actually what we told you about [nuclear] is sort of overhyped.

Elsewhere in the interview, Stone, a longtime defender of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, reiterated his support for the controversial figure.

I think Russia is doing a great job with nuclear energy, he said. China is also a leader in that field, although I never was able to penetrate into China, which was a shame for the movie I wish we had. But Putin is a great leader for his country and the people love him.
Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang wore versions of the same dress at the 2023 Met Gala.

Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang wore versions of the same dress at the 2023 Met Gala.

Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang experienced a classic Brenda Walsh and Kelly Taylor moment at the 2023 Met Gala.

The two women showed up to the biggest night in fashion wearing the same Chloe dress in honor of the nights theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The dress, according to Vogue, is based on one Lagerfeld sketched in 1983 when he worked for the label. The cutout gown features an embroidered violin connecting the skirt to the top half.

Wilde and Zhang wear nearly identical Chloe designs.

Wilde and Zhang wear nearly identical Chloe designs.

But what separates this embarrassing moment from the great Beverly Hills, 90210 dress debacle of 1991 is that at least the Dont Worry, Darling director and the editor-in-chief of Vogue China wore the piece in different colors.

Wilde opted for a white version of the cutout gown, while Zhang sported it in black.

Wilde poses in her white dress at the 2023 Met Gala.

Wilde poses in her white dress at the 2023 Met Gala.

Wildes version also had a shorter skirt, and she zhuzhed up her look with arm cuffs that matched the gold embellishments on her dress. Zhangs look is a bit edgier, with a longer train and a matching cape. The editor also paired her dress with sunglasses and bright blue hair.

Zhang shows off her black dress at the 2023 Met Gala.

Zhang shows off her black dress at the 2023 Met Gala.

According to the Evening Standard, its the first time this kind of fashion faux pas has occurred at the Met Gala, which was founded in 1946 and taken over by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in 1995. Wintour also has the final say over every guests outfit, according to E! News, so heres hoping neither of these women somehow got on her bad side.
Olivia Wilde had people doing a double take with her 2023 Met Gala look  but for a specific reason.

The "Don't Worry Darling" director arrived to the May 1 event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a Grecian-looking white gown designed by Chloe.

As more guest arrived and posed on the museum's long stairs, people noticed that Wilde's dress was similar to Vogue China's editor-in-chief Margaret Zhang's gown.

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating

The theme for the 2023 Met Gala is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the legendary German designer, who died in 2019 at 85. People in attendance were expected to follow the dress code, which is in honor of Karl.

Wilde's white backless dress included a draping cape with a high neck, side cutouts with gold violin or guitar-shaped embellishment in the body of the dress. She also had matching gold cuffs.

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating

As for Zhang, the journalist and filmmaker opted for the same silhouette in the opposite color scheme.

Zhang wore a black design, which had the similar gold embellishment on the bodice and side cut-outs. However, Zhang had a full cape and a fuller skirt that included embellishments on the hemline.

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating

There's a reason why they wore a similar look: Both were in conversation with the same Lagerfeld design. Specifically, Lagerfeld's 1983 violin dress, which he designed for the French fashion house.

What I loved about the original design was the musical inspiration of it, and the surrealistic touch on it, Chloes designer Gabriela Hearst told Vogue. There was something quite timeless that we could bring back to the Met Gala in 2023.

Chloe Sevigny wore a violin dress in 2013.

Barneys, Clare Waight Keller & Chloe Sevigny Celebrate 60 Years Of Chloe - Cocktails (Rabbani and Solimene Photography / Getty Images)

The late Lagerfeld had a close relationship with Chloe. The designer had a tenure at the French luxury fashion house between 1963 and 1983, as well as 1992 until 1997.

A sketch that had similar designs as Wilde and Zhang's violin-shaped outline was included in Chloe's Instagram reflecting on Lagerfeld's legacy at the fashion brand.

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The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating

Lagerfelds Chloe designs will be exhibited alongside his sketches at. the Met.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Olivia Wilde (L) and Margaret Zhang (R) at the 2023 Met Gala. Taylor Hill/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

For what may be the first time ever, two Met Gala attendees arrived in the same dress.

Olivia Wilde and Vogue China editor Margaret Zhang both opted for a vintage Chloe dress.

Wilde's version was white and gold, while Zhang went for a darker color palette and edgy sunglasses.

In what may be a first for fashion's biggest night, two guests arrived at the Met Gala wearing noticeably similar outfits.

On Monday, some of the most recognizable names in fashion, social media, Hollywood, and beyond gathered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the annual charity ball hosted by Vogue US editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

As Insider's Samantha Grindell previously reported, the star-studded event has a new theme each year. For the 2023 installment, guests were encouraged to commit to the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" theme, honoring the work of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, Vogue reports. Dua Lipa, Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, and Roger Federer co-chaired the event alongside Wintour.

But in all the years of the Met Gala, it's rare that any guest has arrived wearing a similar outfit to another, let alone an identical one. That is, until Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang, editor-in-chief of Vogue China, arrived on the red carpet on Monday wearing iterations of the same vintage Chloe dress.

Olivia Wilde attends the 2023 Met Gala. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The gown, according to Vogue, is based on a 1983 sketch of a dress Lagerfeld drew when he worked for the label. The sleeved dress features an embroidered violin, connecting the skirt to the top half.

Wilde, 39, wore a white-and-gold version and accessorized it with coordinating cuffs. The gold of the dress complemented her blonde hair and shimmery glam.

Meanwhile, Zhang, 29, took a slightly more edgy approach to the dress. Hers was black with gold embroidery and a longer skirt, and featured a cape. The editor, who had cobalt-blue dyed hair, accessorized with a pair of black sunglasses similar to those that Lagerfeld was often seen wearing.

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Margaret Zhang attends the 2023 Met Gala. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld

According to the Evening Standard, it's the first time the fashion faux pas has happened at the Met Gala, which was founded in 1946 and taken over by Wintour in 1999. It's also unclear whether Wintour was aware that Wilde and Zhang were both planning to wear versions of the same Chloe dress, though E! News reported in September 2021 that she has the final say over every guest's outfit.

Representatives for Wilde, Zhang, and Vogue did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Chicagos Maple & Ash has consistently been called one of the best steakhouses in the nation (including by us), but that doesnt keep the restaurant from staying out of trouble.

In a lawsuit filed last month, investors in Maple & Ash claim that the steakhouse misspent funds received through the pandemic Paycheck Protection Program, WBEZ reported recently. The seven plaintiffs say that the restaurant spent at least some of that moneymeant to pay workers and keep restaurants afloat as Covid-19 forced eateries to shut downon extravagances like private planes and country-club dues. (The claims are part of a lawsuit more broadly addressing the potential dissolution of Maple & Ash management.)

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The salacious allegations contained within this frivolous and vexatious lawsuit are nothing more than a deliberate attempt by Unitholders and their attorneys to repackage a frivolous lawsuit that was filed last year, Doug Wexler, an attorney for Maple & Ashs James Lasky, said in an email to Robb Report. The PPP funds were properly applied for and were forgiven. (Michael Forde, an attorney for the investors, declined to comment.)

The prior lawsuit mentioned refers to one that the investors brought against the restaurant in 2022 for allegedly using $3 million given by them for Maple & Ash on other restaurants instead, Eater Chicago reported on Monday. Along with that legal saga, the restaurant has been embroiled in a number of controversies: The co-owners Lasky and David Pisor were themselves battling in court over access to funds, and restaurant workers were allegedly (and controversially) given early access to Covid-19 vaccines, thanks to the restaurant being popular with executives in the health-care industry.

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Maple & Ash first opened in Chicago in 2015, becoming known for its clubby atmosphere and modern take on the traditional steakhouse. Its long been one of the highest-grossing restaurants in the country, coming in fourth last year, with more than $30 million in sales. In January, Lasky and Pisor agreed to split up the restaurants parent company, What If Syndicate, with Lasky gaining control of Maple & Ash and Pisor taking over the Etta group of restaurants. Maple & Ash also has a location in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As the current lawsuit winds its way through the legal system, it may put a bit of a damper on Maple & Ashs never-ending party.

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One person was killed and another was injured Monday when a car crashed into a tree, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 8 a.m. in Darlington County, said Lance Cpl. Lena Butler.

A 2003 Honda Accord was driving east on Secondary 351 and ran off the left side of the road and car crashed into a tree near 14th Street, according to Butler.

Both the driver and a passenger were hurt and taken to area hospitals, and the passenger later died, Butler said.

The Darlington County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the passenger.

Further information on the drivers condition was not available.

No other injuries were reported.

There was no word if either of the people in the Honda were wearing seat belts.

Information about what caused the Honda to veer off the road was not available, but the wreck continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Through Sunday, 298 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least 10 people have died in Darlington County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 18 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
Minnesota homes John Elk/Getty Images

The Supreme Court is hearing its last scheduled oral argument for the current term, in a case involving a 94-year-old woman's home in Minnesota. The trial could have wide-ranging effects on home equity theft and the way that at least a dozen states repurchase people's houses.

What is the case about?

Geraldine Tyler is suing Hennepin County, Minnesota, alleging that they violated the now 94-year-old's civil rights by taking her property without just compensation. The issue began back in 2010, when Tyler, then 81, moved out of her Minneapolis condo into a nursing home. Tyler admitted that she stopped paying taxes on the condo after she moved out. Between the unpaid taxes, interest, and fees, Tyler eventually accrued nearly $15,000 in debt to Hennepin County, Forbes reports.

Hennepin County eventually seized Tyler's old condo, and NPR notes that "Tyler does not dispute that the county repeatedly notified her that she risked losing the condo if she didn't pay up." After the seizure, the county sold the condo for $40,000. However, the county kept not only the $15,000 that Tyler owed, but also the $25,000 left over, leaving Tyler with nothing.

Despite Tyler's objections, this string of events is legal in Minnesota  at least for now. This is because, when it comes to collecting government debts, Minnesota and other states are allowed to keep the profits they receive from a tax surplus, Forbes notes. As a result, Tyler sued Hennepin County, arguing that she should have received the $25,000 difference.

The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), which represents Tyler, argues that by keeping the full amount, Hennepin County unconstitutionally seized her property. They call this phenomenon "home equity theft." In states where this is legal, "if a property owner fails to pay or underpays his property taxes, even by just a few dollars, the local government or a private lienholder can eventually take the entire property, along with the owner's equity," PLF reports, even though the equity is typically worth much more than the debt itself.

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How do the justices feel about the case?

Justices are routinely stoic during oral arguments, so it can often be hard to gauge their opinions on a particular case. However, signs seem to point to the Supreme Court swinging toward Tyler's success, based on eyewitnesses who were in the room.

The nine justices seemed to be in "broad favor" of Tyler's argument, and even conservative Justice Clarence Thomas said she was "saying the county took her property and made a profit on her surplus equity. It belongs to her," Supreme Court correspondent Mark Sherman reports for The Associated Press. Sherman notes that Justices Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch, despite being on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum, said Hennepin County seemed to think it could seize million-dollar properties over small tax bills.

"I mean, $5,000 tax debt; $5 million house. Take the house; don't give back the rest?" Kagan hypothetically asked the county's attorney, who essentially confirmed the justice's question.

The justices all seemed "receptive" to Tyler's argument, adds Supreme Court reporter Lawrence Hurley for NBC News. Hurley writes that the justices seemed to question the merit of limiting government power when they could seize property without giving back a surplus. "The Constitution seemed to have a different idea in mind," Chief Justice John Roberts said. The newest member of the Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, questioned whether there would even be a "real, big, practical problem" in siding with Tyler.

What's next?

The Supreme Court's decision is not expected to be released until this coming summer. However, given the justice's questioning during oral arguments, it seems likely, though not certain, that they will find in favor of Tyler.

This could potentially impact the legality of this type of home equity practice in states where it is currently legal. These laws "can have a big impact on seniors struggling to pay property taxes after retirement," USA Today writes. With the justices seemingly concerned with the state law, a potential ruling in favor of Tyler could end up forcing changes to the way that states are able to buy back property.

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A woman pushes a pram past the new Bank Hub on April 7, 2021 in Rochford, England.

The UK should open more shared banking hubs to help those who feel uncomfortable managing their finances online, a charity has said.

Bank hubs - which are spaces shared by several different High Street lenders - are meant to help communities that have seen all their bank branches close.

But only four hubs have opened so far, while an average of 54 UK branches have shut each month since January 2015.

Age UK said older or vulnerable people could struggle with online banking.

The charity's research suggests 27% of over-65s and 58% of over-85s rely on face-to-face banking.

Charities and consumer groups have called for an acceleration in the introduction of banking hubs, when all branches have closed in an area.

These hubs have counter services run for the major banks, often by the Post Office.

They also have a dedicated room where customers visit community bankers from their own bank, with different banks visiting on different days of the week. The costs of the hub are shared between the participating banks.

Another 48 banking hubs have been agreed for areas across the UK, but they can take 12 months to find a premises and get up and running.

Banks have pointed to the large reduction in branch use - a trend accelerated by the Covid pandemic - and the popularity of managing money via smartphones, as good reason for diluting their branch network.

But Age UK said its survey suggested those who were most likely to feel uncomfortable using online banking were aged over 85, female, on a low income, or more disadvantaged than their counterparts.

Among those who were uncomfortable, the key concerns about online banking were fraud and scams, a lack of trust in online banking services, and a lack of computer skills.

Graph showing branch closures in different areas on deprivation scale

The survey size becomes relatively small when broken down, but Age UK said that 34% of those with an annual income of less than 17,500 mainly banked face-to-face, compared to 15% of those with an income of 30,000 to 49,999 a year.

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Separate figures show that, since the start of 2020, more branches have closed in poorer parts of the UK than in better-off areas.

In its report called "You can't bank on it anymore", Age UK said it was vital that physical banking spaces were protected. It said the last bank in town should remain open until a hub is ready to open.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "We need to face up to the fact that huge numbers of older people, the oldest old, especially, are not banking online. Even older people who do bank online often want the ability to talk to a bank employee in the flesh about some kind of transaction.

"A lack of face-to-face banking will only serve to further exclude the millions of people on a low income who have no or limited access to the internet."

John Howells, chief executive of cash machine and cash access network Link, said: "It is vital to protect face-to-face banking services for the millions of consumers who rely on cash.

"The proposed national network of shared banking hubs being provided by the banking industry are proving a popular and easy to use way to do that."
A number of prominent voices have sounded alarms recently, warning of the dangers AI can pose if its development is left unchecked. | Adobe.com

The International Atomic Energy Agency serves as the worlds forum for encouraging the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Federal Aviation Administration governs civil aviation to ensure safety in the skies. The Food and Drug Administration regulates the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nations food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation, according to its website.

The need for these organizations is straightforward. Any technology or product that might put the publics safety at risk should adhere to basic standards.

So, it seems not only logical, but critical, that an agency  preferably one with an international scope  be established with regulatory oversight over emerging artificial intelligence technology.

A number of prominent voices have sounded alarms recently, warning of the dangers AI can pose if its development is left unchecked.

Most recently, Geoffrey Hinton, an AI pioneer who, together with two of his students, constructed a computerized neural network in 2012 allowing machines to teach themselves to recognize common objects, stepped down from Google and began sounding alarms.

In an interview with the New York Times this week, he said one obvious danger is that people with bad intentions could hijack the technology. Already, so-called deep fake videos can make politicians and other influencers appear to say things they never said. Beyond that, the technology could be used to create lethal weapons or germs, thwart security systems and steal money electronically.

Related

The journal Nature recently reported on an experiment to see whether AI could be used to design toxic molecules. Researchers at a conference of the Swiss Federal Institute for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection were surprised to find that, In less than 6 hours after starting on our in-house server, our model generated 40,000 molecules that scored within our desired threshold.

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Some of these new molecules, the researchers said, were predicted to be more toxic  than publicly known chemical warfare agents.

But Hinton spoke of a second, perhaps more worrisome possibility. If computers learn to generate their own code, and to run that code on their own, they might create super robots that could inflict harm or even kill.

This sounds like a bad science fiction movie plot, but plenty of scientists are warning about it with a straight face.

Writing in Time magazine, Eliezer Yudkowsky, a decision theorist who leads research at the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, said 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.

The solution would be to program some sort of a sense of caring or empathy into the basic framework of AI; but, he said, no one knows how to do this. Absent that, computers that could think many times faster than humans could also devise ways to keep us from dismantling them.

Such warnings may sound like theoretical hyperventilating. Healthy skepticism is always warranted when it comes to doomsday scenarios. But the risks to public safety are not science fiction. Those risks are as pedestrian as airplanes, cars and the many other sometimes dangerous machines and technologies that merit oversight to ensure public safety.

As of this week, 27,565 people had signed an open letter calling for a moratorium on the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. Many prominent scientists, computer innovators and entrepreneurs have signed, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Cambridge Centre for the Study of Existential Risk executive director Sean OHeigeartaigh, Berkeley computer science professor Stuart Russell and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who also has publicly called for regulatory oversight.

Related

The letter says, Powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable.

That seems like a reasonable approach, although hard to enforce. Also, six months may not be enough, given the risks outlined.

Humans have long wrestled to keep morality and ethics a step ahead of emerging technologies. A regulatory agency may have difficulty keeping a lid on research. Unlike with nuclear weapons productions, AI research and development in far-away lands cannot be easily detected using satellite surveillance.

But its clearly important that the world draws clear lines and that a regulatory body be established to enforce those boundaries. AI holds great promise, including even cures to diseases. But the technology should also be treated with the utmost care. The stakes are too high for anything less.
The Biden administration intends to deploy 1,500 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border for 90 days to cover significant "capability gaps" in preparation for an anticipated rise in migrants coming at the southern border.

This occurred days before a pandemic-related border regulation that permitted US authorities to turn away tens of thousands of migrants trying to enter the US-Mexico border.

In order to free up US Customs and Border Protection agents to concentrate on the field, military soldiers will carry out jobs, including keeping an eye out for crossings, keeping an eye on camera feeds, data input, and warehouse support, per AP News.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the military wouldn't engage in "law enforcement functions" or meet with migrants at the US-Mexico border.

US Customs and Border Protection already has 2,500 National Guardsmen on the border providing help. With the latest addition, there will be 4,000 US military soldiers on the border overall, with National Guard members still serving in that role, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Read Also: US Vows "Ironclad" Defense Commitment to the Philippines

The deployment is intended to relieve some of the strain on Customs and Border Protection agents, who are gearing up for a possible increase in US-Mexico border crossings when Title 42 expires on May 11. CBS News reported.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is in charge of managing the border, has received Pentagon approval for its request for soldiers.

In accordance with the agreement, DHS was required to provide the Department of Defense with quarterly updates on how it planned to staff its border mission without using active-duty personnel during this fiscal year.

Temporary But Crucial Measure in The US-Mexico Border

It is unclear at this time if such adjustments have taken place or whether DHS will be able to adhere to the conditions of the agreement, especially in light of another wave of immigration.

In order to prepare for fully assuming the border mission, including their attempt to implement steps to curb migration, enhance processing, and expedite the expulsion of illegal immigrants, DHS announced the need for more personnel who will serve temporarily.

The measure comes as the Biden administration has responded to record numbers of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border by clamping down on those who do it illegally and by establishing new routes intended to provide options to a perilous and sometimes fatal trek.

Related Article: Texas Shooting Update

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PARIS (AP)  Opponents of a law that would raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64 are making last-ditch plans to prevent the change that is set to take effect in September.

The country's main labor unions on Tuesday called for another round of nationwide demonstrations and strikes on June 6. May Day protests across France on Monday drew either 800,000 people  that's according to French authorities  or 2.3 million people, which was the estimate given by organizers.

Frances top constitutional body is expected to rule Wednesday on a request from opposition lawmakers to start a lengthy process that could ultimately lead to a bill or a referendum to restore the minimum retirement age of 62.

With President Emmanuel Macron having demonstrated his determination to press on with the unpopular pension reform, here's a look at the next steps for his government and the plan's opponents.

A LONG SHOT AT A REFERENDUM

The Constitutional Council's role is to assess whether the opposition's request over bringing the retirement age back to 62 meets the legal conditions for a potential referendum. If so, supporters would have nine months to collect signatures from at least 4.8 million, or 10%, of voters.

Macrons government would then be able to choose between sending the opposition's text to parliament for debate and eventually a vote, or waiting for six months to put the measure before voters in a referendum in six months. The proposal would only go to a national referendum if it were not debated by lawmakers.

However, the Constitutional Council rejected a similar proposal in April. The authors have revised the measure to add language stating that a change in the financing of France's pension system is needed.

Regardless of what the council decides Wednesday, its ruling would not suspend the law that Macron's government pushed through by using a special constitutional authority to raise the retirement age without a final parliamentary vote.

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MACRON WANTS TO MOVE ON

In a televised speech last month, the French leader made clear his intention to move on to other topics now that his pension law was enacted.

Macron said he heard peoples anger but insisted that the law was needed to keep the pension system afloat as the population ages.

He announced negotiations to start this month on key issues such as improving employee wages, career progressions and working conditions, including for older workers, in the hope these would persuade some unions to get back to the negotiating table.

Last week, Macron's government presented its road map for the coming months, with the aim of getting greater support for future bills. Parliament is set to debate a major military bill by the end of the month.

Legislators will then examine a government proposal on profit-sharing by companies with more than 11 employees. The proposal is intended to turn into law an agreement that unions and employers organizations signed in February.

This paragraph might work better if we reverse order of sentences?

If you think that works better thats fine with me. the chronological order is that the government has six months to send the text to parliament - if it doesnt, it must organize a referendum)).

OPPONENTS' NEXT STEPS

Unions argue the higher retirement age erodes hard-won rights for workers. The date they chose for the next nationwide protests is two days before the lower house of France's Parliament plans to debate a legislative proposal to bring back the retirement age back to 62.

A group of opposition lawmakers has championed the proposal, which is separate from the one before the Constitutional Council, in the hope that most members from the left and the right would vote in favor. Macrons centrist alliance lost its majority in the National Assembly last year.

Yet theres no guarantee such move will succeed, because some opposition lawmakers from the conservative party are in favor of the change.

In a statement Tuesday, unions said they would work together to issue common proposals to address employee concerns over wages, working conditions, health at work, social democracy, gender equality and the environment.

There's deep mistrust, and dialogue can only be restored if the government proves its intention to finally take into account unions' proposals, they wrote.

Opponents are also expected to stage more casserolades, or scattered protest actions in which they bang pots and pans to make noise near sites Macron and his government members are visiting.

"We will not turn over a new leaf as long as the pension reform is not withdrawn, the head of the hard-left CGT union, Sophie Binet, warned Monday.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the French government at https://apnews.com/hub/france-government
Following outrage over the killing of about 20 Muscovy ducks in a local park, the Palmetto Bay Village Council decided to develop a humane wildlife management plan, but not yet ban trapping and killing the waterfowl.

We have a very unique opportunity here, said Mayor Karyn Cunningham at a council meeting Monday evening. We cant turn back the hands of time and change things that have already happened, but we can pull together and move forward with a solid plan for the future.

The council voted on a resolution that directs village staff to consult with various organizations, including Zoo Miami, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), to provide analysis and recommendations to the council in order to craft a management plan.

Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam, who sponsored the resolution, said the plan was to research what would be appropriate, and that doesnt mean a plan to kill or a plan to preserve all.

One resident at the meeting offered to take the ducks in. Relocate them to my house, Patty Keller, a longtime Palmetto Bay resident, said.

The vote is in response to public outcry after the village earlier this year  without seeking public input  hired a trapper to kill an aggressive group of Muscovy ducks in Coral Reef Park. Officials hired the trapper after the mayor and parks director received a complaint from a PTA member at the neighboring Coral Reef Elementary School about a pre-K student who hit her head and needed stitches because she fell while being chased by a duck.

READ MORE: A hired trapper killed aggressive ducks at a Miami-area park. Then came the outrage

The resolution passed 3-2, with Councilmembers Marsha Matson and Patrick Fiore voting against it.

Thats like the fox guarding the hen house, Fiore said of the resolution. He said he plans to make his own proposal at next months meeting that will require any action toward wildlife to come before the Village Council, with the exception of animals that are sick or injured.

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Council votes down trapping ban

Matson said she has about four Muscovy ducks living in her yard right now. And I do worry about them, considering the atmosphere going on, she said.

She proposed a motion to explicitly ban the killing, trapping or removal of Muscovy ducks on public property, including parks. It failed 3-2, with Fiore being the second yes vote.

Cunningham said she understands the intention behind Matsons proposal, but that its not the appropriate time to implement such a policy because the village is only in the research phase of the wildlife management plan.

Cunningham said later in the meeting that officials in nearby cities, including Pinecrest and Cutler Bay, have also seen a decrease in their duck populations. She suggested that police could potentially do a sweep-through of certain parks to catch rogue trappers who may be responsible.

Give them to me

Over 30 people provided spoken or written public comment on the matter. Most of them disagreed with the decision to kill Muscovy ducks. Many said they have seen a major decrease in the duck population throughout the village  not just in Coral Reef Park  and that they suspect private trappers are responsible.

Keller said she has seen firsthand the violent, cruel, shocking and inhumane treatment and extermination of the wildlife in our village.

Give them to me. I will take care of them, she said. I would love it if you put em all in my backyard, my front yard. And I will take care of them because I love animals and I care about them very much. If not, my mother-in-law has 40 acres down in Homestead and runs a ranch. I would love all the peacocks, the Muscovy ducks, relocated to our farm.

James Wildman, the humane educator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, drove down from Hollywood to attend the meeting. He emphasized that trapping ducks should be the last option.

I hope that in the future, you will exhaust every other possibility before you even consider trapping or removing the ducks, Wildman said. You dont have to love ducks to be against the removal. You just have to love the idea of fairness.

Wildman said the most humane way to manage duck populations is to remove their eggs before theyre viable. He also offered to train the village park staff for free on how to collect eggs. He and many others at the meeting warned that feeding the ducks exacerbates conflicts, because it makes them dependent on people, and that many foods, like bread, make the birds sick.

Margaret Haber said the public reaction is astonishing, and its only going to escalate.

She said she is a cancer nurse. Ive seen a lot of death, and a lot of bad death, and I have to say that the pictures of the way this happened, and having trappers coming again into the village and all the birds disappearing, its very traumatic for me, Haber said.

Nature is what separates us from paved-over areas like Kendall and Doral, Alexandra Flinn said. It never occurred to me that if I didnt say I liked ducks, the village would kill them. My kids were never chased by a duck. Ive walked in the park hundreds of times, and Ive never been chased by a duck. I dont think thats because Im a duck whisperer.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  In late February, a jet owned by the company associated with the Fontainebleau Hotel flew from Tallahassee to Newark ahead of Gov. Ron DeSantis appearance on Staten Island. That same day a jet owned by a central Florida developer flew from Newark to Philadelphia to Chicago to Tallahassee when the governor also made stops that same day in Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Who paid for these flights? The governors office said no taxpayer money was spent on these flights in connection with DeSantis three-city stop that day. A spokesperson who has been affiliated with the governors political operation declined to comment. There was nothing listed in the governors political committee campaign finance report for February.

The state Republican Party spent money on travel expenses in the first quarter, including on commercial airlines and for what appear to be chartered flights in January and March, but there are no indications the governor's February trip was a gift from the party. The party executive director did not respond to a question back in February about DeSantis' trips to New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, flight tracking records show that a private chartered jet last week flew from Austin, Texas, to Japan to South Korea to Israel to London and then, over the weekend, stopped in Boston before finally winding up in Tallahassee. Those stops coincide with the governors movements for the past week.

It has been previously stated that this trip is being paid for by private donations to Enterprise Florida, the public-private economic development agency that is about to be dismantled by the Legislature. But a spokesperson for Enterprise Florida has not responded to questions as to why a chartered jet  which is likely to be tremendously expensive  was used for DeSantis trip. The agency was also asked about how much this will ultimately cost.

State Rep. Jeff Holcomb  the House sponsor of a bill that would shield DeSantis travel records associated with taxpayer paid travel from scrutiny  suggested on the House floor on Monday that who pays for the governors whereabouts, including any travel for book promotional tours or campaigning, would still somehow be available. The book tour stops were handled by a nonprofit organization, which doesnt have to disclose most of its records.

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Supporters of the legislation, which would also cover travel records of other top state officials, say it is needed for security purposes. DeSantis, when asked about it on Monday, said that it wasnt something that he recommended but also said that he gets a lot of threats.

But the bill, which is poised to go to his desk, isnt just for future expenses. It would also shield records for all past trips from public view. The argument in favor of shielding past travel is to avoid shedding light on patterns of movement, but the bill is so broadly written that the state could refuse to hand over basic information such as what city and what day a state jet is used.

This comes just ahead of an expected presidential campaign by the governor.

In the not-so-distant past news organizations uncovered questionable uses of the state jet for a variety of top Florida politicians, including then-Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and then-Attorney General Bill McCollum. That led to candidate and then Gov. Rick Scott to sell off Floridas state-owned jets. It was easy for Scott to do that since he owned a private jet.

But soon after DeSantis was elected, state legislators reversed that. They are now poised to put a cloak of darkness over all of it.

This story first appeared in Florida Playbook. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
Seattle became the first city in the nation to implement permanent paid sick and safe time benefits for app-based gig workers.

The city council, anchored by Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and Mayor Bruce Harrell, passed Council Bill 120514 by a unanimous 9-0 vote at the end of March.

DoorDash to pay out $15,000 to settle claim it violated Seattle sick-pay laws

Seattle originally passed a temporary law in 2020 to grant sick and safe time to app-based workers, but the temporary benefits were set to expire in April with the conclusion of the citys pandemic-based emergency order.

We want to ensure everyone has the time to get well, recover, and help members of their family when theyre ill  whether you deliver dinner, drop off laundry, or provide any service on these apps, Mosqueda said. Workers shouldnt have to choose between staying home to care for themselves or their loved ones and losing a days income. Now if you feel sick, you can stay home and recover knowing you will still have your days wages to put food on the table or pay the mortgage.

Paid sick and safe leave isnt just the right thing to do for individuals, its also vitally important to protect public health, Mosqueda continued. During the last three years of the pandemic, weve learned that a strong sick leave policy is vital for a healthy community and a healthy economy.

The bill applies to companies with at least 250 app-based employees.

With the passing of this law, workers will accrue one day of sick leave for every 30 days worked, as long as part of their work in the given month occurs within Seattle.

A healthy workforce leads to a healthy community, and no one should have to choose between taking a sick day to care for themselves  or their families  and making rent, Harrell said. Gig workers stepped up to serve our city during the pandemic and are an essential part of our workforce and economy, and this important legislation ensures the rights of our app-based workers remain protected.

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Seattle continues to lead the way for rights in the workplace among app-based employees. Last year, the city passed a first-of-its-kind legislation, coined PayUp, that guarantees app-based delivery drivers a minimum wage while protecting employment flexibility.

Seattle greenlights minimum wages for app-based delivery drivers

The law goes into effect May 1 for food delivery companies. Paid sick and safe time benefits will be available to the other app-based workers covered in the legislation on Jan. 13, 2024.

Gig workers in Seattle are facing serious trouble, and permanent paid sick and safe time would help us gig workers have some reliability to deal with the things that might come up in our lives, said Wei Lin, a gig worker for Gopuff and member of the PayUp campaign, during the city council meeting. I appreciate what the Seattle City Council has done to address this issue so that I can be there for the people I care about.

This story was originally published on MyNorthwest
(Bloomberg) -- The death of a hunger-striking Palestinian militant in an Israeli prison touched off a new eruption of fighting along the volatile border between southern Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Palestinian militants launched rockets and mortar fire at southern Israel on Tuesday morning following the death of Khadar Adnan, a member of the Islamic Jihad group who died on the 86th day of his hunger strike.

They unleashed a second, bigger volley in the afternoon after Israel retaliated with tank fire at the blockaded enclave. One person was wounded, and residents of southern Israel were instructed to stay near shelters as the violence escalated.

Armed factions in Gaza, including the militia affiliated with the territorys Hamas rulers, claimed responsibility for the afternoon barrage.

This comes as an initial response to this heinous crime, they said in a statement. We warn the enemy that its persistence in aggression and its commission of any crime or folly will not go unanswered.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a situation assessment with military chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, and afterward warned that anyone who attempts to harm the citizens of Israel will regret it.

Upon completing the assessment, Gallant said that anyone who attempts to harm the citizens of Israel will be sorry.

The fighting raises the potential of wider conflict just as Israels parliament reconvenes after a monthlong recess to address domestic issues including passage of a national budget and the internal turmoil thats gripped the country over the governments plan to weaken the courts.

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In other violence, an armed Palestinian opened fire on Israeli cars near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, damaging two vehicles and slightly injuring an Israeli civilian, the army said early Tuesday.

Adnan was the target of a deliberate assassination, Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said in a statement. The Israeli prison administration was guilty of neglecting him medically and keeping him in his cell despite the seriousness of his condition, he said.

The Israel Prison Service said Adnan refused to receive medical treatment and undergo tests, and was found unconscious in his cell. He was transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to a statement.

--With assistance from Saud Abu Ramadan.

(Updates with new clashes, statements from Palestinian militants, Israeli defense minister.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Photo: David Silverman (Getty Images)

The Israeli military is increasingly deploying experimental new facial recognition software to monitor Palestinians and supercharge segregation in the West Bank, according to a new Amnesty International report released Tuesday. Amnesty found that Israeli authorities are using a little-known advanced surveillance tool called Red Wolf to monitor and restrict Palestinian residents movements across key checkpoints in the region. Palestinians on the ground described the states vast and growing web of facial recognition-enabled CCTV cameras surrounding them as omnipresent and inescapable.

Im being watched the whole time, Nedam, a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem, said in the report. Every time I see a camera, I feel anxious. Like you are always being treated as if you are a target.

Read more

What did the Amnesty report find?

The 82-page report, titled Automated Apartheid, pulls from dozens of accounts of alleged surveillance of Palestinians living in Hebron and East Jerusalem. Palestinians who pass through checkpoints in those regions reportedly have their faces scanned by the Red Wolf software, often without their knowledge or consent. Those faces are then compared with a large database of Palestinian faces. Residents speaking with Amnesty claim the militarys use of the tech has notably increased since 2021 when heated clashes between Palestinians and the military left 44 people dead in three days.

Israeli authorities on the other end of the system are presented with a color-coded system informing them whether to let someone pass or stop them for questioning, according to the report. New individuals not previously included in the system are automatically enrolled in the ever-growing database of faces, the report says. But not just any faces. Amnesty claims Palestinians are the only racial group in Hebron required to use the facial recognition-enabled checkpoints. Amnesty claims that unequal system amounts to automated apartheid.

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In addition to the constant threat of excessive physical force and arbitrary arrest, Palestinians must now contend with the risk of being tracked by an algorithm, or barred from entering their own neighborhoods based on information stored in discriminatory surveillance databases, Amnesty Internationals Secretary General Agnes Callamard said. This is the latest illustration of why facial recognition technology, when used for surveillance, is incompatible with human rights.

As surveillance has increased in tandem with illegal settler activity in neigbourhoods like Silwan, which continues to inflict severe damage to Palestinian homes and communities, resistance is increasingly foreclosed. pic.twitter.com/cMQyTvS6Zn  Dr Matt Mahmoudi @DocMattMoudi@mastodon.social (@DocMattMoudi) May 1, 2023

The report claims the previously unreported Red Wolf facial recognition system is part of a wider, sprawling network of Israeli military surveillance tools called Blue Wolf and a database called Wolf Pack. Soldiers can use the Blue Wolf software on their mobile devices, which gives them the flexibility to snap an individuals photo using the devices camera and add that face to the database. That software is reportedly supported by streets filled with CCTV cameras supplied by Chinese surveillance camera giant Hikvision and US-based TKH Security. Human rights organizations allege Hikvision cameras were used by Chinese authorities to surveil the countrys Uyghur Muslim minority.

A single checkpoint in the region is jam-packed with 24 audio-visual surveillance devices and sensors, the report notes. Palestinians speaking with the researchers say the vast system of surveillance and cameras can intimidate them away from accessing certain areas and potentially increase their risk of being subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. In some cases, Palestinians said authorities abusing the system kept them from being able to make it back home.

They [soldiers] can tell you that your name is not in the database, as simple as that, and then youre not allowed to pass through [to] your house, Eyad a Tel Rumeida resident said told the researchers.

Israel following Chinas playbook

Facial recognition tech worldwide faces an inflection point. A growing coalition of lawmakers in Europe have supported putting in place measures banning use of the tech in public spaces, citing researchers concerns the tech is biased against nonwhite people and can be used to surveil political dissidents. The United States, which lacks meaningful federal data privacy laws, has instead seen an upsurge in states and local governments turning against the tech. Industry giants like Microsoft and Amazon have even agreed to cease selling the tech to law enforcement.

Israelis deployment of facial recognition to target specific ethnic groups moves the opposite direction and more closely resembles the types of hard-lined, rights-violating surveillance carried out by China in the Xinjiang region, where more than a million Uyghurs have been detained.

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The lockdown at Palm Bay High School was lifted Tuesday afternoon.

Melbourne police said at this time there was no specific threat involving the school, but that a person of interest was taken into custody.

Brevard Public Schools said there was a report about a man with a weapon either near or on campus. The district said police responded and detained the man off campus.

The district said the school was placed on shelter in place.

The district said they are unsure if the incident was related to the school or not.

Read: Brevard County Schools picks new superintendent after months of searching

Police said they were staging behind the 7-Eleven near the intersection of Eber Boulevard and Babcock Street for any parents or guardians of students that have questions.

Police are asking people to avoid the area if possible.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

***UPDATE***

Palm Bay High School is no longer under lockdown. The person of interest is in custody. If you are going to the school, please be advised that traffic is heavy at this time.  Melbourne Police (@MelbournePolice) May 2, 2023

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
New proposals that would require parental consent for teens to use social media are throwing a wrench into bipartisan support for kids online safety proposals.

Momentum in Congress to tackle concerns raised by the impact of social media on minors has been building over the past year. President Biden urged Congress to take action during his State of the Union Address in February, following a warning from the surgeon general.

Lawmakers are looking at ways to require platforms to offer updated safety tools and limit how they collect data on minors. But childrens online safety advocacy groups warn the recent surge in proposals that add a parental consent requirement could limit teens freedom online and put the onus on parents rather than the powerful tech companies.

This idea  is not just missing the mark on what needs to be done, but its also potentially harmful to kids, said Danny Weiss, chief advocacy officer of Common Sense Media, a childrens media safety nonprofit group.

What would a parental consent requirement do?

Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced last week the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act, which would set a minimum age of 13 to use social media apps and require parental consent for kids aged 13 through 17 to use them.

The bipartisan federal bill mirrors proposals signed into state law by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Arkansas and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R). The senators hailed it as a way for parents to regain control over what their teens are seeing online.

By setting an age limit of 13  and requiring parental consent until age 18  our bill will put parents back in control of what their kids experience online, Cotton said.

Weiss, however, said forcing parents to give consent to use social media will not necessarily keep kids safe from harmful content.

If you dont change the way the sites are operated and change the way data is stored, collected and sold, then once a parent gives consent for a child to go on social media, theyre in the same cesspool of the internet were in today, Weiss said.

Story continues

The new Senate bill also proposes a ban on algorithmic recommendation systems, which would prevent platforms from using minors data to promote potentially harmful content for them.

Common Sense Media, along with advocacy groups Fairplay and the Center for Digital Democracy, said they support that portion of the legislation but not the underlying parental consent feature.

Spokespeople for Schatz and Cotton did not respond to requests for comment in response to the criticism from the advocacy groups.

Despite its bipartisan backers, the proposal may face obstacles in gaining broader support in the Senate. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), one of the Senates most prominent advocates for updating kids online safety protections, raised concerns about the responsibility it would place on parents over tech companies.

I welcome allies in the fight to keep kids safe online. Im concerned that this framework appears to shift responsibility from tech companies to parents, Blumenthal said in a statement.

In a joint statement about the Schatz and Cotton proposal, childrens online safety advocacy groups said it also harms minors by limiting their internet access  a concern for vulnerable minors, including LGBTQ kids, in unsupportive households.

We think that children or teens should be given some freedom to explore in safe environments, Fairplay executive director Josh Golin said.

What other kids online safety proposals are being considered?

Childrens online safety advocacy groups have rallied instead around the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), led by Blumenthal and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)

KOSA would create a duty for social media platforms to prevent and mitigate harm to minors by targeting content promoting self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse and other potentially harmful topics. KOSA follows the U.K.s Age Appropriate Design Code.

Weiss said KOSA is not about giving parents control over their childrens access to social media, but rather the ability to offer their children safer settings. Even so, KOSA has also faced criticism over concerns it could harm the safety and privacy of minors, especially those in vulnerable communities. More than 90 human rights and LGTBQ groups sent a letter to the Senate in November urging it against passing the legislation.

Childrens online safety groups are also supporting COPPA 2.0, or the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Rule, which would update data privacy rules for minors and add new regulations, such as banning targeted advertising to children.

What are states doing about kids online safety?

As Congress continues to mull action, states are plowing ahead with a patchwork of protections for social media companies to comply with  and seemingly deepening partisan divides in how red and blue states are advancing.

As Utah and Arkansas adopt laws that require parental consent, Democratic-led states are weighing bills that follow in the footsteps of Californias new regulations for how platforms collect data on minors and the privacy settings they offer.

State action, though, isnt breaking down evenly along party-line proposals, Fairplays Golin said.

Utah also passed a bill that would hold tech companies liable if the design of their platforms causes harm to minors. A similar proposal is being considered in California.

We are seeing in general maybe more of a focus on some bills that are putting more of the burden on the platforms, Golin said.

Even as some states pass strong bills Fairplay supports, Golin said its critical for Congress to take action on KOSA and COPPA 2.0 to get federal regulations in place.

Weve heard from so many different people in Congress on both sides of the aisle that whats happening is unacceptable, and that we need to hold Big Tech accountable for what theyve been doing to kids in the mental health crisis. And now well see if theyre ready to put their votes where their mouths are, Golin said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Parkview Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Barnes is set to retire at the end of the month.

After more than a quarter century of service to Parkview Health System, President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Barnes is set to retire at the end of the month.

Current Parkview Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Darrin Smith will take the reins on June 1.

Barnes became the first woman to serve as chief executive officer at Parkview when she replaced Mike Baxter in 2019. Today, Parkview is the citys largest private employer with about 3,000 employees and a payroll of more than $232 million.

Barnes logged a total of 38 years in health care. She started at Parkview 26 years ago as a staff accountant before moving up the ranks to CEO.

Barnes helped the hospital mark its 100th anniversary this year. During her tenure, the hospital added to its cardiology complex, expanded its Pueblo West emergency room to include a new $58 million orthopedic hospital and opened a $43 million comprehensive cancer center.

Maggie Welte, administrator (left) and Leslie Barnes, president, check out the equipment in one of the six operating rooms under construction at the Parkview Orthopedic Hospital in Pueblo West in April 2022. Barnes will resign at the end of the month after serving more than a quarter century at Parkview.

That cancer center has been so well-received. The goal was to treat 20 patients, and today we are treating 52 people, Barnes told the Chieftain earlier this year.

Barnes attributes Parkviews success, in part, to smooth transitions between leaders.

Weve had great handoff, and each CEO was here to work with their successor. It was not like starting over, and that speaks to the vision of the board, which has always given internal people the opportunity to move up, she said.

Darrin Smith will make a great CEO and he will continue to build on the progress Parkview has achieved over the last century, she said in a press release.

Among Smiths duties will be leading Parkview through its next chapter once final regulatory approvals are in place and a merger with UCHealth rolls out. Through the partnership, UCHealth is expected to invest nearly $200 million into Parkview and the Pueblo community in the coming years.

More Parkview news: Pueblo's Parkview Health System and UCHealth finalize merger

Darrin Smith

"I am thankful for the opportunity, through all the different positions that I've had, to support all the people who take care of our patients. It has brought me great joy and satisfaction," Barnes said. She has plans to continue to volunteer in the community.

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Smith said he is excited about his new position.

Its a role where I get to continue the mission, the vision and the values of providing high quality healthcare here in our region of Pueblo and Southern Colorado, he said in the release.

Smith joined Parkview in 2005 as vice president of human resources. He and his wife, Andrea Aragon, have been married for more than 25 years and have two sons, Freddie and Evan.

Parkview has a 350-bed capacity and served nearly 236,000 patients last year.

More on Parkview: Parkview Health System turns 100: How bold expansions fueled growth of the Pueblo hospital

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo's Parkview hospital names new CEO as longtime leader retires
PROVIDENCE  There was a time when Rhode Island helped low-income residents keep their lights and heat on by letting them pay their utility bills based on what they could afford.

But despite wide support, only a few years after a Percentage of Income Payment Plan was piloted in Warwick in 1986, funding dried up and the innovative program came to an end.

Since then, other states have adopted PIPPs to help disadvantaged customers avoid shutoffs, but a number of attempts to bring back the program in Rhode Island have failed in the General Assembly.

This year, however, could be different. While National Grid, the former parent company of Narragansett Electric, did not support the program, PPL Corporation  the Pennsylvania company that bought the states main natural gas and electric utility last year  is open to the idea. The company already has a PIPP in Pennsylvania.

In a letter to the House Committee on Corporations, Rhode Island Energy, the new name of the Ocean State utility, says it stands ready to work with this committee, bill sponsors, utility regulators and valued stakeholders in constructing a viable path forward for PIPP.

More on electricity rates: Electric rates will fall in April, but next winter they may hit a record high again

A bank of electric meters in May 2022.

What would the program do?

The company filed the written testimony in advance of a hearing early last week on a bill introduced by Rep. Scott Slater to resuscitate the program in Rhode Island.

In order to have a fairer utility-rate structure, those with the lowest incomes should not have to pay the highest percentage of their incomes for utility bills, the Providence Democrat said at the hearing on Tuesday.

Under his proposal, qualifying customers would pay no more than 3% of their income on their electric bills and 3% on their gas bills. If they use electricity for heating too, then the cap would be 6% of their electric bills.

Discounted pricing would be available to residential customers whose household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level and who are eligible to receive help through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or are enrolled in Medicaid. Rhode Island Energy currently has about 61,000 low-income customers, but not all would qualify for a PIPP, said Nick Ucci, a lobbyist for Rhode Island Energy.

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The program would be paid for by all other utility customers through a LIHEAP surcharge thats already on their bills. State law caps that surcharge at no more than $10 a year for electric customers and $10 a year for gas customers.

Will RI wean off natural gas? With the future of natural gas in RI on the line, what to do with the aging infrastructure?

Why restart PIPP now?

Efforts to restart PIPP go back at least to 2004. Slater, who was first elected to the House in 2009, estimates hes filed PIPP legislation as many as 10 times previously. His latest effort comes at a time when electric rates have hit record highs because of increased global demand for natural gas.

One concern about the program has been its cost. But advocates say that utility shutoffs cost the government in other ways by forcing people into hospitals, nursing homes or foster care. High energy bills also contribute to the states housing crisis if people have to choose between paying the utility or their landlord, they say.

Through this legislation, we have a chance to challenge the utility termination crisis for low-income households that has plagued our state for too long, wrote Camilo Viveiros, executive director of the George Wiley Center, a Pawtucket organization that advocates on behalf of marginalized Rhode Islanders and has been the leading voice on PIPP in the state.

More: Get a notice about a community electric program in the mail? Here's what to know about it.

While the state Department of Human Services called the program commendable, it raised concerns about increasing costs for other ratepayers and, under the current funding proposal, taking money away from LIHEAP, which provides grants to help pay energy bills.

The Public Utilities Commission said administrative costs could be kept down by combining the program with other existing low-income initiatives.

At the hearing, Rep. Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican, while not voicing opposition to the program, asked whether it could act as a disincentive to participating customers to conserve energy. Slater said that usage could be monitored. The bill also calls for offering energy efficiency improvements to households enrolled in the program.

Solar farms are destroying forests: Can RI meet clean energy goals and still protect land?

Slaters proposal is modeled on the program in New Hampshire, which has tiered rates for low-income customers. Illinois, California, New Jersey, Maine and Ohio also have PIPPs. In Pennsylvania, PPLs program combines discounted pricing with a debt-forgiveness component.

The program can make a real difference. A study of the Warwick pilot found that it reduced utility bills for some residents from nearly half their income to a more affordable 8%, according to the George Wiley Center.

I think this is a very moderate first step that we can take, said Rep. Brandon Potter, a Cranston Democrat. I hope that we move this bill this year.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island Energy-backed bill would cut some electricity bills
May 01, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " MEE " -- China's foreign ministry recently published a report titled "US Hegemony and Its Perils". The 4,000-word document outlines what it calls "facts" that the international community should know about the "perils" of US foreign policy around the world.

In a disparaging indictment, the Chinese report, the first of its kind in detailing the case against its global rival, consists of five parts that criticise American hegemony in the political, military, economic, technological and cultural spheres. This document holds both global and regional significance, indicating the future direction of Chinese strategies and priorities in the Middle East.

China is deeply critical of Washington's "abuse" of its hegemony, noting that the US "has acted more boldly to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries" since becoming the world's most powerful nation.

The word "abuse" is repeated several times in the report, raising a question: by specifically condemning the "abuse of hegemony, is China tacitly approving the possible existence of non-abusive hegemony? In other words, is the document suggesting that Beijing's rise to the position of global hegemon - provided that it does not abuse this role, as it argues Washington has done - is acceptable?

This reading becomes more plausible when compared with past Chinese statements about the global power rivalry. Over the past two decades, China's official state discourse has stressed an explicit anti-hegemony line: "We have taken a clear-cut stance against hegemonism and power politics in all their forms... China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism," President Xi Jinping said at the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party last October.

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The new document signals a clear shift from this position, and could be viewed as the formal inception of Beijing's pursuit of its own global "benign hegemony" - an alternative to Washington's "malign hegemony".

The logic of China's non-abusive hegemony, as inferred from the document, is to offer partnerships with states based on non-interference in their internal politics. Washington's abusive hegemony, by contrast, is characterised by pushing for regime change and interfering in other states' internal affairs.

Shared features

In the Middle East, however, China's offer of a non-abusive hegemony seems to share some key features with what Beijing sees as abusive American hegemony. Importantly, both place great significance on their relationship with Israel. While US support for Israel is a given, however, China's is a bit more difficult to discern.

The recent document criticises Washington's "selective approach to international law and rules" in a broad sense, but does not specifically target this American practice when it comes to Israel, noting only that the US exited the UN Human Rights Council in 2018 over the body's "bias" against Israel.

In fact, there is much more that could have been said about the long and scandalous US record of blocking UN resolutions against Israel - not to mention Washington's decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, a clear violation of international conventions. The US has also recognised the illegally annexed Golan Heights as Israeli territory.

It is indeed ironic that China, while seeking "benign hegemony", maintains strong relations with the most malign actor in the Middle East - one that occupies Palestinian and Syrian land and has been deemed an apartheid state by major international human rights organisations. In 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Israel-China relationship as a "marriage made in heaven".

In the shadow of this marriage, Palestinians receive China's verbal support, but no real action - just empty words.

Backing dictators

Another shared area between American and Chinese hegemonies is the backing of totalitarian regimes when these regimes are considered allies or friendly.

China, which feels more at ease with these regimes, has accused the US of "orchestrating" the Arab Spring, "bringing chaos and disaster to many countries". China never welcomed the Arab uprisings, which led to the removal of dictators by way of public protest. The American position was not greatly different, but more nuanced and pragmatic: Washington wanted to side with the winning party, be it the mass protest movements or the incumbent regimes.

A telling case in point was Egypt. When the revolution succeeded in removing then president Hosni Mubarak, the US supported the revolutionaries; but when the military brought back the deep state through a coup, the US supported that too.

In the case of the Syrian uprising, the US and China have helped the Assad regime in different ways. While the former withheld any significant military aid to Syrian rebels and remained idle after the Syrian regime used chemical weapons, China blocked major resolutions against the regime at the UN. Before, during and after the Arab Spring, both the US and China continued to support Arab monarchies in the Gulf, Jordan and Morocco.

Almost until the Second World War, the US projected itself as a benevolent power that, despite its global rise, had no intentions of hegemony or expansion. But during the Cold War, American imperialism and hegemony stretched, along with that of the Soviet Union, around the globe.

The Chinese document summarises the rise of aggressive US hegemony, while offering its own alternative for benign hegemony. And just like it was for the US, the Middle East seems to be a prospective arena for China's growing hegemony.
During a typical murder trial, court deputies remove the defendant's handcuffs and the defendant is allowed to dress professionally, often with a button down shirt, tie and dress pants. Deputies on Tuesday, however, had to strap a Pensacola man to a chair, naked with just a suicide jacket, and escort him to and from the courtroom before his own murder trial.

Da'Nautica Pearson, 22, began his trial in a separate courtroom from the jury, attorneys and judge as both lawyers began their case to determine if he is guilty of first-degree premeditated murder for fatally shooting 60-year-old Erskine Ware in his home on Dec. 2, 2020.

Pearson's indictment: Pensacola man indicted on first-degree murder charge in death of grandmother's boyfriend

"(Mr. Ware) was shot a total of eight times," said Assistant State Attorney Trey Myers during his opening statement. "He was hit in the left and right lungs, liver multiple times, hit in multiple ribs and had injuries to his small intestines and his left kidney."

Pearson's jury selection: A Pensacola man allegedly killed his grandma's boyfriend in 2020. Now, he's set for trial.

Why is Da'Nautica Pearson bound to a restraint chair?

Seven days after an Escambia grand jury indicted Pearson Dec. 21, 2021, on one count of first-degree premeditated murder, Circuit Judge Linda Nobles deemed Pearson to be incompetent to proceed through the court process on Dec. 28.

Six months later on June 28, 2022, Nobles found Pearson was competent to proceed through the court process.

The reason Pearson was ruled incompetent is unknown, and his personal medical records and psychological evaluations are not publicly available due to medical regulations.

On the morning of Pearson's jury selection Monday, the judge received an email that Pearson was newly charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer while allegedly trying to prevent his transport to court. Deputies had to restrain Pearson in the chair, where he remained the entire jury selection process.

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Once in court, Pearson refused to stop screaming at the judge, court deputies and those in attendance. He would scream profanities and various off-topic remarks such as "Roar! I'm a lion." and "F--- all you spies." He also entered the courtroom naked, wearing only a suicide jacket  a tear-resistant, single-piece garment  due to various threats he began making toward himself and other.

During the process, Nobles said she is "of the opinion that Mr. Pearson is attempting to delay jury selection and subsequent trial" by appearing he is mentally incompetent even though psychological evaluations stated otherwise. She also said she believes he is a danger to himself and anyone else in the courtroom.

Pearson refused to comply with Nobles' multiple attempts to explain his right to participate in his trial, but would be removed from the courtroom if he could not maintain proper courtroom etiquette. Pearson was moved to an adjoining courtroom where he could view the trial through Zoom.

Ware's death: Pensacola man accused of shooting and killing grandmother's boyfriend

What are the prosecution and defense's arguments in Da'Nautica Pearson's case?

Myers, the assistant state attorney prosecuting the case, told the jury during his opening statement that after Pearson allegedly shot Ware while he was sleeping, he left the scene where Pensacola Police officers found him walking down the street with a pink backpack.

In the backpack was a 9-millimeter handgun.

"You will hear that the pistol in the bookbag was processed for potential DNA evidence, and you will hear that it was found to have Mr. Da'Nautica Pearson's DNA on it," Myers told the jury. "You will also hear that this pistol, along with shell casings located at the scene, were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ... (and) the ballistics testing on the pistol matched and identified all eight shell casings as being fired from that pistol."

Pearson's attorney, Patrece Cashwell, used her time during opening statements to remind the jury that the state must prove Pearson committed the act beyond a reasonable doubt and that her client must be considered innocent until the state proves otherwise.

Cashwell will seemingly argue that Pearson was not the one who shot Ware, but rather an unidentified person entered the house to commit the act because multiple people had access to the home. using Ware's girlfriend, Gloria Clausell, as evidence multiple people could've had access to the home.

What does Gloria Clausell have to say about Erskine Ware's death?

Gloria Clausell, Pearson's grandmother who was dating Ware for roughly five years, is the only witness to the shooting as she was in the home, but she told authorities that she did not see Pearson shoot Ware, because she was in the living room during the attack.

While Clausell sat at the witness stand, she told the court she heard a knock at the front door on Dec. 2, 2020, but no one was there. After sitting back down, she heard another knock and opened the door to a person she believed was Pearson wearing a garbage bag over his head and body.

While Pearson lived with Clausell "off and on" for years, she says she never saw a firearm that night and never saw a firearm in her home. Clausell also told the court while testifying that she had never seen the pink backpack before and did not see a pink backpack on the person who walked in through the front door.

"Did Da'Nautica ever talk about getting a firearm?" Cashwell asked Clausell.

"No," she responded.

"Have you ever seen Da'Nautica with a pink backpack on?"

"No, I don't think he liked the color pink," Clausell responded as she began to laugh.

Clausell also told the court that Pearson would often lose his key to the house, and each time he did Clausell said she would make him another key.

Both attorneys plan to end the presentation of their evidence Tuesday afternoon, and they will proceed with their closing statements Wednesday morning before Nobles dismisses the jury for deliberation.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola man Da'Nautica Pearson on trial for murder of Erskine Ware
The U.S. military confirmed plans on Tuesday to deploy 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border in preparation of a surge of illegal immigrants expected to pour into the country when Title 42 expires.

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder made the announcement during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, saying the 1,500 troops from the Army and Marine Corps will begin to arrive in the region on May 10.

Texas CID special agents said a search of a Webb County junkyard led to the discovery of approximately 50 illegal immigrants hidden inside a Conex container.

Their deployment, Ryder added, will be for 90 days, during which time Pentagon officials will look at options to get the military personnel back to their regular duties.

TEXAS GOV GREG ABBOTT MOBILIZES SPECIALIZED UNITS ON MEXICO BORDER AS TITLE 42 END APPROACHES

One option, the press secretary noted, would be to replace the active-duty soldiers with members of the National Guard.

There are currently about 2,500 military National Guard members at the border to assist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin approved the deployment after the Department of Homeland Security called for help at the border out of concerns that tens of thousands of migrants will pour into the U.S. once Title 42 expires on May 11.

BORDER PATROL CHIEF SAYS DHS DOESN'T HAVE OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF US BORDER

CBP previously warned migrants they will be removed from the country if they enter the U.S. illegally.

The Trump-era public health order was put in place in March 2020.

Title 42 allows for the rapid removal of migrants at the border due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though not everyone who enters illegally is returned to their country via the order.

Title 42 allows for the rapid removal of migrants at the border due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though not everyone who enters illegally is returned to their country via the order.

WITH TITLE 42'S END A MONTH AWAY, BIDEN ADMIN MAKING MOVES TO DEAL WITH SURGE

In fact, CBP statistics show that about 46% of migrant encounters at the border resulted in expulsion under Title 42.

Migrants who are not deported are placed into immigration removal proceedings and released into the U.S. pending their hearings, which can take years to get through.

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The Pentagons announcement to replace active-duty troops with reservists and contractors within 90 days of the deployment falls in line with what Texas has been doing since Operation Lone Star launched in March 2021.

Operation Lone Star is a border security initiative that was put in place by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in response to an increase in illegal border crossings through Texas and President Joe Bidens immigration policies, according to the governor's office.

The measure deployed Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Abbott reacted to the news on social media.

"Biden says he will deploy 1,500 troops to the border  primarily to do paperwork. And only for 90 days," the Texas governor said. "This does nothing to stop illegal immigration. I deployed up to 10,000 Texas National Guard to the border to fill the gaps created by Biden's reckless open border policies."
Kate Eckert, a junior at Seaman High School, has won a grant to provide free feminine hygiene dispenses in the school's bathrooms. Eckert hopes to expand the program to other district schools.

For Kate Eckert, creating a change in the ability to access period products in a more efficient way starts at school.

Eckert, a junior at Seaman High School, realized there wasn't much advocacy about period products and the challenges that come with them  issues including period poverty and pink tax  and Seaman had done little about it when compared to peer high schools.

"Last year, I was at a debate tournament with my debate partner, Hannah Mott, and we had noticed that at practically every school we had been in there were free period products supplied, a poster with the sponsoring club, and information about periods and movements to destigmatize them," Eckert said. "That was something we didn't see at all in our school."

So she decided to take action.

More: Some Topeka girls pick between period products and buying lunch. This campaign will help.

Students are 'granted more opportunities to learn'

Seaman junior Kate Eckert explains how a new dispenser for feminine hygiene products will soon be installed in girls' bathrooms at the high school thanks to her Stay785 grant submission.

Eckert will bring in Aunt Flow dispensaries to five out of the 10 restrooms at the school. Earlier this spring, she applied for and received a $2,000 grant from Stay785, an initiative of the Topeka Youth Commission that gives grants to youth-led projects to improve the Shawnee County community.

The founder of Aunt Flow, Claire Coder, said at her company's website: For every 10 tampons and pads we sell, we donate one to a menstruator in need. I call this people helping people. In 2021, the brand donated more than 1.6 million menstrual products to people in need.

A date hasn't been set for when the new dispensaries will arrive, but they will replace the current ones that require 25 cents to access products.

Eckert said not only will the dispensers allow students to have access to free products, but it also will increase benefits after having them.

"Studies have shown primarily that attendance increases by a lot because they aren't missing school because they don't have access to products," Eckert said. "School performance increases a lot. We see test scores go up when period products are provided.

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"Since attendance is increasing, they're granted more opportunities to learn."

More: Seaman High robotics gets a shot at being best in the world

Need for everyone to have the 'same opportunities'

A current dispenser at a girls' bathroom at Seaman High School needs a quarter to dispense feminine hygiene products.

Through the school's Equity Action Network sponsorship, Eckert said she hopes janitors and staff members will be able to assist in re-stocking when available.

Sarah Howard, vice president of marketing for Aunt Flow, said they love to have students advocate for schools. Howard said they count on facility administrators to create a plan for restocking.

"The same way that they restock their toilet paper, soap and paper towels, they'll also restock the dispensers with our period products, which are organic cotton and high quality products for the students." she said. "There's no barrier for students that can't afford them, because we know that there are barriers for students experiencing period poverty."

For a better understanding, Eckert conducted a survey to allow students to talk about their experiences and how they felt about her launching the project. She said she was shocked by the results shocked because they were so positive. Eckert also aims to expand to other schools in the Seaman school district.

"The initial idea for this project was to put it in the middle school," she said. "I feel like that's where girls suffer the most surrounding stigma. So I definitely wanna expand this project. I just want our school to be more equitable for obviously women students but everyone in general.

"I want everyone to have the exact same opportunities that someone who's was more privileged would have."

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Seaman's Kate Eckert wins grant for free period products for school
After a car crash that caused the deaths of three teenagers in 2021, Carlos Gonzalez Jr. was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Friday.

A Phoenix man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for running a red light in 2021 and causing a car crash that killed three teenagers in Glendale and left behind a two-year trail of grief for all involved.

Carlos Daniel Gonzalez Jr., 24, was sentenced for the manslaughter of Ariyanna Parsad, 18, Kiyvon Martin, 18, and Jazmine Marquez, 19, by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Rueter.

Gonzalez signed off on a plea agreement last month, and Rueter handed him 16 years for each manslaughter count. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Gonzalez's case revived questions about the Valley's chronic problem with red-light running, renewed questions about how to effectively enforce impaired driving in the wake of legalized marijuana, and raised questions about how closely prosecutors consult with victims' families.

The chairs in Rueter's courtroom on Friday were filled on both sides, with just over 30 family and friends showing up for the three victims' families as well as for Gonzalez. Enlarged pictures of the victims were on display.

In August 2021, Gonzalez was driving over twice the speed limit and ran a red light when he struck Parsad's car at 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road in Glendale. Marquez was pronounced dead when officers arrived, while Parsad and Martin later died of their injuries. Parsad's new husky puppy, Nina, who was in the car with the teenagers, was found dead in the front seat.

Gonzalez was later found to have THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana, in his blood, but it did not play a role in the crash, according to law enforcement.

Over the past five years, the intersection of 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road has seen two other fatal crashes, according to an email from Sgt. Randy Stewart, public information officer for the Glendale Police Department. The department has also issued five citations for failure to stop at a red light in the same timeframe.

Throughout Glendale, there have been 172 fatal collisions between 2018 and 2022. In 2023, there have been 13 fatal collisions as of April 28, on pace with last year.

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Red-light crash kills 3 teenagers in 2021

Just after midnight on Aug. 25, 2021, Parsad was driving her Toyota car with her boyfriend Martin and her new puppy Nina in the front seat, and Marquez in the back seat. They were heading north on 83rd Avenue after the signal light had been green for at least five seconds, according to surveillance video.

Gonzalez, in his Tesla, was on his way to his sister's house to celebrate his late brother's birthday. He was driving approximately 86 mph westbound on Bethany Home Road. The posted speed limit there is 40 mph. Despite the signal light being red for several seconds for him, Gonzalez braked nearly three seconds before the crash, according to data from the Tesla, but decided to accelerate and drive through the light, causing him to hit Parsad's car.

The collision caused Parsad's car to roll over and hit the signal light pole so hard that the camera which recorded the crash moved and was no longer aimed at the intersection. Marquez was ejected from the car and pronounced dead when officers arrived.

Parsad and Martin were in the car with injuries and were taken to Abrazo West Trauma Center. Gonzalez was also transferred to the center for serious injuries.

Parsad died the same day while being treated at the hospital. Martin was conscious and told police that Parsad was his girlfriend and that he did not know Marquez's name. He died in the hospital on Sept. 2, eight days after the collision.

When officers questioned Gonzalez at the hospital, he told officers he had not been drinking, but said he had a medical marijuana card and had smoked one or two days before. A routine toxicology test from the hospital found that THC was present in Gonzalez's blood.

Officers issued a warrant and months later a blood test from the Department of Public Safety crime lab found that Gonzalez had a THC concentration of 11 nanograms per milliliter of blood, with a margin of error of 2 nanograms at the time of the incident.

Arizona does not have a specific limit of THC used to charge drivers with impairment as it does for alcohol, but Colorado and Washington do: 5 ng/ml there.

It was not until those results were released that Gonzalez was arrested. However, at Friday's sentencing, Judge Reuter said law enforcement reported that Gonzalez was not impaired despite the level of THC in his blood. Gonzalez turned himself in to Glendale police on Dec. 29, 2021.

Glendale police told ABC15 that the arrest delay was due to DPS' crime lab backlog.

For subscribers: Phoenix is testing longer yellow lights to curb red-light running

'It is not enough'

Multiple friends and family appeared in court for Gonzalez's sentencing and shared how they were grieving for Parsad, Marquez, and Martin.

Ariyanna Parsad's sister, Jasmine, said that her sister had so much ahead of her because of the life she was building for herself, after a childhood spent in the foster care system. She said Parsad was working two jobs, had two cars, her own apartment, and was planning to receive her high school diploma in the spring of 2022.

Jasmine said Parsad, Martin, and Marquez were just trying to get home the night of the incident. But, she said, Gonzalez's reckless driving killed all three of them.

"Every single bone in her body was broken, from her head down to her feet. She was an organ donor and the only thing she was able to donate was her hair."

She said that at the hospital, she had to make the tough decision to pull the plug on her sister and end her life. She said that was something she never should have had to do.

Jasmine did not agree with the 14-16 year sentence range outlined in the plea agreement.

"It is not enough," she told the court.

Family and friends of Marquez played a video from her funeral. Sniffles could be heard, but also laughter for some of the funny photos of a young Marquez.

Marquez's mother, Jessica, gave a long, tear-filled testimony.

"Why did I have to lose my child? How can you take her from me? How can you take all my hard work in a split second?"

She said Marquez was always in and out of the hospital her whole life, but Jessica was always there to hold her daughter's hand as a sign of showing her she was OK because her mom was with her. But, Jessica was unable to provide that comfort on the night of the incident.

"I go to the crash site and I just wonder. I just stare wondering where her body landed. Where was she?" she said, choking up. "How I wish I could have helped her. How I wish I could have given her a million kisses saying, 'No you're OK, mama's here, mama's here, you're OK.'"

At Marquez's funeral, Jessica said that despite all the makeup on her daughter's face, it still did not cover all the gashes and did not take away from the pancake shape of her head.

"How can that shape be my daughter's head?"

Jessica said she will never forgive Gonzalez for making her feel like "such a helpless, useless mother" for not being able to help her daughter.

Kiyvon Martin's family is from out of state, according to Parsad's sister, but his cousin was present virtually and made a statement to the court, saying how she, too, did not agree with the plea agreement.

In Gonzalez's presentence report, Martin's mother, Stephanie Groves, wrote that her son's death has affected her relationship with her other sons.

"It caused a separation between my sons and I ... and I hate it hate it hate it," she wrote. "Now I feel like I don't have any sons at all, Kiyvon was the one who held us altogether. All his brothers looked up to him and admired him. I feel like his death caused us to stop communicating."

Top 10: Arizona among top 10 states for drunken driving deaths

'Waking up every day hoping that this is just a nightmare'

Gonzalez's close family and friends also spoke, attesting to Gonzalez's character as a friend, brother, uncle, son, and father. They also spoke to Gonzalez not being in the best mindset the night of the incident because it was the birthday of his late brother who had died by gunshot.

Gloria Chavez, Gonzalez's sister who had promptly shown up to the scene of the incident after he called her and told her what happened, spoke to Gonzalez's concern the night of the incident.

"He's just screaming, 'I'm sorry. Please survive. You guys are going to be OK,'" Chavez said. Chavez said that as humans, we make mistakes and that Gonzalez did not mean for the accident to happen.

Others who spoke mentioned how the effects of this incident have and will affect Gonzalez's baby boy and his daughter who is on the way.

A remorseful Gonzalez also addressed the court.

"I know nothing I say will fill the emptiness I caused but I want to express my deepest remorse with you all. I feel that every day that goes by, how ashamed I am at my irresponsible behavior and how it has affected everyone in the courtroom today."

Gonzalez spoke about his upbringing and how he wanted to be different than the people he grew up with because they all ended up in prison.

"I always learned from their mistakes because I didn't want to take the same route. Now I'm learning from my own mistake that I regret with all of my heart," including leaving his kids without a dad, he said.

"I understand the seriousness of my charges, but I can't help but waking up every day hoping that this is just a nightmare."

No sentence long enough for victims' families

Judge Rueter spoke about the difficult circumstances of the case prior to announcing the sentence he was giving Gonzalez. Gonzalez has no criminal record, took responsibility, and was not impaired  but three teens died.

"It's a difficult situation because you have three people whose lives were taken from them," Rueter said. "On the flip side, the defendant, he's not a monster. He didn't mean to wreak havoc and destruction on your lives and your family's lives."

However, he said, Gonzalez's act was careless and reckless. Rueter said with what Gonzalez's family and friends said about his character, Gonzalez is going to have consequences long beyond his time served.

In the testimonies, members from the victims' families expressed displeasure in the plea agreement and wanted Gonzalez to serve longer than the maximum of 16 years. Parsad's sister told The Arizona Republic that the plea deal was submitted without the consent of the families and was told by prosecutor Tristan Bigler's superior that at the end of the day, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office has the final word on plea agreements.

"Seeking justice on behalf of victims is at the core of what our office does. We work closely with victims and their families to ensure they understand the court process and their rights are protected. We take input from families on plea agreements but ultimately, prosecutors must make tough decisions based on the facts of each case. In this specific case, staff met with the victims family several times to share what would be offered and we feel the plea agreement in this matter was appropriate," Maricopa County Attorney's Office Chief of Staff Jennifer Liewer said in a prepared statement to The Republic.

Arizona's Constitution guarantees that victims of crimes have the right to consult with prosecutors after defendants have been charged, before trial, and before any disposition of the case.

Rueter said even if the case went to trial, Gonzalez would have received a punishment very similar to what was outlined in the agreement. Bigler also made this statement during the sentencing.

In the end, Rueter said the aggravating factors such as harm to the victims and emotional impact to the families and friends outweighed the defendant's mitigating factors. And with or without the plea agreement, Rueter said no time was going to be enough for the families.

"I think there's no sentence this court can impose that's going to make these families whole again ... I think that any number that was thrown out, it's not going to ease the pain and anger that these families feel."

This reporting follows crimes The Republic began to cover in 2021 and is part of our commitment to telling the story from start to finish.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Carlos Gonzalez Jr. gets 16 years in red-light crash that killed teens
A group of women watch Rep. Zooey Zephyr while occupying a public bench. Zephyr had been working from the bench since being censured in a House vote. Thom Bridge/Helena Independent Record

The Montana legislature last week voted to censure Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state's first openly transgender lawmaker.

The vote meant Zephyr could no longer enter the House chamber, so she worked from a public bench in the hallway outside.

A photo shows a group of women occupying the bench on Monday, glaring at Zephyr, in an image reminiscent of the civil rights movement.

It wasn't enough for Montana's Republican-led state legislature to take away Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr's seat in the legislature. Now people are taking her seat outside of the House chamber too.

The Montana House of Representatives last week voted to censure Zephyr, Montana's first openly transgender lawmaker. The vote came in response to Zephyr criticizing her Republican colleagues for restricting access to gender-affirming care.

Zephyr announced Monday that she is suing to reverse the restrictions placed on her. The censure prevents Zephyr from entering the House floor, so she has instead been working from a public bench outside the chamber.

State Rep. Zooey Zephyr sits on a bench just outside the main chamber of the House on April 27 in Helena, Montana. Brittany Peterson/AP

"Though they initially tried to have me removed from the public seating area, I am here working on behalf of my constituents as best I can given the undemocratic circumstances," Zephyr tweeted on April 27.

A few days later, a photo showed multiple snickering women sitting on the same bench, forcing Zephyr to work standing up at a nearby lunch counter. The women identified themselves as family members of some legislators, according to the Daily Montanan.

"Some folks showed up early this morning and sat on the public benches near the entrance to the House, so Seat 31 has moved," Zephyr tweeted. "I'm up and ready to work. Plus, I hear stand desks are all the rage these days."

The photo, in which the women appear to smile and laugh while leering at Zephyr, is reminiscent of photos taken during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s that show white people mocking and harassing Black people.

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Elizabeth Eckford ignores the hostile screams and stares of fellow students on her first day of school on Sept. 6,1957. NAACP via Getty Images

In one famous photo from 1957, Elizabeth Eckford is seen weathering the screams and glares of white women as she makes her way to her first day of school at the recently integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

According to Time Magazine, members of the mob yelled, "Two, four, six, eight, we ain't gonna integrate," as they slapped school books out of Black students' hands and called them racial slurs.

Police in Nashville escorting African American mothers with grade school kids past jeering mob of demonstrators after the desegregation of the school. Don Cravens/Getty Images

Numerous scenes like this unfolded across the country in the years after the US Supreme Court deemed segregation in public schools unconstitutional in 1954. Photos from the time show authorities in different cities escorting Black children to school through throngs of glaring white protestors.

This sort of intimidation by white people didn't stop at schools. Some white Americans resisted integration in many other public places as well, including famously at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960 when a group of Black college students sat in a whites-only counter.

"The white patrons eyed them warily, and the white waitresses ignored their studiously polite requests for service. The students continued to sit until closing time," Time magazine wrote at the time.

African American students from Saint Augustine College study while participating in a sit-in at a lunch counter reserved for white customers in Raleigh, North Carolina. Two waitresses look on from the other side of the counter. Bettmann via Getty Images

While many white Americans resisted integration, many others actively supported it, sometimes accompanying Black people during protests and sit-ins.

Similarly, a group of supporters on Tuesday managed to hold Zephyr's seat outside the chamber for her, the lawmaker said.

"Some lovely friends saved me a spot on the bench outside the House antechamber, so seat 31 is back to its original home-away-from-home," Zephyr tweeted. "Also thank you to the folks who brought me the earrings and corsage. I am carrying your kindness with me today."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty

This reporting is featured in this weeks edition of Confider, the newsletter pulling back the curtain on the media. Subscribe here and send your questions, tips, and complaints here.

It turns out that notorious gadfly Simon Ateba isnt the only journalist whos caused headaches for the White House Correspondents Association with over-the-top escapades.

Multiple complaints have been made over the years about freelance photographer William Moon taking candid and inappropriate photos of female reporters and staffers at the White House, sometimes when they were exiting the restroom, several people familiar with the situation told Confider.

Moon, who went viral in 2020 for taking a famously unflattering photo of Donald Trump, would allegedly post up in a breakroom and then photograph women exiting a nearby bathroom, multiple sources told us. He then posted the images on his social-media accounts with official-sounding usernames like @photowhitehouse or @thewhitehousephotos.

The photographers antics spanned across both the Trump and Biden administrations, prompting multiple women to complain to the White House press office and demand he remove the photos from his account, sources said. Eventually, a WHCA board member was seen confronting Moon about his behavior, telling the photographer in no uncertain terms he was prohibited from hanging out near the restroom to snap pics. (The board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the encounter.)

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Moon also came under fire last year for twice publicly sharing off-record planning emails on his Twitter account, resulting in the board asking the press office to remove him from the mailing list.

An official familiar with the situation confirmed that Moon had been warned by the White House about his behavior, and also that he was removed from the mailing list last year.

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Additionally, sources noted that Moon no longer has a hard pass to the White Housethough his press credentials were not revoked by the press office. Instead, he may have just let it lapse and never reapplied. The Biden administration has sought to toughen the rules for hard passes, but has also been keen on avoiding the appearance of directly punishing White House journos.

Moon hadnt been seen on White House grounds in the past six monthsuntil Wednesday, when he showed up to witness the South Korean presidents visit with Biden. Sources noted that Moon, now sporting a lengthy beard, obtained a temporary day pass to enter the complex. The photographer marked the occasion by posting a number of pictures on social media, including candid snaps of women and a selfie with National Security Council flack John Kirby.

Moons re-emergence came after Confider emailed multiple requests for comment to which he never responded. The White House press office declined to comment.

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A common and relatively mild malady is yet another symptom people should watch for in the fight against COVID-19, experts say.

Conjunctivitis  commonly known as pink eye and typically brought on by a virus, bacteria or allergies  can be a symptom of a COVID infection. And public health leaders are emphasizing the importance of taking note of the potential relationship between pink eye symptoms and the coronavirus as a new variant spreads.

Heres what to know about the connection between pink eye and COVID, what symptoms to watch for and when to seek treatment:

Is pink eye a COVID symptom?

COVID conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is one of the ocular manifestations of the coronavirus, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and it is a form of viral conjunctivitis.

There are reports in which conjunctivitis was the only sign of COVID-19, the group says. Other reports showed that the patients of COVID-19 developed conjunctivitis later in their course of disease after hospitalization.

Research has shown, according to the University of Nebraska Medical Centers Truhlsen Eye Institute, that the COVID-19 virus can be found in the eyes tear film, triggering pink eye symptoms.

Its important to note that while eye symptoms have been reported in relation to positive COVID-19 cases, it is uncommon for it to be the only symptom, Nebraska researchers say. Although pink eye seems to be one of the more common eye symptoms, it occurs in a low percentage of people. Research also indicates it may be more common in people with severe cases of COVID-19.

Recently, pink eye has gotten more attention as a COVID symptom amid the emergence of the XBB.1.16 variant, known as Arcturus.

In a late April statement, the Los Angeles health department said while it is too early to know with certainty if XBB.1.16 is truly associated with higher rates of conjunctivitis, its important to take the symptom seriously in order to limit the variants spread.

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Pink eye symptoms

Common symptoms of pink eye, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, include:

Pink or red discoloration in one or both eyes

A gritty feeling and/or itching, irritation or burning in one or both eyes

Clear, thin drainage of liquid and increased shedding of tears and/or stringy and/or thick, white or green discharge from the eyes

Eyelid swelling and/or eyelids that are matted together in the morning

Blurred vision

Do you need to go to the doctor for pink eye?

Generally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises, you should go to the doctor if you have multiple symptoms of pink eye and your symptoms get worse or dont improve, including pink eye thought to be caused by bacteria which does not improve after 24 hours of antibiotic use.

Those with a weakened immune system, for example from HIV infection, cancer treatment, or other medical conditions or treatments should also seek treatment if theyre symptomatic, the CDC says.

Most cases of viral conjunctivitis are mild, the CDC notes, and the infection will usually clear up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and without any long-term consequences.

However, in some cases, viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up, the agency adds. A doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to treat more serious forms of conjunctivitis.

Mild bacterial conjunctivitis, meanwhile, may get better without antibiotic treatment and without causing any complications.

It often improves in 2 to 5 days without treatment but can take 2 weeks to go away completely, the CDC says.

Antibiotic treatments are usually given topically as eye drops or ointment.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (20-9) begin a major three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (23-6).

The Pirates suffered a brutal game-three defeat against the Washington Nationals last Sunday by a score of 7-2 after Johan Oviedo failed to make it out of the third inning.

The Pirates offense sputtered against Josiah Gray but showed some positive signs out of their bullpen, with Jose Hernandez pitching two scoreless frames.

This series against the Rays already has a major buzz around the nation, and even some are quantifying it as a potential World Series matchup

First pitch in Tampa is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

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Work experience could become college credit in Delaware.

Thousands of dollars and months of time could be shaved off university, college or other postsecondary education experience under a new state framework released Tuesday. The plan would allow certain skills, knowledge gathered outside the classroom to earn credits.

The "Delaware Credit for Prior Learning Policy Framework" aims to guide Delaware's higher education institutions as they develop procedures for evaluating such experience, the Department of Education said in a press release. Credits could apply to college degree programs and more, while examples of this work include learning during military service or during apprenticeships.

Students can receive credit for full courses, the department said, if "they can demonstrate they gained the equivalent knowledge and learning."

Education round-up: Delaware one of five states to get $1 million for tutoring in schools

Gov. John Carney connected it to building workforce, especially among those who may face barriers.

"Credit for Prior Learning is an innovative and flexible tool for Delawareans to get credit for learning that takes place outside of a traditional classroom, including our neighbors who have experience in the military or in apprenticeship programs," Carney said in a statement. "This program will increase opportunities for many Delawareans that deserve them.

Governor John Carney speaks to high school students during the 10th annual Delaware ProStart Student Invitational at Bally's Dover Casino Resort, Friday, March 10, 2023. The Delaware Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (DRAEF) hosts the event, a statewide high school culinary competition, where student teams prepare a three-course meal judged on taste, creativity, safety and sanitation, while the teams are judged on their teamwork, culinary expertise and management skills.

The framework aims, at a glance:

Helps increase access to careers that are recession-resistant and wealth-generating

Outlines the importance of creating CPL education systems that are timely, financially accessible and community-centered

Shares with Delaware institutions ways to best evaluate prior learning and experiences for awarding credit and clock hours in credential, degree and apprenticeship programs

Calls for institutions to develop and consistently apply a fee structure for CPL education that is transparent and accessible to all students, faculty, staff and stakeholders

Recommends institutions charge fees for CPL assessments based on services performed in prior learning rather than credits awarded, if charged at all

Recommends any CPL fee structures include fee waivers based on eligibility

Reinforces that no student should be denied access to CPL due to an inability to pay

Reinforces that CPL education is an institutional decision, and highlights the Delaware colleges, universities, other postsecondary education providers, and state agencies that are helping to develop and deliver CPL education in Delaware

Recognizes that a quality CPL education system requires an ongoing process of continuous improvement.

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Note: This isn't new

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said many colleges commonly grant credit for prior learning  through Advanced Placement courses, other exams or even military service.

"This framework provides certification and degree-granting institutions guidance on other ways students could receive credit for prior learning," Holodick continued in his statement. He called it a tool that "could be especially valuable for returning students and those with non-traditional backgrounds.

The framework notes credit is not awarded for experience alone, but for college or registered apprenticeship-level learning. While the use of this framework is an "institutional decision," DDOE noted, Delaware colleges, universities, and postsecondary adult education providers have expressed support.

Dig deep Are Delaware schools meeting new Black history requirements? Not yet. Here's why

UD is committed to expanding students access to a great education, so this new framework represents a significant step in advancing that goal," said University of Delaware Provost Laura Carlson in the release. "There are many productive pathways that Delawareans can take to earn a UD degree, and recognizing the credits they have already earned will help increase their mobility among Delawares education institutions."

Delaware State University, Wilmington University, and more join the list of institutional partners.

Now, they just need to build the structure.

Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Experience outside the classroom will earn college credits in Delaware
Polish President Andrzej Duda said that it is in his country's interest that Ukraine repulses the aggression of the Russian Federation, which is why Poland is providing military aid to Kyiv.

Source: Duda's statement quoted by the Polish president's office on Twitter

Quote: "I pursue the interest of the Republic of Poland, and it is for Ukraine to repulse the Russian aggressor. That is why we have decided to give military assistance. We have shown good neighbourliness, we have gained credibility in the international arena thanks to an extraordinary gesture from the Poles. "

Prezydent @AndrzejDuda w @tvp_info: Realizuje interes Rzeczypospolitej, a jest nim to, aby Ukraina odpara rosyjskiego agresora. Dlatego podejmujemy decyzje o pomocy militarnej. Pokazalismy dobre sasiedztwo, dzieki niezwykemu gestowi ze strony Polakow zyskalismy prestiz na pic.twitter.com/77bEaQeDg5  Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) May 1, 2023

Earlier: Andrzej Duda promised that Poland would make every effort during its presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025 for Ukraine and Moldova to become members of the union.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a law "On approval of the agreement between member states of Organization of Turkic States On creation of simplified customs corridor".

According to the law, the agreement between the governments of the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States "On the establishment of simplified customs corridor" was signed on November 11, 2022 in the city of Samarkand.
John Pilger on the coming war. Speak up. Now

By John Pilger

May 01, 2023: Information Clearing House -- In 1935, the Congress of American Writers was held in New York City, followed by another two years later. They called on 'the hundreds of poets, novelists, dramatists, critics, short story writers and journalists' to discuss the 'rapid crumbling of capitalism' and the beckoning of another war. They were electric events which, according to one account, were attended by 3,500 members of the public with more than a thousand turned away.

Arthur Miller, Myra Page, Lillian Hellman, Dashiell Hammett warned that fascism was rising, often disguised, and the responsibility lay with writers and journalists to speak out. Telegrams of support from Thomas Mann, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, C Day Lewis, Upton Sinclair and Albert Einstein were read out.

The journalist and novelist Martha Gellhorn spoke up for the homeless and unemployed, and 'all of us under the shadow of violent great power'.

Martha, who became a close friend, told me later over her customary glass of Famous Grouse and soda: 'The responsibility I felt as a journalist was immense. I had witnessed the injustices and suffering delivered by the Depression, and I knew, we all knew, what was coming if silences were not broken.'

Her words echo across the silences today: they are silences filled with a consensus of propaganda that contaminates almost everything we read, see and hear. Let me give you one example:

On 7 March, the two oldest newspapers in Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, published several pages on 'the looming threat' of China. They coloured the Pacific Ocean red. Chinese eyes were martial, on the march and menacing. The Yellow Peril was about to fall down as if by the weight of gravity.

No logical reason was given for an attack on Australia by China. A 'panel of experts' presented no credible evidence: one of them is a former director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a front for the Defence Department in Canberra, the Pentagon in Washington, the governments of Britain, Japan and Taiwan and the west's war industry.

'Beijing could strike within three years,' they warned. 'We are not ready.' Billions of dollars are to be spent on American nuclear submarines, but that, it seems, is not enough. 'Australia's holiday from history is over': whatever that might mean.

There is no threat to Australia, none. The faraway 'lucky' country has no enemies, least of all China, its largest trading partner. Yet China-bashing that draws on Australia's long history of racism towards Asia has become something of a sport for the self-ordained 'experts'. What do Chinese-Australians make of this? Many are confused and fearful.

The authors of this grotesque piece of dog-whistling and obsequiousness to American power are Peter Hartcher and Matthew Knott, 'national security reporters' I think they are called. I remember Hartcher from his Israeli government-paid jaunts. The other one, Knott, is a mouthpiece for the suits in Canberra. Neither has ever seen a war zone and its extremes of human degradation and suffering.

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'How did it come to this?' Martha Gellhorn would say if she were here. 'Where on earth are the voices saying no? Where is the comradeship?'

The voices are heard in the samizdat of this website and others. In literature, the likes of John Steinbeck, Carson McCullers, George Orwell are obsolete. Post-modernism is in charge now. Liberalism has pulled up its political ladder. A once somnolent social democracy, Australia, has enacted a web of new laws protecting secretive, authoritarian power and preventing the right to know. Whistleblowers are outlaws, to be tried in secret. An especially sinister law bans 'foreign interference' by those who work for foreign companies. What does this mean?

Democracy is notional now; there is the all-powerful elite of the corporation merged with the state and the demands of 'identity'. American admirals are paid thousands of dollars a day by the Australian tax payer for 'advice'. Right across the West, our political imagination has been pacified by PR and distracted by the intrigues of corrupt, ultra low-rent politicians: a Johnson or a Trump or a Sleepy Joe or a Zelensky.

No writers' congress in 2023 worries about 'crumbling capitalism' and the lethal provocations of 'our' leaders. The most infamous of these, Blair, a prima facie criminal under the Nuremberg Standard, is free and rich. Julian Assange, who dared journalists to prove their readers had a right to know, is in his second decade of incarceration.

The rise of fascism in Europe is uncontroversial. Or 'neo-Nazism' or 'extreme nationalism', as you prefer. Ukraine as modern Europe's fascist beehive has seen the re-emergence of the cult of Stepan Bandera, the passionate anti-Semite and mass murderer who lauded Hitler's 'Jewish policy', which left 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews slaughtered. 'We will lay your heads at Hitler's feet,' a Banderist pamphlet proclaimed to Ukrainian Jews.

Today, Bandera is hero-worshipped in western Ukraine and scores of statues of him and his fellow-fascists have been paid for by the EU and the US, replacing those of Russian cultural giants and others who liberated Ukraine from the original Nazis.

In 2014, neo Nazis played a key role in an American bankrolled coup against the elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, who was accused of being 'pro-Moscow'. The coup regime included prominent 'extreme nationalists' -- Nazis in all but name.

At first, this was reported at length by the BBC and the European and American media. In 2019, Time magazine featured the 'white supremacist militias' active in Ukraine. NBC News reported, 'Ukraines Nazi problem is real.' The immolation of trade unionists in Odessa was filmed and documented.

Spearheaded by the Azov regiment, whose insignia, the 'Wolfsangel', was made infamous by the German SS, Ukraine's military invaded the eastern, Russian-speaking Donbas region. According to the United Nations 14,000 in the east were killed. Seven years later, with the Minsk peace conferences sabotaged by the West, as Angela Merkel confessed, the Red Army invaded.

This version of events was not reported in the West. To even utter it is to bring down abuse about being a 'Putin apologist', regardless whether the writer (such as myself) has condemned the Russian invasion. Understanding the extreme provocation that a Nato-armed borderland, Ukraine, the same borderland through which Hitler invaded, presented to Moscow, is anathema.

Journalists who travelled to the Donbas were silenced or even hounded in their own country. German journalist Patrik Baab lost his job and a young German freelance reporter, Alina Lipp, had her bank account sequestered.

In Britain, the silence of the liberal intelligensia is the silence of intimidation. State-sponsored issues like Ukraine and Israel are to be avoided if you want to keep a campus job or a teaching tenure. What happened to Jeremy Corbyn in 2019 is repeated on campuses where opponents of apartheid Israel are casually smeared as anti-Semitic.

Professor David Miller, ironically the country's leading authority on modern propaganda, was sacked by Bristol University for suggesting publicly that Israel's 'assets' in Britain and its political lobbying exerted a disproportionate influence worldwide -- a fact for which the evidence is voluminous.

The university hired a leading QC to investigate the case independently. His report exonerated Miller on the 'important issue of academic freedom of expression' and found 'Professor Miller's comments did not constitute unlawful speech'. Yet Bristol sacked him. The message is clear: no matter what outrage it perpetrates, Israel has immunity and its critics are to be punished.

A few years ago, Terry Eagleton, then professor of English literature at Manchester University, reckoned that 'for the first time in two centuries, there is no eminent British poet, playwright or novelist prepared to question the foundations of the western way of life'.

No Shelley spoke for the poor, no Blake for utopian dreams, no Byron damned the corruption of the ruling class, no Thomas Carlyle and John Ruskin revealed the moral disaster of capitalism. William Morris, Oscar Wilde, HG Wells, George Bernard Shaw had no equivalents today. Harold Pinter was alive then, 'the last to raise his voice', wrote Eagleton.

Where did post-modernism -- the rejection of actual politics and authentic dissent -- come from? The publication in 1970 of Charles Reich's bestselling book, The Greening of America, offers a clue. America then was in a state of upheaval; Nixon was in the White House, a civil resistance, known as 'the movement', had burst out of the margins of society in the midst of a war that touched almost everybody. In alliance with the civil rights movement, it presented the most serious challenge to Washington's power for a century.

On the cover of Reich's book were these words: 'There is a revolution coming. It will not be like revolutions of the past. It will originate with the individual.'

At the time I was a correspondent in the United States and recall the overnight elevation to guru status of Reich, a young Yale academic. The New Yorker had sensationally serialised his book, whose message was that the 'political action and truth-telling' of the 1960s had failed and only 'culture and introspection' would change the world. It felt as if hippydom was claiming the consumer classes. And in one sense it was.

Within a few years, the cult of 'me-ism' had all but overwhelmed many people's sense of acting together, of social justice and internationalism. Class, gender and race were separated. The personal was the political and the media was the message. Make money, it said.

As for 'the movement', its hope and songs, the years of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton put an end to all that. The police were now in open war with black people; Clinton's notorious welfare bills broke world records in the number of mostly blacks they sent to jail.

When 9/11 happened, the fabrication of new 'threats' on 'America's frontier' (as the Project for a New American Century called the world) completed the political disorientation of those who, 20 years earlier, would have formed a vehement opposition.

In the years since, America has gone to war with the world. According to a largely ignored report by the Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Global Survival and the Nobel Prize-winning International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, the number killed in America's 'war on terror' was 'at least' 1.3 million in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

This figure does not include the dead of US-led and fuelled wars in Yemen, Libya, Syria, Somalia and beyond. The true figure, said the report, 'could well be in excess of 2 million [or] approximately 10 times greater than that of which the public, experts and decision makers are aware and [is] propagated by the media and major NGOS.'

'At least' one million were killed in Iraq, say the physicians, or five per cent of the population.

The enormity of this violence and suffering seems to have no place in the western consciousness. 'No one knows how many' is the media refrain. Blair and George W. Bush -- and Straw and Cheney and Powell and Rumsfeld et al -- were never in danger of prosecution. Blair's propaganda maestro, Alistair Campbell, is celebrated as a 'media personality'.

In 2003, I filmed an interview in Washington with Charles Lewis, the acclaimed investigative journalist. We discussed the invasion of Iraq a few months earlier. I asked him, 'What if the constitutionally freest media in the world had seriously challenged George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld and investigated their claims, instead of spreading what turned out to be crude propaganda?'

He replied. 'If we journalists had done our job, there is a very, very good chance we would have not gone to war in Iraq.'

I put the same question to Dan Rather, the famous CBS anchor, who gave me the same answer. David Rose of the Observer , who had promoted Saddam Hussein's 'threat', and Rageh Omaar, then the BBC's Iraq correspondent, gave me the same answer. Rose's admirable contrition at having been 'duped', spoke for many reporters bereft of his courage to say so.

Their point is worth repeating. Had journalists done their job, had they questioned and investigated the propaganda instead of amplifying it, a million Iraqi men, women and children might be alive today; millions might not have fled their homes; the sectarian war between Sunni and Shia might not have ignited, and Islamic State might not have existed.

Cast that truth across the rapacious wars since 1945 ignited by the United States and its 'allies' and the conclusion is breathtaking. Is this ever raised in journalism schools?

Today, war by media is a key task of so-called mainstream journalism, reminiscent of that described by a Nuremberg prosecutor in 1945: 'Before each major aggression, with some few exceptions based on expediency, they initiated a press campaign calculated to weaken their victims and to prepare the German people psychologically... In the propaganda system... it was the daily press and the radio that were the most important weapons.'

One of the persistent strands in American political life is a cultish extremism that approaches fascism. Although Trump was credited with this, it was during Obama's two terms that American foreign policy flirted seriously with fascism. This was almost never reported.

'I believe in American exceptionalism with every fibre of my being,' said Obama, who expanded a favourite presidential pastime, bombing, and death squads known as 'special operations' as no other president had done since the first Cold War.

According to a Council on Foreign Relations survey, in 2016 Obama dropped 26,171 bombs. That is 72 bombs every day. He bombed the poorest people and people of colour: in Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan.

Every Tuesday - reported the New York Times - he personally selected those who would be murdered by hellfire missiles fired from drones. Weddings, funerals, shepherds were attacked, along with those attempting to collect the body parts festooning the 'terrorist target'.

A leading Republican senator, Lindsey Graham, estimated, approvingly, that Obama's drones had killed 4,700 people. 'Sometimes you hit innocent people and I hate that,' he said, but we've taken out some very senior members of Al Qaeda.'

In 2011, Obama told the media that the Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi was planning 'genocide' against his own people. 'We knew...,'he said, 'that if we waited one more day, Benghazi, a city the size of Charlotte [North Carolina], could suffer a massacre that would have reverberated across the region and stained the conscience of the world.'

This was a lie. The only 'threat' was the coming defeat of fanatical Islamists by Libyan government forces. With his plans for a revival of independent pan-Africanism, an African bank and African currency, all of it funded by Libyan oil, Gaddafi was cast as an enemy of western colonialism on the continent in which Libya was the second most modern state.

Destroying Gaddafi's 'threat' and his modern state was the aim. Backed by the US, Britain and France, Nato launched 9,700 sorties against Libya. A third were aimed at infrastructure and civilian targets, reported the UN. Uranium warheads were used; the cities of Misurata and Sirte were carpet-bombed. The Red Cross identified mass graves, and Unicef reported that 'most [of the children killed] were under the age of ten'.

When Hillary Clinton, Obama's secretary of state, was told that Gaddafi had been captured by the insurrectionists and sodomised with a knife, she laughed and said to the camera: 'We came, we saw, he died!'

On 14 September 2016, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee in London reported the conclusion of a year-long study into the Nato attack on Libya which it described as an 'array of lies' -- including the Benghazi massacre story.

The NATO bombing plunged Libya into a humanitarian disaster, killing thousands of people and displacing hundreds of thousands more, transforming Libya from the African country with the highest standard of living into a war-torn failed state.

Under Obama, the US extended secret 'special forces' operations to 138 countries, or 70 per cent of the world's population. The first African-American president launched what amounted to a full-scale invasion of Africa.

Reminiscent of the Scramble for Africa in the 19th century, the US African Command (Africom) has since built a network of supplicants among collaborative African regimes eager for American bribes and armaments. Africom's 'soldier to soldier' doctrine embeds US officers at every level of command from general to warrant officer. Only pith helmets are missing.

It is as if Africa's proud history of liberation, from Patrice Lumumba to Nelson Mandela, has been consigned to oblivion by a new white master's black colonial elite. This elite's 'historic mission', warned the knowing Frantz Fanon, is the promotion of 'a capitalism rampant though camouflaged'.

In the year Nato invaded Libya, 2011, Obama announced what became known as the 'pivot to Asia'. Almost two-thirds of US naval forces would be transferred to the Asia-Pacific to 'confront the threat from China', in the words of his Defence Secretary.

There was no threat from China; there was a threat to China from the United States; some 400 American military bases formed an arc along the rim of China's industrial heartlands, which a Pentagon official described approvingly as a 'noose'.

At the same time, Obama placed missiles in Eastern Europe aimed at Russia. It was the beatified recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize who increased spending on nuclear warheads to a level higher than that of any US administration since the Cold War - having promised, in an emotional speech in the centre of Prague in 2009, to 'help rid the world of nuclear weapons'.

Obama and his administration knew full well that the coup his assistant secretary of state, Patricia Nuland, was sent to oversee against the government of Ukraine in 2014 would provoke a Russian response and probably lead to war. And so it has.

I am writing this on 30 April, the anniversary of the last day of the longest war of the twentieth century, in Vietnam, which I reported. I was very young when I arrived in Saigon and I learned a great deal. I learned to recognise the distinctive drone of the engines of giant B-52s, which dropped their carnage from above the clouds and spared nothing and no one; I learned not to turn away when faced with a charred tree festooned with human parts; I learned to value kindness as never before; I learned that Joseph Heller was right in his masterly Catch-22: that war was not suited to sane people; and I learned about 'our' propaganda.

All through that war, the propaganda said a victorious Vietnam would spread its communist disease to the rest of Asia, allowing the Great Yellow Peril to its north to sweep down. Countries would fall like 'dominoes'.

Ho Chi Minh's Vietnam was victorious, and none of the above happened. Instead, Vietnamese civilisation blossomed, remarkably, in spite of the price they paid: three million dead. The maimed, the deformed, the addicted, the poisoned, the lost.

If the current propagandists get their war with China, this will be a fraction of what is to come. Speak up.

www.johnpilger.com @johnpilger
Police arrested a man Friday in connection with a Thursday afternoon homicide in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City police arrested a 63-year-old man Friday in connection with a homicide the previous day.

Shortly before 2:50 p.m. Thursday, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department received calls of a disturbance in the 900 block of N Virginia Ave. Police said several people were involved in an altercation outside of a business in the area, during which 24-year-old Maalik Carter's throat was cut. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Police announced Carter's death in a media release shortly before 12:45 p.m. Friday, asking residents who knew anything about the altercation to contact the department's homicide tip-line.

More: Domestic dispute leads to OKC's 29th homicide this year, police say

About 3 p.m. that same day, police had booked an older man into the Oklahoma County jail in connection with the altercation.

The man faces multiple complaints, including murder, burglary, robbery, larceny and public drunkenness.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police arrest man Friday in connection with Thursday homicide
The killer murdered both victims on February 9. Joos Mind/Getty Images

Police in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma found seven bodies while searching for two missing teenage girls on Monday.

The two girls were traveling with Jesse McFadden, a sex offender who was previously convicted of first-degree rape, police said.

McFadden's body was also among the seven bodies that police found.

Police in Oklahoma said they found the bodies of seven people  including at least two teenage girls and a convicted rapist  on Monday.

Police made the discovery after one of the teens found was reported missing earlier in the day on Monday.

The Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office first announced the disappearance of Ivy Webster, 14, in a news release posted to Facebook. They said Webster went missing on Saturday after going out with her friend, Brittany Brewer, 16.

Later in the day on Monday, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said three of the seven bodies discovered at a property in Okmulgee County  near Henryetta, Oklahoma  were Webster, Brewer, and Jesse McFadden, 39, a convicted sex offender.

Janette Mayo, 59, of Westville, Oklahoma, told The Associated Press that the other four victims were her daughter, Holly Guess, 35, and her grandchildren, Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.

Mayo said in a Facebook post that McFadden and Guess were married.

"My daughter loved her children and yes she married the man who killed them but she was fooled by his charm," Mayo said. "I hurt just like the other families but he took my world from me."

Police have not confirmed to the press how the seven victims died.

Court records show McFadden was previously convicted of first-degree rape and grand larceny in 2003. He was released in 2020. He was scheduled to appear in court again on Monday to face trial on charges of child pornography and child solicitation.

Rice said that the sheriff's department is no longer searching and that police "have found everything that we were seeking."

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"Our hearts go out to the families and friends, schoolmates, and everyone else," Rice said.

The Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office referred Insider to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation when reached for comment on Tuesday. The OSBI did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its website to receive confidential support.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read the original article on Insider
Police are investigating a break-in at the home where a Detroit neurosurgeon was found murdered.

Dr Devon Hoover, 53, was found dead at the home in the Boston-Edison area of the city on 23 April after police performed a welfare check.

Investigators say that the surgeon had been shot multiple times in the head and his body had been wrapped up in a blanket in a crawl space.

Dr Devon Hoover (WXYZ)

Now police say that an unknown suspect broke into the home, which was unoccupied, between Saturday 29 April and Sunday 30 April.

Officials have not said that the break-in was connected to the killing, which is still being investigated.

Dr Hoover had worked as a neurosurgeon in Detroit for more than 20 years. His funeral was held on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit and a burial service is planned for a later date.

Detroit Police Chief James White announced on Friday that a person of interest had been taken into custody but that the suspect is being held on charges unconnected to the slaying.

Police have not yet linked the break-in at Dr Hoovers home to his death (WXYZ)

The police chief says that the suspect was known to the victim but refused to comment on the nature of their relationship reported The Detroit Free Press.

Were confident this person has information about what transpired, Chief White said. This was not a random act.

Police say that a member of Hoovers family, who lives in Indiana, called police when the doctor failed to show up at event he was expected at.

Officers went to the surgeons $1.2m home and were quickly concerned about some of the things that they saw and went into the home, Chief White said.
A man was detained outside Buckingham Palace Tuesday after he threw a number of items into the Palace grounds, London authorities said.

The man was suspected of throwing shotgun cartridges over the Palace's gates, London's Metropolitan Police said. It comes just four days before the coronation of King Charles III.

The man was arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon, police said, and was also found in possession of a "suspicious bag."

Police cordoned off the area around the gates where the suspect was arrested, and specialists conducted a controlled detonation of the bag as a precaution.

Police at the scene outside Buckingham Palace after a man was arrested and a subsequent controlled explosion was carried out on May 2, 2023 in London, England. / Credit: Belinda Jiao/Getty Images

"Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody," Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald said in a statement. "There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public. Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing."

Police did not immediately release the suspect's name.

Neither King Charles III or Queen Consort Camilla were at Buckingham Palace at the time of the incident, BBC News reported.

Roads around Buckingham Palace have reopened and most of the cordoned-off area is now accessible.

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Officers shot and wounded a man suspected of stabbing another man as he fled an altercation with a woman at the Vermont/Beverly Metro station Tuesday, the LAPD said. (KTLA-TV Channel 5)

Los Angeles police shot and wounded a man suspected of stabbing another man near a Metro station Tuesday in East Hollywood, officials said.

Around 10:20 a.m., the suspect was involved in an altercation with a woman on the Red Line train platform at the Vermont/Beverly station when another man intervened, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.

The suspect allegedly brandished a knife before running off and stabbing a man at street level.

LAPD transit officers responded to the scene and found the suspect in the 300 block of North Vermont Avenue. According to police, officers fired at him after he brandished the knife.

Footage taken by a resident of the area and obtained by KTLA-TV Channel 5 showed the man appearing to run from police and hiding behind a car. At one point, the man drops an object but picks it up.

The suspect was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

A knife was found at the scene and will be booked as evidence, police said.

The stabbing comes as Metro attempts to grapple with a rise in violence on its trains and at its stations.

Between January and February, Metro reported an 8.2% rise in violent crimes system-wide driven by a nearly 30% spike in robberies, from 28 to 36.

Aggravated assaults dropped by nearly 10%.

Between December and January, however, the system recorded a 14% spike in violent crimes driven mostly by a nearly 50% rise in aggravated assaults, from 29 to 43.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Man holding blade - iStockphoto

The proportion of knife carriers being charged with possession by police has fallen to a record low, a Telegraph analysis of official figures shows.

The number of knife possession offences resulting in a charge has nearly halved in six years with fewer than a third ending up in court.

It comes as the number of knife offences has doubled to 26,500 over the same period, according to Home Office data for last year.

In the West Midlands, one of Britains biggest forces, just 13 per cent  or one in eight  of knife possession offences resulted in a charge.

It is one of eight forces in England and Wales  a fifth of the total  where fewer than a quarter of the knife possession crimes resulted in a charge.

Some experts suggested it could be the result of greater use of out of court punishments, such as community resolutions, as a way of dealing with a potential increase in the number of under-18s carrying knives.

Others suggested that it could also be linked to the way police recorded crimes.

More witness reports of offenders being seen with weapons  rather than caught red handed  may be being recorded as crimes, while knife possession might not be charged if it belonged to a series of more serious offences.

Rory Geoghegan, a former police officer who founded the Public Safety Foundation, said: While there may always be exceptional cases, the overwhelming majority of those caught with a knife or other offensive weapon, irrespective of age, should expect to be charged and sent to court.

Police forces and our courts should be doing all they can to send the clearest possible message that the carrying of weapons in public is wholly unacceptable.

Giving knife carriers the equivalent of a free-pass may suit the agendas of some activists, but it serves only to encourage the carriage of weapons.

Gavin Hales, a senior research fellow specialising in policing, said: When we look at outcomes overall for offences involving the possession of points and blades, we dont see people being treated more leniently where there are sanctions.

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Rather, as overall crime volumes have increased, a growing proportion of investigations have been closed with no suspect identified or other evidential difficulties that have prevented charges.

The reasons for those changes arent clear, but may include changes to the kinds of offences being reported to  and especially recorded  by police forces.

The proportion of offences involving possession of a weapon with a blade or point resulting in a charge has dropped from 58.3 per cent in 2016 to 31.7 per cent last year.

The eight police forces where the charging rate has dropped below 25 per cent are Sussex (18.1 per cent), Hampshire (20.8 per cent), Greater Manchester (22.6 per cent), West Mercia (22.7 per cent), Gloucestershire (23.3 per cent), Suffolk (23.8 per cent) and Warwickshire (24.3 per cent).

Meanwhile, an analysis of official data by the Liberal Democrats revealed that around four in five car thefts went unsolved last year.

Some 100,258 car theft cases across England and Wales were closed in 2022 without a suspect being identified. Police also failed to attend three in four car thefts during that same time period.

Criminal gangs are being allowed to act with impunity while victims are denied justice. The Government is effectively decriminalising car theft by letting these gangs get away with it, said Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader.
The Broward School Board will decide next Tuesday whether to pause the search for its next superintendent to recruit more applicants or select finalists from the 15 qualified candidates who have applied  an applicant pool a board member called junior varsity.

A total of 26 people applied for the job, but only 15 met the minimum requirements, like a masters degree and computer skills. Out of those 15, a search firm executive initially recommended six to board members Tuesday, but then said only two or maybe three could do the job.

In my view, a pool that looks like a junior varsity list of certain professionals. ... Im not excited about the pool at all, said Torey Alston, who represents district 2, during the board workshop. The pool is absolutely weak  collectively.

Alston said some potential applicants could have concerns with the Sunshine Law in Florida, which requires governmental bodies to be transparent, exposing applicants names early on in the process. He also hypothesized some could have been looking for a higher salary or a better deal at their current jobs.

Asked after the workshop whether he thought the political climate in Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis education agenda could have dissuaded some from applying, Alston said: Absolutely not.

READ MORE: Lawmakers propose many changes to K-12 education. Here is what you need to know

The search firm consultant, however, and at least two other board members disagreed.

Ralph Ferrie, the regional director for the eastern region of the Nebraska-based McPherson and Jacobson, told board members that issues like the Sunshine Law affected the process, but so did the Republican Partys narrative in the state, and the turmoil between the School Board and the former superintendent, Vickie Cartwright.

Emboldened by a supermajority in the Legislature, DeSantis and his GOP allies have passed bills widely criticized by the education community, including imposing restrictions on teachers unions and classroom instruction.

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Cartwright and the board parted ways mutually in January, after five DeSantis appointees to the nine-member board fired her in November, only to have a new board rescind the firing in December. The board hired her as interim superintendent in August 2021, and named her superintendent in February 2022, under a $350,000 annual contract.

Dr. Earlean Smiley, interim superintendent of the Broward school district, left, addresses a question from Debra Hixon, vice chair of the Broward School Board, during a School Board workshop to review the candidates who applied for the superintendents job, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Politically, Florida is a challenge. Im being very straight up with you. Very, very challenging, he said.

And you know what, money alone is not a motivator for someone to work in a sophisticated, complicated, outstanding school district. More importantly is how theyre going to work collaboratively with board. ... I was a superintendent for 21 years. I spent more time with my board than I did with my spouse. ... So I want to know what are going to be my board relationships; Im going to watch board meetings; Im going to read the press. ... Im going to assess the political environment in Florida. These are the issues. ... Why would I give up if Im on a contract with five years ... to come where Ive seen turnover in superintendents like a revolving door?

Broward is the nations sixth-largest school district.

READ MORE: Florida officially limits gender, sexual orientation instruction in all school grades

Education isnt sexy in Florida right now, board member says

Debra Hixon, the boards vice chair who occupies the countywide seat 9 on the board, acknowledged education isnt sexy in Florida right now, so she didnt find the low applicant pool surprising.

Theres a lot of micromanagement thats happening in our state, and the respect and the dignity of education is just not where it should be for us to be attracting people, Hixon said. We live in paradise. People should be flocking to come here and theyre staying in freezing cold places because theyre not being micromanaged there.

Debra Hixon, vice chair of the Broward School Board, said Floridas micromanagement of schools was deterring people from applying for the school superintendents job.

It isnt just about money, she added. It is about how comfortable and how welcome you feel in a place.

Board member Allen Zeman, from the countywide seat 8, echoed that sentiment: There is significant evidence  when you look at applicants to the University of Florida from people outside of Florida, when you look at retention statistics of faculty, tenured faculty members in Florida. Theres absolutely a political effect.

Dr. Earlean Smiley, interim superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, listens during a workshop where the board reviewed the applicants for superintendent, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Fort Lauderdale. Only 15 people qualified for the post.

Who applied to be the next superintendent of Broward Schools?

The application window for superintendent closed at 11:30 p.m. Central Time on April 27. Out of the 26 people who applied, Ferrie, from the search firm, picked four and marked them as green, and two more as yellow.

He advised the board on Tuesday to pick finalists out of those six, but the board could still select finalists from the 15 who qualified.

The green ones are:

Valerie Wanza, the acting chief of staff at Broward County Public Schools whos been with the district since 1992 and served as superintendent for a few days earlier this year after Cartwright left





Luis Solano, deputy superintendent for Detroit Public Schools

Peter Licata, regional superintendent at Palm Beach County Schools

Jason Nault, associate superintendent of teaching and learning, equity and accountability at Waukegan Public Schools in suburban Chicago and a former Broward principal

Valerie Wanza, acting chief of staff at Broward County Public Schools whos been with the district since 1992, is one of the candidates applying for the Broward superintendents job, Tuesday, May 2.

The yellow ones are:

Wanda Paul, chief operating officer for the Houston Independent School District and a former facilities and operations chief for Palm Beach County Schools

Keith Oswald, chief of equity and wellness at Palm Beach County Schools

The other nine who qualified are:

Shernette Grant, chief program officer for Junior Achievement of South Florida

Stephen Bournes, deputy superintendent and chief academic officer for the Chester Community Charter School in Chester, Pennsylvania

Raymond Bryant, former superintendent of Thomasville City Schools in Georgia

Adam Taylor, a consultant and former superintendent with Rutland City Public Schools in Vermont

Michael Esposito, director of pupil services for the Helendale School District in California

Kenneth Goeken, director of special education and support services for the Rocklin Unified School District in California

Wayne Alexander, principal at Batala School in Bridgeport, Connecticut and a former superintendent in Hernando County, Florida

James Drake, a senior engineer/superintendent for DTG Associates in California and a former associate superintendent in Gonzales, California

Art Stellar, vice president of the National Education Foundation and a former superintendent at Burke County, North Carolina and Taunton, Massachusetts

FROM FEBRUARY: Broward school board pays ousted superintendent almost $268,000, names interim

To wait or not to wait?

The School Board had originally planned to select the finalists Tuesday, but David Azzarito, the districts executive director of human resources and equity, said he didnt realize the board couldnt vote during a workshop. The board can only vote during official, advertised meetings.

That was my mistake, he told the nine board members.

The School Board will either pick finalists next Tuesday or seek more applicants. Zeman, for one, said they hope to advance some from the current pool.

Allen Zeman, the Broward School Board member who holds the Countywide At-Large Seat 8, said theres absolutely a political effect impacting education in Florida, Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

All we need is one great superintendent so you can have a weak or an OK or whatever you want to describe the whole list, he said, adding he sees a handful of good candidates and wants community feedback about them.

If the board picks finalists, the search firm would them to answer three questions in a nine-minute video, then invite them to visit Broward May 15-16 so board members and board-appointed stakeholders can interview them.

FROM LAST AUGUST: DeSantis suspends four Broward County School Board members, appoints replacements
The public have been invited to swear allegiance to King Charles during his coronation. (Alamy)

People have been invited to swear allegiance to King Charles on his coronation day, but not everyone is convinced.

Millions watching the coronation around the world will be asked to cry out and swear allegiance to Charles on Saturday.

It is the first time in history the public will be given an active role in the ceremony, which will be attended by the Royal Family, as the coronation is modernised to include the first ever homage of the people.

Lambeth Palace said it was hoped the significant change to the historic service will result in a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King from those watching on television, online or gathered in the open air at big screens.

It replaces the traditional homage of peers in which a long line of hereditary peers knelt and made a pledge to the monarch in person.

However, there has been a considerable backlash against the plan, which some have criticised as "feudal", saying it "feels very Game of Thrones".

And the pressure group Republic has described the swearing of allegiance as offensive, tone deaf and a gesture that holds the people in contempt.

Graham Smith, a spokesman for Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy and its replacement with a directly elected head of state, said: In a democracy it is the head of state who should be swearing allegiance to the people, not the other way around.

This kind of nonsense should have died with Elizabeth I, not outlived Elizabeth II.

Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay suggested on BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that he may not call out the words on coronation day.

I will watch it because I think it is a key time for the nation but I think that the idea of a pledge is possibly somewhat outdated.

Read more: Royal fans are already camping along the Mall to see the coronation of King Charles

The new homage of the people was introduced to allow a chorus of millions of voices to be enabled for the first time in history to participate in this solemn and joyful moment, Lambeth Palace said.

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A Lambeth Palace spokesman said the homage is very much an invitation rather than an expectation or request.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will call upon all persons of goodwill in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other Realms and the Territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.

Union flags hang outside Buckingham Palace on the Mall on Monday ahead of the coronation of King Charles on Saturday. (PA)

The order of service will read: All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together:

All: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.

It will be followed by the playing of a fanfare.

A spokesman for Lambeth Palace, the archbishops office, said: The homage of the people is particularly exciting because thats brand new.

Watch: King Charles to rewear historic vestments at coronation

Thats something that we can share in because of technological advances, so not just the people in the abbey, but people who are online, on television, who are listening, and who are gathered in parks, at big screens and churches.

Our hope is at that point, when the archbishop invites people to join in, that people wherever they are, if theyre watching at home on their own, watching the telly, will say it out loud  this sense of a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King.
Utah's age verification law, which targets publishers distributing material deemed to be "harmful to minors on the internet," has gone into effect. As a response, MindGeek has chosen to block everyone in the state from being able to access its websites, including Pornhub. As Motherboard reports, if somebody with a Utah IP address accesses Pornhub, they'll now be met with a video of adult performer Cherie DeVille. In it, DeVille explained that the company believes requiring users to submit their government IDs isn't the most effective solution to protecting its users and could even put their privacy at risk.

She continued that "mandating age verification without proper enforcement" has driven users to other sites with fewer safety measures in states with the same law. MindGeek believes that the most effective solution to identify users is by doing so through their device. "Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah," DeVille said, ending the video with a plea for residents in the state to contact their representatives and demand device-based verification solutions.

In January, a law requiring adult websites to deploy age verification measures and ensure their visitors are 18 or older went into effect in Lousiana. Pornhub, however, didn't block all users in the state, and is currently verifying people's ages using Lousiana's digital wallet app for driver's licenses. A Pornhub spokesperson told us that Utah does have a digital wallet, but it can't be used online like Louisiana's. They said the Pornhub team did try to find a solution that uses it for age verification, but it ultimately didn't work. The spokesperson also revealed that despite complying with Louisiana law, the website's traffic has dropped 80 percent in the state since it started requiring ID-based age verification. Reiterating DeVille's statement, they said that the users Pornhub had lost likely just moved to other sites with fewer safety and privacy measures in place and that the only effective age verification solution is at the device level.

Laurie Schlegel, the Republication representative who spearheaded the age verification law in Lousiana, explained she championed the bill because she believes that the digital world needed adult-only zones, such as bars where patrons are asked for IDs. At least two dozen states, including Utah, followed Louisiana's example by introducing age verification legislation over the past year. So, even if Pornhub finds a way to unblock Utah residents, a lot of people elsewhere in the US might find themselves having to verify their ages on the website using a government ID.

Update 05/02/23 12:32PM ET: Added statement from a Pornhub spokesperson.
Pornhub says that age verification will drive users towards unsafe websites

Adult content website Pornhub has blocked access to would-be users in Utah, a day before a new state age verification law goes into effect.

The new law requires pornographic websites to verify the age of users each time they use the website or potentially face lawsuits.

Utah residents visiting the website are now greeted with a message arguing that the law will put privacy "at risk".

Pornography was declared a public health crisis in Utah in 2016.

The Utah age verification law, known as SB287, was passed by state lawmakers and signed by governor Spencer Cox in March.

As part of the law, pornographic companies must verify the age of users using a "digitised verification card", which officials say will help prevent young people from accessing sexually explicit content.

Starting on Tuesday, Utah residents who attempted to access Pornhub instead saw a video message featuring adult film actress - and one-time US presidential hopeful - Cherie DeVille.

"While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users," Deville says in the video.

"In fact, [it] will put children and your privacy at risk."

The video calls on lawmakers to "identify users by their device" rather than by their digital ID, and argues that the move may drive users to "sites with far fewer safety measures in place".

The same message is shown to Utah users who attempt to access other adult websites run by Pornhub's parent company, Canadian-run and Cyprus-headquartered MindGeek.

A similar law requiring a digital ID went into effect in January in Louisiana, where Pornhub is still available.

Utah State Senator Todd Weiler was quoted by local news station Fox 13 as saying that he expects that Pornhub "will eventually comply" with the law.

The implementation of Utah's age verification law comes amid growing calls to verify ages of users across the internet. Mississippi and Virginia have also already passed similar age verification laws.

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Beginning on 1 March, 2024, Utah will also require that social media companies verify the age of social media users and block users who don't provide it. Users under the age of 18 will also have to obtain the consent of a parent or guardian.

Pornographic websites in the UK will need to ensure children cannot freely access their content under a new internet safety law currently making its way through Parliament.

Last week, US Senators also introduced a bill to ban children younger than 13 from using social media at all, with parental consent required for those under 17.

The moves to restrict access in this way have been met by criticism from internet rights and free speech watchdogs.

"Age verification systems are surveillance systems," the Electronic Freedom Foundation said in a March statement. "This scheme would lead us further towards an internet where our private data is collected and sold by default."
The Single Dumbest Thing The Empire Asks Us To Believe

By Caitlin Johnstone

May 01, 2023: Information Clearing House -- The single dumbest thing the US-centralized empire asks us to believe is that the military encirclement of its top two geopolitical rivals is a defensive action, rather than an act of extreme aggression.

Were asked to believe many extremely stupid narratives by the manipulators who rule over us, but I really think this one might take the cake. The idea that the US militarily encircling Russia and China is an act of defense rather than aggression is so in-your-face transparently idiotic that anyone who thinks critically enough about it will immediately dismiss it for the foam-brained nonsense that it is, yet its the mainstream narrative in the western world, and millions of people accept it as true. Because thats the power of US propaganda.

It gets more and more absurd the more you think about it. Their argument is basically, No no you dont understand, the US has been hurriedly surrounding its primary geopolitical competitors with war machinery because it wants to prevent them from doing something aggressive. Theyre like, We cant just have nations exerting military aggression willy nilly, thats why we needed to move all this war machinery to the other side of the planet onto the borders of our primary strategic rivals.

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Can you think of anything more insane than that? Than all of the most powerful and influential figures in politics, government and media simultaneously claiming that a nation amassing heavily-armed proxy forces on the borders of their enemies is something that should be regarded as an action designed to prevent aggression, rather than an incendiary act of extreme aggression in and of itself?

I recently had someone tell me that the US has every right to expand its immense military presence near China, and to illustrate their point they said that if China set up a base in Mexico the US would have no business telling them not to. But that argument actually illustrates my point, not theirs: only the most propaganda-addled of minds would believe that the US would allow China to set up a military base in Mexico for even one second. Thered be kinetic warfare long before the foundations were even poured.

What this undeniably means is that the US is the aggressor in these conflicts. It was the aggressor when it expanded NATO and began turning Ukraine into a de facto NATO member, and it is the aggressor as it accelerates its encirclement of China and prepares to open the floodgates of weapons into Taiwan. If it is doing things on the borders of its geopolitical rivals that it would never permit those rivals to do to it, then it is the aggressor, and anything its rivals do is a defensive response to those aggressions.

This is how the US-centralized empire always acts. It continually attacks, starves and menaces nations which disobey the decrees it issues in its self-appointed role as the leader of the so-called rules-based international order, then as soon as its aggressions receive the slightest bit of pushback its spinmeisters feign Bambi-eyed innocence and pretend theyre just passive witnesses to unprovoked aggression by the disobedient nations.

But the empire is not passive, it is not innocent, and it is primarily responsible for the extremely dangerous current and emerging conflicts we are seeing on the world stage. The US empire is imperiling us all with its last-ditch frantic scramble to secure unipolar planetary hegemony before multipolarity takes over, engaging in freakishly aggressive actions on the borders of the nuclear-armed nations who challenge its power.

And I just think thats worth reiterating from time to time. If we dont keep reminding ourselves whats true, these bastards will drive us all nuts.

Caitlin's articles are entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking her on Facebook, following her antics on Twitter, checking out her podcast, throwing some money into her hat on Patreon or Paypal, or buying her book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. New book! Lao Sue And Other Poems, available in paperback or PDF/ebook. - All works co-authored with her husband Tim Foley. https://caitlinjohnstone.com
Pornhub, one of the largest online producers and distributors of pornography, is blocking Utah residents from accessing its site in response to a new state law that prohibits the company from admitting kids under 18 years old onto the platform.

The legislation, called Online Pornography Viewing Age Requirements, creates obligations and liabilities for a commercial entity that provides pornography or other materials harmful to minors, according to the text. It requires Pornhub, and other adult sites owned by the mother corporation Mind Geek, to verify a users age by asking them to submit photo ID before they can see the adult content.

Computers with Utah-based IP addresses were barred this week from entering the sites, and users are instead shown a message protesting the law, which Governor Spencer Cox signed in March.

As you may know, your elected officials in Utah are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website, the message reads. While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk.

Utah users also were met with a video of a porn performer reading the statement aloud on-camera. The statement warned that the law could redirect users to more dangerous sites with fewer safety measures.

Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah, the message added. As an alternative, the company asked lawmakers to consider device-based verification solutions.

In December 2022, a mother sued MindGeek after a man was convicted of raping her 14-year-old son, recording the act, and uploading the video to Pornhub. She alleged that the site provided assistance, platform, content mandates, and edits to the rapist in order to produce maximum traffic from the content for the site, Business Insider reported.

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Three photos of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol with first lady Kim Keon-hee during a state visit to the United States have been shared repeatedly in social media posts that falsely claim she violated "official protocol" by wearing gloves. In fact, according to South Korea's interior ministry and foreign ministry, no such rule prohibits South Korean leaders or their partners from wearing gloves on official engagements.

"Once again she proved that she is an attention hogger. According to South Korea's official protocol, she should not wear gloves. What a great way to show she is a partner of a global doormat," reads the Korean-language post shared on Facebook on April 27.

It was accompanied by three photos of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol with first lady Kim Keon-hee arriving at the White House in Washington, DC on April 26.

A reverse image search on Google found the images were taken from a livestream video of the welcome ceremony published on Yoon's official YouTube channel on the same day (archived link).

Kim's black gloves have been circled in red in the false posts, as shown below:

Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken on May 1, 2023.

During the six-day summit, Yoon and US President Joe Biden adopted the "Washington Declaration," a joint statement committing the US to a series of measures to better defend South Korea against the nuclear threats of North Korea, AFP reported (archived link).

The same photos were shared alongside a similar false claim on Facebook and Twitter.

Comments on the false posts show some users were misled by the claim about Kim, who has been a target of other misleading claims debunked here and here by AFP.

"It simply shows how ignorant she is about common etiquette and protocol. What a shame," one user wrote.

"Shaking hands with gloves on? That's so rude. It just makes me baffled," another said.

No rules on gloves

However, an official at South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety told AFP on May 1 that there was no such rule against leaders or their partners wearing gloves at official meetings.

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"There is no rule regarding gloves in the official protocol guidelines," they said.

A review of the guidelines published by South Korea's interior ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs found no mention of gloves (archived links here and here).

AFP found a document titled "Etiquette and Table Manners" published by the authorities in the city of Seongnam which suggests glove etiquette for South Koreans (archived link).

It advises people to remove their gloves when shaking hands but says it is not necessary if a lady is wearing a suit, as Kim did at the White House.

It reads in part: "It is the etiquette for both men and women to remove their gloves when shaking hands, but it is not necessary to do so when a lady is wearing a suit and is wearing long, elbow-length gloves and on the street."

Kim was previously pictured wearing gloves when she met King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia during a five-day trip to Madrid for a NATO summit in June 2022 (archived link).

Below is a screenshot of the photo -- credited to South Korean media agency News1 -- in the report by Korea JoongAng Daily:

There is also no official rule against world leaders or their partners wearing gloves during official visits to South Korea.
Ron DeSantis. Illustrated | Gettyimages

After months of intense speculation and more than a little optimistic prognosticating from Republican insiders and political commentators both, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appears poised to finally make official what has seemed obvious to anyone paying attention: He's indeed running for president in 2024.

According to multiple GOP operatives who have spoken with both NBC News and ABC News, the former congressman and first-term governor will launch his presidential campaign mid-May, establishing an exploratory committee as early as May 11, followed shortly thereafter by a public announcement of his intent to challenge former President Donald Trump for his party's nomination. It's a decision motivated, at least in part, by his supporters' worry over the "creeping national narrative that former President Donald Trump is the overwhelming front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination," as NBC's Matt Dixon and Natasha Korecki report. "A good politician knows when their moment is and they seize the opportunity," says one Republican adviser and aspiring DeSantis supporter to the network. "There's no question that the door is swinging against DeSantis."

To the extent that there is a door and that it is, in fact, swinging in a particular direction, credit must be given in no small part to Trump. Not only has the ex-president managed to decisively fend off a growing field of GOP challengers both big(ish) and small(er), but he has to date done so while almost exclusively training his sizable political arsenal not on declared candidates but on DeSantis instead.

That DeSantis, the once  and supporters hope, future  "Trump-slaying" conservative savior, has seen his political fortunes fading of late is not, however, simply the result of Trump's considerable political bombardments. Rather, his plummeting poll numbers should be seen as a manifestation of a more acute problem of his own making. As an increasing number of colleagues, donors, peers, and potential benefactors have suggested in recent interviews, DeSantis seems unwilling or unable to deploy the soft "retail politics" skills necessary for a successful national campaign.

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'Somebody that doesn't return phone calls'

Merits of large-donor-dependent campaigns notwithstanding, the reality of politics in America is that running for office is expensive. Accordingly, even before a candidate declares their candidacy, they must have, or at least have a pathway to, significant sums of money to finance their run. It was DeSantis' record-breaking fundraising haul in 2022 that helped vault him to the top tier of potential 2024 candidates in the first place. But donors have increasingly begun both privately and publicly airing their reluctance to back his potential presidential run, citing not only his falling poll numbers as a reason to keep their wallets closed  something of a chicken/egg paradox  but also DeSantis' personal conduct.

"Why would I support somebody to become president of the United States that doesn't return phone calls?" onetime DeSantis donor and now major Trump backer John Catsimatidis tells The Washington Examiner. "Everybody answers my phone calls. I've never had a situation like [this]," adds the New York billionaire and longtime Republican funder. "I would rule out supporting him at this point."

Major GOP donor and Florida's former richest resident Thomas Peterffy has similarly pumped the breaks on supporting DeSantis after he claimed earlier this year to be "looking forward" to helping the governor's presidential bid. Unlike Catsimatidis, however, Peterffy's reluctance seemingly stems from DeSantis' hard-right embrace of controversial social issues surrounding reproductive health and educational freedoms  the same positions that helped elevate DeSantis' national profile to begin with. "Because of his stance on abortion and book banning, myself and a bunch of friends are holding our powder dry," he tells the Financial Times,

This isn't to say DeSantis' campaign coffers have been fully depleted. As Time reports, the governor's top 2022 donor, Robert Bigelow, has remained all in for the governor, telling the magazine that "I will give him more money and go without food" after having already donated approximately $20 million to a DeSantis-aligned super-PAC. Billionaire donor Ken Griffin, the third largest funder of the 2022 midterm cycle, has also indicated that he'll continue backing DeSantis for the time being, although that support may be in jeopardy now as well.

Crucially, in spite of having dropped tens of millions of dollars on DeSantis' behalf, with more promised on the way, Bigelow also made a point of telling Time that he and the ostensible candidate aren't actually on close speaking terms, with communication happening "mostly through his campaign manager and other senior staff." To that end, he and Catsimatidis seem to share the broad sentiment that DeSantis has not fully mastered the art of personable retail politics that have benefitted both President Biden and Trump before him. And it's not just donors who feel that way either. DeSantis' alleged shortcomings in terms of relationship building and one-on-one politicking have hampered his ability to create a coalition of surrogate lawmakers who might otherwise have served to smooth his way into a presidential run.

'Never said a single word to me'

While he continues to be decisively popular among voters in his home state of Florida, DeSantis has conspicuously struggled to exact that same level of support from his fellow lawmakers there, allowing Trump to rack up a historic margin of endorsements from Florida elected officials, many of which came while DeSantis himself was out of state, allowing Trump to demonstrate an extra layer of electoral dominance on the governor's home turf. In a particularly ironic move, Rep. Michael Waltz, the Republican lawmaker who succeeded DeSantis as the state's 6th District representative, was among the lawmakers who backed Trump. "The amazing part of it is how easy it was," one Trump adviser tells Politico, regarding engineering something of an endorsement coup against the former president's chief GOP rival.

As Rep. Greg Steube, one of the Florida Republicans who vocally endorsed Trump over DeSantis, explained to Fox News, "There have been many things [about which] I've reached out to him." He adds: "There have been events in my district that I was specifically told I could not be part of the press conference. I was told to go stand in the corner. I was not allowed to be participating in events when he was in my district. You can't win friends and influence people that way, especially in the political realm."

Former Michigan Republican Rep. David Trott served alongside DeSantis for years in the House Foreign Affairs Committee where, Trott says, the now-governor "never said a single word to me."

"I think he's an asshole," Trott tells Politico's Eugene Daniels. "I don't think he cares about people."

The issue is less one of individual endorsements and gripes than their cumulative effect. "The snub from GOP lawmakers in his home state is particularly striking, and it's playing into the narrative that DeSantis is too aloof and inattentive to the interpersonal niceties of big-league politics," Daniels and fellow Politico analysts Rachael Bade and Ryan Lizza concluded in a recent "Playbook" newsletter. That lawmakers uniquely aware of Trump's general election vulnerabilities would still eschew DeSantis for the former president "doesn't bode well for his appeal to the common GOP voter, who probably isn't as concerned about electability, the core of DeSantis' pitch."

All of this has dovetailed with a series of awkward public appearances and a stretch of bad press over DeSantis' potential overreach in his ongoing feud with Disney and efforts to ban educational material. So it's easy to see why the concerns of both donors and fellow Republican lawmakers have gained so much traction. To that end, it's understandable why those in DeSantis' camp pushing for an immediate campaign launch would be doing so. The sooner they can wrest the narrative of the candidate back under their own control, the sooner they can reboot DeSantis' public image with the public at large  at least, that's the ostensible logic at play here (and one that's starting to be borne out in a new crop of stories placed in some conservative outlets. But as Slate's Ben Mathis-Lilley writes, "You can reboot the damn thing, but what are you gonna put on the screen when it comes back on?"

Perhaps more than anything else, that is the ultimate challenge facing DeSantis at the moment. As a governor and conservative culture warrior, he made his reputation at the front of the GOP's far-right wing. But now, with that record hanging around his neck as he struggles to maintain the networks of support that often help lift candidates from one tier to the next, where can DeSantis go from here? And once he has a direction in mind, can he actually change his trajectory to match?

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has called the top four congressional leaders to a meeting May 9 at the White House to discuss how to avert a debt default, according to a White House official and Capitol Hill sources familiar with the matter.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned in a letter Monday that the U.S. could breach the debt ceiling by June 1  earlier than expected  if Congress doesn't act in time. The letter sent shock waves across Capitol Hill, with the threat of economic calamity looming, as Congress and the White House remain deadlocked over the issue.

There was little sign Monday afternoon that either party was shifting off its position. House Republicans insist on attaching spending cuts to a debt ceiling increase, while Democrats vow not to negotiate over whether to pay the country's bills or default.

The White House official said Biden will "stress" to congressional leaders that they "must take action to avoid default without conditions," saying the meeting was scheduled to discuss "the urgency of preventing default," as well as how to begin negotiating a budget.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the Democratic National Committee winter meeting on February 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Earlier in the day President Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited a water treatment plant in the city where they announced $160 million to upgrade Philadelphia water facilities and replace 20 miles of lead service lines. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images file)

Democrats have insisted on a clean debt limit increase without policy conditions and for Congress to negotiate over spending cuts Republicans demanded in the separate government funding process, which has a deadline of Sept. 30.

That is the appropriate place to debate and discuss our nations fiscal picture  not in a hostage-situation in which extreme MAGA Republicans try to impose their radical agenda on America, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a joint statement Monday evening.

We do not have the luxury of waiting until June 1 to come together, pass a clean bill to avoid a default and prevent catastrophic consequences for our economy and millions of American families. Republicans cannot allow right-wing extremism to hold our nation hostage," they wrote.

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Biden also called Congress' top two Republicans, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, on Monday, even as McCarthy is in Israel on an official trip.

Republicans have continued to call on Biden to hash out a deal with McCarthy, while Democrats have insisted on lifting the threat of default before budget negotiations take place.

We knew it was coming, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said of the new debt ceiling deadline. "That provides a little more information for President Biden to get off the couch and talk to Speaker McCarthy and work something out."

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said that "America doesn't default, so let's just take this off" the table and use the appropriations process to address the GOP's demands on spending cuts.

"No other country creates this kind of self-inflicted threat of putting a dagger at their own economic well-being," he said. "This is not Democrat versus Republican. This is the debt that was created by both parties. ... Stop threatening to default."

Republicans, he said, "are creating a crisis."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Prince Harry will not have an official role in King Charles' coronation ceremony like his older brother, Prince William.

Harry was not mentioned in the liturgy of the coronation service, which means he will not speak, or have an important role in the historic crowning of his father.

William not only has an official role, but he will be the only royal family member to speak during the service.

According to the liturgy of the service, about halfway through the ceremony, William will kneel before his father, place his hands between his and recite: "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."

PRINCE WILLIAM WILL HONOR KING CHARLES IN HIS CORONATION ROLE

Prince Harry will not have an official role in King Charles' coronation service. He stepped away from his duties as a senior member of the royal family in 2020.

William is the only member of the royal family who will honor Charles in this way during the coronation service. He will also appear as the Stole Royal and the Robe Royal are presented to the king. William will assist both the Baroness Merron and the bishops in placing the robe on Charles.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Harry might have been snubbed, but William's son, Prince George, was named as one of Charles' Pages of Honour. According to The Telegraph, George will be the youngest future king to partake in a coronation.

Prince William has an official role in the coronation while his brother, Prince Harry, does not.

Prince William will be the only royal family member to have a speaking role in Charles' coronation.

KING CHARLES' WIFE RECEIVES QUEEN CAMILLA TITLE ON CORONATION INVITATION, PRINCE GEORGE GIVEN SPECIAL ROLE

William's two other children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are not expected to have as important of a role as their brother, but will attend their grandfather's coronation and likely will sit with the audience.

Prince George was listed as one of Charles' four Pages of Honour.

It's not a surprise that Harry won't have a role in the coronation service after he stepped away from his duties as a senior member of the royal family in 2020 and moved to California with his wife, Meghan Markle.

Buckingham Palace previously confirmed that Harry would attend the coronation and the Duchess of Sussex will remain across the pond with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Archie will celebrate his fourth birthday the same day as King Charles' coronation ceremony.

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A source told Page Six that Harry will return to the States immediately after the coronation services so he can celebrate his son's birthday.

Prince Harry will attend the coronation service without his wife, Meghan Markle.

Charles and Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6. Buckingham Palace shared the announcement in October of last year.

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Coronation services begin at 11 a.m. local time, and will be followed by a "much larger in scale" procession back to the Palace.

New details have emerged surrounding the guest list and religious ceremony expected on Saturday.

King Charles III's coronation day will also include Queen Consort Camilla  as she becomes Queen Camilla.

According to the Palace, more than 2,200 people will attend Charles' coronation, with 203 international representatives and roughly 100 Heads of State on the guest list.

"In addition to the guests seated in the Abbey, 400 young people representing charitable organizations nominated by The King and The Queen Consort and the UK Government, will have the opportunity to watch the Coronation Service and Processions from inside St Margarets Church, Westminster Abbey, by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster," the press release read.
Princess Anne and her borther King Charles behind the hearse carrying the coffin of their mother Queen Elizabeth II

Princess Anne has said slimming down the British monarchy is not a good idea in an interview with Canadian public broadcaster CBC ahead of her brother's coronation this weekend.

King Charles III's only sister, who is often referred to as the hardest-working royal and who undertook 214 public engagements last year, explained that the family is already stretched thin.

"I think the 'slimmed down' (idea) was said in a day when there were a few more people around. It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I would say. I'm not quite sure what else we can do," the 72-year-old said when asked about proposals floated to modernize the monarchy.

She added that she does not expect any major changes to the functioning of the institution under King Charles.

"Well, you know what you're getting because he's been practicing for a bit, and I don't think he'll change," she said, in the interview broadcast late Monday

"You know, he is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true."

The royal family, she said, would support Charles in his role as King, as they did their mother Queen Elizabeth II before her death at age 96 in September 2022.

Charles's coronation, which will be attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is scheduled for Saturday.

Several events to mark the beginning of his reign have been scheduled in Canada, including Indigenous music performances, the release of a new stamp and a 21-gun salute fired from Parliament Hill.

Canadians, however, are conflicted, with 54 percent, according to a recent Ipsos poll, believing Canada should end its formal ties to the monarchy.

Eight in ten approved of Queen Elizabeth, but only 56 percent are confident her son Charles will do a good job as king.

Pitching its benefits to Canadians, Princess Anne said: "I would just underline that the monarchy provides with the Constitution a degree of long term stability. This is actually quite hard to come by any other way."

amc/bgs
Princess Charlotte has a big smile on her face ahead of her 8th birthday.

Kate Middleton and Prince William took to their official, royal Instagram on Monday to celebrate their daughter's big day on May 2.

"Wishing Princess Charlotte a very happy birthday! 8 tomorrow," the caption read, with a few festive emojis.

Photo credit was given to "The Princess," referring to Kate.

The young royal was seen in a summer dress in the photo that was taken last weekend at Windsor.

KING CHARLES' WIFE RECEIVES QUEEN CAMILLA TITLE ON CORONATION INVITATION, PRINCE GEORGE GIVEN SPECIAL ROLE

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

On Charlotte's big day, the Prince and Princess of Wales thanked users for the warm birthday wishes while sharing a second picture of their daughter.

Charlotte beamed in a blue and white striped sweater as she clung to their family black cocker spaniel, Orla.

Charlotte's birthday falls on the same week that her grandfather, King Charles III, will be crowned in his historic coronation ceremony on Saturday.

Although Charlotte and her younger brother, Prince Louis, will not have official roles in the ceremony, her father and older brother, Prince George, will honor Charles in traditional roles.

William not only has an official role, but he will be the only royal family member to speak during the service.

Portrait of Princess Charlotte issued by Kensington Palace.

According to the liturgy of the service, about halfway through the ceremony, William will kneel before his father, place his hands between his and recite: "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."

William is the only member of the royal family who will honor Charles in this way during the coronation service.

Charlotte's older brother Prince George, will have an official role in King Charles' coronation.

He will also appear as the Stole Royal and the Robe Royal are presented to the king. William will assist both the Baroness Merron and the bishops in placing the robe on Charles.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Story continues

Prince William has an official role in the coronation while his brother, Prince Harry, does not.

Charlotte's uncle, Prince Harry, was snubbed in the coronation service and will not have an official role, according to the liturgy of the service.

George was named as one of Charles' Pages of Honour. According to The Telegraph, George will be the youngest future king to partake in a coronation.
Three dresses that once belonged to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, will be auctioned off in Los Angeles this summer.

The sale of more than 1,000 objects closely associated with cultural figures, known as the Hollywood Legends collection, has been announced by Juliens Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

The auction will take place on 26 and 27 August, the weekend before the 26th anniversary of Princess Dianas tragic death on 31 August.

Three designer dresses that were owned by the princess that have no been seen in public for more than 30 years are expected to sell for between 48k to 320k.

A scarlet silk dress by British designer Bruce Oldfield is expected to fetch the highest bid between 160k and 320k. Diana wore the gown to the premiere of Hot Shots! at the Odeon in Leicester Square in November 1991.

She attended the event with president Arpad Goncz of Hungary and his wife.

The other two dresses being auctioned are by Catherine Walker, who was Dianas personal designer for more than 16 years and created the black cocktail dress she was buried in.

(PA)

One of the dresses is a strapless gown made of white silk crepe with bold bands of black silk velvet and silk lining, which the princess wore to a private function.

It is expected to fetch between 48k and 64k at auction.

The second is a black and jade short-sleeved gown with a draped silk skirt that Diana wore to a gala dinner at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto in 1986, which is expected to sell for between 80k and 160k.

(PA)

The Hollywood Legends collection will be auctioned live in Beverly Hills, while international bidders can also join online.

Ahead of the auction, Dianas dresses will be previewed at the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware in Co Kildare, Ireland, from 5 May, the day before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

They will be displayed alongside the museums permanent Diana exhibition, which includes pieces like the pale pink Emanuel blouse worn in her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981.

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Darren Julien, founder of the auction house, said: Juliens Auctions is pleased to announce our latest auction presentation with our esteemed partner TCM featuring two marquee collections that truly embody the stuff of legends, Warner Bros and Princess Diana.

Together, we look forward to celebrating 100 years of Warner Bros and over 10 centuries of the royal family with our special showcase of treasures from the legendary Hollywood movie studio and the beloved peoples princess, one of the most photographed women in the world, who changed the monarchy forever and whose persona continues to captivate the public and Hollywood today through tributes and film and television works about her life.

Juliens Auctions will announce the full line-up in the coming weeks, including items from the set of Warner Bros films to mark the studios 100th anniversary.

Additonal reporting by PA
Princess Grace Kellys granddaughter Charlotte Casiraghi made a royal appearance at the Met Gala when she walked the red carpet at the event honouring Karl Lagerfeld.

On Monday 1 May, Casiraghi, the daughter of Caroline of Hanover and the granddaughter of Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, joined fashion royalty when she arrived on the red carpet-covered steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

For the occasion, Casiraghi, who is an ambassador and spokesperson for Chanel, where Lagerfeld served as creative director from 1983 until his death in 2019, wore a black lace off-the-shoulder vintage Chanel gown.

The late royals granddaughter completed the look with a sleek updo, a black clutch and simple drop earrings.

As she posed on the red carpet ahead of the unveiling of the Costume Institutes new exhibition, Casiraghi joined fellow Chanel ambassadors Kristen Stewart and Sofia Coppola.

Casiraghis attendance at the event is not surprising, as both she and her mother Princess Caroline had a close relationship with the late German designer.

Its been more than 45 years of friendship, Caroline, who often attended Lagerfelds shows, told French magazine Point de Vue following Lagerfelds death.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)

Casiraghi also had a history of working with the late creative directors fashion houses, as she made headlines when she appeared on horseback for Chanel during its spring summer 2022 show in Paris.

This is not the first time that Grace Kellys granddaughter attended the Met Gala, as she previously attended the exclusive fashion event in 2019, 2018 and 2016. She is also not the first royal to do so, as Princess Diana and Princess Beatrice both attended the annual gala, while Queen Rania of Jordan joined Casiraghi at the 2016 fashion extravaganza.

(Getty Images)

Casiraghis presence at the Met Gala was not the only link to her late grandmother. Acrtor Elle Fanning revealed that the 1955 Cartier Grain de Cafe necklace she wore to the event was reminiscent of the one worn by Grace Kelly in a 1955 royal portrait, according to Harpers Bazaar.

Grace Kelly became Princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III in April 1956, with the pair going on to have three children, Princess Caroline, Prince Albert II, and Princess Stephanie. The American actress turned royal died in a car accident in 1982 after suffering a stroke while driving.
Andre Boyer, an agent for the Strategic Intervention Tactical Enforcement (S.I.T.E.), is seen patrolling the sidewalk outside of a Karco gas station in North Philadelphia, Pa., armed with a Bullpup shotgun, on April 24, 2023.

Andre Boyer, an agent for the Strategic Intervention Tactical Enforcement (S.I.T.E.), is seen patrolling the sidewalk outside of a Karco gas station in North Philadelphia, Pa., armed with a Bullpup shotgun, on April 24, 2023. Credit - Michelle Gustafson for TIME

This story is one of three in Insecure, a series about the private security industry.

Andre Boyer enters the gas station like a soldierback straight, boots shined, AR-15 pointed towards the floor. Hes late to meet me, he says, because his employee caught a shoplifter and he needed to sort through red tape. He seems unaware of the flutter of anxiety spreading through the store as customers see his weapon, handcuffs, and bulletproof vest. But if anyone asked, which they dont, hed assure them that hes there for their own good, even though its hard to be relaxed in the presence of a loaded gun.

Were not here to beat people up, says Boyer, who heads S.I.T.E, a private protection agency that is patrolling gas stations and hotels in Philadelphia at the behest of store owners. Were here to let the public know that they can feel safe.

Boyers armed guard service has boomed over the last year as Philadelphia police staffing issues led to longer response times. Neil Patel, the owner of this Karco gas station, says he hired Boyer in December after thieves stole an ATM from his gas station and the police didnt respond for six hours.

Patel is not the only business owner shelling out money for private security as police departments across the U.S. lose staff. Already struggling to recruit new applicants in 2019, police departments saw a spike of retirements and a drop-off in new recruits after the 2020 murder of George Floyd and subsequent backlash against police, says Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum. In Philadelphia alone, police staffing levels dropped nearly 10% from the end of 2019 to the end of 2022, a recent government audit found. Nationally, the number of sworn officers dropped 7% between 2019 and 2021, according to FBI data.

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While police departments were losing officers, crime was rising in many parts of America. Murders, assaults, and car thefts rose nationally in 2020, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, and an increase in homelessness has heightened anxieties about safety. These factors bolstered the private security industry, which had already been growing steadily since the terrorist attacks of September 11 but has boomed since 2020. There are roughly twice as many security guards employed in the U.S. than there were 20 years ago, according to the Security Industry Association, though the nations population has only grown 16% over the same time period. By 2021, there were about 2 police officers but 3.1 security guards for every 1,000 civilians.

Private security is going to take over everything, says Boyer, the Philadelphia armed guard. He adds that a father recently hired him to take his two children to the movies, armed with a shotgun, to make sure they were safe.

A view into the Karco gas station with a surveillance feed is seen in North Philadelphia, Pa. on April 24, 2023. Michelle Gustafson for TIME

Private security signals an unequal economy

The rise of private security is both driven by income inequalitywealthy people have more things to protect and money to spend to protect themand exacerbates it. For every Neil Patel who decides to shell out $750 a day for round-the-clock armed guards, there are thousands of business owners and civilians who have to make do with what their taxes can buy. The Los Angeles Police Department is not meeting its staffing goals, for instance, but its neighbor, tony Beverly Hills, Calif., has hired two security firms whose employees patrol the city in cars or on foot as an extension of the police, says Todd Johnson, CEO of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

In the last two years, with everything we have gone through, we want to make sure that the luxury capital of the world is also one of the safest places, Johnson says.

Residents and business associations in upper-middle class neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Chicago, Neponsit, N.Y. and San Franciscos Marina District have chipped in extra money to hire private security because residents report feeling unsafe. By contrast, in New Orleans, a city where the median income is about half that in Beverly Hills, police response times have tripled, from 51 minutes in 2019 to 146 minutes last year.

Wealthy cities can also attract more police officers because they have the tax base to offer high wages and benefits. Seattle, for instance, is offering an $80,000 salary and $30,000 signing bonus. But poorer police departments cant come close to matching that kind of money, says Wexler, with the Police Executive Research Forum. This is what keeps police chiefs and mayors up at nightwho are going to be the future police officers in their city, he says.

Karco gas station manager Neil Patel. Michelle Gustafson for TIME

This have and have-not of protection is one sign of an unequal economy. Sociologists use the term guard labor economy to describe a situation where a growing number of people are employed in jobs where they exercise control over people and protect private property. As inequality rises and there is more media coverage of crime, companies allocate more labor to protecting their property, says Luke Petach, a professor of economics at Belmont University, whose research has found that places with higher shares of people employed in guard labor are correlated with more inequality and racial animosity.

Deborah Avant, a professor at the University of Denver who studies the security industry globally, says that inequality leads us to think of security in narrower and narrower waysprotecting our stuff rather than generating communities where we are all safe.

A mile or so south of where Boyer and his company are patrolling the gas station, William Miller steers a decommissioned police car etched with JNS Protection Services around the green zone, a 10 block area bordering the campus of Temple University. Jennifer Hedberg, the mom of a Temple University student, hired JNS Protection Services to patrol the streets in 2021 after another student at the college was shot and killed in an apparent carjacking. (Like many city police departments, the Temple University police have had trouble recruiting, and now have about 40% fewer officers on patrol than a decade ago, says Alec Shaffer, the president of the Temple University Police Association. Temple did not return multiple requests for comment.)

Hedberg says she set up our own perimeter, having JNS patrol the blocks on which her son and his girlfriend lived, and then asking for donations from parents of other students living there. She admits that JNS security cant really do anything if they see a crime in progress except call the police, and that the workers are not as vetted as the police, but she says the patrols give parents and kids peace of mind knowing someone is there.

As he drives around, Miller, a former fitness trainer, takes pictures at intersections and dictates what he is seeing into his phone. But only some parents can access these reports. Thats because Stacy Fritz, the mom who took over organizing the patrols after Hedbergs son graduated, made a private Facebook group to share the reports and only admits parents who donatebecause, she says, she wasnt raising enough money to keep the patrols funded when any parent could access the reports. The cost of having a security guard patrol six hours a day, six hours a week, adds up to about $17,000 per semester, or around $1,000 a week.

The parents who organize the patrols are the ones who get to determine the rules. It breaks my heart when people say, My son isnt in the zone, can you extend it? says Fritz. But then they just get too big and you dont feel as safe.

The Karco gas station is seen in North Philadelphia, Pa. Michelle Gustafson

Security guards dont always make communities safer

Ostensibly security guards are hired to make people feel safer. But, understandably, some civilians feel uneasy around the increased presence of guns and guards who are largely unregulated. Because the laws regulating private security vary from state to state, theres a gray area where neither guards, their employers, nor the public seem to know exactly what a private security officer can and cant do on the job.

Though many security companies will say that their employees act only as a deterrent and should call the police if they see a crime occurring, others appear to have a different take. Boyer, the Philadelphia guard, says that if someone steals something from the gas station where he works, the law allows him to go after that person to retrieve the property; he is currently getting eight Rottweilers trained to help him reclaim stolen property.

(A spokesman from the Pennsylvania State Police disagreed that Boyer could act like a police officer at the gas station, though the law in Pennsylvania does allow private citizens a good amount of leeway, says Rick McCann, the founder and CEO of Private Officer International, an association for security and law enforcement professionals. Pennsylvania and about 30 other states allow people to get trained as private police officers, which gives them full arrest authority on the private properties where theyre employed, McCann says.)

And some security guards, including Boyer, have contentious relationships with the police, which complicates questions of authority. Boyer worked for the Philadelphia Police Department from 1997 until 2013, when he was terminated, he says, for blowing the whistle on police misconduct. (The Philadelphia Police Dept. did not return multiple requests for comment.)

In 2021, Boyer was guarding a hotel when, according to a complaint he filed in U.S. District Court, two women acting belligerent assaulted him and spit in his face. He tasered one and then handcuffed her and called the police, but when the police arrived, they arrested Boyer, detaining him for 16 hours until the district attorney decided not to press charges. He is suing the police for wrongful arrest and says he was fully within his rights to defend himself. If it comes to that, I will take a life, he says.

Andre Boyer stands for a portrait while patrolling a Karco gas station armed with a Bullpup shotgun. Michelle Gustafson for TIME

The presence of armed security guards in public settings does not even appear to be reducing violenceor crime. Walgreens said in an earnings call in January, for instance, that it was reverting to putting law enforcement in its stores rather than security officers because the security companies are proven to be largely ineffective.

On the campus of Temple University, where parents paid for private security patrols and where the university also hired a private security firm to supplement campus police, a campus officer was shot and killed in February, an off-campus home was firebombed in November, and Temple students in three separate off-campus homes were the victims of armed home invasions in November 2022. Temple University president Jason Wingard resigned in late March amid growing concerns about safety.

You can increase policing, or security. But safety is a double edged sword, says Veronica Rin, a Temple freshman who is thinking of transferring because of the violence around campus. Its not just about presence. Its also how people feel.

In February, Rin was walking by a campus building that holds a public food court when she and a friend saw a group of teenagers punching and kicking an older man on the street. A security guard employed by Allied Universal was posted on the corner, near where the fight was happening, but he didnt interveneTemple later said that the guard did what he was supposed to do and called the police. Rin stepped in and broke up the fight. Students captured her actions on camera and local news labeled her a hero, but the incident made her feel even more uneasy because she knows just how little private security will do.

I would love to have someone who was like John Wick who made sure I was safe all the time, she says, but Im just a college kid in America.

I recently visited the spot where Rin broke up the fight; I was talking to the Allied Universal guard posted there when a call came over his radio that there was a fight happening inside the food court. By the time we got inside, the fight was over; two women had been screaming and throwing chairs at each other, a student told me, but workers from Panda Express had deescalated the situation.

I wondered if that food court fight would have gone differently had Andre Boyer been there with his AR-15 and then I was immediately glad that he wasnt. I imagined a gun and a crowded dining hall and the terrible things that could have happened next.

Its true that Neil Patel, the gas station owner, says he hasnt had to report one criminal incident since Boyers firm started patrolling his lot. Before then, he says, his store was a constant blur of crime; people stealing and carjackingone time, his car was vandalized while police were in the store, taking down a report about another crime. Hes sick of it all. I asked: couldnt an armed guard have escalated those situations and led to someone being killed? Too bad, he said. They deserve it. Then he retreated behind the bulletproof glass shielding his cash register.
The proxy war in Ukraine is an imperialist adventure



By Editorial

May 01, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " SCF " -- The proxy war in Ukraine is an imperialist adventure that has been financially ruinous, has destroyed Ukraine, and is driving a dangerous all-out war with Russia and China that could turn into a nuclear Armageddon.

It has become patently obvious to the world that the conflict in Ukraine is a dirty and desperate geopolitical confrontation, despite massive Western media efforts to portray it as something else more noble  the usual charade of chivalry and virtue to disguise naked Western imperialism.

The death and destruction in Ukraine is nothing but a proxy war by the United States and its NATO partners to defeat Russia in a strategic gambit. But the unspoken objective does not end with Russia. The U.S. and its Western imperialist lackeys are driven to push for confrontation with China too.

As if taking on Russia is not reckless enough! The Western powers want to double down on their warmongering with China. This is all because the underlying impetus is for Washington and its Western minions to promote U.S.-led dominance of the global order. Russia and China are the main obstacles to that path of would-be dominance, and hence we see this manic drive for aggression stemming from Washington, the executive power of the Western order.

It should be obvious that while the U.S.-led NATO axis has stoked the war in Ukraine to calamitous heights, this same axis is wantonly inciting tensions with China. This observation alone should be enough to condemn the criminality of Western powers.

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This week saw the NATO powers deliver depleted uranium weapons to the Kiev regime, while the United States announced that it would be docking submarine nuclear warheads in South Korea, a move that infuriated China which pointed out that Washington was violating decades-old commitments to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Of course, such perverse provocation is par for the course as far as Washington is concerned. It is done deliberately in a conscious effort to exacerbate tensions and escalate militarism. Peace and security are anathemas to the U.S. (and its minions) whose whole ideological raison detre is to aggravate war to gratify corporate capitalist addiction  a system that is increasingly bankrupt and dysfunctional, and hence the insane desperation for craving war-fixes.

In a scathing speech to the United Nations Security Council this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that the conflict in Ukraine cannot be properly resolved without an understanding of the geopolitical context. In other words, the war in the former Soviet republic which erupted last February has bigger causes than what the Western powers and their compliant news media would try to pretend otherwise.

Defense of Ukraine? Defense of democracy? Defense of international law? Defense of national sovereignty? These are some of the laughable claims made by Washington and its allies. One only has to consider the decades of total trashing of the UN Charter and democratic principles by the United States and its rogue partners in their pursuit of criminal wars to realize that their virtue-signaling over Ukraine is a vile joke.

Lavrovs address to the Security Council was a stunning rebuke of the hypocrisy and criminality of the United States, Britain, France, Germany and other NATO powers, as well as the European Union. His speech was akin to the scene in the classic old movie The Wizard of Oz when the curtain was pulled back on the buffoonish villain for all to see. Any objective observer would agree with the Russian foreign ministers excoriating survey of modern history and why the war in Ukraine has tragically manifested. Lamentably, if we fail to understand history and the real causes of conflicts, then we are condemned to repeat the horrors.

Ironically, Western leaders have at times revealed the bigger geopolitical agenda with their own misspoken arrogant words. U.S. President Joe Biden had previously blurted out a call for regime change in Moscow while his senior aides, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, have succumbed to the intoxication of their narcissism and hubris by saying that the purpose of the war in Ukraine is the defeat of Russia.

Other NATO senior figures, such as the stupid, conceited Polish leaders and their Baltic buddies, have also come out and stated that the wars ulterior agenda is to vanquish Russia. The fascist skeletons of their Nazi-collusion past have resurrected their deathly rattles, uncontrollably.

As Lavrovs address to the Security Council intimates, the systematic violation of the UN Charter by the United States and its Western partners is a deplorable continuation of the Nazi fascism and imperialist barbarism that was supposed to have been defeated in World War Two. The culmination of the constant, unbridled Western imperialist criminality and its state terrorism is the current war in Ukraine and the growing aggression toward China over Taiwan as a pretext.

In all of this, woefully, the Western public has been flagrantly lied to by their governments and media as to the real nature of the war in Ukraine. American and European citizens have been bilked for hundreds of billions of dollars to prop up a Nazi regime in Kiev whose function is to act as a NATO spear-tip against Russia, and ultimately China when the NATO powers feel they are done with Ukraine. (The latter is a futile ambition, as is becoming increasingly evident.)

Journalists and antiwar activists in the West who highlight the malfeasance over Ukraine are either sacked, vilified, censored, or sanctioned into poverty, or even imprisoned.

Nevertheless, the Western public and the rest of the world are increasingly becoming aware of the odious charade. By definition, charades are inevitably untenable.

The Global South  the majority of the 193 nations at the UN  has had it with Western capitalist hegemony and its outrageous neocolonialist privileges. The incremental dumping of the U.S. dollar as an international reserve currency for trade is a testament to the historic shift towards a multipolar order in defiance of Western unipolar elitism. The nations of Africa, Latin America and Asia understand that the U.S.-led NATO war in Ukraine is a desperate last-ditch bid to preserve an imperialist global order which should have been eradicated after World War Two with the establishment of the United Nations, but which, regrettably, was not. Because the root cause of imperialism is the AngloAmerican-led Western capitalist order. The end of World War Two, as with World War One, was but a pause in the historical killing machine.

It is now increasingly evident in the light of leaked documents from the Pentagon that the war in Ukraine is a disaster. The Kiev regime is facing defeat at the hands of superior Russian forces even though that regime has been flooded with weapons by the United States and NATO. Great expectations of a Ukrainian victory that were widely predicted by Western leaders and media have been shown to be empty, contemptible lies.

The side-show of this war is a gargantuan racket. Western arms companies have raked in unprecedented profits, while the NATO-backed cabal in Kiev has skimmed off hundreds of millions of dollars. This is the same Kiev regime that is burning down Orthodox Christian churches, exterminating the Russian language, lionizing World War Two Nazi criminals, and locking up any critical opposition and media.

But the main takeaway is the lies that the United States and Western lackeys, including the entire media industry, have been telling about the proxy war in Ukraine. This war is an imperialist adventure that has been financially ruinous, has destroyed Ukraine, and is driving a dangerous all-out war with Russia and China that could turn into a nuclear armageddon.

We should not be surprised by such blatant lying and deception. President Joe Biden and his administration have been telling barefaced lies to conceal the corruption oozing out of Bidens own family. Biden and his son Hunter have exploited Ukraine since the CIA-backed coup in Kiev in 2014 for personal enrichment. The president has even reportedly got his senior aides to do his bidding to censor intelligence agencies and media from revealing to the public the corruption at the heart of his family. (Risibly, the truth is smeared as Russian or Chinese disinformation!)

The lies that Biden and his administration tell about personal corruption are indelibly coupled with the lies told about the proxy war in Ukraine.

It is increasingly clear that the American public, the European public, and the rest of the world have been duped in multiple ways. The phony war in Ukraine is exposing the deep, stinking well of corruption in this White House. There will be hell to pay.
There are problems with communication provided by Russian operators in the occupied territories of Kherson Oblast.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 2 May

Quote: "There are significant problems with the mobile communication of Russian operators in Hornostaivka, Kherson Oblast, in contrast to the stable connection of Ukrainian national mobile operators."

Details: As the General Staff states, the local command of the Russian occupying forces explains this fact by the results caused by damage inflicted by Ukraines Armed Forces.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Progressive group NextGen PAC endorsed President Biden for reelection on Tuesday, giving the president a boost with young voters a week after announcing his 2024 bid.

The group pointed to Bidens work on student debt, gun safety, LGBTQ rights, marijuana reform, and economic justice as reasons for their endorsement.

It is clear that Biden is not only listening to us, but is taking robust action to signal to young people across the country that unprecedented change is possible, NextGen PAC President Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez said in a statement.

For the millions of young Americans who flocked to the polls in 2020, his transformative leadership has proven that their votes can make a difference. Young voters are ready to elect Joe Biden again to ensure he finishes the job, she added.

Bidens student loan plan has been held up in court, which has raised questions over how enthusiastic young voters and progressives would be about his reelection campaign.

Most high-profile progressives in Congress have said theyll support Bidens reelection bid, despite ongoing criticism of his policies.

Young Americans want decisive leadership and action for a safer, stronger, and more equitable America, and President Biden is fighting for that future, Kevin Munoz, spokesperson for Biden-Harris 2024 campaign, said in a statement.

Activating and mobilizing young Americans will be mission-critical to expanding our winning 2020 coalition in 2024, and with NextGens network of young Americans across the country, we are one step closer to that goal, he added.

NextGen plans to have on-the-ground staff in nine critical states in 2024: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

NextGen America was founded by billionaire Tom Steyer, who made an unsuccessful bid for the White House as a Democrat in 2020. The group says it helped mobilize 1 in every 9 young voters who cast a ballot in 2020.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jeremy Fogel, executive director at the Berkeley Judicial Institute, testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court ethics reform on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 2, 2023. (Sarah Silbiger/The New York Times).

WASHINGTON  A prominent conservative former federal judge joined a chorus of legal experts from across the political spectrum Tuesday in calling on Congress to enact new ethical standards for Supreme Court justices, after a series of revelations about the justices undisclosed gifts, luxury travel and property deals.

The statement by Judge J. Michael Luttig, a retired appeals court judge revered by some conservatives, came as the Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee prepared to hold a hearing on Supreme Court ethics. Pressure has mounted among progressives for a stricter code of conduct for the justices, the nations highest judges, who are appointed to lifetime terms and are bound by few disclosure requirements.

Congress indisputably has the power under the Constitution to enact laws prescribing the ethical standards applicable to the nonjudicial conduct and activities of the Supreme Court of the United States, Luttig said in a written statement presented to the Judiciary Committee.

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The judge, who served on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and was close to being nominated for the Supreme Court, was among several legal experts across the political spectrum who released testimony before a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in which they supported strengthening ethical rules at the court.

It is time for Congress to accept its responsibility to establish an enforceable code of ethics for the Supreme Court, the only agency of our government without it, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and the committees chair, said in a statement released in the days before the hearing.

During the hearing Tuesday, lawmakers are expected to hear from five experts, including Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge who directs the Berkeley Judicial Institute at the University of California, Berkeley; Kedric Payne, a vice president of the Campaign Legal Center, a campaign watchdog group; Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia who specializes in legal ethics; Michael B. Mukasey, who served as attorney general in the George W. Bush administration from 2007 to 2009; and Thomas H. Dupree Jr., a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

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Luttig and Laurence Tribe, an emeritus professor of constitutional law at Harvard Law School who is a hero among some progressives, both released statements in support of ethical guidelines, but both declined to appear before the committee.

Tribe said he would leave it to others to say whether the current crisis is sufficiently grave to call for particular legislative measures, but that he saw the attempt to use legislation to impose ethical norms in a binding way on the justices as eminently sensible.

I see such legislation as a necessary though probably not sufficient response to the current situation, Tribe wrote.

Tribe added that he believed it would be entirely prudent for Congress to enact norms in the form of rules binding on the justices if only as a prophylactic measure to stop the court from being cast into an ever darker shadow unhelpful to the esteem required for it to perform its function as a branch of government lacking both the sword and the purse and thus dependent on public respect for its integrity.

Calls for the Supreme Court justices to be subject to an ethics code have grown in recent weeks after revelations about justices gifts, luxury travel and property deals highlighted how few reporting requirements are in place and how the justices are often left to police themselves.

ProPublica revealed that Justice Clarence Thomas had failed to disclose gifts, trips and a real estate deal with a wealthy Republican donor and real estate billionaire, Harlan Crow. The justice accepted flights on Crows private jet to Bohemian Grove, an exclusive retreat in Northern California; an island vacation aboard his superyacht in Indonesia; and trips to Crows 105-acre lakeside resort in the Adirondack Mountains. None appeared on the justices financial disclosure forms.

The justice also failed to disclose a real estate deal with Crow in which the billionaire bought properties from the justice and his family, including Thomas mothers home in Savannah, Georgia. Crow paid $133,363 to the justice and his family for the property, according to records filed at Chatham County courthouse dated Oct. 15, 2014. Thomas mother, Leola Williams, still lives in the home.

Justice Neil Gorsuch sold property to the chief executive of a major law firm that often has business before the court and did not disclose the identity of the buyer, as was first reported by Politico. Experts said it underscored the need for reform.

Durbin sought the testimony of Chief Justice John Roberts, but the chief justice released a letter last week declining an invitation to testify, citing separation of powers issues. In a statement that accompanied his letter, all nine justices signed onto a statement of ethics principles and practices laying out the guidelines that they use to govern their behavior and disclosures.

They said that they follow the same general ethical standards that apply to other federal judges. But they also said they may be limited in what to disclose because of security concerns. In fact, financial disclosures are not filed immediately and must be submitted each year in May.

There has been discussion in recent years that the justices adopt rules governing their behavior.

The chief justice wrote in 2011 in his year-end report that the justices did not need to be bound by the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, which applies to other federal judges.

All members of the court do in fact consult the code of conduct in assessing their ethical obligations, he wrote, adding: Every justice seeks to follow high ethical standards, and the Judicial Conferences code of conduct provides a current and uniform source of guidance designed with specific reference to the needs and obligations of the federal judiciary.

Justice Elena Kagan told a House committee in 2019 that Roberts was studying the question of whether to have a code of judicial conduct thats applicable only to the United States Supreme Court.

The justices have not announced such a code of conduct.

In light of the Supreme Courts failure to take action, Congress must step in to protect the justices from themselves, Frost said in prepared testimony.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Wind turbines seen in the waters off Rhode Island. The handful of turbines are the only ones currently operational in waters off the U.S. coast, although the federal government has plans to add hundreds more in the coming years.

Offshore wind may have strong support in the White House and in the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh, but it remains clear that support for the "green" power alternative to traditional fossil fuel power sources remains far from unanimous in North Carolina.

With decarbonizing the nation's energy grid to help fight climate change one of his administration's goals, President Joe Biden has said he hopes offshore wind farms will power as many as 10 million American homes by 2030. That push has seen a flurry of new projects announced or initiated in recent years, including the auctioning off a pair of ocean sites south of Brunswick County for more than $300 million in May 2022.

MORE Could the slowing economy take the financial wind out of NC's offshore wind farms?

A third project, a 2.5-gigawatt farm 27 miles off the Outer Banks in an area that was auctioned off late last decade, is already well into the planning process.

The federal government also has identified two potential sites farther off the Outer Banks in deeper waters, where floating wind turbines would be needed to produce power. Those sites could substantially help meet Gov. Roy Cooper's goal of North Carolina producing 8 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2040.

But the idea of turbines rising more than 800 feet from the ocean's surface has met with resistance from oceanfront property owners worried about the wind farms disrupting their pristine coastal views and local officials scared they could impact the coast's vital tourism industry. Fishermen also have raised concerns about the wind farms placing rich fishing grounds out of bounds, and from some environmentalists worried about them negatively impacting marine life, especially the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.

More recently, an increasing number of dead whales in the New York City area has prompted a number of officials there to question if preparations for wind farms in the area has played a role in the animal's deaths.

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Two companies. one of which is Duke Energy, are paying $300 million to lease ocean areas roughly 20 miles south of Bald Head Island for proposed offshore wind farms.

CROWDED SEAS For highly endangered North Atlantic right whales, offshore wind brings a lot of unknowns

Protecting coastal resources

Those lingering concerns have resurfaced in a proposed bill in Raleigh. Senate Bill 687, sponsored by Republican Sens. Tim Moffitt from Henderson County and Bobby Hanig from Currituck County, calls for a 10-year moratorium on the issuance of any required state permits for offshore wind-power projects within state waters, which extend 3 nautical miles off the coast. While the wind farms would be built in federal waters, transmission lines to bring the power ashore and likely other infrastructure would need state permitting approval.

"A moratorium on the development of offshore wind power projects will allow the state to undergo a review of applicable state laws and rules to determine whether the existing offshore wind power regulatory framework adequately protects North Carolina's coastal resources in a manner that avoids or minimizes adverse effects on coastal resources and uses," the bill states.

Calls and emails to Moffitt and Hanig were not returned.

A man touches a dead whale in Lido Beach, N.Y., on Jan. 31, 2023. The 35-foot humpback whale is one of several whales that have washed up along the shores of New York and New Jersey in recent months, leading some to blame offshore wind farm activity for the animals' deaths.

WHALE WOES More hungry whales are flocking to ship-infested waters. It's a tragic vicious cycle near NYC.

Dr. Andrew Read, a marine biologist at Duke University and director of the school's marine lab, said while researchers were waiting for the results of necropsy reports on the whales that washed up in the Northeast, he wasn't aware of any new research or recent studies that had fingered offshore wind activity as the culprit for the uptick in marine mammal deaths.

Regarding concerns about the impacts of offshore wind farms on fishing grounds, Read said research gleaned from European offshore wind farms show they can help create habitat for marine life, helping recreational fishermen.

"There probably will be some minor impacts on commercial fishing because it's hard to trawl around them, but most of the projects proposed for off our coast aren't in areas considered critical fishery habitats," he said.

Wind farms in those areas farther offshore in deeper waters could impact long-line fishermen seeking species like tuna and swordfish.

"But we're a long way from doing anything in those areas," Read added.

Economic potential for North Carolina

As the bill to slow down the state's wind farms ruminates in Raleigh, 130 miles down Interstate 40 officials on Thursday were talking up the benefits of offshore wind and other clean energy sources at the Wilmington Sister Cities panel discussion dubbed "Path to Carbon Neutrality."

Karly Lohan, program and outreach manager with the Southeastern Wind Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for wind energy development in the Southeastern U.S., said North Carolina has the highest wind resource potential of any state on the East Coast.

MORE NC Ports proposes Morehead City site as hub for offshore wind industry

Building on its existing strong manufacturing base, she said that offers the state the potential to become a hub for the still-developing offshore wind industry. Diversifying the power grid by adding renewables, like wind and solar, could also help prevent  or at least lessen  grid failures like North Carolina saw last Christmas.

But Lohan also added a word of caution.

She said networking together all of these diverse power sources will only work if North Carolina and other states step up their efforts to upgrade and expand their transmission systems to help get the power from where it's produced, often in rural areas, to the more urban areas where the demand exists.

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Concerns over offshore wind farms resurface in proposed NC bill
The Butler County Prosecutors office dropped the charge of perjury Tuesday against a man accused of his involvement in the Katelyn Markham murder case.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Arrest made in connection with Katelyn Markham cold case investigation

Mike Gmoser said he will re-indict Jonathan Palmerton, 35, after John Carter, the man charged with Markhams murder and her former fiance, has stood trial, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati.

Palmerton was accused of making a false statement under oath back in April 2022.

During the hearing, Gmoser said the perjury charge had created a conflict of interest since the prosecution plans to call him as a witness in Carters trial in 2024, WCPO said.

Judge Jennifer Muench-McElfresh granted his filing to drop the charge against Palmerton, who has been out on bond since his arraignment on February 22 with a GPS monitor.

John Carter faces a charge of murder in Markhams death.

>>RELATED: Katelyn Markhams fiance arrested, charged with murder

Gmoser spoke with News Center 7s John Bedell on Tuesday and said the decision had to do with Palmerton potentially taking the stand in his trial and Carters.

It would be ethically impossible for me to go forward with Palmertons case in advance of the Carter case, he said. And you ask, well, why would that be a problem? Because I would be cross-examining in that case, the Palmerton case. Presumably, Palmerton, if he takes the stand, I would be in a position of having to cross-examine him in that case, even though I would be calling him potentially as a witness later in the Carter case.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police: No new tips after Katelyn Markham documentary

News Center 7 originally reported Palmerton was originally arrested and charged on February 17.

Gmoser confirmed the charge was related to Katelyn Markhams disappearance and death. It was the first time anyone faced charges connected in over a decade since her disappearance.

Story continues

Markham was 21 at the time she went missing, vanishing in August 2011. Hundreds joined searches before her skeletal remains were found in April 2013 in a black garbage bag in a wooded area of Cedar Grove, Indiana.

The coroner ruled Markhams death a homicide but never determined the exact cause of death.

We will continue to provide updates on this developing story.




Fresno immigrant and labor groups are calling on local, state, and federal leaders to bolster their protections for immigrant workers  and to support immigration reform.

On Monday, over 200 people marched in downtown Fresno to commemorate May Day, also known as International Workers Day, an annual day celebrated on May 1 to show solidarity with workers worldwide.

The May Day coalition had several priorities at the local, state, and federal levels to protect and support immigrants.

About 200 immigration reform supporrters marched in front of Fresno City Hall during the May 1, 2023 Fresno May Day Immigration Reform rally/march.

How many years have we been fighting for immigration reform? Olga Loza, an organizer with The Dolores Huerta Foundation asked the crowd, How many years have to pass for us to achieve (immigration reform)?

The May Day Coalition of Fresno, which includes several a number of local labor and immigrant rights organizations is focusing on immigration-related issues, due to the unique host of challenges undocumented workers face.

With cheers, speeches, music, dances, and prayers led by local faith leaders, the group committed to continuing the push for immigration reform, no matter how long it takes.

Oaxacan dancers joined about 200 immigration reform supporters during the May 1, 2023 Fresno May Day Immigration Reform rally/march in downtown Fresno.

We already have many, many years in this fight, Brenda Ordaz, a community education coordinator with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles said in Spanish on Monday, and were going to carry on.

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Local, state, and federal priorities

City, county, state, and federal leaders should do more to protect immigrant workers, marchers said Monday.

At the city level, the coalition is calling for the City of Fresno to formally declare May 1 as the day of the immigrant worker.

The group is calling on both the city of Fresno and Fresno County to protect immigrants by declaring a sanctuary county. In particular, marchers want Fresno County to stop cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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In 2021, Fresno County Sheriffs Office reported that it transferred 44 people to ICE. Over a 1,000 immigrants in the San Joaquin Valley were transferred to ICE since state laws prohibiting local law enforcement cooperation with immigration officials went into effect, according to a report by the ACLU of Northern California.

A boy waves a UFW flag while walking downtown during the Fresno May Day Immigratiom Reform rally/march on May 1, 2023.

Marchers called for leaders to support the HOME Act, a bill introduced by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, a Democrat from Los Angeles, that would limit state prisons from transferring non-citizens to federal immigration custody after the completion of their sentences.

Its time for the people that live, work, and form part of this community to feel safe and secure in our homes and our communities, Ordaz said.

The group is also rallying behind the Safety Net for All campaign, a state-wide push to extend the safety net to undocumented people.

A 2022 study by the UC Merced Community and Labor Center found that Californias 2.2 million undocumented workers account for one of every 16 workers in the state and contribute an estimated $3.7 billion in annual state and local tax revenues. Researchers estimate that 7% of the 1.6 million workers in the central San Joaquin Valley are undocumented.

But because of their legal status, these workers dont have access to benefits such as unemployment. Earlier this year, state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, a Democrat from Los Angeles, introduced a bill known as the Excluded Workers Program, which would allow undocumented workers to receive unemployment benefits for two years. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year, citing costs.

Immigrants are key contributors to the local economy, working diligently and paying their fair share, Maricela Gutierrez, Executive Director of SIREN, said in a news release. We need a safety net for all workers, especially with natural disasters that destabilize their workplace and daily living.

At the federal level, the group is throwing its support behind a 2021 bill introduced by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, that would give citizenship to essential workers.

They are also calling on elected officials to support the Registry Act, which would update an existing registry that would allow certain immigrants that have been continuously present in the United States to apply for permanent residency.

About 200 immigration reform supporrters marched through downtown streets during the May 1, 2023 Fresno May Day Immigration Reform rally/march.

Not the first push for sanctuary status in Fresno

The call for a sanctuary city and county comes five years after the former mayor of Fresno, Lee Brand, said he would not designate Fresno as a sanctuary city because doing so would jeopardize federal funds for public works projects. At the time, Donald Trump threatened to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities with an executive order. The order was later declared unconstitutional by a federal judge.

City leaders have mixed feelings about the designation today.

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld said in a text to The Bee/Fresnoland that he strongly opposes a sanctuary city status, whereas Councilmember Luis Chavez said Fresno is already a welcoming city.

Chavez said in a text to The Bee/Fresnoland that Fresno is the only city in the (Central) valley to have a legal defense fund to help families stay together and avoid deportation.

The city of Fresno formed an immigrant affairs committee in 2019, as well as contributed $200,000 to a legal defense fund in the 2022 fiscal year budget. In 2021, the city of Fresno also appointed three liaisons to build trust between the city and its immigrant communities and has taken in refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries, Chavez said.

Furthermore, he added, the city does not ask anything about immigration status to any resident receiving city services, and Fresno Police Department, unless directed by a judge, doesnt share any information with immigration authorities.

Symbolic terminology is OK to have, he said, but as a city we have put out money where our mouth is.

Chavez said Fresno has the opportunity to continue investing in the local immigrant community this upcoming budget cycle.
The future Pulse national memorial will not be located on the nightclubs property, the onePULSE Foundation said Tuesday.

The foundation said it was not able to reach an agreement with Barbara Poma, who founded onePULSE Foundation, her husband, Rosario Poma, and their business partner, Michael Panaggio, for the full donation of the Pulse nightclub property.

The foundation announced last month that Barbara Poma had stepped down from the organization.

onePULSE said it previously planned to build a permanent national memorial at the nightclubs site to commemorate the 49 lives taken, survivors, first responders, and all those impacted by the June 12, 2016, tragedy.

The foundation said it will provide an update in mid-May regarding moving forward with plans for a new site for the Pulse national memorial, Orlando Health Survivors Walk and Pulse Museum.

Read: onePULSE Foundation founder Barbara Poma steps down from organization

A representative for Poma said she would not be commenting on the decision.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer released the following statement regarding the decision:

The City of Orlando continues to stand with the OnePulse Foundation in their efforts to honor the victims, survivors and all those impacted by the Pulse tragedy. We will continue to support the dedicated work of the Foundation to honor and preserve the legacy of those taken and their efforts to create a sanctuary of hope here in our community.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

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.
Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

After spending the last year reassuring Russians that victory is inevitable in the war against Ukraine, the Kremlin is now frantically working to lower expectationsand rolling out a contingency plan to lessen the impact of a humiliating defeat.

A new manual prepared by Russias presidential administration and distributed to the Kremlins army of propagandists contains some surprising instructions: Do not underestimate Ukraines impending counter-offensive and do not spread the idea that Kyiv is somehow not ready for it.

Thats according to the independent news outlet Meduza, which says it obtained a fresh copy of the manual and spoke to sources close to the Kremlin about it.

If the offensive is unsuccessful, it will be possible to say: the army [of Russia] skillfully fended off an attack that was superior in power, making the victory that much more impressive, the sources were quoted saying.

But perhaps more importantly, the sources explained, if the Ukrainian military manages to take back territories and claim battlefield victories with the help of weapons from the U.S. and Europe, Russias losses will be understandableafter all, they were up against the entire West.

Putin Secretly Snubbed From Major Summit Over Arrest Fears

In that case, the sources said, the Russian military will also be seen as having pulled through.

And just in case any Russian citizens begin to wonder about the colossal amount of funds the government is funneling to the very same Ukrainian territories it decimated before declaring them part of Russia, propagandists are advised to steer clear of the subject.

Instead, Kremlin spin doctors want their mouthpieces to churn out material on Russia upgrading schools and kindergartens, or hospitals.

Its clear there will be problems with the economy, and its clear why. Spending on the special military operation isnt going anywhere, one source close to the presidential administration said, noting that funds will go towards the new regions rather than the old ones and people will inevitably feel neglected. It is better not to show in specific amounts how much was taken [for the new regions].

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The Kremlins new guidelines are a stunning reversal from just a year ago, when propagandists were still pushing the idea that Russia would soon be reborn as a mighty superpower taking control of huge swathes of Ukraine.

At that time, the war was still a distant reality for many Russiansunlike now, when even residents in St. Petersburg and Moscow are on edge over drone attacks and even, in some cases, bomb-toting Ukrainian pigeons.

Security concerns were cited as the reason for the cancellation of Russias beloved Victory Day celebrations in some cities on May 9.

This Is Make or Break Time for Desperate Vladimir Putin

There will be no parade, so as not to provoke the enemy with a large concentration of equipment and military personnel in the center of Belgorod, the governor of the border region said last month.

Even in Moscow, the countrys biggest Victory Day parade this year will forgo its traditional procession of the Immortal Regiment, which sees thousands march carrying portraits of loved ones who died fighting in World War II. Authorities reportedly feared some people might show up carrying portraits of troops killed in Ukraine, inadvertently calling attention to the staggering losses there.

The Kremlin reportedly instructed its propagandists not to play up preparations for the parade.

And Moscow officials are also on high alert over any potential embarrassing disruptions in the parade: Utility workers have been ordered to patrol the city in search of bombs or drones ahead of the event, according to Sota.

That move came after a Ukrainian banker publicly offered 20 million hryvnias (about $545,000) to anyone who can design a droneideally painted with Glory to Ukraine!that will land on Moscows Red Square in the middle of the parade.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian president, has said that the United States has no reliable information about Russia's losses in the war against Ukraine.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news outlet RIA Novosti

Quote from Peskov: "They [the numbers  ed.] are taken from absolutely nowhere. Washington is not in a position to give any correct figures, they do not have such data at their disposal, and this is how it should be treated. We should focus only on the numbers shared by the Russian Ministry of Defence in a timely manner."

Background:

Earlier, various media outlets, citing the statement of the White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby, reported that over the past 5 months, Russia had lost more than 100,000 soldiers on the Bakhmut front and other regions of Ukraine, including more than 20,000 killed in battle.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Vanessa Hudson pictured at a press conference with Alan Joyce

Australia's flagship airline Qantas has announced its Chief Financial Officer Vanessa Hudson will replace current CEO Alan Joyce.

She will become Qantas' first female boss when she takes over in November.

The airline has suffered turbulence in recent times, with record losses during Covid-19 and a series of controversies damaging the brand.

Ms Hudson, who joined Qantas in 1994, identified restoring the airline's reputation as a priority.

In a statement, she said her historic appointment was "an absolute honour".

"I have two young daughters... and I have always been a mother who has wanted to lead by example," she told reporters.

Ms Hudson praised the airline as an "exceptional company", but also promised to work "very hard" to restore it to its former glory.

Last year, Qantas suffered severe criticism over cancelled flights, lost luggage and delays, but bounced back this year with half-year profits of A$1.4bn (742.6m, $928.7m)

"We are very up front in recognising that the customer experience was not where we wanted it to be [and] we have invested A$200 million dollars to get the performance back where we were pre-Covid," Ms Hudson said.

She said she would also seek to build a "constructive relationship" with aviation unions in a spirit of "mutual trust", after strained relations during Mr Joyce's tenure.

In 2021, Australia's federal court ruled that Qantas had illegally outsourced almost 1,700 ground staff jobs during the pandemic. The airline then began a high court appeal to avoid paying compensation over the move.

Chairman Richard Goyder paid tribute outgoing CEO Mr Joyce, saying he had done a "superb job" in his 15 years at the top despite the challenges he faced, including the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic and record oil prices.

Mr Joyce often received personal criticism during his tenure, with his A$19m north Sydney mansion pelted with eggs and toilet paper at the height of the recent airport chaos.

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He was also famously attacked - struck in the face with a lemon meringue pie - at a 2017 business breakfast in Perth, over his public support of same-sex marriage during a national debate on legalising it.

Mr Joyce described stepping down as a "bittersweet moment", having steered the airline through tough times.

"There's still a lot I want to deliver in the next six months, and at the top of that list is ensuring a smooth handover to Vanessa, who I'm sure will excel in the role," he said.
By Jeffrey Sachs

May 01, 2023: Information Clearing House -- US foreign policy is based on an inherent contradiction and fatal flaw. The aim of US foreign policy is a US-dominated world, in which the US writes the global trade and financial rules, controls advanced technologies, maintains militarily supremacy, and dominates all potential competitors. Unless US foreign policy is changed to recognize the need for a multipolar world, it will lead to more wars, and possibly World War III.

The inherent contradiction in US foreign policy is that it conflicts with the UN Charter, which commits the US (and all other UN member states) to a global system based on UN institutions in which no single country dominates. The fatal flaw is that the US has just 4 percent of the world population, and lacks the economic, financial, military, and technological capacities, much less the ethical and legal claims, to dominate the other 96 percent.

At the end of World War II, the US was far ahead of the rest of the world in economic, technological, and military power. This is no longer the case, as many countries have built their economies and technological capacities.

President Emmanuel Macron recently spoke the truth when he said that the European Union, though an ally of the US, does not want to be a vassal of the US. He was widely attacked in the US and Europe for uttering this statement because many mediocre politicians in Europe depend on US political support to stay in power.

In 2015, US Ambassador Robert Blackwill, an important US foreign policy strategist, described US grand strategy with exceptional clarity. He wrote, Since its founding, the United States has consistently pursued a grand strategy focused on acquiring and maintaining preeminent power over various rivals, first on the North American continent, then in the Western hemisphere, and finally globally, and argued that preserving U.S. primacy in the global system ought to remain the central objective of U.S. grand strategy in the twenty-first century.

To sustain US primacy vis-a-vis China, Blackwill laid out a game plan that President Joe Biden is following. Among other measures, Blackwill called on the US to create new preferential trading arrangements among U.S. friends and allies to increase their mutual gains through instruments that consciously exclude China, a technology-control regime to block Chinas strategic capabilities, a build-up of power-political capacities of U.S. friends and allies on Chinas periphery, and strengthened U.S. military forces along the Asian rimlands despite any Chinese opposition.

Most US politicians and many in Britain, the EU, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand support the United States aggressive approach. I do not. I view the US approach to China as contrary to the UN Charter and peace.

China has the right to prosperity and national security, free from US provocations around its borders. Chinas remarkable economic accomplishments since the late 1970s are wonderful for both China and the world.

During the long century from 1839 to 1949, China was driven into extreme poverty in a period marked by European and Japanese invasions of China and Chinese civil wars. Britain invaded in 1839 to force China to buy Britains addictive opium. Other powers piled on during the following century. China has finally recovered from that disastrous period, and in the process, ended poverty of around 1 billion people!

Chinas new prosperity can be both peaceful and productive for the world. Chinas successful technologies  ranging from vital cures for malaria to low-cost solar power and efficient 5G networks  can be a boon for the world. China will only be a threat to the extent that the US makes China into an enemy. US hostility to China, which mixes the arrogant US aim of dominance with long-standing anti-Chinese racism dating back to the 19th century, is creating that enemy.

The dangers of US foreign policy extend beyond China. The US goal to expand NATO to Ukraine and Georgia, thereby surrounding Russia in the Black Sea, helped stoke the Ukraine War. Countless nations see the danger of this approach. Major nations from Brazil to India and beyond aim for a multipolar world. All UN member states should recommit to the UN Charter and oppose claims of dominance by any nation.
Quannah Chasinghorse attends the 2023 Costume Institute Benefit celebrating

Quannah Chasinghorse attends the 2023 Costume Institute Benefit celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1 in New York City.

Ifyoutouched your phone or opened your laptop at all during the past 12 hours, youve probably been inundated by coverage of this years Met Gala, which was held Monday night. This years theme honored Karl Lagerfeld, the globally lauded fashion designer and artist who became Chanels creative director in 1983 and who died in 2019.

While Anna Wintour and company sing his praises, many have seemingly forgotten that the designer, whose controversies included his vocal disdain for curvy women and his reported contempt for the Me Too movement, was far from a beacon of progressive thought.

Quannah Chasinghorse, a Native American model and activist, didnt appear to forget. While she didnt directly acknowledge Lagerfelds problematic past, Chasinghorse was one of the celebrities at the Met Gala who threw subtle yet iconic shade at the late designer through her outfit. For one, it was very punk rock, a rebellious style that Chanel began to delve into the year after Lagerfeld died with its Punk Princess collection.

The dress, which was created by Prabal Gurung and punctuated by jewelry from Sota Scowi Designs, was pink from head to toe  a color that Lagerfeld famously loathed.

Leave it to an Indigenous woman to remind the world, Karl Lagerfeld was a bigot, fat phobic and hated the colour pink.



Quannah Chasinghorse continues to slay the #MetGala.



Congratulations to Sota Scowi Designs for the beautiful beadwork! pic.twitter.com/HGvz8V12gR  Nahanni Fontaine (@NahanniFontaine) May 2, 2023

Its also not lost on me that pink was the primary color of the Me Too movement, which Lagerfield frequently and publicly criticized. Like many other old, white men in the industry at the time, Lagerfeld characterized Me Too as some sort of witch hunt.

Story continues

If you dont want your pants pulled about, dont become a model! he said in an interview with the magazine Numero. Join a nunnery, therell always be a place for you in the convent.

While his openly unsavory stances werent surprising, the fact that he was honored at the Met Gala in such a big way was (to some people, at least). Instead of skipping the event, though, other women of color also hopped on the all-pink train. Among them were Viola Davis and Naomi Campbell.

Viola Davis wearing pink to the MET gala when Karl was known for hating pink. Shes an icon, she did what she had to do, she said fuck that man. I love it!! #MetGalapic.twitter.com/WvxIxwIbYW  karen (@xrocknroll) May 2, 2023

Naomi Campbell wore a 2010 Chanel to the 2023 Met Gala: still stunning? https://t.co/6nzZYYehX6pic.twitter.com/ODHUjF7ji4  Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) May 2, 2023

While we can agree that Lagerfeld was a great designer, it feels important to acknowledge some of his hurtful and ass-backward behaviors. Thankfully, certain celebrities have a conscience, arent blinded by glitz, and are courageous enough to get theirs while disrupting the system.

Sometimes, finally having a seat at the table means having the last word, too.

CORRECTION: A prior version of this story misidentified the designer of Chasinghorses dress.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, testifies before a House subcommittee hearing on COVID-19 school closures on April 26. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo)

WASHINGTON  Long gone are the days when American children started their school day with a laptop at the kitchen table. Since the Omicron surge of early 2022, schools across the United States have resisted closing because of concerns about the coronavirus.

But the bitterness over school closures has not dissipated. Millions of American children continue to experience the emotional, physical and intellectual aftereffects of the months confined at home.

Earlier this year, Germany's health minister, Karl Lauterbach, admitted that school closures had been a big mistake. There has been no such acknowledgment in the United States. If anything, positions have only hardened with time, and are likely to stay that way as the 2024 election approaches. That could help Republicans, who generally pushed to reopen schools  and much of the rest of society  faster than Democrats.

The Democratic Party is responsible for these prolonged school closures, and public health aligns very strongly with Democrats, Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, told Yahoo News. Moreover, it may be that admitting wrong looks like they were at fault. Instead of apologizing, politicians in this country seem to take a position of doubling down. I do not understand it.

New report sheds light on failures

Children arrive at Sutherland Elementary School in Chicago in March 2021. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

There has been no national bipartisan commission to investigate the nations response to the coronavirus, a panel akin to the one that investigated the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and produced a report that was widely hailed as a revealing (and highly readable) chronicle of shoddy intelligence work and political inattention, leading to tragedy.

But last week saw the publication of Lessons From the Covid War, a 300-page report by the Covid Crisis Group. The nongovernmental commission was led by Philip Zelikow, executive director of the 9/11 panel. Its 34 members included a diverse array of experts, from a Harvard ethicist, Danielle Allen, to former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Peggy Hamburg.

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The authors make clear that a virus that has killed more than 1 million Americans could have been much better handled by a nation previously thought to have the worlds top pandemic response plan. No countrys performance is more disappointing than that of the United States, they write in their introduction.

The reports faults the Trump administration for not having a plan to reopen schools once it became clear, in the summer and early fall of 2020, that they could do so safely. It also says Congress should have provided dedicated funds to do so.

Instead, school reopening became a politicized issue, to the detriment of millions of children. Closed schools, even with remote education, failed many students, particularly those already most at risk for disrupted learning, the report says.

Randi Weingarten testifies

Weingarten at the hearing on April 26. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

A paperback copy of Lessons From the Covid War sat on a desk next to the president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, as she testified last week before a House Oversight subcommittee examining outstanding questions about the pandemic, including where the coronavirus originated and why schools stayed closed much longer than they needed to.

For Republicans, the answer has always been simple: Powerful unions, closely aligned with the Democratic Party, listened to members who were fearful of returning to the classroom. Together, the unions and their political allies allegedly influenced agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not to issue guidance that would have made it easier for school districts to bring teachers and students back into the classroom.

Schools could have  and should have  reopened, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, a physician who served in Iraq, said in his opening remarks.

Weingarten had been summoned because publicly released emails show that in 2021, the AFT asked the CDC to make revisions to its reopening guidance that would have raised the threshold for reopening schools. Weingarten maintained that the proposed changes were slight and constituted one of many recommendations that the health agency received.

But the union president failed to shake the perception of undue influence, even as she argued that she was in favor of reopening schools. While Weingarten did become an outspoken supporter of reopening schools, her critics have charged that she did so without ever confronting union members, who continued to insist on staying remote.

Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., at a hearing on Capitol Hill in June 2020. (Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters)

And they say that throughout late 2020 and much of 2021, the guidelines she promoted included stipulations  such as keeping a distance of 6 feet between students in the classroom  that functionally ensured that schools would remain closed.

I regret the fear that was there, Weingarten said, failing to engender much sympathy from the panels Republicans.

At one point, Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., insisted that Weingarten reveal whether she had a direct telephone number for the CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who took over the agency after Joe Biden became president.

Weingarten said she did.

In one contentious moment, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., repeatedly attacked Weingarten, who has two stepchildren, for not being a biological mother. Weingarten, who is married to a woman, told Yahoo News after the hearing that the charge was very homophobic.

During her two hours of testimony on Capitol Hill, Weingarten also pointed to the Covid Crisis Group report as evidence that attacking teachers unions for school closures was unfair.

The Trump administration refused to help us, she later told Yahoo News, charging that Republicans were trying to shift the blame.

Fauci speaks

Dr. Anthony Fauci, then director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addresses a press briefing at the White House on Nov. 22, 2022. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

If Weingarten has a rival in her ability to evoke outrage among conservatives, it is doubtless Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top White House pandemic adviser, who served in both the Trump and Biden administrations before retiring at the end of 2022.

Last week, Fauci defended his handling of the pandemic in a lengthy New York Times interview. Show me a school that I shut down, and show me a factory that I shut down. Never. I never did, the respected immunologist said defiantly.

To his critics, such assertions reveal an unwillingness to confront the damage caused by lockdowns and other measures responding to the pandemic. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a perennial opponent of Fauci, has claimed that public health experts peddled hysteria rooted in what he calls ideological, rather than scientific, imperatives. "Everything they told us was wrong. It was a lie," Paul said on Fox News last week.

While it is true that Fauci had no power to close schools or enforce lockdowns, he and many other public health experts argued that such measures were necessary, especially in the first, uncertain weeks of the pandemic.

It took several months to ascertain that children were generally not susceptible to the worst symptoms of COVID-19. In other countries, schools reopened safely. In the fall of 2021, so did schools in Republican-led states like Florida and Texas, as well as in New York City.

At the same time, it was becoming clear that what had come to be derisively known as Zoom school was failing to ensure the learning that takes place in a physical classroom. Meanwhile, parents who could neither work from home nor hire expensive tutors had to make impossible choices.

Some educators and elected officials insisted on keeping schools closed well into 2021, by which time Fauci had concluded that children should be back in the classroom.

How the legacy of the pandemic will play out in 2024

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R-Va., at a rally in Triangle, Va., on Nov. 7, 2022, just before the midterm elections. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Next years presidential election could be a battle for the public memory of the COVID-19 pandemic, two health policy experts, Jacob Steere-Williams and Gavin Yamey, wrote recently in Time magazine  which they described as a referendum not so much on how to handle future pandemics as on how the coronavirus was handled.

Both Republican and Democratic nominees will present a vision of the past three years that panders to their respective bases and distorts the history of the pandemic, they wrote. Pandemic memories, in other words, are jarringly malleable political weapons.

In 2021, Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin  a virtually unknown Republican running against a Democratic establishment favorite, Terry McAuliffe  focused his campaign on education, seeing a political opening in the deepening frustration of parents who wanted their children back in schools.

In some cases, those parents also didnt necessarily approve of what they saw on their childrens laptop screens. Youngkins campaign was powered by an opposition to critical race theory, a graduate-level form of analysis that is not explicitly taught in public schools but that may inform how some educators approach questions of history. One of his advertisements featured a woman who had pushed for her sons high school to stop teaching Beloved, a novel by the Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison.

He also raised some outrage over transgender children using school bathrooms that corresponded with their gender identity.

McAuliffe, meanwhile, stumbled badly when he asserted in a debate, I don't think parents should be telling schools what they should teach. Some observers saw that moment as a turning point in the closely watched gubernatorial contest.

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia at a campaign event in Fairfax, Va., in November 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

On the final day of campaigning, McAuliffe held a rally with Weingarten, the union president.

Youngkins surprising victory seemed to confirm that schooling could prove a potent issue for Republicans in the years to come. In 2022, governors like Ron DeSantis of Florida, Greg Abbott of Texas and others followed Youngkins lead, moving to implement book bans and restrictions on how questions of gender and sexuality are discussed. DeSantis, who is likely to challenge Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, has sharply criticized the former president for not firing Fauci, something that would have been exceptionally difficult to do.

Now the Republican Party is reportedly seeking to promote a Save the Kids platform, presumably intended to shield children from what conservatives say are dangerous progressive ideas that have found traction in the classroom.

An apology on the order of the one Lauterbach issued in Germany is unlikely to come from the Biden administration, which has celebrated its response to the pandemic and prefers not to relitigate coronavirus-related debates.

Last weeks developments showed how difficult that could turn out to be, even after the pandemic has receded as a daily concern for most Americans.

Democrats are letting a huge historic advantage on education slip away, because voters dont see them adequately addressing key concerns like school closures and defending merit programs, Jonathan Cowan, president and co-founder of the liberal think tank Third Way, told Yahoo News. If they turn that around while pressing the case on book bans  a major liability for the Trump GOP  they can widen the gap again in 2024.
Idaho voters could soon decide whether to have open primary elections and whether to choose candidates in order of preference, through a burgeoning method called ranked choice voting.

A coalition of Idaho groups on Tuesday filed a ballot measure to enact both policies. The Open Primaries Initiative seeks to create a nonpartisan primary system, open to all voters, said a news release from the coalition, which is calling itself Idahoans for Open Primaries.

The Idaho Republican Party closed its primary election in 2012, meaning only registered Republicans can vote in the election that produces most successful candidates for statewide elections in the heavily conservative state. The Idaho Democratic Party has an open primary, so anyone can participate regardless of party affiliation.

There are 200,000 voters in Idaho who are independent like me, and were blocked from voting in Idahos most important primary elections, Debbie Reid-Oleson, a Blackfoot rancher who was one of the first 20 people to sign the initiative, said in the release. Its wrong that were forced to join a political party just to exercise our right to vote.

On Tuesday, the group delivered the text of the proposal along with its first 20 signatures to the Idaho secretary of states office, which will review the initiative.

Idahoans for Open Primaries is a partnership between Reclaim Idaho, the Idaho Task Force of Veterans for Political Innovation, North Idaho Women, Represent US Idaho and the Hope Coalition. Each of the groups work toward curbing partisanship in Idaho politics, supporting democratic values or pushing for qualified political candidates, according to the release.

Initiative would repeal recent ban on ranked choice voting

The initiative also would create a top four primary election, wherein all candidates from each party participate in the same primary and the top four vote-getters advance to the general election. Voters would then choose the winner through ranked choice voting, which was banned in Idaho this year.

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The method allows voters to rank candidates in their preferred order. A candidate who collects more than 50% of first-place votes wins the election. But if no candidate reaches that threshold, a runoff counting process is triggered. The candidate with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated, and their votes are reallocated to the candidates listed second. That process repeats until a candidate surpasses 50%.

This is a simple, common-sense reform that will give us better elections and better leadership, former Republican Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb said in the release.

The alternative voting method is gaining momentum across the country. Its now used in 62 jurisdictions nationwide, Stateline recently reported. Alaska and Maine use ranked choice voting in statewide elections, and New York City uses it for local races. Nevada voters in November passed a ballot measure establishing ranked choice voting for federal and statewide elections.

Republicans in Congress derided ranked choice voting after U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, defeated two GOP contestants in a November House election.

Idaho GOP lawmakers banned ranked choice voting this year. House Bill 179, from Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, and Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, prohibited ranked choice voting in local, state and federal elections held in Idaho. Republican Gov. Brad Little signed the bill after it sailed through the Legislature nearly along party lines.

Hawkins in February told a House committee that prohibiting ranked choice voting would maintain simplicity and consistency in Idahos electoral process.

This action is preemptive so that we dont have to deal with this in the future, Hawkins told the House State Affairs Committee.

If successful, the ballot initiative would repeal the new law. The Idahoans for Open Primaries news release pointed to recent surveys from Utah and Alaska, where most voters polled said ranked choice voting elections were simple and easy to understand.

Idahoans for Open Primaries hopes to place the initiative on the ballot for the November 2024 election. In order to qualify, the group must collect signatures from 6% of Idaho voters who were registered for the last general election  nearly 63,000  along with signatures from 6% of registered voters in 18 of 35 legislative districts. The deadline is May 1, 2024.

The groups leaders said they plan to start collecting signatures next month.
An extremely rare reptile, considered sacred by many, died recently in Vietnam, bringing its species to the edge of extinction.

The deceased creature was a Yangtze giant softshell turtle, distinguished by its large size and pig-like snout, according to VN Express, an online news outlet.

The 200-pound turtle died in a Hanoi lake of unknown causes, according to the outlet.

Tim McCormack, director of the Asian Turtle Program for Indo-Myanmar Conservation, told TIME that scientists believe the creature was the last known female of its species.

I am truly heartbroken, Forrest Galante, a biologist and television personality, wrote on Facebook, adding that the creatures death leaves only two known males remaining  one in Suzhou Zoo in China and another in Hanois Xuan Khanh Lake.

Galante is a conservationist who previously worked on an eDNA analysis of the turtle with the Asian Turtle Program, according to Reptiles Magazine.

The endangered reptile holds a mythical status in Vietnam because it features in a legend similar to that of Englands King Arthur, according to the International Society for the History and Bibliography of Herpetology.

The turtle is said to have delivered a magical sword to a king, which allowed him to repel invaders. Once the enemies were defeated, according to the legend, the turtle reappeared in a Hanoi lake and retrieved the weapon before vanishing beneath the surface.

The turtle is even worshiped by some, and when one of the last remaining individuals died in 2016, its remains were embalmed and put on display, according to Scientific American.

The species, which is only native to parts of China and Vietnam, began declining in the 1980s as a result of habitat loss and consumption, according to a study published in 2021 in the journal Oryx.

While there are now only officially two surviving members of the species, its possible more exist undetected in the wild. There have been over a dozen potential sightings of previously unknown turtles in recent years, according to the study.

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Just under a year after his untimely death, Emmy-winning actor Ray Liottas longtime Pacific Palisades home has sold for $4.95 million, according to Dirt. The Goodfellas star paid $2.7 million for the contemporary Mediterranean-style residence back in 2003, just two years after it was built. Nestled behind pristine hedges, the gated two-story home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms throughout its 6,184 square feet of living space.

The homes exterior is made of stucco and features terracotta roofing. A two-car garage is fronted by an arched wood-paneled door, and an elegant turret provides the front door entry. Guests are greeted by a double-height foyer with a beamed wood-paneled ceiling and a crystal chandelier. Arched, open-plan living spaces are accessed to the left; to the right, a curving staircase with a wrought iron railing leads to the second floor bedrooms.

Photo: Adrian Anz

The downstairs common areas include a living room with a fireplace, an adjacent formal dining room with outdoor access, a great room which flows into an eat-in kitchen, and a family room featuring a marble fireplace and wood-paneled built-ins. A large glass wall opens out to the stone-tiled pool area, which also hosts a spa, a barbecue area, and sweeping mountain, ocean, and canyon views.

See the video.

Upstairs, the sprawling primary suite boasts a fireplace, a walk-in closet, and a private balcony overlooking the pool. The ensuite bathroom offers dual vanities, a glass-walled steam shower, a soaking tub, and a large window adorned with wrought iron details.

Last May, Liotta died in his sleep at age 67 while filming the yet-to-be-released thriller Dangerous Waters in the Dominican Republic. The actor was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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Saudi naval and special forces perform morning prayers abroad a vessel on April 30, 2023 during a rescue operation from Port Sudan to Jeddah

The HMS Al Diriyah, a 102-metre-long Saudi warship, is typically used to escort oil tankers through the Red Sea and in training exercises with Western naval powers.

But this week the vessel carried out a different kind of mission: transporting shell-shocked civilians from conflict-hit Sudan to safety on Saudi soil.

It was part of a broader evacuation effort that has given Saudi Arabia a central role in Sudan's crisis, putting the Gulf kingdom's regional clout on display for a global audience.

As of Monday, Saudi Arabia had welcomed more than 5,400 civilian evacuees, the vast majority of them foreigners representing 102 countries on six continents.

"I've been terribly impressed with all of their work to help evacuate people, to put their navy at the disposal of people fleeing," said Cameron Hudson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"This is an opportunity to burnish their reputation a few hundred kilometres from Yemen, where some of their worst behaviour has played out," Hudson added, referring to the war in which a Saudi-led military coalition has killed and injured thousands of civilians in air strikes since 2015.

Some analysts warn, though, that the evacuations risk overshadowing the complex role Saudi Arabia and other outside powers have played in Sudan's turmoil, especially their support for the two generals at the heart of it.

The fighting -- which has killed hundreds and wounded thousands so far -- partly resulted from "gentle hand-holding" of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo when the world should have insisted on real reform, said Kholood Khair, founder of the Khartoum-based think tank Confluence Advisory.

"This is a momentary reprieve for the international community to focus on evacuations as the main story, rather than how we got here," Khair said.

"It's as if the evacuation efforts are the only story."

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- 'No frills' -

That's certainly the impression given these days by some Saudi media.

When state-run channels aren't filming new arrivals disembarking in the port city of Jeddah, often with a Saudi flag in hand, they're interviewing diplomats praising the Saudi navy's speedy mobilisation.

Riyadh seems intent on capturing the kind of goodwill conferred on Qatar two years ago when it welcomed tens of thousands of civilians fleeing the resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, said Saudi analyst Aziz Alghashian.

The kingdom is also "projecting its influence to Saudi audiences", Alghashian added, aiming to counter local "frustration with the lack of efficient media efforts covering Saudi achievements and its role as an international player".

Not everyone has been fully won over.

Khair, of Confluence Advisory, last week found herself in Port Sudan along with thousands of others desperate for a way out.

She described a chaotic, heavily securitised process in which traumatised survivors wait hours, sometimes days, to learn if they'll be approved for a Red Sea crossing that can take up to 20 hours depending on the vessel.

"It's a no-frills evacuation experience which is, I guess, to be expected, but I think it's not commensurate to the ways in which the Saudis have propagandised this evacuation as if it is a humanitarian mission," said Khair, who eventually got a spot on a British flight instead.

Still, she credited the Saudis with being "the only ones on the surface who are taking any kind of responsibility by providing this safe route out, even if it is marred by politics".

- Projecting influence -

Defence ministry spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said military assets would continue to be allocated to evacuations "as long as the Saudi embassy is receiving requests from the other embassies".

Saudi officials are meanwhile positioning the kingdom as a mediator, leveraging ties to both generals stemming partly from their involvement in Yemen's war.

An envoy of Burhan's met on Sunday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Saudi officials have requested an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

This aligns with a recent drive for regional peacemaking that has seen Saudi Arabia move to restore ties with Iran and Syria.

The politics behind Riyadh's engagement likely means little to its beneficiaries, including the 52 evacuees who boarded the HMS Al Diriyah on Sunday.

After being plied with dates and Arabic coffee, the men, women and children spread out on rugs and tried to sleep, battling seasickness as the corvette raced to Jeddah.

Nearing the port, a Saudi commander addressed the group, apologising that he couldn't have made the journey more comfortable by offering beds to everyone.

His final words prompted them to break into applause.

"Once you get to Jeddah, there will be hotels inshallah," he said. "You will forget all about this trip."

rcb/ho/fz
Republicans are less convinced than Democrats that the federal government needs to impose regulations on artificial intelligence systems and are even more skeptical on whether the government is up to the task, according to a new Fox News poll.

The poll of registered voters shows a noticeable gap between the two parties on the question of whether and how to regulate AI, a sign that the increasingly important issue could get hung up in politics as it advances in Washington.

When asked how important it is for the federal government to regulate AI, 82% of Democrats said "very" or "somewhat," compared to 71% of Republicans. That was one of the bigger splits in a poll that found 76% of respondents saw some importance to federal regulation.

FOX NEWS POLL: MORE SEE BAD THAN GOOD IN AI

Former President Donald Trump, left, and current President Joe Biden

A similar split was seen when the group was split between Biden and Trump supporters  82% of Biden voters favored federal regulation compared to 70% of Trump voters.

The split between parties got even wider when respondents were asked how confident they are that the government could "properly regulate" AI. The poll said 50% of Democrats answered "a great deal" or "some" while 31% of Republicans gave one of those answers. A full two-thirds of GOP respondents said they had "not much" or "none at all" when asked about their confidence level.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

That split grew wider when comparing Biden to Trump voters. Just 28% of Trump voters said they had some measure of confidence in the government on AI, compared to 51% of Biden voters.

CHINA FUMES AS BIDEN PLOTS TO STARVE IT OF AI INVESTMENT: SCI-TECH BULLYING

The NRSC is launching a new ad campaign that targets vulnerable Senate Democrats up for reelection in 2024 over their past support for the American Rescue Plan.

GOP skepticism weighed heavily on the poll. Just 39% of the entire group of respondents said they had some confidence in the government, compared to the 59% who said they were not confident.

Overall, voters are "skeptical elected leaders are up to the task of placing appropriate limits on this new tech, which probably says something about opinion on the tech and opinion on our leaders," said Daron Shaw, a Republican who conducts the Fox News poll with Democrat Chris Anderson.

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Whether the government is ready or not, federal policymakers are increasingly examining how to regulate AI systems that many argue will soon bring radical changes to all aspects of life. The Biden administration has set out a blueprint aimed at encouraging a fair, safe AI that doesnt lead to discriminatory economic results for Americans.

AI PAUSE CEDES POWER TO CHINA, HARMS DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC' AI, EXPERTS WARN SENATE

Fox News poll on AI

The Pentagon is already looking at how it can use AI to more quickly make strategic or battlefield assessments, and the Federal Trade Commission is looking closely at how AI systems are advertised in case those ads lead to misperceptions among consumers about their benefits.

And in anticipation of the need to regulate AI, congressional leaders are meeting with experts to learn about the issue. Last week alone, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., met with billionaire technology entrepreneur Elon Musk; House lawmakers met with two experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and are hoping to meet with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

The Fox poll was conducted by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research and surveyed 1,004 registered voters.
(Getty / Los Angeles Times)

The most popular person in Los Feliz is Joan, the owner of a soon-tobe-vacant prewar apartment on Avocado Street. On a gloomy afternoon, Joan stands at the apartment's doorstep, surrounded by five prospective tenants. We wait, hushed and breathless, as Joan takes the key from her purse.

Youre the lucky ones who get to see it early, she says.

Yes, we are the chosen, desperate few. Among nearly 50 interested callers in the three days the unit has been listed, we are the ones who called Joan multiple times. We left beseeching voicemails. We begged to submit applications without even seeing the apartment. We promised to be perfect tenants. We've witnessed its grandeur on Zillow  a $3,800 two-bedroom that's a 15-minute walk from Griffith Park  and we know this one wont last.

As Joan fits the key into the lock, I glance at the other prospective tenants, all of whom appear to be nice, respectable people. This is extremely unfortunate as they are now pitted against me in one of L.A.s most cutthroat endeavors: finding an apartment.

As Joan ushers us inside, I ask a woman in a pea coat how her housing search is going.

Brutal, she says. I just lost a place to someone who paid an entire years rent up front.

Inside, the apartment is gorgeous. We are collectively awed.

Is this place staged? a man with an Australian accent asks more than once, admiring the current tenants furniture. A short woman in a ball cap kneels on the floor, takes out a tape measure and begins aggressively assessing different walls. It is a power move. A laminated application is tucked beneath her arm. My landlord is the new attorney general and shes happy to provide a reference, the ball cap woman tells Joan, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I catch the eyes of a blond woman in a trench coat. An understanding passes between us. We are no match for the ball cap woman. We did not laminate our applications. In fact, I didn't even bring an application because I dont own a printer. As the other tenants hand in their applications, Joan casts a hard, appraising glance my way. Im gonna email it, I mumble. I immediately feel like a naughty child who hasnt handed in her homework  the exact opposite of the sort of person who will get the place on Avocado Street.

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In the backyard, an orange tree hangs heavy with overripe fruit. Imagine, fresh orange juice for breakfast every day, someone says. We sit silent for a moment, envisioning the future that will someday belong to only one of us: sitting at the cozy dining nook, sipping juice made from freshly picked oranges before heading out for a stroll to Griffith Park.

Its just nice to know this place exists, the blond says, sadly.

In my hunt for an apartment, I saw more than 30 places: dumps and palaces and everything in between. Despite news of an L.A. exodus, the housing market shows no sign of cooling. At nearly every open house, I was pitted against New Yorkers who, like me, had decamped from Brooklyn in search of sunlight and a place to park their cars.

I found and lost my dream home twice. Aside from Joan, I met many landlords and found that, generally speaking, they are strange people.

Some, like a soft-spoken older woman leasing an $1,800 one-bedroom apartment at the foot of the Hollywood Hills, are delusional. The unit, which was advertised using Zillows two most-favored descriptors  "charming and sun-drenched  turned out to be neither. It faced a hideous building that choked out even the smallest possibility of afternoon sun-drenching. When the landlord asked if I was interested in renting it, I said no, sorry. I was hoping for a place with more light. A place with a view.

But this place has a view, she insisted. The building across is so lovely.

Many landlords I met, like the owner of a $3,900 Spanish two-bedroom in Echo Park, have a frazzled, frantic demeanor. The Echo Park landlord hoped to sell the property or rent it, whichever happened first, he told me. Hed originally bought the place to market it as an Airbnb, but the city tightened its restrictions and he was forced to rent it out long-term. This was a relief in some ways, he said, because hed found that managing an Airbnb was a nightmare.

People are monsters, he said. He once hosted guests who infested the unit with bedbugs. Another group stole all the lightbulbs. Worst of all was the man who defecated on the floor and said the cleaning fee should cover the cost of its removal.

Are you sure it wasnt a dog? I asked.

It was definitely human, he said.

I asked where he found the feces. He pointed to the middle of the living room floor, the very place Id envisioned my coffee table.

A more discreet landlord would have concealed this sordid history. Still, it's sometimes difficult not to consider the sad circumstances that lead a property to be listed on the market in the first place.

This is especially true when you look at lease takeovers for one- or two-bedroom apartments. These leases, in my experience, often are broken due to heartbreak: Two people who once loved each other now hate each other and can no longer live together. One man I met who had advertised a lease takeover on Zillow greeted me in the driveway of a pretty, $4,000 Silver Lake two-bedroom condo. He looked as though hed just been crying. He showed me inside, and when I told him the place was nice, he let out a low, resentful bleat of laughter.

Yeah, isnt it great? he said. I thought my partner and I would live here for years. But life is unpredictable, isn't it? And then he gazed ruefully out the window.

Walking through the condo, I wondered in which room he and his partner had argued most. Had they screamed at each other in the 250-square-foot bedroom with the attached bath? Had they bickered in the recently remodeled kitchen? Had they realized they no longer loved each other as they sat in the charming, sun-drenched living room?

Another consideration is who your new neighbors will be. One property manager leasing a snug one-bedroom apartment on Los Feliz Avenue for $2,200 vented for several minutes about the people who lived directly above the unit. More than anything, the property manager wanted to evict these tenants, who, he said, had not cleaned their toilet for several years. This had resulted in a grievous plumbing situation that affected not only their unit but also the one below it  the very unit I had come to see.

The apartment is yours if you want it, the property manager told me. I said Id think about it, but I knew Id never live there. It seems that I am always being offered the places I dont want and never the places I do.

When I first came to L.A., I promised myself two things: I would never live on the West Side (I wrongly thought at the time that Silver Lake was superior), and I would never live in an apartment with vertical blinds. But the housing market humbled me. I signed a lease for an apartment in Santa Monica. I had the vertical blinds removed.

Two days after I saw Joans apartment, she sent me a text: Thank you for your interest, she wrote, but the Avocado Street unit has been rented.

I hope that the ball cap woman enjoys her place and that all her furniture fits.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, met with business leaders and academics Monday during a roundtable in Sioux Falls to discuss their perceptions of China, the Chinese Communist Party and what steps the United States must take in its political and economic relationship with the Asian country.

That includes being wary of fully breaking off the U.S.-China trade relationships but also acknowledging that the U.S. must diversify its own products, from food to mineral mining. However, the roundtable discussion did also consider the threat cyber attacks from China posed on South Dakota agriculture.

Johnson, who sits on the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Chinese Community Party, said China is a different threat than what the U.S. faced during the Cold War because the former Soviet Union wasnt considered an economic power.

More: Rep. Dusty Johnson's 2023 legislative wish list: the Farm Bill and tackling Chinese investment

This is going to be a lot more complicated situation fraught with some peril, Johnson said, mentioning while on the Select Committee, witnesses have said the U.S. needs to walk a tightrope between working with the CCP and not giving China too much power over the economy.

Such diversification can include food, medicine and critical minerals, all of which Johnson said would require a certain amount of American inward investment. Its going to require a certain American willingness to work with our allies.

Jerry Schmitz, the executive director of the South Dakota Soybean Association, said the U.S. and its allies need to come together.

[China is] the gorilla in the room, he said. They are the consumer and if we say were not going to sell to China, were only going to sell it to a third [party], then another country is going to come in and buy our soybeans, transfer them to China. They gain, we lose.

Rep. Dusty Johnson speaks at a roundtable with various business leaders and academics about the impact of China in Sioux Falls on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Nearly 60% of soybeans from South Dakota are exported to China. U.S. dairy products are also heavily exported to China, with 3% of the country consuming American milk.

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Schmitz added that in the 2018-2019 trade war between China and the U.S., which impacted soybean producers, the average South Dakota soybean farmer lost $50,000.

If the U.S. were to fully depart from China with regards to trade, Evert Van der Sluis, an economics professor at South Dakota State University, said the U.S. could expect a serious drop in economic output and prices on products to rise.

Prepping South Dakota farmers for cyber attacks

And while China, as well as Russia, continue to flex their hacking muscles, its becoming more important cybersecurity capacity within the food and agricultural realms must grow.

Jose-Marie Griffiths, the president of Dakota State University, said it wasnt until 2015 when the Department of Agriculture wrote about the cybersecurity of food and ag as a critical infrastructure.

More: Sioux Falls Council approves $10 million toward DSU cybersecurity lab

Critical infrastructure is defined as assets, systems and networks necessary for the way of life in the U.S. and that any threat to one of the 16 defined sectors could have potential impacts on national security, public health, the economy or safety, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security.

I think a lot of people think, Gosh, were out in the open air, the fresh air and lovely environment,'" Griffiths said. "Nobody really thinks about how it is now increasingly at risk because of the amount of technology thats actually incorporated into that infrastructure."

More: Summit files more than 80 eminent domain lawsuits in 9 South Dakota counties

Students at DSU and SDSU are learning how to protect such infrastructure, such as precision agriculture, from cyber attacks.

I believe that the food and agricultural infrastructure has some vulnerabilities that need to be protected, she said, adding because South Dakotas largest industry is agriculture, a potential cyber attack is something she is concerned about. There are ways to develop that protection.

Johnson said U.S. and telecommunication companies were quick to act in banning the use of Chinese telecommunication company Huawei's equipment due to national security concerns. But in other areas, like food, the U.S. has been slower to act.

He pointed to Chinas purchase of foreign farmland and agricultural processing facilities.

That is an unusual degree of investment by a foreign government and their partners, Johnson said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Dusty Johnson meets with business leaders, academics about impact of China
Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, alone on the House floor, stands in protest as demonstrators are arrested in the House gallery at the state capitol in Helena, Mont.

Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, alone on the House floor, stands in protest as demonstrators are arrested in the House gallery at the state capitol in Helena, Mont., on April 24, 2023. Credit - Thom BridgeIndependent Record/AP

Just over a week ago, Montanas Republican-majority House banned Rep. Zooey Zephyr from in-person debates and voting for the remainder of the 2023 session.

On Monday, Zephyrthe first openly transgender woman elected to Montanas legislaturesued Republican leadership, alleging that her censure was a violation of her First Amendment rights. The lawsuit, which was also filed on behalf of a few of Zephyrs constituents, characterized the lawmakers treatment as a retaliatory and unconstitutional silencing.

Zephyr was censured after criticizing a bill that would restrict gender-affirming health care. (That legislation has since been signed into law but not yet gone into effect. It will likely face legal challenges.) She had said that her colleagues who supported the measure would have blood on their hands. Republicans then banned her from participating in floor debates on April 18; days later, she raised her microphone on the house floor in protest. Her supporters pushed for her to be able to speak in the chambers gallery; seven were arrested. Zephyrs access to capitol entrances, bathrooms, and workspaces were subsequently deactivated as she was banished from the house floor, per the lawsuit.

Read More: Trans Politician of an Earlier Era Says Montanas Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Signals We Have Not Come a Long Way

Zephyr isnt the only Democratic state lawmaker to face discipline in recent months. In March, Oklahoma Republicans formally censured Rep. Mauree Turner, the first openly nonbinary state legislator in U.S. history and first Muslim lawmaker in Oklahoma. In April, Tennessee Republicans expelled two Black House DemocratsJustin Jones and Justin Pearsonfor taking part in a gun violence protest.

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Zephyr spoke with TIME over Zoom on Tuesday morning from Helena, Montana. With her two cats pawing underneath her door and a trans pride flag on the shelf behind her, Zephyr talked about being banned from the capitol, the decision to sue, and her conversations with Jones and Pearson about their threaded experiences.

The following conversation has been lightly edited.

Its been more than a week since Montanas House voted to ban you from in-person debates and voting for the remainder of the 2023 session. How have you been spending your time?

Ive been doing the work, making sure I know the bills just as well as I would if I were in that room. Im trying to sit right outside the chamber, so I can talk to legislators as they come by and make sure I get my communitys points across about bills that are being voted on. I spoke with Rep. Marilyn Marler about bills related to Montanas Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Rep. SJ Howell about a proposed ban on drag performances in public places. I tell my Democratic colleagues: obviously I cant speak on it because theyre not allowing me in the room but is there anything you need from me? Is there anything I can help with?

On Monday, you decided to sue, saying the censure was a retaliatory and unconstitutional silencing. Why take this battle to court?

I took this battle to court because my constituents deserve representation. When the speaker refused to recognize me, he took away not only my right as a legislator to partake in speech and debate on the floor, but also the voice of the people who elected me. And that is an attack on the very first principles of our country. That is an attack on democracy.

You were penalized for speaking out against a bill that would restrict gender-affirming health care. That bill has now been signed into law. What does that mean for your constituents??

That law does not go into effect until Oct. 1 of this year. I anticipate that there will be lawsuits before then. My expectation is that this law, which we know is cruel and gets trans kids killed, is unconstitutional.

What is your main concern about this legislation?

My primary concern is that it takes away health care that trans youth need to live full and joyous lives, as proved by every major medical association in our country. I know the joy that comes when a trans person is allowed to transition. I wouldnt be able to do the work I do, to be in community in the way I am, had I not transitioned.

Read More: As Texas Targets Trans Youth, a Family Leaves in Search of a Better Future

In your lawsuit, you say the censure is not just a result of what you said but who you are: specifically, the first openly transgender women elected to the Montana legislature. What are the challenges associated with navigating a legislative body that is predominantly made up of white, cis men and one that has politicized your identity?

The pressures are twofold. First: a lack of understanding from a legislature that has not had a trans woman in those halls before. The second challenge is the political force that the far-right is exerting over the members of this state and country. You have people who dont understand what it means to be trans, who dont understand the need for this health care or the joy that comes when trans people get to live our lives. Those who may be open to it, there is a sense that they are afraid of being exiled from their party, afraid of being primaried, afraid that their legislation will go nowhere if they stand up in defense of someone like me. What we see right now, and What I hope they see, and what I hope everyone in our country sees, is thats not true. If you stand up for what is morally right, everything will be okay in the end.

Whats highest on your legislative agenda as the session wraps up, and how will you advocate for those priorities remotely?

The two biggest priorities in my mind are housing and health care. We have been working all session on Medicaid provider rates in the state of Montana. On housing, theres a bill to help trailer park renters.

Do you see any parallels between what happened to you and what happened to Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones in Tennessee?

Yes, and I would add in Rep. Mauree Turner in Oklahoma. When marginalized communities are standing up and saying these bills, these policies get us killedget people in my community killedthe far-right is saying: yeah, we have a supermajority, we could pass this legislation. But thats not enough. What were seeing is that in order to reach their ideological goals, they will throw away the very first principles of our country, they will throw away democracy.

Have you spoken to any of these lawmakers? Whats the most important thing you took from those conversations?

Rep. Turner was someone I called during my campaign. I asked them: as a non-binary person who will be in a red state, what was your experience?

Tennessee Reps. Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson connected with me over the last week to speak about our experience of standing up in defense of our communities and how to prepare for the next moment.

The main thing I took away is something Rep. Jones has said many times: When they come for one of us, they come for all of us. The attacks on my community are the attacks on his community. These are threaded together. The second thing is that courage is contagious. When people see the leaders they elected into office standing up in the face of authoritarianism and abject cruelty, they feel more comfortable to stand up in their own communities and say, hey, the status quo weve had here is not helping. Its hurting.

The State Freedom Caucus Network has been influential in about a dozen statehousesnot only leading the charge in Montana to enshrine a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, but also focusing on book bans in Wyoming and diverse universities in South Carolina. How do you evaluate the power of the far-right in the current political landscape?

We are seeing that there is a growing extremism in the far-right and it will toss democratic principles to the side to accomplish ideological goals. Theres a fear within the Republican Party that the far-right is taking hold of their leadership. More moderate Republicans fear how to act and can get pushed out of the party.

Has this dust-up affected your own future ambitions in politics? Whats the end goal for you?

I always ask myself: what room can your voice do the most good in? When I was deciding to run for the legislature, I met with Sen. Bryce Bennett, the first openly gay man elected to the Montana legislature. I said, Is this the room where my voice is needed, or is it city council or a nonprofit? To me, it feels like this roomthe state legislature is the frontline of our democracy and its where I want to be. If I ever feel like that room is a different one, I will leave to go where I feel I can do the most good.
Due to two AH-64 Apache helicopters crashing into one another, Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff, grounded all military aircraft, except those needed for "critical missions." The suspension was effective immediately, with all units grounded until army training was completed.

During March alone, the recent airborne incidents left 12 soldiers dead. In hopes to reduce future incidents, the US Army will focus on safety and training protocols to ensure that both the pilots and crew have the training, knowledge, and awareness to safely complete assigned missions.

Chief of Staff Calls For a Safety Stand-Down

Gen. McConville grounded all aircraft after two helicopters crashed into each other near Fort Wainwright in Alaska. This incident claimed the life of three soldiers in the 11th Airborne Division and left one severely wounded.

The US Army stated that the Chief of Staff ordered an "aviation stand-down" after the two recent fatal aircraft accidents. Gen. McCoville states that the stand-down will ensure the safety of their personnel and prevent any more accidents.

During March, two Black Hawk helicopters that were being used for a routine training exercise had a mid-air collision near Fort Campbell in Kentucky. The collision left nine soldiers dead, marking the incident as one of the deadliest training accidents in the US Army's history.

In addition to those crashes, another Black Hawk crash occurred in Alabama which left two Tennessee National Guard soldiers dead. In February, two soldiers were injured due to the Apache helicopter crash in Alaska.

The order issues grounded all aircraft, including planes deployed overseas in Iraq, Europe, and Syria. However, as explained by an Army official to Military.com, officers with a rank of two-star general and above can dismiss the stand-down order during emergencies like medical evacuations.

Each Army unit reports that they will be able to return to normal operations once they finish their training.

Active-duty troops will be required to complete training within 24 hours for the first week of May. On the other hand, National Guards and Reserve units have until May 31 to complete their training.

Related Article: The Georgia Army National Guard Plans to Launch Recruitment Ads on High Schooler Phones

Cause of Deadly US Army Helicopter Crashes Remain Unknown

John Pennel, a spokesperson for the US Army Alaska, states that Military investigators were expected to arrive at Alaska with a team from Fort Novosel in Alabama.

Although the latest crash in Alaska and the crash in Kentucky are under investigation, the Army ruled out any connection between the two accidents. Officials state that "there was no indication of any pattern between the two."

Gen. McConville states they are deeply saddened by those they have lost. He adds, "It is their loss that makes it all the more important we review our safety procedures and training protocols, and ensure we are training and operating at the highest levels of safety and proficiency."

Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, the commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division also sends his prayers to the loved ones of fallen soldiers. He says, "The families of Fort Wainwright and 1-25 are as strong a team as I've ever seen."

"Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and loved ones of the fallen," he adds.

Read Also: New Arms Race: US Military Conducts Another Test Launch for Hypersupersonic Weapons
GOP 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley called ailing Sen. Dianne Feinstein a prime example of why we need mental competency tests for politicians, urging the 89-year-old Democrat to resign from the Senate.

In an opinion piece published on Fox News Monday, Haley, a onetime U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in Donald Trumps administration, called Feinstein a trailblazer whos made an indelible mark in public service.

But its been obvious for quite some time that shes in significant mental and physical decline, Haley wrote.

I agree with several congressional Democrats who say Feinstein should resign immediately and let someone else who is able to do the job take over, she continued.

Feinstein, who was hospitalized with a case of shingles in February, is still recovering at home in San Francisco. She has pledged to come back to Washington once her doctors clear her, but has yet to provide a date for her return.

The California Democrat is not running for reelection, but has said she intends to serve the remainder of her term.

But some progressive Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), have grown impatient by Feinsteins absence and called on her to step aside out of respect for the American people.

Her lengthy absence has also been a challenge for Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Feinstein is a member, and has raised concerns that it could stall President Joe Bidens legislative priorities, including getting his judicial nominees approved. While Feinstein bowed to pressure and asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the committee, Republicans refused to allow the request.

Her absence has also hindered the panel from potentially compelling Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to testify before the committee with regard to the ethics rules governing the justices, following revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted lavish gifts from a GOP megadonor.

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In her piece, Haley said Feinstein has demonstrated she no longer has the ability to perform her Senate duties.

At 89 years old, she is a prime example of why we need mental competency tests for politicians, Haley wrote.

Haley first floated the idea of politicians taking such exams when she launched her presidential campaign in South Carolina, where she previously served as governor, in February.

She called for mandatory term limits and mandatory competency testing for politicians over 75.

Her remarks were also interpreted as an apparent jab at Trump, 76, and Biden, 80.

Biden launched his reelection campaign last week. If successful, he would be 86 at the end of his second term.

In an interview with Fox News last week, Haley suggested it was possible Biden would die in the next five years, and therefore a vote for him would effectively be a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

If you vote for Joe Biden you really are counting on a President Harris, because the idea that he would make it until 86 years old is not something that I think is likely, Haley said.

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Freshman Sen. Aisha Wahab, D-Hayward, who pushed three major bills through committee last week  and sparked some controversy in the process  is the subject of a recall movement, according to a filing with the Secretary of State.

The phone number associated with the Committee to Support the Recall of Aisha Wahab belongs to its treasurer, Thomas E. Montgomery of Political Communications Inc., which provides compliance, communication and voter data services to campaigns and committees, according to the firms website.

The website says that Montgomery, who is also Vice Chair of the Marin County Republican Central Committee, is a Republican businessman and political activist who knows full well what a daunting task being a Republican in the Golden State can be, especially when its home to such famous, and well-liked, politicians as Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Diane Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi.

Montgomery referred a request for comment to a spokesperson for the committee, who did not respond to a message Monday evening.

Im here to do the work of the people, Wahab said in a statement to The Bee on Tuesday. These retaliatory efforts will not distract me, and I will continue to advance bills that have the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of Californians.

Per California law, the committee must serve Wahab with a notice of intention to recall, and the state would need to approve the language of the recall petition.

According to the Secretary of State, the number of signatures needed on a petition to recall a State Senator must equal at least 20% of the last vote for the office. In Wahabs 2022 race for Senate District 10, a total of 214,008 votes were cast. A recall petition will need almost 43,000 signatures. If the committee collects enough valid signatures, a recall election would be held.

Wahab, a Bay Area progressive and former Hayward City Councilwoman, has already made waves in her short time as a Senator. Last week, SB 403, a bill that would formally ban caste-based discrimination in California, made it through the Senate Judiciary Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support.

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But the measure has drawn intense scrutiny from Indian Americans, many of whom came to the Capitol last week to voice their dissent. They say that the bill itself is racist and will result in racial profiling against Hindu Americans.

Two other bills also passed through their respective committees  the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights and the Safe Minors Act, the latter which would make it a crime to arrange or officiate marriage between a minor and an adult.

But amid her successes, Wahabs comments during a hearing for her lobby reform bill prompted outcry from members of a Sacramento women-run nonprofit.

At the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee hearing last month for SB 573, which would bar legislative staffers from becoming lobbyists for two years after they leave the Capitol, Wahab angered members of We Said Enough, founded in 2017 to speak out against workplace sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying in professional and academic settings.

The group strongly opposes the bill because it may create unfair limitations on legislative staffs future career opportunities and, as they wrote on Twitter, it could TRAP staff in hostile or abusive work places by preventing them from holding meaningful, well compensated employment elsewhere.

Wahab pushed back.

I find it ... insulting and harmful to the men and women that experience sexual assault, let alone as an advocate and survivor, that an organization would utilize the trauma of people to oppose a bill that strictly is about lobbying reform, she said. about the groups opposition last month.

Her comments drew demands for an apology, notably from Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, D-Inglewood. Wahab has not apologized, but she has delayed action SB 573 until next year.
(Getty/iStock/AP/Reuters)

Republican senators have laid down clear lines for Democrats when it comes to Senator Dianne Feinsteins continued absence from the Senate. They will only replace her on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and therefore allow Democrats to continue their work confirming judicial nominees, if she resigns from the upper chamber of Congress altogether.

Whatever the normal process has been in the past, wed follow in the future, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told The Independent last week.

Ms Feinstein has been away from the Senate since March, when she was hospitalised with shingles. At 89, Ms Feinstein is the senior most Democratic senator and the bodys oldest member. But her absence comes at a crucial time for Senate Democrats; as Republicans control the House of Representatives, Democrats have prioritised confirming judicial nominees, who only require Senate support.

The absence also comes as Democrats seek to probe Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for his relationship with Republican megadonor Harlan Crow after a series of stories in ProPublica. Last week, Chief Justice John Roberts rebuffed a request to testify before the Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing on Supreme Court ethics on 2 May.

That creates a predicament for Democrats, who only hold 51 of the Senates 100 seats. That means without Ms Feinsteins presence, they cannot force subpoenas and can only confirm judges with bipartisan support.

Ms Feinstein had requested last month that she be temporarily replaced as she continues to recover. Senate Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, put forth Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, who earlier this week announced he would not seek re-election in 2024. But Republicans, led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, rebuffed the request.

Senator Chuck Grassley, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he would be open to replacing Ms Feinstein on the committee if she would resign altogether.

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Chuck Grassley (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The dispute is when they were asking her to give up the seat temporarily, to get a whole bunch of people they can't get out of committee ... when there's plenty of bipartisan support for other judges we ought to be working on when we get out, not playing some fancy game to move something that doesn't have bipartisan support, he told The Independent.

Like Ms Feintein, Mr Grassley is in his late 80s and Ms Feinstein was previously the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee when he last served as chairman during Donald Trumps presidency, when Republicans held a Senate majority. Mr Grassley said he took umbrage with calls for Ms Feinstein to resign.

That's very anti-woman, it's very anti-aging and they should just let her leave her alone, he said.

Mr Cardin, for his part, seemed resigned to letting Ms Feinstein return.

Senator Ben Cardin. (Getty)

Well, not I'm hoping that Senator Feinstein will be returning shortly, he told The Independent. At this moment, the discussions are with Senator Schumer, Senator McConnell.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed the sentiment.

If she retires, we're back to a posture in the past that follows precedent and I think that precedent has been to seat to another member, he told The Independent.

Senator Feinstein decides to retire, you come see me and we'll talk about, but I don't think Senator Feinstein is going to do that, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, a Republican member of the Judiciary Committee, told The Independent. And I think the way that she is being treated is an abomination.

But Democrats insist that their colleague will return soon. Senator Alex Padilla, Californias junior senator, said Republican attempts to halt a temporary replacement were disappointing.

Senator Dianne Feinstein. (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

But clearly the best way forward for Senator Feinstein to return, he told The Independent. I know she's eager to visit her doctor to get permission to travel.

Ms Feinstein announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election. But she has faced numerous questions about whether her mental accuity has declined in recent years. Ahead of Mr Biden assuming the presidency, she gave up her spot as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin assumed.

She also did not assume the role of Senate President Pro Tempore earlier this year, which is usually reserved for the senior most senator of the majority party. Senator Patty Murray of Washington State assumed it instead.

Her continued absence also comes as Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who was out of the Senate for six weeks to undergo treatment for depression, returned last moth.

Some Democrats like Representative Ro Khanna of California have called for her resignation. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also called on Ms Feinstein to resign on the Bluesky app, CNN reported.

Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary - precisely where repro rights are getting stripped. That failure means now in this precious window Dems can only pass GOP- approved nominees, she said.

But Senators often hesitate to criticise one of their own, particularly of their own party.

Let's take it one step at a time, Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, who announced her retirement earlier this year, told The Independent. I know shes anxious to come back. Shes just waiting for the doctors OK.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts criticised Republican efforts to prevent a temporary replacement.

It's outrageous that the Republicans are playing politics with a woman who has served this Senate honorably for decades. She's asked for an opportunity to step away from the committee temporarily and let someone else take her place, she told The Independent. And the Republicans are saying no, for no reason, other than trying to block the court from going forward in its investigation of the Supreme Court and pass more judges, which is the right of the majority to do.

But Ms Feinsteins continued absence is also having an impact far beyond just judicial nominations. On Wednesday, the Senate rolled back the Biden administrations proposed rule that would have put emission restrictions on trucks. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia joined every Republican, which allowed it to pass because of Ms Feinsteins absence.
Everest's Camp 2 seen during the 2021 climbing season

An American doctor has died during an attempt to scale Mount Everest, according to the US embassy in Nepal.

Jonathan Sugarman, 69, of Seattle, was climbing with a Washington-state guiding service when he died on Monday.

The guiding company said his death "was not the result of a climbing accident or route condition" on the mountain.

He is the fourth person to die on Everest during this spring climbing season. In April, three Sherpa porters died after falling into a crevasse.

Mr Sugarman was a retired family medicine specialist and former University of Washington professor, according to US media.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends," the embassy said.

"The Embassy is in contact with Dr Sugarman's family and with local authorities. Out of respect for the family's privacy, we cannot comment further."

No cause of death was given.

Washington-based International Mountain Guides (IMG) said on its blog on Monday that one member of its climbing party had died.

"The rest of the IMG climbing team is all doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances," owner Eric Simonson said.

According to Outside magazine, the doctor had tried to climb Everest in 2022, but turned back after reaching Camp 3.

He had previously struggled with high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) - a dangerous condition caused by rapid elevation change, Mr Sugarman had said in an interview with mountaineering website Uphill Athlete.

The doctor told the website that he experienced HAPE in 2016 during another summit attempt in the Himalayan mountains and was forced to turn back.

Pasang Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to climb Everest, told CNN that Sugarman "died at Camp 2 after he began to feel unwell".

Everest is the highest point on earth at 29,032ft (8,849m).

The last American who died there, Connecticut man Puwei Liu, died from exhaustion in 2021 after reaching the mountain's highest camp.

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Richard Madeley revealed Judy Finnigan has moved out of their marital bed - because of a mouse. (Getty Images)

Richard Madeley has revealed wife Judy Finnigan has moved into the spare bedroom - because of a mouse.

The Good Morning Britain host told viewers he is doing everything he can to catch a mouse that had moved into the couple's bedroom, causing Finnigan, 74, to movie out.

Madeley, 66, said: "Judy is now sleeping in the spare room because we have got this mouse in the bedroom now.

Read more: Richard Madeley says Judy 'gets it' when he makes a cock-up on Good Morning Britain

"It comes out from the bed at about 11pm every night on the dot, virtually to the second.

Richard Madeley appealed for tips on catching mice on GMB. (ITV)

"I've set traps and I have put poison boxes out and a lot of people are saying peanut butter. But I have tried peanut butter and it stinks, and it has not drawn it out."

Madeley and Finnigan have been married since 1986.

The pair presented This Morning together from 1988 until 2001 and then went on to host their own Channel 4 show, Richard & Judy, until 2009.

Finnigan has now retired from the spotlight and writes novels.

Madeley said in 2022 that his wife had never really enjoyed being a TV presenter.

Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley have been married for 37 years. (PA)

He said: "I always say this about Judy, in my mind, she was probably the best female TV presenter of her generation  amazing.

"But she never really enjoyed it that much.

"She enjoyed the job, the process, but all the rubbish that comes along with it, being in the papers She never enjoyed that.

"She doesnt miss it at all."

Madeley and Finnigan celebrated becoming grandparents again last year when daughter Chloe Madeley welcomed a baby girl with partner James Haskell.

Read more: Richard Madeley's 6 most ridiculous 'Good Morning Britain' moments

Madeley already has a grandson Kit, born in 2018 to son Jack and his wife Issy. And Finnigan has twin sons from her first marriage and already has two granddaughters aged nine and four.

Watch: Richard and Judy discuss their family life
Monday nights Met Gala at New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art was a bonafide lovefest for Karl Lagerfeld, whose work is showcased in the Costume Institutes new exhibition, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, opening Friday.

With some Met Gala themes, the sartorial choices can be a tad all over the place, and decidedly rooted in causing a social-media frenzy. While the latter was certainly true with several looks (hello, Jared Leto), the overall vibe Monday evening was rooted in paying tribute not only to the many, many designs Lagerfeld produced during his six-decade career but also to the elements that defined the man himself and the design codes he happily embraced within the iconic houses he famously oversaw.

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Chanel, the galas primary sponsor, was the clear winner in that equation, not only in the number of stars dressed by the legendary French house  which included Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Kristen Stewart, event co-hosts Penelope Cruz and Dua Lipa, Sofia Coppola, Marion Cotillard, Lizzo and Margaret Qualley  but also via a plethora of references easily recognizable by even the most casual Chanel fan. From using camellias and pearls in abundance to boucle tweed and black and white pairings, these have been key signatures since Coco Chanel founded her label in 1910, and then embraced and modernized when Lagerfeld joined the house in 1983, dominated the trends on the Met Gala carpet.

In recent days, Lagerfelds selection as the subject of this years event has generated controversy on social media amid resurfaced biting comments about women and their weight, the #MeToo movement, immigrants and gay marriage. But the mood Monday night was celebratory.

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Among the best looks on the Met Gala red carpet: Cardi Bs skirt fully embellished with black camellias, by Singapore-based designer Chen Peng and the oversized white camellias Rihanna wore both as a hood and a cape over a matching white silk gown, designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino. Jeremy Pope, meanwhile, may have captured the nights high-drama award in a floral-embroidered Balmain cape that stretched out to 10 meters, which Olivier Rousteing finished with a rendering of a hand-drawn illustration of Lagerfeld  ponytail and sunglasses included, naturally. Several stars also chose to capture the spirit of the designers personal style, including Jessica Chastain wearing black sunglasses and a platinum wig with her black Gucci gown and Simu Liu in Atelier Versace, wearing a pleated black jacket with matching pants and a high-collared white shirt and black tie, a look that had become a uniform for Lagerfeld for many years prior to his death in February 2019.

Rihanna attends the 2023 Met Gala

We were really excited to get the invite, Liu, who works with stylist Jeanne Yang, told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet. Given who Karl was, getting to step into that aesthetic was really thrilling for me. Karl has so much to offer from an iconic design perspective, so I just wanted to replicate that and pay homage to it in any way that I could. So that became the high collar and the tie a bit popped out. He was a flashy man, and tonight I feel flashy, too.

The jumping-off point for Amanda Seyfrieds custom look was Cartiers Agrafe necklace in 18-karat rose gold, a draped multistrand design with hook-and-eye closures that take their cue from haute couture, which inspired Oscar de la Renta co-creative directors to design a nude-illusion dress crafted of more than 80,000 hand-draped bugle beads. Its very Karl, [very] 70s Chloe, Seyfried told THR.

Amanda Seyfried at Monday nights Met Gala.

Other references werent as literal, but they were embraced with a similar spirit. For Anne Hathaway, Donatella Versace focused on ivory boucle tweed and pearls, detailed with gold safety pins to create a gown that married Lagerfelds Chanel codes with Gianni Versaces famed 1994 safety-pin dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley. For Kim Kardashian, Schiaparellis Daniel Roseberry that consisted of ropes of more than 50,000 freshwater pearls draped over a nude bra and corset, while at the other end of the spectrum, Maude Apatow was thrilled to learn that the original version of the satin and beaded cutout dress she wore, by Gabriela Hearst for Chloe (a label Lagerfeld oversaw for almost three decades), awaited her inside the exhibition. Gabriela reimagined this dress from a design Karl produced in 1983, and its so cool to see what he did and how she created something new from that, Apatow said. Gabriela really is the coolest person on the planet, and now I cant wait to take a photo next to the OG dress.

Rachel Brosnahan likewise opted for a sheer look in a black Sergio Hudson column gown with Swarovski-crystal detailing. Im such a longtime fan of Sergios; he really knows his way around womens bodies, Brosnahan said. And hes been really inspired by Karl for a long time. He sent over some reference images, [including] a beautiful black mesh from a Karl for Chloe show in the 90s, so were bringing back 90s goth mesh glam to the carpet. Of her sheer tulle hoop skirt, worn as a dress over a black sequined bikini, Janelle Monae joked that the custom look by Thom Browne was the result of what might have happened if Thom Browne, Karl Lagerfeld and Janelle Monae had a threesome.

Jessica Chastain attends the 2023 Met Gala

Rami Malek, who often favors the work arising from the partnership of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons for his red-carpet appearances, also took a thoughtful approach to his Met Gala style. I love working with Mrs. Prada and Raf, and there was a collection from Fall/Winter 2012 that I thought kind of exemplified with Karl might do, but in a very Prada way, Malek said of his crisp look of a white collarless shirt and vest with navy pants, paired with Cartier jewels. So I asked them to inspire it based on that look, and they did, and I think they did it flawlessly.

Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon adopted a similar strategy for the black and white gown he crafted for model Adut Akech. There are shared codes of elegance between Carolina Herrera and Mr. Lagerfeld, he explained to THR. So I took the idea of black and white to draw inspiration from those. The skirt is hundreds of handmade flowers, while the bodice is fully embellished with pearls, and its all brought to life by Adut, whos a supermodel for the ages. Every designer today has been touched and inspired by Karl Lagerfeld at some point, so tonight is about celebrating and being honest about that.

Indeed, many attendees brought their personal memories to the evening, painting a picture of Lagerfeld as a beloved friend and mentor.

Anne Hathaway in Versace; Jared Leto, dressed as Karl Lagerfelds cat Choupette; and Salma Hayek in Gucci share a moment on the Met Gala carpet.

He was my neighbor in Paris, explained Salma Hayek, who wore a crimson Gucci gown adorned with pearls at the shoulders, of Lagerfeld. And not everybody can tell you this, but even if he went to the supermarket, he still did it as himself, with the ponytail and the sunglasses and the beautiful black and white suit. He never stopped being himself. He was so funny and so kind.

Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin agreed. We worked with Karl many times, and he was a life force, Lurhmann said. He was absolutely not nostalgic; he refused to look backward. Instead, he could be working with a book club down the road in the middle of the night while producing a shoot upstairs, and hed grab you in the middle of the night and ask you to put on a white shirt while joining everyone for a dinner party downstairs. His mind simply didnt work like anyone elses.

Martin wore a suit originally purchased from Chanel during Lagerfelds tenure, but with sustainability in mind, she had it refashioned by Australia-based house Romance Was Born prior to the Met Gala. They reimagined the suit and re-embroidered it, so its become a lovely combination of Karl and Australia, she said.

Other couples sharing Lagerfeld memories included Pierce Brosnan, wearing a jacquard-print tuxedo by Tom Ford, and his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, in a black beaded gown and matching tulle cape by Monique Lhuillier and carrying a beaded black Chanel evening bag. Karl came and photographed our children with Keely and I years ago, Brosnan recalled. We spent an afternoon on the beach, back in the day before digital photography was coming into its own. We have great photographs we love because of Karl.

Several fashion designers offered a behind-the-scenes look at how Lagerfeld embraced a mentoring role. When I first got the job at Perry Ellis  I got a telegram from Karl Lagerfeld  thats back in the days of telegrams  telling me what a special person Perry Ellis was and that he knew I would do a great job there, recalled Marc Jacobs. Zac Posen likewise remembered the designers guidance: I was fortunate to get great advice from him many times, he said. He photographed me, I got to spend time in his library. He really liked nurturing and working with new talent. Karl also was very loyal to people who worked with him for many years. There are people who started with him on his Patou team [in the late 1950s] who went with him through all his houses. He was fantastic.

Doja Cat attends The 2023 Met Gala dressed as Choupette.

Of course, the night was not without its fantasy, thanks to one reference also closely connected to Lagerfeld: his beloved Burmese cat, Choupette. The designers well-known affection for his alabaster pet in his later years found its way into several statements on the carpet, not the least of which was courtesy of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, whose sequined Chanel ensemble included a subtle motif that, when examined closely, indeed included a pattern of small silver cats splashed across the fabric. I went for the cats, Wintour noted to THR with a smile.

Saturday Night Lives Chloe Fineman, co-host of Vogues livestream, carried a beaded pink cat as an evening bag, while Doja Cat wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown crafted of feathers, sea glass and bugle beads, which finished with a hood embellished with feline ears; the rappers elaborate makeup also leaned into the Choupette homage. But no one went further than Jared Leto, who arrived on the carpet in a head-to-toe cat costume, complete with oversized kitty head fashioned to resemble Choupette. The actor removed the head after a few minutes for the photographers to reveal his identity, then shed the rest of the costume to show that underneath he was wearing a black tunic with matching pants and a cape with embellished shoulders, all courtesy of Lagerfelds eponymous line and coordinated by the labels creative director, Hun Kim.

Amid a sea of looks that balanced the design codes Lagerfeld favored with an elegant wearability, Letos homage was easily the nights most outrageous statement. But given the source of the actors inspiration, the man everyone was celebrating Monday evening would only have been delighted.

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Trails of smoke are seen as rockets are fired from Gaza towards Israel on May 2, 2023

Gaza militants fired rockets Tuesday after the death in Israeli custody of a leading Palestinian figure in the Islamic Jihad group, who had been on hunger strike for nearly three months.

The cross-border fire followed the death of Khader Adnan, who had been on hunger strike since his detention by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank in February.

Israel's prison service announced the death of a detainee affiliated to Islamic Jihad, who was "found early this morning in his cell unconscious".

The news was swiftly followed by rocket fire towards Israel, an AFP journalist witnessed, with the Israeli military reporting three rockets "fell in open areas".

Adnan's death was described as a "deliberate assassination" by Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

"By rejecting his request for his release, neglecting him medically and keeping him in his cell, despite the seriousness of his health condition," the premier said in a statement.

Adnan, 45, was the first Palestinian to die as a direct result of a hunger strike, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.

Other Palestinian detainees have died "as a result of attempts to force feed them", the advocacy group's director, Qaddura Faris, said.

A senior Israeli official described Adnan as "a hunger striker who refused medical attention, risking his life".

"In recent days, the military appeal court decided against releasing him from detention solely on the merit of his medical condition," said the official, who requested anonymity.

Adnan was described by the official as an "operative" with Islamic Jihad, who was facing charges related to his activities within the militant group.

- Prisoner's farewell message -

Islamic Jihad, which is considered a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States, warned Israel will "pay the price for this crime".

"The free hero, Khader Adnan, died as a martyr in a crime committed by the enemy in front of the world," the militant group said in a statement.

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Israel's prison service said Adnan was in jail for the 10th time and his wife, Randa Mousa, previously told AFP her husband had carried out multiple hunger strikes in detention.

"(He is) refusing any support, refusing medical examinations, he is in a cell with very difficult detention conditions," she told AFP last week.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967 and its forces regularly detain Palestinians, who are subject to Israeli military courts.

In his final message, Adnan said he was "sending you these words as my flesh and fat has melted."

"I pray that God accept me as a faithful martyr," he wrote, in a message published Monday by the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.

A medic from the group Physicians for Human Rights Israel visited Adnan in prison earlier this week and warned that he "faces imminent death", while calling for him to be "urgently transferred to a hospital."

Israeli authorities had refused to move Adnan to hospital, according to the rights group and his wife.

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Controversial director Roman Polanski reunited with Samantha Geimer, the woman he pled guilty to having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than 40 years ago.

Geimer was 13 years old at the time Polanski  who was in his 40s  was arrested and charged with rape by use of drugs, perversion, sodomy, providing controlled substances to a minor, and lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14.

Following his guilty plea in 1977, Polanski fled the country and became a fugitive, first finding refuge in London and then settling in France.

While Polanski has never stepped foot on U.S. soil or any country that would extradite him to the United States, he has still created films and won the Academy Award for best director in 2002 for "The Pianist."

ROMAN POLANSKI CRIMINAL CASE TRANSCRIPTS ORDERED RELEASED, COURT RULES

Roman Polanski's rape victim, Samantha Geimer, has forgiven the director for the past.

In the Instagram photo shared from Geimer's private account to Polanski's wife Emmanuelle Seigner's profile, both Roman and Samantha smiled for the camera.

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"Thank you Samantha," Emmanuelle captioned the shot with a few heart emojis.

ROMAN POLANSKI ACCUSED OF 'EXTREMELY VIOLENT' RAPE OF FRENCH WOMAN IN 1975 WHEN SHE WAS 18: REPORT

She added David Geimer for the photo credit and tagged the magazine that published a recent chat between Geimer and Seigner.

"Let me be very clear: what happened with Polanski was never a big problem for me," Geimer told Seigner in the French publication per IndieWire. "I didnt even know it was illegal, that someone could be arrested for it. I was fine, Im still fine."

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She added, "The fact that weve made this [a big deal] weighs on me terribly. To have to constantly repeat that it wasnt a big deal, its a terrible burden."

"Everyone should know by now that Roman has served his sentence. From my side, nobody wanted him to go to jail, but he did and it was enough. He paid his debt to society. There, end of story."

Story continues

QUENTIN TARANTINO PRAISES ROMAN POLANSKI, DEFENDS MARGOT ROBBIE'S LINES IN ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

"Anyone who thinks that he deserves to be in prison is wrong. It isnt the case today, and it wasnt the case yesterday."

In August 1977, Polanski pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor as part of a plea bargain dismissing five other charges. Geimer had testified that Polanski gave her champagne and a sedative during a photoshoot and proceeded to have sex with her despite her objections.

Roman Polanski is seen in court after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with a minor.

The sexual assault happened at Jack Nicholson's mansion. He was not home when the encounter occurred.

Forty years later, Geimer appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom pleading for a judge to officially dismiss the case so that her family could move on. The judge denied the request months later.

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A California appeals court in July ordered the unsealing of a conditional deposition transcript from former prosecutor Roger Gunson to be opened in the criminal case against director Polanski. Gunson retired in 2002.

"This case has been described by the courts as one of the longest-running sagas in California criminal justice history," Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon said in a press release. "For years, this office has fought the release of information that the victim and public have a right to know."

In 2018, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted to kick Polanski out and subsequently defended its decision by saying he was given a fair opportunity to challenge the Academy's ruling.

Polanski sued the Academy the following year on the grounds that the group had failed to follow its own procedures when it voted to kick him out. He was expelled alongside Bill Cosby for violating the organizations standards of conduct.

In its response, the Academy said the board considered voluminous materials submitted by Polanski on appeal, including more than 400 pages of exhibits and a detailed memo from his attorney. Polanski also recorded a videotaped statement directly addressing the board of governors.
The woman whom Roman Polanski pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting in 1977 sat down for an interview with the director's wife, Emmanuelle Seigner. (Ennio Leanza / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)

A picture is worth a thousand words, and a recent one featuring Roman Polanski and his 1977 rape victim is certainly worth even more.

The disgraced "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" director and Samantha Geimer, who Polanski was accused of raping in Los Angeles when she was 13, recently smiled and posed for a photo together, reaffirming her long-held stance in the protracted legal saga that has dogged them both for more than four decades.

Polanski's wife Emmanuelle Seigner on Saturday reposted the photo of the director and Geimer on Instagram on the heels of their recent meeting and interview, which was chronicled by the French publication Le Point this month. The women described themselves as kind of kindred spirits inextricably linked by Polanski and thought it was important to talk in "complete solidarity."

"Thank you Samantha ... Photo credit David Geimer," Seigner wrote Saturday, posting the photo of Samantha Geimer and Polanski. The original image appears to have been first posted on Geimer's private Instagram account and was taken by her husband, David Geimer.

Polanski, 89, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting Geimer (nee Samantha Gailey) in the 1970s when he was 43. He fled to France from the U.S. more than four decades ago after pleading guilty in 1977 to one count of unlawful intercourse with a minor, following allegations he drugged and assaulted her at the home of actor Jack Nicholson. He fled while still on probation and before a verdict was delivered.

"Let me be very clear: What happened with Polanski was never a big problem for me, Geimer told Seigner in a translated version of the interview obtained Monday by The Times. I didnt even know it was illegal, that someone could be arrested for it. I was fine, Im still fine. The fact that weve made this [a big deal] weighs on me terribly. To have to constantly repeat that it wasnt a big deal, its a terrible burden.

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Geimer told Seigner that she "was not a child at 13" and said what happened between her and Polanski wasn't that shocking because many people were having an illicit relationships with minors at the time.

"At the time, a whole bunch of teenage girls would have dreamed of ending up in Jack Nicholson's house to have sex with the first guy they could get their hands on," Geimer said.

The filmmaker was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 but a Swiss court ultimately rejected the U.S.'s extradition request and released him. Seigner said that "things changed completely" after that. Polanski has not yet returned to the U.S.

"From there, everyone started talking about 'rape, rape, rape,'" Seigner said. "Except that word never struck me as appropriate for Roman, because I know him so well; I know he is incapable of violence. So yes, after that, the situation became horrible, I was ashamed and I didn't want to find myself facing people who thought I could live with this kind of guy."

In response, Geimer said the goal was to "shame" and "humiliate" Seigner. She told Seigner that the 2009 extradition attempt was "so unfair and so in opposition to justice."

"Everyone should know by now that Roman has served his sentence. Which was  long, if you want my opinion," she said in the translated article, adding that the filmmaker had "paid his debt to society" already.

Even at the height of the #MeToo movement, which she described as "really, really retrograde," Geimer urged Los Angeles authorities to end the drawn-out case for both their sake in 2017. In recent years, she also called for additional testimony in the case to be made public.

Last summer, unsealed court transcripts revealed that a Los Angeles County judge intended to sentence Polanski to only 90 days in prison for sexually abusing Geimer, bolstering the directors chances of terminating his status as a fugitive.

The mother of three grown sons also opened up about the case in her 2013 memoir, The Girl: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski. She recounted her version of the alleged events in the book and said she feels more wounded by what she calls the victim industry: the lawyers, judge and journalists whom she feels sensationalized her case for their own interests.

You shouldnt be able to make what happened to me worse so its more interesting, Geimer told The Times then. Youre put upon to feel bad and be a victim so other people can use you as they see fit.

She reiterated that view with Seigner.

"I persevere, but the fact is people don't want to hear the truth when it doesn't fit their purpose," she said.

Geimer said that she was not very optimistic about the media's perspective changing.

"I've been trying to get people to listen to me for a long time. And it looks like things are only getting worse," she said, to which Seigner replied, "We have to change things, it has to be. We are two now. we are stronger."

Polanski has continued to direct movies regularly to critical praise, but over the years at least six other women have accused him of sexually abuse, with most of them saying the abuse happened when they were minors. None of those allegations resulted in criminal charges, and through his attorneys he denied any wrongdoing in those cases.

The filmmaker, who has been nominated for five Academy Awards, was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and stripped of his directing Oscar for "The Pianist" in 2018. His case, along with those of twice-convicted movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, has repeatedly been cited during the academy's recent crackdowns on its members' conduct.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
As the countdown begins to the Coronation on Saturday, royal superfans have already started to set up camp on Pall Mall as they look forward to the icing of the cake of King Charless long career.

Stationed a stones throw from Buckingham Palace, the royalists are draped in Union Flags as they eagerly await the crowning of their new monarch.

The lavish service of state ritual will run from 11am to 1pm when the newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla embark on their coronation procession back to the palace in the Gold State Coach.

Pall Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace is already buzzing with excitement as people set up tents (PA Wire)

To lock in the best seats to view the royal procession, Faith Nicholson from Althorne, Essex, arrived on Pall Mall on Monday night  five days early to secure a coveted place for the historic event.

She described her first night sleeping on The Mall as cold and noisy and said she barely slept on the hard floor. But the discomfort is worth it to the 60-year-old who has followed the Kings success story all her life.

I am really excited, she said. I was there when he [Charles] got married, I was there when his wife [Diana] had babies but this is the icing on the cake. Hes going to be King.

The only grey cloud on an otherwise celebratory weekend is the recent royal fallout between Prince Harry and his family, Ms Nicholson said.

I think its really sad but he is his own man, as Meghan is her own woman. People make mistakes and I think he has made a big one. But he is got to live his own life the way he wants to.

Faith Nicholson from Althorne, Essex said she has always been a fan of King Charles (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

Also beaming with excitement ahead of the festivities was Donna Werner, who travelled all the way from Connecticut, in the United States.

The royal fan arrived on 26 April but only pitched up her tent on the route on Tuesday morning.

While enjoying the lively atmosphere, she was surprised to be reunited with a fellow monarchist who she had befriended during Prince William and Kate Middletons wedding.

Donna Werner (right) arrived from the US last week and was surprised by a friend she made during the William and Kates royal wedding (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

Further down the long stretch, Anne Daley has decorated her corner with Welsh flags as she greeted fascinated onlookers.

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The 65-year-old arrived from Cardiff this morning to secure her spot.

Anne Daley, 65, arrived in London from Cardiff on Tuesday morning (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

Ms Daley said she was most excited about the symbolic Welsh presence in the upcoming ceremony, with baritone, Sir Bryn Terfel, confirmed to be singing a new Welsh language song called, Coronation Kyrie.

On the day, when youre in the Abbey and you hear those Welsh hymns, it will be very moving, Ms Daley said.

Asked if she will be able to last camping outside until Saturday, she looked over to the Palace behind her and said: Well see how it goes.

Sisters Lisa and Anita were busy setting up a tent for their 83-year-old mother, Mary, who will arrive on Friday night.

Sisters Lisa and Anita are camping out on the Mall to secure a spot for their 83-year-old mum (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

She really wants to camp out for the night so were setting up a spot for her, Lisa said.

The dutiful daughters admitted they would certainly not be camping out for the Coronation on their own accord, but its what you do for your mum!
Operational Chinese moon bases could be operational by 2030.

A China Central Television (CCTV) report recently mentioned that the country plans to put Chinese astronauts on the surface of the Moon by 2030.

China is an active competitor in the new Space Race and already has plans to start building its lunar bases during a mission around 2028.

China Lunar Mission Details

The CCTV report, citing statements from Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, stated that the Chinese people could and will put Chinese boots on the Moon by 2030 without any issue, per Space.com.

To put Chinese astronauts on the Moon, China is developing a next-generation rocket to launch an upgraded crew spacecraft and working on a lunar lander of its own. This new rocket is scheduled for a test flight in 2027; the spacecraft has already undergone testing through an uncrewed mission.

The moon lander China is working on isn't anything confidential - the country has been going at it since early 2023, when China first revealed its intention to put Chinese Astronauts on the Moon by 2030, per Space News. China even unveiled a concept for its lunar lander that could make that dream a reality soon.

Read More: EU Proposes New Copyright Rules for Companies Using AI Tools

While the Moon landers provide a temporary opportunity to stay on the Moon, Chinese experts are also planning to start building lunar bases for more permanent accommodations during a mission around 2028. To do so, they plan on using a robot named "Chinese Super Masons" to make bricks out of lunar soil.

These bases will be powered by nuclear energy, and their basic configuration will consist of a lander, hopper, orbiter, and rover, which China plans to build through its Chang'e 6, 7, and 8 missions.

Weiren previously mentioned that these lunar bases will not only become hubs for lunar exploration but also for China's "strategic needs as a space power."

Ding Lieyun, one of the top scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, mentioned that the Moon might have a source of waste-free nuclear energy that could meet global energy demands for 250 years.

The New Space Race

China isn't the only superpower with dreams to put astronauts and a base of operations on the Moon. The US is also going through its own Moon mission, the Artemis program, to put humanity back on the Moon sometime by 2025, if Artemis 2 is a success, per NASA.

The Artemis 3 mission not only aims to put people back on the Moon's surface again but also to bring the first woman and person of color to the Moon's surface - specifically the region near the lunar South Pole.

NASA is already making headway for its own Moon base through the successful deployment of its CAPSTONE spacecraft, which would be the start of its Artemis Gateway lunar base for lunar and deep space exploration.

Related Article: China Wants To Start Building Lunar Bases by 2028
The Russian military attacked a border settlement in Kharkiv Oblast in the morning, resulting in one person being injured.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The village of Petropavlivka, Kupiansk district, came under Russian attack. Early reports indicate that a 73-year-old woman received a shrapnel wound."

Details: Syniehubov said doctors were providing assistance to the injured woman.

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The Russian Embassy has organised an Immortal Regiment demonstration in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). [The Immortal Regiment is an annual Russian event held on Victory Day, 9 May, organised by a non-profit of the same name with the aim of immortalising the memory of World War II veterans  ed.]

Source: Kremlin-aligned news outlet RIA Novosti, quoting Alina Mirzakhanova, the press attache of the Russian diplomatic mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Quote: "On 1 May, the Embassy organised the Immortal Regiment event for the third time in the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 100 people marched through the streets of Kinshasa, including embassy staff, fellow Russians, Russian military observers, police officers from the UN Stabilisation Mission in the DRC, and Congo citizens sympathetic to Russia."

Details: A video shared by the Kremlin-aligned news outlet shows members of the Immortal Regiment marching with posters, red flags and a large unfurled Russian flag.

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    "" pic.twitter.com/SgvMIF2yME     (@ukrpravda_news) May 2, 2023

It is noted that local musicians performed a Soviet wartime song, Katyusha, to the accompaniment of violins.

Background: Russia has decided to do without the procession of the Immortal Regiment in Russia on Victory Day.

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COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's intelligence service expects Russia to recruit civilians and use journalists and business people to spy on the country as an alternative to Russian diplomats who were expelled last year on suspicion of espionage, it said on Tuesday.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has intensified Moscow's need for intelligence gathering in NATO countries, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) said in a report on Tuesday.

Controlling the entrance to the Baltic Sea, Denmark would play an important strategic role in a potential military conflict with Russia as a transit point for NATO reinforcements, making the NATO-member a particular focus for Russia, PET said.

Russia's embassy in Copenhagen did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters.

When Denmark, in line with other EU countries, expelled 15 Russian diplomats in April last year, it crippled Russia's capacity to spy on Danish soil.

"But Russia's need to obtain information in Denmark has increased ... and PET therefore expects Russia to try to use other ways of spying in Denmark," PET said.

"...It could be stationing intelligence officers in Denmark outside the diplomatic representations, for example as journalists or business people, using visiting intelligence officers or that the Russian intelligence services to a greater extent recruit any Danish sources in Russia or in third countries."

Other methods would include different forms of electronic intelligence gathering and cyber espionage, it added.

(Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Andrii Cherniak, a representative of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, believes that Russia should be cut off from Crimea so that it can finally make a "goodwill gesture" regarding the peninsula.

Source: Cherniak in a comment to the ArmyInform outlet

Quote: "Of course, the enemy needs to be cut off from Crimea  [we have to] make sure that Russia cannot use the temporarily occupied peninsula for military purposes and, ultimately, will make the so-called Crimean goodwill gesture [surrender of the peninsula  ed.]. Achieving this goal may indeed be the key to a fair peace."

Details: Cherniak has said that Ukraine does not stop taking appropriate measures, as evidenced, in particular, by the recent events on the peninsula.

Quote: "Kilometre-long traffic jams on the illegally built bridge from Kerch to Russia are the right reaction. The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine strongly recommends leaving occupied Crimea while this option is still available. Ukraine is coming back and will come back to Crimea."

Background:

The phrase "goodwill gesture" became popular after Russia surrendered Zmiinyi (Snake) Island in June 2022. At that time, the Russian authorities stated that they had "completed their tasks on the island" and withdrawn the garrison that was deployed there, supposedly "as a goodwill gesture".

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(Bloomberg) -- Russia is likely to resume buying foreign currency for its reserves as soon as this month as rising oil earnings stabilize public finances despite US and European efforts to squeeze Kremlin income.

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With energy revenues now close to exceeding their target level, purchases are possible already in May, according to Bloomberg Economics, which estimates initial volumes could amount to the equivalent of around $200 million in yuan per month. The Chinese currency is the main asset Russia can still use to conduct transactions for its $154 billion wealth fund because of sanctions.

An announcement from the Finance Ministry is due later this week. Its already been reducing yuan sales, used for covering the budget deficit, during the last two months and cut Aprils total to near half the figure for February.

It will be important for the market that the state is starting to accumulate reserves again instead of spending them,said Natalia Milchakova, an analyst at Freedom Holding Corp. This may even positively affect the ruble.

Since purchases were halted in late January 2022, followed by the programs suspension after the invasion of Ukraine the following month, the Finance Ministry has only sold foreign currency this year under a revamped budgetary mechanism designed to insulate the economy from the volatility of commodity markets. Russia gets around a third of its budget revenues from the oil and gas industry.

What Bloomberg Economics Says...

The volumes of FX purchases will be small initially, but highly symbolic as they will show that the country instead of eating through reserves is building them.

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Alexander Isakov, Russia economist.

A turnaround now would underscore Russias ability to keep up the flow of petrodollars in the face of sanctions and the price cap imposed for buyers by Group of Seven industrialized nations and their partners in the European Union. Though strained by military spending and still running an unprecedented deficit, the budget is on the mend thanks in part to changes in the way the government calculates some oil taxes.

Read more: Russia Says Export Price of Its Crude has Risen to Almost $60

The base price used in the oil-output and profit-based tax calculations for crude producers is calculated at a discount of the nations flagship Urals crude to international benchmark Brent  set at $34 a barrel for April before gradually narrowing to $25 from July.

Although the price cap reduced the price of the nations oil, Russia has managed to cope by implementing the Urals discount to Brent and forcing producers to pay more taxes. A weaker ruble this year has also benefited a government that collects much of its revenue from energy taxes denominated in foreign currency but spends in rubles.

The eventual timing of restarting the purchases is in dispute among economists since the decision also depends on factors ranging from a volatile ruble and possible changes to the discount in the tax formula to any deviation in actual energy revenues relative to the amount expected in April.

Rosbank economist Evgeny Koshelev sees a range of scenarios that include currency purchases brought forward to May or alternatively delayed to June or even July.

In the first quarter, contributions from oil and gas to the Russian budget were down by 45% from a year earlier to 1.64 trillion rubles. The fiscal shortfall as of late April already far exceeds the Finance Ministrys full-year target for 2023.

Purchases will start from June, but will be very small under current conditions, said Dmitry Polevoy, economist at Locko-Invest in Moscow.

The outlook is shifting as a result of the rising export prices of Russias crude and changes in the tax formula that the Finance Ministry expects will deliver some 600 billion rubles of additional budget income.

Though Bloomberg Economics is certain Russia will start currency purchases within the next three months, it puts the probability of their resumption at 65% in May and 80% in June since a decline in oil output adds some uncertainty.

Projections for Urals prices by BCS Financial Group, however, show Russia may only start buying in the third quarter at the earliest.

In May and subsequent months, as the oil price recovers, the volume of resources drawn from the wealth fund will gradually decrease, said Natalia Lavrova, chief economist at BCS.

(Updates with economist comment in 12th paragraph.)

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The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has not recorded the use of the Su-57 and Su-75 aircraft by Russians on the territory of Ukraine.

Source: Air Force spokesperson, Colonel Yurii Ihnat, during a briefing at the Ukraine-Ukrinform media centre

Quote: "They have a Su-57 plane, which they showed at exhibitions, there is also a Su-75 plane, the first one with two engines, and the second with one. These are such super-planes, as they already call them there, of the 'sixth generation'... More than once, their media wrote that they had already shown something on the front, that they had thrown bombs and rockets somewhere.

The Air Force of Ukraine has not recorded the use of these aircraft in air aggression against Ukraine."

Details: According to Ihnat, it cannot be ruled out that the Russians used them remotely (for the air defence of Ukraine, occupiers aircraft are just marks on the radar).

At the same time, the spokesperson of the Air Force noted that the Russian Federation has enough other aircraft (Su-30SM, Su-35, Su-34, Su-25) and helicopters (Ka-52), which are most often used on the frontline. This is Russian aircraft, which is quite superior to the Ukrainian in terms of technology and number.

According to the colonel, the air forces of all the countries of the world are not currently betting on what Russia is boasting about at airshows (performance of some manoeuvres).

For example, the US, which is the leading manufacturer of combat aircraft, including the F-35 and F-22, is betting on new technologies "who sees who first and uses weapons [is the one who will] destroy the enemy first."

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Mariupol after Russian shelling

The leader of the so-called 'DPR,' Denis Pushilin, signed an order to create such 'committees, the message reads.

Read also: Mariupol mayor advisor shows whats left of Prymorsky wasteland

The document has already been posted on 'official' occupation channels."

Vadym Boychenko, Mariupol City Mayor, said that after invading Donetsk Oblast, destroying its cities, and killing tens of thousands of civilians, Moscow now aims to coerce locals into fighting their fellow Ukrainians.

Read also: Russias Butcher of Mariupol first to go in reported major Defense Ministry purge

According to Boychenko, Russia has already demonstrated a complete disregard for human life and will likely use fresh recruits as mere cannon fodder in its war against Ukraine.

Read also: Russia moving T-90 tanks through Mariupol for first time  mayor advisor

The draft will reportedly involve men born between 1996 and 2005, with city administration instructed to search for those shirking their military duty. Avoiding this illegal draft will make Ukrainian citizens in Mariupol face criminal liability.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Two months into Moscows threatened oil output cut, there is no sign of a sustained drop in crude flows out of the country.

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Russias exports jumped back above 4 million barrels a day in the week to April 28, a level it has surpassed only once before since its troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Flows were virtually unchanged on a four-week average basis.

Seaborne flows still arent reflecting a production cut that the energy ministry said was as big as 700,000 barrels a day in March. It doesnt appear that refinery runs in Russia have dropped much either. Figures show processing rates remained virtually unchanged from the start of the year and, in the first 19 days of April, were 720,000 barrels a day higher than the same full month last year.Moscow has halted publication of crude and condensate production data, perhaps to make it more difficult to assess whether it really has cut output before reductions that are due to be made from this month by several of its OPEC+ partners.

In a sign that its strapped for cash to fund its war, the Kremlin is turning again to its oil industry, exploring options ranging from cutting fuel subsidies to a windfall tax as it seeks to boost budget revenue. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin exempted oil flows under existing contracts to so-called friendly nations from an export ban intended to halt shipments to foreign buyers that adhere to a price cap imposed by the Group of Seven nations.

The diversion of crude previously delivered to Poland and Germany through the Druzhba pipeline has boosted seaborne flows during the early part of this year to an average of 3.32 million barrels a day, compared with 2.94 million barrels a day during the equivalent period at the end of 2022. Flows to Germany halted at the end of 2022 and deliveries to Poland were stopped in late February. Polands state-controlled oil refiner PKN Orlen SA has terminated its last contract with a Russian supplier in response to the halt in oil shipments via Druzhba.

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Russias Lifelines

The combined volume of crude on vessels heading to China and India plus smaller flows to Turkey and quantities on ships that havent yet shown a final destination rose for a third week to reach a record 3.39 million barrels a day in the latest four-week period.

As the ultimate destinations of cargoes loading in late January became apparent, flows to China rose to new post-invasion highs, and remained close to those levels in February. Historical patterns suggest that most of the vessels currently identified as Unknown Asia destinations and heading for the Suez Canal will end up in India, while those loaded onto very large crude carriers off the north coast of Morocco or, more recently, in the Atlantic Ocean, will head to China.

Ship-to-ship transfer operations into very large crude carriers have shifted to the Atlantic Ocean from the Mediterranean waters off the Spanish north African city of Ceuta, as they did last summer.The Aframax tankers Nurkez and Crius transferred their cargoes into VLCCs in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands last week.

At least 62 cargoes, or 44.7 million barrels, have been transferred between ships in those two locations and off the Greek coast near Kalamata since the start of the year.

Russia and India are discussing the creation of joint re-insurance institutes for oil shipments, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who didnt rule out that such organizations may appear by the end of the year. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has said that Russia needs new insurance and reinsurance mechanisms for its oil exports.

Until recently, the country was still relying on Western insurers to cover more than half of the tanker fleet that exports its oil. But one of the oil tanker companies heavily involved in moving Russian oil has 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.

Crude Flows by Destination

Crude flows in the week to April 28 jumped by about 680,000 barrels a day from the previous week, to 4.08 million barrels a day. On a four-week average basis, overall seaborne exports were little changed, dropping by 12,000 barrels a day to 3.45 million barrels a day, from their highest in 10 months.

Volatile weekly data are affected by the scheduling of tankers and loading delays caused by bad weather. Port maintenance can also disrupt exports for several days at a time.

All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk.

The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export grade. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Transit crude is specifically exempted from European Union sanctions.

Four-week average shipments to Russias Asian customers, plus those on vessels showing no final destination, edged lower to 3.25 million barrels a day in the period to April 28. Thats down just 30,000 barrels a day from the period to April 21.

While the volumes heading to China and India appear to have declined from recent highs, history shows that most of the cargoes on ships without an initial destination eventually end up in one or other of those countries.

The equivalent of 720,000 barrels a day was on vessels showing destinations as either Port Said or Suez in Egypt, or which already have been or are expected to be transferred from one ship to another off the South Korean port of Yeosu. Those voyages typically end at ports in India or China and show up in the chart below as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent.

The Other Unknown volumes, running at 386,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 28, are those on tankers showing a destination of Ceuta, Kalamata or no destination at all. Most of those cargoes go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. An increasing number are being transferred from one vessel to another in the Mediterranean, or more recently, in the Atlantic Ocean for onward journeys to Asia.

Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries slipped to 63,000 barrels a day in the 28 days to April 28, with Bulgaria the sole destination. These figures do not include shipments to Turkey.

A market that consumed more than 1.5 million barrels a day of short-haul crude, coming from export terminals in the Baltic, Black Sea and Arctic has been lost almost completely, to be replaced by long-haul destinations in Asia that are much more costly and time-consuming to serve.

No Russian crude was shipped to northern European countries in the four weeks to April 28.

Exports to Turkey, Russias only remaining Mediterranean customer, rose to 140,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 28, recovering nearly two-thirds of the previous weeks drop.

Flows to Bulgaria, now Russias only Black Sea market for crude, fell to 63,000 barrels a day, equaling their lowest since the start of 2022, when Bloomberg began compiling the flows in detail.

Flows by Export Location

Aggregate flows of Russian crude jumped to 4.08 million barrels a day in the seven days to April 28, exceeding 4 million barrels a day for only the second time since the start of 2022. Shipments from the Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific were all higher, with flows from the Arctic unchanged from the previous week.

Figures exclude volumes from Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade.

Export Revenue

Inflows to the Kremlin's war chest from its crude-export duty rose by $9 million to $56 million in the seven days to April 28, while four-week average income was unchanged at $47 million.

President Vladimir Putin has signed into law another amendment to the way Russias oil price is assessed for tax purposes. From June, rates of export duty will be calculated in the same way as those for mineral extraction tax and profit-based tax on oil companies, using a decreasing discount to prevailing Brent prices, rather than assessments of Urals crude. Export duty, which will be phased out at the end of 2023, will be based on a reference export price set $28 a barrel below Brent, with the discount falling to $25 in July and remaining at that level until the end of the year.

The duty rate for April was set at $1.95 a barrel, little changed from March, based on a Urals price of $50.80 a barrel during the assessment period that ran from Feb. 15 to March 14. The rate for May is $1.96 a barrel, based on a Urals price of $51.15 a barrel between March 15 and April 14.

Origin-to-Location Flows

The following charts show the number of ships leaving each export terminal and the destinations of crude cargoes from the four export regions.

A total of 37 tankers loaded 28.5 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to April 281, vessel-tracking data and port agent reports show. Thats up by 4.7 million barrels, or 20%. Destinations are based on where vessels signal they are heading at the time of writing, and some will almost certainly change as voyages progress. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade.

The total volume on ships loading Russian crude from Baltic terminals rose to a four-week high of 1.77 million barrels a day.

Shipments of Russian crude from Novorossiysk in the Black Sea jumped to an 11-month high, with flows rising to 772,000 barrels a day. No Kazakhstani crude was loaded at the port during the week.

Arctic shipments were unchanged at 286,000 barrels a day, with two Suezmax tankers loading in the week to April 28.

Flows from the Pacific rose to a six-week high, with 12 tankers loading at the regions three export terminals in the week to April 28, up from 11 the previous week.

Eight cargoes of ESPO crude out of 10 loaded during the week are on vessels heading to China. One is heading to India, while the other is showing its destination as Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia. Previous cargoes heading there from Kozmino have eventually gone on to India.

The remaining volumes heading to unknown destinations are Sokol cargoes that recently have been transferred to other vessels at Yeosu, or are currently being shuttled to an area off the South Korean port from the loading terminal at De Kastri. Most of these are also ending up in India.

Note: This story forms part of a regular weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the export duty revenues earned from them by the Russian government.

Note: All figures exclude cargoes owned by Kazakhstans KazTransOil JSC, which transit Russia and are shipped from Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga as KEBCO grade crude.

Note: The next update of this story will be published on Tuesday May 9.

--With assistance from Sherry Su.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Yudashkin regularly took part in the Paris Fashion week with collections sometimes inspired by his homeland

Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin, who for years featured in Paris Fashion Week until he was excluded over his failure to condemn the Ukraine offensive, died aged 59.

A spokesperson for his fashion company told AFP on Tuesday that "Yudashkin has passed away".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Yudashkin "made a major contribution to the development of Russian culture".

President Vladimir Putin "expresses his deepest condolences", Peskov said.

The designer had been battling cancer for several years, according to Russian media.

In 1991, Yudashkin's Faberge collection -- echoing the decorative eggs -- caused a sensation in Paris.

Since then, he regularly took part in the Paris Fashion week with collections sometimes inspired by his homeland, such as "Ballet" or "Catherine the Great".

In 2008, he helped design the Russian army's uniforms.

In March 2022, France's fashion federation cancelled Russian Yudashkin's show for his failure to condemn the offensive in Ukraine.

bur/giv
Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint Press Centre for Operational Command Pivden (South), has said that the intensification of Russian bombardments of Ukraines south is related to the absence of victories for the Russian occupiers.

Source: Humeniuk on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "It has more to do with the fact that the enemy has no certain victories, particularly no convincing advances in Ukraines east, and no gains along the contact line on the south front.

They don't hit back as much as they are tasked with diverting the attention of the Ukrainian population to the disaster that comes directly to every home."

Details: She added that Russian forces are planning the defence on the temporarily occupied territories in the south.

Humeniuk states that the invaders are engaged in constructing defensive lines and improving the engineering equipment in these areas.

The occupiers are reinforcing both the second and third lines of defence. They are also trying to manoeuvre.

Humeniuk noted that the occupiers were searching for areas to bombard the territories liberated by Ukrainian forces: "This is nothing else but terror. Residential buildings and critical infrastructure are coming under attack".

She states that Russian troops are trying to worsen peoples lives on the right bank of the Dnipro River by "all means".

The Russian occupiers started to regularly attack the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast following the liberation of these territories.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Employers monitoring the productivity of their workers have become a norm, especially during the pandemic when people were forced to work at home due to the restrictions. However, it calls into question the lines that may be crossed.

Calls for Information from Workers

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) from the Biden Administration has requested information about worker surveillance from the public, in an effort to better understand how productivity tracking works between employers and workers.

OSTP's Deputy Chief Deidre Mulligan says that employers are increasingly investing in technology that can track and monitor workers, who will then make decisions based on that information, as mentioned in Gizmodo.

Mulligan enumerated some risks that can stem from constant surveillance, such as working moving too fast on the job, which can pose risks to both their safety and mental health. It can also prevent workers from exercising some rights.

For instance, knowing that their conversations are or might be tracked can make them reluctant to "organize and collectively bargain with their employers," which is their right, as well as automated surveillance resulting in workplace discrimination or differential treatment.

The OSTP wishes to hear from people who have experienced the surveillance themselves, both on the side of the employers and the employees. Researchers who study its effects are also welcome to weigh in on the subject, as well as developers and vendors of the technology.

In addition to that, the office will also be glad to receive relevant data and research, suggestions on the best way to mitigate the risk to workers, and ideas on how the federal government should respond to both risks and opportunities.

Anyone can send their Request for Information (RFI) submissions or stories regarding the matter through workersurveillance@ostp.eop.gov or the Federal eRulemaking Portal, although it should be submitted before the deadline, June 15th, 2023.

Read Also: Here is How to Ensure Safety in the Workplace

Monitoring Employees

Automated surveillance has been associated with negative implications. After all, being watched while you work seems like an unsettling idea for a work environment, but it has its uses just as it could potentially promote an unhealthy workspace.

Knowing that employees are monitored, they can be more productive with their work, especially when they do so remotely. This means that employers will be able to get the amount of work that they pay for since workers will be discouraged to slack.

One of the misconceptions is that companies will invade your private life, but the surveillance software is usually only installed on company-used devices. A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows a 7% increase in profit when employees were monitored.

However, this can affect employee performance negatively as well. There are some who cannot work accordingly when they know they are being watched due to the added pressure. It can also form an environment of distrust, as mentioned in Business.

Too much access can also be dangerous in certain situations. For instance, an employee may forget to switch from a work email to a personal email, so employers will be able to read messages that were meant to be sent privately, which can contain private data like bank accounts.

Related: 7 Ways Technology Impacts Businesses Today
On the evening of 2 May, Russian invaders shelled the village of Kozatske in Kherson Oblast, killing a 66-year-old local resident.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Quote: "This evening, the enemy attacked the village of Kozatske in the Nova Kakhovka hromada [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories]. A 66-year-old man was killed in the shelling."

Details: The invaders' artillery also hit Biloziria hromada, Dnipro Oblast, in the evening. A 78-year-old woman was injured; she was hospitalised in serious condition, and doctors are taking care of her.

The Oblast Military Administration reiterated that today alone, four residents of the Oblast were killed by shelling, and seven more people were injured.

Background: On Tuesday, 2 May, Russian invaders shelled the village of Urozhaine in the Kherson Oblast. A 17-year-old boy was injured.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Russians have strengthened the police regime in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in particular, banning the entry of civilians without local registration.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 2 May

Quote: "The Russian occupiers are strengthening the counterintelligence and police regime in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

In the settlements of Dorozhnianka, Reshetylivka, Kostiantynivka and Chumatske, the invaders banned the entry of civilians without local registration."

Background: Russian Federal Security Service officers on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine dress in plainclothes to find out about Ukrainian partisans.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Russian forces launched attacks on two villages in Kherson Oblast on 2 May. As a result three people died, five were injured.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office on Telegram

Details: The occupiers attacked the villages of Kizomys and Veletenske in Bilozerka hromada [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.].

A 28-year old man died in Veletenske. Four more people were injured and taken to hospital in Kherson where they received medical treatment.

Updated: The Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office reported that three locals were killed and five were injured in the attack on several villages in Bilozerka hromada.

According to the preliminary reports, the occupiers launched artillery and aircraft attacks on civilians. Civil infrastructure facilities, including residential buildings, outbuildings and motor vehicles, were also damaged.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
(Reuters) - The Ukrainian general in charge of ground forces said his troops would not give up the eastern city of Bakhmut as they prepare to begin a counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces.

FIGHTING/MILITARY

* The United States plans to announce as soon as Wednesday a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine that will for the first time include a short-range air-launched rocket, two U.S. officials said.

* Ukrainian President Zelenskiy told the Washington Post in an interview that he was not informed by the White House about a leak this year of U.S. classified military documents. The materials posted online offered a partial, month-old snapshot of the war in Ukraine.

* The European Union plans to boost ammunition production to aid Ukraine and replenish the stocks of EU member countries.

* An explosion caused a second freight train to derail in the Russia region of Bryansk bordering Ukraine. One also derailed on Monday following a blast.

* The Kremlin rejected as "plucked from thin air" a U.S. assessment of 100,000 Russian military casualties in Ukraine in the last five months, including more than 20,000 deaths.

ECONOMY

* Turkey's trade data has started to reflect that Ankara has stopped allowing the re-exportation of Western goods under sanctions to Russia after repeated warnings from Washington, a senior U.S. Treasury Department official said.

* The European Commission said it set restrictions until June 5 on imports of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed to ease the excess supply of these grains in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

* Ukraine's grain exports could fall to around 26 million tonnes in the 2023/24 season, largely due to Russia's invasion.

QUOTES

* "We will continue, despite all the forecasts and advice, to hold Bakhmut, destroying Wagner and other most combat-capable units of the Russian army" - General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian ground forces.

Story continues

RECENT IN-DEPTH STORIES

* INSIGHT-Russia digs in as Ukraine prepares to attack

* ANALYSIS-Russia crosses new lines in crackdown on Putin's enemies

* EXCLUSIVE-The Russian military commandant who oversaw reign of fear in Ukraine town

* EXCLUSIVE-Kazakhstan has ramped up oil exports bypassing Russia -sources

* Liberated villages offer glimpse of precarious Ukrainian health system.

(Compiled by Reuters editors)
There is only one place in San Luis Obispo County where unhoused people can park their RVs, campers and cars and stay there 24/7  free of charge.

Yet after nearly two years, that place is shutting down.

San Luis Obispo County is phasing out the Oklahoma Avenue safe parking site, though it wont close until other housing arrangements are lined up for the remaining residents.

The county gave several reasons for shutting down the site:

It was a pilot program that was never meant to be permanent.

The site lacks hookups for water, sewer and electricity.

Nonprofit agencies werent interested in running it.

Some of the older units arent up to code, putting residents at risk. (A woman died in a fire there in February 2022, when she was trapped inside her RV.)

And finally, the program did not succeed in its original goal, which was to serve as a stepping stone to permanent housing.

SLO County (was) ahead of the curve

Those are all valid concerns.

Yet the county is underestimating the value of what it provides at Oklahoma Avenue.

SLO County was ahead of the curve in offering a safe parking facility thats open 24 hours a day and allows RVs.

Many safe parking lots around California dont allow oversized vehicles  which means RV dwellers have to park illegally or find a property owner willing to take them in.

Also, the vast majority of safe parking lots in the state are open only at night, which means residents have to go elsewhere during the day  not an easy task in communities where most parking is either metered or short-term.

How can people concentrate on improving their situations  meeting with case managers, filling out housing applications, applying for jobs, accessing services like counseling and health care  when they have to worry about schlepping from one parking place to another all day long?

Some areas of the state are just now offering what San Luis Obispo County already has  but is in the process of closing. While its committed to finding housing for the remaining residents, it isnt accepting any new RV dwellers.

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Thats taking a step backward.

Why not build on whats already there, rather than closing down and starting from scratch?

Or at least work on opening a similar facility elsewhere, if the Oklahoma Avenue location isnt suitable. If necessary, charge a reasonable fee  preferably based on ability to pay  to defray expenses.

Consider the alternative: If people living out of their RVs dont have a sanctioned space, theyll park illegally at locations across the county  compounding their own problems and creating a nuisance for nearby neighbors who dont want their streets overrun by caravans of campers, which has happened before.

Instead of designating an area where people can park at little or no cost, the county seems fixated on getting everyone into traditional housing, which generally means a studio, small apartment or perhaps a tiny home.

Thats an unrealistic goal. Housing is scarce in San Luis Obispo County  especially affordable housing. And not everyone is interested in living in a traditional home. That shouldnt make them outcasts.

If San Luis Obispo County truly wants to alleviate homelessness, it should expand the definition of housing to include a range of alternatives.

And if RV living suits some peoples long-term needs, why not accommodate them with a no-frills, low-cost park? Thats got to be less expensive than building apartments or converting hotel rooms.

Vehicle triage center

Yes, there are potential pitfalls.

For instance, in 2020 the city of San Jose set up an RV park and provided refurbished FEMA trailers for $1.3 million.

But sewage backed up, there were electrical problems and elderly people picked to live in the trailers because of pre-existing health conditions had trouble accessing the site, CBS News reported. Only 37 people lived in the trailers for three weeks before the city pulled the plug, blaming escalating costs.

And a vehicle triage center in San Francisco that opened a little over a year ago also has been plagued with problems  the biggest being the lack of electricity for RVs.

But elsewhere, San Francisco made it work.

During the COVID pandemic, the city operated an RVpark at another location with federal funding from Project Room Key. A writer for Salon called it a runaway success story.

Unfortunately, many of the programs are temporary, which is inviting conflict.

Even if the sites are less than ideal, of course people are going to be upset if they shut down  because it essentially takes away their home.

San Luis Obispo County is doing the right thing by finding replacement housing for current residents of Oklahoma Avenue.

But the issue wont go away when the site is closed. Some residents will continue to live in their RVs, even if it means being ticketed.

Its time to expand our definition of permanent housing to consider non-traditional shelters as well  and we strongly encourage the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors to head in that direction.
Nearly 40 storefront dispensaries operate in Sacramento, but  until now  customers have nowhere to legally consume cannabis except for their homes.

At the moment, people who consume cannabis in public areas of Sacramento could face a minimum $100 fine. But, the citys Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is considering a plan to introduce consumption lounges in the capital region. If this change takes place, Sacramentos consumption policy would be akin to other cities in the state such as Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

City officials have held a series of public meetings to field different opinions and ideas on whether the city should adopt a public consumption policy.

I pushed to put this on the agenda for us to consider. I think consumption lounges can offer a safe alternative for people to use cannabis, said Sacramento City Councilmember Katie Valenzuela.

In addition to seeking the opinions of those who attend public meetings, the city has also posted an online survey where people can offer input on where lounges should be located, what type of consumption should be allowed, who should run the lounges, and more.

The results from the survey, as well as information gathered from the public meetings, will be put together in a report that is expected to be submitted to the citys Law and Legislation Committee in June.

There is still a lot to discuss. Weve heard from other jurisdictions in California who have these lounges. (We) are now hearing from local stakeholders. In the end, we need to discuss what it would look like here in Sacramento if it were to be successful, said Valenzuela.

Arguments for allowing cannabis lounges

The ability to operate cannabis lounges could prove beneficial for those operating cannabis businesses in Sacramento.

Ive heard from many cannabis operators, particularly our equity participants, that this sort of activity could really help them achieve economic stability in the long term, Valenzuela said.

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Maisha Bahati is optimistic that the lounge experience will come to Sacramento. She was one of the many individuals, some cannabis business owners like her, that attended a public meeting on April 24.

Were the capital of California you have a lot of people flying in and out for business. You cant smoke in hotels, cant smoke in your rental car. You cant smoke outside in public, cant smoke at the park. So where are you going to go? I think opening up on site lounges will allow for that social consumption, said Bahati.

Bahati, a member of Sacramentos Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) program, currently runs a cannabis delivery service and plans to open a storefront in midtown later this summer.

She hopes that she can add a consumption lounge to her soon-to-be dispensary and further expand her clientele.

It is opening up a market for events and tourism and just excitement in Sacramento. Theres going to be tax dollars obviously rolling in, Bahati said. The talks are happening, its a different climate too. Like the sun is out, (the Kings were) in the playoffs, you have all these people coming to Sacramento and small businesses are making money. At the same time, you gotta have something for people to do.

Other individuals working in the cannabis industry are supportive of the change but are skeptical that the city will see it through.

John Long owns a storefront that sells CBD in Sacramento. He said adding a consumption lounge to his site would allow him to change his licensing on a storefront and expand his offerings. He hopes this would help his business flourish.

However, hes not convinced that the city wants this to happen.

They dont ever provide any confidence for us to tell you the truth, Long said during a phone interview with The Bee. They just kind of sweep us along. Its like theyll hype us up with a meeting and say like, hey, were gonna do this and then its just disappointment. Then it feels like a waste of our time just to even show up.

Valenzuela, who is also chairperson of the citys Law and Legislation, said she doesnt blame anyone for having doubts that the city will move forward on it.

This is definitely a new big move so I dont blame anybody for wondering if this will move forward, Valenzuela said. I will say that I do believe that theres strong interest from my staff and colleagues in exploring this concept. This could be a real game changer, so I definitely understand why someone would be nervous that we wouldnt take it forward.

Valenzuela also said she doesnt want anybody to assume this will happen next month, but remains confident they will figure out what works for best for everybody.

Malaki Seku Amen is the Executive Director of the California Urban Partnership, a Sacramento-based organization that strives to achieve economic opportunity for communities of color.

As an advocate for the California Cannabis Equity Alliance, Seku Amen feels that having allocated places to use cannabis is a good direction for Sacramento. He wants the city to continue to be innovative.

Im absolutely supportive of consumption lounges coming to Sacramento, Seku Amen said. We really need to create friendly destinations for cannabis culture in the city of Sacramento and that means to in a way that respects many of the public health concerns.

Seku Amen thinks that consumption spaces should not be limited to indoor facilities, but rather extended to include outdoor spaces where the particulate matter dissipates quicker.

Sacramento is very much an outdoors, farm-to-fork type of city. We love the outdoors here in Sacramento, so it doesnt make sense that we dont have a place for consumers to safely consume this product (outside), whether its flower or edibles, said Seku Amen.

Share your opinion on cannabis lounges

A survey was recently created by the OCM and released for residents to provide feedback regarding onsite or social consumption of marijuana in Sacramento.

The city wants to know your thoughts on where lounges should be located, what type of consumption should be allowed, who should run the lounges, and more.

The last day to complete the survey is Thursday.
Sarah Nicole Landry shared stunning photos from family photoshoot paired with caption about 'mom fashion.' (Instagram/ @thebirdspapaya)

Sarah Nicole Landry is embracing motherhood and fashion.

On Monday, the Canadian body positivity advocate took to Instagram with a carousel of candid photos and videos from a family photoshoot with her three daughters, modelling for the Canadian apparel brand Reitmans.

In the family snaps, the mom-of-four posed in a hot pink midi dress as well as a purple, floral maxi dress. One of her daughters was styled in black denim shorts and a black halter top, and the other in off-white denim shorts and a beige knit top.

The influencer, known as The Birds Papaya, paired her post with a caption about the versatility of "mom fashion."

"So yeah, I think mom fashion is any fashion," Landry penned. "But its so nice when it also works with motherhood, or work, or play, or a night out, or a girls' lunch, or whatever.

"Motherhood is always a part of who I am," she continued. "Even down to this shoot with (Reitmans), as we turned it into a girls' trip! And Im so excited for outfits that let me weave through it, and all the other parts too."

Landry's post was met with applause from fans for the "beautiful" mother-daughter photos.

"Mother-daughter power squad. I love it. So adorable!," one Instagram user commented.

Another wrote: "This is all amazing and so beautiful."

"Omg, the picture of the three of you is so stunning you must be so proud," a fan added.

"Beautiful photos of you and your girls," a commenter shared.

One person commented: "Wait, this is iconic."

Last month, Landry dubbed herself a "stretch-marked bikini model," in a body-positive video modelling for another Canadian brand, Knix.

"Thirty-eight, mom-of-four, cellulite, stretch-marked bikini freaking model," she penned for her more than 2.2 million followers.

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"I arrived here on a plane, but I got here by removing the limiting beliefs I had about who qualified for that title," she added.

"Grateful for swimwear that makes you feel your best, supported and styled."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
As a freshman lawmaker, no aspect of my service has proven more opaque and less satisfying than South Carolinas process for selecting judges. It gives too much power to insiders, limits who can run, and lacks transparency when candidates are disqualified. Im co-sponsoring bi-partisan legislation (H.4179) that will fix these problems. Heres why.

In South Carolina, the legislature picks judges during a joint session of the House and Senate. Before lawmakers vote to pick who will serve on our trial and appellate courts, candidates are screened by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission to determine whether they have sufficient qualifications. Commission screening is required by the state Constitution, and it performs an important function. However, because of a law passed by the legislature, the commission exerts extraordinary, sometimes outcome-determinative, influence over the process. Its time to change that.

State Rep. Heather Bauer

First, under current law, the commission limits the number of candidates who can run to no more than three. It is not uncommon for five, six, or seven candidates to run for an open judgeship; often, more than three are qualified. But state law requires the commission to pick no more than three for the legislature to choose from. That needs to change. If youre a qualified candidate, you should be able to run, period. Making this change eliminates the commissions ability to influence the outcome by pairing a preferred candidate with two weaker ones.

Second, if the commission deems a candidate unqualified (i.e., barred from running), that candidate deserves an explanation in writing. This is only fair.

Third, lawmakers should no longer serve on the commission. Legislators already have a role in the process: we vote to pick the judge. Currently, six of 10 commission members are lawmakers. That gives a handful of powerful insiders two opportunities to decide who serves.

This weekend the Post & Courier urged a ban on lawyer-legislators from serving on the commission. I dont agree. We shouldnt treat some lawmakers differently because they practice law  all lawmakers would be barred by my bill. My bill addresses the P&Cs concern that judges might be swayed by fear of lawyer-legislator retaliation by requiring commission members who review qualifications to be separate from lawmakers who vote for the judge.

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H.4179 strikes the correct balance between reform and preserving what works well in our system.

For those who prefer more radical change, I believe we should attempt to fix a system that has served this state well for decades before we scrap it in favor of something new and untested. The current system insulates the judiciary from electoral politics by spreading the power to choose judges among the legislatures 170 members. That produces a better result than alternatives like public elections. Those that favor public elections should look to Wisconsin, which just held a highly polarized, divisive $40-million race to fill just one state Supreme Court seat. Executive appointment is also flawed, as we need only look to Washington, D.C., for examples of dysfunction.

Conversely, I hope those who prefer the status quo recognize legitimate questions over whether the current system is working and who its working for. Judgeship races rarely end with a public vote by the legislature as the Constitution intends. ProPublica reported in an article titled, How South Carolina Ended Up With an All-Male Supreme Court, that before lawmakers could vote for two female and one male judge seeking to replace retiring Justice Kaye Hearn, both women faced intense pressure to withdraw quickly. Which they did, meaning we never had a vote  we had a coronation of the remaining male candidate. The optics are not good. And female representation is not the only concern. Our states minority community is also underrepresented on the bench: 13% of judges are Black in a state with a 26% black population.

This is not an issue I ran on. But I wont ignore calls from law enforcement, prosecutors, the press, and the public demanding greater transparency. A simple legislative fix can dramatically improve the process and public confidence.

Heather Bauer, a Richland County Democrat, represents District 75 in the state House of Representatives.
A State College school board candidate entered State High without authorization and was escorted out by security last month, a school board member said. It happened days before the United 4 SCASD slate she was part of removed her from its website.

Superintendent Curtis Johnson sent school board members a security video of two people entering State High at 5:30 p.m. April 10 and asked for help identifying them, board member Peter Buck said. In an email to the board, Johnson said the pair walked to the library and photographed books before a staff member called security. In the video, a man and woman can be seen entering the buildings back entrance.

School doors were unlocked for after-school tutoring, which was held in the library at the time, according to Johnsons email.

From the video, Buck said another board member identified them as Megan and Ken Layng, noting that Megan was a school board candidate.

Layngs husband Ken is the advisor to Penn State student group Uncensored America, which came under fire last fall for inviting Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes to speak at Penn State.

Megan Layng had been a member of the United 4 SCASD political action committee, alongside Michelle Young, Barry Fenchak, Nathan Bish and John Krajcovic. By April 13, any mention of Layng was removed from the United 4 SCASD website and later press releases.

In an email Tuesday, Layng declined to address the State High incident or the reason shes no longer part of United 4 SCASD.

I continue to have a positive relationship with all the members of the United for SCASD slate and would be happy to serve alongside any of them, Layng wrote in an email to the CDT.

Following the incident, the district stationed extra security at the school after hours. In a statement to the Centre Daily Times, the district wrote that two people entered without permission and were escorted out by security.

The statement did not identify the couple.

After our investigation, with the assistance of our high school school resource officer, we do not believe that the individuals entered with any violent intent and/or with an intent to harm any student, staff member or others, Chris Rosenblum, a spokesperson for the district, wrote.

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United 4 SCASD has not offered a public explanation for why Layng is no longer part of the slate.

The United for SCASD team has no first hand knowledge of any such incident at State High and therefore has no additional comments, the group wrote in an email to the CDT.

The primary election is May 16.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was prepared to tell reporters on Tuesday he is hopeful Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will return to Washington for work next week.

A photojournalist for Politico snapped a picture of Schumers notes during his weekly Tuesday press conference that read he and Feinstein spoke on Monday.

We are both hopeful she can return next week, Schumers notes read.

A spokesperson for Feinstein confirmed the two spoke earlier this week.

Senator Feinstein continues to make progress in her recovery; however, we dont have a timeline yet for her return to Washington, which is dependent on her medical team saying it is safe to travel, the Feinstein spokesperson added.

The New York Democrat did not talk about Feinsteins situation during the press event. Feinstein, 89, has been sidelined from the Senate since late February after being hospitalized with shingles, which she has struggled to recover from.

Feinstein announced in early February she will retire at the end of her term, but her absence has brought on calls from some progressive corners of the party for her to resign from the upper chamber.

Amid the calls in April, she requested a temporary replacement on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she continued her recovery, but Republicans dismissed that possibility, forcing Democrats to wait on her to recover and return to the chamber.

The Senate Judiciary Committee was forced to cancel three markups on nominees before the two-week recess during late March and early April. However, the panel was able to advance seven nominees on April 20, though it remains unable to move on a handful of people who will require all 11 Democrats to be present and remain blocked by Republicans.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Judiciary Committee chairman, told reporters earlier on Tuesday he had not spoken recently with Feinstein.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo / Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



Chairman presents 3 strategies for sustainable growth



By Sah Dong-seok



Hana Financial Group is stepping up efforts to emerge as the top financial group in Asia under Ham Young-joo, who was appointed as the group's chairman during a shareholders' meeting in March 2022.



Ham says he will devote himself to enhancing the group's shareholder and corporate value and building a transparent, fair and stable governance structure despite a heap of adversities such as the prolonged low economic growth and accelerated aging of the population.





The headquarters of Hana Financial Group in central Seoul / Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

Ham, who is known to be well-versed in the financial group and its 15 affiliates, boosted the synergy created by the integration of Hana Bank and Korea Exchange Bank through his sales expertise and "leadership of service and consideration." In September 2015 when the banks were merged, he was its first leader, staying in the position for 43 months. In fact, he spearheaded their physical and chemical integration by communicating directly on the spot upon taking office.



Hana Financial has performed well under his leadership. Despite domestic and global economic uncertainties, it posted a consolidated net income of 3.55 trillion won ($2.65 billion) in 2022 through stepped-up marketing efforts, the group's unique selling point. Since the banking integration in 2015, the group's total assets increased by 242 trillion won, or 74 percent, amounting to about 569 trillion won last year.





Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, front row center, poses with employees after announcing strategic tasks for 2023 in this Jan. 28 photo. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



The group's vision for growth was presented through three major strategies Ham revealed during a New Year's event in January this year titled "Hana Financial Group 2023: One Spirit! Connecting the World and Future as One." More than 4,000 employees from the group and its affiliates took part in the gathering.









His three major strategies are global expansion, digital innovation and reinforcing financial competitiveness.



In a bid to raise its global status, Hana Financial has adopted differentiated strategies in 25 regions and 206 networks across the globe and is pushing for forays into uncharted territories through overseas mergers and acquisitions and digital localization. Hana became the first Korean bank to enter Taiwan by opening a branch in Taipei. This enabled Hana to be the sole Korean bank having networks in Korea's top 10 trading bases, including China, the United States and Vietnam.



Hana Financial plans to enhance its capabilities in investment banking and corporate finance by supporting Korean companies operating in advanced markets such as Europe while trying to continue its localization strategy in Asia.





Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, second from right, watches OLED screens set up at LG Electronics' booth on the sidelines of this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 5. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



Digital innovation is another area in which Hana Financial is focusing. Ham says high-performing organizations can make the best use of advanced technologies. In line with this strategy, the group is striving to provide more customer-oriented financial services through the expansion of digital conversion and data-based business capabilities and explore digital technology-based businesses in its bid to seek new growth opportunities.



A case in point is the strategic partnership formed between Hana Financial and SK Telecom last July. Under the alliance, the two companies agreed to boost social value by expanding investments in promising startups and projects for young people, a move aimed at creating an environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) ecosystem for common prosperity.



The partnership is also expected to speed up their joint drive in the digital transformation of finance. Hana Financial, in particular, aims to innovate its financial services by using SK Telecom's expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.



In his effort to experience the latest digital technologies in person, Ham visited Google and Nvidia in Silicon Valley in January after touring the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 in Las Vegas, accompanied by the group's young employees. The visit was designed to help Hana emerge as Asia's top financial group by learning about the corporate culture of Google as a global tech giant and experiencing the pioneering digital technology of Nvidia as a leader in AI-based computing systems.





Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, center, poses with Google employees during his visit to Google's futuristic green complex in Silicon Valley, the Bay View campus, Jan. 6. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group
[Source]

A TikTok user has recently gone viral for documenting her meals at Harvard University, from brunch, lunch and dinner to late-night snacks.

Elise Pham, a TikTok user with over 46,900 followers and 2.2 million likes in total, has been documenting her life as a Harvard student since she got accepted as a student in December 2021.

In one of her most viral uploads, which has been viewed over 2 million times since it was posted on April 1, Pham documents some of the meals shes had at Harvards first-year undergraduate dining hall, Annenberg Hall.

Showing off the popular dining hall, which Pham compares to the Hogwarts dining hall from the Harry Potter franchise, she details the extravagant seafood bar she saw while having dinner at Annenberg.

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SEAFOOD BAR FOR DINNER??!! come eat dinner at Harvard with me!" she captioned her post.

https://www.tiktok.com/@elipham2/video/7217200176916679982

Pham explains that the meal choices that night consisted of raw oysters and clams. Mouthwatering shrimp cocktails, baked clams, olive oil baked cod and fig- and sage-glazed chicken were also offered. As for dessert, Annenberg had a build-your-own cannoli station.

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Tonights dinner literally exceeded my expectations, especially the raw seafood bar, baked clams and cocktail shrimps, Pham says in her video.

In another viral video, which has been viewed more than 5 million times, Pham offers a glimpse at the late-night snack options at Annenberg.

More from NextShark: History professor makes surprisingly cute discovery on lost roll of film labeled The Philippines 1942

Other videos Pham has uploaded include clips about weekend lunch, her experience at Harvards Korean Night Market and an Easter Brunch.

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https://www.tiktok.com/@elipham2/video/7214558916024241454

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TikTok users expressed amazement and envy in the comment sections of Pham's posts.

If I watched this as a kid, I wouldve studied harder to get into Harvard, one user wrote.

Harvard be eating like kings and queens, another user commented.

Me watching this as I slowly rip open my ramen pack, another user said.

It should not come as a surprise that Harvard is offering a wide variety of dishes for its students, considering that tuition for the 20232024 school year starts at $54,269.

This can go up to $79,450 with additional costs, such as the $7,950 food rate and $12,424 housing rate, to name a few.

Although the total cost of tuition at Harvard University is considered exorbitant, Pham explained in the comment section of her seafood bar video that most of her tuition is already paid for and that she covers the rest herself.
The logos of social networks Twitter and Mastodon are seen reflected in smartphone screens

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter in October, users irked by the platform's new regime have vowed to move their online presence elsewhere, though this has proved harder than some had banked on.

Here is a list of some of the contenders to dethrone Twitter as the go-to website for the media, officials and celebrities.

- Bluesky, Dorsey's Twitter clone -

Bluesky was created by Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey and is now the talk of Silicon Valley, leaving those in the know scrambling to secure an invite to join the app that is still at the testing phase.

The platform looks and feels like Twitter as its backers want users from the Elon Musk-owned site to feel at home, though posts on the app are referred to as "skeets", not tweets.

Bluesky was actually created as a Twitter side project in 2019 as a way to think about a decentralized version of the platform where users - and not the company - are more in control of personal data and content moderation.

- Mastodon, the anti-Twitter -

Unknown to the general public, Mastodon saw its popularity explode when Musk took over Twitter, though still way off Twitter's roughly 200 million monthly years.

According to Wired magazine, Mastodon's active monthly user count dropped to 1.4 million in late January from a high of 2.5 million in late November and December, in the immediate aftermath of Musk's Twitter buyout.

That's when, in a pique of frustration, Musk suspended users who posted their Mastodon handles, but later backed down.

Created in 2016 by the German developer Eugen Rochko, the site is also a decentralized social network without advertising where preserving privacy is sacrosanct.

In practice, Mastodon like Twitter is based on postings of small messages, but each new user must sign up to an independently-run server and there are thousands of them. In theory, users can interact freely across the Mastodon servers, but this can be complicated and unreliable.

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Many new users complain about the platform's unintuitive interface, underlining the difficulty of creating an account and the poor response times unlike sites run by the tech giants.

Content moderation is also a big question mark as it is left to the sole discretion of server administrators, with some refusing access to others, disrupting the experience.

- Substack Notes -

In a separate act of vengeance, Musk last month briefly blocked links and search responses to Substack, the site that helps writers monetize their work, after the site launched Substack Notes.

Notes, much like Twitter, allows writers to post short pieces of content such as links, images and quotes and helps guide users to paid content.

Musk reversed his retribution decision but has since heavily promoted ways Twitter will help users make money.

Substack Notes has faced some flack as it is not yet sure how it will manage content moderation but says it will feel less pressure to cook up viral content since its revenue is based on taking a cut from writer pages and not page views and advertising.

- Niche platforms -

A few other start-ups are also attracting attention, especially ones that cater to a specific audience.

Right-wing sites such as Gab or Truth Social, the platform launched by former US president Donald Trump, positioned themselves as conservative alternatives to Twitter long before the takeover by Musk.

Discord is a platform used especially by gamers that allows users to create invite-only chat rooms where participants can hold discussions on shared interests.

The site entered the headlines when a US 21-year-old national guardsman named Jack Teixeira allegedly used the site to share a trove of sensitive US documents involving state secrets to his chat group.

arp/md
A woman in Seattle is being accused of trying to damage units in her apartment, according to the Seattle Police Department.

On Friday around 7:30 a.m. officers with Seattle Fire went to an apartment building and learned a tenant allegedly purposefully turned the water on in her apartment to damage other units in the building.

After negotiating with the woman to come out of her apartment she was taken into custody and booked in the King County Jail for malicious mischief.
The bodies of seven people, including two missing girls and a man convicted of rape and charged with new sex crimes involving a juvenile, have been found on property in rural Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, authorities reported.

A search for the girls led to the discovery Monday morning.

The bodies of 14-year-old Ivy Webster who was missing since she had gone to see a friend over the weekend in the McAlester area, and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer were found dead on a property in Henryetta, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice told reporters Monday. An Amber Alert for the two teens was issued at about 10:29 a.m. Monday.

Though the bodies have not yet been identified by the medical examiner, Rice told reporters late Monday afternoon his office believed they had found "everything that we were seeking this morning."

Authorities believe they also found the body of Jesse McFadden, the man they were thought to be with, the Okmulgee County Sheriff's office reported.

McFadden was charged in Muskogee County, Oklahoma in 2017 with soliciting sexual conduct with a minor through technology and possession, procuring and producing juvenile pornography. After failing to appear for a jury trial, a bench warrant for his arrest was issued Monday, according to the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network website.

McFadden was convicted of rape in 2004 and was serving time when he was accused of using a cellphone in prison to contact a minor. He was released from prison in 2020, records show.

The names of others found were not released Monday night.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Seven bodies found in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
Authorities found the bodies of seven people Monday on a rural property in Oklahoma during a search for two missing teens and an adult man, officials said.

The property is just east of Henryetta, roughly 50 miles south of Tulsa, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said.

One of the bodies appeared to be that of Jesse McFadden, 39, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice told reporters at the scene.

Rice said the medical examiner's office would confirm the identity of McFadden and the others.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol had circulated a missing person advisory listing McFadden and two teenage girls earlier Monday.

The advisory says Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 16, were last seen at 1:22 a.m. Monday at an address in Henryetta. They may have been traveling with McFadden in his white Chevy Avalanche, it said.

The advisory was canceled Monday afternoon.

Ivy Webster, left, and Brittany Brewer. (Courtesy Justin Webster, Nathan Brewer)

A bench warrant had been issued Monday for McFadden in nearby Muskogee County when he failed to appear in court on charges of child pornography and soliciting sexual conduct/communication with a minor.

Court records show a jury trial in the case scheduled for Monday. A lawyer for McFadden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

McFadden served nearly 17 years in prison after he was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003, state records show.

Rice said he believed authorities found all those who had been reported missing. He declined to say how many of the victims were juveniles, how they died or how long they had been at the property.

The bodies of seven people were found Monday inside a Henryetta, Okla., home, authorities said. (KJRH)

He said he had "no idea" what led to the deaths. He said it was "a tragic day in Okmulgee County."

The local school district said in a statement that it was "grieving over the tragedy of the loss of several of our students."

"Our hearts are hurting, and we have considered what would be best for our students in the coming days," Henryetta Public Schools said, adding that classes would continue and that grief counselors would be available.

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Members of a task force from the local prosecutors office visited the property  a large, rural, wooded area  twice Monday after they learned that the missing teens may have been with someone associated with it, said Gerald Davidson, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson.

Authorities found the bodies during a second visit at 3 p.m. local time, he said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Shein logo on a storefront

A group of US lawmakers has called for Chinese fast fashion brand Shein to be investigated over claims that Uyghur forced labour is used to make some of the clothes it sells.

The letter to the Wall Street watchdog comes amid expectations the firm may sell its shares in the US.

"We have zero tolerance for forced labour," Shein told the BBC.

The company also said that it currently has no plans for a listing on Wall Street.

The letter, which was signed by two dozen Republican and Democrat lawmakers, cited "credible allegations of utilising underpaid and forced labour".

It also called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to force Shein to independently audit and verify "that the company does not use Uyghur forced labour", before it was allowed to sell shares in the US.

In response to the letter, Shein told the BBC: "We are committed to respecting human rights and adhering to local laws and regulations in each market we operate in."

"Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labour Organization's core conventions," it added.

Human rights groups and Western governments, including the US and UK, have accused China of forced labour and internment of Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority.

In December 2020, research seen by the BBC showed that up to half a million people were being forced to pick cotton in Xinjiang. Beijing denies any rights abuses.

Some Western brands have removed Xinjiang cotton from their supply chains, and the US has passed new regulations on the import of goods from Xinjiang which require firms to prove they were not produced using forced labour.

Shein- which was founded in Nanjing, China in 2008 - is now headquartered in Singapore.

It has been winning over young shoppers in the US, UK and Europe by producing fast fashion even faster, and often at cheaper prices, than many of its rivals such as Boohoo or Asos.

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It has collaborated with celebrities and influencers to build its online following, and in 2021, its mobile app briefly jumped ahead of Amazon on iOS and Android app charts as the most downloaded shopping app in the US.

Shein reportedly relies on thousands of third-party suppliers in China to produce batches of clothes, which it orders again if they perform well with customers.

In the past, the firm has faced allegations of poor working conditions where workers allegedly worked 75-hour weeks.
Two people walk past a HSBC branch in Slough, UK.

Banking giant HSBC says its profits got a $1.5bn (1.2bn) boost from the purchase of collapsed Silicon Valley Bank's British business (SVB UK).

Europe's biggest bank posted a pre-tax profit of $12.9bn for the three months to the end of March.

That is more than three times the amount it made for the same time last year.

In March, HSBC bought SVB UK for a nominal 1 ($1.25), in a deal led by the government and the Bank of England.

The London-headquartered lender said the profit included a "provisional gain of $1.5bn on the acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited".

"We remain focused on continuing to improve our performance and maintaining tight cost discipline, but we also saw an opportunity to invest in SVB UK to accelerate our growth plans," group chief executive Noel Quinn said.

The bank also got a boost from the reversal of its plan to write-off $2.1bn due to the sale of its French business, as that deal may no longer be completed.

HSBC announced its first quarterly payout to shareholders since before the pandemic in 2019 and said it would buy back $2bn of its shares.

It also said the completion of the sale of its business in Canada is likely to be delayed.

The planned $10bn sale, which was originally expected to be completed by the end of this year, is now likely to go through early next year.

The proposed deal is a key part of its strategy to pull back from slow-growing Western markets.

HSBC's strong performance comes against the backdrop of the global banking sector being rocked by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March and the forced buyout by Swiss banking giant UBS of rival Credit Suisse.

On Monday, US regulators seized First Republic Bank and sold its assets to Wall Street giant JPMorgan Chase.

The move was aimed to resolve the biggest failure of a US bank since the 2008 global financial crisis and draw a line under weeks of turmoil in the industry.

In recent months, pressure has grown on HSBC from its biggest shareholder, Chinese insurance giant Ping An.

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Ping An has called for HSBC to spin off its Asian operation to increase the amount investors make out of the business there.

HSBC is still run from its headquarters in London but makes the majority of its profits in Asia. These profits effectively subsidise some of the bank's loss-making operations in Europe and the US.

Ping An has argued that this is unfair and its solution is to break up HSBC, giving Asian investors a larger share of the profits.

"If you look at HSBC's share price for the past eight years, Ping An's investment hasn't been a particularly good one. A break-up may enhance the value of the bank for shareholders in Asia," says Kenny Wen, head of investment at KGI Asia in Hong Kong.

HSBC has urged its shareholders to vote against the proposal at its annual general meeting, which is due to take place in Birmingham on Friday.

"Currently HSBC clearly has not earned the right to simply bat away calls for change," Manus Costello from Autonomous Research in London said.

A break-up, however, would face "formidable obstacles, including significant economic and political hurdles," he added.
This article was originally published in Colorado Newsline.

Six Colorado news outlets, including Newsline, are suing Denver Public Schools to gain access a recording of the district boards March 23 executive session in which board members discussed school safety plans and emerged with a new policy.

Members of the districts Board of Education held a special meeting following a shooting last month at Denvers East High School, which left two administrators injured. The incident was the second shooting on or near East High property in as many months, and the 17-year-old suspect was later found dead in Park County of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Board members spent the majority of the lengthy meeting behind closed doors, and upon returning to the public, voted unanimously to approve the return of school resource officers without any public discussion.

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Under Colorados Open Meetings Law, elected bodies such as school boards cannot make decisions on new policies or legislation out of the public eye. There are some exceptions that allow for closed-door executive sessions, including board consultations for legal advice, discussions on personnel matters and on individual students. Topics listed for discussion at the March 23 executive session included security arrangements or investigations related to the March 22 shooting, and details about individual students where public disclosure would adversely affect that person or persons involved.

The lawsuits plaintiffs include Newsline, The Denver Post, Colorado Politics/The Denver Gazette, KDVR Fox 31, Chalkbeat Colorado and KUSA 9News. Each of the news outlets filed a Colorado Open Records Request for the executive session recording and were all denied.

Rachael Johnson, an attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Steve Zansberg, a First Amendment attorney and president of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, are representing the coalition of news outlets. Zansberg said the session was a clear-cut violation of the Colorado Sunshine Law.

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Zansberg said the first issue the complaint addresses is the lack of proper notice regarding what board members would discuss behind closed doors. He said Colorado law says that when a public body fails to adequately announce its topic of discussion, the meeting is considered an unlawfully closed public meeting, not an executive session.

They just went behind closed doors and discussed public business, Zansberg said.

Even if the board properly announced the topics of discussion for a lawful executive session, Zansberg said the fact that board members left the five-hour discussion with a policy change and no public discussion is a blatant vilation of Colorados Open Meetings Law.

If there is probable cause to believe that a publicly elected board made a decision in an executive session, a judge will review the recording of the session and determine if this was the case, Zansberg said. Public bodies in Colorado are prohibited from adopting not just new policies, but any position on an issue behind closed doors.

It was what the case law says was a rubber stamping of a decision that had already been made behind closed doors, and that too violates the Open Meetings Law, Zansberg said.

A tremendous amount of public interest

Jeff Roberts, executive director of CFOIC, said there was an expectation that board members would have a public discussion following the private meeting where they discussed a high-profile situation with consequences for the entire district. He said there has been a tremendous amount of public interest in school safety plans and changes around school resource officers.

Both the open meetings law, and theres a separate statute about school board meetings, both of them say policy decisions are not permitted in executive sessions, Roberts said. For executive sessions, there are certain authorized topics that they can discuss behind closed doors, but when theyre talking about changing a policy, which is what they did here, thats something that needs to be done in a public setting. Thats the intent and the spirit of these laws.

The only time an executive session is not to be recorded is when an elected body receives specific legal advice from an attorney. DPSs general counsel, Aaron Thompson, was present in the executive session, but its unclear what role he played in the boards discussion and if there is a recording of the private portion of the meeting.

The minutes from the executive session also did not include information on how long board members discussed each topic, another requirement of state law.

The district has the right to release the recording of the meeting at any time, and Zansberg said this would be the best thing the district can do to save taxpayers the cost of having to defend this indefensible position. If that happens, theres no reason left for the plaintiffs in the complaint to continue litigating.

I would again urge the Board of Education to exercise its discretion and release this recording, Zansberg said.

Depending on how the district decides to respond to the suit, Zansberg said it can take a few months for the courts to issue a decision.

Colorado Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: info@coloradonewsline.com. Follow Colorado Newsline on Facebook and Twitter.
Six people died and more than 30 ranging from 2 to 80 years old were injured in a series of fiery crashes involving multiple vehicles along a two-mile stretch of Interstate 55 near Farmersville on Monday morning.

Officials are blaming brown-out conditions caused by high winds that blew dust and smoke across the highway.

More than 30 agencies and 100 emergency personnel assisted in the treatment and transport of the injured and the clearing of damaged vehicles from the highway, according to Illinois State Police and other officials who held two news briefings on Monday afternoon.

As of 4:30 p.m., all vehicle fires had been extinguished, but fire departments remained on the scene in case any hot spots caused fires to reignite. The main goal right now is removing vehicles and inspecting the highway to determine when its safe to reopen, said State Police Major Ryan Starrick.

In the meantime, Interstate 55 has been shut down in both directions, from Milepost 63 to Milepost 80 in Divernon, just south of Springfield. It likely will remain closed through Tuesday morning, Starrick said.

Evan Schott, director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, told reporters at the second news briefing that the biggest challenge had been locating the injured for immediate treatment.

We had multiple vehicles involved, he said. Some were on fire. So we had vehicle fires to extinguish. We had to search every vehicle, whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over, to check for injuries. (Another challenge was) getting them out of there rapidly and getting them to the hospital so we could provide professional care.

At 10:55 a.m. Monday, there was a crash on northbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. Around the same time, there were multiple crashes on southbound Interstate 55. All the crashes occurred within a two-mile stretch, roughly from Milepost 76 to Milepost 78.

Approximately 30 commercial motor vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved. That includes two truck-tractor semi-trailers that caught fire, according to State Police.

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All the fatalities occurred in the northbound lane. Names have not yet been released by the Montgomery County coroners office.

Reunification points, where families can reunite with loved ones, are set up to the north and south of the crash area, Starrick said.

After consulting with the National Weather Service, officials expect the winds to die down and visibility to improve by 7:30 or 8 p.m.

Starrick described the scene as a wall of dust with an effect thats similar to white-out conditions during a snowstorm. He suggested that people out driving in such conditions turn on their hazard lights.

My heart goes out to the families and ... anybody that found themselves involved in this particular situation, he said. It sounds like due to the low visibility, the high winds ... everything just came together, unfortunately, on this particular stretch of I-55. My heart goes out to them.

Starrick said such blinding dust storms have happened before on Illinois roads where unfortunately you have excessively high winds that blow the topsoil from fields. Farmers are currently busy planting fields across Illinois and the Midwest region.

My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more, said Rep. Nikki Budzinski on Twitter. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold.
Doctors also share the best type of underwear to wear to bed.

Doctors also share the best type of underwear to wear to bed.

Growing up, maybe you were told that youre supposed to sleep sans underwear to let your nether regions air out overnight. Or perhaps youve just never been a fan of going to bed commando. But is there a right answer when it comes to your health  and does it differ by sex? We talked to doctors to find out.

First, know that the underwear versus no-underwear debate is not one thats backed up by much research, said Orange County, California, urologist Dr. Aaron Spitz.

The topic of going commando under the sheets is not routinely discussed in academic conferences, and a literature review will not turn up any erudite studies on the topic, Spitz, author of The Penis Book: A Doctors Complete Guide to the Penis, told HuffPost.

Dr. Sherry Ross  an OB-GYN and the author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Womens Intimate Health. Period.  said that it really comes down to personal choice.

There is no right or wrong answer whether you decide to sleep with or without underwear, she told HuffPost.

And while theres no scholarly consensus on the matter, there are some factors to take into account when deciding whats right for you. We talked to a handful of experts to get their take.

You may want to wear underwear to bed if...

If youre someone who has a lot of vaginal discharge or youre on your period, sleeping in undies may be your best option to prevent a nighttime mess in the morning, Ross said.

Those with male genitals, on the other hand, may experience discomfort  particularly in their testicles  if they go commando due to compression that may occur from their thighs or the mattress while they toss and turn in their sleep, Spitz said.

If thats an issue for you, he recommends sleeping in a pair of supportive underwear to prevent any uncomfortable squashing.

Another thing to consider: Wearing underwear to bed means your genitals arent making direct contact with your pajamas or your sheets. So you can wash these items a little less frequently  which is a plus if you hate doing laundry.

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Sleeping in underwear can also protect the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body, from irritants or infection, Spitz noted.

For instance, bed sheets in hotels and friends houses may be washed with detergents that may cause irritation to the urethra of some individuals, he said. Underwear, even the loose-fitting kind, will serve as a protective barrier to the urethra.

Spitz also warned that its possible for the urethra to get contaminated by bacteria on the bedding where a persons bare butt has been rubbing against the sheets.

Since most people dont change their sheets daily, its good to have underwear on, playing defense for the sheets, not only for bacteria, but for leakage of urine or nocturnal emissions of semen that may occur for some, Spitz added.

If you're going to sleep in underwear, choose soft, breathable materials like bamboo or cotton.

If you're going to sleep in underwear, choose soft, breathable materials like bamboo or cotton.

Not every pair of underwear in your drawer is well-suited for sleep, though. Youll want to choose an option that is both comfortable and made of breathable materials.

Cotton and bamboo are good choices for underwear, as they are soft, absorbent and breathable, said Dr. Aanand Geria, a dermatologist at Geria Dermatology in Verona, New Jersey.

For sleep, Ross said she recommends full-coverage underwear over thongs because a thongs anatomically unfriendly design makes it easier for harmful bacteria of the colon to find their way into the vagina and bladder, which can increase the risk of infection.

If youve ever worried that tight-fitting underwear might affect your fertility, a 2018 Harvard University study found there may be some benefit to wearing loose-fitting boxers instead of briefs that tend to heat up the scrotum. (Researchers looked at mens general underwear-wearing habits, not specifically their overnight undergarments.) But other research has suggested that choice of underwear makes no appreciable difference on fertility outcomes.

And hopefully this goes without saying, but if youre sleeping in underwear, make sure its a clean pair  not the one you went for a jog in earlier or a pair you pulled from the hamper.

Since underwear comes in close contact with the skin, it is exposed to sweat, oil, dirt, microorganisms like bacteria or fungus, and even bodily fluids, dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told HuffPost. Sleeping in soiled underwear can contribute to skin irritations or even infections.

And you may want to sleep commando if...

If you sweat a lot in your sleep or are prone to certain skin or genital conditions, then it may be better to sleeps sans underwear to keep things drier and more comfortable below the belt, Geria explained.

Wearing tight or nonbreathable underwear can trap moisture in the genital area, creating a damp environment where bacteria and fungi thrive, he said.

For example. if youre dealing with jock itch  a fungal infection of the groin area  then going commando might be a good idea, said Zeichner, as it may allow the area to dry out and not retain moisture that promotes overgrowth of fungus.

And if you have a history of vaginal infections or itching, then you are better off sleeping commando to allow the skin of the vulva and vagina to breathe, Ross said.

Even if youre not prone to skin or genital issues, you may find it just feels nice to sleep without underwear, as it gives this sensitive area of the body a break from being covered by fabric all day long. Plus, doing so can prevent bacterial buildup that may lead to pimples or unpleasant odors down there, Ross said.

The sweat glands and hair follicles are prone to dirt buildup just as any other area of the body with hair and sweat, she explained.

Its worth reiterating that if youre sleeping without underwear, you should consider washing your pajamas and bedding more frequently to keep things hygienic.

All of that said, what you wear to bed (or dont) ultimately comes down to what feels good to you and helps you get a good nights sleep. If what youre doing currently is working for you, then theres no need to make a change. But if its not working, it cant hurt to switch things up.

Want a good pair of breathable undies to sleep in at night? Check out the list below.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Under Armour Pure Stretch three-pack

Amazon

Under Armour Pure Stretch three-pack

These super soft and stretchy undies from Under Armour promise comfort all day long, whether or not youre hitting the gym. They have laser-cut edges for a seam-free silhouette that is smooth and discreet beneath your clothes. They're available in eight different colors and in color variety packs in XS to XL.



Promising review: "Truly no-show panties. If you are having a hard time finding really no-show panties that are comfortable and last more than a few washings, you are not alone. I have tried about 8-9 different brands. These Under Amours are the real deal: super lightweight, fast drying, and no lines under even the most form-fitting clothes. I ordered these in medium from Amazon; I also have some size smalls and there is almost no difference in fit. I am about 5 6, 120 lbs with an athletic build including my butt. These panties do have a cotton-y fabric liner in the crotch which is more comfortable when I dry them on low heat for about 5 minutes than when I let them just air dry. They also have some stitching where the pieces of fabric come together, rather than just being glued together like some brands are, so these are more sturdy."  Kathy L.

$18.74 at Under Armour

New Balance women's breathable thong three-pack

Amazon

New Balance women's breathable thong three-pack

These New Balance undies come highly recommended via a colleague in our office Slack, who stated that they are the most breathable undies she's ever owned. Her claims are backed up by glowing Amazon reviews, as you'll see below. The thong is available in 10 different colors and pack combinations in sizes S to XL. They're made with a very lightweight nylon/spandex blend fabric with a cotton gusset to keep you cool, comfy and dry. They're also tagless and seamless, so you don't have to worry about a pair digging into your hips. They hold up well in the wash and are as durable as they are comfortable, making them a great investment.



Promisingreview: "Wonderful! They couldn't be any better unless they were free. But I want New Balance to stay in business for a long time to come. Wonderfully thin (like 20 denier hosiery material), soft (like a baby's skin), and delicate (like a spring breeze) with No rolled edge or seam Anywhere, just as they promised. What they didn't say is that it feels like you're not wearing them or anything else. I had to look to see if I had them on. I just hope they hold up to washing? Don't think I'll chance it, Hand washing is an option I will embrace just to keep them a little while longer. Oh, yea, an X-large fits a couple of inches bigger than a size 16, at least for a while, till I shrink myself. I hope they don't stretch and take a set."  Kindle customer

$18.98 at Amazon

Summersalt Feel Free brief underwear

Summersalt

Summersalt Feel Free brief underwear

Available in 12 different colors in sizes XS to 2X, these lightweight briefs from Summersalt feel like you're wearing absolutely nothing, which is ideal during a hot, sweaty workout. They've got extra coverage and a mid-rise for those who don't love a thong moment, plus an elastic waistband. These eco-friendly underwear feature semi-sheer silky fabrics and are made from recycled plastic water bottles.



Promising review: "These briefs are great quality and paired with the bra make such a cute and comfortable matching set. The fabric is breathable and just the right amount of sheer."  Heather J.

$15 at Summersalt

Parade sweat-wicking workout thong

Parade

Parade sweat-wicking workout thong

Made from certified recycled yarns with an organic cotton lining, Parade's underwear is perfect for those looking for undies that disappear under clothing, even leggings. They're available in six different colors in sizes XS to 3XL and have even been sweat-tested by athletes.



Promising review: "Did the job for me! Not only are these so comfortable that you don't know you're wearing them, but they actually do what they claim. I am the sweatiest person I know, especially 'down there'. I have had LOADS of embarrassing situations where it looks as though I have wet myself if the weather gets too hot and I cannot cool off. I wore these on a hot day and when I was sure they would be tested. To be clear, it wasn't full-time-in-the-90s-for-over-an-hour-tested, but it was a time when I knew I would be sweating and they worked pretty well for me. I honestly do not recall being uncomfortable or worried in the least. That's saying something! I will definitely purchase more. I'm getting pretty close to replacing my whole panty drawer with Parade :)"  Stephanie B.

$13 at Parade

Girlfriend Collective sport brief

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective sport brief

Available in 12 different colors including a beautifully wide range of nude shades, Girlfriend Collective's classic rise briefs have a smooth finish and bonded waistband. They're made with 80% recycled plastic bottles and 20% spandex and feature a moisture-wicking gusset liner and breathable fabric. They're available in sizes XXS to 6XL.



Promising review: "Soft, comfortable, durable, and overall amazing! Love this color and the feel of the material. This stuff is seriously soft and it's tough to take them off. I will definitely be buying more pairs."  Anna N.

$18 at Girlfriend Collective

Alo Airbrush Invisible cheeky underwear

Alo

Alo Airbrush Invisible cheeky underwear

These Alo undies are made from an extra-light version of the brand's signature luxurious and soft Airbrush fabric. They're odor-resistant, breathable and virtually invisible with a raw-edge finish. They come in 11 shades and sizes XS to L. Wear them everywhere, from work to your next HIIT class, and forget they're there.



Promising review: "Great Undies! I love this style of underwear! Its my favorite thing in my underwear drawer! Great for wearing under leggings! The fabric is soft, and VPL is nowhere to be seen!"  Jessica T.

$18 at Alo

Related...
Employees from Hana Financial Group's overseas operations pose while attending "2023 Hana Culture Global Workshop" held at Hana Global Campus in Cheongna, Incheon, Jan. 30. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



By Sah Dong-seok



As part of its efforts to take a leap forward beyond the boundaries of finance, Hana Financial Group is striving to go global. It has a dual global strategy by region to maintain its outstanding global business performances and solidify its presence as a leading global financial group.



On the one hand, the group is entering high-growth markets, such as Southeast Asia, through mergers and acquisitions and equity investment, focusing on the non-banking sector. In advanced markets such as the United States and Europe, Hana Financial is setting its sights on boosting sales by strengthening investment banking (IB) and corporate finance and forging strategic partnerships.



Specifically, the group set up Hana Asset Management Asia (HAMA) in Singapore last year. HAMA is expected to be nurtured as its asset management hub in Southeast Asia under a plan to invest in various alternative assets, a move aimed at diversifying the group's revenue sources. HAMA will be encouraged to form partnerships with local asset management firms.











A rendering of the Hana Financial Group Cheongna group headquarters to be built in Cheongna, Incheon, which was selected as a winner of the Innovation by Design Awards 2022 / Courtesy of Hana Financial Group



In September 2022, Hana Securities completed acquiring a 35 percent stake in BIDV Securities Company (BSC), a subsidiary of BIDV, Vietnam's largest state-run bank, and became the brokerage firm's second-largest shareholder and strategic partner. Hana Financial has a plan to nurture it to become one of Vietnam's top three securities firms by encouraging forays into new businesses such as asset management.



In America and Europe, Hana Financial is also focusing on strategic partnerships in the non-banking sector. Toward that end, IB desks are in operation in New York, London, Singapore and Sydney to help strengthen the group's global competitiveness.



Its globalization efforts have paid off. As of the end of last year, it had operations in 25 regions around the world, the largest number ever by any Korean financial group, and its global channels numbered 206, hiring 4,500 personnel.





Foreign teenagers invited by Hana Bank to get a glimpse into global financing pose at a dealing room at the bank's headquarters in downtown Seoul in this November 2022 file photo. Courtesy of Hana Bank
Mike Rogers has yet to decide whether hell jump into the Republican presidential race.

But if the former Michigan Congressman does, he says he wants his campaign to be about solutions, not petty politics.

A problem for Rogers? As hes trekked across South Carolina, most of his events have largely been under the radar. Pollsters arent even asking respondents if they support him.

Rogers was a late addition to the March Vision 24 Conference in North Charleston, a forum where conservatives heard from potential and declared presidential candidates, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Rogers last trip to South Carolina in April included private meetings with Republican groups and staff at the state Department of Corrections to discuss ways to improve literacy levels.

Our goal here is to get to meet people you know who have voices in the party here, said Rogers, who told The State in an April 21 interview he also met with a group of women interested in education issues. South Carolina is unique. It has two high-profile state candidates, and so we have been meeting with people who might be attracted to a different kind of message.

Rogers, a former Michigan congressman who now lives in Florida, has made several visits to early primary states, including five to South Carolina as he considers whether to launch a White House bid. Rogers served in the U.S. House for seven terms, from 2001 through 2015, including four years as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Were kicking tires, said Rogers, who plans to make a 2024 decision in the summer.

The current Republican field includes former President Donald Trump, Haley, Hutchinson and Ramaswamy.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez are all considering runs. U.S. Sen Tim Scott, who launched an exploratory committee in April, will announce his plans May 22.

Story continues

I think Mike Rogers is trying to do everything he can to raise his name ID, said South Carolina Republican strategist Dave Wilson. When you throw your name into the proverbial ring of South Carolina politics at the presidential level, youre trying to build that name identification.

Wilson said Rogers background could land him a role in a future Republican administration, such as with intelligence leadership.

If he makes a run, Rogers said he would seek to be in the solutions-oriented lane.

To reporters he touts his experience in technology-based businesses, including working as board chairman of the MITRE Corporation, which focuses on cybersecurity and aerospace.

He also founded a 501(c)4 called Leadership to Ensure the American Dream and increasing literacy is one of the issues he focuses on. During his recent trip to South Carolina he exchanged ideas with state prison personnel on how to help prisoners improve reading ability.

Theres candidates that go in with a lot of flash and bang, and talk to Washington, D.C., Rogers said. Its not my style. So I want to get to know the folks of South Carolina, of Iowa, of New Hampshire, and then if through those conversations get me invited back, thats the sign to me that were getting some traction, and so weve been getting invited back.

Rogers said he sees an opportunity to gain some presidential traction despite Trump and DeSantis receiving most of the headlines. He said the political theater of a fistfight on a debate stage wont be helpful to the country.

You have the two big elephants in the grass fighting each other. That leaves a lot of room on the field to actually go out and do real campaign work, Rogers said.

Rogers said presidential candidates will have an opportunity to show their differences, but said he believes the country is ready to move on from Trump.

Trump remains popular among South Carolina Republicans. He won the state in the 2016 Republican presidential primary. The latest Winthrop University Poll found the former president leading with 41% of the S.C. GOP support.

Trump last time won on this kind of personality cult, if you will, than how he was addressing things. And I guess Im not sure voters are gonna do that again. They might, but Im not sure they are, Rogers said. Americans know somethings wrong, and they know that small and petty politics that you see today, is not going to fix it. So I think theres a lane for someone who is both sober and solution-minded and optimistic about how we get there with innovation.
A Ugandan national army soldier has shot and killed a government minister he was guarding.

Wilson Sabiiti shot dead retired Colonel Charles Okello Engola, deputy minister for gender and labour, at his home in the capital Kampala on Tuesday.

The soldier then turned the gun on himself and took his own life.

It is not yet clear whether there had been an argument between the two men. Sabiiti was assigned to the minister's security detail a month ago.

Before he took his own life, some eyewitnesses said they saw Sabiiti walking around the neighbourhood and shooting in the air.

An aide to the minister, Ronald Otim, was wounded during the shoot-out at the house. He is receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.

Initial reports suggest a number of other people may be injured and videos on social media showed locals gathering at the scene in shock.

Col Engola was a senior member of the government, and had previously served as a deputy minister for defence.

The speaker of Uganda's parliament confirmed Col Engola's death in a short statement while presiding over its morning session.

"This morning I received sad news that Hon Engola has been shot by his bodyguard and after, shot himself. May his soul rest in peace. That was God's plan. We can't change anything," Anita Among told MPs on Tuesday.
JERUSALEMAct 2 of a Democratic White House versus a Republican-led congressional showdown is unfolding over an invitation to Israels longest-serving prime minister to visit Washington, with Biden signaling no and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., welcoming Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with high-level members of Congress.

In 2015, Netanyahu defied the Obama administration lobbying activity that he not deliver a speech to Congress opposing the Democratic-drafted Iran nuclear deal that poses, according to Israels government, an existential threat to the Jewish state.

McCarthy reportedly said during his visit to Israel that he will invite Netanyahu to Washington if Biden fails to deliver an invitation, the Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday. While McCarthy did not explicitly mention a speech to Congress, there are striking parallels to the public row in 2015.

BIDEN DROVE HISTORICALLY CLOSE MIDDLE EAST ALLIES INTO THE ARMS OF AMERICA'S GREATEST ENEMIES, EXPERTS SAY

The speaker said, "I expect the White House to invite the prime minister for a meeting, especially with [Israels] 75th anniversary," Reuters reported.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the administration was aware of McCarthy's remarks "and we'll let him speak to those comments and whatever his intentions are. What I can speak to is the long-standing unwavering support that President Biden has already provided to the people in Israel over many, many decades of public service. And as a true friend of Israel, the president remains as committed to the further integration of Israel in the region."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

McCarthy became the second House speaker to address Israels parliament, the Knesset, on Monday in Jerusalem, following Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1998.

In a sign of the fraught relations between the Biden administration and Netanyahus conservative coalition, Kirby remained largely noncommittal about a visit, declaring, "Israeli leaders have a long tradition of visiting Washington. President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu have known each other a long time. I expect the prime minister will visit at some point." Kirby noted there are no definitive dates for a meeting.

Story continues

McCarthy told the right-of-center paper Israel Hayom that if Biden refuses to invite Netanyahu then he will "invite the prime minister to come meet with the House."

President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Ariel Kahana, a senior diplomatic commentator for Israels most read Hebrew-language daily newspaper, Israel Hayom, told Fox News Digital, "I dont think we are seeing what happened during the Obama administration. During Obama, there was a clear intent to make daylight between Israel and the U.S."

Kahana, however, asked: "How come for five months you [Biden administration] dont invite the best friend of the U.S. in the Middle East?"

He said the lack of a meeting is "very bad for ties between" the countries. Kahana added that the current gap between the U.S. and Israel "is not just bad for America and Israel but also for the Middle East. Israel would never play like the Saudis," in a reference to Saudi Arabia positioning itself between Chinas Communist regime and America.

NETANYAHU TELLS PIERS MORGAN DEMOCRACY IS SAFE IN ISRAEL DESPITE HIS MOVES TO WREST CONTROL OF TOO POWERFUL

Kahana says Israel is Americas "best friend" in the Middle East and it advances U.S. interests to show the strength of the alliance between the two democracies. "There is a feeling of a vacuum here. China is coming. And it is not good for Americas interests," he said.

Communist China recently out-organized the U.S. and helped normalize diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Veteran Mideast experts see the restoration of ties between one of Americas principal enemies, Iran, and a long-term U.S. ally, Saudi Arabia, as a devastating setback to Washingtons power in the region.

The United States has classified Irans regime as the worlds worst international state sponsor of terrorism.

A source of friction between Biden and Netanyahu has been over the Israeli governments effort to reform its judiciary. Biden plunged himself into the intense debate over the reform process, declaring that Netanyahu "cannot continue down this road."

ISRAEL COMMEMORATES MEMORIAL DAY WITH PUBLIC STANDSTILL, MOMENTS OF SILENCE

Netanyahu seeks to shift power away from the judiciary to the Knesset while opponents of the move believe it will weaken Israels system of checks and balances.

Joel Rubin, a former deputy assistant secretary of state who served in the Obama and Bush administrations, told Fox News Digital "that when it comes to Israel, diplomatic disagreements shouldn't be interpreted as the U.S. losing an ally. Were not. After all, President Biden made a very successful visit to Israel just last year and multiple members of Congress from both parties have visited the country. The U.S. also continues to send billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, support that Israel continues to seek and that isnt going anywhere."

Rubin added, "But when disagreements among friends  inspired by the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who have taken to the streets to demand that their democracy be maintained  President Biden would be doing his ally no favor by turning a blind eye. As a longtime friend of Israel, Biden proved Americas friendship to Israel in the truest sense of the word."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to President Barack Obama at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, Sept. 21, 2016 in New York City. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Weekly mass demonstrations have unfolded against the judicial reform efforts since early 2023. A second counterprotest, which also filled the streets with protesters, took place last week to support an overhaul of Israels judiciary.

The Israeli Hayom commentator Kahana noted that Biden's comments on judicial reforms are not helpful for the Netanyahu government. "Some of the ministers, and some in Netanyahus circles, would like the administration to take a different position. You give the opposition the power to decide."

According to Israeli reports Tuesday, Israel's justice minister accused Washington of working in cooperation with protesters against Netanyahu's judicial reforms. The State Department has rejected such accusations as false.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Indiana recently established an automated pilot program set to be implemented in the next year to ticket Hoosiers driving too fast in certain construction zones.

House Bill 1015 was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb Monday, after receiving bipartisan support and years of author Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, lobbying for this initiative. Advocates hope implementation will slow drivers down, create a safer environment for construction workers and reduce the number of accidents.

Crashes in work zones resulted in 31 deaths and 1,426 injuries last year, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation. More often, it's not the construction workers who get injured; four out of five people who die in these areas are either drivers or passengers.

Going green? Indy ranked among least friendly cities for electric vehicles

INDOT says not all of the details are worked out yet, but it supports the program's adaption. They hope to have a similar rollout as Pennsylvania's pilot program, which has decreased fatal crashes significantly. Indiana will produce an annual report to track crash statistics, vehicle speeds and the number of violation fines.

Here's what Hoosiers need to know to avoid the fines.

When does the pilot program start?

The law establishing the pilot program begins July 1, but Pressel told the IndyStar drivers should see the new technology in about a year.

How will I know I am in a camera-patrolled zone?

The Indiana Department of Transportation can surveil up to four construction zones with this technology within a year. The worksite must be a highway with at least two lanes traveling each way and divided by an island or a concrete wall. The system will only be surveilling when active workers are onsite.

INDOT has yet to say what worksites will be surveilled.

Signs will be posted before a driver heads into a camera-patrolled zone and at the point they exit the zone. Pressel said it will be clear where these zones will stop and start and won't include the often miles of traffic barrels because workers won't be active in those areas.

Story continues

Statehouse roundup: Bills on energy, road funding, machine guns that you might have missed

INDOT has also not released mock-ups for what signs will look like. However, in Pennsylvania's similar pilot program, which Pressel took inspiration from for his legislation, signs alerting drivers say "Active Speed Limit Photo Enforced" before the zone and Active Enforcement Vehicle on the car carrying the camera and speed radar. Their exit signs either say "End Road Work" or "End Active Work Zone."

However, Pressel said INDOT is figuring out what this program will look like, so its rollout may look different than other states.

No other camera traffic enforcement is currently allowed in Indiana.

How fast is too fast?

Any speed 11 mph or more over the speed limit will result in a violation. Worksite speed limits are typically 45 mph.

Related Content: Jury issues $6M verdict against IndyGo for running over man at bus stop

What would it cost me?

Drivers will receive a written warning the first time they are caught going too fast. A second violation will cost $75 and anything thereafter will be $150. Offending drivers cannot get points on their license through this program.

The ticket cost is less than if a police officer pulled a driver over. Those first-time violations are $300, then elevated to $500 on second offense and $1,000 afterward.

How will I know I was ticketed?

INDOT has not yet determined how drivers will receive notice of their violation. Pressel said it will most likely be through the mail.

Can I appeal a ticket?

Since the person driving a car is not always the owner, people can appeal if they were not the ones driving or if their car was stolen at the time of the infraction.

Drivers can only be ticketed if workers are present, so they can also appeal if they are fined for speeding through an inactive worksite. Tickets can also be dropped if the radar system was not properly tested or calibrated at the time.

The process for an appeal has not yet been released.

Road work: Road project closes Broad Ripple Ave to thru traffic for 8 weeks

Why are they using cameras? What are they doing with the photos?

The system is only permitted to take pictures of speeding drivers' license plates in order to ticket them, and those photos can only be used within the speeding case. Those photos are confidential and will be property of the state, not any third-party tech company. Any pictures must also be destroyed after two years.

Despite some apprehension toward an automated camera system, Pressel said it's not something for people to worry about.

"There are cameras everywhere  literally everywhere," he said. "But we're afraid that because we did something wrong, that we shouldn't use the photography."

Contact IndyStar Pulliam Fellow Cate Charron at ccharron@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @catecharron.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Traffic cameras coming to Indiana construction zones
Petrossian's Tiffany Caviartini costs $36 and comes with a caviar-stuffed olive. Wendy Lee

I spent $300 dining at Petrossian at Tiffany, a restaurant that specializes in caviar and Champagne.

My daughter and I split the egg royale, potato mille-feuille, smoked salmon, and souffle.

The extravagant meal ended up being one of my favorite dining experiences.

My daughter and I planned on having lunch at Tiffany & Co.'s Blue Box Cafe at South Coast Plaza, a glamorous shopping mall in Costa Mesa, California. Upon arrival, we discovered that it had been replaced by a restaurant called Petrossian at Tiffany.

This restaurant concept launched as a partnership between Tiffany & Co. and the famous caviar purveyors in 2022 and is supposed to be in residence for two years. It serves French-inspired cuisine and specializes in caviar and Champagne.

Looking at the menu, we knew this lunch would be expensive (it ended up costing about $300). But we'd never dined at a caviar-focused restaurant and decided to splurge on our mother-daughter meal.

Here's what it was like.

The restaurant introduced me to Petrossian, a gourmet food brand that's been in business for over a century

I knew nothing about Petrossian before my lunch, but the fine-foods company has been in business since 1920, when brothers Melkoum and Mouchegh Petrossian opened their first shop in Paris.

The brand, which is still family-owned, now sells caviar, smoked fish, truffle, and other products all over the world and has also expanded into restaurants, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and more.

The South Coast Plaza restaurant is helmed by Carlos Cabrera, a chef who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Program and previously worked as the executive chef at Petrossian's West Hollywood location.

The restaurant decor is stunning, and the dining room is covered in Tiffany blue

Petrossian is located adjacent to Tiffany & Co. in South Coast Plaza. Wendy Lee

Simply walking into Petrossian's small dining room was a treat. The walls are Tiffany blue, the jewelry brand's iconic robin-egg hue. It also serves as reminder that there's a Tiffany & Co. store next door to the restaurant.

Story continues

Large, gold flecks reminiscent of fine jewelry hung in mobiles from the ceiling, and a row of white orchids separated the reception desk from the tables, giving the dining area a bit of privacy from the large department store surrounding it.

It was a lovely space to spend a couple of hours dining.

Petrossian incorporated caviar in some of its cocktails

The $36 Tiffany Caviartini I ordered had an olive with creme fraiche and caviar on top. Wendy Lee

I couldn't help but glance at the cocktail menu. I was immediately intrigued by the Tiffany Caviartini, a martini topped with an olive that's stuffed with caviar and creme fraiche.

Long a martini lover, I decided to order one for $36, making it the priciest cocktail I've ever enjoyed.

The server presented it with a single olive on a metal skewer that balanced across the rim. Made with Belvedere vodka, the Tiffany Caviartini was perfectly chilled.

Our first course included caviar-topped eggs and potato mille-feuille

After a long debate, we decided to start our meal with two caviar-focused dishes: the egg royale and the potato mille-feuille.

The egg royale featured soft scrambled eggs that were served in a shell and topped with creme fraiche, chives, and a generous portion of caviar.

The waiter handed us both a tiny mother-of-pearl spoon, explaining that it was the proper utensil for eating caviar as it doesn't add or detract from the flavor.

This delicious dish was worth the $28 price tag.

Each potato mille-feuille was topped with caviar, chervil, and creme fraiche. Wendy Lee

Next up was the potato mille-feuille. The trio of thinly sliced potato squares topped with caviar, chervil, and creme fraiche. The potatoes' outside layers were slightly crunchy, and the inside layers were perfectly creamy.

This dish cost $42, a price that's probably high due to the generous dollops of caviar on top of each delicious bite.

We enjoyed both dishes, but the egg royale was our favorite, and we fought over the last bite of it at the bottom of the shell.

I had the best smoked salmon I've ever tasted at Petrossian

The $42 smoked salmon was one of the few menu items that didn't feature caviar. Wendy Lee

We asked for our waiter's recommendation ahead of the next course, and he encouraged us to try the hand-sliced smoked salmon. It's one of the few dishes on the menu that doesn't have caviar in it, but since both my daughter and I love smoked salmon, we decided to try it.

The waiter set a round plate on the table that was covered in thin slices of salmon and decorated with dollops of creme fraiche, caper berries, pickled red onions, and wildflower petals. It also came with toast points on a dainty silver rack.

There's no doubt in my mind that it was the best smoked salmon I've ever tasted, so I didn't regret paying $42 for it.

For dessert, we went with a dark-chocolate souffle

We kept the decadence going by ordering a dark-chocolate souffle topped with creme Anglaise for dessert. After all, if we were going to splurge, we wanted to get the full experience.

Patrons usually have to wait a bit for restaurants to prepare a souffle, and Petrossian was no exception. However, we didn't mind. We enjoyed the lovely decor and our mother-daughter time. And when the dessert arrived at our table, we were ready for it.

The waiter carefully created a small depression in the souffle, allowing a bit of steam to escape before pouring the creme Anglaise on top.

We dipped our spoons in the soft chocolate and cream. Tasting this excellent dessert was a lovely way to end our dining experience, and at $22, it was the cheapest item on our bill.

The meal was expensive but one of a kind

The bill came out to about $300, which certainly isn't the amount I'd usually spend on lunch. However, each course was very memorable, and the ingredients tasted fresh.

Between the dishes' detailed presentations and the restaurant's charming decor, I left Pestrossian at Tiffany very impressed.

Read the original article on Insider
Suella Braverman says: 'We must bring more fraudsters to justice' - Andrew Wong/Conservative Campaign Headquarters

Spies are to be brought in to track down text scammers, the Home Secretary will announce.

As part of a crackdown on fraud, the three intelligence agencies will work with new regional squads of police officers to find and stop scammers targeting Britons from abroad.

The Government will also ban technology that allows criminals to bombard hundreds of people every minute with phishing text messages.

Writing in The Telegraph, Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, said: We must bring more fraudsters to justice.

Just 4,913 fraud offences - one in 1,000 - resulted in a charge or summons last year, out of 4.9 million scams reported by people in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) annual survey of crime.

Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK, with one in 15 people falling victim to it, costing nearly 7 billion a year.

Mrs Braverman said: Our action needs to be bold and firm, but prevention is as important as any cure. Thats why there must be an increased effort to block fraud at source.

The Home Office says 70 per cent of frauds originate abroad or are linked to overseas gangs.

Most common are push payment scams tricking victims into transferring cash, unauthorised payment card fraud and phishing.

The latest are Hi mum text scams, where fraudsters pretend to be distressed children to con cash out of parents.

The Prime Minister backed the new fraud strategy, which is set to be announced by Mrs Braverman in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Rishi Sunak said: We will take the fight to these fraudsters, wherever they try to hide.

By blocking scams at the source, boosting protections for people and bolstering enforcement, we will stop more of these cold-hearted crimes from happening in the first place and make sure justice is done.

GCHQ already works with banks to combat fraud and cyber attacks, but will now be given an expanded role alongside MI6 and MI5 to lead the attempt to identify and disrupt scammers overseas.

They will work with a new police National Fraud Squad (NFS) which will overhaul how scams are investigated by taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach, backed by 400 new specialist investigators, the Government said.

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In her article, Ms Braverman said the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which brings together experts including GCHQ, had already taken down 120,000 scams - but she said ministers would go further by naming and shaming websites where the most fraud took place.

Errant technology firms and social media platforms that fail to prevent fraud on their sites will face fines of up to 10 per cent of their global turnover under the Online Safety Bill currently being considered by the House of Lords.

Action Fraud 'not fit for purpose'

Action Fraud, the police reporting centre, will be overhauled after being branded not fit for purpose by MPs. It will be replaced by a simpler website to report scams, a bigger call centre with 30 per cent more staff and an online portal for victims to get updates on the progress of their cases. Even its name could be changed.

As part of a 30 million government cash injection to revamp Action Fraud, a new artificial intelligence computer system is being built to act as a super brain to analyse and join the dots on all fraud in the UK and identify the criminals behind it. It is expected to be launched next year.

All fraud will be reported to the revamped Action Fraud, which will help to determine whether it is so big and serious that the investigation should be led by the National Crime Agency, new reinforced regional police teams or local forces.

Fraud has also been put on a par with serious and organised crime as a national threat, requiring police forces to devote more resources to investigations.

In 2021, just 1,753 officers and staff were focused on economic crimes - 0.8 per cent of the total police workforce, even though fraud accounts for 41 per cent of all crime.

Under legal changes, banks will be able to delay payments from being processed for longer than the current one working day plus 24 hours, to allow for suspect payments to be investigated.

Cold calls on financial products such as sham insurance or cryptocurrency schemes will be banned, as will sim farms - which are devices that can be loaded with hundreds of sim cards to send out thousands of scam texts simultaneously.

The Government will also review the use of mass texting services in an attempt to prevent the technology from helping criminals.

Anthony Browne MP, a former chief executive of the British Banking Association and member of Treasury select committee, has been appointed as a new anti-fraud champion.

Mr Browne said: The tech sector, phone companies and financial services firms must take responsibility for protecting their users by stopping fraud happening in the first place, and work together to design out fraud.

We can use the technologies fraudsters are exploiting against them to stop them in their tracks, and I will work with industry to make sure that happens.

Helena Wood, co-head of Royal United Services Institutes UK Economic Crime Programme, said the extra officers - while welcome - would still not lift current resources allocated to fraud above the current one per cent of the total policing workforce.

She said the Government should not have backed off imposing a levy on technology and social media firms given the outsized role they played in facilitating scams.

Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, said: This plan is too little, too late and fails to match the scale of the problem.

All the Home Secretary has delivered is a rebadging of existing national teams, and a reannouncement on the replacement of Action Fraud from almost two years ago."

Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: The fight against fraud has progressed far too slowly in recent years and in particular more action is needed to guarantee that big tech platforms take serious action against fraud.

The Government must ensure that the Online Safety Bill delivers meaningful protections for consumers against a flood of online fraud infiltrating the world's biggest search engines and social media sites.

It's positive to see the Government at last producing a strategy that recognises a joined-up approach with the ambition that data is shared between industry and law enforcement is needed to tackle the UK's fraud epidemic, which has such a devastating financial and emotional toll on the lives of victims.
Starbucks posted stronger-than-expected sales in its fiscal second quarter as demand in China began to recover, but the company said that sales growth could moderate as the year progresses.

The Seattle coffee giant said Tuesday that its net revenue jumped 14% in the January-March period to $8.72 billion. That was better than the $8.41 billion Wall Street had forecast, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

Same-store sales  or sales at stores open at least a year  rose 11% as traffic picked up in stores. That also beat analysts' forecast of a 7.3% increase.

Same-store sales in China were up 3%, reversing a 29% decline the company saw in its October-December period due to a spike in COVID infections. It was the first time Starbucks had seen positive same-store sales in China since 2021.

Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Rachel Ruggeri said traffic is strong in the afternoons and on weekends at stores in China. But the company is still uncertain about post-pandemic customer patterns as well as the resumption of international travel to China. Ruggeri said Starbucks expects the pace of weekly sales' improvement to moderate in the second half of this year.

"Were very encouraged by many of the signs that we see, but theres a lot that were navigating," she said on a conference call Tuesday with investors.

In North America, same-store sales climbed 12%, and the company reported more store visits as well as higher spending per visit. The double-digit gain was partly due to comparisons with the same period last year, when sales were impacted by the omicron variant. For the full year, Starbucks expects North American same-store sales increases in the 7-9% range, Ruggeri said.

Starbucks said it opened 464 net new stores during the quarter, including 100 in North America. As part of a larger plan to reinvigorate sales, Starbucks has been closing underperforming locations and replacing them with stores in higher-traffic areas or smaller stores that are focused on pickup or drive-thru business.

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Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said the company also continues to introduce new equipment  like hand-held cold foamers  to improve execution and speed. But he said Starbucks must do a better job simplifying its supplies and operations; he noted that the company currently has 1,500 cup and lid combinations around the world.

Our performance is strong, but our health could be stronger, he said. "There is more work to do in our stores for the demand that we see."

Starbucks' earnings rose 35% to $908 million. Adjusted for one-time items, the company earned 74 cents per share. That also beat analysts' forecast of 65 cents.

Shares in Starbucks fell 5.5% in after-market trading.

Tuesdays earnings report was the first presided over by Narasimhan, who took over as Starbucks CEO at the end of March.

Narasimhan is a former PepsiCo executive who most recently served as CEO of the U.K.-based health and nutrition company Reckitt. At Starbucks, he succeeded longtime leader Howard Schultz, who came out of retirement last spring to serve as interim CEO while the company searched for a new chief executive.
Nearly 30 Orlando students learned basic piano skills thanks to a partnership between the city and the Steinway Society of Central Florida.

The students, who participated in a 10-week after-school program at five Orlando recreation locations, showed off their skills at a piano recital this week.

Partnering with the Steinway Society Piano Program is another way the city is providing creative outlets outside the classroom for youth to explore and foster success through the arts by inspirational and supportive learning environments that enrich their lives, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

According to city officials, after analyzing both students report cards and parent surveys, data showed that 100% of students involved in the program either maintained or improved their academic performance.

Read: Walt Disney World celebrates 150K wishes granted with Make-a-Wish

In 2009, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Steinway Society of Central Florida partnered to provide free piano lessons, instructors and equipment to Parramore Kidz Zone youth at the Callahan and Smith Neighborhood Centers. The city said in 2022, the program expanded to three additional sites, including Grand Avenue, Engelwood and College Park Neighborhood Centers.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Getty; Marianne Ayala/Insider

For nearly a year, Jeff Palkevich had been regularly visited by strangers looking for their Airbnb.

But the Airbnb they sought was a mile away in a different city in Los Angeles County.

The Airbnb host was publicly advertising an incorrect address, a tactic often used by scammers.

In February, Jack Kilian traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles to film a music video for a rapper. For the trip, he rented an Airbnb for three nights in West Hollywood, from a host appropriately named Hollywood Home.

Kilian arrived in LA, picked up a rental car, and navigated to the address listed on the Airbnb property's profile.

That address was the home of Jeff Palkevich, who told Insider he was headed into his apartment with his dog, Buttercup, when he spotted Kilian and two others in his driveway looking lost.

Kilian was confused. The address matched the Airbnb listing, but the exterior photos didn't.

He wasn't the first to find himself in this situation. Starting in April 2022, Palkevich said, strangers would arrive at his complex three to four times a week, looking for an Airbnb that wasn't there.

"It is a steady thing that happens," Palkevich told Insider in February. "I will see someone just standing in the driveway with luggage, scrolling through their phone, trying to figure out what's going on. At this point, I'll just ask, 'Are you looking for an Airbnb?' And the answer, 100% of the time, is yes."

Kilian checked Airbnb and realized he had missed a message from the host, which included the Airbnb's actual address  a mile away. Palkevich told Kilian that he'd been scammed.

Jeff Palkevich outside his home in West Hollywood, California. Jeff Palkevich

For nearly a year, Palkevich and the other residents of his apartment complex were caught in the middle of a "bait and switch" on Airbnb, in which a host provides one address in the listing and then notifies guests at the last minute that the listing is actually somewhere else. If the guest misses the message, they can end up at a stranger's home.

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Kilian said the switch didn't ruin his stay: Aside from the wrong location, the rest of the property was accurately portrayed in the listing. But two other guests who got a last-minute address change from Hollywood Home told Insider it ruined their trips to Los Angeles.

Hollywood Home did not respond to a request for comment.

It was worse for Palkevich and his neighbors. After the stream of misguided guests began arriving, it took them more than a year to get Airbnb to address the issue  which it did only after inquiries from an Insider reporter.

Two screenshots of the Airbnb listing's address and a message from the Hollywood host directing guests to another address. Screenshots courtesy of Jeff Palkevich

Palkevich and his neighbors were frustrated by the constant stream of strangers

Palkevich and his family live in one of eight units that form a complex in West Hollywood, a city that borders Beverly Hills and is surrounded on all other sides by the city of Los Angeles. Hollywood Home had been using the complex's address for more than one of its 29 listings on Airbnb, so Palkevich said he and his neighbors had all dealt with strangers arriving at their properties.

"A lot of times, I'm going to get in my car to pull out of my driveway, and we're blocked in because there's a van full of people looking for their Airbnb," Palkevich said. "Or you're taking the garbage out and someone's asking, 'Which of these units is the one on Airbnb?'"

Residents started a group chat where neighbors could warn one another when Airbnb guests were at the complex, Palkevich said. Most of the guests were understanding when he explained what was going on, he said, but a few people yelled at him, accusing him of involvement in the false listing.

"It's just a constant nuisance," he said.

Using incorrect addresses could help hosts avoid LA's short-term-rental laws

Three examples of reviews mentioning an inaccurate address on Hollywood Home's Airbnb account. Airbnb

Because of concerns about Airbnb's effect on the availability of rental housing, many cities, including Los Angeles, have placed restrictions on short-term rentals.

In November 2019, the city of Los Angeles implemented a home-sharing ordinance that requires hosts to register with the city and limits home-sharing to primary residences. It also made home-sharing in rent-stabilized and affordable housing illegal.

To circumvent those restrictions, some hosts use addresses outside the city's borders, said Allison Kirste, a policy analyst and advocate for Better Neighbors LA, a coalition that aims to protect housing for Los Angeles residents.

Kirste told Insider that's likely what Hollywood Home was doing by using Palkevich's address in West Hollywood.

In August, Better Neighbors LA looked into Hollywood Home, which previously went by the Airbnb username Dumitrita, and concluded that at least 11 of its listings violated the city's home-sharing ordinance.

"The addresses that the host was actually using to operate these short-term rentals were rent-stabilized buildings in Hollywood," she said.

A screenshot of Los Angeles' Zone Information Map Access System, which indicates Hollywood Home's actual properties were in a rent-stabilized building. Zone Information Map Access System

Better Neighbors LA wrote a letter about Hollywood Home to the Los Angeles city attorney and the Department of City Planning, which told the organization it was looking into the host. As of March, however, Better Neighbors LA had not been made aware of any citations to the properties.

In a statement to Insider, the Department of City Planning said that "warning letters for non-compliance with the home-sharing regulations were sent to the property owner" and that the properties were referred to the Los Angeles Housing Department for the issuance of a citation.

From February 2021 to February 2023, Kirste said, Better Neighbors LA reported more than 50 short-term rentals that it said violated the home-sharing ordinance in Los Angeles. The rentals span multiple hosts; not all are using bait-and-switch tactics, but many are, she said.

"Almost every complaint that we get now is bait and switch," Kirste said. "We realize it's a new way for people to get around the rules of the city's law."

These situations extend far beyond Los Angeles. Insider recently reported on Airbnb guests who faced last-minute changes to their stays' addresses in locations as far-flung as Houston and the country of Montenegro.

Instead of taking down the listings, Airbnb asked Palkevich to write to the host himself

Palkevich first reached out to Airbnb to report the listings last April. The company responded by asking him to write out his complaint in a letter, which it would share with the host. Palkevich was concerned about that, as he didn't want the host to have his personal information.

He reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department to see what action he could take. Both departments advised him not to write the letter, agreeing that he was right to be concerned about sharing his personal information with a stranger he was suspicious of, he said.

The sheriff's department declined to comment on Palkevich's situation. The Los Angeles Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Palkevich said the sheriff's department told him the case couldn't be considered identity theft since the host wasn't using Palkevich's or his neighbors' names. It also told him he couldn't file a harassment complaint against the host, since it was technically the guests who were harassing him.

"It seems like there aren't laws written to do anything about this yet," Palkevich said. "And that's where I'm stuck."

Palkevich and his dog, Buttercup. Jeff Palkevich

When Insider first viewed Hollywood Home's Airbnb profile in January, it had 29 properties listed. Forty-four of its 358 reviews, dating back to June, mentioned an incorrect address.

After being contacted by Insider about the host and the properties, an Airbnb representative told Insider an investigation had been conducted and all 29 listings were removed from the site. Insider confirmed that they were no longer viewable.

Kirste and her team argue that Airbnb should be picking up on and investigating suspicious listings faster.

"In almost every instance of a bait and switch that we've seen so far, there's been at least one review that said, 'We had to drive somewhere else because it wasn't at the address that Airbnb provided to us. The host told us to go somewhere else,'" Kirste said. "In those cases, we think that that has to be something that Airbnb, other platforms, or the city-planning department should be able to catch."

The Airbnb representative said the company prohibited bait-and-switch tactics and had a team dedicated to investigating bad actors and providing support to guests. They said the company made "significant investments in defenses designed to keep bad actors from accessing our platform in the first place, as well as actions to crack down on deceptive behavior."

2 travelers told Insider the bait and switches ruined their LA trips

One of Hollywood Home's 44 negative reviews came from Jasmine Alvarez. For Halloween weekend, she traveled from Oakland, California, to meet 11 friends for three nights in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse in West Hollywood.

Alvarez, 24, told Insider her group specifically chose the West Hollywood location because it was within walking distance of bars, a Target, and the neighborhood's famous Halloween festivities.

"Then the week comes, and they send me the actual address  miles away from everything that we wanted to do," Alvarez said.

With the short notice and the holiday weekend, Alvarez's group wasn't able to find a similarly sized Airbnb. They were stuck with the property and had to rely on Uber all weekend to get around, she said.

Airbnb messages between Jasmine Alvarez and Hollywood Home. Airbnb screenshots courtesy of Jasmine Alvarez

Alvarez reported the listing to Airbnb and received a $315 refund on her group's $1,492 stay. That didn't even cover the roughly $400 the group spent on Uber rides for the weekend, she said.

"It was a lot of money that was wasted," she said. "That's where Airbnb kind of lost me as a customer."

Jeff Spritz, 64, said he'd also soured on Airbnb, after booking a three-bedroom, two-bath townhouse with Hollywood Home in December.

A former West Hollywood resident who now lives in Chicago, Spritz was traveling with his wife and two sons to care for his father, who was in hospice at the time. He chose Hollywood Home's property because it appeared to be in a familiar location.

A few days before Spritz arrived, he got a message similar to those received by Alvarez and Kilian. The actual address, it said, was on Tamarind Avenue in Los Angeles. When the family arrived at the property, it found the block littered with garbage and mattresses.

Spritz's son refused to stay at the Airbnb, ultimately staying at his grandfather's home, while the rest of the family stuck it out in the Airbnb.

"I was so embarrassed," Spritz said.

In West Hollywood, he had hoped his family could go on evening walks or stop for breakfast at local cafes, but "we weren't going to be able to have a walk around there," he said, adding: "It was just too depressing."

Spritz said he reported the listing to Airbnb on one of the final days of his stay, out of concern for future guests. The company gave Spritz a full refund for the stay, which he said cost more than $1,000.

He called it a "live-and-learn situation" and said he planned to be more diligent when looking for Airbnbs.

The stream of strangers at Palkevich's door finally stopped a couple of weeks after Airbnb pulled Hollywood Home's listings in response to Insider's inquiry. But he fears they could return, perhaps if the host is able to make another account under a new name.

Even if this is the end of his issue, Palkevich, who has previously used Airbnb for trips, said he had resolved to never use Airbnb again. "Not in a million years," he said.

Read the original article on Insider
For the first time since the Penn School closed in 1948, St. Helena Island public middle and high school students wont have to leave the island to go to class.

The Sea Islands Heritage Academy will open in 2024 as a public charter school with Gullah Geechee culture and community at its core, according to co-founder Alana Jenkins, who is of Gullah heritage. The South Carolina Public Charter School District Board of Trustees approved the schools application last week.

Community is truly the impetus and really the heart of that application, Jenkins said.

The academy will be in the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor near the Penn Center in The Corners community. It will open with a class of 150 sixth and seventh graders for the 2024-25 school year and plans to expand to over 550 sixth through 12th grade students in the next 10 years. That number is about 5% of the districts current students.

The building plan includes three high school classrooms, four middle school classrooms, an administration building, a dining hall, a library and lots of green spaces, according to Jenkins.

Only the first phase, the middle school classrooms, is planned for the 2024-25 school year. Construction will cost around $3 million, according to Jenkins. She said the entire plan will cost about $12 million and, over the next four years, the academy will receive about $3 million in funding from the SCPCSD and $1.3 million from private donors. The rest of the schools funding also will come from the SCPCSD and private donors.

The Penn Center is located off of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on St. Helena Island.

Not usually a proponent

Students statewide are eligible to attend the charter school, and there is no cost to attend. Jenkins said all are welcome, but theyre especially trying to appeal to St. Helena Island and Seabrook Island students who underperform in Beaufort County public schools.

Data show these students tend to be Black and below the poverty line. In Beaufort County, 40% of Black residents are below the poverty line compared to 5.5% of white residents and 11.9% of all residents, according to the most recent census.

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A photo of Gullah Grub Restaurant in the Corners community.

In Beaufort County public schools, 85.7% of African American students graduate compared to 91.5% of Caucasian students and 88.5% of all students. Statewide, the graduation rates are worse for each of the demographics.

In the new charter schools intended service area, some neighborhoods have poverty rates as high as 80%, and poverty is linked with poor education outcomes, Jenkins said. She has spent a decade teaching and in administrative positions at charter schools in New York and Washington, D.C.

I am not usually a proponent for charter schools, said Beaufort County Councilman York Glover. However, the St. Helena representative supports the Sea Islands Heritage Academy because it targets struggling students who arent succeeding in the system.

Sea Islands Heritage Academy co-founder Alana Jenkins identified the area in red as a priority for recruiting students.

Place-based education

Students at Sea Islands Heritage Academy will be taught using place-based education, according to Jenkins, a learning model that will leverage St. Helena Islands rich culture and history for the benefit of the students and the community.

It really sees the classroom as larger than just four walls, Jenkins said. It sees the classroom as a community, and it asks scholars to participate in their local community and leave a footprint.

St. Helena Island is an epicenter of Gullah Geechee culture and history and also home to the Penn Center, formerly the Penn School, one of the nations first schools for formerly enslaved people. In the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. often used the center as a meeting place.

The value of the cultural heritage that exists in the area cannot be understated, Jenkins said. Having our school within walking distance to the Penn Center would be a monumental ability for scholars to really see the legacy of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor in St. Helena.

The Sea Islands Heritage Academy will open in 2024 as a public charter school.

St. Helena public middle and high school students are zoned to attend schools on Ladys Island or in Beaufort.

A majority of our scholars are going to be Gullah Geechee people, said Victoria Smalls, who is a board member for the school. Its important to know who you are, where you come from, and that is going to have a profound effect on where youre going.

The school will be governed by a board of directors, like Smalls, and about half of them were born in or attended school in Beaufort County, according to Jenkins.

Year-round calendar

Charter schools curriculum must align with state standards, but Jenkins said the school is borrowing heavily from Montessori practices.

Although students will still have 180 instructional days, the same as in any state public schools, the academy will be open year round with four roughly 9-week quarters and two periods of required intersession throughout the school year.

During intersession, students will have workforce exploration or additional academic support from teachers. The school hasnt finalized its list of partnerships but plans to include arts-focused organizations such as the Gullah Kinfolk Theater, culturally-focused organizations such as the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, natural resource-focused organizations such as Marshview Farmers, and civics-focused organizations like local delegate offices, according to Jenkins.

This is a work three years in the making, Jenkins said, explaining it started in July 2020 when she began speaking with the community about the school. Just to be here, we are really, really passionate and excited about this.

Parents who are interested can reach out to Jenkins via the schools website: www.heritageacademysc.org.
Skyscrapers are seen beyond the roof of a hanok, a traditional Korean-style house, in Songdo, Incheon, Monday, where the 56th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank is being held. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



ADB's annual meeting kicks off in Incheon, a city transformed by economic aid from the bank



By Lee Yeon-woo



During the 1960s, when Korea was still recovering from the 1950-53 Korean War, developing infrastructure such as highways and ports seemed like an impossible dream.



At that time, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was around $150, and there was barely enough money to support the population's basic needs, including food. Still, infrastructure development was crucial for the country's economic improvement, given its heavy reliance on exports.



The silver lining came from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which Korea joined as a founding member. Established in 1966, the bank is dedicated to accelerating the social and economic development of its members.



The bank loaned 1.9 billion won ($1.42 million) to construct the Gyeongin Expressway, the country's oldest highway that connects Seoul and Incheon, out of the total project costs of 3.2 billion won. Several years later, another 30.3 billion won was injected from the bank to expand Incheon Port twice, playing a pivotal role in the country's trade.





Dignitaries participate in the opening ceremony for the Gyeongin Expressway in this 1969 photo. Korea Times file



The bank loaned $2.33 billion to the country from 1968 to 1988 when Korea marked an end to its recipient country status, and an additional $4 billion in 1997 at the time of the Asian financial crisis. Based on that aid, Korea was able to lay the foundation for leaping into the top 10 list of the world's most advanced economies. Korea remains the only member country to have switched its status from recipient to donor.









In Incheon, the city where the ADB has contributed its growth, the 56th annual meeting of its board of governors is being held from May 2 to 5. Around 5,000 people, including finance ministers and central bank governors around the world, are attending the meeting, which is the largest in scale, according to the bank.



This is the third time for Korea to invite the bank's member countries, following the previous two meetings held in Seoul in 1970 and Jeju Island in 2004. The country is serving as the chair country for one year until the end of 2023, leading discussions on development agendas such as reducing poverty and boosting inclusive growth.





The 37th Asian Development Bank annual meeting is held on Jeju Island in this May 2004 file photo. Yonhap



"Korea's vast facets of development experience, ranging from the K-pop sector to its successful transformation from a previous recipient country until 1988 to a donor country, could be shared among member countries at the meeting," ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said in his congratulatory message last year when Korea was named as the next chair country.



The country holds the eighth-highest number of shares among member countries and contributes to economic cooperation through various channels such as the Asian Development Fund and the Technical Assistance Special Fund.





Performers promote Korea's hosting of the 56th Asian Development Bank's (ADB) annual meeting during the 55th meeting in Manila, the Philippines, in this September 2022 photo. Courtesy of ADB



Another economic leap expected during meeting



Under the theme of "Rebounding Asia: Recover, Reconnect and Reform," the Korean government plans to use this year's ADB meeting as an opportunity to inject vitality into its economy again, which has been showing signs of weakening recently due to sluggish exports.



A promotional event and one-on-one consultations for Korean companies are scheduled during the meeting, providing them with overseas bidding know-how. Information sessions about Indonesia's new capital construction project are planned for interested companies as well.



The meeting is also expected to stimulate domestic spending, bolstered by an influx of foreign visitors. To this end, Korean food culture and tourism promotion halls are operated within the ADB meeting venue, along with a Korean Culture Night event featuring the world-famous K-pop group NewJeans.






Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are facing backlash and pressure from student organizations after the university appeared to take no action toward a white student who posted a racist video to social media.

One of the two white women featured in the video has been identified as student Audrey Godlewski. Godlewski begins the video by saying she wants to die before launching into an expletive-filled monologue saying she would haunt every fing little N-word who fing did me wrong and force them to pick fing cotton until their bodies dry out because of how much cotton theyre picking for me. Her friend, recording the video, can be heard laughing in response.

Ndemazea Fonkem, class of 2024 at UW-Madison, said she saw the video on Monday and felt a range of emotions.

It was just like I cant believe that this person goes here, Fonkem told The Hill. The video sort of escalates over the 30 seconds, so I sort of went through that, like ramped up stages of reactions.

Fonkem has just finished her term as president of the student body government, and she said she immediately began to consider how widespread the video was and what steps the school would take. But there was also a personal element to seeing the video, particularly when it came to those not shown in the video.

This is a predominantly white institution, its just a given that you will know white people and probably have at least one white friend even casually, said Fonkem. No one really expects their friend behind closed doors to be comfortable with flagrant, disgusting racism, and comfortable enough to laugh at it. It sort of sparked this feeling of like, oh, it could be any one of my white friends behind that camera.

University officials said in a statement they are aware of the video and that it does not reflect the campuss values, adding that content posted on private social media accounts cannot be regulated by the university.

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The university is aware of a video recently posted to social media that contains deeply harmful and offensive racist slurs and references, the university said in a statement released Monday. The Dean of Students Office is gathering additional information, collecting bias reports and offering support to affected students and employees.

But some students say this is not nearly enough.

Fonkem called the schools response distressing, but unsurprising. The schools inaction has led to questions around just how far something has to go in order for a proactive response to be taken.

What has to happen for Black students to be materially valued on this campus? she said. How bad does it have to get for there to be repercussions? How bad does it have to get for the university to take a hardline stance?

Fonkem isnt alone in her frustrations.

In a statement posted to Instagram, the Wisconsin Black Student Union (WBSU) said they are infuriated with the recent actions and words spoken by Audrey Godlewski and her peers and reminded the UW-Madison community that Black students make up a mere 2 percent of the schools population.

It is hurtful and absolutely repulsive, though not uncommon, to hear a white student use such hateful language and racial slurs that are disrespectful and degrading to our community, the statement said.

Furthermore, the actions taken by Audrey are in opposition to the principles of inclusivity, diversity, morals and respect in which UW-Madison has failed to uphold time and time again. This is not the first time white students have taken it upon themselves to use such offensive and racist slurs towards the Black community on this campus. There are rules that are in place to ensure that all students are welcomed. These rules should apply to all students regardless of their race. This isnt over.

A petition has begun to circulate online calling for Godlewski to be expelled from the university.

We will not stand for this nor condone this behavior and we need to take a stand, the petition reads. We need to set an example for the future students to come and for the students who have done the same, but have not been caught.

The video has also garnered political attention.

My heart is with the UW-Madison Black community, especially the students, who have had to witness and experience yet again racial harm on their campus, Wisconsin State Rep. Francesca Hong tweeted Monday. The comments made in the video were vile, threatening and have no place at UW-Madison or anywhere.

Its not the first incident of on-campus racism thats brought UW-Madison under scrutiny.

In 2019, a sign that said UW 4 Whites Only was taped to the University of Wisconsins Science Hall. In 2020, the university had 81 reports of bias incidents filed, 47 of which involved Asian or international students, according to the Cap Times. And in 2021, the schools Chamberlin Rock was removed from campus after years of student protest  including from the WBSU  of the racist symbolism tied to the monument.

The university has encouraged members of the campus community to seek support if they need and added the response to incidents of bias or hate vary depending on circumstances. Repercussions can range from referrals to restorative conversations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Oleksii Reznikov, the Defence Minister of Ukraine, notes that the success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be of great importance for the continued ease of [gaining] support from partners.

Source: Reznikov in an interview with the agency Interfax-Ukraine.

Quote: "My partners always say the same thing at all [our] meetings, in telephone calls and at Ramstein: 'We are with you to the end, no matter how long it takes. And we see your victory at the end.' This is important.

Of course, they are all politicians and are backed by parliaments that agree or disagree on certain things. And behind the parliaments are the voters. Therefore, it will be easier for them to advocate for new assistance packages to Ukraine if there are cases of success."

Details: According to the minister, it is natural that the allies "want to invest in success", and it is vital that the weapons and assistance they send produce results.

"So of course, our success will be of great importance for such ease of [gaining] support to continue," Reznikov stressed.

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






British nationals waiting to board an RAF aircraft in Sudan

The final UK rescue flights are expected to take off from Sudan on Wednesday, the government has said.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said British nationals still wanting to leave the country should go to the Coral Hotel in Port Sudan by 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).

He added that there would be "no further British evacuation flights" from the city.

Some 2,341 people have so far been airlifted to safety on 28 UK flights.

It was previously thought the evacuation had ended on Monday when planes left Sudan for Cyprus.

The UK government has described its evacuation as "the longest and largest operation of any Western nation".

Those rescued during the airlift include Britons, their dependents, Sudanese NHS staff and other eligible nationalities.

Earlier on Tuesday, Downing Street said 1,195 British nationals had been airlifted out so far.

Last week, a negotiated, short-term ceasefire allowed UK evacuation flights to take off from an airstrip near Khartoum, while the fragile ceasefire held.

On Monday evening, two additional evacuation flights left Port Sudan carrying mainly British nationals.

The most recent two flights brought 144 people to safety.

Speaking earlier in the House of Commons, Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell told MPs the evacuation had "been extremely successful".

He said the UK was maintaining a diplomatic presence in Port Sudan, as well as at Sudan's borders with Egypt and Ethiopia.

And the HMS Lancaster ship is off the coast to support Britons.

Efforts are now focused on Port Sudan, "helping British nationals there who are seeking to leave", Mr Mitchell said.

He went on: "Foreign Office staff who remain are helping British nationals to leave the country, signposting options for departure.

"British nationals in Port Sudan who require support should visit our team without delay."

He said ending the violence "remains essential", and said that "aid operations are now at a standstill".

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Previously, BBC Newsnight had reported that 24 NHS doctors had been unable to board evacuation flights to the UK.

MPs were told that the latest figures showed 22 of them had now been evacuated out of the country.

A Sudanese paediatrician whose family's passports were locked in the British embassy in Khartoum has now been evacuated.

Elham Babikir, who had been offered a job at Telford NHS Trust and granted a visa, was in the final stages of moving to the UK when the fighting broke out. Along with her husband and three young children, she was consequently stranded in Sudan.

After fleeing to the countryside, she eventually travelled to Port Sudan to seek assistance from the British authorities based there. In the last 24 hours she was granted a place on an evacuation flight after an intervention from the NHS.

She said: "The officials there were so nice to us The NHS helped with our evacuation."

Speaking earlier on Tuesday to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Cleverly said the focus was shifting to providing humanitarian aid, though he warned that relief efforts were likely to be impeded by continuing conflict.

Fighting in the country is in its third week, with thousands of people fleeing since the conflict broke out.

Fighting erupted last month between the Sudanese military and paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as they wrestled for control of the country - with the capital Khartoum at the centre of the heaviest fighting.

More than 100,000 people have fled the country since fighting broke out on 15 April, the United Nations has said, with a further 334,000 people displaced within Sudan.

Officials are warning of an "all-out catastrophe" if fighting does not end.

Meanwhile, the BBC has announced the launch of an emergency radio service to be broadcast into Sudan.

The pop-up radio service, to be broadcast twice daily for three months on the BBC World Service, will provide "crucial" news and information for people based in the war-torn African nation.

It will include eyewitness accounts and news on diplomatic efforts, the BBC said, and help counter disinformation.
The latest fighting has worsened the humanitarian crisis in Sudan

More than 100,000 people have fled Sudan since heavy fighting broke out between rival forces on 15 April, the UN has said.

Officials warned of a "full-blown catastrophe" if fighting does not end.

A further 334,000 people have been displaced within Sudan.

Fighting is continuing in the capital, Khartoum, between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), despite a ceasefire due to be in force.

Diplomatic efforts are being stepped up to try and get the warring parties to the negotiating table.

On Tuesday, South Sudan's foreign ministry said the army and RSF had agreed "in principle" to a new seven-day truce from 4 May, and had promised to send representatives to talks.

Its statement came a day after the UN special envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, told the AP news agency that the two sides had agreed to negotiate a "stable and reliable" ceasefire.

Saudi Arabia was a potential venue for the talks, he added.

If talks take place, it would be the first meeting between the two sides since the conflict started.

More than 500 people have been killed and more than 4,000 have been wounded in the fighting, according to Sudan's health ministry.

A series of temporary ceasefires have failed to hold, with the military continuing to pound Khartoum with air strikes in a bid to weaken the RSF.

The paramilitary group said it shot down a MiG fighter jet over the city, but there is no independent confirmation of the claim.

Heaving fighting has also taken place in Darfur in western Sudan.

UN refugee agency spokeswoman Olga Sarrado told reporters in Geneva that the 100,000 total included people from Sudan, South Sudanese citizens returning home, and people who were already refugees within Sudan fleeing the fighting.

Refugees have also been fleeing over Sudan's border with Egypt in the north and Chad in the west.

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Most European states have completed the evacuation of their nationals, but Russia said on Tuesday that it was sending four military planes to fly out more than 200 people - including its nationals and those from "friendly countries" - from Sudan.

In Khartoum, food, water and electricity are running out, but desperately needed aid supplies - shipped by the UN into Port Sudan - are being warehoused because of the violence. Meanwhile, widespread looting means there is no safe way to deliver them.

World Health Organization (WHO) regional director Ahmed al-Mandhari said that health facilities have come under attack in Khartoum, and some are being used as military bases.

"Up to now there were around 26 reported attacks on healthcare facilities. Some of these attacks resulted in the death of healthcare workers and civilians in these hospitals," he told the BBC.

"Also you know some of these hospitals are used as military bases and they have thrown the staff, they have thrown patients out of these healthcare facilities," he added.

On Monday, the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Abdou Dieng, said that more than two weeks of devastating fighting risked turning the country's humanitarian crisis into a "full blown catastrophe".

"Even before the current crisis, one-third of Sudan's population, nearly 16 million people, already needed humanitarian aid. Some 3.7 million people were already internally displaced, mostly in Darfur," he said.
Woman looking tired

Fleeing for their lives from Arab militias on the rampage is nothing new for the Sudanese people escaping over the border into Chad - their exhausted faces encapsulate the devastation and suffering they have been experiencing over decades.

"We barely managed to return home and start a new life when this fighting forced us to run again," Mahmoud Adam Hamad tells the BBC.

The showdown that erupted on 15 April between Sudan's two leading generals has triggered another bout of ethnic conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region.

The UN estimates that more than 100,000 people have fled the current countrywide clashes, with the largest number fleeing to Chad, just across the border from Darfur.

Darfur has been in turmoil for years with violence between its various African and Arab communities.

When non-Arabs took up arms against the government in 2003, complaining about discrimination, the government retaliated by mobilising and arming mostly Arab militias. Known as the Janjaweed, they were accused of widespread atrocities.

Many of those Janjaweed fighters morphed into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group that is now battling the army.

Arab militias linked to the RSF appear to be taking advantage of the security vacuum in Darfur, unleashing violence that has led to an exodus of people from the region.

Some, like Mr Hamad and his family, have ended up in a temporary refugee camp in the Chadian village of Koufroune.

Families have come to Koufroune with a few belongings that they could bring from Darfur

An estimated 8,000 people are at the camp, having managed to flee with a few of their belongings and livestock, a valuable asset that could help ease the hardship.

Mr Hamad made two dangerous trips last week across the border to bring his two wives and eight children from Darfur.

"I made my journey mainly at night. I brought them in, moving from one location to another with my family until we arrived.

"I was nearly robbed on the second trip," he says as he stands next to his temporary shelter made up of sticks and plastic sheeting.

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His village was previously attacked in Darfur. He lost his farm and animals and some of his relatives were killed by the Janjaweed.

"We were beaten and lashed. We begged them for our release."

Mr Hamad speaks about how, at the time, he fled from village to village and crossed into Chad.

He later returned to Darfur with his family thinking it was safe, but he now finds himself back again.

He is now earning a little money in the camp by using his cart to transport the belongings of other refugees. He uses the cash to buy extra food.

Ibrahim Bashar Ebra (L) and his wife Maka Naseem Tabeer (R) lost their farming livelihood at the start of the Darfur conflict in 2003

Ibrahim Bashar Ebra, 83 and his wife, Maka Naseem Tabeer, 70, sit in the shade of a plastic sheet flapping in the wind offering them some respite from the extreme heat.

They are surrounded by their belongings covered in blankets to protect them from the dust.

They lost their livelihoods in the Darfur conflict after their farm was raided in 2003 and their livestock were stolen.

In a later attack three of their children were kidnapped and they have no idea where they are.

"I became destitute without a home and totally dependent on others," Mr Ebra says.

What forced him to move a fortnight ago was a militia attack on his village that killed many people.

"The whole village was burned to the ground. I was evacuated by a cart and brought here," he adds, pointing out that arthritis makes it impossible for him to move on his own.

His wife turns to him and asks: "What do you think about our future from now on?"

"There's no government in Darfur, only the militias, who are killing, raping and kidnapping. Only God knows what there is in store for us," Mr Ebra responds.

He says he will "never" go back.

"I am safe here; I am happy fetching water from this valley to drink. What would I earn from going back? I am a frail 83 years old, but mentally tough."

For now, they are being looked after by UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP).

Tens of thousands of more refugees are expected and there are fears that the fighting in Darfur could snowball into a full-blown conflict.

Chad already hosts more than a million displaced people, including nearly 400,000 Sudanese refugees from Darfur.

The race is now on to get support to the camps before the rainy season begins, WFP country director Pierre Honnorat says.

"This is very much needed because in a few weeks, the road to come and assist them will be very very difficult. That's really the issue, we have to have the resources to be able to support them," he tells the BBC.

The refugees in Koufroune may have reached safety, but like so many Sudanese their future lies in the hands of two generals fighting over their country.

They are under intense diplomatic pressure to negotiate an end to the conflict, or risk plunging Sudan into a civil war that could be worse than those in Libya and Syria.
An Oxford family has described the journey they made to an airfield in Sudan only to find they were not all eligible to be rescued.

Niam Ali, her two-year-old son Yousif, and husband Mohammed Yassien fled their home in Khartoum to get an RAF flight.

At one point, Mr Yassien was held at gunpoint, but his life was spared because he had a family.

The UK government said many people were facing "very challenging circumstances and decisions".

Clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group and the Sudanese army began on 15 April.

Mrs Ali and her son both hold British passports, but her husband has a Sudanese passport and no visa.

This meant once they reached the final checkpoint for the evacuation flight they were turned away.

Mrs Ali lives in Oxford and works as a locum pharmacist, but regularly travels with her son to visit her husband as he helps run a family business in Sudan.

The couple had travelled to the countryside with Yousif for safety, but changed their plans after hearing British nationals were being evacuated from the Wadi Saeedna airfield.

They had to stop at checkpoints set up by the RSF along the way, but at one an officer fired a gun at the family's car to signal them to stop.

Mrs Ali said: "I ducked over my son, my husband stopped the car and the soldier makes him get out and starts shouting at him, he made him lay on the ground at gunpoint.

"I don't know how my son managed this, but he started to greet the guy and mess around with him. At that point he calmed down a bit and just said: 'Make sure to not let your father speed,' then he let us go."

When the family arrived at the airfield they were told they could enter after showing all their passports, but had to leave a lot of their luggage behind. They were then told there would not be another flight until the morning.

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Mrs Ali said: "There was no where for us to sleep, we were outside the entire time and ended up sleeping on the gravel, they gave us a cardboard box for our son."

After waiting more than five hours to get to the final security check the next morning, an officer refused them entry, explaining Mr Yassien did not have a visa and so could not fly.

"At that point, my whole world came crashing down," Mrs Ali said.

"I couldn't leave him that wasn't an option, the only way he wasn't attacked on our way to the airport was because we were a family."

The family used the last of their fuel to travel back to Khartoum, where they are waiting for more information, but limited shops are open for food, there is still no power and those involved in the fighting are also stealing cars.

"If my husband goes out on foot to try and get us food, he has to take a knife or a sword with him to protect himself because there's gang violence," Mrs Ali added.

In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "We recognise there will be many people facing very challenging circumstances and decisions.

"We continue to work intensively alongside international partners to maintain the ceasefire and bring an end to the fighting - the single most important thing we can do to ensure the safety of British nationals and others in Sudan."

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CAIRO (AP)  Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners joined growing crowds at Sudan's main seaport Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation. After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital of Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table. The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a weeklong cease-fire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks. The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Burhan and Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt. Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the country's Red Sea coast. The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday. He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now, everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat. Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air. Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later Tuesday, Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

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At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late Monday. They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt. Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting. He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies," he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighboring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to U.N. agencies. Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said at a news briefing Tuesday in Geneva. At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said. Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky cease-fire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate. Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 wounded since the fighting began, according to figures provided Tuesday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. The Sudanese Health Ministry said it counted at least 550 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with more than 4,900 wounded as of Monday.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there has been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting cease-fire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudan's former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and Western diplomats in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately," he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in Oct. 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo, then allies, removed Hamdok's Western-backed transitional government in a coup.

___

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
South Sudan's government said Tuesday that the two generals tearing neighboring Sudan apart as they battle for control of the country had agreed "in principle" to a seven-day ceasefire beginning on Thursday, May 4. According to a statement released by South Sudan's Foreign Ministry, the commanders of both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the country's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group agreed to name representatives to peace talks as part of the deal.

The news may spark hope of a more widespread and durable halt to the violence that has plagued Sudan since the commanders  former allies who jointly derailed their country's tentative steps toward democracy by colluding in a 2019 coup  started battling each other on April 15.

Two Sudan generals are at war with each other. Here's what to know.

The statement from the Foreign Ministry of South Sudan, which shares a long border with Sudan to the north, said South Sudanese President Salva Kiir had "urged the leaders to name their representatives and propose a date to commence the talks as soon as possible."

Smoke rises as clashes continue between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in Khartoum, Sudan, May 1, 2023. / Credit: Ahmed Satti/Anadolu Agency/Getty

Those talks can't come soon enough for the east African nation's beleaguered people. Several shorter ceasefires, including one still technically in effect Tuesday, have calmed but not at all quelled the violence between the factions led by army commander Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Burhan and RSF commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The United Nations has blamed more than 500 deaths on the fighting, many of them civilians, and said that's likely to be a low estimate as the chaotic situation on the ground has made it difficult to get a reliable tally.

Hundreds of thousands of people, both Sudanese and foreigners, have fled or are still trying to flee for their lives, and the United Nations was still bracing for many more to follow.



The conflict has already displaced more than 330,000 people within the country and more than 100,000 others have escaped into neighboring countries, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said Tuesday. The agency is planning for the possibility that the conflict could spur more than 800,000 people to flee Sudan as refugees.

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The United States got its diplomats and their families out of battle-scarred Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, relatively early in the crisis, but it wasn't until the past weekend  days after other countries orchestrated high-risk extractions  that American civilians started escaping from Sudan. About 2,000 U.S. nationals have been spirited out of Sudan so far, officials said over the weekend, most of them on ships from Port Sudan to Saudi Arabia.

Here is an overview of the exodus:

The U.N.'s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said an estimated 334,053 people had been internally displaced by the fighting, with figures going up to April 28. Displacement has been reported from 14 of Sudan's 18 states.



"About 72%, roughly 240,000 of these new internal displacements were reported in West and South Darfur alone," spokesman Paul Dillon told reporters in Geneva. The number of people displaced in the last two weeks "exceeds all conflict-related displacement in Sudan in 2022", he added.



Sudan counted around 3.7 million internally displaced persons before the conflict started, mostly in the volatile Darfur region.



Sudan also hosted 1.13 million refugees before the conflict  one of the largest refugee populations in Africa.



Of those, 800,000 are South Sudanese, and 136,000 are from Eritrea. There are also 93,000 Syrians, 72,000 Ethiopians and 24,000 from the Central African Republic (CAR).



"Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now fled Sudan to neighboring countries," UNHCR spokeswoman Olga Sarrado told reporters in Geneva.



The agency said the most significant cross border movements so far have been Sudanese refugees arriving in Chad and Egypt, and South Sudanese refugees in Sudan returning to their home country.



UNHCR said 40,000 refugees plus a further 2,000 third-country nationals had crossed Sudan's northern border to Egypt.

Sudanese civilians are seen in a holding area on the Egyptian side of the Argeen border crossing with Sudan, April 27, 2023, in a photo provided to CBS News by a Sudanese human rights activist. / Credit: CBS News

Refugees making it to the two border crossings with Egypt have described grim, confusing circumstances to CBS News. Having fled with few belongings, food, water or cash on the treacherous journeys, and having paid small fortunes for scarce bus tickets out of the war zone amid crippling fuel shortages, many have shown up at the border without proper documentation, and with little idea where to go next.



The looming rainy season will make it harder to reach Sudan's border areas with aid.



More than 400,000 Sudanese refugees are already hosted across 13 camps and among local communities in eastern Chad.



UNHCR said an estimated 27,275 people had crossed the southern border into South Sudan.



Of these, nearly 21,000 are South Sudanese returnees, nearly 2,700 are refugees from Sudan, with the rest being third-country nationals.



Around 8,900 refugees are thought to have crossed into Ethiopia from Sudan, according to UNHCR. Of those, nearly 7,300 are third-country nationals, with the rest either refugees from Sudan or Ethiopian returnees.

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Unreported gifts and lavish vacations worth tens of thousands of dollars from politically connected megadonors. Undisclosed real-estate transactions involving family members. Potential conflicts of interest with enormous political impacts.

Following an avalanche of reporting about justices on the nations highest court, Democratic members of Congress have argued that the US Supreme Court  the only arm of the federal judiciary that is not bound by a code of ethics  should not be insulated against a system of checks and balances.

Notably absent from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court ethics on 2 May was any member of the court. Chief Justice John Roberts was invited, but he declined to appear.

Committee chair Dick Durbin said recent reporting that exposed the close relationships between Justice Clarence Thomas and his friend and influential Republican donor Harlan Crow, among other revelations involving members of the court, would be unacceptable at any other level of government.

But the court wont even acknowledge that its a problem, the Democratic senator said.

How low can the court go? he added. Because the court will not act, Congress must.

A ProPublica investigation into Justice Thomas was the latest in a string of findings over the last two decades about questionable gifts and the relationships between conservative members of the nine-member panel with special interest groups and other figures that have business at the court.

The court should have a code of conduct with clear and enforceable rules so both justices and the American people know when conduct crosses the line, Mr Durbin said at Tuesdays hearing.

The highest court in the land should not have the lowest ethical standards, he said. That reality is driving a crisis in public confidence in the Supreme Court. The status quo must change.

Several proposals in Congress  including legislation introduced by Independent Senator Angus King and Republican Senator Lisa Mukowski  would force the nations high court to create a binding code of conduct, appoint an ethics officer to oversee compliance, or establish an ethics policy as strict as one for members of Congress.

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Republican lawmakers  who have supported a years-long effort with right-wing legal groups to radically reshape the federal judiciary by seating dozens of ideologically like-minded judges  accused congressional Democrats of using ethics reform to undermine the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority, a long-held goal of GOP-aligned special interest groups.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas at one point during Tuesdays hearing accused Democratic lawmakers of racism by singling out Justice Thomas. As an example, he showed a copy of a magazine cover showing the justice shining the shoes of the late Justice Anton Scalia. The magazine went out of business more than 20 years ago. The cover was from 1996.

The left despises Clarence Thomas. And they do not despise him because hes a conservative, the left despises Clarence Thomas because he is a conservative African American, Mr Cruz said.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham characterised the hearing and other Democratic-led efforts for ethics reform at the Supreme Court as a concentrated effort by the left to delegitimise this court and to cherry-pick examples to make a point.

This assault on Justice Thomas is well beyond ethics, he added. It is about trying to delegitimise a conservative court that was appointed through the traditional process.

Protesters in Washington DC join rally pushing for Supreme Court ethics rules and the end of Citizen United as lawmakers debate codes of conduct on 2 May (EPA)

Congressional Republicans have accused Democrats over the years of a kind of judicial extremism in advocating for expanding the number of seats on the Supreme Court or adding more oversight, despite the GOPs own efforts to pack federal courts across the country with judges vetted by right-wing legal groups and conservative activists.

Senator Chuck Grassley accused Democratic lawmakers and the press of working in concert to do the bidding of liberal grand plans to undermine the Supreme Court. He pointed to relentless political battering and left-wing dark money interest groups who are engaged in a crusade to threaten, pack and smear the courts.

All because the left is opposed to recent court rulings, he said.

The Supreme Courts 2010 decision in the Citizens United case has allowed groups that do not disclose their donors to spend unlimited sums on campaigns, including tens of millions of dollars to influence judicial nominations.

Within the years that followed, groups aligned with Republican candidates and right-wing causes spent tens of millions of dollars supporting their favoured campaigns to immense success, but rather than reverse Citizens United, Republicans have instead zeroed in on dark money groups backing Democratic causes.

Former US Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who was in office during George W Bushs administration, defended the Supreme Court justices under scrutiny and said the American public is being forced to hallucinate misconduct at the court in a concerted effort to undermine its authority.

He also said that if any law imposing ethics requirements at the court were ever challenged in a lawsuit, I believe it would be found to be unconstitutional  suggesting that he believes Supreme Court justices who would be forced to abide by those checks and balances would toss it out anyway.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse shows a photo-realistic painting of Clarence Thomas with influential right-wing figures that hangs inside a vacation home owned by a GOP megadonor. (EPA)

Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff pressed Mr Mukasey whether he, as a judge, would have declined the kinds of offers that Justice Thomas accepted from Mr Crow.

If I were a district judge and somebody wanted to fly me on his private plane on a vacation with his family, and I were friendly with that person, would I have refused and endangered the friendship? Im not sure that I wouldve, he said.

After a beat, Mr Ossoff replied: I think the American public sees that kind of conduct and quite reasonably asks the question whether its appropriate.

Mukasey: If I were a district judge and somebody wanted to fly me on his private plane on a vacation with his family, I were friendly with that person, would I have refused and endangered the friendship? Im not sure that I wouldve pic.twitter.com/nKNg1wfnuA  Acyn (@Acyn) May 2, 2023

Before the hearing, a pair of influential constitutional experts told the committee that Congress does have the power to impose a code of conduct on the Supreme Court.

A statement from retired appeals court Judge J Michael Luttig  a prominent conservative former federal judge revered on the right  said that Congress indisputably has the power under the Constitution to enact laws prescribing the ethical standards applicable to the nonjudicial conduct and activities of the Supreme Court of the United States.

He said a binding code of conduct ought not be thought of as anything more  and certainly nothing less  than the housekeeping that is necessary to maintain a Republic.

In another statement, former Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe called congressional attempts to impose ethical norms in a binding way on the justices as eminently sensible.

I see such legislation as a necessary though probably not sufficient response to the current situation, he wrote.

Senator Lindsey Graham addresses the Senate Judiciary Committee on 2 May. (REUTERS)

Legal experts and Democratic lawmakers rejected Republican arguments that imposing a code of ethics on the Supreme Court would violate the separation of powers between the court and Congress.

Checks and balances is equally important, and the role of the Congress is to establish the Supreme Court. Its not just permitted, its required, Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, told the committee.

The Supreme Courts creation is constitutionally mandated, but there is no detail about how to operate  that is left to the Congress, she said.

Deciding whether it abides by congressional oversight is not in the hands of the chief justice and his colleagues, she added.

The justices are not free to say that law does not apply to me, she said. What is troubling is, there is an implication in the recent statement of ethics policies as well as previous statements by the court, that it doesnt think these laws bind it.

Kedrick Payne, a senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, said it is unclear why the Supreme Court simply has not created its own code of conduct.

They could create this immediately, he said.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared loneliness as an epidemic in the country on Tuesday, outlining a series of actions Americans can take to address the growing issue.

Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight  one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives, Murthy said in a statement.

Murthy issued an advisory laying out the consequence of loneliness, which can include a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease, a 32 percent increased risk of stroke, a 50 percent increased risk of developing dementia for older adults, and an increased risk of premature death by more than 60 percent. The advisory  which is 82 pages  includes six pillars to repair social connection in the United States.

Strengthening social infrastructure, like building more parks and libraries, and enacting pro-connection policies, like having accessible public transportation or paid family leave, are two of Murthys pillars he says will help overcome loneliness. He also said reforming digital environments is a pillar of his plan, saying people must be aware of how online environments may negatively affect their social connections.

The other pillars of his plan include mobilizing the health care sector, deepening knowledge of loneliness and social connections, and cultivating a culture of connections. The advisory said everyday practices, like acting kind and respectful toward one another, can help strengthen social connections.

Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders, Murthy said in the statement. Together, we can build a country thats healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.

Murthys advisory comes just days after he published an op-ed in the New York Times on Sunday that said he was planning on releasing a framework on loneliness. He also emphasized in the op-ed that social connections must be a top public health priority in the country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sotheby's has once again attracted attention with a multimillion-pound sale of some of the rarest and most valuable works of Islamic art.

The world-renowned auction house in London held bidding on April 26, which featured pieces that spanned from the first centuries of Islam to the early 19th century.

Benedict Carter, the head of Sothebys Islamic and Indian art department, told Anadolu that the auction encompasses different types of material culture from across the Islamic world from Spain on the one hand, to South Asia on the other, running through the entire Middle East, North Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Iran, India, and South Asia.

He said the sale had about 135 pieces.

"Among the highlights are the two swords. They're both Indian, one from the 17th century, the other from the 18th century, he said.

"The top line is actually a single illustrated folio from probably the greatest illustrated Persian manuscripts ever produced by Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp. That is really one of the rarest sort of single-leaf illustrations that you would find left on the market today," he said.

The highest-priced item sold was a folio from Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp, which depicts a battle scene from the Iran-Turan War, which sold for 4.9 million ($6.1 million.)

The folio was a gift from Shah Tahmasp, the son of Shah Ismail, to Ottoman Sultan Selim II in 1568.

The Shahnameh manuscript made for Shah Tahmasp of Persia (1514-76) is universally acknowledged as one of the supreme illustrated manuscripts of any period or culture and is among the greatest works of art in the world.

"On top of that, there was important Quranic material, including single leaves from the early Islamic period from the eighth to ninth centuries, as well as Qurans from Ottoman Turkiye in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as India and Iran," said Carter.

An exceptional 17th-century Ottoman dagger with a gold inlaid blade was sold for 254,000.

There was also decorative art from the Islamic world -- principally the Ottoman period from the 18th and 19th centuries.

An Iznik "Golden Horn" vase from around 1530-1540 was sold for nearly 100,000 ($126,000).

The auction brought in 12. 5 million ($15.7 million) with 84 lots sold, including textiles, ceramics, metalwork, and painting.

According to Carter, it is difficult to know who is really going to come out and keep bidding on the most important things.

"There are always a lot of surprises whether there are important private buyers as well as museum buyers from both the Middle East and the US, and Europe. I'd say that in general, though, the pattern over the last five or six years has been that the best pieces in the market, that sort of masterpieces have always been the most sought after," he said.

He said these items do seem to be getting more expensive because there is more value attached to their rarity than ever.

"So, there's definitely a sort of premium attached to the items of the most beautiful and the best condition with the most distinguished history," he added.

Islamic art has a long and rich history, stretching back more than 1,400 years from the geometric patterns of early Islamic architecture to the intricate calligraphy of Quranic manuscripts.

In recent years, interest in Islamic art has grown significantly, driven in part by the increasing wealth and interest of collectors from the Middle East and Asia.

Auctions like the one in London provide an opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to appreciate and acquire unique and valuable works of art from the Islamic world.
Passengers walk in Incheon's Chinatown in this June 2019 photo. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



City hosts Asian Development Bank's 56th annual meeting from May 2 to 5



By Lee Yeon-woo



Historically, new cultures have arrived via the oceans. Incheon, the closest port city to Korea's capital, Seoul, was no exception. It was one of the first places to experience the waves of modernity, serving as a window to foreign civilizations for the country.





Location of Incheon / Screenshot from Incheon Metropolitan City's travel guidebook

In the late 1800s, Korea opened Incheon's ports to foreign countries for trade, and the city welcomed a variety of people from outside Korea, including China, France, Japan and the United States. These visitors stayed at the foreign concession in Incheon. New ideas and technologies arrived first in Incheon and then spread to the rest of the country.



The traces of this international influence can still be seen in the city today. For example, Sinpo International Market, the oldest daily market in Incheon, was formed naturally after the opening of the ports, and it still thrives today. Another example is Baedari Village's secondhand bookstore alley, where the Japanese used to sell their used books before returning to their country. The city is also home to the largest Chinatown in the country.





Foreign concession areas in Incheon during the late 1800s / Courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City



However, Incheon's versatility did not end there. After the ceasefire of the Korean War in 1953, the city played a pivotal role in leading the "Miracle on the Han River."



With financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Gyeongin Expressway was built, connecting Seoul and Incheon, and Incheon Port was expanded twice in the 1970s. These infrastructure projects, along with others such as the Bupyeong Industrial Complex, created advanced bases for exports and solidified the city's status as a key player in Korea's economic development.



Now, with a population of 2.9 million, Incheon is the third-largest city in Korea, and is seeking to build on its international connections. Incheon International Airport, which provides the main gateway to Korea, offers flights to 188 countries, making it a key hub for international travel.





The sun sets over a plane parked at the Cargo Terminal of Incheon International Airport in this December 2022 photo. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



Incheon is also host to various international conferences, many of which take place in Songdo, a free economic zone designated in 2003. The region is a hub for global collaboration, as it is home to 15 international organizations, including the Green Climate Fund Secretariat and the World Bank's Korea office.



Now the city is hosting the ADB's 56th annual meeting from May 2 to 5 at Songdo Convensia. The meeting brings together around 5,000 people from around the world, including finance ministers and central bank governors, under the theme of "Rebounding Asia: Recover, Reconnect and Reform."



During a meeting last October with ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa, Incheon City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok expressed his confidence in Incheon's ability to host the large-scale international event. Yoo stated that Incheon has the "best infrastructure" and has already "successfully hosted" events such as UNESCO's World Education Forum in 2015.



"Incheon is committed to making the ADB's 56th annual meeting a success, and we will provide the best support possible based on our high-level infrastructure and experience hosting international events," Yoo said.




A 23-year-old man from Texas was arrested in Boise on Saturday afternoon and booked into the Ada County Jail on suspicion of murder.

The Boise Police Department was alerted to a possible fugitive in Boise on Saturday morning, according to a news release. The suspect, of Seadrift, Texas, had a confirmed warrant from Victoria, Texas, for the charge of murder.

A vehicle associated with the suspect was spotted in a parking lot near Overland and Orchard streets. Upon investigating the car, Boise Polices Special Operations Unit took the suspect into custody without incident at 1:30 p.m., according to police.

The suspect is the son of a 61-year-old woman whose body was found with apparent gunshot wounds in a home in Seadrift last week, according to Victoria, Texas-based news outlet Crossroads Today.

I want to commend our officers on their efforts to assist an out-of-state agency and quickly locate the suspect of a violent crime, Boise Police Captain James Quackenbush said in the news release. Officers along with members of SOU developed a tactical plan that first and foremost kept the community safe during the arrest and kept the involved officers and the suspect safe as well.
WEST PALM BEACH  A series of active-shooter reports at universities and colleges across South Florida prompted significant responses by law enforcement Tuesday morning, including a large police response to the campus of Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach.

The university reported that it was the target of a "swatting" call, a form of harassment in which someone falsely reports an emergency to trick law enforcement  especially heavily armed SWAT teams  to descend on a school, home, business or other location.

Dozens of city police could be seen outside the college's Warren Library on Tuesday morning as officers investigated reports of an active shooter.

City police spokesman Mike Jachles said about 60 officers went to the campus after the department received a call shortly 10 a.m. on a nonemergency line. The unidentified caller reported that there were multiple victims of an active shooter on the third-floor IT room.

There were early indications that the call may have been a hoax, Jachles said, but the the department still activated its active-shooter protocol, including deploying a SWAT team.

"We have to treat every call, every threat, as if it is the real thing," he said.

In a statement posted on social media, university officials confirmed that no threat was found.

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Police secure the area outside the Warren Library after a false report of an active shooter on campus at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida on May 2, 2023.

"There was never a shooter on campus and this emergency call was determined to be false," the university said in a statement posted on its Facebook page. Law-enforcement officials are working to identify the person responsible, the statement said.

Jachles said the department is investigating leads in conjunction with the FBI.

Story continues

Similar 'swatting' incidents at FAU, FIU, Indian River State

Similar incidents were reported at main and satellite campuses for Boca Raton-based Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce-based Indian River State College and Miami-based Florida International University.

FAU reported that Fort Lauderdale police received a call regarding a threat to the university's Broward County campus. Police quickly determined there was no threat, the university said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.

IRSC reported that a 911 call was made just before 10:30 a.m. regarding an active shooter at its main campus in Fort Pierce, with a similar call being made about 10 minutes later regarding its Vero Beach campus. Both calls were found to be hoaxes, and within 30 minutes of the initial 911 call, both students and staff members were cleared to resume normal activities.

At FIU, police cleared the university's AHC 3 building in Miami and conducted a methodical search before determining there was no threat.

Police secure the area outside the Warren Library after a false report of an active shooter on campus at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida on May 2, 2023.

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What is 'swatting' and why it matters

Swatting is a crime that can carry federal and state penalties, and law-enforcement officials warn that such calls can drain significant resources and pull officers away from actual emergencies.

"What it's doing is it's putting lives in jeopardy, because you've got police officers that are in active-shooter mode engaging to respond and get somewhere quickly," Jachles said. "It's jeopardizing public safety. It's jeopardizing officer safety, not to mention the fear that it instills in the students and staff that endure this."

In October, school districts from St. Lucie to Miami-Dade counties, and in Collier and Sarasota counties, reported multiple swatting incidents on the same day involving high-school campuses.

Persons accused of swatting could be charged with crimes such as misuse of a 911 system, conspiracy to commit access-device fraud and unauthorized access of a protected computer.

"This is no prank," Jachles said. "This is a downright crime. It's dangerous, and it jeopardizes life safety."

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: South Florida police race to college campuses amid 'swatting' prank calls
Tinder comes from Russia

The online dating behemoth has announced it will leave Russia.

Match Group, which owns Tinder, will leave the Russian market by June 30, Reuters reported on May 2, referencing the companys press service.

"We are committed to protecting human rights," Match Group said in a statement.

Read also: Investors demand Raiffeisen Bank decide on further work in Russia

Our brands are taking steps to restrict access to their services in Russia and will complete their withdrawal from the Russian market by June 30, 2023.

Besides Tinder, the company also owns Match.com, Meetic, OkCupid, Hinge, PlentyOfFish, Ship, and OurTime.

Read also: Carlsberg to sell its Russia business by summer

The executive director of Friends Fiduciary Corp, a Match Group shareholder, said the company had good reasons to leave Russia.

The company noted that it is "not a good look for a trusted brand to be continuing operations in a nation where the head of state has been indicted by the International Criminal Court."

Read also: Vast majority of global corporations continue operations in Russia, says President's Office

Earlier, NV reported that Russian intelligence services began using Tinder to spy on and recruit military and politicians 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
A two-alarm fire broke out Tuesday morning in a furniture store on Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, sending dark clouds of smoke into the South End while firefighters battled the flames.

Tacoma firefighters battle a two-alarm fire at Buddys Furniture store at 8219 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Wash. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Tacoma Fire Department was called at about 8:11 a.m. to the store at 8219 Pacific Ave. Spokesperson Joe Meinecke said the first crews to arrive found heavy smoke pouring from the roof vents of a single-story, commercial building. He said firefighters went inside to put it out, but conditions forced them to withdraw.

Pacific Avenue was closed in both directions from South 82nd to 84th streets. Tacoma Police Department was on the scene.

Ladder trucks doused the building with water from above, Meinecke said. More than 50 firefighters were working the incident. He said crews were also protecting several homes behind the store that were at risk of burning.

By the time the fire was under control at about 10:30 a.m., little was left of the building that housed Buddys Home Furnishings. Meinecke said it was a total loss, and only two-and-a-half walls remained standing. He expected crews would be at the store for most of the day. He said people should avoid the area.

Tacoma firefighters battle a two-alarm fire at Buddys Furniture store at 8219 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Wash. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Were just continuing to, from our perspective, take a cautious approach, Meinecke said.

TFD is on a 2-Alarm commercial structure fire in the 8200 blk of Pacific Avenue. Pacific Ave is closed in both directions at 82nd and 84th. pic.twitter.com/FUOA7Aa9cO  Tacoma Fire (@TacomaFire) May 2, 2023

No injuries have been reported, but Meinecke said he didnt know whether the building was occupied when the fire began. According to the businesss website, the store opens at 9 a.m. Its unclear how the fire started.

A fire investigator was called to the scene. Meinecke said that person wouldnt be able to do much while firefighters were still putting out hot spots, so a cause for the fire may not be determined before the day is out.
May 1 marked the beginning of an election month and a turning point in the 2023 Kentucky GOP gubernatorial primary.

Five candidates took the stage on Monday in a debate hosted by Kentucky Educational Television (KET). They turned up the heat on the hotly contested primary as a whole, and directed plenty of fire at each other in the process.

Closely watched were the two current frontrunners: Attorney General Daniel Cameron and former ambassador Kelly Craft. Eric Deters, a suspended attorney from Northern Kentucky, attempted to enter the discussion as the most unabashedly far right candidate on several topics, and Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles and Somerset Mayor Alan Keck tried to play the cool-headed adults in the room.

Craft on offense

A political action committee (PAC) supporting Camerons bid for governor has been flooding mailboxes, the internet and television ad space with material criticizing Craft for her record, her own campaign and alleged residency issues.

Meanwhile, Craft and a PAC supporting her have been running a steady stream of television ads attacking Cameron for a litany of previous statements and, more recently, his and his PACs acceptance of donations from the gray machines industry just before his office took on a case defending a law to ban them from the state. A truck with an electric screen on the back urging voters to follow the money on Cameron showed up in the parking lot outside KETs studio on Monday.

Kelly Craft and Ryan Quarles at the Governor (Republican) debate at KET on Monday May 1, 2023 in Lexington, Ky.

Our Attorney general accepted $129,000 in campaign contributions. The next day, Pace-O-Matic sued the state of Kentucky in the courts. Our attorney general, who knew that our legislators banned Pace-O-Matic chose those donations over representing the state of Kentucky against this lawsuit, Craft said.

Cameron said the claims were without merit and his acceptance of donations from the industry, followed by a recusal on the case, were on the up and up.

He stated that the complaint is proof of Crafts team scrambling after former president Donald Trump endorsed him in his run for governor. He also took a dig at the attorney who filed the ethics complaint against him, Steven Megerle, who was accused of pretending to be black when running for office in Cincinnati.

Story continues

Cameron tries to play frontrunner

Cameron, in moments, tried to talk past the GOP crowd and build what sounded like a general election argument against Democratic incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear.

He tried to stake himself out as pro-public school teacher, mentioning that his wife Makenze had served as one. The issue of public schools became a central one in former GOP governor Matt Bevins loss to Beshear in 2019, as Beshear cast his opponent as anti-teacher.

If you are a teacher at home watching this program right now, the Democrats are going to lie to you and tell you that we dont appreciate you, dont respect you. I want to say on behalf of everybody that is here that we value you, and there are Republican governors. who are making sure that your pay raises Beshear gives a lot of lip service to those teachers, but he does not have your back, Cameron said.

Cameron also harkened back to a common messaging point for many GOP candidates, but especially for him: COVID-19 lockdowns.

Meanwhile, Keck and Deters tried to use the issue to contrast themselves with other Republicans on the stage, but in different ways.

Keck pointed out that he worked to reopen Somerset in an organized way well before many communities, including Florida, unveiled a plan to do so.

I submitted plans to reopen our economy, and it ended up getting done 12 days before (Florida Gov.) Ron DeSantis, Keck said.

Deters, on the other hand, strove to clearly message that he would have taken fewer COVID-19 limiting measures than any other candidate.

Im somebody that believes that the COVID, quote unquote, pandemic was overblown from the very beginning, Deters said. I would not shut down this state at all unless it was the bubonic plague  in other words, you get it, youre gonna die.

Keck & Quarles focus on less hot button, KY-centric issues

While the conflict in the room centered around Craft and Cameron  with Deters stoking the flames  Quarles and Keck attempted to position themselves as above the fray and focused on issues that might not be headlining their competitors commercials.

Keck, who has proven a strong debater since the first of these events, pinpointed several different, less controversial but still distinguishing issues.

He expanded the definition of pro-life to include helping to fund and incentivize extended paid parental leave and childcare in the hopes of making families stronger.

He also said that he would look to spend more money on state tourism efforts to attract more visitors to Kentucky. Further, he expressed a potential interest in looking at increasing funding for higher education to reduce the cost and timeframe of pursuing that education.

Quarles also talked about taking a long, hard look at higher education in Kentucky. He didnt specifically say what large-scale changes he would make, but said it needed to be looked at to be sure the state is getting solid ROI (return on investment), and indicated that more emphasis needs to be put on the trades.

47% of the states $14 billion budget goes to K-12 and higher education, and its important that we get a good ROI on education  that includes a conversation about higher education, which has not been reformed for 26 years. We need to make sure that the cost of education is affordable and that our educational programs are aligned with what employers are looking for, Quarles said.

When talking about energy, Quarles also drew attention to Kentuckys soybean industry  which he monitors closely in his official capacity.

Last year United Airlines flew a plane from Chicago to DC and ran it on soybean-based, 100% renewable fuel. Guess what? Weve grown over a billion dollars worth of soybeans in Kentucky each year. Imagine a day where we can refine that soybean into jet fuel with no engine modifications. No other state is aggressively going after this, Quarles said.

Further, Keck also drilled down to specifics on gun control, while no other Republican took a stance that could be seen as lax on the Second Amendment: he said that murder weapons like the one used in the recent Louisville mass shooting should not be re-sold at an auction benefiting the Kentucky State Police, as is currently required by law.

I think its insane that those are being sold to the highest bidder. It should not be a showpiece. Its a murder weapon, and I cant imagine that grieving family knowing that that gun is going to somebody elses mantle, Keck said.

Deters gets grilled, focuses fire on Craft

Deters often goes by the nickname the bulldog for his personally brash style, modeled somewhat on Trump. Hours before the debate, his team sent out a mass text to voters across the state asking them if they were ready to rumble at the debate featuring Deters vs. the Swamp.

He lived up to the billing on Monday night, and most of his fire was directed at Craft.

Fresh off filing a lawsuit against Craft challenging her resident status in Kentucky  though some of his initial claims were incorrect, Deters removed those claims and formally asked a judge to rule her ineligible because of her ties to Oklahoma on Monday  Deters criticized Crafts background, connection to Trump and more. His complaints with her campaign took up a lot of oxygen on the stage.

Youve tried to buy politicians, youre trying to buy Kentucky, and its not going to work, Deters said. He also criticized Craft for playing the woman card.

Craft made no apologies for being a strong woman.

Hes all bark and no bite. I dont give him credibility, and its very obvious even the press agrees with (me on) what I was served today on my residency. Theres a clown in every circus, and we certainly had one sitting with us tonight, Craft said.

To a lesser extent, Deters criticized Quarles as well. He called the commissioners speech robotic and characterized him as a career politician looking for the next job.

Deters lobbed a rhetorical bomb or two at all the contestants. However, relatively speaking, Deters kept his powder dry on Cameron and Keck, going as far as defending Cameron against some of Crafts criticisms.

The Northern Kentucky native also faced some difficult questions from Shaw, and an onstage rebuke from Craft.

Kentuckians deserve more than this. Kentuckians deserve civil discourse, Craft said, over Deters attempts to interrupt her.

Shaw read from a Kentucky Supreme Court opinion that stated that Deters does not possess the requisite character, fitness and moral qualification to practice law.

Shaw continued: The opinion, conclusion states Deters practice of law is not governed by constitution, rule of law or procedure. It is anarchy. Given that decision by the states highest court, why should voters trust you as Governor of Kentucky?

Deters called the Kentucky Supreme Courts rules stupid and said that there is no more corrupt system than the Kentucky court system.

When asked about his guilty plea on a menacing charge, following an incident where he chased his nephew in a truck  claiming that his nephew tried to scare his wife repeatedly  Deters said that he was very proud.

The rank and file Kentuckians get it. They understand what Im all about, Deters said. All those people out there watching this, how many Kentuckians would put up with somebody who was harassing their wife with a truck acting like they were going to run over? I didnt and I wont.

Quarles signals cross on 2020 election legitimacy

It was hard to tell from his answer on camera, but Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles believes that president Joe Biden won the 2020 election. KET moderator Renee Shaw pressed him on the matter, but Quarles didnt give a straight answer.

After the debate, however, Quarles clarified.

I think Joe Biden is our president and that he won the election, Quarles said.

The question  though it didnt make its way to Craft and Cameron  elicited varying responses.

Keck said without hesitation that Biden won.

Deters said unequivocally that he supports the false, unproven claim that the election was stolen from Trump.
Afghan women protest in Kabul ahead of the UN meeting to oppose any moves to recognise the Taliban government

UN chief Antonio Guterres held a second day of talks with world powers Tuesday on how to deal with Afghanistan's Taliban leaders amid warnings from the Kabul administration that the meeting could be "counter-productive".

The talks in Doha were arranged by Guterres after the Taliban government banned Afghan women from working for the United Nations, prompting the world body to put its huge relief operations in Afghanistan under review.

Women are also banned from working for other NGOs, and are barred from almost all secondary and university education and most government jobs.

The talks involve envoys from the United States, Russia, China and 20 other countries and organisations, including major European donors and neighbours such as Pakistan, but exclude the Taliban government.

"Any meeting without the participation of IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) representatives -- the main party to the issue -- is unproductive and even sometimes counter-productive," said the head of the Taliban political office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen.

"How can a decision taken at such meetings be acceptable or implemented while we are not part of the process? It is discriminatory and unjustified," he said.

Meanwhile, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will lead a delegation to Islamabad at the end of the week for talks with Pakistani and Chinese officials, the ministry said Tuesday.

Muttaqi, who is subject to a UN travel ban, has previously been given exemptions to travel to the neighbouring country for talks.

The UN Security Council last week unanimously condemned the ban on its Afghan women staff, which the world body says has seriously threatened its efforts to aid the population.

Women's groups staged protests on Saturday fearing the Doha meeting could propose steps toward recognition of the Taliban administration that returned to power in August 2021.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday however that "is not up for discussion" at the talks, which are being held behind closed doors.

Story continues

The meeting would discuss human rights, including women's rights, Afghanistan's governance and ways to counter terrorism and drug trafficking, Djurric said.

Guterres wants "a common understanding with the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues", he added.

The UN review of its Afghanistan operation is due to be completed on Friday. The world body has said it faces an "appalling choice" on whether to stay in the country.

tw/kir/ecl-fox/kir
Map of Tanzania

Tanzania has been spared the internal strife that has blighted many African states since independence, and is regarded as one of the safest and most politically stable on the continent.

However, domestic stability has not translated into economic prosperity for Tanzanians. Many of its people live below the World Bank poverty line, although the country has had some success in wooing donors and investors.

While the country's offshore gas reserves have remained undeveloped for many years, new political leadership since 2021 has raised hopes it may become an exporter of liquid natural gas (LNG) by 2030.

Tanzania is home to two renowned tourism destinations - Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, and wildlife-rich national parks such as the Serengeti - but has become a target for poachers.

UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA: FACTS

Capital: Dodoma

Area: 947,303 sq km

Population: 61.7 million

Languages: Swahili, English, Arabic (only in Zanzibar)

Life expectancy: 64 years (men) 68 years (women)

LEADER

President: Samia Suluhu Hassan

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan

Vice-President Hassan took over in March 2021 on the death of President John Magufuli, who had caused international concern over his campaign against the independent media and other issues, including gay rights and his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government said he died of heart problems, although the opposition has alleged his death was Covid-related.

Samia Suhulu Hassan was elected as Mr Magufuli's running mate in 2015 and again in 2020. A contrasting figure to her abrasive and impetuous predecessor, she is due to serve out the remainder of his five-year term.

MEDIA

A man reads newspapers at a kiosk in Zanzibar's town on October 24, 2020

Television is eroding radio's traditional dominance, and media ownership is highly concentrated.

Under John Magufuli the government cracked down on its critics, including the press. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who became president after Magufuli's death in 2021, has begun to reverse these trends.

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The government has lifted bans and suspensions of several major newspapers. Freedom House says while there has been an increase in qualified criticism of the government, "self-censorship and pro-government bias remain prevalent".

TIMELINE

Tanzania's first president Julius Nyerere was influential in Africa's independence movement

Some key dates in Tanzania's history:

1.9 million years ago - Tanzania is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas on Earth, with traces of fossil remains of humans and hominids in the Olduvai Gorge between 1.9 million-19,000 years ago.

2,000BC onwards - waves of migration from north and from west into the region.

c. 8th-9th Century AD - Traders from the Persian Gulf and India reach the east African coast, bringing Islam to the area.

10th Century - Zanzibar grows to become one of the key Swahili trading towns along the coast.

1498 - Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama visits Tanzanian coast. Portugal succeeds in controlling most of the East African coast, until it is ousted from Zanzibar in 1699 by Omani Arabs.

1840 - Omani Sultan Said bin Sultan moves his capital to Zanzibar, which becomes the centre for the east African slave trade.

1884 - German Colonisation Society begins to acquire territory on the mainland.

1886 - Britain and Germany sign an agreement allowing Germany to set up a sphere of influence over mainland Tanzania, except for a coastal strip under the sultan of Zanzibar, which is a British protectorate.

1888-89 - Abushiri revolt or the slave trader revolt. An uprising led by Abushiri ibn Salim al-Harthi of the Arab and Swahili population of coastal areas that had been granted to Germany, under protest, by the sultan of Zanzibar. Suppressed by German troops.

1905-07 - The Maji Maji revolt. Triggered by German colonial policies forcing locals to grow cotton for export. German forces deliberately use starvation to suppress the rebellion. Between 75,000-300,000 people die, mainly from famine.

1914-1918 - World War One.

1916 - British, Belgian and South African troops occupy most of German East Africa.

1919 - League of Nations gives Britain a mandate over Tanganyika - today's mainland Tanzania.

1929 - Tanganyika African Association founded.

1946 - United Nations converts British mandate over Tanganyika into a trusteeship.

1954 - Julius Nyerere and Oscar Kambona transform the Tanganyika African Association into the Tanganyika African National Union.

1961 - Tanganyika becomes independent with Julius Nyerere as prime minister.

1962 - Tanganyika becomes a republic with Nyerere as president.

1963 - Zanzibar becomes independent.

1964 - Zanzibar revolution. Sultan of Zanzibar is overthrown in a violent, left-wing revolution led by the Afro-Shirazi Party. Up to 20,000 - mainly Arab inhabitants - are estimated to have been killed in the ethnic violence.

Tanganyika and Zanzibar merge to become Tanzania with Nyerere as president and Afro-Shirazi leader Abeid Amani Karume as vice-president.

1967 - Nyerere issues the Arusha Declaration, which launches a drive for socialist economic self-reliance.

1974 - Government announces plan to move capital from Dar es Salaam on the coast, to the more central city of Dodoma

1977 - Tanganyika African National Union and Zanzibar's Afro-Shirazi Party merge to become the Party of the Revolution, which is proclaimed to be the only legal party.

1978 - Uganda temporarily occupies a piece of Tanzanian territory.

1979 - Tanzanian forces invade Uganda, occupying the capital, Kampala, and help to oust President Idi Amin.

1985 - Julius Nyerere retires.

1992 - Constitution amended to allow multi-party politics.

1995 - Benjamin Mkapa chosen as president in Tanzania's first multi-party election.

1996 - Dodoma officially becomes the new capital of Tanzania.

1998 - Al-Qaeda Islamist terror group bombs US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

2001 - At least 31 people are killed in Zanzibar in protests against the government's banning of opposition rallies calling for fresh elections.

Thousands march in the first major political demonstration in decades in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.

Huge new gold mine, Bulyanhulu, opens near northern town of Mwanza, making Tanzania Africa's third largest producer of gold.

2010 - Tanzania joins its neighbours in forming a new East African Common Market, intended to integrate the region's economy.

2012 - Major discovery of gas reserves off the coast of Tanzania.

2016 - Tanzania and Uganda agree to build east Africa's first major oil pipeline.
A woman reads a newspaper announcing the death of Tanzania's President John Magufuli in Dar es Salaam, on March 18, 2021.

Under John Magufuli the government cracked down on its critics, including the press. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who became president after Magufuli's death in 2021, has begun to reverse these trends.

The government has lifted bans and suspensions of several major newspapers. Freedom House says while there has been an increase in qualified criticism of the government, "self-censorship and pro-government bias remain prevalent".

The mainland and Zanzibar have separate media policies. Islanders can pick up broadcasts from the mainland and read the mainland press.

Television is eroding radio's traditional dominance, and Tanzania has made the switch to digital TV. Media ownership is highly concentrated. IPP Media and the state-run Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation are major players.

There were 23.1 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 37% of the population (Worldinternetstats.com). Facebook is the most popular social platform.

Rules introduced in 2018 require bloggers and the owners of discussion platforms and streaming services to pay registration fees.

Press

Television

Radio
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up and it is time to start thinking of gifts to give the teachers in your life. | Business Wire, Associated Press

Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday, which means that Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up soon.

The time to shower your teachers with gifts falls on May 8-12 this year, and if you need ideas, gift cards, classroom supplies and personalized notes of gratitude and appreciation will go a long way.

Related

Gift cards

Forbes reported that teachers love gift cards because of the freedom it gives them to purchase things for their classroom to help students continue to learn.

As a teacher, the best gifts are gift cards I can use on supplies for the classroom, teacher Shari Selman said. Places like Amazon, Target, Michaels. The truth is we spend a lot of our own money on your children before we even meet them, so to have gift cards to help with supplies would be much appreciated.

Related

Classroom items

San Diego Family Magazine reported that teachers appreciate receiving school supplies, as they spend almost $500 of their own money on classroom needs every year.

The teacher classroom must haves list on Amazon has a list of gifts to give your teacher, including:

Fidget toys.

Privacy desk shields for test taking.

Pencil sharpeners.

Classroom bells.

Calendars.

Staplers.

Hole punchers.

Pencils, pens, markers or colored pencils.

Stickers.

Label makers.

Classroom decor.

Post-it notes.

Books.

Cleaning and sanitation supplies.

Womens Health Magazine interviewed multiple teachers and reported another list of 40 gifts a teacher will actually use that can help guide your search for the perfect Teacher Appreciation Week gift.

Preschool teacher Ashley Houston in Delaware told Forbes that when students and their families purchase something for their teachers it makes the teacher feel heard and appreciated.

Related

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Personal notes

The Your Modern Family blog reported that handwritten notes or even social media or email messages of gratitude to your teacher is a great gift to give.

After a rough day or at the end of the year when Im asking myself Did I make a difference? I pull those notes out and read them, Gregg Williams, a social studies teacher in Arlington, Texas, told Business Insider, and that is the elixir to keep me going.
Hannah Serfass, a promising, 15-year-old junior show rider from Webster, Florida, died Sunday, following a fall while competing at Fox Lea Farm.

A 15-year-old from Florida has died after suffering "a fatal accident" during an equestrian competition.

In a statement released Monday, the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) said Hannah Serfass was riding Quaxx 2, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, while competing at the Fox Lea Farm Spring Concours in Venice, Florida, on Sunday when her "horse tripped and suffered a rotational fall." Serfass fell off the horse, which landed on top of her.

This action caused the rider to then topple forward and off the horse in the same direction and onto the ground. The horse then continued to fall in the same direction falling over and onto the riders head on the ground, reads a Sarasota County Sheriffs Office report, obtained by the USA TODAY Network's Herald Tribune.

Emergency personnel immediately responded to Serfass. She was transported by ambulance to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The horse didn't suffer any injuries during the accident.

KENTUCKY DERBY: Forte gives billionaire owner Mike Repole best chance yet

Serfass was described as a very talented, up-and-coming rider that was known for her "passion for horses, her natural ability, and her work ethic." She also competed on the Wildwood Middle High School track team.

"Fox Lea Farm had a tragedy occur today," the horse show facility said in a statement. "We send our sincere condolences to the family, trainer, friends, & the whole equestrian community. We are all heartbroken."

During a profile on Serfass' "meteoric rise" in World Equestrian Center Magazine earlier this year, her mother Janine said Serfass had "been around horses her entire life," having grown up on a farm. In the article, Serfass said racing horses "kind of pulled me in." She added, "I just got into it and never wanted to stop. And now, I just want to learn everything I can about it. I want to keep going with it... Its what I love and want to do for the rest of my life."

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The USEF said it will be "reviewing the accident thoroughly" to improve equestrian safety.

Contributing: The Herald Tribune

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hannah Serfass: Teen killed during equestrian competition in Florida
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa, left, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho greet one other during the opening of Korea Seminar Day, a program of the ADB's 56th annual meeting, at Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Sondgo International Business District, Tuesday. Yonhap



ADB seminar shares Korea's economic success to overcome post-pandemic era challenges



By Yi Whan-woo



INCHEON  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho pledged to expand the Korean government's aid for developing countries to the level of the world's top 10 donor countries, during the 56th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Incheon's Songdo International Business District, Tuesday.



In his opening speech for Korea Seminar Day, a one-day seminar organized by the Korean government as a part of the meeting's programs, Choo urged Asian countries to work closely for connectivity on government policies, trade and digital technology.



His remark came as Korea marks its 35th year since becoming wealthy enough to no longer receive aid from the ADB, a Philippines-headquartered organization committed to social and economic development in Asia.



His remark was also in line with "Rebounding Asia: Recover, Reconnect, and Reform," the main theme of this year's ADB meeting in the face of multiple global challenges following the pandemic era, such as de-globalization and trade protectionism.





Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho gives an opening speech for Korea Seminar Day at Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Sondgo International Business District, Tuesday. Yonhap





Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa delivers a congratulatory speech for Korea Seminar Day at Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Sondgo International Business District, Tuesday. Yonhap



"Korea will actively contribute to the regional economic development and integration by sharing our policy achievements and development experiences," Choo said during the opening of the seminar at Songdo Convensia.









He went on to say, "Korea will expand its ODA volume to the level of the world's top 10 donors, and actively strengthen our cooperation for the development of the Asia-Pacific region."



ODA is an abbreviation for official development assistance  government aid that promotes and specifically targets the economic development and welfare of developing countries.



Concerning Asia's economy as a whole, Choo said it will "rise as a mainstay of the global economy in the future" but currently faces "polycrisis" risks.



He accordingly underlined that strengthening policy connectivity, trade connectivity and digital connectivity, respectively, is crucial to address global uncertainty, geoeconomic fragmentation and digital innovation.





Participants of Korea Seminar Day listen to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho delivering a speech at Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Sondgo International Business District, Tuesday. Yonhap
CHICAGO  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday that he would not stop sending migrants to her city, even though she pleaded with him to halt the action.

Lightfoot, a Democrat, complained in a letter Sunday that the city does not have the resources to keep up with the flow of people. Some of them are being kept in public spaces like police stations until shelter is available.

In a response letter Monday, Abbott, a Republican, told Lightfoot to take her complaint to President Joe Biden, laying the responsibility for an ongoing border crisis at his doorstep.

"To provide much-needed relief to our overrun border communities, Texas began busing migrants to sanctuary cities such as your 'Welcoming City,' along with Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia, with more to come. Until Biden secures the border to stop the inflow of mass migration, Texas will continue this necessary program," Abbott wrote.

Lightfoot traveled to the White House in mid-April and specifically brought up the need for federal funding to accommodate an influx of migrants into Chicago, a person familiar with the conversation said. That person added that Lightfoot specifically talked to Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, who was just tapped as the campaign manager for Bidens re-election.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Abbott and Lightfoot both said in a recent letter exchange that an already untenable flow of migrants would only be worsened by the end of a Covid ban on migrants, known as Title 42, on May 11.

The dust-up is just one way the end of the Covid-era rule is expected to affect not just border towns but also cities deep in the heart of the country. Border officials have already warned that they expect a record surge of people across the border. Abbott is among the leaders who has sent border migrants to other cities, saying so-called sanctuary cities should have to grapple with the plight of border towns.

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Lightfoot argued that federal resources flow into states like Texas to mitigate the financial impact of immigration but that money is not following those bused or flown to Chicago.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks in Chicago on Feb. 1, 2023. (Scott Olson / Getty Images file)

I will continue calling on the federal government for more resources and support, as well as much needed policy changes, just as I will call upon them to withhold all FEMA funding slated for Texas if chartered buses resume coming to our city, Lightfoot wrote in her letter Sunday. But I would rather work with you than against you. Governor Abbott, this is not a state v. state or city v. city problem. The immigration crisis is a national challenge that requires national collaboration.

Chicago has been grappling with where to house migrants as social service groups complain they are running out of space. The head of the Chicago Police Fraternal Order of Police said he filed a grievance Monday complaining about the citys housing migrants in police stations. Among the complaints the social service groups  and the city  have made about Abbotts busing of migrants is that there is a lack of coordination from his office, leaving no time or ability to accommodate the influx.

Abbott was going out of his way to be an a--hole about it, said Joshua Hoyt, a board co-chair of the American Business Immigration Coalition, an advocacy group. Hoyt had also done on-the-ground volunteering to assist with the influx of migrants.

Abbott's office did not reply to a request for a response to Hoyt's remarks.

Abbott said in his letter that Chicagos issue is minimal when it is compared to the situation in Texas border towns.

With Title 42 expulsions set to end next week, the federal government has estimated that we could have up to 13,000 illegal immigrants cross the U.S.Mexico border every single day, he wrote. Some reports indicate that there are nearly 35,000 waiting to cross into El Paso as soon as Title 42 expulsions are no longer in effect. If Chicago cant deal with 8,000 in less than a year, how are small Texas border communities supposed to manage 13,000 in just one day?

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said Monday that in all, $200 million in state and federal funding has been committed to help asylum-seekers find housing and other accommodations.

Resources are stretched, Pritzker said at a news conference Monday. I think that Gov. Abbott is doing what he thinks is the most political thing that he can do to cause problems in the country for Democratically controlled states and cities, and thats why hes doing it.

Migrants are led from one bus to another bus after arriving from Texas at Union Station on Sept. 9, 2022, in Chicago. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images file)

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Governor Greg Abbott speaks at the National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum in Dallas, Friday, May 4, 2018. Sue Ogrocki/AP

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a letter he'd continue bussing migrants out of Texas to sanctuary cities.

The letter came after Chicago's mayor pleaded with him to stop sending migrants to the midwestern city.

A COVID-era policy that's been used to expel more than 2 million migrants expires soon.

In a letter on Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot he'd continue to bus migrants out of Texas "until Biden secures the border."

The correspondence came after Lightfoot sent Abbott a letter on Sunday, pleading with him not to send more migrants to Chicago and to "stop this inhumane and dangerous action."

Lightfoot wrote that since Abbott began bussing migrants to Chicago, a pattern emerged. Nearly all of the migrants, she wrote, were "in dire need of food, water, and clothing and many needed extensive medical care."

"Some of the individuals you placed on buses were women in active labor, and some were victims of sexual assault," Lightfoot said. "None of these urgent needs were addressed in Texas. Instead, these individuals were packed onto buses and shipped across the country like freight without regard to their personal circumstances."

She added that the city's shelters were simply at capacity and couldn't safely house any more bused migrants. The city's begun housing migrants in unusual locations, such as police departments and formerly-closed school buildings, per NBC Chicago.

In his response to Lightfoot, Abbott told Lightfoot she "must call on the Biden Administration to do its job" and stop migrants from illegally crossing into the country. He said it was "ironic" to hear that Chicago's struggled to accommodate the thousands of immigrants it sent to the metropolitan city, which he said is a "fraction" of what towns and cities across Texas "deal with" regularly.

Abbott said in his letter that the federal government estimated the state could see up to 13,000 immigrants illegally cross the US-Mexico border each day once the federal Title 42 COVID-era migrant ban expires next week. Since being invoked in 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2 million migrants have been expelled from the country under the policy.

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"If Chicago can't deal with 8,000 in less than a year, how are small Texas border communities supposed to manage 13,000 in just one day?" Abbott wrote.

Expecting more migrants to be bussed to the city, Lightfoot has already requested federal funding from the White House, according to NBC News. In her letter to Abbott, struck back and noted that she'll request the federal government withhold all FEMA funds from Texas if the buses of migrants continue arriving in Chicago.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts (R) office accused New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) of spreading lies about bused immigrants sent to a handful of cities around the country.

Mayor Adams is once again spreading falsehoods and outright lies, Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement to The Hill. He knows full well these migrants willingly chose to go to New York City, since his staff saw firsthand on their secret trip to Texas last year as migrants raised their hands to go on buses to his sanctuary city.

This statement comes in response to Adamss criticism of Abbotts move to resume busing migrants to five cities led by Black mayors, including New York City, across the United States starting on Monday. Adams said in a statement Monday that the Texas governor was targeting cities run by Black mayors, noting the influx of migrants is too much for one city to handle.

Adams also said Texas bused migrants to New York against their will, a claim Abbotts office said is false. Mahaleris explained that the migrants signed a voluntary consent form that was available in multiple languages, saying they agreed to be sent to a specific location.

Mahaleris also blasted the mayors of cities where migrants were being bused to, noting New York only needs to deal with a fraction of migrants that Texas communities deal with.

Mayor Adams, along with Mayor [Muriel] Bowser, Mayor [Lori] Lightfoot, and Mayor [Jim] Kenney, were proud to tout their self-declared sanctuary city status until Texas began busing migrants to New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Philadelphia to provide relief to our overrun and overwhelmed border communities, Mahaleris said.

He also called on Adams to urge the federal government to take action on the border, saying the real crisis is on the Southern border, not in New York.

Story continues

Instead of spreading falsehoods and complaining about a few thousand migrants being bused into his sanctuary city, Mayor Adams should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the border  something the President continues failing to do, Mahaleris said.

The remarks come as the Biden administration is expected to send 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border ahead of a potential surge in migrants after Title 42 expires next week. Abbott also called on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D), who sent a letter urging the Texas governor to cease busing migrants to Chicago on Sunday, to ask the Biden administration to implement stricter border policies.

When reached out to for comment, a spokesperson for Adams office pointed The Hill to an alleged 911 call that was shared with the public after the Texas governor sent a bus of migrants toward the Big Apple.

Were in Chattanooga and over here, some men have us held us on the bus against our will, a man said in the call. Our families are waiting for us. They wont let us off and they are holding us against our will.

Adams spokesperson responded that this 911 call reported on in a conservative news outlet that supports Governor Abbott actually shows that [Abbott] is the only one spreading falsehoods.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photograph: Go Nakamura/Reuters

After a barrage of public criticism from immigration advocates, Latino state lawmakers and Congress members, Texass Republican governor Greg Abbott has backtracked from controversial remarks he made referring to the victims of a recent mass murder as illegal immigrants.

Any loss of life is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost a loved one, Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Abbott, told ABC News in a statement about those slain in a shooting in Cleveland, Texas, on Friday night. Federal officials provided the state of Texas information on the criminal and the victims, including that they were in the country illegally. Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally.

Related: Texas shooting suspect still at large as father says family called 911 five times

Ezes statement also apologized if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the accused killer in the case, who remained at large as of Tuesday.

Francisco Oropeza allegedly killed five neighbors  including a young boy and two women shielding children  in Cleveland after members of the family asked him to move farther away if he was going to fire a rifle in his yard. Oropeza, 38, had previously been the subject of similar complaints by neighbors.

Not long after Wilson Garcia and others asked Oropeza, their neighbor, to shoot elsewhere because Garcias infant was crying, Oropeza approached Garcias home with an AR-15-style rifle and carried out the 17th mass killing  one with four or more victims  in the US so far this year.

In a tweet announcing a $50,000 reward for capturing Oropeza, Abbott said that the reward was for a top 10 fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants.

His rhetoric drew ire as it hewed closely with his track record of smearing immigrants in the wake of mass shootings.

Advocates and lawmakers decried Abbotts language as dehumanizing and part of an attempt to deflect attention from the role Republican lawmakers played in shaping Texass lax gun laws that Democrats say have created an unsafe environment for residents.

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State senator Roland Gutierrez  a Democratic lawmaker whose district includes Uvalde, where 19 elementary school students and two of their teachers were shot to death by an intruder last year  went on Twitter to call Abbotts statement a new low. Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso in Congress, called Abbotts rhetoric a disgusting lack of compassion and humanity.

Authorities said the victims  Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Obdulia Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso Guzman, a 9-year-old boy  were all originally from Honduras.

Oropeza, who remained at large as federal and local enforcement frantically searched for him, was a Mexican national who had reportedly been previously deported from the US.

As of Monday, law enforcement authorities had not confirmed the immigration status of the five people killed. Political comments about those facts prompted the local sheriff, Greg Capers of San Jacinto, to say they were irrelevant to his deputies.

My heart is with this  boy and his family, Capers told reporters. He was in my county, five people died in my county, and that is where my heart is  in my county, protecting my people to the best of our ability.

In response to Abbotts initial tweet, Carlos Eduardo Espina, who is described as a community organizer and immigrant rights activist, shared an image of a photo identification card from one of the victims, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, indicating she was a permanent US resident and therefore in the country legally.

Jefrinson Josue Rivera, who was Velazquez Alvarados partner for the last six years, confirmed that to ABC News, calling Abbotts descriptions inhumane.

He described Velazquez Alvarado as a happy, humble and caring person who gave everything for her children and never had issues with anyone.

Why do they discriminate against immigrants so much? In what way are we affecting him? What harm have we caused him? Josue Rivera told ABC News. Hes making his living and were here to make our own? We dont care if he wants to make his money through politics  were here to make an honorable living.
Montinique Monroe/Getty Images

A day after he went out of his way to characterize the five victims of a Friday night shooting in Texas as illegal immigrants, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a short statement on the matter, with a representative expressing regret if the information was incorrect.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, said Renae Eze, a spokesman for Abbott. We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Eze attributed the inaccurate information to federal officials. She did not address the widespread backlash to Abbotts rhetoric, which drew responses from the likes of Parkland parent Fred Guttenberg, who called the governor a low life asshole in a tweet, adding, On behalf of those like my daughter who are victims of gun violence, FUCK YOU!!!

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa also issued a statement on the matter, saying, There is no limit to the depravity of Greg Abbott and his Texas Republican cronies. He accused Abbott of using the shooting to fear-monger and lie about migrants and the victims immigration status.

The source of the governors new information was unclear, but his statement was issued after immigrant rights activist Carlos Eduardo Espina shared to Twitter a photo of one of the victims identification cards, proving she was a permanent resident of the United States.

I guess to Greg Abbott, anyone who is from another country is an ilegal immigrant [sic], Espina tweeted. Shameful.

I just spoke to the husband of one of the victims. He confirmed to me that his wife was a permanent resident of the US. He even sent me a picture of her ID confirming this.



But I guess to Greg Abbott, anyone who is from another country is an ilegal immigrant. Shameful. https://t.co/O2AphCodlh pic.twitter.com/YjGLdBMtRl  Carlos Eduardo Espina (@cespina1998) May 1, 2023

The identification card appeared to prove that Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, had been a U.S. permanent resident since December 2021. The immigration status of the other four victimsSonia Guzman, 25; Juliza Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9remained unclear on Monday. All five were originally from Honduras.

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San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers told reporters on Sunday that whether the victims were in the country illegally was irrelevant to him.

My heart is with this [9]-year-old little boy, he said. I dont care if he was here legally. I dont care if he was here illegally. He was in my county. Five people died in my county, and that is where my heart isin my county, protecting my people to the best of our ability.

In his initial Sunday statement, Abbott also referred to the suspected gunman, Francisco Oropesa, as someone who is in this country illegally as he announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

Oropesa, 38, has a track record of entering the U.S. illegally, and had previously been deported four separate times, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Monday.

He was first ordered removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge in March 2009. He then reentered the country, and was apprehended and deported several more times in September 2009, January 2012, and July 2016, according to the agency.

Only an Asshole Would Tweet Like Greg Abbott Did

A handful of conservative media outlets first reported on Sunday, incorrectly, that Oropeza had been deported three or five times. The correct figure was first reported Monday by ABC News, with other outlets, including CNN and Reuters, later confirming it.

His current immigration status was not immediately clear.

Oropesa remained at large on Monday night, with more than 250 law enforcement officers from a dozen agencies hunting for him. The authorities have offered $80,000 in reward money for information leading to his apprehension. He is considered armed and dangerous.

He is believed to have been shooting a gun in his front yard on Friday when neighbors approached him and asked him to stop, because their baby was inside sleeping. Oropesa allegedly went into his home, retrieved an AR-15 rifle, and walked over to the neighbors house, where the mass shooting unfolded around 11:30 p.m.

Authorities have said that two of the women who died were shielding a 6-week-old boy and a 3-year-old girl, who survived.

Officials last provided an update on the investigation on Sunday. We do not know where he is, James Smith, the FBIs special agent in charge of the Houston field office, said at a news conference. We do not have any tips right now as to where he may be. Right now, we have zero leads.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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UPDATE: A Texas Roadhouse spokesperson provided the following comment to Blavity:

We never made a server wait on any tables. Initially, the server told Management he was comfortable with these guests in his section and that he would not let them bother him. Once the server voiced he no longer wanted to wait on the table, a Manager immediately took over and we ultimately stopped service. We had three Managers at the restaurant at close and the Managing Partner called the Server to check in on him.

Texas Roadhouse does not condone any form of harassment or discrimination by guests towards employees. We also strive to maintain a work environment of mutual respect for our employees and guests.

Previously reported:

An alleged incident involving a Black server and a group of white Neo-Confederates at a Texas Roadhouse went viral on TikTok this past weekend.

On Saturday, TikToker Nani (@love. Iona) described how the Black server was allegedly treated by patrons who traveled from Kentucky and dined at the Cincinnati location. She said Arthur Mandy, 41, waited on the table initially reserved for a party of 11, but only a small group showed up at the restaurant.

In the nearly three-minute clip, Nani said the customers arrived at the eatery decked in Confederate gear from head to toe, with Mandy as their server for the evening.

@love.lona It was such an intense night tonight. I was getting so mad not only because of the table but the fact i had to watch and hear them treating one of the nicest caring souls Ive ever met that way and they were still able to stay in the restaurant. How dare you take it as far as telling your kid to shutup and not talk to your own server because he is black. The minute they started dropping the N word while the server was present at the table is the minute they shouldve been kicked out. #fyp #blm  original sound  Nani

A party full of people wearing Confederate flag gear just tried to f**king come eat in our restaurant, Nani said. One of our Black servers had to take them.

Story continues

She then explained how the guests at the table never spoke to Mandy or made eye contact with him. Alternatively, they created a hostile environment for the 41-year-old, the workers and other customers dining in the restaurant.

Theyre N-word this, N-word that, while hes there at the table, Nani recounted. Theyre not even trying to be quiet. Theyre not even trying to stop.

Nani described Mandy as one of the nicest, caring souls who didnt deserve to be treated less than others because of his skin color.

I was getting so mad not only because of the table but the fact i had to watch and hear them treating one of the nicest caring souls Ive ever met, Nani wrote of Mandy in the video caption.

She continued, How dare you take it as far as telling your kid to shutup and not talk to your own server because he is black. The minute they started dropping the N word while the server was present at the table is the minute they shouldve been kicked out.

On Monday, Mandy shared his story in an exclusive interview with The Daily Beast. He recalled not paying attention to the guests attire but remembered a toddler wearing a Confederate coat with a matching onesie underneath.

The rest of the party is walking in. The managers come and pull me aside and say, Hey, if you have any issues with this table, let us know,' Mandy said.

Mandy said he was focused on doing his job when an older man sat down at the table and purposely gave him a hard time.

Im doing my spiel or whatever, things that we offer, things that we have, what he may like, and he says, Well, Ill tell you what, boy. Just get me a water with lemon, he told the outlet.

The guests tested Mandy to see how fast he could complete their requested tasks. Then, as they continued their demands, the 41-year-old shared his opinion on the Confederate groups choice to wear clothing tied to their beliefs but then judge Black people when they do the same.

This whole Confederate flag situation, Mandy told The Daily Beast. They dont want people judging them because of how they dress or what flag they like, and they try to defend their right to have this flag. But thats how they treat [Black people]: how were dressed, how we act, and what we do.

Mandy recalled a 5-year-old boy who tried communicating with him until his mother scolded him. The father of four continued serving the group until the older man said something that troubled him.

They can only concentrate on one thing at a time, he said of Mandy, insinuating Black people werent smart enough to multitask.

For me, that was it, Mandy told The Daily Beast. That was it for me  emotionally.

The party then complained about their food and how Mandy allegedly messed up their orders. Finally, they made such a scene that managers were forced to reduce the total bill to accommodate them.

Mandy said he was overwhelmed after the guests hurled racial slurs at him that he stepped outside to cry. They completely dehumanized me in front of the entire restaurant, he said.

He said he removed himself from the table after they verbally attacked him. Im trying to be on my best behavior because I dont want to get in trouble, Mandy added.

The group later left the restaurant without leaving Mandy a tip and loitered the parking lot, perhaps hoping he would return. Instead, one of the managers threatened to call the police, and the group left the premises.

On Sunday, Nani raised $1,000 in donations after learning Mandy didnt make enough in tips that night. He appreciated her and other co-workers who checked in after the distressing ordeal.

Mandy told The Daily Beast he plans to file a lawsuit against the company to prevent other Black workers from having to experience what he went through.

Business should not come first; money shouldnt come first. And thats the perception that I have  of my boss. It was really hard for me to even think about going back to work because its like knowing he doesnt care about me.

Mandy works at the steakhouse chain to support his family and says he was torn between quitting a job he loves and maintaining his self-worth.
A Texas bill that eliminates the requirement for independent reviews of natural jail deaths passed the Senate on Tuesday.

The bill, authored by Fort Worth Republican Senator Brian Birdwell, also eliminates third-party investigation requirements when inmates are lawfully executed or when it does not appear a crime was committed.

The bill will now head to the House. If it passes the House, it will go to Gov. Greg Abbotts desk.

Birdwells bill comes as Tarrant County faces questions about the 2019 death of Robert Miller, who was incarcerated at the Tarrant County Jail.

Millers death was ruled natural from a sickle cell crisis. An investigation by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram found he did not have the disease.

Tarrant Countys sheriff Bill Waybourn had minimal involvement in the bill, a representative of the sheriffs office said. The representative did not elaborate, but said Waybourn supported the bill.

Waybourn testified during a Senate committee hearing in November and advocated for reform when Texas Rangers review jail deaths. The Texas Rangers reviewed Millers death and reached the same conclusion as the autopsy.

I just think that maybe we can look at a better way of doing that, Waybourn said in November. We want accountability, but sometimes its like, Golly, what could he be doing? A murder case or something else other than reviewing this case.
A man whose wife and son died in Fridays horror mass shooting in Cleveland, Texas, has revealed how the nine-year-old boy died running to help his mother.

Wilson Garcia told NBC News that Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman saw his mother, 25-year-old Sonia Argentina Guzman, being shot when accused gunman Francisco Oropesa burst into their home and opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle.

The brave nine-year-old ran towards his mother to try to protect her and was also shot dead.

In total, five victims  Guzman, Daniel, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Josue Jonatan Caceres, 18  were killed in the attack which began when the family asked their neighbour Mr Oropesa if he could stop firing his gun because their baby was trying to sleep.

More than three days on, Mr Oropesa, 38, is still on the run.

A potential sighting on Monday plunged schools into lockdown but the gunman was not found.

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been forced to walk back his comments calling the victims illegal immigrants.

The statement sparked a backlash before Mr Abbotts office then said at least one victim may have been in the United States legally.

Key Points

Search widens for suspect as zero leads after shooting

Five dead in Texas shooting as armed suspect on the loose

Victims in deadly Texas shooting named as survivor recounts confronting gunman with machete

Texas mass shooting suspect could be anywhere, sheriff says

What do we know about the suspect?

Survivor recounts confronting gunman with machete

10:00 , Rachel Sharp

The victims in Friday night shooting have been identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, her eight-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Josue Jonatan Caceres, 18, according to 12 News

Velazquezs husband Jefrey Rivera told the Honduran network HCH that his wife died protecting their children. He said she hid in a closet with some of the children in the home. The two other deceased women were found lying on top of two children covered in blood. Police said on Saturday that they died protecting the two minors, who are both believed to have survived.

Story continues

Recounting the terrifying moments leading up to the massacre, Mr Rivera said that someone in his household asked Mr Oropesa to stop shooting rounds in his yard because they had several children in the home who were trying to sleep.

Mr Rivera said that when he saw his very intoxicated neighbour approaching with an AR-15 rifle, he threw a machete at him in an attempt to protect other relatives in the home.

I realised he was coming in our direction while armed with a rifle, so I tried to find something to defend myself with and found a machete. Mr Rivera told HCH in Spanish. But by the time I found the machete, shots had already been fired.

Mr Oropesa and Mr Rivera then had a brief confrontation, in which the gunman allegedly said, Im going to kill you today.

Mr Rivera then reportedly said: Im going to kill you first because youve already killed my family.

Mr Rivera said he managed to escape the violence and called authorities.

Heroic mother confronted Texas gunman at door after calling 911 five times before horror mass shooting

09:02 , Graeme Massie

A mother gunned down in a mass shooting in Texas on Friday was killed when she heroically confronted the gunman at the doorway to her home after the family had called 911 five times to report the suspect.

Wilson Garcia spoke out at a vigil in Cleveland, Texas, on Sunday night after his wife Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, and eight-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso were among the five innocent victims killed in the shocking massacre.

Mr Garcia said that the shooting unfolded when the family asked suspect Francisco Oropesa to stop firing his gun so close to their home because the children were trying to sleep.

Mr Oropesa refused, saying he was on his property so could do what he wanted. As the shooting continued, the family called 911 to report Mr Oropesa.

The Independents Rachel Sharp has the story:

Heroic mother confronted Texas gunman after calling 911 five times before shooting

Gov Greg Abbott slammed for calling Texas mass shooting victims illegal immigrants

07:54 , Graeme Massie

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has sparked outrage by referring to the five victims of a deadly mass shooting as illegal immigrants.

For nearly two days, Mr Abbott failed to address the act of senseless violence that shook residents of Cleveland, Texas, on Friday (28 April).

Finally, on Sunday, Mr Abbotts office released a statement announcing a $50,000 reward for the suspected gunman Francisco Oropresa. In the first line, the suspect was called a top 10 fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants in a shooting.

The Independents Ariana Baio reports:

Greg Abbott slammed for calling Texas mass shooting victims illegal immigrants

Texas shooting survivor speaks out

07:10 , Graeme Massie

Wilson Garcia, the man who lived next door to suspected Texas shooter Francisco Oropesa, spoke about surviving the shooting and losing his wife and nine-year-old son during a vigil on Sunday.

 I am trying to stay strong for my children, Mr Garcia told media while crying.

Mr Garcias son, Daniel Enrique Laso, and wife, Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, were among the five people killed during the horrific shooting.

The shooting occurred Friday evening after Mr Garcia asked Mr Oropesa to stop shooting his gun in his yard because it was keeping his baby awake.

Mr Oropesa, who was said to be drinking alcohol, went over to the home Mr Garcia lived with several other people and opened fire.

Three other people, including two women who died shielding Mr Garcias baby and two-year-old daughter, were shot dead.

Mr Garcia said one of the women told him to jump out the window, because my children were without a mother and one of their parents had to stay alive to take care of them.

I have no words to describe what happened, Mr Garcia said in Spanish at a vigil. We are alive but there is no life.

TEXAS-MASACRE (AP)

Watch: San Jacinto County Sheriffs Office press conference

06:02 , Graeme Massie

Texas shooting suspect had been deported from US four times

05:04 , Graeme Massie

Francisco Oropesa, the man accused of fatally shooting five people including a nine-year-old boy in Cleveland, Texas this past weekend has been deported from the US four times, according to a report from CNN.

Mr Oropesa, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbotts office, had been apprehended and removed from the US several times, according to an unnamed source within US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to the source, Mr Oropesa, whose full name is reportedly Francisco Oropesa Perez-Torres, was first removed by an immigration judge in March 2009.

Mr Oropesa reentered the United States but was removed again in September 2009, January 2012 and July 2016, according to the report.

What we know about Francisco Oropesa

04:08 , Graeme Massie

Over 200 members of law enforcement are searching for 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa, who is suspected of fatally shooting five people who lived in the same home in Cleveland, Texas.

Mr Oropesa allegedly entered his neighbors home armed with an assault-style rifle on Friday evening (28 April) after his neighbor, Wilson Garcia, asked him to stop shooting his gun in his backyard because it was keeping Mr Garcias baby awake.

He then opened fire, killing five people including a nine-year-old boy.

Heres what we know about the alleged shooter:

Ariana Baio reports:

Who is Texas shooting suspect Francisco Oropesa?

Two women died protecting children who survived massacre sparked by noise complaint

03:05 , Graeme Massie

Two Texas women died while protecting children from a gunman who also killed three others, including an eight-year-old child.

The violence unfolded on Friday night when neighbours in the city of Cleveland, about an hour away from Houston, asked 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza to stop shooting rounds in his yard because they had sleeping children in the home, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said.

Mr Oropeza, who is said to have been intoxicated and armed with an AR-15 style rifle, allegedly stormed inside his neighbours home and fatally shot five people and injured three others. The fatal victims, whose ages ranged from nine to around 40, were originally from Honduras.

Andrea Blanco reports:

Two women died protecting kids who survived Texas massacre sparked by noise complaint

How many mass shootings have there been in 2023?

02:01 , Graeme Massie

Among high-income countries around the world, the United States has for years stood out for one reason: its rate of gun violence.

Over the last decade, among relatively wealthy countries with populations of 10m or more, the rate of gun violence in the US has far surpassed that of any other nation.

This year is on track to be no different. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, there have as of mid-April already been 149 mass shootings in the US  with gun violence claiming lives in every state in the country.

Abe Asher reports:

Pictures as hunt continues for shooting suspect

Tuesday 2 May 2023 00:31 , Graeme Massie

(AP)

(AP)

(AP)

(AP)

Abbott expresses regret over illegal comment

Monday 1 May 2023 23:55 , Graeme Massie

Governor Greg Abbotts office said on Monday that federal officials had given them inaccurate information about the immigration status of the victims.

The Republican politician has been widely criticised for focusing on their legal status in the country after they were gunned down by suspect Francisco Oropesa.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement on Monday. We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Schools on lockdown amid possible sighting of Texas shooting suspect

Monday 1 May 2023 23:20 , Graeme Massie

Authorities are looking for Francisco Oropesa who is accused of killing five people.

Schools on lockdown amid possible sighting of Texas shooting suspect

Sheriff says suspect not found after tip

Monday 1 May 2023 23:04 , Graeme Massie

A tip was received that a Hispanic male was seen walking near Caney Creek at Crockett Martin and FM 2090 who resembled Oropesa. The wood line &surrounding areas were searched, all persons in the area were investigated, and none were found to be Oropesa, tweeted MCSO.

Schools placed in lockdown after possible sighting if suspect

Monday 1 May 2023 22:14 , Graeme Massie

Officials in Montgomery County say they received the report of a possible sighting of Francisco Oropesa, the second one of the day.

A man was seen in the area of Crockett Martin and FM 2090, according to the sheriffs office who have asked people to avoid the area. Earlier in the day a man matching the suspects description was spotted near a landfill in the area.

Caney Creek High School, Moorhead Junior High School, Grangerland Intermediate School, Milam Elementary School, Hope Elementary School and Creighton Elementary School had all secured their buildings according to the sheriffs office.

All staff and students are safe, officials told the Houston Chronicle.

Houston FBI and San Jacinto Sheriff thank people for support

Monday 1 May 2023 21:12 , Ariana Baio

On Twitter, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers and Special Agent James Smith thanked people for their support as they work to catch the suspected shooter who killed five people this past weekend.

Sheriff Greg Capers and SAC James Smith would like to thank everyone in the San Jacinto County and surrounding communities for their support to all of the law enforcement personnel working the Cleveland, TX shootings these last three days, the Houston FBI Twitter wrote.

Sheriff Greg Capers and SAC James Smith would like to thank everyone in the San Jacinto County and surrounding communities for their support to all of the law enforcement personnel working the #ClevelandTXshooting these last three days. Thank you for your support and kindness. pic.twitter.com/HMgS455RFv  FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) May 1, 2023

Thank you for your support and kindness, they added.

Police admit suspect Francisco Oropesa could be anywhere

Monday 1 May 2023 20:40 , Ariana Baio

The San Jacinto County Sheriffs Office and the Houston FBI said 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa could be anywhere as the manhunt for the suspected shooter continues.

Mr Oropesa, 38, is believed to have entered his neighbours home on Friday (28 April) and fatally shot five people, including a nine-year-old boy.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said investigators found a cell phone and clothing believed to belong to Mr Oropesa in a forested area. K9 units from the Texas Department of Correction picked up a scent but eventually lost it.

Over 200 law enforcement agents are searching for Mr Oropesa.

As of now, there are zero leads according to James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge.

9-year-old who died in shooting was trying to protect his mother

Monday 1 May 2023 18:10 , Ariana Baio

Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, the nine-year-old boy who was killed by gunfire in the shooting this weekend, was said to have died trying to protect his mother, according to his father.

Wilson Garcia told NBC News his son saw his mother, 25-year-old Sonia Argentina Guzman, fall after being shot and ran toward her to try and protect her.

Husband and father of victims sets up GoFundMe

Monday 1 May 2023 17:50 , Ariana Baio

A GoFundMe has been set up in memory of Sonia Argentina Guzman and Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman in the hope of sending their remains back to their home country of Honduras.

Wilson Garcia, the husband of Ms Guzman and father of Daniel, wrote on the GoFundMe page, I would like you to help me raise funds to be able to send my wife and son to their native country Honduras and repatriate those who died in the murder in Cleveland Tx.

Mr Garcia asked for $20,000 but so far has exceeded that goal, raising over $34,500.

FBI Houston release photo of Francisco Oropesa

Monday 1 May 2023 16:40 , ariana.baio

FBI Houston released a photo of suspected Texas shooter Francisco Oropesa on Twitter and announced an $80,000 reward ($25,000 from the FBI) for information and tips that lead to his arrest.

REWARD: There is a combined reward of up to $80,000 ($25,000 from the FBI) for information leading to the arrest of Francisco Oropesa.



If you have information about Oropesa or the #ClevelandTXshooting, submit tips via https://t.co/G7iWD3Yw4f or 1-800-CALL-FBI (press option 1). pic.twitter.com/TYac8vYapb  FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) May 1, 2023

Mr Oropesa is suspected of fatally shooting five people in Cleveland, Texas this past weekend

Over 200 law enforcement officers looking for suspect

Monday 1 May 2023 16:15 , Ariana Baio

The FBI in Houston tweeted on Monday that over 250 law enforcement officers are currently searching for Francisco Oropeza, the suspect accused of fatally shooting five people this past weekend.

There are over 250 law enforcement officers from over a dozen agencies actively searching for Oropesa.



FBI Houston and other local, state, & federal agencies will not stop assisting SJSO until he is captured and justice is brought on behalf of the 5 victims. #ClevelandTXShooting pic.twitter.com/g0upaVp0cz  FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) April 30, 2023

FBI Houston and other local, state, & federal agencies will not stop assisting SJSO until he is captured and justice is brought on behalf of the 5 victims, FBI Houston wrote.

Law enforcement searching for suspect in

Monday 1 May 2023 15:30 , Ariana Baio

The San Jacinto County Sheriffs Office is currently searching for the suspected shooter, 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza.

On Facebook, law enforcement shared a photo of Mr Oropeza who is accused of fatally shooting five people, including a 9-year-old boy in the early hours of Saturday 29 April.

An extensive manhunt is currently underway for Mr Oropeza.

The San Jacinto County Sheriffs Office is asking the public to contact them with any tips or information that could lead to Mr Oropezas whereabouts.

Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous, do not approach or attempt to apprehend. Contact local authorities immediately, law enforcement wrote.

Mother and son among five killed in Texas mass shooting

Monday 1 May 2023 14:00 , Andrea Blanco

The victims have been identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, her eight-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Josue Jonatan Caceres, 18, according to 12 News.

Family members told the Honduran network HCH on Sunday morning that Sonia Guzman was the mother of the eight-year-old killed in the shooting. A cousin of Guzman told the network that she had moved to the US eight years ago, while her son had spent five years living in America.

Guzman, a mother of three, leaves behind a two-year-old daughter and a six-month-old baby. Her husband survived the shooting.

Her family has created a GoFundMe to raise funds so Guzman and her sons remains can be repatriated.

I just spoke with her on the phone yesterday and now theyre sending her back to me in a casket, Guzmans mother Francia told HCH.

(Sourced)

Texas family called police five times before shooting

Monday 1 May 2023 13:40 , Rachel Sharp

The victims of Fridays mass shooting in Texas had called 911 five times before the massacre unfolded, according to a survivor who lost his wife and son in the attack.

Wilson Garcia told The Associated Press that the family had initially asked suspect Francisco Oropesa to stop shooting so close to their home as it was scaring their baby.

Mr Oropesa refused, saying he was on his property so could do what he wanted.

Mr Garcia said that the shooting continued so the family called 911.

In total, they made five calls to police in the 10 to 20 minutes beteween the initial confrontation and the massacre, he said.

During each call, Mr Garcia said police reassured them that help was on its way.

But police had not yet arrived when Mr Garcia said he saw the suspect running towards his house with his AR-15-style rifle.

Inside, the gunman allegedly opened fire killing five victims.

Heroic mother confronted Texas gunman at door

Monday 1 May 2023 13:20 , Rachel Sharp

A mother killed in Fridays mass shooting in Texas died when she heroically confronted the gunman at the door to her home, it has been revealed.

Wilson Garcia spoke out at a vigil in Cleveland, Texas, on Sunday night after his wife Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, and eight-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso were killed in Fridays horror attack.

Mr Garcia said that the shooting unfolded when the family asked suspect Francisco Oropesa to stop shooting in the yard as it was scaring their baby.

Mr Oropesa refused and around 10 to 20 minutes later, Mr Garcia said he saw the suspect running towards his house while reloading his AR-15-style rifle with ammunition.

He said he urged his wife to get inside away from the gunman but that she refused  and went to confront him instead.

I told my wife, Get inside. This man has loaded his weapon, he said.

My wife told me to go inside because He wont fire at me, Im a woman.

Ms Guzman was wrong and she was the first victim killed in the attack.

Survivor reveals the family lived next door to gunman for three years

Monday 1 May 2023 12:40 , Rachel Sharp

One of the survivors of the horror shooting has revealed that the family lived next door to the accused gunman for the last three years.

Wilson Garcia spoke out after his wife Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, and eight-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso were killed in the mass shooting, while suspect Francisco Oropesa remains at large more than two days on.

Mr Garcia said he and his family moved in around three years ago but had barely exchanged words with him before Friday.

I never had a problem with him. I cant believe what he did, he said.

Father of baby whose crying led to Texas mass shooting reveals horror as suspect went 'room to room' killing victims

Monday 1 May 2023 12:20 , Rachel Sharp

The father of the baby whose crying led the family to ask their neighbour to stop shooting  and for the neighbour to then go on a shooting rampage killing five people  has revealed the horror of the attacck where the suspect went room to room shooting victims.

Wilson Garcia spoke out after his wife Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, and eight-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso were killed in the mass shooting, while suspect Francisco Oropesa remains at large two days on.

He told ABC13 that he and his wife had just put their one-month-old baby to bed when they heard the suspect firing his gun outside.

He said that they asked him to stop shooting so the baby could sleep  also warning him that they would call the police if he didnt stop.

We asked him to be quiet cause my baby was scared, he said.

Instead of stopping, Mr Oropesa allegedly entered the home with his AR-15-style gun and killed five people.

I never thought that he would shoot, said Mr Garcia.

He went room to room, looking for people.

He managed to avoid the gunfire despite the bullets flyign around him, he said.

Sheriff chokes back tears as he vows to find suspect

Monday 1 May 2023 12:00 , Andrea Blanco

San Jacinto County Sheriff Capers became emotional as he announced a Sunday night vigil for eight-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso, who was among five fatal victims in Fridays (28 April) massacre.

My heart is with this eight-year-old little boy, I dont care if he was here legally, I dont care if he was here illegally, he was in my county, Sheriff Capers said. Five people died in my county. And thats where my heart is, in my county protecting my people to the best of my ability.

The other victims have been identified as Daniels mother Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Josue Jonatan Caceres, 18, according to 12 News.

CORRECTION Texas Mass Shooting

Star Trek actor blasts Abbott for illegal immigrants comment

Monday 1 May 2023 11:40 , Rachel Sharp

Star Trek actor George Takei was among those to slam Governor Greg Abbott over his comment.

This is despicable. I would have thought bringing up the immigration status of the innocent victims of this senseless violence would be beneath even you. But I was wrong, he tweeted.

On Sunday, Mr Abbott finally broke his silence over the shooting to label the victims illegal immigrants.

Announcing a $50K reward for a @TxDPS top 10 fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants Friday night. I also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout for the criminal and any attempts to flee the country, he said in a statement.

The statement sparked an instant backlash with social media users.

This is despicable. I would have thought bringing up the immigration status of the innocent victims of this senseless violence would be beneath even you. But I was wrong.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 30, 2023

Man whose wife died in shooting speaks out

Monday 1 May 2023 11:20 , Rachel Sharp

Wilson Garcia hadnt even asked his neighbor to stop shooting his gun.

People in their rural town north of Houston are used to people firing their weapons to blow off steam, but it was late Friday night, and Garcia had a month-old son who was crying.

So, Garcia said, he and two other people went to his neighbors house to respectfully ask that he shoot farther away from their home.

He told us he was on his property, and he could do what he wanted, Garcia said Sunday after a vigil in Cleveland, Texas, for his 9-year-old son who was killed in the attack that soon followed.

Read the full story here:

Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story

AR-15 rifle recovered from crime scene, police say

Monday 1 May 2023 11:00 , Andrea Blanco

Police recovered the AR-15-style rifle that Oropesa allegedly used in the shootings but authorities were not sure if he was carrying another weapon, the sheriff said. There were other weapons in the suspects home, he said.

He could be anywhere now, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said Saturday night.

The attack happened near the town of Cleveland, north of Houston, on a street where some residents say neighbours often unwind by firing off guns.

It was a much quieter scene Sunday. Police crime scene tape had been removed from around the victims home, where four bullet holes could be seen in the front door.

Governor Greg Abbott slammed for illegal immigrants comment

Monday 1 May 2023 10:41 , Rachel Sharp

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been slammed for his response to the mass shooting that left five people  including an eight-year-old child  dead in his state.

The Republican governor failed to address the mass shooting for almost two days.

Then, on Sunday, he finally broke his silence  in a statement where he announced his office was contributing a $50,000 reward to catch the suspect and where also labelled the victims illegal immigrants.

Announcing a $50K reward for a @TxDPS top 10 fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants Friday night. I also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout for the criminal and any attempts to flee the country, he said in a statement.

The statement sparked an instant backlash with social media users quickly correcting him with the words people.

Announcing a $50K reward for a @TxDPS top 10 fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants Friday night.



I also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout for the criminal and any attempts to flee the country.https://t.co/SLJcBRPrmO pic.twitter.com/2RWrSDkRBa  Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) April 30, 2023

Biden hails Tennessee lawmakers attacked by GOP over gun control push: Youre standing up for our kids

Monday 1 May 2023 10:00 , Andrea Blanco

President Joe Biden last week welcomed the Tennessee Three  the trio of state lawmakers who were targeted by GOP leadership after leading gun control protests in the state capital  to the White House, and hailed them for standing up for our kids during a meeting in the Oval Office.

Mr Biden also condemned state Republicans in Tennessee while speaking with state legislators Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, and Gloria Johnson. Mr Pearson and Mr Jones  who are both Black men  were briefly expelled from their legislative seats by the GOP supermajority that controls the Tennessee House of Representatives, while Ms Johnson, a white woman, was spared by one vote.

A month after the shooting in Nashville, five people were killed in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Independents John Bowden reports:

Biden hails Tennessee lawmakers attacked by GOP over gun control push

How many mass shootings have there been in 2023?

Monday 1 May 2023 09:00 , Andrea Blanco

Among high-income countries around the world, the United States has for years stood out for one reason: its rate of gun violence.

Over the last decade, among relatively wealthy countries with populations of 10m or more, the rate of gun violence in the US has far surpassed that of any other nation. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the adjusted firearm homicide rate in the US is 22 times that of the European Union and more than that of Asian countries like Japan and the Republic of Korea.

This year is on track to be no different. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, there have as of mid-April already been 149 mass shootings in the US  with gun violence claiming lives in every state in the country.

How many mass shootings have there been in 2023?

Four months into the year, America has seen over 160 mass shootings. When will it stop?

Monday 1 May 2023 08:00 , Andrea Blanco

We dont have to live this way; we dont have to die this way, the Twitter profile for Everytown for Gun Safety tweeted on Saturday, following the senseless massacre in Cleveland, Texas.

Search widens for suspect as zero leads after shooting

Monday 1 May 2023 07:49 , Shweta Sharma

A widening manhunt for a Texas gunman who fatally shot five neighbours continued coming up empty Sunday as officers knocked on doors, the FBI appeared no closer to catching the killer after nearly two days of searching with a team that has grown to hundreds of people.

I can tell you right now, we have zero leads, James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, told reporters while again asking the public for tips in the rural town of Cleveland, where the shooting took place just before midnight Friday.

The search for the gunman near Houston has grown in scale: Authorities said that by yesterday evening more than 200 police from multiple jurisdictions were searching for Francisco Oropesa, many of them going door to door in hopes of any clues that would lead to the 38-year-old suspect.

Local officials and the FBI also chipped in reward money, bringing the total to $80,000 for any information about Mr Oropesas whereabouts.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities had widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, which occurred after the suspects neighbours asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.
A police cruiser sits at an intersection of a blocked-off street after the third stabbing in less than a week in Davis, Calif. (Jessica Garrison / Los Angeles Times)

A third stabbing in less than a week prompted an hours-long shelter-in-place order for the sprawling UC Davis campus and large swaths of downtown Davis early Tuesday as authorities conducted a yard-to-yard search for the assailant.

They came up empty, and by late morning, as FBI agents arrived to assist with the investigation, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel was warning residents of this bike-loving city of 68,000 to avoid going out at night or walking or biking alone until the perpetrator is caught.

The spate of seemingly random and brutal attacks has left two men dead and one woman in critical condition, sending a chill through this normally low-key college town just west of Sacramento. Until last week, Davis had not had a reported homicide since 2019, according to local officials.

The suspect, based on witness descriptions and the nature of the attacks, was behaving in a manner that was "particularly brazen," the chief noted, "and that obviously causes us significant concern."

Monday's attack  the third stabbing in five days  was the most brazen yet, as described by police.

The chief said the suspect had been spotted by several homeless people camping near the intersection of 2nd and L streets. He engaged in conversation with them before walking away, then returned a short time later and stabbed a woman repeatedly through the canvas of her tent.

"The suspect didn't seem to care that there were several witnesses" nearby who had seen him earlier in the evening, Pytel said.

The woman screamed and the attacker ran off. The victim and another person who heard her cries called 911, and police quickly arrived. The woman, who police said was in her 60s, was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, where she underwent surgery and remains in critical condition.

The latest attack triggered a heavy law enforcement response. Around midnight, police issued a shelter-in-place order and commenced house-to-house searches, aided by drones and a canine unit.

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The assailant was seen running west toward the towns commercial area. He was described as between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9 with curly hair and a thin build, wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black adidas pants with white stripes and black shoes, carrying a brown backpack. The physical description is similar to one provided by a witness to Saturday night's fatal stabbing.

When hours of searching yielded nothing, the shelter-in-place order was lifted shortly before sunrise.

Police said Tuesday that the FBI and homicide detectives from across the region are now assisting in the investigation.

"People are scared," said Mayor Will Arnold. "We are using every available resource to solve these crimes, to bring an end to this violence, and to keep our community safe."

The series of attacks appears to have started last Thursday, when a beloved town character, David Henry Breaux, was found stabbed to death at about 11:30 a.m. on a bench in the town's popular Central Park. Breaux, 50, was also homeless and frequently slept in the park, according to police. He was well-known around Davis as the "Compassion Guy, a Stanford graduate who in recent years had become an evangelist of sorts, encouraging people to embody a spirit of peace and forgiveness.

Two days later, in another park along Davis' extensive bike path network, 20-year-old Karim Abou Najm was attacked about 9:15 p.m. Saturday as he biked home from an event at the university. He was savagely stabbed, and despite efforts at resuscitation, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Abou Najm was a UC Davis student and 2020 graduate of Davis Senior High School. He was described by family and friends as kind-hearted, playful and dedicated to his studies. In recent months, he had posted to social media expressing joy about getting a job as a software engineer.

Police said they were sorting through hundreds of tips from the public and processing physical evidence from the crime scenes with the help of the FBI, the state Department of Justice and the Sacramento district attorney's office.

After residents were awakened by automated warnings in the predawn hours Tuesday, many took to Facebook to share their fear and shock about the spate of violent attacks.

Shelter in place as of 1:10 a.m, one woman posted on a local parents group page. Im so scared.

A real serial killer in our town, added another parent. This is so scary.

The town's usually bustling streets were quieter Tuesday. Bikers and joggers were out in far fewer numbers, and police cars cruised city streets at regular intervals. Davis Senior High and North Davis Elementary School were briefly locked down in the morning after someone reported seeing a person with a knife in the vicinity. Police responded, found no such person, and the order was lifted. Some businesses, including the local rock-climbing gym, announced they would be closing early so that staff and patrons wouldn't have to venture home after dark.

And from homeless encampments tucked along the railroad tracks that cut through downtown to the cafe-lined streets near the UC Davis campus, people spoke about altering their routines amid a growing sense of foreboding.

Josh Lopez, 22, a UC Davis senior majoring in engineering, said he has moved numerous study groups that usually meet in person in the evenings to online forums, because no one wants to be out at night. He hasn't told his parents about the recent events, he said, because "I don't want them to start freaking out."

Many of the city's homeless residents said they are feeling hunted, noting two of the three victims were homeless. Several said they had come to Davis from other cities precisely because it felt like a safer place to live on the streets. After being rousted early Tuesday by law enforcement officers searching for the attacker, many said they were trying to figure out where they could sleep without fear.

At Paul's Place, a homeless services center near the railroad tracks in central Davis, workers hauled mattresses into the building Tuesday afternoon, setting up temporary shelter for people to spend the night.

One woman, who asked that her name not be published because she was afraid of being targeted, said she knew the woman stabbed Monday and that she was a kind person who never fought with anyone. It was unnerving, she said, to know someone out there is "randomly stalking people."





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Michael Kremer, the 2019 Nobel Laureate in Economics and a University of Chicago professor, speaks during a press conference at annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Incheon's Songdo International Business District, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Yi Whan-woo



INCHEON  Korea should be flexible with its public policy to better cope with low birthrates, gender disparity in the labor force and other social and economic problems that can work as "weak links" against the country's economy in the post-pandemic era, a Nobel Prize-winning economist said.



Speaking at a press conference at the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Incheon's Songdo International Business District, Tuesday, Michael Kremer's comment referenced O-ring theory, an economic development model he formulated in 1993.



The theory derives its name from the deadly explosion of the U.S. space shuttle Challenger in January 1986 due to a single failure of an O-ring, a component that was not afforded due significance and thus overlooked.



The theory says that even the smallest components of a complex production process must perform properly for successful production.



"The Korean economy has developed so fast and it now faces different situations," Kremer said, adding, "It is important to maintain flexibility in institutions."






Nolan Mamori, a Dickson County Sheriffs Office deputy and nine-year Army veteran who served in the Middle East, continues to recover after being shot during a March hostage standoff that ended with a fatality.

Mamori was shot three times and a rifle round remained in his arm until last week, according to the local chapter of the Tennessee Police Benevolent Association.

Mark Engele, 52, who entered a home on Potter Road and refused to let a woman inside leave  and also initially would not exit the home  was killed by Dickson County deputies at the residence, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Engele was shot when he attempted to leave the residence while pointing a gun at deputies, according to the sheriffs office.

The incident remains under investigation.

Mental, physical recovery

Mamoris wife, Christina, said the first few weeks following the March 24 shooting were a bit rough emotionally and mentally. She said the family has been blessed with support.

The sheriff's office and our neighbors have really stepped up and been there for us and that has helped us get through the first month, Christina said.

When Nolan called me to tell me hed been shot I thought he was joking, Christina said. I just never thought something like that would happen here.

Dickson County Sheriff's Office deputy Nolan Mamori, back, left, and his family .

Mamori, who completed three tours in Afghanistan and Iraq while in the Army, has been called out for similar situations during the four years hes been with the sheriffs office, she said. Mamori is a member of the department's special response team.

He's always been fine so this was just a shock. It still is, Christina said. That veil of safety was lifted.

Fundraiser

As Mamoris recovery continues, two organizations are asking for the publics support for the family while the deputy recovers.

The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Tennessee Police Benevolent Association and the Police Benevolent Foundation are raising funds for the family. The Mamori family includes six children, ages 4 to 17.

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Donations can be made online at pbfi.networkforgood.com/projects/191101-deputy-nolan-mamori-recovery-fund.

We are grateful for the fundraiser and all the support we have received from the community and the sheriffs office, Christina said. Its allowed us to not stress about the lost work hours and overtime and just let us heal and focus on our family.

More: Man killed in Dickson County hostage standoff after he shot deputy, sheriff says

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dickson deputy Nolan Mamori continues to recover physically, mentally
KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Malaysian maritime authorities were searching on Tuesday for three crew missing from a Gabon-registered tanker a day after the 26-year-old vessel caught fire in waters off the southern coast.

The ship, Pablo, sailing from China to Singapore to pick up crude oil, was not carrying cargo and there were no reports of an oil spill, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said.

However, it did not rule out the chance that the men, two Indian nationals and a Ukrainian, could still be aboard, as smoke made it unsafe to inspect the vessel after the fire appeared to have stopped by afternoon.

"There is a possibility that the three are still on the boat," Saiful Lizan Ibrahim, a top MMEA official, told a news conference in the southern state of Johor.

The remaining 25 crew were rescued, including 23 picked up by two ships nearby, authorities said. Four had serious injuries.

Rescuers were scouring an area of 71 nautical miles in the search for the missing crew.

Pablo Union Shipping, the Marshall Islands-based owner of the vessel, according to shipping databases, could not be located to seek comment. The vessel's insurers were unknown.

The ship, which had been used to carry Iranian oil to China since at least the middle of 2022, last delivered Iranian crude to the eastern port of Qingdao in late January, said Emma Li, a China analyst at Vortexa.

Built in 1997, the vessel had been anchored off China's eastern port of Zhoushan for about two months between February and April, before sailing towards an anchorage area off Singapore and Malaysia, data from Kpler and Vortexa showed.

The MMEA said it began search and rescue operations after being notified of the fire on Monday at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT), and was investigating its cause.

Despite tough sanctions re-imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Iran's oil exports, its supplies have been slipping into China since late 2019, masked as coming from Oman, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, traders and analysts say.

Beijing has repeatedly condemned Washington's unilateral sanctions and defended trade with Iran as normal business practice in line with international law.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur and Muyu Xu and Chen Aizhu in Singapore; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Police respond to Los Angeles High School on Monday afternoon after two teenagers were stabbed outside the school. (KTLA-TV Channel 5)

One juvenile was arrested and another was detained along with an adult Tuesday in the stabbing of two teenagers outside Los Angeles High School, according to L.A. police.

As many as 10 people were involved in the Monday afternoon attack, L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore said at Tuesday's meeting of the Los Angeles Police Commission.

The stabbing occurred at around 4:20 p.m. outside L.A.s oldest public high school, in the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood near Olympic and Rimpau boulevards. The LAPD said Monday the incident was the result of an "on-campus dispute."

School police had been near the campus as part of the safe passage program, which provides patrols before and after school, but left shortly before the stabbing to respond to a report that a gun had been found at another campus, L.A. School Police Department officials said.

Two teens were stabbed outside Los Angeles High School on Monday and three people were in custody, authorities said. (KTLA-TV Channel 5)

Just before the attack, the group of around 10 hopped out of two cars, a black Toyota and a red Cadillac, which have since been found, Moore said.

A 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy  neither of whom were students at the school  were detained late Monday along with an unidentified adult, according to police.

The victims, 15 and 16 years old, were hospitalized with stab wounds to the upper back, right arm and right leg, according to Moore. Both were expected to survive. One of the victims was a student at the high school, the Police Department said in a statement.

The 17-year-old who was detained was found with a concealed gun, Moore said.

Police recovered two knives and two handguns, Moore said.

The LAPD said one juvenile had been arrested on suspicion of firearm possession inside a vehicle, the second juvenile was released, and the adult was questioned and then released. The investigation was ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon.

The stabbing occurred outside L.A.s oldest public high school, in the Mid-Wilshire neighborhoodnear Olympic and Rimpau boulevards, around 4:20 p.m. School police had been near the campus as part of the safe passage program, which provides patrols before and after school, but left shortly before the stabbing to respond to a report that a gun had been found at another campus, L.A. School Police Department officials said.

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Los Angeles schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho called the stabbing "senseless."

Times staff writer Emily Alpert Reyes contributed to this report.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Three people died Monday when a small plane crashed into a field in Big Bear, authorities said. The crash was reported around 2 p.m., about a mile from Big Bear City Airport. (KTLA-TV Channel 5)

Three people aboard a small plane were killed Monday after it crashed in a residential neighborhood in Big Bear, about a mile from the citys airport, according to authorities.

The plane  a single-engine Beechcraft A36, according to the Federal Aviation Administration  smashed into a field near the intersection of Paradise Way and Maltby Boulevard around 2 p.m., the Big Bear Fire Department posted on Twitter.

Witnesses described a "loud boom" followed by a grisly wreck.

"I couldnt believe what I was seeing," said Mike Hanson, who lives about two blocks from the crash site and happened on the wreckage just minutes after the airplane came down. "[It looked like] they just kind of got swept over the landing toward the airport, and just, bam, into the ground."

Hanson said he immediately pulled over and rushed to help another neighbor search for survivors.

"Him and I were yelling out to the airplane, 'Anybody alive?'" Hanson said. "And he turned to me and shook his head."

Airport authorities could not immediately comment on the details of the crash, the second deadly small plane crash in a residential neighborhood in Southern California in three days. One person was killed Saturday night in the crash of a single-engine plane near Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles.

Hanson, who lives directly under the flight path for Big Bear City Airport, believes it was a landing gone wrong.

"It was headed in the direction that all planes are making their final approach on today, towards the west approaching from the east," he said. "I could hear two planes in the last 20 minutes have just touched down in the same flight pattern."

Big Bear is home to some of Southern California's most popular ski resorts. The small airport sees lots of weekend and holiday traffic, as well as military exercises during the week, Hanson said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee had harsh words for their Democratic colleagues during a Tuesday hearing on Supreme Court ethics, accusing the lawmakers of joining with their ideological allies in the media to undermine the conservative Supreme Court majority because it stands in the way of their desired policy outcomes.

The hearing was scheduled by Judiciary Committee Democrats after ProPublica published a series of articles detailing Justice Clarence Thomass relationship with Texas billionaire Harlan Crow. Despite the fact that Crow has not had business before the Court during Thomass tenure  with the exception of one case that was never taken up involving a company which Crow had a minority interest in  many Democrats have used the report to argue that the Court should adopt stricter ethics rules to prevent undue interference.

For ranking member Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), who has supported greater transparency from the Court in the past, the new push is not a good-faith effort. We can talk about ethics and thats great, but were also going to talk about a concentrated effort by the left to delegitimize this court and to cherrypick examples to make a point, Graham said during his opening statement.

Graham pointed back to Democrats supporting demonstrations outside the justices homes and the Court building, despite the fact these demonstrations are criminalized by federal statute. I want to tell you, Gorsuch; I want to tell you, Kavanaugh: You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) in 2020.

The South Carolina senator linked the Judiciary Committees effort to a recent top story on the New York Timess website entitled How Scalia Law School Became a Key Friend of the Court. Graham took issue with the implication there was something wrong with that law schools association with several of the conservative justices, paying for their trips as part of summer courses they taught. He pointed out that Justices Kennedy, Sotomayor, Ginsburg, Jackson, and Roberts have all traveled on the dime of other universities to teach classes.

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You can write as many articles as you want to write, you can take all the shots at the conservative justices you want to take, you can picket before their houses, its not going to stop people from doing their jobs, Graham said.

Virtually every member of the Democratic caucus except maybe one or two are for expanding the number of judges to dilute the conservative majority that exists today, explained Graham. This is about destroying a conservative court.

Judiciary chairman Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) wanted Chief Justice John Roberts to headline Tuesdays hearing, but was rebuffed by Roberts, noting in a letter how rare it is for the leader of the third branch to appear before Congress. Roberts also attached to his letter a Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices in which all nine justices reaffirmed their voluntary commitment to ethical principles that are internally laid out.

The hearing comes after several reports were published in mainstream outlets that implied that conservative justices have benefitted improperly from their positions.

Senator Mike Lee (R., Utah) centered his time on the attacks that have been concentrated on Clarence Thomas.

Todays hearing and the radical lefts continued attacks on Justice Thomas and his wife Ginny over the last 31.5 years are part of a sustained, hateful attempt to discredit an honest man and a principled jurist, explained Lee. The truth is the left simply disagrees with his decisions and with the decisions of our current Supreme Court and they obviously cant persuade the American people to adopt their radical policies through legislation, so theyre attempting to destroy the courts credibility and intimidate the Republican appointed justices and their families starting with Justice Thomas.

Senator Ted Cruz (R., Texas) agreed with Lees assessment on Thomas, adding: The left despises Clarence Thomas because he is a conservative African American.

This is all just a thuggish shakedown. Nice Supreme Court youve got there America, sure would be a shame if something happened to it, added Lee.

Graham argued that if there are concerns about the Court, they need to be pursued fairly. The senator pointed out that discussions about dark money influencing the court never talk about how the organization Demand Justice pressured Justice Stephen Breyer to resign in an ad campaign. The South Carolina senator added that if there are concerns about recusals, there should be concern about Justice Elena Kagans continued ties with Harvard and her decision not to recuse herself in the Harvard affirmative action case in front of the Court. Graham clarified he wasnt arguing for her to recuse herself, but that the question should be raised for all justices equally.

One measure that has been introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.) is called the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2022, and would govern various disclosures. It would require the court to adopt a code of conduct that is as rigorous as the rules governing members of Congress and it would also establish clear rules dictating when justices must recuse themselves. Another measure introduced by Senators Angus King (I., Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) would require the Court to impose a code of conduct in a year, publish any rules on its website, designate an official to handle violations, and publish an annual report.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) has previously been opposed to such proposals, citing judicial independence.

The Supreme Court and the court system is a whole separate part of our Constitution McConnell said last month. I have total confidence in the Chief Justice of the United States to deal with these internal court issues, McConnell added, referring to the Thomas allegations.

One of the witnesses during the Tuesday hearing, Michael Mukasey, former attorney general under President George W. Bush and an ex-federal judge, argued that maintaining the separation of powers is essential.

It is the Supreme Court, not Congress that has the constitutional prerogative to adopt a formal code of conduct governing the individual justices, Mukasey said in his opening statement.

A law controlling the court to adopt such a code or purporting to impose one legislatively would violate the principle of separation of powers and would also be unworkable, said Mukasey. If the public has a mistaken impression that the integrity of the court has been damaged, the fault for that lies with those who continue to level unfair criticism of the court and its justices. it is impossible to escape the conclusion that the public is being asked to hallucinate misconduct by justices who issue rulings with whom they disagree.

More from National Review
Tim Hortons sales surged in the first quarter of the year thanks to higher traffic and price increases. (Getty Images)

Tim Hortons sales surged in the first quarter of the year thanks to higher traffic and price increases, fuelling a growth in sales and profit at parent company Restaurant Brands International (QSR)(QSR.TO).

RBI, which also operates the Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs brands and reports its sales in U.S. dollars, says total sales rose to $1.59 billion in the three-month period ended March 31. That's up from $1.45 billion during the same quarter last year, and above analysts' expectation of $1.56 billion. The company also reported a net profit of $277 million, or 61 cents per diluted share, up from $270 million last year, or 59 cents per diluted share.

Comparable sales at Tim Hortons, a key metric in the retail industry that excludes recently opened locations, surged 16 per cent, the most among RBI's brands. Chief executive officer Joshua Kobza, who stepped into the role on March 1, says the growth at Tim Hortons was driven largely by higher traffic "which benefited from improving mobility, thoughtful calendar initiatives and strength in our core offerings."

"These results were further aided by enhanced restaurant operations and pricing," Kobza said on a conference call with analysts on Tuesday. The company noted in a press release that increases in commodity prices were passed along to franchisees.

"Our new and improved food offerings, including loaded bowls and wraps, are also helping strengthen our position for growth in the $10 billion P.M. food market," Kobza said.

The strength at Tim Hortons comes after a multi-year, back-to-basics turnaround plan that has since shifted focus to growing its business in the lunch and dinner categories.

Now, RBI has set its sights on improving operations and sales at Burger King. Late last year, the company appointed industry veteran Patrick Doyle to the role of executive chairman, after he spearheaded a turnaround as CEO at Domino's Pizza between 2010 and 2018.

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Since arriving at RBI, Doyle has made improving franchise profitability a key focus. While franchise profitability has fallen at both Tim Hortons and Popeyes, Burger King's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) are below both brands. Tim Hortons franchisees saw EBITDA reach an average of $220,000 per location (down from $320,000 in 2018), while Popeyes was $210,000 (down from $230,000) and Burger King's was $140,000 (down from $180,000).

'Reclaim the Flame'

In the United States, Burger King has struggled with bankruptcies by two big franchisees. The company closed a net of 124 locations in the first quarter, and Kobza says it expects to shut between 300 and 400 more restaurants this year.

"There will always be a minority who aren't dedicated, enthusiastic operators and that's okay. We'll work with them to leave the system and move on to do something else," Doyle said.

"There simply is no room for franchisees who are not willing or able to work hard to operate restaurants that are better than the system average over the long term."

RBI says it will spend $400 million on a "Reclaim the Flame" plan aimed at turning around accelerating sales growth and franchisee profitability at Burger King. The company plans to spend $150 million on advertising and digital investments, and another $250 million in remodels and relocations and adding new restaurant technology and kitchen equipment. So far, RBI has spent $20 million on advertising and $25 million on remodels.

While there are concerns about a broader consumer slowdown, executives say RBI's brands are well positioned for any macroeconomic environment.

"Tim's is 40 per cent of our earnings and, if anything, there is still a tailwind from increased mobility year-over-year in Canada," Doyle said.

"That business generating really nice traffic growth (that) we feel pretty darn optimistic about because you're continuing to have more mobility year-over-year in Canada."

With files from Reuters

Alicja Siekierska is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow her on Twitter @alicjawithaj.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
The looming expiry of Title 42 is expected to bring an influx of migrants to the southern US border

The US is sending 1,500 troops to bolster resources at its southern border ahead of an expected surge of migrants, the defence department said.

They will accompany 2,500 National Guard members already in place to support the work of border agents.

Title 42, a Trump-era policy that gives the government power to automatically expel undocumented migrants, is set to expire on 11 May.

Officials expect a sharp increase in migrants to follow.

The additional military personnel will be deployed for 90 days to "supplement" the work of US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers, a US official told the BBC on Tuesday.

They will not be doing any law enforcement, the official said, but will instead assist with transportation, narcotics detection, data entry and warehouse support.

In a statement released later by the Department of Defense, the agency said the additional personnel would fill "critical capability gaps".

Pentagon spokesman General Patrick Ryder told media on Tuesday that his agency has supported the Department of Homeland Security on the southern border for 18 of the last 22 years, and every year since 2006. The troops will arrive as early as 10 May, General Ryder said.

The deployment is meant to ease the growing pressure on border agents as they prepare for a sharp increase in migrants at the southern border.

The number of migrants who crossed illegally into the US there during the 2021 fiscal year was the highest on record since at least 1960. Last year, that number topped 2.76 million - another record.

Troy Miller, the top CBP official, told Congress last month that his agency is preparing for more than 10,000 migrants to cross the border each day after the expiry of Title 42 - more than double the daily average in March.

Initially invoked in early 2020 at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Title 42 allowed the US government to quickly expel migrants trying to cross its border with Mexico - including asylum seekers - with the stated intent of preventing the coronavirus from spreading in the US.

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The Biden administration has unveiled a plan that would make it harder for migrants to claim asylum by requiring adult asylum seekers to use an app to book a meeting with US officials or first claim asylum in another country before reaching the US.

The app, known as CBP One, was rolled out in January and will remain in place regardless of Title 42.

Failure to comply would make migrants ineligible if they subsequently reach the border and would allow for those undocumented migrants to be swiftly deported.The plan - and its expedited removal of some migrants, including asylum seekers - prompted criticism from human rights groups.

Last month, the White House also announced it would set up brick-and-mortar immigration processing centres in Latin America, another effort to reduce the number of undocumented migrants crossing into the US.

The centres, with locations starting in Colombia and Guatemala, will screen migrants and determine whether they qualify for entry to the US.
A toddler who wandered away from his family at a nearby ropes course died after falling into the Provo River, Utah police told news outlets.

James Chambers, 20 months, was found in the water Saturday, April 29, and rushed to a hospital, where he died Monday, May 1, Provo police told KSTU.

This is the most heartbreak, grief, and devastation we have ever felt, father Tom Chambers wrote on Facebook. It is crushing. I never knew there could be a grief so profound.

Chambers wrote that he and his wife, Tasha, made the impossible decision to take James off life support after doctors informed them he could not recover.

The Chambers family visited Provo from their home in Pocatello, Idaho, for a wedding, cousin Amber Jones told KSL.

Police told KTVX that spring runoff or swift currents were not factors in the drowning.

James had a sweet and shy smile, a GoFundMe established to help support the family reads. He is dearly loved by many but especially his older brothers. He is such a light in their family.

He had so much zest and energy for life, Tom Chambers wrote on Facebook. He had more love to offer than his little body could handle.

The Provo Police Department did not immediately return a request for comment by McClatchy News.

Provo is a city of nearly 115,000 people about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City.

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Rosalind OConnor/NBC

When Jimmy Fallon was asked at the Met Gala Monday night for his thoughts on the Writers Guild of America strike, he said, I wouldnt have a show if it wasnt for my writers, I support them all the way. But according to one of his shows staffers, that support did not extend to showing up on Tuesday when it was announced that NBC will stop paying them starting next week.

He wasnt even at the meeting this morning to tell us we wont get paid after this week, Sarah Kobos, who works as senior photo research coordinator for The Tonight Show, tweeted on Tuesday. She added, @jimmyfallon please support your staff. Had fun bowling with ya last week, but a fun party wont pay my rent.

He wasnt even at the meeting this morning to tell us we wont get paid after this week. @jimmyfallon please support your staff. Had fun bowling with ya last week, but a fun party wont pay my rent https://t.co/hbOqiXxdFb  Sarah Kobos (@skobos) May 2, 2023

Kobos, who previously helped lead the fight for the Wirecutter unions deal with The New York Times, clarified that she is not part of the WGA, and is therefore not a striking worker, but is among those whose jobs will be affected by the action.

At a meeting Jimmy wasnt even at, we are told NBC decided to stop paying us after this week and end our health insurance after this month if the strike is ongoing, she wrote. They wont even tell us if we will technically be furloughed. Just active employees who arent paid.

Kobos, who later spotted Tonight Show announcer Steve Higgins on the picket line in New York City on Tuesday afternoon, clarified to The Daily Beast that NBC higher-ups indicated that staff would retain health insurance at least until the end of May and could apply for unemployment starting Monday.

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As Chicago Tribune critic Nina Metz tweeted in response, Worth understanding the ways in which the studios are choosing to put livelihoods of other staff/crew in peril. Considering Fallon is the face of his show, seems pretty unseemly to not even be at this meeting.

Its Official: Hollywood Writers Strike for First Time in 15 Years

By contrast, Kobos added, Im told Seth Meyers was in their zoom production meeting and that he is going to try and take care of his staff and crew after NBC stops paying. During the previous writers strike, which lasted from November 2007 until February 2008, late-night hosts including David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan OBrien reportedly paid the salaries of their non-striking staff out of their own pockets.

The Daily Beast reached out to representatives for Fallon and The Tonight Show for comment but has not yet received a response.

Last week, before the strike went into effect and production halted across all of the major late-night showsnot including Greg Gutfelds comedy show on Fox NewsMeyers used his platform to offer a message of support to the union.

Im good at one thing, which is writing, and I love writing so much. I am deeply proud of the fact that I get to be a professional writer, Meyers said on his Friday Corrections segment. I bring this up because, as of Monday at midnight, there might be a writers strike. And if a writers strike happens, that would shut down production on a great many shows.

Could a Chatbot Replace Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show?

The Late Night host went on to say that a strike would really be a miserable thing for people to have to go through, especially considering were on the heels of that awful pandemic that affected, obviously not just show business, but all of us. He concluded, I also feel very strongly that what the writers are asking for is not unreasonable. And, as a proud member of the Guild, Im very grateful that there is an organization that looks out for the best interests of writers.

As of Tuesday night, shows hosted by Fallon, Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmelas well as The Daily Show, which has been featuring a rotating lineup of guest hostswill all begin airing reruns. HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver will follow suit this weekend.

Saturday Night Live was set to return on May 6 with an episode hosted by former cast member Pete Davidson, but that comedians frequent writing collaborator Dave Sirus confirmed it would be canceled, tweeting, We had no choice but to strike so SNL is off.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Interior Secretary Deb Haaland defended her decision to shut down a Minnesota critical mineral mine, saying that there were already a lot of jobs available for Americans.

Haaland's remarks came in response to a question about her decision this year to ban mining across 225,504 acres near Duluth, Minnesota, from Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon. Hawley criticized the decision, highlighting the expected positive economic impacts of the project, which its developer said would create more than 1,000 jobs.

"Your decision to trade off our energy security in favor of a radical climate change agenda is making us more and more dependent on China. And, at the same time, you are blocking permits for mines in this country," Hawley said.

"The jobs for blue-collar workers in this nation are valuable resources. The livelihood and well-being of American families are valuable resources," the senator continued. "The ability of America to have our own industry and not be dependent on China is a valuable resource. Why should those things for millions of Americans be sacrificed in favor of your agenda for radical climate change?"

BIDEN HANDS ENVIRONMENTALISTS MAJOR VICTORY IN FIGHT AGAINST MINING, OIL DRILLING

Haaland then responded, noting the high number of job openings nationwide.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Senator, I know that there's like 1.9 jobs for every American in the country right now. So, I know there's a lot of jobs," Haaland told Hawley.

"Wait a minute.  You're telling me we've got too many jobs in the country?" Hawley asked.

"Well, I'm saying that we don't have enough people," the interior secretary responded. "That's why we are having a hard time finding folks to work at our department."

BIDEN TURNS TO COUNTRY WITH DOCUMENTED CHILD LABOR ISSUES FOR GREEN ENERGY MINERAL SUPPLIES: 'IT'S EGREGIOUS'

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According to the latest data released Tuesday by the Department of Labor, the U.S. has roughly 9.6 million job openings. The figure translates to about 0.6 unemployed persons per job opening, the data showed.

Hawley heavily criticized Haaland's comments, saying entire Midwestern communities like those he represents in Missouri have been decimated as a result of decisions that exported jobs overseas. He said more than 3 million such jobs have been exported to China over the years.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said Haaland's jobs argument might be "the most unbelievable statement I have heard from a member of this administration."

"They are blue-collar workers. And you're sitting here and telling me that we have too many jobs in this country. Are you serious?" he continued.

"I want to take the strongest possible exception to that comment and that entire mentality which I think is very honest. I think it reflects the mentality of your administration, which is, when it comes to blue-collar workers in this country, 'You're on your own. Good luck.'"

BIDEN ADMIN MOVES TO SHUT DOWN ANOTHER MINE OVER ECO CONCERNS AMID GREEN ENERGY PUSH

Hawley added that Haaland's remark might be "the most unbelievable statement I have heard from a member of this administration."

Haaland, though, later said that the Interior Department under her leadership has created jobs through a program to cap abandoned oil and gas wells.

"These are communities that rely on this government to find a way forward for them," she said. "There is, unfortunately, a dearth of legacy pollution in this country. Those are jobs, good-paying, well-paying jobs with benefits that Americans are having because of President Biden and his policies."

"We're proud to move those issues and those programs forward for the American people."

A lake within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is seen on Sept. 4, 2019, in Ely, Minnesota.

In January, Haaland announced the 20-year withdrawal of lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounding area in Minnesota for mineral leasing, citing environmental concerns. The decision came about a year after she canceled two leases held by the firm Twin Metals Minnesota, which had both been located in the Superior National Forest outside the wilderness area.

The Twin Metals mining project contained about 88% of the nation's cobalt reserves in addition to vast copper, nickel and platinum-group elements. Such critical minerals are vital for various green energy technologies like electric vehicle batteries, battery storage facilities, solar panels and wind turbines, which the Biden administration has aggressively pushed.

And a project labor agreement Twin Metals signed with the Iron Range Building and Construction Trades Council for the mine promised 750 direct full-time jobs and 1,500 spinoff jobs.

Fox News Digital Production Assistant Emily Robertson contributed to this report.
Participants of the 56th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) operate a photo booth in the Korean culture promotion hall at Songdo Convensia in Incheon Metropolitan City. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Lee Yeon-woo



INCHEON  It's not typical to see mature adults giggling while struggling to dress up in costumes at a formal event like the 56th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).



At an exhibition booth at Songdo Convensia in Incheon Metropolitan City, a consistently long line of visitors waited to don the Korean traditional garment, "hanbok."



One of the guests from the Philippines, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Erwin, was among those waiting in line. When The Korea Times approached him and asked if he was willing to talk, he enthusiastically swayed the blue hanbok he was holding  the type of clothing worn by kings in the past  and said with a big grin, "Sure! Why not? I'm more than willing to talk."









This was Erwin's fifth time visiting Korea, having come for both business trips and personal travels. He said he was a big fan of K-pop, particularly BTS and BLACKPINK. When asked to rate Korea as a tourist destination, he said he would give it more than 10 out of 10.



"Filipinos have a high regard for Korea. The dramas have a high influence on Filipinos' lifestyle, and their stories about family and love are very relatable," Erwin explained. "When Moonbin (a member of K-pop boy group ASTRO) passed away, Filipinos felt very sad and even built a memorial for him in the country."



Erwin also noted that the positive feelings towards Korea are not just about the enjoyable pop culture. "We admire what Korea has achieved. Everything in Korea is very nice, modern and advanced."





K-pop merchandise is on display at the Korean culture promotion hall of the Asian Development Bank's 56th annual meeting at Songdo Convensia in Incheon Metropolitan City. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Mari Jeanie Derillo, another participant from a civil organization in the Philippines, also shared her admiration. She was particularly impressed by how everything in Korea, especially the subway, was just as it was portrayed in Korean dramas. "It's impressive," she said.



In regard to the Korean culture boom in the Philippines, Derillo referred to it as a "Korean invasion." "Korea is colonizing the world without leaving the country. I'm not being racist, but just to be honest, the phenomenon is not only happening in the Philippines but now around the world. Even white people are also praising (Korean content), and I think that's quite admirable."



When asked if she has ever tried Korean food, Derillo gleefully showed her shopping bags and exclaimed, "Well, I'm happy to be colonized!" She then laughed heartily and left for her session.



The promotion hall will offer a variety of programs, such as coloring traditional Korean bags and trying Korean traditional desserts, until the event ends on Friday. In addition, the Korean Culture Night will feature performances by the K-pop group NewJeans and the male vocal quartet Forestella, which is sure to thrill K-pop fans.




Oleksandr Syrskyi

Syrskyi said the decisions were aimed at ensuring effective defense and inflicting maximum losses on Russian troops, he said.

Read also: Irish volunteer fighter killed near Bakhmut

We continue, despite all advice and forecasts, to hold Bakhmut, destroy Wagner (mercenaries, and) destroy more of Russias most combat-capable army units, he said.

Were preparing for further actions.

Read also: Ukraine regains some positions in Bakhmut despite Russias mass attacks, Ukrainian commander says

Syrskyi also spoke with the military and presented the soldiers with awards.

No one should be left behind, because it is thanks to their dedication and professionalism that Bakhmut is holding on.

Earlier, the general said that the situation in Bakhmut was quite difficult, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces had managed to counterattack and oust the invaders in some areas.

According to Ukraines Operational Command East spokesman, Serhiy Cherevatyi, fighting in urban areas and positional warfare continue in Bakhmut.

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The outside of the Toronto Ontario Canada Temple. The temple will begin renovation in October 2023, resulting in a nine-month long closure. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Toronto Ontario Temple, one of 10 in the country, is due for renovation near the end of this year.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Monday that the temple will undergo renovation starting in October.

First dedicated in August 1990 by former President Gordon B. Hinckley, the temple was the second in operation within Canada and has now been operating for more than 30 years. It serves eight stakes and one district close by, as shown in this boundary map by the church.

The Toronto Ontario Temple serves members from 8 stakes and 1 district headquartered in Ontario. Do you live within its borders?



Barrie Ontario Stake

Brampton Ontario Stake

Hamilton Ontario Stake

Kingston Ontario District

Kitchener Ontario Stake

London Ontario Stake pic.twitter.com/r8XxgwYPTQ  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Canada (@ChurchinCanada) February 28, 2023

Without any setbacks, its expected to take nine months to complete the entire renovation process.

The church didnt respond immediately to questions about specific renovation plans.

For now, the closest nearby temple is the Montreal Quebec Temple, which is about six hours away by car.

Other temples of the church that are currently undergoing renovation include the Manti Utah Temple, Salt Lake Temple, Stockholm Sweden Temple and St. George Utah Temple.

Renovations for the Columbus Ohio Temple were completed in late April. The temple is now open for touring until its rededication on June 4.

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[Source]

Former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao was found guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.

Thao, who was previously convicted of violating Floyds civil rights, rejected a plea agreement in the case, allowing Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill to decide the verdict based on written filings.

On Tuesday, Cahills ruling was released. He wrote that Thao actively encouraged his three colleagues dangerous prone restraint of Floyd despite his training and knowledge in how the position could cause fatal asphyxia, according to CNN.

Like the bystanders, Thao could see Floyds life slowly ebbing away as the restraint continued. Yet Thao made a conscious decision to actively participate in Floyds death: he held back the concerned bystanders and even prevented an off-duty Minneapolis firefighter from rendering the medical aid Floyd so desperately needed. More from NextShark: Philadelphia Chinatown Businesses Donate 25,000 Face Masks to Healthcare Workers Fighting COVID-19

On May 25, 2020, Thao stood nearby as ex-officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyds neck for nine-and-a-half minutes, causing him to suffocate to death.

While Thao was not involved in physically retraining Floyd, he watched as Chauvin knelt on Floyds neck and ordered the crowd not to interfere with police. According to prosecutors, he also repeatedly ignored bystanders pleas to help Floyd.

More from NextShark: Singaporean Student Brutally Attacked By Group for Spreading Coronavirus in London

Thao argued that he was not able to interfere because he was trying to control the crowd and traffic. His attorney Robert Paule also claimed that Thao was not aware that Floyd was not breathing.

However, prosecutor Matthew Frank wrote that Thao assisted their crime by holding back concerned bystanders and that he knew his fellow officers were restraining Floyd in a way that was extremely dangerous.

Cahill also disputed Thaos claim of innocence and wrote:

More from NextShark: Malaysia to punish women for out-of-wedlock pregnancies and acting like men

Thao was trained on MPDs use of force and medical policies, which are consistent with generally accepted policing practices. Under those policies and practices, it was objectively unreasonable to (among other things): encourage fellow officers to engage in a dangerous prone restraint for 9 minutes and 24 seconds; encourage those officers not to use a hobble; actively assist their restraint by acting as a human traffic cone; and prevent bystanders from rendering medical aid. Thaos actions were even more unreasonable in light of the fact that he was under a duty to intervene to stop the other officers excessive use of force and was trained to render medical aid.

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Chauvin was later convicted of murder and manslaughter in June 2021. The two other officers involved  J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane  were found guilty in federal court of violating Floyds civil rights and were also convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

More from NextShark: Park Ranger Karen Scolds Asian Family for Bringing Their Dog, Says They Cant Be in the US

Thaos sentencing is set for Aug. 7. He is currently serving a 3.5-year sentence for violating Floyds civil rights.

The verdict marks the end of state and federal trials for the former officers involved in Floyds death.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who served as the lead prosecutor of Floyds murder, called Thaos conviction historic and the right outcome, noting that accountability is not justice, but it is a step on the road to justice.
Editors note: The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey to all school board candidates with questions about a number of issues. Twenty four candidates responded and 18 did not. We have published their unedited responses, which were limited to 1200 characters. We will publish additional responses in other stories.

In recent years, educators across the country have seen a rise in calls for increased parental involvement in policy and curriculum decisions.

Legislators have introduced bills to increase parental control over curriculum and topics, including Floridas controversial Parental Rights In Education Act, more commonly referred to as the Dont Say Gay law. The 2022 bill was recently expanded to ban instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in grades 4-12.

Critics of these bills said these open the doors for parents to block information about diversity and marginalize LGBTQ students.

The Centre Daily Times asked candidates about how involved should parents be in deciding school policy and curriculum.

State College Area School District candidates

Amy Bader  Pennsylvania has always valued local control of schools, indeed School Code ensures many ways for the entire community, not just parents, to impact how schools function  which includes policy and curriculum. There are a variety of laws and procedures that support engagement  the sunshine law regarding public meetings; required public comment at meetings; a formal process for reviewing textbooks; requirements to publish curriculum; a public hearing on the district budget and many others. Many avenues exist for parents and the community to impact school policy and curriculum, including the election of board members. Good schools also expect their educators, who are professionals, to engage with parents/guardians. Learning is a partnership between the home and the school. This is another natural avenue of input. It is worth noting that in PA teachers must acquire a masters degree in their first 6 years, and thus become highly-trained experts in pedagogy and curriculum/instruction. Their input and knowledge merits appreciation and respect. Public educations role is to provide a setting for all students in a community to gain knowledge and meet the state standards and requirements

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Nathan Bish  The district parent relationship should be 50-50. Parents should have every right to know what their children are being taught.

Gretchen Brandt  The board approves all curriculum as per School Code, and the Board is a representative body. Therefore, parents have input in curriculum through participatory democracy via their vote for School Board Directors.

Anne Demo  I believe learners do best when parents are involved. In my experience, SCASD encourages parent involvement in multiple ways. Teachers and administrators respond quickly to questions and concerns raised by parents. Instructional materials are available for review upon request. SCASD also offers multiple venues for parent and community feedback. I encourage all parents to learn more about school policies and continue sharing feedback. As a former middle school paraprofessional with 20+ years teaching in higher ed, I witnessed first-hand the expertise that SCASD teachers have in their content areas and cognitive development. Beyond state certifications and the masters degree required within the first six years of teaching in PA, our teachers also understand the state standards essential to academic progress and what is needed to be competitive among applicants at elite colleges or plum apprenticeships. Just as I support parental involvement, I also advocate talking more about the expertise teachers share with the community and why our schools benefit from their guidance on curriculum and policy.

Daniel Kolbe  Parents should review curriculum during the public comment period to make sure their voice is heard. SCASD and parents need to work in conjunction to ensure we are providing the best for all our children.

John Krajcovic  School policy should be decided by the elected school board. Concerns by parents can be voiced at School Board meetings or via email. The current school board has held different meetings where parents could meet with them and voice concerns. However, all the meeting times have excluded parents that work 9a-5p jobs. I want to select times that are more inclusive. School curriculum has always been a sole responsibility of state and local education officials. The professionals with years of training and education should be making the curriculum for core science classes. I believe in transparency within curriculum. For subjects with controversial material parents should have the opportunity to opt their child out of teachings that may not align with their and/or their childs beliefs or possibly take substitute classes or do substitute assignments.

Aaron Miller  Involvement without interference. Parental feedback is already welcomed by the SCASD school board in many formats. I also trust the expertise of our staff and faculty to select high-quality educational materials without interference.

Michelle Young  Parents and families should be very involved. Go to facebook.com/young4scasd2023 for more information.

Laurel Zydney  The Board should be proactive in providing information and soliciting feedback before enacting or revising policies and must allow sufficient time for public awareness and comment before approving policy. The Board must be transparent about its process and timetable for making policy. SCASDs Policy 009 outlines the process parents or other interested parties can use to suggest a new policy or a policy revision Parents should always be able to view curriculum and materials, and the district should make it easy to find information. The district must make a genuine effort to respect and accommodate every families values, but ultimately the school district must have the final say in curriculum. SCASDs clearly delineated opt-out policy allows families with objections to particular pieces of curriculum to work with their teacher to choose alternatives. This wholistic approach allows for materials selected by professional educators and approved through an open curriculum adoption process to be implemented, while allowing space for differing values and approaches to the curriculum.

Barry Fenchak and Megan Layng did not respond to the survey.

Bellefonte Area School District candidates

Jennifer Barnhart  All parties should be included. More perspectives in the discussion improves that decisions will have a positive and long-term impact. It is administrations responsibility to make the best decisions that comprises experience and resources.

Patrick Buck  Parents and the community should be directly involved in shaping the curriculum their children are taught in public schools. They ultimately know what is best for their families. Full transparency of the curriculum is essential to build trust.

Nate Campbell  Parents have a voice through the school board, and are given options in many cases of alternatives that better fit their personal needs. Any group of people will have differing views about things, the boards role is to help find the balance.

Julie Fitzgerald  Parents are important partners in the educational process. Knowing what their children are learning in school and helping to support the learning process through reinforcement of activity at home is fundamental to a students success. Parents opinions and thoughts related to curriculum and policy need to be heard and considered as they know their children best. Partnerships through PTAs and parent councils can also be valuable tools for the school to seek ongoing feedback and input to addressing global concerns parents may have across the district.

Darrell Sharp  Electing school board members who represent their values is the best way for parents to get involved in school policy. They should also be attending school board meetings to stay well informed.

Donna Smith  Children whose parents are supportive of their education do better in school. Parents are thus strongly encouraged to view the curriculum that our educational professionals are tasked with writing, prior to State and Board approval.

Kimberly Weaver  Parents have every right to take part in their childs education. Having curriculum meetings with community involvement is essential is showing transparency for our parents and community.

Joe Yech  Parents should be kept informed of policy through school board transparency. Curriculum decisions should be made by trained educators the district employs & trusts to teach our students. Parents and educators should keep open lines of communication.

Denelle Korn, Timothy Kessling and Paul Dombrowski did not respond to the survey.

Bald Eagle Area School District candidates

Erica Danneker  Bald Eagle Area School Districts mission includes a vision to involve and communicate with the community and they believe that a successful educational experience is the responsibility of the school, student, family and community. Therefore, the board would welcome parental input. Parents should have a voice, especially when it comes to issues that directly impact their childrens education. This can also enhance the transparency and accountability that will help foster a sense of community. With that being said, Bald Eagle Area School District has their own administration and academic structures and they need to maintain their autonomy to make decisions based on the best interests of their students and the broader community. Parents should be seen as valuable partners in the process, but not as decision makers who dictate the schools direction.

Gary Heverly Jr.  Overwhelming research cites parental engagement as a strong indicator of increased secondary achievement and postsecondary success. Reinforcement of school work, positive communication with teachers, participation in school events, and involvement in academic and career pathway decisions all lead to improved outcomes and success. I think all school boards prefer community member feedback and involvement in constructive conversations about local decisions. Curriculum, policy changes, budget reports, and fiscal planning are discussed openly during work sessions and regular board meetings through a very transparent process. It is required through the Sunshine Act that discussions on these topics take place openly so anyone can ask questions or voice concerns before board voting. To become better-informed anyone can see agendas posted at the district building and online. If community members would like to research, course booklets, curriculum descriptions, and school policy is readily available on the BEA website. I believe community members should be informed about and involved in the processes and decisions of the district. There are plenty of ways to do so.

Jason Penland  Curriculum is mostly driven by PDE standards. Where able, BEA focuses on career ready curriculum to help students succeed beyond BEA. It is data based. School policy is dictated by an elected school board, so parents already play a part with this.

Molly Hoover and Brandi Bartley did not respond to the survey.

Penns Valley Area School District candidates

Kim Kellerman-Domin  As a retired educator, I believe that it is crucial for parents to be involved in all aspects of education. Staying informed and understanding all policies of a district is a daunting task. Parents should not have to be involved with the creation of every policy, but, if they so choose, their input (as well as that from any resident who is a taxpayer) should be given significant consideration when developing policies, especially those that relate to the day-to-day education of children. Currently, in Penns Valley, the public has access to curriculum materials. Parents should always be informed as to when a new curriculum is being considered and should be able to review its contents. If parents, or any member of the public, has concerns about the contents of the materials in the curriculum, they should make their concerns known to the board and the board should take into account all concerns. I would consider it a great opportunity to speak for all residents of Penns Valley who are unable to or who do not feel comfortable speaking when it comes to policy and curriculum. The board needs to make decisions based on what best meets the educational needs of the children.

Michael Pase  I believe that the school board represents the parents, and the parents opinions should take the highest amount of consideration when decision making in terms of policy and curriculum.

Celesta Powell, Molly Miller, Dan Hall, Karla Groy, Daniel Pick, Domer Smeltzer, Nickelaus Engle and Scott Butler did not reply.

Philipsburg Osceola Area School District candidates

Tiffany Warlow  As a parent, taxpayer, educator, and current school board member, I have a well-rounded view of public education. Parental involvement in education is an important component. A community effort  parents, teachers, administrators  are vital in school success. Attending school board meetings to understand and be proactive in education is an essential component so that parents are aware of what is going on and can be part of this team; volunteering in the PTO, booster clubs, elementary classrooms are ways to become involved in the school district. Educating yourself on the current PDE requirements, whether it be testing, funding, or curriculum is important to understand what our schools are up against each day. We trust doctors expertise with our health; we trust mechanics to fix our vehicles; our teachers and administrators have been educated in their fields, devote their lives to our children every single day, and should be entrusted with school curriculum and policies. There is a lot that goes on in education that, unless you are directly involved, is difficult to understand all the moving parts. Education trends and requirements are always changing.

Tim Bainey, Todd Jeffries and Alexander Boumerhi did not respond to the survey.
WAUKESHA - More than 17 months following the alleged incident, 15-year-old Khalil Perry is expected to stand trial beginning Tuesday in the sexual assault case involving an 87-year-old Waukesha woman.

The three-day trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection. Witnesses are expected to include the police officers who became involved after the woman first reported the incident on Nov. 30, 2021, near the Waukesha Public Library.

The woman, who is not identified in public court records, told police that Perry pulled a knife on her as she was returning books in the library's outdoor book-return machine, commandeered her vehicle, drove her to a nearby parking lot, sexually assaulted her, took her wallet and phone, and then drove off in her car that afternoon. He was arrested later that day after police spotted him while he was driving the woman's vehicle near Mindiola Park.

What are the charges in the case?

Perry is accused of four felonies: first-degree sexual assault with use of a dangerous weapon, armed robbery with use of force, operating a vehicle without the owner's consent and kidnapping, according to the criminal complaint.

Those charges were initially filed Dec. 3, 2021, in Waukesha County Circuit Court's juvenile division, but were refiled in adult court on April 29, 2022, when a judge ruled his case could be waived out of juvenile court. The charges are otherwise identical, differing by the type of sentences that can be applied upon conviction.

After the case was waived into adult court, the fight to keep it there or have it moved back to juvenile court continued for months before a decision was reached to keep him in adult court.

Questions about Perry's mental competency have been raised

From the time the juvenile petition was filed, prosecutors have said Perry acted under sudden, and inexplicable, anger, the cause of which has never been detailed. That played a role in proceedings.

Perry's lead attorney, Nicole Ostrowski, had initially argued in juvenile court that Perry's treatment if he was convicted would be more effective in rehabilitating him than the resources he would be afforded in the adult prison system. Juvenile Court Judge Maria Lazar did not concur. So Ostrowski appealed Lazar's ruling, which was ultimately affirmed by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals on Nov. 2.

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Ostrowski also contended in September that Perry wasn't competent to stand trial and to aid in his own defense. She was unsuccessful in that regard as well.

Why did it take so long to bring the case to trial?

Despite a decision by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow, who was assigned the adult case one year ago, ruling the proceedings could continue while the jurisdictional appeal was under consideration, other factors were at play to slow the process.

Under state statutes, claims of mental incompetency must first be reviewed before any case can proceed in criminal court. After the first examination of Perry by Behavioral Consultants Inc.'s Wisconsin Forensic Unit, the firm that regularly conducts mental evaluations under contract with the state Department of Human Services in criminal cases, ruled him competent, Ostrowski asked for another examination. The result was the same, but the process was slowed several months as a result.

Ostrowski also sought to have Dorow substituted for another judge, requiring additional hearings. That effort was also unsuccessful.

Perry was finally arraigned Jan. 19, and a trial order was signed four days later. Ostrowki's petition for a supervisory writ, which delayed certain hearings weeks later in an extraordinary appeal process, did not result in a change in the trial date.

Why is Perry being tried as an adult?

Perry was only 14 when the alleged attack occurred. However, in Wisconsin, juveniles can be tried as adults if the purported crimes are serious enough.

During the process to waive the case to adult court, prosecutors argued, among other things, the nature of the allegations, alleged violent crimes against a vulnerable and elderly victim, warranted adult court proceedings.

Though two experts called by Ostrowski argued Perry's treatment would be better in the juvenile system, Lazar and the Court of Appeals ultimately agreed the severity of the crimes trumped other considerations.

What punishment will Perry serve if he is convicted?

In all court cases, but especially in adult cases involving juveniles, a judge has the discretion of what sentence is appropriate for someone convicted. It also depends upon a defendant's criminal history. Sentences often are less than the maximum allowed. Regardless, statutes for offenses spell out only maximum penalties.

In Perry's case, the maximum penalties are 60 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault involving the use of a dangerous weapon, 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for both armed robbery with use of force and operating a vehicle without the owner's consent while armed, and 45 years in prison and a $100,000 for kidnapping with use of a dangerous weapon.

Perry could also be ordered to serve sentences on all charges concurrently or consecutively if he is convicted.

Contact Jim Riccioli at (262) 446-6635 or james.riccioli@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jariccioli.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trial in case of sex assault outside Waukesha Public Library begins
Thousands of bees were released onto a Florida highway after a truck that was carrying them crashed, officials said.

The pickup truck had about 1 million bees on board when a tractor-trailer reportedly ran into it early May 2. While some of the hives were left intact, the crash sent thousands of insects flying around U.S. Highway 301 in a non-aggressive manner, state troopers told WJXT.

The Florida Highway Patrol in a news release said the crash happened at about 3:15 a.m. near the intersection with Interstate 10 east. It was reported in the Baldwin area of Duval County, roughly 20 miles west of Jacksonville.

No one was hurt in the crash, which closed part of the interstate, WTLV reported. Though a beekeeper was called to gather the loose bees, state troopers asked people in the area to be cautious.

Its not the first time a crash has left unexpected debris on a Florida road. Throughout the years, loads of items ranging from cow poop to $180,000 in coins have littered the pavement, the Miami Herald reported in May 2022.

Mom stung over 75 times by bees while protecting kids at photo shoot, AZ rescuers say

Live catfish cover North Carolina highway after truck flips over, officials say

Saucy situation with semi leaves alfredo coating a Tennessee interstate, photos show
(This May 1 story has been refiled to drop extraneous letter in the headline.)

By Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - Donald Trump should be able to talk about the evidence in the criminal case against him over a hush payment to a porn star, especially with others free to do so, his lawyers said in a court filing on Monday.

Trump is the leading Republican candidate for president of the United States, they said, and has a First Amendment right to tell his side of the story "both for his own sake and for the benefit of the voting public."

The filing came in advance of a Thursday hearing in state court in Manhattan over whether Trump should be restricted to using materials turned over to him by prosecutors solely for his defense. The Manhattan district attorney wants to bar Trump from disclosing the material on news or social media platforms without court approval. Trump is not expected to attend the hearing.

Prosecutors last week asked for a court order restricting Trump's use of the evidence because of his attacks on people involved in proceedings against him. They said they wanted to reduce the risk of harassment to witnesses and other participants in the case.

In their Monday filing, Trump's defense counsel noted that key witnesses, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and porn star Stormy Daniels, also have attacked Trump and "made a living" out of publicly discussing the case.

They added that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg held a press conference after Trump was arraigned last month, and former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz published a book about the Trump investigation. Both also have made derogatory comments about Trump, they said, with Pomerantz likening him to a mafia boss.

"Trump cannot be the only interested party in this case whose speech about the evidence in the case is restricted by the court," the lawyers, Susan Necheles and Todd Blanche, wrote.

The lawyers proposed a protective order that would prohibit anyone who receives or reviews the materials -- including the prosecution team -- from copying or disseminating the materials to a third party. They did not object to a prohibition on posting the evidence and other material provided by the prosecution on news and social media platforms.

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Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election.

As part of the scheme, prosecutors said, he asked Cohen to pay Daniels $130,000 for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter. Cohen was reimbursed through checks that prosecutors said disguised New York election law violations and campaign contribution limits under federal election law.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; additional reporting by Luc Cohen; editing by Chris Reese and Leslie Adler)
Donald Trump in Scotland on Tuesday. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP)

National Review columnist Andrew McCarthy issued a stark warning to his fellow Republicans over the weekend: Nominating Donald Trump in 2024 would guarantee another four years of Joe Biden as president.

I am as certain as I am writing this that Donald Trump will never again be elected president of these United States, McCarthy, a former assistant U.S. attorney who twice voted for Trump, wrote in a much-debated piece titled Why Trump Cant Win that was published Saturday.

Citing the string electoral losses the party has suffered since electing Trump in 2016, the former presidents mounting legal peril, his unfounded claims of voter fraud in 2020, his alleged incitement of violence on Jan. 6, 2021, and polls showing him losing to Biden in 2024, McCarthy made the case that nominating Trump would be a trap.

The greatest peril for the country is four (more) years of Democrats in power. The difference this time round is that Trumps nomination would guarantee that this peril becomes our reality," he wrote.

The column drew varied responses, with Republicans opposed to Trump like Bill Kristol heartily agreeing, self-described liberal Republican Will Saletan expressing skepticism and liberal journalist Judd Legum heartily disagreeing with its conclusion.

Conservatism Inc., speaking through @NRO:



"Trump Can't Win."



"Trumps Embrace of January 6 Is Unnecessary and Dumb."



The seven words Conservatism Inc. can never say:



Donald. Trump. Should. Never. Be. President. Again.  Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) May 2, 2023

I would love to believe this.



Unfortunately, things I would love to believe have a strong track record of turning out to be false.



To take the simplest example: The last time I believed Trump cant win was 2016.  Will Saletan (@saletan) May 2, 2023

Trump can win. Period.



These are the same people who said Trump couldn't win the primary in 2016. And the same people who said he couldn't beat Hillary Clinton.



Trump can win and has won.



Self-delusion isn't a political strategy. pic.twitter.com/iKdFoGc3ED  Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) May 2, 2023

While Trump holds a commanding polling lead over Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis in an as-yet hypothetical race for the Republican presidential nomination, surveys have found DeSantis generally doing better than Trump in general election matchups.

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Yet even while conceding Trumps potential liabilities, many political observers believe that discounting his chances of defeating Biden is premature.

I think that anybody who says, he's done, that is clearly a mistake, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said in March in an interview promoting Confidence Man, her book on Trump.

There are plenty of Democrats that you and I know that are rooting for Trump to be the nominee, because they think he will be the easiest for President Biden to beat, added Haberman, who has covered Trump for years. I would not make the statement that gets made to me all the time, Trump cant win another national election. I dont know that to be true, no one does.

The former president at the Aberdeen, Scotland, airport prior to his visit to the Trump International Golf Links. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

To be sure, President Biden faces his own reelection headwinds, not the least of which is the fact that 68% of U.S. adults surveyed in a Yahoo News/YouGov poll released in February said they believe that he is too old to be given a second term. Yet 45% say the same about Trump, and that doesn't factor in all of the other negative attributes cited by McCarthy, chief among them being his attempt to subvert the last presidential election.

How much of a factor Trumps 2020 election denialism will affect his 2024 bid remains to be seen. On Monday, CNN announced that it would hold a town hall event with Trump, a move that drew criticism from those who accused the network of elevating the former presidents bogus claims in the pursuit of ratings.

Will there be simultaneous translation into fact? https://t.co/cOaJvium9p  Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) May 1, 2023

Trump will field questions from undecided Republican voters in New Hampshire, CNN said, but it remains unclear how moderator Kaitlan Collins will handle Trumps false assertions about voter fraud or his regular denouncements of the network as fake news. A CBS News/YouGov poll released Monday showed that 61% of Republicans preferred a presidential candidate who declared that Trump actually won in 2020.

For McCarthy, at least, those Republicans clinging to the belief that Trump still represents the party's best hope are, at best, clinging to a delusion.

They want Republicans and conservatives to believe hes got a shot, to be gulled into nominating him. Then, once he gets the nomination, and its too late for Republicans to reconsider, Democrats and the media will hit him with everything theyve got: all of the January 6 ammo, all of his 2020 denialism, his lunatic tweets and Truths, his attacks on popular Republicans, his praise for Democrats and dictators, and any possible indictments against him that theyve been holding back on  long narrative indictments that lay out, in chapter and verse, felonies far more serious than what Alvin Bragg has brought and much tougher to slough off as weaponized law enforcement, he wrote in his column. After that onslaught, it would be a miracle if Trump cracked 43 percent of the popular vote.
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps lawyers fired back at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs request to bar the former president from discussing evidence in his criminal case on social media as well as viewing it outside of the presence of his legal team.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Bragg last week asked a judge to restrict Trumps ability to publicly discuss evidence that prosecutors collected against him in the criminal case.

Trumps defense team on Monday called the request extreme and said any restrictions placed upon the ex-president should also apply to prosecutors. Lawyers for Trump also said barring him from discussing evidence would violate his free-speech rights under the First Amendment of the Constitution.

President Trump is the leading Republican candidate for president of the United States, Trumps lawyers said in a court filing. To state the obvious, there will continue to be significant public commentary about this case and his candidacy, to which he has a right and a need to respond, both for his own sake and for the benefit of the voting public.

Hush Money

Bragg indicted Trump in March on 34 counts of falsifying business records for directing that hush-money payments be made to Stormy Daniels, an adult-film actor, and Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model. Both women were paid to keep them from coming forward during his 2016 presidential campaign about sexual encounters they had with him. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied the encounters.

Read More: Manhattan DA Seeks to Stop Trump From Discussing Evidence

Prosecutors argued a protective order was merited because Trump has a history of attacking individuals involved in legal matters against him.

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Lawyers for Trump argued Monday that it was Daniels and Michael Cohen, formerly a lawyer and fixer for Trump, who made disparaging comments about him.

These two witnesses have engaged in inflammatory conduct toward President Trump, both during the investigation and since the indictment, in attacking President Trump and discussing at length their version of the facts of this case, they said.

Free Speech

Trumps legal team also argued that Bragg and Mark Pomerantz, a former top prosecutor who led the investigation, have commented publicly on the evidence in the case, including statements Bragg made at an April 4 press conference after the former president was arraigned. The defense said that would have violated the restrictions Bragg has sought for Trump, had they been in place for prosecutors.

Bragg and prosecutors apparently believe that New York law allows the district attorneys office and its witnesses to freely speak and quote from grand jury evidence, but not President Trump or his counsel, according to the filing.

Trump said he doesnt object to an order that allows him to comment on the evidence.

A spokeswoman for Bragg declined to comment on Trumps arguments.

Trumps request was reported earlier by the New York Times.

(Updates with Braggs office declining to comment at bottom.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Former US president Donald Trump has repeatedly denied E. Jean Carroll's rape allegation

A woman told a New York civil trial on Tuesday that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her on a flight in the United States in the late 1970s.

Jessica Leeds recounted the alleged attack while testifying in the writer E. Jean Carroll's rape and defamation lawsuit against the ex-president.

Trump denies all allegations of sexual assault and has never been criminally prosecuted over any such claims.

Leeds told Manhattan's federal court that Trump put his hand up her skirt in the business class section of a flight to New York in 1978 or 1979.

"There was no conversation. It was like out of the blue," said Leeds, now 81.

"He was trying to kiss me, grabbing my breasts," she added.

Leeds first made the allegation in an interview with the New York Times weeks before the 2016 election that sent Trump to the White House.

Some dozen women came forward accusing Trump of sexual misconduct in the run-up to the vote.

Leeds went public with the accusation after Trump refuted sexual assault allegations during a presidential debate with Hillary Clinton.

"I was furious because he was lying," Leeds recalled.

Leeds was called to testify by Carroll's lawyers to try to persuade the nine-person jury that Trump has engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct.

Carroll, 79, has sued Trump alleging he sexually assaulted her in a changing room at the luxury Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in the mid-1990s.

She also claims that Trump then defamed her when he called her "a complete con job" after she went public with the allegation in 2019.

Trump has repeatedly and strenuously denied the allegations.

Carroll filed her lawsuit late last year after a law took effect in New York that gave victims of sexual assault a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers decades after attacks may have occurred.

The suit seeks unspecified damages and asks that Trump retract his comments.

No criminal prosecution can stem from Carroll's civil case but if Trump loses it will be the first time he has ever been held legally liable for an allegation of sexual assault.

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The case is one of several legal challenges facing Trump as the 76-year-old Republican seeks a return to the White House in next year's election.

Last month he pleaded not guilty in a criminal case related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star just before the 2016 vote.

Trump is also being investigated over his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the southern state of Georgia, his alleged mishandling of classified documents taken from the White House and his involvement in the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021.

arb-pdh/
Park Myung-ha, right, a senior member of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), speaks during a news conference in front of the KMA building in Yongsan District, Tuesday, announcing plans made by a coalition of 13 medical workers' organizations to protest against the controversial passage of the Nursing Act. Yonhap



Coalition threatens general strike May 17 if president does not veto bill



By Jun Ji-hye



A group of doctors and other medical workers  except professional nurses  will begin a collective action on Wednesday in protest of the controversial introduction last Thursday of the Nursing Act by the National Assembly controlled by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.



A coalition of 13 medical workers' organizations including the Korea Medical Association (KMA) and the Korean Licensed Practical Nurses Association announced Tuesday that its collective actions will begin with shortening consultation and practicing hours, and holding rallies across the country.



In Seoul, a rally will be held at 5:30 p.m. near the National Assembly.



The coalition led by the KMA  comprised of doctors  said another partial strike will be held on May 11.



The coalition threatened its 4 million members will go on a general strike on May 17 if President Yoon Suk Yeol does not exercise his veto power against the bill.



The partial strike may have minimal impact as the medical workers are planning to work normally in the morning and join the strike in the late afternoon "to minimize any inconvenience to patients."



But, as the coalition is comprised of radiology technicians, dentists, emergency medical technicians and care workers, as well as doctors and nursing assistants, its general strike could paralyze medical services for the public.



Bracing for possible chaos in the country's health care system, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has shifted into emergency mode, asking the coalition to refrain from collective actions.



"The Nursing Act is a bad law as it privileges only nurses and discriminates against other medical workers," Park Myung-ha, a senior member of the KMA, said during press conference. "According to the KMA survey, more than 80 percent of the medical workers agreed with the need to take collective actions against such a bad law."



Park noted the coalition is paying keen attention to whether President Yoon will veto the bill.



"We hope the president will make a decision. Then, the coalition will hold additional discussions regarding our plans after May 17," he said.





Lee Pil-soo, left, president of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), holds hands with Kwak Ji-yeon, who heads the Korean Licensed Practical Nurses Association, at a sit-in protest site in front of the KMA building in Yongsan District, Tuesday. The two began a hunger strike after the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea passed the controversial Nursing Act unilaterally last Thursday. Yonhap
Lawyers for Donald Trump argued Monday that the Manhattan district attorneys proposal to prohibit the former president from talking about the evidence and witnesses in the criminal case against him was extremely restrictive and could unfairly affect his presidential campaign.

In a new court filing, Trump's attorneys criticized the proposed protective order, which asked the judge to prevent him from publicly discussing some of the evidence.

"The People have proposed what would be an unprecedented and extraordinarily broad muzzle on a leading contender for the presidency of the United States," Trump attorneys Susan Necheles, Joe Tacopina and Todd Blanche wrote to New York state Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case.

The Peoples Proposed Protective Order infringes upon President Trumps First Amendment right to freely discuss his own character and qualifications for federal office and the First Amendment rights of the American people to hear President Trumps side of the story, it said.

The filing is in response to a motion last week from prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office who are seeking to bar Trump from publicly disclosing evidence that is due to be turned over to his defense team as the case moves toward trial next year.

The filing by Assistant District Attorney Catherine McCaw argued that safeguards that will protect the integrity of the materials are necessary because the risk that Trump would use them inappropriately is substantial. She asked the judge to ensure that the defense could use discovery materials only for trial purposes and that Trump view the evidence only in the presence of his lawyers.

McCaw cited Trumps record of speaking out against witnesses, investigators and court officials involved in the swirling probes in his orbit.

Donald J. Trump has a longstanding and perhaps singular history of attacking witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, trial jurors, grand jurors, judges, and others involved in legal proceedings against him, putting those individuals and their families at considerable safety risk, McCaw wrote.

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She pointed to Trumps attacks against his former personal attorney Michael Cohen as one such example. Cohen is expected to be a key witness in the DAs case, which involves hush money payments Cohen was involved with.

Adult film star Stormy Daniels, another witness Trump has criticized, received some of the payments. Trump has denied her claim that they slept together and called her insulting names.

Monday's court filing said both Cohen and Daniels have criticized Trump and discussed the evidence publicly for years.

"For example, in one of Michael Cohens books, he repeatedly calls President Trump disparaging names, including stating that President Trump was 'a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man.' Stormy Daniels also engages in extensive name calling and belittling of President Trump in the book she published," the filing said.

Trump's attorneys also argued that the proposed protective order was a one-way street, restricting the defense from discussing the evidence publicly while not similarly limiting prosecutors or witnesses, such as Cohen and Daniels.

"Surprisingly, the People apparently believe that New York law allows the District Attorneys Office and its witnesses to freely speak and quote from grand jury evidence, but not President Trump or his counsel," the defense attorneys wrote.

Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records last month and pleaded not guilty. He maintains his indictment  the first of a former president  is the result of a politically motivated witch hunt by Bragg, a Democrat. Trump has also accused Bragg, who is Black, of being a racist for investigating him.

Trump's lawyers argued Monday for a scaled-down version of the proposed protective order while suggesting it was not really necessary.

"Notably, even though the People refer to numerous investigations into, and lawsuits against, President Trump, they fail to point to even one instance where President Trump has misused discovery that was obtained by him or his lawyers. Rather, the People claim 'good cause' exists for their extreme proposed protective order because President Trump has a purported history of calling other people names," they contended.

The DAs office declined to comment on the filing.

The filing did not mention the surge in death threats against Bragg since Trump started complaining about him or the threats against others who have been targets of Trump's wrath on social media.

In her filing last week, McCaw noted that prosecutors were not seeking a gag order  they just wanted to make sure Trump did not misuse their evidence.

Defendant has a constitutional right to speak publicly about this case, and the People do not seek to infringe upon that right, she wrote.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

The former presidents rape trial moved into a pivotal phase on Tuesday, as jurors heard from a former businesswoman who reinforced E. Jean Carrolls rape storyby testifying that Donald Trump shoved his hand up her skirt during a cross-country flight.

Trump decided to kiss me and grope me, testified Jessica Leeds, an 81-year-old woman who recalled a dreadful business flight to New York nearly four decades ago. She described how they chatted for hours and ate together, only to have Trump suddenly strike.

There was no conversation. It was out of the blue it was like a tussle he was touching my breast. It was like he had 40 zillion hands, Leeds said.

Leeds unsettling testimonyabout what Trump allegedly did and how he resorted to misogynistic comments to deny it ever happenedwas used to bolster Carrolls claims, which now threaten to harm Trumps image and empty his bank accounts.

Trump Lawyers Shameful Cross-Examination of E. Jean Carroll

During the past week, Carrolls lawyers have methodically built her case. Carroll herself testified in detail how Trump sexually assaulted her in a fitting room within the lingerie department at the citys high-end Bergdorf Goodman clothing store. And theyve already used Trumps own wordshow you can grab women by their genitalia when youre a celebrityagainst him. But Carrolls lawyers on Tuesday began to draw attention to other accusations made against the real estate mogul.

Leeds, a longtime Wall Street stockbroker who retired to the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, described her own encounter.

On the witness stand, Leeds said she didnt even know who Trump was when a flight stewardess snatched her from the back of the plane and told her she had an invitation up in first class.

I wasnt aware of the social scene or the real estate scene in New York City, said Leeds, who was then a traveling sales representative living in Connecticut.

She described sitting in an aisle seat next to Trump, who sat by the window in a row that faced a wall known as the bulkhead. Within minutes, she said, he pounced on her aggressively. She testified that when he ran his hand up her skirt, she gathered the strength to get up and storm back to her original seat in the rear of the planes cabin.

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Earlier in the trial, Trumps lawyers made much of the fact that Carroll didnt scream during her alleged attack at Bergdorf Goodman. On Tuesday, her lawyers seized an opportunity to remind the jury of how brutish that expectation is, with attorney Michael Ferrara asking Leeds to explain her silence that day.

It never occurred to me to yell, she said.

Why not? Ferrara asked.

I dont know, she responded, having noted that a voice inside her head kept asking, Where is the stewardess? Why doesnt somebody come and help me?

Leeds also reminded the courtroom that there were different societal norms back then, and men expected women to keep quiet about commonplace sexual harassment.

It never occurred to me to tell anybody, Leeds said, describing how she waited in her seat until everyone left the plane so as to avoid facing Trump again on her way out.

Trumps Lawyers Go After E. Jean Carrolls Fabulous Life

After a lunch break, Leeds elicited gasps from the courtroom when she testified that she ran into Trump again in 1981during a Humane Society gala in Manhattan. She claimed that the real estate developer was with his pregnant wife, Ivana, when he spotted her and said, "I remember you. You're that cunt from the airplane."

When it was the other side's turn, Trump defense lawyer Joe Tacopina prodded Leeds with questions meant to cast doubt on her version of the eventsnoting that, like Carroll, she stayed quiet for decades, has forgotten exactly when it happened, and only went public when Trump became a political powerhouse.

"I had to wiggle my way out," Leeds told him.

"And no one said a word. Including you," Tacopina shot back, much later adding. "Not a single person to corroborate your story?"

He also noted that Trump somehow recognized Leeds at the gala two years later, despite the fact that Leeds had drastically changed her look: the long-haired brunette in a brown tweed skirt suit had chopped it all off and was in a ball gown.

But Carroll's lawyers managed to weaponize that line of questioning as well later that afternoon.

"Why did you cut your hair?" Ferrara asked her.

"For the same reason I stopped wearing skirts," she said, noting the persistent sexual harassment of the time that included her run-in with Trump. "I didn't want to draw attention to myself."

Tuesday marked a turning point at Trumps rape trial, as the proverbial dams are beginning to burstwith jurors poised to hear all about the former presidents long history of misogyny and allegations of sexual misconduct.

Tacopina tried but failed to keep the jury from hearing his client speak at a 2016 presidential debate, where he shrugged off accusations of groping women and apologized for seeming crude in what he deemed locker room banter.

He was referring to the infamous Access Hollywood tape where he boasted about abusing his celebrity status to prey on unsuspecting beautiful women with a go-to tactic, Grab em by the pussy. Jurors will soon be shown the tape too, and theyll be hearing from yet another journalist who will describe the way Trump allegedly forced himself on her in 2005.

Meanwhile, Trump is notably missing from his own rape trial. While Carroll has been present every day in court since the start last Tuesday, the former presidents lawyers have given no indication that hell even pop his head in. Instead, he just announced that hell be attending a CNN town hall in New Hampshire to support his bid to return to the White House in 2024.

Trump has, however, stopped making incendiary statements online. Ever since U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan made repeated stern warnings last week about Trump potentially breaking laws by disrupting the trial from afar, the former president has ceased posting about the case on Truth Social.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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NEW YORK  Donald Trump will not testify in the civil lawsuit accusing him of raping a woman in the mid-1990s, the former presidents lawyer said at trial in Manhattan federal court Tuesday.

E. Jean Carroll, the woman who brought the lawsuit, alleges Trump raped her in a dressing room in the lingerie department of luxury Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman. She is suing him for battery and defamation. He has denied her claims, saying the alleged incident never happened.

Trumps testimony hadnt seemed likely. He hasnt attended any of the trial, which began a week ago, and the courthouse hasnt appeared to make any security changes to accommodate the presence of a former president who has Secret Service protection.



But Trumps lawyer Joe Tacopina had demurred when asked several times by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan whether Trump would testify, leaving the option open.

On Tuesday, however, Tacopina informed Kaplan that Trump had decided against taking the witness stand.

The jury, however, will hear from Trump, albeit not live or in person. An attorney for Carroll said she expects to play about 45 minutes of a videotaped deposition of Trump for jurors.

Jurors heard from a variety of witness on Tuesday, including a friend of Carrolls, Lisa Birnbach, who testified that Carroll called her about five minutes after the alleged incident at Bergdorfs and, breathless and hyperventilating, told Birnbach that Trump had attacked her. Jurors also heard from a woman named Jessica Leeds, who has accused Trump of sexually assaulting her on an airplane in the late 1970s.
Dallas-based retail chain Tuesday Morning is going out of business and closing all of its stores, including its remaining locations in the Charlotte region.

PAST COVERAGE: Tuesday Morning closing all stores

The discount retailer announced on its website it is hosting a going-out-of-business sale as it prepares to close all of its stores. Tuesday Morning will close three more stores in the Charlotte area: at Promenade on Providence, 10828 Providence Road in south Charlotte; Huntersville Square, 14212 Statesville Road in Huntersville; and The Commons at Winthrop, 725 Cherry Road in Rock Hill.

The announcement comes more than a month after Tuesday Morning Corp. obtained $12.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing in hopes of operating through its bankruptcy process, according to the Dallas Business Journal, a CBJ sister paper.

Read more here.

VIDEO: Retail credit card interest rates record high, analysts say




Turlocks homeless residents could have another place to go during weekdays to access services, hang out and use a bathroom. The City Council last week approved having the nonprofit We Care program operate a day center in a six-month pilot program.

The center is proposed to be in a nearly 6,000-square-foot building at 275 Third St. in downtown. It is behind United Samaritan Foundations main facility and USF owns the building.

Council members voted 4-1 on April 25 to approve the pilot program and spend $178,220 to operate it. The money will come from the city agency that succeeded the citys redevelopment agency. Mayor Amy Bublak cast the opposing vote.

We Care Program Turlock Executive Director Maris Sturtevant said she anticipates the day center will open June 5. We Care also operates a 49-bed mens shelter near the day center.

The council vote comes as the city has not completed its renovation of the Turlock Gospel Missions day center at Broadway and D Street in downtown. Mission Executive Director Christian Curby said in an interview last week that the city closed the center in winter 2019 for the renovation.

Curby said he was not aware of the We Care day center project and has not been able to get answers from the city on when the renovation of the missions center will be completed.

If they are going to open another day center, Id love for them to complete the one theyve got, Curby said last week. The delay comes as Turlock has undergone a huge turnover among its city staff and weathered the pandemic.

Curby said the Gospel Missions center drew about 100 people a day before it closed. He said the mission has been operating a temporary day center in its pavilion that serves about three dozen people a day. Curby said people can receive services, get something to eat and bring their pets.

City Council members and city staff did not discuss the Gospel Missions day center last week when the council approved the We Care pilot program.

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When asked by email how having two day centers would work, City Manager Reagan Wilson said the capacity of both centers substantially addresses the daytime homeless.

Wilson, who became city manager in February 2022, said in another email that Turlock has committed about $300,000 for the Gospel Mission day center renovation.

He said city staff has identified a potential funding source to finish the renovation. The environmental review, comment period and documentation required for the funding source has been completed and he expects the City Council will consider the project in late May or early June.

The We Care day center is expected to operate 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Clients cannot have pets. Sturtevant said the limited hours and barring of pets reflects the need to get the center up and running and the limitations of its funding.

She said the day center closing at 3 p.m. allows We Care staff time to set it up for serving dinner to its shelter clients. We Care has been doing that for about eight months as the work continues on building a new kitchen and dining room for shelter clients. The kitchen and dining room had been housed in a building next to the shelter. We Care relies on community members to bring in dinner while it does not have a kitchen.

The services at the day center include help finding housing. Day center clients also can receive case management and counseling. Sturtevant said clients also can use the centers wi-fi, watch TV, charge their phones and use a computer.

We Care will pay United Samaritans an estimated $46,000 over the six months for rent, utilities, janitorial services and an alarm system, according to a budget proposal that was part the proposal the City Council approved last week.

United Samaritans Executive Director Linda Murphy-Julien said in a text last week that her board needed more information about the pilot program before voting to let it operate in the United Samaritans building.
Hollywood is faced with a strike as the Writers Guild of America is protesting and speaking up about the existential crisis faced by writers.

According to NBC News, after tense negotiations between the guild and Hollywood studios trade association The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers fell through, the unionized writers have forced Hollywood to close down by walking out. This is the first strike in over 15 years.

The guild states that writers face an existential crisis as more studios refuse to acknowledge the work that goes into writing for television and film. The guild said in a statement, The companies behavior has created a gig economy inside a union work force, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing.

The Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers said in a statement that their offer included generous increases in compensation for writers, but the studios failed to agree on the Writers Guilds proposals that would make it mandatory to staff television shows with a certain number of writers for a specific period of time, whether needed or not,' according to NBC News.

The proposals are probably a way the guild hoped Hollywood studios would avail the worries of writers who are facing increasing uphill battles against AI, the increase of streaming programming and the downward trajectory of broadcast viewing. As Shadow and Act have also reported, several scripted series have been cut mid or post-production as networks with streaming components, like Showtime and HBO, fall under new leadership.

Guild members are looking for pay increases and changes to the current business model that makes it tough for writers to earn a living, citing streaming platforms decreasing median writer-producer pay. The guild said, The companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay and separate writing from production, worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels. While writers are working at a minimum regardless of experience, TV and film executives have seen their salaries increase. Writers have cited that streaming shows run fewer episodes than broadcast, which makes income unstable. Also, writers are seeing little to no residual fees for streaming shows since streaming doesnt utilize syndication rules.

The strike has brought late-night shows to an immediate halt, and Saturday Night Live could also go without airing this weekend. Scripted series might have to cut or delay their seasons. It is unclear how long the strike will last or when an agreement will be reached.
Late-night comedy shows have been taken off air in the US after a strike by writers brought production to a halt.

More than 11,000 television and film writers are on strike as their union seeks a deal for better wages and job security.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike is the largest of its kind since 2007 and has impacted some of television's most-watched shows.

Picket lines formed outside studios in Los Angeles and New York on Tuesday.

Speaking outside the Paramount studios in LA, The West Wing actor Rob Lowe said: "I came out to support the writers because as actors, we're only as good as the writing we get."

Here's a quick breakdown on the immediate impact the strike will have on viewers, and how the last strike of this kind changed television.

Which shows are affected?

Striking writers outside the Netflix offices and Sunset Bronston Studio, the Old Warner Brothers Studios, in Los Angeles

On Tuesday, without their writing teams penning jokes, all of the top late-night talk shows went dark.

NBC's The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central's Daily Show with Trevor Noah and ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live were pulled off air, along with CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers.

As the week goes on, NBC's flagship sketch show Saturday Night Live will air repeats instead.

Daytime soap operas could also soon be disrupted, like The Young and the Restless and General Hospital, as the episodes are written, filmed and broadcast in a short timeframe.

Depending on the duration of the strike, primetime comedies and dramas will likely continue as scheduled for now, as seasons for those have already been written and filmed.

If the strike goes into the summer, new seasons of top shows could be pushed back and delayed.

The LA Times noted that filming permits have been sought in the city for some TV productions, even as the strike gets under way.

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Netflix said it will feed its service with shows produced outside of the US as the strike continues. Meanwhile, HBO Max, which recently rebranded as Max, said it had an arsenal of shows already written, filmed and ready to release.

Will films be hit?

Probably not. Full-length feature films take two to three years to produce, and studios already have a steady stream of movies already shot and written. Though it all depends on how long this strike lasts.

What happened last strike?

The last writers' strike in 2007-2008 lasted 100 days and cost the California economy $2bn (1.6bn) due to many cancelled and delayed shows.

Big fan favourites like Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Breaking Bad and The Office were all affected. Other shows went on without their writers, but their quality was significantly hit.

Even a James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, suffered. The movie's script had barely been written when the strike began.

"There was me trying to rewrite scenes - and a writer I am not," Bond star Daniel Craig said at the time.

Similar to this strike, late-night shows also felt the most immediate effect without the help of writers drafting their scripts and jokes.

One host, Conan O'Brien, went on air and simply spun his wedding ring for as long as possible in solidarity with the striking writers.

Some have credited the last strike for boosting the prominence of reality TV, like Donald Trump's The Apprentice and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, as those shows do not require any pre-writing.

Back then, many daytime soap operas stayed on air with non-union writers. This time, the Writers Guild has warned that any writers that break the strike will be banned from future membership.

The last strike, however, was not the longest: a Writers Guild strike in 1988 lasted 153 days.

As for how long this current strike will last, it is anybody's guess.

Why are the writers on strike?

US writers have gone on strike largely due to issues tied to fair wages, especially in the face of a rapidly expanding streaming economy.

Writers have reported being paid less when working on shows that are commissioned or led by streaming platforms.

In broadcast television, writers would be hired for a 22-episode season of television and would be paid - often handsomely - upfront, and then also receive residual fees when shows were rerun.

But nowadays, writers working on shows for streaming platforms have spoken out on being asked to provide weeks or months of rewrites of scripts without compensation.

The length of seasons for streamers has also shrunk - sometimes just six-to-eight episodes in total - meaning less money to go around overall.

Another notable issue is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the impact it could have on script writing. The guild wants assurances that humans will still get work, no matter how clever or creative these AI systems will become.
A pitstop on the way to a Braves game turned into a terrifying incident for an 8-year-old Georgia girl and her family, WMAZ reported.

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According to the Bibb County Sheriffs Office, Brett and Hayley Hester were traveling from Valdosta to Atlanta when they stopped at a rest stop on I-475.

Hayley Hester said she and her daughter had gone into the bathroom, where they saw twin girls, one of whom was using a tablet on the bathroom counter.

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Hester told deputies she didnt think anything of it. While Hester was using the bathroom, the two girls approached her daughter and covered her mouth with their hands and tried to drag her out of the bathroom by her ponytail, deputies said.

They eventually let the child go and ran off into the woods.

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Brett Hester said they called 911 because they thought the twins were attempting to kidnap their daughter.

When deputies arrived, they found the twins, one of whom was hiding under a tractor-trailer. Both girls were taken into custody and put in the back of the patrol car.

Deputies made contact with the twins mother, who said the family is homeless and that the twins have been having behavioral problems.

The twins, who were not identified, were already facing charges from a shoplifting incident at a Walmart.

They were charged with simple battery and turned over to their mother. They are not being identified because they are juveniles.

The child was checked out by EMS for a rapid heart rate and released.
American Idol judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will have two recognizable stand-ins for an upcoming episode of the ABC singing competition, host Ryan Seacrest announced Monday.

Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette will step in to join judge Luke Bryan for the Sunday, May 7 episode, thanks to the events surrounding King Charles coronation, which will take place that same weekend in the U.K.

Richie and Perry are slated to perform at the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday. But they wont be entirely absent from the upcoming American Idol episode since they plan to make virtual appearances during the live taping of the show.

Sheeran and Morissette made virtual appearances during Monday nights episode to share their excitement about their upcoming roles as guest judges. Morissette will serve as both guest judge and mentor to the contestants.

I cant wait to guide you through this stage of the competition and career, Sheeran said. This is the first time Ive done this on American Idol. I cant wait to take the iconic American Idol stage.

The finalists will compete on Sunday in hopes of getting a spot in the final five.

Richie has discussed his excitement about his involvement in the upcoming coronation events.

The All Night Long music icon told Extra last week that the invitation to perform at the coronation concert was a highlight in his life.

Im walking in history, he said. This is a moment that he [King Charles] gets to shine, and Im very happy for him and the queen [Queen Camilla]. And so at this particular point right now, Im just going to be a spectator and a fan.

Asked what hell perform, Richie answered, I cant say a word.

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A fire burnt a home at the corner of College Street and Webster Street in Boone Monday afternoon. Michael Glynn, 45, was arrested after engaging in a stand-off with Boone Police for more than two hours.

A Boone subject is in custody following a two-hour stand-off that led to a house fire Monday afternoon.

However, despite years of criminal activity in Boone, Hamilton, Polk and Green counties, including breaking no-contact orders, bail for Michael Craig Glynn has been set.

Bail was set Tuesday at $250,000 cash in the defendant's name only. If bond is posted, Glynn must contact the Department of Correctional Services within 48 hours to be fitted with a GPS monitoring device and remain under the supervision of the department, court documents state.

Second Judicial District Court of Iowa Judge James Malloy also decided on Tuesday that despite claiming a personal income 200% over the state guidelines, Glynn would be represented by public defender David Barajas of West Des Moines.

Glynn claimed $36,000 per year in oncome and listed the Copperhead Bar in Stratford as his employer. This is the bar owned by his wife, Patricia Moorman. Glynn is charged with breaking into the bar April 23. He is charged with damaging the structure and drinking an unknown amount of alcohol with the intent of depriving the owner of the review, a criminal complaint says.

Events on Monday were chaotic and fast-moving

Boone police officers were called to 1306 College Street shortly after 2:40 p.m. for reports of a violation of a no contact order. Authorities found Michael Craig Glynn, 45, barricaded inside a home near the intersection with Webster Street.

Glynn was the only person in the residence at the time, according to a Boone Police Department press release. The house is owned by Patricia Moorman.

Boone Police said Glynn refused to leave the house during more than 60 minutes of negotiation. A fire later sprouted from within the home around 3:34 p.m., eventually spreading to the entire structure.

Flames were extinguished by 5:30 p.m. though Boone Police Commander John Sloter said he believes the home is a total loss.

More: Former Boone County deputy charged in K-9's death

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Glynn fled the residence at 4:44 p.m. - more than two hours after the initial stand-off began - where he was shot with bean bag rounds by Boone Police. He was eventually apprehended by an Iowa State Patrol K9 officer, who bit Glynn, Sloter said. The suspect was transported to Boone County Hospital for treatment of injuries caused by the smoke and the K9.

Charges are pending at this time.

A fire at the intersection of College Street and Webster Street in Boone Tuesday was the result of a more than two-hour stand-off between Michael Glynn and Boone Police.

A no-contact order has been in place against Glynn since April 23 when he broke into The Copperhead Saloon and Grill in Stratford. Glynn has been charged with third-degree burglary for the break-in, according to court documents.

A fire erupted at a home Monday afternoon near the intersection of College Street and Webster Street in Boone. Local authorities said they arrested Michael Glynn, 45, after a more than two-hour stand-off, which led to the fire.

Glynn has been charged with numerous felonies in Iowa and Wisconsin as well as charges of driving without a license in Polk, Story, Hamilton, Greene and Boone counties, among others.

The Boone Fire Department and the Boone County Ambulance were on site to respond Monday's structure fire once it was safe to do so, the press release said. The Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team also responded to assist as did an investigator from the State Fire Marshalls Office.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Glynn's bond and release conditions.

Brandon Hurley contributed to this story. Teresa Kay Albertson covers politics, crime, courts and local government in Ames and central Iowa for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her on Twitter @TeresaAlberts11 and at talbertson@registermedia.com, 515-419-6098.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Boone home is total loss, police commander says
This captured image shows State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel speaking during a daily press briefing at the department in Washington, U.S., May 1. Yonhap



The United States steadfastly remains committed to engaging in dialogue with North Korea, a state department spokesperson said Monday, after Pyongyang denounced the agreement reached by the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. on strengthening U.S. extended deterrence commitment to South Korea.



The North has argued the Washington Declaration issued last week by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden reflected the U.S.' "heinous hostile policy" toward North Korea while making "nuclear war" against North Korea a fact.



"The important thing to remember here is that President Biden and President Yoon expressed a shared vision of a strong and deeply integrated U.S.-ROK alliance that maintains peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," Vedant Patel, state department deputy spokesperson, said of the Washington Declaration, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.



"The president (Biden) believes that the DPRK's efforts to advance its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, as well as its destabilizing and dangerous rhetoric, requires a series of prudent steps to strengthen deterrence. which we think are elaborated through the Washington Declaration," he added.



DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.



On Saturday (Korea time), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, argued the declaration reflected the "most hostile and aggressive will of action," warning that it will only make "peace and security of Northeast Asia and the world be exposed to more serious danger."



Patel pointed out that the leaders have also reaffirmed their commitment to engaging with North Korea.



"As the Washington Declaration so clearly states, both presidents  President Biden and President Yoon  remain steadfast in their pursuit of dialogue and diplomacy with the DPRK," he told a daily press briefing.



"We have a shared goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," added Patel.





Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, answers questions during an official welcome ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 26, Yonhap
Two men were arrested Monday after an attack on a corrections deputy at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, according to a media release from the county.

On May 1, officers with the Wenatchee Police Department were called to a report of an assault by two inmates on a deputy inside the jail.

According to the county, the deputy had been knocked to the ground and repeatedly struck with weapons, while also being kicked and hit.

A second deputy stopped the attack.

The improvised weapons were confiscated and appeared to be made from material from inside the jail.

According to the county, surveillance video showed Benito E. Licea, 24, started the attack by hitting the deputy and knocking him to the floor, hitting him continuously.

Javier Valdez, 28, immediately joined in with the attack, striking the deputy in the head with stabbing motions.

According to the county, Licea and Valdez were seen on camera talking to each other before the attack.

The deputy suffered several puncture wounds and cuts to his head, neck, arm, and hand. He was treated and released at Central Washington Hospital.

Licea and Valdez were arrested on charges of attempted aggravated murder, prison riot, and possessing weapons as prisoners.

They remain in custody at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.
airplane flying among the clouds - This airline had the most complaints in the last year

According to recent data published by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Frontier Airlines had the highest rate of passenger complaints among U.S. carriers in 2022. The Denver-based airline received over twenty complaints for every 100,000 passengers who boarded its aircraft. By comparison, the national average was about six passenger complaints per 100,000.

In 2022, the airline industry experienced a surge in demand for air travel after the pandemic-related restrictions were lifted. However, a staff shortage due to layoffs and retirements during the pandemic led to one of the most disruptive years for flyers. Consequently, delays and cancellations became a common occurrence throughout the year.

Southwest Airlines was particularly affected by a severe winter storm and system outages, leading to the cancellation of their entire flight schedule in late December. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported a significant increase in passenger complaints against all airlines, both domestic and foreign, from 49,991 in 2021 to 77,656 in 2022. Of these, grievances against U.S. airlines more than doubled from 20,365 to 47,591.

Photo Credit: David Prado

A Disruptive Year Of Air Travel

Air travel is just a mess right now, said Teresa Murray, director of Consumer Watchdog at the nonprofit U.S. PIRG Education Fund in an accompanying writeup. Murray is also the author of a report on last years airline troubles.

Our analysis shows the complaints-to-passengers ratio was more than five times higher in 2022 than in 2019, Murray said.

Airlines often post unrealistic schedules, they cancel flights and they drag their feet with refunds. Airlines and online ticket agents just dont face enough consequences when they abuse customers.

Record Year Of Complaints Against Airlines

A new report from the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has revealed that U.S. airlines received more complaints from consumers in 2022 than in any year in the last 25 years. Using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the report notes that there were 77,656 complaints filed in 2022, the second-highest number on record. The report notes that in 2020, most of the complaints were filed against foreign airlines. In 2022, however, U.S. airlines received the highest number of complaints since 1997, with 47,591 complaints filed.

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The report also analyzed the complaint rates of individual airlines. Horizon Air had the lowest complaint rate at 1.09 per 100,000 passengers, followed by SkyWest Airlines at 1.37 and Mesa Airlines at 1.74. Among the largest carriers, Delta had the lowest complaint rate at 2.66, while Southwest Airlines had the highest rate at 6.75.

The report also found that the on-time arrival rate for flights decreased in 2022. Fewer than 77% of flights arrived on time compared to more than 81% in 2021. Delta had the best rate at 82.5%, while Allegiant Air had the worst rate at 63%. The national flight cancellation rate was 2.7%, up from approximately 1.8% in 2021. Hawaiian Airlines had the lowest cancellation rate at 0.92%, while JetBlue had the highest rate at 3.74%.

Finally, the report analyzed the rate of mishandled bags, which climbed from 0.51% in 2021 to 0.64% in 2022. Allegiant Air had the lowest rate of mishandled bags at 0.16%, while American Airlines had the highest rate at 0.94%.

This report highlights the significant disruptions and dissatisfaction that air travelers experienced in 2022. As travel demand increased post-pandemic, airlines struggled to keep up. Reduced staffing and weather-related disruptions led to increased complaints and reduced on-time performance.

RELATED: Frontier Airlines No Longer Offering Customer Service By Phone
AFP

Sudanese exiled rebel leader Abdel Wahid Nur -- a veteran of decades of fighting in the troubled Darfur region -- says there can be "no winner" in the war now raging between two rival generals."The Sudanese people want neither of them," Nur, now based in neighbouring South Sudan, told AFP. "They want a civilian government."Battles have flared for weeks between Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). "What's happening in Sudan is a disaster," Nur, 55, said in an interview in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, where he lives after spending years in Paris."There is no winner in this war," said the leader of a faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) whose members, he said, have not joined the fighting. The battles have turned Khartoum into a war zone and also killed scores in Darfur, which Nur said once more suffers "war crimes and crimes against humanity".Nur was a leader of the Darfur rebellion from 2003 when African minority groups rose up against Arab elites they accused of monopolising Sudan's political power and wealth.The Islamist-backed strongman then in power, Omar al-Bashir, unleashed the notorious Janjaweed militias, the forerunners of the RSF, whose atrocities shocked the world.The unrest killed at least 300,000 people and displaced 2.5 million, according to the UN. The bloodshed led to international charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Bashir and others.Although Darfur's conflict subsided over the years, the region remains awash with weapons and sporadic violence erupts, often over access to water, land and resources.- 'Hands of oppression' -Sudan's military ousted Bashir in April 2019 following mass pro-democracy protests, and Burhan has been the de facto leader since then.Daglo, from Darfur's pastoralist camel-herding Arab Rizeigat people, rose to prominence with the Janjaweed, which made up the bulk of the RSF formed in 2013. In October 2021, Burhan and his then number-two Daglo jointly staged another coup that upended the country's fragile transition to civilian rule. The two generals then engaged in a power struggle, most recently over the RSF's integration into the regular army, which has now flared into bloody violence. "The two bodies fighting now once acted as Bashir's hands of oppression," said Nur."The army and Burhan personally supervised the making of the Janjaweed," he said, adding that his own movement opposes both and only fights "oppression".Nur described the conflict as the expected outcome of a "political struggle that became militarised". The current fighting has killed more than 550 people, wounded thousands and sent more than 100,000 fleeing abroad.In West Darfur state, the UN says, the hostilities "have triggered intercommunal violence", which have seen many deaths and accounts of rampant looting and burning of property.- Ambition to rule -Nur's SLM faction refused to sign a 2020 peace deal with Sudan's short-lived transitional government installed following Bashir's ouster.It charged that the accord, signed by other rebel groups, failed to address the root causes of Sudan's conflicts.Nur said his movement had however observed "a unilateral ceasefire since Bashir's ouster and have since committed to it" to give a chance to the planned transition to civilian rule.Nur belongs to the ethnic Fur tribe in Darfur, and analysts believe his faction still maintains considerable support.A report last year by UN experts said Nur's faction was among Darfuri armed groups "receiving payments and logistical support" in exchange for sending mercenaries to strife-torn Libya.The UN experts, in 2020, also said Nur's group had strengthened its miliary capability following the discovery of gold in its area.Nur rejects the allegations and says he does not support either side in the current war, stressing that his fighters play no role in it.Nur said the conflict reflects the two generals' ambitions to rule Sudan but is only "increasing the suffering" of the people, especially in Darfur.In a country with a history of military coups, Burhan and Daglo have each touted themselves as champions of democracy seeking to restore the transition to civilian rule. Nur, recalling the mass youth-led protests that led to Bashir's overthrow, said the Sudanese people reject both of them."I don't think they will ever accept military rule," he said.bur/it/fz
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said on Monday it expected to receive next-generation delivery vehicles in June 2024, nine months behind a prior schedule.

In March 2022, the USPS placed an initial $2.98 billion order for 50,000 next-generation delivery vehicles from Oshkosh Corp and previously said it expected to begin receiving deliveries in October 2023.

USPS disclosed the delay on Monday in a court filing.

In April 2022, 16 states and environmental groups filed a lawsuit seeking to block USPS's plan to buy mostly gas-powered next-generation delivery vehicles, arguing that the agency failed to comply with environmental regulations.

USPS said in a filing it planned to file a supplemental environmental impact statement to modify its next-generation delivery vehicle (NGDV) acquisition program by June 30.

In February 2021, the USPS announced an initial $482 million contract for Oshkosh and said it could order up to 165,000 vehicles over 10 years in a high-profile deal it said could be worth $6 billion or more.

The modern vehicles will replace many older USPS vehicles that lack air bags and other safety equipment as well as air conditioning.

In December, USPS said it would more than double planned electric delivery vehicles purchases after initially saying it would buy nearly all gasoline-powered delivery vehicles.

USPS said it now plans to buy at least 66,000 electric vehicles (EVs) through 2028, including at least 45,000 out of 60,000 Oshkosh-built NGDVs. USPS also announced in February it expected to buy 9,250 Ford E-Transit EVs starting later this year and an equal number of gasoline-powered models from Chrysler-parent Stellantis.

Congress in August gave USPS $3 billion as part of a $430 billion climate bill to buy EVs and charging infrastructure. The White House said USPS would use $1.7 billion for charging infrastructure. USPS said in February it would buy 14,000 charging stations.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jamie Freed)
By Idrees Ali and Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden's administration will temporarily send 1,500 additional troops to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, in preparation for a possible rise in illegal immigration when COVID-19 border restrictions lift later this month.

The 90-day deployment of active-duty troops will supplement the work of the U.S. Border Patrol but not carry out law enforcement duties, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement. They will conduct ground-based monitoring, data entry and warehouse support to free up border agents and "fill critical capability gaps," Ryder said.

The force will be in addition to an ongoing deployment of about 2,500 National Guard troops.

The so-called Title 42 restrictions, set to end on May 11, allow U.S. authorities to rapidly expel non-Mexican migrants to Mexico without the chance to seek asylum.

Biden, a Democrat running for reelection in 2024, has grappled with record numbers of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since he took office in 2021.

Republicans have criticized Biden for rolling back the hardline policies of Republican former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for his party's nomination. Some Democrats and immigration activists also have lambasted Biden for gradually toughening his approach to border security.

Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Biden's decision to send troops was unacceptable.

"Trying to score political points or intimidate migrants by sending the military to the border caters to the Republican Partys xenophobic attacks on our asylum system," Menendez said in a statement.

The 1,500 troops could arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border by May 10, Ryder said during a briefing. The Pentagon is looking at ways to replace the active-duty personnel with those from the reserve force, he said.

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Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, when asked about the troop deployment in a news conference, said the U.S. is a sovereign nation and that Mexico respects its decisions.

U.S. military troops have been used to help secure the border during previous presidential administrations, including Republican George W. Bush, Democrat Barack Obama and Trump, who deployed thousands of active-duty and National Guard troops.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called such deployments "a common practice."

Pentagon leaders have long been frustrated about military deployments to the border, privately arguing that the mundane tasks are better suited for law enforcement agencies and can affect military readiness.

Immigration advocates have criticized previous efforts to send troops to the border.

"People seeking asylum should be met with humanitarian professionals, welcoming volunteers, and medical and mental health professionals. Not soldiers," tweeted Bilal Askaryar, interim campaign manager of the #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Ted Hesson; Additional by Phil Stewart, Jasper Ward and Andrea Shalal in Washington and the Mexico City Newsroom; Editing by Mark Porter, Richard Chang and Jonathan Oatis)
The University of California, Davis advised students to stay indoors on Tuesday as police search for a suspect involved in a stabbing that occurred early in the morning, the third knife attack in less than a week.

Police received a call about a stabbing late Monday night and located the female victim, according to a press release from the university. The incident occurred in a known transient camp near 2nd and L streets, according to police. She reported she was stabbed multiple times through a tent.

The victim was treated at the scene and taken to UC Davis Medical Center. Authorities say she is in critical condition.

The stabbing follows two others in Davis, Calif.,  a 50-year-old man was attacked Thursday evening, and a senior at the university was stabbed Saturday evening  at different parks near campus. Authorities said the suspect in the most recent stabbing matches the description of previous stabbing incidents.

The suspect was described as a male with a light complexion and curly hair. He stands between 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 5 feet, 9 inches tall and has a thin build, the police said.

In the latest update, he was wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with white stripes, black shoes and was carrying a black backpack. He was last seen running westbound on 3rd Street, the press release states.

Authorities said numerous allied agencies from the Yolo and Sacramento areas are aiding in the search by conducting detailed searches of the surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Davis area using drones and canine units.

While authorities were not able to find the suspect in the search Monday night to Tuesday morning, they confirmed they would continue to patrol the area. Students and residents are advised to remain vigilant.

At this time, it is strongly recommended that the community remain vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and call the Davis Police Department if anyone acting violent, suspicious or matching the description provided is seen, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
According to the new draft legislation, "engaging in acts of homosexuality" would be an offence punishable with life imprisonment

Uganda's parliament on Tuesday passed a new draft of anti-gay legislation, retaining many draconian provisions despite President Yoweri Museveni's call to rework an earlier version of the bill following an outcry by Western governments.

"The bill passed," parliamentary speaker Annet Anita Among said after the final vote saw the legislation win approval from all but one lawmaker.

"We have a culture to protect. The Western world will not come to rule Uganda," she said.

Legislators amended portions of the draft law to clarify that identifying as gay would not be criminalised, but "engaging in acts of homosexuality" would be an offence punishable with life imprisonment.

Although Museveni had advised lawmakers to delete a provision making "aggravated homosexuality" a capital offence, lawmakers rejected that move, meaning that repeat offenders could be sentenced to death.

Uganda has not resorted to capital punishment for many years.

- 'Conflicts in society' -

The revamped bill says that "a person who is believed or alleged or suspected of being a homosexual, who has not committed a sexual act with another person of the same sex, does not commit the offence of homosexuality".

The earlier version also required Ugandans to report suspected homosexual activity to the police or face six months imprisonment.

Lawmakers agreed to amend that provision on Tuesday after Museveni last month said it risked creating "conflicts in society."

Instead, the reporting requirement now pertains only to suspected sexual offences against children and vulnerable people, with the penalty raised to five years in jail.

The bill will now be sent to Museveni, who can again choose to use his veto or sign it into law.

If he were to return the bill to parliament a third time, a two-thirds super-majority of lawmakers could override his veto, forcing the bill through.

The legislation enjoys broad public support in Uganda and reaction from civil society has been muted following years of erosion of civic space under Museveni's increasingly authoritarian rule.

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The European Parliament last month voted to condemn the bill and asked EU states to pressure Museveni into not implementing it, warning that relations with Kampala were at stake.

The White House has also warned the Ugandan government of possible economic repercussions if the legislation takes effect.

Last week the US embassy wrote to delegates working on funding proposals to tackle the AIDS epidemic informing them of delays "in light of the recent developments with the potential signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act and how it could impact our ability to provide services and assistance".

Homosexuality was criminalised in Uganda under colonial laws, but there has never been a conviction for consensual same-sex activity since independence from Britain in 1962.

str/amu/txw/ri
According to the new draft legislation, 'engaging in acts of homosexuality' would be an offence punishable with life imprisonment

Uganda's parliament on Tuesday passed a new draft of anti-gay legislation, retaining many draconian provisions despite President Yoweri Museveni's call to rework an earlier version of the bill following an outcry from Western governments and rights groups.

"The bill passed," parliamentary speaker Annet Anita Among said after the final vote saw the legislation win approval from all but one lawmaker.

"We have a culture to protect. The Western world will not come to rule Uganda," she said.

Legislators amended portions of the draft law to clarify that identifying as gay would not be criminalised, but "engaging in acts of homosexuality" would be an offence punishable with life imprisonment.

Although Museveni had advised lawmakers to delete a provision making "aggravated homosexuality" a capital offence, lawmakers rejected that move, meaning that repeat offenders could be sentenced to death.

Uganda has not resorted to capital punishment for many years.

- 'Conflicts in society' -

The revamped bill says that "a person who is believed or alleged or suspected of being a homosexual, who has not committed a sexual act with another person of the same sex, does not commit the offence of homosexuality".

The earlier version also required Ugandans to report suspected homosexual activity to the police or face six months imprisonment.

Lawmakers agreed to amend that provision on Tuesday after Museveni last month said it risked creating "conflicts in society."

Instead, the reporting requirement now pertains only to suspected sexual offences against children and vulnerable people, with the penalty raised to five years in jail.

According to the new draft, anyone who "knowingly promotes homosexuality" faces up to 20 years in jail -- a provision left unchanged from the original bill.

Organisations found guilty of encouraging same-sex activity could face a 10-year ban.

Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, a leading gay rights organisation whose operations were suspended by the authorities last year, said the passage of the bill posed a grave risk to LGBTQ people.

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"There's a contradiction because the legislation says you can be gay but you shouldn't say anything about it," he told AFP.

Furthermore, the near-unanimous approval of the bill by lawmakers "shows you how extreme and homophobic the MPs are and puts LGBTQ people in even more danger."

- Economic repercussions -

The bill will now be sent to Museveni, who can again choose to use his veto or sign it into law.

If he were to return the bill to parliament a third time, a two-thirds super-majority of lawmakers could override his veto, forcing the legislation through.

Amnesty International urged Museveni to veto the bill, with deputy regional director Flavia Mwangovya calling it a "contemptuous law (that) blatantly violates the human rights of LGBTI individuals in Uganda, including the right to privacy, freedom from discrimination, and the right to equal protection under the law."

"This law will have a devastating impact on LGBTI individuals in Uganda, who already face persecution and discrimination. It will fuel violence and discrimination against LGBTI individuals and reinforce stigma and stereotypes related to homosexuality," she said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The legislation enjoys broad public support in Uganda and reaction from civil society has been muted following years of erosion of civic space under Museveni's increasingly authoritarian rule.

The European Parliament last month voted to condemn the bill and asked EU states to pressure Museveni into not implementing it, warning that relations with Kampala were at stake.

The White House has also warned the Ugandan government of possible economic repercussions if the legislation takes effect.

Last week the US embassy wrote to delegates working on funding proposals to tackle the AIDS epidemic informing them of delays "in light of the recent developments with the potential signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act and how it could impact our ability to provide services and assistance".

Homosexuality was criminalised in Uganda under colonial laws, but there has never been a conviction for consensual same-sex activity since independence from Britain in 1962.

str/amu/lcm
KAMPALA (Reuters) -Uganda's parliament on Tuesday passed one of the world's strictest anti-LGBTQ bills mostly unchanged, including provision for long jail terms and the death penalty, after the president requested some parts of the original legislation be toned down.

The new bill retains most of the harshest measures of the legislation adopted in March, which drew condemnation from the United States, European Union, United Nations and major corporations.

The provisions retained in the new bill allow for the death penalty in cases of so-called "aggravated homosexuality", a term the government uses to describe actions including having gay sex when HIV-positive.

It allows a 20-year sentence for promoting homosexuality, which activists say could criminalise any advocacy for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer citizens.

The legislation now heads back to President Yoweri Museveni, who can sign it, veto it or return it again to parliament.

Museveni, a vocal opponent of LGBTQ rights, has signalled he intends to sign the legislation once certain changes are made, including the addition of measures to "rehabilitate" gay people.

It was not immediately clear if the new bill satisfied his requests, and his office was not available for comment.

The legislation was amended to stipulate that merely identifying as LGBTQ is not a crime. It also revised a measure that obliged people to report homosexual activity to only require reporting when a child is involved.

'USELESS' AMENDMENT

Human rights activist Adrian Jjuuko dismissed the first amendment regarding LGBTQ identification as "useless".

"In practice, the police doesn't care about whether you've committed the act or not. They will arrest you for acting like gay, walking like gay," he said.

Same-sex relations are already illegal in Uganda under a British colonial-era law. LGBTQ individuals routinely face arrest and harassment by law enforcement, and passage of the bill in March unleashed a wave of arrests, evictions and mob attacks, members of the community say.

Story continues

Proponents of the bill say broad legislation is needed to counter what they allege, without evidence, are efforts by LGBTQ Ugandans to recruit children into homosexuality.

After a voice vote on Tuesday that followed less than a half-hour of debate, parliament speaker Anita Among urged lawmakers to remain defiant in the face of international criticism.

"Let's protect Ugandans, let's protect our values, our virtues," Among said. "The Western world will not come and rule Uganda."

Western governments suspended aid, imposed visa restrictions and curtailed security cooperation in response to another anti-LGBTQ law Museveni signed in 2014. That law was nullified within months by a domestic court on procedural grounds.

The U.S. government said last week that it was assessing the implications of the looming law for activities in Uganda under its flagship HIV/AIDS programme.

(Writing by Aaron Ross;Editing by Alison Williams and Conor Humphries)
We are going to see an increase in violence even before the president signs the bill and we are also going to see blackmail and extortion.  Human rights advocate Frank Mugisha

Activists swiftly condemned the Uganda Parliament, which on Tuesday passed a second version of the Anti-Homosexuality Act after the countrys president returned the controversial legislation for revisions.

The latest movement on the anti-LGBTQ bill in Kampala signals that it will likely be signed into law despite stern warnings from the international community and global businesses.

Activists and U.S. officials believe the Anti-Homosexuality Act  which would criminalize LGBTQ+ identity  would be a major human rights setback in Uganda, on the African continent and around the world.

Kenyan gays and lesbians and others supporting their cause wear masks to preserve their anonymity as they stage a rare protest against Ugandas tough stance against homosexuality and in solidarity with their counterparts there on Feb. 10, 2014 outside of the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

We have grave concerns, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told theGrio last week when asked about the latest actions related to the bill.

This bill is one of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world, added Jean-Pierre, who said the U.S. is engaged with Ugandas government at the highest level on this issue.

Supporters of the Anti-Homosexuality Act say a new law is necessary to counter what they believe to be efforts by LGBTQ Ugandans to groom children into homosexuality, Reuters reported. Before Tuesdays vote, speaker Anita Among called on her colleagues to support the bill despite international criticism, to protect Ugandans. Lets protect our values [and] our virtues, Among said. The Western world will not come and rule Uganda.

The Uganda Parliament reconsidered the bill at the request of President Yoweri Museveni, who sought to add provisions.

Frank Mugisha, a human rights advocate in Uganda, told theGrio that the bill that passed Tuesday afternoon local time is essentially the same bill that was passed in late March with minor revisions.

The new bill contains amendments related to compelling one to report aggravated homosexuality when it involves a minor or if someone is abused. It also retained a provision that would allow a landlord to deny someone the ability to rent a home or apartment if someone is known to be homosexual.

Story continues

Museveni now has 30 days to sign the bill into law.

Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni speaks during a joint press conference with Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on July 26, 2022 at the State House in Entebbe, Uganda. (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA/AFP via Getty Images)

Mugisha, who is risking his life and freedom as a vocal LGBTQ+ advocate in Uganda, said his organization, Sexual Minorities Uganda, and others would challenge the Anti-Homosexuality Act in court once it becomes law.

There are so many irregularities around this legislation, Mugisha said. It contradicts our own constitution and international treaties.

He said he is very confident about their chances in the court system. The bill, Mugisha argued, is filled with propaganda and conspiracy theories.

On a personal level, Mugisha admits that he is scared for his life and freedom, as well as the lives of his staff and other LGBTQ+ Ugandans, who would become subject to the penalties in the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

We are going to see an increase in violence even before the president signs the bill and we are also going to see blackmail and extortion, he predicted. Many people will be arrested.

Bishop Joseph Tolton, an activist and religious leader who has done missionary work in Uganda, slammed the passage of the latest version of the bill, which he said masquerades as a specific assault on the humanity of queer Ugandans, adding underneath that thin veneer is a country making a decision that it will bow to the throne of autocracy, embrace nationalism and participate in the reign of white supremacy globally.

Tolton, the executive director of the Pan-African advocacy group Interconnected Justice, called out the unholy alliance between far-right white Christian nationalists in America and their African counterparts at the center of Ugandas anti-LGBTQ movement.

A Ugandan man is seen during the third Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride celebrations on Aug. 9, 2014 in Entebbe, Uganda. (Photo by AP Photo/Rebecca Vassie, File)

Mugisha described the influence of white conservative Christians in Uganda as serious, telling theGrio, they have access to the highest offices in the country and they have a lot of money.

He explained, They come here, they partner with politicians [and] they have a lot of power.

Mugisha said its difficult to hold them accountable because they raise this money from churches and they distribute to their partners as they want.

However, there are U.S. government efforts to hold Uganda accountable for its anti-homosexuality bill as officials seem poised to withhold funding for Ugandas PEPFAR (Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) programs.

PEPFAR has provided needed aid for health care throughout Sub-Saharan Africa since President George W. Bush established it in 2003.

(L-R) Uganda President Yoweri Museveni shakes hands with U.S. President George W. Bush in the Oval Office at the White House on Oct. 30, 2007 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Last week, U.S. officials postponed a crucial meeting with PEPFAR Uganda over concerns about the impact of the anti-homosexuality legislation. A spokesperson for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) told theGrio that the postponement was necessary to give agency officials more time to assess the legal and programmatic implications of the potential new law.

The spokesperson, who commented on background in order to speak on diplomatic issues, said the agency advocates and supports programs to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world and has significant concerns about how the bill will threaten the human rights of Ugandan citizens, jeopardize progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, deter tourism and investment in Uganda and damage Ugandas international reputation.

Workers unload medical supplies to fight the Ebola epidemic from a USAID cargo flight on Aug. 24, 2014 in Harbel, Liberia. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

There is $500 million in annual health assistance and assistance in other sectors on the table, the USAID spokesperson noted.

The impact of our PEPFAR funding, which is aiding Uganda to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, would be severely compromised if we were not able to provide services to Ugandan citizens, said the spokesperson.

Mugisha compelled the U.S. government not to support Uganda in any way, reiterating USAIDs concerns that the anti-LGBTQ law would make it difficult for the agency to achieve its goals. As the National Institutes of Health points out in a study, homophobia continues to fuel the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

The impact will be huge, said Mugisha. PEPFAR provides life-saving medication for many Ugandans who are on HIV/AIDS medication and also PEPFAR funds the technical work and the support for our Ministry of Health.

The activist also called for more progressive voices to speak out against Ugandas Anti-Homosexuality Act. Not doing so, he said, will lead to ramifications across the continent.

Mugisha warned: Once it is signed by the president in Uganda, it is definitely going to spread out in other countries.

Gerren Keith Gaynor

Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai.

The post Uganda Parliament passes new version of Anti-Homosexuality Act. Whats next? appeared first on TheGrio.
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho speaks during a meeting between the finance ministers of Korea and Japan at the 56th Annual Meetings of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Songdo Convention Center, Incheon, May 2. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk





Korea wishes to expand ties with Japan in various areas, including chips and batteries, as well as global issues, such as climate change, the finance minister said Tuesday, as the two countries gear up to normalize economic ties after several years of trade tensions.







"Japan and Korea share common values, such as freedom and human rights," Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said ahead of his bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Incheon, 36 kilometers west of Seoul.







"(As the two countries) take the free trade and market system as the key of their economic management, there are many areas in which the two governments and the private sectors join forces."







The finance minister said it is significant that Korea and Japan have resumed shuttle diplomacy, or regular visits to each other's countries by their leaders. Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was the first Korean president in 12 years to make a bilateral visit to Japan in March.







Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make a two-day visit to Korea next week, according to Japanese media reports.







Choo added Korea and Japan should bolster partnerships in areas that can create shared interests, such as industries including chips and batteries, along with emerging areas, including space and biotechnology.






Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Human Rights Commissioner, is in disagreement with Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, who is responsible for the reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as she has recently advised Ukrainians residing in the occupied territories to refrain from obtaining Russian passports.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing Lubinetss comment on the national 24/7 newscast

Quote from Lubinets: "I dont know what the people who make claims like that are thinking about. I think  in fact, I know for sure  that a statement like that can be used against Ukraine in international courts. Because if we are urging people to remain the citizens of Ukraine, then we as a state are accepting responsibility for guaranteeing the rights of Ukrainian citizens on this territory."

Details: Lubinets further added that those who cannot flee from the occupied territories should not refuse Russian passports, because it could jeopardise their safety.

Previously: On 30 April, Lubinets advised Ukrainians on Russian-occupied territories to obtain Russian passports as a matter of survival.

Meanwhile, Iryna Vereshchuk called on residents of the temporarily occupied territories not to accept Russian passports and not to collaborate with Russian occupation forces.

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(Bloomberg) -- Russias oil exports jumped above 4 million barrels a day last week, offering no sign that Moscow has delivered on its threat to cut output, according to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

Most Read from Bloomberg

President Vladimir Putins government is likely to resume purchases of foreign currency for its reserves as soon as this month as rising oil earnings stabilize public finances despite US and European efforts to squeeze Kremlin income.

In Ukraines east, forces under Kyivs command have pushed back Russian troops from positions in the embattled city of Bakhmut, according to the commander of Ukraines ground forces. Ukrainian officials have signaled that a much-anticipated counteroffensive is imminent.

Key Developments

Russia Seen Buying Yuan Soon as Sanctions, Oil-Cap Hit Eases

Russias Seaborne Crude Flows Climb With No Sign of Output Cut

McCarthy Says He Supports Aid to Ukraine, Urges Russia to Leave

Russian Gold Is in Hands of Obscure Firms as JPMorgan, HSBC Exit

US Visit to Brazil Intended to Balance Lulas Tilt Toward China

(All times CET)

Second Train Derailed by Explosive in Russia in Two Days (9:47 p.m.)

A cargo train was derailed by an explosive device on a rail link near the Russian city of Bryansk, a regional capital near the Ukrainian border, according to local governor Alexander Bogomaz.

A device has blown up near station Snezhetskaya. No one was hurt. A train and several coaches were derailed, the governor said on his Telegram channel. Interfax, citing a Russian Railways statement, said later that that a locomotive and about 20 cars derailed.

On Monday another train was derailed by an explosion in the Bryansk region.

Story continues

Senates McConnell Slams Biden for Dithering (5:03 p.m.)

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said the Biden administration has dithered with slow and halting decisions to provide Ukraine what it needs, including long-range weapons and now fighter jets.

He praised House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for voicing his support for arms to Ukraine during a visit to Israel. Although some hard-line members of McCarthys Republican caucus have opposed more aid to Ukraine, McConnell described the GOP as the party of American strength at home and abroad.

Tinder Owner Match to Exit Russia by June (4:35 p.m.)

Match Group Inc. said all of its dating services, including Tinder, will complete their exit from Russia next month, citing the countrys human rights record.

Our brands are taking steps to restrict access to their services in Russia and will complete their withdrawal from the Russian market by June 30, the company said in its annual Impact Report.

More than 1,000 companies have curtailed operations in Russia since the invasion began last year, according to a tally maintained by the Yale School of Management.

Denmark to Send Up to 1,200 Soldiers to Latvia (4:12 p.m.)

Denmark pledged to deploy as many as 1,200 troops in Latvia under a NATO mission. The battalion will be sent from the middle of 2024 and the soldiers will spend four to six months of the year in the Baltic country and the rest in Denmark, but ready to relocate at a short notice, the Danish defense ministry said in a statement.

Russia Has Enough Ammunition, Minister Says (2:01 p.m.)

Russias defense minister said the military has enough ammunition to fight Ukraines army, just days after the top mercenary commander had warned of a shortage of munitions at the front.

Sufficient ammunition has already been delivered to the Armed Forces this year to inflict effective fire damage on the enemy, Sergei Shoigu told commanders, according to a ministry statement. He also said production of high-precision weapons must be doubled.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group, threatened recently to pull his forces from Bakhmut, blaming an acute shortage of shells and rising casualties.

Russias Seaborne Crude Flows Climb; No Sign of Output Cut (1:37 p.m.)

Two months into Moscows threatened oil output cut, there is no sign of a sustained drop in crude flows out of the country.

Russias exports jumped back above 4 million barrels a day in the week to April 28, a level it has surpassed only once before since its troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Flows were virtually unchanged on a four-week average basis.

EUs Breton to Visit Ukraine in Integration Push (12:37 p.m.)

The European Unions internal market chief Thierry Breton will visit Ukraine next week to gauge the progress on streamlining trade between the EU and Kyiv.

At a meeting with Swedens trade minister, Johan Forssell, Breton discussed the reorganization of Ukraines industrial ecosystem, aligning regulation and matchmaking events hosted for EU companies and counterparts from Ukraine.

I will be in Ukraine next week to make sure that we advance on these topics, Breton told reporters. We are working extremely hard to make sure that Ukraine will be fully prepared to join the EU.

(Previous versions of this story corrected the type of explosive in attack on a Russian train and a US estimate of Russian casualties.)

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Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

The resolution defines the ideology used by Russian authorities as Rashism.

Read also: Rada drafts bill denouncing Russias encroachment on Ukraines statehood

It states that massive and systematic human rights violations both within Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are signs of the Rashist ideology, along with the persecution of citizens for even the smallest signs of dissent, which in modern Russia are interpreted exclusively as a betrayal of national interests.

The documents explanatory note stipulates that the Russian-Ukrainian war exposed to the whole world the real essence of Vladimir Putins political regime as a neo-imperial, totalitarian dictatorship that follows the worst practices of the past.

Read also: Ukrainian parliament approves sanctions against Russian financial institutions

The resolution was backed by 281 Ukrainian lawmakers and, according to its sponsors, will further help hold Russias leadership responsible for its crimes.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia has seen 20,000 troops killed in Bakhmut since December, according to the White House.

Russia has made incremental gains in Bakhmut, but those gains and other actions have come at the tremendous cost of more than 20,000 Russian troops killed and 80,000 wounded across Ukraine since December, the White House National Security Council (NSC) said Monday.

Author's note: A previous version of this story included information from NSC spokesman John Kirby's Monday briefing in which he stated the casualty figures were from Bakhmut. This story has been updated to reflect corrections made by the NSC after the briefing to other media outlets that the casualties were for all of Ukraine, not just Bakhmut. We have reached out to the NSC and will update this again with any information provided.

Update: We heard back from the NSC, but they didn't add anything more substantive than the update to the story we previously made.

Those more than 100,000 casualties since December came as Russians attempted an offensive in the Donbas that has failed, Kirby told reporters, including from The War Zone, Monday afternoon. Last December, the Russians initiated broad operations across multiple lines of effort including Vuldehar, Avdiivka, Bakhmut and Kreminna. Most of these efforts have stalled and Russia has been unable to seize any real strategic and significant territory.

NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby: Russia lost 20,000 soldiers with an additional 80,000 wounded trying to take Bakhmut just in the last 5 months.



The battle for Bakhmut has been ongoing for 10 months. pic.twitter.com/KRvnzu18Yy  Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) May 1, 2023

Even if Russia does capture all of Bakhmut - which has little strategic value to Moscow - it would absolutely not alter the course of the war in Russias favor, said Kirby. Ukraines defenses in the areas surrounding Bakhmut still remain strong.

Story continues

Nearly half of the Russians killed were Wagner soldiers, the majority of whom were Russian convicts that were thrown into combat in Bakhmut without sufficient combat or combat training, combat leadership or a sense of organizational control, said Kirby.

"Intense fighting continues in Bakhmut," Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukrainian commander of ground forces, said Monday on his Telegram channel. "The enemy launched numerous attacks, trying to break through the defense of our positions in several directions. However, thanks to the steadfastness and courage of the defenders of the Fortress, the enemy's actions failed."

Bakhmut UPD: The Armed Forces of Ukraine went on a counterattack, Russians left some positions.



The situation is difficult, but the Russians can't capture the city.#Bakhmut pic.twitter.com/GOP7saV062  Natalka (@NatalkaKyiv) May 1, 2023

In order to move forward, "the enemy uses maximum efforts and does not count on anything," Syrskyi said. "Despite the significant losses of the enemy, new assault groups of Wagner, fighters of other private companies, and paratroopers are constantly rushing into battle. But the enemy fails to take control of the city."

"The situation is quite complicated. At the same time, in some parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions."

"Ukrainian troops have launched counterattacks in parts of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, leading Russian troops to abandon some positions, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, reported on May 1." @KyivIndependent



https://t.co/C6xqgFvvrv https://t.co/iyNdKt5UvF  Doug Klain (@DougKlain) May 1, 2023

Asked about Ukraines casualty figures, Kirby said he was not going to provide them.

I reckon that's going to be up to the Ukrainians to speak to, he said. We wouldn't speak to their casualty rates or their losses. That's up to them to speak to. I'm not ever going to put anything out in the public domain that's going to make their job harder. They are the victims. Russia is the aggressorI don't need to abide by that same sense of courtesy for the Russians and I aint gonna start now.

A military paramedic treats a Ukrainian injured serviceman on a street in the frontline city of Bakhmut. (Photo by ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Regardless of Kirbys reluctance to specify Ukraines losses in Bakhmut, most indications are that they are quite high, both in terms of personnel and equipment.

When asked about suggestions from U.S. officials that Ukraine also has paid too dearly for Bakhmut, Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate, offered a simple explanation in a recent interview.

I personally do not accept these recommendations because we are talking about our people and our cities, he told PBS. And losing even an inch of our land is a big tragedy.

As for the timing of the much anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive, Kirby said that was a decision for Kyiv to make.

That's really a decision for President [Volodymyr] Zelensky to make, said Kirby. It's his military."

Current and future operations, are only for him and his military commanders to decide, said Kirby. Based on our discussions with the Ukrainians about the kinds of material they needed for offensive operations that they want to conduct in the Spring, we have fulfilled nearly everything on that list. Nearly everything. I mean, it's almost 100%.

And theres more military aid to come, he added.

You've seen over the last three, four Presidential Drawdown packages that we've announced that they're very much focused on ammunition and clearing capabilities to allow them to have what they need to break through Russian defenses. And you're gonna see continuing packages coming from us very, very soon.

We will provide details about those future aid packages when we get them.

Before we head into the latest updates from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

Days after a major attack on Sevastopol that set several fuel storage tanks ablaze at a large fuel terminal on the Black Sea port city's west end, Russian officials on Monday claim they downed a Ukrainian drone.

"In the west of Crimea, air defense forces shot down a UAV," Crimean occupation governor Sergey Aksenov said Monday on his Telegram channel. "Our servicemen solve tasks clearly and efficiently. I ask everyone to remain calm and trust only trusted sources of information."

A new drone attack reported in occupied Crimea's Sevastopol



Russian occupational "governor" stated that "air defenses are now repelling the attack of UAVs"

Via Trukha Krym pic.twitter.com/aBF5yxXoO2  Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) May 1, 2023

The U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems and the German-made IRIS-T air defense systems are helping Ukraine defend its skies, Col. Yuri Ignat, Kyiv's Air Force spokesman, said Monday, according to the official Ukrinform news agency.

"Believe me, all the Western weapons that are available now, to one degree or another, are working for our victory," Ignat said. "I mean those anti-aircraft missile systems that we are getting. But they are not enough. We understand that saying that IRIS-T and Patriot are in Ukraine is quite good news for us, but we still need much more of them."

Last week, Ukraine produced a video showing off one of its new Patriots, which you can see below.

Germany this week announced that it has delivered a second IRIS-T system to Ukraine as part of its ongoing aid to Kyiv.

The German government has confirmed the transfer of the second IRIS-T SLM air defense system to Ukraine, according to the website of the German government. pic.twitter.com/CeeLKICMaa  Hromadske Int. (@Hromadske) April 30, 2023

Ukraine's State Emergency Services managed to recover a Kh-55 cruise missile near Kyiv, the Ukrainian OperativnoZSU Telegram channel reported Monday.

"The heavy-type rocket was transported and destroyed by controlled detonation at a special training ground," OperativnoZSU reported.

        -55.



              .https://t.co/7afzWKQabH pic.twitter.com/Nqlsqbf2cG    (@operativno_ZSU) May 1, 2023

Ukrainian volunteers have started to develop a peoples missile called Trembita, according to the Ukrainian military.

"The work is conducted by the engineers from the PARS volunteer design bureau and with the participation of volunteers from the ivic movement Vidsich. Designers plan to create a small cruise missile with a pulsejet engine."

Ukrainian volunteers developing "people's" combat missile "Trembita".



Designers plan to create a small cruise missile with a pulsating jet engine targeting air defence systems.



Weight: 100 kg

Warhead: 20 kg

Range: 140+ km

Speed: 400+ km/h pic.twitter.com/Bv5n8PRQ4R  Clash Report (@clashreport) May 1, 2023

Russia, meanwhile, is apparently continuing to roll out ancient armor, in this case more T-55 and T-62M tanks in the Berdyansk area. You can read more about this back-to-the-future supply effort in our story here.

Russian T-55 and T-62M tanks reportedly in the Berdyansk area.https://t.co/MEuFvYuvxW pic.twitter.com/iaYTz048C3  Rob Lee (@RALee85) April 30, 2023

We've told you about the U.S.-provided AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles, or HARMs, provided to Ukraine that are being used on MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters. You can see them in action in this video below.

Launch of the American high-speed anti-radar missile AGM-88 HARM by the Ukrainian Mig 29 fighter pic.twitter.com/pVQqCQDGEv  Ukrainian Front (@front_ukrainian) April 29, 2023

In the latest incident of apparent sabotage in Russia, the governor of Bryansk Oblast says a train derailed Monday because a section of track was blown up.

"An unidentified explosive device went off at 136 km (84 miles) of the Bryansk-Unecha railway in the Unechsky district, as a result of which a freight train locomotive derailed," Alexander Bogomaz wrote on his Telegram channel Monday. "There were no casualties. Emergency services are currently on the scene. Traffic on this section of the road has been suspended."

In Bryansk region of Russia, as a result of the explosion of a planted explosive device on a railway track, a train with oil products derailed. pic.twitter.com/ZktG4wGS1K  Special Kherson Cat  (@bayraktar_1love) May 1, 2023

A U.S. Marine veteran was killed in the fighting near Bakhmut.

Cooper Harris Andrews, 26, was killed on the outskirts of Bakhmut late last week, CNN reported, citing interviews with his mother and colleagues in Ukraine.

"Andrews, from Cleveland, Ohio, was hit by a mortar, his mother, Willow Andrews said, likely on April 19 on the so-called 'Road of Life'  a rare access road into Bakhmut used by the Ukrainian military to resupply their forces but also evacuate civilians."

Marine veteran Cooper Harris Andrews has been killed during a mortar attack near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on a road used to evacuate civilians. https://t.co/GQzyyFtJRD  Task & Purpose (@TaskandPurpose) May 1, 2023

The New York Times took a deep dive into the fighting in Zaporizhzhia, spending time embedded with the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade.

"For the soldiers of the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade, to which the mortar unit is attached, this is a critical moment in the war," the newspaper reported.

"With fighting in the eastern Donbas region settling into a bloody stalemate, their patch of the Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine could prove to be the next big theater, a focal point of a long-awaited counteroffensive. Ukraine is under pressure to show some measure of success in bolstering morale for soldiers and civilians, shoring up Western support and reclaiming stolen territory."

Journalists @mschwirtz and @dguttenfelder from @nytimes have recently spent two weeks embedded with the 110 TDF Brigade on the Zaporizhzhia front, providing an in-depth account of the daily realities of Ukrainian fighters:https://t.co/fUmclsWR9i  Ukraine Territorial Defense Forces (@TDF_UA) May 1, 2023

The German-provided Gepard short-range air defense system has been a very helpful weapon for Ukraine. Here's a look at its special 35mm ammo that makes it work.

Aufmunitionieren eines Flakpanzer #Gepard 1A2 mit Munition 35mm x 228, HEI-T Sprengbrand. pic.twitter.com/YSUk3O6JcN  Der Gepardkommandant (@gepardtatze) May 1, 2023

Ukraine's Azov Brigade is now training on how to use the domestically produced "Punisher" light attack drone made by UA Dynamics. The drone, with a maximum combat range of 45 km, was first used by Ukrainian special operations forces in April 2022.

        Punisher



Punisher     https://t.co/KXfPmmbZiT# #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/swz0w0yyCP   (@mil_in_ua) April 30, 2023

Thanks to modern technology, this war has produced some dramatic combat footage, like this video below, where you can see trench warfare vividly unfold.

There's an old adage that you get what you pay for. In the case of this Ukrainian soldier in the video below, it was quality gear that saved his life.

    pic.twitter.com/N7qF170w1H     (@small10space) May 1, 2023

And finally, they may not have found the infamous trench beaver, but Ukrainian troops digging trenches did find something interesting - ancient pottery dating back thousands of years.

Ukrainian soldiers found ancient amphoras dating back to 4-5 centuries BC while digging trenches. They're now at the Odessa Archaeological Museum.



Photo by 126 Commerce Brigade Command Territories pic.twitter.com/NNXTUUbyEm  History Defined (@historydefined) April 30, 2023

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ukraine says that for months it has been preparing an offensive aimed at repelling Russian forces

Near the frontline city of Bakhmut, members of a Ukrainian tank unit say they are all set for the expected spring offensive against Russian forces in the country's east.

Surrounded by trees on an overcast day, crew chief Oleksandr and three other soldiers use a special six-metre (20-foot) rod to clean the cannon of their T-72 tank.

While they have not fired in days, they still carry out regular maintenance on their armoured vehicle to ensure they are "always ready", the 41-year-old said.

Ukraine says that for months it has been preparing an offensive aimed at repelling Russian forces from the territory they currently hold in the east and south.

"We have to go ahead because this is our only chance to get home sooner," said Oleksandr, out of breath after cleaning one of the tanks donated by Poland.

"Only through victory. So we're waiting," he added, to the sound of artillery fire and explosions in the distance.

Fifteen kilometres (nine miles) away is Bakhmut, the eastern Ukrainian town which has been at the epicentre of fighting since last summer.

- 'Almost nothing is left' -

In recent weeks, Russians from the paramilitary group Wagner and special forces from Moscow's army have advanced into the centre of the ravaged town.

Ukrainian forces now hold only a small part of western Bakhmut, with the Russian authorities claiming to control about 90 percent of the city, which had a population of 70,000 before the conflict, but has now been reduced to near ruins.

"It seems that almost nothing is left in Bakhmut that is controlled by us," said the tank squadron's commander, a 29-year-old also named Oleksandr.

Fellow tank commander Zaur spent five days in the city last month supporting the infantry, even though "tanks are generally not designed for urban combat".

"The tank is a big machine. It's difficult to turn around, to manoeuvre, to retreat," he told AFP.

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He said the hilly region around Bakhmut is more complicated for tanks than the vast agricultural plains of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south.

Analysts regularly cite those southern areas as potential backdrops to the Ukrainian forces' spring offensive.

- 'Difficult landscape' for tanks -

Around Bakhmut, "this is a very difficult landscape. There are valleys and ditches and very short distances to cover," the squadron commander said.

"So it makes no sense, they (the Russians) can see us. And the visibility from our tanks is rather poor."

To reclaim land, Ukraine said it has formed assault brigades and stocked up on ammunition -- all while doing its best to spare its troops and wear out the Russians on the frontline.

It has also received battle tanks and long-range artillery from its Western allies.

But for Ivan, a 24-year-old mechanic busy cleaning his tank machine gun, the offensive "will not change things as quickly as everyone wants".

"For a counteroffensive, considerable forces are needed, a lot of equipment... I don't think it will happen soon. And it won't be so easy."

In the meantime, he said, "we're servicing the machines, the weapons. We're gathering more intelligence. And we are still waiting."

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Ukrainian soldier near Bakhmut, April 13, 2023

Read also: Ukraine wants security guarantees, accession timeline at NATO Summit in Vilnius, Zelenskyy advisor

In a letter to the parliaments speaker, president, and prime minister, the Ukrainian military have called for dropping the proposed amendment and pivoting away from populism.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, as well as the heads of the Interior Ministry, the General Staff, the State Border Guard Service, the SBU security service, and the National Guard have all signed the letter.

The signatories offered instead to develop a regulatory framework for the remuneration of service members in a more differentiated (way), and most importantly, with the involvement of the command and representatives of the national security and defense sector.

They want to create a working group consisting of MPs, government representatives, and General Staff officers, to jointly develop a bill by late May that would settle the issue.

In particular, the Ukrainian military expressed the following opinions:

Read also: SBU accuses Poltava judge of working for Moscow

 the proposed amendment does not resolve issues related to pay for conscripts and cadets;

 its text does not take into account the peculiarities of serving in different regions and performing tasks of varying degrees of complexity;

 military pay must be fair and backed with budget funding  as opposed to being just an unfunded mandate;

Read also: Denmark to deliver $250 million military aid package to Ukraine

 populism in this issue can have extremely negative consequences and cause frustration.

We support this approach and believe that military issues cannot be resolved without the participation of the military itself, Arakhamia said.

Read also: Eight payment companies get green light from central bank to operate

Therefore, well offer to postpone consideration of resolution No. 8312-P.

Ukraines military had been receiving UAH 30,000 in supplementary payments after general mobilization of 2022, established by a Presidential decree. The decision to cancel the supplementary payments was made in February 2023.

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Read also: Zaluzhnyi meets with NATO SACEUR Cavoli to discuss Ukraine's defense capabilities

Once the UAH 30,000 bonuses were scrapped, several petitions were submitted on behalf of the military, garnering enough support for the bill to be introduced and passed, allowing the payments to be reinstated.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Key developments on May 2:

Blinken says counteroffensive planned within weeks

8 Offensive Guard brigades 'fully formed,' others in progress

US believes Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties in 5 months

CBC: 2 Canadians killed in Bakhmut

Parliament extends martial law, defines Russia's regime as 'ruscism'

Ukraine's new Offensive Guard force has "fully formed" eight assault brigades and will put them under the command of the Armed Forces, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"We have plans to create additional brigades because there is a demand for it, and we have the capabilities," Klymenko said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine news agency, published on May 2.

The Offensive Guard is an initiative launched in February 2023 by Ukraine's National Guard to initially train eight fresh brigades made up of both experienced soldiers and newcomers.

Klymenko said these formed brigades would be equipped with new Western arms and receive training, which takes up to three weeks.

Mentioning security concerns, the minister hasn't specified the total number of planned assault brigades intended.

"The success of the operation in a particular direction will depend on every brigade, every unit, and every military service member and police officer," Klymenko said.

In the coming weeks, Ukraine is reportedly preparing to launch an anticipated counteroffensive, led by fresh brigades armed with Western-provided armored vehicles.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on national television on April 19 that "complex measures" of Ukraine's planned counteroffensive are "already underway" in the east.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on May 2 that Ukraine's success on the battlefield is "the best way" for Kyiv to initiate talks with Moscow.

"We know that the Ukrainians are contemplating a counteroffensive in the weeks to come. Let's see what happens with that. And ultimately, its success on the battlefield is the best way and probably the quickest way to actually get to a negotiation that produces a just and durable peace," Blinken told Fox News.

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He added that the U.S. is open to any peace talks that involve Ukraine maintaining its territorial integrity.

Russias centuries-long quest to conquer Ukraine Editors Note: This is episode 2 of Ukraines True History, a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis. The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

Martial law extended

Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has voted to extend martial law and mobilization for another 90 days, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Voice party) said on May 2.

Now, the martial law will continue until Aug. 18 and is likely to be extended once again.

This is the seventh time since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion that the parliament has voted to extend martial law imposed on Feb. 24, 2022.

Under martial law, Ukrainian men between the ages of 1860, with some exceptions, are not allowed to leave the country, while curfews have been imposed throughout Ukraine.

The parliament has also condemned Russia's regime's ideological bases and social practices, recognizing it as "totalitarian and hateful."

In addition, the parliament has adopted a statement that defined the current Russian political regime as "ruscism," Zhelezniak said, codifying a popular Ukrainian term that combines the words "Russia" and "fascism" when referring to the current Russian regime.

The parliament called on the UN, the European Parliament, the PACE, OSCE, NATO, foreign governments, and parliaments to recognize the existing political regime in Russia as criminal.

The Battle of Bakhmut grinds Russian troops down

The U.S. intelligence estimated that Russia had suffered 100,000 military casualties in the last five months in Donetsk Oblast's Bakhmut area and elsewhere in Ukraine.

The White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said on May 1 the estimated number includes over 20,000 Russian troops killed in action, half of which are the Wagner Group's mercenaries.

"Russia's attempt at a winter offensive in the Donbas largely through Bakhmut has failed," Kirby said, as cited by Reuters, adding that the Russian forces did make some incremental gains in Bakhmut at a "terrible, terrible cost."

Ukraine's forces still hold some positions in Bakhmut after a nine-months-long battle for the city.

CBC News reported on May 1 that two Canadians, members of Ukraine's International Legion, have been killed in action near Bakhmut.

The killed soldiers were Kyle Porter, 27, from Calgary, Alberta, and Cole Zelenco, 21, from St. Catharines in Ontario, according to the report.

Porter told CBC News before his death that the conditions on the front line were like a "meat grinder."

CBC News estimates that five Canadians had been killed in Russia's war since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Bakhmut, Lyman, Avdiivka, and Marinka in Donetsk Oblast remain the primary targets of Russia's offensive operations as Moscow attempts to increase its grasp over the entire eastern region, around half of which it currently occupies.

Ukraine's forces repelled over 20 Russian attacks in these areas on May 2, the General Staff reported in its 6 p.m. update.

According to the military, Bakhmut and Marinka, a small industrial town north of Russian-occupied Donetsk, remain the epicenters of Russian attacks.

ULand Forces Commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported on May 2 that a "number of necessary decisions aimed at ensuring effective defense and inflicting maximum losses" on the Russian troops were made during his visit to the front-line town of Bakhmut.

Apart from Donetsk Oblast, on May 2, Russian forces attacked Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Sumy, and Chernihiv oblasts with missiles and artillery, the General Staff reported.

Flanks around Bakhmut hold as brutal urban fighting continues for city blocks Two months after Ukraines defense of Bakhmut seemed doomed, the bloodiest battle of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine is still going against all expectations. Making rapid advances at the end of February, Russian forces seemed to be on the cusp of surrounding the city, as the only roads Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Collaborator reportedly injured in Melitopol explosion

A Russian proxy police commander in occupied Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast was injured in an explosion near his house, Russian state media reported on May 2.

The unnamed top Russian proxy in the occupied region has been hospitalized, according to the report.

Another Russian state news agency, TASS, later reported that the collaborator's name was Oleksandr Mishchenko. He is a Russian proxy police deputy chief in the occupied region, according to the report.

However, according to the exiled Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov, Mishchenko was killed in a different explosion on April 27. Although not present in Melitopol, Fedorov has been frequently giving updates about the events in the city, citing his sources on the ground.

The May 2 explosion was heard in Melitopol in the early morning, Fedorov reported.

"Immediately after" the explosion, police, and an ambulance "raced through the streets," he said.

Fedorov, who lives in Ukrainian-controlled territory, said that Ukrainians can "expect good news," suggesting that the explosion was the work of local Ukrainian partisans targeting Russian collaborators.

Melitopol has been under Russian occupation since late February 2022.

Explosions are regularly occurring in Meltipol and other Russian-occupied territories where partisan movement is active. Aside from Russian troops, explosions often target local collaborators.

Melitopol is an important rail hub that links Russia to occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov believes that due to defeats on the battlefield, the Russian Federation may announce another "goodwill gesture" under the pretext of a man-made disaster on Russian territory.

Source: Reznikov in an interview with the agency Interfax-Ukraine

Details: According to the minister, the Kremlin is already looking for possible scenarios that it can use to justify the Ukrainian army's next success to the general public [in Russia].

Reznikov suggested that the Kremlin is already looking for scenarios for how to "win this back", and there may be a "goodwill gesture" under the guise of some cataclysm.

Quote: "If you observe public statements in the Russian media, you can see that theyre already using phrases like We probably need to finish our work, We need to move on to defence, We need to hold onto our "newly captured" territories.

After all, in the event of another success by the Ukrainian army, which is absolutely expected of them, you need to understand how to sell it inside your country and present it to the people. They also had overheated expectations: [take] Kyiv in three days, etc. Special military operation in three weeks. And although propaganda in the Russian Federation works extremely well, it becomes more difficult every time...

This is not a forecast, just my reasoning, but still, I would not be surprised if they have some problem in the form of a serious disaster, a man-made one, on the territory of Russia.

For example, suppose something happens to a power plant, a hydroelectric power station or nuclear power plant. In that case, there will be risks for the population which will require immediate attention from the government and a build-up of resources, mainly soldiers. And that way, they will apparently be able to explain to people why they are ending active military operations in Ukraine. That is, they will have to announce a goodwill gesture under the guise of some cataclysm on the territory of the Russian Federation."

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A Ukrainian farmer has designed a remote-controlled mine-clearing tractor using parts from destroyed Russian tanks.

Oleksandr Kryvtsov, who runs an agricultural company in the eastern Ukrainian village of Hrakove, is using panels stripped from Russian armor to protect his tractor from any mines that it may explode, according to Reuters.

"We started doing this just because the crop-sowing time has come, and we cant do anything because the rescue services are very busy," he told the news agency.

"We ran over an anti-tank mine. The protection got blown out [but] the tractor is safe," Kryvtsov added. "Everyone's alive and safe. The equipment was restored and repaired."

US MARINE VETERAN KILLED IN UKRAINE, OFFICIALS SAY

A remote controlled demining machine, created by local farmer Oleksandr Kryvtsov with his tractor and armored plates from destroyed Russian military vehicles, is seen in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine on April 26, 2023.

Footage captured by Reuters shows a nearby worker suspended in a diggers bucket operating the tractor by remote control.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The amount of work is enormous," Serhii Dudak, who is overseeing the tractors demining effort, told Reuters. "It would take years to demine this particular field by hand and to guarantee that there are no mines here."

Last week, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said 30% of the country has been mined by Russia since they launched their invasion last year, Reuters also reported.

Also last week, a U.S. Marine veteran was killed in Ukraine, an activist group said.

RUSSIAS DEFENSE CHIEF WANTS TO DOUBLE MISSILE OUTPUT WITH POTENTIAL UKRAINIAN COUNTEROFFENSIVE LOOMING

A worker uses a remote control to drive the tractor through fields in eastern Ukraine, searching for mines.

Cooper "Harris" Andrews, 26, was hit by a mortar April 19, during a battle for a crucial road to Bakmut, the Resistance Committee said in a statement posted on social media.

He reportedly died while defending evacuees alongside others who were killed.

Protective panels taken from destroyed Russian tanks defend the tractor from any blasts.

Andrews joined the Foreign Legion, a group of foreign fighters assisting Ukrainian forces since being invaded by Russia, according to social media posts.

He served in the Marines from January 2017 to Jan. 16, 2022, a U.S. official told Fox News. He was stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before being discharged as a ground electronics transmission systems maintainer and traveling to Ukraine.

Fox News Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
By Andrew Mills

DOHA (Reuters) -The United Nations will stay in Afghanistan to deliver aid to millions of desperate Afghans despite the Taliban's restrictions on its female staff, but funding is drying up, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.

Guterres, speaking to the media after a meeting of envoys from more than 20 countries in Doha to discuss a common international approach to Afghanistan, also said concerns over the country's stability were growing.

"We stay and we deliver and we are determined to seek the necessary conditions to keep delivering ... participants agreed on the need for a strategy of engagement," Guterres said.

The ban on female Afghan U.N. staff signalled by Taliban authorities last month was a violation of human rights, he said.

"We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented systemic attacks on women's and girls' rights," he said.

Threatening or further isolating Taliban authorities is not a pragmatic approach for countries seeking to alleviate Afghanistan's humanitarian crises or to ease restrictions on women and girls, said Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who attended the envoys' meeting.

"What's the alternative? That's my question to those who claim that (disengagement) is even possible," she told Reuters in an interview, adding that threats towards the Taliban since it took control of Afghanistan 20 months ago have made the movement "more ideological."

"The ordinary 40 million Afghan people ... are on the receiving end of the reality that your decisions created. And we know that in the last 20 months, no one seems to have helped them very well," she said.

Guterres warned of a severe shortfall in financial pledges for its humanitarian appeal this year, which is just over 6% funded, falling short of the $4.6 billion requested for a country in which most of the population lives in poverty.

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He stressed the meeting had not been aimed at recognising the Taliban's administration - which no country has formally done. He said he was open to meeting Taliban officials when it was the "right moment to do so, but today is not the right moment".

The Taliban administration says it respect women's rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and that Afghanistan's territory would not be used for militancy or violence against other nations.

(Reporting by Andrew Mills; Writing by Jana Choukeir and Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Alison Williams, Angus MacSwan and David Gregorio)
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo meets with a delegation of U.S. House of Representatives members visiting Korea at the Government Complex in Seoul, May 1. Yonhap



Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will make a weeklong trip to Europe starting this week that includes stops in Britain for King Charles III's coronation, as well as Sweden, Austria and Romania, his office said Tuesday.



Han will first stop in London, where he will attend the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, and meet with leaders from various countries to ask for their support for Seoul's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in the southeastern port city of Busan.



Han will also attend a reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles, on Friday, the office said.



The trip will then take Han to Stockholm for two days, where he will hold talks with his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, and discuss regional security issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula and bilateral cooperation.



Sweden provided a field hospital during the 1950-53 Korean War and is a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, which inspects the Armistice Agreement that halted the war.



Han is expected to ask Sweden for its continued support for peace on the Korean Peninsula.



He will then visit Vienna, where he will hold talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.



Nehammer previously requested Han's official visit, as the two countries commemorated the 130th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties in 2022.



The visit will then conclude in Bucharest, where Han will meet with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ionel Ciuca, to discuss infrastructure, the defense industry and other areas.



Romania invited Han to mark the 15th anniversary of elevating the strategic partnership between the two countries. (Yonhap)


UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to a world press freedom event at UN headquarters

Press freedom is under attack in every corner of the globe, with journalists continually harassed, jailed and killed, UN officials and media outlets warned Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a rallying cry for journalists and media worldwide.

"All our freedom depends on press freedom," he said in a video message, calling it the "foundation of democracy and justice" and the "lifeblood of human rights."

"But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack," Guterres added, addressing a conference held at UN headquarters in New York.

Highlighting the problem, UNESCO awarded its 2023 World Press Freedom Prize to three Iranian women, two journalists and a human rights activist, who have been jailed.

While Guterres did not cast blame on specific countries, other speakers highlighted individual cases, such as that of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, detained in Russia on espionage charges he has rejected.

"The fight for press freedom, the fight for Evan's release is a fight for everybody's freedom," Wall Street Journal publisher Almar Latour told the forum.

Dozens of news organizations have denounced the charges against Gershkovich as unfounded, while US President Joe Biden has called his imprisonment "totally illegal."

Other journalists hit upon the rising dangers of the profession.

"I'm coming from a country, Iran, where being a journalist is a crime... (and) can land you in jail, can get you killed, can get you tortured," said Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist living in exile.

- 'Threatened by disinformation' -

According to Reporters Without Borders, 55 journalists and four media workers were killed in the line of duty in 2022.

"Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech, seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy," Guterres said.

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Journalists, he added, "are routinely harassed, intimidated, detained, and in prisons."

Others voiced similar concerns, with the head of UNESCO, which is organizing an event at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday to mark the occasion, also speaking out.

Audrey Azoulay said the digital age was changing the entire information landscape -- making "professional, free, independent journalism" more necessary than ever.

She said harassment and intimidation of journalists was unacceptable.

"We find ourselves at a new crossroads," she said. "Our current path is leading us away from informed public debates... a path towards ever more polarization."

New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger said it was not only direct repression that threatens journalists and freedom of information.

"The internet also unleashed the avalanche of misinformation, propaganda, punditry and clickbait that now overwhelms our information ecosystem... accelerating the decline in societal trust," he said.

"When the free press erodes, democratic erosion almost always follows."

The secretary general of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, said censorship has also become more common.

"Sadly, censorship has become the default position of many governments in terms of controlling the knowledge of their societies," she said.

The recipients of the UNESCO prize were Iranian reporters Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi, who helped expose the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September, and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi.

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DOHA, Qatar (AP)  A closed-door summit on Afghanistan ended Tuesday in Qatar without any formal acknowledgment of the Taliban-run government there, though the United Nations' chief said they would hold another meeting in the future.

Activists had worried the gathering in Doha could see the international community reach a recognition deal with the Taliban, even as Afghan women remain largely barred from society under their restrictive measures.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the summit, which the world body described as an event where nations and organizations were trying to reach unified stances on human rights, governance, counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts related to Afghanistan.

No recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government had been anticipated to come out of the meeting, though activists in recent days suggested it was a possibility. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

To achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage, Guterres said. And many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons we have learned from the past.

He did not elaborate, though the Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan from 1994 to 2001.

Asked by a journalist if there would be any circumstance under which he'd be wiling to directly meet with the Taliban, Guterres said: When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility  but today is not the right moment to do so.

The Taliban themselves were not invited and did not attend the meeting.

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Talibans political office in Doha, told The Associated Press that the new Afghan government dismissed the talks.

If they are not ready to hear us and know our position regarding the issues, how can they reach a convincing and palatable solution?" Shaheen said. "One-sided decisions couldnt deliver. Afghanistan is an independent country. It has its own voice; we want them to listen to our voice.

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Shaheen on Sunday met Andrew McCoubrey, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the United Kingdom's Foreign Office, and Yue Xiaoyong, Chinas special envoy for Afghanistan, in Doha.

As you know, the U.N. envoy has talks with government officials in Kabul, but when it comes to these sorts of conferences ... we are not invited," Shaheen added. "We think this is not the solution for Afghan issues and its outcome cant be effective.

Afghanistans acting foreign minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, will travel to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, later this week to meet Chinese and Pakistani officials.

In the time since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, deprived of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade and women are barred from working, studying, traveling without a male companion, and even going to parks or bath houses. Women must also cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from working at national and international non-governmental organizations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan remains wracked by poverty and hunger, squeezed like other nations by Russia's war on Ukraine.

Guterres offered stinging criticism of the Taliban's treatment of women, saying its ban on allowing them to work in aid groups was unacceptable and puts lives in jeopardy.

Let me be crystal clear: We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls rights, he said. We will always speak out when millions of women and girls are being silenced and erased from sight. This is a grave violation of fundamental human rights.

Meanwhile, concerns remain over Afghanistan again becoming a haven for Islamic extremists wanting to strike out abroad. The U.S.-led 2001 invasion came on the back of al-Qaida's Sept. 11 attack on New York and Washington. Since the Taliban takeover, the U.S. has carried out drone strikes targeting suspected militants.

Those concerns have complicated how nations, particularly the West, deal with Afghanistan today.

The Taliban are a terrorist group whose deeply repressive regime has systematically sought to erase more than half of the population from society, an open letter from the activists read. Having denied women and girls almost all of their fundamental human rights, the Taliban has become the only regime in the world upholding a system of gender apartheid.

The countries that took part in the Doha summit included China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Qatar, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula which long hosted a political office for the Taliban, hosted the talks.

___

Associated Press writers Riazat Butt in Islamabad, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Lujain Jo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lujainjo.
Belgian prime minister says some people earn more money unemployed than those who work - AFP/BENOIT DOPPAGNE

Belgian jobseekers could lose their unemployment benefits if they refuse to take a job after two years, the countrys prime minister has said.

In a speech on Belgian Labour Day, Alexander De Croo said his coalition government would bring forward the proposals as part of a wider taxation and budget reforms.

He told activists from his Open VLD party, of Flemish liberals, that thousands of socialists had blocked similar plans from being discussed in the past.

"Guess who swept these proposals off the table? I give it to you in a thousand: the socialists, Mr De Croo said. The prime minister said workers had unfairly shouldered the financial burden of the countrys unemployed for too long.

In February, Belgium recorded an unemployment rate of 5.8 per cent, with some earning up to 60 per cent of their last monthly salary in state handouts. The maximum monthly handout of 2,754 (2,422) is for the six months of unemployment, which is more than seven-times what is offered to British jobseekers.

Alexander De Croo, the Belgian Prime Minister, says that there is no shame in working - only in going to work and earning less than those that don't - NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP

Under the new plan, Belgians would lose entitlement to such allowances if they refuse a basic job offer after two years.

"The problem is not that the strongest shoulders do not carry enough," Mr De Croo said. "Our real problem is the lack of shoulders. This is where the real inequality in our country lies, the inequality between those who participate and those who do not want to work.

"We must have the courage to say, on this Labour Day, that there is no shame in working. The real shame is to go to work every day and earn less than those who do not."

The proposal sparked anger from Belgium's left-wing political and union leaders as it was tabled on the bank holiday dedicated to workers.

Mianda Ulens, head of the Belgian trade union confederation FGTB, said: "The unemployed deserve respect. Proposals that would aim to stigmatise them and call them profiteers can count on a union reaction."
Photo Credit: Tommy Wildner/Netflix



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Another horrifying true crime limited series has just hit Netflix. The Nurse, a Danish thriller series directed by Kasper Barfoed, recounts the story of Christina Aistrup Hansen, a nurse who was arrested in March 2015 for allegedly killing her patients at Nykbing Falster Hospital in Denmark. The series stars Josephine Park as Hansen and Fanny Louis Bernth as fellow nurse Pernille Kurzmann, per IMDb.

The story, which is eerily similar to the story of killer nurse Charles Cullen from Netflix's 2022 series The Good Nurse, explores Hansen's crimes as she builds a friendship with a fresh-out-of-school nurse named Pernille Kurzmann. Kurzmann's discoveries about her coworker eventually lead to one of the most troubling criminal trials in Denmark.

So, what is there to know about this new Netflix series and the story it's based on? Women's Health has all the details.

Is The Nurse a true story?

The series is based on a book written by Kristian Corfixen, titled The Nurse: The True Story Behind One Of Scandinavia's Most Notorious Criminal Trials. The book documents the story of a real nurse named Christina Aistrup Hansen, who was arrested in March 2015 for intentionally killing patients in southern Denmark.

Shop Now The Nurse: The True Story Behind One of Scandinavia's Most Notorious Criminal Trials $13.49 amazon.com

During night shifts, Hansen would dose patients with lethal medication in order to worsen their conditions before trying to "save" them again. Her seemingly "heroic" actions meant that Hansen was well-respected, and had a good reputation at the hospital. But unfortunately, Hansen was not always able to save the patients she harmed.

On March 1, 2015, Hansen's behavior came to a head when two patients died under her care, and another 73-year-old woman was revived at the last minute.

Dutch journalist Kristian Corfixen investigated the crime in his bookcombing through police reports, first-hand accounts from witnesses of Hansen's crimes, and medical records. Director Kasper Barfoed then used that book as the basis for the series.

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"Nobody knows more about the case than [Corfixen] did, Barfoed told Netflix.



How much of the series is accurate to real life?

The Nurse appears to closely follow Hansen's real story and Corfixen's book. However, the series also develops Kurzmann and Hansen's relationship.



Director Kasper Barfoed told Netflix the series tried to determine how Hansen's crimes went undetected for so long. According to multiple sources, Hansen's first victim was traced back to a deceased patient in 2012, whose blood contained the same deadly medication combination that killed two patients in 2015.

Many employees at the hospital were suspicious of Hansen, however, no one spoke up until Kurzmann finally reported her in 2015. Kurzmann had only started working at the hospital a year prior, according to her Facebook page.

Who Is Pernille Kurzmann?

The miniseries is told from Pernille Kurzmann's point of view. Kurzmann was fresh out of nursing school and had just started her first job at Nykbing when she met Hansen in 2014.

Kurzmann and Hansen become quite close in the Netflix miniseries (it's unclear if this happened in real life), and the two become the hospital's "dream team." According to Netflix, Kurzmann became suspicious of Hansen when she noticed patients were dying in her care at an unusual rate.

So many people suspected something or saw somethingand yet its the new nurse, the one whos in her first job who not only senses something is wrong, but who actually does something about it and risks everything, director Kasper Barfoed told Netflix.

Kurzmann also became a key witness in Hansen's trial, per Berlingske, a Danish news site. 70 other witnesses would later come forward to testify against Hansen, per Radio Times.

Where is Pernille Kurzmann now?

She still works at Nykbing Falster Hospital. Kurzmann got married, and goes by Pernille Kurzmann Lunden now. (Niels Lunden, her now-husband, and then-boyfriend, is also depicted in the series).

Did Christina Hansen go to prison?

In real life, Hansen was arrested in 2015, and charged in 2016 with three murders (one in 2012, and two in 2015), one attempted murder charge, and one count of stealing sleeping medicine from Nykbing, according to Berlingske. The prosecution alleged that Hansen's "histrionic personality disorder," may have motivated her crimes.

The court found Hansen guilty of all charges, per Berlingske.

Where is Christina Hansen now?

Hansen's trial lasted around 28 days, and at the end, she was sentenced to life in prison, per Domstole, a Danish news site. However, in 2017, after she appealed the first conviction, a higher court convicted her of four counts of attempted murder, and reduced Hansen's sentence to 12 years, per Digital Spy. She is set to be released in 2028.

Where can I watch The Nurse?

The miniseries is currently available to stream on Netflix. The series consists of four, hour-long episodes.

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Allegations of illegal union-busting tactics have been filed against Blue Bird in Fort Valley as its workers ready to vote on whether to be represented by United Steelworkers.

April 3, about 1,400 workers at the school bus manufacturing facility filed for union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The vote will take place over two days on May 11 and 12.

The charges involve threats of plant closure, threatening to freeze pay and benefits and drag out the bargaining process if workers vote to unionize, threats of discrimination  that if workers vote for a union, other employers may not hire them  as well as surveillance and interrogation, all of which are illegal under federal labor law, according to USW spokespersons.

Ted Scartz, senior vice president and general counsel at Blue Bird Corporation, declined comment on the specific allegations of unfair legal practices and denied any wrongdoing by the company.

As far as the USWs charges of unfair labor practices, we do not comment on any specific allegations and will respond to such charges through the appropriate channels with the National Labor Relations Board, Scartz said. Blue Bird does deny that we have had or made any improper or illegal communications with our employees during the current USW organizing campaign.

In this Telegraph file photo, Blue Bird buses lined up outside the company in Fort Valley.

The charges

Wednesday, USW filed the unfair labor practice charges against Blue Bird with the NLRB.

Organizing and collective bargaining offer workers a tried and true pathway to better wages, safer working conditions and a voice on the job, Dan Flippo, USW District 9 director, said in a USW news release. Management must respect workers right to choose for themselves.

Flippo characterized the alleged behavior by Blue Bird management as especially egregious given that more than $40 million in EPAs Clean School Bus program has been awarded to the company, according to the USW release.

USW organizer Maria Somma noted that Blue Birds financial reports indicate that the company is not only financially sound but also thriving. Yet, the starting pay for workers at the manufacturing facility reportedly hasnt increased for more than two decades, she said.

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Their success hasnt been shared with the people who actually put in the work to make it a successful company, Somma said.

About 1,400 workers at the Blue Bird school bus manufacturing facility in Forty Valley have filed for union election. The vote will take place over two days on May 11 and 12.

A workers view

Patrick Watkins, who has worked for Blue Bird for 17 years, said he just wants workers to be able to have a fair election on unionization without fear of reprisal.

We want to form our own union because we need a voice in the workplace on important issues like safety, family and work-life balance, Watkins said.

In 2018, Watkins said he was among Blue Bird workers who approached USW to unionize. But workers werent organized well enough and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he said.

Today, Watkins said Blue Bird workers are well organized and ready to unionize.

Blue Bird bus manufacturer in Fort Valley is Peach County largest employer.

Managements view

Blue Bird management believes that the company is best served by maintaining a direct line of communication with our workforce without a unions involvement, Scartz said.

Blue Bird also released this statement:

For nearly 100 years, Blue Bird has supported thousands of Middle Georgia employees as well as the communities where we work and serve. In all that time, we have remained union free.

At Blue Bird, we believe that leadership and team members talking directly with one another is the best way to create a positive work environment and achieve our goals of quality, productivity and increased opportunity and rewards for every team member.

Although we respect and support the right for employees to choose, we do not believe that Blue Bird is better served by injecting a labor union into our relationship with employees. During the pending election campaign, we have voiced our opinion to our employees that a union is not in the best interest of the company or our employees, but we have respected the rights of our employees and the USW at all times.

About 1,400 workers at the Blue Bird school bus manufacturing facility in Forty Valley (aerial view pictured here) have filed for union election. The vote will take place over two days on May 11 and 12.

Whats next?

Charges alleging unfair labor practices filed by individuals, unions or employers to the NLRB are automatically investigated by regional field examiners and attorneys, according to the federal agencys website.

More than half of all charges are withdrawn or dismissed, according to information posted on the website. In cases where an investigation finds probable merit, the majority settle by agreements between the parties. If no settlement can be reached, the regional director issues a complaint detailing the alleged violations.

The vote on unionization is expected to take place as scheduled regardless of the pace of the investigation and its resolution.

Blue Bird South is the school bus manufacturers smaller fabrication facility also in Fort Valley.

Union protections

USW also called on Congress to quickly pass legislation the union says would better protect workers seeking to organize.

Unless Congress passes legislation like the PRO Act, its clear corporations will continue their attempts to divide and bully workers, Flippo said in the news release. Until then, we call on Blue Bird management to change course and respect workers right to a free and fair union election.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of wage and salary workers who were members of unions was 10.1% in 2022. Thats down slightly from 10.3% in 2021.

The union membership rate of public-sector workers, which was 33.1%, continued to be more than five times higher than the rate of private-sector workers, which was 6%, according to the bureau.

Blue Bird is Peach Countys largest employer, with its main manufacturing facility at 402 Blue Bird Blvd. in Fort Valley. Blue Bird South, the companys fabrication facility, also is in Fort Valley, while the companys corporate headquarters are in Macon.

Blue Bird has sold more than 550,000 buses since its formation in 1927 and about 180,000 of its buses are currently in operation, according to the company website.

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries as well as workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.
BALTIMORE  The U.S. Department of the Air Force expects to move hundreds of applications to the cloud this year, according to Venice Goodwine, the director of enterprise information technology.

The department has already migrated at least 100 apps, relying on its Cloud One program, and has almost 200 more in the pipeline ready to go, she said at the AFCEA TechNet Cyber conference in Baltimore. Apps in the military run the gamut, from recruiting to base updates, health information to higher-security matters.

The focus on cloud comes as the department, which includes both the Air and Space forces, seeks additional digital durability and portability. The forces are among the most dispersed, with bases dotting the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Youll hear me say that data is the currency of the realm. And what I mean by that is, I have to make sure the data is available. Its accessible, its where it needs to be, that the data can be actionable, Goodwine said May 2. I will need the cloud to do that.

Cloud One was launched years ago, providing access to apps, information and broader connectivity using products from big-name players including Amazon and Microsoft. Science Applications International Corp. now holds the contract, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The Air Force previously said the move to the cloud can save money, rid of outdated hardware, and reduce vulnerabilities.

US Navy needs seamless virtual cloud, cyber leaders say

Cloud Ones successor, Cloud One Next, or C1N, was teased by the department in a November request for information.

The documents asked companies how they might approach managing and modernizing Cloud One while considering recent government leadership direction. The National Defense Strategy and the Air Force chief information officers strategy for fiscal 2023-2028 were attached to the notice.

Jay Bonci, the Air Force departments chief technology officer, in December told C4ISRNET industry response to the request was diverse and substantive.

Were looking at a couple of different kind of economic models for how we continue to get cost efficiency and get scale for how were able to get more applications into the cloud, he said at the time. Really, the focus is going to be on adoption.
Antony Blinken

"We know that Ukrainians are planning a counterattack in the coming weeks," Voice of America quotes Blinken.

Read also: Ukraine could counterattack in springtime, US Defense Secretary says

According to the secretary, Kyivs success on the battlefield is the best and perhaps the quickest way to negotiations that would bring a just and lasting peace.

Read also: Blinken: Zelenskyy should consider the will of Ukrainians in Crimeas de-occupation

Blinken reiterated that Russia's plans for Ukraine have already suffered defeat, adding that another Ukrainian military victory could break what currently seems to be a stalemate in the war.

On May 1, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that preparations for the counteroffensive are in the home stretch.

Read also: Ukraine to make its own decisions on counter-offensive, Blinken says

Previously, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announced that Ukrainian defenders are already conducting limited counterattacks in the eastern 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
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield (left) meets Brazilian First Lady Rosangela Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia

A senior US envoy called Tuesday in Brazil for robust support for Ukraine against "bully" Russia, renewing concern over remarks by Brazil's leader who partly blamed the West for the war.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, met Brazil's foreign minister and the wife of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, although not the leftist leader himself.

Speaking to international relations students at the University of Brasilia, the US envoy said that Ukraine's struggle was about defending democracy.

"They are fighting against a bully that thought that it was OK to invade a country, take their territory and kill their people and rape their women," she said.

"What's the next country -- what other bully will think that they can do the same thing?

"We can't let Russia win in Ukraine, because Ukraine is fighting for the rights of people all over the world," she said.

Lula, who returned to power in January, on a visit last month to China said that the United States, which has sent billions of dollars in weapons to Ukraine, was "encouraging the war."

His remarks triggered condemnation from the White House, which had earlier cast Lula as a natural ally on democracy, climate change and other issues of importance to President Joe Biden.

Thomas-Greenfield said she discussed Ukraine with Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and "expressed, as the government has heard before, our disappointment in the statements that were made."

But she noted that Brazil has voted at the United Nations to condemn Russia's invasion of Russia, an implicit contrast with other developing world powers that have stayed neutral, notably India and South Africa.

"We encourage countries to engage on issues related to finding a solution to the war, but it is important that, as they do that, they have to engage with Ukraine," she told reporters at the foreign ministry.

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She voiced support for Lula's plan to send a longtime aide, Celso Amorim, to Ukraine. Brazil has not joined sanctions on Russia, whose foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, recently visited Brasilia and offered gratitude for Lula's remarks.

- 'Ambivalence' from Lula -

Lula, a former trade unionist who sought to chart out a more independent foreign policy when he was last in power from 2003 to 2010, has clarified that he condemns Russia's invasion, while calling for talks to end the conflict.

Bruna Santos, director of the Brazil Institute of the Wilson Center think tank, said there was a "lot of ambivalence" in Lula's foreign policy, with anti-Americanism running deep in the Brazilian left. The United States supported Brazil's military dictatorship during the Cold War.

She said that Lula's Ukraine remarks "may jeopardize Brazil's interests on the global stage," although she expected the broader relationship to endure with the United States.

Parallels have long run deep between the Western Hemisphere's two most populous nations.

On January 8, supporters of defeated right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro rampaged through Brasilia, almost exactly two years after a violent insurrection by Donald Trump's partisans against Congress as it formalized Biden's victory.

Thomas-Greenfield told the students that on January 8 she spoke to a Brazilian diplomat "and he said, 'You guys export so much to the world. We didn't want you to export January 6.'"

Lula's wife Rosangela da Silva showed Thomas-Greenfield around the Panalto Palace, where shattered windows have been replaced but some damaged artwork has been removed.

The first lady, known by her nickname Janja, said that the presidential office still felt a void but had emerged as a "symbol of democracy."

Writing later on Twitter, Janja, a close advisor to her husband, said that she and Thomas-Greenfield discussed "the importance of strengthening democracy" and the need to combat hate speech.

sct/caw
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is waiting for concrete steps regarding Ukraine's membership in NATO already at the summit in July

Washington and Berlin do not want to give commitments that would significantly go beyond the vague NATO declaration of 2008.

The Biden administration has refused to comment on internal negotiations before the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania in July. However, the U.S. officials indirectly confirmed that further arms deliveries and other military aid to Ukraine are now more important than plans for NATO membership.

Read also: NATO chief Stoltenberg visits Kyiv

According to officials, Washington is considering what can be done in the long term to strengthen Ukraines ability to defend itself and deter Russian aggression.

During his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv on April 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that there are no barriers to making political decisions regarding the countrys membership in the alliance.

Read also: Membership in NATO will not change anything for Ukraine, says political scientist

Security guarantees should already be in place, but they should not become an alternative to joining the bloc, he said.

After the visit, Stoltenberg stated that all NATO member states agree with Ukraines accession to the alliance but are currently focused on winning the full-scale war that Russia has unleashed.

Ukraine is waiting for specific proposals regarding membership and decisions on security guarantees at the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the United States, Germany and Hungary will likely oppose the idea of offering Ukraine a road map for NATO membership at the summit, which Poland and the Baltic states are insisting on.

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
US lawmakers urged the nation's top securities regulator to question Shein's labor practices in a public offering

Multiple groups of US lawmakers have sought reassurances this week about clothing giant Shein and other brands facing allegations their products use forced Chinese labor or material from regions where such conditions allegedly occur.

On Tuesday, a group of lawmakers sent letters to the CEOs of Adidas, Nike, Shein and Chinese shopping app Temu with questions about their supply chains.

In the letters, seen by AFP, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party cited witness testimony that alleged Nike and Adidas might be sourcing materials from China's Xinjiang region, in possible violation of US law.

"We would like to offer" Nike and Adidas "an opportunity to respond to these serious allegations and to provide information regarding" compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the letters read.

The committee also reached out to Temu and Shein, asking their executives to explain how they verify the compliance of their supply chains with US law.

The letters to brands came just a day after a separate bipartisan group of US lawmakers urged securities regulators to require Shein to attest it does not use forced Chinese labor as a condition of a public offering.

Citing reports that the fast-growing discount apparel company uses cotton from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, two dozen members of the House of Representatives urged action from the head of the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Shein is aggressively raising capital and plans to execute an IPO before the end of this calendar year," they said in a May 1 letter.

"We request that you set forth regulations and mandate Shein to certify via independent verification that the company does not use Uyghur forced labor as a condition of being registered to issue securities in the United States."

- Fast fashion -

Human rights groups say China's Muslim-majority Uyghurs are subjected to mass incarceration in forced labor camps and banned from expressing their culture.

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Beijing says the ethnic minority is not being repressed and that any security measures in their northwestern region of Xinjiang are a response to a terrorism threat.

The letter was organized by Virginia Democrat Jennifer Wexton and Tennessee Republican John Rose and signed by 24 House members.

A Shein spokesperson said the company has no suppliers in the Xinjiang Region and that it has "zero tolerance" for forced labor.

"We take visibility across our entire supply chain seriously, and we are committed to respecting human rights and adhering to local laws in each market we operate in," the spokesperson said.

"Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labor Organization's core conventions."

Founded in 2008 in China and currently based in Singapore, Shein has been called an example of "fast fashion," utilizing TikTok and other online platforms to market its goods.

jmb/mlm/nro/caw
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo walks into the press briefing room at the Government Complex Sejong, in this April 29 photo. Han will attend the coronation of Britain's King Charles III at London's Westminster Abbey later this week. Yonhap



Han aims to promote Busan's Expo bid to world leaders on sidelines of royal event



By Jung Min-ho



Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will attend the coronation of Britain's King Charles III, scheduled for Saturday (local time), with world leaders and religious representatives looking to witness the historic ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey.



According to Han's office Tuesday, he will attend the reception at Buckingham Palace, Friday, as a Korean government representative before the royal ritual  the first coronation since June 2, 1953, the day his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned.



With dignitaries from more than 200 states expected to be there, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Spain's King Felipe, Han seeks to use the opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations and to promote Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030.



Korea's Second Vice Minister Lee Do-hoon and Lee Kyung-ho, head of the support group for the Bid Committee for the World Expo 2030, are among the members of his delegation.



"At the reception, Prime Minister Han will give his congratulatory message to King Charles III and promote the Busan's Expo campaign," the prime minister's office said in a statement.



"Han, especially, wishes to meet representatives of African members of the Commonwealth to discuss ways to reinforce bilateral relations and ask them to give their support to Busan's Expo bid as well as the Korea-Africa Special Summit scheduled for 2024."



The plan was announced at a time when Busan Expo campaigners are stepping up efforts to win the hearts of many developing countries in Africa and Central and South America for the increasingly fierce competition among the Korean port city and three other bidders  Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, Italy's Rome and Ukraine's Odesa.



The upcoming coronation is anticipated to be smaller in scale than that of Queen Elizabeth II but still reflect traditions dating back almost 1,000 years, with thousands of famed guests. Among other names on the invitation list are Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.



After the event, Han plans to visit three other countries  Sweden, Austria and Romania  during his week-long trip to Europe. As a co-head of Busan's Expo bid committee, the prime minister has traveled around the world over the past year to earn support.



The candidate cities will give their fourth presentations next month and their final ones in November in Paris, where the winner will be announced during the 173rd general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions, the governing body of the global exhibition.




An annual space threat assessment released on April 14 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies pointed to China as the biggest competitor of the United States when it comes to developing space capabilities. This dynamic, the report indicated, comes despite China remaining relatively quiet in the counter-space arena over the past year.

The open-sourced report by the centers Aerospace Security Project analyzed space activities of various adversaries and allies, including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Of the nations reviewed, the Chinese government was found to be pressing the most to have its satellites function faster in coordination with its precision weapons, the report stated.

Beijing is developing ... an ability to rapidly detect targets and relay those target coordinates to its precision weapon systems to close its own kill chains, the report read. The authors anticipate greater public discussions, especially by U.S. national security space leaders, on the policy, capability investments, and operational concepts needed to deny others the use of space against U.S. forces and interests.

In 2022, a report by the Defense Innovation Unit, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Space Force argued that the U.S. needs a North Star to guide grand space strategy across civilian, military and commercial sectors. Without that unified direction, the report warned the U.S. would be at risk of losing its strategic technological advantage over China by 2032.

The report also focused on counter-space, which refers to a broad set of capabilities meant to deny the space domain to a near-peer adversary. Reports from 2022 revealed Chinese universities were developing small lasers capable of being mounted on satellites, but that type of technology is not currently in Chinas arsenal.

No country has conducted a kinetic physical attack on another nations satellites, the report noted. However, the U.S., Russia, China and India have successfully tested anti-satellite, or ASAT, weapons on their own mock satellites.

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They have proven themselves to be both very talented and very aggressive in what theyre doing in space, Deputy Director Emily Harding of the CSIS International Security Program said during a U.S. leadership in aerospace panel at the University of Southern California.

I think most concerning is that theyre learning to play the cat and mouse game in space, where they can maneuver their satellites to be in very close observation and perhaps actually do damage to [our satellites], she added.

Authors of the report found that China surpassed its previous space launch record in 2022, notching 64 launches. In 2021, the Chinese recorded 55 launches.

China is also developing its civilian and domestic space sectors and recently released its plans to create a 13,000-satellite constellation in low Earth orbit for broadband communications purposes, the report found.

Analysts say the planned constellation would serve as Chinas alternative to SpaceXs Starlink network, offering service to Chinese customers and others across underdeveloped internet markets.

Australia, Israel, the United Kingdom and South Korea were among the allies assessed in the report.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Susan Walsh/Associated Press

The US is grappling with another epidemic  loneliness.

A report from US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy found that about half of Americans are now lonely.

The surgeon general said loneliness can be as detrimental as smoking a dozen cigarettes a day.

It's long been understood that humans are social creatures and that loneliness can have detrimental health consequences.

Now the US surgeon general says Americans are so lonely that those consequences constitute a near national health emergency.

In a report released Tuesday, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says that half of Americans now feel lonely and that this "epidemic" is costing the United States billions of dollars annually. Murthy said this lack of connection for so many Americans can have the same negative health impact as smoking a dozen cigarettes a day.

"We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It's like hunger or thirst. It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing," Murthy said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that's not right. That's why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing."

The surgeon general's report found that those between the ages of 15 and 24 have been hit especially hard, with their time of social in-person interaction reduced by 70% in 2020 compared to the previous two decades.

There are multiple factors that have turned millennials and Gen Z into the loneliest generations, Insider previously reported. America's broken housing system, for example, forces many young people to live in areas that don't promote community involvement. The surgeon general's report noted that over the past 60 years, the number of single-person households has doubled.

A number of studies have also pointed to connections between extensive time spent on social media with worsening mental health.

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The epidemic of loneliness was made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic, which shut down schools and offices, forcing most people to isolate at home with limited physical connection. Many young workers continue to work from the confines of their homes even as the pandemic subsides.

Murthy said he's raising awareness of the loneliness problem because it is associated with a number of health risks, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and even premature death.

"Given the profound consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an opportunity, and an obligation, to make the same investments in addressing social connection that we have made in addressing tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis," Murthy said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read the original article on Insider
A caravan of migrants from Central and South America heading to the Mexico-US border in April, while protesting the death of 40 migrants in a fire at a detention center in the northern city of Juarez

The Pentagon said Tuesday it will deploy more troops to help provide security at the US-Mexico border as officials fear a surge in migrant crossing attempts when Covid-19 immigration restrictions end on May 11.

Some 1,500 troops will be sent to the border, adding to the 2,500 already there to support Border Patrol authorities in the face of a possible gush of frontier crossings.

"For 90 days, these 1,500 military personnel will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support," spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement.

On May 11, President Joe Biden's administration will lift Title 42, the strict protocol implemented by previous president Donald Trump to deny entry to migrants and expel asylum seekers based on the Covid pandemic emergency.

With the easing of coronavirus regulations -- including Monday's decision to end vaccination requirements for inbound travelers -- the Biden administration can no longer justify using Title 42 to stem migration.

Instead, the administration plans to deter undocumented migrants using Title 8, which essentially criminalizes illegal border crossings, making future legal residency impossible.

Washington says hopeful migrants and asylum seekers must now register for interviews with immigration officials from their own countries, or countries they pass through to reach the border.

The interviews can be arranged on a new smartphone app, CBP One.

In addition, the State Department last week announced it was setting up processing centers for hopeful migrants in other countries -- starting with Colombia and Guatemala.

Canada and Spain have agreed to take in some of those who are cleared for emigration by the processing centers, US officials said.

"It's an approach focused on making migration more safe, orderly and humane and advancing the interests of the American people," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

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- Border pressure -

Border officials have faced extremely heavy pressure from migrants, mostly from Central and South America and the Caribbean, in the past two years.

In the fiscal year to September 30, 2022, officials intercepted nearly 2.4 million people at the border, most of whom were turned back.

In March 2023, they intercepted 191,899 people without migration documents.

Following a meeting with US Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, the Mexican government said in a statement on Tuesday that it would "continue to accept back migrants on humanitarian grounds".

Sending US soldiers to the border has been controversial, but government officials stress they are not militarizing the frontier.

The Department of Homeland Security insisted the troops won't be involved in law enforcement activities, which are handled by US Customs and Border Enforcement.

Instead, the soldiers will help in backup activities like border monitoring and IT services.

"This support will free up DHS law enforcement personnel to perform their critical law enforcement missions," the department said in a statement.

But Jonathan Blazer of the American Civil Liberties Union still criticized the deployment.

"People forced to flee their homes and embark on arduous, dangerous journeys for the chance to seek legal protection in the US should be met with compassion -- not military troops," he said.

He accused Biden of imposing what amounts to an asylum ban with his new policies.

Biden "should instead be focused on creating a robust, efficient, and humane system to screen and welcome people in search of safety," he said.

Warning of a massive surge in border crossings, Republicans in Congress planned to call Wednesday to keep Title 42 in place.

"If President Biden chooses to continue on the ill-advised path of ending Title 42, it will exacerbate what is already a national security and humanitarian disaster on our southern border," said a statement from Senator Lindsey Graham.

wd/pmh/bgs/tjj/dhw/cwl
The Capitol is pictured in Salt Lake City, on Feb. 8, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

One of the worlds largest online pornography sites, Pornhub, announced Utah users are being blocked because of a new state law.

Starting Wednesday, pornography websites will be required to verify that users in Utah are at least 18 years old under SB287, passed unanimously by the 2023 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox.

The law also spells out that such a site that fails to perform reasonable age verification methods to ensure users arent under 18 years old can be sued for damages resulting from a minors accessing the material.

The governor welcomed the companys decision to stop Utahns from using the site.

In Utah, we care about our kids. The vast majority of Utahns would agree that companies should be held responsible for knowingly distributing pornography to minors, Cox said in a statement to the Deseret News.

The very least we can do as a society is to ask companies to verify the age of those viewing the pornography they produce and distribute. This unanimous, bipartisan legislation provides multiple ways to satisfy that requirement, he said.

However, the governor added, I fully support Pornhubs decision to remove their content in Utah.

Pornhub was described in a New York Times opinion piece in 2020 as a company that monetizes child rapes, revenge pornography, spy cam videos of women showering, racist and misogynist content.

The piece featured a young woman who said her life was changed after videos she made for a boyfriend at age 14 were posted to the site. Last year, the law firm representing her said Visa suspended ad payments on Pornhub and other sites owned by MindGeek.

Related

The sponsor of the Utah legislation, Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, pointed to recent Louisiana legislation as a model and expressed surprise at Pornhubs action.

(I) did not expect it at all, Weiler told the Deseret News. He said he believes Pornhub, which began verifying ages when a similar law in Louisiana took effect at the beginning of the year, will end up complying with Utahs law.

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Its already illegal in all 50 states for children to view porn, he said. Businesses who sell tobacco, vaping products and alcohol online already age verify. Utahs new law only requires adult sites to make reasonable efforts to confirm that the consumers of their content are adults.

Age verification for online pornography sites was also imposed in Germany last year, and the United Kingdom is expected to do the same.

Pornhub posted a message on its site to Utah users, asking them to contact their lawmakers before it is too late about the new requirement and demand device-based verification solutions that make the internet safer while also respecting your privacy.

The message, which is accompanied by a video, claims giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk.

Instead, the company said the best and most effective solution for protecting children and adults alike is to identify users by their device and allow access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that identification.

Pornhub said that until what it called a real solution is available, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah.

The company claimed Utahs new requirement will drive web traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place because mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply.

Louisiana, the first state to require age verification to access pornographic sites online, has created a digital wallet that allows a drivers license to be used for identification without sharing personal data.

Related

Weiler said Utahs law was based on Louisianas, and that hed have to study both more to determine if there are other differences. But he said tweaks are likely needed. Ironically, no one from that industry reached out to me during the session  or since.

Weiler has been tweeting out angry comments and backlash hes received after Pornhub blocked access to the website in Utah. One individual wrote to Weiler that he was disturbed by the lack of freedom we have in this state.

Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton, who also serves as the governors senior adviser and director of the Office of Families, offered her support.

Wow  people are really passionate about this website. Im sorry you are getting the backlash. I appreciate that you are trying to protect our kids, she tweeted to Weiler.

All Utahns next year will have to show some form of identification to use social media under other new laws passed last session that are intended to give parents greater control over their childrens social media use but have also raised privacy concerns.

Contributing: Kyle Dunphey
BOSTON (AP)  Alex Verdugo belted a leadoff homer in the ninth inning against Jordan Romano for his third walk-off hit this season, and the Boston Red Sox beat Toronto 6-5 on Monday night to end a nine-game losing streak to the Blue Jays.

Emmanuel Valdez hit his first major league home run, a two-run drive, and Jarren Duran added a solo shot for the Red Sox.

Verdugo also had game-ending hits on Saturday and April 18. This time, he drove a 94 mph fastball from Romano (2-2) into Bostons bullpen in right-center.

It feels amazing. Its just one of those things, trying to take it all in, Verdugo said, smiling in the middle of the clubhouse. I told the guys I kind of envisioned it, but I wasnt like, forcing it to happen.

Masataka Yoshida had two hits with an RBI and extended his hitting streak to 11 games for Boston, which had lost its last eight games at Fenway Park against the Blue Jays.

Bo Bichette hit a three-run homer and went 5 for 5 for the Blue Jays, who lost for just the fourth time in 12 games. Bichette was moved into the leadoff spot after George Springer was a late scratch due to illness.

Toronto went 16-3 against the Red Sox last season.

Boston shortstop Kike Hernandez made two throwing errors in the eighth when the Blue Jays scored two runs to tie it. The second came on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.s grounder that would have been an inning-ending double play but allowed the tying run instead.

The last one he rushed, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. He tried to make a play that wasn't there.

Josh Winckowski (2-0) pitched two innings of relief.

With the Red Sox trailing 3-2, Duran sent a drive into the center-field seats off Jose Berrios. Valdez then sent a 95 mph fastball into the seats following a walk to Triston Casas.

Berrios dropped to one knee in front of the rubber as he watched Valdezs drive sail out.

It was a big moment for me because I was giving the lead to the team, Valdez said through a translator. I feel very happy and grateful for this moment.

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Coming off seven shutout innings in his previous start, Berrios gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Boston starter Corey Kluber allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and four walks.

Kluber sandwiched walks to Danny Jansen and Kevin Kiermaier around his second strikeout of the second inning before Bichette drove a curveball into the Green Monster seats.

BACK IN

Cora put Casas back in the lineup after giving the struggling rookie first baseman two days off to relax.

Casas went 0 for 3, dropping his average to .128 in 78 at-bats.

We saw in September, last year, the numbers average-wise werent great but he was getting on base, controlled the strike zone, Cora said. He should be fine. This kid has hit everywhere. You just have to help him throughout the process.

TRAINERS ROOM

Red Sox: Cora said right-hander Garrett Whitlock, on the 15-day injured list with right elbow ulnar neuritis, will be re-examined Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (4-0, 3.00 ERA) is set to start the second of a four-game series Tuesday night. He faced Boston three times (one start) last season, giving up two runs in 8 2/3 innings.

Red Sox: RHP Tanner Houck (3-1, 4.50) is slated to make his fourth career start against Toronto.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Vic Mensa

Trigger warning: The below article makes references to suicidal ideation.

In a recent interview, Vic Mensa was candid about his history of drug use for creativity and its impacts on him.

For a cover story with Spin magazine, Mensa recalled how he began using mushrooms during his adolescent years but how things worsened with time as he started using drugs as a creative crutch. His usage eventually led to him pondering suicidal thoughts.

The first drug I really felt dependent on was mushrooms, Mensa told the outlet. I started doing them abusively. Probably 100 times a year when I was like 19. But it wasnt soul-searching. I started to lean on it as a creative crutch, and eventually it just stopped working and I started having bad trips  I would feel like my throat was closing and I was dying.

He added, In the pursuit of boosted creativity I started doing a lot of molly and ecstasy. I was going to the bathroom in the middle of a studio session and railing molly with the powder falling on the ground. And Im rolling up a dollar bill, on my hands and knees railing it off the bathroom floor  definitely with piss mixed up in it. That stopped working, and just tanked my serotonin.

Following this, Mensa expressed he proceeded to take Adderall after crashing from the effects of molly.

When the molly crashed, I was so depressed and started snorting Adderall, he said. Then, that stopped working. I would use each drug to the max until it stopped working. And then I was feeling like I couldnt create, because I needed these drugs, but the drugs werent working. And so I was hellbent on killing myself. I was on a full warpath of suicide.

Mensa explained he reached a silver lining after attending an ayahuasca ceremony in San Diego.

When I did that first ayahuasca ceremony, my question for the medicine was: Why do I feel so much pain? he revealed. And I had a vision of seeing my mothers blond hair from my 5-year-old eyes. A higher voice came to me and said, I used to want blue eyes. That was the root of my pain. I thought that was so revealing. Its the first place I can really pinpoint it to within this lifetime: a sense of unworthiness because of not looking like my parents.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline online or via phone at 1-800-273-8255 (for the deaf and hard of hearing, contact 1-800-799-4889).
Plans for a solar farm capable of powering up to 190,000 homes in Lincolnshire are to be put before local residents so they can give their views.

Developer Low Carbon wants to build the 600MW farm, known as the Beacon Fen Energy Park, near Sleaford, between the villages of Heckington and Helpringham.

The company is to host in-person events and webinars in May and June to gather feedback on the proposals.

If approved, construction would start "no earlier than 2026", the firm said.

Due to the project's size, it is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

That means a final decision on the application will not be made by North Kesteven District Council, although it will be invited to comment on the plans.

'Essential information'

James Hartley-Bond, director of Low Carbon, said: "Speaking directly with local communities and stakeholders will be a core part of our approach throughout the development of Beacon Fen Energy Park.

"We want to hear directly from them about their thoughts on the proposals.

"Local people hold essential information which will feed directly into the project and we look forward to hearing their views first-hand."

The Beacon Fen solar farm would be a "significant step forward" in the government's plans for the UK to reach net zero by 2050, Mr Hartley-Bond added.

According to Low Carbon, in-person events are due to be held at:

Heckington Village Hall on Thursday 18 May between 14:00-19:00 BST

Helpringham Memorial Hall on Saturday 20 May between 12:00-17:00 BST

Ruby Hunt Centre in Donington on Friday 9 June between 14:00-19:00 BST

Meanwhile, online webinar events are due to take place on Tuesday 23 May between 18:30-20:00 BST and on Wednesday 14 June between 18:30-20:00 BST, the firm said.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
The United States should prioritize its relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean at a time violence and security concerns are growing, driven by gangs and transnational criminal organizations as well as by China and Russia, which are vying to increase their influence in the region, policy experts and former and current U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Colombia, a close U.S. ally, was also at the center of the discussions at the annual Hemispheric Security Conference at Florida International University.

In his remarks, Florida U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart blasted the policies of the South American countrys president, Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla, and threatened to push to put U.S. aid to Colombia on hold.

Colombia is among the most important allies of the United States in the entire planet. And now, we see backsliding in a country that is important for our national security interests, said Diaz-Balart, who chairs a subcommittee in the House Appropriations Committee that decides on the U.S. foreign policy budget.

We have some important decisions to make there, he said. Do I just tie that funding to a lot of strings? Or do I eliminate it until we are able to have further conversations with this president to figure out if, in fact, hes going to continue going down the same pathway?

Unfortunately, we have not had a very consistent U.S. policy towards the region, he added.

Echoing a frequent criticism in policy and diplomatic circles, Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, former undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, said that the United States should put its relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean front and center.

Id like to see a U.S. elected president making his first trip to the region, said Dobriansky. Its disheartening; we have not prioritized the region.

Speaking from the White House via video conference, Juan Gonzalez, the National Security Councils senior director for the Western Hemisphere, seemed to have provided in passing an example to those arguing the United States is not paying enough attention to its relations with Latin American countries.

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Asking why it took President Joe Biden more than a year to grant a meeting to former Colombian President Ivan Duque but less time to give one to Petro, Gonzalez said that during his first year in office, President Biden was exclusively focused on the U.S. and the American people.

Gonzalez said the administrations position to set aside disagreements with Petro to forge a relationship has paid off, claiming that cooperation with Colombia has been unaffected.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Erikson stressed that the United States wants to strengthen cooperation and is still seen as a relevant partner in the region. But Gen. Laura Richardson, the head of the U.S. Southern Command, also said the U.S. needs to do more to counter Chinas influence in the region.

We dont want this region to fall victim to Chinas Communist Party, Richardson said. We need to help our democratic partners to provide for their people at a speed of relevance.

Richardson called for better collaboration between the United States own agencies to better engage with countries in the region. We also need to invest more to provide a positive and timely alternative to China regarding critical infrastructure projects in these countries, she said.

Dobriansky believes the United States should seek to expand trade with countries in the Western Hemisphere. The Biden administration has launched a new economic initiative, the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, with 11 countries, but the main goal is to build on existing trade relationships, not necessarily seek new trade agreements.

Other presenters pointed out other threats that need immediate attention.

Maria Paula Romo Rodriguez, former government minister of Ecuador, said homicide rates in that country have skyrocketed in the past two years, in part because of the expansion of criminal organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. She urged policy makers to pay attention to the more than 100,000 children that lost one or both caregivers to the pandemic in the region, who could be at risk of being recruited by criminal organizations.

Presenters agreed that the United States should do more to combat violence in the Caribbean in general, where homicides rates have notably increased in the past two years, driven mainly by guns smuggled from the United States.

The United States should join the Caribbean on its war on guns, said Samantha Chaitram, a fellow at Caribbean Policy Consortium.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! But maybe not if it's Hidden Valley Ranch flavor. (Photo: Getty Images)

Are we experiencing the golden age of ice cream or is it the end of the world as we know it? Ben & Jerry's Phish Food and Chubby Hubby are no longer at the forefront of wacky ice cream flavors. Now there's a rotating landscape of crazy flavors kicking up a frenzy on social media (have you tried the recipe for cottage cheese ice cream, yet?) TikTokkers and Instagram influencers are talking all about wacky new flavors like Little Debbie brownies, Entenmann's donuts, Boston cream pie and, um, ranch dressing. Want to do your own taste test (so I dont have to)? Heres the scoop on four trending flavors that you can have delivered to your door.

Walmart Van Leeuwen Limited Edition Hidden Valley Ranch Ice Cream Ranch dressing was created by an Alaskan plumber in the 1950s. Then someone dropped a buffalo wing in it, and weve never looked back. Now, Brooklyn-based artisanal ice cream creator Van Leeuwen has shocked taste buds across the nation with this ranch-flavored ice cream. Judging from TikTok, perhaps they should've named it Raunch instead. Most reviews resulted in gags and fits, and the words repulsive, disgusting, and why?! make multiple appearances. But then reviewers put a wing in it  and french fries, chips, pizza, fried chicken, even mashed potatoes  and suddenly thumbs went way up. $5 at Walmart

Everyone has an opinion on this ranch-flavored frozen dessert, from reporters at USA Today and Food & Wine to this Walmart reviewer: "I put it with my mashed potatoes and chicken feet stew, and it was like a match made in heaven. The buttermilk meshed really nicely with the mashed potatoes and added some extra moisture to the stew broth. I actually didn't expect it to taste so good."

Walmart Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies Ice Cream Little Debbie is on a roll, creating ice cream versions of its famous pantry snacks. Cosmic Brownies delivers a rich, creamy, decadent chocolate experience. And yes  there are dense brownie bits and colorful chocolate chips for a full nostalgia trip. $3 at Walmart

Social media has spoken, and the Little Debbie snack-to-ice-cream conversion Cosmic Brownies seems to be the runaway favorite. TikTokkers love everything from the amount of brownie chunks to the glee of the classic artwork. If you want a full return to childhood then you might also want to try the Nutty Bars and Swiss Roll flavors.

Walmart Entenmann's Chocolatey Glazed Cookie Donut Ice Cream Sandwich What do you call chocolate ice cream surrounded by two glazed donuts? Delicious. This is Entenmanns new, unique hop onto the ice cream truck. The outer cookie-donuts have a crispy shell with a soft, cakey interior, and the ice cream is smooth and rich. Its chocolate decadence perfected by these donut masters. $5 at Walmart

Tiktokkers and Instagrammers are praising Entenmanns for staying loyal to their classic donut taste with this new release. We don't know how long these sweet sammies will be around, but the company's Instagram page says to "stock up while they last at a Walmart near you."

Target Ben & Jerry's Topped Bossin' Cream Pie Ice Cream And while were on a nostalgia kick, Ben & Jerrys has kicked out a fresh take on this classic dessert. Enter Bossin' Cream Pie ice cream: vanilla custard ice cream with cake chunks and pastry cream swirls, all buried under a hard roof of ganache and fudge (thats the topped part). Take my money now! $5 at Target

Of course, Ben & Jerry's has also launched a gooey, decadent, and delicious flavor and people are eating it up. Its been described as a faithful rendition of the classic dessert, while still having a B&J uniqueness to it. When the biggest complaint is that the chocolate topping is hard to break, you can bet this dessert is a stone-cold hit.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia confirmed Monday that he will not be launching a 2024 bid for the White House "this year" after months of speculation.

"No," Youngkin told Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker at a Milken Institute "Governing America" event when he asked the governor if he would be "dusting off" the signature fleece jacket he became known for during his race for governor.

"Im going to be working in Virginia this year," Youngkin said, pointing to the Virginia legislative elections taking place this November.

"We have a House thats controlled by Republicans and a Senate thats controlled by Democrats," he said. "I want to hold our House, and Id like to flip our Senate. And I think were doing a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to bring that to voters."

VIRGINIA GOV. YOUNGKIN TARGETS CHINA

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks at a Gov. Brian Kemp re-election rally on Sept. 27, 2022, in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The blockbuster victory in November 2021 by the first-time candidate who hailed from the business wing of the GOP energized Republicans, turned Youngkin into a rising star in the party, and fueled talk of a 2024 White House run.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"So in the words of LBJ, you will not seek and, if nominated, you will not serve and accept the Republican nomination for president of the United States?" Baker pressed.

"Well leave that one to LBJ. What I am very excited about is that America seems to be paying attention to whats going on in Virginia," Youngkin responded.

Youngkin's decision not to announce a run this year ends months of speculation the champion of parental rights in schools could be moving closer to challenging former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner in the race, and face a growing Republican presidential field.

WHO'S IN AND WHO'S ON THE SIDELINES - YOU'RE GUIDE TO THE 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION RACE

Gov. Glenn Youngkin attends an early vote rally with Yesli Vega, Republican candidate for Virginias 7th Congressional District, at the Brandy Station, Virginia, fire station on Nov. 1, 2022.

Prior to his comments on Monday, a signal Youngkin might not be launching a presidential campaign came when two of his top outside political consultants recently joined the super PAC supporting Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Story continues

Youngkin energized Republicans nationwide in his 2021 election victory. That's when he edged out former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to become the first GOP nominee in a dozen years to win a gubernatorial election in Virginia, a one-time swing state that had trended towards the Democrats over the past decade.

Last year Youngkin was a politician in demand on the 2022 campaign trail, crisscrossing the country on behalf of fellow Republicans.

"[O]n Nov. 2, Virginians made a different choice," Youngkin said Monday while speaking during an event at the Reagan Library in California. "It was a choice to restore parents' rights because parents matter. It was a choice to lift the burdens on small businesses and to bring back more jobs. It was a choice for common sense."

"It was a choice for common sense. It was an election, yes a choice to reject the notion that we are a generation that loses freedom. And instead, Virginians turned on that bright light. Conservative policies win because they are grounded in timeless truths and in common sense."
This compilation image shows President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Yonhap



Kishida to arrive in Seoul on Sunday for summit with Yoon



By Lee Hyo-jin



Trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan in the security realm is picking up momentum as the three nations team up against shared threats from North Korea's evolving nuclear programs and, furthermore, China.



Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to visit Seoul for a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol, Sunday, according to Yoon's office, Tuesday, and the two leaders are supposed to meet again in a three-way summit with U.S. President Joe Biden later this month in Hiroshima, Japan, on the sidelines of a G7 Summit there.



According to foreign media reports, Monday, a senior U.S. official confirmed that Biden will hold a trilateral summit with Yoon and Kishida during his visit to Hiroshima for the G7 Summit slated for May 19 to 21. The Korean president has been invited to the G7 gathering by the Japanese prime minister.



It will be the first three-way talks between Yoon, Biden and Kishida since the last one held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last November on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit meeting.



The three leaders are expected to discuss ways to strengthen security ties to better deal with the shared challenges posed by North Korea's intensifying nuclear threats. During their last meeting in Cambodia, they agreed to forge closer trilateral security links through regular joint exercises and sharing of North Korea missile warning data in real time.



Much attention is paid to whether the three leaders will come up with detailed measures on bolstering the trilateral military alliance.



According to South Korea's presidential office, Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida will visit Seoul from Sunday and Monday. The envisioned visit signals a full-fledged resumption of the so-called shuttle diplomacy between the two neighboring countries in which the leaders regularly visit each other's countries, the presidential office added.



Kishida will become the first Japanese leader to visit Seoul in five years and three months after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit on the occasion of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.





President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands at the Japanese prime minister's office in Tokyo, March 16. Korea Times file
Days after a King County Superior Court Judge sanctioned the Washington State Attorney Generals Office and the state Department of Social and Health Services for withholding nearly 11,000 records in a lawsuit involving a developmentally disabled adult, the AGs office has admitted that it has found 100,000 more pages pertaining to that same case that were not previously turned over.

A Discovery Master has now been appointed to manage discovery issues in the case, according to court filings from April 11 signed by King County Superior Court Judge Michael K. Ryan.

The plaintiff in the case is suing DSHS and the state for failing to provide adequate case management and for failing to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect. Ryan granted the plaintiffs motion for discovery sanctions after DSHS and the AGs Office failed to produce nearly 11,000 documents on time that substantially prejudiced the plaintiff in preparing for trial.

The AGs Office and DSHS were required to pay $200,000 in sanctions for that order, which has already been paid to the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, as the judge ordered. DSHS and the AGs Office were required to split the cost evenly, and the money was paid out of the State Insurance Liability Account, according to the AGs Office.

In those documents, a DSHS employee mocked the plaintiff and even made light of the concerns regarding their care, Ryan noted.

The judge also ordered the state to pay the plaintiff for attorneys fees and other fees associated with the case in that filing, at a rate that has not yet been determined.

The remaining 100,000 plus pages were found after the AGs Office and DSHS turned over the initial 11,000 pages missing from discovery and were sanctioned by the judge.

The Discovery Master is appointed at the expense of the AGs Office and DSHS at a billable rate of $500 per hour, and will be required to review all briefings and all discovery produced by DSHS. The appointee will take all necessary steps to determine whether all written discovery requests from the defendants have been thoroughly and completely answered and all responsive documents have been produced including to determine if DSHSs search for responsive documents was sufficient, to determine if counsel for DSHS personally assisted and provided guidance to the agency to ensure the documents were provided in a timely manner, and to review DSHSs privilege log, among other things.

Story continues

DSHS and/or the AGs Office are required to pay the funds monthly, which comes from taxpayer money, and within 30 days of the invoice from the Discovery Master, the judge ordered.

In a letter dated April 3, the AGs Office noted that they had found emails (along with attachments) previously thought to have been produced but were not.

Again, the state deeply regrets the errors in discovery in this case and is working to rectify them, wrote Jennifer S. Meyer, the deputy attorney general. We are committed to working with the special master and the other parties to ensure that the State has fully satisfied its discovery obligations.

Similar situations

But this is not the first time the AGs Office has been sanctioned for withholding documents during discovery, nor is it the first time the office has had to apologize for similar transgressions.

David P. Moody, the attorney hired to represent the plaintiff, noted in court filings in February that within the AGs Office and DSHS there is a well-established pattern of discovery abuses and that the pattern has become a habit.

In 2017, a Snohomish County Judge sanctioned DSHS and the AG for violating the rules of discovery in a lawsuit that alleges the agency failed to protect a 7-year-old girl from years of extreme physical and emotional abuse, Northwest News Network reported at the time. For that, the AGs Office was required to pay $100,000 in sanctions.

A Discovery Master was appointed in that case too.

The year before that, a King County Judge threatened sanctions against the AG for not preserving emails regarding the 2014 Oso landslide, a lawsuit that ultimately cost the state $50 million, Northwest News Network reported.

The network reported in 2017 that Attorney General Bob Ferguson took responsibility for his offices failure to preserve emails and said he would mandate internal training to ensure violations of the rules of evidence didnt happen again.

The court found that we fell well short of that duty in this case, and I am committed to preventing that from happening again, AG Ferguson was quoted as saying at the time, according to Northwest News Network.

Attorney Generals Office, DSHS ordered to pay $200,000 for withholding 11,000 documents
Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced Monday he will not be seeking reelection to the position, just hours after Gov. Jay Inslee announced that he will not seek a fourth term.

Serving alongside you as Insurance Commissioner for Washington state has been, and continues to be, the greatest honor of my life, Kreidler said in a statement sent out Monday afternoon. Ive always said it was the best job Ive ever had, and I still feel that way today.

Kreidler served one term as congressman representing the 9th Congressional District in the mid-1990s. He was first elected to his current position in 2000, and was elected to his sixth term as commissioner in 2020.

Now, its time for someone else to step forward and carry on this agencys important consumer protection work, Kreidler said in the statement. I know that my successor will be in good hands with all of you helping to lead the way.

The commissioner came under fire in 2022 for firing a top aide in his office over whistleblower complaints.

The governor and other officials called on Kreidler to resign at the time. Kreidler declined.

Jon Noski, the now former legislative director for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), initially filed a formal complaint against Kreidler in February 2022 after Noski asserted that Kreidler had been bullying him and antagonizing other staff members, Northwest News Network first reported in 2022. Kreidler also was accused of using racist slurs in his office.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, commander of the Wagner Group private military company (PMC), has claimed that militants from his PMC destroyed an armoured vehicle while Major General Ihor Tantsiura, commander of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was inside it. According to Ukrainska Pravda sources in the military, this is a lie.

Source: Prigozhins Telegram channel; informed sources of Ukrainska Pravda in the military

Quote: "At 13:25 today, artillery units of Wagner PMC destroyed an armoured vehicle believed to be carrying Ihor Tantsiura, commander of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the transfer of reserves from the settlement of Chasiv Yar to the settlement of Bakhmut." [Prigozhin pronounced his last name as "Sansura" which could have been either a mere slip, or a result of his speech impediment  ed.]

Details: Prigozhin claimed that Tantsiura was heading to the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast. He added that this information is being clarified.

However, Ukrainska Pravda sources in the military stated that "this information is not true".

In particular, Territorial Defence Spokesman Denys Zelinskyi said in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda that everyone in the ranks of the Armed Forces is "alive and well".

Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Major General Ihor Ivanovich Tantsiura as the commander of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 15 May 2022.

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






Two boaters and a dog were pulled from a catamaran as it sank off the coast of Georgia, Coast Guard officials say.

The boaters and a dog named Reggie were on a 28-foot catamaran when their boat began taking on water on Monday, May 1, near the entrance of St. Simons Sound, the Coast Guard said in a tweet. Charleston watchstanders received their mayday call and dispatched rescuers from Savannah and Tybee Island.

#BREAKINGNEWS: A #USCG Air Station #Savannah crew rescued 2 people and a dog after their 28-foot catamaran began taking on water Monday and eventually sank near the entrance of St. Simons Sound, #Georgia. The 2 people and Reggie are in good spirits! #searchandrescue pic.twitter.com/OMti2VInKe  USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 2, 2023

We were able to locate the survivors exact position because of an alert from their (personal locator beacon). A PLB transmits personalized distress signals and helps us find you in (search and rescue) missions, Tyler Murray, a Coast Guard officer, said in a tweet.

After rescuers removed the boaters and Reggie, the catamaran eventually sank, officials said.

Officials said both boaters and Reggie were taken to Hunter Army Airfield in good spirits after they were rescued.

St. Simons Sound is about 70 miles southwest of Savannah.

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Search for missing boaters leads to capsized vessel and three bodies, Coast Guard says

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The former MLK Child and Family Well-Being Center has provided mental and physical health for families and children of the South Central Los Angeles area.

The MLK Child and Family Well-Being Center in Watts was newly unveiled last week as the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center.

A renaming ceremony was held Friday, with Avants daughter, Nicole Avant, on hand, along with her father and Jacqueline Avants husband, entertainment impresario Clarence Avant, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Guests included Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Jimmy Jam, Quincy Jones III, Earvin Magic Johnson, L.A. Reid, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and businessman Rick Caruso, among others.

The newly minted Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center sits on the MLK Medical Campus, a 42-acre site in the Watts-Willowbrook community that helps the medically underserved in South Central Los Angeles. Among other facilities on the campus are the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, MLK Behavioral Health Center and the King/Drew Magnet High School.

(From left) Businessman Rick Caruso and his wife, Tina Caruso, along with Nicole Avant and her husband, Ted Sarandos, attend the unveiling of the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center in Los Angeles. The revamped and renamed facility honors Nicole Avants mother. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center)

The renamed facility provides mental and physical health for local families and children of South Central L.A. It will provide pediatric care for children in foster homes and mental health evaluations for about 4,000 children and teens exposed to violence.

This center specifically, my mom was very focused on  she knew it was going to be rebuilt, Nicole Avant said of her late mother. She knew the city was going to put a lot of money into it, and God bless Supervisor Mitchell because she really led the charge for this to happen.

Jacqueline Avant, a philanthropist and community activist, was shot and killed on Dec. 1, 2021, by an intruder who broke into her Trousdale Estates home near Beverly Hills. She had spent much of her time and resources on efforts that benefit at-risk youth at the South Central Community Child Care Center while serving as president of its support group, Neighbors of Watts.

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My moms dedication was, Listen, were not here to save everybody  I cant do that, Nicole Avant shared. But I am here to serve, and I am here to create opportunity  weve been blessed with so much that it is my duty to be down here.'

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The post Watts community and wellness center renamed after the late Jacqueline Avant appeared first on TheGrio.
A 33-year-old Washington County man has been sentenced to five years in prison for shooting at a pizza delivery driver.

John Norman was also sentenced to five years extended supervision, according to Washington County online court records.

According to a police report, when the 46-year-old female DoorDash driver arrived at Norman's residence with a pizza delivery Feb. 16, 2022, Norman fired a shot with a shotgun through the glass part of his door at the woman.

As the glass was flying from the door at the driver, the woman ran to her car and called police. The driver told officers that she had glass all over her hair and in her clothes.

When she arrived at Norman's home in the Town of Barton, the driver said she put "arrive" on her DoorDash app, and that it appeared that the defendant was waiting for her, according to the police report.

The police report did not indicate why Norman fired the shot.

When police arrived, officers noticed that Norman's eyes appeared "to be very watery in appearance and severely bloodshot" and his "speech was slurred and drawn out, and he was unbalanced while walking." A field sobriety test was administered and Norman failed as he struggled with his balance and coordination, according to the report.

Inside Norman's residence, the officers found a 12-gauge shotgun, a spent shotgun shell and other kinds of ammunition.

According to online court records, Norman agreed to a plea deal in January, pleading no contest to first-degree recklessly endangering safety. As part of that deal, his charge of felony bail jumping was dismissed. Norman was out on bond for an incident in 2021, which included second-degree recklessly endangering safety, according to online court records.

More: Grun Hexe Kitchen & Catering in West Bend to open in June with an earthy and garden vibe

More: Housing development featuring 'garden style' buildings proposed near downtown West Bend

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Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Washington County man gets five years for shooting at delivery woman
Phoenix Police Department.

A woman was jailed on suspicion of chaining her son for hours over the weekend at her west Phoenix home.

Meilin Jaqueline Vasquez Maradiaga, 33, is charged on suspicion of her adult son's unlawful imprisonment, according to court records.

About 5:46 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a call at a home in the area of South 32nd Drive and South 31st Avenue from a man who said his mother was restraining him with chains, according to a probable cause statement. Officers spoke with the mother, Vasquez Maradiaga, who directed them to the son chained by his ankle to a bunk bed in a bedroom in a house in the back, charging documents say.

Vasquez Maradiaga gave officers a key to unlock the padlock used to chain her son, according to court documents. The son was unchained and Vasquez Maradiaga was taken into custody without incident, court documents say.

According to court records, Vasquez Maradiaga said the incident began about 11 p.m. Saturday when she and her son were arguing over him again asking for money for his fentanyl pill addiction. She said she refused to give her son money to pay off a drug dealer before he threatened to damage her car and hurt his siblings, whom he had begun to approach, according to court documents.

The mother grabbed the son and they struggled, whereupon he began slamming his head on the ground and talking about suicide, court documents say.Vasquez Maradiaga, according to charging documents, asked her brother to help restrain her son using ropes and the two bound his hands and feet together before releasing him. She received her son's consent to chain him to the bed for his and everyone's safety, according to court documents.

But shortly after, Vasquez Maradiaga's son changed his mind and wanted to leave, but she refused his request and kept him chained for six to seven hours, according to court documents. The son found a cellphone inside the house in the back and called police, court documents say.

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Vasquez Maradiaga said she did not unchain her son because she feared he might go on a drug binge and overdose, kill himself or hurt someone else.

Jail and court records show that as of Tuesday morning, Vasquez Maradiaga is being held in jail with a preliminary court hearing on May 18.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: West Phoenix man chained to bed by mother, court records say
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - Western countries on Tuesday raised concerns over Russian private military contractor Wagner Group's activities in Mali, including allegations of its role in the killings of civilians, at a U.N. human rights meeting in Geneva.

The United States, Canada, Great Britain and Ukraine were among countries that raised the alleged role of Wagner contractors in supporting Mali's armed forces.

Mali, whose leaders seized power in a 2021 coup, and Russia have previously maintained that Russian forces there are not mercenaries but trainers helping local troops with equipment bought from Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Mali has the right to work with private Russian firms.

"We are particularly concerned by the presence and actions of the Wagner group," Canada's envoy Patricia Lyn McCullagh told the Human Rights Council during a review of Mali's rights record - a process which all U.N. member states are subject to.

Several countries asked Mali to conduct an independent investigation into an incident in March 2022 in Moura, central Mali, where local troops and suspected Russian fighters allegedly killed hundreds of civilians.

The U.N. has said its investigators were denied access to the site.

Russia has denied civilians were killed in Moura. Wagner did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.

"We recommend that Mali conduct a credible investigation into human rights violations and abuses committed during security operations conducted with Kremlin-backed Wagner forces in Moura in March 2022 as promised at the U.N. Security Council and hold those responsible to account," said U.S. ambassador to the council Michele Taylor.

Mali's director of military justice Colonel Boubacar Maiga said that an investigation was already underway.

"The government of Mali is determined to bring (the investigation) to a successful conclusion in respect for human rights and in a spirit of full independence," he said, adding access was difficult as Mali is "at war".

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Russia's envoy Maria Molodtsova said "those killed (in Moura) were militants from terrorist groups that had oppressed the population for years". The military operation "contributed to peace and tranquility in Moura," she said.

Mali is overrun with militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State who have waged a decade-long insurgency that has killed hundreds. French forces intervened in 2013, initially forcing the insurgents to retreat, but they have since rebounded and control much of the centre and north.

French forces left last year amid a diplomatic spat with Mali's military junta just as Wagner Group moved in.

(Additional reporting by Edward McAllister in Dakar and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva; Editing by Conor Humphries)
Adrian Keogh had to climb down the steps of his Ryanair flight to Sweden when special assistance didn't arrive. Adrian Keogh

A traveler who uses a wheelchair had to crawl down a plane's stairs after assistance failed to show up.

Adrian Keogh was flying from Dublin, Ireland to Sweden for his daughter's 14th birthday.

He was told it would take at least an hour for a lift to take him off the plane, due to operational issues

A wheelchair user was left to crawl down the metal steps of a plane after his Ryanair flight landed late and there were no lifts available.

Adrian Keogh was traveling from Dublin, Ireland to Landvetter Airport in Goteborg, Sweden on Saturday night, for his daughter's 14th birthday.

He told Insider that the cabin crew said it would take "at least an hour" for a lift to take him off the flight, because the others were all busy.

The BBC, which earlier reported on the story, said Keogh couldn't wait that long because he was in pain after the journey and needed to use the bathroom.

He was also traveling with his family, and told the BBC he declined his brother's offer to carry him because he felt it would be too dangerous.

Ryanair said special assistance at the airport is handled by a third-party.

"It was shocking to be honest," Keogh told Insider. "I was very embarrassed to have to crawl down a plane, and down a set of steps."

Keogh  who has used a wheelchair since 2015 following a construction accident  added that he'd paid for priority boarding "so that I could have some comfort that nothing would happen to me."

"I hope no one else has to ever be left like this again," he said. "We are all equal people and we should be all treated likewise."

He told Insider that nobody from Ryanair or the airport has spoken to him since the incident.

Keogh detailed his ordeal in an Instagram post which received over 8,000 likes. "I am not looking for anything  only the service I paid for, and to be able to travel with dignity," he wrote.

In a statement to Insider, Ryanair said: "We regret that Landvetter Airport failed to provide Special Assistance to this passenger upon arrival at Landvetter on 29 Apr and we are working with Landvetter Airport to ensure this does not recur."

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The airport apologized for the incident, saying: "Due to several unforeseen events the assistance service at the airport was affected with longer waiting times and not up to our usual standard of service.

The airport denied that Keogh was at any point "forgotten."

Last July, Insider reported that another wheelchair user was left on a Ryanair flight for an hour while staff cleaned the plane around her.

Similar ordeals have occurred on Jet2, British Airways, and AlbaStar.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez at the hands of their 18- and 21-year-old sons are back in the true crime spotlight.

Jose and Kitty Menendez were shot and killed in their Los Angeles home on Aug. 20, 1989, leaving a scene so gruesome it was initially investigated as a mob hit, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Their two sons, Joseph "Lyle" Menendez, now 55, and Erik Galen Menendez, now 52, were convicted in 1996 of killing their parents with shotguns after two trials, the first of which ended in hung juries.

In the brothers' second trial, which was before a single jury and free of TV cameras, the judge ruled allegations of Jose Menendez abusing his children as inadmissible, though that was the defense's argument in the first trial.

Erik and Lyle Menendez are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole and have exhausted their appeals  though new allegations of sexual abuse from a member of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo against their father, included in the Peacock series "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed," could corroborate their claims  and potentially reopen their case.

Here's what to know about the Menendez brothers, and the Menendez family's connections to Menudo.

What happened on Aug. 20, 1989?

Jose Menendez spent most of the early 1980s as chief operating officer at RCA Records, where he helped sign bands like Duran Duran, The Eurythmics and Menudo, according to the Los Angeles Times.

He moved his family to California after leaving RCA Records in 1986 to work for Carolco Pictures, according to the Times, and he purchased a 9,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills in October 1988.

The Beverly Hills home would become the infamous crime scene where Jose Menendez and his wife Mary "Kitty" Menendez were shot several times in their living room on Aug. 20, 1989 with two 12-gauge shotguns.

"It was just absolutely savage," Russ Olson, a former Beverly Hills police captain and murder investigator said of the crime scene on an episode of "Snapped," an Oxygen true crime documentary series. "You're looking at two human beings who had been ripped apart."

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Jose Menendez, 45, was shot at point-blank range in the back of the head, and was struck three more times in the arms and legs. Kitty Menendez, 47, was shot four times in the head and five other times across her body.

"The bodies were distorted," Olson said. "They had no resemblance of what you would expect a human being to look like."

Then 21-year-old Lyle Menendez called 911 saying he and his then 18-year-old brother Erik Menendez had just returned home to find their parents slain.

"Somebody killed my parents," Lyle Menendez told the dispatcher, according to a transcript of the call. "Erik, get away from them," he could be heard shouting at his brother on the call.

Menendez Brothers Trial 1990 (Nick Ut / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

When police arrived, neighbors could hear screams and officers found Erik Menendez curled in a ball, sobbing on the lawn, the Times reported.

Investigators described the murders as a "gangland-style killing," the Times reported citing police reports, and detectives suspected the slayings were perpetrated by mobsters or Jose Menendez's business rivals who may have had a grudge.

However, the Menendez brothers' financial behavior following the slayings began to attract the attention of investigators: Lyle Menendez bought a Porsche, a Rolex and thousands of dollars worth of clothing, while Erik Menendez purchased a custom Jeep Wrangler.

Shortly after police confiscated recordings of the brothers' therapy sessions which contained incriminating information, and about seven months after the murders, the couple's oldest son, Lyle Menendez, was arrested on March 8, 1990.

Erik Menendez surrendered to authorities three days later, and both brothers made their first appearance in court on March 12.

Why were there multiple trials?

Menendez Brothers (NICK UT / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Menendez brothers were first tried jointly with separate juries in 1993. The case became a national sensation due to television coverage of the courtroom proceedings on Court TV.

In the first trial, the brothers argued they killed their parents because they feared for their safety after a lifetime of sexual abuse perpetrated by their father, and condoned by their mother. A family member testified about hearing of knowing the abuse as a child, ABC News reported.

Prosecutors argued the brothers had killed their parents for financial gain, and the trial ended with two deadlocked juries in January 1994, according to the New York Times.

Then Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti said he would retry the case and that he would not accept a plea bargain, according to the Times.

The brothers' were tried before a single jury for their second trial, which began in August 1995. Judge Stanley Weisberg, the judge in the second trial, ruled evidence and testimony about the brothers allegations of sexual abuse would be inadmissible in the new trial, citing irrelevance, the Los Angeles Times reported

Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in March 1996.

Both brothers were sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, according to the Associated Press.

What is Menudo and what are its ties to the Menendez family?

Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band formed in 1977 by music producer Edgardo Diaz. The original lineup featured five boys in their early teens, and became an international sensation by the early 1980s  Ricky Martin even debuted in the group in 1984.

Once boys reached age 15 or 16, they would be replaced by younger members, former members recalled in "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed."

Roy Rosello joined Menudo at age 13 in August 1983, and alleged in the documentary he was sexually abused by Diaz, the group's founder, for the three years he was in the band.

Diaz did not respond to a request for comment for the Peacock documentary or from NBC News, but he has repeatedly denied the allegations of sexual abuse against him from former members of the band.

Rosello also alleged in the series he was molested by Jose Menendez when Menendez was the head of RCA Records. Rosello said Diaz took him to Menendez's home, where Menendez drugged him and raped him.

"That's the man here," Rosello says in the series, pointing to a photo of Jose Menendez posing with Menudo after they signed to RCA in 1983. "This guy  that's the pedophile."

Erik Menendez said in "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed" he remembered seeing Rosello with his father in their home as a child.

"My dad was one of the guys that was choosing and selecting the new members of the group," he said. "I remember specifically taking one of the kids and going off and saying he wanted to talk to him alone and they went off into the house upstairs."

Robert Rand, a journalist and executive producer on "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed" who has been covering the brothers case for decades, told Erik Hernandez the news of Rosellos allegations against his father over the phone in the docuseries.

Frankly, to be honest, I feel horrible. Its sad to know there was another victim of my father, Erik Menendez said. I always hoped and believed that one day the truth about my dad would come out, but I never wished for it to come out like this  the result of trauma another child has suffered. It makes me very sad.

Lyle Hernandez said in the series the allegations were "overwhelming" to hear.

"We've heard rumors that something might have happened with Menudo through the years," he said. "It's a remarkable thing to happen so many decades later."

"Of course you would know that would have made a difference at trial," he told Rand. "Certainly that would have made an enormous difference because the entire trial centered on the belief about these events."

Will the Menendez brothers ever be released?

Erik and Lyle Menendez are currently incarcerated at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where they are not eligible for parole.

The brothers have exhausted their appeals, but legal experts said their legal team could file a petition with new evidence, including Rosello's allegations against their father.

Alan Jackson, a criminal defense attorney, outlined on TODAY what what would need to happen for the Menendez brothers to "breathe free air one of these days."

"First, they have to file the petition. The petition has to be reviewed by a superior court judge. The judge has to grant a new trial, and the defense has to win at trial," Jackson said. "So those procedural and factual hurdles  that's a big mountain to climb."

"Is this a glimmer of hope? It's a glimmer," Jackson continued.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TODAY.com seeking the status of the investigation into Rosello's police report, as well as the status of the Menendez's convictions.

Where are the Menendez brothers now?

An Oct. 31, 2016 photo of Erik Menendez and a Feb. 22, 2018 photo of Lyle Menendez, both provided by the California Department of Corrections. (California Department of Corrections via AP)

Erik and Lyle Menendez began serving life sentences without the possibility of parole after they were convicted of murdering their parents in 1996.

The brothers were held at separate prisons until 2018, when they were moved to RJ Donovan Correctional Facility. Rand told ABC News in 2018 that before their reunion, the brothers hadnt seen each other since Sept. 10, 1996.

Lyle Menendez was led down a hallway to meet his brother in a room in the prison, and once the guard opened the door, both brothers "burst into tears immediately," Rand said.

"They just hugged each other for a few minutes without saying any words to each other," Rand said. "Then the prison officials let them spend an hour together in a room."

Lyle Menendez is now 55 and his younger brother Erik Menendez is now 52, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

"Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed" premieres on May 2 on Peacock.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
By Canberk Do?an

The last of the good news in defense was the National Combat Aircraft (NCA). The NCA, which will be the main combat force of our Air Force, came out of the hangar and headed to the runway. Explaining that the NCA was named KAAN, President Erdo?an said, "Imagine such a plane that it will enter the enemy's lair in a war environment without being seen by radars. Then he will quietly return to his base. KAAN is the name of this plane, he said.

Turkiye experienced a historic day in the field of defense and aviation. Turkish domestic warplane and HURJET took to the runway together. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an announced that the name of the National Combat Aircraft is KAAN.

Participating in the Century of the Future Promotion Program held at the Kahramankazan Central Campus of Turkish Aviation and Remote Industry (TUSA?), Erdo?an gave instructions to act by connecting to the pilots of HURJET and NCA after he came to the podium. HURJET and NCA taxied on Erdogan's instruction. After HURJET came to the stage, NCA with KAAN written on its body completed its taxi at the designated spot in front of the stage.

Plate for pilots

After the engine shutdown of KAAN and HURJET, Erdo?an said, Right now, HURJET and our KAAN are in front of us. When I saw both of them before me, I remembered these lines of Yahya Kemal and read the poem This storm is the Turkish army, Oh GODi. HURJET Test Pilot Ercan Celik and KAAN's Test Pilot Gokhan Bayramoglu, who came to the podium, presented their helmets and veils, and Erdo?an presented plaques to the pilots.

We are in every area

Stating that today is one of the historical days in the field of defense and aviation, Erdo?an said that in the last months, they have been giving good news in the defense industry that has made the nation happy.

Among these is the addition of our TCG Anadolu ship to our navy. There is a successful launch of our IMECE satellite into space. There is the delivery of our Altay tank to our Armed Forces for testing. Our GOKBEY helicopter is flying with a domestic engine. For the first time, a torpedo has been fired from an unmanned naval vehicle. Thank God, we exist on land, on the sea and under the sea, in the air, in space, in every area. Today, we are in front of our nation with a new phase of our projects. I hope we will see many more tomorrow," he said.

Name Father State

As the main combat force of our Air Force, we took our National Combat Aircraft out of the hangar and built a runway head. We performed the first flight of our HURJET. We launched ATAK 2, which we can call the brother of our ATAK attack helicopter, for the first time. Our ANKA-3, the world's first flying unmanned aerial aircraft, made its first walk. We named our National Combat Aircraft KAAN. His name is also Devlet Bey. But we still have a long way to go. In the coming years, we will continue to instill trust in friends and fear in the enemy by equipping our army with these planes, UAVs and helicopters.

It will enter enemy's lair without being see on the radars

KAAN is before our eyes with all its glory. Very soon it will fly too. It will enter the enemy's lair without being seen by the radars in the war environment. He will open the gun slot and drop his missile and bomb on the enemy. Our country's own engineers will build this plane, and our own pilots will fly it. KAAN is the name of this aircraft. All of the main mission systems will be domestic and national. KAAN will fly with our own weapons, radar, communication, flight, control and mission computers. We will be one of the 5 countries producing this type of 5th generation fighter jet in the world.

Signature on Trunk

At the ceremony, first HURJET and then KAAN taxied on the runway and greeted President Erdogan. While HURJET and KAAN took their places on the runway, KIZILELMA's sister ANKA-3 and ATAK-2 decorated the ceremony area. After signing the fuselage part of the KAAN, President Erdo?an went to the cockpit of the plane and sat in the pilot's seat. It was seen that ROKETSAN's SOM-J was mounted in ANKA, which was equipped with domestic ammunition. There were engineers and technicians of domestic and militia warplanes as well as other TAI employees in the area. In front of the B610 modernization modification hangar, Gokbey's engine was displayed next to the domestic helicopter.

Arm will fly

Stating that K?z?lelma and ANKA-3 will fly autonomously with the KAAN, Erdo?an said, They will all perform their duties with our domestic ammunition. Thus, we will raise the standards of armed drones to the highest level worldwide. Hurku?, which we have started to produce for friendly and allied countries, has already turned it into an international platform. Soon we are giving the first products to Niger and Chad. We also receive happy news from our national helicopter, Gokbey. Gokbey now flies with a turbine engine designed by our own engineers. Our 10-ton ATAK-2 helicopter has become one of the three countries in the world that can produce helicopters in this class.

HURJET red white

HURJET appeared in public for the first time with its new red and white color at the ceremony. Stating that HURJET will train heroic pilots, equip them with weapons and go to the battlefield when necessary, Erdo?an said, HURJET will be able to partially replace the F-16s by equipping it with our own weapons and radars. Very soon, our HURJET will join the inventory of our Air Force. Hopefully, we will deploy HURJET to our TCG ANADOLU ship as well, he said.

Keep bothering

Criticizing the opposition that opposes defense projects, Erdogan said, Every success our country has achieved in the defense industry is disturbed by these, as well as those on the other side of the water. Make no mistake, we will continue to disturb them and those on the other side of the water. Even KAAN and HURJET alone are enough to wake up those who accuse us of being disconnected from reality from the dreams they have pinned their hopes on.
National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, right, of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea talks with Rep. Vern Buchanan and other delegates from the United States at the National Assembly, May 1. Yonhap



National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and dozens of lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties are expected to use Air Force One when they visit the United States next month for parliamentary diplomacy with members of the U.S. Congress.



Officials of the National Assembly are in talks with the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol to work out details about using the presidential jet for the planned visit to the U.S. by Speaker Kim and about 50 lawmakers in early June, sources said.



The idea was first suggested to Yoon when he had a dinner meeting with Kim last year. Its prospect had been in doubt due to cost issues, but the government agreed to use reserve funds in the national budget to cover the cost, according to the sources.



Political watchers say the government's decision to lend the presidential jet and cover its cost could be meaningful in terms of "cooperative" politics because lending the jet comes with a number of other complications, apart from operating costs.



If the planned trip to Washington goes ahead as planned, Kim plans to push for the establishment of a parliamentary union between lawmakers of the two nations to further strengthen the 70-year alliance and to prepare for legislation that could affect Korean businesses.



Kim had previously mentioned the need for a U.S.-Korea parliamentary union to preemptively respond to issues between companies from the two countries at a parliamentary level before they escalate into disputes between the two governments.



The planned use of the presidential jet, however, could be called off if the travel plan changes.



"There has been a decision on the government side with regard to the delegation of lawmakers visiting the U.S. and we're currently discussing the details," an official of the National Assembly said. (Yonhap)


WASHINGTON  The White House slammed Republican-backed legislation to raise the debt ceiling for not explicitly protecting veterans' health benefits from massive spending cuts, warning Tuesday of proposed historic slashes to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The bill, which the Republican-controlled House approved last week, would eliminate 81,000 Veterans Affairs jobs, produce 30 million fewer Veterans Affairs outpatient visits and increase the disability backlog of veterans by 134,000, the White House said in a memo.

These draconian cuts to Americas veterans have no precedent in Americas history, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said. "And prioritizing tax welfare for wealthy special interests over honoring our commitments to those who have put their lives on the line for our country is as backwards as politics gets.

The legislation, pushed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, does not target veterans services by name but would keep government spending in fiscal year 2024 at the same level as 2022.

McCarthy's office rejected the White House's claims. Chad Gilmartin, McCarthy's deputy spokesman, said House Republicans "will not cut veterans benefits" and will "responsibly prioritize" spending in the upcoming appropriations process.

"Democrats have been playing games with veterans for years in order to make room for their pet projects elsewhere in the budget," Gilmartin said. "We should prioritize meeting our veterans needs instead of trying to leverage their benefits for unrelated spending."

The Republicans' bill includes $4.5 trillion in cuts to government programs  a 22% reduction overall in domestic spending, according to the White House  as part of raising the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion to avert a government default.

Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, issued an analysis of the bill saying that because Republicans are unwilling to cut defense spending everything else in annual appropriations would be subjected to cuts including cancer research, education and veterans' health care.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs is an agency of the federal government that provides benefits and health care services to approximately 9 million veterans. The department's projection came from applying the cuts across the board to federal agencies.

I hear House Republicans out on TV saying they would never vote to cut veterans benefits, President Joe Biden said in a tweet Tuesday with an attached flow chart. In case theres any confusion, I made a little chart that could help them out.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., who chairs the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, called Democrats' warnings of veterans cuts "dangerous rhetoric."

"Simply put, they are playing politics with our veterans," Bost said during last week's debate on the bill. "Veterans are not political pawns to advance a political agenda."

But 24 veterans' groups signed a letter to Congress expressing grave concerns about potential veterans' benefit cuts before the House voted 217-215 last Wednesday to approve the debt ceiling bill.

The organizations  which include the Air Force Sergeants Association, VoteVets and Easterseals  asked lawmakers to explicitly exempt Veterans Affairs from future cuts. That change, however, wasnt made.

Without specific language to explicitly protect VA from the impact of the proposed budget reductions, it would leave many veteran resources open to cuts, potentially undoing years of progress VA has made for those that have earned it, the groups wrote.

President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Monday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Biden has promised to veto McCarthy's debt ceiling bill, which is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, warning that cuts would hurt hardworking Americans who depend on the targeted programs and benefits.

Biden wants the debt ceiling to be raised by Congress without conditions as it has under past presidencies, but hes been unable to sway McCarthy and Republicans who are demanding spending cuts.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Monday that the U.S. could reach its borrowing limit by June 1 unless the debt ceiling is raised, putting the nation at risk of going into default. McCarthy agreed to meet with Biden and other congressional leaders on May 9 at the White House.

Unless moderates are willing to stand up to the extreme MAGA groups that have taken over the conference, Bates said, the House GOP is going to define themselves as so indentured to multinational corporations and billionaires that theyre willing to make the biggest cuts to veterans benefits in American history.

U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, center, is joined by a U.S. Congressional delegation as he speaks after a session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday, May 1.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White House says McCarthy debt ceiling bill would gut Veterans Affairs
President Biden is considering nominating Federal Reserve board member Philip Jefferson for the role of Fed vice chairman and World Bank U.S. Executive Director Adriana Kugler for a spot on the U.S. central banks board of governors, according to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Jefferson would take the spot last held by former Fed Vice Chairwoman Lael Brainard, who moved to the White House in February to head up the National Economic Council, which spearheads the presidents economic agenda.

Brainards departure left a vacancy on the Feds board of governors, comprising seven members who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Kugler would take Brainards governor spot as Jefferson moves into the vice chair position, and she would become the first Hispanic member of the Fed board.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation on the potential nominations of Jefferson and Kugler.

Jeffersons committee assignments include board affairs, economic and monetary affairs, and supervision and regulation, as well as the subcommittee on smaller regional and community banking.

Supervision and community banking are two areas in the financial spotlight following the collapse of some of the largest banks in U.S. history over the past few months, which largely catered to wealthy clientele and received publicly administered rescues using a variety of financial mechanisms.

Those rescues, which are symptomatic of a larger bailout culture, according to one Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulator, prompted a deposit flight out of smaller and regional banks toward some of the too-big-to-fail banks, which are subject to greater regulation and saw huge first-quarter profits.

Jefferson may face political and industry pressure to make some course corrections in Fed regulatory policy regarding smaller banks.

To ensure the nation responds appropriately to recent developments, policymakers must distinguish large, risky banks from the community banks that serve local consumers and small businesses. Given these vastly different banking models, Washington should ensure any response to recent closures at larger institutions does not affect the community banks that continue to do right by their customers and hometowns, Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President Rebeca Romero Rainey said in a statement on Monday.

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Kugler is a labor economist with the World Bank and is on leave as a professor of public policy and economics at Georgetown. She has also held top positions in the Business and Economics Statistics Section of the American Statistical Association.

A paper featured on her World Bank page about labor market reforms in Columbia concludes that making it cheaper for companies to fire people and decreasing employees job security increases the level of employment.

Columbian labor market reform in 1990 contributed to reducing unemployment  because it generated greater flows out of unemployment than into unemployment, Kugler wrote.

Welfare considerations of labour market reform should not only recognise the efficiency gains from greater mobility and the benefits from lower unemployment that may be brought about by a reform, but also the welfare gains of compositional changes towards better jobs, she wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rally Held In Support Of Montana Transgender Lawmaker Zooey Zephyr

LIVINGSTON, MT - APRIL 29: Supporters hold signs near a rally in support of transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr on April 29, 2023 in Livingston, Montana. Zephyr was banned from the floor of the Montana legislature after speaking out against an anti-transgender bill. (Photo by William Campbell/Getty Images) Credit - Getty Images2023 William Campbell

Montana State Rep. Zooey Zephyr filed a lawsuit on Monday after lawmakers voted to censure her last week, marking what experts call an unusual legal suit to protect her right to free speech.

The lawsuit, which was filed with the American Civil Liberties Union, argues that barring Zephyr from debate on the House floor is a violation of the rights of the representative and her 11,000 constituents. Two constituents from Montana House District 100, which Zephyr represents, were named as plaintiffs in the suit.

When the speaker refused to recognize me, he took away not only my right as a legislator to partake in speech and debate on the floor, but also the voice of the people who elected me, Zephyr said in an interview with TIME on Tuesday. And that is an attack on the very first principles of our country.

Efforts to silence Zephyr reflect similar efforts seen across Republican-led legislatures. These actions are just the latest in a trend of using extraordinary procedural maneuvers to attempt to win arguments that they cant win on the merits, Northeastern Law Professor Jeremy Paul tells TIME. Using decorum rules as a way of shutting down debate, its not American.

Attempts to expel the Tennessee Threerepresentatives who were accused of breaking House rules for leading protests against gun violenceoccurred in April, though two of those legislators were later reappointed, and the measure to oust the remaining representative never went through. Oklahoma State Rep. Mauree Turner, who is nonbinary, was also censured by House leadership after they reportedly let a protester use their office after an arrest.

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The Montana Houses partisan censure of Rep. Zephyr was utterly unjust and blatantly discriminatory, said American Constitution Society President Russ Feingold in an email statement to TIME. We hope the lawsuit combined with the outpouring of political and grassroots support for her and for Reps. Pearson and Jones from Tennessee serve as a warning to those who would opt for authoritarianism over democracy.

Zephyr is seeking an injunction to be reinstated for the final days of legislative session, during which the states budget will be decided. She is suing Montana House Speaker Matt Regier and statehouse Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley Murfitt in her legal proceedings.

Read More: Rep. Zooey Zephyr: My Censure Was an Attack on Democracy

How unprecedented is this case?

Legal experts tell TIME that Zephyrs lawsuit is unprecedented because it alleges that both the representative and her constituents rights were violated.

Attorneys for Zephyr also cited two court cases where judges sided with lawmakers who have made controversial comments. One includes the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in 2022 that said making Oregon Senator Brian Boquist give notice that he was coming to the state capitol violated his right to free speech. The second was a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court decision that forced the Georgia House of Representatives to let Julian Bond take his seat. That decision reaffirmed that legislators have the right to controversial speech under the First Amendment.

Both experts compare the current state of duress to a post-World War II America, when the Red Scare was used to target screenwriters, authors and officials who were regarded as sympathetic to communism.

Legislatures, historically, have penalized or even ousted lawmakers who have violated the law or engaged in extraordinarily immoral conduct, said Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center and a professor at Middle Tennessee State University. But what were seeing in Missoula is punishment for nothing more than colorful and outraged speech.

"If you are denying gender-affirming care and forcing a trans child to go through puberty, that is tantamount to torture, and this body should be ashamed.



If you vote yes on this bill, I hope the next time you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands." pic.twitter.com/WnxvmQtFCt  Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@ZoAndBehold) April 18, 2023

Paul mentions that the case is particularly interesting because parties in the suit argue that not letting Zephyr actively participate in session impacts Montana residents equal protection clause, which says citizens have to have the same rights as other citizens.

Constituents voted for her to be their representative, and when shes not allowed to speak, that interferes with their ability to be represented, says Paul. Some constituents are listed as plaintiffs in the suit and that adds an additional wrinkle to the case that you dont ordinarily see in these kinds of cases, he adds.

Why is the court interfering with this case?

Typically, experts tell TIME, courts do not interfere in whats considered to be political matters. That means that any issues related to lawmakers behavior or conduct within legislature is normally resolved by elected officials.

And other efforts to silence or expel lawmakers, such as the Tennessee Three, did not result in lawsuits because those elected officials had a way to remedy the actions taken against them.

This case, however, distinguishes itself because the plaintiffs allege that the rights endowed to them by Montanas constitution were infringed upon. Montana law allows House leadership to expel or punish a member if two-thirds of legislators agree. In order for this measure to apply to Zephyr, she would have to engage in actions that clearly violate the rules, collective rights, safety, dignity, integrity and decorum of the House of Representatives, according to the law.

The ACLU and Zephyr argue that Zephyrs fail[ure] to calm the crowd of protestorswhich is the basis of her censuredid not justify the punishment she was given.

This is going to put some pressure on the court to say, well, you know, in general, we wont be involved in cases like this, but this is such an extreme action on the part of the Montana house, that were going to interfere, Paul says.
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our regional newsletter, Talk of the Town.

STATE COLLEGE  In January, despite months of documented public opposition, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) unanimously approved a casino slated to go in the Nittany Mall.

Andrew Shaffer, who runs the website SayNoCasino.org, was at the forefront of the anti-casino movement, collecting thousands of State College area residents signatures opposing the project. They believe the casino will be a drain on the economy and adversely affect Penn State students, a population especially susceptible to gambling addiction.

The mini-casino, which could have anywhere from 300 to 750 slot machines and up to 40 table games according to state rules, has drawn criticism from residents who feel they were not included in the approval process.

So why couldnt the opposition movement halt the project? While Shaffer speculates part of the reason behind the PGCBs approval was pressure from the gambling industry, another explanation lies in the regulatory procedure behind the casinos development. Because of a 2017 state law, College Township had to OK the possibility of a casino before a license was even available in Centre County.

The 2017 legislation, called Act 42, created 10 mini-casino licenses to be distributed across Pennsylvania and included an opt-out period for municipalities, which opened in November of that year and closed about 60 days later.

At a council meeting on Dec. 7, 2017, College Township chose not to opt out and remained a potential location for a casino  one of 14 Centre Region municipalities to do so. At the time, council members doubted that the Nittany Mall, the only place one could go due to the townships restrictions on gambling, would be a sought-after locale, with one council member calling its chances pretty slim.

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The mini-casino is planned for the space that previously was occupied by Macys.

College Township Manager Adam Brumbaugh told Spotlight PA that the municipalitys gaming policies, combined with a desire to address the deteriorating economic situation of the Nittany Mall, ultimately drove the councils decision.

This short opt-out window, combined with the jumbled decision-making order of operations, limited the publics chances to weigh in. Brumbaugh said the townships December 2017 public meeting, when the opt-out decision was an agenda item, wasnt attended by any casino opponents.

At that time, there were no licenses (for Centre County) that were available, Brumbaugh said. It never came up as a discussion point from the public.

The language of the 2017 law also allows municipalities to decide at any time that they want to opt in, or become a potential casino host, but once they do, opting out is prohibited. Shaffer said this aspect of the 2017 legislation is extremely biased in favor of casino developers. College Township, based on its solicitors opinion, believes it could have opted out until July 2, 2019, because of an amendment to state law, but it missed that chance, too.

Blaine Lucas, a Pittsburgh-based attorney who specializes in zoning law, said the main difference between casino development and other land development is that the former is largely directed by the state legislature rather than municipalities or private companies.

Its hard to compare (gaming legislation) to other uses, because there is a pretty unusual legislative regime that exists there, Lucas said. Its certainly not typical.

For more than two years after College Township did not opt out, the gaming industry made no moves in the area. It wasnt until September 2020 that Ira Lubert, a former member of Penn States Board of Trustees, won a PGCB auction for a mini-casino license and chose to build in the former Macys of the Nittany Mall under a company called SC Gaming.

Lubert won the auction with a bid of $10,000,101, and he submitted his license application on March 2, 2021. Lubert owns a 3% stake in Pittsburghs Rivers Casino, and he opened the Valley Forge Casino Resort outside Philadelphia in 2012, later selling it for $280 million.

Shaffer was first made aware of the casino in August 2021 when the PGCB hosted its first public hearing on the project. He said scheduling a hearing at that time of year hindered public participation.

That date  was chosen at a time when as many people as possible would be out of town, Shaffer said.

Ive heard from hundreds of people that they didnt know a casino was coming, even after a fight against it was well underway.

The PGCBs public input period began July 21, 2021 and remained open much longer than the typical 30-day window. But because of this extended period, the PGCB did not allow comments at their most recent (and final) hearing in January of this year, when the license was granted.

As a result, the public record includes comments from only two people opposing the casino, and the thousands of signatures SayNoCasino gathered werent mentioned.

Shaffer and other community members requested that the College Township Council submit a letter to the PGCB summarizing public disapproval, but the township refused.

We received an abundance of correspondence from community folk in opposition, Brumbaugh said. After consultation with the solicitor, we decided not to forward a letter of concern because the solicitor advised that that could be interpreted as a type of interference, which could create a liability for the township in the event that a license was not afforded to SC Gaming.

Now, the only things potentially standing between SC Gaming and its Nittany Mall casino are two parallel court cases against the PGCB filed by Cordish Companies, which owns the gambling business Stadium Casino and lost the license bid in 2020.

The first, filed in Commonwealth Court, argues that SC Gamings mini-casino license should be thrown out because of its partnership with Ballys Corporation, which signed onto the project in January of 2021  months after Lubert had already won the auction. Cordish claims Lubert financed the bid with the help of Ballys, which Cordish contends is forbidden by the 2017 law. The company also argues the PGCB shouldnt have considered SC Gamings application at all.

The second case is an appeal of the PGCBs license itself, which has gone straight to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

On April 5, a Commonwealth Court judge denied a stay request from SC Gaming that would have prevented the case from moving forward until a decision by the state Supreme Court had been made. The judge said that the lower court case requires a record of the facts before the state Supreme Court can consider it.

If Cordish wins and Luberts license is revoked, Stadium will have the option to build a casino in a different city and might choose to do so in a more populated location, such as Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, where it already operates other casinos.

Until then, Shaffer said SayNoCasino plans to keep voicing its disapproval.

Im not enthusiastic about (Stadium) winning the license and building the casino elsewhere, he said. In my view, casinos are harmful to their host communities wherever they are.

Lilly Riddle is a journalist in Penn States News Lab and an intern with Spotlight PAs State College regional bureau.

SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
BSIP - Getty Images

The only thing that can put a damper on a long-awaited trip to the beach (aside from less than stellar weather) is heading home after a few hours in the sun and realizing you've been sunburned.

If that's the case, you're probably wondering how long the pain, redness, and discomfort that have followed your hours in the sun will lastand, simply put, it depends.

Meet Our Experts: Mona Gohara, MD, Women's Health advisory board member and board-certified dermatologist, Debra Jaliman, MD, New York-based board-certified dermatologist

"It depends on how severe the burn is and how deep it is. If it's just red, it may take a couple of days. If you have blistering, it may take up to two weeks" says Women's Health advisory board member Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "When you get a burn you're literally killing the top layer of your epidermis (or the top layer of your skin cells). So it takes a while for that to regenerate."

There are several uncomfortable side effects of a sunburn, including pain, itchiness, redness, peeling, fever, and maybe even blistering. Everyone experiences sunburns differently. However, that doesn't mean the consequences aren't similar. "Five regular sunburns and one blistering sunburn can double your lifetime risk of melanoma," adds Dr. Gohara. That's why sunscreen, amongst other preventative measures, is essential year round.

Not sure what's best? Read on for 11 expert tips on how to treat a sunburn and heal your skin safely and effectively.

1. Avoid ice and freezing water

A common misconception about treating sunburns is that applying ice directly to the affected areas will help, but unfortunately, that can actually make matters worse. "Do not put ice on a sunburn," says New York-based board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD. "You can get frostbite in addition to the burn. Also, the ice will constrict the blood vessels in the area, which will decrease blood flow and slow healing."

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2. Use a cold compress or take a cool shower

If you still want to use cold temps to treat your burn, try using a cold compress or taking a cool shower as a safer alternative. "Cool temperatures subside inflammation," says Dr. Gohara. For a sunburn that's affecting a smaller area, she recommends putting a wet cloth in the freezer and applying it where needed.

3. Use aloe vera with caution

Aloe vera is one of the most popular remedies when it comes to treating sunburn, and there's a good reason for that. "Aloe is an anti-inflammatory that also helps with redness," says Dr. Jaliman.

Although it's packed with antioxidants and other vitamins (A, C, and E) that help repair the skin, aloe vera should also be used with caution. "Aloe, believe it or not, can cause more irritation," says Dr. Gohara. She points out that some people may be sensitive to the ingredient, which can backfire.



If you know you're not allergic or sensitive to aloe vera, you can either buy a lotion with aloe that's fragrance-free or use it directly from the plant, suggests Dr. Jaliman. Just make sure to avoid products high in alcohol: they may burn your skin.



4. Take an oat bath or make an oat mask

Because oatmeal is also anti-inflammatory, you can take an oat bath to alleviate your symptoms. To prep a bath, simply add a cup of oats to your bath water and soak in it for about 15 minutes.

If you only have a sunburn in specific areas rather than all over your body, Dr. Gohara recommends using an oat paste with milk instead. "Milk has proteins in it that heal the skin, so you can put a dab of cool milk with oats to create a mixture to put on the skin if [the burn] is localized," she explains.

Important note: Do not scrub your skin with oats. Doing so can cause more inflammation. If you're worried about friction between the oats and your burn, try an oat-based cleanser.

5. Try over-the-counter medicine

As mentioned above, sunburns can lead to several unpleasant side effects that can start to feel unbearable after a while. Luckily, you can go to your local pharmacy for an over-the-counter option to temporarily alleviate your symptoms. "You can use ibuprofen or acetaminophen or even aspirin for the pain and inflammation," says Dr. Jaliman. Dr. Gohara adds that cortisone cream is another popular option.

6. Drink water

Drinking water after a long day in the sun can be a total plus, and although it may be helpful to your body overall (and is recommended), it won't be the sole reason why your sunburn is cured. "Drinking water will hydrate your body and keep you healthy, but doesn't have an anti-inflammatory effect," says Dr. Gohara. Like anything you consume, drinking water will benefit you from the inside out. Just don't expect it to be your go-to quick fix.

7. Don't pop blisters

In more severe cases, you may notice that your sunburn has led to blisters. As is, sunburns feel unpleasant, but the blisters may add an extra layer of discomfort. Still, it's crucial to treat them with caution, andI can't stress this enough DO NOT pop them. Remember, blisters form to protect your wounds from infection.

"Clean the area with a fragrance-free soap and water," says Dr. Jaliman. "Then, apply an antibiotic ointment on them like polysporin or bacitracin so the area doesnt get infected. Finally, use a non-stick bandage to cover the area."

8. Use sunscreen

Just because you already have a sunburn doesn't mean it can't get worse from further exposure. ICYDK, you should be applying sunscreen every day (yes, even in the winter and even when you're indoors). If you tend to forget, try to integrate sunscreen into your skincare routine or carry a travel-sized one in your bag.

As your sunburn heals, the sunscreen you use will also play a role in how your skin looks afterward. "Its important to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or above with a high concentration of zinc oxide so that the pigment will blend back and even out," says Dr. Jaliman.

9. Opt for fragrance-free soaps

Similar to aloe vera, soaps that contain strong fragrances may lead to allergic reactions or further irritations to your burn. Using a soap that's fragrance-free will ultimately lower your chances of making things worse. Speaking of showering, it's best practice to use a gentle washcloth instead of a loofah.

10. Wear protective layers

Wearing light but protective clothing can drastically help with avoiding sun exposure. In other words, grab your favorite hat, long summer skirt, or loose long-sleeve top to give your skin a much-needed break from the sun.

11. Speak with your doctor.

At the end of the day, you know your body best. But there are still a few warning signs that indicate it's time to see your doctor including;

If you have a fever above 101 degrees

If you're severely dehydrated or confused

If you experience vomiting

If you have blisters on your face or genitalia

If you notice severe swelling or pus

If 20 percent or more of your body has blisters

Upon seeing your doctor, you may be prescribed antibiotics or steroids by mouth. In the event that you have to go to the hospital, you may need to be placed on an IV, says Dr. Jaliman.

Will tanning help me avoid sunburn?

Tanning to avoid a sunburn is a common myth that gets a lot of hype. "There's no such thing as tanning being good for you in any context to prevent you from burning," says Dr. Gohara.

So while you definitely should have fun at your next beach day, remember that taking preventative measures is key to healthy skin in the long run.

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A Richland Center, Wisconsin, man on probation for armed robbery has been charged with two felony counts in connection to a case of stolen valor, after allegedly pretending to be a marine and telling his girlfriend he had been deployed five times.

The Washington County Sheriffs Office said Jakobie Timblin, also known as Jacob Elliot, was arraigned last month with providing false statements regarding military service with intent to commit a crime and theft by false representation.

An investigation into Timblin revealed he began communicating with a woman in 2015, according to a sheriff's office release.

RHODE ISLAND WOMAN GETS NEARLY 6 YEARS FOR IMPERSONATING MARINE WITH CANCER

In 2016, a woman posing as Timblins mother asked the victim to write to her son overseas while he was serving as a member of the Marines. For the next few years, the woman wrote letters to Timblin, and in 2019, the two met in person and began dating.

That same year, the sheriffs office said, the victim was asked for a loan by someone claiming to be Timblins captain, to be put toward a gift for the heroic work Timblin did while overseas. The money, the "captain" claimed, would be reimbursed by the Department of Defense.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The roof of a police patrol car at night, with the blue and red lights flashing.

Timblins girlfriend then cut a check for $5,000.

BYRON DONALDS IS ASKED ABOUT GEORGE SANTOS, POINTS OUT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR WHO LIED ABOUT HIS SERVICE

While the two dated, Timblin told the woman he had been deployed five times  once to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan.

In one instance, the two of them went to the victims family cabin, where he dressed in his uniform with several medals, including a purple heart, attached.

Timblin told his girlfriends stepmother that he needed money to help with estate planning after recently learning of his mothers death, and she wrote him a check for $6,500 after he admitted to being upset about bill collectors harassing military men like himself.



The stepmother investigated Timblins mothers obituary and learned she had one son, Jacob Elliot. After digging a bit more, she learned Elliot was on probation for a 2014-armed robbery.

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WISCONSIN MAN WHO FIRED SHOTGUN AT DOORDASH DRIVER SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN PRISON

The sheriffs office said the stepmother verified the image of Jacob Elliot through the Department of Corrections, and it was Timblin.

The victim and her stepmother reported the alleged fraud to the Washington County Sheriffs office, and through an investigation with the Marines, they learned Timblin never served in the armed forces.

The sheriffs office added that Elliot changed his name to Timblin after he met the victim and purchased medals and a uniform online.

When Timblin met the victim, and for several years after that, he was incarcerated in the Wisconsin State prison system until being released in late 2018.

"It is morally deplorable to be a military imposter and is particularly reprehensible to use societys respect and admiration for the brave men and women that service this great country for ones gain," Sheriff Martin Schulteis said. "This case went even further when Timblin claimed to be a Purple Heart recipient, which tramples on the honor of those that have been injured or worst, given up their life for ones country."

Timblin is scheduled for a plea/sentencing hearing on May 25 in Washington County Circuit Court.
MADISON - Hospitals should not be forced to prescribe ivermectin to COVID-19 patients, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday in a case with implications in how far the state's highest court can intervene in the decisions of healthcare providers.

The court sided with Aurora Health Care in a 6-1 ruling on Tuesday in a case first filed by Allen Gahl, the nephew of a man named John Zingsheim, who was put on a ventilator in October 2021 due to complications from COVID-19.

Gahl sued after doctors at Aurora refused to administer a prescription for ivermectin that he received from a doctor outside of Aurora Medical Center Summit, where his uncle was hospitalized.

In writing for the majority, liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote the circuit court should not have issued its ruling to force Aurora to administer the drug. In her dissent, conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote the lower court reached a "reasonable decision in light of the life-or-death circumstances presented." The Bradleys are not related.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of ivermectin an anti-parasite drug, to prevent or treat COVID-19 infections and health experts have warned users about its potential risks to those who are infected.

More: In a long line of medical conspiracy theories, ivermectin is the latest to seduce many, including Aaron Rodgers

Tuesday's state Supreme Court ruling upheld a decision by a state Appeals Court that concluded the court had no legal authority to force Aurora Health to administer the drug.

The Litigation Center of the American Medical Association and State Medical Societies and Wisconsin Medical Society filed briefs with the Wisconsin Supreme Court urging the court to affirm the appellate court ruling that found the law doesnt give a patient or a patients agent the right to force private hospitals or physicians to administer a particular treatment that they conclude is below the standard of care.

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In a statement in January, Aurora officials said its physicians rely on evidence-based treatments in order to prioritize the health and safety of patients.

"We strongly believe that courts should not be allowed to compel providers to administer care that is medically substandard, and we are pleased that the American Medical Association and the Wisconsin Medical Board have weighed in to support our position," the statement says.

More: NIH funded large trials to see if COVID patients could benefit from ivermectin. They didn't, early data shows.

Gahl's attorney Karen Mueller said the case would show the people of Wisconsin if they "really have any rights or if they are just suggestions and if they are suggestions, then why do we have a legislature?"

Mueller finished third in the Aug. 9 Republican primary for attorney general. She received 25% of the vote with a campaign promise to investigate hospitals for not treating COVID-19 with ivermectin.

More: 'He doesn't understand medicine is a science': Ron Johnson escalates 'guerrilla war' against medical establishment

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Supreme Court backs Aurora hospital in ivermectin case
WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle, were spotted walking the red carpet at this years Met Gala on Monday night.

The Phoenix Mercury player rocked a beige ensemble at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts annual black-tie event, which this year is titled Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, in honor of the late fashion designer.

The gala marks the second glitzy event the Olympic gold medalist has attended in recent days  she also appeared at the White House Correspondents Dinner in D.C. over the weekend.

Griners public appearances come just months after she was released from confinement in Russia, where she was held for nearly 10 months after being arrested in early 2022.

Griners release was controversial, as it was the result of a prisoner swap with international arms dealer Victor Bout.

Im no stranger to hard times, Griner recently said during a news conference, the first time shes spoken to reporters since her release. Just digging deep. Youre going to be faced with adversities in life. This was a pretty big one. I just relied on my hard work to get through it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Breaking news - Telegraph/Telegraph

A 31-year-old woman has died after being stabbed to death in an apparent random attack.

Police confirmed a 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident in Brixton, south London, on Monday afternoon.

The victim was walking through Stockwell Park Walk when she was attacked from behind by a stranger around 4pm, detectives said.

She was on her way home from buying a birthday present for her mother when she was killed, according to the Evening Standard.

The woman was speaking to her grandmother on the phone, who heard "a terrible scream", the newspaper reported.

Members of her family joined together to pray at the police cordon near the scene of her death on Monday.

They have reviewed CCTV and spoken to a number of witnesses.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Lambeth, said: "This is a shocking attack and my thoughts are with the woman's family and friends as they come to terms with this awful news.

"We will do everything we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time.

"I recognise the considerable concern this incident has caused and I'd like to reassure you that a dedicated team of detectives are carrying out a number of enquiries and have made an arrest.

"Despite this, we have additional officers in the area to respond to any concerns from members of the community and I would ask people to report any suspicious activity to us."

Anyone with information about what happened can call police on 101 quoting CAD 4728/01May, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with battery after Rep. Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, told law enforcement she threw a glass of wine at him and doused his shoulder Saturday evening during a wine and food festival in Miramar Beach, Florida, according to Walton County Police.

The woman, 41-year-old Selena J. Chambers, "was arrested after it was found she intentionally threw a glass of wine at Representative Gaetz after shouting obscenities at him," the Walton County Police said. A police report indicated that alcohol appeared to be a factor in the incident.

Chambers, the police report said, faces two counts of battery, including one count of felony battery on an elected official. Police said she was released on $1,000 bond the following day.

Selena Chambers was arrested and charged with battery after Rep. Matt Gaetz told law enforcement she threw a glass of wine at him and doused his shoulder on April 29, during a wine and food festival in Miramar Beach. / Credit: Walton Co. Sheriff

Chambers told police she tripped and spilled her drink on Gaetz, although witnesses told officers they saw her throwing the drink.

According to the police report, Gaetz appeared not to have suffered any physical injuries.

"I will never allow the safety of Northwest Floridians to be compromised," Gaetz said in a statement. "I will be pressing charges against this individual in order to uphold the civility our community deserves. Thank you to the Walton County Sheriff's office for taking swift action."

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Jeon Ha-kyu, the defense ministry's spokesperson, address a regular press briefing at the ministry in Seoul, May 2. Yonhap



South Korea's defense ministry dismissed as untrue a media report Tuesday that Seoul and Tokyo have been in working-level talks to explore the possibility of bilateral military cooperation in Korean waters in the event of a contingency.



The local daily, The Hankook Ilbo, reported on it, as growing North Korean threats have created momentum for the two neighbors to step up security cooperation despite lingering historical tensions stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonization of the Korean Peninsula.



"The report that South Korea and Japan are discussing maritime security cooperation within our territorial waters is untrue," Jeon Ha-kyu, the ministry's spokesperson, told a regular press briefing. "We have no plans (for such discussions."



Opposition to direct military cooperation with Japan lingers in South Korea, as Japanese right-wing politicians have visited the Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, with Tokyo renewing claims to the South's easternmost islets of Dokdo.



Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have conducted trilateral maritime drills in the international waters near the peninsula, but not inside Korean territory. (Yonhap)


Loyek sourced items for her upcoming wedding and made some friends along the way. tiktok.com/@titatots

TikToker Tita Loyek chronicled her hourslong wait to get into an NYC sample sale for the brand Cult Gaia.

Commenters were largely confounded by the enormous crowds and lines, with many saying they had never heard of the label.

Loyek defended her devotion to waiting in line and said she found a sense of community in the trenches.

A TikToker's three-hour wait to enter a sample sale in New York City divided reactions on TikTok, with many leaving confounded comments in response to the seemingly endless line.

But the creator, Tita Loyek, told Insider it was not only "absolutely" worth the wait but downright enjoyable. She then flaunted her haul of discounted designer goods that further confused viewers.

Loyek arrived at the Cult Gaia sample sale last Tuesday morning after hearing about it on TikTok, assuming everyone would be at work. She said she was stunned by the turnout.

"I looked at the girl behind me and said, 'Do you mind if you hold my spot?'" she told Insider. "'I'm gonna take a video. This is going to go so viral.'"

Her video chronicling the massive queue has 1.9 million views.

Cult Gaia, a brand founded a decade ago by Jasmin Hekmat, has developed a burgeoning following thanks to its "sculptural" designs that are "inspired by nature and women," its website touts.

Loyek, 26, who left her job at luxury fashion giant Kering to become a full-time TikToker in June, told Insider she arrived with a mission in mind: to source outfits for her upcoming destination wedding in Switzerland. On the docket are a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, three looks for the wedding day, and a getup for Sunday brunch, she said. Loyek also has a "really specific vision" for her six bridesmaids and is paying for their dresses as well.

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As Loyek documented her excitement to get into the Cult Gaia sample sale  which clocked a wait of 3 hours and 9 minutes  commenters were less than enthused observing the event.

They were largely put off by the crowds and were baffled by the fashion fanatism.

"Nothing in this world I care about this much," one wrote, as many quipped that they'd never even heard of Cult Gaia. "How can there be anything good left," another added.

Loyek then hauled her purchases in a follow-up video, including a $45 hair claw ("Maybe for my rehearsal dinner look," she told Insider), $140 shoes, and a $450 white feather dress (which was on her wishlist, and which she said retailed for roughly $3,000.)

She even purchased a bag for a woman she met in line, but who had to leave the line, she said.

While many other in-the-know fashion fans celebrated her purchases and her kind gesture to a stranger, a swath of commenters continued to scratch their heads at these "sales" that she had waited three hours for.

"Guess I'm poor because I would never spend $40 on a hair clip," one top commenter wrote. "$3000 for a sheet with faux feathers attached? I will never understand," another person commented.

Loyek told Insider she has no qualms about the event. In fact, she enjoyed waiting in line, both because of the items she purchased and the group of six friends she made along the way.

"I am a talkative person, I'm a social person. I don't shut up," she said. "Having that kind of community just standing in that line  it's something fun."

One of the six newfound friends did a Starbucks run for the rest of the crew, and when another "fallen soldier" had to leave for work after waiting for nearly three hours, Loyek offered to shop for her, bagging her a pink purse.

"You get in the trenches with the girls," Loyek said.

Once inside, however, the vibes became "a little vicious," the creator recounted on TikTok, with some attendees in the shoes and handbag section even "throwing out elbows."

Going viral further heightened the experience, Loyek said, and she's since connected with a major sample sale-hosting company for potential future collaborations.

She's mostly unfazed by critical commenters. The entire event  the shopping experience, the hauls, the viral TikTok  ultimately netted positively for her.

"Honestly, just in views alone, yes, it was worth it," she said on TikTok. "You guys made this a business expense  it's a write-off."

Read the original article on Insider
Startups working on driverless cars fully may no longer attract the kind of nine-figure acquisition or funding offers that were prevalent just a few years ago. But there are still pockets within the broader automated vehicle technology sector that have captured the interest and investment of strategic investors.

"We're looking for solutions that can integrate into our own tool stack," Betty Bryant, a principal at Woven Capital, Toyota's growth fund, told TechCrunch. "So a company that can provide a menu of options or just provide a specific piece of the stack, instead of a full stack company," which Bryant says is "not really an attractive model or solution for OEMs anymore."

One such company Woven has strategically invested in is Foretellix, an Israeli startup that gives other companies the tools to verify autonomous vehicle technology at any level. This capability, says Bryant, is essential for safety validation so that companies can actually commercialize and scale everything from Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to Level 4 autonomous technology.

(According to the Society of Automobile Engineers, Level 2 systems automate two primary functions -- maintaining speed and distance on a highway and keeping the vehicle in lane -- and still have a human driver in the loop at all times. Level 4 systems mean the vehicle can handle all aspects of driving in certain conditions without human intervention.)

Woven Capital, alongside Nvidia and Artofin VC, participated in the first closing of Foretellix's $43 million Series C, which was led by 83North.

Ziv Binyamini, CEO at Foretellix, said the company will use the funds to continue to invest in the deep technology needed to verify autonomy while hiring sales teams to help the company expand across more geographies. Foretellix already has around 150 employees spread across Israel, California, Detroit, Germany, Sweden, China and Japan.

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"We need to beef it up because demand is growing significantly," Binyamini told TechCrunch.

At a high level, Foretellix's offerings can be boiled down to two core technologies: Scenario generation and big data analytics.

Every company building autonomous vehicle technology tests their systems in simulation against various scenarios geared toward finding edge cases. Foretellix's technology automatically generates "an unlimited number of variations of scenarios" that companies can use, according to Binyamini.

"We also complement that core technology with libraries of what we call content," he said. "Libraries of scenarios, libraries of KPIs. So if you're developing ADAS, we have libraries for all the dysfunctions like automatic emergency braking, for example. For each such dysfunction, we also have a library of all the relevant scenarios and associated KPIs or metrics."

Once a company tests a system, either virtually against generated scenarios or physically on real roads, they then have to analyze the results, which is the second core technology Foretellix offers.

Some of Foretellix's biggest customers are Daimler Trucks and Volvo Group, both of which are building autonomous trucks. The company also works closely with Nvidia by integrating into its Drive SIM platform, Nvidia's end-to-end simulation platform. Last September, Nvidia said Drive SIM got a new suite of AI tools to help test and develop self-driving vehicles.

"Nvidia is an infrastructure provider for the whole economy, from the hardware to the software to the simulator to a full software stack," said Binyamini. "Our solution is complementary to their offering because in the end, to build a full-blown autonomous system, you need to validate it. It's one of the biggest, probably the biggest remaining challenge, to get autonomy to commercial, scalable deployment."

In a similar vein, Bryant said Woven by Toyota (formerly Woven Planet) is partnering with Foretellix because the startup's solution complements Woven's technology in-house. The mobility technology subsidiary is working on both ADAS and L4 technology, according to Bryant.

"Foretellix has found an interesting niche area in the simulation space," said Bryant. "Foretellix is not a simulation company, but it's supporting simulation work. And I find that other players might be trying to work on building robust verification technology, but no one has quite the focus and depth of technology that Foretellix does."
The Writers Guild of America officially called a strike and it went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2.

The WGA made the announcement on its website Monday night. WGA said its negotiations with the studios and streamers failed to reach an agreement.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The unanimous call to strike comes after a six-week negotiation with Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony. WGA said the companies business practices slashed their compensation and undermined their working conditions.

So, what does this mean for the future of shows and movies?

TRENDING STORIES:

Many of your favorite shows and films will be put on pause. This may also cause a significant impact on Georgias economy. Last year, 412 productions were filmed in Georgia, including movies, television shows, and commercials.

Now, it is official, WGA is on strike. WGA said picketing will begin Tuesday afternoon.

The last writers strike came in 2007, before the rise of streaming services.

WGA posted a full statement on its website that reads as follows:

Dear Members, We have not reached an agreement with the studios and streamers. We will be on strike after the contract expires at midnight. Your WGA Negotiating Committee spent the last six weeks negotiating with Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony under the umbrella of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Over the course of the negotiation, we explained how the companies' business practices have slashed our compensation and residuals and undermined our working conditions. Our chief negotiator, as well as writers on the committee, made clear to the studios labor representatives that we are determined to achieve a new contract with fair pay that reflects the value of our contribution to company success and includes protections to ensure that writing survives as a sustainable profession. We advocated on behalf of members across all sectors: features, episodic television, and comedy-variety and other non-prime-time programs, by giving them facts, concrete examples, and reasonable solutions. Guild members demonstrated collective resolve and support of the agenda with a 97.85% strike authorization. Though we negotiated intent on making a fair dealand though your strike vote gave us the leverage to make some gainsthe studios responses to our proposals have been wholly insufficient, given the existential crisis writers are facing. The companies behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing. From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a day rate in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers, they have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession. No such deal could ever be contemplated by this membership. Writer's Guild of America statement on WGA website

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Quinta Brunson and Brian Tyree Henry voiced their support for the strike at Monday nights Met Gala in New York City.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has officially gone on strike for the first time in 15 years, as writers in Hollywood look for fair compensation and conditions in an ever-changing industry, according to an official guild announcement.

In a message sent to their members on Monday evening that Deadline obtained, the guild leadership said, Though we negotiated intent on making a fair deal  and though your strike vote gave us the leverage to make some gains  the studios responses to our proposals have been wholly insufficient, given the existential crisis writers are facing.

A major moment in Hollywood, the latest WGA strike comes weeks after 98% of the guild voted in favor of this exact outcome should the WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) not come to an agreement, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Strikers march at the Writers Guild of Americas Diversity Day at Paramount Pictures studio on Dec.12, 2007 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

With the dawn of the streaming era, the landscape of the TV & Film industry shifted, specifically affecting writers (who have consistently been paid on a per-episode basis), according to USA Today. Before, most shows had at least 22 episodes per season and streaming series around eight to 13. Additionally, residuals and royalties  an integral source of income for TV and film writers  have also shifted as streaming residuals remain significantly less than traditional broadcast.

Now, on the heels of failed contract negotiations between the union and AMPTP, the guild officially announced a strike. The WGA released a specific set of strike rules last Tuesday, Variety reported, detailing that should the strike go into effect, it would bar writers from writing, pitching and even negotiating work.

We must now exert the maximum leverage possible to get a fair contract by withholding our labor  members of the Negotiating Committee, Board, and Council will be out with you on the picket lines, Deadline reported.

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Coincidentally, the strike commenced on the day after fashions biggest night: The Met Gala. Each year, some of the biggest names in culture, film and television attend the fundraiser for The Costume Institute. Last night, some spoke directly in support of the strike.

I just hope that everyone is treated equally, Academy Award nominee Brian Tyree Henry told Variety. I hope they get what they deserve and I hope that people listen to them. People strike for a reason.

Creator and star of ABCs hit sitcom Abbott Elementary Quinta Brunson told The Associated Press, Im a member of WGA and support WGA, and us getting what we need. Brunson also shared an official graphic of the WGAs strike details on her Instagram stories.

This latest is the first since the 200708 writers strike, which lasted 100 days and significantly impacted production. More information on the strike can be found at the WGA site.

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The post Writers Guild of America goes on strike, celebs react appeared first on TheGrio.
FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., a candidate for U.S. Senate in his state, on Thursday welcomed Gov. Jim Justice to the primary race with a new ad bashing the newcomer over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justice, who officially launched his bid to win the seat currently held by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., earlier in the day, was first elected governor in 2016, and led West Virginia through the pandemic years with largely mixed reviews from his fellow Republicans.

One West Virginia Republican who praised Justice throughout his efforts to combat the coronavirus was Mooney himself. However, in an ad released after Justice's campaign launch, the four-term congressman reversed his previous views on the governor's job performance, slamming him for what he called his "liberal record."

"Jim Justice is trying to hide his liberal record. As governor, Justice destroyed business and lives when he locked down our state. And big Jim pushed the largest tax hike in West Virginia history, backed Joe Biden's trillion dollar spending bill, and tried to stop adults from buying sporting rifles," the ad said.

JOE MANCHIN'S SENATE SEAT RACE HEATS UP AS GOV. JUSTICE JUMPS IN: IM WORRIED ABOUT THIS NATION'

"Now, big Jim wants to be your senator, but he can't mask the truth. Liberal Jim Justice just can't be trusted," it added.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In contrast to the ad, Mooney previously heaped praise on Justice for his handling of COVID-19, including appearing alongside the latter at a press conference providing an update on the state's response to the pandemic in August 2020.

"Thank you, Governor, and your team for your leadership in this important time," Mooney said during the press conference, before going on to praise funding for business loans to keep them operating during the pandemic, and for the option for parents to send their children back to in-person learning at school.

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Mooney, again, praised Justice on another occasion in August 2020 in a press conference with then-Vice President Mike Pence concerning combating the pandemic.

CRUZ BACKS ALEX MOONEY IN WEST VIRGINIA SENATE RACE AS GOP WORKS TO UNSEAT JOE MANCHIN

Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., (left) and Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (right).

"Our governor has come up with a system that works for West Virginia. It may be different for different states. Frankly, its different for different regions within our state. You know, southern West Virginia has different issues than the northern panhandle. So we need to have flexibility. I appreciate the flexibility. I appreciate having a governor that we can talk to about our congressional districts and whats needed. So thank you for that. Both of you, thank you for what youre doing there," Mooney said.

Following the onset of the pandemic, Mooney also signed a letter to then-President Donald Trump from the entire West Virginia congressional delegation in support of Justice's disaster declaration as a response.

A spokesperson for Mooney's campaign, however, pushed back on any notion the congressman was fully supportive of Justice's pandemic measures when asked by Fox News Digital about the apparent differences in attitude from then to now.

"In Washington, Alex Mooney consistently co-sponsored and voted for legislation to end the COVID-19 national emergency, and overturn vaccine and mask mandates," campaign manager John Findlay said. "Mooney supported COVID measures only in the very first weeks of the pandemic. He has been one of the earliest and most consistent voices against harsh lockdowns and draconian COVID mandates."

WHO CAN BEAT MANCHIN IN WEST VIRGINIA? REPUBLICANS AREN'T SURE YET

Then-President Donald Trump shakes hands with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who announced during the rally he would switch parties from Democrat to Republican, during a Make America Great Again Rally at Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, West Virginia, August 3, 2017.

"Meanwhile, Governor Jim Justice supported trillions in wasteful COVID-19 spending, enacted harsh lockdowns, and caused West Virginia to be one of the last states to end the COVID-19 state of emergency," he added. "Justice actively sought out ways to continue the COVID-19 state of emergency in West Virginia, while Mooney worked to help West Virginians return to normal lives - it's quite the contrast."

Justice, who left the Democratic Party and became a Republican in 2017, took a less aggressive approach than other Republicans across the country in ending the measures implemented to combat COVID-19 in his state, including on vaccines and masks.

In March 2021, Justice defended West Virginia's mask mandate and pushed back on calls to end the restriction. "I don't know what the big rush is to get rid of the masks. These masks save lives," he told CNN. "We're going to do the smart thing in West Virginia. We're not going to do the thing that's politically correct."

He repeated that sentiment in another interview that month, asking West Virginians to be more "prudent" for a little longer.

WV LAWMAKER LEAVES DEMS FOR GOP, DEALING ANOTHER BLOW TO FORMER PARTY AFTER OTHER HIGH-PROFILE SWITCHES

In July 2021, while pleading for West Virginians to take the COVID-19 vaccine, he told those who were not yet vaccinated they were "part of the problem," and later pushed back on President Biden's Sep. 2022 claim that the pandemic was "over."

"I dont think the pandemic is over," Justice told members of the media in West Virginia, according to MetroNews. "I think we can live with this pandemic but the more people we can get across the finish line and get vaccinated the better well be able to live with this pandemic. Its not over. Its absolutely not over."

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out Justice's campaign for comment, but did not receive a response.
The YMCA on North Davidson Street will close after the nonprofit sold its Johnston property to undisclosed developers, according to a YMCA news release.

Financial needs weighed on the organizations decision to sell the property to developers, according to the release. The YMCA also said it wont put a future facility on the same site. The Johnston YMCA location is expected to operate through the end of 2023.

This decision, while in the best interest of our Y, was extremely difficult for us to make, and we know that many community members will share in our disappointment, the news release says.

The nonprofit says its worked with the NoDa community for several years on a plan to redevelop the site at 3025 North Davidson St. But NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association President Krysten Reilly said thats greatly exaggerated and called on the YMCA to retract the statement.

For years, the NoDa NBA has asked the Y for their willingness to collaborate with us for a community center that brought value to both the NoDa community and to the YMCA, and we were ignored and pushed aside, Reilly said in an emailed statement. To learn through a public press release of this sale when I personally had once again asked for an update a week ago is insensitive and shows the Ys failure to be inclusive and respectful of the community they will no longer reside in.

The developer, which has not been identified by the YMCA, will make further announcements regarding the plans for the project in time, spokesperson Heather Briganti told The Charlotte Observer. The Johnston branch suffered pandemic-related blows, Briganti said, and the sale is part of a repositioning to continue to serve Charlotte over the next 150 years.

Reilly said she hopes the developer who purchased the property will collaborate with the neighborhood association and uphold some of the very valuable community amenities that are so desperately needed.

The YMCA will work with staff members at the Johnston location to help them find other jobs, Briganti said. YMCA staff, volunteers and NoDa community members were involved in the process of selecting a developer for the property.

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The YMCA will update ymcacharlotte.org/branches/johnston as more information becomes available.

Johnston YMCA dates back to 1951

The Johnston YMCA has about 1,500 members who use its pool, fitness center, community programming and other amenities, Briganti said.

Membership at the branch fluctuated over the past two decades. In January 2001, the branch had 2,000 members after growing 33% in 15 months, according to Observer archives. In 2015, YMCA officials told the Observer its North Davidson facility was at capacity and had waiting lists, with day camp attendees growing from 40 children to 250 over a period from 2012-2015.

The Johnston YMCAs inception goes back several decades before the existing buildings construction to November 1951, when the location received financial support to open from Highland Park Manufacturing Company. Highland Park was a textile mill that employed many north Charlotteans through 1969 when it went out of business, according to Observer archives.

The decision to close the NoDa YMCA comes as Charlotte City Council members are discussing a new recreation facility on the site of the former Eastland Mall in east Charlotte. At a city economic development meeting Monday, Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston said the city needs more recreation facilities.

Personally and anecdotally, as a parent of a youngster that is involved in many different sports, we need amateur sport facilities in the city, Winston said. It is pretty ridiculous that families have to go to South Carolina or Concord or Indian Trail to participate in those those events.
Get thee to New Yorks museums and get thee to them now. Life in the Big Apple begins anew in springtime and arriving with it is a bounty of new exhibitions and goings-on at the citys many museums and cultural institutions. The first Monday in May heralds the start of the most anticipated of them alla new installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute, christened by the annual Met Gala extravaganza. But aside from this, the Met and its peers are just as busy with a myriad of other exhibits to cater to every type of museum-goerfind our guide below.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Following the Met Gala festivities, the Costume Institutes 2023 exhibition opens to the public on May 5. A dedicated love letter to the career of the late Karl Lagerfeldthe creative director that made Chanel, Fendi, and Chloe the brands they are todayKarl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty collages some 150 pieces of clothing from the aforementioned houses (ranging from his first creative expressions in the 1950s to his final 2019 Chanel collection) with the designers sketches and other juxtaposed multimedia footage.

Karl Lagerfeld - A Line of Beauty_Dress, House of CHANEL (French, founded 1910), Spring-Summer 2019 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris. Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo  Julia Hetta The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Julia Hetta

Karl Lagerfeld - A Line of Beauty_Sketch of CHANEL dress, Spring-Summer 2019 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris. Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The exhibition presupposes that most modern designers (read: anyone designing clothes in a post-Lagerfeld world) strive to take on Lagerfelds legacy in one way or another. His artistic pursuitsmeticulous sketching, namely, and an obsession with modernityare only part of this. Lagerfeld-as-impresariothe discerning, collecting, black-and-white uniform-donning personalitysome would say almost eclipsed his work. Each room presents contrasting lines of interest for Lagerfeld; artisanal versus mechanical, floral versus geometric, rococo versus classical. But things get interesting when they drop that approach in the final room and focus on the satiricalthis room is full of tongue-in-cheek references to Lagerfelds own celebrity as well as some unexpected acts of kitsch, camp, and whimsy (think a dress embroidered with a candlestick so that the wearers head pops out of the wick).

If you find yourself at the Met on or after May 22, youd be remiss to miss out on Van Goghs Cypresses, which will run through August 27.

The American Museum of Natural History

Across Central Park on the Upper West Side, a whole new building at the American Museum of Natural History makes its debut. The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation opens May 5 and, among many other things, brings all kinds of bugs to NYC. Manhattans newest residents live in the Gilder Centers vast and impressive insectarium and vivarium, which between them account for all sorts of butterflies and some 500,000 leafcutter ants, among others. Theres also Invisible Worlds, an immersive experience that will have even skeptics of such installations (that have swept through cities the world over since Van Goghs swirls starred in an episode of Emily in Paris a few years back) darting around guiding water through root systems with their feet. The true highlight, whether or not you're a fan of architectural wizardry, is the Jeanne Gang-designed building itself. Swirling upward with no dead ends and an artfully-incorporated Collections Core, this Derinkuyu-esque beauty fills the viewer with a wonder so childlike that this writer may or may not have teared up a bit at the sheer joy of getting to walk around in it.

Sanle Sory/Tezeta/Courtesy David Hill Gallery

Brooklyn Museum

Manhattan is not the only borough with an exceptional fashion exhibition in the coming months. The Brooklyn Museum, located a few blocks east from Grand Army Plaza and the mouth of Prospect Park, is preparing to open Africa Fashion on June 23. This will be the largest-ever presentation of its kind in North America, highlighting the continents creativity and global impact from the independence eras beginning to today. With an eye towards the future, the exhibit will feature fashions from contemporary designers including Thebe Magugu (South Africa), Lafalaise Dion (Cote dIvoire), and Gouled Ahmed (Djibouti), as well as some very exciting names that have yet to be announced. If last autumns fabulous Mugler exhibit is any indication, this will be very special.

The Brooklyn Museum is also bracing for the opening of the citys buzziest Picasso retrospective (there will be more to come as part of the global Picasso celebrations to mark 50 years since the iconic painters death). Its Pablo-matic: Picasso According to Hannah Gadsby opens June 2do not let the pun of the title, nor questions around comedian Gadsby serving as curator, deter you from attending. This exhibition promises prominent Picasso pieces from the Musee Picasso, Museum of Modern Art, and the museums own as well as private collections for your viewing pleasure, along with conversation with twentieth- and twenty-first century feminist artists such as Cindy Sherman and Laurie Simmons.

Whitney Museum of American Art

Now through August, the Whitney is presenting Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Memory Map, the first New York retrospective on the long-undersung Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation artist. On display here are Smiths drawings, prints, paintings, and sculptures, fine examples of American Pop art and Neo-Expressionism. Within the same window, the museum has Josh Kline: Project for a New American Centurya collection of moving image, science-fiction works examining the potential futures on our horizon with an eye towards the climate crisis.

Jonathan Dorado

Museum of Modern Art

The folks at MoMas main headquarters are busy as ever, with five major exhibitions on the docket for the spring and summer season. Already underway through August 12, Georgia OKeeffe: To See Takes Time showcases over 120 pieces from four decades of OKeeffes portfolioexpect works on paper and key paintings sorted by their key motifs for a better appreciation of the ideas OKeeffe would return to time and time again.

Coming soon to Midtown is The Encounter: Barbara Chase-Riboud/Alberto Giacometti (May 5-October 9), a collection inspired by the Paris meeting of two expatriate sculptors in 1962. Then, American Barbara Chase-Riboud paid the first of several visits to Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacomettis Montparsse studio. Now, their sculptures will share a gallery at MoMA in celebration of what became a shared visual language. MoMAs New Photography exhibition series also returns on May 28, this time featuring seven artists from Lagoss art community.

MoMA PS1

Over in Long Island City, MoMA PS1 has no less on offer than its sister institution. The highlight here is Standing on the Corner: Seven Prepared Pianos for the Seven African Powers (June 1October 9), where avant-garde musical ensemble Standing on the Corner will unveil an exciting audiovisual exhibition concerned with the African and Puerto Rico diasporic communities in New York City. Plan your visit around set performance dates, to be announced, for live accompaniment, but even if you wind up wandering through during off-hours, youll still be able to enjoy the installation.

Installa(on view, Sarah Sze: Timelapse, Slice, 2023, March 31September 10, 2023, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. Photo: David Heald  Solomon R. Guggenheim Founda(on, New York David Heald/Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

Deborah Feingold

Soloman R. Guggenheim Museum

A more romantic take on Picasso can be found at the Guggenheim, where Young Picasso in Paris will open May 12 and run through August 6. With just 10 works, all created within a single year of the artists stay in the French capital, this is an intense yet lovely look at a lesser-known period of Picassos career with the Guggenheim collections own Le Moulin de la Galette (1900) as the star. Guggenheims other two exhibitions Sarah Sze: Timelapse and Gego: Measuring Infinity opened on March 31 and run through September 10the former, full of Szes site-specific interventions meditating on the digital age; the latter, a stimulating collection of sculpture and textile from one of the great twentieth-century artists.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler
A visitor looks at the work of Dominican artist Firelei Baez at New York's MoMA on May 1, 2023

A new exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) offers a retelling of the European colonization of Latin America through the eyes of contemporary artists.

The 65 works by 40 artists of different styles take a "critical" look at the colonial history of the region as told by cartographers, missionaries, scientists and adventurers.

The exhibition, which is entitled "Chosen Memories," includes paintings, photographs and sculptures, and offers a "revitalization" of Latin America's cultural heritage, according to MoMA.

The artists delved into the past "as a means to repair histories of dispossession, reconnect with undervalued cultural legacies, and strengthen threads of kinship and belonging," curator Ines Katzenstein said in a statement.

"Works in the exhibition take a critical look at the impact of colonialism on the landscape," she added to AFP.

With "Looting," Guatemalan Regina Jose Galindo uses gold inlays taken from her teeth as a metaphor for the violence over raw material extraction that plagues some communities.

Dominican Firelei Baez juxtaposes a European map from the 1540s with a mythical female creature to embody "the fears and desires of European conquerors" to unknown cultures.

Argentine artist Leandro Katz used the first lithographs made in the 1830s by explorers John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood to reconstruct their expeditions.

Elsewhere, Chileans Pedro Mardones Lemebel and Francisco Casas present their photographic version of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo's 1939 oil painting "The Two Fridas."

Many of the works on display come from the collection of Venezuelan art collector Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, who has donated some 250 works to MoMA over the past quarter century.

The exhibition runs until September 9.

MoMa has more than 5,000 works of modern and contemporary art from Latin America.

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A New York morgue attendant allegedly shared graphic and disturbing autopsy photos and videos to her Instagram and TikTok accounts, according to a lawsuit. (Northwell Health)

A New York morgue attendant allegedly shared graphic and disturbing autopsy photos and videos to her Instagram and TikTok accounts, according to a lawsuit.

Northwell Health claims in court papers that Quantaise Sharpton continued to post macabre images taken inside Long Island Jewish Medical Center even after she was fired.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Nassau County Supreme Court, alleges that the material included images and videos of bodies with electrical burns, amputated body parts, internal organs and even a late stillbirth.

Some of the graphic material was paired with dance music and also allegedly featured her mocking the smell or condition of the cadavers.

On her social media accounts, where she has nearly 20,000 followers on Instagram and 1,000 on TikTok, Ms Sharpton refers to herself as #autopsybae.

As a morgue attendant, Sharpton assumed a position of the utmost trust and confidence with Northwell, the suit states. Sharpton took advantage of the trust given to her by Northwell for her own personal gain. Indeed, Sharptons posting of pictures and videos from the LIJMC morgue onto her social media platforms marks a gross deviation from the level of care and loyalty expected as Northwells employee.

The suit also states that despite efforts by Northwell, the largest hospital system in the state of New York, Ms Sharpton has refused to take down the offensive material.

Court documents state that she was hired as a morgue attendant at the New Hyde Park hospital last December and began work on 30 January.

Before she started the job she went through mandatory training on patient privacy, the ban on cellphones in the morgue, inappropriate social media posting and the use of hospital resources, the suit says.

She was fired on 17 March after other staff members raised the alarm about her social media postings.

Hospital officials ordered her to delete the photos and videos from her social media pages before she left the hospital, which an affidavit states that she had appeared to do,

Story continues

Sharpton explained that she is a social media influencer and that she receives monthly revenue based on her posts, and that she viewed her morgue and autopsy photos and videos as social media content, Vartges Saroyan, Northwells compliance program director and privacy officer, stated. Sharpton expressed no remorse or regret for her conduct.

Northwell states that days after her firing she reposted the deleted images and videos, as well as new ones that she had not before made public.

The lawsuit asks a judge to issue a preliminary injunction ordering Ms Sharpton to permanently delete the photos and videos and also seeks undetermined damages.

Northwell Health strives to provide the highest level of care to its patients, patients families and communities. As this matter is in active litigation, we refrain from commenting regarding this matter, Northwell told The Independent in a statement.

The Independent reached out to Ms Sharpton through her social media pages.
[Source]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new budget deal on Thursday that would include a statewide ban on the use of natural gas in new constructions.

New York City already passed a similar law in 2021, banning gas hookups in all new buildings under seven stories. The ban will take effect this December.

Natural gas is used in many American households for heating or cooking, and a ban may adversely affect businesses in the food industry, especially Asian restaurants that rely on natural gas for heating kitchen utensils or for barbecuing. The bill, however, could potentially include exemptions for commercial kitchens, along with hospitals and emergency backup generators.

Previous bans have already taken place in cities in California, Massachusetts and Washington.

More from NextShark: Seoul police investigating serial no-show man who ordered 40 rolls of kimbap and never paid

The city council of Los Angeles voted to ban natural gas in new buildings last year, with the ban going into effect this January.

Those affiliated with Asian restaurants in L.A. expressed concerns last year when the ban was passed. Many Asian cuisines, like Chinese and Korean cooking, require the high heat of natural gas for cooking dishes with woks or other appliances.

If passed, New York would become the first state to ban natural gas and represent a larger, nationwide effort to reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions.

More from NextShark: 'Go Back to China': New Jersey Man Faces Hate Crime Charge After Punching Asian Woman

Voting on the deal is expected to take place next week.

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Ice Cream Shop Releases Delicious Asian-Inspired Flavors to Fight Hate Against Asians

Man Who Attacked Elderly Filipino Woman in New York City Pleads Not Guilty




A labor union official who set himself on fire outside a court in the eastern coastal city of Gangneung earlier this week died during treatment at a hospital in Seoul on Tuesday, police said.







The official, a ranking member of the Gangwon Province chapter of a nationwide construction workers' union, attempted self-immolation Monday hours before attending a pretrial detention hearing in Gangneung, 163 km east of Seoul, on charges of business obstruction.







The 50-year-old official, identified only by his surname Yang, was airlifted to a Seoul hospital but died at 1:09 p.m., police said.







The local prosecution earlier requested arrest warrants for Yang and two other union officials on suspicion of forcing the hiring of union members and extorting about 80 million won ($59,700) from construction companies between April 2022 and February this year. (Yonhap)


Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said on Monday that he will focus on campaigning for Republicans running in Virginias state legislature this year when asked whether he will head out on the presidential campaign trail this year.

No, Youngkin told Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker at the Milken Institute.

Im going to be working in Virginia this year, the governor said. And so our House and Senate are up for full reelection this year. We have a House thats controlled by Republicans and a Senate thats controlled by Democrats.

I want to hold our House, and Id like to flip our Senate. And I think were doing a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to bring that to voters, he said.

However, Youngkin did not appear to directly rule out a 2024 presidential bid. A Youngkin aide told The Hill that the governor was answering Bakers question in the context that he was focused on Virginia in 2023.

Youngkin has been floated as a potential Republican presidential contender since he won Virginias gubernatorial election in 2021 as a first time political candidate. The Virginia governor returned to the campaign trail in 2022 to stump for Virginia Republicans in the midterms. He continued to raise 2024 speculation earlier this year by traveling outside of Virginia to meet with out of state donors. Earlier this month, Youngkin traveled to Taiwan on a trade mission.

Last month, two of Youngkins top political advisers, Jeff Roe and Kristin Davison, joined Never Back Down pac, the group supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
Map of Zanzibar and Pemba

The Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous province of Tanzania. It consists of the island of Zanzibar or Unjuga, Pemba as well as smaller neighbouring islands.

A former centre of the spice and slave trades, present-day Zanzibar is infused with African, Arab, European and Indian influences.

In 1964 members of the African majority overthrew the established minority Arab ruling elite. The leftist revolution was swift but bloody; as many as 17,000 people were killed.

A republic was established and the presidents of Zanzibar and Tanganyika, on the mainland, signed an act of union, forming the United Republic of Tanzania while giving semi-autonomy to Zanzibar.

Separatist sentiments have been gaining ground on the islands.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

ZANZIBAR: FACTS

Capital: Zanzibar city

Area: 2,462 sq km

Population: 1.8 million

Languages: Swahili, Arabic, English

Life expectancy: 65 years (men) 69 years (women)

LEADERS

President: Hussein Ali Mwinyi

Hussein Ali Mwinyi

Hussein Ali Mwinyi, from the long-term ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, has been Zanzibar's president since winning the October 2020 elections.

A former defence minster, he campaigned on an anti-corruption ticket and since winning office, almost 300 corruption cases have been prosecuted by the Zanzibar Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes Authority, or ZAECA.

Zanzibar has its own cabinet, known as the Revolutionary Council, and a 50-seat house of representatives. Elections, by popular vote, are held every five years.

MEDIA

Beach scene in Zanzibar

The media in Zanzibar come under a different set of regulations to their counterparts in mainland Tanzania.

Reporting on the state-owned Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) tends to be pro-government. There are around 20 privately-owned radio stations and a handful of private TV stations.

The government publishes the only daily newspaper and most readers rely on newspapers from the mainland.

The BBC broadcasts on FM in Zanzibar (94.1) and Pemba (93.5).

Story continues

Press

Zanzibar Leo (Zanzibar Today) - state-run daily

Zanzibar Wiki Hii (Zanzibar This Week) - private, weekly

Television

Radio

ZBC Radio - state-run, also operates Spice FM

TIMELINE

See timeline in BBC Tanzania country profile
ALBANY, N.Y.  Former Rep. Lee Zeldin acknowledges that a potential run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand would be an uphill battle, but the Republican isnt completely ruling out a campaign against her in 2024.

Well keep an eye on the race, Zeldin said while at the state Capitol on Monday to visit with lawmakers. If we did run, it would be an extremely competitive race.

The former Long Island congressman received nearly 47 percent of the vote against Gov. Kathy Hochul last November, the best performance by a Republican gubernatorial candidate in the solidly-blue state in two decades.

He has since launched a federal PAC, raising questions about what he might do next.

That includes the possibility Zeldin will challenge Gillibrand as she seeks a third full term in the Senate in 2024. The two have publicly criticized each other in recent months, and Gillibrand has raised money off the possibility he might enter the race.

It was something that I was giving no thought to, but she was trying to fundraise. And the best way to fundraise in the first quarter of 2023 was to speak about a viable opponent, Zeldin said in an interview before joining former presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway at a dinner for the New York State Federation of Republican Women near Albany.

Zeldin said his main focus right now is helping out candidates for local office this year who helped us during last years race. Hes spent recent weeks traveling the state to campaign with the candidates and thats where the focus will remain for the moment.

Well see how the race shapes up, he said of the possibility of challenging Gillibrand. But he acknowledged that theres even more of a Democratic-favored turnout in a presidential election year than in a midterm like the one in which he led the GOP ticket in 2022.

Rumors of high-profile challengers against Gillibrand have emerged each of the three times she has previously appeared on the ballot since ex-Gov. David Paterson appointed her to the Senate in 2009. But none has ever emerged, and shes had some of the best-ever performances by a statewide candidate in New Yorks history.

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Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs team recently confirmed to POLITICO that she would not be joining that Senate race next year.

We feel its important to have a very strong total ticket next year, state Conservative Party Chair Gerard Kassar said on Monday. President and Congress obviously are going to be important, but we dont intend to have a middle piece there that isnt [a strong challenger].

Kassar would be open to anything that Lee is interested in in terms of elective office, but he said he has not yet had serious conversations on a potential Zeldin candidacy for Senate.
(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the Washington Post in an interview published on Tuesday that the White House did not inform him about a leak of secret U.S. documents that grabbed attention around the world last month.

"I did not receive information from the White House or the Pentagon beforehand, Zelenskiy was quoted as saying.

"It is unprofitable for us," he added. "It is not beneficial to the reputation of the White House, and I believe it is not beneficial to the reputation of the United States."

The materials posted online offered a partial, month-old snapshot of the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine's defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, said on April 12 the Pentagon document leaks contained a mixture of true and false information about his country's military and downplayed its negative impact.

In response to Zelenskiy's comments, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said: "We are in constant communication with our Ukrainian counterparts about a range of issues, including over the unauthorized disclosures, but we arent going to get into the details of those private discussions."

A Pentagon spokesperson said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had spoken to a number of allies, including Reznikov, regarding the issue.

"Austin has conducted a large number of phone calls, conducted a large amount of outreach to our allies and partners around the world to discuss the matter with them, to highlight how seriously we are taking this issue, to include several conversations with his Ukrainian counterpart, minister Reznikov," Patrick Ryder told CNN.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas in Los Angeles and Eric Beech in Washington; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Matthew Lewis)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine, together with its partners, will soon approve a large sanctions package against Russia.

Source: Zelenskyys nightly speech

Quote: "We are closely monitoring how the terrorist state is trying to circumvent sanctions, recording each such direction, and working together with our partners to block it."

Details: The President has stated that he had held a meeting on strengthening sanctions regimes  both Ukraine's and those of our partners.

"We are preparing a large sanctions package. The decision will be made soon," Zelenskyy highlighted.

Background: On 25 April, the Yermak-McFaul International Expert Group presented a new action plan (Action Plan 2.0) with the aim of further increasing the sanctions pressure on Russia, which involved lowering the oil price ceiling to US$45 per barrel and declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the military cabinet on Tuesday, gathering key military commanders and those responsible for Ukraine's defence.

Source: Zelenskyys nightly speech

Details: Zelenskyy has said that this work is closed for the public and its details are not revealed, but just like the meetings of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the military cabinet works to synchronise the most important defensive actions and operations of the Ukrainian army.

Background: Zelenskyy last held a military cabinet on 13 April. They discussed issues related to the management of the contact line, ensuring Ukraine's actions, and protecting the state from Russian terror.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Lynchburg City Schools has announced its 2023 teacher of the year, honoring Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School for Innovation cultural arts teacher Albert Carter with a surprise recognition this week.

Carter, a 32-year veteran teacher in the school division, was celebrated during a ceremony on Monday at the middle school.

"Mr. Carter embodies the spirit that we hope to see in all teachers. He gives his all to provide a safe, fun and unique middle school experience for all students, Dunbar Middle School Principal Dani Rule said.

Carter first joined the division as a music teacher in 1991, and also has taught at several elementary schools during his career at LCS. In 1994, he transitioned to Dunbar Middle where he currently serves as the school's choral and theater director, heading up multiple concerts and theatrical performances yearly, LCS said.

In a news release from the division, Carter said, "Theatre allows students to expand their way of thinking. It can also help students to develop self-confidence, communication and problem-solving skills, empathy, and an appreciation for arts and culture. ... Making a lasting impact  this is the power and responsibility of being a teacher."

Carter, along with his wife and co-producer Lori Carter, has built a theater program at Dunbar that provides students opportunities to perform in some of the highest-quality productions in the region, LCS said. Carter's students recently received national recognition in January at the Junior Theater Festival, where they received the Freddie G. Excellence in ensemble work, according to LCS.

I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work in arts education for LCS the past 32 years, Carter said in the news release. I feel incredibly honored to have been chosen as this years Teacher of the Year.
The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating an overnight shots fired incident that resulted in the death of a six-year-old boy in the 1500 block of Floyd Street, according to a news release from the department.

According to LPD, officers responded at about 11:12 p.m. Monday to the 1500 block of Floyd Street for reports of shots fired. A short time later, a call was received that a boy had been shot.

According to an afternoon update from the police department, the victim was identified as a six-year-old boy who was struck in the head by gunfire while playing a video game on his bed.

When officers arrived to investigate, the child already had succumbed to his injuries, the department said.

Video footage seized during the investigation shows several subjects firing multiple firearms near the occupied home before fleeing on foot down Floyd Street toward 17th Street, LPD said.

No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation remains active and ongoing, LPD said.

The department still seeks more security camera footage from those in the area of the incident and are asking those with footage to contact the police department.

The murder of this child is a senseless tragedy stemming from a violent criminal act that has no place in our community, the department said in a news release. The LPD strives to partner with and protect our residents and visitors daily. To effectively do so, we need those members of our community who have knowledge about criminal activity such as this to come forward. The victim and his family deserve nothing less.

The boys death is the third shooting-related death of a child since late February. On Feb. 24,

after a shooting in Lynchburg. On March 23,

after a shooting incident on 16th Street.Ward II City Councilor Sterling Wilder, who represents the area where the boy was killed, said he continues to get the same question each time a young person is killed in the community: What can we do about this?

No parent wants their child to be the poster child for violence, Wilder said. Any murder is unacceptable. We, as a community, must work together to end this violence.

Wilder suggested several ways the community could help in order to address the rise in gun violence in Lynchburg, such as getting parents and guardians to check in with their children about weapons, a campaign aimed at teaching young people to put the weapons down, or sponsoring more after school or mentoring programs to give young people more avenues to spend their time.

He also added that while the city is a Second Amendment sanctuary, many of the crimes are taking place with stolen firearms.

The community was strong with coming out for the Second Amendment, he said. Lets [be] just as strong and united when a child is killed with gun violence.

During Tuesdays school board meeting, while the board was discussing its 15/50 salary plan proposal, Superintendent Crystal Edwards lauded her staffs response Tuesday after the boys death, who she said was a student in the Lynchburg City School system.

Ive heard councilmembers say that were doing too much. And today, when I was in schools, after the death of a student, you cant tell me our staff wasnt doing too much, Edwards said.

Staff members stayed, they were strong, some of them just didnt even know what to say or what to do. But they were there, they showed up for our children. Our counselors, our support staff, everybody was hands on deck for our children and we had to help our parents because what do you say to your kids?

Were all one city, were not city and schools separate, were one city taking care of kids. And today, if no other day, that staff deserves so much more than 15/50, Edwards added.Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective T. Hall at (434) 455-6155 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter an anonymous tip online at P3Tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
Angered that the state's top official for equal rights says the diversity, equity and inclusion movement is dead, former Gov. Doug Wilder said Virginia's chief DEI officer, Martin D. Brown, should be fired.

Wilder said Gov. Glenn Youngkin's recent remarks on DEI show doesn't he understand the real meaning of the concept and especially the word equity.

"I see people calling for Mr. Martin Brown resign. No. Governor Youngkin needs to fire him," Wilder said. "That's what you do when somebody isn't doing his job."

Wilder said he did just that when he was governor and fired the Virginia State University board, over concerns the state school's finances were in bad shape.

"If he won't fire him, he needs to say why he won't," Wilder said.

Youngkin has declined to ask for Brown's resignation.

This is too important of an issue to succumb to those seeking to cancel Chief Brown for challenging the groupthink of the progressive lefts pursuit of equity at any cost, press secretary Macaulay Porter has said in response to calls from the NAACP and the General Assembly's Black, Latino and Asian American Pacific Islander caucuses.

Wilder is not a habitual critic of Youngkin. Following his election in November 2021, Youngkin tapped four former Virginia governors  three Republicans and Wilder  to serve as advisers during his transition and upcoming administration.

In May 2022, Wilder attended a news conference in which Youngkin and his top education official said Virginias K-12 school performance was backsliding due to reduced expectations for students and schools and a lack of transparency, resulting in widening achievement gaps.

Youngkin has said he believes many people pushing diversity, equity and inclusion measures are seeking equal outcomes rather than equal opportunity.

He reiterated those remarks Monday during sessions at the Milken Institute and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

That push has led to lowering the bar for student achievement at schools, he said.

Wilder said those remarks and earlier ones show Youngkin doesn't understand the concept of equity DEI refers to.

"When you go to court, you're seeking equity," he said. "Equity means enforcing the law."

Wilder said he tried to stress this point in a recent meeting with Youngkin.

"This is about the history of what went wrong ... and what we are doing to correct it," he said.

Wilder said it is particularly unfortunate that Brown made his comment about DEI being dead and that diversity is the wrong mission when speaking to staff and faculty at Virginia Military Institute last week.

Brown said the states military college needed to focus on excellence.

Wilder noted that VMI had played an important role supporting slavery and had not admitted Black students until the 1960s. Black cadets have complained that they are often victims of racism and the state military college is making a major DEI effort.

It was while Wilder was governor that he pushed against much opposition to win a court order directing VMI to admit its first women.




Prosecutors indicted Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the state Korea Communications Commission (KCC), on Tuesday on charges of involvement in the alleged score manipulation against a right-wing cable channel in the process of renewing its broadcasting license in 2020.







Han, who was named KCC chief during the previous Moon Jae-in administration, is charged with prodding senior KCC officials to give low scores to TV Chosun during its license renewal evaluation process.







The KCC head also allegedly arranged the appointment of a civic activist critical of TV Chosun to the commission's judging panel in charge of relicensing reviews.







The Seoul Northern District Prosecutors Office on Tuesday indicted Han without physical detention on charges, including obstruction of justice and forgery of official documents.







Han has denied all charges against him.







In the 2020 relicensing review, TV Chosun received 653.39 points, barely passing the 650-point threshold for the renewal of cable channel licenses, resulting in a conditional approval. (Yonhap)


The McClelland Community Center was filled with who had come to help the Ring family celebrate the 100th anniversary of its trucking company, Ring Transfer, on Saturday, April 30.

Waiting for the ceremonies to begin, a knot of men gathered around an ancient truck, which was lined up beside the Ring family 18-wheelers down the street that runs in front of the community center.

The old truck seemed appropriate for the Ring family centennial, as Frank Ring primed and manually cranked to start the old engine. To the delight of that group of local men, the engine coughed and sputtered to life.

Its a 1917 Liberty truck my dad traded a two-bottom plow for, Frank Ring said. Its got a 428 cubic inch, four cylinder engine with about 68 horse power.

Ring said the truck was once passed on the highway by a combine, back in the days when it was a working vehicle.

The old truck still has the original oak spokes on the front wheels, with what look like the original hard rubber tires.

To my knowledge, there are only three left, other than those in museums, Ring said. This one sat for 30 years and took a long time to get going.

Ring said he had driven all over the nation  albeit, not in the Liberty truck, of course  but in one of the big rigs parked alongside.

Ive been in all but two of the states in the union, he said. I drove for 40 years.

Once the excitement of the old truck wore off, the men began drifting back to the festivities inside.

There the crowd of 300 to 400 people roared at the jokes coming from the Ring family and the drivers who worked for them; and, of course, for the national award for a century of service to trucking industry awarded to Ring Transfer by the American Truck Historical Society.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has risen to be an effective  yet almost too effective  form of communication. These new technologies, such as GPT-3 and Speechify, can create whole essays or even imitate human speech. While these programs can be useful when applied in a meaningful way, a conc
Morocco has evacuated 572 nationals trapped in the infighting in Sudan after it has established an airbridge upon instructions of King Mohammed VI, Moroccos foreign ministry said.

On May 2, the fourth RAM airlines flight arrived in Casablanca airport carrying 125 people relieved to leave the infighting plaguing Sudan.

The evacuated passengers include nationals from the brotherly African countries of Senegal, Gabon, DRC, Mali, and Burkina Faso in a gesture of solidarity that underpin Moroccos African policy, said the ministry in a statement.

Clashes erupted in Khartoum on April 15 and spread elsewhere in the country between forces loyal to army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and those of his rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The violence left at least 500 people dead and forces many countries to evacuate their nationals including by sea and land routes.

Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now crossed to neighboring countries, including Sudanese refugees, Olga Sarrado, spokesperson at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.
Egyptian authorities released Monday Al-Jazeera journalist, Hesham Abdel Aziz, and journalist Raouf Ebeid from pretrial detention, reports say.

Abdel Aziz, a journalist at Al Jazeera Mubasher, was arrested on 20 June 2019 at Cairo International Airport.

He was later accused of belonging to a banned group, and remained in custody until December 2019.

Azizs health conditions were deteriorating while in prison. Prior to his arrest, Abdel Aziz reportedly had undergone two operations on his right eye as he suffers from glaucoma.

The journalist per an ophthalmologist consultants report, has previously undergone an operation for his eye and needs medical care for his condition. Raouf Ebeid, on the other hand, was arrested in July from his home in Cairo. Authorities charged Ebeid with belonging to a terrorist group and spreading false news, without stating the reason for the charges.

Ebeid is diabetic and was not receiving any medical care in prison. In a statement, the Egypts Journalists Syndicate welcomed the release of Ebeid and Abdel Aziz, hoping that such a step paves the way for the release of the rest of the detained journalists. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Egypt is one of the worlds biggest jailers of journalists, with many spending years in jail and solitary confinement without being formally charged or tried.

The media freedom watchdog says that more than 500 websites have been blocked since the summer of 2017, including news outlets. According to data from RSF, Egypt ranked 166th out of 180 countries in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index.
The city of Marrakech has been picked as the capital of culture in the Islamic world in 2024 for the Arab region.

The announcement was made, Monday, at the closing activities of the celebration of Rabat, capital of culture in the Islamic world 2022, an event organized by ICESCO for a whole year.

The closing ceremony was held at the Mohammed V Theater in the Moroccan capital, ending a year-long rich program of activities, that made of Rabat a metropolis at the international level and was an opportunity to inscribe 27 Moroccan heritage elements on ICESCOs Islamic World Heritage Lists.

In an address on the occasion, ICESCO Director General, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, commended the beautiful and calm city of Rabat, describing it as a cultivated city, where its history is a book, its present is a word and its future is sciences surpassing horizons as millions of radiant stars shining with tales of heritage and science.

He noted that Rabat did not only win the honor of the title of Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, but also the hosting of the International Museum and Exhibition of the Prophets Seerah and Islamic Civilization at ICESCO Headquarters, which was inaugurated by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, and attracted nearly one-and-a-half million visitors in five months. In view of this success, King Mohammed VI approved the extension of this great scientific event for another six months, the ICESCO Chief said.

ICESCO Director General reviewed the 260 key activities held during the celebration of Rabat as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World.

A documentary film was screened documenting the key stages of Rabat Celebration as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, as well as the most important activities that were organized over the year.

The ceremony ended by an art show entitled: The Journey of the Poet Abu Al-Hassan Al-Shushtari.

During the ceremony, ICESCO chief announced that the city of Marrakech will be the Culture Capital of the Islamic World for 2024.

As such, Marrakech, which is listed as an intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO, will host a series of cultural, intellectual and artistic meetings and events that highlight the Islamic civilization. This celebration will be an opportunity to showcase the richness of the city which, thanks to its historical civilization and its intellectual influence, is characterized by a particular charm manifested in its Andalusian architecture, its mosques and its Riyads.

ICESCO declared Nouakchott as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2023.
More than 800,000 people may flee Sudan as a result of fierce fighting between rival generals, a UN senior official warned on Tuesday (2 May), as bloody clashes in the country intensified despite the latest truce.

Without a quick resolution of this crisis, we will continue to see more people forced to flee in search of safety and basic assistance, the UNs Raouf Mazou told a member state briefing in Geneva, as warnings multiplied of the potential for a catastrophic humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands of refugees. He said that since 15 April 2023 when clashes broke out in western Sudan some 73,000 people have already fled to the neighboring countries  Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan.

Concurring with this assessment, also the UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan warned the humanitarian crisis was turning into a full blown catastrophe and that the risk of spillover into neighboring countries was worrying.

Meanwhile, fierce fighting between regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) raged on Tuesday as both have flouted multiple ceasefires. Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded as air strikes and artillery exchanges have gripped swathes of greater Khartoum, sparking the exodus of thousands of Sudanese to neighboring countries. Kenyan President William Ruto has joined the voices calling on the warring generals to heed the calls by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and the international community to cease fire, warning the conflict had reached catastrophic levels.
A North Platte man was shocked Monday after he was handed a sentence of 500 days in prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

Terry D. Yonker, 46, pleaded no contest to felony failure to report every three months as a sex offender in Lincoln County District Court.

District Judge Cindy Volkmer sentenced him to 500 days in the Department of Corrections with credit for 63 days already served. Nine months of post release supervision is also required.

After sentencing, Yonker protested while he was escorted out of the courtroom repeatedly asking: why am I going to jail?

According to police records, Yonker last reported to the Lincoln County Sheriff for verification in October 2021, when he was released from the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Yonker is required to register for the rest of his life after a 2016 conviction for felony attempted first degree sexual assault and an additional conviction of criminal child enticement later in the same year.

He was found living at a different address from his sex offender registration form after police were called for a disturbance.

His attorney, Kent Florom explained to the judge his client experiences intellectual disabilities and is unable to perform routine reporting on his own.

Volkmer regarded his actions as criminal disregard of the law and considered him at high-risk of reoffending.

See Tuesdays Telegraph for more of Mondays district court proceedings.
The crossing on OFallon Road north of U.S. Highway 30 has been backfilled and readied for surfacing, Lincoln County Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz told county commissioners Monday.

Schultz said the highway department had used a backhoe and loader to move the four metal culverts slightly before doing the backfill work.

The need for the reorientation of the culverts had been identified by members of the Platte Valley Irrigation District board of directors in consultation with Mainelli Wagner & Associates, the engineers for the project.

Everything is ready for the water to flow at the beginning of irrigation season next month, Schultz said.

He said he would obtain prices for road surfacing work at the crossing and present them to commissioners, probably at next Mondays meeting.

Commissioners Chris Bruns and Micaela Wuehler were absent from the 9 a.m. meeting at Lincoln County Courthouse.

Also on Monday morning, commissioners turned down a request by North Platte Catholic Community Food Pantry to use some of their ARPA funds for non-food items.

Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Kent Weems and Chairman Jerry Woodruff all agreed that changing the stipulations spelled out in awarding the funds could create problems.

The $10,000 in ARPA funding was awarded by the commissioners last year, who specified that the money be spent on food for distribution to people in need.

ARPA funds are being administered by West Central Nebraska Development District for this charity and other non-profit organizations who received the grants through the Lincoln County commissioners.

Samantha Redfern, economic development specialist for WCNDD, presented the request to commissioners on behalf of the food pantry.

The commissioners also felt the charity would have time to spend the approximately $4,575 remaining, on food as specified. Deputy County Attorney Tyler Volkmer, who attends commissioner meetings, also advised against expanding stipulations of the grant awards.

North Platte Catholic Community Food Pantry had wanted to spend some of the ARPA funds on items such as a transportation cart, temperature control equipment and electricity bills.

In another item of business, commissioners granted a request by County Assessor Julie Stenger to accelerate personal property taxes in the amount of $329.98 for Malines Incorporated of Sutherland. The request was related to the purchase of Malines Superfoods by Scott Carlson.

Commissioners also spent approximately 20 minutes in a closed session to discuss strategy with respect to pending or imminent litigations.
Photo: StevenCrowder/YouTube

Conservative provocateur and YouTuber Steven Crowder has been having some problems ever since he declined what he called a slave contract of $50 million to join Ben Shapiros Daily Wire operation in January. Amid Crowders messy divorce, a video from 2021 was made public last week in which he yells at his wife while shes eight-months pregnant with their twins. Crowder, who has complained of the no-fault-divorce laws where he lives (in Texas), scolded her for not behaving in a wifely manner and refused to allow her to use their car. In a statement from his soon-to-be ex, Hilary, she claims that he has been engaging in mentally and emotionally abusive behavior for years.

While Crowder denied the claim, a report from the New York Post on Tuesday describes allegations from ten former employees who say Crowder oversaw an abusive company where he continually harassed them. Chief among their allegations is that Crowder would often expose himself at work.

In March 2018, Crowder and his crew were driving in a van when a former producer he liked to call Not Gay Jared fell asleep in the back row. Steven was in front, and he was joking about what he was going to do, a witness said. He climbed over and dropped his junk on top of Jareds shoulder. The same ex-staffer recalled that Crowder had exposed himself to Jared in 2017 while they were filming a parody version of Ghost. And on a flight in 2018, a different employee claims they saw Crowder put his testicles on his childhood friend and assistant, John Goodman. Another employee remembered that Crowder had showed his genitals to Dave Landau, a comedian and former co-host who called Crowder a bully last week. (Landau claimed that Crowder installed a Dave dont talk button on the show to get him to be quiet on air.) At first, I took it as him trying to be friendly or one of the guys, said an ex-staffer. Now, I see it was a power play.

Crowder allegedly sent production assistants to do his laundry and could be an unreasonable micromanager who would make wild requests after hours to set people up for failure. Ex-staffers claimed that he would regularly berate his team and threaten to fire people on the companys Discord channel. He even went after his own father, Darrin Crowder, per one source, who claimed Crowder would yell at his dad in front of employees when Darrin was working as his sons booker. (Darrin did not respond to the Posts request for comment.)

Im not shocked, but it was pathetic what he did to Hilary, a former employee said regarding the video of Crowder yelling at his pregnant wife. That might not be the Steven you see on his show, but that was the real Steven.
gettyimagesbank



By Lee Hae-rin



Korea is the most expensive country in the world to raise a child, a recent study shows, a statistic that escalates concerns about the country's declining birth rate amid a demographic crisis.



The latest study by Beijing-based think-tank, YuWa Population Research Institute, revealed that Korea ranks highest in the world when it comes to the cost of raising a child from birth to the age of 18 years, at 7.79 times the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, according to the South China Morning Post, Monday.



The second highest in the world is China, where the cost is 6.9 times GDP per capita. In China, it costs more than $75,000 to raise a child until the age of 18 and another $22,000 to get them a university education, the study said. The figure is far more than double the cost in countries like Germany, Australia and France, where it is 3.64, 2.08 and 2.24 times GDP per capita, respectively.



The report pointed to the high cost of raising children as one of the most important factors affecting the willingness of people to have kids.



Korea's birth rate hit a new record low last year, with an average of only 0.78 baby expected per woman, falling even further from the previous record of 0.81 in 2021, while Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol called for "bold measures" to resolve the issue in March.



A domestic survey conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) in 2020 found that the high cost of childrearing is one of the reasons for the declining birth rate in Korea. The institute surveyed 2,000 Korean adults and found that both married and unmarried respondents chose "economic instability" and "high cost of childrearing" as the top reasons for not having children.



The YuWa report suggests several government policies to address the population crisis at the national level, including "cash and tax subsidies, house purchase subsidies, building more nurseries, providing gender-equal maternity leave, introducing foreign nannies, promoting flexible working styles, guaranteeing the reproductive rights of single women, allowing assisted reproductive technology and reforming the college entrance examination and school system."


7 items in this article 1 item on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Tembe Denton-Hurst

Everyone knows that person who spends weeks sniffing around travel blogs, going deep into Tripadvisor rabbit holes, collecting Google docs from friends of friends, and creating A Beautiful Mindstyle spreadsheets to come up with the best vacations and itineraries possible. In this recurring series, we find those people whove done all the work for you and have them walk us through a particularly wonderful, especially well-thought-out vacation they took that you can actually steal.

I grew up going to the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) on holidays, summers, and long weekends, the result of separated parents sharing custody between two cities. Now as an adult I go home about once a month, and though the city looks different than when I was young (its one of the fastest-gentrifying cities in America), it still feels like home.

The culture of this place has long influenced my work as a writer at the Strategist. And now, Ive written my first novel, Homebodies, about the DMV. The books thesis is about finding oneself outside of the systems that define you. But Homebodies is also a love letter to my hometown: to the sound of cicada wings. And the Cold Stone Creamery near Hoffman where I spent many summer nights. Let Shonda Rhimes tell it, and D.C. is a place for power plays. Thats one take on the city, but its never been mine. D.C. has always been Chocolate City to me  in its heyday, when my parents were growing up, it was 70 percent Black  a place where Black people lived, worked, ate blue crabs, and grew old. Writing this book gave me the opportunity to explore this place with fresh eyes.

Heres how I recently spent three days in the DMV, including a nighttime visit to the monuments, a sizzling tomahawk steak at my favorite Mexican restaurant, and a tiny bookstore with very tall shelves.

Day 1

12 p.m. Arrive in our nations capital

I go home to the DMV to visit my family at least a dozen times a year, whether its for a grandmothers birthday or a friends cookout. Both my fiancees family and mine live in the area, so were there often. We typically drive down from Queens (weve had a car since 2017), but every once in a while (especially if Im traveling solo), I take Amtrak. Its about a three-and-a-half-hour ride from New York and tickets start at around $80, though if youre willing to get in at the ass crack of dawn, you can grab one for around $20. You can also get inexpensive tickets when you book a month or more in advance. The train stops at Union Station, which is fairly central to some of my favorite areas of the city. D.C. is pretty small, though, and most things are 1520 minutes away by car.

1 p.m. Get lunch at a street-food restaurant-cafe that also sells streetwear

H St. is just a few blocks over, and that strip has lots of restaurants and bars to choose from. We typically go to H St. for dinner and drinks, but its also where my favorite daytime spot  Maketto  is. Maketto is part streetwear store, part coffee shop, part restaurant. The music is good, the vibes are always right, and I like that you order and check out via your phone and the food just appears. Its efficient! I ordered the pork bao buns (do yourself a favor and order two) and the fried chicken, which is crispy and well seasoned and comes with soft bread.

3 p.m. Check into your hotel

I always stay with my family when Im in D.C., but my fiancee, Connay, and I have done a few staycations and tested hotels in the area. We love the Kimpton (there are a couple different locations in D.C.), particularly the Mason and Rook (which has since been renamed the Viceroy D.C. but still has the same decor) and the Banneker. Theyre comfortable and stylish, and the rooms are huge. Theres also a complimentary cocktail hour every night, which is always nice. The Banneker is between Dupont Circle and 14th St.  both have their own strips to explore. If you walk toward Dupont, youll run into bakeries like Tatte  a Boston import thats overflowing with croissants, loafs, and baguettes and looks like a D.C. take on the Ralph Lauren Cafe. In the other direction, toward Logan Circle, theres Barcelona, a wine bar with an incredible selection of wine and affordable-ish tapas. If you want to politician-watch, Le Diplomate is also nearby, a French bistro that has hosted the Obamas and the Bidens and continues to be a go-to for the politico set.

6 p.m. Dine at Dlena

The first time I went to Dlena was on a double date with friends, and now I go back every time Im home. This time I went with just my fiancee and we sat outside, but if you can, Id recommend indoor seating. The decor in the restaurant reminds me of being in Tulum and the low lighting is ridiculously sexy. We always start with queso fundido, which comes with blue-corn tortillas and is topped with grilled beef. Then we always order the tomahawk for two, which comes with tableside service. They serve it on a sizzling stone and melt herbs and butter on top using a blowtorch. All the other diners will stare, but its worth it because the steak is succulent, melt-in-your-mouth good.

8 p.m. Stop in at Busboys and Poets

I simply cannot pass by a bookstore and not go inside, and Busboys is too close to Dlena to not go every single time. They have drinks and food and things, but I really come here for the curation. When I was in high school, they were the only bookstore in town with a copy of Zora Neale Hurstons Mules and Men, and Ive been a loyal customer since. This time I picked up a few books, including a copy of Yonder, by Jabari Asim, a sweeping historical fiction with an eye-catching cover, and asked for extra bookmarks. Its also the place I gesture toward in my novel, where my character and her toxic old flame, Tee, go to celebrate (freak out) about her newly viral article. In the book, Mickey comes here and uses it as an opportunity to reflect on the ways the city has changed. Ive experienced a similar disorienting feeling, and I wanted to convey that in the story.

Day 2

10 a.m. Have breakfast at Surveyor

In the morning we went to breakfast at Surveyor, a fine-casual restaurant in southeast D.C. They have standard breakfast fare, but the homemade Pop-Tarts are a standout; they taste exactly like the ones from a box, but with thicker pastry dough. The fried chicken here is also ridiculously good.

11a.m. Relax on the bank of the Anacostia River

Surveyor is about a block away from the Anacostia River, and theres a lawn area you can hang out on. Connay and I chilled here for a bit and stared out at the river. The area was empty because it was daytime, but at night, it tends to be a little busy. Last time we were down there, we went to Ice Cream Jubilee, which has interesting flavors like orange blossom tea cake and strawberry hibiscus. But I got a vanilla scoop with rainbow sprinkles because I like to keep it simple.

12 p.m. View Barack Obama and Michelle Obamas portraits

D.C. has some of the best museums in the world, and theyre all free. We love the portrait gallery, which is in Chinatown (or as we would say, down Gallery) and is home to lots of stunning work. We strolled languidly through the period rooms and then took in Kinship, an exhibit that explores relationships through portraiture. LaToya Ruby Fraziers Flint Is Family in Three Acts, for example, follows the Cobb family living through the Flint water crisis  doing things like brushing their teeth with bottled water and going to church.

3 p.m. Have lunch at Lyle

Lyle is one of my favorite spots in D.C. For a hotel restaurant, its impressively good, and it has become a must-visit whenever we come home. I love the decor here. Curvy, plush couches abound, and theres a massive Nelson pendant installation. Wood paneling covers the walls, and the ceilings are painted a beautiful oxblood red. They also have the comfiest seating. If you can snag a seat on the white couch, do it. It offers some of the best views in the restaurant and feels fancy. We started with the burrata salad, which has pear, pine nuts, and tarragon. Then we got lamb meatballs and pork belly, a must-have. Im still thinking about the harissa the lamb is served with. For the mains, my fiancee had the tagliatelle and I had the king salmon, which comes with soy-ginger sushi rice. The rice might just be the best rice Ive had in my entire life. We finished it off with warm apple strudel and soft-serve. The drinks are also very good here. Get the pineapple mezcalita and thank me later.

5 p.m. Buy records at Byrdland and books at Politics and Prose

Connay collects vinyl records, and Byrdland has a great collection. Weve found everything from Parliaments Chocolate City to Saults 5, and we always end up sourcing something for her collection. This time, we grabbed an Earth, Wind & Fire record, Nina Simones Here Comes the Sun, Solanges When I Get Home, and Emmavies Honeymoon. Afterward, we went to Politics and Prose, right next door. Their bookshelves go to the ceiling and in addition to books, they sell cute odds and ends like puzzles and cheeky socks and cards. All of these stores are super close to Union Market, which is a great spot to sample smaller food spots. But when were down there, we typically go to St. Anselm (also on the same street), which makes an incredible steak (clearly I love a good steak), yummy collard greens, and the best carrot cake Ive had in D.C. (aside from my grandmothers and aunts). If you need some quick jewelry, Shelter also has some nice options. I bought my grandmother some hoop earrings for her birthday last year and she loved them.

9 p.m. Catch some of the best views of the Potomac

Visiting the monuments in D.C. is kind of like going to Times Square in New York  tourists always want to do it, and people who have lived there their entire lives simply wont. Similarly, the Lincoln Memorial is always busy as hell, packed with kids on their eighth-grade class field trips and families hoping to soak up some history. While visiting them during the day is a hassle, I actually love going to the monument at night. The sheer scale of the buildings feel majestic, and theres something otherworldly about seeing a massive Lincoln carved from stone. We brought a bottle of wine and sat down next to one of the giant pillars. Its pretty empty on the sides, and the view of the Potomac is beautiful if youre on the left side of the building.

10 p.m. Go see Miss Donna

Somehow, we still had stamina after leaving, so we headed over to H St. and went to the New Elroy D.C. Its owned by Miss Donna, who makes her own rum with the help of a distiller in Puerto Rico. She also makes ready-made mixed drinks that remind me of the Nutcrackers we buy during Pride or at the beach. Theyre yummy but very strong. The bar is small, no bigger than a row house, and the vibe is low-key. We meet up with my cousins, and the six of us share two hookahs. Hookah is something of a national pastime in D.C. Its right up there with brunch, and we take brunch very seriously.

1 a.m. Eat Pancakes at IHOP

We smoked for a bit and eventually got hungry. D.C. shuts down pretty early by New York standards (around 2 a.m.), and restaurants (aside from spots like Steak and Egg) close long before then. We decided to go to IHOP, but specifically the one on St. Barnabas Rd., which weve been going to since we were kids. Its down the street from our grandparents house. My forever order: a side stack of pancakes (always two), home fries, and a fruit bowl.

Day 3

12 p.m. Drive to Fort Washington

In the morning, we checked out and headed to my dads house, which is about 25 minutes away. Our first stop when we get home is Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a smoothie franchise that also sells flatbreads and paninis. Theres Tropical Smoothies everywhere, but the Fort Washington location on Swan Creek Road is the only one thats good (not too icy, very creamy). I always get the same order: Island Green, half sugar, add ginger. Connay also gets the acai berry boost, and we pick up a detox Island Green for my dad and kettle-cooked chips for my baby sister. Then we grab wings from Americas Best, which is right next door. We always order 15 flats naked, with mild buffalo and mumbo sauce on the side, and five honey moondust wings.

3 p.m. Walk with the Silver Sneakers set in Fort Washington

When were in New York, we walk around Astoria Park almost daily, and we have a similar routine when were home in D.C. We walk in Fort Washington Park, which isnt too far from my dads house. It has stunning views of the Potomac and the fort that gave the town its name (it was the only defensive fort protecting Washington D.C. up until the Civil War). That morning, its mostly older folks walking in pairs of twos, always waving when we walk by. I briefly imagine growing old with Connay. Fort Washington, the city, is sort of my hometown (I moved there from Brooklyn when I was 13), and its also my main character Mickeys. I set Homebodies there because its a quintessential PG County suburb, filled with Black people from all over the socioeconomic spectrum. When I moved there at 13, it seemed slow and unexciting, but as Ive gotten older, I appreciate the stability and mundanity of the routine. Its safe. Thats why I put Mickey there.

5 p.m. Eat soft-serve

Im a soft-serve obsessive, so I have to get a cone every time I go home. Soft-serve season begins around April (triggered by two or more hot days in a row) and ends when the temperature consistently drops below 65. Today we drove to B&J, a small ice cream spot about 15 minutes up the road. Their soft-serve is thick and creamy, and theyre not stingy with the sprinkles. Other respectable soft-serve spots: Miller Farms (which also has great fresh produce) and Hovermales (a classic). If I want ice cream with add-ins, Ill go for Cold Stone Creamery, a childhood favorite. So much so that I gave Mickey, my main character, my go-to order  chocolate chip cookie dough with sprinkles  when she visits with Tee.

Tembe Denton-Hursts Packing List

L.L. Bean Hunters Tote Bag $45 $45 I always bring an ungodly amount of stuff home with me, even if its just for a few days. I pack all my toiletries in a giant L.L.Bean tote, specifically the camo one with a waterproof liner. This liner has saved me time and time again from an uncapped tube of sunscreen or a leaky hair product. It also looks new after years of heavy-duty use. $45 at L.L. Bean Buy

Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case $95 $95 I got this in a PR mailer sometime last year, and since then, I cant travel without it. It keeps everything organized and easy to spot and fits most everything. I knew it was good when, while going through TSA in Miami, an agent commented on how nice and efficient it was. $95 at Calpak Buy

Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 $23 $23 I use this every day without fail. It keeps my skin protected and gives it a glowy finish, but isnt the least bit greasy. Its the first sunscreen I really committed to, and Ive repurchased it a few times to make sure I never run out. $23 at Amazon Buy $16 at Target Buy

Vince Pleat Front Pull On Pant $345 $345 When I wrote about the best thing I purchased last year, I penned an ode to these Vince pants. Even if I bring a bunch of bottoms with me, I somehow always end up putting these on. They go with just about everything, and if I didnt have to wash them, I would wear them every single day. $345 at Amazon Buy $345 at Nordstrom Buy

Homebodies $26 $30 now 13% off $26 I always bring a copy with me, in case I run into a family member or friend who doesnt have one yet. Its also my love letter to my city, so its only right I bring it home. $26 at Amazon Buy $30 at Barnes & Noble Buy

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The Food Bank of East Alabama has partnered with Americas letter carriers and Feeding America to launch the largest one-day food drive in the country on May 13.

The annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive serves as a simple way for residents to donate nonperishable items to the East Alabama Food Bank.

Residents can leave donations in a bag next to their mailbox on May 13. Their mail carrier will then pick up the bag and take it to the post office. The food bank will take the items from there.

Theres really only one part about this thats hard, and thats remembering to put the food out, said Martha Henk, executive director of the Food Bank of East Alabama.

Henk said a little bit of help from each individual can make a tremendous impact for the food bank.

The Food Bank of East Alabama distributes around 500,000 pounds of food a month across a seven-county region in East Alabama. According to Feeding Americas, 1 in 7 Alabama residents face food insecurity, including 216,040 children. As the largest one-day food drive in the nation, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive is seen as a pivotal event for providing food to families.

The East Alabama Food Bank acts as a centralized distribution hub for East Alabama. It gathers food donations and makes them available through churches and nonprofit organizations in our area.

All items donated during the Stamp Out Hunger food drive will go directly to the food bank to help. The food bank has 200 agencies that rely heavily on their resources including food pantries, rehab programs, and senior citizen centers, among others.

Were just doing the best we can to build up our resources to the point where well be able to be adequate in what were able to provide to those agencies, Henk said.

Recent shortages are making it more difficult to provide for needy families, though.

Henk said residual effects from the pandemic have continued to have a negative impact on the food bank. Supply chain issues and rising costs of food and transportation during the COVID-19 years have continued to stress supplies at food banks across the country.

Henk said that the food donors they have relied on in the past dont have the abundance they once had to provide support. Additionally, federal funding that was available during the pandemic has dried up leading to even more funding issues.

To add to the issue, summer tends to be a leaner time for the food bank as kids are out of school which leads to more of a drain on familys resources.

All of that has sort of contributed to kind of a perfect storm of just a reduced inventory, Henk said. Every day, I walk out of my office and I look across the racks in the warehouse. We just see it getting more and more empty, and its just really concerning.

To help out with the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, nonperishable items can be left in a bag next to your mailbox. Additionally, items can be dropped off at the Food Bank of East Alabama at 355 Industry Drive in Auburn.

We are so grateful to community members who donate non-perishable items and for the letter carriers who take the time to collect each bag to help fight hunger in our community, Henk said.

Main items the Food Bank of East Alabama is seeking include:

Cereal

Pasta and rice

Canned fruits and vegetables

Canned meals such as soups, pasta, stew

Peanut Butter and jelly

Pasta sauce

Macaroni & Cheese or boxed meals

Canned protein  tuna, chicken, etc.

100% juice
The City of Opelika is bringing a new retail shopping center to the community that will feature 12 to 16 businesses, including a Publix store.

MAB American Management LLC will construct the 65,000-square-foot shopping center on the 12.6 acres of land at the intersection of Veterans Parkway and U.S. Highway 280. Publix is the first business confirmed to be leasing a space in the center, which will be about 49,000 square feet. Publix is expected to open in 2025, said John Argo, president of MAB American Management.

This development follows shortly after the Publix in downtown Auburn at 138 Gay Street opened in October. While it will be the first location in Opelika, it will become the fourth Publix in the Auburn-Opelika area.

Argo said theyre in the process of getting the permits needed to begin construction and pre-leasing to businesses. He hopes theyre able to start construction before the end of 2023.

If youve seen that property, it has a lot of site work involved. Theres gonna be a lot of earth moving before theres any vertical construction, so we got to allow extra time for that, he said.

Construction will include leveling the surface and putting in infrastructure like water lines, sewer lines, streets, street lights, landscaping and sidewalks, which will also serve future businesses and residents as they move to that area. Argo said theyll also need to put in fences that combat erosion, install storm drainage ponds and install other utilities. After the parking lot is paved, the construction of the building will begin. Argo expects it to take about a year and six months to finish, and hes excited about the new developments.

Thats a community they wanted to serve for a long, long time, and we think weve got a great intersection at U.S. 280 and Veterans Parkway, he said. Veterans connects to all kinds of residential communities on both sides of 280, and 280 is a very highly trafficked road.

Since 1989, Argo has helped develop about 40 Publix shopping centers. His company recently opened one in Newnan, Georgia, in March and will be completing another in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 2024.

Argo said the growth Opelika has had and continues to have makes for a perfect spot for this type of development. He also said Opelika attracts successful new industry, which speaks highly of the city and the city leadership.

In our business, the saying is retail follows rooftops. So what were doing is coming to town to serve a growing, prospering community thats doing a great job of looking after itself and creating a great opportunity for investment, he said.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller agreed that retail follows rooftops.

Over the past five years, weve built over 2,000 new single family homes in Opelika and about 200 new apartments, Fuller said. This new retail development on the Northern entrance to our community will serve a growing population. We believe retail and residential development are the results of the many good paying jobs weve recruited and that we continue to recruit.

The City of Opelika stated in a resolution that this location will attract customers not only from Opelika, but also from areas outside the city limits. Its located about 15 minutes away from Auburn University. The resolution also stated the addition of this shopping center will increase Opelikas property tax revenues, increase sales and use tax revenues, expand the tax base of the city, increase the number of jobs within the city, enhance the overall quality of life of the citizens and enable the city to attract and retain additional commercial developments.

The Opelika City Council will vote on Tuesday night on whether itll approve the project agreement resolution with MAB American Management.

Businesses interested in leasing a space in the shopping center can contact Jonathan McCall from Moore Company Reality at 334-262-1958.
Pre-Code

Broken Lullaby (1932 - Dir. Ernst Lubitsch)

Queen Christina (1933 - Dir. Rouben Mamoulian)

Scarface (1932 - Dir. Howard Hawks)

ONTD Resources

ONTD Original: Progressive Old Hollywood Movies

ONTD Original: Old Hollywood Liberals

ONTD Original: Old Hollywood Conservatives

ONTD ORIGINAL: 10 actresses (outside of Hollywood) from the silent era

Pre-Code Hollywood is the short period of time between when talkies first came to prominence, but before the Hays Code ruined film and killed fun when it started to be enforced in 1934. Although films were still routinely censored, this was an era when films were able to get away with being a little more raunchy and with questioning and pushing back against societal norms. I tried to keep the choices strictly to American/Hollywood films, so some great and possibly more daring productions from Europe & elsewhere aren't included. Below are 3 fantastic pre-code films that won't disappoint:is an anti-war film set 1 year after WWI. It follows a frantic young French soldier grappling with the guilt of killing a young German soldier in the trenches. In an attempt to ease his mind, he travels to Germany to meet with the grieving family of the man he killed. His mere presence in the German town stirs the ire of the locals. His stay ends up unexpectedly prolonged, and he finds himself falling in love with the fiancee of the man he killed. The film is a poignant portrayal of loss, hate, grief, and forgiveness amidst the lingering devastation of war.is visually striking (an early shot shows an Armistice Day parade framed from beneath the missing leg of a solider). Sound plays an important role too - often highlighting how loud the war was and the lasting impact it had on the soldiers (arguably a very early depiction of PTSD in film). Many of the film's most emotional moments are filled with long stretches of silence - filling the air with palpable and complex feelings that nobody has words to express. The dialogue is also incredibly frank:This movie is TENSE in a way that is hard to describe and in a way so unlike any other film I've seen. People do and say things in this movie that will make you go, "holy shit!" It's a must-watch.When the King of Sweden dies on the battlefield during a prolonged war set in the 17th century, his heir takes his place. Played by Greta Garbo, Queen Christina assumes the throne and vows to win the war for her country. But after many years pass and the loss of life and resources starts to tick ever higher, she questions the value of war and begins to change her tune. She defies her own war hungry parliament by demanding a move towards peace all while dealing with the pressure of being expected to marry and produce an heir for the good of the country.Garbo makes for a commanding queen who defies a lot of stereotypical ideas about sex and gender roles. She dresses like a man most of the time, has multiple lovers and suitors (including a suggested at relationship with Countess Ebba), and regularly questions and defies the status quo. When told by a member of her court that she cannot die an old maid, she retorts, "I have no intention to, Chancellor. I shall die a bachelor!" She eventually falls in love with Antonio, a Spanish envoy to Sweden (who initially thinks Christina is a man) after they're forced to share the last bed available at an inn (it's implied they fuck). This relationship ultimately results in her making some bold decisions which change the trajectory of her life. While the film can be a little slow at times, it's worth it for the payoff of the fantastic emotional journey offered up in the final 20 minutes.While not totally historically accurate, the film is loosely based the real Queen Christina of Sweden - so if you're a fan of history and politics (and fashion), this one is for you! The best part? There's no, "women can't lead!" nonsense that we are still seeing in film and TV (and real life) to wade through in this one.You know the plot, it's Scarface!It's one of the most influential gangster films of all time. Unfortunately, it was heavily censored before release, and they were forced to change scenes and add an entire prologue to the film condemning gang violence as censors thought the film was romanticizing and glorifying gangsters. Interestingly, the prologue also notes that the scenes in the film are based on real life gang related events. Even with the censorship, the film holds up. Paul Muni's Tony and Karen Morley's Poppy have unreal chemistry and Muni's version of Tony is arguably more complex and interesting than Pacino's.ONTD has an amazing community of Old Hollywood fans and there have been some fantastic posts here over the years! If you're looking for a place to dive into these older eras of pop culture, check out some of these great posts below:gives us great movie suggestions delivered with impeccable formatting and style!gives you the rundown on who ONTD would have stanned and who would have been on our shit list if we were around back in the day. They also serve up a ton of gossipy posts about messy Old Hollywood celebs, so be sure to check those out too!takes us beyond Hollywood and teaches us about some great women making silent films all over the world!Sources: Gif Queen Christina Gifs not sourced are mine.
Monitoring Mental Health

Poor mental health might be your workplaces most overlooked health and safety hazard.

As a natural progression from the days when fatal occupational injuries were a sad, daily reality, workplace safety professionals maintain a concerted focus on addressing the slips, trips and falls that make up 18 percent of the U.S.s occupational injuries. However, data now suggests the mental health concerns that are pervading all modern workplaces do have a link to physical safety outcomes and must be recognized, prioritized and addressed as their own hazard.

In 2021, the American Psychological Association (APA) surveyed more than 1,500 U.S. workers and reported that adults who perform manual labor were predisposed to have experienced symptoms of physical fatigue (51 percent versus the average 38 percent), cognitive weariness (41 percent versus the average 29 percent) and emotional exhaustion (41 percent versus the average 25 percent) at work as a result of mental stressors. No doubt these symptoms increase the likelihood of the missteps or slips that form the staggering occupational injury statistics we see so often.

Further justifying the severity of the problem, many states today support workers compensation claims for work-related anxiety or stress or the accidents it may lead to.

So, what does the mental health of your workforce look like? How could it play into the health and safety of your workplace, and what can be done to improve it?

The State of Mental Health in American Workplaces

As a psychologist, I both see the reported statistics and get to hear the individual stories of how stress and mental health concerns like depression and anxiety manifest in the workplace. Most of us spend around 65 percent of our waking hours at work, so its no surprise that our mental health is impacted by our work and why as employers, we cannot shy away from the responsibility of supporting this incredibly important aspect of our employees health and wellbeing.

Wysas recent All Worked Up Report found that 40 percent of working Americans are suffering from depression or anxietyfigures notably higher than national averages. This baseline means the symptoms of depression and anxietysuch as loss of interest, inability to concentrate, sleep or eating changes and othersare likely impacting your workers and the way theyre able to carry out their work safely.

This article originally appeared in the April/May 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
Kishida will pay a working visit to Korea on Sunday and Monday at the invitation of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the office said in a press release, April 20. Yonhap



Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will arrive in Korea this weekend for a two-day visit, the presidential office said Tuesday.



Kishida will pay a working visit to Korea on Sunday and Monday at the invitation of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the office said in a press release.






Amazon Did Not Give Proper Medical Treatment to Injured Workers, OSHA Says

Amazons fourth citation this year carries a proposed penalty of $15,625.

Over about a ninth-month period, workers at an Amazon fulfillment facility did not receive timely, necessary medical care after sustaining injuries, OSHA alleged in a recent news release.

According to the news release, at least six workers sustained injuries to their heads and four sustained injuries to their backsall in different incidents from August 2022 to mid-April 2023while working at a Castleton, New York fulfillment center and were sent back to work, an action that exacerbated many workers injuries. OSHAs proposed penalties for this citationthe fourth in 2023total $15,625.

This is not the first time OSHA has taken action against the e-commerce company for its medical-related practices. A 2015 investigation at a New Jersey fulfillment center resulted in a Hazard Alert Letter for Amazon; and in 2023, OSHA also issued a similar warning following a Florida warehouse facility inspection, per the agency.

"The work at these fulfillment facilities is physically demanding. Returning a worker with a back injury or possible concussion to their job without proper medical evaluation and care can lead to prolonged injuries and lifelong suffering," Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said in the news release. "The examples uncovered by our investigation demonstrate a callous disregard for the well-being of Amazon's Castleton employees that is completely unacceptable."

Photo credit: dennizn / Shutterstock.com
Julianne Geiger

OPECs crude oil production fell last month to a level not seen in nearly a year, a Bloomberg survey showed on Tuesday.

OPECs crude oil production fell 310,000 barrels per day in April to just 28.8 million bpd, the survey said. The group had said at the end of March that it would cut production by another 1.6 million bpd starting in May, but much of Aprils small decrease came in the form of unintentional production cuts, with Iraqs decreased production for the month accounting for about 80% of the groups total production losses.

Iraq saw its crude oil production decline 250,000 bpd to 4.13 million bpd over a pipeline shutdown that runs from Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to Turkey. That pipeline is responsible for carrying about half a million barrels per day. Iraqs production is at the lowest level since late 2021.

Nigeria saw its production increase by 3.5% in February before sinking 2% in March to 1.517 million bpd. In April, Bloombergs survey showed a dip of 120,000 bpd to 1.32 million bpd, partly due to the striking of ExxonMobil workers in the country.

Nigerias Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission had been confident that its production would continue to increase, eyeing full-year production of 1.69 million bpd as part of its long-term plan to increase production and grow its proven oil reserves to 50 billion barrels. Nigerias production target for March was 1.8 million bpd.

OPEC+ members Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, Oman, Gabon, and Kazakhstan make up the ones that agreed to cut more production beginning this month.

OPEC+ is set to meet next on June 4, when it will discuss production levels for July 2023 and beyond.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Airlines are finally emerging from the gloom of the global pandemic.

Having weathered record fuel prices and a sharp downturn in customers, the industry is looking forward to a surge in demand, with major airlines forecasting bumper profits for 2023.

After all, data shared with City A.M. by analytics firm Cirium, clearly shows flights will surge this summer, with airlines rapidly closing in on pre-pandemic levels amid an uplift in departures.

The figures provide a breakdown of take-offs for the UKs largest airlines in the third quarter, revealing that most are expecting to see a rise from 2019 levels.

Ryanair, Jet2, Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet are all predicted to see increases in departures when compared with 2019, with Jet2 expecting the highest rise to reach 119 per cent of its previous total. British Airways is forecast to hit 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Overall, UK departures are expected to reach 90 per cent of 2019 with over 49m flight seats filled, representing a near full recovery, Ciriums figures show.

According to Lufthansas Director of Sales, Heinrich Lange, the travel boom can be attributed in part to special effects such as pent up demand, after years of restrictions. Other recent developments like the re-opening of travel to China and Japan have also provided a welcome boost.

Obviously now over the past summer and for sure in summer 2023, were looking at an aviation market which is mostly free of restrictions, and we see this coming back into full fruition, he said. I think for us, it showed that people and customers still want to connect to each other and I think especially during summer.

Lange told City A.M. that the Lufthansa Group has already added 20 per cent capacity for flights, with the company doing a lot of preparation, including investing in more staff for the coming months.

Deidre Fulton, an analyst at the intelligence company OAG, said that theres no doubt that demand is certainly strong. Holidaymakers have remained unperturbed by the cost of living crisis, she explained, with many still prioritising travel.

Data provided by OAG breaks down summer season capacity figures for Western European countries over the last decade. Capacity refers to the number of seats an airline plans to offer over a set period and is a good indicator of demand.

The UK has seen the sharpest recovery from pre-pandemic levels, just pipping Spain to take top spot at 109,789,521 seats this summer.

OAG data breaks down summer season capacity for the top Western European nations over the last decade. The figures represent the sum of total seats

Oil markets reflect robust travel demand

This resurgent enthusiasm for air travel has helped prop up oil prices into spring, with both major benchmarks trading at around $75 per barrel  a robust valuation amid global recession fears and the contagion effect of Februarys banking crisis.

The question is whether it can help drive oil prices this summer, with growing expectations of Federal Reserve hikes eating into gains made after OPEC+s heavy cuts to oil output last month.

Callum Macpherson, head of commodities at Investec, told City A.M. that resurgent demand in jet fuel across the UK and Europe was a strong demand factor, but that it was already priced in  meaning it was unlikely to drive oil benchmarks this spring.

Instead, a revival in air travel from China, the worlds largest oil consumer, in the second half of the year was more likely to boost prices.

He said: The key question mark is over Asian demand. There is a widely held view in the market that Asian oil demand will increase in the second half of the year and jet fuel will be an important component of that

Craig Erlam, senior markets analyst at OANDA, also believed holiday bookings were not solely capable of driving up prices.

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However, he argued the boost in tourism could suggest the UKs wider economy was stronger than anticipated  which could be a key tailwind for oil if it leads to rising consumption across developed economies.

He said: On its own, I dont think holiday bookings are going to be a strong factor in the price of oil moves over the next month or two but should they prove to be indicative of overall household financial health, it could be a supportive and bullish factor, as it reflects the wider economy.

The return of Western tourism might not be enough to cause oil prices to rise further this summer  but it could reflect a more optimistic vision for an economy teetering on the brink of a recession which could have benefits beyond oil markets.

By CityAM

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Energy expert Anas Alhajji shared a video on Twitter that appears to show, according to his description, "An oil tanker, known for transporting Iranian oil, catching fire off the coast of Malaysia."

An oil tanker with a history of shipping Iranian oil catches fire off Malaysia. Video below.

Name: Pablo

Year Built: 1997

Flag: Gabon

25 crew members rescued, 3 missing

It was on a trip from China to the UAE pic.twitter.com/FIo4yms2aM  Anas Alhajji (@anasalhajji) May 2, 2023

Bloomberg said the vessel is named "Pablo," a Gabon-registered Aframax-class crude oil tanker whose insurers are unknown. The vessel burst into flames about 40 nautical miles from Pulau Tinggi, an island off Malaysia's southeastern coast. According to ship-tracking data, Pablo was traveling from China and was empty. At full capacity, the vessel is designed to hold 700,000 barrels.

On Monday, the vessel Pablo caught fire while empty. Weather satellites managed to capture video of black smoke billowing from the ship.

"A vast shadow fleet of aging tankers has been enlisted to carry sanctioned oil across the globe, raising questions about safety and insurance standards," Bloomberg said. The aging vessel was built in 1997. A shipping source said Pablo was recently observed in Iranian waters.

The Aframax tanker PABLO (9133587) caught fire today in the Riau archipelago northeast of Singapore. It seems to have happened at around 06:30 UTC. The vessel had just returned from China, and was (fortunately) empty of crude oil cargo. Of the 28 crew, only 25 are accounted for. pic.twitter.com/ATrq1u1bYi  TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) May 1, 2023

The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore wrote in a statement that 25 out of 28 crew members were rescued by passing vessels. Three crew members were reported missing.

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Pablo might be part of a "shadow" fleet of tankers transporting oil from countries sanctioned by the US, such as Iran. The issue with these ships is that some may be uninsured or lack seaworthiness certifications, increasing their vulnerability to accidents.

As we've recently noted, Russia has a massive shadow fleet of more than 100 tankers to circumnavigate Western sanctions.

By Zerohedge.com

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Despite Russias professed plan to scale back its crude oil production, the countrys seaborne crude oil exports reached 4 million barrels per day. It is only the second time a level that high has been achieved since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russia warned in February that it would cut crude oil production in the sanctioned nation by 500,000 bpd due to EU import bans and price caps on its crude oil and oil products. Initially, Russia said this lowered production would apply to March. But Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced part way through March that the cuts would be extended.

According to Russia, as of late March, its seaborne crude exports fell 123,000 bpdbut still were above 3 million barrels per day.

New tanker tracking data compiled by Bloomberg shows that Russias exports have now rebounded to above 4 million bpd as of the week ending April 28, virtually unchanged on a four-week-average basis.

The above does not reflect a 500,000 bpd production cut, although at the end of April, Russia said its production cuts were significantly higher than promised.

But Russias crude oil production and export figures are shrouded in mystery after the country stopped publishing its crude and condensate production data. The Russian government ordered a complete halt to publishing statistics on oil, gas, and condensate until April 1 of next year.

Russias oil product exports dont seem to be slowing either.

Reuters calculations show that Russias seaborne oil product exports rose in March by more than 17% month on month to 12.374 million tonnes.

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Much of Russias seaborne crude oil is making its way to India and China. According to Bloomberg, four-week average shipments to Russias Asian customers and shipments onto vessels that have no declared destination slipped slightly to 3.25 million bpd for week ending April 28, down 30,000 bpd rom the week prior.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The Omaha Public Schools board approved a new timeline for its superintendent search after a lengthy and tense debate Monday.

Four board members  Margo Juarez, Jane Erdenberger, Nick Thielen and Bri Full  voted against the timeline while the five other board members supported it.

The timeline, which spans roughly nine months, begins with public input through an online survey in mid-May and ends with finalist interviews and superintendent selection in mid-February.

Full and Erdenberger both said they were against the timeline because it lacked early input from the entire board and didnt include enough time for stakeholder input.

According to the approved timeline, the public will be able to give input through an online survey in both May and September. Board members wont be officially interviewed until September, with stakeholder meetings taking place Oct. 3-5.

Full said waiting until September to gather feedback from the entire board is too late. Erdenberger said she couldnt trust that the accountability committee, the group managing the search process, would collect informal feedback from board members earlier than this fall because of the lack of progress last month.

Erdenberger and Thielen both resigned from the accountability committee after the group was appearing to lack progress.

Erdenberger said the committee went seven weeks without meeting, despite several emails that went ignored by board member Ricky Smith, committee chairman. Tracy Casady and Shavonna Holman were appointed in place of Thielen and Erdenberger after their resignations.

I need to see some formal provision for input from the board members because informal input is not happening  is being disregarded and ignored, and thats not acceptable, Erdenberger said. We have been elected because we represent our districts, and therefore our opinion in what we are looking for in our superintendent should be relevant in the front end of this process.

Erdenberger said another large concern is the small window for stakeholder feedback, which is Oct. 3-5.

We had 70 meetings to determine how to spend our ESSER money, she said. Theres no way we are going to get 70 meetings during this three-day period of time.

Smith said that the timeline is simply a draft and that if the board wants to have more input, it can be changed.

The rest of the timeline explains that Matt Ray, interim superintendent, will lead the district for the entire 2023-24 school year, with the next superintendent starting in the 2024-25 school year.

Following public feedback, the superintendent job application period will open Oct. 17 and will close Jan. 16.

GR Recruiting, the districts search firm, will then vet the candidates and recommend semifinalists by Jan. 31.

The school board will review semifinalists the first week of February, and finalists will be selected by Feb. 5. Public interviews of finalists will take place Feb. 12-16 before the next superintendent is selected.

If anyone has any ideas, feedback or suggestions, they are welcome to do (give them) at any point in time, said Spencer Head, board president.

The timeline was established to be transparent about the process we propose to undertake, according to the district. The timeline is fluid and may change throughout the process as other circumstances dictate.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of April 2023
A Lancaster County man filed a civil rights lawsuit against two Nebraska law enforcement officers last week, alleging that they used excessive force and broke his leg with an MMA-type technique after he was accused of trespassing at a Luke Bryan concert.

The 17-page complaint filed in federal court lays out a series of events that ended with Jason Slama, a 49-year-old man from Hickman, Nebraska, needing surgery to remedy multiple leg fractures. The incident occurred during Luke Bryans 2022 Farm Tour, which stopped in Murdock, Nebraska, last September.

The two law enforcement officers named in the lawsuit are Kevin Krecklow, a sergeant with the Sarpy County Sheriffs Office, and Wes Ludlow, a sergeant with the Cass County Sheriffs Office. Krecklow was assigned to work the concert through an interlocal agreement that allowed for up to 20 Sarpy deputies to assist with security at the event. Cass County is also named as a defendant.

On Sept. 22, 2022, Slama was one of thousands of people who attended the concert, which was held in a privately owned alfalfa field in Cass County. Slamas complaint alleges that he was leaving the concert that night and approached the exit gates with a partially consumed can of beer.

As Slama tried to exit the venue, according to the complaint, a Cass County deputy approached him and told him to either finish or discard his beer before leaving. Slama asked the deputy to identify what Nebraska statute requires him to discard his beer before exiting. The deputy told him that she didnt know.

Krecklow was not involved in the initial confrontation about the beer, but was called over as deputies continued to argue with Slama about state statutes, according to the complaint. According to an arrest affidavit for Slama, Krecklow informed Slama at least four times that he needed to leave the premises or he would be arrested for trespassing.

Aware that he had disturbed no one, Slama asked for the statute number for trespassing, the complaint reads.

According to the complaint, after Slama asked for the trespassing statute, Krecklow forced Slama to the ground and stomped on his right leg with enough force to cause multiple fractures. He then allegedly held a taser against Slamas back and threatened to shock him.

Ludlow, the other officer named in the lawsuit, approached the scene once Slama was already on the ground, according to the complaint. He allegedly forcibly held Slama to the ground by gripping and applying pressure to the area of Slamas legs that Krecklow had literally just broken with his bootheel.

Slama was taken to jail and charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. He later pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor trespassing charge and paid a $500 fine.

Because he was uninsured, according to the complaint, Slama did not initially seek medical attention. But when the pain got much worse, he visited the doctor and found out that he had multiple broken bones that would require surgery and fixation hardware to remedy. The injuries are permanent, according to Slamas attorney, Maren Chaloupka.

Cass County Attorney Chris Perrone said he couldnt comment on the events of that night, citing pending litigation. But he did say that none of the law enforcement officers that night had any idea that Mr. Slama had received a broken leg prior to, during, or as a result of his contact with them.

Slama further alleges that all of the deputies involved violated department policy by failing to turn on their body-worn cameras. According to the complaint, none of the involved Cass County deputies activated their body-worn cameras and Krecklow was not wearing a body-worn camera.

Slama is seeking at least $117,910 in compensatory damages for physical and mental pain, as well as punitive damages and attorneys fees. The defendants will submit an answer to the complaint in the coming weeks.

The events that transpired between Mr. Slama and local law enforcement, and all questions related to that night, will be brought forth in this civil lawsuit, Perrone said.
Judges dismiss suit by PDP, Olusola

THE Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the victory of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last governorship election.

A three-man panel of the court, in a unanimous judgment yesterday evening, dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Kolapo Olusola, for lacking in merit.

The court upheld the January 28, 2019 judgment of the Ekiti State Elections Tribunal, which sat in Abuja owing to problem of insecurity in Ekiti State.

The tribunal had, in its judgment, upheld Fayemis victory and dismissed the petition by PDP and Olusola on the grounds that they failed to prove their allegations, among which was that the election was marred by irregularities.

Justice Stephen Adah, who read the lead judgment, resolved the seven issues identified for determination in favour of the respondents  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Fayemi.

Justice Adah, at the commencement of proceedings, at about 7.05pm, noted that the day was fast spent and elected to read a summary of the lead judgment.

After announcing that the seven issues were resolved against the appellants, Justice Adah proceeded to uphold the earlier judgment of the tribunal.

He subsequently dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

Other members of the panel, Justices Tinuade Akomolafe Wilson and Emmanuel Agim, agreed with the lead judgment.

The proceedings lasted less than 30 minutes.


By Lee Sun-ho



For the first time in my life, I was given the opportunity to watch the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy's national defense concert invitational, presented to a wide bracket of diverse concertgoers including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul April 26. It was performed under the sponsorship of the ROK Navy and supported by the Military Mutual Aid Association (MMAA). The significant function was prepared for three commemorations  the 75th anniversary of the establishment of ROK's armed forces, the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. mutual defense treaty and the 478th birthday of famed Admiral Yi Soon-shin (1545-98) of the Joseon Kingdom  ahead of the nation's 68th Memorial Day this coming June 6.



The artistic concert, comprehensively directed by Kolleen Sue Park and emceed by announcer Jo Soo-bin, was participated in by the ROK Navy band, honor guard, public relations team and even the U.S. Eighth Army band plus Harmonize, an award-winning choral group. Impressive were the U.S.-ROK joint band performances of "Hansan," "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Incheon" representing the solid defense bond between the two allies. "You Will Never Walk Alone" sung by the Seoul Boys and Girls Choir added to the mood. The large audio-visual screen showed presentations on the 10 Korean War heroes, Admiral Yi's sea battle victories, the dangers of Operation Chromite and Marilyn Monroe's popularity during the Korean War period.



The navy concert covered a wide range of music, as I observed on-site, ranging from current popular hits to diverse high-fidelity sounds of well-selected inspiring tracks. The concert revealed several unique concepts, featuring the navy's peculiar ceremonial character reflecting the resolute will to safeguard the nation's oceanic territory.



I felt the purpose of the concert was encouragingly aimed not only at facing the necessity for defending against any feasible naval provocations but also at the memory and tribute to those brave seamen including Marines who were killed during the sea clashes provoked by an aggressive North Korea.



I vividly remember such instances as the Northern Limit Line naval skirmishes of Yeonpyeong on June 15, 1999 and again on June 29, 2002; the sinking of the Cheonan PCC-772 boat by a North Korean torpedo on March 26, 2010; the artillery shelling of Yeonpyeong Island on Nov. 23, 2010, and so on (Ref. The Korea Times dated Aug. 4, 2015).



The current navy concert series also paid homage to the navy fleet, the nation's naval patriots and veterans and the ROK's naval history and culture, including ongoing exhibits of the navy memorial events



Since Korea is a peninsula, strong naval forces have been crucial in maintaining stability throughout its history. Without a ready-alert naval power, the country would no doubt have been devastated by enemy sea attacks. It is quite significant to perform the unique navy concert to enlighten people at home and abroad to ponder the importance of Korea's maritime power for sea protection at stake, in unison with the oceanic giants.



Expecting well-equipped blue-line naval power to be upgraded in this 21st-century AI-innovation era for a country like ROK, I would like to extend my sense of gratitude to the ROK Navy authorities concerned for inviting me to this wonderful orchestral ensemble evening I enjoyed thoroughly with beguiling interest.





The writer (wkexim@naver.com) is a freelance columnist living in Seoul.


The management of the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) has vowed to take all necessary legal steps to ensure that no illegal or fraudulent execution of court order is carried out on the bank.

The bank was reacting to the claim of Innoson Motors that it had been mandated by the court to take over the bank.

In a statement signed by Eric Obededuo, Company Secretary, the Bank said, The attention of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (the Bank) has been drawn to statements circulating in the news and social media in respect of a purported enforcement to a Judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, at one of its branches in Anambra State.

The Bank as a law-abiding corporate citizen is taking all necessary legal steps to address this situation and ensure that no illegal or fraudulent execution is carried out.

It is important to state that the Judgment allegedly in issue is in respect of Garnishee Proceedings against the account of the Nigerian Customs Services Board domiciled with the Bank and not against the Bank as an entity.

Some media organizations had carried a report quoting Innoson Nigeria Limited that it had obtained a writ of fiat from the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, against GTB to effect the judgment given by the Federal High Court in Ibadan and upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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Fire caught one of the buses conveying stranded Nigerians from Khartoum, Sudan to Port Sudan in the early hours of Monday.

Reports say a total of 26 buses conveying the stranded Nigerians left Al Razi around 12am on Monday for Port Sudan where they will move into Saudi Arabia.

Hashim NaAllah, who is the Chairman, Nigerians Elders Forum in Sudan, said

50 students were conveyed in the bus, but no one was injured or died during the incident.

NaAllah narrated One of the buses conveying some 50 Nigerian students from Sudan with a tag number (Katsina 1) heading to Port Sudan as part of the second batch of FGN evacuation got damaged due to excessive heat from one of the vehicles tyres.

The incident happened around 2:30 am Sudan time with 50 students in the bus. The driver stopped the bus near an RSF checkpoint, just before the tire exploded causing a fire to start.

All the passengers escaped unhurt. Forty out of the 50 passengers were later distributed to the other buses evacuating the students, while the remaining passengers spent the night where the incident happened alongside the driver at the RSF checkpoint.

The students said the RSF really did their best to help the passengers and offered them cups of tea in the morning before they left.

The student, it was gathered, continued their journey.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that operatives of the Ogun State Police Command has arrested four suspected robbers one month after they carried out an operation in the state.

Spokesman of the command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Maria Chike Benjamin has revealed that she faced many spiritual challenges after participating in the reality show.

Maria Chike, who disclosed this in an interview with The Cable, said there have been a lot of spiritual struggles and challenges that got her closer to her faith and God.

The reality star, who revealed during the BBNaija show that grew up in a Christian home, suggested that her faith had been tested after leaving Biggies house.

She said, Since coming out of Big Brother, there have been a lot of spiritual struggles or challenges, and that just made me get closer to my faith and obviously to God.

Speaking on how she dealt with them, she stressed the importance of having a strong support system and a solid foundation in faith to overcome lifes challenges.

Chike emphasized that having support from great friends, loved ones, and family is crucial. She added that the competition out there is real, and everyone has their own timeline, so looking at someone elses success or progress is the beginning of failure. Instead, its important to work at your own pace and shut your ears to what everyone else is doing.

Having God by your side is also amazing, and I always encourage people, no matter what they do, whether its good, bad, or evil in the eyes of other people, to always tell God first, and it helps you feel better, she added.

The reality star went on to say that its important to have friends who can advise you each day and help you get past challenges.

Sometimes, she noted, we dont always believe in ourselves, and if the journey is not working or there are potholes along the way, it might be because we dont have great people around us.

Thats why Chike barely has any friends but is grateful for the few who pour love, encouraging words, and advice on her. She also takes their advice while being prayerful as well.

KanyiDaily recalls that Maria Chike Benjamin had denied reports that she ruined the marriage of her lover, Kelvin Anene, a one-time in-law of a celebrity barman, Cubana Chief Priest.
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By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri

Group of Igbo students in Sudan have expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing evacuation process by the federal government of Nigeria in Sudan.

In a viral video displayed, some students who are currently trapped in Sudan have alleged that the federal government have failed to accommodate them in the evacuation without any clear explanation.

The video sited by our correspondent, students were seen stranded in the deserted street of Sudan, where they called on their wealthy brothers and philanthropists to assist in evacuating them outside the federal government arrangements.

In their unanimous appeal, the students stated that there is no single attention given to them by the agents of the federal government who are paid currently to evacuate them.

According to them; The news have been trending that they are evacuating us. No its a lie and fallacy. They are not evacuating Igbo students here. They are only interested in their brothers here.

We are very stranded here in the university of Catium. This is evacuation that ought to be inclusive but they are segregating. our brothers should come to our rescue before we die here.

Everything have turn to politics. We want to go.

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has described the demands of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors in an ultimatum issued to the F.G as aburd.

The doctors are demanding an immediate increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to the tune of 200 per cent of the current gross salaries of doctors.

The body also condmned the bill seeking to mandate medical and dental practitioners to practice for 5 years before relocating abroad.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Monday, May 1, Ngige said: If the NARD who we have been managing their matter, we are giving them everything they want, even when in training, pay them a full salary, pay them all the allowances & you decided that we have not done enough.

The entitlements syndrome, the sense of entitlement is too much in this country and like I said earlier, you obey the law you look odd, you apply the law, you look odd or you are a wickd man.
19 students of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) Mkpat-Enin, were on Friday, April 28, 2023, arrested by operatives of the Uyo Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for suspected internet-related offences.

They were arrested at their private hostels: Obong Abasi Lodge and Mfon Obong Lodge both located at Ikot Akpadem in Mkpat-Enin LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

EFCC in a statement disclosed that their arrest followed several months of surveillance on their suspected involvement in romance scam, fraudulent crypto currency transactions and impersonation.

Items recovered from them include, several laptops and mobile phones.
An Imo State University (IMSU) lecturer of the Medical Laboratory department, Dr. Desmond Izunwanne, has been captured in a video ordering students to [email protected] out of his class.

This comes days after he was called out for aaulting a pregnant female student.

In the video obtained, Dr. Desmond was seen ordering the students, all females, to knel and [email protected] out of his class after they showed up late.
A 40-year-old man, Obinoze Alexander, has been arrested for allegedly killing a fellow national identified as Flora Gold whose body was found wrapped in bedsheets and tucked away in a box bed on Friday, April 28, 2023.

DCP (South) Chandan Chowdhary said that they received a PCR call from a person who claimed that they perceived a foul smell from a flat in Maidangarhi.

The caller said that a foul smell was coming from a flat on the third floor of the Sriman apartment. The flat has been closed for the last three days.

After a police team rushed to the spot, they found that the flat was locked. The owner of the flat was called and the door was opened with the help of a key maker.

The body of a woman was found wrapped in bedsheets in the box of double bed in the right side room of the flat, a 2 BHK.

However, after technical surveillance, the deceased was identified as a Nigerian national & Obinoze was arrested.
Party chief vows to continue court case against Adamu, Omisore

The crisis of confidence in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet abated as the National Vice Chairman (North West), Dr. Salihu Moh. Lukman, has vowed to continue the legal battle until the committee convenes the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

National Legal Adviser Ahmad El-Marzuq, in an April 24 memo to the National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, recommended Lukmans expulsion for externalising the crisis in the party by suing Adamu and the National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, for alleged breach of the party constitution.

El-Marzuq had recommended disciplinary action against Lukman by invoking Article 21.5 of the APC constitution.

But in a two-page letter dated May 1 to the National Chairman, Lukman maintained that only the NEC, and not NWC, can expel any party officer.

The Zonal Chairman also insisted on pursuing his suit up to the apex court, maintaining that he has not committed any anti-party offence by approaching the court when all steps taken in the past failed to yield the desired result.

He hoped that El-Marzuqs memo will be formally presented at Wednesdays NWC meeting to enable the committee consider recommendations therein.

Faulting the legal advisers recommendation for expulsion, Lukman argued that Article 21.3(i) of the APC constitution confers the power of membership expulsion on only the NEC, and not another organ of the party.

He added: While noting that the issues raised in the memo are a response to the suit I filed in the Federal High Court (Abuja Judicial Division), I hope the memo will be presented to the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of May 3. In that case, the substantive issue will be the consideration of recommendations for disciplinary measures against me, which may require invoking Article 21.5 of the APC Constitution.

I want to state that Article 21.3(i) of the APC Constitution explicitly mandated only the executive committee as the organ assigned the responsibility for disciplinary action for a complaint by any party member against a public office holder, elected or appointed, or another member, or against a party organ or officer of the party, shall be submitted to the Executive Committee of that party at all levels concerned, which shall not later than seven days of the receipt of the complaint, appoint a fact-finding or disciplinary committee to examine the matter.

With this provision, my expectation will be for the NWC to consider the memo and, if adopted, refer the recommendations for onward transmission to NEC. In this case, the NWC will then act as the complainant. There is nowhere in the APC constitution where the NWC is given the power to discipline any party member. I have already forwarded the memo to my legal team for further legal action.

Lukman also insisted on continuing his case in court, in his letter copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and all NWC members.

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By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has urged members of the National Assembly to remain vigilant and resist any last minute attempts under whatever guise to pass the National Grazing Reserves Council Bill.

The Governor warned that the bill seeks to deprive Nigerians of their God-given lands in favour of pastoralists across the country.

In a statement issued Monday in Makurdi by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Terver Akase, Governor Ortom said he finds it curious that since 2016, the Presidency has sent the grazing reserves bill to the National Assembly bearing different names, and despite the public outcry, it is not giving up the idea of having the bill passed.

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He noted that If the current administration had concentrated on tackling insecurity in the manner they have pushed for the enactment of a cattle grazing reserves law, the country would have been safer for every Nigerian.

In November 2016, the Senate rejected the controversial bill seeking to establish a Grazing Management Agency which was to ensure the creation of cattle grazing areas across the country.

In 2017, the Federal Government again tried to influence the passage of a bill adorning the same regalia which was called National Grazing Routes and Reserves Bill. That bill was similarly rejected following the alarm raised by some patriotic Nigerians.

The government subsequently introduced the National Water Resources Bill which also came with a singular objective of bringing all water sources (surface and underground) and river banks under the control of the Federal Government, a move that attracted an avalanche of condemnations from Nigerians.

The Federal Government introduced Ruga, Cattle Colonies and several other programmes, all aimed at creating settlements for pastoralists in all the states of the federation. It is on record that Governor Samuel Ortom was the first to speak out against the draconian bills.

In August 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari approved recommendations of a committee to review with dispatch, 368 grazing sites, across 25 states in the country, and to determine the levels of encroachment. Again, Benue and other states rejected the presidential approval and the idea eventually lost steam.

We understand that those who are bent on taking over the ancestral lands of Nigerians to give to pastoralists are looking for the opportunity to hastily pass the bill which they have now renamed as National Grazing Reserves Council Bill.

The proposed law has been in the National Assembly after it was reintroduced, and its sponsors, sensing the mood and suspicions of the people, have been trying to find the right moment to have it passed.

If passed by the National Assembly, the law will establish a Council with the powers to take over land in any part of the country for grazing reserves and pay compensation to the land owner(s). Beneficiaries of the usurped land will be pastoralists whose animals will enjoy unfettered access to the land.

The National Grazing Reserves Council Bill is not only a violation of the Constitution and the Land Use Act but is also a fang of impunity, subjugation and a deeply rooted conquest agenda against Nigerians. The bill is a direct land-grabbing legislation designed to make Nigerians slaves in their country while serving the selfish and parochial interests of herdsmen.

Governor Ortom urges members of the National Assembly to act as true representatives of the people for the sake of posterity, and to remember that the future and unity of this nation lies in their hands. He encourages the federal lawmakers to remain dogged in their rejection of the bill and any other surreptitious attempt to mock millions of innocent Nigerians who have fallen victim to the occupation agenda.

It must be emphasized that the stand of the Governor on national issues is borne out of patriotism and not for any personal agenda or gain. He believes in fairness, justice and equity.
President and CEO of SK E&S Choo Hyung-wook, right, poses for photo with Andrew Marsh, CEO of Plug Power at the SK booth during CES 2023 in this photo provided by SK E&S, Las Vegas, U.S., Jan. 5. Yonhap



SK ES, the natural gas power unit of Korea's SK Group, said Tuesday it is spending 1 trillion won ($747 million) with Plug Power, a U.S. hydrogen company, to build a large production facility for hydrogen-powered equipment in Korea.



Through the joint venture, SK Plug Hyverse, SK ES and Plug Power will invest 510 billion won and 490 billion won, respectively, to build a hydrogen gigafactory and a research center for hydrogen technologies, SK ES said.



The gigafactory will produce hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles and water electrolysis platform for power generation, with commercial operations set to begin in 2025.



Electrolysis is a process by which electricity splits water to extract and produce hydrogen from the water. It is considered a technology vital to producing green hydrogen using renewable energy.



The hydrogen fuel cells will be supplied to SK's clean hydrogen complex in Boryeong, about 190 kilometers southwest of Seoul, that aims to produce blue hydrogen starting in 2026.



The investment came on the occasion of President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the United States last week, during which a string of new business collaborations and partnerships were announced along the sidelines.



The joint venture also plans to invest in building liquefied hydrogen stations across Korea. Liquefied hydrogen has a higher energy storage density and stability compared with gaseous hydrogen.



The joint venture will serve to lay the foundation for the national competitiveness in the global hydrogen industry using its strength in energy production, distribution and sales, and Plug Power's proprietary technologies, SK ES said. (Yonhap)


Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has urged members of the National Assembly to reject the Grazing Reserve Council Bill before them.

In a statement, yesterday, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Terver Akase, in Makurdi, the governor said that he found it curious that since 2016, the Presidency had been sending the Grazing Reserve Bill to the National Assembly in different hues, and pushing for its passage despite public outcry.

Ortom said if the Muhammadu Buhari administration had concentrated on tackling insecurity in the manner it pushed for the enactment of a cattle grazing reserves law, the country would have been safer.

The outgoing governor, who lost his aspiration to be a senator in the 10th National Assembly, accused the Buhari administration of trying to smuggle the policy in through any possible means since 2016.

According to Ortom, the bill first came in 2016 as Grazing Management Agency, which was to ensure the creation of cattle grazing areas across the country.

He added: In 2017, the Federal Government again tried to influence the passage of a bill adorning the same regalia, which was called National Grazing Routes and Reserves Bill. The government subsequently introduced the National Water Resources Bill, which also came with a singular objective of bringing all water sources (surface and underground) and river banks under the control of the Federal Government.

The Federal Government introduced Ruga, Cattle Colonies and several other programmes, all aimed at creating settlements for pastoralists in all the states of the federation.

In August 2021, Buhari approved recommendations of a committee to review with dispatch, 368 grazing sites across 25 states in the country, and to determine the levels of encroachment. Again, Benue and other states rejected the presidential approval and the idea eventually lost steam.

Governor Ortom noted that the same bill had been rechristened the National Grazing Reserves Council Bill and presented to the National Assembly for passage.
Reports alleging that some Nigerians of Igbo background were intentionally left behind in Sudan have been debunked.

Sudan is currently ravaged by war.

It was alleged that the chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa issued the directive for the Igbos in Sudan to be left behind in favour of other ethnic backgrounds.

A viral video that circulated on social media claimed Igbo indigenes in Sudan were stranded, while one of the indigenes narrated how they (Igbo) were asked to alight from the bus for Nigerians of other extraction to take their place.

Based on this, an Igbo youth-based group identified as the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) described the alleged abandonment of Igbo indigenes in Sudan during an evacuation exercise as barbaric and wicked.

However, reacting to the allegation, NIDCOM in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun described the allegation as a wicked lie.

It said those responsible for spreading the reports didnt bother to cross-check the claim or get the side of the NIDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa.

Balogun explained in the statement that what happened was that during the boarding process, some persons including non-Nigerians jumped into the buses violently, some with daggers, through the windows.

This prompted the officials in order to bring sanity and to abide by the instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to instruct that priority should be given to women, children, and students, to start calling them in according to states in alphabetical order, beginning with Abia State.

The commission added that if some people arrived after the stipulated time or did not show up at the point of pick up, they cant put the blame on its own officials.

NIDCOM in the statement, debunked any accusation of ethnic bias in the onboarding of citizens stranded in Sudan and absolved Dabiri and all other officials of any form of wrong doing.

The full statement reads: It has come to the attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) of a fabricated lie from the pit of hell that the Chairman/CEO, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri- Erewa, prevented some Nigerians, especially of the South East extraction from boarding buses hired by the Federal Government to evacuate stranded Nigerians from the war-torn Khartoum in Sudan.

The ridiculous allegation which was first published by one Chukwujekwu Ilozue of the Daily Independent Newspapers on May 1, 2023, and syndicated by This Day Newspapers, Nigerian Tribune online and other online media, is the height of rascality and mischief.

The said group never bothered to cross check the sponsored false story on Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa or get her own side of the story before spreading the falsehood all over the media in the spirit of fairness, balancing and objectivity.

The allegation by the faceless group, a Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL), signed by one Hon Goodluck Ibem against the indefatigable Abike Dabiri -Erewa who was busy coordinating the two-day conference of Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS), with 64 countries in attendance in Abuja, is most wicked, divisive and a ridiculous fabrication.

Reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff on ground in Khartoum, indicated that when the boarding of buses began , the situation was so chaotic that some people (including Non Nigerians) jumped in violently, some with daggers, through the windows . To bring sanity and to abide by the instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs that priority should be given to women , children and students, the officials started calling them in according to states in alphabetical order , beginning with Abia State.

Reports from Sudan indicate that all who converged at the prescribed locations, were to be picked up, have all been moved in 40 buses either towards Port Sudan or towards Egyptian borders.

However , if some arrived after the stipulated time or did not show up at the point of pick up, they cant blame it on any one.

NIDCOM is focussed, working with other relevant agencies ,on the safe return of stranded Nigerians and will not be distracted by nonsensical, illogical, irresponsible , rascal and unfounded comments meant to distract from the success , safe and secure return of Nigerians from Khartoum, Sudan.
A local coordinator of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Chijioke Chukwudi, has been denied asylum by a Federal Court in Canada over his affiliation with the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The judge, Denis Gascon of the Federal Court, Montreal, Quebec, on March 28, dismissed Mr Chukwudis application for judicial review.

Citing a 2019 incident in which former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, was violently attacked by IPOB members in Germany, the Canadian Court drew its conclusion that the separatist group was not as peaceful as Mr Chukwudi, the asylum applicant, claimed it to be.

The documentary evidence demonstrates that the IPOB claims responsibility for the attacks on Nigerian governments representatives in Spain and Germany in 2019, and created a militarised group, the Eastern Security Network [ESN], that engages in numerous fights against the government forces, reads the document detailing Mr Chukwudis asylum denial. In sum, the IPOBs actions are indicative of its willingness to use force.

In another paragraph, the foreign Court said IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu had on several occasions incited members to take violent actions against the Nigerian government to drive home its secession demands.

The ID (Immigration Division) found that the IPOBs leader, Nnamdi Kanu, through his radio and television channels and his social media, encouraged violent acts against the Nigerian state on numerous occasions, reads the document detailing the asylum denial.

The Court maintained the evidence of his incitements to violence was found to be contrary to the IPOBs  and Mr Chukwudis  claim that the IPOB is a peaceful organisation.

Mr Chukwudi challenged the Courts decision on three grounds arguing that IPOB resorted to violent acts as a survival response and some sort of defence mechanism against the Nigerian government which had long persecuted the group.

But the Court said violence against the government cannot be used to legitimise acts of subversion by force.

The asylum applicant also argued that the reports from the Nigerian press could not be trusted, saying the African nation lacks journalistic integrity. He claimed that if the reports were properly analysed, the ID would have found the information obtained from its Nigerian sources inadmissible and unreliable.



But the minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, who was the respondent in the case, dismissed the claim noting that Mr Chukwudi himself relied on multiple Nigerian sources but interestingly finds them too doubtful and unreliable for the ID. The Court said it was the IDs prerogative to determine the documentary evidence that was reliable, which it did before arriving at the decision to deny him the asylum application.



The Nigerian climate of corruption and its doubtful freedom of press does not make all evidence unreliable, reads the document as the Court cited an article by Germany-based publication, DW News, which reported the fights between the Nigerian military and ESN.

Consequently, after carefully looking at all Mr Chukwudis arguments, the Court said it was not convinced that the Immigration Division (ID) erred in its decision to deny the IPOB members application for asylum, hence, dismissed the matter.

In sum, I find that the ID could reasonably conclude, based on the documentary evidence before it, that the IPOB used force against the Nigerian government with the intention to subvert it and obtain secession of Biafra

This Courts judgement is that: this application for judicial review is dismissed, without costs, the document dated March 28, stated.

The decision constituted a reasonable outcome based on the law and the evidence, and it has the requisite attributes of transparency, justification, and intelligibility.

Mr Chukwudi was represented by Marie Pierre and Blais Menard while Lisa Maziade appeared for the minister in the matter listed on the docket as IMM-3479-22.
A Palestinian hunger striker died in Israeli custody on Tuesday, nearly three months after being detained over his ties to the Islamic Jihad militant group.

The death of Khader Adnan was swiftly followed by three rockets fired by Gaza militants, which fell in open areas, the Israeli army said. It reported no casualties.

Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, described the death of Adnan, who was arrested in the occupied West Bank, as a deliberate assassination.

By rejecting his request for his release, neglecting him medically and keeping him in his cell, despite the seriousness of his health condition, the premier said in a statement.

Israels prison service announced the death of a detainee who was affiliated to Islamic Jihad.

He was found early this morning in his cell unconscious, the prison service said in a statement.

Adnan, 45, was the first Palestinian to die as a direct result of a hunger strike, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club.

Other Palestinian detainees have died as a result of attempts to force feed them, the advocacy groups director, Qaddura Faris, said.

AFP
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has described the impeachment of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, as a rumour.

Naija News earlier reported that 18 out of 27 members of the Assembly impeached Orji during a plenary session on Tuesday, and elected Hon. Chukwudi Apugo as the new speaker.

It was gathered that the motion for the impeachment was moved by Apugo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represents Umuahia-East and was seconded by Okey Igwe of the PDP, who is represents Umunneochi constituency.

In an interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, Acting Publicity Secretary of the party, Abraham Amah, stated that the party was not aware of the development and has not received any formal communication on the matter.

Amah stated that ideally, the party members who controlled the House would inform the leadership of the party of any such important action, but expressed surprise that there was no such pre-information.

He, however, said that the leadership of the party would meet with PDP members of the House on Wednesday over the development.

He said: When our members carry out a major assignment in the House it normally informs the party because the House is controlled by the party.

As I speak to you now we are yet to get any formal communication from our party. As far as we are concerned, we classify it as a rumour until we get the position of our members in the House .
May 02, (THEWILL)  Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared Wednesday, May 3, 2023, a public holiday, to enable the people of the state give the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a rousing welcome to the State.

Tinubu, during his two-day official visit to Rivers State, will commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates Court Complex, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

Wike, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, said during Tinubus presidential campaign visit to Rivers State, he had indicated intention to have him commission some strategic projects in the State after the general elections.

The governor said a formal invitation was sent to the President-elect after the general elections, which he graciously accepted.

He explained that the proposed visit to Rivers State is Tinubus first official visit to any state since he emerged as the president-elect of Nigeria.

Wike said: By this visit, the president-elect will join the long list of distinguished Nigerians the State had hosted to either flag off or commission landmark projects.

For us, it is an honour to the government and people of Rivers State to host the President-Elect on this historic visit.

Consequently, I urge all Rivers citizens to come out en masse to receive our President-Elect, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and display the traditional Rivers hospitality as he commissions these legacy projects to Gods glory and the advancement of our development.

Given this, I hereby declare Wednesday, 3rd May 2023, a public holiday to enable the people of Rivers State to receive our President-Elect rousingly.

Furthermore, all shops and business premises along Rumuola to Rumuokwuta roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State shall remain closed from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. I urge all labour unions and security agencies to comply with this closure order.
Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has asked the federal and state governments to adopt measures to halt what it described as the harassment of the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle.

in a statement issued by its Deputy Convener, Amb. Yahaya Kwande on Friday, the group also urged them to de-escalate inciting rhetorics regarding the now-suspended Ruga Project designed for the settlement of herders across the country.

The Forum asked the country to remain sensitive to its rising deficits in the security of lives and economic assets. The statement partly read:

Federal and State governments must adopt policies and positions which address the harassment of Fulani and their cattle, de-escalation of inciting rhetorics and actions and short and long-term solutions to the problems which could damage the livestock industry, worsen community relations and threaten national security. The nation should remain sensitive to its rising deficits insecurity of lives and economic assets, and must do everything possible not to escalate tensions and distrust among Nigerians.

The Forum also said it had taken note of the diverse positions adduced by groups and interests from the South and those from Northern Nigeria.
Lack of access to electricity and unreliably power supply have been described as key constraints to doing business in Nigeria with an estimated annual economic loss at about $29bn.

This is contained in a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating that 27% of Nigerian firms identified electricity as the main obstacle to doing business.

World Bank was also quoted to have stated that power outages and deficient power infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa had a measurable negative impact on economic growth over the period of 19952007.

Similarly, a report by Bloomberg also stated that President Muhammadu Buharis office is expected to spend N46 million in fueling generators this year (2019), indicating that in the countrys 2019 budget, there are 1,358 generator-related expenses.

According to the report, business owners and individuals in Nigeria spend about $12 billion fueling generators on yearly basis.

Referencing a research by NOI Polls, the Bloomberg report has it that households with access to on-grid electricity had an average power supply of only 9.2 hours a day in the first half of 2019.

The report read in part, To keep out the darkness, households own and operate an estimated 22 million small gasoline generators, whose combined generating capacity is eight times higher than on-grid supply, according to a June 2019 presentation by Dalberg, a global policy and advisory firm. Businesses and individuals spend about $12 billion a year, twice the countrys annual infrastructure budget, fueling these generators.

Electricity is a very necessary and important ingredient required for businesses to function properly and to expand. Higher electricity costs drive business costs higher and reduce business competitiveness.

This is because as costs of electricity rises, businesses look for alternative power sources like generators leading to reduced output and productivity thereby rendering them less competitive.

Aside from being Africas largest economy, Nigeria is blessed with large oil, gas, hydro and solar resource. Thus, the country has virtually all that it needs to meet her electricity needs. All that is missing is the political will.

PV: 0
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday sacked Mr Augustine Pelemo, his Special Assistant on Political Matters.

A statement by Mr Donald Ojogo, the state Commissioner for Information, on Monday in Akure said the sack was with immediate effect.

He explained that the directive underscored the need to instill sanity and nip in the bud divisive acts and tendencies inimical to the existing cordiality and cohesion in the state administration.

Ojogo said the governor had directed Pelemo to hand over governments property in his possession to the Deputy Chief of Staff and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The Rivers State Police Command has said Operatives of the Operation Sting have killed two notorious criminals in Rumuagholu, Obio-Akpor Local Government area of Rivers State.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni said the operatives acted on a credible information last night at Rumuagholu, trailed a Black Mazda car with four armed robbers on board who were on their way for an operation.

Omoni stated that on sighting the Police, the robbers immediately jumped down from the car and opened fire on officers of the Operation Sting, who shot two of the armed robbers dead.

He added that the remaining two suspects escaped with life threatening gunshot wounds.

One AK47 Rifle, eighty three rounds of ammunition, two Magazines, one Pump Action Gun, four Cartridges, Operational vehicle were recovered from the armed men.

Efforts are seriously on to arrest other members of the deadly gang on the run.

The Public and indeed residents of Rumuagholu and Rumuokoro are enjoined to increase their security consciousness and report any person or persons with gun shot wounds to the nearest Police Station via the following security numbers:08032003514, 08098880134, 08182157778, he stated.

Omoni assured that the Command will spare no efforts in dealing with all criminal elements in the State, especially in these ember months.
Samsung Electronics employees pose next to a "Sharing Kiosk" where employees can make donations to help children in need at the company's Hwaseong plant in Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Kim Hyun-bin



Samsung Electronics will launch the month-long "Sharing Month" campaign in May, driven by employee participation. Samsung employees will support 20 children from low-income households through a "Sharing Kiosk" installed at workplaces and online to fund the campaign, according to the company, Tuesday.



The Sharing Month campaign, which is being held for the first time this year, is designed to encourage donations through the Sharing Kiosk, which has become a platform for Samsung employees to make donations. Donations worth 1,000 won ($0.84) will be made each time an employee taps their ID on the Sharing Kiosk.



During the campaign, Samsung will support one child per day introduced through the Sharing Kiosks set up in Samsung's nationwide offices as well as introduce the child's story on the company's intranet. In addition, the company will operate the Online Sharing Kiosk, which uses an in-house messenger to help employees make donations in the office.



To encourage employee participation and promote a culture of sharing, Samsung will also hold other events, such as the "1 Day 1 Tagging Challenge" and "Leaving Supportive Comments for Beneficiary Children." The Sharing Kiosk was first introduced at Samsung's Gumi plant in 2015 and has since expanded to all business locations in Korea and overseas, including the U.S., China, India, Vietnam and Thailand.



Currently, Samsung operates a total of 59 Sharing Kiosks  35 in Korea and 24 overseas. Over the past eight years in Korea, 2.64 billion won ($2.2 million) has been raised, and the donations have been delivered to 580 children. The number of annual donors through Sharing Kiosks increased from around 5,000 in 2015 to more than 38,000 last year.



The daily donation culture through the Sharing Kiosk has spread to Samsung's affiliates as well. Fourteen affiliates, including Samsung Display, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Samsung Securities and Samsung BioLogics, have installed and operate 30 Sharing Kiosks.



"I hope an environment where we can all live well together will be created," Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong said.



In addition, Samsung employees participate in various donation and volunteering activities including the Donation Pledge program, in which a certain amount of money is donated regularly from employees' salaries. Samsung employees actively participate in talent donation by serving as mentors for Samsung Hope Relay, Samsung Junior SW Academy and Samsung Dream Class.


BLOOMINGTON  Bloomington police say they arrested a 20-year-old man who discharged a firearm after an unknown person shot at him.

A press release from the Bloomington Police Department said officers were called at 11:25 a.m. Monday to a report of gunfire in the 400 block of Valley View Circle. Officers said they found evidence at the scene indicated a shooting had happened.

BPD said their investigators learned an unknown person fired a gun at a man, who returned fire. The release said that latter suspect was identified as Paul Martin, of Bloomington.

The release said he is charged with aggravated assault, defacing identifying marks from a firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon.

Bloomington police continues to investigate. The release urged anyone with more information to contact BPD at 309-820-8888.

To remain anonymous, you can also provide tips to BPD by texting the word BPDTIPS followed by the message or tip to 847411. Anonymous tips also can be sent through the departments website.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen
BLOOMINGTON  Around 70 people gathered Saturday morning in Miller Park to support survivors of sexual assault as part of the YWCA's Final Steps Awareness Walk.

It was brisk and overcast as the diverse group of participants stepped off on the mile-long walk in solidarity with sexual assault survivors.

College students, retirees, families and even police officers started the journey near the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial at Miller Park's northeast end.

Althea Bellamy of Bloomington said seeing the community support survivors made her feel proud.

"The average survivor feels alone, lost and sometimes stuck," Bellamy said. "And to know that other people care and see the (community) represent and support, it'll help others want to be free."

Joy Ziegenfelder, 19, an Illinois State University student from Gainesville, Florida, also attended Saturday's walk.

"(I feel) kind of, like, emotional," Ziegenfelder said, "to think about this more than I think I usually would. It's very powerful."

Making voices heard

The walk was the culmination of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, in which YWCA's Stepping Stones program worked to raise awareness about sexual assault survivors and educate the community about resources available to help.

Jen Golliday, director of Stepping Stones in Bloomington, said, "We offer support services for survivors of sexual violence and their significant others."

That support comes in many forms  a 24/7 hotline, counseling, support groups  but is available confidentially and at no cost, Golliday said.

Nastasha Powers of Stepping Stones in Bloomington organized the Final Steps walk. She said she was glad with the turnout.

"I think the success is just helping us raise awareness," Powers said. "The success is understanding that, if someone comes into contact with someone who discloses being a survivor of sexual violence, they can give them resources."

Stepping Stones stationed tables along the path that served to educate walkers about local and national resources available, but also had opportunities for people to show their support in creative ways.

One table was dedicated to The Clothesline Project, a "visual display bearing witness to violence against individuals," according to the YWCA's website.

The Clothesline Project began in Massachusetts at the turn of the century and is a way for survivors to anonymously share their experiences by writing it on a T-shirt, which is then hung on display.

Powers said, "It is the voice and the illustration of survivors of sexual violence. It is their depiction of their story on a piece of clothing."

Powers said the project allows "survivors' voices to be heard through the clothesline."

Encouraging messages

Cynthia Ashbrook organized another table welcoming supporters to write a "love letter" to a survivor.

Ashbrook said she was filling in for her daughter, who actually began the project.

"My daughter was assaulted in 2015," Ashbrook said, "and she didn't know what to do with it. She was lost, confused, didn't want to tell anybody."

Ashbrook said her daughter went on a retreat, Resilient Voices, through a North Carolina nonprofit that hosts weekend retreats for sexual assault survivors to "find support and healing among each other," according to its website.

Ashbrook said her daughter was scared the first time she went to the retreat. "She was late the first time she came," Ashbrook said. "She wanted to hide."

After coming home, Ashbrook said her daughter wanted to engage the community to create artwork supporting survivors.

She said the art is "in celebration of survivors of sexual assault." Ashbrook said her daughter is compiling the artwork and letters into books and will take them to a Resilient Voices retreat in September.

Kaitlyn Donovan, 20, is a student at ISU from South Lyon, Michigan. Donovan, Ziegfelder and fellow student Leah Davis, 19, of Manchester, Missouri, decorated stones and clothespins with words of encouragement for survivors.

Donovan said the walk, and events like it, show survivors "that they're not alone. They really are supported by the people that have gathered here today."

'Breathtaking' presence

Powers said the turnout, and its diversity, was successful, but a certain group made her especially happy.

She said uniformed officers from both the Normal and Bloomington police departments walked with the participants.

Powers had one word to describe it: "breathtaking."

Officers walked with participants to the various tables, but spent a considerable amount of time at The Clothesline Project, taking in survivors' stories.

"We understand that, when it comes to sexual violence, not everybody is comfortable enough to report to the police," Powers said.

Bellamy said she is a survivor of abuse decades in the past. She said, at the time, when she called police for help, they refused to do anything.

"They told me they couldn't help me unless I had bruises on me," Bellamy said, "unless I can show them something physically to be able to certify the abuse."

By participating in the walk, Powers said, "It's showing that the police want something to be done when it comes to something that's so prevalent but not always addressed."

Bellamy said, "To see the police here is a major plus."

Freedom, rebirth

Bellamy described trauma and abuse as a form of captivity.

"It's a bondage when you get caught in a situation like that," she said. "And you feel so lost and so alone and hurt, devastated."

About the walk, though, she said, "I think it's great. I think it's fantastic that the community is coming together."

Luis Jimenez lives in Decatur. He drove to Miller Park today just for the walk, he said.

Jimenez said he was abused as 5 years old and never got the support he needed.

He said his journey to healing hasn't been easy, but he has something on his right arm to help: a tattoo.

It's a phoenix, the mythical creature known for being reborn in fire, more beautiful than before.

CONTACT STEPPING STONES If you or someone you know needs assistance relating to sexual assault, the Stepping Stones hotline can be reached at 309-556-7000. It is available 24/7, every day of the year. For more information on resources available, contact the YWCA at 309-662-0461 or info@ywcamclean.org, or go to ywcamclean.org.

2023 Blessing of the Bikes in Bloomington
NORMAL  Why did Kelly Provost drive over 10 hours early Friday morning to the opening of the Illinois State Button Societys annual show in Normal?

To see some of her button-collecting friends, she answered. The Hays, Kansas, woman was among almost two dozen visitors who were browsing for buttons at the shows opening that morning. Provost said she loves buttons, noting that some of them are incredible works of art.

The free-to-attend fastener fair, which features seven dealers and dozens of competitive button displays, ran from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn, 8 Traders Circle in Normal.

Provost, 58, was drawn Friday morning to a dealer booth run by Gary Brockman, returning this weekend to the Twin Cities after attending last years show.

Provost pulled a card of his trade buttons from Birmingham, England, which she said were likely produced between the 1860s and early 1900s.

She planned to pick a few for purchase. Provost said she likes to have a variety in her collection, which she started building 12 years ago.

Her favored types range from fabric buttons of the 1750s to the Bakelite buttons of the 1930s.

Think pink

When collecting buttons, ISBS Vice President Brenda Eilbracht said: I like pretty.

She said this years show theme is Pretty in Pink. The show ran contests to for collectors to curate button trays in several categories, stipulating specific subjects, materials, manufacturing eras and more.

There was also a voted contest on card placement, with one entry using a swan print card.

New this year is a "Button Boutique" table that Eilbracht prepared. She also went big on a poke box, where Eilbracht said collectors can pick through a large, 40-pound pile of buttons. Those sale proceeds will support the ISBS, she said.

Eilbracht said dealer competition entries were down this year due to family illnesses, leading to some big-time competitors being absent. She said 15 people entered 56 cards, and contestants were limited to entering no more than 10 cards each.

Its not the last button show this year in Bloomington-Normal. The Midwest Regional Button Association will hold its 2023 Pearls & Gems show Oct. 12-14 at the same Holiday Inn in Normal.

Little-bitty buttons

Russa Milburn, of Farmer City, also displayed buttons for the contest. She said her sister, Eilbracht, got her into collecting when she took her to a show in Urbana-Champaign, and began picking through poke boxes.

Milburn has been collecting buttons for 12 years since then.

I like the little-bitty realistic buttons, she said.

But its hard for Milburn to pick her favorites. Some of those include a gumball machine, and a little glass Tweety bird, which she said was made in honor of late Minnesota collector Phyllis Paule.

Her most favorite is a lighthouse button, she said.

Elaine Pitra, of Woodridge, won a food-themed tray, which had buttons of pizzas, hamburgers, and many fruits and vegetables.

Another item on that tray was a Campbells tomato soup button. Pitra said she picked it because she worked for 35 years at Pepperidge Farms, which is owned by the soup company.

Eilbracht said they had six card entries in the pink glass button category. Taking home the coveted blue ribbon was victor Kathie Arthur, of Monmouth.

Arthur, 69, also won the red glass button category. Her reaction to winning: Im proud of the red; I was surprised by the pink," she said.

Pieces on her pink tray included an airplane, a glass button with a berry decal, and a piggy-face. Her favorite is a pink-and-black design from the 1960s.

To win, Arthur said she just followed the rulebook. She added the nice thing about collecting buttons is talking to people and showing off buttons at events.

I collected so many other things, and most of those things sat in closets or drawers, she said.

Photos: Critters of all kinds shown at Bloomington reptile & exotics expo 041623-blm-loc-1reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-2reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-3reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-4reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-5reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-6reptiles 041623-blm-loc-8reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-9reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-10reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-11reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-12reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-13reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-14reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-15reptiles.JPG 041623-blm-loc-16reptiles.JPG
Connect Transit 50th Birthday Party

Friday, Jan 27

Heartland Community College, Normal

There was birthday cake (3 to be exact), plenty of great food and interesting historic memorabilia as friends and employees of Connect Transit gathered to commemorate the past 50 years of providing safe and reliable transportation and look forward to the future.
BLOOMINGTON  Goodfields Barn III Dinner Theatre has been through a lot of changes over the years.

When Saybrooks Pat Huth was a kid, she said, it was full of Black Angus cattle.

Huth, 85, is now vice president of the Barn Keepers of Central Illinois, a group dedicated to documenting the stories of barns over 100 years old. They will be hosting Barn III owner Abby Reel, who will speak and take questions for the Barn Keepers meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at the FS Evergreen, 402 N. Hershey Road, Bloomington.

The dinner theater is located a mile east of Illinois Route 117 at 1451 Timberline Road, in north Goodfield, and reopened 2019 after it was damaged heavily in a 2015 tornado. It previously offered meals and shows as the Conklin Barn II Dinner Theatre, which opened in the 1970s. Huth noted Reel bussed and waited tabled then, and later acted on stage.

Huth said since that 2019 storm, she would check in on the restoration process in passing on visits to her relatives.

She added Reel has done very well as the new owner, taking over ownership from Mary Simon in 2017.

Reel told The Pantagraph on Monday that shes been honored by the ability to help write the next chapter in the barns story.

Its been a labor of love, she said.

Ham on stage

Reel said one of her favorite quotes is from Walter Scott: If a farmer fills his barn with grain, he gets mice. If he leaves it empty, he gets actors."

The difference between the structures that Barn Keepers focuses on and her property, she continued, is that most of those barns get filled with beef.

Im putting the ham on stage instead, Reel said.

The graduate of Eureka High School and Illinois Wesleyan University said she wasnt able to save the whole structure after the tornado, but she has done her best to honor her story in rebuilding it.

Her notes, she said, estimate the original barn was built around 1941 as a premier cattle auction facility. It started as Reel Livestock Center, and was run by her father Les Reel, she said.

At the next Barn Keepers meeting, Reel said shell be excited to talk about elements of the barn she reclaimed, as well as her respect for the structure.

She said Barn III currently fluctuates between completely in-house dinner-theater productions and hosting weddings and other special events. Reel said that combination has kept the barn alive.

She said the barn is running at full steam and is never empty on a weekend. Reel estimated 25,000 patrons on the theater-dinner side yearly, with about four shows each week.

A few wedding dates remain open in 2024, she said.

Barn Tour returns

In a Sunday press release, Barn Keepers also announced their 15th barn tour is returning in the late summer after a three-year hiatus. Registration will be 8 a.m.  2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Neuhaus Nursery, 29738 East 1400 North Road, Colfax. It's on Illinois Route 9 about 14 miles east of Bloomington.

Coffee and donuts will be provided at registration, plus a tour book with photos and information on each of the barns. Huth said Bill Kemp conducted research for the book.

Huth said around 13 barns are planned on the stop, with destinations in the Cooksville and Colfax townships. She said theyre combining townships because of the scarcity of barns.

The tour will be self-guided across 44 miles in length, and someone will be stationed at each barn to answer questions. Huth said theyve been working with property owners to get permission to hold the tour and document their barns history.

Tour passes will be sold at $20 per carload. Barn Keepers members will get a $5 discount, and people may sign up at the tour for a one-year membership with Barn Keepers, at a total of $40. Yearly dues are $25 and taken each November.

The tour hours will run from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. Sept. 9.

Huth said it's happening "rain or shine."

This article has been updated to correct the yearly dues amount for Barn Keepers membership.

Look back: Prairie Farms in Decatur Prairie Farms - 1985 Prairie Farms - 1985 Prairie Farms - 1985 Prairie Farms - 1986 Prairie Farms - 1989 Prairie Farms - 1989 Prairie Farms - 1990 Prairie Farms - 1994 Prairie Farms - 2001 Prairie Farms - 2007
BLOOMINGTON  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding $6.6 million in grants to boost local tourism efforts and encourage visitors to travel along the historic Route 66.

As Illinois' transportation sector continues to shift to electric vehicles, grants also will focus on building the state's EV infrastructure through the installation of new charging stations.

Among the grant recipients are the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which was awarded $263,319, and the Logan County Tourism Bureau, which was awarded $29,320.

The millions of dollars the State is investing in local tourism promotion and enhancing the historic Route 66 will do wonders for Illinois tourism industry while boosting local economies and promoting the future of travel," DCEO Director Kristin Richards said in a news release.

The Logan County Tourism Bureau's grant will go toward the installation of two EV charging stations and the painting of Route 66 insignia on the county's roads.

Alice Roate, executive director of the tourism bureau, said the charging stations will be installed in Atlanta and new signage will be installed in Lincoln.

"(Route 66 shields) will also double as wayfinding, since we have a few twists and turns in town where Route 66 runs," Roate said.

If all goes well, Roate said she hopes to incorporate these shields across the entire county.

Bloomington-Normal's grant will go toward the installation of monument gateway signage in five communities on McLean County's leg of Route 66. A charging station that would promote Route 66 also would be financed.

Crystal Howard, president and CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the signage would be installed in Bloomington, Normal, Chenoa, Lexington and McLean.

Howard added that the grant funding and projects wouldn't be possible without the involvement of each community.

"We can apply for funds, but when it comes to installing and all the work that goes into it, it takes everyone involved, and we appreciate those efforts," Howard said.

The charging station would be placed in Bloomington, but Howard said the bureau has not selected a specific location yet.

All of the Route 66 projects are expected to be completed by June 30.

Grants also were awarded to the following organizations:

Choose Chicago, $210,756 for the installation of architectural pylons on the north and south sides of Jackson Boulevard where it meets Michigan Avenue.

Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, $493,032 for the expansion of a mural trail, the creation of interpretive panels at Green Book sites, Route 66 event signage and promotional efforts.

Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau, $1,609,400 for marketing and advertising, Route 66 monuments, murals and charging station and landscaping projects in Lockport, Bolingbrook and Joliet.

The City of Springfield, $623,000 for upgrades to Shea's Gas Station and the creation of 12 murals connecting Williamsville, Sherman, Springfield, Chatham and Auburn to the murals in the Heritage Corridor and Great Rivers and Routes service area.

Visit Oak Park, $475,000 for various projects to add or upgrade iconic stops along Route 66, including an illuminated Route 66 Gateway structure on Ogden Avenue and additional wayfinding signage.

Main Street of America: Route 66 attractions state by state Main Street of America: Route 66 attractions state by state Grant Park (Chicago) Mural City (Pontiac, Illinois) Lauterbach Giant (Springfield, Illinois) Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison, Illinois) World's Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville, Illinois) Henry's Rabbit Ranch (Staunton, Illinois) Old Log Cabin (Pontiac, Illinois) (Former) World's Largest Rocking Chair (Cuba, Missouri) 66 Drive-In Theatre (Carthage, Missouri) Route 66 State Park (Eureka, Missouri) Meramec Caverns (Stanton, Missouri) Wagon Wheel Motel (Cuba, Missouri) Devil's Elbow, Missouri Cars on the Route (Galena, Kansas) Galena Mining & Historical Museum (Galena, Kansas) Brush Creek Bridge (Cherokee County, Kansas) Williams' Store (Riverton, Kansas) Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station (Baxter, Kansas) Milk Bottle Grocery (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Blue Whale (Catoosa, Oklahoma) Lucille's Service Station and Roadhouse (Hydro, Oklahoma) Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station (Commerce, Oklahoma) Totem Pole Park (Foyil, OK) Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Tesas) VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, Texas) Midpoint Cafe (Adrian, Texas) Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe (Shamrock, Texas) Leaning Tower of Texas (Groom, Texas) Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo, Tesas) Blue Swallow Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico) Tee Pee Curios (Tucumcari, New Mexico) Clines Corners Retail Center (Clines Corners, New Mexico) 66 Diner (Albuquerque, New Mexico) El Rancho Hotel (Gallup, New Mexico) Blue Hole (Santa Rosa, New Mexico) Hackberry General Store (Hackberry, Arizona) Winslow Corner (Winslow, Arizona) Angel and Vilma's Original Route 66 Gift Shop (Seligman, Arizona) Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In (Seligman, Arizona) The town of Oatman (Oatman, Arizona) Wigwam Village Motel #6 (Holbrook, Arizona) Grand Canyon National Park Meteor Crater (Meteor City, Arizona) Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande, California) Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe (Victorville, California) Rt. 66 Museum (Victorville, California) Original McDonald's (San Bernardino, California) Cucamonaco Service Station (Rancho Cucamonga, California) Roy's Motel & Cafe (Amboy, California) Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, California)
BLOOMINGTON  Twin City Cruisers will return for their 31st year from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Towanda Plaza Shopping Center, 1210 Towanda Ave., Bloomington.

The monthly event celebrates classic and modified vehicles in Central Illinois, including muscle cars, hotrods, custom cars and more.

Admission is free to all attendees and participants. All vehicle types are welcome and swap spaces will be available.

Additional cruise nights will be May 13, '49 and older night; June 10, '50s night; July 8, '60s night; Aug. 5, '70s night; Sept. 9, '80s night; and Oct. 14, '90s and newer, plus a trunk-or-treat.

All events are weather permitting.

Awards will be given for the top three "theme" vehicles. There also will be a 50/50 raffle.

There will be music by JD's DJ's and ice cream from Gramma Nana's. No alcohol, burnouts or loud music allowed.

For more information, visit twincitycruisers.com or contact 309-824-5594.

Hundreds fill up on Kiwanis pancake breakfast in Bloomington 022623-blm-loc-1pancakeday.JPG 022623-blm-loc-2pancakeday.JPG 022623-blm-loc-3pancakeday.JPG 022623-blm-loc-4pancakeday.JPG
Authorities have identified an additional person killed in crashes during a dust storm on Interstate 55 in Montgomery County, bringing total number of fatalities to seven.

Illinois State Police said six people were initially found dead at the scene of the crashes.

"However," the agency said in a statement, "the severity of the crash masked the remains and what was previously believed to be the remains of one individual was two."

State police are working with the Montgomery County Coroner's Office to confirm identification of those killed in the crashes. One of those killed was Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin, police said.

A total of 37 people between the ages of 2 and 80 were taken to area hospitals with injuries that ranged from minor to critical, police said. Approximately 72 vehicles are known to have been involved in the crashes, which took place in northbound and southbound lanes of I-55 between milepost 72 and milepost 78 near Farmersville.

The crashes began shortly before 11 a.m. Monday. All lanes had reopened as of 6 a.m. Tuesday, but state police and the Illinois Department of Transportation closed the stretch of interstate again Tuesday afternoon until about 7:20 p.m., citing a repeat of the dangerously windy conditions.

The crashes came after high spring winds stirred up a wall of dust from farm fields. State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick described the conditions as a spring version of a whiteout situation typically seen in snowstorms. The National Weather Service said winds were gusting between 35 and 45 mph.

Photos: Multiple crashes lock traffic on Interstate 55
The Ghana Police Service has arrested two persons reportedly connected to the stealing of rail tracks and steel sleepers belonging to the Ghana Railway Development Authority.



The suspects, identified as Ibrahim John and Bashiru Ibrahim, were apprehended while transporting the items to Ferro Frabrik Ltd. yard in Tema, according to a Police post on Facebook.



POLICE ARREST TWO PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH VIRAL VIDEO ON SOME ALLEGED STOLEN RAIL TRACKS AND STEEL SLEEPERS



The Police have arrested two suspects in connection with some alleged stolen rail tracks and steel sleepers believed to belong to the Ghana Railway Development Authority which has gone viral on social media.



The suspects Ibrahim John and Bashiru Ibrahim were arrested while transporting the said items to Ferro Frabrik Ltd. yard in Tema.



According to the suspects, their company has been contracted by the Ministry of Railway Development to cart the exhibit items to Tema.



Officials of the company who were not met at the premises of the company have been asked to report to the Police tomorrow morning to assist the investigation.



Contact has also been made with the Ministry of Railway Development and officials of the Ministry are expected to report to the Police tomorrow 2nd May 2023 to support the investigation.



Meanwhile, three DAF trucks GN 8501 - 15, GT 4705 -15 and GT 6707 -15 which were being used to convey the items have been impounded and parked at the National Police Training School due to the size of the trucks while the investigation continues.







Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia Monday welcomed the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, to Ghana for a two-day state visit.



The Japanese Prime Minister is expected to hold a bilateral talks with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.



The Asian country seeks to deepen her strong economic ties and further promote business and investment relations in Ghana, being one of the leading economic centres in West Africa.



Japan has been supporting Ghanas infrastructure development, especially roads, to improve the countrys transport connectivity.



The Asian country has high hopes for Ghana, which hosts the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to play a critical role in promoting regional integration and trade facilitation.



The development of the bilateral relations cannot be discussed without acknowledging the achievements of Dr Hideyo Noguchi, a Japanese who had played a vital role in the healthcare sector of both countries.



Japan is contributing to the health and medical fields in Ghana and the West African sub- region through the establishment of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and technical cooperation.



The country has also supported Africas efforts to achieve peace and stability under the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA).



The Japanese Prime Ministers visit will provide an opportunity for the two countries to discuss ways to maintain peace and stability in the Sub-region.



As the country holding the G7 Presidency, Japan is also committed to carefully listening to the voices of African countries.





Source: GNA









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
Diageo Korea CEO Dan Hamilton, left, clinks a glass of Johnnie Walker whisky with global brand ambassador CL, a member of disbanded girl group 2NE1, at the brand's promotional event in Seoul, June 8, 2021. Korea times file





By Kim Jae-heun







Diageo Korea is facing growing criticism for allegedly forcing bars, nightclubs and other establishments to purchase unwanted liquor products in bundles with its popular whisky Johnnie Walker, according to industry officials, Tuesday.







On April 14, the Korean unit of the British Whisky brand sent a letter outlining its new sales policy to customers, in which they will have to buy all seven of its imported liquors, including Singleton, Talisker, Tanqueray and Don Julio, every month from May to July this year, to place an order for blended whisky brand Johnnie Walker.







"This new policy is designed to foster a continued growth in the domestic whisky market, in accordance with Diageo's global brand strategy. The detailed guidelines such as sales per product are formulated based on logical grounds," the firm said in the letter.







The Johnnie Walker series has long been competing for the No.1 spot in the domestic market with Ballantine's, which is imported by Pernod Ricard Korea. But Diageo's gin and tequila products Tanqueray and Don Julio have been less popular among Korean consumers.







Whisky importers have long been using this tie-in tactic to boost the sales of unpopular products by bundling them with popular ones. But none of them had explicitly asked bars and restaurants to do so by sending letters in the name of company CEOs, according to an industry official on condition of anonymity.







Korea's Fair Trade Act prohibits such tie-in sales. Those who violate the law could face up to two years in prison or fines up to 150 million won ($112,000). The National Tax Service also restricts suppliers from forcing buyers to purchase unwanted products.







"It is not a good idea for Diageo Korea to require buyers to purchase all of its products if they want to get their hands on Johnnie Walker. If the unpopular products are left unsold, then they will have to charge their consumers more for Johnnie Walker and other products in high demand," the official said.







Diageo Korea said it is true that the company sent an official document related to the new sales policy to its customers, but it denied forcing them to buy what they don't want to.







"Buyers can choose whether to participate in our sales program. It is not true that we forced the tie-in sale on them," the company said. "They can order only what they need. It is an industry norm to inform price policies via official documents."







This is not the first time for foreign liquor importers to sell unpopular liquor products bundled with those in high demand.







Earlier this year, DnP Spirits came under fire for selling 48 bottles of unpopular American whiskies with every 20 bottles of The Macallan, one of the best-selling single malt Scotch whiskies imported exclusively by the company.







Beam Suntory Korea also recently sold its popular Japanese whiskies The Yamazaki and The Hakushu under the condition that its customers also buy the lesser-known single malt whisky Auchentoshan.







However, the two importers did not make these demands official, especially in the documents signed by their CEOs. When DnP Spirits faced a backlash, the company avoided controversy by claiming it was a "mistake done by some salespeople."










How would you feel if a Minister of State you taught in class three walks into your home unannounced just to say thank you for the role you played in shaping his or her life.



It would surely be one of your proudest moment as a teacher, I daresay.



Well, that sums up how 87 year-old retired teacher, popularly known as Teacher Dapaah felt when Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Ghanas Education Minister visited him at Juaben in the Ashanti Region.



Looking feeble with speech difficulties, the octogenarian could only exhibit excited facial expressions as his family introduced his former pupil who had risen to become a Cabinet Minister to him.



Although he could not respond to the pleasantries of the Minister, the demeanour of the old man depicted a happy man seeing the fruits of his labour.



He wore a warm smile as he shook the hands of Dr. Adutwum with so much pride and honour  suggesting he will die a happy man having lived to witness that proud moment.



The Minister who has been on a four-day working visit in the Ashanti Region, took some time off his itinerary to see his former teacher who had long retired from active service.



Meeting his teacher for the first time after many years, according to him, brought fond memories of his primary school days at Jachie in the Bosomtwe District where he grew up as a child.



He thanked Mr. Dapaah for being part of his formative years and asked for Gods continuous blessings for his sacrifices in shaping many lives as a teacher.





Source: GNA









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More than 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and more than 80,000 injured in just five months of fighting in Ukraine, US intelligence officials have said.



Most of the troops were killed in brutal trench warfare for the small eastern city of Bakhmut, which Russia has repeatedly claimed it was on the brink of capturing, White House national security council spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday, May 1.



Russias attempt at an offensive in the Donbas, largely through Bakhmut, has failed  Russia has been unable to seize any really strategically significant territory, Kirby said. The losses are a big increase in Russian casualties even from the bloody first days of the war, and overshadow some of the bloodiest allied battles of the second world war, Kirby added.



Its three times the number of killed in action that the United States faced on the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II, the AP quoted Kirby saying.



Kirby did not detail how the US calculated the deaths, but said about half were fighting under the Wagner mercenary group, rather than with the Russian military. They were being sent into battle without proper training or leadership, he added.



Ukrainian forces are still holding out in a corner of Bakhmut. Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of ground forces, said on Monday the situation is quite difficult, but Ukrainian forces are still counterattacking against Russians.



Russia and Ukraine are fighting for control of a road west out of Bakhmut city. It serves as the last vital supply line for Ukrainian troops fighting on the ground there.



If Bakhmut falls to Russia, it might give Russia a route towards bigger towns to the west, including Kramatorsk. But after months of heavy losses, Moscows bitter push for the shelled-out ruins of this provincial town feels more symbolic than strategic.

This attempted effort, particularly in Bakhmut, has come at a terribly, terribly high cost. Russia has exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces, Kirby said.



After Russian troops retreated from Kyiv, and were pushed out of southern Kherson city and away from eastern Kharkiv, Bakhmut became a focus of the Russian military effort.



In November US officials estimated Russian casualties for the first eight months of the war were at a similar level to that reached between December and April, with more than 100,000 dead and injured.









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A man widely seen as the godfather of artificial intelligence (AI) has quit his job, warning about the growing dangers from developments in the field.



Geoffrey Hinton, aged 75, announced his resignation from Google in a statement to the New York Times, saying he now regretted his work.



He told the BBC some of the dangers of AI chatbots were "quite scary".



"Right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be."



Dr Hinton also accepted that his age had played into his decision to leave the tech giant, telling the BBC: "I'm 75, so it's time to retire."



Dr Hinton's pioneering research on deep learning and neural networks has paved the way for current AI systems like ChatGPT.



But the British-Canadian cognitive psychologist and computer scientist told the BBC the chatbot could soon overtake the level of information that a human brain holds.



"Right now, what we're seeing is things like GPT-4 eclipses a person in the amount of general knowledge it has and it eclipses them by a long way. In terms of reasoning, it's not as good, but it does already do simple reasoning.



"And given the rate of progress, we expect things to get better quite fast. So we need to worry about that."



Read Full Story .... HERE >>> :









Source: BBC









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At the handing over of an ultra-modern ICT laboratory to the school by its 1986-year group in Accra, the headmaster of the Accra Academy, Mr Emmaneul Fiemawhle said the gesture has come at the right time to help facilitate effective teaching ICT.



He said with the current student population of over four thousand, it is prudent for the old students to extend a hand of help to the institution because the governments assistance is not adequate to match up with the increasing student population.



Mr Fiemawhle took a swipe at student indiscipline. He noted that there is a need to find innovative ways to end the pockets of incidents in some senior high schools because of indiscipline, which gives cause for concern.



He said it is worrying that students who are fortunate to enjoy free education would rather choose to sacrifice their future on the altar of violence and destruction to public property.



The ICT laboratory was built by the 1986-year group of Accra Academy, following a pledge made during the speech and prize-giving day in 2017. According to the President of the 1986-year group, Dr. Solomon Fixon-Owoo, the construction and furnishing of the 50-seater lab did not happen without challenges.



But they were guided by the mission statement of the school which is to develop a model school of excellence; prepare students for life by instilling in them the virtues of Truth, selfless service, and pursuit of excellence.



A former High Commissioner to Australia, H. E. Mr. Edwin Nii Adjei (Bleoobi 72), who was the Guest of Honour, said ICT has become the driver of development in many sectors and it is imperative for the students to be equipped with skills to harness their potentials for the tasks ahead.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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We will not act in any way to short-change workers in protecting their pensions President Akufo-Addo has assured organized labour.



This follows a caution from the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), asking government not to go against its promise of not including pensioners in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDE).



Dr Yaw Baah speaking at the 2023 International Labour Day celebration said: We want to once again remind government that the memorandum of understanding he signed on December 22, 2022, stated clearly that all pension funds have been exempted from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, nothing has changed. So Mr. President please, do not touch our pension funds"



President Akufo-Addo, who was present at the celebration said: In undertaking the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, we have been very mindful of its potential impact on the pension funds of workers. We will not act in any way to short-change workers in protecting their pensions.



In this regard, within global risk management practice, the options should include diversifying the portfolio of pension funds from the current 70% in government paper to real sector investments including rail, housing, urban transportation, motorways and airport as is done by other pension funds



Weve also made substantial progress on the debt exchange programme and as well as on our engagements with bilateral creditors to secure financing insurance required for the IMF programme, he added.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and the Rt Hon Lord Boateng of the International Relations and Defense Committee of the UK House of Lords, have expressed concern over the security situation in the Sahel region and the possibility of that spreading into other parts of West Africa.



They called on the UK Parliament, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), and the Parliaments in Africa to work together to prevent the potential impact of the current insecurity in parts of the continent to give growth and development a chance in Africa.



The two were speaking during a private meeting at the UK Parliament in Westminster, London, where the Speaker of Parliament had led a parliamentary delegation to discuss various areas of cooperation and collaboration.



The two parliaments discussed how to conduct parliamentary business effectively, manage hung parliaments and narrow majorities, make parliamentary scrutiny and oversight more efficient, and promote a collaborative work environment in parliament.



The speaker said resolving the security situation in the Sahel region deserves a lot more attention now, or else it could engulf the entire sub-region.



He referred to the current security situation in Burkina Faso and Togo and said the safety and protection of the citizens in the two countries appear to have been compromised due to what is believed to be a huge infiltration by extremists and other elements.



He said the situation in the Sahel and West Africa poses serious threats to Ghanas security and democracy. What is required is the right strategies and structures that will make Ghana proactive and preemptive when it comes to security and the integrity of her borders.



The Speaker commended Rt. Hon. Lord Boateng for his outstanding public work in the United Kingdom and said he has continued to be a great ambassador of Ghana in all his work outside the country.



Rt. Hon. Lord Boateng said such conflicts as in Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali among others have the potential to fuel migration and its attendant dangers and risks, hence the concern. He added that if steps are not taken to mitigate these conflicts, they will deal irreparable damage to Africa and hold the continent back.



He indicated that the UK was looking to use the framework of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and also work through other institutional arrangements to enhance trade with Ghana and with other African countries, and to support efforts at improving intra-continental trade.



On this journey, he said, the removal of trade barriers, especially non-tariff barriers within Africa, and between Africa and Europe will be very critical.



Also important will be the safety and security of the countries in Africa.



Lord Boateng was impressed with the relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom and was optimistic that it will continue to grow from strength to strength.







Source: Daily Guide









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Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that the government of Ghana has registered a nonprofit corporation known as the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc in the United States of America.



This National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. received its Certificate of Incorporation with its effective date being May 3, 2021 and signed by Josef G. Gasimov, Superintendent of Corporations, Corporations Division.



According to Mr Ablakwa, the name National Cathedral of Ghana and Museum Foundation, Inc. is unmistakably different from what was incorporated in Ghana some two years prior, specifically on the 18th of July, 2019 as the National Cathedral of Ghana.



Mr Ablakwa who shared pictures of his trip to the US in a Facebook post to investigate dealings of the government with regards to the national cathedral said none of the prominent Ministers of the Gospel who serve as Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana feature in the articles of incorporation and list of governors as submitted to US authorities.



He revealed that the names of governors and authorized persons as contained in the two-year report for Domestic & Foreign Filing Entity are: Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, Eric Okyere Darko and Dr. Vernon Darko.



Mr Ablakwa wondered why the government settled on Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah as the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Mr. Eric Okyere Darko and Dr. Vernon Darko over and above the prominent clergy serving on the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.



In a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa noted that the address provided on both the National Cathedral of Ghana website and to US authorities as the official address of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. is absolutely fraudulent. The advertised address is: National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.1090 Vermont AVE NW, Washington, DC 20005.



See his post below;-









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The National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yamin has commended the Trades Union Congress (TUC) for their boldness in addressing the construction of the controversial National Cathedral.



The General Secretary of the Congress, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, has urged the government to stop expenditure on non-essentials.



The TUC holds the view that the current economic hardship that has hit the country can be turned around if the government channels funds from non-essential spending to more productive investments or projects to employ the masses and ensure revenue mobilization.



We have to change the situation ourselves as Ghanaians. We believe strongly that government can lead us out of this crisis, and the government can do so by cutting expenditure on non-essentials including the need to stop spending our hard-earned revenue on a national cathedral, he told government.



Discussing the issues on NEAT FMs morning show, Joseph Yamin said the reason by TUC for the government to convert the National Cathedral was laudable and must be supported by all.



How much we have spent on the cathedral doesnt make economic sense, he said.



Adding that, "the arrogant posture of President [Akufo-Addo] will not allow him to listen to what the masses are saying.







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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Ghana's Premier Award Scheme, VGMA, has partnered with neo-media entity Ghana Music Live to enhance the career of this year's VGMA Unsung nominees.



To enhance the career of the nominees and winner of the 24thVGMA UNSUNG, Ghana Music Live in collaborative discourse with Charterhouse has curated A list of goodies that will directly impact the growth and success of nominees and winner. So, in 2023, the nominees and winner of the Unsung initiative will not only get the spot to perform at the VGMAs, they will also have the following:



5 Radio station music rotations per region, and interviews across Ghana for a year.

Assigned Dj for each nominee for a year (Provided by the Djs Union of Ghana - Djuga)

Distribution Deal for a year (Provided by Apprise Music with playlisting and premium placements)

Website development for all nominees (All Design Cost fully Borne)

Free music Video shoot for the winner only (All Costs and Direction borne by Tigon Creative Studios)

Video rotation on two stations in each region for a year.

Artiste Incubation Programme (Provided by the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry - GAPI, Musicians Union of Ghana - MUSIGA and Ghana Music LIve (GML) Incubator Programmes)

Free production and promotion consultancy and Advisory Services for a year

According to Robert Klah, Head of Public Events and Communications of Charterhouse, the VGMA Unsung is designed help put the spot light on the unsung artiste by providing them a shared platform with the stars of the country, from nominees announcements, through to nominees jam and finally a performance on musics biggest night. However, we recognize that becoming a successful artiste will require more than the VGMA platform. Hence, we are happy with our partnership with Ghana Music Live, to help us give more value to the Unsung Acts.



VGMA Unsung



VGMA Unsung is a Charterhouse initiative designed provide emerging artistes the springboard to breakthrough into main stream music. Introduced in 2014, the VGMA Unsung has featured nominees who have major stake in Ghanas music industry. MzVee, Kuami Eugene, Epixode, Kelvyn Boy, Gyakie, Kofi Jamar, and many more. Call for entries for VGMA Unsung are usually announced at the beginning of each year, as part of the VGMA calendar. The 24th VGMA Unsung is a Charterhouse initiative sponsored by Closeup.



Ghana Music Live



Ghana Music Live is a 360 solution to empowering Ghanaian musicians across the globe. Through Interconnecting an App and website and creating a seamless sales and promotion avenue for music-related works by Ghanaians, this novelty constantly strives to partner with stakeholders to empower and enrich the ordinary Ghanaian musician.



With a core team and regional reps, Ghana Music Live is well-positioned to provide services to facilitate the growth and development of Ghana Music and Ghanaian musicians.



Several professionals purportedly hold the fort for Ghana Music Live to keep it rich, saturated, readily available, and always up-to-date.



Some of what Ghana Music Live puts out daily and weekly include MusicThisWeek, MusicCharts, Gospel Spotlight Videos, Event Highlights, Celebrity Quotes, Celebrity Birthdays, This Day In Music, and interesting Throwback Videos.



The Ghana Music Live App is available on Google Play, Apple Store, Microsoft store and on web.



The Future of Ghana Music Live



In the coming months, Ghanaian musicians will live hassle-free as Ghana Music Live creates a seamless avenue for their growth.



Cognizant of the struggles of the Ghanaian Musician, Ghana Music Live remains poised to deliver ease regarding promotion and sales for Ghanaian Musicians across the globe.



The current situation in Ghana adds a lot more hassle to the disadvantaged musician who has to pursue highly commercialized mediums to promote and sell their products. So, Ghana Music Live will rely on all available technology to ensure the business of music by Ghanaians thrive and grow.



Ghana Music Live uses all the technological tools available now, from a mobile APP on Android and IOS to a multi-functional Website and 24/7 social media presence to ensure relevance never wanes. Ghana Music Live is made possible by visionaries whose passion transcends immediate gain. You can call Ghana Music Live a project with a lifespan of eternity, and you won't be faulted.



Follow Ghana Music Live on Instagram https://www.facebook.com/ghmusiclive



Follow Ghana Music Live on Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/ghmusiclive



Follow Ghana Music Live on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/ggmusiclive



Follow Ghana Music Live on TikTok

http://www.tiktok.com/ghmusiclive



Like and Subscribe to our Youtube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/ghanamusiclive



Download the Ghana Music Live App on ios and andriod via

http://onelink.to/bv53f2















Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The National Film Authority of Ghana organised a capacitybuilding workshop and stakeholder engagement for filmmakers in Kumasi last Wednesday at the Golden Bean Hotel.



This capacity-building workshop and stakeholder engagement which was facilitated by Ivan Quashigah and Danny Damah was aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of filmmakers in the production and marketing of films to be able to compete internationally.



Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, Mr Mark Okuraku Mantey, said that the ministry acknowledges the efforts of local filmmakers in the creative industry and is committed to supporting the National Film Authority in building a strong foundation to propel the film industry.







The CEO of NFA, Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, also indicated that filmmakers who produce in the local language are an integral part of NFAs strategy in the reinvigoration of the Ghana Film Industry.



According to her Producing movies in our local language enhances our creativity, enables us to tell our story without any form of restraint and gives us a competitive advantage internationally.



As part of the event, the NFA also discussed the draft of the Legislative Instrument (LI) which is to be submitted to the parliament of Ghana for approval.



The National Film Authority (NFA), however, announced its intention to organise a similar event in Tamale and Accra.



Representatives of the various film guilds and associations like George Bosompem, Razak Adbulai, Richard Yaw Boateng, Rukayatu Ankrah, Ken Fiati and Samuel Gyandoh were among the people who led the discussion on the LI.



The event was part of the Ghana Tourism Development Project (GTDP) funded by the World Bank under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to build a strong foundation for the film industry.



The workshop was attended by stakeholders across various sectors of the film industry, and officials from the MOTAC.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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By Azernews

Rena Murshud

The Main Department for Combating Drugs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan during a special operation in the Garadagh district of Baku confiscated a total of 112 kg of narcotic substances, Azernews reports citing the ministry's press service.

"During the operation, Baku residents Rovshan Zamanov and Royal Baloglanov were detained. When examining their car and their places of residence, 112 kg of drugs belonging to both persons were found, including 30 kg of heroin, 52 kg of dried marijuana, 30 kg of methamphetamine and 2 units of electronic weights," the statement says.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rovshan Zamanov and Royal Baloglanov took drugs from a cache in the territory located in the border part of the Imishli region through an Iranian citizen named Khady.

A criminal case has been opened on the fact under the relevant article of the Criminal Code, a preventive measure in the form of arrest has been taken against both detainees, and operational measures are underway.

Recall that earlier, due to search operation conducted by Azerbaijan's Internal Ministry employees 16 people involved in the propaganda of religious radicalism and other subversive activities in Azerbaijan financed through the sale of drugs have been detained. The goal of those who carried out the tasks of the religious-political centers, controlled mainly from Iran, was to make drug addicts and others the instrument of their nefarious intentions.
gettyimagesbank



By Park Jae-hyuk



Concerns are growing over China's possible economic retaliation against Korea after President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent remarks on Taiwan elicited angry responses from Beijing, according to sources, Tuesday.



They fear that the world's second-largest economy could introduce measures similar to those taken against Korean retailers and exporters when the U.S. deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here in 2017. China claimed that the powerful radar of the THAAD battery could be used to spy on its military activities.



After rumors spread that the Chinese customs agency ordered tightened inspections of cargo arriving from Korea after Yoon criticized Beijing's "attempts to alter the status quo by force," the Korean government and businesses are paying close attention to Beijing's next step.



"We are aware that Korean businesspeople in China shared the rumor on social media," a foreign ministry official told reporters, Friday. The official added that diplomatic offices will continue to monitor the situation.



On Monday, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said there were no delays seen in customs clearances of Korean exports to China.



"China is the largest importer of Korean products and one of the most important economic partners," said Kim Wan-ki, head of the ministry's office of international trade and investment. "We are carefully monitoring the situation based on close communication with relevant ministries, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Korea International Trade Association," Kim added.



A source in the air cargo industry, however, claimed that customs clearances of Korean products have been delayed recently in major cities in China, such as Shanghai and Tianjin.



"Korean components should be sent to factories in China earlier than initially planned," the official said. "It even takes less time when using routes via Taiwan or Vietnam."



Korean duty free store operators, as well as apparel and cosmetics makers, which have been anticipating rising revenues from China's reopening from COVID-19 restrictions, are keeping a close watch on whether Chinese consumers will boycott Korean products, just as they did in 2017 against Lotte, which offered the site to deploy the THAAD battery. Beijing's retaliatory action eventually forced the conglomerate to leave the Chinese market.



"We have yet to suffer any damage from the recent political tensions, but we have remained vigilant about the situation," a retail industry official said.



There are also rumors that a Chinese municipal government asked local electronics firms to give the reason why they use semiconductors made in foreign countries. Industry officials view the measure as an attempt to restrain the exports of Korean semiconductors to China.



If the bilateral relationship worsens, Korean exports to China will likely decline further.



According to the trade ministry, Korean exports to China last month fell 26.5 percent year-on-year, due to a chip industry slump. In addition, Korea saw a $2.27 billion deficit in trade with China, extending its shortfall for seven months in a row.


1. The Resistance of the 'No-nos' Was an Act of Patriotism

1. The Resistance of the 'No-nos' Was an Act of Patriotism

When Japanese American writer John Okada penned the historical fiction book, "No-No Boy," in 1957, he brought to light the stories of a brave group of Japanese Americans, who spoke up against their subjugation during World War II.

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the government began to fear that Japanese Americans were enemy agents of Japan, even though two-thirds of Japanese Americans were American citizens, according to Okihiro.

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As a result, the government ordered 120,000 Japanese Americans to leave their homes and relocate to internment camps under Executive Order 9066, issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

There was no evidence to support these claims and, decades later, Ronald Reagan declared internment was a "mistake" based solely on race, implicitly recognizing that these fears were rooted in racism.

As the war progressed, the government began seeking Japanese Americans from the camps to serve in the U.S. Army. The government presented residents in the camps with a loyalty questionnaire. Two questions  questions 27 and 28  were particularly controversial, asking Japanese Americans if they would renounce any loyalty to Japan and serve in the U.S. military.

About 6,700 individuals  including a fair number of second-generation Japanese American men, who became known as the "no-no boys"  answered "no" to both questions. By answering "no," they challenged the U.S. government for depriving them of their rights and treating them as enemies.

"The no-nos were responding to this illegal confinement of them  there was no reason given for their mass confinement. There was no justification for holding citizens within those camps," Okihiro says.

For their refusal, the no-no boys were incarcerated in a federal penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth for the duration of the war, according to Okihiro. Okihiro argues that the no-no boys' defiance showed they were "true Americans."

"What they were trying to do was to have the U.S. live up to its constitution and the promises afforded to all citizens. If that's not patriotism, I don't know what is," Okihiro says.

" " The Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of 10 camps where the U.S. government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese American citizens during World War II. Wikimedia Commons (CC By SA 2.0)
" " Flowers, signs and balloons left at a makeshift memorial near Club Q Nov. 20, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where five people were killed and at least 25 wounded. The attacker had previously threatened his mother with a homemade bomb. Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post/Getty Images

The shooting in a Colorado LGBTQ bar Nov. 19, 2022, in which five people were killed and at least 25 injured, is the latest mass shooting in the U.S. and it has reignited the debate over red flag laws and their effectiveness in stopping these kinds of mass killings. Police have yet to determine a motive for the killings, but it is clear that the suspect had a history of violent plans, having allegedly threatened to attack his mother with a homemade bomb more than a year before the attack at Club Q.

The suspect was arrested in June 2021 in connection with a bomb threat that led to a standoff at his mothers home, according to a news release from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office at the time.

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This has led to questions over why that earlier alleged incident did not trigger Colorados red flag law  something that may have prevented him from acquiring the AR-15-style semi-automatic weapon that police say was used in the Club Q attack. But there is reportedly no public record indicating that law enforcement or any family member acted on that threat and petitioned the court.

The Q nightclub shooting occurred in a county where the sheriff has openly opposed Colorados law and has previously stated that his officers will not petition for an order except under exigent circumstances. The county has declared itself a "Second Amendment preservation county," in the belief that gun safety laws are unconstitutional.

In another case, from 2019, in California, the manager of a car dealership contacted police and described a scary situation. An employee allegedly had confided to a co-worker that if he was fired from his job, he would shoot his supervisor and other employees, though he would warn the co-worker in advance so he could escape.

Thanks to the red flag law that California enacted in 2014, the police could take action right away, without having to charge the employee with a crime. The cops obtained a court order and the next day seized five firearms. The court subsequently issued another order, allowing authorities to hold on to the weapons for a year.

That case, described in an article by University of California Davis researchers published Aug. 20, 2019, in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, is an example of what many advocate as a way to prevent the mass shootings that have devastated the U.S.
" " This card reminds young men to register with the Selective Service System. Selective Service System

The idea of a military draft, also called conscription, has been around in one form or another since ancient times. In its relatively short history, the United States has implemented several different conscription systems to fill its military ranks in both peacetime and wartime. Currently, the United States is not practicing conscription; it has an all-volunteer military, meaning active troops serve on their own accord. By offering a range of benefits to enlistees, the military can recruit enough troops to fill its ranks, at least during times of peace. Additionally, the United States maintains a volunteer National Guard and a corps of volunteer reserve troops. These highly trained forces stand ready to assist the military at the president's command.

But as an insurance policy, the government also maintains the Selective Service System (SSS). Its primary purpose is to provide the military with additional manpower if volunteer forces are not sufficient to handle a war or other national emergency. In other words, the agency is in charge of overseeing the draft (conscription) whenever it is reinstated. Its secondary purpose is to maintain an alternative draft-time service program for conscientious objectors, citizens who are eligible for the draft but will not engage in combat because of their moral beliefs.

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In times of peace, the SSS's main task is to put together a list of potential draftees in the United States. The potential draftee pool is made up of male U.S. residents between the ages of 18 and 25. Under current law, women cannot be drafted (see our sidebar for more details on this). A few select groups of men are also excused automatically. These groups include:

Men who are actively serving in the military

Men who are attending a military service academy or select university military officer procurement program

Foreign citizens in the United States on valid student, visitor or diplomatic visas

Certain foreign agricultural workers

Men who are in a hospital or psychiatric institution

Disabled men who are continually confined to a hospital or institution

Incarcerated men

People who are born female and have changed their gender to male

All other men between 18 and 25 are legally required to register with the SSS within 30 days of reaching eligibility. Men can register via mail, over the internet, at the post office or with a high school Selective Service Registrar (click here for details on registration). The SSS keeps the names and addresses of all registered men on file so they can be called up easily if the draft is reinstated. Most U.S. citizens become eligible on their 18th birthday; others become eligible the day they are no longer exempt (the day they drop out of a military academy, for example). Eligible men entering the U.S. are required to register within 30 days of entering the country.

The government can prosecute a potential draftee who does not register with the SSS. If convicted, the man would face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000. Today, the government is unlikely to take such extreme action. Instead, it encourages registration by withholding government benefits from potential draftees in violation. This includes federal financial aid for school, federal job training and some federal employment. Additionally, all eligible men must register before gaining U.S. citizenship. The SSS reports that 92 percent of eligible men (nearly 17 million men) were registered as of 2019.

The SSS will accept late registration, as long as the man is still under 26. If a man fails to register before his 26th birthday, he may be permanently excluded from some federal benefits.

Registering with the SSS does not necessarily mean you will be drafted when a war breaks out; it is merely a system for keeping your name and address on file. In the next section, we'll see what would actually happen if the draft were reinstated.

Women and the Draft When the Selective Service System was created, women were excluded from combat roles, thus making them ineligible for registration. On Dec. 3, 2015, the Department of Defense lifted all gender-based restrictions on military service, which was put into practice the following month. But as of March 2022, there is no requirement for females to register with the SSS or be subject to a future military draft. The number of calls to expand the draft beyond men has increased since 2015, but the amendment to require this was dropped from a large defense bill in 2021.
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Professors from nine universities, including Stanford, are calling for an updated approach to studying academic progressone that reflects how students actually make their way through college. Credit: Linda A. Cicero

In the study of higher education, universities have long been viewed as pipelines, preparing students for productive careers in specific fields. But when it comes to understanding how students actually make their way through college, the "pipeline" imagery fails to capture the twists and turns real people often take along the way.

A group of scholars from universities nationwide are calling for a new model for the study of academic progress: an updated approach that accounts for the complexity of university curriculums and students' journeys through them, providing critical information for researchers, educators, and students alike.

In a paper published in the journal Science on April 28, professors from nine universitiesincluding Stanford, Cornell, Columbia, Texas A&M, and the University of Pennsylvaniaurge researchers to replace the "pipeline" metaphor with a focus on "pathways," a shift they say would both help and compel administrators to update established curriculums based on students' evolving preferences.

"In science, metaphors guide our understanding of a problemthey shape our approach to observing the world and the way we communicate our findings," said Mitchell Stevens, a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education and one of the paper's lead authors. "The pipeline metaphor has been useful for many years, but it has come to limit our understanding of how academic progress unfolds."

By shifting to a "pathways" model, he saidwith computational tools and techniques that have only recently become availableresearchers can transform insights from complex data on academic progress into effective curriculums and support.

Rethinking an outdated model

The pipeline metaphor is limiting for several reasons, the authors say. For one, it suggests highly structured, sequenced curriculums aimed at developing skills in particular domains. But many universities encourage students to explore and combine different areas of study, and (as at Stanford) to hold off on declaring a major until midway through their undergraduate experience.

"The pipeline imagery implies that when people enter higher education, they know exactly where they're trying to go," said Stevens. "But universities are tasked with providing a full range of options. Students might enter thinking they're ideally suited for one destination and then learn they're actually better suited for another."

The pipeline metaphor treats that kind of departure from the original destination as a "leak," or a loss, rather than an entry onto another route to graduation.

What's more, a pipeline metaphor suggests a lack of agency on students' part, the authors say. "It assumes that students are inert substances being propelled through a structure by external forces," Stevens said. "But of course, people are actively making decisions about their own education all along."

A pathways model puts both student agency and the structure of the curriculum at the center, recognizing the interplay between them. It traces the various responses students have to certain academic offerings, identifying "fateful" points in students' academic progress where choosing a particular major is no longer feasible.

This could help pave the way for interventions that promote equity, the authors write. Many factors go into how students decide on courses and majors, and research into this consideration process could reveal opportunities to interveneto increase students' awareness of their options and the possible consequences of their choices.

"Students enter the university with varying amounts of information and different presumptions about how much agency they have over their own education," Stevens said. "If we can level the playing field of information about pathways and choices, we might mitigate inequalities in college knowledge that people bring with them to school."

Applying new analytical techniques

In conjunction with a new conceptual model, recent developments in computational science make it possible to analyze more complex data on academic progress, the authors write.

Traditionally, researchers might use statistical techniques to chart enrollment patterns, observing cohorts of students episodicallyan approach that produces limited insight into how they consider, choose, and sequence each of their course selections, Stevens said. "You'd default to inference about what happens in between those coarse points of data collection, which is very different from observing the process."

Newer, more sophisticated computational techniques can better capture the micro-decisions students make and the effects of their choices. Advances in computational modeling can produce visualizations that reveal, for example, varying pathways into particular majors, critical forks on those paths, and curricular overlaps that could inform changes in course offerings and requirements. Machine learning techniques enable the ability to forecast major declarations based on courses selected early in the college career.

To make the application of pathways science more accessible, the authors call for building a shared analytical framework and infrastructure, including a system for standardizing data across institutions, available as open-source analytic tools.

More information: Rene F. Kizilcec et al, From pipelines to pathways in the study of academic progress, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adg5406 Journal information: Science
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Credit: Sally Deng

In the afternoon hours of March 22, 2021, as women attended to chores and children played in dusty streets, a fire erupted at Kutupalong Balukhali in the Cox's Bazar region of Bangladesh, the largest refugee camp in the world.

Aided by wind, parched conditions and an abundant fuel sourcethe bamboo and plastic tarp composing thousands of densely packed shelters across the camp's hilly terrainthe fire ripped swiftly through makeshift homes, warehouses, medical facilities and mosques. Within two hours, it had engulfed more than 4 million square feet of the asylum for nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees who fled ethnic persecution in neighboring Myanmar.

As the fire marched south, hundreds of gas cylinders used for cooking burst like small bombs. Residents poured into the camp's narrow streets, first to fight the firethen to flee, frantically searching for family members or doubling back for their meager belongings, only to be caught in the chaotic flood of evacuees escaping the rapidly advancing flames, heat and thick smoke.

The fire burned for seven hours, scorched over 160 acres, killed 15 people and displaced another 45,000. According to emergency responders on the scene, the magnitude of the fire, lack of water and narrow roads hampered their efforts; the fire was only controlled once there was nothing left to burn.

The circumstances that displace refugeesfrom violence and persecution to war and increasingly, the impacts of climate changeare nothing short of traumatic. According to the United Nations' Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 103 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide, more than the entire population of Germany. Of that, 32.5 million become refugees. Those who flee to humanitarian camps bear the scars of their arduous journeys and circumstance, as well as the trauma of leaving behind their homes, possessions and communities.

While reports of fires in humanitarian settlements briefly graze global news feeds, no one seems to be running a tally. These types of fires are poorly tracked and even more poorly understood, setting the stage for a repeating history with no end in sight, said Danielle Antonellis, a fire protection engineer who's founder and executive director of Kindling, a nonprofit that supports and inspires fire safety in vulnerable communities around the world.

"When you think about these people who have been displaced and have nothing, that are vulnerable in so many ways," Antonellis said, "and then you strip them down one more levelthat's the definition of a humanitarian crisis."

Not long after the fire in Bangladesh, James Milke '76, M.S. '81, Ph.D. '91, chair of UMD's Department of Fire Protection Engineering, began a collaboration with Kindling and fire researchers from Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa to better understand the causes and order of magnitude of fires in informal settlementsthe often-ramshackle housing that comprises much of the world's slums and shelters millions of displaced people. Like Antonellis, Milke sees the fire threat there, as well as within formal refugee camps, as an urgent global problem. Under his leadership, the department is collectively one of the country's foremost authorities in fire behavior, material flammability, fire detection and wildfires.

"There are informal and humanitarian settlements on every continent on the planet," said Milke, who plans to conduct the next phase of the research this summer. "Fire isn't the only problem they face, but when it occurs, it is devastating to the people who live there."

Milke recruited a legion of young peoplefrom Maryland high school students to Terps at the undergraduate and graduate levelsto gather and organize data and confer with faculty at Stellenbosch, experts at Kindling and frontline responders. Students conducted initial investigations of fire phenomena in informal settlements in South Africa and generated preliminary modeling and simulations of evacuations using Pathfinder software and Google Earth imagery. A challenge with informal settlements, however, is the hands-off approach of local governments: There is no overseeing body with which to collaborate on possible interventions or solutions. Further conversations with colleagues at Stellenbosch suggested a shift to refugee camps.

"In refugee camps, organizations like the United Nations have some influence as to what these communities look like," Milke said. "We realized we might have greater impact there."

Milke's team began by researching and cataloging refugee camps globally, scrubbing through humanitarian reports and the wider internet. Their growing roster included the locations, size, demographics, and topography of camps, cooking and heating methods, fire incidents, and various materials used to construct dwellings and service areas.

It quickly became clear that no two camps are alike. The urgency and economics of quickly establishing refugee camps by UNHCR and NGOs, coupled with the socioeconomic and political underpinnings of the host countries, drive everything from how densely populated the camps are to the materials used to construct shelters. Climate also plays a critical role, particularly in areas like Bangladesh that contend with wet and dry seasons. Locations are often small, undesirable parcels of land that can be hours from emergency services. Families are typically provided gas cylinders for cooking; at any given time in Kutupalong Balukhali, there could be hundreds of thousands of fires lit throughout the camp.

Though the Rohingya have occupied parts of Bangladesh since the 1970s, the government's insistence that this is a temporary arrangement means they do not allow for permanent construction materialsrefugees use whatever is available in ample supply, often highly flammable materials. Satellite imagery shows tightly packed clusters of dwellings crosshatched with narrow dirt roads.

"It's ad hoc," said Dan Graham, a safety and rescue technical specialist and program manager working in Bangladesh for the international humanitarian organization Migrant Offshore Aide Station (MOAS). "There's no grid system or numbering; people build their shelter where they dump their stuff and can get their hands-on materials. The density is something I still don't know how to articulate, and the blunt reality is that apart from the metal cooking pots and water pumps, everything in that environment is flammable."

In 2022, Milke and then UMD graduate student Genevieve Tan '21, M.S. '22 joined researchers from Stellenbosch and MOAS' Richard Walls and Paul Chamberlain to look more closely at Kutupalong Balukhali and piece together what took placefrom the path of fire to response and evacuationduring those seven hours in March 2021. Investigations after fires in refugee camps are often stymied by a lack of resources, but also a lack of evidence, says Antonellis.

"When these big fires occur, we never really find out from a scientific perspective why something happened the way it did," Tan said. "There is a need for academia to develop methods for data collection and reporting, and use that information to characterize and understand the problem."

Milke, Tan and their fellow researchers relied heavily on conversations with first responders and refugees on WhatsApp, on-the-ground accounts, information from international organizations and media coverage. Theirs was the first detailed documentation of a large-scale refugee camp incident in academic literature.

While engineering plays an important role in understanding the issue, Antonellis points out, it is just one piece of a complex puzzle that cannot be solved without also considering the economics, social dimensions and politics at play. The humanitarian system, a mechanism set into motion by disaster or conflict, must make quick decisions about the construction and management of camps as refugees pour into them.

"Fire risk is emerging as the camp is created," Antonellis said. "It's easy to say, 'Why don't you space the tents further apart or ban candles?' From a technical perspective it feels like a straightforward problem to solve, but it's not a technical problem: It's a sociotechnical problem."

Fire behavior in humanitarian dwellings is vastly different than in a building fire. Fanned by ample fuel sources and airflow, the intensity and speed with which fires in refugee camps spread are more akin to a wildland fire, explains Maryland Engineering Professor Arnaud Trouve. Human behavior is also a factor; most people, said Trouve, misinterpret the speed of fire, which can travel faster than a human can run.

The human element of fire is what ultimately drew Tan to fire protection engineering. At Maryland she studied disaster resilience through an internship with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which offered her an eye-opening view of the struggles people face in informal settlements.

As Tan began her graduate degree, the timing of Milke's work with Kindling couldn't have been better. Under Milke and Trouve's guidance and supported by a John L. Bryan Graduate Research Assistantship, Tan developed a thesis project to quantify the fire risk and burn behavior of humanitarian shelters using a YouTube video of a shelter fire conducted by UNHCR's Site Management Engineering Project. Using MATLAB-based image processing, Tan compared the video with an identical dwelling created using Fire Dynamics Simulator, a modeling software that until now has only been used to model room or building fires. She was able to reconcile characteristics including flame height, temperature, intensity, heat release and spreadcritical steps for understanding the unique characteristics of shelter fires.

In the future, Tan's model could be configured to different dimensions, material properties and contents (such as furniture) as more and better data become available. Simulations based on her model could help understand the risk of spread and may inform the spacing of dwellings. Today working in fire safety consulting and system design for Baltimore-based Jensen Hughes, Tan hopes her research provides a foundation for another student to pick up where she left off.

"I had such a limited scope of data to work with, and the nature of the problem makes things very hard to nail down right now," she said. "But it's so important for people to continue working in this space."

As research on fire risk in humanitarian settlements continues at Maryland, and at just a handful of other universities around the world studying the problemso do the fires. On March 5, 2023, yet another massive fire ripped through Rohingya refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh, displacing an additional 12,000.

According to Deb Niemeier, the Clark Distinguished Chair of Energy and Sustainability at Maryland Engineering, it's only been within the last decade that engineers have begun to work on the logistics of global humanitarian challenges such as the refugee crisis from the inside as it became clearer they could make a significant impact. Research can help bridge the significant firsthand knowledge from organizations like the UN High Commissioner for Refugees with the practice and models to understand how solutions could work on the ground.

"Engineers are terrific at figuring out logistical concerns," Niemeier said, "so the role for engineers is huge. We can work on very specific issues like fire risk and raise a vigilant, observant practice so that it's safer."

Ongoing collaboration and idea exchange with the academic community, said Graham, is essential for creating not just global awareness, but also a global response. He said that research, like the kind undertaken by Milke and students at Maryland, will keep the issue at the foreas well as provide the foundation, best practices and knowledge to establish fire management standards for refugee camps. Those standards could include a hazard warning system, similar to those used in high-risk wildfire areas, based on environmental conditions and density of the camps to alert refugees to take care with open flames and cooking.

"'Red flag days' have proven very effective for raising awareness in other parts of the world," Milke said. "Could we accomplish the same here?"

This summer, Milke plans to return to where he started by completing the first complete picture of global refugee camps and fire phenomena, having students document fire events in Asia and updating the existing database. It's a critical tool for the global community in appreciating how big this problem really is, he said. The department also hopes to continue the research that Tan started by looking at the speed and progression of fire spread from one dwelling to two or three.

"This is where academia can make the biggest difference," said Antonellis. "We need research like what's happening at Maryland to push under the noses of practitioners and stakeholders to provide them with the information they need to make better decisions. It's transformative for our work."
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As American states such as California grapple with harsher and more frequent droughts, the Midwest is touting its ample water supplies to spur economic growth.

Chicago has just signed a contract valued at $1 billion to sell its water elsewherethe first such deal in 40 yearsand the city expects more to come. Illinois is also launching a federally-funded plan to expand its $17 billion "Blue Economy" to lure companies from water-intensive chip manufacturers to climate-tech startups.

The Great Lakes, which account for more than 80% of North America's surface fresh water supplies, are increasingly becoming a key selling point. As President Joe Biden pushes advanced manufacturing and environmentally-friendly infrastructure, the Midwest is poised for a much-needed economic boost.

"We have this water that is critical," said Alaina Harkness, executive director of Current, the nonprofit water innovation hub behind the plan. It's important not just for the region's climate and residents, but it's also a critical supply-chain component for manufacturing, food and beverage companies, data-processing and storage centers and chipmakers, she added. "Not having access to it is a risk for businesses."

Midwest cities such as Chicago have struggled with the decline in traditional manufacturing over the decades as factories moved offshore for cheaper labor and resources. Biden now wants to bring back advanced industrial and infrastructure investmentwith a focus on clean energy as well as $55 billion to improve drinking water and wastewater systems.

As a result, Illinois aims to replace its rust belt label with a clean belt economy by 2030, according to the Current report. The region has the vast amounts of water and space needed for businesses from wind farms to chip manufacturing.

"A lot of industriesbe that electric vehicles or food, life sciencesthey have a lot of water needs," said Michael Fassnacht, head of World Business Chicago and the city's chief marketing officer. "Corporations, as well, will look at climate resilience and water safety, so being next to water is a massive, massive factor."

Cities with direct access to fresh water are already looking to capitalize. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot last week signed a 100-year deal to sell water to Joliet, about 50 miles inland, and its suburbs. This will make it the city's second-biggest water buyer when supplies start in 2030. The deal comes after Chicago lost some customers in recent years following price increases, said Jennie Bennett, the city's chief financial officer.

"We've put the Chicago water system back in a growth position through the Joliet transaction in a really big way," Bennett said in a recent interview. "We know that having high-quality, low-cost water is very important to a lot of industries."

Chicago can offer water for less than what cities such as Detroit, New York, Houston, Philadelphia and Los Angeles can. And it's just a fraction of the price in San Francisco, according to data from the Windy City's Department of Water Management.

To be sure, the Midwest has yet to see a huge influx of businesses due to its ample water supplies. Companies also take into account other factors when choosing to relocate, but questions about water and energy supplies have increased in recent years, said Fassnacht, whose job includes luring businesses to Chicago.

There are also concerns about how to tap water as a tool for economic development without depleting the resource. Solving that issue could also be an opportunity for companies like Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation. The company is developing solutions including using artificial intelligence to reduce the amount of energy used in water treatment.

"All of our customers are talking about it across industries," said Damon Sepe, a business development manager for Rockwell. "It's real, they have goals by 2030, 2050 that they need to hit, and our role is helping them."

Startups are also taking notice. The opportunity was attractive enough that Seyi Fabode decided to start Varuna four years ago, after leaving the power sector. They company has offices in Chicago and Austin and tracks water-related risks such as the potential for lead contamination or bursting pipes.

Most of the US's water system was built in the 1970s and 1980s. About 14% to 18% of treated potable water in the country is lost through leaks, according to a McKinsey study.

"Water was becoming the next big thing," Fabode said. "Austin had a water problem, Flint had a water problem, and I felt there was an opportunity to use my expertise."

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Approx. 400,000-year-old pollen grains from Tenaghi Philippon. Due to their good preservability, they remain intact in drill cores, making it possible to reconstruct vegetation and climate changes in the geological past. Credit: Ulrich Kotthoff

With a view toward predicting the consequences of human-made climate change for Mediterranean ecosystems, Earth scientists from Heidelberg University have studied natural climate and vegetation fluctuations of the past 500,000 years. Their primary focus was the effects of these fluctuations on the forests in the Mediterranean region.

To this end, researchers led by Dr. Andreas Koutsodendris analyzed fossil pollen preserved in a sediment core from Greece. Their investigations suggest that in long-standing drought conditionsas the latest climate models predictdesertification of the forests in the Mediterranean region is likely in the near future. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications.

Mediterranean forests are not only hotspots of biodiversity, but they also provide critical ecosystem services. They protect against soil erosion, regulate the regional climate and hydrological conditions, and supply food and timber. "Because they are exceptionally sensitive to climate change, concern for their survival is growing in light of anthropogenic CO 2 emissions and associated global warming," explains Dr. Koutsodendris. He is a member of the research group of Prof. Dr. Jorg Pross, which investigates the Earth's environmental and ecosystem dynamics at Heidelberg University's Institute of Earth Sciences.

To trace how Mediterranean forests reacted to climate changes in the past, the Heidelberg researchers, in cooperation with colleagues from France, Germany, Greece, and the United Kingdom, took drill cores from Tenaghi Philippona terrestrial climate archive in the northeast of Greecethat provide a complete record of the past 500,000 years, and in which fossil pollen grains are preserved.

The data on vegetation development in this period gained from the pollen grains was correlated with geochemical data on contemporaneous fluctuations in precipitation. The results of the team led by Dr. Koutsodendris show that, in the past, the Mediterranean forests transformed into steppes within a few decades as soon as specific precipitation thresholds were crossed.

Using ecological models, the scientists also examined possible factors that caused precipitation patterns to change. Their analyses show that changes in atmospheric CO 2 content influence the amount of precipitation in the Mediterranean region.

"In the past, a decrease in rainfall of 40% to 45% was sufficient to set off a sudden shift from forest to steppe biomes under natural conditions," explains Dr. Koutsodendris. These results imply that such a shift could lie ahead for the forests of the Mediterranean region in the near future if nothing is done to protect them, the Heidelberg Earth scientist says.

More information: Andreas Koutsodendris et al, Atmospheric CO2 forcing on Mediterranean biomes during the past 500 kyrs, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37388-x Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Winston Churchill famously said, "Democracy is the worst form of governmentexcept for all those other forms that have been tried."

However, that presumes people agree on what the term actually means.

"Not everybody understands what democracy is, and understanding of democracy is tied to support for it," said Valery Dzutsati, visiting assistant professor of political science at the University of Kansas.

"Moreover, misunderstanding is also tied to not supporting it."

His new article, titled "Under the Veil of Democracy: What Do People Mean When They Say They Support Democracy?" and published in Perspectives on Politics, uses global cross-national survey data that demonstrates individual variation in the understanding of democracy is linked to democratic support across countries and regime contexts. The results suggest one must consider divergent conceptualizations when analyzing opinions of democracy.

Co-written by Hannah Chapman of the University of Oklahoma, Margaret Hanson of Arizona State University and Paul DeBell of Fort Lewis College, the article notes there is no such thing as a perfect democracy.

"There cannot be because we as humans are not perfect," Dzutsati said.

So what country is closest to the textbook definition of this system of government?

"That's a controversial question because specialists also have very different views on what is a democracy, how to define it and how to rank it," he said.

Dzutsati points out, for example, how some of the most celebrated democracies (the U.S. included) often end up with a two-party system. And, theoretically, these should be less effective since they feature limited choices.

"But at the same time, we do see multiparty systems in Europe which are so multiparty that they become dysfunctional," he said.

"Coalitions are hard to build because there are so many parties and each of them holds a small share of votes, so it is easy to block decisions. It is perhaps a 'better' democracy in a way, but it's not functional. You want to live in a functional society because roads need to be built and things need to be kept in order."

The researchers based their findings on the last three waves of the World Values Survey, including the most recent one from 20172022. The analyzed data encompasses 85 countries. According to their conclusions, an individual's knowledge of democracy is fairly low on average.

"A significant proportion of respondents conflate things like army rule or religious cleric rule with manifestations of democracy," Dzutsati said.

"What it means for us as educators is we need better education so that people understand what a democratic political system is. And, by the way, the U.S. is not an exception. A lot of Americans who say they support democracy also say they support a strong man's rulea strong man who is a man of action who does things no matter what, disregarding the legislature and elections if needed."

Then should America still be deemed a democracy?

"With a fair amount of confidence, I would say yes. Why? Because voting still matters," he said. "You can disagree with a variety of things, but you cannot disagree with the fact that this country can change very significantly through voting."

Dzutsati was raised in North Ossetia (in the southwest of European Russia). As part of the former Soviet Union, his country's official system of government described itself as "democratic centralism." Interestingly, he said the Soviet Union had voting but didn't actually have elections.

"That was because for every electable position there was only one candidate," he said.

"You did go to voting booths, and it was made like a public holiday held usually on Sundays. There would be events and food. People would come and cast their ballot, which didn't mean anything. It was simply a confirmation of the existing order."

Contemporary Russia is in a very similar situation absent the Communist ideology, he said. Many Russians do not see a better alternative to Vladimir Putin's regime, which vigorously promotes the belief of Putin's indispensability along with the idea that no true democracy exists anywhere. Incidentally, support for democracy is among the lowest in Russia according to World Values Survey data.

Dzutsati earned his doctorate in political science from Arizona State University. He is an expert in politics and conflict of Eurasia and Eastern Europe, and his past work includes "Secessionist conflict as diversion from inequality: The missing link between grievance and repression" and "Russia's Syria War: A Strategic Trap?" (co-written with Emil Souleimanov).

He said the last decade has been quite insightful when researching the ebbs and flows of democracies, particularly in the U.S.

"One big error we had a few years ago is we had this kind of linear view of development. The world and this country are becoming more and more democratic. Everything is fine. You don't have to do anything. Sit and relax. That's not the case," Dzutsati said. "I hope we have learned this lesson."

More information: Hannah S. Chapman et al, Under the Veil of Democracy: What Do People Mean When They Say They Support Democracy?, Perspectives on Politics (2023). DOI: 10.1017/S1537592722004157
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Close examination of digital and 3D-printed models suggested the fossil needs to be reclassified. Credit: Brian A. Keeling

Homo sapiens, our own species, evolved in Africa sometime between 300,000 and 200,000 years ago. Anthropologists are pretty confident in that estimate, based on fossil, genetic and archaeological evidence.

Then what happened? How modern humans spread throughout the rest of the world is one of the most active areas of research in human evolutionary studies.

The earliest fossil evidence of our species outside of Africa is found at a site called Misliya cave, in the Middle East, and dates to around 185,000 years ago. While additional H. sapiens fossils are found from around 120,000 years ago in this same region, it seems modern humans reached Europe much later.

Understanding when our species migrated out of Africa can reveal insights into present-day biological, behavioral and cultural diversity. While we Homo sapiens are the only humans alive today, our species coexisted with different human lineages in the past, including Neandertals and Denisovans. Scientists are interested in when and where H. sapiens encountered these other kinds of humans.

Our recent reanalysis of a fossil jawbone from a Spanish site called Banyoles is raising new questions about when our species may have migrated to Europe. A new look at an old fossil find potentially pushes back the date when Homo sapiens lived in Europe.

Homo sapiens fossils found in Europe

The first documented discoveries of human fossils were in Europe, just before Darwin's 1859 publication of "The Origin of Species." Ideas of evolution were being actively debated within European universities and scientific societies.

Many of the earliest fossil findings were Neandertals, a species that evolved in Europe by 250,000 years ago and became extinct around 40,000 years ago. They are also our closest evolutionary relatives and, because of ancient interbreeding, the genomes of people today include Neandertal DNA. Because of their early historical presence, Neandertal fossils had a big influence on how early researchers thought about human evolution.

The first fossil evidence of Neandertals was found in 1856 during quarrying activities from the Neander Tal (Neander Valley) in Germany. Paleontologists took the hint and started to search for human fossils in other caves and exposed areas that preserved ancient sediments.

More than a decade later, in 1868, paleontologists uncovered H. sapiens fossils at the site of Cro-Magnon in southern France. For much of the 20th century, the 30,000-year-old Cro-Magnon fossils represented the earliest fossil evidence of our species in Europe.

More recently, evidence for an earlier H. sapiens presence in Europe has come from two sites in Eastern Europe, including a partial skull from Zlaty kun Cave in Czechia dating to 45,000 years ago, as well as more fragmentary remains from Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria dating to around 44,000 years ago. Ancient DNA analysis has confirmed that the fossils from these sites represent H. sapiens. Additional, potentially earlier, evidence is represented by a single tooth dating to 54,000 years ago from the Grotte Mandrin Cave in France.

This is where the human fossil from Banyoles comes into the story.

Map of the Iberian Peninsula indicating where the Banyoles mandible (yellow star) was found, along with Late Pleistocene Neandertal (orange triangles) and H. sapiens (white squares) sites. Credit: Brian A. Keeling

Reinvestigating a 'Neandertal' mandible

Over a century ago in 1889, a fossil human lower jaw, or mandible, was found at a quarry near the town of Banyoles, in northeastern Spain. Pere Alsius, a prominent local pharmacist, first studied the mandible, and the fossil has been curated by his family ever since.

A number of anthropologists have studied the fossil over time, but it has not usually been included in discussions about H. sapiens in Europe. Most researchers instead argued it represented a Neandertal or showed Neandertal-like features, in part because the Banyoles fossil lacks a feature considered typical and diagnostic of our own species: a bony chin on the front of the mandible.

Researchers did not have a good idea of how old the Banyoles mandible was, with most believing it likely dated to the Middle Pleistocene (780,000-130,000 years ago). That age made it seem too old to represent H. sapiens. Thus, with the absence of a chin and the presumed early date, the designation as a Neandertal seemed to make sense.

Based on recent modern uranium-series and electron spin resonance dating, researchers now believe the Banyoles mandible is between 45,000 and 66,000 years old. This younger estimate overlaps with the early H. sapiens fossils from Eastern Europe.

Working with Spanish paleoanthropologists and archaeologists, we took another look at what species the fossil might represent. We relied on a CT scan to virtually reconstruct damaged or missing portions of the mandible and generated a 3D model of the complete fossil. Then, we studied its overall shape and distinctive anatomical features, comparing it to H. sapiens, Neandertals and other earlier human species.

Virtual reconstruction of the 3D model of the Banyoles mandible. Highlighted piece in blue indicates a mirrored element that researchers used to fill out missing sections. Credit: Brian A. Keeling

In contrast to earlier analyses, our results revealed that the Banyoles jawbone was most similar to H. sapiens fossilsnot Neandertals.

When we examined the mandible's bony features where muscle tendons and ligaments would have attached, it most closely resembled H. sapiens. We also found no unique bony features shared with the Neandertals. Additionally, when we used sophisticated 3D analysis techniques, we found that Banyoles' overall shape was a better match with H. sapiens than with Neandertal individuals.

While nearly all of our evidence suggests this prehistoric human was indeed a member of our species, the lack of a chin remains puzzling. This feature is present in all human populations today and should be present in Banyoles if it is a member of our species.

Figuring out the closest match

How do we reconcile our results showing that Banyoles is a modern human with the fact that it lacks one of the most distinctive modern human features? We considered several possible scenarios.

When the mandible was discovered, it was still encased in a hard travertine block and only partially exposed. During initial cleaning and preparation of the specimen, it was accidentally dropped and the chin region was damaged. The fossil was subsequently reconstructed, with the damaged fragments aligned in their correct anatomical position, and the current state of the fossil does seem to accurately reflect an original chinless shape. Thus, the lack of a chin in Banyoles cannot be attributed to this initial incident.

Comparison of mandibles between H. sapiens, at left; Banyoles, center; and a Neandertal, at right. Credit: Brian A. Keeling

Could the lack of a chin in the Banyoles fossil be a result of interbreeding with Neandertals, who also lacked a chin? Genetic evidence suggests that H. sapiens most likely interbred with Neandertals between 45,000 and 65,000 years ago, making this a possibility.

To assess this hypothesis, we compared Banyoles with an early H. sapiens mandible dating to about 42,000 years ago from a Romanian site called Pestera cu Oase. Ancient DNA analysis has revealed that the Oase individual had a Neandertal ancestor between four and six generations back, making it close to a hybrid individual. However, unlike Banyoles, this mandible shows a full chin along with some other Neandertal features. Since Banyoles shared no distinctive features with Neandertals, we ruled out the possibility of this individual representing interbreeding between Neandertals and H. sapiens.

We're left with two possibilities. Banyoles may represent a hybrid individual between H. sapiens and a non-Neandertal archaic human lineage. This scenario might account for the absence of the chin as well as the lack of any other Neandertal features in Banyoles. However, scientists haven't identified any such non-Neandertal archaic group in the fossil record of the European Late Pleistocene (129,000-11,700 years ago), making this hypothesis less likely.

Alternatively, Banyoles may document a previously unknown lineage of largely chinless H. sapiens in Europe. Possible support for this hypothesis comes from the fact that early H. sapiens fossils from Africa and the Middle East show a less prominent chin than do living humans.

Additionally, ancient DNA research has shown that H. sapiens populations in Europe before 35,000 years ago did not contribute to the modern European gene pool. Thus, we believe the least unlikely hypothesis is that Banyoles represents an individual from one of these early H. sapiens populations.

Our study of Banyoles demonstrates how new discoveries about our evolutionary past do not solely rely on new fossil discoveries, but can also come about through applying new methodologies to previously discovered fossils. If Banyoles is really a member of our species, it would potentially represent the earliest H. sapiens lineage documented to date in Europe. Future ancient DNA analysis could confirm or refute this surprising result. In the meantime, the 3D model of Banyoles is available for other researchers to study and form their own conclusions.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound found in about 200 mushroom species, including the liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata). For millennia, our ancestors have known and used this substance, and in recent years, it has received renewed interest from scientific researchers and therapists.

The substance has the potential to revolutionize the way we treat conditions such as severe depression and substance addiction, according to many. This is also the opinion of University of Southern Denmark researchers Himanshu Khandelia and Ali Asghar Hakami Zanjani from the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy.

The two researchers have recently published their paper, titled "The Molecular Basis of the Antidepressant Action of the Magic Mushroom extract, Psilocin." The article is the third in a series on the same topic from the two researchers (Interaction of psychedelic tryptamine derivatives with a lipid bilayer and Magic mushroom extracts in lipid membranes). The newest study's co-authors are Teresa Quynh Tram Nguyen and Luise Jacobsen.

"My interest was piqued when I heard a podcast about treating smoking addiction with psilocybin. And since psilocybin mushrooms grow everywhere in DenmarkI picked some in Svanninge Bakkerit wasn't difficult to start our research," said Himanshu Khandelia.

Together with Ali Asghar Hakami Zanjani, he is interested in understanding what happens at the molecular level when psilocybin enters the body, is converted to psilocin, and reaches the brain.

"Previous research has shown that psilocin binds to serotonin receptors in the brain. We show that psilocin binds stronger than serotonin to a 5-HT 2A R serotonin receptor. This knowledge can be used if you want to design a drug that acts like psilocybin," explained Ali Asghar Hakami Zanjani.

The two researchers are neither neuroscientists nor pharmacists, so they currently have no plans on conducting clinical trials or designing new drugs. Their research is about studying and describing what happens at the molecular level when psilocin meets a brain cell, penetrates its membrane, and binds to receptors.

"I would be very happy if society can use our research. Maybe someone will take this further and create a molecule that can be used in medical treatment for conditions like depression," says Himanshu Khandelia.

Zanjani and Khandelia plan to continue their research in this area, and are now investigating the mechanism by which the binding of the compounds to the receptor triggers psycho-active responses.

The time is more favorable than it has been in a long time for researchers who want to explore psilocybin treatments for conditions such as depression, addiction, anorexia, and PTSD.

Since the 1960s, many countries' health authorities have had strict bans on researching hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin and LSD.

Prior to that, Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman had isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the P. mexicana mushroom in 1959, and the pharmaceutical company he worked for marketed and sold pure psilocybin to doctors and therapists who could then treat their patients with it.

Towards the end of the 1960s, many countries, especially the United States, tightened their legislation on psychoactive substances, and this also affected research on psilocybin and similar substances, which has been largely stagnant since the 1960s until a few years ago.

Today, countries like the United States, England, and Denmark are again active in the research fieldnow with a more cautious approach.

Hallucinations and the feeling of being disconnected from the world will come along whether one eats a psilocybin mushroom to take a trip or one takes the substance in a medically prescribed tablet, and this calls for caution, explains Ali Asghar Hakami Zanjani:

"Research shows that you experience something different. It is a form of hallucination. The characteristic is that patients may get a whole new perspective on their situation: for example, a terminally ill cancer patient may lose their fear of dying soon and instead experience acceptance of their life situation. Such sessions should take place in safe and guiding settings led by trained therapists. Today, no one would recommend just eating some mushrooms at home in their own living room."

The paper is published in the journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)Proteins and Proteomics.

More information: Ali Asghar Hakami Zanjani et al, The molecular basis of the antidepressant action of the magic mushroom extract, psilocin, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)Proteins and Proteomics (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140914
OCI Holdings Chairman Lee Woo-hyun / Courtesy of OCI Holdings

By Park Jae-hyuk



OCI Holdings kicked off its operation on Tuesday with the appointment of its new chairman, amid multiple controversies surrounding him and the company.



The polysilicon producer for solar power generation said that it finished spinning off OCI Holdings, which will transform into a holding firm for investments by the end of this year, and a new subsidiary named OCI, which will specialize in chemicals.



OCI Vice Chairman Lee Woo-hyun, the company founder's grandson, became the first chairman of OCI Holdings, with the aim of seeking new growth engines for its sustainable development.



However, the chairman was recently found to be a U.S. national without Korean citizenship, when the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) designated him once again as the head of OCI Group, which actually controls the affiliates.



Born in the U.S., Lee had maintained both Korean and U.S. citizenship until he lost his Korean citizenship in 2000. However, he did not notify the Korean court of his loss of Korean citizenship until 2019. As a result, the FTC was not aware of his foreign nationality when designating him as the head of OCI Group in 2018.



Given that Korea has yet to have any rules on designating foreign heads of Korean conglomerates, the OCI Holdings chairman sparked a controversy. The FTC was also criticized for not designating Coupang founder Bom Kim, who is also a U.S. national, as the head of the e-commerce firm again this time.



"OCI differs from Coupang, as relatives of its head have participated in its management," FTC Chairman Han Ki-jung said. "OCI did not have any intention to change its leader."



OCI Group is also facing FTC sanctions over unfair internal transactions between SGC Energy and SGC Solutions, which are under the control of SGC Energy Chairman Lee Bok-young, the OCI Holdings chairman's uncle.



The antitrust regulator reportedly carried out an investigation last year into an allegation that SGC Energy offered preferential treatment for SGC Solutions to win a bid to supply bituminous coal to SGC Energy.



Although the OCI Holdings chairman does not hold shares in SGC Energy and SGC Solutions, the two companies are considered to belong to OCI Group. The chairman can therefore be subject to FTC sanctions, which will likely be imposed in the second half of this year.



"SGC's management is independent of our management," an OCI spokesperson said.



Amid the controversy, the Korea Exchange will resume the trading of stocks of OCI Holdings and OCI on the KOSPI market on May 29.


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A new paper in the Quarterly Journal of Economics, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that an important part of the pay gap between men and women has to do with how they conduct job searches, with women more likely to accept job offers early while men tend to hold out for higher pay.

Women in the United States earn 84% of what men earn, as of 2020. This disparity is well documented, and economists and the general public have known about the earnings difference for decades. The reasons for this phenomenon are a matter of considerable debate.

Initial conditions in the labor market are long-lasting. Young workers who begin their careers during a recession face lower wages for at least 10 years relative to cohorts that entered during better economic times. Since workers typically switch jobs several times over their lives, personal characteristics that matter in early-career job searches (i.e., risk aversion and biased beliefs about their earning potential) will likely matter for subsequent job searches.

Since looking for a job is a complicated process that involves considerable uncertainty, differences in preferences and beliefs by gender are likely to lead to different job search behavior and outcomes. Nevertheless, economists know surprisingly little about how these attributes contribute to gender differences in early-career gender pay gaps.

A likely reason for this is that researchers usually have limited information on job search behavior throughout the job search process, the offers that people receive, and measures of risk aversion and biased beliefs. Even in cases where such information is available, the focus is typically on unemployed workers in general and not on the gender dimension.

But the evidence here comes from surveys on job offers and acceptances from recent undergraduate alumni of Boston University's business school, where one of the study's authors teaches. Researchers asked graduates from the 2013-2019 graduating classes details about the job search process that led to their first job after graduating, such as the characteristics of their accepted and rejected offers, including salary components, job characteristics, job offer timing, and when the offer was accepted or not.

In addition, for the 2018 and 2019 cohorts, researchers also surveyed students before the start of the job search process and collected data on students' subjective beliefs regarding the number of offers and wage offers, etc.

The study's authors found that women, on average, accepted positions about one month earlier than their male counterparts (60% of women accepted a job before graduation, compared to 52% of males). There was a clear, large gender gap in accepted offers, and the gap narrowed in favor of women over the course of the job search. The average gender gap (i.e., male-female difference) across all accepted offers started at around 16% in August of the senior year and declined to about 10% eight months after graduation.

The researchers here believe that this gender difference can be partially accounted for by men's greater risk tolerance and overconfidence in their salary potential. In fact, they find systematic patterns between these traits and search outcomes. For example, more risk-averse individuals reported lower reservation wages and accepted offers earlier.

The findings echo a similar observation in the field where, relative to women, men are more likely to have rejected an offer that is higher than the one that they end up accepting, are less satisfied with the job search process, and regret some aspect of their job search.

Taken together, risk tolerance and salary expectations may explain a sizable proportion of the observed gender difference in earnings. Overall, risk preferences account for about 20% of the gender gap in job search timing. Empirically, the net effect of wage and search timing results in a positive association between risk tolerance/overconfidence and the timing of job acceptance. Gender differences in risk preferences and salary overoptimism account for a non-trivial proportion (about 30%) of the gap in accepted earnings.

"Our study shows that differences in the way men and women search for jobs matter for gender pay gaps in early career," said the paper's lead author, Patricia Cortes.

"Gender differences in risk preferences and overconfidence about future job offers result in women having lower reservation earnings, which translates into earlier acceptance of lower-paying job offers. Gender differences in these traits may explain as much as 30% of the difference between men's and women's earnings in their first jobs."
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The test signal generator lets researchers program the software for the novel momentum microscope (pictured) while it is still being set up in Hamburg. This saves them time and money. Credit: Yves Acremann

Working with a great deal of dexterity and concentration, Jingo Bozzini, an electronics engineer, solders the tiny legs of a chip onto the green circuit board. "Soldering isn't my strong suit," he grins. He's much more interested in programming the circuit on the chip, which was also the focus of his final practical exam last year.

As part of his individual practical work (IPA)his final projecthe and Yves Acremann from the Solid State Physics Research Group developed a test signal generator that simulates experimental data. This little silver box may look unremarkable, but it is of invaluable help in designing a novel microscope that will enable researchers to observe individual electrons.

'Taking photos' with X-ray flashes

ETH Zurich is one of a number of universities around the world that are involved in building this groundbreaking instrument. When completed, the k-microscope, as it is known, will be connected to the LCLS-II free-electron lasera particle accelerator at Stanford that moves electrons in a slalom course so that they emit powerful X-ray flashes.

These X-rays are then directed at a specimen in the microscope, causing electrons to detach from the specimen. A detector at the end of the microscope captures these electrons and calculates their exit angle and time of flight. This data tells researchers more about the electronic properties of a specimen, such as a new semiconductor. The super-fast flashes can also be used to observe dynamic processes such as a chemical reaction.

"The test signal generator simulates the electrons hitting the detector," explains Acremann, a physicist. "It's connected to the detector electronics to program the software for the microscope. This step can be done from the comfort of an office." Bozzini's simulator enables researchers to develop the software while the microscope is still being built. This will save them a lot of time and money because the software will already be fully operational when the researchers connect the microscope to the particle accelerator.

Integrated into the research group

Apprentices also have to prepare a detailed schedule for their IPA. "Testing the generator and documenting the work took longer than planned," Bozzini recounts. This was mainly because he had written his workas is common in researchin English and using LaTeX, a software program. That's not the only thing that makes Bozzini's work unusual: "This final project goes well beyond the basic skills of an electronics engineer," Acremann says. In January, Bozzini even managed to publish a scientific paper on the test signal generator in the Journal of Instrumentationnot an everyday achievement for an apprentice.

As an apprentice, Bozzini was fully integrated into the research group. "I was able to contribute to the group's output with my paper," he says. The close collaboration between researchers and apprentices is a hallmark of vocational training at ETH Zurich. The aspiring electronics engineers spend the first two years of their education in the electronics training lab, where they learn the basics of circuit technology, manufacturing and measuring technology, and programming. For the next two years, they do an apprenticeship within ETHin a research lab, for example. "Especially in experimental physics, it's important that we have experts who can solve technical problems and implement things effectively," Acremann explains.

Although Bozzini thinks it's cool that his thesis made an important contribution to basic research, he remains modest: "That's my jobit's what I get paid for," he says. He doesn't yet know whether he would one day like to work in research himself. He's currently completing a one-year full-time vocational diploma. He has fond memories of his successful apprenticeship at ETH Zurich: after his IPA, he got to travel with Acremann to Hamburg, where the microscope is currently being set up. "That was an exciting experience for me. That's when I saw that my work can actually contribute to basic research," he says.

More information: J. Bozzini et al, Test signal generator for simulating electron events from a momentum microscope, Journal of Instrumentation (2023). DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/18/01/P01014
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Credit: Shutterstock

What makes a good parent? Most would say a good parent loves and nurtures their child with the ultimate aim of helping them flourishnow and into the future. A good parent will feed their child, give them space to play and time to use their imagination, make sure they get an education and medical care, listen to their troubles, and teach them to one day be autonomous adults.

However, does being a good parent involve anything more than this?

In her book, Parenting on Earth, philosopher and mother Elizabeth Cripps argues that to do right by their kids, parents must also attempt to do something about the problems caused by climate change.

Many affluent parents, Cripps says, make two assumptions. The first is that their children will grow up (and grow old) avoiding environmental disasters. They will not experience starvation, famines, and wars over natural resources. Their future will be safe. The air they breathe will be clear, and the water they drink will be clean.

The second assumption is that broader institutionssuch as governments and the World Health Organizationwill take care of these issues. Both assumptions, she argues, are wrong.

Regarding the first assumption, consider the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to avoid catastrophic climate change by preventing the world from warming by 2 from pre-industrial levels. Unfortunately, we are not on track to do this.

Failing to achieve this aim, will cause tens of millions of deaths in the 21st century and an unquantifiable amount of suffering that does not result in death. Heat extremes that used only to happen every 50 years will occur every three. The number of people living in poverty will significantly increase as fundamental human rights to food, water, shelter and security are compromised. Every child on Earth will suffer at least one climate-related hazard, in their lifetime.

Put simply, Cripps points out, future generationsthe very people that parents bring into the worldmay not have the same opportunities to flourish as many of us have had.

Regarding the second assumption, the broader institutions we rely on are not doing enough to mitigate climate change. In a better-organized and just world, governments and international bodies would prevent climate-related problems on our behalf. The fact they are not, though, has ramifications for parents. Indeed, Cripps explains that the world's collective failure to adequately address climate change alters "the rules of the parenting game".

Imagine, for instance, your child scooting down a road with a giant hole in the pavement. Even though it's the council's job to fill in this hole or fence it off, you would not sit back and let your child crash into it while claiming it was someone else's job to fix it. You are obligated to step in and attempt to keep your child safe.

The same, argues Cripps, goes for climate change. Even though it should be someone else's responsibility to address it, protecting one's child ultimately falls to the parent. To do right by their kids, therefore, parents must also attempt to do something about climate change.

Being a good parent means being a good ancestor who fights for the Earth their descendants will inherit. It may become impossible to help your kids flourish without doing so. Climate change threatens their health, livelihoods and human rights.

Cripps even goes so far as to say that not trying to protect their future via addressing climate change makes a mockery of all the other things parents do to keep their children safe. It is equivalent to reading them a bedtime story while the house burns down.

Three climate change duties for parents

According to Cripps, joining the fight against climate change involves at least three things.

First, parents must make lifestyle changes that minimize their family's contribution to climate change: doing things like eating less meat, driving less, flying less, and being more mindful of how much stuff we buy.

These small-scale actions might feel fruitless, but, as Cripps explains, how we live mustn't feed into the global climate change crisis. Otherwise, we would be fanning the flames of the burning house. Lifestyle changes can also get corporations, governments, and our peers to pay attention.

Secondly, Cripps says parents have a duty to raise their children as good ecological citizens aware of global climate injustices. This duty is particularly pertinent for families in affluent countries who have benefited from centuries of environmental exploitation. When parents in famine-plagued The Gambia cannot feed their kids, and many of us in the UK (where Cripps is writing from) or Australia (where I am writing from) have plenty of food to spare, there is a climate injustice at play.

We are rich on the back of colonization that has stripped people of the wealth that could (and should) have been theirs. We use a disproportionate amount of natural resources that others have to pay the price for. This is deeply unjust and children should grow up to be better global and ecological citizens than we have been. Climate action should involve climate justice.

Thirdly, and most importantly for Cripps, parents should become climate activists. When governments and corporations fail us in climate action, parents should campaign for and demand better collective action from the institutions and structures in society that can make significant differences.

Doing so could involve anything from advocating for legislation that switches away from fossil fuels, changing to banks and superannuation that invest in renewable energy, attending protests, or signing petitions.

It could also include joining collective movements campaigning to make it easier for people to live "greener"for instance, movements to improve public transport so it's easier to live car-free or to reduce plastic packaging.

Parents cannot make large-scale differences on their own. But by joining groups trying to promote change and campaigning for more action by governments and other institutions, she argues they can do right by their kids.

Cripps does not claim that it will be possible to do this all the time. (Climate action needs to be balanced against other duties involved in raising a child.) It may seem futile at times. But, if parents do nothing, they fail their children.

The 'hardest question'

This book is an important read for any parent. It's challenging and deeply confronting. Yet it's also full of hope for a future that could occur if enough work is done to make it happen. Cripps is not judging parents, talking down to them, or making them feel guilty.

Instead, as an ethicist and a mother of two girls, she brings her professional expertise into a topic of deep personal concern. She is worried about her (and other) children's future in a vulnerable world that also includes pandemics, extreme poverty, unjust and racist institutions. She is essentially saying to other parents:

"I see you; this is a very stressful situation; here's some help on how we can best raise our children under the circumstances."

In her Note to Readers, she says this book is also for those who are considering having kids. There is an interesting chapter on what she calls "the hardest question"that is, should we become parents at all, at least biological parents? As Cripps acknowledges, this is an essential question that precedes any others about how to parent. She says that we should be able to have kidsit can be a uniquely valuable life experienceand try to build a better future for them, but there are good moral reasons to think carefully about the issue.

For instance, she explains that bringing a new person into the world in a heavily polluting country creates another person with a high carbon footprint. There are also children already alive today without parents who will suffer from the harms of climate change. Therefore, people without a strong desire to be a biological parent could perhaps seek to adopt instead.

Nevertheless, there could have been more space dedicated to this decision. Indeed, as someone who does not have children and is considering whether it is ethical to become a parent in a time of climate change, it is a live question I'd have liked to read more on.

Parenting on Earth reads as much more relevant to those who have already become parents. To that end, while everyone can gain valuable insights and become better ecological citizens by reading it, parents concerned with climate change should put it at the top of their must-read list.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A beach clean-up takes place in Kipumbwi in Tanzania. Credit: Professor Alistair McIlgorm/University of Wollongong

Pristine beaches full of plastic waste. Picturesque rivers clogged by rubbish and discarded objects. These are not the sights that you find in travel brochures.

But for many countries around the world, which rely on tourism to support their gross domestic products (GDP), these are frequently becoming the sights that greet tourists.

Professor Alistair McIlgorm, from the Australian National Center for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong (UOW), said marine plastic pollution is becoming an increasingly urgent issue in the African coastal locations of Tanzania and Zanzibar, which rely on tourism to drive the local and national economies.

As the lead researcher and consultant on a recent World Bank PROBLUE study into the costs of environmental degradation from marine plastic pollution in Eastern Africa, Professor McIlgorm has seen the problem firsthand. He said, as with all plastic pollution, prevention is better than the cure.

Professor McIlgorm conducted the research alongside Dr. Jian Xie, Senior Environmental Specialist at The World Bank. Titled "The Costs of Environmental Degradation from Plastic Pollution in Selected Coastal Areas in the United Republic of Tanzania", the report was published by the World Bank last month.

The World Bank study sought to measure the environmental costs of marine plastic pollution in two sitesDar es Salaam in Tanzania and Zanzibar Island in the Zanzibar Archipelagoby estimating the economic impacts on fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, health, and the marine ecosystem.

The World Bank is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. ANCORS is the only multidisciplinary university-based center of its type in the Southern Hemisphere dedicated to delivering specialized research, advisory services, education and training in ocean law and policy, maritime security, and marine resources management.

This is the first study of its kind that determines the cost of environmental degradation caused by marine plastic pollution.

"The project found that across the two sites, in 2019, there was a measurable impact of US$28 million, two thirds of which is being borne by the tourism industry," Professor McIlgorm said.

"Zanzibar is a popular tourist destination, and the project used survey responses from tourists to show the impactapproximately US$13.7 millionthat marine plastic pollution has on how tourists feel about the destination. This study is a significant development in estimating the tangible impact of plastic on marine industries and the environment."

Both Tanzania and Zanzibar have experienced considerable population growth and urbanization in recent years, the report found, and with that has come an increased demand for products that contain plastic. However, Professor McIlgorm said, like much of the continent and indeed the world, there is not the infrastructure to support disposing of those mountains of plastic.

Sustaining healthy oceans and the responsible consumption of resources are both part of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, and are central to a health future for countries and territories in East Africa.

While the study focused on Tanzania and Zanzibar, it is a problem that countless countries throughout the world, who rely on tourism, are grappling with.

"There are immediate actions that can be taken, such as beach cleaning in the tourist season. But in the longer term, the challenge is how to increase the effectiveness of waste management systems. How can hotels reduce plastic in their operations? How can companies that host tourists better improve their plastic waste management?" Professor McIlgorm said.

"Plastic waste leakage contaminates beaches and marine ecosystems and creates economic losses in local economies. Globally, only ten percent of total plastic waste is recycled and 14 percent is burned. The rest is either buried or remains unmanaged, which is how it can so easily enter waterways and the ocean."

While the research is specific to the coast of East Africa, Professor McIlgorm said there are lessons that can be applied globally about the cost of marine plastic pollution to a town or country's economy, and the need to find ways to address this urgent global problem.

"One of the main problems in Tanzania and Zanzibar, and in many other parts of the developing world, is dealing with plastic before it enters the ocean. The Tanzania government introduced legislation banning the sale of single-use plastic bags in 2019 and this is reducing plastic waste volumes," Professor McIlgorm said.

"However, dealing with all plastic waste through improved solid waste management in Dar es Salaam, one of the fastest growing cities in Africa, will take significant efforts. This is an area where government, industry and NGOs can cooperate by encouraging extended producer responsibility.

"Throughout the world, marine plastic pollution imposes significant costs on economies and the environment, but these costs are avoidable. Preventing these costs can restore economic benefits, particularly for areas that rely heavily on tourism, and also go a long way towards restoring the health of our precious ocean."

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures) Professor David Currow said this research reflected the University's commitment to sustaining coastal and marine environments for generations to come.

"Congratulations to Professor McIlgorm and to World Bank PROBLUE on this important study, which captures the impact that marine plastic pollution has upon nations that rely on tourism for the livelihood of their citizens and their economy," Professor Currow said.

"Marine plastic pollution is an absolute scourge on our environment, and combating this is fundamental to creating healthy, sustainable oceans for our future."
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The brick-built cistern (context 1154) during excavation in 2021 (photographs and illustration by Sovrintendenza CapitolinaThe Caesar's Forum Project). Credit: Antiquity (2023). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2023.34

A team of archaeologists affiliated with several institutions in Denmark and Italy has found buried medical waste in a Renaissance-era landfill that was once the site of Caesar's Forum in Rome. In their paper published in the journal Antiquity, the group describes the origin of the landfill and its contents.

The Forum in Rome, dedicated to Julius Caesar, was completed in 46 B.C. as a site for conducting public business generally related to the Roman Senate. Much later, during the 16th century, the site was still usableRenaissance-era people used it as a hospital. Doctors of the time knew that diseases could be infectious, so they set up protocols for dealing with them and the clothes and tools used to treat ill patients.

Prior research has shown that doctors and medical researchers in Italy played a major role in establishing protocols, such disposal of instruments after a single use, and disposing of potentially contaminated belongings by burning or burying them. In this new effort, the research team found evidence of such protocols in practicea landfill next to what was once a hospital where people of the time buried or discarded materials associated with caring for sick people.

The landfill was discovered just two years ago, and since that time, teams of archaeologists have been slowly digging out the material discarded there to learn more about Renaissance-era medical practices. The team in this new effort focused their efforts on a cistern that was found in the landfill.

Glass urine flasks excavated from the cistern. Scale in cm (photographs and illustrations by Sovrintendenza CapitolinaThe Caesar's Forum Project). Credit: Antiquity (2023). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2023.34

The researchers note that the cistern had been intentionally sealed with a clay cap after it was filled with medical waste. Removal of the cap showed that the cistern had been filled with a large array of beads, jars, figurines and even coins, but most notably, with matulaglass urine flasks. Prior research has shown that doctors used such flasks to examine urine samples to spot symptoms of diseases such as diabetes or jaundice.

The researchers also found lead clamps in the cistern, remnants from furniture that had been burned due to the suspicion of a patient infected with the plague.

More information: Cristina Boschetti et al, Disease control and the disposal of infectious materials in Renaissance Rome: excavations in the area of Caesar's Forum, Antiquity (2023). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2023.34 Journal information: Antiquity

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Credit: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

When environmental advocacy organization Get Outdoors Nevada holds volunteer clean up events at public lands around the valley, they typically bring buckets.

When they clean up Frenchman Mountainthey bring dumpsters.

The east Las Vegas landmark has long been plagued by illegal dumping, tarnishing pristine areas of outdoor recreation enjoyed by Sunrise Manor residents and visitors alike.

A battle to keep Frenchman Mountain free from trash is gaining momentum after local advocates joined forces to potentially make the area a national monument.

Since Get Outdoors Nevada began holding clean up events in 2016, approximately 15,000 pounds of trash have been collected by the organization at Frenchman. Two cleanup events at Frenchman held last year netted about 6,000 pounds of trash alone.

"The evidence abounds of folks who have been firing firearms, and using this area for target practice; that has created in, over a large swath of this area, huge amounts of glass and trash debris," Rachel Bergren, executive director for Get Outdoors Nevada, said.

Volunteers often spend hours clean up everything from tiny shards of glass to tires to construction debris, Bergren said.

Hence, the dumpsters.

But the problem of dumping and vandalism in the area isn't new. Steve Rowland, a geology professor at UNLV who has spent his career studying Frenchman Mountain's unique rock formation, has worked to clean up the area since the early 1990s.

Rowland helped form the advocacy group Citizens for Active Management of French & Sunrise Mountain Area, or CAM, to organize mountain clean ups and educate the public on the area's geological significance. The group worked with BLM to build educational signs near the mountain for visitors in early 1995, but not long after they were installed, vandals destroyed them.

Undeterred, Rowland said he has refusesd to let the area decay into a roadside trash dump.

"We've been trying to get that area cleaned up for a long time," Rowland said. "We would eventually like to have a higher level of management protection by the BLM, or whatever agency, to make sure that people don't feel like it's an OK place to go out and just throw their beer bottles around and leave trash."

Bergren, Rowland and Clark County Commissioner Segerblom, who represents District E which oversees the East Side, are part of a growing local coalition of Las Vegas residents who hope to see the area receive national monument designation, just as Avi Kwa Ame received its designation in March, as part of a long-term solution to for a cleaner Frenchman Mountain.

Just as Red Rock Canyon received additional management resources by becoming a national conservation area in 1990, the Frenchman Mountain area could also see increased resources with national monument status, Bergren said.

"It's not an apples to apples comparison, but that potential certainly exists at Frenchman Mountain," she said.

Some protection does already exist for the area, which is designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern to protect the rare Las Vegas bear poppy, a state-designated endangered plant, according to Stephen Leslie, assistant field manager at BLM's Las Vegas Field Office.

The BLM alone lacks the authority to change the designation of the land without an act of Congress or through presidential proclamation, he said.

"It is unfortunate that we do see such a high amount of dumping and graffiti and other types of incidents," Leslie said. "I think the more people understand about the area, the more invested in it they would become."

The coalition states on the monument campaign's website that they believe the ACEC designation is not doing enough to bring adequate resources and oversight for the area.

Right now, the movement to make Frenchman Mountain a national monument is still in early stages, Bergren and Rowland said. As a grassroots movement, advocates have focused primarily on educating the public about the need for increased protection and resources in the area, and getting members of the public to sign a petition to support making the area the East Las Vegas National Monument.

"There's so many valuable characteristics of this space that we think put it on the same playing field as something like Avi Kwa Ame," Bergren said. "It's a much smaller areabut there are many similarities because of all the resources and the values that are there."

The Great Unconformity rock formation, for example, brings international geologists to Las Vegas who want to better understand the unique, abnormal rock layers there that are only visible in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, Rowland said.

"It's a little embarrassing to take them to a world-class geological site, and have to step over broken glass and beer cans and old bed springs," Rowland said.

Segerblom said his office is working closely with senators, congresspeople, and the Biden administration to make the national monument a realityespecially to give added protection to The Great Unconformity.

"That's going to be another part of the push we're trying to do and really make it a place where tourists and locals can go and enjoy it," Segerblom said. "The view up there is just phenomenal."

Getting an area national monument designation isn't something that will happen overnight. Avi Kwa Ame was 20 years in the making before receiving its status, and came after tribal groups and environmental activists spearheaded a public awareness campaign in 2021.

But, Segerblom said more immediate solutions to the trash problem are in the works.

Segerblom recently spearheaded the installation of concrete barriers along Los Feliz Street between Washington Avenue and Bonanza Road to deter would-be trash dumpers and off-roaders from entering the desert behind residential communities. Soon, he hopes to add cameras to some of the East Side's dead-end streets to record illegal activities near Frenchman.

"Hopefully, there's a barrier there, they won't just get out and carry their mattresses over," Segerblom said.

He also plans to push for a Neighborhood Services Department in his next term. The department will focus on being a one-stop-shop that residents can contact to report illegal dumping, among other community issues that need to be resolved that would coordinate with BLM and the county.

In the meantime, members of the public can help support public lands through volunteer efforts and by signing the petition to support the designation on eastlasvegasmonument.org. You can also call BLM's dispatch center at 702-293-8998 to report dumping.

Although there are no scheduled clean ups at Frenchman Mountain yet, Get Outdoors Nevada is planning to organize a mass clean up of the area in the fall, Bergren said.

"It's a really beautiful area, and we think it deserves to be cared for and have attention brought to it," she said. "Whatever we can do to support and to raise awareness and get the community involved is something that we're really committed to."

2023 Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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This frame from NASAs new animation compares the sizes of three supermassive black holes in relation to planetary orbits in our solar system. At top left, unlabeled, is the black hole at the center of the Circinus galaxy. Below it lies the giant black hole in galaxy M32. And at right is the more massive black hole at the heart of our own Milky Way galaxy. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

A new NASA animation highlights the "super" in supermassive black holes. These monsters lurk in the centers of most big galaxies, including our own Milky Way, and contain between 100,000 and tens of billions of times more mass than our sun.

"Direct measurements, many made with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope, confirm the presence of more than 100 supermassive black holes," said Jeremy Schnittman, a theorist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "How do they get so big? When galaxies collide, their central black holes eventually may merge together too."

In 2019 and 2022, a planet-spanning network of radio observatories called the Event Horizon Telescope produced, respectively, the first images of the giant black holes at the centers of M87 and the Milky Way. They revealed a bright ring of hot orbiting gas surrounding a circular zone of darkness.

Any light crossing the event horizonthe black hole's point of no returnbecomes trapped forever, and any light passing close to it is redirected by the black hole's intense gravity. Together, these effects produce a "shadow" about twice the size of the black hole's actual event horizon. All monster black holes are not equal. Watch this video to see how they compare to each other and to our solar system. The black holes shown, which range from 100,000 to more than 60 billion times our Suns mass, are scaled according to the sizes of their shadows  a circular zone about twice the size of their event horizons. Only one of these colossal objects resides in our own galaxy, and it lies 26,000 light-years away. Smaller black holes are shown in bluish colors because their gas is expected to be hotter than that orbiting larger ones. Scientists think all of these objects shine most intensely in ultraviolet light. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

The new NASA animation shows 10 supersized black holes that occupy center stage in their host galaxies, including the Milky Way and M87, scaled by the sizes of their shadows. Starting near the sun, the camera steadily pulls back to compare ever-larger black holes to different structures in our solar system.

First up is 1601+3113, a dwarf galaxy hosting a black hole packed with the mass of 100,000 suns. The matter is so compressed that even the black hole's shadow is smaller than our sun.

Our galaxys supersized black hole, Sagittarius A*, as seen by the Event Horizon Telescope. It contains the equivalent mass of 4.3 million Suns and lies about 26,000 light-years away. Credit: EHT Collaboration

The black hole at the heart of our own galaxy, called Sagittarius A* (pronounced ay-star), boasts the weight of 4.3 million suns based on long-term tracking of stars in orbit around it. Its shadow diameter spans about half that of Mercury's orbit in our solar system.

The animation shows two monster black holes in the galaxy known as NGC 7727. Located about 1,600 light-years apart, one weighs 6 million solar masses and the other more than 150 million suns. Astronomers say the pair will merge within the next 250 million years.

"Since 2015, gravitational wave observatories on Earth have detected the mergers of black holes with a few dozen solar masses thanks to the tiny ripples in space-time these events produce," said Goddard astrophysicist Ira Thorpe. "Mergers of supermassive black holes will produce waves of much lower frequencies which can be detected using a space-based observatory millions of times larger than its Earth-based counterparts."

The two bright knots at the center of galaxy NGC 7727 each represent a dense group of stars surrounding a supermassive black hole. Only 1,600 light-years separate the pair. Astronomers expect them to merge within the next 250 million years. Credit: ESO/Voggel et al.

Light from the supermassive black hole known as TON 618 (circled) takes more than 10 billion years to reach us. Credit: SDSS

That's why NASA is collaborating with ESA (European Space Agency) to develop their LISA mission, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, expected to launch sometime in the next decade. LISA will consist of a constellation of three spacecraft in a triangle that shoot laser beams back and forth over millions of miles to precisely measure their separations. This will enable the detection of passing gravitational waves from merging black holes with masses up to a few hundred million suns. Astronomers are exploring other detection techniques to tackle even bigger mergers.

At the animation's larger scale lies M87's black hole, now with a updated mass of 5.4 billion suns. Its shadow is so big that even a beam of lighttraveling at 670 million mph (1 billion kph)would take about two and a half days to cross it.

The movie ends with TON 618, one of a handful of extremely distant and massive black holes for which astronomers have direct measurements. This behemoth contains more than 60 billion solar masses, and it boasts a shadow so large that a beam of light would take weeks to traverse it.

Provided by NASA
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A thick carpet of potentially toxic sargassum algae has washed up in Capesterre, filling the air with the smell of rotten eggs.

Jose Viator was hoping tourists would flock to his beachside bar on the French archipelago of Guadeloupe, but he has been forced to close because of stinky brown seaweed.

"It's a nightmare," the 61-year-old said.

The pristine sand and turquoise Caribbean waters of his coastal village are usually a magnet for tourists at this time of year.

But a thick carpet of potentially toxic sargassum algae has washed up on the beach of Capesterre, filling the air with the smell of rotten eggs as it decomposes and keeping visitors at bay.

It is just one part of the Caribbean to have tackled excessive seaweed influx in recent years, in a phenomenon that has been linked to pollution and global warming.

More than a third of the sargassum washing up in Guadeloupe over the past 12 years has landed in Viator's village.

"We make a living from tourism, but we're forced to close several months a year" because of the stench, he said.

The fumes also damage nearby houses and other property by eating away at metal, but insurance companies will not reimburse the damage, he said.

A digger plowed up and down the beach nearby, scooping up clumps of the rotting seaweed so that a truck could ferry them away.

Jean-Fernand Diabangouaya, a 54-year-old convenience store employee, said people were resigned to the influx of brown algae.

"We're used to it. It's been 12 years now," he said.

Since mid-April local authorities have recommended 'vulnerable people' move away for the area.

Health risks

Since 2011, 40 percent of the sargassum washing up in the Guadeloupe archipelago has landed in Capesterre, according to the authorities.

"We have always known sargassum, but since 2011 it's really got worse," Sylvie Gustave-dit-Duflo, the vice-president of the Guadeloupe region in charge of environmental affairs, told AFP.

The decomposing algae emits around 30 gases in total, she said.

Among them, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) causes the rotting egg smell and is thought to have negative health effects if inhaled in large quantities.

Since mid-April local authorities have recommended "vulnerable people" move away for the area after measuring H2S concentration in the air.

Prolonged exposure to slightly higher levels can cause headaches and problems in some asthma patients, while a 2022 study has linked the rotting seaweed to an increased risk of pregnancy complications in women living on the coast.

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt.

Scientists believe global warming, deforestation and runoff water full of sewage, agricultural waste and other nutrients have all contributed to sargassum choking Caribbean beaches in recent years.

"It's probably linked to several factors: nitrate and potassium being flushed into the ocean, whose temperature is rising," said Gustave-dit-Duflo.

'Curse we did not cause'

Sargassum, whose brown branches are dotted with bubbles that keep it afloat, has existed for centuries in the north of the Atlantic Ocean.

But huge mats of the algae have started to appear in the south Atlantic in recent years, likely fed by the nutrient-rich runoff of the Mississippi, Amazon and Congo rivers.

The so-called Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt contained about 13 million tonnes of seaweed by the end of March, according to the University of South Florida.

Sargassum may provide a rich habitat for marine fauna at sea, but it harms coastal wildlife when it washes up on land.

'We're having to manage a curse that we did not cause,' says local official Sylvie Gustave-dit-Duflo.

Sargassum may provide a rich habitat for marine fauna at sea, but it harms coastal wildlife when it washes up on land.

And removing it from the coastline also costs millions of euros, says Gustave-dit-Duflo.

"We're having to manage a curse that we did not cause," she said, calling for international action to solve the problem.

Local authorities are aiming to set up a marine barrier made up of nets and buoys to protect the village's beaches from the brown seaweed by June, Mayor Jean-Claude Maes said.

Until then, the only option to get rid of the rotting algae is to spread it out across acres of isolated land until it fully decays and dries out.

But even that is not ideal.

When it decomposes, the algae leaks heavy metals into the ground, according to a 2022 government report.

 2023 AFP
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Map site.

A team of researchers from the Complexity Science Hub (CSH) and Central European University (CEU) created more-detailed poverty maps using computational tools that bring together survey information, and data and images provided by public sources such as Google and Meta (Facebook).

The poverty maps for Sierra Leone and Uganda, two Sub-Saharan African countries with extreme poverty, will be presented early May at the Web Conference 2023 in Texas, US.

For years, policymakers, planners, and researchers have relied on surveys and census data to track and respond to poverty. "Gathering this information, however, can be time-consuming and expensive," explains research fellow Lisette Espin-Noboa, a postdoc at CSH and CEU and first author of the study. "And a census may not include hard-to-reach areas."

"If you ask why we need high-resolution poverty maps, the answer is simple. These incredibly detailed poverty maps can identify places in need that otherwise wouldn't be captured in maps using only census data," adds CEU associate professor Marton Karsai, co-author of the study.

"In regions with a lack of direct information, it is challenging to estimate the socio-economic status of people. In our study we focused on two countries, Uganda and Sierra Leone, where high-resolution, large-scale estimates are not available," points out professor Janos Kertesz, head of the Department of Network and Data Science at CEU and co-author of the study.

Datasets

In the first step, the team gathered demographic data from two surveys. "In particular, we focused on the housing characteristics questionnaire. This helps estimate household wealth by considering the quality and quantity of available facilities or assets at home," say the researchers.

For both countries, International Wealth Index (IWI) scores were calculated. IWI indicates how well a home possesses a basic set of assets. The lower the value, the lower the quality of housing. And the higher the value, the wealthier the household.

Second, Espin-Noboa and colleagues compiled a second dataset of satellite imagery and geographic information system data provided by crowdsourcing and social media sources, like Google and Meta (Facebook).

Over 900 features were extracted that offer insight into the economic status of the population, the infrastructure development of the area, and other wealth indicators. "This data shows, for instance, how many antennas are located in a certain area, or the number of people visiting the same area. It can also indicate how many Facebook users own an iPhone," explains Espin-Noboa. Credit: Central European University

Models

The team created three machine learning models that were trained to determine not only a place's average wealth, but also its standard deviation. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a more accurate picture of the wealth distribution within each populated area. "We wanted to know how wealth varied within an area, or if there was inequality," points out Espin-Noboa.

The models were trained to learn correlations between the demographic data and IWI scores and the features extracted from data and images provided by public sources. "They learn, for instance, that a specific wealth value correlates to a specific set of features," says Espin-Noboa. "Next, we tested the models by asking them to predict the wealth of different areas."

The team developed three models: one based on satellite imagery; a second on crowdsourcing and social media data; and a third on combining the two. "We wanted to determine which features contributed most to wealth prediction," explained Karsai.

Using the models, the researchers created maps detailing the poverty levels of communities in Sierra Leone and Uganda. They also created an interactive map tool where users can compare wealth inferred in both countries and explore the machine learning models.

"The performance of our models is comparable to the state-of-the-art and, in some cases, outperforms it," ponders Karsai. "Importantly, we estimate not only the economic status of people living at a given location but also local fluctuations. Moreover, we find that different methods are needed for estimating high income (where satellite images provide good results) and poor regions (where metadata-based methods are the best)."

COVID-19 pandemic

For three decades, the World Bank has documented a decline in the number of people living in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 a day. This trend was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The number of people living in extreme poverty has increased by 70 million to more than 700 million.

According to the World Bank, the recovery has been uneven since then. And most of the people still living in extreme poverty are in Sub-Saharan Africa, in conflict-affected areas, and in rural areas.

Consequently, more accurate, timelier, and cost-effective ways of measuring poverty are urgently needed, points out Kertesz. "By combining traditional household survey data with nontraditional data sources, we can map poverty at a higher resolution and scale. This can help policymakers make better evidence-based decisions when designing programs that reduce poverty and inequality," says Kertesz, who's also an external faculty member at CSH.

Provided by Central European University
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Artist's concept of Early Earth. Credit: NASA

The first building blocks of life on Earth may have formed thanks to eruptions from our sun, a new study finds.

A series of chemical experiments show how solar particles, colliding with gases in Earth's early atmosphere, can form amino acids and carboxylic acids, the basic building blocks of proteins and organic life. The findings were published in the journal Life.

To understand the origins of life, many scientists try to explain how amino acids, the raw materials from which proteins and all cellular life, were formed. The best-known proposal originated in the late 1800s as scientists speculated that life might have begun in a "warm little pond": A soup of chemicals, energized by lightning, heat, and other energy sources, that could mix together in concentrated amounts to form organic molecules.

In 1953, Stanley Miller of the University of Chicago tried to recreate these primordial conditions in the lab. Miller filled a closed chamber with methane, ammonia, water, and molecular hydrogengases thought to be prevalent in Earth's early atmosphereand repeatedly ignited an electrical spark to simulate lightning. A week later, Miller and his graduate advisor Harold Urey analyzed the chamber's contents and found that 20 different amino acids had formed.

"That was a big revelation," said Vladimir Airapetian, a stellar astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and co-author of the new paper. "From the basic components of early Earth's atmosphere, you can synthesize these complex organic molecules."

But the last 70 years have complicated this interpretation. Scientists now believe ammonia (NH 3 ) and methane (CH 4 ) were far less abundant; instead, Earth's air was filled with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and molecular nitrogen (N 2 ), which require more energy to break down. These gases can still yield amino acids, but in greatly reduced quantities.

Seeking alternative energy sources, some scientists pointed to shockwaves from incoming meteors. Others cited solar ultraviolet radiation. Airapatian, using data from NASA's Kepler mission, pointed to a new idea: energetic particles from our sun. Energy from our young sun4 billion years agoaided in creating molecules in Earth's atmosphere that allowed it to warm up enough to incubate life. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Genna Duberstein

Kepler observed far-off stars at different stages in their lifecycle, but its data provides hints about our sun's past. In 2016, Airapetian published a study suggesting that during Earth's first 100 million years, the sun was about 30% dimmer. But solar "superflares"powerful eruptions we only see once every 100 years or so todaywould have erupted once every 3-10 days. These superflares launch near-light speed particles that would regularly collide with our atmosphere, kickstarting chemical reactions.

"As soon as I published that paper, the team from the Yokohama National University from Japan contacted me," Airapetian said.

Dr. Kobayashi, a professor of chemistry there, had spent the last 30 years studying prebiotic chemistry. He was trying to understand how galactic cosmic raysincoming particles from outside our solar systemcould have affected early Earth's atmosphere. "Most investigators ignore galactic cosmic rays because they require specialized equipment, like particle accelerators," Kobayashi said. "I was fortunate enough to have access to several of them near our facilities." Minor tweaks to Kobayashi's experimental setup could put Airapatian's ideas to the test.

Airapetian, Kobayashi, and their collaborators created a mixture of gases matching early Earth's atmosphere as we understand it today. They combined carbon dioxide, molecular nitrogen, water, and a variable amount of methane. (The methane proportion in Earth's early atmosphere is uncertain but thought to be low.) They shot the gas mixtures with protons (simulating solar particles) or ignited them with spark discharges (simulating lightning), replicating the Miller-Urey experiment for comparison. A close up of a solar eruption, including a solar flare, a coronal mass ejection, and a solar energetic particle event. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

As long as the methane proportion was over 0.5%, the mixtures shot by protons (solar particles) produced detectable amounts of amino acids and carboxylic acids. But the spark discharges (lightning) required about a 15% methane concentration before any amino acids formed at all.

"And even at 15% methane, the production rate of the amino acids by lightning is a million times less than by protons," Airapetian added. Protons also tended to produce more carboxylic acids (a precursor of amino acids) than those ignited by spark discharges.

All else being equal, solar particles appear to be a more efficient energy source than lightning. But all else likely wasn't equal, Airapetian suggested. Miller and Urey assumed that lightning was just as common at the time of the "warm little pond" as it is today. But lightning, which comes from thunderclouds formed by rising warm air, would have been rarer under a 30% dimmer sun.

"During cold conditions you never have lightning, and early Earth was under a pretty faint sun," Airapetian said. "That's not saying that it couldn't have come from lightning, but lightning seems less likely now, and solar particles seems more likely."

These experiments suggest our active young sun could have catalyzed the precursors of life more easily, and perhaps earlier, than previously assumed.

More information: Kensei Kobayashi et al, Formation of Amino Acids and Carboxylic Acids in Weakly Reducing Planetary Atmospheres by Solar Energetic Particles from the Young Sun, Life (2023). DOI: 10.3390/life13051103




AmorePacific, a cosmetics giant, on Tuesday reported a 25.3 percent decrease in net profit in the first quarter from a year earlier due to sluggish sales amid a global slowdown.







AmorePacific posted a net profit of 89.7 billion won ($66.8 million) on a consolidated basis in the January-March period, compared with 120 billion won logged a year ago, according to its regulatory filing.







Sales tumbled 21.6 percent on-year to 913.7 billion won and operating profit fell 59.3 percent to 64.4 billion won.







Overseas revenue dropped 16.8 percent to 349.4 billion won, largely due to a decrease in sales in the Chinese market.







But its sales in the North American region grew 80 percent and 94 percent in the European, Middle Eastern and African regions thanks to the popularity of its mid-end Laneige brand. (Yonhap)






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Students in a traditional lecture hall. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Giving new college students opportunities to reflect on the ways science, technology, engineering and math can affect their lives makes them more likely to remain in degree programs in STEM fields, according to new research from the University of WisconsinMadison.

The effects described in the study, published May 1 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, were particularly strong for students from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in STEMscience, technology, engineering and mathdisciplines.

More than 2,500 students enrolled in an introductory chemistry coursenearly all in their first year of collegeparticipated in the study. Three times throughout the course, the students were given writing assignments about concepts covered in class, such as "What factors determine the pressure of a gas?"

Half the students, the control group, were directed to write essays that addressed the question. The other half were told they also needed to explain how the scientific concept could be applied either to their own life or to helping others.

"Their answers weren't always deep reflections," says Judith Harackiewicz, a UWMadison psychology professor who studies motivation, and whose lab has been studying students in science classes for more than a decade. "Some students did write about important connectionssuch as how a chemistry concept might help a relative with cancerbut others were as simple as how this relates to baking a pan of brownies for their friends."

The impact of the reflection, however, was significant. Students who were asked to consider how science was relevant to them or society were 4 percentage points more likely to be majoring in a STEM field 2.5 years after the chemistry course (74% vs. 70% for the control group). Students who identify as members of underrepresented groups less likely to study and work in STEM disciplinesincluding Alaska Native, American Indian, Black, Hispanic or Latino/Latina, and Pacific Islanderand were assign the additional personal writing were 14 percentage points more likely to be on the path to a STEM degree 2.5 years later (69% versus 55% for the control group).

The differences are particularly striking, according to the researchers, because they show that a small change in the science curriculum can help students stay on the path that brought them to introductory chemistry in the first place.

"At the beginning of this chemistry course, 94% of students told us they planned to major in a STEM field," says Michael Asher, a UWMadison graduate student and first author of the study. "It's a critical time for them. A lot of prior research shows that students can start to feel disconnected from their long-term goals in introductory science classes. They come in wanting to be a doctor or an engineer, but here they are putting long hours in on basic science stuff, like making diagrams of molecules."

The assignments that incorporate personal reflectionswhich the researchers call "utility-value interventions"about the personal and societal importance of even basic science skills seem subtle, but Harackiewicz thinks they tap into a powerful source of motivation.

"There has been considerable focus on helping students get better grades in these courses, and of course, better grades do predict persistence," says Harackiewicz. "But to really understand why a student sticks with a STEM career through the difficult courses comes down to their motivation, and the kind of motivation that we study is around engagement and interest. These writing assignments are so powerful because the students are finding that relevance by themselves and getting more involved in their coursework."

Asking students to reflect on the relevance of lecture topics may do more than pique their interest and improve their engagement. By weaving real-world importance into the step-by-step basics of science, students may see STEM fields and communities of professionals in a more appealing light.

"To encounter this in a class assignment may also communicate something about the culture of what STEM is like or what STEM courses can be like," Asher says. "It's signaling to the students that the instructor values thinking about the science this way. It's possible that that's another important ingredient in what's happening here."

The researchers and their collaborators are expanding experiments with their utility-value interventions to about 7,000 students in introductory STEM courses at universities in three states, collecting more detailed information on their experiences during pivotal early challenges and how the COVID-19 pandemic weighed on their goals and motivation.

More information: Michael W. Asher et al, Utility-value intervention promotes persistence and diversity in STEM, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300463120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As of 2021 it is estimated that world-wide the number of refugees and asylum-seekers is over 31 million. While academics and researchers have been attempting to capture global and domestic attitudes towards these vulnerable groups, many of these studies will report biased findings and influence public opinion and policy. That is why researchers surveying socially charged topics such as immigration must make sure their methodology doesn't reinforce common anti-immigration attitudes.

A team led by George Washington University researchers has done just that.

Today, Philip J. Candilis, M.D. a professor of psychiatry at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, will present the findings of a new study that debunks previous research showing that mere exposure to refugees increases hostility towards refugees and asylum policies.

With the collaboration of Allen R. Dyer, M.D. Ph.D, Sean D. Cleary, Ph.D. and former GW medical student Sarah Qadir, the research was an international joint project of the George Washington University Global Mental Health Program and the Hellenic American Psychiatric Association, with data from a survey of nine non-governmental organizations working in Greece.

"Because these types of studies can be influential, we felt it was important to demonstrate that a previous study of anti-immigrant attitudes in the Greek Aegean islands was flawed," Candilis said.

"Without a carefully chosen target population and carefully structured questions, surveys can provide incomplete and biased responsesresponses that then inflame politics and policy and even fuel anti-refugee sentiment. That is why we choose to study a group that has maximum exposure to refugeeshumanitarian aid workersso our results drew very different conclusions."

Using methods intended to mitigate bias through survey design, sample selection, and statistical modeling, Candilis said the team tested whether humanitarian aid-workers in Greece, a group that is heavily exposed to refugees, would remain tolerant, committed, and progressive in their views of the immigrant population.

Their results showed that it is not primarily exposure to refugees, but factors arising from context, background, and education which held sway in determining attitudes. The study demonstrates that a combination of better techniques can result in more informative and less divisive survey results on hot-button issues, Candilis said.

The abstract, "Antiracism Ethics & Research in the Refugee Crisis: A Greece/US Collaboration," was presented May 2 at the 6th Annual International Forum on Ethics of the Athens Institute for Education and Research held in Athens, Greece.
By Abass Jalloh

Following the end of preliminary investigations between the State and musician Alhaji Amadu Bah aka LAJ, Magistrate Mark Ngegba at the Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown has committed the matter to the High Court of Sierra Leone.

Yesterday 16th August 2022, the defense counsel led by Madieu Sesay, submitted a writ of no case submission in court and later applied for bail for the accused before the commencement of the high court, asserting that the accused would not jump bail and that granting bail would not bring the matter to an end.

However, the bail was refused by the magistrate and the Sierra Leonean rapper continues to be on remand.

In his ruling, the magistrate stated that the pieces of evidence presented in court were sufficient for the accused to stand for trial in the high court, according to law.

On 12th June 2022, LAJ was arrested and charged with violently robbing the sum of four million two hundred thousand old Leones (Le 4,200,000) and assaulting a pump attendant occasioning actual bodily harm at the Leonco filling station at Water Street, Congo Cross, Freetown.

After a half-an-hour stand down in a bid to comprehend the writ submitted by the defense team, the state counsel, Yusif Isaac Sesay responded that the defense's submission started on a bad footing and ended on a wrong footing also.

Lawyer Sesay recalled the offences and emphasized that he led in five witnesses, three being factual and two formal respectively, noting that the former identified the accused which is an essential ingredient in linking an accused to a crime. The defense team never discredited that during cross-examination, according to Lawyer Sesay.

He further said that the defense at some point misunderstood the facts of the preliminary investigation and that it was not a trial in which the defense should cite wrong authorities, noting that section 118 was supposed to be cited in the CPA that is sidelined by the defense.

He said the sections cited by the defense were only applicable in trial and not in a preliminary investigation.

Copyright  Politico Online
Atlantic County Democrats said Tuesday they have secured a promise from the county that mail-in ballots will be sent to voters via first-class mail, as required by state law.

An April 12 letter from County Counsel Jim Ferguson to Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman verified the mail-in ballots for the general election will be sent via first-class mail for the first time. All parties also agreed that mail-in ballots for the June primary will be sent "via the current mailing house process which has been in place for quite some time and which is utilized in a number of other counties," the letter states.

County Clerk Joe Giralo, a Republican in his second year in office, said Tuesday the county has long used green-tag election mail to send the ballots, as eight other counties also do. It is not a form of bulk mail, but is handled much faster, Giralo said.

But in the interest of meeting the letter of the law, Giralo said the office will now require its printer and its third-party mailing house to use first-class mail. It will about triple the cost of mailing about 25,000 mail-in ballots in the general election, he said.

"It will go from 22 cents (per ballot) to 88 cents," Giralo said, adding he will go before the county commissioners to explain the change to his budget.

Giralo doubted delivery would be faster than with green-tag mail but said it would meet the letter of the law.

Suleiman said he expects the delivery to be faster this year than last, which he said suffered "inexcusable" delays.

"We will be watching the Clerk's Office, the ballot printer, and the mail house to make sure ballots this fall are delivered in a prompt manner," Suleiman said. "If necessary, we'll take any and all legal action to make sure the rights of voters are protected."

Last fall, many Atlantic County residents didn't get their mail-in ballots until Oct. 3 or 4, Suleiman said, for the Nov. 8 general election, and Atlantic County's ballot return rate was significantly lower than other counties in South Jersey.

"After a months-long investigation by ACDC, it was discovered that the mail house contracted by the printer to mail the ballots, Universal Mailings in Piscataway, didn't deliver the ballots to the USPS until September 29," the Atlantic County Democrats said in a news release Tuesday. "Additionally, mail-in ballots were being mailed with standard postage rather than first class postage, which is recommended by the United States Postal Service and is required under state law.

"While this decision will help ballots arrive a little faster, it doesnt help if it takes one week for the ballots to get from the mail house to the USPS," said Suleiman. "We're putting everyone on notice that a delay in ballots going out will never happen again."

Giralo said state law requires mail-in ballots to commence being mailed on a particular date, not that all must go out by then.

But he said the process of working with the Democrats was positive and transparent.
Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday highlighted $10 million in federal funds proposed to support volunteer firefighting companies in the state.

Speaking during a visit to Paramus Fire Company Station 3 in Bergen County, Murphy asked state lawmakers to include the money in the Legislature's final budget.

Our first responders risk their lives daily to make sure our communities are safe and healthy, and this administration will continue to prioritize their needs to keep them safe while they do their jobs," Murphy said in a statement.

The Legislature has a deadline of June 30 to finalize and pass the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The governor unveiled his budget proposal earlier this year.

If approved, the state Department of Community Affairs would oversee the allocation of the firefighting grant funds. Last year, the program supplied 293 departments with up to $56,000 to help purchase equipment from cleaning materials to oxygen tanks and protective clothing.

5 injured in 3-car crash in Egg Harbor Township EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  Five people were injured in a three-car crash that shut down a section

Last year's grants were prioritized for volunteer departments, as well as fire companies in communities disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor's Office said.

Lt. Gov. Shelia Oliver, who is the DCA commissioner, said in a statement Tuesday that, given that many New Jersey fire companies struggle to update their tools and other apparatus, funneling funds through the state is key to keeping firefighters from harm, and communities safe.

"We see that sometimes fire departments cant replace equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatus facemasks, respirators, protective hoods, and turnout gear like helmets, jackets, boots, and gloves when they should because they dont have the funding necessary," Oliver said.
OCEAN CITY  City officials are exploring the possibility of an additional tax on units rented through apps such as Vrbo or Airbnb.

City Council member Bob Barr raised the possibility, saying it had been a budgetary windfall for other communities.

He said the rental apps add the local tax to their bills, so there would be no administrative costs for the city.

Its basically found money, he said. It doesnt really cost the city anything.

The proposal came as council prepared for a vote to introduce a $98.9 million budget that includes an increase to the local tax rate by 1.7 cents, bringing the tax rate per $100 of assessed property value to 49.67 cents, which works out to $2,483.50 in city taxes for a home assessed at $500,000. That does not include school or county taxes.

A public hearing and final vote are planned for May 25.

No tax increase in Ocean City school budget OCEAN CITY  The Board of Education on Thursday approved a $48.23 million budget for the 202

City Finance Director Frank Donato presented the spending plan to council, saying little has changed from the original proposal from Mayor Jay Gillian, including some additional grant money.

Donato told the governing body the administration was preparing a report on the potential of an additional local occupancy tax.

The mayors already instructed us to look into this. We are gathering our facts. We plan on reporting those to you, he said. Wed also like to consider how it would interact with current rental registration ordinance.

Barr said the city needs to continue to find new sources of revenue and not depend on taxpayers.

The city brings in millions from beach tags and parking fees, as well as revenue from other sources.

Council member Karen Bergman said she had advocated for a similar tax some time ago, but there was an issue as to whether the city could impose it only on units rented through online systems, and not on the hotel rooms and weekly rentals that are a significant part of the citys economy.

Ocean City looks at fee increases to reduce tax impact OCEAN CITY  Downtown shoppers may need to bring more quarters when they stop by Asbury Aven

Thats where I got pushback a while ago, Bergman said.

Room rentals are subject to New Jerseys sales tax of 6.625%. There is also a state occupancy fee of 5% for the rental of hotel rooms, although the rate is reduced in Atlantic City, the Wildwoods and other locations, where there was already a local room tax.

According to the state Treasury Department, towns can add a fee of up to 3%.

In Cape May County, Cape May, West Cape May, Lower Township and Middle Township are shown to have imposed the 3% local room tax, with Cape May increasing that amount from 2% last year.

But nothing is certain for Ocean City, which in any case does not expect any impact on this years budget. At the Thursday City Council meeting, Gillian asked council to be careful about its discussions, and how they could be perceived in the community.

I just want to be careful. We say something, it gets on Chatter, and then it becomes law, Gillian said, referencing a city-focused page on Facebook. Without the whole story, somebody that might not like it takes one little thing and blow (it) up. Next thing we know, weve got the whole room filled. Im really asking this time to just give us time to get the information.

The important thing is to gather the facts, take it slow, inform the stakeholders and get it right, Donato said.
OCEAN CITY  However quickly the citys school district hires a new superintendent, there will likely be a need for an interim super for at least a while after Matthew Friedman leaves the job in June.

Thats according to Board of Education President Chris Halliday, who discussed the districts plans for a new superintendent search at last weeks meeting, which also saw calls for Lauren Gunther, the districts current director of student services, to be named interim superintendent immediately.

The meeting saw several residents express frustration with Friedman, whos been in the job for less than a year, with some speakers saying he renegotiated the terms of his contract even as he was interviewing for a new job.

In late March, the Quakertown Community School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, tapped Friedman as its new superintendent. Friedman started the top job in the Ocean City district last July, with a salary of $190,000.

Members of the public spoke about Friedmans leaving, and the districts pending search for a new superintendent.

We need a leader with a long-term personal and professional commitment to Ocean City students and to our community, said resident Marie Hayes. That means we need a superintendent who is willing to make our wonderful island his or her home.

Ocean City students participate in national walkout OCEAN CITY  About a dozen students at Ocean City High School walked out of classes Wednesda

Her husband, Dave Hayes, also spoke at the meeting, as did Dave Breeden, the president of the group Fairness in Taxes, who said there have been three school board presidents, three principals and will be four superintendents while his daughter has attended Ocean City High School.

Leadership matters, he said. Without leadership, you have an organization that is floundering.

Victor Steniec, also a Fairness in Taxes representative, suggested Gunther as a temporary superintendent.

Wed like to see that happen as soon as possible, he said, saying she has the needed qualifications.

Friedman attended the meeting but did not address the comments. He is not expected to leave the job before the agreed upon date of June 30.

Steniec also challenged a reimbursement of $605 to Friedman for a trip to Chicago for professional development. Friedman had successfully sought a change to his contract this year that allowed for more time for professional development and conferences.

Ocean City schools begin search for a new superintendent OCEAN CITY  The Board of Education this week launched its search for a new superintendent t

That payment was removed from the agenda before the board vote.

Several of the same speakers also called for a change in the meeting times for the school board, which now meets on Thursdays at the same time as City Council. School board member Robin Shaffer introduced a motion to change the night of the meeting.

Many in town, himself included, would like to be able to attend both meetings. Halliday suggested the board could revisit that issue in the future. The meetings have been advertised for the year, board attorney Michael Stanton said.

Halliday said the board would plan a meeting to get public input on what the community would like to see in a future superintendent. He said the previous superintendent search is still very fresh.

On Friday, he said, the district will begin to sift through resumes and applications, with plans for a special meeting of the board to discuss the next steps in the process. There had been a special meeting held, mostly behind closed doors, after Friedman announced plans to leave the district.

The district posted notice of the superintendent job opening through the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and on the districts website, with a deadline of May 5 to apply.

Taxes up, programs cut in proposed Upper Township school budget UPPER TOWNSHIP  The Board of Education on Monday introduced a $36.68 million operating budg

Whomever the board choses, Halliday said that person will need time to inform their current job of their plans.

We will likely be required to have an interim superintendent, he said. Even if we fill this position expeditiously, there will be a lag.
ATLANTIC CITY  The application period is open for 21 slots in a Wind Power Ready training program to prepare local residents for good-paying jobs operating and maintaining offshore wind farms.

We want to reduce barriers to employment for women, Black and brown folks and those most harmed by pollution and environmental injustices, said Erik Antokal, director of workforce development for rsted.

To apply for the training program, visit rcsj.edu/WindTurbine and fill out an application form. The deadline is June 5, and the training program will run from July 31 to Dec. 22.

Priority will be given to Atlantic City residents, Antokal said, but slots are open to any New Jersey resident.

Our residents are ready to take those high-paying jobs, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said Tuesday during an announcement at the Carnegie Center. We will make sure Atlantic City residents not only start the program, but finish the program.

The technical training is being run by Rowan College of South Jersey, with training locations in Atlantic City and in Sewell, Gloucester County, and the safety and sea survival training will be handled by Atlantic Cape Community College at its new wind education center in the city.

Business meeting highlights economic opportunities of New Jersey's offshore wind industry ATLANTIC CITY  As offshore wind development advances on the East Coast, rsted and other co

Those chosen for the training program will be paid $15 per hour during the six-month, full-time training period, and if they successfully complete it they will qualify for jobs starting at $65,000 a year, Antokal said.

Now is the time to get in, said Mikkel Maehlisen, vice president of American operations for rsted.

He said the training will include traveling to the Midwest to learn on land-based wind turbines, then to New England to train on the companys small wind farm off Rhode Island for sea training.

This is an incredibly important moment to mark our progress and why we care about offshore wind, said Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which is also a partner in the training program.

Its great for the environment, but its about creating jobs and economic opportunity, Sullivan said. This is a huge generational chance to create tens of thousands of new jobs from practically nothing. Lets get it right from an equity and inclusion perspective.

Pamela Venzke, chief corporate affairs officer for rsted, said the company envisioned a different type of jobs program.

US energy officials release strategy to boost offshore wind The U.S. Energy Department said it has a new strategy to help meet the nations goals to vastly expand offshore wind energy.

Not, We have jobs, come find them, Venzke said. Were going to make a path to connect people from communities we are working in to those jobs.

The companys goal is to hire at least 40% of its wind technicians working on its two Ocean Wind farms being developed off Atlantic City from graduates of the training program, Venzke said.

It will include wraparound services so they can go out, do hard work, without worrying about whats happening at home, Venzke said.

Those wraparound services will be provided by another partner, the Center for Family Services, which has offices in Egg Harbor Township and throughout South Jersey.

The center will connect applicants, students and graduates to the services they need, including transportation, childcare, housing and more, said the Center for Family Services Chief Program Officer Anna Payanzo Cotton.

There will also be many onshore jobs once rsteds operations and training center opens at the end of New Jersey and Delaware avenues in the Bungalow Park neighborhood, Maehlisen said. They include warehouse and office jobs.

With concerns climbing about whales, watchers say population climb continues as well In the waters off Cape May, things look much like they have in previous years, according to 

Maehlisen said about 40 technicians will be needed in the Atlantic City location, and more training classes are possible.

GE (General Electric) will supply some in the beginning, he said of technicians to help build the GE turbines.

Other wind farm developers such as Atlantic Shores could also start similar programs with Rowan and Atlantic Cape, Antokal said.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, be over 18, and be able to do math and read at an eighth to ninth grade level, Antokal said.

Successful applicants will train to service and maintain wind turbines for 25 years, Maehlisen said.

They will be handed to us in operation, we will service, maintain and operate them for the lifetime of the asset, Maehlisen said.

As proposed, the plan for the 1,100-megawatt Ocean Wind 1 is to build close to 100 wind turbines within a federal permitting area, which starts about 15 miles off the coast. The company hopes to have all its permits sometime this year so it can begin construction.

Two other projects are less far along.

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind will build a 1,510 megawatt farm off the coast between Long Beach Island and Atlantic City, and rsteds Ocean Wind 2 will build 1,148 megawatts in another leasing area in federal waters southeast of Atlantic City.

GALLERY: rsted announces job training program in Atlantic City
A controversy has erupted over the state education departments holding a two-day residential workshop at luxurious Aamby Valley City in Lonavala recently (April 28-29) by spending lakhs of rupees.

The state government is complaining about funds crunch and there is a lack of basic facilities in rural schools; lakhs of teachers are deprived of their salaries; lakhs of students from economically weaker sections and underprivileged groups are deprived of the Right To Education (RTE) due to scams.

Teachers, parents, experts and activists have questioned such ostentatious spending. They have expressed outrage over the issue. They said the same workshop could have been organized in Pune and Mumbai at a lower cost. They criticised the state department (Balbharati) for making an otherwise routine initiative into an event.

The participants brainstormed on the effective implementation of STARS and Samagra Shiksha Project, Nipun Bharat, New National Education Policy (NEP 2020).

School education minister Deepak Kesarkar, along with principal secretary Ranjit Singh Deol, commissioner of education Suraj Mandhare, Maharashtra Primary Education Council state project director Kailas Pagare, State Educational Research and Training Council director Kaustubh Divegaonkar, primary education director Sharad Gosavi and secondary education and Balbharati director Krishna Kumar Patil attended the workshop.

The Balbharati director, education officers, including those from the state board of education and many other officials from across the state, municipalities and zilla parishads were also present.

Deepali Sardeshmukh, president, Pune division, Maharashtra State Students Parents Teachers Association, said, As the workshop was for two days, accommodation was arranged for all officers by spending lakhs of rupees. It is common citizens money. The minister of education, officers and employees are bound to answer to the public.

Anand Randhir, education and social activist, said, There are important government offices of the state government in Mumbai and Pune. The education department held the workshop in the luxurious Aambey Valley resort. Local manpower was hired. They could have organised it in Mumbai or Pune at a low cost.

Heramb Kulkarni, teacher and education expert said, The government does not have money to pay the RTE reimbursement to unaided private schools. Lakhs of teachers do not get their salaries on time. However, the state government and the education department have money to spend on such an event. The education minister should explain this. People have elected you to work, not to splurge on events. The government is deliberately avoiding action in the RTE scam.

Sardeshmukh demanded that the education department should reveal the exact expenditure on the workshop and the source of money for it.

Krishna Kumar Patil, director, Balbharati and secondary education, said, I will not comment on this due to the protocol.

State education minister Deepak Kesarkar and state education commissioner Suraj Mandhre were not available for comment.
The unidentified user created this fake account by the name of 'Mahi Verma' by also putting his picture.

This fake account clamming to be the official account of the Punes collector have not only sent messages to the users but is also sending friend request from fake account.

After this incident, Rajesh Deshmukh has lodged a complaint with the cyber police. However, some unknown persons have created a Facebook account twice before using the name of Collector Rajesh Deshmukh. Meanwhile, the police have again appealed to the citizens not to fall victim to any scams on such fake accounts.
President Joe Biden shakes hands with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., as Vice President Kamala Harris watches after the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, Feb., in Washington. Reuters-Yonhap



U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday summoned the four top congressional leaders to the White House next week after the Treasury warned the government could run short of cash to pay its bills as soon as June.



The U.S. Treasury said that it could run out of money to pay all of the government's bills as soon as June without a debt limit increase, prompting Biden to call for the meeting with leaders including Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on May 9.



Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a letter to Congress that the agency will be unlikely to meet all U.S. government payment obligations "by early June, and potentially as early as June 1" without action by Congress.



Biden called McCarthy in Jerusalem, where he is on a diplomatic trip, as well as House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell to set up the meeting.



House Republicans passed a bill to raise the debt limit last week that includes steep spending cuts which the Democratic-controlled Senate and Biden say they will not approve. Failing to act before Treasury's new June 1 date could force the United States into an unprecedented default on some bills.



Biden has steadfastly said he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling increase, but will discuss budget cuts after a new limit is passed. Congress has often paired debt-ceiling increases with other budget and spending measures.



The new potential "X-date," which takes in to account April tax receipts, is largely unchanged from a previous estimate, issued in January, that the government could run short of cash around June 5. But Yellen also added some wiggle room. "Federal receipts and outlays are inherently variable, and the actual date that Treasury exhausts extraordinary measures could be a number of weeks later than these estimates," she wrote to lawmakers.



"It is impossible to predict with certainty the exact date when Treasury will be unable to pay the government's bills, and I will continue to update Congress in the coming weeks as more information becomes available," she wrote, urging Congress to act quickly to raise the limit.



After hitting the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap on Jan. 19, Yellen previously told Congress that Treasury would keep up payments on debt, federal benefits and make other spending by using extraordinary cash management measures. One such step Treasury is taking is suspending the sales of securities that state and local governments use to temporarily hold cash.



In 2011, a similar debt ceiling fight took the country to the brink of default and prompted a downgrade of the country's top-notch credit rating. This time, negotiations may be even more difficult, veterans of 2011's face-off say.





U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VA) talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on May 1, in Washington, D.C. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. could default on its debt as soon as June 1 if lawmakers do not increase the debt limit. AFP-Yonhap
CHICAGO  In a sweeping verdict, a federal jury on Wednesday convicted the ComEd Four defendants on all charges related to a conspiracy to bribe Illinois' former Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan to win his support for the utilitys legislative agenda in Springfield.

Found guilty of bribery conspiracy and falsification of business records were former ComEd contract lobbyist Michael McClain, a longtime Madigan confidant; former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore; ex-ComEd executive John Hooker; and Jay Doherty, who worked as a lobbyist for ComEd for 30 years and served as president of the City Club of Chicago civic forum.

The bribery conspiracy count carries up to five years in prison for each defendant, while the falsification of business records carries a 20-year maximum sentence.

The jury also found McClain and Pramaggiore guilty on three additional counts of bribery, which each carry up to 10 years behind bars.

Sentencing dates were not immediately set.

Dressed in a dark suit, green tie and dark glasses, McClain chatted nervously with his attorney as U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenwebers 17th-floor courtroom swelled to capacity before the jury entered.

McClain briefly looked at the ceiling as the verdicts were read but showed no outward reaction. After court, his wife and sons hugged in the hallway and sobbed.

Pramaggiore, dressed in a blue skirt and black top and glasses, lowered her head and grimaced slightly as the verdicts were read against her. Doherty, who was wearing a blue face covering, showed no outward reaction, nor did Hooker.

The panel of seven women and five men announced it had reached a decision Tuesday shortly after 4:15 p.m. Central time, following more than 27 hours of deliberations that began last week.

The trial became the most watched political case in years at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where the ever-growing list of corruption cases includes both Democratic and Republican governors, George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich, as well as a string of aldermen, state legislators and political powerbrokers going back decades.

But the ComEd Four case has been singular because of the focus of the bribery probe: Madigan, the longtime leader of the state Democratic Party whose 36 years at the top of the Illinois House is the longest reign of any legislative leader in American history.

The jurys decision spells bad news for Madigan, since he and McClain face a separate racketeering indictment brought in March 2022 thats made up in large part of the same ComEd bribery allegations. Both have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for trial in April 2024.

The guilty verdicts send a clear signal that Madigan may face particularly hard sledding.

It also will undoubtedly induce some stomach-churning in Springfield, where legislators and lobbyists have watched closely to see if the trial would require a new set of standards in the mosh pit of politics at the Illinois Capitol.

Political reaction came swiftly Tuesday.

The behavior brought to light and put on display at this trial was shockingly gluttonous and unhealthy to democracy, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, said in a statement. Weve taken concrete steps to discourage bad behavior. But most importantly, I believe we have people committed to behaving better.

The indictment alleged the four conspired to funnel $1.3 million in payments to ghost subcontractors, largely through Dohertys company, who were actually Madigans cronies.

The utility also hired a clouted law firm run by political operative Victor Reyes, distributed numerous college internships within Madigans 13th Ward fiefdom, and blatantly backed former McPier chief Juan Ochoa, the friend of a Madigan ally, for an $80,000-a-year seat on the utilitys board of directors, the indictment alleged.

In return, prosecutors say, Madigan used his influence over the General Assembly to help ComEd score a series of huge legislative victories that not only rescued the company from financial instability but led to record-breaking, billion-dollar profits.

Among them was the 2011 smart grid bill that set a built-in formula for the rates ComEd could charge customers, avoiding battles with the Illinois Commerce Commission, according to the charges. ComEd also leaned on Madigans office to help pass the Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016, which kept the formula rate in place and also rescued two nuclear plants run by an affiliated company, Exelon Generation.

The indictment charged a total of nine counts, including a main bribery conspiracy count lodged against each of the four defendants. Other charges include circumventing internal business controls and the falsification of business records to allegedly hide the payments ComEd was making.

Defense attorneys argued over and over that the government is seeking to criminalize legal lobbying and job recommendations that are at the center of the states legitimate political system.

They ripped the governments star witness, former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez, as a liar and opportunist who was so terrified when FBI agents confronted him in January 2019 that he flipped without even consulting a lawyer and agreed to secretly record his friends.

We are here because the government scared Fidel Marquez to death, attorney Jacqueline Jacobson, who represents Hooker, said in her closing argument.

Marquez eventually pleaded guilty to bribery conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Patrick Cotter, who represents McClain, told the jury that the entire case was a conclusion in search of evidence and suggested the four people on trial were collateral damage in the governments yearslong quest to bring down a political untouchable like Madigan.

They already had their target. They already knew who was guilty  it was Mike Madigan, Cotter said, adding that once prosecutors assumed the speaker was guilty, then everyone near him begins to look guilty.

In rebuttal, the lead prosecutor on the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, told the jury that the efforts to woo Madigan were like a corruption toll similar to something motorists must pay to continue on their trip on the state tollway.

And Madigan was the gatekeeper, Bhachu said.

It was a corruption toll to make sure that Mr. Madigan was not an obstacle to their legislative agenda, Bhachu said. And they paid that toll every month, from 2011 to 2019 when they were caught.

Prosecutors powered the case with a compelling set of wiretaps and secret video recordings that provided an insiders view of how Madigans behind-the-scenes operations worked, including with snippets of calls pushing for what he wanted ComEd to do for him.

One call caught Madigan telling McClain to keep pushing for the appointment of Ochoa to ComEds board of directors despite internal company resistance, and a second call captured McClain relaying the message to Pramaggiore, who quickly responded, OK, got it. I will keep pressing.

Theres a recording of Doherty justifying why ComEd should keep funneling money through him to pay a series of Madigan-backed subcontractors, explaining the companys money comes from Springfield and the subcontractors, including Madigan precinct captains and former aldermen, keep their mouth shut. But do they do anything for me on a day-to-day basis? Doherty also said. No.

One particular comment McClain was recorded saying about subcontractors went to the heart of the prosecutions case: We had to hire these guys because Mike Madigan came to us. Thats how simple it is.

Hooker was recorded agreeing with McClain, talking about how they devised the subcontractor plan years ago and reminding McClain that Madigan thought it was great.

The ComEd Four case was viewed as a curtain raiser for the April 2024 trial in which Madigan and McClain are charged with racketeering. Part of their upcoming trial is an outgrowth of the far-reaching ComEd Four case and part involves a similar-but-smaller alleged scheme of jobs and influence involving the Illinois affiliate of AT&T.

ComEd entered a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. attorneys office in 2020 in which the company agreed to a $200 million fine and acknowledged it had showered Madigan friends and allies with jobs, contracts and college scholarships as a way to woo him into looking favorably at ComEds legislative agenda.

AT&T entered a similar agreement in 2022 over a smaller-scaled scheme and agreed to a $23 million fine. The government agreed to drop pending charges of bribery against both companies in exchange for cooperation.

The ComEd trial brought a cast of characters to the witness stand that included current and former legislators, including sitting Democratic Rep. Bob Rita of Blue Island, who testified that Madigan ruled through fear and intimidation.

Jurors were put in the unenviable position of determining where the line is drawn between legal lobbying and illegal bribery.

They had to sift through bedrock questions of whether Madigan could be bought  an idea that is heavily disputed by longtime allies in Springfield  and whether he created an atmosphere in which ComEd officials believed they needed to send favors his way in order to get what the company wanted.

PHOTOS: The career of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan December 2013 March 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 December 2013 January 2015 January 2015 February 2015 August 2015 October 2015 April 2016 May 2016 November 2016 July 2017 July 2017 August 2017 August 2018 January 2019 January 2019 2019 June 2019 May 2020 January 2021
Former alderman George Nickolas plans to run for Davenport's 2nd Ward, he announced late Monday.

He's seeking to replace current 2nd Ward Alderman Maria Dickmann, who told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus in an email Tuesday that she does not plan to seek reelection.

"My life has changed so much in the last eight years," Dickmann wrote. "I wish the contenders well."

Voters in the northwestern ward first elected Dickmann to the City Council in November 2015, after she served two years on the Davenport Community School Board. She has been a consistent supporter in recent years of Davenport's efforts to bring amenities to the downtown, such as Main Street Landing and the controversial change to two-way traffic on 3rd and 4th Streets. She also supported investments in Davenport's DREAM programs and violence intervention.

Voters will cast their ballots in city and school elections Nov. 7, with an Oct. 10 primary in races with more than two candidates.

Nickolas is so far the only person to have announced a bid for the seat. The filing period is later this year.

Nickolas, who turns 90 in July, served as 2nd Ward alderman from 1994 to 2003. He made other campaigns for political office, including for Iowa House of Representatives in 1958 and 1960, mayor in 1959 and county auditor in 1996.

Nikolas served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, stationed in the Philippines from 1951 to 1954. He then worked as a procurement and contracting officer at the Rock Island Arsenal, which he retired from in 1986.

After that, he worked as an adjunct professor at St. Ambrose University from 1994 to 2003 and ran his own tax preparing business, according to a news release.

Nickolas called himself an experienced negotiator because of his work on the council and at the Arsenal.

"It's a matter of getting the council together and pushing a certain way," he said.

He also served on advisory committees for people with disabilities and veterans, serving three two-year terms as a member of the Iowa governor's committee on employment of the handicapped, helping found and chairing a Bi-State committee on employment and services for the handicapped, and being an active member of the Disabled American Veterans association since 1956, according to the news release.

If elected, Nikolas said he'd work to reduce violent crime with "rigorous public safety reforms."

In a phone interview, Nikolas said if voters choose him, he'd want to evaluate the city's police resources and how they're allocated, noting that "we may need more effort in areas, more police patrols."

He also would support efforts to boost "Davenport's stagnating economy," continue flood prevention efforts for northwest Davenport creeks and invest in adequate affordable housing.

"I've been very disappointed in the direction our community has gone since I departed from the City Council in 2003," Nickolas said in the news release. "And 20 years later, I find myself just as passionate about my community as I was back when I was 2nd Ward alderman. I want to make sure Davenport gets back on the right track and things start changing for the better. The future of my grandkids depends on it."

Photos: Mississippi River rises along Quad Cities, Monday, May 1
A Moline woman faces multiple charges in Scott County after a high-speed chase on Saturday left several law enforcement vehicles damaged.

County authorities charged Kailyn S. Pauley, 29, with assault on persons in certain occupations; two counts of first-degree criminal mischief; felony eluding; misdemeanor eluding; possession of controlled substance-methamphetamine-first offense; and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.

Pauley is accused of fleeing first from a Scott County deputy early Saturday, then Iowa state troopers and Bettendorf police officers, according to court records.

Authorities allege in the court documents that she used the 2006 Dodge Dakota she was driving to strike several police vehicles before law enforcement were able to stop the truck and arrest her.

According to court records:

The deputy attempted the initial stop at 1:36 a.m. at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Eastern Avenue in Davenport. The reason cited for the stop was a broken tail light.

Pauley fled from the stop, running a stop sign and a red traffic signal.

The state patrol located a truck matching the description of Pauleys vehicle at 1:41 a.m. It was eastbound on Interstate 74 north of 53rd Street.

When the trooper saw the truck, it had no rear red lights activated and only one white light activated on the passenger side. It had no registration tags.

The trooper activated lights and sirens and Pauley refused to stop, accelerating to more than 90 mph.

Bettendorf police set out stop sticks at the interchange of I-74 and Spruce Hills Road and disabled two of the Dakotas tires.

Pauley continued to flee. The state police and Bettendorf officers attempted to hem her in with their squads and force her to stop. As they attempted this technique, called a rolling roadblock, Pauley began ramming their vehicles.

After the Dakota was pinned between a concrete wall and the squads, Pauley continued to accelerate, attempting to push past a state police vehicle as the trooper got out.

Pauley refused to comply with verbal commands, and officers pulled her from the truck through a window.

When they searched the truck, law enforcement found an open container of whiskey, several syringes containing a maroon liquid, a bag containing a white substance and a fraudulent temporary vehicle registration. The white substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

Pauleys Illinois license is suspended, court records state. At the time of the chase, she also had an active Scott County warrant accusing her of failing to appear in a pending misdemeanor theft case.

The ramming left at least one state police and one Bettendorf squad, disabled, court records state. The damage to that vehicle was estimated at more than $15,000. Specific damage to the other involved squads was not listed.

Pauley had to be treated for minor injuries she sustained during her arrest, then she was sent to the Scott County Jail, records state.

To be released, Pauley would have to post a $32,000 bond, according to the jail. All but $1,000 of the bond amount must be posted in cash.

Her next court date has been set for May 9, according to court records.
Illinois could become the third state in the country to ban declawing cats, a procedure many see as inhumane but that others say might sometimes be necessary to get cats out of shelters and into homes.

Legislation passed by the Illinois House would levy an escalating series of fines against anyone caught removing a cats claws for anything other than medical or therapeutic reasons. Under the measure, declawing would not be allowed simply to make the cat more convenient to keep or handle.

What Im trying to do is prevent those individuals that just want to get it cosmetically done just because they dont want the cat to scratch them or scratch the furniture, Democratic state Rep. Barbara Hernandez of Aurora, the bills chief sponsor in the House, told the Tribune. Like, thats not a good reason why this cat should suffer.

Republican state Rep. Charles Meier of Highland, who voted against the bill, questioned how much cats actually suffer when they are declawed.

I dont know if they have ever watched a cat even be declawed, but they give them pain medicine before they do it, Meier said. And the next morning they are sticking their paw out the cage wanting you to play with it already. So its not a long-lasting, permanent harm to it.

Meier also brought a partisan angle into the argument, alleging that the bills 10 Democratic sponsors and other supporters are willing to abort a baby right before birth but they wont let you declaw a cat.

The bill passed in the House on March 16 on a 67-38 vote  with 36 no votes coming from Republicans  and is now before the Senate.

The debate around declawing is long-running and fierce. The American Veterinary Medical Association website says AVMA discourages declawing but respects the veterinarians right to use professional judgment, thus leaving the door open for declawing.

While declawing can make cats more house-friendly, given their tendency to rip up furniture and scratch humans, for many animal lovers the physical and psychological effects of the procedure are enough to do away with it.

Ashlynn Boyce, who helps navigate cats at risk of euthanization to safe homes through her nonprofit Paws and Claws rescue organization, said she sees lasting negative effects on cats that have been declawed. Among other things, it can make it painful for cats to step into litter material, so they stop using the litter box, she said.

Youre amputating part of their knuckle, Boyce said. Ive seen nothing good that comes from this surgery, truly.

Since New York became the first state to ban the nontherapeutic declawing of cats in 2019, many other states have considered following suit. But Maryland is so far the only other state to enact similar legislation. Bills in Virginia and Florida have stalled, while Missouri tried to pass a bill that would preemptively prevent the state from limiting declawing.

In Illinois, enforcing the measure would fall to the states Department of Agriculture under the bill passed by the House. First infractions would incur a $500 penalty, with fines ramping up to as much as $2,500 for third-time offenders.

Nail clipping  which the Humane Society recommends doing every two to three weeks  would still be fully legal.

Dr. Joanne Carlson, the president of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, says she is working with lawmakers to try to alter the language to allow some declawing to take place.

What were asking for is discretion for those special circumstances that are not cosmetic, Carlson said.

She said the state bill has some merit but she also thinks vets should be able to make the decision when other options are exhausted and the declawing is not cosmetic. While she could not provide a number of times the procedure takes place in the state per year, Carlson said it is not commonly done.

According to Dr. Lauren Jakubowski, a veterinarian with Oz Animal Hospital in Lincoln Park, cats being declawed are put under anesthesia before the entire last portion of the digit beyond the last knuckle is removed surgically, and the skin is closed over it and sutured to allow healing.

If done, exceptional pain control should be given, as it is an amputation of the last part of the toe, she said. Jakubowski added her hospital does not conduct the surgery, but agrees with AVMAs guidelines.

There are two common arguments made for allowing cats to be declawed. One is that for elderly owners in particular, for whom cats often provide important companionship but who have weaker immune systems, cat scratches can lead to blood loss and infections.

Carlson thinks this could be a time when a vet might decide that declawing is the best way forward for both the cat and its elderly owner.

Another argument is that cats who scratch both people and furniture may be turned back to shelters, and a declawed cat in a home is better off than a cat with claws stuck in a shelter.

Boyce, while acknowledging that we cant expect cats not to scratch, doesnt think thats a valid trade-off.

I would much rather have a cat back in our program because the adopter decided that they could not handle the cat than they declaw that cat and that cat then comes back into our program a broken cat that we then have to try and put the pieces back together, Boyce said.
Carla Streeter, a direct support professional at Black Hills Works in Rapid City, has been named a recipient of the 2023 Innovation award by the American Network of Community Options and Resources. Streeter is one of 53 recipients who received ANCORs 2023 Direct Support Professional of the Year awards.

Streeter was chosen from more than 350 nominees. The award honors excellence in providing long-term support and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Direct Support Professional of the Year awards were presented in a ceremony at ANCORs 2023 Annual Conference in Chicago on April 26.

Black Hills Works is overwhelmingly proud of Carla, for her award recognition of course, but more importantly for her dedication and commitment to true community inclusion for the people we support, said Brad Saathoff, CEO of Black Hills Works. We cannot think of anyone who more clearly demonstrates the transformative power of community-based supports, and were so grateful that ANCOR has recognized Carla with this high-profile honor.

Since 2007, ANCORs annual Direct Support Professional of the Year awards recognize outstanding direct support professionals who deliver long-term services and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The awards celebrate the important role DSPs play in ensuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have what they need to thrive and be included in their community.

The awards also seek to raise awareness about a direct support workforce in crisis. Inadequate investments in this essential workforce have led to a decades-long severe shortage of DSPs, which has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and has accelerated into a crisis that threatens access to critically needed services, according to ANCOR.

From voter education and self-advocacy initiatives to supporting people to pursue their career aspirations and so much more, direct support professionals like Carla make clear the crucial role this workforce plays in communities across the country, said Diane Beastrom, president of ANCORs Board of Directors and president and chief executive officer of Koinonia, a disability service provider based in Independence, Ohio. ANCOR is proud to celebrate Carla and the 53 other professionals who comprise the 2023 class of outstanding honorees.

For 17 years now, ANCOR has presented the Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards to recognize the outstanding professionals who power community inclusion for people with [intellectual and developmental disabilities]. The outstanding DSPs being honored this year deliver life-enhancing supports amid no shortage of significant challenges, not the least of which is a long-standing crisis in the ability of providers to recruit and retain qualified DSPs, said Barbara Merrill, chief executive officer for ANCOR. Through it all, these professionals demonstrate an unwavering commitment to community inclusion and to the people they support. Thats why we feel honored to celebrate Carla and other DSPs who exemplify excellence in our field.
A 22-year-old Illinois man appeared in Pennington County Court Tuesday morning to face allegations he drove 13 hours to Rapid City to have sex with a 15-year-old in a hotel three days in a row.

Bao Pham is accused of three counts of fourth-degree rape on Saturday, Sunday and Monday; one count of solicitation of a minor on Saturday; and one count of contributing to the abuse, neglect or delinquency of a minor.

Pham was booked into the Pennington County Jail late Monday morning.

Fourth-degree rape is defined in South Dakota law as sexual penetration of someone between the ages of 13 and 16 by a perpetrator who is at least three years older than the victim. The alleged victim was 15 in this case, seven years younger than Pham.

The rape charges are class 3 felonies each with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. The two remaining counts are class 1 misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 1 year in the county jail and a $20,000 fine.

Pham allegedly told police he thought the alleged victim was 18, but later admitted he knew their age, according to court records.

Deputy Pennington County State's Attorney Brandy Rhead asked Magistrate Judge Janki Sharma to set bond at $100,000 cash only, calling him a "flight risk and a danger to our community."

The court took a short break so Pennington County Public Defender Matt Laidlaw could speak with Pham's mother, who traveled from Illinois for the hearing. Pham could be seen on a screen from the Pennington County Jail crying.

Laidlaw said Pham has worked at the same job for a year and lives with his mother, who is a police dispatcher. The woman told Laidlaw she would ensure her son appears for any court dates. She also told him Pham is autistic, and she acts as a caretaker for him.

Laidlaw asked the judge to set the bond at $500 cash. Sharma set it at $200,000 cash only, double what the state requested.

She said she considered Pham "dangerous" and a flight risk. The judge also issued a no contact order, prohibiting Pham from any direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim if he does end up posting bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. on May 17, where the state must show a judge there is enough evidence to charge Pham.

If the case goes before a grand jury ahead of that date, the court will cancel the preliminary hearing.
Uniting Rapid City for good causes is the mission of Six Weeks of Service, an effort thats using mayoral forums as an opportunity to help those in need.

Rapid City mayoral candidate Laura Armstrong launched Six Weeks of Service last week. Through the week of May 29, Armstrong encourages the community to donate food, feminine hygiene products, backpacks, pet food and bottles of water. The donations will be given to organizations that continuously need supplies to help local residents and animals.

No matter who wins the election to become Rapid Citys next mayor I figured this was a great opportunity to come together and help various entities in our community, regardless of who you vote for, Armstrong said.

Each week a specific drive will be held, sometimes in conjunction with mayoral candidate forums. Individuals who dont want to attend a forum but want to participate in Six Weeks of Service can drop off donations at the locations hosting forums or at 1719 West Main St.

Food drive benefiting Feeding South Dakota  May 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Visit Rapid City office in conjunction with an invitation-only Tourism Forum.

Feminine hygiene product drive benefitting WAVI  May 11, 6 to 8 p.m. at the mayoral forum hosted by Democracy in Action at The Journey Museum.

Backpack drive benefitting Youth and Family Services  May 18, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the mayoral forum hosted by Elevate Rapid City at Dahl Arts Center.

Cat and dog food drive benefiting the Humane Society of the Black Hills and Kibbles of Kindness  during the week of May 22, donations can be dropped off at 1719 West Main St.

Bottled water drive benefitting Journey On  during the week of May 29, donations can be dropped off at 1719 West Main Street.

Six Weeks of Service is not a partisan effort or a campaign ploy, Armstrong said. It is an opportunity to do some good during this election season.

We are going to have a whole bunch of people in a room (for the forums), she said. I really thought it would be good if everybodys going to be coming together, we can do something collectively even though we might have different opinions in general, let alone for candidates.

Were all Rapid Citians, were all following the mayors race, and we know there are needs in our community, she said.

Armstrong, Ron Weifenbach, Brad Estes, Jason Salamun and Josh Lyle are running for Rapid City mayor. Rapid City's municipal election will take place June 6. The voter registration deadline is May 22; early voting will also begin that day. Those candidates winning their races will take office on July 3 at the City of Rapid City Council meeting.
As a way to maintain the energy and enthusiasm of Earth Day moving forward, the Rapid City Sustainability Committee is hosting the Earth Day Trail Challenge through the end of May.

It's the third consecutive year for the Earth Day Trail Challenge. The challenge is a 40-day event, tasking the public to hike each of three local trails: Birdhouse on the Skyline Wilderness Trail System, Founders Valley on the Hansen-Larson Memorial Trail System and Nature Trail at the Outdoor Campus West.

Along each trail, hikers will find a Rapid City Earth Day Trail Challenge sign and they are asked to take a selfie with the sign in the photo. Hikers have until May 31 to complete the three-hike challenge. They can show the selfies and pick up a Rapid City Earth Day pin at South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus West, 4130 Adventure Trail, during normal business hours through May 31.

The trail challenge encourages people to get out and enjoy our beautiful community this spring and also to help keep these areas clean and beautiful by picking up trash as they hike, said Lysann Zeller of the Sustainability Committee.

As part of the challenge, hikers are also encouraged to pick up any litter or garbage encountered on the trails.

The goal of the trail challenge is to hike all three trails, find the sign, take a selfie with it, and then head into the Outdoor Campus during their business hours and show your selfies to get a pin, said Ria Hannon, also a member of the Citys Sustainability Committee. And it helps keep our trails clean. If you see any trash, pack it out.

For more information and links to the trail maps, visit rapidcitysustainability.com/trailchallenge.
Space is still available for participants at this weekends Paint Your Historic Home Workshop in Rapid City.

The workshop has availability for eight more participants and will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at a home in the West Boulevard Neighborhood area.

The workshop will be conducted by Bob Yapp, founder of the Belvedere School for Hands-On Preservation. Yapp produced and hosted the national PBS series About Your House with Bob Yapp and has been involved with the restoration or rehabilitation of more than 160 historic properties.

Sundays event is hosted by the Rapid City Historic Preservation Commission and is supported by the National Park Service through the South Dakota State Historical Society. The West Boulevard Neighborhood Association and Knecht Home Center are also supporting the workshop event.

The workshop is an opportunity to learn how to paint your historic home and have it last 15 to 20 years, said Jonathan Howard, special projects planner with the Citys Community Development Department. In this hands-on training, participants will learn the steps to paint historic wooden siding for the same price and longevity as vinyl replacement, while maintaining the charm and character of the historic home.

Anyone with questions or wishing to register for the event, contact Howard at jonathan.howard@rcgov.org or 605-394-4120 ext. 2339
A man walks while smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, May 1. Reuters-Yonhap



The United Nations warned on Monday that the conflict in Sudan could force 800,000 people to flee the country as battles between rival military factions persisted in the capital despite a supposed ceasefire.



Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded over 16 days of battles since disputes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.



The crisis has unleashed a humanitarian disaster, damaged swathes of Khartoum, risked drawing in regional powers and reignited conflict in the Darfur region.



Many fear for their lives in the power struggle between the army chief and RSF head, who shared control of the government after a 2021 coup but fell out over a planned transition to civilian rule.



Both sides agreed on Sunday to extend a much-violated truce by 72 hours, and the U.N. told Reuters the rival forces may hold ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia. But air strikes and artillery rang out on Monday as smoke hung over Khartoum and neighbouring cities.



U.N. official Raouf Mazou said the body's refugee agency was planning for an exodus of 815,000 people including 580,000 Sudanese as well as foreign refugees now living in the country. The country's population numbers 46 million.



Some 73,000 have already left Sudan, he said.



Egypt reported 40,000 Sudanese had crossed its border, and those who made the journey said conditions were arduous. Others have gone to Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia, or sailed across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia on evacuation boats.



At least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 wounded, the health ministry said. The United Nations has reported a similar number of dead but believes the real toll is much higher.





Mahamat Bechir Abdallah, a Sudanese refugee who fled the violence in his country, fills a container as he sells water to the other refugees near the border between Sudan and Chad, May 1, Reuters-Yonhap



Hardship, danger



Foreign governments pulled out their citizens over the past week in air, sea and land operations, though several countries ended efforts. The U.S. government said on Monday that its convoys from Khartoum to the Red Sea harbour of Port Sudan evacuated more than 700 people over the weekend.



Britain said it was exploring ways to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan along with its international allies, the United Nations and aid organisations after evacuating nearly 2,200 people.



Meanwhile, those Sudanese who stayed behind faced hardship and danger.



"I show up to work for two or three hours then I close up because it's not safe," said Abdelbagi, a barber in Khartoum who said he had to keep working because prices were rising.



People who ventured onto the streets on Monday were shocked by the transformation.



"We saw dead bodies. The industrial area that was all looted. We saw people carrying TVs on their backs and big sacks looted from factories," said resident Mohamed Ezzeldin.



Power and water supplies are uncertain, there is little food or fuel, most hospitals and clinics are out of service and soaring transport costs are making it ever harder to leave.



The U.N. and other aid organisations have cut services, though the World Food Programme said it was resuming operations in more secure areas on Monday after staff were killed early in the war.



"The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented," said Martin Griffiths, a senior U.N. official for humanitarian and emergency relief who will visit Sudan on Tuesday.





Fatma Dahab Ousman, a Sudanese refugee who fled the violence in her country, sells tea and porridge to other refugees near the border between Sudan and Chad, May 1, Reuters-Yonhap
A 17-year-old girl from Butte treated at Shodair Childrens Hospital for major depression and has gone on to thrive was honored Monday for being named the 2023 Childrens Miracle Network Champion for Montana.

Brooke Glennon received recognition from the Montana State Senate.

Sen. Ryan Lynch, D-Butte, read a proclamation honoring her that stated that her optimism and determination helped her at Shodair triumph over significant mental health challenges.

He said it allowed her to return to a fruitful life with her family and community.

Lynch quoted Glennons thoughts about representing the state in the Childrens Medical Network.

I cannot wait to help so many other kids and families to know that even though it is pitch black you can keep fighting and never lose sight, he said.

Children's Miracle Network is a nonprofit organization focused on saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for childrens hospitals. Each year, the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries.

She will spend the coming year working with Shodair by being an advocate for those dealing with mental illness. She will speak at schools, partner events and to the patients directly at the hospital providing a message of hope.

Craig Aasved, CEO at Shodair, said her bravery provides a powerful story for others.

Its young people like Brooke that will help change how mental health is viewed in Montana and across the country, he said. I couldnt be prouder of her, excited for this next chapter in her life, and honored she is allowing us to walk alongside her.

Glennon, the daughter of Lacey and Jake Anderson, is now a junior at Butte High School who has almost a 4.0 GPA.

Glennons depression began with the death of her father. It was a few years after that she began to become more withdrawn, explosively angry and openly suicidal, expressing the desire to go be with her dad. She had three stays at Shodair.

Each time Glennon got a little more of what she needed to be emotionally stable. Her ability to identify and talk about her feelings; engage in healthy activities like karate. Each stay at Shodair helped and she committed a little more with the treatment plan individually development for her specifically.

The Children's Miracle Network Champion program has been raising awareness about the importance of childrens hospitals and Shodair has been participating since the 1990s.

To learn more go to www.ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.
Two bills dealing with distribution of marijuana tax revenues are lining up for a showdown in the final week of the 2023 Legislature.

For weeks now, lawmakers in the Senate and the House have been at odds over how tax revenue should be distributed from medical and recreational cannabis sales. Montana saw an estimated $380 million in sales in 2022, the first active year of the new recreational market.

That brought in nearly $58 million in tax revenues to the state, and estimates for the coming years suggest that figure could rise to $57 million in 2027.

The marijuana tax revenue distribution bill with the widest consensus so far is Senate Bill 442 from Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta. The bill has seen support from over 93 groups ranging from petroleum to sportsmen's groups for its allocations to county road repairs, veterans services, habitat conservation and restoration projects.

The Senate initially passed the bill in early April by a 49-1 margin, and the House earlier this week advanced it on an 82-17 vote.

Threatening to thwart the apparent harmony over SB 442 is Senate Bill 538. The bill began as a proposal that merely added a $50 fee to a dispensary's license renewal to fund a drug education program. Since it was passed by the Senate and moved to the House, the appropriations committee tagged on an amendment that has since been pitched as this session's last-chance to tie marijuana tax revenues to public safety funding.

The bill would create a special revenue fund to be administered by the Montana Department of Justice to be used for "combating crime, to include human trafficking, investigations, narcotics and the associated legal casework."

The two bills encapsulate two philosophies that have prevailed in recent months at the Legislature: One side prefers the popularity of outdoors funding and county road repairs, and the other believes marijuana should pay for law enforcement services they say are drained by the proliferation of cannabis.

At the moment, the Senate is preparing for a final vote on SB 442 while the House is considering SB 538.

In a Republican Senate caucus meeting Friday afternoon, Lang, who carries SB 442, said he was concerned about SB 442's fate while SB 538 still appears to have legs.

"The position of the Governor's Office is very clear  they're going to veto that bill," Senate Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, replied. "They've said it multiple times."

On top of the governor's preference, Rep. Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula and something of an architect of the current regulatory framework, has said SB 538 carries policy implications needed to update the state's laws regulating cannabis providers.

It may be a dose of deja vu for lawmakers who were held up from adjourning in the final hours of the 2021 Legislature, trying to keep the proposed framework from falling apart and reverting back to the blueprints laid out in the citizens' initiative that legalized marijuana in 2020.

This time around, three policy bills remain in play to make the desired upgrades from last year's framework bill, House Bill 701.

Those bills are:

House Bill 128  Developed by a legislative committee during the interim, the bill would extend the moratorium on new business licenses to 2025. The initial framework put the kibosh on new marijuana business licenses until June 30 of this year in an apparent attempt to allow existing businesses to stake out the new market before out-of-state companies with massive budgets move in. However, lawmakers have expressed concern about a growing presence of cannabis businesses in communities, and the Cannabis Control Division indicated earlier this session the start-up bureau would not be prepared for a wide-open market hardly two years into existence.

House Bill 903  From Rep. Mike Hopkins, the Missoula Republican who carried HB 701 last session, HB 903 would end a provision that allowed cannabis providers to leap from Tier 1, the smallest growing capacity license issued by the state, to Tier 5 without meeting certain production-and-sales requirements. The provision was included to allow providers to scale up and meet the demand of the new recreational cannabis market, but the Montana Cannabis Industry Association this session has noted production has far outpaced sales, and could lead to issues seen in other states.

The bill also includes new setback limits, adding child care facilities and private preschools into those definitions. Additionally, providers who entered the market after Montana's Nov. 3, 2020, vote to legalize recreational marijuana are currently barred from entering the market until the moratorium ends. To allow a number of providers who have complained they were misled about the opportunity, HB 903 moves that deadline back to April 27, 2021; so anyone who obtained a business license up from the state up until that date would be able to sell recreational cannabis.

HB 538  The initial version of the bill included a new provision that added more specificity to the marijuana statutes outlining when law enforcement can seize marijuana and marijuana products from an individual who fraudulently claimed to be a cultivator or dispensary employee.

This bill had died on the House floor this week, but it was revived when Hopkins urged lawmakers to give him another chance to explain the statutory updates he wanted from the bill. It is expected to be heard again in the House early next week. The 90-day timeline allotted to the legislative session expires May 5.

During the Senate GOP caucus meeting, several surmised the bill could be stripped back to its original form. Leadership suggested that, while still in the House, they weren't sure what form the bill would take by the time it returns to the Senate.

When it does, the Senate will have final say over the Senate bill.

"We don't control the House," Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, told members. "Let them do what theyre going to do, bring it to us and then you know what, well put the Senates touch on it. So thats where were at."
The horserace between two bills to determine how marijuana tax revenues are spent was decided Monday, although the winner remains under the threat of veto.

Senate Bill 442, from Malta Republican Mike Lang, emerged from the Senate on a 48-1 vote Monday, passing the Legislature with only 18 of 150 votes tallied against it across both chambers.

The bill maintains the funding for habitat conservation sought by outdoor recreation groups, as well as county road repair and veteran services that drew in 93 separate outfits to support the bill.

Senate GOP leadership has said the Governor's Office plans to veto the bill, which was at odds with Gov. Greg Gianforte's vision for marijuana tax revenue spending.

Asked Monday, a spokesperson for the Governor's Office said Gianforte "has substantial concerns" about SB 442 but did not respond to a follow-up email asking for more details.

Before the session even got underway, the Gianforte administration laid out plans to rearrange how those tax revenues are spent, doing away with habitat purchases by the state and spending instead on law enforcement resources the office said were tied to marijuana legalization.

That philosophy manifested in two bills this session: House Bill 462, which failed to pass out of its first committee, and Senate Bill 536, which began as a small policy bill but was later amended to include a new special revenue account for state law enforcement resources.

When the two still existed Monday, SB 442 supporters gathered in the Capitol to rally support for the bill's last reading in the Senate.

"I appreciate the county road part of it because I live on a ranch and we need to get our products to market, and we need to get our kids to school," Denny Iverson, a Blackfoot River Valley rancher, said during the rally. "And I'm an EMT, so I need to get to peoples' houses when they're having a bad day."

Sen. Ken Bogner, R-Miles City, also supported the bill.

"As a marine who served in Iraq, I believe we have a duty to care for our men and women when they return home from service," Bogner said. The bill expands veterans services and helps pay property taxes for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.

Roughly an hour later, SB 442 passed the Senate 48-1.

In the House, Senate Bill 538 had a more tangled downturn. In an effort to advance the bill through a jungle of procedures and deadlines, Rep. Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula, proposed an amendment to strip the bill of its revenue implications, essentially restoring the bill back to its original form in hopes that its policy provisions would survive.

As the votes came in on the board, it appeared the motion would die on a 48-50 vote. As Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, called for the absentee votes, the board suddenly went blank and the House got a second vote on Hopkins' amendment. That time the motion passed with all votes accounted for, 55-45.

A spokesperson for the House Republicans did not respond to a text asking how the second vote occurred.

Because no one objected during the proceedings, the second vote stands.

With SB 538 back in its original form, Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, said "shenanigans" in recent weeks had made the bill too clouded to support.

"Maybe we're nervous because we realize something bad is happening and there are shenanigans afoot," she said during the floor debate. "I think we have other marijuana policy bills we can use  I feel like this is a vehicle for dishonest dealings, I'm sorry, I'm just going to say this out loud."

Rep. Tanner Smith, R-Lakeside, is a freshman lawmaker this session, but on Monday was familiar with the "shenanigans" that held up the end of the 2021 Legislature.

At this point last session, last-minute attempts to introduce priorities into the new recreational marijuana regulatory framework threatened to derail the legislation and leave the state with the language from the citizen ballot initiative.

"This is kind of the same stuff that was afoot back then," he said. "These last-minute bills that no one understands as sneaky nefarious stuff could be passed through."

After it was amended, the House rejected SB 538 on a 38-62 vote. Because it has already died and been revived once, it cannot be revived again.
The health and well-being of the greater Richmond community are constantly evolving. So, keeping up-to-date on what residents need to get and stay healthy is a top priority for Bon Secours, which operates seven hospitals and four freestanding emergency departments as well as a network of ambulatory care sites, specialty and primary care practices across the Richmond region spanning from Southern Virginia to the Northern Neck.

Bon Secours mission to improve the health and well-being of their communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved, is at the core of everything the health ministry does. As part of Bon Secours commitment as a nonprofit, mission-driven, faith-based health system, the organization conducts an in-depth Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. The assessment pinpoints the key areas of health need in the community, which helps the ministry identify what areas to focus on to improve the overall health of the community. Based on this information, Bon Secours created a three-year plan of action, known as a Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP), which ensures that resources for outreach, prevention, education and wellness are directed towards the opportunities where the greatest impact can be realized.

The Process

Bon Secours 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment survey, which was fielded between October 2021 and April 2022, was conducted in partnership with a diverse mix of nonprofits, government agencies, public health entities and community members to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.

The survey spanned a 24-locality service area which consists of nearly 1.4 million people, and a total of 1,370 individuals responded to the survey which was fielded in both English and Spanish.

During this six-month period, five community conversations occurred in which 75 individuals participated. In-person opportunities were offered in the East End of Richmond, Petersburg, and in Kilmarnock in the Northern Neck, and additional opportunities were offered via Zoom. Lastly, Bon Secours conducted interviews with key stakeholders to conduct deep dives into specific topics and issues, which helped to clarify the results of the survey and community conversations.

The Results

After analyzing survey responses, community conversations and information from key stakeholders, four overarching values emerged that have become integral considerations in the creation of the Community Health Implementation Plan: fostering an environment of justice; facilitating access, opportunity and belonging; listening, learning and collaborative action; and addressing systemic issues and root causes. From these values, five key health needs were identified that now serve as a foundation for Bon Secours 2023-2025 Community Health Implementation Plan:

Chronic Disease and Prevention

Engagement and Inclusion

Mental Health

Social and Economic Disparity

Violence and Trauma

Bon Secours 2023-2025 Community Health Implementation Plan Highlights

Chronic Disease and Prevention

To prevent and manage chronic disease, residents of the Richmond community need more treatment options and better health education. Bon Secours is working to establish local partnerships and provide financial support to maintain a vital health safety net that will provide the care and information area residents need.

Open and operate Manchester Health Clinic and East End Wellness Center for uninsured and underinsured

Strengthen health care safety net through at least $2 million of investments serving the uninsured and underinsured populations

Engagement and Inclusion

To stay in touch with the community and to monitor the results of its 2023-2025 action plan, Bon Secours is pursuing opportunities to engage with Richmond residents, leaders and stakeholders in the organizations service areas.

Host at least 10 community-focused events on neighborhood-level engagement, social connectedness and diversity, equity and inclusion

Convene town halls at least once a quarter to discuss learnings and identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborations

Mental Health

Theres a growing need for mental health services in the Richmond community, so Bon Secours is working to increase mental and behavioral health screenings and referrals, and to create community partnerships that will give residents better access to mental health care.

Expand access to mental health services across emergency, inpatient, outpatient and telehealth settings

Invest at least $1 million in school-based mental health needs in our communities

Social and Economic Disparity

Inequality and social and economic disparities make it harder for some people to access quality health care. Bon Secours is increasing its investment in community-based organizations to overcome these disparities by expanding the capacity of equal health care services and treatment for all people, especially those in poor and underserved communities.

Invest over $3 million to address economic equity, affordable housing, education, workforce development and the built environment

Grow community health worker and other allied health worker net work by at least 20% to connect patients to resources

Violence and Trauma

The 2022 needs assessment showed a troubling trend: increasingly frequent instances of interpersonal and community violence. Bon Secours is working to promote safer communities and to expand the scope of services available to victims of violent acts.

Invest at least $2.5 million to promote safer, supportive communities

Expand interpersonal and community violence services into Petersburg area

Through these and other avenues, Bon Secours is continuing to establish itself as a compassionate provider of health care services for all people, especially the ones who need them the most, within the larger Richmond community.

To learn more about Bon Secours Community Commitment or to view the results of the 2022 Bon Secours Richmond CHNA Survey, visit bonsecours.com.
Enough gun violence. Enough vigils. Enough already.

That was the message Monday night as Richmond officials, first responders, family, parents and citizens from all walks of life came together at the Vigil for Peace gathering at George Wythe High School, the scene of a shooting last week, to urge the community to do its part to eliminate gun violence.

Community members gather for the Vigil for Peace with a shared message - prevent gun violence in Richmond!#RVA #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/5LTnYCzl4j  Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) May 1, 2023

Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras became emotional as he recounted the all too numerous vigils that he has attended for gun violence victims. Im running out of places on the map, and Im tired, so lets make this one different, Kamras said. Lets change, because our kids lives are literally depending on it.

The gathering was organized in the wake of multiple shootings in Richmond in the past couple of weeks. The Richmond police chaplain team and community organization Virginians in Action hosted the vigil.

We have to have a renewing of the mind, said Virginians in Action founder Cruz Sherman. We have to start changing the mindset of our young people, we have to start changing the mindset of our young adults, we have to change our minds ourselves as those that live and work and play in Virginia. We are better than this.

On Thursday, two George Wythe students were shot near the school grounds. One student was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, while the other had less serious injuries.

David Gutierrez, also a student at George Wythe, was arrested by Richmond police and the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force on Saturday in connection with the shooting.

Only hours later that evening, a fatal shooting occurred at the Belt Atlantic Apartments on Midlothian Turnpike, a short walk from the high school. Marcus Dobson, 40, was found by police at the complex with an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

The city is now up to 26 homicides this year.

According to Richmond Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards, 40% of those cases occurred as the result of arguments.

At the vigil, Edwards urged the community to think before bringing a gun to a verbal or physical altercation. Ill submit that its not the mistake the minute you pull the trigger, he said. The problem starts when you decide to bring that gun.

George Wythe principal Kevin Olds pushed for greater parental involvement to help students curb socially inappropriate behaviors.

We want to educate children, but we also sometimes have to help raise their children because theyre coming to us with some maladaptive behaviors, Olds said. We have to address those things: thats why social-emotional learning is important, thats why mental health crisis is at the forefront of what were talking about.

Kamras urged all of Richmond to be better in terms of helping families and neighbors, but also in being responsible gun owners.

Im tired of hearing about kids getting access to guns because they werent locked up, Kamras said. You want to own a gun? God bless. But lock it up and be responsible.

Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Colette McEachin wondered aloud where the visible outrage was regarding the numerous shootings that have haunted the nation. She pointed out that thousands of people protested in front of the Robert E. Lee monument in 2020 before it was moved, but have not delivered the same outreach for the recent gun incidents.

Where are these people now? McEachin said. Listen to what these community leaders have said and have asked and volunteer. Dont just shout out, show up.

During Monday nights Richmond School Board meeting, resident TaQuan Grant called on officials to ramp up after-school programs to help students. A 2018 Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, Grant ran for the board in 2020.

These programs brought young people and helped them get on the right path, especially with career, said Grant, who also urged board members to hold town hall meetings in the community.

Close 08-06-1979 (cutline): Antoi Harrington (left) and Robert Winthrow are friends. In October 1954, students crowded into the new Douglas S. Freeman High School in Henrico County. The school, which cost about $1.1 million, opened the previous month and had roughly 500 high school and 500 elementary students. NL Published Caption: Benedictine High School's Cadet Corps in formation behind the school. 10-8-61 50th anniversary In September 1961, students entered Westhampton School in Richmond. That fall, Daisy Jane Cooper became the first African-American student to integrate the junior high school; the following year, she made similar history at Thomas Jefferson High School. In July 1968, a summer session class of journalism students worked on the yearbook, The Sunfire, at the Collegiate Schools in Henrico County. In April 1955, students at Ridge School in Henrico County enjoyed their new merry-go-round. It was presented to the school by the PTA, which had collected donations for playground equipment. In September 1967, students motorcycles lined the parking lot at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond on the first day of school. In March 1961, Robert K. Crowell, a teacher at George Wythe High School in Richmond, held his first class on communism. The six-week course was reported to be one of the first in the country and drew national attention from newspapers and television. Crowell said his method of teaching the class was to emphasize that communism was not merely an economic system but a way of life. NL Published caption: Children romp at William Fox Elementary School before classes. The Christmas holidays ended today for pupils in the area 08-31-1970 (cutline): Students wait for transfer buses at corner of Westover Hills Blvd. and Forest Hill Ave. 05-03-1979 (cutline): Pupils sit under an atop homemade wooden loft at Cary Elementary School. 08-30-1971 (cutline): Miss Susan R. McCandlish greets her fifth graders on their first day at Chimborazo School. 08-30-1971 (cutline): Mrs. Gayle Graham (right) calls roll in her fifth grade class at Lakeside Elementary School. 03-29-1971: Young student listeds to playback in reading class. The program was to be used the following fall for first graders in Richmond city schools. 04-18-1982 (cutline): Video equipment used in a visual literacy program, paid for by Title I in Richmond. 09-06-1989 (cutline): Thelma Smith, a former teacher who came to school yesterday to help, pinned bus numbers on pupils at Bellevue Elementary School. 09-03-1985 (cutline): Corey Green on bus, ready to head home after 1st day of school at John B. Cary School. 05-03-1979: John B. Cary Elementary School library. 06-16-1989 (cutline): Doing something--Patricia Lancaster, Boushall Middle School curriculum specialist, is surrounded by some of the pupils taking part in the "Becoming a Woman" program. 07-13-1979 (cutline): In Super Mint factory--Stephanie McIntosh, Becky Blum and Chris Minney (left to right) made Astonishments this week in the Superintendent's School for the Gifted. 09-08-1972: Students cross street on Forest Hill Avenue aided by crossing guard. 09-01-1970 (cutline): "It's different. It's a new experience. Everybody's trying to make it work. I think it will work." These comments by Susan Lippsitz, a new student at Thomas Jefferson High School, are reflective of those by several high and middle school students in their second day of the school term under a new court-ordered desegregation plan. 07-11-1976 (cutline): Blackwell Elementary students examine a bell in front of Treasury building in Washington D.C. The Richmond elementary school class was part of Class-on-Wheels, a summer school program. The federally financed program was designed to give disadvantaged studens the opportunity to travel by bus throughout Virginia. 09-01-1970 (cutline): Students leave a city school bus at Thompson Middle School, where some of them are to board a Virginia Transit Co. bus taking them to Maymont School. Thompson, in the annexed area on Forest Hill Avenue, and Maymont, near Byrd Park, are paired under the city's court-ordered desegregation plan. Some confusion yesterday about busing students to Thompson and then to Maymont was alleviated this morning through a new, direct VTC bus schedule. 10-02-1975 (cutline): Counselor Libby Hoffman uses pictures, recorded story to teach 'self worth.' 05-14-1971 (cutline): Mr. J.C. Binford with his 11th grade American History Class. This was one of the largest classes at George Wythe. From the Archives: A look back at Richmond schools 08-06-1979 (cutline): Antoi Harrington (left) and Robert Winthrow are friends. In October 1954, students crowded into the new Douglas S. Freeman High School in Henrico County. The school, which cost about $1.1 million, opened the previous month and had roughly 500 high school and 500 elementary students. NL Published Caption: Benedictine High School's Cadet Corps in formation behind the school. 10-8-61 50th anniversary In September 1961, students entered Westhampton School in Richmond. That fall, Daisy Jane Cooper became the first African-American student to integrate the junior high school; the following year, she made similar history at Thomas Jefferson High School. In July 1968, a summer session class of journalism students worked on the yearbook, The Sunfire, at the Collegiate Schools in Henrico County. In April 1955, students at Ridge School in Henrico County enjoyed their new merry-go-round. It was presented to the school by the PTA, which had collected donations for playground equipment. In September 1967, students motorcycles lined the parking lot at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond on the first day of school. In March 1961, Robert K. Crowell, a teacher at George Wythe High School in Richmond, held his first class on communism. The six-week course was reported to be one of the first in the country and drew national attention from newspapers and television. Crowell said his method of teaching the class was to emphasize that communism was not merely an economic system but a way of life. NL Published caption: Children romp at William Fox Elementary School before classes. The Christmas holidays ended today for pupils in the area 08-31-1970 (cutline): Students wait for transfer buses at corner of Westover Hills Blvd. and Forest Hill Ave. 05-03-1979 (cutline): Pupils sit under an atop homemade wooden loft at Cary Elementary School. 08-30-1971 (cutline): Miss Susan R. McCandlish greets her fifth graders on their first day at Chimborazo School. 08-30-1971 (cutline): Mrs. Gayle Graham (right) calls roll in her fifth grade class at Lakeside Elementary School. 03-29-1971: Young student listeds to playback in reading class. The program was to be used the following fall for first graders in Richmond city schools. 04-18-1982 (cutline): Video equipment used in a visual literacy program, paid for by Title I in Richmond. 09-06-1989 (cutline): Thelma Smith, a former teacher who came to school yesterday to help, pinned bus numbers on pupils at Bellevue Elementary School. 09-03-1985 (cutline): Corey Green on bus, ready to head home after 1st day of school at John B. Cary School. 05-03-1979: John B. Cary Elementary School library. 06-16-1989 (cutline): Doing something--Patricia Lancaster, Boushall Middle School curriculum specialist, is surrounded by some of the pupils taking part in the "Becoming a Woman" program. 07-13-1979 (cutline): In Super Mint factory--Stephanie McIntosh, Becky Blum and Chris Minney (left to right) made Astonishments this week in the Superintendent's School for the Gifted. 09-08-1972: Students cross street on Forest Hill Avenue aided by crossing guard. 09-01-1970 (cutline): "It's different. It's a new experience. Everybody's trying to make it work. I think it will work." These comments by Susan Lippsitz, a new student at Thomas Jefferson High School, are reflective of those by several high and middle school students in their second day of the school term under a new court-ordered desegregation plan. 07-11-1976 (cutline): Blackwell Elementary students examine a bell in front of Treasury building in Washington D.C. The Richmond elementary school class was part of Class-on-Wheels, a summer school program. The federally financed program was designed to give disadvantaged studens the opportunity to travel by bus throughout Virginia. 09-01-1970 (cutline): Students leave a city school bus at Thompson Middle School, where some of them are to board a Virginia Transit Co. bus taking them to Maymont School. Thompson, in the annexed area on Forest Hill Avenue, and Maymont, near Byrd Park, are paired under the city's court-ordered desegregation plan. Some confusion yesterday about busing students to Thompson and then to Maymont was alleviated this morning through a new, direct VTC bus schedule. 10-02-1975 (cutline): Counselor Libby Hoffman uses pictures, recorded story to teach 'self worth.' 05-14-1971 (cutline): Mr. J.C. Binford with his 11th grade American History Class. This was one of the largest classes at George Wythe.
Authorities have arrested the sister of a man who escaped from a Virginia prison Sunday.

Adriana Marin-Sotelo was arrested in High Point, North Carolina, and charged with helping her brother, Alder Marin-Sotelo, 26, escape from the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, according to federal court documents.

He is charged in the August 2022 killing of Wake County, North Carolina, Sheriffs Deputy Ned Byrd, who was shot while on duty after he stopped along a dark stretch of road late at night. He was found dead outside his vehicle with his police dog still inside.

FBI officials have said Marin-Sotelo escaped the jail Sunday at about 1 a.m. in a red or burgundy Ford Mustang. He was gone for more than 24 hours before guards noticed he was missing, jail officials confirmed.

Another inmate, Bruce Callahan, 44, also escaped. He had been held at the jail on drug charges, the sheriffs office said. Authorities have not said whether the two escapes are related.

Authorities in court documents said Adriana Marin-Sotelo paid someone $2,500 to leave a car in the jail parking lot for Alder to use.

How eviction levels have grown in 11 major cities How eviction levels have grown in 11 major cities Evictions on the rise Cleveland, Ohio Tampa, Florida New York, New York Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nashville, Tennessee Phoenix, Arizona Richmond, Virginia Dallas, Texas Las Vegas, Nevada Austin, Texas Minneapolis, Minnesota
Virginias chief diversity official, Martin Brown, slammed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at a Virginia Military Institute event last month  prompting calls for his ousting by Black lawmakers and Virginias NAACP chapter.

Now, two Democratic lawmakers are asking for a legal opinion from the states attorney general.

A letter sent Monday by Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, and House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr., D- Portsmouth, asks Attorney General Jason Miyares if Martin and the governor are able to disregard portions of the statute that codify the job Martin holds.

In 2020, the General Assembly passed Del. Jeion Wards House Bill 394, which established in law Virginias Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and outlined responsibilities for its director and chief diversity officer.

When confirming Browns appointment to the position, the legislature amended Gov. Glenn Youngkins language that had swapped equity for opportunity. Though it is not the language of the statute, the website under the Youngkin administration lists Browns purview as the Office of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion.

Brown, who is Black, was appointed chief diversity officer last November and earns $160,000 a year to oversee the office.

During an event at Virginia Military Institute on April 21, he told faculty and staff that DEI is dead.

Lets take a moment to kill that cow, he said at VMIs employee inclusive excellence training, where he was a featured speaker. Were not going to bring that cow up anymore. Its dead. It was mandated by the General Assembly, but this governor has a different philosophy of civil discourse, civility, treating  living the golden rule, right?

He also stated that equity has become a tradeoff for excellence.

In their letter, Surovell and Scott ask the attorney general if those statements constitute a violation of his statutory obligations as an employee of the state.

The statute says the director is responsible for developing a framework to promote inclusive practices across state government, strategic plans to address systemic inequities in state government, and to facilitate feedback from state employees, external stakeholders and community leaders to be turned into equity policy.

Surovell and Scott also inquire if Youngkin is allowed to ignore state code sections and establish any name for state employees and state agencies that he chooses?

The Youngkin administration said otherwise.

Democrats last ditch attempt to issue complaints regarding an office that has been in place for over a year wont work, said Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter.

Brown is the third person to serve as chief diversity officer since Youngkin took office early last year. Each time, the administration has referred to the office with a swap of equity to opportunity.

Governor Youngkin will continue to advance equal opportunities  not equal outcomes  for all Virginians, Porter said.

Youngkin, speaking Monday in California at a Milken Institute conference, asserted that DEI concepts have gone too far in service of equal outcomes rather than equal opportunity.

These concepts, five, seven, 10 years ago, were laudable, Youngkin said. It was about creating an inclusive environment where people felt like ... they had access and could be engaged, he said.

Speaking of education in Virginia, he added: When equity overcomes excellence, weve got a problem. And so, were trying to reverse that in Virginia.

Meanwhile, Browns statements follow a few years of DEI work in state government and at VMI.

In 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat and a VMI alum, ordered an investigation into structural racism at the college.

VMI admitted its first Black cadets in 1968 and its first women in 1997. In 2021, VMI appointed its first Black superintendent and created a DEI office. That same year, fellow alum Matt Daniel created the Spirit of VMI political action committee to reject the woke assault on VMI, its website reads.

Scott said: This is about gender inequities and racial inequities. We need to take a look at whats gotten us to this point  how do we make our systems fairer and better?

Those who dont believe in that, they call it woke.

According to VMIs website currently, the office will be changing its name to remove equity as well.

Surovell and Scott point to the bipartisan nature of the creation of Virginias DEI office. It passed the House of Delegates 68-32 (then-Del. Miyares voted in its favor). The bill also cleared the Senate 31-2 (seven Republican lawmakers chose not to vote rather than vote against it). At the time, Democrats controlled both chambers.

Surovell and Scott said that if Youngkin really wants to change the name or duties of the office, he will have to go through the legislature.

He just cant change titles and do whatever he likes, Surovell said. This is government; its not a business.

States where small businesses have the highest rates of survival States where small businesses have the highest rates of survival States in the Midwest had the highest 10-year survival rates
Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Richmond on Thursday to tour a small business and celebrate National Small Business Week, while warning against what she terms the economic consequences of a House Republican plan to tie deep spending cuts to raising the debt ceiling to avoid a default in June.

Harris, who traveled to Henrico County last summer for a roundtable on protecting abortion rights, will deliver a speech on investments in small businesses that President Joe Bidens administration has made since taking office more than two years ago.

The White House has not yet released further specifics on the vice presidents Richmond visit.

The vice president spoke on Monday at a White House ceremony with the president that honored small business award winners from 50 states, including Sharon Hamer, president and co-founder of Akiak Technology Alexandria.

You power the ambition and aspirations of our nation, Harris said at the ceremony. And that is why we are fighting every day to make sure you have the resources and the support that you need.

Harris highlighted the Biden administrations efforts to provide more access to capital by small, women- and minority-owned businesses, especially those in economically disadvantaged communities.

Harris recently announced the distribution of $1.7 billion in federal funds for community development financial institutions and minority depository institutions. Three institutions received money in Virginia, including $36.4 million for VCC Bank in Richmond and $10 million for Peoples Advantage Credit Union in Petersburg.

The backdrop of the vice presidents visit to Richmond this week is passage of the Limit, Save, Grow Act by a 217-215 Republican majority in the House of Representatives last week. The bill  supported by all five Republicans and opposed by all six Democrats in Virginias U.S. House delegation  would tie an increase in the nations debt ceiling to a rollback in spending that would cut about $4.2 billion from the federal budget and save $543 million in interest on debt.

On Monday, the White House asserted that House Republicans are holding the economy hostage by refusing to avoid default without slashing billions in funding for vital programs that support small businesses.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, has called on the White House to negotiate, saying: Weve lifted the debt limit. Weve sent it to the Senate. Weve done our job.

Photos: Kamala Harris through the years
Angered that the states top official for equal rights says the diversity, equity and inclusion movement is dead, former Gov. Doug Wilder said Virginias chief DEI officer, Martin D. Brown, should be fired.

Wilder, the nations first elected Black governor, said Gov. Glenn Youngkins recent remarks on DEI show he does not understand the real meaning of the concept and especially the word equity.

I see people calling for Mr. Martin Brown to resign. No. Governor Youngkin needs to fire him, Wilder said. Thats what you do when somebody isnt doing his job.

Wilder said he did just that when he was governor and fired the Virginia State University board over concerns the state schools finances were in bad shape.

If he wont fire him, he needs to say why he wont, Wilder said.

Youngkin has declined to ask for Browns resignation.

This is too important of an issue to succumb to those seeking to cancel Chief Brown for challenging the groupthink of the progressive lefts pursuit of equity at any cost, press secretary Macaulay Porter has said in response to calls from the NAACP and the General Assemblys Black, Latino and Asian American Pacific Islander caucuses.

Wilder is not a habitual critic of Youngkin. Following his election in November 2021, Youngkin tapped four former Virginia governors  three Republicans and Wilder  to serve as advisers during his transition and upcoming administration.

In May 2022, Wilder attended a news conference in which Youngkin and his top education official said Virginias K-12 school performance was backsliding due to reduced expectations for students and schools and a lack of transparency, resulting in widening achievement gaps.

Youngkin has said he believes many people pushing diversity, equity and inclusion measures are seeking equal outcomes rather than equal opportunity.

He reiterated those remarks Monday during sessions at the Milken Institute and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

That push has led to lowering the bar for student achievement at schools, he said.

Wilder said those remarks and earlier ones show Youngkin does not understand the concept of equity DEI refers to.

When you go to court, youre seeking equity, he said. Equity means enforcing the law.

Wilder said he tried to stress this point in a recent meeting with Youngkin.

This is about the history of what went wrong ... and what we are doing to correct it, he said.

Wilder said it is particularly unfortunate that Brown made his comment about DEI being dead and that diversity is the wrong mission when speaking to staff and faculty at Virginia Military Institute last week.

Brown said the states military college needed to focus on excellence.

Wilder noted that VMI had played an important role supporting slavery and had not admitted Black students until the 1960s. Black cadets have complained that they are often victims of racism and the state military college is making a major DEI effort.

It was while Wilder was governor that he pushed against much opposition to win a court order directing VMI to admit women for the first time.

How eviction levels have grown in 11 major cities How eviction levels have grown in 11 major cities Evictions on the rise Cleveland, Ohio Tampa, Florida New York, New York Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nashville, Tennessee Phoenix, Arizona Richmond, Virginia Dallas, Texas Las Vegas, Nevada Austin, Texas Minneapolis, Minnesota
It was, for the first time, a one-word answer to the question all the political pundits ask about Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker asked Youngkin on Monday at a Governing America conversation with the Milken Institute: Are you going to be dusting off that fleece jacket and getting out on the presidential campaign trail later this year?

He went on to say his focus is on Virginias legislative elections, where he wants to preserve the Republican majority in the House of Delegates and flip the Democratic-controlled state Senate.

Im going to be working in Virginia this year, Youngkin said.

And so our House and Senate are up for full reelection this year. We have a House thats controlled by Republicans and a Senate thats controlled by Democrats, he said. I want to hold our House, and Id like to flip our Senate. And I think were doing a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to bring that to voters.

Youngkin to GOP activists: Make 2023 a big-tent campaign As Youngkin focuses on the upcoming legislative elections, a billionaire former backer of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has contributed $1 million to Youngkin's PAC.

He told Baker, as he has previously told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, that he has not written a book or gone to Iowa, the way many presidential hopefuls do.

Baker pressed Youngkin further: So in the words of LBJ, you will not seek and, if nominated, you will not serve and accept the Republican nomination for president of the United States?

Youngkin chuckled and then replied: Well leave that one to LBJ. What I am very excited about is that America seems to be paying attention to whats going on in Virginia.

Youngkin was in California on Monday on his way back from a trade trip to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. He spoke with Baker at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. On Monday night, he was to speak at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as part of its Time for Choosing speaker series.

Youngkins campaigning for GOP gubernatorial candidates in other states last year, as well as the more than $10 million his Spirit of Virginia political action committee has received  including most recently a $1 million donation from Thomas Peterffy, a billionaire former supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential hopes  have kept political pundits speculating that Youngkin plans a presidential run.

Earlier this spring, Youngkin told The Times-Dispatch that the PACs money was all intended for this years legislative races. At the same time, he said he had not formed an exploratory committee for a national race and had not written a campaign book or gone to Iowa.

When previously asked about running in 2024, he has repeatedly said he is flattered but focused on Virginia.

But he previously has not been reported to give such a definitive No in public.

As for wiggle room, Youngkin said he would not embark on a presidential campaign this year. But the Republican Iowa caucuses are Feb. 5, 2024.

Having not announced a campaign, Youngkin has barely registered in polls of prospective GOP presidential hopefuls. One of his top political advisers is now aiding DeSantis expected GOP bid.

The talk about Youngkin as a potential presidential candidate is rooted in his 2021 election when, after Democrats won every statewide election for U.S. Senate and governor since 2006, Youngkin won a 50.6% to 48.6% victory over Democratic former Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Photos: Youngkin appears in Michigan, Nevada
A protestor aims a bottle towards riot police amid clashes during a demonstration on May Day (Labor Day), to mark the international day of workers, Nantes, northwestern France, May 1. AFP-Yonhap



French police clashed with hundreds of black-clad anarchists in Paris and other cities during union-led protests against President Emmanuel Macron's increase in the retirement age, as workers staged Labor Day rallies across Europe.



Demonstrators pelted Paris police with Molotov cocktails and fireworks, torched building materials and smashed up bus stops. Protesters marching peacefully booed the police as they responded with tear gas and baton charges.



Emergency services used water canon to put out a fire which blackened the windows of nearby flats. One officer was badly injured when he was struck by a fiery projectile.



Violence also erupted in Lyon and Nantes, where some vehicles were set ablaze and business premises were trashed. Nearly 200 people were arrested on a day some 782,000 people took to the streets, according to the interior ministry.



Macron last month raised the retirement age by two years to 64 despite multi-sector strikes, in a move that drove his popularity down to near the record lows seen during the "Yellow Vest" crisis of 2018-2019.



The reform has crystallised discontent against a president perceived by many as aloof and indifferent to their daily hardships, and he has been met during walkabouts aimed at rebuilding support by heckling and pot banging.



"They (government) are trying to change the subject quite quickly, but let's say it's not working. So much the better!" said sculptor Antoine Eveillo.



Trade unions had called for a big turnout as they seek to force a U-turn by Macron's government, which forced its pension law through without a final vote in the National Assembly, where it lacks a working majority.



Opinion polls show a substantial majority of French people oppose the higher retirement age.



"The executive cannot govern without the support of its people," said Sophie Binet, leader of the hard-left CGT union.





A man records the scene of a riot police officer on fire, left, as another officer sprays him and the crowd with an irritant during May Day protests, Paris, France, in this captured image from a social media video, May 1. Reuters-Yonhap



Retirement before arthritis



Binet said the CGT had not yet decided whether to participate in talks with the government on other labour-related issues such as salaries, working conditions and hardship benefits.



The moderate CFDT union will take part in those discussions, its leader Laurent Berger said.



But Berger also dismissed suggestions that a rare alliance between the leading trade unions was being tested now that the pension bill had been signed into law.



The pension system is a cornerstone of France's cherished social protection model. A banner reading "Retirement before arthritis!" summed up the disgust felt by many at being told to work longer.



Elsewhere in Europe, Italy's three main unions rallied in the southern city of Potenza, protesting against a labour package approved by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's rightist government.



During a parade in the Swiss city of Zurich, demonstrators threw water balloons at police and spray-painted properties.





France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron meet with CEO of Rungis international market Stephane Layani and representatives of the horticultural, agricultural and food sectors, Paris, France, May 1, Reuters-Yonhap
This is my first time to a movie cinema. I was stunned to hear this from my Afghan friend, who is in his 40s. We were standing at the entrance to The Byrd Theatre in Richmond for the premiere of "Anahita," a documentary of one mothers journey escaping the Taliban. He had come to the United States in 2017.

What do you mean? I replied. He shared that during his time living in Afghanistan, particularly under Taliban rule, he was taught not to visit cinemas.

Having lived in Kabul through the 1960s and 70s, I shared how my grandmother, a devout Muslim, would take me to the cinema regularly, cigarette in hand. On our way home, wed stop for kabob. This was the Afghanistan I had known. Free, developing and beautiful.

This summer will mark the two-year anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban  an event unfathomable in the face of a 20-year war that cost U.S. taxpayers $2.2 trillion. Over 170,000 lives were lost, including more than 2,400 American service men and women and 113,000 Afghan soldiers, police and civilians. President Joe Bidens midnight abandonment squandered these sacrifices, but theres still some hope.

Congress now has an opportunity to honor its commitments to Afghan allies through the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act, which provides a pathway to permanent status for qualifying evacuees. The act is up for consideration again this summer. Without it, the temporary protections offered to the nations 76,000 Afghan evacuees will expire and more than 70,000 will be at risk for deportation.

Afghan nationals stood by U.S. armed forces in the tens of thousands, serving as translators, interpreters, battlefield guides, drivers and more. Failure to pass this act would be a betrayal to these men and women who served side by side, both Afghan and American. Further, it would dissipate all the gains made by Afghan refugees who have started new and productive lives in our communities.

Through the Afghan Association of Central Virginia, a nonprofit organization founded by me and other community members, we have witnessed great strides through group and individual therapy programs, job placement, educational pursuits and more.

Through partnerships with ICNA Relief, Masjid-al-Falah, Islamic Center of Richmond, ReEstablish Richmond, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, and International Rescue Committee, or IRC, we have been able to reach more than 150 new families resettling in central Virginia.

We cannot allow them to be thrust back into danger in Afghanistan and forced to start again. They have everything to lose; meanwhile, America has everything to gain to keep them here. According to new data released by IRC, Afghan refugees are projected to contribute more than $200 million in taxes to the U.S. economy in their first year alone.

When the Russians invaded in 1979, my family sought political asylum in the United States. I had just completed medical school and started my residency in Connecticut, and later, a fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia, now VCU Health.

During my 40 years as a psychiatrist, I had the honor of treating veterans for the Veterans Administration, and later, active military members at Fort Lee, now Fort Gregg-Adams.

I know the trauma that ensues after a deployment, particularly if it involves battle. Many of my patients served in Afghanistan, so I witnessed firsthand the emotional and physical sacrifices the war had cost them.

The majority of Afghans in the Richmond region are on special immigrant visas due to their service with American armed forces. They have proven their loyalty to the United States for two decades and risked their lives, and mental health, to help keep us safe.

So please, join me in demanding that our lawmakers protect our allies and honor our commitments. They have given up so much, and yet their resilience is remarkable. Lets not take away the beautiful new lives theyre building.

Close In August 1966, Sister Mary Angela of the Monte Maria Monastery on Church Hill in Richmond reviewed a page off convents printing press. The nuns built the print shop themselves. That year, the monastery celebrated its centennial and released a book, Sentinel on the Hill, that combined more than 60 years of memories from the convents archives. 06-01-1986 (cutline): Sisters are planning move from Church Hill monastery to Hanover toward the end of year. 08-23-1966 (cutline): Sister Fidelis handles outside needs of convent. Extern sister has many unusual technical skills. 12-18-1986 (cutline): Mother Superior Margaret Mary McGuire donned a hard hat yesterday as the chapel cupola at the new monastery for the Sister of the Visitation of Monte Maria was lowered into place. 09-12-1966 (cutline): After silent meals with spiritual readings, nuns relax at recreation with work. 12-03-1986 (cutline): The new Monte Marie Monastery of the Sister of the Visitation is taking shape on state Route 607 in rural Hanover County. 08-23-1966 (cutline): Members of the cloistered order, sisters of the visitation, attend mass in convent chapel. 07-26-1977 (cutline): Sister Mary Fidelis Sanders finds that her duties as 'extern' involve more than doing the shopping. She does gardening, takes the other nuns to medical appointments, pays bills and is responsible for building maintenance. 07-26-1977: Monte Maria Monastery. 08-23-1966 (cutline): Sister of Visitation Order looks down on Richmond and Faraway skyline. She is a cloistered nun of the Monte Maria Monastery on Church Hill. 07-26-1977: Monte Maria nuns. From the Archives: The Sisters of this local monastery arrived in Richmond after the Civil War In 1866, the Visitation Sisters of Baltimore, Maryland, moved to Richmond per the request of Bishop John McGill and the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Virginia. The Sisters were asked to come specifically to offer their prayers to the city, devastated by the recent Civil War as well as to help educate girls. Shortly after they arrived, the Sisters opened an academy for girls; however, it was closed in 1927 after a unanimous decision to shift their focus and concentrate on more contemplative activities. The dormitories were then converted to serve as individual rooms for the nuns and they turned to baking sacramental bread for local parishes as their main source of income. In the early 1950s, the Sisters added a print shop and built a printing press themselves. The Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary Monte Maria was located in Richmonds Church Hill for 120 years until 1987 when the Sisters sold it and moved to a more rural location in Rockville, Virginia. Today, the building in Church Hill serves as a retreat center. In August 1966, Sister Mary Angela of the Monte Maria Monastery on Church Hill in Richmond reviewed a page off convents printing press. The nuns built the print shop themselves. That year, the monastery celebrated its centennial and released a book, Sentinel on the Hill, that combined more than 60 years of memories from the convents archives. 06-01-1986 (cutline): Sisters are planning move from Church Hill monastery to Hanover toward the end of year. 08-23-1966 (cutline): Sister Fidelis handles outside needs of convent. Extern sister has many unusual technical skills. 12-18-1986 (cutline): Mother Superior Margaret Mary McGuire donned a hard hat yesterday as the chapel cupola at the new monastery for the Sister of the Visitation of Monte Maria was lowered into place. 09-12-1966 (cutline): After silent meals with spiritual readings, nuns relax at recreation with work. 12-03-1986 (cutline): The new Monte Marie Monastery of the Sister of the Visitation is taking shape on state Route 607 in rural Hanover County. 08-23-1966 (cutline): Members of the cloistered order, sisters of the visitation, attend mass in convent chapel. 07-26-1977 (cutline): Sister Mary Fidelis Sanders finds that her duties as 'extern' involve more than doing the shopping. She does gardening, takes the other nuns to medical appointments, pays bills and is responsible for building maintenance. 07-26-1977: Monte Maria Monastery. 08-23-1966 (cutline): Sister of Visitation Order looks down on Richmond and Faraway skyline. She is a cloistered nun of the Monte Maria Monastery on Church Hill. 07-26-1977: Monte Maria nuns.
The Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, is a tragedy, both for the safety of locals and for environmental health. This isnt the first time that the movement of hazardous materials by rail has led to disaster, most notably the 2013 Lac-Megantic accident in Canada. The unfortunate reality of derailments is that transporting hazardous materials by rail is less safe, both for the environment and individuals, than by other, more reliable options  namely, pipelines. U.S. Department of Transportation data shows that less than one one-hundredth of a percent (0.01%) of all transportation accidents involve pipelines. On the other hand, over 1,000 derailments occur every year across the United States, according to the Federal Railroad Administration .

Though moving oil and natural gas by rail is less safe than transporting the same resources by pipeline, infrastructure constraints could soon force more oil and gas to be transported on the tracks and highways. The Biden administrations war on traditional energy sources has raised the possibility of more hazardous materials being shipped by rail. 2022 saw the least U.S. interstate natural gas pipeline capacity added on record. Onerous permitting requirements and anti-fossil fuel rhetoric from the federal government have hamstrung energy infrastructure projects, from pipelines to export terminals.

With pipeline capacity constrained and new projects reliant on a possible permitting reform bill to be passed by Congress, there are significant concerns that rail and truck will continue to move more oil and gas. Multiple studies have shown this would be counter to the Biden administrations approach to reduce emissions. A study from the University of Alberta found that transporting large quantities of oil by pipeline generated fewer greenhouse gas emissions, between 61% and 77%, than rail.

This is particularly concerning when you consider the multibillion-dollar merger between rail giants Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific. The CP-KCS merger would significantly increase the amount of train cars carrying Canadian oil through rail towns in the U.S. This would mean an additional 15 to 20 train cars carrying crude oil would pass through Minnesota every month, making an accident far more likely than if a pipeline was in place. The Keystone XL pipeline, for example, which President Biden canceled on his first day in office, would have transported Canadian oil to the U.S.

Shutting down pipelines doesnt magically make the transport of oil and gas less necessary. Communities rely on these resources, and limited pipeline access will lead to fuel being transported using less safe methods.

The East Palestine derailment shines a light on the federal governments environmental hypocrisy. Transporting hazardous materials by rail while blocking pipeline projects will have disastrous effects. Congress must prioritize permitting reform so more energy infrastructure projects can be built, and we can finally begin to diversify our capacity and make the movement of potentially hazardous materials, including oil and natural gas, much safer for people across the country and the communities in which they live.

Close Year unknown: Workers clear overgrown lot by Broad Street Station. 12-18-1956: Towering trees--Two of largest indoor Christmas trees in Richmond are in place and lightened--one in Broad Street Station. 09-06-1962 (cutline): There will be no more free parking for motorists at Broad Street Station. The temporary toll booth shown has been set up at the Robinson St. entrance to the station parking lot to collect parking fees from motorists. A permanant booth is being built near the present booth. The Davis. St. entrance has been blocked off to prevent cars from entering the lot from that side. 07-18-1967: Broad Street Station. 12-11-1970: Broad Street Station , looking west at approximately 7 a.m. 04-23-1969 (cutline): Magnolia trees to flower amid columns at Broad Street Station. Mrs. W.K. Norman lends helping hand. 06-08-1951 (cutline): View shows damage caused to West Side of Broad Street Station dome. Removal of tile, broken in last week's slide, will begin today. 06-04-1951 (cutline): Dome of Broad Street Station after tile dropped. Lightning believed to have caused concrete collapse. 10-24-1942: Broad Street Station. 05-20-1972: Broad Street Station. 11-15-1975 (cutline): Last passenger train rates musical farewell at Broad Street Station. Seven-piece brass band gathered to note the occassion with 'Auld Lang Syne.' 05-20-1946 (cutline): A Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railway train pulls out of Broad Street Station on its was to Washington. 12-10-1970 (cutline): Broad Street Station yards looking West at approximately 7:15 AM. 12-10-1970 (cutline): Passengers and stations staff discuss the travel by rails halt at Broad Street Station at approximately 7:30 a.m. this morning. 04-01-1944 (cutline): Service for servicemen--A member of the 1345th Service Unit, Richmond Military Police Battalion (in booth), gives directions to visiting serviceman at a new servicemen's information booth established at Broad Street Station. A similar booth is in operation at Main Street Station. 05-23-1957 (cutline): Broad Street Station. 08-07-1951 (cutline): Repair of Broad Street Station front--The maze of scaffolding in front of Broad Street Station is being used by workmen doing routine work on the Indiana limestone building. This is the first time the mortar between the stone blocks has been working on since the building was constructed. The work is being done while the station's dome is being repaired. It leaves only one way to enter the front of the building--through the tunnel just visible in the center of the scaffolding. From the Archives: Broad Street Station A look back at the Richmond train station which houses the Science Museum of Virginia today. Year unknown: Workers clear overgrown lot by Broad Street Station. 12-18-1956: Towering trees--Two of largest indoor Christmas trees in Richmond are in place and lightened--one in Broad Street Station. 09-06-1962 (cutline): There will be no more free parking for motorists at Broad Street Station. The temporary toll booth shown has been set up at the Robinson St. entrance to the station parking lot to collect parking fees from motorists. A permanant booth is being built near the present booth. The Davis. St. entrance has been blocked off to prevent cars from entering the lot from that side. 07-18-1967: Broad Street Station. 12-11-1970: Broad Street Station , looking west at approximately 7 a.m. 04-23-1969 (cutline): Magnolia trees to flower amid columns at Broad Street Station. Mrs. W.K. Norman lends helping hand. 06-08-1951 (cutline): View shows damage caused to West Side of Broad Street Station dome. Removal of tile, broken in last week's slide, will begin today. 06-04-1951 (cutline): Dome of Broad Street Station after tile dropped. Lightning believed to have caused concrete collapse. 10-24-1942: Broad Street Station. 05-20-1972: Broad Street Station. 11-15-1975 (cutline): Last passenger train rates musical farewell at Broad Street Station. Seven-piece brass band gathered to note the occassion with 'Auld Lang Syne.' 05-20-1946 (cutline): A Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railway train pulls out of Broad Street Station on its was to Washington. 12-10-1970 (cutline): Broad Street Station yards looking West at approximately 7:15 AM. 12-10-1970 (cutline): Passengers and stations staff discuss the travel by rails halt at Broad Street Station at approximately 7:30 a.m. this morning. 04-01-1944 (cutline): Service for servicemen--A member of the 1345th Service Unit, Richmond Military Police Battalion (in booth), gives directions to visiting serviceman at a new servicemen's information booth established at Broad Street Station. A similar booth is in operation at Main Street Station. 05-23-1957 (cutline): Broad Street Station. 08-07-1951 (cutline): Repair of Broad Street Station front--The maze of scaffolding in front of Broad Street Station is being used by workmen doing routine work on the Indiana limestone building. This is the first time the mortar between the stone blocks has been working on since the building was constructed. The work is being done while the station's dome is being repaired. It leaves only one way to enter the front of the building--through the tunnel just visible in the center of the scaffolding.
Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, wrote Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, in a 1913 essay. The dictum has proved so apt over the years as to become a cliche. Unfortunately, it now needs to be applied to the court itself.

Few U.S. institutions are subject to as little formal scrutiny as the Supreme Court. In theory, members of the court are subject to the same financial disclosure rules as other high-level federal officials. Yet with no one empowered to enforce those rules but themselves, the justices have all too often seemed to be above the law. The situation increasingly feels untenable.

Take Justice Clarence Thomas relationship with Texas real-estate developer Harlan Crow. A major conservative donor, Crow has for decades entertained Thomas and his wife on annual vacations that have included cruises on his yacht, flights on his plane, and stays at an exclusive California retreat. Although federal law requires disclosing gifts worth more than a few hundred dollars, Thomas has divulged hardly any of Crows largesse, citing advice from colleagues early in his tenure that such arrangements were a personal hospitality. Its true that the law contains a hospitality exception, but few experts think it absolves Thomas of his reporting obligations altogether. (New rules took effect March 14 that tighten such requirements.)

Complicating matters further, Crow bought Thomas mothers home in Georgia as well as other adjacent family-owned property for $133,000 in 2014. Again: Federal officials, including justices, are required by law to report any real-estate transaction above $1,000. Thomas claims the matter was an oversight. Whether he acted improperly is at best ambiguous.

Yet Thomas is hardly the only justice to engage in ethically equivocal conduct in recent years. Justices across the ideological spectrum have been accused of failing to make pertinent financial disclosures, accepting dubious blandishments, rejecting well-founded calls for recusal, engaging in questionable political and financial activity, and much else that would raise the eyebrows of any reasonable observer.

That the Supreme Court is the only federal bench in the nation without an explicit written code of conduct makes such behavior almost inevitable. All other federal courts are governed by a longstanding central ethics code. Administered by the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policymaking body that oversees the judiciary, the code offers one key tenet: A judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities.

One can debate the particulars of Thomas case, but its hard to argue that his entanglements with Crow dont create at least an appearance of misconduct. That Crow has no cases directly before the court isnt entirely exonerative (as Bloomberg News reported, two decades ago, the court declined to hear a case linked to Crow's family firm); the problem arises from an individual of great wealth squiring a Supreme Court justice and his family around on a yearly basis and mostly keeping the matter secret. So it goes with the other justices, whether they explicitly violated a rule or not.

What should be done?

In a 2011 report, Chief Justice John Roberts asserted that the Supreme Court shouldnt fall under the same set of rules as the rest of the judiciary. Because the high court was created by the Constitution, not Congress, it was due an added measure of self-governance. In his view, the ideal balance for justices mulling ethical questions would be to consult the code of conduct while seeking advice from the courts legal office and from their colleagues.

Such an arrangement is almost an invitation to abuse. Roberts should instead invoke his authority as chair of the Judicial Conference to establish a formal ethics code specific to the high court. In fact, theres precedent for the court and Congress working together on issues where legislative and judicial prerogatives intersect. In the 1990s, the rules of habeas corpus were significantly revised after then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist assembled a commission of federal judges to study the issue. Congress picked up the commissions recommendations and passed them into law.

A similar commission should be established to create rules of the road for the high court itself. It should specify how those rules will be enforced, and by whom. And it should add a bit of sunlight to an institution that has for too long resisted it.
18 killed 33 injured when Guadalajara bus rolls down Nayariat ravine

Compostela, Nayariat  At least 18 people died and 33 injured Saturday after a bus rolled into a ravine. The accident happened at kilometer 59 of the federal highway 200 Tepic-Puerto Vallarta, in the municipality of Compostela, according to the Attorney Generals Office.

According to the Prosecutors Office, the bus has left Guadalajara, Jalisco, and was heading to Guayabitos, in Compostela at the time of the accident. Authorities reported locating 11 women and seven men dead at the scene. The injured, which included 10 children, were transferred to different hospitals.

The Prosecutors Office did not report on the cause of the accident.

The roof of the bus was sheared off during the ravine roll. Photo: Special April 29, 2023.

On social media, Nayariat Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro posted The Government of Guadalajara remains attentive to the needs of the families affected by the accident. We are offering support in the transfers for the injured with ambulances and the Zeus helicopter of the Guadalajara Police.
Riviera Maya highway worker killed after being struck by Tulum taxi

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  A construction worker was killed Monday on a Riviera Maya highway near Punta Venado. The unidentified man was working on a section of Maya Train when he was struck by a car.

The accident was reported by passing motorists around 9:00 a.m. who saw the construction worker hit by a Tulum taxi. The worker was in the central median of the highway when a Tulum taxi suddenly came toward him, running him over and killing him.

According to preliminary information, the driver of the Tulum taxi dozed off behind the wheel which caused him to swerve. His unit ended up swerving into the highway median in a zoned off area for construction workers.

The impact of the taxi against the concrete median caused the unit to overturn and skid before finally coming to a rest in the opposite lane. Solidaridad Transit Officers were sent to the scene along with an ambulance.

Responding medical personnel pronounced the young worker on scene. There was no word on possible charges against the Tulum taxi driver.
NEW CASTLE  A winding stretch of Craig Creek is the dividing line between two sides: A landowner fighting for his property rights and recreational boaters who worry about losing access to the waterway.

William Lemon, one of the owners of Briar Oak Farm, has filed a lawsuit that asks a judge to declare a section of the creek that runs through the farm and the adjoining Briar Oak Properties as his and not the states.

The lawsuit accuses the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and the Commonwealth of Virginia of wrongly claiming the creek is public property, which allows canoeists, kayakers, tubers and others to navigate it as it passes through Briar Oak.

Should a judge change that designation, outdoor enthusiasts say, it could make a popular stretch of the creek near the Botetourt County line off-limits to those who do not receive permission from the adjoining landowner.

It could set a terrible precedent statewide that would affect public access, said Bill Tanger, chair of Friends of the Rivers of Virginia. Tanger recently established a second group called Friends of Craigs Creek, which has won the backing of the Botetourt and Craig County boards of supervisors. (The tributary of the James River is also known as Craigs Creek as it winds 84 miles through Montgomery, Craig and Botetourt counties.)

The lawsuit contends that the state has made a hostile claim of the creek and its high-water marks on both sides, and asks a judge to overturn that with a declaratory judgement that establishes Briar Oak as the legal owner.

Recreational use of the creek by members of the public is not mentioned in the complaint filed last year in Craig County Circuit Court. But in more recent court filings, Lemons lawyer, Lenden Eakin of Roanoke, wrote that the propertys natural setting and beautiful views make it widely known.

The states claim of ownership has resulted in many hundreds of people trespassing on these lands as if they were a public park, Eakin wrote. Those members of the public fish, wade, swim, camp, seine, shoot, picnic, park vehicles, build fires and otherwise trespass on plaintiffs property with impunity.

Eakin could not be reached Monday following a hearing in the case.

But he said earlier that Lemons concerns are largely based not on the conduct of boaters, but rather on what happens on the sides of the creek, which are accessible from a public road that passes though Briar Oak and fords the creek.

Tangers theory is that the states position currently prohibits Lemon from barring people both from the creek proper and its banks extending to the high water marks. But if the lawsuit is successful, he said, that would free Lemon to post the land as privately owned and charge violators with trespassing.

At Mondays hearing, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission asked that the lawsuit be dismissed. The issues it raises have been rendered moot, according to commission attorney Rosalie Fessier, by new legislation from the most recent session of the General Assembly.

A new law  which Fessier said was not passed in response to the Craig Creek controversy  removes the commissions jurisdiction over the beds of non-tidal waters.

There will no longer be any controversy, once the law takes effect July 1, she said. Lemons lawsuit is currently scheduled for a July 11 trial.

Judge Joel Branscom agreed and dismissed the commission from the case, on the assumption that the law takes effect as envisioned. But he allowed Eakin to file an amended lawsuit that will state a renewed claim against the second defendant, the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Branscoms decision Monday eliminated the need for either side to make detailed arguments on why the states claim is  or is not  legitimate under the law. The hearing was originally scheduled for that purpose, but Fessiers motion to dismiss, filed April 19, put that on hold for now.

Since the lawsuit was filed, both Botetourt and Craig counties have expressed support for keeping Craig Creek open to the public.

Craig Creek and others are a natural resource that must be protected and have an important recreational and economic benefit for the citizens of the county, states a resolution adopted in February by the Craig County supervisors.

In April, Botetourt County filed a friend of the court brief that made a similar argument.

The creek has long been considered a public waterway for passage from New Castle to Eagle Rock, according to the brief, and continues to be an economic engine in the countys emphasis on tourism.

Blockage of a stream or river subject to the beneficial use as a public thoroughfare is a public nuisance, the document states.
It was, for the first time, a one-word answer to the question all the political pundits ask about Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker asked Youngkin on Monday at a Governing America conversation with the Milken Institute: Are you going to be dusting off that fleece jacket and getting out on the presidential campaign trail later this year?

He went on to say his focus is on Virginias legislative elections, where he wants to preserve the Republican majority in the House of Delegates and flip the Democratic-controlled state Senate.

Im going to be working in Virginia this year, Youngkin said.

And so our House and Senate are up for full reelection this year. We have a House thats controlled by Republicans and a Senate thats controlled by Democrats, he said. I want to hold our House, and Id like to flip our Senate. And I think were doing a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to bring that to voters.

He told Baker, as he has previously told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, that he has not written a book or gone to Iowa, the way many presidential hopefuls do.

Baker pressed Youngkin further: So in the words of LBJ, you will not seek and, if nominated, you will not serve and accept the Republican nomination for president of the United States?

Youngkin chuckled and then replied: Well leave that one to LBJ. What I am very excited about is that America seems to be paying attention to whats going on in Virginia.

Youngkin was in California on Monday on his way back from a trade trip to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. He spoke with Baker at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. On Monday night, he was to speak at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as part of its Time for Choosing speaker series.

Youngkins campaigning for GOP gubernatorial candidates in other states last year, as well as the more than $10 million his Spirit of Virginia political action committee has received  including most recently a $1 million donation from Thomas Peterffy, a billionaire former supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential hopes  have kept political pundits speculating that Youngkin plans a presidential run.

Earlier this spring, Youngkin told The Times-Dispatch that the PACs money was all intended for this years legislative races. At the same time, he said he had not formed an exploratory committee for a national race and had not written a campaign book or gone to Iowa.

When previously asked about running in 2024, he has repeatedly said he is flattered but focused on Virginia.

But he previously has not been reported to give such a definitive No in public.

As for wiggle room, Youngkin said he would not embark on a presidential campaign this year. But the Republican Iowa caucuses are Feb. 5, 2024.

Having not announced a campaign, Youngkin has barely registered in polls of prospective GOP presidential hopefuls. One of his top political advisers is now aiding DeSantis expected GOP bid.

The talk about Youngkin as a potential presidential candidate is rooted in his 2021 election when, after Democrats won every statewide election for U.S. Senate and governor since 2006, Youngkin won a 50.6% to 48.6% victory over Democratic former Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday as the economic pressures of the streaming era prompted unionized TV and film writers to picket for better pay outside major studios, a work stoppage that is leading most late-night shows to air reruns
U.S. President Joe Biden and President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, meet in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 1. EPA-Yonhap



The United States and the Philippines reaffirmed their decades-old security alliance on Monday and President Joe Biden told his counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the U.S. commitment to the defense of its ally was "ironclad," including in the South China Sea where Manila is under pressure from China.



Marcos, on the first White House visit by a Philippines leader in 10 years, stressed the importance of the United States as his country's sole treaty ally in a region with "arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now."



The trip marks a dramatic turnaround in U.S.-Philippine relations as both countries seek ways to push back against what they see as China's increasingly aggressive actions near Taiwan and in the South China Sea.



U.S. officials said the leaders would agree new guidelines for stronger military cooperation, as well as stepped up economic cooperation.



"The United States remains ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including the South China Sea," Biden told Marcos in the Oval Office.



A joint statement said this meant that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.



Washington sees the Philippines as key to any effort to counter an invasion of Taiwan by China, which claims the island as its own territory. Manila recently agreed to allow the United States access to four more of its military bases under an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, but the two sides have not said what U.S. assets will be stationed at those.



The joint statement said the leaders "affirm the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity."



Under Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos' predecessor, U.S. relations soured as he turned the Philippines sharply away from its former colonial ruler and built closer ties with China.



Biden has invested in courting Marcos, who still faces a U.S. court judgment connected with $2 billion of plundered wealth under his father's rule.



U.S. officials said the new guidelines focused on military coordination across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace, while the U.S. administration would also transfer three C-130 aircraft and look to send additional patrol vessels to the Philippines.



"It is only natural for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China, Asia Pacific and Indo-Pacific region," Marcos said.



The summit is the centerpiece of a four-day U.S. visit by Marcos that started on Sunday.



Marcos has sought warm relations with both the United States and China, who are vying for influence in the Indo-Pacific.



Experts say Washington considers the Philippines a potential location for rockets, missiles and artillery systems to counter a Chinese amphibious assault on Taiwan.



However, Marcos told reporters on his plane China had agreed to discuss fishing rights in the South China Sea and also that he would not allow the Philippines to become a "staging post" for military action.





President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with U.S. President Joe Biden (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, D.C., May 1. UPI-Yonhap
Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net
" " The giant red star Aldebaran, seen in the background in this artist's conception, is 65 light-years away from the sun in the constellation Taurus. It is 44 times the sun's diameter and hosts a planet several times the mass of Jupiter. Pablo Carlos Budassi/Wikimedia Commons (CC By SA 4.0)

As one of the brightest, Aldebaran is also one of the most mythologized stars in the night sky. Ancient astronomers in the Middle East, India, Greece, Mexico and Australia all had stories to explain Aldebaran's reddish glow, which is actually a product of its large size and relatively cool surface temperature.

Even today, if you attend an astronomy stargazing session  especially in the winter, since that's when Aldebaran and its home constellation are visible  you'll likely learn about Aldebaran and the most common stories that are told about this eye-catching star.

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Despite our fascination with the brightest stars in the sky, astronomers continue to learn about them  Aldebaran included. Here are some of the basics about this luminous orange star.
Trovants are spherical and slightly irregular-shaped rocks. They can be as small as less than an inch, or a couple of millimeters, in diameter and weigh only a few grams, or they can soar up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) high and weigh several tons. These odd, gravity-defying boulders have baffled observers since the 18th century with many a curious soul suspecting they were dinosaur eggs, plant fossils or even alien pods.

Scientists believed trovants to be a type of concretion  a mound of mineral matter (specifically gritstone and conglomerates) embedded within rock layers of limestone, sandstone or shale. They often form from minerals precipitating, or settling, out of water collected around a nucleus of pebble, leaf, shell, bone or fossil.

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However, in 2008, the International Geological Congress in Oslo claimed trovants were incorrectly classified as concretions because there was no mineral difference between the stones and the sandstone beds on which they sat. There was also no distinct nucleus inside them.

Whatever they are, scientists believe that based on their makeup and locale atop the sands, these weird stones are older than man  shaped by earthquakes around 5.3 million years ago, during the Middle Miocene sub-epoch. The surrounding sands also suggest the area was an ancient marine environment, which may explain why bivalve and gastropod fossils can sometimes be found in them.
" " This bar chart shows how almost all of Earth's water is saline and is found in the oceans. Of the small amount that is actually freshwater, only a relatively small portion is available to sustain human, plant and animal life. USGS/Igor Shiklamonov

One reason SWOT is important is that water covers so much of Earth's surface  71 percent, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). About 96.5 percent of the planet's H 2 O is contained in the oceans. The remaining water is in rivers, lakes, icecaps and glaciers, and in the ground as soil moisture and aquifers.

But that water never really sits still in one place, due to the water cycle, in which water constantly moves from one place to another and switches forms. But global warming and climate change also are impacting the water cycle.

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"[Climate change] has a huge impact today ... on the water cycle, accelerating the water cycle by putting some drought in some parts of the world and floods in other parts," said Selma Cherchali, Earth observation program head at CNES. But until now, scientists have been stymied by the limitations of their knowledge due to insufficient data.

The new satellite will give scientists a look at that supply and demand chain in order for them to study Earth's water as a complete process.

It won't be just NASA and CNES scientists who'll be using SWOT data. Researchers from 17 different countries are involved in the project, and eventually the data will be made accessible to anyone in the public who wants to analyze it.

Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, SWOT program scientist at NASA, described monitoring and predicting the movement of water across the planet as a worthy investment.

"We as humanity depend on Earth water to survive and prosper," Shiffer said. "We know that oceans are the ultimate source of all moisture and water on Earth. Think of oceans as huge warehouses that supply moisture and water to lands that we rely on for our drinking water, agriculture and industry."

Knowing how much water is on Earth in various places also can help efforts to cope with water shortages in some places and rising seas and vanishing shorelines in others. SWOT data might help scientists to spot those patterns in advance, based on the supply wherever the water originates.

"The breakthrough is that we're going to look at Earth water with a very high resolution and clarity, like never before," Shiffer said. She said the images would be 10 times as detailed and clear as previous satellite images.
Terrible employees usually create a lot of drama and disruption and sometimes employers feel trapped on whether they can fire them. They can. And they should. But ideally, they should first issue some form of corrective action.

The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld summary judgment for the employer, Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC), where a former employee claimed that SMC discriminated and retaliated against her under Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act when her contract was not renewed after just one year.

Plaintiff Summer Lashley signed a one-year contract to teach criminal justice courses at SMC. According to the courts opinion, Less than a year later, SMC decided not to renew Lashleys contract and terminated her shortly thereafter. Lashley brought a mix of state and federal law claims against SMC, essentially arguing that her contract nonrenewal and termination were unlawful.

SMC decided not to renew her contract due to her performance, professionalism, and conflicts with faculty and students, according to the case.

In cases like these the facts are complex. The employee in question had a lot of conflict, demands and complaints. They all cant be summarized here but suffice to say she was a source of ongoing disruption, and her supervisor described her as emotional, volatile, and uncontrollable. Lashley herself informed her supervisor on multiple occasions that SMC was not a good fit for her.

The court concluded, Lashleys multiple contentious interactions led [management] to worry that she was not forming constructive relationships with faculty and students and would have difficulty maintaining the professionalism required to perform as a SMC professor. In consultation with other SMC administrators, [Lashleys manager] decided not to renew Lashleys contract for the following year.

Informing her that her contract was not being renewed, her supervisor told her, that she and SMC were not a good fit for each other.

Following this conversation, Lashley allegedly made threats to include shouting at her supervisor for betraying her, telling students she felt like blowing the school up and telling a faculty member that Bad stuff happens when people cross me. My dad says its true. They turn up dead. She allegedly threatened that evil people like her supervisor would get theirs. She denied all of these statements.

SMCs president learned of these threats and made the decision to immediately terminate her and not let her work out the rest of her contract. He informed Lashley that her termination was due to unprofessional, inappropriate interactions with faculty.

The court held that SMC had legitimate reasons not to renew Lashleys contract and to terminate her employment, including that she was not a good fit for SMC and based on reports of threatening and unprofessional behavior.

The court reasoned it was not unlawful for an employer to conclude that an employees conflicts with faculty demonstrated a lack of conflict-resolution skills needed in a professional setting where interactions with colleagues are frequent and essential. There was also evidence that Lashley demonstrated a lack of professionalism with students.

The court determined that the motivation by the employer was safety  not retaliation.

Furthermore, the decision-makers didnt even know about Lashleys ADA request or her Title IX complaints when the decision was made to fire her. Decisionmakers can hardly be accused of harboring a retaliatory animus when they were unaware of the actions that allegedly led to the retaliation.

Lashley claimed that SMCs reasoning for her termination  that she was not a good fit, was a thinly veiled disguise for retaliation.

On this point, the court concluded that, Describing an employee as not a good fit is an assessment that employers make all the time. Maybe someones skills do not match up with the institutions mission. Maybe someones work ethic falls short of expectations. Maybe someone is just not a good team player. Though there may be circumstances where evidence reveals that good fit is a subterfuge for discrimination or retaliation, it is also a perfectly innocuous comment that an organizations collaborative goals would not be furthered and might be diminished by the employee.

The court added, Institutional success is often a collective enterprise toward which an employer has entirely reasonable expectations that each employee should contribute. It added, SMCs President explained that a good fit for us is someone who is able and willing to effectively teach the demographics we teach with great success and academic integrity, who possesses the [a]bility to be a good colleague with your faculty and staff, as well as the ability to exhibit the appropriate behavior with students and a level of professionalism with the appropriate boundaries between students and faculty. 

This was true despite Lashleys claim to be a whistleblower. On this the court held that Lashley cannot claim that mantle, adding, the record reveals unrelieved personality conflicts, unprofessional favoritisms, unwarranted threats, and contempt for what the defendant institution was attempting to accomplish. We cannot see how addressing those problems was a pretext for retaliatory or discriminatory animus.

This case should be a must read for any employer grappling with these highly complex and disruptive employees who continuously spin up the organization with never ending demands and disruption. Address these behaviors early (immediately). Institute a zero tolerance for any lack of professionalism or respect. And be consistent in holding employees accountable.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Buses in the Pee Dee Region will be free to ride this week as the Pee Dee Regional Transit Authority celebrates passenger appreciation week.

The five-day event kicked off on Monday with survey day, the transit authoritys annual chance to get important data on the people who ride its buses. Pee Dee Regional Transit Authority staff at the Florence Transit Center handed out free donuts and drinks to survey takers.

Were just trying to think of little ways to give back to our PDRTA community, said Lauren Leonard.

Leonard is the Pee Dee Regional Transit Authoritys executive assistant and public information officer. She said this is the first time the transit authority has held a week of fair-free bus rides but that the authority will likely have them twice a year in the future.

We do hope to do this even bigger and better later this year and partner with more of our great partners that we already have and maybe get some new ones on board, Leonard said.

Transit authority staff will ride along with passengers and do giveaways on buses throughout the six counties served by the authority.

Each day, staff will be accompanied by different sponsors and on different routes.

Tuesday, staff will be on the Cheraw Express route from 911 a.m. with Northeastern Technical College and on the Bennettsville Express route from 2:304:30 p.m. with Trinity Behavioral Care.

Wednesday, Pee Dee Regional Transit Authority staff will be on the DART route from 911 a.m. with Genesis Health Care and Care South Carolina. From 2-4 p.m., staff will also be on the HART route with Care.

From 911 a.m. Friday, staff will be with Trinity Behavioral Care on the Dillion Express. Later in the day, staff will ride with both Trinity and Health Care Partners of South Carolina from 24 p.m. on the Marion Express route.

Monday, staff rode on all of the Pee Dee Regional Transit Authoritys routes to survey passengers.

We use this survey data to better improve our systems, get feedback from our passengers, to see what we need to do better and if we can extend hours, Leonard said.
 "Against the Recidivist Premium" | Main | "Why Criminal Defendants Cooperate: The Defense Attorney's Perspective" 

May 1, 2023

With new Florida law authorizing death penalty for child rape, how might SCOTUS get to reconsider Kennedy?

Fifteen years ago, in Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 (2008), the US Supreme Court decided, by a 5-4 vote, that the Constitution prohibits a state from imposing the death penalty for the crime of child rape. In the words of the majority opinion: "Based both on consensus and our own independent judgment, our holding is that a death sentence for one who raped but did not kill a child, and who did not intend to assist another in killing the child, is unconstitutional under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments."

In Florida, a multi-month effort to push back on this doctrine culminiated today in the signing of a new law to permit sentencing a child rapist to death. Here are the basics from this USA Today piece:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a measure making child rape subject to the death penalty, defying a United States Supreme Court ruling. "In Florida, we stand for the protection of children," DeSantis said at a Monday press conference in Brevard County. "We think that in the worst of the worst cases the only appropriate punishment is the ultimate punishment." But, in 2008, U.S. Supreme Court justices issued a 5-4 ruling barring states from imposing the death penalty for the rape of a child, when the crime does not involve a childs death. The court rules that applying the death penalty in such cases would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. DeSantis, though, has said he thinks the current conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court may be willing to revisit the earlier ruling. "We think that decision was wrong," he said at the press conference. "This bill sets up a procedure to be able to challenge that precedent."

I see that the new Florida death penalty law, House Bill 1297, states expressly that "a sentence of death shall be imposed under this section notwithstanding existing case law which holds such a sentence is unconstitutional under the Florida Constitution and the United States Constitution." I suppose that provision helps to provide a means for a test case to emerge in which lower Florida (and federal habeas) courts would presumably feel obligated based on the Kennedy precedent to strike down a capital child rape sentence, but then Florida would keep appealing in the hope of getting the Supreme Court to take up the case and overrule Kennedy.

In addition to wondering about the facts of any "Kennedy test case," I cannot help but wonder how long it might take to get to SCOTUS. There are, surely, hundreds of cases of young child sexual abuse in Florida with the child under age 12 as required by this law. But, while there will be death eligible cases right away, we would need a prosecutor to charge under this new law and a jury to return a death verdict and recommended sentence before the appeals get going in earnest. And the appeals would surely take quite some time before SCOTUS would even have a chance to take up a challenge to Kennedy.

Notably, three of the four Justices in dissent in Kennedy are still on the Court (Justices Thomas, Alito and the Chief), while none of the Justices in the Kennedy majority on still on this Court. I suspect Justice Gorsuch would be a vote to reverse Kennedy, and that Justices Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson would not be. I would guess that one, and perhaps both, of Justices Kavanuagh and Barrett would, perhaps on originalist grounds, reverse Kennedy. But when might they get the chance and are many of the Justices really eager to take this up?

May 1, 2023 at 06:04 PM | Permalink

Comments

You might be right that they are ready to take it up. IMO, this crime should not be death-eligible. For one thing, we don't want the criminal thinking "I'm already eligible for the DP, so killing my victim won't make my situation any worse."

Posted by: William C Jockusch | May 1, 2023 6:39:15 PM

"I would guess that one, and perhaps both, of Justices Kavanuagh and Barrett would, perhaps on originalist grounds, reverse Kennedy."

DING DING DING

Kennedy would get overruled 6-3 by the existing Court.

Posted by: Bill Otis | May 1, 2023 7:52:01 PM

I already have a cigar waiting when SCOTUS guts the Chevron deference (taken up today), so I guess Ill need a bottle of bourbon ready in a couple of years for this one too.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | May 1, 2023 10:05:33 PM

I just double-checked timeline of Kennedy case, and crime was committed in early 1998, cert granted (on direct appeal) in early 2008. Various factors surely influenced the timing, but that suggestes even for a crime committed in late 2023, there might not be a case a new capital child rape case before SCOTUS until the early 2030s. We might (or might not) have some personnel transitions by that time.

As for (already weakened) Chevron deference, it will be interesting to see if/how another ruling in this space further disrupts the current operation of the federal sentencing guidelines. There certainly are more than a few shrewd federal defense attorneys who will also be smoking a cigar if agency deference soon takes yet another hit from SCOTUS.

Posted by: Doug B | May 2, 2023 5:00:36 AM

As a logistical point, could a trial court really impose a death sentence notwithstanding Kennedy, even if only to set up a test case? Seems to me that a trial judge acting in accordance with the Supremacy Clause couldnt follow that part of the statute.

Posted by: Denver AFPD | May 2, 2023 7:54:35 AM

You might be right that they are ready to take it up. IMO, this crime should not be death-eligible. For one thing, we don't want the criminal thinking "I'm already eligible for the DP, so killing my victim won't make my situation any worse."

Maybe--but what happens to baby-rapers in prison is a big reason why the kids are killed.

Posted by: federalist | May 2, 2023 10:31:37 AM

Doug,

Thats an incredibly small price to pay for putting the power back into the hands of those who are supposed to have it. Message to Congress: Do your job.

Im sure the founders never considered that a branch of government would so eagerly give up their power to another branch.

Do you believe this would impact executive orders at all since the agencies end up creating the final rules and enforcing them?

Posted by: TarlsQtr | May 2, 2023 11:47:28 AM

Thinking about the theoretical aspects of what it would take to get to the U.S. Supreme Court (and not having read the full new statute and how it fits in the death penalty scheme in Florida).

At the trial level:

1) The prosecutor must make the decision to seek the death penalty despite the ruling in Kennedy. I know that there is some ability in Florida to get around a recalcitrant prosecutor, but that will undoubtedly limit the number of cases in which Florida seeks the death penalty.

2) The judge must deny any motion to dismiss/strike the aggravating circumstances. Since that is a pre-trial ruling, I don't know what mechanism exists to challenge such a ruling in Florida.

3) The jury must convict of the child sex offense (which is a rather difficult trial even without death qualification).

4) The jury must recommend death (or, at least, find the statutory aggravating circumstances and hang on penalty).

5) The judge must decide to impose death (or, at least, find that but for Kennedy he would have imposed death).

Only if you get through all five of those preliminary trial level matters would you have a death sentence which could be reviewed on direct appeal or habeas appeal. Assuming that Florida courts followed the last binding ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court would get the case on direct appeal. If the Florida courts ignored Kennedy, the case, in theory, might arise in habeas. (I could see not raising that issue on certiorari as a strategic move by defense counsel in the hopes that, by the time that habeas concludes, the personnel on the Supreme Court would have switched again.)

Posted by: tmm | May 2, 2023 1:08:11 PM

Hard to look at the Supreme Court now without cringing. Won't even abide by the Judicial Cannon of Ethics that all other judges follow. Shame, shame, shame.

Posted by: anon | May 2, 2023 1:29:12 PM

Anon,

Utter nonsense. There is already a remedy for removing an unethical justice.

This push is purely political. The cringe is from Congressional Dems trying to insert themselves into the business of a co-equal branch.

Posted by: TarlsQte | May 2, 2023 2:30:34 PM

Master Tarls, I know relatively little about administrative law or executive orders beyond the borders of criminal justice. This comes to matter in the context of the federal sentencing guidelines because a few circuit court have concluded that some guidelines' "commentary" that serves to enhance the punitiveness of the guidelines themself are improper/inapplicable under recent SCOTUS precedents.

Posted by: Doug B | May 2, 2023 4:40:33 PM

Post a comment
Mike Coppola - Getty Images

Gisele Bundchen made the first Monday in May one of her biggest red carpet moments in her career. The newly-single model took to the red carpet, dressed in vintage Chanel haute couture dress with a feathered cape attached for the night's Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty theme. As users on Twitter noted, Bunchen had posed in the 2007 look before for a Harper's Bazaar South Korea editorial that same year:

Jamie McCarthy - Getty Images

Jamie McCarthy - Getty Images

While Bundchen regularly attended the Met Gala with her ex-husband Tom Brady, this marks Bundchen's highest profile event since their divorce was finalized in October 2022. And did she go all out for it!

Confirmation of her attendance at this year's Met Gala broke the afternoon of when TMZ reported that she had flown into New York City ahead of the fashion event and would be wearing Chanel.

Bundchen opened up to Elle in an interview published September 2022 about how she sees this moment as hers. Ive done my part, which is [to] be there for [Tom Brady], she said before their divorce. I moved to Boston, and I focused on creating a cocoon and a loving environment for my children to grow up in and to be there supporting him and his dreams. Seeing my children succeed and become the beautiful little humans that they are, seeing him succeed, and being fulfilled in his careerit makes me happy. At this point in my life, I feel like Ive done a good job on that.

Now it's her turn to pursue her dreams, she said: I have a huge list of things that I have to do, that I want to do. At 42, I feel more connected with my purpose.

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Afghan women hold placards as they march to protest for their rights, in Kabul (AFP/Getty)

Hundreds of Afghan women have taken part in protests to criticise what they see as an intentional decision to sideline them from a key UN meeting in Doha.

The closed-door meetings, which involve discussions on the human rights situation in Afghanistan as well as on the removal of sanctions on the Taliban-led nation, will see nations around the world take part.

The de facto authorities from the Taliban have not been invited to the critical talks being led by the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres.

During the meeting, the UN will seek a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues.

Leaders from several nations are expected to reinvigorate international engagement around key issues, such as human rights, in particular womens and girls rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking, the UN said in a statement on Sunday.

In Afghanistan, various protests by women groups took place while the meetings went on. They said they were angered by the talks looking to formalise the Taliban-led regime, despite the erosion of womens rights in Afghanistan by the interim leaders, who call the handling of the affairs an internal social issue.

On Monday, however, 64 Afghan women were reportedly invited to speak virtually, along with a group of envoys, and asked to present their recommendations on reforms in Afghanistan to the UN officials.

I'm honored to be part of a meeting with more than 64 Afghan women & a group of envoys who will be at the Doha conference on Afghanistan today & tomorrow.

We had recommendations for the envoys. As a collective of Afghan women we demand that women are centered in every peace pic.twitter.com/xpezZt1F4P  Dr. Halima Kazem   (@HalimaKazem) May 1, 2023

The collective said this did not substitute for the official lack of presence of Afghan women on the panel. Its leaders asked the UN and envoys to refrain from compromising the rights of Afghan citizens in return for cooperation from the Taliban.

Story continues

Dont be deceived by Talibans promises. They cannot and should not be trusted. There is no moderate Taliban. For us, they are all the same, the ones in Qatar, the Kandaharis and the Haqqanis, read the top recommendation offered to the leaders in Doha.

More than 60 Afghan women from Together Stronger and other groups met this morning with special envoys from various countries including Qatar, US, UK, and EU to express the difficult conditions of their lives and recommendations for their meeting about Afghanistan today in Doha. pic.twitter.com/OufYETbJSL  TogetherStronger - With Afghan Women (@TogetherStron12) May 1, 2023

It added that the Taliban wont give women their basic rights without imposing conditions and pressure from influential countries.

The UN and other nations have been asked to refrain from public statements suggesting recognition of the Taliban as such statements further strengthen [its] propaganda as the legitimate government.

Talibans deputy spokesperson Bilal Karimi said they were hoping for the meeting to help remove sanctions on their interim regime and chart out engagement with the international community.

Reacting sharply to the Talibans exclusion, Suhail Shaeen, the leader of the regimes office in Doha, said such meetings will be unproductive, and even sometimes counterproductive.

How will they implement decisions while we are not part of it? Issues can be solved through a pragmatic approach, not one-sided decisions, he said.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned a Taliban administration ban on women working for the UN in Afghanistan and called on Taliban leaders to swiftly reverse a crackdown on the rights of women and girls.

The Taliban claims to respect womens rights in accordance with its strict interpretation of Islamic law. Taliban officials said decisions on female aid workers are an internal issue.
Can the Malaysian education system actually breed world-class students and workforce? (Photo: Getty images)

By Ng Miaoling

For years, critics have slammed Malaysia's education system for its seeming lack of progress. Indeed, a former minister even admitted, in a not-too-distant past, to it being stagnant.

Despite that, however, and another politician recently alleging that the Malaysian syllabus lags behind Singapore's by three years, Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek thinks the country's doing just fine.

In fact, according to her, a ministry study purportedly confirms that Malaysia's education curriculum is on par with Singapore's and Japan's.

But is that the whole truth?

Key differences

For starters, it is essential to differentiate between curriculum and syllabus.

A curriculum is a comprehensive guide for teachers that covers topics, courses, tasks and educational goals. In contrast, a syllabus is how those topics are presented to students in a classroom.

That being the case, Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, who heads Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) Malaysia, an educational non-governmental organisation, believes Fadhlina may be correct.

She explains that this is because the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), an examination that is taken by Malaysian students in the final year of secondary school, offers more subjects than similar assessments in the region, including the GCE 'O' Level, which Singaporean students take.

Education activist Zul Fikri Zamir, however, thinks differently.

He said the focus should be primarily on Malaysia's education syllabus. Indeed, the chief executive of educational rights group Untuk Malaysia believes that this, rather than comparisons with the curricula of different countries, is what can help address the inherent flaws in the system.

"If we want to judge the school system from the outside, we need to know the entire system. The curriculum is just a guide. How the curriculum is taught inside the classroom is more important as it translates to student learning."

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A tale of two systems

In 2018, the last time the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) benchmarking Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) was conducted, Malaysia fared very poorly.

Coming 59th to Singapore's 2nd place finish in the international study that featured just 79 countries, the results painted a worrying picture of the gulf between Malaysia and its southern neighbour.

Yet this state of affairs did not occur overnight.

Malaysia's education system, like Singapore's, is highly centralised.

All power rests with the Education Ministry, which enacts policies for the whole country. But while there are benefits to this system, among them that a uniform approach can be implemented for the entire country, education is overly politicised.

For instance, curricula have often included politically-driven courses, a situation that has then resulted in inadequate resources for essential subjects like mathematics, reading, and science. In some schools, students are even required to learn multiple languages.

The problem is further compounded by shifting targets depending on who is in power and/or appointed to head the ministry. This fact is exemplified by the years-long kerfuffle over the teaching of science and mathematics in English and the one-time planned introduction of Arabic calligraphy.

See Ho, a parent who sent three of her four children to Singapore to study, is, unsurprisingly, frustrated.

"I want my children to learn subjects that will be beneficial for their future and open up more opportunities, rather than subjects or languages that are only useful in Malaysia," she said.

"It is so important to master English. Compared with Malaysia, Singapore's English education is more advanced. Learning two languages (English and Mandarin) is already very challenging, so by studying in Singapore, my children won't have to learn a third language  Bahasa Melayu, which is only useful in Malaysia."

Additionally, there is the problem of questionable teacher recruitment policies and training, which, critics say, has resulted in a lack of quality educators.

Untuk Malaysia's Zul Fikri concurs with this assessment and also highlights how teachers in Malaysia do not receive proper training once they are in the system. He notes, too, how teachers are forced to juggle multiple duties, which do not have a significant impact on student learning.

"Unfortunately, teachers do not get trained after a certain number of years; they train on their own, like getting a master's degree  So, how do you measure the effectiveness of teachers after 10 years?" he said.

Some parents in Malaysia have also decided to send their children to Singapore in hopes of getting more quality education. (Photo: Getty Images)

No easy fix

But things could improve, Zul Fikri says, if Malaysia begins decentralising its education system.

He suggests that a centralised core academic curriculum can be maintained but that schools should be given the autonomy to decide on the proportion of other subjects. Furthermore, the transfer of oversight to state governments might provide more funding for infrastructure and digital resources.

"Putrajaya has the sole say on the curriculum and teachers, which is a real problem. We have to bear in mind that Sabah, for example, has a different set of problems as compared to Putrajaya. This is why decentralisation is very important.

"The idea is to give power to the states; for the states to have about 80-90 per cent say, for instance, on how they should treat their physical infrastructure, recruit teachers, pay salaries, and their curriculum," he said.

Incidentally, decentralising control would then mirror, in some way, Singapore's education system, which has moved from top-down control to more bottom-up initiatives.

Both Zul Fikri and Tunku Munawirah Putra, PAGE's honorary secretary, meanwhile, stress that effective teaching should be a paramount focus. And this should begin with better training and perhaps the implementation of a "pay and promotion" structure that rewards good teaching.

"Effective teaching is key to increasing students' understanding  and if good teaching can be rewarded with pay and promotion, that will really motivate teachers to constantly discover ways to increase students' understanding of the subjects instead of treating teaching as a job of last resort," Tunku Munawirah said.

A "tougher syllabus", though, should not be considered, Zul Fikri noted, if the goal is simply to improve our standing in the eyes of the world.

He pointed especially to the staggering high school dropout rate as justification, and adds that getting these students back should be the primary objective.

He said that when kids from the B40 economic group and poor families do not have money to buy books or laptops to learn, they struggle to follow the syllabus. And when that happens, these students fail and/or drop out of school.

"My suggestion is to change the syllabus in other ways, not by using the Pisa themes and metrics, but by designing a syllabus that caters to students' needs and builds their capacity for the future," he said.

Note that the Education Ministry has refuted the high dropout figures that Untuk Malaysia and other groups have alleged. But what remains true is that many students appear to be struggling to cope, and end up leaving school early.

Commenting on whether she would consider bringing her kids back to study in Malaysia, See Ho said it is a possibility, but that things would have to change significantly.

"It pains me to see my children waking up at 4am daily to cross the border and return at 8pm just to receive a better education in Singapore. I hope our new government can prioritise improving the quality of education and prioritise core subjects such as English and Maths, and remove politically motivated subjects, so that our kids can learn and thrive in the education system here in Malaysia," she said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: malaysia.newsroom@yahooinc.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
A Ukrainian serviceman inspects the damaged homes by Russian shelling, May 1, in Donetsk region, Ukraine. UPI-Yonhap



The White House said Monday it now estimates that just since December Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine has rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.



In what has become a grinding war of attrition, 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.



White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. estimate is based on newly declassified American intelligence. He did not detail how the intelligence community derived the number.



Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in November that Russia had suffered well over 100,000 killed or wounded in the first eight months of the war. The new figures suggest that Russian losses have dramatically accelerated in recent months.



Troops from Russia's Wagner mercenary group and other forces are fighting Ukrainian troops house-to-house to try to gain control of what has become known as the "road of life"  the last remaining road west still in Ukrainian hands, which makes it critical for supplies and fresh troops. Both sides have cited gains in recent days.



Kirby said nearly half those killed since December are Wagner forces, many of them convicts who were released from prison to join Russia's fight. He said the Wagner forces were "thrown into combat and without sufficient combat or combat training, combat leadership, or any sense of organizational command and control."





A police officer is seen at the site of a residential area hit by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine May 1. Reuters-Yonhap
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SIOUX CITY -- A Hospers, Iowa, man involved in the sale of more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine and who illegally possessed several guns was sentenced Monday to 25 years in federal prison.

Robert Hansen, 43, was convicted at trial in November in U.S. District Court in Sioux City of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

He was convicted at another trial in May in federal court of two counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Jurors found that from January 2017 through January 2021, Hansen was involved with others in the sale of more than 100 pounds of meth. On three occasions Hansen sold meth to individuals cooperating with law enforcement and during one of the transactions he possessed three bundles of cash totaling $14,000. Hansen also was found guilty of illegally possessing an AR-15-style rifle.

In his other trial, Hanson was shown to have illegally possessed 17 guns. At sentencing, prosecutors presented evidence of Hanson's involvement with seven other guns. He was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a previous felony conviction.
LE MARS, Iowa -- A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty of causing a fatal crash near Hinton in June.

David Diaz, 31, entered his written plea Tuesday in Plymouth County District Court to charges of vehicular homicide, a Class B felony, and operating while intoxicated, a serious misdemeanor.

Emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash at about 5:44 a.m. June 7 on U.S. Highway 75 south of Hinton. Diaz is accused of driving 81 mph in a southbound car and hitting a car driven by Uzael Abraham from behind. Ermiohne Joswa, 45, of Sioux City, a passenger in the back seat of Abraham's car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Diaz had minor injuries.

According to court documents, Diaz smelled of alcohol at the scene and had admitted via a text message that he had been drinking while on his break at work in Le Mars. A blood sample taken from Diaz showed his blood-alcohol content was 0.159%, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08%.
FRESNO, Calif.  Two Sioux City women and a third with ties to the city were sentenced to prison Friday for their role in the murder of a man in California.

Hannah Haywood, 22, of Sioux City, and Alexa Ramos, 23, of Firebaugh, California, and formerly of Sioux City, each were sentenced to two years in prison for second-degree robbery.

Precious Green, 22, of Sioux City, was sentenced to four years in prison for second-degree robbery with a firearm enhancement.

The three all were given credit for time served in custody since their arrests more than three years ago. They will not be sent to prison because all of them spent more time in jail than their prison sentence prior to sentencing.

The three were charged in the Sept. 26, 2019, robbery setup and shooting death of a Fresno man in Firebaugh.

In an attempt to get some cash, the three women and Isaac Helms, also of Sioux City, set up a meeting on a dating app with 22-year-old Tyrel Truss, and planned to rob him.

While in Truss' car, Truss resisted robbery attempts and was shot by Helms.

Helms, Green, Haywood and Ramos attempted to flee but were detained by officers dispatched to the scene. Detectives found the gun used in the shooting, and Helms, Green, Haywood and Ramos were found in possession of Truss' items.

Green, Haywood, and Ramos all pleaded guilty of robbery in exchange for the dismissal of a murder charge and their trial testimony against Helms, who was found guilty last week of murder and second-degree robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced in June.
SIOUX CITY  Before Sioux City Council members approved the third and final reading of a sewer rate hike Monday, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan warned they were jeopardizing their relationship with the business community if they didn't "tap the brakes."

After more than an hour of discussion, which became heated at times, the council ultimately voted 4 to 0 to approve third reading. Mayor Bob Scott was absent from the meeting.

McGowan, who was representing industrial users, asked the council to defer action on the ordinance changes, which would increase residential, commercial and industrial sewer rates, for one week. The council previously voted to delay the second reading of the sewer rate hike twice, before passing it on April 24.

"I have not received one valid answer about why this has to happen today, as opposed to a week from today," McGowan said. "I can tell you what will happen if it doesn't -- that you have jeopardized your relationship with the business community that came to the table to negotiate with representatives in good faith."

During the meeting, McGowan also asked the council to approve a resolution to form a workgroup, which he said would show the city's commitment to collaborating with industrial stakeholders on a projected $470 million rebuild of the city's aging wastewater treatment plant. The workgroup would include public and private sector leaders, as well as outside consultants, state officials and the federal congressional delegation, according to McGowan.

The proposal, which McGowan handed to council members on Monday, came out of an April 28 meeting of public and private sector leaders, which Scott and Councilwoman Julie Schoenherr attended.

"I'm trying to make sure that we're working together, that we're not being adversarial, that it's not one side dictating how this is going to work," McGowan said.

McGowan told the council that moving the rate increase forward would force major industrial users to examine what they can do with pretreatment to avoid the rate increase, meaning the city would have fewer users footing the bill.

"The second thing that will happen is that it will have a deleterious effect on our ability to recruit more businesses to this community," he said.

Between the first and second readings, city staff revised the proposed sewer rate structure for industrial users. Industries will see a 5% increase effective July 1 and a 25% increase effective Jan. 1, 2024. Rates will jump 20% in FY 2025 and 2026, while in FY 2027 the increase will be 8.5%. Rate increases for residential and commercial ratepayers remained unchanged from the first reading of the ordinance. Those users will see an annual rate increase of 20% in FY 2024, which begins July 1, 10% in FY 2025 and 3% in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Last April, the council green-lighted a $617,700 consulting services agreement with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C., a Minneapolis environmental engineering firm, to develop a comprehensive facility plan, which will guide the city's wastewater treatment services for the next two decades. The rate increase would help the city rebuild the existing wastewater treatment plant, which is between 50 and 60 years old, in phases.

The plant, 3100 S. Lewis Blvd., poses significant safety issues for city staff and has a history of compliance issues with the state. In January of 2022, the Iowa DNR filed suit against the city over alleged repeated environmental violations at the plant, which dated back to March 2012. The city faces fines adding up to millions of dollars.

Tom Pingel, the city's utility director in charge of the plant, said the Iowa DNR will not allow the city to undersize the plant. He said the first phase isn't about capacity, but getting the plant back to the way it was when it was constructed.

"Everything's online. One breakdown right now, we're back in violation," said Pingel, who noted the city can establish local load limits for industrial users, which would cost those users more than the pretreatment. "The council has always been trying to get the plant capacity increased. If we want to take that capacity down, it's going to be a long, treacherous road. And, it's not beneficial towards the industries, our residents or our community."

McGowan questioned how the plant fell into such a state of disrepair under the watch of the DNR and Environmental Protection Agency.

"And, now, they're the ones that put a gun to our head and say, 'You have to act right now?' I don't buy that. I don't accept that," he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore said he doesn't understand why there's a "distrust." He said the council has committed to working with industrial users.

"We don't have a gun to our head. There's a lawsuit that's been filed in court. That's the real deal," he said. "I will commit to this working group. I have committed to this working group. I have reached out to the industrial users. For anyone to say, 'Dan, you're not listening to the industrial users. Dan, You're not committing to working with us ' -- that's where the mistake's being made. That's what's wrong."

In addition to the rate increase, the city would pay for the wastewater treatment plant project with American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The city received $40.6 million from ARPA, a COVID relief package signed by President Biden in March 2021. McGowan believes the city could qualify for funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests more than $50 billion through the EPA's water infrastructure programs.

"The Siouxland Chamber delegation that will be in Washington, D.C., the 17th and 18th of this month, will be working to do everything that we can to make sure our congressional delegation looks at this as a top priority," he said.
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa  In early April, the long-touted Lewis and Clark Regional Water System officially began servicing Hull, Iowa and nearby Sioux Center.

Tuesday morning, Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, recognized the development during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a Sioux Center utilities building.

"When I was Hull city administrator, I worked with local, state and federal officials to lay the groundwork to connect our families and businesses in Northwest Iowa to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System," Feenstra said. "I'm proud that, 33 years in the making, our families, farmers, and main streets in both Hull and Sioux Center will finally be connected to Lewis and Clark and have access to clean, affordable water. I thank everyone who played an important role in making this day a reality."

Sioux Center Mayor David Krahling called the work an example of difficult challenges being solved by cooperation.

"To every individual who has been part of leading this in any way, thank you for the legacy of showing us how to solve tough problems and how to work together with patience and perseverance," he said.

Incorporated in 1990 and authorized by Congress in 2000, the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, which has its administrative offices in Tea, South Dakota, began construction in 2004 on a system connecting 20 partners in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. The 337 miles of pipeline will provide water from wells tapping into an aquifer adjacent to the Missouri River near Vermillion, South Dakota, to 350,000 people in 15 cities and five rural water systems.

Hull and Sioux Center became the 16th and 17th partners to be hooked up to the system. As of now, Hull has reserved 400,000 gallons per day while Sioux Center has 600,000 gallons per day reserved. When the water system further expands its capacity, those numbers will increase.

During the ceremony, the Lewis & Clark meter building in Sioux Center was dedicated in honor of Murray Hulstein, the Sioux Center utilities manager and chairman of the Lewis & Clark board.

"Over the past 30-plus years, Murray has poured his heart and soul into turning the dream of Lewis & Clark into a reality, not only to benefit his community, but to benefit the entire tri-state region," Lewis & Clark Vice Chairman Scott Hain said.

In January 2022, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the system would get a $12 million grant from a state water quality initiative.

"(It) really does ensure that Iowans will be connected to clean drinking water," Reynolds said at the time.

The $12 million award from the state was directed toward constructing three pump stations by Lebanon, Larchwood and Hull, as well as a ground storage reservoir near Hull and adding pumps to the Dove Avenue pump station, according to a document from Lewis & Clark Executive Director Troy Larson.

System work was funded, in part, with allocations from the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021. At the time, two of Iowa's six-member congressional delegation  Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley and former Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne  voted for the $1 trillion plan.
SIOUX CITY  The mayor of Gjilan, Kosovo, one of Sioux City's sister cities, was in town Tuesday touring the Public Museum, Art Center, Police Department and Career Academy.

The visit marked Alban Hyseni's first trip to Sioux City, since he was elected mayor of Gjilan 16 months ago. Gjilan, located in southeastern Kosovo, has a population of about 90,000 people.

"It's been a great experience. The first visit is always special because you get to see everything first. You get to meet new people," Hyseni said during a news conference at Hardline Coffee, 515 Fourth St. "I'm really thankful for everyone for the warm welcome."

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Sioux City Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore, center, and Tony Fravel, a member of the Gjilan, Kosovo, Sister City Committee, right, speak with Alban Hy

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Sioux City Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore, right, shakes hands with Alban Hyseni, mayor of Gjilan, Kosovo, during a news conference at Hardline Coffe

Gjilan reached out to Sioux City through the Iowa Sister States organization and requested a sister city relationship in December of 2018. The state of Iowa designated Kosovo as a "sister state" in 2013. That relationship grew out of the State Partnership Program between the Iowa National Guard and the Kosovo Security Force. In February of 2020, a delegation from Gjilan traveled to Sioux City to ink the sister city agreement.

"We have so many exciting happenings in Sioux City, a lot of positive things happening. One of those is that we're a sister city with Gjilan and we're very proud of it," Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore said.

Sioux City has had a sister city relationship with Lake Charles, Louisiana, for more than 20 years. In 2003, Sioux City formed another sister city relationship with Yamanashi City, Japan, to promote city exchanges, foster mutual respect and appreciate different cultures.

"We've seen some institutions and some things that are really good and really a role model for my city, as well," said Hyseni, who arrived in the United States on April 28 and spent time in New York, before traveling to Des Moines on Monday and Sioux City on Tuesday.

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Alban Hyseni, mayor of Gjilan, Kosovo, talks about his experience visiting Sioux City with Community Inclusion Liaison Semehar Ghebrekidan, ri

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Alban Hyseni, mayor of Gjilan, Kosovo, talks about his experience visiting Sioux City with Community Inclusion Liaison Semehar Ghebrekidan, ri

Before 1999, Gjilan was an important industrial center in Kosovo. Although industry in Gjilan is "still getting up on its feet," Hyseni noted that food processing is "quite developed" and that the city is also working on tourism. He said the city has some beautiful sights and mountains.

"I've already informed everyone here that one of the main problems that we have in Gjilan is that the labor market doesn't really comply with the education system. So, what we need to do is have an education system that prepares the young generation for the labor market," said Hyseni, who thinks the Sioux City Career Academy could be replicated in Gjilan, where the average age is 31 or 32.

The academy allows students to take specialty courses in more than 30 so-called pathways, covering business and marketing, family and consumer science, health science and industrial technology.

"I think it's going to be exciting to see what happens now. We've discussed doing pen pal programming through the middle and high schools, doing Zoom calls to exchange how education works, potentially exchanging co-workers and creating a pipeline of students to (Western Iowa Tech Community College)," said Semehar Ghebrekidan, the City of Sioux City's community inclusion liaison.

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Alban Hyseni, mayor of Gjilan, Kosovo, talks about his experience visiting Sioux City with Community Inclusion Liaison Semehar Ghebrekidan, ri

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Sioux City Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore, center, and Tony Fravel, a member of the Gjilan, Kosovo, Sister City Committee, right, speak with Alban Hy

Ghebrekidan said a delegation from Sioux City hopes to be able to visit Gjilan at some point in the future.

"Hopefully we're able to go out there," she said. "That's the whole point of the sister city exchange, figuring out what it is that we do well, what do they do well and how can we make our services better for serving our folks here," she said.

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Alban Hyseni, mayor of Gjilan, Kosovo, is shown at Hardline Coffee in Sioux City on Tuesday. Hyseni was visiting Sioux City, Gjilan's sister c

Gjilan mayor visits Sioux City Anne Westra, city communications and public engagement specialist, left, City Manager Bob Padmore, Alban Hyseni, mayor of Gjilan, Kosovo, Mayo
DIXON, Ill.  Gertie Wadsworth was in the arms of her grandmother that bright day when sunshine dissolved distasteful memories of a long, brutal winter. Christan Goble held the 3 1/2-year-old girl in a crowd of more than 200 on the bridge over the Rock River. After a procession down Galena Avenue from the Baptist Church on May 4, 1873, the Rev. J.H. Pratt began baptizing parishioners in the brisk, rapid current.

Then, with a sharp crack and a crescendo of shrieking spectators loaded on the pedestrian walkway in front of towering trusses, the 4-year-old bridge twisted, splintered and rolled over. Forty-six people perished, many immured by the unrelenting gridiron just below the water's surface. Along with 56 injuries, the Truesdell bridge tragedy, 150 years ago Thursday, remains the worst vehicular-bridge disaster in American history.

"It's not as though the bridge just collapsed and went straight down," says Tom Wadsworth, 70, a retired magazine editor and expert on the calamity. "It turns over on top of these people.  As the (Chicago) Tribune said, the truss 'fell over with the weight and imprisoned the doomed in an iron cage with which they sunk and from which there was no escape.'"

Wadsworth wouldn't be telling the story had Gertie Wadsworth, his great-grandmother, not survived. Family lore holds that as Goble, 51, plunged to her death, she tossed the toddler into the river beyond the reach of the failing superstructure. The tot was rescued downstream.

Post-Civil War Dixon, 103 miles west of Chicago, was a growing city split by the formidable Rock River, a tributary of the Mississippi on which, a few miles north and a half-century later, a young Ronald Reagan would work as a lifeguard after the future president's family moved to Dixon in 1920.

For decades, wooden bridges had succumbed to raging floods. Fed-up voters in 1868 demanded an iron bridge. The city council chose Lucius Truesdell's design from 14 proposals despite the city engineer's warnings about its lack of uniformity and strength.

The $75,000 toll bridge opened in January 1869 to great fanfare, even though  just weeks earlier  a Truesdell bridge in Elgin had collapsed. It was repaired and failed again six months later. The Truesdell design carried traffic in other Illinois cities, including Chicago.

Newspapers post-disaster dubbed Dixon's span "The Truesdell Trap" and "The Patent Wholesale Drowning Machine." It was shocking how the ironwork had slammed atop victims like a gate.

"You could look down and see their faces. They couldn't get to the surface because all that iron was on top of them," Wadsworth said. "It's frightening to look down, but to look up and to see daylight, to be only 12 inches (30 centimeters) from air?"

The location of the May 4 crowd, clumped on the west walkway, helps explain why four of five fatalities were women, along with many children and teenagers. Chivalrous men surrendered prime bridge viewing spots to women and girls and stepped to the bank, Wadsworth said. Boys climbed atop the trusses.

But contemporary women's fashion might also be to blame, Wadsworth theorizes. The 1870s ushered in a heavy, layered bustle at the rear of floor-length dresses supported underneath by a crinolette, a series of fabric-covered metal half-hoops.

"You're not going to win any Olympic swimming races wearing one of these things," Wadsworth said.

Drowning, referred to in news reports as "strangulation," took many. Others met an even more gruesome demise. The crisscrossed iron in the latticework pivoted like shears, slicing into victims such as 16-year-old Katie Sterling, who was so entangled it took two days to cut her free.

Several bodies were recovered miles away. Lizzie Mackey, 17, was recovered at Sterling, 14 miles downstream. The youngest victims were sisters Alphea and Lucia Hendrix, ages 6 and 4, according to Patrick Gorman, another student of the tragedy who helped raise money in 2011 for a marker listing the names of the fatalities.

A new memorial will be dedicated at the site on Sunday.

Pratt was wracked by guilt, admitting he had detained the crowd longer than necessary to extol the benefits of "coming to Jesus." But he was a hero that day.

"He started grabbing them by the hair and by the shoulder and by the pants," Wadsworth said. "He knew what the riverbed was like. He'd walked out there many times for baptism ceremonies, so he knew how far he could get and grab people and he got 10 or 15 himself."

A century-and-a-half later, Truesdell's casualties keep it atop the worst failures of vehicular bridges in American history. The foundering of the Silver Bridge over the Ohio River from Ohio to West Virginia in 1967 also claimed 46 lives, but there were nine injuries compared with 56 in Dixon.

The horrific 1981 collapse of a Kansas City hotel's pedestrian walkways resulted in 114 deaths, the most of any crumbled span in U.S. history.

Separating it from the Truesdell affair are four railroad bridge incidents, including another in Illinois. In 1887, a trestle dropped from under a train at Chatsworth, 103 miles southwest of Chicago, killing 82 passengers as cars were flung into one another like a telescope as they slammed the opposite embankment.

Like he had done in the Elgin collapse, Truesdell blamed sabotage for the Dixon failure. In a letter to a newspaper in Massachusetts, where he lived, he defended himself feebly:

"It is nearly 18 years since I began building iron bridges, and the Elgin and Dixon bridges are the only ones that have fallen, and no loss of life except at Dixon. Can as much be said of any other plan?"

20 of the biggest environmental disasters in history 20 of the biggest environmental disasters in history Honkeiko colliery mining disaster (1942) Great Smog of London (1952) Grassy Narrows mercury contamination (1960s) Three Mile Island accident (1979) Bhopal disaster (1984) Chernobyl (1986) Exxon Valdez oil spill (1989) Phillips disaster (1989) Ufa train disaster (1989) Cantara Loop derailment (1991) Nambija mine disaster (1993) Baia Mare Cyanide spill (2000) Martin County coal slurry spill (2000) Toulouse chemical factory explosion (2001) Ivory Coast toxic waste dump (2006) Kingston coal ash spill (2008) Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010) Fukushima (2011) Guangxi cadmium spill (2012) Mariana dam disaster (2015)
MINNEAPOLIS  A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd has been convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

Tou Thao, who already had been convicted in federal court of violating Floyd's civil rights, was last of the four former officers facing judgment in state court in Floyd's killing. He rejected a plea agreement and, instead of going to trial, let Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill decide the verdict based on written filings by each side and evidence presented in previous cases. His 177-page ruling, filed Monday night, was released Tuesday.

"Thao's actions were not authorized by law. ... There is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Thao's actions were objectively unreasonable from the perspective of a reasonable police officer, when viewed under the totality of the circumstances," Cahill wrote.

Prosecutors argued in their filings in January that Thao "acted without courage and displayed no compassion" despite his nearly nine years of experience, and that he disregarded his training even though he could see Floyd's life ebbing away.

Floyd, a Black man, died May 25, 2020, after officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyd's neck for 9 1/2 minutes. Bystander video captured Floyd's fading cries of "I can't breathe." Floyd's killing touched off protests around the world and forced a national reckoning with police brutality and racism.

Chauvin, the senior officer at the scene, was convicted of murder and manslaughter in April 2021 and later pleaded guilty in the federal case. Two other officers  J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane  pleaded guilty to state charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter and were convicted with Thao in their federal case.

"The conviction of Tou Thao is historic and the right outcome," Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution team, said in a statement. "It brings one more measure of accountability in the tragic death of George Floyd. Accountability is not justice, but it is a step on the road to justice."

Defense attorney Robert Paule did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

"Nearly three years ago, the images of a police officer murdering George Floyd shocked the world, shattered our community, and devastated those who knew and loved him," Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. "Today, the person who aided in the murder by preventing community members from helping Mr. Floyd has been found guilty and held accountable. I hope today's verdict is another step on the path toward healing for George Floyd's family."

Unlike the other three former officers, Thao maintained that he did nothing wrong. When he rejected a plea deal in state court last August, he said "it would be lying" to plead guilty.

However, prosecutor Matthew Frank wrote that Thao knew that his fellow officers were restraining Floyd in a way that was "extremely dangerous" because it could stop his breathing  "the exact condition from which Floyd repeatedly complained he was suffering."

"Yet Thao made the conscious decision to aid that dangerous restraint: He actively encouraged the other three officers, and assisted their crime by holding back concerned bystanders," Frank added.

Paule argued that the state had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Thao knew that Chauvin was committing a crime or that Thao intended to help in a crime.

"Every one of Thao's actions was done based upon the training he received from the Minneapolis Police Department," Paule wrote.

He argued that Thao "reasonably believed" that Floyd was experiencing a disputed condition known as "excited delirium" that some medical examiners have attributed as a cause of other in-custody deaths, particularly when someone has taken drugs. Paule said the actions Thao took were aimed at helping to get Floyd medical attention quickly. He said Thao was not aware that Floyd was not breathing or had no pulse.

But Frank noted that witnesses who believe excited delirium is a real condition testified previously that Floyd displayed none of the symptoms.

The judge ordered a presentence investigation and set Aug. 7 as the sentencing date. Minnesota sentencing guidelines recommend four years on the manslaughter count. He will serve his state term concurrent with his 3 1/2-year federal sentence.

The agreement between the prosecution and defense specified that if the judge convicted Thao of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, the state would drop a more serious aiding and abetting second-degree murder count with a presumptive sentence of 12 1/2 years.

Cahill based his decision on exhibits and transcripts from Chauvin's murder trial, which he presided over, and the federal civil rights trial of Thao, Kueng and Lane last year. Thao was specifically convicted then of depriving Floyd of his right to medical care and of failing to intervene and stop Chauvin.

Thao testified during that trial that he was relying on the other officers to care for Floyd's medical needs while he served as "a human traffic cone" to control a group of about 15 bystanders and traffic outside a Minneapolis convenience store where Floyd had tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.

Thao told the court that when he and Chauvin arrived, the other officers were struggling with Floyd. He said it was clear to him, as the other officers tried to put Floyd into a squad car, "that he was under the influence of some type of drugs."

His body camera video showed he told onlookers at one point, "This is why you don't do drugs, kids." When an off-duty, out-of-uniform Minneapolis firefighter asked if officers had checked Floyd's pulse, he ordered her, "Back off!"

Thao acknowledged he heard onlookers becoming more anxious about Floyd's condition and that he could hear Floyd saying, "I can't breathe." But Thao said he didn't know there was anything seriously wrong with him even as an ambulance took him away.

The judge didn't accept Thao's claims of innocence.

"Thao was trained on MPD's use of force and medical policies, which are consistent with generally accepted policing practices," Cahill wrote. "Under those policies and practices, it was objectively unreasonable to (among other things): encourage fellow officers to engage in a dangerous prone restraint for 9 minutes and 24 seconds; encourage those officers not to use a hobble; actively assist their restraint by acting as a 'human traffic cone'; and prevent bystanders from rendering medical aid. Thao's actions were even more unreasonable in light of the fact that he was under a duty to intervene to stop the other officers' excessive use of force and was trained to render medical aid."

Thao is Hmong American, Kueng is Black and Lane is white.

"While we have now reached the end of the prosecution of Floyd's murder, it is not behind us." Ellison said. "There is much more that prosecutors, law-enforcement leaders, rank-and-file officers, elected officials, and community can do to bring about true justice in law enforcement and true trust and safety in all communities. To begin with, Congress must act: almost three years after his death, Congress has still not passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. That must change, now."

Photos: Scenes from the racial justice protests after George Floyd's death
An Omaha man was sentenced in federal court this week for sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.

James Ferman Chatman, 43, was sentenced Thursday to 27 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor by force, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for Nebraska.

Officials began investigating the case in September 2021 after receiving information about a missing 17-year-old girl who was being advertised online for commercial sex in Omaha, according to the release. Investigators contacted the girl, who said she was being forced to engage in commercial sex by a person known as "James Cooper."

The girl said that James kept all of the money from the sex buyers and that he had sexually assaulted her and provided her with cocaine, the release said.

Officials found evidence that Chatman was the man the girl was referring to and that he had created online commercial sex ads depicting the girl and others, according to the release.

In November 2021, investigators learned that Chatman was at a hotel in Omaha and went to the hotel to arrest him. A woman who was at the hotel with Chatman told officials that she was being sold for sex by Chatman and that he used threats and violence to keep her engaging in sex sales, according to the release.

Chatman was convicted of unlawful sex acts with a 16- or 17-year-old in Florida in 2019, but had not registered as a sex offender in Nebraska after leaving Florida, the release said.

In addition to his prison sentence, Chatman was also ordered to pay $1,300 in restitution and will serve 10 years of supervised release after leaving prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Omaha Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Top Journal Star photos for April 2023
Drone footage shows birds in the foreground as clouds of black smoke billow over Bahri, also known as Khartoum North, Sudan, on Monday. Reuters-Yonhap



Fierce fighting between rival generals raged on in Sudan Tuesday despite the latest truce, as warnings multiplied of the potential for a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands of refugees.



Bloodshed has gripped Sudan since April 15 when tensions erupted into armed exchanges between regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.



Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded as air strikes and artillery exchanges have gripped swathes of greater Khartoum, sparking the exodus of thousands of Sudanese to neighbouring countries.



Many more cannot afford the arduous journey to Sudan's borders, and have been forced to hole up inside the city of five million people with dwindling supplies of food, water and electricity.



"We are hearing some sporadic gunfire, the roaring of a warplane and the anti-aircraft fire at it," said one resident of south Khartoum.



Other witnesses reported air strikes in north and east Khartoum.



In a Monday briefing, the top UN aid official in Sudan, Abdou Dieng, warned that the situation was turning into "a full-blown catastrophe."



Kenyan President William Ruto said the conflict had reached "catastrophic levels" with the warring generals declining "to heed the calls by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and the international community to cease fire."



In a virtual meeting with senior UN officials, Ruto said it was imperative to find ways to provide humanitarian relief "with or without a ceasefire."



Burhan and Daglo, who fell out after carrying out a 2021 military coup which derailed Sudan's transition to elective civilian rule, have flouted multiple ceasefires, the latest a 72-hour extension agreed late on Sunday.



UN head of mission Volker Perthes said discussions involving Saudi and US mediators were underway with the rival generals to firm up a ceasefire.



The two sides "told us that they are ready to start talks on technical level over a ceasefire," Perthes told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television in an interview released on Tuesday.



Foreign governments have scrambled to evacuate their citizens. Over the past 10 days, thousands of foreigners have been brought to safety by air or sea in operations that are now winding down.



Russia's armed forces said on Tuesday they were evacuating more than 200 people from Sudan on four military transport planes. Nearly 500 people arrived in the Saudi port of Jeddah on Monday aboard two vessels, one a US Navy ship, the other Saudi.



On Tuesday, the UN said its 2023 aid appeal for Sudan was $1.5 billion short. Top UN humanitarian official Martin Griffiths arrived in Nairobi on Monday on a mission to find ways to bring relief to the millions of civilians trapped inside Sudan.



Sudan's turmoil has seen hospitals shelled, humanitarian facilities looted and foreign aid groups forced to suspend most of their operations.



At least 528 have been killed and some 4,600 wounded in the violence, according to the health ministry. (AFP)


WATERLOO  Authorities are trying to determine the identity of a man who was found dead inside a tent in a wooded area Monday night.

Police said they found documents and other records at the makeshift camp site. But the papers show two different names, and neither name comes back to a missing person.

A mushroom hunter came across the tent and body about 100 yards off La Porte Road behind the Crossroads shopping center area and called 911 around 8:30 p.m. Monday, said Capt. Jason Feaker with the Waterloo Police Department.

No foul play is suspected at this time and the body has been taken to the State Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Feaker said it appeared the man had been deceased for some time.

Photos: Body found, May 1, 2023 050123jr-body-found-1
DES MOINES -- Iowas Area Education Agencies would see a near $30 million budget cut as they expect an increase in private school students who need special education services under a proposed budget from statehouse Republicans.

The reduction continues years of budget decreases to the agencies, which provide special education and other services to Iowas school districts.

Funding to Iowas nine AEAs has been cut by at least $7.5 million a year for more than two decades, but lawmakers have periodically increased that number, and the funding has been cut by $22.5 million since 2017. The proposed budget would represent an extra $7 million cut for the next fiscal year.

This is a pretty devastating cut from what weve had, and it is going to show up in numbers  its just going to be harder to serve the kids, said Matt Eide, a lobbyist for the Area Education Associations of Iowa.

The funding was part of the standings budget approved on a party-line vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, with Republicans in support and Democrats opposed. It will need to pass in the House and Senate before being eligible to be signed into law.

Adding to the budget cut, lobbyists for AEAs said on Tuesday they expect to see an influx of private school students because of a law passed this year that will allow parents to use taxpayer-funded education savings accounts to send their student to a private school.

Iowa law entitles students in private schools the right to special education services in the same manner provided to public school students.

If students who requires special education services move to a private school, their AEA is required to provide the services, but the students are not counted in the agencys funding formula. Kate Walton, a lobbyist for the AEAs, said the agencies have been attempting to change the formula to fund those services for years.

Iowas AEAs provided special education services to more than 70,000 students in the last school year, according to a December report. A little more than 800 attended private schools, about 2.2% of private school students.

Jason Plourde, the Green Hills AEA chief administrator, told lawmakers the agency is trying to hire new staff to meet increasing need for special education. But with a reduction in funds and more private school students needing special education services, Plourde said the southwest Iowa AEA would struggle to meet the needs of all its students.

It really puts us in a very dire situation, not only potentially decreasing services to kids in the nonpublics, which were trying to ramp up, but also potentially dilutes (services) to the bigger schools, he said.

Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, a Republican from Fort Dodge who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he is open to changing the formula to compensate AEAs that serve private school students, but that will not happen this year. He said hed like to see how many public school students leave for private schools and request special education services next year.

The law creating education savings accounts gives school districts around $1,200 for students in the districts boundaries who attend a private school. Kraayenbrink suggested the state could do the same for AEAs, supplementing their funding based on how many private school students each agency serves.

I think its worth us taking a hard look at in the interim to see if theres an answer, he said.
DES MOINES  Pulling back from a proposed ban on remote caucus participation, Iowa House Republicans passed a bill they say will keep Iowas caucuses first in the nation without upending Democrats plans to conduct the 2024 caucuses by mail.

The bill, which was amended on the floor before passing along party lines, would require that caucus participation be in person only if the purpose of the caucus is to select delegates as part of the presidential nominating process  leaving open the possibility of doing the presidential preference process on a different date.

House File 716, as amended, would also remove a requirement in the original bill that caucus participants register with a party at least 70 days in advance of the caucuses. Instead, parties could determine participation rules for their caucuses.

It's my attempt to listen to the criticisms and put forward a piece of legislation that truly preserves the caucuses, while also guaranteeing that first-in-the-nation doesn't get taken away from us, said Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton and the bills author.

Kaufmann proposed the bill last month, saying it was necessary to prevent New Hampshire from jumping Iowa in the presidential nominating process. New Hampshire law requires that it hold the first primary and the secretary of state can set the date to accomplish that. He also proposed the amendment.

If the Iowa Democratic Partys caucus process looked too much like a primary, Republicans warned, New Hampshire would schedule its primary before Iowas caucuses. New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan later confirmed those fears, saying he would move the states primary before Iowas caucus if it uses a mail-in process.

Originally, the bill would have required someone to be physically present at a presidential precinct caucus to vote in that caucus, nullifying the Democrats plans to conduct presidential preference by mail.

In a statement, Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann  Bobby Kaufmann's father  said the party supports "any legislation that would preserve our historic, in-person caucus tradition and safeguard Iowa's First-in-the-Nation Caucuses."

Iowas precinct caucuses are party organizing events where party members select delegates to county conventions, work on a party platform, and in presidential election years, tally support for the partys presidential candidates and assign delegates for that process.

In June, Iowa Democrats announced plans to hold the presidential preference process by mail and announce the results on caucus night in a bid to retain their first-in-the-nation status. The national partys rules committee ultimately knocked Iowa out of the early status, but the state party kept plans to conduct the caucus by mail.

Last month, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart requested an extension to submit the partys delegate selection plan to the national party in reaction to the bill. In a statement on Monday, Hart said the party will move forward with an inclusive caucus plan.

"Iowa Democrats will do whats best for Iowa and that means moving forward with the most inclusive caucus process in Iowa history, she said.

State law requires each political party to hold a caucus before any other presidential nominating contest, but it does not require that they assign delegates to specific candidates on the same night.

Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, a member of the state Democratic Partys steering committee, said the bill would allow Iowa Democrats to decouple the candidate selection from presidential preference.

I don't think this bill does anything to preclude the Iowa Democratic Party from continuing with our plan to make the caucuses more inclusive, early, and a great representation of who the country should have as our nominee, she said.

Konfrst said the change was an improvement on the original bill, but the bill was an unnecessary, politically motivated interference in party business. She thought the bill was a way to tip the scales for former President Donald Trumps 2024 campaign.

Its hard to imagine that its not something like greasing the skids for Donald Trump, and thats frustrating and its not the role of the Legislature, she said.

Kaufmann is a paid advisor to Trumps campaign, but he has denied the bill would aid Trump and said it applies to all candidates equally.

Kaufmann said the amended bill was an attempt to address the concerns of stakeholders, including the Iowa Democratic Party.

This was my best way to address those concerns while still accomplishing the goal I want to accomplish, he said.

The bill would also allow state parties to choose a winner in a primary race for the state Legislature in the event of a tie. Under current law, election officials draw a name out of a hat to determine the winner in a tied state House or Senate primary.

The bill now needs to pass in the Senate before being eligible to be signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds. Kaufmann said he expects the Senate to take up the bill. A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver did not respond to a request for comment.
DES MOINES  The amount of increases in property tax revenue that local governments are able to spend would be limited under legislation that is destined to become state law soon.

Republican leaders in the Iowa Senate and House on Monday announced their agreement on property tax legislation. The compromise legislation includes provisions from the separate bills that the two chambers had been advancing.

The legislation advanced Monday through the Senates committee on tax policy. The bills manager in the Senate, Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said he expected it to be passed out of both chambers of the Iowa Legislature soon, potentially as early as Tuesday.

The compromise bill includes the Senates proposal to combine myriad city tax levies and to address increases in property assessments and any corresponding increases in property tax revenue to local governments.

The new bill  which is an amended version of the Houses bill, House File 718  also includes the Houses proposal to require any votes to approve local bonding be held on general election ballots in November of even numbered years. It would also require transparency measures for taxpayers.

That means the Cedar Rapids Community School Districts planned $312 million bond referendum would have to wait until the November 2024 election.

Dawson said the bill is designed to rebuild the foundation of Iowas complicated property tax system.

We have to start to consolidate levies, Dawson told reporters after the committee meeting on the new bill. We have to make sure theres some type of soft cap revenue limitation out there, because if not the property taxpayer will always have the worst seat at the table.
Lawmakers also gave final approval to a bill setting guidelines for disciplining disruptive and violent students in public K-12 schools.

House File 604 requires and sets up a process for educators and school districts to report threats and incidents of classroom violence and damage to school property to the State Ombudsman for investigation. The bill requires a teacher to report any threat or assault by a student to a principal or administrator within 24 hours. It also requires the parents or guardians of students involved in the incident to be notified within 24 hours. The Ombudsman is required to maintain secrecy of the identities of the complainants.

School boards and charter schools would be required to adopt policies for different grade level for how the district will discipline disruptive and violent student. Such policies must provide escalating levels of discipline each time the student makes a threat or becomes violent, and allow for the suspension, expulsion, permanent removal from a particular class or placement of a student in an alternative learning environment, including a therapeutic classroom, when appropriate.

Policies must also provide students access to counseling session or mental health care services, when appropriate, which would require prior written consent from the students parent or guardian.

School districts and charter schools would be required to publish and distribute a student handbook each school year that includes information related to the expectations of students in each grade level, including information related to academics, attendance, discipline, health and safety, and daily schedules.

The bill also requires the Iowa Department of Education to develop and distribute a list of all professional development programs and other training programs in which school district employees are required to participate pursuant to federal or state law.
The real-life Miranda Priestly is dating Bill Nighy? As in Bill Nighy the Science Guy? Nothats Bill Nye. But its only slightly less crazy that shes (maybe) dating Bill Nighy, an actor from Love Actually.

Monday evenings Met Gala was full of major fashion moments, from Doja Cat dressed as an actual cat to Lil Nas X covering his entire body in crystals, but somehow its Anna Wintour and Nighys red-carpet debut that captured hearts across the internet. Shes the expat editor in chief of Vogue and longtime host of the event, hes a charming British actor, theyre both in their 70swhats not to love? Winter is coming? No, Wintour is nigh(y)!

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Despite what some are saying, their arrival at the gala wasnt a hard launch. The two have been friends for a long time, and rumors of romance have followed them for almost as long. The gossip mill really kicked into high gear, though, in 2021, when they were photographed having dinner together in Rome, with him holding red roses. Thereve been several other sightings of them out together since, looking, as tabloids put it, cozy at movie screenings and fashion shows, to the degree that it seemed reasonable to conclude that they were a couple.

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But Wintour and Nighy have never been official, so some media outlets took his standing beside her at the all-important gala as the first full-on confirmation of their relationship. Cue headlines like How Bill Nighy thawed the ice queens heart!, The secret romance that got everybody talking at the Met Gala, and Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy at the Met Gala: a power couple is born? But while some anonymous friends of Wintours reportedly told the New York Post that theyre thrilled about the news, Nighys camp has denied it, saying theyre just friends. Either way, bringing a date to an event of this magnitude is a statement. Something tells me Wintour, a veteran editor, is media-savvy enough to know what kind of impression this would make.

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Many people were initially surprised to see Wintour and Nighy together, but the reaction to the maybe couple, at least on social media, quickly evolved into approval and even glee. There was even some flat-out gushing: She won I fear. Absolutely love Bill Nighy, Ive decided she must be a fabulous and interesting person, one Twitter user wrote.

Why were people so excited? For one thing, theres the sheer novelty of seeing a dishy new couple that happens to consist of two older people, rather than the usual parade of Kardashians and Hadids. On top of that, one of Wintours main claims to fame, in addition to her trademark bob haircut, is that she was the inspiration for the titular devil of The Devil Wears Pradamaybe theres something about the idea of seeing a devil in love? (Nuclear Wintour defrosting!) Shes also famously private, so any sort of peek into her love life seems noteworthy. And even though her stature in the fashion world makes her media royalty, shes not really famous famous. Thus, Nighys movie-star factor lends the pairing an added frisson of glitz and glamour, which the setting of the Met Gala only amplified. Overall, it seemed like a positive moment for Wintours imagedefinitely more positive than some other recent coverage, which has painted her as an out-of-touch colonial broad, as the late Andre Leon Talley put it.

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And Nighy? Hes an unproblematic (as far as we know), low-key character actor sort whos appeared in a surprising number of beloved filmsall he really has to do for people to love him is continue to be British and 73 years old. That hed also find himself in an age-appropriate romantic relationship late in life makes him worthy of stanning, especially in this world of notoriously low dating bars for men. The only thing that makes Nighy looks slightly bad here is his pushback on the rumorsdoes he fancy himself a playboy who cant be tied down? Bill, dont make me compare you to Justin Bieber in the period when he would insisttill the cows came homethat he wasnt involved with his now wife, Hailey Bieber.

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If the two are indeed together, it would be the first time in a while that either has been publicly linked with someone. Wintour was previously married to a psychologist named David Shaffer, with whom she had two children, and after they split she was with a businessman named Shelby Bryan, sort of her Stedman, for 20 years, until they ended things in 2020. Nighy too had a long-term partner in his former wife, fellow actor Diana Quick, with whom he has an adult daughter. Youd have to go back a ways to see evidence of either of their wilder days: Wintour dated Christopher Hitchensshe eulogized him for Slate!and has long been rumored to have had a fling with Bob Marley, of all people, which she has denied. Less is known about any of Nighys romances prior to his ex-wife, but hes certainly played both cads and hopeless romantics in his films.

Nighy can continue to push back on the rumors all he wants, but the seed of this romance has been planted, and as long as the two are getting photographed together, its gonna flourish. We want to believe that love is all around us, as Nighy once sangwell worry about the actually part later.
Last August, Floridas Medicaid stopped reimbursing patients for most forms of gender-affirming care. This is part of a larger push in the state to ban gender-affirming care, which transgender youth can no longer start receiving as of this past March.

But there is one kind of care for trans kids that the state seems to be in favor of. In a report on Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming care by Gov. Ron DeSantis and now-former Secretary of the Agency for Healthcare Administration Simone Marstiller, they noted gender-exploratory therapy as a treatment for adolescents who exhibit gender identity issues.

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On its face, gender-exploratory therapy, or GET, sounds innocuouseven beneficial. This type of therapy is typically presented as a neutral ground between the radical gender-affirmative model and unethical conversion practices, bioethicist Florence Ashley wrote in a 2022 paper.

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Yet GET is just conversion therapy by another name, said Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, who has been advocating against conversion therapy for over a decade. Gay conversion therapy labels homosexuality as a mental disorder caused by issues such as childhood trauma, early sexual abuse, poor relationships with masculinity or femininity, and overlapping mental illnesses. Similarly, proponents of GET often point to issues such as unprocessed trauma, childhood abuse, internalized homophobia or misogyny, sexual fetishism, and autism as the real explanation behind ones transgender identity, rather than accepting that a child who identifies as trans is sharing a real, deep, and even joyful truth about themselves.

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As the anti-trans movement continues to grow nationwide, so does the popularity of GET. This treatment is taking root particularly in states like Florida that are trying to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth.

The Gender Exploratory Therapy Association, or GETA, asserts in their membership statement that psychological approaches should be the first-line treatment for all cases of gender dysphoria and medical interventions for children and teens are experimental and should be avoided if possible.

We do not believe puberty blockers are a safe and appropriate option, states a letter published in 2021 in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health; the lead author, Stella OMalley, is a member of GETAs leadership team.

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The idea that medical treatments for trans youth should be avoided if possible or even done away with altogether is not in line with the medical consensus in the United States. This care is evidence-based and medically necessary according to organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the Endocrine Society, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychiatric Association.

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While proponents of GET are against medical therapies, they are adamant that they are not practitioners of conversion therapy. Its the role of a therapist to explore someones inner self, and this thoughtful reflection is intrinsic to the therapeutic process, but is currently in danger of being reframed as trans conversion therapy,  OMalley wrote in an article published by the U.K. nonprofit Sex Matters. After President Joe Biden signed an executive order last June that aims to safeguard youth from conversion therapya practice that is banned in 20 states plus Washington, D.C.a GETA co-founder stated that the order could have a chilling effect on GET practices.

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Regardless of how they frame it for themselves, its hard to see what these therapists are in favor of, if not detransition (or clients never transitioning in the first place). GETA labels even social transitioningadopting a new name, pronouns, and gender expression that match ones gender identityas risky. On their website, they state that psychological interventions avoid the risks of social and medical transition and the significant medical, psychological, and social risks and unknowns associated with transition (both social and medical/surgical) require honest examination.

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Much like how a crisis pregnancy center steers pregnant people away from abortion, GETAs strategy is to sound cautious and helpful while promoting a very specific view of how people should live their lives, which is as the gender they were assigned at birth, said Erin Reed, a legislative researcher, content creator, and trans rights activist who has been extensively following the rise of GET by tracking anti-trans individuals and organizations.

A look at an organization that is closely tied to GETA, called Genspect, reveals this belief. Genspect is a gender critical group that promotes GET; all of GETAs leaders are on Genspects leadership team or serve as advisers for the organization. Genspect tweeted last year that trauma, mental health issues, neuro diversity, and difficult accepting homo/bisexuality can cause gender distres [sic] and that gender-affirming care should therefore not be available to anyone 25 years old or younger.

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Genspect also supports an organization called Our Duty, which has stated that it should be the objective of any advanced civilization presented with this problem to TARGET 100% DESISTANCE, and as early as possible. Desistance means when someone stops identifying as transgender and pursuing medical transition.

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When asked for an interview, GETA team member Joseph Burgowho is also vice-director of Genspectsaid that he and the rest of the GETA team declined to comment.

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In contrast to the underlying assumptions of the GET modelthat a trans identity is something that one might grow out of, with helptrans kids basically always continue to be trans. A 2022 study of 317 trans youths discovered that after an average of five years of socially transitioning only 2.5 percent of participants ended up desisting and identifying as cisgender. Another study published in LGBT Health found that 13.1 percent of people who identify as transgender have detransitionedstopped or reversed their gender transitionat some point in their lives. Its important to note that 82.5 percent of those individuals attributed that decision to at least one external factor such as pressure from family, non-affirming school environments, and sexual violence.

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Its impossible to know what happens inside each and every relationship between a trans child and a therapist who practices GET. But for activists and journalists who have been covering the issue, the overall trend appears to be clear. The whole point of gender exploratory therapy is to delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, said Reed. The end goal is: You are not going to transition.

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Ky Schevers, a transmasculine person, was part of a support group that pushed many GET principles. Schevers formally detransitioned and helped spark the anti-trans movement, but has since recanted this view. Youre basically picking yourself apart, said Schevers of the GET experience. Youre digging into yourself and dissecting yourself. Its really dangerous to tell someone that their trauma made them trans. In fact, those who have experienced conversion practices are more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide than their peers, according to a 2020 study of over 25,700 LGBTQ individuals age 13 to 24.

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In response to a Twitter call by Reed about individuals experiences with GET, actress and writer Jen Richards wrote that a therapist I saw about gender dysphoria first diagnosed me as a self-loathing homosexual, then said it was father issues, then that Id created a separate femme self to blow off steam. We worked through all of it in earnest. Nothing changed. It delayed my transition by years.

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Anti-trans therapy didnt appear out of nowhere, Ashley said. Its very much part and parcel of the broader backlash against transgender rights, which is itself part of the contemporaneous rise in very religious conservative, far right and, oftentimes, fascist politics.

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Any well-meaning therapist or parent who sees positive aspects to GET should also know that this therapy has been used by conservative politicians as part of a multipronged approach to banning gender-affirming care.

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Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott sent a child welfare investigator to a familys home after they provided gender-affirming care to their transgender child. The family sued Gov. Abbott and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In court, the state argued that there are alternative therapies for gender dysphoria, with GET being one of the most common ones cited, according to Reed.

One reason why GET sounds so appealing to some parents is because they fear that gender-affirming health care providers are giving gender dysphoric children and teens puberty blockers or hormones far too quickly.

However, there are many barriers to gender-affirming care, including long waitlists, strict treatment protocols, and cost, leading many people to wait months or years for treatment.

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Additionally, the affirmative care model already does include conversations about a patients desires and the impacts of various treatment options, both of which proponents of GET claim it leaves out. The standards of care set forth by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health state that health care professionals should undertake a comprehensive assessment of a teens strengths, vulnerabilities, diagnostic profile, and unique needs to individualize their care. This should be done prior to any medical or surgical interventions, and without this thorough assessment, other mental health entities that need to be prioritized and treated may not be detected.

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Helping a kid with gender dysphoria is a long and thorough process, said Kimberly Vered Shashoua, a gender-affirming therapist who has been working with teens in this space for almost a decade. I have sessions with the parent before meeting the child so they can ask questions like, What caused my kids to be trans? Or, My kid says they are trans, but what else could be happening? she said.

Shashoua then offers a safe environment for the kid to explore their feelings around gender, rather than attempting to shuttle a child down the path to medical treatment as quickly as possible. I tell them its totally valid to not have an identity that is static, she said. There is no downside to believing a child and making it totally explicit that I wont be mad if they change their mind. When asked if Shashoua has ever had a patient who came out as transgender and eventually grew out of this identity, she responded, Not once.

Theres no one right path of care for any given trans or gender-nonconforming child, Shashoua said. But what should be standard is that all children have access to accurate information, adults who will respect their identity, and treatments that are supported by medical consensus.

State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better.
Turkish forces have killed the suspected leader of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.

Abu al-Husein al-Husaini al-Qurashi is said to have taken over the leadership of the extreme Sunni group Islamic State (IS) after the death of his predecessor Abu al-Hasan al-Hashemi al-Qurashiwho was killed during clashes with enemy forces last fall.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told TRT Turk that the leader of IS was neutralized on Saturday, during an operation by the Turkish intelligence service MIT.

Syrian sources cited by the Reuters news agency state that the operation took place in the city of Djindayris near the Turkish border. The Islamist group has not yet commented on the event. Erdogan also said, among other things, that the intelligence service had been following al-Kurashi for a long time. We will continue with terrorist organizations, he added.

Let us remind you that at the end of November, the Islamic State announced via Telegram that their previous leader al-Hashemi al-Qurashi had been killed. The US said at the time that he was killed in an operation by Free Syrian Army rebels in southwestern Syria in October 2022. US President Joe Biden said at the time that this operation removed a major terrorist threat to the world. Al Hashemi al Qurashi took over after his predecessor Abu Ibrahim Al Hashimi Al Qurashi blew himself and his family up when his hideout was surrounded by US special forces in February 2022, the BBC reported.

In the summer of 2014, the Islamic State took control of large parts of northern Iraq and declared a caliphate that also included areas in Syria. It thus had 88,000 square kilometers of territory under its control, and imposed its authority on eight million people. The group was militarily defeated in March 2019, but remains active in several countries in the Middle East, where its members, estimated to number between 6,000 and 10,000, continue to carry out deadly attacks. The surname Kurashi is otherwise connected to the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad, from which all the leaders of the Islamic State must come.

The Islamic State also has outposts in other conflict zones in the world. The most consolidated networks are said to be in Afghanistan, Somalia and the Lake Chad basin, writes the BBC.

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Adobe has announced the expansion of Frame.ios collaborative platform to include photos and PDF documents. The innovative move, which was announced ahead of the 2023 NAB Show, not only broadens the cloud-based solutions appeal to a wider range of creative professionals and businesses, but also brings new opportunities for small businesses to streamline their workflows.

Frame.io was initially a platform for video collaboration. Now, it extends its capabilities to offer users an end-to-end workflow from content capture to edit, review, and approval, all through one centralized hub. It also leverages new native integrations with FUJIFILM X-H2S and X-H2 cameras for a seamless Camera to Cloud experience.

Ashley Still, Senior Vice President, Creative Product Group and Digital Media Growth at Adobe, said, Frame.ios new support for images and PDF documents is a game changer, expanding the platforms appeal to new audiences.

For small businesses, this expansion could revolutionize their creative processes. Frame.io enables teams to collaborate in real-time, facilitating reviews and approvals, and storing assets in one secure cloud location for easy management. The platform is already utilized by nearly three million creatives, and with the new additions, it will enable creators, brands, agencies, and studios to simplify, centralize, and accelerate their work across still images and PDF assets.

The new Frame.io Camera to Cloud technology transforms traditionally tethered, on-site experiences into remote workflows, allowing photographers and editors to collaborate without being physically together on set. This means photographers can transfer photos immediately from their cameras to Frame.ios cloud platform, without the need for hard drives, and share assets with stakeholders instantly. The integration with FUJIFILM X-H2 and X-H2S cameras further facilitates instant sharing of RAW photos from the field.

Additionally, Frame.io now fully supports PDF documents, making it easier for teams to review collateral and other project-related materials. New enhancements enable customers to open and mark up PDF files on iPhones and iPads, and view annotations on these devices and the web, just as with videos.

For small businesses concerned about security, Adobe introduced Forensic Watermarking, which provides an extremely secure collaboration platform for working with sensitive pre-release content. This new security service embeds invisible watermarks on video assets as short as 30 seconds, using pixel-level details that can survive screen recording, file copying, and external recording. If theres a leak, audits can reveal asset ID codes, projects, teams, accounts, user location, and playback time within hours.

Adobes latest release of Frame.io will be showcased at the 2023 NAB Show in Las Vegas. The native Frame.io Camera to Cloud integrations for FUJIFILM X-H2 and X-H2S cameras are available now.

Overall, Adobes expanded Frame.io offering is a boon for small businesses, enabling them to streamline their creative processes, collaborate remotely, and ensure their work remains secure. As demand for content continues to rise, tools like Frame.io are increasingly essential for small businesses to stay competitive and efficient.
A cashier job description plays a vital role in attracting the right candidates for your business. In todays fast-paced retail environment, finding and retaining the best talent is crucial. This comprehensive guide will help you craft an SEO-optimized, high-end cashier job description template that speaks to your target audience of potential candidates. With a focus on cashier skills, responsibilities, and more, this guide will ensure your content stands out and outranks your competitors.

Cashier Overview

Key Cashier Skills

Cashiers need a unique blend of skills to succeed in a retail setting. These essential cashier skills include:

Handling cash registers proficiently

Providing excellent customer service skills

Understanding cashier responsibilities

Possessing a high school diploma (or equivalent)

Being familiar with the duties and responsibilities of the job

The Role of a Cashier

A cashier is often the face of your retail establishment, responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction by handling transactions quickly and efficiently. The cashier job description sample in this guide will help you create a compelling and comprehensive job listing that attracts the best candidates.

Crafting the Perfect Job Description

Importance of an Accurate and Engaging Job Description

Crafting an accurate and engaging job description is essential for attracting top talent. A well-written description helps job seekers understand the requirements and expectations of the position, increasing the likelihood of finding the perfect candidate.

Essential Components of a Cashier Job Description

Your cashier job description should include the following key elements:

A list of cashier duties and responsibilities

Requirements for the position, such as a high school diploma

Expected daily tasks, like operating cash registers and handling cash

Desired personal qualities, such as excellent customer service skills

Free Cashier Job Description Templates

To save you time and ensure your job listing stands out, weve provided four industry-specific cashier job description templates below:

Retail Cashier Job Description

Job Title: Retail Cashier

Location: [City, State]

Company: [Company Name]

About Us: [Company Name] is a thriving small business dedicated to providing our customers with exceptional service and high-quality products. We pride ourselves on our friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and were looking for a passionate and detail-oriented Retail Cashier to join our team.

Job Description: As a Retail Cashier at [Company Name], you will be an integral part of our team, ensuring that our customers have a positive shopping experience. Your primary responsibility will be to accurately process customer transactions, while maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor. Youll be the face of our company, so exceptional customer service skills are a must.

Cashier Responsibilities:

Greet customers and assist with any inquiries they may have.

Accurately process customer transactions, including cash, credit card, and check payments.

Ensure that the register is balanced and accurate at the beginning and end of each shift.

Handle returns and exchanges according to company policy.

Maintain a clean and organized checkout area, including the immediate surrounding area.

Stock shelves and replenish inventory when necessary.

Assist in maintaining a clean and welcoming store environment.

Adhere to all company policies and procedures.

Be a team player, working cooperatively with other staff members to achieve company goals.

Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Previous experience in a retail environment, particularly as a cashier, is preferred but not required.

Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Ability to handle cash accurately and make change.

Basic mathematical skills.

Must be able to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.

Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings as required.

Benefits:

Competitive hourly wage

Employee discount

Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company

Supportive and inclusive work environment

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to [email address] with the subject line Retail Cashier Application. We look forward to learning more about you and how you can contribute to the success of [Company Name].

[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Restaurant Cashier Job Description

Job Title: Restaurant Cashier

Location: [City, State]

Company: [Company Name]

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About Us: [Company Name] is a vibrant and growing restaurant known for our delicious cuisine, exceptional service, and warm atmosphere. We are committed to creating a memorable dining experience for our patrons, and were looking for an energetic and customer-focused Restaurant Cashier to join our team.

Job Description: As a Restaurant Cashier at [Company Name], your primary responsibility will be to ensure that our guests receive excellent service from the moment they enter our establishment. You will be in charge of processing guest transactions, including payments for dine-in, takeout, and delivery orders, while maintaining a professional and friendly demeanor. Excellent customer service and communication skills are crucial in this role.

Responsibilities:

Warmly greet guests and promptly address any inquiries or concerns.

Accurately process guest transactions, including cash, credit card, and check payments.

Ensure that the cash register is balanced and accurate at the beginning and end of each shift.

Assist in taking orders for dine-in, takeout, and delivery services.

Handle order changes, special requests, and any issues that may arise with guest orders.

Maintain a clean and organized cashier area, including menus and promotional materials.

Collaborate with other team members to ensure a seamless dining experience for guests.

Adhere to all company policies and procedures, including proper food handling and safety protocols.

Be a team player, working cooperatively with other staff members to achieve company goals.

Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Previous experience in a restaurant or customer service environment, particularly as a cashier, is preferred but not required.

Exceptional customer service and communication skills.

Ability to accurately handle cash and make change.

Basic mathematical skills.

Must be able to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings as required.

Benefits:

Competitive hourly wage

Employee meal discount

Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company

Friendly and supportive work environment

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to [email address] with the subject line Restaurant Cashier Application. We look forward to learning more about you and how you can contribute to the success of [Company Name].

[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Grocery Store Cashier Job Description

Job Title: Grocery Store Cashier

Location: [City, State]

Company: [Company Name]

About Us: [Company Name] is a well-established grocery store known for our wide selection of high-quality products, competitive prices, and commitment to exceptional customer service. We take pride in creating a pleasant and convenient shopping experience for our customers, and were looking for a dedicated and personable Grocery Store Cashier to join our team.

Job Description: As a Grocery Store Cashier at [Company Name], your main responsibility will be to ensure that our customers have a smooth and efficient checkout experience. This includes greeting customers with a friendly and welcoming demeanor, accurately collecting payments, and maintaining a clean and organized checkout area. Strong customer service skills are essential in this role, as you will be the face of our company and play a vital part in creating a positive shopping experience for our customers.

Responsibilities:

Greet customers with a warm and friendly demeanor, providing assistance and answering any inquiries they may have.

Accurately process customer transactions, including cash, credit card, and check payments.

Ensure that the cash register is balanced and accurate at the beginning and end of each shift.

Collect payments for various customer transactions, including purchases, returns, and exchanges.

Maintain a clean and organized checkout area, including the immediate surrounding area.

Assist in stocking shelves and replenishing inventory when necessary.

Demonstrate strong customer service skills by going above and beyond to meet customer needs.

Adhere to all company policies and procedures.

Be a team player, working cooperatively with other staff members to achieve company goals.

Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Previous experience in a retail or customer service environment, particularly as a cashier, is preferred but not required.

Strong customer service skills and excellent communication abilities.

Ability to accurately handle cash and make change.

Basic mathematical skills.

Must be able to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.

Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings as required.

Benefits:

Competitive hourly wage

Employee discount

Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company

Supportive and inclusive work environment

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to [email address] with the subject line Grocery Store Cashier Application. We look forward to learning more about you and how you can contribute to the success of [Company Name].

[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Gas Station Cashier Job Description

Job Title: Gas Station Cashier

Location: [City, State]

Company: [Company Name]

About Us: [Company Name] is a reputable gas station known for our commitment to providing outstanding customer service, competitive fuel prices, and a wide selection of convenience store products. We aim to create a positive and efficient experience for our customers, and were looking for a detail-oriented and professional Gas Station Cashier to join our team.

Job Description: As a Gas Station Cashier at [Company Name], your primary responsibility will be to ensure that our customers receive friendly, accurate, and efficient service during their visit. This includes processing transactions, and counting money. A professional attitude and strong customer service skills are essential for success in this role, as you will be the face of our company and play a crucial part in creating a pleasant customer experience.

Responsibilities:

Greet customers with a warm and friendly demeanor, providing assistance and answering any inquiries they may have.

Accurately process customer transactions, including cash, credit card, and check payments.

Count money accurately and maintain a well-organized cash drawer.

Ensure that the cash register is balanced and accurate at the beginning and end of each shift.

Exhibit a professional attitude and strong customer service skills in all interactions with customers.

Maintain a clean and organized checkout area, including the immediate surrounding area.

Assist in stocking shelves and replenishing inventory when necessary.

Adhere to all company policies and procedures.

Be a team player, working cooperatively with other staff members to achieve company goals.

Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Previous experience in a retail or customer service environment, particularly as a cashier, is preferred but not required.

Strong customer service skills and excellent communication abilities.

Ability to accurately count money and maintain a well-organized cash drawer.

Basic mathematical skills.

Must be able to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.

Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings as required.

Benefits:

Competitive hourly wage

Employee discount

Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company

Supportive and inclusive work environment

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to [email address] with the subject line Gas Station Cashier Application. We look forward to learning more about you and how you can contribute to the success of [Company Name].

[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Remember to customize these templates to fit your organizations unique needs, reflecting the specific skills and requirements you seek.

Interview Process and Selection

Screening Potential Candidates

When reviewing job applications, prioritize candidates with a strong customer service background and previous cashier experience. These applicants are more likely to possess the skills needed for the role, such as operating cash registers and providing excellent customer service.

Preparing Interview Questions for Cashiers

Design your interview questions to assess a candidates experience, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. For example, ask about their approach to resolving customer complaints or handling credit and debit sales. This will help you gauge whether they possess the necessary skills for the job.

Assessing Candidates for Cultural Fit

Hiring someone who fits well within your organizations culture is essential. Consider a candidates attitude, work ethic, and communication style during the interview process. Look for applicants who are passionate about assisting customers and providing excellent customer service.

Onboarding and Training

Welcoming Your New Cashier

Once youve selected the perfect candidate for your cashier position, its crucial to provide a warm welcome and thorough onboarding. This includes an introduction to your companys culture, expectations, and procedures.

Providing Resources and Support for Success

Equip your new cashier with the necessary resources and tools to succeed in their role. This includes training on cash registers, cash drawers, and other relevant equipment. Also, ensure theyre familiar with your companys policies and guidelines.

Establishing Goals and Expectations for Performance

Set clear goals and expectations for your new cashier to promote a smooth transition into their role. Discuss performance metrics, such as transaction speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. Regularly review their progress and provide feedback to help them excel in their position.

Conclusion

A well-crafted cashier job description is the foundation for attracting top talent to your retail establishment. By focusing on the essential skills, duties, and responsibilities, youll create an SEO-optimized job listing that resonates with qualified candidates. Utilize the free templates provided in this guide and follow the best practices for interviewing, onboarding, and training to ensure your new cashier thrives in their role and contributes to your organizations success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the key differences between a cashier and a customer service representative?

While both roles involve interacting with customers, a cashiers primary responsibility is to handle transactions, while a customer service representative may assist customers with product information, returns, and other issues.

How much does a cashier typically earn?

The salary for a cashier varies depending on factors such as location, industry, and experience. On average, a cashier can expect to earn between $9 and $12 per hour.

What are the best resources for finding cashier candidates?

Online job boards, local classified ads, and employee referrals are popular resources for finding cashier candidates. Additionally, attending local job fairs and networking events can help you connect with potential hires.

How do I know if my organization needs a cashier?

If your business involves regular transactions with customers, such as a retail store, restaurant, or gas station, hiring a cashier is essential for smooth operations and providing excellent customer service.

Can a cashier work part-time or on a temporary basis?

Yes, cashiers can work part-time or on a temporary basis, depending on your organizations needs. Many retail establishments hire additional cashiers during peak seasons or holiday periods to handle increased customer traffic.

By incorporating these strategies and information into your hiring process, you can ensure that your business is equipped with skilled cashiers who are dedicated to providing excellent customer service and driving customer satisfaction in a fast-paced environment.
Uganda Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua, greets National Resistance Movement Members of Parliament after their meeting with Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni over the anti-homosexuality bill, in Kampala, on April 20. Reuters-Yonhap



Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday passed a new version of an anti-gay bill that removes a clause which appeared to criminalize identifying as LGBTQ.



President Yoweri Museveni last month returned the bill back to the national assembly, asking for changes that differentiate between identifying as LGBTQ and actually engaging in homosexual acts.



Homosexuality is already illegal in the East African country under a colonial-era law criminalizing sex acts "against the order of nature." The punishment for that offense is life imprisonment.



The new law prescribes the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," which is defined as cases of sexual relations involving people infected with HIV as well as minors and other categories of vulnerable people.



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, according to the bill.



Although the law would no longer criminalize those who identify as LGBTQ, jail terms of up to 20 years are proposed for those who advocate or promote the rights of LGBTQ people.



The bill passed by lawmakers on Tuesday will return to Museveni, who can sign or veto it. It was not immediately clear what other changes lawmakers made to the bill in a lengthy plenary session in the capital, Kampala. Museveni is under pressure from the international community to veto the legislation.



The U.S. has warned of economic consequences if the legislation is enacted, and a group of U.N. experts described the bill previously passed by lawmakers as "an egregious violation of human rights." (AP)




If youre looking to start or grow a business in May, there are numerous small business grant opportunities that may help. There are currently a wide range of programs, from pandemic relief grants to opportunities for specific industries. Read on for a full selection of options with deadlines in May 2023.

California Restaurants Care Resilience Fund

California restaurants can apply for a $5,000 grant from the California Restaurant Foundation. The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund includes $2.1 million in funds from several California utility companies, including San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas, and Pacific Gas & Electric. The foundation will award 366 grants to brick-and-mortar restaurants with no more than five locations and less than $3 million in annual revenue. The deadline to apply for the program is May 7.

Northern New Mexico RDC Micro-Grant Program

Northern New Mexicos Regional Development Corporation is providing grants of up to $3,000 to support local small businesses. To qualify for grants, local businesses must have at least six months in business and be headquartered in Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, or Taos counties. The program will also prioritize funding for businesses in rural areas and those that havent already received grant funds. RDC is also providing technical assistance through the application deadline of May 12.

Twin Cities Vanguard Accelerator and Fund

St. Pauls Center of Economic Inclusion is supporting Black and Brown women entrepreneurs throughout the Twin Cities through its Vanguard Accelerator and Fund program. The center recently announced a new funding round that will provide more than $400,000 in awards by this summer. Eligible businesses can apply for $5,000 grants and forgivable loans, along with training and technical assistance. This is the second iteration of the program, which originally launched in 2022 thanks to financial support from JP Morgan Chase, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Founders First CDC, and NEOO Partners. May 16 is the application deadline for this funding round.

El Paso COVID Grants Program

El Paso, Texas is partnering with nonprofit business lender LiftFund to launch a new COVID Grants Program. The city is dedicating $2.15 million to the program. Each eligible business or nonprofit can apply for up to $10,000 to cover various expenses from working capital to rent. The program is providing funds on a first-come, first-served basis, with those that have not already received COVID-relief funds through a city sponsored program receiving priority. The final application deadline is May 31.

Missouri Child Care Innovation Start-Up Grants

Missouri is offering a new grant program to boost child care businesses across the state.. Grants require matching funds or in-kind contributions that come from other sources. And business owners must work with community partners to try and boost access to child care across their communities. Businesses must also complete all necessary licensing and inspection steps to qualify. The deadline to apply for the grant program is May 31.

Purple Line Construction Relief Grants

Maryland businesses affected by Purple Line construction in Metropolitan DC may qualify for grant funds to offset construction-related losses. The project originally started in 2017 but has been delayed numerous times. The program includes about $800,000 in total funds. Qualifying businesses can apply now through the May 31 deadline.

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Subway, one of the worlds largest restaurant brands, has reported its ninth consecutive quarter of positive sales, marking an important milestone in its multi-year transformation journey. In the first quarter of 2023, the brand witnessed double-digit growth in global restaurant same-store sales, propelled by menu innovation, restaurant modernization, and enhancements to the overall guest experience, including its digital offerings.

According to the Q1 Global Results compared to the same period in 2022, Subway experienced a 12.1% increase in same-store sales and an 11.4% increase in digital sales. In North America, the company saw an 11.7% increase in same-store sales, with the top 75% of locations (approximately 17,000 restaurants) up 17.9%, and the top 50% of locations (about 11,500 restaurants) up 24.4%. Furthermore, digital sales in North America rose by 21.2%.

John Chidsey, CEO of Subway, said, Our continued impressive performance demonstrates that our efforts to build a better Subway and win back the hearts and minds of sandwich lovers around the globe is working. The brand also reported its highest weekly average unit volume (AUV) in the U.S. since 2010 at the start of the second quarter in April.

For small business owners and entrepreneurs, especially those in the food service industry, Subways strong sales momentum may serve as a case study for strategic growth and business transformation. The companys focus on menu innovation, restaurant modernization, and enhanced guest experiences, particularly through digital channels, seems to have paid off.

Moreover, Subways success in boosting digital sales  which have more than quadrupled globally since the start of 2019  offers a clear example of how businesses can leverage technology to improve customer experience and drive growth. Dedicated digital promotions in the U.S. have led to a surge of guests using the Subway app, strengthening the brands value proposition and potentially increasing profitability for many franchisees.

As Subway continues to build momentum, the company plans to introduce new menu items and digital enhancements in key markets globally in the coming months. The brand is also committed to smart growth to increase franchisee profitability and safeguard its market position. This includes strategically opening new traditional and non-traditional locations.

In North America, Subway recently announced five new multi-unit owner agreements, demonstrating the confidence that both new and existing operators have in the brands future. Internationally, Subway is partnering with established operators with specific market expertise to strategically expand its global footprint.

For the latest, follow us on Google News.
Colorado passed laws that allow abortion access and trans care, and the California Assembly Education Committee Chair refused to schedule a bill that would have outed trans students.

State Offers Protection For Abortion and Trans Care

According to AP News, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed three laws on April 14 that would allow people to go to Colorado for abortion access, puberty blockers, and gender-affirming surgery. Bordering states Wyoming and Oklahoma have restricted abortion while Utah has restricted gender-affirming care for minors.

We see you and in Colorado, weve got your back, said State Sen. Julie Gonzales during the signing ceremony.

Ashley Blinkhorn, a graduate student and activist who supported the bills, states that they will help her friends in other parts of the country.

Its a real comfort to know that Colorado will provide health care to them if they visit or if they move here, she told AP News.

State Assembly Kills Bill That Would Have Outed Trans Students

Courtesy photo.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Assembly Education Committee Chair Al Muratsuchi announced on April 10 that he would not schedule a bill, AB 1314, that would have outed trans students for a hearing.

This bill would require educators to out a student to their parents, even when the student does not feel comfortable coming out, potentially forcing them into an unwelcoming or abusive home, Muratsuchi said in a statement quoted by the LA Times. All students deserve to be respected and supported for who they are, including at their schools.

The LA Times reported that the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus commended the decision.

Not all trans or non-binary youth have such loving and supportive families, the caucus said in a statement. The reality is that LGBTQ+ youth oftentimes face harassment, isolation, bullying, and even physical harm from their own families.
The firms 2007 project concerns popular Zlate Piesky lake.

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Sixteen years after the Austrian company Terraimmobilien presented its plan to transform the eastern bank of the Zlate Piesky lake in Bratislava, the project remains on paper.

Still, the developer is asking to extend the validity of the issued permits, Index magazine writes.

Terraimmobilien is one of the biggest plot owners near the eastern bank of the lake. The large number of plot owners in the area is another reason why the eastern bank has not undergone any significant transformation.

Founded in 2005, the firm was established by the Austrian firm Industrie Holding. Terraimmobilien bought plots near Zlate Piesky in 2006. A year later it presented its Terra project, an administrative and service centre. In 2008, the Bratislava City Hall approved it. But the city hall made its approval contingent on the condition that the developer build a road in the area.

Terraimmobilien has planned to constructing a complex consisting not only of administrative premises, but also warehouses and a carwash.

To date, the project has not been implemented, nor has the road been built.

Unlike the eastern bank, the western bank of Zlate Piesky is used for relaxation purposes.
The Demokrati party has announced new faces.

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Demokrati, a non-parliamentary party led by acting PM Eduard Heger, has been struggling to reach the 5-percent threshold in the polls since its announcement in early March.

The limit is necessary for winning parliamentary seats in the September elections.

In the latest Focus poll, published by the Markiza television channel on April 30, Hegers party fell to 3.6 percent. In the second half of March, according to Focus, 5 percent would have voted for Demokrati.

The AKO agency found that 4.1 percent would vote for Demokrati in the first half of April, 4.9 percent in the first half of March.

New names

Recently, several well-known faces have joined Hegers conservative party. These include MPs Jana Zitnanska and Juraj Seliga. They left the Za Ludi party at the start of April.

There are never enough democrats, so I hope more will come on board, Seliga said on April 21. If we dont come together, we wont have the numbers to govern.

Heger announced on May 1 - the day Slovakia joined the EU in 2004 - that people from the emerging Dobry Den, Slovensko (Good Day, Slovakia) party were also joining Demokrati: businessman and founder Jan Subak, businessman Jozef Sykora, lawyer Martin Javorcek, and transport expert Karol Achimsky.

Having criticised oligarchs meddling in politics, Heger has welcomed the embrace coming from honorable entrepreneurs.

We can provide tens of thousands of euros from our own reserves, but hundreds of thousands of euros are necessary for a strong campaign, Heger said on Monday.

The smaller parties Sanca, Zmena Zdola, and Obcianska Demokraticka Platforma support Demokrati as well.

Irrelevant player

But even though several smaller parties stand by Demokrati, bigger players are avoiding Heger.

Demokrati may, for example, significantly improve their polling figures if the party joined forces with the non-parliamentary and well-established Christian Democratic Movement (KDH). The latter has claimed that it does not mean to create a pre-election coalition with other parties. Recent polls show that 5-7 percent of people would vote for KDH on September 30.

Demokrati could also attempt to steal voters away from the ruling OLaNO party, which Heger and several others, including acting Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad, left in March.

Political scientist Jozef Lenc has told the JOJ television channel on April 25 that Demokrati has not become a relevant party, and that the party is struggling to conjure an agenda people would finding appealing.

Moreover, most people, 77 percent, do not trust Heger, according to a Focus poll published in April. Only 22 percent trust him. In general, trust in the members of Hegers government is low.
The PM's party underperforms in polls, unusual cab with teddy bear on roof, and another Ukrainian grain sample tests positive.

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Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, May 2 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Heger bets on 'honourable' businessmen in campaign

Acting PM Eduard Heger's party, Demokrati, has joined forces with the emerging party Dobry Den Slovensko. (Source: Facebook/Demokrati)

Demokrati, a non-parliamentary party led by acting PM Eduard Heger, has been struggling to reach the 5-percent threshold in the polls since its announcement in early March.

The limit is necessary for winning parliamentary seats in the September elections.

The party has not fared well in the polls despite several well-known names joining the party in April. On May 1, Demokrati also absorbed the Dobry Den Slovensko (Good Day, Slovakia) party. The party was founded by entrepreneur Jan Subak.

But it seems at the moment that Demokrati can make it to parliament only if the party teams up with a well-established party with similar values. There are not many such parties.

More on the 2023 early elections:

Dobra Volba: The non-parliamentary Dobra Volba (Good Choice) party, led by former health minister Tomas Drucker, will cease to exist. Some of its members, including Drucker, will join the Hlas party. In the last elections, Dobra Volba won 3.06 percent and can claim 1.5 million from the state budget for this result. Drucker rejects any cooperation with the Smer party, which dominates the polls.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

Real estate: The eastern bank of Zlate Piesky is still waiting for a 16-year-old project to be carried out.

The eastern bank of Zlate Piesky is still waiting for a 16-year-old project to be carried out. Law: Lawyer Peter Bartosik on new building legislation and the differences between the real estate laws of Slovakia and other countries.

Lawyer Peter Bartosik on new building legislation and the differences between the real estate laws of Slovakia and other countries. Opinion: Fico was renowned for his duplicitous politics, saying one thing to his voters at home and another to Slovakia's allies in the EU and NATO. Nothing has changed, writes Michaela Terenzani.

Fico was renowned for his duplicitous politics, saying one thing to his voters at home and another to Slovakia's allies in the EU and NATO. Nothing has changed, writes Michaela Terenzani. Travel: An unusual cab drives in the Orava region, with a teddy bear on its roof.

An unusual cab drives in the Orava region, with a teddy bear on its roof. Culture: The renovation of a manor house in the Gemer region, supported by funds from Norway, may be delayed by several months due to problems with materials.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR TUESDAY

After he moved to Slovakia, US actor found his mission in life

Gregory Fabian portrays Adam Gresko in the "Loop For Two" play. (Source: Ondrej Koscik)

Slovak babickas - elderly women - made him realise his Slovak roots, another Slovak convinced him to move to Slovakia, and ex-PM Vladimir Meciar helped Gregory Fabian understand what he wanted to do with his life.

EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND

Bratislava Majales returns

The Bratislava Majales on Tyrsovo Nabrezie embankment in Bratislava. (Source: SME)

Another edition of Bratislava Majales, a weekend event full of music, children's events and food will take place on May 5-6 on the Tyrsovo Nabrezie embankment in Bratislava.

The entrance is free.

In other news

A third sample taken from Ukrainian grain in April at the Kolarovo mill tested positive for a banned pesticide , the Agriculture Ministry has said. The sample was tested in Denmark. The grain will now have to be incinerated, used in a biogas station or used for further technical processing. Slovakia banned a number of Ukrainian agricultural products in April.

, the Agriculture Ministry has said. The sample was tested in Denmark. The grain will now have to be incinerated, used in a biogas station or used for further technical processing. Slovakia banned a number of Ukrainian agricultural products in April. The extremist musician Reborn has been acquitted of all charges by the Specialised Criminal Court. The verdict is not valid. The prosecutor has appealed. Reborn (Jaroslav Pagac) was charged with the production and spreading of extremist materials. Reborn's previous lawyer was Adam Puskar, who is now suspected of being involved in the murder of student Daniel Tupy.

The verdict is not valid. The prosecutor has appealed. Reborn (Jaroslav Pagac) was charged with the production and spreading of extremist materials. Reborn's previous lawyer was Adam Puskar, who is now suspected of being involved in the murder of student Daniel Tupy. The trial involving former Slovak president Andrej Kiska should start on June 29. The trial was supposed to have started in April. The Kiska case is related to the KTAG firm and its unlawful accounting of costs associated with the promotion of Kiska before the presidential elections. Kiska described the charges as a dirty political campaign orchestrated by Smer leader Robert Fico.

The trial was supposed to have started in April. The Kiska case is related to the KTAG firm and its unlawful accounting of costs associated with the promotion of Kiska before the presidential elections. Kiska described the charges as a dirty political campaign orchestrated by Smer leader Robert Fico. The State Theatre of Kosice changed its name to the National Theatre of Kosice as of May 1. Thus, the institution bears the name it had in the years 1947-1955.

A lorry overturned on the D1 motorway near Senec on the way to Bratislava on the evening of May 2, 2023. The road was impassable. (Source: Facebook/Bratislava Region Police)

WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Cloudy skies. Rain, showers and storms in many parts of Slovakia. The highest daytime temperature will rise to 19C. Strong breeze. (SHMU)

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/the-site-sucks-leaked-footage-captures-tucker-carlson-blasting-fox-nation-1110016221.html

'The Site Sucks': Leaked Footage Captures Tucker Carlson Blasting Fox Nation

'The Site Sucks': Leaked Footage Captures Tucker Carlson Blasting Fox Nation

A behind-the-scenes clip reveals Tucker Carlson's honest opinion about Fox News' streaming service.

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2023-05-01T22:26+0000

2023-05-01T22:23+0000

beyond politics

tucker carlson

fox news

leaked audio

viral

andrew tate

romania

leak

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Newly surfaced footage has offered an eyebrow-raising behind-the-scenes moment in which one-time Fox News host Tucker Carlson is seen bashing his former employer's streaming service Fox Nation.Carlsons condemnation of the streaming service is recorded on the set of Tucker Carlson Today during a phone call he is having with a representative of alleged rapist, human trafficker and crime group organizer Andrew Tate, who was arrested in Romania on such charges last year.I dont want to be a slave to Fox Nation which I dont think that many people watch anyway, Carlson said in the leaked clip. Because you know, Im like a representative of the American media now, speaking to an exile in Romania, and welcoming him back into the brotherhood of journalists."Nobody watches Fox Nation because the site sucks, so Id really just like to dump the whole thing on YouTube, continued Carlson, who made content for Fox Nation which included Patriot Purge, a show that promoted conspiracy theories about the January 6 attack on Capitol Hill, and The End of Men, a documentary that uses cherry-picked data to claim men are losing testosterone and ergo their traditional male roles.Were like working like animals to produce all this content, and the people in charge of [Fox Nation] like, theyre ignoring the fact that the site doesnt work. And I think its like a betrayal of our efforts. Thats how I feel. So I, of course, I resent it, Carlson concludes in the leaked clip.The leaked clip comes on the heels of news that broke last week regarding damaging texts sent by Carlson, which may have contributed to his sudden dismissal from Fox News. The texts reveal his hatred of former President Donald Trump, private beliefs about the January 6 attacks, sexist slurs against Trump lawyer Sidney Powell whom he called a f***ing b***h an unguided missile, a crazy person, and a c***, and the same, latter slur which he used against a Fox News executive in a separate text.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/a-us-default-would-cause-systemic-financial-crisis-destabilize-global-economy-1110038307.html

US Default Would Cause Systemic Financial Crisis, Destabilize Global Economy

US Default Would Cause Systemic Financial Crisis, Destabilize Global Economy

A US default may destabilize the global economy with a series of domino effects, Sergio Rossi, professor of macroeconomics and monetary economics at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, told Sputnik.

2023-05-02T17:28+0000

2023-05-02T17:28+0000

2023-05-03T10:00+0000

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janet yellen

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us constitution

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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen informed US lawmakers that the government could run out of cash to pay its bills as early as June 1 on Monday. The US hit that limit  $31.4 trillion  on January 19, 2023, but the Treasury has undertaken measures to buy time for lawmakers to raise the debt ceiling. If the borrowing limit isn't increased, the US could default, Yellen warned. She also depicted some of the gloomy consequences of the potential crisis that could include severe hardship to American families, upended US global leadership, and damage to the nation's security interests. Is Yellen's alarmism justified?At the same time, Rossi drew attention to the fact that "be that as it may, the US cannot default": the Federal Reserve can refinance the US federal government without any budget constraint for it, since it can issue as much money as it will in this regard, according to the economist. Indeed, even the US Constitution makes debt default impossible, by stating that "the validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law () shall not be questioned." in this context, the forthcoming meeting between US President Joe Biden and top congressional leaders should translate into some sort of bipartisan compromise to avoid further troubles.Meanwhile, the US national debt has grown by roughly $25 trillion since 1993 and is continuing to go up. Interest payments on the national debt were $475 billion in fiscal year 2022 and are projected to grow by another 35 percent in 2023. According to some estimates, the US debt-to-GDP ratio amounts to around 133% making it the 12th most indebted country in the world, and the fourth most indebted economy among developed countries. Meanwhile, earlier this year, some House Democrats proposed legislation that would eliminate the debt ceiling altogether to allow unlimited government borrowing. How sustainable is it for America to keep increasing its national debt?For more insight from professor Rossi, check out our Telegram channel!

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/bidens-vandals-will-destroy-us-if-gop-loses-debt-ceiling-fight--1110034996.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230428/us-debt-ceiling-bill-wont-stop-government-deficit-soaring-by-tens-of-billions-1109916231.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/us-may-hit-debt-limit-as-early-as-june-1-if-congress-fails-to-act-yellen-warns-1110016104.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/biden-admin-weighs-sending-1500-troops-to-border-with-mexico-as-title-42-ends---reports-1110034358.html

Biden Admin. Weighs Sending 1,500 Troops to Border With Mexico as Title 42 Ends - Reports

Biden Admin. Weighs Sending 1,500 Troops to Border With Mexico as Title 42 Ends - Reports

According to US media, Biden administration is considering sending 1,500 active duty soldiers to the border with Mexico.

2023-05-02T14:30+0000

2023-05-02T14:30+0000

2023-05-02T14:30+0000

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The soldiers would be comprised of active duty Army units and would perform transport and administrative roles in order to free up law enforcement and border patrol forces, who are expected to be overwhelmed as tens of thousands of migrants attempt to enter the United States, the report said. The troops would carry weapons for self-defense and would not assist with law enforcement tasks, the report said. The sources said the deployment would be similar to troop deployments ordered by former President Donald Trump. The Title 42 health emergency order - which allowed the US government to turn away thousands of illegal migrants at the border to prevent the spread of COVID-19 - is set to expire on May 11. Earlier in January, in anticipation of a migrant surge, Biden announced his intention to send additional forces to the US southern border and expedite the deportation of illegal migrants. At the same time, the president suggested legally admitting 30,000 immigrants from Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti into the country each month.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230418/biden-administration-left-thousands-of-migrant-minors-in-grave-danger-1109634901.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230326/this-is-satire-right-biden-blasted-on-twitter-after-waging-finger-at-maga-over-border-crisis-1108808226.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/biden-grudgingly-agrees-to-discuss-debt-ceiling-with-gop--1110034570.html

Biden Grudgingly Agrees to Discuss Debt Ceiling With GOP

Biden Grudgingly Agrees to Discuss Debt Ceiling With GOP

US President Joe Biden has reportedly invited House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders to discuss the debt ceiling next week after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the US may default without a resolution before June 1.

2023-05-02T14:49+0000

2023-05-02T14:49+0000

2023-05-02T15:52+0000

americas

us

joe biden

kevin mccarthy

gop

treasury

republicans

white house

debt ceiling

janet yellen

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Debt ceiling talks between President Joe Biden and top lawmakers from both parties have been set for May 9, according to the Washington Post, citing a White House official who spoke on conditions of anonymity.On April 26, House Republicans passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 to raise the debt limits by $1.5 trillion, substantially reduce spending levels for most recent federal programs and repeal some of the president's legislative initiatives.For their part, Biden and the majority of the Democratic Party said they would not accept anything less than a clean debt ceiling increase. The president even threatened to veto the GOP measure. However, late last week, Axios reported that divisions have been brewing for quite a while between House and Senate Democrats.A group of Democratic representatives sent a letter to Biden and McCarthy urging the president to sit with the House speaker and work out a bipartisan solution. Some Democrats also reportedly privately approached McCarthy and told him that they considered Biden's unwillingness to negotiate "wrong", as per the House speaker.The House Dems' dissent allegedly irritated Democrat senators who said that no budget cuts would ever be on the table. Joe Manchin appeared to be the only Democratic senator open to talks with McCarthy.To complicate matters further, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen revealed on Monday that the US government could run out of cash to pay its bills in just four weeks without additional borrowing. In a letter to lawmakers, Yellen warned that the economic consequences of inaction would be dire and could cause "severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position, and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests."The nation reached its $31.38 trillion spending limit in January 2023. Since that time, the Biden administration has conducted a series of special budgetary maneuvers to conserve cash and buy time. However, time is running out for the US government.The US press reported that even though Biden agreed to hold talks with the GOP, he nonetheless again lambasted House Republicans for their recent debt ceiling legislation - claiming that "their extreme MAGA plan would cut critical funding for education, public safety, including cut 60,000 public school teachers, take health care and food assistance away from millions of working families." This hardly appears to be a good start for the May debt ceiling talks, does it?

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230430/house-and-senate-democrats-divided-over-debt-ceiling-talks-1109988589.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/us-may-hit-debt-limit-as-early-as-june-1-if-congress-fails-to-act-yellen-warns-1110016104.html

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Hong Kong: Police nat'l security dept head named

Chief Executive John Lee today appointed Kan Kai-yan as head of the department for safeguarding national security of the Hong Kong Police Force upon the retirement of the forces Deputy Commissioner (National Security) Edwina Lau.

Pursuant to Article 16(2) of the National Security Law, the appointment took effect today, and Mr Kan took the oath of office on the same day.

At the same time, Mr Lee appointed Li Kwai-wah as Chief Superintendent of Police (National Security) in accordance with Article 48(7) of the Basic Law. The appointment also took effect today.

Mr Lee said Mr Kan has been with Police for 32 years and has demonstrated an outstanding performance, professionalism and exemplary commitment to serve.

He has a high awareness of national security and is familiar with national security affairs. He is capable of leading the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force to shoulder the important responsibility of safeguarding national security.

The Chief Executive also noted that Mr Li is a senior police officer serving in the force's National Security Department since the National Security Laws promulgation and implementation.

He has displayed loyalty and dedication as well as unwavering commitment to discharging his duties in safeguarding national security, resulting in outstanding accomplishments.

Even though both Mr Kan and Mr Li face the US bullying act of gross imposition of so-called sanctions, they are fearless, firm and dedicated to their duties.

I recognise their work and have confidence that they will take on more responsibilities in their new positions and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security.

On the same day, Assistant Commissioner of Police (National Security)(2) Kelvin Kong was appointed Senior Assistant Commissioner by the Commissioner of Police, succeeding Mr Kan as Director of National Security.

This story has been published on: 2023-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB), the leading provider of Islamic digital banking services in Bahrain, has announced the appointment of Fatema AlAlawi as Chief of Retail Banking.

This comes as part of the banks efforts to recruit efficient Bahraini talents and empower Bahraini women to assume key positions with the aim of continuously establishing a professional and distinguished management team.

Throughout her career AlAlawi has contributed to digital banking transformation and the Islamic banking sector in Bahrain, where she has played an essential role in leading all aspects of private and retail banking including product development, business, marketing, and branches. She delved in FinTech, where she has helped launch Islamic banking platforms and Aion Digital.

Proven track record

Yaser Alsharifi, Chief Executive Officer of BisB, said: AlAlawi has a proven track record of various achievements and skills that will enable her to lead and manage the department both efficiently and effectively. This step aims to enhance our efforts to empower Bahraini women and add a female element to our upper management team and further develop equal opportunities. We wish her the best of luck and success in her career path.

AlAlawi said: I look forward to working alongside the banks staff to develop the retail banking division while also harnessing all my skills and experiences to play an active role in the Bank's success, progress, and growth.

Leadership programmes

AlAlawi holds an EMBA and a BSc in Business Management from the University of Bahrain. During her Hubert Humphrey Fellowship in the US, she received a PMP Certification from the University of Boston, Massachusetts, in addition to completing two leadership programmes at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia.

AlAlawi has also received several awards and honours. In 2015, she was awarded by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, for her leading contribution to the banking and financial sector. She was also presented with the 2016 Future Leader Excellence Award by the Middle East Awards Institute in Dubai.-- TradeArabia News Service
Several Western countries offered emigration pathways to Hongkongers in response to Beijing's imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong in 2020. SCMP





More than 33,600 students left Hong Kong's schools in the last academic year amid an ongoing emigration wave, an increase of 10 percent from 2020-21.



The latest official figures bring the total number of students who withdrew from the local education system in the last two years to more than 64,000. But school representatives said they believed the exodus had peaked and a smaller number would depart this year.



The Education Bureau last week released the enrolment figures of all government, aided and international schools as well as those under the direct subsidy scheme as of September 2022.







The Post compared the enrolment figures of students from Kindergarten One to Form Five in September 2021 with those from Kindergarten Two to Form Six at the start of this academic year to determine the change in population.



The calculation showed 33,604 pupils, or 4 per cent of the total student population last year, quit city schools between September 2021 and the same month in 2022.



It was a 10 per cent increase from the previous year when 30,500 pupils, or 3.6 per cent of the student population, withdrew.



The local education system lost 64,109 students over the past two academic years. Reasons for their departures included emigration, a trend that gained momentum in early 2021.



Among them 11,640 were from kindergartens, 22,611 from primary schools and 29,858 from secondary institutions.





Australia, Canada and the United States remained in the fourth, fifth and sixth spots respectively. SCMP



The total number of pupils studying locally from Kindergarten One to Form Six was 828,600 in the last academic year. The figure dropped to about 796,000 in the current year, shrinking by 4 per cent, off the back of the emigration wave and the city's low birth rate.



Kindergartens lost 6,511 pupils last year, while 11,862 and 15,231 students dropped out of primary and secondary schools respectively.



Kindergarten Two recorded the biggest drop in enrolment with 5,154 students, or 10 per cent, leaving before moving up to the final year of preschool.



Form Four followed with about 4,000 students, or 8 per cent, leaving before they continued on to Form Five.



Nearly 3,300 Form Five students, or 7 per cent, withdrew from schools before they had to sit university entrance exams.



Among the 18 districts in the city, Central and Western, along with Wan Chai, had the highest number of students withdrawing at 10 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.





The city's kindergartens have been among the hardest hit by the declining student population. SCMP



Several Western countries, including Britain, Canada and Australia, offered emigration pathways to Hongkongers in response to Beijing's imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong in 2020.



British government statistics showed the number of applications for its pathway stood at 160,700 almost two years after its launch.



Lee Yi-ying, chairwoman of the Subsidised Secondary School Council, said institution heads felt the number of student withdrawals had come down from their peak.



"We principals can feel the overall number of students dropping out is smaller this year, but still there is a certain number of students leaving," said Lee, who is also a secondary school principal.



Students finishing Form Four in Hong Kong could be eligible to study their final years of secondary school in Britain, which may explain why it had the greatest number of students departing, she said.



The Post earlier reported that the number of students quitting some of the city's most prestigious schools had dropped, but high departure rates during the academic year still persisted at about 10 per cent on average in those institutions amid ongoing emigration.





The Australian International School in Kowloon Tong. Hong Kong is home to 54 international schools, with 22 operated by the ESF. SCMP
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/bidens-vandals-will-destroy-us-if-gop-loses-debt-ceiling-fight--1110034996.html

Biden's 'Vandals' Will 'Destroy US' if GOP Loses Debt Ceiling Fight

Biden's 'Vandals' Will 'Destroy US' if GOP Loses Debt Ceiling Fight

It's time for Washington to clean things up at home as the US has no more room on the national balance sheet to absorb more deficits, financial and geopolitical commentator Tom Luongo told Sputnik, while speaking on the unfolding fight between the GOP and the Democrats over the debt ceiling increase.

2023-05-02T15:24+0000

2023-05-02T15:24+0000

2023-05-02T15:52+0000

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us

us house of representatives

joe biden

kevin mccarthy

washington

gop

senate

congressional budget office (cbo)

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"[US President Joe] Biden wants a clean raise without strings, exactly the opposite of the November 2021 fight where [then-House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi demanded tying spending bills to the debt ceiling," said Tom Luongo. "The GOP won that fight. Or, in my view, the Fed and New York banks won that fight. It was the beginning of the current era of tight monetary policy in the US. Biden lost that fight because he never had a majority in the Senate. This time, hes facing the same challenge, but with a GOP majority in the House willing to burn the speaker to the ground, if he doesnt cut spending."US Heading Into a WallTreasury Secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to US lawmakers on Monday urging them to hurry up with their debt ceiling decision since the agency may be "unable to continue to satisfy all of the governments obligations by early June, and potentially as early as June 1." The Treasury secretary cautioned, however, that the projection is imprecise. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Monday raised the red flag too, warning that there is now a "significantly greater risk" that the US could run out of funds in early June. Previously, the CBO suggested that US lawmakers should decide the debt ceiling fate until September 2023.Luongo believes that Yellen and Team Biden are deliberately fanning up hysteria to twist the hand of US lawmakers.At the same time, the financial commentator acknowledged that it is non-sustainable for America to keep increasing its national debt. According to him, the US has no more room on the national balance sheet to absorb more deficits. Luongo lashed out at Team Biden for their unwillingness to make even the barest attempt at changing course and called them "vandals put in charge to ensure the destruction of the US."Debt Ceiling FightAs a response to Yellens statement, Biden called the top four congressional leaders, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, to discuss raising the debt ceiling. Reportedly, the meeting has been set for May 9.As per Luongo, the upcoming fight over the debt ceiling raise is of utmost importance.Biden has long refused to negotiate the raising of the nation's borrowing with McCarthy. Meanwhile, on April 26, House Republicans adopted the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 to raise the US debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion in exchange for the substantial reduction of spending levels for most recent federal programs. In response, the US president threatened to veto the initiative.Biden and the majority of the Democratic Party earlier signaled that they would accept nothing less than a standalone debt ceiling increase. However, late last week, Axios reported that divisions have been brewing for quite a while between House and Senate Democrats. In addition, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin also demonstrated some dissent, signaling that even though he does not agree with all the provisions of McCarthy's debt ceiling legislation, it presents a good platform for further negotiations.Clouds have been gathering on Biden's horizon for quite a while with various American commentators suggesting that the US intelligence community and some senior military figures have grown disenchanted with Team Biden. Hence the Nord Stream and Pentagon leaks, which alleged dangerous political gambling by Biden operatives, according to the observers. In addition, a new IRS whistleblower complaint pertaining to the ongoing investigation into Joe Biden's son, Hunter, threatens to taint the incumbent's 2024 reelection bid.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/biden-grudgingly-agrees-to-discuss-debt-ceiling-with-gop--1110034570.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230430/house-and-senate-democrats-divided-over-debt-ceiling-talks-1109988589.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230428/gop-lawmakers-free-irs-whistleblower-to-testify-about-hunter-biden-1109925019.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/israeli-forces-launch-retaliatory-strikes-across-gaza-strip-1110040296.html

Video: Sirens Blare Across Southern Israel as IDF, Gaza Exchange Barrage of Rockets

Video: Sirens Blare Across Southern Israel as IDF, Gaza Exchange Barrage of Rockets

Israeli and Palestinian forces exchanged heavy rocket fire into early Wednesday, marking the latest spike in boiling tensions between the two groups.

2023-05-02T20:16+0000

2023-05-02T20:16+0000

2023-05-03T02:41+0000

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Israeli and Palestinian forces exchanged heavy rocket fire into early Wednesday, marking the latest spike in boiling tensions between the two groups.The Israel Defense Force initially confirmed earlier Tuesday that Israeli military personnel was conducting airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in response to overnight launches from the region.A statement issued Wednesday by the IDF states that Israeli jets fired on various targets, including a Hamas training camp, military outpost and compounds, munitions sites and an underground tunnel, among other locations.Accompanying the release was also aerial video of strikes."The terrorist organization Hamas bears responsibility for what is happening in the Gaza Strip and is the one who will pay the price for the security violations against the State of Israel," the release concludes.A stream of unconfirmed cellphone footage from the ground surfaced online earlier shortly after news of the first rounds of fire broke out.Injuries have been reported, although specifics have not been released.Sirens have sounded in places including but not limited to Sderot, southern Ashkelon, Netiv HaAssara, Nir Am.A truce had been established between both parties for nearly two hours before reports of rocket exchanges began to surface once again.The IDF earlier detailed that approximately 21 rockets had been launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel after news broke of the death of Khader Adnan, a Palestinian prisoner who had been on a hunger strike for nearly three months. Reports note he was found unconscious in his cell.At the time, Mohammad Shtayyeh, who serves as the Palestinian prime minister, described Adnan's death as a "deliberate assassination" as Israel had repeatedly rejected his release requests.In the immediate moments after Adnan's death, three rockets had been launched from the Gaza Strip; however, IDF officials detailed at the time that the projectiles had caused no damages as they landed in open areas. Responses were later kicked up after retaliatory tank fire by Israeli officials.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/three-rockets-launched-from-gaza-toward-israel-1110021017.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/largest-satanic-gathering-ever-held-in-boston-1110038557.html

'Largest Satanic Gathering Ever' Held in Boston

'Largest Satanic Gathering Ever' Held in Boston

Dozens of members and supporters of the non-theistic organization known as The Satanic Temple flocked to Boston, Massachusetts, last weekend to attend the event touted as the largest Satanic gathering in history.

2023-05-02T18:00+0000

2023-05-02T18:00+0000

2023-05-02T18:05+0000

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Dozens of members and supporters of the non-theistic organization known as The Satanic Temple flocked to Boston, Massachusetts, last weekend to attend the event touted as the largest Satanic gathering in history.SatanCon 2023 was held from April 28 to 30 at the Mariott Copley Place hotel in Boston.Another attendee reportedly insisted that the majority of those who gathered at the event do not believe in literal Satan, and that it was all about freedom of religion and freedom from religion.A statement posted on the Satanic Temples website also stated that the event was dedicated to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for her unconstitutional efforts to keep TST out of Boston's public spaces.SatanCon was held on the same weekend that a Christian event called Revive Boston!, and the Satanic Temple gathering had also attracted the attention of Christian protesters who decried the event."They say they are introducing Satan issues to people, but whatever they do for Satan is wrong, and we are praying to God for reparations on what they are doing," one Christian protester reportedly said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221207/kids-invited-to-have-fun-at-after-school-satan-club-1105159765.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/man-who-threw-gravel-at-trudeau-may-be-sentenced-to-30-days-in-jail-1110019237.html

Man Who Threw Gravel at Trudeau May Be Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail

Man Who Threw Gravel at Trudeau May Be Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail

Shane Marshall, the man who threw gravel at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a 2021 election campaign event, could be sentenced to 30 days in jail.

2023-05-02T02:56+0000

2023-05-02T02:56+0000

2023-05-02T02:52+0000

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canada

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Crown attorney Jeremy Carnegie requested that Marshall be sentenced to 30 days in jail, as his actions were an attack not just on Trudeau but on Canadian democracy, media reported Monday. Accordingly, Carnegies request is aimed at deterring other individuals from following the same path as Marshall, by imposing a strong enough judgment. Sentencing Marshall to prison is necessary to curb the hatred in the countrys political discourse, which according to Carnegie brings Canada closer to violence, the report continued. Defense lawyer Luke Reidy relayed Marshalls regrets over his behavior, noting his client had let his impulse and anger management issues" take over him, the report said. Reidy is instead requesting that Marshall, 26, be sentenced to a one-year suspended sentence with mandatory community service. Marshall pleaded guilty to common assault in March. His sentence is set to be issued next week.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210310/military-reservist-sentenced-to-6-years-in-jail-for-attack-on-trudeau-residence---reports-1082310065.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/number-of-detained-at-may-day-demonstrations-in-france-rises-to-540-1110025332.html

Number of Detained at May Day Demonstrations in France Rises to 540

Number of Detained at May Day Demonstrations in France Rises to 540

Number of detained by police during Labor Day demonstrations rises to 540.

2023-05-02T09:07+0000

2023-05-02T09:07+0000

2023-05-02T09:07+0000

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france

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"Yesterday, all over France, there were more than 500 arrests, to be precise, 540 people were detained, of which 305 were detained in Paris," he said on air on the French TV broadcaster. The minster added that the number of police officers who were injured during the riots at the demonstrations on May Day reached 406 people, and 259 of them received injuries in Paris. On Monday, large nationwide May Day protest marches took place across France. During riots, the police used tear gas and water cannons, while the radical black bloc protesters threw stones and fired flares, Molotov cocktails, and improvised explosive devices, a Sputnik correspondent reported. The CGT trade union said around 2.3 million people joined the May Day demonstrations, with 550,000 people having taken to the streets of Paris. The Interior Ministry registered 700,000 protesters nationwide and 112,000 in the capital. On April 14, the French Constitutional Council approved the key article of the pension reform bill, which would gradually raise the age of retirement in France from 62 to 64 years by 2030. The reform sparked a strong backlash, prompting people to take to the streets across the country. As many as 12 nationwide demonstrations against the reform have taken place already, with several protests organized by unions attracting over 1 million supporters across France.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/mass-protests-against-pension-reform-in-paris-mark-labor-day-1110003935.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/russia-sends-protest-note-to-polish-foreign-ministry-over-seizure-of-school-1110025830.html

Russia Sends Protest Note to Polish Foreign Ministry Over Seizure of School

Russia Sends Protest Note to Polish Foreign Ministry Over Seizure of School

Russian Embassy in Poland sent a protest note to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs slamming the forcible seizure of the school building in Warsaw.

2023-05-02T09:46+0000

2023-05-02T09:46+0000

2023-05-02T09:46+0000

russia

poland

russia

ukrainian crisis

school

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On Saturday, Warsaw mayor's office officials, accompanied by Polish police, arrived at the Russian embassy's school building and stormed the premises after breaking the door. The Russian Foreign Ministry pledged a "harsh reaction and consequences for the Polish authorities and Polish interests in Russia" in response to "such an insolent move." The same day, the ambassador said that a new building will be found to house the school so that the studies could continue. "The Embassy has sent a protest note to the Polish Foreign Ministry," Russia's diplomatic mission in the country said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/russian-diplomats-defense-officials--citizens-evacuated-from-sudan---defense-ministry-1110018981.html

Video: Russian Diplomats, Defense Officials & Citizens Evacuated From Sudan

Video: Russian Diplomats, Defense Officials & Citizens Evacuated From Sudan

Russian diplomats, defense officials, citizens of Russia, the CIS and some other states have been evacuated from conflict-torn Sudan, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

2023-05-02T02:50+0000

2023-05-02T02:50+0000

2023-05-02T06:47+0000

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sudan

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"In line with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, the Russian Defense Ministry evacuated from the Republic of Sudan employees of the Russian diplomatic mission, representative offices of the Russian Ministry of Defense and their family members, citizens of the Russian Federation, CIS countries and a number of friendly foreign states, who asked for assistance in their return to their homeland," the ministry said. It said four Il-76 military transport aircraft were evacuating more than 200 people from Sudan to Russia. A source familiar with the matter told Sputnik on Monday that the Russian Embassy in Khartoum had evacuated 203 people from Sudan. On April 15, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, with the epicenter located in Khartoum. The parties have since introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires, but the conflict has not been settled yet. So far, around 600 people have died in the clashes, the Sudanese Health Ministry has said. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has reported over 450 deaths and said more than 4,000 people had been injured.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/almost-1000-us-citizens-evacuated-from-sudan-since-start-of-violence-1110001375.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/strike-they-wrote-hollywood-screenwriters-stage-walkout-for-first-time-in-15-years-1110022286.html

Strike, They Wrote: Hollywood Screenwriters Stage Walkout For First Time in 15 Years

Strike, They Wrote: Hollywood Screenwriters Stage Walkout For First Time in 15 Years

The Guild of Writers starts a major since 2007 strike on clashes with studios like Netflix and Disney

2023-05-02T07:26+0000

2023-05-02T07:26+0000

2023-05-02T07:26+0000

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The Writers Guild of America is set to go on strike, which will see roughly 9,000 writers, or nearly 98% of its voting members, stage a walkout, the media has reported.The screenwriters are unhappy with their salaries and claim they are facing an existential crisis." In a nutshell, they are at loggerheads with Netflix and Disney over the shares of the profits that they would like to receive. The studios cite the current tense economic situation, insisting that in 2021, payments to writers almost reached a historical record of $500 mln. However, screenwriters argue that the sum is insufficient, especially in light of the revenues the streaming giants rake in.The strike has been backed by media celebrities such as the eponymous host of the Late Night with Seth Meyers show. Meyers backed the move, saying that the writers demands are not unreasonable and that it is good that the Guild looks out for the best interests of writers.The walkout was preceded by weeks of negotiations between the union and the studios that proved futile. One of the major issues is that streaming giants like Netflix usually order about 10 episodes per season, while the usual broadcast norm is over 20. This results in fewer work for screenwriters and a reduction in wages, despite a growing per-episode budget. The stoppage will most likely have a serious impact on Hollywood, as autumn releases will be put on hold.The last screenwriters strike occurred in 2007, and dragged on for over 3 months, costing the local economy more than $2bln, factoring in lost wages and reduced consumer spending.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221104/millions-plan-to-substitute-traditional-thanksgiving-turkey-with-pizza-salad-as-us-food-prices-soar-1103800519.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221123/no-one-should-have-to-earn-a-living-1104566957.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/texas-manhunt-goes-cold-for-alleged-gunman-who-massacred-five-of-his-neighbors-1110018605.html

Texas Manhunt Goes Cold for Alleged Gunman Who Massacred Five of His Neighbors

Texas Manhunt Goes Cold for Alleged Gunman Who Massacred Five of His Neighbors

A man suspected of killing five people in Texas, including a child, remains at large.

2023-05-02T02:17+0000

2023-05-02T02:17+0000

2023-05-02T03:11+0000

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A man suspected of having gunned down five of his neighbors execution-style has continued to evade police officers despite a widespread manhunt being carried out in the region over the last several days.San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers announced a reward Sunday for information on Francisco Oropeza (Oropesa), 38, who they suspect is responsible for the murder of five of his neighbors on Friday night. The survivors of the shooting, including Wilson Garcia, said they called 911 after their neighbor, Oropeza, refused to stop shooting a gun outside and threatened them. Moments prior, the neighbors had asked Oropeza to stop shooting his rifle in his yard because they were trying to put their baby to sleep.According to one report, the victims calls to 911 were ignored. San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon said the call began as a harassment complaint which is not typically prioritized. He then claimed it takes no less than 45 minutes to reach the area of the shooting in ideal conditions with no traffic.Ramiro Guzman, the uncle of the shootings youngest victim, has said Oropezas son and his nephew would ride their bicycles together to the school bus stop. Guzman said he never spoke to the suspected shooter, however.Local law enforcement officials detailed Saturday that the suspect had disappeared into the woods after carrying out the shooting with an AR-15-style firearm. Sixteen members of Guzmans extended family were home at the time of the shooting. The victims, who are believed to be from Honduras, were ages 9, 25, 18, 21 and 31.Guzman said he also saw his slain sister's body.To see her the way I did, its unbelievable," he said of his sister, who hadnt seen their mother in 10 years in pursuit of a new life in the United States. "I still think maybe shes going to call me, that Im going to get to see her again and shed be like always, strong and supporting us through everything.Authorities conducted searches near a landfill along Highway 105 on Monday afternoon following a tip in that area. Roughly 259 law enforcement officers are now searching for Oropeza, who is still considered to be armed and dangerous by authorities.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/the-road-to-yalta-international-wwii-song-festival-final-1110035293.html

'The Road to Yalta' International WWII Song Festival Final

'The Road to Yalta' International WWII Song Festival Final

The Festival was founded in 2019 to promote and preserve the legacy of Soviet war songs that are inseparable part of Russian culture.

2023-05-02T15:42+0000

2023-05-02T15:42+0000

2023-05-02T15:42+0000

russia

wwii

soviet union

joseph stalin

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song

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Sputnik is live from the Grand Kremlin Palace, where the international song contest "The Road to Yalta" is taking place on Tuesday, May 2.The festival was founded in 2019 to promote and preserve the legacy of Soviet war songs, that are an inseparable part of Russian culture. And musicians from the whole world are here to honor the decisive role of the Soviet people in the victory.Musicians from all around the globe will perform patriotic songs of the World War II-era in their national languages. The name of the festival refers to the Yalta Conference in 1945 during which Soviet leader Joseph Stalin discussed the postwar peace with British PM Winston Churchill and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Yalta conference landmarks the final stage of WWII, when victory over the Nazis was already clear-cut and imminent.*Follow Sputnik's live feed to find out more

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'The Road to Yalta' International WWII Song Festival Final 'The Road to Yalta' International WWII Song Festival Final 2023-05-02T15:42+0000 true PT1S

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A custodian walks past an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Tokyo. AP-Yonhap



Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Tuesday the downside risks to Asia's economy were smaller than those to other parts of the world, partly due to the region's resilience to U.S. and European banking sector woes.



His remarks underscore optimism over the outlook for Asia's economy, which has a big influence on Japan's fragile recovery due to its proximity and huge market size.



"The risks Asia faces are smaller than those for other regions," Ueda told a briefing after attending a meeting of finance leaders from the ASEAN+3 - which comprises the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan, China and South Korea.



While Asian policymakers must be vigilant to the potential fallout from U.S. and European banking sector woes, the region's financial institutions have sufficient capital buffers and have little exposure to the problematic banks, he said.



"But policymakers must guard against possible spillovers from uncertainties over U.S. and European economies," he said.



Global recession risks are among key factors that will likely determine how soon the BOJ phases out its massive stimulus programme.



Asia has been among few bright spots in the global economy as China's rebound, thanks to the end to COVID-19 lockdowns, underpin the region's consumption and exports.



But Ueda said the group's finance leaders also discussed risks associated with China's outlook.



"China's economy is in good shape now due to the re-opening. But from a somewhat medium- to long-term perspective, there's a chance geo-political risks could hurt growth and have negative effects on the region's economy," Ueda said. (Reuters)






https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/us-simply-makes-up-numbers-of-casualties-in-special-operation---kremlin-1110030202.html

US Simply Makes Up Numbers of Casualties in Special Operation - Kremlin

US Simply Makes Up Numbers of Casualties in Special Operation - Kremlin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that US cannot be aware of Russian losses in Special Op in Ukraine and simply pulls figures out of head.

2023-05-02T12:36+0000

2023-05-02T12:36+0000

2023-05-02T12:36+0000

russia

ukrainian crisis

grain

default

us economy

vatican

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Earlier in the day, several media outlets reported, citing US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby, that Russia has allegedly more than 100,000 soldiers killed or seriously wounded during the course of the special military operation. Peskov added that Germany is not able to ensure that Ukraine does not use the weapons supplied by the West to attack Russia, Kiev is already shelling the territory of Russia.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that Berlin would refrain from unilateral steps when providing military support to Ukraine, while making sure that the weapons sent to Kiev are not used for strikes against Russia's territory.Commenting on the Istanbul Grain Deal, Peskov emphasized that the terms regarding the Russian agricultural sector have still not been fulfilled and the dialogue will continue.Earlier in the day, British news agency reported, citing a senior Ukrainian source, that negotiations on the Black Sea Grain Initiative, also known as the grain deal, with the participation of all parties to the deal are scheduled for May 3.Peskov added that Moscow is not aware of the Vatican's secret mission to find a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.During a press conference on Sunday after his visit to Hungary, Pope Francis said that the Vatican was involved in a secret mission to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The Holy See will be able to tell about it only later, when it becomes public.Referring to the talks about the possible default in the United States, Kremlin spokesman said that Russia is monitoring the situation. He added that so far American officials have always found a solution.Earlier in the day, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US government will likely begin defaulting on its debt by June 1 if the congressional limit on the countrys debt servicing is not raised by then.The spokesman added that this is not the first time this has happened in the United States.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/us-to-transfer-to-philippines-4-patrol-vessels-3-c-130h-aircraft---white-house-1110020354.html

US to Transfer to Philippines 4 Patrol Vessels, 3 C-130H Aircraft - White House

US to Transfer to Philippines 4 Patrol Vessels, 3 C-130H Aircraft - White House

The United States is planning to transfer four patrol vessels and three C-130H military transport aircraft to the Philippines to enhance the country's defense capabilities, the White House said in a fact sheet.

2023-05-02T03:58+0000

2023-05-02T03:58+0000

2023-05-02T03:55+0000

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The United States intends to transfer to the Armed Forces of the Philippines two Island-class patrol vessels, two Protector-class patrol vessels, and three C-130H aircraft, pending applicable Congressional notification requirements, the fact sheet said on Monday. The United States has already transferred two Cyclone-class coastal patrol vessels to the Philippines in late April and they are already en route to Manila, the fact sheet said. The two countries are adopting Bilateral Defense Guidelines to deepen security cooperation and interoperability across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace, the fact sheet said. The guidelines will also advance information-sharing, accelerated defense capability development, and collaboration on emerging security challenges, the fact sheet added. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos is currently on a visit to Washington and said earlier on Monday that Manila is against military provocations and will not turn into a "staging post" for any countrys military campaign. Last month, the United States and the Philippines agreed to expand their Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement from 2014 to four new locations, one of them near the South China Sea. Commenting on the agreement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it would lead to more tensions and less peace and stability in the region.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/philippines-will-not-turn-into-staging-post-for-anyones-military-campaign-president-says-1110006579.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/washington-helsinki-discussing-us-military-staff-on-finnish-soil-1110022837.html

Washington, Helsinki Discussing US Military Staff on Finnish Soil

Washington, Helsinki Discussing US Military Staff on Finnish Soil

Newly-fledged NATO member Finland recorded its highest year-on-year spike in defense spending since the height of the Cold War amid procurements from the US.

2023-05-02T09:27+0000

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Finland and the US are discussing a new defense cooperation agreement, which would allow Washington to use the territory of the Nordic country and its military bases to store military gear and equipment.A round negotiations took place in Helsinki last week, Finnish media reported. According to Mikael Antella, deputy head of the political department of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, representatives of the two countries discussed the text of the agreement. Antella ventured that the document would allow Finland to strengthen its defense posture thanks to the possible deployment of US military equipment.As per Antella, the agreement would give the US the green light to deploy its troops in Finland, as well as invest in infrastructure from funds allocated to the Department of Defense by the US Congress. So far, however, the deployment of nuclear weapons has not been discussed.The Finnish media described the document as "in line with similar US agreements with other nations." An analogous one is said to be under discussion with Finland's neighbor Sweden, which plans to join the alliance as well.Finland officially joined NATO in April, nearly a year after it had first applied. Sweden filed a joint application as well, but its membership in the alliance has been complicated by demands issued by Turkiye and Hungary.Finland's military expenditure has risen from 1.3 to 2 percent of its GDP within a matter of several years, indicating the most drastic military spending boost in the EU. The spending spree included a number of costly purchases, such as a new fleet of F-35 fighter jets. There are fears that NATO membership will result in even more spending.Deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Grushko said that Russia has already begun developing response measures to stop possible threats due to Finland's accession into NATO. Finland shares the longest border with Russia in Europe at 1,300 kilometers.

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A 40-year-old Alliance woman has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after being convicted of federal drug charge.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced in a press release that Tiffany Davis had been sentenced Friday, April 28, in federal court in Lincoln on a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Davis to 51 months of imprisonment.

On Nov. 5, 2021, Box Butte County Sheriff's Department officers pulled over Daviss car in Alliance, according to information in the release. Officers executed a search warrant on the car and located approximately 44 grams of actual methamphetamine in Daviss purse.

There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Davis will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation also investigated.
When asked about his origin story, John Damon always told his family he was an orphan from Chicago. Which was true, in a way.

In 1958, the 16-year-old Omaha boy indeed became an orphan  when he shot his parents to death.

And nine years later, after he sawed through prison bars and escaped the Nebraska State Penitentiary, the fugitive did flee to Chicago to launch his new life.

But back in those days, Damon was known by a different name: William Leslie Arnold.

After more than half a century, the mystery of Leslie Arnold has been solved.

U.S. marshals in Omaha recently through DNA evidence determined a career salesman under the alias John Damon who died in Australia in 2010 was actually Arnold, the long-lost convicted killer who escaped the state penitentiary in 1967 and vanished without a trace.

The 67-year-old Arnold left behind a wife and two children in Australia  as well as three surviving stepdaughters from a previous marriage here in the United States  all of whom were oblivious to his dark, secretive past.

Its a total shock, said Arnold's stepdaughter Kelly, who like her sisters requested that her last name not be used, citing privacy concerns. Mind blowing.

The jaw-dropping revelation has his family rethinking the entirety of the life of the man they thought they knew. Where they previously saw a loner who didnt keep a lot of friends and valued his privacy, they now see a man who, of necessity, mostly kept a low profile.

In fact, Arnold, who was known as a talented saxophone player both at Omahas Central High School and in prison, went so far to hide his true identity late in life that even after his own son took up the instrument, the father never once touched it.

Thats part of the mystery of my dad, his son said. As a function of his past, he had to live his life in a certain way.

The resolution of the case comes five years after The World-Herald published The Mystery of Leslie Arnold, a series of stories detailing the captivating Arnold saga.

The smart but troubled teen shocked Omaha in 1958 by killing his mother and father in their Aksarben-area home, burying the bodies in the backyard, and then continuing to attend school for two weeks before his grim crimes were discovered.

Sentenced to life in prison, the boy served for almost a decade as a model prisoner. Prison officials felt he was likely within just a few years of an official pardon for his youthful crimes and ultimate release.

But in July 1967, the enigmatic Arnold shocked everyone again. The then 24-year-old pulled off an escape worthy of a movie script and disappeared. Hes still the last man to successfully escape the penitentiary.

Now the final chapters of Arnold's astounding story can be written.

Through numerous interviews with family members and others, public records and information from law enforcement sources, The World-Herald has pieced together an extensive picture of Arnolds 43-year life as a fugitive.

While Arnold eventually died half a world away, for the first 25 years, he was essentially hiding out in plain sight right here in America.

Just four months after the escape, he married a divorced mother of four, a woman who waited tables at the same restaurant on Chicagos South Side where he had landed a job as a cook.

With the instant cover provided by his Damon alias and big new family, Arnold became an independent traveling salesman. After two years in Chicago, the family moved to Cincinnati in 1969, and then two years later settled in Miami.

Estranged from his wife, Arnold then moved to Los Angeles around 1977, divorced, remarried, and fathered his own children relatively late in life  while in his late 40s.

Then in the early 1990s, something appeared to spook Arnold. He cut ties to his stepdaughters, had a distinctive mole removed from his face, and moved with his second family overseas, first to New Zealand in 1992, and then to Australia in 1997.

Living in Australia, Arnold passed away at home on Aug. 6, 2010, due to complications from blood clots  ending his life a free man.

His son described Arnold as a charismatic and patriotic man who loved science and technology, and as a doting father who raised his kids with a love of music.

My dads legacy is a lot more than the initial crime and escape, his son said.

His stepdaughters have a more mixed memory of the man who stepped in as their father for a decade.

Theyre grateful for the smart and hardworking man who rescued them from a life in the projects. They also described their stepfather as demanding and strict  ironically, similar to how Arnold had described his own treatment at the hands of his mother.

A lot of things that didnt make sense or were uncomfortable now make sense, said another stepdaughter, Shawn. We all need to work our way through it, and thats what were doing.

Besides his resourcefulness, there was another key to Arnolds success in avoiding recapture: It appears he never seriously ran afoul of the law again.

Beyond some normal traffic stops, authorities have found no criminal record under the Damon name  such slip-ups often becoming the downfall of fugitives.

Innumerable questions remain surrounding Arnold and his life. And with his death, the answers to many may never be known.

That includes why an immigration card, bearing Arnolds real name, was issued to someone in Brazil a year and a half after his escape  a fact first revealed by The World-Herald in its 2017 series.

Did Arnold or a stand-in travel to Brazil under his real name in an effort to throw U.S. authorities off his trail? Thats plausible, especially given that we now know Arnold by that time had already established his new John Damon identity.

Even though its solved, its still a mystery, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Matt Westover, the Omaha-based law enforcement officer who cracked the 55-year-old cold case. You want to fill in the other pieces of the puzzle.

It's a puzzle that began with a stunning crime in Omaha in the fall of 1958.

THE CRIME AND ESCAPE

On a crisp October afternoon, the boyish-faced Leslie Arnold betrayed little emotion as he led Omaha police officers into the backyard of his home at 66th Street and Poppleton Avenue. He pointed to a spot beneath a lilac bush. Thats where he told them to dig.

A uniformed cop had turned up only a few shovelfuls of black dirt before he revealed the first sign of the truth: a human hand. The bodies of the boys parents, Opal and William Arnold, were soon unearthed.

To believe the news reports from 1958, Arnold shot his parents to death simply because they wouldnt let him use the family car to take his girlfriend on a date.

But digging deeper into the case decades later, The World-Herald revealed there was a lot more going on in the Arnolds' Aksarben neighborhood home.

Arnold played in the marching band, dance band and ROTC band at Central and was a good student. But he was also high-strung and carried some deep anger and resentments, most of those feelings revolving around his relationship with his 40-year-old mother.

Leslie Arnold would later tell psychiatrists that his mother ruled over him in a domineering and arbitrary fashion. It seemed there was nothing he could do to satisfy her. Others observed similar things.

It seemed to me his mother was excessively and compulsively hard on him, said childhood friend Jim Child.

Arnold would later tell evaluators there may have been underlying reasons for his mothers erratic behavior. She was twice hospitalized after nervous breakdowns''  the common term at the time for episodes of mental illness.

A big source of recent conflict between mother and son had been Leslies girlfriend, a North High student named Crystal who Leslie had been dating for a year. His mother was dead-set against the relationship, objecting to the girls working-class upbringing.

The only thing I knew was she did not approve of me  and not just me, my whole family, she told The World-Herald in an interview. We werent good enough for her son.

As one psychiatrist who later examined Arnold later put it, the way Leslies mother treated the boy, and her attempts to keep him away from his girlfriend, represented a challenge to the boys very manhood.

The emasculating influence of mother-dominance, plus being treated as a child rather than a growing young man, could only serve to produce hidden resentments and antagonism towards his parents which could be classified as a smoldering volcano, the psychiatrist wrote.

On Sept. 27, 1958, the volcano blew.

Leslie and his mother were having another bitter argument over his plans to go to the drive-in with Crystal. Thats when, he would later tell detectives, I got a crazy idea in my head.

He retrieved a .22-caliber rifle from his parents closet. He later said he just wanted to show his mom he was serious about going out with his girlfriend.

When his mother laughed at him and told him to put the gun away, he said, he suddenly raised the weapon and pulled the trigger. The boy then stood over his mother and fired five more shots into her chest.

I cant explain it, she seemed in pain, and I didnt want to hurt her anymore, but I just kept shooting, he later told investigators.

It was right at that moment, he said, that his father came through the door. Enraged at the sight of his wifes body, William Arnold went after the boy.

After ducking a wild swing, Leslie shot his father six times, too. He fell dead in the dining room beside his wife.

Arnold later said he curled up on the couch and cried, not knowing what to do. But within an hour, he had hatched a plan.

He told everyone his parents had suddenly left town to find a senile grandfather who had wandered off in Wyoming. He arranged for his brother to stay with the family.

The boy then felt the need to see his girlfriend, taking her to the drive-in after all. Arnold later described it as a horrible night, the boy tortured by his guilty conscience.

The next night, under the cover of darkness, he dragged both of his parents bodies to the backyard and buried them. And for the next two weeks, Arnold settled into a routine, opening his fathers downtown business before going to school.

But a week into his ruse, he was startled to return home to find his grandfather  the same one he had been telling people was missing. Not satisfied with the boys evasive answers, his family five days later went to police.

On Saturday morning Oct. 11, he was taken in for questioning and copped to his crimes. Months later, he pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in the state penitentiary.

While Arnold faced at least 10 years of incarceration, at the time, the states Pardons Board commonly commuted the life sentences of killers to a set number of years, allowing them to be released on parole.

Prison officials found the boy industrious and earnest, and the model prisoner also pursued his love of music by playing in the prison band.

We all just kind of felt he would ultimately make parole and make a success out of himself, one prison official said.

But at some point, Arnold soured on prison life. And in 1967, he conspired with fellow convicted killer James Harding to break out of the trusty dorm, a secure facility within penitentiary grounds for lower-risk inmates who were nearing possible release.

Arnold and Harding convinced a recent parolee to toss a tube containing saw blades and a pair of rubber masks into the prison yard, where the conspiring cons retrieved it.

Arnold and Harding then hid away inside the music practice room and sawed through the bars that covered a window, holding them in place with chewing gum.

On the appointed night of July 14, 1967, they used the rubber masks and fashioned dummies in their beds to confuse the overnight guards.

They then made their way down to the music room, jumped out the window, scrambled over a barbed-wire fence and ran to a clearing, where the new parolee waited in a car.

He drove the escapees to Omaha, where Arnold's childhood friend Child got them clothes, money and tickets on a 3 a.m. bus bound for Chicago.

The escape was so clean, they were already halfway to Chicago by the time they were discovered missing.

Harding, who was recaptured less than a year after the escape and later paroled, told The World-Herald in an exclusive interview before his 2008 death that the last time he saw Arnold was just days after they landed in Chicago.

Arnold informed Harding he had already found a job, as a cook at a restaurant in a Polish neighborhood. He had also hooked up with a girl, an older woman.

I got mine, Arnold told Harding the last time they spoke. You get yours.

MARRIAGE TO JEANNE BOUVIA

Kelly still remembers her first impressions of the slender, fresh-faced young man her mother brought home to dinner one night in 1967.

He didnt eat much, like one pea and a little mashed potatoes, she said. He seemed nice enough. He didnt talk much. He didnt talk about himself at all.

Kellys mother, Jeanne Bouvia, had recently met this new man named John Damon at Davids, a restaurant at 31st and South Halsted in Chicago. The divorced mother of four worked there as a waitress. Damon had just taken a job there as a line cook  a skill hed actually picked up in prison.

Davids was known for its ice cream sundaes, and it indeed was located in a heavily Polish neighborhood.

The couples courtship became a quick one. Arnold soon after moved in. Then Cook County records show Damon married Bouvia in a civil ceremony on November 25, 1967  just 134 days after Arnold escaped.

Bouvias daughters dont remember a proposal or a ceremony or even a ring.

Next thing I knew, they were married, Kelly said.

At 34, Bouvia was older than Arnold, who was 25. She was an attractive woman, too.

The Chicago native was a little glamorous, with a trim figure, a blonde beehive hairdo and her nails and makeup done up just so. She also possessed a sassy personality and enjoyed the company of men.

Its easy to see why shed catch the eye of a young man who had been locked up since age 16.

But both also gained much from their hasty union.

For Bouvia, a survivor who always found a way, it meant stability for her family. After meeting Arnold, the new family moved from the public housing projects near the restaurant where theyd been living to a much nicer place on West Race Avenue.

For Arnold, the marriage provided instant cover, helping him quickly blend into society. He overnight went from Nebraska prison escapee to the married father of four daughters, ages 14, 12, 9 and 5.

I told my mom he was either ignorant or brave to marry a woman with four girls, said Shawn, the then-12-year-old. Now I think John took it on because he needed to. What a perfect cover.

The girls were told by their mother that their new father had grown up in an orphanage. But Deb, the oldest of the girls, said she now has to wonder whether her mother  who died in 2000  knew something more about Arnolds past than she ever let on.

It was a tough go for a single mom, and I could see why she would want someone who could support us, she said. Maybe she had an inkling of what was going on. But well never know.

Along with his new family, another key to Arnold establishing his new identity was an official-looking-but-forged Illinois birth certificate he had somehow obtained under his chosen John Damon alias.

It listed his birth year as 1941 rather than 1942, and his mother as Jeanne Stanley, which was actually Bouvias maiden name. The fake document enabled him to get official identification during his life, like drivers licenses and a Social Security card.

So within weeks of his escape, Arnold had a new name, a new life and the tools to support himself.

As he settled into married life, Arnold and his bride shared some things in common, including a love of movies and music. He bought himself a saxophone, sitting in the corner of the living room on Race Avenue to play. He sometimes had a drummer and guitar player come over to play with him.

They would jam out and scat and all kinds of stuff, Deb said.

Shawn even remembered him playing a few public gigs years later when they lived in Miami, producing an early 1970s family picture of a tuxedo-clad Arnold holding his sax.

But overall, Arnolds stepdaughters said it was rare for their father to socialize with anyone outside of home. He kept to himself.

One time, their mother had invited a bunch of neighbors over to throw Arnold a surprise birthday party.

He threw a fit, Kelly said. He hated it.

At some point early, Arnold transitioned occupations from cook to salesman.

He worked as an independent sales representative, a middle man between distributors and potential customers.

His stepdaughters recall him selling lots of different things over the years: linens, vending machines, chemicals, even musical instruments.

He worked hard, often traveling all week. He was always wearing a suit and tie, looking clean cut. He was a strong communicator and speaker. And he seemed good at his job, making good money.

His sales work also may have been why the family in 1969 moved to Cincinnati. There, they settled into a tidy, two-story wood-frame house, with a yard of their own and a piano in the dining room.

For the girls, it was the first time in their lives theyd lived in a real house  not to mention Arnolds first since Poppleton Avenue in Omaha.

In Chicago, we were poor, from the other side of the tracks, Deb said. Here was this savior who pulled us out of this rough life.

To Deb, Shawn and Kelly (Dawn, the youngest, died in 1998), it seemed their stepfather was always working. But today, they hold some nice memories of Arnold  the only man they ever called Dad.

They appreciate the love of music he instilled in them, particularly for jazz.

Deb remembers him teaching her piano.

Kelly fondly recalls him taking her to a Henry Mancini concert.

But the sisters also describe Arnold as demanding, strict and unforgiving  much like they now understand him to have been treated by his own mother.

Before he left on business, he would give them lists of chores they needed to perform while he was gone. They had to get jobs by age 13.

He didnt tolerate back talk. Given that the girls possessed their mothers spunky spirit, they often did.

If they failed to do as they were told, they were put on restriction, their stepfathers word for being grounded. They recalled at times being grounded for a month or more.

The term sounds as if it was rooted in Arnolds penitentiary days. In fact, the girls daily life under their father had a regimental quality much akin to prison life. It's what he knew.

Basically, we got the brunt of him being in a penitentiary and being bullied by his mom, Shawn said. It definitely could have been done with a way different way of discipline.

Cest la vie, its in the past, Deb said. But he was very, very difficult sometimes, and very hard on us.

There are some other intriguing stories from the familys early life together.

Deb recalled that one night on Race Avenue they were awakened by Arnold moaning and crying, like he was having a nightmare. Their mother explained it was a result of their father once contracting malaria. Now Deb wonders if he was tormented by memories of killing his parents.

In 1971, the family moved on to Miami, under circumstances both unusual and suspicious.

Kelly recalls their parents took a vacation trip to the Bahamas by way of Miami. Their mother never came back to Cincinnati, instead staying behind to find a new home while Arnold came back to move the family.

Deb was a senior in high school then and decided not to move.

One day not long after, an FBI agent flashed a badge at her door and asked about John Damon. Deb said she told him she didnt know where he was  as her mother had earlier instructed her.

FBI records from the time offer no evidence that the agency ever linked Damon and Arnold. Deb still has no idea what the visit was about.

In Miami, the creative Arnold gave the living room of the familys new home a 1970s-style makeover. He put a plaster mosaic with colorful inlaid smoked mirrors on the walls and bright two-tone carpet with a slate walking path on the floor. He also installed a quad stereo system.

I remember when he first put it up, he put me in the middle of it, and we were listening to Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Shawn said. He was very excited about that.

He made himself over, too, now wearing his hair a bit longer and donning leisure suits.

After about three or four years in Miami, the restless Arnold started talking about moving the family again, this time to Costa Rica.

He said it was due to the countrys low cost of living. Now his family has to wonder whether there were other motives at work.

Regardless, his family told him they had no desire to move. Arnold instead convinced his wife to buy some land in Hawaii during a trip to the islands, with the idea of one day settling there.

But Bouvia remained opposed to moving  which may have been a factor in their subsequent breakup.

That was the deal breaker, Deb recalled.

It wasnt obvious at first. But Arnolds absences for his work became longer and more frequent.

After a while, Kelly said, he just stopped coming home on the weekends.

By 1977, with most of the girls now out of the house, Arnold had settled into an apartment in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank.

Serving as his own lawyer, on July 27, 1977  just days after the 10th anniversary of his prison escape  Arnold filed for divorce.

Bouvia did not contest or even respond to it, and it was granted in February 1978. But the parting was not amicable.

They had privately agreed to split the familys assets outside of the legal system, and she felt he did not keep his end of the bargain.

In response, Bouvia mailed Arnolds saxophone out to him in California  after first smashing it.

She later summed up her ex this way: He was a great provider, but a lousy husband.

Even after the divorce, Arnold would maintain contact with the girls, calling and visiting from time to time. He attended Debs graduation from nursing school. He sent a birth announcement when his own daughter was born.

Then in 1992, the 50-year-old Arnold asked to meet with them personally. The girls had earlier heard he was again talking about leaving the country, so they knew this might be goodbye.

As the 34-year-old Kelly sat with her stepdad in a booth at Red Lobster in Miami, she offered him some parenting advice.

Now that you have your own daughter, shes going to need to hear shes a good kid now and then instead of just Do this and do that,  she bluntly told him.

She was later proud of herself for telling him that. Those also were among the last words he would ever hear from her. He never contacted any of the girls ever again.

Looking back now, its clear Leslie Arnold was again making a clean break from his past  embarking on what became the third and final act of his life.

THE FINAL ACT

John Damon was a big Clint Eastwood fan. But as his son thinks back on it now, hes amazed about the Eastwood movie his dad had the family sit down to watch at home one evening about two decades ago.

Escape from Alcatraz.

The 1979 prison breakout film even features a scene where the escapees fashion dummies to make their bunks appear occupied.

In hindsight, its so strange to think what was going through his mind when he watched that, the son said in an interview.

The son has recently pondered countless such questions.

Arnolds son was willing to share his fathers life story, but only on condition that neither he, his mother nor sister, nor the town in Australia where they have lived, be identified. The World-Herald agreed to the conditions to obtain critical insights into the last years of Arnolds life that would otherwise not be possible.

A few years after his divorce, Arnold began dating the woman who would become his second wife, a foreign exchange student in Los Angeles.

The two were married in 1983. And in 1986, Arnold at age 44 became a biological father for the first time with the birth of a baby girl. His son was born five years later.

The family shared a number of Los Angeles-area addresses, including in Long Beach, Torrance and Glendale, as Arnold continued his work in sales. By then, he had incorporated his own sales company called Damonico, taken from his alias last name.

Then in 1992, Arnold rather suddenly decided he and his family needed to leave the country.

After the riots in Los Angeles in the wake of the police beating of Rodney King, Arnold told his family that the country had changed and that the United States, or at least Los Angeles, was not a good place to raise a family, his son said.

His wife was firmly opposed to the move but eventually went along. Arnolds family now believes he may have had different motives for leaving the country.

I wonder if there was an evolution of his understanding of his vulnerability to being found, his son said.

Indeed, with the 1990s rise of the internet, law enforcement now had much better tools to track peoples movement and share digital fingerprints, driver's license photos and other information.

The planned move was also not the only twist suggesting Arnold had grown concerned about recapture: Around that same time, he had a doctor remove a mole from his cheek.

The mole had been a distinctive feature on Arnolds face since boyhood  always mentioned in FBI postings about the fugitive. He told his family he removed the mole because he was tired of cutting it while shaving.

Throw in the fact that he said goodbye to his stepdaughters at that time and abruptly cut off all future contact and ties, and theres reason to believe that something had spooked Arnold.

The family first flew to New Zealand. They lived as Kiwis for five years before moving on to Australia.

Even while living overseas, Arnold for nearly a decade continued to at times travel back to the United States for his work. But it seemed the work that had long been the center of his life became secondary once Arnold had children of his own.

He often expressed to his children how profoundly their births had changed him. They had given him new purpose, hed tell them, altering his perspective on what was important and teaching him a life lesson.

His son and daughter knew him as a loving, doting and lighthearted dad who wanted the best for them  making it all the more surprising when they later learned how he had parented his stepdaughters.

Like his first family, Arnolds second was raised amidst his love of music. His son developed his own passion for music, having no doubt he chose to take up the saxophone due to his fathers influence.

But while Arnold told his son he used to play the saxophone, he never picked up his sons instrument to display that skill. In fact, his son only once in his life saw Arnold display any musical talent at all.

As the son struggled one day to play a complicated jazz riff on the piano, his dad sat down on the bench beside him. Why dont you try it this way, he said. Then he proceeded to play the riff perfectly.

The son never thought much of it at the time, miffed and feeling his father had showed him up.

Now he sees it as evidence his father was suppressing his musical talent  yet another sign Arnold was now intentional in concealing his past.

You give up the things you loved so nothing links back to you, his son said.

The past in general was something his father never talked about much.

He repeated to his second family the story of growing up in a Chicago orphanage. When pressed for details, he said it had been a difficult life he didn't want to revisit, and that he felt neither the need nor desire to learn any more about his birth parents.

To his family, the orphanage story seemed to explain not only his reluctance to discuss the past, but also his private, withdrawn personality.

Arnold would sometimes anchor his life story to bits of truth. For example, he once told his family he had worked as a dental technician. He didn't mention he had done so in the penitentiary.

A lot of what we knew and had been told were partial truths, his son said. He did not open up, and I did not ask questions.

In the end, Arnold took his secrets to the grave.

Arnold had been on an extended business trip to California at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He returned to Australia and did not travel overseas after that, doing most of his sales work online and by phone.

Then not long afterward, he began dealing with blood clots. The condition may have related to a heart attack he had suffered in the late 1990s, or even his frequent long sits during air travel. He was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.

As the clotting issues became more severe, his general health rapidly declined. It reached the point he frequently had difficulty breathing.

On Aug. 6, 2010, he collapsed at home and died.

His obituary said he was 69. In reality, he was just days short of his 68th birthday. If Arnold had spent the past 43 years looking over his shoulder, he was finally now at peace.

UNEXPECTED DNA MATCH

John Damons son was only 19 when his father died. Immediately after the funeral, the son decided he wanted to learn more about his personal legacy.

That pursuit of his roots even took the driven young man to Chicago in 2018. He had no luck finding the orphanage his father had spoken of.

He went to the vital records department and showed officials there his dads birth certificate. Thats when he was surprised to learn the document was fake.

The trip ended up raising as many questions as it answered.

He also reached out to his fathers stepdaughters to see what they knew. They also only knew the orphanage story.

Then last year, the son decided to have his own DNA analyzed.

He posted the results on a public DNA registry, hoping someone from his fathers biological family had also put their DNA into the bank. A match could help connect him with his lost family.

They dont put any warning out there that maybe you wont like what you find, the son said.

In August, the son was excited to be alerted to a close DNA match.

But he soon was communicating not with a close relative of his father, but Westover, the deputy U.S. marshal from Omaha.

Its known that law enforcement officials nationally have used public DNA registries to solve criminal cases. It was how authorities in California in 2018 identified the notorious Golden State Killer.

Westover last month traveled to Australia to meet with the son and collect further evidence from Arnolds family. Last week, the marshals officially closed the case of missing fugitive William Leslie Arnold.

PROCESSING THE TRUTH

Arnolds son says he and his family have had a lot to process in recent weeks.

He spoke for five hours with the reporter who wrote it, doing more listening than talking as he heard an even more detailed account of his fathers early years and crimes. He shed a lot of tears, too.

I feel I have a pretty good picture and understanding of it, he said that day.

Arnolds son does not minimize the crimes his father committed as a 16-year-old, which he called truly horrific. But he also felt good when he read the words of those who have expressed sympathy for Arnold and the difficult position he was thrust into at a very young age.

He has shared Zoom conversations with Kelly, Deb and Shawn, swapping intimate stories about their childhood experiences with Arnold.

The stepdaughters were happy to learn that Arnold seemed to have altered his harsh parenting style when it came to his second family. Parenting changed a lot between the 1960s and 1990s, but Kelly hopes her final conversation with him had an impact in some way, too.

The stepdaughters love Arnolds son, whom theyve found to be sweet and sincere. And the son has shown off to them his own recently born son  Leslie Arnolds first biological grandchild.

They all now collectively refer to themselves as our new dysfunctional family.

His son said hes largely come to grips with his fathers long-hidden past. In fact, he says he has no regrets about taking that DNA test.

The truth hes gained and new human connections its created with Arnolds stepdaughters and others have been cathartic.

Ultimately, I just wanted to know more about my fathers life and legacy, and thats what I got, he said.

None of what he has learned has altered the affection he feels for his father, or how he views himself.

Im comfortable with who I am, he said. He was a good father who committed his entire life to my sister and I, and I pretty much owe him everything.

The family also believes Arnold deep inside truly regretted and repented for his murderous past.

His family recently thumbed through their fathers old leather-bound Bible. They believe the book dates to his Chicago days, and theyve known him to read it several times front to back.

In those aging pages, they found a common theme to the passages Arnold had noted and highlighted.

Sin and forgiveness.

As they think back on the thousands of conversations they had with their father, both the son and daughter have memories of Arnold lamenting at times that he wished there was more he could say about his past.

Theres so much more I wish I could tell, hed say.

At the time, they thought he was referring to his traumatic childhood back in the United States. And, in effect, he was.

Now, Arnolds son said, we can see how the truth was weighing on his chest.

Photos: Leslie Arnold's crime
The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the former Kimball police chief on allegations of misconduct, according to court documents.

Andrew Bremer, the citys police chief for the last seven years, resigned in April. In a resignation letter accepted by the Kimball City Council during an April 25 meeting, Bremer cited personal reasons for resigning. He cited burnout due to the departments being short-handed in a statement reported by the Kimball newspaper, the Western Nebraska Observer.

Bremer had been appointed as Kimballs police chief in 2016, replacing then-Chief Darren Huff after he became the subject of an investigation by the Nebraska attorney general.

According to Kimball County Court records, the Nebraska State Patrol obtained a search warrant April 11 for records of the Kimball Police Department, Kimball County Sheriffs Office and Kimball County Attorneys Office, including daily action reports, interview reports, dispatch records and other records, and even body-camera footage to ascertain the activities of five officers with the department. The patrol sought to examine materials dating from Aug. 1, 2021, to April 12, 2023.

The affidavit for the search warrant says that the investigator applying for the warrant had been assigned an investigation alleging misconduct by Bremer. With the passage of LB 51, the state of Nebraska implemented several changes to the operation of law enforcement, effective Aug. 28, 2021. The changes that were cited as most applicable in the warrant involved the requirement that new hires complete training to become a certified police officer, and that until that training is complete, trainees are not given law enforcement authority and cannot carry out law enforcement functions. Trainees are also not allowed to carry a firearm or ride with a field training officer until they complete training at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Camp. Hires are also required to apply for training within 60 days of hire, but not less than 30 days prior to the start of the next camp, in addition to meeting other admission requirements.

The arrest affidavit cites statements by a Kimball Police Department trainee who said he and another man were hired in September 2022, given uniforms and badges, and identified publicly as law enforcement officers. The men were also equipped with Tasers, rode and drove police cruisers, and interacted with the public as law enforcement officers. The trainee said he had been involved in carrying out police duties, including tagging vehicles and trailers for tow, investigating theft cases and interviewing a suspect in a domestic violence case. He also alleged that the other officer hired had been given a pistol and rifle and told to qualify on the range without any training at all, according to the arrest affidavit

In November 2022, the Nebraska State Patrol investigator reported observing one of the trainees in full dress uniform, displaying a badge of office and carrying a handgun while in the Kimball County Courthouse, despite not having been certified as a law enforcement officer. The investigator also determined that a third Kimball trainee had been involved in an investigation in February 2023 that involved transporting three children from Kimball to the CAPstone Child Advocacy Center in Gering. The trainee transported the children in a Kimball Police Department cruiser, wore a polo identifying her as being with the Kimball Police Department and was not accompanied by another Kimball police officer.

In February 2023, according to the affidavit, the Kimball County Attorneys Office dropped a minor-in-possession charge because an investigation report had been generated by one of the trainees.

Kimball has gone through five police chiefs since 2007 after the termination of longtime police Chief Bill Schank. Two prior police chiefs were being investigated on allegations of wrongdoing when they stepped down or were terminated.

Dwain Murdoch, who served as a sergeant on the department, has been appointed to serve as interim police chief. He will be given the oath of office Tuesday at the Kimball County Courthouse, according to a press release from the City of Kimball. Murdoch has served with the Kimball Police Department since 2015, but previously worked more than four years with the department before serving more than six years at the Kimball Sheriffs Office.

The City of Kimball has already posted a job listing for the police chief position and has also posted that it is seeking police officers.
Omaha beekeeper Mark Welsch explains the effects of American foulbrood on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Omaha, Neb. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA  An Omaha beekeeper is raising awareness to fight American foulbrood, a deadly, contagious disease that strikes honeybees.

Mark Welsch, a beekeeper who owns Elmwood Park Honey in Omaha, destroyed 50,000 bees last week in three colonies owned by Linda Lundeen in Omaha after determining the colonies were infected with the disease.

Beekeepers, be aware that American foulbrood is alive and well in Omaha, Nebraska, Welsch said Saturday. If you have a hive in Omaha especially  but really every beekeeper everywhere should be looking for this disease to make sure that when it raises its ugly head, they can take action to kill it quickly.

American foulbrood is relatively rare in Nebraska, Welsch said, but it can spread if left unchecked, including to wild beehives, where it could be even harder to control.

Around this time of year, beekeepers are checking their hives every 10-14 days, Welsch added, to make sure that diseases such as American foulbrood are not present and that their bees are healthy.

The contagion can be detected in a few ways, including through a foul smell or if there are diseased cappings in the honeycombs, which could be sunken or have waxy coatings.

Welsch said beekeepers can also insert a stick into a hive cell. If the stick comes out covered with a thick, gooey, stringy, brown substance, this is an indicator of foulbrood.

Very dangerous

The disease impacts larvae, not adult bees, but because bees act as one unit, Welsch said, infected bees cannot be isolated.

Welsch spent Thursday night catching and killing the bees he and Lundeen had raised, which involved submerging the hive columns in soapy water and drowning the bees almost instantly.

This, he said, was the most humane way of handling the colonies.

I did not let one bee escape my vigilance here because this is a very, very contagious disease, Welsch said. Its very dangerous to bees, it kills them. I dont want it to spread anywhere.

On Saturday, Welsch burned the dead bees and the hive itself. He said he would later bury the ashes, as well, in case any honey escaped, to prevent further contamination.

For the good of everybody

The drastic action is for the good of everybody with hives not too far from Lundeens house, in the Aksarben neighborhood. Bees from other hives could otherwise steal the honey from the diseased colony without intervention.

American foulbrood remains rare because beekeepers, by and large, are conscious of the problem and understand quick and severe action is needed to stop the spread, Welsch said.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture used to have staff to inspect beehives throughout the state, which Welsch noted ended many years ago.

Christin Kamm, communications director for the Agriculture Department, said foulbrood can be found almost worldwide, has no cure and is not a new or regulated pest. It is less common now because of increased education and understanding of the disease and how it spreads.

While a serious disease, it is not currently a widespread problem in Nebraska, Kamm said. Beekeepers need to stay vigilant in the management of their hives and contact NDA with concerns.

According to Welsch, American foulbrood bacterial spores can live at least 70 years.

Lose everything

Lundeen said destroying her bee colonies has been very sad but necessary. Welsch added its difficult to kill your work.

Mark and I cried when he called me on Thursday and told me they were sick, and Im like, in my mind, they were sick so he could fix them, Lundeen said. I didnt realize that we were going to lose everything.

Lundeen said she could not be with Welsch when he had to kill the bees but joined him Saturday at a neighbors house, whose backyard is adjacent to Lundeens house and includes a firepit.

Lundeen began taking care of her bees last year with Welschs guidance, and the bees had been healthy up to this point, including a bountiful harvest of honey in the fall. The bees had also become part of the neighborhood because the bees fly within a five-mile radius, and neighbors would let Lundeen know when they came to visit

Welsch said the destruction included about $300 worth of bees and $200 of equipment such as the hive structure.

Lauren Fehr, the neighbor who offered up her firepit to burn the bees, said she is glad to hear Lundeen may start a new colony in the future.

I will miss all the honeybees flying over into my yard, she said. I was just getting some more flowers planted, and they were making their way over here.

Lundeen and Welsch said the risk of the foulbrood spreading requires quick action, especially with pollination a critical component of the food chain.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 35% of the worlds food crops (one out of every three bites of food) depend on animal pollinators.

Welsch said beekeeping requires vigilance because, If you cant take a couple of hundred dollars out of your pocket, light it on fire without flinching, you dont deserve to be a beekeeper, because sometimes you just have to do that.

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When two Philippine coast guard vessels set out to patrol the volatile South China Sea recently, they had to face more than Chinas growing territorial ambitions. The patrols are a constant battle against sun, sea, stress and gnawing isolation. The Associated Press joined a recent voyage, which provided a glimpse of what its like for Filipino coast guard personnel to work on the front lines of multiple geopolitical conflicts in one of the worlds most fiercely contested seas. Arrayed against far larger and more powerful fleets of Chinese coast guard vessels, navy warships and seaborne militias, the Philippine coast guard says its patrol vessels often face David and Goliath confrontations, especially near Beijings artificial island bases.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang at right meets with Noeleen Heyzer, special envoy of the secretary-general of the United Nations for Myanmar, in Beijing on Monday. Xinhua-Yonhap



China's foreign minister called for stability and a crackdown on cross-border criminal activity along the country's border with Myanmar, during an unusual visit to the volatile region on Tuesday.



The 2,129-kilometer (1,323-mile) border runs through densely forested mountains and has long been notorious for drug smuggling into China from the "Golden Triangle" region where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.



The United Nations says the production of opium in Myanmar has flourished since the military seized power in 2021, with the cultivation of poppies up by a third in the past year as eradication efforts have dropped off and the faltering economy has led more people toward the drug trade.



During his visit, Foreign Minister Qin Gang said local Communist Party and government departments, the People's Liberation Army, police and civilian bodies should join in "strengthening the border defense system."



Qin called for improvements in "maintaining distinct and stable borders, and severely cracking down on cross-border criminal activities."



"It is necessary to coordinate border management, border trade development, and bilateral relations," he was quoted as saying in a ministry news release.



Fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic armed groups has also occasionally flared along the border , sending refugees and sometimes mortar fire into China.



China has sought to maintain contacts with all sides, although it has been criticized for expressing unequivocal support for the junta after it said it would back Myanmar "no matter how the situation changes."



Myanmar has been wracked by violence since the army's overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover was met with massive public opposition, which security forces quashed with deadly force, in turn triggering widespread armed resistance.



Despite the security challenges, China has sought to encourage legal trade between the sides and recently reopened border crossings after closing them for more than 1,000 days as part of strict COVID-19 control measures.



During his visit to the Wanding-Ruili crossing point, Qin promoted the concept of a China-Myanmar economic corridor to aid business and other development on both sides, the Foreign Ministry said.



Later Tuesday, Qin crossed into Myanmar on an official visit. He was expected to follow through on the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's visit in January 2020, deepen cooperation and "support Myanmar's efforts to maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve people's lives, and realize sustainable development," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was quoted as saying.



On Thursday and Friday, Qin was scheduled to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of countries belonging to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO, in the Indian state of Goa.



The Chinese and Russian-dominated forum had originally been seen as dedicated mainly to curbing U.S. influence in Central Asia, but has since grown to eight member states, including India and Pakistan, and expanded its agenda beyond security into economic and other areas. (AP)








Convicted of voluntary manslaughter for fatally running down his friend with her own pickup truck, a West Virginia man continued to assert her 2020 death was an accident at his May 2 sentencing hearing.

The prosecution and judge, though, said his actions afterward told a different story.

Unlike his earlier jury trial where he wore dress clothes, Gilbert Lee Riggs Jr. showed up to court on Tuesday morning wearing a jail uniform and chains.

In January, the 60-year-old Princeton, West Virginia, resident pleaded guilty to felony hit and run and was convicted by a jury of voluntary manslaughter in the death of 56-year-old Janice Anita Poole of Georgia.

According to evidence, Riggs ran over Poole at a Bastian BP Station parking lot after the two were returning from Georgia with Pooles pickup truck, which was towing Riggs vehicle.

Riggs was planning on buying the truck  the title for which was found on Pooles badly mangled body.

After his arrest  and even after his convictions  Riggs gave differing accounts of what happened at the gas station.

He told police that he and Poole argued on the trip back from Georgia and at one point he snapped and went plumb crazy.

Riggs said he didnt remember what he did, but did remember seeing Pooles body on the ground before fleeing.

Interviewed by a probation officer this month for a pre-sentence report, Riggs claimed Poole was walking to the bathroom when he turned the truck around and accidentally hit her.

Police eventually located and arrested Riggs in West Virginia where he had thrown out Pooles cell phone. He also told Pooles family members that hed dropped her off alive at a Wytheville truck stop.

Commonwealths Attorney Patrick White said Riggs hadnt shown actual remorse for his actions.

The prosecutor said friends dont leave other friends after accidents.

Youre morally obligated to seek medical help, he said.

White also pointed to the condition of Pooles body and Riggs lies to her family in asking Judge H. Lee Harrell to give him the maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.

Testifying for the defense, Riggs sister, Lynn Riggs, said her brother had her support and the support of family members who also attended Tuesdays hearing.

I just want to beg the court for mercy, she said.

Pointing to Riggs strong family ties, his minimal criminal history and low risk to reoffend, Riggs attorney, Robert Canard, asked Harrell to punish him at the low end of recommended sentencing guidelines  four years and six months.

Given a chance to address the court, Riggs said he wished Pooles family members where there so he could apologize for the accident.

I liked Janice a lot and she was my friend, he said. I am very sorry.

Riggs said God had been dealing with his heart and he wanted to get back into the church.

Saying he believed Riggs was sincere about his spiritual renewal, Harrell said Riggs obviously knew what had happened to his friend and left anyway.

We can only hope she died instantly but we dont know that, he said.

The judge also reiterated Riggs behavior afterward, including throwing out the phone and telling police he went crazy.

Those things dont add up to a simple accident, he said.

After some discussion about the maximum sentences for each crime, Harrell sentenced Riggs to serve 15 years in prison. After his release, hell be on probation for five years.

Before being placed in a regional jail van, Riggs spoke briefly with his father outside. He told him to tell everyone he loved and missed them.

White issued the following statement after the hearing: The family of Janice Poole and the Bland Commonwealth's Attorney Office would like to thank the Virginia State Police Agent in charge of this investigation, Special Agent Jarod Goad, along with the other State Police Agents and Troopers, Sheriff Jason Ramsey, and the many Sheriff's Deputies that worked hard to bring Mr. Riggs to justice in this matter.

Jeffrey Simmons can be reached at 228-6611, extension 572, or jsimmons@wythenews.com.
An Iraqi delegation visited to the Syrian Investment Agency as part of the 11th session of the joint Syrian-Iraqi committee, according to al-Baath.

On 2 May 2023, the Director-General of the Syrian Investment Agency (SIA), Madian Diab, met in Damascus with the Chairman of Iraqs National Investment Commission (NIC), Dr. Haider Makkiyah, to discuss ways to strengthen investment cooperation and activate agreements previously signed between the two nations.

Diab presented Investment Law No. 18 and its amendments, highlighting the benefits, incentives, tax and customs exemptions granted to investors. Dyab emphasized the importance of developing an integrated plan to implement the bilateral memorandum of understanding signed in 2021, promoting investment in sectors that enhance the economies of Syria and Iraq.

In response, Makiya emphasized the significance of the textile, glass, and agriculture industries in promoting investment between the two countries. He also stressed the need to engage with business leaders and investors from both sides to establish an investment relationship that benefits both countries.

The Iraqi delegations visit to the Syrian Investment Agency is part of the 11th session of the joint Syrian-Iraqi committee, which began at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus, bringing together representatives from both nations to discuss issues of mutual interest. The meetings will continue for two days.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Abd al-Rahman Mustafa, the head of the Syrian interim government, called for continued support for the Syrian people, according to al-Souria Net.

Syrian activists, along with representatives from the Syrian National Coalition, the Syrian Interim Government, the Syrian Negotiations Commission, and other official bodies, organized the first Syrian conference in the city of Al-Rai, north of Aleppo, to reject normalization with the Assad regime and reaffirm their commitment to the goals of the Syrian revolution.

Attendees included the head of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Salem Al-Muslat, the head of the Negotiations Commission, Bader Jamous, officials in the Syrian Interim Government, commanders of corps and divisions of the Syrian National Army, the Syrian Islamic Council, the Free Aleppo Governorate Council, the Syrian Tribes and Clans Council, the Syrian Turkmen Council, and other revolutionary activists.

Participants emphasized their unwavering support for the Syrian revolutions objectives, which include the overthrow of the Assad regime and the pursuit of justice and accountability. They noted that the regime continues to commit crimes and violations across various Syrian cities.

During the conference, Abd al-Rahman Mustafa, the head of the Syrian interim government, delivered a speech in which he emphasized the Syrian peoples desire for freedom, dignity, a state of institutions and law, and their continued commitment to achieving these goals despite great sacrifices.

Mustafa argued that a political solution in Syria should be based on international resolutions that guarantee a political transition, safe and voluntary returns, and a safe environment. He also rejected approaches that seek to change the regimes behaviour or undermine the control of militias, alluding to the recent Arab initiative aimed at normalizing relations with the regime.

Mustafa called for continued support for the Syrian people and for exerting serious and real pressure on the Assad regime, asserting that this is the only way to achieve a comprehensive solution that ensures the safe return of Syrians and stability in Syria.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Israeli aggression on Aleppo airport caused damage to the runway, Athr Press reports.

The Israeli aggression on Aleppo airport caused damage to the runway. The damage includes four 10-meter diameter and depth holes, which are different from previous attacks in their intended targeting to prolong the repair period, sources told Athr.

A military source confirmed that on May 1st, 2023, at around 23:35, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack on Aleppo International Airport and several locations around Aleppo using bursts of missiles from the southeast direction, leading to the death of one soldier, injuries to seven others, including two civilians, and material losses. The airport is currently out of service.

This is the third Israeli aggression on Aleppo Airport this year, following attacks on March 7th and 22nd. In addition, the airport was targeted twice last year on August 31st and September 6th.

SANA reported that a military personnel was martyred and seven others, including two civilians, were injured in Israeli aggression targeting the vicinity of Aleppo city.

The Israeli aggression also put Aleppo International Airport out of service.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The ministers agreed to continue talks according to an agreed timetable, according to Baladi News.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Abul Gheit discussed the outcomes of the five-party meeting between the foreign ministers of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the Syrian regime, which was held in Amman on May 1st, 2023.

Safadi briefed the Secretary-General on the new elements discussed during the meeting and the conclusions reflected in the statement issued afterward. The statement emphasized the need for a political solution to the Syrian crisis that addresses the humanitarian, political, and security consequences of the conflict, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The statement also highlighted the importance of ending the crisis and its negative regional and international repercussions by preserving Syrias unity, sovereignty and ridding the country of terrorism.

The ministers agreed to continue talks according to an agreed timetable and to integrate with all relevant international efforts, including discussions on the humanitarian, security, and political situation in Syria. They also agreed on the necessity of delivering humanitarian and medical aid to all Syrians in need, in cooperation with the Syrian regime and the United Nations, in line with relevant UN resolutions.

Mevlut Cavusoglu

During a phone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the Syrian file with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, after the ministerial consultative meeting in Amman. The meeting included the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, with the participation of the Syrian Foreign Minister.

The consultative meeting aimed to reach a solution to the Syrian crisis in a manner consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and addressed the humanitarian, political, and security consequences of the conflict. The meeting was the beginning of follow-up meetings to achieve this objective.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

An exclusive source told North Press news agency that the Fourth Armored Division of Syrian government forces released dozens of old people who have been deported from Lebanon a few days ago, and referred young men to Conscription Department to perform compulsory service.

Lebanese authorities deported in the recent days hundreds of Syrian refugees to government-held areas, the Kurdish news agency said.

According to official estimates, the number of Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon is about 1.5 million, while the number registered with the UNHCR is approximately 880,000, and they go through severe and substandard conditions.

According to the agencys source said that the Fourth Armored Division released (led by Maher al-Assad) about 50 people, most of them are elderly after they have been arrested upon their deportation by the Lebanese authorities.

The division handed over dozens of young men to the Conscription Department, while it is still detaining 250 others, including dozens wanted, amid fears for their lives, the source added.

Israeli air strikes kill one soldier, put Syrias Aleppo airport out of service

Syrias state news agency SANA, citing a military official, said two civilians and five other Syrian soldiers were wounded, and that Israel had launched airstrikes on other unnamed targets around Aleppo.

There was no immediate statement from Israeli authorities on the strikes.

According to Israeli media reports, the airport has been a key channel for the flow of aid into the country after the Feb. 6 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, killing over 50,000 people, including more than 6,000 in Syria.

The Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said the strike targeted a munitions depot by the airport. It also reported Israeli strikes at a military airport in the Aleppo countryside, though Syrian state media did not report on the matter.

On Saturday, SANA reported that Israeli airstrikes over Homs wounded three civilians and that a civilian fuel station caught fire. SOHR said the missiles destroyed an ammunition depot belonging to the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah at a military airport in the countryside of Homs.

New Zealand contributes over 84,000 to OPCW missions in Syria

The Government of New Zealand has contributed more than 84,000 to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

OPCW said in a media statement that, The contribution will be used towards the full elimination of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Programme and clarification of facts related to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, in accordance with the relevant decisions of the policy-making organs of the OPCW.

The voluntary contribution was formalized on May 1st 2023 in a signing ceremony held between the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the OPCW, Ms Susannah Gordon, and the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, at the OPCWs Headquarters in The Hague.

New Zealand is pleased to announce a further voluntary contribution to the OPCW Trust Fund for Syria Missions. The continued support from New Zealand demonstrates our confidence in OPCWs independent and impartial work, Ambassador Gordon was quoted as saying.

Is Bidens Iran Policy Failing?

Syrian researcher Haid Haid published an op-ed in Asia Times, in which he argues that Iran-Backed militias step up attacks on U.S. troops in Syria, raising concerns about a new conflict.

The recent increase in attacks against U.S. troops in Syria has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Biden administrations Iran policy, as well as fears of a new conflict in the region.

The op-ed said that the tit-for-tat retaliations between U.S. forces and Iranian-backed militias were sparked by a March 23 drone attack on a U.S. military facility in Hassakeh, in northeastern Syria. Unlike previous incidents, the drone attack resulted in more casualties, indicating that Washingtons soft response to the militias is leading to further and more deadly aggression.

The U.S. has around 900 soldiers deployed in Syria, mostly supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in their fight against ISIS.

However, Haid adds, the U.S. also has a significant military presence in al-Tanf, which is seen as part of the larger U.S. strategy to contain Irans military reach in the region. In the 27 months since President Biden took office, at least 84 attacks were reported on positions hosting U.S. troops or contractors in Iraq and Syria, with most of these attacks carried out against U.S. locations in northeastern Syria.

The triggers for the assaults appear to vary, but the recent uptick in attacks may be due to the Biden administrations foreign policy decisions, including withdrawing from Afghanistan and ending the U.S. combat mission in Iraq, which have emboldened Iranian-backed militias to test Washingtons boundaries.

U.S., Turkey cooperate on terrorism-related sanctions -Treasury

The United States worked together to impose terrorism-related sanctions on two individuals linked to funding two Syria-based groups already sanctioned by the United States and United Nations, the Treasury Department said on Tuesday.

The DoTs statement said the actions target Omar Alsheak, a leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, and Kubilay Sari, who has received funds in Turkey from donors for Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, the department said in a statement.

As terrorist groups continue to seek access to the international financial system, collaboration with our partners increases our ability to more effectively disrupt these facilitation networks, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The new designations follow joint U.S.-Turkish actions on Jan. 5 that target a key financial network of Islamic State, Treasury said.

Jordans top diplomat sees hopeful signs in Syrian talks

Jordans top diplomat said Monday that regional talks with Syria are a step in the right direction to end a decade of the war-torn countrys political isolation and bring Damascus back into the Arab fold.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadis remarks came as Jordan hosted a meeting of envoys from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and Syria. Before the meeting kicked off, Safadi met one-on-one with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mekdad.

Damascus is slowly returning to the Arab fold after being ostracized over President Bashar Assads brutal crackdown on a 2011 uprising that descended into a yearslong civil war. However, as Assad consolidated control over most of the country in recent years, Syrias neighbours have begun to take steps toward rapprochement.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the meeting on Monday came as a follow-up to talks with Arab Gulf countries, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt held in Saudi Arabia last month and focused on a Jordanian initiative to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

There was clarity and honesty, Safadi said of the talks in Amman. This meeting is the beginning of an Arab-led political path to reach a solution to the crisis.

The diplomats also discussed Syrias humanitarian needs, especially in light of the devastating Feb. 6 earthquake that struck parts of Turkey and Syria, drug smuggling across Syrias borders and the refugee crisis from the Syrian civil war.

We agreed on mechanisms to start organizing their (the refugees) safe and voluntary returns, in coordination with the United Nations, he added.

The outreach to Damascus picked up pace after the February earthquake and the China-brokered reestablishment of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had backed opposing sides in Syrias conflict.

Saudi Arabia, the regional heavyweight that once backed Syrian rebel groups, has been leading the rapprochement. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus last month for the first time since the kingdom cut ties with Syria more than a decade ago.

The kingdom will host a meeting of the Arab League this month, where many expect to see the start  if not full return  of Syrias membership. Some resistance to that remains, mainly from Qatar. The Arab League is a regional organization of the Arab world, established to promote cooperation among its members.

Safadi declined to comment when asked about a precise date for Syrias possible return to the league, saying it was up to the member states to make that decision.

Russian Airforce

Russian fighter jets have reportedly violated deconfliction protocols with Coalition forces nearly 100 times in the past two months, according to Air Force Lt Gen Alexus Grynkewich, head of AFCENT (Air Forces Central Command), an American website reported.

The violations include armed overflights of ground forces in Syria, flying within 500 feet of U.S. aircraft, and jamming U.S. aircraft electromagnetic systems. Grynkewich noted that these actions increase the likelihood of miscalculation and interfere with AFCENTs ability to execute operations safely and effectively, Task And Purpose Website quoted him as saying.

He added that Russian pilots have become so aggressive towards U.S. aircraft that their behaviour is encroaching on open hostility.

Grynkewich, according to the website, is most concerned about Russian aircraft that fly over U.S. military positions while armed with air-to-ground munitions, noting that U.S. military aircraft do not fly over Russian troops with such weapons. Russia is an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and its forces also operate in Syria.

Amman Meeting Discusses Return of Syrian Refugees from Neighboring

On Monday, a consultative meeting on Syria was held in Amman, with the aim of discussing the return of Syrian refugees from neighbouring countries and ways for the Syrian state to extend its control over its territory. The meeting included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

According to Asharq al-Awsat, the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, confirmed that the meeting marks the beginning of a series of meetings to resolve the crisis in Syria in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, addressing all consequences of the humanitarian, political, and security situation. Safadi stressed that ending the crisis can only be achieved through a political solution that preserves Syrias unity, cohesion, and sovereignty, meets the aspirations of its people, and promotes conditions for the safe return of refugees.

The foreign ministers expressed their appreciation for the positive engagement shown by the Syrian foreign minister in examining the initiatives and steps presented during the meeting. It was agreed to form two joint political-security working groups within a month between Syria, Jordan, and Iraq to identify the sources of drug production and smuggling in Syria and the entities that organize, manage, and carry out cross-border smuggling operations, the newspaper added.

The ministers agreed to form a technical team of experts to follow up on the meeting outcomes and identify the next steps of this targeted path to address the solution to the crisis in Syria and its repercussions. In the closing statement, the participants agreed to resume the constitutional commissions work as soon as possible in the context of political steps to achieve comprehensive national reconciliation, the London-based daily explained.

The final statement emphasized that the voluntary and safe return of refugees to Syria is a top priority and that steps must be taken to begin its immediate implementation. They also agreed to intensify work with the international community and the UN to accelerate the implementation of early recovery projects, including in areas where refugees are expected to return.

The foreign ministers emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation to advance efforts to search for missing persons with all parties and relevant international organizations, in coordination with the Syrian government. The ministers agreed that similar steps should be taken, as appropriate, to resolve the issue of internally displaced people, including the Rukban camp.
PULLMAN  Savory sausages sizzled on the grill at a spring cookout last week outside Washington State Universitys meat lab. The fruition of over a decade of research, these special links were produced from gene-edited pigs.

WSU is the first university to seek or to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to produce gene-edited meat for human consumption.

Head researcher Jon Oatley called it a landmark for introducing biotechnologies into animal agriculture, which is essential for producing more resilient protein sources in the face of climate change and a growing human population.

For me its exciting because all of the work we do in the lab is for naught if we cannot work through a regulatory process to get it out of the lab into the public domain, Oatley said.

His team of researchers celebrated last week by barbecuing the pork as German sausage, prepared by WSU Meats Lab.

Meat scientist Blake Foraker made some of the pork into sausages, which will be used in catering services that raise travel funds for the student members of the WSU meat judging team.

Oatley, a professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences in WSUs College of Veterinary Medicine, said the pork tasted outstanding.

I went back for seconds, he said. If I was still hungry, I probably would have gone back for thirds.

The team uses the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to select desirable genetic traits in food animals including cattle, sheep and goats.

The tool could be used to improve meat quality and to make animals more resistant to heat and parasites.

Gene editing works by making changes to an organisms DNA that could occur in nature or through selective breeding, but would take much longer without a tool like CRISPR.

The process uses sterile males, known as surrogate sires, to sire offspring with traits from another male pig.

The sires are produced by turning off a gene in males called NANOS2 that is specific to fertility. The surrogates are then implanted with another males stem cells that create sperm with that males desired traits to be passed on to the next generation through natural reproduction.

Once introduced, the genes are inheritable throughout the population.

The sausage meat came from five surrogate sires that were two years old.

The project spent two years collecting data to show that the animals, other than the specific change they made, were otherwise completely normal and safe for humans to eat.

As best we can tell, there is no inherent risk to the welfare of the animal or risks to humans for consumption, Oatley said.

The only known function of NANOS2 is to drive sperm production. Other than an inability to produce sperm, the researchers could not measure any other difference compared to veterinary health standards.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also inspected the meat and could find no difference.

The FDA authorization is investigational and limited to these particular pigs. The surrogate sires progeny, which are themselves not gene-edited, have not yet been reviewed by the FDA for possible inclusion in the food chain.

Only one other organization, a company by the name of Acceligen, has had a gene-edited animal receive an OK from the FDA to enter the food supply. In 2020, the FDA made a low-risk determination for products made from Slick-Haired Cattle, which are gene-edited to have coats that increase the animals resilience to higher temperatures.

The project was a team effort involving graduate students, doctoral fellows, post-Ph.D. programs and lab technicians.

As a Ph.D. student, Michela Ciccarelli was the first to observe sperm produced in the surrogate sires.

It was the best day of my life, she said.

Now an assistant professor, Cicarelli stayed at WSU to continue with the project.

Oatley hopes that the WSU example will help dispel misinformation and improve perceptions of the technology.

Gene editing is different from genetic modification, he explained.

Gene editing is a cutting-edge technology that only introduces genes to an organism that naturally occur within that species. Genetic modification, on the other hand, introduces DNA from other species in combinations that never could have arisen in nature without human intervention in a lab.

Editing is essentially a faster, more precise form of selective breeding, which humans have been doing for tens of thousands of years.

This is just a modern way of creating those same unique genetic combinations in the animals to improve or enhance their traits, their resiliency and their welfare, Oatley said.

The technology could also help protect endangered species.

With enough resources, Oatley estimates the technology could be widely available to meat producers within a decade.

Adapting the food supply for a changing world is critical, he said.

If we dont devise strategies to improve the resiliency and efficiency of food production systems, whether meat production or plant production, were going to have a real challenge on our hands for the global population, Oatley said.

And thats not even addressing the food insecurity that already exists globally.

It is imperative, I think, for the future of the human race, he said.
Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested two Longview men last week in connection to a shooting at a residence near Kelsos Riverside Park.

Two men allegedly assaulted the shooter, who said he acted in self defense. The reported attackers were arrested, not the shooter.

At about 4:31 p.m. Thursday Asa McVay Keith Kelly, 21, of Longview, and Kamrin Alexander Kerr, 19, of Longview, assaulted a man who was parked in his driveway in the 1800 block of West Side Highway, according to a statement from the sheriffs office. A woman was also in the vehicle, located within a roughly 1-minute walk from Riverside Park.

Kelly and Kerr reportedly opened the mans driver-side car door, and Kelly struck the male several times, the statement says.

The victim told deputies the suspects accused him of being a rival gang member. During the assault, the resident drew a pistol, exited the drivers seat and fired, striking Kerr, according to the sheriffs office. Video footage corroborated the victims statements, the department reports.

Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office deputies closed West Side Highway for about an hour due to the search for the suspects and to collect evidence.

Deputies and officers from the Kelso Police Department responded to the scene. Kelly was placed under arrest, and Kerr was transported to St. John Medical Center for medical attention after they initially fled from the scene and were later found near Rainbow Way.

Kelly and Kerr were booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on fourth-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespass. Kerr is expected to appear in court via Zoom on May 11.

Kelly, according to court documents, has four previous felony convictions, and was arrested in January for his involvement in a shooting that caused multiple Longview area schools to go into lockdown. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on Zoom on May 16.
First the chair and then the board decided they need more citizen input. But there are questions about the process and the role of the new committee.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has hired a former state ecology field office manager as its new Southwest Washington regional director, the department announced Monday.

Rian Sallee, who has worked as the regional manager of the Washington state Department of Ecologys Vancouver Field Office since 2015, began her role with WDFW Monday.

The new regional director will work out of Ridgefield to serve Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties, the department said in a news release.

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Im excited about the opportunity to work in Ridgefield and advance WDFWs mission by continuing to build relationships with people who live and recreate in our region, Sallee said in a statement. Ive spent my career working in natural resources, and I look forward to bringing that expertise to southwest Washington.

Sallee also serves as vice chair of the Board of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and has experience in environmental justice, the department said. Sallees career has also included work on water quality and conservation.

Her new role will include working with local agencies and tribal groups to secure resources that benefit WDFWs overall mission of environmental protection and education, according to the news release.

Rian has shown herself to be a connector with a deep understanding of the intersection of people, science, and policy, WDFW Director Kelly Susewind said in the news release. Im confident that shell be a strong leader and effective communicator with the many diverse communities of the region.

Sallee is originally from the Midwest and spent much of her early career working on Lake Erie, the news release states.

This role was most recently filled by Kessina Lee, who was hired in 2018.
Nokia revealed it is the first to offer a CE-certified, turnkey drone-in-a-box solution, designed to meet the growing demands of organizations including public safety agencies, smart cities, construction, energy and defense. CE-certified to meet safety requirements of the European Union, the Nokia Drone Networks solution connects over public and private 4G/LTE and 5G networks to enhance situational awareness for first responders and other professionals.

The solution is manufactured in Europe and comprises Nokia drones, docking station, dual gimbal camera and edge cloud processing using Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). By connecting over public and private 4G/LTE and 5G networks, customers will benefit from the highest reliability. Using cellular connectivity technologies also offers higher data rates and lower latency enabling more data to be streamed than over Wi-Fi. Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations with real-time kinetic (RTK) positioning improves situational awareness. Dual modem connectivity allows Nokia drones to simultaneously connect to multiple networks, complying with system redundancy that is commonly required by aviation regulatory bodies.

The Nokia Drone Networks solution can be operated remotely for search and rescue activities, and to assess damage in a hazardous environment. Nokia drones can also be programmed to manage autonomous scheduled flights for applications like additional security at large events or to manage regular remote equipment inspections. The docking station protects the drone and payload, such as the sensor devices or dual gimbal camera, from external hazards and harsh weather while it remotely charges the drone to prepare for the next flight.

When used in conjunction with Nokia MXIE, data from Nokia drones can be collected and processed in real time at the edge cloud. An open API framework allows agencies and enterprises to onboard pre-integrated Nokia and third-party applications and systems and take advantage of a growing number of compelling public safety and Industry 4.0 use cases for drone automation, including object identification, tracking and network measurements.

Nokia and the New York Power Authority have already demonstrated the use of the Nokia Drone Networks solution, connected over private LTE, for transmission line inspection.

Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions at Nokia, said, Our mission is to reshape the industrial UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) market, providing enhanced situational awareness to aid search and rescue, surveillance, and other UAV operations in a wide variety of industries. Nokia Drone Networks has been designed to comply with the remote operation requirements of aviation regulatory bodies such as EASA in Europe and FAA in the United States. This will help us address growing market demands as a turnkey provider with a solution designed and produced in Europe. The unique feature set enabling the integration of Nokia drones with third-party applications will aid the transformation of the drones, allowing them to be used as a flying data collection platform leveraging reliable 4G and 5G edge cloud connectivity.

Depending on the deployed configuration, Nokia drones offer more than 50 minutes of flight time and cover distances of more than 30 km due to the unique hardware architecture, integrated software innovations and the 4G/5G connectivity.

The solution will be featured at Nokia booth J60 during Critical Communications World in Helsinki, 23-25 May 2023.
Pine Labs announced the acceptance of digital Rupee on its PoS terminals in partnership with ICICI Bank. The technology integration between the two entities will now support e (Digital Rupee) acceptance at Pine Labs point-of-sale terminals across key retail outlets in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Pine Labs execution of the Digital Rupee payment process is completely digital via dynamic QR built within its smart Android PoS terminals.

Commenting on the announcement, B Amrish Rau, CEO, Pine Labs, said, CBDC and Digital Rupee opens up exciting opportunities. If implemented correctly, it can accelerate the migration from paper-based currency to digital. Pine Labs is happy to partner with ICICI Bank in launching CBDC as a payment option under this pilot run by the RBI.

Mr. Bijith Bhaskar, Head  Digital Channels and Partnerships, ICICI Bank, said, The introduction of CBDC or Digital Rupee is a historic milestone in the digital journey of India. India is among the select few countries globally to have its own digital currency. The Digital Rupee, which is a tokenised digital version of the Indian Rupee, is a resilient, safe and additional avenue to users for making payments. Increased acceptance of Digital Rupee would hasten its adoption among customers. We are delighted to partner with Pine Labs to make Digital Rupee an accepted payment mode at their merchant PoS terminals. This would present a seamless payment option to the users and improve the operational efficiency of merchants with Pine Labs PoS terminals.

RBIs Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot for both person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) digital Rupee transactions is currently live with leading banks like State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, IDFC First Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and HDFC Bank. This controlled retail CBDC pilot is expected to expand to more banks, users, and locations, in addition to more applications. Once formally introduced pan India as a legal tender, Digital Rupee is expected to deliver reduction in operational costs that goes into the management of physical cash, improve financial inclusion, and deliver resilience and efficiency in payment transactions.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

More and more of the devices that we surround ourselves with on a daily basis are connected to the internet. This makes them not only smart, but also vulnerable to cyberattacks and criminal acts.

Before long, we might have smart fridges that help us keep track of what foods are about to expire and when to shop. How could this be harmful? Who would be interested in the expiry date of your milk or monitoring your food inventory?

When you think about it, everyday objects in a modern smart home process a lot of data that you probably don't wish to share with all and sundry.

Your thermostat, for example, could give clues about when you are away from home. Your fitness equipment often stores health information about you and your family.

And as an American software developer recently demonstratedyour smart speaker may have security holes that allow eavesdropping on your private conversations.

In the wrong hands, this is information can be misused for everything from burglary to identity theft and extortion. Smart devices are increasingly finding their way into large companies and government institutions, a trend that does not exactly make the situation any less serious.

Automating ethical hacking looks more promising

The work of uncovering security holes in computer systems is today largely carried out manually by so-called penetration testers or ethical hackers. This is time-consuming and expensive work, and the results entirely depend on the individual tester's expertise.

Many people have therefore wanted to automate the process. This goal has turned out to be a far more difficult task than imagined especially in connection with smart devices.

Researchers from NTNU in Gjvik recently published an article in the journal Sensors. In addition to reporting on their progress in automating security testing on smart devices, the researchers also revealed that critical devices in maritime shipping are still being manufactured with well-known security holes.

Multitude of smart devices complicate matters

Security testing of smart devices is in principle no different than testing any other computer system. The problem with the smart devices is their vast number of different applications. The technologies can vary considerably, and often they have very different areas of use.

"A smart speaker has been created with completely different tasks in mind than a smart thermostat. Its vulnerabilities may be linked to its own completely unique functions, sensors or other components that a smart thermostat does not have," says Basel Katt, an associate professor at NTNU's Department of Information Security and Communication Technology in Gjvik.

"Smart devices use a lot of different protocols," says the researcher, "and they have many sets of specific rules to communicate between the computer systems."

The tools that have been developed to automatically test security so far have therefore been of limited use on smart devices. They have mostly been used for very specific tasks, usually only as part of an otherwise manual process, and have not performed nearly as well as human testers.

The NTNU researchers have developed a system that draws from several existing tools and combines them in coordinated simulation attacks on smart devices.

They have developed an independent software agent based on previous work by Fartein Lemjan Fry, postdoc Muhammad Mudassar Yamin and Katt.

An independent software agent is a computer program that reacts to changes and events in the environment it is in, completely independently of direct instructions from humans. Instead, it acts according to a predetermined decision model. The model in question in this case was developed by Yamin and Katt to specify a software agent's behavior, especially in cyber ranges.

Cyber rangefor training

Let us explain: A cyber range is an virtual training arena that gives users and systems the opportunity to test themselves against simulated computer attacks under controlled conditions, not unlike a military training ground.

Katt explains that an automated testing system could cover several roles in a cyber range and potentially make such exercises less time- and resource-consuming.

He further believes that such a system could be of great use both in developing and producing new smart devices, as well as in teaching and research.

"The testing system can demonstrate different ways of hacking and how vulnerabilities can be exploited," Katt says. "It can also be used to show students the consequences of various vulnerabilities."

Put device out of play

The researchers describe in their technical article how they try out their automated test system on an AIS unit. AIS stands for "automatic identification system." This is a widely used technology in shipping that communicates important information about vessels to the Norwegian Coastal Administration and other ships and ports in the vicinity.

Many Norwegian leisure boats are equipped with AIS transmitters, and the technology is required on board larger vessels, such as yachts, cruise ships and cargo ships. The transmitters must also be operational at all times.

"Just figuring out that the automated test system could relatively easily disable an expensive and widely used AIS system was a major discovery in itself," says Katt.

The severity level increased considerably when the researchers found that the connection could also be "spoofed."

Spoofing is when a person or computer program pretends to be someone else by using falsified data. In a maritime context, this could take the form of someone sending out false GPS signals via the AIS system. Worst case scenarios could lead to grounding or colliding with other ships or ports.

The manufacturer of the AIS product in question could probably have caught and rectified the weakness long ago if they had had access to a similar test system during the development and production phase.

Still a way to go

Despite the promising results, Katt emphasizes that the work on automating ethical hacking in smart devices is far from finished.

"Significant progress still needs to be made in working with information exchange across different protocols, in order to develop a fully functional system that can uncover security holes in smart devices with minimal human intervention," says Katt.

More information: Fartein Fry et al, Automatic Verification and Execution of Cyber Attack on IoT Devices, Sensors (2023). DOI: 10.3390/s23020733
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Inside the mobile hot cell. Credit: Idaho National Laboratory

A crowd gathers around a black wooden box that resembles a short refrigerator, waiting for the motion of a pair of robotic arms sitting just outside the box. When the arms move, a wave of excited energy in the room at Idaho National Laboratory conveys how this simple action may alter the future of international radioactive source removal and disposal.

The team was observing the first demonstration of a mobile hot cell that could fundamentally change how a certain class of radioactive materials is handled. The robotic and mobile nature of the hot cell is poised to improve economics, employee safety and national security.

"In some of the areas where we plan to use this mobile hot cell, radioactive sources are just left on the shelf once they've been spent, where they are extremely vulnerable to theft and producing harmful emissions," said Kathy McBride, the project manager for INL's Radioactive Source Recovery Project. "Having access to a proper disposal method could be a game-changer for many of these facilities and their staff."

What is source recovery?

Across the world, radiological materials play an important role in medical research and commercial facilities. If these radioactive sources were to fall into the wrong hands, they could be used in a radiological dispersal device (dirty bomb) or in other acts of terrorism. Safe removal of used radioactive sources requires new techniques and fabricated containers, which expand secure transportation opportunities.

The National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Radiological Security (ORS) has funded INL's efforts to develop a mobile hot cell.

"Our job is to recover used, abandoned and unwanted radioactive sources," said Kevin Kenney, the relationship manager for INL's Radioactive Source Recovery Project. "We've already been doing domestic removals. However, this hot cell will enable our program to take these efforts internationally."

The mobile hot cell can be controlled and monitored from the outside, behind plenty of shielding. Credit: Idaho National Laboratory

Why a mobile hot cell?

This mobile hot cell project began about two years ago, with the goal of fabricating a first-of-its-kind mobile source recovery tool, or hot cell. ORS leaders hope to use this tool to reduce global radiological threats by providing tools and expertise to help international partners improve radioactive source end-of-life management. While standards for safely recovering and handling radioactive sources are strict in the United States, many other countries do not apply the same rigor.

As Kenney described it, the hot cell's mobility is more like a carnival than a recreational vehicle. It is designed to be assembled and shipped in multiple pieces, which are created with maximum shipping weights in mind. The shielding walls are constructed like a Russian stacking doll, with between four and five walls of increasing size that can be added or removed as necessary based on the maximum source activity of the irradiators.

"Another thing that distinguishes this from traditional hot cells is that it uses robotics, as opposed to manipulator arms," said Ted Reed, a mechanical engineer on the project. "This way, we can position our operators 50 feet away from the hot cell." This distance allows for reduced shielding needed to protect source handlers, decreasing the weight of the cell and to follow principles for handling radioactive material.

Improvements ahead

Although it's a vast improvement to current methods, the robot is still not perfect. Its joints can be damaged and rendered inoperable from the radiation of the sources. To mitigate this issue, the source recovery team prefers to preprogram the robot to perform discreet tasks, lessening the time it must spend moving around inside the hot cell.

At the end of September 2022, the team demonstrated a mock-up of the mobile hot cell with all of its components in place. The mock-up will be used to evaluate and optimize the design features over the next year.

At the demo, members of the Source Recovery team could see inside the mobile hot cell. Credit: Idaho National Laboratory

Already, INL's hot cell's design stands out. Current designs use sand for shielding, which requires significant effort to set up and tear down. Because hot cell operators can stand a safe distance away from a source with INL's design, the mobile hot cell enables a safe, rapid deployment.

Additionally, the mobile hot cell will allow radioactive sources from multiple devices to be prepared for consolidation into a single cask for transportation. This is a vast improvement over the current recovery method. It will minimize the resources required to complete any source recovery trip to remove several distinct devices from a country's inventory.

What's next?

During fiscal year 2023, the research team will finalize the design and it will undergo safety analyses. If all goes well, the hot cell will be demonstrated and deployed both internationally and domestically.

"Occasionally, we will encounter an irradiator in the U.S. that can't be shipped in a cask due to limits on the amount of material that can ship at once," Kenney said. "That's another case where it would be essential to have a mobile hot cell that can be deployed."

Eric Egan, the principal investigator within the source recovery team for the mobile hot cell project, emphasized the team effort required to complete this project. "This impressive accomplishment would not have been possible without support from inside and outside INL. This includes the technical expertise and advice from Southwest Research Institute, as well as the invaluable skill of our INL machinists, facility and nuclear safety engineers."
The International Marxist Tendency has warned from day one that the government of Gabriel Boric has been marching to the drumbeat of the right. As early as the second round of the presidential elections in 2021, we denounced his populist use of immigration and public security issues in the campaign. With this repressive agenda, he aims to win the support of moderate or depoliticised layers of society and draw them away from the right. Ultimately, this merely adds grist to the mill of the far right. Last month, President Boric spearheaded a policy that was overflowing with betrayals and inconsistency by supporting the enactment of a trigger happy law for the police (the Carabineros, popularly nicknamed the pacos), known as the Nain-Retamal Law.

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The Nain-Retamal Law, which owes its name to two police officers killed on duty, toughens the punishment for those who attack or kill police officers, among other measures. The most reactionary aspect of this law is the so-called privileged self-defense clause, which presumes rational intention when a police officer uses his service weapon. That is, it greases the wheels of impunity for police officers, while the victims of the shootings that took place during the 2019 social uprising continue to wait for justice.

During the legislative process, the executive introduced a number of motions to moderate this last element. The ruling coalition parties from the Frente Amplio (FA, the Broad Front) and the Communist Party of Chile (CPCh), opposed the clause on privileged self-defense and threatened to challenge the bill in the Constitutional Court. They vacillated, however, under the pressure of events as another police officer was killed the night before the vote, while the president hastily signed the bill into law, which places it beyond challenge in the Constitutional Court. The MPs of FA and CPCh thus found themselves out-maneuvered.

The government is unleashing forces that it cannot ultimately control. They have paved the way for reaction and a more openly authoritarian regime.

A reformist government?

The ruling coalition is formally composed of the FA and the CPCh, and it takes the name Apruebo Dignidad (Approve Dignity), a name that is now obsolete given last years rejection of the coalition-supported draft constitution, which it was claimed was intended to protect human dignity. Although some communists remain in important positions, its centre of gravity has been increasingly shifted towards those figures coming from the former Concertacion coalition (the Socialist Party, SPCh, and the Party for Democracy, PPD), with whom the FA and CPCh maintain an uneasy governing alliance.

At the time of taking office, Boric appointed Mario Marcel, the former President of the Central Bank who is close to the SPCh, as Minister of Finance. In this role, he has pushed a policy of austerity attacks and fiscal responsibility. More recently, de facto power has shifted to the new Home Secretary, Carolina Toha, the former PPD president, who is tainted by scandals around the irregular financing of political campaigns, and who is the face of thirty years of Concertacion governments.

In December 2021, immediately after Boric won the election, we explained that this was a government of class conciliation:

In any case, Boric has not even presented a programme of profound reforms. He talks about fiscal responsibility, and change through slow but firm steps. In his programme, he insists: Our Government will have as a priority recouping a trajectory of credible fiscal consolidation, with a gradual and sustained reduction of the structural fiscal deficit. He wants to prove himself to be a good manager of the business interests of the capitalist class and to thus put the bourgeoisie at ease. His message to the capitalists is: the social divide needs to be healed so that the country can grow.

A militarisation policy has been established in the north, giving extraordinary powers to the military in controlling the borders / Image: SEGEGOB, Wikimedia Commons

The transformative program of Apruebo Dignidad promised, among other things: a universal healthcare system; decent pensions and the end of pension fund private managers (AFPs); free, public and quality education; and to be an environmentalist and feminist government. To make the profound changes that were promised, including an increase in the publicly funded Universal Guaranteed Pension, these reforms were linked to additional financing, supported by tax reforms. But the latter were thwarted by the unexpected voting down of the bill in Parliament. The government believed that by moderating its programme it could appease the right. In reality, the right turned its back on the government.

Another crucial policy for the government, and in particular for the CPCh, was the 40 hour law, which aimed to fulfill a historic demand of the working class on the length of the working week. The project was negotiated over months in meetings between the main trade union confederation, the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT, which is dominated by the SPCh), the bosses, right-wing legislators and the government. But the result of these negotiations was to give way to full flexibility of labour, something so longed for by the capitalists, placing workers in a disadvantageous position in the face of unilateral decisions by the employers.

From dissolving and defunding, to reforming and financing

Although it was promised to bring an end to the infamous Anti-Terrorist Law and the militarisation of the Mapuche ancestral territory in southern Chile, this has not happened. Indeed, militarisation has increased. Under this government, extensions to the state of emergency in provinces of the so-called Southern Macrozone continue to be approved. Furthermore, another militarisation policy has been established in the north, giving extraordinary powers to the military in controlling the borders.

The only question now is, when will the militarisation of the Central Macrozone come about? SPCh senators have already advanced this idea, proposing a state of emergency to combat drug trafficking and crime in Santiago and Valparaiso. For the time being, this initiative has had no echo in the government. Nevertheless, it shows the slippery slope we find ourselves facing. Working people find themselve unable to impose the demands they raised in the October 2019 uprising, whilst the right is unable to establish its complete control over the situation. These are the conditions in which elements of Bonapartism can emerge, in which power is becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of the police and army.

In the municipality of Central Santiago, the communist mayor Iraci Hassler is already implementing a public security policy, characterized by the persecution of street vendors and the repression of secondary school students. Metro stations now have tactical guards to stop ticket evasion. Ultimately, who will benefit politically from this? Those mayors and right-wing candidates who pursue a more consistently reactionary policy.

The reformist left approved bills passed by the Pinera government to increase the repressive power of the police against social protests / Image: Fotos TVN, Flickr

As a result of the discrediting of parliament, weve seen a mayoralisation of national politics. This phenomenon is, in part, a legacy of the military dictatorship, which put an end to the social rights secured at the state level, and transferred the administration of public policies to the municipalities and appointed mayors.

The latest strategy announced by the executive is a security plan across 30 municipalities, which are home to one third of the population, and 50 percent of violent crime. It was also announced that the use of the Uzi submachine gun by carabineros will be resumed, which were restricted after the murder, using this weapon, of 16-year-old Manuel Gutierrez during the student protests of 2011.

This generation of reformists and postmodernists went from demanding the defunding of the Carabineros and the dissolution of the Special Forces during the uprising, to talking about reforms and modernisation during their election campaigns, to granting greater impunity and funding for this criminal police force now they are in power. We already remarked on this fact in November 2020, when they approved reforms passed by the Pinera government to increase the repressive power of the police against social protests.

The fox is in charge of the hen house

The experience of the War on Drugs in Mexico and Colombia shows that militarisation and increased funding of the police only increases the number of innocent victims. Weapons end up in the hands of criminal gangs, as weve already seen in Chile with weapons being lost from the military and Carabinero arsenals.

Let us recall that the Carabineros are the most corrupt institution in the country. Pacogate (a corruption scandal uncovered in 2016, involving massive misappropriation of funds) was the largest fraud in Chile's history, valued at 35 billion pesos (roughly $35 million). Leaving aside the thousands of police abuses  including murder, torture and mutilation over the course of the 2019 uprising, and ongoing today in Mapuche territory  how on Earth can we justify granting funding and immunity to this criminal police force?

Corruption linking the state, capital and drug gangs are as lucrative for some as drug trafficking itself. A war on drugs may realign the relations between the criminal gangs and the state  favoring one group, which violently displaces another group  but the pre-existing corruption remains. Increasing violence between gangs and the Carabineros is a symptom of this developing friction. The police are just one additional player in the war to control the drug business.

The pandemic, political upheavals and mass migration have upset the previously relatively peaceful balance between international trade, state institutions, and criminal groups. The workers and the youth will continue to suffer the consequences, until a new equilibrium is once again reached, and then members of the armed forces, businessmen, state bureaucrats, and drug cartels can go back to quietly making their profits  unless the organised working class intervenes to put an end to their filthy dealings.

The youth resists

It was in this sordid context of police fanaticism and xenophobia, that another Day of the Young Combatant was commemorated on 29 March. On this date, we remember those young people who fell in the fight against the dictatorship, to which we can now add a list of young people who have also been killed under democracy. On March 30, we also remember the kidnap and murder of three communist teachers, a crime committed by Carabineros in 1985 under the Pinochet dictatorship.

As in the previous year, Boric spent these two days giving his full backing to the police. Meanwhile, hundreds of high school students gathered in the center of Santiago in a backpack demonstration to commemorate the date, while also pressing their demands for education. This government of former student leaders, who made their political careers by standing on the shoulders of the giant student movements of the past, are today, once more, criminalising and repressing the youth on the streets. Boric and Hassler are playing with fire, and as a result they could get burned.

Within the movement of secondary school students, several revolutionary groups have emerged, which have mobilised to protest and fight with Carabineros / Image: Alex Proimos, Wikimedia Commons

Many of the leaders of the CPCh, particularly those in closest proximity to the government, have lost all confidence in the possibility of revolution and in the struggle for communism. But among the rank and file, their political backsliding does not go unnoticed. What will happen the next time a police officer murders a young student, a Mapuche or a striking worker?

The university students organisation has been bankrupted by the FA and the university left. But within the movement of secondary school students, several revolutionary groups have emerged, which have mobilised to protest and fight with Carabineros. They raise local demands, such as for improved infrastructure and food scholarships, as well as demands for funding for public schools and non-sexist education. They have denounced the constituent farce and the so-called progressives in power who unleash repression against them.

It is among this young layer that the spark of rebellion remains alive, and an opposition to the government exists, which can pose a revolutionary alternative. Its success depends on its ability to connect up with the working class. To do that, it must overcome anti-political sentiments and an overemphasis on spontaneity, and build a militant organisation with a political programme for the revolutionary transformation of society, for the abolition of capitalism, and for a workers government.

In response to the repressive agenda against crime, they must demand housing and jobs for all; sport and cultural facilities in the neighbourhoods to promote healthy leisure for young people, under the control of territorial and workers organisations. They must demand the expropriation of the drug dealers profits and the abolition of secrecy in banking to expose the many streams by which business and the state enrich themselves through the same trade. They must stand against the impunity of the corrupt police force, and for workers defence organisations in the neighborhoods to combat drug dealers locally. And we must stand for the unity of Chilean workers and foreign-born workers, in the struggle for equal rights for all.
While community colleges across the U.S. have dealt with declining enrollment in this post-pandemic era, the Blinn College District is working diligently to bring students to its campuses and ensure their academic, social and career success.

I think Blinns uniquely positioned to help those students who we know as high school students went through a pandemic that took them out of the classroom and forced them to try to grow up and learn in a totally different environment than anybody else has experienced, said Richard Bray, director of communications, media relations and marketing for the Blinn College District.

In their college experience, theyre probably looking for a lot of the things that Blinn College has to offer in terms of outstanding academic reputation, smaller class sizes, staff and faculty that care about your academic and social success who want you to have a great experience in college.

Bray said exiting the COVID-19 experience came with its own set of obstacles, so the smaller class sizes and personalized attention that Blinn, based in Bryan and Brenham, offers can be beneficial as students work to overcome them on their way to a four-year university or trade.

That can be very comforting and helpful just to know that youre not a number in a database or just one of tens of thousands of students, Bray said. At Blinn, you are a part of that Blinn family.

Becky McBride, vice chancellor for student services, gave a presentation to the Blinn College District board of trustees on Feb. 21 to provide a glimpse at the spring 2023 enrollment numbers.

At the time of the board meeting, Blinn was in week six of its 16-week sessions for the spring 2023 semester and still enrolling students for the third and fourth four-week sessions.

In 2018, prior to COVID-19, Blinn had 16,482 students enrolled in the spring semester with 2,868,864 contact hours and 155,082 credit hours. In 2020, Blinn saw a 3.57% increase in enrollment, as well as simultaneous increases in contact and credit hours.

Blinn then witnessed a decrease in enrollment for 2021 and 2022 and is climbing the enrollment ladder in 2023 with 15,412 students, 2,686,848 contact hours and 148,119 credit hours. McBride noted these are partial totals that exclude the winter minimester data and were pulled on Feb. 6.

We anticipate the headcount will continue to increase, McBride said at the time. As I mentioned, were still increasing our numbers and registering students, and theyre still applying with us for the spring semester.

The final spring enrollment totals will be presented at the June board meeting. In fall 2022, Bray said the final enrollment totaled 17,554 students, which was a 2.79% increase over the previous year.

Were still recovering from the pandemic and the impact that had on enrollment, but we are starting to climb out of that, Bray said.

The number of students at U.S. community colleges has fallen 37% since 2010, or by nearly 2.6 million, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

So how has Blinn managed to keep its enrollment numbers relatively steady amid a global pandemic and economic shift?

Bray and McBride agreed that it is the combination of Blinns reputation, recruitment and retention efforts, as well as its commitment to partnerships.

McBride credited Blinns admissions and enrollment teams that are charged with bringing students to campus. The moment a student begins taking classes, the key to retention is maintaining that communication, she said.

Our responsibility is to keep our outreach live with our students and remind them of the things they need to do, giving them a heads-up of whats coming in the semester and being there when they reach out to us, too, McBride said. Communication is a two-way street.

In terms of reputation, McBride said Blinn has remained consistent in its efforts and continues to expand programs that benefit the students and district as a whole.

Students know when they come to Blinn they will receive a quality education and that many of our programs transfer to so many four-year institutions in state, she said. Were a wonderful place to start your education.

McBride added that Blinn holds the highest transfer rate of 48.2% out of all community colleges in Texas. To put this into perspective, the average transfer rate is 25.4%.

Bray said this number should increase as Blinn works to expand its articulation agreements and partnerships with four-year universities.

Blinn currently has 15 transfer partnerships listed on its website, including a new co-enrollment partnership with the Texas A&M University School of Nursing where Blinn students can enter their associate nursing program and earn their bachelor of science in nursing from Texas A&M in just one or two semesters.

Theres a seamless pathway there for those students to affordably and quickly continue their pathway past their associate degree toward a bachelors degree in nursing, Bray said.

The great thing about these partnerships is that students have a clear path set for them that details what classes they need to take that directly feed into a selected four-year university, he added.

There isnt that fear of the unknown because weve clearly laid it out, and weve worked with those universities to provide our students with these really clear pathways, Bray said.

McBride said changes in the economy also have raised the importance of Blinn communicating its finances clearly.

Its so critical for families to know exactly whats expected right when they start their degree with us and as their student continues at a four-year institution that money isnt wasted, time isnt wasted, McBride said. Weve taken the time and worked so closely with so many of our partners to make this a seamless transition.

According to College Board data, the average published tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students are as follows: $3,860 for public two-year universities, $10,940 for public four-year universities and $39,400 for private nonprofit four-year universities, which further exemplifies the cost-effectiveness of beginning ones college career at a community college.

Were keeping a steady ship, and I think it really comes back to the product we have to offer in terms of a quality education, McBride said. Blinns here; we will continue to be here, and we will continue our outreach.
College Station City Council members discussed updated plans for street maintenance after a presentation last week from the citys Public Works Department.

Emily Fisher, the citys director of public works, previously announced the plan last July and said she plans to update the council each year on street maintenance.

The departments Street Maintenance Division maintains about 356 centerline miles of roadway, and 273 of those miles are asphalt roads, she said. Centerline miles measure the length of a road or highway regardless of how many lanes it has, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

The Street Maintenance Division evaluates streets by utilizing a Pavement Condition Index, which assigns a score to every street, Fisher said. A Paver Distress Identification Manual, developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is used to define different distresses or issues found in asphalt and pavement, and it examines the various severity levels, she said.

Ten types of distresses in the roads, like cracking or potholes, are examined, and each issue is ranked on a scale of zero to five, Fisher said. For example, a street that has several potholes throughout would be ranked a five, and if it doesnt have any, it would be ranked a zero. Every street receives a ranking and the information is stored in the citys asset management program, she said.

These distresses are then calculated in an algorithm that creates the Pavement Condition Index [PCI], which is a score given to the street from zero to 100; zero being the lowest and 100 being the best, Fisher said.

We try to get every street evaluated once a year, Fisher told the council. If a street is reconstructed, whether it is by Public Works in the Street Maintenance Plan, or whether it is a capital project, it automatically goes back to 100 PCI and that will start its clock again, lowering from there.

A majority of the streets that need maintenance are asphalt streets, but they do work on both asphalt and concrete streets, she said. Rather than look at every single street individually, Fisher said her department divides the city up into subareas and takes an average of those subareas.

A couple years ago we started approaching street maintenance by neighborhood, trying to address working in one area at a time rather than jumping around street by street, she said. That way we would contain the disruption to one area and try to get things completed quicker.

When an average PCI is taken of a subarea, Fisher said, they are able to get a sense of what areas need work and how to address that by neighborhood.

During her presentation she showed updated maps from last year that cover all street work the city maintains and where they are currently in the process. North of the city, there are asphalt areas that need work, she said.

We have been concentrating most of our work back in the east gate area behind City Hall, and the Spring Loop area for the past several months, she said. And because of that work, we have improved those average scores of those areas.

Most recently her department repaved Poplar Street between Texas Avenue and Eisenhower, which all have new PCIs now that they are reconstructed. There was work done in the Pebble Creek area as well, but she said the work wasnt done as a whole neighborhood at this time and will do repairs as needed.

Fisher also updated the council on expenditures from 2019 to date and emphasized their Street Maintenance Plan is always subject to change, because of the many variables including weather, availability of equipment, contractors and budget.

So many things that determine how much work we can do a year, she said. We try to plan out as best we can but this is bound to change.

For Fiscal Year 2023, the department is about to complete work on Glenhaven Drive, Cat Hollow, Gilchrist and Ashburn; and they just started work on the Woodson Village Area, Southwood Drive, Norman Drive and Long Leaf Ciricle, Fisher said.

In FY24, the plan is to work on Woodsen Village, University Oaks and Stallings Streets. For FY25, there is work to be completed in the McCulloch neighborhood, and the Eastmark area including Richards and Sterling Street. By FY26, the College Heights Area, Windwood subdivisions, Bridle Gate and the Shenandoah area will be worked on based on PCIs.

Councilwoman Linda Harvell told Fisher the residents of the McCulloch neighborhood have been begging for years that their streets are in poor condition.

I am kind of disappointed to see we are looking at 2025, this should have been done years ago, she said to Fisher. Is there a way you can flip-flop another project so that can be done sooner? Because it is a mess over there.

Fisher replied there is a utility rehabilitation project about to start and the roads are going to be torn up with that project.

We dont want to go in and have them repave just to have them torn up. So we are waiting for the utility project and once that is complete, then go in and repave, she said. I think they are about ready to start construction on that project.  It is going to take at least a year, if they get finished sooner we can look at pushing that project up.

Harvell said she understood but emphasized they have been asking for help from the city for a very long time.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha asked about the conversion from asphalt to concrete or ways the city repairs potholes with concrete versus asphalt. Fisher noted that through their plan, they have not fully replaced an entire concrete street, as the majority of projects are under asphalt repairs.

Councilman Mark Smith said the pavement conditions in College Station are good, and applauded the neighborhood strategy the department has implemented.

Mayor John Nichols said the decision to create a maintenance fund that was a part of utility bills, was a difficult but necessary decision made six or eight years ago and has made a difference.

Fisher said they will be having an open house to present the Street Maintenance Plan to the public and want to hear feedback from residents. The come-and-go open house will be from 6-7:30 p.m. May 17 at City Hall in the Bush 4141 Community Room.

Fisher said residents can use SeeClickFix, an online and smartphone application that allows citizens to report code enforcement violations and other nonemergency issues, as stated on the citys website.

To contact the Public Works Department, call 979-764-3690 or email pubworks@cstx.gov.

To report an issue through SeeClickFix, visit cstx.gov/departments___city_hall/commserv/code/see_click_fix.
Amarion Cooper, a 19-year-old Lexington man, was sentenced to 45 years in prison last Wednesday after he pled guilty to murdering a Navasota man at an H-E-B in College Station in May 2021, according to the Brazos County District Attorneys Office.

On May 21, 2021, College Station police responded to a report of a shooting at the H-E-B on Texas Avenue. When officers arrived, they found Cameron Gray, a 23-year-old man from Navasota, with gunshot wounds. Gray later died from his injuries after he was taken to a local hospital.

According to a police report, witnesses said three males got into a fight in the H-E-B parking lot before someone was shot. Witnesses added the suspects fled the scene in a blue SUV and one of them also had been shot, according to the Brazos County District Attorneys Office.

Soon after, a blue SUV arrived to an emergency room in College Station and the passenger, later identified as Cooper, had a gunshot wound to his leg, according to the Brazos County DA. A later search of the vehicle showed there were three semi-automatic handguns that had been fired, over 15 ounces of marijuana and THC wax inside.

According to the Brazos County DAs office an investigation showed Cooper and a co-defendant arranged to buy marijuana and THC wax from Gray and agreed to meet in the H-E-B parking lot. During the drug deal, Cooper and the co-defendant tried to rob Gray while he was in his car. All three men were armed. Gray was shot multiple times and Cooper was shot once. Cooper and the co-defendant took the marijuana, the THC wax and Grays gun before they fled the scene.

Originally, Cooper and the co-defendant were charged with aggravated robbery, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana, according to the Brazos County DA. However, an additional charge for murder was given to both men following the investigation.

Cooper also pled guilty to a charge of deadly conduct-discharge firearm and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to the Brazos County DA. The charge stemmed from an incident in September 2020 when Cooper fired several shots into another vehicle outside of the Premiere Cinema movie theater.
Transocean (NYSE:RIG  Get Rating) issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The offshore drilling services provider reported ($0.38) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.22) by ($0.16), Briefing.com reports. Transocean had a negative return on equity of 5.85% and a negative net margin of 24.12%. The company had revenue of $649.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $646.29 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.28) EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Transocean Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of RIG stock traded up $0.05 on Monday, hitting $5.95. The company had a trading volume of 18,151,884 shares, compared to its average volume of 22,608,939. The firm has a market cap of $4.35 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.70 and a beta of 2.90. The stocks 50-day moving average is $6.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $5.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.29. Transocean has a twelve month low of $2.32 and a twelve month high of $7.74.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Chad C. Deaton purchased 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $7.40 per share, with a total value of $222,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 141,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,043,400. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CAO David A. Tonnel sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.53, for a total transaction of $78,360.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 476,802 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,113,517.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Chad C. Deaton bought 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $7.40 per share, for a total transaction of $222,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 141,000 shares in the company, valued at $1,043,400. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 13.16% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Transocean

Analyst Ratings Changes

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Transocean by 73.7% during the first quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 18,271 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $83,000 after acquiring an additional 7,750 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in Transocean during the 1st quarter valued at about $71,000. Shay Capital LLC acquired a new position in Transocean during the 1st quarter valued at about $70,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in Transocean by 1,293.5% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 14,005 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 13,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its stake in Transocean by 50.7% during the 2nd quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 18,420 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 6,195 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 55.16% of the companys stock.

Several research firms recently weighed in on RIG. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Transocean from $5.50 to $6.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Compass Point raised shares of Transocean from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $7.50 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Transocean from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Susquehanna boosted their price target on Transocean from $6.00 to $6.50 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, BTIG Research boosted their price target on Transocean from $8.00 to $10.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 25th. One investment analyst has 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, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $6.98.

Transocean Company Profile

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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.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Get Rating) (TSE:AEM) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twelve ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $70.63.

AEM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. National Bank Financial decreased their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$89.00 to C$88.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, TD Securities decreased their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $68.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 17th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 22,058,188 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,146,794,000 after purchasing an additional 1,729,461 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,013,554 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $676,253,000 after acquiring an additional 522,898 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 12,791,623 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $540,189,000 after acquiring an additional 188,730 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 21.6% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 12,625,625 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $656,406,000 after acquiring an additional 2,241,632 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 13.9% during the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 9,852,941 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $511,175,000 after acquiring an additional 1,199,348 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.11% of the companys stock.

Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of AEM stock opened at $55.92 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $27.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.01, a P/E/G ratio of 27.58 and a beta of 0.80. Agnico Eagle Mines has a 12-month low of $36.69 and a 12-month high of $60.25. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $51.71 and a 200-day moving average of $50.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Get Rating) (TSE:AEM) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 17th. The mining company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.42 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 40.12% and a return on equity of 6.41%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 45.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.46 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines will post 2.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st will be given a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.86%. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.50%.

About Agnico Eagle Mines

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Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. engages in the exploration and production of gold. It operates through the following segments: Northern Business, Southern Business, and Exploration. The Northern Business segment comprises of LaRonde mine, LaRonde Zone 5 mine, Lapa mine, Goldex mine, Meadowbank mine including the Amaruq deposit, Canadian Malartic joint operation, Meliadine project and Kittila mine.

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Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY  Get Rating) has received a consensus recommendation of Buy from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 68 ($0.85).

Several research firms have commented on LLOY. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Credit Suisse Group reiterated a top pick rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Berenberg Bank upped their price target on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 55 ($0.69) to GBX 58 ($0.72) and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Charlie Nunn purchased 285,316 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 48 ($0.60) per share, with a total value of 136,951.68 ($171,104.05). Company insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Lloyds Banking Group Trading Up 0.4 %

Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend

Shares of Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at GBX 48.40 ($0.60) on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 49.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 47.62. Lloyds Banking Group has a 12 month low of GBX 38.51 ($0.48) and a 12 month high of GBX 54.33 ($0.68). The firm has a market capitalization of 31.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 688.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.22.

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, April 13th will be issued a GBX 1.60 ($0.02) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 13th. This represents a yield of 3.14%. This is a boost from Lloyds Banking Groups previous dividend of $0.80. Lloyds Banking Groups payout ratio is 2,857.14%.

About Lloyds Banking Group

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Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance and Wealth. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal and small business customers.

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Equities research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Bangkok Bank Public (OTCMKTS:BKKLY  Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The firm set a neutral rating on the stock.

Bangkok Bank Public Stock Down 0.2 %

OTCMKTS BKKLY traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $23.28. The stock had a trading volume of 1,723 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,564. The firms 50 day moving average is $22.92 and its 200 day moving average is $22.05. Bangkok Bank Public has a twelve month low of $17.17 and a twelve month high of $24.86.

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About Bangkok Bank Public

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Bangkok Bank Public Co Ltd. engages in the provision of commercial banking services. It operates through the following business segments: Domestic Banking, International Banking, Investment Banking, and Others. The Domestic Banking segment provides loans, deposits, trade finance, remittances and payments, electronic services, credit cards, debit cards, and related other financial services.

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Bleakley Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 25,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,501,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 241,382 shares of the companys stock worth $32,669,000 after purchasing an additional 5,922 shares during the period. Condor Capital Management purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth $1,562,000. FourThought Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth $511,000. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth $278,000. Finally, Zweig DiMenna Associates LLC purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth $12,045,000. 6.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Up 0.2 %

Novo Nordisk A/S stock opened at $167.42 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $378.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.25, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.48. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1-year low of $95.02 and a 1-year high of $172.97. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $153.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $136.37.

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The company reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.74 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 73.39% and a net margin of 31.44%. Equities research analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 4.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 27th were given a dividend of $1.1887 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 24th. This represents a yield of 0.8%. This is a boost from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.58. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is currently 48.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NVO has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Novo Nordisk A/S from 925.00 to 1,100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Finally, Credit Suisse Group raised Novo Nordisk A/S from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Novo Nordisk A/S currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $687.50.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

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Novo Nordisk A/S is a global healthcare company, which engages in the the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. It operates through the Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Biopharm segments. The Diabetes and Obesity Care segment includes insulin, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products (OAD), obesity, and other serious chronic diseases.

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Carlisle Companies (NYSE:CSL  Get Rating) had its price objective lowered by Loop Capital from $300.00 to $285.00 in a report issued on Friday, The Fly reports.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on shares of Carlisle Companies from $360.00 to $345.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Carlisle Companies from $320.00 to $280.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on shares of Carlisle Companies from $350.00 to $300.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Carlisle Companies from $355.00 to $335.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Carlisle Companies from $315.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $306.67.

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Carlisle Companies Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of CSL opened at $216.44 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.66, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $229.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $242.09. Carlisle Companies has a twelve month low of $203.65 and a twelve month high of $318.71.

Insider Activity

Carlisle Companies ( NYSE:CSL Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The conglomerate reported $2.57 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.62 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $1.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.21 billion. Carlisle Companies had a return on equity of 32.25% and a net margin of 13.26%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 21.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.26 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Carlisle Companies will post 19.99 EPS for the current year.

In other news, CFO Kevin P. Zdimal sold 8,111 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $253.35, for a total transaction of $2,054,921.85. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 30,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,730,975.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Carlisle Companies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its position in shares of Carlisle Companies by 33.2% during the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 46,379 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,485,000 after buying an additional 11,565 shares during the last quarter. abrdn plc raised its position in shares of Carlisle Companies by 35.4% during the first quarter. abrdn plc now owns 195,566 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $44,212,000 after buying an additional 51,161 shares during the last quarter. Summit Place Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Carlisle Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,092,000. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Carlisle Companies by 13.5% during the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 6,179 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,397,000 after buying an additional 736 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its position in shares of Carlisle Companies by 67.7% during the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 11,802 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,668,000 after buying an additional 4,766 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.76% of the companys stock.

Carlisle Companies Company Profile

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Carlisle Cos., Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of building envelope products and energy solutions. It operates through the following segments: Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM), Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies (CWT), Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT), and Carlisle Fluid Technologies (CFT).

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Coty (NYSE:COTY  Get Rating) had its price target lifted by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $12.00 to $13.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective suggests a potential upside of 12.26% from the stocks previous close.

Several other research analysts have also commented on COTY. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Coty from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Coty from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and set a $13.00 target price on shares of Coty in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Citigroup initiated coverage on Coty in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $15.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Coty from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 13th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $12.39.

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Coty Stock Performance

Shares of Coty stock traded down $0.23 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $11.58. 1,593,280 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,648,825. Coty has a 1 year low of $5.90 and a 1 year high of $12.64. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $9.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 82.64, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.86.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Coty

Coty ( NYSE:COTY Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $1.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. Coty had a return on equity of 8.83% and a net margin of 2.51%. Cotys quarterly revenue was down 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.17 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Coty will post 0.37 EPS for the current year.

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of COTY. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA grew its stake in shares of Coty by 72.0% during the first quarter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA now owns 2,389 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in Coty by 14.0% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 12,357 shares of the companys stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 1,517 shares during the period. PFS Investments Inc. grew its position in Coty by 8.9% in the 3rd quarter. PFS Investments Inc. now owns 18,685 shares of the companys stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 1,526 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Coty by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 32,951 shares of the companys stock valued at $208,000 after acquiring an additional 1,584 shares during the period. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of Coty by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 102,716 shares of the companys stock valued at $649,000 after buying an additional 1,747 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 37.10% of the companys stock.

Coty Company Profile

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Coty, Inc engages in the manufacture, market, sale, and distribution of branded beauty products. It operates through the following segments: Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. The segments Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific focus on prestige fragrances, prestige skin care, prestige cosmetics, mass color cosmetics, mass fragrance, mass skin care and body care.

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Ervin Investment Management LLC cut its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM  Get Rating) (TSE:BAM.A) by 75.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 38,716 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 119,025 shares during the period. Brookfield Asset Management accounts for 1.0% of Ervin Investment Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Ervin Investment Management LLCs holdings in Brookfield Asset Management were worth $1,110,000 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. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Brookfield Asset Management by 7,777.8% in the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 709 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in Brookfield Asset Management by 146.4% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,003 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 596 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA raised its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 35.5% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,057 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. RE Dickinson Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management during the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 669.8% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,632 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 1,420 shares in the last quarter.

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Insider Activity

In other Brookfield Asset Management news, Director Multi-Strategy Mast Brookfield sold 24,744 shares of Brookfield Asset Management stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.96, for a total value of $295,938.24. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 21,104,923 shares in the company, valued at $252,414,879.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 11.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Brookfield Asset Management Stock Performance

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $40.00 target price on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded Brookfield Asset Management to an underperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $43.57.

Shares of BAM stock traded down $0.89 on Tuesday, hitting $32.56. The company had a trading volume of 180,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,656,647. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. has a twelve month low of $26.76 and a twelve month high of $36.50. The firm has a market cap of $13.43 billion and a P/E ratio of 20.91. The stocks 50-day moving average is $32.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.98.

Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM  Get Rating) (TSE:BAM.A) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The financial services provider reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $958.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.81 billion.

Brookfield Asset Management Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 27th. This is a positive change from Brookfield Asset Managements previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.93%. Brookfield Asset Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 80.00%.

Brookfield Asset Management Profile

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Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. provides alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the ownership, operation, and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, and energy transition power generating assets. The company's infrastructure business engages in the ownership, operation, and development of utilities, transport, midstream, data and sustainable resource assets.

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First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. decreased its position in shares of Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D  Get Rating) by 33.5% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 5,685 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 2,860 shares during the quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $349,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its position in Dominion Energy by 486.1% during the third quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 10,364,622 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $716,299,000 after purchasing an additional 8,596,097 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 58,954,665 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,074,356,000 after acquiring an additional 3,051,912 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 73,953,046 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,110,895,000 after acquiring an additional 2,767,626 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 9.9% during the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 30,771,075 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,126,590,000 after acquiring an additional 2,763,501 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 49,478,314 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,419,446,000 after buying an additional 1,853,875 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.30% of the companys stock.

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Dominion Energy Price Performance

Shares of D stock traded down $1.87 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $55.25. 1,511,604 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,556,622. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $52.03 and a 12 month high of $86.28. The company has a market cap of $46.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.40, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.43. The companys 50 day moving average price is $56.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.73.

Dominion Energy Announces Dividend

Dominion Energy ( NYSE:D Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.03. Dominion Energy had a net margin of 5.79% and a return on equity of 13.35%. The company had revenue of $4.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.90 EPS. Dominion Energys revenue was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 3.87 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 3rd were issued a $0.6675 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 2nd. This represents a $2.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.83%. Dominion Energys payout ratio is currently 244.95%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $67.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $58.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Dominion Energy in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $62.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $66.00 to $61.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $64.18.

Dominion Energy Profile

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Dominion Energy, Inc engages in the production and distribution of energy. It operates through following business segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Contracted Assets, and Corporate and Other. The Corporate and Other segment focuses on corporate, service company, non-controlling interest in Dominion privatization, and non-regulated retail energy marketing operations.

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Fox Run Management L.L.C. grew its stake in First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Rating) by 64.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 51,971 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 20,348 shares during the quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in First BanCorp. were worth $661,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. State Street Corp boosted its position in First BanCorp. by 8.7% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,679,620 shares of the banks stock valued at $179,477,000 after purchasing an additional 1,097,862 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First BanCorp. in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $10,473,000. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of First BanCorp. by 389.8% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 904,256 shares of the banks stock valued at $11,864,000 after buying an additional 719,644 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in First BanCorp. by 2.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,643,742 shares of the banks stock worth $323,327,000 after buying an additional 544,469 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. raised its position in First BanCorp. by 46.0% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 1,085,352 shares of the banks stock worth $14,237,000 after acquiring an additional 342,076 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.38% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on FBP. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of First BanCorp. from $14.00 to $12.50 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on First BanCorp. in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company.

Insiders Place Their Bets

First BanCorp. Stock Down 1.3 %

In other news, Director John A. Heffern bought 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $11.61 per share, with a total value of $34,830.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 84,895 shares of the companys stock, valued at $985,630.95. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Company insiders own 2.10% of the companys stock.

FBP opened at $11.60 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $12.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.44. First BanCorp. has a 1-year low of $10.69 and a 1-year high of $16.40. The stock has a market cap of $2.09 billion, a PE ratio of 7.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79.

First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The bank reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $274.91 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $226.91 million. First BanCorp. had a net margin of 29.26% and a return on equity of 21.11%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.41 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that First BanCorp. will post 1.49 earnings per share for the current year.

First BanCorp. Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th will be issued a $0.14 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.83%. First BanCorp.s dividend payout ratio is currently 35.67%.

First BanCorp. Profile

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First BanCorp (Puerto Rico) is a holding company, which engages in the provision of personal, commercial, and corporate banking services. It operates through the following segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Mortgage Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations.

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Geneva Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Get Rating) by 7.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 143,127 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 11,655 shares during the period. Geneva Capital Management LLC owned about 0.12% of Broadridge Financial Solutions worth $19,198,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BR. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 8,155 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,270,000 after acquiring an additional 788 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 15,625 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,433,000 after acquiring an additional 992 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 126.2% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 3,384 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $527,000 after acquiring an additional 1,888 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1,851.9% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 527 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $82,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 13.2% in the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 12,722 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,981,000 after acquiring an additional 1,487 shares during the last quarter. 86.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Robert N. Duelks sold 1,425 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.06, for a total value of $201,010.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,275 shares in the company, valued at approximately $885,151.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 5.7 %

A number of analysts recently weighed in on BR shares. Raymond James increased their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $180.00 to $183.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. TheStreet upgraded Broadridge Financial Solutions from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada started coverage on Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Monday, April 24th. They issued an outperform rating and a $169.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Wolfe Research decreased their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $137.00 to $135.00 in a report on Thursday, January 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $161.40.

Broadridge Financial Solutions stock traded up $8.20 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $152.38. 504,117 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 552,466. The company has a quick ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $141.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $142.50. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a twelve month low of $131.35 and a twelve month high of $183.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.93 billion, a PE ratio of 32.18 and a beta of 1.00.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The business services provider reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.91. The company had revenue of $1.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.35 billion. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 40.38% and a net margin of 9.13%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.83 EPS. Research analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were paid a $0.725 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. This represents a $2.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.90%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss dividend payout ratio is presently 64.73%.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Profile

(Get Rating)

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc engages in the provision of investor communications and technology solutions to banks, broker-dealers, mutual funds, and corporate issuers. It operates through the following segments: Investor Communication Solutions and Global Technology and Operations. The Investor Communication Solutions segment offers services for broker-dealer investor communication, customer communication, corporate issuer, advisor solutions, and mutual fund and retirement solutions.

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Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY  Get Rating) rose 4.4% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $4.74 and last traded at $4.74. Approximately 1,524,919 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 62% from the average daily volume of 4,032,765 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.54.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on HMY. Morgan Stanley raised Harmony Gold Mining from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on Harmony Gold Mining in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Investec cut Harmony Gold Mining from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, HSBC cut Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research note on Monday, January 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Harmony Gold Mining currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Harmony Gold Mining Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $2.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.13 and a beta of 1.39. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $3.90 and a 200 day moving average of $3.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 0.97.

Institutional Trading of Harmony Gold Mining

About Harmony Gold Mining

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HMY. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Harmony Gold Mining in the first quarter valued at approximately $182,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 3.6% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 655,791 shares of the mining companys stock worth $3,299,000 after acquiring an additional 22,584 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates acquired a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining in the first quarter worth approximately $156,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining in the first quarter worth approximately $67,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining in the first quarter worth approximately $71,000. 36.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(Get Rating)

Harmony Gold Mining Co Ltd. engages in mining and exploration of gold. It involves building mines, open-pit operation, sales and financial management, land rehabilitation and mine closure. It operates through the following segments: Tshepong Operations, Moab Khotsong, Mponeng, Bambanani, Doornkop, Joel, Target 1, Kusasalethu, Masimong, South African Surface Operations, Mine Waste Solutions, Kalgold, and Hidden Valley.

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Northwest Wealth Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWN  Get Rating) by 2.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,091 shares of the companys stock after selling 891 shares during the period. iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF makes up about 2.4% of Northwest Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Northwest Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF were worth $5,559,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in IWN. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 135.3% during the 3rd quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 2,571,047 shares of the companys stock valued at $331,485,000 after purchasing an additional 1,478,257 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 136.7% in the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 212,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,864,000 after acquiring an additional 789,244 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $54,630,000. Bailard Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 1,030.8% in the 4th quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 413,482 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,338,000 after acquiring an additional 376,915 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 25.5% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,313,318 shares of the companys stock valued at $169,326,000 after acquiring an additional 266,599 shares during the period.

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iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA IWN traded down $3.84 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $129.46. The stock had a trading volume of 392,806 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,453,184. The company has a 50 day moving average of $138.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $142.47. iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF has a twelve month low of $128.24 and a twelve month high of $160.21. The firm has a market cap of $10.80 billion, a PE ratio of 9.40 and a beta of 1.15.

About iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF, formerly Ishares Trust Russel 2000 (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 2000 Index issuers with relatively lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth.

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The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Krung Thai Bank Public (OTCMKTS:KTHAF  Get Rating) in a report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage issued a neutral rating on the stock.

Separately, HSBC upgraded Krung Thai Bank Public from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 26th.

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Krung Thai Bank Public Stock Up 4.9 %

KTHAF opened at $0.51 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $0.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.36. Krung Thai Bank Public has a one year low of $0.45 and a one year high of $0.58.

Krung Thai Bank Public Company Profile

Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited provides various commercial banking products and services. The company operates through three segments: Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Treasury and Investment. It provides various retail banking products and services, including current, savings, and fixed deposit accounts; time and foreign currency deposits; personal and housing loans; debit, travel, cash and top up, and credit cards; investment services; travel, motor, and home asset insurance products; money transfer, payment and top up, foreign exchange, and overseas education services; and e-banking services.

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LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Get Rating)s stock had its sector perform rating restated by stock analysts at Scotiabank in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, PriceTargets.com reports.

LYB has been the topic of several other research reports. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of LyondellBasell Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $113.00 to $90.00 in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $130.00 price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $77.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Monday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $99.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, Atlantic Securities upgraded shares of LyondellBasell Industries from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $110.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 31st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $99.84.

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LyondellBasell Industries Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE LYB opened at $93.52 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $30.44 billion, a PE ratio of 10.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.21. LyondellBasell Industries has a 12-month low of $71.46 and a 12-month high of $117.22. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $92.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $89.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

Insiders Place Their Bets

LyondellBasell Industries ( NYSE:LYB Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.70. The business had revenue of $10.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. LyondellBasell Industries had a net margin of 7.71% and a return on equity of 32.96%. LyondellBasell Industriess revenue was down 22.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.00 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that LyondellBasell Industries will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other LyondellBasell Industries news, EVP Jeffrey A. Kaplan sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.99, for a total transaction of $989,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 47,600 shares in the company, valued at $4,711,924. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LyondellBasell Industries

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LYB. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in LyondellBasell Industries by 1.0% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 10,812 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $1,112,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 26.2% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 41,362 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $4,349,000 after acquiring an additional 8,596 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new position in LyondellBasell Industries during the first quarter valued at approximately $731,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 29.0% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 7,488 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $770,000 after acquiring an additional 1,684 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 20.2% during the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 6,268 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $644,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.12% of the companys stock.

About LyondellBasell Industries

(Get Rating)

LyondellBasell Industries NV engages in the refinery and production of plastic resins and other chemicals. It operates through the following segments: Olefins and Polyolefins-Americas; Olefins and Polyolefins-Europe, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

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Shares of Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Rating) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $60.45, but opened at $62.81. Molson Coors Beverage shares last traded at $65.05, with a volume of 1,313,451 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $51.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Credit Suisse Group increased their price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Cowen raised shares of Molson Coors Beverage from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Friday, January 6th. Cowen raised shares of Molson Coors Beverage from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Friday, January 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $53.77.

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Molson Coors Beverage Stock Up 9.1 %

The firms 50 day simple moving average is $53.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.44. The company has a market cap of $14.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -80.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

Molson Coors Beverage Increases Dividend

Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 21st. The company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.24. Molson Coors Beverage had a negative net margin of 1.37% and a positive return on equity of 6.65%. The business had revenue of $2.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.65 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.81 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Molson Coors Beverage will post 4.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 17th. Investors of record on Friday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 2nd. This is a positive change from Molson Coors Beverages previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -200.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Utah Retirement Systems boosted its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 0.6% during the third quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 31,385 shares of the companys stock worth $1,506,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. boosted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 4,692 shares of the companys stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 206 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC boosted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 8,285 shares of the companys stock valued at $428,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 34,883 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,798,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the period. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 12,149 shares of the companys stock valued at $628,000 after buying an additional 222 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.24% of the companys stock.

Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Molson Coors Beverage Co is a holding company, which engages in the production and sale of beer. It operates through the following segments: Americas, and EMEA and APAC. The Americas segment operates in the U.S., Canada and various countries in the Caribbean, Latin, and South America. The EMEA and APAC segment operates in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia, the UK, various other European countries, and certain countries within the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

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Philadelphia Trust Co. boosted its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IWR  Get Rating) by 5.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,665 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 833 shares during the quarter. Philadelphia Trust Co.s holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF were worth $1,124,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. RFP Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $53,000. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $78,000. International City Management Association Retirement Corp purchased a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,478,000. Gratus Capital LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $344,000. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. increased its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 135,087 shares of the companys stock worth $9,112,000 after purchasing an additional 2,253 shares during the period.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF Price Performance

Shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF stock opened at $69.53 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.16 and a beta of 1.09. iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF has a one year low of $60.73 and a one year high of $75.44. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $69.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $69.40.

About iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF

iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.21 per share by the real estate investment trust on Friday, June 16th. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 13.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 25th.

Piedmont Office Realty Trust has a dividend payout ratio of -4,200.0% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Analysts expect Piedmont Office Realty Trust to earn $1.79 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.84 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 46.9%.

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Piedmont Office Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of PDM traded down $0.06 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $6.39. 2,520,198 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,358,647. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a current ratio of 1.78. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $7.54 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.08. Piedmont Office Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $6.12 and a 1 year high of $16.51. The stock has a market cap of $790.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.37 and a beta of 0.98.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Piedmont Office Realty Trust

Piedmont Office Realty Trust ( NYSE:PDM Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $147.21 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $151.34 million. Piedmont Office Realty Trust had a net margin of 26.04% and a return on equity of 8.05%. Equities analysts anticipate that Piedmont Office Realty Trust will post 1.84 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Natixis grew its stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 78.0% in the 4th quarter. Natixis now owns 127,300 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,167,000 after buying an additional 55,800 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 209.8% in the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 64,475 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $591,000 after acquiring an additional 43,660 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $145,000. Systematic Financial Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 1,159,879 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $10,636,000 after acquiring an additional 49,776 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $113,000. 82.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company.

Piedmont Office Realty Trust Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc engages in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, and operation of office properties. It operates through the following geographical segments: Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, DC/Northern Virginia, Boston, Orlando, Minneapolis, and New York. The company was founded on July 3, 1997 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

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Toronto Dominion Bank trimmed its position in Shaw Communications Inc. (NYSE:SJR  Get Rating) (TSE:SJR.B) by 5.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,009,580 shares of the companys stock after selling 376,865 shares during the quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank owned about 1.47% of Shaw Communications worth $227,288,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Shaw Communications by 68.4% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,027 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 417 shares during the last quarter. Power Corp of Canada acquired a new position in shares of Shaw Communications in the 1st quarter worth approximately $54,000. Balentine LLC acquired a new position in shares of Shaw Communications in the 4th quarter worth approximately $212,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Shaw Communications in the 4th quarter worth approximately $229,000. Finally, Comerica Bank acquired a new position in shares of Shaw Communications in the 4th quarter worth approximately $228,000. 55.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Shaw Communications Stock Up 0.9 %

SJR traded up $0.27 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $30.18. 6,354,300 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,256,840. Shaw Communications Inc. has a 12-month low of $23.64 and a 12-month high of $31.60. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $29.35 and a 200 day moving average of $28.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firm has a market cap of $14.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.47 and a beta of 0.52.

Shaw Communications Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were given a $0.074 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. This is an increase from Shaw Communicationss previous monthly dividend of $0.07. This represents a $0.89 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.94%. Shaw Communicationss dividend payout ratio is currently 76.32%.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on SJR shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Shaw Communications in a report on Friday. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 13th. National Bank Financial downgraded shares of Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Finally, Desjardins downgraded shares of Shaw Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Shaw Communications currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $40.50.

Shaw Communications Profile

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Shaw Communications, Inc engages in the provision of cable telecommunications and satellite video services. The company was founded by James Robert Shaw on December 9, 1966 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX  Get Rating) has been assigned an average rating of Buy from the fourteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $57.50.

SKX has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Skechers U.S.A. from $54.00 to $59.00 in a report on Friday. Cowen raised Skechers U.S.A. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $48.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Skechers U.S.A. from $56.00 to $57.00 in a report on Friday. StockNews.com upgraded Skechers U.S.A. from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Wedbush raised their price objective on Skechers U.S.A. from $54.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Friday.

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Skechers U.S.A. Stock Performance

NYSE SKX opened at $53.14 on Tuesday. Skechers U.S.A. has a 1-year low of $31.28 and a 1-year high of $54.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 2.26 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The company has a market cap of $8.24 billion, a PE ratio of 20.21 and a beta of 1.32. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $46.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.24.

Insider Transactions at Skechers U.S.A.

Skechers U.S.A. ( NYSE:SKX Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 2nd. The textile maker reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.77 billion. Skechers U.S.A. had a return on equity of 10.91% and a net margin of 5.41%. The companys revenue was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.43 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Skechers U.S.A. will post 3.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, CEO Robert Greenberg sold 9,453 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.16, for a total transaction of $426,897.48. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 168,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,627,840.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Skechers U.S.A. news, CEO Robert Greenberg sold 9,453 shares of Skechers U.S.A. stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.16, for a total transaction of $426,897.48. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 168,907 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,627,840.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO David Weinberg sold 12,604 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.16, for a total transaction of $569,196.64. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 99,419 shares in the company, valued at $4,489,762.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 78,305 shares of company stock worth $3,548,625. Company insiders own 24.44% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Skechers U.S.A. by 10.8% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 16,901 shares of the textile makers stock worth $689,000 after buying an additional 1,654 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in Skechers U.S.A. by 71.1% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,416 shares of the textile makers stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 1,004 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Skechers U.S.A. by 11.5% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,413 shares of the textile makers stock worth $260,000 after buying an additional 663 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in Skechers U.S.A. by 8.6% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 12,534 shares of the textile makers stock worth $519,000 after buying an additional 990 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Skechers U.S.A. by 34.4% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 87,839 shares of the textile makers stock worth $3,580,000 after buying an additional 22,464 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.29% of the companys stock.

Skechers U.S.A. Company Profile

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Skechers U.SA, Inc engages in designing, development, and marketing of lifestyle footwear for men, women, and children of all ages. It operates through the Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer segment. The Wholesale segment includes department stores, family shoe stores, specialty running, and sporting goods retailers.

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Sotera Health (NYSE:SHC  Get Rating) is scheduled to be issuing its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, May 3rd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.15 per share for the quarter. Parties interested in listening to the companys conference call can do so using this link.

Sotera Health (NYSE:SHC  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.02. Sotera Health had a negative net margin of 23.27% and a positive return on equity of 45.33%. The firm had revenue of $251.59 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $247.66 million. On average, analysts expect Sotera Health to post $1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Sotera Health Trading Down 2.1 %

NYSE:SHC opened at $16.41 on Tuesday. Sotera Health has a 52 week low of $5.78 and a 52 week high of $24.90. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $17.21 and a 200 day moving average of $13.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -19.77 and a beta of 2.09.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sotera Health

SHC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Sotera Health from $8.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Wolfe Research raised shares of Sotera Health from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $25.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 10th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Sotera Health from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Sotera Health from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $6.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sotera Health has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $16.67.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SHC. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Sotera Health by 402.0% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,477,868 shares of the companys stock worth $28,275,000 after purchasing an additional 2,785,022 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP acquired a new stake in Sotera Health in the 3rd quarter valued at about $7,422,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in Sotera Health by 75.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,518,749 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,342,000 after acquiring an additional 1,083,900 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Sotera Health in the 4th quarter valued at about $7,217,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Sotera Health by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,252,520 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,429,000 after acquiring an additional 439,762 shares during the last quarter. 87.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Sotera Health

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Sotera Health Company provides sterilization, and lab testing and advisory services in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company's sterilization services include gamma and electron beam irradiation, and EO processing; Nelson Labs comprise microbiological and analytical chemistry testing; and advisory services for medical device and biopharmaceutical industries.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE:HT  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on HT. B. Riley Financial reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in a research report on Saturday, February 25th. B. Riley reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.75.

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Hersha Hospitality Trust Trading Down 1.9 %

NYSE:HT opened at $6.18 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 2.15 and a quick ratio of 2.46. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $6.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.27. Hersha Hospitality Trust has a fifty-two week low of $5.76 and a fifty-two week high of $12.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $245.53 million, a PE ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 2.01.

Hersha Hospitality Trust Cuts Dividend

Insiders Place Their Bets

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were given a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.24%. Hersha Hospitality Trusts payout ratio is presently 6.43%.

In other Hersha Hospitality Trust news, Director Thomas J. Hutchison III purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $8.56 per share, for a total transaction of $42,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 151,319 shares in the company, valued at $1,295,290.64. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 22.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Hersha Hospitality Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust by 23.1% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 15,626 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $142,000 after buying an additional 2,936 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its stake in Hersha Hospitality Trust by 8.2% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 35,523 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $323,000 after acquiring an additional 2,682 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new position in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in the first quarter worth about $1,075,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hersha Hospitality Trust in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $693,000. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in Hersha Hospitality Trust by 14.1% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 28,473 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 3,510 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.29% of the companys stock.

About Hersha Hospitality Trust

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Hersha Hospitality Trust is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates hotels in urban gateway markets. Its hotel properties are located in in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, the District of Columbia, Miami, and select markets on the West Coast.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Intrepid Potash (NYSE:IPI  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Friday.

Separately, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Intrepid Potash from $38.00 to $29.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 11th.

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Intrepid Potash Stock Performance

IPI stock opened at $25.99 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $342.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.89 and a beta of 2.01. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $28.05 and a 200-day moving average price of $32.11. Intrepid Potash has a 52-week low of $24.77 and a 52-week high of $86.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Intrepid Potash

Intrepid Potash ( NYSE:IPI Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, March 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.94 by ($0.11). Intrepid Potash had a return on equity of 11.27% and a net margin of 21.39%. The company had revenue of $66.68 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $63.94 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.60 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Intrepid Potash will post 1.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of IPI. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Intrepid Potash during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,172,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Intrepid Potash by 67.1% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 25,581 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,101,000 after acquiring an additional 10,276 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Intrepid Potash during the 1st quarter worth approximately $604,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Intrepid Potash by 57.0% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 5,611 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $461,000 after acquiring an additional 2,037 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Intrepid Potash by 26.2% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,022 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $577,000 after purchasing an additional 1,459 shares during the last quarter. 55.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Intrepid Potash Company Profile

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Intrepid Potash, Inc is a diversified mineral company, which engages in the delivery of potassium, magnesium, sulfur, salt, and water products essential for customer success in agriculture, animal feed, and the oil and gas industry. It operates through the following segments: Potash, Trio, and Oilfield Solutions.

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Phraction Management LLC grew its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating) by 0.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 11,417 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 100 shares during the quarter. Thermo Fisher Scientific makes up about 4.1% of Phraction Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest holding. Phraction Management LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $6,287,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Roffman Miller Associates Inc. PA raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Roffman Miller Associates Inc. PA now owns 31,116 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $17,135,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 36.3% in the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 5,583 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,075,000 after acquiring an additional 1,486 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 9.9% in the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 6,417 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,534,000 after acquiring an additional 580 shares in the last quarter. Western Financial Corp CA bought a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $627,000. Finally, Sepio Capital LP raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Sepio Capital LP now owns 787 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $399,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.92% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In related news, Director Jim P. Manzi sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $584.56, for a total value of $584,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,807 shares in the company, valued at $8,655,579.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, Director Jim P. Manzi sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $584.56, for a total transaction of $584,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,807 shares in the company, valued at $8,655,579.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.96, for a total value of $915,136.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 128,705 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $73,614,111.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 30,100 shares of company stock worth $16,966,971. Company insiders own 0.43% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE TMO traded down $0.71 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $547.79. 67,300 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,408,938. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $559.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $552.07. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $475.77 and a 52 week high of $611.06. The stock has a market cap of $211.28 billion, a PE ratio of 35.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.79.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $5.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 19.16% and a net margin of 13.75%. The business had revenue of $10.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.67 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $7.25 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 15th were issued a $0.35 dividend. This is a positive change from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.26%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is presently 9.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

TMO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Barclays reduced their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $610.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Cowen lifted their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $690.00 to $711.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $693.00 to $670.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $700.00 to $650.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Thermo Fisher Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $627.91.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

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Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc engages in the provision of analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software, and services for research, analysis, discovery, and diagnostics. It operates through the following segments: Life Sciences Solutions, Analytical Instruments, Specialty Diagnostics, and Laboratory Products and Services.

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Toronto Dominion Bank lowered its position in Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN  Get Rating) by 4.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,078,794 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 48,087 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Banks holdings in Waste Connections were worth $147,776,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Waste Connections by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 111,853 shares of the business services providers stock worth $15,115,000 after buying an additional 2,340 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in shares of Waste Connections by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 47,451 shares of the business services providers stock worth $6,446,000 after buying an additional 2,395 shares during the last quarter. Eqis Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Waste Connections in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,150,000. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Waste Connections by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,535 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,192,000 after buying an additional 381 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fred Alger Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Waste Connections by 23.6% in the 3rd quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 276,983 shares of the business services providers stock worth $37,429,000 after buying an additional 52,915 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.58% of the companys stock.

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Waste Connections Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WCN traded down $1.22 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $137.93. 436,786 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 954,394. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $137.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $135.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.04, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.82. Waste Connections, Inc. has a one year low of $113.50 and a one year high of $148.20.

Waste Connections Dividend Announcement

Waste Connections ( NYSE:WCN Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The business services provider reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.90 billion. Waste Connections had a return on equity of 14.22% and a net margin of 11.43%. The companys revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.82 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Waste Connections, Inc. will post 4.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th will be issued a $0.255 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $1.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.74%. Waste Connectionss dividend payout ratio is currently 30.82%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on WCN. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Waste Connections from $158.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Waste Connections from $154.00 to $155.00 in a research note on Monday, January 30th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Waste Connections in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. They set an outperform rating and a $160.00 target price on the stock. Raymond James cut their target price on Waste Connections from $165.00 to $161.00 in a research note on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Waste Connections from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Waste Connections currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $156.22.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Robert Michael Cloninger sold 1,500 shares of the firms 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,035,836.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Robert Michael Cloninger sold 1,500 shares of the firms 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,035,836.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP James Little sold 4,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.87, for a total value of $611,415.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 29,410 shares in the company, valued at $3,995,936.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 8,700 shares of company stock valued at $1,177,955. 0.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Waste Connections Company Profile

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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.

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Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating) by 20.6% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 327,833 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 56,054 shares during the quarter. Toronto Dominion Banks holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $180,430,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bornite Capital Management LP boosted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 50.0% in the 1st quarter. Bornite Capital Management LP now owns 30,000 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $17,719,000 after buying an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. boosted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 2,928 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,729,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P boosted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 563.5% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 19,844 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $11,721,000 after buying an additional 16,853 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 60.5% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 321 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $190,000 after buying an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 669 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $395,000 after buying an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.92% of the companys stock.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of TMO stock traded down $4.45 on Tuesday, hitting $544.05. 485,242 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,413,904. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $209.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.79. The business has a 50-day moving average of $559.84 and a 200 day moving average of $552.07. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $475.77 and a fifty-two week high of $611.06.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $5.03. The company had revenue of $10.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.67 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 19.16% and a net margin of 13.75%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics revenue for the quarter was down 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $7.25 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.7 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This is a boost from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio is currently 9.13%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TMO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $693.00 to $670.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Cowen boosted their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $690.00 to $711.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. Barclays dropped their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $610.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $615.00 to $610.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Thermo Fisher Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $627.91.

Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In related news, Director Jim P. Manzi sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $584.56, for a total transaction of $584,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,807 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,655,579.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $544.49, for a total transaction of $4,083,675.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 66,655 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,292,980.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jim P. Manzi sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $584.56, for a total value of $584,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,807 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,655,579.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 30,100 shares of company stock valued at $16,966,971. Insiders own 0.43% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

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Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc engages in the provision of analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software, and services for research, analysis, discovery, and diagnostics. It operates through the following segments: Life Sciences Solutions, Analytical Instruments, Specialty Diagnostics, and Laboratory Products and Services.

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Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Get Rating) insider Tullier Kelly Mahon sold 54,146 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $232.55, for a total transaction of $12,591,652.30. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,674 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,203,038.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Visa Stock Down 2.4 %

Visa stock traded down $5.53 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $226.98. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,241,309 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,255,633. The company has a market capitalization of $426.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.96. Visa Inc. has a 12 month low of $174.60 and a 12 month high of $235.57. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $224.63 and its 200 day simple moving average is $216.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 1.50.

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Visa (NYSE:V  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $7.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.79 billion. Visa had a net margin of 50.95% and a return on equity of 50.21%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.79 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Visa Inc. will post 8.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Visa Announces Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 11th. Visas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.06%.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Visa during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates acquired a new stake in Visa in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Cowa LLC acquired a new stake in Visa in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. JDM Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Visa in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Visa in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors own 81.87% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

V has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Visa from $253.00 to $263.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Credit Suisse Group upped their price objective on shares of Visa from $245.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Visa from $284.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 27th. KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of Visa from $250.00 to $260.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Visa from $262.00 to $265.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Visa presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $260.96.

Visa Company Profile

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Visa, Inc engages in the provision of digital payment services. It also facilitates global commerce through the transfer of value and information among a global network of consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners, and government entities. It offers debit cards, credit cards, prepaid products, commercial payment solutions, and global automated teller machines (ATMs).

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Hershey (NYSE:HSY  Get Rating) had its target price raised by Wells Fargo & Company from $255.00 to $275.00 in a report released on Friday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Hershey from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, March 26th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Hershey from $250.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Hershey from $246.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a hold rating and a $243.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Hershey from $245.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $264.13.

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Hershey Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $276.35 on Friday. Hershey has a twelve month low of $201.42 and a twelve month high of $276.88. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $250.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $237.20. The company has a market capitalization of $56.39 billion, a PE ratio of 33.54, a PEG ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

Hershey ( NYSE:HSY Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $2.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.67 by $0.29. Hershey had a return on equity of 57.99% and a net margin of 15.81%. The business had revenue of $2.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.53 earnings per share. Hersheys revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Hershey will post 9.5 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be issued a dividend of $1.036 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $4.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. Hersheys dividend payout ratio is currently 50.24%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey

In other news, CEO Michele Buck sold 14,251 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.95, for a total value of $3,433,778.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 153,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,972,090.85. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 173 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.99, for a total value of $41,518.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,702 shares in the company, valued at approximately $648,452.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Michele Buck sold 14,251 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.95, for a total value of $3,433,778.45. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 153,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,972,090.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 54,265 shares of company stock valued at $13,371,072. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HSY. Norges Bank bought a new position in Hershey during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $411,828,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 2,693.0% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,094,755 shares of the companys stock worth $237,156,000 after purchasing an additional 1,055,559 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 57.2% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,648,666 shares of the companys stock worth $613,352,000 after purchasing an additional 964,019 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,486,327 shares of the companys stock worth $3,193,800,000 after purchasing an additional 473,552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Axiom Investors LLC DE increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 185.9% in the 3rd quarter. Axiom Investors LLC DE now owns 621,923 shares of the companys stock worth $137,115,000 after purchasing an additional 404,423 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 54.17% of the companys stock.

About Hershey

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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.

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Wildcat Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG  Get Rating) by 59.5% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,371,669 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 511,852 shares during the period. Coupang comprises about 7.7% of Wildcat Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Wildcat Capital Management LLCs holdings in Coupang were worth $20,177,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. increased its holdings in Coupang by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 195,898 shares of the companys stock worth $3,269,000 after buying an additional 784 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its holdings in Coupang by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 122,171 shares of the companys stock worth $2,037,000 after buying an additional 923 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Coupang by 9.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 12,730 shares of the companys stock worth $212,000 after buying an additional 1,097 shares in the last quarter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Coupang by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. now owns 86,679 shares of the companys stock worth $1,445,000 after buying an additional 1,119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Coupang by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 43,502 shares of the companys stock valued at $640,000 after purchasing an additional 1,253 shares during the period. 71.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Coupang Stock Performance

Shares of CPNG stock traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $16.86. 4,020,942 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,890,059. Coupang, Inc. has a 12-month low of $8.98 and a 12-month high of $21.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The company has a market cap of $29.91 billion, a P/E ratio of -338.40 and a beta of 1.35. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $15.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.33.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Coupang ( NYSE:CPNG Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.01. Coupang had a negative return on equity of 4.24% and a negative net margin of 0.45%. The company had revenue of $5.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.37 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.23) EPS. The firms revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Coupang, Inc. will post 0.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays assumed coverage on Coupang in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. They set an overweight rating and a $20.00 price target for the company. Bank of America downgraded Coupang from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $27.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Coupang from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $20.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Coupang from $23.00 to $22.00 in a research note on Monday, April 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Coupang presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $20.68.

Coupang Profile

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Coupang, Inc owns and operates in e-commerce business through its mobile applications and Internet websites primarily in South Korea. It operates through two segments, Product Commerce and Growth Initiatives. The company sells various products and services in the categories of home goods and decor products, apparel, beauty products, fresh food and groceries, sporting goods, electronics, and everyday consumables, as well as travel, and restaurant order and delivery services.

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Virginias chief diversity official, Martin Brown, slammed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at a Virginia Military Institute event last month  prompting calls for his ousting by Black lawmakers and Virginias NAACP chapter.

Now, two Democratic lawmakers are asking for a legal opinion from the states attorney general.

A letter sent Monday by Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, and House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr., D- Portsmouth, asks Attorney General Jason Miyares if Martin and the governor are able to disregard portions of the statute that codify the job Martin holds.

In 2020, the General Assembly passed Del. Jeion Wards House Bill 394, which established in law Virginias Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and outlined responsibilities for its director and chief diversity officer.

When confirming Browns appointment to the position, the legislature amended Gov. Glenn Youngkins language that had swapped equity for opportunity. Though it is not the language of the statute, the website under the Youngkin administration lists Browns purview as the Office of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion.

Brown, who is Black, was appointed chief diversity officer last November and earns $160,000 a year to oversee the office.

During an event at Virginia Military Institute on April 21, he told faculty and staff that DEI is dead.

Lets take a moment to kill that cow, he said at VMIs employee inclusive excellence training, where he was a featured speaker. Were not going to bring that cow up anymore. Its dead. It was mandated by the General Assembly, but this governor has a different philosophy of civil discourse, civility, treating  living the golden rule, right?

He also stated that equity has become a tradeoff for excellence.

In their letter, Surovell and Scott ask the attorney general if those statements constitute a violation of his statutory obligations as an employee of the state.

The statute says the director is responsible for developing a framework to promote inclusive practices across state government, strategic plans to address systemic inequities in state government, and to facilitate feedback from state employees, external stakeholders and community leaders to be turned into equity policy.

Surovell and Scott also inquire if Youngkin is allowed to ignore state code sections and establish any name for state employees and state agencies that he chooses?

The Youngkin administration said otherwise.

Democrats last ditch attempt to issue complaints regarding an office that has been in place for over a year wont work, said Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter.

Brown is the third person to serve as chief diversity officer since Youngkin took office early last year. Each time, the administration has referred to the office with a swap of equity to opportunity.

Governor Youngkin will continue to advance equal opportunities  not equal outcomes  for all Virginians, Porter said.

Youngkin, speaking Monday in California at a Milken Institute conference, asserted that DEI concepts have gone too far in service of equal outcomes rather than equal opportunity.

These concepts, five, seven, 10 years ago, were laudable, Youngkin said. It was about creating an inclusive environment where people felt like ... they had access and could be engaged, he said.

Speaking of education in Virginia, he added: When equity overcomes excellence, weve got a problem. And so, were trying to reverse that in Virginia.

Meanwhile, Browns statements follow a few years of DEI work in state government and at VMI.

In 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat and a VMI alum, ordered an investigation into structural racism at the college.

VMI admitted its first Black cadets in 1968 and its first women in 1997. In 2021, VMI appointed its first Black superintendent and created a DEI office. That same year, fellow alum Matt Daniel created the Spirit of VMI political action committee to reject the woke assault on VMI, its website reads.

Scott said: This is about gender inequities and racial inequities. We need to take a look at whats gotten us to this point  how do we make our systems fairer and better?

Those who dont believe in that, they call it woke.

According to VMIs website currently, the office will be changing its name to remove equity as well.

Surovell and Scott point to the bipartisan nature of the creation of Virginias DEI office. It passed the House of Delegates 68-32 (then-Del. Miyares voted in its favor). The bill also cleared the Senate 31-2 (seven Republican lawmakers chose not to vote rather than vote against it). At the time, Democrats controlled both chambers.

Surovell and Scott said that if Youngkin really wants to change the name or duties of the office, he will have to go through the legislature.

He just cant change titles and do whatever he likes, Surovell said. This is government; its not a business.
A new Android surveillanceware possibly used by the Iranian government has been used to spy on over 300 individuals belonging to minority groups.

The malware, dubbed BouldSpy, has been attributed with moderate confidence to the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA). Targeted victims include Iranian Kurds, Baluchis, Azeris, and Armenian Christian groups.

"The spyware may also have been used in efforts to counter and monitor illegal trafficking activity related to arms, drugs, and alcohol," Lookout said, based on exfiltrated data that contained photos of drugs, firearms, and official documents issued by FARAJA.

BouldSpy, like other Android malware families, abuses its access to Android's accessibility services and other intrusive permissions to harvest sensitive data such as web browser history, photos, contact lists, SMS logs, keystrokes, screenshots, clipboard content, microphone audio, and video call recordings.

It's worth pointing out that BouldSpy refers to the same Android malware that Cyble codenamed DAAM in its own analysis last month.

Evidence gathered so far points to BouldSpy being installed on targets' devices via physical access, potentially confiscated after detention. This theory is bolstered by the fact that the first locations gathered from victim devices are mostly concentrated around Iranian law enforcement establishments and border control posts.

The malware comes alongside a command-and-control (C2) panel to manage victim devices, not to mention create new malicious apps that masquerade as seemingly innocuous apps like benchmarking tools, currency converters, interest calculators, and the Psiphon censorship circumvention utility.

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Other noteworthy features comprise its ability to run additional code sent from the C2 server, receive commands through SMS messages, and even disable battery management features to prevent the device from terminating the spyware.

It further incorporates an "unused and nonfunctional" ransomware component that borrows its implementation from an open source project called CryDroid, raising the possibility that it's being actively developed or is a false flag planted by the threat actor.

"Once installed, the spyware will seek to establish a network connection to its C2 server and exfiltrate any cached data from the victim's device to the server," Lookout researchers said. "BouldSpy represents yet another surveillance tool taking advantage of the personal nature of mobile devices."
The owners of Grand Island's JoAnn store are urging Woodsonia and the Community Redevelopment Authority to allow the store to continue to operate where it is.

A public relations firm issued a statement Monday on behalf of JoAnn's parent company, Ohio-based Jo-Ann Stores. The statement was issued by DeVries Global, which is headquartered in New York City.

"In regard to the Conestoga Mall renovation, JoAnn was looking forward to both the mall renovation project and to continue serving our loyal customer base," the statement reads. "We have been a part of the Grand Island community, and specifically the Conestoga Mall, for more than 20 years. We currently employ 14 team members at this location and have employed countless others over the past two-plus decades.

"JoAnn has also supported the community and the state of Nebraska with several philanthropic efforts," the statement says. "Due to our longstanding relationship with the Grand Island community, we provided options that allowed the renovation project to go forward while also being fair to our team. We would implore that Woodsonia and the CRA reconsider its position and allow JoAnn to continue serving Grand Island community members at the Conestoga Mall."

On April 7, the owners of JoAnn sued Woodsonia Real Estate, which owns Conestoga Mall, seeking to remain where it is for the duration of its lease.

According to a local employee, JoAnn's lease runs until 2027. JoAnn has been in the mall since 2011.

A February letter from Omaha lawyer Greg Scaglione, representing Woodsonia, indicates that JoAnn's space will be substantially remodeled once it's vacated.

Therefore, JoAnn must permanently relocate to a different location, Scaglione wrote.

"Certainly, the governmental agencies involved strongly desire that Woodsonia and JoAnn reach a mutual and amicable termination of Jo-Ann's lease," Scaglione wrote. "If that does not happen, the government agencies will exercise eminent domain powers to take Jo-Ann's entire leasehold interest in exchange for fair compensation as defined and provided by the Nebraska Constitution and laws."

Earlier in the letter, Scaglione wrote that settlement negotiations between Woodsonia and Jo-Ann "have made no meaningful progress because Jo-Ann has made unreasonable financial demands on Woodsonia.

The letter seeks to help JoAnn better understand its right to fair compensation under Nebraska law and under the lease.

The letter says JoAnn's "prior financial demands are inconsistent with what Jo-Ann is entitled to under Nebraska law and Jo-Ann's lease for a total taking of Jo-Ann's leasehold," Scaglione wrote.

The letter indicates that JoAnn is currently paying reduced rent of 50% due to the previous lessor's "failure to meet the co-tenancy requirement (permitted rent reduction because key tenants and/or a certain number of tenants have left the Conestoga Mall, thus one of the reasons for the redevelopment)."

Woodsonia, based in Elkhorn, bought the mall from its previous owner, Namdar Realty Group, headquartered in Great Neck, New York.
GRAND ISLAND  Six Central Community College students were named to the 2023 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Nebraska All-State Academic Team April 12 in a ceremony at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln.

The all-state academic team is an effort sponsored by PTK, an international honor society for two-year colleges, and the Nebraska Community College Association to honor students for academic achievement, leadership and community service.

The team included the following CCC students:

Brandon Berger of Columbus is an information technology networking major at the Columbus Campus where he is vice president of scholarship for the PTK Chi Sigma chapter, vice president of the SkillsUSA chapter and information technology tutor. He has been named to the presidents honors list for earning a 4.0 GPA each semester and received the Exceptional Student Award for information technology and systems. He will enter Wayne State College this fall to pursue a degree in network engineering.

Challen Edwards of Hastings is enrolled in the drafting and design technology program at the Hastings Campus where is a member of the PTK Beta Alpha Delta chapter. He has earned a place on the presidents honors list the last three semesters for earning a 4.0 GPA. After he earns his degree, he plans to move to Lincoln where he will start a job at Olsson, an engineering firm.

Allison Durkop of Creston is enrolled in the academic transfer program at the Columbus Campus where she is active in the PTK Chi Sigma chapter, serving as its vice president of service, and as earned a spot on the deans and presidents honors lists. She also is an active volunteer in her community. She plans to attend Wayne State College this fall to pursue a degree in elementary education.

Jessica Goodrich of Amherst is enrolled in the nursing program at the Kearney Center and is a member of the PTK Alpha Tau Tau chapter and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She has been named to the colleges Deans list for earning a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99 for four semesters. She volunteers for various activities in Minden with her family. After graduating from CCC, she plans to work toward a bachelors degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Aaron Hernandez of Hastings is enrolled in the automotive technology program at the Hastings Campus and is a member of the PTK Beta Alpha Delta chapter. He has maintained a high GPA for the past five semesters at CCC. He plans to move to Lincoln and work at an automotive dealership.

Zaya Stuart of Henderson is enrolled in the academic transfer program at the Hastings Campus where she is a member of the PTK Beta Alpha Delta chapter. She has maintained a high GPA throughout her time at CCC. She plans to transfer to the University of Nebraska-Kearney to work toward a degree in business administration.
HASTINGS  Hastings College senior Grace Sinsel of York, has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for an English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Bulgaria for the 2023-24 academic year.

Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement and record of service. Fulbright alumni careers are enriched by joining a network of thousands of Fulbright alumni, many of whom are leaders in their fields. Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients and 41 who have served as a head of state or government.

Grace joins an increasingly long line of successful Fulbright ETA applicants from Hastings College. Clearly, the Colleges emphasis on speaking and writing  regardless of major  appeals to a program in which students model correct English usage, said Dr. Rob Babcock, a history professor and Hastings Colleges Fulbright Program faculty advisor. Graces preparation to teach in Bulgaria was especially compelling because of her secondary English language arts degree, her interest in English as a second language, and her commitment to rural education. Whatever school system she works with in Bulgaria will be receiving an exceptional young teacher. As important, she will also make an exceptional ambassador on behalf of the U.S., the state of Nebraska and Hastings College.

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 participants from over 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

We are very proud of Grace and thrilled shes been awarded a Fulbright and will get to spend an academic year in Bulgaria. She will be an outstanding teacher and her students in Bulgaria will benefit, as will she through this experience, said Dr. Jamie Martin, assistant professor of teacher education. Martin supported Sinsel in her application.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. governments flagship international educational exchange program and is supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program.

Sinsel joins a group of Hastings College students and alumni who have been awarded Fulbright Program awards dating back to 1953.

Further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State can be found at eca.state.gov/fulbright.
George W. Norris Legislative Chamber (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)

LINCOLN  Debate on the two-year state budget begins Wednesday, and it might come down to a decision about whats more important, tax cuts or spending on things like provider rates and child care.

The budget-writing Appropriations Committee gave final approval of its proposed budget last week, leaving just over $700 million to spend on tax cuts, increased school aid and other priorities.

But thats about $100 million less than has been projected to be expended by the two packages of bills that provide for cuts in state income taxes and increases in tax refunds for property taxes paid.

One key senator, Lou Ann Linehan, who chairs the Revenue Committee, said that the budget provides plenty of money for the top priorities of Gov. Jim Pillen. Those include cutting the states top personal income and corporate tax rates to 3.99%, eliminating taxes on Social Security, boosting state property tax credit, and establishing a $1 billion educational future fund.

Cutbacks needed

But some other proposals might need to be cut back, the senator said, mentioning a $35 million tax break on child care, tax credits for research and development and possibly the $80 million set aside to increase provider rates for hospital and nursing home workers.

The question will be, Can we do anything else?' Linehan said, besides the governors priorities. Will we spend more money, or cut taxes?

Two members of the Appropriations Committee, Sens. Anna Wishart of Lincoln and Myron Dorn of Adams, discussed the budget proposal during a webcast Monday sponsored by the OpenSky Policy Institute.

Both said the proposal budget for the next two fiscal years was crafted with a goal of making sure Nebraskas fiscal position remains strong four years from now.

Wishart said some caution was in order because part of the states unprecedented surplus of revenue was due to an influx of federal funds designed to sustain the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, she said, the committee wanted to avoid creating too many long-term spending obligations.

Never had this much revenue

We havent had this kind of revenue ever, said Dorn.

The committee opted for spending increases that averaged 2.3% over the next two years, slightly higher than a 1.5% increase offered by Pillen. The main difference was setting aside $80 million extra for providers of Medicaid services and hiking the proposed increase for the University of Nebraska system from Pillens proposed 2% to 2.5%.

Wishart defended the committees decision to provide provider rate increases of 3% and 2% a year, in the next two years, as a must investment.

The senator, who had argued for larger increases, said providers of services for the developmentally disabled, the elderly and the poor are struggling with significant staffing shortages. Increased funding is needed so providers can match salaries that have risen in the private sector, Wishart said.

Floor debate will be key

Linehan said floor debate on the budget will determine where the Legislature turns to close the $100 million gap.

She said one Pillen priority that she will defend is the state tax credit for donations toward scholarships for private and parochial K-12 schools. The bill has an initial fiscal impact of $25 million a year.

Linehan said the governors education plans call for creation of a $1 billion education future fund, another $250 million a year outlay for increased state aid and increased aid for special education costs.

Theres plenty of money, she said, to fund the so-called Opportunity Scholarship bill, as well as the governors other education priorities.
A 4th-grade teacher at Carterville Intermediate School received a very pleasant surprise on Monday.

As part of a schoolwide-assembly, Sabrina Gooden was presented with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Golden Apple Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to preparing, mentoring and honoring educators who advance educational opportunities for students.

Gooden is one of 10 teacher award recipients in Illinois and the only one in the region. More than 570 4th through 8th grade teachers were nominated for the 2023 honors.

"These remarkable teachers have shown their dedication, creativity and impact on their students and schools. They have also contributed to their professional communities by sharing their best practices, collaborating with their peers and mentoring new teachers, said Alan Mather, president of The Golden Apple Foundation. They are not only exemplary teachers, but also influential leaders. The 2023 award recipients will join our mission to impact the lives of even more students by supporting the next generation of great teachers through our teacher preparation programs."

As a part of the honor, Gooden received a $5,000 cash award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University. She also will become a fellow of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators.

In her classroom, Gooden uses interactive scenarios to teach students about history, order and how they can contribute solutions to worldwide problems. She believes that combining students own characteristics, customs and outlooks improves both their engagement in studies and classroom instruction. She also involved members of the community in the classroom whenever she can.

For one lesson recently, I transformed my classroom into a hospital and we had local emergency medical services deliver the patient that the students were going to operate on, Gooden, an 18-year veteran of teaching  all in the Carterville district  said. I really try to get everybody involved in what I do and to make school a special place for students to come every day; a place they want to come.

Once Gooden was nominated for the honor, she was required to complete a formal application and submit video of herself teaching. The organization even had classroom observers visit. Still, she said the honor was a complete surprise.

This was totally unexpected. I did not see it coming at all, she said.

Carterville Intermediate School Principal Tom Webb said her selection brings accolades to the entire district.

Its a huge honor for her, Webb said. She is one of those teachers who is 100% invested in the learning and lives of her students. She puts in countless hours to make sure that her lessons are fun and engaging for them.

"An award like this is true recognition of the hard work she puts in daily to help her students succeed. It also is recognition of the learning environment we have all worked hard to create in our district.

Top education colleges in each state by acceptance rates, SAT scores, and affordability Top education colleges in each state by acceptance rates, SAT scores, and affordability Less expensive colleges for education majors Most expensive colleges for education majors Best colleges for education majors based on acceptance rates Lowest required SAT scores at top education colleges Highest required SAT scores at top education colleges Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Two projects for trails in the Shawnee National Forest are among 98 projects that will receive funding through the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service Legacy Roads and Trails Program in 2023.

The total investment of more than $36 million in the 98 projects will improve water quality, roads, trails, bridges and fish habitat on national forests and grasslands nationwide.

The two Shawnee National Forest projects are:

Cedar Lake Trail Remediation includes reconstruction of approximately 12.5 miles of a National Forest System trail, including relocation, decommissioning and drainage improvements. The project will improve resilience to weather events, flooding or other natural disasters; restore habitat for threatened and endangered species; protect water quality in a public drinking water source area; and maintain future access to adjacent areas for public, contractors, permittees and firefighters.

Kinkaid Lake Trail Remediation is a continuation of a FY22 project that will implement reconstruction of a National Forest System trail including drainage improvements and soil stabilization to provide a sustainable and resilient trail for access to the national forest. The project will improve resilience to weather events, flooding or other natural disasters; restore habitat; improve water quality in a public drinking water source area; and maintain future access to adjacent areas for public, contractors, permittees and firefighters.

The Forest Service is responsible for more than 160,000 miles of trails, 6,700 road bridges and 7,200 trail bridges, as well as 370,000 miles of roads in a variety of ecological settings and landscapes. Approximately 80 million people receive drinking water that originates on, or flows through, national forests and grasslands.

The road and trail improvements announced Monday will improve ecological connectivity and watershed health while protecting infrastructure and ensuring national forests continue to provide drinking water to communities.

Spanning 289,000 acres, Shawnee National Forest is nestled in Southern Illinois between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The forest spans 289,000 acres and has many miles of diverse hiking and backpacking trails, including the 160-mile River to River Trail.

For a complete list of projects being funding in fiscal year 2023, visit the Legacy Roads and Trails | US Forest Service website at usda.gov.
South Carolina State University President Alexander Conyers will be the featured speaker for the universitys spring 2023 commencement on Friday, May 12, in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

I elected to speak at this semesters commencement because the Class of 2023 holds special significance for me, as these students are the first to complete their final year of studies during my role as permanent president, Conyers said.

I wish to congratulate them on their perseverance and celebrate the promise they will hold as Bulldog alumni, he said.

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. Seating in SHM will be limited to S.C. State faculty and staff, members of the Class of 2023 and their guests. Graduating seniors have been allotted 10 tickets each for guests.

The university also will recognize members of the Golden Class of 1973 who are celebrating 50 years as S.C. State alumni.

Commencement rehearsal will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at SHM.

President Alexander Conyers

The S.C. State board appointed Conyers as the universitys 13th president on April 28, 2022, nine months after he took the reins on a temporary basis. He was inaugurated on Sept. 30, 2022.

Conyers is a 1989 S.C. State graduate who returned to his alma mater in May 2021 as vice president for strategic alliances and initiatives after a lengthy career in the U.S. Army, having retired as a colonel, and continued service in Washington, D.C.

He culminated his military career in 2016 after rising from private to colonel as the leader of the Armys largest and most complex military police brigade. He led over 3,600 soldiers and civilians across four military installations: Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Ft. Stewart, Georgia; Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and Ft. Drum, New York. He was also responsible for the safety of the Ft. Bragg community with a population of over 100,000 personnel.

Immediately before his return to S.C. State, Conyers served in Washington, D.C., in the Senior Executive Service as the deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Review Boards), a two-star general equivalent.

He has been inducted into S.C. State ROTC Hall of Fame.

A Manning native. Conyers holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from S.C. State, a masters degree in corrections from the University of South Carolina and a masters degree in public administration from Troy University.

He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and The University of North Carolinas Leadership, Excellence and Development program.

He is a member of several professional associations, including the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, and a former adjunct professor at Upper Iowa University.

He and First Lady Agatha Conyers, a 1986 S.C. State graduate, have two children, Aly Conyers and Alexander Ace Conyers. Ace is a member of the S.C. State Class of 2023.
The chairman of the Governors Nuclear Advisory Council said hes pleased to help South Carolina State Universitys nuclear engineering program meet the demands of industry.

He recommends the university continue investing in the program.

Rick Lee, who spoke to S.C. State trustees last month, has helped the university build a plan to serve the nuclear industry with increased faculty, facilities and programs, including internship and research opportunities.

One of the things I wanted to do was to try to support the nuclear industry because we have an enormous shortage of personnel thats approaching. We have new, small modular reactors which are scheduled to start construction soon. There just arent enough people, Lee said.

Everybodys aged out and there arent enough people studying nuclear engineering. So S.C. State has the only undergraduate program in South Carolina. So I said, There is our target. Thats where we start, he said.

Lee said the universitys work with the Savannah River National Lab, or SRNL, team has been a stellar achievement as it works to grow its nuclear engineering program.

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a contract to S.C. State in December 2020 for management of the SRNL. S.C. State shares in the contract with several universities as part of the Battelle Savannah River Alliance. The contract could be worth $3.8 billion over 10 years.

The alliance also includes Clemson, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Georgia and the University of South Carolina, as well as small business partners Longenecker & Associates and TechSource.

Employing approximately 1,000 staff, the Savannah River National Laboratory conducts research and development for federal agencies. SRNL provides support for the nation's $6 billion per year waste clean-up program.

The alliances contract includes a five-year base with five one-year options.

You think of a laboratory as being a place that only scientists or mathematicians would be, but 40 percent of the workforce is non-STEM. So when you think about the full scope of the academic opportunities at S.C. State, its almost every department that you have that could have students who ultimately work in that environment, Lee said.

S.C. State was the first historically Black college or university to become a member of an operating entity for one of the U.S. DOEs research laboratories.

The biggest triumph of all was getting the university on the board for the Savannah River National Laboratory. Thats an operation of enormous importance to the United States. The lab does research in unbelievable areas such as nanobots, Lee said.

They look at grid stability, they do reactor fuel research. They have about 300 individual labs within the complex and about 1,000 people working down there, he said.

An office building is planned in Aiken to support the project. It received $20 million in state funding.

It was a commitment from the state to make sure that we won the contract. ... Its currently in design down in Aiken and will soon be sort of an office/motel for people from S.C. State to go down there to do research, get training or have conferences, Lee said.

Lee said his work with the university included helping it secure donations for the support of its nuclear program from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions.

Then we went to the University of South Carolina  to try to get an agreement wherein South Carolina State graduate students from the nuclear engineering program and other programs could go get a masters degree with virtually no cost, including a stipend and other benefits. The curriculum was developed and everythings in place for an S.C. State student who wants to go down there, he said.

Lee said the university has gotten commitments from the governor with regards to funding and enhancements of the program with scholarships, new research and faculty, while also having received multiple contract opportunities from the DOE.

The university has also secured memorandums of understanding with entities such as Westinghouse and Dominion Energy, which have supplied the university with money and student internship opportunities.

Lee also reported that Dr. Musa Danjaji, chair of the universitys nuclear engineering program, is a member of the Governors Nuclear Advisory Council, while Elbert Malone, associate provost for sponsored programs and research at S.C. State, is a member of the S.C. Health Planning Committee.

We achieved, I think, critical mass for STEM and nuclear programs. We became the first HBCU to ever be in a voting position on one of these labs. We raised  about $7 million in funds, scholarships, internships and contracts secured by S.C. State. We won that possibly 20-year contract, where well get a stipend every year out of that contract from our operations at Savannah River, he said.

Lee also said theres increased awareness of S.C. State as a research institution.

Lee was presented with a token of appreciation by S.C. State President Alexander Conyers.

Rick Lee is almost single-handedly responsible for South Carolina State not just having a seat at the table when it comes to Savannah River Site, but  an equal voice when it came to the other universities at that table.

When I was appointed as acting president and in my first meeting with the governor, the governor spoke with me strictly about Savannah River Site and how important that was in the budgeting that the governor was putting forth and our portion of that - $20 million, Conyers said.

We've got a plan laid out, how we will expand that $20 million on facilities, on faculty, on programs. Rick Lee helped us to build that, the president said.

S.C. State is the only HBCU in the nation with a nuclear engineering program.

Moving ahead

Trustee Rodney Jenkins asked, Where do you see us going from here? What would you suggest at this point?

Lee said the university should think about securing other contracts at other U.S. DOE laboratory sites, but will need adequate infrastructure to do so.

Its kind of a golden era for HBCUs. Theres money flowing. Theres recognition of a need to incorporate them throughout industry. ... Timeliness is critical with the folks at these locations. So I would suggest the senior leadership empower the folks who are running this program to be able to get the attention of department heads to make sure that the department heads step up with grant application support. Its important to the department heads to see success. So that would be one place I would start, he said.

Lee said adequate staffing must also be in place.

Elbert Malone cant do all this. Its so big. ... He needs some staff. He needs administrative staff, he needs an engineering type of individual to help evaluate the grant opportunities. I personally think you should target at least $10 million a year in new research dollars flowing into the school. As you know, about 40 percent of that goes to the bottom line of the university. So if you raise $10 million, $3.5 to $4 million goes toward operation of the school, he said.

Lee said the implementation of an internship program could also be looked at.

Interns are so critical to the long-term viability of S.C. State in this marketplace. If a laboratory brings in 10, 15 interns and they do a good job, where do they go the next time they want interns? They go right back to the source. ... Then the other thing which I dont think were doing at this time is marketing, he said.

Lee continued, In this day and time, if you rely just on student pay for attendance, for room and board, for tuition and such as that, youre probably falling behind because the more industry that you bring in to do research and to bring dollars to the university, the greater the chance that they will invest in your school.

The money from that type of activity helps to finance the development, the new equipment for the labs and those sorts of things.

Conyers said the university will be working to increase its capacity to continue to support the work happening at SRS and beyond, including with its share of a contract with the U.S. DOE.

Its one thing for us to get excited because some company comes along and gives us a check for $100,000 or $200,000, but this is different. This is sustainable money with a federal contract for decades at a time. And we need to continue to build our capacity with our labs so that we dont have to send students to North Carolina State for that last semester.

We need to build our capacity with faculty, and we have funding to hire additional faculty. Were advertising currently, but the market is tough (in)  getting the people that we need to help us do this. But we have a full court press on this, and we will come back and brief the board with further developments as we continue to grow this program, he said.
(TBTCO) - Bo Tai chinh vua hoan thien du thao thong tu huong dan nguon e thuc hien ieu chinh muc luong co so, gom: tu nguon thuc hien cai cach tien luong en het nam 2022 chua su dung het chuyen sang nam 2023 (neu co); su dung toi thieu 40% so thu uoc e lai theo che o nam 2023 va mot so nguon khac.
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, has signed a master development agreement with Amsa Hospitality, the Saudi startup company redefining Arabian hospitality in both local and international markets, to develop and franchise 18 hotels across second-tier cities within Saudi Arabia over the next ten years.

The agreement will see Amsa Hospitality develop a range of Accors economy and midscale brands, including ibis Styles, Mercure, Mercure Living, Novotel, Novotel Living, and the recently launched Handwritten Collection, while also acting as the third-party operator by leasing and franchising the assets.

As part of the agreement, Amsa Hospitality will be responsible for hotels in several cities in Saudi Arabia, including Hail, Jubail, Taif, Al-Ula, Tabuk and Jazan, said the statement from Accor.

Each hotel brand will cater to a different target audience. These include the ibis Styles brand, which focuses on value-conscious business and leisure travellers, with each hotel having a unique and inspired design theme, it stated.

The mid-range Mercure is inspired by the local surroundings, celebrating local people and authentic local cuisine, while the Novotel brand has been designed to offer all travellers the opportunity to relax and unwind. Handwritten Collection will provide intimate and stylish hotels with individual personalities, it added.

Unveiling its big Saudi plans at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market, Amsa Hospitality's CEO Mohammad Alathel said: "We are committed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 success, a vision that set the path for our development locally, regionally and globally."

"As such, we are attached to the Kingdom's ambitious plan for the development of the country's second-tier cities. Such an enterprising strategy must be accompanied by quality hospitality, offering the best international standards," he noted.

"Committed as we are, we believe that Accor is the finest hospitality company to deliver the high level of guaranteed quality we are looking for, together with their wide choice of brands, giving us the ability to propose the optimum hospitality regarding each city environment," stated Alathel.

"This long-term partnership between Amsa and Accor will bring first-rate modern hospitality - a know-how Accor is renowned for - together with Amsa Hospitality's commitment to bringing centuries-old Arabian traditions of welcoming and generosity to today's world, true to our 'Hallmark of Arabian Hospitality' motto," he added.

Duncan ORourke, CEO (MEA & Asia Pacific) for Premium, Midscale & Economy Division at Accor, said the group's strategic partnership with Amsa Hospitality marks a significant milestone in its development strategy for Saudi Arabia, a burgeoning hospitality sector which offers a host of opportunities to leverage the group's portfolio of hospitality brands.

"Securing a long-term relationship with Amsa Hospitality underscores our commitment to supporting the Kingdoms tourism goals while maintaining the focus on the Arabian traditions and Arab culture that Amsa Hospitality is focused on delivering," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
One person was taken to the hospital Sunday night after a fire broke out inside an Evansville home, officials said.

The person was transported to Banner Health Wyoming Medical Center as a result of the blaze, but his or her condition is unknown, the Evansville Fire Department said in a statement Monday.

Evansville Fire and EMS was dispatched to the 30 block of Oklahoma Street for a report of a structure fire shortly before 5 p.m., the statement said.

One fire engine was delayed by a train crossing through the area. It was only slowed by a few minutes, said spokesperson Collin Baldacci.

While I dont have an exact length of time we were delayed, from the time we left the station en route to the fire to the time we arrived on scene, it was exactly five minutes, that includes the train delay, Baldacci said.

Natrona County Fire Protection District, Casper Fire and EMS and Banner Health Wyoming Medical Center staff were able to arrive on scene in the meantime, the statement said.

Officials began putting out the fire and providing medical care without delay.

There was only one person inside the structure, said Baldacci. The fire was under control about 12 minutes after the initial dispatch time.

A member of the Natrona County Fire Investigation Task Force is looking into the cause of the fire, the statement said.

In total, Evansville Fire and EMS responded with four engines, a rescue, an ambulance and a chief officer.

An additional ambulance was requested once it was clear the person would need to be transported, and the on-duty battalion chief from Casper Fire & EMS, who was already on the east side of Casper, came over to provide assistance as well, Baldacci said.

The success of this incident is a true testament to the interoperability and aid agreements between all agencies within Natrona County, the statement said.
CHEYENNE (WNE)  Two apparently unrelated shooting incidents took place in Laramie County over the weekend, with one resulting in the death of a teenage girl.

The Cheyenne Police Department is continuing its investigation of a shooting at Lincoln Park in south Cheyenne as a homicide after the 15-year-old female victim was declared deceased Monday morning.

The unidentified girl was injured in an incident police officers responded to at about 12:23 Sunday morning.

At the scene, responding officers located a female victim with a gunshot wound to the head. She was transported to Cheyenne Regional Medical for treatment, where she was in critical condition throughout Sunday.

Based on information obtained during the initial investigation, officials said it is believed to be an isolated incident. Detectives have identified several people of interest.

Several hours earlier, a 21-year-old Laramie County man was arrested on a felony charge of aggravated assault after allegedly firing a rifle at a vehicle, knowing it was occupied.

The Laramie County Sheriff s office reported that at approximately 9:42 p.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a shots-fired call in the 11800 block of East Four Mile Road.

Jason R. Lyle Jr., who lives in the area, was called out of his residence and taken into custody without incident, according to a booking sheet from the sheriff s office. The deputy who wrote the report said he found the victims car with 2 bullet holes in the front of the vehicle.

There were no injuries reported in the isolated incident, and it was determined that there was no ongoing threat to public safety.

Lyle was arrested on one felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The incident remains under investigation by the Laramie County Sheriff s Office, according to a news release.
A transgender Democratic Montana lawmaker is asking a state district court to block the House Republicans actions last week that banned her from accessing the chamber.

Rep. Zooey Zephyr of Missoula is still allowed to vote remotely, but has been forbidden from accessing the House chamber since last week. Republicans, who voted in lockstep to keep her out of the House, argued it was necessary following her support for protesters who had disrupted the chambers proceedings earlier that week. Seven were arrested after the protest on misdemeanor charges; law enforcement has said they are not aware of damage or violence during the event.

The complaint was filed by the Montana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in Lewis and Clark County District Court on Monday. It alleges that the ban violated Zephyrs rights to free speech under the state and federal constitutions, and her right to equal protection under the state constitution.

Four of Zephyrs constituents  Anna Wong, Dean Chou, Brady Schwertfeger and Sarah Velk, all from Missoula  are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit. It alleges that their rights to representation, equal protection, self government and freedom of assembly under the Montana Constitution are being violated.

Montana House Speaker Matt Regier, a Kalispell Republican, and Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley Murfitt are named as defendants. Sergeant staff act at the direction of House leadership. The lawsuit asks the district court judge for a temporary restraining order blocking them from denying Zephyr the ability to fully participate in proceedings on the House floor.

Voters elect their representatives to do more than simply vote on bills, the complaint states. Representatives also are elected to use of the floor of the House to pursue their constituents interests and views  using the platform provided by the Peoples House to educate and persuade their colleagues and the public through speech, debate, and lobbying.

The case is before District Court Judge Kathy Seeley. As of Monday afternoon, she had not issued any order in the case.

In a statement, Department of Justice spokesperson Emily Flower called the lawsuit performance litigation.

The ACLU is trying to use the courts to interfere with the Legislature as it carries out its constitutional duties on behalf of Montanans, Flower said. Any relief granted by the court would be a gross violation of the separation of powers.

Zephyr is a member of two committees, and her ability to participate in those is not being restricted, Regier has said. She was recognized and participated in a discussion on a bill before the House Judiciary Committee on Monday morning.

The dispute began two weeks ago, when Zephyr spoke in opposition to a bill that would ban some gender-affirming health care for transgender minors in Montana. The freshman lawmaker scolded those supporting the bill, saying they should be ashamed and that they would have blood on their hand  the latter a reference to the higher rate of suicide among trans youth.

Only Republicans have supported the bill. Following initial objections to Zephyrs wording, Regier stopped recognizing Zephyr when she attempted to join debate on the House floor, a ruling that was backed up by most of the other Republican representatives and opposed by Democrats.

There is a maximum of four days left in the legislative session after Monday.
Trinidad and Tobagos vaping industry has been in existence since 2010 but it needs regulations and a new spark, stakeholders say.

There are now over 30 stores that sell e-cigarette and vaping accessories across the country.
Passion, the exhibition which celebrates the life of late artist Glenn Roopchand, is being held at Arnims Art Galleria Limited, 27 Tragarete Road, Port of Spain, until May 12.

Roopchand died last year. He was a 30-year veteran and apprentice of artist Carlisle Chang.
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Millions of dollars were paid to Minister Foster Cummings family businesses through State contracts over a four-year period, with large chunks of those contract monies also finding their way into his personal Venture Credit Union (VCU) account.

When questioned by the Express in September last year, Cummings denied ever receiving monies from the contracts, and said there was never an issue of the commingling of funds with his personal credit union account.
I am wondering if the Mayor of Port of Spain is still on the job or if he stayed back in Toc
PHOENIX  Nearly two weeks after vetoing a popular bill to expand the sale of home-cooked foods, Gov. Katie Hobbs still wont say what she wants changed in order to sign a new version.

Hobbs dodged repeated inquiries Monday about the legislation, which was approved by broad bipartisan majorities, and her veto. She would not answer any questions after giving a short speech at an annual ceremony to honor fallen officers of the Department of Public Safety before she was driven off by her DPS security detail.

The Democratic governor and her newly hired press aide have declined to address bipartisan complaints about what some saw as a racially offensive tinge in her veto message: She wrote that allowing what has become known as the tamale bill to become law would open the door to items being cooked in home kitchens with rodent or insect infestation.

In her April 18 veto of House Bill 2509, Hobbs said allowing certain cooked foods to be prepared by individuals and sold to the public would significantly increase the risk of foodborne illness by allowing what are called cottage food vendors to sell high-risk foods.

As Democrats who supported the original bill began talking about overriding the veto, several said they heard from the Governors Office that Hobbs would be willing to sign a revised version. That was enough to convince 12 House Democrats who had voted for the measure to change their votes, uphold the veto  and keep Hobbs from being the first Arizona governor since 1981 to have a veto overridden.

But supporters of the measure as originally approved questioned the need for further alternations. They noted that Arizona has laws of more than a decade that allow for the sale of some home-prepared items such as cookies and cakes as long as they are not made from items that can spoil.

HB 2509 would have allowed people to legally sell cooked items like tamales, tortillas and pupusas, items already widely available, albeit illegally, in parking lots and in front of stores.

Rules included in the bill

The legislation included a new requirement for home food preparers to register with the Arizona Department of Health Services, complete a food handler training course from an accredited program and maintain active certification.

Any items offered for sale would have had to be labeled with the name and registration number of the preparer, a list of ingredients and the production date. There also would need to be a statement on the label that it was prepared in a home kitchen not subject to public health inspection.

The bill also included restrictions such as maintaining temperature and allowing items to be transported only once and never for longer than two hours.

Items containing fish or shellfish would be strictly forbidden for home preparation.

On Monday, Hobbs still would not provide specifics about changes she would support. About the only thing her press aide Christian Slater has said is that Hobbs was not asking for unannounced inspections.

Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein, a Tempe Democrat who opposed the original bill and declined to vote to override the governors veto, has floated the idea of some sort of limit on these home sales, whether by total volume or on a seasonal basis.

We need to make sure that the bill is crafted to address these very small home sells, she said. Largely, Im hearing of people who do it seasonally, maybe around Christmas time or maybe they do it around another holiday or something, so that really is small scale.

But Rep. Alma Hernandez, D-Tucson, a big supporter of the unsuccessful override attempt, made it clear she saw no reason to impose what she sees as artificial limits.

That lady you bought tamales on, whatever corner you were on in Phoenix, she is not selling the tamales for fun, Hernandez said. I guarantee you, she is selling the tamales to make an honest living and be able to provide for her family.

Meanwhile, Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, sponsor of the original legislation, said Monday he has yet to hear from the Governors Office what changes would make it acceptable to Hobbs.

Complaints about Hobbs wording

The dispute is also over Hobbs wording in the veto message about rodent or insect infestation.

That is offensive, Hernandez said. And I would be glad to put up my nanas kitchen or my moms kitchen up against anyones kitchen.

Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, whose mother and grandmother are Mexican immigrants, took it a step further.

Not only was the veto outrageous, but to continue to push racist tropes of homes riddled with insect infestation or rodent infestation, it will just not be tolerated in the year 2023, Shope said.
A seventh grader won best in show at an Invention Convention as students from a Tucson charter school showcased creations to fix problems meaningful to them.

The idea behind Carden of Tucson student Macy Sibleys winning Needle Point clothing design for diabetics is to have patches or zippers in strategic locations that would allow people to give themselves sanitary injections of insulin, instead of having to administer medication through clothing.

The invention was personal for Sibley, who is diabetic, and thats often how the best inventions come about, said Bri Livingood, a teacher who organized Cardens Invention Convention held at Tucson Mall.

When you are really passionate about something and it directly affects you, you just own it, Livingood said.

Another student, Noah Belanger, channeled his love for rock climbing into his invention. Belanger, a sixth grader, created an electric brush, the Beta Brush, to clean off handholds and footholds, allowing for better grip.

He partnered with his rock climbing gym, Rock Solid, and had his climbing team test it there, Livingood said.

While there were plenty of niche creations, some of the inventions were meant for a broader audience.

First grader Anthony Gonzalezs submission, the Pooper Scooper 2.0, was thought up with dog owners in mind. With a bag and flashlight attached to make it easier and less messy to scoop, the Pooper Scooper 2.0 even has its own slogan: Dogs poop it, you scoop it.

The event culminated a yearlong curriculum at Carden that teaches students to find creative ways to solve problems and develop critical thinking skills, through learning about invention and entrepreneurship.

Invention education teaches students how inventors find and solve problems. InventEd, a Lemelson Foundation initiative that supports the teaching, says students who participate become more engaged in their learning, more inclusive in their thinking, and are better prepared for a future of uncertainty and rapid change.

Carden is the first school in Arizona to teach invention education, which has demonstrated success in other states and internationally, at every grade level.

Sixty students from kindergarten through eighth grades participated in the schools Invention Convention at the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliances CATALYST Arts and Maker Space in Tucson Mall.

Thirty-five judges hailing from across the country evaluated students work in a wide range of subjects.

Livingood, a Carden assistant director and middle school teacher, cast a wide net when looking for expert judges. Judges included representatives from Invention Convention Worldwide, The Henry Ford Museum, The Lemelson Foundation, MIT, Raytheon, the U.S. Air Force, the University of Arizona and the Tucson community.

Inventions were judged based on category, which included agriculture and food; animal care and pets; consumer goods and fashion; earth and sustainability; education; energy; health and medical; home organization and appliances; manufacturing and tools; safety; sports, games and toys; and transportation.

Thirty-two of the 60 participating students received awards, sponsored by Mordka Realty. Prizes included STEM kits and other related items, with the grand prize winners receiving $50 Visa gift cards.

Invention Convention curriculum uses a framework that follows seven steps of the invention process, introducing students to entrepreneurial concepts so theyll think beyond the invention process. They complete step-by-step lessons to develop an invention that is original, well-constructed and solves a real-world problem.

Livingood brought invention education to Carden three years ago, with the idea of expanding its reach in Southern Arizona and across the state.

That idea is becoming a reality, as Vail Unified Districts Rincon Vista elementary will offer invention education as an elective in the fall.

The goal is to have Rincon Vista take part in Invention Convention next year, Livingood said, adding that organizers also hope to include two more schools.

Rincon Vista has an entrepreneurship class and a digital marketing class that will help support their inventors, she said. The goal is that we can get their kids to come over and use our invention space  and hopefully our kids can go over there and use some resources.
PHOENIX  Arizonans right to abortion could turn on the question of whether anyone still has legal standing to argue the procedure should be all but outlawed as it was in territorial days.

In new legal filings, Attorney General Kris Mayes told the Arizona Supreme Court that the decision by her office not to defend a state law dating back to 1864 leaves no one with legal standing to do so.

If the justices agree, that would leave in place a 2022 state law that allows but regulates abortion through the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. It would also remove any risk that doctors now performing the procedure within 15 weeks would end up in prison.

Whether the Arizona justices agree depends on how they view actions that go back more than five decades.

In 1971, when the states abortion ban was first challenged by Planned Parenthood, a trial judge in Pima County appointed a guardian ad litem empowered to represent the legal interests of the fetus of a woman identified only as Jane Roe who was a plaintiff in the case and wanted to terminate her pregnancy. The judge said the guardian also could represent other fetuses similarly situated at the time.

Arizona courts refused to overturn the law, leaving in place a statute that dates to territorial days making abortion a crime except to save the life of the mother.

All that became moot when the U.S. Supreme Court issued Roe v. Wade in 1973 saying women had a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.

But the Arizona case was resurrected last year after the high court overturned the 1973 decision, once again giving each state permission to establish its own abortion restrictions.

Republican Mark Brnovich, Arizonas attorney general at the time, then asked a judge here to reinstate the territorial-era ban, whose only exception is to save the life of the mother. That judge also agreed to allow abortion opponent Dr. Eric Hazelrigg, medical director of Choices Pregnancy Center, to serve in the guardian position.

Mayes, a Democrat, on taking office in January, reversed the states official stance. That leaves only Hazelrigg to argue that Arizona should reinstate the old law.

Now attorneys for Mayes want the justices to remove him from the case, saying he is not a proper party and that his appointment as guardian was without legal basis.

If the justices grant the motion, that would leave no one to argue that Arizona should once again outlaw virtually all abortions. That in turn would cement in place last years law specifically allowing abortions through 15 weeks.

2022 actions

The Republican-controlled Legislature voted last year, before Roe was overturned, to enact the law outlawing abortions up to 15 weeks.

They did so because of a prediction by GOP lawmakers that the U.S. Supreme Court would uphold a similar Mississippi law. They wanted to have something virtually identical to Mississippis in place.

Instead, the nations high court went farther, voiding Roe v. Wade entirely. That led Brnovich to argue the original territorial-era restriction was restored.

But the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled last year that would mean ignoring the more recent 15-week statute. So the judges ruled doctors can perform the procedure through 15 weeks, with the older law  and its prison term  applying only to abortion providers who are not medical professionals.

That sent the case to the state Supreme Court.

But Mayes, now attorney general, says the old law, and Brnovichs argument seeking its reinstatement, is not legally defensible.

For the moment, that leaves only Hazelrigg seeking to overturn the appellate court ruling and go back to the territorial-era law, which is why Mayes is asking the justices to dismiss him from the case.

No plaintiff

There are statutes allowing a judge to appoint someone as a guardian for minors for legal purposes in certain limited cases. These include cases involving termination of parental rights, where a minor is seeking to be legally emancipated, and when a pregnant minor asks a court to allow her to bypass state laws requiring parental consent for an abortion.

But here, Mayes attorneys argue, Hazelrigg is seeking to represent an undefined class of hypothetical and dissimilar fetuses.

They argue the only reason the judge in the original 1971 case appointed a guardian was because of Jane Roe seeking to terminate her pregnancy.

Now, there is no plaintiff seeking an abortion, and therefore no individual fetus or similarly situated fetuses for petitioner to represent, the attorneys for Mayes are telling the justices. How can there be a guardian when there are no wards?

They also say its not clear which fetuses Hazelrigg purports to represent.

Does his appointment cover all fetuses that exist in Arizona right now? the states lawyers ask. Fetuses at all gestational stages, or only after a certain point? What about fetuses that would be born with diseases that guarantee an early and extremely painful death?

Attorneys for Planned Parenthood Arizona, also trying to preserve the 15-week law, did not go quite so far in asking the Supreme Court to knock Hazelrigg out of the legal ring. But they told the justices they should ignore his bid to have them once again outlaw virtually all abortions.

If Dr. Hazelrigg believes it is good policy to subject licensed physicians to criminal prosecution for performing any abortion, even those performed before 15 weeks, he may seek to achieve such policy through the legislative process and not by judicial fiat, they wrote.

Of course, all that presumes the current Republican-led Legislature would be willing to restore the law to the way it was prior to 1973. Even if it did, the odds of Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat who took office in January, signing such a measure are virtually nil.

The court has not set a date to consider the issue, which means for now, abortions are allowed through 15 weeks.
PHOENIX  Three lawmakers filed a complaint Monday that Tucson Democratic Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton violated House ethics rules by her admitted action of hiding Bibles.

The complaint filed by three first-term Republican lawmakers says Stahl Hamilton moved Bibles and placed them under seat cushions in the Arizona House of Representatives lounge, potentially causing Christian members of the House, staff, and guests to unknowingly sit on their own holy text.

They said her placement of one in a refrigerator is disrespectful in the extreme.

Stahl Hamilton publicly apologized last week, saying her actions were meant to make a playful point about the separation of church and state.

Reps. Justin Heap of Mesa, David Marshall of Snowflake and Lupe Diaz of Benson said her statements did not provide sufficient justification or excuse for her conduct.

These public comments came only after the representative was aware that her actions had been caught on camera and the incident became a matter of national concern, they wrote.

Had a camera not been installed, these deeply inappropriate actions could have continued indefinitely to the detriment of other members, Heap, Marshall and Diaz wrote. The people of Arizona deserve a higher standard of decorum and respect from their elected representatives.

They want the Ethics Committee to investigate her actions.

Stahl Hamilton said Monday evening she was aware of the complaint and had no immediate comment.

Disorderly behavior, theft claimed

Any lawmaker can file an ethics complaint. Any move to proceed with any sanction against the legislator  which can range from censure to expulsion  requires that the Ethics Committee pursue the complaint and also that the House finds there was a rules violation.

Heap, Marshall and Diaz say there are several ways Stahl Hamilton broke the rules.

The first fits under a section of the Arizona Constitution allowing lawmakers to punish members for disorderly behavior.

They acknowledge there is no Arizona case defining what that means. Instead, they cite a 1910 edition of Blacks Law Dictionary, printed around the same time as the 1912 Arizona Constitution, saying it can include conduct contrary to rules of good order and decorum, contrary to law, or that scandalizes the community and is offensive to the public sense of morality.

Rep. Stahl Hamiltons conduct was all three of these things, the three GOP lawmakers wrote.

On a more concrete note, they contend her action constitutes theft under state law based on the definition that includes controlling the property of another with the intent to deprive the other person of such property. That other person can include the Arizona House, they said.

It is unnecessary for the Ethics Committee to make a determination as to whether Rep. Stahl Hamilton intended to permanently or only temporarily deprive the House and fellow members of the use of the property to determine if her actions constitute a theft, the three filing the complaint said.

They said the only reason the Bibles were found after multiple incidents of hiding was they were located by other House members.

If the Bibles hadnt been located, Rep. Stahl Hamilton would likely have been pleased, they wrote. The repetition of the theft after the Bibles were replaced further supports that assumption.

Finally, they said removal of the Bibles violates state and federal laws prohibiting religious harassment in the workplace. Stahl Hamiltons actions created a hostile work environment, they said.

By requiring co-workers and staff to unwittingly desecrate their sacred texts, Rep. Stahl Hamiltin appears to have violated these laws as well, the complaint reads.

Past tweet cited

Beyond the actions this session, the three lawmakers also point in the complaint to comments Stahl Hamilton made in a Twitter post in 2020.

There, she used a picture of Donald Trump posing for a photo in front of the parish house of St. Johns Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., holding a Bible aloft in his right hand.

Stahl Hamilton, an ordained Presbyterian minister, said in the post she got into politics because I was so angered by the number of Bibles on desks at the Arizona State House.

Holding a Bible  or any religious text  doesnt make you a good person, she posted. Nor should you use this (as) a political photo op. This is disgusting.

The complaint filed against Stahl Hamilton says her comments demonstrate a strong disdain for Bibles placed by individual members of the House on their own personal desks, and suggest the presence of Bibles in the House angered her so much that she chose to enter public service. Consistent with their constitutional rights, many members keep a Bible on their desks as a reminder of their faith, commitment to personal integrity, or for other reasons.

In her apology last week on the House floor, Stahl Hamilton said, The intent was never to be destructive, to never desecrate or to offend.

Hiding the books from being easily found, she continued, was not the best way to raise the issue of Bibles in the House lounge. I acknowledge that a conversation about the separation of church and state should have began with a conversation, Stahl Hamilton said.

She said she has the utmost respect for people of all faiths and for those who have no religious beliefs. And because of that respect, I recognize my actions could have been seen as something less than playful, and (as) offensive, Stahl Hamilton said.

In hands of ethics panel

Ethics Committee chairman Rep. Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale, has given Stahl Hamilton until 5 p.m. Friday, May 5, to file a written response to the complaint.

The committee can but is not required to make recommendations to the full House. It is then up to the chamber to decide whether to pursue the matter.

It takes a simple majority to censure a member. Expulsion requires a two-thirds vote.

That last happened last month when the House voted 46-13 to oust Rep. Liz Harris, R-Chandler.

Lawmakers accepted the Ethics Committees findings that Harris she knew that someone she invited to testify at a hearing on election integrity was going to present not just false but libelous accusations against lawmakers, judges and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, accusing them without evidence of being involved in a scheme to rig elections and other crimes.

The committee members also found Harris was not truthful with them about what she knew ahead of time that Scottsdale insurance agent Jacqueline Breger planned to say at the hearing.

Following state law, precinct committee members submitted three names to fill the vacancy  including Harris herself. So far, Maricopa County supervisors, who have the final word, havent chosen from that list, leaving the Republican majority with 30 members, one short of the 31 needed to pass any bill that Democrats dont support.
WASHINGTON  Growing anger at the FBI from both parties in Congress has become a major hurdle for U.S. intelligence agencies fighting to keep their vast powers to collect foreign communications that often sweep up the phone calls and emails of Americans.

Key lawmakers say they won't vote to renew the programs under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that expire at the end of this year without major changes targeting the FBI. Many blame problems with how the FBI's special agents search for U.S. citizens using Section 702  along with publicly revealed mistakes in other intelligence investigations by the bureau.

Among the revelations since the law was last renewed in 2018: The bureau misled surveillance court judges in seeking to wiretap a 2016 campaign aide for former President Donald Trump, and agents didn't follow guidelines in searching Section 702 databases for the names of a congressman on the House Intelligence Committee, a local political party, and people of Middle Eastern descent.

Two successive chief judges of the primary U.S. surveillance court criticized the bureau in written opinions, with one saying the frequency of mistakes in the bureau's investigation of Russian election interference "calls into question whether information contained in other FBI applications is reliable."

The debate is of great consequence to U.S. intelligence officials, who argue that the law is perhaps their most critical tool to stopping terrorism, enemy spies, and cyberattacks. According to the intelligence community, 59% of the items in the briefing given daily to President Joe Biden last year featured information the National Security Agency captured under Section 702.

And the classified Pentagon documents leaked online in recent weeks make clear how much the U.S. relies on electronic snooping, with dozens of items on allies and foes alike sourced to what's known as "signals intelligence."

"Section 702 has kept American citizens safe and our U.S. service members abroad out of danger," said Rep. Mike Turner, the Ohio Republican who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, in a statement. "However, changes must be made in order to prevent further FBI misuse and abuse of this vital national security tool."

Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, issued a joint statement in March saying the FBI was searching for Americans "at an alarming scale" and calling for an overhaul of the program.

The FBI says it uses foreign communications for its national security investigations and tightly controls how agents access Americans' data. Bureau officials last week released a checklist their agents are supposed to use in conducting searches. They also have overhauled their computer systems and added new mandatory training for agents in December 2021.

Searches likely to bring back 100 or more results must now be cleared first with an FBI attorney, and the deputy director must personally approve what the FBI calls "certain types of sensitive queries," including searches of U.S. public officials.

"Like any major institution, we have made mistakes," FBI Director Chris Wray testified before Congress in March. "To me, the mark of a leading organization is not whether it makes mistakes or not  but whether or not we learn from those mistakes. And I think we have."

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he supported the FBI's changes and wanted them to be included in a renewed surveillance law.

Himes argued some Republican critics were motivated by the investigations against Trump, including the search that the FBI conducted last year of his Florida residence.

"I think anger at the FBI has become an article of faith in the Republican conference," he said in an interview.

Under Section 702, the U.S. collects foreign communications without a warrant  and with the required participation of American telecom companies  to create databases that analysts can search for intelligence purposes. They can target foreigners outside the U.S. for collection.

Agencies cannot target American citizens or foreigners on U.S. soil, or go after a foreigner with the purpose of collecting a U.S. citizen's emails or phone calls.

The FBI disclosed that it conducted as many as 3.4 million searches of Section 702 data for Americans in 2021  a figure that dropped sharply to 204,000 last year, according to an annual report released Friday by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The FBI said it introduced new counting methods for Friday's report that lowered the 2021 and 2022 figures to about 3 million and 110,000, respectively, by removing duplicative searches.

The bureau said it had run only 16 searches between December 2021 and November 2022 to seek evidence of a crime without a foreign intelligence purpose.

But civil liberties advocates have long argued that the program may violate the Fourth Amendment by giving the FBI warrantless access to vast amounts of Americans' communications.

Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's National Security Project, said Section 702 has become "a domestic spying tool for the FBI."

"The rules are extraordinarily permissive in practice, and yet FBI agents still regularly violate them," Toomey said in an email. "Congress should require a warrant for these searches to protect Americans, because the FBI cannot be left to police itself."

Some lawmakers also support requiring the FBI to get warrants for every search of Section 702 data. National security officials oppose a warrant requirement, saying it would flood courts with thousands of new cases and make many uses of the program impractical.
PHOENIX  Arizona state Sen. Juan Mendez and the Arizona Muslim Alliance have joined forces to propose an Office for New Americans in Arizona, similar to ones in 13 other states that help immigrants assimilate into the U.S. The initiative is meant to improve immigrant rights and services by providing a centralized location for resources such as language classes and resettlement assistance.

Ive moved all across America and I understand what its like to start your life over again, said Mendez, a Tempe Democrat. I know what it feels like to be alone to have to navigate all different kinds of services that are already provided to people.

Mendez and his wife, Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, come from families of immigrants. Mendezs parents immigrated from Mexico, while Salmans mother is from Mexico, and her father is from Palestine.

Mendez said he has been working on the bill for years and is collaborating with the Muslim community, which he said is well-organized and has experience establishing similar offices in other states.

It was through the Muslim community that I met the first person whos actually worked in this area, whos helped establish these similar offices in other states, he said. So once we got connected through the Muslim community, then it felt like, Oh, I can actually do something real.

The senator noted that he is not trying to create anything new but is seeking to centralize services that already exist and make them more accessible.

Susan Bassal, the secretary of the Arizona Muslim Alliance, said the Office for New Americans could be particularly helpful for Afghan refugees who fled to the United States after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in 2021. Bassal, an attorney, explained that the alliance had previously established a refugee task force to coordinate relief efforts and provide assistance to refugees, which could serve as a model for the proposed offices work.

(The task force allowed) these relief organizations that were already existing to work together, Bassal said. Theyve been able to provide everything from job training to English lessons.

Bassal suggested that an Office for New Americans in Arizona could provide one-stop shopping for programs such as the International Rescue Committee and Arizona Immigrant and Refugee Services. The IRC provides job training, language instruction and assistance with basic needs like housing while also helping refugees and immigrants navigate the U.S. immigration system and advocating for their rights. AIRS offers a wide range of services to immigrants and refugees, including legal assistance, language instruction, job training, health care navigation, case management and community integration support.

Mendez said he would like to propose the bill at the beginning of the next legislative session. However, he is unsure how the Republican majority will respond.

Statewide, Arizona has a pretty good record or reputation of taking in immigrants compared to other states, Mendez said. This is the kind of issue where it could be bipartisan. This doesnt necessarily have to be like a progressive issue. We want everybody to have a chance at success in Arizona.

If Arizonans want an example of how an Office for New Americans could operate in their state, they dont need to look far: Nevada lawmakers established one in 2019. Charina de Asis, the executive director of the Nevada Governors Office for New Americans, said it has enhanced the success, integration and inclusion of immigrant and refugee families in the state.

The office helps immigrants navigate the complexities of state government by offering programs that cater to the specific needs of immigrants and refugees in Nevada. For instance, the Nevada Initiative for Language Access ensures that state government is accessible to those with limited English, and its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program helps communities find ways to include immigrants and refugees in the workforce.

The office provides support to independent refugee resettlement agencies during crises such as the Afghan humanitarian crisis, when it worked with a county and a state college to find temporary housing for refugees coming to the state. It also connects immigrants and refugees to community resources, including affordable housing and small-business assistance.

De Asis said immigrants and refugees face similar challenges, no matter which state they live in.

(This includes) language barriers, lack of social network and employment opportunities, access to health care and education, and experiences of prejudice and differences in culture, she said. Having an office like ONA helps make tackling these challenges a little bit easier.

Mendez said his office is investigating whether Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs can establish and administer such an office without legislative approval. Cronkite News reached out to the governors office for comment but has not received a reply.

In Michigan, then-Gov.Rick Snyder, a Republican, used his executive power to establish an Office for New Americans in 2014. At the time, the GOP controlled the Michigan State House and Senate.

Azza Abuseif, executive director for Arizonas branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said she met with Hobbs on Jan. 31, and they discussed ways to work together to support the Muslim and immigrant communities. She said she believes that Hobbs might be open to establishing an Office for New Americans in the state.
LONDON  When Camilla, Britain's queen consort, is crowned alongside her husband, the moment will mark the culmination of a remarkable  and painstakingly slow  transformation over five decades of a figure once reviled as the other woman and considered a huge liability to the British monarchy.

With King Charles III's first seven months on the throne under his belt, many in Britain have grown to accept Camilla, though some experts and observers say she will always walk in the shadow of her past.

"Without really trying too hard, but just by giving it time and going gently, gently, she has managed to show people the real person that she is  that she's not this villainess, and that she's there to do the hard work," said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. "But the most important thing about Camilla is the way she appears to support her husband and back him up."

Tabloids mercilessly tore her apart for years, but Seward said Camilla earned respect by putting her head down and steadily getting on with her duties. She's won over much of the British public with her down-to-earth personality and her charitable work, notably against domestic violence, rape and sexual abuse  causes she says she'll continue to support as queen.

Still, some say she'll never fully shake her reputation as the third person in the marriage between Charles and Princess Diana.

"I would actually argue that she still is the other woman, and probably will remain the other woman," said Arianne Chernock, a professor specializing in modern British history at Boston University. "Diana will very much be a presence in the room in Westminster Abbey on May 6  I think it's hard not to see her when you look at Charles and Camilla."

Camilla Rosemary Shand  born July 17, 1947, to a family with long links with Britain's royal family  reportedly first met Charles at a polo match in 1970, when she was 23. The pair quickly became close but their romance was interrupted when Charles went on naval duty.

In his absence, Camilla married her longtime boyfriend, army officer Andrew Parker-Bowles, in 1973. Charles married Diana in 1981. In the early '90s, Diana went public with her resentment of Charles and Camilla's relationship. The sensational details that followed caused an embarrassing scandal for the royal family.

Camilla and her husband divorced in 1995, shortly after Charles gave an explosive television interview admitting the affair. Charles and Diana divorced the following year. In 1997, Diana died in a car crash; a global outpouring of grief followed.

Camilla and Charles waited until 2005 to marry in a private civil ceremony.

Mindful of lingering public hostility toward Camilla, palace officials cautiously managed her public appearances over the decades. Camilla made dozens of official visits with charities each year, and her warm personality and ease at connecting with people no doubt helped her image makeover; those who've met her often describe her as warm, unstuffy and likeable.

"When you meet her, she doesn't appear to be aloof in any way whatsoever," Seward said. "She's just always the same as she was. And I think this is one probably one of her biggest assets."

Sensitivity about Camilla's status as Charles' second wife long made the question of what title she'd hold when he became king a subject of contention. Queen Elizabeth II settled the matter last year, when she gave the blessing for Camilla to be known as queen consort. That was widely seen as a formal sign that the royal family finally accepted Camilla as a respected senior member.

This past month, Buckingham Palace's official coronation invitations referred to Camilla as "Queen Camilla" for the first time. Queen consorts do not formally share the sovereign's powers, and dropping the "consort" part of the title won't change that. Nonetheless, the change marked another step in Camilla's long road to rehabilitating her image.

However, the change in her title "does not necessarily suggest full public approval," Chernock said. "Camilla, regardless of what she does, will always be divisive."

In March, Camilla dazzled crowds at her first state visit as queen consort, donning a diamond tiara belonging to the Queen Mother and a diamond necklace from Elizabeth II for a state banquet in Berlin.

Her image makeover hit a snag when her stepson, Prince Harry, stirred up old grievances and painted her as a schemer who played "the long game," with a campaign aimed at "marriage and eventually the crown."

In his memoir "Spare" and in interviews promoting the book, Harry accused Camilla of trading private information about him and others to the media as part of a drive to forge friendly relationships with journalists and improve her reputation.

Harry said he and his elder brother, Prince William, urged their father not to marry Camilla but both reluctantly accepted her into their lives.

Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, recently hit back at Harry's claims: "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."

Camilla rarely speaks about her private life. In an interview with British Vogue last year, she acknowledged she was "scrutinized for such a long time that you just have to find a way to live with it."

"Nobody likes to be looked at all the time and, you know, criticized," she said. "But I think in the end, I sort of rise above it and get on with it."
Doom scrolling

Doom scrolling, a word that describes the act of obsessively reading bad news. Letters to the editor that evoke the negative continue to thrive.

Local newspapers have understood our addiction for a long time.

Our letters to the editor often lean this way. Negativity bias is something we are all familiar with. Over the years, negative letters have become more common.

If you are someone who reads political news regularly about presidents on both sides purportedly breaking the law, corrupt political families, war, lying politicians, and partisan gridlock... then you might come to think that all politicians are corrupt, lying warmongers who get nothing done.

Why are most letters to the editor so negative? The answer appears to be us, the readers.

If we only spend our time focusing on the bad things, we'll end up missing all the decent and productive people and stories out there. That won't just weigh on our own well-being, but it will also limit our opportunities in the future to build on the good.

Tom McGorray

Northwest side

Prop 412 not

what Tucson needs

Re: the April 26 article "Solar tax credits bring equity to greener tech."

Thanks, Alisha Vasquez, for her article. For too long, only the wealthiest could afford solar  yet renewable energy is cheaper energy! Now, with the IRA, federal tax credits and rebates for individuals and Green Bank programs for cities, schools and nonprofits, electric cars, heat pumps and efficient appliances will all become affordable for homeowners, landlords and commercial buildings, too.

Tucson ranks fifth in the nation for temperature rise and gets an F for air quality by the American Lung Association. We need electrification  but with energy from renewables. The proposed franchise agreement with TEP doesnt require that, however, and with Prop 412, TEP uses harmful coal until 2032.

Prop 412 places a priority on undergrounding lines to UA and sends the bill to the rest of Tucson, postponing 90% of climate action funds for ten years.

Tucson has three more years to negotiate a good franchise agreement, one that benefits Tucsons economy and health. Vote NO on 412!

Jane Conlin

North side

Proposition 412:

Who's fooling who?

I am 97 years young and have been a Tucson resident since 1945. This is my first Letter to the Editor.

Many have already expressed opinions why Proposition 412 is a wrong move for Tucson and at the wrong time. No argument there.

For over a decade, with clear knowledge that a climate crisis existed, TEP and the City have taken little action. Instead, they want to change the subject.

I agree with all those who say TEP should not get another 25-year pass on climate. I dont have 25 more years; neither does Tucson.

Claiming Proposition 412 will fight climate change is a fantasy. For less than $1 a month? Get realistic! I wish we could fight climate change for $1 a month. The City and TEP have waited too long for that.

For me, until TEP and the City commit funding to support climate action in a serious way, Proposition 412 remains a big NO.

Jeanette Schaller

Midtown

You get who

you voted for

Re: the April 28 letter "Broken promises."

Friday, you printed a letter from an Oro Valley reader about Juan Ciscomani's votes in the House. Just remember what he said in his campaign, namely, "I will vote to fire (Nancy) Pelosi." That statement can be categorized as either A) a lie since the speaker's job automatically goes to the party controlling the House, who then picks an individual. Ciscomani had no vote whatsoever in who won the House or B) ignorance on the part of Ciscomani or his voters for the same reason.

Ciscomani had no voice whatsoever on which party won the House but only on who the Republicans picked. Had Ciscomani won and the Democrats won the House, he'd have had no say at all on the speaker's job. That appeal from him was aimed at people who have no idea how the House operates.

Tim Canny

Oracle

Dems and

the Tamale Bill

I had a chance to talk to State Representative Keith Seaman about the infamous Tamale Bill that Governor Hobbs vetoed recently. The problem with the Bill is that it has no restrictions on homemade food sold on street corners or parking lots. According to Rep. Seaman, the Democratic Caucus supports and would encourage people to make a living or extra income this way but feel there should be some inspections or oversight. One suggestion would be to require a food handlers card so the home chefs would have the basic knowledge of proper storage and temperatures. They could oversee others in the household involved in the business.

In a presidential debate in 2015, Trump complained that too many Hispanics in the U.S. would mean a taco truck on every corner. Hillary Clinton retorted, That sounds delicious!

Martin Plocke

Southwest side

Ciscomanis

priorities wrong

Representative Juan Ciscomani doesnt have his priorities right for our district. Instead of working for us, hes working for his new best friend, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

It doesnt matter that Ciscomani is a rising star for the GOP. It doesnt matter that he gave the GOP response to the State of the Union in Spanish. But these meaningless displays seem to matter a lot to his ego and his staying power in a flawed GOP hierarchy.

It matters that we have a congressman who works for average Arizonans. It matters that he abstains from voting with the crazed likes of Greene and Boebert. We should see environmental protections! We should see lower prescription costs! We should see Social Security and Medicare protected!

Ciscomani, its time to get your priorities straight by putting us ahead of your social standing in the GOP!

Diana Alexander

Oro Valley

Yes on 412

moves us forward

Though I am employed by TEP, the following opinion is mine.

Ive worked at TEP for six years and have been close to the development of Prop 412. I have been impressed by TEPs thoughtful, inclusive, and respectful approach to a challenging set of issues- how do we keep costs down, the system safe and reliable, and support the citys climate action plan?

City and TEP leadership found a collaborative, workable path forward via Prop 412. I had the honor of serving as Mayor Rothschilds policy advisor on energy; I know sincere, pragmatic stewardship when I see it, and Prop 412 embodies those values. While there are some issues, compromise is democracy in action. And action is what we need.

Endorsements from Mayor Romero and much of our Council, our Police and Fire Associations, the Metro Chamber, and others demonstrate Im not alone. I care about Tucson, and Im proud to vote yes.

Ryan Anderson, TEP employee

Downtown

TEP franchise

agreement

Its time for the City of Tucson to pay hardball with TEP on the 2026 Franchise Agreement renewal. TEP enjoys a Monopoly on the provision of service and is rewarded with handsome profit margins that encourage spending with little risk on their part. The city should negotiate with TEP to underground the lines in Prop 412 at TEPs expense in exchange for an extension of the Agreement. Otherwise, perhaps its time to oust TEP and get a new provider!

Gerald Lavallee

Southeast side

Medicare for

all is best

Re: the April 26 article "Medicaid options for Arizonans."

If our nation had a single, basic, high-quality universal healthcare system, then no one would need to re-enroll.

I did not know that Arizona has privatized its Medicaid program! In their opinion article, Jean Kalbacher and Vivienne Gilbert offer helpful tips to persons being evicted from their Medicaid healthcare program. They are, respectively, the CEOs of two private companies.

They say, Everyone should have access to high-quality equitable care, without having to worry that they will be unable to afford the bills. Absolutely! To that, I would say that access should include not having to navigate an increasingly confusing system of applications in order to receive healthcare.

With Medicare For All, our only enrollment would be our birth certificate, and our only withdrawal is our death certificate.

Joanne Mallett, MD
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

If we cannot teach or read the true history of our nation, our education becomes fiction. Ignorance is not bliss.  Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona)

On April 27, along with Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), Representative Grijalva introduced the Right to Read Act of 2023. The Act offers a counter-narrative to fears that stoke book banning and censorship. Instead, this legislation reaffirms K-12 students intellectual freedom. In it, Grijalva and Reed advocate for the critical importance of well-read public school students who are informed by sharing and discussing a wide range of ideas, perspectives, and opinions.

In his April 26 op-ed in the Tucson Sentinel, Protecting our students right to read, Congressman Grijalva makes a case for educators to teach the true history of our nation in order to prepare youth for living, working, and participating in our ever-more diverse society. As Grijalva notes in the same op-ed, Students are most engaged when their education is relevant and empowering. The Right to Read Act affirms students right to access linguistically and developmentally appropriate books on all topics related to school curricula and students personal interests. Having access to relevant resources increases students desire to learn  and elevates their reading proficiency.

The bill also aims to increase equity for students served by district public schools. Far too many students across the country lack access to a well-resourced up-to-date school library led by a state-certified school librarian. As the bill notes, school librarians are teachers who share responsibility with colleagues to offer students a rich learning environment and help them develop foundational literacy as well as digital and information literacies.

According to research conducted by The School Librarian Investigation: Evolution or Decline? (SLIDE), students living in poverty are not receiving complete literacy learning opportunities at school. For example, a student in one of the poorest districts (based on percentages of students receiving free and reduced lunch) is almost twice as likely to have had little or no exposure to a librarian as their counterpart in one of the least poor districts. SLIDE data also shows that districts with a majority of non-white students were less likely to have had librarians. More than twice as many majority Hispanic districts as majority non-Hispanic districts were consistently without librarians.

The grant funding associated with the Right to Read Act of 2023 aims to reverse these findings by providing low-income children, minority children, children with disabilities, and English learners with effective school librarians serving in well-stocked school libraries. Students in Tucson Unified School District are likely candidates to benefit from this funding source.

Please encourage our Arizona Congressional delegation to sign on to the Right to Read Act of 2023.
Anti-vaccine advocates have for years used foreboding imagery of syringes to paint immunizations as dark and dangerous. But recent vaccine conspiracy theories are casting an air of fear around more mundane things  like cows and lettuce.

In widespread posts online in recent weeks, misinformation purveyors have spread an erroneous narrative that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are being quietly added to the food supply, threatening staunch vaccine holdouts.

In some cases, users misrepresented the limited use of RNA-based vaccines in animals. In others, they distorted a companys research into using plants to grow proteins used in vaccines.

But experts confirm there are no COVID-19 vaccines in your steak or salad. Here are the facts.

CLAIM: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are being added to the food supply through livestock and produce.

THE FACTS: COVID-19 vaccines are not being passed along through livestock or produce, and experts say that would not be an efficient way to immunize someone. A flurry of social media posts are falsely suggesting otherwise.

The Unvaccinated Wont Be Unvaccinated for Long With mRNA in the Food Supply, reads one tweet shared thousands of times. Another asks: Did you know they will be giving all of our livestock the covid vaccine this year?

A TikTok video shared on Instagram, meanwhile, questions whether Whole Foods customers are unknowingly being vaccinated with the C19 mRNA shot via food products and shows pictures of arugula and lettuce packages.

In reality, there are no COVID-19 mRNA vaccines licensed for animals, Marissa Perry, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, told The Associated Press. She noted that the department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has not approved and does not have any vaccines under trial to vaccinate livestock for COVID-19.

Some animals, particularly those in zoos considered susceptible, have received vaccines against COVID-19. But those immunizations do not rely on mRNA technology, said Suresh Kuchipudi, a veterinary scientist and chair of emerging infectious diseases at Penn State University.

In terms of vaccines more generally, there are some RNA-based vaccines licensed for animals. For example, the pharmaceutical company Merck offers a customizable vaccine against the flu and other viruses in pigs to protect a specific herd as needed. That approach predates the advent of humans COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and the technology is not the same.

There are no mRNA vaccines for any disease being used in cattle in the U.S., the National Cattlemens Beef Association emphasized in a recent statement addressing online misinformation. Farmers and ranchers ultimately choose which vaccines, if any, to give their animals.

Regardless, the notion that an mRNA vaccine could be transmitted to humans through eating meat is not rooted in science.

No, it could not be transferred, Ted Ross, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Georgia and director of the Center for Vaccines and Immunology, said in an email. He said mRNA vaccines have a very short duration in living organisms and degrades.

In addition to the mRNA breaking down quickly, it's unlikely it would survive the cooking process to hypothetically be passed along to consumers, experts said.

Additionally, regulators require something called a withdrawal time, a minimum amount of time that must pass between a food animal getting a vaccine and entering the food chain, Alan Young, a professor of veterinary and biomedical science at South Dakota State University, recently told the AP.

There is also no evidence to support the notion that COVID-19 vaccines are being added to produce.

The TikTok video about Whole Foods homed in on a clip of a co-founder of New Jersey-based AeroFarms, an indoor vertical farming company that grows leafy greens.

But the video misrepresented the work described by AeroFarms co-founder David Rosenberg. Rosenberg was discussing early research into growing proteins that could theoretically be used for vaccines, not making edible vaccines that would be on a store shelf.

Couldnt be further from the truth, Marc Oshima, AeroFarms co-founder and chief marketing officer, said of the claim that the companys vegetables contain a COVID-19 vaccine.

The research initiative Rosenberg discussed, which is no longer active, was part of a research and development arm of the company and separate from its commercial products, Oshima said. The farms for research and commercial products are separate spaces.

While some researchers have explored the possibility of growing edible vaccines  an appealing idea for use in countries where vaccine storage can be an issue  that concept is far, far away from being proven, said Shawn Chen, a professor at Arizona State Universitys Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy.

Chen said scientists have used plants to grow vaccines that can be extracted and used for injections. But producing edible vaccines is tricky in terms of getting the right dosage and delivering the medicine through the gut. That approach, he said, would require much more work, including trials and approvals, before it could even theoretically enter the market.

This is part of APs effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP.
A man who walked into a New York City police precinct and confessed to killing someone there three years ago now faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the murder and chainsaw dismemberment of a Broken Arrow man.

Alex Ray Scott, 27, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder in Indian Country in connection with the death of Robin Lee Skocdopole, 63.

The U.S. Attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma filed the felony information Thursday charging Scott with killing Skocdopole sometime between Sept. 14, 2019, and Sept. 15, 2019.

A warrant issued Monday ordered U.S. marshals to bring Scott from Rikers Island in New York City to court officials here in Tulsa to face the murder charge.

Skocdopoles remains were found May 26, 2020, on the edge of a Broken Arrow creek near the 17900 block of East 131st Street, according to Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office records.

Scott became a suspect in Skocdopoles death Jan. 30, 2020, the same day he allegedly surrendered to authorities in New York, after telling them that he killed Kenneth Savinski, 64, in a Manhattan apartment, according to an affidavit submitted by an FBI agent in support of an arrest warrant.

Savinski was found dead on the floor of an apartment in the 100 block of East 83rd Street in Manhattan two days prior to Scott allegedly confessing. Savinskis throat had been slit and he had been stabbed multiple times in the head, according to an account from the New York Post at the time.

Law enforcement found credit cards belonging to both Savinski and Skocdopole while searching Scott, according to the affidavit and Tulsa World archives.

Scott also admitted to living with Skocdopole at a home in the 500 block of Meadowood Drive in Broken Arrow. A relative of Skocdopole told the Tulsa World Tuesday that Robin had been known to rent rooms to individuals.

Police searched Skocdopoles Broken Arrow home on Feb. 27, 2020, finding the residence completely empty, according to the affidavit.

Broken Arrow Police then used cadaver dogs to search the residence again on March 12, 2020, the affidavit states.

The dogs indicated on several locations in the home and garage.

Forensic searches later uncovered multiple locations of blood spatter and a large pool of blood under a floor transition strip between the laundry room and the garage of the residence, according to the affidavit.

The blood was later linked to Skocdopole by DNA testing, according to the affidavit.

DNA testing was then used to link a torso, left humerus and other bone fragments found May 26, 2020, near the creek to Skocdopole, according to the affidavit.

Skocdopole was last seen alive in August 2019, according to the FBI.

In mid-September 2019, Scott began telling others that Skocdopole had abruptly left Broken Arrow and moved back to Dallas for work, according to the affidavit.

Over the next four months, friends and associates of Skocdopole attempted to contact him, but reportedly received vague and oddly worded responses, according to the affidavit.

The FBI theorized that Scott was using Skocdopoles accounts to hide his death because Skocdopole was never able to meet or talk in person with others during this time period, according to the affidavit.

Investigators later learned that when Skocdopole disappeared, Scott was wearing a global positioning satellite tracking ankle monitor for another case that placed him near where Skocdopoles body was later found.

Sales records from a Broken Arrow Walmart indicated Scott purchased a chainsaw there on Oct. 4, 2019, and returned it for store credit on Oct. 27, 2019, according to the FBI, citing subpoenaed records from the store.

Skocdopole was dismembered using two different saws, including one comparable to a chainsaw, according to the FBI, citing Medical Examiner records.
A Tulsa man facing charges in connection with two fatal shootings was motivated, at least in part, based on the victims race or color, according to court records.

Tulsa County prosecutors named Carlton Jefferson Gilford, 61, in five counts filed Friday that allege he fatally shot two men and tried to kill two others with a handgun April 18 before he was arrested by police.

Gilford is also charged with targeting the two homicide victims because of their race or color, records show. He unlawfully, and maliciously, willfully, wrongfully and intentionally and without justifiable or excusable cause, intimidated and harassed the two victims by shooting them because of their race or color, according to court records.

Gilford is Black, while the two victims  Lundin Hathcock, 35, and James McDaniel, 55  were both white.

Hathcock was killed at the Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford Ave., while McDaniel was shot multiple times at the QuikTrip at 1513 N. Peoria Ave.

Gilford is also alleged to have shot at a security guard and another person at the QuikTrip, according to police.

Evidence through the investigation following the shooting led law enforcement to believe that it could be racially motivated, and so thats why we filed that charge, said Katie Keleher, spokeswoman for Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweilers office.

Keleher declined to elaborate on the evidence that led to the charge but noted that Oklahoma does not have a specific hate crime statute.

The law, Section 850 of the states crime and punishments statutes, makes it a misdemeanor for first-time offenders to maliciously harass or intimidate another person based on their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability.

The law pertains to events where someone is assaulted or battered, or when another persons real or personal property is damaged, destroyed, vandalized or defaced.

A conviction on a first-time offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000. The violation is a felony for subsequent offenses, punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

The statute, first made law in 1987 and last amended by the Legislature in 2001, has rarely been utilized by prosecutors.

In Tulsa County, the charge was levied in 2001 against two people after the 9/11 attacks in a case where a Pakistani man was beaten the night of the attacks, records show.

Two men faced similar charges following the 2012 Good Friday slayings of three Black people by two white men.

In one other high-profile Tulsa County case, two men were charged in 2000 with desecrating nearly 100 Jewish grave sites in Rose Hill Memorial Park.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections data indicates only six detainees have been held in the agencys custody on such a specific statute, though crimes linked to some misdemeanor convictions are not specified in all cases.

Gilford, who shot himself prior to being arrested, spent about a week in the hospital recovering before he was jailed.

A person who in a phone call identified himself as Gilfords brother declined to comment on the charges to the Tulsa World.

A preliminary hearing for Gilford has been scheduled for June 23.

April 19 video: Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin discusses shootings at library, QT after arrest
OKLAHOMA CITY  Tensions flared Monday as House lawmakers grilled Oklahomas controversial state superintendent about how hes managing public school operations across the state.

In a packed meeting at the state Capitol, Superintendent Ryan Walters doubled down on his culture wars campaign rhetoric and support for school choice policies, called teachers unions terrorist organizations and accused his predecessor of running the State Department of Education into the ground.

The House Appropriations and Budget Committee hearing, in which Walters largely faced tough questions from members of his own party, showed the growing friction between lawmakers and the new superintendent who campaigned on fighting liberal indoctrination and woke ideology in schools.

Lawmakers pushed back on Walters comments that critical race theory is rampant in classrooms, asked him why he has continued his campaign rhetoric after taking office and questioned his support for school choice policies, where so-called pornographic books have been found in schools and whether his agency is applying for federal grants.

Within the first 15 minutes of the more than two-hour hearing, Walters blamed former State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, a Republican-turned Democrat, of mismanaging the State Department of Education.

It was an absolute dumpster fire when we got into this agency, Walters said.

Walters also called teachers unions terrorist organizations, spurring outrage from several representatives.

The Oklahoma Education Association, the states largest teachers union and one of Walters frequent targets, said the superintendents inflammatory and demonizing rhetoric is dangerous and doesnt improve educational outcomes.

Public school educators are not getting rich off of this job, the group said in a statement. They keep their hearts and classrooms open to every single child across Oklahoma because they love their students. Comparing them to people who blow up buildings is disgusting, especially when every educator puts their life on the line to protect students as school shootings continue to rise.

Walters also defended his hot-button campaign rhetoric that has become a common refrain in his official dealings.

I dont care if people are triggered by what I say, he said. I dont care if its politically correct or not. My job is to speak truth and find solutions to problems.

Rep. Ryan Martinez, the committees vice chairman, abruptly ended the meeting after several members of the minority party took issue with Walters saying, Democrats want to strike out any mentions of the Bible from our history. Walters had previously accused Democrats and teachers unions of lying about him.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and several other GOP lawmakers questioned whether the Walters administration is continuing to apply for federal education grants. Martinez, R-Edmond, gave Walters one week to send the House a status update on all federal education grants.

On the campaign trail, Walters quickly walked back his comments after saying he would reject federal funding for Oklahoma schools. He has since been critical of federal funding if it has any left-wing indoctrination strings attached by the Biden administration.

The state gets about $1 billion in federal funding annually, Walters said in Mondays hearing.

Walters said his office is applying for more federal grants than his predecessor. He added that his office intends to use every education dollar in a transparent manner to benefit students, parents and teachers.

My agency hasnt missed a single deadline for any grant or any program, Walters said.

Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, expressed concerns that Walters rhetoric about critical race theory, a complex academic concept, is misleading some parents.

Lawmakers in 2021 passed a law that bans the teaching of certain concepts on race and gender, which proponents often refer to as a ban on CRT.

Im worried with your use of CRT that youre broadening it to what its not, McEntire said. Walters has alleged schools in all 77 counties are teaching CRT and pushing liberal indoctrination, although McEntire appeared to doubt the accuracy of that claim.

Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, first requested Walters appear before a House budget panel on education about a month ago.

After Walters rejected the invitation, McCall reminded the superintendent lawmakers have the ability to compel people to testify in committee hearings through a subpoena.

McBride took aim at Walters comments about so-called pornographic books being commonplace in school libraries, noting the superintendent had only produced evidence of questionable materials in seven out of more than 540 districts. Those schools handled the books according to district policies, McBride said.

I think one classroom having this material is too much, Walters responded.

Questions from Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, underscored how Walters divisive persona has frayed relations with lawmakers.

After Walters talked about his plans to improve early reading scores and provide sign-on bonuses to get more teachers into classrooms, Nichols suggested the superintendents rhetoric will only alienate him from the people he needs on his side to accomplish ambitious education reforms.
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed Senate Bill 613 banning gender-affirming surgery and drug treatments for minors, his office said Monday evening.

Last year, I called for a statewide ban on all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors so I am thrilled to sign this into law today and protect our kids, Stitt said in a written statement, We cannot turn a blind eye to whats happening across our nation, and as governor I am proud to stand up for whats right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma.

SB 613 was opposed by LGBTQ advocates and many in the medical community. The measure sparked intense debate in the Legislature as Democrats accused Republicans of concocting a nonexistent crisis at the expense of vulnerable youth, and Republicans accused medical professionals of mutilating young people suffering from psychological problems.

In practice, the banned surgeries appear to be very rare among minors. Treatments with hormones and other drugs are more common. There seems to be disagreement about the long-term effects of those drugs.

Last week Stitt vetoed reauthorization of OETA, Oklahomas public television network, citing what he said were LGBTQ characters on animated childrens programs as a reason.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahoma can take custody of some Native American children on tribal lands without tribal input, the state Supreme Court has ruled.

The decision splits from the widespread understanding of federal law and casts a cloud of uncertainty over some of Oklahomas most vulnerable children, legal experts say.

Fundamentally, it alters the scope of authority that every tribe has and can exercise within its territorial jurisdiction, said William Norman, an Oklahoma City attorney who represents tribal governments across the state. He was not directly involved in the case.

The federal Indian Child Welfare Act, passed in 1978, gives tribes exclusive rights to hear child welfare cases involving tribal citizens living on tribal reservations.

In a novel ruling, the Oklahoma Supreme Court found the exclusivity does not cover children who belong to one tribal nation but live on the reservation of another. The state can assert decision-making power over the lives of those children without the consent of the reservation tribe, the court determined.

The decision throws a wrench into the way Oklahoma and tribal nations have operated for decades to keep Native children safe, Muscogee Nation Attorney General Geri Wisner said.

This is absolutely a new, uncharted definition that has no background with respect to precedent, she said.

Because it was universally accepted that states lack authority over tribal child welfare cases on tribal lands, Oklahoma and many tribal governments have cooperative agreements that spell out how can they work together on the ground.

Now its unclear how those agreements will work. The questions are especially pressing for Wisners Muscogee Nation in eastern Oklahoma. Its reservation covers much of Tulsa, home to children who belong to dozens tribal nations.

Even as disputes over gaming proceeds and police powers grabbed headlines, state and tribal officials have managed to work closely together to address child safety issues. Tribal nations can provide foster children with cultural resources and other forms of support, while the state child welfare system has more capacity, Wisner said.

There are so many other areas where its contestuous, and its bellicose, Wisner said. But this is one where, surprisingly, we have reached an agreement, and it was working well together. And yet, here we are.

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services did not return a message to comment on the ruling or its impacts.

One reason the ruling came as such a surprise was that the state did not raise any challenges to tribes exclusive powers in the appeal. Carter County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Dice argued Oklahoma courts could handle the childs case because the state had a working agreement with the Chickasaw Nation.

Justices ruled that even without an agreement, Oklahoma had the power to place the baby boy at the center of the case into foster care.

The infant, identified by the court only as S.J.W., was born in March 2020 within the Chickasaw reservation in southern Oklahoma. At least one of his parents was enrolled in the Muscogee Nation, making him eligible for citizenship in that tribe, as well.

The state took custody of the baby after receiving reports of domestic violence between the babys parents. The couple appealed the states involvement in 2021 and argued Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction under a provision of the Indian Child Welfare Act.

That provision says: An Indian tribe shall have jurisdiction exclusive as to any state over any child custody proceeding involving an Indian child who resides or is domiciled within the reservation of such tribe.

The state Supreme Court interpreted that provision to apply only to an Indian (childs) tribe, using bold lettering in its opinion.

Such interpretation is reasonable given the stated purpose and findings from Congress, Justice Richard Darby wrote in the opinion. Darby, who spent most of his career on the bench in southwest Oklahoma, was appointed in 2018 by Republican Gov. Mary Fallin. None of the high courts eight other justices dissented.

Congress was clear when it passed the Indian Child Welfare Act that it was trying to reverse federal policies that tore Native families apart for generations, said Norman, a Muscogee Nation descendent. The U.S. operated and funded boarding schools to assimilate Native children into the mainstream white society until the first half of the 20th Century. Then a wave of Native children were removed from their families and communities by state child welfare agencies and placed in non-Native homes.

Nowhere in the law does it does it say that Congress was only concerned about the states mistreatment of member children as related to a tribe, said Chrissi Ross Nimmo, deputy attorney general for the Cherokee Nation.

The Oklahoma Supreme Courts decision cuts deeply for many tribal citizens, because it lands amid broader attacks to the Indian Child Welfare Act. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule within weeks on a case challenging whether the 44-year-old law is constitutional.

Now were seeing the clock turn back, and efforts on multiple fronts to remove the rights and authority of Indian tribes and their communities to have a say in what happens to and in the well-being of their children, Norman said. He is managing partner of the Oklahoma office of Hobbs Strauss, which specializes in tribal law.

Many decisions to remove children from their homes also happen on an emergency basis, sometimes at birth. Children are not born enrolled in a tribe, said Stephen Greetham, senior counsel for the Chickasaw Nation. I have to believe the court did not understand the practical chaos it has created by manufacturing its distinction between member and non-member children, he said.

Greetham said Chickasaw leaders are evaluating their legal options in response to the ruling. Oklahoma tribal nations still have to uphold their responsibilities to children and the requirements set by federal law.

Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby said in a statement that tribal officials would keep working to protect children and families. We believe children facing difficult circumstances deserve our full attention and cooperation, Anoatubby said.

Muscogee Principal Chief David Hill referenced the text of the Indian Child Welfare Act to explain why the work of the tribes children and family services division is so vital. There is no resource that is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Indian tribes than their children, Hill said in a statement, quoting the law. Despite this ruling, the nation will persevere and remain strong in upholding and defending ICWA and our own laws to protect all Indian children residing within our reservation.

Melissa Handke, a Carter County prosecutor who handled the trial at the center of the appeal, said her office would continue to work with tribes on Indian child welfare cases after years of building up strong relationships, and also involve tribal leaders to address questions raised by the ruling.

Three state Supreme Court justices  Douglas L. Combs, Yvonne Kauger and Vice Chief Dustin Rowe  concurred with the result of the ruling, but did not sign on to the opinion itself.

Rowe is a former Chickasaw Nation judge appointed by Stitt in 2019, and Kauger is a long-time justice who started an annual law forum to bring together state and tribal leaders.

The boys parents had also asked the Supreme Court to rule the case was delayed longer than allowed. Justices shot down the argument. The boy was born days before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread shutdowns.

Lawyer Don Haslam, who now represents the boys father, said the Supreme Court compounded the delays as it mulled the appeal for 19 months. Justices could have arrived at the same conclusions based on existing law, before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year on Castro-Huerta v. Oklahoma, said Haslam, who has law offices in Tulsa and Dallas.

The long wait left questions about the boys future unsettled. He is now 3 years old.

This poor kid and this family have been in limbo for so long, Haslam said, because the courts have not attended to their business.

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Vietjet will increase the frequency of direct flights linking Ho Chi Minh City with Melbourne and Sydney, Australia to respond to travel demand, the budget Vietnamese airline announced on Sunday. Vietjet said in its press release that the frequency of direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne will increase to four return flights per week from September 17. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne take off at 10:55 am every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and land at 10:35 pm (local time). The scheduled departure time for flights from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City is 12:30 am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with the estimated arrival time of 6:30 am (local time). The number of direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney will also be raised to four return flights per week from September 18. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, flights from Ho Chi Minh City depart at 7:30 pm and arrive in Sydney at 7:20 am (local time). Flights from Sydney take off at 11:15 am every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 4:30 pm (local time). Vietjet also has a plan to launch the first direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Brisbane in June. The carrier is offering passengers opportunities to hunt free tickets on the routes linking Ho Chi Minh City and the three aforementioned Australian cities every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, until October 25. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Vietjet will increase the frequency of direct flights linking Ho Chi Minh City with Melbourne and Sydney, Australia to respond to travel demand, the budget Vietnamese airline announced on Sunday.

Vietjet said in its press release that the frequency of direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne will increase to four return flights per week from September 17.

Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne take off at 10:55 am every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and land at 10:35 pm (local time).

The scheduled departure time for flights from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City is 12:30 am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with the estimated arrival time of 6:30 am (local time).

The number of direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney will also be raised to four return flights per week from September 18.

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, flights from Ho Chi Minh City depart at 7:30 pm and arrive in Sydney at 7:20 am (local time).

Flights from Sydney take off at 11:15 am every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 4:30 pm (local time).

Vietjet also has a plan to launch the first direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Brisbane in June.

The carrier is offering passengers opportunities to hunt free tickets on the routes linking Ho Chi Minh City and the three aforementioned Australian cities every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, until October 25.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnam is seeing real estate developers struggling with multiple challenges and an unprecedented slowdown, with some property giants reporting losses of hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong. The local property market is in downbeat mood as most major real estate companies are facing a financial crunch. Property enterprises incur hefty losses Dat Xanh Group JSC has issued its first-quarter financial report, with its revenue dipping 79 percent year on year at VND378 billion (US$16.1 million). Its land lot and housing sales in the first quarter totaled nearly VND268 billion ($11.4 million), plummeting some 73 percent from last year. The real estate developer suffered lost revenue, and also cut its workforce by 1,384 employees between January and March. Given downbeat business results, the property company sustained an after-tax loss of VND117 billion ($5 million) compared with its year-ago profit of VND536 billion ($22.9 million). This is the second quarter Dat Xanh Group has suffered a huge deficit. Similarly, in the first quarter of the year, Novaland Investment Group Corporation reported a post-tax profit of negative VND410 billion ($17.5 million), and made total consolidated revenue of VND604 billion ($25.8 million), plunging 69 percent against the same period last year. Facing the same financial distress, Phat Dat Real Estate Development Corporation saw its revenue and profit tumble in the first three months of 2023. The company made VND192 billion ($8.2 million) in net revenue and VND172 billion ($7.4 million) in consolidated profit, down 69 percent and 67 percent, respectively, year on year. The embattled real estate company blamed its negative business results on the gloomy property market. Dreary picture of the real estate market Many small and medium property companies were in turmoil as their revenue hit bottom. Ending the first quarter of the year, TTC Land generated VND81 billion ($3.5 million) in consolidated revenue and VND21 billion ($896,000) in profit, while its gross profit margin made a mild year-on-year rise of 26 percent. The modest business figures resulted from the bleak property market. Danh Khoi Group JSC generated no earnings growth during the January-March period, while its same-period revenue reached VND51 billion ($2.2 million). Excluding all its costs, the real estate developer incurred a loss of VND16.8 billion ($718,300) in the first quarter of 2023. The company reported VND60 billion ($2.6 million) in lost revenue last quarter. Over the past six months, Danh Khoi has mostly seen no revenue. In the first quarter of the year, the gloomy mood covered the local real estate market, with no signs of recovery. There was a slump in the sales and purchase of housing units during the period, according to the Vietnam Association of Realtors. Vinhomes bucks the down trend Bucking the loss-incurring trend, Vinhomes, a residential property development unit of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, reported positive business results in the first quarter. The companys net revenue totaled VND29.3 trillion ($1.3 billion), skyrocketing 228 percent year on year, supported by the handover of 2,600 apartments at Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 in Hung Yen Province, northern Vietnam. Its pre-tax profit amounted to VND15.1 trillion ($643.9 million) between January and March this year, a year-on-year upsurge of 156 percent. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Vietnam is seeing real estate developers struggling with multiple challenges and an unprecedented slowdown, with some property giants reporting losses of hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong.

The local property market is in downbeat mood as most major real estate companies are facing a financial crunch.

Property enterprises incur hefty losses

Dat Xanh Group JSC has issued its first-quarter financial report, with its revenue dipping 79 percent year on year at VND378 billion (US$16.1 million).

Its land lot and housing sales in the first quarter totaled nearly VND268 billion ($11.4 million), plummeting some 73 percent from last year.

The real estate developer suffered lost revenue, and also cut its workforce by 1,384 employees between January and March.

Given downbeat business results, the property company sustained an after-tax loss of VND117 billion ($5 million) compared with its year-ago profit of VND536 billion ($22.9 million).

This is the second quarter Dat Xanh Group has suffered a huge deficit.

Similarly, in the first quarter of the year, Novaland Investment Group Corporation reported a post-tax profit of negative VND410 billion ($17.5 million), and made total consolidated revenue of VND604 billion ($25.8 million), plunging 69 percent against the same period last year.

Facing the same financial distress, Phat Dat Real Estate Development Corporation saw its revenue and profit tumble in the first three months of 2023.

The company made VND192 billion ($8.2 million) in net revenue and VND172 billion ($7.4 million) in consolidated profit, down 69 percent and 67 percent, respectively, year on year.

The embattled real estate company blamed its negative business results on the gloomy property market.

Dreary picture of the real estate market

Many small and medium property companies were in turmoil as their revenue hit bottom.

Ending the first quarter of the year, TTC Land generated VND81 billion ($3.5 million) in consolidated revenue and VND21 billion ($896,000) in profit, while its gross profit margin made a mild year-on-year rise of 26 percent.

The modest business figures resulted from the bleak property market.

Danh Khoi Group JSC generated no earnings growth during the January-March period, while its same-period revenue reached VND51 billion ($2.2 million).

Excluding all its costs, the real estate developer incurred a loss of VND16.8 billion ($718,300) in the first quarter of 2023. The company reported VND60 billion ($2.6 million) in lost revenue last quarter.

Over the past six months, Danh Khoi has mostly seen no revenue.

In the first quarter of the year, the gloomy mood covered the local real estate market, with no signs of recovery.

There was a slump in the sales and purchase of housing units during the period, according to the Vietnam Association of Realtors.

Vinhomes bucks the down trend

Bucking the loss-incurring trend, Vinhomes, a residential property development unit of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, reported positive business results in the first quarter.

The companys net revenue totaled VND29.3 trillion ($1.3 billion), skyrocketing 228 percent year on year, supported by the handover of 2,600 apartments at Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 in Hung Yen Province, northern Vietnam.

Its pre-tax profit amounted to VND15.1 trillion ($643.9 million) between January and March this year, a year-on-year upsurge of 156 percent.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
With a great love for submarines, Phan Tran Phu, a student at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, has built 10 submarine models. Given his affection for creation, Phu studied ways to produce various toys such as planes, tanks, boats, and ships by himself when he was in elementary school. Phu, majoring in construction engineering, watched viral videos about submarines by chance when he entered his university life. He realized his passion and rolled up his sleeves to create mini-submarines. After two years of research and creation, Phu has owned 10 submarine models of various sizes. Among them is a military submarine that can fire two torpedoes and rockets, and an unmanned cruise submarine that can transmit images to controllers. This hobby is strange and new in Vietnam. No group or club has been set up to pursue this passion. As such, Phu tried his best to access foreign documents and watch videos to broaden his knowledge about this field. Phan Tran Phu has over 10 submarines of various sizes. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre As for accessories, I utilized some parts of toy planes and tanks to create submarines. I studied to create an appropriate wave oscillator which helps a submarine move from the air into water and operate well, Phu said. His Kilo 636 military submarines have different sizes. The largest is one meter long and weighs five kilograms, while the smallest is 60 centimeters long and three kilograms heavy. The most important part of a military submarine is a vertical launcher. Under the Vietnamese laws, propellants are banned, so I used pressurized gas to help the submarine fire rockets from the deep water to the airspace, he recounted. Phus technology toy products are appreciated by insiders and tech experts. These submarine models have as sufficient functions as a real submarine, said Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, lecturer at the Faculty of Construction Engineering at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City. His great passion for submarines prompted Phan Tran Phu to study and create these technology products. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre In the future, if Phu makes more investment in such technology products, they can be employed in various fields and will have high commercialization, Dr Phuc added. I tried controlling his submarine and felt interested. This toy submarine helps players not only relax after study courses, but also makes them more creative, said Pham Thanh Duong, a student at the university. I think young students creation of technology toys helps invent breakthrough products." I expects this trend to become popular in Vietnam. I intend to exhibit my submarines at creation fairs or exhibitions, Phu said. Apart from making submarines, Phan Tran Phu also sizes the bodies of planes to make them smaller and creates bird-like robots. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre A plane is made by Phan Tran Phu. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

With a great love for submarines, Phan Tran Phu, a student at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, has built 10 submarine models.

Given his affection for creation, Phu studied ways to produce various toys such as planes, tanks, boats, and ships by himself when he was in elementary school.

Phu, majoring in construction engineering, watched viral videos about submarines by chance when he entered his university life.

He realized his passion and rolled up his sleeves to create mini-submarines.

After two years of research and creation, Phu has owned 10 submarine models of various sizes.

Among them is a military submarine that can fire two torpedoes and rockets, and an unmanned cruise submarine that can transmit images to controllers.

This hobby is strange and new in Vietnam. No group or club has been set up to pursue this passion.

As such, Phu tried his best to access foreign documents and watch videos to broaden his knowledge about this field.

Phan Tran Phu has over 10 submarines of various sizes. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

As for accessories, I utilized some parts of toy planes and tanks to create submarines. I studied to create an appropriate wave oscillator which helps a submarine move from the air into water and operate well, Phu said.

His Kilo 636 military submarines have different sizes. The largest is one meter long and weighs five kilograms, while the smallest is 60 centimeters long and three kilograms heavy.

The most important part of a military submarine is a vertical launcher. Under the Vietnamese laws, propellants are banned, so I used pressurized gas to help the submarine fire rockets from the deep water to the airspace, he recounted.

Phus technology toy products are appreciated by insiders and tech experts. These submarine models have as sufficient functions as a real submarine, said Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, lecturer at the Faculty of Construction Engineering at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City.

His great passion for submarines prompted Phan Tran Phu to study and create these technology products. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

In the future, if Phu makes more investment in such technology products, they can be employed in various fields and will have high commercialization, Dr Phuc added.

I tried controlling his submarine and felt interested. This toy submarine helps players not only relax after study courses, but also makes them more creative, said Pham Thanh Duong, a student at the university. I think young students creation of technology toys helps invent breakthrough products."

I expects this trend to become popular in Vietnam. I intend to exhibit my submarines at creation fairs or exhibitions, Phu said.

Apart from making submarines, Phan Tran Phu also sizes the bodies of planes to make them smaller and creates bird-like robots. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

A plane is made by Phan Tran Phu. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

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Seeing some young students in uniform smoking freely and conveniently at school gates, amusement centers, or even while waiting at a traffic light in Vietnam, many would wonder how they could so easily obtain vapes? Vape use among teens is mushrooming in some major Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Many have wondered how these teens can buy e-cigarettes as easily as purchasing a bunch of vegetables, considering it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18. Where did they buy e-cigarettes? In Vietnam, the sale and distribution of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to people under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited under the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms. Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters set out by researching online and following the situation in real life. Looking around social media and entering some vaping Facebook groups, anyone can easily access a variety of e-cigarettes sold at different prices, from 'cheap' to 'super cheap.' In one vape store whose page has 24,000 subscribers, a customer wrote, "I want to try e-cigarettes now, what kind should I start with?" Almost immediately, a store employee replied to the customer, "It's easy to use, at what price do you want to buy?" Besides, the seller continued to show a variety of e-cigarettes with many great offers and free shipping for each order. The Tuoi Tre reporters also tracked down an e-cigarette supplier that has four stores, three in Hanoi and one in the southern city of Can Tho, who sells both online and offline. Their online stores offer numerous types and models of e-cigarettes. The stores advertise that they specialize in e-cigarettes, vapes, e-liquids, and pod systems. Judging from the information on their website, the reporters found the prices of most products to range from VND200,000 (US$8.5) to VND3 million ($128). Many products are on sale with a discount of 60-70 percent. As the reporters learned, when ordering online, customers just need to provide their full name, phone number, and address, and the ordered e-cigarettes will be delivered regardless of their age. Apart from Facebook, other social media channels such as YouTube and TikTok are also full of marketing videos for e-cigarettes. On these platforms, tobacco retailers not only display the products, but also try them out themselves and share their reviews to show customers how to vape. There are two key factors that sellers usually focus on: clouds and flavorings. The more clouds and the more appealing flavors an e-cigarette can produce, the more popular it becomes for young customers. When the journalists contacted an online store, whose headquarters are located in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City and which sells e-cigarettes, they were invited to buy a new e-cigarette with a liquid volume of 2.5 ml and a battery capacity of 1,100 mAh. There is a wide range of flavors that appeal to children. Photo:Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre In addition, buyers would be given a 60-ml bottle of e-liquid with any flavor. In total, the order cost VND 550,000 ($23.4). The seller said that many young customers, including high school and college students, prefer this variety because it is affordable and different flavors can be used at the same time. There are also some cheaper varieties that fetch between VND100,000 ($4.3) and VND300,000 ($13). Of particular concern is that young smokers often go for the higher voltage models (25W-60W) because the higher the power, the more exciting they think it is. Obfuscation tactics An online store that sells e-cigarettes said that it sells vapes in the form of cute toys. These e-cigarettes look like a pen or a camera, so they cannot be detected by parents or teachers. The store owner assured that the e-cigarette will be delivered to customers in Ho Chi Minh City only one day after the order is placed and the money is successfully transferred. The seller does not charge shipping fees to attract more customers. When the reporters contacted an online store on Facebook with the given address in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City, they were offered a variety of pods at different prices. The cheapest pod cost about VND300,000 ($13) and the most expensive, VND2 million ($85.3). According to the tobacco retailer, the price of an e-cigarette depends on many factors, such as the material, shape, power level, and some additional functions like light and music. Sellers can also choose different models and types depending on a student's preferences and personality. "Some teenagers who want to avoid being discovered by their parents or who take e-cigarettes to school often choose some kinds that look like toys to disguise themselves," an e-cigarette seller told Tuoi Tre. An online vape store. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Illegal market for e-cigarettes is booming When the Tuoi Tre journalists tried to buy e-cigarettes, they found that they just called and specified their desired pod as well as how they wanted to receive the order. The sellers did not ask them about their age, nor did they explain to them under what conditions they could buy e-cigarettes and what harmful effects vapes would have. Moreover, the addresses for the stores given on social media are just fake. Whenever customers come to the location, they are told how to order online. On April 18, a customer came to a store selling e-cigarettes on Hoang Sa Street in District 3, only to find out that the store had just closed. When the customer called the phone number listed in the advertisement, he received a response saying, "The store has already closed. You do not need to come to the store, give me your address and I will deliver the order." When the customer ordered an orange oil made in the U.S. with a kind of freebase, he was told the price was VND350,000 ($15) per 100 ml. "Our store mainly sells online, so just call me and you will receive your order," the salesman said firmly. The seller told the buyer that he would deliver quickly if he knew what kind of vaping product the latter wanted, including the price and how to use it. "Please make friends with me on Zalo [a chat app], then I will send you photos of vaping products so you can choose easily," the seller said. Within 30 minutes, the vape was successfully delivered to the buyer in Ho Chi Minh City. All orders are free of shipping charges and buyers can choose to pay by wire transfer or when they receive the device. In fact, most tobacco stores choose to sell vape products online. Even the address of the online store is often wrong. "Customers know which stores sell good products, and they tell each other about them," said one tobacconist. Even elementary school students are vaping! At an elementary school in Ho Chi Minh City, a grade-four student was recently found to be smoking an e-cigarette during break time. The student's friends reported the incident to teachers. The student told the teachers that he had bought the e-cigarette in an alley near the school and that he knew how to vape because he had seen it on Facebook. The student added that the e-cigarette had an extremely appealing flavor and there were many flavors to choose from. The teachers and school officials then discussed the issue with the student's parents to prevent it from recurring. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Seeing some young students in uniform smoking freely and conveniently at school gates, amusement centers, or even while waiting at a traffic light in Vietnam, many would wonder how they could so easily obtain vapes?

Vape use among teens is mushrooming in some major Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Many have wondered how these teens can buy e-cigarettes as easily as purchasing a bunch of vegetables, considering it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18.

Where did they buy e-cigarettes?

In Vietnam, the sale and distribution of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to people under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited under the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters set out by researching online and following the situation in real life.

Looking around social media and entering some vaping Facebook groups, anyone can easily access a variety of e-cigarettes sold at different prices, from 'cheap' to 'super cheap.'

In one vape store whose page has 24,000 subscribers, a customer wrote, "I want to try e-cigarettes now, what kind should I start with?"

Almost immediately, a store employee replied to the customer, "It's easy to use, at what price do you want to buy?"

Besides, the seller continued to show a variety of e-cigarettes with many great offers and free shipping for each order.

The Tuoi Tre reporters also tracked down an e-cigarette supplier that has four stores, three in Hanoi and one in the southern city of Can Tho, who sells both online and offline.

Their online stores offer numerous types and models of e-cigarettes. The stores advertise that they specialize in e-cigarettes, vapes, e-liquids, and pod systems.

Judging from the information on their website, the reporters found the prices of most products to range from VND200,000 (US$8.5) to VND3 million ($128). Many products are on sale with a discount of 60-70 percent.

As the reporters learned, when ordering online, customers just need to provide their full name, phone number, and address, and the ordered e-cigarettes will be delivered regardless of their age.

Apart from Facebook, other social media channels such as YouTube and TikTok are also full of marketing videos for e-cigarettes.

On these platforms, tobacco retailers not only display the products, but also try them out themselves and share their reviews to show customers how to vape.

There are two key factors that sellers usually focus on: clouds and flavorings.

The more clouds and the more appealing flavors an e-cigarette can produce, the more popular it becomes for young customers.

When the journalists contacted an online store, whose headquarters are located in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City and which sells e-cigarettes, they were invited to buy a new e-cigarette with a liquid volume of 2.5 ml and a battery capacity of 1,100 mAh.

There is a wide range of flavors that appeal to children. Photo:Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

In addition, buyers would be given a 60-ml bottle of e-liquid with any flavor. In total, the order cost VND 550,000 ($23.4).

The seller said that many young customers, including high school and college students, prefer this variety because it is affordable and different flavors can be used at the same time.

There are also some cheaper varieties that fetch between VND100,000 ($4.3) and VND300,000 ($13).

Of particular concern is that young smokers often go for the higher voltage models (25W-60W) because the higher the power, the more exciting they think it is.

Obfuscation tactics

An online store that sells e-cigarettes said that it sells vapes in the form of cute toys.

These e-cigarettes look like a pen or a camera, so they cannot be detected by parents or teachers.

The store owner assured that the e-cigarette will be delivered to customers in Ho Chi Minh City only one day after the order is placed and the money is successfully transferred.

The seller does not charge shipping fees to attract more customers.

When the reporters contacted an online store on Facebook with the given address in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City, they were offered a variety of pods at different prices.

The cheapest pod cost about VND300,000 ($13) and the most expensive, VND2 million ($85.3).

According to the tobacco retailer, the price of an e-cigarette depends on many factors, such as the material, shape, power level, and some additional functions like light and music.

Sellers can also choose different models and types depending on a student's preferences and personality.

"Some teenagers who want to avoid being discovered by their parents or who take e-cigarettes to school often choose some kinds that look like toys to disguise themselves," an e-cigarette seller told Tuoi Tre.

An online vape store. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Illegal market for e-cigarettes is booming

When the Tuoi Tre journalists tried to buy e-cigarettes, they found that they just called and specified their desired pod as well as how they wanted to receive the order.

The sellers did not ask them about their age, nor did they explain to them under what conditions they could buy e-cigarettes and what harmful effects vapes would have.

Moreover, the addresses for the stores given on social media are just fake. Whenever customers come to the location, they are told how to order online.

On April 18, a customer came to a store selling e-cigarettes on Hoang Sa Street in District 3, only to find out that the store had just closed.

When the customer called the phone number listed in the advertisement, he received a response saying, "The store has already closed. You do not need to come to the store, give me your address and I will deliver the order."

When the customer ordered an orange oil made in the U.S. with a kind of freebase, he was told the price was VND350,000 ($15) per 100 ml.

"Our store mainly sells online, so just call me and you will receive your order," the salesman said firmly.

The seller told the buyer that he would deliver quickly if he knew what kind of vaping product the latter wanted, including the price and how to use it.

"Please make friends with me on Zalo [a chat app], then I will send you photos of vaping products so you can choose easily," the seller said.

Within 30 minutes, the vape was successfully delivered to the buyer in Ho Chi Minh City.

All orders are free of shipping charges and buyers can choose to pay by wire transfer or when they receive the device.

In fact, most tobacco stores choose to sell vape products online. Even the address of the online store is often wrong.

"Customers know which stores sell good products, and they tell each other about them," said one tobacconist.

Even elementary school students are vaping!

At an elementary school in Ho Chi Minh City, a grade-four student was recently found to be smoking an e-cigarette during break time. The student's friends reported the incident to teachers.

The student told the teachers that he had bought the e-cigarette in an alley near the school and that he knew how to vape because he had seen it on Facebook.

The student added that the e-cigarette had an extremely appealing flavor and there were many flavors to choose from.

The teachers and school officials then discussed the issue with the student's parents to prevent it from recurring.

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Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen received a high-ranking delegation from Cuba led by Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, on Monday. Speaking at the meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City Party chief, Ojeda said that Cuba and Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City, could strengthen their bilateral cooperation in various fields. Apart from health, education, sports, and tourism, Cuba takes special interest in agriculture. The top Cuban official expected the two countries partnership to help Cuba diversify its farming products and enrich food supplies in order not to rely on some markets. The high-ranking delegation of Cuba visited two business models in the southern metropolis a day earlier. The Cuban representative lauded the efficiency of these models. When visiting a Co.op Mart supermarket in the city, we saw 95 percent of the goods there were Vietnamese products. Our country is striving to reach this model, said Ojeda. Many enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City have been making investments in Cuba. Therefore, the two nations have multiple opportunities to deepen trade and commercial cooperation, moving toward producing more mutual benefits, according to Ojeda. Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen (R) presents a gift to Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, on May 1, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Ojedas visit was aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruzs first visit to Vietnam and to the liberated zone in South Vietnam in wartime and the 60th anniversary of Cubas establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam. At the reception, the two top officials affirmed that Vietnam and Cuba are proud of their 60-year friendship. The relationship between Vietnam and Cuba over the six decades is special, intimate, long-standing, and healthy. The leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, on behalf of the Party Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, and residents, expressed gratitude to Cuba for its support during the hardship of the wartime revolution. He also affirmed that Vietnam and Cuba would always join hands to develop the two nations. Ho Chi Minh City will relentlessly promote trade and investment activities to contribute to boosting the bilateral partnership, Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nen underlined. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Ho Chi Minh Citys public healthcare system was weakened, so the city will greet a delegation of Cuban experts and seek their suggestions to address this problem in the coming months. Ojeda expressed his belief that Cuba will always receive support from Vietnam. Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, meets with Ho Chi Minh City leaders on May 1, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Ho Chi Minh City leaders and the high-ranking delegation of Cuba pose for a photo on May 1, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen received a high-ranking delegation from Cuba led by Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, on Monday.

Speaking at the meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City Party chief, Ojeda said that Cuba and Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City, could strengthen their bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Apart from health, education, sports, and tourism, Cuba takes special interest in agriculture.

The top Cuban official expected the two countries partnership to help Cuba diversify its farming products and enrich food supplies in order not to rely on some markets.

The high-ranking delegation of Cuba visited two business models in the southern metropolis a day earlier.

The Cuban representative lauded the efficiency of these models.

When visiting a Co.op Mart supermarket in the city, we saw 95 percent of the goods there were Vietnamese products. Our country is striving to reach this model, said Ojeda.

Many enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City have been making investments in Cuba. Therefore, the two nations have multiple opportunities to deepen trade and commercial cooperation, moving toward producing more mutual benefits, according to Ojeda.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen (R) presents a gift to Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, on May 1, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

Ojedas visit was aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruzs first visit to Vietnam and to the liberated zone in South Vietnam in wartime and the 60th anniversary of Cubas establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam.

At the reception, the two top officials affirmed that Vietnam and Cuba are proud of their 60-year friendship.

The relationship between Vietnam and Cuba over the six decades is special, intimate, long-standing, and healthy.

The leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, on behalf of the Party Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, and residents, expressed gratitude to Cuba for its support during the hardship of the wartime revolution.

He also affirmed that Vietnam and Cuba would always join hands to develop the two nations.

Ho Chi Minh City will relentlessly promote trade and investment activities to contribute to boosting the bilateral partnership, Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nen underlined.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Ho Chi Minh Citys public healthcare system was weakened, so the city will greet a delegation of Cuban experts and seek their suggestions to address this problem in the coming months.

Ojeda expressed his belief that Cuba will always receive support from Vietnam.

Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, meets with Ho Chi Minh City leaders on May 1, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

Ho Chi Minh City leaders and the high-ranking delegation of Cuba pose for a photo on May 1, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today: Society -- Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nguyen Van Nen received a high-ranking delegation from Cuba led by Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, on Monday. -- A pile-up occurred on Bao Loc Mountain Pass in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong Province, where Da Lat City, a popular tourist destination, is located, on Monday afternoon, leaving two motorcyclists injured and causing a massive traffic jam. Tourism -- Ly Son Island District in the central province of Quang Ngai hosted the Tu Linh (Four Sacred Animals)-Ly Son boat race festival on the occasion of the five-day holiday of Hung Kings Commemoration Day on April 29, Reunification Day on April 30, and International Workers Day on May 1 to promote tourism in 2023, attracting thousands of visitors. -- There was an upsurge in the number of Vietnamese travelers to Cambodia during the ongoing five-day holiday break lasting from April 29 to May 3. -- Ho Chi Minh City chairman Phan Van Mai on Sunday greeted visitors to the 114-year-old City Hall, which opened its doors to the public for the first time during the five-day public holiday. After two days, the building of the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 1,500 domestic and foreign guests. -- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi welcomed more than 52,000 visitors from April 29 to May 1 during the five-day holiday break. Lifestyle -- Nearly 200 local and international businesses will participate in the 19th Saigon International Autotech & Accessories Show (Saigon Autotech & Accessories), which will be hosted by Ho Chi Minh City from May 18 to 21. World -- The United States will end its COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international travelers and federal workers on May 11, when the coronavirus public health emergency ends, the White House said on Monday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nguyen Van Nen received a high-ranking delegation from Cuba led by Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of Cubas Communist Party Central Committee, on Monday.

-- A pile-up occurred on Bao Loc Mountain Pass in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong Province, where Da Lat City, a popular tourist destination, is located, on Monday afternoon, leaving two motorcyclists injured and causing a massive traffic jam.

Tourism

-- Ly Son Island District in the central province of Quang Ngai hosted the Tu Linh (Four Sacred Animals)-Ly Son boat race festival on the occasion of the five-day holiday of Hung Kings Commemoration Day on April 29, Reunification Day on April 30, and International Workers Day on May 1 to promote tourism in 2023, attracting thousands of visitors.

-- There was an upsurge in the number of Vietnamese travelers to Cambodia during the ongoing five-day holiday break lasting from April 29 to May 3.

-- Ho Chi Minh City chairman Phan Van Mai on Sunday greeted visitors to the 114-year-old City Hall, which opened its doors to the public for the first time during the five-day public holiday. After two days, the building of the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 1,500 domestic and foreign guests.

-- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi welcomed more than 52,000 visitors from April 29 to May 1 during the five-day holiday break.

Lifestyle

-- Nearly 200 local and international businesses will participate in the 19th Saigon International Autotech & Accessories Show (Saigon Autotech & Accessories), which will be hosted by Ho Chi Minh City from May 18 to 21.

World

-- The United States will end its COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international travelers and federal workers on May 11, when the coronavirus public health emergency ends, the White House said on Monday.

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A group of Belgian stilt artists added excitement to the streets of Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam by performing entertaining comedy acts and competitions on Monday afternoon. The activity is part of the Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2023, which opened in Thua Thien-Hue on the evening of April 28 and will last through Friday. Upon arriving at Thuong Bac Park on Tran Hung Dao Street in Hue City, the Belgian artists wearing stilts were warmly welcomed by both residents and tourists. Following a period of preparation, the stilt artists responded to a command signal and gracefully mounted their stilts. Belgian stilt artists perform on a street in Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, May 1, 2023. Photo: Minh An / Tuoi Tre Their movements were executed with precision and skill, and wherever they went, spectators and tourists followed, applauding and cheering with enthusiasm. The stilt artists stopped at key intersections, including the ones north of Truong Tien Bridge and in front of Dong Ba Market, to perform close-up movements that involved using their stilts to push each other, engage in mock fights, and create a lively and entertaining atmosphere filled with laughter and excitement. In addition to their performances, the artists also assisted bystanders in learning to stand and move on stilts and took memorable photos with them. Belgian stilt artists help a bystander stand and move on stilts during their performance on a street in Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, May 1, 2023. Photo: Minh An / Tuoi Tre Not only are the artists skilled, but they are also incredibly funny, Nguyen Thu Phuong, a tourist from Da Nang, said when watching the Belgian stilt artists perform. The performers always have a smile on their face wherever they go." The Belgian stilt artists are scheduled to continue their performances for several days on various central streets of Hue City to entertain the crowds. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

A group of Belgian stilt artists added excitement to the streets of Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam by performing entertaining comedy acts and competitions on Monday afternoon.

The activity is part of the Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2023, which opened in Thua Thien-Hue on the evening of April 28 and will last through Friday.

Upon arriving at Thuong Bac Park on Tran Hung Dao Street in Hue City, the Belgian artists wearing stilts were warmly welcomed by both residents and tourists.

Following a period of preparation, the stilt artists responded to a command signal and gracefully mounted their stilts.

Belgian stilt artists perform on a street in Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, May 1, 2023. Photo: Minh An / Tuoi Tre

Their movements were executed with precision and skill, and wherever they went, spectators and tourists followed, applauding and cheering with enthusiasm.

The stilt artists stopped at key intersections, including the ones north of Truong Tien Bridge and in front of Dong Ba Market, to perform close-up movements that involved using their stilts to push each other, engage in mock fights, and create a lively and entertaining atmosphere filled with laughter and excitement.

In addition to their performances, the artists also assisted bystanders in learning to stand and move on stilts and took memorable photos with them.

Belgian stilt artists help a bystander stand and move on stilts during their performance on a street in Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, May 1, 2023. Photo: Minh An / Tuoi Tre

Not only are the artists skilled, but they are also incredibly funny, Nguyen Thu Phuong, a tourist from Da Nang, said when watching the Belgian stilt artists perform.

The performers always have a smile on their face wherever they go."

The Belgian stilt artists are scheduled to continue their performances for several days on various central streets of Hue City to entertain the crowds.

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US cop series The Rookie, starring Nathan Fillion, is returning for its fifth season.

Double Down will screen 8:35pm Tuesday May 16 on Seven.

Officer John Nolan is once again face-to-face with serial killer Rosalind, and she wants him to know shes not done with him yet. Meanwhile, officers Bradford and Chen work undercover with Detective Lopez and the Las Vegas Police Department to arrest leaders of a major criminal enterprise.

It will be followed by the premiere of The Rookie: Feds which stars Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, a former Washington, D.C. school counselor who, at the age of 48, finally achieved her lifelong dream of joining the FBI as a special agent.

Day One screens 9:35pm on May 16.

Fresh out of the FBI Academy, Simone Clark arrives in Los Angeles and has her sights set on joining Matthew Garzas newly formed special unit as they investigate the murder of a federal engineer. Garzas squad includes Carter Hope, a promotion-hungry traditionalist, Laura Stenson, a talented agent in desperate need of a second chance, and Brendon Acres, a former actor who graduated from Quantico with Simone. On the home front, Simone and Cuttys father-daughter relationship is put to the test as their opposing opinions about law enforcement come to a head
TCN News

Shahidul Alam Choudhury, who had a very humble background, came to limelight in 1985 when he was sworn in as a cabinet minister in the AGP government of Assam. He was the lone minister from the Barak Valley in the cabinet. He shone over the political sky of Barak valley for nearly three decades until his death in November 2012. In order to perpetuate his memory and to keep his service to the community embedded in public mind, Minority Welfare Society (MWS) Guwahati instituted the Annual Sahidul Alom Choudhury Memorial Award in 2014. It may be mentioned here that late Sahidul Alam Choudhury was five times elected as MLA from Algapur Constituency of Hailakandi District and served two times as Cabinet Minister in the Government of Assam. The award is meant for persons of Barak Valley origin for outstanding achievement in their field of activity such as education, literature, social service, science and technology, arts, sports, medicine, health care, professional excellence, journalism, entrepreneurship, etc.

This years Sahidul Alom Memorial Award was conferred to Janab Habibur Rahman Choudhury, editor of the daily newspaper Nababarta Prasanga published from Karimganj, Assam. Besides being an acclaimed journalist, Habibur Rahman is also an educationist, social activist, and opinion leader who is respected in India and abroad. The award includes a memento, citation, and cash component of Rs 25,000. The award was given away at MWS 26th annual general meeting held in Guwahati on Sunday. Habibur Rahman, however, returned the award amount back to MWS for using the same for humanitarian purposes. Among earlier recipients of the award are Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury (jurisprudence), Abid Raja Majumdar (literature), Ali Haidar Laskar (history), Dr Baharul Islam (academics), and Dr Md Masoom (medicine & social service).

Earlier in the first session of AGM, the general secretary of MWS, Abdul Karim Choudhury, placed before the house the annual report of the activities of the society for the year 20222023. In the second session, presided over by Abdus Sattar Choudhury, president MWS, three publications of MWS were unveiled in presence of a galaxy of dignitaries including Dr Abu Saleh Nazmuddin, former health minister of Assam and KJ Hilaly, Secretary to the Govt of Assam. Abdul Waris Chowdhury, Vice President MWS, highlighted the journey of the society and its activities since its formation in 1994. Various competitions among children were also organised on the occasion. The event was anchored by Dr Ferdous Ahmed Barbhuiya.
By Arbab Ali, TwoCircles.net

On her wedding day, Tabassum was issued an arrest warrant for missing a court hearing. The previous day, November 10, 2022, she skipped the hearing as she had to prepare for her wedding. The 25-year-old was terrified, but her lawyer intervened to prevent her from being taken into custody.

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On March 14, four months later, TCN met Tabassum, who goes only by her first name, at Karkardoma Court in east Delhi, along with two of her friends, Nilofer, 23, and Imran Fatima, in her early 40s. Standing outside the courtroom for yet another hearing, the trios gaze was fixed at the end of the alley, waiting for Gul (Gulfisha Fatima), from their neighbourhood of Jaffrabad in northeast Delhi, to appear, accompanied by jail officials.

Gulfishan Fatima, a prominent activist in the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) movement, has spent over three years in jail for her alleged role in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.

While Tabassum, Nilofer, and Imran were fortunate not to have been arrested, their life has permanently changed ever since they too were charged with participation in the riots that hit northeast Delhi between February 22 and 24, 2020. The Delhi Police had registered 758 FIRs and 414 chargesheets, and arrested 2,615 people in the aftermath of the riots that took place after the anti-CAA protests.

The three friends were booked under eight sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rioting, assault, disobeying an order of a public servant, and promoting enmity between different groups on February 23 2020, a day after they were detained from the Jaffrabad Metro station.

The area around the metro station had become the site of an all-women sit-in protest, similar to Shaheen Bagh, as part of the anti-CAA movement.

The Delhi Police claims that the protests in Jaffrabad were instrumental in causing communal unrest in the city.

Attending court proceedings is straining the families finances

Jaffrabad is a densely populated neighbourhood of Muslim migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. They work in garment manufacturing units, bakeries, and other small Muslim-owned businesses. Jaffrabads roads are lined with potted manholes, the houses are small, and the neighborhood is bordered by a big naala (drain), a distinctive feature of Muslim ghettos in Delhi.

Nilofers father drives a chota haathi (a transport tempo) and is the only breadwinner of the family. She has six sisters and has studied till Class XII.

Tabassum has done a BA from Delhi University. Her husband works as a salesman and earns around Rs 25,000 a month.

Imran Fatima, who is in her early 40s, has studied till Class X. Her father is the sole earning member of the family. He works in a garment factory.

Attending court proceedings is straining the low-income families finances. Nilofer commutes to the court by metro or auto, which costs her about Rs 200-300. Aside from that, she has paid close to Rs 16,000 for various legal expenditures to her previous lawyer. Nilofers grandmother too has been booked in connection with the protests. She is 92 years old. She, too, must attend court hearings, Nilofer explained.

Tabassum has been commuting to the court from Jahangirpuri, her in-laws home, since her marriage. She first takes an auto to Seelampur, which costs around Rs 150, and from there she picks up her mother, who is also charged in connection with the protests, and then goes to court. She spends close to Rs 500 on each court hearing.

Nilofer, like Tabassum, skipped two court dates last year to visit her sister in Mumbai and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Never heard about chargesheet before the case

During a court appearance in early March, Nilofer, who also goes by her first name only, received a phone call in the otherwise silent courtroom. Nilofer began talking to her friend who had called her without a care in the world. The judge ordered the bailiff to take away her phone. They wasted my three hours, she complained. Around 5 pm, Nilofer received her phone back.

Imran Fatima had never heard the term chargesheet before she was summoned to appear in court in October 2020. It took me a long time to understand the charges against me and other legal issues, she said.

Tabassum needed more than a week to read the chargesheet in her case. More educated of the three, she helped her friends make sense of the charges listed against them.

Baji (Tabassum) used to highlight important information in the chargesheet and send it to me, Nilofer explained.

Family and neighbors concerned about marriage prospects

Nilofer said her parents have been supportive of her throughout the court proceedings. My parents always told me that we did nothing wrong and that I shouldnt be afraid, she said. But her neighbours have treated her differently. Some have begun to distance themselves from her, while women in the mohalla are concerned about her marriage prospects.

Before her marriage, Tabassum had to deal with similar issues. We tried to keep information about the case private. We didnt tell anyone in the neighborhood, she explained.

Nilofer and Fatima believe their cases will drag on for long, at least the next 5-6 years.

When asked if she has faith in the system, Tabassum replied, I have faith in Allah.

Arbab Ali is a fellow at TCN-SEED mentorship programme.
A pop musical that shows us how to treat ourselves better

The Monster in the Mirror musical is coming to the Gateway Theatre from 12th to 27th May. Tickets are from S$10 to $35, and can be purchased from Sistic.

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 2 May 2023 - "Can someone tell me how to be? Can I be someone who isn't me?" As's original song Pale Blue Horizon goes, these questions are still of paramount importance to youths today as they struggle to find a space and identity for themselves. Gateway Arts' much-anticipated live staging ofthis May takes on these questions as a hilarious and heart-warming musical, which unravels the psychological journey of a teenage girl through the trials and tribulations of growing up in the modern world. Adapted from Gateway Arts' highly successful 2021 musical digital production, it was previously seen by an audience of over 11,500 and received rave reviews from audiences and fellow artists alike.The musical follows the journey of Jane, an average schoolgirl navigating the stressful world of teenage politics and social media drama. Jane is bullied in school, constantly nagged at home, and tormented by the self-critical voice in her head until she receives a magic mirror from a flamboyant Fairy God Delivery Beng. This mirror brings to life the monster that has been living in her head; the voice that has been turning her world upside down with self-doubt. Through her journey, Jane learns to forgive and love herself, while finding a confident voice amidst the challenges of growing up in today's world.Developed based on research, interviews, and talks with teenagers, parents and mental health professionals, the show aims to represent the inner struggles that are relatable to most youths. The production is created by, developed under theCollective-In-Residence Programme 2020-2021.Opening at the Gateway Theatre from 12 to 27 May 2023, the theatrical production is headlined bystar Noah Yap as the story's iconic Fairy God Delivery Beng. In his theatrical starring role, the popular "beng" infuses his signature wit and humour into his character while adding charm and glitter. He stars alongside a talented cast featuring Sharon Sum, and Zulfiqar Izzudin, creating a visual spectacle with toe-tapping original tunes, dazzling dance numbers and theatrically magical moments that will leave audiences entertained and moved."Having worked with youths, I see many struggles with self-acceptance. Many amplify the flaws in their minds, putting up masks and facades to hide their fears instead of embracing themselves as who they are," recounts Priscilla Khong-Espinosa, Executive Director of Gateway Arts. "Regardless of age, we are our harshest critics. More so in a digital era where we compare ourselves to unrealistic images on social media of what we believe we should look or be like. I hope that the show and post-show segments can spark discussion and self-reflection amongst audiences."Terrance Tan, writer and director ofexpresses his excitement for moving the production from film to stage, "The stage is a very different medium from film. With film, I had to present a certain naturalism. But with the stage, there is more room to play with the surreal and heightened dramatics of the show. Jane is someone who doodles and draws a lot, so we wondered: what if her sketches come to life and we see her life through them? That is the biggest change from the film and I'm very excited for audiences to discover all sorts of surprises from that.""This musical has been created by youth for youth. The story and characters are from their world and recognisable to their peers. Many in the team have experienced their own mental health challenges and hope to let others know that they are not alone," remarks Juliet Chia, Producer of The Monster in the Mirror.Award-winning creatives Alberta Wileo, Petrina Dawn Tan and Loo An Ni are also elevating the live production of The Monster in the Mirror with their magical touch, promising to deliver a performance that is both visually and theatrically entertaining. Set Designer Petrina, Costume Designer An Ni, and Lighting Designer Alberta have all bagged honours in their respective categories at the "Life! Theatre Awards", with Petrina and An Ni clinching the award in 2020 and Alberta having won in 2022.In collaboration with TOUCH Mental Wellness (a service of TOUCH Community Services), the musical tackles important mental health issues and self-love, providing a timely tale that empowers youth and encourages them to seek support. It sheds light on the expectations placed on today's youth, reducing the stigma and shame surrounding mental health issues and identifying the dangers of social media.Ms Andrea Chan, Assistant Director of TOUCH Mental Wellness, acknowledges that the struggles depicted in the musical will resonate with some youths in society. "We aspire for youths to have good mental wellness, allowing them to cope well with stress, be productive at school, and realise their full potential. The Arts is an avenue where these topics can be fleshed out and create much-needed discussion. We are excited to collaborate with Gateway Arts on this production to create meaningful and insightful conversations on this topic," says Andrea.The production will also offer a relaxed performance on Sat, 20 May, 2:30pm, which will be suitable for everyone, including individuals who have special needs or who generally find typical theatregoing "rules" stressful. During this performance, the atmosphere will be more casual. There is an open attitude towards noise or movements in the audience, and people may leave the auditorium if they feel uncomfortable and re-enter anytime they are ready. For anyone concerned about potential sensory triggers, a pre-performance guide will be available with short descriptions of what to expect during the show. This will help people understand in advance what might happen and reduce the stress of going to an unfamiliar environment."It's a fine balance between keeping the integrity of the play and making it as accessible as possible," says Daniel Wong, sound designer of. "A relaxed performance is only possible when every part of the team is aligned in its goal of making the musical accessible. So I'm very glad to be part of this team and we can't wait to showcase this performance."will premiere at the Gateway Theatre (Main Theatre) on 12 May 2023. Tickets are priced from $10 to $65 (exclude booking fee), sold through SISTIC and ticketing hotline: (65) 6348 5555, as well as authorised agents.For more information, visit Gateway Arts website at https://gatewayarts.sg/ Hashtag: #TheMonsterInTheMirror #GatewayArts #Sistic #youth #Teens #Selflove #mentalhealth #TOUCHMentalWellness

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Renowned Chinese Contemporary Artist Stages First Open-To-Public Exhibition At ION Art Featuring Digital Art, NFTs & Official Santu Web3 Club

Santus Multiverse will be held from the 3rd to 12th of May 2023 at ION Art, Level 4, ION Orchard

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 2 May 2023 - For the first time in Singapore, contemporary artist Santu Song, one of China's most celebrated artistic personalities of our generation, presents her digital artworks, NFTs and her official Santu Web3 Club, in an immersive exhibition at ION Art, entitlesIn theart exhibition, the artist juxtaposes nature, spirituality, and humanity with technology, presenting her bright, cheery creations in a different light, propagating the flourishing of human existence and experiences through her contemporary artworks that are inherently numinous and profoundly rooted in shamanism and otherworldly mysteries of the Universe, evident in her artworks in the form of their totem-like configurations, colours and the liberal use of symbols like 'eyes', which reflects the viewers' souls, and gigantic 'blossoms' that represent feminine beauty, strength and unity, while revealing the might of Mother Nature in a digitised world.Her creations, though cheerfully presented, call into question the significance of digitisation in human flourishing, which is the purest of all human endeavours, and the purpose of a well-lived life, our place in the larger scheme of things.Best known for her large floral art installations throughout China, the contemporary artist propagates the flourishing of human existence and experiences through her contemporary artworks that are inherently numinous and profoundly rooted in shamanism and otherworldly mysteries of the Universe, evident in her artworks in the form of their totem-like configurations, colours and the liberal use of symbols like 'eyes', which reflects the viewers' souls, and gigantic 'blossoms' that represent feminine beauty, strength and unity, and revealing the might of Mother Nature.Santu has often been likened by the Chinese media to Pablo Picasso, who happens to be one of Santu's favourite artists, and was hailed as the "Female Picasso of the New Era". She often draws on inspiration from a particular quote by the Father of Cubism  "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls"  and believes that it is in the Arts that humanity confides, to express lament, faith, and hope, especially in perilous times of war and uncertainties.Born and raised in Shanghai, Santu was accepted by the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London at the tender age of 15. She continued her education in the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where she pursued a Master's degree in Filmmaking.Over the years, she has exhibited her artworks in several international art shows, including Art Basel and SCOPE International Contemporary Art Show in Miami, and in several private shows in London, and she was commissioned by corporations and luxury brands, such as K11 Art Mall in Beijing, Shanghai W Hotel, Montblanc and Cadillac to create large, installation artworks for public spaces and events.Her well-loved works have been hailed as 'neoteric' and her message 'progressive' and 'visionary' by many, and she now hopes to bring her art and vision to an even wider audience in Europe, America and the rest of Asia, through collaborations, exclusive showcases, and commission works by internationally renowned brands such as Dolce & Gabbana.The Santu Web3 Club is powered by, a groundbreaking platform that merges gamification, rewards, and community ownership with the power of web 3 technology, specially crafted to enable communities and businesses to unlock their full potential and establish enduring relationships with their members. Powered by AI, DAO and gamification tools that leverage web 3 technology for an unparalleled experience,is poised to revolutionise the brand community and amplify customer loyalty.Santu Song invites you to delve into her arcane world that is filled with a myriad of otherworldly sensory and existential perceptions, and emblematic denotations  while humankind attempts to coalesce, and perhaps even reconcile, beliefs with futuristic technologywill be held from 3to 12of May 2023 at ION Art, Level 4, ION Orchard, No 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801, and is open to public daily. Visitors towill receive an original NFT by the artist.Please check thefor timings as the exhibition may be closed for private events.Hashtag: #santusong #Art #ArtExhibition #SantusMultiverse #IONArt

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HA NOI  The upcoming visit by Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, the first by a Luxembourg PM to Viet Nam in over 20 years, is expected to make the friendship and partnership between the two countries deeper and more substantive.

The visit, spanning from May 3-5, will open a series of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the Viet Nam-Luxembourg diplomatic relations (1973-2023).

Viet Nam and Luxembourg have shared a sound partnership over the past half a century, with regular exchanges of high-level delegations.

Most recently, in December 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made a fruitful official visit to Luxembourg, bringing the bilateral partnership to a new development period in a comprehensive, practical and effective manner. During the visit, leaders of the two sides agreed to set up a strategic partnership in green finance at an early date. Luxembourg agreed to support the development of a new financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City and strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam in trade, investment, education-training, science-technology, and stock market.

They also concurred to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high level in 2023, while jointly organising activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The sound bilateral political relationship has motivated the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. As of March 2023, Luxembourg had invested in 64 projects worth US$2.6 billion in Viet Nam, ranking third among 24 EU countries and 17th out of 139 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. The projects are mostly in the fields of communications, construction and real estate in Ha Noi, HCM City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Two-way trade has increased through years from $96 million in 2019 to $110.7 million in 2020, and $181.6 million in 2021 after the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement took effect. Last year, the figure hit $187.1 million, up 69 per cent over 2020, with Viet Nam's exports worth $130.14 million.

On the occasion of PM Chinh's official visit to Luxembourg last year, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in promoting, strengthening and developing trade relations and business dialogue between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

In the field of development cooperation, after officially providing aid to Viet Nam in 1993, Luxembourg has committed to continuing development aid to Viet Nam and became an official member of the Vietnam Consultative Group since 1998.

Viet Nam and Luxembourg signed three cooperation programmes for the 2002-2005, 2006-2010, and 2011-2015 periods, worth 35 million EUR, 50 million EUR, and 42 million EUR, respectively, focusing on Viet Nam's demands and development goals for particular periods. Luxembourg decided not to sign such programmes from 2015 onwards, as Viet Nam became a middle-income country. However, experts from Lux-Dev, the aid and development agency of the government of Luxembourg, have continued to assist Viet Nam in finalising Luxembourg-funded projects.

The mechanism of Viet Nam - Luxembourg Partnership Committee also ended in 2017 following Viet Nam's middle-income status. Its last meeting was held in January 2017 in Ha Noi.

Finance, green finance and banking have been the key pillars in the partnership between the two countries.

In 2000, authorised by the PM, the leader of the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) signed a Protocol with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, under which the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in the banking and finance sectors, especially in financial technology training and transfer.

Thanks to the protocol, hundreds of training courses have been held for officials from the SBV as well as management officials from commercial and State-owned banks of Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, the partnership among Vietnamese commercial banks and Luxembourg partners is positive. By the end of 2022, Vietnamese commercial banks had established more than 20 correspondent banking relationships with Luxembourg commercial banks with a total revenue of payment and money transfer through this system reaching nearly 800 million USD. Through this correspondent banking system, Vietnamese organisations have supported payment and money transfer activities of the two countries' investors and businesses.

Regarding securities cooperation, within the framework of the Viet Nam - Luxembourg oriented cooperation programme for the 2006 - 2010 period, the Government of Luxembourg supported the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance's State Securities Commission through a project to develop the capital market in Viet Nam, which was the first bilateral development cooperation project between Viet Nam and Luxembourg.

Following the success of the project, the Government of Luxembourg continued to support Viet Nam in the financial and securities sector through another project to strengthen the capacity in the financial sector. The objective of the project is to assist the development of Viet Nam's stock market in accordance with the Securities Market Development Strategy for the 2011 - 2020 period.

Currently, the two sides are implementing an cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, which was signed in December 2022 on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit.

The two countries are also working together towards the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership in green finance, aiming for sustainable and inclusive development, and implementing circular economy towards green growth.

Besides, both sides have agreed to expand their collaboration in other fields such as climate change response, environment, culture, and education and training.

At the same time, Viet Nam and Luxembourg have maintained meetings and contacts at multilateral forums such as ASEM and within the framework of ASEAN-EU relations and the United Nations. Both countries are members of the UN Human Rights Council.

Following the success of PM Chinh's visit last year, the official visit by PM Xavier Bettel is expected to provide a chance for both sides to reaffirm the shared determination to bring their ties to a new height. VNS
GENEVA - A delegation from the Supreme People's Court led by its Chief Justice Nguyen Hoa Binh made a working visit to Switzerland from April 26 to May 1 to exchange judicial experience with the European country.

Receiving the delegation at the headquarters of the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, Chief Justice Donzallaz Yves briefed his guests on the Swiss court system, including the role of the Federal Supreme Court, and shared experience in the operation of the court.

For his part, Binh introduced achievements in judicial reform that Viet Nam has recorded over the years.

At a meeting with Deputy Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Sylvie Forbin, Binh asked for the organisation's support in training as well as sharing of data and information, especially experience of courts in settling cases related to intellectual property, Internet, and artificial intelligence (AI). This is a global problem that Viet Nam is facing amid the booming of information technology and AI, he held.

Forbin affirmed WIPOs willingness to cooperate with and support Viet Nam in strengthening the capacity of judges as well as the court system in the field of intellectual property.

WIPO has already worked closely with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Viet Nam to help perfect the legal system, internalise international commitments, and create a legal corridor for activities of courts, she said.

The Vietnamese delegation also held working sessions with leaders of state courts in Geneva and Lausanna to learn about their experience in handling criminal, civil, administrative and public cases.

They also met with Andreas Keller, former criminal judge at the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, who shared information about the Swiss judicial system and experience in solving criminal cases.

Within the framework of the visit, Binh delivered a speech at a ceremony to mark the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and met with staff of the Vietnamese permanent mission to Geneva and the Vietnamese Embassy in Berne.  VNS
HCM CITY  For years, numerous foreign couples have travelled to Viet Nam not for leisurely purposes but rather for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures, as Vietnamese doctors have surpassed their foreign counterparts in performing several medical techniques, including IVF.

Professor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, who oversaw the first three IVF cases in Viet Nam during her tenure as director of the Tu Du Hospital, made this assertion during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the first IVF births in Vietnam. The event was held last week in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nearly 25 years ago, at the Tu Du Hospital in HCM City, the first three IVF babies in Viet Nam were born healthy, utilising reproductive technology inherited from around the world. The births occurred on April 30, the day of national reunification.

This IVF breakthrough is an important milestone in Viet Nam's medical history.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Phuong said that now many doctors and technicians abroad, not only from Southeast Asia but also in developed countries such as Australia, Germany, France or the US, come to Viet Nam to learn from Vietnamese doctors experience.

Tang Chi Thuong, director of the HCM City Department of Health, sent his deep gratitude to the doctors and medical team who successfully implemented the IVF technique, despite the difficult conditions.

Their success brought great happiness to many families.

Since then, the Tu Du Hospital has been the leading hospital in Viet Nam for the technique.

Professor Phuong, who directly created the miraculous lives of the first three IVF children, said: "At that time, I dreamed that each province would have a centre for reproductive health. Currently, the whole country has 40-50 reproductive supportive centres. That helps people living in provinces receive treatment and they do not have to go to Ha Noi or HCM City.

Tran Ngoc Hai, deputy executive director of the Tu Du Hospital, said that 25 years ago, as a young doctor, he was very proud to be one of the medical workers to the first babies born from the IVF technique.

The joy of the families when the children were born, was always imprinted in his heart.

He was so excited and emotional when meeting those children again in the ceremony.

So far, the Tu Du Hospital has welcomed more than 16,300 IVF babies.

The number of infertility check-ups each year is from 55,000 to 60,000.

The total number of intrauterine insemination (IUI) cases in the last ten years is more than 22,000.

As one of the first three babies born with IVF, Mai Quoc Bao was happy and moved to see the doctors and nurses who performed this technique.

"I want to tell parents who are infertile and struggling on the way to find their children that please rest assured, don't give up even when they have only a small hope," said Bao. "Please believe in the doctors. "

Luu Tuyet Tran, also one of the first three IVF babies, said that she was so proud to be born in such a special way and to be evidence of the milestone of IVF techniques in Viet Nam.  VNS
Mobile technology is the most democratic and inclusive technology ever, with more than 8.5 billion subscriptions on the same standard, giving our industry a truly global scale. Robust digital infrastructure is a prerequisite for a digital society, but with data traffic increasing rapidly  and expected to almost quadruple by 2028 - it is essential to build even more network infrastructure. Rapid build-out of 5G is critical to manage costs and deliver the best customer experience.

Denis Brunetti, President in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, Ericsson

5G leverages new spectrum assets to deliver capacity with a much lower cost-per-gigabyte, while reducing the power consumed per delivered gigabyte. Upgrading legacy 4G sites to 5G could achieve increases of up to 10 times in capacity and also reduce energy consumption by more than 30 per cent.

The convergence of the internet, mobility, cloud, and powerful 5G networks is also driving rapid acceleration in digital transformation. Mobile broadband is the initial 5G use case that enables service providers to offer a differentiated customer experience for both consumer and enterprise users.

FWA is currently the largest 5G use case after mobile broadband. In terms of uptake, around half of Ericssons 5G live networks offer commercial 5G FWA. For example, in the US, the latest growth in broadband subscribers almost exclusively came from FWA, which now boasts some 4 million subscribers.

Mobile cloud gaming is gaining momentum and interest in some markets, while we see private networks moving from trials to starting commercial use of 5G. It will also deliver the capacity and performance needed for indoor and venues as intense demand for data increases. Enterprises are increasingly looking to invest in modernising their legacy systems with new technologies and applications, which will also drive innovations, operational efficiencies, and growth.

In 5G, performance is a premium that consumers and enterprises are willing to pay for. And with advanced features, such as speed, time-bound latency, network slicing, and authentication, new differentiated performance services can be created which require a new monetisation model.

This is where network APIs and a global network platform come into play. Network APIs put the capabilities of the network at the fingertips of the global developer community, who in turn will create new and innovative use cases. For example, authentication without passwords or low-latency performance for superior extended reality experiences.

At Ericsson, with our acquisition of Vonage in 2022, we now have a leading CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) platform with a powerful ecosystem community of over one million application developers, and we want to partner with service providers in Vietnam and other parts of the globe towards building this ecosystem together.

At the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, together with Vodafone, Orange, and Telefonica, we showcased how advanced 5G functionality can easily be made available to developers from Blacknut, Zoom, and Vonage via a quality-of-service API. This was up and running live over all three operators networks during the entire show. This is the start of a paradigm shift that will put network functionality at the centre of digital transformation.

At Ericsson, our investments in technology leadership have allowed us to build a powerful portfolio in mobile networks, which is the foundation of our success. Today, more than 200 5G networks are in commercial service, and Ericsson is leading the market by powering more than 140 networks across five continents.

Ericsson invests approximately $4-5 billion or 17 per cent of its global revenues on research and development (R&D) every year. Recently, Ericsson entered into a five-year partnership with the government of Canada for R&D in the areas of advanced 5G/6G, AI, cloud RAN, and core network technologies.

Our strengthened portfolio and global experiences can accelerate the 5G journey of our customers in Vietnam and support Vietnams digitalisation ambition. A key component of Vietnams development is the digital economy, which will contribute 20 per cent of GDP by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. 5G will provide the critical infrastructure that will drive that digital transformation in Vietnam and enable the country to achieve its Industry 4.0 vision.

Our recent 5G Business Potential study indicated $1.5 billion potential revenues for communications service providers in Vietnam, based on 5G digitalisation across manufacturing, energy and utilities, and agriculture. Ericssons 5G platform is a truly resilient system, with security and privacy built-in from the start.

The growth of the 5G ecosystem will go a long way towards accelerating the 5G and Industry 4.0 adoption by enterprises in Vietnam. Industry, academic, and government collaboration will serve to create innovative use cases that are relevant for Vietnam. And we are committed to driving the success of Industry 4.0 and the 5G ecosystem in Vietnam.

5G to accelerate Vietnams digital transformation Vietnam is yet to commercialise 5G despite detailed preparations and the expectations of the business community. Denis Brunetti, president of Ericsson in Vietnam and Myanmar, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about the crucial factors that will make 5G happen.
The prime minister has assigned the SBV to find solutions to provide credit and decrease lending rates for enterprises involved in the forestry and aquaculture sectors. The SBV has been asked to build the bailout package this month in order to support the relevant firms in a timely manner.

The prime minister requires the Ministry of Finance to propose governance agency solutions on the exemption, reduction, and postponement of the taxes, land and water surface rents, and land use fees that are to be applied in 2023.

Associations and businesses should closely coordinate with ministries to ease the difficulties in terms of VAT refunds and trade lawsuits while ensuring the implementation of product traceability.

He directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to review and amend legal regulations, mechanisms, and policies related to trade, and strictly address violations to prevent them from affecting the reputation of Vietnams forestry-fishery sector.

Mechanisms and policies to develop domestic and export markets have to be perfected, trade promotion activities must be stepped up, and attention needs to be focused on increasing the market shares of exports to major players such as China and South Korea.

The prime ministers requirements were issued in response to the weak export turnover of the forestry and aquatic sectors compared to that seen in 2022.

Notably, the export value of timber and forest products was estimated at $17.1 billion in 2022, exceeding the initial target by 3.8 per cent. The industry was expected to increase to $17.5 billion in 2023.

Meanwhile, the export revenue of aquatic products last year stood at $11 billion, equalling an increase of 23.8 per cent on-year and 22.2 per cent up on the target.

However, in the first three months of this year, the accumulated export and import turnover of agro-forestry-fishery products was estimated at $20.63 billion, down 11.2 per cent on-year.

Agro-exports face increased stress The effects of the prolonged pandemic are seeping into Vietnams food, agriculture, and aquaculture sectors, dampening the prospects for production and exports.

Longevity Sea Grapes: From petroleum engineer to pathway-driven pioneer in aquaculture The right combination of exceptional local products and a strategic global vision has been Longevity Sea Grapes winning formula to rise above the crowd.

Vietnam issues national plan on aquaculture development for 2021-2030 Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has signed a decision to promulgate a national plan on aquaculture development in the 2021  2030 period.
Quang Tri calls for investors in the terminated $2.35 billion thermal power plant. Source: Hung Tho

Quang Tri Peoples Committee is proposing that the government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade keep the $2.35 billion Quang Tri thermal power plant in the latest draft of the Power Development Plan VIII, which will be submitted to the prime minister for approval in May.

The province is waiting for the governments approval to switch from using coal as the source material to a more environmentally friendly fuel, such as gas. This forms the basis for calling for new potential investors in the project.

According to Standing Deputy Chairman of Quang Tri People's Committee Ha Sy Dong, switching the fuel for the project is a solution to avoid waste. The rescuing project will also help to ensure the provinces long-term growth.

To prepare the ground for the project, the province spent almost $11 million building a 50-hectare resettlement area to remove households from the project zone. Thus, removing the project from the plan would cause considerable losses from the provinces budget, Dong said.

In mid-April, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand announced the termination of the Quang Tri thermal power project after over a decade of construction delays.

According to a local media source, if the government approves changing the fuel for the project, the investor will consider continuing to manage the project because using a new fuel other than coal would make it easier to access international loans.

However, Dong said that it has been half a month since the province asked the investors to issue an official document about the cancellation that details what work the province had completed for the project. The investor has yet to reply.

AES receives Investment Policy Decision for 2.2 GW Son My 2 CCGT plant in Vietnam On February 5, US energy major AES received the investment policy for Son My II combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) project from Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien at a conference on investment and development in the north-central and central coastal regions in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province.

Ha Tinh to change land purpose for $2.2 billion thermal power plant Ha Tinh Peoples Committee is proposing to switch the agricultural land fund to the non-agricultural land fund to serve the development of the Vung Ang II thermal power plant.

$2.35 billion Quang Tri thermal power project terminated The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has officially announced the termination of the VND55 trillion ($2.35 billion) Quang Tri thermal power project after construction was delayed for over a decade.
FARMVILLE, Va. (AP)  Two men escaped from a jail in Virginia over the weekend, including one charged in the killing of a North Carolina sheriffs deputy last year.

Alder Marin-Sotelo, 26, escaped from Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia around 1 a.m. on Sunday, FBI officials said Monday. He is charged in the August 2022 murder of a sheriffs deputy in North Carolina.

He left the jail in a red or burgundy Ford Mustang, the FBI said, and was gone for more than 24 hours before guards noticed he was missing, jail officials confirmed. The other escapee, Bruce Callahan, 44, had been held at the jail on drug charges, the sheriffs office said. Authorities have not said whether the two escapes are related.

Jerry Townsend, superintendent of the Piedmont Regional Jail, told WRAL-TV that jail staff noticed the two men were missing around 3 a.m. Monday, some 26 hours after Marin-Sotelo escaped.

Marin-Sotelo is charged in the killing of Wake County Sheriff's Deputy Ned Byrd, who was shot while on duty after he stopped along a dark stretch of road late at night. He was found dead outside his vehicle with his police dog still inside. Marin-Sotelo's brother, Arturo Marin-Sotelo, is also charged in Byrd's killing.

The escapee investigation was turned over to the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service since the men were federal detainees with no affiliations to the area or local charges, the sheriffs office said. The FBI said in a news release that digital billboard images of Marin-Sotelo have been put up across Virginia and North Carolina.
A 2017 capital murder case involving the shooting of a woman and her infant daughter has been assigned to a Dallas County prosecutor due to a conflict of interest involving the McLennan County district attorney, officials said.

Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Scott Wells will prosecute the case of Christopher Paul Weiss, 31, of Temple, who is charged with the fatal shooting of Valarie Martinez, 24; and her 1-year-old daughter, Azariah; at Tradinghouse Lake on Nov. 5, 2017. The next court date is set for May 11.

McLennan District Attorney Josh Tetens recused himself and his office from the case in January, noting that Executive Assistant District Attorney Michel Simer, Tetens former law partner, had handled the Weiss divorce before Tetens election. Tetens has since searched for prosecutors from surrounding counties and even asked the Texas Office of the Attorney General for help.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara told the Tribune-Herald in November 2017 that Martinezs body was found outside her car near the Tradinghouse Lake shoreline. The slain infant was found in her car, still buckled into her car seat.

McNamara said his office believed that the baby came from a relationship Weiss and Martinez had outside his marriage. Weiss remains in McLennan County Jail on a $1 million bond.
Professor Robert Darden is retiring from Baylor University this month after a long and successful career as an author, award-winning educator and Black gospel expert.

Darden is also leaving to Baylor a lasting legacy: the Black Gospel Music Preservation Project, the most complete and publicly accessible collection of its kind, housed at Moody Memorial Library.

Darden said the scope of that project, housed at Moody Library, has exceeded all his dreams.

Ive been uncommonly blessed from Day One, he said. Id like to tell you I had any idea and plan for this. All I can say is God works with wounded vessels too and I try not to get in the way that God clearly wanted this to happen, despite my mistakes.

The collection holds thousands of digitized and archived vinyl records and provides music for the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History & Culture. The project was born out of Dardens lifelong love for gospel music and his mission to save it for future generations.

Darden said he grew up in an integrated Air Force, where his interest in music was shaped and many of his friends and neighbors were African American. Dardens parents had traditional music tastes but he remembers running around the house of his friend, Brian Wertz, whose mom sang along to old-school gospel music playing loudly from her turntable.

In 1960, when Darden was 6, his dad got a raise and bought a hi-fi turntable, with enough money left over to buy three albums: two traditional movie themes and strings records, and one Mahalia Jackson Christmas album.

According to my parents  once they let me touch the turntable, which may not have been right away, I played that album over and over, Darden said.

He said he grew up influenced by Marvel Comics rather than any particular author, and he came to Baylor as a student in pursuit of art and journalism. After seeing a freshman art exhibit and being discouraged by the talent, Darden dropped his art major.

However, he said once he finishes his 25th book this year, Soon and Very Soon: The Transformative Music and Ministry of Andrae Crouch, he would like to chase his comic book dream again.

I want to do the kind of writing that got me into this years ago, Stan Lee and Marvel Comics, big narrative stories, multi books that I can spin a yarn over multi years  thats where Id like to take this, he said.

At Baylor, Darden was a music writer on the Lariat staff and was taught by David McHam, Harry Marsh and Mike Stricklin, who he said not only taught him their ways of storytelling and interviewing, but also embodied the living Christ.

They were what I wanted to be: people who were passionate, who loved students, who were great at what they did, he said.

Darden went to the University of North Texas for his masters and was hired out of college by the Tribune-Herald, where he worked for nine years.

At the newspaper he wrote many stories about Waco-based Word Records and built up his music portfolio. He also wrote for other publications and dug deeper into the industry.

Eventually he tried his hand at a freelance position with Billboard Magazine covering gospel music.

In 1984 when Billboard said they wanted a weekly column of gospel music and invited people to apply, people from New York and L.A. and Nashville applied, he said. But what I found out later was all they sent in were clips on artist interviews.  I got the job out of Waco.

Darden said he worked for the paper during the day and did freelance articles at night, as magazine articles were one step up working toward his goal of long-form and book writing.

After a fellowship in England cost him his newspaper job, Darden decided to start freelancing full-time, writing columns for Billboard from 1984 to 1998, writing his own books, acting as a Baylor adjunct professor and serving as senior editor of The Wittenburg Door, a religious humor and satire magazine that carried his articles from 1988 to 2008.

In 1999 Darden became a full-time tenured professor in the professional writing program, and then moved to the journalism department, where he has been ever since. He said the transition gave him the opportunity to write books he had been dying to write without the monetary pressure of freelance work.

His agent, Jeff Harmon, knew a publisher who was looking for a book on the history of gospel music, and born was his book People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music.

Until People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music came out, there had never been an A-to-Z history of the genre, which was great for me professionally because thats how I got tenure, he said. But three or four years into it I began to see why nobody could ever try  because its so big and what you leave out hurts a whole lot more than what you put in.

But by the end of his writing Darden said he was frustrated rather than elated because much of the music he was writing about he had no way to hear. The music he was chronicling wasnt publicly archived and couldnt be readily found on any listening platform.

Darden submitted a column to the New York Times on the lack of preservation  submitted alongside 800 other unsolicited articles that week  and saw it published on Valentines Day 2005 next to headlines of Kanye Wests Grammy Awards performance of Jesus Walks.

It was that if we let this foundation of music, of all American popular music, disappear, and 75% of it at the time was not available, then future generations were going to judge us pretty harshly, Darden said in an interview this week.

The story caught the attention of Connecticut investor Charles Royce, who offered to pay for the preservation of the music if Darden could figure out how to save it. Darden said he immediately went to Darryl Stuhr, director for digitization and digital preservation services at Baylors library system.

Librarians are great, he said. If youve worked with them you know the bigger the problem, the more excited they are because they always say, Can do.

Stuhr said his team worked for months to create a project proposal that would give the project the respect it deserved, but it wouldnt be cheap. It would require a skilled audio engineer and a metadata librarian.

Darden submitted the proposal and Royce sent a check overnight for $350,000. Since then the collection has expanded rapidly, taking vinyl donations from the attic of grandmothers or paying to borrow copies from private collectors, such as Bob Marovich, a Chicago author who has sent 50 albums a week to Baylor to be digitized for more than a decade.

The project got moving in 2008, Stuhr said, eventually finding its new accessible home in the basement of Moody Memorial Library. Stuhr his partnership with Darden over the past decade has been wonderful, with the professor bringing his gospel music expertise and the digitization center supporting it through its technical work.

Baylors collection of Black gospel music quickly became the largest available collection in the world and now provides music for the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington D.C.

Darden credited the projects to success to several contributors, including Baylor alumna Ella Prichard, who has made contributions to the program over the last 15 years; and a succession of supportive library deans, including Pattie Orr, John Wilson and Jeffry Archer, who have embraced it and wanted it to be more than just a museum, but an archive, a working place.

Archer said the scope of the Black gospel music project was one thing that attracted him to Baylor, where he started in 2020. He said Baylors ability to treat the project holistically and Dardens connectedness with the community set the schools collection apart from others.

I see that this is really an outpouring of Professor Dardens lifes work, Archer said.

I just really appreciate the legacy of Bobs vision for this and his work to make it happen, Archer said.

Because of his work we have a resource thats really an archive unlike many others.

Darden also thanked his wife, Mary Landon Darden, who he said has selflessly and eagerly accompanied him on all his journeys.

He said he will continue to be involved with the preservation program as long as he can and will sit on a hiring committee for an endowed chair of Black worship who will oversee the program.

The candidates we have all share the same passion that I have for the music, he said. Theyre all African American  because weve branched out into Black preaching, not just from the Civil Rights Movement but the wonderful array of Black preachers that are there now.
Those casting their ballots in early voting in McLennan County over the past week have gotten the first peek at new voting machines meant to combine security and speed, paper ballots and electronic counting.

So far, so good, say county elections officials.

We havent heard a single complaint, which is kind of unusual, McLennan County Elections Administrator Jared Goldsmith said Monday as he prepared for early voting to wrap up Tuesday.

Saturday is Election Day for local city and school district races, including those for Waco, Hewitt, Bellmead and Woodway as well as Waco Independent School District.

McLennan County spent $1.2 million on new Verity Voting System equipment provided by Austin-based Hart InterCivic. The system requires voters to fill out a paper ballot, then insert it into a machine to be scanned.

The company demonstrated the voting machines to the county elections office, county commissioners and Republican and Democratic party officials.

But early voting for the upcoming city and school board elections were their first official action.

We sent out three main devices to each voting site: one to print the ballot, one to scan the ballot, and one device compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, said Goldsmith.

The county operated four polling places for early voting. The election Saturday will feature 21 vote centers across the county.

Were sending out 10 privacy booths per site because they are so easy to install, Goldsmith said. Some locations may not need that many, but we will send them all they can use.

In past elections, we typically would send four eSlates to each polling place involved in city and school elections.

Goldsmith said having more privacy booths may hasten voting and counting, but his goal remains having results in a timely fashion.

McLennan County Republican Party Chairman Dr. Brad Holland said so far he has not reviewed official early voting numbers. He said producing high voter turnout for city and school elections typically presents a challenge.

Holland said hes hearing good things about the new voting system.

Its working well, with no problems that Ive heard of, said Holland. I might be made aware more directly if these were partisan races ... but things are going well. There is a heightened expectation to not have delays. Weve talked with the election staff, made them aware we need to release results as quickly as we get them, to keep the public informed.

We dont want results piling up until 11 p.m., Holland said.

By the end of Monday 2,044 people had cast early votes in local races.

In 2021, when the county last held an election involving only cities and school districts, 2,478 cast early votes, accounting for more than 42% of the total 5,835 votes.

Goldsmith estimated just under 6,000 people would vote this year.

McLennan County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hays could not be reached for comment on Monday.
CEDAR FALLS  A marketing firm with ties to the Cedar Valley is expanding into the Twin Cities in an effort to strengthen its work in fundraising.

Amperage Marketing & Fundraising closed on the acquisition of Minneapolis-based fundraising firm Hansen Henley Yoder & Lamb last month, after learning that Hansens partners were looking for an exit strategy.

Amperage, with an office in Cedar Falls, had no staff and few clients in Minnesota, and felt its business could help Hansen better serve its pool of a couple hundred clients. Those clients are in industries ranging from arts, education and social services to bigger name nonprofits like the Great Lakes Aquarium, Northside Achievement Zone, Ronald McDonald House and University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Amperage has a little more than 40 employees and its primary presence had been in the upper Midwest, specifically Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and South Dakota.

The center of our work is always the people who are served by the nonprofits we serve. That will not change and theyll ultimately be better served because of what Amperage brings to the table, said Tim Torgerson, former president of HHYL and now senior fundraising adviser for Amperage.

He, along with partner and CEO Brighid Hansen, had been looking to retire or transition into a reduced role when the opportunity to be purchased presented itself.

Torgerson had known Amperage President & Chief Executive Officer Bryan Earnest from previous work. When they reconnected last year, Earnest said the acquisition felt right because of Hansens great reputation in the Minneapolis area and long-standing expertise in the industry.

Amperage will help Hansen fulfill its active contracts before it eventually absorbs the Minneapolis company and its portfolio of clients.

Theres a lot of things we do at Amperage that Hansen didnt have as a smaller consulting firm that did fundraising advising, said Earnest. They had deep knowledge and expertise, but not necessarily the expanded services around marketing, video production, campaign material development, brand, social media, and public relations. Those are all things that were able to bring to those clients that are in that Minneapolis area.

Torgerson, too, pointed out the parallel needs served by the two companies when working with clients in the middle of a fundraising campaign or on the precipice of embarking on one.

It becomes very helpful to them to have access to more resources, he said. Hansen Henley has raised millions and millions of dollars over the years for nonprofits but we didnt have that same capability as Amperage.

In addition to the new Minnesota client base, Earnest also notes that Hansens team will benefit his companys current clients in the Cedar Valley and throughout Iowa. Further expertise will be ascertained in donor evaluation and grant identification, to name a few of the areas already seeing improvement.

Talent acquisition is another area where his company will benefit, Earnest pointed out. By moving into the new market, he says there will be another pool of potential candidates for future job openings at Amperage.

Since its founding in 1996, Amperage has completed three other acquisitions or mergers.

An acquisition like this, I think, is also evidence of our commitment to continuing to grow Amperage. We have been a strong company for more than 26 years, working with great clients in great communities across the Midwest, and we continue to look for opportunities to grow and evolve and elevate our business, said Earnest.

Hansen technically has zero employees. Its core team is four independent contractors who lean on a network of advisors and consultants.

Photos: Waterloo vs. Lincoln, USHL Playoffs WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 1 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 2 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 3 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 4 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 5 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 6 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 7 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 8 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 9 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 10 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 11 WAT HKY vs. Lincoln 12
WATERLOO  A district court judge has again upheld the conviction of a Waterloo man who allegedly shot and killed the person who had been acquitted of killing his brother.

Judge Linda Fangman on Monday issued a ruling that affirmed the jurys verdict finding Raymond Birden Jr., 24, guilty of first-degree murder in the 2018 death of Shavondes Martin met a credibility-of-the-evidence standard.

The weight of the credible evidence supports the verdict, Fangman said during the brief hearing in Black Hawk County District Court on Monday.

The conviction had been appealed because an earlier ruling didnt mention the standard and the Iowa Court of Appeals sent the case back to district court on the issue in a February 2023 decision.

Fangman went on to comment that she found parts of codefendant Danaesha Martins testimony credible  statements about setting up Shavondes Martin and her connections to Birden  and other parts less than credible  statements where she attempted to distance herself from the slaying.

The judge also noted that testimony from other witnesses, as well and other evidence, corroborated parts of Danaesha Martins account.

Birden was present in the courtroom for Mondays hearing. Before the ruling he argued for a postponement to replace his court-appointed attorneys  who had represented him at trial  with a privately appointed attorney.

This is the first time Ive seen them and talked with them in three years. I dont feel comfortable, with my life at stake, for this motion, Birden said. I dont feel comfortable moving forward.

Fangman ruled that the private attorney hadnt filed an appearance in the case.

Defense attorney Steven Drahozal also argued unsuccessfully to grant Briden a new trial because of Danaesha Martins credibility issue.

Birden will now return to prison to resume serving his life sentence.

Birdens brother, Otavious Brown, was killed in a 2016 drive-by shooting on Logan Avenue. Shavondes Martin was one of three people charged with murder in the case and he was acquitted of all charges at trial.

Authorities allege Birden had been seeking to get revenge since the acquittal and eventually used Martins cousin, Danaesha Martin, to lure him out.

Shavondes Martin, 22, was found dead in an alley behind South Street on May 31, 2018.

Danaesha Martin pleaded to a lesser charge of conspiracy and was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Shavondes Martins mother, 48-year-old Diane Martin, was killed in September 2018 when someone shot at her Ricker Street home. Her death remains unsolved.

PHOTOS: Raymond Birden Jr. trial 2021 042221jr-birden-trial-1 042221jr-birden-trial-5 042221jr-birden-trial-3 042221jr-birden-trial-2 042221jr-birden-trial-6 042321jr-birden-trial-7 042321jr-birden-trial-5 042321jr-birden-trial-3 042321jr-birden-trial-4 042321jr-birden-trial-1 042321jr-birden-trial-2 042621jr-birden-trial-2 042621jr-birden-trial-1 042621jr-birden-trial-4 042621jr-birden-trial-3 042721jr-birden-trial-1 042721jr-birden-trial-2 042821jr-birden-trial-1 042821jr-birden-trial-2 042821jr-birden-trial-3 042821jr-birden-trial-4 042921jr-birden-trial-2 042921jr-birden-trial-1 050421jr-birden-verdict-2 050421jr-birden-verdict-1 050421jr-birden-verdict-3
WAUKON  A Waterloo woman accused of setting fire to her business in downtown Waukon in 2022 will be getting a new attorney.

Mindy Jo Jones, 43, also known as Mindy Riley, is charged with first-degree arson and animal abuse in the blaze that leveled her Tin, Rust and Harmony store and killed a dog living in an upstairs apartment.

She was released on bond, and the court appointed attorney Nathan Moonen of Ossian to represent her through a state public defender contract.

Last month, Moonen asked to be excused from the case because he is already representing the person who owned the dog that died in the fire in another matter, according to court records. Judge Alan Heavens has since appointed attorney Daniel Key to represent Jones. Trial is tentatively set for October.

The fire broke out Feb. 13, 2022, as Jones was facing financial difficulties.

Investigators said two separate fires had been set in the business and her insurance carrier refused to pay on the policy.

Jones and the store took the insurance company, State Farm, to court in February. Last month, attorneys for State Farm filed a response alleging that recovery is barred because of fraud, misrepresentation or intentional acts on Jones part.

It was an illegal act committed by plaintiff Mindy Jones which caused or contributed to the basis for plaintiffs insurance claim with State Farm, and plaintiffs are thus barred from receiving any financial benefit from such illegal act, attorneys for the insurance company wrote in their response.
JESUP  A former Waterloo man who was convicted of sexually abusing a teen in Jesup has died while serving a life sentence in prison.

Clarence Elton Widner, who also lived in Jesup and Manchester, died around 12:30 p.m. Thursday while in hospice at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

He died of natural causes. He was 65 and suffering from a chronic illness, according to corrections officials.

Widner had sex crime convictions from 1985 and 1995 for incidents involving a girls under age 10 in Black Hawk County.

In 2021, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for allegedly repeatedly abusing a 17-year-old boy in 2018 and 2019 and failing to register as a sex offender. He began serving his most recent sentence on Sept. 2, 2021.

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
CEDAR FALLS  A raucous crowd at City Hall on Monday protested Mayor Rob Greens initial decision not to sign a LGBTQIA+ Pride Month proclamation for June, but won him over in the end.

Green still acknowledged his belief based on Christian faith had not changed, that marriage should be between a man and a woman. His view had been noted in a publicly available memo.

But Green told a crowd of about 100 people  the most to attend a City Council meeting in at least two years  his mind had been changed and he would add his name to the proclamation.

The council approved the declaration in a 5-2 vote immediately after the mayors final words about his change of feelings, providing little opportunity for further comments.

Councilmember Susan deBuhr said after the meeting she did not vote, which is considered a vote in the negative. Councilmember Dustin Ganfield dissented.

Its not that youre looking for me to agree; its to support the community, not to believe necessarily in all of the statements, and I think thats something I didnt really appreciate before or didnt really take to heart, Green said.

DeBuhr voiced displeasure with how proclamations are being handled, which she claimed is not for the betterment of the community, and took issue with how the meeting was run. The rest of council later supported her motion to review the proclamation policy at a later date.

Ganfields dissent was based on his Christian faith. Neither of them nor Councilmember Daryl Kruse directly addressed the issue of having an LGBTQIA+ Pride Month during nearly two hours of discussion.

More than 30 people spoke at the podium. They explained how Greens memo impacted their community in negative way. Several asked that Green resign and voiced how ashamed they are that he is mayor of their city.

Speakers included a youngster who got straight to the point, asking Green to step down because of the culture he was promoting with the statement.

Despite applause erupting after the mayors announcement, strong feelings of disappointment remained after the meeting. Many felt like the damage caused by the mayors initial actions had been done and said his signature would not erase the feelings of hatred many thought he implied in his memo.

A similar sentiment was expressed by a couple of elected officials before the vote.

Your words are disgraceful and theyre hurtful to our community, and it is a black eye that I hope can be repaired no matter what the vote is, but the damage has been done, said Councilmember Kelly Dunn, who noted she didnt believe the mayor was a hateful person.

Green had denied his feelings arose out of hate. Others in the chambers also expressed that to be their understanding of the citys top elected official based on previous conversations with him.

The Human Rights Commission had requested the proclamation, albeit through a new process adopted by the council at the recommendation of the mayor in December.

Chairperson Sonja Bock was the first to ask that the proclamation be passed. She criticized the mayor, not directly for his beliefs but for the lack of communication and how he went about issuing the memo. (The Courier had been the first to notify her of the memo.)

She believed city policy had not been followed and worried about the precedent being set. Bock noted Greens personal beliefs affect his public position as mayor (and) can be taken as discriminatory and judgmental.

This is not about Christianity, this is about humanity, she said.

A recurring sentiment expressed at the meeting was that the mayor should represent everyone and demonstrate that all people are important.

This is more than just a proclamation, this is about acceptance, it is about representation, said Alaina Chinowth, a woman whos been with her wife for 10 years. She noted her wedding ring represents marriage like everyone elses. Its about acknowledging that theres a group of people that exist.

There are young people who have taken their own lives, whove been kicked out of their homes because of what the Bible says, she added. A book  a book  that is what parents are dictating their parenting styles on and kicking their children out of their homes and saying they have no place.

Attendees said the mayors beliefs will turn people away from wanting to live in Cedar Falls and in Iowa, inflaming hatred they say is present in laws being passed by the Legislature and leads the LGBTQ community to feel unsafe.

That memo you dropped is from 1960. You should be ashamed, said Michael Stout. That memo threw gasoline on the fire.

Others noted there should be a separation of church and state, while many asked that feelings of love and acceptance be shown toward their neighbors.

One of the things I really like about the United States is were a tapestry and, if you can imagine a tapestry, its woven with all colors, all stripes, all kinds and its beautiful, said Byron Plumly. And so the diversity that we celebrate is marvelous and it gives us keen insight into the richness that we would not have otherwise.

The only solution is love. We have to ask ourselves what is in my heart and will it allow me to love the diversity that were part of? he added.

Even neighbors who said they had a close relationship with Green turned their back on him after feeling like memo changed their perception of him.

This proclamation, I think has changed utterly my sense of safety for my family, of my friends, said Jeremy Schraffenberger, I dont feel safe in our community neighborhood anymore, I dont, because you will be at that picnic. I dont feel safe, and I dont want my children exposed to this kind of thing.

Im ashamed of you, and I think you should resign. I do not think your Christian faith should be on the table with your public duties. If it gets in the way, you do not belong in the mayors office, he added.

Only one person, Forrest Dawkins, spoke publicly in favor of the proclamation being denied and in agreement with the mayor. Green also contended he had an email inbox filled with messages from people who have similar feelings toward the issue as him.

Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the council vote.

Photo: Crash, fire Highway 218, April 28, 2023 042823jr-crash-218-3 042823jr-crash-218-2 042823jr-crash-218-1
WATERLOO  A proposed conversion therapy ban that returned to the City Council on Monday following a long pause in the approval process will be revised.

After a work session and almost an hour of public comments during the council meeting, the second reading of the ordinance failed 6-1. Only Ward 2 Councilmember Jonathan Grieder, who proposed the ban, voted in favor.

An amended ordinance that would still ban conversion therapy in Waterloo and which has Grieders support will be up for debate at the next council meeting May 15.

Conversion therapy attempts to cure a person from being homosexual or gender nonconforming.

Ordinances must pass three readings to be adopted. The council approved the first reading of the original ordinance in February before voting in March to postpone further readings until Monday. Since it was amended Monday, the ordinance again must be approved three times.

The decision to shoot down the original proposed ban came out of the work session.

The first drafted ordinance stated a ban would be enforced through the city attorneys office, which would mail any medical or mental health professional who is allegedly practicing conversion therapy a written notice to immediately cease and desist. If that person doesnt comply, the violation would become a municipal infraction pursuant to city code.

The proposed amendment changes things up a bit.

Grieder said people would make a complaint to the city attorney or the human rights commission. Then the issue would be looked into with a letter sent out if the process goes forward. That would allow the city to report a potential ethical violation to medical licensing bodies.

By issuing an ethical concern on their license, this will still hold folks accountable because licensure is what people need to practice  and it will protect kids, Grieder said.

Some councilmembers brought up the case of legality. The reason for the amendment, Grieder said, is the concern for legality.

In reality, the city is sending a letter  and then the major enforcement is sending it to the licensing body, he said. We are just making sure it gives weight and notice.

Grieder also clarified that the ordinance would only apply to licensed individuals and not infringe on pastoral counseling.

In order to make way for an amended ordinance, the council had to vote down the original ordinance.

Although Mayor Pro Tem Ray Feuss noted the ordinance on Mondays agenda would more than likely be voted down, the council still allowed for public comment.

Some residents who spoke said they believed that the proposed ban is moot because the issue is already covered by licensing boards and that the city has no purview to engage in the issue.

In the work session, Ward 1 Councilmember John Chiles asked Grieder if people can already go and report practices of conversion therapy to the city.

Grieder said the current human rights commission can cover issues of discrimination, just not the specific practice. Human Rights Director Abraham Funchess said currently it could go through a child abuse law and be referred to the Department of Human Services.

There is no way to enforce this, it relies on hearsay and he said, she said kinds of things, resident James Allison said. To pursue such would be a violation of individual civil liberties.  This is either for political posturing, a virtue signaling effort or something far more nefarious.

Although most of the public comments were made by residents against the ordinance, a few people applauded the council for its efforts.

In this state of Iowa, in this climate of hateful legislation, you took the opportunity to do something for our city that gives hope and protection to LGBTQ youth at a time when it has never been needed more, resident Carol Teare said. I thank you for doing something in this city that other cities have tried to do.

Many residents cited the U.S. Constitution and said the ban would be a violation of the First Amendment  notably the possibility of abridging free speech.

Youre going after talk that occurs between practitioner and patient, and when youre censoring speech like that it becomes a First Amendment issue, resident Jacob Tayloe said. Dont make a legal issue for this city and have us go down that road.

While quoting the First Amendment and the right to free speech, many other residents suggested the ordinance would violate the Christian ideals they said the U.S. was founded on. Although the constitutional amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, it states Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.

Ive heard a lot of people cite the Constitution and God tonight, and I just want to point out when they wrote the Constitution, it was specifically written in a way for government bodies to be a democracy and not a theocracy, resident Mike Knapp said. We are a diverse society and our laws in the secular realm need to reflect laws that apply to all people regardless of religions or not their religions.

A Wellsburg resident, Ed Sents, said the U.S. was founded on Christian principles and the ban would be one more attack on those biblical principles and the God who instituted them.

He said that the LGBTQ+ agenda is taught in schools, promoted on TV and on social media, and protected by legislation. He added that they have their own month.

After his comments, Councilmember Nia Wilder, who is gay, said she did not grow up with any LGBTQ+ content but knew she wanted to be with women.

There was nothing putting it in my head that this is what I should be, she said. This is what I felt.

Sents also stated that if the council votes for the ordinance it will take its place among tyrants, citing the likes of Adolf Hitler and Kim Jong Un.

You happily support the chemical, physical, and mental mutilation of our young people because it makes you look cool, woke, and brings in grant money, he said.

Another resident, Al Mannington, said children are prodded along by social media, educators, therapists, and their peers to be transgender.

The proposed ordinance does not pertain to gender reassignment surgery, which is a medical procedure that alters someones physical appearance and sexual characteristics to resemble a persons identified gender.

After public comments, the council provided their comments on the issue. Wilder directed hers at some of the people who were against the ban.

I really want you all to take a look at the hate you try not to spew that you tend to spew, she said. A lot of your comments do not lead with love. You all question (the council), but I question where your heart is.  I respect you all, but you have to be mindful of the disrespect.

Councilmember Dave Boesen still had some questions about the ordinance. At the work session, he asked if there was any proof that conversion therapy was happening in Waterloo.

Grieder responded that Iowa Safe Schools, which helped craft the ordinance, has numbers but cant release them due to HIPAA. The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protects sensitive patient health information from being released without their knowledge or consent.

I havent changed my stance, said Boesen, who has voted against the ordinance every time its appeared. I dont believe its in the purview of the City Council. Were basically referring to governing bodies who would be dealing with it in the first place.

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Jacob Tayloe.

Photos: Postal workers demonstration, April 28, 2023 042823jr-postal-demonstration-5 042823jr-postal-demonstration-4 042823jr-postal-demonstration-3 042823jr-postal-demonstration-2 042823jr-postal-demonstration-1
MEXICO CITY  With Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzman serving a life sentence, his sons steered the family business into fentanyl, establishing a network of labs churning out massive quantities of the cheap, deadly drug that they smuggled into the U.S., prosecutors revealed in a recent indictment.

Although Guzman's trial revolved around cocaine shipments, the case against his sons exposes the inner workings of a cartel undergoing a generational shift as it worked to manufacture the most potent fentanyl and to sell it in the United States at the lowest price, according to the indictment unsealed April 14 in Manhattan.

Synthetic opioids  mostly fentanyl  now kill more Americans every year than died in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined, feeding an argument among some politicians that the cartels should be branded terrorist organizations and prompting once-unthinkable calls for U.S. military intervention across the border.

The problem with fentanyl, as some people at the State Department told me, has to be repositioned. Its not a drug problem; its a poisoning problem, said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico, who died Friday. Very few people go out deliberately looking for fentanyl.

Hope predicted fentanyl would probably become an issue in next year's U.S. elections, but he opposed any threat of U.S. intervention, saying I don't think that would be a very good way of addressing a public health issue.

The groundwork for the U.S. fentanyl epidemic was laid more than 20 years ago, with aggressive over-prescribing of the synthetic opioid oxycodone. As U.S. authorities clamped down on its prescription, users moved to heroin, which the Sinaloa cartel happily supplied.

But making its own fentanyl  far more potent and versatile than heroin  in small, easily concealed labs was a game changer. The cartel went from its first makeshift fentanyl lab to a network of labs concentrated in the northern state of Sinaloa in less than a decade.

These are not super labs, because they give people the illusion that theyre like pharmaceutical labs, you know, very sophisticated, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. These are nothing more than metal tubs and they use wooden paddles  even shovels  to mix the chemicals.

A single cartel cook can press fentanyl into 100,000 counterfeit pills every day to fool Americans into thinking theyre taking Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. The pills are smuggled over the border to supply what son Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar said are streets of junkies, the indictment said.

Fentanyl is so cheap to make that the cartel reaps massive profits even wholesaling the drug at 50 cents per pill, prosecutors said.

The drug's potency makes it particularly dangerous. The narcotic dose of fentanyl is so close to the lethal dose that a pill meant to ensure a high for a habituated user can easily kill a less experienced person taking something they didnt know was fentanyl.

Between August 2021 and August of last year, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, most from synthetic opioids. Last year, the DEA seized more than 57 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills, according to the New York indictment.

To protect and expand that business, the Chapitos, as the sons are known, have turned to grotesque violence, prosecutors said.

Enforcers Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are the lead defendants among 23 associates charged in the New York indictment. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, alias the Mouse, who allegedly pushed the cartel into fentanyl, is charged in another indictment in the same district. Mexico arrested him in January and the U.S. government has requested extradition. Joaquin Guzman Lopez is charged in the Northern District of Illinois

According to the Guzman Salazar indictment, the cartel does some lab testing on its product but conducts more grisly human testing on kidnapped rivals or addicts who are injected until they overdose.

The purity of the cartels fentanyl varies greatly depending on the method and skill of the particular manufacturer, prosecutors noted. After a user overdosed on one batch, it was still shipped to the U.S.

When the elder Guzman and Ismael El Mayo Zambada led the Sinaloa cartel, it operated with a certain degree of restraint. But with Guzman serving a life sentence and Zambada believed to be suffering from health issues, the Chapitos moved aggressively to avoid a power vacuum that could fragment the cartel.

What was really a unique advantage of the Sinaloa cartel and El Chapo was the ability to calibrate violence, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at the Brookings Institute.

The wide-ranging New York indictment against the Guzman Salazar brothers details their penchant for feeding enemies to their pet tigers and describes how they tortured two Mexican federal agents, ripping through one's muscles with a corkscrew then stuffing the holes with chile peppers before shooting him.

The indictment also provides context to some recent violence in Mexico.

In August 2022, gunmen shot up Ciudad Juarez across from El Paso, Texas. Two prison inmates and nine civilians in the city were killed. U.S. prosecutors say the Chapitos security arm ordered their local gang associates to commit the violence, targeting a rival cartels businesses.

This is not their fathers Sinaloa cartel, Felbab-Brown said. These guys just operate in very different mindsets than their father.

Photos: Once-standout DEA agent says war on drugs is 'unwinnable'
WASHINGTON  Growing anger at the FBI from both parties in Congress has become a major hurdle for U.S. intelligence agencies fighting to keep their vast powers to collect foreign communications that often sweep up the phone calls and emails of Americans.

Key lawmakers say they won't vote to renew the programs under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that expire at the end of this year without major changes targeting the FBI. Many blame problems with how the FBI's special agents search for U.S. citizens using Section 702  along with publicly revealed mistakes in other intelligence investigations by the bureau.

Among the revelations since the law was last renewed in 2018: The bureau misled surveillance court judges in seeking to wiretap a 2016 campaign aide for former President Donald Trump, and agents didn't follow guidelines in searching Section 702 databases for the names of a congressman on the House Intelligence Committee, a local political party, and people of Middle Eastern descent.

Two successive chief judges of the primary U.S. surveillance court criticized the bureau in written opinions, with one saying the frequency of mistakes in the bureau's investigation of Russian election interference "calls into question whether information contained in other FBI applications is reliable."

The debate is of great consequence to U.S. intelligence officials, who argue that the law is perhaps their most critical tool to stopping terrorism, enemy spies, and cyberattacks. According to the intelligence community, 59% of the items in the briefing given daily to President Joe Biden last year featured information the National Security Agency captured under Section 702.

And the classified Pentagon documents leaked online in recent weeks make clear how much the U.S. relies on electronic snooping, with dozens of items on allies and foes alike sourced to what's known as "signals intelligence."

"Section 702 has kept American citizens safe and our U.S. service members abroad out of danger," said Rep. Mike Turner, the Ohio Republican who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, in a statement. "However, changes must be made in order to prevent further FBI misuse and abuse of this vital national security tool."

Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, issued a joint statement in March saying the FBI was searching for Americans "at an alarming scale" and calling for an overhaul of the program.

The FBI says it uses foreign communications for its national security investigations and tightly controls how agents access Americans' data. Bureau officials last week released a checklist their agents are supposed to use in conducting searches. They also have overhauled their computer systems and added new mandatory training for agents in December 2021.

Searches likely to bring back 100 or more results must now be cleared first with an FBI attorney, and the deputy director must personally approve what the FBI calls "certain types of sensitive queries," including searches of U.S. public officials.

"Like any major institution, we have made mistakes," FBI Director Chris Wray testified before Congress in March. "To me, the mark of a leading organization is not whether it makes mistakes or not  but whether or not we learn from those mistakes. And I think we have."

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he supported the FBI's changes and wanted them to be included in a renewed surveillance law.

Himes argued some Republican critics were motivated by the investigations against Trump, including the search that the FBI conducted last year of his Florida residence.

"I think anger at the FBI has become an article of faith in the Republican conference," he said in an interview.

Under Section 702, the U.S. collects foreign communications without a warrant  and with the required participation of American telecom companies  to create databases that analysts can search for intelligence purposes. They can target foreigners outside the U.S. for collection.

Agencies cannot target American citizens or foreigners on U.S. soil, or go after a foreigner with the purpose of collecting a U.S. citizen's emails or phone calls.

The FBI disclosed that it conducted as many as 3.4 million searches of Section 702 data for Americans in 2021  a figure that dropped sharply to 204,000 last year, according to an annual report released Friday by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The FBI said it introduced new counting methods for Friday's report that lowered the 2021 and 2022 figures to about 3 million and 110,000, respectively, by removing duplicative searches.

The bureau said it had run only 16 searches between December 2021 and November 2022 to seek evidence of a crime without a foreign intelligence purpose.

But civil liberties advocates have long argued that the program may violate the Fourth Amendment by giving the FBI warrantless access to vast amounts of Americans' communications.

Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's National Security Project, said Section 702 has become "a domestic spying tool for the FBI."

"The rules are extraordinarily permissive in practice, and yet FBI agents still regularly violate them," Toomey said in an email. "Congress should require a warrant for these searches to protect Americans, because the FBI cannot be left to police itself."

Some lawmakers also support requiring the FBI to get warrants for every search of Section 702 data. National security officials oppose a warrant requirement, saying it would flood courts with thousands of new cases and make many uses of the program impractical.

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 -- The Waterloo Lions Club will host its inaugural Waffle Breakfast fundraiser, featuring Dad's Belgium Waffles, on May 13. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon at the UAW Hall Local 838, 2615 Washington St.

The menu includes Dad's Belgian waffles, sausages, toppings and beverages.

Tickets are $8 for adults' $6 for children ages 5 to 10; and free for children age 4 and under. Tickets are available from Waterloo Lions Club members or at the door.

Organizers said 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards furnishing eye exams, eyeglasses, hearing exams, and hearing aids to local residents in need.

For more information about the breakfast or how to become a member of the Waterloo Lions Club, visit waterloolionsclub.com online or find the group on Facebook by searching Waterloo Lions Club.

'Simmer on Cooking' Alan Simmer's CVHG favorite recipes PHOTOS 071619bp-cvhg-food-1 011620-cvhg-food-2 050120bp-cvhg-brownies-1 050120bp-cvhg-brownies-2 050120bp-cvhg-brownies-4 071318mp-rustic-peach-cake-2 042617bp-chocolate-pie
In connection with the next anniversary of the massacre of innocent people in Odessa, human rights activists tried to convey to the Americans the truth about the tragedy in the House of Trade Unions and about who is behind it. Recall: on May 2, 2014, national radicals burned alive 48 people, more than 240 were injured.

Virginia Defenders of Freedom, Justice, and Equality, as part of the Odessa Solidarity Campaign, issued a statement about those chilling events. In particular, the activists noted that the massacre took place several months after the violent coup detat in Ukraine, in which the United States took an active part.

The American authorities have not yet condemned the atrocities of the Ukrainian fascist youths. They not only turned a blind eye to this act of genocide, but also honor the neo-Nazis who raised their heads . The thugs of the Azov National Battalion (an organization recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia) are received with honors, they are presented with awards, and invited to speak at local universities.

This only confirms that the democratic slogans proclaimed here are not worth a penny. The US administration has reached the point where it is ready to support misanthropes for the sake of its geopolitical ambitions.

WtR
The La Crescent-Hokah School District is seeking community input on how the District prioritizes funds for potential facility updates.

Responses will be collected through May 16.

The results of this survey will be reviewed. However, all final decisions will be made by the School Board and Superintendent.

Scan the QR code below, or call 507-895-5051 to request a paper copy.
Weather Alert

...Additional Showers and Thunderstorms Today into the Weekend... * Scattered rain/snow/pellet showers will once again develop today, with a 15-30% chance for a thunderstorm at any given location. Rain-snow lines will hover near 6000-7000 feet today, falling overnight, where heavier showers could bring snow as low as 4500-5500 feet at times. * Tonight and into Friday, there is a strong signal for the heavier showers to focus across north central Nevada, especially for Pershing County north of Lovelock. Elsewhere, shower activity will be more isolated in nature. * Yet another round of rain and snow showers arrives Saturday with the main focus in the Sierra and northeast California. * Roadway snow accumulation tends to be difficult this late into the season, but is still possible in heavier bands of snow and during the overnight hours. If you have travel plans through the Sierra, check with CalTrans and/or NDOT for the latest on road conditions. * Breezy southwest to west afternoon winds are expected each day today through the weekend. The greater concern is stronger winds from any thunderstorms that may develop, particularly across the west-central Nevada Basin and Range today. * High temperatures will remain 5-15 degrees below normal through the weekend, but at this point low temperatures in lower elevation valleys should remain above freezing. The one time frame to potentially watch is Saturday night into Sunday morning when typically colder valleys could fall near the freezing mark, with a 10% chance of dipping below freezing. Hard freezes are anticipated for all mountain valleys.
A Washoe County judge has ordered a private investigator to name the client who hired him to place GPS trackers on cars of Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and former Washoe County Commissioner Chair Vaughn Hartung.

In the ruling, dated May 4, District Judge David Hardy says David McNeely has until May 12th to hand over documents revealing that client.

Earlier this week, defense lawyers argued that the client should remain private.

MAY 1, 2023:

A judge heard oral arguments Monday in the case involving alleged GPS trackers on cars of Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and former Washoe County Commissioner Chair Vaughn Hartung.

In court, lawyers argued whether or not the person who hired the private investigator, David McNeely should remain private.

Justice David Hardy said that he would make a determination within the next week whether McNeely has to reveal his client's identity.

"Your argument that the single relationship between private investigator and client is a trade secret because of the enhanced confidentiality of that."

Judge Hardy also pointed out the irony of it in a hypothetical question by saying that one argument that has "curb appeal" is the fact that Mayor Schieve and past Commissioner Hartung might say that being tracked is a privacy violation.

In December, Mayor Schieve filed a lawsuit against McNelly after saying a mechanic working on her car located a GPS device.

In the legislature, a bill that would keep people from putting tracking devices on cars is moving forward.

Assembly Bill 356 is expected to be talked about among lawmakers on Friday, May 5.

If passed, those who place a device under certain circumstances would be guilty of a misdemeanor on the first and second offenses. After that, they could be charged with a felony.

The bill makes exceptions for law enforcement officers who install one because of a warrant or court order.

MARCH 28, 2023:

Lawyers for a private investigator accused of placing GPS trackers on cars of Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and former Washoe County Commissioner Chair Vaughn Hartung say their client should not be revealed to the public.

In a new court document dated March 27, 2023, lawyers say the person who hired the private investigator David McNeely should remain private.

Previously, both Schieve and Hartung tried to compel a judge to reveal the person who hired the private investigator to allegedly track their cars.

The document argues, "the identity of a client that hires a private investigator is confidential and sensitive information. The party hiring a private investigator expects confidentiality," and therefore should be not made public.

In conclusion, the lawyers argue that the court should reverse the previous ruling to make the client known.

Hartung resigned from his position in mid-March.

FEBRUARY 24, 2023:

Washoe County Commissioner Chair Vaughn Hartung says he had a GPS tracking device placed on his car, after Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve alleged the same issue late last year.

According to an amended complaint, dated February 23, 2023, Hartung alleges that not only did he drive the personal car, but so did his wife and daughter, 'including on trips where Hartung was not in the vehicle."

Hartung says he learned of his alleged car device "after being apprised of media and public-records reports that showed the locations of the vehicle(s) at his personal residence...."

The complaint, filed in the Second Judicial District Court, again demands a jury trial.

----------

Feb. 6, 2023:

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve has filed in the second Judicial District Court of Nevada an order to compel a Washoe judge to ask the defendants in the case described below to identify the someone(s) who planted a tracking device on her personal car, despite the defendants' 'untenable objection'.

Mayor Schieve cites the lack of private investigator privilege in Nevada as one of her bases for the motion. She also notes that if someone who receives a subpoena objects on the basis that the subpoena seeks a "trade secret", the recipient must first show that the requested information is protected as such.

Furthermore, she argues that the identity of a single client is not a protectable trade secret.

The Counsel for Hillary Schieve argues in all that the Court should compel the defendants, McNeely and 5 Alpha Industries, LLC, to produce documents sufficient to identify the individual or entity/entities who hired them to surveil Mayor Schieve.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jan. 21, 2023:

A Washoe County judge has granted subpoenas to identify the person(s) who allegedly hired a private investigator to install a tracking device on Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve's car.

The judge approved the subpoena request submitted by Mayor Schieve on Friday, January 20.

Schieve filed a lawsuit against David McNeely and 5 Alpha Industries, LLC last month after finding a GPS device attached to her vehicle that was capable of tracking its real-time location.

Court documents also reveal that McNeely was interviewed by Sparks Police and did not disclose the "name of the client without a subpoena signed by a judge."

Schieve, who filed the lawsuit as a private citizen is seeking restitution for invasion of privacy, trespassing, civil conspiracy and negligence, as well as attorneys costs.
5. Sleeping aids (nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics)

Why they are prescribed: Sometimes called the Z drugs, these medications can be used to treat insomnia and other sleep problems. They also are prescribed for mild anxiety.

Examples: Eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien).

How they can affect memory: Although these are molecularly distinct from benzodiazepines (see No. 1 above), they act on many of the same brain pathways and chemical messengers, producing similar side effects and problems with addiction and withdrawal. The Z drugs also can cause amnesia and sometimes trigger dangerous or strange behaviors, such as cooking a meal or driving a car with no recollection of the event upon awakening.

Alternatives: There are alternative drug and nondrug treatments for insomnia and anxiety, so talk with your health care professional about options. Melatonin, for instance, can help to reestablish healthy sleep patterns. And cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment for the sleep disorder.

Before stopping or reducing the dosage of these sleeping aids, be sure to consult your health care provider. Sudden withdrawal can cause serious side effects, so a health professional should always monitor the process.

6. Incontinence drugs (anticholinergics)

Why they are prescribed: These medications are used to relieve symptoms of overactive bladder and reduce episodes of urge incontinence, an urge to urinate so sudden and strong that you often cant get to a bathroom in time.

Examples: Darifenacin (Enablex), oxybutynin (Ditropan XL), solifenacin (Vesicare), tolterodine (Detrol) and trospium (Sanctura). Another oxybutynin product, Oxytrol for Women, is sold over the counter.

How they can affect memory: These drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that mediates all sorts of functions in the body. In the bladder, anticholinergics prevent involuntary contractions of the muscles that control urine flow. In the brain, they inhibit activity in the memory and learning centers. The risk of memory loss is heightened when the drugs are taken for more than a short time or used with other anticholinergic drugs.

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the other adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs, including constipation (which, in turn, can cause urinary incontinence), blurred vision, dizziness, anxiety, depression and hallucinations.

Alternatives: As a first step, its important to make sure that you have been properly diagnosed. Check with your doctor or other health professional to see if your urinary incontinence symptoms might stem from another condition (such as a bladder infection or another form of incontinence) or a medication (such as a blood pressure drug, diuretic or muscle relaxant).

Once these are ruled out, try some simple lifestyle changes, such as cutting back on caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, drinking less before bedtime, and doing exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles that help control urination.

Some urologists are treating overactive bladder with Botox injections to help the muscle relax. Solutions beyond the medicine aisle can also come in handy. Ive been really thrilled with the improvements in protective [undergarment] items. Theyve really come a long way, says K. Ashley Garling-Nanez, clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. There are a lot more options for active adults.
Everyday technology that people use around the house  including doorbell cameras, smart speakers and wrist-worn trackers  can help those suffering from cognitive decline.

The tech may ease the burden on caregivers, too.

Every family caregivers number one priority is their loved ones safety, says Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimers Foundation of America. And this is where technology can play an important and helpful role, especially if the caregiver and their family member who is living with dementia dont reside in the same home.

No solution works for all Alzheimers patients and their caregivers.

Dementia Caregiver's Guide The latest advice and resources to help you and your loved ones navigate a diagnosis. Real stories, resources, and advice

Dementia-related illnesses affect everyone differently, Reeder says.

Different stages mean varying abilities

Early on, those who still possess most of their mental faculties may have an I-dont-need-that-thing attitude, along the lines of an older adult who initially resists wearing a pendant that can summon help in case of a fall or a hearing aid. As Alzheimers or other forms of dementia progress, more responsibility shifts to family members and caregivers who must make difficult choices.

Caregivers and patients have different comfort levels with technology. Some know Windows, some Macs, and some have no knowledge of computers  or smartphones. Some live in homes with robust Wi-Fi connections while others are without decent internet speeds.

Cost can be a problem. Several solutions arent cheap. The good news: Often the most basic products provide the best fixes.

Simple and clear messages and options are always better, Reeder says. She mentions a basic universal remote control that a caregiver might set up for a few favorite TV channels. It gives the person a choice and a level of independence, but not overwhelming or confusing them.

Among the most popular of the 600 to 800 products sold in The Alzheimers Store are radios and music players pared down to a few controls, according to Scott Kochlefl, director of operations for the online store. For example, on the $134.95 One Button Radio, a caregiver can remove the front panel to set the volume and a preferred AM or FM station. Other available products include animated robotic therapy dogs and cats, lockable talking medicine dispensers and talking alarm clocks.

Here are some areas of tech caregivers can look to for help.

1. Try some smartphone apps

Hundreds, if not thousands, of apps are available in the health area, including some that specifically apply to people dealing with dementia. Searching for dementia in the Google Play Store or Apples App Store yields apps for brain health games, calendars and clocks, caregiving tips, cognitive impairment tests and directories of services.

The problem is information overload and an inability to tell when apps have been clinically vetted or even need to be.
When Cielito Jackson broke bread with her fellow Filipino-Americans in 1985 during her first assignment in Fort Drum, New York,  she felt a sense of camaraderie. This tradition would follow her as she moved from post to post, including overseas deployments to Germany, Bosnia and Iraq, she said. Despite being far from home, the tradition of enjoying Filipino cuisine and conversing in her native tongue provided a sense of comfort.

Getty Images/AARP You can subscribe here to AARP Veteran Report, a free e-newsletter published every two weeks. If you have feedback or a story idea then please contact us here.

A Filipino trait called bayanihan (communal unity) and hospitality are prominent in core values, she said. There's a joke that if you invite one, then that one invites one or two and so on.

For Jackson, now a retired sergeant major, these gatherings were more than mere cookouts. They signified the power of community and the ability to overcome obstacles during a 32-year military career. Today, as an advocate for women in the military, Jackson, 54, stresses the significance of camaraderie, which she believes has a profound impact on soldiers on and off the battlefield.

Overcoming stereotypes to serve

Jackson moved to the U.S. from the Philippines as a teenager and joined the Army in 1985 to both repay the country that welcomed her family, and to pursue her education.

I'd only been in the country two years, she said. So, the accent was there. I just finished high school. I was very young. So, all of those things kind of converged.

In 1990, she took a job as a career counselor for the Army.

My responsibility was to retain our soldiers, she said. If they decide that they want to leave the military, then we also counsel them to continue their service by joining the Reserve component.

Initially, Jackson encountered skepticism and disapproval, with some labeling her a "pencil pusher" who was unlikely to experience combat. To make matters worse, a male civilian employee went so far as to suggest that her role was insignificant and dispensable.

Nevertheless, she persevered.

In 1995, Jackson received an unexpected deployment to Bosnia. That meant leaving her 5-year-old daughter, who had recently undergone surgery, in the care of her ailing grandfather.


Growth Drilling Commences at Penny's Find

Perth, May 2, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling at the high-grade Penny's Find gold mine located 50km northeast of Kalgoorlie in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields (Figure 1*). The Company is focussed on gold production from a sequence of underground mines and growing resources and reserves from its core assets including Cannon, Penny's Find, Binduli and Rose Hill.



HIGHLIGHTS



- Extension drilling is underway at the high grade Penny's Find project



- 2,400m of RC and diamond tails plan to extend the known resource at depth, and follow up on the new lode system along strike to the north and at depth to further increase the resource base



- Results expected in the current June Quarter 2023, and an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in the September Quarter 2023



- Updated mine optimisation and design studies to be completed for generation of Ore Reserves in H2 CY 2023



- Horizon owns 100% of the fully permitted Penny's Find gold mine located 50km northeast of Kalgoorlie in the goldfields of Western Australia. The current Mineral Resource estimate stands at:



o 270,000t grading 4.99g/t Au for 43,000 ounces with 81% in the Indicated Category



- Infill and extension drilling in late 2021 intercepted significant mineralisation and discovered a new lode system to the north of the existing resource with results including:



o 5.0m @ 5.27g/t Au from 180.3m (P1_010)

o 3.7m @ 7.46g/t Au from 215.3m (P1_005) o 2.7m @ 8.64g/t Au from 171.4m and 1.7m @ 17.91g/t Au from 178.9m (P1_007)

o 1.9m @ 13.95g/t Au from 251m (P1_009)

o 0.9m @ 23.56g/t Au from 216.7m (P1_006)

o 2.0m @ 8.47g/t Au from 227m (P1_008)

o 2.5m @ 7.45g/t Au from 226m (P1_020)



- Horizon is focussed on developing a sequence of underground mines with Penny's Find planned to follow the proposed Cannon gold mine development scheduled for H2 CY2023.



Commenting on the commencement of drilling, Incoming CEO Mr Grant Haywood said:



"The latest drilling at Penny's Find has demonstrated the growth potential of this high grade mineralised system to the north and at depth. As we focus on the development of the Cannon mine in 2023, the follow up drilling at Penny's Find will enable updated resources and reserve studies to be completed so we can have the mine ready to develop in sequence for continuous gold production at a time of record A$ gold prices. We look forward to keeping you updated with regular news flow on drilling results, resource and reserve work and the Cannon development timeline".



Horizon acquired the remaining 50% of the project in December 20211 and completed an additional 21 drill holes including 2,103m of RC and 2,765m of diamond to a maximum depth of 282m. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate was subsequently compiled and currently stands at 270kt grading 4.99g/t Au for 43,000 ounces with 81% in the Indicated category.



The drilling identified a new lode (domain 2) to the north of the existing resource with all mineralisation remaining open along strike and at depth highlighting the potential for growth with further drilling.



This round of drilling will comprise about 2000m of RC and 400m of diamond tails totalling ~2,400m with further details on the project provided below.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/8I346W8K





About Horizon Minerals Limited





Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.
SANTA FE  New Mexico ranks among the worst in the nation for alcohol and drug fatalities.

But a bill that moved quietly through the Legislature this year aims to address the problem by requiring insurance companies to remove barriers and expand coverage for mental health services and treatment for substance-use disorders.

Physicians and lawmakers who supported the measure describe it as a vital step toward rebuilding the behavioral health network disrupted a decade ago when the state cut off Medicaid and other funding to 15 providers, citing allegations of overbilling and mismanagement. An investigation later found some regulatory violations but no evidence of fraud.

Richard Madden, a recently retired family physician in Belen, said he is optimistic about the law, having seen first hand the impact of connecting patients with treatment and counseling.

I think its clear its going to reduce barriers for patients, he said of the law, but its going to take time.

The legislation, Senate Bill 273, calls for insurers, starting next year, to offer the same coverage for mental health services and substance-use disorders that they do for other health care. The state insurance superintendent will be empowered to ensure parity, backed by $1 million in state funding.

Covered by the bill are therapy, inpatient and outpatient services, and prescription drugs for treatment of mental health and substance-use disorders.

The measure  sponsored by Democratic Sens. Martin Hickey of Albuquerque, Siah Correa Hemphill of Silver City and Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces  advanced through the Legislature this year with some bipartisan support in each chamber, clearing the Senate 31-10 and the House 52-13. All dissenting votes came from Republicans.

Sen. Gregg Schmedes, a Republican and surgeon from Tijeras, said the bill will make insurance more expensive without addressing the underlying shortage of physicians and nurses in New Mexico. He voted against it.

With all insurance company mandates, he said, they ultimately end up raising peoples premiums. The monthly premium is the great bottleneck of middle-class access to health care.

The legislation, Schmedes said in an interview, is well-intentioned but will end up causing more harm than good.

Revising the states medical malpractice law, overhauling the tax system, addressing crime and providing small-business relief would go a long way, he said, toward bringing more doctors into the state.

But Sen. Hickey, a retired physician and health care executive who led the push for the new law, said he expects it to make a real difference.

Drug and alcohol addiction  often combined with underlying mental health conditions  create a ripple effect of harm on New Mexicos families and increase the overall cost of health care, he said.

It really is going to streamline access, Hickey told the Journal.

Brandon Fryar, president of the Presbyterian Health Plan, said his organization is still reviewing the bill to understand its impact. At Presbyterian, he said in a written statement, our commitment is to help our members access the behavioral health services they need on their recovery journey.

Drug, alcohol death crisis in New Mexico

The state has had an alcohol problem for decades.

In 2020, for example, New Mexico had the worst alcohol-induced death rate in the United States  at 43 deaths per 100,000 people, or more than three times the national average, according to KFF, a nonprofit group focused on health care policy.

In 2021, New Mexico ranked sixth worst in the nation for drug overdose deaths per capita, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We have a real crisis, Hickey said.

Prohibiting restrictions

To broaden access to mental health and substances-use disorder services, the bill:

 Directs insurers to maintain an adequate network of providers by boosting reimbursement rates that compensate medical professionals.

 Prohibits insurers from imposing limitations on behavioral health care that are more restrictive than coverage for other health care.

 Lifts requirements for prior authorization or referrals for certain services.

 Goes into effect Jan. 1. Theres an exception for small group health plans.

Sen. Correa Hemphill, a school psychologist, said she expects the bill to make an impact in New Mexicos classrooms by making it easier for families to obtain counseling.

So many times, she said, parents are just begging for that support.
WASHINGTON  When it comes to the news media and the impact its having on democracy and political polarization in the United States, Americans are likelier to say its doing more harm than good.

Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults say the news media is increasing political polarization in this country, and just under half say they have little to no trust in the medias ability to report the news fairly and accurately, according to a new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.

The poll, released on Wednesday, shows Americans have significant concerns about misinformation  and the role played by the media itself along with politicians and social media companies in spreading it  but that many are also concerned about growing threats to journalists safety.

The news riles people up, said 53-year-old Barbara Jordan, a Democrat from Hutchinson, Kansas. Jordan said she now does her own online research instead of going by what she sees on the TV news. Youre better off Googling something and learning about it. I trust the internet more than I do the TV.

That breakdown in trust may prompt many Americans to reject the mainstream news media, often in favor of social media and unreliable websites that spread misleading claims and that can become partisan echo chambers, leading to further polarization.

While a slim majority of Americans say they have some degree of confidence in the news medias ability to report the news fully and fairly, only 16% say they are very confident. Forty-five percent say they have little to no confidence at all.

The survey reveals the complicated relationship many Americans have with the media: A majority rate in-depth and investigative reporting as very helpful or extremely helpful for understanding the issues they care about, but they are more likely to say they regularly scan the headlines than read an in-depth investigative article. And while overall trust in the media is low, a majority of respondents say the media is doing at least somewhat well in covering issues they care about.

Four in 10 say the press is doing more to hurt American democracy, while only about 2 in 10 say the press is doing more to protect it. An additional 4 in 10 say neither applies.

Partisan cable news outlets and social media platforms have driven the problem by conditioning many Americans to see one another as enemies, said Joe Salegna, a Republican who lives on Long Island, New York.

I think its tearing this country apart, Salegna, 50, told the AP. Since the 2016 election I think its gotten a lot worse.

Republicans view the news media less favorably than Democrats, with 61% of Republicans saying the news media is hurting democracy, compared with 23% of Democrats and 36% of independents who dont lean toward either party. Majorities across party lines say the news media fuels political division, but Republicans are much more likely than Democrats to say thats happening a lot.

And more Republicans think the news is strongly influenced by the U.S. government and the political views of journalists.

Research has shown that fragmentation of the media ecosystem, driven largely by the internet, has contributed to polarization.
The man who was shot at by authorities south of Truth or Consequences Sunday night had jumped out of first one vehicle and then another before stealing a vehicle belonging to a Sierra County sheriffs deputy, according to a New Mexico State Police spokesman.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, 21-year-old Abraham Quezada of Las Cruces began acting erratically and trying to jump out of a moving vehicle that was heading south on Interstate 25, according to officer Wilson Silver. He said the driver pulled over and Quezada ran away.

A passing motorist in a pickup truck stopped to help. Quezada jumped into the bed of the pickup truck, Silver wrote in a news release. The motorist panicked and drove away with Mr. Quezada still in the trucks bed. Quezada ultimately jumped out of the truck (while it was still in motion) and fled.

Then Sierra County sheriffs deputies found Quezada on State Road 187, near the Caballo Reservoir, and a state police officer arrived at the scene as well. Silver said Quezada ran away and the deputy and officer gave chase.

During this evasion, Quezada got into an SCSO deputys vehicle and fled, Silver said. At some point during this flight, an SCSO deputy and NMSP officer fired at least one round toward the stolen vehicle.

He said Quezada then crashed head-on into the State Police officers unoccupied vehicle.

Quezada was transported to a local area hospital before being flown to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, to be treated for his injuries, Silver said. His condition is unknown.

Silver said no officers were injured. He did not identify the State Police officer who shot Quezada and said that the Sierra County Sheriffs Office will be responsible for providing more information about the deputy.

Quezada is charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and resisting or evading an officer. A criminal complaint was not immediately available.

Silver said agents with the State Police Investigations Bureau are continuing to collect evidence and conduct interviews.

The New Mexico State Police acts solely as a factfinder in its cases and does not determine whether an officers actions were justified in these types of matters, Silver said. That decision rests with the district attorneys office. This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
Instagram Celebrity

Just eight weeks after she and her boyfriend welcomed a baby boy together, the 'Nope' actress makes a radiant appearance at fashion's biggest night in New York City.

May 2, 2023

AceShowbiz - Keke Palmer has found it "insane" that she was able to attend the 2023 Met Gala. Making her first-ever red carpet appearance after giving birth to her first child, the "Nope" actress shared what went through her mind about her attendance at the biggest night in fashion.

The 29-year-old actress came to the Monday, May 1 event just eight weeks after she and her boyfriend Darius Jackson welcomed their baby boy, Leodis, together. Speaking about her ability to participate, she said, "It feels insane." She went on to elaborate, "But also so much more easy and breezy."

On the reason why, the former "Scream Queens" star candidly explained, "Because nothing is harder than having a damn baby!" She continued, "So I feel like I am much more relaxed than ever before on any carpet."

At the same event, Keke shared her thoughts and feelings about being a mother. Speaking to ET, she gushed over her experience as first-time mother, "I just I'm enjoying life. I'm very grateful. I have so much to be thankful for and so I'm just trying to enjoy every moment of it."

Elsewhere in the chat, Keke declared that it "feels incredible" to watch her baby boy quickly grow up. She further gushed, "I mean, he's just 8 weeks and he already changes every day." She then revealed, "He was with us earlier, getting ready!"

For the Met Gala, Keke donned a custom form-fitting pastel Sergio Hudson tweed dress. Her sparkling gown had pearls and more than twelve thousand Swarovski crystals on it. She completed her look with a long baby blue cape and a pair of glossy rectangular pink earrings, and she styled her hair into a voluminous Hollywood 'do.

This was not the first time Keke made an appearance at the Met Gala. In 2021, she attended the event to interview celebrities invited to the event. At the time, she explained to Vogue about her ensemble, saying, "The theme is American independence, and there's no one better who comes to mind. I love Diana [Ross]."

"She calls herself 'The Boss,' and I call myself 'Big Boss,' so I thought okay, [she] would be a great person to pull from. It was important for me that for my first Met Gala, I wear something eye-catching, but also something that's timeless, so when I look back on it 20 years from now, I can say, 'That could be worn today and still be just as fabulous,' " she added.

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NBC TV

The 'True Detective' actor doesn't care about the criticisms he received following the controversial monologue he delivered on 'Saturday Night Live' earlier this year.

May 3, 2023

AceShowbiz - Woody Harrelson has dismissed criticism over his controversial "Saturday Night Live" monologue. The "True Detective" actor, 61, faced a backlash after he guest-hosted the show in February and started his appearance by joking about a Covid conspiracy theory, saying he had received the "craziest script he's ever read" that ended with the masses "being forced" to take drugs in order to leave their homes.

"Well, people told me it was, shall we say, trending. No, I don't look at that s***. I feel like, 'I said it on SNL.' I don't need to go further with it other than to say - well, no, I won't. Never mind. That's enough," he said when asked in an interview for the new issue of Esquire magazine if he was aware it had drawn huge criticism.

He added about how criticism doesn't affect him, "But it don't change my life one bit. Not one bit, if the mainstream media wants to have a go at you, right? My life is still wonderful."

Woody also clarified about how he has no strong allegiance to any political party, "There are things that the liberals do that I think, 'What f****** idiots.' And then there's also conservative ideology that strikes me as odd."

"I consider myself, really, an anarchist well, I'm probably more of a libertarian. I never see government work. It always seems to be working for the people who got you there. It's businessmen working for bigger businessmen. It's not businessmen working for their constituents."

Woody also doubled down in the same chat on his belief he is Matthew McConaughey's brother, saying it is "very much true." The "Natural Born Killers" actor, earlier this month called on Matthew, 53, to get a DNA test after backing up the claims they could be biological brothers, and has now said he is convinced of the fact due to similarities in their personalities.

He told Esquire, "Well, it's very much true. I learned from Ma Mac, Matthew's mother, that she did have a relationship with my father for a relatively short period of time that coincided with the time that his father and mother were on a sabbatical, and with the time of Matthew's, let's say, origination."

"We haven't done a test, but there are too many times that I think to myself, My God, the similarities! The things he does, the things he says - just the way he is. I've felt that for years."

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The Coca-Cola Companys leading coffee brand in the commercial beverage categories, Costa Coffee brings the care and quality of a local cafe to coffee lovers globally.

The brand, which is committed to serving great tasting Coffee, has refreshed its brand positioning with YOUXCOSTA COFFEE. Costa Coffee is all set to foster conversations and encourage consumers to express themselves with 'Freedom of Expression' fuelled by a groovy cup of Costa Coffee.

In the modern era, millennials and Gen Z are at the forefront of the evolving coffee culture, seeing coffee as a trusted companion that accompanies them throughout the day. Youth crave self-expression and appreciate brands that inspire them to be themselves. Recognizing this, Costa Coffee is engaging with its audience, encouraging them to express themselves, anytime and anywhere, with the hashtag #LetsGetBrewing.

The brand film with #LetsGetBrewing as the theme, perfectly captures how individuals can authentically express themselves through their passions and interests, with their favourite cup of Costa Coffee. It beautifully portrays Costa Coffee being not just a beverage, but a source of inspiration that empowers moments of creativity and self-expression. From the rich aroma of brewing coffee to the gratifying sip of the perfect cup, the YOUXCOSTA COFFEE ' film highlights how Costa Coffee fuels individuals to confidently brew their passions and make their mark.

Costa Coffees commitment to deliver a memorable coffee experience and its focus on catering to the evolving preferences of the Indian youth has helped to establish a strong foothold in the Indian market. Recently, the brand celebrated its 100th store milestone in India. Be it a Frothy Cappuccino or an Intense Espresso or the newest addition to the family, the rich and velvety Flat White, there is something in store for everyone!

Commenting on the refreshed brand positioning, Vinay Nair, General Manager, India & Emerging Markets, Costa Coffee, said, Costa Coffee has always been more than just coffee, it's about fostering conversations, igniting passions, and embracing individuality. The repositioning of the brand is a significant step for us, as we align with the dynamic and ever-evolving community of coffee enthusiasts in India. With this new campaign, we are thrilled to bring to consumers Costa Coffee with a fresh perspective through Freedom of Expression that encourages consumers to talk freely, whenever, wherever, and however they like. With our unwavering vision to always craft a memorable coffee experience, it is our endeavour to keep making our consumers happy and returning for more.

The creative agency  The &Partnership, commented, Optimism and creativity is what young India stands for. Self-expression and self-exploration is a way of life for the youth. Costa Coffee opens up opportunities for them collaborate and provides them with a platform to express themselves. 

As a part of the campaign Coca-Cola India will be introducing a series of social media posts and videos that will urge the youth to share their expressions of individuality with YOUxCOSTACOFFEE and #LetsGetBrewing.

The 360-degree campaign includes, OOH, print ads, digital, social media and in-store consumer journey.

Get ready to embark on an exciting journey with Costa Coffee and express yourself freely with the perfect cup of coffee!
McDonalds has elevated the Asia marketing chief Eugene Lee to the position of International CMO.

Lee updated on his LinkedIn: "Its been a crazy but oh-so-exciting 14-year ride with McDonaldsIm extremely excited and humbled by the elevated responsibilities, and looking forward to interacting with our marketing teams from across the globe!"

He joined McDonalds in 2009 as senior marketing executive, Malaysia. He has been associated with McDonalds for over 13 years now.

Prior to joining McDonalds, Lee was working with SOUL Society, a Kuala Lumpur food and beverage company for two years. He was working with the company as a senior marketing executive.
Myntra has launched, FWD, an immersive fashion experience for Gen-Z, on its platform. As part of this offering, the enterprise has rolled out a series of unmatched features, delivering a differentiated app-in-app experience, while bringing Gen-Zs favorite trends closer to them. By providing easy discovery of an unparalleled assortment of 65,000+ styles and access to an eclectic mix of 500+ popular brands from across the globe, catering to both men and women, Myntra FWD is poised to be the one-stop-shop for all things related to Gen-Z fashion.

H&M, Trendyol, bebe, Tokyo Talkies, Sassafras, Hersheinbox, Street 9, Athena, Bonkers Corner, and Boohoo, among others, are some of the brands that are set to be a part of the scintillating assortment. This will offer Gen-Z shoppers a wide array of options to choose from, perfect for those who are always looking out for the latest trends. Myntra expects to add 10 million Gen-Zers to its customer base over the next 2 years, adding to the ~8.6mn strong Gen-Z customer base from 2022. Myntra will also look at scaling the offering to over 1 lakh styles on FWD by the end of the year.

First-of-its-kind differentiated experience Tailored for Gen-Z: In addition to Gen-Zs unique style sensibility, the Myntra FWD experience has been designed keeping in mind Gen-Zs shopping inclination, often inspired by whats in trend, community-driven recommendations as well as their preferred content formats. The FWD experience has been completely reimagined, with a focus on Gen-Z users, with discoverability and inspiration at the heart of it. Starting the first week of the launch, the Myntra FWD offering will be highlighted via its unmissable position on the high-engagement bottom navigation bar on the Myntra app. This will help build resonance with customers enabling direct access to all things Gen-Z right from the get-go.

The platform will also feature a Daily Drop Widget, providing daily intel on fresh styles as well as an automated flow of content and trends personalised to the shoppers tastes and preferences. Within the first few weeks of the launch, the digital native Gen-Zs will also be able to engage with a one-of-its-kind shoppable video content tailored for Gen-Z in the form of reels on the FWD homepage to make their purchase journey smoother and uber-fun.

Trend-Spotting-to-Shopping simplified like never-before: Keeping in mind Gen-Zs flair for trend spotting, be it from their favorite celebs, influencers or on social media, Myntra FWD will bring ace Bollywood photographer and content creator Viral Bhayanis stream of the best-spotted celeb looks to the app, enabling a seamless spot-to-shop journey. With this, Myntra FWD is taking the idea of if you spot it, you can wear it! to a whole new level. Extending this idea further, users will also be able to shop for their favorite celeb looks via the Celeb Style Files. Myntras pioneering tech-enabled Photo Search feature is being further elevated with Gen-Z shoppers in mind, and would soon let users take a picture or screenshot of a style they spot around them, or on social media and directly forward it to the Myntra app, which will instantly show similar shoppable results from FWD.

Daily Refresh and Style Inspo: Keeping up with the constantly evolving trends in the Gen-Z fashion space, FWD will see daily drops on the platform. With a wide range of 100+ micro trends further aiding the revival of the shoppers' wardrobe, Myntra FWD's trends for 2023 will cover all moods and seasons, including Romance, Vacation, Party, and Nostalgia, among others.

Touching upon Myntras latest addition, Myntra FWD, Nandita Sinha - CEO, Myntra, said, As we build for many Indias, Gen-Z is an important cohort that we continue to take deep interest in. Their individualistic sense of style, diverse points of view and core values reflect in their unique fashion choices and is steadily impacting the way fashion is being consumed at a global-level. With the launch of FWD, we are excited to cater to this fashion-first audience by creating a space where their fashion needs arent just understood but are proactively met. Myntra FWD is not just a fashion destination; it's a holistic lifestyle experience designed especially for Gen Z.

500+ Influencer Army: To create relatable and compelling content for the Gen-Z consumers, Myntra FWD will work with an army of over 500 of the most-loved and popular creators, like Radhika Seth, Sanket Mehta, Aditi Bhatia, and Manav Chhabra, among others, to create excitement and buzz around the proposition across the country. The platform will also introduce the Myntra FWD Fam, a squad of the most dynamic, stylish and innovative creators, thus creating a unique fashion trifecta of the latest trends, a vast selection of brands, and captivating visual content.

Elevated Customer Experience: Additionally, brands and sellers can enhance their overall offering with the service differentiation that Myntra's robust customer experience is loved for. Myntras industry-first Style Exchange enables customers to exchange for style/ product and not just size. Myntras M-Express is another pioneering innovation that enables customers to receive their orders at their doorstep in under two hours.

20% of the world's Gen-Z live in India. With the oldest of the generation having turned 25 last year, the group has come of age with a purchasing power of about $360 billion, as per industry sources.
Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Irani, on Monday, flags-off the Rang De Neela, rural outreach program 2023, for creating awareness about diabetes and amputation, several prominent doctors and senior executives from leading hospitals and healthcare organizations were present during the ceremony. During the flag-off ceremony, Smt. Smriti Irani tied a blue protection band onto an emblem, an art mannequin with a message promoting the importance of preventing amputations, and signed an appeal on a wall art themed "Save the Saree Tradition".

Rang De Neela is a cross-sectoral initiative that recognizes the transformative power of art to enhance lives, the initiative was launched to educate rural populations about the risks associated with untreated metabolic disorders such as diabetes. The program aims to promote the importance of preventing amputations and saving the saree tradition.

Smt. Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, congratulated Rang De Neela for bringing a creative twist in the management of diabetes. She said "Diabetes is a lifestyle disease, they say, I am somebody, who has parents with diabetes and that is why my grateful thanks to the doctors, the community leaders, the thought leaders who are coming together to save people from the challenges that arise out of this disease, that does not affect the individuals alone, but has an impact on the entire family."

While, Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Consultant Diabetologist and co-founder of the Rang De Neela, stressed the need to educate rural populations regarding the consequences of amputation. Dr. Kovil, said "In rural India, in people with diabetes neuropathy, doctors can salvage the limbs in only 20% to 30% of the cases. Lack of awareness and treatment are the key reasons. Given the present scenario, it is vital to educate rural populations regarding the consequences of amputation, and Rang De Neela aims to do just that," Further he added that, Every year, 100,000 diabetes-related amputations are performed in India, it is important to highlight the need for mass awareness campaigns like Rang De Neela's initiative to educate rural populations about the consequences of amputation and promote the importance of preventing them.

Dr. Ami Shah, PhD (Social Sciences), Co-founder of Zandra Healthcare and Rang De Neela initiative, emphasized the importance of combining art with health promotion. She said "Rang De Neela works in tandem with artistic media to bring about positive health outcomes. It also tries to understand local health concerns in the country."

Rang De Neela's rural outreach program is an innovative and necessary initiative that combines healthcare with art and tradition to create a better and healthier India. Over fifty metabolic physicians from across India will visit weavers and other artists in the remotest villages to educate them on preventing chronic conditions with health advocacy. They will also encourage them to test key metabolic markers, track them regularly, and treat metabolic conditions if diagnosed. In addition, they will weave a saree along with the weavers and promote the weave via an auction, thus improving the weavers' reach to direct buyers.
Leading video software provider Synamedia today announced that Vodafone Deutschland has gone live with Synamedia Clarissa to help evaluate advertising performance and reveal actionable insights into viewing behaviour across its GigaTV service. These business insights will help to create new business opportunities in the advertising industry and drive decisions about future product features and service updates.

Vodafone and its partner AdScanner use event data from Clarissa to measure advertising viewership, while taking into account how viewers interactions with the GigaTV service affects the efficacy of an advert. Providing a holistic view across all video and TV data while complying with all GDPR and local advertising standards, Clarissas granularity gives Vodafone pin-point accuracy about which viewers are watching a video stream at any given second. This new level of insight further allows Vodafone and their partners to identify new audience segments of interest to advertisers and agencies.

Deployed as-a-service, Synamedia Clarissa currently analyses data from over 1 million devices running GigaTV, including RDK and Android TV set-top boxes (STBs). Clarissa also provides insights to support Vodafones use of Synamedia Iris for addressable advertising.

Vodafone is also using Clarissa to inform data-driven decisions such as the development of STB features and how to update services to increase consumption. In one example, by ingesting data across all devices and sources including third-party data, Clarissa took under 24 hours to uncover how many concurrent recording streams Giga TV viewers were accessing, helping to inform decisions about which new capabilities to include in its next generation of STBs.

Wolfgang Zeller, Head of TV Architecture and Development at Vodafone Group, said, What felt like mission impossible became mission possible thanks to Clarissa. Clarissa gives us a ton of information on the usage of the service from our customers, so we could actually make really data-driven decisions. And, as a managed service which supports our other business insight systems, Clarissas integration with our existing infrastructure and third party solutions was seamless and painless, with minimal disruption.

Amruta Shankar, Director of Data and Analytics at Synamedia, said, With Clarissa, weve created a single source of truth for Vodafone Deutschland to use across the organisation and ensured it was GDPR compliant from the get-go. By normalising all the data into consistent video-aligned metrics, Clarissa offers Vodafone a treasure trove of insights.

Lucy Norris, EVP and Chief Customer Success Officer, added, Whether youre a new entrant to the market or a giant of Vodafones stature, delivering an amazing viewing experience while creating new revenues, such as through advertising, is essential. Thats why we care deeply about helping Vodafone deliver a premium service for its subscribers. Clarissas actionable insights are the key to a data driven approach.

Following a multi-year contract announced in April 2020, Vodafone also uses additional elements from Synamedias portfolio to manage its cloud based GigaTV platform, including set-top box software and security products.
Yardley London has launched a new TV commercial on its range of Perfumes. Aimed at the new-age young women, the range provides an affordable entry into the world of Yardley perfumes.

Yardley, with 250 years of legacy in fine fragrances, has continually evolved to remain true and relevant across generations. It believes in inspiring women to showcase their true potential and step up to the best version of themselves.

In the New TVC, Kriti Sanon is the voice of the brand, who advises a young professional to step up to the world of Yardley and shun cheap and mass perfumes. She makes a point that every time you step up in life like a new job or promotion, impression matters; and Yardley helps you in your efforts to make better impressions.

Manish Vyas, CEO, Wipro Yardley, said While Yardley has always been known for its fine floral fragrances, through this new range, we intend to bring affordability to the consumers who always inspire to use world class Yardley perfumes. We intend to democratize the usage of safe, branded and international quality perfumes and make it accessible to Indian masses.

The commercial has been conceptualized by Contract Advertising, a Wunderman Thompson group company and member of the WPP network.

Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar, CCO, Contract said, Our core insight was to drive home the fact that Yardley perfumes are more than just their exotic natural fragrances. The idea was to empower people in making a lasting impression while stepping up in the professional world and their daily lives, with renewed freshness.

Ayan Chakraborty, General Manager, Contract Mumbai, shares the inspiration behind the commercial, A perfume creates a silent aura around a persons presence. And a good perfume makes an impression just like a good attire. With Yardley Daily Wear Perfumes, the intent was to communicate this to the mass perfume user and tell her to upgrade to the world of Yardley.

Rahul Ghosh, Executive Creative Director, Contract Mumbai, explains the approach and the creative thinking behind the ad, Perfume is a key component of the professional armory. Its a soft signal of ambition. This is the insight we wanted to seed in our TG to persuade them to up their daily perfume game.

The Yardley range of Perfumes will be available at the nearest stores and on e-commerce platforms starting at Rs. 249/- for 30 ml.
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

Bern, 02.05.2023 - On 2 May 2023, State Secretary Martina Hirayama and British Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, opened the first meeting of the Joint Swiss-British Committee for Science and Innovation. This meeting between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the British Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was mainly centred on bilateral cooperation in research and innovation.

In November 2022, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in research and innovation. This agreement set the stage for further strengthening of their bilateral partnership in these areas. On this basis, the Joint Swiss-British Committee for Science and Innovation held its first meeting in London on 2 May 2023. High-level government officials and representatives of research institutes and research and innovation funding institutions from both countries took stock of progress towards key cooperation objectives. Meeting participants then explored possible avenues for further intensification and expansion of existing cooperation ties. The meeting was followed by a visit to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.

During her trip to London, Switzerland's State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, and British Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, discussed specific areas of bilateral cooperation, namely: Horizon Europe, space, quantum science and technologies as well as science policy and diplomacy. State Secretary Hirayama also visited the UK's scientific academy, the Royal Society.

In both bilateral and multilateral contexts, the United Kingdom is one of Switzerland's most important partners in the area of education, research and innovation. There are numerous examples of direct cooperation between institutions and individual researchers from both countries. Cooperation is sustained through a variety of instruments, which are coordinated through the joint efforts of the research and innovation funding institutions of both countries. As a case in point, a joint call for cooperation proposals was launched by national innovation agencies Innosuisse and Innovate UK in March 2023.

Address for enquiries

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General Secretariat FDHA

Bern, 02.05.2023 - The President of the Confederation, Alain Berset, will attend the coronation celebrations of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in London. He will represent Switzerland at the ceremony, thus underlining the excellent relations with the UK. The reception by the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family will be held at Buckingham Palace on Friday, prior to the coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May.

Mr Berset will congratulate King Charles III and Queen Camilla on behalf of the Federal Council and the Swiss people and wish them a long and prosperous reign. The celebrations will also give Mr Berset the opportunity to meet with other heads of state and government. On this occasion, the Federal Council extends its congratulations to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms, of which Charles III is also head of state. Dozens of other heads of state from all over the world are expected to attend the coronation celebrations.

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GS-FDHA Communications, Tel. +41 58 462 85 79, media@gs-edi.admin.ch

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Federal Chancellery

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Le Cordon Bleu, one of the world's leading educational centres in culinary arts and hospitality management, has signed an agreement with Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) to set up its institute within Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City in Saudi Arabia.

The establishment of the Le Cordon Bleu Arab Institute for Education comes as part of the Culinary Arts Commission's efforts to improve the efficiency of the culinary arts sector in Saudi Arabia by providing international expertise to those interested in and practising culinary arts.

The Commission aims to provide prestigious educational options by attracting the most renowned academies and institutes of cooking and hospitality to the kingdom.

According to Misk, the objective of this partnership is to strengthen cooperation and develop Saudi talents in culinary arts both locally and globally.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Andre Cointreau, President and CEO of Le Cordon Bleu, and Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission.

Le Cordon Bleu will help achieve the city's goals and Saudi Vision 2030 by providing abundant opportunities for Saudi talents to achieve their creative ambitions while attracting international talents, stated David Henry, the CEO of Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, after signing the deal with Andre Cointreau, President and CEO of Le Cordon Bleu, and Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission.

In 2019, Misk, in partnership with the Quality of Life Program and in collaboration with Le Cordon Bleu, had launched a specialized training programme in culinary arts from which 30 young men and women from 6 different regions across the Kingdom have already graduated.

Badr said that Saudi chefs were already creative, and the culinary school will help them sharpen their fundamental and classic skills further.

On the new school, Cointreau stated that Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City was the ideal location for the school, which will be the first of its kind in the kingdom. "It will enable beneficiaries to acquire diverse cultural experiences in the culinary field," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
A 58-year-old participant in the long march of thousands of farmers and tribals from Nashik district in north Maharashtra to Mumbai has died, an official said on Saturday.

Pundalik Ambo Jadhav, a resident of a village near Dindori in Nashik, was taken to a hospital in Shahpur on Friday afternoon after he complained of uneasiness. After he felt better, Jadhav returned to the place where the protesters were camping, said the official.

The 200 km march by thousands of farmers and tribals started from Dindori on Sunday last in support of their demands. It reached Thane districts Vasind town, around 80 km from Mumbai. Their demands include Rs 600 per quintal of relief to onion farmers, a 12-hour uninterrupted power supply to farmers, and a waiver of farm loans.

After having dinner around 8 pm on Friday, Jadhav vomited and again started feeling uneasy. He was rushed to the Shahapur hospital, where doctors declared him dead, said the official.

The station house officer at Vasind police station says that a case of accidental death has been registered and Jadhavs body has been sent for a postmortem.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told the state Assembly on Friday that he had held discussions with a farmers delegation over 14 points, including forest rights, encroachment on forest land, transfer of land belonging to temple trusts, and grazing grounds to cultivators for farming.

Appealing to the farmers to withdraw their long march, Shinde said the decisions taken would be implemented immediately.

Onion growers, facing losses due to low prices of the commodity and damage to crops by unseasonal rains, will be given Rs 350 per quintal as financial relief, he said.
Anupam Kher | Image: ANI

Veteran actor Anupam Kher of the The Kashmir Files fame on Tuesday said it is shameful on the part of IFFI (International Film Festival of India) jury head Nadav Lapid to term the film as propaganda and vulgar at the festivals closing ceremony. Not just this! The veteran star stated that the person behind this act himself is vulgar and an opportunist.

During the closing ceremony of the IFFI on On November 28, Lapid termed The Kashmir Files a propaganda, vulgar film, adding that he was shocked to see the film in the competition section of such a prestigious film festival.

I feel that in every country those who exercise freedom of speech, do have some set of people who think they will use a platform like this to address their private opinion. Well, if you dont like the movie you are most welcome to say it. But if you are a jury member you should be responsible enough to not use a platform like this to put forward such remarks. I think its a vulgar remark by that person. And who himself is vulgar and is an opportunist who used this platform to put forth his propaganda or whatever he believes in, Kher said in a media interaction held on Tuesday.

Khers take on if IFFI jury heads remarks will not impact India-Israel relations, he told Agencies, Truth doesnt get impacted by such things. One person or 10 people dont impact the whole country. Pain brings people together. I got messages from Israel and they said wonderful things.

On the other hand, Israels Consul General Kobbi Shoshani on Tuesday described IFFI jury head Nadav Lapids controversial remarks on The Kashmir Files as a big mistake, and added that the comments made by the Israeli filmmaker dont reflect the countrys position on the movie. Concerning Nadav, we dont accept it. I personally dont accept it. The Ambassador, who was there with me in Goa last night, doesnt accept it. Its his own private opinion. He can say that its the opinion of the Jury which is alright. But its nothing to do with Israel, Shoshani told Agencies.

I told him after the speech that he made a big mistake, that it wasnt appropriate. The Ambassador and I rolled out comments and tweets in a way that makes very clear what we think about using words like propaganda, we dont accept it. He is not representing the State of Israel, he added. Speaking about his own experiences with the movie The Kashmir Files, he said, tears came from his eyes when he saw the film. It was not an easy film to see. I think it was shown in Israel too. We are Jews who suffered from horrible things and I think weve to share others suffering. From my point of view, I cant force anyone to apologise. If you ask personally, yes I think he has to apologise because he entered a political dispute in India and its not something which he has to do, he added.

On Monday, IFFI jury head Nadav Lapid called The Kashmir Files as vulgar and propaganda. His remarks made during the closing ceremony of the film festival, have since gone viral and have invited widespread criticism.

Released earlier this year, the The Kashmir Files was listed in the line-up for IFFIs Indian Panorama segment for the year 2022. The film is based on the life of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, during the Kashmir insurgency. It is a true story, based on video interviews of the first generation of victims of the genocide.
Image: Pixabay

Air India is all set to sign a historic deal with aircraft manufacturer companies  Airbus and Boeing  sources in the airline said, adding that never before in Indias aviation history has such a mega order of aircraft including wide body and narrow body aircraft been done. Air India is all set to announce its mega-deal with Airbus and Boeing likely in the next week, it has been learnt. According to sources, they are not sure about the exact number of orders.

Recently, a top official of Air India told ANI that talks are underway with Airbus and Boeing about engines that Air India is looking for. For several aircraft, Airbus is going ahead with Rolls-Royce engines but for other aircraft with GE and CFM engines, related talks have not yet been finalised. CFM International is a 50-50 joint venture between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.

Also read: Tata Group announces merger of Air India and Vistara Airlines by 2024

Earlier on January 27, Air India Chief Executive Office Campbell Wilson said the Airline was finalising a historic order of new aircraft. Air India acquired new aircraft more than 16 years ago. Since 2005, the airline has not purchased any aircraft and the last order was for 111 aircraft whose deal was worth USD 10.8 billion. Air India is looking for a remix of aircraft to boost their domestic and international network through recent orders, sources said. Soon after the divestment of the airline, CEO Campbell announced in its speech to the AI employees that the airline is going for a historic order.

On the occasion of its first anniversary on January 27 this year, Air India said the airline will transform itself over the next five years to being among the best globally with an Indian heart. Ongoing integrated service between three different airlines of one Tata group is already underway and today on the anniversary day, AI said, Announced merger with Vistara with the combined entity having a share-holding of Singapore Airlines and acquisition of AirAsia India and its merger with subsidiary Air India Express.

On January 27, Air India (AI) completed a year of its return with Air India under Tata. When the Tata group took charge last year, the public perception was that it wanted to take the airline back to the glory days under the legendary JRD Tata. Soon after winning the bid for Air India, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said that We are excited to bring Air India back to the Tata group and are committed to making it a world-class airline.
Image: PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held an interaction with the masses as the Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Mayasandra, Tumakuru in Karnataka on Saturday and said that the party believes in fighting against those who spread hatred. He also highlighted the fact that the community of the person spreading hatred doesnt matter.

My view is that it doesnt matter who the person spreading hatred is, it doesnt matter which community they come from, spreading hatred and violence is an anti-national act and well fight against such people, said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

Stressing on the integrity and unity in the country he said, Our constitution states: Bharat is a union of states. It means all our languages, states and traditions have an equally important space. That is the nature of our country.

The Congress leader also jibed at the opposition and said,  I have always stood for a certain idea, that disturbs the BJP and RSS. Thousands of crores of media money and energy have been spent to shape me in a way which is untruthful and wrong. That will continue as that machine is financially rich and well-oiled.

This was his third press interaction during the march. The yatra is in its Karnataka leg and marked its 31st day today. The march began at around 6. 40 am, informed veteran Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

Day 31 of #BharatJodoYatra started at around 640am. Today @RahulGandhi will be having his third press interaction so far during the Yatra at Turuvekere at 1 pm. We have entered Tumkur district now, tweeted Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

The Congress veteran also outlined the partys upcoming schedule during the yatra and informed that there will be polling booths during the march as over 40 PCC will be travelling along.

40 PCC delegates are involved in the India Jodo Yatra. For these, polling booths will be set up at the campsite itself. Rahul Gandhi and other Bharat Jodo travellers will vote in this camp, said Jairam Ramesh in a statement.

He also informed that the Bharat Jodo Yatra will have a grand rally on October 15 and will be halted on October 17 due to party presidential polls. The party leader also underlined that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will celebrate Diwali in the camp and the march will be on hold due to Diwali.

Earlier on October 7, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the teachers raised the issue of the Kannada language and culture being under attack. He said that our education system is under systematic attack from adverse ideological forces and that attack has reached now our curriculum.

The Former Congress President said that he interacted with the teachers and students, who told him their concerns. I spoke to the teachers and students. The teachers said why government schools are being neglected. Why our culture, our Kannada language is under attack? Why the glory of the history of Karnataka is being erased from textbooks Why our culture and history is being attacked and damaged? Rahul said.

He said that the new NEP 2020 had been specially designed to undo everything that has been done in the past 75 years. He continued to add that Communalisation and Centralisation and Commercialisation were the only agendas behind these monumental changes effected by the State and Central Governments. T

he Wayanad MP suspected that there were many deliberate and designed efforts to destabilize the education system and subvert the Constitution through these drastic measures.

The MP from Wayanad is currently leading Bharat Jodo Yatra- the 3,500-km march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, covering as many as 12 states. The Yatra started from Kanyakumari and will end in Kashmir the next year by covering 25 km every day.

According to Congress, the Bharat Jodo Yatra is being held to combat the divisive politics of the BJP-led Centre and to awaken the people of the country to the dangers of economic inequalities, social polarisation and political centralisation.

Notably, all the party MPs, leaders and workers along with Rahul Gandhi are staying in containers. Sleeping beds, toilets and ACs are also installed in some of the containers.

During the journey, the temperature and environment will differ in many areas. The Congress suffered a debacle in the assembly polls held earlier this year and the Yatra is seen as an attempt to rally the party rank and file for the upcoming electoral battles.
Image: PTI

The Congress does not have any particular ideology and the BJP is the only ideology-based and national party in India, said BJP president JP Nadda at the inauguration of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati which is the newly built BJP office.

Addressing a public meeting in Guwahati, Nadda said that BJP is the only ideology-based and national party in India. He was speaking at the inauguration of the newly-built State BJP office in the Basistha area.

I congratulate the Assam BJP team on behalf of all party workers over the inauguration of the new BJP Office in the State, he said.

He further said that BJP proposed to set up 512 offices across the country out of which 236 offices have been constructed and 154 offices are under construction. In the coming days, the BJP will have a grand office in the entire country including Assam and North East, Nadda said.

Spread over 95,000 square feet, the Assam BJP state headquarters- which is the partys biggest office in the northeastern region is expected to be full of all modern amenities.

Hailing PM Modis tenure, Nadda said, Under the leadership of Modi, our government has been following the economic model of Antyodaya. That is why, unlike any other political party in the country, BJP works with the motto of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

He further said that not only the Medical Institutions but also the connectivity enhanced through developing the National Highways in Assam is leading the way for the North-East to progress. He called upon the party workers from North East states to utilize this office and contribute towards the holistic development of the region.

No one had imagined that the institutes like AIIMS and the largest Center for Cancer will ever come to the Northeast, but this all has happened now and people of the state would not have to go to New Delhi for treatments, Nadda said, adding that the party stands at that height because of the peoples hard work.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present there along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other BJP leaders. Amit Shah is on his three-day visit to the state starting from Friday.

As the part of his visit, Amit Shah, along with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Friday chaired a review meeting over the Assam floods in Guwahati.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), nearly 8.9 million people in the state have been affected by the flood and landslides that struck Assam this year.
The long march of farmers and tribals has halted after assurance from the government, but their representatives on Friday said they will continue to head to Mumbai if they see no concrete steps from the government to address their issues.

We have halted the long march. But we need to see concrete action from the government that our issues will be addressed, or else we will head to Mumbai, Vinod Nikole, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA, said.

His party colleague and former MLA Java Gavit is leading the long march, which includes thousands of farmers who began their journey in Nashik. He said that as long as the government does not issue orders to officials on the ground, they will stay put. Their demands range from Rs 600 per quintal of relief to onion farmers, a 12-hour uninterrupted power supply to farmers, and a waiver of farm loans.

The march is currently at Vasind, around 80 kilometres from Mumbai.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who led the talks with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, termed the discussion with farmer representatives as positive. He will also make a statement on the issue in the state legislature on Friday.
Image: AP Photo

Germany will grant three-month visas to Turkish and Syrian earthquake victims with family in the country, the interior minister said on Saturday (local time). This is emergency aid, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the daily newspaper Bild.

We want to allow Turkish or Syrian families in Germany to bring their close relatives from the disaster area to their homes without bureaucracy, added Faeser. More than 28,000 people were killed in the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday.

It reached 28,192 on Saturday (local time), with Turkeys death toll climbing to 24,617, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said in a news conference. In Syria, the total number of confirmed deaths stands at 3,575, including 2,167 in rebel-held areas in the northwest, according to the White Helmets civil defense group.

An additional 1,408 deaths have been recorded in government-controlled territories, according to Syrian state media, which cited the countrys health ministry. Faeser said that those eligible can have regular visas, issued quickly and valid for three months.

She added that the joint initiative with the foreign ministry would allow victims to find shelter and receive medical treatment in Germany. Around 2.9 million people of Turkish origin live in Germany, with more than half holding Turkish nationality.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday announced a three-month state of emergency in the 10 provinces in southeastern Turkey impacted by the tremor. Earlier, Germany has also suspended rescue and relief work at the site of a deadly earthquake in Turkey due to security concerns, following a similar move by Austria earlier Saturday, reported CNN.

The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) stopped its rescue operations due to a change in the security situation in the Hatay region, the organization said in a statement Saturday. It had been operating with International Search and Rescue (ISAR) Germany, in coordination with Turkeys Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD).

In the last few hours, the security situation in the Hatay region has apparently changed. There are increasing reports of clashes between different groups. The search and rescue teams of ISAR Germany and THW will therefore remain in the joint base camp for the time being. ISAR and THW will resume their work as soon as AFAD deems the situation to be safe, read the statement. The Austrian Army also cited security risks in suspending its operations, reported CNN.

The Austrian Army has suspended rescue operations in Turkey due to an increasingly difficult security situation, according to the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit (AFDRU). The expected success of saving a life bears no reasonable relation to the security risk. There is increasing aggression between groups in Turkey, Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Kugelweis of the AFDRU said in a statement Saturday.

There was no attack on us Austrians. Were all fine The mood among the helpers is good, given the circumstances We would like to help, but the circumstances are what they are, Kugelweis continued. We keep our rescue and recovery forces ready. We are ready for further operations, Kugelweis added, stating that a scheduled return to Austria for Thursday remains in place.
According to the US-based The Hill newspaper, US President Joe Biden stated on Friday (local time) that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is justified in issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on allegations of war crimes. Well, I think its justified, Biden told reporters before leaving the White House for Delaware. But the question is, its not recognized internationally by us either. But I think it makes a very strong point.

On being asked whether Putin should be tried for war crimes, Biden did not directly answer but said the Russian leader has clearly committed war crimes. The ICC had earlier on Friday issued an arrest warrant for Putin and another Russian official. The warrant is believed to be one of the first charges against Putin for war crimes in Ukraine, part of a global effort to hold the Russian president and the Russian Federation accountable for atrocities beginning with the full-scale February 2022 invasion.

Putin is named in the warrant for alleged war crimes. The warrant cites him and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, commissioner for childrens rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territory to Russia. The Kremlin blasted the allegations, noting it does not cooperate with the ICC.

We consider the very posing of the question outrageous and unacceptable. Russia, like a number of states, does not recognize the jurisdiction of this court, and, accordingly, any decisions of this kind are null and void for the Russian Federation from the point of view of the law, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tweeted on Friday, The Hill reported. The United States is no longer a party to the ICC and does not recognize its authority.

Last month, US Vice President Kamala Harris told an international security conference that the U.S. had formally determined Russia had committed crimes against humanity, arguing Russian soldiers had conducted widespread attacks against Ukrainian civilians that included murder, torture, and rape. Next week, Putin is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. US officials have warned that China may be considering providing support to Russia for its war effort in Ukraine, according to The Hill.

Asked about his expectations for the meeting between Xi and Putin, Biden said, Well see when that meeting takes place.
Image: Reuters

The US military has downed the suspected Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean and launched a mission to recover all the equipment from its debris, drawing a strong reaction from China which on Sunday warned of repercussions over Americas use of force against its civilian unmanned airship.

At the direction of President Joe Biden, the US military at 2.39 pm EST on Friday shot down the Chinese surveillance balloon in the Atlantic Ocean, some six miles (9.65 kms) away from the US shores in South Carolina, with no damage to the life and properties of Americans, a senior defence official told reporters in Washington.

Fighter aircraft from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia inspired a single missile into the balloon, causing it to crash into the ocean within the US territorial airspace, said the official, adding that as of now there are no indications that any people including US military personnel, civilian aircraft or maritime vessels were harmed in any way.

I told them to shoot it down, Biden told reporters in Hagerstown, Maryland.

On Wednesday, when I was briefed on the balloon, I ordered the Pentagon to shoot it down as soon as possible. They decided  without doing damage to anyone on the ground  the best time to do that was as it got over water, outside within the 12-mile limit, Biden said.

Responding to the downing of the balloon, China expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition towards the US use of force to attack Chinas civilian unmanned airship, state-run Xinhua news agency cited a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying on Sunday.

The US insisting on the use of force is an obvious overreaction and a serious violation of international practice. China will resolutely uphold the relevant companys legitimate rights and interests, at the same time, reserving the right to take further actions in response, said the Foreign Ministry statement in Beijing.

The Chinese side has, after verification, repeatedly informed the US side of the civilian nature of the airship and conveyed that its entry into the United States due to force majeure was totally unexpected, the statement said, noting the Chinese side has clearly asked the US side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that at the direction of President Biden, fighter aircraft assigned to US Northern Command successfully brought down the high-altitude surveillance balloon launched by and belonging to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) over the water off the coast of South Carolina in US airspace.

The balloon, which was being used by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above US territorial waters, Austin said.

China has claimed that the balloon was merely a weather research airship that had been blown off course.

This action of downing the balloon the size of three buses was taken in coordination, and with the full support, of the Canadian government.

Defence officials told US media the debris landed in 14m of water  shallower than they had expected  near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The military is now trying to recover debris which is spread over seven miles (11 km).

The Pentagon official told reporters that they took immediate steps to protect against the balloons collection of sensitive information mitigating its intelligence value to China.

By shooting down the balloon, it addressed the surveillance threat posed to military installations and further neutralise any intelligence value it could have produced, preventing it from returning to China.

In addition, shooting the balloon down could enable the US to recover sensitive PRC equipment. While we took all necessary steps to protect against the PRC surveillance balloon collection of sensitive information of the surveillance balloons overflight of US territory, which was of intelligence value to us, the official said without divulging much of the information.

I cant go into more detail, but we were able to study and scrutinise the balloon and its equipment, which has been valuable. The Chinese officials have themselves acknowledged the high-altitude surveillance balloon which has been useful to the Peoples Republic of China, said the official.

Now that the balloon has been shot down, the focus has shifted to the recovery mission, which is already underway.

Multiple vessels are on the spot along with the divers, to go down if needed. The US has also deployed unmanned vessels that can go down to get the structure and lift it back up on the recovery ship, said the official.

FBI officials are also on board as well as other counterintelligence authorities to categorise and assess the platform itself.

According to the second senior defence official, the Pentagon has been tracking this high-altitude balloon for some time. It entered Alaska on January 28. It then entered into Canadian airspace on January 30 and re-entered US airspace over Northern Idaho on January 31.

With confidence, the high-altitude balloon was a PRC surveillance balloon. We assessed that it did not pose a threat at any time to civilian air traffic because of the altitude of the balloons. We also assess it did not pose a military or kinetic threat to US people or property on the ground, although we were constantly updating both of those assessments and prepared to take it out if that threat profile changed, said the official.

The Chinese authorities have denied it is a spying aircraft, and instead said it was a weather ship blown astray.

Were also looking at the intel value of the balloon throughout. We are going to learn more as we pick up the debris that was not likely to provide significant added value over and above other PRC intel capabilities such as satellites in low Earth orbit, for example, said the official.

But nevertheless, this balloon was clearly crossing over sensitive sites, including sensitive military sites. As such, the Pentagon took additional precautions to make sure that whatever added intelligence value was minimised.

Through constant monitoring and surveillance, the US has learned technical things about this balloon and its surveillance capabilities. I suspect if we are successful in recovering aspects of the debris we will learn even more, said the official.

President Biden had been under pressure to shoot the balloon down since defence officials first announced they were tracking it on Thursday.

After the balloon was shot down, Biden said: They successfully took it down, and I want to compliment our aviators who did it. Senator Jack Reed, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that Biden made the right decision to shoot down this alleged Chinese spy balloon out of range of American civilians and infrastructure.

US First Lady Jill Biden described it as a moment of pride.

I mean, I felt such a sense of pride about the effort and that our military, you know, shot down the balloon, how coordinated it was, how thoughtful it was, that it was decided to wait until it was over water so that civilians werent affected, she said.

One senior military official told CNN the recovery of debris from the balloon should be fairly easy and could take a relatively short time. The official added that capable Navy divers could be deployed to assist in the operation.

China has a fleet of these types of surveillance balloons, according to another senior defence official, including the one that was spotted flying over Venezuela and Colombia this week.

These balloons are all part of a (Peoples Republic of China) fleet of balloons developed to conduct surveillance operations, which have also violated the sovereignty of other countries. These kinds of activities are often undertaken at the direction of the Peoples Liberation Army or PLA, ABC news quoted the official as saying.

Over the past several years, Chinese balloons have previously been spotted over countries across five continents, including in East Asia, South Asia and Europe. The incident added new tension to the US-China relationship. The Pentagon called it an unacceptable violation of US sovereignty.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Beijing it was an irresponsible act, He also postponed his trip to China on February 5-6. But China sought to play down the cancellation of his visit, saying in a statement on Saturday that neither side had formally announced a plan for a trip.
Women passengers will get a 50 per cent concession on tickets on all types of buses run by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) starting March 17, the state-owned transporter has announced.

The benefit will be extended under the Mahila Samman Yojana and the state government will reimburse the concession amount to the corporation, said a press release by MSRTC on Friday morning.

While presenting the states budget for 2023-24 on March 9, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced a 50 per cent concession to all women passengers on the buses of the public transport body.

MSRTC has a fleet of over 15,000 buses and ferries over 50 lakh passengers every day. It now offers 33 per cent to 100 per cent concessions on tickets to various social groups, according to the release.

MSRTC officials said it would be difficult to determine how many women will benefit from the scheme as they were not issuing gender-linked tickets earlier. MSRTC expects the population of women passengers to be in the range of 35-40 per cent of its total bus users, they said.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Indias independence, the Maharashtra government had announced a 100 per cent concession to senior citizens over 75 years of age and a 50 per cent concession to travelers aged between 65 and 74 years on all types of MSRTC buses.
Workers at an Albertville plant subjected cleaning employees to unwanted sexual touching, harassment, and attempted to rape one of them, according to a lawsuit filed Monday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The E.E.O.C. filed the suit against Delaware-based Mueller Co. and South Carolina-based IH Services, contending the two companies violated federal law by subjecting female IH Services employees to a hostile work environment, and retaliating against them when they complained.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

According to the EEOC, its Birmingham District office completed an investigation and first attempted to reach a settlement. The EEOC is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the victims, and injunctive relief against the companies.

Attempts to contact Mueller and IH Services for comment were not immediately successful.

The suit stems from incidents that allegedly happened from about May of 2018 until late August 2020.

Staffing agency IH Services assigned women to provide cleaning services at Muellers Albertville fire hydrant manufacturing plant.

According to the suit, several of Muellers male employees subjected at least three female IH Services employees to unwanted sexual touching and comments about their bodies and sex lives. They also allegedly solicited the female cleaning crew for sex, asked to watch them have sex, exposed themselves and attempted to rape one of the female employees.

At least three women complained to several IH Services and Mueller managers, but the harassment continued, according to the suit. Instead, the women say IH Services retaliated against them, by reducing their hours, transferring them to undesirable shifts, suspending or firing them.

Title VII (of the 1964 Civil Rights Act) requires employers to provide a workplace free from severe or pervasive sexual harassment, even when the harassers are not its own employees, EEOC Birmingham District Director Bradley Anderson said. Likewise, Title VII requires employers to protect contract workers assigned to its workplace from harassment by its own employees.
A famed Birmingham photographer who shot the cover art for the bestselling books Becoming by Michelle Obama and Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey plans to open a steak and martini restaurant on Highland Avenue between Rojo and Bottega.

Miller Mobley presented plans for Georges, a city tavern, to the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday. It would be within walking distance of the Virginia Samford Theatre at Caldwell Park.

The council approved rezoning for the proposed restaurant at 2614 Highland Avenue, about three blocks east of Bottega, and three blocks west of Rojo.

What we are trying to do is create kind of Birminghams first and only city tavern, Mobley said. It kind of goes back to the nostalgic age of dining. I call it the gilded age, where theres those historic cities like Boston, New York and Chicago that have those old-school establishments where you might get a martini and a steak, have a night of theatre, and dinner at the same time. Thats kind of the heart of this concept and what were trying to bring to the area.

Council members expressed concerns about parking, but Mobley said it will be valet parking-oriented, similar to Bottega, and will have a lease contract with a nearby office building that has 60 parking spaces it can use at night as a valet lot.

The restaurant will be in the Hanover Circle Historic District of Highland Park.

To me, atmosphere and place-making is just as important as the restaurant itself, Mobley said. You kind of want to put it in a neighborhood that has the fabric that adds to the overall environment and I think Highland Park is one of the gem neighborhoods in Birmingham and just has the historic beauty that sometimes these new neighborhoods lack.

Mobley, who is also the owner of Slims Pizzeria in Mountain Brook, did not mention any cost estimates on the renovation project for Georges.

It just felt the neighborhood was speaking to me and the building was speaking to me, Mobley said. You know, its been a pretty desolate building for the past decade. So, were coming there to restore it and add some vibrancy to the neighborhood.

The restaurant would have seating for up to 125 people, including outdoor seating, white tablecloth interior tables and seating at the bar.

Its very dark and cinematic, Mobley said of the interior design. Its dramatic.

He described the menu as classic white tablecloth offerings.

Were not trying to re-invent food here, he said. Were doing something thats very classic: oysters Rockefeller, steaks, great fish, that kind of fare.

Mobley, who is from Birmingham, moved to New York City to establish his photography business. His portraits have included studio sessions with Anthony Bourdain, Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, George Clooney, Ariana Grande, Natalie Portman, Mel Gibson, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Lupita Nyongo, Ben Stiller, and other celebrity subjects. He did a photo shoot of President Barack Obama for Parade magazine in 2014.

Hes been commissioned by Disney, Netflix, HBO, AMC, Random House, Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, National Geographic, Elle, Rolling Stone, Harpers Bazaar, Esquire and Time.

The restaurant would be his love letter to Birmingham, he said.

When I think of this restaurant I think of it as a love letter to Birmingham, using materials that are native to Birmingham, such as the brick on the outside of the restaurant, which is a Clinker brick which is made here historically, and kind of infusing some English vibes into the restaurant, but just creating a really classy establishment.

Mobley later told AL.com he did not have a timeline for renovations or when the restaurant would open. Although the name Georges was in the documents presented to the city, its a working title and the restaurant has not officially been named yet, he said.

The building targeted for renovation was formerly the medical office of Dr. Claude Orian Truss, a Birmingham native and author of the 1983 book The Missing Diagnosis, who attracted clients from around the world due to his pioneering treatment of yeast infections. Truss, 86, a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and Cornell University Medical College and former chief of cardiology at U.S. Air Force Hospital at Maxwell Field, died on Sept. 10, 2009.

Owner Miller Mobley submitted an architectural drawing of his proposed restaurant, George's, to the Birmingham City Council on May 2, 2023. (Courtesy of Miller Mobley)

See also: Matthew McConaugheys new book cover shot by Alabama photographer

Michelle Obama shares new book cover shot by Alabama photographer

Taj India restaurant must move to make way for Highland Avenue apartments

Remember the Weird Western? Ex-supermarket on Highland Avenue approved for apartments
My Morning Jacket, a band that has defied efforts to pigeonhole it for more than 20 years now, launches a new tour May 14 at the Mobile Saenger Theatre. Front man Jim James has a lot to say about what the band is bringing to the party  and it includes the possibility of hearing some unreleased songs.

Theres also a short film coming soon, related to a vinyl release of a legendary Bonnaroo set.

James recently took time for a Q&A with AL.com. Tickets for the May 14 show are available through Ticketmaster, with prices starting at $39.95 plus fees. But make up your mind quick: As of Monday it appeared that only a few dozen seats remained available and most of those were in the upper balcony.

The following has been lightly edited for clarity.

Its exciting to have a tour kicking off in Mobile, but what does that mean to the group?

Jim James: Were just excited to be back out again. I just feel this new sense of gratitude, honestly, just being, I know it sounds kind of silly, but just to be alive and to be out in the world again, and playing with people and seeing people.

A lot have changed over the bands career. In the bands most recent album, 2021s self-titled set, the song Lucky to be Alive even talks about the changing economics of the business. Weve got from the pandemic to the post-pandemic to resurgence to sort of a back to normal feeling in 2023, though everybody uses that term cautiously. Whats your perspective on the state of play?

For me, I really think theres this whole gratitude thing. Ive really been thinking about it a lot. I think as humas were kind of built to take things for granted, its just kind of in our nature. Especially if were safe and were doing OK. We kind of get into our routines and kind of forget everything, and it was really interesting how the pandemic took that away from everybody in one way or another.

For me its just been this reflection on just the simple joys of life. Just being able to be with people. Being able just be healthy, and walk on the earth one more day and give your friends a hug and play music with people. Just that basic stuff. Ive gotten lost so much in life, be it in my own depression or events in the world or whatever, that I just kind of get lost, I think thats human nature. I think one of the greatest gifts of the pandemic  is this kind of, I dont know, it was almost like a giant meditation or something, a way of trying to keep coming back to whats important, like what do you love, what do you cherish, and trying to not take that for granted anymore.

My Morning Jacket is hitting a mix of venues on this tour, and that seems unusual  youre rotating through theaters, amphitheaters and festivals, from 2,000 people to 10,000 or more. Not everybody is so flexible. Whats behind that?

Its so interesting now, especially post-pandemic. The touring world is just insane. Everybody is playing. Everybodys back out, because nobody could tour for so long. Theres a lot of people out, which is really cool, on one hand, but it also makes touring a lot more difficult for everybody, because everybodys kind of out there. I image folks in towns are looking at the calendar going like, Dude theres 10 concerts coming through this month, how do I pick? And so its kind of making the availability of rooms or theaters and clubs and amphitheaters and stuff like that, everything is so crazy because everybodys had to really roll and adjust a lot, trying to pivot and make things happen.

I should mention that even though the band doesnt have a new album out, you do have a new release pending. Its called Bonnaroo 2004 (Return to Thunderdome) and its the official vinyl release of a rainy, muddy festival set that has been described as legendary and iconic. What does it mean to you personally to have a set that people regard that way, 20 years later?

Weve just really been geeking out on it, so much. Were just so grateful to still be around, grateful people are interested still. Were going to release a short film about that show sometime soon, in the next week or two, that weve been putting together. We had to dig and dig and find the footage from 20 years ago, and we were laughing so much about how much the world has changed. We all look so much younger. Its crazy seeing the kinds of cell phones people had back then. Its pre-smartphones, pre-everybody filming, pre-social media and all that stuff. It was kind of a cool way to look at the world. We were really just so grateful that we still enjoyed hearing the music and we still enjoy playing the music after all these years. So it was really cool to kind of dig back in and not only mix the music and listen to it but to look at that video too. They didnt film the entire set, everything that they filmed was three or four songs. And then we had some footage from that day, and we had people talk about it. So Im glad for people to see that film we put together and take that walk down memory lane.

Youre a songwriter who sometimes throws out the standard format of three verses, chorus, maybe a bridge. One Big Holiday and In Its Infancy (The Waterfall) are examples. Do you know going into a song that its going to be like that?

We dont. Its really weird. We just let the songs go where they want to go. Songs are so wild. Theyre like living creatures. Its like they have a mind of their own. Sometimes theyre open to your input and sometimes theyre not. Sometimes they just want to be what theyre going to be, and other times theyre open to being shaped and changed. Sometimes when were playing and recording youll go off on a tangent with a song and youll end up somewhere you never really expected to end up. And then other songs just kind of rigidly stay the way that they came out of your brain or out of the universe or whatever. Its really interesting too the way that some of them work out really easily and some of them never work out. Some of them, Ive got songs from 20 years ago that I really like, I like the chorus or I like the verse or whatever but for some reason it just cannot come to be finished. But thats kind of cool too, because sometimes things have popped back to life after sitting dormant for 10, 20 years. Thats always pretty interesting.

Jim James of My Morning Jacket says the band doesn't always know what form a song is going to take. "They're like living creatures," he said.Courtesy of Big Hassle

Youre at a point where a band has a wealth of material to choose from for a show, maybe its a struggle to pack in everything it wants. How do you approach a setlist?

We really try to and look at where were playing, when was the last time we were there or near there  weve never played that theater before, so thatll be really cool. Weve been to Alabama many times, obviously, but weve never done that theater. So thatll be a kind of cool fresh, cool thing. If youve played the same venue a lot of times, we really try to look at the set list and say, OK, what did we do last time we were here? Lets make sure we dont do that same thing. So well just kind of look, and well probably look at the last time we played Hangout Fest, or what was the closest thing we played and just make sure we do a lot of variety so that people who may have come last time are going to get some different songs.

We always have different things that were interested in or trying to play. This tour were trying to work on some new songs, some unreleased songs, so we might try putting some of those in the set. Every day is different, too. Some days youre feeling really energetic and really stoked, other days youre feeling kind of sad and depressed. So that kind of makes its way in.

So thats exciting, the possibility well hear some new stuff.

Were just working through a lot of stuff. Theres a lot of songs, a lot of ideas, and you never really know until you get out on tour and start sound-checking stuff and how they feel. But were kind of hoping to play a lot of unreleased stuff. Just kind of to educate ourselves as to what feels good and whats working. That should be interesting.

We never have done that a lot in the past. Weve kind of waited until weve had an album out and played new stuff. Because sometimes people, when you play new stuff, dont seem all that stoked. But other times I think its really interesting, especially with stuff youve never done before, trying to work something out before it actually gets recorded. That can be cool in this retrospective way, whenever the record comes out, people who were there can be like, Oh, I remember they played that song for the first time ever there. And it was slower or it was faster or that kind of stuff. I used to really not like the constant digital documentation of everything, because I didnt want a fan to hear a song on YouTube first where it sounded like s--t, but now theres just so much content out there. I think its actually interesting, to think of somebody hearing some new song for the first time, just off somebodys cell phone or YouTube or whatever then someday hearing a real recording of it.

Is there anything else youd like fans to know?

Were just really genuinely excited to be there, to play that theater. Weve never played that theater. Thats always cool when, you know, weve been touring for over 20 years, 23 years or something, and sometimes were just like, What, weve really never been there? Theres still places we havent been? That always makes it really fresh for us, so thats going to be a cool way to start off the year and start off the tour.

Were all feeling good and feeling healthy and really excited to be there.
The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill today to make it a crime to sell to people younger than 21 products containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical derived from hemp.

Delta-8 products, available in stores and online, include gummies, vapes, candy, cookies, and other varieties. Rep. Russell Bedsole, a Republican who is a captain in the Shelby County sheriffs department, said the age restriction is long overdue. Bedsole and other lawmakers who spoke about the bill today said regulations are needed because of the ready availability of the products and because some are packaged to appeal to children.

Under the bill, selling the products to someone under 21 would be a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail. People under 21 who possess the products would be subject to a citation and a fine. The House passed the bill, SB66, by a vote of 105-0. It goes back to the Senate before it can get final approval.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about products containing delta-8, saying they pose a serious health risk. The FDA said delta-8 has psychoactive and intoxicating qualities, the products have not been evaluated for safety, and some are sold with deceptive marketing practices, purporting to have therapeutic benefit.

The FDA said it received 104 reports of adverse events in patients who consumed delta-8 THC products from December 2020 through February 2022. Fifty-five percent of those incidents required evaluation by emergency medical services or hospital admission. The symptoms included hallucinations, vomiting, tremor, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

From January 2021 through February 2022, national poison control centers received 2,362 exposure cases of delta-8 THC products, the FDA said. Of those cases, 41% involved people under 18. Seventy percent required health care facility evaluation, and 8 percent of those cases required admission to a critical care unit.

The sponsor of the bill is Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, Melson sponsored the delta-8 bill last year, but it did not pass. Melson told AL.com last year that he saw a need for the legislation after seeing the unregulated products in convenience stores and gas stations.

The bill applies to products with delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and other psychoactive cannabinoids derived from hemp. Hemp, like marijuana, is a form of the cannabis plant. According to the FDA, delta-8 THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant. Delta-9 THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Hemp has lower delta-9 THC than marijuana.

Melson also sponsored the bill in 2021 that legalized medical marijuana in Alabama. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is reviewing license applications for companies that want to grow, process, transport, test, and sell medical marijuana. Products are expected to be available late this year or in 2024.
A defendant who failed to show up in court during his first scheduled murder trial pleaded guilty to murder Monday as the rescheduled trial was about to begin.

Andreas Deone Shackleford, 47, pleaded guilty to the March 9, 2017, murder of his wife, Minnie Marie Shackleford, at their Decatur home. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Morgan County Circuit Judge Jennifer Howell sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Howell said in the sentencing order that Andreas Shackleford, who had six prior felonies, is a habitual offender and that he could have been sentenced on the murder charge to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to police reports and court documents, Shackleford beat his 44-year-old wife on the head and strangled her. A family member found her unresponsive, lying on the bathroom floor of the couples Northwest Decatur home, police said. Attempts to save her life by paramedics failed.

Shackleford was arrested on the murder charge and was released from jail after posting a $100,000 bond. His first trial was scheduled for February 2022, but he failed to return to court after a lunch break. His bond was forfeited and his probation revoked. He was arrested four days later after being located in a Birmingham hotel by the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

 eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435. Twitter @DD_Fleischauer.

___

(c)2023 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)

Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com

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Two Alabama women last week faced each other on television to recount their sides of a 2021 dog attack that resulted in injuries to the woman and the euthanization of the canine.

Teri Angel and Valina Jackson appeared on the Dr. Phil show with the host, Phil McGraw, to talk about the incident that happened in a Guntersville home in September 2021.

Angel and Jackson were friends at the time of the attack, according to Angel.

Angel told McGraw and the studio audience that she was visiting a friend in a hospital bed in Jacksons home when the attack happened.

Angel said the dog, Havoc, at first grazed her arm, then tore off part of her scalp as she leaned on the bed. She also had deep bites to her arm.

At first, Jackson was upset by the horrific attack, but later was in cover up mode.

A 5 inch by 10 inch section of the scalp was torn from Angels head that surgeons could not reattach, she said. Instead, doctors used a skin graft from Angels thigh to repair the damage.

Jackson, in talking to McGraw, said Angel exaggerated her injuries, which were not serious. Though the two were friends, Jackson contended that Angel was trespassing when the incident happened.

The insurance company didnt pay because of that, she said. I filed it on my homeowners rental insurance, and they didnt pay, because they said she was like a burglar.

Angel said she was paid by the insurance company.

There arent versions of the truth, McGraw said. She either was invited to the home or she wasnt, they either paid or they didnt, and this was either a serious attack or it wasnt.

Jackson, after seeing several statements, accused Angel of paying people to exaggerate the attack. Jackson did say during the program that she at first denied the dog belonged to her.

I probably did say that, she said.

Havoc, a pit bull terrier mix which was euthanized in January, was the subject of a lawsuit which made it all the way to the Alabama Supreme Court.

The City of Guntersville impounded the dog following a court hearing the following month. The dogs disposition was handled according to Emilys Law, a 2018 state law named for Emily Colvin, the 24-year-old victim in a fatal 2017 dog attack.

After a hearing, Jackson was arrested in November 2021, along with two other people, for allegedly breaking into the animal shelter where the dog was being held and taking him.

The Alabama Supreme Court later affirmed a decision to euthanize the dog. Jackson was also ordered to reimburse the city of Guntersville for the costs of holding Havoc.

I hate that it happened, but you can only do so much to a dog, Jackson said during the program. If youre scared of him, why did you sit right beside him?
The U.S. Army has grounded aviation units for training after a series of deadly helicopter crashes.

The suspension of air operation, effective immediately, will be in place until units complete training, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Terence Kelley told the AP. Training for active duty units is set to take place now until May 5. Army National Guard and Reserve units have until May 31 to complete the training.

The move grounds all Army aviators, except those participating in critical missions, until they complete the required training, the Army said in a statement.

A total of 14 soldiers have died and three have been injured in a series of helicopter crashes in recent months. The most recent involved a mid-air collision between two U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters that took place near Healy, Alaska last week. Three soldiers were killed and one was injured.

Two more soldiers were injured in Alaska on Feb. 5 when a military helicopter was injured in a rollover accident in Talkeetna, Alaska.

On March 29, nine soldiers were killed in Kentucky when two Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters crashed during a routine nighttime training exercise. Alabama native Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, of Mountain Brook, died in that crash. The 101st Airborne confirmed the crash was about 30 miles northwest of Fort Campbell.

And, on Feb. 15, a Black Hawk helicopter from the Tennessee National Guard crashed in Madison County, Alabama during a flight-training mission, killing two crew members.
Bam Margeras attorney refuted reports that the Jackass personality is near death ahead of his next court hearing as he faces criminal assault and harassment charges.

He seems to be in good health and good spirits preparing for his defense in this case, Margeras attorney Michael van der Veen told The Times, adding that he spoke to the former professional skateboarder as recently as Monday morning.

The health update conflicts with comments from Margeras older brother, Jesse Margera, 44, who shared on his private Instagram account that Bam is dying and there is nothing I can do about it, according to numerous outlets including Daily Mail.

I hope none of you have to hurt as much as me right now, the older Margera, a drummer with rock band CKY, also wrote in the post.

The former MTV star has repeatedly received treatment at rehabilitation centers for addiction over the past decade, including several recent stints. Margera had celebrated one year of treatment in early 2022, but relatives and friends began to express concern again about his substance use in recent months, including former Jackass cast mate Steve-O, who has publicly urged Margera toward recovery.

Last Thursday, Bam, whose real name is Brandon Margera, 43, turned himself in to authorities at a state barracks in Avondale, Pennsylavnia, after a warrant was filed for his arrest, according to court documents. That same day, Margera appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to one count of misdemeanor simple assault, another count of harassment and four counts of misdemeanor threats with intent to terrorize another.

He was released on unsecured bail, meaning he was not required to pay his bail up front, common for misdemeanors in Pennsylvania. Margera is due back in court on May 25.

Van der Veen, who defended former President Donald Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial and the Trump Organization in its tax-dodging trial, also said reports of Margera fleeing authorities were false.

He learned of a warrant, hired a lawyer right away (van der Veen), and we made arrangement for state troopers schedule, the courts schedule, my schedule to make sure he could be surrendered in a secure way, van der Veen said over the phone.

Police said Margera had threatened several people including his brother, Jesse  whom he allegedly hit in the head  and his father, Phillip Margera Jr. Police said Jesse sustained minor injuries, according to a report obtained by The Times.

Pennsylvania State Police claimed that Bam Margera fled into a wooded area before authorities arrived at the scene.

Margera, who was born in Pennsylvania, has had several run-ins with law enforcement in recent months. In March, he was arrested in Escondido, California, on suspicion of corporal injury after a woman claimed he kicked her, TMZ reported. Weeks later, he was reportedly arrested in Burbank and charged with public intoxication.

Margeras mounting legal issues come months after his wife, Nicole Margera, filed for legal separation in February. Nicole is seeking physical and legal custody of their 5-year-old son, Phoenix.

The separation request also asks to cut off any spousal support for Bam and requests the 43-year-old TV personality pay Nicoles legal fees.

Nicole filed for separation after claiming Margera had spent time with their son while under the influence, TMZ reported.

Margera first found fame as a professional skateboard in the late 1990s. He was an original member of the cast of daredevil pranksters on Jackass, which debuted on MTV in 2000. Along with cast mates such as Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O, the group entertained audiences by risking their lives with wild stunts. The series led to several feature films, such as Jackass Forever, many of which Margera co-wrote and co-produced.

Many scenes in the show, and the subsequent MTV spinoff, Viva La Bam, were filmed in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where Margera grew up and where much of his family still lives.



2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Carnival Cruise Line announced today it was opening for sale its 2024-2025 cruises out of Mobile aboard the Carnival Spirit.

The new sailings from Mobile include five-, six-, and eight-day Caribbean itineraries, as well as a 12-day Carnival Journeys South Caribbean cruise. The itineraries include some of the longest voyages from the Alabama Cruise Terminal ever since Carnival began sailing out of Alabama in 2001.

Related content:

Carnival Spirit, a 2,124-passenger vessel, will begin sailing out of Mobile in October. The ship will operate a series of six- and eight-day sailings from this fall through the spring of 2024.

The ship is currently deployed to Seattle where its operating a series of Alaskan sailings set to conclude this fall with a Carnival Journeys cruise from Seattle to New Orleans.

When Carnival Spirit arrives for her first season this year and then returns for the cruises were announcing today for next year, she wont just be bringing a newer and larger ship experience to port, shell deliver more opportunities to visit beautiful destinations compared to our past operations there, said Fred Stein, Carnivals vice president of revenue planning and deployment.

The new sailings that opened for the Carnival Spirit from Mobile will operate in the fall 2024 and spring 2025. The following are examples of some of the cruises available:

Eight-Day Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise departs Mobile on Oct. 26, 2024, and visits Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan; Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Eight-Day Bahamas Cruise departs Mobile on Nov. 9 and Nov. 23, 2024, and visits Key West, Fla.; Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.

Eight-Day Western Caribbean cruise departs Mobile on March 15, 2025, and visits Grand Cayman, Cayman Island; Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico.

Six-Day Western Caribbean Cruise departs Mobile on several dates, including Nov. 11, 2024, Nov. 17, 2024, Dec. 1, 2024, Dec. 15, 2024 and Dec. 29, 2024, as well as Jan. 12, 2025, March 23, 2025 and April 20, 2025, and visits Belize and Cozumel, Mexico.

Six-Day Western Caribbean Cruise departs Mobile on April 6, 2025, and visits Cozumel, Mexico and Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan.

Five-Day Western Caribbean Cruise departs Mobile March 10, 2025, and visits Yucatan (Progreso), and Cozumel, Mexico.

12-Day Carnival Journeys Cruise departs Mobile Jan. 18, 2025 and visits several spectacular Caribbean destinations, including Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Aruba; Curacao; Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

To see all sailings currently open from Mobile, click here.
The drawn-out decision process on the permanent home for U.S. Space Command remains drawn out more than two years after the Air Force declared Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal its preferred location.

That process appeared to well up in exasperation Tuesday in U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Related: Space Command indecision threatens national security, Tuberville says

At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall  who has been tasked by President Joe Biden to make the final decision on Space Commands home  appeared as a witness.

After asking Kendall about another topic, Tuberville shifted gears.

Secretary Kendall, it wouldnt be a hearing if I hadnt asked you about Space Command, Tuberville said.

The senator then began speaking about why a final decision is critical for national security and expressed the opinion that the selection process had turned political  a concern Tuberville has made frequently. Tuberville also noted that Gen. James Dickinson, commander of Space Command, said more than a year ago he would like a decision to be made.

So what are your thoughts? Tuberville asked Kendall.

The Air Force secretary responded by saying, I dont have anything new to report today, Senator Tuberville. Were hopeful that well be able to get a decision out as soon as possible, but I dont have any new information.

None whatsoever? Tuberville shot back with a dismayed smile. Are we even thinking about it or is this just in and out? I mean, its, uh 

At that point, Kendall repeated his answer.

I just dont have anything more to provide, he said.

Kendall affirmed, when asked by Tuberville, that he believed it was important for Space Command to have a permanent base.

Tuberville then took the opportunity to bring up other potential sites for Space Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and Joint Base San Antonio in Texas as the runners-up to Redstone in the site evaluations. Space Commands current home in Colorado Springs ranked fourth though the permanent site is largely seen as a showdown between Alabama and Colorado.

Colorado supported Biden in the 2020 presidential election while Alabama supported former President Donald Trump.

I think we all do, Tuberville said of the consensus that Space Command needs permanent home. Nebraska, who is on the list number two, and then San Antonio, number three, I think we all are kind of sitting around waiting to see whats going to happen. But we sure would like to get this decision made and moved on down the road and have the opportunity to build on it instead of having guess work. Thank you. Thank you very much.

And with that, Tubervilles questioning of Kendall ended.

Tuberville has suggested that the final decision is out of Kendalls hands and will instead be made inside the White House. But Kendall, nominated as Air Force secretary by Biden, said thats not the case.

At a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing, Congressman Robert Aderholt asked Kendall about the decision-making process.

Congressman I have no indication that the president is going to do anything with regard to that decision. (Defense) Secretary Lloyd Austin delegated it to me and thats where it stays today, Kendall said.
A 71-year-old man pleaded guilty to capital murder and was sentenced to life without parole Tuesday in the shooting deaths of three people at an Alabama church potluck supper.

Robert Findlay Smith entered his guilty plea Tuesday afternoon before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Kandice Pickett. The Jefferson County District Attorneys Office consulted with the family of the three victims before offering the plea to Smith earlier this month.

District Attorney Danny Carr and Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Roberts prosecuted the case. Smith was represented by attorneys Emory Anthony and Moses Stone.

Smith waived his right to an appeal.

Smith was charged and indicted in the June 16, 2022, shootings of Walter Bart Rainey, 84, of Irondale; Sarah Yeager, 75, of Pelham; and Jane Pounds, 84, of Hoover.

I relive the night of June 16 over and over and over and I probably always will,' said Linda Rainey, whose husband was killed. My heart tells me the shooter will also relive that night over and over.

It was such a senseless, evil act of murder where three people were shot,' she said. This, after earlier, (they) had offered the hand of friendship and to sit at our table and dine with us.

Rainey said theres been a continuing outpouring of love and compassion.

Our grandson commented, A single senseless act of evil has been drowned out and lost among hundreds of acts of kindness and love, she said. This is the legacy left by the victims. Contrast that with the legacy of Robert Smith.

We all will miss our loved ones,' she said, but none of us wonder where they are.

Anthony issued an apology in court on behalf of Smith. He Smith did not speak in court because he saw the large crowd gathered and became nervous.

On behalf of Mr. Smith, were so thankful to the families of each one of those victims because they agreed to allow him to plead to life without, Anthony said. " He could have been facing the death penalty.

So. they did not just talk about being Christians, they acted as Christians, Anthony said. I know its hurtful to each one of the family members, but we say thanks to each one of them.

Anthony said he cant say why Smith opened fire that night. The prosecutors office also said they dont know a motive.

Theres no doubt, I believe hes remorseful, Anthony said.

Jane Pounds, left, Bart Rainey, center and Sarah Sharon Yeager, right. (Contributed)

Police responded that Thursday to St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills on a report of an active shooter. It happened during a Boomers Potluck dinner that started at 5 p.m. at the church.

Here is our full coverage of the case

There were about 25 people at the dinner in the parish hall including Smith, who had previously attended the church and at least one of the potluck dinners.

Smith was sitting alone, and a longtime church member approached him and invited him to sit at a table, said the Rev. Doug Carpenter, who founded the church in 1973 and retired in 2005. He identified himself to victim Rainey only as Mr. Smith and refused to join them.

Smith then pulled out a handgun and shot three people. Jim Musgrove, a church member, hit the shooter with a chair and wrestled the gun away from him.

Rainey was pronounced dead on the scene. Yeager and Pounds were taken to UAB Hospital where they later died.

This type of senseless murder of three innocent people is certainly a case our office would typically try in front of a jury and seek the death penalty, however, that was not the wish of the three families in this case,' Carr said. After much discussion, thought and prayer, the families were unanimous that they would prefer a plea of guilty to capital murder and a life without parole sentence.

Pursuant to this plea, there will be no appeal and the defendant will die in prison,' Carr said. The loss of Jane Pounds, Walter Rainey and Sarah Yeager is incalculable to their families, friends, community and of court their church family.

The Vestavia Hills Police Department released this statement following the plea: The Vestavia Hills Police Department would like to express our deepest appreciation to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office for their tireless efforts in prosecuting this case. We would also like to thank all of the agencies that assisted us with this tragic event.
After facing widespread backlash for labeling victims of the Texas mass shooting illegal immigrants, Gov. Greg Abbott backtracked Monday.

A spokesperson said the third-term Republican has since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the country legally and regrets if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal responsible.

Officials are still searching for 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa, who they say shot his neighbors on Friday in Cleveland after they asked him to stop firing a rifle in the yard, according to The Associated Press. Oropesa allegedly killed the five victims, including a young boy, execution style at a home 50 miles northeast of Houston, law enforcement said.

On Sunday, Abbott offered a $50,000 reward for information on the suspected shooter, who he said is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants.

Critics quickly decried the governors focus on immigration status as dehumanizing, and at least one activist took to Twitter to say the information is inaccurate.

They were part of a family, @GregAbbott_TX  and one of the victims was a child, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Texas Democrat, said on Twitter. What a disgusting lack of compassion and humanity.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, officials from the national nonprofit American Immigration Council and former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro also lambasted the governors words.

Five human beings lost their lives and Greg Abbott insists on labeling them illegal immigrants, said Castro, who served as the federal housing and urban development secretary, on Twitter.

By Monday, a picture of a photo ID card was circulating on social media that appeared to show one of the victims was a legal permanent resident of the United States.

Abbotts office initially referred all questions to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which did not immediately respond. In the statement released Monday afternoon, his office said federal officials provided the information on the criminal and the victims, including that they were in the country illegally.

The true focus remains on catching this heinous criminal who killed five innocent people and bringing the full weight of Texas law against him, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a written statement.

The five people who died were identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers has described the victims as being from Honduras, but did not specify their immigration status.

At a news conference over the weekend, Capers choked up when speaking about the youngest victim, who he said attended a local elementary school.

I dont care if he was here legally. I dont care if he was here illegally. He was in my county, he said. Five people died in my county, and that is where my heart is.



2023 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The powerful head of Alabamas transportation agency testified in a Montgomery County courtroom Monday that he felt he had sufficient information needed to go ahead with building a two-lane bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores.

John Cooper, the longtime director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, said the decision to proceed with awarding a $51.85 million contract to Scott Bridge Company last year was based on traffic data obtained by Birmingham-based Skipper Consulting Company, and through the opinion of numerous people at the state agency, as well as letters of support from area mayors and state lawmakers.

He said his opinion was also formulated through observations on the increases in traffic along Alabama Route 59 into Gulf Shores, which has become congested during peak travel periods and creates safety issues, Cooper said.

But, as Cooper admits, ALDOT has made no progress on the bridge.

Meanwhile, a nearby private toll bridge operator has collected around $70 million in revenues in recent years, the director claimed.

Defending decision

Coopers testimony kicks off a week of litigation before Judge Jimmy B. Pool in downtown Montgomery, over allegations by the private toll bridge operator -- Baldwin County Bridge Company (BCBC) LLC -- that Cooper acted in bad faith over 10 things related to his decision to move forward with the publicly-built bridge.

The bridge company, which owns and operates the Foley Beach Express toll bridge is asking Pool to halt construction in a case that is headed to the Alabama Supreme Court over questions about whether text messages and other electronic forms of communication within Gov. Kay Iveys administration can be withheld under executive or deliberative privelege.

The toll bridge is located approximately 1.1 miles west of the proposed new bridge site.

BCBCs attorney, Joe Espy, will cross-examine Cooper at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The company has long claimed the Gulf Shores project is unnecessary because it does not provide direct access to the beach. The new bridge would end on Alabama State Route 180, or Canal Road.

The new bridge, BCBC has argued, would bankrupt the bridge company.

During Mondays testimony, Cooper answered questions from an attorney representing the state that mostly led to a rehash of the long and winding 11-year path the director took toward deciding on pursuing the bridge project last fall.

BCBC has argued that Cooper is moving ahead with the new bridge without conducting any prior traffic studies. Cooper, however, said hes relied upon Skippers traffic analysis before, and felt confident in the projections.

Cooper also reiterated his claim that BCBCs tolls on its bridge, adjacent to The Wharf in Orange Beach, is creating toll avoidance in which motorists are driving to Alabama 59 so they do not have to pay the toll. He said hes negotiated, in the past, for BCBC to lower its tolls, which are currently set at $2.75 one-way for most bridge users.

I did believe that (is the reason for congestion) on Alabama Route 59, Cooper said. Thats my belief today.

BCBCs lawsuit claims that Cooper has not validated whether his past claims about toll avoidance are true.

Lengthy negotiations

The bridge company, had been negotiating with ALDOT for additional lanes on their bridge under a proposal that banked on only if the new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway was not built.

The Gulf Shores bridge was initially supposed to be under construction in 2021. The awarding of a contract was put on hold at the encouragement of Iveys then-chief of staff and current University of South Alabama president Jo Bonner. According to Cooper, Bonner -- a former member of Congress representing Alabamas coastal region -- was approached by the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs, whose senior strategic advisor is former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner.

Negotiations resumed and lasted until September 1, when ALDOT announced it was opening bids and moving forward with the Intracoastal Waterway bridge project.

In August, the company pitched a proposal to build an additional bridge span on the toll bridge along with additional roadway improvements and signage improvements, construct an expanded toll plaza with multiple lanes, as well as other infrastructure improvements.

As part of that plan, the company agreed to remove all tolls assessed on Baldwin County residents.

Cooper called BCBCs proposal embarrassing, and acknowledged at the time that it was time for the state to move on and proceed with a solution to help alleviate beach-bound congestion.

I spent 11 years trying to (reach an agreement), Cooper said, referring to the toll company. After 11 years ... we just remained too far apart to agree.
Judith Ann Neelley is set for a parole hearing later this month, meaning the woman convicted of killing a child four decades ago could have a chance at leaving Alabama.

The 59-year-old is set to go before the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles on May 25.

Lisa Ann Millican, 13, was abducted from a shopping mall in Rome, Ga., in September 1982 by Neelley and her husband, Alvin Neelley. Judith Ann Neelley was later found guilty of the rape and murder of Lisa. After years of fighting for a shot at freedom, Neelley was first set for a parole hearing in May 2018; but, her lawyer at the time said she wanted to waive the hearing.

Neelley wrote in a letter, obtained exclusively by AL.com at the time, that she made the decision after much prayer and discussions with my children.

The group Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) asked the board to go forward with the hearing anyway, saying the Millican family should have the opportunity to be heard.

The hearing happened in May 2018, and the board deliberated for just one minute before denying parole. Several spoke at the hearing, including members of the victims family and the district attorney who prosecuted Neelley.

Ive been prosecuting for 38 years, former district attorney Mike ODell told the board. Ive probably prosecuted over 200 murder defendants. I have never prosecuted one other defendant who murdered for sheer sport. She loved killing.

Even if Neelley is granted parole by the three-member board later this month, she will not walk out of Alabamas Julia Tutwiler Prison as a free woman. Georgia has a detainer warrant pending for Neelley for a consecutive life sentence in a 1999 kidnapping case -- meaning that, if released from Tutwiler, authorities in Georgia would likely arrest Neelley and take her to a Georgia state prison.

She pleaded guilty Georgia for the murder of 22-year-old Janice Chatman, also of Rome, Ga. In that case, she pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against her husband. Alvin Neelley died in prison in Georgia in 2005.

Neelley was originally sentenced to death in Lisas death, but her sentence was commuted to life in prison by former Alabama Gov. Fob James before he left office in 1999.

She is the only death row inmate in modern Alabama history to be granted commutation.

But the former governors order didnt do what he planned, he said later. James order did not specify whether Neelley would be eligible for parole. The legislature changed state law in 2003 specifically to block Neelley from the possibility of parole, but a federal judge years later ruled that law unconstitutional.

So, after 19 years of legal battles, the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles set Neelley for her first parole hearing in 2018. The Millican family protested and asked people to write letters to the board asking that Neelley not be granted parole.

In a crime that shocked Alabama almost 41 years ago, the couple held 13-year-old Lisa captive and brutalized her, according to court records, and Alvin Neelley raped the girl several times. Three days after the abduction, Judith Ann Neelley handcuffed Lisa to a tree at Little River Canyon in Alabamas DeKalb County and used a needle and syringe to inject her repeatedly with drain cleaner. When that failed to kill the young girl, she shot her and pushed her body into the canyon.

An Alabama jury convicted Neelley of capital murder and recommended a sentence of life without parole, but the judge sentenced her to death.
A woman was sentenced to 20 years in state prison Monday in the slaying of another woman found in a north Alabama ditch nearly two years ago, according to court records.

Leslie Kay Sims, 41, of Albertville, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in February in the death of 32-year-old Jana Miller Chatman, records showed.

Chatmans body along with her vehicle were found in a ditch on Dixie Dale Circle in Albertville on Nov. 5, 2021 after police responded to a report of an accident at that location.

Chatman was pronounced dead on the scene. Several shell casings were also found at the scene, police said at the time.

On Monday, Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Christopher F. Abel sentenced Sims to 20 years in state prison.
This is a guest opinion column

With companies across the globe looking to make big-dollar investments into communities and accompany those investments with high-paying, high-quality jobs, Alabama has an opportunity to take the bull by the horns and become one of the top states companies look towards to invest.

But currently, Alabama is falling behind other states such as Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia when it comes to a competitive supply of quality industrial sites, which companies depend on in order to build manufacturing facilities and plants.

This can result in companies interested in investing in our state instead taking their jobs and economic impact elsewhere. But if our states leaders make the right investments now where they count, this problem can turn into an opportunity.

There are thousands of jobs on the line, and we need to make sure that companies looking to establish manufacturing bases choose Alabama to set up shop.

Last year I chaired the Joint Legislative Study Commission on Economic Development Incentives, which identified the need to increase the states number of sites to lure more industry and create more jobs for our state.

Thats why we recommended legislation, called the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Act, which the legislature unanimously passed, and the Governor signed into law, that would allow Alabama to close the gap with our competitors. We now need to fully fund that program so that it can be successful.

Other states recognize this need and have continued to invest millions into preparing industrial sites for future development. Alabama is going to be left behind if we dont act now to secure a future of economic success.

A declining manufacturing base can be absolutely fatal for communities. Look at Detroit, Michigan, as an example. As their automotive manufacturing sector began to diminish, so did the city, which at the time was thriving. Look at it now.

While losing a manufacturing base can destroy a community, a growing manufacturing base can literally change the trajectory and future of a community for decades. States across the country recognize this.

For example, in Virginias 2022-2024 budget, which Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed in June 2022, the state allocated $150 million for their site development program, of which $90 million in grants were announced in January 2023. Governor Youngkin has also proposed that this program receive an additional $350 million in new site development funding in fiscal year 2023.

If approved by the Virginia legislature in its 2023 legislative session, the new allocation would bring the states total recent investments for site development to $500 million. Alabama should follow that example.

Alabama needs to be a leader in economic development strategy and work to be the most business friendly environment in the country. As companies are fleeing states with disastrous economic policies like California and New York, we need to be able to make a compelling case to those companies that they should choose to relocate here.

If Alabama can make the investments needed for those companies to see that Alabama has industrial sites with the utilities, infrastructure, and other assets needed to be successful, the sky is the limit for what our state can achieve.

To create an environment where Alabama is one of the first states companies consider when looking to locate, we need to step up and fully fund our economic development programs enacted under the SEEDS Act. Hindsight is 20/20, and it would be a shame for the leaders of our state to look back in 10 years and see the investments that could have been made here in Alabama, instead paying off in dividends in competing states.

Lets create an environment where our state is heading in the right direction, instead of retreating in the wrong direction like California and New York. Lets take advantage of the opportunity to lure companies fleeing those states to make Alabama home. Lets pave the way for a future where Alabama communities will have more jobs and economic opportunities than ever before.

Thats a future for our state that I believe in  lets invest into that future.

Alabamians depend on our states government and elected leaders to get real results that benefit their communities and families. The best way to do that is to deliver high-quality jobs and economic investments that lift communities up and give Alabamians the future they deserve.

Will Ainsworth is serving his second term as Lt. Gov. of Alabama
Who knew? Progressive economists are now attacking economics. According to Burton Abrams "progressives in the Democrat Party, backed by left-wing sociologists and political scientists":

deny basic economic principles and theory. They deny that incentives matter, that markets work better than government dictates, that scarcity and opportunity costs exist, that the laws of supply and demand are operative, that benefit-cost analyses have merit, and that economic efficiency makes consumers and producers better off.

Okay, fine. So how do progressive experience things?

They rely heavily on the vaguely defined concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In other words, politics.

In another proof of God's existence, my brother-in-law pointed me to a piece in Claremont Review of Books that addresses this question. It's a piece by Helen Andrews about the lights going out in South Africa.

Briefly, the ANC regime in South Africa has followed the progressive line to a T. And South Africa has gone straight to hell, economically and culturally and politically.

Why? Because the ANC thinks that all you need to do is hand over the levers of the economy to its supporters, and bingo!

Except that everything goes straight to hell. And plenty of people in today's South Africa are witnessing it.

Does the daughter of an ANC "activist" get it? No. Malaika, 30 years after Mandela rose to power, thinks that "the perks of white society are withheld from her."

And the white progressives! One of them had a friendship with Mandela successor Thabo Mbeki, but after coming to power, Mbeki never spoke to him again.

This [white progressive] fell into a depression and drank himself to death.

Then there's the mixed-race Michael that "after apartheid got a job in land reform." It all sounded great except that the modern, mechanized farms he handed out to illiterate subsistence farmers quickly went broke.

Being a white South African farmer looked very easy from the outside, but it turned out to depend on lots of little habits that, even with the best will in the world, would have been very hard to explain in advance.

But when Michael explained the problems to his political bosses, they "insisted that he carry on regardless." Did you know that there is a British movie by that name?

Do you get the point, dear progressive friends? You may deny that incentives matter, that markets work, that scarcity and opportunity costs exist, you may think that everything reduces to racist-sexist-homophobic oppression, but what if you are wrong?

That's what white male Bill Shakespeare was on to, with his "I can summon spirits from the vasty deep."

I'm sure all you educated progressives know Harry Hotspur's privileged answer from his life experience:

Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them?

The whole point of economics, since Adam Smith, is that it is not an effort to summon spirits from the vasty deep. It is a usually humble effort to figure out, e.g., why now, of all times, real per-capita income has grown by 3,000 percent in 200 years in a Great Enrichment.

The last major effort to prove economics wrong was Karl Marx, who used Smith's economics to prove that the workers would be "immiserated" by capitalism. When Marx published the first volume of Capital in 1867, real per-capita income in the U.S. was up by a mere 100 percent from 1776. What could he know?

And when the folks inspired by Marx decided to replace the "lots of little habits" of ordinary workers and businessmen with the intricately worked-out plans of government experts, they condemned millions to starvation.

But that misses the point. Capitalism thrives on people moving up. In Washington State's Yakima valley, back in 1993 the Seattle Times reported how Hispanics were moving up in the fruit business from seasonal labor to ownership.

Now some of those Hispanics are running orchards, and others are buying farms and building warehouses. They say white migrants in Yakima made the same evolution from field to foreman to owner.

So the way to a country that works is not just "little habits" but learning a business, the culture of business, the ways of business, figuring out how to make something that other people want, and moving on up. They call it The American Way. Of course, maybe the reason that Hispanics are moving on up is because the children of white farmers and orchard owners got college degrees and prefer DEI activism to running a business.

Oh wait! That explains everything! Economics, with its incentives, scarcity, supply and demand, economic efficiency: it's all so low rent. If you are a really creative person, and really want to fight for justice, what really matters in the great scheme of things is activism, fundamental change, diversity, and equity and inclusion.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.

Image: RawPixel.com
A free country will always have its robber barons. But not all such barons are equal. Nor are they all equally bad -- or good.

The title was not meant to be a compliment when it was first given to the Rockefellers and Carnegies of the late 19th century. Curiously, it has not been attached at all to todays Big Tech barons. And yet they are worse, maybe even far worse, than their counterparts of long ago. This is true for many reasons, far from the least of which is that their impact has been to make this country less free.

All our barons have benefited from operating in a country grounded in political and economic freedom. But only our modern Big Tech barons have used their power to police, and yes, rob individuals of individual thoughts with one click, while producing herdlike thinking and behavior with another. In the process, they have also helped diminish America as a unique beacon of freedom in the world.

Todays tech barons -- Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and the like -- are much more powerful, much more insidious, and much more dangerous than their counterparts of long ago. They are also just as willing as any Rockefeller to crush their competitors and just as committed as any Carnegie to controlling their workers.

More than that, they are also willing to do the bidding of Americas enemies. Witness Apples kowtowing to the request of the Chinese communist regime that it shut down communication among Hong Kong anti-regime protesters.

In this country they seem far more interested in cooperating with one major political party than the other. Witness the Zuckerberg investment of hundreds of millions in the 2020 election, less to bolster American democracy than to assure a Democrat party victory.

What to do, given the clout and predilections of our current robber barons? Ironically, maybe the best answer would be to reverse the course of action taken by the original progressives in their attempt to rein in the original robber barons.

There is little doubt that those barons presented a serious challenge to our founding constitutional order of limited government and divided powers. In fact, so serious was this challenge that both major parties developed reform-minded progressive wings. And yet over the course of the past century those bipartisan progressive reforms have played a major role in further upending that original constitutional order.

Our first progressive president, Theodore Roosevelt, was convinced that something had to be done about the wealthy criminal class. Despite his trust-busting reputation, TRs real emphasis was on building up the state rather than on breaking down the trusts.

Good Darwinian that he was, Republican Roosevelt assumed that evolution toward bigness in business and government was both inevitable and ultimately beneficial. In addition, he presumed that a progressive federal bureaucracy would always be staffed and run by politically disinterested experts. Democrat President Woodrow Wilson essentially agreed, thereby giving the progressive agenda an additional bipartisan sheen.

While this presidential pair did not deny that the Constitution of 1787 may have been a good starting point for a new country, they were both convinced that the time had come to move beyond that ancient document.

Well, given the power and reach of todays robber barons, coupled with the power and reach of a federal bureaucracy that often operates in tandem with them, it might be time to put that old Constitution to some newly vigorous use. The Founders would likely agree. While they believed in a limited (Jeffersonian) sphere for government, they also endorsed the energetic (Hamiltonian) use of government.

If successfully applied, that constitutional energy could -- and should -- generate a great reversal, as opposed to any Great Reset. The eventual result might also be a great irony. How so? If the conduct of the original robber barons eventually led to big-government progressivism, the conduct of our modern robber barons could lead to the gradual reversal of the process that gave us an ever-expanding federal government in the first place.

Lets first concede that both sets of robber barons have been innovators and builders, who have made life better in many ways for countless numbers of Americans. Nonetheless, the social and political costs that have accompanied our modern technological advances are no less real -- and have become much more immediately apparent -- than any environmental costs levied by the barons of long ago. Certainly, the negative impact of Big Tech on society, while subtle, is much greater and ultimately much more damaging than anything the original robber barons might have imagined -- or imposed.

The societal contagions that have been unleashed by Big Tech have been especially damaging among the young. Witness the current social contagion that is the transgender movement.

Finally, the revelations that have come from Elon Musks takeover of Twitter have exposed the underside of the Rooseveltian vision of a politically neutral federal bureaucracy. Witness the now revealed collusion between the FBI and Twitter to define and condemn what together they decided was disinformation, followed by Twitter acting to deplatform those deemed to be spreading it.

Only the very Constitution that the original progressives disdained is equipped to halt this juggernaut. With political will, plus executive and judicial support, Congress could reassert itself as the first branch of government, whether by ceasing to surrender its authority to the bureaucracy or by some meaningful trustbusting of Big Tech.

Bureaucracy busting should also take place. No longer remotely bipartisan, the federal bureaucracy has essentially become an arm of the Democrat party. Maybe its time to return to a partial version of the old spoils system.

Scrapping the FBI and starting over would be a good next step. Other bureaucracies should be scattered around the country. Disease-ridden with politics, the CDC could remain in Atlanta, so long as it is placed under strict quarantine.

Eliminating the Department of Education and returning schooling decisions to the states and local school boards should also occur. In sum, lets revitalize localism. That should be a bipartisan goal, but it isnt.

The ultimate goal would not be to restore the 18th century, but to revive the spirit of America. Such a revival surely makes more sense than continuing to centralize -- and politicize (in one direction only) -- virtually everything.

That such a revival would also be a reversal is deliciously ironic. Really now, what could be more ironic than one day looking back and realizing that this reversal, this devolution, had been triggered by the actions of a new cadre of robber barons whose grasp for power and control far exceeded anything that the Rockefellers and Carnegies could have ever envisioned?

Then again, perhaps it shouldnt be surprising that a different set of robber barons would provoke a different set of reforms. What might be surprising to the original progressives is that todays reforms cannot possibly be bipartisan. After all, the problem today is not simply the existence of robber barons, but the link between our robber barons and one of our two major political parties.

Nonetheless, adding even more to the irony of it all is this: The power and influence of our modern robber barons is so great, and the possibility of a permanent one-party state is so real, that action must now be taken against not one, but two powerful forces, namely Big Tech and the federal bureaucracy that was initially called into being to counter robber barons far less daunting and far less damaging than the robber barons of today.

John C. Chuck Chalberg writes from Bloomington, MN, and has performed for many years as Theodore Roosevelt.

Image: Samuel Ehrhardt
Last September, the Navy promoted and installed a new Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Then Vice Admiral Lisa Franchetti got her 4th star and was appointed to the second-highest position in the Navy. Now after a scant seven months, the betting line going around D.C. is that she will likely be the next CNO based on the identity politics track record of President Biden. When President Biden had an opportunity to appoint to the Supreme Court, before assessing anyones qualifications, he announced that a black woman would get that seat, and he followed up on that promise. Would an identity-based selection for the Navys top leader be in the best interest of the Navy and the Nation? No, the nation needs and deserves the very best warrior to lead the Navy into our threatened future.

Admiral Franchetti is a journalism graduate of Northwestern University NROTC, a non-STEM degree which itself is unusual, as the Navy strongly favors STEM degrees for officers. She has a Masters Degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, an online university. Her biography does not mention any war college credential. In contrast, her predecessor Admiral William Lescher had multiple commands in combat zones, was a test pilot, had multiple advanced degrees in naval technical fields and his commands won multiple combat zone merit awards. To naval professionals, for someone to have been promoted to the Navys highest rank and second highest position based on a NROTC commissioning source with a liberal arts degree, an online masters, no war college or combat zone credentials, would be considered inconceivable. Perhaps her success is based on a particularly spectacular service record?

Admiral Franchettis career path reveals sea tours on a tender, oiler, and three destroyers including command of the USS Ross (DDG-71) and command of a destroyer squadron. Her biography does not mention any of her commands received awards while she was in command.

Ashore her assignments were CO of a Reserve Center, being an aide, a protocol officer, an Executive Assistant, and a stint at the Naval Academy in charge of a battalion of midshipmen.

As a flag officer, her assignments were to the Joint Staff as the J5 (Strategy, Plans and Policy), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Korea; Commander, Carrier Strike Groups 9 and 15, both training strike groups; Commander, 6th Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. All are important assignments for sure, but not front-line experience in any of the real hot spots. The rest of her flag assignments were staff positions.

One must ask the question if Admiral Franchettis educational background and duty assignments have adequately prepared her for the rigors of being CNO? Has Admiral Franchetti had the type of assignments that test ones mettle for the highest position in the Navy? Has Admiral Franchetti been tested in the crucible of combat or had command in a combat zone? Perhaps she has. We have only her public record to rely on which is surprisingly limited. Traditionally, CNOs have all been Naval Academy graduates with only two exceptions dating back to the CNO position being established more than a 100 years ago.

The CNO is responsible for delivering lethal naval forces and personnel to the warfighters. Naval forces consist of warriors in ships, aircraft and submarines that are capable of engaging and defeating the enemy anywhere in the world. The CNO is not a ceremonial, managerial, or political position although it has elements of all of those things. The preeminent requirement of the CNO is to be the advocate and architect of creating deadly naval forces and people who can quickly and effectively destroy and defeat our nations enemies. Many of our other three- and four-star admirals are scattered around the world in combatant commands facing our adversaries. They are forward deployed potentially in harms way, standing the watch. They know the dangers, the capabilities of our enemies in real time. These senior leaders know best what is needed to fight and win wars both in manpower and weapons including combatant ships and aircraft. Traditionally and historically, the CNO appointees have come from these ranks.

Admiral Franchetti has obviously performed well in all her assignments and for that she certainly should be commended. But, at a time when China is threatening to attack Taiwan, and North Korea is threatening South Korea and the U.S., with the expanding war in Ukraine, the Navys top leader must be fully prepared to deliver the ships, carriers, submarines, aircraft, and personnel for complex combat operations to deter and fight our enemies. The question should be asked by the Congress and the nation, is she up to the task?

Her nomination and approval as the VCNO was typical of the administrations prevailing mantra: Diversity is a strategic imperative. There is zero evidence that statement is true. On the contrary, the most senior positions must be occupied by individuals who inspire confidence based on their experience and abilities, not their appearance. With war with the Peoples Republic of China potentially on the near horizon, a war which will mostly likely be primarily a maritime conflict, we must hope and pray that whoever is selected to be the next CNO is someone of extraordinary education, skills, experience, leadership, courage, and tenacity to ensure our victory. Patriots should unite and urge President Biden to pick the very best qualified officer to lead the Navy into the future regardless of that persons gender, race, or other non-merit factor. Americans of good will and good sense must unite behind merit being the basis for top leadership in our military, not identity politics. Lives and the future of our nation are at stake.

Brent Ramsey is a retired Navy CAPT. He was a military advisor to Congressman Mark Meadows 2016-2020. He is the author of dozens of published articles on national defense.

Image: U.S. Navy
According to the Los Angeles Times, the union that represents U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees is criticizing the Biden administration's anemic attempts to stem the flow of asylum-seekers across America's border with Mexico.

Under Biden's plan, illegal aliens who failed to request protection from countries they passed through on the way to the U.S. would be ineligible to seek asylum here.

This isn't a particularly radical move. Rather, it's just Team Biden revisiting the long-established "first country of asylum," "first safe country," or "first country of refuge" concept, which has been a part of asylum law for decades. It's based on the recognized reality that if migrants are in genuine need of protection, they'll seek it in the closest place where they won't be persecuted, not in the place where they can obtain the highest standard of living.

Nevertheless, the Times article quotes attorneys for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) asserting that proposed new regulations would "'violate asylum officers' oath to carry out the immigration laws set out by Congress and 'could make them complicit in violations of U.S. and international law.'" Asylum officers made similar claims during the Trump administration, and they are just as spurious now as they were back then.

Let's take a look at U.S. law first. It is important to note that neither the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 nor any other domestic statute requires the United States to grant asylum to anyone at all. In fact, even people who are clearly subject to persecution in their home countries may be denied asylum if they cannot establish that they merit a favorable exercise of the immigration court's discretion to grant relief.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to protect a particular asylum-seeker is one that the United States is entitled to make based entirely on its own public safety, national security, and foreign affairs interests. And American courts have regularly affirmed this fact in opinions ranging from Matter of Salim in 1982 to Patpanathan v. Attorney General, decided in 2014.

Moreover, Congress intentionally structured asylum as a discretionary form of relief in order to protect American sovereignty. As the Supreme Court stated in Chae Chan Ping v. United States, "[t]hat the government of the United States, through the action of the legislative department, can exclude aliens from its territory is a proposition which we do not think open to controversy. Jurisdiction over its own territory to that extent is an incident of every independent nation. It is a part of its independence. If it could not exclude aliens it would be to that extent subject to the control of another power."

The mere fact that an alien claims to be subject to persecution at the hands of his own government does not abrogate American sovereignty and obligate the U.S. to confer any particular immigration status upon him.

Simply put, Asylum Officers' hysterical claim that a safe third country policy will violate their oath and make them complicit in violations of U.S. law simply doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

But what of international law? The proposition that asylum officers will be in violation of international law if they refuse to grant protection to aliens who have transited multiple countries on the way to the U.S. is beyond disingenuous; it is an outright lie.

To begin with, the term "international law" refers to the body of rules that govern relations among nation-states. Thus, in the event that an international tribunal ever reviewed a case involving an American denial of asylum, the party subject to sanction would be the government of the United States, not any particular asylum officer. However, that isn't likely to happen.

The 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees defines political asylum for international law purposes. The U.S. is a signatory to this treaty. And, as the International Justice Resource Center notes, "[t]he 1951 Convention does not define how States parties are to determine whether an individual meets the definition of a refugee. Instead, the establishment of asylum proceedings and refugee status determinations are left to each State party to develop."

In other words, pursuant to its treaty obligations, the U.S. must have a system in place for adjudicating asylum claims, but it is free to determine to whom it wishes to grant protection and under what circumstances it wishes to do so. Despite the anti-borders contingent's claims to the contrary, America has a comprehensive and generous asylum system. As such, the asylum officers' claims about international law don't stand up to close examination, either.

So what are the AFGE and its asylum corps members really complaining about? Apparently, they're under the mistaken impression that the primary function of an asylum officer is to secure access to the United States for foreign nationals. But that just isn't the case. In reality, asylum officers have two primary jobs: 1) to vet asylum applicants and make sure they are not a threat to national security or public safety and 2) to ensure that U.S. immigration law is applied correctly and fairly.

It's high time that someone pointed out that they can't do either if they have no idea what the law  domestic or international  really requires.

Matt O'Brien is the director investigations at the Immigration Reform Law Institute and the co-host of IRLI's podcast "No Border, No Country." Immediately prior to working for IRLI, he served as an immigration judge. He has nearly 30 years of experience in immigration law and policy, having held numerous positions within the Department of Homeland Security.

Image: Screen shot from ABC News video via YouTube.
Reason magazine recently reported that Black Lives Matter activist Zyahna Bryant ruined the reputation of a fellow University of Virginia student, Morgan Bettinger, with claims of racism.

This incident occurred in July 2020, during the George Floyd riots. UVA student Zyahna Bryant, then 19, was a high-profile activist and was a prominent member of the "protests."

Bettinger was driving home from work when she saw a dump truck blocking the road ahead such that she had no room to turn around. When she stepped out, the dump truck driver informed her that he was protecting the demonstrators.

"It's a good thing that you are here, because otherwise, these people would have been speed bumps" replied Bettinger. Bettinger said, her "speed bumps" remark emanated from gratitude to the driver for guarding the demonstrators. The truck driver corroborated Bettinger's remark to local law enforcement.

But Zyahna Bryant, perhaps purposefully, misinterpreted Bettinger's comments. Bryant claimed that Bettinger threatened demonstrators calling them "good f------ speed bumps." Bryant posted the following tweet:

The woman in this truck approached protesters in #Charlottesville, and told us that we would make 'good speed bumps' She then called the police and started crying saying we were attacking her.

The post was retweeted more than 1,000 times.

Bryant also posted videos  not of the alleged "speed bump" remark, but of its aftermath, where Bettinger returns to her car while Bryant and other "protesters" follow and begin taunting her and attacking her car.

The story was reported by local media and spread like wildfire.

Bettinger was identified online and was barraged with vicious insults from fellow UVA students; she was called a Nazi and a White supremacist.

Emboldened by the impact of her post, Bryant began a campaign to send mass complaints to school administrators demanding Bettinger's expulsion. She tweeted the following:

EMAIL these UVA deans now to demand that Morgan face consequences for her actions and that UVA stop graduating racists

Bryant also filed a complaint with the University Judiciary Committee, a student-run disciplinary system, alleging that Bettinger had threatened students' health and safety. A student disciplinary hearing concluded that Bettinger was guilty of making a legal threat against the protesters.

It is important to state that Bryant's accusation against Bettinger remained uncorroborated, despite the fact that there were over 30 people around.

Yet Bettinger was the subject of numerous investigations in the subsequent months.

Bryant also complained to the school's Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR), claiming that Bettinger had used racial slurs five times and had treated Bryant unfairly.

The EOCR could not substantiate three of the five charges.

Bryant later acknowledged that she might have misheard Bettinger's "speed bumps" assertion.

So who is Zyahna Bryant?

Bryant received national attention after writing a 2016 petition demanding that Charlottesville take down its statue of Robert E. Lee.

By the summer of 2020, she was on Teen Vogues "21 under 21" list.

Zyahna Bryant, 22, claimed in 2020 she heard fellow University of Virginia student Morgan Bettinger threaten protesters by saying they'd 'make good speed bumps,' finally admitted to exaggerating. AKA, lying! https://t.co/hQpHT38sc2 pic.twitter.com/Sx6O541736  Tickle (@TickleTexts) April 29, 2023

She even shared a platform alongside Bernie Sanders and was profiled by various liberal mouthpieces such as the New Yorker and the New York Times.

The UVA incident and Bryant's accusations against Bettinger bolstered Bryant's profile. She was the subject of a glowing Washington Post profile in 2021 and was named to Ebony magazine's "Power 100" list. She was also featured in a Juneteenth-themed post on Instagram's official page.

What about Morgan Bettinger?

Bettinger is a first-generation college student; her father was a police officer who died of cancer six years before the incident.

Bettinger told Reason magazine that she "was completely consumed" by the ordeal. She said her phone did not stop "blowing up," perhaps due to calls and social media alerts. She said it ruined her peace and affected her sleep for a long time. She also said the stress of the experience cause her to fall sick and constantly vomit.

Bettinger eventually graduated from UVA, but her reputation has been permanently sullied.

With such a severe mark on her disciplinary record, her academic and professional prospects have been reduced. She still lives and works in the Charlottesville area, but she lives in fear of being stalked and harassed.

"This whole situation has had a huge impact on my life," Bettinger says. "The university has never had to answer for what their actions have done."

She said she is planning a lawsuit against the school, Reason reported.

To sum it up: Bryant will thrive, while Bettinger will struggle, perhaps all her life.

So what do we make of all this?

BLM is following a business model where victimhood is the product, while outrage is the marketing strategy. This was pioneered by veteran race-hustler Al Sharpton.

During his heyday, Sharpton made appearances following an incident where there were racial implications to make inflammatory speeches. Once they poured gas on the fire, he just flew out of the place and used it to raise funds for "charity."

Sharpton seems to have mostly used his charity to enrich himself and his family. Sharpton was also a tax-dodger; in 2016, he personally owed over $3 million in federal taxes.

BLM and its protegees such as Bryant have taken the business model to a different level.

They used George Floyd's death to create a climate of fear. They implicitly urged celebrities, corporate houses, and politicians to donate. These donations were actually protection money and a guarantee to be regarded as among the good ones.

Their con was lucrative.

In February 2021, BLM published an "impact report," which states that it closed out 2020 with $60 million in its bank accounts. The outfit failed to file taxes for 2020. Floyd's family is unlikely to have received even a penny of those funds.

In April 2021, the N.Y. Post reported that BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, then its executive director, had spent $3.2 million on various real estate purchases across the U.S.

New York Magazine reported that in October 2020, BLM bought a 6,500-square-foot Southern California mansion worth $6 million using donation funds. BLM principals were also filmed dining in luxury and sipping champagne at the luxury home.

BLM "activist" Bryant probably realized that she may not receive prominence because everyone was protesting against Floyd's death. Hence, she shifted from protesting against Floyd's death to fabricating claims about Bettinger so she could claim personal victimhood.

It didn't matter to her that her scurrilous and spurious allegations will ruin Bettinger's life; her goal was publicity, power, and lucrative opportunities to make easy money.

BLM "activists" care for only one cause, and it isn't the upliftment or welfare of African-Americans. It is the upliftment and welfare of themselves.

But unlike in the case of frauds such as Elizabeth Holmes, their product isn't tangible. Holmes's product was tested and found to be a fraud. This will never happen with BLM because it doesn't make any concrete promises that can be measured. The activists just use a climate of fear and hysteria and raise funds and disappear 'til the next outrage.

The result of the likes of BLM is despondency, divisiveness, and cynicism spread in society, especially among African-Americans.

Perhaps some of these disillusioned youths could have been the next great inventors, writers, teachers, and leaders, but now their lives are wasted.

This truly is tragic.

Photo credit: Twitter.
Under the constant barrage of woke Newspeak, we Neanderthal knuckle-draggers, mired in the traditional interpretation of English, usually find it difficult to understand the logic or validity of the enlightening social concepts it forces upon us:

If diversity is our strength, is unity a weakness? Should we be the Diverse States of America? Are "going green" and "saving the planet" buying oil from OPEC instead of drilling for it at home and offshoring manufacturing jobs to Asia? If gender is a social construct, why does it take gender-affirming surgery to alter it? Why can gender be assigned on fetal ultrasound but not on a birth certificate or driver's license? If there are over twenty genders, what is the relevance of a gender reveal party? If race is a social construct, what is the legitimacy of skin colorbased educational and career advancement? If America suffers from systemic racism, are not liberals and non-white people racists? If CRT is a theory, why must we respond to it as fact? If we are all originally from Africa, are we all entitled to reparations? Why do only purchasers of slaves have to pay reparations? Shouldn't descendants of African chieftains who sold slaves to slave traders have to pay, too? Do we need to pay reparations to descendants of Japanese-Americans who were interned in camps during WW2? Why doesn't inclusivity include white males, conservatives, rednecks, opposing views, MAGA, and the NRA? Where did all these "experts" come from? Why in the most technically advanced nation on Earth does it take two weeks to learn election results? Is that part of the war on voter suppression? Why is voter suppression the casting of closed ballots on Election Day by documented citizens? If we can't define "woman," how can we advocate for women's rights? What does "my body, my choice!" have to do with a fetus's body? If abortion is a woman's health issue, is pregnancy a disease? If the family structure is oppressively patriarchal, why are most households run by women? If Democrats are so opposed to income inequality, why are most of the super-rich now of that persuasion?

Maybe educators need to establish course curricula in woke Newspeak to supplement their gender, diversity, and equity programs.

Graphic credit: Pixabay license.
Ireland, a country that long chafed under Englands repressive governance, is about to become very repressive itself. Its about to put into effect a speech bill so repressive that anyone who even receives a text that runs afoul of the law could be arrested if he does not immediately delete and disavow the text. This is where the Western world, once the bastion of intellectual liberty, has ended.

The law, entitled Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, passed through the legislature in February, with only 4 representatives out of 160 voting against it. Most in the public werent even aware of the bill and, if theyd thought about it, they probably would have congratulated themselves on being a nice country in which hate speech is barred.

It was only when an Irish conservative commentator, Keith Woods, who was reinstated on Twitter thanks to Elon Musks commitment to free speech, that word got out:

Ireland is about to pass one of the most radical hate speech bills yet. Merely possessing "hateful" material on your devices is enough to face prison time.



Not only that, but the burden of proof is shifted to the accused, who is expected to prove they didn't intend to use the https://t.co/DA41PEfvbt pic.twitter.com/UGKWzz66kM  Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) April 28, 2023

It's a little hard to tell from that snippet exactly whats going on, so let me fill in a few blanks. First, the bill has all sorts of sections and subsections for different speech offenses. They all revolve around silencing anything but positive speech about people with protected characteristics. Those characteristics are race, colour, nationalist, religion, national or ethnic origin, descent, gender, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, or disability. Gender, the bill explains, includes the whole nonsensical panoply of gender identity.

Hatred is defined in the lawto mean hatred:

hatred means hatred against a person or a group of persons in the State or elsewhere on account of their protected characteristics or any one of those characteristics;

In other words, just as Humpty Dumpty once told Alice that When I use a wordit means just what I choose it to meanneither more nor less, in Ireland, hatred can mean whatever the powers that be say it means.

Image by azerbaijan_stockers (edited)

And then there are all the things you mustnt do. You cannot engage in incitement to violence or hatred against persons on account of their protected characteristics. This means you cannot incite violence against people in those protected classes, something with which most would agree.

But you also cannot incite hatred, a much harder term to nail down. When I say that so-called transgender activists are targeting children for toxic hormones and mutilating surgery, Id probably be guilty in Ireland of inciting hatred and find myself locked up for a year or even five years.

You also may not engage in condonation, denial or gross trivialization of genocide, etc., against persons on account of their protected characteristics. As a Jew, I take seriously Holocaust denial or trivialization, but that doesnt mean I think those who engage in it should go to jail. Thats because I have a First Amendment mindset. I believe good speech drives out bad (if one is given the chance to voice good speech).

And then theres the really scary one that Keith Woods highlighted: Offence of preparing or possessing material likely to incite violence or hatred against persons on account of their protected characteristics. Ive already discussed the vagueness of the term hatred. Significantly, you are presumptively guilty if you prepare or possess this material. Possession could mean reading an article on your phone or computer or failing to delete a text message. There are only three defenses:

(1) the material serves a higher cause such as art, literature, politics, etc. Theres no standard for determining whether your contribution is reasonable and genuine.

(2) The material is subject to an absolute privilege.

(3) The material is necessary for a lawful police purpose. (Its unclear if youre allowed to possess the material if youre the lawyer for the defendant.)

The punishment for this wrongdoing is up to two years in jail. Significantly, guilt is presumed, and the person charged has the burden of proving innocence. This is a huge inversion of the ancient common law standard that exists in America: Innocent until proven guilty.

Woods explained how the law will really work:

This year the Garda commissioner said his police force were monitoring so-called "far-right" agitators involved with protests against immigration.



Unfortunately for him, opposing mass immigration isn't a crime. Hate speech laws will make it easy to target dissenters like this. pic.twitter.com/WfGlfrg3OY  Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) May 1, 2023

Once Woods tweet about the law got out, several famous names responded with shock and disgust:

This is a massive attack against freedom of speech  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 29, 2023

Coming your way, Canadians: Bill C-11 is just the beginning. This is where Ireland already stands: https://t.co/pKQ2wX4Ik1  Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) May 1, 2023

Its insane whats happening in the free world https://t.co/BXEJoR1ios  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 30, 2023

We in America feel sheltered from this madness thanks to our First Amendment, but we shouldnt. The First Amendment is only an idea. If the government refuses to abide by it, theres nothing left. Just look at what happened when Biden refused to abide by Americas immigration laws.

In addition, as Elon Musks Twitter Files have demonstrated, the companies controlling the technology through which we all communicate are anxious to get into bed with a left-leaning government. So, while the government hides behind plausible deniability, its nevertheless censoring and otherwise punishing those who oppose it. Moreover, as weve seen with the criminalization of protests on January 6, and the hagiographic elevation of BLM protests, theres nothing stopping the government from deciding what speech it will allow and what it will ban.

The essence of a free society is free speech. And heres a little secret: You can always tell when a society is going down the road to totalitarianism by its treatment of Jewsor, nowadays, its hostility to Israel, which is a stand-in for Jews. Every nation that is not free, and eventually bans speech, guns, and other core liberties, first turns against Jews. Ireland despises Israel.

Given the Democrat partys open hostility to Israel, you know that its getting ready to head down the same totalitarian road as Ireland, Canada, and other leftist-run countries.
You can't make this up. I recall when Governor Greg Abbott was called a racist for signing a ban on "sanctuary cities" in 2017. Let me take you down memory lane:

Senate Bill 4 makes sheriffs, constables, police chiefs and other local leaders subject to Class A misdemeanor charges if they don't cooperate with federal authorities and honor requests from immigration agents to hold noncitizen inmates who are subject to deportation. It also provides civil penalties for entities in violation of the provision that begin at $1,000 for a first offense and climb to as high as $25,500 for each subsequent infraction. The bill also applies to public colleges. The final version of the bill included a controversial House amendment that allows police officers to question a person's immigration status during a detainment  perhaps including traffic stops  as opposed to being limited to a lawful arrest. It has drawn fierce opposition from Democrats and immigrants rights groups, who are already gearing up for a legal battle against the law. Abbott defended the legality of the law Sunday, saying key parts of it have "already been tested at the United States Supreme Court and approved there." That could soon come to a test. Sunday night's signing prompted a fast and negative reaction from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, or MALDEF, which referred to the new Texas law as "a colossal blunder" and promised to fight it, "in court and out."

The governor won in the courts, and that was it. However, it did not stop the open borders gang from playing the racist card in Spanish and English and who knows what other dialect they came up with.

Well, let's go from 2017 to the present. As you may remember, Governor Abbott started filling up buses and sending the migrants north. At first, they were welcomed. Not anymore. In fact, now the mayor of Chicago wants to stop the buses. This is the story:

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to not follow through with his "inhuman and dangerous" plan to send more migrants and asylum seekers from his southern state to her city. The outgoing Chicago mayor made her appeal to the Republican governor in a letter Sunday, stating that they are aware Texas is planning as soon as Monday to start sending migrants to Democrat-led cities including Chicago. "Chicago is a Welcoming City and we collaborate with county, state and community partners to rise to this challenge, but your lack of consideration or coordination in an attempt to cause chaos and score political points has resulted in a critical tipping point in our ability to receive individuals and families in a safe, orderly and dignified way," Lightfoot wrote. "We simply have no more shelters, spaces or resources to accommodate an increase of individuals at this level, with little coordination or care, that does not pose a risk to them or others."

Cause chaos? Are you kidding me, Mayor? Have you been to El Paso lately? "El Paso Mayor to issue 'state of emergency' in response to large flow of migrants."

Mayor Lightfoot should call another leader: President Biden. He's the man responsible.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: SounderBruce.
The New York Times has long been in the vanguard of insisting that there is no difference between men and women other than their self-identity. Thats why it should raise a few eyebrows that the Times is now conceding that women are differentif theyre menopausal. I guess ageism also strikes at the New York Times.

The article has one of those typically long titles that makes it seem almost irrelevant to read the rest: Study Shows the Staggering Cost of Menopause for Women in the Work Force: Some are taking sick days. Others are cutting back their hours. Still others end up quitting altogether. Indeed, the title is almost longer than the article itself. Heres the key point:

Menopause costs American women an estimated $1.8 billion in lost working time per year, according to a Mayo Clinic study published this week. The paper examined how hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and the myriad other symptoms associated with this time of life affect women in the workplace. Its the largest study of its kind to have been done in the United States. Researchers surveyed more than 4,000 participants at four Mayo Clinic sites in Minnesota, Arizona, Florida and Wisconsin. Roughly 15 percent said they had either missed work or cut back on hours because of their menopause symptoms, which the study classified as adverse work outcomes. Those who reported the very worst symptoms were 16 times more likely to report such outcomes than those with the least severe symptoms. A little over 1 percent said that their symptoms had become so debilitating that they either quit their jobs or were laid off in the preceding six months.

To reach the $1.8 billion price tag, the studys authors extrapolated how this percentage of menopausal would affect the American workforce as a whole, given that the census (assuming its correct) says that, in the critical 45-60 age group, there are more than 15 million in the workforce.

Image by freepik.

And of course, given that this is the New York Times, theres a racial angle:

Though a majority of survey participants were white, the researchers found that menopause can have a greater effect on Black and Hispanic working women, Dr. Kling said. Black women tended to have more menopausal symptoms, she said. And higher percentages of Black women and Hispanic women reported adverse work outcomes related to menopausal symptoms compared to white women.

As someone who has experienced all of this herself, I feel the pain of every woman who has had to work through hot flashes, migraines, mood swings, etc. I understand the urge just to pack it in, either by taking a day off or retiring altogether. Menopause is exhausting.

Having said that, I cant get over the sheer delight of a New York Times article conceding that women are biologically different from men. Take that, Chuck Todd, as you try to get Vivek Ramaswamy, a man whose intellect clearly outpaces yours by at least a factor of ten, that gender is just a spectrum.

CHUCK TODD: Are you confident that you know that gender is as binary as you're describing it?@VivekGRamaswamy: I am.



TODD: Do you know this as a scientist?



RAMASWAMY: There are two X chromosomes if you're a woman and an X and a Y...



TODD: There is a lot of pic.twitter.com/KyVZnASdmv  Kevin Tober (@KevinTober94) April 30, 2023

No, women are differentand, as the New York Times has been forced to acknowledge, even as it tries to spin it as a sexism issue, women face biological challenges that men, even if they think they are women, will never have to face themselves.
Samsung has reportedly banned its employees from using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Bard on company-owned devices and internal networks. The move comes after some employees inadvertently leaked confidential information through ChatGPT a few weeks back.

Samsung bans the use of ChatGPT and Bard on official devices

Like many other companies, Samsung also planned to use generative AI tools for business growth. It hoped AI to help boost its faltering chip business. However, things didnt pan out as planned. Shortly after the company gave its employees access to ChatGPT to speed up various processes in mid-March, reporters emerged that the AI chatbot leaked confidential semiconductor information.

This happened after some Samsung employees fed internal data to the AI tool created by Microsoft-backed OpenAI. Where they erred is that they didnt realize that the likes of ChatGPT and Bard permanently store any information fed to them. These tools use the information for learning purposes. But in the process, they could also end up sharing the information with other users. And since they store the data on external servers, its difficult for Samsung to retrieve and delete it.

Its unclear what information Samsung employees inadvertently leaked through ChatGPT. However, the leaks happened in three separate instances within three weeks. The company has now sent a memo to employees ordering them to stop using the AI tool on official devices and internal networks. Employees are also advised not to feed any company-related information to generative AI tools on their personal devices. They are also barred from sharing personal data that could reveal the companys intellectual property.

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According to a Bloomberg report, Samsung has warned its employees that breaking these policies could cost them their jobs. We ask that you diligently adhere to our security guidelines and failure to do so may result in a breach or compromise of company information resulting in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, part of the memo reads. The memo was sent to employees at one of Samsungs biggest divisions on Monday, the report states.

Samsung is developing its own AI tools for internal use

Samsung may have banned the use of ChatGPT and Bard on its official devices, but it still sees AI going a long way in boosting its business. The company is reportedly creating its own generative AI tools for internal use. It plans to use those tools for translation and summarizing documents as well as for software development. At the same time, Samsung is also working on ways to block external AI services from obtaining sensitive company information. ChatGPT recently added an incognito mode where it doesnt save conversations for learning purposes.

Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT has been growing internally and externally. While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI, Samsung told staff. HQ is reviewing security measures to create a secure environment for safely using generative AI to enhance employees productivity and efficiency. However, until these measures are prepared, we are temporarily restricting the use of generative AI, the memo added.
Samsung has released the May 2023 update for the Galaxy S23 series. The rollout began earlier today and already seems to be available fairly widely in Europe and Asia. It should soon reach other parts of the world as well, including the US.

The May update for the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with the firmware build number S91*BXXS1AWD1 in Europe and Asia. Samsung hasnt added the latest release to its update tracker for the 2023 flagship trio, but a few users have confirmed receiving the update on Twitter. Germany, Poland, Thailand, and the Philippines are among the countries where the May release is available. A wider rollout should follow soon.

Samsungs official changelog for this update doesnt mention anything apart from the May security patch, which contains fixes for more than 70 vulnerabilities (more on this later). The firmware build number also suggests just a security update  the sixth character from the last is U for feature updates and S for security patches. However, the OTA (over the air) file size of 344MB is quite large, so we cant rule out the possibility of this update bringing something else too.

Moreover, there have been reports that Samsung will fix the halo effect issue with the Galaxy S23 cameras in May. The latest Galaxy flagships are also expected to pick up some improvements to the low-light photo quality with a new update. Its unclear whether the latest release brings either or both of these goodies. If not, Samsung will probably push them with a new update later this month or early next month. We will keep you posted.

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The May 2023 update patches over 70 vulnerabilities in Galaxy devices

Samsung started rolling out the May security update to its Galaxy devices last week. However, it hadnt published the content of the new SMR (Security Maintenance Release) back then. Now that we have stepped onto May, we have the patch details as well.

As said earlier, the May SMR patches more than 70 vulnerabilities in Galaxy devices. Those include over 50 Android OS patches and 21 Galaxy-specific security fixes. Samsung patched issues with AppLock, Call Settings, Telephony framework, Knox Enrollment Service, ThemeManager, and more system apps, services, and components. At least six vulnerabilities patched this month were labeled critical by Samsung and Google. Most of the remaining ones were high-severity issues. These security fixes will soon reach more Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S22 series.
While whisky with a splash of water may be a popular order at the bar, scientists say they have figured out just how big this splash should be.

Adding a little water is thought to open up the flavour of the drink, but a new study suggests there is a point at which it becomes too much  about 20%.

At this point, too much water can make whiskies in the same group taste the same, it found.

However, the most discerning palates may still be able to tell a single malt Scotch and an American bourbon apart.

According to the researchers, the findings may also help explain why larger ice cubes, or balls, have become so popular, as they allow the drink to be enjoyed before it gets too diluted.

Tom Collins, a Washington State University assistant professor and senior author on the study, said: If you want to enjoy a specific whisky, this suggests that you dont want to dilute it by more than about 20%.

By the time you get to 60/40 whisky to water, the whiskies are not differentiated by the panellists  they begin to smell the same, and thats not really what youre looking for.

He added: This study helps to understand why those large, square ice cubes have become so popular because you can actually enjoy the whisky before it gets diluted to the point that its not the same whisky.

For the study, researchers chemically analysed how volatile compounds in a set of 25 whiskies responded to the addition of water, including bourbons, ryes, Irish whiskeys and both single malt and blended Scotches.

They also had a trained panel of 20 experts assess six of those whiskies, three Scotches and three bourbons.

Both tests found that adding a little water could change how the whiskies smelled, and after 20%, they may start to have the same aroma.

The scientists say that since smell and taste are often closely linked, this likely affected the spirits flavour as well.

The findings may help whisky makers better understand how their customers will experience the drink if they chose to add water or have it on the rocks (Alamy/PA)

Working with Elizabeth Tomasino at Oregon State University to run the sensory panel, the researchers found that at 100% whiskey, the panellists could easily tell all the whiskies apart from each other.

They could still differentiate whiskies within each group at 80/20 whisky to water, but after more water was added, that changed.

The study found that while within each style of whisky the aromas became more similar, the larger grouping of Scotches, both single malts and blended, remained distinct from the American bourbons and ryes.

Chemical analysis revealed similar results showing the changes in volatile compounds that entered the area above the liquid (headspace), when water was added.

Whisky is a mix of compounds that run the scale from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, in other words, ones that are attracted to water and others that are repelled by it.

Adding water sends the whiskys hydrophobic compounds into that space and leaves the hydrophilic ones behind, changing the aroma of the liquid, experts say.

The chemical analysis matched the impressions of the panel, the study found.

For instance, many of the Scotch whiskies started out with a smoky, peat aroma, but as they were diluted, they moved towards a fruitier aroma known as pome.

Mr Collins explained: This happens because of the way dilution affects whats in the headspace.

The compounds that are associated with smoky aromas dissipate, and they were replaced by compounds that are associated with fruity aromas.

At first American bourbons were mostly associated with vanilla and oak scents, but as more water was added, they took on more aromas of the corn and grains used to make them.

Researchers suggest the findings, published in the Foods journal, can help whisky makers better understand how their customers will experience the drink if they chose to add water or have it on the rocks.

Mark Reynier, CEO and founder of Waterford Whisky  an Irish distillery that follows the French winemaking philosophy of terroir, said: There is often a certain fear, within whisky circles, of adding water to whisky  as though diluting somehow breaks a kind of unwritten purity law.

That can be the case if too much is added. But adding a few drops  usually no more than three  can make the unique flavours of a whisky all the more rewarding.

When drops of water are added, viscimetric whorls form  these are those mesmerising spirals you can see in the glass.

They allow the spirit to breathe: the whisky literally opens up as compounds unclench, and complex aromatic potential  derived from different barley flavour sources  can be fully realised.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay dismissed allegations about his conduct, insisting that he worked constructively with officials and had not received any complaints about his behaviour.

The Health Secretary has become the latest member of the Prime Ministers Cabinet to face bullying allegations, with officials from his department reportedly having spoken privately of bad behaviour.

The Guardian quoted Whitehall sources as saying Mr Barclay regularly blasted staff and on occasions deliberately ignored colleagues who tried to talk to him.

But Mr Barclay told reporters: Well, no complaints were raised with me.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay dismissed allegations about his conduct (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

But its important that we work constructively together, I hugely value the work officials within the department do.

He said that over the course of the weekend ministers and senior officials were working very closely together on issues including the NHS pay dispute and the evacuation of NHS medics from Sudan.

So were working constructively together, he said. Thats what Im focused on.

The Guardians report said civil servants had informally complained to Chris Wormald, the Department of Health and Social Cares permanent secretary, about the way they believe they and colleagues have been treated by Mr Barclay.

They said senior civil servants in the department had privately referred to bullying and other bad behaviour by Mr Barclay towards his staff since he joined the Whitehall department in July last year.

In the wake of the claims about Mr Barclays conduct, Downing Street said ministers must be able to robustly challenge civil servants.

Officials denied Rishi Sunak has ever been made aware of concerns  either formal or informal  about Mr Barclays behaviour.

The claims about Mr Barclay emerged in the wake of Dominic Raabs resignation as deputy prime minister after an investigation found he had behaved in a way that undermines or humiliates while foreign secretary and criticised the work of civil servant staff as woeful and utterly useless while justice secretary.
The British mission in Sudan is not over yet despite the end of the evacuation airlift, the Foreign Secretary said.

James Cleverly said the situation remained dangerous and officials were still in Port Sudan to help Britons seeking to leave the country.

The final evacuation flights left Sudan on Monday for Cyprus, with anyone seeking to leave now relying on making their own way to safety through Port Sudan or at land borders into neighbouring countries.

Sudan update  1 May 2023. 2,197 people have been evacuated from Sudan on 26 UK flights, with further flights landing this evening. pic.twitter.com/x4A964fMtK  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) May 1, 2023

During the airlift  the longest and largest by any western nation in Sudan  2,341 people were evacuated on 28 flights, according to No 10.

Downing Street said 1,195 were British nationals, while 1,087 people from other nations, including Sudanese dependants of British nationals, were also helped to leave.

No 10 confirmed that, as of Monday, 18 Sudanese clinicians had left the country as part of the UK evacuation.

Mr Cleverly told GB News: There is still an ongoing humanitarian situation, we still have a presence at Port Sudan, both a military presence and a number of other government officials to help British nationals and their dependents leave the country.

He added: We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals, because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile, and it is still dangerous.

As well as officials and military personnel in Port Sudan, HMS Lancaster is off the coast to support them.

Mr Cleverly said the evacuation from Sudan would have a significant cost to taxpayers.

The @RoyalAirForce has evacuated more than 2,000 people from Sudan, most of whom are UK nationals or their dependents. We have also evacuated civilians from more than 20 other nations  supporting our Allies and partners.  pic.twitter.com/qZfbQhtdln  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 1, 2023

But he told LBC Radio: What we have found increasingly now, as people use those land routes to Port Sudan, in many instances they are less in need of an air evacuation from Sudan itself.

There are a number of options available from Port Sudan, including a ferry across to Saudi Arabia.

He added: At the moment we have a warship just off the coast of Port Sudan, we have a cross-Whitehall team of officials in Port Sudan to help British nationals leave the country.

We can scale that up, or indeed scale that down, according to circumstances.

The international focus is shifting to preventing a wider humanitarian catastrophe in the region and Mr Cleverly warned that any further fighting would hamper relief efforts.

The United Nations said Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan and his rival General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed to send representatives to the negotiation table in a bid to establish a more stable truce.

Generals Burhan and Dagalo, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudans fraught transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.

Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4s Today: Where there is live conflict, our ability to provide humanitarian support is massively degraded.

He added: We have given aid to Sudan, we are giving support to countries in the region, we will continue to push for an extension of the ceasefire and a permanent end to the conflict because that is the best way to maximise the effectiveness of our humanitarian support.
Channel 4 has launched its permanent newsroom in Leeds, which will host its evening news bulletins.

The broadcaster has been operating in the West Yorkshire city since early 2022 through daily programming from a temporary studio.

Its permanent headquarters will air for the first time on Tuesday night at 7pm, with a programme anchored by long-standing presenter Jackie Long and featuring new data correspondent Ciaran Jenkins.

This makes Channel 4 the first programme to co-present prime time news from two locations, according to the broadcaster.

Channel 4 said the studios facilities will also support its data-driven output and FactCheck team.

Esme Wren, the editor of Channel 4 News, said the new studio serves as a visible investment in the region.

The Leeds Corn Exchange (Channel 4/PA)

She said: Tonight we launch our new studio in Leeds, a project many years in the making, were delighted to finally be bringing it to life as we significantly expand our presence across the UK.

With two national newsrooms to deliver the daily bulletin, this new venture is a visible investment in the region, marking our clear commitment to storytelling from across the country, alongside giving us a new home for our data-driven journalism.

As we come to air, I want to say a huge thank you to the whole Channel 4 News team who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.

Louisa Compton, head of news and current affairs, said the studio would bring more authentic regional voices to the channels coverage.

She said: Todays launch of the permanent studio officially makes Channel 4 News the first prime time news programme to co-present from two locations, demonstrating Channel 4s commitment to nations and regions and representing the whole of the UK.

It will bring more authentic regional voices to our news coverage, deliver more opportunities to people in the region and help ensure we continue to provide the best news coverage for our audiences.
The Chief Rabbi has conveyed the Jewish communitys very best wishes and blessings to the King ahead of his coronation.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, posted a message to Charles on social media on Tuesday, ahead of Saturdays ceremony in central London.

In the video, the Chief Rabbi gestures towards a framed copy of a prayer for the Royal family which hangs in his office.

Why is there a copy of the Prayer for the Royal Family in my office? The Chief Rabbi explains pic.twitter.com/GGly5INZsl  Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) May 2, 2023

He explains its history and says it serves as a reminder that the Jewish community have always prayed for the monarch, before sending Charles well-wishes ahead of the Westminster Abbey coronation.

Sir Ephraim was installed in his role in September 2013 during a ceremony attended by Charles when he was prince of Wales, the first time a member of the royal family was present.

He is only the 11th chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth since the office was introduced in 1704.

Here in my office hangs a most wonderful prayer, its the prayer for the Royal family, Sir Ephraim says in the clip.

This is the oldest one which actually stands in any one of our synagogues.

The original is in the Plymouth Synagogue, dating to 1762.

Prayer for the Royal family.

And actually, on this one, every time there was a new sovereign they changed the name and Ive got this copy here as a reminder of the extent to which we the Jewish community have always prayed for the monarch.

The King speaks to Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis (Aaron Chown/PA)

And in that context we send our very best wishes and blessings to King Charles III on the occasion of his coronation.

For the first time representatives from the nations faith communities will play an active role in the coronation of a monarch, and they will be visible from the initial moments until the end of the ceremony.

At the end of the coronation, the King will receive a greeting in unison from leaders and representatives from Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist communities, with Sir Ephraim set to be among this group.

They will tell the newly crowned King: Your Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service.

We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good.

Charles will acknowledges the greeting.
James Cleverly said he expects to meet Chinas vice-president when he visits the UK for the Kings coronation.

Han Zheng, who has been blamed for overseeing a crackdown on freedom in Hong Kong, was recently appointed as president Xi Jinpings deputy and is set to represent China at the event.

The Foreign Secretary indicated he will raise issues including Hong Kong and human rights abuses in Xinjiang province and stressed that engagement does not mean agreement with China.

He said it would be counterproductive for the UK to gag itself by refusing to talk to Beijings representatives.

Asked if he will meet the Chinese vice-president, Mr Cleverly said: I suspect that I will. And when I do, I will discuss a whole range of things just as I do when I meet other Chinese officials, including those areas where we have points of criticism.

When officials from the UK and China engage, Mr Cleverly said he always takes the opportunity to ensure the Chinese government understand our views on a range of issues, including those issues where we feel strongly their behaviour is inappropriate, like, for example, their failure to abide by the commitments in Hong Kong or by the treatment of the Uighur minority in Xinjiang and others.

The coronation is expected to see large numbers of world leaders and other senior figures gather in London, providing an opportunity for diplomatic networking by Mr Cleverly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and officials.

But senior Tories including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith have strongly criticised the invitation for Mr Han.

Sir Iain said it was outrageous to invite the man responsible for trashing the international treaty on Hong Kong.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the invitation for Han Zheng was outrageous (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA)

Defending the Governments approach, Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4s Today: I think people need to understand that engagement doesnt mean agreement.

Because the simple fact is countries all around the world have got to have conversations with other countries. Sometimes those conversations are very collaborative, with our close friends and allies, sometimes they are much more about what we disagree on.

With the relationship with China, it is incredibly important that we continue to have conversations.

To basically gag ourselves, to limit our own ability to exert influence, would be counterproductive.

Mr Han led Hong Kong affairs for Beijing between 2018 and March this year, during which time it imposed the national security law after mass protests in the city, stifling opposition and criminalising dissent.

The move strained relations with the UK and led to the creation of a visa scheme allowing Hong Kongers to come to Britain.

Beijing was represented by Mr Hans predecessor, Wang Qishan, at the Queens funeral.

Wang Qishan, Chinas then-vice-president, at the Queens state funeral (PA)

The UK says China remains in breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, under which it has a duty to uphold Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.

Hong Kong was handed over from the UK to China in 1997 with a promise by Beijing to keep western-style liberties under a one country, two systems framework.

Downing Street acknowledged there were strong feelings from MPs about the Beijing government but the Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters in Westminster: As the Foreign Secretary has said, we need to be clear-eyed about how we approach China, it would be wrong to exclude them completely given their significance to the global economy and on things like tackling climate change.

Preparations are being stepped up across Whitehall for the coronation and the diplomatic opportunities it presents.

The Prime Ministers spokesman said: The public would expect, whilst a significant number of world leaders are in the UK, it is right to ensure that we are meeting with them to further the UKs interests.

At Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said the coronation would be a wonderful occasion for the nation, which would balance pageantry, history and the role of the King at the centre of the United Kingdom, according to a Downing Street summary.
The principal at a primary school in West Virginia was given a shock when a bear leapt out of the bin he was unlocking.

James Marsh, 58, head of Zela Elementary School, ran for his life when a sizeable bear emerged from the bin he was standing by at around 7.15am on Monday.

Mr Marsh can be seen in the video unlocking the bin before a bear pokes its head out from under the lid, with the principal running one way while the bear leaps out and scarpers in the opposite direction.

It was not how I planned to start my week at all! Mr Marsh told the PA news agency.

Apparently he came in over the weekend and unknown to me had climbed in there.

James Marsh was given a fright when a bear leapt out of the bin he was opening (Nicholas County Schools/PA)

I was unlocking the bar so we could put trash in the dumpster for the day and I just never dreamed that there would be anything inside it, especially with it locked.

So, as you can tell, it was a complete surprise. It was amazing that I never heard anything, there was no noise inside, I had several staff members that had come to work that morning and walked right beside the dumpster on the way into the building.

All of a sudden it let out a big growl and came out of there, and it scared me!

Mr Marsh confirmed the bear had bent the metal bar enough to squeeze in and out several times (Nicholas County Schools/PA)

Mr Marsh said a bear had visited in the night around a week before, prompting the school to install a lock bar on the bin to protect it.

The bear was undeterred though. Having checked surveillance video after his ursine encounter, Mr Marsh confirmed it had bent the metal bar enough to squeeze in and out several times over the weekend.

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources has since modified the lid to make it more secure.

I showed (the video) to my students at lunchtime, we put it on the big television and they watched it and they just laughed and laughed and laughed, said Mr Marsh.

I love wildlife, I love animals, but I would rather they not be that close.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing criticism after confirming that Labour is set to move on from his commitment to abolish tuition fees.

It becomes the latest pledge dropped by the Labour leader, with Sir Keir pointing to the different financial situation as the reason behind the latest shift.

The move was criticised by the University and College Union (UCU), which labelled the decision deeply disappointing.

We are looking at options for how we fund these fees. The current system is unfair, it doesnt really work for students, doesnt work for universities, Sir Keir told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Tuesday.

He said the party would, in the coming weeks, set out a fairer solution.

We are likely to move on from that commitment because we do find ourselves in a different financial situation.

He stressed that he did not want that to be read as us accepting for a moment that the current system is fair or that it is working.

Confirmation of plans to drop the commitment, contained in the partys two previous manifestos, came following months of speculation that Sir Keir was considering moving on from the pledge.

The Labour leader did not spell out what plan or policies would replace the current stance but told the programme: You and others would be quizzing me hard if I just simply said Im going to ignore the current economic situation and just press on with something, notwithstanding the cost.

Tuition fees sit at a maximum of 9,250, with the current system introduced by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition in the face of severe opposition from students.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady called on the Labour leader to offer a positive vision for universities.

She said: Keir Starmer repeatedly pledged to abolish the toxic system of tuition fees and in doing so was elected leader of the Labour Party.

It is deeply disappointing for him to now be reneging on that promise, a move which would condemn millions of future students to a life of debt.

What we really need is a positive vision for higher education that puts staff and students first.

The current, tuition fee reliant model is broken. It has saddled students with decades of debt, turned universities from sites of learning into labyrinthine businesses obsessed with generating revenue and surpluses over all else, and led to staff pay and working conditions being degraded, causing unprecedented industrial unrest.

The country desperately needs a publicly-funded higher education system.

A poll, of more than 1,000 full-time UK undergraduate students in April, suggests that students in England are split on what Labour should do about tuition fees.

The Higher Education Policy Institute survey, carried out by Savanta, found that 28% of students living in England want Labour to commit to abolishing tuition fees in England, 23% want the party to reduce fees to 6,000, and 20% want Labour to back the current system of fees capped at 9,250.

Sir Keir has claimed he remains committed to the vast majority of the pledges, but parts of the Labour left have criticised his move away from his promise in 2019 to support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water.

Under his leadership, Labour has set out plans for a publicly-owned energy company called Great British Energy but one said he was not ideological about the policy of nationalisation.

He and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves have also appeared to distance themselves from plans to raise income tax, despite Sir Keirs former pledge to raise income tax for the top 5% of earners.

On Tuesday the Holborn and St Pancras MP said those with the broadest shoulders should pay more, but said the reality was that households are currently facing the highest tax burden since the Second World War.
Chris Packham has had an enormous amount of puerile, offensive and damaging material published about him, the High Court has heard at the start of his libel claim.

The TV naturalist, 61, is suing three men over nine articles which claimed he defrauded people into donating to a charity to rescue tigers while knowing the animals were well looked after, described in court as tiger fraud.

Dominic Wightman, editor of the online site Country Squire Magazine, is defending the libel claim along with writer Nigel Bean and a third man, Paul Read.

The strongly denied allegations, repeated in several tweets and videos, relate to Mr Packhams involvement with the Wildheart Trust, which runs a wildlife sanctuary on the Isle of Wight.

At the start of the trial on Tuesday, the High Court in London heard that the environmentalist was accused of abusing his privileged position as a BBC presenter to dishonestly appeal for donations for the charity, which he and his partner Charlotte Corney are trustees of.

Jonathan Price, for the presenter, said: It is now a facility that rescues animals in need of a forever home, as they put it, because for whatever reason they are unwanted by their former owners.

A central allegation in this case that it is fraudulent to attach the word rescue to this process.

The environmentalist  who is expected to give evidence on Wednesday  was accused of misleading the public into donating by claiming tigers had been rescued from a circus while he allegedly knew they had been well-treated and were instead donated.

Mr Price said in written submissions: Mr Packham is well-known for his decades of vociferous campaigning for, and strongly held beliefs on, animal welfare and nature conservation issues.

An argument that he does not genuinely hold those beliefs but has instead sought to defraud the public for money is, at best, an ambitious one.

The court was told that Mr Packham had been described by the defendants as a fraud, a notorious liar, of having an obvious nastiness, and of playing the Aspergers victim card.

Mr Price argued that the three men intended to run a full-frontal attack on Mr Packhams character during the legal case and to get him fired.

As the litigation has progressed, the defendants have published an enormous amount of puerile, offensive and damaging material about the claimant, often under the guise of fundraising for their defence, the barrister said in written submissions.

Nicholas OBrien, for Mr Wightman and Mr Bean, said the articles in the claim were true and could also be defended as under the public interest.

In written submissions, the barrister said: It is clear that the tigers had not been rescued from a circus, were not then in need of rescue, and were not rescued by Mr Packham.

Chris Packham with his partner Charlotte Corney at the Royal Courts of Justice (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Mr OBrien said the pair contend that Mr Packham knew the statements were false, and they were therefore made dishonestly.

They were also fraudulent in that they were made with a view to a gain and constituted an abuse of his privileged position as a BBC presenter, he added.

David Price KC, for retired computer programmer Mr Read, said he was not responsible for the publications attributed to him as he was a mere proofreader.

In written submissions, he continued: Mr Reads proofread version was then subjected to further amendment by Mr Wightman and/or Mr Bean before publication.

Mr Price added that Mr Wightman had admitted responsibility.

The fact that Mr Read was given courtesy byline credits cannot override the hard evidence as to his limited involvement, he added.

The trial before Mr Justice Saini is due to conclude on May 12, with a decision expected at a later date.
A former BBC director-general has called on the Government to overhaul its public appointments process after the resignation of BBC chairman Richard Sharp.

Mr Sharp quit after an inquiry by Adam Heppinstall KC found he had breached the rules on public appointments by failing to declare his connection to a 800,000 loan made to Boris Johnson.

The investigation also found that Mr Johnson, while prime minister, had personally approved Mr Sharps appointment and that individuals running the recruitment process had been informed that he was the only candidate the Government would support.

Former director-general of the BBC, Lord Birt, told the House of Lords that the report was shocking and called on the Government to address the flaws in its process.

The independent crossbench peer said: This episode will not damage the BBC  its been around 100 years, its a wonderful institution, it will quickly ride through this sorry affair.

The damage that has been done is to the Governments own process for making public appointments and the Heppinstall report is a truly shocking read.

Will the Government now overhaul the process for making public appointments?

Lord Vaizey of Didcot, a Tory former minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), said he thought Mr Sharp was an excellent chair of the BBC who has been extremely harshly treated, condemning a now-pulled cartoon in The Guardian, which has been branded antisemitic.

However, the Times Radio presenter agreed that one of the things that is very clear from this report and something we all knew at the time is who the Governments favoured candidate was for the position.

And I think this does a disservice to the Government because it prevents excellent candidates putting themselves forward and giving the Government a genuine choice.

The minister must know that the Government should have a much more open process with the appointment for the next chair of the BBC.

Richard Sharp (Archive/PA)

Former political adviser at Number 10 Lord McNally told peers that Downing Street trying to interfere with public appointments is nothing new.

The now-Liberal Democrat peer was appointed the head of the prime ministers political office at Downing Street when James Callaghan succeeded Harold Wilson in 1976.

He said: Nothing the minister has said so far can give us any confidence that the process is not going to still be influenced by Number 10 Downing street.

And therefore is it now absolutely imperative that a system of selection is produced that makes it clear that whoevers the incumbent of Number 10, they will not have improper or undue influence on this appointment.

I say this as someone who was once head of the political office in Number 10, so I know how, under successive governments, there is a desire to interfere.

And the Government has an opportunity now to create a really transparent open system, but its got to have the will to do it as well.

DCMS minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay responded that there are some lessons to be learned from the report.

He said: Mr Heppinstalls report concluded that overall DCMS officials conducted a good and thorough process.

There are some lessons from his report and we will carefully consider the findings and respond in due course.

He added: The process for appointing the chair of the BBC is set out in the BBCs royal charter.

It requires an appointment to be made by Order in Council following a fair and open competition; by convention, the Secretary State for Culture, Media and Sport recommends the appointment to the Lord President of the Council and the Prime Minister who recommends the appointment to His Majesty the King.

It is important that the process is followed and all public appointments are set out and followed in accordance with the Governments code.

The minister added that he agreed with Lord Vaizey about the brilliant work done by Mr Sharp at the BBC, and branded The Guardians cartoon deplorable.

He then acknowledged: The Adam Heppinstall report rightly points to the impact that the publication of candidates names in the media can have on the public appointments process, we echo the concerns he has raised there.

The process to appoint a new permanent chairman will be run in a robust and fair and open manner in accordance with the Governments code.

Former chancellor of the exchequer Lord Clarke of Nottingham added that the process should be changed to make sure those involved in making recommendations or the eventual choice in BBC chair must make sure potential conflicts of interests are made known to them.

However, Lord Parkinson responded that Mr Heppinstalls report makes it clear that the governance code puts the obligation to make the disclosure on the candidate.
The final UK evacuation flight is expected take off from Sudan on Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary has announced.

James Cleverly urged British nationals still wanting to leave the war-torn nation to make their way to Port Sudan.

It was previously thought the evacuation airlift had ended on Monday when planes left Sudan for Cyprus.

So far during the airlift  the longest and largest by any western nation in Sudan  2,341 people have been evacuated on 28 flights, according to the Government.

Downing Street said 1,195 were British nationals, with other nationalities, including Sudanese dependants of British nationals, also helped to leave.

No 10 confirmed that, as of Monday, 18 Sudanese clinicians had left the country as part of the UK evacuation.

In updated guidance on its website on Tuesday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: The UK government will run final evacuation flights from Port Sudan on 3 May.

If you plan to leave Sudan, you should arrive at the Coral Hotel in Port Sudan by 10am on 3 May to be processed to travel.

After that, no further British evacuation flights will operate from Port Sudan.

Mr Cleverly tweeted: After the successful evacuation of 2341 people on 28 flights, the last UK flight is expected to leave Port Sudan tomorrow.

After the successful evacuation of 2341 people on 28 flights, the last UK flight is expected to leave Port Sudan tomorrow. I urge British Nationals still wishing to leave the country to go to the Coral Hotel in Port Sudan and continue to follow our Travel Advice.  James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) May 2, 2023

I urge British Nationals still wishing to leave the country to go to the Coral Hotel in Port Sudan and continue to follow our Travel Advice.

Earlier, the Foreign Secretary said there was still a British military presence at the countrys main seaport on the Red Sea coast as the situation remained dangerous.

As well as officials and military personnel in Port Sudan, the HMS Lancaster warship is off the coast to support Britons.

The international focus is shifting to preventing a wider humanitarian catastrophe in the region and Mr Cleverly warned that any further fighting would hamper relief efforts.

The United Nations said Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan and his rival General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed to send representatives to the negotiation table in a bid to establish a more stable truce.

Generals Burhan and Dagalo, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudans fraught transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.
The Government simply wont know how many people have been turned away from polling stations on Thursday because they lack ID, a senior MP has said.

Voters at Thursdays local elections will for the first time be required to present photo ID before casting their ballots.

But amid fears that the requirement could lead to many people being unable to vote, Labour MP Clive Betts has said that current plans will not allow the Government to find out exactly how many people have been turned away.

Mr Betts, who chairs the Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, spoke after receiving a letter from the Electoral Commission that said data from greeters standing outside polling stations would not allow it to accurately quantify the wider impact of the policy.

He said: The Electoral Commission has confirmed that we simply wont know how many people will have been turned away in a queue outside a polling station because they do not have the requisite ID.

It appears that the Government has designed a system which denies the prospect of sensible and co-ordinated information collection and makes it almost impossible to judge the true impact of the introduction of voter ID.

The Electoral Commission intends to record the number of people who are refused a ballot paper by polling station staff because they lack ID, but not if they are turned away after speaking to the greeters that some local authorities plan to deploy outside polling stations.

In a letter to Mr Betts, Electoral Commission chairman John Pullinger said using data from greeters would be inherently unreliable as some people may turn around before speaking to anyone and others may not be recognised if they later return with the correct ID.

Instead, the Electoral Commission will carry out opinion polling to gain evidence on the fullest impact of the ID requirement.

Polling after voter ID pilot programmes found 2% of non-voters did not cast a ballot because of the ID requirement.

Mr Betts said: We are barely days away from voters going to the polls.

The Electoral Commission should spell out what other arrangements they can make, at this late stage, to record all the individuals without appropriate voter ID that may be turned away, at any point, on May 4.

Critics of the voter ID policy have said it could result in large numbers of people being unable to vote, with about two million UK voters thought not to possess the correct form of ID, while fewer than 100,000 have applied for a certificate that would allow them to vote.

Rebecca Baker, an academic at the University of Exeter and an expert in democratic decline, said: It is apparent that not enough voters are aware of the change or have sufficient access to trusted information to feel secure in the options available in relation to gaining the required ID.

The Government has recognised this knowledge would be vital, and without it, the risk of this rollout impeding the voting process rather than safeguarding it, is high.

On April 27, levelling up minister Rachel Maclean told the Commons the policy was necessary for maintaining the British publics trust in the sanctity of the ballot box and the Government was very concerned to get the process of data collection right.

Ms Maclean said data would be collected at polling stations and through a voter identification evaluation form.
Banking giant HSBC has revealed profits more than tripled in the first three months of the year as it received a 1.5 billion US dollar (1.2 billion) boost from its rescue takeover of collapsed Silicon Valley Banks UK arm.

The group reported pre-tax profits soaring to 12.9 billion US dollars (10.3 billion) for the three months to March 31, up from 4.1 billion US dollars (3.4 billion) a year earlier.

Its results were boosted by gains from its acquisition of SVB UK last month, as well as the reversal of 2.1 billion US dollars (1.7 billion) in write-downs linked to the planned sale of its French retail business to private equity, which is now at risk of falling through.

HSBC bought SVB UK on March 13 for a nominal 1 after SVB failed in the US, sparking fears of a global financial crisis.

Noel Quinn is chief executive of HSBC (Yui Mok/PA)

Since then, Credit Suisse was also taken over in a rescue deal by Swiss rival UBS and troubles in the sector keep bubbling up.

On Monday, US regulators seized troubled First Republic Bank and sold all of its deposits and most of its assets to JPMorgan Chase Bank in a bid to head off further banking turmoil in the US.

San Francisco-based First Republic is the third mid-size bank to fail in two months.

But HSBCs chief executive Noel Quinn dismissed fears that a global banking crisis is on the horizon and said he did not see any negative impact on the group from the failure of First Republic.

He added that there were no nasty surprises following its buyout of SVB UK.

It booked a 200 million write-off for what it said were fair value adjustments relating to the deal, but added this was expected and identified when it went through the SVB UK books during weekend talks with the Government and Bank of England, which helped orchestrate the rescue takeover.

It plans to change the name of SVB UK shortly but reiterated that it is not looking to cut any staff at the group or close its London office.

We want to keep it with a separate identity, Mr Quinn said.

The groups shares lifted 5% in early trading on Monday as it also delivered its first dividend to shareholders since before the pandemic in 2019, as well as a share buy-back of up to two billion US dollars (1.6 billion).

Mr Quinn said: Our strong first quarter performance provides further evidence that our strategy is working.

Revenue soared by 64% to 20.2 billion dollars (16.2 billion) compared to the same period 12 months ago, with the company crediting the rise to higher net interest income due to rate rises across the globe.

But the figures also come amid intensifying pressure from its top shareholder to split the bank.

Chinese investor Ping An Asset Management, which owns an 8% stake in HSBC, has been in a long-running spat with the banking giant over calls for an Asia-headquartered spin-off.

The bank is holding its annual general meeting on May 5, where a vote will be put to shareholders over the restructuring proposals.

Mr Quinn said the bank and Ping An had a difference of opinion over the structure of the bank.

But he said they both share a desire to improve the performance of the bank.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, said: HSBC may have found growth hard to come by over recent years but its sheer scale and financial strength sets it apart in times of turmoil, as recently witnessed in the banking sector.

He added: There is an unwelcome distraction coming from shareholder noises which are suggesting an isolation of the Asian business to unlock further value. However, this remains contrary to HSBCs tradition of globally interconnected banking and one which it fully intends to continue to resist.
A judge has approved a global settlement of compensation claims made by people affected by the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.

Lawyers representing bereaved relatives, survivors and local residents on Tuesday told a High Court hearing in London that there had been a global settlement of about 900 cases and a global sum of about 150 million compensation agreed.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the final Grenfell Inquiry report is unlikely to be published until early 2024.

The panel and team working on the phase two report, which examined how the tower block came to be in a condition which allowed the fire to spread, has insisted they will spare no effort to finish it as soon as possible.

They said the report will be sent to the Prime Minister as soon as we can, but that will probably not be possible before the beginning of next year, after which Mr Sunak will decide when it will be published.

The final hearing took place on November 10 2022.

At the High Court, the judge, Senior Master Barbara Fontaine, said she approved overall settlement terms.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the London Fire Commissioner and cladding giant Arconic were among defendants involved, lawyers said.

News that settlements of claims had been agreed emerged earlier this year.

Richard Hermer KC, who represented claimants, outlined detail of the overall settlement to the judge.

He said the settlement related only to civil court damages claims and would not affect the work of the public inquiry.

No amount of money will ever truly compensate for what the claimants have had to endure, he told the judge.

This is a settlement purely of the civil claims for compensation.

The final Grenfell Inquiry report is unlikely to be published until early 2024 (PA)

He added: The settlement does not right the wrong, it does not secure accountability.

Names of claimants did not emerge at Tuesdays hearing and no detail of individual amounts was outlined.

The judge specifically approved financial arrangements for settlements of claims made by eight children. Lawyers said the children were part of the global claim.

They said a judge had to examine issues such as investment arrangements for compensation paid to children.

Judges would consider arrangements for claims made by other children at further hearings, they said.

Mr Hermer told the judge that, as well as agreeing compensation, defendants had agreed to put a total of about 50 million into a restorative justice project.

He said the Government was contributing about 25 million and Arconic about 6 million, but said that programmes which would feature in the project had yet to be finalised.

News of that project had also emerged earlier this year.

Arconic said then that it was among defendants who had agreed to the settlement and to the restorative justice project.

A spokesman said the project would benefit the community affected by the fire.

Lawyers said the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and firms involved in the construction or refurbishment of the tower block were also among the defendants.

Mr Hermer said defendants had also agreed to fund an event called testimony week.

He said the event was planned for next year and would feature people involved in the tragedy discussing their experiences.
Cat-themed outfits featured heavily at this years Met Gala, in apparent nods to late fashion designer Karl Lagerfelds beloved pet, Choupette.

Famous faces including Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and Jared Leto arrived for the high-profile fashion event in New York, wearing feline-inspired garments  some more extreme than others.

Lagerfeld doted on the blue-eyed cat, who was reportedly invited to the 2023 Met Gala, but did not make an appearance on the night.

Doja Cat wore cat-inspired prosthetics and a silver skintight gown (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Doja Cat donned yet another eye-catching, full-body outfit for the event, which was her first ever Met Gala.

The rapper wore cat-inspired prosthetics on her face, cat-eye make-up and a diamond hanging on her forehead.

With a silver skintight gown by Oscar de la Renta, the outfit had a feathered train, backless design and a built-in head covering with cat ears.

Lil Nas X (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Another of the nights more experimental looks was delivered by fellow rapper Lil Nas X, who wore a metallic thong and sparkling silver paint covering his entire body.

Crystals and pearls studded his body, and he topped off the look with a heavily embellished face mask that featured feline elements.

Slightly less subtle was the outfit donned by Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto, who arrived at the Met Gala in a giant white fluffy cat costume.

Jared Leto wore a giant white fluffy cat costume (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

After posing for photos Leto removed his head in the events main hall, hoisting it aloft and waving, before changing into another outfit.

Kim Kardashian, whose Met Gala outfits are always highly anticipated, did not opt for a cat-inspired costume on the night, but paid tribute to Choupette on the carpet.

It comes after the reality star recently met the cat in Paris and posted a picture with her fellow social media giant (Choupette has 176k followers on Instagram).



Had a date with @choupetteofficiel in Paris. We then spent some time at @karllagerfelds office to get a little inspiration for the Met, she captioned a photo, which showed the animal looking somewhat unimpressed.

Speaking to Vogue on the carpet, Kardashian recalled the meeting as a little scary.

It takes a little while to warm up to her, (but) she wrote me a sweet note and left it in my room. We spent some time together before this trip, she said.

Choupette also appeared to get a nod from Vogue editor-in-chief and Met Gala organiser, Dame Anna Wintour, who wore a coat that seemed to have small cat motifs embroidered on it.
Kate Forbes insisted her position on highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) has not changed since she pledged to scrap it in the SNP leadership election  but said there could be a way forward if Scottish government works with coastal communities.

Speaking to BBCs Good Morning Scotland on Tuesday, Ms Forbes said it is her job to engage with the Scottish government, which she said has turned a corner in its approach to HPMAs.

HPMAs will see strict limits on human activity such as swimming and aquaculture in at least 10% of Scotlands waters.

The proposals have been met with a huge backlash from some coastal communities, Ms Forbes said.

During the leadership election, Ms Forbes said she wanted to scrap the proposals.

Kate Forbes said she has been engaging with Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan over HPMAs (PA)

But she has appeared to soften her position and showed a willingness to work with the government after she lost the contest.

In the leadership contest, I said I would have scrapped HPMAs completely if elected, she said.

Obviously, I didnt win.

My position has always been that I think they are potentially jeopardising coastal communities.

Its important that the Scottish government works with coastal communities going forward.

Fishing supports so many livelihoods in these communities, so my concern and the concern that has been expressed by some of these communities is that if we cut off that lifeline to the sea then it could jeopardise population recovery.

I have to credit the Scottish government and particularly Mairi McAllan for her approach recently.

If the Scottish government can continue to express their desire to work hand in glove with communities, particularly fishermen, then I think there is a way forward.

Ms Forbes was asked about claims in The Times over the weekend that her supporters were planning a coup against Humza Yousaf to take over the running of the government.

The former finance secretary said: It is absolute nonsense, of course, with no basis in anything I have done or said.

Im a democrat. I respect Humza Yousaf as our leader. I respect the result. I respect the voters.

I recognise I have support, but what I would say to my well-intentioned supporters is that we have to get behind the leadership.

Weve got enough challenges in the country and in the party that we must back him, we must support him and I think hes got a hugely difficult job.

I support Humza Yousaf as our leader and I would call on my supporters to back him as well and give him the time and the space to negate these current issues.

Rachael Hamilton, shadow cabinet secretary for rural economy and tourism for the Scottish Conservatives, told Good Morning Scotland she wants the HPMA plans to be scrapped.

But she was presented with a policy from the Scottish Conservatives manifesto for the 2021 Scottish parliament election appearing to suggest the party would review current protected marine areas in Scotland and expand their extent  as well as piloting HPMAs.

Ms Hamilton insisted nothing had changed on their approach to HPMAs.

There is nothing in those words that say we want to see a further 10% protected areas on top of the already protected areas, she told the BBC programme.

We have looked very carefully at responses to the consultation from fishing communities.

We are nervous about introducing a pilot with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and spatial squeeze fishermen are facing right now.

Ms Hamilton pointed to pilots across the UK and said the socio-economic impact could be monitored because the sea goes right round the UK.

MSPs will consider a motion calling for the controversial plans to be scrapped in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
The King has been described as a proven friend of Northern Ireland during a cathedral service ahead of his coronation.

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and the Catholic Archbishop of Ireland Eamon Martin were among the congregation at the Church of Irelands historic St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh city on Tuesday evening.

US consul-general Paul Narain and Mark Hanniffy, Irish joint secretary of the North/South Ministerial Council, were also at the service before Charless coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris at the end of a Service of Thanksgiving in preparation for the Coronation of King Charles III at St Patricks Cathedral, Armagh. (Liam McBurney/PA)

The cathedral choir sang a number of pieces of music performed at previous coronation services, including Handels Zadok the Priest.

Mr Martin, who is to attend the coronation, gave a Bible reading before the sermon by Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell.

Mr McDowell is set to present the Sovereigns Orb during the coronation service at Westminster Abbey, the first time this part of the ceremony has been undertaken by anyone other than the Archbishop of Canterbury

During his address Mr McDowell will have the prayers of all the people of Northern Ireland in my heart.

The congregation at St Patricks Cathedral (Liam McBurney/PA)

He told the congregation the King has shown himself to be a friend of Northern Ireland.

He added: Indeed a friend of Ireland North and South  with a very detailed knowledge of our affairs, and more importantly, we have a place close to his heart.

Mr McDowell said Charles has an advantage over many of his predecessors in his incomparable experience of working with an enormous array of people from every nation under the sun, adding the familiarity that comes from working with people over a long period of time is a priceless gift in terms of discipleship and a practical monarchy.

The service concluded with the National Anthem and a collection was taken to support the work of Southern Area Hospice Services.

Speaking before the service, Archbishop Martin said he was pleased to attend to represent the Catholic community, and offer prayers and thoughts for the King on Saturday.

Im also very privileged to be able to attend the coronation myself, along with the other church leaders from the island of Ireland, its a very special moment, he said.

We were at the time of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeths funeral and so to return on Saturday on a much happier occasion is a wonderful privilege.

The new King himself said just before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth that he wants to be someone who represents the diversity of faiths and indeed who represents people of no faith, and all traditions on these islands.
Kendall Jenner wore her sheerest look yet to the 2023 Met Gala after party. (Getty Images)

Kendall Jenner is no stranger to a naked dress moment, but her Met Gala after party look has been touted as one of her most daring yet.

The 27-year-old wore a Nensi Dojaka design to the Met Gala after party, which the London-based designer said was a tribute to "one of Karls iconic looks". The 2023 Met Gala theme was 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty' after the late Chanel creative director who died in 2019.

Read more: Kim Kardashian channels Playboy look at Met Gala as daughter North West makes debut

Jenners Nensi Dojaka look consisted of an extremely sheer sequin bodysuit, with a black harness, black underwear and pearl straps. It mimicked a look from Chanels spring/summer 1994 collection.

Model Nadja Auermann walks the Chanel spring/summer 1994 runway (left) and Kendall Jenner at the Met Gala 2023 after party (right). (Getty Images)

Its certainly not the first time Jenner has dared to bare some flesh in the name of fashion. The model has long been a connoisseur of the naked dress, wearing a nude Givenchy gown to the 2021 Met Gala.

Here are some of Jenners best naked dress moments.

At the 2023 Met Gala after party

Jenner's Nensi Dojaka look featured a sheer bodysuit over black underwear. (Getty Images)

In a homage to nineties Chanel, Jenner wore a completely sheer sparkly silver bodysuit from Nensi Dojaka, paired with pearl straps, a black bodice and black high rise underwear.

While out for dinner in LA in January 2023

Jenner wore a sheer dress while out in LA in January 2023. (Getty Images)

In January, during an outing in Los Angeles one evening, Jenner wore a completely sheer asymmetrical black dress with just black underwear beneath. Her hair was styled in a messy up do, and she wore strappy sandals and a choker necklace for the occasion.

At the LACMA Art and Film Gala in 2022

Jenner's sheer bodysuit from Burc Akyol had strategic placements. (Getty Images)

Less naked that some of her other dresses, Jenners sheer bodysuit from French-Turkish designer Burc Akyol that she wore to the 2022 LACMA Art and Film Gala was still just as eye-catching. Strategically placed strips featured across Jenners chest and belly button, and she paired the body suit with a low slung skirt.

At the 2021 Met Gala

This Givenchy gown made Jenner one of the best-dressed at the 2021 Met Gala. (Getty Images)

Jenners 2021 Met Gala look was the naked dress to end all naked dresses. Her stunning Givenchy gown consisted of a nude bodysuit with a sheer embellished overlay and a matching necklace. She kept her hair slicked back in a bun to keep all eyes on her dress.

One the 2018 Cannes Film Festival red carpet

Jenner chose a sheer white Schiaparelli gown for the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. (Getty Images)

Jenner made her red carpet naked dress debut at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival wearing an ethereal white Schiaparelli gown, with plenty of tulle and cinched with a waist belt.

At a party during the 2018 Cannes Film Festival

Jenner's first naked look came at a party at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. (Getty Images)

Jenner showed her dedication to the sheer dress trend with this sparkly green Chainmail mini dress that she wore to a Chopard party during the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. She paired the look with gold jewellery, tousled hair and nude underwear.

Watch: Serena Williams reveals she is expecting her second child at 2023 Met Gala
It is ludicrous to say Ukraines Nato membership is provocative to Russia and the UK Government should support an application from Kyiv, former prime minister Boris Johnson has said.

He told MPs the next meeting of Nato heads in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July will be an important test of the military alliances willingness to fulfil its long-standing promises to Ukraine.

He said Kyiv should be invited to make the necessary preparations to join as soon as possible for the sake of clarity and peace in Europe.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Natos position in regard to Ukraine is unambiguous and the invitation has been put out for Ukraine to join.

Mr Johnsons comments came during questions to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the Commons.

He said: This summers Vilnius summit will be an important test of Natos willingness to fulfil its long-standing promises to Ukraine.

Does he agree with me that its now ludicrous to say that Ukraines Nato membership might be in some way provocative to Russia, since (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has shown what he is willing to do when Ukraine is not a member of Nato and because Ukraine is not a member of Nato?

And does he agree that it should therefore be the policy of the Government that Ukraine should be invited to make the necessary preparations to join as soon as possible under the rules, for the sake of clarity and stability and peace in Europe?

Mr Cleverly paid tribute to the former PM for the leadership that he showed at a vital point in time, adding: Natos position in regard to Ukraine is unambiguous. The invitation has been put out for Ukraine to join Nato.

I think its incredibly important that that is not taken off the table.

Of course Russias aggression into Ukraine was the provocative action.

Ukraines desire to join Nato was an entirely understandable defensive posture because of that threat from the east.
A man has been arrested outside Buckingham Palace after throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds, police said.

The Metropolitan Police said he was detained at around 7pm on Tuesday after he approached the palaces gates in central London and threw a number of items.

He was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found, but he was not carrying a gun.

Cordons were put in place after he was found with a suspicious bag but have since been removed, the force added.

A controlled explosion was conducted as a precaution, Scotland Yard said, and the detonation was heard live on GB News.

Neither the King nor the Queen Consort were at Buckingham Palace at the time of the incident.

But Charles did host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during an audience at the palace earlier on Tuesday.

The King meets Anthony Albanese at Buckingham Palace (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The items thrown into the palace grounds have been recovered and will be taken for specialist examination, the Met said.

Police say they are not currently treating the incident as terror-related.

It is understood it is being treated as an isolated mental health incident.

Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald said: Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody.

There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public.

Officers remain at the scene and further inquiries are ongoing.

A police car outside Buckingham Palace (Ben Roberts-Haslam/PA)

Buckingham Palace declined to comment and said the incident was a matter for the Met Police.

A ring of steel is expected in the capital for Charless coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

Policing minister Chris Philp has described it as a huge policing operation, and heads of state and foreign royals from around the world are set to travel to the UK.

In February, Jaswant Singh Chail, then 21, admitted a charge under the Treason Act of trying to harm the late Queen.

He was caught in the grounds of Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow on Christmas Day 2021, close to the late Queens private residence, where she and other members of the royal family were at the time.

The former supermarket worker had scaled the perimeter of the grounds with a nylon rope ladder at around 6am  wearing black clothes, gloves and a metal mask  and later told an officer: Im here to kill the Queen.

Chail, from Southampton, Hampshire, appeared at the Old Bailey by video link in February and pleaded guilty to three charges, including an offence under the Treason Act.

He also admitted to making a threat to kill the Queen and having a loaded crossbow in a public place.
Labours decision to abandon its plan to abolish tuition fees means the party has retreated from another of the promises Sir Keir Starmer made during the 2020 leadership election.

On Tuesday, Sir Keir told the BBCs Today programme that the vast majority of those promises stand, although he had been forced to adapt to the different economic situation.

Those promises were set out in a list of 10 pledges as part of Sir Keirs leadership campaign, seen by some as instrumental in securing him victory over Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey.

Here are the 10 pledges, and whether Sir Keir is still committed to them.

 Economic justice

In his first pledge, Sir Keir promised to increase income tax for the top 5% of earners, reverse planned cuts in corporation tax and clamp down on tax avoidance.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she has no plans to raise income tax (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Now the picture is different. Labour has backed away from tax rises, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves saying she has no plans to increase income tax and Sir Keir choosing to focus on growing the economy and criticising the current high tax burden.

The promise to reverse the corporation tax cut is no longer relevant as the Government has already U-turned on its plans, but Labour remains committed to cracking down on tax avoidance and has pledged to scrap the non-dom tax status.

 Social justice

Several policies under Sir Keirs second pledge have been abandoned, including the promise to scrap tuition fees.

Abolishing universal credit and ending the current sanctions regime, described as cruel by the party, also appear to have been dropped or watered down.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth has instead promised to fundamentally reform universal credit, but will keep conditionality as part of the system.

A promise to scrap tuition fees has been dropped (Chris Ison/PA)

Sir Keirs promise to set a national goal for wellbeing to make health as important as GDP appears to remain, with the Labour leader mentioning it again in a January 2022 speech on health.

Labour also remains committed to investing in public services, although Sir Keir has said the country cannot spend its way out of its problems and denied Labour would be getting its big government chequebook out again, in his 2023 new year speech.

 Climate justice

Sir Keir Starmer visits the Beatrice wind farm off the Caithness coast (Paul Campbell/PA)

Net zero and climate change remain a significant part of Labours pitch for the next general election, with the party pushing proposals including decarbonising the power system by 2030 and creating a net zero mandate for all regulators.

The proposal for a new clean air act also remains, although shadow justice secretary Steve Reed has suggested this may form part of a wider plan to extend legal protection to certain social and economic human rights.

 Promote peace and human rights

Sir Keir Starmer has watered down promises for a prevention of military intervention act (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Sir Keirs promise of no more illegal wars appears to remain valid, but he has stepped back slightly from his proposal for a prevention of military intervention act.

In an interview with The Times in March 2022, Sir Keir said this would have a different name and simply formalise the recent convention of requiring a vote in the Commons before military action.

Promises to put human rights at the heart of foreign policy have been reiterated by David Lammy, shadow foreign secretary, although plans to review all UK arms sales have not been mentioned recently.

 Common ownership

Labour has stepped back from plans to nationalise some services (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Plans to nationalise railways, Royal Mail, energy companies and water companies have been essentially scrapped, with Sir Keir saying the current economic situation meant this would be too expensive.

Instead, the Labour leader has backed a pragmatic approach involving greater regulation, telling the BBC in July 2022: The answer is going to lie in regulating the market, changing the market, rather than simply taking things into public ownership.

Plans to end outsourcing have also been watered down, with both Sir Keir and Wes Streeting, shadow health secretary, acknowledging that the private sector would continue to play a role in the NHS.

But Labour has promised to set up a state-owned energy company  Great British Energy  to invest in clean energy projects, and shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said at the partys 2022 conference that it would take railways companies back into public ownership gradually as current contracts expire.

 Defend migrants rights

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dungeness, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Sir Keirs promise to defend free movement during Brexit is no longer relevant given the UK has now left the EU, and the Labour leader has ruled out any plan to return to free movement.

Similarly, the promise to secure full voting rights for EU nationals has been largely made redundant by Government policy.

It is unclear whether Labour still supports ending indefinite immigration detention, but the party has strongly criticised the length of time that asylum seekers spend in hotel accommodation and has called for action on the asylum backlog.

 Strengthen workers rights and trade unions

Labour still plans to repeal the 2016 Trade Union Act (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Labour still plans to repeal the 2016 Trade Union Act and has opposed the introduction of minimum service levels in the Strikes Bill currently going through Parliament.

Insecure work and low pay also remain on the partys agenda, with deputy leader Angela Rayner most recently recommitting to banning zero-hours contracts, at the STUC conference in April.

 Radical devolution of power, wealth and opportunity

Abolishing the House of Lords is still part of Labours plans (Dan Kitwood/PA)

Devolving power away from Whitehall also remains a key part of Labours agenda, with Sir Keir promising a take back control bill in January to give more power to local and regional government.

Abolishing the House of Lords and replacing it with an elected chamber of regions and nations also remains party policy and in late 2022 Sir Keir said he would look to do this in the first term of a Labour government.

 Equality

Sir Keir Starmer set out five missions for a future Labour government at the start of 2023 (Peter Byrne/PA)

Plans to pull down obstacles that limit opportunities and talent included in the 10 pledges have been repeated as one of the five missions that Sir Keir laid out at the start of 2023.

 Effective opposition to the Tories

Whether Labour has provided forensic, effective opposition to the Tories in Parliament, as Sir Keir promised, will be a matter of individual judgment, as will any verdict on his pledge to unite our party, promote pluralism and improve our culture.

The promise to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism still stands, with the Equality and Human Rights Commission saying it was content with Labours actions on antisemitism in February, and Labours collective link with the unions remains.
The family of murdered pregnant teacher Marelle Sturrock have paid tribute to her, calling her the happiest person you could ever meet.

The body of Ms Sturrock, 35, was found at a property on Jura Street in the Craigton area of Glasgow at about 8.40am on Tuesday April 25.

Police Scotland launched a murder investigation including searches of Mugdock Country Park following the death of Ms Sturrock, who was 29 weeks pregnant. Her unborn baby boy did not survive.

The body of her partner, David Yates, whom police had been seeking in connection with her death, was recovered on Thursday after searches of Mugdock reservoir, north of Glasgow.

Police divers searched the lake at Mugdock Country Park, East Dunbartonshire, looking for David Yates (Lucinda Cameron/PA)

Ms Sturrocks parents, Colin and Lorna Sturrock, paid tribute to their daughter in a statement released through Police Scotland.

They said: We are devastated following the deaths of our daughter, Marelle, and soon to be grandson, Jayden Sturrock.

Marelle was the happiest person you could ever meet and was always looking to help others the best she could.

Marelle and her partner doted on each other, and this incident has come as a total shock to all who knew her.

We would like to thank family and friends; colleagues at Sandwood Primary School; Police Scotland officers, both in the Highlands and Glasgow, for their efforts and comforting support following our tragic event.

Our family would like everyone, including the press, to respect our privacy at this very sad and difficult time.

An investigation into Ms Sturrocks death is continuing and last week, police said there was nothing to suggest anyone else was involved.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), the watchdog for Police Scotland, last week said it has launched a probe into Ms Sturrocks death.

A spokesman said: The Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed the Pirc to carry out an investigation into the death of Marelle Sturrock on April 25 2023 within 91 Jura Street, Glasgow.

Once our inquires are complete a report will be submitted to COPFS.
A new draft law to ensure stronger protections against terrorism in public places has been hailed as an important step forward after years of campaigning by the mother of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett.

Ministers on Tuesday published draft details of Martyns Law, named in tribute to 29-year-old Mr Hett, who was one of 22 people killed in the attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on May 22 2017.

The new rules, which Mr Hetts mother Figen Murray has long campaigned for, will cover all of the United Kingdom and require venues and local authorities to have preventative plans against terror attacks.

Martyn Hett was killed in the terror attack at the Manchester Arena (Greater Manchester Police/PA)

Mrs Murray praised the work of the Home Office in bringing forward the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, as she expressed hope it will meet her expectations after years of work.

It has come a long way, she told the PA news agency.

It started very basic and it has developed into the two-tier legislation that is being proposed.

It is what we have been waiting for for a long, long time.

Ms Murray said she has not yet had a chance to read the full details but said: I am sure there will be areas that could be improved but I am the kind of person who thinks four years ago we were at the very start of this and look what we have achieved so far.

If there is anything that could be strengthened, Ms Murray said we will try and see what we can do to change things.

She added: At the moment, I am glad we have reached this point.

The Home Affairs Select Committee will now scrutinise the draft legislation.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said: The threat from terrorism is enduring. In recent years, we have seen terrorists target the public at a broad range of locations, causing deaths and casualties amongst innocent people going about their everyday lives.

This is a significant step forward for Martyns Law and our ability to further protect the public. I welcome the committees scrutiny to ensure that this legislation is proportionate while enhancing our national security.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC), the independent watchdog for regulations, said the draft Bills impact assessment does not provide evidence that the proposal would reduce terrorism for small venues, or that a new regulator with national inspectors would be efficient compared with local compliance.

The body said the impact assessment does not explain fully why local authority inspectors could not ensure compliance, as they fulfil requirements of other regulation on such venues, as opposed to creating a new national regulator and team of compliance staff across the country.
More than a million NHS workers in England are to be given a 5% pay rise this year and a cash sum for last year, after ministers and unions agreed a new pay deal.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he intends to implement the deal, which he called the final offer, as he urged the Royal College of Nursing and others holding out to join the majority of health unions in accepting it.

The majority of unions representing staff on the Agenda for Change contract, which includes all NHS workers apart from doctors, dentists and senior managers, voted in favour of the offer.

But health leaders raised concerns over the possibility of further strike action after the deal was not agreed by all unions.

The 14 unions representing staff on the contract have balloted hundreds of thousands of members over the last few weeks.

Unison, GMB, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Royal College of Midwives were among those who voted to accept the offer, while the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Unite voted against it.

The ballot results were reported at an NHS Staff Council meeting on Tuesday, where the majority of unions urged the Government to implement the offer.

The RCN has previously said it will press ahead with a fresh ballot to see if its members want to continue taking industrial action.

And Unite will continue to take action and ask for negotiations to be reopened.

NHS workers must now get their money as soon as possible, says UNISON Following the majority union vote in favour of accepting the government's pay offer at the NHS staff council today ministers and employers must ensure health workers get their money as soon as possible   UNISON  UK's largest union (@unisontheunion) May 2, 2023

Mr Barclay said: Im pleased the NHS Staff Council has voted to accept our pay offer, demonstrating that a majority of NHS staff agree this is a fair and reasonable deal.

It is now my intention to implement this for all staff on the Agenda for Change contract, and where some unions may choose to remain in dispute, we hope their members, many of whom voted to accept this offer, will recognise this as a fair outcome that carries the support of their colleagues and decide it is time to bring industrial action to an end.

We will continue to engage constructively with unions on workforce changes to ensure the NHS is the best place to work for staff, patients and taxpayers.

He told reporters: It is the final offer, its important that those unions recognise the collective decision.

It was negotiated collectively, the RCN were at the negotiating table, indeed (RCN chief) Pat Cullen recommended this deal to her own members.

(PA Graphics)

Sara Gorton, head of health at the union Unison, who chairs the union group on the NHS Staff Council, said: NHS workers will now want the pay rise theyve voted to accept. The hope is that the one-off payment and salary increase will be in Junes pay packets.

But health staff shouldnt have needed to take action in the first place, proper pay talks last autumn could have stopped health workers missing out on money they could ill afford to lose.

The NHS and patients would also have been spared months of disruption.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: Health leaders are concerned that with four trade unions remaining in dispute with the Government over this deal, that the worrying prospect of further industrial action remains.

Added to that, health leaders are eager for a resolution to be agreed between the Government and BMA, as the last junior doctors strikes saw 196,000 appointments and planned procedures needing to be postponed.

"It is now incumbent on the government to implement the deal as soon as possible and to make sure that local NHS leaders do not have to cover the increased cost from their existing budgets."@ConfedMatthew responds to the NHS Staff Council outcome. https://t.co/5xJMYaaApx  NHS Confederation (@NHSConfed) May 2, 2023

So, while the NHS Staff Council outcome is very positive news overall, it is not the line in the sand that will allow the NHS and those relying on its care to confidently move on from the threat of future strikes, or from the underlying issues affecting the NHS that led to this activity being felt as necessary in the first place.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: Unites NHS members have spoken and they rejected the deal.

Because of this, Unite used its seats on the Staff Council to also vote against it. In fact, we will be escalating strike action.

The Staff Council vote is not binding on individual unions and therefore the vote will not stop Unite representing the best interests of our members.

Elsewhere, Mr Barclay will also meet junior doctors from the British Medical Association to discuss the row over pay.

 Breaking: Unite NHS strikes to escalate despite staff council vote Unites NHS members have spoken and they rejected the deal. @UniteSharon #NHSPay More here https://t.co/kvoAEUeM9V  Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) May 2, 2023

Doctors are campaigning for full pay restoration, saying that wages have been cut by more than a quarter since 2008.

But the Government has said that matching the demands of the union is unaffordable.

Mr Barclay told reporters that the deal covering Agenda for Change staff showed that the Government was prepared to work with unions and I hope that we can take that into the discussions with junior doctors.

I think what the deal with the Staff Council shows is the willingness of the Government to enter into meaningful, constructive negotiations with trade unions, he said.
Nurses have threatened strike action across the whole of the NHS in England after ministers imposed a new pay deal for the majority of NHS staff without an agreement with the nursing union.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said that it is to ballot members on further strikes between June and December across the full NHS, previous strikes only occurred in around half of NHS trusts.

It comes after Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced that more than a million NHS workers in England are to be given a 5% pay rise this year and a cash sum for last year, after the majority of NHS unions agreed to the deal.

He said the deal for NHS staff on the Agenda for Change contract, which includes all NHS workers apart from doctors, dentists and senior managers, was the final offer as he urged the RCN and others holding out to join the majority of health unions in accepting it.

The 14 unions representing staff on the contract have balloted hundreds of thousands of members over the last few weeks.

Unison, GMB, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Royal College of Midwives were among those who voted to accept the offer, while the RCN and Unite voted against it.

The ballot results were reported at an NHS Staff Council meeting on Tuesday, where the majority of unions urged the Government to implement the offer.

In a letter to Mr Barclay, the RCNs chief executive and general secretary Pat Cullen said: Despite todays meeting and the outcome that reflects the votes across all unions, the RCN remains in formal dispute with the Government and the NHS over pay levels.

Later this month, we will ballot 280,000 members in Englands NHS over further strike action to be held between June and December 2023.

We will hold an aggregated ballot under the relevant legislation which, if supported by a sufficient number of RCN members, would provide the legal mandate to take strike action across the full NHS.

NHS workers must now get their money as soon as possible, says UNISON Following the majority union vote in favour of accepting the government's pay offer at the NHS staff council today ministers and employers must ensure health workers get their money as soon as possible   UNISON  UK's largest union (@unisontheunion) May 2, 2023

Until this point, our strike action has been in approximately 50% of NHS trusts and other NHS employers.

Ms Cullen also told BBC News: What I would say to the Government today is just be careful about over claiming this as a success and an the end to the industrial action.

The Government knows only too well that nurses remain in dispute with this government, also junior doctors and a number of healthcare workers that are represented by Unite. So this dispute is far from over.

She added that ministers cant ignore the largest group of healthcare workers in the NHS and urged them to get back round the table.

Lets now get to meaningful talks, lets put more money on the table and lets make sure that these nurses dont have to be re-balloted in May and have to strike up until Christmas, she added.

Unite will also continue to take action.

(PA Graphics)

The unions general secretary Sharon Graham said: Unites NHS members have spoken and they rejected the deal.

Because of this, Unite used its seats on the Staff Council to also vote against it.

In fact, we will be escalating strike action.

The Staff Council vote is not binding on individual unions and therefore the vote will not stop Unite representing the best interests of our members.

Mr Barclay said: Im pleased the NHS Staff Council has voted to accept our pay offer, demonstrating that a majority of NHS staff agree this is a fair and reasonable deal.

It is now my intention to implement this for all staff on the Agenda for Change contract, and where some unions may choose to remain in dispute, we hope their members, many of whom voted to accept this offer, will recognise this as a fair outcome that carries the support of their colleagues and decide it is time to bring industrial action to an end.

"It is now incumbent on the government to implement the deal as soon as possible and to make sure that local NHS leaders do not have to cover the increased cost from their existing budgets."@ConfedMatthew responds to the NHS Staff Council outcome. https://t.co/5xJMYaaApx  NHS Confederation (@NHSConfed) May 2, 2023

He told reporters: It is the final offer, its important that those unions recognise the collective decision.

It was negotiated collectively, the RCN were at the negotiating table, indeed (RCN chief) Pat Cullen recommended this deal to her own members.

Sara Gorton, head of health at the union Unison, who chairs the union group on the NHS Staff Council, said: NHS workers will now want the pay rise theyve voted to accept.

The hope is that the one-off payment and salary increase will be in Junes pay packets.

But health staff shouldnt have needed to take action in the first place, proper pay talks last autumn could have stopped health workers missing out on money they could ill afford to lose.

The NHS and patients would also have been spared months of disruption.

 Breaking: Unite NHS strikes to escalate despite staff council vote Unites NHS members have spoken and they rejected the deal. @UniteSharon #NHSPay More here https://t.co/kvoAEUeM9V  Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) May 2, 2023

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: Health leaders are concerned that with four trade unions remaining in dispute with the Government over this deal, that the worrying prospect of further industrial action remains.

Added to that, health leaders are eager for a resolution to be agreed between the Government and British Medical Association (BMA), as the last junior doctors strikes saw 196,000 appointments and planned procedures needing to be postponed.

So, while the NHS Staff Council outcome is very positive news overall, it is not the line in the sand that will allow the NHS and those relying on its care to confidently move on from the threat of future strikes, or from the underlying issues affecting the NHS that led to this activity being felt as necessary in the first place.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of the NHS Providers organisation, which represents NHS Trusts, said: We hope that this brings an end to the most disruptive period of industrial action in NHS history.

But the NHS isnt out of the woods yet.

Industrial action over the past six months has led to more than 531,000 patient appointments being rescheduled, but we must remember that care backlogs stretch back long before strikes and the pandemic due to years of underfunding and many thousands of vacancies.

Mr Barclay met junior doctors from the BMA to discuss the row over their pay.

A Government spokesperson said: The Government and the BMA junior doctors committee held a constructive discussion this afternoon, in preparation for talks aimed at resolving the current junior doctors dispute.

Both parties will meet again in the coming days.
Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group (TRG) cheered very encouraging trading as it revealed plans to speed up its closure programme.

Shares in the company, which also owns the Frankie & Bennys brand, jumped on Tuesday morning after it hailed good progress on recent cost-cutting efforts.

In March, the company said it would shut 35 of its loss-making casual dining restaurants, which include Frankie & Bennys, in order to boost profits.

In its latest update, the hospitality firm said it expects to save 5 million a year due to moves to slash costs.

The group, which currently runs 410 venues, added that it will now speed up the closure process, with 23 sites due to shut by the end of May after it negotiated exiting a number of contracts ahead of schedule.

The combination of current trading and incremental cost savings achieved provides confidence that TRG is tracking ahead of management expectations on its medium-term margin accretion and deleveraging plans, the firm said in a statement.

The Restaurant Group owns the Wagamama, Frankie & Bennys and Chiquito chains (Mike Egerton/PA)

TRG revealed that like-for-like sales grew by 2% at Wagamama over the first quarter of 2023, with a 5% rise for its pub arm and 37% growth across its concessions, amid a recovery in airport passenger numbers.

Meanwhile, Wagamama sales grew 9% over the four weeks to April 30, while the sales decline at its leisure sites slowed to 1%.

The group added that favourable property market conditions are creating further opportunities for new Wagamama restaurants on good rent terms.

TRG plans to accelerate its opening plans for the pan-Asian chain, with up to eight sites due to open next year, from previous plans for five sites.

Analysts at Barclays said: The statement is strong across the board, with trading holding up well despite consumer spending headwinds.

It comes amid continued pressure from activist investor Oasis Management, which owns a 12.3% stake in the group, to improve profits for investors.

Elsewhere, rival hospitality group Hostmore revealed additional cost-cutting plans, aimed at saving the business 4.1 million more each year.

It is understood that a small number of head office and supply chain workers are affected by the proposals.

The group, which owns the Fridays chain previously known as TGI Fridays, had previously announced a 1.8 million-a-year savings programme.

On Tuesday, the group also told investors that interim boss Julie McEwan is to become the groups permanent chief executive.

Ms McEwan was previously chief operating officer, after joining the group last year from Las Iguanas operator The Big Table Group.
Scotlands college lecturers have begun industrial action by refusing to enter student marks into recording systems and working to rule as part of a battle for higher wages.

Members of the EIS-Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS-Fela) across Scotlands 26 colleges started their action short of strike on Tuesday after its members backed the move last month.

Andrea Bradley, EIS general secretary, warned: College leaders and the Scottish Government now only have a short window of opportunity to avoid significant disruption that would mean students not being able to progress due to assessment results not being entered into college systems.

Despite the months of warnings that this industrial action would be undertaken, college employers have still failed to produce a pay offer that is acceptable amidst a cost-of-living crisis and the Scottish Government has failed to pay any attention to this dispute.

Gavin Donoghue, director of College Employers Scotland, said it was deeply disappointing the union had started the action and it would have a a serious impact on college students at a crucial time in their courses.

As part of the industrial action affecting the more than 300,000 college students north of the border, union members will still mark work but not enter it into recording systems.

And the work to rule action will mean, the union said, that college lecturers no longer carry out duties beyond those stated in their contract, including their working hours.

EIS-Fela warned if the action failed to see the colleges come back with an offer they felt was suitable, they could raise the stakes and strike at the start of the academic year in August.

On April 14, the union revealed that some 78% of members who voted in its ballot backed a walkout, while 94% backed action short of strike. There was a 53% turnout.

Since then College Employers Scotland upped their proposal to offer a two-year pay deal of 3.5% in 2022/23 and 3.5% in 2023/24, providing a 7% cumulative pay rise across both years.

Mr Donoghue said: This improved offer comes at considerable cost to colleges  almost 24 million over both years  at a time when they are receiving flat cash funding from the Scottish Government and with other costs increasing rapidly.

College employers will do everything they can to minimise the effect of industrial action, including action short of strike.

We will also be seeking to meet the EIS-Fela again as soon as possible to reach an agreement on pay so colleges can continue delivering the world-class learning experience our students rightly expect and deserve.

Importantly, employers have also sought, and will continue to seek, meetings with the Scottish Government to request additional funding for staff pay deals.

EIS-Fela has asked for a 5,000 rise for its members.

On Tuesday, Anne Marie Harley, EIS-Fela president, said that college lecturers deserve a fair pay award in line with other public sector workers.

College leaders must now call publicly for increased funding for Scotlands FE (further education) sector in the way that EIS-Fela have been doing since last year, she said.

Passing on cuts is a dereliction of leadership. The Scottish Government must also step up and intervene to ensure that college lecturers receive fair pay and the FE sector receives adequate levels of funding.

The managed decline of Scotlands colleges must end.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: It is for the college unions and the employers to negotiate pay and terms and conditions voluntarily, in the spirit of collaboration and co-operation.

The Scottish Government is not directly involved in the national collective bargaining process.

It is important that unions and college employers continue to hold talks to avoid any potential industrial action and subsequent disruption to learners.

We expect management and unions to make every effort to reach a settlement that is fair and affordable.
Updated 2 May 2023 at 4:01 am

Kim Kardashian and Florence Pugh were among celebrities championing the Karl Lagerfeld-inspired dress code at this years Met Gala.

The theme of the New York event was In honour of Karl, with stars encouraged to take inspiration from his designs and personal aesthetic.

The German-born designer helmed some of the biggest houses in fashion  including Chanel and Fendi  and died in 2019.

Many of Lagerfelds signature touches were present on the carpet  including pearls, black and white monochromatic colour palettes, a crisp white shirt and his favourite flower, the camellia.

Kim Kardashian (Evan Agostini/AP)

Kardashian paid homage to Lagerfelds love of pearls in an ensemble made up of multiple ropes of real pearls for the bodice and skirt, with a skin-coloured corset underneath and a white stole trailing to the floor.

The outfit was by Schiaparelli, with Kardashian telling Vogue: What is more Karl than the iconic Chanel pearls?

She said the night felt particularly special because Lagerfeld shot her first fashion shoot.

Florence Pugh (Evan Agostini/AP)

Midsommar star Pugh debuted a fresh buzzcut for her first outing at a Met Gala.

The new look is for her upcoming film We Live In Time and she told US outlets on the events carpet: Im very happy to have it here with this look, it makes everything perfect.

Recently announced as the newest ambassador for Italian fashion house Valentino, Pugh wore a dramatic white gown by the brand with a long train trailing across the carpet.

Her ensemble played off Lagerfelds love of a monochromatic colour palette with the white dress complemented by a black bow and a towering black feathered headpiece.

Cardi B (Evan Agostini/AP)

Wearing designer Chen Peng, on the carpet Cardi B told Vogue her outfit was half representing Chanel and half Lagerfeld himself.

The skirt echoed some of Chanels most famous symbols with the Boy Bags iconic stitched diamond pattern and 3D flowers studded across.

And the top half of her look reflected Lagerfelds personal aesthetic, with a white sleeveless shirt and tie topped off with silver hair.

Im representing the house of Chanel and Karl at the same time, she said of her second outfit of the night.

Cara Delevingne (Evan Agostini/AP)

Cara Delevingne frequently modelled for Chanel, memorably in the brands supermarket-themed fashion show in 2014.

Her outfit was a nod to Lagerfelds love of a crisp white shirt. Her outfit featured tuxedo shirt-style lapels, a cape and a miniskirt.

Its a wonderful thing to be able to do this for such an incredible person, not only in fashion, but personally as a friend, she told Vogue.

I owe him so much. And its an amazing way to remember him.

She added: He lives on, hes influenced so much not only in fashion.

Elle Fanning (Evan Agostini/AP)

Elle Fanning wore an ensemble designed by Vivienne Westwoods creative director Andreas Kronthaler.

On the carpet, Fanning explained the look reflected an outfit she wore to model for Lagerfeld when she was 13.

After attending the 2011 autumn Chanel couture show, Lagerfeld selected Fanning to be photographed in a black jacket  which he then styled with the white dress she was wearing and a daisy crown.

In a nod to that look, The Great actor wore a bridal-inspired white gown with a black cropped tuxedo jacket and a daisy crown with black bows.

Kendall Jenner (Evan Agostini/AP)

Wearing Marc Jacobs, The Kardashians reality star Kendall Jenner  who closed Chanels 2015 couture show as the bride  paid tribute to Lagerfelds personal aesthetic with collar detailing on her black sparkling bodysuit.

Kendall Jenner told Vogue: I owe a lot to him and what he did for me, it was such a pivotal point in my career.

I started working with him when I was really young and he really embraced me, so Im honoured to be here. Im honoured to celebrate him.

Michaela Coel (Evan Agostini/AP)

Wearing a surrealist design by Schiaparelli, writer and actor Michaela Coels brown dress was heavily embellished with plenty of nods to Lagerfeld hidden among the design  which featured 130,000 crystals.

Anne Hathaway (Evan Agostini/AP)

Wearing Versace  a brand she models for  The Devil Wears Prada actor Anne Hathaway reflected Lagerfelds love of tweed and pearls in her white strapless gown.

Every part of her look was carefully considered with Hathaway even wearing a camellia in her hair.

Jeremy Pope (Evan Agostini/AP)

In one of the more literal interpretations of the theme, One Night In Miami actor Jeremy Pope debuted a massive black and white cape by Balmain at the Met Gala  emblazoned with Lagerfelds iconic image, featuring his signature sunglasses, low ponytail and high-necked shirt.
Murder-accused nurse Lucy Letby said it was sickening when she discovered she was being blamed for a number of baby deaths while doing the job she loved.

Seven months on from the start of her trial at Manchester Crown Court, Letby, 33, entered the witness box on Tuesday to give evidence.

She is alleged to have murdered five boys and two girls, and attempted to murder another five boys and five girls, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The prosecution says Letby was a constant malevolent presence in their care at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Letby, wearing a black top and black trousers, told the court she had never hurt any of the children, including the hundreds she had cared for in the same period.

Lucy Letby giving evidence at Manchester Crown Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

The defendant denied she had ever introduced air intravenously, or forced air down a nasogastric tube.

She also told her barrister, Ben Myers KC, she had never overfed a baby or used insulin with the intention of harming them.

Letby added she had also never physically assaulted a baby in her care.

Mr Myers asked: What did you want to do with the babies you were looking after?

Letby replied: To care for them. To do my best for them. To help them.

Asked earlier how she felt when she first realised in September 2016 she was being blamed for a number of baby deaths, Letby replied: It was sickening. I just could not believe it. It was devastating. I dont think you could be accused of anything worse than that.

She said she was also devastated when she was removed from clinical duties in July 2016 and told her work competencies needed to be checked.

Letby said: Because I have always prided myself on being very competent and, potentially, I was not competent, it really affected me and I was taken away from the job I loved.

It was life-changing, in that moment I was taken away from the support system I had on the unit, I was put in a role I did not enjoy and I had to pretend it was voluntary.

It made me question everything about myself.

Letby went on: My job was my life. My whole world was stopped.

She went on: There were times when I did not want to live. I thought of killing myself.

Mr Myers said: Had you done anything wrong?

Letby replied: No.

Mr Myers said: Then why did you think of killing yourself?

Letby replied: Because of what was being inferred.

The defendant told the court about the three times she was arrested by police, on suspicion of murder and attempted murder of babies, the first time in July 2018 at 6am when she was in her pyjamas.

She described her arrests as traumatising and the scariest thing I have ever been through, and said she had now been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Among items recovered at her then home in Chester was a Post-it note found in a diary.

Among words written on the note were, in capitals, I am evil I did this, the court has heard.

Letby also wrote: I dont deserve to live. I killed them on purpose because Im not good enough to care for them. I am a horrible evil person.

Mr Myers asked: Had you done something intentionally to harm or kill them?

Letby replied: No.

Mr Myers said: You wrote I am evil I did this. Why?

Letby said: Because I felt at the time I had done something wrong and I thought, Im such an awful, evil person, that I had made mistakes and not known.

Mr Myers asked: What had you thought you had done?

Letby said: That somehow I had been incompetent and I had done something wrong to affect these babies. I felt I must be responsible in some way.

Mr Myers said: In what type of state were you in when you wrote that note?

Letby said: Not good at all. Through that period my mental health was poor.

Mr Myers asked: How well did you cope with the situation you were in?

Letby replied: I did my best but it was difficult in the circumstances with the isolation I felt.

The defendant also wrote why me on the Post-it note, the court heard.

Asked to explain those words Letby said: Because I didnt understand why it was happening to me. I thought I had always been competent and done my best.

Mr Myers asked her: Did you ever want to hurt any baby you looked after?

Letby replied: No, thats completely against being what a nurse is. Im there to help and care, not to hurt.

The defendant was flanked by two female prison officers as she gave evidence, and sat upright throughout.

Another prison officer sat in front of the courtroom exit doors.

Several rows behind, her parents, John Letby, 76, and Susan Letby, 62, looked on, as did family members of the alleged victims on the other side of the public gallery.

Letby, from Hereford, denies all the allegations.

The trial continues on Friday.
A nurse accused of multiple murders and attempted murders of babies has told a jury she had not harmed any children.

Seven months on from the start of her trial at Manchester Crown Court, Lucy Letby, 33, entered the witness box on Tuesday to give evidence.

She is alleged to have murdered five boys and two girls, and attempted to murder another five boys and five girls, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The prosecution says Letby was a constant malevolent presence in their care at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital.

It is said she used various means to target the infants, including injections of air into their system and insulin poisoning.

Letby, wearing a black top and black trousers, walked from the dock and across the courtroom to answer the allegations as her defence case started.

Several rows behind, her parents, John Letby, 76, and Susan Letby, 62, looked on  as did family members of the alleged victims on the other side of the public gallery.

Her barrister, Ben Myers KC, asked her: Over the period of 2015 and 2016 we are looking at the babies on this indictment, could you put a figure on the number of babies you cared for in that period?

Letby said: It would be hundreds.

Mr Myers said: Did you care for them?

Letby said: Yes.

Asked if she ever wanted to hurt any of them, she said: No, thats completely against being what a nurse is.

She said she studied her nursing degree at the University of Chester and was the first person in her family to go to university.

During her studies she went on numerous work placements, she said, with the majority at the Countess of Chester Hospital, either on the childrens ward or the neo-natal unit.

Letby said she qualified as a Band 5 nurse in September 2011.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of surviving and deceased children allegedly attacked by Letby, and prohibits identifying parents or witnesses connected with the children.

Letby, from Hereford, denies all the allegations.
Protesters who block roads will face up to 12 months behind bars from Wednesday as new criminal offences for disruptive demonstrations come into force.

The measures in the Public Order Act, which received royal assent on Tuesday, will give police the powers to stop disruption at major sporting and cultural events this summer in England and Wales, the Home Office said.

A new offence of interfering with key national infrastructure such as oil refineries, airports and railways could carry a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison and an unlimited fine.

Anyone who locks on to other people, objects or buildings could go to prison for six months and face an unlimited fine.

Officers will also be able to search protesters for padlocks, glue and digging tools, with people intending to use them to cause disruption also facing criminal charges.

The tougher penalties are aimed at curbing the guerrilla tactics used by groups such as Just Stop Oil, Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: The public shouldnt have their daily lives ruined by so called eco-warriors causing disruption and wasting millions of pounds of taxpayer money.

The selfish minority must not be allowed to get away with this. We are giving our police and courts the tools they need to stop this chaos and I back them in making full use of these powers.
The Foreign Secretary has said he is Scotlands excellent advocate overseas after he was accused of sabotaging the Scottish economy with his draconian rules on foreign trips.

James Cleverly was challenged in the Commons by SNP foreign affairs spokesman Drew Hendry, who suggested his new guidance to heads of mission abroad is sabotaging vital economic activity north of the border.

Mr Hendrys comments come after the Foreign Secretary asked diplomats to take a strengthened approach to Scottish ministerial visits  ensuring officials from the UK Government are present during meetings with host governments.

While foreign policy has always been a matter reserved to Westminster, ministers in Holyrood have often engaged with foreign governments on a number of issues.

The Conservatives said SNP ministers are overstepping their powers during these visits and seek to undermine the UK Government.

Mr Hendry told the Commons: Scottish government minister Neil Gray MSP, along with agencies SDI (Scottish Development International) and HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise), have proved that direct foreign engagement works for Scotland by securing a 300 million manufacturing investment for subsea cables in the renewables industry, working with Sumitomo in Osaka.

It is a game changer thats been welcomed across the Highlands. So why does the Foreign Secretary seek to sabotage such vital economic activity by instructing UK diplomatic staff to hinder Scottish government direct engagement?

Mr Cleverly replied: The competences of the Scottish government and the reserved position of the UK Government are clear. They are absolutely clear.

And I would say to him and the House that Scotland has an excellent advocate overseas: its me.

SNP MP Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) also pressed Mr Cleverly on the issue, asking him: Will he explain exactly how on earth he thinks that diplomatic staff now to be overseeing meetings between Scottish ministers and ministers from other countries and governments will prevent discussion of whatever topics his Government decides are forbidden?

And why, given the FDI (foreign direct investment) growth was so much higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK last year, 14% against the rest of the UKs 1.8%, he thinks such draconian interference is useful or necessary?

Mr Cleverly said: I would have thought Scottish ministers would be better served ensuring that the people of Scotland are supported rather than seeing health outcomes heading in the wrong direction, rather than seeing tax rates head in the wrong directions.

I can assure her that every one of the diplomatic staff in the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) promote Scottish interests overseas.
Many British nationals arriving on evacuation flights from Sudan have had their lives turned upside down by the conflict in the African nation, a charity has said.

More evacuees arrived at Birmingham Airport at 4.58pm on Tuesday, on what had been thought to be the last Government-arranged flight.

The Government later said more flights would leave Port Sudan on Wednesday.

Some 2,341 people have been evacuated by the Government from Sudan on 28 flights since fighting began three weeks ago.

Madeline Farrar, emergency response operations manager at the British Red Cross who was at Birmingham Airport to greet evacuees on Tuesday evening, said: The people weve been greeting in Birmingham are genuinely relieved and happy to be here.

Many are returning home from a holiday after Ramadan or staying with family but there are also people whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict and have nowhere to go.

Our trained volunteers have been on the ground providing practical and emotional support for peoples immediate needs as soon as flights land, including checking if people need something to eat or drink or a friendly listening ear to talk about any worries they may have.

Our dedicated team are also helping with practical things like making phone calls and connecting people online, getting hold of advice, medication and offering short-term cash support.

We have been working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, RE:Act, Islamic relief and St John Ambulance as part of a multi-agency response, delivering crucial support to people in crisis.

The flight, organised by the RAF, was one of nearly 30 which have carried more than 2,000 people out of the war-torn country, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), many of which have landed at London Stansted Airport.

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: Birmingham Airport is supporting Sudanese evacuation flights arranged by the UK Government.

Together with local partner agencies, we will be offering support to passengers who need it.

The RAF has also helped more than 1,000 nationals from over 20 other countries, including the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Norway, with the UKs evacuation effort being the longest and largest of any western nation, according to the FCDO.

Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told GB News that the conflict in Sudan was not over yet and there would still be a UK military and Government presence in the country to assist British nationals, with warship HMS Lancaster off the coast.

James Cleverly during a statement on Sudan (UK Parliament/Roger Harris/PA)

He said: There is still an ongoing humanitarian situation, we still have a presence at Port Sudan, both a military presence and a number of other Government officials, to help British nationals and their dependants leave the country.

We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals, because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile, and it is still dangerous.
Two university students charged with murdering a 19-year-old marketing student have been told they will face trial in October.

Ogechi Eke and Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, both aged 19 and from London, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday charged with murdering Kwabena Osei-Poku, who was stabbed near the University of Northamptons campus on April 23.

The university has confirmed both defendants and two other people charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice have been suspended from their courses pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Mr Osei-Poku, originally from Peterborough, was studying on an advertising and digital marketing course.

Ogechi Eke and Melvin Lebaga-Idubor appeared at Northampton Crown Court (Joe Giddens/PA)

Police said he died at the scene after being stabbed in New South Bridge Road, Northampton, following an incident which started on the university campus.

Eke and Lebaga-Idubor spoke only to confirm their names during a five-minute appearance before Judge Rupert Mayo.

Adjourning the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing, Judge Mayo told the men: Your trial will take place in October but before then there needs to be another formal hearing at this court, which will take place on the 12th of June, when you will both attend.

In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.

Lebaga-Idubor, of Ice House Court, Abbey Road, Barking, and Eke, of Brimsdown Avenue, Enfield, are charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

They were told their trial will begin on October 2 and is expected to last for around ten days.

In a statement issued last Friday, University of Northampton vice chancellor Anne-Marie Kilday extended her gratitude to our community and neighbours for their resilience during such an unprecedented, difficult time.

Following the charges brought against these individuals we will continue to closely support staff and students while assisting officers with their inquiries, she added.
Vaping products are being illicitly traded in school playgrounds, MPs have heard, amid fears the devices are a public health ticking time bomb for youngsters.

Conservative MP Neil Hudson (Penrith and The Border) suggested the products could be hidden from view in shops to stop the appealing, colourful, fruit-flavoured choices appearing like sweeties on shelves.

His remarks came as he pressed the Government to take further action to discourage vape usage among under-18s.

Ministers last month pledged a crackdown on the illegal sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s with an illicit vapes enforcement squad.

Conservative MP Dr Neil Hudson (David Woolfall/UK Parliament)

They are also seeking to identify other ways to reduce the number of children using the products, which allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour rather than smoke.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Hudson highlighted reports of children having their sleep patterns disrupted.

He told MPs: Setting their alarms for two or three in the morning so they can vape in the middle of the night to avoid withdrawal symptoms the next day.

At school there have been reports of students leaving lessons and even walking out of examinations because they simply cannot last without the use of a vape.

If vaping is having detrimental impacts on the life chances of our young children this is not merely a matter of health but one of social and educational development.

One teacher in my constituency even noted that so widespread is the issue that vapes are being illicitly traded in the school playground.

Mr Hudson said there is also flagrant targeting of under-18s by advertising, including on social media.

Pressed on what more the Government should be doing to prevent children from vaping, Mr Hudson replied: Calling for evidence and having a taskforce is a good starting post, but I think we need to do more.

I think we really need to tackle the advertising, making sure that the labelling is sufficient.

He pointed to quite alarming health warnings on cigarette packaging, adding: They are behind closed cabinets in outlets as well. I think we need to be moving in that direction so that these are not like sweeties on shelves for our young kids.

I think that is the real issue. These are appealing, colourful, fruit-flavoured products that people think, You know what, I want to have a try of this and that is where people are slipping into this problem.

I fear that we have a public health ticking time bomb for our young people that we must as a parliament and a society address as a priority.

Health minister Neil OBrien said there has been a surge in the use and promotion of cheap, colourful vaping products in the last 18 months.

He said: We know that vapes are not risk-free. Nicotine is highly addictive and it can be harmful and there are unanswered questions about the effect in the longer-term use.

Our message is very clear: vapes should not be used by people under the age of 18 or by non-smokers.
David Fisher/Shutterstock; JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Awkward! Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang wore the same dress to the 2023 Met Gala.

The Dont Worry Darling director, 39, arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday, May 1, looking regal in a white Chloe gown that featured caped shoulders, major side cutouts and a guitar-shaped, beaded design that cascaded down from the collar of the frock to just past her midriff.

MET Gala 2023 - Red Carpet Arrivals - 595 (1) Kendall Jenner

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She paired the floor-length getup with gold cuffs in the same pattern as the guitar emblem and carried a metallic clutch.

The O.C. alum wore her blonde curtain bangs swept off of her face in a carefree style that cascaded down her shoulders and showed off her dangling earrings. She kept the golden theme going with her face beat, opting for minimal makeup save for a champagne shimmer on her eyelids.

Zhang  who is the editor-in-chief of Vogue China  opted to style the same ensemble with more of a bold vine. Instead of going with the white version of the Chloe piece, Zhang, 29, opted for a black canvas, which made her electric blue hair, styled in a sharply angled lob, pop against the dark background. Like Wildes gown, the Australia natives dress featured the same guitar-esque embellishment and attention-grabbing cutouts on either side of her stomach. Zhang, however, decided to pair the look with a cape that flowed from the back of the frock.

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Upon noticing the stars were both wearing the same ensemble  albeit, in two different colors  fans immediately took to social media to express their shock.

I wanna see Olivia Wildes reaction when she saw that Margaret Zhang wore the same dress as her at the met gala, one Twitter user wrote. Not olivia wilde and margaret zhang wearing the same dress in different color LMAO #MetGala, commented another.

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Olivia Wilde and [Margaret Zhang] wearing the same dress is just WILD. to me, tweeted a third user. Like when you are pulling looksdont they know that the same look was requested before??!

A fourth fan was simply here for both women  and both gowns.

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Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang wearing the same dress at this years #MetGala, they tweeted, noting, They still both look as GORGEOUS.

The theme of the 2023 Met Gala is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, in honor of the late Chanel designers iconic career in fashion. Following the Met Gala, the Costume Institute at the Met will honor Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 at age 85, with an exhibit dedicated to his work.
Avoiding even more drama. The royal family opted to not give Prince Harry a part in King Charles IIIs coronation in order to not complicate matters, according to royal expert Gareth Russell.

The historian exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, May 2, that its not surprising that Prince Harry hasnt been given a role in his fathers upcoming ceremony. Russell thinks that The Firm made the decision to not to complicate matters further by having him involved  simply because  the royals are hoping that they can draw a line under the recent controversy with the Duke of Sussex.

Controversies Surrounding King Charles IIIs Coronation

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Though the 38-year-old Archewell cofounder  who stepped down from his position as a senior royal in 2020 alongside wife Meghan Markle  does not have a part in the Saturday, May 6, ceremony. Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George, will both play important roles. George, 9, will be one of four Pages of Honour for his grandfather, 74, and the Prince of Wales, 40, is tasked with presenting his father with the Stole Royal and the Robe Royal at Westminster Abbey.

Charles, meanwhile, is thrilled that Harry is attending his and Queen Camillas coronation, a source exclusively told Us last month, adding that the monarch is sad that Meghan, 41, wont be there. The Suits alum, 41, will instead be at home in California with children Archie, 3, and daughter Lilibet, 22 months, to celebrate her sons 4th birthday. Still, the king is happy that Harry still coming in the midst of the drama between the royals and the Sussexes, the insider said.

David Fisher/Shutterstock

Prince Harry, as would the king and Prince William, would regret if he wasnt there, Russell told Us. So I think generally speaking, the consensus is its right that hes there. Its probably best that hes there as King Charles son rather than as a working prince of the United Kingdom.

Tensions have been high between Harry and his family since the January release of the BetterUp CIOs debut memoir, Spare, as well as the many interviews he and Meghan have done speaking about their experience as senior royals.

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In his book, Harry made numerous allegations against his father and brother, even going so far as to claim that he and William got into a physical fight over Meghan and that Charles team planted bad press about Harry and William amid his controversial romance with Camilla. (The couple tied the knot in 2005 following his divorce from the late Princess Diana.)

Harry continued to take aim the royals in March amid his lawsuit against several British publications, one of which he alleged tapped into his private phone calls in 2005.

Jordan Pettitt/WPA Pool/Shutterstock

The Institution made it clear that we did not need to know anything about phone hacking and it was made clear to me that the royal family did not sit in the witness box because that could open up a can of worms, the former military pilot claimed in a statement at the time.

He added: The Institution was without a doubt withholding information from me for a long time about NGNs phone hacking and that has only become clear in recent years as I have pursued my own claim with different legal advice and representation.

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Despite the family drama, Harry hopes that he and his relatives can all reconcile one day. Theres a lot that I can forgive, but there needs to be conversations in order for reconciliation, and part of that has to be accountability, he told Good Morning America in January.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
FILE -In this illustration photographed in La Habra, Calif., the AirTag tracking device is introduced during a virtual event held to announce new Apple products, Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Apple and Google on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, disclosed they are teaming up in an effort to thwart unwanted tracking on smartphones through Bluetooth devices designed to help people find their keys, keep tabs on their luggage and locate other things they dont want to line. The two companies behind the iPhone and the software that powers Android phones said they submitted a proposal to set standards for combatting secret surveillance on Apples AirTag trackers and similar gadgets to Internet Engineering Task Force. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Apple and Google are teaming up to thwart unwanted tracking through Bluetooth devices that were created to help people find lost keys, keep tabs on luggage or to locate other things that have a tendency to be misplaced or lost.

The two companies behind the iPhone and the software that powers Android phones on Tuesday submitted a proposal to set standards for combatting secret surveillance on Apple's AirTag trackers and similar gadgets. The concept also has the backing of Samsung, which sells the most Android smartphones worldwide, as well as tracking products similar to the AirTag such as Tile, Chipolo, and Pebblebee.

The $30 AirTag has become a popular item since its 2021 release, helping users pinpoint the locations of a wide variety of lost property. But stalkers have also deployed AirTags and similar products to shadow former love interests and other people who dont realize they are being tracked.

Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve, said Dave Burke, Googles vice president of Engineering for Android.

Apple and AirTag hope to have a plan in place by the end of this year to thwart stealth tracking. The solution would be distributed through software updates to iPhones and Android phones.

Erica Olsen, the senior director of National Network to End Domestic Violences Safety Net Project, applauded the effort to set an industry standard that she believes will help protect survivors of abusive relationships and other people that have been targets of stealth technology. These new standards will minimize opportunities for abuse of this technology and decrease the burden on survivors in detecting unwanted trackers, Olsen said.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate released a new photograph of Princess Charlotte, the granddaughter of King Charles, on Monday, the day before her eighth birthday.

Sat on a chair, Charlotte, the third in line to the British throne after her father and brother Prince George, flashed a beaming smile for the picture in a white, frill neckline frock designed with tiny pink and blue flowers.

Kate took the photo in Windsor this weekend, Kensington Palace said in a brief statement.

Charlotte, born in London on May 2, 2015, is William and Kate's second child and only daughter. George was born in July 2013 and the princess' younger brother Prince Louis was born in April 2018.

The princess' birthday celebration this year falls just days before King Charles' coronation on May 6, which is set be a grand ceremony full of pomp, pageantry and religious significance.

(Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Josie Kao)
HENRYETTA, Okla. (AP)  Authorities discovered the bodies of seven people Monday while searching a rural Oklahoma property for two missing teenagers, state investigators confirmed.

The bodies were found near the town of Henryetta, a town of about 6,000 located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesman Gerald Davidson said.

He said the state medical examiner will have to identify the victims, but authorities were no longer searching for the missing teens or a man they may have been with.

Weve had our share of troubles and woes, but this one is pretty bad, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice told reporters.

Rice declined to confirm the identities of any of the victims, where the bodies were found or any details about weapons that may have been discovered on the property.

We believe theres no other threat to the community, he added.

A missing endangered person advisory had been issued earlier Monday for 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol canceled the advisory Monday afternoon.

The advisory for Webster and Brewer had said they were reportedly seen traveling with Jesse McFadden, who was on the state's sex offender registry. Oklahoma Department of Corrections prison records show McFadden was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 and released in October 2020.

Court records show McFadden was scheduled to appear in court Monday for the start of a jury trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography. A message left Monday evening with McFadden's attorney in that case was not immediately returned.

Brittany Brewer's father told KOTV in Tulsa that one of the bodies discovered was his daughter.

Brittany was an outgoing person. She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta ... coming up in July for this Miss National Miss pageant in Tulsa. And now she ain't gonna make it because she's dead. She's gone, Nathan Brewer said.

In a separate Okmulgee County case, the bodies of four men were found Oct. 14 in the Deep Fork River in Okmulgee, a town of around 11,000 people that is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Tulsa. Joseph Kennedy, 68, is facing four counts of first-degree murder in that case.
Dogs wait to be adopted in a cage at the Chesterfield Square Animal Services Center in Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mayor Karen Bass' proposed budget for the Los Angeles Animal Services department is facing pushback from city officials who want more funding for the troubled department.

Larry Gross, president of the commission that oversees Animal Services, contacted City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield last week to urge the hiring of more staff, Gross confirmed to The Times. Blumenfield chairs the city's budget committee.

Bass' budget proposed $31.7 million for Animal Services for the fiscal year starting July 1, an 18% increase over this year's budget for the department. That's far less than $42 million, or the 56% increase, requested by Animal Services.

City Council members are now reviewing Bass' spending plan.

Gross, in an interview Monday, said he told Blumenfield that a "huge number of staff" are needed.

He also pointed to two recent reports  one by former City Councilmember Paul Koretz, the other from City Controller Kenneth Mejia  that detail Animal Services' various problems, including a lack of employees.

Everyone is concerned about this issue," Gross said. "If we dont get the staff, what are we supposed to do?

The Times has chronicled worsening conditions at the shelters, including inadequate care for dogs and small animals. At the same time, the department lacks volunteers who are trained to handle larger dogs, so those dogs are caged for longer periods without walks. The confinement can stress dogs, making it harder for them to be adopted and putting them on a track to be euthanized.

Blumenfield has held hearings on Bass' proposed budget for the department over the last few days.

Appearing at Monday's hearing, Annette Ramirez, Animal Services' interim general manager, told Blumenfield and other council members that Bass' proposed budget doesn't include dozens of positions sought by the department. Among other positions, Ramirez wants staff to "assist people with pet retention opportunities," such as medical care or food assistance.

Blumenfield asked city analysts for a report back on the staffing problems.

"Likely we can't fund all that, but certainly we want to understand what it is that you say would take to get there," Blumenfield said.

Bass talked up Animal Services in her State of the City address last month and thanked the volunteers who work at the shelters. She said the mayor's office is leading a nationwide search for a new Animal Services general manager.

The mayor's proposed budget for 2023-24 contains one additional regular position for the department, as well as 27 "resolution" positions, which are temporary positions that are later reassessed, said Bernyce Hollins, Bass' senior budget director.

Hollins said Bass' team budgeted a high number of resolution positions because of the expectation that a general manager will soon join the department.

"It's not necessarily that these resolution positions wouldn't be continued, but it is appropriate to allow some flexibility," Hollins said. "So if this [general manager] comes in and says, 'You know what, instead of having positions in this area, I really need them in another area.'"

At Monday's budget hearing, City Councilmember Tim McOsker asked Ramirez whether the department was searching for a volunteer coordinator.

Ramirez responded by saying that the department has a volunteer coordinator. However, she didn't mention that the coordinator, Juan Rivera, has been on administrative leave since Feb. 14. The reason for his absence hasn't been made public.

Data provided by the City Controller's office show that Rivera was paid in the most recent pay period.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FIRST ON FOX: A Republican lawmaker is introducing legislation Tuesday that would prohibit the federal government from making voluntary contributions to the United Nations Green Climate Fund.

Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., a member of the House Budget Committee, authored the bill  the No Taxpayer Funding for United Nations Green Climate Fund Act  in an effort to restrict the extent to which U.S. taxpayers fund global green energy projects. The so-called Green Climate Fund was established in 2010 to help steer funds from Western nations to the developing world for climate technology.

"No taxpayers, in Virginia's Fifth District or across the country, should have to foot the bill for the United Nations radical and unscientific climate agenda," Good told Fox News Digital.

"The Biden Administration pledge of $1 billion to Green Climate Fund will only undermine the American economy and our energy independence in the name of climate alarmism," the Virginia Republican added.

UN CLIMATE REPORT IS LATEST IN STRING OF CATACLYSMIC PREDICTIONS STRETCHING BACK DECADES

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: Rep. Bob Goods (R-VA) speaks during a news conference with the House Freedom Caucus on the debt limit negotiations at the U.S. Capitol Building on March 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. Members of the caucus held the news conference to say they would consider voting to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for enacting legislation that would "shrink Washington" and bring government spending back to before 2020 and the Covid-19 Pandemic. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

On April 20, President Biden announced his administration would provide $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund which he said was "critical" for helping poorer nations to develop green energy projects and stave off climate change. The president also requested $500 million for an Amazon Rainforest restoration fund and called on world leaders to join in giving to international climate efforts.

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UN CALLS FOR MASS FOSSIL FUEL SHUTDOWNS TO PREVENT 'CLIMATE TIME BOMB'

"As large economies and large emitters, we must step up and support these economies," Biden remarked on April 20 at the virtual Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate. "So today, Im pleased to announce the United States is going to provide $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund, a fund that that is cri-  fund is a  critical in ways to help developing nations that they cant do now."

"But it should not be the only way," he continued. "Together, we need to strengthen the role of multilateral development banks in fighting climate crisis as well, starting with the World Bank. Because climate security, energy security, food security, theyre all related. Theyre all related."

Biden first announced his intention to boost U.S. contributions to the Green Climate Fund early in his presidency. He increased the overall annual funding goal to more than $11 billion during a 2021 speech to the United Nations in New York City. His administration hopes to reach that annual figure by 2024.

The president's proposed budgets have also routinely requested billions of dollars for "international climate assistance and financing."

Former President Barack Obama promised $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund shortly after its creation. However, his administration fell far short of that goal. The fund was originally designed to give $100 billion to developing countries by 2020, but has instead raised a tiny fraction of that amount.

And former President Donald Trump completely backed out of international climate finance agreements altogether, explaining that they would cost taxpayers a "vast fortune."

"Of course, the worlds top polluters have no affirmative obligations under the Green Fund, which we terminated," Trump remarked in June 2017, shortly after he took office. "America is $20 trillion in debt. Cash-strapped cities cannot hire enough police officers or fix vital infrastructure."

"Millions of our citizens are out of work," he continued. "And yet, under the Paris Accord, billions of dollars that ought to be invested right here in America will be sent to the very countries that have taken our factories and our jobs away from us. So think of that."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill allowing the death penalty in child rape convictions, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that banned capital punishment in such cases.

DeSantis, a Republican, also signed two other components of his criminal justice legislative package during a ceremony at a policing museum in a city outside Orlando.

The governor, who is expected to announce a run for president in the coming weeks, has leaned into an aggressive conservative agenda on crime and other issues ahead of his expected candidacy as he seeks to bolster support among the Republican base.

The signings came as DeSantis has faced widespread criticism over his battle with Disney and marked his first appearance after an overseas trade mission, with the routinely on-message governor returning to practiced rhetoric about his ability to implement conservative policy.

We're really delivering a big agenda, he said. So this is one important  but admittedly very small part  of an overall large agenda and very bold agenda that's really setting the terms of the debate for the country, quite frankly.

The death penalty law DeSantis signed is intended to get the conservative-controlled U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a 2008 ruling that found it unconstitutional to use capital punishment in child sexual battery cases.

Florida is among a handful of states with existing laws that allow for capital punishment on child rape convictions but has not used the punishment given the high court ruling. The Florida Supreme Court has also ruled against the use of capital punishment in sexual battery convictions.

The legislation, which goes into effect Oct. 1, would authorize the state to pursue capital punishment when an adult is convicted of sexually battering a child under 12 and provides a framework in the states capital punishment laws for prosecutors to do so. It was approved in the Florida Legislature with bipartisan support.

DeSantis said he believed the the Supreme Court's decision was wrong, adding, This bill sets up a procedure to be able to challenge that precedent and to be able to say that in Florida we think that the worst of the worst crimes deserve the worst of the worst punishment.

Late last month, DeSantis also signed a bill to end a unanimous jury requirement in death penalty sentencing, allowing capital punishment with jury recommendation of at least 8-4 in favor of execution.

The governor on Wednesday also signed into law a bill to enhance criminal penalties around the selling of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs that are packaged or disguised in the form of candy or other food products.

The third bill DeSantis signed requires the Florida Supreme Court to develop a uniform bond schedule for state courts to follow and bars a chief judge from setting bond below the schedule. It also forbids a person from being released before his or her first court appearance if charged with a violent or heinous crime. The law is part of DeSantis' criticism of so-called bail reforms in liberal jurisdictions.

The Republican supermajority in the Florida statehouse has focused heavily on the governor's legislative priorities this year, with DeSantis expected to use the raft of new conservative laws as the foundation for his 2024 presidential run.
The Big Melt is finally underway in the Sierra Nevada range, and soon there will be few wild places beyond the reach of water sounds: dripping, gurgling and roaring as runoff flows from lofty peaks to sage plains below.

But the whiplash change from extreme drought to epic snowpack is having very different consequences for a variety of species.

In the ever changing ebb and flow of water in California, no given year is great for all species, said Joshua Viers, a professor at UC Merced specializing in the hydrology of the Sierra Nevada. But in a year like this one, which is exceptional by all measures, we are looking at a resetting of the dynamics of the entire ecological canvas from the redwoods to the desert.

Sage grouse stand in a field near Bridgeport, Calif., in this 2010 file photo. Heavy snows this year are likely to complicate the birds' ostentatious mating rituals. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Competing interests are already playing out from inundated breeding grounds for waterfowl in Central California to snow-covered meadows near the California-Nevada border where an isolated, genetically distinct clan of bi-state sage grouse may forgo making ostentatious displays of romance because they have no place to hide from predators.

Things that were only in history books are now happening before our eyes, Viers said. A growing concern for ecosystem and water managers throughout the state is that we can expect increasing periods of prolonged drought punctuated by pronounced wetness from now on.

Ryan Burnett, head of the nonprofit Point Blue Conservation Sciences Sierra Nevada group, agrees. Its a complicated situation for both wildlife and wildlife managers, he said.

For example, protected migratory birds will continue moving north along the Pacific Flyway because they didnt get the memo that there was 30 feet of snow on their rest stops in the Sierras, he said. But birds endemic to the American West that nest close to the ground at high elevations, such as white-crowned sparrows, just dont breed in heavy snow years like this one.

Deer walk on a steep in Lake Oroville. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Local populations of bears, deer, bobcats, and other common mammals along the western and eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada range are expected to thrive, scientists say. So will amphibian and native fish populations clinging to existence in streams that had been reduced to small ponds but will soon be flowing again and buzzing with insects.

Jason Coslovich, a biologist with the California Waterfowl Assn. in Central California, suggested that things are looking better for ducks such as mallards and gadwalls than at any other time in the last three years  a period spanning the most severe drought in 1,200 years.

While I cant guarantee that Central California will resemble a waterfowl convention after all the snowmelt moves downstream, he said, more surface water means more mallards and gadwalls will be sticking around to breed  so expect more ducks next year.

Typically, it takes about six months for mallards to pair up, build a nest, lay a clutch of nine to 12 eggs, and begin raising hatchlings.

A year ago, the local population of mallard ducks was down 25% due to drought, Coslovich said. Many of our ducks decided to search for better places to nest in Oregon and northern Idaho.

This year, those birds will fulfill their life cycles in Central California rivers and lakes brimming with snowmelt, as well as in the vast flooded fields of rice farmers who are once again receiving 100% of their state water allocations.

Aerial surveys of booming waterfowl populations across the state are currently being conducted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists. The results are expected to become available later this year.

Separately, there is good news for the more than 40,000 California gulls that nest on islands in Mono Lake, east of Yosemite National Park: They will be less vulnerable to predators including coyotes because melting snow is expected to raise the surface level of the lake several feet by year's end.

The potential bad news, however, is that the inflows could cause the lakes water column to begin stratifying into a warmer, lighter upper layer, above a colder, lower layer, limiting the productivity of brine flies and shrimp that migrating birds feed on.

After heavy rains and flooding in 1983, the lake stratified into hard layers, Burnett said, that took a few years to break up.

A more pressing concern is the fate of the dwindling population of bi-state sage grouse, one of the most legally contested birds in America. There are only about 3,300 of the birds left  far fewer than the 5,000 that biologists say is required to sustain the population.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday approved reopening consideration of whether to list the bi-state sage grouse as endangered or threatened.

The birds were proposed for listing in 2013, but federal wildlife authorities abandoned the proposal two years later. In 2018, a federal court judge ordered the agency to re-evaluate the species situation.

Two years later, however, the Trump administration withdrew that proposal.

"The service's announcement is a step in the right direction," said Ileene Anderson, a biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity.

"The bi-state sage grouse is having a tough year because of the epic snow on its habitat, she said. Im worried these beautiful dancing birds may not be able to dig deep enough to reach sagebrush, their primary food source.

Only five months ago, biologists were struggling to determine how much water was needed to sustain the birds in an era of less snowpack, shorter rainy seasons and periods of prolonged drought.

Now, they worry that the rare birds are unusually easy prey for hungry golden eagles and coyotes because their breeding grounds are still blanketed in bright white piles of snow.

In normal years, sage grouse use their coloring to hide in sage and tall grass, Burnett said. But where can they go when their breeding grounds are covered in white snow?

I dont know the answer to that question, he said. I dont think anyone does.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced Tuesday morning that he is making another push to pass legislation to streamline the federal permitting process for energy infrastructure projects.

Manchin, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is reintroducing his Building American Energy Security Act as part of the effort. According to his office, the legislation will serve as the starting point for upcoming conversations in Congress about "reforming energy permitting to ensure American energy security and independence."

"In the United States, it often takes between five and ten years  sometimes longer  to get critical energy infrastructure projects approved, putting us years behind allies like Canada, Australia, and more recently the EU, who each have policies designed to complete permitting in three years or less," Manchin said in a statement.

"It is clear that without comprehensive permitting reform we will never ensure lasting American energy security and independence and will delay progress on environmental goals," he continued. "I am introducing the Building American Energy Security Act today to restart the conversation in the Senate about accelerating our permitting process as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee continues to discuss, consider, and act on advancing this critical topic."

BIDEN QUIETLY BACKS BEHEMOTH NATURAL GAS PROJECT DESPITE PLEAS FROM CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

Manchin first introduced the Building American Energy Security Act in September 2022 after Congress passed and President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The legislation was billed as a necessary counterpart to the IRA, ensuring that green energy projects supported by that bill would receive quicker federal approvals.

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After the legislation stalled, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., agreed in December to attach it to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a move supported by Biden and green energy groups, but opposed by environmental groups. However, in a 47-47 vote where 40 Democrats and seven Republicans voted in favor of the bill, the Senate rejected the amendment.

BIDEN ADMIN DELIVERS BLOW TO FOSSIL FUEL PROJECT IN VICTORY FOR ECO GROUPS

"There is overwhelming bipartisan recognition that our current permitting processes arent working, and equally bipartisan support for addressing it through comprehensive permitting reform legislation," Manchin said Tuesday. "I am confident that we will find a path forward, and the Building American Energy Security Act, which has already enjoyed bipartisan support, will serve to kick off that process."

The Building American Energy Security Act would establish maximum timelines for permitting reviews including a two-year process for major projects and a one-year process for smaller projects. It would provide legal avenues for project developers to take against the federal government if a permitting review is delayed beyond set timelines and would mandate a single inter-agency environmental review.

President Biden endorsed Manchin's Building American Energy Security Act last year, saying it would "cut Americans energy bills, promote U.S. energy security, and boost our ability to get energy projects built and connected to the grid."

The legislation proposes to also limit legal challenges that seek to block projects from moving forward, direct the White House to regularly designate at least 25 high-priority wide-ranging energy infrastructure projects, and enhance federal authority over permitting interstate electric transmission facilities determined to be in the national interest.

It also includes a carveout green-lighting the 300-mile West Virginia-to-Virginia Mountain Valley Pipeline project.

ECO GROUPS BLAST BIDEN ADMIN FOR SUPPORTING JOE MANCHIN'S PET PROJECT

"This permitting reform proposal would speed our country along the road to energy independence," American Clean Power Association Chief Advocacy Officer JC Sandberg said on Dec. 14. "Burdensome rules and regulations on energy generation and transmission are creating major obstacles to building clean energy projects that will significantly reduce our foreign dependence."

"This legislation allows us to strengthen our energy security while delivering the clean, abundant, and affordable power that Americans are demanding," Sandberg added. "Further, it will create more American jobs. Lawmakers should seize this opportunity to find bipartisan common ground to solve our toughest energy challenges."

Sections of steel pipe for the Mountain Valley Pipeline are pictured on Aug. 31, 2022, in Bent Mountain, Virginia. Manchin's bill includes a carveout for the project.

Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., joined 40 Republican senators in voting against the bill when it was attached to the NDAA in December.

Along with former Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, voted in favor of the amendment.

Manchin's effort comes about a month after the House passed Republicans' Lower Energy Costs Act, legislation that included provisions to reform permitting laws in addition to provisions boosting energy production and shoring up critical mineral supply chains.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act , projects are required to go through successive rounds of permitting which can take months or, sometimes, years for relevant agencies to approve. Last year, the White House reversed Trump-era rules that aimed to streamline the process in a move blasted by renewable energy and fossil fuel industry proponents alike.

In 2020, the Trump administration released a report showing that the federal government on average takes 4-5 years to complete environmental reviews. The Federal Highway Administration takes seven years on average, the longest of any agency, and the Bureau of Land Management, which is tasked with approving fossil fuel drilling permits, takes more than four years on average.
Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Forte to victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland Race Course in November. Forte, who drew the 15th post, is the odds-on favorite to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. (Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)

If you were to ask the trainers, the draw for the Kentucky Derby is really not as big a deal as everyone seems to make it. To a person they can be expected to say that they like the draw they got, even though they are selling more of a concept of confidence than anything else.

Monday's blind pulling of post position pills and names of horses didnt have a lot of drama although Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox have four of the six less attractive inside positions. Pletcher has three horses in the race, including the 3-1 morning-line favorite Forte, who is in a decent spot in the 15 post. Cox has four horses, including third favorite Angel Of Empire (8-1), who will break from the 14.

Its OK, Cox said about Hit Show (30-1) drawing the 1, and Verifying (15-1) being handed the 2. Well live with it, we have to. [Hit Show jockey] Manny [Franco] is obviously going to have to work out a trip from down in there. Same thing with Verifying. Both riders are going to have to find a way into the first turn.

The inside posts are not as bad they used to be since Churchill Downs constructed a single 20-horse starting gate in 2020, In the past there was a gap between the main gate of 14 horses and an auxiliary gate of six horses. The extra width, including the space between the two gates, squeezed the horses on the inside closer to the rail.

Weve got the tighter starting gate, it works out well for the Derby, Cox said. I dont think it eliminates the inside horses like it used to with the auxiliary gate. So, Im going to take a positive spin on it and hope Hit Show and Verifying can get good trips from inside.

The winner of the Santa Anita Derby is usually considered one of the top picks for the Kentucky Derby. But Practical Move was put at 10-1,the fourth favorite, tied with Derma Sotogake, winner of the UAE Derby. The winner of the race in Dubai has never finished on the board in the Kentucky Derby.

Practical Move, along with Reincarnate (50-1), are both trained by Santa Anita-based Tim Yakteen. Practical Move is nicely placed in the 10, a good spot for a horse that runs just off the pace, and Reincarnate is the 7.

The only other Southern California horse in the race is Skinner (20-1), who made the race after Wild On Ice was injured during training and had to be euthanized. Skinner will break just inside Practical Move in the 9.

Yakteen and Skinners trainer, John Shirreffs, who won the Derby in 2005 with long shot Giacomo, were nothing if not brief in their assessment of the draw.

Do I like them? Yakteen asked. Yes.

Shirreffs said: Thumbs up. Its a good draw."

Mandarin Hero, second in the Santa Anita Derby, is still on the outside looking in. Two horses have to scratch before Friday at 9 a.m. for him to make the field.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Longtime Prospect Park, New Jersey, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah says he was blocked from attending a White House celebration to mark the end of Ramadan by the Secret Service.

Khairullah, a Muslim who was born in Syria, has been the Democratic mayor of the borough of 6,300 for 17 years.

The White House invited him to its Eid al-Fitr celebration Monday, and he was on his way when he was called and told that he was not cleared by the Secret Service, he said.

Image: Mayor Mohamed Khairullah says he was racially profiled at an airport after returning home from Turkey in August. (Mayor Khairullah / via YouTube)

I dont know the reason, Khairullah said Monday night. Im baffled.

Khairullah said he believes that his name is mistakenly on an FBI list and that it has caused him travel problems in the past but that he thought it had been resolved. But agencies have never given him many details, and they have offered no way to remedy it.

The Secret Service confirmed Monday that Khairullah was not allowed entry to the White House complex but would not say why.

"While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not permitted to enter the White House complex for this evenings event," Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, we cannot provide additional commentary on the specifics surrounding the protective means and methods used at the White House," Guglielmi said.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Islams holy month of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting.

President Joe Biden attended the event and thanked Muslims for their contributions to the U.S.

Among the guests was Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father whose son Humayun Khan, an Army captain, was killed by a car bomb in 2004 while he was guarding the gates of his base in Iraq. Also in attendance was Imam Makhdoom Zia, the founder and executive director of MakeSpace, an Islamic cultural hub and learning center in Washington, D.C.

Khairullah said he has had issues with travel before.

He has been involved in relief efforts in the Middle East and said he has been to Syria seven times since unrest in 2011 turned into a civil war.

But after border patrol agents questioned him after a return to the U.S. from Turkey in 2019 and after another holdup in Canada, Khairullah said, he thought the issue had been resolved. He traveled internationally last year with no issues, he said.

"I cannot clear my name. Previously they said we cant deny nor confirm youre on a list, and if there is such a list there is no way of telling us how to clear my name," Khairullah said. "Its a Catch-22."

Khairullah said the invitation by the White House was gracious. He said the incident could show there is still some discrimination by federal agencies.

"I think theres an opportunity to do the right thing," he said.

Prospect Park is a borough in New Jersey about 15 miles west of New York City. Khairullah was first elected mayor in November 2005.
The parents of a baby born with dwarfism were paid a $15m settlement from Boston Children's Hospital after their son died during a sleep study.

The baby, Jackson Kekula, died after nurses left him without oxygen for 20 minutes, according to the Boston Globe.

Becky and Ryan Kekula, Jackson's parents, brought him to the hospital for a sleep study and car seat test, which are commonly done for children with his condition. His specific type of dwarfism, called achondroplasia, can cause sleep problems.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health investigated the death and found the hospital at fault after it made a series of errors that led to the child's death.

The procedure occurred in 2022. The child suffered catastrophic brain injury that required him to be put on life support after he was left without oxygen for 20 minutes, according to the family's attorney Robert Higgins.

The family was paid $15m to settle the matter but refused to sign an NDA, arguing that Jackson's story should be used to help prevent future incidents.

After Jackson was born, he spent time in a NICU where doctors learned he had sleep apnea, which causes breathing interruptions during sleep. He also had trouble breathing while he was strapped into his car seat.

Breathing problems can be common for babies born with achondroplasia because they are typically born with larger heads. The babies lack the strength to hold their heads up, causing them to hang forward and potentially disrupt their airways.

Mr Higgins said the hospital failed to properly monitor Jackson's breathing and heartbeat during the study. He said the staff was distracted by what they believed to be an equipment malfunction.

Ms Kekula said she could not say how families facing similar health issues should act, but wanted them to be aware of her story.

"There are a lot of families [in the little people community] that go to that place," Ms Kekula said about Boston Children's Hospital. "I can't say what to do or not to do. But it's important for them to know what happened."

After the incident Jackson spent 12 days on life support before his parents made the decision to end the care after he showed no signs of improvement.
Naseej, one of the leading real estate development companies in Bahrain, has announces a Bahrainisation rate of approximately 90% in 2023, achieving an increase of 11% in three years.

Backed by a highly qualified and professional workforce, Naseej continues to play a leading role in the real estate and development sector, said a statement from the company.

Since its inception in 2010, Naseejs human capital consisting of Bahraini competencies constitute the majority of the companys executive and management positions with a continuous effort to recruit and develop Bahraini nationals within the organisational structure.

CEO Amin Al Arrayed said: "The strategic vision of Naseej aims to develop its human capital and invest in its treasured Bahraini competencies. We are also proud of the great reputation earned by Bahrain due to its business friendly environment, which is a result of the qualified and skilled Bahraini workforce."

"The kingdom has succeeded in building a solid foundation for the prosperity of the business community as well as attracting local and foreign direct investment. On this occasion, we stress the importance of human capital as the most valuable asset in all institutions," he stated.

Al Arrayed said: "Naseejs strategy is primarily based on developing its human capital, which is integral to the companys prosperity and the growth of the national economy. The company is always keen to employ national competencies, train them, and invest in Bahraini youth who have proven their sincerity and dedication in various fields of work."

"As the kingdom celebrates Bahrain Youth Day on March 25 each year, we are proud of the presence of capable youth in all company departments who aspire to lead change for the better and adopt the best innovative practices to improve the companys financial and operational performance," he noted.

Amer Mohammed Janahi, the head of human resources and administration affairs at Naseej, said: "Naseej is proud to be one of the leading Bahraini companies in terms of Bahrainisation, providing superior job opportunities for qualified Bahraini talent, which has currently reached 90%."

After recording a Bahrainisation rate of 81% in 2020, the company aspired to record a growth of 4% to reach 85% Bahrainisation within three years.

"However, the company exceeded this goal by recording 90% Bahrainisation this year, which comes in line with the companys institutional human resources strategy to localise the jobs available in the company," he noted.

Janahi said Naseej was always on the lookout for Bahraini talents with good experience and high qualifications.

"The administration also supports the training and qualification of all staff and work teams, in addition to supporting employees wishing to obtain professional qualifications by covering the full expense," he stated.

Janahi said: "As part of its corporate strategy, Naseej believes in the importance of producing a promising generation that contributes to the advancement of the real estate development sector."

"In co-operation with University of Bahrain and other universities, the company is keen to provide opportunities for graduates and students to benefit from a training period in various company departments, including financial affairs, project management, investments, construction, marketing, sales, and interior design, enabling them to acquire the necessary skills to enter the labour market with high professionalism," he stated.

"Naseej provides an ideal working environment for Bahraini competencies in the real estate development sector, which inspires their loyalty towards serving the companys goals for many years. Numerous employees still work for the company since its establishment in 2010," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
President Joe Biden extended an invitation to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) to visit the White House on May 9 to discuss the debt ceiling, just hours after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the federal government could run out of money as early as June 1.

This afternoon, President Biden called Speaker McCarthy, who is leading a CODEL [Congressional Delegation] in Israel, to invite him to a meeting at the White House on May 9 with Leader Jeffries, Leader Schumer, and Leader McConnell, who the President also called today, a White House readout published on Monday afternoon noted.

The presidents request comes on the heels of Secretary Yellens letter to Representative McCarthy on Monday imploring the speaker of the House to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible.

In a letter, Janet Yellen says the debt-limit "X date" could bind "potentially as early as June 1" https://t.co/9xTlinUSSh pic.twitter.com/yhHiXhEqSD  Nick Timiraos (@NickTimiraos) May 1, 2023

Given the current projections, it is imperative that Congress act as soon as possible to increase or suspend the debt limit in a way that provides longer-term certainty that the government will continue to make its payments, Yellen added.

Lower-than-expected tax receipts collected by the federal government has accelerated the debt-ceiling deadline  often referred to as the x-date  which previously was estimated to fall between July and September.

Yellens cautionary note was echoed by the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan government agency.

Because tax receipts through April have been less than the Congressional Budget Office anticipated in February, we now estimate that there is a significantly greater risk that the Treasury will run out of funds in early June, CBO director Phillip Swagel wrote in a blog post published on Monday.

Republicans have spied an opportunity to leverage the newfound urgency on the part of the Biden administration to advance spending cuts. Some proposals include reducing financial support for such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Those who support a clean debt ceiling are ignoring fiscal & economic realities, Representative Byron Donalds (R., Fla.) tweeted on Sunday ahead of the news. Were running up debts faster than well EVER have an ability to pay off. Chinas trying to negotiate AROUND the US dollar to remove us from world currency reserve status. These are MAJOR issues.

Those who support a clean debt ceiling are ignoring fiscal & economic realities. We're running up debts faster than well EVER have an ability to pay off. China's trying to negotiate AROUND the US dollar to remove us from world currency reserve status. These are MAJOR issues. pic.twitter.com/EbtITSVn5D  Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) April 30, 2023

Meanwhile, Democratic messaging has sought to stress the historical importance of the United States never defaulting.

For over 200 years, America has never, ever, ever failed to pay its debt, President Biden said at an event on Monday. In colloquial terms, America is not a deadbeat nation. We have never, ever failed to meet the debt, he said.

We pay our bills, and we should do so without reckless hostage-taking from some of the MAGA Republicans in Congress.  President Biden calls out House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over debt ceiling negotiations pic.twitter.com/0GsEjT6OPl  The Recount (@therecount) May 1, 2023

We pay our bills, and we should do so without reckless hostage-taking from some of the MAGA Republicans in Congress.

More from National Review
CHICAGO  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday that he would not stop sending migrants to her city, even though she pleaded with him to halt the action.

Lightfoot, a Democrat, complained in a letter Sunday that the city does not have the resources to keep up with the flow of people. Some of them are being kept in public spaces like police stations until shelter is available.

In a response letter Monday, Abbott, a Republican, told Lightfoot to take her complaint to President Joe Biden, laying the responsibility for an ongoing border crisis at his doorstep.

"To provide much-needed relief to our overrun border communities, Texas began busing migrants to sanctuary cities such as your 'Welcoming City,' along with Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia, with more to come. Until Biden secures the border to stop the inflow of mass migration, Texas will continue this necessary program," Abbott wrote.

Lightfoot traveled to the White House in mid-April and specifically brought up the need for federal funding to accommodate an influx of migrants into Chicago, a person familiar with the conversation said. That person added that Lightfoot specifically talked to Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, who was just tapped as the campaign manager for Bidens re-election.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Abbott and Lightfoot both said in a recent letter exchange that an already untenable flow of migrants would only be worsened by the end of a Covid ban on migrants, known as Title 42, on May 11.

The dust-up is just one way the end of the Covid-era rule is expected to affect not just border towns but also cities deep in the heart of the country. Border officials have already warned that they expect a record surge of people across the border. Abbott is among the leaders who has sent border migrants to other cities, saying so-called sanctuary cities should have to grapple with the plight of border towns.

Lightfoot argued that federal resources flow into states like Texas to mitigate the financial impact of immigration but that money is not following those bused or flown to Chicago.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks in Chicago on Feb. 1, 2023. (Scott Olson / Getty Images file)

I will continue calling on the federal government for more resources and support, as well as much needed policy changes, just as I will call upon them to withhold all FEMA funding slated for Texas if chartered buses resume coming to our city, Lightfoot wrote in her letter Sunday. But I would rather work with you than against you. Governor Abbott, this is not a state v. state or city v. city problem. The immigration crisis is a national challenge that requires national collaboration.

Chicago has been grappling with where to house migrants as social service groups complain they are running out of space. The head of the Chicago Police Fraternal Order of Police said he filed a grievance Monday complaining about the citys housing migrants in police stations. Among the complaints the social service groups  and the city  have made about Abbotts busing of migrants is that there is a lack of coordination from his office, leaving no time or ability to accommodate the influx.

Abbott was going out of his way to be an a--hole about it, said Joshua Hoyt, a board co-chair of the American Business Immigration Coalition, an advocacy group. Hoyt had also done on-the-ground volunteering to assist with the influx of migrants.

Abbott's office did not reply to a request for a response to Hoyt's remarks.

Abbott said in his letter that Chicagos issue is minimal when it is compared to the situation in Texas border towns.

With Title 42 expulsions set to end next week, the federal government has estimated that we could have up to 13,000 illegal immigrants cross the U.S.Mexico border every single day, he wrote. Some reports indicate that there are nearly 35,000 waiting to cross into El Paso as soon as Title 42 expulsions are no longer in effect. If Chicago cant deal with 8,000 in less than a year, how are small Texas border communities supposed to manage 13,000 in just one day?

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said Monday that in all, $200 million in state and federal funding has been committed to help asylum-seekers find housing and other accommodations.

Resources are stretched, Pritzker said at a news conference Monday. I think that Gov. Abbott is doing what he thinks is the most political thing that he can do to cause problems in the country for Democratically controlled states and cities, and thats why hes doing it.
The Biden administration plans to send 1,500 active-duty soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border for 90 days, federal officials have announced.

The move Monday comes ahead of the anticipated increase in the number of migrants at the border as of May 11, when Title 42, a pandemic-related immigration policy, expires. U.S. Homeland Security officials said service members would not perform law enforcement functions or interact with migrants in custody. Troops will begin to arrive as soon as May 10.

About 2,500 members of the National Guard are already stationed at the nine sectors of the southwest border, doing support work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, one official said. The additional troops will bring the total to 4,000 military personnel.

U.S. officials said the 1,500 Army and Marine Corps troops, requested by the Homeland Security Department, will fill critical capability gaps, such as watching for crossings, monitoring camera feeds, data entry and warehouse support.

Military personnel have been supporting [Customs and Border Protection] at the border for almost two decades now, so this is a common practice, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday.

This would not be necessary if Congress would act, she added.

Title 42 orders are set to end May 11. Implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the policy prevents migrants from requesting asylum, allowing border agents to swiftly turn many of them back to Mexico.

The Homeland Security Department said in a statement that the request for more troops is due to an anticipated increase in arrivals of migrants seeking to enter the U.S. Support from the troops will free up Homeland Security personnel to fulfill their own law enforcement duties, officials said.

The Defense Department has supported Homeland Security on the border every year since 2006, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a news conference Monday. He said Pentagon officials were evaluating whether they could replace the active-duty forces with others, such as reserve troops and contracted support, before the 90 days is up.

In 2018, then-President Trump sent 5,800 active-duty troops to the southern border amid the arrival of a caravan of thousands of migrants from Central America, which he characterized as an invasion. Initially the troops laid razor wire and conducted other tasks, but later the White House expanded their authority, allowing them to use force and provide crowd control to protect border agents.

Advocates for immigrants decried Mondays decision as an unnecessary tool from Trumps playbook.

Jonathan Blazer, director of border strategies for the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement that the move amounted to political optics.

People who have been forced to flee their homes and embark on arduous, dangerous journeys for the chance to seek legal protection in the U.S. should be met with compassion  not military troops, he said. President Biden has had years to prepare for the long-overdue end to Title 42.

Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, sidestepped a question about political implications, saying: Clearly, [Homeland Security] felt that there was a need for the Department of Defense to assist so that they can continue to do their important work.

Biden also signed an executive order Thursday to order the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to active duty to address international drug trafficking. The order builds on one from December 2021, which declared an emergency to address the national security threats of narcotics trafficking.

Times staff writer Courtney Subramanian and San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Kate Morrissey contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The U.S. military is tracking a mysterious balloon that flew over American soil, but its not clear what it is or whom it belongs to, according to three U.S. officials.

The object flew across portions of Hawaii but did not go over any sensitive areas, the officials said.

The U.S. military has been tracking it since late last week and has determined that it poses no threat to aerial traffic or national security and is not communicating signals, one official said.

It's not clear if it's a weather balloon or something else, the official said, adding that the U.S. could still shoot it down if it nears land.

The object, which does not appear to have maneuverability, is moving slowly toward Mexico, the officials said.

U.S. officials do not believe the balloon belongs to the Chinese, but they are still working to identify the owner.

Mysterious balloon seen over Hawaii. (Larry Mayer)

A spokesperson for the National Security Council referred questions about the object to the Defense Department.

In a statement, a spokesman for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said, "U.S. Indo-Pacific Command responded to an unidentified radar signature Friday in the vicinity of the island of Hawaii. Pacific Air Forces launched three F-22s to assess the situation and visually identified a spherical object. We monitored the transit of the object and assessed that it posed no threat."

A Pentagon spokesperson said the balloon was floating at 36,000 feet with "no indication that it was maneuvering or being controlled by a foreign or adversarial actor. The balloon did not transit directly over defense critical infrastructure or other U.S. Government sensitive sites, nor did it pose a military or physical threat to people on the ground."

A Chinese spy balloon flew across parts of the U.S. in early February, before being shot down off the Carolina coast.

The device was able to gather intelligence from several sensitive American military sites, despite the Biden administrations efforts to block it from doing so, officials have said.
A dust storm in central Illinois Monday morning created "zero visibility" conditions, triggering a fiery 72-vehicle pileup on Interstate 55 that killed seven people and injured more than 30 others.

I-55, a major traffic artery through the state, reopened around 6 a.m. Tuesday, local time, nearly 20 hours after the chain-reaction crashes were first reported, Illinois State Police said.

Authorities said the first crash was reported at 10:55 a.m., local time, in the northbound lanes near Milepost 76 north of Farmersville, Montgomery County, just south of Springfield. Multiple crashes were also reported around the same time in the southbound lanes, along a 2-mile stretch of I-55 into southern Sangamon County.

Police confirmed seven fatalities, all of which occurred in the northbound crashes. Authorities late Monday identified one of the victims as Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin. Police said three of the victims' names will be released once their families are notified.

Authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying two of the remaining victims - one who was found in a blue Chrysler 300, while the other was in an unknown-colored Hyundai. Police said both cars were badly damaged and vehicle information was not identifiable. Police ask anyone with information to contact the state police at 618-346-3653.

"Dust storms happen, but it is not something that happens every day here in this part of Illinois ... it's certainly a terrible, terrible tragedy," State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a Tuesday news conference.

A total of 37 people were injured, ranging in age from 2 to 80. They were transported to area hospitals with minor to life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Montgomery County emergency management officials said that 10 helicopters were requested to the scene, and that several buses from a local school were also called out to help transport stranded motorists, WAND-TV reported.

Quetta Penson was traveling on I-55 toward the scene when she saw a huge dust cloud "across the entire highway."

"As we got closer, I started seeing a darker color smoke and then suddenly a motorcycle rider that was coming back [toward us]. He was trying to get people to stay as far back as they possibly could," Penson recounted. "He was covered from head to toe in dust."

Then she heard the loud "booms" of gas tanks exploding -- "It was one right after the other," she said.

Leyla Arsan, of Chicago, told The New York Times that she had been driving along I-55 on Monday when she began to see the dust and smoke, but cars didn't appear to be slowing down. "Trucks were fishtailing left and right," she noted. Arsan said she was forced to turn around to avoid the crash site.

Video from the fiery scene showed multiple tractor-trailer trucks and cars mangled from the crash, with first responders battling both smoke from the collisions and the blowing heavy dust. State police said that at least 30 tractor-trailers and 42 passenger vehicles were involved in the pileup, including two tractor trailers that caught fire as a result of the crash.

Kevin Schott, director of Montgomery County's Emergency Management Agency, said at a news conference Monday that the thick haze, combined with the dozens of vehicles scattered across both sides of the highway, posed a challenge for first responders trying to reach "victims in a rapid manner." Everyone's "eyes are full of it," he said of the heavy dust in the air.

"We had to search every vehicle, whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over, to check for injuries," Schott said.

"This is a difficult scene, something that is very hard to train for," he added.

State police said the cause of the chain-reaction crashes was due to the "excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility," as was noted by the National Weather Service's St. Louis office.

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Emergency crews on the scene of a major pileup crash caused by a dust storm on Interstate 55 in Montgomery County in central Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023. State police said several people were injured. (Nathan J. Cormier)

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bob Larson said there was an "enhanced risk" of blowing dust and dust storms in the area due to a "trifecta" of high winds, dry ground and loose soil. Winds from the northwest were averaging between 25 and 35 mph Monday, with gusts between 40 and 45 mph. "In addition to the wind, [central Illinois is] coming off a dry April, with roughly half of the historical average amount of rain during the month," Larson said.

The pileup shut down I-55 in both directions for a 30-mile stretch between Divernon in southern Sangamon County and Farmersville in Montgomery County.

State DOT officials reported several other accidents on I-55 Monday due to the low visibility, such as a truck fire in Cook County and a crash outside of Pontiac.

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.


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Political perversions abound in a hot-air democracy; media silence is the butt of jokes shared on smartphones around the country

It was coming but now we can no longer be in doubt that we have, by slow degrees, become a Democracy by Propaganda. Projected for the first time beyond our shores and beyond the confines of the only-too-happy-to-oblige media, the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modis monthly radio broadcast Mann ki Baat was beamed live at the UN headquarters in New York on April 30.

Whether there were any takers for it is not the point. Nor is the quality of the programme, about which finicky souls would rather not speak in public. What stands out is the worrying contrast this singular event offers to other happenings and advertises our current status as Recep Tayyip Erdogans Turkey (where the Opposition gets hell) in disguise, or a wannabe Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu defined by sticky allegations of high-order corruption and teaching the Muslims a lesson by religious extremists and the State.

Who could have missed that the crowning moment for Mann Ki Baat -- chirped about at an election rally in Karnataka by Mr Modis most consequential minister, and also extolled by Indias vice-president, whose day job is to preside over the Rajya Sabha and avoid partisan politics -- comes at a time when microphones of Opposition leaders were switched off in Parliament?

Earlier, the speeches of the key Opposition leaders in Parliament, which sought answers to uneasy questions about the dizzying rise of a business tycoon who suddenly finds himself among the most commented internationally due to a bruising dip in his fortunes, have been scrubbed clean from the records.

And the Oppositions chief leader Rahul Gandhi, who is in the eye of the storm for marching almost 4,000 km around India denouncing the Modi government and asking searching questions of it on the Adani affair in Parliament, has been expelled from Parliament and may have to serve two years in jail if the higher judiciary doesnt overturn lower court verdicts given in a patently motivated criminal defamation case.

Political perversions abound in a hot-air democracy; media silence is the butt of jokes shared on smartphones around the country. If it werent for the social media, we would be pretty much in the dark about the state of play in the run-up to next years Parliament election and in a year filled with Assembly elections.

In a democracy in which punishing opponents and dissidents has become second nature lately, inquiries will not be held when MPs demand it. The governing party will resort to barricading tactics, giving the presiding officer the technical reason to adjourn Parliament. The Prime Minister will remain silent when questions are asked, or deny outright that China has invaded Indias territory on his watch. Although he has no authority to do so, the vice-president will seek a written explanation from a Rajya Sabha member for criticising the home minister in a newspaper article, as has just happened with the CPI(M)s John Brittas.

But its not all doom and gloom. Since Mr Gandhis own Long March, the mood in India is turning. Rahul Gandhi probably wasnt looking for professional reporting and commentary on television or in the large-circulation newspapers, and didnt get any. However, hundreds, sometimes thousands, and at times even tens of thousands marched with him every single day through that five-month odyssey, going by eyewitness accounts. And many shot their videos and put them out in cyberspace. It is this that is getting the establishment nervous.

The Congress is the countrys largest Opposition party which is not a regional party. And it doesnt depend on caste, class, language or religious bonding for votes. For many years it was everyones party and suddenly found itself being no ones party as the era of emphasis on caste and religion identities took over the polity. The Congress also scored own goals along the way as it widely came to be seen as a dynastic party.

Much of this past baggage now seems out of the way as the party has elected a new president who is not a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family. In fact, the current president, Mallikarjun Kharge, is a well-regarded senior political figure from Karnataka who happens to be a Dalit. The symbolism of a Dalit Congress president has begun to worry the partys opponents, especially the BJP. But the time window is small for Mr Kharge to set up even a rudimentary organisational structure in many parts of the country in time for next years general election.

This task may be rendered easier if the Congress can defeat the BJP in the Assembly election in Karnataka, the Congress chiefs home state, due in about a week from now. The Karnataka election is important for the conjuncture, being the first electoral test for the Congress as well as the BJP on the heels of a tumultuous period that has seen wholly unexpected and out of the ordinary events.

Among these are the Congress decision to throw in its lot -- conceptually for the first time -- with the idea of a caste census for India as well as reservations in education and jobs for OBCs according to their proportion in the population. In doing so, Indias former ruling party finds itself on the same page as the so-called social justice regional parties -- and better placed than ever before to appeal to OBCs for votes across the country, especially North India. These middle peasant castes had been voting against it since the 1960s.

These are novel times indeed. The incumbent and the challenger are both apt to be nervous -- the incumbent because the economic indices are shallow and run against the interests of the countrys non-privileged classes, and the challenger due to the great suspense caused by anticipation. It no longer seems the case that the BJP is visibly better placed than its challengers, unless the Election Commission goes soft on EVM-related irregularities.

On top of these considerations comes a major defection -- that of former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik. In explosive interviews he has lately accused the Prime Minister of not being averse to tolerating corruption, and manipulating events to give rise to the Pulwama terrorist attack so that India may have a reason to drop bombs on Pakistan just months before the 2019 Lok Sabha election, and earn credit for fighting terrorism.

This is the first sign of contrary activity from within the citadel. Is Mr Malik acting alone? Is he a part of an influential, if not powerful, cabal? We shall only know in due course. But today is a time of genuine suspense in the political arena in our dwindling democracy.
The writer is a development and communications consultant and the author of Kabul Blogs: My Days in the Life of Afghanistan

Over the last decade, acceptance of homosexuality has grown in India, especially since Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality in 2018

Imagine a nuclear family in India: Mother, father, and children. Imagine an extended family: grandparents, parents and children, aunts, uncles, and their children.

Now imagine another kind of family: Two women, with or without children. Or two men, with or without children. Is this kind of family possible? It could be. But would it be legal, and would they enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples and families?

At this moment, Indias Supreme Court is hearing petitions to legalise same-sex marriage. Over the last decade, acceptance of homosexuality has grown in India, especially since the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality in 2018, with a ruling that legalised consenting gay sex.

Legality is only a beginning, an important beginning. Attitudes to sex and sexuality remain conservative and activists say most lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) people are afraid to come out, even to their friends and family. Same-sex couples in India face significant legal and social challenges.

LGBTQIA+ couples cannot adopt children or have a child by surrogacy; they do not have automatic rights to inheritance, maintenance and tax benefits; after a partner passes away, they cannot avail of benefits like pension or compensation; they cannot be party in living will or right to life decisions, as they are not next of kin, not related by blood or marriage.

Most of all, since marriage is a social institution, created by and highly regulated by law, without this social sanction, same-sex couples struggle to make a life together. They face discrimination and harassment from their families, schools and colleges, the police, the healthcare system and the workplace. They face violence and threats from their own families,

who are supposed to offer the most support. It is these realities and incidences that have urged activists to petition the Supreme Court to legalise same-sex marriage.

The government argues that while the right to love and cohabit is a fundamental right, but marriage itself is not an absolute right, not even among heterosexual couples, and that Parliament, not the courts, should decide on the legality of same-sex marriages. The present government, in power since 2014, however, has not spoken in one voice. Back in 2013, when the Supreme Court overturned the Delhi high courts decision on punishing sex between two consenting adults, Yogi Adityanath, now Uttar Pradesh chief minister, but then a BJP Member of Parliament, welcomed it, asserting he was opposed to any move to decriminalise homosexuality. In 2017, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Mohan Bhagwat said that members of the queer community are human beings who should have their own private and public space, and the right to live as others, the mainstream heterosexual community.

There is no reason the government should speak in one voice. There needs to be no party line in matters of the heart and the Constitution of India guarantees basic and important fundamental rights. The Special Marriage Act 1954 allows people from different religious backgrounds to marry and spells out the procedure for solemnisation and registration of marriage, where the spouse could be Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs or even atheists. So, why not same-sex marriage?

The opposition to same-sex marriage comes from expected quarters. The Central government believes that giving recognition to same-sex marriage is beyond judicial adjudication and the petitions before the Supreme Court reflect urban elitist views for the purpose of social acceptance. Other organisations, religious and otherwise, argue that the recognition would be an attack of the family system and adoption of children by same-sex couples could affect children adversely.

But this family system is not an institution carved in stone. It has changed, continues to and needs to change. Once the family was a joint family, and several generations living together, with a patriarchal head, in rural or urban India. Arranged marriages were the norm and reproduction was essential to continue the family line, preferably with sons. If persons of the same sex were attracted to each other, they were shamed and often hurriedly marriages were arranged to normalise them. Many gay people lead double lives, with much unhappiness on all sides. There were other kinds of families, headed by single women or men, or widows living on their own with children, which fell outside the definition of a typical family. In recent times, many single people do not want to marry or have children. The times change.

The goal and role of governance is to provide and ensure the pre-requisites of a happy society. Most adults dream of finding a partner with whom they can share a life and make a home. It could be persons of the same or opposite sex. The Supreme Court, in legalising consenting gay sex, then has a responsibility to take steps to put into action the legalisation of further rights that heterosexuals have. If the matter resides in Parliament, then it must work with the judiciary, and consider revisions to the Special Marriage Act. Or even the enactment of an entirely new law.

People have a right to live and love in families. Society does and will find it difficult to accept same-sex families and marriages, used to heterosexual couples. There is a fear of homosexuality. What we do not know, we fear. But those asking for same-sex marriages and the rights and privileges that come with it, also deserve the same rights and privileges that heterosexuals enjoy.

However long people take to change behaviour, Indias legislators need to take the first steps. And then, take things to their logical conclusion.
Even though Punjabis account for less than 2.5 per cent of Indias population, they are one of the most prosperous races in India

There was a time when Punjab was Indias model state. It was number one in almost every field. Then people like Beant Singh, Amarinder Singh, the Badal clan and many others happened. From being the countrys role model, it has now become a disaster zone and a national burden. It has been saddled with corrupt governments for many decades now. The Khalistan insurgency cost it more than just in lives. Good governance norms went out of the window too. Punjab is now our top handout dependent state. Yet the state still lives under an illusion that it contributes to the rest of India, and without it, India will literally starve.

A former Punjab civil supplies and food minister, Adarsh Prakash Singh Kairon, a man with a prominent and known lineage, had the temerity to say: The food purchase scheme is not a profitable proposition. Punjab is mainly doing it in the national interest. The notion that Punjab feeds the whole of India is quite absurd now. India has for a few decades produced much more foodgrain than it needs. India exported foodgrain worth an average of Rs.6,000 crore a year since 1991, and last year it touched Rs.27,000 crore. The production has been in the vicinity of 260 million tonnes during the past three years, despite the droughts. India has food reserves of 49 million tonnes worth Rs.50,000 crore, and twice more than it needs.

It is actually the other way around. The rest of India supports Punjab, with this absurd minimum support price (MSP) scheme, that is actually above the market price. This combined with the PDS of low-priced cereal is actually a gigantic subsidy scheme. The total food and agriculture subsidies allocation in Budget 2023-24 was Rs.2,87,000.00 crore, of which more than half goes towards food subsidy and another quarter goes for fertiliser subsidy. The bulk of the procurement accrues in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Which means the bulk of the MSP subsidy accumulates here.

There is no doubt that Punjab is a major foodgrain production centre, but the notion that it feeds India is quite exaggerated. In 2019, of the total national foodgrain production of 264 million tonnes, Punjab produced 27.4 million tonnes, or about 10 per cent. Admittedly Punjabs productivity is much higher than the rest of the countrys as it accounts for only about five per cent of the 54 million hectares of irrigated farmland.

The claims of the Punjab government too foster this fiction. Its website once claimed: It contributes nearly two-thirds to the total production of foodgrain and a third of milk production in the country. It is the leading producer of wheat, thereby contributing to national food security. Even though Punjabis account for less than 2.5 per cent of Indias population, they are one of the most prosperous races in India. Their per capita income is twice the national average. The national per capita income at current prices is Rs.74,000 and Punjabs is Rs.92,000. Yet most of us have internalised the long-gone story of Punjab standing between India and starvation, and Punjab being the countrys most prosperous state.

God and this country have both been good to Punjab. Today 85.15 per cent of all land in Punjab is arable and 89.72 per cent of it is with perennial irrigation. More than half of this is due to the huge Central government projects, Bhakra Nangal being the most notable of them. The British, in their quest for land revenue, rightly chose Punjab for special attention. They invested in its irrigation. But after 1947, this trend accelerated. In 1955, the total national outlay for irrigation was Rs.29,106.30 lakh. Of this, Punjab got Rs.10,952.10 lakh, or 37.62 per cent. By contrast, Bihar got only Rs.1,323.30 lakh, which is only 4.54 per cent of the irrigation outlay. The Bhakra Nangal Dam, one of Jawaharlal Nehrus grandest temples of modern India, planned with an outlay of `7,750 lakh, alone irrigates 1.44 million hectares, or about 40 per cent of Punjabs net irrigated area. The consequences of this bounty are manifold.

The spectrum of regional inequalities in India is a very wide one. Punjab and Bihar represent the two ends of the wide spectrum. Though this might even have been the case historically, a study of state GDPs in the decades after Independence reveals that the width of the spectrum has only widened. In 1965, Punjabs per capita income was Rs.562 and was 1.7 times that of Bihars Rs.332.

Punjab now has a per capita income of Rs.92,000 and Bihars is Rs.31.000, or about 3:1. But other changes have also set in. Once Indias most prosperous state, it now lags behind Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Telangana state, and is about at par with the neighbouring hill state of Himachal Pradesh.

Punjab has all the bounties nature can give, and it has had more than its rightful share of Central government assistance, not just in terms of food procurement and subsidies but also by way of employment. Punjab has also benefited by a disproportionately large recruitment into the armed forces and the paramilitary, giving most rural families a second stream of income. Each year, about 60,000 Punjabi officers and men retire from the armed forces, and over a million draw pensions. Government pensions provide an income far in excess of the average national per capita income. Yet, Punjab is afflicted with a severe blight. An official government study found that 67 per cent households in Punjab have at least one person addicted to drugs. Yet another study by the Narcotics Control Bureau discovered that almost 40 per cent of men in Punjab are addicted to drugs.

So, what has brought Punjab to this pass?

One is that Punjab has been reeling under bad governments. Its politicians and their bureaucratic fellow conspirators, irrespective of party affiliation, have been among the countrys most venal and corrupt. A Punjab Police SP, Salwinder Singh, facilitated the attack on the Pathankot airbase by Pakistani terrorists. The silence that has descended around him is understandable. According to a former Punjab DGP, a few years ago the intelligence department had compiled a list of drug barons. This list had the names of powerful politicians from every political party and police officials at every level. Salwinder Singh, now serving a 10-year sentence for rape, is only the tip of the iceberg. Just recently, radical Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh was able to elude the police for over five weeks before being finally arrested from Jarnail Singh Bhindranwales village. Unless Punjab gets a better government, this downfall will continue.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

After the nationalisation by June, three oil companies will start distribution in 450 service stations out of the 1142 scattered on the island. Signatures are expected within days for China's Sinopec, Australia's United Petroleum, and the US-based Rm Parks Inc. The companies will be able to import, store and distribute products related to black gold for the next 20 years.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Three foreign companies are ready to return to the Sri Lankan oil market, following Colombo's nationalisation of the crude sector in the early 1960s, with the sole exception of the Indian Oil Corporation (Ioc), which operated until 2003.

With this in mind, the government recently finalised agreements on fuel sales, logistics, management policies including the timing of the start of operations, in collaboration with the main local operator in the sector, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Cpc).

Last month, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal to grant licences to three foreign oil companies, which will be able to sell crude oil in the domestic retail market. They are China's Sinopec, Australia's United Petroleum, and the US-based Rm Parks Inc., which will be able to operate in partnership with London-based Shell Plc. The companies will be able to import, store and distribute products related to black gold for the next 20 years.

Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera reports that the 'main agreements' will be signed in mid-May and operations can begin 'within 45 days of signing'. Officials from the ministry explain to AsiaNews that 'a year after the crisis' that forced citizens into long queues at the service areas, foreign companies will also enter the domestic market, which 'will be able to sell fuel at a lower price' than the one adopted by the state company today. The formalisation of the date should be forthcoming.

The Sri Lankan oil (and energy) market is being closely watched by China's Sinopec, so much so that a group of the company's executives is currently on the island to finalise agreements for the sale of crude oil.

According to the agreement, each company should be able to supply 150 service stations controlled by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Currently, there are 1142 stations under the jurisdiction of the Cpc; however, the company owns only 234 of them in full, while another 450 out of the remaining 908 are owned by private distributors and should be allocated to foreign companies.

Nishantha Gunaratna and Dasun Sudasinghe, Sri Lankan economic experts, attack the Cpc, describing it as a 'corrupt organisation, a loss-making entity and a burden on the national economy'. Hence the choice of privatisation, which appears to be 'the only possible solution', as is also reflected in public opinion.

Other industry scholars say that with the entry of three foreign companies, the presence of a 'state regulator' appears increasingly 'vital' to achieve 'the expected positive results'. Former Energy Minister Patalee Champika Ranawake is of the opinion that 'the government and the regulator should not allow the formation of energy cartels' also because by liberalising the fuel market 'the logic of competition should prevail' with the control of a third party body, otherwise it will be another 'disastrous experience' that would add to the current one of nationalisation.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In the Siberian town of Cita on 1 May, a rally promoted by local communists became an opportunity to dust off pacifist slogans of Soviet memory, protesting against today's conflict in Ukraine. And now many local demonstrations on 9 May - Victory Day - are also being banned to avoid protests.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Several cities in Russia took advantage of public demonstrations in honour of May Day, traditionally very much felt both because of the ideological and symbolic value inherited from Soviet times, and because it is the date to which the beginning of the thaw is attributed, with outings and parties in the woods and by the lakes, where the ice is broken to dive into the rebirth of life. In this case, it was also an opportunity to escape the rhetoric of war, shared by the vast majority of the population out of conformity and submission, when in fact many would like to have the opportunity to express feelings of peace.

On the outskirts of the city of Cita in Siberia, a group of protesters gathered with signs Niet Voine, 'No to War', and Miru Mir, 'Peace to the World', after the authorities of the Zabajkal region had denied the request made by the local communists of the Kprf to hold the traditional meeting in the city centre.

Hundreds thus headed for the park in the hamlet of Tekstilscikov, near the textile factories that employ many people. Security forces tried to prevent access to the area, where in the end only a few dozen people managed to gather.

As regional Duma deputy Jurij Gajduk said, members of the trade unions in the area were also organising themselves, who were given strict orders not to show up at the rally. Only one trade union representative showed up, but she was afraid to speak on stage. In addition to avoiding pacifist proclamations, as Gajduk explained, the local authorities also feared protests against Governor Aleksandr Osipov in connection with the worsening social and economic conditions, which are beginning to be felt especially in the peripheral areas of the Russian Federation.

According to the deputy, 'what matters is not so much the small number of people who gathered, but also the total absence of the media, which could have conveyed our message to all the people... There were only a couple of journalists from the state media: they never tell the truth, anyway'.

Moreover, if independent journalists had turned up, they too would not have been able to broadcast anything, because 'they would have been thrown in jail immediately, perhaps with a life sentence'.

The few participants did, however, speak about the war in Ukraine, such as another regional deputy, Vladimir Kurbatov, who said: 'I didn't want to take the microphone, but this morning a woman approached me who had had the electricity cut off at home, and whose husband is fighting in Ukraine.

She does not have the money to pay the bills, and what her husband earns at the front is not known if and when it will come in. She explained this to the electricity officials, saying she was willing to pay by borrowing money... Do you know what those capitalists did? They went away on holiday, leaving her without electricity with three small children. The State promises to help the families of our soldiers, but in reality there are many cases like this; if there is no light, there is even no wood'.

The criticism of those present was therefore not limited to the local authorities, but went as far as questioning the abilities and proclamations of President Putin, who is accused of putting the entire country in crisis because of the mania for war in Ukraine.

Lawyer Aleksandr Zdanov, an exponent of the association 'Civil Solidarity', complains that 'even though the Criminal Code clarifies which formulas are punishable for discrediting the Armed Forces, in reality one is arrested only for writing Niet Voine, which was a slogan of the State itself since Soviet times, while propagandists are allowed to shout unspeakable and criminal things, even inciting to launch atomic bombs'. Zdanov warns that 'even if 90 per cent of the population supports propaganda, with nuclear war 90 per cent of the population disappears forever'.

The effects of the economic crisis are intensifying the feeling of helplessness and defeat even towards war. This is why even demonstrations on 9 May, an even more symbolic date for a Victory, which by now seems to be increasingly improbable and fake, are being banned everywhere.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Newly ordained Mgr Vinsensius "Avin" Setiawan Triatmojo, who is set to lead the diocese located in Lampung province, thanks his parents who passed Christian values on to him but also his Muslim relatives. He hails from a Pancasila village.

Tanjungkarang (AsiaNews)  Fr Vinsensius Setiawan Triatmojo was ordained yesterday as the new bishop of the Diocese of Tanjungkarang, Lampung province.

He succeeds Mgr Yohanes Harun Yuwono, who was chosen to lead the Archdiocese of Palembang, on the island of Sumatra, in lieu of Mgr Aloysius Sudarso, who retired due to age.

Raised in a very pious Catholic family in Tanjung Sakti, Bengkulu province (Sumatra), 52-year-old bishop, affectionately known as Avin, became a priest in the Archdiocese of Palembang in 2000.

Speaking to AsiaNews on the eve of his episcopal ordination, he said that he sees the pastoral mission of the Church in Tanjungkarang as an option for the poor".

"The Churchs presence in society is strong, he explained. She is expected to do good things, especially for the benefit of the most neglected and unfortunate among us, which we must implement quickly to put this vision into practice.

In his first public address after ordination, Bishop Avin thanked his parents and family for the Christian values they passed on to him, including the many family members on his mother's side who are Muslims.

"I really love them and they also love my family, he said, like those who called my late mother 'Mom'. My home village, Tanjung Sakti, in Bengkulu province, is known as the Pancasila[*] village.

The prelate chose In verbo tuo laxabo rete (At your word I will let down the net) as the motto for his episcopal ministry.

"Through these words, he told the faithful, I want to express the hope that the Churchs presence in the diocese will spread nets of goodness and benefits to everyone.

(Fr Ferry Sutrisna Widjaja contributed to this article)

[*] Pancasila is Indonesias state ideology upon which its modern identity has been built.
The mid-sized Tacoma shows a few proverbial wrinkles here and there, as expected of a design this old. Fortunately for Taco loyalists and potential customers, Toyota is ready to reveal the fourth generation any day now. The Japanese automaker's North American division started teasing its all-new truck in March, and the latest teaser confirms a certain something that nobody could have seen coming.It's a manual transmission, ladies and gents! Or  better said  three foot pedals with aluminum covers and rubber studs. They're not the most high-quality covers out there, but that's not exactly the point. Not only is Toyota giving prospective customers one of the most effective anti-theft devices out there, but the latest mid-size trucks to be redesigned stateside don't come with a stick shift. Think 2023 model year Chevrolet Colorado and technically similar GMC Canyon.There's a slim chance for the Ford Motor Company to surprise us with a six-speed manual in the 2024 Ranger, which is due to start production in August at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. But given that Ford's outgoing Ranger doesn't offer a manual  not stateside, that is  don't hold your breath for one.At press time, only two mid-size trucks currently on sale in the US market come with a three-pedal arrangement. In addition to the soon-to-be-discontinued Tacoma, the other entry is a Chrysler product in the form of the 2023 Jeep Gladiator.The Gladiator can be configured with a manual as long as you're satisfied with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, a naturally-aspirated mill that cranks out 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet (353 Nm). Toyota's newcomer is allegedly getting a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder lump used by numerous Toyota and Lexus vehicles, including hybrids. The culprit is dubbed T24A, and this dual-injected powerplant is more than adequate in a mid-size pickup truck. Ford's Ranger is doing just fine with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost, right?Higher up the spectrum, the all-new Tacoma has been confirmed with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain. It's not known if Toyota refers to the V6-based hybrid of the full-size Tundra, but nevertheless, we do know that it's coming to the TRD Pro off-road trim for MY24.Fox QS3 shock absorbers are in the offing as well, plus a JBL -branded portable speaker. Toyota further confirmed a Trailhunter off-road trim, which isn't clear where it will be slotted (i.e., above or below the TRD Pro). There is plenty to like thus far about the all-new Taco, and bear in mind that the best is yet to come.Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture  Frame platform of the Tundra, the 2024 Tacoma is certain to make its forerunner proud as the segment's best-selling truck. 237k units of the third-gen Tacoma were sold last year in the United States, which is more than the Colorado and Canyon combined (117,016 units).
kW

Alaska Airlines and its subsidiary Horizon Airlines have retired their Dash 8-400 fleet. Yet, a single one of these aircraft stayed in place, about to become a research platform for zero-emissions technology. This De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 (also known as the Q400, originally manufactured by Bombardier) is gearing up to become the largest zero-emission aircraft in the world.The one who will make this possible is ZeroAvia , a company headquartered in both the US and the UK, which is developing hydrogen-electric solutions for aviation from scratch. Following other impressive milestones related to its ZA hydrogen powertrains, ZeroAvia will now retrofit this 76-seat turboprop  its most challenging endeavor so far. As mentioned above, the old aircraft with a new heart won't return to commercial service but operate as a research and development tool.Three years ago, the company demonstrated its 250system in flight. It was a huge milestone, as the world's largest aircraft to fly with a new-generation, zero-emission power source. Earlier this year, the 600 kW engine (the ZA600) powered a 19-seat aircraft during another trailblazing flight. The next goal is to certify the ZA2000, capable of powering 40-80 seat regional aircraft with a 700 miles (1,126 km) range.Alaska Airlines first invested in ZeroAvia in 2021 and formally handed the Q400 during a ceremony at Paine Field in Snohomish County, Washington, where ZeroAvia owns a research and development site.What made the event even more exciting was a live demonstration of the company's modular electric motor system using a 15-ton HyperTruck. The engine was a 1.8 MW prototype. In addition to the engine, ZeroAvia is also developing high-temperature PEM fuel cells, liquid hydrogen storage solutions, and dedicated electronics.It claims that HyperCore is the most advanced electric motor for aircraft right now, worldwide. The 900 kW HyperCore, operating at 20,000 rpm, is said to match conventional turbine engine speeds, also boasting a 15 kW/kg power density.Before the demonstration at Paine Field, ZeroAvia has been intensively testing the 1.8 MW prototype at its main location in Hollister, California. The configuration includes two HyperCore motor modules, which were tested with the stock Dash 8-400 gearbox and propeller.Several airlines have already ordered ZeroAvia's retrofit solution for green commercial flights. This new project with Alaska Airlines is intended to speed things up for the ZA2000, set to become operational by 2027. Before that, the ZA600 will enable green regional flights as soon as 2025.
How to set up Android Auto in your Honda

Photo: Honda

Tips for a flawless Android Auto experience

Photo: Honda

Troubleshooting tips

As such, mobile phone projection will remain a key feature of their upcoming models, especially as it looks like the lack of Android Auto and CarPlay has become a deal-breaker for a growing number of customers. Honda is one of the biggest names still entirely committed to Android Auto and CarPlay. The Japanese carmaker will continue to offer both systems in its cars, no matter if they come with an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.Most new Honda models already sport support for the two apps, and the parent company has tried to make the experience as straightforward as possible. Therefore, setting up Android Auto is just a matter of seconds, especially if everything works properly out of the box.The first thing you must know is that Android Auto is now a part of Android on new devices. The application has been integrated into the operating system and is updated automatically through the Google Play Store.This means users no longer have to download the app manually from the Google Play Store.Google's new approach also makes setting up Android Auto more convenient and straightforward. In your Honda car, connect the mobile device to the head unit using the USB cable that shipped in the box of the phone.Once you do this, the Honda infotainment unit should automatically detect the connection and display a prompt on the screen in the car. The message typically warns that Google would be able to access certain information, such as the vehicle speed and location. As such, drivers must allow the app to run by agreeing with the required permissions.After users hit the "yes" button on the screen prompt, the only thing they must do next is to press the connect button on the media receiver. Some cars fire up Android Auto automatically after the connection is established. However, if this doesn't happen, pressing this button should launch the app anyway.Android Auto should now run on your dashboard screen if everything works properly.It's not a secret that Android Auto sometimes misbehaves due to the strangest reasons, so getting a flawless experience from the very beginning is what everybody wants.The first thing you should double-check is the version of Android Auto installed on your mobile device. The latest releases typically come with new bug fixes and additional polishing, so update the app to the newest build. You can also manually update Android Auto to the latest version by turning to APK installers.Your mobile device should also run the latest version of Android. Google did not include any big changes for Android Auto in Android 13, but the monthly updates occasionally hide further refinements for the app. This is why you should always install operating system updates, especially if Android Auto is not working as expected.If something doesn't work correctly in your car, Android Auto might not necessarily be the one to blame. Carmakers must also ship extra refinements for the Android Auto and CarPlay refinements, typically when compatibility issues occur.The most common problem in a Honda car is failed connectivity. If the media receiver does not detect the mobile device to load Android Auto, you first need to try another cable. Android Auto cables are often the culprits of failed connectivity, so make sure you use a high-speed cord. More often than not, the cables that shipped with the phones should ensure a smooth experience with Android Auto, but otherwise, any certified high-speed replacement should do it.Generic Android Auto fixes sometimes help as well. You should try clearing the cache and the data of Android Auto if the application doesn't work properly, freezes, or crashes. This solution allows you to remove corrupt files, forcing Android Auto to start from scratch and re-write the configuration files.Samsung phones typically don't seem to play nice with Honda cars, though the experience comes down to many factors, including the phone model and the used cord. Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S23 series are particularly impacted, and the latest fixes released by Samsung and Google addressed the problems only for a part of users.Downgrading to an earlier Android Auto version sometimes helps as well. In this case, you must manually download the APK build of the version you want to install and then launch the downgrade on your device.Eventually, Honda users should also reach out to their dealerships to install the latest firmware updates on their media receivers. If the parent company ships new firmware versions, installing them as soon as possible is recommended for other improvements and a more refined Android Auto experience.
If you need a few examples, we can easily talk about signature 'ugliest-ever' models like the Fiat Multipla, AMC Gremlin, or Pontiac Aztek, among others. And, no worry, the list could go on for a while, jumping from past to present between the likes of Nissan's Juke or Ford's Scorpio, among many other examples we would rather forget about. However, the situation worsens if you look at bonkers apparitions such as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan or the latest Lexus LM minivan.Hey, even entire brands have gone berserk. And the best example in this general category is, without a doubt, the Bavarian automaker BMW . In an attempt to set itself apart from the likes of Audi's blandness or Mercedes' lack of positive inspiration, they have gone to great lengths to anger just about everyone and their mother, at least according to diehard fans running amok crying their undying outrage at the sight of models like the X2, M2, 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet, M3 and M4, or the flagship iX zero-emissions CUV, the 7 Series and i7, the X7 LCI, or the amazingly hideous XM.Especially the Label Red, which is akin to Porky Pig's ride , if you want my two cents on the matter, would be great for trying to give nightmares to your neighbors when leaving the 738-hp plug-in hybrid CUV out in the open on the driveway, at night. Anyway, almost everything started with the BMW designers giving the 4 Series and then the M3 and M4 the 'double-coffin' grille treatment. Sure, they wanted to emulate the classic elongated kidney grille style used on some predecessors  but the result is still controversial, to say the least.It does look bearable in real life  but in photos and on video, it is prone to more than one joke based on its appearance. Alas, as it turns out, it does not need to be like this  as the towering kidney grille style could look fabulous even when used by the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. And here are a couple of eloquent examples of how to show BMW's designers how it must be done appropriately.They both arrive from the parallel universe of automotive CGIs courtesy of Bruno Arena, a Turin, Italy-based Advanced Designer at Changan Europe, who also maintains a social media presence as brunoarena.designwall for his personal visions. And that is where we saw marvelous ideas like a Ferrari Cross Daytona designed to virtually duke it out with the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lambo Huracan Sterrato, for example.Now, the pixel master has refocused his CGI brush toward BMW and the potential revival of the famous 02 Series  more precisely, the iconic 2002 hero. According to his vision, a reinvented (E20) 2002 (hopefully a Turbo) would feature a bubble-style top coupe body, along with minimalist design traits like the circular head and taillights, plus a nice ducktail rear to make sure we understand the innuendo that it is destined to fight the likes of Porsche Cayman if ever real.Moving on, the second coupe  a traditional two-door with a humongous, elongated hood and the rear allure of a proper grand touring, is a reinterpretation for the entire Z series of roadster models. We all remember that BMW also made Z Coupes, so this is not exactly surprising, by the way. Still, it offers a much better interpretation and integration of the vertical kidney grille style for the second time in a row! Too bad both are merely wishful thinking, and BMW designers are too proud to listen to the crowds  especially when people present them with alternate solutions to the grille conundrum!
Photo: Randeep Hothi

BEV

Photo: Randeep Hothi

Photo: Randeep Hothi

Photo: Randeep Hothi

Photo: Tesla

Photo: Tesla/Twitter/edited by autoevolution

Photo: Randeep Hothi

My commitment:



- We will never seek victory in a just case against us, even if we will probably win.



- We will never surrender/settle an unjust case against us, even if we will probably lose.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2022

This article is biased and misleading. Mr. Hothi accepted a 998 offer under California law. These offers are used to shift the cost of litigation to the losing party. If Mr. Hothi had not accepted it, he could have been on the hook for significant legal costs when he eventually  Tesla (@Tesla) May 1, 2023

In February 2019, Hothi parked his car in the Fremont factory parking lot, where the company has a showroom. The graduate student had been investigating Tesla and sharing his findings on Twitter, which led Musk to tell Tesla guards to kick him out of the company's premises whenever they saw him around. The public of the showroom can use the plant's parking lot, which was what Hothi argued he was doing when a guard told him to leave. As it did not work, the student got back to his vehicle and complied.The guard was close to his car as he left and passed by him. Tesla took the surveillance video to the police and tried to sue Hothi for threatening its staff member. It heard back from the police and prosecutors it had no case against the student.Hothi kept on investigating Tesla. He revealed the tents where the "alien dreadnaught" Musk conceived was actually building Model 3 units. On one occasion, Hothi saw a Tesla with cameras and took pictures of it. Themaker accused him of harassing its employees and got a temporary restraining order against him. When it tried to make it permanent, Hothi challenged the company to reveal what the cameras in its car showed. Tesla dropped the case.In August 2019, Musk sent Aaron Greenspan an email message that said Hothi "almost killed Tesla employees. What was a sideswipe when Hothi hit one of our people could easily have been a death with 6 inches of difference." Greenspan runs PlaiSite, a website that publishes relevant legal documents  including several lawsuits that involve Musk and Tesla. He shared Musk's message on Twitter, and Hothi decided to sue the Tesla CEO for defamation. At the time, he said he would drop the case should Musk apologize , but the Tesla executive never did that.Musk's lawyers used several defense strategies to dodge the defamation allegation  nothing related to deep fakes this time. In March, they proposed to settle the lawsuit by paying $10,000, and Hothi accepted it. The graduate student said he wanted to avoid the legal expenses and also to protect his sources at Tesla, which would probably have to reveal their identities should the lawsuit proceed.Tesla does not have a press relations department anymore, and Elon Musk just talks to a few journalists. Russ Mitchell is not among them, but that did not stop The Los Angeles Times reporter from trying to hear the Tesla CEO about the story he was preparing on Hothi's case. Musk did not get in touch with him. When the newspaper shared his article on Twitter, it was not the Tesla CEO who tried to bash it: it was Tesla.Although it was never involved with the lawsuit, the company tweeted that the story was "biased and misleading" because Hothi would have accepted a 998 offer under California law. That means that Musk evoked section 998 of the California Code of Civil Procedure to try to settle the lawsuit. This rule was created to stimulate deals and prevent California courts from being flooded with cases that could have been solved in a friendly manner. Mitchell preferred to frame it as "a tool that can be used by the fabulously rich to beat up on the little guy in court."According to section 998 , if a defendant evokes it to propose a deal and the compensation to the plaintiff is lower than the amount offered to settle the dispute, the plaintiff cannot recover the costs they had with the lawsuit and has to pay for the legal expenses the defendant had (excluding attorney fees) until they proposed to settle. If the plaintiff offers a 998 deal and the defendant wins, they cannot recover the legal expenses they had and may still have to pay for the ones the plaintiff had. In other words, it makes the life of anyone refusing to accept a settlement a lot harder  even if they win.Tesla still wrote in its tweet that Hothi "could have been on the hook for significant legal costs when he eventually lost." It also stated that "the offer expressly denied any liability by Mr. Musk" and that it "was an admission of defeat by Mr. Hothi and his lawyers, not a victory." Some users joked that it was Musk writing after forgetting to change the handle. Twitter now also puts a disclaimer under The Los Angeles Times tweet stating that "readers added context they thought people might want to know." These "readers" used Tesla's tweet to say the article is misleading. Elon Musk owns Twitter.Lawrence Fossi, who worked as one of Hothi's attorneys in the case, created a thread on Twitter to talk about that. He is more popularly known there as "Montana Skeptic." Hothi's lawyer focused on at least four crucial points in Tesla's tweet defending Musk.First, Fossi asked where Tesla's Board of Directors was to allow him to make "personal use" of the company's Twitter account to defend him. He also accused Musk of drafting some of the attorneys Tesla hired "to join the outside counsel defending Randeep's defamation suit." He then asked: "Who would wager that the Tesla Board knew? Or, if they knew, would have lifted a finger to stop it?"Second, Hothi's attorney said that the crucial point was to determine if his client harassed or almost killed Tesla employees as Musk said he did. Fossi accused the Tesla CEO's attorneys of trying to shift the focus to other aspects, not the accusation Musk made in his email message to Greenspan  which the Tesla executive sued for doing that. PlainSite tweeted that the lawsuit was dropped after Hothi agreed to settle.Third, Fossi corrected Tesla by saying his client did not have to lose to face severe financial burdens. If Hothi won and received lower compensation than Musk's legal expenses at the moment of the deal offer, he would already go broke. Hothi must have taken that all into consideration for accepting the deal.Fourth, Tesla argued that the acceptance "was an admission of defeat by Mr. Hothi and his lawyers, not a victory." Fossi said that his client was actually capable of doing something that Musk never would: putting aside his ego. Fighting the world's richest man and his team of lawyers, especially after Musk made the 998 offer, could represent a massive liability.Despite what Tesla and Fossi tweeted, sticking to what Musk first wrote on July 31, 2021, and reaffirmed on May 20, 2022, is crucial here. The first time the CEO said Tesla would rather lose than "fight true claims" was when the company capped the cell voltage in thousands of Model S and Model X units. These owners sued Tesla, and Musk commented reaching a deal with them with those words. Curiously, he decided Tesla should not dispute the customers' claims two years after they filed the lawsuit  when it was about to be judged. More than proposing to settle, Musk also said: "If we are wrong, we are wrong. In this case, we were."In Hothi's case , the Tesla CEO's lawyers made the 998 offer, not the plaintiff's. There are only two possible interpretations for that: either Musk considered it a "just case," which allowed him to propose a deal, or his legal strategies commitment is useless. After all, Musk also said he would "never surrender/settle an unjust case" against him and his company, even if they would probably lose. I repeat: never. Coherence does not admit nuances: either you have it or you don't.
FSD

EV

ADAS

There is some exciting news regarding the UNECE Regulation on Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS), that enables FSD Beta in Europe.



Initially, the final draft was expected to be completed until 2024, which would have meant that FSD couldve received approval until pic.twitter.com/7IhIDVIUBi  Timmy (@elektrotimmy) May 1, 2023

Tesla owners in Europe are jealous to see people in the US and Canada testing theBeta software. Despite many promises, the software cannot be deployed in Europe because the legislation would not allow it. Speaking at the Giga Berlin opening ceremony last year, Musk famously said that FSD Beta works in the US but not in Europe because things are legal by default in the US. By contrast, in Europe, they are illegal by default. It's a significant difference, as European legislation requires every new initiative to be approved beforehand.European regulations have moved slowly, with a final draft expected to be completed in 2024. This was not as fast as Tesla wanted since it meant FSD Beta could not have been approved in Europe earlier than 2025. Still, the European Commission intends to speed up driver assist regulations, making them its highest priority. The new plan is to finalize the draft in June and adopt it as early as September, giving Tesla hopes that the FSD Beta could be allowed on European roads in early 2024, one full year earlier than expected.The first phase of the legislation (hands-on driving) will be separated from the hands-off (Phase 2) to accelerate the process. Therefore, only hands-on will be allowed in Europe until Phase 2 legislation is adopted. The European lawmakers also discussed allowing a closed testing phase before the legislation draft approval in January 2024. It should be noted that even though the new regulations will enable FSD Beta , it's not a guarantee that Tesla will roll out the software in Europe.Still, previous news from Tesla indicates that themaker is eager to deploy FSD Beta in Europe as soon as possible. As usual, Tesla moved much faster than European lawmakers, with plans to launch beta testing in the European countries in early 2023. In January, Tesla advertised for the position oftest operator in Switzerland, Finland, and Denmark. While Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it is bound by agreements to comply with European legislation. The job listings align with expectations, considering how different the European roads and legislation are, compared to North America. There are also variations across European countries which could make FSD development more challenging. Still, Elon Musk previously said that 90% of the FSD Beta features developed for North America apply worldwide. Based on this, there is only 10% left to adjust to the European legislation once it is set in stone later this year.
Photo: Ta Tiny House

Photo: Ta Tiny House

Photo: Ta Tiny House

Like so many tiny house brands worldwide, the French-based Ta Tiny House began with the personal story of its founders, Joanna and Tomasz. They were one of the young couples with children who experienced tiny living first-hand before turning this passion into a business. Freedom of movement was this lifestyle's main advantage in their eyes.That's because the two moved from Poland to France and continued to travel to their home country on a regular basis. A tiny house on wheels became the perfect choice for a home away from home that could travel anywhere. Over time, they started designing similar houses for others. All the Ta Tiny House models are remarkably elegant, despite the minimalist design and rustic appearance. Most importantly, they integrate just the right features that turn a dwelling into a home. The same is true for Verona. Worthy of its romantic name, this tiny house looks like the ideal romantic nest for a couple. Unlike so many contemporary homes on wheels, it doesn't aim to blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors. It's designed for intimacy, privacy, and home comfort. Still, it's not closed off to the world. An unusual built-in porch is an adorable addition that connects the owners with the outdoors without impacting the home's feeling of privacy.Perfectly sized for two, the Verona Tiny has adequate height to include a loft space (just under four meters/12.9 feet) and a medium length of 6.6 meters (21.6 feet). It reveals an overall surface of nearly 17 square meters (180 square feet), to which the porch adds 2.5 square meters (27 square feet). The classic configuration includes an open-plan main floor with a living area, kitchen, and bathroom, plus a loft bedroom.Built with natural wood, the Verona looks exceptionally luminous and airy. The typical Scandinavian-style color palette exudes a peaceful atmosphere . The windows aren't oversized, yet allow enough natural light inside, in perfect balance with the interior's feeling of intimacy. The compact living area has room for a cozy convertible sofa and can be easily personalized by the owners.One of the most beautiful features is the custom countertop that doubles as both a storage solution and an adorable dining area. Sitting in front of a window, it has just enough room for two seats, plus a well-integrated cooktop and numerous drawers for kitchen items. The sink and a small fridge are integrated on the opposite side, with additional countertop space available for cooking.The typical tiny house staircase offers additional storage for larger items. Upstairs, the beautifully-crafted protection wall for the loft bedroom makes all the difference. Easily visible from the ground floor, it becomes a decor element adding a refined touch to the rustic interior. It also makes the bedroom more elegant.Details such as the carpeted floor, the triangular-shaped glass insertion, and the discrete lights help create a cocoon-like, romantic atmosphere. The downstairs bathroom is also surprisingly elegant, compared to what you typically see in tiny homes, and it's fitted with a full-size shower.Romantic is also the perfect word to describe Verona's built-in porch. This tiny area is only big enough for two. Rather than socializing, it's more about quality time spent together in connection with nature. It even comes with adorable outdoor lights, perfect for enjoying the evenings out on the porch. What makes Verona magic is that it looks and feels like a beautiful traditional home. Yet, it's easily towed by a car at 70 kph (43 mph), making it the perfect choice for true freedom of movement.It also reveals another interesting fact  although a French design at heart, the Verona is built all the way in Poland. The Ta Tiny House company creates its models in France but has them built in Poland by Aurora, described as one of the largest tiny house factories in Europe. This atypical arrangement, based on Tomasz and Joanna's close connection with both countries, keeps the costs low, also focusing on the heavy use of sustainable, locally-sourced materials.Like all the dwellings designed by this family company, the Verona Tiny is meant to be lived in all year long, in any weather, and also to be passed down to the next generations. At the same time, due to its French charm and romantic atmosphere, it would make a wonderful honeymoon vacation choice for couples who support sustainability and downsizing. The Verona could be the dream home for anyone looking for the nostalgic feeling of traditional homes without the negative financial and environmental impact.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kids toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.

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SUV

Though based on the MLB Evo platform of the aforementioned Volkswagen Touareg, the Italian sport utility vehicle is a different animal from its MLB Evo siblings, including the Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga. It's also way different from the LM002 before it, a V12-powered collossus built around a tubular space frame. From the outset, the Urus was developed to handle better than everyin production back in 2018, and it did not disappoint. As of 2023, the Ferrari Purosangue has got it soundly beat in this particular department.Powered by a Porsche-Audi V8, the Urus can be had in two distinct flavors at press time, namely the Urus S and Urus Performante. Both of them use the aforementioned eight-cylinder lump in combination with an eight-speed automatic supplied by ZF, as in the award-winning 8HP introduced by the F01/F02 7er.Stephan Winkelmann, the big kahuna at Lamborghini , made it clear that purely internal combustion vehicles don't have a place in the automaker's lineup after 2024. That means the Urus S and Performante will be discontinued by 2025, along with the Huracan. The V10-engined supercar will be replaced by a successor with plug-in hybrid muscle. Hearsay suggests a twin-turbo V8 in place of the naturally-aspirated V10, a brand-new engine reportedly capable of 10,000 rpm.The Urus , which is Lamborghini's most profitable model yet, is also getting a plug-in hybrid setup. Filmed by carparazzo Varryx doing its thing outside of the factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese, the black-painted prototype in the video below is equipped with high-voltage stickers. The charging port door is visible on the driver-side rear wing, and the quad-piped exhaust channels yucky stuff to the tune of a twin-turbo V8.We don't know how much power and torque is hiding under the black-painted body shell, but we're pretty sure that Lamborghini copied Porsche's homework. More specifically, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid that pumps out a massive 690 ponies and 641 pound-feet (870 Nm) on full song. The Italian automaker needs to pay attention especially to what BMW has done to the XM Label Red, which is rated at 738 ponies and a simply ludicrous 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm).Varryx also caught a camouflaged prototype of the Revuelto passing by, a car that shouldn't be camouflaged in the first place. Lamborghini revealed its Aventador-replacing supercar in March 2023. What's more, the prototype is a coupe rather than a convertible, with the second body style expected to drop next year. What could be the Raging Bull testing here other than a higher-performing variant of its flagship supercar?
Photo: Land Rover

The famous British carmaker got its most renowned nameplate thanks to a Scott by the name of Ian Duncan, who phrased the two words together, and the rest is history. Almost, because there are consequences that mark the present day.The car that was involuntarily christened in 1947 was a test-drive prototype hurdled through hell and high water by Spencer Wilks, a co-founder of Rover. The naming ceremony occurred on the island of Islay in the Scottish Hebrides archipelago, so there's the Highland connection with the famous off-roader.Land Rover announced a unique Edition Classic Works V8 to pay homage to that particular prototype and the history it unfurled. But there's more to the story than just the car. Wilks' granddaughter, Kathy Wills, and her husband, Anthony, established a Scotch distillery in 2005. It's called Kilchoman Distillery , and its first sill began production on the same Islay Island.To commemorate the magnificent machine from three-quarters of a century ago, the alcohol company is launching a special edition of its beverage. Six hundred thirty-nine bottles will be available to the general public  and the beverage is also named '639,' by the way  and the number is not chosen at random.Spencer Wilks' inception Rover bore the license plate GXC 639C  hence the numerical reference of today (check the gallery)  and that badging adorns the 30-limited production run of the Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition. Each car will have its bottle of '639'  and a price tag going from 230,000 for the 90 and 245,000 for the 110 variant ($287,000 and $306,000).Also, each vehicle will feature a removable wooden tray made of Scotch aging barrels from the Kilchoman Distillery. Each tray features a bespoke 110 mm (four-inch) wooden disc made to look like the end of a whisky cask. The wood itself displays the original stenciled lettering on the individual barrel from which it was sourced.The disc is surrounded by hand-carved American walnut veneer that showcases the distillery in the same stenciled font and features Land Rover's official 75th-anniversary branding. Additionally, each cup holder base is wooden  with the oaken whisky cask as the raw material source.For the limited Land Rover homage-paying '639' spirit, Kathy and Anthony Wills personally picked the aging containers  they preferred bourbon barrels and sherry casks. The result is  well, since the internet can't (yet) accurately replicate olfactory sensations, let's try aroma-less words: "a whisky with an abundance of rich flavors and complexity, reflecting the depth of Land Rover's connection to Islay."Kilchoman is an award-winning, family-run farm distillery based in Islay, and it claims to be the only enterprise that crafts Islay whisky from barley to bottle on the same farm. In 2005, when it was established, the sill was the first new distillery built on Islay since 1881.Anthony and Kathy Wills work alongside their sons  Peter, George, and James  to keep the ancient and nearly-lost traditions of farm distilling alive. Their single malt, single farm Islay whisky range is made solely from barley grown, malted, distilled, matured, and bottled on the 2,300-acre farm on the rugged west coast of Islay.An average of 250 tons of barley is the annual yield on the farm, and the crops are sown in spring and harvested in September. The first month of fall gives the signal to begin making the whisky. The main ingredient  the barley  is malted, distilled, matured, and bottled at the distillery.Eventually, after a natural proofing in the oak casks, the beverage reaches its 58.5% grade. The aging in bourbon and port casks releases a punchy mix of red berries, spices, and fresh vanilla sweetness, all infused with sea peat smoke. The wooden barrels also render the amber color to the Scotch, and the non-chill filtering process preserves the aromas and flavors of the exclusive whisky.Kilchoman claims to be one of only a few surviving distilleries that undertake the intricate task of traditional floor malting of the barley. Because it's a laborious process, most other Scottish distilleries have outsourced this stage of whisky-making to commercial maltsters.
SUV

Among the significant introductions, including the third-generation Lincoln Nautilus mid-size luxury crossoverthat will be imported from China to the United States, there were also big surprises like the premiere of the refreshed Hyundai Elantra N that got shown in Shanghai instead of America. However, one of the nicest revelations was of the Nissan Pathfinder Concept, which typically previewed the local version ahead of coming to market as a fifth-generation model based on the Nissan D platform and twinned with the Infiniti QX60.Interestingly, the R53 Pathfinder iteration has been around for a while as it was introduced during the summer of 2021 as a 2022 model year for the US market, with assembly taking place in Smyrna, Tennessee, at the Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant and the unibody crossover was powered by a 3.5-liter VQ35DD V6 mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Remember, the Pathfinder moved away from the traditional body-on-frame chassis since the arrival of the previous iteration (R52) in 2012, with the rugged SUV becoming the Terra/X-Terra series.That basically means a straightforward fact  Nissan will not derive the current Pathfinder as a pickup truck  at least not in the real world. Otherwise, it would just be another Honda Ridgeline, and everyone knows the nameplate is not doing well against the best-selling Toyota Tacoma, or any of its rivals, for that matter. Actually, the newly standalone D41 Nissan Frontier is now the second nameplate in terms of deliveries across the US mid-size truck sector, based on the first quarter sales results . So, why would Nissan jeopardize all that?Well, logic does not necessarily matter when dealing with the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. Such might be the case here with the virtual artist known as Theottle on social media, who decided to abandon the all-new W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Estate and All-Terrain) for a second and think about the impossibility of Nissan taking a page out of Auto Shanghai 2023 and morphing the fresh Pathfinder Concept into a pickup truck twin, perhaps dubbed as the 'D42' Nissan Frontier.It is both easy said and done in these parallel universes, as proven by the latest behind-the-scenes making-of video (embedded below) from the pixel master, where the China-bound Nissan Pathfinder Concept calmly allowed parts of its body to be dropped on top of unsuspecting Renault Alaskan and D23 Nissan Navara NP300 mid-size pickup trucks. Ultimately, the transformation was more than welcomed  at least across 'imagination land.' But will it be anything more than mere wishful thinking? Probably not!
Photo: Mecum

Photo: Mecum

That pretentious and long name hides a lot of fine traits. First, we're talking about a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette , a second-year C3 that's still very appreciated today, no matter the condition. Then, it's got the L88 package, and the ZL1 engine upgrades to go with that.The car has the Greenwood particle in its name because it is one of three such examples built by John Greenwood for promotional purposes, and later to be raced both on endurance courses.So, in a single package, we've got a promotional car, a record holder, and a prize winner. Let's dive into it, shall we?We'll start on the outside. You'll notice the 'Vettes body is packed full of markings, each representing something else. First and most obvious we get the colors of the American flag, stars included, painted onto it by Bert Greenwood. It's a color scheme that was all the rage on Greenwood cars back in the 1970s as they took to endurance tracks around the world.Then, it's got the number 49 on it, a figure that became famous from 1973, when it was on the tarmac of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, leading Corvettes into battle.Last but not least it wears BF Goodrich T/A radials with all the proper markings. That's because the Corvette was initially intended as a show and promotional car for the tire maker, as it was moving to introduce the fancy new kind of racing rubber.It was used in this capacity for a while, but after its sibling, car number 50, was damaged in a crash, it was converted into a true race car, and from there it was on to the history books.The car was born as all Corvettes do, in stock form and wearing the L88 package over the coupe body. It no longer has the original engine, though, as that has been replaced by a race-bred 427ci ZL1, cooked up by the Greenwood team.The aluminum piece of hardware works through a Muncie close ratio 4-speed manual transmission, and it's so powerful it develops a total of 750 horsepower. To handle the troop, the underpinnings of the car have changed as well, as it now uses front and rear suspension tweaked by Greenwood.The body in L88 configuration has been massaged too to handle the high stresses, featuring flares and plexiglass covers over the headlamps.Back in its day, this particular Corvette was a constant presence at racing events. In 1972, in raced to win the 1972 Watkins Glen Six Hour race GT Class. The following year, it was on the tarmac of the most prominent endurance races, including the 12 Hours of Sebring, Daytona 24 Hours, and 24 Hours of Le Mans.While in France, the Corvette set the speed record for the GT Class on the Mulsanne Straight , speeding past at 215 mph (346 kph).During its racing career, the car saw a lot of famous drivers of the era get behind its wheel. The list includes the team's own John Greenwood, but also Bob Johnson, Dick Smothers, and famous-to-our-time Don Yenko.It's unclear what happened to the Corvette after its racing career ended, but closer to our time it was restored to concours condition by a New York garage called Corvette Repair. Work included the fitting of period-correct BF Goodrich tires wrapped around Minilite wheels.The car resurfaced in 2008, when it was shown (and won Best in Class) at the 2008 Quail Motorsports. The following year it got the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance award, but also the NCRS American Heritage Award.And now one lucky and rich individual has the chance of owning the Corvette, as it popped up for sale during a Mecum auction that will take place in Indianapolis a couple of weeks from now.The car is listed by the auction house as the main attraction of the event, and for a good reason. Its current owner is letting it go on a bill of sale.The car seems to have a reserve on it, but we're not told how much that may be. We're also not given any estimate as to how much it is expected to fetch once it goes past that reserve. Considering its pedigree, though, and what it meant for the endurance racing community, we do expect it to fetch a memorable sum.Keep close, as we'll come back on the story as soon as we learn how much a buyer was willing to spend on this piece of American racing history.
EV

Until recently, Tesla's cancellation right notice reportedly lacked a phone number, resulting in a full year longer period to use this right instead of just 14 days. Private buyers have a good chance to return their car for a full refund. Interesting, given the price reductions  @[email protected] (@dm_ms) April 29, 2023

Tesla is in a pickle in Germany after breaking the consumer protection legislation. European Union mandates that any product acquired online, cars included, can be returned, no question asked, within 14 days from purchase. Still, if the seller doesn't fully comply with the legislation and doesn't inform its customers of their rights, the right to return the product extends by 12 months. This could be a disaster for car companies that sell cars online, as they can depreciate significantly after one year.Yet, Tesla is now forced to accept the return of its vehicles sold in Germany until April 17, even 12 months after the purchase. Tesla's mistake was that it didn't supply a phone number on the cancelation right notice that customers could call in case they wanted to return the cars. This breaks the stringent consumer protection legislation , which offers a 14-day money-back guarantee policy for goods bought online. As a consequence, the right to return for affected customers gets extended by 12 months, so it is now 12 months and 14 days in the case of Tesla.According to law firm drboese.de, those who choose to ask Tesla for their money back and return the cars can do so without paying any compensation for using the vehicles. In certain circumstances, they can even keep the environmental bonus they may have received for buying the car. This is an excellent opportunity for those unsatisfied with their Tesla who don't want to sell it on the used market because of the massive drop in used prices.Because of this, Tesla faces a massive problem, as there are potentially thousands of cars sold before April 17, when the mistake was corrected. Many Tesla EVs were sold before themaker crashed the prices , and their resale value plummeted. By revoking their purchase contract and returning the cars, owners can get a sweeter deal and keep the difference. This is true for all the countries in the European Union, not just Germany.People shared in forums and social media that Tesla tried to deny consumers the right to revoke the sales contract in the 14-day window the European legislation allows. The American carmaker even states on its website that the order deposits are non-refundable. However, this, too, is illegal in the European Union countries. Consumer protection legislation in Europe is very powerful, and companies usually comply after a complaint is filed with the local consumer protection agency. This works for private citizens only, as companies must still seek justice in court.
EV

Breaking News

@ Shanghai Port: Model 3 for export to North America spotted. Ship for Tacoma, WA, US was at the port.

Notice: LHD car, license plate bracket.



For more Tesla Logistics & Shipping news head over to: https://t.co/DaMFwZvpMV https://t.co/FPr2ClgxPi  Morten Grove - Captain of all Tesla-Ships ???? (@mortenlund89) May 1, 2023

Tesla critics claim thecompany faces a demand problem, as its gigafactories build cars that no one wants . Tesla's inventory is increasing, further supporting this theory, although Tesla and Elon Musk deny the demand issue. To make matters worse, frequent price cuts have made people lose confidence in Tesla. At least the latter can be debunked, as Tesla is now using a dynamic pricing policy that considers various parameters. Consequently, Tesla prices frequently swing up and down, seemingly without logic.A new development contributed to this confusing situation, as Tesla started to ship cars built at Giga Shanghai to North America. At the end of April, Tesla began to export the made-in-China Model Y RWD to Canada, a first for the EV maker. Now, new insight shows that Model 3 will also cross the Ocean, possibly with the same destination. The cars are probably also RWD versions with LFP batteries, similar to the Model Y exported in April.This implies that Chinese production exceeds local and European demand, and Tesla is looking for new markets to offload the surplus. Giga Shanghai is not supplying only the Chinese market but also Europe, with vehicles slightly different from the ones sold in China. Tesla inventory in Europe is indeed at an all-time high, with the Model 3 the biggest offender, at a time when Tesla chose to raise prices. Still, the cars sold in North America differ from those sold in the Chinese and European markets. They use different charge plugs and have other requirements for lights and safety equipment. Because of such differences, Tesla has to build them on purpose.This might indicate another reason for the made-in-China exports to North America. Giga Shanghai is the most efficient car factory in the world, with the lowest production costs among Tesla gigafactories. Even when considering the shipping costs and taxes, this favorable cost structure allows Tesla to sell them for more profit than those exported from the US. Considering the IRA tax credits , Tesla would also want to keep the US production for local deliveries.Whatever the case, Tesla fans captured the Model 3 EVs on video as they were prepared for shipping from the Shanghai Nangang Terminal. The video shows the cars have North-American license plate brackets, and the steering wheel is on the left side. More information was discovered by another Tesla fan, who found that the ship commissioned to transport the cars was heading to Tacoma, Washington. This is just south of the Canadian border. As usual, there is no official confirmation from Tesla about its car shipments.
Photo: Ford

The Bronco Safari is a Ford-sanctioned event, so the carmaker will be there in the Moab desert in a sort of an official capacity. It won't bring something truly spectacular to the show, in the way of an actual vehicle designed for this gathering. So the app we're here to discuss now should do the trick and be more than enough for those present there (and others of course). And a quick look at it shows it just might be.Enter the Bronco Trail App, a solution that's not only supposed to give drivers more choices when it comes to the adventures they plan, but also a bunch of tools to make each trip one to remember, brag about, and repeat, if need be. Before going into it, you should note that despite the app being available for both Apple iOS and Google Android devices, it will only work for Bronco owners. So, if you're a Jeep fan trying to get some inside info on cool trails, tough luck.How is this a Bronco-owner-only app? Well, for it to work it needs to be connected to the FordPass account. From there, it should be smooth sailing to drives best told in photos and videos.The Bronco Trail app has been designed to cover 18,000 miles (29,000 km) of off-road trails spanning across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Because these are not roads that can easily be surveyed from space, Ford promises each of those miles has been carefully curated by professionals, so that should ensure some sort of certainty that aside for fun the trails are also safe.Drivers can select the trail they want to take but also filter them based on location, length, or difficulty. Each trail is dotted with its own points of interest. In this case, of course, we're not talking about drive-ins, hotels, and such, but about tough challenges, scenery, and even photo opportunities.Each trip can be saved by the one taking it, and enriched with a wealth of personal waypoints and even notes. The app also allows bookmarking of important points on the trail, so you'll know where to come back and what to avoid.Maps for each trail can be viewed in different styles, and they are supposed to also work offline (they need to be downloaded for that), an important aspect considering the remote locations some of these trails are located in.Depending on how demanding a trail is, the Bronco app goes as far as even to show how much pressure you need in your tires to safely navigate through treacherous areas. This feature too works without the need for an Internet connection.No trip in the great outdoors, especially by car, is not worth it if you can't brag to your friends about it. To handle this task, the Bronco app comes with the "ability to record drives with waypoints, photos and video."Using the smartphone as a camera, the app records and stores drives, which can then be viewed wherever thanks to them being automatically stored inside the smartphone itself. From there, they can be spread to the whole wide world via whatever social network its maker uses the most.Unlike most videos made using smartphones though, these ones are a tad richer, as they are backed by data on speed, RPM, distance traveled, or elevation. And that data does not come separately from the video but can be overlayed for the ultimate off-roading analysis experience.All of the above details on the Bronco app describe what it can do now, at the time of its release. Ford says future updates will expand the solution's capabilities, depending on what other needs adventurers develop over the years.Because at least at the time of writing the Bronco is only available in North America, Apple's and Googles European app stores do not offer access to the Bronco Trail.That might change soon, as the Blue Oval already confirmed the off-roader will hit the roads of the Old Continent by the end of this year. The version to be sold there is of the "extreme Built Wild off-road," variety, as Ford itself said, so it's to be expected European customers would love something similar to be designed for their continent as well.As for the Bronco Safari , the event offers those attending anything from impromptu get-togethers to organized trail rides. There are still tickets available for the event if you plan a trip down there, and the asking price for one is $165.
Not being specifically made for this task, and also because of its age, the Humvee was in dire need of a replacement. A machine that could be used across the American military branches with the same effectiveness was needed, and this is how the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ( JLTV ) program was bornDating back to the middle of the 2000s, the JLTV is already in operation in a number of variants, but mostly with the U.S. Army. It was only back in April, for instance, when one of the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) more specialized units got to use one, for the first time, during a real-world operation. And the airmen are simply delighted with it.The first drive out of airmen in a JLTV took place on April 24 in Nebraska. The mission was on behalf of the Air Force Global Strike Command and called for people from the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron to take the JLTV out for launch facility maintenance.The Squadron is part of the 90th Missile Wing (Twentieth Air Force), and handles Minuteman III land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. As most other units of their kind, it relied heavily of Humvees to go about its mission.The fleet will be replaced with JLTVs soon, making the transition from a machine from two decades ago to something that's akin to the Batmobile, as one of the men who drove the armored truck for the first time said.Initially designed by defense contractor Oshkosh , we're talking about a beast weighing over 11 tons and measuring 20 feet (6 meters) long and 8 feet (2.5 meters) high. Powered by a 6.6-liter diesel engine tied to a six-speed automatic transmission, it can move over various terrain at speeds of up to 70 mph (110 kph).Presently, there are four main variants of the JLTV available, depending on how they are supposed to be used by armed forces: General Purpose, Heavy Guns Carrier, Utility, and Close Combat Weapons Carrier.Operating one of these things is not as straight-forward as you may think. Before letting any airmen inside the JLTV, the USAF trains each of them for 40 hours, both for theoretical and practical aspects. While waiting for the JLTV to be released for general use the Air Force has already trained a large number of operators, and says deployment of the truck shouldn't take more than a few weeks.At the time of writing the U.S. military has roughly 16,000 JLTVs in operation, with allied nations like Belgium, Brazil, and Romania fielding their own.
After welcoming Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov at the George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in the U.S. capital on May 1, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated on Twitter that dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan is key to reaching a lasting peace in the South Caucasus region.

Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson at the Department of State, expounded on Washingtons vision for prospects of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

We believe that peace is possible between these two countries, and we are glad to be welcoming them, Patel said during a press briefing on May 1 when asked about the Mirzoyan-Bayramov talks.

We think that direct dialogue through diplomacy is key here This is something that the Secretary has been deeply engaged on; hes had the opportunity to convene trilateral meetings as well as speak to the foreign ministers and leaders of these two countries. And we will continue to be engaged on this issue, he added.

Patel would not be drawn into speculation about how long the Washington-hosted peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan would last.

Earlier, a senior Department of State official privy to the negotiations told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that bilateral talks between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan would be held over the course of a few days.

The official, who did not wish to be named, said: We expect discussions throughout the week. Our goal is to make sure that the ministers are able to sit down and talk to each other.

Department of State officials also confirmed that the situation around the Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia that Azerbaijan effectively closed on April 23 by setting up a checkpoint, was one of the topics raised at the Washington meetings.

We have not parsed our words about the need for the free flow of traffic and people and commerce through the Lachin corridor. That continues to be the case and its something that we will continue to raise directly with our Armenian counterparts, Patel said.
The Statistical Committee says that the figure of 2,928,914 also includes those people who usually live in the country, but have been absent from it for up to a year.

It is by about 90,000 people less than Armenias permanent population was according to a similar census conducted in 2011. The population that was physically in Armenia at the time of the census in 2022 was by about 233,000 less than 12 years ago.

Last years census of the population was third to be conducted in Armenia since the country gained independence in 1991. Originally it was due to be held in 2020, but had to postpone twice  first until 2021 and then until 2022  because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specialists in Armenia have not yet done any in-depth analysis of the results of the latest census of the population, pending the final data to be presented by the authorities. But some demographers already see a troubling pattern.

This is the first time in independent Armenia that the number of the countrys permanent population, though slightly, but dropped below 3 million.

Candidate of historical sciences, ethno-geographer Artashes Boyajian, who was involved in both previous census of the population in 2001 and 2011 as a supervising enumerator, says that whereas until 2018 the population of Armenia was decreasing due to outmigration, it is the declining birthrate that became a problem afterwards.

After 2018, in a number of provinces of the Republic of Armenia, in particular, in Lori, for the first time a negative natural growth balance, that is when the number of births is lower than the number of deaths, was registered. The same was registered in the Shirak province in 2020 as well as in a number of other provinces of the republic, Boyajian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

The current government of Armenia and its predecessors have set targets for the population of Armenia. In 2020, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian unveiled the nations strategy until 2050, talking about the goal of increasing the countrys permanent population to at least 5 million people.

According to Boyajian, despite this lofty goal, the State has failed to implement any serious demographic policy aimed at its realization.

In the period under review some steps have been taken to promote population growth, but it has no qualitative and quantitative effect, the specialist said.

Declining birthrates are currently a pattern typical for most former Soviet states given the demographic decline brought on by the collapse of the USSR in 1991 and ensuing social and economic hardships of the populations in newly independent countries for years to come.

The United Nations projects that Armenias population by 2050 will fall to 2.6 million.
2 May 2023 20:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan - after the successful implementation of mega oil and gas projects that increased its GDP by 174 times, launched a new mega energy project, which intends to produce and export electricity generated from renewable sources. Azerbaijan has 200 GW of renewable energy potential, and the government intends to produce some of them, and export to Europe through the Georgia - Black Sea and Georgia - Turkiye and Zangazur-Turkiye routes. To realize this project, Azerbaijan signed contracts with the companies specialized in this field such as Masdar, bp, and ACWA Power in the production of renewable energy, and inked agreements with European countries for export.

It is expected that electricity will be the third biggest item in the export of Azerbaijan after oil and gas in the 2030s. However, Azerbaijan's electricity export increased by 8 times in terms of price and by 4 times in volume and the bulk of electricity export diverted to Turkiye. If Azerbaijan keeps the increase in this way, at the end of the year the export will reach $1bn. The increase in electricity export to Turkiye raised questions and interest in Azerbaijan.

In a comment on the issue for Azernews, Economist Altug Karatas noted that in reality, the total electricity imports of Turkiye from abroad have decreased. He noted that with Turkiye's diversification of energy sources, its dependence on energy imports is decreasing.

However, there has been an increase in the amount of electricity imported from Azerbaijan. This indicates that Turkiye prefers Azerbaijani electricity over other alternatives for its electricity imports. With the slogan "One nation, two states," it is foreseeable that Turkiye will import more electricity from Azerbaijan in the coming period, the economist noted.

He also noted that Turkiye's annual economic growth is around 5%, and the average annual increase in electricity demand over the last twenty years has been around 4%.

This situation shows that Azerbaijan can be a good alternative for electricity supply. Within the scope of developing relations, not only electricity but also green hydrogen produced from renewable energy can be a way out for the European Union through the Turkiye-Azerbaijan partnership. Azerbaijan and Turkiye are expected to play an important role in the decarbonization of the European Union, he emphasized.

As for further increment of electricity import from Azerbaijan, the economist pointed out that the current total electricity import figures of Turkiye are much higher than the electricity figures imported from Azerbaijan.

With the resolution of the independence struggle of Karabakh and the opening of the Zangazur corridor, Turkiye's energy needs will be met in the future. In addition, just as Turkiye has a transit country role in natural gas, it will also be Azerbaijan's biggest partner in meeting Europe's energy needs in electricity. All these developments indicate an increase in the import of other energy types in natural gas, electricity, and decarbonization pathways, the expert added.

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The Turkic World museums are on the spotlight in Budapest, Hungary.

Well-known directors and senior specialists from the museums of the Turkic world were invited to take part in the panel of the Turkic World Museums, organized by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Hungarian Representative Office of the Organization of Turkic States, the Budapest Ethnographic Museum and the Union of Museums of TURKSOY, Azernews reports.

The large-scale event is timed to the 100th Anniversary of Vilmos Dioszegi, Hungarian ethnographer, who conducted researches on Turkic peoples and shamanism.

The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum director Shirin Malikova addressed the panel. In her speech, she stressed the importance of these traditional meetings in order to expand relationships between the museums of Turkic states.

The museum director highlighted the historical cultural ties between Hungary and Turkic world developing today in the course of time.

Note that the Carpet Museum regularly holds multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and numerous exhibitions.

The museum stores over 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets. In 2019, the museum received a national status for its significant contribution to the popularization and promotion of Azerbaijani carpet weaving art.

Moreover, the museum has received a Certificate of Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice for the fifth time and the Humay National Prize - another indicator of the museum's successful activities.

The Carpet Museum also successfully cooperates with many foreign museums and influential international organizations.

It also holds a number of exhibitions and scientific conferences to attract visitors of all ages, without exception, including visitors with disabilities. Around 70,608 people visited the museum last year.

The meeting was followed by panel sessions. At the first session, she made a detailed report "Museum and Visitor: Horizons of Cooperation", which covered essential aspects such as the Carpet Museum's work principles, meeting the modern requirements, its cultural and educational projects aimed to arouse visitors' interest to the ancient national heritage.

The report was welcomed with great interest. During the discussion, the museum director answered participants' questions.

Representatives from Turkiye, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries also made interesting reports.

They provided insight into the museum field and ethnographic research.

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President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has participated in the 12th TURKPA plenary session on "Parliamentary Diplomacy for a More Fair World: Energy, Migration, Food" held in Ankara, Turkiye.

Speakers of the TURKPA parliaments, member and observer countries, deputies, heads of Turkish Cooperation Organizations and inter-parliamentary international organizations took part in the event held in the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the meeting, Gunay Afandiyeva congratulated the Turkish Republic on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding.

Gunay Afandiyeva pointed out that the foundation implements various projects in order to support Turkiye, which faced a major natural disaster at the beginning of this year, and deeply shook the entire Turkish world.

In her speech, she also touched upon the close ties between the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and TURKPA.

"The meetings held by the foundation, which has started its full-fledged activities with international delegation since last year, with the parliamentary representatives of the Turkish states, their active participation in various events of the organization, strengthen our relations with TURKPA even more. Over this time, the foundation held meetings with members of parliament at the organization's central headquarters within the framework of events dedicated to Nizami Ganjavi, Alisher Navoiy, Yunus Emre, Mahdimgulu Faraqi, Abay Kunanbayev, Chingiz Aitmatov, Miklos Radnoti and other great personalities. This month, we have met with the chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis to expand cooperation between Uzbekistan and the organization in the cultural field," said Afandiyeva.

In her speech, Gunay Afandiyeva emphasized that the foundation has recently celebrated the 95th anniversary of the prominent Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov was celebrated in Baku under the auspices of the foundation and with the participation of the deputies. The event was organized within the 100th anniversary of the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. Moreover, the theater performance was presented as part of the event. All these are great examples of the successful cooperation between the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and TURKPA.

Gunay Afandiyeva also spoke about the works carried out by the foundation within the framework of Turkic World Vision - 2040.

"The organization is preparing an agreement document on the cultural heritage of the Turkic World. The document will be sent to member countries and parliaments of the organization in the next few days. At the same time, we plan to organize a big exhibition in Turkistan within the framework of the Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Turkic States this year in connection with the all-Turkic heritage," she said.

The foundation also noted the organization's projects on Shusha city, known as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023.

"The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has launched a big project called "Shusha Days" to promote the history and cultural heritage of the city in different countries. Throughout history, Shusha has been the home of prominent cultural figures. After its liberation, the city has become a symbol of pride in the entire Turkish world. The Shusha Days organized by the foundation in Bursa last year and in Tashkent this year will also be held in other cities of the Turkic world. Undoubtedly, while promoting Shusha on a large scale, we once again demonstrate the power of Turkish brotherhood and unity to the world," she concluded.

Initiated in 2012, the International 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.

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2 May 2023 10:15 (UTC+04:00)

A couple of weeks ago, Meta held an event where they unveiled their new Authorized Sales Partner, Evido, to the Azerbaijani business community. It was an exciting chance for everyone to learn about the latest advertising opportunities, including the most recent updates of Facebook and Instagram ads. Meta and Evido also had experts on-hand to give personalized advice during offline meetings with attendees. If you missed out on the event, check this post-event summary to get a glimpse of what went down and learn more about how you can take advantage of these Evido services.

Katarzyna Paliwod, Group Director Business Partners & Ecosystem, Meta CEE, and Emin Aliev, Evido CBDO, talk about Meta and Evido partnership in Azerbaijan

Last month, Meta held an event to introduce its Authorized Sales Partner (ASP) Evido to the business community in Azerbaijan. It was a unique opportunity for local experts to discover the tools, trends, and new growth horizons that can boost business outcomes with Meta technologies in 2023. Representatives from both Meta and Evido met with attendees in person. The event took place at the Baku Convention Centre.

Baku Convention Centre was a perfect place to introduce Meta ASP to the Azerbaijani business community

Meta usually launches the ASP program in rapidly developing markets with promising growth prospects. The program is aimed at helping local advertisers improve their campaigns and grow their businesses, while also ensuring that Meta Authorized Sales Partners have the necessary knowledge and expertise to serve clients in high-growth regions. Authorized sales partners are expected to understand the local market and invest in its development. They are trained and certified experts who provide local support and advisory services at no extra cost.

Meta is taking their ASP program to Azerbaijan, and they just hosted a live summit to introduce it to the local business community. Over 200 marketers, chief marketing officers, and business owners showed up. The agenda was packed with hot topics that everyone was eager to learn more about, like:

Economic opportunities unlocked for businesses in Azerbaijan with Meta ASP on the ground

In-person sessions with Evido experts and Meta representatives to analyze particular cases

Recent updates of Meta ads solutions

Participants highly appreciated the event and got invaluable experience because of the chance to network with other professionals and discuss the latest trends and innovations in the industry.

If you could not visit the event, sign up for a consultation  we will tell you in detail about what Evido is and how we, Meta ASP, can help your business to improve and simplify the work with digital advertising. Stay tuned for more updates on the newest Meta solutions from Evido!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089759238314

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evido_az/

Email: support@evido.me

Website: https://evido.az/

Facebook is a registered trademark of Meta Inc.

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2 May 2023 10:31 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The meeting between Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov and Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan has just started in Arlington, at George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center with organization of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Azernews reports, citing the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

According to the MFA, the ministers discussed the security situation in the region as well as issues related to the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

To recall, earlier US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a a phone call with the head of state of Azerbaijan expressing his concern over the establishment of the new checkpoint on the Lachin road at the conventional border between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Besides, the US Secretary of State had noted the significance of the peace agreement between the both Azerbaijani and Armenian sides as well as importance of speeding up the processes.

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2 May 2023 12:41 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The Main Department for Combating Drugs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan during a special operation in the Garadagh district of Baku confiscated a total of 112 kg of narcotic substances, Azernews reports citing the ministry's press service.

"During the operation, Baku residents Rovshan Zamanov and Royal Baloglanov were detained. When examining their car and their places of residence, 112 kg of drugs belonging to both persons were found, including 30 kg of heroin, 52 kg of dried marijuana, 30 kg of methamphetamine and 2 units of electronic weights," the statement says.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rovshan Zamanov and Royal Baloglanov took drugs from a cache in the territory located in the border part of the Imishli region through an Iranian citizen named Khady.

A criminal case has been opened on the fact under the relevant article of the Criminal Code, a preventive measure in the form of arrest has been taken against both detainees, and operational measures are underway.

Recall that earlier, due to search operation conducted by Azerbaijan's Internal Ministry employees 16 people involved in the propaganda of religious radicalism and other subversive activities in Azerbaijan financed through the sale of drugs have been detained. The goal of those who carried out the tasks of the religious-political centers, controlled mainly from Iran, was to make drug addicts and others the instrument of their nefarious intentions.

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2 May 2023 14:07 (UTC+04:00)

Amendments have been made to the "Regulation on Military Medical Examination", approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan of 2008, Azernews reports, citing Trend.

Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed a relevant resolution in this regard.

In accordance with article 24.4 of the Law of Azerbaijan On Narcological Service And Control, civilians called up for compulsory military service will undergo mandatory drug testing in state medical institutions in which they were registered in the period of conscription; civilians who volunteered for active military service - in public health institutions with which they signed a contract, before the period of conscription.

Those civilians who voluntarily enrolled directly in personnel officers must undergo mandatory drug testing in public health institutions where they are enrolled in personnel officers before signing the order on enlistment for active military service. Active-duty military personnel (excluding members of the active military service) will undergo mandatory drug testing at least once a year in public health institutions in which they serve.

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2 May 2023 17:07 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan has agreed to cooperate with Belgium on the exchange of experience in the use of offshore wind energy.

Azernews reports that Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov wrote about this on his Twitter page.

Parviz Shahbazov met in Brussels with Belgian Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straten and Energy Commissioner of the European Union Kadri Simson.

"A fruitful meeting was held with Belgian Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straten. We agreed on cooperation in the field of offshore wind energy," Shakhbazov wrote.

The Minister also noted that the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, EU support in the development of the green energy corridor, cooperation on energy transition and energy efficiency issues were discussed at the Brussels meeting of the Azerbaijan-EU Energy Dialogue.

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2 May 2023 17:50 (UTC+04:00)

A memorial stand was opened in Brussels on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

Azernews reports that Jafar Huseynzadeh, head of the Azerbaijani delegation to NATO, wrote about this on Twitter.

The memorial stand is dedicated to the contribution of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the relations between NATO and Azerbaijan.

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, took part in the opening of the photo booth.

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2 May 2023 20:37 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the 3rd residential quarter to be built in the city of Aghdam.

The head of state and the First Lady were first informed of the construction progress of a new building of the 960-seat Aghdam city school No1.

The foundation stone for the school was laid by President Ilham Aliyev on May 28, 2021. The school, which was founded in 1883, is the oldest educational institution in the Karabakh region.

The residential quarter occupies an area of about 17 hectares. A total of 1,239 apartments comprised of 25 one-room, 396 two-room, 533 three-room, and 285 four-room will be built in the residential quarter.

The head of state laid a foundation stone for the 3rd residential quarter in the city of Aghdam.

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2 May 2023 20:43 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended a groundbreaking ceremony for an administrative building to be built in the city of Aghdam.

The head of state and the First Lady were informed of the project.

Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories of the Karabakh Economic Region (except Shusha district) Emin Huseynov noted that the five-storey building would occupy a total area of 24,500 square meters.

The building will house a parking lot, technical rooms, a kitchen, auditorium, the district statistical office, the district department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the local department of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the district culture office, the DOST Center, meeting rooms, a secretariat, the headquarters of the special representative office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a banquet hall, offices and other rooms.

A parade square, a park with an area of 17,500 square meters and a town square will be built in front of the administrative building.

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2 May 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma has been invited to be a visiting professor at Tokyo College, a new organization run by the University of Tokyo, the university said on Monday.

The appointment term for China's best-known entrepreneur finishes at the end of October, but the contract is renewable on an annual basis, the university said.

At the college, Ma will be engaged in areas including advising on important research themes and giving lectures on management and business start-ups.

The announcement came after Ma returned to China in March, ending a stay overseas of more than a year that industry viewed as reflecting the sober mood of the country's private businesses after a tough two-year regulatory crackdown.

The Tokyo College was founded in 2019 to serve as an interface between the University of Tokyo and overseas researchers and research institutions.

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2 May 2023 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Canberk Dogan

The last of the good news in defense was the National Combat Aircraft (NCA). The NCA, which will be the main combat force of our Air Force, came out of the hangar and headed to the runway. Explaining that the NCA was named KAAN, President Erdogan said, "Imagine such a plane that it will enter the enemy's lair in a war environment without being seen by radars. Then he will quietly return to his base. KAAN is the name of this plane, he said.

Turkiye experienced a historic day in the field of defense and aviation. Turkish domestic warplane and HURJET took to the runway together. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the name of the National Combat Aircraft is KAAN.

Participating in the Century of the Future Promotion Program held at the Kahramankazan Central Campus of Turkish Aviation and Remote Industry (TUSAS), Erdogan gave instructions to act by connecting to the pilots of HURJET and NCA after he came to the podium. HURJET and NCA taxied on Erdogan's instruction. After HURJET came to the stage, NCA with KAAN written on its body completed its taxi at the designated spot in front of the stage.

Plate for pilots

After the engine shutdown of KAAN and HURJET, Erdogan said, Right now, HURJET and our KAAN are in front of us. When I saw both of them before me, I remembered these lines of Yahya Kemal and read the poem This storm is the Turkish army, Oh GODi. HURJET Test Pilot Ercan Celik and KAAN's Test Pilot Gokhan Bayramoglu, who came to the podium, presented their helmets and veils, and Erdogan presented plaques to the pilots.

We are in every area

Stating that today is one of the historical days in the field of defense and aviation, Erdogan said that in the last months, they have been giving good news in the defense industry that has made the nation happy.

Among these is the addition of our TCG Anadolu ship to our navy. There is a successful launch of our IMECE satellite into space. There is the delivery of our Altay tank to our Armed Forces for testing. Our GOKBEY helicopter is flying with a domestic engine. For the first time, a torpedo has been fired from an unmanned naval vehicle. Thank God, we exist on land, on the sea and under the sea, in the air, in space, in every area. Today, we are in front of our nation with a new phase of our projects. I hope we will see many more tomorrow," he said.

Name Father State

As the main combat force of our Air Force, we took our National Combat Aircraft out of the hangar and built a runway head. We performed the first flight of our HURJET. We launched ATAK 2, which we can call the brother of our ATAK attack helicopter, for the first time. Our ANKA-3, the world's first flying unmanned aerial aircraft, made its first walk. We named our National Combat Aircraft KAAN. His name is also Devlet Bey. But we still have a long way to go. In the coming years, we will continue to instill trust in friends and fear in the enemy by equipping our army with these planes, UAVs and helicopters.

It will enter enemy's lair without being see on the radars

KAAN is before our eyes with all its glory. Very soon it will fly too. It will enter the enemy's lair without being seen by the radars in the war environment. He will open the gun slot and drop his missile and bomb on the enemy. Our country's own engineers will build this plane, and our own pilots will fly it. KAAN is the name of this aircraft. All of the main mission systems will be domestic and national. KAAN will fly with our own weapons, radar, communication, flight, control and mission computers. We will be one of the 5 countries producing this type of 5th generation fighter jet in the world.

Signature on Trunk

At the ceremony, first HURJET and then KAAN taxied on the runway and greeted President Erdogan. While HURJET and KAAN took their places on the runway, KIZILELMA's sister ANKA-3 and ATAK-2 decorated the ceremony area. After signing the fuselage part of the KAAN, President Erdogan went to the cockpit of the plane and sat in the pilot's seat. It was seen that ROKETSAN's SOM-J was mounted in ANKA, which was equipped with domestic ammunition. There were engineers and technicians of domestic and militia warplanes as well as other TAI employees in the area. In front of the B610 modernization modification hangar, Gokbey's engine was displayed next to the domestic helicopter.

Arm will fly

Stating that Kzlelma and ANKA-3 will fly autonomously with the KAAN, Erdogan said, They will all perform their duties with our domestic ammunition. Thus, we will raise the standards of armed drones to the highest level worldwide. Hurkus, which we have started to produce for friendly and allied countries, has already turned it into an international platform. Soon we are giving the first products to Niger and Chad. We also receive happy news from our national helicopter, Gokbey. Gokbey now flies with a turbine engine designed by our own engineers. Our 10-ton ATAK-2 helicopter has become one of the three countries in the world that can produce helicopters in this class.

HURJET red white

HURJET appeared in public for the first time with its new red and white color at the ceremony. Stating that HURJET will train heroic pilots, equip them with weapons and go to the battlefield when necessary, Erdogan said, HURJET will be able to partially replace the F-16s by equipping it with our own weapons and radars. Very soon, our HURJET will join the inventory of our Air Force. Hopefully, we will deploy HURJET to our TCG ANADOLU ship as well, he said.

Keep bothering

Criticizing the opposition that opposes defense projects, Erdogan said, Every success our country has achieved in the defense industry is disturbed by these, as well as those on the other side of the water. Make no mistake, we will continue to disturb them and those on the other side of the water. Even KAAN and HURJET alone are enough to wake up those who accuse us of being disconnected from reality from the dreams they have pinned their hopes on.

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Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Chance of a shower or two during the morning, followed by partly cloudy skies this afternoon. High 67F. SSW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 51F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

A steady light rain early...then remaining cloudy with a few showers. Low around 50F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

A steady light rain early...then remaining cloudy with a few showers. Low around 50F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Rain diminishing to a few showers by morning. Low around 50F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain diminishing to a few showers by morning. Low around 50F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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The Dreamy Oregon Coast: Wandering (and Photographing) at Night

Published 04/23/23 at 6:22 AM

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oregon Coast)  Sometimes, a lack of light is an amazing thing. It yields incredible sights  as soon as you get used to it, that is. (Bandon at night. Courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more)

Wandering the Oregon coast at night is something Oregon Coast Beach Connection has been suggesting for years. Really, when you think about, you're wasting some good beach time while visiting by sticking to only daylight hours. Venturing onto nocturnal sands has its challenges, to be sure, including safety. Think about that before you're going onto any beach and see the Oregon Coast After Dark Safety article.

For those steadfast photographers, a nocturnal shoot out there is a required venture. Especially these days when some new gear makes bold, insanely innovative scenes, and you can now photograph things only high-profile astronomers or satellites could in the past, as in some kinds of nebulae.



Pacific City, Oregon Coast Beach Connection

However, for the average beachgoer, you'll find some memorable new experiences. There's always plenty of reasons to head down after dark  like making a beach bonfire.

Some ideas:



Seaside

First, low access beaches will be preferable.

Many spots in the Gleneden Beach and Lincoln Beach areas are easy to get into at night. Between Depoe Bay and Lincoln City is where you'll find these sandy stretches. In Gleneden Beach, the state park access is prohibited after dusk, and it's a bit tricky at night anyway. So wander the neighborhood streets in back of Gleneden Beach Rd. and you'll find several accesses where you walk directly from concrete steps or small trails to fluffy, sandy entrances.

In Lincoln Beach, the vast majority of accesses are via the neighborhood streets. Once on the beach, the homes above provide some faint light, enough to prevent you from walking into the water blindly. The steep bluffs of coarse sands at the tideline make for some interesting wave action. The waves come in crashing loudly, then dissipate in power fast because of the incline here.

These are the distinctly magical spots, as long as you carry some small flashlight with you for safety reasons. Usually you're alone out here in the black, save for the sound of the waves. And you'll want that flashlight to get a better glimpse of some of the marvels surrounding you, and how different they look at night.



Lincoln City: clouds do different things with night shots

In Lincoln City, head to the NW 15th St. ramp, which has a well-lit stairway and ramp going down to the beach. It's a perfect place for getting hypnotized by the waves and the way the faint light dances on incoming breakers.

Some spots in Lincoln City are trickier than others, with numerous spots sending you down long, stone walkways. These can be treacherous if not lit well or if they're rather long. Most in the central Oregon coast town are flat entranceways - and thus great for getting onto a nocturnal stretch of sand.

Manzanita's beach accesses are all very easy to crawl down, although there are some parking restrictions after 11 p.m. the closer you get to Neahkahnie Mountain. This place is especially enchanting, with part of Neahkahnie above lit up at night, looking a bit like a giant ghost hovering over the beach.

In Seaside, there's virtually no barrier to the sandy beaches from the Promenade or the sidewalk area next to the beach on the southern side of town. Most beaches here have playground equipment that's rather fun for goofing around on after midnight - for those adults who are kids at heart. The stony area of the cove - at the southernmost end - isn't advisable to walk around on at night, but the parking lot is awesome for watching waves.

If you really want to find yourself alone after dark, explore the sandy stretches of Neskowin, the areas south of Pacific City's Turnaround or the southern end of Cannon Beach.

Many of Florence's beaches are low access as well, and Ziolkousky Beach near Reedsport is easily wandered into as well. Near Coos Bay, areas like North Beach or Horsfall are dependent on driving down rather remote little roads, and easy beach entrances at parking lots may technically not be open. Watch for that signage.

Farther down into the south Oregon coast, most of Bandon's beaches are via long walkways, which is fine if you've got flashlights to light your way. The walk down here is well worth it, however, as few spots on the coast have these looming, stark shapes as the Face Rock area and its sea stacks.

Down at Port Orford's Battle Rock Wayside Park, you'll have fairly easy access after dark. Near Gold Beach, Nesika Beach is not a bad spot to meander in these hours.

You'll notice the majority of night photography on the south coast is from higher-up vantage points. Low-lying paths to the beach aren't as plentiful.



Newport with a ship's lights as it comes in

Other wondrous, nocturnal non-sandy moments can be had by hanging out on the long crabbing pier on the southern side of Newport's Yaquina Bay. With the sound of the waves in the distance and the lights reflected on the water, it's unforgettable. Bandon's boardwalk and the boardwalks at Coos Bay are also providers of glorious, almost esoterically-lit and romantic moments.

At Depoe Bay, wander the lookouts along the seawall or above the channel. It's well-lit enough so you can see the waves pounding the rocks below.

Once you get onto the beach at night, you'll find yourself mesmerized by the tides in this situation. This is the only time you can see mind-blowing sights like glowing sand. For photographers, glowing waves may be awaiting as well. Bioluminescent Phytoplankton: What Makes Glowing Sand On Oregon Coast, Washington

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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One Week Later, Rare Sand Shapes Atop Oregon Coast Cape Are Fading But Evident

Published 04/23/23 at 6:52 PM

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Pacific City, Oregon)  A week ago Saturday (on April 15), Portlander Pilar French was exploring her favorite area again, Cape Kiwanda, when she spotted a feature on a dune she had not seen before. Posting them on Facebook, they caused a little stir in the office of Oregon Coast Beach Connection. We, in turn, asked PSU geologist Scott Burns what caused this, thinking this will be an interesting but small tidbit. (Photos courtesy Pilar French)

Instead, Burns essentially flipped out: he'd never seen this kind of set of designs before. After consulting other geologists at the university, it turned out this was new for the region. This was a rare thing, to see these kinds of ridges so close to each other  not to mention it's really odd that patterns like this are formed on a dune, period.

French and the Portland geologists had essentially discovered something new on the Oregon coast. It even required a new name: linear earthflow, they called it. See the full article New, Rare Sand Feature Atop Cape Kiwanda Wows Oregon Coast Geologists - Video

One thing Burns expressed was that this was going to be temporary. This design needed a constant flow of rain (along with the bonding agent  in this case silt) to stay around. Once the rain stopped, this would dry up and blow away.

So what's happening with this Oregon coast oddity a week later?

French went back this weekend and found that surprisingly it was not all gone yet. In fact, the lines had taken on a new look. Clearly, they had dried up quite a bit, but some of the ridges were still visible at the top. However, the lower parts had widened and flattened out, and now there's a bit more of a surreal look to the whole sandy complex. [Complete Guide: Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area]



Last week: the faint traces of shapes below the lobes are old ridges that have eroded

It was not raining when I took these, French told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. The icing was dry, so to speak.

That dune is in a rather remote section of the headland, French said, so it's not easy to find. The story on this seriously exploded last week, but it appeared not too many headed out to look for the new find. It was fairly intact still, French noted.

Someone walked through it and around it, French said. I could tell by footprints but no one was there when I went back.



This week

While this is a new discovery of a rare thing, according to Burns and his colleagues, there's plenty of evidence it had happened before in this spot. These ridges had rounded, fatter parts at the bottom, which were faded versions of previous ridges. So, it had occurred before and it's likely to happen again.

Now, the fattening and flattening of these recent linear earthflow ridges helps display what Burns said was underneath them. You can see that action plainly in its current state. See how this works New, Rare Sand Feature Atop Cape Kiwanda Wows Oregon Coast Geologists - Video

All this means there is something rare occurring periodically on the Oregon coast headland  and no one knew until now. This also brings some hope to those who may want to see it for themselves. However, you'll have to brave pretty wet weather to find it.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is Theresa Opeka The news of Rep. Tricia Cotham, Mecklenburg County, changing her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican has sent shockwaves throughout the North Carolina politics, even making national headlines. The move now gives Republicans a veto-proof supermajority in the General Assembly. The proverbial question is, how does it affect the state Democrat Party moving forward, including Gov. Roy Cooper?political consultant Brad Crone, president of Campaign Connections, told Carolina Journal in a Wednesday phone interview.He said he has followed her career since she began serving in the State House and believes her when she says she is a public servant. Cotham first served in the House from 2007-2017.At a press conference Wednesday morning at NCGOP headquarters, Cotham said she felt unwelcome in the Democrat Party from the time she ran in the 2022 Primary. The attacks on her and her family, including her two young sons, only increased on Twitter and in person, prompting her change of political affiliation.said Crone.Bishop spoke at Cotham's press conference.House Minority Leader Robert Reives and others had begun their take on her and others on March 29 after she, along with Reps. Michael Wray, D-Northampton, and Cecil Brockman, D-Guilford, had missed voting on overriding Gov. Cooper's veto on S.B. 41. Reives said in a press releaseand said the only avenue to change would be through the primary and general elections of 2024. Reives and others called for her resignation after her announcement.NCDP Party Chair Anderson Clayton called for Cotham's resignation at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.Clayton said.Clayton, a 25-year-old progressive, was elected in February to lead the state party over establishment candidates. Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein both endorsed former Democratic Party Chair Bobbie Richardson, but party leaders elected Clayton instead. In the press conference, speakers questioned Cotham's loyalty and policy positions, particularly on abortion access.said Elizabeth Goodwin, President of the Democratic Women of North Carolina.said Chris Cooper, professor of political science & public affairs at Western Carolina University, in a phone interview with CJ Wednesday.he said.Regarding Gov. Cooper's veto power, Cooper saysmaking him a lame duck in most instances.Cooper said there's also the question of her political future and if a Republican primary electorate will want to support a candidate who has been so vocally Pro-Choice and vocal on other issues that run counter to the mainstream of the Republican Party.So, what do Cotham's chances to win re-election look like in the future now that she has changed parties?said Dr. Andy Jackson, director of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity at the John Locke Foundation.Jackson said in either case, she could expect a lot of money to be thrown against her re-election bid.said Crone.Bradford said he is considering running for state treasurer now that State Treasurer Dale Folwell is running for the Republican nomination for governor.Another Raleigh political insider told CJ, on the condition of anonymity, that centrist voters of any race really do not have a place in today's North Carolina Democratic Party, adding that (former Governor)no longer exist in the state.Crone says the Democratic Party has to do a lot of self-inspection as to whether or not they want to have moderate centrist voters with voices and leadership roles in the party.he said.Party switching may not end with Cotham. Chris Cooper said there might be a couple of other Democrats who are considering a similar move, and it is something to keep an eye on moving forward.he said.
Prominent leftwing mayors on both sides of the Atlantic have blasted the negative impact of mass migration on their cities and society. In separate statements leftwing Democrat New York Mayor Eric Adams and Tubingen, Germany Mayor Boris Palmer, a member of the far left Green Party, and one of its more popular figures, denounced the damage that was being done by mass migration.

Palmer told a German newspaper that "if we use all of society's resources for the new arrivals and there is nothing left for the local people, then this society will explode." Describing the impact of migration on society, he continued "We will have few new workers and a lot of new welfare recipients."

https://rmx.news/article/green-party-mayor-high-spending-on-migrants-in-germany-threatens-to-explode-society/

https://rmx.news/article/germany-plans-to-spend-huge-sum-on-migrants-in-2023/

New York City Mayor Eric Adams described New York's plight at a panel discussion sponsored by the Afro-American Mayors Conference by declaring "The city is being destroyed by the migrant crisis". He pointed to cuts of $4 Billion in other programs in the city budget to pay the cost of the migrants.

https://nypost.com/2023/04/21/mayor-eric-adams-says-bidens-migrant-crisis-has-destroyed-nyc/
UPDATE: House Bill 808 to ban genital mutilation surgeries on children under 18 passed the North Carolina House today by vote of 74 to 44. After RINO House Speaker Timmy Moore, with the help of RINO State Rep. Tim Reeder of Greenville, mutilated the bill in committee to restrict its prohibition to surgical mutilation, an amendment from Rep. Neal Jackson (R- Moore) from the legislative floor restored it to also covering use of drugs for gender reassignment.

https://dailyhaymaker.com/rep-neal-jackson-saves-the-day-stops-speaker-timmys-watering-down-of-toddler-tranny-transition-ban/

ORIGINAL POST:

States around the country have been passing bills this year to ban genital mutilation or drugging of children for the purposes of "gender reassignment". A bill to do that has been filed in the NC General Assembly, and it is clearly badly needed here as well. Three of our in state medical schools, ECU, UNC, and Duke are right now abusing children with this "gender reassignment" Frankenstein medicine on children as young as 2. Children too young to comprehend the real meaning of gender and sex are being rushed to permanent disfigurement by these Josef Mengele type doctors at these medical schools.

European experts say that most gender confused children will grow out of it naturally, but the enormous harm done to them when that happens after their bodies have been deformed is just appalling. To add insult to injury, it is being done with taxpayer money, and that is greatly expaning with the Obamacare Medicaid expansion.

https://www.edfirstnc.org/post/transgender-toddlers-treated-at-duke-unc-and-ecu

https://dailyhaymaker.com/transitioning-toddlers-to-transgenderism-on-our-dime/

Will our General Assembly step up to the plate like so many others have and stop this monstrous abuse of children? Or will the homosexual clique (open and in the closet) in Speaker Tim Moore's office stop this needed bill in its tracks?

https://www.edfirstnc.org/post/deadline-for-legislation-prohibiting-sterilization-and-mutilation-of-children-this-week
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A crowd filled the park between Beaumont's downtown library and the Julie Rogers Theater Sunday for VIVA! Beaumont Mexican Heritage Festival.

The event spilled across Main Street, where lines of food trucks offered everything from street tacos and elote to micheladas and more -- all the traditional favorites to tempt the palate, while feasting one's other four senses on the richness of Mexican culture.

There was music, dance, games, vendors selling books by Hispanic authors, face painting and a lively Lucha Libre performance that kept the crowd gasping in sympathetic pain and laughing at the colorful antics of the costumed wrestlers.

RELATED: VIVA ARTACO! festival of 2022

Members of the Mexican Heritage Society Alumni Dancers opened the performances, keeping the crowd clapping as they swirled in colorful dresses with traditional folkloric dances from Mexico's Jalisco, Tamualipas, and Sonoran regions.

After their performance, the dancers moved down into the crowd, pulling them from their Sonoran blanket covered hay bale seats to join in the dancing.

Mariachi Locos followed, performing traditional songs that had the crowd singing along while gathered beneath the decorations of colorful flags and pinatas filling the tree canopy overhead.
When Mariah Liedy turned 13, her mom got a call from the Beaumont Chapter of the Top Teens of America, Inc. saying she'd be a great fit for the organization.

Liedy said they told her mom about how great the organization is, that she would enjoy it and it would help her grow.

Four years later, Liedy is serving as the president of the national chapter Top Teens of America, Inc. and is getting ready to graduate from the Texas Academy Program at Lamar University.

The Enterprise talked with Liedy about her experience being involved with Top Teens of America, why others should join the organization and what she plans to do once she graduates.

Q: How would you explain to someone what Top Teens of America is?

A: I would say Top Teens is a leadership, mentorship and community service organization. We're sponsored by Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., and the top ladies serve as mentors to the Top Teens. Top teens get to learn a lot about being leaders and also why it's important to serve your community and get to play a part in giving back to their respective communities all across the United States.

Q: How did you go from being a member of the Beaumont chapter to being president of the national organization?

A: Every two years we have Syn-Lod, which is our national conference, and you have the opportunity to run for national offices, because our terms are two years. At first I was kind of timid, I didn't really want to. I didn't feel comfortable putting myself out there. But one of my mentors, Lady Yolanda Avery, reached out to me and she encouraged me. She was like 'You should run for national office.' So originally, I ran for the position of first vice president and I won that position. Then there were some changes that occurred. So, I got bumped up to the president slot.

Q: What is your favorite part of being in the organization?

A: I would say my favorite part is probably the family feel that we have. A lot of the people that I went in with in seventh grade, I didn't really know them before, and now they're some of my closest friends. I know that the people in Top Teens, whether it be my advisors, the top ladies or the other teens, if I need anything or if I'm having trouble with anything, I can always call them and they'll help me. It's a great support system.

Q: What are some of the different experiences that you've been able to have throughout your involvement with the Top Teens of America?

A: I've gotten to participate in many conferences. We have area conferences and then our national conference. There are six areas in Top Teens. Our area, area one, has a couple of different states in it. So, when you go to the area conference, you get to meet teens that aren't just from your chapter or teens that you know who are from nearby chapters, you get to meet teens across the state of Texas and even some neighboring states like Louisiana.

I've also gotten to experience fundraising for St. Jude's and March of Dimes. For example, one of my friends, who's our national St. Jude's chair, she helped host a car wash to raise money for St. Jude's. It's been really great to get to experience fundraising for those types of organizations and then also meeting so many different people.

Q: How do you think this experience will help you achieve your future goals?

A: Top Teens has helped me become more comfortable with putting myself out there, whether that be voicing my opinion when I have an opinion or talking to large groups of people. It's really helped me become more comfortable with who I am and be more comfortable in my skin. Going into a STEM field as part of an underrepresented community, I feel like that's something that's going to be really important to help me move forward and advance my career, both with a job and also educationally. Top Teens has really helped me learn how to be an advocate for myself and how to communicate with many different groups of people from many different angles.

Q: Why should other teens consider joining the Top Teens of America?

A: Other teens should consider Top Teens of America because it really helps you grow into who you're meant to be. Even in just four years, I've changed so drastically. Even just being a member of my chapter, I've gotten to talk to and network with people from so many different places. As a national officer, I've gotten to learn how leading works behind the scenes. So, I would say Top Teens is really great to help people grow and learn a lot about how to function in professional and leadership settings.

Q: What do you hope to do once you graduate?

A: I'm planning to go to the University of New Mexico in the fall and major in nuclear engineering with a minor in Spanish. After that, I want to get a master's in nuclear engineering and I want to work on nuclear reactor design and development.
Renovations at the Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Hospital's pediatric unit are complete.

The unit received new flooring, paint, equipment, hand painted murals and a TV and Playstation 4 in every patient room.

On Monday, the Children's Miracle Network in Southeast Texas hosted an open house and dedication ceremony for the newly renovated under the sea-themed pediatric's unit.

"This is just a great way to come in and really get everything more modern and more up to speed," Program Manager for Children's Miracle Network at St. Elizabeth Hospital Caralee Thompson said. "It's just an immersive thing for our patients to be here and to enjoy while they're here because if they're here, they're not having a great time, but it's our job to try to make sure that they have the best circumstances that they have to recover and to get better."

The project was funded by money donated to the "Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in Southeast Texas" fund over the years, Thompson said. According to the organization's website, money raised through the fund goes to Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth and Jasper Memorial.

RELATED: Christus and Children's Miracle Network receive local donation

"It's thanks to your fundraising all year long that we're able to get to do fun things like this like the update and making the hospital kid friendly," Director of Pediatrics and Neonatal ICU Lacey Goodman said. "We (also) got much-needed medical equipment from those funds as well."

A majority of money raised for the hospital is raised in small amounts through the $1 fundraisers or rounded up totals at restaurants and grocery stores, according to Thompson.

"The bulk of our funds go towards purchasing state of the art last saving equipment and we make sure that the very latest things that our patients need, are purchased and are here to be used," Thompson said. "For example, we have Geoffrey the giraffe, who is a portable X-ray machine that looks like a giraffe. He was quite price, but it puts the kids at ease."

The murals throughout the unit were done by local muralist Suzette Broussard of Suzette's Everyday Art and include smiling sea creature cartoons, such as turtles, fish, dolphins, jellyfish and sea lions.

"I free hand all the art and something like this that's nature and organic, I don't ever measure it," Broussard said. "Now, I do like to make it uniform. I did tape off to get depth perception so that it was the same all the way around the whole floor."

RELATED: Christus of Southeast Texas earns top accreditation for bariatric services

Broussard said that she worked one the murals for about five weeks throughout the winter.

"It was the first time I've done an under sea mural. So, I was really jazzed about that because that is an endless (source) of inspiration," Broussard said. "The nurses had tons of great ideas. Everybody was whispering in my ear and bringing me ideas."

However, the murals weren't the only part of the floor that the nurses got to help with. Thompson said that nurses and Goodman worked to come up with the overall theme for the unit.

"We're so incredibly grateful to our community partners, to their employees, to their associates and to the community that actually donates to make all this possible because at the end of the day, this has nothing to do with me or anything," Thompson said. "This is all our partners raising funds to help our kids here in Southeast Texas."
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Family and a friend of Charles Earl Bluitt gathered at Beaumont Police headquarters Tuesday morning. Before them were spread photographs showing Bluitt as a young boy seated among family, as a teen attending his Central High School senior prom, as a young man and father to daughter Aaliyah Shonte Culbert, now 11.

Among the photos was one showing Bluitt with wings extending from his shoulders. Its the photograph mother Gloria Lynn Bluitt placed on the cover of his funeral service program.

Bluitt was 27 when he was fatally shot at his familys home on Abilene Street the night of January 15, 2015.

Witnesses heard gunshots, and one reported seeing a bald male, possibly in his early 20s, wearing a grey hoodie and silver metallic shorts, running south on Abilene, according to a statement issued by Beaumont police.

Its a night Gloria Bluitt will never forget.

She was sitting inside when she heard the first gun shot. As she went to the door, there was a second shot, then her son collapsed on the floor just inside the doorway.

He collapsed right in front of me, she recalled. Can you imagine being a mother standing over her child just shaking, and her child lifeless?

Now, with the 8th anniversary of his death approaching, the family is still waiting for justice and answers.

Who killed Charles Bluitt? And why?

Related: Police investigate the shooting death of Charles Bluitt

I miss him very much, and I just wish I had someone I could point a finger at or ask questions, Bluitt said.

Instead, she, family and others have only photographs and memories of the son, father, best friend and nephew that was lost.

Aaliyah Culbert was only 3 years old when her father was killed, but she still remembers the playful, loving dad that he was.

I remember playing hide and seek, and my mom yelled at us and called both of us by our full names. We ran away and hid and laughed, she said.

He liked to be a jokester. He wanted to be Bernie Mac, Bluitt said of her son. When my family threw a party, he was the life of the party.

That was something he and his uncle Johnny Cooper shared  a love of comedy.

It was just one of many similarities between the two.

He was like a son to me, and we laughed a lot. We even looked alike and sometimes dressed alike, Cooper said.

They also shared a love of Zydeco music and dancing.

He loved to dance and played the scrub board. People would just look at him, because as a kid hed be dancing with the grown people, Cooper remembered.

The connection went so far as a shared nickname  Ce-Ce. That stood for Cool Cooper, his uncle said, but it fit Bluitt, as well.

He was the coolest kid  outgoing, outgiving. He didnt meet no strangers, and hed give you the shirt off his back. Whatever you needed, he was there, Cooper said.

Seanqualia Smith described her best friend as, definitely one of a kind  always smiling and laughing. He loved his daughter so much and his mom, she said. He was the provider for his family and wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to making sure they had what they needed.

Related: Community remembers Joshua Yates

Cooper said Bluitt was a go-getter. Everybody loved that about him -- that he wasnt a quitter.

Thats something Cooper helped instill in him from childhood.

Hed work with me a lot on construction jobs to earn money for his family, Cooper said. Anything he wanted to do for Aaliyah, wed make it happen, because that was his life right there.

After Culbert was born, Bluitt left Lamar University, where he was studying engineering with plans to enter the Air Force after college.

His daughter, his family, became Bluitts sole focus.

Gloria Bluitt recalled Aaliyahs first Christmas. I think she had about 20 presents under that tree, she said. He kept her close to him, and she was his everything.

Cooper remembers telling his nephew, When you have a child, nothing about you matters anymore. Its about making things better for your child, and your family is the most important. The more you stay at your house, the less trouble youll get in.

And home is where Bluitt most loved to be, said Smith, who came over to the house nearly every day. It was a place many of Bluitts friends would gather, where his mother, whom hed dubbed Mama Lou, would cook and feed them.

Those friends dont come around anymore, except for Smith, whom Bluitt says is like a daughter to me.

They dont come to the house or call to check on Mama Lou, Smith said. They might post something on social media, but that means nothing, she said.

Im hurt. Somebody has to be accountable. Not only were you a coward  you shot him in the back --  but to remain silent even eight years later adds an extra layer of pain to Bluitts loss, she said.

She's also angry.

Somebody knows something, and if you were protecting a killer in your family, wouldnt you want to know? she asked.

Bluitt looks toward her granddaughter, saying, She has to go without a dad. She has family all around her, but she still needs her dad.

I hope God touches their heart and they come forth. And if anyone knows anything, please come forth, because it was just senseless, she added.

Bluitt wasnt one to run the streets, wasnt in a gang, didnt pack a gun.

If I needed to pack something, I dont need friends. That was his motto, Bluitt said.

The senselessness of his death is difficult for Cooper, as well, who said the night his nephew was killed was the hardest day of his life.

Related: Podcast sparks new interest in Vidor cold case

I cant understand why if youre not out there on the streets and youre not fussing with nobody, why youd get shot, and in the back? And of all people, why somebody that would do anything for you? Life is too short, life is too grand, life is too lovable to do anything like that to anyone, Cooper said.

All he wants is closure for he and his family, encouraging anyone with information to come forward, even reaching out through Crime Stoppers if theyre too scared to come forward in person.

Witness tips and cooperation remains the biggest stumbling block to solving cases like Bluitts, said Beaumont police Sgt. Jesus Tamayo.

Although advances in technology, like home cameras and cell phones, as well as advances in forensic technology make solving crimes easier than it was eight years ago, Cooperation of people is still the most key, Tamayo said.

If witnesses dont corroborate some of the stuff (evidence) we have, thats a problem, he said, adding, One thing about Beaumont is for the most part, people still want to do the right thing, but theyre scared.

Until someone comes forward with information that can help solve the crime, Detective John Courts, who was assigned to the case after the 2015 homicide, says they will continue reviewing the evidence they have.

Courts is now in a different unit, but Its still my case. Sometimes we get new information, and with the changes in forensic technology, we can now re-examine (evidence) and try to find something that we couldnt find back then.

Being a smaller city with lower crime rates allows them the luxury to revisit unsolved cases, Courts added.

Beaumont averages between two and four unsolved homicides annually. Currently, four such crimes remain unsolved from 2022.

But were not gonna stop. Were gonna get you, Tamayo said.

Related: Tree of Angels honors loved ones lost to violent crimes

Thats something Bluitts family is banking on to finally get justice for Charles Ce-Ce Bluitt.

But more importantly, theyve put their hopes for justice in Gods hands.

I had to give it to God and let the Lord handle it, Cooper said, adding, Whenever someone comes forward, that will be a blessing, because everyone needs closure.

And while Gloria Bluitt waits for that closure, shes reaching out to others like her dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Bluitt joined the Surviving Parents of Southeast Texas to help deal with her grief, and is now part of the healing process.

Even though I dont have closure, I try to meet with people like me and try to uplift them. I know God has given me strength to go through my journey, and I dont want other mothers going through this, she said.

Bluitt says parents can call her anytime for support, and she tries to assist with any other needs they might have, as well as take surviving children on trips.

I may not have closure, but I have the Lord on my side, she said.
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JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee reforms to the beleaguered water system in Mississippis capital city says he won't have enough money to cover expenses until more federal funds arrive.

Ted Henifin was appointed in November after the Justice Department won a federal judges approval to carry out a rare intervention to fix Jackson's water system, which partially failed in August. For days, people waited in lines for water to drink, bathe, cook and flush toilets in the majority-Black city of about 150,000.

Henifin, who has begun to implement a range of reforms, said he is still waiting for hundreds of millions of dollars in funds the federal government set aside for Jackson's water infrastructure. Meanwhile, the city is waiting to pay companies it has done business with for water system improvements. Current monthly transfers are no longer enough to cover operations, maintenance and repairs, Henifin says.

Were... hoping that we get our grant money soon so we can pay them, Henifin told WLBT-TV. I dont want to get into the same situation that Jackson has been known for, (being) very slow or not paying at all.

Henifin expects the money to arrive in the coming days based on conversations he has had with federal officials, the news station reported Monday. The federal government awarded Jackson about $800 million for water projects.

In an April 21 federal court filing, JXN Water, the company formed by Henifin to oversee the citys water department, requested an over $1 million budget increase to pay for new billing software, community outreach staffing and legal support.

Henifin has said he hopes to wrap up his work as interim manager in one year or less. The federal order under which he was appointed sets 12 months for Henifin to implement 13 projects for improving the systems near-term stability.

A federal judge will consider Henifin's new budget requests at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Local artist Brandon Norman is making a name for himself in the art world and recently received a vote of approval from the legendary artist Erykah Badu.

Norman explains that its been a crazy few weeks after Badu name-dropped his art on her social media account. I could not believe it, said Norman.

Im kind of an introverted guy and now at the grocery and out and about people are recognizing my wife and I  its wild.

Norman who grew up in the West Texas region of Midland and Odessa, spent some time in Long Beach, California, and now calls Odessa home.

Locally, Norman was working as a chef in the area and making a paycheck to care for his family and when the pandemic hit he started picking up the paintbrush to get back to what he calls his passion.

I never really understood passion quite like I do now, said Norman. I now spend most of my time and money on art supplies to create.

Brandon Norman

Norman recently decided to trade in his chef knives for paint brushes to pursue his passion for a full-time career creating art and he explained that after making that concrete decision "the magic started to happen."

On April 20, out of the blue, Badu shared my art, which was a total surprise, he said. Another famous artist is requesting an art piece and I have a few projects in the works, here in town.

Its been exciting and unexpected  but it feels good.

Norman said his goal is to have his art hanging in homes across the country, considering his recent success he seems to be on the right path.

For more information, visit Brandon Norman on Instagram or visit the B.A.N Art Studio website.

Here are a few samples of Normans latest creations.

Brandon Norman

Brandon Norman
With the prices of nearly everything going up, were all looking for savings. One way to save is to review your car insurance every year.

Here are ways to save on your car insurance:

Ask about discounts

Getting discounts is a great way to save. Some companies offer discounts for driving fewer miles, having a good driving record, car alarms, and defensive driving courses. You also might get a discount for having other policies with the same company, like a home or renters policy.

Your company should sign you up for the discounts you qualify for but ask to make sure they do.

Look at your deductible

A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company will pay a claim. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save you as much as 20% on your insurance premium.

But remember, a higher deductible means youll pay more out-of-pocket if you do have a claim. When deciding what deductible is right for you, think about how much you can afford to pay if your car is damaged.

Review your coverage

The various coverages in your policy add up to your total premium. If you have collision coverage on an old car that's paid off, make sure the cars value is worth more than what youre paying for that coverage.

If you have gap coverage on your car, you can cancel it when you owe less than your vehicle is worth.

Watch your credit score

Most insurance companies use your credit history to help them decide whether to sell you insurance and how much it will cost. When reviewing your credit, most companies look at how many open accounts you have, how much you owe, past due payments, and how often you apply for credit. Ask your company what they look for in your credit history.

Shop around

Companies charge different rates and the company youre with might have raised your rates. Companies want your business, and you often get discounts as a new customer. Start by getting sample rates at HelpInsure.com.

Remember: A good price is only a bargain if you also get good service. Call the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Help Line at 800-252-3439 to check a companys complaint record before buying a policy.

Have a question about insurance? Call TDI at 800-252-3439 or visit TDI.Texas.gov. Our Help Line is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Inside Hook

What draws visitors to national parks around the world? Sometimes it can be the picturesque landscapes found there; at other times, it might have to do with the wildlife or the parks historical significance. Fossils might not rank as high on the list of many visitors, even though some parks do abound with them  in the United States, for instance, a number of intriguing fossils have been found at Yellowstone National Park over the years. But finding a national park thats gone all in on its array of fossils is easier said than done  until now.



Travel to Australia  specifically, to Flinders Ranges in South Australia, a five-hour drive from Adelaide  and youll find Nilpena Ediacara National Park, which opened to the public on April 27. As Smithsonian Magazine pointed out in an article on the new 148,000-acre park, the area is home to a vast array of fossils (some dating back 550 million years) that offer key insights into the development of life on this planet. The scientists researching them have tended to do their work in the field, rather than extracting fossils to a more distant site.
Entering Malibu, along the Pacific Coast Highway, youll pass an iconic welcome sign pledging 21 miles of scenic beauty. Thats a significant breadth of panorama for any city to promise its visitors  even for this legendary slice of Southern California sunshine. But it turns out the slogan actually undersells the experience here: scenic beauty is just the start.

For years Los Angeles Countys most exclusive beachfront community was seen as nothing more than a playground for well-heeled glitterati and over-tanned surfers, all sculpted in the image of Greek gods. Mere mortals could pass along PCH and marvel at the spectacle, but there wasnt much keeping them there in terms of quality food and drink or reliable overnight accommodations.

Things slowly started to change in the late aughts with the grand reopening of the Malibu Pier. It brought with it the potential for a new destination committed to local commerce. The century-old landmark underwent extensive refurbishment in 2008, but it wasnt until six years later that it fully delivered on that potential. Thats when local rancher Helene Henderson opened Malibu Farm at the foot of the historic wooden platform  joined shortly thereafter by a cozier cafe at the end of the pier.

Malibu Pier Getty

In the interim, just down the street, famed restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa had secured a stunning beachfront address for his eponymous franchise. The hotspot immediately began beckoning a nighttime crowd from greater Los Angeles, including folks who had never before considered sticking around past sunset.

Fast forward to today and youre looking at a landscape thats become a dependable staycation destination for Angelos. And for tourists touching down at LAX, its no longer unreasonable  nor uncommon  for them to head straight for that Malibu welcome sign and stay there until its time to head back to the airport.

Having grown up in Malibu, Ive seen the shift from sleepy to chic, and theres a great mix to do, says Max Block  an F+B expert who co-hosted a podcast called Table Setting. Ill always love a lazy staycation weekend, grabbing breakfast burritos at Lillys, then hitting Little Dume with a good beach read.

According to Block, even old standbys such as Paradise Cove Beach Cafe and Malibu Mutts have opted to up their game to keep up with the competition. He recommends the clam chowder from the former and the worlds best chili cheese fries from the latter.

How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Laguna Beach What to see and do in this laid-back California beach town

Kathy Delgado packs her car with blankets and beach chairs and beelines up from Long Beach to the Malibu Country Mart to create wondrous weekend picnics. My routine involves compiling seasonal provisions from Malibu Kitchen and Gourmet Country Market or Broad Street Oyster Company, says the restaurant designer and French antique dealer. Then I just walk down to the beach and nibble with my toes in the sand.

For dessert she surveys the whimsical shopfronts that have cropped up across town in the past few years. When I desire some jaw-dropping retail therapy, I head to Malibu Park at Cross Creekand into Teressa Foglia for the most incredible hat atelier outside of Paris, she shares, excitedly. If youre an antique aficionado like me, this is where youll view the most awe-inspiring retail displays anywhere. Heavy inspiration on French and European antiques mixed among the racks of clothing.

Later this spring, the shopping center welcomes Magnolia Pearl  a new West Coast flagship for the Texas-based outfitter specializing in Boho Chic ensembles.

A number of noteworthy hotels and eateries sit just along the surf Getty

Another modern upgrade to Malibu has been the winery tasting room boom. A key moment occurred back in 2014, when Malibu Coast was granted official status as an AVA (American Viticultural Area). Since then, theres been a space race among the sun-swaddled vineyards of this mountainous region to offer the most over-the-top experiences. At Cielo Farms, live music, wood-fired pizza and afternoon yoga can all be paired with the sturdy house red blends. At Saddlerock Ranch, a 2-hour wine safari includes tastings and a ride through vines populated with camels, yaks and water buffalo

Back down along the surf, boutique and luxurious Malibu Beach Inn recently partnered with Dierberg Vineyards to offer guests an all-inclusive winery and lodging experience. It includes a suite overlooking the ocean along with a private tour and lunch at the exclusive winery which is typically closed to the public. But you wouldnt have to go too far afield to enjoy such a level of wining and dining. In 2020 the property revamped its culinary program, bringing an enviable array of California cuisine, craft beer, cocktails and a world class wine program to its Carbon Beach Club lobby restaurant.

Not to be forgotten, chef Nobus decade-old dining destination remains a top hotspot. In 2017 his restaurant group opened a five-star Japanese-inspired lodging next door. The opulent Nobu Ryokan, where sleek beachfront suites start at $2,000 per night, is among the most stylish overnight stays anywhere in the country.

Heres a cheatsheet to help you plot the perfect Malibu getaway.

Broad Street Oyster Companys famous lobster roll Broad Street Oyster Company

Where to Eat in Malibu

Nicolas Eatery  This family-run restaurant specializes in hyperlocal ingredients rendered with a French touch. Escargot, pate aux champignons and Bouef Bourgiugnon are perennial standouts. But Block recommends going on Tuesdays when they host a weekly Vietnamese pop-up.

Broad Street Oyster Company  A seafood sensation since first opening in the summer of 2019, the menu is far more robust than its name suggests. The raw bar is a revelation, to be sure; uni, mussels, clams are all cant miss. And yet so is the lobster roll, which has been accused of being the best on the West Coast. Order ahead so you can avoid the massive queues that tend to accumulate during main meal hours.

Cholada Thai Cuisine  Nothing is finer than being in this baby blue diner. Traditional Thai curries, glass noodles and Gaiyang (marinated chicken) accompany beachside vibes, served by expat chef/owners who also happen to be husband and wife.

Locals swear by Moonshadows Moonshadows

Where to Drink in Malibu

The Bar at Nobu  Theyve got the best Japanese whisky selection in town, naturally. But their cocktail program is surprisingly eclectic and not egregiously overpriced. Come for the $21 Matsuhisa Martini  with Suntory Haku Vodka, junmai sake and ginger  and stay for the people watching.

Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio  Many of the winery experiences in Malibu are suspended high in the hills. If youre looking for something laidback along the shore, head here to enjoy easy-drinking Cabs and Chardonnays. Its a decidedly contemporary vibe with food trucks and live music banging away all weekend long.

If you prefer Old School to modern, there are plenty of places to wet your whistle. Dukes and Moonshadows are both classics, according to Dan Dunn, Venice native, drinks author and host of the What Were Drinking podcast. The views are spectacular and theres always a chance for a celebrity run-in. I like to take psychedelics, go to Geoffreys and imagine Im hanging out with Johnny Carson and Phyllis Diller.

Where to Stay in Malibu

Nobu Ryokan  This is quite likely the most exclusive overnight option in all of Los Angeles. No wonder it attracts a constant parade of A-listers. Its the privacy and intimacy of these outsized beachside suites that calls to the celebs. But you dont have to be on the run from paparazzi to appreciate the amenities and the attention to detail affected here. Who doesnt want to enjoy a speciality Nobu breakfast from the comfort of their own onsen-inspired wooden bathtub? The property is currently paired up with Beverly Hills Car Rental on a Cruise the Coast package: A luxury supercar such as a Lamborghini Urus Graphite Capsule or a Porsche GT3 is dropped off for you at the hotel and is yours to whip around the coast throughout the duration of your stay. You even get your own complimentary bento box lunches to take around with you as you cruise.

Malibu Beach Inn  After its extensive refresh in 2020, this boutique property has emerged as the consummate romantic getaway for LA staycationers. Spacious rooms feature lanais overlooking a private beach, with the Channel Islands hovering along the horizon. Down in the lobby, Carbon Beach Clubs menu favors California cuisine with a Mediterranean bent. Behind the bar a wide selection of whiskies and agave spirits are on offer. Those arriving by electric vehicle will appreciate the ample charging stations, though with the hotels positioning just steps from Malibu Pier, you might just want to keep your car parked for the duration of your stay. Rooms typically start at $600 per night.

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Here are six physician fraud cases Becker's has reported on in April:

Cedar Grove, N.J.-based Muhammad Mirza, MD, pleaded guilty to defrauding Amtrak's health plan $1.4 million through submitting bills for procedures that were never performed or were not medically necessary. 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. A former physician and his ASC company were sentenced to seven years in prison and five years of probation, respectively, for a scheme to defraud private insurers and the Tricare program by submitting about $355 million in false claims related to the 1-800-GET-THIN Lap-Band surgery business. Alexander, Ark.-based physician Joe David May, MD, has pleaded guilty to 102 months in prison for his role in a $12 million scheme to defraud Tricare. Howard Jackson, DPM, who practiced in East St. Louis, Ill., pleaded guilty to a $144,694 healthcare fraud scheme. Bal Harbour, Fla.-based physician Drew Lieberman has forfeited his medical license after serving time for his role in a $60 million fraud scheme.
A Massachusetts couple have reached a $15 million settlement  one of the largest in state history  with Boston Children's Hospital following the death of their 6-month-old son in 2022, according to an April 29 report from The Boston Globe.

Ryan and Becky Kekula took their son Jackson into Boston Children's Hospital for a routine car seat test and sleep study, common procedures for children born with dwarfism, like Jackson.

According to the lawsuit, an error was made during the car seat test that left Jackson without oxygen for 20 minutes, resulting in a brain injury.

The Kekulas' attorney, Robert Higgins, contended that hospital staff failed to properly monitor Jackson during the test, focusing on an equipment malfunction instead of on Jackson's irregular breathing and heartbeat.

According to documents, the hospital suspended sleep studies for five weeks following the incident and implemented corrective steps.

It is rare for pediatric sleep studies to result in death, and the hospital never had a serious adverse event previously, according to the report.

The Kekulas declined a nondisclosure agreement proposed by Boston Children's, as they wanted to educate other parents about the risks of even benign procedures.
Construction is set to begin on an independent, surgeon-led ASC in Jamestown, Wis., the Telegraph Herald reported May 1.

Ten independent surgeons from four practices in Dubuque, Iowa, which is just 10 minutes from Jamestown  Dubuque Podiatry, Dubuque Surgery, Dubuque Orthopaedic Surgeons and Dubuque ENT Head & Neck Surgery  will run the center, according to the publication.

Many of the surgeons involved in the planned Upper Mississippi Surgery Center practice out of UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, also in Dubuque, and will continue to do so for surgeries requiring overnight stays or for patients with multiple comorbidities, according to the Telegraph Herald.

Construction is set to begin early May and will take about a year and a half to be fully operational, the publication said. It is estimated the center will see 2,500 patients each year.

"This is where healthcare is going," Jacob Wagner, MD, PhD, a general surgeon involved with the center, told the Telegraph Herald. "Medicare and Medicaid and all the other big insurers would like to see more [operations] done in surgery centers, so [this project] is addressing a need for those centers in the community."
Richard Isaacs, MD, is set to leave Kaiser Permanente after a 28-year run with the system to join California Northstate University as the dean of its medical school.

Dr. Isaacs joined Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente in 1995. He has served as CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group and president and CEO of the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group since 2017. The medical groups are two of the largest in the country, made up of more than 11,000 physicians and 40,000 staff.

Dr. Isaacs also serves as co-CEO of The Permanente Federation, a consortium of all the Permanente Medical Groups in the nation with more than 23,982 physicians and 80,000 employees.

Effective June 1, Dr. Isaacs will join California Northstate University, based in Elk Grove, Calif., as dean of the College of Medicine and vice president of medical affairs.

Maria Ansari, MD, physician-in-chief and chief of staff for Kaiser Permanente's 247-bed San Francisco Medical Center, will succeed Dr. Isaacs in the roles of CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group and president and CEO of the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, a system spokesperson confirmed with Becker's.
Farid Assemi, the board chair of Fresno, Calif.-based Community Health System, has resigned amid sustained concerns about potential conflicts of interest, the Fresno Bee reported May 2.

But concerns remain about some of the remaining board members who have continued links to property developer Mr. Assemi and the fact that the new board chair, Roger Sturdevant, lives 2,000 miles away in Michigan. There are unanswered questions about how a chairperson living so far away can take adequate care of the hospital system's future direction, the report said.

A Fresno Bee investigation also found that Community Health System used federal money designated for the system's aging downtown Fresno hospital generally frequented by uninsured low-income patients to fund an expansion of its Clovis facility in a far more affluent area. That hospital is also less than a mile away from California Health Sciences University, a for-profit medical school jointly owned by Mr. Assemi.

A CHS spokesperson did not return the Fresno Bee's request for comment.

Previous Becker's coverage on this story can be found here.
Several hospitals are departing the Mississippi Hospital Association, citing concerns with the association's leadership, Mississippi Today reported May 2.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson notified the MHA on April 28 that the state's largest public hospital would be terminating its membership in the group, effective immediately, according to a letter the Magnolia Tribune obtained through a public records request.

A letter from UMMC to MHA states that the termination is "due to recurring behavior including insufficient transparency around decision making, a misaligned strategic vision and a lack of effective communication. While we see value in MHA as an organization, we have lost confidence in the current leadership." UMMC declined to comment further when contacted by Becker's.



UMMC sent the letter after the association's political action committee, Friends of Mississippi Hospitals, approved a $250,000 donation to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley, according to the Magnolia Tribune.

Since UMMC sent its letter, Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Ocean Springs-based Singing River Health System and George Regional Health System in Lucedale have also terminated their membership in MHA, Mississippi Today reported. The hospitals reportedly cited concerns with the association's leadership.

MHA President Tim Moore told Becker's in a phone interview May 2 that no leadership changes are planned at the association and that the situation comes down to "a difference of opinion."

"It is the opinion of a few hospitals and a solution that was made by the board of governors to recommend a considerable political donation to a challenging gubernatorial candidate. It's a difference of opinion," Mr. Moore said.

He also said that the MHA is "working and will continue to work in the best interests of hospitals regardless."

"Anything we're able to be successful in accomplishing, they're going to be able to benefit from," added Mr. Moore. "I do hope that after further instructions, the board will be able to resolve these differences of opinion and get everyone into a consensus again. The strength and benefit of hospitals across Mississippi is being in one united voice."

None of the hospitals specifically cited the donation as a reason for exiting in their letters to the association.



The MHA represents the interests of hospitals in the state legislature. Its website states that it comprises more than 100 hospitals, health systems, networks, care providers and a pool of more than 50,000 employees.
CommonSpirit completed its acquisition of Steward Health Care's sites of care in Utah, which will be managed by Centennial, Colo.-based Centura Health.

Chicago-based CommonSpirit's acquisition includes five hospitals, according to a May 1 Centura news release. CommonSpirit also acquired more than 35 medical group clinics and a clinically integrated network of providers from Dallas-based Steward. The assets are wholly owned by CommonSpirit but are being managed by Centura.

In a tribute to their Catholic heritage, the hospitals and clinics have been renamed in honor of The Sisters of the Holy Cross, according to the release.

The hospitals' names will be as follows:

Holy Cross Hospital-Davis (formerly known as Davis Hospital and Medical Center) in Layton

Holy Cross Hospital-Jordan Valley (formerly known as Jordan Valley Medical Center) in West Jordan

Holy Cross Hospital-Jordan Valley West (formerly known as Jordan Valley Medical Center-West Valley Campus) in West Valley City

Holy Cross Hospital-Mountain Point (formerly known as Mountain Point Medical Center) in Lehi

Holy Cross Hospital-Salt Lake (formerly known as Salt Lake Regional Medical Center) in Salt Lake City

The Medical Group will be called Holy Cross Medical Group.

All current Utah employees who were in good standing were offered roles at the newly renamed Holy Cross operations at the close of the transaction, according to the release.

The systems first announced the deal Feb. 15. Steward's previous attempt to sell the Utah hospitals to Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare was abandoned in June, 13 days after the Federal Trade Commission challenged the transaction.
Members of the Committee of Interns and Residents are set to begin a three-day strike this month at Jamaica and Flushing hospitals in New York City if they are unable to reach a contract agreement with leadership.

The union represents about 300 physicians, according to an April 26 union news release. The hospitals are part of MediSys Health Network.

Union members voted to authorize a strike in April. The Committee of Interns and Residents and hospitals began negotiating a new contract months ago, according to the union release. A union spokesperson told Becker's that workers have submitted a notice to hold a three-day strike if an agreement is not reached.

"They are still currently in negotiations and are hoping to avoid a strike. However, if they are unable to reach an agreement, the resident doctors will be going on strike starting May 15," the spokesperson said.

"At MediSys, residents are demanding adequate resources they need to limit patient loads and enforceable processes to limit 'out-of-title' work. Residents are also demanding 18 percent salary increases over the life of the contract."

Becker's has reached out to the hospitals and will update this story if a comment is received.

If a strike occurs, it would come on the heels of a three-day strike by thousands of New York State Nurses Association members at the New York City hospitals. The strike began Jan. 9 and ended Jan. 12.










Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC / Visit Maldives) is featuring over 200 partners representing 90 travel and tourism establishments to promote the Maldives at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023.



The event is running from May 1 to 4 at the Dubai World Trade Center.



The Maldives tourist establishments at ATM include resorts, guest houses, liveaboards, local destination marketing agencies, and more.



ATM 2023 is a major event for the Middle East market, and this is our first year at ATM since winning the title of the Worlds Leading Destination for three consecutive years. We are delighted to travel to ATM this year with our largest delegation for this event thus far, and have the chance to inform the travel trade and travellers from this market about that special something visitors can only find in the Sunny Side of Life, said Thoyyib Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO & MD) of MMPRC.



The Maldives will be featured at ATM at a specially curated 429-sq-m double-decker stand. During the event, MMPRC will hold meetings with key travel trade representatives, give destination presentations, and facilitate networking sessions with key executives, brands, and companies.



We are representing the destination at these events as part of our marketing strategy for the Middle East market to maintain the destination presence as one of the safest and most luxurious destinations to travel to due to the unique geographical formation of the islands and provide a platform to the stakeholders to promote individual products and properties, he added.



Visit Maldives aims to maintain our destination presence and promote the Maldives as the Worlds Leading Destination in the Middle East market alongside industry partners throughout the event.



A separate Maldives Media Press Event will also be held on the sidelines of ATM, attended by over 40 prominent media professionals from the Middle East. The speakers for the event are Thoyyib Mohamed, CEO & MD of Visit Maldives; Aminath Shabeena, Ambassador of the Republic of the Maldives to UAE; and Mr Greg Holder, Base Leader of Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) from Six Senses Laamu Resort.



Participation in ATM 2023 provides the Maldives with the opportunity to relay the latest destination information and travel guidelines to the Middle East market, while also providing the opportunity to market the destination as a safe haven, serving varying tourism segments such as luxury, honeymoon, romantic, family, adventure as well as MICE clientele.



Through the event, MMPRC will also promote its tourism products (resorts, guesthouses, hotels, liveaboards) and the unique experiences awaiting tourists from the Middle East.  TradeArabia News Service
CMS is investigating two hospitals for allegedly not providing stabilizing care to a pregnant patient experiencing a medical emergency  a violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, the agency announced May 1.

The investigations center around a patient who was nearly 18 weeks pregnant when she experienced a preterm premature rupture of membranes and was advised that her pregnancy was no longer viable, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a letter sent to hospitals across the U.S.

"Although her doctors advised her that her condition could rapidly deteriorate, they also advised that they could not provide her with the care that would prevent infection, hemorrhage, and potentially death because, they said, the hospital policies prohibited treatment that could be considered an abortion. This was a violation of the EMTALA protections that were designed to protect patients like her," Mr. Becerra wrote of the 36-year-old federal law requiring Medicare hospitals to provide all patients appropriate emergency medical care.

The patient survived, "but she never should have gone through the terrifying ordeal she experienced in the first place," the letter said. HHS did not name the hospitals under investigation, but the National Women's Law Center, which filed a complaint on behalf of the patient, identified them as Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Mo., and the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City.

"The care provided to the patient was reviewed by the hospital and found to be in accordance with hospital policy," the University of Kansas Health System said in a statement to CNN. "It met the standard of care based upon the facts known at the time, and complied with all applicable law. There is a process with CMS for this complaint and we respect that process. The University of Kansas Health System follows federal and Kansas law in providing appropriate, stabilizing, and quality care to all of its patients, including obstetric patients."

Freeman Hospital did not immediately respond to CNN or AP's request for comment. Providers across the nation were left to navigate a patchwork of new state restrictions on abortion after the Supreme Court's overturn of Roe v. Wade, causing confusion and uncertainty.

In the May 1 letter to hospitals, Mr. Becerra reiterated federal law takes precedence over state laws in emergency medical situations.

"While many state laws have recently changed, it's important to know that the federal EMTALA requirements have not changed, and continue to require that healthcare professionals offer treatment, including abortion care, that the provider reasonably determines is necessary to stabilize the patient's emergency medical condition," he said.

This marks the first time HHS has enforced EMTALA for denied emergency abortion care since the Supreme Court's June 24 ruling. An HHS spokesperson told CNN both hospitals are working toward compliance with the federal law. Read about EMTALA violation penalties here.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against a Trinity Health hospital in Michigan for allegedly violating federal religious laws by rescinding an employment offer because the person refused to get a flu shot.

The EEOC is pursuing the case on behalf of Christopher Simmons, and the argument stems after Mr. Simmons sought religious accommodation from Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Mercy Health St. Mary's annual influenza vaccine policy, according to court documents filed April 28.

Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health and Mercy Health St. Mary's are listed as defendants.

Trinity Health told Becker's, "We have not yet been served and are not able to comment at this time."

"Under Mercy Health's influenza policy, employees are required to get a flu shot on an annual basis unless granted an exemption," the EEOC said in a May 1 news release. "While the applicant's conditional job offer was pending, he applied for an exemption to the flu shot requirement based on his religious beliefs. Mercy Health arbitrarily denied his request and rescinded the job offer, without specifying to the applicant why or how his request for an exemption was deficient."

Mr. Simmons applied for a business office coordinator position in 2019, according to the suit.

Court documents say the commission attempted conciliation "to eliminate the unlawful employment practices and provide appropriate relief" in 2021, and when those were not met, the EEOC filed suit in late April.

The suit asks for the defendants to compensate Mr. Simmons for lost income and "eradicate the effects of its past and present unlawful employment practices."
Pitch winner Emma Stephenson at The Belfast Telegraph business awards at the Crown Plaza in Belfast   Kevin Scott

A 22-year-old engineer and her colleagues have secured a 4,000 investment from Ulster Bank after triumphing in a live pitching competition at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.

Emma Stevenson, Lauren Fegan, Kathryn Morrison, Caitlin Mone and Zara Wilson of Feminatech have developed M-Power, a device to help women track menopause symptoms.

And the project captured the imagination and support of 600 businesspeople attending the awards ceremony, hosted by BBC Northern Ireland journalist Mark Simpson last week at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Belfast.

Feminatech  small business pitch winner of Belfast Telegraph Business Awards 2023

Pre-recorded video presentations were screened, followed by one-minute live pitches by four finalists in the competition. Members of the audience then selected their preference for winner using a phone app.

Supported by Ulster Banks Entrepreneur Accelerator programme, the competition has become a popular feature of the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.
Simon and Barbra Williamson the mother and father of Rachel Williamson who died of an asthma attack at the age of 16.

A Co Down family has urged the public to take asthma seriously after losing their teenager daughter to the chronic lung condition.

Rachel Williamson (16) died after an asthma attack in 2017.

Since then, her family has been campaigning for better care and awareness surrounding asthma.

Speaking on World Asthma Day, Rachels parents, Simon and Barbara Williamson, said they were unaware how serious her condition was and didnt realise the reality of the dangers it posed.

Our daughter Rachel had suffered with asthma from a very early age and like thousands of other parents we were not well-informed about the condition and were quite ignorant about the dangers it posed.

We did not realise for one minute that it would eventually take her life. We were in total shock [by how] suddenly we lost her, they said.

Simon and Barbra Williamson the mother and father of Rachel Williamson who died of an asthma attack at the age of 16.

Over 36,000 children in Northern Ireland suffer with asthma and the family hope they can help prevent further deaths relating to the condition by raising awareness.

Losing a loved one is hard but losing your child is much more painful. We wanted to do something positive in the name of Rachel so we have created a programme for schools highlighting the dangers of asthma.

We believe more needs to be done to raise awareness of the seriousness of asthma, what to do in an asthma attack and how to use an inhaler, they said.

Rachels brother, Scott also has asthma and is now more aware of the conditions severity.

Recently at Scotts asthma review they spent time showing him how to use his inhaler and he had to then show them several times, so they knew he was aware of what to do.

We feel this was really beneficial and now we want other parents to be more aware of good practices as it can save lives.

Joseph Carter, head of leading lung charity, Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland, has praised the Williamson family for their efforts in raising awareness for the lung condition.

Rachel is proof that more needs to be done to protect children living with asthma in Northern Ireland. We commend parents Simon and Barbara for helping to campaign for change and more awareness of the dangers, he said.

Rachel Williamson

The charity is also calling on the Department of Health to develop a Lung Health Strategy to ensure everyone gets an early diagnosis and once diagnosed receives the correct support.

They warned that failing to act now could put more lives at risk.

Its appalling that people across NI are struggling to breathe, are being rushed to hospital in an emergency and dying avoidably from lung conditions, Mr Carter said.

We are urgently calling for a Lung Health Strategy to help improve care rates and save lives.

With the right management, hospital admissions and life-threatening asthma attacks, which can be traumatic, and on occasions even fatal, are far less likely to occur.

Five steps to follow if a child is having an asthma attack:

1. Get your child to sit up, rather than lying them down, and keep them calm.

2. Help them to take one puff of their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with their spacer every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10 puffs.

3. If you dont have their reliever, its not helping, or you are worried at any time, call 999 for an ambulance.

4. If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes, or the childs symptoms arent improving, repeat step two.

5. If theres no improvement, call 999 again immediately.

For more information on caring for a child with asthma visit asthmaandlung.org.uk.
A private investigator is to contest a charge of harassment on the basis his activities were in the course of his occupation to gather information for a client who is now refusing to cooperate with the case.
Two Co Antrim men have been handed sentences totalling 31 years for an unmerciful and savage murder of a man.

Samuel Atcheson (36), of Crebilly Road, Ballymena, was told by Madam Justice McBride that he will serve a minimum of 16 years in prison before he would be eligible to apply to the Parole Commissioners for release.

Steven Arthur Hunter (32), of Lantara, Ballymena, will serve a minimum of 15 years in custody.

Both men previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Donald Harold Fraser-Rennie.

Mr Fraser-Rennie was found dead in a pool of blood at Atchesons first-floor Crebilly Road flat after police were alerted.

It was the prosecutions case that the father of three died as a result of an unmerciful, prolonged and sustained attack on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 29, 2020.

Last month, Belfast Crown Court was played a 58-second video capturing part of the attack, during which Hunter threatened to stab Mr Fraser-Rennie in the trunk.

Senior prosecution counsel Ciaran Murphy KC said the 33-year-old victim, who was originally from England, died as a result of a beating and had been subjected to gratuitous violence.

Mr Murphy also said, following the murder, Atcheson sent a Facebook message to a relative saying: There is a dead man in my flat.

A 999 call was received in the early hours of the following morning, October 30, from Atcheson, who told a call handler: We need your assistance at 5D Crebilly Road as soon as possible. A male has been beat up. Believed to be dead. It is quite a gory scene. We have literally just arrived on the scene. At the moment all we have is Donald.

Police found the deceased lying on his back, with no pulse, was cold and his face was indented.

When police asked Atcheson what happened, he replied: It was Steven Hunter. He is away to his girlfriends flat. Hunter put a screw driver into Donalds face.

The officer noted there was dried blood on the toes of Atchesons white trainers.

Paramedics arrived and confirmed the death at 1.09am.

CCTV had captured the three men earlier in the day entering a Tesco store. Mr Fraser-Rennie was dressed in an orange jacket and carrying a crate of cider.

Mr Murphy said the clothes Atcheson was wearing at the murder scene were different from those he was wearing at the Tesco store, apart from his trainers.

Photographs from the scene show the deceased lying with a pool of blood around his head, and extensive blood distribution and staining in the living room, bedroom and bathroom, said Mr Murphy.

An autopsy recorded that death was due to blunt force trauma of the head and chest, with compressions to the neck and acute alcohol intoxication. There were multiple blows to the head consistent with him being the victim of a sustained physical assault with punches, kicks, stamps and blows with a weapon. He had nine fractured ribs and there was bleeding on the brain.

The judge said the defendants had subjected Mr Fraser-Rennie to a savage, vicious and merciless prolonged beating involving multiple punches, kicks and blows. The callous and vicious nature of the attack is graphically portrayed in the disgusting 58-second video made by Hunter.

Phone records between Atcheson and his then girlfriend revealed there was some hostility between him and the deceased over claims Mr Fraser-Rennie had stolen money and prescription drugs from his flat.

She later told police that on October 29, 2020, Atcheson contacted her by video call and the camera was turned towards the deceased, who was lying on the floor lifeless, with blood coming from his mouth.

She stated that Hunter and Atcheson were laughing and she saw Hunter score a screwdriver down the right side of the deceaseds face. Both then licked blood off the side of the deceaseds face. Atcheson then kicked the deceased in the head and face at least 10 times. There was blood everywhere in the flat.

Both defendants were arrested and when Hunter was put in handcuffs officers noted blood staining around his fingernails.

Hunter told police that he punched the deceased twice in the face, kicked him once while on the ground, straddled him, grabbed his cheeks with both hands and squeezed his fingers into them.

Hunter claimed that when he left the flat, the victim was still alive and Atcheson was fighting with him.

Madam Justice McBride said: This was clearly a lie, as the CCTV footage shows Atcheson and Hunter at the local petrol station at 4.11pm that afternoon.

Atcheson blamed Hunter for all the injuries the victim sustained.

The judge said it was clear from the police investigation that there was evidence to clean up the scene and dispose of evidence. Fire embers showed they tried to destroy evidence.

During the tariff hearing, Madam Justice McBride said she had carefully read a victim impact statement from Mr Fraser-Rennies partner, Mary Cotton, about the devastating impact his death has had on her and her children.

She has lost a partner and now has to struggle as a single parent. Their two children have lost a much-loved father and have to face the future without his presence, support and guidance.

No term of imprisonment can equate to or restore human life, nor can it alleviate the profound grief, pain and loss to the deceaseds family, which they now have to live with on a daily basis.

Ms Cotton attended court for the tariff hearing and was visibly upset after the sentences were passed.

As she left court clutching a pillow with Mr Fraser-Rennies face on it, she was heard saying: Thats not nearly long enough for what they did to him.
Three Dublin men accused of the gang rape of a woman in a Belfast hotel room were today formally acquitted of all charges after the prosecution offered no evidence against them.

Sitting side by side in the dock of Craigavon Crown Court, Conor Lawlor (20), from Bannow Road, Cabra, Jake OSullivan (18), from Barnamore Grove, Finglas, and Cameron Kynes (18), from St Jarlath Road, Cabra, all confirmed they were ready for their trial and, accordingly, 12 jurors were sworn.

But prosecuting KC Philip Mateer told them, however, that he had taken instructions not to offer any evidence in relation to any of the charges against them.

Judge Patrick Lynch KC explained to the jury that, having been brought to court to face charges, the defendants were legally entitled to have formal not-guilty verdicts recorded against their names.

He also explained to the jury that their oath was to come to verdicts according to the evidence, but, as no evidence had been offered, they had to enter verdicts of not guilty by direction.

With their names cleared, Judge Lynch told the defendants they were free to leave the dock.

At a hearing last week, Mr Mateer explained the Public Prosecution Service directors office had instructed not to proceed with the case, but it was only today that the three men were formally acquitted by the jury on the judges direction.

Lawlor and Kynes had been charged with rape, sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration arising from an incident at the Balmoral Hotel on April 2 last year, while OSullivan was charged with oral rape and the sexual assault offences.

Previous court sittings heard how the trio were arrested shortly after the night porter at the Balmoral Hotel made a 999 call just after 3am on April 2 when the complainant alleged she had been raped.
A judge has praised the bravery of a child who found the strength to report her stepfather for a campaign of sexual abuse which began when she was just five years old.

The terrified child was blindfolded, with her hands tied behind her back, and was warned she would go to prison if she told anyone, Dungannon Crown Court was told.

The defendant, who is aged in his 30s but cant be named to protect the identity of the child, was jailed for 12 years for a litany of horrific crimes.

He had denied 13 counts of rape and eight counts of sexual assault over numerous instances between 2015 and 2020.

But a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on all matters after deliberating for less than an hour.

The sentencing hearing was told that when the child was in school, aged around 10, her teacher asked how the class was feeling, to which she replied: Sad.

She eventually disclosed the campaign of sexual abuse by her stepfather which she had tried to stop but failed.

The school informed police immediately.

Judge Richard Greene KC remarked: Sexual abuse, at any stage in life for a victim, is extremely difficult to process. It causes physical and emotional damage and takes great courage to come forward and report.

The impact is much greater when the abuse is suffered by a very young victim and further compounded when it is within a family unit.

Judge Greene said the jury heard and dismissed the defendants lies, providing a swift verdict and the vindication [the child] deserves.

Addressing the defendant directly, Judge Greene said the accused had sexually attacked the child between between the ages of five and seven in the family kitchen, during which she was blindfolded and her hands tied behind her back.

When [the victim was] aged nine or ten, you touched her sexually despite her telling you not to. This escalated to penetration and, when she tried to kick out, you trapped her legs. You kissed her despite her screaming for you to stop.

When she confronted you about this, you told her not to tell anyone or she would go to jail, causing her fear The psychologist is of the opinion your behaviour has had a catastrophic impact on [the childs] development and wellbeing.

He noted the defendant has been assessed as at medium likelihood of reoffending due to his deviant sexual interests and lack of victim awareness.

Turning to sentencing, Judge Greene said: This was a prolonged and very serious campaign of sexual violence upon a young child who should have had the living affection of a stepfather and not [be] the object of your deviant desires.

Judge Greene handed down a total of 12 years imprisonment and ordered the defendant to remain on the sex offenders register for life.

A Sexual Offences Prevention Order was also imposed for 10 years.

Judge Greene spoke to the victim, who listened to the proceedings by video-link, stating: Nothing I can say will bring back the childhood you have lost by the behaviour of your stepfather.

I commend you for your bravery in coming forward; it was difficult to do. But the ease at which the jury concluded its deliberations is a testament to your bravery and the honesty with which you gave your evidence.
Local campaign group No Gas Caverns and Friends Of The Earth NI are taking their battle against a hugely damaging fossil fuel development at Larne Lough to the High Court in Belfast (Picture by Declan Roughan / Press Eye)

A major new undersea gas storage project will keep Northern Ireland locked in to using fossil fuels for decades beyond a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the High Court heard today.

In the first case of its kind to focus on the implications of climate change, a judge was told former DUP minister Edwin Poots unlawfully approved the facility at Larne Lough without obtaining consent from Stormont Executive colleagues.

Local campaign group No Gas Caverns and Friends Of The Earth Northern Ireland are seeking to have his decision to grant a marine licence to build underground units quashed.

In 2021, Mr Poots, then Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, gave consent for the development by Islandmagee Energy Ltd.

The plans involve carving seven underground caverns by a method known as solution mining.

It is estimated that the facilities, close to where scenes for TV series Game of Thrones were filmed, could provide more than 25% of the UKs natural gas storage capacity.

Opponents claim the excavation process will lead to hypersaline salt and chemical solution being discharged into the sea in a protected marine area near Islandmagee, creating a dead zone threatening marine life.

Eleven protected priority species, including harbour porpoise and skate, are found within 100 metres of the discharge point.

With the seabed storage units expected to be fully operating by 2032, counsel for No Gas Caverns and Friends Of The Earth told the court they will have a 40-year lifespan.

Conor Fegan argued that the project would have long-term consequences for an emissions target in legislation introduced at Stormont last year.

It locks [Northern Ireland] in to natural gas usage until the 2070s, much later than the 2050 net-zero requirement in the Climate Change Act 2022 in this jurisdiction, he said.

During submissions it was claimed that Mr Poots failed to properly consider the environmental implications and substantial energy use of the project.

Mr Fegan also repeatedly contended that the development proposal was so significant, strategic, cross-cutting and controversial that the former minister was legally required to refer it to the Executive Committee before granting permission.

Issues concerning marine biology were raised from day one by a number of environmental NGOs and experts in the area, he insisted.

Concerns raised by the RSPB and other wildlife groups were backed by opposition from Sinn Fein, the Alliance Party, Green Party and at least two Ulster Unionist MLAs, the court heard.

Mr Fegan said: This is undoubtedly politically controversial when you have parties coming out in objection to an application.

It was put to counsel by Mr Justice Humphreys that Mr Poots had no doubts about his right to take the decision without tabling the issue at a meeting of the Stormont cabinet.

But the barrister maintained: We say that view is simply incorrect. It should have been referred to the Executive but there was silence from other ministers. We dont have any views from Executive colleagues saying: Im content for you to make that decision.

The hearing continues.
The PSNI has said it is too expensive to extract sexual assault data (Stock image: Getty).   Getty Images/iStockphoto

The PSNI has come under fire after it said it was too expensive to count the number of rapes and sexual assaults happening in Northern Ireland hospitals.

It was one of only a handful of police forces across the UK which failed to respond to a Freedom of Information request on the matter, stating it would exceed the appropriate cost limit set out under legislation.

The Womens Rights Network (WRN), which submitted the FOI, has branded the PSNIs data systems not fit for purpose as it revealed more than 6,500 rapes and sexual assaults have been committed in hospitals in England and Wales in just under four years.

Victims include children under the age of 13 and involve multiple attackers.

WRN said the fact eight police forces, including the PSNI, refused to provide any statistics means the figures are probably the tip of an iceberg of indifference around the safety of NHS patients and staff.

WRN spokeswoman Heather Binning said: Given the horrific numbers we have uncovered in the rest of the UK, it is likely that dozens, possibly hundreds, of women, children and men have been sexually assaulted or raped in hospitals across Northern Ireland.

It is scandalous the PSNI cannot tell us how many rapes and sexual assaults in hospitals have been reported to them.

If important data like this is not being collected, or cannot be readily retrieved, the services systems are not fit for purpose.

As the WRN said it is planning to appeal the PSNIs FOI refusal notice, it called on authorities to do more to protect women from sexual violence in hospitals.

Among the measures it wants to see put in place is single sex exemptions in hospital wards and a review of existing safety measures and better recording systems of sex attacks in hospitals, including location and sex of the victim and perpetrator.

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said it is simply inconceivable the PSNI is unable to provide the statistics.

She added: In light of recent scandals involving care of patients across the health service, such figures are obviously essential to tackling such serious issues around patient care and demonstrating a commitment to responding to them adequately.

The failure to respond to the FOI request by the WRN comes less than three years after the PSNI provided data on sexual assaults in Northern Ireland hospitals in response to another FOI request.

Figures supplied to the Belfast Telegraph in 2020 revealed police had investigated more than 100 reported sex crimes at Northern Ireland hospitals over three years.

A PSNI spokeswoman said the force is committed to tackling violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls, demonstrated by the launch of a specific action plan in September, which puts a priority focus on building public trust and confidence in policing.

She added: We will continue to use every power available to us to safeguard victims and support partners in developing further strategies that will then help us as a society move closer to ending violence against women and girls.
A nine-year-old girl who died the day after undergoing an appendix operation in 2001 should have been seen by a more senior consultant the morning after her procedure, an inquest has heard.

Raychel Ferguson (9), from Coshquin, Co Londonderry, died at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in 2001 the day after surgery at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

She was one of five children whose hospital treatment was examined in a long-running investigation known as the Hyponatraemia Inquiry.

Her death resulted from hyponatraemia, brought on by fluid therapy which had not properly replaced her sodium levels.

At the direction of Northern Irelands Attorney General, a fresh inquest into Raychels death was ordered, which, after some delays last year due to new evidence, got underway today.

Dr Simon Haynes told the inquest he was disappointed Raychel was not seen by a responsible consultant the morning after her surgery.

If you are working in a district general hospital that carries out occasional paediatric surgery, the consultant needs to be aware of what is going on, he said.

The kindest adjective I can use is that I was disappointed Raychel wasnt at least seen by a consultant on the morning after her surgery.

I can see how that can be much more acceptable in a large paediatric hospital, where all the patients are children, but I think, in a district general hospital in 2001, there should have been a little more direct consultant involvement.

Raychel had been given Solution 18, which contains a lower concentration of sodium chloride, rather than Hartmanns solution, which contains levels closer to that of the bloodstream.

The inquiry, carried out by Mr Justice OHara, which reported in 2018, found two doctors appeared to pass each other without conferring regarding fluid management.

Mr Haynes said greater communication between staff could have avoided the inappropriate fluid being given.

The inquest heard that Raychel had vomited a number of times that day and had displayed lethargy and drowsiness.

Asked by Michael Chambers, counsel for the Coroner, at what stage it would be possible to do tests to ascertain Raychels electrolyte levels and take action to save her, Dr Haynes said it could have been done right up to the point where she had taken a fit.

Thats the whole evening and early the following morning. The further and further down the line that she got, the more urgent the action needed to resolve it, he said.

The earlier the test had been taken, the more straightforward it would have been to correct the situation.

One of the doctors criticised by Mr Justice OHara was surgeon Ragai Makar, a former senior house officer (SHO) at Altnagelvin Area Hospital, who carried out the appendectomy operation on Raychel in June 2001.

Mr Makar agreed to adopt evidence given to previous hearings and confirmed that it had been his responsibility to develop the plan for the administration of fluids to Raychel prior to her operation at Altnagelvin.

Mr Makar said he did not believe it was strange or unusual to administer Solution 18 and that it had been protocol in the paediatric ward at Altnagelvin at the time.

Mr Makar said he had seen Raychel on the ward the morning following her operation, but did not examine her or check her notes because he had been told by a nurse that she had already been examined by a registrar.

Mr Chambers asked: If you didnt plan to examine Raychel physically and you didnt look at Raychels notes, what was the point of you going to see her the next day at all?

Mr Makar replied: When I operate on any patient, I see them in the morning or after the operation. I went to see the outcome of my operation, to be sure that everything is good and everything is well.

Then in the morning, when Im about to do all of that, I am told that she [had been] seen. That stopped me. For me to do what my colleagues have done before me is undermining them; it is not ethically acceptable.

A barrister for the Ferguson family referred Mr Makar to the comments of Hyponatraemia Inquiry chairman Mr Justice OHara, who had criticised the fact that there had been no formalised handover between himself and the doctor who carried out the ward round the morning after Raychels operation.

The barrister said: The chairman of the inquiry says your conduct was unacceptable.

Whether you agree or disagree with me is neither here nor there. There is a judicial finding in an inquiry that your conduct was unacceptable. I am inviting your reaction to that.

Mr Makar said he was not obliged to examine the patient when she had already been checked by another doctor.

The inquest, which is expected to last for two weeks, continues.
King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle looks on. (Pic: PA)   PA

The DUP leader was present at the reception in London where the King and Queen Consort are meeting politicians, peers and staff ahead of the coronation.

Over the next few days, King Charles will meet members from both Houses of Parliament including the Speakers, senior leaders and those with shared interests, such as the environment, education and the arts.

King Charles also met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer at the reception.

King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle looks on. (Pic: PA)   PA

Meanwhile, it emerged last week that Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill and Alex Maskey are both to attend the coronation on May 6.

The DUP welcomed the move, but urged Sinn Fein to go a step further by agreeing to Union flags being flown on all publicly-funded buildings on coronation day.

Confirming she would be attending the coronation, Ms ONeill said: We are living in a time of great change. A time to respect our differing and equally legitimate aspirations, a time to firmly focus on the future and the opportunities that the next decade will bring.

I am an Irish Republican. I also recognise there are many people on our island for whom the coronation is a hugely important occasion.

She added: I am committed to being a First Minister for all, representing the whole community, building good relations between the people of these islands, and advancing peace and reconciliation through respectful and mature engagement.

Therefore, as First Minister Designate, I will join President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, international figures, church leaders, other party leaders and the Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey for the coronation in London.
Al celebrating the end of his challenge which will benefit Darkness into Light

A Northern Ireland-based surfer has told how he battled tired legs and difficult conditions to tackle more than 150 waves in the dark in aid of charity.

Al Mennie (42) undertook the Surf 154  Surf Through Darkness challenge on Sunday evening  heading into the water at Downhill beach out to Benone in an effort to raise funds for the anti-suicide Darkness into Light charity.

Al Mennie

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he said his desire stemmed from wanting to do more for the group rather than just lending a voice in support.

I was doing things like radio interviews for the group and I felt like I wasnt giving enough.

I remember a presenter asking me what are you doing for the cause? and I said something silly like lending my voice and as soon as I put the phone down, I immediately thought, this isnt me. I wanted to get stuck in, and to do more, said Al, who has been surfing since he was a child and has won numerous world titles in the sport.

Al celebrating the end of his challenge which will benefit Darkness into Light

The number of waves targeted by Al was 154  he actually did 158 to make sure  which serves a poignant purpose.

According to data from the European Commission, 56,000 people took their own life in 2018 across Europe  154 a day.

Its 2018 figures because of Covid, but I just thought that number was absolutely shocking. I wanted to draw attention to it, which is why its called Surf 154, to ensure its in peoples minds. Its a huge number for this to be happening every single day, he continued.

Al during his Surf 154 challenge

The challenge began at 9.01pm on Sunday, with Als efforts so far raising over 2,000 which will be shared amongst 14 local mental health charities. Despite the gruelling nature of the challenge, Al completed his surf in one hour 59 minutes  far shorter than what he expected or prepared for, and completely done with helmet and impact vest should he have found himself in trouble in the dark.

My whole game plan was to get as many waves under my belt as possible, he added.

I was very cautious as it got darker, and ensured I was picking waves that I could handle. Your legs are tired, and the water is really heavy, but once I broke the back of it and got to a hundred I knew I was going to do it.

To donate visit Darkness Into Light
Inquest to lift a veil on little known role of loyalisms killer women

Probe into McKearney and Fox family murders in 1992 set to hear details of the part played by female UVF terrorists

The funeral of Teresa and Charlie Fox

Allison Morris Tue 2 May 2023 at 07:00
John Finucane, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill, Sinn Fein Party leader Mary Lou McDonald and Conor Murphy launched the partys local election campaign last week (Liam McBurney/PA)   Liam McBurney

Sinn Fein is on course to become the largest party in local government in Northern Ireland, a new poll has suggested.

The republican party will win 29.8% of first preference votes in this months council elections, a University of Liverpool-Institute of Irish Studies opinion poll for the Irish News suggests.

This puts it almost seven points clear of the DUP on 23%, with Alliance on 14.5%, the Ulster Unionist Party on 12.8%, the SDLP on 8.3% and the TUV on 5%.

Voters in Northern Ireland will head to the polls on May 18 in the local government elections, the first electoral test since last years Stormont Assembly elections.

In that election, Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party in the Assembly for the first time.

The opinion poll suggests a repeat of that result in councils, with Sinn Fein increasing its support by 6.6% from the previous local government elections.

An opinion poll has suggested that support for Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons DUP has dipped slightly since the last local government election in 2019 (PA)   Brian Lawless

Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons DUP, which is blocking the operation of the powersharing institutions as part of a protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements, has dipped slightly by 1.1% from the 2019 local government elections.

The council elections will use the single transferable vote (STV) system.

Almost half of Sinn Fein voters will transfer their second preference votes to the nationalist SDLP, the poll suggests.

However, it also indicates that the cross-community Alliance Party will pick up around two-thirds of SDLP transfers, with a quarter going to Sinn Fein.

The survey suggested that more than half of DUP voters will give their second preference to the UUP, while 21% will give a second preference to the TUV.

The poll was carried out by SMR on behalf of The Irish News-University of Liverpool-Institute of Irish Studies. It surveyed the opinions of 1,013 Northern Ireland adults over the age of 18 between April 11-21. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.

It follows a LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph earlier in the week that suggested the gap between the two largest parties was narrower. That poll put Sinn Fein on 29% and the DUP on 25%.
The DUP has said the results of the latest LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph show it is has been vindicated in its opposition to the Windsor Framework.

The survey revealed the gap between the two largest parties has almost halved since last years Assembly election.

Support for Sinn Fein has dropped two points to 29% since the poll in January, with the DUP staying level on 25%.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson tweeted that his objectives and stance before and after the local council election are the same as the party seeks a strengthened mandate to finish the job.

He said in a later statement that the last election must act as a wake-up call for unionists.

Divided votes handed seats to the opponents of the Union, he said.

Some said the DUP would weaken after that election. It was a lie then and we are pledged to continue to stand firm after this election until we have properly secured and protected our place within the United Kingdom.

The DUP is the only unionist party large enough to challenge Sinn Fein. There are people in London, Dublin, Washington and Brussels with their eyes focused on the DUPs performance in this council election.

A victory will strengthen our hand to finish the job, but any other outcome will be used by the Government as an excuse to dither and delay.

We want to see the restoration of the Assembly and Executive on the basis that democratic decision-making is in the hands of locally elected representatives rather than having no say over laws governing our economy and our people.

The poll comes as the DUP continues to refuse to participate in devolved government at Stormont, pressing the UK Government to address concerns around the Framework.

However, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane insisted the negotiation is over and the deal is done and said it is time to move forward.

People want to see all political parties back in the Assembly and Executive, and working together to fix the problems in our health service and deal with the cost-of-living crisis now, he said.

Unprecedented economic opportunities are available that can strengthen our economy and create more and better jobs.

Mr Finucane called on all political parties to work together to ensure the potential is maximised without any further delay.

However, the latest poll shows unionist feeling on the protocol is hardening again, with almost two-thirds now saying the DUP shouldnt return to government until it is scrapped.

It shows 62% of unionists believe Donaldsons party must maintain its boycott of the institutions until the protocol is removed completely, even if that means Stormonts permanent closure.

The gap between Alliance and the Ulster Unionists has also narrowed since January, with Naomi Longs party down two points to 13% and UUP up one point to 11%.

Doug Beattie has noted the ebb and flow of party fortunes, which has resulted in his party being the only to gain support.

Just over four in 10 people here support the monarchy, with an overwhelming majority of nationalist and other voters opposing the institution or feeling no connection to it.

The questions about the monarchy gave an unsurprising outcome given a more engaged youth, as did the question about returning to Stormont, said Mr Beattie.

But the reality remains that these polls are snapshots in time and do not influence UUP strategic thinking.

The Upper Bann MLA said devolved government is needed to grasp the opportunities of the Windsor Framework and challenge the issues surrounding it.

In the end, a few ticks on an online poll, as useful as it is, will not secure peoples livelihoods, it will not help those in need and it will not make Northern Ireland work, he added.

Meanwhile, Alliance said the only poll that matters is election day.

That is what the party and its candidates are working towards and where our focus is, a spokesperson said.

Nothing can be taken for granted and every vote must be earned. We will continue to do that, based on our record of delivery at local government level and giving the chance to voters to send a message to those engaging in ransom politics.

Local council election: Polls, politics and state of the parties

The poll also revealed the SDLP and the TUV remain in joint fifth place on 7%.

TUV leader Jim Allister described the results as good news for all who value the Union and bad news for its pan-nationalist cheerleaders.

Despite all the lies, spin and deception to try to sell the Windsor whitewash, unionists see right through it, he said.

Now is the time to stand firm and to show strength, not weakness.

Mr Allister said he is proud of exposing the sham of the Windsor Framework and in doggedly insisting that the Union-dismantling protocol can never be acceptable.

I look forward to grassroots voters keeping Unionism strong, he added.

The SDLP has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston has said she wont be erecting any more election campaign posters following the latest incidents of vandalism to her photographs in the local area.

The former Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) councillor is hoping to regain her Belfast City Council seat, this time with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

The north Belfast mother shared a picture to Twitter on Tuesday, which shows a photograph of an election poster ripped up.

I'm done with this sh*t, she wrote.

"I live in the area and my kids are asking why people want to cut mummy's face. I won't be replacing them or putting any more up.

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UUP leader Doug Beattie showed solidarity with his partys candidate, commenting: Dont let them grind you down JA. Keep going.

She further noted that out of her 85 posters, 47 are now gone or vandalised.

Ms Corr-Johnston believes the latest incident is not a coincidence but a coordinated campaign by people who are anti-democratic.

"They're welcome to remove every one of them but they'll not take my name off the ballot, she added.

Before last years Assembly election, Ms Corr-Johnson managed to turn the tables when a poster of hers was defaced with blue paint.

In response, she posted a picture of her face on social media covered in blue paint with the caption: "Today's look is inspired by anonymous."

Former UUP leader Robin Swann and other supporters saw the funny side and Ms Corr-Johnston's Twitter feed was soon covered in pictures of Smurfs, along with the hashtag 'MamaSmurfForNorthBelfast'.

UUP's Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston reacts to her poster being defaced with blue paint

In the run-up to next weeks council election, SDLP candidate Oisin Edwards has been one of the latest to face intimidation while putting up his posters in Waringstown.

After being shouted at while putting [a poster up], it along with three others have been stolen," he said.

Alliance candidate John Hyland said both he and his colleague Chelsea Harwood had their posters either removed or defaced in Ballymena and Broughshane last week, respectively.

DUP MLA Brian Kingston reported that one of the party's Belfast candidates, Ian McLaughlin, was attacked with glass bottles by youths while putting up poster in the Twaddell Avenue area of the city, and independent candidate for Mid Tyrone Emmet McAleer had some of his posters targeted in the village of Rouskey in Co Tyrone.

Ards Peninsula candidate, the SDLP's Joe Boyle, has also had his posters stolen in the village of Greyabbey in Co Down.
Fiji First Party General Secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum talks to reporters after the first sitting of the newly elected parliament in Fiji's capital city Suva on Dec. 24, 2022.

Updated at 12:42 a.m. ET on 2023-05-02

A senior minister in Fijis former government has been charged with abuse of office, in a new setback for allies of Frank Bainimarama, the strongman leader who dominated the Pacific island countrys politics for nearly two decades.

Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was charged on Monday, police said in a statement that also asserted its investigations are independent and not influenced by any organization or individual outside of the polices Criminal Investigation Department.

The case against Sayed-Khaiyum comes after Bainimarama, prime minister from 2006 to 2022, was charged with abuse of office in March for allegedly stopping a police investigation into complaints of financial mismanagement at the University of the South Pacific.

The Fiji Police Force would like to again call for patience with regards to the conduct of investigations of these high-profile cases, Sakeo Raikaci, an assistant commissioner of police, said in the statement.

The complex nature of the reports determines the course of investigations which have no predetermined timeline, he said. We reiterate that investigators need time to gather evidence and statements, and rushing the investigation process could hinder the prosecution outcome.

Bainimaramas 16 years in power ended in December after his Fiji First Party dropped below 50% of the vote in national elections, allowing opposition parties to form a coalition government led by a former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Both men are former coup leaders  Bainimarama in 2006, when he headed Fijis military, and Rabuka in the late 1980s as a Fijian ethno-nationalist seeking to assert indigenous political power.

Bainimarama remains leader of Fiji First following the election defeat and his subsequent suspension from parliament for criticizing the countrys president.

Videos posted on Facebook by Fiji First showed Sayed-Khaiyum arriving at a courthouse in Suva on Tuesday afternoon where he greeted supporters. A man in the crowd yelled Justice for Fiji, your turn now Khaiyum, an apparent reference to his aggressive legal tactics against political opponents when attorney-general.

State broadcaster FBC reported that Sayed-Khaiyum was released on bail. It said the prosecution alleges that as acting prime minister in mid-2022, he exceeded his authority by authorizing an agreement for the Fijian government to pay the taxes of the supervisor of elections.

Fijis former prime minister Frank Bainimarama (center) is pictured surrounded by media at a polling station in Suva on Dec. 14, 2022. [Stephen Wright/BenarNews]

The charge against Sayed-Khaiyum is separate from Bainimaramas alleged wrongdoing. Police said it follows a report made in February against Sayed-Khaiyum by the acting head of the Fijian Elections Office.

Fijis Crimes Act allows a sentence of up to 17 years in prison for abuse of office if it was done for personal gain.

Fiji, a linchpin nation in a region increasingly contested by major powers, has a strong trade and economic relationship with China while maintaining close security ties with the United States and countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Fijis ties with China particularly blossomed after New Zealand, Australia and other countries sought to punish Bainimarama and his government for the 2006 coup.

Rabukas government has sought to highlight its commitment to its traditional security relationships. While still affirming the One China principle, it has signaled a warmer relationship with Taiwan and also reportedly ended a memorandum of understanding that facilitated cooperation between Fijian and Chinese police.

Sayed-Khaiyum, who resigned from his seat in parliament following the oppositions election victory, remains a key figure in the Fiji First Party.

A purge of Bainimarama appointees from important public positions followed the first change in government in Fiji since Bainimaramas coup, along with investigations into alleged abuses of office and the removal of restrictions on the media imposed by the former Fiji First government.

Sitiveni Qiliho, who was suspended as police commissioner in February, was charged for his alleged role in stopping the polices University of South Pacific investigation in 2019.

Elections Supervisor Mohammed Saneem was removed from his post earlier this year. He was interviewed by police in late March, according to the Fijian Broadcasting Corp.

This story has been updated to add details of Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyums appearance in court.
Papua New Guinea hopes to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States during President Joe Bidens possible stopover in the Pacific island country this month.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko on the weekend said the White House had indicated that Biden would briefly visit the capital Port Moresby on May 22 and meet with leaders of Pacific island countries.

At a press conference on Saturday, Tkatchenko said negotiations for a defense cooperation agreement between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea, underway for several months, were now about 90% complete. He said Biden would be in Port Moresby for three hours, en route to Sydney for a separate summit.

We are negotiating for the benefit of PNG as well as the U.S. Our objective is to have it signed when Biden comes, Tkatchenko said. The most important thing is building up the capacity of the PNG Defense Force when it comes to training, infrastructure and assets.

He added it was important the two nations have an understanding of each other.

The White House has not confirmed a Biden stopover in Port Moresby. It said last week Biden would take part in a Group of Seven leaders summit in Japan from May 19-21 and attend a May 24 summit in Sydney with the leaders of Australia, Japan and India under a grouping known as the Quad. The White House press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Papua New Guinea from May 22-23 for a state visit and alongside an India-Pacific Islands summit involving some 14 Pacific countries.

The Biden and Modi visits underline the heightened great power rivalry in the Pacific, where Washington and Beijing are vying for influence.

From what the Americans are saying to me, its the first ever for an American President to visit a Pacific island country, Tkatchenko said. That is the significance of this visit. It will play an important role in strengthening the bilateral and diplomatic relationships with the U.S. and the Pacific island leaders.

US-China rivalry

Over several decades, China has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure and aid for developing Pacific island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and build its own set of global institutions.

Last year, China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, alarming the United States and its allies such as Australia.

As part of efforts to counter Beijings influence in the Pacific, Biden hosted a meeting of Pacific island leaders in September last year in Washington.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Papua New Guinea for several days in November 2018, when Port Moresby hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. China bankrolled much of the infrastructure for the summit such as new roads and a conference center.

News of Bidens possible visit was first reported by Papua New Guineas Post-Courier newspaper last week, angering Marape, who frequently lashes out at his countrys media.

I continue to be disappointed at the Post-Courier's coverage of national issues, and more importantly, such a planned visit by a world leader like President Biden, he said on Thursday.

I caution the Post-Courier to be very careful when reporting on such sensitive matters.

Marape has been increasingly critical of the media since being reelected last August following a violence-marred national vote that gave the governing coalition control of nearly all the seats in parliament. He has said that journalists were creating a bad perception of his government.

Papua New Guinea last month signed a status of forces agreement with the United Kingdom that sets the rules for under which foreign military personnel operate in a country. It is also aiming to sign a security agreement with Australia by June.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden walk up the West Wing colonnade on their way to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, May 1, 2023.

The U.S.and Philippines presidents praised a rapid warming of bilateral ties, as they met at the White House on Monday on the heels of expanded joint military exercises and Washington criticizing Beijings harassment of Filipino boats in the South China Sea.

The meeting marked the first official visit by a Philippine president to Washington in more than a decade  although President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had met with U.S. leader Joe Biden on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York last September.

President Biden and President Marcos welcome the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine relations, and resolve to continue expanding engagement and cooperation on all issues of common concern, according to a joint statement issued by the White House late Monday that called the two countries the closest of allies.

Marcos immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, cultivated warmer relations with Beijing and did not visit Washington during his time in office.

During remarks alongside Biden before the two presidents sat down to talk, Marcos said it was only natural  for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions.

There exist geopolitical issues that have made the region where the Philippines is possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in  in the world right now, Marcos told reporters.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of Filipinos gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila to protest against a deal between the two governments to give American forces access to more military bases in the Philippines. Two of the bases included in the agreement face Taiwan, which is under increased threats from its much larger neighbor, China.

The identification of four new bases under an expanded defense pact will strengthen Philippine security and support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization goals, the joint statement from the White House said.

Before embarking on his trip to the U.S. capital, Marcos said that the Philippines continuously works for peace and that the country would not be used as a staging post for any military action amid tensions in the region.

The visit with Biden was essential to advancing our national interests and strengthening that very important alliance, Marcos said, adding that he planned to reaffirm the alliance as an instrument of peace.

All we are worried about is the peace and the safety of our people, here and abroad. And thats the main consideration. So in my view, thats the role, he said, according to a statement posted on the website of the Philippine presidential communications office.

The expanded agreement on the Philippine bases has riled Beijing. Biden Administration officials, meanwhile, have refused to say whether the bases would be used in a potential war between the U.S. and China over Taiwan.

Other topics for discussion between Biden and Marcos included food security, agricultural productivity development, digital economy, energy security, climate change and cybersecurity.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, May 1, 2023. [Brendan Smialowski/AFP]

Ahead of the meeting between the two presidents, senior U.S. administration officials discussed the nations long partnership with the Philippines, as they briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

[R]ecent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary step to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between the United States and the Philippines, the senior officials said during the briefing on Sunday.

In terms of specific outcomes for this  for the meetings, were looking forward to announcing a new set of bilateral defense guidelines that will deepen our alliance cooperation and interoperability across operational domains, including land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.

When a reporter asked the officials about the recent announcement on the U.S. being granted access to the four more military bases in the Philippines, they declined to say whether Manila would allow American troops to use them during times of war.

According to a U.S.-based security expert on Southeast Asia, Zachary Abuza, the two nations are not in total agreement over the military bases.

Despite the fanfare about the enhanced EDCA agreement, there are still differences between the two sides. The Philippines is still looking for more definitive tripwires that would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty, while the United States, obviously, wants more wiggle room, said Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

From an American perspective, the defense of Taiwan is extremely difficult without being able to access and forward deploy equipment and munitions in the Philippines, he told BenarNews.

Philippine protesters carry a large banner rejecting U.S. presence on military bases during a May Day rally in Manila, May 1, 2023. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews]

The joint statement from the White House touched on a range of issues of bilateral concern, including saying that leaders underscore the importance of strong democratic institutions, rule of law, and respect for human rights, including freedom of expression, press, and association.

This was noteworthy because President Biden was welcoming to the executive mansion the son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, a staunch ally of the U.S. during the Cold War who was accused of committing massive human rights abuses during 14 years of rule by martial law. In fact, during their remarks to reporters, Biden mentioned that Marcos Jr. had accompanied his father during a visit to the White House, when Ronald Reagan was the U.S. president.

As the younger Marcos visited the White House on Monday, two leading senators from Bidens Democratic Party, Richard Durbin of Illinois and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, called on President Marcos to release a prisoner of conscience and their former Philippine counterpart, Leila de Lima, from jail.

[W]e must not forget the troubling human rights situation he presides over back home in the Philippines, Durbin and Markey said of Marcos in a joint statement.

The two senators also expressed the hope that the Marcos administration can turn the page on the abuses of the previous administration, and that his leadership brings with it a broader shift in U.S.-Philippines relations, in which both sides uphold shared democratic values amid deepening cooperation.

Joint military drills

Marcos visit to the U.S. follows Balikatan, the largest joint training exercise between the partners in the Philippines, which included training on Patriot, Avenger and Stinger systems. The exercise featured a mock attack to sink an enemy ship.

More recently, Washington joined with Manila on Saturday in calling on Beijing to stop harassing Philippine ships after the coast guard reported a near-collision with a Chinese ship near the Manila-occupied Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a U.S. State Department statement.

Hours before Biden welcomed Marcos to the White House, a large crowd of Filipinos gathered near the U.S. Embassy in Manila during a May Day rally to protest the governments decision to allow American troops to have expanded access to military bases on Philippine soil.

Marcos Jr. is set to have a bilateral meeting with Biden on Labor Day to possibly discuss furthering PH-U.S. military pacts in a time of heightening tensions between U.S. and China in the Asia Pacific region, said Mimi Doringo, secretary general of the leftist group Kadamay. Philippine subservience to either imperialist states the U.S. and China will not lead to progress, especially to the poor working class.

The Philippines is one of many nations that mark International Workers Day on May 1.

The leftist political group Anakbayan also slammed the presidents four-day trip to Washington, calling it a win-win for Marcos while the entire nation loses.

This updated defense guideline being worked on will only tighten the geopolitical and economic grasp of the U.S. to the Philippines, said Jeann Miranda, the political groups national chairwoman.

Froilan Gallardo and Richel V. Umel in Manila contributed to this report.
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"Rain, rain, go away  not-so-little Maggy wants to play ...

OK, enough is enough. The sun was just out for a New York minute, but now its gone back into hiding. I summoned up the courage to look at the seven-day forecast and its pretty much more of the same damp, dreary weather.

I made the most of the past rainy weekend. On Friday, I had lunch with five of my former co-workers at The Eagle. Good food, good company, good conversation. Then I ventured to the Goodwill store to browse and, $29 later, drove home and resumed the book Im currently reading, Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl, the former editor-in-chief at the late, and great Gourmet magazine. Its a great read for any foodie out there  it even has recipes.

I had a migraine on Saturday, but as I lie in bed, I could hear the rain hitting the window panes, which was oddly comforting and soothing. Once the worst of the headache was gone, I curled up on the couch and watched movies  Casablanca and The Bridges of Madison County, screaming at Ilsa to stay in "Casablanca" and then at Francesca in Bridges to pull the handle and jump out of the truck. It was Humphrey Bogart and Clint Eastwood, ladies! What were you thinking?!

After a Sunday shift at the market, a close friend asked if I wanted to go to dinner at McDonalds! Did I ever! I havent been there in over six months. The food was so bad, it was good! Double cheeseburger, fries, apple pie and ice cream. The only healthy thing about the whole meal was the seltzer water I ordered. Today, Im back to reality 

I watched a video a few weeks ago from Christopher Kimballs Milk Street on making spaghetti with lemon pesto. I decided to try it because, if anything got me through the COVID lockdown, it was a recipe for linguine with lemon sauce from The New York Times. The recipe for Spaghetti with Lemon Pesto is my kind of recipe  fast, easy and uses only one pot and a food processor. Added bonus  its really good. I used whole wheat spaghetti and splurged on a good Parmesan cheese. The other ingredients were in my pantry.

SPAGHETTI WITH LEMON PESTO

(Courtesy 177milkstreet.com)

INGREDIENTS

4 lemons

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar, divided

1 pound spaghetti

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1 ounce (without rind) Parmesan cheese, cut into rough 1-inch pieces, plus finely grated Parmesan to serve

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

DIRECTIONS

Using a vegetable peeler (preferably a Y-style peeler), remove the zest from the lemons in long, wide strips; try to remove only the colored portion of the lemons  the peel, not the bitter white pith just underneath. You should have about 2/3 cup zest strips.

In a large pot, combine 2 quarts water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar and half of the zest strips. Bring to a boil and to cook for 2 minutes, then remove and discard the zest. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the remaining zest strips, the almonds, Parmesan, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Process until the mixture resembles coarse sand, 10 to 20 seconds. Add the oil and process just until the oil is incorporated (the mixture will not be smooth), about another 10 seconds; set aside until the pasta is ready.

To the spaghetti in the pot, add the pesto and 3/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, then toss to combine; add more reserved pasta water as needed so the pesto coats the noodles. Toss in the chives. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve drizzled with additional oil and with additional grated Parmesan on the side.
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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.
One year ago: A draft was leaked of a Supreme Court ruling throwing out the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling that had stood for a half century. The court cautioned that the draft was not final. (The decision would be released in essentially the same form on June 24.) Russia resumed pulverizing a Mariupol steel mill that had become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out Ukrainian city, after a brief cease-fire allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant by the International Red Cross. Those managing to escape the city described terrifying weeks of bombardment and deprivation. A fired Philadelphia police officer was charged with murder in the shooting of a fleeing 12-year-old boy, who prosecutors said was on the ground and unarmed when the officer fired the fatal shot.
What was discussed at your annual town meeting? Looking for the results of your town election? We've got all of that information here in one place.
Jane Kaufman is Community Voices Editor at The Berkshire Eagle. She can be reached at jkaufman@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6125.
These are the ways that we not only relate what our communities can do for us but realize what we can do for our communities. Democracy only works if we do. This town meeting and local election season, let's get to work.
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As Christians, we believe in a God who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. We know that God is present in our lives and in the world around us, but sometimes, it can feel like God is far away, and we may wonder: Where is God? Lets explore what the Bible says about where God is and what we can do when we feel distant from him.

Does God Live in a Physical Place?

The Bible teaches us that God is not limited by physical space. In fact, King Solomon acknowledges this in 1 Kings 8:27, saying, But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Even the grandest temple cannot contain God. He is too big, too powerful, and too vast to be confined to a physical place.

Also, the Bible describes God as being omnipresent, meaning that God is present everywhere at all times. In Psalm 139:7-10, King David writes, Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. This passage makes it clear that there is no physical place where God is not present.

In John 4:24, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. This verse reinforces the idea that God is not bound by a physical location, but is present wherever the Holy Spirit is at work.

Where Is God?

While God is present everywhere, there are certain places in the Bible that are associated with Gods presence in a special way. One of the most well-known examples is the temple in Jerusalem. 1 Kings 8:10-11 describes the moment when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple, and the glory of the Lord descended upon it: When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.

However, after Jesus death and resurrection, the idea of a physical temple as the dwelling place of God was transformed. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 declares: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. This passage tells us that as Christians, we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and therefore God is with us wherever we go.

The Bible also teaches that God is present in the hearts of believers. As 1 Corinthians 3:16 points out, Dont you know that you yourselves are Gods temple and that Gods Spirit dwells in your midst? This means that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, Gods Spirit takes up residence within us. So, while God is not confined to a physical place, he is present in the lives of his people.

What to Do When God Feels Far Away

Even though we know that God is always present with us, there may be times when we feel like God is far away. This can happen for a variety of reasons  we may be going through a difficult time, we may be struggling with sin, or we may simply feel spiritually dry. In these moments, it can be helpful to remember that God is always near, even when we dont feel it.

God is with us in all circumstances  in both the hills and valleys of life. However, it's easier to notice Gods presence with us during good times when were celebrating our blessings than it is when were going through challenges. When God feels far away, we can reach out to him for help. Psalm 46:1 assures us that, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Another verse that reminds us that God is with us in our pain and our struggles is Psalm 34:18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

If we want to experience Gods presence, we need to draw near to him. This may involve confessing our sins and repenting of them. James 4:8 tells us, Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Jesus reveals in Matthew 5:8, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. As we do our best to live holy lives, we can grow closer to our holy God and become more aware of his presence with us. Jesus is our advocate, and we can trust him to help us grow spiritually in all aspects of our lives. Matthew 1:23 calls Jesus Immanuel, which means God with us.

The more time we spend communicating with God through prayer and meditation, the more we can become aware of his presence with us. As I write in my book, Wake Up to Wonder, prayer is simply talking to God, while meditation is simply listening to God. We can (and should) enjoy communicating with God through prayer and meditation just like we enjoy conversations with close friends. Conversations with God are even better, though, because they inspire us with awe that gives us wisdom and move us to worship.

When God feels far away, we can also find him in nature. Romans 1:19-20 says that people who want to know God can discover his qualities in nature, which God has created: For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. Since the creation of the world, Gods invisible qualities  his eternal power and divine nature  have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. So, enjoying nature (such as hiking through a forest or swimming in a lake) can strengthen our perception of Gods presence with us as we reflect on Gods role as the Creator of the natural world around us.

God promises to help us find him whenever we seek him. He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11-14: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.

Conclusion

God is too powerful to be confined to any specific physical place. We can find him everywhere. God is always present in our lives, and he never moves away from us. When God feels far away, we can draw near to him by seeking him more, which will help us notice his presence with us. We can be confident that, no matter how we feel, we can find God when we seek closer relationships with him.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Bobby Stevenson

Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason Universitys Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USAs national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on Twitter and Facebook.
JPMorgan Chase has agreed to buy First Republic Bank, the third US lender to fail this year.

Source: Twitter @jpmorgan

The deal cements JPMorgans position as the largest lender in the US.

The Wall Street giant is set to pay $10.6bn to the Federal Insurance Deposit Corp (FIDC), after officials seized the bank, which had gained

a reputation for its burgeoning mortgage business and wealthy clients.

The FDIC has agreed to shoulder 80% of losses on residential mortgages for seven years and 80% of losses on commercial loans for five years, as well as providing $50bn in financing.

Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, said customers withdrawing deposits on mass from First Republic Bank caused its collapse.

Customers had withdrawn $100bn of deposits in March.

A group of 11 Wall Street banks had pumped $30bn into First Republic last month in an attempt to avoid the bank's failure, but the tipping point was when shares in the San Francisco-based bank fell by more than 75% last week.

The failure of First Republic follows that of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank.

First Republics failure is the second largest in US banking history, and follows in the footsteps of Washington Mutual which the FDIC seized, and which was also snapped up by JP Morgan in 2008.

First Republic Bank's demise is growing anxiety about the health of the US banking sector and fears of a global banking crisis akin to that of 2008 and 2009.

Dimon said the US government had "invited" the banking giant, along with others, to "step up, and we did".
London International Awards has announced the juries for its 2023 Health and Pharma competitions.

Rich Levy, chief creative officer at Klick Health will preside over the Health & Wellness jury.

This jury will honor creative excellence in work that promotes consumer health products and services with the intention of personal care, self-diagnosis and regaining or maintaining health and well-being.

On judging LIA, Rich said Im honored to be chairing LIA's Health & Wellness jury this year and have no doubt that the work will continue to inspire and raise the bar. With health and wellness in the public spotlight more than ever, the commitment to our craft and the ability to make a real difference in people's lives have never been stronger. While its certainly going to be tough to choose from the abundance of bar-raising ideas, LIAs jury room is one like no other; its always a fun time, especially when we're all together in Vegas."

Creative evolution

Rachel McCready, chief creative officer at Evoke will lead the Pharma & Medical jury. This jury will judge the work on the creativity in the highly-regulated sector where the focus is on conditions and diseases that require prescription medications and a doctors recommendation as treatment.

Rachel stated, How we create has been going through so much evolution recently - its never been more important to zoom out and recalibrate on what excellence looks like for our industry. I cant wait for the debates around what defines best in 2023.

Alessandra Gomes, executive creative director at McCann Health Brazil will lead the Health & Wellness - Craft and Pharma & Medical - Craft jury. Entries in this category will be judged on the execution and production value of work created for the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry and for non-pharmaceutical / non-regulated products/services, focused on the promotion of progressive and/or healthy living.

Alessandra stated, I am extremely honored to chair the 2023 Health & Wellness - Craft and Pharma & Medical - Craft jury this year. I've been following how the quality of Craft within this category has been surpassed year after year, and as one of the most important festivals in the world, LIA shines a light on this. I'm thrilled for whats to come."

Barbara Levy, LIA president stated, We are very selective as to who we invite to judge LIA entries and the process in which they judge. The names of this elite group speak for themselves. We are very proud of our judging process as we have no pre-judging, every juror is required to see every piece of work in their respective categories and they must participate in all rounds of judging. All of the judging is done onsite in Las Vegas.

Other distinguished jury members include:

Heath & Wellness:

Rich Levy, chief creative officer, Klick Health - Jury President

Sara Badr, creative director, Ward6 Singapore

Sandra Bold, chief creative officer, Wunderman Thompson Benelux, Amsterdam

Tim Condrick, creative director, Orchard, Sydney

Shunsuke Kakinami, executive creative director, McCann Health Japan, Tokyo

John McPartland, creative director  Health, Leith Agency, Edinburgh

Joy Panday, executive creative director, No Fixed Address Health, Toronto

Susan Perlbachs, chief creative officer, Eversana Intouch, New York

Orrin Pollard, EU director of creative expression, Syneos Health Europe, London

Chris Rudnick, executive creative director, TBWA\WorldHealth, Chicago

Andrew Spurgeon, chief creative officer, Europe, Publicis Health

Shamel Washington, associate creative director / Health Equity, Deloitte Digital, New York

Eric Weisberg, global chief creative officer, Havas Health & You

Pharma & Medical:

Rachel McCready, chief creative officer, Evoke - Jury President

Stephanie Berman, chief creative officer, Hill Holliday Health, New York

Joao Camacho, global creative director, Novartis, Dublin

Laura Florence, executive creative director, Havas Health & You, Sao Paulo

Amy Fortunato, VP, group creative director, Klick Health, New York

Andy Mathurin, creative director, Heartbeat, New York

Tom Richards, global chief creative Officer, 21GRAMS

Xavier Sanchez Civil, founder / chief creative officer, Umbilical, Barcelona

Eduardo Tavares, global executive creative director, Dentsu Health

Franklin Williams, EVP, director of experience design, Area 23, New York

Health & Wellness - Craft and Pharma & Medical  Craft:
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, 2 May, it had found after a risk assessment that there was a "moderate risk" related to the seizure of a public health laboratory in Sudan's capital Khartoum by one of the warring parties.

Source: Reuters.

"The situation and the risk are being seen as moderate," WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.

"This is because the lab cannot provide its main function, that is to provide the analysis and the diagnostics because of the lack of fuel and lack of trained staff."

WHO's representative in Sudan said last week there was a "high risk of biological hazard" in Sudan's capital Khartoum after one of the warring parties seized the laboratory holding cholera pathogens and other hazardous materials.
Like most, the aviation sector has pledged to reach Net Zero by 2050. From the International Air Transport Association's (Iata) commitment to ' Fly Net Zero ' to the declaration from the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition at COP 26, the air transport industry is not short of promises to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint.Compared with other sectors, aviation is a relatively small contributor to global greenhouse emissions - in 2019 it was estimated to account for around 2.5% of the world's CO2 emissions . However, it is also one of the fastest growing, and there is little doubt that every major airline and aerospace manufacturer in the world now has its environmental impact front and centre.This topic is not creeping but is vertiginously ascending the corporate priority ladder. But what does the flight path to a more sustainable future look like for the industry? And how realistic are the lofty goals that have been set?

The first, and most obvious, conclusion is that there is no silver bullet. Potential solutions abound (more on those below), but there is no answer likely to single-handedly push aviation to net zero. The second is that pressure groups and activists aside, intermediate decarbonisation goals are linked to commercial aims  stating the obvious, the more efficiently an aircraft burns fuel the better for all concerned.

Longer term, however, the aviation industry may need assistance from both its insurance, and other financial, partners in de-risking the transition as the costs associated with change are a significant, but not insurmountable, barrier to progress.

Clearing the runway for sustainable aviation fuels

The sector certainly abounds with initiatives to aid the transition. The first likely to have a tangible effect is Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), with many airlines looking to increase their usage (10% is a commonly selected target). As part of the Fit for 55 package, which sets out an initial target of a reduction in emissions by 55% in 2030 (compared with the level of 1990), the EU will require every flight leaving its airports to carry a minimum amount of SAF (2% in 2025 and 5% by 2030).

Meanwhile, the US wants to increase the production of SAFs to three billion gallons per year by 2030. While these commitments and progress are welcome, the production of these alternative fuels remains small.

SAFs can be split into three buckets  those recycled from waste products (for example, from used cooking oil), those created directly from crops, and synthetic fuels (created by processing recovered carbon dioxide with green electricity). With the commercial aviation world requiring approximately 95 billion gallons of traditional kerosene aviation fuel in 2019, according to Iata, the recycled or grown SAFs suffer from a lack of available resources (short of diverting all global agriculture towards the endeavour) while large-scale production of synthetic fuels will require cheap, high volume green electricity.

The price of SAFs is double that of fossil fuels today, so the dramatic ramp-up of SAF production will require significant capital expenditure. Initially, government incentives are likely to offset the price premium. It will be worth the time, cost and effort. SAFs can result in an 80% reduction of lifecycle emissions (as the only true emissions come from processing steps). The technology is proven and certified (having already been used on over 200,000 flights) and no changes are required to existing aircraft  SAFs can be used interchangeably with kerosene.

There is also a key role for insurers to play in helping their clients de-risk the transition to SAFs  supporting the construction of new infrastructure and the adoption of different fuels. For example, ensuring the construction of SAF manufacturing facilities, or the installation of SAF refuelling infrastructure at airports. Insurers may even be able to assist their clients with hedging to allow airlines to protect themselves against SAF price fluctuation in future.

Ready for take-off? Electric and hybrid aircraft

While SAFs will be the short- to medium-term workhorse, perhaps the more exciting future developments are the new air travel technologies that remain nascent but capture the imagination more than a simple fuel switch. The electric aircraft revolution is firmly underway with more than 200 global companies developing concepts. Several have even completed test flights and the appeal is obvious: electric aircraft have no climate impact during operations. They are a thrilling proposition.

However, the biggest issue remains technological maturity  in particular battery density and the associated range. Batteries will need to be at least five times denser than current lithium-ion batteries and it is not currently thought that true electric aircraft will ever have a range greater than 500 to 1,000km  although it is estimated that half of all global flights are shorter than 500 miles. They also remain relatively far off with 2040 probably a realistic date for entry into service. There will also be an arduous process of certification of such new types of aircraft, with regulators (quite rightly) needing to know that the new technology is safe before allowing consumer usage  more on this below.

So what for the long haul? The answer may rest with hybrid aircraft. A concept familiar with road vehicles, but likely to be a blend of electric technology and hydrogen propulsion rather than involving traditional fossil fuels. This is certainly the approach being taken by Airbus, which hopes to develop the worlds first zero-emission aircraft by 2035, with its three ZEROe concepts.

The aircraft is powered by hydrogen combustion through modified gas turbine engines. In addition, hydrogen fuel cells create electrical power that complements the gas turbine, resulting in a highly efficient hybrid-electric propulsion system. While not as efficient as pure electric aircraft, hybrid aircraft will be able to provide a range out of reach of electric alone. They will also be able to carry a greater number of passengers and offer a realistic alternative to kerosene-powered long-haul routes.

Such hybrid aircraft may seem like the nirvana, but they are not without drawbacks. Hydrogen storage and usage of course brings safety concerns. While hydrogen processing has been used for years in oil refineries and the fertilizer industry, aviation represents a new road to travel. Happily for its passengers, the aviation world is safety obsessed. All parts of the industry (transport, storage, usage etc.) must pass rigorous safety tests. Current aviation protocol is based on the fossil fuel-powered jet engine  a technology that has been around for decades. There will need to be a wholesale shift from regulators and companies to embrace a new safety environment.

Insurers can of course help by providing cover for new and test products and assisting their clients in de-risking the evolution to new technology. This could include ensuring electric and hybrid aircraft types through their testing phases and as they move into service or creating an insurance safety net for a companys R&D operations. Such a technological leap is not without risk and companies (both manufacturers and end users) will hugely benefit from the support of their trusted partners as they adapt for the future.

Dont forget about marginal gains and design efficiencies

While they are the future, both electric and hybrid technologies will not be available tomorrow and, along with SAFs, there are shorter-term more mundane gains to be made from the aviation industry. One of the key areas for such gains is operational efficiency and there is nothing to stop all aircraft operators from looking at this side of their business and making changes now. A combination of operational levers can drive emission reductions at scale.

Examples can include pre-flight via mission tailoring and fuel planning (i.e. ensuring the right aircraft is being used for the right flight); on the ground via traffic management (to reduce the time engines are on in traffic); during approach and descent via better air traffic management (to reduce holding time) and adapting climb and descent procedures (to spend longer at optimal cruise altitude); during cruise via dynamic routing (responding to changing weather patterns); and after flight via preventative maintenance and cleaning.

There are plenty of airlines already embracing these marginal gains. Over 40 airlines have partnered with Sky Breathe  big data technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse billions of data records from all types of data sources, including flight data recorders, operational flight plans and Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting Systems (ACARS), before combining them with environmental data from actual flight conditions (such as payload, weather conditions, Air Traffic Control (ATC) constraints, etc.). It then identifies the most relevant saving opportunities and provides a series of recommended actions which it claims can reduce total fuel consumption by up to 5%.

There are also improvements that can be made to existing aircraft designs to drive fleet efficiencies. This mostly comes through the incremental introduction of enhancements (for example, wingtip, blended winglets, or increased wingspan) and improvements to engine efficiency. None of these improvements will drive the industry to net zero, but they will all play a vital role in reducing the emissions intensity of the aircraft and inch aviation further on its journey towards a more environmentally friendly future.

This is the broader picture in a nutshell. There are many exciting developments each with a part to play. Some will grab the headlines and appear to be futuristic leaps; others will go unremarked but are just as important. No one development can help the industry singlehandedly. Instead, aviation will look at multiple solutions and there is risk and barriers to each. Given the uncertainty, insurers and other financial partners have never had a more important time to support their clients as they take the steps necessary for a net zero future.
The emphasis that South Africa places on green hydrogen as an eco-friendly energy source and a purer fuel for businesses are highly significant to parties concerned with the construction sector. This not only showcases the nation's dedication to addressing

CEO of Databuild, Morag Evans says there is a lot of news about the governments eagerness to progress with Strategic Integration Projects, including the Green Hydrogen National Plan.

In December 2022, Business Tech reported that the then Minister of public works and infrastructure Patricia de Lille had gazetted nine infrastructure projects with Infrastructure South Africa.

These projects include those in the green hydrogen field, will be driven through Strategic Integration Projects (Sips).

PwC South Africa released a report, Unlocking South Africas hydrogen potential, in which it stated that the country is in an extraordinary position to revolutionise its own economy and supply green hydrogen to the world.

It adds, The future outlook for the global energy sector will see wind, solar and hydro accounting for an ever-increasing proportion of our energy needs. It is estimated that by 2050, 85% of global electricity production will be sourced from renewables.

Evans emphasises the strategic importance of these projects in contributing to the construction industry.

We have seen how countries like China, Finland and the UK have taken a proactive approach to the construction of infrastructure to support the commercial rollout of green hydrogen. That is what we aspire to in South Africa. The projects that the government has identified are significant and encompass construction, which can only benefit the industry in terms of growth and investment in labour and materials.

According to a report by hydrogeninsight.com, in February this year Chinese refining company Sinopec advanced with a project in Inner Mongolia touted as the biggest renewable H2 project under construction in the world. Once built, the $831mdollar project will produce around 30,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

Databuild points to an interesting article published by Constructionmanagement.co.uk which outlines how construction professionals should prepare for green hydrogen energy.

The article makes a sound argument that while there are benefits to hydrogen power generation technology, such as not being susceptible to weather-related availability issues, there are some pitfalls  most notably that the technology is not as mature as conventional solutions.

Ultimately, there are pros and cons to any technology investment, but we are confident that green hydrogen is a boost for South Africas construction industry. The general consensus is that this technology could very well be the catalyst for new projects and this means more work, which will be a significant contribution to South Africas construction labour force. It will also help cement compliance with the fundamentals of eco-conscious commercial building and construction, Evans concludes.
Many people may feel fatigued when it comes to hearing about cybersecurity. This isn't because they don't understand the importance of it, but because they are aware of the significant risk cybercrime poses to their businesses and personal digital lives. They have already accepted that taking action is necessary to address this issue.

However, it's not good enough to take a "been there, done that '' approach. The plain truth is that we can never hear enough about cybersecurity because rest assured, criminals are working around the clock to uncover new vulnerabilities.

A day zero attack focuses on a previously unexploited weakness, and until that vulnerability has been mitigated, there is an almost unimaginable potential for harm, especially if the software is widely used. This means that unless we constantly make time to focus on cybersecurity and keep it front of mind, it's conceivable that we could drop the ball on implementing patches or updates, leaving a fresh vulnerability like a flashing red light attracting criminals into our organisations.

The consequences of neglecting cybersecurity for businesses

One may argue that this sounds alarmist and a bit like doomsday commentary, but imagine this scenario: One of your employees receives a notification on his or her laptop to update to the latest version of a software application. This update contains important upgrades to mitigate against vulnerabilities. However, he or she is chasing a deadline and so mutes the notification.

And then does this again, and again. At some point in the future, a nefarious threat actor is scouting the environment and finds the open door to your system. Despite all your efforts, the backdoor was left open by an employee who had not had cybersecurity front and centre of their mind.

The above scenario is far more common than one would like to believe, but despite that, there is an overall impression that from a South African perspective, we are catching up with the rest of the world. While we have made good strides as a country, there are still obstacles - not least the pain of a non-revenue-generating department being thrust upon the board.

Even if a business decides to outsource its security, it still needs some degree of skill within its walls. Before, it was normal to do what we thought was best, and then hope for the best. Now, there are industry standards and best practice protocols that have been imposed on businesses across industries. Adhering to this costs time, money and resources. While it is a department or investment that does not generate revenue, without investing in it a businesss ability to generate any revenue at all may well be at risk.

This is a difficult pill to swallow locally, as it does not come cheaply - thats if the scarce skills can even be found and retained. A small and medium business will soon realise that it needs to increase its headcount by up to five people. A larger organisation will be looking at closer to 10 new staff.

The challenges of implementing and maintaining effective cybersecurity measures

In addition to this, a theme that has gained momentum over the years is the movement towards zero trust. This is all good and well, and certainly suits some organisations better than others - such as large corporates - but there has to be an educated balance between security and usability.

The only real zero-trust environment is analogue because air-gapped processes are the only ones guaranteed to be out of reach of cybercriminals. Once you plug in you must realise that you may well be taking all the vitamins possible but the risk of infection remains.

If we return to our scenario of the employee that did not update their system, we land on an important theme: the majority of breaches and hacks are likely avoidable. A day zero hack triggers a flurry of responses until there is a patch or update to prevent it from happening again - which is when the threat actor moves on to find other weaknesses.

A very small proportion of vulnerabilities are responsible for most of the exploits we read about. For example, a well-publicised ransomware attack may be the ultimate outcome, but it would most likely have been achieved through one of a small set of vulnerabilities that had not yet been patched or corrected with an update.
A worldwide sensation, the US-based zero-sugar beverage, Prime Hydration (Prime) has partnered with Checkers, retailing the drink at R39,99 as opposed to the R400 that fans have been paying.

Source: Instagram Instagam Logan Paul and KSI founders of the global hydration drink phenomenon, Prime

Checkers announced on 30 April that the brand would be available in most of its stores from midday on 1 May and that customers could place advance orders on the app Checkers Sixty60 from 10om, 30 April.

The online stock was sold out in one and a half hours. In-store purchases were limited to eight per customer  two per flavour (Ice Pop, Blue Raspberry, Lemon Lime, and Tropical Punch).

Previously in South Africa, at one time the drink, at its most expensive, cost R1,200 on a local e-commerce site (today the price ranges from R98 to R119,00), while consumers have also been able to purchase the drink at Clicks for R70,00, but stock runs out almost immediately.

So how does an energy drink brand that can be brought for just under R40, retail globally on average for R400 a bottle?

A Gen Z craze

Prime, which launched in the US, UK and Australia last year, became the most sought-after energy drink when YouTube content creators, Logan Paul and KSI, promoted it.

With a subscriber list of 47 million, the brand began to trend, with Gen Z especially keen to get their hands on the drink, leading to thousands of people happy to queue overnight to get a bottle.

The result has been the drinks elevation to a viral collectors item, with people willing to pay R400 for a bottle. While many parents have complained about the cost of the drink, the drink has remained popular.

Using YouTubes algorithmic networks

In an article in The Conversation, by Hantian Zhang, senior lecturer in media, Sheffield Hallam University, he says one of the reasons is the two Youtubers and their influence.

However, Zhang says it is also due to their use of YouTubes algorithmic networks, which link together videos with similar content. As a result the YouTubers dominated the platforms recommendation algorithm, making their videos more visible, which in turn results in more similar content being recommended to viewers.

Warc pulls together some of the key points Zhang makes on how they did this in the article:

By inviting other well-known YouTubers to sample their new drink in their own videos, such as Markiplier (34 million subscribers) Logan Paul and KSI increased the likelihood of YouTubes algorithm recommending further Prime-related content to viewers.

Both YouTubers also responded to fans comments and questions about the drink, increasing engagement.

Concerns have been raised about the levels of caffeine in Prime and whether the electrolytes in Prime are suitable for children.

The power of influencers

The power of YouTube influencers, as well as other influencers, has been on the rise.

An article by Digital Glue in 2021 states that YouTube influencers are highly influential through their ability to make the viewer feel like they know them; they are your friend. They feel authentic and genuine, far more so than actors and actresses. The authenticity factor is so important to their ability to sell or recommend a product to their audience."

The article also says that with this comes high audience engagement, and an increasing intent to purchase by 5.2 times. Their perceived accessibility is also important. They arent glossy and unreachable like celebrities; they feel, to many viewers, like them.

The article adds that even smaller influencers with less reach will have an even greater engagement rate and influence, as they truly know their following. "This can offer a brand a lower cost and more effective alternative to traditional media endorsement".

As Zhang states: Their [Logan Paul and KSI] win may form something of a blueprint for other content creators as YouTubers become more professional and look to harness the platforms algorithm for their commercial success. It has been reported that worldwide the drink has generated R4.5bn ($25 in retail sales. In January this year alone, the drink generated R818.3m ($45m).
Hosted by Azania Mosaka, this year's Trialogue Business in Society Conference on 9 and 10 May invites business leaders to consider how they can accelerate the fight against poverty, inequality, poor education outcomes, gender-based violence and the climate crisis under the overarching theme of inclusive and purposeful business.

The themes we have chosen reflect our current challenges as a society  for example, how can we transition to a zero-carbon economy in a just, equitable fashion, and how can we address gender-based violence at school level, where it often begins to manifest, says Trialogue director Cathy Duff. Our speakers and panellists will share learnings and propose solutions that will put us on a better developmental trajectory, from partnering with schools to improve education outcomes, to identifying opportunities in the green economy that help to alleviate our current unemployment crisis.

Songezo Zibi among keynote speakers addressing societal leadership

The opening keynote address will be delivered by author and former editor of Business Day, Songezo Zibi, who has extensive experience in the corporate world and recently launched a political party, Rise Mzansi, to contest the 2024 general elections. Zibi will explore how companies can strengthen South Africas precarious socio-political environment.

Gbenga Oyebode, chairperson of the African Philanthropy Forum Board and founder at Aluko & Oyebode law firm in Nigeria, will set the tone for the second day of the conference with a keynote on driving transformational impact on the African continent through education and leadership.

Keynote speakers tackling each theme include Sazini Mojapelo, CEO of the GBVF Response Fund, on how companies can address gender-based violence; Dr Morne du Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa, on finding opportunity amidst crisis; educational researcher Dr Nicky Roberts, director of Kelello Consulting, on how systemic change starts with schools; and Dr Miriam Altman, professor and economist, on the just energy transition.

This years conference will also celebrate the arts  actress and performance poet Lebogang Mashile will deliver the final keynote on The power of us and delegates will be treated to the unmissable harmonies of the Maharishi Choir.

Hybrid event accessible to all

The conference will again be held in hybrid format, offering free virtual attendance. Morning sessions will be presented to an in-person and virtual audience at The Wanderers Club in Illovo, Johannesburg Practical professionally facilitated afternoon breakout sessions will be largely targeted at in-person delegates with shorter facilitated online sessions. These sessions will provide the opportunity for delegates to engage with the conference themes and explore how they can address societal issues in their own organisations.

In addition to incisive keynote speeches, lively panel discussions, and engaging breakout sessions, the conference provides unparalleled networking opportunities for in-person delegates in the corporate social responsibility sector. In-person delegates can also visit a range of exhibition stands showcasing the work of diverse organisations.

The conference benefits from strong support from leaders in corporate social responsibility. This years headline sponsors include the Rand Water Foundation, the Vodacom Foundation, Nedbank, Telkom and Sasol. Other sponsors include Barloworld, Momentum Metropolitan, Standard Bank, and Volkswagen South Africa.

How to register for the conference

For more information about the Trialogue Business in Society Conference 2023, and to register, visit: https://trialogue.co.za/business-society-conference-2023/.

Please read the FAQs on the conference webpage, or email conference@trialogue.co.za for more information.

Enjoy highlights from the 2022 conference.




The Western Cape Veterinary Services has issued a warning to poultry farmers in the Paardeberg area, specifically in the Drakenstein and Swartland Local Municipalities, after confirming the detection of avian influenza in two commercial layer farms.

Approximately 120, 000 birds have died or have been destroyed.

The first outbreak was confirmed on Friday, 21 April, and the second on Tuesday, 25 April. The exact strain involved is still unknown and is being investigated.

Highly pathogenicity avian influenza outbreaks have been occurring worldwide and were detected in poultry in other South African provinces earlier in 2023 and throughout 2022. However, the Western Cape has not seen the virus in commercial poultry since early last year.

Avian influenza is a viral disease spread by direct contact between healthy and infected birds or through indirect contact with contaminated equipment or other materials.

The virus is present in infected birds faeces and discharges from their noses, mouth and eyes. In addition, domestic birds can be infected through faecal contamination of the environment from wild birds or by indirect contact with infected poultry on other premises.

There is currently no vaccine or treatment for highly pathogenic avian influenza. As a result, current practice in much of the world requires culling infected birds as quickly as possible to limit the spread of the disease.

Public and agriculture sector to be vigilant

Farmers and poultry producers should be vigilant in their biosecurity measures to prevent potential virus introduction from wild birds or their faeces through the following steps:

 Access to properties should be restricted as far as possible;

 Keeping poultry away from wild birds and their body fluids is essential;

 Avoid the introduction of the virus through contaminated clothes, footwear, vehicles or farm equipment;

 Vehicles entering properties should be disinfected upon entering and exiting;

 Do not allow people who have had contact with poultry in the last 48 hours onto your property; and

 Using footbaths upon entry and exit to poultry houses is advised to disinfect footwear.

Although the risk of avian influenza being transmitted to humans remains low, experts advise that members of the public should avoid touching dead birds. In addition, we advise particular caution when handling or slaughtering potentially infected poultry; gloves, a mask and eye protection should be worn.

Poultry products from grocery stores are safe for consumption.

Avian influenza is controlled under the Animal Diseases Act, 35 of 1984. Any suspicion of the disease  in wild or domestic birds  must be reported to the local state veterinarian. Contact details are available here.
The Creative Vibrancy Index for Africa (CVIA) has ranked 12 African cities based on how they support and enable the arts, culture, and creative industries. According to the index, Johannesburg has been named the most culturally vibrant city in Africa. The cities that were evaluated by the index include Kinshasa, Dakar, Nairobi, Tunis, Marrakech, Luanda, Accra, Cairo, Lagos, Harare, and Dar-Es-Salam. The index provides a comprehensive overview of the environment for artists and creative entrepreneurs in these cities.

Source: Felix Lipov via 123RF

The cities were ranked based on availability and access to cultural venues and facilities; cultural policies that support the arts, and the cities capacity to promote culture. Johannesburg has the highest overall ranking score for creating the most enabling environment for creativity, followed by Cairo and Lagos. Meanwhile, Marrakech, Tunis and Kinshasa are the least enabling cities.

The CVIA is aimed at inspiring growth in the sector by highlighting the landscape of support for arts, culture and creative industries, and the sectors capacity for job creation, community cohesion, and youth engagement.

The index provides much-needed data for investors, funders, creative entrepreneurs, and other sector stakeholders by offering valuable insights into the gaps in the creative and cultural landscape. In this regard, the index serves as a tool for decision-making by stakeholders in the creative and cultural industries. Future updates to the index will include additional cities and track changes in the cities already mapped.

The CVIA is funded by the narrative change organisation, Africa No Filter, and the British Council. The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, and the World Cities of Culture Forum are part of the projects advisory board, providing technical input.

Growing Africa's culturally vibrant creative sector

Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, says: "The availability and access to arts, culture and creativity is increasingly the mark of a successful city and developed economy. For us at Africa No Filter it is also a measure of the support and infrastructure provided to African storytellers to enable them to share their stories, grow audiences and build their own sustainability as artists.

"We were keen to understand how culturally vibrant the African creative sector is, so we know if African stories are being heard. This index will shine a much-needed spotlight on the state of the creative landscape in Africa and help us all advocate for more support for storytellers on the continent. We have started with just 12 cities, but our aim is to do this across all major cities on the continent."

Sandra Chege, head of arts, Kenya, adds: "We are excited to collaborate with Africa No Filter and the Creative Economy Practice at CcHUB to develop this important index. We look forward to engaging in the conversations and insight generated through this project on how cultural actors can strengthen the cultural infrastructure of cities across Africa to create a more enabling environment for creative and cultural practitioners."

Ojoma Ochai, managing partner of the Creative Economy Practice at CcHUB, concludes: "The ranking of cities is not the main value add. What is more important is the use of the comparative measurement to showcasing good practice, inspire dialogue and stimulate more support for the sector."
It is 50 years since the introduction of Justine's first product into the local market.

Image supplied. This year Justine celebrates 50 years

Celebrating half a century, today the personal care, cosmetics and fragrance brand is a South African beauty phenomenon.

The Justine story is a remarkable South African story that speaks of resilience, agility and adaptation to evolving marketing conditions as well as constant innovation that continues to be on the leading edge of beauty lovers needs, says Mafahle Mareletse, MD of Avon Justine in Turkey, Middle East & Africa.

It is a noteworthy case study that casts confidence on South Africas capability and limitless potential to use science and nature to produce world-class beauty products. Most importantly, it is an empowering lesson to entrepreneurs on the value of identifying gaps in the market and finding solutions to narrow those.

How it started

The brands story starts with the skincare product boom in the 1970s, when Veronica Devine could not find a suitable product for her needs and as a result founded the company with cosmetic chemist, Paul Symes.

Founded on the premise of empowering women to be independent active participants in the economy, the brand offered women income-earning opportunities by being Justine Consultants.

The brand remains committed to the promotion of women in science through the involvement of female scientists in the development of Justine products, elaborates Mareletse.

As a proudly South Africa brand, we have strict policies that ensure we employ local people since Justine products are manufactured locally.

Mareletse adds that in their 50th year and going forward they will continue making considerable investment in the community through involvement in the Thuthukisa together foundation which promotes early childhood development.

Also the eradication of breast cancer remains a paramount priority for Justine and we will persevere with supporting breast cancer causes and being frontline activists against the disease.

The next 50 years

Looking forward to the next 50 years, Mareletse emphasises that Justine will embrace the opportunities that present themselves through advanced technology and the digital economy.

Currently, the beauty brand has leveraged e-commerce and implemented Justine e-stores where consultants have access to their own stores, the Justine Grow App enables business owners to recruit new consultants.

Free digital brochures made available to customers to share and order and the Justine On App helps consultants to run their businesses, pay accounts and access a variety of innovative beauty products to share on social media to woo customers.

The brand is also celebrating its golden jubilee this May by honouring the entrepreneurs who have been by its side, changing lives and sustaining the brand.

With its 50th birthday celebrations, Justine is introducing a series of special offers, discounts, surprises, and delights on skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance products.
If you're going to launch a habit-breaking product, then you better go big or go home...and that's obviously what KFC reasoned when it roped in Trevor Noah to be the face of its new Eat Chicken for breakfast campaign.

A quintessential entertainer

Noah was already a great stand-up comedian when he went to take up the slot as host for the American TV programme The Late Show in 2015but he flew to even greater heights, winning over fickle Americans to his brand of biting humour and satire.

In the process, he proved himself to be much more than just a funny guy, he showed he was the consummate entertainer.

As the lead character in the KFC ad, Noah is so relaxed and at home, he is the major reason why the execution  and its gags  work so well.

Its premised on the conspiracy theory idea that they are, somehow, hiding something from us  at least those of us clever enough to see through the global propaganda and manipulation and who have done our own research.

This particular theory, as enunciated by Trevor, is that, in times past, people used to eat chicken, all the time, including for breakfast. Something, though, happened along the way and chicken disappeared.

Current

Who was the culprit? Companies wanting you to eat cereal and bacon and eggs, he points out.

Then you see him expounding his theories to his breakfast companion: Now, do you believe me?

No, his mate says, its just chicken for breakfast, and its delicious.

The last line is echoing all over the Internet at present, and you hear it as Trevor shakes his head and tells him Open your eyes

Its funny, its current and, as with all good advertising, a reminder about the productand it certainly does look like having chicken for breakfast is a good option.

So, Orchids to KFC and Ogilvy.

In last weeks Orchid, for fantastic use of design for Nestles decaf coffee, I was in the dark about the agency responsible. Happy to share that it was Prodigious/NestleOne which is part of the Publicis Groupe in SA. Jacques Shalom sent me some of the campaigns other print executions and they are equally excellent.

Plagiarism is still theft

One of the negative aspects of the communication and information revolution occasioned by the explosion of the Internet is that many people thought  and many still believe  that because the technology is new, none of the old rules apply.

Sadly, it was the legacy media  that is newspapers  which made the biggest, life-ending mistakes 20 years ago, when the Net was in its infancy and companies like Google were still in nappies. Print companies thought that the new medium was not a threat  possible the biggest miscalculation in the history of business.

Somehow, it was thought that you could run a business where you asked one set of customers to pay for your product but gave away that same product for free to others. And, what the printed media, particularly, also did not do was clamp down on the theft of its material  material it had invested time and money in producing. Had companies like Google and Facebook and others been threatened with being sued back to the Stone Age for this conduct 25 years ago, the world might be a completely different place now.

Theft of copyrighted material is still an issue  as is the bald-face belief by thieves that they are doing nothing wrong. Such was the attitude of a Northern Cape publication, Hadeda News, when tackled about its lifting of an entire piece from a newspaper.

The response was: everyone does it. Its in the public domain. We are doing this for our readers and for the Northern Cape, by promoting tourism.

Rampant piracy

After being forced to remove the piece and commit not to stealing material in future, the publication was unrepentant. And that is what is worrying. a total lack of morality. Because this is not a victimless crime, much as the digirati might like to think it is.

Ultimately, once the legacy media has gone under because of this rampant piracy, youre at the mercy of social media for your news. Good luck with that.

Because Hadeda News is produced by a company which calls itself an advertising agency and this is blatant misappropriation of someone elses creative talent, it gets an Onion from me.

Just because you are living in cyberspace does not give you the right to bend or break societys basic rules.
Agriculture provides most of the world's food and fabrics, and the industry also improves food security, reduces poverty, and raises income. Farming is the backbone of many economies, providing the resources needed for survival worldwide and offering many employment opportunities.

Alberta has a long history with agribusiness thanks to its numerous distribution channels, natural resources, and skilled workforce. The province has the highest farm operating revenues in Canada, as farms with at least $2 million in revenues reported over half of the province's farm operating revenues. The city of Calgary is home to many farms, allowing farmers to increase their income and expand their skill set. But that does not automatically result in financial freedom for the city's farmers. Learn how to grow your finances as a farmer in Calgary.

Set Clear Goals & Create a Plan

Agriculture is a large industry that offers many employment scopes for farmers, but the path isn't easy without a proper plan and list of goals. It's essential to identify your target, set clear goals, and create a proper plan to achieve your goals. This requires thorough knowledge of the industry, which involves research and education.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the common goals farmers typically set. Do you aspire to work outdoors with plants, animals, or machinery? Are you interested in growing your food and pursuing a rural lifestyle? Or do you want to fulfill consumer needs? Once you've identified your goals and interests, create a plan that allows you to fulfill the goals and work your way towards achieving them.

Implement Risk Management Strategies

It's great to be motivated and dream big when entering the farming industry, especially as Southern Alberta is an excellent place for agricultural innovation with several growth opportunities. But it's important to remember that farming is a risky venture. It requires a significant investment and can take time to reach your financial goals. The good news is that you can prepare for potential risks by being cautious.

Explore different risk management strategies and implement them into your business plan. This involves financing the business primarily from your earnings to avoid spending your savings once you start making money. You should also consider keeping your off-farm job until your business is stable enough to offer long-term support. In addition, you should also try to grow slowly and work your way up.

Separate Business & Personal Finances

One of the worst things you can do when attempting to grow your finances as a farmer is to mix professional and personal finances. Open a business checking account and keep all your finances for the company separate to distinguish between farm and personal expenses and income.

This also applies to debt, as taking on debt for business purposes with your personal account or vice versa can cause financial hurdles in the long term. When applying for business loans, include your business statements, such as forecasted revenue and expenses, to highlight your eligibility.

If you're seeking a personal loan, look for a reputable provider to offer the funds you need. It is easy to get an online loan in Calgary when you choose a licensed online lender. Getting a short-term loan is also simpler and does not typically involve a lengthy application process.

There are many ways you can grow your finances as a farmer in Calgary, both in your professional and personal life. Be strategic about managing your money and build meaningful relationships with producers, other farmers, and extension agents to stand out and grow your business.
A conflict in Sudan that erupted on April 15th has killed hundreds of people, driven more than 100,000 to flee across the borders and displaced hundreds of thousands inside the country where many already relied on international aid before fighting began.

What triggered the violence?

Tension had been building for months between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which together toppled a civilian government in an October 2021 coup.

The friction was brought to a head by an internationally-backed plan to launch a new transition with civilian parties. A final deal was due to be signed in early April, on the fourth anniversary of the overthrow of long-ruling Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir in a popular uprising.

Both the army and the RSF were required to cede power under the plan and two issues proved especially contentious. One was the timetable for the RSF to be integrated into the regular armed forces. A second was the chain of command between the army and RSF leaders and the question of civilian oversight.

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When fighting broke out, both sides blamed the other for provoking the violence. The army accused the RSF of illegal mobilisation in preceding days and the RSF, as it moved on key strategic sites in Khartoum, said the army had tried to seize full power in a plot with Bashir loyalists.

Who are the main players on the ground?

The protagonists in the power struggle are general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the army and leader of Sudan's ruling council since 2019, and his deputy on the council, RSF leader general Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.

As the plan for a new transition developed, Hemedti aligned himself more closely with civilian parties from a coalition, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), that shared power with the military between Bashir's overthrow and the 2021 coup.

Diplomats and analysts said this was part of a strategy by Hemedti to transform himself into a statesman and cement his position at the centre of power. Both the FFC and Hemedti, who grew wealthy through gold mining and other ventures, stressed the need to sideline Islamist-leaning Bashir loyalists and veterans who had regained a foothold following the coup and have deep roots in the army.

Along with some pro-army rebel factions that benefited from a 2020 peace deal, the Bashir loyalists opposed the deal for a new transition.

What's at stake?

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The popular uprising had raised hopes that Sudan and its population of 46 million could emerge from decades of autocracy, internal conflict and economic isolation under Bashir.

The current fighting, centred on one of Africa's largest urban areas, could not only destroy those hopes but destabilise a volatile region bordering the Sahel, the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

It could also play into competition for influence in the region between Russia and the United States, and between regional powers who have courted different actors in Sudan.

What's the role of international actors?

Western powers, including the United States, had swung behind a transition towards democratic elections following Bashir's overthrow. They suspended financial support following the coup, then backed the plan for the new transition and a civilian government.

Energy-rich powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition away from Bashir's rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and bolster stability in the region.

Gulf states have pursued investments in sectors including agriculture, where Sudan holds vast potential, and ports on Sudan's Red Sea coast.

Russia has been seeking to build a naval base on the Red Sea, while several UAE companies have been signing up to invest.

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Burhan and Hemedti both developed close ties to Saudi Arabia after sending troops to participate in the Saudi-led operation in Yemen. Hemedti has struck up relations with other foreign powers including the UAE and Russia.

Egypt, itself ruled by military man president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who overthrew his Islamist predecessor, has deep ties to Burhan and the army, and recently promoted a parallel track of political negotiations through parties with stronger links to the army and to Bashir's former government.

What are the scenarios?

International parties have called for humanitarian ceasefires and a return to dialogue, but there have been few signs of compromise from the warring factions despite a lull in fighting that allowed foreign nations to extract diplomats and citizens. Sudanese citizens, meanwhile, have flooded out of the capital area.

The army has branded the RSF a rebel force and demanded its dissolution, while Hemedti has called Burhan a criminal and blamed him for visiting destruction on the country.

Though Sudan's army has superior resources including air power and an estimated 300,000 troops, the RSF had grown in recent years into a well-equipped force of some 100,000, deployed around the country and since the fighting began embedded in neighbourhoods across the capital.

The RSF can draw on support and tribal ties in the western region of Darfur, where it emerged from militias that fought alongside government forces to crush rebels in a brutal war that escalated after 2003.

The growing humanitarian crisis has hit a country that was already stuck in a long economic crisis and in which about one third of the population needed aid before the fighting began.

It is leading to mass displacement within Sudan that could increasingly spill over borders. Already, tens of thousands have fled to neighbouring states including Egypt, Chad and South Sudan.
Solicitor Ammi Burke has asked a High Court judge to recuse herself from hearing her challenge to the Workplace Relations Commissions (WRCs) rejection of her claim that she was unfairly dismissed by law firm Arthur Cox.

The application, made at the opening of her case against the WRC, asked Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger to recuse herself on a number of grounds, including that she has previously expressed views concerning the core issue in her proceedings and that she has a particularly close relationship with Arthur Coxs senior counsel in the tight-knit community of employment law specialists.

The application will continue on Tuesday afternoon when the judge is expected to rule on the matter.

Ms Burke alleged Ms Justice Bolger and Arthur Coxs barrister Peter Ward were founding members of the Employment Law Bar Association and have appeared on panels together.

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Ms Burke, from Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, further claimed the judge wrote, in a 2015 article published in the Irish Employment Law Journal, that the right to a fair hearing requires unfair dismissal proceedings of this nature to be adversarial.

This, Ms Burke said, effectively decides the core issue in these proceedings, as she, to the contrary, contends the procedure mandated under the 1977 Unfair Dismissal Acts is inquisitorial in nature.

It was also extremely concerning, Ms Burke said, that Ms Justice Bolger did not retract a statement, made at an earlier stage of the proceedings, to the effect that this was not a public interest action.

Ms Burke produced a letter she received from Arthur Coxs solicitors in 2020 which included the judges name, who was then a senior counsel, as one of three potential barristers who could mediate her claim.

The judge asked: Ms Burke are you seriously suggesting that because I am proposed as a mediator that I should recuse myself?

I will not have my name dragged through the mud

Senior counsel for the WRC, Catherine Donnelly, said Ms Burkes grounds do not meet the test required for moving a successful recusal request.

Mr Ward, for notice party Arthur Cox, agreed with the WRCs submissions in opposing the recusal application, which came on the first morning of the hearing of her case. He submitted that Ms Burke made offensive comments to the judge at an earlier stage of her case.

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Ms Burke objected to his characterisation of her previous words, saying: I will not have my name dragged through the mud.

Her case is asking the court to judicially review the WRCs rejection of her claim that she was unfairly dismissed by Arthur Cox LLP in November 2019.

Ms Burke alleged she had an exemplary and unblemished record during her time at the law firm, which she joined in May 2016.

Her firing at a meeting with the managing partner came without warning, she claimed.

She had been left in the office until 2am working on a transaction while a partner was out socialising, she alleged. No partner approached her about a conversation during which she raised this matter, which formed part of the basis for her dismissal, she said.

The explanation for her dismissal  an alleged breakdown of trust and confidence was unclear and contradictory, she alleged.

Ms Burke claimed she suffered reputational damage and sought reinstatement.

Dismissal

Arthur Cox, represented by Mr Ward and barrister Mairead McKenna, instructed by Daniel Spring & Co, opposed her case at the WRC, submitting that certain exchanges she was involved in led to a breakdown of trust and confidence and to the decision to dismiss her.

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The law firm accepted reviews of her employment were positive, but her relationship with three partners broke down.

Ms Burkes behaviour during and after her employment, including picketing its offices, meant reinstating her was not possible, it said. She was paid three months' pay in lieu of notice and an ex-gratia payment of 70,000.

She is seeking judicial review of adjudication officer Kevin Banehams April 2022 decision to reject her complaint.

In a 46-page decision, Mr Baneham said there was scope for more evidence, but Ms Burke and her mother interrupted the hearing after he refused Ms Burkes request to summon an Arthur Cox partner and a human resources director to give evidence.

He also declined to order the firm to discover certain emails she requested about the late-night working.

Following his decision on these two elements, at 11.45am on April 1st, Ms Burke and her mother spent several hours making objections. He attempted to swear in the managing partner at 4pm to continue with the evidence, but, he said, the Burkes objections prevented this.

The Burkes were given multiple opportunities to allow the hearing to proceed and when they did not take those, the only viable option was to dismiss the complaint, he said.

Prior to April 1st, 2022, Mr Baneham had rejected an application by Ms Burke to recuse himself from dealing with the case.

In her High Court judicial review, Ms Burke says it was unfair, unreasonable and contrary to law for him to refuse to summon the two Arthur Cox witnesses for cross-examination by her and to direct production of the emails, she contends.

Further, she alleges his termination of the proceedings and dismissal of her complaint was unfair, unlawful and/or outside his powers.
The owners of the Kill Equestrian Centre in County Kildare are set for potential revenue of 8.3 million in accommodating Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia.

That is according to the latest tranche of contract details with accommodation providers showing a potential combined contract value of 64.7 million to house Ukrainians entered during the first quarter of this year.

In a recent written Dail reply to North Kildare TD, Reada Cronin (SF), the Minister for Integration, Roderic OGorman TD (Green) confirmed that the first group of 114 individuals from Ukraine were scheduled to arrive at Kill Equestrian Centre from April 24th and further moves will take place over the following month, bringing the total number of people displaced from Ukraine residing at the centre to 340.

Now, new contract details show that the potential value of the contract for the Kill Equestrian Centre is 8.3 million and has been awarded to Newtownsland (Kill) Ltd.

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The firm is co-owned by property construction group, Montane Developments (Ireland) which recorded pre-tax profits of 5.87 million in 2021 as revenues increased by 40 per cent to 33 million.

The published notice provides details of 91 contracts entered into with accommodation providers in counties Donegal, Monaghan, Westmeath, Offaly, Wicklow, Limerick, Clare, Laois, Cork, Roscommon, Dublin, Mayo, Louth, Cavan, Leitrim, Wexford, Sligo, Tipperary and Waterford.

Against the background of Failte Ireland warning that between 20-30 per cent of the visitor accommodation stock could be unavailable for use in 2023 by tourists, one of the countrys most popular tourist destinations, Co Kerry accounts for the highest number of new contracts at 17.

The figures show that Clonford Property at Lough Currane, Co Kerry has entered a contract with the Dept with a potential value of 2.16m while Emardress Ltd with an address of Killarney Towers Hotel has entered a contract with a potential value of 1.176 million.

Ireland Modular housing being held up by site issues, warn... Read More

Separate contract details show that Manor Capital Investments Ltd of Breakers Hostel, Co Kerry has entered a contract valued at 315,880 while Agha Dev Bond Street of Abode Guesthouse, Co Kerry has entered a contact with a value of 485,228.

A note attached to the contracts award notice states that given the large number of refugees seeking accommodation and the urgency involved, the Dept was not in a position to procure the necessary contracts by advertising openly and could rely on an exception under a EU Directive to negotiate directly without prior publication to put in place a number of short service contracts.

This was done in the context of an ongoing emergency response to a humanitarian crisis. In a written Dail reply to Deputy Violet Ann Wynne (Ind) last week, Mr OGorman stated that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine over 72,565 people have been forced to leave their homes and have sought refuge here in Ireland.

He said: To date 63,175 of those who arrived in Ireland have sought accommodation from the State.
A High Court judge will rule on Wednesday as to whether she should recuse herself from hearing solicitor Ammi Burkes challenge to the Workplace Relations Commissions (WRCs) rejection of her claim she was unfairly dismissed by law firm Arthur Cox.

At the opening of her case against the WRC on Tuesday, Ms Burke applied for Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger to recuse herself on grounds including that she previously expressed views concerning the core issue in her proceedings and that she has a particularly close relationship with Arthur Coxs senior counsel in the tight-knit community of employment law specialists.

Ms Burke alleged Ms Justice Bolger and Arthur Coxs barrister Peter Ward were founding members of the Employment Law Bar Association and have appeared on panels together.

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Ms Burke also produced a letter she received from Arthur Coxs solicitors in 2020 that included the judges name, then a senior counsel, as one of three potential barristers who could mediate her claim.

The judge asked: Ms Burke are you seriously suggesting that because I am proposed as a mediator that I should recuse myself?

She directed Arthur Coxs solicitor, Donal Spring, to file an affidavit on Tuesday evening setting out his contention the then-barrister was never actually contacted in relation to the proposed mediation.

The judge said she had a busy practice before being elected to the bench and could not recall if Mr Spring had contacted her about potentially mediating this matter.

Ms Burke, from Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, further claimed the judge wrote, in a 2015 article published in the Irish Employment Law Journal, that the right to a fair hearing requires unfair dismissal proceedings of this nature to be adversarial.

This, Ms Burke said, effectively decides the core issue in these proceedings, as she, to the contrary, contends the procedure mandated un the 1977 Unfair Dismissal Acts is inquisitorial in nature.

It was also extremely concerning, said Ms Burke, that Ms Justice Bolger did not retract a statement, made in July 2022 after permitting Ms Burke to pursue all of the reliefs she seeks, to the effect that this was not a public interest action.

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Mr Ward, for notice party Arthur Cox, opposed the recusal application, submitting Ms Burke did not meet the legal test that a reasonable observer would perceive objective bias.

He submitted Ms Burke had made offensive comments in not accepting the courts decision when permission was given to bring the case.

Ms Burke objected to his characterisation of her previous words, saying: I will not have my name brought to the gutter.

'Extraordinary' position

Mr Ward said Ms Burke has adopted an extraordinary position where she refuses to accept any ruling of the court.

Senior counsel for the WRC, Catherine Donnelly, said Ms Burkes application was not well-founded and there was simply no basis for the judge to recuse herself.

Replying, Ms Burke said she has been subjected to a personalised and sustained attack on her character by Arthur Coxs barrister.

She also criticised the court for what she claimed were constant interruptions, and she frequently proceeded to make her points while the judge was speaking.

Ms Justice Bolger said she will give her decision on the application at 11am on Wednesday. If she rules against Ms Burke, she will begin to hear the case that day. If Ms Burke is successful, the case will be assigned to a different judge.

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Ms Burkes action asks the court to judicially review the WRCs April 2022 rejection of her claim that she was unfairly dismissed by Arthur Cox LLP in November 2019.

She alleged she had an exemplary and unblemished record during her time at the law firm, which she joined in May 2016. Her firing at a meeting with the managing partner came without warning, she claimed.

The explanation for her dismissal  an alleged breakdown of trust and confidence was unclear and contradictory, she alleged.

She had been left in the office until 2am working on a transaction while a partner was out socialising, she alleged. No partner approached her about a conversation in which she raised this matter and which formed part of the basis for her dismissal, she said.

Ms Burke claimed she suffered reputational damage and sought reinstatement.

Arthur Cox, represented by Mr Ward and barrister Mairead McKenna, instructed by Daniel Spring & Co, opposed her case at the WRC.

The law firm accepted reviews of her employment were positive, but certain exchanges she was involved in led to a breakdown of trust and confidence.

Ms Burkes behaviour during and after her employment, including picketing its offices, meant reinstating her was not possible, it said. She was paid three months' pay in lieu of notice and an ex-gratia payment of 70,000.

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WRC adjudication officer Kevin Baneham rejected her complaint in a 46-page decision.

Mr Baneham said there was scope for more evidence but Ms Burke and her mother interrupted the hearing after he refused Ms Burkes request to summon an Arthur Cox partner and a human resources director to give evidence.

Emails

He also declined to order the firm to discover certain emails she requested about the late-night working.

Following his decision on these two elements, at 11.45am on April 1st, 2022, Ms Burke and her mother spent several hours making objections. He attempted to swear in the managing partner at 4pm to continue with the evidence, but, he said, the Burkes objections prevented this.

Ireland Ammi Burke asks judge to recuse herself from heari... Read More

The Burkes were given multiple opportunities to allow the hearing to proceed and when they did not take those the only viable option was to dismiss the complaint, he said.

Prior to April 1st, Mr Baneham had rejected an application by Ms Burke to recuse himself from dealing with the case.

In her High Court judicial review, Ms Burke says it was unfair, unreasonable and contrary to law for him to refuse to summon the two Arthur Cox witnesses for cross-examination by her and to direct production of the emails, she contends.

Further, she alleges his termination of the proceedings and dismissal of her complaint was unfair, unlawful and/or outside his powers.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the top destination for international travel for Mena travellers in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, said Wego, a leading online travel marketplace in the region, in a new report.



The report titled Middle East Traveller Destination Leaderboard showcases the relative popularity of global destinations with Middle East travellers. Wego users search for tens of millions of trips each quarter and its this flight and hotel data that has been analysed to determine the relative destination rankings. Global Destination Trends



We are excited to share our Mena destination report for this quarter. Our data shows that Egypt remains the top destination of choice for Mena travelers for what the country offers from a mix of history, culture, and adventure for every type of traveler. We also observe that the UK continues to rank as the top European destination out of the Middle East. At Wego, we are proud to connect travelers with the best of the countries, and we look forward to continuing to work with leading partners to promote their unique tourism offerings, said Mamoun Hmedan, CCO and MD, Mena, and India, Wego.



Rounding up the top three is India. The country is a major source market for foreign talent and labour for the Gulf region and has consistently held the top spots for international air travel. Going as far back as 2014, Egypt has consistently been either #1 or #2 and India has invariably taken the #3 spot since 2016.



As is usually the case, we saw more movements in the bottom half of the top 10 with Kuwait overtaking Turkey for the 5th spot and Jordan moving up two spots to rank 8th overall. The lone rank change among top 5 is due to Turkey losing some of the bargain hunters travel that took place in 2022 with people looking to take advantage of the depreciating lira. As the currency situation became more stable, the country has been gradually sliding back to the sixth spot.



Biggest quarter on quarter riser in the top 50 is China (+6 spots for 26th place) as the country started reopening in Q1 of this year. At the same time, China is also the biggest loser versus pre-Covid days having lost 11 spots. With further easing of travel largely expected, we project that China will be among the fastest risers in Q2 of this year as well and that it will likely break the top 20.



Destination trends vs pre-Covid

Compared to pre-Covid, several Asian countries lost positions as they faced stricter Covid policies. These are mostly countries in Asia such as China (-11 spots), Japan & Vietnam (each -9 spots), Philippines (-8 spots), Malaysia (-7 spots) and Indonesia & Singapore (each -4 spots).

On the other end were countries within GCC who had more accommodating social and travel policies during the pandemic and served by short, direct flights: Qatar & Oman each +8 spots, Bahrain +5 spots among others.

Regional Rivalries

European Destinations

The UK has been and continues to be the dominant European destination out of the Middle East. In the past 15 months, the kingdom dropped the torch only once, being briefly overtaken by Georgia in July 2022. We expect Georgia and Azerbaijan to challenge the UK once again during the Summer as Arabs look to replace the Gulf summer heat with a more moderate summer. Overall, the UK's leadership is unlikely to be seriously challenged in 2023 as the country has continuously been the top European destination since 2014.

One dynamic change we have seen among European markets has been Italy which has steadily climbed up through the ranks from #8 spot in early 2022 to currently battling with Germany for the #2.



Middle East Destinations

Among the Middle East destinations, most countries kept their ranks during the second quarter of 2023. KSA and Egypt continue to dominate the top two spots with UAE firmly in third.



Turkey and Pakistan have been moving in opposite directions. In 2022, the depreciating lira attracted bargain hunters to Turkey in masse. In recent months, as the lira has maintained a more stable exchange rate, travel interest in the country has somewhat cooled down. Complicating matters was the major earthquake that hit the country in February and the prolonged news cycle that made travelers delay or cancel travel plans to the country.



Pakistan on the other hand has been gaining ground in recent months helped by additional flights and fewer travel restrictions.



Asia Pacific Destinations

While most Asian destinations retained their relative positions among each other, the loss in popularity of Asia overall versus the rest of the world continues to be the most noteworthy artifact of the pandemic. As China and rest of Asia finally ease social and travel restrictions, we project that a lot of the Asian countries are going to bounce back and reclaim their 2019 positions.



Annual Trends (2014 - 2023)

Looking at a decade worth of travel data, we see regional travel destinations grow faster than long-haul. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and USA dropped out as top 10 destinations while Kuwait, Pakistan, and Jordan are now among the top 10 destinations for Mena travellers.  TradeArabia News Service
2/5/2023, 8:30 am ADMIN

The a2 Milk Company (a2MC, the Company) advises that Kate Mitchell (nee Morrison) has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the Company with effect from 1 June 2023. The Board has determined that Ms Mitchell will be the Chair of the Boards Audit and Risk Management Committee from 1 July 2023, replacing outgoing Deputy Chair, Julia Hoare, who will retire from the Board on 30 June 2023.

Kate has significant governance experience as a director of both private and public companies. She is currently Chair of The New Zealand Merino Company and Link Engine Management and a director of Heartland Group Holdings, FarmRight, and Christchurch International Airport, for which she also serves as Chair of the Risk, Audit & Finance Committee.

Prior to moving to New Zealand in 2014, Kates executive career spanned over 20 years in investment banking in London, which included senior leadership roles across several divisions within global investment banks including Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch.

Chair of the Board, David Hearn, said: We are pleased to appoint Kate as a director of the Company. She is a highly capable individual who brings valuable skills and experience in finance, risk and governance and is an excellent successor to Julia Hoare to Chair our Audit and Risk Management Committee.

The Board would also like to acknowledge the exceptional service that outgoing Deputy Chair, Julia Hoare has made to The a2 Milk Company over many years. We thank Julia for her significant contribution, said Mr Hearn.

By order of the Board of Directors

David Hearn

Chair

The a2 Milk Company Limited

Appointment of new independent NED - Kate Mitchell

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GP and Coroner in Donegal Dr Denis McCauley has said that waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery are so lengthy that they are creating "functional codeine addicts".

Yesterday fresh concerns were raised about the increasing use of painkillers containing codeine with prescriptions through the three main public drug schemes for such medicines having jumped by more than 22 per cent since 2012 to over one million prescriptions issued last year. The figures were released in a reply to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael's health spokesperson Colm Burke.

Deputy Burke said that data provided to him via parliamentary question shows that last year, 1,110,288 prescriptions were issued for codeine last year, which represents a 22 percent jump over the last ten years and a 17 percent increase since 2018.

Meanwhile, Dr McCauley told Today with Claire Byrne that he wasn't surprised at the figures which were released to Deputy Burke.

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However, he said there was a number of explanations for the dramatic jump.

We are an ageing population. We are getting older and stiffer.

"Codeine is mainly used as a painkiller. We are an ageing population. We are getting older and stiffer.

"One of the main drugs in our armouries was an anti-inflammatory which we were advised over the last decade not to give to our elderly because it can have an effect on your kidneys and your heart. That has naturally been replaced by other medications. Codeine being one of them.

"The waiting list that we have... presently we have 65,000 (people) on a waiting list for orthopaedic outpatients and probable operations. These people we see every month. They are in severe pain. They are functional addicts now because we have to give them codeine to keep them going.

"We have to give stronger medication also. These are people who are taking codeine that probably shouldn't be. That is the way it is.

"Is there an issue with addiction of codeine? Yes there is. But the increase is primarily due to the other factors I would think.

During Covid we would have used a lot of codeine because it was really good for the cough. I do recognise the figures but there are numerous explanations for it."

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Dr McCauley says he has seen patients "wait for years" for outpatient orthopaedic appointments for their knees.

"They come in and they are crying. You cannot but give them them medicines. We have all seen the documentary about Oxycontin, but there are patients on Oxycontin in Ireland for their knees and their hips because there is really nothing else we can give them.

"That is an indictment of the waiting lists rather than the patients. I don't want them to be victimised for that or for the doctors to be victimised for giving them the scripts because we have no option. 10 to 15 percent of our daily work is looking after people who are in pain waiting to be seen in hospital."

Pat Dalton, Pharmacist, and the owner of Dalton's Pharmacy in Cork city said members of the public who are intent on purchasing large amounts of codeine over the counter are going from chemist to chemist in order to obtain the medicine.

"At the moment we have no system for knowing if somebody is going to a large number of pharmacies purchasing over the counter counter.

"I strongly suspect it is going on. I hope it is not going on too much. We go through a list of questions with each patient and some people are very quick to come up with the answers. It is like they are pre prepared.

"If they present repeatedly you have got your evidence. If they have been attending multiple pharmacies I currently have no way of knowing that."
The completion of modular housing has been held up by issues with sites, Irelands state architect has said.

A number of rapid-build homes are being constructed at sites across the country to house Ukrainian refugees.

The first houses, at a site in Cork, are due to be finished later this month, state architect Ciaran OConnor told an Oireachtas committee.

Last month Taoiseach Leo Varadkar urged a reality check on the potential of modular homes to address Ireland's housing crisis, saying that while they would help increase the housing stock, they would take time to build.

Leo Varadkar. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage heard from a number of expert witnesses on modern methods of construction on Tuesday.

Mr OConnor said the Government last June requested 500 units, later increased to 700, which he said are in the process of being completed with the first to be handed over in two weeks.

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He said the first homes completed will be in Cork on May 18, followed by Claremorris, Thurles and Cavan.

Weve learnt a lot in that process, we have brought an industry that was at its infancy, from junior infants to secondary school, and the question is where does it go hereafter, he said.

Mr OConnor said the houses are delivered fully fitted out, and plugged into services such as electricity and sewerage.

He said the biggest issue has been with the sites, saying homes would have been finished earlier if sites had been available sooner.

He said the industry is ready to stand on its legs but needs a pipeline of work, secure funding and a commitment that it is part of the wider context.

Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe said he saw potential in rapid-build housing, but expressed concern around cost and speed.

Questioned about Mr Varadkars comments on the speed of completion, Mr OConnor said 85% of the sites had been unsuitable for building.

The units were the easy bit, the hard bit was getting sites fully serviced and getting them all ready, because when you have the unit all you do (is) place it into position, but you cant put it into position unless there is a road and all the other services are there, he said.

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The sites that we got often had significant issues and they had to be resolved, there were one or two sites that were straightforward but most of the other sites were quite tricky sites to resolve, but they have been resolved.

Of the sites that were offered to us, 85% were unsuitable for building  site conditions like 45-degree slopes on certain sites, there were certain sites that had no services and were so remote that you would have to set up a separate bus service to bring people to the nearest village. So that process was slower than we had hoped.

Mark Carlin, managing director of Coillte Forest, briefed the committee on the advantages of building with wood, including mitigating climate change.

Ireland Ukrainians refugees still in the dark about situat... Read More

He said only 25% of houses in Ireland are built with timber frames, far behind Scotland at close to 80% and Scandinavia, which is higher still.

He called for building regulations to be changed and low-carbon materials to be prioritised.

Ireland has opportunity to be at the cutting edge of the next timber-building revolution, he added.
The State has appealed a High Court ruling that quashed a District Court judge's refusal to hear the cases of three people accused of publishing information online identifying the teenage boys who murdered Ana Kriegel in 2018.

The three, who are accused of breaching publication restrictions under the Children Act 2001, won a High Court challenge in July of last year over how a District Court judge refused jurisdiction in the matters.

The three accused were among 10 people charged with similar breaches of the Children Act who were initially told by Judge Brian O'Shea in October 2020 that jurisdiction was accepted and that their matters could be heard at the District Court level.

However, when the matter returned to the District Court on December 2nd, 2020, Judge John Hughes deemed the offences as being too serious for the District Court and ruled that they should be sent to the higher Circuit Court, where penalties upon conviction can be more severe.

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The three then brought a successful judicial review to the High Court challenging the decision, where Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan decided that the matter should be sent back to the lower court for "reconsideration".

The teenagers known as Boys A and B were both convicted of the murder of Ana Kriegel following a trial in 2019.

The 14-year-old had been murdered at a disused farmhouse in Lucan, Co Dublin, in May 2018, when the boys were both 13 years old. They could not be identified by order of the trial judge and under a provision of the Children Act that prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence.

Boy A was sentenced to life imprisonment with a review after 12 years, and to eight years for aggravated sexual assault.

Boy B was sentenced to 15 years detention, to be reviewed after eight years, and has appealed his conviction.

Edel Doherty (48) of Rory OConnor House, Hardwicke Street, Dublin, was charged at Dublin District Court accused of posting photos of the convicted boys on Facebook.

Kyle Rooney (26) of Rathfield Park, Raheny, Dublin, was charged with the posting of photos of the two boys on Twitter.

Declan Corcoran (30) of Williams Place Lower, Dublin, was accused of both naming the boys on Twitter and of posting images of them.

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The DPP had consented to their trial at District Court level.

Ms Justice Phelan quashed Judge Hughes' decision saying the manner in which the judge approached the issue of jurisdiction was unfair because he did not address the cases individually or give reasons for the change.

At the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, Sunniva McDonagh SC for the State argued that the return of the matter to the District Court was made in error by the High Court and that "no breach of natural justice had been made" by Judge Hughes.

Ms McDonagh argued that Judge Hughes had correctly weighed all the cases before him when considering the outline of the evidence in each case before making one ruling on all matters instead of making ten similar rulings in each.

He said the High Court ruling was not that the reasons given by Judge Hughes were "inadequate" but that the judicial review found that justice had not been seen to be done to any observer of the court.

The barrister said that the 10 accused people knew the reasons the judge said he could not hear a "non-minor" matter.

Mr Justice John Edwards said that Mr Corcoran was accused of "actually naming them [the boys]" which differentiated his case from the other two accused, as it potentially causes "much more serious harm".

"Anyone from Afghanistan to Cork could know by name who they were," said Mr Justice Edwards.

Ms McDonagh said "no argument" had been made at District Court level as to how each case was different. "Even now, it's not clear how they differentiate themselves. The arguments being made now were not made then," she said.

"They were taken aback on Hughes' jurisdiction point," said Mr Justice Edwards.

Ireland Ana Kriegel murder: Court refuses to allow fresh e... Read More

"Ms Justice Phelan did not find any breach of natural justice. We believe there was no breach by the District Court judge," said Ms McDonagh.

Mr McDonagh said that while judges were entitled to a precise (summary) of evidence, "that's for the judge who is about to hear the case". The barrister pointed out that "nobody pleaded" in front of Judge Hughes when their cases were there to solely fix dates.

"The proof of the pudding was that some who were accused were not in court, nor were some solicitors," said Mr McDonagh.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, presiding, said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter.
A Ukrainian woman who has lived at the Skellig Accommodation Centre in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry for the past year has expressed relief after plans to relocate refugees to alternate accommodation was paused.

Eighty Ukrainian refugees at the centre were due to be moved in order to make way for international protection applicants. Around 40 of the Ukrainian refugees were due to be placed in accommodation in Tralee town centre.

Liliia Orevchuk told RTE radio's Morning Ireland she is currently undertaking an educational course at the O'Connell centre in Cahersiveen.

"It is very good for me because it is not so far. We are starting to build our life, our new life, here with our two children, my husband and my mother.

"(Cahersiveen) is a quiet place. We have a good school and good people around who are supporting us. We started to integrate in this community. People want us to be here, and we also want to be here," she said.

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Ms Overchuk explained she received a letter about the planned move to Tralee last Friday.

"It was a really big surprise because my children are at school. We 100 per cent would like to stay in Cahersiveen."

Local resident Stephanie Mahey said Ukrainians who have lived at the centre for the past year are fully integrated in to the local community.

"What we want people to understand is that [they] have been living with us for the past year. They are not just Ukrainians living in a hotel.

"They are our friends, they are a community, they are the local hairdresser, they are the people working behind the till in a shop and they are classmates with our kids.

"We go to each others' birthday party's. They are on the same GAA team and some of them, let me tell you, are going to be great GAA players."

Roots

Ms Mahey said a Ukrainian man at the accommodation centre in Cahersiveen has announced his intention to open a cafe in the town.

"He is going to be providing employment in the place. They (people from the centre) have joined the Tidy Towns. Liliia and myself met through a festival committee when we were organising St Patrick's Day."

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She said the letter informing those impacted of the planned move was "wrong on so many levels". "They are the backbone of our workforce now in Cahersiveen. It is emotionally devastating for everybody."

Ms Mahey added that she understands that a crisis in accommodation exists, but said "we have put forward proposals about how we can to try to help everyone as best as we can and how we can make it work".

"We don't know how it makes sense to start again. We have an almost 50 per cent increase in our population. This wasn't easy. It was hard work. Our services are stretched to capacity, but we made it work.

"If this move happens, it will break the spirit of the local community. It seems like the decision was made somewhere at a desk. Made quickly but not taking into consideration all the factors."

In a statement issued on Friday, the Department of Integration said there is a severe shortage of accommodation for international protection applicants and, as such, the Skellig Accommodation Centre in Cahersiveen is required in order to prevent asylum seekers from entering homelessness.

The statement added that it was aware of the impact of such decisions, which it said only take place when absolutely necessary.
Uncertainty still surrounds the fate of 80 Ukrainian refugees in Cahersiveen who had been told on Friday they were being moved out of their accommodation but has since been paused.

Anna Malomolkina was working at Caroline Fox Hair Studio in Cahersiveen when her father Kosta arrived with the letter from the Department.

Anya her parents and ten-year-old daughter Alina were informed they were being moved from their self-catering apartment in the Skellig Accommodation Centre to Tralee, 70 kms from their home of over 12 months.

The bus was to leave Cahersiveen at 12pm on Tuesday.

She and the 40 or so being moved to Tralee have received no formal communication since but on Sunday was told there was now a pause and the bus was not arriving.

Anya is now half packed. There are suitcases in all corners of their small apartment.

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Its been stopped. There is a pause. But it is not 100 per cent certain where we are going, she said.

There has been a huge media presence all day in Cahersiveen too and the media are visiting the hotel, the education centre where a lot of Ukrainians are studying and up-skilling and employers.

Because they paused the move for the time being I sent my child to school. She doesnt need to see this chaos, Anya said.

I packed half way, and I am still packing because with all the stress I dont know, but I think we will be moved,  she said.

Her family had fled Mariupol and arrived in Cahersiveen on St Patricks Day in March 2022 with the town all decked in green shamrocks.

At first, it was a shock for the family to move to such a small town. Previously they had all worked and lived in South Africa and had been back in Ukraine for just three years when all they had was taken from them and destroyed.

But life in Cahersiveen has been good for the family and Anya is particularly happy in her job with clients travelling to her to have their hair styled.

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Her employer Caroline OSullivan has appealed directly to Ministers OGorman and Foley to allow Anya and her family to remain in Cahersiveen.

Ten-year-old Alina has made friends and loves going to school.

She is two months away from finishing her fourth grade. The child is so comfortable in the school. Now is there going to be space in a school in Tralee for her? I think not, said Anya.

As a hairdresser she works on her feet all day and it will not be possible to drive the three hours to Tralee and back, and it certainly will not be possible in terms of keeping Alina at school in Cahersiveen.

Alina, like Anya and her parents have made friends in Cahersiveen. Transport links have improved for them, and they are well settled.

"If they were being moved from the Skellig Accommodation Centre to make room for tourists, the family would understand. But they are being moved to make way for other asylum seekers, she said.

They are just swapping us basically. It makes no sense. And when we move to Tralee, and I find a job all over will we be moved again? Anya also asked.

Meanwhile, there is growing anger in Cahersiveen about the timing of the announcement and what is seen as a lack of recognition for the effort that had been put in by volunteers as well as a myriad number of agencies.

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Fianna Fail councillor Michael Cahill said there needed to be reassurance the plans were not going ahead at all. Cahersiveen with a population of just one thousand people is accommodating 400 Ukrainians under the temporary protection order.

Several agencies along with volunteers have put in tremendous work and needed this kind of reassurance, Mr Cahill said.

The Department of Education, our schools, Kerry ETB, English classes, the Department of Social Protection, South Kerry Development Partnership, the HSE, Tusla, Acard in Cahersiveen and numerous other agencies and organisations have put thousands of hours into helping the Ukrainian community settle into a new life here in Cahersiveen.

"Bear in mind that many of these services are already stretched to the limit. 

"Is IPAS, the Department and the Minister seriously expecting all of these Agencies to start from scratch again?" he said.

The accommodation in Tralee should be used for the newcomers, the councillor also suggested.

Ireland Ukrainian refugees relieved as transfer from Caher... Read More

Cllr Norma Moriarty, FF, said the community was remaining on high alert and any transportation that would arrive would not be allowed out and would be blockaded.

Our ultimate goal here is that these people have absolute certainty that those who want to stay will be allowed stay; Any transportation that attempts to come, we will be blockading it, Ms Moriarty said.

Meanwhile, in a statement the Department of Children which has responsibility for finding accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers said it was faced with a tenfold demand on accommodation in just over a year:

Ireland is now accommodating over 83,520 people between those fleeing Ukraine (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, or BOTPs) and International Protection applicants. This compares with 8,300 in February 2022.
Urgent action is required to prevent the closure of large numbers of private nursing homes this year, according to Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) chief executive Tadhg Daly.

NHI said recently published figures reveal HSE nursing homes receive an average 69 per cent more (744) per resident per week under the Fair Deal scheme compared to their private and voluntary counterparts.

Mr Daly told RTE radio's Morning Ireland that the funding crisis has led to the closure of over 20 nursing home over the last 15 months, adding he fears there will be further exits from the sector in the coming months.

"Our concern is that there is a lack of urgency around this, there is inaction by Government. We have seen in other sectors, not least the housing sector, that if you dont address the matters in a timely fashion it will lead to further challenges down the line.

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"The HSE have published the weekly per-resident fee for residents under the Fair Deal and Public Homes and the average has increased from 627 per resident per week to 744 per resident per week.

"There is a significant threat to sustainability of nursing home care, and these figures confirm that the gulf that is already there has increased further."

Investment

Mr Daly said NHI members have had to "invest significantly" over recent years to continue to meet the Health and Information Quality Authority's (Hiqa) standards and "do so willingly but need to be adequately resourced".

He called for the Government to increase the funding under the Fair Deal scheme to ensure sustainability and allow staff to be remunerated on par with their colleagues in the public system.

"We need the confidence from the point of view of the residents, staff and providers to be injected in to the sector quickly, because if we dont, it is inevitable that we are going to see further closures of nursing homes," Mr Daly said.

Describing the current pricing system for the Fair Deal scheme as "not fit for purpose", he said NHI want to "work in collaboration with Government to fix this".

"Last year we published an open letter to Taoiseach in terms of the crisis for care. We also lodged a complaint to the European Commission in terms of illegal State aid.

"But our ambition is to work collaboratively with the Government, with the HSE and with all stakeholders to ensure that we have a sustainable, high quality residential care sector that meets the needs of residents, and also ensure we cannot remunerate staff appropriately."
Russia launched its second large salvo of missiles at Ukraine in recent days early on Monday, damaging buildings, killing two people and wounding 40 in the eastern city of Pavlohrad but failing to hit Kyiv, officials said.

Air raid sirens began blaring across the capital at about 3.45am, followed by the sounds of explosions as missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian defence systems.

Eighteen cruise missiles were fired in total from the Murmansk region and the Caspian region, and 15 of them were intercepted, said Ukrainian armed forces commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

The head of Kyivs city administration, Serhii Popko, said all missiles fired at the city were shot down, as well as some drones. He did not provide further details, but said more information would be available later.

Women cry next to a memorial for the victims of Fridays Russian attack on a residential building in Uman, central Ukraine (Bernat Armangue/AP)

The attack follows Fridays launch of more than 20 cruise missiles and two explosive drones at Ukraine, which was the first to target Kyiv in nearly two months.

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In that attack, Russian missiles hit an apartment building in Uman, about 135 miles (215km) south of Kyiv, killing 21 people including three children.

In Mondays attack, missiles hit Pavlohrad, in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, killing two people and wounding 40, Ukrainian Ppresident Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Seven missiles were shot at the city and some were intercepted but others struck an industrial facility, sparking a fire, authorities said. Damage was reported to 24 apartment buildings, 89 homes, six schools and five shops, according to regional authorities.

Missiles also hit three other areas in the region, damaging residential buildings and a school, he said.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said on Monday that Russia conducted a group missile strike with long-range precision-guided airborne and seaborne weapons on facilities of Ukraines defence industry all designated facilities were struck.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a cannon near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (Libkos/AP)

The attacks also damaged Ukraines power network infrastructure, which will take several days to repair, according to energy minister Herman Haluschenko.

He said that nearly 20,000 people in the city of Kherson and the wider region had been left without power, along with an unspecified number of people in the Dnipropetrovsk region, including the city of Dnipro.

Moscow has frequently launched long-range missile attacks during the 14-month war, often indiscriminately hitting civilian areas.

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Ukraine has recently taken delivery of American-made Patriot missiles, providing improved anti-missile defences, but it was not clear whether any of them were employed in trying to stop Monday mornings attack.

Ukraine has also been building up its mechanised brigades with armour supplied by its Western allies, who have also been training Ukrainian troops and sending ammunition, as Kyiv prepares for an expected counter-offensive this spring.

On Saturday, two Ukrainian drones hit a Russian oil depot in Crimea in the latest attack on the annexed peninsula.

Mr Zelenskiy said in an interview last week that his country will seek to reclaim the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 in the forthcoming counter-offensive.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 01 May 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/Wu1lvnsXTe



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/PRlzMJHXoX  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 1, 2023

In what has become a grinding war of attrition, 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 defence.

Troops from Russias Wagner mercenary group and other forces are fighting Ukrainian troops house-to-house to try to gain control of what has become known as the road of life  the last remaining road west still in Ukrainian hands, which makes it critical for supplies and fresh troops.

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Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the head of Ukrainian ground forces, said that Russia continued to exert maximum effort to take the city but that it so far had failed.

In some parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions, he said.

In Russias Bryansk region, which borders northern Ukraine, a freight train was derailed by an explosive device, regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said.

There were no immediate indications of who set off the explosive, but Bryansk has suffered sporadic cross-border shelling during the war and in March two people were reported killed in what Bryansk officials said was an incursion by Ukrainian saboteurs.
Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners have joined growing crowds at Sudans main seaport, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation.

After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table.



US soldiers escort American nationals to a US Navy ship in Port Sudan (Smowal Abdalla/AP)

The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said on Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a week-long ceasefire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks.

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The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Gen Burhan and Gen Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt.

Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the countrys Red Sea coast.

The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday.



American nationals are searched by US soldiers before boarding a ship in Port Sudan (Smowal Abdalla/AP)

He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area.

Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat.

Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

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Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air.

Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later on Tuesday, Mr Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.





Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late on Monday.

They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt.

Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Mr Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting.

He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies, he said.

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The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighbouring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to UN agencies.

Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.





Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration, said at a news briefing on Tuesday in Geneva.

At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad country director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighbouring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early on Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed through many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said.

Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky ceasefire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

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The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate.

Mortuaries across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.





At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 injured since the fighting began, according to figures provided on Monday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties.

The Sudanese Health Ministry said it counted at least 550 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with more than 4,900 wounded as of Monday.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there have been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster.

Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according to the UN envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes.

The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting ceasefire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudans former prime minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and western diplomats in Kenyas capital Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately, he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in October 2021 when Gen Burhan and Gen Dagalo, then allies, removed Mr Hamdoks western-backed transitional government in a coup.
A pioneer of artificial intelligence said he quit his job at Google to speak freely about the dangers of AI, after realising that computers could become smarter than people far sooner than he and other experts had expected.

"I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google," Geoffrey Hinton wrote on Twitter.

In an interview with the New York Times, Hinton said he was worried about AI's capacity to create convincing false images and texts, creating a world where people will "not be able to know what is true anymore".

"It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things," he said.

The technology could quickly displace workers, and become a greater danger as it learns new behaviours.

Advertisement In the NYT today, Cade Metz implies that I left Google so that I could criticize Google. Actually, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly.  Geoffrey Hinton (@geoffreyhinton) May 1, 2023

The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people  a few people believed that, he told the New York Times. But most people thought it was way off. And I thought it was way off. I thought it was 30 to 50 years or even longer away. Obviously, I no longer think that."

In his tweet, Hinton said Google itself had "acted very responsibly" and denied that he had quit so that he could criticise his former employer.

Google, part of Alphabet Inc., did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Reuters.

The Times quoted Googles chief scientist, Jeff Dean, as saying in a statement: We remain committed to a responsible approach to AI. Were continually learning to understand emerging risks while also innovating boldly. -Reuters
A nurse accused of multiple murders and attempted murders of babies in the UK has told a jury she had not harmed any children.

Seven months on from the start of her trial at Manchester Crown Court, Lucy Letby (33) entered the witness box on Tuesday to give evidence.

She is alleged to have murdered five boys and two girls, and attempted to murder another five boys and five girls, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The prosecution says Letby was a constant malevolent presence in their care at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital.

It is said she used various means to target the infants, including injections of air into their system and insulin poisoning.

Letby, wearing a black top and black trousers, walked from the dock and across the courtroom to answer the allegations as her defence case started.

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Several rows behind, her parents, John Letby (76) and Susan Letby (62) looked on  as did family members of the alleged victims on the other side of the public gallery.

Her barrister, Ben Myers KC, asked her: Over the period of 2015 and 2016 we are looking at the babies on this indictment, could you put a figure on the number of babies you cared for in that period?

Letby said: It would be hundreds.

Mr Myers said: Did you care for them?

Letby said: Yes.

Asked if she ever wanted to hurt any of them, she said: No, thats completely against being what a nurse is.

She said she studied her nursing degree at the University of Chester and was the first person in her family to go to university.

During her studies she went on numerous work placements, she said, with the majority at the Countess of Chester Hospital, either on the childrens ward or the neo-natal unit.

Letby said she qualified as a Band 5 nurse in September 2011.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of surviving and deceased children allegedly attacked by Letby, and prohibits identifying parents or witnesses connected with the children.

Letby, from Hereford, denies all the allegations.
Auckland International Airport Limited (Auckland Airport) is considering an offer of fixed rate bonds maturing in November 2028 to New Zealand retail investors and to institutional investors.

Any such offer will be made pursuant to the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 as an offer of debt securities of the same class as Auckland Airports existing quoted debt securities. The bonds are expected to be quoted on the NZX Debt Market. It is expected that full details of the bond issue will be released the week of 8 May 2023.

Auckland Airport has appointed BNZ and Westpac as Joint Lead Managers.

Investors can register their interest with the Joint Lead Managers (details below) or a financial adviser. Indications of interest will not involve an obligation or commitment of any kind. No money is currently being sought and no bonds can be applied for or acquired until the offer opens and the investor has received a copy of the offer document in relation to the bonds.

A copy of a market update presentation to be made by Auckland Airport is attached.

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Palestinian militants in Gaza have fired a barrage of rockets following the death of a high-profile Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody after a nearly three-month hunger strike.

The death of 45-year-old Khader Adnan, a prominent leader of the militant Islamic Jihad group, has outraged Palestinians and raised fears of a retaliation.

Earlier on Tuesday, militants in Gaza fired a volley of rockets towards empty fields in Israel.

The Israeli military said that militants in Gaza launched 22 rockets toward Israeli territory later on Tuesday. Four rockets were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome missile defence system.



Palestinian Khader Adnan, is greeted by supporters after his release from a previous prison sentence (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

A 25-year-old man was seriously wounded in the attack, Israeli medics reported.

Palestinian armed groups have long vowed to strike Israel if a hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner such as Adnan  celebrated as a national hero for his resistance to Israel  died in Israeli custody.

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The tactic has become a last recourse for resistance against what Palestinians see as unjust incarceration. The prisoners often become dangerously ill by refusing food but deaths are rare.

Dawood Shahab, an Islamic Jihad spokesman, called Adnans death a full-fledged crime, for which the Israeli occupation bears full and direct responsibility.

Israel has often conceded to demands to release prisoners or shorten their sentences after they staged life-threatening hunger strikes, but Adnans death comes as Israel is led by its most right-wing government ever.

Prisons are overseen by Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, an ultra-nationalist politician who previously tightened restrictions on Palestinian inmates, including shortening their shower time and closing prison bakeries.

Mr Ben-Gvir said on Tuesday that prison officials must exhibit zero-tolerance toward hunger strikes and unrest in security prisons and ordered that prisoners be confined to their cells.

Adnan began his strike shortly after being arrested on February 5.

He had gone on hunger strikes several times after previous arrests. That included a 55-day strike in 2015 to protest against his arrest under so-called administrative detention, in which suspects are held indefinitely without charge or trial.



Relatives of Adnan mourn at his family home, in the West Bank village of Arrabe, near Jenin (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

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Several Palestinians have gone on prolonged hunger strike in recent years to protest against being held in administrative detention.

In most cases, Israel has eventually released them after their health significantly deteriorated. None have died in custody but many have suffered irreparable neurological damage.

Israels prison service said Adnan had been charged this time with involvement in terrorist activities but had refused medical treatment while legal proceedings moved forward.

It said he was found unconscious in his cell early on Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Palestinian groups called for a general strike in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and in cities across the West Bank on Tuesday, with schools and businesses closing for what organisers called a day of general mourning.

Israel fought an 11-day war with Palestinian militants in Gaza, including Islamic Jihad, in May 2021.



Mourners carry the body of a 16-year-old boy during his funeral in the West Bank village of Taqu (Nasser Nasser/AP)

Meanwhile in the West Bank, Israeli officials said a suspected Palestinian shooting attack lightly wounded an Israeli man.

Israel is currently holding more than 1,000 Palestinian detainees without charge or trial, the highest number since 2003, according to the Israeli human rights group HaMoked.

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That figure has grown in the past year as Israel has carried out almost nightly arrest raids in the occupied West Bank in the wake of a string of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israel in early 2022.

Israel says the controversial tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons.

Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defence.
Russias defence chief has urged a state company to double its missile output, as a possible Ukrainian counter-offensive looms and with both sides in the 14-month war reportedly feeling an ammunition crunch.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking at a meeting with top military brass, said the state-owned Tactical Missiles Corporation had been fulfilling its contracts in a timely manner.

But, Mr Shoigu added, right now it is necessary to double the production of high-precision weapons in the shortest possible time.

Analysts have been trying to work out whether Russia is running low on high-precision ammunition, as its missile barrages against Ukraine have become less frequent and smaller in scale.

The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.



The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  02 May 2023.



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/W28xpQdX8C



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/k0qitUcIIO Advertisement  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 2, 2023

The UKs Ministry of Defence noted in an assessment on Tuesday that logistics problems remain at the heart of Russias struggling campaign in Ukraine.

Russia does not have enough munitions to achieve success on the offensive, it said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday described Washingtons latest estimate of Russias losses in Ukraine as spun out of thin air.

The White House said on Monday it now estimated that just since December Russia had suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US estimate was based on newly declassified American intelligence.

He did not explain how the intelligence community derived the number.

Washington doesnt have the opportunity to give any correct numbers. They dont have such data, Mr Peskov said.

Later in the day, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces launched 30 air strikes, three missile strikes and eight attacks from multiple rocket launchers on Tuesday, resulting in casualties among the civilian population and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The General Staff of Ukraines armed forces said Russia was continuing to concentrate its efforts on offensive operations in Ukraines industrial east, focusing attacks around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka in the countrys Donetsk province.

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The prosecutors office in Ukraines southern Kherson province reported that Russian shelling in the regional capital, also called Kherson, and several villages killed three people and wounded five.

Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, say they are readying their own counter-offensive  and stockpiling ammunition to sustain it along potentially long supply lines.

Ukrainian defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Monday that the key things for the assaults success were the availability of weapons, prepared, trained people, our defenders and defenders who know their plan at their level, as well as providing this offensive with all the necessary things  shells, ammunition, fuel, protection, etc.

As of today, we are entering the home stretch, when we can say: Yes, everything is ready, Mr Reznikov said in televised comments.

Also on Tuesday, Denmark said it was donating 1.7 billion kroner (201 million) in aid to Ukraine, including mine clearance vehicles, munition, field bridges and money for air defence that will be needed for a counter-offensive against Russian forces that are dug in behind multilayered defensive lines, including hundreds of miles of trenches.

We know that the Russians have entrenched themselves in the occupied territories of Ukraine with trenches, minefields and other obstacles to stop a Ukrainian offensive, acting Danish defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

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The material in the donation package is important to pave the way for Ukrainian tanks and the armoured infantry in the front line.

In recent months, amid winter weather, the conflict has become bogged down in a war of attrition that has depleted ammunition stocks.

A Ukrainian soldier fires an RPG during his training at the frontline positions near Vuhledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: Libkos/AP.

The Kremlins forces took aim at Ukraines critical infrastructure with long-range strikes, while Kyiv has zeroed in on Russian targets with precision artillery provided by its western allies.

In February, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg warned that Ukraine was using up ammunition far faster than its allies could provide it.

World Man arrested after shotgun cartridges thrown into... Read More

According to some estimates, Ukraine was at that time firing up to 6,000-7,000 artillery shells each day, around a third of the daily amount that Russia is using almost one year into the war.

Sporadic night-time Russian shelling continued to hit Ukrainian areas early on Tuesday, officials said.

At least seven civilians were wounded, authorities said.
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is confident that partygate investigator Sue Gray has not broken any rules in her discussions with Labour about a senior party role.

A Cabinet Office minister is due to issue a written statement to the UK's House of Commons on Tuesday containing an update into the circumstances leading to the resignation of a senior civil servant, according to parliaments order paper.

The PA news agency understands the statement will shed more light on how former senior official Ms Gray came to switch from her high-ranking Whitehall position to a planned move to the Labour leaders chief-of-staff.

Several reports have suggested Ms Gray, who led a British government investigation into allegations of parties being held in Downing Street during the coronavirus lockdown, could be found to have breached the Civil Service Code over the move.

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The Daily Telegraph reported that the update will suggest Ms Gray held talks with Mr Starmer while she was advising the cross-party of MPs on the Privileges Committee about their own inquiry into whether former British prime minister Boris Johnson misled the Commons with his assurances that Covid rules were followed in No 10 during the pandemic.

The Labour leader said that he had no discussions with her while she was investigating Boris Johnson whatsoever, I dont think anyone is suggesting thats the case.

He told BBC Breakfast: Im confident she hasnt broken any of the rules.

Whenever a senior civil servant leaves the Civil Service there is always a process that they have to go through, that is the process she is going through, quite rightly.

The government is trying to resurrect a story about Sue Gray, maybe because they dont want to talk about the cost-of-living crisis, which actually is the thing that most people are most concerned about.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is said to want Sue Gray to help his party prepare for power if it wins the next election (Peter Byrne/PA)

A Labour source told PA: The propriety and ethics team handled requests from the Privileges Committee, reporting to minister for Cabinet Office, Jeremy Quin.

Sue Gray was not working in that team.

The Gov.uk website states that the last role Ms Gray held before her resignation earlier this year was second permanent secretary to the Cabinet Office.

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She was seconded to Northern Ireland from 2018 to 2021 and before that was director general of the propriety and ethics team between 2012-2018.

Her partygate probe was published in full in May last year, having been held up after the Metropolitan Police announced a separate inquiry into the allegations of lockdown-busting events.

Sue Grays report looked at the facts behind the partygate allegations (Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office/PA)

Senior Conservative allies of Mr Johnson have previously claimed that her jump from Whitehall to an Opposition political party called the Civil Services neutrality into question.

Mr Starmer is thought to want Ms Gray in place to help ready his party for power should he win the next general election, which is widely expected to be held next year.

As well as a Cabinet Office probe, the anti-corruption watchdog, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), is also reviewing the terms of Ms Grays departure and new job offer.

It can set recommendations for when senior people leave government, including calling for a cooling-off period to avoid any conflict of interest.

The Civil Service Code stipulates that officials of Ms Grays seniority must wait a minimum of three months before taking up outside employment.

But Acoba could recommend that it is a longer wait, with a maximum delay of up to two years.

Acoba does not have the power to block an appointment, however.

Labour has pledged to abide by any Acoba recommendation in relation to the hiring of Ms Gray.
Sudan's war has forced 100,000 people to flee over its borders and fighting now its third week is creating a humanitarian crisis, U.N. officials said on Tuesday as gunfire and explosions echoed across the capital despite another ceasefire deal.

The conflict risks morphing into a broader disaster as Sudan's impoverished neighbours deal with a refugee crunch and fighting hampers aid deliveries in a nation where two-thirds of the people already rely on some outside assistance.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Cairo would provide support for dialogue in Sudan between the rival military factions, but was also "being careful about not interfering in their domestic matters".

"The entire region could be affected," he warned in an interview with a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday as an envoy from Sudan's army chief, who leads one of the warring sides, met Egyptian officials in Cairo.

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United Nations officials had said U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths aimed to visit Sudan on Tuesday, but the timing was still to be confirmed.

The U.N. World Food Programme said on Monday it was resuming work in the safer parts of the country after a pause earlier in the conflict, in which some WFP staff were killed.

"The risk is that this is not just going to be a Sudan crisis, it's going to be a regional crisis," said Michael Dunford, the WFP's East Africa director.

The commanders of the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who previously shared power as part of an internationally backed transition towards free elections and civilian government, show no sign of backing down, yet neither seems able to secure a quick victory. That has raised the spectre of a prolonged conflict that could draw in outside powers.

Early on Tuesday, black smoke could be seen hanging over the capital Khartoum, which lies at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers. Air strikes hit Bahri, on the east bank, while clashes flared in Omdurman to the west, witnesses said.

An RSF statement on Tuesday accused the army of carrying out air raids on a number of residential areas in Khartoum. The army has accused the RSF of using civilians as human shields.

Air power

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Hundreds of people have died in the fighting that pits the army under General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. Each has blamed the other for the violation of a series of ceasefires.

The army has used air power against RSF units dug into residential areas of Khartoum, damaging swathes of the capital area and reigniting conflict in Sudan's far west Darfur region.

Port Sudan, where thousands of people have fled Khartoum seeking evacuation abroad, is the main entry point for aid for many countries in the region, the WFP's Dunford told Reuters.

"Unless we stop the fighting, unless we stop now, the impact on a humanitarian scale is going to be massive," he said.

Kenya has offered the use of its airports and airstrips near the border with South Sudan as part of an international humanitarian effort, Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua said.

Aid supplies that have arrived in Port Sudan for other aid agencies were still awaiting safe passage to Khartoum, a road journey of about 800 km (500 miles), although Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it had delivered some aid to Khartoum.

Some 330,000 Sudanese have also been displaced inside Sudan's borders by the war, the U.N. migration agency said.

Thousands of Sudanese are trying to exit the country, many across the borders with Egypt, Chad and South Sudan. The U.N. warned on Monday that 800,000 people could eventually leave including refugees living in Sudan temporarily.

World Sudanese flee to coastal city and Egyptian border... Read More

More than 40,000 people have crossed the border into Egypt over the past two weeks but only after days of delays in searing heat after paying hundreds of dollars to make the 1,000-km (620-mile) journey north from Khartoum.

It took Aisha Ibrahim Dawood and her relatives five days in a rented car to get from Khartoum to the northern town of Wadi Halfa, where the women and children crammed into a back of a truck that brought them to a queue at the Egyptian border.

"The situation is very difficult, there is a lot of bureaucracy (to get into Egypt). Our suffering is unprecedented. (But) we can withstand anything - the sounds of gunfire (in Khartoum), the heat of the crowded truck," she told Reuters.

Foreign countries have carried out their own evacuation effort, with an airlift from outside the capital and long road convoys to Port Sudan where ships have ferried them abroad.
Partygate investigator Sue Gray declined to speak to an inquiry into her discussions with Labour about a senior party role, a Cabinet Office minister has said.

The internal probe into her planned switch from her high-ranking Whitehall position to become Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff has been paused whilst we consider next steps, Oliver Dowden said.

In a written statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday, he said it is up to the anti-corruption watchdog to recommend how long to delay the former senior officials start date with Labour.

Labour insisted that Ms Gray has fully co-operated with the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba)s separate review of the terms of her departure and new job offer.

British Deputy prime minister Mr Dowden noted that under Civil Service guidance, any contact between senior civil servants and leading members of opposition parties should be cleared by ministers.

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But he did not say whether the Cabinet Office deemed her to have broken rules, as had been suggested by several reports.

The Cabinet Office has made submissions to Acoba, which will consider evidence from a range of sources to make a recommendation on any appropriate restrictions on the appointment, the statement read.

The watchdog can set recommendations for when senior people leave government, including calling for a cooling-off period to avoid any conflict of interest.

Oliver Dowden. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA.

Mr Dowden said the Cabinet Office process involved interviewing relevant persons to establish further details on any contact between Ms Gray and Sir Keir.

I can update the House that Ms Gray was given the opportunity to make representations as part of this process but chose not to do so, he said.

In order to maintain confidentiality towards an individual former employee, I am unable at this stage to provide further information relating to the departure of Ms Gray whilst we consider next steps.

A Labour source told the PA news agency: Sue Gray has fully co-operated with the Acoba process and is awaiting their outcome. They are the designated channel in cases like this.

Dave Penman, leader of the FDA union which represents senior Whitehall staff, said Ms Gray has the right to prioritise the watchdogs deliberations and stressed that she is no longer a civil servant.

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He told Times Radio: Acoba is really the real deal when it comes to this and whos going to make a decision. And it really should be, because it isnt doing it for political ends. Its doing it based on evidence, and I can understand why shed prioritise that.

The Civil Service Code says officials of Ms Grays seniority must wait a minimum of three months before taking up outside employment.

But Acoba could recommend a longer wait, with a maximum delay of up to two years.

(PA Graphics)

The committee does not have the power to block an appointment.

Labour has pledged to abide by any Acoba recommendation in relation to the hiring of Ms Gray.

In his update into the circumstances leading to the resignation of a senior civil servant, Mr Dowden said: The decision on any recommended restrictions on the appointment is for Acoba.

Earlier, Sir Keir said he was confident Ms Gray had not broken any rules.

The Labour leader said he had no discussions with her while she was investigating Boris Johnson whatsoever, I dont think anyone is suggesting thats the case.

World NHS pay offer accepted by most health unions Read More

He accused the Government of trying to resurrect a story about Sue Gray because they dont want to talk about the cost-of-living crisis before the local elections.

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Sir Keir is thought to want Ms Gray in place to help ready his party for power should he win the next general election, which is widely expected to be held next year.

Senior Conservative allies of Mr Johnson have previously claimed that her jump from Whitehall to an Opposition political party called the Civil Services neutrality into question.
A second study challenging the plan to demolish the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo has added to pressure mounting on the Minns government to step in and halt the $500 million redevelopment.

The Powerhouse Museum was named as an example of the states best-built heritage of the last quarter of the twentieth century, alongside 33 other buildings likely to be of state heritage significance in the report by architects Robertson & Hindmarsh.

The report was commissioned to provide Heritage NSW with expert guidance about the comparative value of the museums modern extensions that were left off the heritage list in 2020 and other buildings including schools and office towers of the period.

The studys findings add weight to the work of eminent heritage architect Alan Croker, who found the modern extension deserved to be conserved and protected.
They dont just let anyone into Westminster Abbey for a royal coronation. So while Australias state governors and a bunch of other worthies will join Anthony Albanese at King Charles IIIs big day this weekend, its a strictly no plus-one policy, with all spouses staying home.

Still, Anthony Howard, the former County Court judge married to Victorian governor Linda Dessau, got to meet KC3 back in October when Dessau was granted an audience with the King at Balmoral  thats in Scotland.

And Howard will be joining in the fun later this month as he helps Dessau host local dignitaries and people from a diverse range of community organisations at Government House at Kings Domain.

All sounds very genteel. Shame we cant say the same of goings-on in Sydney, where a bash will be held at their Government House, the official home of state governor Margaret Beazley.
In the hours after Ricardo Barbaro allegedly slit his girlfriends throat in the bedroom of her South Melbourne apartment, he went to visit his father.

Barbaro had been in a volatile on-again off-again relationship with exotic dancer Ellie Price, 26, and during the early hours of April 29, 2020, police allege he stabbed the young mother six times before leaving the bloodied scene in her white Mercedes-Benz.

Ricardo Barbaro arrives at court on Tuesday. Credit: Paul Jeffers

On Tuesday, a Supreme Court jury heard that Prices accused killer left the apartment in Park Street to meet with his father Giuseppe Joe Barbaro in Williamstown. Soon after, the pair travelled separately to a farm house in Diggers Rest.

From there, the alleged killer hired a Hiace van from his fathers workplace before driving to NSW where he was ultimately arrested.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch has vowed to look into a raid on the home of a Pilbara journalist after the media union accused authorities of harassment and demanded government intervention.

Ngaarda Media journalist Eliza Kloser told this masthead she was stopped twice by police on Friday while taking photographs of the relocation of sacred Murujuga artefacts at the site of chemical company Perdamans $6 billion urea plant, about 20 kilometres north-west of Karratha.

Eliza Klosers photo of construction at the site of Perdamans urea plant on the Burrup Peninsula. Credit: Eliza Kloser

Kloser said she told them she was a journalist and drove off, but was stopped several kilometres down the road by a second set of police who breathalysed her, conducted a search and quizzed her again about her camera.

The Pilbara-based reporter claims she returned to the employer share house she lived at for two hours before Karratha detectives arrived, rummaging through her possessions and searching her bags for 90 minutes before leaving with her SD card.
Federal authorities are being asked to reveal the names of the politicians who give lobbyists full access to Parliament House after growing frustration over hundreds of people who can wield influence in the building without disclosure.

A crossbench alliance is pushing for new rules to reveal the people who have gained unfettered access to the buildings private corridors with sponsored bright orange passes signed by federal politicians under a system that keeps their identities secret.

Nearly 1800 people have access to Parliament House with passes sponsored by parliamentarians. Credit:

But the push is raising concerns over privacy and security because the sponsored passes include family members and other people who are not engaged in lobbying, which means parliamentary authorities are likely to reject the blanket release of all the names.

One politician has approved 55 of the special passes but cannot be identified, according to new details uncovered by a question from independent Senator David Pocock to the officials who supervise the security passes for politicians, staff, the media and visitors.
Singapore: The son of a Malaysian bodyguard to prime ministers and kings who is detained in Sydney while facing the death penalty at home has pleaded for Australia to give his father a second chance.

Sirul Azhar Umar, 51, has been held at Villawood immigration detention centre since 2015, when he was arrested by Australian police following his conviction in Malaysia over the slaying of translator and model Altantuyaa Shaariibuu in a forest outside Kuala Lumpur nine years earlier.

Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28, who was murdered in Malaysia in 2006 amid allegations of bribery, blackmail, treachery and cover-up.

The killing has remained a subject of much suspicion in the South-East Asia nation because of secrecy about who ordered it, and speculation it was carried out to prevent the 28-year-old victim revealing alleged kickbacks in connection with a Malaysian government submarine deal.

While the Australian government will not send Sirul back as long as he faces the gallows, the abolition of mandatory capital punishment for serious crimes last month has opened up the possibility of him being returned to his homeland. All prisoners on death row can now request a sentence review.
Chung named fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences

With the election of these members, the academy is honoring excellence, innovation and leadership, and recognizing a broad array of stellar accomplishments. 

Deborah D.L. Chung, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has been named a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Chung is among 269 new fellows drawn from academia, the arts, industry, policy, research and science in 2023. Of those, she is one of 11 people elected under the academys engineering and technology section. All new members will be inducted on Sept. 29-30 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the oldest scholarly societies in the United States. It was founded in 1780 by John Adams, John Hancock and other revolutionary leaders.

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, said David W. Oxtoby, president of the academy.

A prolific scholar with over 600 peer-reviewed journal publications, Chung joined UB in 1986. She specializes in materials science and engineering, particularly smart materials, multifunctional structural materials, concrete, thermal management, battery electrode materials, carbon fibers and nanofibers, composite materials and their interfaces, electronic packaging materials, electromagnetic interference shielding materials, and vibration damping materials.

Chung is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Charles E. Pettinos Award from the American Carbon Society, the SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, the SUNY Outstanding Inventor Award, an honorary doctorate from the University of Alicante and the Hsun Lee Award, jointly awarded by Institute of Metal Research (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science.

According to the 2022 ranking from Stanford University that examined 315,721 researchers (living and deceased) in the field of materials research, Chung is ranked No. 13 overall, No. 10 among those who are living and No. 1 among females.

Chung is a dedicated teacher, having mentored 37 PhD graduates and received the Teacher of the Year award from the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi. The books that she has authored include Functional Materials, Carbon Materials and Composite Materials. Due to her interest in inspiring young people to pursue science careers, she is the editor of the book series The Road to Scientific Success: Inspiring Life Stories of Prominent Researchers.

Her talents extend beyond science. She holds the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) diploma in piano performance from the Royal Schools of Music and placed second at the Hong Kong Music Festival in the piano solo competition. She has been asked numerous times to speak on the intersection of science and music.

She also is a co-author of the book Piloted to Serve, an autobiography of her mother, Rebecca Chan Chung (1920-2011), a nurse with the Flying Tigers, U.S. Army and China National Aviation Corporation during World War II and a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. Chung also speaks on history.

Chung is a fellow of The American Carbon Society and of ASM (the former American Society for Metals) International. She is also an affiliate faculty member with UBs RENEW Institute, a university-wide, multidisciplinary research institute that focuses on complex energy and environmental issues, as well as the social and economic issues with which they are connected.

Before arriving at UB, Chung was a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University. She is founding director of the Composite Materials Research Laboratory at UB, and served as the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. Endowed Chair Professor from 1991-2008.

Chung earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Applied Science, and a Master of Science in Engineering Science, both from the California Institute of Technology  more commonly known as Caltech  where she was the universitys first female engineering graduate. She earned a PhD degree in materials science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the tutelage of the late Professor Millie Dresselhaus.
TRAFFIC: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral Author: Ben Smith

Publisher: Penguin Press Pages: 343 : Penguin Press

Price: $30

On February 13, 2014, a bored-at-work BuzzFeed quiz ricocheted around the web: What State Do You Actually Belong In? : $30

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But this particular quiz had a bug. Too many people got Wyoming  more than actually lived in Wyoming  and this turn of events was so exciting that people stomped over to Facebook to protest. Then, according to Ben Smith in his engrossing book, Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral, the team at BuzzFeed noticed something that changed media forev 

The actually seemed to promise a solid, data-driven answer.



But even as he refuses to canonise his protagonists, Nick Denton (the founder of Gawker Media) and Jonah Peretti (the co-founder of HuffPost and BuzzFeed), they occasionally alight on the odd eureka moment that a more earnest writer could have styled as world-changing.

Well, not forever. This is Ben Smith, after all. Man-about-media, ironist by nature and trade, one-time editor in chief of BuzzFeed News. In unfolding the tale of Gawker, HuffPost and BuzzFeed  the new-media ventures that, he argues, conspired to invent virality  Mr Smith resists the temptation to claim that anything in his experience changed the world forever.



Mr Smith depicts Denton and Peretti as rivals, but theyre not playing precisely the same game. With Gawker, which began in 2002, Mr Denton was seeking to bust up traditional media with blogs that tweaked the high hats in a faster, truer version of reality. He mastered the refresh; people kept a Gawker tab open all day and compulsively checked for updates.

The Wyoming quizs eureka moment belonged to Mr Peretti. When the quiz became BuzzFeeds most successful post, Mr Peretti, then the companys chief executive, pinged a Facebook staffer, who explained that the platform had a new algorithm for promoting posts: Facebook was now pushing content that attracted high engagement numbers. A cortisol-spiking post that made hordes of reply guys shriek Wyoming!? Facebook blasted it to everyone. Two years later, the same thing would happen with posts that made users shriek Trump!



For years, the site smote its enemies with an energy both sporting and bloodthirsty only to find itself defeated in the 2010s by two formidable forces: The right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel, and love. Mr Thiel secretly bankrolled a lawsuit over Gawkers publication of a celebrity sex tape that pushed the website into bankruptcy. But in Mr Smiths amused telling, Mr Denton fell in love with Derrence Washington, now his husband. The romance, Mr Smith suggests, dampened his personal spikiness and his taste for unalloyed snark.

At HuffPost, which started as The Huffington Post in 2005, and then BuzzFeed, which joined the scene in 2006, Mr Peretti was directing the surges of online influence  traffic  that he had taught himself to manipulate at MIT. He was also trying to determine whether all this traffic should, or could, be pressed into the service of activism, politics, business or simply fun.



Mr Peretti then jumped to the other company hed helped start, BuzzFeed, just as Mr Smith took over as editor in chief of BuzzFeed News.

Mr Peretti joined Arianna Huffington, Andrew Breitbart and Kenneth Lerer to start The Huffington Post, which was first conceived as a progressive alternative to The Drudge Report. Mr Peretti deployed his wizardry in conjuring traffic to drive a hodgepodge website to box-office glory. It was sold to AOL for $315 million in 2011.



Mr Smith finally got his own taste of viral fame in 2017, when he opted to publish the so-called Steele dossier, documenting supposed collusion with Russian agents by Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and filled with salacious details about Mr Trumps escapades in Russia. Mr Smith stands by his decision to publish it. But when its claims were not borne out, he wrung his hands. Can viral political content ever be valuable political content  and vice versa?

The showdown between BuzzFeed and Gawker is best understood as a contest of attitudes. BuzzFeed in its early years was all Disney princesses, cute pets and toxic positivity, while Gawker had put its chips on tabloid-style exposes and spite. Gawker would sneer, BuzzFeed would coo and the winner would be the post to attract the most clicks, views, likes, shares, comments and, of course, complaints.



What did these pioneers of Silicon Alley invent? A way to measure culture, Mr Smith writes. He then defines culture as the volume of outrage or the success of a joke. Indignation and laughter.

Anxiety about this question haunts Mr Smith, and this moral seriousness is what lifts Traffic above other accounts of adventures in start-up land. The most cinematic treachery in Traffic turns out to have been pulled off not by Mr Perettis traffic apparatus or by Mr Dentons cruelty factory, but by the figures who play Igors to their Frankensteins. These include Mr Perettis Huffington Post co-founder Breitbart, who went on to create the far-right website Breitbart.com; Benny Johnson, whom Mr Smith hired at BuzzFeed and then fired (for plagiarism), who works for the conservative youth group Turning Point USA; and an alt-right stuntman known as Baked Alaska, who quit BuzzFeed to work as a tour manager for the right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos and was convicted of a misdemeanour in the January 6 insurrection.

This modern conception of culture jostles in my mind alongside Matthew Arnolds still seductive notion that culture is beauty and intelligence. The jostling feels by turns productive and abrasive.



The reviewer writes features for Wired. 2023 The New York Times News Service




A government official was quoted in the report as saying that the Centre has set aside Rs 30,000 crore for capital support to these OMCs. The instruments through which equity will be infused have not been finalised. Centre is looking to infuse more equity and a possible stake increase in three oil marketing companies (OMCs), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), after they submit their capital investment plans, a report by The Economic Times (ET) said.



The three companies meet over 90 per cent of India's petroleum demand. However, they are facing financial strain. In the first half of the last financial year, these companies booked a cumulative loss of Rs 27,276 crore owing to selling liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and other cooking gases below the cost price. OMCs, however, are concerned that equity infusion might impact their share price, market valuation and market perception.



"We are not in a very good financial situation right now. We were expecting some financial help from the government. But so far nothing has come," another official from one of the three OMCs was quoted as saying by ET. In India, LPG prices are regulated by the Centre.

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Currently, the Centre holds a 51.5 per cent stake in IOC. The rest is held by the public. In BPCL, it holds 52.98 per cent stake with 46.71 per cent held by the public. In HPCL, the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) holds a 54.9 per cent stake and the rest is owned by the public. In October last year, the Centre had approved a one-time grant of Rs 22,000 crore to OMCs to make up for the losses. In January this year, these companies demanded another Rs 50,000 crore cash compensation from the Centre to meet their requirements for 2023-24.

Centre was also planning to sell its entire 52.98 per cent stake in BPCL but the plan was scrapped owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The airline on its website said, "We regret to inform you that due to operational reasons, Go First flights scheduled for 3rd, 4th, and 5th May 2023 have been canceled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations.

Crisis-hit Go First Airways on Tuesday filed for bankruptcy after the grounding of its aircraft amid a severe cash crunch. The third-largest airline in the nation also announced that all its flights would be suspended for at least three days starting tomorrow.
Cash-strapped airline Go First has decided to cancel all its flights for three days starting from Wednesday, extending the suspension of operations by one more day, according to a communication.

The airline, which has filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings, earlier in the day said flights will be suspended for two days -- May 3 and 4. It operates around 180-185 flights daily.

Amid uncertainties over its future course, Go First said it would provide a full refund of tickets.

"We regret to inform that due to operational reasons, Go First flights scheduled for 3rd, 4th and 5th May 2023 have been cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations," the airline said in a notice on its website.

"We acknowledge the flight cancellations might have disrupted your travel plans and we are committed to providing all the assistance we can. We thank you for your patience," it said.

Earlier in the day, Go First CEO Kaushik Khona said flights will be suspended on May 3 and 4.

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In probably the first case of a Big Tech giant paying a penalty to the Indian regulators as the government aims to bring a new Digital India Act, Google has paid the entire penalty amount of Rs 1,337.76 crore imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in the Android case.

Reliable sources told IANS on Tuesday that the entire penalty amount has been deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India, within the 30-day deadline given by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in its order.

The Indian market regulator had imposed the penalty on Google in October 2022 for allegedly exploiting its dominant position in the Android market.

Earlier this year, Google announced to comply with the CCI's directives for Android.

"The CCI's recent directives for Android and Play require us to make significant changes for India, and we've informed the CCI of how we will be complying with their directives," Google had said in a statement.

"We're updating the Android compatibility requirements to introduce changes for partners to build non-compatible or forked variants," said Google.

Also Read Bard, Bing and Baidu: How big tech's AI race will transform searches Google's anti-competitive activities harm Indian consumers: MapMyIndia CEO Key staff driving Apple search engine leaves, rejoins Google: Report CCI declines interim stay for Google on Android-related antitrust ruling Google Chat lets users filter search results with search chips on web S&P Global unveils enhanced employee benefits with 'People First 9.0' CPCL MD Arvind Kumar among 10 in race for Indian Oil Corporation's top job Delhi most forgetful, phones most likely to be left behind: Uber's index IFFCO's net profit increases by 62% to record Rs 3,053 cr last fiscal Fintech firm BharatPe acquires controlling stake in NBFC Trillion Loans

Through user choice billing, developers can offer users the option to choose an alternative billing system alongside Google Play's billing system when purchasing in-app digital content.

The changes came as a Supreme Court bench said that the findings by the CCI cannot be said to be "without jurisdiction or with manifest error" and affirmed the NCLAT order, declining to grant interim relief to Google.

The bench directed the NCLAT to dispose of Google's appeal by March 31, and granted Google seven days to deposit 10 per cent of the Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty imposed by the CCI.

Google had alleged that the CCI copy-pasted parts of a European court order without examining associated evidence in India.

The CCI has also imposed a penalty of Rs 936.44 crore on Google in a separate case for abusing its dominant position with respect to its Play Store policies.

In response to Google's announcement of implementing its new Google Play payments policy, the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) had expressed deep concern over the policy change and has demanded that the new policies must be put on hold, since Google charging a nearly 30 per cent service fee on app developers will prove to be a significant blow to the Indian startup ecosystem.

--IANS

na/ksk/


(Bloomberg) --International Business Machines Corp. Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna said the company expects to pause hiring for roles it thinks could be replaced with artificial intelligence in the coming years.

By Brody Ford



That would mean roughly 7,800 jobs lost. Part of any reduction would include not replacing roles vacated by attrition, an IBM spokesperson said. Hiring in back-office functions  such as human resources  will be suspended or slowed, Krishna said in an interview. These non-customer-facing roles amount to roughly 26,000 workers, Krishna said. I could easily see 30% of that getting replaced by AI and automation over a five-year period.



More mundane tasks such as providing employment verification letters or moving employees between departments will likely be fully automated, Krishna said. Some HR functions, such as evaluating workforce composition and productivity, probably wont be replaced over the next decade, he added. As artificial intelligence tools have captured the public imagination for their ability to automate customer service, write text and generate code, many observers have worried about their potential to disrupt the labor market. Krishnas plan marks one of the largest workforce strategies announced in response to the rapidly advancing technology.

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Krishna, who has been CEO since 2020, has worked to focus the century-old company around software and services such as hybrid cloud. He has divested lower-growth businesses like managed infrastructure unit Kyndryl Inc. and part of the Watson Health business. The company is currently considering selling its weather unit. IBM currently employs about 260,000 workers and continues to hire for software development and customer-facing roles. Finding talent is easier today than a year ago, Krishna said. The company announced job cuts earlier this year, which may amount to about 5,000 workers once completed. Still, Krishna said IBM has added to its workforce overall, bringing on about 7,000 people in the first quarter.
Quality Care and Evercare group own a majority stake in Care Hospitals, a Hyderabad-based entity. In a statement to the stock exchanges, Max said the petition has been filed under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 for seeking interim measures of protection and preservation in respect of the contractual rights available to the company prior to the commencement of arbitration. "The contractual rights arise from the binding obligations of the respondents as per the term sheet entered into by the company with Evercare Group Management Limited dated March 16, 2023," said Max.

Max Healthcare has moved the Bombay High Court against Touch Healthcare, Quality Care India and Evercare Group Management for alleged breach of contract in an offer to acquire Care Hospitals.
The military and intelligence threats posed by the growing numbers of commercial UAVs, particularly quadcopters, have led to the development of more AUD (Anti UAV Defense) systems. In the next few months Ukraine will begin receiving a novel new AUD system called Vampire. This system is palletized - all components are secured on a shipping pallet that can be mounted in a light truck, and consists of a telescoping mast mounting a electro-optical/infrared modular sensor ball and laser designator, a generator for power and Fletcher launcher that carries four APKWS 70mm laser guided rockets. These weigh only 15 kg (32 pounds) each and have a range of about a thousand meters when fired from the ground. Vampire can be used to detect and fire APKWS laser guided rockets at air and even ground targets. Any UAV, cruise missile or helicopter within range is vulnerable. Vampire is designed to be reconfigured, which is the kind of system Ukrainians prefer. The Fletcher launcher is designed to use the new, longer range APKWS rockets that gain additional range by having a larger rocket motor which makes the APKWS longer. Ukrainians are expected to modify Vampire to better suit their needs or simply to obtain longer range while carrying more rockets ready to fire.

Ukraine has also received many man-portable (size and weight of a large rifle) AUDs that use electronic jamming. Ukraine has been using DroneGun for over a year. KVS G-6, a more recent example of this type of AUD, recently appeared in Ukraine and was developed and manufactured in Ukraine. The Ukraine War has created a market for AUDs and manufacturers have responded.

Until now Israel was the leader in combat proven AUD systems. One example is Skylock, which proved itself against Iranian UAVs used during the early 2021 Hamas/Israel ten-day war with Israel. This brief conflict provided ample opportunities to test new Israeli AUD systems. Israel is a leader in the development of AUDs, mainly because it faces attacks from the widest variety of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) types, and the most attacks using UAVs.

In preparation for a large-scale use of different type UAVs against Israel from Iran backed Hamas in the south or Hezbollah (Lebanon) and Iran (Syria), Israel had developed numerous ways to detect and destroy or disable hostile UAVs. During the recent ten-day war Israel detected and defeated six Hamas UAV attacks. There may have been other Hamas UAVs launched that never got near the border because of UAV malfunctions or operator error. The six UAVs that were a threat were all detected and taken down via missiles, usually from Iron Dome but one was by an air-to-air missile, and at least one UAV was disabled using a technology that Israel would not discuss. This was probably one of the electronic AUD systems, which Israeli tech companies have developed over the last few years.

One of the new (to large-scale combat) systems Israel would discuss was one that received data from all sensors (radars or electronic detection systems) and, in real time, created a single database/map display of all enemy systems detected. One feature of this new systems software was an accurate estimate of where UAVs were launched from. This provides an opportunity to attack the UAV operator or launch site. This system was already causing more losses to Hamas rocket launching teams, who thought the Israelis were just getting lucky. Now Hamas knows that luck had nothing to do with it. Israel has often sought to come up with defenses against new enemy weapons or tactics with a multi-system solution. Nowhere has this been more evident than when it comes to the growing threat from armed UAVs.

For over a decade, many if not most new AUD systems have come from Israel. Many specialize in the use of multiple sensors and systems to detect and disable UAVs. The best and most recent example of this is Skylock, an AUD system using multiple sensors and EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment, plus a short-range laser, to detect, identify and jam or take over unidentified UAVs trying to enter military bases, airports, or industrial facilities. Skylock uses a combination of radar, electro-optical (visual) and electronic signal monitoring sensors capable of detecting the smallest UAVs, especially quad-copters, approaching a restricted area. Another Israeli approach is to use an interceptor UAV that can drop a net on a UAV but the preferred method is to jam the UAV control signals or, if possible, seize control and land it.

A growing number of AUDs are built to deal with any small UAV. One of the more effective, and expensive of these AUDs is the Israeli Drone Dome system. These cost $3.4 million each and consist of a 360-degree radar system, an electro-optical day/night surveillance unit and a wideband (most frequencies drones use) detector. With all this Drone Dome can reliably detect any small quadcopter or fixed-wing UAV within 3,500 meters. Most quadcopters and UAVs encountered are larger and can be detected out to ten kilometers. Once spotted, Drone Dome can use a focused jamming signal that will disrupt any radio control signals and force the drone to crash or operate erratically. Drone Dome has an optional laser gun that can be aimed by Drone Dome to destroy the drone at ranges up to 2,000 meters. In a combat zone, you can also employ machine-guns to bring down the drone. Many buyers do not purchase the laser option and depend on Drone Dome being able to reliably detect all manner of small quadcopters from several manufacturers.

What makes Skylock and Drone Dome different is their heavy use of electronic sensors to detect and jam the control signals used by UAVs, leaving the laser as a last resort. Several such AUD systems are already in service and effective because they are good at detecting UAVs electronically, and either jamming those control signals or taking over the control signals and capturing (by making it land) the UAV. American troops in Iraq and Syria were asking for AUD systems that use lasers, plus better UAV detection systems as well those with jammers to disable UAVs. There is also a need for AUDs that can detect and destroy UAVs that do not use control signals and basically go on pre-programmed missions. This can be to take photos or deliver a small explosive. Usually, it is to take photos and return. Drone Dome is one of several AUD systems equipped to detect and locate UAVs operating in pre-programmed mode and destroy or disable them quietly with a vehicle-mounted laser.

AUDs like Drone Dome also use one or more radar systems and one or more sensor systems for detecting UAV control signals or visual images that pattern recognition software can quickly identify. While commercial UAVs are more common, the basic design principles have not changed. AUDs are constantly evolving to better detect and disable or destroy unwanted UAVs. The best ones are recent models that tend to be very expensive and used only for extreme situations, like UAV defense in combat zones. Airports, especially the larger ones, are going to have to join the military in buying the latest AUDs, which at least lowers the AUD price and inspires even faster innovation and development.

Ukraine could have used Skylock or Drone Dome, but Israel does not provide weapons for Ukraine because of an arrangement with Russia to assist Israel in keeping Iranian forces in Syria from getting close to the Israeli border or launching any attacks on Israel. In Ukraine, NATO nations providing weapons are not directly threatened with Russian attacks. Such is not the case with Iranian forces in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.


"Gen-Z is an important cohort that we continue to take a deep interest in," said Nandita Sinha, chief executive officer, Myntra. "Their individualistic sense of style, diverse points of view and core values reflect in their unique fashion choices and is steadily impacting the way fashion is being consumed at a global level." Walmart-owned online retailer Myntra has come up with FWD, an immersive fashion experience for Gen-Z, on its platform. The aim is to tap the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and drive the acquisition of 10 million new Gen-Z customers in the next two years, said a top company executive. The firm would add this to the 8.6 million Gen-Z customer base in 2022. Myntra will also look at scaling the offering to over 100,000 styles on FWD by the end of the year.



As part of the new offering to tap Gen-Z, Myntra has rolled out a series of features, delivering an app-in-app experience. This includes an assortment of over 65,000 styles and access to a mix of over 500 popular brands from across the globe. Some of these brands include H&M, Trendyol, bebe, Tokyo Talkies, Sassafras, Hersheinbox, Street 9, Athena, Bonkers Corner, and Boohoo. Myntra said 20 per cent of the world's Gen-Z live in India. With the oldest of the generation turning 25 last year, the group has come of age with a purchasing power of about $360 billion, according to industry sources.



Myntra's tech-enabled 'photo search' feature is being further elevated with Gen-Z shoppers in mind. It would soon let users take a picture or screenshot of a style they spot around them or on social media and directly forward it to the Myntra app, which will instantly show similar shoppable results from FWD. The FWD experience has been completely reimagined, with a focus on Gen-Z users. For instance, the platform will feature a Daily Drop Widget, providing daily intel on fresh styles as well as an automated flow of content and trends personalised to the shoppers' tastes and preferences. It will bring ace Bollywood photographer, and content creator Viral Bhayani's stream of the best-spotted celeb looks to the app.

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By Neha Arora

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian iron ore miner NMDC Ltd is in talks with Australia's Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd for lithium exploration and mining, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

"Lithium exploration is at a very nascent stage, but we are talking to Hancock Prospecting for their investments into it," said the source, who didn't want to be named because he is not authorised to talk to media.

Separately, NMDC is working on plans to export low-grade iron ore to China, the source said. NMDC could collaborate with another company to process and ship out the ore to China, he said.

The miner is also expecting to receive forest clearances by June for diamond mining in the Panna area of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the source said.

NMDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Also Read Iron ore miner NMDC exploring lithium reserves in Australia's Perth NASA mission spots 2nd Earth-size world within 'habitable zone' of its star India steel imports from Russia rise to eight-year high in April-Jan: Data Jindal Steel and Power says enquiries from European buyers on rise Goa govt to auction 5 more iron ore mining blocks located in North Goa Carlyle, Premji Invest eye stake in auto loan firm TVS Credit: Report Suzlon bags 69.3MW wind energy project from Juniper Green Energy Centre to infuse equity in 3 OMCs after they announce capex plans: Report Mahindra & Mahindra vehicle sales up 36% in April, exports shrink 33% USFDA puts partial clinical hold on Sun Pharma's dermatological drug

Shares of the company rose up to 1.5% after the news.

(Reporting by Neha Arora, Editing by Mayank Bhardwaj and Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said it was unfortunate that the operational bottleneck related to engine supplies has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

Against the backdrop of the airline filing an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings, the minister said, "It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course".

Faced with a severe financial crunch, the budget carrier has also decided to cancel flights for May 3 and 4.

"Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines. The Government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved," Scindia said in a statement.

He noted that it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

"It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course," he said.

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Further, Scindia said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights.

It is incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for passengers, so that inconvenience is minimal, he added.


The Hyderabad-based company, specialising in rural loans, had posted a post-tax profit of Rs 71.36 crore in the preceding December quarter.

Microlender Spandana Sphoorty Financial on Tuesday reported a 268 per cent jump in its consolidated March quarter net profit to Rs 105.55 crore.



Its managing director and chief executive Shalabh Saxena said the company aims to disburse Rs 11,500 crore in loans in FY24 and will be opening 400 new branches as well.

For FY23, its post-tax net profit declined to Rs 12.31 crore against Rs 69.8 crore in the year-ago period. A statement from Spandana Sphoorty said the company had to write off Rs 702 crore worth of assets in the first quarter of FY23, which resulted in a massive decline in the profit.



The overall assets under management stood at Rs 8,511 crore as of March 31, 2023, against Rs 6,581 crore in the year-ago period.

For the reporting quarter, its total income grew to Rs 533 crore, up 42 per cent, when compared to the December quarter, while the core net interest income rose to Rs 384 crore.

Also Read Spandana Sphoorty Financial raises $20 mn via ECB to fund business growth Spandana Sphoorty Financial to raise up to Rs 300 cr by issuing bonds Stocks to Watch: Auto, Voda Idea, Axis, IDBI Bank, Dabur, Spandana Sphoorty Are states with high levels of poverty spending less on MGNREGS? SBI personal banking loan book up Rs-5 trn mark, helped by digital push UltraTech Cement stock down 1% on net profit decline in March quarter NTPC coal output from captive mines more than doubled to 2.75 mt in April Go First Airways files for insolvency, blames Pratt & Whitney engines BharatPe acquires majority stake in Mumbai-based NBFC Trillion Loans NMDC's iron ore production rises 11.42% to 3.51 mn tonnes in April



The Spandana scrip closed 6.14 per cent up at Rs 632.15 apiece on the BSE on Tuesday ahead of the announcement of results. On the asset quality front, the lender showed a sharp improvement, with the gross non-performing assets ratio coming at 2.07 per cent against 18.7 per cent in the year-ago period.


Sebi on April 26 had issued its observation letter on the companys pre-filed offer document. Tata Play could be the first company from the group to launch an IPO in 18 years. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has given its go-ahead to Tata Plays proposed public issue. The Tata group firm is the first company in India to file confidential papers with the markets regulator for an initial public offering (IPO).



Tata Motors subsidiary Tata Technologies, too, filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) in March. The company is expected to receive a go-ahead soon from the markets regulator. Tata Technologies IPO is expected to be around Rs 4,000 crore. According to market sources, the company, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and The Walt Disney Company, is eyeing to raise around Rs 3,000 crore via the IPO, which can be a mix of fresh and secondary share sales.



The updated DRHP will have to incorporate the observations issued by Sebi and will be available to the public. Following the issuance of the observation letter, Tata Play will now have to file an updated draft red herring prospectus (UDRHP-1) before it launches the IPO.

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According to the norms, the company will have to file an updated DRHP within 16 months from the regulatory approval, the validity of which is 18 months. Under the so-called confidential filing or the pre-filing route, an unlisted company is allowed to keep its offer document private until it firms up its IPO plan.



Hospitality chain Oravel Stays (OYO) has also opted for the confidential route for filing fresh IPO papers, after Sebi returned its initial documents. The company submitted for pre-filing on March 31. The direct-to-home platform pre-filed its DRHP confidentially with the Sebi on November 29, a month after the introduction of the confidential route.

Additionally, the markets regulator has approved the IPO plans of drone-maker IdeaForge. Sebi issued the observation letter for India's largest drone maker on April 13, giving way for its public issue comprising a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 300 crore and an offer for sale of 48,69,712 equity shares.


Electric mobility startup Zypp Electric on Tuesday announced its plan to deploy as many as 10,000 electric scooters in Bengaluru and said 2,000 e-scooters are already on roads.

The remaining 8,000 of these vehicles will be deployed over the next two months, Zypp Electric said.

The move is part of the company's recently announced plan to extend services to 30 cities in the country and expand its fleet size to 2-lakh e-scooters by 2025.

At the same time, the company said, it has on boarded 2,000 delivery executives in the capital city of Karnataka and it is looking to hire over 5,000 more within the next two months.

The fresh hiring is to facilitate efficient last-mile delivery, and boost employment opportunities in the gig economy, it added.

Zypp said it also plans to install over 100 Gorogro battery swapping stations at its Bengaluru hubs in the next 12-18 months, which is expected to significantly boost the city's EV ecosystem.

Also Read Zypp Electric to deploy 100,000 more e-scooters for Zomato by 2024 Ola Electric and Ather Energy's e-scooter prices to include the charger KTM chief says scope of electric vehicle mobility highly overrated How is Switch powering up green mobility in India? Yulu ties up with Zomato to provide e-scooter for food deliveries EV financing platform Ohm raises Rs 3 cr in funding led by Antler India NMDC in talks with Australia's Hancock for lithium mining: Report Carlyle, Premji Invest eye stake in auto loan firm TVS Credit: Report Suzlon bags 69.3MW wind energy project from Juniper Green Energy Centre to infuse equity in 3 OMCs after they announce capex plans: Report

"We have already deployed 2,000 e-scooters in Bengaluru. Our aim is to provide companies with affordable and sustainable last-mile logistics solutions," said Rashi Agarwal, Co-founder and CBO of Zypp Electric.

Following the successful operations in Delhi NCR, Zypp sees a strategic opportunity to expand its services in this city, Agarwal said, adding that by increasing its electric fleet, the company is taking a step forward in making green logistics accessible to businesses.

"This initiative will not only benefit our partners in reducing costs but also create more job opportunities in the gig economy," Agarwal added.


The company's consolidated total revenue from operations fall more than 9% to Rs 62,962 crore against Rs 69,323 crore in the same quarter of last year. Tata Steel on Tuesday posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,705 crore for the March quarter. This is an 83 per cent decline from Rs 9,756 crore a year ago, the company said in a regulatory filing.



The company has spent Rs 4,396 crores on capital expenditure during the quarter and Rs 14,142 crore for the full year. Work on 5 MTPA expansion at Kalinganagar and setting up an EAF mill of 0.75 MTPA in Punjab is progressing. The Tata Steel board has declared a dividend of Rs 3.60 per equity share.







Falling steel prices and rising coking-coal costs have squeezed the industry's profits since the first quarter of last fiscal year. Tata Steel reported a 6% increase in the cost of raw materials consumed. "In Europe, margins were broadly similar on a QoQ (quarter-on-quarter) basis as improvement in costs was offset by drop in revenues," Tata Steel said in a statement. The companys net debt decreased by Rs 3,900 crore to Rs 67,810 crore and liquidity remains strong at Rs 28,688 crore. Net debt to EBITDA was 2.07x.

Also Read From Ambuja Cements to Tata Steel: Q4 results to watch out for today Tata Steel posts surprise Rs 2,224 crore net loss in December quarter Metal stocks: Will export duty rollback help? One year since Tatas took over Air India, here's how the journey has been Tata Motors Q3 preview: What to expect from auto major's quarterly results? DCM Shriram Q4 results: Profit falls 54% as raw material, power costs surge Ambuja Cements Q4 net profit up 1.61%, declares dividend of Rs 2.5 apiece Punjab & Sind Bank's Q4 net profit up 32%, gross NPAs down to 6.97% UCO Bank Q4 net profit rises 86% to Rs 581.24 cr, NPA down to 4.78% Adani Total Gas Q4 net profit up 20.7%, declares dividend of Rs 0.25/apiece



Tata Steel is the first among the major steel players to report quarterly earnings. Rival JSW Steel will report results on May 19. Delivery volumes in Europe fell over 11%, but inched up 0.6% in India, the company said last month.

FY2023 saw our India crude steel production growing to around 19.9 million tons, with a 65% share of our overall volumes. Deliveries were in line with production with domestic deliveries growing 11 per cent YoY and driving product mix improvement, said T V Narendran, chief executive officer & managing director of Tata Steel.

The quarter also saw strong momentum with deliveries growing by 9 per cent QoQ to 5.15 million tons. We have multiple projects ongoing at various locations in India as we work towards 40 MTPA by 2030. The phased commissioning of our expansion at Kalinganagar continues with FHCR coils now being produced at the CRM complex. Within 9 months of acquisition, we have successfully ramped up Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited to Rs 1 million tons on annualised basis. We have also progressed on our plans to set up our first EAF mill in Punjab. During the quarter, Europe deliveries were up 9 per cent QoQ. The Cold Mill upgrade at Ijmuiden is progressing and we have commenced the relining of BF6 in early April, he added.


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Our role and responsibilities are very distinct which is for standard-setting, investigation and disciplinary matters (on auditors) of listed entities, says Ajay Bhushan Pandey, NFRAs chairman. Just last week, several auditors of large companies had to resign as a consequence of our debarment orders".

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is more visible in those circles, despite its perceived lack of zeal to censure chartered accountants for errors. NFRA has passed 22 penal orders on auditors in about 30 months.
Iran has increased its efforts to carry out attacks inside Israel. The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) is taking the lead with its Quds Force, which specializes in attacks against foreign enemies. Shin Bet, the Israeli domestic intelligence service, recently arrested two West Bank Palestinians who had been recruited, via the Internet, by Quds Force as part of an effort to establish a network of Palestinians in the West Bank who had been trained and organized by Quds to carry out attacks against Israelis using rockets launched from the West Bank. This Quds network would also provide Iran with information on the West Bank. Such a network has not yet been established, in large part because Shin Bet detects Quds activities and often monitors them rather than immediately shutting them down. That was the case with the two recently arrested Palestinians, who had been sent to Turkey where Quds could provide training. Shin Bet waited until it had identified other Palestinians working for Quds.

Iran spends about $100 million a year to support its operations among Palestinians. Over the last few years, some of that activity moved from Gaza to the West Bank. The West Bank is run by Fatah, a more corrupt and less comfortable with Quds Palestinian government, which is very hostile towards rival Hamas members from Gaza operating in the West Bank. The growing presence of Hamas and Quds in the West Bank caused Fatah to become more cooperative with Israel and its many intelligence and counter-intelligence organizations. After all, Quds is spending a lot of money in the West Bank and Fatah insists on getting a share of anyones new spending in their domain. Shin Bet has a network of local informants in the West Bank, as well as in Gaza and Turkey. Israel also has an extensive Internet monitoring operation that searches for, and often detects, new efforts to use the Internet in support of attacks on Israel.

Iran knows that Israel is a formidable opponent, especially in the West Bank and Gaza. Just having a recruiting network in the West Bank is seen as an achievement, even though it has been expensive. For example, a year ago Shin Bet arrested four members of a Hamas terrorist cell (group) that had received training in Syria and Turkey before returning to the West Bank, where they were arrested. Quds was involved with this.

At the same time Israeli media and an Iranian opposition group revealed that Israeli Mossad (foreign intelligence) and Shin Bet personnel had gone to Iran in 2021. There they seized and questioned Mansour Rasouli, a member of Quds Force Unit 840, which carries out assassinations overseas. Rasouli admitted that he had been assigned to arrange the assassination of an Israeli diplomat in Turkey, an American general officer stationed in Germany and a journalist in France. The IRGC was providing him with $150,000 to plan the killings and another million dollars if all three subjects were killed. Rasouli planned to hire contract killers via his contacts in drug smuggling gangs.

Audio, and later video, of key portions of the interrogation were leaked. Rasouli confessed because his interrogators already knew a lot about the plot. He was released and the Israeli interrogators left Iran. Rasouli and his IRGC superiors called off the assassinations because they knew the interrogation had been recorded, the targets had been alerted, and had received additional security. There was an understanding that, if Iran backed off on these killings, the Israelis would remain silent about the interrogation. Why this evidence was leaked in 2022 may have something to do with the Israeli opposition to the 2018 American willingness to not merely revive the 2015 treaty reducing American sanctions on Iran, but also to modify its terms to make it easier for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles for use on Israel. Billions of dollars in frozen accounts would be returned to Iran and, if the Americans went ahead with taking the Iranian IRGC and its Quds Force off the list of known terrorists, there would be a lot more violence in the Middle East. Iran saw the 2015 treaty suspended by a new American government in 2018 because of Iranian cheating. Then came the 2020 American presidential elections, which put into power another new president seemingly determined to change American policies towards Iran and ignore Arab oil states complaints about Iranian threats and attacks on them. This has driven many Gulf oil states into an economic alliance with Russia to drive up the price of oil. This policy makes it easier for Iran to smuggle more of its heavily discounted oil. That plan survived the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine and even more economic sanctions. Opposition from the Arabs and American voters is having an impact and revival of the 2015 treaty may not happen. Otherwise, Israel has made it clear it will carry out attacks on Iranian targets key to nuclear and ballistic missile development and production. The Arab oil states will cooperate, and continue refusing to increase production to lower world oil prices.

Meanwhile Hamas complained that Turkey expelled dozens of Hamas members in the last few months. These expulsions are part of the Turkish effort to repair their relations with Israel.
As per the government's first preliminary estimates released in mid-April, services imports stood at $14.05 billion in March, while services exports were at $27.75 billion.



India's services exports rose 13.1% on year to $30.48 billion in March, while imports recorded a 6% growth to $16.27 billion, provisional data published by the Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday showed.
Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL) became the 13th Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) to get the Navratna status. It was in 2014, when Engineers India Ltd. Was conferred with Navratna status.

The meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was held on January 18, 2023 to consider the proposal of the Ministry of Railways for the grant of Navratna status to RVNL Limited.

Moreover, the company must get a score of 60 out of 100 in parameters like net profit, cost of production, service cost, capital employed, earnings per share and inter sectoral performance.

For a CPSE to be eligible for Navratna status, the company must have Miniratna l, schedule A status and have obtained excellent or very good Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) rating in three of the last five years.


Founded around 20 years ago, the IAMAI is a non-profit organisation that aims to represent the digital services industry. It has over 500 Indian and multinational corporations, including digital platforms, as its members. Some Indian entrepreneurs have now criticised IAMAI and accused it of promoting the interests of Big Tech companies such as Google and Meta. Perhaps in the first such instance, founders of several Indian start-ups are raising their voices against industry body, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). They have accused it of promoting pro-foreign Big Tech views on government regulations and other contentious matters.



Sad to see an org originally founded by and for Indian companies taken over & now promoting a false narrative. IAMAI views & submissions to govt & media on digital policies, regulations, laws etc are completely wrong and antithetical to what Indians  consumers, industry, and government  need, Verma tweeted. Rohan Verma, CEO and executive director, MapmyIndia, took to Twitter to say that IAMAIs top positions are held by executives of Google and Meta. Currently, Sanjay Gupta, country head and vice president of Google India, and Shivnath Thukral, public policy director-India at WhatsApp Inc, lead the industry body as its chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively.



In recent times, several start-ups have expressed their disagreement with IAMAI about its submission in public consultations on government policies. IAMAI did not respond to Business Standards requests for comment till the time of publishing this report.

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According to media reports, leading gaming firms later wrote to the government that IAMAIs statement did not align with their views and they werent consulted before a statement on this important matter was issued. For instance, during the consultation on online gaming rules, the industry body had submitted that the scope of the rules had been poorly thought out and that certain aspects needed a re-look.



Lies! Start-ups are strongly in favour of a strong anti-monopoly Digital Act. In fact, IAMAI is a failing lobby for BigTech propaganda & misinformation  India @CCI_India & @PMOIndia know better, Anupam Mittal, founder and CEO of People Group, tweeted. Some start-ups have also criticised the industry body for its draft feedback on the digital competition Bill. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs had formed a committee on the Digital Competition Law in line with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance on anti-competitive practices by Big Tech. According to media reports, IAMAI is likely to submit that the Digital Competition Act might adversely impact start-ups by stifling innovation, competition and investments.



Verma has demanded that IAMAI should either immediately change its policies or it should not be given any credence. Some other start-ups have also alleged that IAMAI did not represent them on their disagreements with Google on the issues of in-app billing and Play Stores updated policy of charging up to 26 per cent service fees on payments made through the user choice billing systems. The Alliance of Digital India Foundation has filed a case in the Delhi High Court on behalf of start-ups demanding user choice billing.

He tweeted: Every country has its own trade bodies who promote their domestic companies in their domestic market & enable them internationally. Sad to see various Indian trade bodies lured by & acting on behalf of the interest of foreign companies.
The Congress on Tuesday accused Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of making "hate speeches" in poll-bound Karnataka and urged the Election Commission to put a ban on campaigning by them in the wake of Supreme Court orders on such speeches.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ajay Maken, Vivek Tankha, Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera met the Election Commission and gave them a memorandum demanding immediate action against such "hate speeches".

"The home minister says such things which polarise the country and create division in society..., neither the Constitution provides for such a thing nor does the oath they take while assuming the high office. We have pointed this out to the Election Commission," Tankha told reporters after the meeting.

He asked what the home minister meant by saying that "there would be riots in India if the Congress comes to power".

"Does he mean to say that the Congress is getting the riots done...The real thing is that people holding constitutional positions should not make such kind of hate speeches. It is against the law and immediate action should be taken against them as per Supreme Court orders," he said.

The Congress memorandum by AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Surjewala, said it has clearly emerged after the successive rallies of three star campaigners of the BJP - Union minister Amit Shah, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and party president J P Nadda - that they are first making unverified and false allegations and thereafter following it with malicious and deliberate statements targeting religions with the intent to promote enmity between different groups.

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"We reiterate our concern that this is a case of a well hatched criminal conspiracy to committing offences against public tranquillity, and offences relating to elections and offences related to criminal intimidation, insult and annoyance," the memorandum said.

It added that the pattern has started adversely affecting the election process and the inaction from this commission is furthering the agenda of creating communal disharmony.

"We reiterate our request to this commission to ban Sh Amit Shah, Mr Yogi Adityanath and Mr J P Nadda from all campaign activities till the conclusion of the election," Surjewala said in the memorandum.

The opposition party has alleged that the BJP leaders are trying to "scare, divide and mislead the society through 'hate speech' in the country".

Khurshid said, "We have made a complaint earlier but no action has been taken on our complaint yet."



"We have said that if there is no action against such people who hold responsible positions and repeatedly make such statements which amount to hate, then it will keep increasing and there should be an end to such speeches immediately. The EC has assured us that it will look into the complaints seriously," he said.

Tankha said, "If constitutional authorities do not follow the law and the Constitution and will indulge in hate speeches, then neither the Constitution permits this and nor does the oath that they have taken."



What these three people have said comes under the purview of "hate speech" and the EC should take action against them, he said, adding that the EC has constitutional responsibility and there was concern and seriousness displayed by them during the meeting.

"Home minister is a big position and is a protector of the country and should not be talking about riots like this."



Tankha said the Congress delegation gave the EC copies of the Supreme Court order on hate speeches and called for immediate action as per the law of the land and the SC verdict.

"We have made representations specifically against three people - Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"We have urged the Election Commission to take action as per law against these people in the wake of Supreme Court orders which has called for immediate action on hate speeches," he said.

The three BJP leaders have been alleging that "if the Congress comes to power, there would be riots" in the state, which amounts to hate speech as such speeches lead to a division in society, the Congress leaders said.

The Congress memorandum also said the BJP has given advertisements to spread "false, unverified and malicious allegations" against the Congress with the aim to influence the voters against the party in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka.

"The Commission allowing publication of BJP's advertisements containing prima facie unverified, false and malicious allegations, while at the same time disallowing INC's advertisements containing verified allegations and claims, clearly removed the level-playing field that must be maintained by the Commission.

"In the interest of justice, equity, good conscience and for the sake of free and fair elections, we sincerely request this Commission to pass strictures against the BJP and its representatives to further issue directions to take down all political advertisements where the BJP has deliberately made false and unsubstantiated claims, direct the state authorities to register an FIR against the publishers, authors and representatives of the BJP," the party said.

Amit Shah had made remarks at a poll rally in Bagalkot in Karnataka on April 25 and in Vijayapura, alleging that the state of Karnataka will be afflicted by communal riots. The Congress has already complained to the EC on April 28.

"The Commission may note the pattern, which is being followed by Mr Amit Shah, Mr Ajay Bisht (Adityanath) and now Mr J P Nadda. It may be reiterated that the BJP and its leaders first raise unverified and false allegations against the INC and its leaders, thereafter bring in malicious allegations which involve religion and which tends to promote or create enmity between groups on grounds of religion," the memorandum said.

Extending the scope of its 2022 order beyond three states, the Supreme Court had on Friday directed all states and Union territories to register cases against those making hate speeches even if no complaint has been made.

A bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna termed hate speeches a "serious offence capable of affecting secular fabric of the country". The bench said its October 21, 2022 order shall be made applicable irrespective of religion and warned any delay in registering cases will be treated as contempt of the court.
A war of words over the Congress manifesto pledge to ban the Bajrang Dal added to the shrillness of the poll campaign in Karnataka on Tuesday, even as the Election Commission issued an advisory to parties and their star campaigners asking them to exercise restraint in their remarks and not to vitiate the atmosphere.

Both the Congress and the BJP rushed to the Election Commission seeking a ban on electioneering by top leaders of the other side alleging that they had violated the model of conduct with their remarks.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the offensive on Congress' anti-Bajrang Dal stance, members of the outfit held protests outside Congress Party's Karnataka offices, even as top BJP ministers attacked the grand old party alleging it has opposed both "Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman" and was following politics of appeasement and division.

The promised ban on Bajrang Dal was the latest in a series of dissonant campaign notes, after invectives like 'nalayak beta' (unworthy son), 'zehreela saanp' (poisonous snake) and 'vish kanya' (venomous maiden) were hurled during the high-voltage campaigning for a triangular fight among the Congress, BJP and JDS.

Addressing an election rally in Vijayanagara district, Prime Minister Modi said he was fortunate that he got the opportunity to pay obeisance to the land of Hanuman.

"But see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanuman's land, at the same time, the Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman.

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"Initially, they locked up Prabhu Shri Ram (Lord Ram). And now they want to lock up people who say Jai Bajrang Bali'," the prime minister said.

"It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Prabhu Shri Ram and now it has a problem with the people who say 'Jai Bajrang Bali'," he added.

The BJP alleged that Congress had insulted Lord Hanuman with its "audacious" statement and the people of Karnataka will give a befitting reply in the polls, but the Congress hit back claiming that it was Prime Minister Modi who had hurt religious sentiments and insulted the deity by "equating" him with the Bajrang Dal, and demanded an apology from him.

The Congress, in its election manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls, said it will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on organisations like Bajrang Dal and PFI and alleged that they were promoting enmity among communities.

The party also accused top BJP leaders Amit Shah, J P Nadda and Yogi Adityanath of giving hate speeches that were leading to a divide in society, and demanded that they be banned from further campaigning as they were vitiating the atmosphere.

On the other hand, the BJP sought an FIR and a ban on campaigning by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Priyank Kharge.

Amid the verbal slugfest, the Election Commission issued an advisory to political parties and their star campaigners, asking them to exercise caution and restraint in their utterances and not to vitiate the election atmosphere.

Taking serious note of the "plummeting level of campaign discourse" during electioneering, the poll panel referred to the instances of "inappropriate vocabulary and language" used during the ongoing campaign by persons, "in particular, by those invested with the statutory status of star campaigner".

"Such instances have occasioned various complaints, cross complaints and have also attracted negative media attention," the EC said in a statement.

"It is imperative for all parties and stakeholders to remain within the confines of the Model Code of Conduct and the legal framework in their utterances while campaigning so as to maintain the dignity of the political discourse and not to vitiate the campaign and the election atmosphere," the advisory read.

"The spirit of the MCC is not just avoidance of a direct violation, it also prohibits attempts to vitiate the electoral space through suggestive or indirect statements or innuendoes," it said in its advisory.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who led a BJP delegation to the EC, welcomed the poll body's advisory and hoped the Congress will respect it. He alleged the Congress has "not respected any constitutional body including EC, Parliament and courts".

Goyal raised with the Election Commission the issue of Congress promising tough action against Bajrang Dal and its leader Priyank Kharge calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "nalayak", as it accused the opposition party of resorting to politics of appeasement and division in Karnataka.

He also defended the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the RSS-affiliated Vishva Hindu Parishad, as an organisation devoted to Lord Hanuman and serving people, and said the Congress' attack on it was "shameful". It shows that the party believes in only appeasement, he told reporters.

"The devotees of Lord Hanuman are the Bajrangis of Bajrang Dal and the Congress Party has announced in its election manifesto that it would ban the Bajrang Dal. If the devotees of Lord Hanuman rebel, then the Congress will be uprooted from the country, Karnataka CM Basavraj Bommai's office quoted him as saying in a statement.

The Congress met the EC and accused Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of making "hate speeches" in poll-bound Karnataka and urged the Election Commission to take immediate action against them by banning them from campaigning in the wake of Supreme Court orders on such speeches.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ajay Maken, Vivek Tankha, Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera met the Election Commission and gave them a memorandum.

"The home minister says such things which polarise the country and create division in society..., neither the Constitution provides for such a thing nor does the oath they take while assuming the high office. We have pointed this out to the Election Commission," Tankha told reporters after the meeting.

He asked what did the home minister mean by saying that "there would be riots in India if the Congress comes to power" and asked if he meant that the Congress was causing the riots.

"The real thing is that people holding constitutional positions should not make such kind of hate speeches. It is against the law and immediate action should be taken against them as per Supreme Court orders," he said.

"We reiterate our concern that this is a case of a well hatched criminal conspiracy to commit offences against public tranquility, and offences relating to elections and offences related to criminal intimidation, insult and annoyance," the memorandum said.

It added that the pattern has started adversely affecting the election process and the inaction from this commission is furthering the agenda of creating communal disharmony.

"We reiterate our request to this commission to ban Sh Amit Shah, Mr Yogi Adityanath and Mr J P Nadda from all campaign activities till the conclusion of the election," Surjewala said in the memorandum.

The opposition party has alleged that the BJP leaders are trying to "scare, divide and mislead the society through 'hate speeches'".

Meanwhile, the Bajrang Dal also held a protest outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi and demanded that the opposition party immediately withdraw its poll promise failing which it will launch country-wide protests.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised to increase the milk subsidy from the current Rs 5 to Rs 7 per litre, if the party is voted to power in Karnataka in the upcoming assembly elections.

Gandhi made the announcement at a Congress rally at Arasikere in Karnataka's Hassan district. He had earlier promised five more poll guarantees ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka.

Amul vs Nandini controversy

The Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Union (KMF), which owns Indias second-largest dairy brand Nandini, receives government subsidies for milk supplied to it.

The Congress party has been attacking the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ever since Amul, which is owned by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, tweeted last month that a wave of freshness was coming to Bengaluru from Kengeri to Whitefield - from the west end of the city to the east - with the hashtag LaunchAlert.

A new wave of freshness with milk and curd is coming

to Bengaluru. More information coming soon. #LaunchAlert pic.twitter.com/q2SCGsmsFP  Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) April 5, 2023

The well-known dairy brand announced its plans to sell milk and curd in Bengaluru, sparking widespread protests by Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS).

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah also claimed that it was a ploy by the BJP to subsume Nandini into Amul.

Banks built by our elders in Karnataka were eaten up. Now Prime Minister @narendramodi and Union Minister for Cooperation @AmitShah have plotted to adopt our farmer's daily bread Nandini. Watch out Kannadigas...!!," he tweeted.

The Congress partys plans to increase the subsidy would force milk producers to sell their milk only to the KMF, and if Nandini maintains its current price levels, Amul may find it difficult to increase sales of its milk and curd in the Bengaluru market.

Rahul Gandhi's poll guarantees

On April 27, Rahul Gandhi announced the fifth poll guarantee of the Congress ahead of the polls. He promised free travel for women in public buses if the party is voted to power in the state.

Congress had already announced four guarantees  200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), and Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (YuvaNidhi), on coming to power in the state.

Karnataka votes on May 10 and the results will be out on May 13. The Congress, which is aiming to return to power in the state, is aiming to win at least 150 seats in the 224-member Assembly.


Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto on Monday. The document was unveiled by the BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda in the presence of Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai and former CM and Lingayat leader BS Yediyurappa. With the Karnataka Assembly election date approaching, political parties are giving their best to shift the mood of the voters in their favour. Parties across the political spectrum have a busy schedule as they plan to hold large rallies and road shows.

BJP Manifesto and promises

1. BJP's manifesto said that they will set up 'Atal Aahara Kendra' in every ward of every municipal corporation to ensure availability of healthy food in the state. Additionally, the manifesto said the 'Poshana' scheme will be launched to give every BPL household 500 ml of Nandini milk everyday along with 5 kg of Shri Anna.



3. BJP's poll promises include strengthening of public healthcare infrastructure by establishing Namma clinics in every ward of municipal corporations. 2. The manifesto promised to upgrade the state's education system. To this end, schools, ITIs will be given support to help the youth get employment. It also talked about providing financial support to aspirational students who want to join the IAS, KAS, among others.

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Congress released its manifesto on Tuesday. The manifesto was released in Bengaluru in the presence of Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Earlier, in a conversation with The Economic Times (ET), BJP national secretary CY Ravi had said that we are not leaving any constituency. BJP has deployed a 98-member team of central BJP leaders which includes senior leaders like Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Dharmendra Pradhan. The team is expected to cover all 224 seats in the upcoming days. In addition to this, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi are also conducting road shows as a show of strength.

Congress Manifesto and promises

1. Congress promised to increase reservations for Veershaivas, Lingayats, Vokkaligas, Muslims, and SC/ST, if voted to power. It should be noted that the maximum reservation can not be more than 50 per cent but an exception can be made under special circumstances.



3. Congress also promised to act towards completing the recruitment of 250,000 vacant government posts in the state within a year. The party promised to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme in the state. 2. Congress announced an increase in milk subsidy from Rs 5 to Rs 7 under the KsheerDhare scheme. The party also promised to provide an interest free loan of up to Rs 3 lakh for purchase of cows, buffaloes.



In hopes to attract voters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to campaign in Chitradurga, Vijayanagar, Sindhnaur, and Kalaburgi. 4. Following the AAP model of subsidies, Congress also promised 200 units of free electricity if voted to power.



Earlier, commenting on BJP's manifesto, Congress has called it "BJP's moneyfesto." In direct attacks at PM Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has asked questions like "What did you do to stop corruption in Karnataka?" Rahul Gandhi also said to PM Modi, "The elections are not about you." Kalaburgi North Assembly Constituency has been a stronghold for Congress. PM Modi's campaign in the constituency is an effort to sway voters towards BJP.



Giving it back to the Congress, Home Minister Amit Shah has said that whenever Congress uses such language, love for BJP goes up. CM Bommai has also said that the people of Karnataka will teach a lesson to those calling PM Modi useless. Talking about BJP's policies, Congress chief Kharge has used words like "snake" and "nalayak" (useless) for PM Modi.

As things stand, BJP has 113 seats in the Karnataka assembly. Whereas, Congress has 74 members in the poll-bound assembly. JDS has 27 seats. In total, the Karnataka assembly has 224 seats.


The theme for the Met Gala 2023 is "Karl Lagerfeld," in honour of the late designer and Chanel creative director, who died in 2019. The title of the theme is "Karl Lagerfeld:: A Line of Beauty", and the dress code is "In honour of Karl." Finally, Met Gala 2023 is here! On May 1 (May 2 for India), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City will host fashion's biggest event. A variety of famous celebrities from across the world have previously begun gracing the red carpet. On the Vogue website, the Met Gala red carpet livestream began at 6:30 p.m. EST (May 2, 4:00 a.m. IST). At the Met Gala, Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt stood out in gorgeous outfits.







Met Gala 2023: Alia Bhatt This year, Alia Bhatt attended her first Met Gala. For the remarkable moment, the actress, who is all set to make her Hollywood debut in Gal Gadot's Heart of Stone, wore Prabal Gurung, a fashion designer. The Met Gala, which typically takes place on the first Monday in May, is an annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.





Met Gala 2023: Priyanka Chopra Jonas The Met Gala is always attended by Priyanka Chopra. The actress first attended the Met Gala in 2017, and she has since attended it three times. This year also she walked the red carpet in black with her husband, Nick Jonas and both wore Valentino. A black off-shoulder gown with a thigh-high slit made Priyanka look stunning. She also wore a cape with ruffles. For accessories, she wore a precious Bulgari diamond necklace and matching earrings. She completed her look with her hair tied in a bun. In her floor-sweeping white gown, she was looking breathtaking. To complete the look, Alia chose pearl earrings, a statement ring, and a plunging neckline with minimal makeup. The actress also gave her fans a monotone glimpse of her outfit for the fashion gala ahead of the Met Gala in 2023.
The Kerala Story, the controversial Hindi film, which is set to be released on May 5, has been given the 'A' certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to an India Today report.

Besides this, 10 scenes, including an entire interview of a former Kerala chief minister, said to be of V S Achuthanandan, have been deleted from the release print.

Another scene believed to have been cut included "dialogues and inappropriate references to all Hindu Gods". Some dialogues were also reported to be tweaked.

A scene where a dialogue purportedly stating "Indian Communists are biggest hypocrites" have also been removed from the movie.

According to the report, a former Kerala CM claimed in a TV interview that the state would become a Muslim-majority in the next two decades as youngsters were being influenced to convert to Islam. The censor board mandated that this entire interview be deleted from the film.

Who can watch 'A' certificate movies?

A-rated films are available for public viewing, but only to adults (aged 18 and above).

These films may contain violence, explicit sexual scenes, strong abusive language, but not words that insult or degrade women or any social group and nudity are not allowed.

The Kerala Story controversy

Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani in the lead roles.

The trailer of 'The Kerala Story' came under fire as it claimed that 32,000 girls from the state went missing and later joined the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The movie has also kicked up a political storm in the country, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] and the Congress criticising the makers of the movie and saying they were taking up the Sangh Parivar propaganda of projecting the state as a centre of religious extremism by raising the bogey of 'love jihad'.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also accused the Sangh Parivar of trying to destroy religious harmony in the state by sowing the poisonous seeds of communalism.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, called the stand of the Kerala CM and ruling CPI(M) double standards."

As the BJP came out in support of the controversial film, Congress's Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor said the citizens of Kerala have the right to say loud and clear that the movie is a "misrepresentation of our reality".

"Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud & clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality," Tharoor tweeted.



Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud & clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality. https://t.co/sEIG91mjSP  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 1, 2023



Meanwhile, representatives of the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) said that banning a film is futile since viewers can still watch it on OTT platforms.

Suresh Shenoy, an office bearer of FEUOK and a theatre complex owner in Kochi, told news channel Onmanorama that such a move sets a bad precedent and amounts to censorship.

The Kerala State Committee of Muslim Youth League on Monday announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for the individual who proves the allegations levelled in the movie that 32,000 girls were converted to Islam through 'love jihad' and taken to Syria.

"Prove the allegations that 32,000 Keralites converted and fled to Syria. Take up the challenge and submit the evidence," the committee was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

On the other hand, founder of the Hindu Seva Kendra Pratheesh Viswanath has also offered Rs 10 crore to prove that ''no one from Kerala has gone to Syria to join IS."
The government will soon release draft rules to address the valuation-related concerns of start-ups pertaining to the angel tax provisions introduced in the last Union Budget.

The finance ministry is likely to release the draft rules over the next 7-10 days, a senior government official said.

The Union Budget 2023-24 extended the angel tax provisions to transactions involving foreign investors, in line with the governments anti-tax avoidance move. The aim was also to bring parity in taxation for foreign and domestic investors. Earlier, these provisions were applicable only to local resident investors.

According to the new provisions, angel tax will be applied on the premium to the fair market value (FMV) of a companys shares during a funding round to raise capital. The excess premium received on sales of shares by an Indian unlisted company to a foreign investor will be construed as income from other sources and taxed.

The new provisions have become a cause for concern for privately held companies, as the amendment to the Finance Act, 2023, will hurt investment by overseas investors into India. Early-stage start-ups are likely to be the worst hit since they witness comparatively higher deviation in allotted share prices and fair market value.

The Department for Promotion for Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has had extensive consultations with key industry associations, including Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital (IVCA), Confederation of India Industries (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), NASSCOM, and have taken inputs from them. The industry department has also done two rounds of meetings with the finance ministrys economic affairs and revenue department to take up the start-ups concerns.

Apart from that, the revenue department has had one-on-one consultations with the industry, the official cited above said.
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, NATO eFP Battle Group Poland, supporting the 4th Infantry Division, position an M1A2 Abrams tank between German Leopard 2A6 tanks during a combined live fire exercise at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, April 4, 2023. (Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster)

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The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal to recruit 1.78 lakh teachers for primary, middle, and upper classes in the state.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved the proposal to recruit 85,477 primary teachers, 1,745 middle and 90,804 for upper classes.

Talking to reporters, after the cabinet meeting, S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat), said, "The cabinet approved the proposal to recruit 1.78 lakh teachers for different classes. The recruitment will be done by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). The entire recruitment process will be completed very soonpositively by the end of this year".

The cabinet also approved the proposal of the Transport department to ban operations of all commercial vehicles that are more than 15-years-old and diesel-powered buses and autos in Gaya and Muzaffarpur from September 30 (midnight) this year, said Siddharth.

The state government would provide financial support to owners of diesel buses, who operate city bus/auto service in both cities, to switch over to compressed natural gas (CNG) buses/autos under the clean energy scheme.

The Transport department will soon issue a circular so that the owners of city buses/autos could plan the switchover to CNG buses in time and escape penalty.

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"The department has already issued a similar circular for Patna banning operations of all commercial vehicles, which are more than 15-years-old, and diesel-powered buses and autos from September 30 (midnight) this year. Now, the decision has been taken for Gaya and Muzaffarpur also", he said.

Earlier, the Transport department had announced a complete ban of all commercial vehicles more than 15-years-old, and diesel-powered buses and autos in territorial jurisdictions of Patna municipal corporation (PMC) and town councils (nagar parishads) of Danapur, Phulwari Sharif, and Khagaul from October 1. All transporters/auto owners need to take recourse to clean energy to join the country's as well as state's drive to check carbon emission, he added.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday asserted that the country should have a National Register of Citizens (NRC) to ensure that government schemes reach the deserving.

Sarma, who is on a campaign trail in Karnataka, also batted for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and claimed that this would ensure gender justice and equal rights for Muslim women in the country.

The Assam CM has been actively campaigning for the BJP for the past two days in the southern state, where the saffron camp is looking to retain power.

Addressing a presser in Bengaluru's Malleswaram earlier in the day, Sarma said, "A nationwide NRC is just the need of the hour. Our country has completed 75 years of independence, and we are moving towards Amrit Kaal. However, until today, we do not know who the actual citizens of this country are. This has created a confusion whether government schemes are reaching the right people or not."

He mentioned that AADHAR is not proof of citizenship.

Terming BJP's election manifesto in Karnataka a "historic" one, the Assam Chief Minister said it included the promise of implementing the NRC in the state.

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"I want to congratulate the Karnataka BJP. This will facilitate a nationwide call for NRC implementation," he added.

Sarma also stressed on the enactment of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

He said, "UCC is very important to give gender justice and equal rights to our Muslim women. The Karnataka BJP has moved in that direction. I hope that this will also open up the discussion on implementing UCC in the whole country."

The BJP leader also supported the Karnataka government's move to scrap the 4 per cent Muslim reservation.

--IANS

tdr/shb/
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the BJP government focused on development rather than appeasement, which has improved the standard of living in the state.

Addressing an election meeting in Moradabad, he said there is no mafia raj in Uttar Pradesh -- goons who moved around proudly are now begging for mercy.

The chief minister also spoke at a rally in Pratapgarh, ahead of the two-phase urban local body elections in the state on May 4 and 11. Votes will be counted on May 13.

"The BJP government is moving forward with the basic mantra of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' (inclusive development). We focused on development rather than appeasement of anyone in particular," he said.

Moradabad has a sizeable Muslim population, with a large number of members of the community engaged in making brassware.

The CM said the brass industry was experiencing a downturn earlier and artisans were migrating. "But today Moradabad's brass business is achieving its glory under our government. Exports have increased, and it is now more well-known internationally," he said.

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Adityanath also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented brasswork by Dilshad Hussain, a Padma Shri winner from Moradabad, to the German Chancellor.

During the civic election campaign, the chief minister has repeatedly stressed on the improvement in law and order during the term of his government.

"Now there is no 'mafia raj' in UP. No extortions or kidnappings for ransom take place. The common man is safe in the state, and the mafia goons who used to proudly wander on the streets are now begging for mercy with placards around their necks," he said.

Adityanath claimed girls couldn't go to school earlier for fear of goons.

He said the government had fulfilled its promise of 24-hour power supply, houses are being built for the poor, and cooking gas cylinders provided under the Ujjwala scheme.

He also listed good roads, effective drainage system, clean drinking water, and an online system for getting certificates related to caste, income, birth and death among the changes brought about by the BJP government.

Only the double-engine government of the BJP supported by the third engine at municipal bodies can ensure this," he said.

In Pratapgarh alone, he said, the government has provided 10,145 houses in urban areas and given interest-free loans to 4,595 street vendors under its welfare schemes.

He added that 14,600 destitute and 11,500 elderly people are getting pension in the district.

Heaps of garbage became the identity of cities in UP earlier and his government is now developing smart and safe cities, he claimed.

"Previous governments were giving pistols to the youth and we are giving them tablets to make them smart. We are ensuring empowerment of all without any discrimination," Adityanath said.

He alleged that parties like the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party were responsible for the rise in crime and the neglect of development in Pratapgarh earlier.

He said the district was earlier known for growing amla' and a tractor manufacturing unit. The factory shut down and people stopped growing amla', he said, blaming the previous governments.

"There was a saying, Sau padha, ek Pratapgarha (one Pratapgarh resident is equal to 100 educated people)," he recalled. But the place lost its glory due to bad governance earlier, he said.

"We are building a four-lane highway between Ayodhya and Chitrakoot that will pass through Pratapgarh. The Ganga Expressway between Meerut and Prayagraj will also pass through Pratapgarh. We have already opened a medical college in Pratapgarh," he said.

Later, addressing a public meeting in Jaunpur, Adityanath said, "By connecting talent with technology and training, the future of our youth is being made bright."



Claiming that the cities of UP are being recognised as smart cities rather than garbage dumps, he said, "There is no terror of miscreants in our cities now, rather they have been recognised as 'safe cities'. Now no one can question the development of UP. The entire world looks at India and Uttar Pradesh now."



"I bow down to the land of Jaunpur which was once known for itra, imarti, and imandari," he said.

Taking a dig at political rivals for neglecting the development in Jaunpur, the UP chief minister said, "Imarti's sweetness was turned bitter here. The place was known for its 'itra', but these people tried to turn the pleasant scent of 'itra' into a stench."



Today, Jaunpur is regaining its lost identity, he added.

Highlighting the improved law and order situation in the state, Adityanath said, "Now there is no 'mafia raj' in UP. No extortions or kidnappings for ransom take place. The common man is safe in the state, and the mafia, who used to proudly wander on the streets, are now begging for mercy with placards around their necks."



In Varanasi, Adityanath, while appealing to the people to vote for BJP's mayoral candidate Ashok Tiwari, said the blessings of Baba Vishwanath' and the prime minister are with Tiwari.

He said in a span of nine years, the country, along with Kashi, has transformed.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India's image (in the world) has become powerful (shashakt), he added.

While addressing a public meeting at a town hall in Gorakhpur, Adityanath said due to the work of the like-minded governments at the Centre, state and the municipal corporation, unprecedented development took place in Gorakhpur and an atmosphere of security was created, which changed people's perception of the city.

Gorakhpur is no longer a city with traffic jams, dirt, mosquito-mafia but is identified as a safe and smart city. To take this identity further, it is necessary to have a triple-engine government here, he added.

Earlier there used to be water-logging in Gorakhpur even with a little rain. Today the government is engaged in a permanent solution to the problem of water-logging. The Tarkulani regulator was made in such a way that there would not be an inch of water-logging even after 72 hours of continuous rain," the CM said.

Adityanath's remarks in Gorakhpur came barely hours after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, while campaigning for his party's mayoral candidate in Lucknow, said, "Recently, I had been to Gorakhpur. People there are worried that the metro (rail) has not been built, and that now they have to move using boats."



Gorakhpur Urban is represented by Adityanath in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.


Yol in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district is the first to shed its cantonment tag. Sixty-two cantonments across the nation will cease to exist and be classified as military stations, while those housing civilians will fall under local municipalities, said a Times of India report.



This is a significant departure from the "archaic colonial practice of creating cantonments," said officials. According to the report, the cantonment's military area will be converted into a military station, and the civil area will merge with the municipality. Employees and assets of the Cantonment Board will also be taken over by the neighbouring municipalities.



"Citizens who were unable to access state government welfare schemes through the municipality, will now be able to do so. As far as the Army is concerned, it too can now focus on the construction of the military station, sources said. On being asked how this will help everyone, officials said that contrary to popular belief, the move will prove beneficial to all alike.

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Asked how long it would take, they said cantonments where ever the demarcation is easy it will be done quickly while others will take place on time. The Nasirabad Cantonment in Rajasthan is next in the line after Yol, the report added.



According to records maintained by the Defence Estates Offices, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) owns about 17.99 lakh acres, making it the largest landowner in the country. There were 56 cantonments at the time of Independence and six more were notified after 1947, with the final one being Ajmer in 1962.



Affairs related to the cantonments, including the construction of new buildings, height of buildings, commercial conversion, sewage and the rest were all controlled by the Cantonment Board. Of this, approximately 1.61 lakh acres are held within the 62 notified cantonments. The remaining land, around 16.38 lakh acres, is spread across the country and outside of the cantonments.



Cantonments are deemed municipalities and running municipalities is a state subject, sources said. The sources said that excision has happened earlier in Ambala and Agra, while cantonments such as Dharamshala, Sitapur, among others, were de-notified before 1947.



Hence, there is a popular demand from civilian residents as well as states for the excision of cantonments, they added. "Civilian residents of cantonments are not benefited from state welfare schemes since cantonments are governed by Cantonment Boards through the Defence Estates Department of the MoD," they said.



Also, due to the ever-increasing expansion of civil areas of cantonments, there is pressure on A1 defence land. Cantonments are colonial phenomena and military stations are better administered, another source said. The sources further said that a significant portion of the Defence Budget is used for the development of civil areas of cantonments.

(With agency input)
The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hurting religious sentiments of devotees by equating Lord Hanuman with the Bajrang Dal, and demanded an apology from him.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said it is shameful that the prime minister has drawn such a parallel which is an insult to crores of devotees of Lord Hanuman.

"The prime minister is insulting our faith in Lord Hanuman. He should apologise to the country as he has hurt our religious sentiments. No one has given the prime minister the right to insult Bajrang Bali," he told reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for promising to ban the Bajrang Dal in its Karnataka election manifesto. He called it the party's attempt at trying to lock up those who worship Lord Hanuman.

He claimed that the Congress had earlier locked up Lord Ram and now it wanted to lock up those who chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali' (Hail Hanuman).

The Congress is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India (PFI) "spreading hatred" among communities on grounds of caste and religion, the party said in its election manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls released on Tuesday.

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The action will include a "ban" against such organisations, the party promised.

The BJP accused the Congress of "insulting" Lord Hanuman by promising to ban the Bajrang Dal.


One of them, a fast patrol vessel (FPV), capable of coastal and offshore surveillance at high speeds, was commissioned as MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee. On the penultimate day of his three-day visit to the Maldives, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over two Made in India warships to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).



In the Union Budget for 2023-24, New Delhi allocated Rs 400 crore to the Maldives, towards lines of credit for the supply of such Indian defence assistance. The other vessel he presented was a landing craft assault (LCA), capable of carrying personnel and equipment and landing them on a beach in the face of opposition.



Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath described the handing over of the two naval platforms as a symbol of the shared commitment of India and the Maldives towards peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi were present on the occasion.

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India has emerged as a leading defence exporter in recent years. A defence manufacturing ecosystem has been created which has the advantage of abundant technical manpower. We produce world-class equipment to meet not only our own needs but also for exports, said Rajnath at the handing-over ceremony. Citing Indias robust defence manufacturing ecosystem, Rajnath said the country has significantly enhanced its capabilities to support partner countries.



Referring to Indias strong defence relations with the Maldives, Rajnath asserted that the ties emanate from the twin policies of Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). India offers an enhanced defence partnership to friendly foreign countries, that is accommodative of their national priorities and capacities. We wish to create symbiotic relationships where we can learn from each other, grow together, and create a win-win situation for all. Indias commitment to supporting the Maldives will only get stronger with time, he said.



The IOR is our shared space. Peace and security of a region are best secured with cooperation and collaboration of the regional players, he said. Rajnath recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Maldives in June 2019, in which he emphasised that within Indias Neighbourhood First priority, Maldives is top priority.

Noting Maldives vulnerability to the vagaries of climate change, Rajnath voiced Indias willingness to work with its neighbour for adaptation and mitigation.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in its third supplementary charge sheet in the Delhi excise policy scam has mentioned the names of AAP leaders, Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha.

Both leaders are Rajya Sabha members. The charge sheet only mentions their names, they are not shown as accused in the case.

The supplementary charge sheet was recently filed before the Rouse Avenue District Court here.

According to the charge sheet, Chadha was part of a meeting which was held at former Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence in connection with the liquor policy case.

Sources said that the ED was recording the statement of an accused businessman Dinesh Arora, who later became an approver in the Delhi liquor policy, when the names cropped up.

"He initially met Sanjay Singh through whom he came in contact with Manish Sisodia during a party in his own restaurant, namely Unplugged Courtyard. On request of Sanjay Singh, he spoke to many of the restaurant owners and arranged cheques amounting to Rs 82 lakh (handed over to Sisodia) for collection of party funds for the then upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi," the ED has mentioned quoting Dinesh Arora.

Also Read Scared of Kejriwal's growing popularity: AAP leader Atishi attacks Centre Will answer all questions, says Kejriwal as he appears before CBI CBI begins examining KCR's daughter Kavitha in Delhi liquor scam case Kavitha's questioning by CBI continues for over 6 hrs in Delhi liquor case Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal appears before CBI regarding excise policy scam Ramdas Athawale 'adopts' 5 year old leopard in Mumbai's SGNP Considering to form panel to examine execution by hanging: Centre to SC LG's MCD nomination power row: SC to hear Delhi govt plea on May 8 APSEZ cargo handling up 9% in FY23, customs receipts rise 96% in 2 yrs 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' leaked on Twitter, gets 9 mn views

--IANS

atk/dpb






According to Ubers Lost and Found Index 2023, Mumbai ended its two-year run at the top and came second. Hyderabad came third and Bengaluru, the most forgetful city in 2019, was ranked fourth. Delhi is Indias "most forgetful city" in terms of people leaving behind their belongings in Uber vehicles, said the ride hailing company on Tuesday.



Indians also forgot brooms, college admit cards, and childrens strollers. One commuter forgot their walking stick, and another left behind a big screen television. Someone left behind a Western toilet commode. Over the last year, phones, bags, wallets and clothing top the list of items left behind in Uber vehicles. That list was followed by utility items such water bottles, keys, and accessories such as spectacles and jewellery.

Weve all been there: that moment of panic when you first realize youve misplaced an important, or even sentimental, personal item. This annual survey is a fun and informative way of reminding our riders how easy it is to raise a retrieval request for a lost item in-app, and with a busy summer travel season on the anvil, we thought it was a good time for a quick refresher, said Nitish Bhushan, director, central operations at Uber.
Member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Shamika Ravi said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi democracy is flourishing in India and its roots run deep.

While delivering the 8th Professor Sarat Mahanta Memorial Lecture at the Royal Global University in Guwahati on Monday, Ravi effectively demolished the myth, propagated by the self-styled 'democracy watchdogs' in the West, that democracy is in peril and on the decline in India under the present Narendra Modi government.

"These 'watchdogs' also allege that India has turned majoritarian under Narendra Modi," Shamika Ravi said.

While questioning the objectivity of such assessments and their flawed designs and methodologies, Ravi said that such perception-based surveys are unscientific, non-representative, biased and non-verifiable. While the classification of countries as 'democratic' and 'non-democratic' are based on objective and verifiable criteria, quantifying the functioning of democracy or objectively assessing whether democracy is strengthening or weakening remains a challenge.

"International attempts to qualify the functioning of democracy are made essentially by conducting perception-based surveys of academics, professionals and civil society members. But these surveys are not representative when it comes to a large country like India with more than 90 crore voters, more than 100 spoken languages and significant cultural, socio-economic and geographical diversity. The design and methodology of a survey to quantify the functioning of democracy in India and to objectively assess the functioning of democracy in India have to capture the country's vast diversity and make it completely representative. But such a rigorous, time-consuming and expensive exercise has never been undertaken and the underlying assumption by democracy rankers is that the opinion of a very few selected elites within a country is representative of the views and experiences of the entire population," Ravi said.

As for the measurement or quantification of democracy, Ravi argued that the "elite opinion-makers" who participate in international surveys are always favourably disposed towards those regimes that give them privileged access to power.

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"But if they do not have a good rapport with a government elected by the people of the country, or are deprived of benefits and privileges by that government, they (the elite opinion-makers) decry declining democracy. A change in perception of the elite opinion makers does not reflect declining democratic institutions but changes in their personal preferences and privileges," she said.

Dr Ravi suggested that rather than perception-based surveys of the strength and functioning of democracy in India that are biassed and unscientific, an objective to assess the functioning of democracy in India would be to measure the 'responsiveness of the democratically elected government to the material needs of the marginalised people across religions, social groups and geographies'.

"Perhaps a fundamental feature of strengthening democracy in India is that the voices of the weak and the marginalised cannot be suppressed or silenced by the elites," said Ravi.

Ravi said that the poor and marginalised people in a democracy expect their government to "liberate them from their daily drudgery and struggles by providing them access to basic amenities like water, toilets, formal finance, clean cooking gas and instruments of connectivity and communication.

She pointed out that for the last several years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often spoken publicly about providing every basic facility to every citizen in every area of the country and reducing the scope for any corruption and discrimination in people's access to basic amenities.

With this in mind, Ravi focused on the present government's track record in providing six basic amenities--electricity, access to toilets, access to formal banking, clean cooking gas, mobile phones and water-on-premises (piped water to every household)--to the poorest 20 per cent households across religions, social groups and geographies.

Dr Ravi explained that the reason for exploring the performance of the government in providing basic amenities across districts is because districts in India vary in religious diversity. Since most schemes in India are targeted and implemented at the district level, the best gauge of the performance of a government and to test for any bias in their functioning should be done at the district level.

She analysed the household-level nationally representative data from two rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) - round 4 conducted in 2015-2016 and round 5 in 2019-2021.

She pointed out that since NFHS data is self-reported by respondents, they are likely to be under-estimates but are never overestimates of the ground realities across the country.

"The primary objective of this exercise is to scrutinise whether there is any discernible bias in favour of or against any particular population within the country," she said.

"Based on the nationally representative sample of more than 12 lakh households across 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, we do not find any evidence that the government catered to only one community (the Hindu majority) or against any minority groups in the country. We also do not find any discrimination between geographies and religious clusters in the provision of basic amenities such as electricity, toilets, water, bank accounts, mobile phones and LPG," she revealed.

Displaying statistics from the surveys, Ravi pointed out that Muslims have benefited as much as, if not more, from the present government's development initiatives.

The data also showed that all religious and social groups were equal beneficiaries of the Modi government's interventions in providing basic amenities to people.

Growth in India reached exponential levels during the time of the Vajpayee government, she pointed out while quoting statistics.

India has not fallen behind in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the pandemic even during the Covid-induced pandemic.

Also, Indian society is far more peaceful today, as is evident from crime statistics. Other indicators like a fast reduction in infant mortality rate also indicate the country's all-around and inclusive growth.

Speaking on the state of finances of the North East, Ravi said that states have to generate their own revenue and become self-sufficient in revenue. Northeastern states cannot depend on largesse from the Centre forever.

Ravi drew the conclusion based on the results of her extensive, objective and scientific survey that the roots of democracy run deep and its health is reaffirmed in its day-to-day functioning and practice.

There is no discrimination in development in India. But global narratives paint a negative picture and the 'democracy in decline' discourse is part of the strategy against India.

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria paid rich tributes to Professor Mahanta and called upon the present generation to follow his ideals.

The Assam Governor, recalling his days as a school teacher, said that it was the most satisfying time of his life. A good teacher, he said, leaves behind a legacy that survives and inspires generations.

The programme started with a 'prarthana' by Birina Pathak.

Apart from Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, a number of MLAs and MPs, Assam DGP GP Singh and a number of top police, army and civil administration officers and prominent members of civil society attended the programme.

The Professor Sarat Mahanta Memorial Lecture is held every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late educationist, social worker and human rights advocate.

Born on May 1, 1937, into a reputable family from the historic Sri Sri Chaliha Bare Xatra in Nazira of Sivasagar district, Professor Mahanta served as Head of the Department of History at Sivasagar College for more than 33 years.

Professor Mahanta was the Xatradhikar of Chaliha Bare Xatra and chief advisor of Sivasagar Press Club till his demise on June 18, 2013. Having worked as a journalist for two decades for various well-known publications, he authored several books and many thoughtful articles. He was also an Honorary Member of the Assam Human Rights Commission for almost four years.

The Professor Sarat Mahanta Memorial Lecture series has featured distinguished speakers: author and journalist Sudeeo Chakravarti, political scientist Yogendra Yadav, eminent economist and NITI Ayog member Professor Bibek Debroy, former Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, former Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, Israeli Ambassador to India Dr Ron Malka and Ambassador Deepak Vohra.
India on Tuesday brought back home a total of 559 people under its mission to evacuate stranded Indians from violence-hit Sudan.

While 231 Indians arrived in Ahmedabad, another batch of 328 citizens were brought to New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted, "328 more passengers have landed in New Delhi. #OperationKaveri moving steadily forward as around 3000 have reached India now."



Earlier in the day, 231 people reached Ahmedabad.

"Another #OperationKaveri flight lands in Ahmedabad. 231 more passengers have reached home safely," Jaishankar said in another tweet.

Separately, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said a group of 20 Indians crossed over to Chad through the adjoining land border with Sudan.

"Our teams are facilitating their journey back home," he said on Twitter.

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On Monday, India brought back 186 people under the evacuation mission that was launched a week back.

On Sunday, 229 Indians arrived in Bengaluru while 365 people reached Delhi on Saturday.

Under the evacuation mission, 754 people arrived in India in two batches on Friday.

The Indians were brought back home from the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah where India set up a transit camp for the evacuees.

The first batch of 360 evacuees returned to New Delhi in a commercial plane on Wednesday.

The second batch of 246 Indian evacuees arrived in Mumbai in a C17 Globemaster aircraft of the IAF on Thursday.

Under 'Operation Kaveri', India has been taking its citizens in buses from conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships.

From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flight or IAF's aircraft.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group that has reportedly left around 400 people dead.
MANZINI  The Mother of All Gospel Shows live recording and performances show kept Gospel fans entertained until 6am in the morning.

The show was held at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre Main Hall on Saturday, it was attended by over 600 Gospel fans. The show marked the official live recording of 14 Rising Star Talent Search winners. Eswatini TV broadcasted the show live. The man behind the concept is local Gospel artist Ndunduzo Matse. The MCs of the day were Mzwakhe Tjovitjo Khumalo and Pamela Figurebelt Zwane. Vibrant performances were galore during this event, which was kicked off by local Gospel artist Banele Dlamini, just before 8pm. Fans got closer to the stage area when she set foot on stage. Her performance was enjoyed by most fans as they sang along with her while dancing. Her performance was followed by that of Bhelekazi, who also made a bold statement on stage with her powerful vocals for 10 minutes.

Stage

She handed over the stage to musician Mcebo Nkambule. Gospel fans were continuously glued to the stage during these performances, while some were making their way into the venue.

More local musicians showcased their talent, these included Linda Dlamini, Usindiso lamaWesile, Ndawonye Christ Worshipers, Gcebile Nkambule, Ntandoyenkhosi Ngcaphalala, Prophetic Voice Mass Choir, Make Siwela, Nothando Dlamini, Sphiwo Ndoni, Portia Praise, Fakazi Samuel as well as the 14 aspiring musicians, who recorded their demos during the show. The rainbow nation, widely known as South Africa (SA), was also represented by well celebrated Gospel musicians such as the likes of Sbu Noah, Mpumi Mtsweni, Canaan Nyathi, Xolisa Kwinana, Muzi Zimu, Thina Zungu as well as his son Ndumiso Zungu, who shared the stage with him during the show.

Excitement

The first musician to perform among this group was Canaan Nyathi. Screams and excitement filled the main hall at at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre when Canaan set foot on stage. Fans reached out to him and shook hands with him before he performed. He was all smiles when on stage due to the love and excitement displayed by fans while seeing him. Nyathi gave them a heated performance in return for the love shown to him by fans. His performance lasted for 20 minutes and exited the stage to make way for Muzi Zimu, who is the son of the late Gospel artist Neyi Zimu.

Performance

He also received a warm welcome from fans. His performance was vibrant and captivating and he sag his fathers famous hit songs including Jehova retsephile wena, but in his own version. He wowed fans with the modern Amapiano dance moves, which he displayed during his performance. Fans shouted at the top of their voices and danced with him during his performance. Zimu performed for over 20 minutes and made way for Gospel sensation Mpumi Mtsweni. Her eloquent vocals were loved by fans and they worshiped with her until she exited the stage after 20 minutes as well. She was followed by Thina Zungu and his son Ndumiso Zungu. These two were a hit on the stage and they apparently stole the show as fans didnt want them to exit the stage when their time was up.

During their performance, Ndumiso Zungu would sometimes lead his father on some of the songs, while also showcasing dance moves which were inspired by Amapiano. Thina Zungu had to take the microphone from his son and grab him off stage to make way for Xolisa Kwinana, who also gave a marvellous performance. Sbu Noah was the last SA act to perform. He graced the stage at 4.25am and performed for over 30 minutes as fans kept asking for more. He was energetic on stage and fans loved him. He exited the stage after pleading with fans as they did not want him to exit. Ndawonye Christ Worshipers handled the rest and took over the stage until 6am in the morning. Most fans were still awake and dancing to their performance, they started exiting the venue when dawn had broke just after 6am.


If elected, the Congress promised to set up a gig workers welfare board with Rs 3,000 crore as seed money for a revolving fund and mandate a minimum hourly wage for all gig and unorganised sector workers in domestic and personal care, logistics, food delivery, e-pharmacy and transportation, the 62-page manifesto said. In its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly polls released on Tuesday, the Congress pledged to withdraw the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP governments amendment to the Factories Act that increased the working hours to 12. The Congress committed to reserving 80 per cent of jobs in the state for locals, including in the private sector.



The BJP released its 48-page vows on Monday, and, comparing the two documents, suggested significant consensus among the two principal players on social welfare despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbing the Congress five guarantees as revdi culture that will submerge the state in debt. The Congress manifesto enraged the Sangh Parivar for drawing a parallel between the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India, vowing decisive action on outfits that spread religious or caste hatred. Vishva Hindu Parishads (VHPs) Surendra Jain said it was unfortunate that the Congress compared a patriotic organisation with the PFI, a banned terror outfit.



Both the BJP and the Congress have promised to increase the incentive to dairy farmers from Rs5 per litre to Rs 7. The BJP, brushing aside the recent Congress allegations that the Amul milk cooperative could usurp Karnatakas Nandini, pledged half a litre of Nandini milk daily to below-poverty-line (BPL) families. We will not allow anyone to destroy the existence of our pride Nandini, the Congress manifesto said. In Bengaluru on Tuesday, Congress leader P Chidambaram shot back: if the BJP announces something, it is welfare, and when the Congress does, it is revdi.

Also Read Karnataka elections: Here's what all Congress has promised in its manifesto Karnataka Assembly polls: Rahul Gandhi promises Rs 2 hike in milk subsidy White-collar workers turn to gig jobs in search of better work-life balance Demand for gig workers increased by 10 times in 2022, says report ILO analysing work conditions in India, report expected by Jul-Aug: Report They are stealing democracy: Priyanka Gandhi's jibe at BJP in Karnataka Cong, BJP urge EC to ban electioneering by top leaders of other side K'taka polls: Cong seeks EC ban on campaigning over hate speech Speak 70% about yourself, but 30% about Karnataka also: Rahul Gandhi to PM Chidambaram cautions people of Karnataka against Uniform Civil Code, NRC



If the BJP pledged free bus passes for 3 million organised sector women workers and girl students, the Congress has promised free travel to all women, students and senior citizens and free bus and rail travel to those appearing for competitive exams. The BJP said it has allocated Rs1,000 crore for free bus passes to 3 million women and Rs350 crore for girl students in the 2023-24 Budget. It has assured credit cards with a limit of Rs 50,000 to dairy farmers and to procure cow and buffalo dung at Rs 3 per kg from them. Not just the BJP, the Congress has also committed to financial assistance for pilgrimages, money for restoring temples and maths, including a Rs 5,000-monthly honorarium to priests above 60 years of all religions.



The BJP has promised three free cooking gas cylinders a year to all BPL families and will build 1 million houses in five years with up to Rs 5 lakh state government financial assistance, while the Congress has promised housing for all homeless by 2028. Last year, the BJP government increased free power to poor SC and ST households to 75 units. The Congress has promised 200 free units to all houses. The Congress has pledged 10 kg free foodgrains to BPL families, while the BJP has promised five. The Congress has promised Rs 3,000 monthly stipend for two years to unemployed graduates, Rs 2,000 every month to all women heads of the family and Rs1 lakh one-time allowance to barbers. The BJP says it will increase widow pension from Rs 800-2,000. Chidambaram said the Congress' five guarantees will cost the state Rs 35,000 crore, about 10 per cent of its Rs 3.09-trillion Budget.

The BJP has said it will create an EV city on the outskirts of Bengaluru, while the Congress announced SGST concessions to EVs within urban limits, 50 per cent of all government buses to be electric in two years and making it compulsory to install EV charging points in apartments. The Congress said it will make public the caste census its government conducted during its previous stint, while the BJP has batted for a committee for uniform civil code and order an NRC.




The Congress party also promised an increase in the current ceiling of reservation from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for SC/ST/OBC/minority and other communities such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas. Congress released its party manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections on Tuesday. The manifesto said that the party believes that the Constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. It added that the party will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisation.



The manifesto has vowed to bring in a whistleblower protection act to eradicate corruption in public works and withdrawal of the three farm laws previously enacted by the BJP government. The Congress party manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka also said that the Congress government will form a State Education Policy to reject the National Education Policy (NEP).



The manifesto also promised free travel to all women in regular KSRTC/BMTC buses. The manifesto also announced that if voted to power, the Congress government will provide 200 units of free electricity; Rs 2,000 every month to each and every woman head of the family; Rs 3,000 per month for two years to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 per month to unemployed diploma holders.

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It also promises Rs 6,000 to all marine fishermen as a lean period allowance during the fishing holiday. The Congress manifesto for 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections also promised to provide 500 litres of tax-free diesel every year for deep sea fishing.



On Monday, the BJP promised the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in its manifesto. For the unapproved vacancies, the Congress manifesto said the party will sympathetically consider an extension of old pension scheme (OPS) to the pensionable government employees who joined the service in 2006, to fill unapproved vacancies in all government departments within one year.
Gujarat High Court reserves orders on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking stay on conviction in 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case. Justice Hemant Prachchhak to pronounce the verdict after vacations. Court refuses to grant any interim relief to Rahul Gandhi until then.
A Lok Adalat in Maharashtra's Thane district resolved at least 24,073 pending cases involving settlements amounting to more than Rs 76 crore, a court official here on Tuesday.

With these cases settled on April 29, Thane district has been ranked first in the state for the third time for its settlement rate, said Ishwar K Suryavanshi, secretary of Legal Aid Services Authority, Thane.

Apart from 24,073 cases, another 6,625 pre-litigation cases involving Rs 12 crore were also settled, taking the total cases to 30,698 involving Rs 88 crore settlement amount, he said.

Many cases, which were pending for 10-15 years, were also settled in the Lok Adalat for which several panels were constituted, the official said.

As many as 235 cases under the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal were heard involving claims to the tune of Rs 18 crore and compensation was sanctioned, he said.

A total of 167 cases of bank recoveries involving more than Rs 72 lakh were settled even before the filing stage, the official said.

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Apart from this, as many as 55 undertrials were released in the Lok Adalat after their cases were heard by the panels, he said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who convened a meeting on Afghanistan in Doha that was attended by India, Tuesday said that participating nations have expressed "serious concerns" over persistent presence of terrorist groups in the war-torn country that pose a risk for the region and beyond.

Guterres arrived in the Qatari capital on Monday to host the two-day meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan to reach points of commonality on key issues, such as human rights, in particular women's and girls' rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking.

The meeting is intended to achieve a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues.

India is among the countries and organisations participating in the meeting, according to a note issued by Guterres' office here.

"The meeting was about developing a common international approach, not about recognition of the de facto Taliban authorities," Guterres said in Doha at a press encounter.

The UN chief said that participants in the meeting are "worried" about the stability of Afghanistan and have expressed those serious concerns.

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"They relate to the persistent presence of terrorist organizations a risk for the country, the region, and further afield, he added.

The other participants in the meeting are from China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Guterres stressed that it was important that we all understand each other's concerns and limitations, but agreed that it was in everyone's interest, foremost the Afghans, to work together."



The participants agreed on the need for a strategy of engagement that allows for the stabilization of Afghanistan but also allows for addressing important concerns.

He noted that concerns were also raised over the lack of inclusivity, which importantly includes human rights, in particular those of women and girls, severely undermined by recent Taliban decisions and the spread of drug trafficking with all its dramatic consequences.

"While different countries placed different priorities on these concerns, according to their own situation, there is a general recognition that they are intertwined. That prioritizing one issue was not to ignore the importance of the others, which allows for an overall shared approach," he said.

Guterres underlined that "to achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage and said many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons which we have learned from the past.

"The UN will continue to use its convening power to advance a forward leaning approach, which puts the Afghan people first, and in a manner that is complementary to existing regional platforms and initiatives, he said.

Guterres said he has agreed to convene another meeting in the near future, where "we will be able to use this platform as a platform where so many different initiatives are coming together."



Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned decision by the Taliban to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, calling on the de-facto authorities to swiftly reverse policies and practices that restrict women and girls from exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms including related to their access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and women's full, equal and meaningful participation in public life.

The resolution also called for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
The Centre and Gujarat government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that they would not claim privilege over the documents in connection with the remission of sentence of convicts in Bilkis Bano gang-rape and murder of her family members case during Gujarat riots, and agreed to share the documents with the apex court for its perusal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Gujarat government, submitted before a bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph that they do not claim privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.

Mehta submitted that the Centre and state government will also not seek review of the apex court's earlier order directing them to bring on record documents in connection with the remission of the convicts.

The top court recorded Mehta's statement that Centre and Gujarat government are not seeking review of the order with the direction of production of records.

The apex court is likely to take up the matter later in May to ascertain the completion of service of documents and the case may come up for hearing in July.

On April 18, the Centre and Gujarat government, before the Supreme Court, claimed privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. The Centre's counsel had said the government is likely to seek review of the court's March 27 order, asking them to be ready with the original files on remission granted to the convicts.

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In the previous hearing, the top court had noted that a pregnant woman, Bilkis Bano, was gang-raped and several people were killed and the case cannot be compared with a standard Section 302 (murder) cases, and while stressing on the gravity of the offence and on the remission granted to 11 convicts, said: "Unequals cannot be treated equally."

The 11 men convicted in the case were released on August 15 last year, after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. The convicts had completed 15 years in jail.

A batch of the petitions have been filed against the release of 11 convicts, including the one filed by Bano. The other petitions were filed by CPI-M leader Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, National Federation of Indian Women, Meeran Chadha Borwankar and others, Asma Shafique Shaikh and others.

The top court had issued notice on all the pleas filed in the matter.

--IANS

ss/pgh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a mega roadshow in Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's home district of Kalaburagi in northern Karnataka.

The event comes days after Kharge had likened Modi to a "venomous snake" and his MLA-son and former Minister Priyank Kharge dubbed him 'nalayak' (inept).

The roadshow passed through major roads of Kalaburagi city amid chants of Modi-Modi' and the Prime Minister's new slogan for the May 10 Assembly election: 'Eee baariya nirdhara, bahumatada BJP sarkara' (This time's decision, a majority BJP government).

Mounted on a decorated special open vehicle, Modi wore the BJP's saffron cap and a yellow shawl around his neck. He was accompanied by BJP MP from Kalaburagi Umesh Jadhav and Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Bhagwant Khuba.

Modi waved at the enthusiastic crowd that was gathered on both sides of the roads.

BJP's flags, festoons and posters dotted the nook and corner of roads in the city.

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Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister held three consecutive rallies in Chitradurga, Hospet, and Sindhanur in northern Karnataka canvassing for the ruling BJP, which is seeking to retain power in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally in Rajasthan's Sirohi district on May 12, a BJP office-bearer said on Tuesday.

Bhajan Lal, the general secretary of the BJP's Rajasthan unit, said Modi will address the rally at Abu Road in which party leaders, office-bearers and workers will be present.

This will be the prime minister's third rally in 2023 in the Congress-ruled state where assembly elections are due later this year.

In January, Modi addressed a public programme in Bhilwara to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Devnarayan, revered by the Gurjar community. He also addressed a public meeting in Dausa in February after dedicating the Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

With just a few months left before the assembly elections, other senior leaders will also start visiting Rajasthan to hold meetings with BJP workers after the polls in Karnataka, party sources said.

BJP chief JP Nadda is likely to visit the state this month, they added.

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Arun Singh, the BJP's national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge, will camp in the state to prepare for the visits of the party's central leaders, the sources said.
Rafale jets of India and France have been jointly carrying out aerial drills as part of a multinational air exercise at the French airbase of Mont-de-Marsan, officials said on Tuesday.

Shivangi Singh, the Indian Air Force's first woman Rafale pilot, is part of the Indian team that is participating in the Exercise Orion, they said.

In January, Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi scripted history by becoming the first IAF woman fighter pilot to take part in an aerial wargame abroad.

Chaturvedi, a Su-30MKI pilot, was part of the IAF's contingent that participated in the 16-day mega air combat exercise with Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) at the Japanese airbase of Hyakuri from January 12 to 26.

India deployed four Rafale jets, two C-17 aircraft and two IL-78 mid-air refuellers for the three-week multinational exercise in France that began on April 17.

It was the first overseas exercise for the Indian Air Force's Rafale jets.

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Besides the IAF and the French Air and Space Force (FASF), the exercise is being participated by air forces from several other countries including Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain.
Jailed gangster and an accused in the 2021 Rohini court shootout case, Tillu Tajpuriya, was killed allegedly by members of the Gogi gang inside Tihar Jail early on Tuesday, officials said.

Prison officials said the incident took place around 6.30 am. He was taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital where he was declared dead.

A senior prison official said 33-year-old Sunil alias Tillu Tajpuriya, who was lodged on the ground floor of the high-risk ward, was allegedly attacked by four inmates affiliated with the rival Gogi gang around 6.15 am.

The attackers -- Deepak alias Titar, Yogesh alias Tunda, Rajesh and Riyaz Khan -- were lodged on the first floor of the same ward.

They allegedly cut the iron grille installed on the first floor of the high-security ward and used bedsheets to climb down to the ground floor before attacking Tajpuriya with an improvised sharp object, the official said.

An injured Tajpuriya was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital after receiving medical attention at the jail outpatient department around 6.45 am. He died during treatment at the hospital, the prison official said.

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He had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Akshat Kaushal said information was received around 7 am from Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital regarding two undertrial prisoners from Tihar Jail being brought there.

Of the pair, Tajpuriya was brought in an unconscious state. He was declared brought dead, Kaushal said. Another person, Rohit, is undergoing treatment and is said to be out of danger.

In September 2021, gangster Jitender Gogi was shot dead by two assailants dressed as lawyers inside the Rohini court complex. The assailants were then killed in retaliatory firing by the police.
The response received from the article on the origins of Easter was amazing and almost shocking that Christians know so little about church history.

Hosea 4: 6 (KJV) says My people perish from a lack of knowledge. Christianity is one of the major religions stemming from the life, teachings and death of Jesus of Nazareth, who is Christ, the Anointed One of God, Son of God, and part of the Godhead it has become the largest of the worlds religions and, geographically, the most widely diffused of all faiths. It has a constituency of more than two billion believers. But how did it start? Apostle Paul, one of the greatest apostles, believed his message should be taken to Gentiles  the non-Jews. Its largest followers would soon be in Rome and later the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, and eventually the Protestant churches, who broke away from the Universal Roman Catholic Church. We will talk mainly about the Roman Catholic and Protestant Church groups.

Roman Empire before Christianity

The Roman Empire was primarily a polytheistic civilisation, which meant that people recognised and worshipped multiple gods and goddesses. There was a statue/idol of all kinds of gods everywhere. Apart from the gods, who were glorified by the state, every Roman household worshipped curtain spirits. They believed that spirits protected the family, home, and even trees and rivers. Roman pagans worshipped 12 main deities (gods) that they adopted and adapted from Greek paganism. These gods were Jupiter, Juno, Vesta, Ceres, Mercury, Mars, Apollo, Diana, Vulcan, Poseidon, Minerva and Venus. Romans also worshipped foreign gods, such as the Egyptian goddess Isis and the Persian god Mithras.

Rome converts to Christianity

It is believed that millions of Christians perished within Pagan Rome for their belief. Most were killed in the most horrific ways. However, In 313 AD, after many years of Christian persecution, Emperor Constantine the Great converted to Christianity and issued an Edict (order/law) of Milan, which accepted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. In the year 321 AD Constantine again decreed Sunday as the States day of rest discarding what he called the Jewish biblical Sabbath (Saturday); doing this without any scriptural authority. In Roman culture, Sunday was the day of the sun god and the people were accustomed to going to church on Sunday. In pagan theology, the sun was the source of life, giving warmth and illumination to mankind. He used the rising of Jesus from the dead on Sunday as a reason the people would accept.

Roman Catholic (Universal) Church

The Roman Catholic (Universal) Church was born and all the disciples of Jesus including the mother of Jesus, Mary replaced the many gods. It was called the Universal Church because it was the only church at the time throughout the Roman Empire. The many gods idols were not removed as per the Bible (Exodus 20: 4-5) but were now turned to represent the saints who were now the disciples of Christ. The joy of the Christians within the Roman Empire would be short-lived as the new Roman Catholic Church papal would soon start persecuting those who questioned its authority. The authority of the pope became absolute throughout the empire. Note that the Bible was not available to the general public to know any better but only available to the church and its priest. The church grew very powerful and corrupt. They soon claimed to have the only way to heaven and sold pardons for sin, giving them not only religious power but great political power throughout the kingdoms within the Roman Empire.

Great Inquisition Catholic Church

Great persecutions of Christians started again in another form. The inquisition was a powerful office set-up within the Catholic Church to root out and punish heresy throughout Europe and the Americas (heresy was a belief or opinion contrary to the orthodox religious doctrine of Catholicism). Beginning in the 12th century and continuing for hundreds of years, the inquisition was infamous for the severity of its tortures and its persecution of mainly Jews and any Christian who deviated from the teachings of the church and would later be referred to as protestants.

Protestant Reformation

The people soon started to protest the leadership of the Catholic church and a movement was formed. The Protestant Reformation was a religious reform movement that swept through Europe in the 1500s. It resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism, a name used collectively to refer to the many religious groups that separated from the Roman Catholic Church due to differences in doctrine. Protestants believe in three essential beliefs. 1) The Bible is the ultimate religious truth and authority. 2) Through a belief in Jesus Christ and the grace of God, human beings can find salvation without having to buy repentance from the Catholic Church or any priest. 3) All Christians are viewed as priests and can communicate directly with God through Jesus Christ.

Its greatest leader undoubtedly was the German clergy Martin Luther from whom the Lutheran Church gets its name. It was also led by famous reformers such as John Calvin (15091564) and Huldrych Zwingli (14841531) in Switzerland, John Knox (15131572) in Scotland. Other important leaders were Philipp Melanchthon (14971560), Martin Bucer (14911551), and Heinrich Bullinger (15041574) just to mention a few. Later we had John Wesley (1703- 1791) John Wycliffe, Jan Hus and many more. The persecution in Europe by the Catholic Church forced the reform movement to seek a new home in America. The United States Constitution guaranteed religious freedom as one of its cornerstones simply because of the experience in Europe particularly during the period called the Dark Ages under the Papal Rule.

The United States formally recognised the Holy See (Vatican) on January 10, 1984, when President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II agreed to the establishment of diplomatic relations. From 1867 to 1984, the United States did not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See in the wake of rumors of Catholic implications in the Lincoln assassination. The longstanding critics of the Roman Catholic Church finally won in 1867 when the US Congress withdrew all funding for the legation in Rome. The Catholic Church remains the largest contributor to social development through their schools, clinics, hospital, universities and much more. Comment septembereswatini@gmail.com
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by Delhi Police against granting of bail to activists Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha in connection to the 2020 riots in the national capital.

The communal riots that occurred in February 2020 claimed the lives of 53 people and injured more that 700 others.

The apex court in July 2021 had pointed out its reluctance to consider cancellation of bail granted to the three activists, who were booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

On Tuesday, a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul told the Centre's counsel that there is a limit to seeking adjournment and added that the accused have been enlarged on bail for two years and it finds no reason to keep this matter alive.

When the Centre's counsel urged the court to take up the matter again on Wednesday, Justice Kaul said that several adjournments have been sought so far and nothing survives in the matter.

Referring to bail judgments passed by the high court, the top court said it is an extremely elaborate order on bail interpreting provisions of UAPA Act and in its view the only issue, which was supposed to be examined was whether in the factual scenario accused were to be granted bail or not.

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Justice Kaul made it clear that while issuing notice in the matter, the court had observed that the judgments will not be treated as a precedent.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi Police, submitted that there were a large number of personal views in the high court judgments granting bail to three student activists.

Justice Kaul, in response, said the court had already observed in its previous order the judgments will not be treated as a precedent and no further orders are required in the matter.

The bench noted that in the bail order, the court has to only consider whether the person has to be enlarged on bail or not and emphasized that 2021 judgments by the Delhi High Court in this case cannot be used as a precedent on legal position.

The top court was hearing the Delhi Police petitions against the high court's June 15, 2021 judgments granting bail to the three activists in a larger conspiracy in the riots case.

Earlier, the top court had said that bail petitions were being argued at length debating the provisions of the anti-terror law UAPA.

It had made it clear that the high court judgments shall not be treated as a precedent and may not be relied upon by any of the parties in any of the proceedings.

--IANS

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred to May 9 the hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the remission granted last year to all the 11 convicts in the case of gang rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Several counsel appearing for the convicts raised objections on not being served the notice on Bano's plea, which made the top court observe, "It is obvious, rather more than obvious, that you all do not want the hearing to be conducted by this bench."



A bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna was told by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared in the court on behalf of the Centre and the Gujarat government, that they are not claiming any privilege and not filing any plea for a review of the court's March 27 order, asking for the production of the original records with regard to the remission granted to the convicts.

The SG raised preliminary objections with regard to the petitions filed in the matter other than the one by Bano, saying it will have wide ramifications as every now and then, third parties will approach courts in criminal cases.

The bench fixed May 9 for hearing the matter as several counsel for the convicts, who have been released, said they need time to file their replies to Bano's plea.

"We are only fixing timelines, so that whichever court takes up the matter will not have to waste time on these procedural issues. I am retiring during the vacation on June 16. My last working day will be May 19. My sister (Justice Nagarathna) will be going to attend a conference in Singapore till May 25. If all of you agree, we can sit during the vacation and finish hearing the case," Justice Joseph said.

Some counsel appearing for the petitioners, including senior advocate Indira Jaising and Vrinda Grover, agreed that the bench may hear the matter during the summer vacation.

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The SG, however, requested the court to list the matter before the vacation and not during the vacation.

"It is not that I will not be available for this case but all cases. Once we make an exception for one case, I will have to make an exception for all the cases," Mehta said.

Advocate Shobha Gupta said the matter will take a very short time as only the question of law needs to be decided.

Justice Joseph told Gupta, "It is apparent that the counsel appearing for the convicts do not want this hearing to take place. Every time the matter will be called up, one person or the other will come and say that he needs time to file a reply. It is more than obvious."



He said, "It is somewhat clear what is being attempted here. It is obvious, rather more than obvious, that you all do not want the hearing to be conducted by this bench. This is not fair to me. In our last hearing, we had made it absolutely clear that the matter will be listed for final disposal on the next date of hearing. Remember, all of you (the counsel for the convicts) are officers of the court. Do not forget your role. You may lose one case or win a case, but do not forget your duty towards the court."



The court then said a new bench will take up the matter for final hearing in the second week of July.

Senior advocate Siddharth and advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for the convicts, wondered what was the "tearing hurry" in hearing the case after the counsel for Bano and others requested that the matter be taken up before the vacation.

"We have been released and are out for around one year. There should not be any tearing hurry," Malhotra said.

He added that he wishes to file certain preliminary objections to the writ petition filed by Bano against the remission, saying the Supreme Court rules do not allow the filing of a writ petition after a review against the main judgment has been dismissed.

Some of the counsel appearing for the convicts said two of their clients were out of station but it was stated by the petitioners that they had refused to accept the notice.

They sought two weeks' time to file their replies to Bano's petition.

Justice Nagarathna said the counsel for the respondents who are present in the court may accept the notice in the court and file their responses by May 9.

The bench directed that those convicts whose counsels are not in the court and who have not been served the notice shall be served it through the local police stations. Justice Joseph said the court understands that this is a bald attempt to wait out the time he has before retirement.

On April 18, the top court questioned the Gujarat government over the remission granted to the 11 convicts, saying the gravity of the offence should have been considered, and wondered if there was any application of mind.

Asking for the reasons for the premature release of the convicts, the top court had also questioned the parole granted to them during their incarceration period. "It(remission) is a kind of grace, which should be proportional to the crime," it had said.

The Centre and the Gujarat government had also told the court that they might file a plea seeking a review of its March 27 order, asking them to be ready with the original files on the grant of remission.

On March 27, terming Bilkis Bano's gang rape and the murder of her family members during the 2002 post-Godhra riots a "horrendous" act, the apex court had asked the Gujarat government whether uniform standards, as followed in other murder cases, were applied while granting remission to the 11 convicts.

It had sought the responses of the Centre, the Gujarat government and others on the plea filed by Bano, who has challenged the remission of the sentences.

All 11 convicts were granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on August 15 last year.

The top court is seized of the PILs filed by CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, independent journalist Revati Laul, former vice-chancellor of the Lucknow University Roop Rekha Verma and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra against the release of the convicts.

Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing from the riots that broke out after the Godhra train-burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among her seven family members killed in the riots.


If Pawar intended to spark a show of loyalty from party workers, the move had the desired effect. Party MLAs threatened to quit the Maharashtra assembly, other party functionaries resigned from their party posts, and senior leaders, including MLA Jayant Patil, broke down when Pawar read out his decision at a function in Mumbai to release his updated autobiography. Veteran politician Sharad Pawar shocked Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers on Tuesday afternoon, saying it was time he stepped down as president of the party that he founded almost 24 years ago.



Observers of Maharashtra politics, such as journalist Nikhil Wagle, termed Pawar's resignation a "masterstroke" that should quell the putative move by Ajit, who runs the party organisation, to align with the BJP since the sympathy of party workers and MLAs was now with his uncle. However, a party source rejected this speculation, arguing that Ajit has already ruled out going with the BJP and that only the MVA alliance can offer him the CM's post. By evening, the 83-year-old leader sought a few days to rethink after daughter Supriya Sule, nephew Ajit Pawar, and other senior leaders met him and suggested that he remain the president and appoint a working president under him. According to Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar said he would rethink only if workers, who had been protesting, go home and resignations cease.



Pawar's move comes on the heels of two key developments. Last month, the Election Commission stripped the NCP of its status as a 'national party'. However, it was notable, Bagaitkar said, that Pawar's announcement came a day after the Maharashtra agricultural produce marketing committees' (APMCs) election results, polling for which was held on April 28. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the NCP, Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, won 76 of 131 bodies, while the ruling alliance bagged 31 committees. The APMC results indicate the ruling coalition is becoming unpopular and would struggle to retain its Lok Sabha and Assembly seats if the electoral battle remains focused on local issues. It would prefer to contest on the back of Narendra Modi's charisma, he said. Senior journalist Anant Bagaitkar, who has tracked Pawar's career closely for decades, said Pawar's threat to resign is with an eye on the upcoming electoral challenges -- not just the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but also the Maharashtra Assembly polls. Campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls will start in earnest in six months, and the challenge is to keep party workers and leaders disciplined, united and galvanised, he said. The term of the Maharashtra Assembly expires at the end of 2024. But the NCP leadership believes the state polls could take place, considering the precarious state of the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government, simultaneously with the Lok Sabha.

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Latest Honda SUV, its looks and design Honda is ready to launch its India-centric midsize SUV on June 6, 2023, Autocar India (ACI) has reported. The SUV will be launched globally at an event in New Delhi. Although there is little clarity on the name, the latest SUV from Honda could be called Honda Elevate, the report said. It may go on sale later this year. The vehicle will be launched first in India and later in other markets.



Honda's plans Honda is expected to launch the vehicle with a proper SUV-like stance. It is likely to have a muscular design and bold aesthetics. Autocar cited Honda dealership owners based in Thailand who had a chance to look at the vehicle at a private preview.



This segment already has established players like the Creta, Seltos, and relatively newer entrants like Maruti's Grand Vitara, Toyota's Hyryder, VW Taigun, and Skoda's Kushaq. At a time when the Indian market is fraught with SUVs in all shapes and designs, at this point, Honda does not have an SUV to offer. With this launch, Honda will enter the highly-competitive Indian midsize SUV space.

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Dimensions, platform, powertrain, and features Honda is planning to build around 8,000 units of this SUV every month in India. A major part of this production is likely to be exported, the ACI report added.



It will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine and this may be the only engine on offer at the time of launch. It will come with a 6-speed manual and a CVT transmission system which are also offered with Honda City. Honda's new SUV will likely be between 4.2 to 4.3 metres in length. It is likely to have a segment-competitive wheelbase and cabin space. The SUV will share its platform and engine with the fifth-generation City.



Launch date and price details Honda's SUV will come equipped with a 10.2-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment system which is likely to have all the features available in rival offerings.

The Honda SUV will be launched on June 6, 2023. However, it will go on sale in August 2023. The expected prices are between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 19 lakhs, ex-showroom.
The Department of Telecom should create a secured system to seamlessly access service providers' data like command logs and supply chain documents to simplify existing security conditions prescribed under current permits, sector regulator Trai recommended on Tuesday.

The telecom service providers are required to keep the records of all the operation and maintenance command logs for a period of 12 months, including the actual command given, who gave the command, when it was given with date and time and from where. The same set of information is further required to be stored for next 24 months in a non-online mode which becomes voluminous.

In its recommendation on "Ease of Doing Business in Telecom and Broadcasting Sector", the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recommended that the DoT should review and simplify the existing security conditions prescribed in the telecom licence agreement regarding maintaining command logs and supply chain documents.

"Instead of seeking every bit of information from the service provider, DoT may examine to create static IP based secure access system to seamlessly access such data of the service providers. Government should assimilate the basic concept of enabling the ecosystem by accessing the relevant information, as and when expedient," Trai said.

Among various measures to enhance ease of doing business, Trai has recommended that the government should incorporate a website blocking process on a single window portal and the internet service providers only should receive the list of websites to be blocked from the portal in their secure login via an instant notification.

"The list of websites to be blocked should be communicated to the ISPs in their secure login via an instant notification. The provision for compliance submission by the ISPs should also be on the portal itself," Trai recommended.

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Most of the recommendations made by the Trai entails technological intervention for promoting ease of doing business in the sector.

The regulator has suggested that the process of surrender of licence, issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) and release of bank guarantees to the service providers should be made simple, online and time-bound.

To ease the audit burden of customers, Trai has recommended that the submission of the Customer Acquisition Forms (CAFs) by the TSPs to the DoT licensed service area should be made online.

"The portal should support a bulk uploading facility. Appropriate analytical and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools should be utilized for processing such CAFs," Trai recommended.

For speedy roll-out of telecom network, Trai has recommended that the requirement of additional Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA) clearance for the same mobile network site or tower location should be replaced with intimation only on the SaralSanchar portal.

The regulator has suggested that telecom operators should be allowed to reinstall/ deploy their wireless equipment to another circle or location after providing prior intimation to WPC (Wireless Planning Commission).

"There should not be any requirement of taking prior permission of WPC. Online portal should provide the facility to submit such prior intimation," Trai said.

To expedite approvals for satellite services, the regulator has recommended that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and DoT portals should be end-to-end integrated with the Department of Space (DOS) and fully functional for all services requiring a space segment.

"Stage-wise status of the application should be transparently visible to the applicant. Timelines for each stage should be clearly defined. A two-way query system should be incorporated. Within DOS, the processes at New Space India Ltd. (NSIL) should also be online to ensure transparency and time-bound processing," Trai recommended.

The regulator has suggested that DOS should publish a list of Indian satellites' details and the capacity availability and approved foreign satellites/ satellite systems, their orbital locations, transponders and frequency availability and their other technical and security parameters.

"...the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Satellite Network Clearance (IMC-SNC) should meet at least once in two months or on receiving upon any application, whichever is earlier, to expedite the in-principle approvals. The meeting should be held online," Trai recommended.

The regulator reiterated its earlier recommendation that the current practice of permitting hiring of foreign capacity for a limited period of 3 to 5 years should be removed and the service licencees should be permitted to hire the foreign satellite capacities for a longer period as per need.
Fearing payment delays from key telcos to continue in FY24, domestic rating agency Icra on Tuesday cut its outlook on the telecom towers industry to 'negative' from 'stable'.

In a note, the agency said delays in payments by some of the key customers have elongated the receivables cycle for the telecom tower companies to more than 80 days in FY23.

The tower industry's dependence on weaker telcos in terms of tenancies remains high at around 34 per cent. Thus, till the time there are liquidity pressures on such customers, the tower industry's health is likely to remain affected, it said.

"The elongation in receivables is likely to result in tower companies making sizeable provisions to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore in FY23, thereby denting their profitability," its sector head for corporate ratings Ankit Jain said.

The agency expects the provisions to continue going forward, although the quantum is likely to moderate from the FY23 levels, Jain said, adding that increased reliance on external debt is expected to keep the net debt levels elevated.

It expects the revenue growth of the tower companies to remain low at 3-4 per cent, with operating margins (adjusting for energy revenues) at around 60 per cent going forward, which is lower than 75-77 per cent in the past.

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The network expansion and technology upgrades point towards steady growth in the infrastructure-provider business, but the tower industry will not be immune to liquidity pressures faced by a few telcos, it said.

"While the technology upgrade to 5G brings with itself a favourable demand outlook for the tower companies, their capex intensity is likely to increase and Icra expects the annual capex to be in the range of Rs 6,000-7,000 crore for the industry," Jain said.
Millions of customers around the country receive unwanted calls and messages on a daily basis. These are primarily promotional in nature. When deployed, the AI will automatically detect fake and promotional calls, and messages from unknown sources and avoid them on its own.

You may get some respite from the menace of spam calls soon as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is planning to enforce new rules for telecom companies today. To implement this rule, Trai has directed telecom operators to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) or AI-based spam filters that prevent unwanted communications, an NDTV report said.
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Shares of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) were up 3 per cent to Rs 163.90 on the BSE in Tuesday's intra-day trade amid heavy volumes after the government slashed windfall tax on Crude Oil produced at home to Rs 4,100 per tonne from Rs 6,400 per tonne.The stock of the state-owned oil exploration & production company was trading close to its 52-week high level of Rs 168.40, touched on May 5, 2022.Shares of Oil India, meanwhile, were quoting 1 per cent higher at Rs 257.75. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 0.58 per cent at 61,467 at 10:11 AM.Cess has been reduced to $7/bbl from May 2 in the twentieth review of windfall taxes. This will reduce the cess of domestic upstream companies including ONGC and Oil India. Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) levied on refineries for export of petrol, air turbine fuel (ATF) and diesel continues to be nil.According to technical analyst at ICICI Securities, the share price of ONGC is at the cusp of a breakout above last one month's consolidation range (Rs 159-146), signaling resumption of up move and fresh entry opportunity.The brokerage firm expects the stock to maintain positive bias and head towards Rs 171 levels in the coming sessions/"Sustained higher crude oil prices and gas realisations can result in better profitability. Periodic revision in windfall taxes will be the key monitorable. Value unlocking from subsidiaries and other investments along with lower holding company discount on investments and High dividend yield and payout ratio are key triggers for future price performance ," said analysts at ICICI Securities.


Banks usually provide stock exchanges with bank guarantees for security deposits and margin requirements on behalf of stockholders. These guarantees are submitted to clearing corporations, who then decide the trading limits for the brokers. However, brokers often pledge their clients' funds with banks, which in turn issue BGs for higher amounts. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), on April 25, issued a directive prohibiting stock brokers and clearing members from using their client's funds for bank guarantees (BGs) beginning on May 1.



According to a circular issued by Sebi, no new BGs may be created using clients' funds from May 1, 2023. Banks issue BG at a rate that is two times the amount that the broker has pledged, which exposes the market to risks.



Sebi's concern Existing BGs established with clients' funds must be closed by September 30, 2023. it added.

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Some brokers reportedly obtain bank guarantees worth twice the amount of fixed deposits they have made with clients' funds, resulting in a big discrepancy between their true net worth and the guarantees they use for trading. Sebi has expressed concern over this practice's potential risk exposure to the market and clients' funds.



In addition, Sebi has directed brokers to terminate any existing bank guarantees created with clients' funds by September 30, 2023. To address this issue, Sebi mandated that brokers use their own working capital to obtain higher Clearing Corporation limitations, thereby increasing their need for working capital.

Sebi's new rule and its outcome

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Sebi have been monitoring the collateral system closely due to the potential systemic risks this practice may present. The new regulation aims to lessen these risks and guarantee that investors' funds are better protected.



This circular would only be of academic interest for brokers who have already complied with the recent implementations of Segregated Margin Reporting and online client-wise or segment-wise allocation of client collaterals. This move of Sebi further increases the working capital requirements of stock brokers. This will only affect brokers who have the practice of pledging clients' funds to create BG for their own use, increasing clients' leverage and risk exposure.
In a unique collaboration to safeguard the misuse of location-tracking devices, Apple and Google on Tuesday said they have jointly submitted an industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking.

The first-of-its-kind specification will allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorised tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms.

Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed support for the draft specification, which offers best practices and instructions for manufacturers.

"Apple launched AirTag to give users the peace of mind knowing where to find their most important items," said Ron Huang, Apple's vice president of Sensing and Connectivity.

"This new industry specification builds upon the AirTag protections, and through collaboration with Google results in a critical step forward to help combat unwanted tracking across iOS and Android," Huang added.

The specification has been submitted via theAInternet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a leading standards development organisation for review and comment over the next three months.A

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"Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve," said Dave Burke, Google's vice president of Engineering for Android.

"Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users, and will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with the industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices," he added.

In addition to incorporating feedback from device manufacturers, input from various safety and advocacy groups has been integrated into the development of the specification, said Apple and Google.

--IANS

na/pgh
Sir,



This letter serves as a notification to all who call themselves Christians yet they are self-seeking of the things of this world. They have befriended the world. The Word of God says; Do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you. If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy them; for the temple of God is holy. Which temple are you? Let me assure my brothers and sisters in Christ that this is not an attack to any of you, nor do I judge you. However, walk in holiness, keeping the temple pure. May the God of peace sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord.

Distance

A true Christian would at all cost distance himself/herself from body embellishments and beautification, for whosoever does these things is building another image of himself/herself.

The worldly attachments in the form of gold, make-up, artificial hair and nail polish create a door for the demons to have a legal right to your life. Jesus does not recognise them. People, especially women, dress in fashion clothes, while adorned with all vanity; jewellery, artificial hair and nail polish. What is the difference between the people who frequent clubs and bars and those who beautify their bodies? This is the state of people in Gods Church today.

Difference

You cannot tell the difference from those who are in the world (clubs and fashion shows) and the ones saved by the Blood of Jesus. They call themselves Christians but they have sealed themselves with heathens and pagan accessories, doing the will of the devil which was done by Jezebel. Women should wear natural hair, not any artificial long hair. Embellishment of the body corrupts the heart and exalts the flesh. You become lifted up because of thy beauty. Every hairstyle takes away the symbol of God. The Lord says from a bad source fresh water does not flow. Friendship with the world is an enmity with God. The Lord wants us to be different from the world.

Lastly, the devil has so far succeeded in using these types of attachment, embellishment and adornment in order to outsmart and win the souls of the believer to hell. Leaders of churches have ignored these attachments and defilements in churches. They have peddled the word of God for money. They have destroyed households, teaching things which they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain. It is time we please God and Him alone, not flesh and not the people we live with. Take heed that you do not pave a way that leads to death. The Lord God spoke about the consequences of disobedient children, who wear make-up, who paint their hair, who put on jewellery, their dress-code, the way they walk once these adornments have been attached to them and so forth. He pointed out their rewards in the next life. The Holy Bible says the lost will be like the sands of the sea. Brothers and sisters please work out your salvation while there is still time and may our Lord Jesus Christ bless you all.






Google I/O event will certainly be filled to the brim with exciting Android 14 news, hardware launches and some major Artificial Intelligence announcements. Google is ready with its mega event of the year that will take place on May 10. The event expects to witness software announcements along with some product launches. Google I/O event will most likely surround the most talked Artificial Intelligence(AI) Chatbot - Bard.

When will Google I/O 2023 take place?



Google I/O on its official website, made it clear that the event will be available for the global audience and the content will be provided on demand in different languages to serve everyone. Google already cleared that some translated content, such as captioned video, may be available shortly after the event. This year Google I/O event 2023 will take place in front of a limited live audience and can be telecast online on May 10, 2023. Registration for the Google I/O event 2023 started on March 7, and it is free of cost.

Google I/O event 2023: Expectations



The program is divided into four different sections that make it clear the theme of Google I/O event 2023 to the users, i.e., mobile, web, AI, and cloud. Google has officially announced the schedule of the Google I/O Event 2023 on April 27. Since the developer conference takes place every year, and according to Google, this year, the event will be more condensed than usual.

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Google's focus is on AI chatbot



Of course, Google Bard has some flaws and outright funny responses, but despite this, Google and its competitors will change the way we use technology in the next few years. According to some New York Times reports, Google has activated the code red internally following the launch of ChatGPT 4.0 and Bing's chat-based search. The tech company notified its AI-based search engine called Google Bard. Google Bard has actually launched a limited beta in the US and UK in March 2023.

Expected products at the Google I/O event

Google Pixel tablet Google last talked about the Google Pixel table in October 2022. Powered by Google Tensor G2 processor, the Pixel will have a nano-ceramic coating that's reminiscent of porcelain. This latest product will also come with a charging dock to turn the table into a smart home speaker. There are some products we might expect at the Google I/O event 2023:

Google Pixel Fold
Microsoft India on Tuesday announced two new initiatives to support Indian SMBs and enable their digital transformation journey, namely an SMB-focused website and a dedicated helpline.

According to the company, the SMB-focused website -- Microsoft for Small and Medium Businesses, aims at bringing together business owners and entrepreneurs in India to network with peers, enhance their skills and achieve holistic growth.

However, the Digital Transformation helpline aims to offer dedicated support to help SMBs navigate their technology adoption and deployment journey.

"Microsoft has been committed to digitally transforming the SMB ecosystem in India with trusted technology, resources and extensive partner ecosystem. These new initiatives are aimed at further supporting these organisations and working closely with them so they can do more with less," Samik Roy, Executive Director - Corporate Medium and Small Business, Microsoft India, said in a statement.

Moreover, the company said the Microsoft for Small and Medium Businesses website is a rich repository of skills, resources and tools to cater to every requirement of a business.

It offers an SMB Academy to gain valuable digital skills and improve workforce productivity with access to Microsoft's top curated business and technology courses, as well as inspiring stories of businesses from around the country.

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Additionally, the website offers a wide range of Microsoft solutions addressing the needs of organisations, as well as an easy access point to Microsoft's vast network of over 17,000 partners in the country.

Further, the tech giant stated that the Digital Transformation Helpline, which is available at 1800-102-1147, offers SMBs dedicated support when navigating their digital transformation journey.

The helpline provides expert guidance and assistance in leveraging technology solutions that best address their business challenges, improve operations, increase efficiency and drive growth.

--IANS

shs/prw/pgh
By Mark Gurman



Samsung Electronics Co. is banning employee use of popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT after discovering staff uploaded sensitive code to the platform, dealing a setback to the spread of such technology in the workplace.

The Suwon, South Korea-based company notified staff at one of its biggest divisions on Monday about the new policy via a memo reviewed by Bloomberg News. The company is concerned that data transmitted to such artificial intelligence platforms including Google Bard and Bing is stored on external servers, making it difficult to retrieve and delete, and could end up being disclosed to other users, according to the document. Samsung Electronics Co. is banning employee use of popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT after discovering staff uploaded sensitive code to the platform, dealing a setback to the spread of such technology in the workplace.



Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT has been growing internally and externally, Samsung told staff. While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI. The company conducted a survey last month about the use of AI tools internally and said that 65% of respondents believe that such services pose a security risk. Earlier in April, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code by uploading it to ChatGPT, according to the memo. Its unclear what the information encompassed, and a Samsung representative declined to comment.



The new Samsung rules ban the use of generative AI systems on company-owned computers, tablets and phones, as well as on its internal networks. They do not affect the companys devices sold to consumers, such as Android smartphones and Windows laptops. Samsung is just the latest big company to express concern about the technology. In February, only a couple of months after OpenAIs chatbot service stirred up a storm of interest in the technology, some Wall Street banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. either banned or restricted its use. Italy also barred the use of ChatGPT over privacy fears, though it reversed its stance in recent days.

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We ask that you diligently adhere to our security guideline and failure to do so may result in a breach or compromise of company information resulting in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, Samsung said in the memo. Samsung asked employees who use ChatGPT and other tools on personal devices to not submit any company-related information or personal data that could reveal its intellectual property. It warned that breaking the new policies could result in being fired.
The White House said Monday it now estimates that just since December Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including 20,000 killed, as Ukraine has rebuffed a heavy-assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

In what has become a grinding war of attrition, 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.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. estimate is based on newly declassified American intelligence. He did not detail how the intelligence community derived the number.

Troops from Russia's Wagner mercenary group and other forces are fighting Ukrainian troops house-to-house to try to gain control of what has become known as the road of life the last remaining road west still in Ukrainian hands, which makes it critical for supplies and fresh troops. Both sides have cited gains in recent days.

Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the head of Ukrainian ground forces, said that Russia continued to exert maximum effort to take the city but that it so far had failed.

In some parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions, he said.

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Last month, China's State Council and the Central Military Commission (CMC) had released the changes to the country's military recruitment rules. It gave priority to veterans and optimised conscription procedures. Conscription is referred to as compulsory enlistment into state service, typically armed forces. China on Monday, May 1, enacted revisions to its military service law allowing retired military personnel to be reenlisted in the army. The changes focus on recruiting engineering and science students to prepare for warfare in new domains like space and cyber, a report by Nikkei Asia said. This comes as the country is preparing for a possible all-out war in the Taiwan Strait.



The Nikkei Asia report added that another provision makes it easier for the military to draft people in the case of an "emergency". The Chinese government can adjust conditions and methods of conscription, based on the need, and enable the transportation corps to give priority to military transport. According to the South China Morning Post, the regulations said recruitment should "focus on preparing for war" and increase efficiency by calling up 'high calibre' recruits. For the first time, a separate chapter on wartime recruitment was included in the regulations, which state that ex-servicemen would be prioritised and expected to join their original units or similar positions.



In 2021, the military service law was revised to raise the age limit of new recruits from 22 to 24 for college and 26 for postgraduates. The new rules have also given the universities to draft students. Moreover, the Chinese military will also focus on research into 'intelligence warfare' using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies.

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Last month, it undertook military exercises where it maintained a considerable presence in the Taiwan Strait. The changes come amid rising geopolitical tensions, especially in the South China Sea. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and it has not ruled out the use of force to reunify the island with the mainland.
Osamu Furukawa has driven lots of Japanese cars for his business converting classic gasoline-powered models to electric. But his favorite ride is an import: A battery-powered SUV from China's BYD Auto.

BYD Auto is part of a wave of Chinese electric car exporters that are starting to compete with Western and Japanese brands in their home markets. They bring fast-developing technology and low prices that Tesla Inc.'s chief financial officer says are scary.

Furukawa said he ordered an ATTO 3 when it went on sale Jan. 31, for its user-friendly features and appealing price of 4.4 million yen ($33,000) or about one-quarter less than a Tesla.

It's perfect, Furukawa said in his office in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo.

Other ambitious Chinese EV exporters include NIO, Geely Group's Zeekr and Ora, a unit of SUV maker Great Wall Motors.

Some compete on price. Others emphasize performance and features, putting pressure on Western and Japanese premium brands.

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NIO Inc., which has persuaded buyers in China to pay Tesla-level sticker prices of up to 555,000 yuan ($80,000), says its latest SUV goes on sale this year in Europe. The ES6 boasts voice-activated controls and a range of 610 kilometers (380 miles) on a charge.

We are very confident the ES6 will compete in this premium SUV market, NIO's founder and CEO, William Li, said in an interview at the Shanghai auto show.

Sales of battery-powered vehicles and gasoline-electric hybrids in China almost doubled last year to 6.9 million vehicles, or half the global total.

That was supported by multibillion-dollar subsidies from the ruling Communist Party, which is trying to make China a creator of clean energy and other technologies. That rattles U.S. and European leaders who see China as a strategic and industrial competitor.

Chinese brands are serious competition, according to David Leah, an analyst for GlobalData.

They have more competitive battery technology and can achieve greater economies of scale, Leah said in an email.

BYD Auto, owned by battery maker BYD Co., edged ahead of Tesla in total 2022 sales at 1.9 million vehicles. Half were gasoline-electric hybrids, while Tesla's fleet is pure electric.

We have a lot of respect for the car companies in China, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a Jan. 25 conference call with financial analysts. They work the hardest and they work the smartest.

Chinese brands are developing EVs to compete without subsidies as Beijing shifts the burden to the industry by requiring them to earn credits for selling electrics. Prices start as low as 100,000 yuan ($14,500) for a compact SUV with a 400-kilometer (250-mile) range on one charge.

The Chinese are scary, Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn said on the analyst call.

Chinese EV brands mix research and design centers in the United States and Europe with factories in China.

Geely's Zeekr plans to launch an all-electric sedan and an SUV this year in the Netherlands and Sweden. Its mini-United Nations of Chinese and European designers is in Gothenberg, Sweden, adjacent to Volvo Cars, another Geely brand, while its factories are in China.

Our ambition is to be a key player in electrified mobility in Europe within this decade, said Zeekr CEO Spiros Fotinos, a Toyota and Lexus veteran. With a clear global ambition, he said, "we're looking at the opportunities and right timing for other markets.

CEO Carlos Tavares of Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Peugeot and FIAT, warned in January that Europe needs a strategy to compete with China's lower prices. European-made electrics cost 40% more than Chinese models, according to Tavares.

It's a very bleak scenario, Tavares told German magazine Automobilwoche. But it doesn't have to go that way.

BYD Auto's exports quadrupled last year to 55,916 sedans, SUVs and hatchbacks. Most went to India, Thailand, Brazil and other developing markets. BYD announced a 1,000-vehicle sale last year to Mexico's VEMO for the biggest EV taxi fleet outside China.

State-owned BAIC, headquartered in Beijing, said a dealer in Jordan ordered 1,000 units of its compact EU5 sedan in January. The company said it plans to launch two to three more electric vehicles in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Europe.

What about the United States, the biggest, richest market?



Chinese EV brands are skittish about a sprawling country that demands big investments in dealerships and charging networks, especially while Washington and Beijing are feuding over security, technology and human rights.

This is not an easy task," said NIO's Li. Our products and services need to be prepared."



BYD Auto has been in the U.S. market for a decade selling battery-powered transit buses assembled at a factory northeast of Los Angeles. It is still in the process of deciding whether to sell SUVs and sedans to Americans, the company said in a written response to questions.

Political tensions make it difficult for a Chinese company to launch, EV or otherwise, in the United States, Leah said.

In Europe, Great Wall's Ora sells its 03 model starting at 140,000 yuan ($20,000). Ora tries to stand out among dozens of fledgling brands by marketing its cars as being designed for women, their body sizes and daily needs.

This is a second or third car for a household. It can be used by a wife or daughter to commute to work, to go out with friends or to go shopping, said Ora's deputy general manager, Tan Jian.

In Europe, BYD Auto has partnerships with dealership chains in Britain, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. The company says it also has delivered cars in Belgium, Denmark and Austria. It has a deal with European rental company SIXT that BYD says will lead to sales of up to 100,000 vehicles over the next six years.

In Japan, BYD Auto plans to have 100 showrooms by the end of 2025. Its Dolphin hatchback and Seal sedan are due to hit the Japanese market this year. The company says it also has exported some 4,000 ATTO 3s to Australia.

Furukawa's OZ Co. converts Volkswagen Beetles and other classic models by replacing gasoline engines with batteries and electric motors. Furukawa said he drives his ATTO 3 every day and has gone as far as Osaka, 400 kilometers (250 miles) away.

BYD Auto's Yokohama showroom, which opened Feb. 2, is surrounded by dealerships for established brands including Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen and Chevrolet.

A married father of one said he looked at Japanese models but bought an ATTO 3 for its roominess and price.

I like the ride, and it's easy to drive, said the buyer, who asked to be identified only by his surname, Ohta. There are so many good features.

Ohta's father had a negative reaction about BYD being from China, which has a history of strained relations with Japan. But Ohta said his job in the electronic games industry has taught him to respect Chinese innovation.

They are coming out with excellent products, Ohta said. I have respect for the nation.
By Hugo Miller and Sabah Meddings

Hundreds more Credit Suisse Group AG bondholders sued Switzerlands banking regulator after their securities valued at about $1.7 billion were wiped out during the lenders government-brokered takeover by UBS Group AG.





This was an abuse of process and the resolution procedure should not be used by Switzerland to enable UBS to take over Credit Suisse to the detriment of AT1 holders, Pallas founder and managing partner Natasha Harrison said in a statement. Law firm Pallas Partners, which filed the suit in a Swiss court on April 18, said the Finma agency had no right to order the writedown and is seeking full compensation for its clients  90 institutional investors and asset managers with $1.35 billion in so-called additional tier-1 bonds, as well as 700 retail and family office clients accounting for some $300 million.



Created after the 2008 financial crisis, AT1s are the lowest rung of bank debt, producing juicy returns in good times but taking the first hit when a bank runs into trouble. Even shareholders  often the first domino to fall in such situations  salvaged some value from the takeover engineered by Swiss authorities, while Credit Suisses AT1 holders walked away with nothing. Many bondholders were furious at the move. European regulators hurried to reassure investors that the Swiss arrangement was an exception. The latest claims mean that investors representing more than a third of the $17 billion in AT1 bonds issued by Credit Suisse have now sought to get their money back. US law firm Quinn Emmanuel last month filed a claim in Swiss court representing more than 400 institutional investors who held about $4.5 billion worth of AT1s, and at least two other complaints have been filed.

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Bondholders have argued that changing the law the day before the notes were written off was unfair and that a process upending the conventions of an insolvency where bondholders take priority over shareholders is wrong. Claims on Credit Suisses AT1 notes have been quoted at around five cents on the euro in recent weeks, according to people with knowledge of the pricing.



Finma declined to comment on the Pallas lawsuit. It has previously published its position on the writedown, explaining that it was part of a takeover plan that was the least bad option after Finma and the government rejected a resolution of Credit Suisse or temporary nationalization. However, Finmas move was covered by emergency legislation enacted the weekend of March 18-19 the deal to rescue Credit Suisse was put together. Defenders of the writedown also point to the fact that the fine print on the bonds always warned that the risk of a writedown to zero was a possibility.
By Anna Shiryaevskaya and Elena Mazneva



Europes gas market crunch could return next winter, with the potential for prices to more than double with a revival in demand.

Mild temperatures and efforts to curb consumption have seen benchmark natural gas slump to less than 40 a megawatt-hour from the record levels reached last August in the wake of Russias squeeze on pipeline flows. Complacency among consumers  from industries to power plants and households  risks a market tightening later this year, according to delegates at the Flame gas conference in Amsterdam. Europes gas market crunch could return next winter, with the potential for prices to more than double with a revival in demand.



Early winter cold is the scariest thing, Samantha Dart, an analyst at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., said in an interview on the sidelines of the conference. Prices above 100 are still very realistic, although weak demand may delay the rally the bank had previously expected in August. Europe was saved this winter by mild weather and weak demand for LNG by China, but its uncertain whether those conditions will last. Winter-month contracts already point to gains, but the market may be underestimating how bullish it may become with the first signs of cold weather.



The market will remain tight until new liquefied natural gas supply comes online after 2026, according to trading giant Vitol Group. Its also unclear how much of the demand destruction  triggered by surging prices last year  is permanent, and how much is price-sensitive and may return.

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The market is going to be far more vulnerable to risks, Stuart Sanders, head of short term LNG trading at Vitol, said at the conference.
By Emily Birnbaum and Leah Nylen

US trade officials have solicited the advice of lobbyists for Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and other major technology companies to help craft the new Indo-Pacific trade framework.





That gave the companies insight into the confidential talks long before the public knew about the 14-nation economic initiative, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Officials with the US Trade Representative invited Amazon and Google lobbyists early last year to meet personally with Sarah Bianchi, the deputy trade representative, according to emails obtained by Senator Elizabeth Warren and shared with Bloomberg News.



The emails were obtained by the advocacy group Demand Progress via a public-records request and shared with Warrens office. Warrens office issued a report on the ties between the big tech companies and USTR as advocates increasingly scrutinize corporate influence over digital trade policy. We wanted to speak with experts like yourself to get your thoughts and feedback on our Indo-Pacific Economic Framework strategy and to further discuss the digital element of the strategy, an assistant to Bianchi wrote in an email to Google.

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Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said the emails show that the Biden administrations trade representatives are continuing to coordinate with large tech companies despite President Joe Bidens promises to make workers and consumers a priority in setting trade policy. The lobbyists had worked in the Trade Representatives office.



In a January 2022 email to Amazon, a USTR official requested multiple meetings between Bianchi and Michael Punke and Jennifer Prescott, members of Amazons government affairs team and former USTR officials, to get to know them better. Punke had been a deputy trade representative and ambassador to the World Trade Organization, while Prescott was an assistant trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources. Big Tech companies and their army of lobbyists, including former government officials, are secretly trying to undermine President Bidens trade policy and his committment to promote competition, Warren said in a statement.



The trade talks are well underway, although the framework has not yet been released to the public. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is to meet with the Senate Finance Committee behind closed doors later on Tuesday to discuss the trade deal, according to a person familiar with the briefing. Bianchis staff emailed to set up an additional meeting with Amazon lobbyist Arrow Augerot, previously deputy assistant for congressional affairs at USTR, in February. And Bianchis staff in February contacted Google Cloud lobbyist Behnaz Kibria, another former USTR official, to request an off-the-record meeting to get feedback on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.



Progressive lawmakers are concerned that language in the US proposal related to digital trade could undermine artificial intelligence, privacy and competition regulations. In an April 21 letter, Warren and lawmakers in both the House and Senate said the draft could tie Congresss and regulators hands, citing how similar language in the US-Canada trade deal has emerged in debates about digital regulations under consideration in Canada. Another round of talks is set to begin next week in Singapore. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the negotiations could produce results by the end of the year. The framework is intended to strengthen US trade relationships in the region and represents the most significant American economic engagement since Donald Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017. Participants include Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and Indonesia.



The emails released by Warrens office on Tuesday reveal close ties between current USTR officials and former officials who left to work at big tech companies. A USTR official in June 2021 asked for Punkes availability to meet with Tai in your personal capacity to discuss your time in Geneva and how you approached the job. Countries including Japan, South Korea and Australia have been leaders on regulation related to the tech giants.



They also show that USTR reached out to South Korean government officials about legislation intended to pare back the power of Apple Inc. and Googles app stores. In July 2021, Tai personally thanked Karan Bhatia, global head of public policy and government affairs for Google, for his ability to be candid in a private meeting.



Amazon, Google and tech industry-backed groups like the Computer & Communications Industry Association have hired former USTR officials to work on trade policy. Jonathan McHale, a former deputy assistant US trade representative for ICT services and digital trade, was hired by CCIA in June 2022. The year before, McHale told Google lobbyists it would be good to know what you think the best response would be to issues that could arise in negotiations with Mexico. Bhatia in August 2021 emailed Tai about Googles concerns with the South Korean legislation, adding we would be grateful for your attention to this issue and for raising those concerns with the Korean government. Tai wrote back within a few days, agreeing to touch base with my counterpart(s) in Seoul, and promising to make sure we and our teams are in touch with any insights we are able to glean.



CCIA didnt comment on any communication with USTR, but President Matt Schruers said that that failing to address the benefits of the digital economy in IPEF would be a lost opportunity. Amazon communicates with officials across the government, said spokeswoman Julia Lawless. Like many other American companies with significant domestic investments and job creation, we advocate on issues that are important to our customers and our sellers.

Google has very publicly advocated for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to include strong digital trade provisions that ensure digital technologies are widely accessible, and that support privacy, security, and trust in cross-border data flows, said spokesman Jose Castaneda.


By Angus Whitley

Vanessa Hudson has just won one of the highest-profile jobs in Australia  chief executive officer of iconic airline Qantas Airways Ltd.



The 28-year company veteran replaces Alan Joyce, who will step down in November after 15 years in the role  one of the global aviation industrys longest tenures. While Joyce is famed for turning around the airline at least twice  recently posting a record A$1 billion ($663 million) first-half profit  he leaves a divisive legacy and an expensive future for Hudson.

Here are five of the top tasks facing the first woman to lead the 103-year-old airline:

Paying for Planes

Some of Qantas workhorse Boeing Co. 737 jets have shuttled short hops like Sydney-Melbourne for more than 20 years and are showing their age. Joyces biggest departing gift to Hudson is the multi-billion dollar bill to upgrade the fleet. Following a deal he struck in 2021, Qantas can tap about 300 new Airbus SE jets as part of Australias largest-ever plane order. The airline is due to receive a new aircraft every three weeks for the next three years. Yet delivery costs will drive annual capital expenditure to a record A$3.36 billion by 2025, analysts estimate. The expense will eat into earnings and whatever might be left for shareholders.

Repairing Ties

Hudson will take the helm as relations with unions and passengers plumb an all-time low. The soured ties go back to at least 2011, when Joyce grounded the entire Qantas fleet to settle a labor dispute and stranded about 70,000 customers around the world. Employee representatives later accused Joyce of using the Covid-19 pandemic to get rid of some of the highest-paid cabin crew, and a court ruled that Qantas sacked more than 1,000 ground workers illegally. When air-travel demand surged back, Joyce become a lightning rod for passengers angered by a flurry of cancellations, delays and lost bags. His Sydney home was pelted with eggs and his surname became a byword on social media for air-travel disruptions.

Joyce has done to Qantas what the 3 Amigos did to Telstra . Destroyed a great service because of corporate greed . Good loyal workers treated like dirt and customers given an unreliable , expensive and poor service.  ????Sally Lawry (@SallyLawry) April 29, 2023

Non-Stop to New York

Hudson faces the unprecedented task of rolling out non-stop flights linking Sydney with London and New York in late 2025, the worlds longest direct commercial services. Joyce might have stayed on to join the first 20-hour trips had Covid not delayed the planned launch. Instead, his successor must somehow make money from the landmark project, conceived under Joyce at least six years ago and cemented last year when he ordered customized long-range Airbus A350s. The cost of those 12 jets is estimated at more than A$3 billion.

Healthy Rivalry

Three years ago, the pandemic triggered the almost immediate collapse of Qantas main domestic rival, Virgin Australia, then-laden with debt. In the aftermath, Qantas piled into the void left by Virgin. Australias largest airline saw its market share in Australia touch 74%.

But Virgin Australia is back. Now owned by buyout firm Bain Capital, unburdened by borrowings, and run by ex-Qantas executive Jayne Hrdlicka, the smaller carrier is making money and is considering an IPO as soon as this year. The combined domestic market share of Qantas and Jetstar has dipped to 62%, and Virgin carries more passengers on the busiest routes between Australias major cities. For the first time in more than a decade, Qantas faces a primary competitor thats profitable, low on costs and light on debt.

Going Green

Joyce has bet big on ultra-long haul services, the most-polluting flights of all. The task of cleaning up after them will start with Hudson. Like many companies across the aviation industry, Qantas plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050. While sustainable aviation fuel offers an immediate way to decarbonize flying, the kerosene alternative remains expensive and in limited supply. Compounding the challenge for Hudson, theres no major provider of SAF in Australia, despite Joyces repeated pleas for the government to kickstart domestic production.
MBABANE  Minister of Education and Training Lady Mabuza has dismissed the rumours on the postponement of schools opening.

The minister said learners were expected to be at school tomorrow, May 3, 2023. Confusion over the schools reopening emanated from social media, as some users noted that there was postponement. Mabuza clarified that schools would open tomorrow. She said the rumours of postponement were wrong and there was no reason for such. All teachers and learners are expected to report for school. However, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General (SG), Lot Vilakati, stated that if government had not delivered on her mandate to buy food for the feeding scheme and books, among other things, they would have to take another decision.

Books

The SG said government claimed to have delivered food and books, which they could not verify for now until the schools reopened. He said members would be informed on what would transpire tomorrow on their next move.On Friday, SNAT was supposed to convene an extra-ordinary general meeting, which did not take place as they failed to form a quorum. Issues that were to be discussed included the death threats directed to the President, Mbongwa Dlamini, hiring of contract teachers on a permanent basis, school feeding and distribution of books at primary level. Vilakati said if the meeting had continued with the agenda on the table, they could have taken a decision based on that.
Israel launched a fresh missile attack at military sites in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo, according to the state-owned Syrian TV.

The Syrian air defences intercepted many of the missiles, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Syrian TV report.

The report added that several explosions were heard in Aleppo following the attack.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported several explosions heard in Aleppo after Israeli missiles hit the military sites.

It is not known yet if there were any casualties.

--IANS

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int/sha
By Steven Church

Johnson & Johnson should not be allowed to use a small units bankruptcy case to end tens of thousands of cancer lawsuits because the strategy is rooted in bad faith, the US Trustee said in a court filing.





In a Monday court filing, the US Trustee joined a group of advocates for cancer victims who have asked a federal judge in New Jersey to dismiss the LTL bankruptcy case. J&J put LTL back into bankruptcy last month about two hours after the first LTL case was dismissed. The healthcare products maker is trying for the second time to get itself out of a jam as cheaply as possible, using the Chapter 11 filing of LTL Management, said the agency, which is an arm of the US Justice Department. J&J created LTL in 2021 and made it responsible for resolving claims that tainted baby powder and similar products caused cancer.



Representatives of J&J didnt immediately return an email requesting comment. In the weeks leading up to its second bankruptcy filing, LTL and its ultimate parent, Johnson & Johnson engaged in a series of transactions that LTL admits were designed for no purpose other than creating artificial financial distress, the US Trustee said in the filing.

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That proposal was negotiated with a group of lawyers who say they represent the majority of people with talc-related claims. Should the bankruptcy survive attempts to dismiss the case by the US Trustee and holdout cancer victims, LTL would be free to push for a plan that forces all victims to resolve their claims through a trust funded by J&J instead of suing in courts around the country. J&J denies that its products cause cancer and has challenged claims that the talc it used in baby powder was contaminated with asbestos, a toxic industrial substance. The company has offered to pay $8.9 billion as part of LTLs new bankruptcy in order to resolve all current and future claims.
Top global brokerage firm Morgan Stanley is reportedly gearing up to lay off nearly 3,000 jobs in its second round of job cuts amid a continuing global meltdown.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing sources, senior managers are discussing plans to eliminate about 3,000 jobs or roughly 5 per cent of its global workforce by the end of this quarter.

The job cuts will impact financial advisers and personnel supporting them within the wealth management division at Morgan Stanley, the report added.

Morgan Stanley, which employs about 82,000 people, did not comment on the report.

In the first quarter, Morgan Stanley's profit fell from a year earlier. The firm saw 32 per cent decline in its merger advisory and 22 per cent slump in its equity-underwriting business, according to the report.

In December 2022, the global investment advisory firm cut about 2 per cent of its global workforce, or about 1,600 employees.

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The layoffs came after Morgan Stanley CEO James Gordon recently warned that "some people are going to be let go."

Morgan Stanley followed rival Goldman Sachs and other investment firms including Citigroup and Barclays in reducing their workforce.

Goldman Sachs eliminated about 3,200 jobs in January in one of its biggest cuts ever.

Morgan Stanley has seen headcount swell in recent years. The bank's employee strength went up by 34 per cent from the first quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2022.

--IANS

na/svn/
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is currently on a four-day visit to South Korea, had a bilateral meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Masatsugu Asakawa in Incheon on Tuesday, during which she emphasised that India continues to be the most significant country for the lending agency's sovereign and non-sovereign operations.

The Union Minister, who arrived in Incheon earlier in the day to attend the annual general meeting of ADB, met Asakawa on the sidelines of the event, official sources said.

Sitharaman also expressed support to ADB for innovative financing mechanisms to enhance the lending capacity of the bank.

She advised ADB to introspect and assess how the bank can effectively support developing member countries.

Sitharaman urged Asakawa to support India with more concessional climate finance, as the country's economic and developmental progress can have huge positive impact regionally and globally.

Asakawa reiterated ADB's commitment of providing $100 billion climate finance to its member countries and also thanked India for support to the lender's innovative finance facility for climate in Asia and the Pacific.

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--IANS

ans/ksk/
There is no plan to add new members to the Quad at this point in time, the White House has said ahead of the summit of Quad leaders in Australia later this month.

Head of State from Quad countries -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi from India, and US President Joe Biden are scheduled to meet in Australia on June 24.

The Quad was established two years ago. The Quad is still a relatively young partnership. There are no plans for new members at this time, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.

Quad members, she said, have agreed that for now, they'll focus on cementing the quad's many strengths.

However, the Quad welcomes opportunities to work with a wide range of Indo-Pacific partners, such as through its Indo-Pacific partners on maritime domain awareness, which is delivering cutting edge maritime domain awareness technology around the region, she said.

The May 24th Sydney Summit will showcase other opportunities for the Quad to partner around the region on climate, global health, infrastructure, and more. The Quad's top priority is ensuring it is well-positioned to deliver for the Indo-Pacific. And so, there's no conversation on extending or expanding at this time, Jean-Pierre said.

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In 2022, India sent more students to the United States as compared to the previous year while China sent fewer, according to a new report.

The number of students from China and India made Asia the most popular continent of origin. Comparable to the drop from the calendar year 2020 to 2021, China sent fewer students in 2022 compared to 2021 (-24,796), while India sent more students (+64,300), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in its annual report.

According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the number of international students enrolled at kindergarten through grade 12 schools increased 7.8 per cent from 2021 to 2022 (+3,887). No K-12 schools hosted more than 700 international students in the calendar year 2022, similar to the calendar year 2021, the report said.

All four regions in the United States saw an increase in international student records from 2021 to 2022, with respective increases ranging from 8 to 11 per cent, the report said.

There were 117,301 pre and post-completion optional practical training (OPT) students with both an employment authorisation document (EAD) and who reported working for an employer in the calendar year 2022, compared to 115,651 in the calendar year 2021 a 1.4 per cent increase, it said.

In the calendar year 2022; 7,683 SEVP-certified schools were eligible to enroll international students, a decrease of 400 schools from 2021 (8,038 schools), it said.

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In 2022, California hosted 225,173 international students, the largest percentage of international students (16.5 per cent) of any US state, the report said.

There were 276,723 active exchange visitors in the United States in 2022 compared to 240,479 active exchange visitors in 2021 a 15 per cent increase.

The report said 46 per cent (6,21,347) of all active SEVIS records hailed from either China (3,24,196) or India (2,97,151) in the calendar year 2022, one percentage point fewer than calendar year 2021.

The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records coming from Asia increased by 68,678 from the calendar year 2021 to the calendar year 2022, with student record trends varying across different countries.

Seventy per cent of all international students in the United States call Asia home. Other Asian countries that sent fewer students this year compared to last include Saudi Arabia (-4,115), Kuwait (-658) and Malaysia (-403).
President Joe Biden has sought to ease a debt limit standoff by inviting the four Congressional leaders to the White House on May 9 signalling the growing fears of a default as the federal government might be unable to pay its bills as soon as June 1.

Administration and congressional officials confirmed the individual calls to lawmakers and the meeting date, insisting on anonymity to discuss the plans. Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he spoke with Biden and expects to speak with him again, though he did not say whether he will attend the meeting.

Biden plans to stress that Congress must take action to avoid default without conditions and will discuss the urgency of preventing default, as well as how to begin a separate process for passing a separate fiscal 2024 budget.

But if even the lawmakers talk, there is no guarantee of progress on an issue that has revealed a gulf in how Democrats and Republicans think the country should be governed.

Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., are at an impasse on lifting the government's borrowing authority.

The president has called for a clean increase to the USD 31.4 trillion cap, while McCarthy and GOP lawmakers are demanding spending cuts in return and passed a bill with USD 4.8 trillion in deficit savings over 10 years last week.

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McCarthy has called on Biden to engage in talks. But as recently as shortly after noon on Monday, the president said in a speech that the GOP congressional leader needed to first make a commitment that the US the government would not default.

House Republicans passed a bill last week that would cleave discretionary spending over the next decade in return for increasing the debt limit by USD 1.5 trillion or until March 31, 2024, possibly setting up another showdown going into that year's presidential election.

The stalemate started to breakdown Monday afternoon after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned in a letter that we will be unable to continue to satisfy all of the government's obligations by early June, and potentially as early as June 1, if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt limit before that time.

Economists have sounded the alarm about a financial catastrophe if the government of the world's largest economy is unable to pay its bills. A default could plunge the US and other nations into severe recessions, all while cracking America's financial credibility in ways that could make a recovery difficult.

McCarthy made no reference to the outreach from Biden, but insisted Monday after Treasury's update that the clock is ticking.

"House Republicans did their job and passed a responsible bill that raises the debt ceiling, avoids default, and tackles reckless spending, McCarthy said in a statement. The Senate and the President need to get to work and soon.

It's still unclear how the president and Congress can resolve the matter, yet Democratic leaders want to decouple the debt limit from the budget process.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., quickly seized on Yellen's letter as a reason to address the debt cap and settle differences over spending as part of our annual budget process, which is currently underway,"



It's time to put aside partisan interests and do what is right and necessary for the American people to avoid a first-ever US government default that crashes the stock market, raises costs on families and jeopardises retirement savings, the lawmakers said in a statement.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said that, like it or not, the precedent for negotiating a debt ceiling increase was set during the Obama presidency, noting that when we have a divided government, that's what happens, so sit down, get a deal done and don't scare the pants off the people of America."



In a White House speech celebrating small businesses before the Yellen letter, Biden portrayed the House Republicans' plan as an attempt to extort spending cuts from the administration by putting the federal government at risk of default.

He portrayed some of the backers of the bill as unreasonable extremists who are loyal to the Make America Great Again movement started by former President Donald Trump.

We pay our bills and we should do so without reckless hostage-taking from some of the MAGA Republicans in Congress, Biden said.

White House officials calculate that the House GOP bill would force a 22 per cent slash to non-defence discretionary spending, putting housing vouchers, food aid and basic medical care at risk for millions of US households.

Biden on Monday cited a Moody's Analytics report that there would be 780,000 fewer jobs next year if the bill became law.

But the House passed a bill with spending caps that avoids making specific cuts. Instead, it would place strict limits on how much the federal government could spend over the next decade and leave lawmakers to sort out the details.

In return for raising the debt limit by USD 1.5 trillion into 2024, House Republicans voted by a narrow margin to claw back unspent COVID-19 funds, put work requirements on government aid, cancel Biden's plans to forgive student debt, put spending levels back at 2022 levels and place a 1 per cent cap on growth going forward.

Republicans insist defence and veterans accounts will be spared, though the bill does not explicitly spell out the actual reductions.

Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said he was very, very frustrated with the Biden administration's suggestion that services would be cut. No veteran will lose benefits, Bost promised on a weekend conference call.

Speaking from Jerusalem on Monday, McCarthy said the need for talks to begin was reasonable and Biden's resistance to doing so was the problem.

The House speaker suggested that kids who watched the educational cartoon Schoolhouse Rock know that laws only result from Congress and the president cooperating.

'Schoolhouse Rock' they never told you not to negotiate," McCarthy said. "They told you to work together.

The speaker has said an agreement depends on a commitment to limit the debt, which already totals more than USD 31.4 trillion.

But both Biden and McCarthy have pledged to protect Social Security and Medicare, which will be the primary drivers of the debt in the coming decades, according to economists and the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

McCarthy said he looked forward to Biden changing his mind and negotiating with us.

Before the day ended, a meeting was on the calendar.
A federal US commission has urged the Biden administration to impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in the country by freezing their assets.

The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also recommended to the Congress to raise the issue of religious freedom during US-India bilateral meetings, and hold hearings on it.

In its annual report on religious freedom, the USCIRF asked the US State Department to designate India as a country of particular concern on the status of religious freedom along with several other nations. The USCIRF has been making similar recommendations to the State Department since 2020, which have not been accepted so far.

The recommendations of USCIRF are not mandatory for the State Department.

In its India section of the report, USCIRF alleged that in 2022, religious freedom conditions in India continued to worsen.

Throughout the year, the Indian government at the national, state, and local levels promoted and enforced religiously discriminatory policies, including laws targeting religious conversion, interfaith relationships, the wearing of hijabs, and cow slaughter, which negatively impact Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples and scheduled tribes).

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The national government also continued to suppress critical voices -- particularly religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf -- including through surveillance, harassment, demolition of property, and detention under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and by targeting nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the USCIRF alleged.

Responding to questions, State Department's Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that USCIRF is not a branch of the State Department, or the Executive Branch, and its report reflects the importance of religious freedom to the American people.

While the report's recommendations for designations overlap to some extent with the State Department's lists of countries of particular concern, it is not entirely conclusive. Governments or other entities that have questions or comments about this report should reach out to the Commission directly, Patel said.

US-based non-profit organisation, Foundation of Indian and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) slammed the USCIRF for its biased report.

While the USCIRF is predictably attempting to revive its annual case against India for inclusion in the CPC, it does so with a weaker set of data points that are predictably filled with both omission and commission, Khanderao Kand of FIIDS said in a statement.

It conveniently lists delays in court cases but conveniently omits the fact that the Assam High Court actually ordered the implementation of the NRC, not the government, Kand said.

Furthermore, the report fails to acknowledge the cultural and economic significance of cows to Indian villagers, not to mention the constitutional ban on cow slaughter.

It conveniently ignores the fact that the bulldozed houses were illegal and notified, and the list of omissions goes on. Astonishingly, the USCIRF fails to mention the beheadings of Hindus and their targeted killings by jihadi Muslims in Kashmir, he said.

Moreover, there seems to be a biased agenda of USCIRF generalising isolated incidents without considering the complexities of India's diverse population of 1.3 billion people. It is clear that the USCIRF's renewed effort lacks the necessary objectivity and fairness, and it raises questions about their true intentions and credibility," Kand said.

The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) welcomed the USCIRF's decision to recommend that India be designated as a country of particular concern for the fourth consecutive year.

This decision reaffirms what IMAC has been saying for years that India's government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has continued to systematically violate the religious freedom of minority communities, particularly Muslims and Christians, said Rasheed Ahmed, IAMC executive director.

It is high time that the State Department acts on USCIRF's recommendation and holds India accountable as the ground situation becomes increasingly more violent and dangerous for its religious minorities. We particularly welcome that the report highlights the systematic and appalling harassment of Journalists, Ahmed said.
By Thomas Seal

Europes top satellite and aerospace companies have teamed up to bid for the European Unions 6 billion ($6.6 billion) satellite project known as IRIS, aimed at beaming internet across the continent and giving the bloc its own fleet to keep up with constellations deployed by governments and businesses around the world.





If it wins the contract, the consortium will be required to run a system of hundreds of satellites in multiple orbits, from the traditional geostationary path about 22,000 miles (35,406 kilometers) away from earth to closer ones. The consortium will be run by aerospace manufacturers Airbus SE and Thales Alenia Space SAS along with satellite operators Eutelsat Communications SA, SES SA, and Hispasat SA, the companies said in an emailed statement Tuesday.



Billionaire Elon Musk is currently the largest operator of low-earth orbit satellites. Hes already launched thousands of Starlink satellites using Space Exploration Technologies Corp. rockets. Low-earth orbit fleets pass fewer than 600 miles from the planets surface and offer faster connection speeds, but need many more satellites to cover the same landmass than satellites at higher orbits. Other such systems are being backed by Amazon.com Inc. and OneWeb Ltd. IRIS, which stands for infrastructure for resilience, interconnectivity and security by satellite, will provide access to government agencies, including defense departments, and businesses. It also will be deployed to connect parts of the EU that dont have internet. The EU has said the constellation will provide critical infrastructure and reinforce its technological sovereignty as other countries, such as China, as well as private companies, develop their own systems.

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A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to local media.

The victim, Charles Engola, served in the government of President Yoweri Museveni as the junior minister in charge of labour. He was a retired army colonel.

The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then shot himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.

The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Police detectives are now at the crime scene.

The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages.

Witnesses claim that the soldier was yelling that he had not been paid for a long time despite working for a minister, the online newspaper NilePost reported.

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The incident is likely to send shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years.

In 2021, a former army chief in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala.
Malaysia, which recorded 88,534 tourist arrivals from the Middle East in 2022, is promoting the latest destinations for shopping, family fun, eco-adventure, honeymoon and luxury holidays at its 29th attendance at the Arabian Travel Market.

In 2023, Malaysia is targeting welcoming 16.1 million international tourist arrivals (300,000 tourists from the West Asia) and generate RM49.2 billion (AED41.1 billion, $11.19 billion) in tourist receipts.

Since its full reopening of international borders, Malaysia has recorded a total of 10.07 million tourist arrivals and RM28.2 billion (AED23.5 billion) in tourist receipts in 2022, surpassing its initial target of 9.2 million international tourist arrivals.

Strong delegation

As in previous years, ATM, which got under way in Dubai on May 1, sees the participation of a strong Malaysian delegation from 76 organisations comprising hotels and resorts, travel agents, tourism products owners, representatives from various state governments, including Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Penang Global Tourism, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Melaka, Tourism Pahang, and Tourism Johor.

The Malaysian delegation is led by Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. The mission aims to reinstate and enhance the commitment to establishing good tourism cooperation, engaging in future collaborations, and cooperation with the travel and tourism industry in the region.

Firdaus said: In line with the Visit Malaysia in 2025, Tourism Malaysia will strive to attract more tourists from the Middle East to Malaysia. We are confident that we will be able to achieve our target to put Malaysia as the top destination for Muslim travellers.

Meeting with airlines

The Malaysian delegation is scheduled to meet the top management of a few Middle Eastern airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Saudia Airlines, Air Arabia, Oman Air and Salam Air to discuss future collaborations, besides having several interviews with the local media.

On May 2 and 3, 2023, Firdaus will also witness the signing of two Memorandum of Collaborations (MoC) between Tourism Malaysia and Saudia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia with Air Arabia. These MoC will benefit the Malaysian economy and strengthen economic ties through the tourism industry between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia and UAE. Following that, Firdaus will be hosting a Malaysia Nite Gala Dinner on May 2, 2023 to thank the tourism fraternity in Dubai and the local media for their support and assistance in promoting Malaysia.-- TradeArabia News Service
BADPLAAS  Happiness turned into sorrow when Queen of the Mnisi Clan in Southern Africa, Tholakele Shabalala, collapsed and later reportedly passed on during the course of Mantjolo Day.

The event was held at Enkonjaneni Royal Kraal at Badplaas in South Africa over the weekend. The queen, who was married to the late Inkosi Manyovu II, collapsed in the presence of members of Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders led by Kgoshi Mokoena and a delegation from Eswatini led by Prince Bukhosi last Sunday. This was shortly after her son, Inkosi Manyovu III, had delivered his speech to about 1 000 people for the first time since he succeeded his father who died from an undisclosed illness in 2019. The news of her collapse was not announced to the public, however, the attendees got to know about it when they heard screams from the relatives who saw her falling to the ground from her chair.

Some people rushed to the podium which was reserved for the kings and elders of the clan and began to pray loud. Paramedics and nurses who were deployed at the event were then called to assist. The incident lasted for about 15 minutes before Mephule Mnisi, who was directing the programme, requested the attendees to excuse the health practitioners so that they could be able to deal with the situation. Police officers, who were deployed at the royal kraal, requested the public to leave the royal kraal with instruction from the elders of the clan. Worth noting was that the programme director, who was interrupted by the incident, had announced the serving points outside the royal kraal when requesting the police officers to drive the people out of the royal kraal. As a result, the public proceeded to the serving points, leaving the health practitioners and the family at the royal kraal. Some people asked out of curiosity if their queen was well after she was attended to by the health practitioners. A response to them was that the queen had been rushed to hospital. They were told that she was unconscious.

However, some guests and close relatives were made aware that the queens heart had stopped beating when attended to by the paramedics and the nurses at the podium. Another ambulance arrived after about an hour and parked next to the podium, where Shabalala was given first aid. The presence of the ambulance gave the public the impression that Shabalala was still alive. Some people continued to sing and dance to their cultural songs, while others played loud music outside the royal kraal. A family member shared that the queen died while attended to by the health practitioners at the podium. It is true the queen has passed on but an official comment would be made after the matter has been reported to Their Majesties. Eswatini culture requires that every death touching on chiefs, King and tindvuna shouldbe reported to Their Majesties before a comment is made in any platform, said the family member.

Other members of the clan shared that they were officially informed at the flakily level that the Queen eventually died after collapsing. Mantjolo Day is a significant event for the Mnisi Tribe across the African continent. The event brings together members of the tribe and other African (Nguni) tribes at Enkonjaneni Royal Kraal for the commemoration of their history and existence. During the event, the Mnisi Tribe makes fire at the Mountain of Hope after which people are afforded an opportunity to pray for the forgiveness of their sins. The Mnisi Tribe then lead the attendees to the sacred pool situated a few killometeres from the royal kraal for cleansing. The attendees are allowed to fetch water from the sacred pool for personal use even after the event.
The approval of US leadership in the second year of President Joe Biden's term shot up by double digits in India in 2022 -- the year the Indian government came under considerable pressure from the US and Europe to toe their line on condemning and isolating Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

The US leadership's popularity in India should have cratered instead. But it went up by 11 percentage points over 2021 to 49 per cent in 2022, in a poll of 137 countries by Gallup, which polled the world on the leadership of the US, Germany, Russia and China..

India was only 11 of the countries where the Biden administration saw an approval boost. The others included Poland (up by 30 points), Ukraine (by 29 points) and Israel (15 points up).

Everywhere else, the Biden administration scored poorly, and even dismally, especially in closely allied countries such as Greece (down by 31 points), Brazil (by 22 points), Canada (by 22 points) and the Netherlands (21 points). In fact, Biden's global popularity median fell from 49 per cent in 2021 to 41 per cent.

Biden's growing popularity in India will surprise those who once saw Indians root for his predecessor, President Donald Trump. A Chennai man had taken to worshipping a statue of Trump and he is reported to have died of cardiac arrest when Trump was hospitalised with Covid-19.

And in a diplomatically hazardous move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a second term for Trump at a rally the two leaders addressed jointly in Houston, Texas. Modi had sought to insert himself into US politics and it was noted by Democrats, many of whom remain leery of the Indian leader.

Also Read Why has Donald Trump been indicted and can he run for 2024 elections? US House committee to release Trump's personal tax returns for 6 yrs Trump to contest 2024 polls; Biden says ex-president failed America Donald Trump to appear in New York court today: What happens next? Facebook still banning Trump for now despite 2024 presidential campaign 3 Indian community workers to attend King's Coronation at Westminster Abbey Credit Suisse AT1 bondholders who lost $1.7 bn in UBS deal file lawsuits Space rivals join up to bid for European Union's $6.6 bn satellite plan Climate change talks see pushes for global renewable energy target Alibaba's faded rally signals grim outlook as restoring it will be a battle

Gallup offered very little by way of explanation for these numbers. The jump in the numbers in India, for instance, was attributed to the Biden administration's efforts to draw India closer amid its growing tensions with Russia and China.

That's only partly true if at all. US efforts to prise India away from its historical ties with Russia and, more importantly, dependence on Russian arms, had quite the opposite effect.

New Delhi reasserted its need for strategic autonomy and pundits bristled at the temerity of a country that had sent its navy against India in the 1971 war against Pakistan to ask India to abandon Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) that had stood with India then.

The two sides, however, also insulated the rest of the relationship from these tensions, and took significant strides on other fronts, both bilateral and multilateral.

The year 2021 was different. In the first half of Biden's presidency, American leadership rebounded in popularity with respondents around the world.

He brought the US back into the Paris Accord on climate and other world bodies abandoned by the US under President Donald Trump.

The honeymoon ended in the second half of the year because of the shoddy American pullout of Afghanistan.

India was openly critical of it and during a visit to the US during the weeks leading to the actual pullout August-end, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar slammed the decision as driven by "political expediency".

While acknowledging the US desire to leave Afghanistan some day, India wanted to see it leave behind a residual force as a check against the return of Pakistan's influence through its proxies, the Taliban.

--IANS

yrj/pgh


The FDA has also said that patients with alopecia areata - an autoimmune condition that results in patchy hair loss - on the 12 mg dose of the drug deuruxolitinib should discontinue its use, Sun Pharma said. BENGALURU (Reuters) -The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd to halt tests on one dose of an experimental dermatological drug due to the potential of blood clots, the company said on Tuesday.



The company said it would work closely with the FDA to address the agency's concerns, which the drugmaker expected to be communicated within the next 30 days. However, there were no thrombotic events, or blood clot formations, in patients taking the 8 mg dose and the FDA has not placed those trials on hold, Sun Pharma said.



This is Sun Pharma's second run-in with the FDA in less than two weeks. Sun Pharma, India's largest drugmaker by revenue, acquired deuruxolitinib when it bought U.S.-based Concert Pharmaceuticals for $576 million earlier this year.

Also Read Sun Pharma recalls over 34k bottles of generic drug in US due to mfg issues Dr Reddy's, Sun Pharma recall products in US for manufacturing issues Indian pharma sector set for 'volume to value leadership' journey in 2023 USFDA pulls up Sun Pharma for manufacturing lapses in Halol plant Lupin recalls over 16,000 bottles of generic tuberculosis drug in US Swiggy shuts premium grocery delivery service 'Handpicked' in Bengaluru Apple-Masimo misappropriated trade secrets fight ends with no jury verdict Myntra launches platform to tap 10 mn new Gen-Z shoppers in 2 years Adidas faces lawsuit from investors over Kanye West partnership, fallout Adani focuses on energy as green unit's net income quadruples in 3 months



Sun Pharma's shares were down 0.3% in morning trading, while the Nifty Pharma index was up 0.35%. In late April, the company said it would need to, at the behest of the FDA, take "certain corrective actions" at its facility in Mohali before it could export from there to the United States.

(Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Varun H K)
International payments company Rev Worldwide (Rev), in partnership with funds advised by Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (Searchlight), today completed its purchase of the Netspend consumer business from Global Payments (NYSE: GPN) in an all-cash transaction valued at $1 billion.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005172/en/

Netspend Founder Roy Sosa returns to the company as its CEO and Chairman (Photo: Business Wire)

The carve-out transaction sees Netspend come back under the control of its founders Roy and Bertrand Sosa, prepaid industry innovators who also founded Rev. Netspend will remain a partner to Global Payments, supporting the companys retained pay card business.

This acquisition represents both a reunion and reimagining of the vision of financial empowerment we pioneered at Netspend more than 20 years ago, said Roy Sosa, Rev Chairman and CEO, who assumes the same role with Netspend. Netspend has a well-deserved reputation for creating and delivering innovative products tailored to fulfill the important needs of all its customers, from the underserved to the affluent. This transaction sets us up for strong future success and profitable growth.

Since its founding in 1999, Netspend has become a clear industry leader in prepaid debit cards, processed hundreds of billions of dollars of cardholder purchases, and established the worlds largest retail partner network comprising 100,000 locations where consumers can load or purchase prepaid and debit card products. Those locations span large grocers, financial service centers, convenience stores and pharmacies, among others. Netspend is also the product and payments processing partner behind numerous well-known brands and offers its consumer products via mobile and web channels.

Together, Netspend and Rev create an international payments powerhouse with a broad array of products and services and strategic partners which include ADIB, Banco Itau, Correos (Spanish Post), and Etihad Airways. The combined companies are uniquely positioned to expand their current programs across the world, and to drive growth across market segments.

From day one of Netspends founding we have been focused on helping customers gain access to payment products that simplify their lives and deliver real value, said Rev President, Bertrand Sosa. This acquisition allows us to continue building on our commitment to deliver financial empowerment to more people in more places by leveraging Netspends industry scale and Revs technology platform and digital product innovations.

Commenting on the deal, Christopher Cruz, Partner at Searchlight, added: The transaction allows Netspend to combine its market-leading position with Revs geographic reach to offer an enhanced customer value proposition, introduce innovative products, and grow partnerships on a global scale. The combined company can uniquely serve the entire market with its differentiated distribution capabilities, including direct-to-consumer, partner-enabled, and digital partnership models.

About Rev

Rev is a fintech company, founded by prepaid debit industry founders Roy and Bertrand Sosa, dedicated to delivering innovative payment experiences to consumers worldwide. Its solutions are powered by the companys proprietary multi-currency and multi-language payments processing platform. With vast experience pioneering a number of payment industry firsts, Rev focuses on the international banking and travel sectors. Rev has partnered with companies across the globe to launch products in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Learn more at www.revworldwide.com.

About Searchlight

Searchlight is a global private investment firm with over $11 billion in assets under management and offices in New York, Miami, London and Toronto. Searchlight seeks to invest in businesses where its long-term capital and strategic support accelerate value creation for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.searchlightcap.com.

About Netspend

Netspend is a leading provider of payments and financial solutions for consumers and businesses. From prepaid and debit card solutions to digital account and money movement services, Netspend has a broad suite of products and technologies that deliver exceptional experiences for its customers and business partners. For more information, visit www.netspend.com and follow Netspend on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005172/en/
MBABANE  The establishment of the small claims courts was supposed to bring relief to many emaSwati, but it seems that is no longer the case.

Allegations of fraud have emerged at the Mbabane Small Claims Court. Some members of the public, who were owed various sums of money, are said to have approached the Mbabane Small Claims Court. These individuals discovered that their monies, which were paid through court messengers, had gone missing. As a result, money amounting to over E30 000 did not reach its rightful owners. The alleged fraud was confirmed by some court officials last Wednesday morning, after this publication made some enquiries regarding the matter. It has been gathered from the sources that the owed individuals made the discovery of the missing money after being informed by the people who owed them that they had paid the monies through court messengers. The owed people started visiting the small claims court, situated at the Municipal Council of Mbabane, to enquiry about their missing money. They wanted to find out from the court what had happened to their money.

hope

Some of the affected members of the public said they had lost hope in the small claims courts. It has been gathered from sources that some people were calling court clerks to demand their money. One of the victims, who lost an amount of E500, said it was shocking to see corruption taking place in the court. According a source, an employee of the court was acting like a mediator in ensuring that all the documents between the plaintiff and defendant had been processed for payment. The source said despite the court employee working independently, he was discovered to have been collecting the money from the defendant and not remitting it to the rightful owner. The employee is said to have been calling and telling debtors to personally give him the money so that he can take it to the rightful owners, which he never did, said the source. The source further revealed that even some of the court clerks were allegedly involved in the theft of the money, by contacting the defendants privately and demanding the money.

It is being alleged that one of the court clerks, whose name will not be disclosed for now, allegedly demanded money from one of the debtors, with the purported intention of remitting it to the plaintiff. The source said the debtor was not aware that the clerks collected the money for their personal gain. This clerk would call those who lost their cases anytime he was broke and demand the money, saying the rightful owners seriously wanted it. The debtors, as a result of being intimidated, ended up giving him the money and the payments were made via Mobile Money, said the dejected victim. The source revealed that they made the discovery after the transfer of the clerks. According to the victim, there had been instances where some of the clerks had to be called while on leave regarding outstanding monies.

He said it was then discovered that payments were made and also given to one of the implicated officers to remit to the rightful owners, but that never happened. He said that left them shocked. I do understand that small claims courts have been established recently, but we want the truth regarding our missing money so that other emaSwati are protected from any form of fraud. There is this employee who stole money amounting to E30 000 belonging to various emaSwati and also the clerk did the same. They are just taking advantage of the fact that they think we will just sit down and let them do as they please. Maybe they thought kutawugcinela lapha kubo. I go to the small claims court because someone is owing me money, which end up disappearing in the same small claims court. This is unfair, lamented the victim.

The source further revealed that one of the implicated officers called the person who was owing him (source) money and demanded the payments. He alleged that the incident took place during the Buganu Festival. The officer is alleged to have taken money amounting to E200 at that time, since he did not pay the full amount of money. It is being suspected that the clerk wanted the money to fuel his car. It is a problem if court staff become perpetrators of crime. This is now a problem which must be corrected before it gets out of hand. Let them not victimise us just because we need help, said the source. The frustrated source revealed that some people were complaining bitterly while at the court after they were told that the employee had allegedly disappeared with their money and he was nowhere to be found. One of the court staff members told others who were also affected kutsi ababe ncesi and there is nothing they can do, said the source.
MBABANE  The Ministry of Labour and Social Security hopes to achieve six goals set in line with the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP).

One of the goals set out by the ministry include reducing the unemployment rate from 33 per cent to less than 20 per cent by 2025, which is informed by the countrys second generation DWCP for 2022 to 2025. This was revealed by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, in a statement issued yesterday, as the countrys workers, together with the rest of the world, were celebrating the International Workers Day. Buthelezi highlighted that it was just about five months time now since His Majestys Government, together with the social partners, that is, the Workers and the Employers Federations, signed and launched the countrys second generation DWCP for 2022 to 2025.

Implementation

The minister mentioned that according to the results matrix of the DWCP, in the event that all their attention, focus and resources could be dedicated towards ensuring the maximum implementation of the DWCP, some of the results which the ministry stood to achieve by 2025 include the proportion of the population living below the national poverty line, would be reduced from 58.9 per cent to 50 per cent by 2025. It also includes that the unemployment rate, disaggregated by sex, would be reduced from 33 per cent to less than 20 per cent by 2025 and one regulatory framework would be in place by 2025 to promote equal pay for work of equal value.

Others include the number of new gender-responsive policies, legal, and regulatory frameworks adopted and implemented to improve the enabling environment for business and job creation would have increased by at least two every two years, including national and sector focused interventions; the number of new measures adopted and implemented to improve job creation through new enterprises (formal and informal) would have drastically increased by 2025, regard being had to governments commitment to improve the enabling environment for informal micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) growth to promote growth and job creation.
Russian Tanks in Ukraine ABC

Toll includes over 20K combat deaths, 80K injuries, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says

WASHINGTON (AA) - Russia has suffered more than 100,000 combat casualties since December, the White House said Monday ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive to take back territories occupied by the Kremlin.

The casualty toll includes over 20,000 deaths and 80,000 injuries, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a press briefing. About half of all of the Russian dead were mercenaries affiliated with the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company closely associated with President Vladimir Putin, he said.

The bulk of the casualties have occurred in or near Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine that has been the scene of fierce fighting for months as Russian forces attempt to encircle and seize it.

"It's really stunning, these numbers. The bottom line is that Russia's attempt at an offensive has backfired. After months of fighting and extraordinary losses, Russia continues to be focused on a single Ukrainian city with limited strategic value," said Kirby.

"Ukraine's armed forces are defending their territory bravely and effectively and making Russia expend enormous resources for marginal gains," he added.

On April 24, the head of the Wagner Group said his forces in the frontline city of Bakhmut are successfully grinding with the Ukrainian army.

Our task (in Bakhmut) is to grind the Ukrainian army, not to give them the opportunity to gather in a counter-offensive. We are doing this more than successfully, Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a statement on Telegram.

Moscow on Sunday claimed its forces took control of four more urban quarters in Bakhmut. The Russian Defense Ministry said units of the Airborne Forces pinned down Ukrainian forces in the northern and southern outskirts of the city.

Kirby said the majority of Wagner Group's dead are convicts recruited into the paramilitary with the promise of an erased prison sentence, but are instead being used "to throw human flesh at this fight."

Michael Hernandez/AA
BIG BEND - SWALIMO Spokesperson Thantaza Silolo broke into tears after they were not allowed to bring their banners on stage.

Leaders of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) went on stage when organisations under the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) were called to deliver their messages of solidarity. As the leaders of organisations under MSF danced their way up to the stage, some marshals were seen engaging with SWALIMO leaders and Silolo was part of them.

Moments later, Silolo was seen crying and he was comforted by his colleagues. Later on, this publication engaged him regarding the matter and he revealed that he became emotional after marshals of TUCOSWA allegedly refused that SWALIMO leaders go up to the stage with their banners, yet others had been allowed earlier on. When I negotiated with them, I saw that they are committed to ensuring that SWALIMO does not raise its colours up high, the SWALIMO spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, SWALIMO Deputy Secretary General (DSG) Paul Matimela, who delivered the message of solidarity, said labour politics were related to national politics, thus workers should participate in political issues. After that, DSG said they, as political parties, might have different political ideologies, wear different colours and have different approaches, but before they fight each other, they should remember that their struggle has a sole goal - democracy. We are not enemies among ourselves, but our enemy is the Tinkhundla regime, Matimela said. He added that if they continued fighting each other, the arrested members of Parliament (MPs) and those who were on exile would die there.
Parkash Singh Badal was a prominent Indian politician who has been associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party for several decades. He has served as the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Punjab five times, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of the state.

Early Life and Education

Parkash Singh Badal was born on December 8, 1927, in Abul Khurana, a small village in Punjab. He was the second child of his parents, Gurdas Singh and Sundri Kaur. Badal completed his early education in the village school and went on to obtain a degree in Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Political Career

Badal's political career began in 1947 when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal party. He contested his first election in 1957 and was elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly from the Lambi constituency. He went on to win several elections from the same constituency over the years.

In 1970, Badal became the youngest Chief Minister of Punjab, at the age of 43. He served as the Chief Minister for a brief period before his government was dismissed by the central government. He was again elected as the Chief Minister in 1977 and served a full term of five years.

Badal continued to be active in politics and was elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab for the third time in 1997. During his tenure, he implemented several welfare schemes for the people of Punjab, including free power for farmers, the establishment of medical colleges, and the development of infrastructure. He also played a crucial role in the signing of the Punjab Accord in 1985, which brought an end to the violent insurgency in the state.

In 2007, Badal was re-elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab and served a full term of five years. He was again elected as the Chief Minister in 2012, making him the only Chief Minister in India to be elected five times. During his tenure as the Chief Minister, he continued to focus on the development of the state and implemented several initiatives, including the construction of the Bathinda refinery, the establishment of a network of rural roads, and the promotion of tourism.

Honors and Awards

Badal has been recognized for his contributions to the field of politics and has been honored with several awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, in 2015. He was also conferred with the Doctorate of Philosophy degree by Punjabi University, Patiala, in recognition of his contribution to the development of Punjab.

Controversies

In recent years, Badal has been involved in several controversies. In 2015, a series of incidents of sacrilege of the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, took place in Punjab. The Shiromani Akali Dal government, led by Badal, was criticized for its handling of the situation, and there were allegations that the government was involved in the incidents. The subsequent firing on protesters in Kotkapura also drew criticism.

In 2017, Badal resigned from his post as Chief Minister, citing health reasons. His son, Sukhbir Singh Badal, took over as the party leader.

Legacy

Despite his advanced age, Badal remains an influential figure in Punjab politics and is widely respected for his contributions to the state's development. His long tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab has helped to shape the state's political and economic landscape, and his initiatives in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, and education have had a lasting impact on the people of Punjab.

Timeline of his Life

1927: Born in Abul Kurana, Punjab

1947: He started his career in politics

1957: He was first elected to Vidhan Sabha

1969: Badal was re-elected to Vidhan Sabha

1969-1970: Served as a Minister for Community Development, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.

1970-1971: Was appointed Chief Minister of Punjab

1977-1980: Re-elected as Chief Minister of Punjab

1997-2002: He was again elected as the Chief Minister or the third term

2009: The Punjab Cabinet under the chairmanship of Badal, rejected a proposal to enhance the retirement age to 60 years from the existing 58 years.

2009: Badal expanded his cabinet by inducting Akali Dal leader Sewa Singh Sekhwan as a Cabinet Minister.

2011: He served as the Chief Minister of Punjab for a fourth term.

2012: He was selected to the chief Minister for a record fifth term.
World Tuna Day is marked on May 2 to raise awareness of tuna fish and its value to people and the environment. The day also raises awareness of the value of sustainable fishing methods and informs people worldwide about how the great demand for tuna meat has led to the species' decline. For those who are unaware, tuna is vital for both developed and developing countries because it is not only a substantial food supply but also has incredible nutritional value.

The History Of World Tuna Day

The United Nations General Assembly created World Tuna Day in December 2016 with the intention of protecting endangered species. In its resolution 71/124, the UN general assembly formally decided to observe the day. The first World Tuna Day was celebrated in 2017. The UN estimates that tuna and species that resemble tuna are fished annually at a rate of about 7 million metric tonnes.

Importance Of World Tuna Day

The day has great significance because 80 countries have tuna fisheries, and many depend on tuna for food security, economic growth, employment, a way of life, culture, and nutrition. The fact that these fisheries are expanding in both size and capacity, however, is more concerning.

Theme of World Tuna Day 2023

"Yes We Can" is the MSC's World Tuna Day theme for 2023.

Why is World Tuna Day necessary?

Tuna is a valuable food item that faces several challenges:

Overfishing as a result of rising demand - According to the most recent industry estimates, 13% of tuna stocks are overfished and 22% of tuna stocks are overfished.

Bycatch issues linked with tuna fishing include catching and entangling seabirds, sharks, and marine animals. Depending on how the fishing equipment is used and where the tuna is fished, various fisheries have quite diverse effects.

Fisheries need strong management, efficient enforcement, and reductions in catching undesirable or endangered species or bycatch for tuna populations to flourish. The goal of World Tuna Day is to speed the protection of tuna's future.

What measures are being taken to protect tuna?

Overall, more than half of the world's tuna catch has received MSC certification for sustainability or is working towards it. Today, almost 30% of all catches are MSC-certified. The MSC Fishery Standard is being independently audited against more than 20% of the volume of the world's tuna catch. Fisheries improvement project (FIP), an initiative that puts fisheries on a path towards sustainability, takes nearly 20% of the world's tuna catch.

Activities on World Tuna Day

This World Tuna Day, there are many ways you can participate, from spreading awareness to taking action to simply enjoying sustainably caught tuna. There are three things you may do to celebrate World Tuna Day:

Prepare sustainable tuna in honour of World Tuna Day.

Look for the MSC blue fish tick label while shopping.

Learn where sustainable skipjack tuna comes from.

10 Facts About Tuna

The most common type of canned tuna is chunk, light meat in water.

Light meat (in water or oil) accounts for 75 to 80 percent of yearly domestic tuna consumption.

Tuna comes in more than twenty different kinds.

Blackfin Tuna can grow to a length of 3.5 feet.

The albacore tuna has a maximum length of 4.5 feet.

An Atlantic bluefin tuna's length can reach nearly 15 feet.

The largest tuna specimen discovered was nearly 21 feet long and weighed 1,600 pounds.

Tuna can swim between 44 and 62 miles per hour, making them quick swimmers.

Tuna can conceal their skin to blend in with their aquatic environment.

The ability of tuna to keep their body temperature higher than the ambient water is a special trait.
BIG BEND - TUCOSWA and the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) have reached agreements on five labour issues, for which the congress is planning mass actions to push for their implementation.

To compel government to translate the issues into law, the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) has declared September 2023 a month of action. This was revealed by TUCOSWA Secretary General (SG) Mduduzi Gina when addressing workers during the celebration of the 2023 International Workers Day, hosted at Mayaluka Sport Ground, Big Bend, in the Lubombo Region yesterday. He said in terms of legislative reforms, the federation had completed its negotiations and agreed with employers and the government at the LAB level on at least five labour issues, which were of concern to them.

Abolishment

One of the issue, which the SG named, was the abolishment of the use of replacement labour during a protected industrial action. He said they had agreed that government should pass a law that would prohibit employers from hiring casuals to replace workers who would be in an industrial action. He said they had also agreed that the process to convert Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) to a pension fund, should be sped up. He added that this would make workers who retire to get a lump sum and continue to get something on a monthly basis.

Gina said they also agreed that severance allowance should be paid at retirement and that fixed-term contracts on posts of permanent nature should be abolished. Another agreement which he highlighted was that of prohibition of labour brokers.

Bills

He said these items were among positive results achieved for the workers, which were now being stalled by bureaucracy in the countys legislative process. He said the Bills bringing about these important changes to the lives of the workers were all in the Executive arm of government, awaiting being tabled in Parliament. In that regard, the unionist said as a federation, they declared September 2023 as a month of action to encourage the government, in particular Cabinet, to hastily submit these Bills to Parliament. He said soon, they would be announcing campaigns which would catalyse the finalisation of these Bills. These Bills include the Industrial Relations Bill and Employment Bill. However, he highlighted that they chose various dates within the month of September 2023 on which they would stage protest actions. For example, he said they might choose three days to demonstrate and demand the abolishing of labour brokers and select other dates for another item which they had agreed on.

Efforts of getting a comment from the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Makhosini Mndawe, proved futile as his mobile phone rang unanswered yesterday afternoon. A questionnaire was sent to him, but by the time of compiling this report, he had not responded to it. The main question to the PS was to ascertain if his office was aware of the agreements that the federation was talking about.

Meanwhile, Gina added that they were well aware that while they planned for the month of action, the country was faced with a political problem. He said alleged lack of political pluralism within the Tinkhundla System of Government had far reaching consequences for the workers and the general working class. He said the constitutional right of citizens to associate and assembly to advance their common interest had been curtailed unconstitutionally through the promulgation of an order by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane, which banned gatherings in towns and cities. The unionist said the country was in an undeclared state of emergency. He said according to their analysis, there was no rule of law in the country and legislators had been stripped of their parliamentary immunity.

He said since July 25, 2021, members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi, had been languishing in jail on alleged trumped up political charges. On the other hand, he said former Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane was in hiding, yet his sin and that of the two MPs was to propose and suggest a different governance structure. They were making those calls inside Parliament and they were arrested. This political confusion manifests itself in many fronts. To us, workers, it results in the mushrooming of employer and alleged State funded unions and an increase of contract labour to weaken workers power through forced loyalty to employers, Gina said.

Exploitation

He added that this created a fertile ground for exploitation by employers. He said workers were not allowed to gather and plan their responses under the guise that they would disturb public order and peace. As a result, he said any strike action was met with heavy force as it was seen as a threat to the powers that be. After that, he said this political problem needed all their hands to be resolved and the resolution could not be delayed any more. He said the calls for sanctions by trade and developmental partners could not be ignored. He said the sounds of such from legislative Houses in the European Union (EU) and United States of America (USA) could be ignored to the peril of the country. When the country goes down, it will go with us, Gina said. Also, the unionist said it was in the interest of the trade union movement that the political impasse should be resolved. He said the resolution should not be just for the sake of it. Instead, he said its resolution should have interest of the workers and the working class.

Resolution

We must define the road, the character and final resolution of this problem using our own biasness. The lenses we should wear are those which will search for what the revolution would bring to the workers. Most importantly though, should be how the workers themselves contribute to the shaping of the democratisation project for it to embrace the interest of the workers, the SG said. He added that their third quadrennial congress resolved that the working class philosophy should be their guiding principle and the federation and its affiliates should be constructed and defined within the norms of this philosophy. He said the constitution of the federation provided, as its objectives, that it should promote, encourage and assist in strengthening the democratic rights of workers. He said it also emphasised that, inasmuch as they might have any working or cooperation arrangement with any organisation, they should remain independent from either the government, political parties or employers.
Photo by Ulysses Ang We were the first to leak out the pricing of the 2012 Mazda CX-5 and now, we can ultimately say for certain that t...
Dangote Cement volumes fall 14% in 1Q23

02 May 2023

Dangote Cement has reported a 1.6 per cent YoY decline in group revenue to NGN406.7bn (US$883.2m) in the first quarter of 2023. Group EBITDA over the same period fell 12 per cent to NGN185.7bn, while pan-Africa EBITDA came in at a record NGN31.2bn, up 71 per cent YoY. Group profit after tax advanced by 3.4 per cent YoY to NGN109.5bn, with earnings per share improving by 4.2 per cent to NGN6.44. Group sales volumes fell 13.5 per cent to 6.3Mt, while pan-Africa volumes expanded by 8.9 per cent to 2.6Mt.

Strong operational delivery, rigorous focus on costs and capital discipline has enabled us to deliver strong profits for the first quarter, despite the volatile macroeconomic environment. Our profit after tax increased by 3.4 per cent to NGN109.5bn. Similarly, our Africa strategy continues to yield the needed gain, with pan-African delivering strong growth in revenue and EBITDA of 38.5 per cent and 71 per cent, respectively. In Nigeria, the cash crunch coupled with the uncertainty around the general elections led to a slowdown in key private and public infrastructure investments. Consequently, our Nigerian operations recorded a drop in volume, resulting in a 13.5 per cent decline in group volume, commented Arvind Pathak, chief executive officer, Dangote.

Dangotes Nigerian operations sold 3.6Mt of cement in the first quarter of 2023, down 24.6 per cent from the 4.8Mt sold in the 1Q22. Revenues for the Nigerian operations declined by 12.9 per cent to NGN280.3bn, due to the uncertainty around the Nigerian elections and stalled economic activities. The increased price of automotive gas oil resulted in a 7.9 per cent YoY increase in selling and distribution costs. As a result, EBITDA at its Nigerian operations was down 19.3 per cent to NGN158.6bn, at a margin of 56.6 per cent, excluding central costs and eliminations. The company is strengthening its local production capacity with the construction of an additional 6Mta cement plant in Itori, Ogun state. Once completed, Dangotes local capacity in Nigeria will increase to 41.25Mta.

Its pan-African operations performed strongly in the first quarter owing to robust demand particularly from Senegal, Republic of Congo and Zambia, with Senegal now back to operating at full capacity. This was supported by a rebound in Congos operations after months of shutdown due to maintenance in the first quarter of 2022. Sales volume for the pan-African operation was up to 2.6Mt in the 1Q23 from 2.4Mt in the same quarter a year earlier. Total pan-African volume accounts for 41.9 per cent of group volumes. Pan-African revenues of NGN126.4bn were 38.5 per cent higher than the 1Q22, with the regions revenue accounting for 31.1 per cent of total group revenue.





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Gulf Business Machines (GBM) has signed a three-year agreement with Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) to implement the industry-leading GBM Shield cybersecurity platform within ABKs operations.

In a major move towards enhancing cyber resilience, ABK is leading the charge as one of the first customers in Kuwait to adopt GBM Shield, GBMs most comprehensive cybersecurity offering to date.

GBM Shield will allow ABK to tap into the technology players extensive experience and local know-how, while also receiving 24/7 access to GBMs uniquely skilled team of security professionals. Through GBM Shield, ABK is embracing the power of automation and machine learning to build up its defences against the ever-growing complexity of cyber threats.

Security challenges

Wassim Seliman, General Manager of GBM Kuwait, said: The banking sector in Kuwait has seen unprecedented growth over the last few years, and with this growth comes substantial security challenges for financial institutions. We have worked closely with ABK for several years and have an in-depth understanding of its digital infrastructure.

Hence, introducing GBM Shield into ABKs security framework was a natural step forward in the journey towards building a robust IT infrastructure for the bank. We are excited to bring GBM Shields cybersecurity approach to ABK which will help save the Bank cost and time and allow it to focus on developing long-term strategies that work for the organisation.

Sameer Abduh, Head of IT Security Operations at ABK, said: Cybersecurity is at the heart of our operations as customers information are the most important data within our systems, and we are mindful that any breech has very serious implications. We are confident GBM Shield is the right platform to further protect our digital assets and enable us to grow our offerings for diverse sectors. We are excited to partner with GBM again and look forward to a new phase of growth driven by cyber resiliency.

Safest bank

In recent years, ABK was listed as one of the top 10 safest banks in the Middle East by Global Finance. It operates with cybersecurity threat and risk prevention in mind, providing simpler and intuitive banking customer experience with built-in cybersecurity controls that enable safe and secure banking business.

Through the strategic partnership, ABK will benefit from GBM Shield, the next-generation cyber defense program with Managed Security Services (MSS) at the core, which removes the burden of time, technological adjustments, and finding and allocating skilled human talent to address sophisticated cyberattacks.

In a holistic approach to cybersecurity, the programme is risk-driven rather than technology-driven, thus enhancing existing technologies within ABK to elevate its security and cyber resiliency and increase the returns on security investment. GBM Shield brings together the best of GBMs advance cybersecurity portfolio and its three decades of experience in Kuwait to offer an integrated program that is vendor-agnostic and can be easily scaled up or down based on the needs of the customer.-- TradeArabia News Service
Dubai-based flydubai records another exceptional first quarter carrying more than 3.37 million passengers in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, an increase of 50% compared to the same period in 2022.



The carrier plans to ramp up operations for the busy summer travel period between July 1 and September 30, increasing its capacity by 20% across the network.



Since the start of 2023, flydubai has further expanded its network with the start of operations to St Petersburg in Russia, Pattaya and Krabi in Thailand, Al Qaisumah, Al Ula, Gizan, Nejran and Neom in Saudi Arabia, Shymkent in Kazakhstan, Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, Mogadishu in Somalia and Milan-Bergamo in Italy.



Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: we continue to grow our network, launching operations to new underserved routes and adding capacity on existing routes. We have seen a very strong performance since the start of the year, which is a clear reflection of Dubai's position as a global hub for trade and travel and resilience in the face of economic challenges. flydubais role in supporting the growing economy and strengthening airlinks to the UAE and Dubai continues to grow as we take delivery of more aircraft, create more job opportunities and contribute to Dubai Internationals (DXB) position as the worlds busiest airport for international passengers for years to come.



We look forward to our busiest summer on record yet with added capacity and new routes joining the network from June, we are well positioned to cater to the surge in demand for travel and are committed to offering our passengers more options and reliable services. We also expect good inbound traffic to Dubai as our city has long moved away from its seasonal offering to being an attractive year-round destination, added Al Ghaith.



Strong performance and growing fleet

flydubai operated more than 25,800 flights between 01 January and 31 March 2023 and carried 3.37 million passengers, an increase of 50% in passenger numbers compared to 2022.



flydubai will grow its capacity across the network by 20% between 01 July and 30 September 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.



flydubai has grown its fleet of Boeing 737s to 76 aircraft serving its expanding network with two more aircraft entering service later in May. To support this growth trajectory, flydubai is currently undergoing a recruitment drive to add more talented professionals to its workforce and this includes pilots, cabin crew and various positions across the business.



Growing network

flydubai has built an expanding network of 120 destinations in 52 countries, more than 75 of these routes did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai.



Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: we are pleased to see our operations reach new heights with nine destinations joining our network this summer. This includes popular destinations such as Bodrum, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Santorini and Tivat as well as new destinations including Corfu in Greece and Cagliari in Sicily. We will also increase the flight frequency on a number of routes including Krabi, Milan-Bergamo, Pattaya and Pisa to name a few which have proven very popular for travellers from the UAE and across our network. Passengers continue to enjoy seamless connections on the flydubai network or through our codeshare partnership with Emirates whether they are travelling in business or economy.



flydubai grows its network in Italy to five points with the launch of flights to Cagliari on 22 June 2023, serving Catania (CTA), Cagliari (CAG), Naples (NAP), Milan-Bergamo (BGY) and Pisa (PSA) with 24 weekly flights.



 NAP from four to seven flights a week from 19 June and to continue after summer as a daily operation

 PSA from three to four flights per week from 20 June

 BGY has already increased from five flights a week to a daily service since April



flydubai will double its operation to Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand to a double daily service from October 13, 2023. The carrier has seen growing demand for connecting travel to Thailand from Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Warsaw as well as from across the GCC.  TradeArabia News Service
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), effective July 1. Ms. Reynolds will succeed Dr. Penny Schwinn, who will step down at the end of the school year after more than four years of service to Tennesseans.

During her years of dedicated service, Penny has played a key role in our administrations work to ensure educational opportunity for Tennessee students and secure the next generation of teachers, while navigating historic learning challenges, said Governor Lee. I have tremendous gratitude for her leadership and wish her much success in her next chapter.

He said Dr. Schwinn joined the Lee administration in January 2019 and "has served the state through some of the most challenging education crises in modern history. During Schwinns tenure, considerable initiatives to accelerate K-12 education have been implemented and several nationally recognized initiatives have been introduced, including:



School Funding Reform: In 2022, the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act reformed the states outdated 30-year-old funding formula and made the largest recurring investment in state history.

In 2022, the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act reformed the states outdated 30-year-old funding formula and made the largest recurring investment in state history. Education Savings Account Program: Tennessee implemented the Education Savings Account (ESA) program to give Tennessee parents a choice in their childs education. Today, 1,400 students have been approved to attend the school of their choice and nearly 500 students are enrolled in a participating school.

Tennessee implemented the Education Savings Account (ESA) program to give Tennessee parents a choice in their childs education. Today, 1,400 students have been approved to attend the school of their choice and nearly 500 students are enrolled in a participating school. Preparing the Future Workforce: Tennessee has strengthened vocational education opportunities to give students the skills needed to join the workforce, investing $500 million to expand middle and high school career and technical education programs and extending additional dual enrollment credits for high school juniors and seniors through the Governors Investment in Education (GIVE) program. Tennessee also created the Future Workforce Initiative to increase STEM training in K-12 schools, aimed at placing Tennessee in the top 25 states for creating technology jobs by launching new Computer Science and STEM-focused programs.

Tennessee has strengthened vocational education opportunities to give students the skills needed to join the workforce, investing $500 million to expand middle and high school career and technical education programs and extending additional dual enrollment credits for high school juniors and seniors through the Governors Investment in Education (GIVE) program. Tennessee also created the Future Workforce Initiative to increase STEM training in K-12 schools, aimed at placing Tennessee in the top 25 states for creating technology jobs by launching new Computer Science and STEM-focused programs. Teaching Apprenticeship: Tennessee became the first state in the country to make teaching an apprentice-based profession, making it free to become a teacher while being paid to do so. The Grow Your Own initiative has significantly increased the number of teachers, special education and ESL endorsements, aspiring principals and assistant principals, and school leaders of color.

Tennessee became the first state in the country to make teaching an apprentice-based profession, making it free to become a teacher while being paid to do so. The Grow Your Own initiative has significantly increased the number of teachers, special education and ESL endorsements, aspiring principals and assistant principals, and school leaders of color. Prioritizing Literacy & Learning Loss Intervention : Tennessee was among the first states to get students back in the classroom in 2020 and swiftly address learning loss. During an historic special legislative session in January 2021, Gov. Lee and members of the General Assembly passed strong literacy programs to benefit students, namely Reading 360, which has led to almost full academic recovery and created the largest permanent summer school program serving pre-K9th grade and the largest state tutoring program in the country with over 200,000 students served.

: Tennessee was among the first states to get students back in the classroom in 2020 and swiftly address learning loss. During an historic special legislative session in January 2021, Gov. Lee and members of the General Assembly passed strong literacy programs to benefit students, namely Reading 360, which has led to almost full academic recovery and created the largest permanent summer school program serving pre-K9th grade and the largest state tutoring program in the country with over 200,000 students served. Innovative School Models: With the single largest one-time investment in public education in state history, Tennessees Innovative School Models grant expanded postsecondary opportunities for middle and high school students and more than quadrupled the number of apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for students."

He also said, Lizzettes significant education policy expertise and leadership make her well-suited to continue our work to deliver a high-quality education and expand school choice for Tennessee students. I welcome her to Tennessee and appreciate her service to students, families and teachers across the state.

Ms. Reynolds is currently the Vice President of Policy for ExcelinEd and has previously served as deputy legislative director for then-Governor George W. Bush, Special Assistant in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs for U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Regional Representative for U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Chief Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency. Her career reflects a deep commitment to school choice, assessment and accountability, college and career pathways and education policy. She earned her undergraduate degree from Southwestern University.

She is married to David Reynolds and has three children, Luke, Lillianna and Joaquin.

Sam Pearcy, currently Deputy Commissioner of Operations at TDOE, will serve as the departments interim commissioner until July 1.


The Collegedale Police Department has come a long way since the agencys chaplain program was first established. Largely an unstaffed position for many years, the program was brought back on-line nearly two decades ago with a stronger emphasis on officer support, however, as the years waned so did the mission of officer wellness.

New life was breathed into the program when Jack Sapp became chief of police in 2021 and he made officer wellness a priority for his administration.

When I became chief, we were dealing with public distrust and misunderstanding and we desperately needed a program that would be able to help our officers shoulder that burden and remain effective at their jobs, said Chief Sapp.

Policies and standards were created that better defined the chaplains role in the department. The good works of the agencys chaplains, past and present, began paying off and officers started relying more on the services that the program provided.

Soon the chaplain program began to influence more than just the Collegedale officers. They started to become a larger community outreach tool. Reaching out and helping the less fortunate in the community, sitting in hospital waiting rooms with family members in crisis, providing encouragement and resources when needed, the Collegedale Police Departments chaplain program evolved into something larger than what had been anticipated.

In January chaplains from the Collegedale Police Department attended training at the Sevierville Police Department in order to be certified law enforcement chaplains through the International Conference of Police Chaplains. They received training in Introduction to Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, Death Notification, Stress Management, Ceremonies and Events, Confidentiality and Legal Liability, Ethics, Responding to a Crisis, Law Enforcement Family, Substance Abuse, Suicide, Officer Death and Injury, and Sensitivity and Diversity.

I am so proud of our chaplains and the training they received to be certified in what they do, said Chief Sapp. The hard work and effort that our volunteer chaplains put into their ministry every day is an inspiration. They put their heart and soul into everything they do.

The Basic Chaplain course was hosted by International Conference of Police Chaplains Region 8, Glenn Davenport - ICPC Director, Chaplain Richard W. Everett  ICPC Tennessee Area Representative, the Sevierville Police Department, Chief Joseph Manning and Deputy Chief Sam Hinson.
An Electrical Systems Technology student at Georgia Northwestern Technical College is energized about the career he will start at Georgia Power after graduation.Landon Stephens, a Chattooga County resident, was a Dual Enrollment student who graduated from Chattooga High School in May 2022; he will receive his diploma at GNTCs Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday at the Dalton Convention Center. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.He said in the summer he will return to GNTC to take business classes and expects to complete his Technical Studies associate degree.Most of the time electricians work from high places, so this field forced me to conquer my fear of heights, Mr.Stephens said. Now I enjoy working from heights.Mr. Stephens currently works at Easter Electrical Construction Co. Inc. in Armuchee. He expects to start at Georgia Power on June 26 as an apprentice substation electrician where he will maintain substations across the state. He will be on a team dispatched to restore power after natural disasters.He said he enjoys working with his hands, learning something new every day on the job and the developing a sense of comradery with his coworkers.Your coworkers will force you come out of your shell because crews spend many hours working closely together, he said. You have to have good communications skills. If you dont, someone could be hurt or killed.Mr. Stephens said he competed at SkillsUSA Georgia in TeamWorks (a team competition that combines carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing and roofing skills) throughout high school.SkillsUSA has been a big part of my life, Mr. Stephens said. I would encourage high school students to talk to their instructors about opportunities to compete in SkillsUSA competitions.His TeamWorks team competed at the high school level in state competitions his sophomore, junior and senior years. During his junior year, the team placed first in the state and competed at the national competition. During his senior year, the team placed third in the state.He was unsure which trade he wanted to pursue as a career until speaking with some electricians sparked his interest in electrical work. He had applied to some colleges to study Electrical Engineering when his construction teacher encouraged him to consider attending GNTC, where he would be trained to do what he enjoys most about electrical work while getting a job in the field more quickly.I knew I wanted to be trained by someone like Scottie Carter because hes a master electrician, he said.Mr. Carter is the program director, assistant dean and instructor of Electrical Systems Technology at GNTC. The program is based on the Gordon County Campus.Landon Stephens is the student that every instructor wants, he said. It is students like him that make our jobs as instructors satisfying. While he would have been successful in any career he chose, I feel privileged to be part of his journey.Mr. Carter characterizes Mr. Stephens as a fine example of the partnerships GNTC has with our local high schools.Landon completed all of his advanced-level general education core classes as a Dual Enrollment student in high school, Mr. Carter said. When he started at GNTC he was able to go directly into his occupational classes.Carter said He has excelled in these classes and soaked up the information like a sponge. He has always been dedicated to completing his coursework on time.Mr. Stephens said he learned all about electrical work and to communicate effectively, use machinery and hone his interview skills at GNTC.He told Mr. Carter that he wanted to compete at SkillsUSA at the collegiate level and started practicing all the time, he said.Mr. Stephens placed second in Electrical Construction Wiring at the SkillsUSA Georgia collegiate competition earlier this year and considered the competition a great experience.Mr. Stephens received GNTCs Electrical Systems Scholarship and the Rome Home Builders Association Scholarship. Klein Tools recognized him for his outstanding achievements as a GNTC student, Mr. Carter said.He was on GNTCs Presidents List for fall semester 2022. Mr. Carter spotlighted some of his other academic accomplishments, including earning 10 industry certifications from Greenlee, Ridgid and Snap-on through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). He completed OSHA 30 safety credentials as part of his program.Mr. Stephens will graduate with eight certificates related to Electrical Construction and Maintenance and Industrial Electrical Technology.The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) is the leading provider of industry credentials and resources for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs across the nation, Mr. Carter said, adding that he uses NOCTIs Electrical Construction Technology exam as his exit exam and for Student Learning Outcomes. Stephens scored among the top percentage of completers nationally and earned NOCTIs Workforce Competency Credential, he said.Despite his young age and serious job responsibilities, he feels grounded. He appreciates his family and friends for pushing him to succeed. He said he is also grateful to Mr. Carter and his high school construction teacher, Bengi Price, for teaching him and getting him involved in SkillsUSA.The fact that Landon was able to compete at such a high level, considering he just started his electrical career in August 2022, is a testimony to his commitment and determination, Mr. Carter said. For a 19-year-old man, these are some remarkable accomplishments and a real testament to his work ethic, his family and his faith.
Sao Paulo, May 2 (UNI) At least four illegal gold miners died in a clash with police in northern Brazil's state of Roraima, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change confirmed.

The incident occurred Sunday night as inspectors from the Federal Highway Police and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources patrolled the area in an operation against illegal mining, said the ministry.

Officers later seized weapons and ammunition at the site of the clash.

These types of operations have been taking place since Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared an emergency in Yanomami territory due to illegal mining, which threatens the survival of the indigenous group.

Some 20,000 gold miners ignore the ban on mining in the area, polluting rivers with mercury and even killing locals that get in their way.

UNI/XINHUA GNK
A Chattanooga eye surgery center has agreed to pay $17 million to settle a federal complaint brought by two "whistleblowers" who claimed there were violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.

The federal government had brought the action against SouthEast Eye Specialists, together with SouthEast Eye Surgery Center and the Eye Surgery Center of Chattanooga (SEES) in Federal Court in Nashville.

The settlement amount is to be paid to the United States and Tennessee to resolve allegations that the defendants illegally induced primary care eye doctors (optometrists) to refer  or steer  patients to SEES for cataract surgeries by providing optometrists a variety of forms of financial remuneration. Those optometrists provided referrals to SEES for cataract surgeries reimbursed by Medicare and TennCare, resulting in alleged violations of the False Claims Act.

Officials with Southeast Eye Specialists said, "Since 2017, SouthEast Eye Specialists has been litigating allegations concerning our business model. Throughout this case, we have believed that the defense of our approach to eye care has been important for our patients and the eye care industry more broadly. We have refuted the allegations leveled against us and vigorously defended our position at every turn.

"While we have not wavered in our view of the merits, we have reached a settlement to conclude this litigation and to eliminate any further financial, administrative, and operational burden on our organization stemming from this matter. The settlement is a deliberate decision by our Board to put this matter behind us, allowing us to move forward with implementing exciting strategic initiatives and focusing dedicated resources toward our strong growth trajectory. It is important to note that there was no finding of any wrongdoing whatsoever. We continue to firmly believe that our practice was and continues to be in compliance with all applicable legal and medical ethical requirements and guidelines and we continue to hold ourselves to the very highest legal, ethical and compliance standards.

"As we always have, we believe the challenges to our business practices have been and are without merit, and we are resolute in upholding our model of care where physicians work together to provide exceptional patient care. Now, we look forward to directing all our energy into what we do best  providing the best medical and surgical eye care and experience possible to the patients we serve."



Whistleblowers Dr. Ross Lumpkin, a Nashville optometrist, and Gary Odom, who served as an executive in the statewide optometric association for decades, are to receive $4,760,000 of the settlement.

Represented by Phillips & Cohen LLP and Morgan Verkamp LLC, the two whistleblowers alleged in a False Claims Act lawsuit that SEES "used a variety of approaches to secure a stream of referrals by inducing optometrists to refer patients to SEES, including continuing education, meals, sporting events, and inappropriate pre-arranged co-management agreements with optometrists.

"When cataract surgery is co-managed, the surgeon performing the surgery retains 80% of the Medicare reimbursement, and the referring optometrist doing the post-operative exam receives 20 percent of the payment. When done appropriately, co-management is decided on a case-by-case basis with considerations for patient health, patient convenience, and patient choice."

Plaintiff attorneys said the settled complaint "alleged that SEES corrupted this relationship by using it to serve its own interests and the interests of its referring optometrists over the interests of the patients: Under the SEES model, referrers and referees blanketly pre-arranged for patients to have their surgery performed by SEES and to have it co-managed. When legitimate patient-centered co-management decisions are corrupted by the financial interests of the surgical practice and their referring providers, this may violate the Anti-Kickback Statute.

"The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits providing remuneration to induce the recommendation or referral of patients. The law is meant to protect patients from medical judgment being clouded by improper financial considerations and to protect government healthcare programs like Medicare and TennCare from the potential for abuses that increase costs to taxpayers. It also serves to prevent unfair competition that shuts out competitors who are unwilling to pay or get paid for referrals.

"The False Claims Act allows private citizens to bring cases in the name of the government against government contractors charged with fraud. Such casesalso called qui tam casesrecover damages back to the government for false claims made to government programs, including Medicare and TennCare."

The complaint in this case was filed in Tennessee in 2017 when the whistleblowers "alerted the government to their allegations of SEES anti-competitive business model of using inappropriate pre-arranged co-management and other forms of remuneration as a revenue opportunity for referring optometrists."

Dr. Lumpkin and Mr. Odom exposed fraud on the government and the taxpayers by shining a light on what happens when a permissible practice is corrupted by financial interest rather than staying focused on patient need. When healthcare providers pay kickbacks to obtain business from other providers, honest companies and honest providers cannot compete, and the entire system suffers, said Jennifer Verkamp of Morgan Verkamp.

Amy Easton of Phillips & Cohen said, This case will help to ensure that patients receive medical care that is in their best interests and that medical decisions are not impacted by the offer or provision of kickbacks.

Plaintiff attorneys said, "This case exemplifies the strong public-private partnership created by the False Claims Act. The government tried but was not permitted to intervene in the case, but the working partnership contemplated by the False Claims Act enabled Morgan Verkamp and Phillips & Cohen to litigate the matter and work with the government to recover fraudulently obtained money back to the United States and Tennessee treasuries."

The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Sweet and Ellen Bowden McIntyre from the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, and the state of Tennessee was represented by Nathan Casey, Assistant Attorney General.

Dr. Lumpkin and Mr. Odom were represented by Amy Easton and Jeffrey Dickstein of Phillips & Cohen and Jennifer Verkamp, Chandra Napora, and Jonathan Lischak of Morgan Verkamp. They were supported by local counsel Michael Hamilton of Provost Umphrey Law Firm.

The case, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, is captioned United States ex rel. Odom, et al. v. SouthEast Eye Specialists, PLLC, et al., and the case number is 17-00689.
Aidan Elijah Harland, 20, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, succumbed to his battle with depression and mental illness on April 27, 2023. He was comforted by family members as he passed on from this world.

Aidan was known for his fiery curly red hair and his striking crystal blue eyes. An avid creator and voracious reader, he was always drawing, writing, composing lyrics, and producing music. When Aidan was not creating, he could be found carving the streets and bowls of various skateparks throughout Middle Tennessee. Aidans love for his family and friends was his driving force, and he knew few strangers. He was a graduate of Hendersonville High School Class of 2021. After high school, he pursued his dream of working in the music industry. His love of his family, friends, and the world permeated everything he worked on during his short life. This love drove him to opt to be an organ donor, so that other people could have a second chance here on Earth.



Aidan is preceded in death by his grandfather, Ricky Hutton; great-grandmother, Patricia Coulter; great-grandfather, Walter Coulter; and uncle, Shaun Patterson. He is survived by parents, Robert and Amanda Harland; sister, Sienna Harland; brother, Oliver Harland; cousins, Miranda Lewis, Sebastian Lewis, Alice Strock, and Marshall Betts; grandparents, James and Kathy Harland, and Cheryel Hutton; uncle, Jimmy Harland; and aunt, Carrie (Robert) Betts.



The family would like everyone to know that Aidan suffered, as many do, in the shadows of society for many years as he battled the onslaught of mental illness. The family urges anyone who is hurting to seek help immediately and continuously. Should anyone be in crisis or knows someone who is contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 as soon as possible. You are not alone. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Jason Foundation or any mental illness organization in Aidans name. The family also requests that everyone consider becoming a registered organ donor.



Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 1-3 p.m. at Hendersonville Funeral Home.

A memorial service will take place immediately following the visitation.
Discovery Channels reality TV series, Deadliest Catch, continues to captivate fans in season 19. The show follows crab fishermen heading out into the Bering Sea during the height of the crab seasons in Alaska. And fans have gotten to know the young Sean Dwyer through the years. Unfortunately, Dwyers dealt with some trouble with the law in the past. Heres what went down.

Deadliest Catch star Sean Dwyer found himself in legal trouble over boating equipment

Sean Dwyer from Deadliest Catch | Discovery via YouTube

At just 31 years old, Sean Dwyer made a name for himself on Deadliest Catch. The young captain led the F/V Brenna A after serving as an engineer on Brenna As sister vessel, the Jennifer A. He became a crab captain in season 12 and has been aiming to make his father, Pat Dwyer, proud ever since.

Unfortunately, like so many other Deadliest Catch cast members, Dwyer has found himself in trouble with the law. Court documents from 2016 showed Alaskas Fish and Game officials fined Dwyer for the equipment he used to catch crabs. It seems Dwyers crab pots werent up to par. Crab pots must have an 18-inch flap so that crabs can leave the pot if the pot is left in the ocean, but Dwyers pots only had 15-inch flaps. He had to pay $1,500 in fines and was on probation for two years due to the mistake.

Dwyer spoke to Fox411 about how his biggest concern on the water was his fishing vessel. Its our home, he said. It makes us money. Its our little ecosystem, you know, whatever you want to call it. I want the guys to be thinking about the health of the boat and themselves first, and then all the rest is easy.

Sean Dwyer joined the Deadliest Catch Season 19 cast

While Sean Dwyer had to pay up for his mistake with the crab pots, hes back in action on Deadliest Catch Season 19. Hes paired with Rick Shelford, a fourth-generation crabber, aboard the F/V Aleutian Lady in the new season. Unfortunately, it looks like Shelford and Dwyer clash. Sean Dwyer joins forces with Rick Shelford, but the captains dont see eye to eye on rules, the synopsis for episode 3 reads.

Dwyer spoke about his humble beginnings to National Fisherman. I was kinda thrown into it as a kid, Dwyer said. But working with my dad when I was growing up, I had a really good role model, and decided at an early age this is what I wanted to do.

He also mentioned how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affected his industry. Every day was just more and more about corona, he added. It seemed to hit us all at once here starting in March.

Other unrelated and ongoing lawsuits plague the cast of the show

Sean Dwyers legal situation was far from the worst incident to occur to a Deadliest Catch cast member. Theres currently an ongoing lawsuit regarding deckhand Nick Mavar Jr. Mavar initially sued Sig Hansen due to a delay in competent and adequate examination, testing, and diagnosis, leading to a ruptured appendix while in the service of the vessel. Mavar sought $1 million in damages.

In response to the lawsuit, Hansen blamed the production company and the subcontractor they hired to care for medical needs. Hansen is now seeking damages relating to Mavars injuries.

Elements of this story were first reported by TMZ and Anchorage Daily News.

Deadliest Catch Season 19 airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery Channel.

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The rise of hydrogen as an important future renewable energy source is accelerating  and Flinders University has made an important contribution to the understanding of the stability of photocatalysts for water splitting to improve potential production methods.

The latest research by Flinders University, University of Adelaide and Tokyo University of Science contributes to the push to make hydrogen from renewable energy sources to reduce CO2 emissions.

Its an exciting time to be involved in hydrogen science, and there are rapid advances being made to ensure the greatest possible efficiency of hydrogen production, says Flinders Professor of Chemical Physics Gunther Andersson, first author in a new article outlining the method in an American Chemical Society (ACS) journal.

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising technique to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using semiconductor particles as photocatalysts. While researchers understand that the structural and electronic properties of photocatalyst semiconductors play a major role in determining photocatalytic activity, their goal is to find the best and most efficient material to assist this process  which they have found to be chromium oxide.

Cocatalysts can promote efficient photocatalytic water splitting by supporting the electron and hold separation and acts as active sites for the water splitting reaction, says Professor Andersson, Deputy Director of the Flinders University Institute for NanoScale Science and Technology at the College of Science and Engineering.

However, the cocatalyst requires a protective overlayer to suppress the H 2 and O 2 recombination which will result in a backward reaction that takes H 2 and O 2 back to H 2 O.

We need to find the right overlayer material to ensure the most efficient photocatalytic water splitting  and this led us to explore mixed transition metal oxides.

The researchers found that chromium oxide overlayers protect the water splitting process in photocatalysis for solar light driven hydrogen production.

Their work investigated the stability, oxidation state, and the bulk and surface electronic structure of chromium-oxide photodeposited onto different particles as a function of the annealing process.

Importantly, the international research team also found that the chromium oxide overlayers do not contribute to the water splitting reaction.

Senior co-author University of Adelaide Professor of Chemistry Gregory Metha adds: World-leading photocatalysts have chromium oxide overlayers and this work reveals new insights into the nature of the coating that could lead to improvements in future materials.

It is known that chromium oxide overlayers protect the water splitting process in photocatalysis for solar light driven hydrogen production. The researchers found that the thermal stability of the chromium oxide overlayer depends on the chemical nature of the underlying photocatalyst.

Understanding the stability, oxidation state, and electronic structure of the chromium-oxide layer on photocatalyst particles under annealing is essential for overlayer applications in photocatalytic water splitting, says Professor Andersson.
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Varuna, May 2 (UNI) To attract crucial 70,000-odd Lingayat voters in Siddaramaiah's turf, senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Congress leader of insulting Lingayats by calling them corrupt during his campaign in Varuna.

It is from Varuna that Siddaramaiah is contesting election, and is pitted against BJP's heavyweight V Sommana who is also contesting from Chamarajanagar constituency.

Fielding Sommana from two constituencies is a part of BJP's game plan to restrict Siddaramaiah in Varuna, instead of allowing him to hit statewide campaigns for party candidates.
Have you ever made plans for a trip far in advance, and then as the year progresses, a bunch of important events gets scheduled for the same time you booked your vacation?

This happened to one mom whose vacation plans have now gotten in the way of big events for her daughters, including her stepdaughters senior prom.

Shes 36-years-old and has been married to her husband, Josh, for 10 years. She has an 18-year-old stepdaughter named Riley, and together, she and Josh have Lauren, who is 9.

About a year ago, she booked plane tickets to Tennessee for one of her best friends bachelorette parties.

Lauren has a cheerleading competition scheduled for that weekend, and she absolutely has to have a parent traveling with her. So the plan was for Josh to take Lauren while she was out of town.

However, after her trip to Tennessee was booked and paid for, Rileys senior prom dates were announced. Of course, it falls on the same weekend as the bachelorette trip and the cheerleading competition.

Riley really wants to have her family with her on her prom day so she can take pictures with her. It will also be a really important day because this is the only prom shes ever had since her school doesnt host junior proms.

Rileys prom is on a Friday, which is the same day Josh and Lauren have to leave for the competition.

We did ask the cheer director if a friends mom could bring her, and my husband could meet her thereafter, but they said no, she explained.

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If youre planning a trip to Italy this summer and want to learn how to act like a local, TikToker Rachael (@trippingmillennial) is teaching you how to order coffee like a true Italian.

Before getting into the ways of Italian cafe culture, she added a disclaimer that the experience might differ based on what region of Italy youre in and what coffee shop youre at.

For example, at some places, you might order your coffee, sit down to enjoy it, then pay at the end. In other areas, such as Rome, you might have to pay at the beginning, obtain a receipt, give the receipt to the barista, and finally receive your beverage.

If you never hand over the receipt, you wont be getting your drink. So in Rome, its more common to enjoy your beverage at the bar rather than sitting down and sipping it slowly.

But if you are ever unsure about what to do, as always, pay attention to what the locals are doing. In any coffee shop you enter, its best to start with a greeting like Buongiorno, which means Good morning.

When ordering, you can simply ask, Un caffe, per favore, which means One coffee, please. That will get you an espresso.

Other popular drinks you can ask for include un cappuccino or un macchiato. Do not order un latte because that just means milk in Italian.

However, you could ask for un latte macchiato or un caffe latte. If youre ordering for two people, you might ask for due caffe, which means two coffees. Or due cappuccini, the plural version of cappuccino.

Rachael also goes over how to say a few terms that are often used in relation to coffee. Sugar is zucchero, cream is crema, and ice is ghiaccio.

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Pexels/Philippe Bonnaire

As part of his apostolic visit to the Hungarian capital from April 28 to 30, Pope Francis held a celebration, prayer, and adoration in the Inner City Parish Church, Budapest's oldest parish, on April 29. For the special occasion, the church commemorated its 975th anniversary this year and welcomed the faithful from all over the world.

Approximately 1,500 pilgrims left the church at dawn on April 30 to attend the Pope's Mass.

Pope Francis' Visit to Budapest Brings Joy and Hope Amid Global Tensions

According to the article in Catholic News Agency, the Maria Ut network of Marian pilgrimages in Central Europe organized celebrations on April 29 that included a Mass for the Holy Father and a roundtable discussion with Christian intellectuals and artists on the subject of "Christ is our future," which was also the theme of the Pope's visit to Hungary. Hungarian performers Zakarias Eva and Soma Zambori presented a creative play based on biblical events to the crowded chapel. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed for the entire evening, right up until six in the morning.

The experience of Lucinda Higgie at the papal vigil in Hungary serves as a reminder of the value of worldwide religious gatherings in promoting devotion and unity among the faithful. Higgie's enthusiasm for being in the Pope's presence and seeing the excitement in Hungary as a convert to Catholicism demonstrates the profound effect these gatherings can have on believers, particularly those from nations where Christianity may be seen differently.

Events like the next World Youth Day in Lisbon help to bring Christians from all over the world together by displaying the depth of faith and the sense of community that crosses national and cultural barriers. They allow young people to see the beneficial effects of Christianity, practice their faith, and connect with other like-minded people from various backgrounds.

According to another source, the National Catholic Register stated that during Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Budapest, Father Zoltan Osztie, the parish priest of the Inner City Parish Church, expressed happiness and passion at receiving believers from diverse generations and backgrounds. The occasion highlighted the unifying power of faith in Jesus while showcasing a variety of artistic forms.

Father Osztie thinks that the Pope's visit to Budapest, which took place a year and a half after the 2021 worldwide Eucharistic Congress, took on a prophetic dimension in light of the conflict in Ukraine and the escalating worldwide tensions. He stated that Pope Francis' presence gave their cause spiritual power and that the Holy See and Hungary have a shared interest in fostering peace.

Also Read: Hungary's Christian LGBT Community Anticipates Pope's Visit for Social Reconciliation

Pope Francis Warns Against Technology Dominating Human Life During Hungary Visit

On the last day of his journey to Hungary, Pope Francis spoke at the Pazmany Peter Catholic University and warned against the dangers of technology taking over human existence. According to Associated Press News, in his remarks on the future of Europe, he highlighted that universities' support of culture and study are the antidotes to a future ruled by technology.

The importance of universities in promoting a culture beyond the simple acquisition and ownership of information is emphasized by Pope Francis. He emphasizes the significance of academic institutions in creating a deeper understanding of the human experience by referring to the university as "a temple where knowledge is set free."

Our humanity is nurtured by this type of culture, which also enables us to identify and forge meaningful connections with the transcendent or divine, society, history, and creation. Universities encourage people to think about their place in the world and their duties toward others, the environment, and the divine through education and the pursuit of knowledge.

Related Article: Pope Francis Encourages Hungarian Church Leaders to Embrace Risen Christ as Path Forward
Pixabay/Reynaldo Amadeu Dal Lin Junior Juba

Faithfuls from around the world gathered to participate in Pope Francis' apostolic journey to Budapest. The three-day event is from Friday, Apr. 28, to Sunday, Apr. 30.

Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey

Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the 975th-anniversary celebration held on Saturday, Apr. 29, at Inner City Parish Church, organized by the group of Marian pilgrimages in Central Europe known as Maria t ("The Way of Mary"). According to the CatholicNews Agency, this was followed by a conversation at a roundtable with several Christian writers and artists on "Christ is our future," which is the central theme of Pope Francis's visit to the capital city of Hungary.

An artistic production based on Bible stories and performed by Hungarian actors Zakarias Eva and Soma Zambori in front of a filled church served as a prelude to the presentation of the Blessed Sacrament, which went on without interruption until six in the morning the next day.

As mentioned, the faithful congregation was brought together in front of the church a couple of hours later, at 5:30 in the morning. It began singing the Hungarian national anthem then, followed by the singing of the Pontifical Anthem. After that, they made their way to Kossuth Lajos Square, located directly in front of the famous Parliament building in Hungary, for the papal Mass, attended by tens of thousands of people.

As per National Catholic Register, the parish priest of the Inner City Parish Church, Father Zoltan Osztie, observed that the papal journey to Budapest a year and a half after the 2021 worldwide Eucharistic Congress that occurred downtown took on a prophetic dimension in light of the conflict in Ukraine and the ensuing worldwide tensions.

He noted that while a "new order" was attempting to break harmony around the world, the Holy Father came to remind people that any global order detached from God's peace and stability is bound to fail and be destroyed. The Holy See and Hungary reportedly share a common goal of advancing peace in the world, and the Pope's presence at their gathering lent a measure of moral authority to the effort.

"Francis came to shed new light on Hungary in the eyes of the rest of the world, which has tended to have a bad image of our country in recent years, often on the basis of false information," Father Osztie added.

Also Read:Pope Francis Expressed Gratitude to Polish Catholics for Humanitarian Assistance to Ukraine

Blessing Greek Catholic Church

Following his interaction with migrants and refugees at the Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pope Francis made his way to the nearby Church of the Protection of the Mother of God, which is located in the 7th District's Rose Square and caters to Catholics of the Byzantine rite, The Vatican News reported.

Archbishop Peter Fulop Kocsis, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Hajdorog, welcomed the Pope when he arrived at the door. The two of them then went to the iconostasis together while the choir sang in the background.

Moreover, after a brief exchange of greetings with the Archbishop, Pope Francis led the community in prayer during a moment of communal reflection. The Greek Catholic community of Hungary presented Pope Francis with a cross, after which he blessed them.

Related Article:Bishop Veres Discusses Upcoming Papal Trip to Budapest
Pexels/Wolfgang Krzemien

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary organization inspired by rival General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, engaged in fierce warfare with the state military, under the command of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the Sudanese city of Khartoum on April 14. Not only has the violence threatened Sudan's democratic transition, but it also jeopardizes a rare collection of ancient Christian artwork recently found in the nation.

Old Dongola, a historic city in Sudan's Northern State, has been the focus of a team of archaeologists led by Poles. They have discovered a stunning collection of Christian artwork, including never-before-seen illustrations of Christian iconography. One famous painting shows King David of Makuria kissing Jesus' hand.

Hidden Complex of Ancient Christian Art Discovered in Sudan Could Change Understanding of Makuria

A group of archaeologists working under the supervision of Artur Obuski, a specialist in Christian Nubia and the head of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw, have discovered a secret network of rooms in Old Dongola, Sudan, that preserve historical Christian iconography. According to the article shared in The Art Newspaper, the artwork is thought to have been produced to assist the Makurian king through trying times. The find was made after the biggest Nubian Christian church in the area while working beneath former private residences from the Funj era.

Obuski speculates that the chambers may have served as a memorial complex honoring the Makurian nobles or even the royal family. Wall paintings and inscriptions in one chamber, which resembles a tomb, show that it was formerly used to store Eucharistic gifts as part of the church. Wall murals can be seen in other chambers, and a bigger room to the west once had a dome over it.

A unique wall mural in the tomb-like room, never before seen in Christian iconography anywhere in the world, may change how we perceive Makuria and the development and decline of Christianity in contemporary Sudan. The image depicts Jesus emerging from a cloud while embracing the archangel Gabriel and a regal personage who kisses His hand. Obuski observes that such close proximity between saints or Christ and ordinary people is unique in Late Antique painting.

Also Read:Vatican To Return but in the form of 'Donation' 3 Parthenon Sculpture Fragments To Greece In Historic Gesture

Unique Style and Motifs of Ancient Christian Art in Sudan Challenge Prevailing Views on African Art

In another source, ArtNews shared that a Nubian king is shown in the Christian paintings submitting to Christ and receiving a blessing while being watched over by the Archangel Michael, whose wings cover both figures. In another artwork, Mary is shown in an unusual pose while carrying a book and a cross and donning a dark gown.

Artur Obuski, the lead archaeologist, discussed his thoughts on the paintings' peculiar appearance and content. He asserted that the artwork refutes the notion that Africans only tried to copy North American art. Instead, he highlighted their ingenuity and adaptability in absorbing international trends to meet their requirements, which resulted in a change to a Nubio- and Afrocentric perspective.

According to ArtNet, the rooms where the paintings are kept are mysterious in and of themselves. The area is small and irregularly formed, making it unlikely to be a tomb while being elevated above the ground. This important discovery is made more intriguing by the theory put up by researchers that the paintings were made in this hidden location when King David and his army of slave troops neared Dongola.

Related Article:Pope Francis Honors Greece's Cultural Heritage: Returns Three Parthenon Fragments to Athens
Pixabay/ Joe

Two Christian churches in Memphis have merged their flocks to foster community growth and improve unity. The churches formed a new congregation with a combined history of over 130 years.

Forming New Church

According to WREG.com, the two churches- Raleigh United Methodist Church and Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church agreed to the merger after several months of discussion and prayer. The new church, located on the grounds of the former Raleigh UMC, will be known as Raleigh-Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Leaders of the two churches believe that the merger will help them better serve their congregation and the community. "We're excited about what God is doing, and we're looking forward to the opportunities that this new union will bring," said Rev. Jason Rogenes, the new pastor of Raleigh-Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The merger is expected to enhance the spiritual and physical growth of the community by providing a more comprehensive range of programs and services. The church will offer traditional and contemporary worship services, Sunday school, Bible studies, and community outreach programs.

Moreover, the decision to merge also resulted from the declining number of churchgoers, a trend seen across the United States. The new church hopes to strengthen its membership and create a more vibrant and welcoming community by joining forces.

"The new church will be where people can come together to worship, learn, and grow in their faith. We believe this merger is a positive step for our community, and we are excited to see what the future holds," said Rev. Rogenes.

The merger is set to take effect on Monday, May 1, and the new church is open to all community members. The leaders of Raleigh-Cumberland Presbyterian Church hope that this move will inspire other churches in Memphis to come together and work towards a common goal of community growth and development.

Also Read: Christ Church Memphis and Other Churches Leave The United Methodist Church Over Homosexuality Issue

Memphis Churches Unite

A report from Commercial Appeal stated the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is making strides toward its mission of helping low-income families by building affordable housing in Memphis. COGIC is a Memphis-based church organization focusing on assisting needy people. As part of its ongoing efforts to help the community, the organization has been working on several projects to provide affordable housing to those in need.

As per Bishop Brandon Porter, who heads the COGIC Housing Department, the organization believes that housing is a fundamental need and a basic human right. He stated that COGIC is committed to helping low-income families access safe and affordable housing. The organization plans to build several new housing developments in the Memphis area, including apartments and single-family homes.

As mentioned, the local community, including the Memphis NAACP branch, has welcomed COGIC's efforts. According to Fox13 Memphis, the NAACP has partnered with a local COGIC church to provide resources for expecting mothers. The organization gives baby items, such as clothing and cribs, to needy mothers. The partnership is part of the NAACP's ongoing efforts to support needy families and ensure access to necessities.

COGIC and the NAACP's efforts are critical given the challenges low-income families face in Memphis. According to recent data from the United States Census Bureau, Memphis has one of the highest poverty rates in the country. Many families struggle to make ends meet and lack access to affordable housing and healthcare.

However, with the help of organizations like COGIC and the NAACP, there is hope for the future. These organizations positively impact the Memphis community by working together to provide resources and support to those in need. As more people become aware of these efforts, other organizations and individuals will join the cause to help those in need.

Related Article:Cornerstone Church Severs Ties with United Methodist Church Denomination
In 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul confesses that at one point he suffered so much affliction that he despaired of life itself, which is a remarkable statementand not the kind of declaration you would expect from one of the greatest apostles of Christ.

But despairing of life is a surprisingly common sentiment in Scripture. The prophet Elijah asks God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). Job laments that he was not immediately carried straight from the womb to the grave (10:19). The preacher of Ecclesiastes (4:23) and the prophet Jeremiah (15:10) similarly wished they had never been born.

Whether the reason for such distress is religious persecution, personal loss, evils prevalence in the land, or the burden of being a prophet of God, despairing of life is not an abnormal experience.

We see similar trends today. According to the CDC, the rate of suicide among males aged 1524 rose 8 percent in 2021, and according to Mental Health America, over 20 percent of adults are experiencing a mental illness.

There are several possible explanations for these rising rates of mental afflictionbut for those who are suffering, there is a much more immediate question: Why get out of bed only to endure such mental misery?

While it may seem morbid to ask such a question, its necessary for us to have an answer.

Life is filled with joy and beauty, but at one time or another, each of us will face the challenge of mental suffering. For some of us, it will take the form of a diagnosed mental illness. For others, it will come in the form of lifes many travails. We do a great disservice to one another by recognizing mental suffering only when it has an official diagnosis.

But such anguish is bound to come at some point in our liveseven for Gods children, as Scripture shows us. Christians are not immune. And it may come to such an extent that we despair of life itself. When that day comes, well need an answer. Well need to know why getting out of bed to face the day is worth it. Some of us will have to answer that question anew every day.

Thankfully we live at a time when the stigma of mental illness has been dramatically reduced, but I think most of us still suffer alone. It may be socially acceptable to share your mental health status on social media, but the intimate experience of suffering remains hidden. It is always your suffering, in your heart and head.

And I think a great many of us keep our pain locked up, not wanting to trouble the world with our problems. Even if you get help from mental health professional (which I highly recommend), the practitioner cannot make the choice to get out of bed for you. He or she can give you tools and medications to assist, but in the end its always you and God and the choice.

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So, why get out of bed?

Even when it feels like a burden, your life is a gift from Goda gift he created and sustains moment by moment in an infinite act of love. The goodness of this gift does not depend on how we feel or what we experience. But our challenge is to live out that gift each day, even amid our mental suffering.

Rising out of bed to face the day and to bear the mundane burden of living with mental illness or facing the acute suffering of lifes troubles is an act of worship. It declares the goodness of life in defiance of the Fall. It is a spiritual act of presenting your body as a living sacrifice, pleasing to the Lord (Rom. 12:1).

Sometimes your mind and the world will lie to you. They will insist on the meaninglessness of life. They will insist that there is no joy, peace, or hope. And in such moments, we might cry out like Elijah, I have had enough, Lord (1 Kings 19:4). But rather than chastise Elijah for his weakness or lack of hope, the Lord sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness.

That is the God we serve: a God who prepares a table in the wilderness for those who feel hopeless. And sometimes you find yourself at that table.

But when you choose to rise out of bed each day, you also set a table for your neighbor. You declare with your being and actions that life itself is good. Whether you like it or not, your life is a witness that testifies to the goodness of God. So, when we embrace our existence, we testify loudly to our neighbors, Get up and eat (1 Kings 19:7).

There is hope. God has nothe does notforsake us.

For many of us, rising out of bed will at times take a herculean effort. But it is precisely in these moments when our witness is most profound. We take on the burden of mental affliction, because we know that at the center of our existence is not hopelessness and suffering but graceGods grace.

We act based on that grace even when our hearts feel only hopelessness. And when our neighbors see us rising up to affirm the basic goodness of life, they are reminded that their lives are good too.

Unfortunately, some of us will experience periods of such acute suffering that getting out of bed is unimaginable. In those times, we must come to rely on the help of others to carry us.

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One of the most sacred acts of mercy we can offer is the willingness to lift one another up when we have lost all hope. This can come in the form of sending an encouraging text message or sitting with someone who is in despairor even giving a hug.

And the grace you receive when one of your neighbors carries you will one day be transfigured into the grace you extend to others when they need to be carried.

Acknowledging the reality that all of us will suffer mentally at some point in life does not diminish the beauty of life. It is precisely in our moments of hopelessness that we can most powerfully testify to the beauty of life by getting out of bed.

One day the suffering will passmaybe today, maybe tomorrow, but certainly in eternity with God. But for now, our duty is to live out the truth that our created existence was and is a loving act from a God of grace.

O. Alan Noble is Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University and author of several books, including On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living.
Last year, a Washington Post journalist interviewed Ian Bradley, a professor of cultural and spiritual history here in the United Kingdom, about the accession of King Charles III to the throne. The reporter remarked, For a country which is so secular and where so few go to church, you sure mention God a lot.

Its a fair comment. As monarch, King Charles is not only the head of state for the UK but also the Defender of the Faith (a title given to King Henry VIII by the pope in 1521 before the kings famous break with the Roman Catholic Church) and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

When he is crowned this week in Westminster Abbey, he will be anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury while the choir sings Zadok the Priest, an anthem used in every coronation since 973 that draws on the anointing of Solomon by the priest Zadok in 1 Kings.

It is the coronation more than any other event that underlines the sacred nature of the United Kingdom monarchy, writes Bradley in his book God Save the King: The Sacred Nature of Monarchy. At their coronations kings and queens are not simply crowned and enthroned but consecrated, set apart and anointed, dedicated to God and invested with sacerdotal garb and symbolic regalia. Here, if anywhere, we find the divinity which hedges the throne.

All of this will take place in a country in which, as a recent census revealed, fewer than half the population describe themselves as Christian. The Church of Englands own statistics suggest that just 1.5 percent of the population attend a weekly service, while a 2018 British Social Attitudes survey found that 43 percent of us never or practically never attend a religious service.

For many of the millions who watch the coronation on television, it will likely be the first church service theyve observed in years, or possibly ever. Even those who do attend church will probably need to rely on the BBCs commentary to comprehend exactly what is underway; for most of us, it will be the first coronation of our lifetimes.

Its the spectacle that will matter to most people, suggests Linda Woodhead, the F. D. Maurice professor in moral and social theology at Kings College London. They will enjoy the sense of tradition, the ritual.

Westminster Abbey, the setting for every coronation since 1066, is home to the shrine to Edward the Confessor, a king made a saint by the pope in 1161. King Charles will be crowned in Saint Edwards Chair, which dates back to 1300, and will receive regalia dating back to the 17th century.

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There is plenty here to appeal to a society drawn to Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings, in which the popular imagination is fed and touched by stories of chivalry, knightly derring-do, and mystical magic, Bradley suggests.

Yet, at its heart, the coronation is a deeply religious ceremony. In fact, the UKs is the only monarchy in Europe to retain a religious coronation. While the liturgy has evolved over the centuries, the key elements remain those from more than a thousand years ago, when in 973 two bishops walked King Edgar to the center of Bath Abbey to be anointed by Saint Dunstan.

An account of the service, which took place on Pentecost, was recorded by a monk in A.D. 1000. The congregation gathered, he explained, that the most reverent bishops might bless, anoint, and consecrate him, by Christs leave, from whom and by whom the blessed unction of highest blessing and holy religion has proceeded.

In King Charless coronation, he too will be presented to the people, who will show their support by declaring God save King Charles. He will take the oaths written for the 1689 coronation. He will be anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury with holy oil symbolizing the pouring out of Gods grace in the Holy Spirita moment deemed so sacred that it will take place behind a screen.

He will then be bestowed with regalia: emblems of royalty that culminate in the crown. Those gathered will then pay homage to the new monarch before Holy Communion is taken.

For some in the UK, all this is simply derisory. When BBC Radio 4 recently discussed whether the anointing should be hidden from the television cameras, one prominent journalist suggested that this was wonderfully silly. Last year, the National Secular Society argued that the overwhelmingly Anglican traditions would be deeply incongruent with the increasingly pluralist and secular society.

The UKs is the only monarchy in Europe to retain a religious coronation.

Yet polling does not indicate a popular outcry. A survey by the think tank Theos in 2015 found that fewer than 20 percent of people thought that a Christian coronation would alienate people of non-Christian faiths, or no faith, from the ceremony. Most thought that it should be Christian.

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Exactly what is understood by this remains an interesting question. When Charlotte Hobson, a PhD candidate at Lancaster University, showed interviewees footage of the 1953 coronation before asking them about their views on the next one, she was struck that most of them didnt perceive the ceremony as a religious event. She was left wondering whether it is the sense of tradition that people now view as sacred, even when they no longer recognize its religious roots.

Establishment and entitlement

Among the oaths that King Charles will take is a vow to maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England.

Its a reminder that we are a country with an established church, with the monarch serving as its supreme governor since Henry VIIIs break with the Catholic church in the 16th century. Clergy in the Church of England take an oath of allegiance to the sovereign. The separation of church and state, so fundamental to the United States constitution, remains an alternative vision in the UK, as Baptist theologian Nigel Wright wrote in a recent article.

For Stephen Backhouse, this is a settlement that requires theological scrutiny. As a lecturer in social and political theology at St. Mellitus, a large theological college in England, he increasingly found working for the Anglican Church untenable, he says, citing Jesus directive against oath taking and binding yourself to earthly principalities.

With a doctoral thesis on Kierkegaards critique of Christian nationalism (a CT book award winner), Backhouse regards the Church of England as fundamentally a nationalist church and believes the religion that King Charles will pledge to uphold bears very little resemblance to the New Testament Jesus movement.

He sees the coronation as a huge nostalgic exercise for Christians who grieve for a time when Christians were in charge, the equivalent of American Christians who revere the flag or the Constitution. Underneath it is the deeply engrained entitlement to rule the culture.

The separation of church and state remains an alternative vision in the UK.

Backhouse recommends applying the Martian test to the service. If a Martian was watching the coronation service, youd ask them what [they would] learn about English religion. And theyd say, Well, it looks like they worship the king. And Id say, Yeah, youre right.

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Even some who take the oath of allegiance have their qualms. A former bishop in the Church of England, Pete Broadbent, describes himself on Twitter as a Republican (anti-monarchist). Jarel Robinson-Brown, a young priest and a citizen of both Britain and Jamaica, called the oath a necessary compromise for me to fulfill the call God had placed on my life.

His relationship with the monarchy is colored by the history and legacy of the British Empire.

The symbolism of a leader who submits to God and who on behalf of God quietly governs Gods people can be hugely powerful, but the idea that God sanctions earthly power is troublesome, said Robinson-Brown. It feels like the perpetuation of an imperialist anti-Black power to see a monarch crowned in a country that has failed to deal adequately with its past, in a Britain which has less and less reason to be called Great.

For him, the most powerful part of the service is the giving of the ceremonial sword, with the instruction to do justice, stop the growth of iniquity,  [and] help and defend widows and orphans.

For some Christians, the coronation is an opportunity for mission, a chance to awaken the latent religiosity of the British people. Hope Together, a charity dedicated to evangelism, produced a series of resources suggesting that the coronation is an ideal time for us as the church to point to the kingship of Jesus, the ultimate King of Kings.

Since Easter, the Church of England has been releasing daily prayers, encouraging prayer for the king and queen, the royal family, and the nation. How far these will gain traction is difficult to say. In his book Coronation, the historian Sir Roy Strong notes that the archbishops of the 20th century all saw the coronation as a vehicle whereby to bring spirituality back to the people, adding that it was a quest which ended in failure.

Loving service

Perhaps one challenge is that the theology of monarchy is so rarely explored in our churches. If you attend a Church of England congregation, you will be used to praying for monarchs but probably less familiar with the theological justifications for their existence.



At a recent lecture, Jamie Hawkey, canon theologian at Westminster Abbey, observed that there was no clear-cut doctrine of monarchy in the Bible.

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When the people of Israel requested a king, Samuel was displeased. God declared, They have rejected me as their king and asked him to convey a warning about the tyranny that may follow (1 Sam. 8:69). And what about Jesus topsy-turvy hierarchy in which the first shall be last and the last first? How do we square that with a ceremony featuring priceless jewels, in which the great and the good of the land pay homage to a man born into the countrys social elite?

Ian Bradley argues that the Old Testament presents kingship as the divinely appointed answer to chaos, based on a three-way covenant between God, king, and people. When the congregation at Westminster Abbey shouts Long live the king! they will be echoing what the Israelites uttered when Saul was presented to them (1 Sam. 10:24).

Throughout history, both monarchs and the church leaders who served them have sought to draw on Old Testament models of royalty. When Edward VI was crowned at age nine, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, is believed to have compared him to Josiah in the Old Testament: a young ruler bringing vital religious reform.

When it comes to the New Testament, Bradley acknowledges that Jesus kingship might seem to render human kings redundant, or indeed idolatrous. For some Christians, particularly those with more left-wing political views, the royal family is emblematic of inequality in the UK.

Bradley suggests that, rather than rejecting the institution of monarchy, Jesus established a new model for it, patterned on his own royal attributes of righteousness, justice, mercy, wisdom, peace, humility, and sacrificial service.

Perhaps the strongest impression the late queen made was as a public servantsteadfastly, even sacrificially, performing her duty through a seemingly relentless schedule of visits. Its an idea that the current king and the Church of England are keen to emphasize. When members of the press were introduced to the liturgy for this weeks service, they were told that the overarching theme would be that of loving service, in emulation of that offered by Jesus.

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In a break with tradition, a young chorister will welcome King Charles to the abbey in the name of the King of kings, to which the king will reply, In his name, and after his example, I come not to be served but to serve.

The code name for the planning of the current coronation was the Golden Orb. Its a reference to the spherical object bestowed upon the monarch with the instruction: Receive this Orb, set under the Cross, and remember always the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.

Evangelicals and every conviction

Before King Charless vow to maintain and preserve the church, Archbishop of Canterbury will explain the churchs modern understanding of this committment: that the Church of England will foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely. The king will pray aloud, asking God to grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and conviction.

A visible sign of rapprochement will be the newly made Cross of Wales, incorporating fragments said to be from the cross on which Jesus was crucified, used in the procession.

Image: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

The fragments were a gift from Pope Francisa gesture that would have been unimaginable to some of King Charless antecedents. Among the church leaders who will pronounce a blessing on the king will be the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster.

But what of evangelicals, including those outside the Church of England? In the 19th century, one nonconformist contrasted the Old Testament coronation of Rehoboam, conducted with no bishops  in a quiet, religious manner, and with as little expense as possible with the silly, childish, contemptible ceremonies that are practiced in modern times.

In a reflection for Baptist Times last year, theologian Nigel Wright quoted Thomas Helwysone of the founders of the first Baptist congregation on English soil and a champion of the separation of church and statewho argued that, The King is a mortal man, and not God, therefore he hath no power over the mortal souls of his subjects to make laws and ordinances for them [in religion] and to set spiritual Lords over them. Helwys died in prison in 1616, a victim of religious persecution under King James I.

George Gross, a research fellow at Kings College London and an expert on the history of coronations, suggests that while some may have been uncomfortable with elements of the service, evangelicals have historically been able to make their peace with it.

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The Protestant world bought into the service less perhaps because of the service itself but more because this was trumping the Roman Catholics, he explains. He also points to evangelical influences over the centuries, from the presentation of the Bible to the monarch, to a focus on having it in English rather than Latina central tenet of the Reformation here in Englandand the prominence once given to the sermon.

Today, theres a sense among Baptists that our Englishness, our Britishness, is tied up with the monarchy, said Andrew Goodliff, lecturer in Baptist history at Regents Park College, University of Oxford. I dont think there is generally a massive feeling that we want to undo that.

Baptists would still hold to the principle of separation of church and state championed by Helwys, he said. But hes not aware of a groundswell voice or noise around disestablishment. I think that perhaps reflects where we are as a nation now, that any sense of public witness  I think Baptists will be supportive of.

Change and continuity

While it would be an exaggeration to say that the nation is in a state of pitched excitement around the coronation (a recent YouGov poll found that 64 percent of people didnt care about it much, if at all), there remains broad support for the monarchy. Around two-thirds believe that it should continue, a figure that is even higher among practicing Christians.

In Charles III, the UK will have a king vocal about his own Christian faith and interest in all matters spiritual. In his first Christmas speech, he described visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, telling the nation, It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, The light that has come into the world was born.

His commitment to Christianity and its ties to the Holy Land is evident in another innovation to the coronation service: The holy oil used in the anointing was created using olives harvested from the Mount of Olives and consecrated at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Other changes to the service point to a keen desire to acknowledge how different society is from the one that greeted his mother 70 years ago. The Times newspaper has hailed this coronation as a beacon of inclusion and diversity. Faith leaders from different religions will join in the procession into the abbey.

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The first Bible reading will be given by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, while many of the precious items bestowed on King Charles will be presented by members of the House of Lords from other faith traditions. Also presenting will be the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Churchs first Black woman bishop, who grew up in Jamaica.

Change is in the air, but so is continuity. More than a thousand years since King Edgar was crowned, we will watch a monarch swear to uphold the law with justice and mercy.

Its a tradition we shouldnt hold lightly, historian George Gross suggests. To have them do that when weve got war on European soil, where rulers are breaking the rule of law, I think speaks volumes about British tradition, he says. I think for a monarch to swear to that is still something relevant in the 21st century, even when youve got what is a very medieval service.

He suggests that marriage is a useful model for those seeking to understand the ritual. There are vows; there is a ring.  And it is witnessed by the people and by God. Youve got this sense of contract or covenant.  Before anything else happens, the audience is asked, Do you recognize this person to be king or queen? Now at no point in history has anyone said, No! Bring me another one! But its still important it happens, that they are asked.

For the first time in history, the invitation to welcome the king will be extended worldwide. Where once it was the Peersthe social elitewho were invited to pay homage, the 2023 coronation will introduce the Homage of the People. The Archbishop of Canterbury will invite everyone in the abbey, and all those watching and listening around the world, to declare that they will pay true allegiance to King Charles.

Its a recognition of a point made by Alfred Blunt, a bishop in the 1930s, who observed that far more important than the Kings personal feelings are to his Coronation, is the feeling with which wethe people of Englandview it. Our part of the ceremony is to fill it with reality, by the sincerity of our belief in the power of God to over-rule for good our national history, and by the sincerity with which we commend the King and nation to his Providence.

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Gross observes, If people dont buy into the thing, if they dont tune in to watch and if at the end of if they dont feel anything, then it just wont have worked.

There are those who are confident that Britain will feel something. Ian Bradley, for example, believes that today the emotional and experiential are valued as much as the rational, and the importance of symbol, ritual, mystery, and magic is being rediscovered and rearmed.

There are others for whom it will raise centuries-old questions about power and the churchs relationship to it. And there will be plenty who tune in, with a cup of tea, to see the Crown Jewels sparkle.

In the meantime, many Christians will continue to pray for our new king, in the knowledge that when a church sings Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit), as every coronation choir has since the 14th century, nobody really knows whats going to happen.

Madeleine Davies is senior writer at the Church Times in London and author of Lights for the Path: A Guide Through Grief, Pain, and Loss.
How does history affect how we use our voices today? In this episode of VOICES Where Ya From? podcast, recently retired VOICES Executive Editor Joyce Dinkins discusses her familys history of surviving slavery and oppression and how her faith inspires her to uplift other marginalized Christian voices.

Guest Bio:

Joyce Dinkins recently retired from serving with VOICES (ExperienceVoices.org) at Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM). In 2017, she began serving the ministrys effort to develop resources for diverse African American audiences, as well as to champion content by Black writers for general audiences. Joyce acquired authors, edited, and wrote content for the ministry. This content includes special editions of the Our Daily Bread devotional, for Our Daily Bread Publishing books, and she collaborated in content development for audible and film productions at ODBMs US headquarters.

Before joining ODBM in 2015, Joyce spent nine years managing editorial for New Hope Publishers books and media; four years as a NavPress magazine editor; and thirteen years as a David C. Cook curriculum and book editor. Her freelance writing has included projects for a number of other Christian publishers.

She earned her BA magna cum laude from Northern Michigan University and a masters in curriculum development and instruction from Colorado Christian University. In 2014 and 2015, Joyce received awards for fiction and nonfiction editing from the American Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

Joyce is associate director of the Academy of Christian Editors, is a member of the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association Board subcommittee on diversity and inclusion, and has served the Publishing in Color conference since its inception. By collaborating with peers in a range of publishing conferences, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm and experiences.

Notes & Quotes:

Just a little of Gods Word goes a long way.

My voice will tell the stories of my grandparents, my great-grandparents, my story, my siblings, and all with the goal of pointing to the Father . . . our God who made us in His image and wants us to shine for Him.

God gets the credit for. . . you see what Ive come out of . . . . Gods word in His power and His faithfulness does prevail.

Links Mentioned:

Verses Mentioned:

Hebrews 4:12

Ephesians 2, 8, 9, and 10

Revelation 12:11

Psalm 150:6

Ephesians 2:10

From Our Daily Bread Ministries in partnership with Christianity Today.
EAM holds talks with Uzbek counterpart 04 May 2023 | 8:05 PM New Delhi/Panaji, May 4 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Goa today. see more..

EAM, Russian FM Lavrov hold talks, agree to strengthen coordination in multilateral fora 04 May 2023 | 7:40 PM New Delhi/Panaji, May 4 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held a comprehensive review of their bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation on the sidelines of the SCO meeting in Panaji on Thursday. see more..

Wrestlers' sexual harassment case: SC closes proceedings 04 May 2023 | 7:28 PM New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) Supreme Court on Thursday closed the proceedings on the petition filed by 7 women wrestlers, on whose sexual harassment complaint FIRs have been registered against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. see more..

EAM, Chinese FM hold talks, focus on resolving border issue 04 May 2023 | 6:58 PM New Delhi/Panaji, May 4 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held a detailed discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on the bilateral relationship, with the focus on resolving the outstanding issues and ensuring peace and tranquility in the border areas. see more..
While longstanding offenders in Asia and the Middle East remain epicenters of persecution, Latin America and Europe occupy more space in an annual chronicle by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

For the first time, Cuba and Nicaragua are labeled Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), according to the independent watchdog. Its 2023 report also makes special mention of the religious rights of indigenous communities in Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. And France, Germany, and Ukraine are highlighted as examples where minority believers have suffered for their faith.

The reports greatest emphasis, however, is monotonously familiar.

The commission recommends the US State Department relist Burma (Myanmar), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as CPCs, in addition to Cuba and Nicaragua. Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Syria, and Vietnam were recommended for additional designation.

Violations in these nations are systematic, egregious, and ongoing.

USCIRF chair Nury Turkel highlighted Iran in his opening remarks. The nation brutally represses its minority communities, he said, and this past year cracked down on protestors peacefully demonstrating against mandatory hijab laws.

Mahsa Amini, who died in custody, was the feature image of the 2023 reports cover.

USCIRF is disheartened by the deteriorating conditions for freedom of religion or belief in some countries, said Turkel. We strongly urge the Biden administration to implement USCIRFs recommendations.

These include listening to the independent commission.

The report expressed great disappointment that India and Nigeria were not included in the State Departments designations last December. Nigeria has been recommended since 2009, and was briefly designated a CPC by the Trump administration in 2020 before being removed by the Biden administration the following year. Syria has been recommended since 2014, India since 2020, and Afghanistan since 2022.

But USCIRF praised President Joe Biden for elevating the two new Latin American offenders, which the commission had labeled as Special Watch List (SWL) nations since 2004 and 2019, respectively.

This year, Sri Lanka was added for the first time as a SWL nation, with Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan additionally recommended to the State Department. Algeria and the Central African Republic were confirmed in their current SWL designation. (USCIRF takes no position on Comoros, a current SWL nation.)

Violations by these 28 nations collectively occupy 56 of the reports 98 pages.

Image: Courtesy of USCIRF

Created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), USCIRF credited the Biden administration for continuing to prioritize religious freedom around the world.

In March 2022, the State Department imposed additional sanctions on Myanmar after determining the Southeast Asian nation committed genocide against the Muslim Rohingya people. In April, Biden signed into law the permanent reauthorization of the Global Magnitsky Act, providing government authority to sanction individuals for their human rights violations. And in September, the heightened admissions cap for refugees was maintained at 125,000, with special Temporary Protected Status given to Afghan nationals living in the US.

USCIRF asked the Biden administration to further strengthen such commitment.

One example given was waivers to sanctions. Though designated as CPCs, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan received no consequence for their violations against minority faiths.

USCIRF also asked Biden to appoint a religious freedom expert to the National Security Council, as demanded by the IRFA. The commission also requested an assessment of transnational repression, with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan listed as offending nations that monitor and restrict their citizens freedom abroad. And of Congress, it recommends passage of the 2022 bipartisan Stop Helping Adversaries Manipulate Everything (SHAME) Act, prohibiting lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries.

China was specifically identified, the only listed nation receiving additional comment in its country section. All nine commissioners compared Beijing today with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War, calling it unthinkable any reputable US firm could take the communist nation as a client.

Of Russia today, the atrocities in Ukraine have only made its religious freedom record worse. Local religious leaders who failed to back the invasion were forced to flee, while at least 15 Ukrainian clerics were kidnapped and 20 killed in the first six months of the war. And the United Nations has documented over 100 religious sites damaged in the fighting.

But the report did not spare Ukraine either, nor other allied European nations.

USCIRF spoke of serious concern that Kyiv might ban the Orthodox church ecclesially linked to Moscow, despite its pronouncement of spiritual autonomy. France and Switzerland banned the Muslim hijab in certain locations. And Germany, Spain, and Italy were cited for incidents of vandalism against minority faiths.

But of the Western Hemisphere, the report spoke of threats to the holistic nature of indigenous belief through the appropriation of ancestral lands and the extraction of natural resources. Yet traditional leaders were also guilty of violating the religious freedom of individuals in their communities when they exhibit faith commitments outside the majority structure.

At the state level, such violations demanded CPC status for Cuba and Nicaragua. In the former, conditions worsened considerably as the Caribbean islands communist government sought to impose total dominance over religious life. And the latters designation derived from the Central American nations autocratic turn and increased repression against its Catholic church.

But not all violations come from state actors. USCIRF recommended the redesignation of seven Muslim groupsal-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, Islamic State in West Africa Province, and Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Musliminas Entities of Particular Concern.

Yet Muslim nations were also praised along with countries in Europe and Latin America that made strides against antisemitismefforts that comprised the only positive theme in this years report. USCIRF highlighted the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, and Bosnia, among others, for various steps taken to combat the otherwise alarming resurgence of antisemitism around the world.

But American leadership, however insufficiently, remains attentive.

Throughout the past year, the US government continued to condemn abuses of religious freedom and hold perpetrators accountable, said Abraham Cooper, USCIRF vice chair. We urge Congress and the executive branch to implement the recommendations in USCIRFs 2023 Annual Report, to further advance this universal, fundamental human right.
Sudans most Christian neighborhood is under attack.

Collateral damage amid severe clashes between the army and its previously partnered militia, churches in the Bahri district of the capital Khartoum and surrounding areas have witnessed the worst of the past three weeks of fighting.

The Evangelical Presbyterian church suffered a fire as munitions exploded in a nearby market. The Coptic Orthodox church was struck by a rocket. And All Saints Anglican Cathedral was occupied by militant forces.

Over 500 people have been killed, with more than 4,000 injured.

The situation is very serious, said Ismail Kanani, general secretary of the Sudanese Bible Society. I am trapped in my house, without power and water.

Prices for food and fuel are skyrocketing, electricity supply has been cut off in much of the capital, and hospitals have been looted and are barely operating. A three-day truce has been agreedand violatedto allow civilian escape and embassy evacuations.

Almost all Christians have left the area, said Abdalrahim Musa, director of the Evangelical Cultural Center of the Khartoum Presbyterian church. An eyewitness to the carnage, like many other Christians he fled three hours south to Wad Madani, an area relatively distant from the conflict.

But in their absence, he hears reports of widespread looting of their properties.

They are not the only ones displaced. More than 100,000 people have fled Sudan, according to the United Nations, with an additional 334,000 displaced within the country.

Foreign governments have frantically sought to evacuate their citizens. Under cover of armed drones, the US organized a land convoy for 300 Americans and other nationalities to the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. From there, many board a boat to Saudi Arabia for relocation elsewhere.

It is more difficult for Sudaneseand sometimes exploitative. One family stated it was stuck at the Egyptian border, unable to pay the $40,000 fare demanded for crossing.

While there is no collected list of Christian casualties, three family members of the guard at Musas center were shot in the head, presumably caught in the crossfire. Two children from his church were also killed, as was his elderly Orthodox neighbor.

Also a professor of New Testament at Nile Theological College (NTC), Musa mourned the passing of three members of his seminary students family, who died when part of their roof collapsed upon them, hit by a mortar shell.

Fighting began on April 15, but had been months in the making.

A once-promising popular revolution deposed the three-decade autocratic rule of president Omar al-Bashir in 2019, ushering in a democratic transition. A joint military-civilian sovereign council was established, which oversaw removal of Islam as the state religion and repealed the death penalty for apostasy.

But in 2021, General Abdelfattah al-Burhan and his vice president, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), deposed the civilian prime minister in a coup. Demonstrations exploded again, as the international community froze its promised financial assistance.

An already struggling economy collapsed further, with aid groups providing humanitarian support to one-third of the population of 46 million. But in late March, civilian parties signed a new framework agreement to re-establish the democratic transition, with power pledged to transfer by early April.

Negotiations postponed the final agreement a few days, and then indefinitely. The sticking point was military reform, with Burhan intent on integrating the RSFBashirs former personal guardinto the regular army within two years. Dagalo insisted on ten.

And then the clashes started.

Both forces have over 100,000 fighting members, with the army superior in air power, bombing RSF urban encampments. But the RSF is more battle tested, having served as a mercenary force in Yemen, and has bases spread throughout Sudan.

Once you leave your house, stated an anonymous Open Doors research expert on East Africa, you're not sure whether you can come back alive.

A Sudanese, the expert related that Christians previously had cautious hope that their situation would improve, but are now fearful of another religious dictatorship.

Dagalo has tried to position himself accordingly.

We are fighting against radical Islamists who hope to keep Sudan isolated and in the dark, and far removed from democracy, he tweeted. We will continue to pursue Al-Burhan and bring him to justice.

Following their partnership in the coup, Burhan sidelined or arrested democratic activists, while repopulating the governing infrastructure with Islamist bureaucrats from the Bashir era.

But Dagalos democratic credentials are also to be doubted, as the RSF is reported to have led the intermittent but steady crackdown on demonstrations. The most egregious assault killed over 100 people in 2019, as reformists called for both military men to be held accountable.

Both were also active in Darfur, where war crimes led to Bashirs indictment by the International Criminal Court. And each has international ties in a larger geopolitical struggle for influence in east Africa.

Christians do not trust either side, said Musa. Their real fear is a return to the recent history of violations against their rights and properties.

He identified both figures as part of the old regime. But Dagalos violations extended also to Christian areas in the southern Nuba Mountains, he said. And Burhan rose to power on the back of the popular uprising, but undermines it through his reliance on the religious power base of Bashir.

But one Christian leader, requesting anonymity, has a preference.

Both are rejected, he said. But in the event of the victory of the Sudanese army, the Islamic movement will return to power.

Aida Weran sees it as a false choice.

Both generals are two faces of the same coin when it comes to implementing root Islamic rule, said the NTC academic officer, who has relocated to the nearby city of Omdurman. But ultimately, religion is just a superficial means of manipulating citizens for greater economic and political control.

On the whole, said the Open Doors source, Christians lament there is no civilian partner. Whoever wins from the military will be unlikely to back improvements to religious freedom and human rights, while Islamists are taking the opportunity to preach the evils of democracy in favor of sharia law.

Unless the military are told to go back to their barracks and leave the administration of civilian government, he stated, the situation in Sudan will not improve soon.

The Association of Evangelicals in Africa is deeply concerned.

We believe in the power of prayer, read its joint statement with the World Evangelical Association (WEA), and urge the church to intercede for Sudan during this difficult time.

But whatever the Islamist protestations of the combatants, Noha Kassa said there is no religious element to this struggle. The deacon at Bahris Evangelical Presbyterian Church joined the WEA and the World Council of Churches in their emphasis on prayer, offering her own.

For the families displaced from their homes, unable to return.

For the sick and injured who cannot find medical care.

For the poor and those trapped inside, lacking food.

For those who lost a loved one, to have Gods comfort.

Pray for all of this to stop soon, said Kassa. And for all who have lost hope, that they might find it again.

One source spoke of three evangelical schools, providing emergency shelter.

The church is not prepared for such disasters, he said. We hope that the global church will continue to pray for Sudan.

For now, Christians feel under pressure. Musa asks for international organizations to help rebuild the churches. Kassa asks God for life to return to normal. For his part, Kanani reflects upon Galatians 6:10, and asks for prayer that is mindful of all.

His wife and son made it to Cairo. He remains behind in a safe location.

War does not differentiate between the people, Kanani said. Please continue to pray for the people of Sudanespecially the Christians.
Surprising surge in Chinese migrants attempting to reach US border through dangerous jungle trek

A growing number of Chinese migrants are journeying through a dangerous mountain jungle in Necocli, Colombia, an area that has become a breeding ground for illegal migration, drug trafficking, rapes and robberies to get to the United States, according to a recent report.

Chinese migrants now comprise the fourth-largest people group making the trek through 66 miles of the Darien Gap, a region between the borders of Colombia and Panama, to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. Unlike the incalculable number of migrants from countries like Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba, Indonesia and elsewhere, the Chinese migrants have money, a lot of money, and stay in luxury hotels.

"That's one of the big changes that we're seeing now," said Newsmax war correspondent Chuck Holton in an interview with Greta Van Susteren during her recent trip to Panama to investigate the U.S. border crisis and surge in illegal immigration.

"There are a tremendous number of Chinese coming through that we haven't seen until recently," Holton said. "They're now the fourth-largest group of people coming through the Darien Gap. That's very strange because the majority of the people you see here are destitute. ... The people coming from China pay up to $30,000 a person for the same crossing. They have tons of money, and they're staying in luxury hotels and they have iPhones.

"Some of them tell me that it's because of the extreme COVID measures in China. They just can't take being welded inside their house anymore," he added. "But talking to some of the merchants here ... they have told me that many of the Chinese were prisoners" sent away with money.

According to Holton, in Panama, many of the Chinese are indentured servants who get their money from the Chinese mafia. Once they reach Panama or wherever else the mafia wants them to go, they work for the rest of their life to pay off their debts. "So it looks like they have a lot of money, but in reality, that money is debt that they have taken on to get here," he added.

In April, the Biden administration, alongside government officials representing Panama and Colombia, announced a campaign to end the illegal movement of goods and people through the Darien Gap and into the United States.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Janaina Tewaney and Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alvaro Leyva Duran led the delegation in Panama City.

Holden elaborated on the government officials plans to close for 60 days the part of the Darien Gap migrants have been trekking through. The war correspondent noted that the area is a jungle, and many migrants can work around this plan by journeying through a different part of it.

While some migrants opt to stay in Ecuador, Holden said the reason most migrants are choosing to cross the border now is because theyve heard from people they know who live in the U.S. that entering the country and finding a job will be easy.

The correspondent also speculated that with Title 42 set to expire on May 11, that is another reason why many migrants are heading to the U.S. border.

In October, the Biden administration used Title 42 to remove most Venezuelan asylum seekers from the U.S. While the Department of Homeland Security policy gave some Venezuelans a pathway to stay in the U.S., others were ordered to remain in Mexico until their asylum claims were heard.

According to Voice of America, there were nearly 90,000 illegal crossings through the Darien Gap in the first three months of 2023. Holden, who started reporting on the issue in 2012, noted that at the time, 45,000 people attempted to use the route. Last year, however, that number reached nearly 250,000.

One group that takes advantage of the flow of migrants, Holden added, is drug traffickers. These traffickers disguise themselves as migrants seeking asylum and carry backpacks full of cocaine.

In October, the Panamanian news outlet Nex Noticias reported that authorities had arrested over a dozen people in Darien for their involvement in drug trafficking.

I think it's very instructive to Americans to understand what a gap there is in our thinking, in our way of life and what our expectations are from life and what theirs are, he said. Because so many people you talk to here, you ask them about facing the dangers of the Darien Gap, and they say it can't be any harder than where I just came from. It can't be any harder than living in Haiti or living in Venezuela or Cuba. And they are inured to that kind of hardship.

According to VOA, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reported that 4,366 migrants from China encountered border agents from October 2022 to February 2023 after illegally crossing the southern border.
North Point ministry leader gets lap dance from drag performer at 'Heretic Atlanta' bar

A longtime ministry leader at a satellite campus of Andy Stanleys North Point Church was recently caught on video receiving a lap dance from a performer in drag.

Video footage first reported by Protestia allegedly shows LeAnn Legan, who is a director of operations at Buckhead Church in Atlanta, a satellite campus of North Point, participating in a charity drag show performance.

Video: Gay-Affirming North Point Church Leader Cheers As Shes Given Lap Dance by Drag Queen.



See the story and full context at https://t.co/iZGiDFqpyQpic.twitter.com/EjnyV0JOVl  Protestia (@Protestia) April 28, 2023

During the show, which was held at an Atlanta-area gay bar called The Heretic, a performer known as Alabama TP can be seen in the video leading Legan to a chair for a lap dance.

The performer is then seen gyrating on top of Legan, at one point thrusting his crotch behind her head as his leg rests on Legans shoulder, while Legan dances along with the music.

A post on the performers Instagram page gave a shoutout to Legan, saying, She helped me learn how to command attention and encouraged me to be myself on a stage.

According to her LinkedIn page, Legan  who has she/her pronouns in her profile  has served in the singles ministry at Buckhead Church for about 17 years and has been employed there since 2015, most recently as a director of operations since March 2022.

She has also volunteered as a singles gathering leader since 2006.

In a post from June 2021, Legan celebrated Gay Pride Month and urged her followers to open up your hearts and minds and be an ally, with hashtags including gay pride and Jesus Calls Us To Love.

Buckpoint is one of eight North Point churches in the metro Atlanta area, and Stanley preached a message at the church as recently as January.

While its not clear whether Legan has any working relationship with Stanley, she was featured in an undated video found by Protestia presenting Stanley with a photo of the two of them in what appeared to be an emotional moment for Stanley.

Neither Legan nor Buckhead Church responded to a request for comment from The Christian Post on Monday. This article will be updated if a response is received.

Stanley  whose father and famed televangelist preacher Charles Stanley died last month  has stirred controversy in the past for his approach to LGBT-identified congregants. In January, he implied that people who identify as LGBT have "more faith than a lot of his church members.

Stanley made the comments during North Point's Drive Conference last May, where he told churchgoers that any LGBT individual who continues to go to church has "more faith than a lot of you."

"A gay person who still wants to attend church after the way they've been treated, I'm telling you, they have more faith than I do," Stanley said in the clip. "They have more faith than a lot of you."

Contrary to his fathers more biblically orthodox stance, Stanley has called for the Church to be more accommodating and even create safe spaces for LGBT-identified congregants.

In 2012, Stanley told the crowd at a two-day event centered on cultivating good church leadership, "We just need to decide from now on in our churches when a middle school kid comes out to his small group leader or a high school young lady comes out to her parents, we just need to decide, regardless of what you think about this topic  no more students are going to feel like they have to leave the local church because they're same-sex attracted or because they're gay. That ends with us."
Radical Fulani kill 12 Christians in Nigeria, pastors house among 86 homes torched

ABUJA, Nigeria  Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on April 16 killed 12 people in attacks on predominantly Christian villages of central Nigeria that continued until April 19, sources said.

The assailants burned down the house of a pastor and other homes belonging to Christians in the attacks on Tattara Mada, Migini, Angwan Barau and other villages in Kokona County, Nasarawa state, area residents said.

The house of the pastor of the ECWA [Evangelical Church Winning All] local congregation in Tattara Mada village was burned down, and dozens of other houses belonging to Christians there were also destroyed by the herdsmen, the Rev. Danladi Ndoh, village resident and chairman of the ECWA Angwan Takwa District, told Morning Star News by phone. Hundreds of our church members have been displaced, and this is aside from the 12 Christians killed.

Area resident Chorio Musa identified the assailants as Fulani terrorists.

The victims were murdered like animals, while some inhabitants of these communities are still missing, Musa said in a text message to Morning Star News. Valuables worth millions of naira have been lost. More than 50 houses have been burned down to ashes, and food and cash crops were burnt to ashes too.

Survivors were stranded without any assistance from the Nasarawa state government, he said.

Pastor Elisha Tangwai said the entire village of Tattara Mada was in confusion after the killings on April 16.

Let us pray for Gods intervention, for peace to be restored and for sanity to prevail in this community, Pastor Tagwai said in a text message to Morning Star News.

Pius Kyubeh of the Mada Development Association said 86 homes were destroyed in area communities.

Tattara Mada is a settlement which predominantly has a collection of thousands of Mada Christians adjoining with other villages like Kama Yanda, Kama Madaki, Ngah Habu, Angwan Barrau, Angwan Takpa, etc., Kyubeh said. These attacks carried out by armed Fulani against unarmed Mada Christians of Tattara Mada and environs is the height of unbridled terrorism, as has been perpetrated in other parts of central Nigeria.

Kyubeh said that in his teams visits to the area, villagers told them no fewer than 12 Christians were killed by well-armed Fulani herder/militias.

Many Christians have been rendered homeless, and in some cases, Christians have been forced to flee from their homes, he said.

Nanham Nansel, spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police Command, said in a press statement that security personnel were deployed to the area.

Nasarawa Gov. Abdullahi Sule released a statement asserting, It is not only the Tattara community that is affected. Therere also other communities, Angwan Takpa, Angwan Ayaba and other surrounding communities, that have been displaced.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.

In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.

Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation. ... Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a recent report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
Twitter suspends 'genderfluid anti-Christ' user for image of pedophile pride flag

Twitter has suspended a user from the platform after they created and shared a pedophilia pride flag.

User @ZeebDemon was taken offline after the April 25 tweet, which included an image of what the user termed a youth attracted person flag, which featured V-shaped pink and blue lines both horizontally and vertically.

The since-deleted tweet made a reference to Alice Day, which is reported to be a holiday-style celebration for pedophiles.

Happy Alice Day, to those who celebrate! the user wrote. I figured, why not use today to unveil the YAP (youth attracted person) pride flag I designed almost a year ago? I wanted to stray from the oft used horizontal bars motif, but only a little. I wanted to retain some familiarity.

The tweet was shared by user Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis, who congratulated Twitter owner and CEO Elon Musk on suspending the account.

Musk replied, Not tolerated on this platform.

Not tolerated on this platform  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2023

While the users profile has since been deleted, screenshots of the page showed a description with upside-down satanic stars and text which read: "The transfeminine genderfluid Demon-Divine / Luciferian/ BLM / ACAB /YouthLib / Proudly Paraphiliac/Radically Queer...Your own personal Anti-Christ.

Some of the terms used in the profile appear to indicate the user identified as gender fluid, a reference to transgender ideology, while a Luciferian is someone who worships or idolizes Lucifer or the devil.

Paraphilia or paraphilic disorders are defined as having sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors that often involve children, non-consenting people, or inanimate objects, according to the John Hopkins Psychiatry Guide.

BLM/ACAB are acronyms for Black Lives Matter and All Cops Are Bastards, while YouthLib refers to the Youth Liberation movement, which seeks to grant rights to young people  typically those younger than 18  that are traditionally reserved for adults.

Since the original post, a second account was suspended for an April 26 tweet that featured an image of adult-adult and adult-child couples with the text: Two days late, but happy Alice Day Mutually wanted relationships are love and valid #AliceDay #BelieveChildren #LoveisValid

Since Musks takeover of Twitter last fall, the platform has worked to combat child sexual exploitation material, including taking down 44,000 suspicious accounts with over 1,300 profiles that used code words and text in images to bypass detection and communicate with other users.

In December, Andrea Stroppa of Ghost Data tweeted a thread outlining the steps taken by the social media giant to fight child exploitation.

Musk himself weighed in on the update by posting a reply tweet saying, Thank you for helping with this important problem.

Lina Nealon, director of corporate and strategic initiatives for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, previously told The Christian Post that she believes there is still more to be done.

Any effort Twitter is taking to combat child sexual abuse material and other illegal content on the platform is a step in the right direction. At the very least, [Musk] is helping to shine light on child sexual abuse, a massive, destructive problem in our society, said Nealon.
After Tucker Carlson exit, Glenn Beck claims Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch told him not to talk about God on-air Fox News spokesperson declines to comment, points to line-up of hosts who talk about faith

Media personality and former Fox News host Glenn Beck says he was personally asked by Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch not to talk about God on the air.

During a BlazeTV network broadcast on April 26, Beck, 57, told his audience about the alleged encounter after recapping the latest on another former Fox News opinion host, Tucker Carlson, who parted ways with the cable channel last week.

Beck shared a story in which he claimed Murdoch told him specifically not to use the word God on air.

When I was at Fox News, I was told not to use the word "God" on the air. They COUNTED how many times I disobeyed. I don't know if Tucker Carlson's speech about God and prayer was the final straw, but I have a feeling it DEEPLY bothered Rupert Murdoch. pic.twitter.com/4trZyHOYhI  Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) April 26, 2023

This is something that bothers Rupert deeply, deeply bothers him, said Beck. I was told not to use the word God on the air anymore.

And I was like, Wow, OK... that really bothered them, Rupert doesnt like that.

In an April 26 post on Twitter, Beck wrote: I don't know if Tucker Carlson's speech about God and prayer was the final straw, but I have a feeling it DEEPLY bothered Rupert Murdoch.

During the segment, Beck read from a recent report from Vanity Fair alleging that Carlsons departure from Fox was less about a nearly $800 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over the networks reporting on the 2020 election and instead about Carlsons religious talk.

According to the report, Murdoch was unhappy with a speech Carlson delivered at the Heritage Foundation just days before the Fox News announcement in which Carlson spoke bluntly about the moral state of America and an ongoing battle between good and evil.

But while Carlsons Heritage speech could be considered more of a sermon, it was a dinner Murdoch had with his ex-fiancee and Carlson that some suspect might have been the final straw.

Citing an anonymous source, Vanity Fair reported that Murdoch was put off by Carlsons messianism because it echoed the end-times worldview of Murdochs ex-fiancee Ann Lesley Smith, who reportedly called Carlson a messenger from God.

The source told Vanity Fair: Murdoch had seen Carlson and Smith discuss religion firsthand. In late March, Carlson had dinner at Murdochs Bel Air vineyard with Murdoch and SmithDuring dinner, Smith pulled out a Bible and started reading passages from the Book of Exodus.

Days later, Murdoch and Smith broke off their engagement and Carlson was no longer with the network.

By taking Carlson off the air, Murdoch was also taking away his exs favorite show, the report added.

Beck  who ended up leaving Fox News in 2015 because, according to The Associated Press, advertisers didnt want to have anything to do with his show despite its large audience  made a similar claim about censorship during his time at the cable channel in 2016 while campaigning for Sen. Ted Cruz, who was seeking the Republican nomination for president.

At the time, Beck did not identify Murdoch as the other person involved in the conversation.

While Fox News would not comment directly on Becks allegation, a spokesperson pointed to a number of articles published by The Christian Post pertaining to Fox News personalities talking about their faith in response to Beck's claims.

Fox News announced on April 24 that management had agreed to part ways with Carlson in a terse statement that did not offer any reason why the networks highest-rated primetime opinion host was leaving.

In a brief statement, Fox News said, We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.

Since then, Carlson has hinted at his future plans, with his first public remarks since departing the cable channel voicing concern about the lack of discussions taking place about the undeniably big topics that will define our future.

In a two-minute video, Carlson said, One of the first things you realize, when you step outside the noise for a few days, is how many genuinely nice people there are in this country, kind and decent people, people who really care about whats true and a bunch of hilarious people.

Carlson described the experience as heartening, adding that those people likely constitute a majority of the American population. Most of the debates you see on television, he added, are unbelievably stupid.

While Carlson did not directly address his future in the video, he signed off by saying, See you soon, a message many interpreted as pointing to a return to some sort of media platform in the near future.
Google Chromebook dropped from Dirty Dozen List of entities that foster sexual exploitation

An organization centered on combating sexual exploitation has dropped Google Chromebook from its list of worst offenders after Google implemented new safety standards for their product.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation announced Wednesday that Google Chromebook was being removed from its 2021 Dirty Dozen List, which includes big tech companies and corporations that profit off sexual exploitation.

Googles move to default devices and products to safety for kids is now an industry standard, and we urge other tech companies to follow suit, said Lina Nealon, director of corporate and strategic initiatives for NCOSE, in a statement. Given the safety measures that have been implemented as of today, we have removed Google Chromebook from our 2021 Dirty Dozen List, Nealon added.

The improvements were long sought-after by NCOSE and its allies and ultimately will limit the amount of exposure to harmful content and potential predators through school-issued Chromebooks.

NCOSE released its annual Dirty Dozen List back in February. Google Chromebook, which has been used extensively for educational materials for children and teachers before and during the pandemic, made the list due to concerns about graphic content.

According to NCOSE at the time, Google had refused to take basic safety measures to greatly reduce the risk that children using Chromebook would access harmful material like pornography and possibly be introduced to online predators.

Even prior to the pandemic, we read countless news stories and received personal accounts of children easily accessing harmful material through their school-issued Chromebooks  at school and at home, explained NCOSE as part of their Dirty Dozen List.

Now, with overburdened school administrators and overwhelmed teachers and parents trying to navigate new technology tools and the challenges of virtual schooling, devices are often left insufficiently protected.

In late June, Jennifer Holland, director of education program management at Google, announced that they were going to implement various safety measures for their Chromebook product, which were scheduled to take effect at the start of September.

Were launching a new age-based access setting to make it easier for admins to tailor experiences for their users based on age when using Google services like YouTube, Photos and Maps, wrote Holland.

Starting today, all admins from primary and secondary institutions must indicate which of their users, such as their teachers and staff, are 18 and older using organizational units or groups in Admin Console.

Holland explained that after Sept. 1, students who are under 18 will see changes in their experience across Google products.

For example ... students designated as under 18 in K-12 domains can view YouTube content assigned by teachers, but they wont be able to post videos, comment or livestream using their school Google account, Holland added.

If admins dont make a selection, ... primary and secondary institutions' users will all default to the under-18 experience, while higher-education institutions users will default to the 18-and-older experience.
Ministry leaders reflect on legacy of Operation Mobilization founder George Verwer: 'He walked as Jesus walked'

Following the death of George Verwer, who founded Operation Mobilization, ministry leaders are reflecting on his "radical" devotion to spreading the Gospel and his lasting impact on global Evangelical missions.

Verwer, who directed OM for 45 years, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his home near London, England, on April 14, OM announced in a statement. He was 84 years old.

George was a man of compassion and love who had a passion for the suffering and lost world, KP Yohannan, who founded Gospel for Asia, a mission organization that focuses on reaching the unreached people groups in Asia, told The Christian Post. He was full of grace. He had compassion for everyone, good or bad. He literally walked on the narrow himself, but never condemned anyone else.

Born in 1938 in New Jersey, Verwer dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel message around the world. His message was simple yet radical: He invited people to come forward and die to themselves, and to live for Christ.

At the age of 14, he received a copy of the Gospel of John from a woman named Dorothea Clapp, which sparked his curiosity for the Gospel. Three years later, he made a personal commitment to Christ at a Billy Graham rally in New York City, which transformed his life.

Verwer began sharing his faith with fellow students and 200 of them chose to follow Christ within a year. In 1957, he and two friends sold some of their possessions to fund a road trip to Mexico with 20,000 Spanish-language tracts and 10,000 Gospel booklets.

At Moody Bible Institute, George met Drena Knecht and they were married in 1960. They sold some of their wedding gifts to fund a six-month outreach to Mexico City before moving to Spain, where they established OM's work there. OM expanded in the '60s, '70s and '80s, first across Europe and into the Middle East, and then with volunteers crewing ocean-going ships.

After living and establishing ministry in India, the Verwers settled in London, where George Verwer continued to emphasize radical discipleship within OM and focused on ministry sustainability.

It was in India that Yohannan first encountered Verwer. A self-described barefoot 17-year-old who barely spoke English, Yohannan was moved by Verwers passion and commitment to caring for the marginalized.

He was like Jesus Himself; he appeared before us and talked about his pain and agony for suffering people, people that never heard Gods name and could not find any hope, Yohannan said.

George wept and cried. He said, I invite you to come forward and die to live. And I had no clue what he was talking about. Then he went on to explain about discipleship: Jesus called people, young people, to follow Him, forsaking all. Then the next few days, there was an explanation about reaching unreached people groups in Nepal and other countries in North India and how Christians are killed and beaten up. That night, after I heard him talk, I hardly slept, trembling with fear. Is this what God wants me to do with my life?

Yohannan kept in touch with Verwer throughout his life, traveling to various countries alongside the evangelist to share the Gospel. Yohannan considers Verwer to be one of the most influential people in his life and ministry; in fact, Verwer even gifted Yohannan one of his famous world map jackets.

I'm so grateful, truly grateful, that there is someone I knew in the flesh that walked as Jesus walked, Yohannan said.

A prolific author, Verwer led OM until 2003, then concentrated on special projects, traveling and speaking on global missions at thousands of gatherings worldwide.

Today, OM is one of the largest mission organizations worldwide, facilitating thousands of short- and long-term trips each year. Presently, OM has 3,300 adult workers from 134 countries serving in 147 countries. Additionally, around 300 other mission agencies have either emerged from OM or have been established by former members.

Director of Global Connections for Mission Frontiers, Greg Parsons, who had known Verwer since 1983, remembered the late mission leader as someone who had a gift for mobilizing others and exemplified the power of a praying life. OMs culture became a model for other ministries of raising up young people with passion and vision for long-term ministry, he said.

I've always said, and I told him this, that every time he a message, I'm ready to go forward and give my life to missions, even though I already had, Parsons recalled.

Prayer was the thing that he modeled for a lot of us and a passion for the Lord and for His purposes, he said. He had this huge, 3-foot diameter blow-up globe, and he would just hold that up and start pointing to different countries to pray. It wasnt just talk for him in terms of prayer.

Verwers approach to evangelism, which he dubbed messiology, was accessible to all, centering on the idea that God can work through even the most broken people. And reflective of the message he taught, Verwer was open about his own shortcomings.

He just emphasized grace and took away maybe some of the, youve got to do these certain things mentalities, which was sort of the era in which he grew up in, spiritually, Parsons said.

He was super transparent. We were once in Thailand for an event, and we decided to reach out to the sex workers and all go down one of the main streets and just pray. But George was so transparent about his own potential for temptation and his own desire not to have that kind of input. He said, You know, I just can't walk down there. I'm going stand here at the end of the street and just pray. And I remember seeing him when we came back, and there he was, just praying. And I thought, Wow, that was another standard of guarding himself and his marriage and his family.

Verwer was also known for his humble lifestyle and opposition to affluence, adopting the wartime lifestyle and challenging Christians to go beyond comfortable Christianity and truly live out their faith. OM donors loved that, Parsons said, adding: They knew their money was going to go toward the ministry.

His mentality was, If I use less, there's more for other people to help, Parsons said. I think that's something that has been sort of lost in missions.

Verwer's impact on the world of missions cannot be overstated, Yohannan said, likening him to the Apostle Paul. He encouraged Christians to read Verwers books, including Messiology and Revolution of Love, and listen to his sermons to understand his heart for reaching the far corners of the Earth with the Gospel.

I think people, if they did it, they would have a Christ-like model to follow, he said. I met him at the age of 17. Now, I'm 73. I followed him every step of the way. I never saw a contradiction in what he said and how we lived; that I can vouch for.

He added, George was a gift from the Lord to the Church. Now, he is earning His reward.
Minn. House amends Democrat's bill to remove anti-pedophile language from state's Human Rights Act after pushback

The Minnesota House has unanimously amended a bill by a trans-identified Democrat lawmaker who sought to change definitions in the state's Human Rights Act that raised concerns among many that the bill would weaken laws against pedophilia.

A Republican state lawmaker urged the Democrat-controlled House to vote to amend the Take Pride Act, or HF 1655, introduced by Democratic state Rep. Leigh Finke, a man who identifies as a woman. The legislation seeks to change the Minnesota Human Rights Act to include a separate definition for gender identity and remove language that LGB and trans activists oppose regarding sexual orientation.

Gender identity means a persons inherent sense of being a man, woman, both, or neither. A persons gender identity may or may not correspond to their assigned sex at birth or to their primary or secondary sex characteristics. A persons gender identity is not necessarily visible to others, the proposed definition for gender identity reads.

However, Finkes proposal also removed a provision from the states Human Rights Act stating that sexual orientation does not include pedophiles. Critics expressed concern that if left unaltered, then that would mean pedophiles claiming their attraction to children as part of their sexual orientation would be protected from discrimination under the law.

Last Wednesday, the House voted unanimously to amend the legislation and make it clear that, The physical or sexual attachment to children by an adult is not a protected class under this chapter.

A glimmer of common sense, Republican state Rep. Harry Niska, who introduced the clarification, tweeted Wednesday. An all green vote in the House tonight for this amendment to close a potential loophole created by [the legislation.]

A glimmer of common sense. An all green vote in the House tonight for this amendment to close a potential loophole created by HF447. pic.twitter.com/xnEo4uAiRy  Harry Niska (@HarryNiska) April 27, 2023

Minnesota Republican House Minority Leader, Lisa Demuth, told Fox News Digital that the effort to strike down the language in the Human Rights Act stating that sexual orientation does not include physical or sexual attraction to children by an adult was disturbing and inexplicable.

The office of Rep. Finke did not respond to The Christian Posts request for comment.

In a post on Twitter, Finke insisted that reports about his original amendment were a lie and that it changes nothing about sexual orientation. He further claimed that some people used the concerns surrounding his original amendment as an excuse to amplify the hatred of trans people.

There was never a controversy, but it didnt matter. The lie exploded into a whirlwind of hate intended to hurt me.

And it worked! Congratulations. Im left hurt, and scared. People I thought were kind, showed otherwise. I cant changed that. We can only move forward.

Onward.  Leigh Finke (@leighfinke) April 27, 2023

There was never a controversy, but it didnt matter, the Democratic lawmaker wrote. The lie exploded into a whirlwind of hate intended to hurt me.

And it worked! Congratulations. Im left hurt, and scared, he continued. People I thought were kind, showed otherwise. I cant changed that. We can only move forward. Onward.

In a statement to Fox News, the Minnesota lawmaker also insisted that nothing in his legislation would prevent the state from prosecuting pedophiles. Finke added that pedophilia is not a sexual orientation.

The language never should have been included in the statutory definition in the first place, Finke argued. Crimes against children are located in Minnesotas criminal statutes, and again, they remain unchanged.

The debate about Finkes legislation comes as Minnesota has enacted three separate bills dealing with allowing the transing of children (prescribing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or performing body-deforming genital mutilation surgeries) and abortion.

Last Thursday, Minnesotas Democrat Gov. Tim Walz approved HF 146, which prevents the use of subpoenas to gather information for out-of-state laws interfering in the use of gender-affirming health care and bans the enforcement of court orders involving the removal of a child issued in another state because the childs parent or guardian assisted the child in receiving gender-affirming care in this state. The term gender-affirming care is often used in reference to chemical and surgical castration and elective mastectomies performed on underage girls who are suffering from temporary confusion about their sexual identity.

Another bill Walz signed into law, SF 23, states that mental health professionals who attempt to provide counseling for minors seeking help for unwanted same-sex attraction might be subject to disciplinary action. The bill also prohibits providers from representing homosexuality as a mental illness.

The third bill approved by Walz, HF 366, is related to abortion, and it prohibits abortion providers from being extradited to other states for breaking abortion-related laws.
Emirates has signed a three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the side-lines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with Indonesia, Morocco and Zimbabwe.

Emirates signed the MoUs with Indonesias Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (www.visitmorocco.com) and Tourism Authority of Zimbabwe to promote inbound travel and boost visitor numbers.

The airline is renewing its pledge to support Indonesias travel and tourism sector, with its ongoing efforts to promote the country as a varied and exciting travel destination by launching joint marketing campaigns and initiatives. Emirates will further support tourism flows from key markets in its global network - including UK, US, Germany, France, Italy and Spain - to the Southeast Asian destination.

The MoU was signed by Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Far East; and Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer, was also in attendance during the signing.

Solid framework

Emirates and Indonesias Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy first launched their partnership in 2021, building a solid framework that enabled the airline to aid Indonesias tourism recovery. Emirates also announced partnerships with Garuda Indonesia and Batik Air in 2022, to offer increased connectivity options to 29 additional domestic cities beyond Jakarta and Denpasar for travellers. In line with its commitment to stimulate more inbound traffic, Emirates will be deploying its flagship A380 from June 1, 2023 to Denpasar to serve growing customer demand to the popular destination.

Emirates new partnership with the Moroccan National Tourism Office aims to boost the inflow of visitors and strengthen the countrys appeal in new and existing source markets across the airlines network.

The MoU was signed by Badr Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, and Mr. Adel El Fakir, MNTOs Chief Executive Officer.

Both parties will map out and explore cooperation around a series of shared marketing activities including familiarisation trips to Morocco, promotional plans and advertising campaigns, and joint activities with trade partners in key identified markets within GCC, West Asia and Indian Ocean, and the Far East.

Significant strides

Morocco has taken significant strides in establishing itself as a popular travel destination and continues to witness an increase in tourist arrivals having welcomed 11 million tourists in 2022 and a 17% growth in 2023 first quarter.

Emirates recently began deploying its flagship A380 to Casablanca to meet increasing travel demand in and out of Morocco. In May 2022, the airline signed a codeshare agreement with Royal Air Maroc offering customers seamless connections and more choice across both airlines networks. Emirates customers can access 17 destinations in Morocco beyond Casablanca, and through the codeshare, the airline has been instrumental in supporting inbound tourism to domestic points in Morocco like Agadir, the historic western city of Marrakech, Tangiers and others.

Recognising the potential and attractiveness of Zimbabwe as an emerging destination that awaits exploration, Emirates will be working with the Tourism Authority of Zimbabwe to further boost inbound tourist arrivals utilising the strength of the airlines global network.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Badr Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, and Ms. Winnie Munchanyuka, Chief Executive, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).

Joint marketing

Under the agreement, Emirates along with the Tourism Authority of Zimbabwe, will set in motion a range of joint marketing efforts that include tourism promotions, organising familiarisation trips for trade and media, among other activities. Both parties will also explore opportunities for joint advertising campaigns in key markets.

Emirates currently operates 28 weekly flights to Denpasar and Jakarta in Indonesia; daily flights to Casablanca in Morocco and seven weekly flights to Harare in Zimbabwe, linked to Lusaka, Zambia.-- TradeArabia News Service
Los Angeles, May 2 (UNI) Four people were killed in a mass shooting in a small desert community in U.S. state of California, local media reported Monday morning, citing police.

The shooting happened late Sunday night at a home in Mojave, a community of some 4,000 residents and about 104 kilometers east of Bakersfield, the county seat of Kern County in the southern Central Valley of the state, reported KGET-TV, a television station in Bakersfield.

The victims were men in their 20s or 30s, said the report, citing the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's Lt. Daniel Perez was quoted as saying that deputies located "four victims suffering from traumatic assault injuries."

Three of the victims were pronounced deceased on scene, and an additional victim was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, the report added.

There was no immediate word of an arrest, suspect information or possible motive. Detectives were on scene gathering evidence, and details were unclear Monday morning, according to the report.

UNI/XINHUA GNK
PCUSA lost 50K members, 120 congregations in 2019; celebrates apparent slowing of decline

Presbyterian Church (USA) recently reported that it lost around 50,000 members and over 100 congregations in 2019, which was hailed as a slowing of their years-long decline.

The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States released a report last Thursday regarding the current membership and church numbers.

From 2018 to 2019, PC(USA) went from approximately 1,352,000 active members to approximately 1,302,000 members, or a drop of around 50,000.

The number of congregations belonging to PC(USA) also declined, going from 9,161 in 2018 to 9,041 in 2019. This is around 400 fewer congregations than the denomination had in 2016.

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, stated clerk of the PC(USA) General Assembly, said that report was good news since membership did not drop below the 1.3 million mark.

We must celebrate while knowing that there remains work to be done, stated Nelson, claiming that this was the first time in three decades that they were not reporting membership losses.

We are witnessing congregational transformation and renewal through innovative leadership, discipleship training, spiritual renewal, and contextual ministry implementation.

Nelson went on to state that he believed a key feature of eventual growth for the denomination will be dependent on evangelizing immigrant communities.

Church planting in immigrant communities is leading the way towards our current and future church growth, he continued. We are not dying.  We are Reforming.

Jeff Walton of the Institute on Religion & Democracy was critical of Nelsons optimism, noting that the losses over the past year are consistent with reports from recent years.

Apparently in Nelsons assessment the vanishing of more than 50,000 church members does not count as decline because of rounding, wrote Walton.

The rate of decline continues to be greater than the most recently reported membership numbers in the Episcopal Church, which reported a loss of 36,214 persons in 2018 (the Episcopal Church customarily releases statistics in the autumn of the following year).

As with other mainline Protestant denominations, PC(USA) has experienced severe decline over the past several years, having had about 1.2 million more members in 2000 than at present.

In 2011, membership slipped below the 2 million mark and in 2014, the number of congregations affiliated with the denomination went below the 10,000 mark.

One factor has been the liberal theological direction of the PC(USA), as seen with its increased acceptance of homosexuality, which prompted large numbers of congregations to seek dismissal.

Many of these departing congregations formed a new conservative denomination called ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians in 2012.
PCUSA lost over 56K members, 116 churches in 2020: report

Presbyterian Church (USA) lost approximately 56,000 active members and closed more than 100 congregations in 2020, according to a recent annual report on denominational statistics.

The PCUSA Office of the General Assembly released the annual statistics on membership and giving on Monday, which included minutes from the 224th General Assembly.

According to Section IV of the minutes on statistics, PCUSA had approximately 1.245 million active members in 2020, down from 1.302 million in 2019, or a decline of 56,689.

The data is derived from reporting by 82% of PCUSA churches, which represent 90% of the denomination's membership.

The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States also saw a drop in congregations, going from 9,041 in 2019 to 8,925 in 2020.

Although 2020 was a year of pandemic lockdowns, which impacted churches of all denominations, PCUSA losses were comparable to 2019, when the denomination reported losing around 50,000 members and closing 120 congregations.

Over the past several years, as with other mainline Protestant denominations, PCUSA has experienced a considerable decline in membership numbers and congregations.

The decline in membership comes as data has shown in recent years a decline in Americans who consider themselves Christians and a rise of Americans who consider themselves religiously unaffiliated.

Another factor for PCUSA has been the theological direction of the church, as its affirmation of gay clergy led several congregations to leave the denomination in protest in recent years.

The OGA report documents were released exclusively in a digital format for the first time in the denomination's history.

PCUSA OGA Stated Clerk Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II said in the announcement that this switch to digital was partly in response to the decline in revenue the church has experienced.

For one, it costs approximately $25,000 to produce 2,000 copies of this book. Secondly, it can quickly become outdated as things change throughout the church, stated Nelson.

I have said many times over the past year that we need to be moving the church forward in the 21st century.  But economics have also prompted us to make smarter decisions on how per capita dollars are spent. We find this to be more efficient and timelier, giving Presbyterian leaders the information they need in real time.

Additionally, PCUSA has openly considered no longer hosting its biennial General Assembly as a mass gathering due to financial woes and declining membership.

In a statement last August, Nelson attributed this plan to end the big tent General Assembly due to declining membership and financial giving.

That is happening, basically, because we are at a place financially with the drying up of per capita as it is and the whole system is strained with regards to the fallout in the denomination with membership loss, he said last year.

Dealing with the issue that we are not a denomination right now ... that can afford the kinds of things that we have been doing.
PCUSA lost over 100 churches, 53,000 members in 2022: report

Presbyterian Church (USA) lost more than 100 congregations and over 53,000 members in 2022, reflecting the yearslong trend of decline for the mainline Protestant denomination.

The PCUSA Office of the General Assembly released its annual statistics for 2022 this week, which found that the denomination dropped from having approximately 1.193 million members to approximately 1.140 million members.

Additionally, PCUSA saw the number of member congregations decline from 8,813 in 2021 to 8,705, as well as their number of ministers drop from 18,458 in 2021 to 18,173.

Its membership is now around 160,000 lower than the approximately 1.302 million reported in 2019, and less than half the approximately 2.5 million members reported in 2000.

The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the PCUSA General Assembly, said in a statement released Monday that he was not shocked by the report of decline.

We are not surprised by the numbers we are seeing. While the pandemic may be over, the impact on church membership is still being felt, said Nelson.

In the midst of the lower numbers, we continue to find encouragement in that new worshiping communities are still on the increase. We have added more than 20 in the past year, bringing our total to 267.

Not all of the numbers were in decline. The number of youth professions of faith increased from 5,708 in 2021 to 7,041 in 2022, while the number of Professions of Faith & Reaffirmations rose from 10,921 in 2021 to 15,113 in 2022.

The challenge for the PCUSA remains the same: Look for new ways to engage and welcome young people into the fold. These are dramatic and fast-changing times, Nelson added.

Our world is changing, and the church needs to meet the growing needs of people who are finding themselves at a crossroads. We need to remind them that Jesus Christ is still in our midst and that means finding new, innovative ways to be church.

As with many other religious groups in the United States, PCUSA has seen considerable decline in affiliation over the past couple of decades, with sharp declines in both membership and member congregations.

For example, PCUSA membership slipped below the 2 million member mark in 2011, while the number of affiliated congregations dropped below 10,000 back in 2014.

One factor in this decline has been the progressive theological direction of PCUSA, which has prompted hundreds of largely theologically conservative congregations to leave the denomination.

Last month, Nelson announced that he was stepping down as stated clerk on June 30, about a year before his second term would have ended, noting that while it "was not an easy decision," it was nevertheless the right one to make for my family and the church in this time of change."

"I have sought God's will my entire life, following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather to preach the gospel in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)," stated Nelson.

"I believe that God calls us into new seasons in our life of discipleship. Following many conversations with my wife and daughter, I believe I have entered into this new season."
Does the Bible teach male headship?

Many people claim that the Bible teaches male headship because 1 Corinthians 11:3 states, man is the head of woman. In English, head often implies authority over, so its understandable why English readers might think man is the head of woman means man is the authority over woman. But is this the way Greek readers understood it? To find the answer, lets examine this verse in the context of how it was interpreted by church fathers, the secular use of the Greek word kephale (head), and how the 180 instances of the Hebrew word for head meaning leader were translated in the standard Greek Old Testament (LXX).

Source fits the context of 1 Corinthians 11:3 best

My previous Christian Post article notes that the only reference to authority in 1 Corinthians 11:216 states, Woman ought to have authority over her head. If Paul intended this passage to teach that man has authority over woman, why does its only reference to authority affirm womans authority? That article also noted the many references to man as the source of woman in 1 Corinthians 11:8 and 12. This perfectly fits the interpretation of head as source. It also notes that Paul emphasizes in verse 11, However, the important point is that woman is not separate from man, nor is man separate from woman in the Lord. This clearly opposes interpreting man as the authority over woman. Similarly, 11:12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman supports a focus on source and shows that just as man is the source of woman, woman is the source of man. Therefore, both man and woman should respect the other as their source. 1 Corinthians 8:6 affirms the other two source relations in 11:3, there is one God  from whom are all things  and one Lord Jesus Christ through whom are all things 

Church fathers explained instances of head in 1 Corinthians 11:3 as source

Many church fathers, including Theodore of Mopsuestia (PG 66.888C), Cosmas Indicopleustes (PG 88:224A), Eusebius, Eccl. Theol. 1.11.23, Ambrosiaster (CSEL 81.12021) and Photius (see G. Hull, Equal to Serve, 27879) explain that each instance of head in 1 Corinthians 11:3 means source. Cyril of Alexandria (died AD 444) de recta fide ad Arcadiam et Marinam 1.1.5.5(2).63 writes:

Luke [3:28, Adam from God] ... explains the source of man, the Creator God. Thus we say that the head (kephale) of every man is Christ, for man was made through him and brought into existence... And the head (kephale) of woman is the man, because she was taken out of his flesh and so indeed has him as her source. Similarly, the head (kephale) of Christ is God, because He is from Him according to nature: for the Word was begotten out of God the Father.

Cyril of Alexandria (de recta fide ad Pulcheriam et Eudociam 52.131D) confirms this:

Of our race he became the first head (kephale), which is source (arche), ... Christ ... has been appointed head (kephale), which is source (arche), of those who through him are being formed anew ... he himself our source (arche), which is head (kephale) ... For the Word, by nature God, was begotten from Him. Because the head (he kephale) means the source (ten archen) ... the man is said to be the head (kephale) of woman, for she was taken out of him.

Athanasius (circa 296373) quoting the Arian Symb. Sirm. 1 anath. 26 (PG 26:740B) writes:

For the head (kephale), which is the source (arche) of all things, is the Son; and the head (kephale), which is the source (arche) of Christ is God; for thus we reverently lift up all things to the One without beginning, the source (arche) of everything that exists through the Son.

Secular Greek dictionaries affirm kephale meaning source, but not authority in Pauls day

Kephale meaning source is commonly listed in Greek dictionaries since Zonarass 12th-century dictionary. Authority, however, was not an established meaning of kephale in Greek. The most exhaustive Greek dictionary (LSJ) lists 49 figurative meanings for kephale. None of them convey authority. Most dictionaries of ancient secular Greek dont cite any example of kephale meaning authority, including Moulton and Milligan, Friedrich Preisigke, Pierre Chantraine, S. C. Woodhouse, the LSJ supplements by Barber, Renehan, and Glare and the thirteen additional dictionaries Richard S. Cervin cites in, Does Kephale mean Source or Authority Over in Greek Literature? A Rebuttal, Trinity Journal 10 NS (1989): 8687. The earliest citation meaning authority I have seen in any secular Greek dictionary is from the fourth century AD. Greek dictionaries identify head meaning authority as Byzantine (LSJ8) or medieval (Dhimitrakou), long after Paul wrote. So its unlikely that Paul intended head to convey authority.

How does the Greek Old Testament translate the Hebrew word for head when it means Leader?

The LXX Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures widely used in Pauls day confirms that authority was not an established meaning of kephale. It almost always translates Hebrew references to a physical head kephale but almost never when head means leader.

It uses kephale clearly as a metaphor meaning leader to translate only one of the 180 cases where the Hebrew word for head means leader. English Bibles translate most of them head, e.g. NASB 116 times and ASV 115 times, because leader is an established meaning of head in English. All other alleged cases of head meaning leader were added by Origen in the 3rd century, are explained in context to mean something other than leader, or are translated as head (eis kephalen), which Greek readers could understand to mean like a head rather than is head. The addition of as ruler over them following as head in Judges 11:11 provides a meaning for as head that otherwise would not have been obvious to Greek readers.

None of Pauls twelve head metaphors requires the meaning authority. Ten convey source: 1 Corinthians 11:3ab (this parallels Ephesians 5:23) c, 4b, 5b.

Colossians 2:19; Ephesians 4:1516: the head, from whom the whole body  grows.

Colossians 1:18, He is the head of the body, the church, who is the source, is explained in 1:1617, 20, 22.

Two, apex: Ephesians 1:2022; Colossians 2:10.

Furthermore, the exclusion of women from church leadership is incompatible with the Bibles many affirmations of women leaders. Seven of the 10 people Paul names as colleagues in ministry in Romans 16 are women, including Phoebe, deacon of the church of Cenchreae and leader (stand in rank before) of many, including myself and Junia, who, like her husband, was outstanding among the apostles as demonstrated by Eldon Epp, Junia and Richard Bauckham, Gospel Women.

In summary: the context of 1 Corinthians 11:3, secular Greek dictionaries, the Greek Bibles avoidance of head meaning authority, Pauls usage, and Pauls affirmations of women in church leadership show that Paul did not intend head to mean authority in 1 Corinthians 11:3. Nowhere does the Bible teaches male headship or even use the word headship.
How many Christians are disciples of Christ?

The world is expecting to have 3.3 billion Christians by 2050, according to Good Faith Media. But the million-dollar question is, how many of these Christians will be true disciples of Christ?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Mathew 16:24). This call by Christ is what separates the mature from the babies. Unfortunately, many are not willing to deny themselves and carry their cross to follow Christ. The majority of Christians believe that they have become disciples of Christ when they have said the sinners prayer and have gotten the assurance that their sins have been forgiven.

The major duty of the Church is to help connect believers to Christs teachings for them to grow in Christlikeness. Unfortunately, this is often neglected by many churches. I cannot remember anyone telling me that I should deny myself and carry my cross when I came to Christ. Rather I was told that all my problems will be over and Christ will solve all of my problems and prosper me. This perversion is responsible for the lack of growth and maturity experienced in the Body of Christ today.

When we are reconciled with God a new relationship is established that enables us to have access to Him. Jesus now instructs us on what next to do. He teaches us how to be like Him in deeds and actions. He prepares us and calls us to evangelize the world.

Christ knew that no one can effectively serve God without crucifying the flesh. He sends us out on fieldwork with some unforeseen and unpleasant conditions which produce suffering and hardships. Our resolution to carry our cross enables us to continue even in the most terrible of situations. He expects us to follow His instructions carefully and apply what we learned cautiously. He gives instructions on what to do and carefully evaluates our performances. He does this through His written Word.



The mandate that Christ gave to us is to go into all world and make disciples of all nations (Mathew 28:19). Are we really making disciples or are we gathering a crowd? If Christians have denied themselves and are carrying their cross daily, should we expect them to indulge in sinful lifestyles on a regular basis? Believers should be careful not to be discipled outside the Word of God. Doctrines of men have taken over the Word of God.

The quest to become comfortable and live in luxury has Christians negating Christs conditions for becoming a disciple. Christians are now practicing Christianity which focuses on self and rarely on the cross. We love His blessings, and enjoy His privileges but do not want to be associated with His cross and sufferings. This is unacceptable. Christians as a matter of urgent importance should evaluate themselves and see where their heart stands.

Delayed obedience is still far better than absolute disobedience. We can all still improve if we resolve to meet Christs conditions.
What it means to have a perfect resurrection body

Consider the thousands of hours we spend on our physical health and appearance, even though our earthly body eventually wears out. This unpleasant reality is one reason Gods offer of a resurrection body is so spectacular!

Imagine having a body that never ages and remains completely free from sickness and disease. I am talking about a perfect body. You know, the kind of body God describes in his love letter to us. The Bible lays out Gods offer of a perfect resurrection body for everyone who repents and receives Jesus as Savior.

The Apostle Paul described what occurs at the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

The 17th-century English theologian and Bible commentator Matthew Poole explained our resurrected spiritual body this way:

Spiritual, not as to the substance of it, for in that sense a spiritual body is a contradiction, but in respect of the qualities and conditions of it. Bodies which, in respect of many new qualities they shall have, shall be more like angels and other spirits, than human bodies; beautiful, incorruptible, free from infirmities, not subject to hunger, or thirst, or injuries from cold or heat, etc."

Our earthly bodies, on the other hand, experience tremendous weakness. What if frailty, fatigue, and death was all we had waiting for us in the future? What a gloomy and depressing reality it would be! Thankfully, the Lord did something to secure a resurrection body for everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. The Lord died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day, and God has given us the Holy Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (2 Corinthians 5:5).

A well-known futurist by the name of Ray Kurzweil claims that advancements in artificial intelligence will allow human beings to achieve immortality in 7 years. It is pure science fiction.

In reality, God already gave you an immortal soul when he created you in your mothers womb, and the Lord wants you to live forever in a place the Bible calls a new Heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). This place will be perfect in every way! (John 14:1-4).

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26). The reason Jesus asked Martha if she believed his words is because trusting Jesus for eternal life is the only way to receive your resurrection body one day.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). God offers you salvation today and a perfect resurrection body in Heaven forever. Those who refuse Gods gracious offer will spend eternity in Hell paying for their sins (Matthew 25:46).

Jesus revealed that people in both Heaven and Hell will have a resurrected body. The Savior said, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Hell (Matthew 10:28).

Bodies in Heaven are free from pain, while bodies in Hell suffer constant agony and torment. No one in his right mind would choose Hell over Heaven, and yet Jesus revealed that an eternal destination awaits both believers and unbelievers (Matthew 7:13,14).

Some accept Gods offer of forgiveness, while others refuse it. What about you? Do you want to go to Heaven? If you are currently a non-Christian, there is still time for you to receive Jesus as your Savior.

And if you are currently mocking Jesus and his offer of grace, I implore you to reconsider your reckless attitude and repent of your blasphemy. It is extremely dangerous to mock the Lord and ridicule the Gospel message of salvation. The grace of God is your only lifeline, whether you currently realize it or not.

What are the biggest health challenges you have faced? Imagine never again needing to visit a doctor or take any medicine. Everyone in Heaven will be free from cancer and every other disease and sickness. Alzheimers disease and dementia do not exist in Heaven, where the mind functions on a much higher level. Resurrected spiritual bodies in Heaven will be perfect in every way.

The Apostle John wrote, Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2). And Paul wrote, Christ will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:21). Jesus said that people in Heaven can no longer die; for they are like the angels (Luke 20:36).

I wrote a recent CP op-ed titled, Will You Be Allowed to Enter Heaven? The Gospel is presented using an illustration with three chairs. It is a simple way to share the good news with others, especially with those who are prone to rely upon their noble efforts and religious deeds to get into Heaven.

Gods offer to you of a perfect resurrection body will not be available indefinitely. Therefore, Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:7). Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). A perfect resurrection body awaits everyone who brings their sins to Jesus in repentance and faith. I hope you realize why this glorious offer is simply too good to pass up!
Christian banned from Turkey appeals to European Court of Human Rights

(CP) A British woman has joined a growing list of Christians banned from entering Turkey and is now challenging her de facto ban before the European Court of Human Rights, countering the country's unlawful practice of banning foreign Christians and missionaries by designating them as security threats.

Rachel and Mario Zalma resided in Turkey for over a decade; however, they were compelled to return to the UK after Turkish officials designated Mario with an "N-82" security code in 2019 and Rachel in 2020, said the human rights group ADF International, explaining that this code signifies that an individual is considered a "threat to public order and security."

"We are filing Rachel Zalma's case before the ECHR to challenge Turkiye's discriminatory treatment of Christians," ADF International's Legal Officer Lidia Rieder said in a statement. "We hope the court will hold Turkiye accountable so Christians can once again live their lives without the threat of deportation or unchallengeable re-entry bans hanging over them."

The Christian couple discovered that many who had attended a family conference of the Association of Turkish Protestant Churches in 2019 had also been labeled with the N-82 code.

At least one man received proof that he was classified as a security threat because he attended the conference. In documents disclosed during court proceedings in his case, the Turkish national intelligence agency revealed that it was determined that he was operating against our national security because he was one of the foreign nationals who attended the conference.

"Regrettably, Turkish authorities continue to undermine religious freedom by deliberately attempting to stifle the spread of Christianity," Rieder said.

Both Rachel and Mario challenged their N-82 labels up to the Constitutional Court of Turkiye, but their cases were rejected, which forced them to return to live in the UK.

At a high-level event on "Freedom of Religion in Turkiye" held at the European Parliament in October 2022, victims of faith-based discrimination highlighted human rights violations committed by the Turkish government and parts of society against Christian minorities in the country.

Reflecting on his experience living in Turkey, Mario Zalma said, "We love the country of Turkiye and want to work for the good of its people. We are not a threat to the state, the country, or the Turkish way of life."

The number of Christians in Turkey has dwindled from 20% to 0.2% of the population in the last 100 years, ADF International said, attributing this decline partly to the Turkish government's systematic ill-treatment of Christians.

According to Open Doors, the Turkish government expelled at least 60 foreign Christian workers and their families between 2020 and 2022.

In February 2021, a Canadian-American Christian named David Byle was forced to leave Turkey after 19 years because of his evangelistic work and filed a deportation complaint with the ECHR.

Though missionary activity is legal in Turkey, authorities alleged Byle, a street evangelist who had been arrested and previously detained, was a threat to public order and security and imposed a permanent re-entry ban on the Christian.

Turkey has a longstanding history of deporting "active" expatriate Christians categorized as missionaries, but relatively few Christians were expelled, Morning Star News noted in 2021, reporting on the case of a German pastor fighting expulsion from Turkey at the time.

After a coup attempt in the summer of 2016, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ratcheted up the number of Christians identified for possible expulsion or denied entry into Turkey, added MSN, which monitors Christian persecution.

"Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party also allied themselves with Turkish nationalists who have long seen Christians as secret agents of foreign governments bent on undermining Turkey and a Turkish 'Manifest Destiny' throughout the Middle East and Europe, with adherence to Sunni Islam seen as a crucial element."

 The Christian Post
How to fight back against artificial intelligence

I've been writing Christian comment columns for newspapers and radio for more than 30 years  but I had a shock when I asked an artificial intelligence computer programme to write one for me.

The question that I posed was simple. Could an AI programme produce a faith comment column that would match up to one penned by a team of writers who regularly produce articles for a local newspaper in St Albans, my home city north of London. These are all people who know our historic city well and have a living faith.

The answer? The AI fared pretty well and  worryingly  it produced several insights that could have been written by one of our experienced team. It was not especially evangelistic, as generally these columns tend to be more focussed on raising faith issues relevant to the local scene.

The article was drafted for me by Chat GPT, an AI chatbot that uses natural language processing to create 'humanlike conversational dialogue.' The language model can respond to questions and compose various written content, including articles, social media posts, essays and emails.

Extracts from the article written by AI include: "Faith is not just about religious institutions and communities. It is also about the way we live our lives and relate to others. In St Albans, faith can be seen in the many acts of kindness and compassion that take place every day."

The AI programme also wrote: "While Christianity may be the dominant faith tradition in St Albans, it is by no means the only one. The city is home to a diverse array of religious communities, including Muslims, Jews and Hindus.

"This diversity is a source of strength for St Albans, as it allows different faith communities to learn from one another and to contribute to the common good."

Both points are ones that 'human' writers may have made themselves. The article also explained that sometimes we can struggle with our faith. In style, it was fairly bland, making largely non-controversial comments for a secular audience.

But my experiment with artificial intelligence gave me a glimpse of what AI can already do, with  looking ahead  the potential for 'systems with human-intelligence' to make radical changes to society, including taking away people's jobs and making 'fake news' much easier to invent and distribute.

Many people are worried. A group of technology leaders have called for a pause in development while we study AI's potential impact.

Historian and philosopher Yuval Noah Harari has warned: "We have just encountered an alien intelligence here on Earth. We don't know much about it, except that it might destroy our civilisation."

The best-selling writer has called for AI to be regulated and controlled in the way that nations have reached agreements to control nuclear weapons. He says, "We can still regulate the new AI tools, but we must act quickly."

But what 'my' AI-generated article lacked  and, of course, it would  was a living faith that would inform its writing. It lacked the experience of seeking to follow Christ in the day-to-day, the desire to bring others to a knowledge of Christ and to serve people as our 'servant king' sought to do.

For anyone who is a Christian communicator  from the pulpit, online, in print, via video or drama  this is a vital lesson.

In an age when AI can generate sermons, write articles and design compelling graphics, those of us who seek to speak about the faith, and bring others to it, will need increasingly to 'bring ourselves' into our messages.

A computer programme can never replicate the flesh-and-blood experience of faith, lived out over decades and the unique perspective that each of us bring to our pilgrimage of belief.

Like John the Baptist, we need to be pointing to Christ  always  but it'll become increasingly vital that we bring our own lived experiences, our testimonies, into how we communicate.

That's the challenge for all Christian communicators, and anyone seeking to share their faith. Words and arguments that could be drawn from a textbook or the web can easily be replicated by AI programmes.

Actions of love, and sharing our personal story will always be the most persuasive way of presenting Christ's gospel of sacrifice and love.

And AI  I pray  will never be able to match that authenticity and truth.

Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, UK and a former communications director with the CofE.
Iran, 27 other countries critiqued by watchdog for religious freedom violations

A watchdog for global religious freedom has used its new annual report to call out the Iranian government for targeting women's rights protesters during demonstrations last year. The report also points out the country's "decades-long campaign" against religious minorities.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized Iran for repressing the religious rights of people of a variety of faiths and nonreligious communities and decried the use of violence against girls and young women who protested in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death. Amini, 22, perished after the country's morality police detained her last year based on an accusation that her visible hair breached a headscarf law.

"While religious freedom conditions in Iran were extremely poor even before protests began in September 2022, they have deteriorated considerably due to the government's severe brutality against Iranians peacefully asserting their religious freedom," said USCIRF Chair Nury Turkel, during a Monday virtual event when the 2023 USCIRF report was released.

"Iran's security forces have shot and killed peaceful protesters, detained and tortured others and engaged in a systematic campaign of sexual and gender-based violence against not only women and men, but boys and girls as well."

These circumstances were determined by USCIRF to be "systematic, egregious, and ongoing" religious freedom violations, which qualify Iran to remain on the State Department's list of "countries of particular concern," or CPCs.

The watchdog has called for the redesignation of a total of a dozen countries as CPCs: Myanmar (which the department and USCIRF refer to as Burma), China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

In addition to Iran, USCIRF drew special attention to violations it has observed in Cuba and Nicaragua, two nations that were added to the State Department's list last year.

"In Cuba, religious freedom conditions in 2022 worsened considerably, with the government seeking total dominance over religious life in the country," the watchdog said in its report. "Additionally, the regime in Nicaragua has sharply increased its persecution of the Catholic Church by imprisoning clergy, shuttering church-affiliated organizations, and prohibiting Catholic rituals."

In its new report, USCIRF recommends five other nations be considered as additional CPCs: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Syria and Vietnam.

Turkel expressed the commissioners' disappointment that the State Department had not listed Nigeria nor India in its recent lists of CPCs. He noted that parts of Nigeria are "hotbeds of persecution" and said the Indian government "enforces religious nationalist policies, including restriction on citizenship, religious conversion, interfaith marriage and cow slaughter" that negatively affect people of a range of faiths.

USCIRF Vice Chair Abraham Cooper added that, while the commissioners appreciate the efforts of the Biden administration and Congress to address religious freedom, they would like to see the U.S. government do more to address the most egregious violations.

"For example, we continue to urge the administration to use the CPC designation tool more effectively, as too many of the State Department's CPC countries are repeatedly named as such each year, but results in little to no substantive change," he said during the event. "Accordingly, we recommend that the State Department impose meaningful consequences on violator governments when it actually names its CPC list, such as by not reissuing the waivers based on other U.S. interests that have so far allowed Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to avoid penalties and other repercussions."

Other commissioners spoke of continuing concerns about blasphemy laws across the globe and ongoing Islamophobia and antisemitism, especially in Europe. They also addressed the violence aimed at clergy and religious institutions in Ukraine since the invasion by Russia, as well as the destruction of holy sites there.

USCIRF also is seeking for the first time that Sri Lanka be placed on the State Department's second-tier "special watch list," citing "discrimination against religious minorities in the form of targeted arrests using problematic legislation and appropriation of land and property."

The watchdog said two countries, Algeria and the Central African Republic, should be kept on the special watch list and Sri Lanka should be added along with eight others: Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The State Department currently includes Comoros and Vietnam on that second-tier list.

Overall, the bipartisan and independent advisory body assessed 28 countries for its 2023 annual report.

USCIRF's report includes other recommendations to the Biden administration and to Congress.

Among them was a request that the administration strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and "prioritize for resettlement survivors of the most egregious forms of religious persecution." It also asked Congress to make USCIRF's reauthorization permanent.

The watchdog, which was last reauthorized in 2022, has in recent years received official approval to continue within weeks of a potential shuttering.

 Religion News Service
Parents challenge school after pupils warned against rejecting LGBT ideology

Christian parents have lodged a formal complaint with a south London school after a teacher was allegedly recorded warning pupils that they would be "dealt with severely" if they rejected LGBT ideology.

The incident is reported to have taken place at Stationers' Crown Woods Academy after a Muslim boy objected to watching a video affirming children coming out as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

In the recording, a man reported to be a teacher at the school can be heard saying, "You don't have a choice whether or not you learn about LGBTQ+ in this school.

"It's one of our values. They're British values, and if you refuse to do it, that will be dealt with severely."

The Christian parents of a boy at the school, who wish to remain anonymous, claim that their right to raise their son in accordance with their "deeply held Christian beliefs" have been infringed upon.

They are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) in their complaint against the school.

In a letter to the school, the parents allege that the teacher "abused his position of trust in using his platform as a teacher to threaten and shame pupils, none of whom apart from one student, made any comments about LGBT education".

They also said that they were "concerned about the focus of the school and the manner in which it has approached LGBT issues".

"My family and I are Christians. We love our proverbial neighbour as we are called upon by our faith and Scripture to do so. Nevertheless, also in accordance with our faith and Scripture, we do not accept same-sex relationships or relations as being prescribed by God," the letter states.

"We accept that we live in modern Britain, but it is highly upsetting to be told that our beliefs do not accord to British values. It is equally upsetting that my son was shamed in this manner despite not having made any negative comments about anyone in the LGBT community."

It continues: "No statutory definition of British values exists ... the school owes a statutory duty to ensure that the education it delivers respects the manner in which parents wish to raise their children in accordance with their own religious convictions."

CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said: "It's rare to gain a window into the world of a UK school classroom. Here we have exposed at first hand the language and actions of a teacher promoting LGBT ideology.

"Where is 'diversity' and 'tolerance' here? We have only a monoculture which requires approval and promotion of the "Progress" flag, or "Pride" flag, or transgender flag. There is no choice or freedom to disagree.

"The teacher in the recording is so brazen he actually tells children that if they come from a family with beliefs opposed or contrary to LGBT ideology, to go home and challenge their parents and convert them to his beliefs.

"Thousands of children in primary and secondary schools are being forced to absorb extreme LGBT ideology without their parents' knowledge.

"We will stand with this family as they take forward the complaint against the school."

In a statement responding to the claims, Leigh Academies Trust, which operates Stationers' Crown Woods Academy, said an investigation had been launched into the recording and the findings would be reported to parents in due course.

"From the preliminary stage of our investigation we have identified that the recording was made during an incident where a second teacher was called into the class to address a number of students who were not engaging appropriately with the lesson," the Trust said.

"Having analysed a full transcript of the recording we are satisfied at this stage that the teacher's conduct during the lesson did not breach any statutory guidance related to the teaching of relationships in school, nor did it breach any guidance around the safeguarding of students or the Equality Act.

"We acknowledge that some families may have concerns or differing views on these topics, which is why we encourage open dialogue between parents and their children as well as with parents and the academy so that any concerns can be explored. Our aim is to work collaboratively with families to ensure that all students receive an education that meets their needs while upholding our commitment to promoting inclusivity.

"We take the wellbeing and safety of all students and staff seriously and it is clear that this covert recording has caused distress and harassment within our school community to the extent that we have had to report ongoing homophobic harassment to the police."
New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) Jailed gangster Sunil Mann alias Tillu Tajpuriya was killed after he was allegedly attacked by four inmates of a rival gang in Delhis Tihar jail on Tuesday morning, Tihar jail official said.

According to jail officials, Tillu (33) was rushed to DDU hospital where he expired during the treatment in hospital.

Tillu, an accused in Rohini Court shootout case, was lodged in the ground floor of high security ward was allegedly attacked by four inmates affiliated to rival Gogi gang, Deepak (31), Yogesh (30), Rajesh (42) and Riyaz Khan (39) who were lodged in the first floor of the same ward from where they cut open the security grills and jumped on the ground floor using bed sheets and entered inside Tillus ward and attacked him with improvised sua, said a jail official.

Injured Tillu was rushed to DDU hospital after giving the required medical attention at the Central Jail OPD at around 6.45 am but he expired during treatment at DDU hospital, said a jail official.

UNI CM GNK
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Extra Space Storage Inc. (EXR) on Tuesday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results missed Wall Street expectations.

The Salt Lake City-based real estate investment trust said it had funds from operations of $289.1 million, or $2.02 per share, in the period.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Sounding alarms about artificial intelligence has become a popular pastime in the ChatGPT era, taken up by high-profile figures as varied as industrialist Elon Musk, leftist intellectual Noam Chomsky and the 99-year-old retired statesman Henry Kissinger.

But its the concerns of insiders in the AI research community that are attracting particular attention. A pioneering researcher and the so-called Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton quit his role at Google so he could more freely speak about the dangers of the technology he helped create.

Over his decades-long career, Hinton's pioneering work on deep learning and neural networks helped lay the foundation for much of the AI technology we see today.

There has been a spasm of AI introductions in recent months. San Francisco-based startup OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed company behind ChatGPT, rolled out its latest artificial intelligence model, GPT-4, in March. Other tech giants have invested in competing tools  including Googles Bard.

Some of the dangers of AI chatbots are "quite scary," Hinton told the BBC. Right now, theyre not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be.

In an interview with MIT Technology Review, Hinton also pointed to bad actors that may use AI in ways that could have detrimental impacts on society  such as manipulating elections or instigating violence.

Hinton, 75, says he retired from Google so that he could speak openly about the potential risks as someone who no longer works for the tech giant.

I want to talk about AI safety issues without having to worry about how it interacts with Googles business, he told MIT Technology Review. As long as Im paid by Google, I cant do that.

Since announcing his departure, Hinton has maintained that Google has acted very responsibly regarding AI. He told MIT Technology Review that theres also a lot of good things about Google that he would want to talk about  but those comments would be much more credible if Im not at Google anymore.

Google confirmed that Hinton had retired from his role after 10 years overseeing the Google Research team in Toronto.

Hinton declined further comment Tuesday but said he would talk more about it at a conference Wednesday.

At the heart of the debate on the state of AI is whether the primary dangers are in the future or present. On one side are hypothetical scenarios of existential risk caused by computers that supersede human intelligence. On the other are concerns about automated technology thats already getting widely deployed by businesses and governments and can cause real-world harms.

For good or for not, what the chatbot moment has done is made AI a national conversation and an international conversation that doesnt only include AI experts and developers, said Alondra Nelson, who until February led the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and its push to craft guidelines around the responsible use of AI tools.

AI is no longer abstract, and we have this kind of opening, I think, to have a new conversation about what we want a democratic future and a non-exploitative future with technology to look like, Nelson said in an interview last month.

A number of AI researchers have long expressed concerns about racial, gender and other forms of bias in AI systems, including text-based large language models that are trained on huge troves of human writing and can amplify discrimination that exists in society.

We need to take a step back and really think about whose needs are being put front and center in the discussion about risks, said Sarah Myers West, managing director of the nonprofit AI Now Institute. The harms that are being enacted by AI systems today are really not evenly distributed. Its very much exacerbating existing patterns of inequality.

Hinton was one of three AI pioneers who in 2019 won the Turing Award, an honor that has become known as tech industrys version of the Nobel Prize. The other two winners, Yoshua Bengio and Yann LeCun, have also expressed concerns about the future of AI.

Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal, signed a petition in late March calling for tech companies to agree to a 6-month pause on developing powerful AI systems, while LeCun, a top AI scientist at Facebook parent Meta, has taken a more optimistic approach.

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AP Technology Reporter Matt O'Brien reported from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
MILFORD  Fast food giant Subway, which is exploring a potential sale, last year shrunk its U.S. footprint by several hundred locations, according to a new report from Reuters.

Highlighting its challenges since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Milford-based companys number of U.S. stores decreased in 2022 by a net of 571, while the company finished last year with 20,576 stores in the U.S., according to Reuters.The news organization cited as its source the latest disclosure document provided by Subway to franchisees interested in buying locations.

The number of closings was lower, however, than in the previous two years, according to the disclosure document, which was dated April 25. U.S. franchisees of Subway closed a net of more than 1,000 locations in 2021 and about 1,600 in 2020. Reuters attributed the closings in recent years to factors including over-expansion, outdated operations and decor, stale menus and $5 footlong deals that eroded franchisees' profits.

In response to an inquiry Tuesday from Hearst Connecticut Media, Subway provided a written statement that did not dispute the numbers reported by Reuters.

As part of Subways transformation journey to improve across all aspects of the brand, we have spent the past two years optimizing our footprint by using a strategic, data-driven approach to ensure restaurants are in the right location, image and format, the statement said. This includes opening new locations, with quality remaining a top priority, relocating restaurants to maximize guest traffic and closing locations when needed.



The statement added that, the slowdown in closures is an expected result of the progress we have made to get back to smart growth, which will boost franchisee profitability and protect our position in the market. In 2023, our goal is to increase new openings across North America by approximately 35 percent compared to 2022.

Subway still comprises one of the worlds largest providers of fast food. It has nearly 37,000 restaurants, across more than 100 countries, that are owned and operated by franchisees. In the past couple of years, it has sought to solidify its position with initiatives that include an update of its menu and advertising campaigns with numerous celebrities.

For the first quarter of 2023, Subway reported a nearly 12 percent increase in same-store sales in North America. The top 75 percent of those locations, comprising about 17,000 restaurants, saw same-store sales increase nearly 18 percent. The top 50 percent of North American locations, including about 11,500 restaurants, recorded a same-sales uptick of more than 24 percent.

Our continued impressive performance demonstrates that our efforts to build a better Subway and win back the hearts and minds of sandwich lovers around the globe is working, Subway CEO John Chidsey said in a written statement. With strong sales momentum across our restaurants and a refreshed focus on strategic brand growth, there has never been a more exciting time to be part of the Subway brand.

Citing its status as a privately held company, Subway has declined to publicly disclose dollar amounts for its sales totals.

At the same time, Subway continues to explore a potential sale. The company announced in February that it would consider such an option, but it did not provide a rationale for doing so.

There is no indication of timing or assurance that a sale will occur, the company said in a news release at the time. J.P. Morgan is advising the company and will conduct the sale exploration process. The company does not intend to make any further public comment regarding the process until it has been completed.

In its new statement, Subway reiterated that it would not publicly comment further on the process beyond the initial news release.

In January, The Wall Street Journal reported that, in a sale, Subway could be valued at more than $10 billion.

Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and TPG are among the bidders for Subway, according to reports in the past couple of months.

Subway's ownership is split between the families and foundations established by the late Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck, who founded Subway in 1965.

The company has a dual headquarters in Milford that it is moving to Shelton and another dual headquarters in Miami. In March, the company announced the opening of the hub in south Florida.
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  A shot was fired at a Memphis television station on Tuesday, but no one was wounded, the station said.

The suspect then hid in a nearby business before he was arrested about two hours later, police said.

WHBQ, the Fox affiliate in Tennessees second-largest city, reported that the shot was fired about 11:30 a.m. The bullet came down outside the front door of the lobby of the building, which is in a commercial area near the University of Memphis campus.

Police said the armed suspect went into a nearby hamburger restaurant, and authorities advised the public to stay out of the area. The university and Memphis police said about two hours later that the suspect had been taken into custody. No injuries were reported, Memphis police said.

The university issued an advisory telling students and faculty to shelter indoors. It later said that normal campus activity could resume.

The station said employees were evacuated to a parking lot for about 30 minutes after the shot was fired, while police secured the area.

We are all back inside the building now and are still safe, the station said in a news story posted on its website.

The suspect first approached a station employee outside of the gate wanting to talk, the station said. The suspect then showed the employee that he had a gun.

The employee then ended the conversation and left before the suspect went to the front of the building and fired a shot, the station said.

Police did not release any immediate information about the suspect.

Memphis Police Department Deputy Chief Stephen Chandler told reporters that it was not clear if the shot was fired intentionally or by accident. He said the shot was fired with an AR-style rifle and the bullet hit glass and a desk.

An apartment complex and businesses near the station were evacuated. Chandler said crisis negotiators spoke with the suspect while he was inside the restaurant and helped take him into custody.

He wanted to meet with media. He had a message to send out, said Chandler, without providing details about what the suspect wanted to say.
More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder during their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chances are, some of these individuals will be inheriting wealth at some point.

If a family members mental health issues may interfere with their ability to manage finances, answering these questions could help them create long-term financial stability.

HAVE I SET UP A TRUST?

Setting up a trust is one way to transfer wealth to a loved one and create financial stability for them. A trust enables you to leave specific instructions for trustees about how to care for your loved one and distribute assets.

Trusts can be especially helpful for transferring assets to loved ones who have a mental illness but are still able to function independently. While these loved ones are often independent, they may still have difficulty managing assets on their own, says Lillie Nkenchor, an attorney who does estate planning in New York. One example includes someone with depression.

You can put assets in a trust, Nkenchor says. It can simply be a trust that says, This money is to be used to take care of my sister who is high functioning, but is not great with money.

Likewise, you can request money be allocated to health care expenses and anything else that helps them live a healthy and functional life. Having a trust in place can also help beneficiaries avoid probate, a court process for handling estates that could be stressful for someone who has a mental illness.

DOES MY LOVED ONE RECEIVE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE?

Another important question to ask is whether the person receives government assistance or may need to in the future. While a basic trust may suffice for a loved one who has a mental illness but mostly functions independently, it could negatively impact one who doesnt and receives government assistance.

We want to make sure that if we are caring for someone whos receiving that type of benefit, we dont accidentally leave them something that disqualifies them from that benefit, Nkenchor says.

People who receive government assistance may have limits on how much they can have in assets. For instance, to be eligible for Supplemental Security Income through Social Security, they generally cant have resources of more than $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple. That is, unless you put those assets into a special needs trust. Its an estate planning tool for individuals with disabilities or functional needs.

The special needs trust is meant to supplement government benefits that person is receiving. It doesnt replace it, its meant to supplement it, Nkenchor says.

Nkenchor adds that a standard special needs trust isnt effective until the person who establishes the trust dies. So, if you plan to financially support your loved one while youre alive while they receive benefits, consider setting up a stand-alone special needs trust. Since setting up a special needs trust can be complicated, its advisable you speak to a professional who specializes in this area. The Special Needs Alliance website has a directory that can point you toward attorneys for special needs planning to help you get started.

HAVE I NAMED THE RIGHT TRUSTEES?

The estate managers you name will be responsible for distributing assets to your loved one when you die or if youre incapacitated. Talisa Utsey, an independent estate planning attorney licensed in Maryland and New York, says a mistake some people make is not appointing the right trustee. She adds that people sometimes take advantage of older adults, young people and those with mental illnesses.

You have two options: someone you know or a corporate fiduciary. Utsey says if you opt for the former, choose someone who has a good relationship with the beneficiary. You also want to be sure they have some knowledge of estates or can get advice from someone who does.

If they are not familiar with estate administration, if theyre not familiar with the documents that give them the authority, theyre not familiar with their actual authority, then that can be harmful, Utsey says.

Alternatively, you may choose to appoint a corporate trustee since theyre usually experienced and have no emotional investment. For example, you could use a financial institution like a bank. Just know that corporate fiduciaries often charge heavy fees.

Utsey also advises appointing at least one successor trustee  a person who takes over trustee duties if the initial trustee cant serve. And dont forget to consult with prospective trustees first, Utsey says.

Make sure that the primary and the successor are both interested in taking on that type of responsibility.

IS MY ESTATE PLAN CLEAR?

To protect your loved one from financial abuse and prevent mishandled funds, you want your plan to be clear and streamlined, Utsey says. This means ensuring all your accounts and assets are addressed to the trust, none are in your loved ones name, and there are clear directions about how money is spent. All assets should flow through the trust if possible.

When theres a plan, theres less likelihood of manipulation and funds being wasted because its clear, its a process and its written down in plain English, and black and white, Utsey says. And to some extent, its legally enforceable when its done the right way.

Being clear will also help the trustee execute your plan with ease.

_______________________________________

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance site NerdWallet. The content is for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Elizabeth Ayoola is a columnist at NerdWallet. Email: eayoola@nerdwallet.com.

RELATED LINK:

NerdWallet: Special needs trust (SNT): What it is and how to start one https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-special-needs-trust
CHICAGO (AP)  First responders took 16 people, including nine teenage special needs students, to hospitals Tuesday after an SUV crashed head-on into a bus, authorities said.

The SUV attempted to pass a semi-tractor-trailer and collided with bus traveling in the opposite direction Tuesday morning, police said.
BLOOMFIELD  The Bloomfield Town Council voted Monday to give the Board of Education a 6 percent increase in funding, skyrocketing the mill rate and slashing capital investment projects.

The decision, made after hours of public testimony, marks the end of a months-long tug-of-war between the district and the town over scant funding.

"We have people's livelihoods in our hands," Mayor Danielle Wong said Monday. "We have children, we have seniors, we have teachers, we have businesses that are watching us and what their taxes are going to look like tomorrow."

At the start of the meeting, Acting Town Manager Sharron Howe presented a proposed budget extending a 4 percent increase to the Board of Education with a projected mill rate increase of 5.22 percent. The final budget approved by the town council gave a 6 percent increase to the district and a 6.5 percent increase in the mill rate.

The budget passed with three against the measure  Councilor Kenneth McClary, Deputy Mayor Greg Davis and Wong. The meeting room at 330 Park Ave. was standing room only for the discussion, a higher turnout than any municipal meeting this budget cycle.

"I support the Board of Ed, but my big concern is the overall population here in Bloomfield," Davis said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media Group after the vote. "We have 12 percent under the federal poverty level. How are they going to afford 6 percent, 13 percent over two years?"

Throughout the budget process, arguments centered on two issues  support for teachers and not raising taxes. The deeper complexities of the budget surfaced at Monday's annual town meeting as residents discussed the budget's nuances and the near impossibility of the situation at hand.

Some residents called on the Board of Education to take a deeper look at its budget and why the needs continue growing as students leave the district and test scores show few signs of improvement. One resident, Terry Gilbert, called out the salaries of the employees in the central office as a disproportionately large expense.

"When I look at the budget this year, I cannot understand where this money is going," Gilbert said Monday. "I have looked at the budgets over the years ... the budget needs to go to the teaching staff, the money needs to go to the students. Not to PR or other things that aren't necessary."

A Hearst Connecticut Media Group investigation into Bloomfield salaries showed three central office employees, including the superintendent, making over $100,000 per year as of the 2022-23 school year.

The impetus for the nuanced conversation appeared to be a letter Wong wrote to the Bloomfield Messenger ahead of the annual town meeting, a letter some residents brought up during their public comment.

"It was the best-written article I have read regarding the school system," resident Frank Merblum said. "There are lots of problems regarding the school system today. There are two things she points out: accountability and transparency. It seems like the school system wants us to throw money year after year into whatever they want to fund, but we don't get the results."

In the letter, Wong said that despite the board's "lack of transparency, outstanding questions regarding the BOEs use of funds, a top-heavy administration, and the BOEs refusal to attend public council subcommittees to discuss the town and BOEs finances," she supports the district. She just needs more answers.

"As Mayor, I simply do not have enough accurate information from our BOE leadership to blindly ask our taxpayers to take on more of a financial burden than the current proposed budget will place upon them," Wong wrote. "Therefore, I call for a third-party forensic financial audit. I also implore the BOE and the Council to reset this longstanding problematic relationship."

Wong, who has two daughters in the school district, voted against the 4 percent and 6 percent increase to the Board of Education funding.

The budget increase for the Board of Education also meant slashes in capital improvement projects, such as road improvements and other infrastructure updates.

A group of about 10 Bloomfield educators attended the meeting wearing matching red T-shirts, some standing behind the podium to plead for more money for the district. Gail Jordan, president of the teachers union in the district, said she was relieved the district's budget went up 6 percent but wished the full 8.8 percent increase requested had been fulfilled.

"It brings us to $1.3 million less than what we were looking for," Jordan said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media Group after the vote. "I still think it's going to have a negative impact on our students. But I do understand the balancing act the town council has."

Despite the desperation, it was unclear even to some of the teachers in attendance where the funding shortfall would result in cuts. Each district educator who spoke seemed to assume the shortfall would affect them personally.

Shanna Crimi teaches music at Carmen Arace Intermediate. Before the meeting, she said she showed up because she wanted to make sure that the district had enough funding to put on another musical.

"We haven't been told what is on the chopping block," Crimi said.

The major drivers of the Board of Education budget are the growing tuition for magnet schools and out-of-district placements  students who do not even attend Bloomfield schools.

The Board of Education budget did not show any increased funding for resources within the district other than teacher salaries and benefits packages, but because the tuition costs are fixed, Board of Education Chair Don Harris explained that teachers would be hurt the most.

In her op-ed and before the council Monday, Wong was less than sympathetic to Harris's argument.

"It would be shameful for the BOE to reduce the number of teachers, as they are threatening will happen if the council doesnt increase this years allocation above the 4 percent increase that has been proposed by the Council members who voted for this proposed budget," Wong wrote. "But, lets be clear, by law the BOE, not the Council, gets to decide on how to spend the funding the Council allocates to the schools  in the end it is the school Superintendent who is responsible for any teacher cuts."
A Massachusetts woman who grew up in Connecticut and is accused of strangling her three children to death this year has been transferred to a new hospital.

Doctors transferred Lindsay Musgrove Clancy to Tewksbury State Hospital because they believed she needed extended medical care, according to WCVB, a Hearst Television station based in Boston.

Clancy, 32, was initially treated at a Boston-area hospital for several severe spinal fractures and other injuries she suffered from jumping out of a window on the second floor of her home in Duxbury, Mass. The mother attempted to kill herself after police said she used exercise bands to strangle her three children on Jan. 24.

Her husband, Patrick Clancy, found the former Wallingford resident in their backyard with cuts on her wrists and neck. He had left the home less than an hour earlier to pick up food and medication for one of their children.

Cora, 5, and Dawson, 3, died inside the home, while 8-month-old Callan died at the hospital days later.

Prosecutors argued that Clancy planned the attack, while her defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, claimed she was suffering from postpartum depression and had been overmedicated. Her husband issued a statement days after the killings, asking people to forgive his wife.

In a virtual arraignment in February, Plymouth District Court Judge John Canavan III ruled that Clancy could be released to another facility to get specialized treatment for her injuries.

In Clancy's case file, a surgeon told Reddington that she would have "continued, extensive rehabilitation needs," specifically for her spinal cord injury.

Clancy was charged with two counts of murder, three counts of strangulation or suffocation and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. She is next scheduled to appear in court on July 25, WCVB reported.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  A 71-year-old man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a St. Louis police officer and causing injuries to two other officers who went to his home to check on his welfare.

Curtis Mabry was charged Tuesday with two counts of first-degree assault, along with armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. Mabry is still hospitalized following his arrest on Friday and does not yet have an attorney, according to Missouri court records.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  A 35-year-old man was in critical condition Tuesday after he was shot by law enforcement officers in Nebraska's capital, authorities said.

Chace Abney, who had a Nevada driver's license but was living in New York, was shot Monday by officers with the Lincoln police and the Nebraska State Highway Patrol, said Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner. His department is investigating the shooting.
New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) India and Kuwait held the Fifth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) today in New Delhi, during which the two sides agreed to diversify cooperation in areas like trade and investment, education, health and tourism.

The Indian delegation was led by Vipul, Joint Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs. Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs of Kuwait (AFM), headed the Kuwaiti delegation. Ambassadors from both countries as well as officials from other Ministries also participated in the FOC, a statement said.

AFM Hayat also called on Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, who recalled the historic and friendly relations between both countries and underlined the need to further strengthen and diversify the relationship.
PASADENA, Calif. - Laurie Leshin, the new boss at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, showed up recently at the Mars Yard, where engineers test rovers by forcing them to navigate their way up and down steep inclines and through sand, gullies and boulder fields that have at least some semblance to the Martian terrain.

Leshin arrived by a simpler conveyance: a golf cart. That's the smart way to get around here, because the laboratory sprawls across 168 acres of hilly terrain.

"You know, JPL is bigger than Disneyland," Leshin said. "And a lot cooler."

It is, no doubt, a very cool place. But as the director of the laboratory - the first woman to lead it in its nearly nine-decade history - Leshin is now trying to steer this storied institution through an unusually rocky period.

JPL can be credited with many of the agency's most flamboyant successes in planetary science. That's why the aerospace world was surprised last year by the lab's failure to deliver an asteroid probe on time, a stumble that NASA responded to by postponing a JPL-led Venus mission. A sobering report issued by an independent review board in the fall concluded that the lab simply has too many missions and not enough experienced engineers to pull them off.

"The things they do [at JPL] require incredible people to do it," Thomas Young, former director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and chair of the internal review board, said earlier this year. "They just don't have the manpower they need to do the missions."

NASA officials acknowledge the recent problems and say they've made progress in resolving the workforce issues by luring back dozens of departed staffers. But the delays are a stark reminder that JPL needs to be firing on all cylinders at a time when missions are more complex, and the traditional aerospace sector is struggling to hire and retain talented engineers.

Gentry Lee, a JPL veteran and member of the review board, said lab employees have seen pay bumps of 60 percent or more when lured away by the private sector. The United States needs to bring in more tech talent from abroad if it wants to maintain its technological exceptionalism, he added.

"I would call it a challenging phase," Lee said.

JPL, which is managed for NASA by Caltech, had planned to launch a probe called Psyche on a voyage to a 140-mile-wide metallic asteroid by the same name. But Psyche missed its September 2022 launch date because of a failure to test software in a timely manner.

Psyche is now on track to launch this October, but the delay and associated budget overruns had a secondary effect: After reviewing the situation, NASA decided to postpone by at least three years a major JPL mission called Veritas that would have sent the first U.S. probe to orbit Venus in more than three decades.

One of the most ambitious and diabolically difficult missions is yet to come: Mars Sample Return. It's a multibillion-dollar collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency that aspires to haul Martian soil back to Earth sometime in the next decade for laboratory scrutiny.

"This is a mission I've been trying to get flown for 25 years," said Leshin, a geochemist and space scientist who is on the team studying Mars via the Curiosity rover. "It is the best shot we have of answering the question of whether there was life on Mars."

The agency's attempt to lighten JPL's workload by shelving Veritas has exacerbated a long-simmering feud among planetary scientists: Venus experts feel ignored. They think Mars always get the spa treatment while Earth's twin gets a cold cup of gruel.

Veritas - which stands for Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy - was selected by NASA just two years ago, to the elation of scientists who think the planet is loaded with scientific treasures.

The mission is supposed to be part of the "Decade of Venus," teaming with two other probes due to launch around 2030: DaVinci, which remains funded and on track, is an atmospheric probe being led by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center; EnVision is an orbiter being built by the European Space Agency. The combined efforts were designed as a triple threat, using multiple suites of complementary instruments to delve deeply into the mysteries of Earth's hothouse neighbor.

Venus, according to recent research, may have had oceans for much of its history, and potentially was habitable. It's conceivable that life evolved there and could still exist in the upper atmosphere, where temperatures and pressures are benign.

Venus is also of great interest to scientists looking for Earth-sized planets orbiting distant stars, because the planet can serve as an unearthly role model. And climate scientists studying global warming on Earth see Venus as the ultimate horror story for what can happen to a habitable planet with a runaway greenhouse effect.

NASA budgeted $811 million for Veritas between 2024 and 2028. But to the consternation of the Veritas team, all that money has vanished, except for a tiny amount for scientific research.

"Heartbroken" is how Darby Dyar, a planetary scientist at Mount Holyoke College and member of the Veritas team, describes her reaction to NASA's decision. She and other scientists are appealing to Congress to keep the mission on track for a launch before the end of this decade.

"It's a really, really terrible situation," said Stephen Kane, a planetary astrophysicist at the University of California at Riverside who is part of the team working on DaVinci.

"There's a real sense of frustration within the community, that after all these decades of pushing for this, NASA has finally taken this direction to support this community - and then pulled the rug right out again," Kane said.

NASA's head of planetary science, Lori Glaze, said in an email that the money intended for Veritas is needed for the additional year of developing Psyche and for a second project underway, the Near-Earth Object Surveyor, a space telescope that will search for potentially hazardous asteroids and comets. She added that NASA continues to have a "robust portfolio" for Venus, and the agency will have an opportunity in the following budget cycle to create a restart plan for Veritas, with a projected launch no sooner than 2031.

Leshin in an email called the delay of Veritas "obviously disappointing" and noted the "strong scientific value" to having the mission advance alongside DaVinci and EnVision. "We will continue to work closely with NASA on a path forward and are hopeful we can find a near-term solution to help Veritas succeed," she said.

JPL's struggles with the Psyche mission, and the cascading effects on Veritas, are out of character for this swashbuckling lab. Top talent has long been drawn here for the reward of doing things no one has done before. Until China managed the feat in 2021, only JPL had ever landed a fully operational spacecraft on Mars.

"If it's easy and boring, we don't want to do it," said Art Thompson, an engineer who has worked on five rover missions, going back to the 1990s, in a 40-year career at the lab. Thompson knows he has one of the snazziest jobs in the universe: "I drive to work and I go to work on Mars."

In the Mission Control room, where staffers monitor transmissions from the current fleet of active spacecraft, a plaque installed in the floor calls this room "The Center of the Universe." At last count, 16 marriage proposals had been made atop that declaration, said operations manager Jim McClure, who has been working there for 35 years.

Outside, programmable signposts point at celestial objects of note: Mars is over there, Proxima Centauri thataway, etc. Visitors might feel compelled to follow the guidance, staring into the empty blue sky as if searching for the best route to these planets and stars.

JPL officials can boast that their lab has visited every planet (minus Pluto, which was officially and controversially demoted in 2006 to the status of dwarf planet) and the asteroid belt. The lab in 1958 launched Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite. In the 1970s, JPL sent Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 to the outer planets of the solar system and beyond. The Galileo mission in 1995 succeeded in orbiting Jupiter and kept operating for eight years. The Cassini probe reached Saturn in 2004 and orbited for 13 years.

There have been failures, too, of course.

A huge, expensive probe operated by JPL called Mars Observer vanished without a trace in 1993, right when it was about to reach Mars. No one ever found out why. Poof. Gone.

Then in September 1999, a probe named Mars Climate Orbiter suffered a navigation error and disintegrated as it plunged into the Martian atmosphere. Three months later, the Mars Polar Lander went silent during its descent and presumably crashed at high velocity. The paired disasters proved especially embarrassing because investigators found that, for the orbiter mission, NASA had been using metric units while a contractor had been using Imperial.

But so far this century, JPL has been on a roll - literally, with the Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance landing safely and performing brilliantly.

JPL's daunting to-do list includes the launch next year of the spacecraft Europa Clipper, which will go into orbit around Jupiter and repeatedly sweep past the ice-covered moon for which it is named. Europa is believed to have a huge ocean underneath its sheath of ice. It's conceivable that there are creatures swimming in that dark, cold sea.

In one of the boxy buildings on the JPL campus a visitor can view, through glass, a cavernous clean room that this spring houses Europa Clipper. At any given moment, the probe may be swarmed by technicians in matching white biocontainment suits adding pieces or fine-tuning the hardware.

To pull off these missions requires flashy hardware and sophisticated software. There's a lot of code in the critical path.

"The software has to be written to allow a spacecraft to recover from all kinds of different problems," Leshin said. "The spacecraft themselves are much more complex than they used to be."

And no mission is more complex, fraught with technical challenges and important to JPL than Mars Sample Return.

Pristine pieces of Mars, scrutinized in laboratories, could lead to a revision of the solar system's history - and might even preserve the first compelling evidence of extraterrestrial life. The White House has requested nearly $1 billion in Mars Sample Return funding for the next fiscal year. Ultimately it could cost $5 billion to $7 billion, said Casey Dreier, the policy director for the Planetary Society, a pro-space nonprofit.

The mission is already underway: The Perseverance rover is digging up samples of Martian soil, leaving some on the surface and parking others inside the rover. The next big step is to send a spacecraft to land on Mars and pick up the stored cargo.

Then the landing vehicle must turn itself into a launch vehicle that will blast into Mars orbit, where the payload will be gobbled up by an orbiter built by the ESA. That spacecraft will rocket back to Earth and drop the samples in the Utah desert for very careful analysis in tightly sealed laboratories.

"This will be the most-watched extended mission in history at NASA," Leshin said.

In the meantime, JPL is still trying to resolve the cascade of challenges set in motion by Psyche.

Planetary scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton admits she was surprised when NASA selected the Psyche mission so quickly after she proposed it.

"It's not a household name like the moon or Mars," Elkins-Tanton said. But she thinks she understands why: No one's ever seen anything like Psyche.

Planetary scientists think the Psyche asteroid is an archaeological treasure, a remnant of the early, violent era of the solar system when thousands of rocky bodies orbited the juvenile sun and crashed into one another. Psyche could be a broken planet's core, scientists think - which could offer an indirect way of modeling what's inside our home world.

"It really is a giant question mark how these metal bodies came to be," Elkins-Tanton said.

The Psyche team had expected to launch in September 2022, but as the launch date neared, the critical software on the spacecraft still hadn't been fully tested. They feared they'd never arrive at the target and their spacecraft would wind up uselessly zooming through empty space - the ultimate swing and a miss.

"We were watching the clock tick and we started to realize we had a significant threat," said Matt Wallace, who was installed last year as the project manager with the task of righting the ship. "We had more risk to retire."

Leshin, who was president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute before taking the JPL job last year - and who arrived after the Psyche problems had flared - said the problem with the software should have been detected earlier, to give the team enough time to fix the issue and still make the launch date. A delay isn't the worst thing that can happen to a mission, she suggested: "The team raised its hand and said, 'We're not going to make it.' It's way better to raise your hand before you launch."

Leshin attributes many of the recent problems at JPL to covid. Technically challenging missions require intensive collaboration. That's hard when everyone's on Zoom, she said.

NASA officials say JPL has successfully addressed its workforce issues. JPL spokesperson Veronica McGregor said that in the past eight months the lab has hired back 43 experienced employees who had left.

"People return to JPL because we do one-of-a-kind missions and projects that they cannot do anywhere else," McGregor said.

At the Mars Yard that day, Leshin talked about the pioneering Europa Clipper spacecraft and the importance of "getting that to the pad." It's what NASA calls a Flagship mission, and its price tag has steadily grown to $5 billion.

As she spoke, technicians observed the full-scale twin of the Perseverance rover crawling to and fro. It was a smog-free, brilliant day in Southern California, and the rover appeared to be having no problems making its way around this pleasant patch of planet Earth. The technicians looked pleased with how things were going. This is the work that gets no glory: the testing, the training, the what-ifs.

"All the things we do now," Leshin said, "are the things that make it look easy later."
NEW LONDON  Local police are set to honor two people  including one of their own  who helped pull a victim of Aprils deadly Gold Star Bridge crash to safety.

Lt. Cornelius Rodgers and Brandon Bylo will be recognized in a ceremony at the Garde Arts Theater, 325 State St., on May 8, New London police said over the weekend.

Rodgers and Bylo displayed extreme heroism, character, and a relentless life-saving commitment under enormously challenging conditions, Chief of Police Brian M. Wright wrote in a news release Sunday afternoon. We salute you both!

The crash occurred when a truck carrying home heating oil rear-ended a disabled Toyota Avalon in the acceleration lane of Interstate 95 South in Groton around 11:17 a.m. on April 21, according to state police. Flipping, the truck spilled around 2,200 gallons of oil, Gov. Ned Lamont and state police said, causing a firestorm that closed the highway in both directions and raised concerns about the structural integrity of the bridge. Some of the southbound lanes remained closed as of April 25.

The driver of the truck, Wallace Joseph Fauquet III, 42, of Stonington, was killed in the incident, according to state police. His sister-in-law remembered him as a hard-working, caring, charismatic, family man.

He was a doting, devoted, and loving husband to his wife Elaine, his soulmate, she wrote on a GoFundMe page established to raise money for Fauquets family. His kids were everything to him and he worked hard to provide for them.

The page had raised nearly double its $100,000 goal  $191,559  as of Monday night. Several oil companies were listed among the donors.

Rodgers, whose LinkedIn page describes him as a 20-year veteran of the New London Police Department, happened to pass the scene on his way back from a workout in nearby Groton, he told Hearst Connecticut Media in a phone call the day after the crash. While one of the two occupants of the Toyota, a 35-year-old Groton woman, emerged on her own when a rescuer opened a car door, the other, a 58-year-old New London man remained trapped as the fire spread. Working with other bystanders, Rodgers was able to pull the New London man to safety before the flames reached the car. Part of the rescue effort was captured in a TikTok that racked up nearly 8,000 likes.

Last week, police announced they were hoping to recognize the anonymous Good Samaritans for their heroic efforts.

Im looking to identify the individuals who assisted our officer, Lt. Rodgers, so I may personally thank them and bestow upon them a measure of appreciation from the New London Police Department, Wright wrote in a news release Wednesday afternoon. Please advise if you are aware of who they may be and/or their contact information.

The ceremony honoring Rodgers and Bylo will begin at 5 p.m. on May 8, Wright said Sunday.
"Post Reports" is the daily podcast from The Washington Post. Unparalleled reporting. Expert insight. Clear analysis. Everything you've come to expect from the newsroom of The Post - for your ears.

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In this episode:

Join "Post Reports" on a journey through the Kutupalong mega camp in Bangladesh. It's home to about a million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar only to face growing militant threats from within the camp.

The Kutupalong encampment has become increasingly difficult for visitors to access. Armed guards man the entrance. Documentation to enter is hard to come by. But earlier this year, Rebecca Tan, The Washington Post's Southeast Asia bureau chief, spent two weeks inside. She discovered deteriorating conditions, frightened refugees with nowhere else to go and a desperation fueling the growth of violent Rohingya groups inside the camps.

In today's episode, Rebecca takes us into the lives of a Rohingya community that much of the world keeps forgetting. And she uncovers the story of one man, Mohammad Ismail, who, despite the dangers of coming forward, has been fighting for his family and for his people's survival.
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EAST HAVEN  Nancy Noto sat at a table inside Sandpiper seafood restaurant, her mostly empty plate flecked with traces of the shrimp and salmon Caesar salad she had just finished enjoying.

Weeks earlier, Noto said, a cousin had told her that the restaurant, famous for its fresh seafood, had been sold, and that the new owners would be converting it into a steakhouse.

"I said, Imagine that, a steakhouse across from a beach,'" Noto, an East Haven resident, recalled thinking. "'Why not a seafood place?"

Similar rumors began spreading on social media, with some speculating that Sandpiper would swap seafood for Italian cuisine. So, to dispel the gossip, Noto and her husband visited the 161 Cosey Beach Ave. restaurant. Their experience, Noto said, was just as they remembered under the former owners.

"Same service, and the food is delicious," Noto said. "No big changes."

Since Sandpiper reopened less than a month ago, customers who have dined there frequently comment that the restaurant is exactly the same, both in its appearance and menu. That is because Chris D'Agostino, a Rhode Island restaurateur and Sandpiper's new owner, has promised to keep the seafood staple intact, seeking to build off the success of its previous owners while making some slight tweaks along the way.

"The most important thing that I want to put out there is everything is staying the same," D'Agostino said. "Customers get worried that a new owner comes in, hes going to change everything. But nothing is broken here."

Opened around 35 years ago, Sandpiper quickly became a popular destination for locals and summer tourists, in part because it overlooks Long Island Sound on the town beach in Momauguin. But the restaurant's longtime owner, Bobby Bertsos, chose to step down for personal reasons and sold the business in March, according to D'Agostino.

Already the owner of three start-up restaurants in Rhode Island, D'Agostino said he had been looking to acquire more of a turnkey operation  ideally a place that did not require hiring entirely new staff. Sandpiper, which came with an existing, dedicated crew, offered much less risk, he said.

The business also had been doing well financially, D'Agostino said, and he did not see a reason to drastically alter its charm or character. "Sometimes restaurateurs come into places that arent doing well and they change everything (and) make a new concept," D'Agostino said. "Im doing the total opposite."

Seated around the corner from Noto and her husband were Maggie Rutledge and her daughter, Denise Rutledge, both frequent fliers at Sandpiper. Denise Rutledge, who said she has eaten the restaurant's baked stuff shrimp "a million times," ordered the same plate during the couple's recent most visit. It was just as delicious, she added.

The Rutledges, like others in and around the community, have special memories of Sandpiper. The mother and daughter recalled a large, jovial family gathering at the restaurant several years ago during which the group ordered nearly everything on the menu. "We got a little rowdy," Maggie Rutledge confessed.

Upon becoming owner, D'Agostino said, he soon realized how much Sandpiper meant to the town's shoreline community. "Ill have people walking by me and say, 'I love this place, Im so glad you guys are open again,'" D'Agostino said.

D'Agostino started in the restaurant industry in 1986 at the age of 14 as a dishwasher at the Italian Village Restaurant, down the street from his home in Wakefield, R.I. He climbed the ranks to become its executive chef while earning a culinary degree.

He then worked for three years as an executive chef for multiple cruise ships, during which time he met his future bride, who was a server, he said. The couple settled down in Fargo, N.D., and D'Agostino said he opened his first restaurant in the area with a friend he met on the cruise ship.

In 2018, the native Rhode Islander moved back to his home state after an opportunity to purchase the old Italian Village Restaurant  where he scrubbed dishes more than 30 years prior  presented itself. He rebranded the business as Tavern on Main. On his restaurant's website, he characterizes his journey as "coming full circle," both geographically and professionally.

Besides Sandpiper and Tavern on Main Wakefield, D'Agostino also owns The Coastal Cabin Restaurant in Narragansett, R.I., and 50 Main Bar and Kitchen in East Greenwich, R.I. He said he plans to make the roughly two-hour commute to the restaurant around two days per week, at least initially.

While he has vowed not to make any major changes, D'Agostino does have a few tweaks in mind. The owner said he is expanding the restaurant's hours, so it will open a half-hour earlier and close an hour later. Sandpiper also will be open year-round, following several winters during which it closed, the owner confirmed.

The chef by trade also teased some new menu items that might be available during the off season: homemade sausage and meatballs.

"People who live close by are excited were going to be open year-round," D'Agostino said. "If we can at least accommodate them, well be happy."

East Haven Economic Development Director Michelle Benivegna recently visited Sandpiper to dine and discuss the possibility of a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which she said D'Agostino humbly denied.

"He wants everything to stay the same," Benivegna said. "I told him its a standing invitation.

"I just hope that the residents will go out and support him because thats the most important thing here for small businesses to survive," she added.

Benivegna said she was pleased to see "all familiar faces" working in the restaurant. She also complimented D'Agostino's decision to keep the menu consistent, offering both seafood items and other summertime staples such as hot dogs and ice cream.

"The menu and the food quality was just like with the old owners," Benivegna said. "I think hes going to be very successful."
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Louisiana imposes an unfair and illegal paperwork requirement for some former prison inmates who have regained the right to vote, criminal justice and voting rights advocates say in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court.

The lawsuit says that under laws passed in 2019 and 2021, convicted felons are automatically granted the right to vote when they have been out of prison for five years. But, the lawsuit points to an apparent quirk in the law that treats some formerly incarcerated people different than others.
DOHA, Qatar - Twenty months after the Taliban returned to power, the United Nations is struggling to plot a course that, in part, would address Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis without running afoul of Western countries seeking to pressure the government in Kabul to moderate its policies.

Emerging from two days of talks with diplomatic envoys focused on Afghanistan, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sought to portray a united front, saying that "to achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage" from Afghanistan. Guterres offered few details about what the future U.N. presence in the country would look like.

Just weeks ago, the United Nations suggested it might pull out of Afghanistan, and the Taliban's latest crackdown on women's rights, banning Afghan women from working for the organization, loomed large over this week's meeting.

Increasingly, the world body finds itself at the center of an international debate about where to draw red lines in supporting Afghanistan and in an uncomfortable position as an intermediary between the West and the Taliban. No country has officially recognized the Taliban government, though some - including China and Russia - have allowed Taliban diplomats into their countries. The United States and other Western countries have been reluctant to do so and no longer maintain embassies in Kabul.

Women's activists had called for a boycott of the Doha meeting, arguing that the United Nations should take a bolder stance against the Taliban. The Taliban, meanwhile, says the organization has already taken too strong of a stance.

Muhammad Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's political office in Doha and the group's designated U.N. representative, said he was not invited to the talks. Speaking in an interview, he said, "The U.N. is a world body - it should be neutral." The decision to not include the Taliban will "harm their credibility," he said.

Nor is there any international consensus about what the U.N. role in Afghanistan should be. While the Security Council in March extended the U.N.'s mandate to help the Afghan people, donor countries have so far only met about 6 percent of the funding target.

Finding a path forward on Afghanistan "is not an easy task - and it may be historically difficult and challenging for the U.N.," said Mona Juul, the Norwegian ambassador to the United Nations in New York, whose country led the Security Council's efforts on Afghanistan until recently.

The past few weeks may have illustrated how risky the balancing act could be. After deputy U.N. secretary general Amina J. Mohammed suggested that this week's talks could allow for "baby steps" toward international recognition of the Taliban, the backlash was swift and strong.

The United Nations quickly walked back Mohammed's comments, but the damage was difficult to undo. Over the past days, Afghan activists have shared videos on social media that appeared to show women staging a rare protest in Kabul over the weekend against international recognition of the Taliban. The public backlash may reflect a broader sentiment among Afghan refugees and activists that the organization should be taking bolder steps, said Hosna Jalil, a deputy minister for women's and interior affairs under the previous Afghan government.

While the United Nations continues to employ female staff in Afghanistan, some women's rights activists worry that making many of them work from home - which the organization had previously argued was because of safety concerns - signals an unacceptable level of adherence to Taliban orders.

If you want to counter the Taliban, said Jalil, women's "work needs to be visible to the public."

"If not the U.N., then who?" she said.

As the special envoys convened in Doha to discuss what a U.N. spokesman called a "durable way forward" in Afghanistan, the meeting's location was a reminder of the wishful thinking immediately following the Taliban takeover in 2021. The United States and the Taliban had signed a peace agreement in Doha in 2020, prompting some optimism that the group would exercise more moderation than during its first time in power a generation ago.

The gulf between the West and the new Afghan rulers has widened in the 20 months since the Taliban took over, with both sides accusing each other of violating the Doha agreement. Guterres on Tuesday said the international community is concerned about Afghanistan's role in terrorism and drug trafficking, as well as women's and other human rights.

Western concerns over being seen as supportive of the Taliban may partly explain the steep cuts in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. Hugo Slim, a humanitarian studies researcher, recently wrote a blog post advocating that aid groups suspend operations in Afghanistan rather than cooperate with the Taliban.

"There comes a point when humanitarians can't go on running an effective sort of trusteeship where the deal is: Okay, we'll run the welfare state, and you can screw up the politics of your country and commit political crimes," he said in an interview.

But this week's meeting in Doha suggests that the U.N. presence in Afghanistan will look much like the status quo. U.N. agencies and other aid groups appear to be focusing their energies on finding ways to circumvent the Taliban ban on female staff.

There is no alternative to delivering aid or to engaging with the Taliban, said Juul, the Norwegian U.N. ambassador, whose government hosted some of the first talks with the Taliban after the U.S. withdrawal.

"The Taliban themselves have given up on their own population and especially their own women. But we as an international community cannot do that," she said.

- - -

Haq Nawaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, contributed to this report.
Vermont on Tuesday became the first state in the country to change its medically assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to take advantage of it to end their lives.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill that removes the residency requirement for the decades-old law.

Last year in a court settlement, Oregon agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement of its law allowing terminally ill people to receive lethal medication. It also agreed to ask the Legislature to remove it from the law.

Before Vermont removed its residency requirement Tuesday, it had reached a settlement with a Connecticut woman who has terminal cancer to allow her to take advantage of its law, provided she complies with other aspects of it.

We are grateful to Vermont lawmakers for recognizing that a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony, said Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization, in a statement. Patients routinely travel to other states to utilize the best healthcare options. There is no rational reason they shouldnt be able to travel to another state to access medical aid in dying if the state they live in doesnt offer it.

Vermont is one of 10 states that allow medically assisted suicide. Critics of such laws say without the residency requirements states risk becoming assisted suicide tourism destinations.

Mary Hahn Beerworth, executive director of the Vermont Right to Life Committee, testified before a legislative committee in March that the practice was, and remains, a matter of contention.

To be clear, Vermont Right to Life opposed the underlying concept behind assisted suicide and opposes the move to remove the residency requirement as there are still no safeguards that protect vulnerable patients from coercion, said Beerworth, adding she had a number of concerns including what liability Vermont could incur if the drugs failed to end a patients life.

Supporters of Vermonts medically assisted suicide law say it has stringent safeguards, including a requirement that those who seek to use it be capable of making and communicating their health care decision to a physician. Patients are required to make two requests orally to the physician over a certain timeframe and then submit a written request that they signed in the presence of two or more witnesses who arent interested parties. Witnesses must sign and affirm that patients appeared to understand the nature of the document and were free from duress or undue influence at the time.

Lynda Bluestein, 75, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Diana Barnard, a physician from Middlebury, sued Vermont in federal court last summer, claiming its residency requirement violated the Constitutions commerce, equal protection, and privileges and immunities clauses. Barnard specializes in hospice and palliative care and has patients from neighboring New York state, which, like Connecticut, doesnt allow medically assisted suicide.

Bluestein said Tuesday that the change in Vermont means that so many other people in the Northeast can take advantage of the state's law.

"Im thinking even more importantly that this is going to cause other states, the other jurisdictions that have medical aid in dying, to look at their residency requirement, too," she said.

For Cassandra Johnston, 38, of Clifton Park, New York, the news was such a relief." She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last year and lives a 40-minute drive from Vermont.

It gives me such a peace of mind to know that if I need that peaceful and compassionate option that it's right next door, Johnston said. And it's life-changing for someone like me. It really is.

______

Rathke reported from Marshfield, Vt.
WATERTOWN  Local police say they have identified a man whose body was found near Franson and Plungis roads late Monday morning.

Police said they were called to the area around 11:20 a.m. for the report of a male body. The victim was later identified as Gregory Reed Jr., 35, of Waterbury.
Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

U.S. Border Patrol agents have been instructed to look out for Francisco Oropesa, 38, whom law enforcement believe shot and killed five people in Cleveland, Texas on Friday.

According to CNN, authorities have placed border patrol agents on alert in case Oropeza tries to flee to Mexico. Oropeza is a Mexican national whose current immigration status remains unclear, per CNN. News of border patrol's involvement in the manhunt comes on the fourth day of authorities' search for Oropeza following the shooting northeast of Houston on Friday night.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will speak at a "school choice" event at the Reflections of Christ's Kingdom Church (R.O.C.K.) on Tuesday, May 2, in south Houston from 6-7:30 p.m. The governor continues his tour of the state promoting school vouchers, a top priority of the governor's for the 2023 legislative session.

The governor's visit to Houston has already drawn planned counter-demonstrations. Several local organizations, including the ACLU of Texas, Black Lives Matter, Community Voices for Public Education, and Mothers Against Greg Abbott will be across the street from the venue at 4101 Broadway St at 5:30 p.m.

"For the sake of our children, we must oppose the state takeover and do whatever it takes to hasten their departure and reduce the harmful impact on our children," Community Voices for Public Education said in a statement.

Over the last few months, Abbott has ramped up his promotion of "Parent Empowerment" legislation, advocating in favor of the creation of education savings account programs, also known as taxpayer-funded vouchers, which parents can use to pay for their children to attend private school.

A bill that would formalize such a voucher program already cleared the Senate in early April. SB 8 now sits in the House Legislature public education committee awaiting a vote.

If signed into law, SB 8 would use Texan tax dollars, usually used to fund public education institutions, to create accounts for parents to enroll their children in private or charter schools. Many of the opposing sides are worried this private and charter school push would take state funding away from public institutions.

"We will not use your taxpayer dollars to teach our kids to hate the United States of America," Abbott said at a Parent Empowerment Rally in Austin in late March.

Abbott's Houston speech comes after the state education agency unveiled its plans to take over HISD and appoint a state-selected board of managers to replace the current elected board of trustees. TEA held a mandatory governance training in April, and 225 completed the course, according to Houston Chronicle Reporter Anna Bauman. Mandatory training is one requirement for applicants who applied for the board of managers seat.

Organizers expect Abbott to promote the takeover of HISD schools and legislation targeted at weakening the powers of local city and county governments. In addition to nullifying local policies if passed, House Bill 2127 could potentially hurt labor regulations meant to protect workers.
New Delhi/Tehran, May 2 (UNI) Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who is visiting Tehran, called on Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

President Raisi, during the meeting with Doval on Monday, said that Iran and India can enhance their bilateral cooperation which would enable both countries to have a more effective role in the new world order.

Referring to his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Samarkand on the sidelines of the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Uzbek city last September, the Iranian president said that the leaders of both countries are determined to expand relations in different economic and trade areas.

He noted that regional and international organizations such as the SCO and BRICS group of emerging economies, with their remarkable power and resources, can affect the changing world.

President Raisi said that more enhanced cooperation between Iran and India can help in the settlement of regional issues, including in Afghanistan.

Doval, on his part, said that great changes are happening across the world and emerging technologies are increasingly linking the economies of the countries, Irna reported.

Doval added that his country believes that in order to be able to affect these global changes, it needs to develop increased relations with its neighbours, in particular Iran.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, the latter expressed hope that the two countries further expand their cooperation on key regional and international issues, including fighting against terrorism and drug trafficking.

The Iranian minister also called for boosting economic and trade relations that matches existing potentials of the two countries.

Doval said that the existence of a wide range of potentialities for cooperation between the two sides is of paramount importance with regard to the current developments taking place in the international arena.

He said that transit cooperation is a key pillar in Iran-India relations, and stressed the importance of advancing the Chabahar port project that would lead to enhanced integration between central Asian and Caucasus countries as well as Russia.

NSA Doval earlier on Monday held talks with his counterpart Ali Shamkhani.

UNI RN
Editors note: This story contains explicit language.

Gov. Greg Abbott expressed regret Monday after facing intense criticism for labeling all the victims of the Cleveland, Texas, shooting rampage as illegal immigrants, even though it appears at least one of them was not.

Abbotts office issued a statement Monday afternoon that suggested unnamed federal officials provided mistaken information indicating that all five victims were in the country illegally. Since Abbotts initial comment Sunday, evidence has surfaced that one of the victims was a permanent legal resident of the United States.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in the statement. We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

The statement did not address criticism that Abbotts language focused on the victims immigration status instead of the victims and their families, though Eze noted: Any loss of life is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost a loved one.

Abbott made the initial comment in a news release Sunday that announced a $50,000 reward for information about the shooter, who remained on the run after the Friday massacre. Authorities say 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa killed five of his neighbors, including a 9-year-old boy, with an AR-15-style rifle after one of them asked him to stop firing shots in his yard so their baby could sleep.

Abbotts news release said the shooter was a fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants.

Authorities have said the victims were all from Honduras but have not disclosed their immigration status. The local county sheriff, Greg Capers of San Jacinto County, said Sunday that he did not care about the victims immigration status and felt a duty to protect everyone in his county.

Abbott tweeted a copy of his news release, which drew condemnation from across the country for its focus on the victims immigration status over the loss of life.

One Twitter user, Carlos Eduardo Espina, responded to Abbott with a picture of an identification card of one of the victims, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, showing she is a permanent resident of the United States. Espina, who describes himself on Twitter as a community organizer and immigrant rights activist from College Station, said he spoke with the victims husband, who provided the photo of the ID.

There is no limit to the depravity of Greg Abbott and his Texas Republican cronies, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement. To use a mass shooting, in which five innocent souls were slaughtered execution-style  including an 8-year-old  to fearmonger and lie about migrants and the victims immigration status  this type of sick behavior is truly beyond the pale.

Shooting victim Daniel Enrique Laso was originally identified as being 8 years old, but family members said he was 9.

This was not the first time Abbott has claimed that information he initially shared about a deadly tragedy in Texas was wrong due to the fault of others. Last year, Abbott said he was misled about what happened in the Uvalde school massacre after he originally praised the law enforcement response.

Democratic lawmakers, immigrant rights activists and gun control advocates weighed in on Abbotts illegal immigrants comment Sunday, calling Abbott heartless for making a point to mention the victims immigration status.

[Abbott], you are a low life asshole, tweeted Fred Guttenberg, an outspoken activist and father of a victim of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting. This shooting has nothing to do with immigration status and much to do with your policies. On behalf of those like my daughter who are victims of gun violence, FUCK YOU!!!

Abbotts fellow Republicans were mostly quiet on his choice of words. Instead, they focused on the immigration status of the suspect, Oropesa, who had been in the country illegally and deported five times previously, according to Fox News, which cited a source with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. CNN later reported that Oropesa had been deported at least four times but said his current immigration status was unclear.

After state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, tweeted that Abbotts news release was a new low, Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi responded, The illegal alien was able to get a gun because policies [Gutierrez] supports allowed him in the country after he was deported multiple times.

Abbotts comment took a different tack than the sheriff who responded to the mass shooting.

My heart is with this 8-year-old little boy, Capers told reporters Sunday. I dont care if he was here legally. I dont care if he was here illegally. He was in my county. Five people died in my county, and that is where my heart is  in my county, protecting my people to the best of our ability.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration will send 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border starting next week, ahead of an expected migrant surge following the end of coronavirus pandemic-era restrictions.

Military personnel will do data entry, warehouse support and other administrative tasks so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can focus on fieldwork, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. The troops will not be performing law enforcement functions or interacting with immigrants, or migrants, Jean-Pierre said. This will free up Border Patrol agents to perform their critical law enforcement duties.

They will be deployed for 90 days, and will be pulled from the Army and Marine Corps, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will look to backfill with National Guard or Reserve troops during that period, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said. There are already 2,500 National Guard members at the border.

The COVID-19 restrictions have allowed U.S. officials to turn away tens of thousands of migrants crossing the southern border, but those restrictions will lift May 11, and border officials are bracing for a surge. Even amid the restrictions, the administration has seen record numbers of people crossing the border, and President Joe Biden has responded by cracking down on those who cross illegally and by creating new pathways meant to offer alternatives to a dangerous and often deadly journey.

For Biden, who announced his Democratic reelection campaign a week ago, the decision signals his administration is taking seriously an effort to tamp down the number of illegal crossings, a potent source of Republican attacks, and sends a message to potential border crossers not to attempt the journey. But it also draws potentially unwelcome comparisons to Biden's Republican predecessor, whose policies Biden frequently criticized. Congress, meanwhile, has refused to take any substantial immigration-related actions.

Then-President Donald Trump deployed active-duty troops to the border to assist border patrol personnel in processing large migrant caravans, on top of National Guard forces that were already working in that capacity.

Jean-Pierre downplayed any similarity between Biden's immigration management and Trump's use of troops during his term. DOD personnel have been supporting CBP at the border for almost two decades now, Jean-Pierre said. So this is a common practice.

But some in Biden's own party objected to the decision.

The Biden administrations militarization of the border is unacceptable," said Senate Committee on Foreign Relations chair Bob Menendez, D-N.J. "There is already a humanitarian crisis in the Western Hemisphere, and deploying military personnel only signals that migrants are a threat that require our nations troops to contain. Nothing could be further from the truth."

It's another line of defense in an effort to manage overcrowding and other possible issues that might arise as border officials move away from the COVID-19 restrictions. Last week, administration officials announced they would work to swiftly screen migrants seeking asylum at the border, quickly deport those deemed as not being qualified, and penalize people who cross illegally into the U.S. or illegally through another country on their way to the U.S. border.

They will also open centers outside the United States for people fleeing violence and poverty to apply to fly in legally and settle in the United States, Spain or Canada. The first processing centers will open in Guatemala and Colombia, with others expected to follow.

The Pentagon on Tuesday approved the request for troops by Homeland Security, which manages the border.

The deployments have a catch: As a condition for Austins previous approval of National Guard troops to the border through Oct. 1, Homeland Security had to agree to work with the White House and Congress to develop a plan for longer-term staffing solutions and funding shortfalls, to maintain border security and the safe, orderly, and humane processing of migrants that do not involve the continued use of DOD personnel and resources, said Pentagon spokesman Air Force Lt. Col. Devin Robinson.

As part of the agreement, the Pentagon has requested quarterly updates from Homeland Security on how it would staff its border mission without servicemembers. It was not immediately clear if those updates have happened or if border officials will be able to meet their terms of the agreement  particularly under the strain of another expected migrant surge.

Homeland Security said it was working on it. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is investing in technology and personnel to reduce its need for DOD support in coming years, and we continue to call on Congress to support us in this task, the agency said in a statement.

___

Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Rebecca Santana, Lolita Baldor and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  The Florida Legislature on Tuesday approved a sweeping immigration bill pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, bolstering the Republican's controversial migrant-relocation program as he prepares to announce a presidential run.

The GOP-controlled House gave the proposal final passage on a party-line vote with Republicans in support. It passed the Senate last week and now moves to the governor's office to be signed into law.

DeSantis, who is expected to launch his presidential candidacy in the coming weeks, has made immigration a top priority and has espoused hard-right positions on undocumented immigration geared toward winning support among Republican primary voters.

The bill provides $12 million for DeSantis' migrant relocation initiative, which drew national attention last year when the governor flew a group of South American migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, a move intended to protest federal immigration policy.

The measure also expands requirements for businesses with more than 25 staffers to use E-Verify, a federal system that determines if employees can legally work in the U.S. It prohibits local governments from providing money to organizations that issue identification cards to people illegally in the country and invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses held by undocumented immigrants.

Another provision would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms, which critics said was intended to dissuade undocumented immigrants from seeking medical care.

This bill is politically driven, and its an anti-immigrant bill that will hurt and even kill undocumented immigrants, said Rep. Susan Valdes, a Democrat.

DeSantis framed the legislative package as a counter to Democratic President Joe Biden's border policy, previously saying "we wont turn a blind eye to the dangers of Bidens Border Crisis. We will continue to take steps to protect Floridians from reckless federal open-border policies.

The governor's Republican allies in the statehouse largely mirrored his rhetoric.

We can't solve the problem in Washington. But we can send a message that says in Florida, we've had enough, said Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican.

Republicans control a supermajority in the Florida Legislature and have focused on DeSantis priorities this session as the governor moves to stack conservative policy wins ahead of his presidential campaign announcement.
A New Jersey mayor who was blocked from attending a White House celebration this week with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan called Tuesday for the administration to end the federal watch list that he said illegally targets Muslims and others.

During a news conference held Tuesday in South Plainfield by the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah and several other speakers condemned the list as illegal, discriminatory and unconstitutional. They also called on the U.S. Secret Service and other federal agencies to stop using and distributing the list, which the group says has more than 1.5 million names, a majority of which are Arab or Muslim sounding.

CAIR has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBIs dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals. The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration on Monday, Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests.

Khairullah said Tuesday that he has no idea why his information is on the list and that no one in the federal government will tell him, adding that theres "no reason to believe I'm an unsafe person. Khairullah noted that he has been detained a few times and questioned while traveling, experiences that he called humiliating.

Im not upset about not being at the White House, said Khairullah, who was elected to a fifth term as his town's mayor in January. Im about human rights. I have a platform to address this issue, but about 1.5 million others dont ... an incident like this makes me question the progress I thought we had made."

Selaedin Maksut, the CAIR chapter's executive director, said there is no transparency in how or why people are added to or removed from the list, and there is no remedy people can seek to have their names removed.

Two decades after 9/11, we continue to see the harm of the watch lists. We continue to see how it causes difficulties for American Muslims and Americans at large, infringing on their civil rights," Maksut said.

A Secret Service spokesman confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but he declined to detail why. The White House also declined comment.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, New Jerseys two U.S. senators  Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, both Democrats, and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. , a Democrat who represents the district where Khairullah lives  announced that they have formally asked the Secret Service and the Biden administration for an explanation of why the mayor was blocked from attending. The trio also asked that he be notified about the substantive reasons he was denied admission and that his status be reviewed so he may be able to attend such events in the future.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trumps travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. He also has travelled to Bangladesh and Syria to do humanitarian work with the Syrian American Medical Society and the Watan Foundation.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey, where his wife has family.

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

CAIR said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governors mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assads government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the towns mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.
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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo met in Brussels on Tuesday for talks to implement a European Union-backed plan to normalize ties, and agreed to cooperate on resolving cases of missing persons.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell convened the meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo. Their agenda included endorsing a declaration on people who remain missing from the 1998-99 war in Kosovo, which was a Serbian province with an armed pro-independence movement at the time.

A statement issued not long after the start of the meeting described the missing persons issue as a humanitarian one and noted the urgent need for additional efforts to alleviate the human suffering of the families craving closure after so many years.

Resolving the issue of missing persons is not only a humanitarian obligation. It is also a crucial enabler for reconciliation and trust between people, Borrell said in a statement.

The governments of Kosovo and Serbia agreed to create a joint commission, monitored by the EU, to resolve the fate of the remaining missing persons. The agreement sets outs details on identifying search locations, exchanging documentation and other procedures.

Kurti and Vucic also discussed a draft on the establishment of an association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo, which is another delicate issue.

Their views were quite apart on the nature of the association," said Borrell, adding that the parties agreed to start negotiations "in the near future.

Vucic was very worried with no solution in sight, complaining that Pristina does not want to fulfil its obligation from ten years ago.

Kurti said the draft was incompatible with Kosovo's constitution and also with he European values of minorities' rights.

The two leaders met in February, when they gave tacit approval to the EU's 11-point plan, and during a March summit in North Macedonia, where both leaders tentatively agreed on how to implement the plan.

Borrell urged Belgrade and Pristina to continue using this framework to push this process forward. And this is directly linked to the European future of both Serbia and Kosovo.

Kurti complained that Serbia had violated eight out of 11 points of the EU-backed plan since it was agreed on in February.

The international community will pressure both Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic to continue with a constructive approach, because that is the only way forward, Kosovar analyst Artan Muhaxheri said.

The EU has spent 12 years facilitating negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize its statehood.

Miroslav Lajcak, Borrell's envoy to the negotiations, said Tuesday's meeting was a crucial step forward and its important to avoid any actions that could worsen the atmosphere.

Brussels and the United States often intervene to calm down tensions between Belgrade and Pristina, more so in the past year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The war in Kosovo erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people died, mostly ethnic Albanians. NATOs military intervention eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory.

Earlier Tuesday, Kurti posted on social media a call for justice for the deaths of 116 Albanian civilians executed by Serb forces in May 2, 1999 in Studime, a village, 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the capital, Pristina. Kurti demanded punishment for war crimes and justice for the victims.

Kosovo also accuses Serbia of hiding the locations where the bodies of 1,621 people still listed as officially missing are buried.

The EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, or EULEX, says it is difficult to find the bodies of as many were buried in small, unmarked graves or even in cemeteries, in an effort by the perpetrators to make the search for the missing more difficult and to hide evidence. Most of the missing are ethnic Albanians, while a few are Serbs.

To move forward normalizing ties, Serbia insists Kosovo must implement a 2013 agreement to establish an association of the municipalities in northern Kosovo with Serb-majority populations. The association would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level.

Kosovos Constitutional Court later declared the plan unconstitutional, ruling it wasnt inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers.

Serbia says no progress is possible in the talks before the association is tackled.

Local elections were held last month in Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives left their posts last year. Ethnic Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted the vote.

Borrel expressed grave concern that with the very low turnout ... this election does not offer a long-term political solution.

They have the potential to lead to escalation and to undermine the implementation of the agreement, he said. It is not what we want to happen. I hope nobody wants it to happen, but it is a big risk and therefore I have urged both parties to find a solution that enables Kosovo Serbs to strengthen and return to the institutions they left in November last year. 

___

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lsemini
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The president of long-haul carrier Emirates suggested on Tuesday that it could reach deals with more firms to share routes after the start of a similar arrangement with U.S.-based United Airlines.

Tim Clark, who joined the airline in 1985 when it was first launched, also suggests Emirates remains ready for expansion as the carrier again takes flight following the grounding during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to journalists at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Clark said that the United deal  as well as one with Air Canada  showed that carriers were no longer just looking at Emirates as a dastardly competitor. U.S. airlines had complained for years about unequal competition from Mideast carriers, describing them as receiving unfair government subsidies to operate.

Emirates, though owned by Dubai's hereditarily ruled government, always denied having an unfair advantage. United had been one of the American firms challenging Emirates, though a deal in recent years saw the dispute dropped. United now flies as well to Dubai, a destination it abandoned in 2016 amid the dispute.

Clark hinted that other airlines could reach similar route deals with Emirates, known in the aviation industry as code-share partnerships.

Im not going to say who they are because its early days, but clearly the doors been opened, he said.

Clark separately said he welcomed new competition from Saudi Arabia as well, which recently announced plans to create a new carrier called Riyadh Air as part of trillions of dollars worth of spending planned in the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Clark said Emirates hoped to receive new aircraft from Boeing Co. in the coming two years, some 150 777Xs and 30 787 Dreamliners. Emirates also has 50 Airbus A350-900s on order.

While waiting for the orders, Emirates is carrying out retrofits on its fleet of double-decker Airbus A380s. Some still remain grounded since the pandemic. Clark said he hopes they'll all get off the ground by next summer.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Authorities in the U.S. and Europe arrested nearly 300 people, confiscated over $53 million, and seized a dark web marketplace as part of an international crackdown on drug trafficking that officials say was the largest operation of its kind.

The operation targeting the Monopoly Market" is the latest major takedown of sales platforms for drugs and other illicit goods on the so-called dark web, a part of the internet hosted within an encrypted network and accessible only through specialized anonymity-providing tools.

Most of the arrests were made in the U.S., which is in the grips of an overdose crisis. Synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, kill more Americans every year than died in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.

Our message to criminals on the dark web is this: You can try to hide in the furthest reaches of the internet, but the Justice Department will find you and hold you accountable for your crimes, said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The number of arrests and money seized was the highest for any international Justice Department-led drug trafficking operation, he said.

One defendant in California led an organization that bought fentanyl in bulk, pressed it into pills with methamphetamine and sold millions of pills to thousands of people on the dark web, he said.

Investigators also got leads from local police investigating overdose deaths, including a 19-year-old man in Colorado who loved learning languages and building his own computers, said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate.

But some of the packages his family thought were full of computer parts actually contain drugs he had purchased off the dark net," he said. Because of those drugs, that promising young man sadly died of an overdose last year.

For the first time, FBI agents from all the bureau's field offices also visited buyers to tell them about the overdose danger of pills sold online, which are often disguised to look like prescription drugs.

The largest number of arrests  153  were made in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom with 55 and Germany with 52, according to the European Union law enforcement agency Europol, which coordinated the worldwide operation.

Our coalition of law enforcement authorities across three continents proves that we all do better when we work together, Europols executive director, Catherine De Bolle, said in a statement. This operation sends a strong message to criminals on the dark web: International law enforcement has the means and the ability to identify and hold you accountable for your illegal activities, even on the dark web.

It seized 50.8 million euros ($53.4 million) in cash and virtual currencies, 850 kilograms of drugs, and 117 firearms were seized in a series of raids in several countries.

In the Netherlands, where authorities arrested 10 suspects, police said the operation was made up of separate but complementary actions that took place in nine countries over the past 18 months.

The Dutch national police's Cyber Enabled Crime Team was involved in the operation, codenamed SpecTor.

The intelligence that Europol shared with us, such as transaction data and virtual currency addresses, helped us to start new investigations and to enrich existing investigations. In this way we have identified and apprehended a number of important Dutch sellers, said the Dutch team's leader, Nan van de Coevering. The success of this operation again shows that international cooperation is essential in combating crime on the dark web.

The seized drugs include 64 kilograms (141 pounds) of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics; over 258 kilograms (569 pounds) of amphetamines; 43 kilograms (95 pounds) of cocaine; 43 kilogram (95 pounds) of MDMA; and over 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of LSD and ecstasy pills, authorities said.

A number of investigations to identify additional individuals behind dark web accounts are still ongoing, Europol said. As law enforcement authorities gained access to the vendors extensive buyer lists, thousands of customers across the globe are now at risk of prosecution as well.

The agency, based in The Hague, built intelligence based on evidence from Germany, which it said seized the marketplace's criminal infrastructure in December 2021.

Leading up to the operation announced Tuesday, German and U.S. authorities took down the  Hydra  dark web market in April last year.

___

Whitehurst reported from Washington.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russias defense chief on Tuesday urged a state company to double its missile output, as a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive looms and both sides in the 14-month war reportedly experience an ammunition crunch.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking at a meeting with top military brass, said the state-owned Tactical Missiles Corporation had been fulfilling its contracts in a timely manner.

But, Shoigu added, right now it is necessary to double the production of high-precision weapons in the shortest possible time.

Analysts have been trying to figure out whether Russia is running low on high-precision ammunition, as its missile barrages against Ukraine have become less frequent and smaller in scale.

The U.K. Defense Ministry noted in a Tuesday assessment that logistics problems remain at the heart of Russias struggling campaign in Ukraine.

Russia does not have enough munitions to achieve success on the offensive, it said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday described Washingtons latest estimate of Russias losses in Ukraine as spun out of thin air.

The White House said Monday it now estimated that Russia had suffered 100,000 casualties just since December, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. estimate was based on newly declassified American intelligence. He did not explain how the intelligence community derived the number.

Washington doesnt have the opportunity to give any correct numbers. They dont have such data, Peskov said.

Later Tuesday, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces launched 30 airstrikes, three missile strikes and eight attacks from multiple rocket launchers, resulting in casualties among the civilian population and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said Russia was continuing to concentrate its efforts on offensive operations in Ukraines industrial east, focusing attacks around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka in the countrys Donetsk province.

The prosecutors office in Ukraines southern Kherson province reported that Russian shelling in the regional capital, also called Kherson, and several villages killed three people and wounded five.

Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, say they are readying their own counteroffensive  and stockpiling ammunition to sustain it along potentially long supply lines.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Monday that the key things for the assaults success were the availability of weapons, prepared, trained people, our defenders and defenders who know their plan at their level, as well as providing this offensive with all the necessary things  shells, ammunition, fuel, protection, etc.

As of today, we are entering the home stretch, when we can say: Yes, everything is ready, Reznikov said in televised comments.

In Russias Bryansk region, which borders northern Ukraine, an unidentified explosive device derailed a freight train, Gov. Alexander Bogomaz said Tuesday evening.

Russian Railways confirmed that illegal interference caused 20 cars of the freight train to derail. No casualties were reported.

An explosive device also derailed a freight train in Bryansk on Monday.

There were no immediate indications who set off the explosives, but Bryansk has received sporadic cross-border shelling during the war. In March, two people were reported killed in what regional officials described as an incursion by Ukrainian saboteurs.

In recent months, amid winter weather, the conflict has become bogged down in a war of attrition that has depleted ammunition stocks.

The Kremlins forces took aim at Ukraines critical infrastructure with long-range strikes, while Kyiv zeroed in on Russian targets with precision artillery provided by its Western allies.

In February, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that Ukraine was using up ammunition far faster than its allies could provide it.

According to some estimates, Ukraine was at that time firing up to 6,000-7,000 artillery shells each day, around a third of the daily amount that Russia was using almost one year into the war.

Sporadic nighttime Russian shelling continued to hit Ukrainian areas early Tuesday, officials said. At least seven civilians were wounded, authorities said.

As Ukraine's military prepares for a counteroffensive to take back Russian-occupied territory, Denmark said Tuesday that it was donating 1.7 billion kroner ($251 million) in aid to Ukraine, including mine clearance vehicles, munition, field bridges and money for air defenses.

We know that the Russians have entrenched themselves in the occupied territories of Ukraine with trenches, minefields and other obstacles to stop a Ukrainian offensive, acting Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

The material in the donation package is important to pave the way for Ukrainian tanks and the armored infantry in the front line.

Amid growing Russian influence in Africa, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visiting the continent twice this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that he had spoken with chairperson of the African Union and President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani on Tuesday.

In the video update, Zelenskyy said he had invited Assoumani to join the implementation of Ukraines Peace Formula, and assured Assoumani that Ukraine was ready to be a reliable guarantor of food security. ___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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KAMPALA, Uganda (AP)  Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday passed a new version of an anti-gay bill to remove a clause that appeared to criminalize identifying as LGBTQ.

President Yoweri Museveni returned the bill last month to the national assembly, asking for changes that would differentiate between identifying as LGBTQ and actually engaging in homosexual acts.

Homosexuality was already illegal in the East African country under a colonial-era law criminalizing sexual activity against the order of nature. The punishment for that offense is life imprisonment.

The legislation prescribes the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality," which is defined as cases of sexual relations involving a minor and other categories of vulnerable people, or when the perpetrator is infected with HIV.

A suspect convicted of attempted aggravated homosexuality can be imprisoned for up to 14 years, in prison, and the offense of attempted homosexuality is punishable by up to 10 years, according to the bill.

Although the law would no longer criminalize individuals who identify as LGBTQ, the revised version still allows prison sentences of up to 20 years for advocating or promoting the rights of LGBTQ people.

The bill passed by lawmakers on Tuesday now returns to the president, who can sign or veto it. It was not immediately clear what other changes lawmakers made during their lengthy plenary session in the capital, Kampala.

Museveni is under pressure from the international community to veto the legislation.

The U.S. has warned of economic consequences if the legislation is enacted. A group of U.N. experts described the bill previously approved by lawmakers as an egregious violation of human rights, while Amnesty International called it draconian and overly broad."

Anti-gay sentiment in Uganda has grown in recent weeks amid news coverage alleging sodomy in boarding schools, including a prestigious one for boys where a parent accused a teacher of abusing her son.

The February decision of the Church of England's national assembly to continue banning church weddings for the same-sex couples while allowing priests to bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships angered many in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.

Homosexuality is criminalized in more than 30 of Africas 54 countries. Some Africans see it as behavior imported from abroad and not a sexual orientation.
DOHA, Qatar (AP)  A closed-door summit on Afghanistan ended Tuesday in Qatar without any formal acknowledgment of the Taliban-run government there, though the United Nations' chief said they would hold another meeting in the future.

Activists had worried the gathering in Doha could see the international community reach a recognition deal with the Taliban, even as Afghan women remain largely barred from society under their restrictive measures.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the summit, which the world body described as an event where nations and organizations were trying to reach unified stances on human rights, governance, counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts related to Afghanistan.

No recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government had been anticipated to come out of the meeting, though activists in recent days suggested it was a possibility. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

To achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage, Guterres said. And many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons we have learned from the past.

He did not elaborate, though the Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan from 1994 to 2001.

Asked by a journalist if there would be any circumstance under which he'd be wiling to directly meet with the Taliban, Guterres said: When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility  but today is not the right moment to do so.

The Taliban themselves were not invited and did not attend the meeting.

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Talibans political office in Doha, told The Associated Press that the new Afghan government dismissed the talks.

If they are not ready to hear us and know our position regarding the issues, how can they reach a convincing and palatable solution?" Shaheen said. "One-sided decisions couldnt deliver. Afghanistan is an independent country. It has its own voice; we want them to listen to our voice.

Shaheen on Sunday met Andrew McCoubrey, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the United Kingdom's Foreign Office, and Yue Xiaoyong, Chinas special envoy for Afghanistan, in Doha.

As you know, the U.N. envoy has talks with government officials in Kabul, but when it comes to these sorts of conferences ... we are not invited," Shaheen added. "We think this is not the solution for Afghan issues and its outcome cant be effective.

Afghanistans acting foreign minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, will travel to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, later this week to meet Chinese and Pakistani officials.

In the time since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, deprived of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade and women are barred from working, studying, traveling without a male companion, and even going to parks or bath houses. Women must also cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from working at national and international non-governmental organizations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan remains wracked by poverty and hunger, squeezed like other nations by Russia's war on Ukraine.

Guterres offered stinging criticism of the Taliban's treatment of women, saying its ban on allowing them to work in aid groups was unacceptable and puts lives in jeopardy.

Let me be crystal clear: We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls rights, he said. We will always speak out when millions of women and girls are being silenced and erased from sight. This is a grave violation of fundamental human rights.

Meanwhile, concerns remain over Afghanistan again becoming a haven for Islamic extremists wanting to strike out abroad. The U.S.-led 2001 invasion came on the back of al-Qaida's Sept. 11 attack on New York and Washington. Since the Taliban takeover, the U.S. has carried out drone strikes targeting suspected militants.

Those concerns have complicated how nations, particularly the West, deal with Afghanistan today.

The Taliban are a terrorist group whose deeply repressive regime has systematically sought to erase more than half of the population from society, an open letter from the activists read. Having denied women and girls almost all of their fundamental human rights, the Taliban has become the only regime in the world upholding a system of gender apartheid.

The countries that took part in the Doha summit included China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Qatar, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula which long hosted a political office for the Taliban, hosted the talks.

___

Associated Press writers Riazat Butt in Islamabad, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Lujain Jo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lujainjo.
New Delhi/Male, May 2 (UNI) Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is visiting the Maldives, on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who later commissioned the new offshore patrol vessel gifted by India to Maldives.

The meeting was held at the Presidents Office in the morning.

Speaking at the meeting, President Solih fondly spoke of the long history of close cooperation between the neighbouring countries.

He said the relationship between the two countries had been remarkable within the past four years, with numerous high-level visits and people-to-people contact, a statement from the Presidents House said.

Rajnath Singh expressed confidence in the continued partnership in defence cooperation between India and the Maldives, highlighting that the commissioning of the Coast Guard Ship Huravee and the Landing Craft gifted during the Defence Ministers visit would strengthen the Maldives capabilities in maritime security.

President Solih commended the remarkable progress achieved in the hydrography surveys being conducted with assistance from India. He expressed gratitude to the government of India for providing the equipment to undertake the study. The Defence Minister highlighted that three rounds of surveys had been conducted to support the Maldivian government's blue economy initiative. He stated that the charts drawn up from the surveys have now been shared with the Maldives and assured Indias assistance in the periodic update of the charts.

Speaking further, President Solih expressed gratitude for India's continued aid and support to the Maldives in various sectors, noting that it is a testament to Indias special regard for the Maldives. He also conveyed the Maldives commitment to strengthening this relationship.

Concluding the meeting, the Defence Minister spoke about the progress of various developmental projects undertaken by India in the Maldives and assured Indias continued assistance and support to the Maldives.

President Solih later commissioned the new offshore patrol vessel gifted by India to Maldives. The ceremony took place this morning at the port area of The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)'s Coast Guard ships in Hulhumale.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Maldives Minister of Defense Mariya Ahmed Didi, Indian Higher Commissioner Munu Mahawar, and a delegation of the Government of India and senior officers of the MNDF attended the ceremony as well.

During the ceremony, President Solih handed over the national flag to be hoisted on board the offshore patrol vessel to the Commanding Officer. The ship, named 'C.G.S. Huravee' started service today, and was given as an exchange for the ship previously being operated as "C.G.S. Huravee".

At the ceremony, Minister Mariya Didi presented a plaque of appreciation to her Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in honour of their continued aid.

This donation will greatly improve the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard's operating capabilities in maritime security, bolstering national security, the statement said.

Rajnath Singh in tweets said:

Excellent meeting with HEP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President's Office in Male. We discussed a wide range of issues to further strengthen the relations between India and Maldives.

Delighted to handover a Fast Patrol Vessel and a Landing Craft Assault ship to Maldives today. It is a symbol of our shared commitment towards peace & security in the Indian Ocean Region.

UNI RN
BEIRUT (AP)  The United States and Turkey on Tuesday slapped sanctions on two al-Qaida-linked militants believed to have raised money for two militant groups operating in Syria, the U.S. Treasury said.

The announcement followed another joint move by Washington and Ankara four months ago, when they sanctioned a network of people and companies accusing of helping deliver funds to the extremist Islamic State group.

One of the two sanctioned on Tuesday was a Syria-based militant, identified as Omar al-Sheak. He is suspected of assisting in the financing of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a key al-Qaida-linked group in Syria's rebel-held northwestern Idlib province.

The other militant, said to be based in Turkey and identified as Kubilay Sari, is said to have helped finance Katibat al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad, which the U.S. described as predominantly Uzbek" jihadi group that also operates in Idlib.

The U.S. and the United Nations have designated both groups as terrorist organizations.

As terrorist groups continue to seek access to the international financial system, collaboration with our partners increases our ability to more effectively disrupt these facilitation networks, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said in the statement.

Nelson added that Washington will continue working with Turkey and other countries in the region to disrupt the flow of funds to terrorist groups and to degrade their capacity to operate.

The Treasury said al-Sheak, also known as Abu Ahmed Zakour, had held various posts in the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant group, as well as its predecessor, the Nusra Front.

The other sanctioned militant, Sari was said to have funneled money to militant groups through his bank account in Turkey since 2018.

The Uzbek militant group has been active outside of Syria and was accused in the 2017 bombing of the Saint Petersburg metro in Russia and a suicide car bomb attack at the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan in 2016.
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, is set to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for reelection in 2024 and could announce his campaign within days, according to two sources familiar with his plans.

Allred, a former NFL player and civil rights lawyer who was first elected to Congress in 2018, has been considering for months whether to take on Cruz. Speculation ramped up last week after it was noted that Allreds campaign website appeared to be undergoing changes.

Politico first reported Monday that Allred could launch a bid against Cruz as soon as this week. The two sources who spoke to The Texas Tribune were not authorized to publicly discuss Allreds plans, and aides to the representative did not respond to requests for comment.

Allred was in Richardson on Monday to hold an event highlighting the CHIPS and Science Act, the bipartisan legislation that President Joe Biden signed into law last year to spur domestic semiconductor production. Asked about a potential Senate run by a Dallas TV reporter, Allred declined to answer but criticized Cruz for voting against the CHIPS Act, noting the states senior GOP senator, John Cornyn, supported it.

Allred would begin the campaign as a major underdog in a state that has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994. Beto ORourke ran a surprisingly tight race against Cruz in 2018  losing by less than 3 percentage points  but Democrats have not come as close since then.

The race is not without risk for Allred. He would have to give up his newly safe seat in Congress, where he has been rising within the Democratic caucus.

Allred also is likely to have credible primary competition. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio is poised to run, though he is unlikely to make any announcements until after the current legislative session, which ends May 29.

Allred worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Barack Obama before returning home to Dallas to run for Congress in 2018. With ORourke at the top of the ballot, Allred became one of two Democrats who flipped congressional seats that year in Texas, unseating U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, in the 32nd District.

National Republicans sought to win back Allreds seat in 2020, but he won by a comfortable margin. The next year, the Legislature redrew his seat to be safer for Democrats, and Allred sailed to a third term.

One advantage Allred could have  at least over fellow Democrats  is money. He has proven himself to be a strong fundraiser through multiple election cycles, and he ended the first quarter of this year with $2.2 million cash on hand. Cruz had $3.3 million in the bank.

Allreds Senate campaign would likely focus on his bipartisan bona fides. His 2018 victory marked a major breakthrough for Democrats in the traditionally Republican suburbs of Dallas, and the GOP-leaning U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed him in both of his reelection campaigns.

Republicans are already gearing up to take on that image. A spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee tweeted Monday that Allred voted in favor of reduced sentences for violent criminals, referring to Allreds February vote against a resolution to block a controversial overhaul of the Washington, D.C., criminal code.

Matthew Choi contributed reporting.

Disclosure: Politico and U.S. Chamber of Commerce have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/01/colin-allred-senate-ted-cruz-election/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
A Texas bill calling for the abolition of the position of elections administrator in Harris County is inching closer and closer to final passage after a Monday vote moved the legislation out of the Texas House Elections Committee. Senate Bill 1750 already passed the Senate on April 18. House Bill 3876, an identical piece of legislation, will be up for debate in the House Chamber.

The measures call for the "abolition" of election administrators in counties with populations larger than 1,000,000a metric that only applies to Harris County, which Republican state lawmakers have taken a keen interest in in the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections.

Local and conservatives have keyed in on paper ballot shortages and a number of voting machine malfunctions that were reported at a small number of polling locations on Election Day incidents that prompted a district judge to extend voting by 1 hour at Harris County polls. Since then, the Harris County Elections Office report concluded that they couldn't determine if potential voters were pushed away because of the issues at polling centers.

In the aftermath, a number of Houston Republican candidates who lost their races filed lawsuits against the county, alleging that those issues led to them losing on election day. They have requested to overturn the election results and redo their races.

Texas lawmaker Briscoe Cain (R-Webster) said the legislation stems from problems during the 2022 Harris County Election Day mishaps.

"Each election seems to bring a new and bigger election disaster than the last, Cain said. Harris County leadership has done nothing to remedy this embarrassingly poor quality of operation of the elections department.

In the 2022 Election, a state district judge voted to extend voting hours at Harris County polling places after several locations had a paper shortage, malfunctioning voting machines, and long wait times. Since then, the Harris County Elections Office report concluded that they couldn't determine if potential voters were pushed away because of the issues at polling centers.

A report published by Houston Chronicle reporter Jen Rice earlier this month raised questions about the veracity of Republicans' claims, finding that of the county's 782 polling locations, around 20 reported having run out of paper at any point on Election Day. Additionally, the report found zero evidence that voters were systemically disenfranchised.

Harris County Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum also denied any intention to provide less paper to certain polling locations and released a report citing that the county still didn't know if anyone was turned away from polling locations. According to Tatum, the amount of paper ballots is based on voter turnout projection and the number of registered voters in the area.

Still, if passed, the legislation could oust the chief elections position of the state's largest county. At that point, the election responsibilities would be turned over to the county clerk and tax assessor-collector.
Along with the annual reappearance of flowers, birds, butterflies and warmer weather, spring brings runny noses, itchy faces and teary eyes. The season can be downright brutal for those who deal with allergies, especially if they're not equipped to combat these uncomfortable symptoms.

This is where talking to a specialist who knows all the best tricks for fighting spring allergies can be invaluable. Dr. Sanjeev Jain, an allergist and immunologist at California's Columbia Asthma & Allergy Clinic, recently told us all about how to keep allergies under control this spring and beyond.

Start your allergy medicine early

Dr. Jain recommends starting your allergy medicine before your symptoms show up each year. He says if you start taking over-the-counter allergy pills early, you can often take fewer than you would need if you waited until allergy symptoms started bothering you.

Options like Claritin 24-hour antihistamine tablets mean popping just one small pill a day for relief, which also means no setting phone alarms for your next dose or waking up in the middle of the night with an itchy throat because a pill lost its potency while you were sleeping. It's never a bad idea to consult your own doctor prior to taking a new medication, even if it's just an over-the-counter pill.

Claritin has long been a go-to treatment for seasonal allergy sufferers. This is in part because it claims to provide symptom relief from 200 allergens, including pets, pollen, dust and mold  and the non-drowsy formula means you can take it at night or during the day.

Try a sinus rinse

It may sound unconventional but rinsing your sinuses with a saline solution can be a great way to head off allergies or general congestion  provided you are careful about it.

"Sinus rinses are beneficial for removing all of the allergens and secretions in the nose, and that can help with symptoms," says Dr. Jain."However, its important to use a sterile technique, so you dont get infected in the process."

NeilMeds sinus-rinse kit is a saline nasal irrigation system that comes with everything you need to flush out your sinuses safely. The squeeze bottle makes it easy to get the soothing liquid where it needs to go with no neti pot necessary. Word to the wise: Dont share nasal-irrigation devices with other people in your household. If multiple people in your home battle allergies, its best to have separate setups for sinus rinses.

Splurge on soothing tissues

While shelling out a ton of money on pricey premium tissues might seem like a decadent waste of money, cheaper tissues can often scrub noses red and raw within a few days of allergy season.

A premium option comes from a company called The Nice Bum, whose tissues' softness comes from the fact that they are infused with vegan hyauluronic acid, organic coconut oil and olive-derived squalane. Those are all ingredients that can help to combat irritated, dry skin.

How else can I alleviate spring allergies?

At Columbia Allergy, Dr. Jain says his team uses a three-prong approach that incorporates allergy medicine, avoidance and allergy desensitization via allergy shots. Each patients treatment is tailored individually, with some only needing one or two of these paths to alleviate their allergy symptoms.

As part of the avoidance option, Dr. Jain recommends patients make their bedroom a "sanctuary." For example, if you are allergic to pollen, you should keep your bedroom windows closed in the morning, when pollen counts are highest. Some people might also want to use an air purifier with a HEPA filter, while keeping the bedroom door closed while it runs.
Disney+

"Star Wars" superfans, mark your calendars for two "Star Wars" movies set to be released on Disney+ on May 4, aka Star Wars Day.

"Star Wars: Visions" returns with Volume 2 of the animated anthology series, following its predecessor which was released in 2021 and earned an Emmy Award nomination. Volume 2 will feature nine new shorts from nine studios around the globe, each with its own unique animation styles from a mix of countries and cultures.
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New Delhi, May 2 (UNI Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar will be visiting London on May 5-6 to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on behalf of the Government of India.

India and UK have historic relationship and share values of democracy, rule of law and many complementarities and convergences. The relationship was elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021 with the adoption of Roadmap 2030 for Future Relations, a statement said.

In 2022, President Droupadi Murmu visited London, on September 17-19 to attend the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and offered condolences.
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Documentary filmmaker Jeremy Dupin was returning to the US from Haiti to spend Christmas with his daughter when he was detained and searched at the border. Reporter and editor Seth Harp was on his way home to Austin from reporting on Mexican cartels when it happened to him. Freelance journalist Ismail Kushkush was flying back to his place in New York. Independent filmmaker Akram Shibly was on the way home from Canada. Ernest M. was traveling from Paris to the London Book Fair. Around the world, authorities at ports of entry are granted latitude to search and detain incoming travelers, conduct interrogations without the presence of a lawyer, and even make copies of digital information on phones and laptops. These tactics, using laws designed to prevent terrorism, are being deployed against journalists with alarming regularity.

There were 40,913 electronic-device searches by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers on the eve of the pandemic in the 2019 fiscal year, rising more than fourfold from 8,503 searches in 2015. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the US seem more and more excited about this kind of end-run around the Constitution, Adam Schwartz, senior staff attorney and assistant director at civil liberties nonprofit the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said, allowing them to concentrate their firepower at the US border, where the courts unfortunately have given them freer rein, he said. These are kinks in the armor of constitutional freedoms.

A recent UK case has put the spotlight back on the issue. On Monday, April 17, Ernest M., whose last name we are not using at his request over fears he may be subjected to further harassment, arrived at Paris Gare du Nord and boarded a train to London St Pancras International. When he arrived, at 7:30pm, he was approached by two plainclothes police officers and taken for questioning. Ernest, twenty-eight, is a foreign-rights manager at La Fabrique Editions.

The French publishing house is the sister of Verso Books and publishes work by social critics including Silvia Federici, Henri Lefebvre, and Tariq Ali. In the interrogation room British officers reportedly asked Ernest his opinion on French president Emmanuel Macron. They asked about Macrons proposed plan to up Frances retirement age. They asked if hed name anti-government authors in his publishers catalogue. They asked him for the passcodes to unlock his laptop and phone. Ernest refused, so, after six hours of questioningaround 1:30amhe had his devices confiscated, was escorted to the British Transport Police station on Brewery Road, and was arrested.

He was detained under Section 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, passed by Tony Blairs government. This gives police the power to examine and detain anyone at a port, airport, or international train station for up to six hourswithout needing a reasonable suspicion they have done anything unlawfulto investigate potential involvement with the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism. Academics have argued that the act, with its broad definition of terrorism, places an enormous amount of faith in police not to abuse their powers.

News organizations were quick to denounce Ernests detainment. A London Times headline said it was a Scandalous abuse of anti-terror law as French publisher questioned. The Washington Post, ABC News, and The Nation were among the American outlets that covered the story. The National Union of Journalists and PEN International, a writers association, condemned the arrest, and quickfire protests were held at the British Embassy in Paris and near the French Institute in London. I think that they have burned their fingers on this case, because they were not expecting the overwhelming media response, Sebastian Budgen, a senior editor at Verso, told me.

This is not the first time La Fabrique Editions has been targeted by authorities. In France, the publishing of the 2007 anarchist book The Coming Insurrection led to an anti-terrorism case against nine people accused of terrorist activity around sabotaging French railways. And its not the first time British use of Section 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 has grabbed headlines: in 2013, David Miranda, the partner of Snowden Files journalist Glenn Greenwald, was detained at Heathrow airport and had his electronics confiscated. (Miranda launched a successful legal challenge.)

Budgen told CJR that Ernests interrogators were mostly friendly. They offered him Hobnob biscuits. But he also told reporters one of the police officers boasted to Ernest that Britain is the only country where they can not only access your phone and computer but download all the contents and threatened he would never be able to travel again because hed be labeled a terrorist if he didnt comply. The incident is part of a wider slide toward a surveillance society, Jean Morisot, one of the publishing houses owners, told the Telegraph. Ernest has been summoned to return to the UK on May 16 to collect his laptop and phone.

In the US, too, officials can gain accesswithout a warrantto all information on a laptop or phone and share it with other federal agencies. (US law enforcement cannot scour phones even after an arrest. They can at a port of entry.) For journalists, this jeopardizes confidential sources and leaked information. According to a 2017 legal filing, classified information is among the items considered contraband by CBP during searches, imperiling journalists who work with whistleblowers to expose wrongdoing. The US-Mexico border has been subject to particular scrutiny, The Intercept has reported.

On May 13, 2019, Seth Harp was reporting a magazine story for Rolling Stone on a ring smuggling guns from Texas to Mexico to help arm cartels. Returning to Austin, he was stopped by CBP and spent hours being interrogatedabout what stories he was working on, his political opinions, if hed ever had contact with the Talibanwhile officers combed through his devices and personal diary. He was frustrated, irritable, and restless at first. Get back, an officer ordered Harp three times during his secondary screening. I dont know if youre going for my gun. For Harp, the subtext was clear: They as police officers are gonna respond with possibly deadly force if you dont sit still.

Border interrogations and digital searches of journalists are about more than just gathering information. They signal: we can find out what youre working on, who youre talking to, what information you have. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said that a fundamental [legal] change is necessary to protect the First and Fourth Amendments at the border, and for no group is this more urgent than the press.

What can journalists do to protect themselves at the border? The CPJs surveillance self-defense tips include backing up information to an external hard drive or the cloud; deleting cloud or messaging apps before traveling; using passcodes and pins, rather than biometric unlocking, under which access could be gained by force; clarifying with border guards whether they are asking you to do something or if it is an order; documenting the names and departments of the people who search you; and remaining polite and respectful of officials. Unless the law changes, its all anyone can do.

Jem Bartholomew is a Reporting Fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism. Jems work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Economist, Time, New York magazine, and others. In 2019, he was named Best Newcomer in the State Street press awards.
AVON, Ohio -- The annual Avon Fine Arts Showcase was unveiled at the Avon Performing Arts Center Thursday (April 27). And it was no wonder that the atrium was packed with those viewing the students exceptional art.

Most prominently displayed were the groupings of the Mayors Choice and Superintendents Choice award winners.

I am still amazed at the amount of talent our students have, said Mayor Bryan Jensen. I realize more and more this doesnt happen without the passion and dedication of our teachers. We are fortunate to have such talented children and caring teachers.

Avon High School art teacher Maria Petrulis said dozens of works were spread out for the mayor and superintendent to choose their favorites.

We have them all organized, she said of the process, and we spread them out in the atrium. They do not see the names of the artists. It is totally anonymous, and they choose one work per grade level, for a total of 13.

The rest of the students work is not disregarded, though.

There were also the works of the Scholastic and Art Awards 2023 that were also recognized and highlighted on their individual works, noted Petrulis.

These are the artworks chosen for special recognition by Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen. (Linda Gandee, special to cleveland.com)

Petrulis has been an art teacher with the Avon Local Schools for about 20 years. Right out of college, she replaced a teacher who had retired after 40 years.

I started at the elementary school level, she said, and then an opening was available at the high school for the 2004-2005 school year.

When asked about the talent the art students were showing, she said: Its no secret that Avons athletics are elite. Im grateful that our art show allows the opportunity for our artistic achievements to be celebrated.

We tell them not every art student will go to art school. Their creative thinking can carry on as they think outside the box. They have skills, and they can learn they can do a lot of things.

The evening included refreshments and classical music performed by students.

Kelley Lee is another art teacher in the Avon Schools. Petrulis commented: She is a phenomenal colleague. She has a genuine love for art and for kids, and it shows.

One can only wonder what talent will be shown at the 2024 Avon Fine Arts Showcase.

Read more from the Sun Sentinel.
BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Under a recently signed agreement, the city will sell 23 acres of municipally owned land near Interstate 77 to West Creek Conservancy, a Parma-based land preservation group, for $185,000.

The land is part of a 44-acre parcel at the end of Treeworth Boulevard, which runs off the north side of Ohio 82 just west of GetGo.

The city would like to extend Treeworth through this parcel, develop part of it and preserve the 23-acre section, which contains Chippewa Creek.

Our long-term plan is to install a nature path along Chippewa Creek, (starting) at the new portion of Treeworth Boulevard and heading west to Avery Road, and eventually connect with the multipurpose path we installed on Route 82, city Engineer Gary Yelenosky told cleveland.com in an email.

West Creek was the only bidder for the 23 acres, Yelenosky told City Council in March. He said West Creek obtained funds from the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program to make the purchase.

West Creeks intention is to preserve the land and the riparian areas of the Chippewa Creek, Yelenosky said. We are providing them an access easement through the property we own.

Yelenosky added that the city has decided how far to lengthen Treeworth: The city will extend the road about 600 feet and end it in a cul-de-sac.

In August, council accepted a $200,000 Ohio Department of Transportation grant that would help pay for the Treeworth extension, which is estimated to cost a total of $1.6 million.

The city has not yet decided exactly how it will develop the land not set aside for preservation.

We plan on releasing a request for proposals within the next couple of months, Yelenosky said.

The city bought the 44-acre parcel in August for $750,000. Its part of a larger, 54-acre site consisting of four contiguous parcels the city has targeted for development and/or redevelopment.

The other three parcels are:

 2 acres just east of Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon. A limited liability company called 5025 Broadview Heights LLC bought this property in June 2022 for $2.3 million. The parcel contains a vacant building that once housed Vatterott College.

 5 acres north of the former Vatterott lot. Its vacant industrial land owned by a limited liability company called HSL Royalton LLC.

 2 acres off the east side of Treeworth north of GetGo. The property is owned by the Better Business Bureau, which has an office on the site.

Meanwhile, City Council has approved a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement for the 54 acres.

The TIF means that new property taxes generated by improvements to the land will go toward infrastructure work in that area for 30 years, except for amounts that would go to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools and the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center in Brecksville.

Infrastructure improvements covered under the TIF might include, for example, extending Treeworth, which the city plans to do. The TIF might also pay for adding new streetlights, planting trees, constructing sewers or designing stormwater-control systems.

Read more from the Sun Star Courier.
LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Near the close of Mayor Patrick Wards upbeat and positive state-of-the-city address Monday (May 1) at the Lyndhurst Community Center, he proudly stated, When you say, I live in Lyndhurst, your friends and family will think, Wow.

We (city employees and administrators) want you, our residents, to be proud of our service, to regard living in our community of neighbors as a privilege, Ward said.

Indeed, much of his speech was devoted to praising those who work for the city and telling of their efforts to make Lyndhurst a desired place to live.

It was Lyndhursts third-ever state-of-the-city address. Ward began the tradition in 2019 and makes such an address every other year.

In attendance were the likes of Lyndhurst Municipal Court Judge Dominic Coletta, Cuyahoga County District 11 Councilwoman Sunny Simon and South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools Superintendent Linda Reid.

At one point early in his speech, Ward said of Lyndhurst: We are not in the news much. I have said this often, and firmly believe that the public wants to see progress, not posturing, and that is exactly our (City) Councils approach.

He said that council meetings are generally quick and businesslike, mainly because our council comes to the meetings prepared to work, respectful of each other and out of respect for those residents who attend the meetings.

Ward said City Council members try not to bicker, and added, Wouldnt we be so much better off if politicians who serve us elsewhere brought that same take care of business attitude and problem-solving focus to bear on the problems plaguing our country?

Of course, every city has problems. In Lyndhurst, news was made in March when the Cleveland Clinic announced its decision to vacate its 94-acre Richmond Road campus. At the time, Ward called the unknown future of the campus make-it-or-break-it for this community.

Speaking during his address about the effects of the pandemic, Ward touched on the Clinics move.

We continue to monitor our citys income closely to identify any areas of concern, he said. I am sure you are all aware of the Cleveland Clinics pull-out from the Lyndhurst campus and their recent decision to demolish the former TRW World Headquarters building they were gifted in 2003.

We have been and will continue to engage the Clinic to ensure something positive comes from all of this, but they were one of our largest income tax withholders, so the negative impacts have been realized for some time already, he said.

We continue to adjust and work in true Lyndhurst fashion, muscle through and, all things considered, hard work, conservative forecasting and cautious spending maintains your city on a solid financial footing, and we will continue to work hard to keep us there.

Other subjects in the address included:

-- Home values in Lyndhurst and our region remain strong, Ward said, and demand in Lyndhurst is still robust, which is great. But we do hear about property taxes quite often.

Ward said that for every dollar paid in property tax, the city receives about 10 and a half cents. And for that 10.5 cents, we try to give you $1.25 value.

The city has received more than $3.5 million worth of grants and $1.3 million in reimbursements in the past two years, which have allowed for a new playground at Lyndhurst Park and other park improvements, as well as waterline replacements, road resurfacing and equipment purchases.

He said the city borrows $1 million per year to make street repairs, then promptly repays that money, keeping its credit rating high.

-- Ward told of Councilman Chuck LoPresti being away in Germany, serving as a major in the Ohio Army National Guard.

Councilman Major Chuck LoPresti is the brigade judge advocate for the 174th Air Defense Artillery, and we are so very proud of his service here and his dedicated service to our country, Ward said.

-- In addition to lauding workers in the service and finance departments, Ward spoke glowingly of the safety forces.

He said, however, that residents need to be on the lookout and watch our for each other.

There is a world out there beyond the 4.7-square-mile border of Lyndhurst, and some of that world, time and again, tries to get in to take advantage of our residents, he said.

We need, each and every one of us, to maintain our own vigilance, keeping our car doors locked and valuables out of view, even in our own driveways; keeping our garage doors shut; hanging up on insistent scammers; and looking out for one another.

We need to be the extra eyes our law enforcement officers rely upon to do the great job they do. It takes a village, and this village is ours.

-- Ward thanked Simon for supporting the County Councils award of $700,000 to Lyndhurst, to be spent on the acquisition of a replacement fire engine, and $177,000 toward the purchase of a new snow-removal machine for the citys sidewalks.

-- Ward said the citys building department has overseen more than $13 million in renovations and new construction projects over the past two years, and provided residents with an unquantifiable amount of advice.

Our residents have been busy improving their homes, and it really shows, he said.

-- And, Ward noted that a Spring Shredding and Food Drive event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 13 in the parking lot of City Hall, 5301 Mayfield Road.

Using the audio-visual equipment of the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools, the address was recorded and will be shown on the citys new website and on the city of Lyndhurst Facebook page.

Read more from the Sun Messenger.
SOLON, Ohio -- City Council has granted a variance to Pop Culture CLE, 33549 Solon Road, to have an outdoor walk-in freezer -- with several contingencies.

On Monday (May 1), council approved the variance with the contingency that the property owner put in some landscaping to act as a buffer for neighboring properties.

Nicole Dauria owns Pop Culture CLE, a gourmet dessert shop that opened in 2021.

Gage Price, who owns the property next door at 33519 Solon Road, requested that Dauria install landscaping to better hide the freezer and help maintain the historic district where the properties are located.

Price noted that several large arborvitae trees that had been serving as buffers have died, leaving two large gaps that make the freezer clearly visible from the front entrance of his property, where he operates a business.

Im looking for three or maybe four 9-foot (plants) and two arborvitaes (to be installed) that basically cover up this monstrosity, Price said. And Im not saying her property is a monstrosity.

From my perspective and from the historic districts perspective, everybody is looking at this, and thats why Im here to ask for it.

On April 25, the citys Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance, contingent on Dauria painting the freezer the same color as the building.

The Planning Commission also recommended approval of the site plan, contingent upon Daurias compliance with the requirements of the citys engineering department. Dauria agreed to both of those contingencies.

On Monday, city planner Nick Parks also pointed out that the citys code requires such a landscaping plan in the historic district.

As the landscaping plan was never changed to not require the arborvitaes, as of this moment they are still required to be onsite, Parks said.

In a memo to council, Parks also had said the code requires that any equipment that is unable to be located inside the building should be screened from neighboring properties.

Price, who said he has operated a business in the historic district for almost 25 years, said, The spirit of the code is basically to make this district a historic district and preserve the properties there.

Vice Mayor and Ward 5 Councilwoman Nancy Meany asked Dauria if she would agree to council adding the contingency regarding the landscaping.

Wed like to be able to work this out between yourself and your neighbor, Meany said. We want to make it right for everybody.

But the bottom line is this is what the code says.

Dauria replied, If thats what needs to be done.

Ward 6 Councilman Bob Shimits, in whose ward the properties are located, said during the Planning Commission meeting April 25 that Parks mentioned that the commission had overlooked the fact that the landscaping is required by the citys code.

It should have been handled that night, I believe, he said. If we can take care of it (Monday), then that would be wonderful.

In an interview afterward, Shimits said he agreed with Price 100 percent.

We cant enforce the rule for one person and not another, he said. Everybody has to play by the same rules.

Dauria expressed concern about what type of landscaping she needs to install.

Ward 2 Councilman Robert Pelunis said that in the past, council has made such contingencies based on the recommendation or approval of the citys planning department and landscape architect.

So its not between you and your neighbor as to whats acceptable, he said. They (the planning department and architect) would just tell you what to plant, and its out of both of your hands that way.

Meany asked Dauria if council were to approve the variance with such a contingency, would she be OK with it.

It doesnt sound like I have a choice, Dauria said.

Meany said: This is our code. This is the rules we follow.

Council then unanimously granted the variance, with the contingency that the landscaping be installed and that the citys planning department and landscape architect be advisers to Dauria on what plantings are acceptable.

In her application, Dauria had said the additional freezer space was needed for products due to the growth of her business.

The freezer is already in place, under the existing awning at the back door of the property.

City to apply for grant

In other action, council authorized the mayor to submit an application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks grant program to pursue funding for the Solon Community Park playground reconstruction.

Ward 7 Councilman Bill Russo said the citys recreation department will apply for the grant. He noted that $134,545 is available for such projects in Cuyahoga County.

Proceeds from any awarded funds will be applied to the playground reconstruction as a part of the Community Park improvements being completed, as detailed in the parks master plan approved by council in January, Russo said.

A minimum 25 percent match is required for all projects, he added.

Bids rejected for Aurora Road project

Also on Monday, council passed an ordinance rejecting the bids received for phase one of the Aurora Road reconstruction project and authorizing the citys director of finance to re-advertise for bids.

Ward 4 Councilman Mike Kan explained that the bids needed to be rejected because both submitted bids were more than 10 percent over the engineers estimate.

The ordinance also authorized the director of finance to re-advertise for the bids under emergency so that the project can be constructed as soon as possible.

In a memo to council, city Engineer John Busch said the two bids received for the project were over $15 million each. The engineers estimate was $12.5 million.

In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code and the citys administrative purchasing procedures, the bids cannot be awarded since they are more than 10 percent over the engineers estimate, Busch said.

Busch said the citys engineering department reviewed the bids and contacted project plan holders to inquire why the bids were so much higher than the engineers estimate.

Based on that feedback, the consultant has revised the engineers base bid estimate to $15 million, he said.

Earlier on Monday, councils Public Works Committee had recommended that council pass the ordinance rejecting the bids.

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio  An East Cleveland man was sentenced Monday to at least 26 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to attacking and raping a deputy while he was being held in the Mahoning County jail.

Rondell Harris, 34, did not accept his sentencing quietly, though, going on a profanity-filled rant as he attempted to reject his plea bargain and fire his lawyer, WKBN Channel 27 reports. Mahoning County Judge Anthony DApolito urged Harris to take the plea deal, WKBN reports.

Thats the plea, thats the offer, and that is what either you will accept today or you wont, DApolito said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Orange High School was placed on modified lockdown Tuesday after a staff member found a bullet in the cafeteria, officials said.

During the lockdown, which Pepper Pike police assisted with, a student came forward and admitted to owning the bullet. The student was escorted by administrators and officers to the students car where a small caliber rifle and ammunition were found.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Prosecutors on Monday dropped the final charges against a former Summit County sheriffs lieutenant who had waited years to clear his name.

Antonio Williamson was scheduled to go to trial this month in Summit County Common Pleas Court for misusing the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway, a database officers use to investigate suspects. But prosecutors on Monday dismissed 10 felony charges he has been facing since 2018, and they will not file the charges again.
ELYRIA, Ohio  A 68-year-old man was found dead Sunday after an apartment fire on the citys southeast side, according to the Elyria Fire Department.

Fire Chief Joseph Pronesti says in a statement that James Rodgers was found dead near the front door of the apartment on the 500 block of Oriole Court. The cause of Rodgers death has not been released.

The fire was reported at about 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Pronesti says. Firefighters were able to get the fire under control quickly, but the apartment had extensive damage, he says. No other injuries were reported.

The State Fire Marshals Office will assist in the investigation into the cause of the fire.
WAYNE, W.Va.  Nine people were hospitalized after a press box collapsed during a middle school softball tournament at Wayne County High School in West Virginia on Saturday.

Six students and three adults were injured in the incident, Wayne County Schools Superintendent Todd Alexander said, according to WCHS-TV. Four students and one adult were inside the press box, and two adults and one student were sitting underneath when the floor collapsed.

A medical helicopter and an ambulance reported to the scene, officials said. Of the nine injured, three adults and two students were taken to the hospital by medical services while four students were driven by parents to receive medical care. None of the injuries are reported to be life-threatening.

Looks like everyones going to be fine, Alexander told WCHS-TV. Were extremely grateful for that.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, and inspectors were expected to at the scene Monday to fix the press box, according to Alexander.

The district is investigating the incident to determine an official cause, the Wayne County Board of Education said in a news release. WCS appreciates the first responders and bystanders who quickly jumped into action to help.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Readers are really charged up about electric rates, which isnt a shock, because many of them will see their current price double in June if they dont act by May 10.

I apologize for the puns, but my email inbox is full of questions about electric rates. I recently wrote a column encouraging Northeast Ohioans to shop for their own electricity supplier. Between that column and a recent news story about prices doubling in FirstEnergy territory  theres a lot to talk about.

Short recap: The standard price for electricity directly from the Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison is at about 5.9 cents per kilowatt hour right now. In June, this price will jump to 12.4 cents per kilowatt hour. For a home using 750 kilowatt hours a month, the supply part of its bill would jump from $44 to $93.

FirstEnergy said a typical customer could see a 47% increase on their total monthly bills from May to June because of the increased prices.

But theres a lot of moving parts to this.

NOPEC sent out 650,000 letters, trying to enroll customers at a much cheaper 6.45 cents per kilowatt hour. This would essentially solve the issue for hundreds of thousands of customers.

Cleveland dropped out of NOPEC last year and is shopping for a new municipal aggregation, which puts many residents in a weird limbo period.

And a lot of cities made their own deals directly with electricity suppliers at some point.

Here are answers to key questions Ive been getting from readers.

What is a default price and does this affect me?

When we talk about the default price in news stories, were usually referring to the standard service offer  often called the price to compare on electricity bills. If you dont pick an electric supplier or have NOPEC shop for you; this is the default option.

About 570,000, or 75%, of the Illuminating Companys customers are on the standard service offer. In Ohio Edison territory, about 550,000, or 51%, are on the standard service offer.

NOPEC will take a big chunk of these customers. How many? Hard to say.

NOPEC sent out 650,000 letters, and historically about 70% to 75% of customers are enrolled. But not every NOPEC customer is in FirstEnergy territory.

Deadlines to avoid the price hikes

When you pick a new electricity supplier it wont go into effect until your next billing cycle.

To make a change before June, FirstEnergy said you must sign up by May 10. Otherwise, youll risk at least a month with the higher rates.

The deadline to opt out of NOPEC before June is Tuesday or was depending on when youre reading this. Again, NOPEC is charging just 6.45 cents a kilowatt hour; much better than 12.4 cents.

But if you want to pick your own supplier, its best to opt out of NOPEC to avoid confusion.

Am I a part of NOPEC?

If youre eligible to be part of NOPEC starting in June, you should have received a letter in April.

The best way to see if youre in NOPEC is by visiting nopec.org/communities/community-map. More than 200 communities across the state, mostly in northern Ohio, are part of NOPEC.

Customers in NOPEC communities will be automatically enrolled unless they opt out. And customers who signed a contract with another supplier wont be automatically enrolled.

How do I shop for an electricity supplier?

Readers can shop for electricity suppliers using Ohios Apples to Apples tool, found at energychoice.ohio.gov.

A fair warning, the prices you see wont last forever. Last month I highlighted a deal recommended by Matt Brakey, head of the energy management firm Brakey Energy. Then sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning  the company changed its offer.

Depending on whether you live in Ohio Edison or Illuminating Company territory, there are still good contracts. You can find a 7-month contract at 5.9 cents per kilowatt hour with AEP. Theres also an 18-month, 6.5 cent deal with Public Power LLC.

You should go to the Apples to Apples tool and shop for yourself. That way you can read the contracts and terms. Unfortunately, the 19-month Direct Energy deal I highlighted before does not seem to be available.

Electric bills are split into two parts  delivery and supply. Utility companies like FirstEnergy handle delivery and charge you when they distribute power to your home. Electricity suppliers handle supply and charge you for every kilowatt hour you use.

Did my city negotiate for a better electricity rate?

NOPEC is common, but not ubiquitous. Many Northeast Ohioans live in a city that negotiated its own electricity deals for residents.

Here are several. If you have a question about your city, email me at smcdonnell@cleveland.com, and Ill try and add them to this list.

These cities have deals with Energy Harbor:

Akron, 4.97 cents per KWh through May 2024. Aurora, 4.94 cents through April 2024. Barberton, 4.97 cents through May 2024. Bay Village, 5.04 cents through November 2023. Boston Heights, 4.93 cents through May 2024. Euclid, 4.87 cents through April 2024. Green, 4.91 cents through May 2024. LaGrange, 4.69 cents through April 2024. Lorain, 8.14 cents through May 2026. Medina, 7.37 cents through June 2026. Ravenna, 4.88 cents through March 2024. Shaker Heights, 7.71 cents through May 2025. Stow, 4.92 cents through April 2024. Streetsboro, 4.84 cents through March 2024. Tallmadge, 4.96 cents through May 2024. Westlake, 4.77 cents per through April 2024.

These cities have deals with Dynegy:

Mansfield, 8.42 cents per KWh through May 2025. Fairlawn, 4.97 cents through May 2025.

In Cleveland, its complicated. Heres why:

Readers in Cleveland asked me if they should stick with NOPEC or shop on their own. The problem is, NOPEC is not an option for them, regardless of whether their utility is FirstEnergy or Cleveland Public Power.

Quick context: Ohio laws let a city create a municipal aggregation where residents band together to shop in bulk. Some cities work directly with a supplier, like Energy Harbor. Many other cities joined NOPEC.

Cleveland left NOPEC last year and is shopping for an electricity supplier. The earliest Clevelanders could be enrolled is July, because whoever the city picks must send out opt-out letters before everything can start.

Basically, Clevelands option wont be ready in time for June, which is when prices rise.

If youre a FirstEnergy customer, you can avoid this and can sign your own contract with a supplier, like Direct Energy. But if you do, you wont enroll in Clevelands aggregation in July.

The question is: Do you pay an expensive bill in June, and then slide into Clevelands option in July? Or do you shop now?

Id shop. Brakey recommends the same thing.

All the cities with cheaper rates struck deals a long time ago when electricity was cheap. Brakey said hes highly skeptical that Clevelands deal would be better than what you could find on your own.

Regardless, the standard service offer prices are going to be so high, they should be avoided at all costs  even at the prospect of a potentially more attractive deal down the road, Brakey said.

I have Cleveland Public Power. Can I shop?

Nope.

Customers served by municipal utilities, like Cleveland Public Power, cant shop under Ohios rules. This remains true for co-ops, like the Oberlin Municipal Light & Power System.

Cleveland Public Power customers will pay 7.7 cents per kilowatt hour this summer. Not the best price, but not the worst.

If I shop, will it change my autopay?

If you choose to shop for your own electricity supplier, or decide to enroll in NOPEC, your bill will still come from FirstEnergy.

This means if you set up AutoPay, it wont be affected. But if you signed up for budget billing, it depends on the supplier. Youll want to check with FirstEnergy customer service at 1-888-544-4877.

Should I opt out of NOPEC?

A couple of readers asked for my opinion on this. Should they sign up with Direct Energy for 19 months at 6.2 cents a kilowatt hour? Or enroll in NOPEC at 6.45 cents, guaranteed through December.

The answer is twofold. First, I usually turn to experts on this because Im not very bright  as evidenced by me sneaking in another pun. And second, its not a huge difference.

Lets say you use 750 kilowatt hours a month - FirstEnergys average customer. NOPEC would charge you $48.38. Direct Energy would charge you $46.43.

Is $2 a month worth the hassle of shopping? Thats hard to say. NOPEC will probably have better customer service than any for-profit company, but we dont know what NOPECs price will be come January.

If youre on the fence, theres no rush. Stay with NOPEC until the fall and then shop around.

There are a few ways to opt out of NOPEC.

You can mail NOPEC an opt-out form, you can fax the form to 440-774-4422 or call NOPECs Customer Care Center at 1-855-667-3201. Theres also a new option, email.

Customers can complete and sign the opt-out form they received in the mail, take a picture of it and email it to out@nopec.org. More detailed instructions can be found on NOPECs website.

If you missed this deadline, dont fret. You can opt out of NOPEC at any time. But it may take one to two billing cycles to unenroll you.

My electricity contract expires soon. What should I do?

Lots of readers have a great deal because their city negotiated with Energy Harbor, but some of those deals end pretty soon. Bay Village, for example, only has a locked-in rate through November.

If youre risk averse, you might be tempted to lock in a long-term deal. But Brakey suggests riding out the savings this summer and then shopping later.

I would wait, Brakey said in an email. That Direct Energy offer probably wont still be around in November, but there will probably be a competitive 12-month offer at that time.

I opted out of NOPEC. Can I undo it?

Some readers say they already opted out of NOPEC; and only later realized that it was a bad move.

You can call NOPEC and request to undo the opt out. Youll want to have a copy of the form you sent in, or your electric bill so they can look up your account number.

Hypothetically, a bunch of people will opt out of NOPEC out of habit and not notice until August that their bills have skyrocketed. Those people  hello from the past if youre reading this can opt back into NOPEC by calling the call center. It will take one to two billing cycles to switch, though.

What should I do about natural gas?

I keep getting this question. But I honestly havent had enough time to think about it just yet with all of the electricity issues.

Brakey Energy puts out recommendations every month, and the company recommends going with the standard choice offer  the default from the natural gas utility. Personally, I signed up for NOPECs monthly variable price, which changes but is always slightly cheaper than the utility.

Shopping for natural gas is, mostly, the same. There are some caveats.

Someone knocked on my door, sent me a letter ... what should I do?

No one has ever knocked on my door or sent me junk mail to give me a good deal. I feel bad for the people selling these deals, because they probably work on commission.

But unless someone is selling girl scout cookies or Malleys Pretzel Crunch Bars, Im not buying from a door-to-door salesman.

Saving You Money is cleveland.com and The Plain Dealers column about saving money. We want to know how we can help you save money. Send your questions and comments to smcdonnell@cleveland.com.

Read past columns at cleveland.com/topic/saving-you-money/.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  County elections officials have a simple message for statehouse Republicans: Say no to an August special election.

In interviews and testimony to state lawmakers, bipartisan county elections directors and boards of election members have urged lawmakers off their proposal to schedule an Aug. 8 special election to decide a constitutional amendment proposal backed by Republican state lawmakers.

They said such a contest would be unreasonably expensive on a per-ballot basis, threatens to further exhaust elections workers, and could leave a massive constitutional question in the hands of a thin turnout.

If passed by a simple majority of voters in August, future constitutional amendments would need 60% of voters support to pass. That would apply to another effort led by citizens to propose an amendment on the November ballot guaranteeing women a constitutional right to access abortions in Ohio.

House Republicans could cast a final vote this week on scheduling the August election and providing the $20 million to pay for it. Senate Republicans passed the measure last month. Gov. Mike DeWine said last month hed sign the measure if it gets to his desk. All are operating under a May 10 deadline to make the August ballot.

Lawmakers need to change the law to allow for the election because they just moved to strike most August elections from Ohios calendar at the end of their two-year legislative session in December. Republicans, at the time, described August contests as overly expensive and anti-democratic. DeWine signed the bill into law in January.

Local elections officials  who urged the change then and are decrying its potential reversal now  noted the contradiction. Most declined to weigh in on the amendment itself, but virtually all spoke out against August elections.

Its almost a slap in the face to have the same legislature that just outlawed August elections, except for extreme circumstances, now just less than a year later putting an election on in August, said Stephanie Penrose, director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections.

In interviews with elections officials from both parties in five counties, the locals shared a sense of fatigue over the election schedule since 2020.

There was the spring 2020 primary, rescheduled with mere hours to spare due to the then-emerging coronavirus pandemic. Then came the 2020 general election and the wave of baseless allegations of voter fraud that then-President Donald Trump and his allies whipped up. In 2022, Ohio split its federal and legislative primary election in two after the Ohio Supreme Court repeatedly deemed redistricting proposals passed by Republicans in the Statehouse as unconstitutional gerrymanders.

Stressors of the job have prompted a surge of election officials leaving the profession across the country, according to surveys conducted by the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice.

Several officials noted the ways the calendars overlap, given that elections generally require about 90 days of preparations and deadlines on the front end plus another 30 days of audits and certifications on the back end.

Say lawmakers vote to schedule an August election, and pro-choice organizers gather enough signatures to force a November referendum. Then, elections officials will need the manpower to validate the hundreds of thousands of signatures submitted for the petition at the same time that they are preparing for Election Day on Aug. 8. Plus, Aug. 9 is the filing deadline for local, nonpartisan candidates  a huge burden for boards of elections.

And all that is to say nothing of 2024 primary filing deadlines in December. Or the fact that lawmakers have yet to draw the maps that will set those district lines for federal and legislative races.

Since 2020 to the present day, these have been some of the most challenging election years that this state and our county has ever seen, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Anthony Perlatti said. There has been a lot more that has been asked of [elections officials] for multiple years now. And we dont see any end in sight.

Cuyahoga County faces a reasonable likelihood of four elections in 2023, a supposed political off-year, he said. Theres the May primary, the possible August special, local charter elections in some localities in September, and a possible statewide vote on abortion rights in November. It will all be very challenging to pull off smoothly, he said.

Officials in Franklin County, Ohios most populous, are expecting upwards of 250,000 signatures on the abortion issue that theyll have to quickly verify, according to board of elections spokesman Aaron Sellers. That would dovetail with managing an August election if lawmakers move forward with the idea.

In Sandusky County, board of elections director Sherri Chagnon said her employees are exhausted and she doesnt think lawmakers are listening.

We feel like were being ignored, she said. And I think the taxpayers are being ignored.

Laura Burns, board of elections director in Miami County, saw how the last August election went in 2022, when statewide turnout sat around 9%. The cost per ballot, she said, is indefensible.

It makes me question the use of all that money when we know were not going to have turnout, she said.

Auglaize County Board of Elections Deputy Director Luke Scott criticized the lawmakers in Columbus playing games while bipartisan local officials scramble to keep up with their demands as enacted into state law.

Elections officials are tired of being used as political pawns to let elected officials do whatever they want, he said.

The countys Executive Director Michelle Wilcox noted her previous deputy director resigned in February, attributing it to post-pandemic burnout. Her employees plan their lives around the election calendar  and they saw lawmakers nixing August elections in House Bill 458 last year as a clear signal that they can safely plan to take personal time around that period.

She worries as the workload and fatigue in her employees rises, so too will human error.

Were just frustrated. Were exhausted. Were tired, she said. And we thought by the passing of House Bill 458 that this would give us a little relief. Mentally, physically.

The Ohio Association of County Elections Officials testified to lawmakers last week. While they declined to weigh in on the lawmakers proposal itself, Frankie DiCarlantonio  an OAEO trustee and member of the Jefferson County Board of Elections  was emphatic in his point: August special elections are a costly and inefficient way to run elections.

Elections officials can pull it off, he said, but lawmakers shouldnt force them to. If the Republicans follow through, he said talented employees with years of institutional knowledge are going to leave their jobs  right on the cusp of a presidential election year.

It only adds insult to injury to Ohio taxpayers that they just bore the cost of $20 million in expenses associated with an unprecedented second primary election last August, he said.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, through a spokesman, responded to some of the locals criticism. LaRose has explicitly supported the constitutional amendment proposal itself but has remained vague about his position on an August election. He said that the decision rests with lawmakers.

Anyone who has been observing Ohio elections over the last three years recognizes the tremendous strains our boards of education have worked under, he said in a statement via spokesman Rob Nichols.

But through it all, they have performed professionally and flawlessly to deliver free and fair elections for Ohio voters.

Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
Rotunda Rumblings

Saying no to August: Local elections officials around the state have a clear message for statehouse Republicans: do not schedule an August election after you just got rid of them. Jake Zuckerman reports, after calling boards of elections around the state, virtually all locals he spoke to from both parties said August elections are a bad idea for a fatigued state elections system.

AG warning: A bipartisan group of former Ohio Attorneys General want Ohio General Assembly members to halt a drive by the legislatures Republican majority to raise the threshold of voters required to amend Ohios constitution from a simple majority to a 60% vote, Sabrina Eaton reports. Republicans Betty Montgomery, Jim Petro, and Democrats Richard A. Cordray, Lee I. Fisher and Nancy H. Rogers sent a letter on Monday that urges Ohio General Assembly members to drop their plans to schedule a low-turnout August special election to vote on the proposal, saying it would discard a commitment to majority rule that has been part of our Ohio Constitution since 1912.

Give it a rest: Following through on plans from more than three years ago, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday that the state will build 33 new rest area buildings around Ohio over the next four years. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, the new buildings will have Ohio-themed music and displays highlighting attractions up the road. One thing thats not yet known, however, is how much the work will cost taxpayers.

Brown target: The U.S. Senate seat held by Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown is among the five most likely to flip to another party in the 2024 election, along with seats in West Virginia, Montana, Arizona and Pennsylvania, according to Al Weaver of The Hill. Republicans believe Brown will be tough to take out, no matter who emerges, Weaver writes. But they are leaning on the shift to the right the state has undergone over the last eight years to carry the day for them.

Topping up: Brown announced Monday that the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) will provide the $95.2 million to bolster the pensions of more than 1,460 members of Cleveland Building Material Drivers Local 436, due to the Butch Lewis Acts inclusion in the American Rescue Plan. The law requires the federal government to financially assist numerous troubled multiemployer pension plans, so workers can get the benefits they were promised. Without the pension restoration funding, Building Material Drivers Local 436 plan was projected to run out of money in 2026 - meaning participants benefits would have been cut by as much as 35 percent, Browns office said. Since the laws passage, PBGC approved $35.8 billion for the Central States Pension Fund, $84.9 million for Ohio Teamsters Local 53, and $32.7 million for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local 7 Pension Plan based in Akron.

Voter ID: Ohios primary election on Tuesday is the first under new, more restrictive voter ID law that state lawmakers adopted in the waning hours of the previous session of the Ohio General Assembly. When voters show up to cast ballots in local elections on Tuesday, they will be required to show state-issued identification or federal ID, such as a valid U.S. passport or a U.S. military ID card. In previous elections, they could use alternate forms of identification like a utility bill or bank statement with their address on it. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., but no state races are on the ballot.

Mixing messages: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is among a group of GOP secretaries of state who are navigating split-screen messaging as they tout their states election security while preparing statewide campaigns where theyll need support from election security skeptics, Julie Carr Smyth of the Associated Press reports. She writes that the tight rope LaRose and others are walking shows just how deeply election lies have burrowed into the Republican Party, where more than half of voters believe Democrat Joe Biden was not legitimately elected president. Even election officials who tout running clean elections at home are routinely pushing for more voting restrictions and additional scrutiny on the process as they prepare to face GOP primary voters next year. LaRose hasnt officially declared his 2024 U.S. Senate candidacy, but he has strongly hinted at a run.

Distraction infraction: Ohio law enforcement officers are educating the public about a new distracted-driving law by issuing warnings when they pull over motorists ahead of an October start for full enforcement. The USA Today Network Ohio Bureaus Laura Bischoff went for a ride with an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper who nabbed several drivers who violated the new law, which makes most phone use a primary offense.

Wish list: Ohio Senate Democrats on Monday laid out their budget priorities, including providing more state money for local governments, making the earned income-tax credit deductible, and offering tax credits to promote affordable housing. Senate Democrats, who only control seven of 33 Senate seats, expressed support for many items in the budget plan passed by the House last week, including expanding Medicaid, raising teacher salaries, and bumping up school funding. However, they opposed increasing income-tax cuts from what the House passed and expanding school voucher eligibility, among other things.

Full disclosure

Five things we learned from the May 16, 2022, financial disclosure of state Sen. Vernon Sykes, a Summit County Democrat.

1. Aside from his legislative salary, he made income from rental properties and a public employee retirement account.

2. He does business under Vernon & Barbara Sykes & Associates

3. Hes a trustee in both the Sykes-Strong Living Trust and the Sykes-Strong Family Irrevocable Trust.

4. He owed at least $1,000 to Fifth Third and Huntington banks.

5. Rodney Sherman owed him at least $1,000

On the Move

Rocky River GOP Rep. Max Miller is on a congressional trip to Israel and Jordan with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Cincinnati Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman also is on the trip.

U.S. Sen. JD Vances Capitol Hill office has relocated to Room 288 in the Russell Senate Office Building.

Birthdays

Ex-state Sen. Teresa Fedor

Christine Morrison, director of cabinet affairs for Gov. Mike DeWine

Straight From The Source

Hunter Biden is the biggest piece of white trash in America.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, speaking at a weekend Hancock County Republican Party event. She also spoke at Putnam Countys Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
CLEVLEAND, Ohio  A Cleveland man who was fighting against the Russian military in Ukraine has been killed during the fighting, according to a statement from a group of journalists in the country.

Cooper Harris Andrews, 26, died while helping evacuees in Bakhmut, the Popular Front says in a statement on Twitter. Andrews mother, Willow Andrews, tells CNN that her son was killed just over a week ago by a mortar.
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The Biden administration will end its Covid-19 vaccine mandates for federal employees, contractors and international air travelers next week.

The White House said in a statement Monday that those vaccine requirements will end on May 11, the same day the Covid public health emergency expires.

"While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing the health and safety of employees and promoting the efficiency of workplaces, we are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary," the White House said.

Although Covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths have declined dramatically this year, the virus is still killing more than 1,000 people per week.

The Health and Human Services Department also will start phasing out its vaccine mandate for health-care facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid, the White House said. In addition, it will end vaccination requirements for Head Start programs.

And the Department of Homeland Security will lift vaccination requirements for people entering the U.S via its land borders with Canada and Mexico, according to the Biden administration. U.S. citizens, nationals and permanent residents were never subject to those requirements.
Tuesday's selloff in Chegg shares exposed some investors to the dark side of artificial intelligence, igniting concerns about how the latest technology craze may be putting some companies' revenue sources in danger. The latest tumult for the education technology stock kicked off Monday evening after management highlighted how ChatGPT is hindering its growth. Shares were last down more than 49%. "In the first part of the year, we saw no noticeable impact from ChatGPT on our new account growth and we were meeting expectations on new sign-ups," Chegg CEO Dan Rosensweig said during Monday's earnings call. "However, since March we saw a significant spike in student interest in ChatGPT. We now believe it's having an impact on our new customer growth rate." CHGG 1D mountain Chegg shares plummet on AI risks While Chegg may be the first shoe to drop, it's certainly not the last company set to showcase some of the risks posed by AI. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna told Bloomberg News Monday that the company plans to pause hiring, noting that AI could replace about 7,800 jobs. Elsewhere, Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "godfather of AI," said this week he's left his position at Google to warn of some of the technology's risks. Looking ahead, some industries may face greater threats than others. Goldman Sachs estimates about a fourth of current work tasks can be automated using AI, with office and administrative support and legal among the areas most exposed to automation risks. "AI could actually be a catalyst, but right now the Street's essentially on the fence in terms of who the winners and losers are outside of the big tech arm," said Wedbush Securities' Dan Ives. "This is all a fork-in-the-road period in terms of figuring out who the winners and losers are." Who's at risk from AI Firms like Atlassian and Gitlab may face some of the biggest threats ahead, given AI's ability to write software, said Baird's Ted Mortonson. "Longer term, the thought is that puts pressure on the number of developers you need and the number of seats you retain," the analyst said. Elsewhere, Deepwater Asset Management's Gene Munster sees potential risks ahead to some consulting companies known to outsource work for other businesses. AI may enable many reliant businesses to complete some harder-to-do tasks internally, he noted. Similarly, greater artificial intelligence use may dry up the need for some outsourced work via independent contractor sites like Fiverr and Upwork , Munster added. Embracing AI Call centers represent another area ripe for disruption, but that all depends on how, and whether, they embrace artificial intelligence, said Ives. Doing so could turn this gut punch into a future catalyst for many of these names. Companies operating off of seat-based models, such as human resources companies, may face headwinds from declining headcount, but could benefit long term from optimizing AI, he added. To be sure, even the largest companies dominating the space and poised to prosper from AI face risks ahead. "Like any model, LLMs and data-lakes are subject to the risk of bad data, or garbage-in-garbage-out, which is also a huge risk," said Needham's Scott Berg in a recent note.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives police officers are seen in Uvalde, Texas, May 25, 2022.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for years illegally overpaid up to $20 million to agents and investigators who worked in non-law enforcement positions by misclassifying them as law enforcement posts, a government investigator said Tuesday.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which disclosed the mismanagement, said it had alerted President Joe Biden and Congress of "substantial waste, mismanagement and unlawful employment practices" involving high-level jobs at ATF.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel said that during a five-year period that officials investigated, 108 ATF employees who worked in non-law enforcement jobs "were improperly provided Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and enhanced retirement benefits."

The $20 million or so found to have been overpaid "could be much higher given that the unlawful job classifications had been common practice at ATF far longer than the five-year time frame reviewed by investigators," OSC said. That time frame was 2016 through 2021.

ATF's media affairs office had no immediate comment on the OSC report when contacted by CNBC. In its official response to OSC, ATF contested claims about the designation of some of the positions being misclassified.

The investigation was sparked by two whistleblowers in ATF's human resources department who alerted officials about that practice involving "gross waste of funds" and "gross mismanagement," OSC's letter to Biden said.

The letter said that the whistleblowers claimed the agency had a long-standing policy of helping the careers of special agents and industry operations investigators by systematically misclassifying high-level non-law enforcement jobs and filling "these coveted, primarily supervisory jobs with only special agents" or those types of investigators.

After OSC verified the claims, the watchdog referred the allegations to ATF, which instead of conducting an internal investigation, deferred to a then-pending audit by the Office of Personnel Management, which manages the federal civil service.

OPM later concluded that ATF's leadership "demonstrated disregard for the rule of law and regulations" governing federal management policies and practices.
DCG, Luno's parent company, has been grappling with the ongoing fallout from last year's plunge in token prices and the collapse of FTX.

Vijay Ayyar, a senior executive at cryptocurrency exchange Luno and one of its earliest employees, is leaving the company.

Ayyar, who is Luno's vice president of corporate development and international, resigned from the firm after seven years working there, he told CNBC Tuesday.

It comes after the company, which is owned by Digital Currency Group, announced the closure of its operation in Singapore, where Ayyar is based.

Ayyar said the move was not related to Luno's decision to exit Singapore, however, and that he quit to join another company in the crypto and Web3 space. Ayyar did not disclose which company he is joining next.

"I'll be leaving Luno after 7 years at the company," Ayyar said in a WhatsApp message. "Given the time I'd spent at Luno, just seemed like it was time for another challenge."

A Luno spokesperson confirmed Ayyar's decision Tuesday.

"Vijay will be leaving after seven years," the spokesperson said. "His role is a global one and isn't tied to anything related to our Singapore closure. He's leaving to pursue a new opportunity in the industry."

Ayyar held a number of roles at Luno over the years. He was most recently tasked with building out the firm's business-facing services, pitching Luno accounts to funds, fintech companies, and businesses wanting to use crypto.

Before that, Ayyar led Luno's partnership efforts globally and helped the exchange launch in over 40 markets across Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the U.S.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities at Luno, Ayyar also serves as something of a crypto market guru, providing frequent commentary to the press on moves in markets.

His departure comes as Luno undergoes a major restructuring effort to contend with the lull in crypto markets. Luno laid off 35% of its workforce in January, joining a host of other crypto exchanges that have cut jobs.

The company also lost its co-founder and chief technology officer, Timothy Stranex, in December.

In March, Luno announced its CEO Marcus Swanepoel was stepping down and would be replaced with Chief Operating Officer James Lanigan.

The company hired Canaccord Genuity, the investment bank, to court outside investors for the first time since it was taken over by DCG in 2020.

DCG, Luno's parent company, has been grappling with the ongoing fallout from last year's plunge in token prices and collapses of numerous crypto companies and projects, including Terra, Three Arrows Capital, and, most notably, FTX.

DCG reported a loss of $1.1 billion in 2022, DCG-owned crypto news outlet CoinDesk reported in February, citing the firm's annual investor report. The firm blamed the huge loss on the impact of collapsed crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital defaulting on a loan to digital currency lender Genesis, which DCG also owns. Genesis filed for bankruptcy in January owing creditors north of $3 billion.

WATCH: FTX's collapse is shaking crypto to its core. The pain may not be over
The home is increasingly becoming a command hub for all kinds of smart technology and smart power. One major component of that, however, is not very smart at all: the electric panel. It hasn't changed much in about 75 years.

With electrical power for home, vehicle, solar and battery backup increasingly running off the same system, the race is on to reinvent the panel. Companies like Lumin, Schneider Electric and startup Span are making the systems smarter.

The Span panel is capable of measuring every circuit in your home and giving you, as the homeowner, control over the dials. The device connects to an app that shows the source of a home's power, whether from the grid, solar or battery, so the user can see what and how much energy their house in consuming.

"The Span homeowner app gives you incredible visibility on what's happening in your home in real time," said Arch Rao, founder and CEO of the San Francisco-based company.

That's increasingly important for climate resiliency.

"More homeowners are starting to understand that having a home battery or an electric vehicle that can back up your home during outage is critical," Rao said. "The Span panel is increasingly becoming a default solution when paired with resiliency products."

Rao, who previously helped develop Tesla's Powerwall, says he hopes Span will be in 10 million homes by the end of the decade. So do his investors, who don't seem concerned about the $7,000 price tag.

"It's obviously not a cheap product, but when you look at the alternative solution of if you have to upgrade your circuit breaker and upgrade your supply from a utility that gets very expensive," said Greg Wasserman, head of private climate investing for Wellington Management, one of Span's backers.

Buyers of the Span panel are eligible for tax incentives that apply to both the product and its installation. The company says there are cases where those incentives bring the total cost of ownership close to zero for low-to-moderate income earners.

Some homebuilders are adopting the Span panel because it reduces the costs for new builds. But Rao said the vast majority of his business today is still retrofits, adding that many of the new electrical options for the home, especially electric vehicles, require a system upgrade, including replacing the panel.

Span has raised a total of over $230 million from investors including Wellington, Wireframe Ventures, Capricorn Investment Group, Munich Re Ventures, Fifth Wall and Amazon's Alexa Fund.
Notable short seller Hindenburg Research is going after famed activist investor Carl Icahn.

The Nathan Anderson-led firm took a short position against Icahn Enterprises , alleging "inflated" asset valuations, among other reasons, for what it says is an unusually high net asset value premium in shares of the publicly traded holding company.

"Overall, we think Icahn, a legend of Wall Street, has made a classic mistake of taking on too much leverage in the face of sustained losses: a combination that rarely ends well," Hindenburg Research said in a note released Tuesday.

The shares tumbled 20% on Tuesday.

Icahn, the most well known corporate raider in history, made his name after pulling off a hostile takeover of Trans World Airlines in the 1980s, stripping the company of its assets. Most recently, the billionaire investor has engaged in activist investing in McDonald's and biotech firm Illumina.

Headquartered in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Icahn Enterprises is a holding company that involves in a myriad of businesses including energy, automotive, food packaging, metals and real estate.

The conglomerate pays a 15.9% dividend, according to FactSet. Hindenburg said it believes the high dividend yield is "unsupported" by the company's cash flow and investment performance.

Icahn responded in a statement saying the Hindenburg report was intended "solely" to generate profits on its short position at the expense of Icahn Enterprises' long-term stakeholders.

"We stand by our public disclosures and we believe that IEP's performance will speak for itself over the long term as it always has," Icahn said. "We continue to believe that activism is the best paradigm for investing and my activist investments over the last 25 years have well proved this out."

Shares of Icahn Enterprises are down 20.3% on the year.
Japan Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki arrives for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting on April 13, 2023.

Japan and South Korea held their first bilateral finance leaders' meeting in seven years on Tuesday, a sign relations between the two are thawing as they confront shared challenges from geopolitical tensions and slowing economic growth.

The two countries agreed to resume regular finance dialogue "at an appropriate timing," Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told reporters after the meeting.

The dialogue will likely be held on an annual basis, Suzuki said.

The resumption of bilateral financial discussions comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's planned visit to South Korea next week for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"Japan and South Korea are important neighbors that must cooperate to address various challenges surrounding the global and economy, as well as the regional and international community," Suzuki said at the meeting with his South Korean counterpart Choo Kyung-ho.

"As for geo-political challenges, we're experiencing incidents like North Korea's nuclear missile development and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Japan sees these as unacceptable, and something the two countries must address together," he said.
My top 10 things to watch Tuesday, May 2 1. DuPont (DD) delivers a first-quarter earnings beat Tuesday, with adjusted earnings-per-share (EPS) of 84 cents, compared with analysts' forecasts of 80 cents per share. But the materials giant cut its full-year revenue forecast, sending shares nearly 5% lower in premarket trading. DuPont also says it's agreed to buy Spectrum Plastics Group from AEA Investors for $1.75 billion, in a deal that should be immediately accretive. 2. Club holding Morgan Stanley (MS) is planning to cut 3,000 jobs in the bank's second round of layoffs in six months, Reuters reported Monday. 3. Tesla (TSLA) raises prices on some models of its electric vehicles in the U.S., China, Japan and Canada. The news come after several rounds of price cuts earlier this year. 4. Citi calls SoFi Technologies ' (SOFI) post-earnings sell-off "unwarranted," while reiterating a buy rating and $10-per-share price target. Meanwhile, Wedbush downgrades SOFI to neutral from outperform and lowers its price target to $5 per share, from $8. 5. TD Cowen raises its price target on health insurer Humana (HUM) to $616 per share, from $581, while reiterating an outperform rating. The Club holding last week delivered a first-quarter earnings beat and raised its guidance. 6. Uber Technologies (UBER) reports a first-quarter revenue beat of $8.82 billion, ahead of analysts' forecasts for $8.72 billion, sending the stock soaring by nearly 10% in premarket trading. The company reports an EPS loss of 8 cents, compared with expectations for a 9 cent-per-share loss, while guiding for gross bookings of $33 billion to $34 billion in the second quarter. 7. BP reports stronger-than-expected first-quarter profits on Tuesday, with its underlying replacement cost profit coming in at $4.96 billion on the back of strong oil-and-gas trading. The British oil major expects to deliver share buybacks totaling $4 billion for the year, at the lower end of its capital expenditure range of $14 billion to $18 billion. Shares of BP were down roughly 5% in premarket trading. 8. Morgan Stanley raises its price target on Exxon Mobil (XOM) to $122 per share, from $118, while reiterating an overweight rating on the stock. The bank cites the U.S. oil major's record first-quarter profit , which it reported last Friday. 9. Bank of America raises its price target on Brinker International (EAT) to $33 per share, from $29, reflecting a higher market multiple. But the firm maintains its underperform, or sell, rating on EAT stock. 10. The CEO of International Business Machines Corp . (IBM), Arvind Krishna, said the company plans to pause hiring for back-office roles that could be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming years. "I could easily see 30% [roughly 7,800 jobs] of that getting replaced by AI and automation over a five-year period," Krishna told Bloomberg . (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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.

My top 10 things to watch Tuesday, May 2
President Joe Biden acknowledges the crowd during an event on the creation of new manufacturing jobs in Washington, D.C., April 25, 2023.

President Joe Biden is heading to New York City next week for a potentially lucrative campaign fundraising swing as he amasses an early cash pile for his reelection bid, CNBC has learned.

Former Blackstone executive Tony James will first host Biden for a campaign fundraiser at his New York apartment on May 10, according to a memo to donors first reviewed by CNBC. Tickets for the gathering will go for $25,000 per person, according to the memo. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is also expected to attend, the memo stated.

After the James gathering, Biden will then head to a campaign fundraising dinner at the Upper East Side home of George Logothetis, the executive chairman of the global conglomerate the Libra Group, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

The fundraisers are Biden's first events to raise campaign cash in the Big Apple since he announced he would run for reelection next year. They signal early support for the incumbent among wealthy Democratic donors, even as some of the party's voters say they would prefer an alternative to the president.

The Biden fundraisers are scheduled to take place one day after the president is set to meet with congressional leaders at the White House to discuss the debt ceiling.

A Biden campaign spokesman declined to comment. James and Logothetis did not return requests for comment.

James, who raised money for Biden during his 2020 presidential win over former President Donald Trump, announced he was retiring from Blackstone almost two years ago after serving as the private equity giant's executive chairman. Biden announced this year that he would appoint James to his intelligence advisory board.

James owns a two-story duplex off the swanky Fifth Avenue across from Central Park that he purchased for $24.9 million, Forbes reported. The former Wall Street executive has a fortune at his disposal: The Financial Times reported that James sold $500 million worth of Blackstone stock weeks before leaving the firm.

Logothetis and his wife reportedly bought an Upper East Side townhouse for $12.5 million, and have since hosted campaign fundraisers there, including a gathering in support of former President Barack Obama. Logothetis and his family members have been regular donors to the Democratic Party, according to data from the nonpartisan OpenSecrets.

Wall Street executives played a key role for Biden during his 2020 victory over Trump. They spent over $74 million in support of his candidacy.

Some of the party's wealthiest donors, including media mogul Haim Saban, tech executive Reid Hoffman and Wall Street titan Donald Sussman, all moved immediately to get into Biden's corner in his reelection bid.

Biden is cobbling together key party financiers as polls show his rival Trump is the early favorite to be the Republican nominee for president again.

An NBC News poll shows 46% of the Republican primary voters support Trump over other declared and potential rivals, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis trails him with 31% of support.

The majority of those surveyed said they would prefer that neither Biden nor Trump run for president.

Trump and Biden combined to raise almost $2 billion during the 2020 election cycle, according to data from OpenSecrets.

Biden raised just over $1 billion that cycle, while Trump brought in $773 million.
Jackson Arn at The New Yorker:

There is no exact word for what Thompson does with the Old Masters. His paintingsthe subject of Bob Thompson: Agony & Ecstasy, the unmissable show at Rosenfeld, and another, Bob Thompson: So Let Us All Be Citizens, at 52 Walkercontain hundreds of motifs snatched from the Western canon, wedged into dense compositions, and coated in bright colors. The results are too calm for parody and too self-secure for homage. Stanley Crouch thought that Thompson, a jazz fanatic, improvised on European art the way a saxophonist improvises on standards, but even that seems a notch too reverent. He doesnt riff on masterpieces so much as rifle through them, grabbing a handful of Goya or Tintoretto as though reaching for the cadmium yellow. For The Entombment (1960), his painting of a hatted man tumbling off his horse, he seems to have taken the lifeless, drooping torso from El Grecos The Entombment of Christ (which El Greco lifted from Michelangelo, but thats another story) and cast it in a drama of his own making, so that every brushstroke whooshes toward the bottom like a waterfall.

more here.
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about the administrations investments and actions to combat the climate crisis, at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 8, 2023.

Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with the chief executives of Google , Microsoft , OpenAI and Anthropic Thursday to discuss the responsible development of artificial intelligence, the White House confirmed to CNBC Tuesday.

Harris will address the need for safeguards that can mitigate AI's potential risks and emphasize the importance of ethical and trustworthy innovation, the White House said.

The vice president will also be joined by other senior members of the Biden administration, including Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce; Jeff Zients, Biden's chief of staff; Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor and Arati Prabhakar, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, among others.

An invitation to the event, which was viewed by CNBC, said the officials plan to engage in a "frank discussion" with the CEOs about AI, particularly regarding the risks stemming from "current and near-term" development of the technology.

Representatives for Google and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment. A representative for Anthropic confirmed the company will attend the meeting.

Generative AI has exploded into public consciousness after OpenAI released its viral new chatbot called ChatGPT late last year.

In the months since, Microsoft has been integrating OpenAI's generative technology across many of its products as part of its multi-year, multi-billion-dollar investment in the company. Google launched a competing generative chatbot called Bard in February, and Anthropic announced its chatbot, Claude, in March.

While many experts are optimistic about the potential of generative AI, the technology has also inspired questions and concerns from regulators and tech industry giants. Geoffrey Hinton, known to some in the tech industry as "the godfather of AI," left his longtime position at Google partly to share his concerns about the potential threat of AI, according to a report Monday. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter, was one of more than 27,000 people to sign an open letter in March that called on AI labs to pause development.

The White House said Thursday's meeting is part of the Biden administration's broader effort to engage with experts about the technology and ensure that AI products are safe before they're deployed to the public.
U.S. Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz (R-FL) delivers remarks in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC.

A Florida woman was charged with felony battery after she allegedly threw a glass of wine on Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., officials said Tuesday.

The woman, 41-year-old Selena Chambers of Tallahassee, threw the drink at the congressman after "swearing loudly" at him as she passed him at a wine festival in northwest Florida on Saturday, a person who was with Gaetz at the time told police.

That person, Blaine Odom, said that "Chambers then walked away yelling and flipping him off," according to an arrest report provided to CNBC by the Walton County Sheriff's Office.

But Chambers told an officer at the time of her arrest that she "was walking and tripped and spilled her drink on Representative Gaetz," according to the report. She also said that she had consumed alcohol at the festival, and that she recognized Gaetz before spilling her drink.

Stacy Froeschner, who was with Chambers at the time, said she had cursed at Gaetz as they walked past him, the arrest report said.

Other witnesses told officers that they saw Chambers throw the drink, the report said.
Shares of PacWest fell nearly 28% on Tuesday and was on track for its fourth-straight negative session. The stock was halted for volatility multiple times.

Regional bank stocks fell sharply Tuesday as the fallout from the third major bank failure this year continued to put pressure on the sector.

The California-based bank was not the only regional lender under pressure. Shares of Western Alliance dropped 15%. The SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) sank 6.3%.

The steep declines deepened losses in the sector from Monday. Over the weekend, regulators seized troubled regional bank First Republic and sold it to JPMorgan Chase.

First Republic is the third failure of a large regional bank this year, following Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March.

The reasons for Tuesday's declines were not immediately clear. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said Monday that the initial phase of the regional bank crisis was "over," and there was cautious optimism among Wall Street analysts that the deposit flight issues had been contained.

First Republic reported a decline in deposits of about 40% during the first quarter, raising questions about how the bank could survive on its own.

Most other regional banks reported smaller deposits declines, however, and some, such as PacWest, reported that deposits began rebounding in late March.

The recent bank failures and expected regulatory changes in response to them have also raised questions about the long-term profit outlooks for mid-sized regional banks.

"We believe that banks with assets >$500B and <$60B are the clearest winners in the new world order, while there is likely to be a no-man's land between $80-120B, as banks in this range may need to shrink to avoid new regulations or more actively engage in M&A to increase scale and absorb regulatory costs," KBW analyst David Konrad said in a note to clients Sunday.

Another issue for the regional banks is the possibility of more Fed rate hikes. Higher rates will make it more costly for the banks to hold on to their deposits while also lowering the market value of the long-dated bonds and loans on their books.

Concern about the market value of those assets was one of the sparks for the initial run on Silicon Valley Bank in March.

The central bank is expected to raise its benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points Wednesday.
Pharmaceutical Pfizer Inc. said that an oral drug for treating COVID-19 could be available by end of 2021.

Pfizer on Tuesday reported first-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that topped Wall Street's expectations, despite a decline in sales driven by the lower demand for the company's Covid vaccine.

The pharmaceutical giant's stock closed slightly lower Tuesday at $39.06. Shares are down more than 23% year to date through Tuesday's close, putting the company's market value at around $220.47 billion.

Here's what Pfizer reported compared with Wall Street's expectations, based on a survey of analysts by Refinitiv:

Earnings per share: $1.23 adjusted vs. 98 cents expected

$1.23 adjusted vs. 98 cents expected Revenue: $18.28 billion vs. $16.59 billion expected

Pfizer's net income of $5.54 billion, or 97 cents per share, fell from $7.86 billion, or $1.37 per share, during the year-earlier quarter.

The company reported first-quarter sales of $18.28 billion, down 29% over the same period a year ago.

Covid-related sales contributed $7.1 billion to that number. Pfizer raked in $3 million in Covid vaccine revenue and $4 million in sales of its Covid antiviral pill Paxlovid.

Looking ahead, the New York-based company maintained its 2023 sales forecast of $67 billion to $71 billion. Pfizer also reiterated its full-year adjusted earnings outlook of $3.25 to $3.45 per share.

But Pfizer continues to expect Covid-related sales to decline this year. The company reaffirmed its forecast of $13.5 billion in Covid vaccine sales in 2023 and $8 billion in revenue for Paxlovid.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said during the earnings call that the company expects 2023 to be a "transition year" for Covid sales as the U.S. pivots to the commercial market for Covid products.
Halfpoint | Istock | Getty Images

The road to Kaimi's ruin started in December, with an Instagram message about a Japanese monkey from a handsome stranger who called himself Mike. Over the coming months "Mike" and Kaimi would develop a friendship that quickly evolved into a romance. Kaimi had no idea he had become ensnared in a romance scam known as "pig butchering," from the Chinese phrase sha zhu pan  the name coming from the idea that scammers must "fatten up" victims first with flattery and fake bonding before stealing their money. Experts told CNBC it's easy to dismiss victims of these scams as ignorant or foolish but doing so discounts how manipulative the scammers are. Matt Friedman is the CEO of the Mekong Club, a Hong Kong-based organization that works with corporations to fight modern slavery. "Ten scams come by, and they're very clearly a scam," Friedman told CNBC. "But the 11th one, I may even fall for it." The scam often starts with a simple text message: "Hi!" Many people disregard the messages that scammers send. But if they respond, the scammers move quickly to establish a rapport. The mystery texter might say they're a wealthy executive. They'll share images of their lavish lifestyle. Eventually, they'll try to make a meaningful romantic bond with the victim. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. At the third stage, the scammers offer to "teach" the victim how to trade cryptocurrencies or foreign currencies. The scammer networks operate fake trading platforms that look "exactly the way they should look," Friedman told CNBC. Victims are "taught" how to trade by their scammer, and the fake exchanges are engineered to show nonexistent profits of 15% to 20%. When victims try to withdraw money or have run out of fresh funds, the fake exchanges shut down the accounts and demand payment. Panicked and encouraged by their so-called friend, the victims wire what little money they have left. The exchange and their "friend" block the victim shortly after. It can take weeks before victims understand they've been scammed and even longer to admit what has happened to them. Experts told CNBC that the scammers on the phone aren't the real beneficiaries of the scam, although they do sometimes get a cut of the proceeds. Most often, they've been trafficked to Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar to work for organized scamming networks, according to extensive reporting from ProPublica and Vice. Law enforcement and prosecutors acknowledge pig butchering is a problem but tell victims they're largely unable to help. Reported U.S. losses from investment scams totaled $3.31 billion last year, according to the FBI, but experts say many victims are too embarrassed to report their losses. The U.S. manages to recover relatively little. The Justice Department's only public action seized just $112 million. Federal prosecutors in New York and Virginia have also been pursuing domain names and individuals linked to the scams. Dennis, a small business owner in Maryland, told CNBC his scammer "Sarah" reached out to him on Facebook around the same time that Mike first reached out to Kaimi. CNBC has altered the names of the victims in this story to protect their identities, as both Dennis and Kaimi shared personally identifiable information and identity documents with their scammers, and as Kaimi has not disclosed his sexual orientation to everyone in his life. Kaimi lost more than $120,000 to his scammer. Dennis lost around $500,000.

'My love for you will last forever'

Mike first messaged Kaimi in late December, cracking a joke about a Japanese monkey that Kaimi had posted. "When I was looking at who had messaged, I was like, 'I don't know if this person is real,'" Kaimi told CNBC. After a few days, Kaimi sent back a perfunctory message. Mike promptly responded and engaged enthusiastically with Kaimi, before suggesting they move to a messaging app called Line. CNBC reviewed thousands of messages between Kaimi and Mike running through April 2023. They bonded over their shared love of travel, and Mike eventually invited Kaimi to visit him in Seoul. They'd go shopping, Mike said. Kaimi told Mike that his schedule as a teacher didn't let him just jet around the world, and he'd have to save money for an international trip. When pressed, Kaimi told Mike about his financial difficulties, stemming from past credit card debt. Mike suggested he teach Kaimi how to trade in foreign currencies so he could travel to Seoul and pay off his debt. Mike alternated between talking about making Kaimi rich and sending him what Kaimi described as "flowery" messages. "My love for you will last forever," Mike told him. Kaimi acquiesced in January, and created an account on the forex platform Mike claimed he used, called DPEX. DPEX wasn't a real exchange, but a front controlled by the same scamming group that Mike belonged to. Over the following weeks, Kaimi wired thousands of dollars from his bank to Crypto.com, a centralized exchange. He used it to buy ether and send it to DPEX's wallets. His transfers started small  the first was worth just $140. DPEX claimed it converted his ether transfers into Tether , a U.S. dollar stablecoin. Mike and Kaimi's first trade together was a bet against the Japanese yen falling in value. When Kaimi saw he'd made $20 on a $100 trade, he was sold. Mike offered to help Kaimi structure a plan to use profits from DPEX to pay off $300,000 in student loans, mortgage and credit cards. In February, Mike even "sent" $30,000 from his own DPEX account to Kaimi's to help him move closer to his debt-free goal. "I want to repay you as soon as possible, shrink down most of the debt, then plan a trip to Korea to see you," Kaimi told Mike. Mike pressed Kaimi to add more to his account and join him in bigger bets. He grilled Kaimi about how else he could raise money, from friends or through loans. In all, Kaimi sent DPEX more than $100,000 worth of ether. His paper profits grew handsomely: In one week in March, Kaimi's balance went from $100,000 to $310,000. "I thought I was someone who knew when they were being scammed, was able to discern things," Kaimi told CNBC. But when Kaimi told Mike he was planning to withdraw his funds, the penny dropped. DPEX froze Kaimi's account, claiming that Mike's generous $30,000 "gift" was a suspicious transaction. Mike claimed his account was frozen too. "OMG," Mike said, "we are the same." DPEX asked that Kaimi pay back that gift to unlock his full account balance. Kaimi had planned to do so anyway, but sent DPEX nearly $30,000 to settle the "debt." The scammers settled into a predictable pattern, pumping Kaimi for more and more fees and taxes. Kaimi paid $64,000 in apparent penalties, urged on by Mike. When the scamming operation asked him for another $65,000, Kaimi realized there was no chance he was getting his money back. When Mike pressed him to pay DPEX's "fees," Kaimi snapped. "I've filed a report to the FBI and the SEC," he told Mike.

'I thought of ending everything'

This is one of the images that Dennis' scammer "Sarah" sent him. The face has been blurred to disguise the identity of the woman pictured, whose image may have been used without her knowledge.

Dennis didn't have any reason to be suspicious when his first scammer, Sarah, messaged him on Facebook. "I just said hi and bye," Dennis told CNBC. "But she keeps approaching me," he said. "We became friends." Sarah claimed she was a wealthy executive at a Chinese electric-vehicle manufacturer. She showed him photos of her "uncle" with Alibaba's Jack Ma. She sent him photos and videos from luxurious stores and apartments. But it was her show of affection and care more than her material wealth that drew Dennis close, he said. "They talk to you and manipulate you," Dennis told CNBC. He was in the midst of separating from his wife. They shared a child together, and in his messages with Sarah, he shared his feelings of inadequacy as a father. Sarah offered Dennis comfort. They talked for hours every day, and it was weeks before she first offered to teach him how to trade crypto.

Another picture "Sarah" sent Dennis.

Sarah said her powerful uncle ran a trading syndicate large enough to influence crypto prices and guarantee a profit. Experts say that scammers will often cite a well-connected relative as part of their fictitious success. Sarah pointed him to an "exchange" called Bigone-Eth, that could only be accessed through a iOS app called Trust Wallet. Dennis sent thousands of dollars from Coinbase to Trust Wallet and gave the fake exchange permission to control the crypto in his Trust Wallet. Sarah guided him through trades that predictably returned 20%. From late December through January, Dennis bought nearly $160,000 worth of bitcoin for his "Bigone-Eth" account and invested $100,000 worth of his cousin's bitcoin with Bigone-Eth as well. It wasn't enough for Sarah, who told Dennis he needed to invest at least $500,000. Otherwise, she suggested, Dennis' son would "suffer" because of Dennis' laziness. But like Kaimi, Dennis felt he'd made enough. The hammer fell when he went to withdraw his winnings: Bigone-Eth froze him out and demanded $180,000 to release his $1.2 million balance. The demand made Dennis suspect that the broker was trying to scam him out of his money. It was only in March, months after he began talking with Sarah, that he began to investigate romance scams and fake crypto brokerages. Along the way, he conducted an internet search and found a company called Financial Fund Recovery, or FFR, which said it specialized in crypto asset recovery.

Bankrupt and 'scammed out of my mind'

In late March, Dennis spoke with a person claiming to be an FFR employee, John Seth, who told Dennis that Sarah and the exchange were part of the same scam. Seth also promised he could recover Dennis' assets, something Dennis now believes was a lie. Just a few days after Dennis spoke with Seth, he got an unsolicited call from someone identifying himself as Benjamin Grey. He claimed he worked at Bigone-Eth and told Dennis that he could recover his money for $100,000. Dennis never provided Bigone-Eth or Sarah with his phone number, and now suspects Grey was working with Seth to scam him out of more money. But Dennis, more alone than ever, trusted Seth. Seth urged Dennis to pay the fee but keep it secret from Sarah and the Bigone-Eth scammers. He borrowed $100,000 from his parents and sent it to Grey through Coinbase. Dennis didn't notice that Grey's wallet address was different from the original scammers, nor that Grey's email address had a slight misspelling of Bigone-Eth's name. Dennis thought he was on the verge of getting his money back, of repaying his parents and his cousin and moving on with his life. Dennis was out another $242,000 by the time Seth told him to stop talking with Grey. Seth suggested suing Grey and Bigone-Eth for the lost money. He sent Dennis an invoice detailing how FFR would put a "lien" on Dennis' Bigone-Eth account  which, in fact, was a fictitious account at a fictitious exchange. Dennis would simply have to wire $42,000 to an Abu Dhabi bank account to get started. This time, Dennis realized he was being "scammed out of his mind" and blocked both Seth and Grey. CNBC spoke with Seth, who strongly denied that FFR was running a scam. He implied that Dennis was lying to CNBC and said that FFR did not have an employee named Benjamin Grey. CNBC has reviewed financial documents, emails, blockchain transactions, and recordings of calls between Dennis, Grey, and Seth. Despite his claims to the contrary, the recordings show Seth encouraging Dennis to send money to Grey. Both Seth and Grey contacted Dennis using VoIP numbers from the same issuer. Both numbers were disconnected after CNBC reached out to them. Other attempts to reach FFR were not successful. In a text conversation with the number Dennis offered for Grey, the person on the other end denied knowing anything about the interaction with Dennis. A customer service representative at FFR's Abu Dhabi-based bank confirmed that company had an account there but declined to provide further information. FFR used an address of a coworking space in the state of Georgia to register as a limited liability company in Georgia. Over the phone, a receptionist at that coworking space told CNBC that FFR was not a tenant there and that the mailbox used on the registration form did not exist at that space. But the receptionist said that a visitor had been looking for FFR's office just a few weeks prior and had told the receptionist that FFR had made off with a scam victim's money.
Ramit Sethi, self-made millionaire and star of Netflix's "How to Get Rich," says his "most controversial money opinion" is that homeownership is overrated.

"I'm tired of the blind obsession with homeownership in America," Sethi tells CNBC Make It.

Homeownership is an expensive investment that shouldn't be taken lightly, yet the idea that property is always a great investment has become a "religion" in the U.S., he says.

"That simply doesn't make sense, especially now, when the price of housing has gone way up and the effect  especially on young people, people without money, minorities  is to make them feel that they are failures," Sethi says. "You're not a failure if you rent."
Samsung is restricting the use of so-called generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT for employees after the company discovered such services were being misused.

The South Korean technology giant confirmed to CNBC Tuesday that it is temporarily restricting the use of generative AI through the company's personal computers.

Employees of one of Samsung's biggest divisions were informed of the move in a memo at the end of April after there had been cases of misuse of the technology.

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that some staff had uploaded sensitive code to ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is a viral AI chatbot that is trained on huge amounts of data and is able to generate response to user queries. It is a form of so-called generative AI.

Samsung does not have its own generative AI product yet. ChatGPT is developed by U.S. firm OpenAI which is backed by Microsoft while other generative AI products include Google's Bard. Inputting sensitive company data into these foreign-owned services could be a concern to companies worried about leaks of crucial information.
Travelers wait for an Uber rideshare vehicle at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on February 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading:

Uber Technologies  Shares gained nearly 8% after reporting revenue of $8.82 billion for the first quarter, topping the $8.72 billion expected by analysts polled by Refinitiv. The ride sharing company also posted an adjusted 8 cents loss per share, less than the 9 cents expected by analysts.

Pfizer  Shares of the drug maker rose more than 1% in premarket trading after the company topped earnings and revenue expectations for the first quarter, according to Refinitiv, despite experiencing a 75% decline in sales of Covid vaccines from the same quarter a year ago.

Chegg  Chegg shares tumbled 42% in premarket trading after CEO Dan Rosensweig said he expects artificial intelligence is "having an impact on our new customer growth rate." Chegg issued a weak second-quarter revenue outlook. Otherwise, the online education firm beat first-quarter expectations on the top and bottom lines. Following the results, Jefferies downgraded the stock to hold from buy.

Dupont de Nemours  The stock sank nearly 5% in the premarket after the company gave weak guidance for the second quarter, with both earnings per share and revenue forecasts coming in under Wall Street's expectations. Dupont cited a delay in the electronics market's recovery.

Arista Networks  Shares dropped 8.5% despite the company topping Wall Street's expectations for the recent quarter on the top and bottom lines and sharing upbeat guidance. The decline came as Arista Networks said it expects moderating spending and slowing growth from its "cloud titans."

Stryker  Shares dropped 3.3% after the medical technologies company warned that full-year sales and earnings per share will be unfavorably impacted if foreign exchange rates stay near their current levels. However, its adjusted earnings per share and revenue for the first quarter beat estimates, per Refinitiv.

NXP Semiconductors  Shares of the chip maker jumped about 5% after the company beat analysts' expectations for first-quarter revenue and operating income. Revenue guidance for the second quarter was better than anticipated as well.

Dell Technologies  The stock added nearly 3% in the premarket after being upgraded by Morgan Stanley to overweight from equal weight. The Wall Street firm said it believes the personal computer market is forming a bottom.

Coinbase  Shares of the cryptocurrency exchange fell 1.4%, after a downgrade from Citigroup cited looming regulatory threats that could afflict the core business. The firm also noted potential legal action from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over a March Wells notice as another headwind.

BP  U.S.-listed shares of the British energy giant slid about 5% after the company slowed share buybacks, announcing a further share buyback of $1.75 billion, after completing its previously announced $2.75 billion share buybacks in April. However, its first-quarter revenue beat analysts' expectations, according to Refinitiv.

HSBC  The global bank saw its shares jump nearly 6% in premarket trading after it reported first-quarter earnings that beat consensus estimates. The company is also planning an up to $2 billion share buyback after its annual general meeting.

Marriott International  The hotel stock rose about 2% after Marriott beat estimates on the top and bottom lines for the first quarter. The company reported $2.09 in adjusted earnings per share on $5.62 billion of revenue. Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv had penciled in $1.84 in adjusted earnings per share on $5.41 billion in revenue. CEO Anthony Capuano said in a press release that the lifting of travel restrictions in Asia helped boost growth.

 CNBC's Tanaya Macheel, Brian Evans, Samantha Subin, Jesse Pound and Sarah Min contributed reporting.
Here are Tuesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Piper Sandler reiterates Tesla as overweight Piper said it's standing by its overweight rating on the stock, but lowered its price target to $280 per share from $300. "Since the Q1 call, investors have fretted about Tesla's willingness to trade price for volume, and while we share management's view that margins will eventually rise due to software, this won't occur quickly enough to offset the near-term impact of lower prices, higher warranty costs, and slower inventory turnover." Evercore ISI reiterates Apple as outperform Evercore said it's bullish on Apple shares heading into earnings later this week. " Apple should report modest upside to Mar-qtr driven by better iPhone units given better China/emerging market demand coupled with channel fill benefits." JMP initiates Planet Labs as market outperform JMP said in its initiation of the earth imaging company that it has a strong competitive moat. "We like Planet for several reasons, including: 1) it has a fleet of over 200 satellites which form the infrastructure for a scalable, one-to-many, software-like business model; 2) robust imagery archives that create a technical competitive moat; 3) Planet is still nascent in its growth trajectory." UBS initiates Ameresco as buy UBS said it sees an attractive entry point for shares of the renewable energy company. "We initiate coverage of AMRC shares with a Buy rating and $60 PT implying ~45% upside potential." Barclays downgrades Shoals to underweight from equal weight Barclays said in its downgrade of the solar company that shares of Shoals are overvalued. "Our change in rating is underpinned by 1) the pricey valuation and 2) a 2023 outlook that we believe has risk." Morgan Stanley upgrades Dell to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley says it's getting more constructive on shares of the PC giant. " DELL is our most-preferred US PC OEM given 1) secular share gains, 2) conservative FY24 guide, 3) attractive valuation, 4) a path to accelerated shareholder returns, and 5) potential S & P inclusion." Read more about this call here. Citi downgrades Coinbase to neutral from buy Citi said in its downgrade of Coinbase that there are too many unknowns. "We lower our rating to Neutral/High-Risk on the belief that until the regulatory 'rules of the road' are better established in the U.S., the stock will remain weighed down by this high level of uncertainty." Read more about this call here. Barclays initiates Ferrari as equal weight Barclays said in its initiation of the stock that it's waiting for a better entry point. "We are constructive on RACE's BEV transition, very high earnings visibility and compounding qualities, but wait for a better entry point." Rosenblatt initiates Palo Alto Networks as buy Rosenblatt said the cyber security is in a "solid" position. "In the problematic macro backdrop, hyper-threat environment enterprises and government organizations continue to spend on security. Palo Alto Networks is a diversified cybersecurity company most famous for its next-generation firewall (NGFW) used for perimeter network security." Roth MKM upgrades Penn to buy from neutral Roth said it's bullish heading into the company's earnings report later this week. "We upgrade PENN to Buy ($40 PT) ahead of a potential 1Q beat/raise on 5/4. We also see a case for strategic alternatives involving Penn's digital segments and see this narrative building in 2023." Bernstein upgrades Roper to outperform from market perform Bernstein said in its upgrade of the software company that it sees multiple expansion. "We believe we can reduce Roper's compounding model to two key levers: (1) organic FCF growth, and (2) multiples paid to acquire cash. We think both are set to improve, supporting the long-term mid-teens FCF growth target." Jefferies downgrades Chegg to hold from buy Jefferies downgraded the education tech company over AI headwind concerns. "We are downgrading CHGG to Hold (from Buy) with an $11 PT as AI headwinds start to impact the fundamental story." Read more about this call here. Wedbush downgrades SoFi to neutral from outperform Wedbush downgraded the stock due to concerns over sales margins. "We're downgrading shares of SoFi to NEUTRAL from OUTPERFORM as we believe there could be downside risk to its gain on sale margins and fair value marks of its loan portfolio." Bank of America downgrades Quest Diagnostics to neutral from buy Bank of America said in its downgrade of Quest that it has concerns about the company's deal for Haystack Oncology. "Overall, we have a favorable view on DGX's business, but we already had some concerns about reaching the margin and adj. EPS growth targets outlined at the March investor day, and this deal makes us more cautious." Barclays downgrades Capri, Under Armour and Victoria's Secret to equal weight from overweight Barclays downgraded several retail brands on Tuesday and says it's concerned about slowing consumer spending. "Downgrading FIGS to Underweight; GOOS, CPRI , EYE, UAA , VSCO to Equal Weight." Cowen reiterates Target and Walmart as outperform Cowen said it's standing by its outperform rating on the big box giants. "Ahead of 1Q, we prefer WMT as we favor prospects for +LSD% traffic as consumers, inclusive of the higher-end, seek value in food/essentials. Expect TGT to meet at least the low-end of a wide (LSD%) to +LSD% comp sales guide, but discretionary headwinds and NT EBIT margin fears will likely persist."
Visitors check a Tesla Model 3 car next to a Model Y displayed at a showroom of the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China February 4, 2023.

Tesla hiked the price of several cars in key markets, including the U.S. and China, after a number of cuts this year.

Elon Musk's electric vehicle company increased the price of vehicles including its Model 3 and Model Y in the U.S., China, Canada, and Japan.

In China, Tesla's Model 3 now costs 231,900 Chinese yuan ($33,549), up from the previous price of 229,900 yuan, according to the company's website Tuesday. The Model Y is also 2,000 yuan higher at 263,900 yuan, while the long-range and performance editions of the car are also priced 2,000 yuan higher.

In the U.S., the Model 3 and Model Y series of cars now cost $250 more. The Model 3 starts at $40,240, while the Model Y is priced at $47,240.
David Shariatmadari in The Guardian:

Have you been feeling anxious about technology lately? If so, youre in good company. The United Nations has urged all governments to implement a set of rules designed to rein in artificial intelligence. An open letter, signed by such luminaries as Yuval Noah Harari and Elon Musk, called for research into the most advanced AI to be paused and measures taken to ensure it remains safe  trustworthy, and loyal. These pangs followed the launch last year of ChatGPT, a chatbot that can write you an essay on Milton as easily as it can generate a recipe for everything you happen to have in your cupboard that evening.

But what if the computers used to develop AI were replaced by ones able to make calculations not millions, but trillions of times faster? What if tasks that might take thousands of years to perform on todays devices could be completed in a matter of seconds? Well, thats precisely the future that physicist Michio Kaku is predicting. He believes we are about to leave the digital age behind for a quantum era that will bring unimaginable scientific and societal change. Computers will no longer use transistors, but subatomic particles, to make calculations, unleashing incredible processing power. Another physicist has likened it to putting a rocket engine in your car. How are you feeling now?

More here.
The stock market could be volatile and stay rangebound for the foreseeable future  but that doesn't mean investors should sit it out, according to BMO. The Canadian bank's year-end target of 4,300 for the S & P 500 implies just a 3.2% upside from where the broad index finished Monday. But although there's little room for appreciation ahead, BMO chief investment strategist Brian Belski said the market may prove tumultuous in coming months. And investors still have a path to higher returns. . "We believe the host of uncertainties investors will be forced to contend with in the current market landscape will likely lead to elevated levels of volatility and a sideways market for the foreseeable future," Belski said in a note to clients on Sunday. "Nonetheless, investors should remain opportunistic by employing active decision-making, in our view, as our analysis suggest that plenty of investment opportunities still exist even during range-bound market periods." Given the tricky landscape, Belski looked for stocks that typically deliver double-digit gains when the broader market is rangebound. He screened for stocks that have forword price-to-earnings multiples below the S & P 500 and forword earnings per share growth that's greater than the S & P 500's. They also have a greater one-year return on equity than the S & P 500, and have outperformed the index in the past six months. Here nare 10 that made his list: JPMorgan Chase made the list. The bank has made headlines in recent days after it won the weekend auction for troubled First Republic Bank . CEO Jamie Dimon said "this part of the crisis is over" following the deal. The stock is up 3.4% since the start of the year. DuPont de Nemours also showed up on the BMO screen. The chemical company's stock was down Tuesday after it missed Wall Street's expectations of earnings. DuPont de Nemours posted 84 cents, 4 short of the consensus estimate of analysts polled by StreetAccount. The Delaware company also missed revenue expectations, reporting $3.02 billion against the $3.10 billion anticipated. The stock has dropped around 6% since 2023 began. United Rentals , another of BMO's picks, also recently reported quarterly results. The company's $7.95 earnings per share missed the $8.01 consensus estimate from analysts polled by FactSet.The largest equipment rental company in the world topped revenue expectations, reporting $3.29 billion against the $3.16 billion anticipated. Looking ahead, URI reaffirmed its full-year guidance for free cash flow, revenue and adjusted EBITDA. United Rentals is little changed on the year. Semiconductor maker Analog Devices was also among Belski's picks. Last month, the company named former AMD R & D chief Alan Lee as its chief technology officer. The stock has gained 12% this year.  CNBC's Mike Bloom contributed to this report
Ukrainian soldiers of the 80th brigade firing artillery in the direction of Bakhmut as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on April 13, 2023.

The White House on Monday estimated that Russia's military has suffered 100,000 casualties in the last five months in fighting in the Bakhmut region and other areas of Ukraine.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters the figure, based on U.S. intelligence estimates, included more than 20,000 dead, half of them from the Wagner mercenary group, which includes convicts released from prison to join the fighting.

"Russia's attempt at a winter offensive in the Donbas largely through Bakhmut has failed," Kirby said.

"Last December, Russia initiated a broad offensive across multiple lines of advance, including toward Vuhledar, Avdiivka, Bakhmut, and Kreminna. Most of these efforts stalled and failed. Russia has been unable to seize any strategically significant territory."

He said the Russians have made some incremental gains in Bakhmut but that this has come at a "terrible, terrible cost" and that Ukraine's defenses in the region remain strong.

"Russia has exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces," Kirby said.

Most of the Wagner mercenary group's soldiers were "Russian convicts thrown into combat in Bakhmut without sufficient combat or training, combat leadership, or any sense of organizational command and control", he said.

"It's really stunning, these numbers," Kirby added, saying the total is three times the number of American casualties in the Guadalcanal campaign in World War Two. Kirby said another U.S. weapons package for Ukraine would be announced soon.

 Reuters
Qatar Airways says it welcomes the competition from the new Saudi Arabian flag carrier Riyadh Air, although acknowledging a range of challenges and headwinds that the wider industry is currently facing.

"We love competition," Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the Arabian Travel Market conference in Dubai Monday.

"We will compete like we have been competing all these years," he added.

Launched in March, Riyadh Air will be the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, with a main operational base in Riyadh and wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The new airline says it will serve more than 100 destinations globally by 2030 and forms part of the Saudi royal family's Vision 2030 program.

But the new competition in the region might not mean cheaper air fares. When asked if consumers may see ticket prices going down, Al Baker said: "That's not going to happen in Qatar Airways."

"If you want cheap fares, then you have to go and fly airlines that also have a cheap product," he added.
We're exiting our position in Cisco Systems (CSCO), selling 500 shares at roughly $46.95 each. Following Tuesday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will no longer hold a position in CSCO. The Cisco Systems exit reflects our desire to be cautious ahead of what could be a tricky setup for the market over the next couple of weeks as it grapples with uncertainty related to the debt ceiling crisis, this week's Fed meeting, Friday's employment data and the continued stream of corporate earnings. Any one of these could be a potential landmine for stocks. So, after this year's solid run on Wall Street, it's prudent to reduce our risk to the downside by raising more cash and being ready to buy if the market gets hit. Examining those four potential headwinds facing stocks right now, our focus Tuesday morning is on the debt ceiling crisis. The market has largely ignored this issue thus far, but the conversation is about to heat up after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Monday that the United States could run out of cash as early as June 1. The setup going into the showdown  which is a real problem, even if it's completely man-made and avoidable  has some similarities to the summer of 2011. Back then, the Republicans had just taken control of the House of Representatives during the third year of the last Democratic president. Even though there was plenty of time to strike a deal, negotiations between Congress and the White House went nowhere. It went down to the wire, creating a lot of uncertainty in the market. .SPX mountain 2011-01-01 S & P 500 performance from 2011 to present In a two-week stretch in late July to early August, the stock market got crushed by the risk of the federal government defaulting on its debt obligations. The S & P 500 fell more than 17% in this period, which also saw Standard & Poor's downgrade the U.S. credit rating. However, we shouldn't attribute all of this decline to what was happening in the U.S. At the time, Europe was also having a horrific sovereign debt crisis. Still, if recent history is any lesson, it means it's time to get ready for a lot more headlines that say we could be headed for economic disaster. It could be hard for stocks to continue this year's rally when the news is that negative, which is why we want to have some extra cash on hand. However, if the market were to follow a similar pattern to 2011, the debt ceiling crisis then turned out to be an incredible buying opportunity. The stock market bounced back quickly once the problem was solved, and the S & P 500 finished roughly flat for the year despite the significant drawdown. As long-term investors, not traders, it's best to take up our cash position by a few percent to protect against potential downside, but then be ready buy. CSCO YTD mountain Cisco Systems YTD performance The stock we're selling Tuesday is Cisco Systems. Shares of this computer networking giant have struggled all year to shake off the narrative that the company is living off its backlog. Although Cisco trades at an undemanding valuation of about 12x forward earnings and has a solid 3.3% annual dividend yield and nice buyback, visibility into future growth remains low. we struggle to find enough reasons to see that scenario changing anytime soon unless there's a surprise pickup in the economy. This sale means we'll realize a loss of about 9% on our last remaining shares, but we'd rather pad our cash position by shedding names that aren't doing as well compared to winners. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long CSCO. 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.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The looming U.S. debt-ceiling crisis has ignited a new wave of uncertainty in the market this week, with all three major benchmarks under pressure Tuesday. But the debt standoff of 2011 offers some lessons for investors who, like us, are wiling to take the long view amid all the volatility. Wall Street's heightened focus on the debt ceiling comes after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday warned the U.S. may exhaust its ability to meet its borrowing obligations as early as June 1  at least a month in advance of predictions by many Wall Street economists. "I think that this gauntlet is too hard to get through without some real bumps," Jim Cramer said during Tuesday's "Morning Meeting." That gauntlet is more than just the potential for the U.S. to hit the debt ceiling in a month. In the very near term, investors are preparing for the Federal Reserve's latest interest-rate decision Wednesday  widely expected to be a quarter-percentage-point hike  and looking for clues about the central bank's future policy path. Investors also remain concerned about the health of the banking sector and the broader U.S. economy ahead of the Labor Department's closely-watched monthly jobs report on Friday. First-quarter earnings season, meanwhile, is in full swing , and thus far offering a rare bright spot for investors. But Club holding Apple (APPL)  one of the world's largest companies by market capitalization  reports on Thursday, with the results considered an important bellwether for the state of the economy. On the political front, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., accepted an invitation to meet with President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders on May 9 in an effort to hash out a compromise on raising the debt ceiling, NBC News reported Tuesday. House Republicans have maintained that any increase to the debt limit should be tied to spending cuts, while Biden and the Democrats have argued that paying the country's bills should not be dictated by an agreement to reduce the country's deficit. With the political stalemate posing increased risks to the market and wider economy, we want to be both strategic and cautious in our investment choices  a view evidenced by our decision Tuesday to exit our position in Cisco Systems (CSCO). Selling our remaining Cisco shares bolsters the Club's cash position and enhances optionality, if the market puts stocks on sale amid worries about a U.S. default. That's the biggest lesson learned from the debt-ceiling crisis of 2011, which was characterized by similar political dynamics. The protracted fight ultimately ended in an agreement in early August of that year, but it was a choppy summertime ride for investors. The S & P 500 declined about 17% over a stretch beginning in late July to mid-August, during which Standard & Poor's took the unprecedented step of downgrading the United States' AAA credit rating . Nonetheless, stocks mounted a recovery in the fall of 2011, with the S & P 500 finishing the year essentially flat. And, ultimately, that crisis proved to be a great buying window for long-term investors who were willing to wait out the uncertainty. We expect the current crisis to ultimately yield a similar result  both in terms of a political resolution and a buying opportunity in the interim. In that vein, we'll look to put some of our fresh cash to work  following our sale of Cisco and some profit-taking Monday in Alphabet (GOOGL) and Eli Lilly (LLY)  in high-quality companies, if the market continues retreat on debt-ceiling jitters. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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.

The exterior of the U.S. Department of Treasury building is seen as they joined other government financial institutions to bail out Silicon Valley Bank's account holders after it collapsed on March 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s target to bring nuclear power to the country might be soon realized as a leading nuclear energy firm in the US expressed interest to invest more than $6 billion in the Philippines.

Malacanang on Tuesday said during a meeting with Philippine government officials in Washington, Oregon-based NuScale Power Corporation disclosed that the company is looking to launch a study to locate a potential site in the country.

Marcos said that NuScales expertise in providing nuclear power systems could help address the local markets shortfall in power supply.

We need everything. We just have to have everything and this new technology is something, the Malacanang statement read, quoting Marcos.

Clayton Scott, NuScale executive vice president for business, likewise showed optimism that the firm can perform as expected.

Scott said NuScale can offer its small modular reactor (SMR) technology, which secured design approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The companywhich has a presence in Utah, Romania, Indonesia, and Polandtargets to shell out $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion, hoping to deliver 430 megawatts of power to the Philippines by 2031.

Even before winning the May 2022 polls, Marcos said the Philippines should have at least one nuclear power plant so the market can turn to cheap energy, subsequently cutting electricity rates.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  The fourth batch of Filipinos from conflict-torn Sudan arrived in the country on Tuesday evening, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said.

The 34 evacuees bring to 66 the total number of Filipinos to be repatriated from Sudan after being forced to flee the North African nation amid the violent power struggle between two warring factions.

READ: Rival generals are battling for control in Sudan. Heres a simple guide to the fighting

Representatives from OWWA, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and other agencies welcomed the repatriates at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

Around 152 more Filipino evacuees are expected to arrive in the country on Thursday.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would be enforcing laws and ordinances against vaping and smoking cigarettes, specifically focusing on underage students.

Ang ating pambansang pulisya ay mag-i-implement ng mga batas na umiiral, itong RA (Republic Act) 11900 at RA 9211 at saka itong EO (Executive Order) 26. Katuwang din diyan ang mga ibat ibang ordinansa ng ating LGUs (local government units), said PNP Public Information Officer Chief PCol Redrico Maranan on Tuesday.

[Translation: Our national police will implement the existing laws, which are RA 11900, RA 9211, and EO 26.]

Nang sa ganun matugunan natin yung panawagan ng ilang mga magulang at ilang mga guro na napapansin nila na yung ating mga estudyante na menor de edad ay naninigarilyo or gumagamit ng mga vape sa mga premises ng ating mga paaralan, Maranan added.

[Translation: So that we can heed the call of some parents and teachers who noticed that some of our students who are minors are smoking or using vape within the premises of our schools.]

Maranan also explained the importance of Oplan Bisita Eskwela, which requires police officers to patrol communities and school grounds.

Kapag meron tayong estudyante na na-accost o nasita ay iimpormahan natin yung school officials at yung school officials naman ay sila na rin ang magi-inform sa mga magulang, said Maranan.

[Translation: Once we have accosted a student, we will inform the school officials, and the school officials will inform the parents.]

On Tuesday, the police checked the premises of Batasan Hills National High School where around 19,000 students are enrolled.

No student or minor was caught smoking and vaping but the police said they will be confiscating cigarettes and electronic cigarettes or vapes being sold near schools.

Talagang nililibot yan ng kapulisan at chini-check kung may mga tinda (na sigarilyo o vape) sa mga paaralan. Bawal sila magtinda. Winarningan natin na once nagtinda pa ay kukumpiskahin natin. Naka-deploy naman ang mga patrol car kapag labasan ng mga estudyante at nagbabantay sa kanila, said Quezon City Police District Station 6 Commander PLtCol. Morgan Aguilar.

[Translation: The police really go around and check if there are vendors of cigarettes and vapes near schools. We warn the vendors that once they sell them, their goods will be confiscated. Once classes are done, we deploy our patrol cars to monitor the students.]

Meanwhile, school officials said they are strictly complying with policies against smoking and are more than willing to cooperate with the police to make sure that their schools remain smoke-free.

Kung gawin nila ito sa loob at sa labas  normally they are minors  tinatawag namin ang mga magulang at pinagsasabihan namin. Binibigyan namin ng warning mga bata kasi may mga polisiya na basehan dito, said Jojo Escolano, the principal of Batasan Hills National High School.

[Translation: Once the students, who are normally minors, do it inside or outside school, we call their parents. We warn the students first as there are policies regarding this.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday sought stronger Philippines-United States ties when he met with US President Joe Biden in the White House amid rising tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan.

"There are also issues, geopolitical issues that make the region (where) the Philippines is, possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now," Marcos said in his opening remarks during his second bilateral talks with Biden.

And so it is only naturalfor the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world, to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of these tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific region," he added.

Biden reassured the Philippines of the United States ironclad commitment to defend the Asian country in the event of any conflict in the region.

The American leader said any armed attack against the Philippines would invoke the commitments under the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

In a joint statement, the two nations expressed support for the right and ability of Filipinos to sail and fish in the West Philippine Sea, noting the 2016 arbitral ruling that backed the Philippines sovereign rights over the contested waters, which China has rejected.

RELATED: Marcos: PH to propose fishing rights map to China after near-collision in WPS

Following a near-collision incident involving a Chinese ship and a Philippine coast guard vessel last week, the US government on Saturday urged China to "desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct" in the South China Sea.

China has yet to react to the US statement.

RELATED: US urges China to desist from provocative, unsafe conduct in SCS

In the joint statement, the Philippines and the US also hit China anew as they stressed the importance of keeping peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, seeing it as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity.

The following are some of the initiatives aimed at bolstering security ties between the Philippines and the US.

 Bilateral Defense Guidelines. These seek to institutionalize key bilateral priorities, mechanisms, and processes to strengthen alliance cooperation and interoperability across the land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.

 Modernize and enhance capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The US government has committed to providing the AFP with two Island-class patrol vessels, two Protector-class patrol vessels, and three C-130H aircraft.

 Drive sustainable development and local investments through the sites of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The US government said it has been working with communities in the vicinity of EDCA sites for their development, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.

China has slammed the Philippine governments decision to open four new EDCA sites in Luzon, warning that the Philippines may be affected by the issue on Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

Marcos has reiterated that the new EDCA sites were meant to beef up the countrys armed forces. He also said on Sunday that the Philippines will not be used as a staging post for any military action.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  The Office of the Ombudsman has issued a preventive suspension against Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) acting general manager Cesar Chiong over allegations of grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct.

MIAA acting assistant general manager Irene Montalbo was also suspended by Ombudsman Samuel Martines. She and Chiong are both accused of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The suspension order, which is unrelated to the May 1 power outage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that affected thousands of passengers, stemmed from a complaint of anonymous MIAA officials regarding Chiong's reassignment of around 285 MIAA employees.

Barely a month from his assumption, he started the reassignment of MIAA employees. Sworn statements gathered from the reassigned employees would reveal that they were neither informed of the reason for their reassignment nor did they have pending administrative complaints, read the order dated April 28.

Chiong was appointed as MIAA acting general manager and member of the MIAA board of directors on July 19, 2022.

The Ombudsman added that Chiong abused his authority when he designated Montalbo as assistant general manager for finance and administration despite her unsatisfactory rating in 2020.

Montalbo cannot deny her participation in the reassignment of MIAA employees because, as the designated Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration, it is her function to advise the General Manager in the formulation and implementation of administrative matters, the Ombudsman said.

Based on the evidence on record, it appears that the evidence of guilt of the respondents are strong and the charge against them involve Grave Misconduct which may warrant their removal from the service," he added.

Chiong and Montalbo are suspended without pay for up to six months.

In a statement, Chiong expressed confidence that he will be cleared of the charges after he is allowed to present his side, saying that his reassignment of the MIAA employees is a part of his vision and plan to improve airport efficiency and the financial standing of the authority.

The countrys main airport faces extremely difficult challenges, and we have started to implement plans and programs that aim to enhance passenger experience at our countrys main gateway, Chiong said, as he claimed that MIAAs finances also increased under his 9-month helm.

CNN Philippines is also seeking comment from Montalbo.

The entire Philippine airspace will be shut down for six hours on May 17 due to maintenance activities at the Air Traffic Management Center following the recent Labor Day power outage and New Years Day technical glitch at the NAIA.

READ: DOTr: NAIA T3 back to normal; officials to meet to determine cause of Labor Day power outage
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2)  US President Joe Biden welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the White House on Tuesday (Manila time), where he told the chief executive that as both countries face challenges, he sees no better partner than Marcos.

"When we met in New York last year, you told me that a strong alliance has to continue, quote  I'm using your phrase  'to evolve as we face the challenges of this new century.' And we are facing new challenges. And I can't think of any better partner to have than you," Biden said.

Biden added the relationship between the Philippines and the US "has to continue to evolve."

The statement comes amid growing concerns about China's aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea, where it has repeatedly harassed Philippine vessels, and the recent conclusion of the largest joint military drills of the two treaty allies.

China's increasing military threats against self-governed Taiwan has also raised tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The US president said he and Marcos would discuss several issues, including climate change and workers' rights among others.

"And we're going to announce that  we're going to announce today that I'm sending a first-of-its-kind presidential trade and investment mission to the Philippines," Biden added.

RELATED: PH, US to host 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum

Biden also stressed the US "remains ironclad" in its commitment to protect the Philippines and will continue to support the country's goals to modernize the military.

For his part, Marcos said it was natural for the Philippines to look to the US as tensions rise in the South China Sea and Taiwan.

"There are also the issues, geopolitical issues, that have made the region where the Philippines is possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now," he said.

In a joint statement, the two nations expressed support for the "right and ability" of Filipinos to sail and fish in the West Philippine Sea, noting the 2016 arbitral ruling that backed the Philippines' sovereign rights over the contested waters, which China has rejected.

Biden and US first lady Jill Biden greeted Marcos and first lady Louise Araneta-Marcos as the five-day official visit to the US began.

At a separate briefing, US Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said both leaders "will announce a range of new opportunities to deepen business, investment, and infrastructure cooperation; invest in the clean-energy transition and the fight against climate change; and to cooperate on education and human rights."
If youre looking for an example of a Colorado College alum making big strides in the world of tech, while also working hard to improve the world, youd be hard pressed to find a better one than Niyanta Khatri 17. Khatri was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal and then moved to Pune, India before coming to CC and majoring in math and economics. As an international student, Khatri says there were a lot of unknowns for her. She didnt know what the campus would be like or how she would adapt as a student. Being so far from home was definitely a struggle. The biggest adjustment for me was having to think about spending time with family. As an international student, short trips home were just not possible, Khatri says.

During her time at CC, Khatri cofounded a company with two other students, Harvey Kadyanji 18 and John Roy Dommet 18, called Ogugu. She compares it to what the companies Square and Stripe are doing today with QR code sales, but focusing specifically on the sub-Saharan African region. The group picked the location as it was where Kadyanji is from, but Khatri says she connected with it as the economy there was very similar to her own home. She brought her understanding of these markets as a strength to the project. I had a passion for sales. Understanding data to be able to tell the story, she says. The trio participated in The Big Idea pitch competition at CC and earned multiple grants to fund the project. Ogugu is now part of Dar Teknohama Business Incubator, the fastest growing accelerator in Tanzania.

In todays tech-heavy world, some see liberal arts schools as archaic institutions that dont really prepare students for the modern job market. But Khatri says absolutely not. She truly believes CC is an excellent pipeline to the tech world. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about liberal arts education in the tech world is interdisciplinary thinking. The education I got at CC encouraged this kind of thinking. This way of approaching tasks is becoming increasingly important in the tech industry as companies try to create more holistic products. Individuals with this dynamic background are able to draw on multiple disciplines to be able to solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions. That is something very niche to liberal arts students.

On top of this liberal arts strength, Khatri credits the intensity, pace, and format of study that CC provides with being a great foundation for her current work. The critical thinking skills that we developed at a very fast pace at CC have become a great skill set and were a value I brought with me into the tech world. Finding creative solutions to problems within a tight timeline is something I thrive in now because thats what I did for four years in Colorado. Khatri also notes that the project-based learning she had at CC provided great preparation for her career in tech, where project work is at the core of innovation.

Today, Khatri is a sales growth leader, working for Logitech  a company she started with as an intern while she was still at CC. Because of the Block Plan, she was even able to extend her internship for a couple blocks. Khatri now works in the companys sales organization and was key in the its transition from B2C to B2B, filling many roles during that growth. One of these positions required a move to Toronto (at the start of the pandemic!) where she led a team to set up an entirely new sales structure for the company in Canada while working completely virtually from her apartment. I never met any of my team in-person until my farewell dinner! Khatri says things were unclear at the start, between pandemic and isolation issues, whether or not the project would happen. We thought the work would be a little slow during that time. Ive never been so busy in my entire life. The hard work paid off and Khatri and her team made the largest deal in Logitech history.

When Khatri first entered the tech industry, she worried that she stood out for all the wrong reasons. I thought being a woman, being an immigrant, were not selling points. I thought they were areas I needed to hide to fit the mold of the tech industry. Thankfully, Khatri found great mentorship in Silicon Valley that helped her see otherwise. Im the best person for the job because Im a woman of color, Im an immigrant, Im a millennial, says Khatri. What hiring managers are looking for are things I naturally possess. I dont have to learn the diverse ways of thinking about certain problems. Khatri notes that because of where she grew up and all the places shes moved, this lens comes very naturally to her. I get the nuances of different cultures because thats what my experience has been. Her advice to women of color who want to get into tech is, reach out to the people that look like you. As someone who was once there, she knows its intimidating, but completely worth the effort. People are really helpful. Have your ask very specific and connect with the right people. You will realize the power of network.

Beyond her day job, Khatri is now working to give back to her community. As someone who moved away from her home country to go to school and work abroad, one of Khatris biggest concerns is not wanting to be part of her countrys brain drain. She knew she had to use her success to give back to Nepal  particularly, the women of Nepal. I wanted to figure out how to use my skillset, my network, and my experience to give back. She began with the idea of offering workshops to grassroots level women entrepreneurs, providing them with the business acumen to take their concepts further. She is now working with both a womans organization and a private equity firm in Nepal. With their help, Khatri is founding an accelerator that allows women entrepreneurs to apply for grants and then take them through a six to twelve-month process focusing on their product and bringing it to market. The program will provide one-on-one mentorships and bring in experts from different parts of Nepal as well as international individuals and organizations. The long-term goal? Its going to be a platform for women to women, that focuses on allyship and mentorship but also really helping women taking their businesses to the next level, Khatri says. She notes that there are a lot of women out there who have amazing talent and an amazing product, but just no network and no resources. Her goal is to help that marginalized group.

If you would like to contact Niyanta Khatri, reach out to her through her LinkedIn profile.
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Boomtown 2023: How to live your best life in Columbia over 50

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The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) will soon release a public request for information (RFI) to learn more about the automated tools employers use to surveil, monitor, evaluate, and manage workers.

Employers are increasingly investing in technologies that monitor and track workers, and making workplace decisions based on that information, the OSTP announced in a blog on Monday. It said that while these technologies can benefit both workers and employers in some cases, they can also create serious risks to workers.

Responses to this RFI will be used to inform new policy responses, share relevant research, data, and findings with the public, and amplify best practices among employers, worker organizations, technology vendors, developers, and others in civil society, the OSTP said.

Those who are interested in providing details need to do so by June 15.

Upholding employees rights

Constant tracking of performance can pose a risk to employees safety and mental health, the OSTP said, pointing out that it could also lead to discrimination and stop employees from forming unions.

Monitoring conversations can deter workers from exercising their rights to organize and collectively bargain with their employers. And, when paired with employer decisions about pay, discipline, and promotion, automated surveillance can lead to workers being treated differently or discriminated against, the OSTP said.

Certain applications of these systems, when paired with decisions about working conditions, promotion, discipline, or termination, may also treat otherwise similar workers differently based on their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, national origin, health, disability, or other protected status.

Some systems may also violate antitrust and privacy laws, for instance, if employers use technologies to artificially reduce wages, the RFI said.

Increased automated tracking during the pandemic

The OSTP noted that the constant tracking of employees increased during the pandemic as the workforce became remote.

The percentage of large employers using AI tools to track their workforce may have doubled since the beginning of the pandemic to about 60%, according to research by Gartner. This surveillance is carried out either by having software on workers computers to dedicated electronic devices that workers wear or carry on their person.

Through the RFI, the administration aims to gather information on workers firsthand experiences with surveillance technologies; details from employers, technology developers, and vendors on how they develop, sell, and use these technologies; best practices for mitigating risks to workers; relevant data and research; and ideas for how the federal government should respond to any relevant risks and opportunities, the OSTP said.

Last year, the Biden administration released a blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, which stated that individuals should be free from unchecked surveillance.

The blueprint also raised concerns over the possible harms of continuous surveillance on workers, using the example of electronic monitoring intended to prevent workers efforts to organize a labor union. The current RFI is an extension of the blueprint to further study the use of automated surveillance and management systems in the workplace.
IBM plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to replace 7,800 jobs over the next five years, CEO Arvind Krishna said in an interview, sparking fears of widespread job losses across industries.

Comments, such as the ones Arvind made, validate the claims that AI can reduce support jobs and hence costs for the company. It will set the direction for other enterprises to look for similar opportunities in their support functions, said Pareekh Jain, lead analyst at Pareekh Consulting.

IBM CEO on Tuesday told Bloomberg that the company was looking to cut down hiring for roles that could be replaced with AI.

These 26,000 roles, which are essentially non-customer facing jobs, include back office functions such as HR, the CEO said, adding that 30% of such roles, or approximately 7,800 jobs could be replaced with AI or automation over the next five years.

AI will replace 85 million jobs globally by 2025, according to The World Economic Forums The Future of Jobs report. While the report also predicts that AI may create 97 million new roles, it points out that the jobs AI will create will not be the same as the ones being lost.

IBMs strategy to turn to AI is a good workforce strategy

Krishnas comments on AI replacing humans come just months after the company said it would cut 3,900 jobs or 1.5% of its workforce. However, analysts believe it is high time mundane tasks are replaced with AI.

If IBM is pausing 7,800 jobs that AI could do, it would be a good move for the company, as I wouldnt think it was a good strategy to hire positions that could have been easily done by AI and automation in the first place, said Lily Phan, research director at IDC.

In March, IBM spin-off and managed IT services provider Kyndryl said it was eliminating a small percentage of global roles in search of efficiency. The layoffs at Kyndryl were followed by job cuts at another IBM-owned firm, RedHat.

Large technology companies such as IBM have continued to reduce their headcount in search of efficiency and cost reduction in the wake of reducing revenue after they went on a hiring binge during the pandemic when lockdowns sparked a tech buying spree to support remote work and an uptick in e-commerce.

Jain cautioned that the IBM CEOs comments were more of a hope than a plan.

This is just an approximation and extrapolation of current trends for the next five years. The actual numbers might not be that much or might take longer than five years. We dont know what challenges will come up in scaling these early pilots around AI or AI implementation, Jain said. What Arvind has said is that he expects a 30% reduction in the next five years in the HR department headcount because of AI. At this point, I think it is a hope, not a plan.

Mundane tasks will see automation

Giving examples of roles that are likely to be impacted in the next five years, Krishna said that mundane tasks such as employee verification or moving employees from one department to the other will be fully automated while other tasks such as measuring productivity would stay relevant for the next decade.

The roles that are likely to be impacted globally, according to analysts, dont require human intelligence at all.

What Arvind is talking about are the routine jobs that dont require analysis and judgment and only require accessing information, transactions, and updating. These jobs are at risk as there is not much concern about bias or hallucinations, Jain said.

In fact, AI and automation have been impacting routine jobs slowly for quite some time like we see IVR [interactive voice response] or chatbot in customer support for information access and complaints. What generative AI has done is accelerated this development.

Some analysts are more optimistic than others when it comes to the impact of AI on jobs. The scare of losing jobs to AI, according to IDCs Phan, could be compared with the time when robots came to the fore.

The same fears that robots would take up peoples jobs happened a few years ago, but in fact, we are having more jobs today than before. AIs replacement of jobs would help to do mundane and manual tasks and leave more bespoke/customized tasks to employees that require human skills, relationships, connections, and emotional quotient, Phan said.

Not all jobs will not be taken over by AI and its proliferation will see the creation of highly skilled jobs, added Deepika Giri, IDCs head of AI research.

Although the looming anxiety around job losses is prevalent, it only will push the workforce to be re-aligned and trained with more relevant skill sets.
Let me just preface this by saying: No, the saga we're about to dive into isn't in any way related to April Fools'  as far as I can tell, anyway. After all, we're at the start of May.

And yet, one of Android's best-known phone-makers is putting out a new device with such eye-rollingly off-the-mark claims, I can't help but wonder if maybe they got mixed up on months and meant this to be a joke. It's so hilariously and obviously ironic, I'm just not sure what else to make of it.

So here it is: Motorola's got a new business-aimed Android phone called the Motorola ThinkPhone. It's the first time the company  which has been owned by Lenovo since 2014, when Google broke our hearts and pawned the brand off after a glorious 20 months of control  is bringing a classic Lenovo name into the Motorola and Android arena this prominently.

And speaking of prominence, Moto's main messaging around the new ThinkPhone is that it's "the best phone for cybersecurity"  with a "complete suite of security and support features that deliver seamless protection." Oh, and let's not forget about the "software and processes that ensure the security of the entire device," too.

Pardon my cackling. I tried to keep a straight face while saying all of that  I swear.

[Get level-headed Android analysis in your inbox with my Android Intelligence newsletter. Unrestrained honesty and unmatched perspective  guaranteed.]

Don't get me wrong: Motorola's ThinkPhone looks perfectly nice on the outside. It's certainly a uniquely designed Android device, and the implementation of the classic ThinkPad styling (including even a callback to the trademark red ThinkPad nubbin-thing, via the phone's extra hardware button) really is an inspired touch.

Motorola The Motorola ThinkPhone and its trademark red ThinkPad nubbin-thing.

But Goog almighty, am I the only one who sees the gigantic white elephant in the room next to this thing?

The unavoidable Motorola-Android asterisk

In all the oohing and ahhing early reviewers are doing over the ThinkPhone, I've seen a near-total dearth of discussion around the big honkin' asterisk any business  or even individual user  would be crazy not to consider with this device.

Plain and simple, Motorola is absolutely awful at providing post-sales software support to its Android products. Time and time again, for years now, it's shown us that it simply doesn't care about supporting its devices and putting in even the teensiest effort to get critical current software updates out in a reasonably timely manner.

This isn't some off-the-cuff, subjective assessment, either. I've been carefully tracking Android upgrades for well over a decade now. And with absolutely no exaggeration, Motorola has been flailing and failing at sending important updates to its phones for ages.

And believe me, we're not talkin' slight delays. We're talkin' flat-out fails, with the company receiving single-digit "F" grades on all of my recent Android Upgrade Report Cards  for Android 13, Android 12, Android 11, Android 10, Android 9...the list just keeps going.

In each of those cases, the company failed to get a single software update into the hands of its highest paying customers well over six months after the update's release.

With Android 13, we're now a whopping eight-and-a-half months since that Android version's arrival  260 days!  and still, owners of flagship-level Moto phones in America are waiting in the dark, with a now-nearly-19-months-outdated version of the operating system on their phones and no meaningful info about when last year's software might reach them. As happens every single time with this cycle, Moto's forums are overflowing with angry inquiries and requests for refunds from customers who clearly don't read this column or they wouldn't have put themselves in that position in the first place.

Even Moto phones that somehow earned a place on Google's wildly unreliable Android Enterprise Recommended list aren't faring any better (but that's another story for another day).

Now, look, I get it: To a casual Android user, all of this may seem like much ado about nothing. But anyone who studies Android closely or cares in the least about maintaining an optimal level of privacy and security protection on their phone knows that Android operating system updates absolutely matter for much more than their surface-level interface enhancements and feature additions.

The most important part of an Android update is almost always the under-the-hood improvements it provides in the areas of privacy, security, and also performance. Virtually every new Android version has a laundry list of advancements in those areas  critical changes that address weaknesses, strengthen the software's ability to keep your data protected, and further restrict how apps are able to interact with all sorts of sensitive info.

Particularly in a business setting but even just in a regular ol' consumer scenario, running a few months behind on system updates should be concerning. Running well over a year behind  with no clear end in sight  is completely unacceptable.

So when I see Motorola claim its new Android-based ThinkPhone is "the best phone for cybersecurity," with "software and processes that ensure the security of the entire device," I can't help but giggle at the sheer absurdity and embarrassing lack of awareness surrounding that statement. Unless Motorola were to make a clear promise of timely ongoing software support for this phone and then actually show us that it's willing and able to deliver  which, to be clear, it has not  the ThinkPhone is gonna be among the worst Android devices out there for optimal security and business use. And just like all of Motorola's other Android products, it's virtually impossible for anyone who actually understands Android to recommend it as an even remotely advisable purchase.

The whole thing may seem like a weirdly late April Fools' joke, but you'd better believe Motorola is serious. And the people who buy this phone certainly aren't gonna be laughing when we're six, eight, 16 months after the launch of this year's Android 14 update and they're still waiting in the dark with no word on if or when it might reach them.

Get plain-English perspective on all the most important Android news with my Android Intelligence newsletter. Three things to know and three things to try every Friday  straight from me to you.
Singapore HSA fines 13 people for selling e-vapourisers illegally

Singapores Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has prosecuted and slapped SGD 102,000 worth of fines on 13 persons for selling electronic vapourisers (e-vapourisers) and related components.

The HSA has launched multiple public service campaigns warning Singaporeans about the hazards of vaping. Photo courtesy: YouTube/hpbsg

They were convicted between September 2022 and March 2023, with one of the convicted persons, an 18-year-old, sentenced to undergo reformative training for a period of six months.

The convicted had purchased the e-vapourisers and related components from overseas and sold them illegally on various local social media and e-commerce platforms. Youth offender sentenced to undergo reformative training of six months.

E-vapourisers refer to battery-operated devices which deliver vapourised nicotine for users to inhale. They come in forms such as e-cigarettes, e-pipes, e-cigars and the like.

Ong Guo Wei Arron (18), had been caught selling e-vaporisers on Instagram and WhatsApp in May 2019.

While investigations were under way, he was caught again about two months later selling e-vapourisers and their components on Instagram and Carousell.

Tan Jun Kai (30) was caught by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers when they conducted a search of his car at the Woodlands Checkpoint in July 2019. The case was referred to HSA and investigations revealed that he had smuggled the items from Malaysia on a few occasions and sold them on his Telegram account.

From 2018 to 2022, HSA had prosecuted 101 persons for selling e-vapourisers and their related components. From 2018 to 2022, HSA had prosecuted 101 persons for selling e-vapourisers and their related components. Photo courtesy: HSA

Tan was fined SGD 37,000 for selling and offering for sale e-vapourisers and their related components.

Jaron Wong Shun Yi (31) was caught selling e-vapourisers and their components through a Telegram group. He had got his supplies from a supplier through Whatsapp. His domestic helper would help to deliver the items to buyers when he was not at home. Jaron was fined SGD 8,500.

HSA conducts active online surveillance and will continue to take strong enforcement actions against those selling e-vapourisers and related components, said the HSA statement. It has also launched multiple public service campaigns warning Singaporeans about the hazards of vaping.

It is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to sell, possess for sale, import or distribute e-vapourisers and their related components in Singapore. Any person who is convicted is liable to a fine of up to SGD 10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to SGD 20,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offences, an HSA advisory stated.

It is also an offence for anyone to possess, purchase or use e-vapourisers and their related components. The penalty is a fine of up to SGD 2,000 per offence, it added.

From 2018 to 2022, HSA had prosecuted 101 persons for selling e-vapourisers and their related components.
When educational qualification is marker of eligibility for a post, it can't be considered personal information to which access can be denied



Registering itself means notice to public in general about a public activity, the ruling said. If information is not disclosed under Section 8 of the Right to Information Act, which pertains to information that might affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, then such non-disclosure must be suitably justified, the judgment noted.

The Commission directed the university to facilitate free inspection of the relevant register where complete information about the result of all students who passed in Bachelor of Arts in the year 1978 was available.

Delhi University challenged this order in the Delhi High Court, even though activists pointed out that what was sought was already in the public domain, and not private information. Soon after he passed those orders, Sridhar Acharyulu was

This lack of transparency in matters of public importance, and especially about information that belongs in the public domain, contributes to the proliferation of institutes offering dubious degrees, and the erosion in value of the Indian degree. One way to stem this tide is to expand the websites of universities so that they contain information about all examination results declared, with proper archives so that even past results can be easily accessed.

This would be an invaluable resource to firms seeking to verify qualifications of candidates seeking employment. It would also go a long way in preventing fraud through forgery of certificates.

---

*Freelance journalist The 2016 ruling by the Central Information Commission on Neeraj Sharmas petition held that since the degree is conferred through a convocation ceremony, and the grant of degree is publicly celebrated, there is nothing that affects the individuals privacy in the declaration of his degree. When educational qualification is a marker of eligibility for a post, it cannot be considered personal information to which access can be denied.Registering itself means notice to public in general about a public activity, the ruling said. If information is not disclosed under Section 8 of the Right to Information Act, which pertains to information that might affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, then such non-disclosure must be suitably justified, the judgment noted.The Commission directed the university to facilitate free inspection of the relevant register where complete information about the result of all students who passed in Bachelor of Arts in the year 1978 was available.Delhi University challenged this order in the Delhi High Court, even though activists pointed out that what was sought was already in the public domain, and not private information. Soon after he passed those orders, Sridhar Acharyulu was divested of the charge of the Human Resources Development ministry within the information commission.This lack of transparency in matters of public importance, and especially about information that belongs in the public domain, contributes to the proliferation of institutes offering dubious degrees, and the erosion in value of the Indian degree. One way to stem this tide is to expand the websites of universities so that they contain information about all examination results declared, with proper archives so that even past results can be easily accessed.This would be an invaluable resource to firms seeking to verify qualifications of candidates seeking employment. It would also go a long way in preventing fraud through forgery of certificates.---

On April 18, 2023 Bloomberg carried a news report about the proliferation of useless educational degrees in India, causing Indian youth to fail to find decent employment, and undermining the national economy. Australia and Canada have taken action against higher education applicants from India, who forged documents. University Grants Commission has periodically released lists of fake universities Questions have been raised about the genuineness of the degree certificates of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Among those raising such questions is Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was recently fined by the Gujarat High Court for seeking information that the court asserted was already in the public domain Neeraj Sharma, a resident of Delhi, had earlier sought information from Delhi University about all students who had appeared for the Bachelor of Arts degree examinations at Delhi University in the year 1978, the year when prime minister Modi is supposed to have earned his degree from DU.Sharma wanted to know how many students took the BA examinations in 1978, how many passed, how many failed, and the results of that year, with roll number, students names, fathers name of each student, marks and result  whether passed or failed.I had not sought any information pertaining to any particular student. My plea was for the result for a particular year. In 1978, there was no internet  the university would publish results of examinations in newspapers, and these were also displayed on notice boards of the different colleges. The information I sought was already in the public domain, I just needed the answer from the university, Sharma told this reporter.However, he was denied this information because the examination branch of the university claimed that the results had been sent to the colleges, so the applicant could get them from the colleges. Sharma in his appeal before the information commission submitted the Universitys examination result from 2013, which was freely available on the website of the university. To reduce the demand on the university, Sharma also later reduced the scope of the information sought to just the results in the political science department for that year, 1978.Sridhar Acharyulu, who served as Central Information Commissioner at the time, issued an order in this matter on December 21, 2016, which could serve as a resource for curbing fake courses and fake degrees in the higher education sector.Like registration of transfer of land or registration of a society, the registration of graduation details/degree details forms part of public record the purpose of register is to maintain a public record, and whenever there is a need, refer the register and the details could be accessed. Acquiring education qualification through process of registration, from admission to graduation with an authorized university is similar to acquiring property through authorized registration process. Like land or property documents, the degrees and related information is also in public domain, the judgment explained.The judgment cited the precedent of a ruling by Justice AR Dave and Justice L Nageswara Rao of the Supreme Court in 2016, when the election of Manipur Congress MLA Mairembam Prithviraj was quashed for falsely declaring in his nomination papers that he held an MBA degree. The Supreme Court held that the right to vote would be meaningless unless citizens were well informed about the antecedents of candidates.
Autopsies are meant to answer two questions. One: Was this death murder? And two: Did the deceased celeb have any juicy details on their body we can gossip about?

Wait, no. Thats a gross oversimplification (and we do mean gross; were talking about cutting open corpses here). Autopsies can also solve all kinds of other mysteries, like...

5 How Many Souls Do Twins Have? The first ever autopsy recorded in the New World happened in 1533, in the place we now call the Dominican Republic. That July, a woman gave birth to conjoined twins she named Joana and Melchiora, who did not survive long. A priest offered to baptize the babies, postmortem. But how many baptisms were required here? You could say these were two separate children, or you can say they werent, since they were anything but separate. The Church ordered an autopsy on the Bellestero twins to determine whether they had one soul or two. The autopsy revealed two sets of internal organs, and so, the Church concluded they had two souls. Apparently, the Church believed the soul is definitely located in organs but not located in the brain. Is the soul located in the gallbladder perhaps, or the pancreas? Recent research does not say; maybe some questions are outside the purview of science. Dennis Brown Maybe its in the ribs, which is why ribs are called soul food. Either way, Mr. Bellestero refused to pay for two baptisms. So, Joana and Melchiora, though conjoined in life, are separated in death, as only one was blessed and saved from the fires of hell.

4 Is It Tasty? Maybe you've heard of a body hack called the Valsalva maneuver. It involves trying to exhale while shutting all the usual passages from which air escapes, and it's useful for all kinds of stuff  from clearing a blocked ear to expelling illicit fake urine you have bottled and stored in your rectum. The maneuver is named for 17th-century scientist Antonio Maria Valsalva. Advertisement Valsalva was an anatomist, which is why lots of little obscure muscles and doodads within the body bear his name. Like most anatomists at the time, Valsalva obtained his knowledge by cutting up dead bodies. This was how, for example, he observed that the ear consists of three sections: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. We are all very lucky that he intuitively named these sections outer, middle and inner, rather than Antonio, Maria and Valsalva, which he no doubt considered doing. Jasmin Chew The ligament between the ear and head *is* named for Valsalva, however. But Valsalva was not so complacent to merely observe dead bodies with his eyes. He also employed that organ known as the tongue, to get a full sense of what the body is like. When he spotted some especially foul fluid, he sampled it and reported his findings. Gangrenous pus does not taste good, recorded Valsalva, leaving the tongue tingling unpleasantly for the better part of the day. Advertisement Other scientists might have assumed as much from the awful smell, but Valsalva went the extra mile. If the man did not then report the taste of every single other part of the body, we assume that's just because he tried them all and found them unremarkably satisfactory. Advertisement

3 Are Gay Brains Different? Sexual orientation, in theory, should be detectable by some sort of physical evidence in the body, for the simple reason that everything about you should be detectable by some sort of physical evidence in the body. Even your personality traits and individual memories must be linked to something going on in neurons or whatever, if we have no part of ourselves other than our physical forms. Scientific Animations Even your soul was recently proven to be located in the gallbladder. Advertisement In 1991, Simon LeVay of the Salk Institute lost a partner of 21 years to AIDS. He now ran a study comparing the brains of gay men whod died of AIDS to straight men whod died of AIDS, and comparing both to the brains of straight women. He observed one consistent difference: One cell group in the hypothalamus, called INAH3, had a nucleus that was roughly the same size in gay men and in women, but twice as big in straight men. These results made a lot of people very angry, for various contradictory reasons. And had LeVay considered all the potential shortcomings of his study? Maybe hed only found a brain difference in people who like being penetrated, not people who are gay, had he thought of that? In fact, he had thought of that, and listed all such possibilities in the original study. Despite what people assumed, his findings made no assumptions about what causes sexual orientation or even if orientation is immutable. He just demonstrated that its observable (by pickling brain cells in alcohol after death), which should only be controversial if you thought all gay people were pretending. Advertisement Advertisement

2 How Much Money Can We Make Off This? For around a year, starting in 1835, P.T. Barnum exhibited a woman whom he called George Washingtons mammy. Joice Heth, said Barnum, had been the first person to dress the father of the country, had nursed him and taught him spirituals. If his story were true, that would make Heth 161 years old, far older than anyone else in recorded history. Many people thought he was lying, so when Heth died, Barnum said he aimed to prove the truth definitively. He would order an autopsy of the woman, and anyone could come witness it live  for a small entrance fee. J. Booth & Son Corpses make great attractions. Theres one dead every minute. Advertisement He held the autopsy at a saloon, where 1,500 people crowded in to see her. The doctor who conducted the autopsy announced that Heth had been around 80 years old when she died, which sounded like bad news to Barnum, but he didnt care  the autopsy had netted him over $20,000, in today's money. Later, confronted about lying about Heth, Barnum claimed that she really had been 161 years old, but the doctor had autopsied some other woman entirely. This would make him still guilty of lying to people for money, just of telling a different lie. On yet another occasion, he admitted to having made up the whole mammy story, compelling Heth to do what he said by giving her whiskey. To make her look older than she really was, hed pulled out all her teeth, after getting her drunk. At least, thats what he claimed that day. It wasnt so much an admission as a story he got a paper to publish for the sake of publicity, so who knows how much of it was true. Advertisement Advertisement
Universities are looking for a lot of different qualities in the students they admit every school year, but being a try-hard isnt one of them. In fact, when it comes to extracurriculars, a less-is-more approach may be more likely to get teens into college, according to new research.

Some people might think that if participating in one extracurricular activity is good, then participating in many must be better. But that is not what we found, James Tompsett, lead author of the study and a PhD student in sociology at Ohio State, explained in a press release.

Tompsett and his team looked at data from the Educational Longitudinal Survey that included more than 10,000 high school students from nearly 700 schools. Their results revealed that students who participated in one school sport and one non-sport activity were likelier to go to more selective colleges and that any more activities than that did very little to help their cause. Its hard to do multiple activities well, and too many may pull you away from academics, which are also obviously very important for getting into college, study co-author Chris Knoester speculated.

That said, the researchers concluded that socioeconomic status gave students the biggest competitive advantage in terms of getting into college. So if you insist on doing too much in the name of higher education, be sure to do it with money.
TV comedies dont get much better than Frasier, the acclaimed Cheers spin-off that found Dr. Frasier Crane moving to Seattle, bonding with his cantankerous father, squabbling with his overly-fussy brother and drinking enough sherry to drown a small army. To celebrate this great show (before it potentially gets completely ruined via a reboot), weve rounded up some tossed facts and scrambled trivia for your enjoyment, starting with how

15 It Was Nearly About a Paralyzed Media Mogul Kelsey Grammers first post-Cheers project was initially pitched as a story about a Malcolm Forbes-like rich guy who gets paralyzed in a motorcycle accident but eventually forms a bond with his live-in physical therapist (a Rosie Perez type). Paramount reportedly hated the idea and convinced Grammer to just make a Cheers spin-off instead.

14 Lisa Kudrow Played Roz for Just Three Days Frasiers producer Roz was originally played by a pre-Friends Kudrow, who was fired three days into filming the pilot because she wasnt director James Burrows cup of tea. The role instead went to Peri Gilpin. Play

13 The Setting Was Shifted to Seattle in Protest of Colorados Anti-LGBTQ Laws Frasier was originally going to be set in Denver until Colorado voters approved an anti-LGBTQ amendment that earned them the nickname the Hate State. In response, the shows creators changed the setting to Seattle instead.

12 None of the Creators Noticed a Major Plot Hole While developing the show, which focused mainly on Frasiers relationship with his estranged cop dad, somehow nobody remembered that he had once mentioned on Cheers that his father was dead. So the writers tried to square this canonical circle in the second season when Ted Danson guest-starred as Sam Malone. Play Advertisement Advertisement

11 Grammer Genuinely Resented the Dog Frasiers antipathy toward Eddie the dog wasnt totally an act; Grammer devoted a chunk of his autobiography to letting everyone know that Moose, the Jack Russell terrier who played Eddie, simply did tricks and was not a proper actor like him. After all, could Moose have so skillfully portrayed Darius Grouch the Third in Money Plane? Play

10 Cast Members Appeared as Different Characters in Cheers Before taking the role of Roz, Gilpin was in the final season of Cheers, as was John Mahoney  and Frasier never bothered to explain why exactly Martin Crane had a piano-playing doppelganger in Boston. Play Advertisement Advertisement

9 Frasiers Apartment Is Scientifically Impossible The view from Frasiers Condo is north of downtown Seattle looking south, but there arent any high-rises north of the Space Needle, just one very massive hill. Designer Roy Christopher admitted that they created the sets backdrop by sending a camera crew up a craggy cliff. Play

8 Cafe Nervosas Name Is a Joke Niles and Frasiers favorite peddler of caffeine, Cafe Nervosa, is so named because Nervosa is an Italian and Latin adjective, meaning nervous. Play Advertisement Advertisement

7 Theres an Official Frasier Cookbook In 1996, Frasier-mania extended to the creation of Cafe Nervosa: The Connoisseurs Cookbook, featuring recipes such as Frasiers Baked Fudge and Bulldogs Big BLT Croissants. Play

6 Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs Is Supposed to Be a Reference to Frasiers Patients The theme songs lyrics about tossed salad and scrambled eggs are confusing. According to composer Bruce Miller, its because these ingredients are mixed up like Frasier Cranes patients. Advertisement Advertisement

5 The Theme Song Was Originally Written for Mel Torme Miller wrote the song with Torme in mind, who would have been perfect. But the producers insisted on letting Grammer sing it. Play

4 The Cast Staged an Intervention for Grammer After he totaled his car while under the influence of drugs, in 1996, the Frasier cast went over to Grammers house and staged an intervention, convincing him to go to rehab. It was the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life, said Mahoney. Advertisement Advertisement

3 We Were Going to See Maris, But She Became Uncastable We famously never see Niles wife, Maris, throughout the run of the series, but that wasnt always the plan. Originally, Maris absence was a meta-nod to Norms unseen wife on Cheers. But when it came time to actually introduce Maris, she had been the subject of so many peculiar descriptives that, according to co-creator David Lee, she was uncastable. Play

2 Niles and Daphnes Son Is Named After Producer David Angell, Who Died on 9/11 In the shows finale, Goodnight, Seattle, Daphne gives birth to her baby with Niles, whom they name David. This was done as a tribute to producer and co-creator David Angell, who died on 9/11. Advertisement Advertisement
Next month, cantankerous comic Lewis Black will assume the role of guest host on The Daily Show after spending over a quarter century lending his talents to the lauded late-night series  and in those long 27 years, hes found plenty to complain about.

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

Speaking to The Daily Beast in an interview released earlier today, Black revealed some of the behind-the-scenes bullshit hes had to suffer during his record-setting tenure as a Daily Show contributor. Black discussed how Daily Show producers removed him from writing duties on his recurring segment Back in Black, a bit devoted to channeling the acerbic comics legendary anger on generally inconsequential issues, relegating Black to the role of reading someone elses diatribe off the teleprompter.

Black also revealed that The Daily Show suits didnt plan on inviting a single contributor to sit in the big chair when the show first launched its slate of rotating guest hosts. Black, Roy Wood Jr., Hasan Minhaj and Jordan Klepper were only added to the lineup after the first round of celebrity cameos were planned, and, even then, the correspondents werent invited  Black and his colleagues had to ask for the honor of running the show for a week. Somehow, Black didnt swear once while describing the injustice.
  aillarionov



Declaration of Russian Democratic Forces



1. The war against Ukraine is criminal. Russian troops must be withdrawn from all occupied territories. The internationally recognized borders of Russia must be restored; war criminals must be brought to justice and the victims of aggression must be compensated.



2. Putin's regime is illegitimate and criminal. Therefore, it must be liquidated. We see Russia as a country in which the individual freedoms and rights are guaranteed, in which the usurpation of state power is excluded.



3. The implementation of imperial policy within Russia and abroad is unacceptable.



4. Political prisoners in Russia and prisoners of war must be released, forcibly displaced persons must be allowed to return home, and abducted Ukrainian children must be returned to Ukraine.



5. We express our solidarity with those Russians who, despite the brutal repressions, have the courage to speak up from anti-Putin and anti-war positions, and with those tens of millions who refuse to participate in the crimes of the Putins regime.



The signatories of the Declaration share the values of a democratic society, respectful communication, recognize human rights and freedoms, the principles of diversity and equal rights, rejection of discrimination.



The signatories refrain from public conflicts in the democratic and anti-war movements.



We call on the citizens of Russia to join this Declaration.



We commit to uphold this Declaration until our common strategic goals are achieved.



Berlin,

April 30, 2023



The Declaration might be signed here:

https://www.change.org/p/---



In this darkest hour, we declare our strategic goals  to stop the aggression against Ukraine and create a free, rule of law based, federal Russia. To do this, we consider it necessary to strengthen the coordination of our actions. We declare our commitment to the following fundamental positions: 1. The war against Ukraine is criminal. Russian troops must be withdrawn from all occupied territories. The internationally recognized borders of Russia must be restored; war criminals must be brought to justice and the victims of aggression must be compensated.2. Putin's regime is illegitimate and criminal. Therefore, it must be liquidated. We see Russia as a country in which the individual freedoms and rights are guaranteed, in which the usurpation of state power is excluded.3. The implementation of imperial policy within Russia and abroad is unacceptable.4. Political prisoners in Russia and prisoners of war must be released, forcibly displaced persons must be allowed to return home, and abducted Ukrainian children must be returned to Ukraine.5. We express our solidarity with those Russians who, despite the brutal repressions, have the courage to speak up from anti-Putin and anti-war positions, and with those tens of millions who refuse to participate in the crimes of the Putins regime.The signatories of the Declaration share the values of a democratic society, respectful communication, recognize human rights and freedoms, the principles of diversity and equal rights, rejection of discrimination.The signatories refrain from public conflicts in the democratic and anti-war movements.We call on the citizens of Russia to join this Declaration.We commit to uphold this Declaration until our common strategic goals are achieved.Berlin,April 30, 2023The Declaration might be signed here: Tags:  

From: pioterpetrov Date: May 2nd, 2023 03:17 pm (UTC) (Link) "The internationally recognized borders of Russia must be restored"



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Samsung has reportedly banned employee use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT in a bid to stop transmission of sensitive internal data to external servers.

The South Korean electronics giant issued a memo to a key division, notifying employees not to use AI tools, according to a report by Bloomberg, which said it reviewed the memo. Bloomberg did not report which division received the memo.

In addition, employees using ChatGPT and other AI tools on personal devices were warned to not upload company related data or other information that could compromise the company's intellectual property. Doing so, the memo said, could result in employment termination.

The memo expressed concerns over inputting data such as sensitive code on AI platforms. The worry is that anything that is typed onto an AI tool like ChatGPT will then reside on external servers, which makes retrieving and deleting them very difficult, and also potentially making them accessible by other users.

Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT has been growing internally and externally, the memo said. While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI.

The memo comes in the wake of a March notification by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, that a bug in an open-source library  since fixed  allowed some ChatGPT users to see titles from other active users' chat history.

Samsungs ban on the tool also comes a month after an internal survey it conducted to understand the security risks associated with AI. About 65% of employees surveyed said ChatGPT posed serious security threats. In addition, in April, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code by uploading it to ChatGPT, according to the memo. The memo did not, however, reveal what the code was, precisely, and did not elaborate on whether the code was simply typed into ChatGPT, or whether it was also inspected by anyone external to Samsung.

Lawmakers set to regulate AI

Fearing the potential of ChatGPT and other AI systems to leak private data and spread false information, regulators have begun to consider restrictions on their use. The European Parliament, for instance, is days away from finalizing an AI Act, and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) is assembling an AI task force, focusing on ChatGPT, to examine potential AI dangers.

Last month, Italy imposed privacy-based restrictions on ChatGPT and temporarily banned its operation in the country. OpenAI agreed to make changes requested by Italian regulators, after which it relaunched the service.

Companies that offer AI tools are starting to respond to concerns about privacy and data leakage. OpenAI last month announced that it would allow users to turn off the chat history feature for ChatGPT. The history disabled feature means that conversations marked as such wont be used to train OpenAIs underlying models, and wont be displayed in the history sidebar, the comany said.

Samsung, meanwhile, is working on internal AI tools for translating and summarizing documents as well as for software development, according to media reports. Its also working on ways to block the upload of sensitive company information to external services.

HQ is reviewing security measures to create a secure environment for safely using generative AI to enhance employees productivity and efficiency, the memo said. However, until these measures are prepared, we are temporarily restricting the use of generative AI.

With this move Samsung joins the expanding group of companies that have exercised some form of restriction on this disruptive technology. Among them are Wall Street banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and CitiGroup.
BRIDGEPORT  In an effort to comply with a state transparency law it has long flouted, Mayor Joe Ganim's administration is taking a controversial approach to reduce its massive backlog of pending requests for public records, raising concerns among state officials and First Amendment advocates.

As it wades through nearly 3,000 unfulfilled Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Bridgeport's law department has sent notices asking requestors who have been waiting at least six months for a response to let the department know if they still want the documents.

The notices say that if the law department does not hear back within 30 days, it will cancel the request, closing it out without providing the records sought.

City officials said the move is intended to help the city weed out requests that may no longer be of interest because time has passed. Doing so will allow the city to prioritize which requests to focus on helping officials speed up their efforts to reduce the backlog.

But one state official said the city's attempts to unilaterally close out requests may not be legal as did First Amendment advocate Michael Savino, who called the approach "ridiculous."

"It's unfortunate that they're basically forcing people to opt in because the city can't meet their obligations," said Savino, president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information, founded in 1955 to promote open and accountable government. "Your FOIA request shouldn't expire because the city can't meet its obligations."

"I don't see how this would stand up legally," Savino added. "There's nothing in the law that allows this."

Over the past few weeks, the municipal law department has sent emails telling requestors: "Due to the age of your request, we are seeking your feedback as to whether you no longer wish to proceed with your request so that it can be closed for tracking purposes."

As of April 20, the city had issued 259 such notices, Bridgeport City Attorney Mark Anastasi said in a statement issued in response to questions from Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

Many more people will soon get the same notice, he said.

"The City Attorneys Office is releasing this correspondence in batches, due to the high volume of intended recipients," Anastasi's statement said. He did not specify how many more such emails will be sent out.

The states FOIA law gives residents the right to obtain copies of certain government records.

Frequently used by journalists, lawyers and local activists, it is an important tool to help hold public agencies accountable to taxpayers. For example, it can help residents get copies of police incident reports and body camera footage as well as records detailing government spending.

In early February, Hearst Connecticut Media published an investigative series outlining the Ganim administration's record of stonewalling efforts to obtain public records, sometimes for years, and, as a result, violating the state's transparency laws more often than other municipalities.

The series found the city had a growing backlog of open requests  from 1,800 in December 2021 to over 2,000 in November 2022  after city officials testified of the rough size before the Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC). Anastasi said there were "approximately 2,935 requests currently open" as of April 20.

City officials have attributed the backlog to an increase in requests in recent years, a lack of resources and staffing and to the coronavirus pandemic that struck in early 2020 and for a time placed limits on municipal services due to health and safety precautions.

Hours after the series published, Ganim vowed to address the problem, outlining a series of measures aimed at reducing the backlog and speeding up the processing of future requests.

But, whether city officials have the authority to close record request cases if they do not hear back in 30 days is unclear.

Anastasi said the move was "informally sanctioned" at a recent meeting between members of Ganim's administration and staff with the FOIC.

But FOIC Executive Director Colleen Murphy in an interview for this article said closing records requests may not be legal. Even if it is, she says it does not fit with the spirit of the state's transparency law.

"Perhaps what might have been better said in the letter is, 'If we don't hear from you, we may prioritize other cases first.' That's a little softer than saying, 'We're closing your file,'" she said.

Murphy said that in late March Ganim arranged a meeting in Bridgeport between himself, Anastasi and some FOIC employees.

"Which we thought was a very, very positive thing," Murphy said.

But Murphy did not recall discussions about automatically canceling FOI submissions if there was no response within 30 days.

"I think [Bridgeport and my staff] may have talked about the concept of sending a checking-in kind of letter with people. But I don't think the [closing cases] was discussed from my conversations with my staff members."

Murphy said she is not aware of any other public agency taking such a step during her 33-year tenure with the FOIC, the last 17 years as the executive director.

State law gives those requesting information 30 days to file a complaint with the commission after being denied access to records by an agency, or from when the request was made if an agency doesn't respond with the records.

Murphy said there is no precedent she is aware of for whether an agency closing a long-pending submission is considered a denial that a requestor could file a complaint to the FOIC over and she is unsure how the FOIC would rule were Bridgeport's approach challenged.

This would hardly be the first time for Bridgeport to test what is allowed and forge new ground on what constitutes a denial of an FOI request, Murphy said.

For example, when someone files a complaint with the commission, Bridgeport attorneys have argued in multiple cases they never denied someone records by taking too long to provide those records and attempted to get those complaints dismissed on those grounds. City attorneys have also argued that when they are ordered by the FOIC to provide records, they are free to redact them and that is not a denial because the person never complained that the records they had not yet seen were unnecessarily redacted.

Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said the recent controversial move by Bridgeport reminded him of a similar case where Boston closed out requests for lack of activity before abandoning the policy.

Silverman said it is "reasonable" to reach out to individuals or entities that have long-pending FOI requests to gauge their continued interest.

"The problem is when they then don't get a response and then automatically close out the request when the requester may in fact still be interested in the request," he said. "That's not a remedy to the problem. That's just Bridgeport letting Bridgeport off the hook."

The city attorney, however, said that because so much time has passed, the information might not be relevant and needed.

"Due to significant passage of time," Anastasi wrote. "Certain still outstanding requests will now be considered as moot by the requesting parties, and substantive responses from the city will no longer be deemed necessary."

"This procedure is intended to enable the city to prioritize those requests in our existing backlog still considered active and will result in the city more rapidly reducing, and eventually eliminating, the current substantial backlog of pending requests by prudently directing its resources," Anastasi added.

Following the Hearst Connecticut Media investigation, Ganim, who had pledged a more transparent local government when first elected in 2015 and who is up for reelection this year, announced plans to "remove the bottleneck delay" by training staff in various departments to handle FOI submissions rather than funneling them all to an under-staffed law department.

Anastasi in his April 20 statement said training sessions were successfully held and completed the week of March 13 and additional dates were scheduled for later in the month.

"Naturally, the Office of City Attorney remains involved in the FOI program by continuing to facilitate the transition and by providing advice, guidance and training as warranted," he continued.

Murphy said she hopes the meeting with her staff at the FOIC and Ganim will put the city on the right path to giving the public timelier access to records.

I guess we will see how that plays out, she said. Were hoping this is going to be the beginning of really quicker access for people looking for information.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Asked whether hes going to be campaigning for president this year, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said no.

But what about beyond that? That part remains unclear.

Specifically, Youngkin was asked Monday at a conference where he was speaking in California if he would be getting out on the presidential campaign trail" in 2023.

No, the governor said. Im going to be working in Virginia this year.

Speculation about a presidential run has followed the former private equity executive ever since his 2021 election, which made him the first Republican elected to lead blue-trending Virginia in over a decade. But Youngkin has long redirected those those questions, focusing instead on next November's legislative elections, when all 140 state General Assembly seats will be on the ballot.

Dave Rexrode, chairman of Youngkins Spirit of Virginia political action committee, said the governor's remarks on Monday were no different.

Nothing has changed. He is focused on Virginias 2023 elections  that is his priority. He will be campaigning across the commonwealth this year to build a majority, Rexrode said.

No, Youngkin and his political advisers have not publicly ruled out a presidential campaign in 2024. But they're pointing to the opportunity that Virginia elections this year provide for him to showcase a different kind of Republican politics that proved successful in a state where Democrat Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in 2020.

A person familiar with Youngkins political operation but not authorized to speak publicly by name said some media coverage suggesting Youngkin had ruled out a campaign was an overreaction. And the governors answer came in response to a question specifically about 2023  not 2024.

In an interview on Fox Business on Tuesday, Youngkin again gave a middling answer, saying, What Ive been very clear with from the very beginning is how humbling it is for my name to be in this, this circle, of potential White House candidates. He said he wants to demonstrate that conservative commonsense leadership can in fact win in a purple state.

Strategists have said that being a Republican who can win in Democrat-favored areas could set Youngkin apart from other GOP contenders like Trump, who is running again, or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to enter the presidential race soon. DeSantis' election strength has thus far been tested only in his Republican-favored Florida, while Trump lost the 2020 national election and endorsed a string of 2022 candidates who lost their midterm races.

Youngkin, who cannot seek a second consecutive term as governor, theoretically could run for president in 2024 once Virginias 2023 elections are over, but the ability for any candidate to put together a successful campaign later this year or early next year would be extremely difficult. That's true even for a candidate like Youngkin, who has dabbled in cross-country campaigning and can tap into his own personal fortune and lists of wealthy donors.

There is no filing deadline for Republican candidates to win support in Iowas caucuses, the first-in-the-nation contest set for early February, but candidates typically need to start this year to secure support. Trump, who announced his campaign in late 2022, is using data from past campaigns to lock in his most loyal supporters  an obstacle for later entrants.

A late campaign entry would also mean missing the first Republican primary debates, scheduled to start in August, and delaying the complex and time-consuming process to organize and woo delegates around the country who will actually choose the nominee at the GOP convention in July 2024.

Top Republican operatives who worked on Youngkins 2021 campaign are already working on a potential rival's 2024 presidential race, having signed on for a super PAC urging DeSantis to run.

On the other hand, Youngkin campaigned across the country in 2022, handing out red fleece vests to candidates that matched the one he donned in his own race  a softer, fuzzier incarnation of Trumps distinctive Make America Great Again hats.

Hes ramped up his campaign-style activities again lately, with frequent appearances on cable news, fundraising trips to Palm Beach, New York City and Dallas, high-profile speaking engagements, and an international trade mission to Taiwan amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, along with stops in Japan and South Korea.

He raised $2.75 million over a few weeks for his Spirit of Virginia PAC, in addition to a $1 million check from billionaire Thomas Peterffy on April 20. The check came days after Peterffy told The Financial Times he was pausing his financial support for DeSantis because of his conservative stances on abortion and book banning.

Peterffy attended an April 14 fundraising lunch in Palm Beach for Youngkin, which the governor followed with another fundraising event in Dallas on April 19. The next day, he spoke at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Texas and an event back in Virginia for the conservative Heritage Foundation, and he is expected to make more trips around the country this year.

He will likely be asked again about running for president, especially after his answer to a follow-up question on Monday in California, when the interviewer, The Wall Street Journals editor-at-large Gerard Baker, asked: So in the words of LBJ, you will not seek, and if nominated, you will not serve and accept the Republican nomination for president of the United States?

Youngkin laughed and said, Well leave that one to LBJ.

___

Price reported from New York. Associated Press writer Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greeces Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to ban the far-right Greeks Party from participating in the country's upcoming general election, upholding legal amendments approved by lawmakers.

The amendments adopted by Parliament in February disqualify parties led by politicians convicted of serious offenses or ones that would not serve the free functioning of (Greeces) democratic constitution.

Imprisoned former lawmaker Ilias Kasidiaris and his Greeks Party are not allowed to participate in the May 21 election under those terms. The ban, broadly supported by Greeces mainstream political parties, was upheld despite an 11th-hour change in the Greeks Party leadership.

The Supreme Court's 9-1 decision to uphold parliament's action could effect the outcome of the election, since the winning party would likely have an easier time forming a new government with fewer parties represented in the national legislature.

Kasidiaris, 42, founded the Greeks Party after receiving a 13-year prison sentence in 2020. He was convicted as a leading member of an extreme right party, Golden Dawn, which was blamed for multiple attacks against migrants and left-wing political activists.

The party was founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s but later claimed to represent a broader nationalist ideology.

The Supreme Court ruling makes clear that criminal organizations appearing in the guise of a political party cannot be tolerated in the electoral process, government spokesman Akis Skertsos said after the decision was announced.

It is the duty of all of us to protect democracy ... This ruling is a vindication for the government which led the effort to keep the enemies of democracy out of parliament.

Greeks Party officials have vowed to fight the ban in European courts. Opinion polls in recent weeks suggested the party would have done well enough in the election to be represented in parliament, with a projected 4% of voter support.

Democracy has died where it was born, the Greeks Party said in an online post. In a statement read out loud by his lawyer, Kasidiaris also vowed to fight the decision. The Greeks Party was targeted illegally ... and tonight, our democratic system of government has been abolished. Half a million Greeks are being deprived of their right to vote for the party of their choice, the statement said.

Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is seeking a second term in the election. His center-right New Democracy party is leading in opinion polls but suggest he is unlikely to achieve an outright victory.
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HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the transgender state lawmaker silenced after telling Republicans they would have blood on their hands for opposing gender-affirming health care for kids, was barred from returning to the Montana House floor in a Tuesday court ruling that came just hours before the Legislature wrapped up its biennial session.

District Court Judge Mike Menahan said it was outside his authority to overrule lawmakers who voted last week to exclude Zephyr from the House floor and debates. He cited the importance of preserving the Constitutions separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

Plaintiffs requested relief would require this Court to interfere with legislative authority in a manner that exceeds this Courts authority, Menahan wrote in his ruling.

The ruling and lawmakers decision to adjourn brought a sudden end to a political standoff that dominated the last days of the Legislature and put a national spotlight on transgender issues and the muffling of dissent in statehouses across the U.S.

It leaves bitter feelings on both sides, with Democrats and the transgender community outraged over Zephyrs treatment, and Republicans indignant over the vehemence of the response.

Attorneys for the state of Montana had asked the judge to reject an emergency motion from Zephyrs lawyers challenging her ouster. The first-term lawmaker was silenced two weeks ago for admonishing Republican lawmakers, then banished from the floor for encouraging a raucous statehouse protest.

Zephyr told The Associated Press that Menahan's decision was entirely wrong.

Its a really sad day for the country when the majority party can silence representation from the minority party whenever they take issue, Zephyr said.

An attorney for Zephyr, Alex Rate, said an appeal was being considered. But with the 2023 legislative session ending, a ruling in coming days would be of little immediate consequence.

The punishment against Zephyr was through the end of the 2023 session. Since Montanas Legislature convenes every two years, Zephyr would have to be re-elected in 2024 before she could return to the House floor in two years.

Lawyers working under Attorney General Austin Knudsen had cautioned that any intervention by the courts on Zephyr's behalf would be a blatant violation of the separation of powers. They wrote in a court filing that the Montana House of Representatives retains exclusive constitutional authority" to discipline its own members.

Knudsen, a Republican, issued a statement through a spokesperson saying the lawsuit was an attempt by outside groups to interfere with Montanas lawmaking process.

Todays decision is a win for the rule of law and the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution," he said.

Zephyr and several of her Missoula constituents on Monday filed court papers seeking an emergency order allowing her to return to the House floor. Zephyr and fellow Democrats have denounced her exclusion from floor debates as an assault on free speech that's intended to silence her criticism of new restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.

But lawyers for the state said the censure of Zephyr by her Republican colleagues was for good cause" following the April 24 demonstration by her supporters.

One legislator cannot be allowed to halt the ability of the other 99 to engage in civil, orderly, debate concerning issues affecting Montana, the state's lawyers wrote.

GOP leaders under pressure from hard-line conservatives initially silenced Zephyr from participating in floor debates and demanded she apologize almost two weeks ago, after she said those who supported a ban on gender-affirming care for youths would have blood on their hands.

On April 24, Zephyr raised a microphone in defiance on the House floor as protesters in the gallery demanded she be allowed to speak and refused orders to leave. Seven people were arrested on trespassing charges and two days later lawmakers voted along party lines to oust Zephyr from the floor and gallery for the remainder of the session.

She's since been working from a bench in a hallway and, when that's been occupied, at a statehouse snack bar.

The actions taken against Zephyr have propelled her into political prominence and made her part of broader conversations about who gets to speak in statehouses. But in Montana, Republicans hope to capitalize on her high profile by painting Democrats as a party of extremists headed into the next election.

The lawsuit seeking to reverse her punishment was filed by attorneys working with the Montana ACLU. It named House Speaker Matt Regier and Sergeant-at-Arms Brad Murfitt as defendants.

Regier said in a statement that the court recognized that the judicial branch has no power to revise or overrule the power expressly held by the Montana State Legislature.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The United Nations chief warned on the eve of World Press Freedom Day that the media is under attack in every corner of the world and urged all nations to stop the targeting of truth and those who report it.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the 50% increase in the killing of media workers in 2022 unbelievable, stressing that freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice and it is under threat.

At least 67 media workers were killed in 2022. In addition, digital platforms and social media have made it easier for extremists to push false narratives and harass journalists.

Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy, Guterres said in a video message for the U.N. commemoration of 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. It was first proclaimed by the U.N. General Assembly in December 1993 and authorized to be held every May 3.

Guterres said the collapse of the media industry, which has led to closures of local news outlets and consolidation of media into the hands of the few, is threatening freedom of expression.

So are threatening new laws passed by governments worldwide, such as Russias 2022 law that anyone publishing information about its military that Moscow deems to be false could face up to 15 years in prison.

Russia detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in late March, accusing him of spying. Journal publisher Almar Latour vehemently denied the accusation at Tuesdays commemoration.

He said the Journal is tremendously grateful that President Joe Biden is personally working to secure Gershkovich's release. He added that his Russian lawyers have said, Evan is thankful and reading every letter that hes getting at the moment.

Former journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power, who now heads the U.S. Agency for International Development, accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of not only wrongfully arresting Gershkovich but of targeting journalists elsewhere, including Ukraine, where his forces have shelled broadcasting towers, seized editorial offices, and killed nine journalists since the invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

Secretary-General Guterres strongly criticized the targeting of media workers both on and offline, saying they are routinely harassed, intimidated and detained. He added that nearly three-quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online and one-quarter have been threatened physically.

The secretary-general said the world must unite to stop threats, attacks and imprisonment of journalists for doing their jobs, and stop the lies and disinformation.

As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands up with them, he said.

Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which organized the commemoration, said the advent of the digital era has changed the entire information landscape.

While digital platforms have provided new ways for expression and information, she said, they are also proving fertile ground for those who sow disinformation, hate speech and conspiracy theories.

We find ourselves at a new crossroads, Azoulay said. Our current path is leading us away from informed public debate  towards even more polarization, she warned. The other path is one we must imagine together, to ensure information can remain a public good, accessible to all.

Azoulay said UNESCO in 2021 launched a model curriculum for teachers on media and information literacy to develop critical mindsets to navigate these new flows.

Given that the business models of digital platforms are based on the number of clicks, she said, they all too often favor sensationalism over truth.

Thats why UNESCO in February organized a global conference aimed at ensuring that technology promotes human rights and shared values rather than harming them, which was attended by over 4,000 interested parties, Azoulay said. UNESCO plans to publish a set of guidelines later this year on the moderation and selection of online content  just as it did for broadcasting nearly 20 years ago, she said.

UNESCO media expert Guilherme Canela De Souza Godoi told a news conference that Tuesdays commemoration is a kickoff for more than 60 events in 60 countries and over 40 events in New York City to highlight World Press Freedom Day and the unacceptable trend of declining media freedom and increasing attacks.

He cited UNESCO statistics released last year that 85% of the worlds population experienced the downsizing of their freedom in the last five years.

A recent UNESCO survey found that journalists covering protests in 65 countries in all regions have been attacked, Canela said.

Other recent data shows that judicial systems increasingly harass journalists in all regions, with 160 countries still keeping freedom of expression under criminal codes which can lead to journalists imprisonment, he said.

The presidents of the U.N. General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, UNESCO General Conference, and Human Rights urged governments and all organizations to ensure a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

The Wall Street Journals Latour said that while the risks for journalists are increasing, we cannot withdraw from reporting about the world.

Theres probably no better answer to autocracies that are trying to squash and diminish journalism than to offer great journalism to the world, he said. It is not just press freedom thats at stake.  The fight for Evans release is the fight for everybodys freedom.
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SEATTLE (AP)  Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson launched an exploratory campaign for governor on Tuesday, one day after incumbent Jay Inslee announced he won't run again.

The Democrat's campaign ad, posted on YouTube, touts his work in an ongoing lawsuit seeking to ease restrictions on abortion medication and history of pushing for stronger gun control laws.

Ive never been afraid to take on big fights, Ferguson wrote in a Twitter post announcing the campaign.

Ferguson, 58, is a former member of the King City Council who is in his third term as attorney general. He gained a national profile by challenging the travel ban and other policies of former President Donald Trump.

In a YouTube video posted Tuesday, Ferguson said the key to winning in Washington is working with residents at the grassroots level across the state.

Washingtonians must have the freedom to make their own health care decisions," Ferguson said, "to be safe, to breathe clean air and drink clean water, to be free from discrimination, to start a small business, to make a living wage and have a safe work environment, to have opportunities to succeed in all kinds of careers."

State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, a Democrat, has also expressed interest in running for governor.

Gov. Inslee announced Monday that he would not seek a fourth term. At 72, the Democrat is the longest-serving governor in office in the U.S., and is only the second Washington governor to be elected to three consecutive terms.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin's local governments would see at least a 10% increase in funding under a widely anticipated, wide-ranging Republican plan released Tuesday that would also bar local health officers from mandating business closures that last more than 14 days and require voter approval in Milwaukee city and county to raise the sales tax.

The package, crafted by Republicans with input from local governments including Milwaukee, would increase funding known as shared revenue to cities, counties, towns and villages by $227 million. But Democrats have been skeptical about numerous provisions in the proposal, including requiring Milwaukee to get voter approval to raise the sales tax to pay for its underfunded pension system.

The package comes in response to years of lobbying from local government leaders who say stagnant funding from the state has not kept up with costs in their communities to pay for pension liabilities, emergency services, road repairs and other needs. The additional $227 million envisioned in the bill could only be spent on police and fire protection, emergency medical services, emergency response communications, public works and transportation.

The need is particularly dire in the states largest city, Milwaukee, which is a Democratic stronghold and has an underfunded pension system. Milwaukee has increasingly become reliant on federal pandemic aid to fund its essential services, which city leaders have said cost $150 million more per year to maintain.

The bill was circulated for cosponsors on Tuesday, with a very unusual deadline of just over three hours for lawmakers to sign on  a sign that Republicans want to move quickly to pass it. Once approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature, it would then go to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who had no immediate reaction to the bill.

Evers did tell WTMJ-TV in an interview Monday that after meeting with Republican leaders, he had not signed off on anything.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said on WISN-TV on Sunday that he hoped Evers would not veto the bill. Vos touted it as the single largest investment in local governments in the history of Wisconsin.

The $1.5 billion in shared revenue would come from tapping 20% of the states 5-cent sales tax, an idea Evers has supported.

Under the bill, Milwaukee could levy a 2% sales tax and Milwaukee County could add 0.375% sales tax to its current 0.5% sales tax. Both would need voter approval, one of several restrictions in the proposal. It would also require Milwaukee to hire more police and firefighters.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley both appeared with Vos at a news conference last week where they detailed the need for more funding, while expressing concerns about needing voter approval to get it.

Democratic state Sen. LaTonya Johnson, of Milwaukee, said Tuesday before the bill was introduced that the provisions related to Milwaukee will be like holding a loaded gun to our heads. The choice will be to either accept whats proposed or watch Milwaukee go bankrupt, she said.

Vos, on WISN, defended the Milwaukee vote requirement while acknowledging that rejection of a referendum to pay for the pension obligations would be catastrophic for the city.

But thats no different than what it is for most municipalities around the state when they go and ask permission to increase their levy for police or try to build a new school," Vos said.

The limit on public health officials closing a business is a reaction to steps that were taken during the early weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Under the bill, closures of longer than 14 days would require the approval of the local city, village, town or county board.

The measure would also repeal the personal property tax, which is a tax levied on business equipment. Evers and the Legislature have both called for eliminating the tax, but have not agreed on a plan to do it.

It would also require high schools to collect and maintain reports about incidents of sexual assault, robbery and battery. Local advisory referenda questions, like recent ones asking about support for legalizing recreational marijuana and repealing the state's 1849 abortion ban, would no longer be allowed.

And local governments would have to approve projects under the state's land stewardship program that are north of U.S. Highway 8, which runs across roughly the northernmost quarter of the state.

Republicans have long chafed at the process for putting land into the stewardship program, which protects it from being developed, complaining that concerns from local governments about losing that potential for growth are often ignored.

The proposal also would create a three-year, $300 million pilot program to provide additional funding to communities that combine services and save money.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Dutch government plans to drastically cut emissions of nitrogen pollution cleared a key hurdle Tuesday when the European Union's executive arm gave the green light to farm buyout schemes worth nearly 1.5 billion euros ($1.65 billion).

The plans to reduce nitrogen deposits  mainly by livestock farms  on EU-designated areas of vulnerable nature have sparked heated debate and widespread protests by angry farmers in this small nation that is a major producer and exporter of farm products. Dutch agricultural exports were worth 122.3 billion euros last year, according to the national statistics office.

The Dutch ruling coalition wants to cut emissions of pollutants, predominantly nitrogen oxide and ammonia, by 50% nationwide by 2030. It was not immediately clear how much of that target could be met using the EU-approved funds. Some 3,000 farms are expected to be eligible.

Nitrogen pollution makes climate change worse and can harm biodiversity, according to the UN Environment Program.

A key part of the Dutch strategy involves buying up and halting work at farms responsible for large-scale emissions of nitrogen. However, that required confirmation from the European Commission that the buyouts do not amount to state aid that is banned under EU rules.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy, said in a statement that the two schemes approved would clear the way for the voluntary closure of farms responsible for major nitrogen emissions.

The schemes will improve the environment conditions in those areas and will promote a more sustainable and environmentally friendly production in the livestock sector, without unduly distorting competition, she said.

The Dutch government had no immediate reaction. The minister responsible is expected to inform lawmakers about the decision later Tuesday.

Agricultural organization LTO said buyouts must be designed in such a way that they really offer farmers who stop voluntarily the opportunity to properly end their business.

The organization also called for transition schemes that would allow farmers to reduce nitrogen emissions using methods such as technical innovation or switching to other agricultural activities.

This is the only way farmers can make an informed and well-considered decision about their future, LTO said.

A pro-agriculture political party won Dutch provincial elections in March, underscoring the depth of discontent among farmers and other sections of society that has been fueled by the nitrogen reduction plans. The Dutch central government has tasked provincial legislatures with formulating and implementing exact proposals to reduce nitrogen emissions.

Farmers have held several large demonstrations, blocking highways and supermarket warehouses last year to protest the reforms that they cast as an existential threat to their way of life.

The demonstrations have also spread to neighboring Belgium, where hundreds of farmers drove their tractors into downtown Brussels last month to protest plans to cut nitrogen pollution.
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GUILFORD  Eversources plan to upgrade service from the intersection of Long Hill Road and Route 80 to Great Hill Road has some residents concerned about the removal of healthy, mature trees, some as old as 150 years.

The electric company went door to door, within the last couple months, to discuss vegetation management with residents, including cutting trees to install higher poles for better service, according to Great Hill Road residents Cynthia and David Damer.

The Damers expressed their concern to First Selectman Matt Hoey after Eversource started marking trees for removal, David Damer said, especially on a road that is designated as scenic.

Town officials, however, said they did not know Eversources plans for the area. Hoey said that he and Kevin McGee, Guilford's environmental planner and tree warden, were unaware of this project, and it has been halted until further notice.

What they do know is that this is part of a multi-year project to reconfigure how they distribute power in North Guilford, in particular on Long Hill and Great Hill, said Hoey.

The circuit in this area, he said, by Eversources admission is the fourth worst performing circuit in their Connecticut territory.

This information comes as no surprise to Hoey, whose office consistently received more calls about outages in that area than in anywhere else in town.

Eversource is constantly looking at our electric delivery system to ensure it is reliable and resilient, Mitch Gross, Eversource spokesperson, said in an email. And part of that examination is looking at the history of the circuits across our system.

Unfortunately, the circuit serving that part of Guilford has had nearly a dozen outages over the past four years, and that is unacceptable, Gross said. Thats why this work is needed. By upgrading our equipment and completing the necessary tree work, were strengthening that circuit which will significantly improve its reliability and resiliency and reduce the risk of outages. Its all about delivering more dependable power to our customers in Guilford and all the communities we serve.

Eversource is investing $1.4 million in electric system upgrades in the northern part of Guilford, according to a press release. The work includes installing 85 stronger, thicker utility poles and stringing nearly 1.5 miles of overhead electric lines, including tree wire, which can better withstand extreme weather, the release said.

On Tuesday, April 25, 45-foot poles were placed along the roadside from the intersection of Long Hill Road and Route 80 up to County Road, said Cynthia Damer.

Hoey said the pole replacement work has been approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, but no vegetation management as part of this and no restringing of wires.

David Damer said, There are over 180 trees marked in a little over a mile from north of Route 80 on Long Hill Road, just up to 700 Great Hill Road, and he doesnt see the need to remove healthy roadside trees.

We have no problem with taking down dead trees, we have no problem with them trimming a reasonable amount on the mature, live trees that are near the lines, he said.

In addition, Cynthia Damer said they are concerned since Great Hill Road is a designated scenic road.

Its narrow, 25 feet wide, and they want to take down beautiful roadside trees  150-year-old trees on both sides of the road, she said.

No vegetation management work will commence until the town receives all the necessary information from Eversource, Hoey said.

They are committed to getting us a full description, rationalization and benefits of the work that theyre doing, said Hoey.

Once we get that document, well share it with the concerned neighbors, then we will try to convene a hearing or a forum with Eversource and those residents who are concerned about it, he said.

The Damers appreciate that the project has been put on hold.

We need some time to figure out what it is that theyre planning to do, why theyre doing it, what alternatives they considered, and how they made their choices as to how to go forward with this whole thing, said David Damer.

There has to be a balance between the value of the trees, themselves, environmentally, and the need for reliable power, Cynthia Damer said. There has to be a balance.
The average historically Black college and university received 178 times less funding from foundations than the average Ivy League school in 2019, according to a new report on the underfunding of HBCUs released Tuesday.

The study -- conducted by the philanthropic research group Candid and ABFE, a nonprofit that advocates for investments in Black communities  found that the eight Ivy League schools received $5.5 billion from the 1,000 largest U.S. foundations compared to $45 million for the 99 HBCUs in 2019. Between 2002 and 2019, foundation support of HBCUs declined 30%, even before inflation is taken into account.

We were not surprised by the findings because philanthropy generally funds Black-led nonprofit organizations disproportionately less than other similarly situated organizations, said Susan Taylor Batten, ABFEs president and CEO. However, we were surprised by the data that indicated the enormity of the disparate funding between Ivy League colleges and HBCUs.

Some study participants blamed systemic racism for the underfunding. Others said it was a result of limited connections between philanthropists and HBCU leaders.

In any case, the disparity is even more problematic, experts say, because HBCUs have proven themselves so effective in educating Black students.

According to the UNCF, the nations largest private provider of scholarships and other educational support to Black students, HBCUs account for 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black doctors, and 50% of Black lawyers. Studies show that Black HBCU graduates earn $900,000 more in their lifetimes than Black graduates from predominantly white institutions or Black workers without college degrees.

Those arguments may have become more convincing in the racial reckoning that followed the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. Preliminary estimates showed a 453% increase in foundation funding to HBCUs in that year.

That $249 million in donations does not include the $550 million that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave to 22 HBCUs that year, including $50 million to Prairie View A&M University in Texas.

Grace Sato, Candids director of research, said the interest in HBCUs in 2020 allowed her organization to work on the study released Tuesday. Candid had been interested in researching donations to HBCUs for five years, but could not find a partner to help finance the work.

I think understanding the context for the historic disinvestment sheds new light on this new funding and also calls into question whether that new funding is going to be sustained or is just a blip followed by declines, she said. Shining a light on the issue of underfunding is important and necessary.

Lodriguez Murray, UNCF's vice president of public policy and government affairs, warned that the increase in HBCU funding since 2020 does not mean that HBCUs are no longer underfunded. We consider this to be a drop in the bucket and the need is still extremely severe," said Murray, adding that the report did not specifically account for the work of UNCF and other organizations who provide scholarships to HBCU students, which lowers the schools' costs. So even though there has been greater funding, there are still greater needs.

In many ways, HBCUs and supporters like UNCF have been preparing for the recent increase in attention and support for decades, said Nadrea R. Njoku, director of UNCF's Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute. We have been telling our story for more than 100 years as a collective, she said. When that moment came, and everyone turned their heads to what toward what the needs of Black people were, UNCF and our partners had both the story and the data to support it. And thats what got the philanthropists and the corporations across the finish line in bringing those donations.

Batten said her nonprofits goal is to encourage philanthropic groups to direct their donations equitably. She hopes this report will convince foundations to examine their grantmaking practices and consider increasing their donations to HBCUs.

Philanthropy tends to fund organizations that they know, Batten said. Philanthropy does not know HBCUs and has little knowledge about the importance of HBCUs in the education of Black people and others. Additionally, I believe that philanthropy has a false sense that the quality of research and education is superior at (predominantly white institutions) in comparison to the quality of research and education at HBCUs.

_____

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.
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Four people found shot to death in an RV in a small Mojave Desert community in California. Four partygoers slain and 32 injured in small-town Alabama during a Sweet 16 birthday that ended with a girl kneeling beside her fatally wounded brother. Six people, included three 9-year-old children, gunned down at an elementary school in Nashville.

Now the discovery of seven people found shot to death in rural Oklahoma is keeping the U.S. on a torrid pace for mass killings in 2023 and could push the number of people slain past 100 for the year.

The Mojave slayings over the weekend represented the 19th mass killing of the year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in a partnership with Northeastern University. That is the most during the first four months of the year since data was first recorded in 2006. The Oklahoma deaths have not been added to the database as of Tuesday afternoon.

As of the Mojave shooting, 97 people had been killed in the 19 mass killings this year, exceeding the record set in 2009 when 93 people were killed in 17 incidents by the end of April.

The number killed is a fraction of the total number of people who died by homicide for the year. The database 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.

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 2,851 people who have died in mass killings in the U.S. since 2006, according to the database.

Mass killings are happening with staggering frequency this year: an average of about one a week, according to an analysis of The AP/USA Today data.

The 2023 numbers stand out even more when they are compared with 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 19 a third of the way through is remarkable.

The violence has erupted from coast to coast and has 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 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 there is 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 month, 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 last week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a ban on certain kinds of semi-automatic rifles into law. But it faces a federal court challenge.

Other states are experiencing a new round of pressure. In conservative Tennessee, protesters descended on the state Capitol to demand more gun regulation after the March shooting at the Nashville school.

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.

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 story has been corrected to say that shootings are happening an average of about once a week, not nearly one a week.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. Secret Service said Monday it blocked a Muslim mayor from Prospect Park, New Jersey, from attending a White House celebration with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests. He said the White House official did not explain why the Secret Service had blocked his entry.

Khairullah, 47, informed the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after he was told he would not be allowed to attend the event.

The group has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBI's dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals. The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. He also has travelled to Bangladesh and Syria to do humanitarian work with the Syrian American Medical Society and the Watan Foundation.

It left me baffled, shocked and disappointed," Khairullah said in a telephone interview as he made his way home to New Jersey on Monday evening. Its not a matter of I didnt get to go to a party. Its why I did not go. And its a list that has targeted me because of my identity. And I dont think the highest office in the United States should be down with such profiling.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but declined to detail why. Khairullah was elected to a fifth term as the borough's mayor in January.

While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening, Guglielmi said in a statement. Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.

The White House declined to comment.

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of CAIR, called the move wholly unacceptable and insulting.

"If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has? Maksut said.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey where his wife has family.

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governor's mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assad's government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the town's mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.

I am Syrian and you know it was very difficult to see what we saw on TV and and social media, and not respond to help people, he said. I mean we felt very helpless.
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BANGKOK (AP)  The head of Myanmars military-controlled government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, met Tuesday with the visiting foreign minister of China, which has provided key support to his regime since it seized power two years ago.

Myanmar state television MRTV said Qin Gang held talks in the capital, Naypyitaw, with Min Aung Hlaing and other top officials and exchanged views on bilateral relations, Myanmars political situation and conditions needed for its stability and development.

Myanmar is mired in strife because of a political crisis unleashed when the military took power in February 2021, deposing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover prompted widespread peaceful protests that security forces suppressed with deadly force, triggering armed resistance throughout the country that the army has been unable to quell.

China has strategic geopolitical and economic interests in Myanmar, its southern neighbor, and is one of the few large nations that has maintained good relations with its military government, which is shunned and sanctioned by many Western nations for its takeover and brutal repression of its opponents.

China, along with Russia, is a major arms supplier to Myanmars military. It also is Myanmars biggest trading partner and has invested billions of dollars in Myanmar's mines, oil and gas pipelines and other infrastructure.

Qins visit was announced Tuesday by Chinas Foreign Ministry, which said it would follow up on the outcomes of President Xi Jinpings visit in January 2020, deepen cooperation and support Myanmars efforts to maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve peoples lives, and realize sustainable development.

MRTV reported that Qin said his visit showed that China stands by Myanmar internationally.

Qins visit to Naypyitaw came a day after he met with Noeleen Heyzer, the U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, in Beijing on Monday.

Qin told Heyzer that international society should respect Myanmars sovereignty and support all parties in Myanmar within the constitutional and legal framework to bridge differences and resume a political transition through political dialogue, according to Chinas official Xinhua News Agency.

Qin also said the Myanmar issue is complex and there is no quick fix, it said.

Opponents of military rule in Myanmar suspect that China supported the military takeover because it has refused to condemn the military for its action and initially described it as a major Cabinet reshuffle.

Beijings adherence to a nominal policy of non-interference in other countries politics has angered many in Myanmar who oppose the military, with some calling for boycotts of Chinese products.

Since the military seized power, a special Chinese envoy, Sun Guoxiang, visited Myanmar twice and previous Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Wunna Maung Lwin, Myanmars former foreign minister, twice in China.

Wang Yi also attended a regional meeting of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation group held in Myanmars central city of Bagan in July last year.

A new Chinese special envoy, Deng Xijun, visited Myanmar in December, February and March and held separate meetings with Min Aung Hlaing and the leaders of ethnic armed forces based in the eastern Shan and northern Kachin states.

Myanmar's military said Qin will leave on Thursday, after which he is to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Indian state of Goa.

Earlier Tuesday, Qin called for stability and a crackdown on cross-border criminal activity along his countrys border with Myanmar during an unusual visit to southern Chinas border region.

The 2,129-kilometer (1,323-mile) border runs through densely forested mountains and has long been notorious for drug smuggling into China from the Golden Triangle region where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.

The United Nations says the production of opium in Myanmar has flourished since the military seized power in 2021, with the cultivation of poppies up by a third in the past year as eradication efforts dropped off and the faltering economy led more people to enter the drug trade.
WESTPORT  The Representative Town Meeting approved a $81.3 million town budget for fiscal year 2023-2024, which is 3.4 percent more than the current budget.

The majority of the town budget is allocated for public safety.

The adopted budget also restored about $291,000 for Wheels2U in a 33-1 vote, which the finance board had cut. Funding for Wheels2U, the town's on-demand bus service, has been debated for years.

"The town... is in great financial shape coming out of the pandemic," Board of Finance Vice Chair James Foster said during Monday's RTM meeting

As of Tuesday morning, the overall budget totaled $232 million. The Board of Education budget accounts for about 62 percent of that, with the official vote on that piece expected Tuesday night.

Within the town portion, public safety has the most funding at $24.7 million, followed by public works with $13.2 million.

The public safety budget gives $10.3 million to police, $10 million to fire, $972,000 to emergency management and $3.5 million for other public safety costs.

The RTM also approved $6.7 million for other funds, including Wakeman Town Farm and railroad parking.

The town budget is a decrease from the $81.9 million budget First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker presented on March 1 to the Board of Finance.

One of the adjustments was reducing the capital nonrecurring account by $1 million since Foster said they seldom use the full $2 million put into it each year.

The other changes included reducing about $935,000 for pension and other post-employment benefits, and removing a facilities manager position for about $150,000.

Multiple people spoke at the meeting about funding for Wheels2U, with some in favor and others in opposition.

Peter Gold, an RTM District 5 member and the transit director, said there may be a need for regional transportation services.

He said a goal is for Wheels2U to help with the town's strategy for traffic, parking, pedestrians and bicycles to meet its needs, but he cannot do it by himself.

"These are town-wide issues that need to be addressed at a town-wide level, however, doing away with the Wheels2U funding will not cause these needs to be addressed, magically," he said.

Board of Finance Member Brian Stern said this funding has been an experiment for years, and its current model isn't working.

Stern said objectives included improving the environment and traffic.

He said the Wheels 2U service doesn't improve the environment, as there is often only one person taking the bus at a time, while running with a diesel engine.

As for traffic, Stern said it is less mileage for someone to drive from their house to the train station than for the busses in operation.

"We have spent, in terms of subsidy, the state and the town, over $9 million in the last 15 years," Stern said.

Priscilla Toumey, a resident and real estate agent, said during the public comment portion that people moving to Westport are thrilled to hear about the Wheels 2U program, especially for young adults who work in New York City.

"If you've been a long time resident, you're mostly getting in your car and driving, you have no idea how much this opportunity means to people who are coming into Westport," she said.

Residents with elderly parents also appreciate the senior transportation services because it helps them get places without having to drive, Toumey said.

Toumey said the transit options are important for being environmentally friendly, as it reduces the amount of cars people need.

Nancy Kail, a RTM District 9 member, said the model needs to change, but she supported Wheels 2U.

"I think we'll be much better positioned if we have a system in place to move forward in a way that Westport wants," she said.

Chris Tait, RTM District 1 member, said he wants to make transit better in Westport. He said the key is to get more transit services for the town. He mentioned getting a mini bus service in Westport, which the town used to have, where residents could get anywhere in town in about 30 minutes.

"How do we get on board with some of what the state is mandating, especially for Norwalk?" Tait asked.

He said Norwalk will be given another year to adjust their bus services or the state will take over jurisdiction.
FAIRFIELD  Penfield Pavilion is closer to being in compliance with federal regulations, after the Board of Selectmen approved more than $580,000 in contracts this week.

The project  which is expected to go from Sept. 5 to June 14, 2024  will fix the beams to bring the town's beach venue back into alignment with Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations, as well as remove and replace contaminated fill under the building and its parking lot.

Selectmen approved a series of contracts connected to the work at a meeting on Monday.

Bismarck Construction will be the project's construction manager for $74,000, said Tom Bremer, Fairfield's chief administrative officer. He said the firm will oversee and orchestrate the different phases of the work, adding the project is in its preliminary stages, so the company will be paid more once the actual rebuilding and repairing process starts.

The board also approved the town entering into a $245,000 contract with Joseph Sepot Architects, which will plan out the work at Penfield. Bremer said the bulk of the work will be done in the coming months.

Another contract approved was an agreement to pay $32,000 to RACE Coastal Engineering for a coastal engineering and flood impact

analysis related to the alterations at Penfield Pavilion. Bremer noted it was only a small study and different than a larger $100,000 study officials approved that will come later.

The larger study was added after residents and elected officials raised concerns at earlier meetings about the work on the building, possibly making flooding in the area worse. As a compromise, the $100,000 was tagged on to the overall project.

The last contract approved was for $227,000 to pay Weston & Sampson, a firm that will handle the remediation. Bremer said the company will help the town file documents for the work and getting proper approval from state and federal regulators.

Bremer said Penfield Pavilion is fully insured against any and all loss, but the town will need to insure it during the actual construction. After that is finished, he said, the building will return to the town's insurance policy. The lack of insurance was a concern for some officials when the plan to fix the pavilion made its way through various town boards. He said they would not move forward with construction until they had it.

In March, the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting approved a $11.6 million plan to fix issues at the Penfield Pavilion, which was built in a way that violated federal regulations. The bulk of the funding comes from money the town set aside to address fill pile issues, but $1 million of the costs will be covered by the American Rescue Plan Act.

The FEMA violation had put the town's insurance rating at risk, because if the town did not address the issues by the end of March, FEMA would have notified flood insurance providers of the town's rating being downgraded. That would have caused about 1,800 residents to lose a 10 percent discount on flood insurance.

The contaminated fill under the building and its parking lot is a separate issue, officials have noted, but one that also needs to be resolved.

Bremer said the second phase of the project would be where the bulk of the costs come from, as it is when the work would start getting done.

"It's only after all those come in with their quotes that well have an overall sense of what the cost is going to be," he said.

Bremer said everything is on track though to what was was originally projected.

"Right now, we're on schedule, as far as I can tell," he said. "It's very early as far as it's the first round of contracts."

Bremer said the town has two primary objectives with the Penfield project  staying within the $11.5 million budget approved for the work, and minding the 50/50 rule. The latter is a project management guideposts, in which managers assess 50 percent of a project's value at the start and 50 percent when it's complete.

Bremer said Bismarck has been informed of officials' wish to keep these figures in mind going forward. He said the town is on schedule, though most of what is being approved now is related to paperwork and logistics.
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BRIDGEPORT  Dorcas White has lived on Russo Terrace in the North End since 1991.

A decade ago she and other area residents failed to stop city officials from granting veteran Democratic Party Chairman Mario Testa's request to alter the zoning for his Madison Avenue catering hall, Testo's, expanding the options of what could be built there.

That controversial proposal at least required a public hearing before the zoning commission and a vote by its members.

Now White and other neighbors of Testo's, which was recently purchased by a developer, are learning they apparently have no say over a 177-unit market rate apartment complex planned for the site. The property's new owner is aiming to break ground in the coming weeks, and, according to City Hall, already received zoning sign-offs from municipal staff with no public hearing required.

"Something needs to be done," White said. "It's too large."

City Council members Aikeem Boyd and Jeanette Herron who represent that neighborhood agree.

"I think it's B.S.," Boyd said. I guess something has to go there, but nothing that big."

"This is major construction. Residents are not happy. They're worried about environmental issues, the air quality, flooding, parking, the amount of people that will be there," Herron said Monday.

But any opportunity for the public to weigh in and alter the design may have come and gone.

The rare zone change Testa obtained in 2013 laid the groundwork. The land at 1775 Madison Ave. had for decades been the site of restaurants and there were tight restrictions on what could be constructed there. Testa was granted an ORG (office, retail, general) designation, which his attorney at the time, Charles Willinger, claimed was necessary for his client to pursue refinancing and was not a prelude to a sale and redevelopment of the site.

"It's not going to make any difference to the neighbors because there will be no changes made to the property," Willinger sought to assure critics.

Jump ahead to late 2021. Bridgeport, following a broad public-engagement effort, had just updated its ten-year master plan of development and the related city-wide changes to zoning regulations were set to take affect Jan. 1, 2022.

But just weeks before those change went into effect, Testa and Testo's co-owner, his nephew Ralph Giacobbe, quietly submitted plans for an apartment/condominium complex with underground parking to the city.

Their attorney in that matter, Raymond Rizio, had explained that the new zoning rules as of 2022 would have required reducing the building's height by "about ten feet" and prevented the below-ground parking. So, Rizio said, the plans were submitted in late 2021 so that the ORG designation Testa got in 2013 would be applied to the future housing development.

As had been the case in 2013, Rizio and Giacobbe insisted there was no immediate intent to sell Testo's. Then late last November Giacobbe announced that Testo's was being purchased by developer Amit Lakhotia and would close following a New Year's Eve celebration to make way for a 177-unit building with below ground parking.

According to Bridgeport land records, that $3.5 million deal just finalized April 3. And now that it has been completed, Lakhotia's Avon Commons LLC and his local contractor, John Guedes, have an aggressive timeline for securing the remaining permits and breaking ground.

Lakhotia declined to comment Monday. But Guedes said he was hoping to begin demolition "within the next week or two," then quickly begin construction and have the apartments open for occupancy in about 18 months.

Preliminary activity at the site in recent weeks had not gone unnoticed, leading to questions about whether Lakhotia still had to go before the zoning commission.

"The problem everybody had is they just assumed there were other steps within the zoning that were needed," Guedes said Monday. "That was not the case. I designed the building to fully comply with the zoning standards (as of 2021) for the property, so there was nothing that was needed."

The city's economic development office, which oversees the zoning and building departments, confirmed that to be the case Tuesday.

In an emailed statement, Mayor Joe Ganim's communications director Tiadora Josef confirmed Guedes was correct.

"The project was submitted to the zoning office toward the end of 2021," the statement read. "It was submitted under the old zoning code in effect at that time. As it was in full compliance with the requirements of that code as pertained to that site, it was approved."

The statement noted, "All of the regulatory departments of the city  building, zoning, engineering, Water Pollution Control Authority, fire  will have to review the construction plans to ensure compliance with what has been submitted."

But a zoning commission review and a public hearing might have resulted in changes. Recently a developer who wants to erect a self-storage facility a few blocks from Testo's at a long-closed Stop & Shop supermarket has received significant public and political pushback, including from Ganim. That project requires a zoning commission vote, and a public hearing has already been delayed a handful of times while the property owner considers design changes.

"This is ridiculous," activist and former state Rep. Christopher Caruso said. Caruso in recent years has been part of efforts to stop or to alter other large-scale development projects in the North End, including the self-storage plan for the Stop & Shop.

"I can't believe there's no hearing on this," Caruso said. "A 177-unit development. It's terrible. That size development with no public review. It's a travesty that this is occurring."

Herron said the Ganim administration should have kept Testo's North End neighbors, herself and Boyd in the loop.

"Nobody, nobody went to any of these residents and said this was going on. Nobody came to me, either," she said.

Last week she and Boyd met with Deputy Economic Development Director William Coleman and Guedes about the project.

I told him our concerns. So did Aikeem," Herron said. "He (Guedes) did give us a lot of ... information of the property, how it's gonna be. But again I want to meet with the owner." She also would like to at least schedule a community meeting on the development, but said that may not happen until early June.

"We will continue to share with the principals the concerns raised by the City Council representatives from the district," the economic development office said.

Guedes said he offered to make 10 percent of the 177 apartments affordably-priced, something council members and others have argued is needed given the spike over the past few years in Bridgeport rents and sale values. But, he added, that would require some form of a council-approved tax abatement deal.

Boyd said Testa was "lining his pockets on the backs of my constituents." Testo's full sale price was just over $3.5 million, over five times the $648,000 Testa paid for it in 2003.

As long-time leader of Bridgeport's Democratic Town Committee, Testa is a very influential individual in local politics and municipal government. He is close to Ganim, helping elect him in 2015, and his niece, Giacobbe's wife, Lilly Giacobbe, several months ago was hired as an aide within the administration.

Testa could not immediately be reached for comment.

Lakhotia, who has garnered attention for redevelopment projects in New Britain, last November had said, "People are always worried when something new comes up. This new change will bring modern apartments, modern, young people living in these apartments. We're not trying to disrupt the neighborhood. We're just trying to bring something modern, something new. This should add value to the neighborhood."

White said given Testa's zoning victory in 2013 in the face of community opposition, she has little faith that the current outcry will stop the apartment project. But she is still hoping that some alterations to the size and design might be made.

"They have to," White said. "They need to make changes."
Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  The death of a man stabbed on Iranistan Avenue nearly two and a half years ago has been ruled a homicide, according to local police.

Officers responded to a home in the 300 block of Iranistan Avenue around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2020, for a report of a stabbing/assault, Capt. Kevin Gilleran, public information officer for the Bridgeport Police Department, said. The victim was found sitting on the front steps of the home. Identified as Gregory Williams, 68, of Bridgeport, Gilleran said, he had suffered an injury to his chest.
BRIDGEPORT  A federal judge has ordered a Greenwich woman, who claimed police covered up her alleged sexual assault by a student of the prestigious Brunswick School, to pay the town and the officers nearly $250,000.

U.S. District Judge Kari Dooley, who previously ruled the young womans lawsuit against the town and two of its police officers was frivolous, last week ordered her to pay attorney fees for the defendants.

The plaintiff knew or should have known that there was no factual support for her allegations and there is therefore a need to deter the plaintiff from proceeding with her meritless claim, the judge ruled.

They tried to drag these two officers through the mud but there was no mud there, said Stratford attorney Robert Mitchell, who represented the town of Greenwich and the officers. The officers tried to help this young woman the best they could and they were sued for their efforts.

Meredith Braxton, who represented the now 23-year-old woman, said they intend to appeal the decision.

We vehemently disagree with this decision, Braxton said. My client was trying to get justice and we are extremely unhappy with the judges ruling.

According to the lawsuit, on July 26, 2016, the plaintiff, at the time a student at the all-girls Greenwich Academy, complained to her school counselor that she had been sexually assaulted during a June 3, 2016 pool party at her Greenwich home. The suit states that the plaintiff identified her attacker as a 16-year-old student at the Brunswick School, an all-boys preparatory school nearby.

Court documents state that in December 2016, Greenwich police submitted a 21-page arrest warrant application affidavit to the Stamford state attorneys office in the case. However, the application was rejected for lacking probable cause.

Mitchell said the prosecutor found the plaintiffs statement to be inconsistent.

There was never a conclusion that she was sexually assaulted, he said.

But in her lawsuit, Braxton claimed the police purposely did not conduct a thorough investigation.

Her suit claimed the two officers who were in charge of the case colluded with the Brunswick School administrators to cover up the investigation.

I think this looks like a systematic problem where the Greenwich Police Department sits back and allows an elite school to take the lead in the investigation of a sexual crime, and thats not appropriate, Braxton said when she filed the suit in 2018.

But Dooley found there was no evidence supporting the lawsuit.

Upon review of the voluminous evidentiary material amassed over two years of discovery, there is no genuine issue of material fact as to the existence of an implied policy of protecting Brunswick School students from prosecution at the expense of their victims, the judge stated.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  The departure of two more prosecutors from the already understaffed St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office is deeply concerning to judges, a spokesperson for the court system said Monday.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, citing emails it obtained, reported that assistant prosecutors Alex Polta and Chris Desilets have resigned. Both had been with the circuit attorney's office since 2017. The newspaper said that about 23 prosecutors are left to handle thousands of cases.

More recent departures from the Circuit Attorneys Office -- leaving fewer attorneys to prosecute hundreds of serious cases on the trial docket -- are deeply concerning to the judges of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, court system spokesperson Joel Currier said in a statement. We will continue to make reasonable accommodations amid the CAOs current staffing crisis while always balancing the rights of defendants, crime victims and their families to ensure the fair and efficient administration of justice.

Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's office responded that despite some high-profile departures, adjustments have been made to ensure all cases are covered. Meanwhile, the office is actively recruiting new attorneys, the statement said.

Despite constant criticism and scrutiny, the team continues to pull together to serve the City of St. Louis under the leadership of Circuit Attorney Gardner, a statement said.

Gardner has faced escalating criticism in recent months. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, is seeking to remove Gardner from office. Bailey alleges that too many cases, including homicides, have gone unpunished, that victims and their families are left uninformed, and that the prosecutors office is too slow to take on cases brought by police.

Gardner, a Democrat and St. Louis' first Black circuit attorney, accused Bailey of political gamesmanship. Many of the region's Black leaders have accused Bailey of racism. A hearing in the removal effort is scheduled for September.

Last week, two separate judges considered contempt of court charges against Gardner because of two separate instances where prosecutors failed to show up. Polta and Desilets were at the center of those cases.

Judge Scott A. Millikan ruled at a hearing on April 24 that he would not hold Gardner in contempt for a case where her office failed to have a prosecutor present for the first day of a murder trial. Polta told the judge it was his case but that he had taken medical leave; he said he thought he had made arrangements to have another attorney cover for him.

But on Thursday, Judge Michael Noble announced that he will appoint a special prosecutor to build a contempt case against Gardner and Desilets after no one showed up for two court dates in an assault case. Noble said from the bench that Gardners office appears to be a rudderless ship of chaos."

Criticism of Gardner escalated earlier this year after 17-year-old Janae Edmondson, a volleyball standout from Tennessee, was struck by a speeding car after a tournament game in downtown St. Louis. She lost both legs.

The driver, 21-year-old Daniel Riley, was out on bond on a robbery charge despite nearly 100 bond violations that included letting his GPS monitor die and breaking the terms of his house arrest, according to court records. Critics questioned why Riley was free despite so many bond violations.

Gardner has often been at odds with Republicans. In 2018, she charged then-Gov. Eric Greitens with felony invasion of privacy, accusing him of taking a compromising photo of a woman during an extramarital affair. The charge was eventually dropped. But Greitens, a Republican who was also under investigation by Missouri lawmakers, resigned in June 2018.

The case drew scrutiny that led to the conviction of Gardners investigator. Gardner received a written reprimand for failing to produce documents and mistakenly maintaining that all documents had been provided to Greitens lawyers.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee's Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn is leaving the state department at the end of the school year, Gov. Bill Lee announced Monday.

Schwinn will be succeeded by Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds, who currently serves as vice president for ExcelinEd  an education think tank founded by former Republican Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  A high-profile Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a hunger strike of nearly three months, Israels prison service announced. His death set off protests in the West Bank and a round of cross-border fighting between Gaza militants and the Israeli military.

Late Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had started airstrikes on Gaza targets, in response to earlier rocket salvos from the coastal strip, run by the militant Hamas group. There was no immediate word on casualties or damage. After a brief pause, the aerial bombardment and rocket fire resumed at dawn Wednesday.

The death of Khader Adnan has also drawn attention to the tactic of hunger strikes  used by prisoners around the world yet considered a particularly crucial tool for Palestinians held by Israel with few other means at their disposal.

Adnan, 45, a leader of the militant Islamic Jihad group, helped introduce the practice of protracted hunger strikes by individual prisoners as a form of protest. Palestinian detainees have mostly used hunger strikes to challenge administrative detention, a controversial tactic in which more than 1,000 Palestinians and a handful of Israelis are currently being held without charge or trial.

On Wednesday, two officials from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said a cease-fire has been brokered by Egypt and other regional players. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms of the deal were pending further discussions over when Israel will hand over Khader's body for burial.

Adnan first grabbed international headlines and inspired solidarity protests over a decade ago, when he staged a 66-day hunger strike against his administrative detention. That galvanized hundreds of other prisoners to join the strike, which ended with a deal for his release. He was later arrested again.

Through all levels of Palestinian society  from squalid refugee camps in Gaza to wealthy businesses in the West Bank  Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention are celebrated as national heroes. Israel considers Palestinian prisoners to be terrorists.

Adnan, who was arrested a dozen times and spent nearly a fifth of his life in Israeli prison, became a potent symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israels open-ended occupation, now in its 56th year. His use of hunger strikes as a bargaining chip against Israeli authorities  during two other strikes in 2015 and 2018 that lasted 56 and 58 days, respectively  motivated many other desperate Palestinians in administrative detention to refuse food.

Israels prison service said Adnan had been charged with involvement in terrorist activities following his February arrest. Last week, an Israeli military court denied him bail. A hearing on his appeal was repeatedly postponed.

After the news of his death broke, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired 26 rockets at populated areas in southern Israel, sending shrapnel flying. Three foreign workers were wounded at a construction site in the city of Sderot, Israels rescue service said, without identifying their nationalities. One of the foreigners, a 25-year-old man, was reported to be in serious condition. A few hours later, the military said six mortars shells were fired at Israel, most of them falling short and not reaching Israeli territory.

This is an initial response to this heinous crime, said a coalition of Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups, led by the enclaves militant Hamas rulers. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called it an assassination," accusing Israel of medical neglect.

Early Wednesday, the Israeli military said its aircraft struck military posts, training sites, weapons storage facilities and an underground tunnel belonging to Hamas. Palestinian residents reported several explosions by Israeli air raids in northwestern Gaza City and other parts of the Strip. Hamas had earlier evacuated military and security targets in anticipation of Israeli strikes.

Air raid sirens sounded and Israeli municipal councils opened public bomb shelters. Field fires broke out. Shrapnel punched holes into pavement, shattered windows and charred cars. Four rockets were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome missile defense system, authorities said.

The Israeli military responded with tank fire into Gaza and said it was planning further retaliation. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under regulations, said that the army assessed that Islamic Jihad fired the rockets with Hamas' knowledge.

The security establishment will act with determination and force against anyone who tries to harm the citizens of Israel, said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

A general strike was announced across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians flocked to military checkpoints in the occupied territory, slinging stones. Israeli forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. A suspected Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank lightly wounded an Israeli man. Earlier Tuesday, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired another three rockets that landed in empty fields in Israel.

A march commemorating Adnan in the northern city of Jenin, a hotbed of Palestinian militancy, spiraled into violence Tuesday when Palestinian security forces prevented protesters from reaching the Palestinian Authoritys headquarters. As Palestinians fired into the air and chanted against the PA, long derided for its security cooperation with Israel, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas into the crowd.

With violence surging over the past year and the Israeli military launching near-nightly arrest raids in the West Bank, the number of Palestinians in administrative detention has swelled to the highest number in two decades. Israel says the tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons.

Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.

As a result, Palestinian prisoners have turned to hunger strikes  whether in large groups with hundreds refusing food, or individually, for decades. Since the 1967 Mideast war, when Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, Israel has jailed thousands of Palestinians. The strikes are often aimed at protesting prison conditions  including the very fact of open-ended detentions  or winning concessions such as family visits.

Over the years, with starving prisoners' shriveled bodies drawing international condemnation, Israeli governments have at times accepted their demands to avoid deaths in custody. The most famous of these deals involved Adnan's lengthy hunger strikes and releases from prison in 2012 and 2015.

But the current Israeli government, the most right-wing in the country's history, has vowed to take a hard-line against the Palestinians. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, has cracked down on security prisoners, shortening shower times to four minutes, closing prison bakeries and restricting exercise time and family visits.

Ben-Gvir demanded Tuesday that prison officials exhibit zero-tolerance" and ordered prisoners be confined to their cells.

Rights groups blamed Israel for Adnans death, alleging that authorities ignored warnings about his life-threatening condition. Adnan's lawyer said the Israeli prison service retaliated by placing him isolation after he began his hunger strike. He said Adnan had appealed to Israeli authorities to transfer him to a hospital.

We lay the responsibility for his death at the feet of the Israeli authorities," said Dana Moss from Physicians for Human Rights Israel. Hunger strikes are one of the few non-violent tools left to Palestinians as they battle against Israels unfair legal system."

The Israeli prison service said Adnan was in a prison medical facility, but had refused medical treatment until the last moment when his legal proceedings moved ahead. The prison authorities said he was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hundreds gathered at Adnan's home in the West Bank town of Arraba, near Jenin, holding posters bearing his image and calling for revenge. In a rare call for de-escalation, Adnan's widow, Randa Musa, asked Palestinians not to respond with violence.

"We do not want a single drop of blood shed," she told the crowd. We do not want rockets to be fired."
University of Oregons Hazards Lab plans to help rural communities in central and eastern Oregon increase cell phone coverage and receive alerts for hazards like wildfires and floods.

OHAZ is a research lab within the department of Earth Sciences and includes both faculty and students that research environmental hazards within the Pacific Northwest.

Resilience monitoring includes the ShakeAlert and ALERTWildfire programs, which run on a network of sensors that can deliver data about earthquakes and wildfires to alert systems so that people are aware of the danger and able to respond quickly.

OHAZ uses the data from its wildfire cameras and seismic sensors for scientific research. OHAZ spokesperson Kelly Missett said OHAZ needed a network to transmit data from those sensors and cameras. The areas where this technology was placed often had slow wireless data service. OHAZ is solving this by building their communications network, and realized it could also benefit rural communities.

What OHAZ wants to do is build new fiber cables so that these rural areas can have access to quick telecommunications and public community lifelines, Missett said.

The Willamette Watershed Project is an OHAZ project that plans to construct 100 miles of fiber cables that will increase cell service in rural areas that experience slow wireless data. The cables will increase the speed and bandwidth of 4G LTE data service.

These cables will enable a hazard alerting system which will serve the rural areas of the McKenzie, Santiam and Sisters corridors, warning people about wildfires, landslides, floods and earthquakes.

Missett said this infrastructure is something that schools, utilities, first responders and fire stations could use. She said an example of the need for this kind of infrastructure, and the need for it to be immune to hazards, is the Holiday Farm Fire.

At the time when the wildfire hit communities up the McKenzie Bridge in 2020, COVID-19 had forced students to go online for school. But the fire burned communication infrastructure, limiting access to internet or cell service.

So this project is something schools could potentially tap into, she said. We really want to start more with those key critical providers in communities.

Rural fire stations could have reliable access to cameras installed by OHAZ across Oregon to detect and fight fires before they even hit a community, Missett said.

Missett said that all of the technology is built and developed in order to serve the community.
Crude Oil, PMI, FDIC, OPEC+ Gap, Federal Reserve, ECB, Fibonacci  Talking Points

Crude oil has traded in the range so far this week on mixed data

Support at a Fibonacci level has been tested several times but has held so far

If the Fed and ECB tighten policy, will recession fears be stoked to send WTI lower?

Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter

Crude oil failed to hold onto Fridays gains at the start of this week and is listing lower going into the Tuesday session.

A holiday-impacted trading day saw a mixed bag of data that saw sentiment sway to and fro. Markets appear poised ahead of several central bank monetary policy decisions later this week.

On Monday, Chinese manufacturing PMI came in at 49.2 for April instead of the estimated 51.4 and 51.9 prior. Non-manufacturing PMI was 56.4 rather than the 57.0 anticipated and 58.2 previously. The less-than-rosy outlook for growth in worlds second-largest economy seemed to undermine crude.

Then later on, the US manufacturing ISM for April was 47.1, beating the forecasts of 46.8 and 46.3 previously but still in contractionary territory below 50 for the diffusion index.

On a brighter note, US construction spending in March grew by 0.3% month-on-month, beating the 0.1% anticipated and the revised -0.3% prior.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced that JP Morgan would be acquiring the beleaguered First Republic Bank. This appeared to lift Treasury yields along the curve and the US Dollar got a general boost across the board, undermining WTI.

The price action has consolidated since the middle of last week after filling in the gap created by the OPEC+ announcement of a cut to production of 1.1 million barrels per day that kicked in at the start of this week.

Looking ahead, the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB) will be meeting on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Both banks are forecast to raise rates by 25 basis points by the market. Although the tightening is anticipated, any deviation from this expectation might see volatility for crude tick higher.

Update crude oil prices can be found here.

Recommended by Daniel McCarthy How to Trade Oil Get My Guide

CRUDE OIL (WTI) TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

WTI crude appears to have retreated into a range trading type environment after bouncing off the 50% Fibonacci Retracement level of the move from 64.36 to 83.53 at 73.94.

That level may continue to provide support ahead of the breakpoints and prior lows in the 72.25  72.46 area.

On the topside, resistance could be at the recent high of 79.18. Further up, there are a series of breakpoints and previous peaks in the 82.50  83.50 area that may offer a resistance zone.

Chart created in TradingView

--- Written by Daniel McCarthy, Strategist for DailyFX.com

Please contact Daniel via @DanMcCarthyFX on Twitter

--- Written by Daniel McCarthy, Strategist for DailyFX.com

To contact Daniel, use the comments section below or @DanMcCathyFX on Twitter
The new Queen will be crowned just a few yards from where Princess Diana's coffin rested in Westminster Abbey.

After Camilla married Charles, it was decreed that she would be styled Princess Consort and never crowned because of public hostility.

Since then doubts about Camilla are felt to have faded and it's hoped that the crowds outside the Abbey paying enthusiastic homage will be audible inside.

The last time that the noise of the crowd infiltrated the Abbey was the applause following the speech by Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, at her 1997 funeral, in which he attacked the royals.

Martin Neary, the Abbey's musical director, recalled: 'I felt a great sympathy for what she had suffered but I was shocked by some of the things which were said.

The new Queen will be crowned just a few yards from where Princess Diana's coffin rested in Westminster Abbey

'Princes William and Harry actually applauded at the end, although other senior members of the Royal Family did not.'

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has taken all the lead roles at the Coronation, leaving the leader of the northern branch of the CofE, Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, with little to do.

Would Cottrell's forceful predecessor, John Sentamu, 73, retired Archbishop of York and Primate of England from 2005 to 2020, have been sidelined so easily?

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (pictured) has taken all the lead roles at the Coronation, leaving the leader of the northern branch of the CofE, Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, with little to do

Harrison Ford, returning in Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny to the same role he has now portrayed for over 40 years, says: 'This is not your fifth Bond. This is your first and original Indiana Jones.'

But he has had some help, pictured, with modern de-ageing technology taking decades off his appearance for the 25-minute opening extravaganza of the new film.

Discussing his challenging relationship with the late often-abusive Rev Ian Paisley during the Northern Ireland peace process, Tony Blair recalls: 'I think he called my wife at one stage "a painted Jezebel".

'I said to her, "I reckon that's quite a compliment".'

On the podcast of his former attack dog Alastair Campbell, Blair also told how, as he tried to respond to a Paisley onslaught on his character, a fire alarm went off.

Quick-as-a-flash Paisley said: 'It's a lie detector!'

Discussing his challenging relationship with the late often-abusive Rev Ian Paisley during the Northern Ireland peace process, Tony Blair recalls: 'I think he called my wife at one stage "a painted Jezebel"'

ITV News anchor Lucrezia Millarini fondly recalls an interview she did with Barry Humphries' alter ego Dame Edna Everage backstage at the London Palladium ten years ago.

Eyeing her fetching blue top and saucy black mini-skirt, Edna remarked: 'You could have dressed up for the occasion!'

Gossipy writer Kathy Lette, 64, advises against bottom implant surgery: 'A woman in my Zumba class recently had this. She reappeared with an in-built bustle.

'She stands in front of me in class, which is quite handy. It provides a ledge upon which to place my water bottle.'
Sir Keir Starmer has made a great deal of his supposed honesty and integrity. This was an easy enough gig while Boris Johnson was prime minister.

Everyone knew about Boris's falsehoods before he set foot in No 10, and the Partygate scandal has served to confirm in many minds that he is not to be trusted.

The Labour leader, by contrast, has traded on his straightforwardness. He is a former Director of Public Prosecutions, after all, and a senior lawyer. Even critics who found him dull and unimaginative have been inclined to accept that he is trustworthy.

True, 'Beergate'  Sir Keir was photographed swigging from a bottle of beer at a time when gatherings were banned during the pandemic  led to the imputation of hypocrisy. But in the end Durham Police decided that he had no case to answer.

Meanwhile, some of us had also noted he has changed his mind on more key policies within a short space of time than any other leading British politician in the modern era  a trait that suggests poor judgment or an absence of integrity, or very possibly both.

STEPHEN GLOVER: Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) has made a great deal of his supposed honesty and integrity. This was an easy enough gig while Boris Johnson was prime minister

STEPHEN GLOVER: Last night, the Government produced an 'update' into possibly irregular contacts that former senior civil servant Sue Gray (pictured) may have had with the Leader of the Opposition

Last night, the Government produced an 'update' into possibly irregular contacts that former senior civil servant Sue Gray may have had with the Leader of the Opposition. I strongly suspect that buried in this generally nondescript short document is a bomb which will eventually detonate.

Ms Gray is the mandarin who wrote a report into lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street, published last May, which found countless breaches of Covid rules. Two months ago, Sir Keir Starmer made her his chief of staff, a job she can't yet take up, because of her recent role as a civil servant, until given an official all-clear.

In the past day or two, there have been leaks to the Press alleging Ms Gray had secret talks with Sir Keir Starmer while she was working for the team advising the Commons Partygate investigation into Boris Johnson.

There were no such revelations in the written statement issued last night by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, which may have been neutered by a timorous Government, overzealous lawyers or civil servants anxious to defend someone once their own.

Further updates are promised, which could be embarrassing to either Sir Keir or Ms Gray. Meanwhile, there is one astounding disclosure in the thin gruel we've so far been offered: Sue Gray declined to cooperate with the Cabinet Office inquiry that led to this update.

Here is a woman who conducted her own extensive investigation, and expected dozens of people working in Downing Street to submit to her questioning. They did so  including Boris Johnson himself.

And yet the same exacting senior mandarin can't bring herself to take part in an official inquiry into her own  and Sir Keir Starmer's  rumoured contacts.

Many people will reasonably assume that only a person who has something to hide is likely to be reluctant to assist in such an inquiry. What does the former Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office  the same department trying to get to the bottom of things now  have to conceal?

So the update is bound to lead to more questions about the meetings which Sir Keir or Labour colleagues may have had with Sue Gray, and their timing. If it transpires that she had secret get-togethers with representatives of the Opposition, there will be justifiable outrage.

One pertinent question is whether there was any kind of conspiracy between the woman who was in charge of a very important inquiry  one that inevitably centred on Boris Johnson  and the Labour Party, which had a political interest in inflicting as much damage on the then Prime Minister as possible.

We can't yet say whether Ms Gray has broken the Civil Service Code, which specifically enjoins impartiality and honesty. If it turns out that she did, there could be no more compelling evidence of the anti-Tory bias in the upper echelons of what is laugh- ably extolled as our neutral Civil Service.

Disquieting though Sue Gray's refusal to cooperate with the Cabinet Office inquiry undoubtedly is, she isn't the ultimate focus of this story. That accolade must go to Sir Keir Starmer because he is leader of Her Majesty's Opposition and aspires to be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Sir Keir maintained on BBC Breakfast yesterday morning: '[The public are] not sitting at their breakfast talking about Sue Gray, they're talking about their bills.' I doubt this is true. People will want to know exactly what happened, and when, between Sir Keir and Sue Gray.

It is simply not good enough for Ms Gray on the one hand to refuse to talk to the inquiry, and Sir Keir on the other to bluster about the public not being interested, and the Tories employing distraction tactics.

Does this affair throw a revealing light on a senior civil servant who investigated Boris Johnson, as well as on Sir Keir's veracity?

What we might call Sir Keir Starmer's moral unreliability was on show yesterday in another way. During an interview on Radio 4's Today programme, he appeared to admit  amid much waffle and attempted evasion  that Labour was abandoning its plan to abolish university tuition fees.

A pledge to get rid of fees was included in two party manifestos, and reaffirmed by Sir Keir in his successful leadership campaign is 2020. Yet he disposed of this key policy almost as though it were an afterthought, without giving any clue as to what Labour will do instead to fund university students.

There was a similar volte-face over Labour's plan to increase tax for the top five per cent of earners, again without any explanation other than to say that with tax at a 70-year high this is no time to put it up any further.

Of course, this is a welcome development. It just seems there is very little clear thought behind it.

What does Sir Keir Starmer really believe? There seems to be a moral vacuum at the centre of the man, which suggests a kind of dishonesty. In a remarkably short period of time, he has changed his mind on trans rights, free movement, Brexit and a host of other subjects  not least Jeremy Corbyn.

Sir Keir fought alongside Mr Corbyn (whom he once described as a 'friend') in the 2017 and 2019 general elections, before dumping him and depriving him of the Labour whip.

Whatever may be thought of Jeremy Corbyn, at least he was consistent and, in his way, principled. You knew where he was coming from. That emphatically can't be said about the present Labour leader.

As for Sue Gray, however obstructive she has been, and will presumably continue to be, this update won't be the end of the matter. I hope the Government doesn't misguidedly continue to offer her a form of protection. I'm quite sure the media will not be so indulgent.

Her transparency isn't, as I say, the only important issue. Sir Keir Starmer won't be able to hide behind her evasions for ever. In the end we are going to find out just how honest and truthful the Labour Leader really is.
As we approach the Coronation, the King can draw considerable confidence from a major poll in todays Mail showing a decisive majority of Britons in favour of retaining the monarchy.

If there were a referendum now, less than a quarter of the population would prefer a republic  and even they dont believe such a change would bring any practical benefits, underlining the weakness of their argument.

Two thirds of all those questioned said the monarchy has provided more stability than we would otherwise have had. An even higher proportion believe the institution to be an asset for the UK.

And despite demands from the wokerati that we should atone for the sins of our ancestors, fewer than one in three believe the King or this country need to apologise for our colonial past.

So far, so encouraging. However, drill down into the detail and there is plenty of food for thought here for Charles and his advisers.

Two thirds of all those questioned said the monarchy has provided more stability than we would otherwise have had (pictured in January)

The Kings personal popularity rating (54 per cent) still lags behind that of William, Kate and his sister Anne

Younger voters (18-24) and those of ethnic minority descent tend much more towards republicanism. Even among royalists, a large majority say the institution must modernise and scale down if it is to survive.

The Kings personal popularity rating (54 per cent) still lags behind that of William, Kate and his sister Anne  a hangover perhaps from the dark days of his feud with Princess Diana.

But he is far more favoured than Harry and Meghan, whose popularity is lower than all the royals but Prince Andrew.

So while Charles has the imprimatur of the people there is much work to be done. As the survey proves, older citizens of this country understand the virtue of a constitutional monarchy and value the peace and continuity it has given this country over generations.

The young though are less invested and will take some convincing that this outwardly old-fashioned system of government remains appropriate for the 21st century and beyond.

But Charles IIIs reign has begun well and there is no shortage of public affection for him and his Queen. With the support of the thoroughly modern Prince and Princess of Wales, the Mail is confident the future of the monarchy will be safe in his hands.

Think of the patients

No one, least of all this newspaper, underestimates the huge contribution nurses make to society.

But sadly, an increasingly militant group within the NHS is giving the impression that looking after patients comes a very poor second to their own interests.

Callously defying requests by their own union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), to staff emergency units in hospitals, striking nurses yesterday forced at least one NHS trust to close intensive care beds.

Callously defying requests by their own union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), to staff emergency units in hospitals, striking nurses yesterday forced at least one NHS trust to close intensive care beds (strikes on May 1)

The RCN is already in disarray after being humiliated in the High Court, which ruled its original plan for a two-day strike was illegal

By showing such disregard for the welfare of the sickest patients, they have sunk to a dispiriting new low.

The RCN is already in disarray after being humiliated in the High Court, which ruled its original plan for a two-day strike was illegal.

Almost every other NHS union has accepted the Governments pay offer as the most that can be afforded in these straitened times.

Any public sympathy the RCN has is quickly evaporating. If its reputation as caring professionals is to survive intact, it needs very quickly to end this spiteful and unwarranted dispute.

As if the Metropolitan Police wasnt in enough trouble over racism, sexism and misogyny in the ranks, it transpires that a senior officer who regularly used prostitutes has been allowed to keep his job with merely a mild rebuke.

Given the potential for blackmail and that many sex workers are trafficked or coerced, is this man really fit to wear the uniform?
Yesterday I wrote about how people in Britain see their monarchy as they prepare to witness the Coronation of the new King.

Despite some challenges, the institution looks secure for now. But my research found that in the Commonwealth realms  the 14 other countries in which the King is head of state  the picture is much more mixed.

In six of these countries  Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica and the Solomon Islands  more voters said they would choose to become a republic than would opt to stay with the Crown. The question is not settled  in all but two, the proportion saying they didnt know or would not vote was bigger than the gap between the two sides  but it shows the balance of forces and perhaps the direction of travel.

(Visit www.lordashcroftpolls.com to see each countrys results on our interactive map.)

In the eight countries that would stay with the monarchy, the margins ranged from tight (five points in Belize, six in Papua New Guinea) to comfortable (29 points in St Vincent and The Grenadines, 45 points in the Pacific nation of Tuvalu).

Pictured: Lord Ashcroft. In six of these countries  Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica and the Solomon Islands  more voters said they would choose to become a republic than would opt to stay with the Crown

At first glance, this suggests a division of varying magnitude as to what people think about the Royal Family, or how they see the institution of the monarchy. In fact, it has more to do with how they see themselves, and what, if anything, they think they gain from their relationship with Britain and having the King at the apex of their political system.

In other words, and as I always remind politicians  its not about you (Your Majesty), its about them.

For republicans, the objection to the Crown is not that it stops them doing what they want but that it feels irrelevant to their country and their allegiance to it seems an anachronism.

Some, especially in Canada and Australia, felt it was incompatible with what they considered their inclusive and egalitarian national character. Britains cultural influence was fading, while relationships with partners like the US and China seemed increasingly important.

The monarchys association with the history of slavery and colonialism was another inescapable factor, especially in the Caribbean. Many in Jamaica (where people said they would vote for a republic by a nine-point margin in a referendum tomorrow) said the fact that they were not only nominally ruled by their former colonial masters but needed a visa to visit the UK added insult to injury.

We heard many calls for the King to apologise on behalf of the monarchy and his country for their past misdeeds  calls which were echoed by some at home. But these were strongly resisted by the majority of British voters (the Royal Navy freed 150,000 slaves. Why should we apologise to anyone? was a typical comment in our focus groups).

While just over half of British republicans thought such an apology should be issued, three quarters of those who would vote to keep the monarchy disagreed. This will be one of the trickiest questions the King has to tackle: appropriately acknowledging the more shameful parts of our history is one thing, but going too far along this road risks upsetting the wider public without ever satisfying activists demands. Many around the world were torn between the wish to assert their independence and end the association with historical wrongs on the one hand, and on the other, the stability and reassurance they felt the monarchy offered.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort pose for a portrait in the Blue Room at Buckingham Palace on April 4, 2023

People in Belize spoke of the sense of security they had felt from seeing British soldiers in their nice big trucks, and said that even though the Armys presence had been scaled back significantly, they felt the Crown implied a degree of protection in the face of territorial claims by neighbouring Guatemala.

Many in more remote countries including New Zealand (which would vote to keep the monarchy by a ten-point margin) felt they had more influence and international standing than they would have on their own down at the bottom of the world  not to mention generous visa arrangements with the UK.

Elsewhere, even some who were doubtful about the monarchy were even more reluctant to trust their own political elites (a president would become a dictator and control everything, warned a man in Papua New Guinea). Around the world, a substantial proportion of those voting to keep the monarchy said this was because the alternative would be worse, or the process of changing too disruptive. Few were attracted to the idea of a US-style executive president, but nor could they see the point of elevating one of their own citizens to the position of phoney monarch or head ribbon cutter, as they described the idea of a home-grown ceremonial head of state.

Indeed, one of the biggest advantages the monarchy has in this debate is its seeming irrelevance to most people: the cost of living, crime, violence, corruption, the environment, poverty, healthcare, education and jobs were all more pressing.

In every country leaning towards voting for a republic tomorrow, large majorities also agreed that in an ideal world we wouldnt have the monarchy, but there are more important things for us to deal with. As they told us in Jamaica, they could get rid of the King but the price of rice remains the same.

The line from the Palace is that the monarchys place in the Commonwealth realms is a matter for the people in those countries.

That is as it should be. But there is a fine line between not campaigning and not seeming to care. Understandably, some want to leave. But others want to feel that they are taken seriously and that they benefit from their bond with Britain. Much of this is down to His Majestys Government, rather than the King himself. How much do these relationships matter, and are we willing to invest in them?

Lord Ashcroft is an international businessman, author, philanthropist and pollster. You can follow him on Twitter/Facebook: @LordAshcroft. Uncharted Realms: The Future of the Monarchy in the UK and Around the World is available at LordAshcroftPolls.com
Imagine a text from your child with a desperate plea for help. My first instinct  your first instinct  would be to do whatever they ask; to send whatever money they need. But sickeningly, it might be from one of the people out there preying on that most natural and loving human instinct. Exploiting our very worst fears as parents. And making money out of appalling scams like these.

Two fifths of all crime in England and Wales is now classed as consumer fraud. It costs us nearly 7billion a year and new technologies are making these scams easier to do and harder to police.

Its time to take the fight to the scammers and fraudsters, and put an end to the despicable schemes that can devastate lives and livelihoods within seconds. Just as weve cut all other crime by half since 2010, well stop at nothing to crack down on these crimes too.

Today, were launching our new plan to stop the criminals in their tracks and break their warped business models.

First, were going to do everything possible to stop these scams reaching people in the first place. Modern technology makes it simply too easy to bombard people with a barrage of fake calls, texts, emails and WhatsApp messages. Criminals know that even if only one attempt in a thousand works, across a population of tens of millions, theyll still make a killing.

Its time to take the fight to the scammers and fraudsters, and put an end to the despicable schemes that can devastate lives and livelihoods within seconds

So were outlawing so-called SIM farms, technical devices that allow criminals to send hundreds of thousands of scam texts instantly and cheaply. By working with Ofcom, were also going to stop more spoof calls, where scammers impersonate UK numbers and trick people into thinking theyre speaking to banks, telephone companies or other legitimate businesses. And we will ban cold calls on all financial products, so that anyone who receives calls trying to sell them crypto currency or insurance will know its a scam.

To root out more online fraud, were working with tech companies on a simple and consistent reporting tool so that reporting online scams will only ever be a few easy clicks away. And were going further to make sure social media platforms remove more fraudulent content, such as fake celebrity endorsements, through the Online Safety Bill.

Second, we should be under no illusion about what were up against: roomfuls of people, whose sole job is to spend all day and all night trying to trick people out of their money. So were launching a new National Fraud Squad. Led by the National Crime Agency and the City of London Police, therell be over 400 new officers to hunt down these fraudsters and bring them to justice.

Banks can delay a payment until the next working day. Now were looking at giving them more time to bring in law enforcement and further engage the customer to stop more people from losing their money (File image)

We know 70 per cent of fraud in the UK originates overseas or has an international link, with the proceeds often funding organised crime and terror. Well step up work with our partners around the world and make greater use of the UKs security services to help identify more fraudsters overseas, as we know how effective this can be. A single spoof website that we brought down last year had enabled 3.5million calls to be made targeting innocent Brits  and those who reported falling victim to this scam lost an average of 10,000.

So well do more to delay payments where banks suspect a fraud is taking place. Currently banks can delay a payment until the next working day. Now were looking at giving them more time to bring in law enforcement and further engage the customer to stop more people from losing their money.

Finally, were going to arm people with the power of information and knowledge. When you fall victim to a scam, people feel upset, panicked, or embarrassed about being caught out, worried about whether theyll get their money back. Thats why were investing 30million in a state-of-the-art reporting centre to better support victims so they know what to do immediately after falling victim to a scam, and how to protect themselves in the future.

Our plan will help protect you and your loved ones from these scams and the predators who perpetrate them. Tackling this problem will help us grow our economy  one of my five priorities for the country. The time has come to put the fraudsters out of business. And thats what Im determined to do.
It is hard to imagine the glamorous Princess of Wales borrowing oversized shirts and chunky trainers from her dad's wardrobe, even if it is a current trend.

Yet when the princess read a children's story on TV in a cream Fair Isle knit, it seemed to pay an unlikely tribute to King Charles.

And that 'dad style' has actually crossed over into the royal realm!

Kate pulled on a cosy Holland Cooper roll neck jumper styled with a casual pair of jeans to read The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson on CBeebies in February last year.

The Princess of Wales and King Charles donned a similar snug pattered jumper to read a children's story on TV

Charles and Kate wore an similar belted safari jackets with rolled up sleeves while on tour

The princess's rural attire echoed that of King Charles. Both have been pictured pairing khaki green jackets with a bold red

Both Kate and Charles both keep a double-breasted camel overcoat in the wardrobe for outdoor visits

She also wore it at Christmas in a video revealing behind the scenes preparations for her Together at Christmas carol concert.

Her father-in-law King Charles chose a similar look for his TV appearance almost 40 years earlier, reading his own story The Old Man of Lochnagar on Jackanory in 1984.

Rambling through the countryside, Prince Charles paired a patterned jumper with a kilt to read the story of a man's adventures around Balmoral which he had written for his younger brothers.

Kate has also mirrored Charles' quirkier looks - including wearing an almost identical belted safari jacket while on tour in Canada in 2016.

Charles wore his jacket as part of a safari suit during a visit to Papua New Guinea in 1984, casually rolling up the sleeves just like the princess.

The pair have also adopted the same countryside chic look, with Kate echoing a young Prince Charles.

The princess wore a khaki green jacket partnered with a bold red scarf on her visit to Pant Farm, a goat farm near Abergavenny in Wales, matching with her husband, Prince William, as they petted goats on St David's Day.

But Kate also matched with her father-in-law's earlier outfit choice for The Quorn Hunt Cross Country Event, sporting a brown jacket and red jumper and carrying a shepherd's crook.

King Charles and the princess have braced the cold weather in similar longline camel coats on previous outings - both opting for a more formal double-breasted version of the outerwear staple.

Kate, who affectionately calls her father-in-law 'Grandpa', referencing the important role he plays in her children's life according to body language expert Judi James, shares Charles' love for a smartly cut blazer.

In a cheerful appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with brothers Prince William and Prince Harry in 2014, Kate wore a flattering navy-blue double-breasted blazer with large gold buttons from Zara - an item which sold out on the high-street after her first outing in the item.

Kate and Charles have shared taste in outerwear - long tweed overcoats for example

Kate twinned with a dashing young Charles when she stepped out in a navy blazer with statement gold buttons

A well-tailored blazer is a must-have for the royal pair who have both appeared in a simple checked jacket

Kate and Charles have also opted for trench coats for their royal outings with the princess opting for a more feminine take on the classic style

A dashing young Prince Charles wore a similar blazer for the polo at Smith's Lawn and again at a charity polo match in Gloucestershire.

The princess also followed her father-in-law's example of keeping a simple checked blazer in the wardrobe for royal duties.

She wore a tailored plaid Catherine Walker number teamed with a black cashmere knit to visit PACT (Parents and Communities together) in London last year.

Charles' version, a subtle checked double-breasted blazer, gives a formal impression, with the King wearing the jacket in 2015 to visit the scene where his Great Uncle Lord Mountbatten was assassinated in Mullaghmore, Ireland in 1979.
All eyes were upon Kate Middleton 12 years ago, when she walked down the aisle to meet Prince William in a stunning Alexander McQueen gown.

The ivory dress, with a satin bodice, lace sleeves and slight padding at the hips, went on to inspire a whole generation of brides-to-be.

The bodice of the dress, for her wedding on April 29, had been hand-stitched by the world's best seamstresses at the Royal School of Needlework, using Carrickmacross craftsmanship, a technique that dates back to the 1800s.

Yet there was another wedding dress, too - and it was only seen by a few hundred people.

For the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on April 29 2011, Kate wore an ivory Alexander McQueen dress, with a satin bodice, lace sleeves and slight padding at the hips, went on to inspire a generation of brides-to-be

Prince William and his bride Kate leave Westminster Abbey, London, following their wedding

As is traditional for royal brides, Kate changed into a second dress sticking with the same designer Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen. The dress was made from white satin with embroidered diamante detail around the waist. Here, Kate is pictured leaving Clarence House to travel to Buckingham Palace

After the wedding, 300 guests were invited to a private reception and party at Buckingham Palace, presided over by Prince Charles.

As is traditional for royal brides, Kate changed into a second dress sticking with the same designer Sarah Burton, who is the Creative Director of Alexander McQueen.

The second dress was made from white satin with a embroidered diamante detail round the waist.

Unlike the dress worn during the ceremony, the evening gown did not have a train, allowing Kate and William to dance the night away.

She paired the look with a white angora bolero cardigan and wore her hair loose.

Kate was not the only one who decided to change her outfit for the evening do.

Prince William changed into black tie, while Kate's sister and maid of honour Pippa Middleton, changed out of the famous white gown into a long emerald green sleeveless dress by designer Alice Temperley with a jewelled embellishment on the front and sparkling silver Aruna Seth shoes.

Guests danced away the night until 3am.

Royal author Katie Nicholl gave her take on the night in her book Harry: Life, Loss, and Love.

Referring to his best man's speech, she wrote:

'It was affectionate, warm and funny and touched William deeply,' she wrote.

'The speech was peppered with Harry's classic sense of humour, and he ribbed his brother: 'William didn't have a romantic bone in his body before he met Kate, so I knew it was serious when William suddenly started cooing down the phone at Kate'.

'Famous for his mimicry, Harry then impersonated his brother calling Kate 'Babykins', to much laughter from the guests.

'When he said the couple's decade-long romance was his inspiration, there was a shy smile from Chelsy, while Kate shed a tear.'

Unlike the impressive dress worn during the ceremony, Kate's second wedding dress did not have a train, allowing Kate and William to dance the night away

The Duke of Sussex, however, has since contradicted claims that he was Prince William's best man in his tell-all memoir, Spare.

Harry claimed it was 'all for show', adding 'Willy didn't want me giving a best man's speech'.

Instead the 'real' best man was said to be two of William's closest friends James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee who actually gave the traditional speech at the reception.
Described variously as 'bar manager', 'brand ambassador' and 'entrepreneur', it's been easy to dismiss Jack Brooksbank as a bit-part player in the greater royal drama.

Yet Jack, who has been celebrating his 37th birthday, has established himself as a popular figure in the family, a fixture at royal events and, most importantly, a strong, reliable companion for Princess Eugenie, younger daughter of Andrew, Duke of York.

Royal fans will know of him through his wife's Instagram page, where he features alongside adorable two-year-old son August. The couple have recently announced that Eugenie is pregnant once again.

And for all the talk of a slimmed-down monarchy, it seems clear that the wider public is getting to know him, too, as the younger generation takes up a greater share of the royal burden - and the attention that goes with it.

Here we take a look at the life and times of Jack Brooksbank, the barman who won the heart of a real-life princess.

The pair first met when she was 20 and he was 24 in the Swiss ski resort, Verbier

Childhood and family

Jack might be a commoner, but he is not without connections.

He is the son of the late George Edward Hugh Brooksbank, a chartered accountant who studied at Eton, and his wife Nicola, who is great-granddaughter to both Sir Arthur Holland and Sir Frederick Charlton Meyrick.

He is arguably a distant relative of his wife as great-grandfather, Sir John (Jack) Spencer Coke, was half-third cousin twice-removed of Princess Eugenie through Thomas Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester. Though this might be stretching a point.

Jack attended prestigious Stowe School in Buckinghamshire - famous for its stately-home buildings and magnificent grounds - before taking up a place at the University of Bristol.

Jack is the son of the late George Edward Hugh Brooksbank, a chartered accountant who studied at Eton. He is pictured here (right) with his younger brother Thomas

After dropping out of the University of Bristol, Jack worked as a meeter and greeter, with some table waiting at the Devonshire Terrace restaurant in the City

A portrait of Jack and Eugenie in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace in January 2018, on the day their engagement was made public

The couple said 'I do' in front of 850 guests at St George's Chapel, Windsor. More than three million viewers around the world tuned in to watch

The Duke of Sussex wrote how Jack and Eugenie met Meghan during a dinner party in 2016 where they drank tequila and where he saw 'Euge hugging Meg, as if they were sisters'

Creating Brand Jack

Jack did not complete his degree, however.

After leaving university, he started work as a bartender and eventually worked his way up to the post of general manager of Mahiki, a popular Mayfair nightclub frequented by Princes William and Harry.

He became a friend of Harry.

Later, Jack worked as a brand ambassador for Casamigos Tequila, a company co-founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman.

in September 2018, he became European Brand Director of the 45-a-bottle tequila business

Last year, Meldman offered Jack a role in the marketing, sales and promotion branch of his property developing business, Discovery Land Company in Portugal.

Jack has his own business interests, too. In 2016, he set up a wine company.

It seems to be going well. Jack Brooksbank Ltd reported a profit of 630,000 in 2022 compared with only 36,428 recorded the previous year.'

Brooksbank is the sole director and shareholder in the company.

Fairytale romance with Princess Eugenie

Jack and Eugenie met in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier in 2010 when she was 20 and he was 24.

She had been there on holiday with her family

In 2018, Eugenie revealed to the BBC that 'sparks' flew from the beginning .

The pair began dating but did not have it easy as Eugenie was juggling her time between London and New York, where she worked for former online auction house Paddle8.

At the time, Jack told The Daily Mail: We spend a lot of time on Skype. Its great. We are still very much together.

After seven years of dating, Jack invited to spend time with the Royal Family and the late Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral in 2016.

The couple beamed as they walked out of the church and kissed in front of 1,200 people before taking a short carriage ride through Windsor

Jack and Eugenie smile as they hold their newborn son, August, in February 2021

Eugenie shares glimpses into family life on Instagram, including this picture of Jack with baby August to mark Father's Day

Princess Eugenie has revealed earlier this year that her and Jack are expecting their second child together. Their son August featured in this picture released to mark the announcement

On 22 January 2018, an announcement was released confirming that Eugenie and Jack were engaged to be married.

In an interview with Matt Baker on the One Show, Brooksbank said that that he had proposed on holiday in Nicaragua, but without a ring because he 'didn't want to do anything until Eugenie had signed off on it.'

The couple saying 'I do' in front of 850 guests at St George's Chapel, Windsor, with more than three million tuning in to watch in October 2018.

The couple beamed as they left the church and kissed in front of 1,200 people before taking a short carriage ride through Windsor and back to the castle for their formal lunchtime reception.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson had also organised a raucous evening reception for the newlyweds at their Royal Lodge home.

According to reports at the time, Jack's wedding speech was filled with devotion to Eugenie and he told his new wife she 'lights up his life and makes him feel complete'.

Jack's speech was so moving that it was reported Prince Andrew broke royal protocol to give him a hug.

The royal pair then made the news public via Instagram that they were expecting their first child, two years after their wedding.

A statement from Buckingham Palace described her grandmother Queen Elizabeth as delighted.

On Instagram, Eugenie wrote: 'Jack and I are so excited for early 2021....,' alongside photos of baby slippers and her and Jack smiling.

Eugenie's son, August, was born on February 9 2021, with Eugenie sharing a black and white picture.

A picture of Eugenie and new-born August not long after he was born

Away from the cameras, Jack is a devoted father who loves to spend time with his family

In their Netflix docuseries, Harry and Meghan (top and right) said that Jack and Eugenie (above) came to visit in Toronto in October 2016. They attended an apocalypse-themed party at Toronto's branch of Soho House

Today, 13 years since they first met, they are preparing to welcome a second child, due in the summer.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said:

'The family are delighted and August is very much looking forward to being a big brother.'

Eugenie then published an snap taken by her husband Jack on Instagram showing her young son kissing her stomach, writing: 'Were so excited to share that there will be a new addition to our family this summer.'

Controversy strikes

However, they have not been spared by controversy, and Jack made headlines a few months after August's birth, after he was photographed partying on a yacht with glamourous bikini-clad models while Eugenie stayed at home with their newborn child.

Rushing to his defence at the time, his mother-in-law Sarah Ferguson claimed Jack was one of her 'most favourite people' and defended him.

'Jack, who was on the front page, is a man of such integrity,' she said. 'He's just one of my most favourite people, I call him James Bond actually.

'He's just a superhero in my book, and he's a great father, a fabulous husband, and he's never at front of house, he always likes to be at the back.

'So for them to make this story is completely fabricated, he works as an ambassador for Casamigos, and he was on doing his job, and so I think it's really important that we clarify that for Jack's sake.'

Eugenie and her husband weathered the storm together, keeping a low profile, bar a few pictures shared by the royal on Instagram about their son's milestone throughout 2021 and 2022.

In 2021, Jack was one of the handful of royals who attended the intimate funeral for the late Duke of Edinburgh on April 17 in Windsor, and later attended a service of remembrance for Prince Philip in March 2022.

In happier times, the couple made their debut as a family during the late Queen's Jubilee celebrations in June when they attended the Platinum Pageant on The Mall with August, then 18 months, on June 5, 2022.

Jack and Eugenie also attended a service of thanksgiving for the late Sovereign's reign at Westminster Abbey, alongside other royals.

Jack was also by Eugenie's side as she wiped tears away at her grandmother's funeral on September 19 in London and Windsor.

At least he is 'loved' by Harry and Meghan

According to the Sussexes, he was among the first members of the royal family to meet Meghan in the early days of the romance.

Writing in his memoir Spare, Harry explained that Jack and Eugenie had met Meghan during a dinner party in 2016 where they drank tequila and where he saw 'Euge hugging Meg, as if they were sisters.'

He said Meghan 'loved' Jack and Eugenie.

In their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the couple recounted how Eugenie and Jack came to visit them in Toronto in October 2016, where they all attended an apocalypse-themed party together at the city's branch of Soho House.

Jack (centre) is a friend of Eugenie's cousin Prince Harry - and escaped criticism in Harry's memoir Spare. They are pictured here at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Platinum Jubilee

This was shortly before Harry and Meghan's relationship was made public.

Harry said that they had been 'deliriously happy' for Princess Eugenie when she got engaged to Jack, adding: 'since Jack was one of our favourite people.'

There has been speculation as to whether Eugenie and Jack will follow in the footsteps of Harry and Meghan and move to California.

The Mail on Sunday reported that the Sussexes had been sending Eugenie details of homes close to where they currently live in Montecito.

They are also said to be looking in the West Hollywood area.
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Its the most talked about celebrity wedding of the year so far, so its no wonder everyone is still buzzing about the many gorgeous looks Sofia Richie sported during her wedding weekend.

The model revealed her beauty favorites in a get ready with me video posted to TikTok days before her nuptials  and among them was the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer, with prices currently starting at just $9.99.

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer Achieve the perfect glow with this top-selling bronzer infused with Murumuru butter that leaves skin baby-soft. The formula is further enhanced with other nourishing butters that hail from the Amazon rainforest, lending it a silky finish. It's available in a variety of shades, so you can build up your glow as deep as you like, or keep it light for a subtle look. Shop

Referring to the popular bronzer as one of her secret faves, Richie dusted it beneath her cheekbones, across her forehead, and under her jawline to create some definition and add a light touch of radiance to her complexion.

Its no wonder she counts it as one of her essentials  the formula offers everything you could possibly want in a beauty product, from nourishing ingredients that condition your skin to moisturizers that leave it softer and more supple with every use.

Get that glow: This moisturizing bronzer is unlike any other out there, providing the benefits of deep hydration coupled with a healthy, bronzey glow.

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Olivia Wilde suffered from a fashion disaster at the 2023 Met Gala - when she showed up to the red carpet wearing the same dress as filmmaker and Vogue China editor Margaret Zhang.

The Don't Worry Darling director, 39, opted for a white, floor-length Chloe gown, which was inspired by a design from the late Karl Lagerfeld and contained a gold, violin-shaped design on the front.

While the House star looked stunning in the number - things quickly turned awkward when it was revealed that Margaret, 29, chose almost the exact same ensemble but in black instead.

People all over social media couldn't help but make jokes about the sartorial faux pau - while others wondered how it even happened.

Olivia Wilde (left) suffered from a fashion disaster at the 2023 Met Gala - when she showed up to the red carpet wearing the same dress as Vogue China editor Margaret Zhang (right)

The Don't Worry Darling director, 39, opted for a white, floor-length Chloe gown, which was inspired by a design from the late Karl Lagerfeld and contained a gold, violin-shaped design

While the House star looked stunning in the number - things quickly turned awkward when it was revealed that Margaret chose almost the exact same ensemble but in black instead

'The DRAMA,' wrote one person, while another added, 'They're so brave for not going home immediately.'

'FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT,' read a third tweet. A fourth said: 'Omg RIP to whoever is getting fired for this.'

'Well that's embarrassing,' someone else tweeted.

'I'd be pissed,' a different user wrote. Another agreed, 'They should hide away for the next year.'

Someone else asked, 'How is this even possible?'

'I thought all the outfits were approved beforehand? Someone's in trouble,' read another tweet.

Other social media users argued over who wore it better, while some slammed the dress - branding it as 'ugly' and comparing the embellishment on the front to a menstrual pad.

The chances of two stars wearing the same gown seems slim on first glance, however, because the theme of this year's Met Gala is all about celebrating Karl, it's not that shocking that both Olivia and Margaret wore ensembles that were helmed from his creations.

People all over social media couldn't help but make jokes about the sartorial faux pau - while others wondered how it even happened

Other social media users argued over who wore it better, while some slammed the dress - branding it as 'ugly' and comparing the embellishment on the front to a menstrual pad

Because the theme of this year's Met Gala is all about celebrating Karl, it's not that shocking that both Olivia and Margaret wore ensembles that were helmed from his creations

Olivia's dress was created by Chloe designer Gabriela Hearst, and she told Vogue that it was based on a gown Karl had created in 1983

It is not known who made Margaret's version of the dress. Aside from being different colors, the two numbers also contained varying bottoms

Olivia's dress was created by Chloe designer Gabriela Hearst, and she told Vogue that it was based on a gown Karl had created in 1983.

'Its from Chloes spring 1983 collection, which was entirely inspired by music,' Vogue reported.

'This particular look referenced a violin crafted by a 17th century Italian luthier named Nicola Amati.'

Gabriela told the outlet, 'What I loved about the original design was the musical inspiration of it, and the surrealistic touch on it.

'There was something quite timeless that we could bring back to the Met Gala in 2023.'

It is not known who made Margaret's version of the gown. Aside from being different colors, the two numbers also contained varying bottoms - Olivia's was thinner, while Margaret's dress got wider near the ends and contained a flowing tail with gold embroidery.
Clair Buckley told The Sun she won't be recommending UK hit to her children

From going 'knee deep in clunge' to shouting out at 'bus wa**ers' - James Buckley's iconic Inbetweeners character Jay has brought countess iconic lines from the British TV classic to life.

But his children won't be 'getting a free pass' if they repeat any of them, his wife has warned.

The character, who is equally loved and hated by audiences, often boasts about his non-existent sex life. Infamous quotes including him insisting he'd once 'f**ked some girl' in the Tower of London and assuring others he was 'up to his neck in s**ts at the moment'.

Elsewhere, he claimed any love interest would be 'frothing at the g*sh' when sampling his 'pulling recipe', which is 'Vodka, whisky and a load of creme-de-menthe'.

However, speaking to The Sun , Clair Buckley - who's been married to the actor since 2012 and has two young children approaching their teens with him - revealed that she's 'definitely not recommending' the E4 hit to their kids.

Clair, 35, became pregnant with Harrison in 2011, after a whirlwind 10 month relationship with James, 35. The couple pictured in 2022

And she insisted that their sons Harrison, 11, and Jude, nine - named in honour of the Beatles, who both her and James are obsessed with - would have to face her wrath if they tried to get away with saying crass things.

'They would be getting into trouble, the same as any kids would if they said anything too rude,' she told the outlet.

'I hope they don't think they will get a free pass because their dad said it.'

Clair, 35, became pregnant with Harrison in 2011, after a whirlwind 10 month relationship with James, 35.

In 2013, the happy couple welcomed their second child, Jude.

The family currently resides in Chelmsford. Speaking with EssexLive last year, James also opened up about finding his 'happy place' in a 'gaming cave' where he creates content for his YouTube channel.

In 2022, he became the first UK celebrity to become a Cameo millionaire as he amassed $1 million (930,000) on the app.

The Inbetweeners star joined Cameo in March 2020 and had 'gained financial freedom' sending fans personalised video messages, for a fee, on the app.

According to the platform's founder Martin Blencowe, James 'takes it very seriously' and is 'ready to do the work' after it was reported he replied to 37 video requests per day in 2021.

Addressing the claims last year, Martin confirmed that James had gained financial freedom via his 'accessible price' on Cameo and is able to explore other career avenues.

James has in past admitted that 'there's not enough money in the world' that could convince him to reprise his role in the Inbetweeners

The actor, played the iconic role of Jay Cartwright for three series and two movies opposite Simon Bird (Will Mckenzie), Joe Thomas (Simon Cooper), and Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland)

He said: 'James was incredibly popular from the start, but he's stayed committed to his fans, always keeping an accessible price (even during his busiest periods) and giving his all to make each Cameo special.

'In return, he's gained the financial freedom and overwhelming fan support to pursue the projects he's most passionate about like 2:22 - A Ghost Story, the West End play and his family's YouTube channel, At Home With The Buckleys.'

However, James has in past admitted that 'there's not enough money in the world' that could convince him to reprise his role in the Inbetweeners.

The actor, played the iconic role of Jay Cartwright for three series and two movies opposite Simon Bird (Will Mckenzie), Joe Thomas (Simon Cooper), and Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland).

Clair Buckley has been married to the actor since 2012 and has two young children approaching their teens with him

Despite confessing that the role was 'the best job in the world' and that he knew he would have an 'amazing time' he revealed he would not be interested in making a comeback.

During an appearance on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, James said: 'No. I don't want to go near it anymore.

'Not because I don't think I would have an amazing time doing it, because I know I would. I love the boys, I love the writers.

'Doing The Inbetweeners was the best job in the world. All we did was muck around all day long and they filmed us doing it, and at the end of the day, we might have had an episode, or a TV, you know, or a film or something. It was the best job in the world.

'But it might - you know, as I'm getting older - it's looking like it might be the only thing that I do professionally that is universally loved. There's not enough money in the world for me to spoil that.'
As Anna Wintour and beloved British actor Bill Nighy arrived arm-in-arm at the Met Gala, they appeared to confirm a romance that has been rumoured for years - days after the US Vogue editor dodged questions about their relationship.

The pair, both 73, who have been close since 2010, sparked dating rumours once again in 2021 following Wintour's split from her husband of 20 years, Shelby Bryan. At the time her second marriage ended in 2020, it was reported that the editor had dumped her Texan husband because she had 'grown bored' with him.

By August 2021, rumours began to swirl that Wintour had found a new flame in her long-time friend Nighy after the pair were spotted having dinner together in Rome. Nighy himself has not gone public with a relationship since his split from his long-term partner Diana Quick in 2008, with whom he shares a daughter, Mary.

In 2018 Nighy even addressed the speculation that had mounted for nearly a decade, but appeared to brush it off when he said: 'There are a lot of rumors about me and probably about Anna.'

And in an interview last year, he refused to be drawn on what he described as 'something very close to gossip'.

US Vogue editor Anna Wintour and British actor Bill Nighy, both 73, appeared to confirm their long-rumoured romance when they arrived at the Met Gala 2023 in New York last night

Wintour's first marriage was to David Shaffer in 1984, who was 10 years her senior. They had two children, Charles and Bee, but by 1999 the couple were divorced and Anna began dating Shelby Bryan.

The Vogue editor appeared to befriend Nighy around 13 years ago when they began to attend fashion weeks together - something they have done several times throughout their friendship.

In 2010 the pair looked close as they sat next to each other at the Nicole Farhi Spring/Summer show at London Fashion Week.

A photo from the event captured the pals sitting very close together as Wintour leaned behind to chat to someone in the second row. They were both smiling as they watched the catwalk show.

However at this stage, there was no indication the pair were any more than just friends - and indeed two years later they were joined in the front row at LFW by Nighy's then ex, Diana Quick.

In January 2020, the pair put on a cosy display at the Paul Smith 50th anniversary show at Paris Fashion Week

One of Wintour and Nighy's earliest public outings together was in 2010 at the Nicole Farhi 2011 Spring/Summer show at London Fashion Week

The trio looked pally as they sat together to watch another Nicole Farhi show at the Royal Courts of Justice in 2012.

As well as fashion shows, the pair also enjoy a mutual love of theatre - and in 2018 were spotted together in London as they watched 'The Jungle', a play about the refugee crisis in Calais, Page Six reported.

While Wintour and Nighy have often made public appearances together, it is perhaps their intimate dinners which have caused more speculation that they might be more than just friends.

In 2020, Page Six reported the couple had dined together at Sant Ambroeus on Madison Avenue in New York - and Wintour had even been spotted without her trademark shades.

A source told the magazine that Wintour looked 'happier than I have ever seen her'.

They added: 'Anna was beaming the whole time. She looked happy and in very good company. She was beautifully made-up and she was smiling so much  she had her sunglasses off the entire time!'

Wintour, Nighy and Nighy's ex Diana Quick, from whom he had separated in 2008, looked pally together at a Nicole Farhi show in London Fashion Week, 2012

Nighy and Quick (pictured in 2012) had been together from 1982 until 2008 and share a daughter, Mary. The pair have always remained friends

Anna Wintour was with Shelby Bryan for 20 years and the pair were married for 16 years, following her split from her first husband David Shaffer

The dinner date came just days after the pair put on a cosy display at the Paul Smith Autumn/Winter 50th anniversary show at Paris Fashion Week.

As they sat in the front row, Nighy looked sharp in a navy suit and his thick-framed glasses, While Wintour kept her eyes covered with sunglasses and wore a metallic coat with a fur hood.

In one photo, Nighy put his hand on Wintour's arm as they appeared to inch closer together.

When the Covid lockdowns put a stop to dining out altogether, Nighy and Wintour were not spotted together for a little while, until August 2021 when they enjoyed dinner ar Pierluigi in Rome.

At the time, tongues wagged over reports Nighy had been spotted buying red roses for his dinner date ahead of meeting her.

Just days before the pair appeared arm-in-arm at the Met Gala, Wintour dodged questions about the nature of their relationship during an interview with The Telegraph.

When asked about Nighy and speculation, she said: 'Im very ingrained in the British papers.

'My dad was a Fleet Street editor, my brother [Patrick Wintour] works for The Guardian. I read them all at night online.'

Just a year earlier, Nighy gave an interview to the same newspaper in which he was asked the same questions about Wintour.

He replied: Id love to answer that. But if I did, Id be involving the readers in something very close to gossip, and I know theyd never forgive me for that.
Claire Dinhut, who is from the US, took to TikTok to explain the 'family drama'

Chocolate lovers are shocked after learning the dramatic story behind M&M's

Chocolate lovers have been amazed after learning the story behind M&M's and what the brand name actually stands for.

Claire Dinhut, who is from the US but living in London, took to TikTok to explain the M&M 'family drama'.

She revealed the chocolates' name stands for Mars and Murrie after chocolate heirs and business collaborators Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie.

Bruce was the son of Hershey executive William Murrie, while Forrest was the son of Mars founder, Frank C. Mars.

In a clip, which racked up nearly 9,000 likes, she revealed that the story started when Forrest E. Mars fell out with his dad, the original owner of Mars.

Claire Dinhut, who is from the US but living in London, took to TikTok to explain the M&M's 'family drama' and reveal where the name came from

She said: 'My most fun candy history fact is M&M and why it is called M&M, basically there is so much family drama here and its so juicy, it's so good.

'The Mars company started before Hershey's by this guy, and his son was really good at coming up with chocolate bars.'

She went on to explain that the son visited Europe where he reportedly spotted people enjoying chocolate covered in candy coating.

Not wanting to share his idea with his dad when he planned to bring the idea to the US, he turned to his family's rival, Hershey's.

She continued: 'He goes to Hershey's and he's like I am the son of Mars but I don't want to give it to my father, let's just work together.

'The guy who is running Hershey's, his last name is Murrie, he was like sure but you have to work with my son. So they worked together and created these little candies.'

Claire went on to reveal that together with the son of Hershey executive he created M&M's, and the pair decided to name the brand after themselves.

She revealed the chocolates' iconic name stands for Mars and Murrie after chocolate heirs and business collaborators Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie

She said: 'They called them Mars, like the first guy's last name, and Murrie the second guy's last name, M&M.'

She also claimed: 'The reason it all popped off is they created it right before World War Two and in World War Two they made this deal with the government that in every soldier's bag were M&M's.'

The History website explains: 'After the US entered the war, the candies were exclusively sold to the military, enabling the heat-resistant and easy-to-transport chocolate to be included in American soldiers' rations.

Many were fascinated with the interesting history of the popular chocolate, with people rushing to leave their comments

'By the time the war was over and GIs returned home, they were hooked.'

M&Ms didn't have their signature 'M' stamp until 1950 and customers were encouraged to 'Look for the M on every piece' to ensure they were getting the real thing.

Many were fascinated with the history of the popular chocolate.

One person wrote: 'Ohh boy was I invested.'

Another said: 'Love food history.'

A third added: 'Now this is history I'm interested in.'
A mother constantly mistaken for the Princess of Wales 'loves the compliment' and says she wishes she could play her in The Crown, however not everyone is so convinced.

Dr Molly Brinkmann, 35, from Franklin, Tennessee, says she has 'always loved' Royal Kate Middleton, 41, and claims strangers regularly mistake her for the Princess at first glance.

The mother-of-two sees the likeness herself and says they have the same style and hair and do their make-up in a similar fashion.

Molly is a 'fan' of the Royal family and plans to follow the King's Coronation and is excited to see what Kate wears.

The vet has built a huge following on TikTok where she posts videos giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at life working with animals and it's here where she says she gets the most comments about her likeness to the royal.

Dr Brinkmann, a vet, pictured here with her daughter, says she's been mistaken for Kate for years but since she started posting on TikTok has it really exploded

Molly, who lives near Nashville with her husband, Ryan, 35, said: 'It's a compliment to look like her.

'I've always loved her. People say, "Holy cow, you look like Kate" and "You should audition for the Crown".

'Netflix can call me anytime. I can be the current Kate.'

Molly has always had strangers telling she looks like Kate Middleton for years but said she gets it more now after positing videos on TikTok.

She said: 'I've been told for years in person that I look like her. Strangers come up and say, "You look like Kate".

Molly recalls an incident when some strangers asked if her husband Ryan (left) if there was royalty in his blood as he looks like he could be part of the Royal familyP

Dr Molly Brinkmann from Tennessee (left) is often told by strangers that she looks like the Princess of Wales and says she would love to play her in Netflix series The Crown. Right: Kate pictured on a visit to Scarborough to launch funding to support young people's mental health

'They say 'for a second there I thought you were her'. My TikTok blew up and people started saying it online.'

She says she can see the similarity 'a little bit' but as she's got older the likeness has become more apparent.

Molly said: 'As I've got older my appearance is more like her. Our hair and style is quite similar.

'When I've got my hair curly it looks more like her and we do our make-up similar.

'I see the similarities a little bit.

'I think she is beautiful. It's fun and flattering to be compared to her.'

Molly also gets compared to other famous Kates but doesn't see the similarities with them.

She said: 'I get Kate Upton and Kate Hudson. I don't see it. We're very different.

'It's so funny - it's all the Kate's.'

Most of Molly's TikTok followers agree that she looks like the Princess of Wales but not everyone thinks so  with one rude person even asking why she was lying

Molly says strangers stop her in the street to tell her how much she resembles Kate Middleton, 41 and she's happy to take the compliment because she thinks she's beautiful

Molly says when she wears her hair curly she thinks she looks more like Kate and believes they also do their makeup quite similar

Molly, here with her daughter, also gets compared to other famous Kates including Kate Upton and Kate Hudson but she doesn't see the similarities to them

However, not everyone online can see the similarities with one of her 154,400 TikTok followers even accusing others of lying about the likeness.

One wrote in reply to fan who thought Molly was Kate Middleton: 'Princess Kate is way more beautiful'.

While another wrote underneath a follower who also thought she resembled the Princess of Wales: 'Why you gotta lie'.

Molly's husband Ryan, who teaches personal finance, goes along with the likeness and was even told he looked like royalty.

Molly said: 'He's like 'yeah sure' when people say I look like her. He doesn't look like a William.

'He looks more like a Harry but not really.

Molly (right with her daughter) says she can see the similarities to Kate (left with a newborn Prince George) a little bit and says it's 'fun and flattering' to be compared to her

Molly says she can see the similarity 'a little bit' but as she's got older the likeness has become more apparent

Molly's husband Ryan, who teaches personal finance, goes along with the likeness and was even told he looked like royalty. She says when she asks him if he thinks she looks like Kate he says, 'yeah sure'

'These women turned to us once and said to him 'is there royalty in your blood?'

'It was so random. We asked why and they said of Ryan  'you look like you could part of a Royal family'.'

Molly is theater trained and is keen to play Kate in Netflix's The Crown.

She joked: 'Somebody needs to call me.'

Molly will be following American Royal superfans as they visit the UK for the Coronation.
Sir Kenneth Olisa has revealed that King Charles' pace of royal engagements is '100 times faster' than the late Queen's.

Sir Ken, who is the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, opened up about the King's coronation and his commitment to diversity on today's Lorraine.

He revealed the monarch has a very reactive way of meeting members of the public and of different communities, compared to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

He joked that the late Queen was able to pace her engagements 'more gracefully' than her son.

And the London civil servant added that he does not know how King Charles can keep such a busy pace, joking that he couldn't keep up with him.

'The pace is 100 times faster. That Earthquake in Turkey and Syria happened and he went out and met some Turkish refugees, he was with some Darfur refugees just the other day,' Sir Kenneth said. 'It goes on and on and on.'

He said the King is determined to make time for all the 'people living in our country, who've decided this is the place in the world to be, and sharing of values.'

'Her Majesty's was a more graceful pace,' he said, in reference to how the late Queen spaced out her engagements.

'And I have to say, I don't know how he keeps this up,' Sir Ken, who represents the monarch in London, added.

'I don't do anything quite as much as he does and I'm completely exhausted most of the time,' he joked.

Sir Kenneth also talked of the important role the Royal Family has played in engaging with different communities around the country.

'This is what the Royal Family does so importantly,' he said.

'They sprinkle pixie dust as they travel around, meeting people, thanking them, congratulating them for contributing to society, contributing to communities.

Sir Kenneth Olisa, who is the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, has revealed on Lorraine that King Charles' pace of royal engagements is '100 times faster' than the late Queen's

The King, pictured in 2019, relentlessly jumped from one engagement to the next in order to meet members of the public, Sir Ken said

The late Monarch Elizabeth II paced her royal engagements more 'gracefully,' than her son, Sir Kenneth added. Pictured in 2002 in Belfast

'That's what they do day in and day out. And anyone who has met a member of the royal family remembers almost everything that happened

'It's a really important part of reminding ourselves of our national values. It's genuine as opposed to patting people on the back,' he added.

'He's going to be King for everybody, we'll see that in the Abbey,' Sir Kenneth added.

The monarch's London representative also talked about Charles's plans to have a slimmed down Coronation.

'The whole idea of a trimmed down coronation is the whole idea of the lords and the ladies have been reduced in numbers and [...] normal people are filling those seats,' he said.

On Lorraine, Sir Kenneth, left, joked that he doesn't know how the King manages to work at the pace he does

Sir Kenneth, who will be welcoming heads of state for the ceremony, took a moment to remember the late Queen's State Funeral, which took place at Westminster Abbey on September 19.

'Heads of State from all over the world came to pay their respects and tribute to the Queen and the things she represented globally,' he said.

'So the energy in the Abbey from that all occasion is still there. Now we got the positive side of it, it's no longer mourning a death but rather us celebrating, essentially, the birth of a new king.

'We got the same people coming, saying "there is something very special about this country and we want to be part if that moment",' he added.
Martin Lewis has admitted he relies on a rather amusing acronym in order to remember what qualifies an item as faulty.

The London-based money saving expert was dealing with viewers' questions on This Morning today, where he was asked about whether companies should pay for the cost of returning online orders.

The expert revealed that if an item is faulty, the seller should be responsible for return costs. However, 'faulty' is defined by a certain set of factors that people need to take into consideration.

Thankfully, Martin told presenter Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby he had come with a funny phrase in order to remember what constitutes a faulty items.

'My way of remembering 'faulty' by the way is SAD FART - Good must be of Satisfactory quality As Described, Fit for purpose And last a Reasonable length of Time,' the expert said.

London-based money saving expert Martin Lewis has admitted he relies on a rather amusing acronym in order to remember what qualifies an item as faulty

He was replying to a query from a woman called Shona, who asked: 'I recently bought a bath panel from Victoria Plumbing that didn't fit on my bath. I've been advised by the company that I have to arrange my own courier, which would cost me half the price of the panel. I live in Southend and their return address is in Lancashire, is this legal?'

Martin said that the issue of who has to pay comes down to whether the item is faulty or not.

'If you bought it, it was the specifications as it was written out, and you took it to your house, then you have a right to send it back under Consumer Contract Regulations,' he said.

He explained that according to these regulations, consumers are entitled to get back the minimum money it cost to post the product to them, but they have to handle the item's redelivery.

'Now this is a big problem if people buy stuff on Amazon that they don't know comes from China and then they have to send it back to China, and the cost of sending it back can be more than they paid in the first place, which is a nightmare,' the money expert added.

However, the rule is different if an item is faulty.

'If the item is faulty, so there's a fault on it and that's why you're sending it back, then the company itself should pay to get it back to them,' he said.

'If it wasn't as you specified or it wasn't as it's written down and it doesn't fit, that would be faulty, but if you just bought it and thought you'd try it, and it was as described, then it wasn't faulty,' Martin went on.

Martin talked Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield how he remembers what defines an item as faulty

Martin said that if an item is not as described or doesn't fit the specifications, then it's faulty.

'If they are faulty, then the company has to pay for the delivery back, but if they're not, it's your responsibility to send it back,' he added.

But the expert specified that the cost could fall on the company if the contract states that they are responsible for the cost of sending the item back

I'd get in touch with Citizen's Advice's helpline for consumer rights issues and I would talk them through it so you could get some bespoke and one-on-one advice,' Martin went on.
BBC viewers were left raging when the latest adaptation of Great Expectations concluded this week - with a different ending to the one Dickens wrote.

Many fans were fuming over the 'woke' adaptation, which was mired in controversy over changes made to the story, including the depiction of opium addiction and sadomasochism.

However it's far from the first time that the BBC has drastically altered a book they were adapting to the big screen.

Books like The Night Manager, His Dark Materials and Malory Towers were all tweaked by the broadcaster in different ways.

Here FEMAIL reveals the storylines which the channel has altered before putting the programmes on air...

BBC viewers were left raging when the latest adaptation of Great Expectations concluded this week - with a different ending to the one Dickens wrote. However it's far from the first time that the BBC has drastically altered a book they were adapting to the big screen. Here FEMAIL reveals the series which the channel has tweaked...

THE NIGHT MANAGER: CHANGED SEX OF AGENT AND ENDING

The Night Manager boasted a starry cast including Neil Morrissey, Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, in a six-part series thought to be the most expensive in the history of the BBC; at a staggering 3million per episode

From left: Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, Olivia Colman and Tom Hollander in The Night Manager, filmed in stunning locations in Majorca, Morocco, the Swiss Alps, Egypt and London

Olivia Colman was expecting her third child during filming so her pregnancy was written into the script

The Night Manager boasted a starry cast including Neil Morrissey, Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, in a six-part series thought to be the most expensive in the history of the BBC; at a staggering 3million per episode.

And at the time, celebrated author John Le Carre says he 'dearly wished' he'd written his book with a woman spymaster rather than a male one.

The author insisted he was glad his novel was made suitable for the 21st Century audience - who will see actress Olivia Colman in a part originally written for a man.

Bafta-winning British actress Olivia Colman starred as Burr, a spymaster originally written by le Carre as a man.

The writer charged with adapting the book, David Farr, said le Carre initially expressed reservations about changing the character's gender, but ended up being 'over the moon about it.'

Le Carre told The Daily Telegraph he 'dearly wished' he had written Mrs Burr into the novel.

He added: 'In the novel, my chief British spook had been a man named Burr - a rough-cut, ponderous, no nonsense fellow, but a man for all that, and a throwback to my own distant days in the secret world, when female officers were, to say the very least, a rarity.'

He said there were enough 'middle aged white men' so he welcomed the character being a woman.

Intelligence officer Angela Burr, a no-nonsense northern woman in a posh man's world, has been after Roper for years but found herself thwarted at every turn.

Pregnant throughout the filming, Colman describes Mrs Burr as a 'good egg'.

She adds: 'She's very driven and very black-and-white. She has a strong sense of right and wrong  that's why she's on an absolute mission to get Roper.'

'To her, it's personal. She knows the damage he's doing worldwide and she's determined to stop him. She's incredibly brave  very unlike me  but I really like her.

'This is my first spy drama and it could be my warm-up for Bond!'

And it wasn't just the character's genders which have changed - the twisting, turning plot has been updated, with le Carre's blessing, to the time of the Arab Spring in Egypt in 2011.

A gripping tale of love, loss, revenge and intrigue, the bestselling thriller followed the story of a disillusioned former British soldier, Jonathan Pine, who changes his life completely by escaping to become the night manager of a luxury hotel in Cairo.

MALORY TOWERS: DIVERSIFIED CLASSROOM

Written by Enid Blyton between 1946 and 1951, the six novels of Malory Towers have never been out of print. And in 2020, the series was adapted for the first time on British TV by CBBC

Written by Enid Blyton between 1946 and 1951, the six novels of Malory Towers have never been out of print.

And in 2020, the series was adapted for the first time on British TV by CBBC.

The story focuses on Darrell Rivers as she joins the school. She wants to be a doctor, like her dad, but other new girl Gwendoline Lacey tells her girls can only be nurses.

The series focuses on Darrell as she navigates finding out who her true friends are and trying not to fight too much with the always-difficult Gwendoline.

However there were changes from the original text when the series came out in 2019.

The series features a multicultural cast  reflecting that girls from around the Empire would have been at a British boarding school  and new characters. Theres a deeper look at the psychology of the characters too.

The vicious Gwendoline is given a little sympathy while even the Matron is also shown in a softer light.

HIS DARK MATERIALS: TONED DOWN DARK PLOT

His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman, is widely considered one of the best young adult series of all time. However when the BBC began adapting the series in 2019, critics noted that some of the darker plot points had been toned down

His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman, is widely considered one of the best young adult series of all time.

The three books tell the story of Lyra Belacqua, an orphan growing up in the heart of academic Oxford, but who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined.

As she searches for a kidnapped friend, she uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and their daemons - the external version of a person's 'inner-self', which takes the form of an animal.

Lyra is drawn into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon known as Dust and in the second novel she is joined on her journey by a boy, Will, whose knife can cut windows between parallel worlds.

As the girl learns more about her parents and her destiny she and Will are caught up in a war against the celestial powers.

However when the BBC began adapting the series in 2019, critics noted that some of the darker plot points had been toned down.

At the time, Daily Mail's critic Jim Shelley said: 'The first episode was like something we might see on Christmas Day, and screened even earlier than 8 oclock.

'It certainly wasnt as violent or generally disturbing as EastEnders, and had nothing that might give kids nightmares (like a good Doctor Who special).

'The whole thing was justtame.

'The child-snatcher sub-plot for example was so oblique even the creep in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang seemed more sinister (at the time and probably now).

'Sixteen kids had been grabbed by the Gobblers (as it were). But their snatches were seen only fleetingly (ditto) and never with any tension, let alone terror.'

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: CHANGED ENDING

Written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight, the series stars Fionn Whitehead as Pip and Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham

Fionn Whitehead as Pip with Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella in the BBCs woke adaption of the Dickens classic

Steven Knights adaptation, which stars Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham and Fionn Whitehead as Pip, has been mired in controversy over changes made to the story, including the depiction of opium addiction and sadomasochism.

In the Dickens classic, Miss Havisham's wedding dress is burned in a tragic accident which leads to her death - however, in the BBC's reimagining Miss Havisham sets the dress alight on purpose as part of a revenge twist and emerges unscathed.

The series also made a stark change to the conclusion of Pip' story, with his character in the novel reuniting with Estella, who reveals she has finally opened her heart to him.

But in the final episode of the BBC show, Pip declines Estella's proposal, and instead opts to marry his childhood friend and Chartist Biddy.

Moreover, while Miss Havisham sets her dress alight, when Compeyson comes to her, she tries to shoot him before setting Satis House on fire.

Compeyson and Magwitch fight in the burning building and die in the inferno, while Miss Havisham watches Satis House burn, surviving her ordeal.

After burning the dress, Miss Havisham is seen saying: 'I am stronger than you. I am stronger than this house. I am stronger than fire.'

Elsewhere, fans were shocked that Pip rejects his gentleman lifestyle to return to a lowly life as a blacksmith.

Estella's own love life ends on a somewhat positive note, as the final episode shows her dancing with Jaggers at Pip and Biddy's wedding, instead of marrying the abusive Drummle.

The finale of the BBC's Great Expectations enraged viewers, and many were quick to take to Twitter to complain.

The comments from enraged viewers included: 'What an abomination? The only way to describe BBCs Great Expectations. The last episode they even changed the ending.'

'Why? Why? Why. Total RUBBISH... Why would anyone think that changing the ending of Great Expectations would be a good idea?!... Right, I avoided Dickens for years. Finally read Great Expectations and bloody loved it. It is a PERFECT story. Why the hell would they change it??? And this ending?? Utter b*****ks.'

'It isn't right to ruin the ending of a famous novel. It makes a mockery of the story if Pip & Estella aren't reunited in the end. Dickens himself realised that. 3 times the BBC have ruined GE adaptations.'

One tweeted: '@bbc once again throws up its arrogance in an appalling adaption. Shame... BBC 1 so-called Great Expectations is actually poor expectations. Utter rubbish. A waste of licence payers' money.'

Others wrote: 'Who commissioned this garbage?... Well call me a traditionalist if you like, but that last instalment of the new 'Great Expectations' on BBC last night took far too many liberties with the story for my liking. I spent most of it going "that's not what happened!". Much preferred the last one.'

'Ive been reading Dickens since I was 10, and watching TV adaptations and films of his work since I was 8, in the 1950s. Ive never seen anything as bad as this, terrible script, wooden acting from several of the actors, I hate it! What a turkey!'

'Agreed, some of the acting was awful - felt I was watching Am Dram actors reading lines. Struggled to watch it and get engaged/keep up with plot lines.'

'Lets just say that examiners marking essays on #GreatExpectations are going to find it pretty easy to tell which candidates read the book and which just watched it on telly.... I don't even know why I continue to watch #GreatExpectations.'

'I think I just want to get to the end. This adaptation is not an improvement. If the intent was to attract a younger crowd, I don't think it will. I taught the novel several times over the years, and this is too much.'

THE CASUAL VACANCY: CHANGED ENDING TO REMOVE 'VIOLENCE'

It was the novel which confirmed J.K. Rowling could address gritty adult issues as well as she could weave magic for children in the Harry Potter books. However it was decided in 2015 the plot was a little too bleak for the BBC

It was the novel which confirmed J.K. Rowling could address gritty adult issues as well as she could weave magic for children in the Harry Potter books.

The Casual Vacancy sold 125,000 copies in its first week on the market, becoming the fastest-selling hardback in the UK for three years and the second biggest seller since records began in 1998.

However it was decided in 2015 the plot was a little too bleak for the BBC.

The broadcaster decided that Rowling's first attempt at adult literature since the success of the Harry Potter series was too 'grim' for the small screen - so producers rewrote the ending for Sunday night audiences.

The three-part drama, starring Sir Michael Gambon, Keeley Hawes and Rory Kinnear, paints a bleak picture of life in modern Britain and features storylines involving rape, drug abuse and racism.

Set in the fictitious English town of Pagford, it features a community of rich and poor at war over the future of a community centre called Sweetlove House, home to social services including a drug rehabilitation centre and a food bank.

Pagford's wealthier residents, who are fed up with the centre being a haven for 'junkies and plebs' from a nearby council estate called The Fields, want to close it for good and turn it into a luxury hotel and spa.

They are bitterly opposed by the liberal faction on Pagford parish council who believe it is essential for social cohesion.

But the story paints such a bleak picture of modern Britain that its scriptwriter said she told Rowling 'very straight' that the ending needed to change.

Former EastEnders scriptwriter Sarah Phelps told the Radio Times: 'I was very straight with Jo and told her that I needed to write a different ending,'

'It's still heartbreaking, but I had to find some kind of redemptive moment at the end of it all - a sense that after the tragedy, someone gets to stand with a slightly straighter back.

'Nobody wants a finger wagged in their face, and I learnt on EastEnders that if you just go 'grim, grim, grim', viewers will simply disengage.'

However, changes to the storyline were not limited to just its bleak ending.

Questions were raised over other edits to the plot, which some suggested were made in order to ramp up left-wing issues weeks before the General Election.

Tory MP and former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind last week said the timing of the broadcast struck him as being 'very odd at least'.

He said: 'In the run-up to a General Election, the Government quite rightly has to go into purdah and refrain from doing anything provocative. I think the BBC should have to apply the same criteria.'

The drama does not mention any political parties but critics say the battle over Sweetlove House is a thinly disguised attack on the Government's welfare cuts.

ORDEAL OF INNOCENCE: CHANGED KILLER

The three-part drama series was given a prime-time launch over the Easter weekend - after a false start at Christmas when it was dramatically pulled from screens - but the show has failed to impress viewers

The much-anticipated adaptation of Agatha Christie's Ordeal by Innocence was aired on BBC in 2019.

The three-part adaptation stars Bill Nighy, Anna Chancellor and Poldark's Eleanor Tomlinson.

In Dame Agatha's 1958 novel Rachel Argyle, a wealthy but overbearing mother of five adopted children, is murdered by the family housekeeper, Kirsten Lindstrom.

Phelps's decision to change the identity of the killer means she has had to rewrite some of the book's characters and subplots.

She has even changed the family name from Argyle to Argyll.

However it shed 1.4million viewers after the first episode - amidst complaints about a script littered with foul language.

Viewers immediatly took to social media to rage at how the 1958 book has been adapted for a modern audience by writer Sarah Phelps - saying they disagreed with the decision to use expletives that Christie didn't write.

Many felt that the adaptation should have stayed true to the celebrated author's straight-laced tone, saying she would be 'spinning in her grave' at the stream of expletives that lace the modern script.

Meanwhile the decision of writer Sarah Phelps to dramatically change the plot for television also infuriated fans, who said it's a twist too far.

Christie biographer Laura Thompson said: 'Changing the identity of the murderer, however good for publicity, is a bit much.

'Agatha was shrewder than she is often given credit for and there's a lot of sophistication and subtlety in the original solution.

'She took this book particularly seriously because the subject matter meant a great deal to her.

'This new version is having it both ways, really: creating the story that the writer wants to tell, but attaching Agatha's box-office name to it.'

KILLING EVE: CHANGED SEX OF MI5 BOSS

Before it was a hugely successful BBC thriller, Killing Eve was a series of books Codename Villanelle, by Luke Jennings

Before it was a hugely successful BBC thriller, Killing Eve was a series of books Codename Villanelle, by Luke Jennings.

And when it hit the small screen, there were a number of changes from the original text.

For a start, in the book the central character Eve is a British MI5 intelligence operative - while in the series, the character is played by American-Korean actress Sandra Oh.

Meanwhile a number of other characters had also had their back stories altered in the series.

The spy TV adaptation features Carolyn, played by Fiona Shaw, as the MI5 contact, in the book this character is male.
A 101-year old woman has revealed her secret to a young life, crediting her marriage to a younger man.

Edna Twivey of Strathaven, a former nurse who treated injured troops in WWII, continues to enjoy an active life which includes overseas travel.

And according to Edna, who recently returned from a Scandinavian cruise, it is the enduring love of her husband that keeps her young.

David, who at 90-years-old is 11 years younger than his centenarian wife, is described by Edna as her 'rock'.

The couple met more than 60 years ago at a Scottish Country dancing class in London. Describing their relationship, Edna said: 'Family is everything and David, is my rock. The love we have keeps us both young!'

Edna Twivey (pictured, centre, with Day Services at Stonehouse Lifestyles staff) recently celebrated turning 101-years-old

The couple already have further travel plans, with their next holiday being a river cruise in Holland.

In addition to her marriage, Edna says the support she receives from local social care staff helps keep her young and active.

She regularly attends Day Services at Stonehouse Lifestyles, run by South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

Staff at the service - which aims to provide support, activity, and stimulation to people who need it, as well as provide respite for carers - recently held a party to celebrate Edna's birthday.

It was the second 'do held in Edna's honour: she attended a party on her actual birthday in Newcastle, alongside her wider family.

Talking about the services, the London born pensioner said: 'As a nurse all my working life, and during the testing times of war, I was always focussed on providing care.'

Now, she added, the 'tables have turned', and she is a 'recipient of support, and benefitting from the added reassurance of being connected to a community in Strathaven'.

She went on to describe the service as a 'god-send', and said the staff and fellow service users are thoughtful, as demonstrated by the party they put together.

One of the guests at the event was Provost Margaret Cooper, who described meeting Edna as 'an absolute pleasure'.

She added that spending time with her on her special day was a 'joy', and that it's clear how well-thought of the centenarian is among all her fellow service users as well as the staff.

Describing the relationship Edna has with her husband, Margaret said it was 'lovely' to see how 'absolutely devoted' David is to her.

Also praising Edna was her key worker Angela Alexander, who said the 101-year-old is always appreciative of staff, and frequently thanks them for the work they do.

The pensioner will point out how she used to do their job when she was a nurse, and now it is her turn to be cared for, Angela added.

Describing how Edna will reminisce about nursing WWII soldiers in a London hospital, Angela said the former nurse would never stand for any of the soldiers' misbehaviour.

On the occasions she would scold them and sternly order them back to bed, they would do as they were told, Angela added.

Also in attendance at the birthday bash was Deputy Lieutenant Janet Low, representing the king.
Burger King is getting a slice of the Coronation action and has released a special offer to mark King Charles' ascension to the throne this week.

The fast-food restaurant chain is rolling out a two-for-one deal this coming weekend from Friday to Monday.

UK fans of the brand will be able to get two Chicken Royales or two Vegan Royales for the price of one as they celebrate the historic moment.

And the chain is getting a head start on the festivities by releasing limited edition paper crowns reading 'King Charles III,' so everyone can be a monarch for a day.

The crowns will be available in Burger King's restaurants around the country from tomorrow.

Burger King is launching a royally good two-for-one offer on chicken and vegan royales for the Coronation weekend around the UK

Customers will be able to claim a free chicken or vegan royale burger when they buy one at their local Burger Store using the restaurant's app.

Fans will be able to get their hands on the offer subject to availability for the entirety of Coronation weekend from Friday 6 to Monday 8 May.

The chicken royale sandwich consists of a crispy coated chicken breast with iceberg lettuce and creamy mayo in a toasted sesame seed bun.

A statement True to its name, the Royale is fit for royalty, and consists of tasty chicken wrapped in a special crisp coating, topped with iceberg lettuce, creamy mayo and crowned with a toasted sesame seed bun.

The vegan version of the treat includes a crispy vegan patty.

Non-vegan Burger King fans will get the option to 'crown in' and add extra bacon and cheese onto their meal for 1 extra when ordering in restaurants.

Customers will also be able to get their own limited edition crowns to celebrate in style.

The Crowns, which have limited stock, will be available in Burger King restaurants and at celebratory parades around the country.

Customers can claim a free vegan or chicken royale when they buy one using the official Burger King app

Customers will be able to get their own King Charles III's limited edition crowns this week ahead of the festivities

The move comes as King Charles was offered a paper crown from the restaurant chain on the first official engagement of his State Visit to Germany back in March.

He was undertaking a walkabout at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin when he came across a number of well-wishers who were wearing 'Burger King' crowns given away by the fast food giant.

One man took his off and tried to press it into the king's hands, saying politely: 'This is for you, if you want it.'

Charles smiled broadly and said: 'I'm alright!' He, of course, has a number of real ones at home. He also grinned and declined another crown from a woman who said: 'I have a present for you'.
Three of Princess Diana's designer dresses are expected to fetch up to 544,000 when they go up for auction in Los Angeles this summer.

The late royal - who passed away at the age of 36 in 1996 - owned several bespoke gowns by designers Catherine Walker and Bruce Oldfield.

The selection of dresses, which are being sold by Julien's Auctions, have not been seen by the public in over 30 years.

The US-based auctioneers and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) jointly announced the sale of more than 1,000 objects closely associated with cultural figures, known as the Hollywood Legends collection.

The two-day sale will take place on August 26 and 27 - one week before the 26th anniversary of Princess Diana's death.

Princess Diana pictured in her Bruce Oldfield gown at the premiere of Hot Shots! at the Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square in November 1991

The glistening silk gown - which Diana wore with a pearl choker and satin shoes - is expected to sell for up to 320,000

The item expected to sell for the highest amount is the Bruce Oldfield dress the late royal wore to the premiere of Hot Shots! in November 1991.

The auctioneers have estimated that the glistening red silk gown - which has billowing sleeves and gathered at waist - will fetch between 160,000 and 320,000.

Princess Diana attended the film premiere in Leicester Square with president Arpad Goncz of Hungary and his wife.

The stylish royal paired her show-stopping frock with a pearl choker and matching red satin heels.

Alongside this silk gown, two of Princess Diana's Catherine Walker dresses will also be included in the auction.

The London-based French designer - who passed away in 2010 - was the royal's personal dresser for over 16 years and her brand is often worn by Diana's daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales.

In 1986, Princess Diana wore a black and jade short-sleeved gown with a draped silk skirt to a gala dinner at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

The vintage dress - which Diana wore with the Spencer tiara - is expected to sell for up to 160,000.

Princess Diana pictured arriving at a gala at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto in October 1991 wearing a Catherine Walker dress

Left: The Catherine Walker dress Diana wore in Toronto in 1991, which is expected to sell for up to 160,000. Right: The Catherine Walker dress Diana wore to a private function, which auctioneers anticipate will sell for up to 64,000

Finally, the auction will also include a second Catherine Walker dress - which Diana wore to a private function.

The slim-fitting strapless gown is made of white silk crepe and had bold bands of black velvet running across the top and middle. It also has a silk lining underneath.

The auctioneers are anticipating that this bespoke dress will sell for anywhere between 48,000 and 64,000.

Ahead of the auction, Diana's dresses will be available for the public to see at the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware in Co Kildare, Ireland, from May 5 - just one day before King Charles' coronation.

They will be displayed alongside the museum's permanent Diana exhibition, which includes pieces like the pale pink Emanuel blouse worn in her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981.

Darren Julien, founder of the auction house, said: 'Julien's Auctions is pleased to announce our latest auction presentation with our esteemed partner TCM featuring two marquee collections that truly embody the stuff of legends, Warner Bros and Princess Diana.

Princess Diana's 'favourite' designer Bruce Oldfield has been chosen to make the Queen Consort's gown for the coronation, a source claims

While Oldfield has not commented on the suggestion he's designing the gown, he previously said: 'I gave Diana her glamour and Camilla her confidence'

'Together, we look forward to celebrating 100 years of Warner Bros and over 10 centuries of the royal family with our special showcase of treasures from the legendary Hollywood movie studio and the beloved people's princess, one of the most photographed women in the world, who changed the monarchy forever and whose persona continues to captivate the public and Hollywood today through tributes and film and television works about her life.'

Earlier this year, it was reported that Princess Diana's 'favourite designer' Bruce Oldfield has been picked by Queen Camilla to make her gown for King Charles' coronation.

Oldfield, 72, had a professional relationship with Diana for 10 years and designed some of her most well known outfits.

Over the years, he's also developed a close bond with Camilla and dressed her for several significant occasions.

And one insider told The Sun he was the 'obvious' choice for Camilla ahead of King Charles's coronation on May 6.

'Camilla has a very close friendship with Bruce spanning many years so in many ways it is the natural and obvious choice,' the source said.

'Camilla trusts Bruce because he has really delivered on dresses for so many important occasions recently for her.'

While Oldfield has not commented on the suggestion he's designing the gown, he previously said: 'I gave Diana her glamour and Camilla her confidence.'
Princess Charlotte looked relaxed in an oversized knit and blue jeans

She might have access to the some of the world's top designers - but for her daughter's annual birthday portrait, the Princess of Wales opted to dress Princess Charlotte in a bargain high street buy.

This evening, Prince William and Kate Middleton released a new portrait of their daughter to thank royal fans for their well wishes on Charlotte's eighth birthday.

Looking happy and relaxed in front of the camera, Charlotte was pictured in a blue-and-white striped jumper from Boden as she snuggled up with the family's beloved black cocker spaniel Orla.

The 34 jumper - which has been reduced to just 23.80 in the sale - has an oversized fit and 'balloon sleeves' for extra comfort.

On the inside, the knit has a bright yellow seam and practical white ribbed cuffs - which Charlotte had rolled back.

The Princess of Wales dressed Charlotte in a 34 jumper from Boden for her annual birthday portrait

The garment caters to children aged two to 14 and is also available in a muted pink hue.

To finish off Charlotte's outfit, Kate dressed her daughter in a white button-up blouse and a pair of blue jeans.

Kate Middleton has long been a fan of the British brand Boden and has been pictured wearing several of their designs in recent years.

In 2020, she sported their frosted blue Scallop Cardigan as she completed royal engagements over Zoom in lockdown and also modelled the brand's bubblegum pink jumper on a visit to a school in east London in March 2021.

But this isn't the only occasion Charlotte has modelled the best of the British high street.

Last night, the couple released another new image of Princess Charlotte ahead of her birthday.

Photographed by her mother, as in previous years, she showed off Charlotte's gap-toothed grin in the image to mark the occasion.

The youngster was pictured sitting on a white wicker chair and wearing a 70 floral dress from the upmarket label Trotters.

The 34 jumper - which has been reduced to 23.80 in the sale - caters to children aged between two and 14 and is also available in a pink shade

Kate proved she was loyal to the British high street as she dressed Princess Charlotte in a 70 floral dress from upmarket label Trotters for her eighth birthday portrait

She has also worn Trotters dresses for previous portraits, including a snap released to mark her fourth birthday.

Back in 2019, she was pictured in Trotters' 70 Lily Rose Betsy dress, featuring a blue floral Liberty print, puff sleeves and a Peter Pan collar.

She has also regularly been spotted in blue plimsolls from the children's retailer.

The firm describes today's birthday portrait dress as 'ideal for the warmer weather'.

It features a classic round neckline and large statement willow collar, as well as a miniature floral print.

And it's not just Charlotte who wears outfits from the upmarket brand, with Kate also dressing her sons Prince George and Prince Louis in the label.

Charlotte last wore Trotters in December, when she stepped out in a 240 burgundy coat from the label on Christmas Day

And the little Princess has often wore navy plimsolls from the brand, including for her fourth birthday portrait

And it's not just Charlotte who is a fan of Trotters! Kate also dresses Prince George and Prince Louis in the brand

Adorable Prince Louis wore a jumper from the brand for his first birthday portrait back in 2019

Most recently, the siblings all wore the brand for Kate and William's 2022 Christmas card.

Sophie Mirman and Richard Ross opened the doors to the first Trotters store on King's Road in Chelsea in 1990, and have since gone on to open six more, win countless awards and numerous high-profile fans.

Sophie and Richard were involved in the establishment of the now defunct shop Tie Rack and went on to create Sock Shop before launching Trotters.

In a previous interview with the Mail's Femail section about their brainchild, the duo said: 'Trotters was the first store dedicated solely to children.

'Catering from top to toe, and offering a fantastic range of clothes, shoes, books and toys, the store also boasts a hairdressing department with a giant fish tank.

It truly is a one-stop shop and there is always a buzzing atmosphere. Shoes are always professionally fitted aboard the famous in-store Trotters plane, train or ship.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden looked effortlessly elegant as she attended an awards ceremony in Stockholm this evening.

For the occasion, the royal, 45, wore a stunning 600 floor-length black and white floral gown by Swedish brand TOTEME.

The mother-of-two swept her long brown hair into a chic and sophisticated low bun - which highlighted her mismatched dangly earrings.

Allowing her natural beauty to shine through, Victoria opted for a neutral smokey eye and slick of nude lipstick.

To finish off her ensemble, the stylish wore a pair of black patent high heels to take to the stage in.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden cut a glassy figure in a black and white floral gown as she presented the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in Stockholm today

The Princess beamed as she greeted this year's winner, Laurie Halse Anderson, onstage, and presented her with the award at the Stockholm Concert Hall.

The global award was created in 2002 by the Swedish government to promote every childs right to great stories.

The award was created in the memory of children's author Astrid Lindgren - who penned the Pippi Longstocking series and passed away at the age of 94 in 2002.

It is given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to childrens and young adult literature.

The award is one of the largest of it's kind, with the winner receiving a cool 389,000.

Princess Victoria smiled posed for photographs with the winner, Laurie, at the Stockholm Concert Hall.

Laurie Halse Anderson is an American writer for young adults. Her novel, Speak, was published in 1999 and has been adapted into a film.

This black and white look is a direct contrast to her rather colourful two-piece suit Nordic food waste summit also Stockholm last week.

The royal wore her chocolate brown locks in a sophisticated slicked-back low bun for the awards ceremony

Princess Victoria smiled posed for photographs with the winner, Laurie, at the Stockholm Concert Hall

The royal stunned as she wore a floral monochrome gown from TOTEME, which retails for 600

The Princess beamed as she greeted this year's winner, Laurie Halse Anderson (pictured), onstage, and presented her with the award

Princess Victoria also opted for natural makeup - a touch of mascara, a hint of shimmery highlighter and nude lipstick

The Princess paired the spring maxi-dress with some black stilettos, a silver watch, bracelets and metallic floral dangly earrings

The award is one of the largest of it's kind, with the winner winning a whopping 389,000. Pictured: Princess Victoria with the winner, Laurie

This evening, the Crown Princess' parents King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia continued their tour of Estonia.

The royal couple attended a state dinner at the Viimsi Artium in Tallinn - which was hosted by Estonian President Alar Karis and Mrs. Sirje Karis.

The Queen looked suitably glamorous in a floor-length blue sequined dress with sheer sleeves.

Over the top of her show-stopping dress, Silvia wore a contrasting pink ceremonial sash and finished off her outfit with a silver tiara.

The Crown Princess' parents King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia continued their tour of Estonia this evening

The couple attended a state banquet hosted by Estonian President Alar Karis and Mrs. Sirje Karis

Meanwhile, King Carl XVI Gustaf was smart in a black tuxedo - which had his military medals proudly on show.

Earlier this week, the couple's grandson Prince Oscar of Sweden stole the show during a balcony appearance as the royals gathered to celebrate the King's birthday.

The Prince, seven, took a leaf out of the UK's Prince Louis's book as he looked restless during a public appearance on the balcony at the courtyard of the Royal Palace in Stockholm as King Carl XVI Gustaf turned 77.

The royal appeared with his mother Crown Princess Victoria, 45, father Prince Daniel, 49, and sister Princess Estelle, 11. He was also joined by Queen Silvia, Princess Sofia and Prince Gabriel.

Oscar, who turned seven at the beginning of March, was pictured taking shelter in his mother's blue coat as the family waved to royal fans.

As he stood towards the front of the balcony, he put his head in his hands and began brushing his hair away from his face with a look of anguish in antics that were reminiscent of Prince Louis's cheeky balcony appearance to mark the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee last June.
Parents need to hit their kids harder to save them from choking instead of worrying about hurting them in the process, according to a former paramedic.

Nikki Jurcutz from Tiny Hearts Education says most parents are too gentle when it comes to saving their kids from choking.

Parents often ask her about choking first aid and confess they are scared of hurting or bruising their babies when slapping them on the back.

But the healthcare professional says you cannot reasonably smack them 'too hard' on their back and that using force will actually save their life.

'If you are at the point of needing to use back blows, it means your child is not getting any oxygen into their lungs,' she said.

A nurse has instructed all parents to familiarise themselves with choking first aid and how back blows can save your child's life

Worrying more about bruising your baby more than getting the object lodged in their throat out could have fatal consequences

The nurse also urged parents to familiarise themselves with choking first aid and the proper way to give back blows.

When a child is choking, some people mistakenly use three fingers instead of the heel of their hand in an upwards direction.

Every second the object is left inside is another second without oxygen for your child.

Tiny Hearts also introduced the principle of 'life over limb' that stated saving your childs life is the priority over a bruised back.

'Bruises can heal, a baby with no oxygen for four minutes cannot,' the nurse said.

She's often faced with questions from parents about how hard back blows should be, and whether they can hurt the baby.

And while back blows have the potential to leave bruises, a mum claimed that 'a bruised baby is better than a dead baby'.

How to prevent choking in kids, and what to do if a child is choking Modify small round-shaped foods by quartering or squishing them flat If the modified fruit were to get stuck in a child's airway there is still space for oxygen to get to the lungs If a child does choke and has their airway completely blocked off, you should perform choking first-aid immediately Never put your fingers in a child's throat while they're choking as your fingers could push it further down, instead, perform back blows and chest thrusts on the child (Source: tinyheartsfoundation) Advertisement

A Victoria-based first-aid educator previously revealed the most dangerous food for babies and young kids, and how to reduce the risk of choking by modifying them.

She explained that rounded food like grapes are the most dangerous as they are the exact size of a child's oesophagus and can fully block the airway.

Nikki Jurcutz uploaded a video demonstrating how similar small rounded foods are in shape and size to a child's oesophagus.

'Not all foods were created equal. Some foods pose a higher choking risk than others. Round foods are a high risk choking food and this is why,' she captioned her informative video.

The paramedic said that rounds foods can fit perfectly in a child's esophagus and completely block the airways.

The solution is to modify the shape of the food, and it can be modified by quartering or squashing flat.

'Prevention is key,' Nikki said, explaining that even if the modified fruit were to get stuck in a child's airway there is still space for oxygen to get to the lungs.

'If your little one does choke, and has their airway completely blocked off, you should perform choking first aid immediately.'

A video showed foods like avocado and soft cheese being easily 'squished' whereas harder cheese, apple and cucumber were more solid therefore presented a higher choking risk

13 most common food choking hazards for young children 1. Marshmallows 2. Popcorn 3. Doritos and corn chips 4. Grapes and cherry tomatoes 5. Nuts 6. Unchopped sausages and hotdogs or chopped into coni-like shapes 7. Chunks of meat 8. Chunks of watermelon 9. Large blueberries 10. Chewing gum, lollipops and gum balls 11. Tiny Teddies 12. Raw carrot and apple 13. M&Ms If you are eating one of these foods and a child asks for some: modify, substitute or distract. Modify by crushing, blending, steaming, chopping or grating the food item to make it safe for them to eat. If the food item can't be modified into a safe and developmentally appropriate form, substitute it for something similar. For example, swapping popcorn for baby corn puffs, swapping peanut for a thin layer of peanut butter on something. If the food can't be modified, and you can't find an appropriate substitute, distract them with something else and delay introducing the food to them until they are older and developmentally more capable of chewing and swallowing. Source: Tiny Hearts Education Advertisement

Previously Nikki revealed the seemingly harmless household objects that pose a potentially fatal danger to children and babies have been revealed, including one item almost every child is obsessed with.

Nikki issued a warning to parents across Australia and explained how to keep your kids safe.

The items include bath plugs, unsecured furniture and phone chargers, as well as dishwashing tablets - which young children are often fascinated by.

'Dishwashing tablets look like lollies to little ones and can cause poisoning,' Nikki explained.

Rather than storing these in your cupboard under the sink - a place where crawling and walking toddlers will often find themselves - she instead recommends you keep them up high.

The mum-of-two also recommends the simple 'squish test' is a quick way for parents to test if a food is safe to give to their toddler.

'Parents can pinch the food between their pointer finger and thumb to mimic the pressure of a toothless gum chewing it,' Nikki wrote on Facebook last year.

If the food squishes easily, it is likely safe to give to young kids but if it stays firm, it should be modified by being mashed or cut up into very small pieces, substituted or avoided to reduce the risk of choking.

The post was accompanied by a video showing foods like boiled eggs, avocado and soft cheese being easily 'squished' whereas harder cheese, apple and cucumber were more solid therefore presented a higher choking risk.

'In saying that, anyone can choke on anything, so knowing what to do is so, so important,' Nikki added.

The paramedic reminded parents to remember the 'five to stay alive' technique to use if a child does start choking.

'Five back blows, followed by five chest thrusts over and over until the obstruction is cleared, the ambulance arrives and takes over, or bub goes unconscious and needs CPR,' she said.
A TV journalist has explained what reporters really mean when reading the news.

Nine News reporter Zarisha Bradley translated commonly used terms and expressions into everyday language.

The brunette beauty, who's known for her clear and commanding voice, delighted fans on TikTok by sharing a humorous video.

'What news reporters say in their professional voice verse what they actually mean,' Ms Bradley began.

The journalist, from Perth in Western Australia, also elaborated on why words including 'allegedly' and 'accused' are used in legal stories.

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Nine News reporter Zarisha Bradley (pictured) translated common terms and expressions journalists use into everyday language

'What news reporters say in their professional voice verse what they actually mean,' she began

For the first example, she said in her reporter voice: 'Outside court he remained tight lipped.'

She then switched to her everyday voice and said this translates to he 'didn't say s***'.

Next, when journalists say 'police quickly swarmed' this means there were a lot of police at the scene.

The words 'allegedly and 'accused' are also two words reporters frequently use before someone has been found guilty of a crime.

As an example Ms Bradley said: 'The driver allegedly high on cocaine, meth and cannabis accused of speeding up to 188km/hr.'

She once again changed to her everyday voice and said: 'Okay look we know you probably did it but we're just going to say "allegedly" and "accused" until you plead guilty or until you are found guilty to cover our a**.'

What news reporters say vs what they mean: 'Outside court he remained tight-lipped' - nothing or very little was said 'Police quickly swarmed the suburban street' - there were police everywhere 'The driver allegedly high on cocaine, meth and cannabis accused of speeding up to 188 km/h' - 'allegedly' and 'accused' are used before someone has been found guilty of a crime 'Partly cloudy with a medium chance of showers dropping down to 14 degrees. Don't forget to pack your coats this weekend' - it's going to be cold so bring a jacket if you're going out 'The magistrate refusing bail after prosecutors told the court he was in an armed robbery to days later' - If you are refused bail in court over a crime, you need to remain in custody Advertisement

When it comes to reporting on the weather, journalists tend to add in prompts, such as 'don't forget to pack your coats this weekend'.

In this case Ms Bradley said: 'Guys it's going to be cold alright? So use your common sense.'

Within 24 hours the video was watched more than 128,000 times, and majority found the points hilarious.

'This is gold!' one person commented, another said: 'The change in your voice is actually the best.'

'I wish they read the news the real way,' a third added.

Ms Bradley has been a professional television journalist since 2016 and said it took 'years' to perfect her news voice.
A third are considering quitting their jobs

Many millennials and Generation-Z workers are suffering from what is being termed the 'Great Burnout', prompting them to quit their jobs despite struggling to pay their bills as a result.

Young workers claim they are overworked, underpaid and feel unable to deal with responsibilities outside their jobs.

Many complain they are sick of 'working all week and having nothing to show for it' while others complain they 'can't afford a holiday, let alone a home'.

This has led to criticism from Boomers and Gen-Xers who slam the younger generations as 'lazy' and 'entitled'.

The millennial co-hosts of the Two Broke Chicks podcast, Sally and Alex, claim the younger generations aren't the only ones feeling the pinch.

They have shared research showing 50 per cent of 'prime' Australian workers, those aged between 25 and 55, are 'exhausted'.

On top of that a third are thinking of quitting because they are overworked.

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It's been revealed that half of Australian workers between the ages of 25 and 55 are 'feeling exhausted' by their day jobs and a third are thinking of quitting for being overworked

'Half of them are feeling, not tired, not a little bit overworked, exhausted,' 30-year-old Sally said in the clip which was posted on Friday.

The quick clip divided their listeners.

Many older viewers in the comments were not sympathetic and quick to take aim at young workers telling them to 'harden up'.

'Breaking news, people get tired,' one man quipped.

'That's the norm, isn't it? You just keep on keeping on, it's called living,' said a second viewer.

'That's crazy because I'm exhausted from the constant whinging!' complained a third.

On their podcast Two Broke Chicks, co-hosts Sally and Alex shared research saying 50 per cent of young workers are 'exhausted' much to the outrage of Boomer and Gen X listeners

Some were more sympathetic.

'I am 60 and the demands are a joke now while executives take the big money. The young ones at my work are also exhausted,' someone added.

Poll Do you think people are more 'exhausted and overworked' than ever? Yes, and I am under 40! Yes, and I am over 40! No, people are just soft! Do you think people are more 'exhausted and overworked' than ever? Yes, and I am under 40! 136 votes

Yes, and I am over 40! 365 votes

No, people are just soft! 1271 votes Now share your opinion





Most millennials and Generation-Z considered the research data 'accurate' with many agreeing their jobs are leaving them feeling drained.

'Companies are cutting jobs, but still expecting the same results with less staff,' one woman replied.

'We aren't working for anything worth it in return. Work all week, can't afford a house, holiday or anything that makes it worth it. Just bills,' another said.

'We are exhausted. Had enough. Working out a**es off for nothing. While the wealthy take in loads of money while they sit back and do nothing,' a third said ranted.

The mass exhaustion across Australian workplaces has been referred to as The Great Burnout.

A 2023 study from the University of Melbourne surveyed 1,400 workers and found the workers increasingly feeling unmotivated, exhausted and unable to concentrate in the post-lockdown era.

It was also revealed prime-aged workers are twice as likely to feel like they don't have enough time to complete tasks outside their jobs like life admin and housework.

Since the lockdowns, which forced many people to look for new jobs, many workers are now increasingly prepared to change jobs repeatedly until they find something suitable.

According to The Conversation, in Australia however, workers were not so much quitting their jobs but wanting to continue working from home, and being reluctant to take on unrewarded extra responsibilities.

Families had added pressures of juggling working from home while looking after kids as schools and day cares shut down resulting in poorer mental health.

More workers were also taking sick leave, putting more pressure on their co-workers to pick up the slack.

Careers expert Sue Ellson said workers are now struggling to adjust to the higher-paced lifestyle that came from the pandemic and figure out how to slow down again.

What is The Great Burnout? For the rest of world, it was the Great Resignation that immensely challenged workplaces at the peak of the pandemic. In Australia, however, it's the so-called 'The Great Burnout.' This is the conclusion of researchers from The Future of Work Lab at the University of Melbourne, who discovered in a survey of 1,400 Australians the lasting toll of the pandemic on the workforce. The 2023 State of the Future Work found that young (18 to 34-year-old) and middle-aged (35 to 54-year-old) employees have 'poorer mental health than other workers. ' These young and middle-aged employees make up the prime-aged workforce of Australia, where one in two said they feel exhausted at work. 'Australian prime-aged workers are exhausted, less motivated about their work and unable to concentrate at work because of responsibilities outside of work,' the report said. These prime-aged workers are also twice more likely to feel like they don't have enough time at work to do everything they need to do. Source: hcamag.com Advertisement

'An overload of home schooling and combining work and family responsibilities gave people a new insight into other ways of working but although we sped up, we haven't found a way to 'slow down',' she said.

'When the pace of home and work increased  moving from unconscious competence to conscious incompetence during the pandemic took so much more energy and effort and we still haven't migrated back to unconscious competence as both employers and employees try and find a better way forward.'

Sue added workers' increased reliance on devices has also taken a toll.

'Whilst some technology inclusions make life more productive, others can create disconnection and manual effort to start,' she said.

'For example, if you are all in a real life meeting and you need to grab something from your desk, that is easy by excusing yourself for a moment, but if you are doing everything remotely, you need to consciously work out how to source the item from a device and/or give access to others.'

The LinkedIn specialist said many workers did not quit their jobs as they felt loyalty to their employer especially if they were receiving additional government payments like JobKeeper to keep themselves afloat.

'However, many employees had little or less work to do during this time and that also gave people an opportunity to engage with more online content which became a habit,' she said.

'They have kept up their viewing habits but have also added in their work commitments  it's how many people binge watch series but feel burnt out at the same time.'
Doctors said her pregnancy was no longer viable, but couldn't give an abortion

Two hospitals may have violated federal law in denying a woman an emergency abortion, health officials say.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched official investigations into two hospitals which are accused of depriving Mylissa Farmer, 41, of the life-saving procedure in November last year, months after Roe v Wade was overturned.

Ms Farmer was twice refused an emergency abortion in her home state of Missouri and Kansas after her waters broke at 18 weeks pregnant and she was told the fetus was no longer viable. Doctors said they could not treat her to prevent infection, bleeding, and potentially death because a fetal heartbeat could still be detected.

Healthcare providers are trying to navigate the mishmash of state termination laws that have sprung up after the Supreme Court overthrew Roe last year, which stood as a constitutional right to abortion for almost half a century.

Abortion is illegal in Missouri, except to save the pregnant person's life or prevent serious health outcomes.

Mylissa Farmer talks with the News-Leader on September 28, 2022, at her home in Joplin, Missouri

More than a dozen states have restricted access to abortions following the overturning of Roe V Wade

In Kansas, abortions are generally allowed up to 22 weeks, but pro-abortion campaigners feel there is widespread confusion and fear among physicians about giving abortion care.

HHS would not reveal which hospitals were being investigated, but the NWLC said it filed the original complaint against Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, and University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.

Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services previously confirmed they were investigating Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri, over the claims.

HHS did not say if it would be taking action against the hospitals.

If the hospitals are found guilty, they or their Medicare Provider Agreement can be terminated.

Hospitals can also be fined up to $100,000 per violation. They may also be liable for civil lawsuits from patients.

It is HHS's first investigation into violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)  passed by Congress in 1986 to ensure public access to emergency services  for hospitals that will not give abortions.

After Roe v Wade was overthrown, the White House told hospitals and doctors they had to offer abortions in the event of a medical emergency or if the health or life of the patient is in danger, even if this would violate state law.

But in practice, critics argue that doctors have been left hesitant to give abortions and with different opinions on what constitutes a medical emergency.

A study published last week alongside commentary in the Lancet demonstrated that hospitals in Oklahoma are finding it difficult to interpret the laws and enact policies which comply.

In some states, physicians are threatened with criminal or civil penalties for performing abortions.

HHS would not reveal which hospitals were being investigated, but the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) said it filed the original complaint against Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, and University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas

In early August, Ms Farmer had to travel to Illinois to terminate her pregnancy when her water broke at 17 weeks and five days and put her life in danger

The government can investigate hospitals that get federal funding for breaking the law.

Mylissa Farmer, from Missouri, was 18 weeks pregnant in November 2022 when her waters broke. She lost all of her amniotic fluid and was told by doctors the fetus would not make it.

But she was denied an emergency abortion because they could still detect fetal heartbeat activity.

'We can't treat you unless you're having a heart attack' An Oklahoma woman with a deadly pregnancy complication claims she was told she could not be treated until her condition was critical due to the state's abortion ban. Advertisement

Abortion is outlawed in Missouri, except to save the pregnant person's life or prevent serious health outcomes. In Kansas, abortions are generally allowed up to 22 weeks.

Some fifteen states have banned abortion, including Georgia which prevents the procedure at six weeks of pregnancy.

Ms Farmer was forced to trek to an abortion clinic in Illinois to get emergency treatment.

The complaint, which was filed by the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), claimed: 'This was a medical emergency, putting her at risk of severe blood loss, sepsis, or death. But she was denied the emergency care she needed.'

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement: 'Fortunately, this patient survived. But she never should have gone through the terrifying ordeal she experienced in the first place.

'We want her, and every patient out there like her, to know that we will do everything we can to protect their lives and health, and to investigate and enforce the law to the fullest extent of our legal authority, in accordance with orders from the courts.'

The statement said: 'During her visits to two different hospitals, the patient was not offered the care that her doctors determined was necessary to stabilize those emergency medical conditions  not because of the clinical judgment of her providers, but because the hospital policies would not allow an abortion to be performed.

'This was a violation of the EMTALA protections that were designed to protect patients like her.'

Ms Becerra sent a letter on Monday to hospitals and provider associations across America notifying them of the probes and reminding them of their duty under federal law to offer abortions in certain circumstances.

Last year, a federal judge in Texas stopped HHS from imposing its guidelines in the state.
The RCN has allegedly left staff 'war weary' and 'confused' over their strategy

Most NHS nurses don't support strikes, according to the former leader of the union behind the current spate of carnage.

Dr Peter Carter, who led the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) between 2007 and 2015, claimed the body's militant strategy  which has effectively brought ailing hospitals to a standstill  has left members 'war-weary' and 'confused'.

He said he has been overwhelmed with messages from nurses left furious about the RCN's escalated approach to the Bank Holiday strike.

It saw nurses walk out of intensive care units, A&E and cancer wards for the first time in the bitter pay dispute.

Dr Carter's comments come ahead of a key meeting between unions and NHS chiefs this afternoon, which could see a million workers given a 5 per cent pay rise and one off bonus worth up to 3,789.

The RCN has allegedly left staff 'war weary' and 'confused' over their strategy

In a meeting today, unions and NHS employers are expected to discuss Government options to implement a pay rise and put a final stop to this long-running dispute

Bosses of 14 unions will vote on whether the offer  which the Government has said is final  should be accepted.

Some organisations, such as the RCN, have already rejected it, which prompted the unprecedented 28-hour strike which ended yesterday at 11.59pm.

But other unions, including Unison, the GMB and those representing midwives and physiotherapists, voted in favour.

The overall decision is based on an electoral college system, with votes allocated in proportion to the size of the union membership.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay yesterday said he was 'cautiously optimistic' that the deal will be cleared.

Ministers hope it will be a turning point in the months-long row.

Dr Carter, who has also held senior roles at NHS trusts, explained the measures taken by the RCN concern him and many members.

Initially, there were no derogations at all.

Last-minute talks between the RCN and NHS England agreed 'to protect life and limb services', with nurses allowed to provide a minimal level of staffing in some areas.

But the action  which began on Sunday at 8pm  was still unprecedented.

One hospital was still forced to transfer patients out of its intensive care unit after nurses ignored their unions request.

Discussing the strike, Dr Carter told the Telegraph: 'In the last few days, I've had an awful lot of texts and emails from a lot of nurses who were really unhappy about the lack of derogations.'

Health Secretary Steve Barclay yesterday said he was 'cautiously optimistic' that the deal will be cleared

Pat Cullen, general secretary of the RCN, confirmed that the union would no longer strike on May 2, but would continue with the planned action on April 30 and May 1

RCN members protesting outside the High Court before it ruled that their strike on May 2 would be illegal

He added: 'I think the membership is very confused about where all of this is going. I think nurses are war-weary.'

Dr Carter said: 'The membership is very split on this. When you look at the numbers, more than a third of them didn't vote at all. The majority didn't vote for strike action, or else didn't vote at all.'

The RCN is pressing ahead with a fresh ballot to see if its members want to continue taking industrial action, irrespective of what happens at today's meeting.

At a London picket line on Monday, RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: 'What our members are saying to the Secretary of State and Government is we are not going to go away.

'We will remain on our picket lines to have a voice heard for our patients.

'We will continue to lose a day's pay standing on picket lines for our patients so that's how important it is to them and they want to have their voice heard.'

She claimed Health Secretary Steve Barclay has 'lost the public and certainly lost any respect that our nursing staff had for him and this Government'.

Strike action was planned by nurses for today but was called off following a historic High Court judge ruling that it would be unlawful.
Over 6.5million children in England have not been seen by an NHS dentist for at least a year amid a growing access crisis, figures suggest.

The British Dental Association warns access to a dentist has 'fallen off a cliff', with some kids now waiting two and a half years for dental surgery under general anaesthetic.

The NHS recommends that adults see a dentist every two years and under-18s at least once a year because their teeth can decay faster.

Tooth decay is the most common reason for hospital admission for young children.

A staggering 30,000 children and young people aged between zero to 19 were admitted to hospital because of tooth decay last year alone.

The British Dental Association warns access to a dentist has 'fallen off a cliff', with some kids now waiting two and a half years for dental surgery under general anaesthetic

Dental surgery is far more expensive than simple regular check ups but parents are finding it 'almost impossible' to secure an appointment for their children.

The new research by the House of Commons Library estimated the number of youngsters who were not seen by an NHS dentist in the year to June 2022.

It includes 200,000 children in Kent, 176,000 in Essex, 148,000 in Hampshire and 141,000 in Surrey.

The analysis, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, also reveals the number of children not being seen by an NHS dentist for a year has increased by over a third since 2019.

Separate figures obtained by the party from NHS trusts through Freedom of Information requests show that some children are waiting over two and a half years for dental surgery under general anaesthetic.

One child was waiting 945 days, or over two and a half years, for dental treatment at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

The other longest waits were at Frimley Health (two years and 62 days), Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals (two years three days), University Hospitals Dorset (720 days) and Barts Health NHS trust (700 days).

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: 'It is disgraceful that millions of children are going without the dental care they need, while others are waiting years in pain for treatment.

'These figures must act as a wake-up call. We need a rescue plan now to ensure families across the country can get an NHS dentist appointment when they need one.'

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency rescue plan for NHS dentistry including spending the estimated 400million of funding that went unspent in the last financial year to boost the number of appointments.

It is also calling for additional resources for mobile dental clinics to visit schools and the removal of VAT on children's toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who commissioned the research, commented: 'We know that regular dentist appointments are crucial to prevent tooth decay among children.

'But for far too many parents, getting an NHS dentist appointment for your child has become almost impossible.

'It just shows this Conservative government has run our local health services into the ground.'

The British Dental Association has warned oral health inequality among the young is set to widen, with the lack of access disproportionately impact on lower income families.

Data obtained by the professional body under Freedom of Information laws indicates over 15million appointments for children have been lost since lockdown, which is well over a year's worth of dentistry in normal times.

In March, the first oral health survey of five-year-olds published since lockdown showed there have been no improvements in decay levels and a widening gap between rich and poor.

Some 23.7 per cent of five-year-old children in England had experience of obvious dentinal decay, which is a marginal increase on the previous survey of five-year-olds in 2019, where figures stood at 23.4 per cent.

Last week the UK government pledged to develop a 'recovery plan' just minutes ahead of the Department of Health and NHS England giving evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into the crisis in NHS dentistry.

The BDA described the last-minute announcement as 'reeking of desperation'.

The BDA has slammed failure by government to take forward longstanding pledges to consult on the expansion of supervised brushing programmes in schools and nurseries, and to act on pledges to expand water fluoridation.

Both policies would pay for themselves owing to reduction in treatment need among children, it adds.

Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, said: 'Access to dentistry has fallen off a cliff. We're losing the ability to nip problems in the bud, and the results are frankly devastating.

'A preventable disease remains the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children, and things are set to go from bad to worse.

'Kids in our most deprived communities will be hit the hardest while government sits on the side-lines.'
When Christy Staats was told that a red spot just underneath her eye was harmless, she assumed that was the end of her ordeal.

Yet, just moments later, her dermatologist was spooked by another blemish on her same cheek.

The tiny spot, which measured just 0.65mm and was almost invisible to the human eye, was found to be a melanoma  the deadliest type of skin cancer.

Doctors who treated Ms Staats have now been told that her malignant mass is the smallest ever skin cancer detected and awarded a Guinness World Record.

Dr Alexander Witkowski, assistant professor of dermatology at the Oregon Health & Science University, who spotted the cancer, said the finding meant the melanoma could be treated before it spread.

Dermatologists at Oregon Health and Science University spotted a worrying spot on patient Christy Staats' (pictured) right cheek after she sought advice over a separate mark

State-of-the-art scanning devices flagged atypical cells around the 0.65mm lesion (pictured), a tell tale sign of melanoma  the most dangerous type of skin cancer

Dr Alexander Witkowski (right), assistant professor of dermatology at the university's School of Medicine, who spotted the cancer, said the finding meant the melanoma could be treated before it had chance to spread

Ms Staats had been concerned about a red spot underneath her eye for years. But she was repeatedly told by dermatologists that it was nothing to worry about.

However, she booked another appointment to check it out after it grew bigger and developed a 'leg'.

At her consultation, dermatologist Dr Witkowski diagnosed it as a cherry angioma  a fairly common, non-cancerous skin growth.

During that same evaluation, however, he noticed a troublesome spot nearby on her right cheek.

Dr Witkowski took a picture of the mark with a Sklip smartphone attachment, a $150 (120) device he created for medics to capture close up images of skin growths.

He then performed a reflectance confocal microscopy (RFM)  a further scan which uses a laser to illuminate a spot and highlight the cells underneath it.

Results showed that there were atypical cells, usually seen in melanoma cases.

Recalling Ms Staats' appointment, Dr Witkowski said: 'I told Christy right there at the bedside, "I think this could be the smallest skin cancer ever detected".'

Dr Witkowski then took a biopsy of the mole, which his team, including his wife Dr Joanna Ludzik, Dr Jina Chung, Dr Sancy Leachman and Claudia Lee further inspected.

During the diagnostic process, the case was also reviewed by Dr Giovanni Pellacani, president of the World Congress of Dermatology and chair of dermatology at La Sapienza University in Rome, Italy.

He is a leading expert in RFM and mentored both Dr Witkowski and Dr Ludzik before they moved to the US from Europe in 2019.

The team confirmed the spot was melanoma in situ, also called stage 0 melanoma.

It means there are cancer cells in the top layer of skin, the epidermis, but they are contained and have not penetrated deeper into the skin.

It can be cured with surgery, which removes the melanoma and a border of healthy skin around it to ensure all abnormal cells are removed.

He then performed a reflectance confocal microscopy (RFM)  a further scan which uses a laser to illuminate a spot and highlight the cells underneath it. Dr Witkowski said his university is one of the few centres in the US that have this device (pictured)

Dr Witkowski and Dr Ludzik (pictured)  a husband and wife team  describes the case at an event on May 1

Catching this skin cancer so early meant the melanoma was tiny, earning the team the Guinness World Record for the 'Smallest Detected Skin Cancer.'

On May 1, a judge from the Guinness World Records visited the university to award each team member a certificate for their newly-earned record.

Dr Witkowski said: 'What our team accomplished together embodies my personal mission statement: "Catch the inevitable, early".'

He said the early diagnosis meant Ms Staats' cancer was discovered 'before it had the opportunity to spread to other parts of the body'.

Ms Staats said she is grateful that her melanoma was caught before it could grow or spread and was in the 'right place at the right time with the right technology.'

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She said: 'I believe it is possible for everyone to be as lucky as me with the right technology.

'If they can find mine when it's so early, it is a no-brainer that this technology can help other people.'

Ms Staats said she was pleased that she followed her instinct about her original spot of concern that led her to book an appointment in the first place.

'It's an important reminder that you can't get lazy with your skin. You have to stay on top of it and get new things checked out,' she added.

Nearly 17,000 Brits and 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma each year, causing around 2,300 and 8,000 deaths, respectively.

While melanoma accounts for only a fraction of skin cancers overall, it causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.

It is usually caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds.

The main symptom is a new mole or change in an existing one, which can be anywhere on the body but are most common in areas often exposed to the sun.

Dr Leachman, director of the university's Knight Cancer Institute's Melanoma Program said the case 'truly demonstrates the power of new technology to identify potentially dangerous spots early'.

She said: 'With melanoma, your eyes really can be your best tool.

'A mole or spot on your skin that is changing in appearance  size, shape, coloration  is a key indicator for melanoma.'
Hong Kong: Christopher Hui starts Korea visit

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui met Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa and other banking executives, as he started his visit to Incheon, Korea.

During the meeting, Mr Hui said Hong Kong always welcomes the ADB to make use of the citys financial markets and services to reach out to target markets for fundraising and investments.

Given that the frequency and intensity of natural disasters are on the rise, Mr Hui noted that such a type of debt instrument is especially important for small island developing states which are most vulnerable to the rising trend of extreme climate change.

He told Mr Asakawa that Hong Kong will continue to offer strong support as a risk management centre to help bolster the region's safety and resilience.

Earlier today, the treasury chief met respectively ADB Vice President Roberta Casali and Treasurer Pierre Van Peteghem as well as Executive Director Rachel Thompson who represents Hong Kongs constituency on the ADB Board of Directors.

At the meeting with Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong, Mr Hui pointed out that although 2022 was a difficult year for global financial markets, the Hong Kong financial market is well supported by the resilience and stability of the city's financial system.

The recent turmoil in the international banking sector has brought minimal impact to Hong Kongs banking system and monetary stability, he added.

Mr Hui also shared with Mr Rhee the Policy Statement on Development of Virtual Assets in Hong Kong issued last October.

Speaking at the Constituency Meeting at the ADB Annual Meeting, Mr Hui shared his views on Hong Kongs developments in green finance and decarbonisation. He also spoke about the citys efforts in accelerating its development into an international centre for green technology and finance.

This story has been published on: 2023-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
These toxic proteins have been linked to Alzheimer's over the past few decades

Breathing and changing your heart rate could reduce level of toxic proteins

Scientists have found a breathing exercise that could reduce risk of Alzheimer's

It's one of the cruellest diseases known to mankind, slowly robbing sufferers of all their memories until they can no longer function.

But scientists now claim there's a simple trick that could, theoretically, cut your risk of being struck down with Alzheimer's.

Simply inhaling for a count of five and then exhaling for the same length of time can benefit your brain, researchers say.

They found the breathing exercise  when carried out for 20 minutes twice a day, for four weeks  slashed the amount of amyloid beta in their blood.

Clumps of these toxic proteins have been heavily linked to Alzheimer's over the past few decades, with neurologists believing they may even cause the disease.

Researchers say inhaling for a count of five and then exhaling for the same length of time can benefit your brain if you practice it for 20 minutes a day for four weeks

Toxic proteins called amyloid beta have been heavily linked to Alzheimer's over the past few decades, with neurologists believing they may cause the disease

The simple breathing exercise was used in a study by experts at the University of Southern California's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

Researchers believe it has such an effect on amyloid because the way we breathe affects our heart rate.

In turn, this affects our nervous system and the way our brain produces and clears away these toxic proteins.

While we are awake and active, we use our sympathetic nervous system ('fight or flight'), to exercise, focus and create memories.

While this is activated, there isn't much variation in time between each heartbeat.

But the parasympathetic system causes heart rate to increase when you inhale and decrease when you exhale.

What is Alzheimer's? Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die. This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it. WHAT HAPPENS? As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years. EARLY SYMPTOMS: Loss of short-term memory

Disorientation

Behavioral changes

Mood swings

Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call LATER SYMPTOMS: Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places

Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior

Eventually lose ability to walk

May have problems eating

The majority will eventually need 24-hour care Source: Alzheimer's Association Advertisement

Sometimes known as the 'rest and digest' system, it helps us calm down and sleep.

Young people, or older people who are very fit, swap easily between these two nervous systems.

But it becomes harder to access the parasympathetic system  and heart rate variation  with ageing.

Studies have shown that the two systems also influence the production and clearance of Alzheimer's related peptides and proteins.

But there has been little research on how they may play a role in Alzheimer's.

So the researchers recruited 108 participants between the ages of 18 to 30 and 55 to 80 to experiment.

They were asked to do the breathing exercise for 20 minutes twice a day while hooked up to a heart monitor connected to a laptop.

One half of the volunteers were told to think of calming thoughts while doing their breathing.

At the same time, they were instructed to keep an eye on the heart rate line on the laptop screen and make sure it is as steady as possible.

The other half of the group were told to match their breathing to a pacer on the laptop screen monitor, with the goal of increasing their heart rate variability (HRV)  where the amount of time between their heartbeats fluctuated slightly.

A press release from the university sets out that this involved inhaling for a count of five and exhaling for a count of five.

But the study, published in the journal Nature Portfolio, suggests this group tried five different breathing cycles up to 13 seconds long before selecting the pace that increased the oscillations in their heart rate the most.

Blood samples were taken from the participants at the beginning and after four weeks of breathing exercises to check the amyloid beta peptide levels in their blood.

Researchers say an increased production or a decreased clearance of amyloid beta in the brain is thought to trigger Alzheimer's.

Analysis also shows that higher levels of amyloid beta in the blood predicts a risk of developing the disease.

The group that breathed slowly and tried to increase their heart rate variability by increasing oscillations had less amyloid in their blood.

Researchers don't yet understand the mechanism behind their findings.

For example, it could be because an increase in heart rate variability leads to fewer peptides being produces or the body clearing them out better.

Professor Mara Mather, director of the Emotion & Cognition Lab at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, said: 'Based on the data we have, it appears the decrease in amyloid beta is due more to decreased production.

'But that doesn't exclude the possibility of increased clearance.'

The team said their study appears to be the first to find behavioural interventions can reduce the level of amyloid beta peptides in plasma.

Previous research has shown that sleep deprivation and stress can increase amyloid beta levels, but it has proved more difficult to decrease amyloid beta.

'Regularly practicing slow-paced breathing via HRV biofeedback may be a low-cost and low-risk way to reduce plasma amyloid beta levels and to keep them low throughout adulthood,' Professor Mather added.
RCN has allegedly left staff 'war weary' and 'confused' over their strategy

Nurses are coming under pressure to scrap plans for further strikes after the NHS Staff Council today agreed a breakthrough pay deal.

The 14 health unions on the Council told ministers they will collectively accept the government's offer as a majority of their members voted in favour.

But representatives failed to reach a unanimous decision, with the Royal College of Nursing and Unite among those who are unhappy with the settlement.

Both have threatened further walkouts in pursuit of a better deal  claiming a 5 per cent rise for this year and one-off bonus of up to 3,789 for last year is not enough.

However, despite these objections, all 1 million NHS staff on the Agenda for Change contract, including nurses, paramedics and physiotherapists, will now receive the boost.

The RCN has allegedly left staff 'war weary' and 'confused' over their strategy, with the union also committed to keep striking regardless

In a meeting today NHS unions as a group voted to accept the pay deal the RCN, and fellow health union Unite, have rejected meaning it will now be implemented by ministers

Here is the rough breakdown of how health unions which are part of the NHS Staff Council voted on the pay deal. Unions's number of votes is based on the size of their NHS staff membership. While there are 14 unions in the Council in total two, Managers in Partnership and the Prison Officers Association are not represented in the graph. This is because the former's votes are included in Unison's figures and the latter, while a member, doesn't get a vote

The extra money is expected to be included in June pay packets.

More than half a million operations and appointments have been cancelled as a result of crippling industrial action since December, with health leaders warning it has put patients at risk.

Doctors, dentists and senior managers are on different NHS contracts and junior medics remain in dispute with the government as they pursue a 35 per cent pay rise.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: 'I'm pleased the NHS Staff Council has voted to accept our pay offer, demonstrating that a majority of NHS staff agree this is a fair and reasonable deal.

'It is now my intention to implement this for all staff on the Agenda for Change contract and where some unions may choose to remain in dispute, we hope their members  many of whom voted to accept this offer  will recognise this as a fair outcome that carries the support of their colleagues and decide it is time to bring industrial action to an end.

Sweeping changes to NHS pay review system needed, union says Ministers have been urged to make sweeping changes to the way NHS wages are agreed after a long-running row over pay. Government officials and many NHS unions have largely agreed to a revised pay offer after months of industrial action. But union GMB said it will not engage with the NHS Pay Review Body in the future. The body advises on pay of staff on the Agenda for Change contract which includes all NHS staff apart from doctors, dentists and very senior managers. In a letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, GMB said the body needs 'significant reform'. The letter from GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison says: 'The Pay Review Body (PRB), as it currently stands, is clearly unfit for purpose. 'We are calling for significant reform to ensure that proper pay rises, with full pay restoration to make up for over a decade of lost earnings, can be fulfilled as soon as possible. 'We will not be participating in the PRB process until it is reformed.' The letter also calls for action to tackle violence in the workplace, a change on unsocial hours payments for ambulance workers, work to examine the early retirement of many ambulance staff and better funding for mental health and social care. Ms Harrison added: 'While today's acceptance of the improved pay offer represents progress, much more needs to be done restore NHS workers' decade of lost earnings and provide the public with the health service they deserve.' Advertisement

'We will continue to engage constructively with unions on workforce changes to ensure the NHS is the best place to work for staff, patients and taxpayers.'

The 14 unions representing Agenda for Change staff balloted their members on the pay offer, which they negotiated with ministers during intensive talks across February and March.

All apart from Unite recommended the improved deal to members, with RCN leaders only performing a U-turn and criticising the sum after their members voted against it.

The Society and College of Radiographers and the Royal College of Podiatry also opposed the deal.

Members of Unison, the biggest health union, backed the pay the offer as did GMB, the Royal College of Midwives and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The RCN escalated its strike action by staging a 28-hour walkout on Sunday evening, which saw some nurses walking out of intensive care, A&E and cancer wards for the first time.

Pat Cullen, general secretary of the RCN, said members will be balloted again later this month in a bid to secure another six month strike mandate.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said today: 'Unite's NHS members have spoken and they rejected the deal.

'Because of this, Unite used its seats on the staff council to also vote against it. In fact, we will be escalating strike action.

'The staff council vote is not binding on individual unions and therefore the vote will not stop Unite representing the best interests of our members.

'The current offer will not solve the huge issues surrounding understaffing that are destroying the NHS and Unite's members have their union's absolute backing in fighting against it.

'It now time for the government to reopen negotiations. The prime minister needs to stop hiding, step in and solve this dispute.'

Sara Gorton, head of health at Unison and chair of the union group on the NHS staff council, said: 'NHS workers will now want the pay rise they've voted to accept.

'The hope is that the one-off payment and salary increase will be in June's pay packets.

'But health staff shouldn't have needed to take action in the first place.

'Unions made clear to ministers last summer that 1,400 wasn't enough to stop staff leaving the NHS, nor prevent strikes. But the government wouldn't listen.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay yesterday said he was 'cautiously optimistic' that the deal will be cleared

Pat Cullen, general secretary of the RCN, confirmed that the union would no longer strike on May 2, but would continue with the planned action on April 30 and May 1

How did the 14 unions in the NHS Staff Council vote on the pay deal While there are 14 unions in total in the NHS Staff Council only 12 get a vote on the pay deal. Here's the breakdown of the result: Royal College of Nursing: No Unison: Yes GMB: Yes Unite: No Royal College of Midwives: Yes Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: Yes Society of Radiographers: No British Association of Occupational Therapists: Yes British Orthoptic Society: Yes British Dietetic Association: Yes Royal College of Podiatry: No Federation of Clinical Scientists: Yes Managers in Partnership: Vote included in Unison's Prison Officers Association: Didn't get a vote Advertisement

'Proper pay talks last autumn could have stopped health workers missing out on money they could ill afford to lose.

'The NHS and patients would also have been spared months of disruption.

'This pay deal must be the start of something new in the NHS.

'There cannot be a repeat of the past few months. Everyone who cares about the NHS deserves better. That means improving the process that sets health worker wages.

'The NHS remains desperately short of staff too. Services can only cope with growing demand if there's a properly resourced and well-supported workforce. Government must now work with unions to achieve just that.'

Responding the decision of the NHS Staff Council, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: 'The decision by the NHS Staff Council Trade Unions to accept the pay offer they agreed with the government is very positive.

'It will be welcomed by NHS leaders whose teams will receive additional payments in relation to last year and a minimum 5 per cent uplift for this financial year.

'Also, it commits employers and unions to working together to improve career development opportunities for NHS staff as well improving retention and protection from violence.

'With four unions having rejected the pay deal individually for their members, we await confirmation of their plans.

'However, all unions, whether they have voted to accept the deal or not, as well as NHS leaders themselves, remain concerned about the impact of the cost of living on their members and colleagues, in addition to feeling worried about the present difficulties facing their patients and communities.

'The impending NHS workforce plan is an opportunity for the government to make clear its commitment to invest in staff numbers and development, and for employers to redouble their efforts to improve workplaces across the NHS.

'Employers are committed to working with unions and government to address these continued concerns, and to implement what we hope will be an ambitious and far-reaching plan for our people and patients.'

Rachel Harrison, national secretary at GMB, wrote to Mr Barclay following today's meeting, saying the decision to accept the pay offer is a 'welcome first step' to dealing with issues facing NHS staff.

However, she added: 'It is abundantly clear that unless significant action is taken on key issues, the problems facing our health service, and the people who work every day to save lives and keep the public safe, will remain.'

It comes as a former RCN head claimed that most NHS nurses don't support the union's drive for strikes.

Dr Peter Carter, who led the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) between 2007 and 2015, claimed the body's militant strategy  which has effectively brought ailing hospitals to a standstill  has left members 'war-weary' and 'confused'.

He said he has been overwhelmed with messages from nurses left furious about the RCN's escalated approach to the Bank Holiday strike.

It saw nurses walk out of intensive care units, A&E and cancer wards for the first time in the bitter pay dispute.

Dr Carter, who has also held senior roles at NHS trusts, explained the measures taken by the RCN concern him and many members.

Initially, there were no derogations at all.

Last-minute talks between the RCN and NHS England agreed 'to protect life and limb services', with nurses allowed to provide a minimal level of staffing in some areas.

But the action  which began on Sunday at 8pm  was still unprecedented.

One hospital was still forced to transfer patients out of its intensive care unit after nurses ignored their union's request.

Discussing the strike, Dr Carter told the Telegraph: 'In the last few days, I've had an awful lot of texts and emails from a lot of nurses who were really unhappy about the lack of derogations.'

RCN members protesting outside the High Court before it ruled that their strike on May 2 would be illegal

He added: 'I think the membership is very confused about where all of this is going. I think nurses are war-weary.'

Dr Carter said: 'The membership is very split on this. When you look at the numbers, more than a third of them didn't vote at all. The majority didn't vote for strike action, or else didn't vote at all.'

The RCN is pressing ahead with a fresh ballot to see if its members want to continue taking industrial action, irrespective of today's meeting NHS Staff Council.

At a London picket line on Monday, RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: 'What our members are saying to the Secretary of State and Government is we are not going to go away.

'We will remain on our picket lines to have a voice heard for our patients.

'We will continue to lose a day's pay standing on picket lines for our patients so that's how important it is to them and they want to have their voice heard.'

She claimed Health Secretary Steve Barclay has 'lost the public and certainly lost any respect that our nursing staff had for him and this Government'.

Strike action was planned by nurses for today but was called off following a historic High Court judge ruling that it would be unlawful.
The World Health Organization has come under fire for claiming the phrase 'responsible drinking' stigmatises drunks.

The wording ignores the 'inherent risks' of boozing and unfairly pins the blame for poor behaviour on individuals who overindulge, the quango adds.

This creates a 'sense of shame' for those who fail to control their intake, when they are really a victim of the low price and easy availability of alcohol, it warns.

Critics last night accused the WHO of trying to erase the concept of 'free will and personal responsibility' so it could push 'nanny-state restrictions'.

They said its guide to writing about alcohol is 'strewn with factual errors and scaremongering' - and highlighted that some of its authors have links to the temperance movement, which promotes total abstinence.

The wording ignores the 'inherent risks' of boozing and unfairly pins the blame for poor behaviour on individuals who overindulge, the quango adds

The document says the 'risk to health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage' and it is therefore 'not possible to consume safely  no matter how responsibly the drinker behaves'.

However, some studies have found potential links between moderate consumption and health benefits - a point recognised by the UK's own alcohol guidelines.

The controversial WHO guide says: 'Across the population, any level of alcohol consumption, regardless of the amount, is associated with a greater risk of loss of healthy life.

'The vague notion of "responsible drinking" that is actively promoted by alcohol producers and marketers, does not define when to stop drinking or suggest the option of not drinking.

'It does, however, create a mistaken impression that the alcohol industry is part of the solution to harms from drinking rather than a driver of the problem.

'Moreover, the moralising tone implicit in "responsible drinking" messages ignores the inherent risks in consuming alcohol, mischaracterising its harms as the result of a small minority of individual drinkers who cannot control their intake.

'It also can perpetuate stigmatising attitudes, wrongly blaming individual drinkers as the cause of all health or social problems linked to alcohol consumption, creating a sense of shame that stops them and their family members from seeking help when they need it.'

The UK's chief medical officers, including Professor Sir Chris Whitty, say to keep health risks from alcohol to a 'low level' it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.

This is the equivalent of around six pints of beer or six medium glasses of wine.

They warn the risk of developing a range of health problems increases 'the more you drink on a regular basis' but they acknowledge there may be 'net benefits from small amounts of alcohol'.

The WHO guide includes a glossary that says: 'Responsible drinking (Stigma alert!)  Drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation; drinking that does not lead to misbehaviour and health-related or other harm to the drinker or others.

'The term is not defined more concretely and is favoured by alcohol industry interests.

'However, it points to the behaviour of the consumer rather than their product as the source of any harm.

'It puts the entirety of the blame for alcohol problems on individual drinkers rather than more prominent environmental factors such as advertising, pricing or availability.'

Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: There is a growing tendency among nanny state activists to erase the concept of free will and personal responsibility.

'We see this not only with regards to alcohol, but with food and gambling.

'Their aim is to pin all the blame on the people who sell products rather than on the people who misuse products.

'This gives them the excuse for endless restrictions on individual liberty masquerading as controls on industry.'

He added: 'It beggars belief that the WHO is commissioning temperance activists to write reports about alcohol.

'This report is strewn with factual errors and scaremongering, which its authors presumably hope journalists will repeat.

'It explicitly recommends total abstinence from alcohol and pushes draconian nanny state policies.

'Member states need to tell the WHO to stay in its lane, distance itself from fanatical pressure groups and focus on its day job.'

A WHO spokesperson said: 'Less alcohol is more health. Alcohol is a carcinogen, and its consumption does not protect from diseases.

'In recent years, science has shown that even a small amount of alcohol use harm individuals and their families, creating an unnecessary burden on societies.'
Vermont became the first state in the country to officially approve suicide tourism today.

Republican Governor Phil Scott signed a bill that allows terminally ill patients from anywhere in the country to seek end-of-life medicine in Vermont  even if the practice is banned in their home state.

Campaigners in favor of assisted dying hailed the move, saying 'a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony'.

The US has been following the lead of northern neighbor Canada in liberalizing its assisted suicide laws in what critics are calling a euthanasia free-for-all.

Nine other states allow the practice - Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.

A legal loophole in Oregon has allowed out-of-state patients to travel there to end their lives with a deadly cocktail of drugs.

Republican Gov Phil Scott signed the bill that removes the residency requirement for the decades-old assisted dying law

Ten states and the District of Columbia allow assisted suicide. Seven states are eyeing their own Medical Aid-in-Dying (MAiD) laws this session, others are loosening their rules

Last year, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Medical Board agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement and to ask the Legislature to remove it from the in its assisted dying law.

While the residency requirement is not effectively enforced in Oregon, and people have been able to travel there for end-of-life medicine thanks to the legal gray area, the law has not yet been changed, making Vermont the first state to officially lift the requirement.

Operating in that legal gray area is Portland, Oregon doctor Nicholas Gideonse, who has begun advising terminally ill non-residents on travelling to Oregon to end their lives.

Dr Gideonse, an advocate of 'magic mushroom' therapy, said he was helping a Texan man suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and a hospice patient on the East Coast, but added that there were not yet 'tons of people coming from all over'.

A record number of Oregonians ended their lives with the assistance of doctors last year with 431 people receiving fatal prescriptions under the state's Death With Dignity Act (DWDA), and 278 people using them to end their lives.

Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization, said about the new Vermont law: 'We are grateful to Vermont lawmakers for recognizing that a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony.

'Patients routinely travel to other states to utilize the best healthcare options. There is no rational reason they shouldnt be able to travel to another state to access medical aid in dying if the state they live in doesnt offer it.'

Under Vermont's Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act, patients suffering from an incurable and irreversible disease that would kill them in six months can qualify for assisted suicide.

They must be able to self-administer the medication and be capable of making their own healthcare decisions.

Interested patients are required to make two requests orally to the physician over a certain timeframe and then submit a written request that they signed in the presence of two or more witnesses who arent interested parties.

Then, witnesses must sign and affirm that the patient appeared to understand the nature of the document and was free from duress or undue influence at the time.

A move to support assisted dying would on its surface be unexpected for a member of the Republican party, which typically objects to measures that would result in a loss of life.

But Gov Scott has proven himself to be somewhat of an outlier in that he enshrined the right to abortion in the state's constitution about six months after the Supreme Court struck down the federal guarantee to abortion.

But critics of assisted suicide are concerned that there are not enough safeguards in place to protect people with disabilities, who may be steered toward end-of-life care.

Last year, two healthy Arizona women traveled to Basel, Switzerland on February 3, from their home in Phoenix to seek assisted suicide there, where it is fully legal. It is unclear how or where the sisters' died, though. It is claimed that they were helped by a third person who texted friends while posing as them.

And in 2022, Dr Jennifer Gaudiani, a Colorado-based doctor who treats eating disorders, stoked controversy by prescribing a lethal dose to a patient with anorexia nervosa  a mental health and body image condition that often sees sufferers starve themselves.

She defended the move by arguing that anorexia, while not as severe as cancer, is brutally lethal for sufferers and that patients with 'terminal' cases should be afforded access to MAiD where it is legal.

Dr Guadiani also helped one 36-year-old woman obtain MAiD medications from a palliative care doctor. The woman died after ingesting the drugs.

And in 2019, Seattle, Washington native Robert Fuller chose to take advantage of Washington's aid-in-dying law after a doctor diagnosed him with an aggressive cancer at the base of his tongue.

In May of that year, he was given two syringes filled with a light brown liquid  a fatal drug combination mixed with Kahlua, his favorite alcohol  through a feeding tube in his abdomen.

Major opponents of assisted suicide include the Catholic church and anti-abortion activists.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: 'Assisted suicide laws typically appear to limit eligibility to terminally ill patients who are expected to die within six months but don't distinguish between persons who will die within six months with treatment and those who will die within six months without treatment.

'This means that patients with treatable diseases (like diabetes or chronic respiratory or cardiac disease) and patients with disabilities requiring ventilator support are all eligible for lethal drugs because they would die within six months without the treatment they would normally receive.'

And in New Hampshire, where aid-in-dying bills have repeatedly failed in the legislature, the anti-abortion Right to Life group 'oppose[s] all forms of suicide, assisted or not, because of the self-evident truth that Life is an inalienable right. No individual can have the right to terminate himself or another person because only God, who created that human life, has that authority.'

In the US, voluntary euthanasia  when a patient is administered deadly drugs upon his or her request  is not legal. Only the dispensing of drugs to patients who wish to die and qualify under state stipulations, referred to as physician-assisted suicide, is.

Total assisted suicides in the US since the first law was enacted in Oregon in 1997 have reached at least 6,000, though death data reporting varies by state and may be an underestimate.

Before Vermont removed its residency requirement Tuesday, it had reached a settlement agreement with a terminally-ill Connecticut woman allowing her to take advantage of Vermont's law, provided she complies with other aspects of it.
My garage roof was torn off and my greenhouse smashed during a bad storm last November.

I made a claim on my home insurance with Direct Line, which sent out a surveyor who confirmed the garage roof was beyond repair and needed replacing.

I arranged quotes, which were all in excess of 5,000 just for the roof. Replacing the smashed greenhouse and broken garage door would cost hundreds more.

The insurer said its own contractors would do the repairs.

At first, I thought this was fantastic. I could do without the stress of dealing with the claim on my own, as I am a single mum and have several jobs.

Insult: Direct Line tried to fob of a home insurance customer - whose garage roof was torn off in a storm - with a paltry 2,000 payout

But weeks passed and, after phoning Direct Line numerous times, I was eventually told the contractors couldnt get the parts to replace the roof.

In the end, the insurer suggested a cash settlement of 2,000  and left me to arrange the repairs myself.

But thats nowhere near enough to cover the cost. I am so disappointed with the service I have received. Please help.

L. M., Dunbar.

Sally Hamilton replies: I receive many letters from upset readers who feel short-changed on the sums offered by their insurers to meet valid claims. But I felt the amounts proposed to you by Direct Line took the biscuit.

Home insurance premiums have been increasing sharply, as anyone who has renewed a policy recently will know.

One of the reasons for the soaring prices is that the costs of building materials and labour have been going through the roof. Insurers have to pay more to meet the repair bills on successful claims  and therefore, so that they can balance their books, they raise their premiums.

If materials and labour are costing more, then why did Direct Line think you could fix your damaged property for less than half the price of the quotes you received from various contractors?

I contacted Direct Line to ask it to look again at your claim and sort it once and for all with a more acceptable sum. That was back in late February.

After about eight weeks, it decided that it would meet the full cost of your claim after all.

It has now paid you 8,042, minus 250 for the excess, which is the sum you must pay as your share of the claim, as agreed in your policy.

The final payout is four times what it tried to fob you off with when it didnt manage to organise the repair work for you.

You told me that although the process has been exhausting and like getting blood out of a stone, you are delighted with the result.

A spokesman for the insurer says: We investigated L. M.s concerns regarding a home insurance claim, following storm damage to her home, which we appreciate has taken longer than it normally would to resolve.

We have agreed that the total cost for the repairs should be covered by Direct Line, subject to the policy excess.

In addition, we have offered compensation for the inconvenience caused. We understand that this has been frustrating and apologise unreservedly.

The lesson from your story is that homeowners should not just accept what an insurer offers initially following a claim, if the sums do not add up.

PayPal scammer hacked my account and stole 2,800

I was shocked to receive a demand from PayPal in January for the sum of 2,808.

It appears that someone had accessed my account and gone on a spending spree. I wrote to customer services to cancel my account and notified my bank.

Although I explained to PayPal that someone had hijacked my account, I received no response.

PayPal then sent me a notice of default on the payments.

I wrote to the collections manager and again I heard nothing from them. I also phoned to explain the situation. But then in March I received another default notice.

Please can you help?

C. C., Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leics.

Sally Hamilton replies: PayPal is a widely used online payment system, which allows customers to purchase goods from retailers without having to enter their bank card details.

PayPal customers are able to store their bank details securely in its virtual wallet. Then, when they wish to make an online purchase, they can do it through PayPal just by entering their email address and password.

Shoppers can opt to pay either by PayPal debit or credit. With the credit system, customers are not charged immediately. Instead, they receive a monthly bill.

You told me that you rarely use PayPal credit, preferring to use the debit system as you typically spend relatively small amounts that you can pay upfront.

You were therefore shocked to see a 2,808 bill on your credit statement. The culprit who had hacked your account went on a three-week shopping spree, mainly buying luxury goods online from John Lewis.

Since you were having trouble getting PayPal to pay attention to your problem, I intervened on your behalf.

Its team investigated and, I am pleased to say, a few days later refunded the full amount and added 150 as a goodwill gesture.

PayPal also told you how to regain access to your account securely. It confirmed there would be no more attempts to collect money from you and that your credit record would not be affected, either.

Can our wedding gift dodge inheritance tax?

Are we allowed to give our granddaughter a wedding gift of money without incurring inheritance tax?

My husband and I are in our 80s.

J. E., Solihull.

Sally Hamilton replies: The short answer is, yes. In fact, you may be able to give away up to 17,000 using various inheritance tax allowances.

As grandparents, you can each hand over 2,500 to a grandchild using an exemption called gifts in consideration of marriage and it will be immediately exempt from inheritance tax (IHT).

The gift must be made shortly before the marriage or civil partnership, not after, and would no longer be exempt if your granddaughter didnt go ahead with the wedding.

You may also be able to hand over a further 3,000 each, as everyone can give away up to this amount each tax year without attracting IHT.

If you did not make any gifts last year, you could also use up last years allowance. That would amount to a further 6,000 between you and your husband.

You can only use up last years allowances  you cannot backdate claims further than that.

In theory, people can give away any sum of money beyond these exempt amounts. But they will count as part of your estate for IHT purposes if you die within seven years of making the gift. IHT is currently charged at 40 pc.

Straight to the point Ive been a British Gas HomeCare customer for 20 years and pay 27 a month. In October, I bought a new boiler and, because it came with a warranty, I decided to cancel my British Gas boiler cover. I have since received a bill for 154.04, which British Gas says is for a cancellation fee. E. N., Wigan, Lancs. British Gas says that you cancelled your contract midway through the term, and as you had work done since your last renewal you needed to pay a cancellation fee. It has reviewed your situation and waived the fee. *** In December, my basement flooded. I contacted Thames Water and was told an engineer would arrive within 12 hours. When no one showed up, I paid a plumber 450 to fix the issue, which Thames Water told me I could claim back. I am still waiting for the money. T. N., Goffs Oak, Herts. Thames Water apologises for the delay in visiting your home and has given you 30 as a gesture of goodwill. However, as this issue was caused by a blockage in the private pipework, it will not reimburse you. It recommends that you claim a refund from your home insurance provider. *** My partner and I tried to open a NatWest Reward account to claim the 200 switching bonus. However, as the application required the use of a mobile phone and other technology, we have since decided to close the account. We are very disappointed as we wanted to transfer from TSB so we could avoid having to travel to its nearest branch  which is much further away. D. S., Wigan, Lancs. NatWest says it will help you either over the phone or in person if you would still like to open an account. A spokesman says: We are there to help new and existing customers switch their main bank account to us and benefit from our 200 switcher offer. *** Someone opened a fraudulent O2 account in my name and now Im being chased by debt collectors, even though I reported it over a month ago. Ive called and emailed O2 multiple times but nothing has been resolved. Please help. C.F., via email. A spokesman for O2 says the fraudulent account has now been closed and your credit file will be updated.
The City watchdog has unveiled plans for a shake-up of stock market listing rules designed to help halt an exodus of companies from London to New York.

Reforms proposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), representing the biggest change in the rule book since the 1980s, are hoped to be in place by the end of this year or start of 2024.

Lord Hill, the author of an earlier review into the listings regime, said that, if implemented, they would enable London to stand toe to toe with our international competitors.

Shake-up: Listing reforms proposed by the FCA, representing the biggest change in the rule book since the 1980s, are hoped to be in place by the end of this year or start of 2024

However, the Institute of Directors warned that the Citys high standards were themselves an advantage for the UK and should not be watered down.

The decision by Cambridge-based chip designer Arm to opt for a float on Wall Street this year prompted soul-searching in the Square Mile, adding to pressure for change.

The shake-up would aim to simplify rules by ending the distinction between standard and premium listings  the latter of which are subject to more stringent tests.

Only companies with premium listings are eligible to enter the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 so abolishing the distinction would clear the way for more to join them.

There would also be a further leeway for companies with dual-class share structures  which allow founders to exercise greater voting rights than other investors over their companies.

And there would be a removal of the obligation for shareholder votes to approve big takeover deals.

Britains listings regime is among the factors blamed for a 40 per cent fall in the number of firms choosing to float here since 2008.

Last week, London Stock Exchange boss Julia Hoggett told MPs the rules were stuck in aspic.
BP is ploughing ahead with plans to deliver billions of pounds worth of buybacks per year  in a bumper day for City investors.

The energy giant said it was committed to a stellar programme, with an initiative to deliver buybacks of around 3.2billion per year based on current forecasts.

It announced a further share buyback yesterday, announcing it would repurchase 1.4billion worth of shares over the next three months. This follows profits of 4billion for the first three months of the year.

Buyback scheme: BP said it was 'committed' to a stellar programme, with plans to deliver buybacks of around 3.2bn per year based on current forecasts

Chief executive Bernard Looney said: This has been a quarter of strong performance and strategic delivery.

But some investors were disappointed that profits did not match last years equivalent of 5billion. Shares slumped 8.6 per cent, or 46.05p, to 488.35p.

Profits were boosted by a strong commodity trading performance. Chief financial officer Murray Auchincloss said its gas traders had made the right call on price declines and its oil traders also had a very good quarter.

Oil prices have dipped from a peak following Russias invasion of Ukraine early last year.

The results again saw BP come under fire, with the mammoth profits reigniting calls for energy giants to be forced to pay more tax.

Energy groups have faced scrutiny over the past year after raking in monster profits while households have grappled with higher bills.

BP has already forked out 800million under the existing windfall tax but yesterday politicians called for the company to be taxed more.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said BPs profits were those that they didnt expect to make, these are profits that are over and above because the world price of energy is so high.

Luke Hildyard, director of the High Pay Centre think tank, said: Supersized profits made by oil companies and other corporate giants overwhelmingly accrue to the super-rich.

These huge windfalls are pure geopolitical accident.

But speaking to the media yesterday, Auchincloss added: We know how difficult a time it is. We get it.

But he brushed aside calls for a tougher windfall tax, saying: Taxes are for government, not us. We are not going to speculate.
Donna Metrejean, 51, was duped by Golden but married him after discovering his true identity, telling DailyMail.com, 'I accepted him for who he was'

He spent $16,000 on police equipment, drove a silver Dodge Charger with emergency lights, wore a bulletproof vest and 'arrested' criminals

A lumberjack who posed as a drug cop has won the heart of the woman he duped, and even married her after his lies were exposed.

Donna Metrejean, 51, tells DailyMail.com she was able to forgive Robert Golden, 41, for lying to her about being an undercover special agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency even after his cover was blown and he was charged with impersonating a federal agent.

During a year-long deception, he spent $16,000 on replica police equipment, drove a silver Dodge Charger with emergency lights, wore a bulletproof vest, carried multiple guns and 'arrested' criminals.

But in reality he had a criminal past of his own and worked as a certified tree climber in the lumberjacking industry.

In an exclusive interview, Donna said of their marriage, 'I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I accepted him for who he was.'

Lumberjack Robert Golden, 41, pretended to be an undercover special agent with the DEA during a year-long deception before being arrested

Donna Metrejean, 51, was duped by Golden but married him after discovering his true identity, telling DailyMail.com, 'I accepted him for who he was'

Golden encouraged Donna to start a degree in criminal science at the Colorado Technical University and to apply for a position at the DEA's Portland field office

Donna said, 'I told him, ''You didn't have to impress me from the get-go. I wasn't attracted to your gun or badge. You didn't need any of that.''

'Sometimes you have to go through a couple of bad things just to get to your right thing. I can hold my head high.'

The couple, who live in Portland, Oregon, married in the common room of their apartment building in February 2022.

This was the same month Golden, 41, was charged with impersonating a federal agent.

He faced a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to three years in prison.

But in federal court he offered to produce receipts for the $16,228.95 he spent on police equipment to prove he had not stolen anything.

The judge sentenced him to time served, which was less than a month.

Donna faced no criminal charges as the police accepted she had been duped.

The couple met on Facebook during the pandemic and started dating in January 2021.

He encouraged her to start a degree in criminal science at the Colorado Technical University and to apply for a position at the DEA's Portland field office.

Posing as an agent himself, he offered to give her a head start with informal training.

She spent weeks alone with Golden in the forest, learning to shoot a 9mm Beretta on full auto and a Glock 9mm.

Golden showed Donna fake DEA pay slips to prove he worked for the agency, and told her that police work was his life.

'I love wearing my suit. I love wearing a badge,' he said. 'I'm good at being a cop. I'm good at putting those sons of bitches away that need to be.'

But in reality he was an ex-con who had served time in a Texas prison for drug possession.

Golden drove a silver Dodge Charger with emergency lights, wore a bulletproof vest, carried multiple guns and 'arrested' criminals

Donna married Golden in February 2022 - the same month he was charged with impersonating a federal agent. He faced a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to three years in prison. The couple posed in front of his Dodge Charger compete with emergency lights

Golden spent over $16,000 on replica police equipment so he could pretend to be a cop, including a fake special agent badge

In 2016, he had been arrested in Kilgore, Texas, for possession of a small amount of narcotics, and skipped town instead of going to jail.

He fled to Portland, where he ended up sleeping in a flatbed truck. He had just gotten his life back together in 2020 when the pandemic struck.

Unemployed, he spent his Covid-19 stimulus checks on replica police gear to impress Donna.

He said: 'There was an element of deception. I deceived her. I didn't want her to think she was coming up here for just a tree climber. I wanted to give her a better life than that.

'I knew in the moment that she kissed me that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I just didn't want her to think, ''What's this man bringing to the table?''

'That's one reason why I kept doing what I was doing. And not just to impress her, but so she could say that she had a good, hard-working man.'

Golden began taking his new girlfriend on dangerous 'undercover missions' in downtown Portland, where they would film drug deals and cultivate informants in the homeless community.

One day they got involved in an altercation outside of a needle exchange in downtown Portland, where a man attacked a woman.

Golden said: 'I got in between them. And I didn't draw my weapon. I said, ''You need to stop right there.''

'Well, they had about fifteen homeless people with knives and shivs.

'I put him in handcuffs. We put him in the back of the car. And we took him down to the Portland police department.'

In October 2021, he surprised his girlfriend by paying for her family members to fly in from Louisiana.

He had even more surprises in store for the woman he loved.

When they reached a secluded beach, Golden dropped to one knee and produced an engagement ring - and a DEA badge.

'I want you to be my partner, not just in marriage, but my partner,' he said, in a video recorded by Donna's children.

His lies were finally exposed on February 2, 2022 when Portland police Sergeant Matt Jacobsen spotted Golden's silver Dodge Charger with its trunk open.

He noticed a tactical vest inside with a DEA patch, and asked Golden if he was a narcotics agent.

Eventually a real DEA Special Agent showed up.

Golden said: 'He came up to me and he goes, ''I can't find you in our records.'' And I said, ''I know you can't.'' And then they put the handcuffs on.

'What's funny is when they saw my vest and stuff, one guy said, ''Damn, he's got better gear than we do.'''

Donna spent weeks alone with Golden in the forest, learning to shoot a 9mm Beretta on full auto and a Glock 9mm

Inside the car, officers discovered guns, armor plate carriers, DEA patches and badges, handcuffs, credentials and what looked like an AR-15 style rifle that turned out to be a BB gun.

Donna walked out of their downtown apartment to find her fiance with a gun pointed at his head.

She flashed the sergeant the DEA ID Golden had given her when he proposed, assuming it was all a mistake.

After figuring out that Donna had been the victim of a hoax, agents released her, and dropped her at home.

Donna told her story to journalist Jeff Maysh, whose exclusive interview will be published on Substack.

She is now planning to enter law enforcement as soon as she finishes a course in criminal justice.

She said: 'I want to see if I can make a difference. I have a good heart. That's what I've been told.'
A New York City mother-of-three who plowed her BMW into a group of Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020 walked free from court on Monday having been sentenced to just five hours of community service as part of a plea agreement with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Kathleen Casillo, 53, was facing the possibility of up to seven years in prison if convicted in the December 2020 incident that left six people injured.

Under the deal, Casillo pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor, she will have the charge reduced to a disorderly conduct violation if she fulfills her sentence and stays out of trouble for six months, prosecutors and her lawyer said.

But the family of one of the victims was furious with the light sentence Casillo received.

'You f****d people's lives up, you're a criminal,' one woman screamed at in the corridors of Manhattan Supreme Court following Casillo's plea hearing. 'You're a criminal and you have not taken accountability.'

Kathleen Casillo accepted plea deal deal in Manhattan Supreme Court in which she will have to perform just five hours of community service and stay out of trouble for a year

Casillo is seen next to her defense lawyer, Oliver Storch, who said justice had been served

Casillo claimed she had inadvertently hit the gas pedal in panic because she said protestors were being 'aggressive.'

'They didn't do anything,' the woman responded. 'My husband's back was turned when you hit him and sent him flying into the air. His back was turned. How was that aggressive?'

But Casillo's defense lawyer said justice had been served.

'We're very gratified after an exhaustive and thorough review the Manhattan DA's office has decided that Kathleen Casillo should not receive a criminal conviction, which we have maintained from the beginning of the case,' her attorney Oliver Storch said.

'Ms. Castillo is a retired grandmother who looks forward to putting this horrible ordeal behind her and spending time with her family,' Storch added. 'Her thoughts and prayers go out to anybody injured.'

'We're very gratified after an exhaustive and thorough review the Manhattan DA's office has decided that Kathleen Casillo should not receive a criminal conviction, which we have maintained from the beginning of the case,' her attorney Oliver Storch said.

Attorney Storch, left, chaperoned Casillo out of the Manhattan courtroom on Monday

Bikes lay on the ground after Casillo's car struck multiple Black Lives Matter protesters on December 11, 2020 that were gathered at the intersection of East 39th Street and 3rd Avenue

A protestor has his leg bandaged after a car struck multiple Black Lives Matter. Incredibly none of the injuries were life threatening

Casillo was arrested after plowing her car through the BLM demonstration in December 2020

Casillo also apologized on camera as she left the courtroom.

'I'm sorry for everyone, I really am,' she said.

It was December 11, 2020 when Casillo drove her car black sedan directly into a BLM protest on 39th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan.

The incident was caught on video and saw several protestors being thrown into the air. Six people were hurt and left with non-life-threatening injuries.

Casillo said that she feared for her safety and that of her 29-year-old daughter when she accidentally stepped on the gas.

The Howard Beach, Queens, mom has previously claimed the demonstrators had come up to her car and called her 'a white privilege b**ch' before banging on her vehicle.

She was charged with reckless assault, reckless endangerment and released without bail but turned down plea deals that would see her perform six days of community service and suspended her driver's license for one year, in exchange for a guilty plea.

But on Monday, prosecutors working under DA Alvin Bragg said new terms were agreed because Casillo did not have a criminal record, flee the scene, and insists she did not intend to hurt protestors while also taking responsibility for the incident.

'We believe, given all this, it is just to permit the defendant to try to earn a non-criminal disposition,' Assistant District Attorney Andrew Mercer said in court.

'If she fails in fulfilling any of the conditions of this plea  that is, if she does not complete the community service or gets rearrested in the next year  she will not be permitted to withdraw her plea,' Mercer said. 'The misdemeanor conviction will stand and she will face possible jail time.'

The Howard Beach, Queens, mom has previously claimed the demonstrators had come up to her car and called her 'a white privilege b**ch' before banging on her vehicle.

Prosecutors working under DA Alvin Bragg said new terms were agreed because Casillo did not have a criminal record, flee the scene, and insists she did not intend to hurt protestors

Casillo's BMW had plowed through a crowd of about 50 people which had left multiple injured

'My side of the story was we were attacked by people who were going to break my daughter's window and pull her out of the car, so I feared [for] my life,' Casillo, whose husband works as a car mechanic, told DailyMail.com in 2021.

Casillo said she turned down the plea deal in December because she did not do anything wrong, saying: 'I'm going to court to clear my name because I'm not guilty.'

'I feel sick,' she continued, noting: 'I never intended on hurting anyone. I just feared for my daughter's life more than anybody. I thought they were going to pull her out of the car.

'Theyre just making the black community look like theyre thugs. One of my closest friends is a woman of color, from when I was 19 years old, so its not a black, white thing. I dont know even know the color of the people that I hit. It was all mixed.'

Casillo, 53, right, has said she panicked when a group of protesters started banging on her car. She is pictured here with her daughter, Dominique, 32, who was in the vehicle at the time

Protesters outside the courthouse in December compared Casillo to Kyle Rittenhouse who claimed self-defense when he shot three people at a Black Lives Matter protest in Wisconsin

Describing being attacked in 2020, Dominique told DailyMail.com: 'You know when you picture a protest, you picture a bunch of [people] protesting for something. That's not what we saw.'

She said what she experienced that day was a 'traumatizing situation,' saying she and her mom were driving down 'an empty street' when 'a few people came out of nowhere.

'It didn't look like a protest,' Dominique recounted. 'It was more like being attacked by random people who were being menaces.'

She alleged that the people who were attacking the car 'weren't really part of the protest,' as the actual protest 'was a block up.

'They were just lingering and pulled out of nowhere before we stopped the car,' Dominique said. 'We waited, watched the light turn green [then] red.

'We waited a long time, and they were just there there like this, doing nothing.

'Then they walked away just a little bit so we could move,' she alleges. 'We started driving and they started attacking the car. So naturally we stopped again, and that's when they started hitting [the] car, cursing us out. I was really scared honestly.

'Finally there was a bit that actually cracked the window open on my side and that's when my mother started to roll,' Dominique said. 'We said we have to get out of here because they're not going to stop.

'There was no other car around,' she continued. 'There might have been cars behind us, but we were the first car on an empty sidewalk, so was it just like "wrong place, wrong time?" I don't know.'

She noted that it was 'sad because I definitely think theres some bad menaces that go and ruin protest because there were people there protesting for a cause and they were just there looking for a trouble.'

In the aftermath, Dominique said, her mother was slammed as a racist on Twitter, calling it 'really traumatizing.'

People took to social media to post screenshots of her Facebook and Instagram accounts, The City reported at the time, showing posts supportive of then-President Donald Trump's handling of the COVID pandemic and likes for a group called 'I stand with Rudy Giuliani.'

But Casillo has denied claims of racism, previously telling DailyMail.com: 'One of my closest friends is a woman of color, from when I was 19-years-old, so it's not a black, white thing.

'I don't even know the color the people that I hit,' she continued. 'It was all mixed.'

Her attorneys have rejected claims that Casillo is racist and intentionally hit the protesters, calling it a 'false narrative' that is 'without merit and deeply disturbing,' and hope she will get a fair trial.

They also noted that Casillo did not have a prior criminal history and has 'no history of having hurt anybody,' claiming 'her heart goes out to the victims.'
Trump spent $66 billion on consultants but over four years

Joe Biden's administration has blown more than $50 billion of taxpayer cash - three times the cost of Donald Trump's border wall - on top consulting firms since entering the White House.

A Daily Mail analysis of open-source U.S. government spending data shows that the 80-year-old racked up the eye-watering amount in just over two years on the job.

The figures could raise eyebrows amongst voters in key battleground states as ordinary Americans face a cost-of-living crisis and a rise in illegal immigration.

The price tag is also roughly equivalent to the annual defense budget of NATO member France.

Trump also relied heavily on top consulting firms but the $66 billion his administration spent was across his four year stint as commander-in-chief.

With 20 months of Biden's first term left to run, his administration could end up spending more on consultants than the former president.

Biden's consultancy bill comes amid a long-running row between Democrats and Republicans over increasing the US government's $31.4 trillion spending cap and possible budget cuts.

The biggest benefactor amongst some of the world's major consulting firms advising the U.S. government is Booz Allen Hamilton.

Trump's planned border wall was immediately halted by Joe Biden when he entered the White House. The former president had earmarked as much as $16 billion for his flagship policy.

The data is taken from the open-source federal website USASpending.gov

The long-time Department of Defense contractor has raked in $26.6 billion in public funds since the start of Biden's presidency.

In August last year, it began a four-year $108.8 million contract providing the U.S. air force with regular 'survivability and lethality analysis' for its Pacific fleet in Hawaii.

BAH chief executive Horacio Rozanski picked up an $11.8 million compensation package last year, according to the firm's filing with U.S. regulators.

A spokesman for the Virginia-based corporation failed to respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Pentagon officials declined to comment.

Accenture, another major recipient of Pentagon cash, won $11.5 billion in government contracts since January 2021.

Deloitte, a British-founded services and advisory firm that picked up roughly a fifth of its government contracts from the Department of Defense, won business to the tune of $9.6 billion over the same period.

Former Trump administration official Joe Grogan told DailyMail.com that 'there is a huge out-of-control industry around government contracts.'

Grogan oversaw domestic healthcare spending of $1.3 trillion during his two-year stint at the Office of Management and Budget.

He served until January 2019 under the former president at the body that scrutinizes how public funds are used.

'The knee-jerk response amongst various government agencies is that we will hire a consultant to tell us what to do rather than figure it out ourselves,' he said.

'It was like a joke. They would give presentations, often with beautiful PowerPoints,' the ex-director of Trump's Domestic Policy Council said. 'But you rarely had a plan of action.'

'If we have less resources that might force us to be more focused,' Grogan added. 'The government has got way too bloated and just has far too many things to do.'

Patrick Hedger, the executive director of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, a pressure group against wasteful government spending, said: 'Why is it necessary for agencies with budgets measured in the tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions, to outsource so much work? It sounds like taxpayers are getting a bad deal.'

And a Republican source inside Congress described the huge sums paid out from the public purse as 'crony capitalism.'

On his first day in office, Biden axed the nearly $16 billion dollars in funding for Trump's border barrier, $10 billion of which was drawn from the DoD's budget

He blasted Trump's flagship anti-immigration policy as 'a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security.'

But more than 2.3 million migrants tried to illegally sneak into the United States across the Mexican border last year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

That is up from 1.7 million people in 2021 and just over 450,000 the previous year when much of the world was locked down during the coronavirus pandemic.

The surge in migrants crossing is expected to continue as a Trump-era diktat that it made it easier to boot out illegals will expire later this month.

Joe Biden, seen here in January this year, wants to use processing centers in Guatemala and Colombia where would-be migrants can lodge asylum claims.

Several hundred thousand migrants have tried to sneak into the United States since Joe Biden became president

Those emergency powers, known as Title 42, come from a 79-year-old federal law that the former president used from the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

It allows U.S. officials to expel migrants from the country without even hearing their asylum claims on public health grounds.

But on May 11, the use of Title 42 will lapse, sparking concerns amongst southern border states that more people will try to cross.

And Raul Ortiz, the chief of the U.S. border forces, said on Monday that as many as 22,000 migrants had been apprehended in the previous 72 hours.

The issue will be crucial in swing state Arizona, which narrowly backed Joe Biden in 2020 by 49.4% to 49.1% who voted for Trump.

A lawsuit brought by a group of Republican-led states sought to keep the Title 42 rules in place.

The case made it to the Supreme Court, but justices refused to hear arguments after the White House vowed it will end the coronavirus emergency in May.
In July 2014, Lindsey and Kyle Seitz lived a joyous life that most families would envy.

Three healthy children, a happy home in Connecticut, fulfilling careers and a marriage filled with love.

What became their reality is every parent's worst nightmare.

On July 7, Kyle - then a software engineer - left the couple's 15-month-old son Benjamin in his rear-facing seat in the back of his Jeep Cherokee for eight hours after forgetting to drop him off at daycare and driving instead to his office.

Benjamin was pronounced dead in the hospital from hyperthermia.

Life as they knew it, with that inconceivable, fatal lapse in memory, was over.

In the months and years that followed, they were driven out of Connecticut to Colorado by a circus of media, gossip and child protective services. Kyle was convicted of criminally negligent homicide. Lindsey quit her job as a lawyer, and focused on raising their two older daughters. Miraculously, they are still married and very much in love.

Now, in his first on-camera interview since his son's death, Kyle, now 44, tells DailyMail.com how he learned to forgive himself after replacing his son's death in his head 'countless times'.

Lindsey and Kyle Seitz spoke to DailyMail.com in their first on-camera interview since their son Benjamin died nine years ago. Kyle was charged and convicted of criminally negligent homicide, and was given a non-custodial sentence. He had left Benjamin in the back of his Jeep Cherokee

Fifteen-month-old Benjamin died in his rear-facing car seat. He was left in the car for more than eight hours on July 7, 2014, in Ridgefield, Connecticut, a day when temperatures reached more than 88 degrees

Lindsey, 44, also explains how she overcame the rage and blame she felt for her husband.

Their joint interview - their first since Ben's death - accompanies the release of Lindsey's new memoir, The Gift of Ben, which goes on sale today.

'I am profoundly in love with my husband. Its probably stronger than it used to be after all the grief and trauma we are probably more solid now but Id describe it as quieter. Calmer. More relaxed.

'Just the little moments that we really enjoy now,' she said, speaking from their home in North Carolina, where they moved recently to be near her family.

She never contemplated leaving her husband, despite being placed under what she described as 'immense' pressure to by Connecticut's Department of Children and Families to take their daughters and move on.

The book tells the story of her struggles with mental health (Lindsey was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her twenties, before she had children), and the family's ability to move on from the tragedy that defined them for years.

They also detail the torture of being endlessly investigated by police and child protective services for months after Ben's death, as their young daughters - then five and eight - begged to be left alone.

July 7, 2014: The split-second mistake that destroyed a family

With family in town to celebrate July 4th weekend, Lindsey and Kyle describe the morning of Ben's death as 'hectic' but normal.

Their older two daughters, Kaylyn, then eight, and Riley, then five, were enrolled in Bible school for the summer while on break from regular classes.

On the morning of July 7th, Kyle loaded Benjamin into his car seat in the back of his Jeep Cherokee, while Lindsey worried about ferrying the girls to their class.

Rather than go directly to Benjamin's daycare, Kyle - in what experts have categorized as a momentary lapse in memory - drove straight to town to collect coffee and then to his office.

With family in town to celebrate July 4th weekend, Lindsey and Kyle describe the morning of Ben's death as 'hectic' but normal. Their older two daughters, Kaylyn, then eight, and Riley, then five, were enrolled in Bible school for the summer while on break from regular classes

On the morning of July 7th, Kyle loaded Benjamin into his car seat in the back of his Jeep Cherokee as was their routine, while Lindsey worried about ferrying the girls to their class. Rather than go directly to Benjamin's daycare, Kyle - in what experts have categorized as a momentary lapse in memory - drove straight to town to collect coffee and then to his office (shown)

'I was driving the kids down main street to get them to Bible school and I noticed [Kyles] car on the street.

'I probably thought wow he got there quickly rather than dropping Ben at day care then going to get coffee.

'I didnt say anything - and I think Ill live with that regret for the rest of my life,' said Lindsey.

By lunch, Benjamin had been in the car for at least four hours.

Lindsey and the girls decided to drive to Kyle's office and invite him to lunch.

He was too busy, but ended up returning to the car and driving to a sandwich shop later.

He returned to his office to finish out the day, completely oblivious to his unconscious child in the back of the car, still strapped into his seat.

Kyle was driving a Jeep Cherokee. He buckled Ben in the rear-facing backseat which was directly behind the driver's seat. Rather than drop Ben at day care, he forgot he was in the car, and went straight to work

By 5pm, Lindsey had grown concerned that she couldn't reach him.

'When that happened my mind started spinning  were they in a car accident? My mind even went to hot car tragedies because youd hear about them every summer. I don't know if maybe somewhere in my gut I knew viscerally thats what it was.

'I walked into the police station and I said, "this is Lindsey Seitz, is there anything going on with my family that I need to know about. " That's when they rushed me to the hospital.

By then, Kyle had left his office and driven to Kyle's daycare to collect him.

It was only when staff reminded him that Ben had never been dropped off that he rushed back to his vehicle and found him unresponsive in the back.

He tried desperately to revive him, screaming in the parking lot, before driving to the hospital. Ben was pronounced dead at 6pm.

A wife's extraordinary devotion - and father's attempt to forgive himself

'It felt like a bad dream. In the very beginning, it really felt like it was a break from reality,' Kyle said.

The pair rotated between friends' houses for several days.

Lindsey feared her husband - described in her book as being 'catatonic' at that time - might attempt to kill himself.

Lindsey feared her husband - described in her book as being 'catatonic' at that time - might attempt to kill himself in the days after Ben's death

'When they told me in the hospital room what had happened, my mind immediately switched from Bens gone to is Kyle gone too? I knew how close they were. I was worried about what had become of him after he found out that Ben had passed.

'The next few days were so rough on him. We were all concerned.'

The thought never entered his mind, he says now.

'It was about survival. It was wake up, eat food. Just do the little things of getting through the day. You had to make yourself do it.'

They were scarcely alone in the immediate aftermath of Ben's death. Despite blaming Kyle, the thought of separating never entered her mind.

'I always knew we would be together forever but I knew the process would be hard and tough. We both loved each other for twenty-something years through serious imperfection.

'I am profoundly in love with my husband. Its probably stronger than it used to be after all the grief and trauma we are probably more solid now but Id describe it as quieter. Calmer. More relaxed,' says Lindsey. She says she has been able to let go of the 'blame' she held onto to forgive Kyle

'It was a really rough journey for me [with my mental health struggles] and he was there with me through really hard times.

'After Ben died I remember walking into a room where he was lying on the gurney I just crawled on top of hi m and said I love you.

'I really blamed him a good bit but Ive learned how to love him through that imperfection. All of the struggles, difficulties  everything. We can love each other.'

Kyle took longer to forgive himself.

'The self forgiveness part is tough. It is a process, it takes a lot of time. For years I had thoughts of "could I ever forgive myself."

'I think someone said to me one time, if you believe in a loving and forgiving God and if God forgives you I said yes. If you believe God can forgive you, why cant you forgive yourself?

'It doesnt mean theres not pain every day. There is a hole there. There is a process. It is not easy at all.'

A grueling investigation

The day after Ben's death was the first time the couple were interviewed by DCF in Connecticut.

Kyle was eventually criminally charged with negligent homicide. He pleaded guilty via an Alford Plea and was given a conditional discharge sentence.

To flee the media circus and gossip in Ridgefield, Lindsey took the girls to Colorado.

But it wasn't without resistance from an 'overinvolved' DCF in Connecticut, which not only investigated Kyle, but also looked into Lindsey after learning from a nurse at hospital where Ben died that she was bipolar.

For the next four months, DCF insisted on weekly meetings with the family including the young girls.

They sought a protective order in court which was turned down. They requested all of Lindsey's medical records, which she refused, and also demanded a forensic sit-down with the girls without either of them present, which they fought.

Kyle was charged with criminally negligent homicide. He pleaded guilty via an Alford plea, which is when a defendant does not agree with the charges, but believes he may lose at trial. He was given a non-custodial sentence

'Its hard to grieve when that part is going on. the grieving was put on hold until all of that process played itself out over how many months that was.

'It seemed like d a lot longer than it was. It felt like years,' recalls Kyle.

'We didnt understand because we knew it was an accident but then me being a lawyer I knew they had to do that.

'But we thought the investigation would be simple  that once police and DCF collaborated on the facts and our background and everything, that itd be simple.

'It wasnt the case,' Lindsey says.

Both acknowledge the need for investigations into families in the event of a child's death.

In their case, however, they say the authorities seemed hell-bent on driving a wedge between them.

'It was such a battle. Kyle's lawyer told me I needed my own in case our interests may divulge.

Kyle with Ben and one of the couple's daughters. He said he eventually learned to forgive himself but that the 'hole' remains

'Just staying with him, instead of taking the girls, [it was ] was negligence.

'And because I was bipolar and refusing to release my medical records, it was as if I was an unfit mother.

'It would have been a lot easier to leave [Kyle]. I was under so much pain and pressure from DCF.. I didnt know how much I could handle.

'It's called defensive social work there is undue pressure on CPS to get everything right because if they dont get it right, the media can come after them, there can be lawsuits etc.

'You sometimes hear about how they got it right  there was abuse, they got the kids out, thank goodness.

'What you dont hear about is the over-involvement where theyre investigating and causing trauma with the family when theres no reason to do so. It's a broken system.

Lindsey Roger Seitz's memoir, The Gift of Ben, is out now

'Many experts have recommended a better legal standard for when DCF needs to go in and investigate to that level. Differentiating between when there is obvious negligence and when you need to keep the kids safe, and other times when you need to let it go.

'And also, there's a need to focus on the family unit, not enough respect for keeping families together.'

The family's case was ultimately referred to CPS in Colorado, which concluded the other girls were not at any risk.

In 2019, Lindsey, Kyle and their daughters moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to be closer to Lindsey's family. The girls are now 17 and 14.

The family now works with car safety advocates and recently successfully lobbied for the Hot Cars Act to be included in the 2021 infrastructure bill. It includes a mandate for car manufacturers to include devices that will remind drivers to check the backseat of their car before they leave.

The pair had hoped to work with a technology company to develop a sensor that would detect if a child is in the back of a car, and alert the adult if so.

The National Safety Council reports that 20 children die in hot car accidents in America every year.

'Every summer theres more families that go through this. Statistically its inevitable.

'Its May now, its sad to think but this month probably next month, there will be a case somewhere.

'We dont know who that family is yet,' Kyle added.
The remains of an 11th century bell tower that was flooded to create a reservoir are now visible in their entirety after dramatic drop in water levels in drought-hit Spain.

Recent photographs of the Sant Salvador de la Vedella Benedictine monastery in Catalonia show how dire the country's drought has become.

Receding waters have exposed the ruins of a church in usually submerged village of Sant Roma de Sau, which was flooded in the 1960s when a nearby dam was built. The church's bell tower is normally the only visible sign of the village.

But now the Sau water reservoir, one the region's main sources of water, has reached record-low levels and is almost completely bare, causing the ancient city to resurface.

It comes the country battles a water shortage amid the 'exceptional' drought levels that have threatened access to drinking water for the about 6 million people in the Barcelona metropolitan area alone.

The remains of an 11th century bell tower (pictured last Thursday) that was flooded to create a reservoir are now visible in their entirety after dramatic drop in water levels in drought-hit Spain

Receding waters have exposed the ruins of a church in usually submerged village of Sant Roma de Sau, which was flooded in the 1960s. The bell tower is pictured in August 2022

Spain has had 36-consecutive months of below-average rainfall and is facing unseasonably high temperatures more typical of summer. Pictured: The Sau reservoir on April 18

Spain has had 36-consecutive months of below-average rainfall and is facing unseasonably high temperatures more typical of summer.

Reservoirs are on average at 50 per cent of their capacity, however, in the northeastern region of Catalonia and the southern region of Andalusia, levels have fallen to approximately 25 per cent.

The Sau water reservoir is now at 6 per cent capacity, according to data from the Catalan Water Agency.

Local government officials have placed restrictions on agricultural and industrial water use in attempt for conservation amid the period of chronic drought.

It is also forbidden to use drinking water to fill swimming pools or wash vehicles.

Authorities in Spain's parched northeast warned that the greater Barcelona area could face even tighter restrictions of water use in the coming months.

Last month, in the Sau reservoir, located 100km north of Barcelona, boats rounded up several tons of fish.

The animals struggled to survive in the low-oxygen waters, so they were euthanised to protect drinking water from contamination.

Photographs of the Sant Salvador de la Vedella Benedictine monastery in Catalonia show how dire the country's drought has become. Pictured: People visit Sau reservoir on April 7

Receding waters have exposed the ruins of a church in usually submerged village of Sant Roma de Sau, which was flooded in the 1960s. Pictured: Fishermen collect fish from the Sau reservoir, near the church, on March 15

The Sau water reservoir is now at 6 per cent capacity, according to data from the Catalan Water Agency. Pictured: An aerial view of Sau reservoir on April 7

Local government officials have placed restrictions on agricultural and industrial water use in attempt for conservation amid the period of chronic drought. Pictured: View of the Sau reservoir on April 18

Pictured: An old boat is photographed half-buried on April 18 after the water level has dropped at the Sau reservoir

Authorities in Spain's parched northeast warned that the greater Barcelona area could face even tighter restrictions of water use in the coming months. Pictured: View of the Sau reservoir on April 18

Pictured: An aerial view of Sau reservoir in conditions of extreme drought in Vilanova de Sau, Spain on April 7

Just last week, Spanish authorities rescued native fish from a river in the northeastern city of Girona that had shrivelled from the prolonged drought.

Officials used small electric shocks to stun fish in the river Onyar before putting them into plastic bags and transferring them to the Ter river 10km (six miles) away, which has significantly higher water levels.

Only fish endemic to the river were transferred, while introduced species were euthanised.

In its annual State of the Climate report, the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service said that in 2022 southern Europe experienced the highest number of days on record with 'very strong heat stress'.

Spain as a whole has warmed 1.3 degrees Celsius since the 1960s .

Pictured: People inspect dry soil at Sau reservoir in conditions of extreme drought in Vilanova de Sau, Spain on April 7

Pictured: A man shows sample of dry soil at Sau reservoir in conditions of extreme drought in Vilanova de Sau, Spain on April 7

Reservoirs are on average at 50 per cent of their capacity, however, in the northeastern region of Catalonia and the southern region of Andalusia, levels have fallen to approximately 25 per cent. Pictured: An aerial view of Sau reservoir on April 7
This is the moment brave tube passengers appear to jump on the tracks to help a woman who fell off of her mobility scooter before she was struck by a train.

A group of men rushed onto the tracks at King's Cross Tube Station in London on Saturday afternoon to help the woman after she fell while an incoming Victoria line train was just minutes away.

Frightened bystanders are heard telling the men to 'take off her shoe' as they try to free her from the tracks.

Paramedics reportedly treated the woman at the scene for head injuries before she was taken to a major trauma centre.

Video shows the moment brave tube passengers appeared to jump on the tracks to help a woman who fell off of her mobility scooter before she was struck by a train

A group of men seemingly rushed onto the tracks at King's Cross Tube Station in London on Saturday afternoon to help the woman after she fell while an incoming Victoria line train was just minutes away

British Transport Police were called to the tube station at 1.42pm on Saturday for reports of a casualty on the tracks, a spokesperson told The Sun.

It is understood that the woman had fallen off her electric scooter while moving down the platform.

Medics rendered aid at the scene before the woman was taken to hospital.

The Victoria line was shut at 1.45pm and the station quickly cleared out. It was later reopened by 3.44pm.

Police said the circumstances surrounding the incident were investigated and are 'not being treated as suspicious'.

British Transport Police told MailOnline: 'Officers were called to Kings Cross Underground Station at around 1.40pm yesterday (29 April) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

'Colleagues from London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service also attended and a woman was taken to hospital for treatment, thankfully her injuries are no longer thought to be life-changing.

'A second person was also taken to hospital for treatment after sustaining an injury coming to her assistance. Thankfully their injuries are not life-changing or life-threatening. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.'

MailOnline have approached London Ambulance Service and Transport for London for comment.
Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewster, 16, have been identified as victims

The bodies were found during a search for two missing teen girls

Seven bodies were discovered Monday in Henryetta, Oklahoma

The bodies of seven people have been uncovered in Oklahoma as officials were searching for two teenage girls who went missing over the weekend.

Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewster, 16, were both found dead inside a home in Henryetta, Oklahoma on Monday alongside the body of Jesse McFadden.

The four other bodies have not been positively identified by the Okmulgee County Sheriff, according to News On 6.

Reports indicate the girls were planning to go swimming with McFadden's stepdaughter Tiffany before they went missing.

McFadden has a criminal history, including convictions of rape and larceny in Pittsburg County in 2004. He is also on the sex offender registry.

Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewster, 16, were both found dead inside a home in Henryetta, Oklahoma on Monday alongside the body of Jesse McFadden

McFadden has a criminal history, including convictions of rape and larceny in Pittsburg County in 2004. He is also on the sex offender registry

At this time, law enforcement declined to identify the other four victims found on the McFadden property.

Local outlets have reported that investigators believe the bodies belong to Holly McFadden - the man's wife - her two sons, and Tiffany.

According to a post made by Ivy's grandmother, the two girls were supposed to be back at their homes by 5pm on Sunday but never made it home.

'Asking for prayers right now!! My daughter called me at 11pm last night letting me know my Granddaughter Ivy Webster ( Cheney) has been missing,' Shannon Boykin wrote.

The grandmother shared photos of the 14-year-old and begged anyone who may have information on her granddaughter's disappearance to come forward.

Boykin wrote that both Ivy and Brittany's phones were going to voicemail.

According to law enforcement, Ivy, Brittany, and Tiffany were supposed to go swimming on a ranch in McAlester - a town 40 miles away - but never arrived.

Fears were heightened after news broke that McFadden was scheduled to appear in court Monday morning on a child porn related charge.

Erin Christy for KJRH reported that she spoke with Ivy's mother who said her daughter's tracking service had been turned off sometime on Sunday.

'She was unaware of McFadden's criminal history. She says it is extremely unlike her to not respond to text messages or calls,' Christy wrote about her talk with Ivy's mom.

The girls were reported missing early Monday morning after not arriving home Sunday

Tiffany McFadden was supposed to go swimming with Ivy and Brittany on Sunday

Fears were heightened after news broke that McFadden was scheduled to appear in court Monday morning on a child porn related charge

A heavy police presence was reported at the scene where the McFaddens reportedly live

This is the home where seven bodies were found in Henryetta, Oklahoma on Monday

Only three of the seven bodies discovered have been positively identified as of Monday night

Late Monday evening, Brittany's father spoke with News On 6 he is devastated by his daughter's death.

'Brittany was an outgoing person. She actually was selected to be Miss Henryetta...coming up in July for this miss national miss pageant in Tulsa,' Nathan Brewer said.

'And now she ain't gonna make it because she's dead. She's gone, he continued.

The matter remains under investigation by Oklahoma officials.
Millions of Australians will be better off in retirement due to superannuation changes announced by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, as Australia's worst performing super funds are revealed.

From July 1, 2026, employers will be required to pay super contributions at the same time as wages, meaning a 25-year-old on a median income would be about $6,000 better off when they retire.

Currently, an employer is only obliged to make superannuation payments every three months.

'This simple change will strengthen Australia's superannuation system and help deliver a more dignified retirement to more Australian workers,' Dr Chalmers said.

The change comes as it's revealed Australians have $10billion of their super invested in poorly performing funds, including with big name firms such as BT Funds Management and Energy Industries Superannuation.

Millions of Australians will be better off in retirement due to superannuation changes announced by the federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers. An office worker is pictured

Dr Chalmers said the government's changes will also help businesses and reduce abuse of the system.

'More frequent super payments will make employers' payroll management smoother with fewer liabilities building up on their books,' he said.

'Payday super will also make it easier for employees to keep track of their payments, and harder for them to be exploited by disreputable employers.'

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority list of worst performing superannuation funds APRA's list includes: OnePath - 33 options Equity Trustees - 30 options BT Retirement Wrap - 4 options Mine Super - 3 options Colonial First State - 3 options Energy Industries Super Scheme - 3 options AvSuper - 1 option MLC Super - 1 option Perpetual - 1 option Rei Super - 1 option Options refer to different types of products, such as cautious or confident investments in cash, shares, bonds and property. The full list of underperforming super options is here Advertisement

In the most recently available figures, the Australian Taxation Office estimated $3.4billion of super went unpaid in the 2019-20 financial year.

When the changes come in, the ATO will get extra resources to track down and recover unpaid super.

Industry Super Australia (ISA), which has campaigned for payday super payments for years, claimed underpaid superannuation has cost workers $33billion in the past seven years alone.

ISA chief executive Bernie Dean welcomed the changes, saying they would help ensure workers did not miss out on the payments they were owed.

The latest change to the superannuation system follows the Albanese government cutting the tax concession on earnings from super balances in excess of $3million.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) also welcomed the government's announcement.

'Requiring employers to pay SG (Superannuation Guarantee) at the same time as wages will make it easier for employees to monitor the SG compliance of their employer and for the ATO to compare superannuation payments with wage payments,' said ASFA deputy CEO Glen McCrea.

'It will limit build-up of SG liabilities and hold employers to account.'

Xavier OHalloran, director of Super Consumers Australia, said 'Not paying super on time can lead to real consumer harm.

'Currently, people miss out on months of investment returns and risk missing life insurance premiums when they fall due ...

'This will allow the ATO to take timely action to remind employers who have made a genuine mistake to pay, and take more serious action against employers who are engaging in wage theft.'

Meanwhile, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has revealed one in five 'choice' super products significantly underperformed its benchmarks.

'While the data shows some improvement in the performance of choice accumulation products, the fact remains that there are still far too many products delivering sub-standard investment returns,' APRA deputy chair Margaret Cole said.

A choice accumulation product is one an employee picks for their employer to direct superannuation payment towards, rather than the employer opting into on the employee's behalf.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said 'This simple change will strengthen Australia's superannuation system and help deliver a more dignified retirement to more Australian workers'

The regulator found that super products closed to new members were more likely to underperform.

Two-thirds of those products had 'poor or significantly poor performance' compared to the benchmarks - 28 per cent underperformed by up to 0.5 per cent, and 39 per cent by 0.5 per cent or more.

Their fees were also higher, with members paying $225 for the average annual administration fee based on a $50,000 account balance.

From July 1, 2026, employers will have to pay super contributions at the same time as wages, meaning a 25-year-old on a median income will be around $6,000 better off when they retire. A female tradie is pictured

The comparable fee is $149 for open choice products and $137 for MySuper products.

Cole urged members to shop around for better performing funds.

APRA named 80 super options - different types of products, such as cautious or confident investments in cash, shares, bonds and property - that 'significantly underperformed' its benchmarks by more than 0.5 per cent per annum, on average, over eight years.

This included products provided by BT Funds Management, Energy Industries Superannuation, OnePath, Equity Trustees, Colonial First State and MLC Super.
The girl's father, Amar, says they were denied entry as her mother had no visa

Samrin Idris and her mother Amina are stuck in the coastal city of Port Sudan

A three-year-old British girl and her mother are trapped in Sudan after UK diplomats refused to evacuate them, her father has said.

Samrin Idris and her 41-year-old mother Amina are stuck in limbo in coastal city of Port Sudan after fleeing fierce clashes between armed forces in Khartoum.

The pair fled Sudanese capital in a bid to get on the last evacuation flights out of the country to the UK on Monday - but were forced to leave behind Samrin's passport in the process.

Her father Amar, says they weren't allowed to board the flight with British officials allegedly telling Amina, who is a Sudanese passport holder, she couldn't come as she didn't have a visa.

It comes as British diplomats, aided by soldiers, evacuated more than 2,000 British citizens in a number of days amid an uneasy ceasefire between warring factions in the country.

Samrin Idris and her mother Amina are stuck in Sudan after British officials refused to let them board an evacuation plane, her father says

One soldier from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment cuddled a toddler before the final flight from Wadi Saeedna airbase in Khartoum on Saturday

In touching scenes, an army medic entertained a baby by raising them in the air at Wadi Saeedna airbase in Khartoum

However, Samrin and her mother were not on any of the aircraft leaving the north African country after being denied access.

Speaking to The Times from his home in Brighton, Amar said: 'This morning they [British diplomats] said they would take the child on the flight by herself.

READ MORE HERE: Moment marines fold the flag at the US embassy in war-torn Khartoum before 100 elite troops evacuated diplomatic staff while 16,000 desperate American citizens are left Sudan and two have died Advertisement

'Then they came back and said they couldn't take the child without her mother. They changed their mind.'

Amina donated a kidney to a relative last year and her health is rapidly deteriorating, the family say, with Samrin's aunt Roza Mohamed saying she has 'begged' the Foreign Office to take her.

The Foreign Office did not respond to a request for comment from The Times.

A UK Government spokesperson declined to comment on the individual case, but said: 'The UK has carried out by far the longest and largest evacuation of any Western country from Sudan, bringing 2,341 people out in under one week.

'It has always been the case that the evacuation has been open to British nationals and their eligible family members, with a later exemption for NHS clinicians.

'Preventing a humanitarian emergency in Sudan is our focus right now. Alongside the UK evacuation effort, we are working with international partners and the United Nations to bring an end to fighting.'

It is understood Border Force officials working alongside FCDO on the ground were empowered to make decisions on individual family cases in line with criteria agreed by ministers, with exceptional cases referred back to teams in the UK as needed, including to ministers.

The last British evacuation flights to leave the country departed from Port Sudan on Monday evening, with the UK government saying Royal Navy warship HMS Lancaster will remain in the Red Sea to support any further evacuation efforts.

Two flights organised by the Royal Air Force (RAF) were expected to land in Cyprus late on Monday.

The evacuees, which include Sudanese doctors working for the NHS, were then expected be transported to the UK within 48 hours of landing at the Larnaca airbase, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.

According to UK Government figures, as of Monday at 5.30pm, the number of people repatriated from the war-torn African nation by Britain's armed forces stood at 2,197.

The number of people who were on the last rescue flights, which left from Port Sudan, more than 500 miles east of the capital Khartoum, is expected to be announced by the Foreign Office on Tuesday.

Heartwarming photographs showed British soldiers helping exhausted families board some of the UK's final evacuation flights from Sudan as gun battles and explosions erupted in the war-torn country.

In touching scenes, an army medic entertained a baby by raising them in the air while another stuck her tongue out at a young boy being carried by his mother - all in an effort to distract them from the sounds of gunfire around them.

One soldier from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment cuddled a toddler while other soldiers helped carry the luggage of exhausted families across the tarmac before they boarded the final UK flight from Khartoum.

Pictured: Smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, on Monday

Pictured: Military personnel and the last evacuees boarding a RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus, during the final days of evacuations, at Wadi Seidna Air Base, in Sudan, on Saturday

Soldier from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is pictured smiling with Sudanese locals

Officials said the UK's focus would turn to the diplomatic and humanitarian response to the bloody conflict caused by a violent rivalry between two generals.

A fragile three-day ceasefire was holding together despite opposing troops clashing in Khartoum on Monday.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 'With thanks to the extraordinary efforts of staff and military, the UK has brought 2,197 people to safety from Sudan so far - the largest airlift by any Western nation.

'As the focus turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, we will continue to do all we can to press for a long-term ceasefire and an immediate end to the violence in Sudan.'

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'Yet again the men and women of our armed forces have led the way.

'In one week, the RAF have flown more than 20 flights, deployed over a thousand personnel, evacuated over 2,000 civilians and helped citizens from more than 20 countries to get home.

'HMS Lancaster will remain at Port Sudan and her crew will continue to help provide support.'

A British soldier sticks her tongue out at a young boy being carried by his mother before the family boarded the final British flight from Khartoum

The last evacuees and military personnel board an RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus from Wadi Seidna Air Base in Sudan on Saturday

In addition to British nationals, the UK helped evacuate 1,087 people from other nations, including the US, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Australia.

Following the final RAF repatriation flights, the FCDO said a UK team will continue to be based at Port Sudan to provide consular assistance, including to British nationals leaving by commercial routes.

There is hope in the West that an internationally-brokered ceasefire could be reached to quell the fighting.

The United Nations said the rival generals, Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed to send representatives to the negotiation table in a bid to establish a more stable truce.

Generals Burhan and Dagalo, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudan's fraught transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.

The Foreign Office previously urged all Brits still in Sudan to travel to Port Sudan by 12pm local time (11am GMT) on Monday in order to board the final evacuation flight and escape the deadly violence that has killed 528 people so far.

So far 2,122 Britons - many of them young children - have been evacuated from Sudan on 23 flights after somehow surviving the nightmarish journey through the violent streets of Khartoum to reach the Wadi Saeedna airbase near the capital.

Britons described seeing thieves and killers roaming the streets of the capital, with the corpses of civilians killed in the fighting between warring factions littering the ground in scenes that have been compared to the horror film The Purge.

Pictured: British Citizens from Sudan waiting at Wadi Seidna airport in Khartoum, Sudan ahead of boarding an RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus on Saturday

UK military personnel gather before boarding an RAF aircraft at the Wadi Seidna Air Base in Sudan

British nationals prepare for check regulations for evacuation at a hotel at the port, in Port Sudan

The British Government agreed to include terrified NHS doctors without UK passports on its final journeys amid criticism over the scope of its eligibility criteria for evacuation.

Last week, NHS doctors queued for hours at the airfield in Khartoum after risking their lives to reach the RAF planes - only to be turned away by British officials at the evacuation site because they did not hold British passports.

Flights had previously been limited to British nationals and their immediate family.

For those left behind in Sudan, face an uncertain future.

Millions trapped in the capital and beyond have sheltered in their homes with dwindling food and water and frequent power cuts, as fighter jets thundering through the sky on bombing raids have drawn heavy anti-aircraft fire.

'Warplanes are flying over southern Khartoum and anti-aircraft guns are firing at them,' said one resident, while another witness said he was also hearing 'loud gunfire'.

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, have agreed multiple, poorly observed ceasefires and extended the latest by 72 hours late on Sunday, with each side repeatedly blaming the other for the frequent violations.

British nationals prepare for check regulations for evacuation at a hotel at the port in Port Sudan

Pictured: A family board an RAF Plane bound for Cyprusduring the evacuation from Wadi Seidna Air Base in Sudan on Saturday

While foreign nations including the UK have evacuated thousands of their citizens by air, road and sea, some 50,000 Sudanese have fled overland to neighbours, said the UN.

Sudan's turmoil has seen aid workers killed, hospital bombed, humanitarian facilities looted, and foreign aid groups forced to suspend most of their operations.

'The scale and speed of what is unfolding is unprecedented in Sudan,' said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres. 'We are extremely concerned by the immediate as well as long-term impact on all people in Sudan, and the broader region.'

Top UN humanitarian official Martin Griffiths was heading to the region to help bring relief to the millions 'whose lives have turned upside down overnight'.

'The humanitarian situation is reaching breaking point,' Dujarric said.

At least 528 people have been killed and almost 4,600 wounded in the violence, according to Sudan's health ministry, but the real death toll is feared to be far higher.

Fighting has spread across Sudan, including to the long-troubled Darfur region.

The UN said at least 96 people were reported killed in El Geneina, West Darfur, where supplies were seen strewn across the floors of badly damaged hospitals.

Daglo's RSF emerged from the notorious Janjaweed that were unleashed in a scorched-earth campaign in Darfur from 2003 by former strongman Omar al-Bashir, who faces charges of war crimes and genocide.

The RSF include fighters who have seen battle in Yemen where they were sent to back a Saudi-led campaign supporting the government against Huthi rebels.

Pictured: Military personnel boarding a RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus, during the final days of evacuations, at Wadi Seidna Air Base, in Sudan

Pictured: Military personnel boarding a RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus, during the final days of evacuations, at Wadi Seidna Air Base, in Sudan

Pictured: Military personnel onboard a RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus, during the final days of evacuations, at Wadi Seidna Air Base, in Sudan

Pictured: British soldiers stand at the Wadi Saeedna Air Base in Khartoum during the final evacuation flights

Pictured: Evacuees and military personnel at Wadi Seidna airport in Khartoum, Sudan waiting to board an RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus on Sunday

Further complicating Sudan's battlefield situation, Central Reserve Police were being deployed on the side of the army across Khartoum to 'protect citizens' properties' from looting.

The UN has warned the unrest could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 16 million people already needed aid to stave off famine.

Only 16 percent of Khartoum's health facilities are functioning, says the UN World Health Organisation.

The fighting was pushing Sudan's already ailing health sector toward 'disaster', warned the WHO's regional director for the eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed al-Mandhari.

He warned of the growing threat of cholera, malaria and other diseases as the rainy season nears and safe water supplies are becoming scarce.

A first Red Cross plane on Sunday took eight tonnes of medical supplies from Jordan to Port Sudan, which has served as an evacuation hub.

The UN World Food Programme has resumed activities in Sudan after over two weeks of suspension following the deaths of three of its aid workers.

Regional powers have joined negotiations to help end the violence.

An envoy of Burhan's met on Sunday in Riyadh with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who called for the restoration of calm in Sudan.

Egypt, in an Arab League emergency meeting in Cairo, proposed a draft resolution Monday that called for an 'immediate and comprehensive cessation' of fighting.
A judge has used the phrase 'her penis' in handing down a judgement in the case of a convicted child sex offender who was born male but identifies as a woman.

Kahdir Kamoun exposed the penis to a boy, 14, at a Centro shopping centre in Bankstown, south-west Sydney, on 18 February 2021, leading Kamoun to be convicted for intentionally carrying out a sexual act towards a child aged under 16.

In a published judgment upholding Kamoun's two year jail sentence, Judge Alister Adadee interchangeably describes the predator as 'she' and 'her' but also 'he', him' and 'himself'. The judge also refers to 'her penis'.

2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham criticised the written record of Judge Abadee's April 23 decision for its 'confusing' language.

The controversial judgement was written by Justice Alister Abadee. Pictured, he was congratulated by the NSW Law Society when he was sworn in as a district court judge in 2019

Ben Fordham has blasted the language of a landmark court judgement in the case of convicted sex offender, who was born male but identifies as a woman, as 'a puzzle with pronouns'

At several points the judgement switches between different gender pronouns to describe Kamoun, who is incarcerated in an all-male prison.

At the same time, the judge avoided gender neutral pronouns, such as they or them,

What crime did Kahdir Kamoun commit? In October 2022, Kahdir Kamoun pleaded guilty to charges relating to an incident on 18 February 2021, between 7:30pm and 8:00pm at Bankstown Centro Shopping Centre. According to the judgement Kamoun exposed 'her penis' in front of the victim, who was drying his hands at a washbasin after using the toilet. Kamoun then 'grabbed' the victim's hand and moved it towards her. The victim fled and informed a family member before police were called. Kamoun was charged with intentionally inciting a child aged under 16 years of age to sexually touch a person. Kamoun was sentenced to two years jailed in December 2022 and on appeal that sentence was upheld on April 23. Advertisement

'Get a load of this bit and I quote... 'The victim saw the offender's pants partially down and the her penis was exposed'. Her penis?' Fordham asked.

'They're two words you don't often see side by side. Twice in the judgement we read about 'her penis'.'

The judgement also referred to Kamoun continuing to 'masturbate her exposed penis' during the attack.

Fordham said he was happy to respect people's pronouns, but slammed the District Court for being unable to 'make up its mind'.

'I cannot understand why we need to suspend biological reality in an official judgement about a child sex offender,' Fordham said.

'A child had his safety shattered by a grub who targeted him in a shopping centre bathroom. Courts are supposed to deal in facts.

'The law is meant to be black and white, so when dealing with this sex offender why did the NSW District Court create a puzzle with pronouns?'

Judge Abadee's judgement upheld the 22 December 2022 decision in Bankstown Court in which Magistrate Walsh sentenced Kamoun to two year in jail.

Criminal lawyer Sam Macedone described Judge Abadee's judgement as 'pretty hard to read'.

'You wonder why we're switching from one sex to another when maybe the judge should have been using neutral terms like 'the offender',' he said.

Kahdir Kamoun was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison over the incident, in which she exposed herself to the boy in Bankstown's Centro shopping centre toilets in February 2021

Fordham suggested that even using the the gramatically confusing term 'they' for an individual would have been less strange than calling Kamoun both 'he' and 'her'.

Because of 'other unrelated offences', Fordham said Kamoun will spend just under four years in jail.

A former Sydney University lecturer and an experienced barrister, Mr Adadee was sworn in as a District Court judge in February 2019.

Daily Mail Australia approached Judge Adadee's chambers for comment.
An Arizona mother-of-two is lucky to be alive after she and her two daughters were attacked by killer bees during a family photoshoot.

The Arizona Fire and Medical Authority said that the unnamed mother rushed her children into a nearby car when they were swarmed by the bees in Buckeye Valley, and took 'the brunt of the stings' as a result.

Her 'quick thinking' saved the children from being stung, the AFMA said in a Facebook post on Monday, but the woman suffered more than 75 bee stings and had to be transported to a local hospital in the aftermath.

She has since recovered, and has been discharged from the facility.

Video from the scene shows crews spraying foam over an SUV while a firefighter rushes to carry one of the girls out of the car.

An Arizona mother-of-two had to be transported to a local hospital after she was stung by bees 75 times while trying to take a family photoshoot. Emergency crews are seen here spraying foam over an SUV, where she protected her kids

A firefighter could be seen in footage posted by The Arizona Fire and Medical Authority rescuing one of her daughters from the car

AFMA also released the 911 call made by the girls' grandmother, who reported the attack to a dispatcher in Phoenix.

'Please hurry, please hurry,' she said. 'My daughter can't get in the car. She's being attacked by bees.'

She later notes that her 'granddaughters are with her' but she does not think they were attacked, as she once again urges 'please send some help.'

When crews arrived, AFMA said, they used foam 'to calm the bees' before recuing the kids from the car.

Aaron Lorti, the owner of AZ Bee Kings, said killer bees are particularly active at this time of year.

'Around this time of year, they're pollinating, picking new places, they are swarming,' he told FOX 10 Phoenix. 'You can get anywhere from 10 to 20 calls a day.'

He noted that the bees are 'very, very aggressive, very territorial, and if you mess with them, they will try to kill you.'

When crews arrived, AFMA said, they used foam 'to calm the bees' before recuing the kids from the car

Just one sting leaves, Lorti said, leaves pheromones to signal other to attack.

'Once one stings you and you try to run away, the whole hive will try to go after you,' he said, adding: 'You do not want to mess with these types of bees by yourself.'

If you are unlucky enough to be attacked by killer bees, the AFMA suggests you run in a straight line, cover your face and seek shelter.

But victims of bee attacks should not attempt to enter a body of water, because 'the bees will wait for you to come up for air,' according to the University of Arizona.

It suggests that victims also do not try to fight off the bees either, saying: 'The more you flail your arms, the madder they will get.'
A US Marine veteran was killed in Ukraine while evacuating civilians from the war-ridden city of Bakhmut last month.

Cooper 'Harris' Andrews, 26, died on the outskirts of the city when a mortar plummeted into him around April 19, his mother told CNN.

The embattled mining city has been bombarded by Russian troops attempting to take over - as Ukrainian soldiers attempt to keep Bakhmut under their reigns.

Bakhut leads into an access road known as the 'road of life' because it is the only way Kyiv's frontline troops can replenish their food and ammunition supplies while evacuating the critically injured to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar.

Andrews, who is from Ohio, was helping civilians escape Bakhut when he was struck. His body hasn't been recovered as the ongoing battle continues in the Eastern city.

Cooper 'Harris' Andrews, 26, died on the outskirts of the city when a mortar plummeted into him around April 19

He was evacuating evacuating civilians from the war-ridden city of Bakhmut last month when he was hit. Pictured: Bakhmut, Ukraine on May 1

The marine vet was in war-torn country working with the Foreign Legion, a group dedicated to helping Ukrainian troops. He shipped out in November and was supposed to return home earlier this year.

Despite his contract ending with the group in March, Andrews decided to stay behind, his mom told the news outlet.

The 26-year-old served in the US Marines as a ground electronics transmission systems maintainer from 2017 to 2022, according to Task and Purpose.

He had earned several rewards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

The soldier also worked for the Resistance Committee - anti-authoritarian initiative.

Despite several confirmations, the US Department of State declined identifying Andrews as the solider who died last month.

'We are in touch with the family and providing all possible consular assistance,' a spokesperson told the news outlet. 'Out of respect for the familys privacy during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.'

Andrews, who is from Ohio, was helping civilians escape Bakhut when he was struck. His body hasn't been recovered as the ongoing battle continues in the Eastern city

The marine vet was in war-torn country working with the Foreign Legion, a group dedicated to helping Ukrainian troops

Despite his contract ending with the group in March, Andrews decided to stay behind to help Ukraine civilians. Pictured: the Donetsk region

The embattled mining city has been bombarded by Russian troops attempting to take over - as Ukrainian soldiers attempt to keep Bakhmut under their reigns. Pictured: Ukrainian servicemen near the frontline of Bakhmut

Bakhut leads into an access road known as the 'road of life' because it is the only way Kyiv's frontline troops can replenish their food and ammunition supplies while evacuating the critically injured to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar

Andrews was described by his former colleagues as 'goofy' and 'a great marine' who was passionate about helping others

Andrews was described by his former colleagues as 'goofy' and 'a great marine' who was passionate about helping others.

'Cooper was always so goofy, he was also passionate and dedicated to his duties,' Zach Deck, a former Marine sergeant, told the news outlet.

Deck got to know Cooper after serving closely with him from 2018 to 2021.

'He was super passionate about helping people he believed to be oppressed, or anyone for that matter.

'I miss him amongst the others. Its safe to say he made my life better and I cant wait to hopefully see him again one day.'

In a series of tweets posted by journalist Jake Hanrahan, Andrews was seen smiling with his friends and geared up in his military uniform.

One of Andrew's last messages to an unidentified friend showed a photo of him with a sledgehammer and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

'If I am martyred, remember me with my hammer,' he wrote in the text.

To which his friend responded, 'Your hammer will live on forever.'

'Putin's regime must die by any means necessary,' Andrews responded. 'Humanity's hope lie's I'm Kharkov, the city must survive.'
The immediate future of MasterChef Australia will ultimately be decided by Jock Zonfrillo's wife, Channel 10 sources say.

The 46-year-old star chef was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room at 2am on Monday, just hours before he was due to begin promotional duties for the show.

Filming for the 15th season of MasterChef had wrapped up several weeks ago and the show was set to launch on Monday night fresh off the success of Sunday's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here finale.

The immediate future of MasterChef Australia will ultimately be decided by Jock Zonfrillo's wife, a Channel 10 sources say.

Network Ten in talks about whether to hold the entire series in light ofJock Zonfrillo's tragic death

The series is now in limbo as network bosses and sponsors - including major stakeholder Coles - consider if and how to proceed in light of Zonfrillo's death just hours before the show's first episode.

Ten has already announced MasterChef will not air until at least Monday, May 8.

However, sources close to the production say a number of options are being considered, one of which is the show - arguably Ten's annual centrepiece with a production price tag of $30million - be held or even shelved indefinitely.

It's understood the call will lay with Zonfrillo's family, specifically his wife Lauren Fried, with the network and show's big sponsors determined to respect whatever direction they choose to go.

It's understood the call will lay with Zonfrillo's family, specifically his wife Lauren Fried (pictured with their two children)

'It will really come down to Jock's family and what they feel he would have wanted,' the Ten insider told Daily Mail Australia.

'Commercially, and in terms of timing, this is a disaster. It is simply diabolical.'

'But not even a major TV network would be ghoulish enough to put anything other than the wishes of Jock's family first and foremost.

'Ultimately, it will be about whether or not they think he would have wanted the show to go on and if it's too soon, it's too soon. There will be a contingency plan whatever decision is made.'

'It will really come down to Jock's family and what they feel he would have wanted,' the Ten insider tells Daily Mail Australia.

A major possibility is Ten opts to hold this current season until 2024 and air an alternative in its place.

However, network sources say there is little else that could compare to MasterChef, in terms of premium quality product, that would be available to screen.

'MasterChef is Ten's tentpole. In terms of costings, it's the same as Married At First Sight for Nine or A Farmer Wants A Wife for Seven,' the source said.

'It is by far Ten's biggest investment so there's really nothing else that could run in its place.'

MasterChef is also unique in its reliance on corporate sponsorship, with a number of major brands investing heavily in the show.

MasterChef hosts Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Zonfrillo appearing at the 2022 AACTA Awards

'(MasterChef) is by far Ten's biggest investment so there's really nothing else that could run in its place.'

Coles, for example, accounts for about $6million of the show's production budget.

Harvey Norman, Somat, Bulla, L'Or Espresso, Primo Small Goods and HCF Australia are other big names who advertise heavily..

'The network is in an awful position. This is a devastatingly unique situation and navigating it must be unthinkable for everyone involved,' says a source.

A tribute to Zonfrillo is also in understood to be in production, with plans to air it in the coming days, however a Ten spokesperson declined to elaborate.

Zonfrillo's shock passing is not being treated as suspicious by Melbourne police, with the Scottish-born father-of-four found alone and unresponsive in a hotel on Lygon St, Carlton.

'With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,' his family said in a statement.

'So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words.

'For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.'

Zonfrillo's shock passing is not being treated as suspicious by Melbourne police, with the Scottish-born father-of-four found alone and unresponsive in a hotel on Lygon St

Ten boss Beverley McGarvey said in a statement: 'This is a terribly sad day for Jocks family and friends, his Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia colleagues.'

They continued: 'We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.'

Ten boss Beverley McGarvey said in a statement: 'This is a terribly sad day for Jocks family and friends, his Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia colleagues and for MasterChef fans around Australia and the world.

'Jock was an extraordinary man. He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and we feel very privileged to have had him play such an important and impactful role in MasterChef. Despite all his notable professional milestones, nothing brought him more joy or happiness than his family. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.'

Peter Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine Australia, said: 'We are shocked and extremely saddened by the news of Jocks passing. Jock was an incredible talent, not just as a renowned chef, but as someone who could bring joy into the homes of people in Australia and around the world in his role as judge on MasterChef Australia.'
Union boss says nothing has happened yet

Thousands of healthcare workers briefly walked off the job as part of a weeklong protest to pressure Labor on delivering a key election promise.

Nurses and healthcare staff will walk out for one hour per day from hospitals along NSW's North Coast with the strike beginning on Tuesday and ending on Thursday.

NSW premier Chris Minns had promised during the election campaign in March to scrap the three per cent cap on public sector wages.

Health Services Union boss Gerard Hayes (pictured) is pressuring NSW Premier Chris Minns to begin delivering on his pre-election promises

Minns said in the runup to the state election that his government would eliminate the price cap for wages in the health sector, but has yet to begin negotiations

Tweed Hospital was the first facility to launch the protest with staff walking off the job for an hour at 10am.

Lismore staff will do the same at midday on Wednesday while Coffs Harbour workers will walk out at 2pm on Thursday.

Health Services Union boss Gerard Hayes has promised the strikes will 'keep growing and growing' if premier Chris Minns and his government don't keep their promise.

Mr Hayes said his union delivered during the election by throwing its support behind the Labor leader, but now it's time for Mr Minns to deliver.

'The message is very clear  our members supported Labor. They supported a vision for the future,' Mr Hayes told The Daily Telegraph.

'But at the moment they're not seeing anything and it's looking like the status quo  we're not about the 'hurry up and wait','

'This is the starting point - we'll go right across the state, we'll just keep building and building - We're not going to take second best.'

Mr Hayes said he would not allow the premier to treat healthcare workers as 'second-class' citizens claiming the premier had provided no timeline for negotiating wages.

He slammed Mr Minns for remaining silent on the topic more than a month since he was elected to the top job on March 25.

Separate negotiations are expected regarding salary packaging conditions for key workers in NSW.

Now, a three-day strike has begun along the NSW's North coast with hospital staff walking out for an hour an day in what will be his first major test as Premier

Minss' predecessor, Dominic Perrottet, suffered through numerous industrial actions in 2022, which unions dubbed: 'the year of the strike'

The HSU represents hospital workers such as cleaners, administrative and other support staff.

The union said employees are frustrated with the lagging wage negotiations.

Mr Hayes said the suppression of wages has led to a crisis in attracting and retaining health staff.

'There are more than 12,000 vacancies in NSW Health, and there is no time to waste in lifting wages and conditions so that we attract and retain the health workers our state needs,' Mr Hayes said.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the strikes were caused by the government's failure to implement a clear wages policy.

'This is a problem that the government has created itself,' he said.

'This is what happens when you don't have a clear direction and a clear policy.

Mr Minns said on Tuesday discussions were already under way to address the election promise.

'The government has in the past few weeks entered into detailed negotiations and consultations with a whole range of unions representing the over 400,000 that work for the NSW public sector,' he said.

'So, we've been actively engaged, we believe, with the union movement in NSW but there are big issues to solve and I can't promise they'll be solved overnight.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Minn's office and HSU for comment.
A tenant has found a raft of 'appalling' things wrong with the new property she just moved into but admitted she was reluctant to complain after struggling to secure a place to live.

The woman said she found cracked tiles, broken blinds, 'wonky' cupboards and overgrown grass when she recently took over the property's lease in Victoria.

It comes after some tenants have resorted to sharing rooms, staying in hostels or pitching tents in living rooms amid Australia's worsening rental crisis.

The renter who came across the issues in the new lease took to social media posting a photo of the long grass - asking if she should contact the real estate about it.

'There's just a few things that need attention,' she said about the home.

'Like the blinds are a little broken, the curtain rods [too], wonky cupboard doors, cracked tiles.'

She said she found cracked tiles, broken blinds, 'wonky' cupboards and overgrown grass (pictured) when she recently took over the property's lease in Victoria

It comes after some renters have resorted to sharing rooms, staying in hostels or pitching tents in living rooms amid Australia's worsening rental crisis

The resident added she was 'totally happy' to mow the lawn throughout her time there but felt it was unfair the yard was in such a bad state on her arrival.

Renters responding to the social media post.

'With the way renting is at the moment, I'd just mow it myself,' one online user said.

'I'd rather not draw attention to myself where the landlord is concerned. I go into it hoping that if I leave them alone, they'll leave me alone,' another wrote.

The responses reveal how unwilling tenants are to rock the boat with real estate agencies or landlords - with some forgoing their rights to bring up issues.

One man who scored a rental in Orange, NSW took issue with the real estate agent last month after finding the home in a 'disgusting' condition.

The renter turned up to find the place scattered with rubbish, overflowing bins, long grass and dirty kitchen interiors.

But he claimed he was given the response 'see me in tribunal' after complaining.

The NSW Residential Tenancy Act states that a landlord has to provide their premises 'in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit for habitation by the tenant'.

But the uncertainty of facing a tribunal or possibly getting a bad rental record over a dispute can keep renters at bay.

Rent prices in Sydney have risen 25.2 per cent in the last 12 months, by 21.9 per cent in Melbourne, 20.8 per cent in Brisbane and 16.3 per cent in Perth, SQM research from last month said.

Tenants' Union of NSW CEO Leo Patterson-Ross said the Government needs to step in to create more housing and establish an independent body to ensure accommodation is up to standard.

The NSW Residential Tenancy Act said a landlord has to provide their premises 'in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit for habitation by the tenant' (pictured, a recent TikTok image of renters lining up to view a property)

Rent prices in Sydney have risen 25.2 per cent in the last 12 months, by 21.9 per cent in Melbourne, 20.8 per cent in Brisbane and 16.3 per cent in Perth, SQM research from last month said.

'We just do not have enough homes for everyone in Australia,' he said.

Labor's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which would finance the construction of 30,000 social and affordable rental homes over five years, was recently rejected by the Senate crossbench.

The Greens withheld their vote, arguing it didn't go far enough to alleviate soaring rents and the party is pushing for a national rent freeze.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last March a national rent freeze was impossible, branding the idea as 'pixie dust'.
Andrew O'Keefe will battle allegations that he drove with methamphetamine in his system, questioning the reliability of saliva testing, a court has been told.

The former Deal or No Deal host on Tuesday returned to court where he entered a not guilty plea after allegedly failing a roadside breath test earlier this year.

The 51-year-old was driving his grey Mercedes C200 through Point Piper, in Sydney's inner east, when he was stopped by police on January 20.

Andrew O'Keefe will battle allegations that he drove with methamphetamine in his system, questioning the reliability of saliva testing, a court has been told

He underwent a random roadside breath test just after midnight that returned a positive result for methamphetamine, police allege.

The former television presenter was subsequently taken to Waverley Police Station for a secondary oral fluid test and his driver's licence was suspended.

He was arrested at his home last month and was charged with driving a vehicle with an illicit drug present in blood and breaching his bail conditions.

Mr O'Keefe appeared inside Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday as his solicitor Sharon Ramsden entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

He will now contest the matter at a hearing later this year, with Ms Ramsden telling the court: 'The analysis is in issue.'

Outside court on Tuesday, Mr O'Keefe said he was looking forward to testing the allegations during a hearing in December.

'There are certain things that might affect the credibility of a saliva test or urine test,' Mr O'Keefe said when asked what he hoped might come out of the hearing.

Pressed on his concerns about the testing, he said: 'My particular reaction to the testing.'

O'Keefe appeared inside Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday as his solicitor Sharon Ramsden entered a not guilty plea on his behalf

The Vaucluse resident was last month initially refused bail before being given conditional release after appearing in court the following day.

He was granted bail on the condition that he undergo drug and alcohol testing, not take alcohol or non-prescription drugs and undergo treatment by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

In February this year unrelated charges relating to allegations that Mr O'Keefe had choked a woman without her consent were dropped.

He is also due to face court in November when he will contest a string of unrelated charges, including two counts of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of possessing a prohibited drug and two counts of contravening an AVO.
Sales of Bud Light beer are down by over a quarter, year on year, after the disastrous partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

The beer brand presented Mulvaney with personalized cans showing her face, which she promoted on April 1.

Fans of the beer erupted in fury. A boycott was declared, Kid Rock used Bud Light cans as target practice, and $5 billion was wiped off the value of the brand. Two senior marketing executives have taken leave of absence amid the fiasco.

On Sunday, Beer Business Daily reported that the beer's off-premise sales volume - meaning the amount of beer sold outside of restaurants and bars - had fallen by 26.1 percent from a year earlier in the week ended April 22.

Sales were down 21.1 percent in the prior week. While competitors, Coors Light and Miller Lite, saw consumers turning to their brands as both have had an increase in sales.

So far this year, Bud Light volumes are down 8 percent.

Bud Light sales outside of restaurants and bars are down 26 percent year on year, for the week of April 22

'The shocking deterioration of Bud Light Blue's market share continued apace through the third week of April  and actually somehow worsened.

'We've never seen such a dramatic shift in national share in such a short period of time,' Beer Business Daily wrote on its website.

Coors Light's volume was up 13.3 percent for the same time period, and Miller Lite rose 13.6 percent.

Last week senior executives at parent company Anheuser-Busch held a closed-door meeting with distributors in Washington, DC, where they laid out future plans - and promised to 'spend heavily' on Bud Light to salvage its public image, according to reports.

Benj Steinman, editor of Beer Marketer's Insights, said that spending on the brand 'fell off a cliff last year,' but Anheuser-Busch leaders are promising to rectify the situation, New York Post reported.

Mulvaney, 26, announced the partnership in a series of videos posted to social media at the start of April

Mulvaney was sent a personalized beer can to mark 365 days since she transitioned. Mulvaney documented her journey on TikTok and gained millions of online followers

Some of Bud Light's biggest rivals have seen an increase in sales after the backlash

On top of the marketing blitz, executives working for Bud Light will also go through a more rigorous screening process, according to one Northeast-based beer distributor who spoke to The New York Post.

'There will be an improved screening process before any marketing hits the public. Executives will have to go through a more rigorous screening process,' Bud Light execs said during Zoom meetings this month.

Last month, Donald Trump Jr called for an end to the boycott of Bud Light, in a video posted on his Rumble channel.

During his message, Trump Jr emphasized the brewer's conservative credentials and said it was wrong to 'blame the whole company for the inaction or the stupidity of someone in a marketing campaign that got woke as hell.'

Trump Jr said he had researched Anheuser-Busch and saw they mainly donated to Republicans, and said his fellow conservatives sometimes had 'the tendency of  shooting first and aiming second.'

In the video, the former president's son pointed to Anheuser-Busch's support of Republicans including Ohio Senator JD Vance and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

Donald Trump Jr on Thursday said he felt the Bud Light boycott should end

Dylan Mulvaney made the announcement of the partnership herself on Instagram, on April 1

Trump Jr. said that the decision to partner with Mulvaney was reportedly made by a low-level marketing employee, rather than the senior executives.

'We looked into the political giving and lobbying history of Anheuser-Busch. And guess what? They actually support Republicans,' said Trump Jr.

'Last cycle their employees and their PAC gave about 60 percent to Republicans and 40 percent to Democrats. That's literally almost unheard of in corporate America, where it's really easy to go woke, where they do so constantly, where there's a consequence to actually being a conservative. So 60 / 40 to the conservative side is kind of a big deal.'

The 45-year-old said he also respected the St Louis-based beer company's corporate approach.

'On the lobbying front, we looked into the bills that Anheuser-Busch was working on,' he said.

'You know what they're focused on, guys? They've focused on taxes and trade things that actually impact their business. They haven't done any lobbying for like the random pet issues of the day and the nonsense and the BLM crap  I didn't find that  they focused on the things that affect their job.'

The CEO, Brendan Whitworth, is a former Marine and CIA agent who has been registered as a Republican for most of his adult life.

Brendan Whitworth, 46, has been the CEO of Anheuser-Busch since July 2021. His company is now in the middle of a firestorm over their decision to partner with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney

Whitworth issued a public statement two weeks into the controversy

Trump Jr said he disagreed with boycotting a 170-year-old company for one mistake.

'So here's the deal,' he said.

'Anheuser-Busch totally s*** the bed with this Dylan Mulvaney thing.

'I'm not, though, for destroying an American and iconic company for something like this.'

He added: 'When I actually look into it, I'm not going to blame the whole company for the inaction or the stupidity of someone in a marketing campaign that got woke as hell.

'The company itself doesn't participate in the same leftist nonsense as the other big conglomerates.'

He said he loves 'going after people when they screw up,' but felt the Bud Light boycott had gone too far.

His comments echo those of Howard Stern and Joe Rogan, who both argued that it was excessive.

'I think sometimes we do have the tendency of shooting first and aiming second, not looking into the details,' said Trump Jr.

He concluded: 'So they've been put on notice. I'm leaving them alone.

'I think you should probably do the same  if they do it again  they've been warned.'
SNP MP Joanna Cherry is considering legal action against a comedy club following the backlash over the cancellation of a show she was due to appear in at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Bosses at The Stand Comedy Club scrapped an appearance by the feminist politician at one of its 'In conversation with...' events because a number of staff were 'unwilling' to work on the show.

Yesterday, Ms Cherry, a lawyer and lesbian activist who was an outspoken opponent of the SNP's Gender Reform Bill, urged the club to 'reconsider' and said she was weighing up whether to take legal action.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Roddy Dunlop, KC, dean of the Faculty of Advocates, were among the high-profile supporters of Ms Cherry yesterday as she spoke out against being 'no-platformed'. The 57-year-old MP for Edinburgh South West told Times Radio: 'My options would include legal action. The law is very clear on this.

'I think we're all very clear that people shouldn't be discriminated against on the grounds of their sexuality, and the protected characteristic for lesbians like me is sexual orientation. It's not gender orientation, it's sexual orientation.

SNP MP Joanna Cherry is considering legal action against a comedy club amid a backlash over the cancellation of a show she was due to appear in at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

'What I'd like is for The Stand to reconsider their position. The whole point of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is that it's supposed to be a platform for anyone and everyone to come and perform.

'I can absolutely assure you that I would have a good case here. Whether or not I choose to follow that option is something I'm thinking about.'

Ms Cherry added: 'I hope other politicians will speak out in support of me and I hope that the Edinburgh Fringe will perhaps intervene and do something. This is very insidious. If we establish a precedent whereby staff at a venue can stop somebody from speaking because they disagree with their views then, really, where does it end?'

She said her treatment was 'like a new form of McCarthyism'  referring to the political persecution of suspected communists in the US during the 1950s.

Yesterday, Ms Rowling tweeted: 'Jo Cherry's completely right about modern McCarthyism.' She said it had been 'depressing' to find out 'how many people I formerly admired would have named names in a heartbeat'.

Mr Dunlop added: 'It's plainly unlawful. Is the venue aware that they would be vulnerable to a discrimination claim?'

But The Stand, founded by Nationalist MP Tommy Sheppard, said it 'will not compel our staff to work on this event and so have concluded that the event is unable to proceed on a properly staffed, safe and legally compliant basis'.
An Australian e-bike startup has announced a second round of layoffs in less than a year.

Zoomo laid off eight per cent of its workforce with 27 staff members told to pack up their belongings.

The layoff comes just eight months after the company slashed its workforce by 16 per cent and fired 65 employees in October 2022.

Eight percent of staff (27 people) will be let go this month, after 16 per cent (approximately 65 people) lost their jobs in October, 2022

Co-founders Mina Nada and Michael Johnson announced a second round of layoffs for Zoomo in less than a year

The company has made drastic cutbacks despite securing $100million in funding over the last couple of years.

Co-founders Mina Nada and Michael Johnson have blamed global economic woes, with numerous giants in the e-commerce industry similarly reducing staff numbers.

The company said in a statement that the cuts would mainly hit the top line as they restructure their corporate office.

'Zoomo has made the difficult decision to reduce its overall headcount by eight per cent,' the company said.

'The restructure will accelerate our path to company-wide profitability in 2024.

'It primarily affects employees in our corporate head office, as we bring central overheads in line with regional profit.'

Zoomo secured $80million in funding in November 2021 and another $20million in in February 2022.

The $100 million raised by the company to keep it afloat were driven by Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brookes Grok Ventures, who led both financing efforts.

Zoomo launched in 2017, offering e-bikes as part of a weekly subscription to gig workers.

The Sydney-based company also supplied e-bikes to grocery-delivery service Milkrun, which collapsed last month.

They've also serviced UberEats, Domino's and DHL after poaching executives from US rideshare companies Uber and Lyft.

Zoomo has raised $100 million of financing from investors to keep the company afloat in 2023, with the co-founders anticipating profitability in 2024

UberEats, Domino's ,DHL have had Zoomo bikes supplied to their employees, as well as the recently-defunct grocery-delivery service Milkun, which collapsed last month.

After a business boom during the pandemic amid lockdowns, the tech sector has slumped in the post-Covid period.

Aussie software developer Atlassian slashed 500 jobs last month, along with fellow Sydney software firm Thoughtworks, which laid off 100 employees.

Tech powerhouses have similarly faced the brunt, with Facebook announcing their first layoffs ever, shedding 11,000 employees, and Google's parent company Alphabet cutting 12,000 jobs.

Despite Zoomo announcing its second round of layoffs, the company told Daily Mail Australia that they had achieved revenue growth in 2022 of 112 per cent.
The ABC has sensationally abandoned its truth defence in a defamation action launched by an ex-army commando, who claims the broadcaster ruined his reputation by implying he was under investigation for war crimes.

Heston Russell is suing the ABC over stories published in late 2021 that claimed an Australian platoon was under investigation over its operations in the Middle East.

Pictured: Heston Russell in his military uniform

The TV report and two online articles included allegations from a US marine that he indirectly witnessed Australian soldiers execute a hogtied prisoner in Afghanistan in 2012.

The ABC and two journalists - Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson - filed defences denying that the stories were about Mr Russell, despite him being named and his image being used.

This is now the fourth attempt at defending itself - all paid for by the taxpayer - that the ABC has been had to abandon during the mammoth defamation trial.

Previous attempts have been called 'hopeless' by Mr Russell's barrister, Sue Chrysanthou, SC, who described it as 'the worst defence ever'.

In an amended defence, filed in the Federal Court on Friday, the ABC deleted the defences of 'truth and contextual truth', instead relying on a public interest defence, which has never been properly trialled in an Australian court.

Former special forces veteran and founder of veterans support organisation Voice of a Veteran Heston Russell (pictured) is suing the ABC for defamation

A truth defence against defamation - which is the allegation someone's reputation has been ruined - is when a media outlet proves that the allegation is true.

A public interest defence is when something defamatory is allowed to be published because it is in the public interest.

The truth defences initially filed by the public broadcaster came under fire after Mr Russell's lawyers labelled them 'improper, unjustified and scandalous.'

The ABC first alleged that Russell 'may be' involved in war crimes or under investigation for involvement in war crimes.

That wording later changed to 'was'.

Mr Russell's lawyers slammed this change in position, stating that that the change was 'dishonest'.

At the hearing in March before Justice Michael Lee, Mr Russell's senior counsel Sue Chrysanthou complained that her client 'is facing further defamation because of the ABC's defence, which presents baseless, illogical, unsupported allegations in this document of serious crimes and that's being reported.'

The judge struck out the entirety of the ABC's truth and contextual truth defence but gave them a chance to file a fourth version.

On Monday, the ABC filed its fourth attempt at a defence in this matter - which completely abandoned the majority of the defence first filed in October 2022 .

Heston Russell's (pictured) senior counsel labelled the ABC defence as the worst defence I have ever seen

A defamation specialist, who does not want to be identified, told Daily Mail Australia 'the court will be able to sell tickets to the cross examination of the journalists at the trial'.

'How can they seriously suggest that they had a reasonable belief about that the publication of these allegations about Mr Russell were in the public interest when they have already said that the allegations were never about him and they are not seeking to prove them to be true?' the expert said.

'There is an air of unreality about this defence.'

The public interest defence was due to be road-tested in Lachlan Murdoch's defamation case against Crikey.

However, following the discontinuance of those proceedings it is possible that this will be the first matter in which the defence will be considered.

The matter will return to court on May 16.
An Australian man arrested in Indonesia after an alleged naked and drunken rampage is being held in a tiny cell as he faces a possible five year jail term.

Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, is currently detained in a 3x3 metre cement cell on the island of Simeulue, off the coast of Sumatra, in the ultra-conservative Aceh province.

Police allege he had been drinking vodka in his hotel room at the Moon Beach Resort when he emerged without any clothes just after midnight on Thursday.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, is detained in the 3x3 metre cement cell on the island of Simeulue, off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia's ultra-conservative Aceh province

He is accused of going on a drunken rampage outside his hotel room, punching motorbike riders to the ground and injuring one man

Simeulue police chief Senior Commissioner Jatmiko alleged Mr Risby-Jones hit a security guard in the neck, causing him to fall to the ground, as he left the hotel.

He is then alleged to have hit passing motorbike riders on the street, knocking one man to the ground where his bike fell on him causing a serious leg injury.

Angered locals then chased him to the beach where they held him down and tied his arms while police were called.

The surfer was on a three-week trip to the island, which is known for its pristine white sand beaches, with a mate.

After his arrest, Mr Risby-Jones claimed he was wearing underwear, had only one sip of vodka and said he felt 'possessed' because he had gotten sunstroke from surfing.

'It was not a good feeling. I was not myself. I'm normally a nice guy,' he said.

His family have since released a statement saying he is now fully aware of what happened.

'(He) is disturbed by his actions and takes full responsibility for them,' his family told the ABC.

Aceh operates under a Sharia-based legal system and alcohol consumption is banned.

Mr Risby-Jones is understood to be facing a charge of maltreatment causing injury after causing an injury to one motorcycle rider's leg when his bike fell on him.

The charge has a two-and-a-half year maximum imprisonment term if the motorcyclist's injuries are considered minor, or five-years imprisonment if they are considered major.

The Noosa man could spend five years behind bars if found guilty of maltreatment causing injury

Local police said the case can be dropped by the injured man if the two agree on an amount of financial compensation.

The motorcyclist identified as Edi Ron will not be able to walk for three months, according to his wife.

Suhardi Fleno, the chief of Lantik village where the incident happened, said he asked the fisherman how much he would accept but has not received an answer.

Mr Risby-Jones can also be tried under Sharia Law over the charge of drinking alcohol which is illegal for Muslins and non-Muslims in the province, in which case he could receive 40 lashes with a cane.

Police can keep Mr Risby-Jones in custody for 20 days while they investigate.

In addition, the resort where he was staying is required by tradition to make amends with villagers over the incident.

'We must slaughter a goat. It should be provided by the resort,' Mr Fleno said.

'It's between the village and the resort. We don't care if Bodhi gives the money to the resort [for the goat]. But we do care about the resort and our village.'

'Bodhi is just a guest at the resort and the guests can come and go.'
The grieving parents of a seven-year-old boy who died after being diagnosed with cancer less than a year ago have penned heartbreaking tributes to their 'first little love'.

Henry McMinn, a big brother to three sisters, tragically died on Saturday after a battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Henry's mum, Naomi Uwland, said he was in remission and was undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia in November last year.

The grade one student was at home on a farm in the Otways at Kawarren, in rural Victoria, with his mum, dad Scott and three sisters, Zaddie, Emme and Ochre, when he became unwell.

His parents rushed their son to hospital in Melbourne but he was discharged within a few days.

Henry's parents Scott McMinn and Naomi Uwland embrace their son Henry while he is hospitalised for treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

The Elliminyt Primary School grade one student (pictured) was diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in November last year

However, his health deteriorated further and he was taken to hospital and placed in intensive care.

Testing showed Henry had kidney abnormalities and had surgery on Thursday night to remove blood clots from his kidneys.

Ms Uwland said her son was being treated with a chemotherapy drug associated with blood clots, and that the surgery was too late as blood clots had already spread to other organs.

Henry did not wake up from his surgery and tragically died on Saturday.

Ms Uwland shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son on Sunday describing him as an 'incredible amazing boy' who was taken 'so suddenly'.

'I still havent been able to put together the words that I want to of our incredible amazing boy Henry but in time I will,' Ms Uwland wrote.

'Right now it just doesnt seem real that he has been taken from us so suddenly.

'I am absolutely beyond heartbroken and so incredibly sad, frustrated and angry for how it happened.'

His mum Naomi Uwland said her son was cancer free but tragically died after 'maintenance' treatment caused blood clots to spread through his body, starting in his kidneys (pictured, Henry in hospital with his mum Naomi, Dad Scott and little sisters Zaddie, Emme and Ochre)

Henry's dad shared a touching tribute to his 'little farmer' (pictured, Scott McMinn holding his son's hand in hospital)

Ms Uwland said her son did not die from the cancer but from the 'maintenance' treatment he was given - a treatment which she and her husband had questioned.

'It wasnt the cancer, it was the maintenance treatment. Something we questioned so much,' Ms Uwland wrote.

'The chemo toxicity that riddled his poor little body with blood clots.

'I miss him soo much already and struggle to think how life moving forward will be without him.

'Our first born, our first little love, our only boy and the big brother to his 3 little sisters.'

Henry's dad said he was 'lost, gutted, devastated and angry' in a touching Facebook tribute to his 'little Farmer'.

'This is the hardest thing to write. But I feel I need to so everyone knows our Henry died cancer free,' Mr McMinn wrote.

'He was so so strong after being diagnosed with leukaemia. He took it head on ... A kid with such an old soul, full of love and passion for anything he had interest in.

'At the end it was a drug they gave him a few weeks ago for part of his treatment. Treatment we questioned every time.

'Sons bury fathers, not fathers bury sons. Ill always love you dads little farmer. Ill be lost without you helping me and asking how everything is done.

'Im lost, gutted, devastated and angry.'

Tributes poured in for Henry, with the Geelong Cats community mourning the loss of the beloved seven-year-old AFL fan (pictured)

Tributes poured in for Henry, with the Geelong Cats community mourning the loss of the beloved seven-year-old AFL fan.

Geelong Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield wore a black armband during Sunday's match against Essendon and star forward Jeremy Cameron paid tribute with a shaka sign in Henry's honour.

The club also posted a tribute on social media saying 'Fly high Henry', alongside a photo of Henry and the team.

Friends and family have rallied around Ms Uwland and Mr McMinn and have started a GoFundMe page to help the parents with funeral costs.

'Henry took it head-on and inspired us all with his strength and positivity,' the GoFundMe page reads.

Henry McMinn pictured with his three little sisters Zaddie, Emme and Ochre

'The family unexpectedly had to say their final goodbye to Henry. It wasn't the cancer that took their boy from them. It was the treatment that he had to have which unfortunately left him with no chance to fight,' the GoFundMe page adds.

'Nothing will ever ease the pain of Naomi and Scott losing their firstborn... this page has been set up to establish funds for the funeral of Henry McMinn and any ongoing needs.

'We can all see how Henry has touched the lives of those who he met and we deeply value the community support from far and wide.'

Since it was posted the GoFundMe page has received more than 630 donations totalling more than $55,300.
Grace Tame has thanked Jock Zonfrillo for his 'quiet support through the noise' in a heartfelt post in the wake of the celebrity chef's death.

The former Australian of the Year said the 46-year-old, who was found dead inside a Melbourne hotel room on Monday morning, had been a source of inspiration.

'Posthumous tributes paint glossy, bright pictures,' Ms Tame wrote.

'But character is more often built, rebuilt and tested deep in life's trenches when nobody's recording. The bigger the battlefield, the bigger the risks and wounds.

'If anyone's career and personal legacy embodies passion, love of family, loyalty, resilience, self-sacrifice, generosity, compassion, openness, and humour in the face of hardship and scrutiny - it's Jock's.'

Ms Tame revealed Zonfrillo, 46, and his wife Lauren Fried had been quietly mentoring her and her fiance Max Heerey behind the scenes.

Grace Tame has revealed her surprising relationship with Jock Zonfrillo as she thanked the Masterchef judge for his 'quiet support through the noise' in a heartfelt post

Zonfrillo (pictured with his Masterchef co-hosts) was found dead inside a Melbourne hotel room at 2am on Monday morning, after police were called to perform a welfare check

Mr Heerey helped create the Grace Tame Foundation, which campaigns and helps fund initiatives to prevent the sexual abuse of children.

'Max and I took a leap of faith and became partners in both love and work like you and Lauren because you two voluntarily took the time to meet up with and mentor us, but more importantly, because you believed in us,' she wrote.

'You did so with no expectation of anything in return.

'Thank you for your quiet support through the noise. Thank you for your vocal solidarity in the silence.

'Our hearts are with Lauren, all your children, family, and everyone else who loves you. From two forever young punks to another, you will be sorely missed but never forgotten. With love and respect, GT and Max.'

Zonfrillo was found dead inside a Melbourne hotel room at 2am on Monday morning, after police were called to perform a welfare check.

Ms Tame revealed Zonfrillo (centre), 46, and his wife Lauren Fried, had been quietly mentoring her and her fiance Max Heerey behind the scenes

Channel 10 sources say the immediate future of the show is in the hands of Zonfrillo's wife, with stakeholders to respect whatever decision she makes (the couple are pictured)

The shock news came just hours before the Masterchef host was due to start promotional duties for the 15th series of the Channel 10 show.

MasterChef's fifteenth season, featuring Jamie Oliver as a guest judge, was due to premiere on Ten on Monday night.

Producers announced the show would not be airing this week in light of Zonfrillo's passing and that it wouldn't return until at least May 8.

The series is now in limbo as network bosses and sponsors - including major stakeholder Coles - consider if and how to proceed in light of Zonfrillo's death just hours before the show's first episode.

Channel 10 sources say the immediate future of the show is in the hands of Zonfrillo's wife, with stakeholders to respect whatever decision she makes.

Zonfrillo was found dead inside a Melbourne hotel room at 2am on Monday morning, after police were called to perform a welfare check

Masterchef producers announced the show would not be airing this week in light of Zonfrillo's passing and that it wouldn't return until at least May 8

'It will really come down to Jock's family and what they feel he would have wanted,' the Ten insider told Daily Mail Australia.

'Commercially, and in terms of timing, this is a disaster. It is simply diabolical.

'But not even a major TV network would be ghoulish enough to put anything other than the wishes of Jock's family first and foremost.

'Ultimately, it will be about whether or not they think he would have wanted the show to go on and if it's too soon, it's too soon. There will be a contingency plan whatever decision is made.'

A major possibility is Ten opts to hold this current season until 2024 and air an alternative in its place.

A tribute to Zonfrillo is also in understood to be in production, with plans to air it in the coming days, however a Ten spokesperson declined to elaborate.

His shock passing is not being treated as suspicious by police, with the Scottish-born father-of-four found alone and unresponsive in a hotel on Lygon St, Carlton.
A fourth woman involved in a deadly crash that killed three people has been identified as she continues to fight for her life in hospital.

Kaylah Behrens, 23, was a passenger in one of the cars caught in the collision at Maryborough, 115km south of Bundaberg, in Queensland, at 10.45pm on Sunday.

A 13-year-old is accused of driving a stolen Mercedes-Benz before crashing into the back of a Holden travelling south on Saltwater Creek Road.

Kaylah Behrens (above) has been identified as the third passenger in a Holden that was hit by a Mercedes-Benz during a fatal crash on Sunday

At about 10.45pm on Sunday a 13-year-old boy from Bundaberg allegedly rear-ended a Holden, which then hit a Mazda travelling in the opposite direction (pictured, aftermath of the crash)

The force of the crash then sent the Holden into a Mazda that was headed north.

Ms Behrens was a passenger in the Holden alongside her former Riverside Christian College schoolmate Kelsie Davies, 17, and her pastor at Reach Church Michale Chandler, 29.

Both Ms Davies and Mrs Chandler were killed in the crash.

Ms Behrens was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition following the crash on Sunday.

A Metro North Health spokesperson confirmed said on Tuesday morning she was still in a critical condition, the Cairns Post reports.

Maryborough Hospital nurse Sheree Robertson, 52, was travelling in the Mazda and was also killed in the crash.

Police said she was driving home from work when she was hit.

It's understood the alleged Mercedes driver was a 13-year-old boy from Bundaberg.

He was taken to hospital following the crash but was shortly released and taken into custody at the Maryborough watch house.

He was charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The Bundaberg boy was mentioned at Maroochydore Children's Court on Monday and was set to face Maryborough Children's Court on Tuesday.

Police are investigating claims a passenger in the Mercedes fled the scene of the crash after CCTV footage emerged of two people allegedly stealing the car from a home on Dalhousie Street, 2.5km from the crash site, at about 8.40pm.

News of the three women's deaths has prompted a massive outpouring of grief from the small Queensland community.

Mrs Chandler's husband, Matthew, shared a tribute to his late wife on Monday.

Ms Behrens (above) was in the Holden alongside her former Riverside Christian College schoolmate Kelsie Davies and her pastor at Reach Church Michale Chandler

Reach Church pastor Michale Chandler (pictured with her husband, Matthew) was killed in the Holden on Sunday

'It is with the utmost heavy heart that we say goodbye for now to our darling Michale,' he wrote.

'You were and will continue to hold the world's greatest wife and mum award! Until we meet in heaven my queen. Love you to the moon and back.'

Member for Bundaberg, Tom Smith, said he taught Ms Davies at Riverside Christian College.

'Kelsie was a student that every teacher wishes that they could teach,' he said.

'She was always keen to learn, eager to aim high and was most importantly just a very kind and sweet-natured kid that every one of her peers loved.

'It is very difficult on a day like today to express all of the words that truly represent just why Kelsie will be so missed but I know that her cohort of friends from last year's graduating Riverside class will be hurting and sharing their grief for someone so important to them.

'Like many, today will be spent thinking of her family and friends, and to the families of those who lost their lives last night.'

Wide Bay Health and Hospital Service released a statement on Monday following news of Ms Robertson's death.

'The Wide Bay HHS team was absolutely devastated to learn of the death of a respected Maryborough Hospital staff member in a tragic road crash over the weekend,' it read.

'Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, as well as the first responders who have been affected.

'We understand what an enormous impact this loss will have on our tight-knit Wide Bay HHS community, and we encourage our staff and colleagues to seek support during this difficult time.'

Police believe the Mercedes was driven in Maryborough and Hervey Bay regions before the crash at about 10.45pm.

Anyone who saw the car or has footage of it is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Maryborough Hospital nurse Sheree Robertson (above) was travelling home from a shift in her Mazda when she was allegedly hit and killed by the Mercedes driver
Only two members of a Q&A audience rose their hands when asked if they'd be pledging their allegiance to King Charles III at his Coronation.

Australians and residents around the globe have been encouraged to pledge their allegiance during the Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will call on the public to make the pledge as they watch the once-in-a-generation event from their television screens.

The request was a hot topic on Q&A on Monday night with audience member Sydney Monteiro asking the panel if they would chant their allegiance.

Q&A host David Speers asked the audience on Monday night whether they would be pledging their allegiance to King Charles

Just two members of the audience rose their hands to signal they would be pledging their allegiance

All the guests responded they would not before host David Speers turned to the audience and asked the same question.

Only two people raised their hands to confirm they would say the pledge.

'What if you're not going to pledge allegiance?' he asked, as nearly everyone in the crowd raised their hand.

The panel featured American literature expert Sarah Churchwell, Aboriginal affairs commentator Anthony Dillon and Health Minister Mark Butler.

Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer, and former president of the Australian Medical Association, Mukesh Haikerwal were also among the guests.

Mr Butler said he had campaigned for a republic, and pledging allegiance wasn't necessary at this time.

'Every time we get elected to the parliament, we have to start by pledging allegiance or affirming or swearing allegiance,' he said.

'And we did that last year. I think that's enough.'

Ms Archer revealed she had no interest in watching the broadcast of the coronation, while Mr Haikerwal said that although his father had attended the late Queen's coronation, he had no interest in watching Saturday's ceremony.

The Coronation will be held at Westminster Abbey, with around 2,000 people attending the once-in-a-generation event, on May 6.

During the ceremony, the Archbishop of Canterbury will say: 'I call upon all persons of goodwill in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other Realms and the Territories, to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.'

The Coronation will be held at Westminster Abbey, with around 2,000 people attending the once-in-a-generation event, on May 6

The public is then asked to say: 'I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God'.

The Archbishop will then say 'God save The King' to which the public is asked to respond: 'God save King Charles, long live King Charles, may The King live for ever.'

The change has drawn criticism in the UK, with Cambridge Professor Priyamvada Gopal comparing it to 'peasants' being asked to pledge allegiance to the rule of wealth.

One Briton tweeted they were 'amazed' that Charles' advisors thought this was a good idea.

'This could turn out very badly for the monarchy if all the people just stay silent during it (the pledge)... it's a recipe for humiliation for him,' they said.
MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo spent his final hours at a swish $650 a night hotel atop a wine bar on a famous Melbourne dining strip.

Daily Mail Australia can confirm the 46-year old had been staying at Zagame's House on Lygon Street - the heart of Melbourne's Italian community - where he was found dead at 2am on Monday.

The circumstances surrounding the beloved chef's death remain a mystery, with police only confirming the cause was not suspicious.

Zagame's House management has refused to address the tragedy, denying the MasterChef judge even died there.

But Zonfrillo's death within its walls was the talk of Lygon Street on Tuesday.

MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo was found dead inside Zagame's House on Lygon Street (above, one of its plush rooms)

MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo (centre) was found dead inside Zagame's House on Lygon Street about 2am on Monday

The boutique hotel, which sits atop a wine bar, is seen from the outside

Positioned at 66 Lygon Street, on the intersection of Queensberry Street, the hotel had been a stone's throw from where Zonfrillo had once lived with his family on Drummond Street.

Business owners told Daily Mail Australia they had seen police cars converge on the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

'Everyone is talking about it. It's very sad,' one business owner said on Tuesday.

Zonfrillo had uploaded an Instagram post on Sunday night promoting the new season of MasterChef.

'The time has come for @masterchefau to kick off a new season filled with Secrets & Surprises! And @jamieoliver of course!' he wrote in the caption.

Sometime later, he responded to a fan in the comments section in what is believed to be his last-ever public interaction on social media.

One of his followers commented how much their son enjoyed watching Zonfrillo on MasterChef and would often do impressions of his accent.

'Very exciting... (my son shouts out "Joooooock" every time you appear on the advert!!!! He is even practicing his Scottish accent!!!)' they wrote.

Zonfrillo replied to this comment with a crying-with-laughter emoji.

The hotel he spent his last moments in is described as a labour of love from hotelier brothers Victor and Robert Zagame.

Zonfrillo hit Instagram in his last hours alive

The hotel is regarded one of the best along Lygon Street

The 97-room 'pet friendly' hotel prides itself on featuring the best of modern interior design, luxurious amenities, and sustainable architecture

Patrons have access to a wine bar just downstairs from their rooms

LYGON STREET IS THE HEART OF MELBOURNE'S ITALIAN COMMUNITY Running from Queensberry Street in the south to Elgin Street in the north, this part of Lygon Street is crammed with Italian restaurants, ice-cream shops, boutiques and bars. While known for its abundance of restaurants, it became notorious in the 1990s for its seedy underbelly. The Carlton Crew - a criminal organisation based in Melbourne then - was run out of Lygon street for decades. The Carlton Crew included convicted criminals, Mick Gatto, Alphonse Gangitano, Mario Condello, Ron Bongetti, and Graham Kinniburgh. Gangitano built a reputation as 'The Black Prince of Lygon Street' in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He recruited mainly Italian thugs who installed jukeboxes and vending machines in local bars and nightclubs under the threat of violence, and then reinvested their profits in drug trafficking. Advertisement

The 97-room 'pet friendly' hotel prides itself on featuring the best of modern interior design, luxurious amenities, and sustainable architecture.

'From the art to the menu, every inch of Zagames House is designed to inspire you,' its website reads.

The hotel's most luxurious suite, The Neon, is described as balancing between work, play and relaxation.

'Aside from whatever goes on in your bedroom, you can also indulge in the spacious bathroom with double sinks and a shower big enough to hula hoop in, plus a separate lounge room complete with a fully stocked cocktail and wine bar,' the hotel states.

'Whether youre looking to have an intimate rendezvous, a cozy social gathering, or small business meeting... the spaces are yours to use whichever way you want. '

The hotel even includes a fancy wine bar, which would have been available to Zonfrillo before his tragic death.

Named after the legendary bon vivant, the Lord Lygon Wine Bar is the brain child of award-winning executive chef Chris Bonello, who 'went to town with the menu'.

'The toughest thing you will have to endure is where to start on the 300+ wine selection,' the hotel boasts.

Zonfrillo had reportedly cut short a family holiday in Italy to return for the launch of the new series of MasterChef.

The British-born chef reportedly flew home early to Melbourne from Rome, leaving his wife Lauren Fried, and their two young children, Alfie, five, and Isla, two, in the Eternal City.

His family are expected to arrive back in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Zagame's House hosts events for some of Australia's biggest businesses

Zonfrillo would have access to a gym in his final hours

The highly-anticipated new series of MasterChef was due to air on Australian television tonight with Jamie Oliver among its celebrity guests.

The judge himself had posted a teaser on Instagram on Sunday.

The immediate future of MasterChef Australia will ultimately be decided by Jock wife, Channel 10 sources say.

The series is now in limbo as network bosses and sponsors - including major stakeholder Coles - consider if and how to proceed in light of Zonfrillo's death just hours before the show's first episode.

Zonfrillo had secretly battled bowel cancer for years, Daily Mail Australia revealed on Tuesday.

He had kept his health problems quiet and usually received treatment when the cooking program was not filming.

It is not suggested he died of cancer, only that he had told close friends he was suffering from the disease.
The U.S. Secret Service said Monday it blocked a Muslim mayor from New Jersey from attending a White House celebration with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests.

He said the White House official did not explain why the Secret Service had blocked his entry.

Khairullah, 47, informed the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after he was told he would not be allowed to attend the event.

The Secret Service denied Mohamed Khairullah, entry to the White House's Eid-al-Fitr celebration with President Joe Biden despite having been sent an invite

Joe Biden hosted a reception celebrating Eid-al-Fitr at the White House in Washington, D.C.

The White House hosted the event to mark Eid al-Fitr, which is celebrated by Muslims worldwide for the end of the month-long Ramadan

The group has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBI's dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals.

The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries.

He also has travelled to Bangladesh and Syria to do humanitarian work with the Syrian American Medical Society and the Watan Foundation.

'It left me baffled, shocked and disappointed,' Khairullah said in a telephone interview as he made his way home to New Jersey on Monday evening.

'It's not a matter of I didn't get to go to a party. It's why I did not go. And it's a list that has targeted me because of my identity. And I don't think the highest office in the United States should be down with such profiling.'

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but declined to detail why.

Khairullah was elected to a fifth term as the borough's mayor in January.

Khairullah, 47, informed the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after he was told he would not be allowed to attend the event

Imam Makhdoom Zia speaks during a reception celebrating Eid-al-Fitr. Makhdoom has served the Muslim community of the Washington metropolitan area as an imam, khatib, teacher and community organizer

Democratic Representative of Minnesota Ilhan Omar attended the celebration

'While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening,' Guglielmi said in a statement.

'Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.'

The White House declined to comment.

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of CAIR, called the move 'wholly unacceptable and insulting.'

'If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has?' Maksut said.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey where his wife has family.

The New Jersey mayor, pictured in navy is seen holding a check for the survivors of the Syria/Turkey earthquake

Vice President Kamala Harris poses for a picture with Omar Masood of Massachusetts

People pray in the East Room of the White House during a celebration of Eid-al-Fitr on Monday

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governor's mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assad's government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the town's mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.

'I am Syrian and you know it was very difficult to see what we saw on TV and and social media, and not respond to help people,' he said. 'I mean we felt very helpless.'
Teachers will go on strike again today, with many schools across the country expected to shut.

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) are walking out this morning, after a day of action last week on April 27.

This comes after previous industrial action by the NEU led to school closures in February and March.

So, when are the school strikes? Which schools are striking in my area? Read on below for a comprehensive guide to which schools are on strike.

Striking teachers on a march in Chichester, West Sussex, during the previous period of industrial action in March

Bedfordshire

The website of Bedfordshire County Council contains information on school closures in the area.

Berkshire

West Berkshire County Council has a list of schools which are shut on its website.

Buckinghamshire

School closures in Buckinghamshire can be seen via an updated list.

Bristol

All school closures in Bristol can be seen here.

Birmingham

Click here for school closures in and around Birmingham.

Cornwall

Cornwall Council does not have a full a list of affected schools, instead advising that parents should check with individual schools in the county.

Cambridgeshire

School strike status in Cambridgeshire can be seen here.

Chesire

Closures of schools in East Cheshire can be viewed here.

Cumbria

Cumbria school students and parents can find a list of affected schools here.

Derbyshire

A list of schools in Derbyshire schools which are closed which are shut is available here.

Devon

Schools affected by closures in Devon can be seen on the county council's website.

Dorset

Dorset school closures can be seen via this live list.

Durham

On strike action days, a complete list of affected schools can be found on Durham County Council's website.

East Sussex

East Sussex County Council issues information at 3.30pm the day prior to any planned strikes.

The council also advises parents to check with individual schools for more information.

Essex

Essex County Council publishes a list at 6pm the day prior to any planned action.

The council also advises parents to contact individual schools.

Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire County Council's website has a full list of schools affected by industrial action.

Greater Manchester

Bolton - click here.

Bury - click here.

Oldham - click here.

Rochdale - click here.

Salford - click here.

Stockport - click here.

Tameside - click here.

Trafford - click here.

Wigan - click here.

Hampshire

Hampshire County Council's website has a list of closures, based on information they receive from individual schools in the county.

Herefordshire

Herefordshire County Council advises parents to check with individual schools.

Hertfordshire

Closures of schools in Hertfordshire can be seen by using this interactive search tool.

Kent

Kent County Council also has a search tool, which shows if a school is shut or not.

Parents are also advised to check with individual schools.

Lancashire

Lancashire County Council will release a detailed list showing which schools will be open or closed.

Leicestershire

A list of schools affected by the strikes in Leicestershire can be seen here.

Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire County Council is not listing affected schools on its website.

You should check with individual schools for more information.

London

Check your borough website.

Merseyside

Merseyside County Council's website is not showing a full list of affected schools, so parents should check with individual schools to see if they are shut or not.

Norfolk

Norfolk County Council does not currently have a list of schools affected by industrial action, so the advice is to check with individual schools.

Northamptonshire

North Northamptonshire County Council and West Northamptonshire County Council will not be offering lists on strike days.

The council says individual schools should notify parents regarding any closures.

Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire County Council is not giving information on the council website on the relevant strike days so you will need to contact individual schools for information.

Northumberland

A list of school closures is made available on Northumberland County Council's website on strike days.

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire Council says it will not provide advance warning of strike action on its website, and asks parents to 'wait for advice from your child's school'.

Rutland

Find all school closures in Rutland can be viewed by clicking here.

Shropshire

A full list of schools which are affected by strike action is available on Shropshire County Council's website.

Somerset

A full and regularly updated list can be found on Somerset County Council's website.

Staffordshire

You can access the list of school closures on Staffordshire County Council's website.

Suffolk

Suffolk County Council advises parents to check individual schools' websites for information on strikes.

Surrey

On strike days, Surrey County Council is not providing a list and asks parents to check individual schools' websites.

Warwickshire

Warwickshire council's website, viewable here, has a full list of strikes.

Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council does not appear to contain a list of schools that might be closed, with parents advised to contact individual schools.

Worcestershire

Worcestershire County Council has full details of schools shut in the county.

Yorkshire

In Yorkshire, parents are advised to check with individual schools to see if they are open.
A couple were left scratching their heads after stumbling across a bizarre find on a popular beach.

The pair had been walking along Bathers Beach at Fremantle, in Western Australia, when they came across the mysterious creature.

They took a photo of their peculiar find and posted it to Facebook in search for answers.

A couple of beachgoers in Freemantle, WA found an unrecognisable animal that had washed up from the ocean

'Found this with the family at Bathers Beach today Any idea what it is?' the caption read.

Social media users were quick to offer their suggestion with some making tongue-in-cheek comments.

'Another reason to stay out of the ocean,' one wrote.

A second added: 'An alien baby'.

Some social media users correctly identified the mysterious creature as a Coffin Ray.

Coffin rays, also known as stun rays or numbfish, are notorious for their ability to deliver electric shocks to its prey.

Several social media users pointed out the coffin ray appeared 'dried out a bit' and bent out of shape.

'Normally it has wings that shape in almost a figure-eight shape [and] the tail is dried out, but it doesn't have a long barb  normally just a short stumpy tail,' one wrote.

Coffin Rays are best avoided, with their electric organs able to deliver electric shocks equivalent to 50 amps or more.

While this level of shock likely wouldn't kill a human, it's more than enough to inflict significant pain.

Marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck shared advice on how beachgoers to avoid being stunned.

'The best way to avoid shocks or stings, is to shuffle your feet along the bottom instead of stepping,' she said.

'Doing the "stingray shuffle" will disturb the rays enough to cause them to swim off, but not enough to sting or shock, if they were to be stepped on.'

Coffin rays, or numbfish, are endemic to the waters of East and West Australia and gain their name from their ability to deliver powerful electric shocks
Adrian Keogh was forced to crawl down metal steps of Ryanair flight in Sweden

A wheelchair user was forced to crawl off a Ryanair flight after he was told there was no one to help him disembark, leaving him 'humiliated'.

Adrian Keogh, from Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland, said he had to drag himself down the metal steps of the Ryanair flight when it landed at Landvetter airport in Sweden on Saturday night at 11pm.

Keogh, who has a spinal injury after a construction accident, said all he wanted to do was 'travel with dignity' but instead was subject to a 'humiliating' experience with cabin crew watching him struggle down the steps.

The 37-year-old, who has been in a wheelchair since 2015, was told when he landed in Sweden that the lift that would allow him to be taken off the plane in his wheelchair would take at least an hour to arrive.

Keogh, who went to Sweden to visit his daughter for her 14th birthday, said he decided to crawl off the plane because he was in pain and didn't want to have to wait until midnight to leave.

'I feel terrible about it. How could this happen in 2023? I felt so humiliated being told that I had to wait at least an hour,' Keogh told MailOnline.

Adrian Keogh, from Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland, said he had to drag himself down the metal steps of the Ryanair flight when it landed at Landvetter airport in Sweden on Saturday night at 11pm

'I feel terrible about it. How could this happen in 2023? I felt so humiliated being told that I had to wait at least an hour,' Keogh (pictured) told MailOnline

Have you had a similar experience on a flight? Please contact rachael.bunyan@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

'And then having to crawl along the floor in front of some people who were watching me. It was humiliating. I just can't believe something like this happened.'

He slammed Ryanair and the airport for not providing him with the special assistance he had paid for.

'It's shocking that the service is not there for me. It's a total lack of respect,' Keogh said, adding that he has been stuck on planes before because of a lack of assistance.

'It was unacceptable to expect me to crawl down the steep metal stairs,' he said.

'I am not looking for anything, only the service I paid for and to be able to travel with dignity.'

'I want to highlight the struggle wheelchair bound people have to deal with,' Keogh added.

'People don't realise what things are like when you're in a wheelchair.

He added that the authorities at Landvetter airport blamed Ryanair and Ryanair blamed the airport.

Speaking about what needs to be done, Keogh said: 'Both the airline and airport must be more responsible for their actions, instead of blaming each other, they need to work together.

'No one should have to go through what I have been through.'

Landvetter Airport apologised for the incident in a social media post and blamed busy flight traffic and a medical emergency for the delay in assisting Keogh off the plane.

Ryanair said it was looking into the incident, adding that special assistance at the airport was provided by a third-party.

Keogh, who has a spinal injury after a construction accident, said all he wanted to do was 'travel with dignity' but instead was subject to a 'humiliating' experience with cabin crew watching him struggle down the steps

James Taylor, Director of Strategy at disability equality charity Scope, told MailOnline: 'Disabled people have long been let down in airports in the UK and now we have this appalling situation in Sweden.

'For a long time we've been concerned about disabled people being failed by airlines and airports.

'This has been going on too long. The impact is often degrading, stressful and anxiety-inducing and stops some disabled people from travelling altogether.

'It's time that airlines and airports are fined for putting disabled passengers in peril.'
Questions raised over whether it had a proper licence

Qld Cedar Constructions has gone into administration

A Gold Coast construction company has hit the wall amid questions over whether it held a proper licence to build.

Qld Cedar Constructions, which has been operating in the Gold Coast since 2017 and specilaised in both commercial and domestic building projects, went into voluntary administration on April 28.

It is the latest in a long list of construction firms that have collapsed as the industry struggles against soaring prices for materials, rising inflation and labour costs.

QLD Cedar Constructions went into voluntary administration on April 28

QLD Cedar, which specialised in both commercial and domestic building projects is, is the latest in a string of construction companies to enter insolvency over the past year as the construction industry battles dire conditions

The company's director, Sung Hoon Lee, was banned from the industry for three years from 2015 after one of his previous companies, S & S Tiles, went into liquidation, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Qld Cedar had held a building licence in the past, however it was suspended in January 2020 for having no nominee and cancelled three months after that.

Daily Mail Australia has approached QLD Cedar Constructions for comment.

Which Australian construction companies have gone out of business? Last month, luxury apartment builder EQ Constructions went into administration owing between $40 and $50 million. The NSW-based company, also known as EQ Projects, owed money to between 400 and 500 creditors. Westburn Advisory is handling the administration, with its director Shumit Banerjee saying some projects were still incomplete. In February Victorian-based Delco Building Group appointed liquidators on February 2. The announcement came as a shock as the company was held in high regard and had won a Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Housing Award. The week before, it was announced that two Western Australian companies, WA Housing Group and Individual Developments WA, had collapsed. And Hallbury Homes filed for bankruptcy on January 4, owing about $7million to creditors. Advertisement

William Cotter of Robson Cotter Insolvency Group has been appointed as liquidator.

Mr Cotter said it was too early to say why the company had failed.

It comes as a deluge of Australian building firms have gone under in recent months.

Last week, Melbourne-based construction company Mahercorp told its customers it will enter voluntary administration.

Up to 730 homes will be affected, however all of the properties are believed to be insured.

Director and CEO Steve Maher said the company was entering voluntary administration as it was the 'only option' after learning a major insurer would no longer support the business.

'I want to emphasise that Mahercorp has not collapsed and is not in liquidation,' he said in a statement emailed to customers this week.

Mr Maher said he wanted to work with an administrator to put the business on a 'more sustainable footing' to allow it to complete the homes it had started.

'It's no secret that all builders are facing unprecedented challenges right now. ' he added.

'Building costs are skyrocketing  materials and labour costs are at record levels and rising inflation is putting huge pressure on builders.'

Last week, Australia's biggest brick manufacturer closed a key plant, citing poor sales.

Masonry giant Brickworks confirmed in a statement on Thursday that it would be 'mothballing' its Cardup plant, the company's last factory in Western Australia.

A deluge of construction firms have gone under in recent months as companies struggle against rising costs and scarcity of materials

Brickworks said its WA arm, Austral, has been reporting losses in recent years with sales falling due to a 'slowdown in building activity'.

Construction firms are still reeling from the impacts of the Covid pandemic and the global lack of timber and building materials due to choked supply chains impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This has led to the cost of materials rising by more than 20 per cent since the start of 2022, with some items surging by even more.

Pine more than doubled in price, while reinforcing steel, glass, plasterboard, fibre cement and other materials also rose.

Such price rises meant many fixed contract building projects were no longer viable.

Across Australia, hundreds of millions of dollars are owed by failed companies to subcontractors, tradesmen, clients and the tax office.

Some of the biggest names in Australian construction have become insolvent over the past year, including Probuild, Home Innovation Builders, Privium, Condev Construction and Pivotal Homes.
A student doctor and her husband have been accused of dismembering their eight-month-old daughter in Russia.

The child died when father Yakov Maiboroda, 33, aimed a kick at his wife Anastasia, 23, during an alleged domestic dispute - but struck the baby girl instead, say Russian police sources.

The blow killed the child in their flat in the city of Rostov-on-Don, near the western border with Ukraine, it is alleged.

The trainee children's doctor and her husband then dismembered the child using knives and an electric meat grinder, according to officers.

They put the remains of the girl into 13 plastic bags, and the medic called police to say that she had been kidnapped.

Anastasia Maiboroda, 23, a trainee paediatric doctor, is accused of dismembering and hiding the body of her infant daughter in Rostov-on-Don in western Russia

Yakov Maiboroda was detained by police after allegedly dismembering his infant daughter

The Russian Investigative Committee said: 'After ascertaining that the child did not show any signs of life, the couple took steps to hide the body.

'Afterwards, in order to create the appearance of not being involved in a crime, the 23-year-old mother of the dead girl reported to the law enforcement authorities about her alleged abduction by unknown perpetrators.'

But when state investigators arrived at their flat they detained the pair on suspicion of murder.

Horrified officers removed the electric meat grinder, knives with traces of blood, and 13 bags of human remains, reported Baza media.

'The remains of the child's body and other evidence proving their involvement in a particularly serious crime were found at their place of residence,' said the committee's statement.

Neighbours said there were 'constant screams' from the flat after the couple moved in six months ago.

They had been visited previously by social services.

'On the day of the murder, he was more violent than usual, then the noise and children's cries stopped abruptly,' reported Mash media.

'Neighbours sensed something was wrong, but they could not imagine that at that time behind the wall the parents were trying to get rid of the body of their murdered daughter.'

The report said: 'Almost every day other residents listened to the abuse of the spouses and the crying of a small child.

'During these months, they were visited several times by juvenile inspectors.'

Criminal cases have been launched against the husband, a manager in a company producing honey, and his wife.

The couple were remanded in custody by a judge pending further investigations until June 28.

'Investigative measures are currently being taken in the criminal case in order to establish all the circumstances of the crime,' said the committee.

The Investigative Committee released footage of the couple from Rostov-on-Don. Anastasia Maiboroda (left, in handcuffs) is detained and taken through to speak to officials

Officials took statements from Yakov (right) and his wife at the Investigative Committee of Russia

Russian investigators found the child's body at their apartment on Platon Klyata Street

Russia has high rates of domestic murder by international standards, and there are signs this has worsened during the war against Ukraine unleashed by Vladimir Putin.

In 2021, before the war, Time reported that as many as one in five women were the victims of domestic abuse in Russia.

Four years prior, Putin signed off a law that would 'partially decriminalise' domestic abuse.

By law, domestic violence that results in 'minor harm', like bruising, was to be considered a misdemeanor punishable by fine or up to 15 days in jail, according to The Moscow Times.

Of all those who die from domestic abuse each year, ten per cent are Russian.

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk.
The woman was unaware that another set of doors had opened behind her

A woman has plummeted to her death at an Indonesian airport after forcing open the doors to a lift and falling down the elevator shaft.

Aisiah Sinta Dewi, 38, rode the lift onto the second floor while she was on her way to meet her niece at the check-in area of the Kualanamu Airport in Medan on April 24.

CCTV footage shows the woman calmly walking into the airport elevator before fiddling with her phone. She appeared to be confused when the lift stopped with the doors facing her still closed.

Unaware that another set of doors behind her had opened, she began frantically pushing the emergency buttons while trying to prise open the shut doors.

The woman then reportedly called her niece to tell her she was trapped as she continued to push against the closed doors. They soon opened and the woman stepped out and plunged down a gap into the lift shaft.

CCTV footage shows the woman calmly walking into the airport elevator before fiddling with her phone

Aisiah Sinta Dewi, 38, rode the lift onto the second floor while she was on her way to meet her niece at the check-in area of the Kualanamu Airport

The woman's family asked airport staff to search for her after losing contact but they could not find her in the airport terminal.

She was only found three days later when a foul stench emerged from the area near the elevator and staff were called to investigate.

Her body was discovered trapped at the bottom of the shaft and was recovered after a five-hour operation. Her remains were sent to the Medan Bhayangkara Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Dedi Al Subur, the airport's head of corporate communications, reportedly blamed the accident on a lift malfunction, and noted that Dewi herself had tried to prise the doors open.

The victim's brother, Raja Hasibuan, said there was 'poor elevator security' and did not believe his sister was at fault.

He said: 'We asked for the video from the elevator because it was there that we lost contact with her.

'This is an international-level airport. How are safety standards like this? And the response from the staff was very, very unsatisfactory.'

The woman reportedly called her niece to tell her she was trapped as she continued to push against the closed doors

Unaware that another set of doors behind her had opened, she began frantically pushing the emergency buttons while trying to prise open the shut doors

The woman appeared to prise the doors open. She stepped out and plunged down a gap into the lift shaft. Her body was only found three days later

Deli Serdang police said they are awaiting the results of the forensic examination and have started interviewing witnesses.

The North Sumatra Ombudsman office has reportedly criticised airport authorities for alleged neglect and the airport's allegedly slow response to her family's plea for help.
This is the horrifying moment doctors uncovered a spider raising a whole colony of its babies inside a woman's ear.

The stomach-churning footage was taken by medical staff at Huidong County People's Hospital in China's Sichuan Province on April 20.

The video from an endoscope shows the doctor gently probing the patient's right ear with special tweezers.

As the doctor continues to investigate what's bothering the woman, they come across what looks like an ear drum but turns out to be a silky web carefully woven by the spider which has made a home for itself.

After a few attempts of peeling the web back, the terrifying spider raising a family rushes out from behind and launches itself at the probe.

This is the horrifying moment that doctors uncovered a spider raising a whole colony of its babies inside a woman's ear

After a few attempts of peeling the web back (left), the terrifying spider (right) raising a family rushes out from behind and launches itself at the probe

Doctors were stunned to see the wide-eyed black spider but fortunately it was not poisonous.

The woman had initially arrived at hospital with a suspected case of tinnitus but it was soon exposed to be much worse.

Medics quickly realised that the strange sounds and pain were actually coming from the spider making a home in the woman's ear.

Han Xinglong, the physician of the Department of Otolaryngology, told local media: 'The web made by this spider is very similar to the eardrum.

'When the ear endoscope first entered, nothing abnormal was found.

'But when you look closely, there seems to be something moving underneath.

'I pushed aside the spider web, it was about to flee, but it was finally taken out smoothly.'

The woman had initially arrived at hospital with a suspected case of tinnitus but it was soon exposed to be much worse

The discovery was made by medical staff at Huidong County People's Hospital, in China's Sichuan Province on April 20

Despite the terrifying ordeal, the woman only suffered minor damage to her ear canal.

The hospital cautioned individuals from removing foreign objects by themselves, urging them to seek professional help when available due to the risk of causing further injury.

This is not the first time surgeons have uncovered a live spider living in a patient's ear.

Back in 2019, medics were surprised to discover an eight-legged creature living in a man's ear during an examination after he had complained about itchiness.

Surgeons failed to notice anything abnormal with their bear eyes, but with the help of a microscope, they saw a grey spider in the patient's ear canal.

Meanwhile, the same year, a Missouri woman was horrified to find out the 'swishing' noise in her ear was the eight legs of a poisonous brown recluse spider.
A British man has been arrested in Turkey after a fatal mid-air collision with another paraglider that sent both men plummeting on to a hotel roof.

Thomas Aitken, 45, is said to have been detained by police after 30-year-old Orkut Baysal died following their mid-air disaster.

The horror crash amid windy conditions happened in Turkey's Fethiye district, in the province of Mugla, on Sunday.

Baysal, who was in the Turkish national paragliding team, had jumped from 1,700m above sea level - more than a mile - when the disaster struck, local reports said.

He had jumped with fellow Turkish national paraglider Andac Unsal, 45, as part of a tandem flight at the same time that Aitken was carrying out a solo jump.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED OR THE PEOPLE INVOLVED? Email Christian.Oliver@mailonline.co.uk or tips@dailymail.com

Thomas Aitken, 45, is said to have been detained by police after 30-year-old Orkut Baysal (pictured) died following their mid-air disaster

Baysal died from multiple injuries inflicted by the horror mid-air disaster. He is pictured in a previous jump

During the professional paragliders' descent, Baysal and Aitken collided, with both men plummeting on to a hotel roof before landing on the edge of the resort's swimming pool.

Some reports in Turkish media say that the two parachutes became entangled in the collision just 65ft (around 20m) off the ground.

Local police and medics were sent to the crash site, with the injured paragliders taken to the Fethiye State Hospital for treatment.

But Baysal died from multiple injuries inflicted by the horror mid-air disaster. His body has since been taken to the morgue at the state hospital.

Both Aitken and Unsal were reportedly hurt, but not with life-threatening injuries.

It is understood that Aitken was subsequently detained in police custody pending the outcome of the investigation.

Turkish police are investigating the cause of the collision and whether there was any negligence by those involved.

Orkut Baysal, 30, in undated photo. Two paragliders collided during landing in Fethiye, Turkey

Professional paraglider Orkut Baysal, 30, died after a collision during a landing in Fethiye last week

The deadly incident has reportedly raised questions regarding safety regulations and practices in the paragliding community.

The investigation is ongoing.
The last Britons to board final evacuation flights expected to land in UK in hours

Britain has finished evacuating terrified Britons from Sudan, with 2,197 people rescued from the war-torn country in the longest and largest airlift by any Western nation during the crisis.

The last Britons to board the final evacuation flights from the warzone are expected to land in the UK within hours after escaping the terrifying violence wreaking havoc in Sudan.

British soldiers have spent the past week helping the thousands of Britons board more than 20 flights from Wadi Saeedna airbase in Khartoum and Port Sudan, 500 miles south of the capital.

A total of 2,197 Britons - many of them young children - have now been evacuated after somehow surviving the nightmarish journey through the violent streets of Sudan to reach the airbases.

And with the final two flights leaving Port Sudan yesterday, the UK's focus will now turn to the diplomatic and humanitarian response to the bloody conflict caused by a violent rivalry between two generals, officials said.

Britain has finished evacuating terrified Britons from Sudan, with 2,197 people rescued from the war-torn country in the longest and largest airlift by any Western nation during the crisis. Pictured: A family board an RAF plane from Wadi Saeedna airbase in Khartoum on Saturday

Pictured: Military personnel and the last evacuees boarding a RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus, during the final days of evacuations, at Wadi Seidna Air Base, in Sudan, on Saturday

In touching scenes, an army medic entertained a baby by raising them in the air at Wadi Saeedna airbase in Khartoum

Pictured: Smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, on Monday

While the government said it expected no more flights following the bank holiday airlifts, Royal Navy warship HMS Lancaster will remain in the Red Sea to support any further evacuation efforts from Sudan.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 'With thanks to the extraordinary efforts of staff and military, the UK has brought 2,197 people to safety from Sudan so far - the largest airlift by any Western nation.

'As the focus turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, we will continue to do all we can to press for a long-term ceasefire and an immediate end to the violence in Sudan.'

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'Yet again the men and women of our armed forces have led the way.

'In one week, the RAF have flown more than 20 flights, deployed over a thousand personnel, evacuated over 2,000 civilians and helped citizens from more than 20 countries to get home.

'HMS Lancaster will remain at Port Sudan and her crew will continue to help provide support.'

In addition to British nationals, the UK helped evacuate 1,087 people from other nations, including the US, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Australia.

Following the final RAF repatriation flights, the Foreign Office said a UK team will continue to be based at Port Sudan to provide consular assistance, including to British nationals leaving by commercial routes.

The government's response to the crisis was criticised last week after officials focused the evacuation efforts on rescuing diplomats and their families rather than civilians as well.

One soldier from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment cuddled a toddler before the final flight from Wadi Saeedna airbase in Khartoum on Saturday

Pictured: Military personnel boarding a RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus, during the final days of evacuations, at Wadi Seidna Air Base, in Sudan

Soldier from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is pictured smiling with Sudanese locals

A British soldier sticks her tongue out at a young boy being carried by his mother before the family boarded the final British flight from Khartoum

Britons have described seeing thieves and killers roaming the streets of the capital, with the corpses of civilians killed in the fighting between warring factions littering the ground in scenes that have been compared to the horror film The Purge.

There are fears that some Britons were not able to reach the final evacuation flights because of how dangerous it is to travel in the country.

For those left behind in Sudan, they face an uncertain future.

Fierce fighting between rival generals raged on in the country on Tuesday despite the latest truce, as warnings multiplied of the potential for a 'catastrophic' humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Bloodshed has gripped Sudan since April 15 when tensions erupted into armed exchanges between regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded as air strikes and artillery exchanges have gripped swathes of greater Khartoum sparking the exodus of thousands of Sudanese to neighbouring countries.

Many more cannot afford the arduous journey to Sudan's borders, and have been forced to hole up inside the city of five million people with dwindling supplies of food, water and electricity.

'We are hearing some sporadic gunfire, the roaring of a warplane and the anti-aircraft fire at it,' said one resident of south Khartoum.

The last evacuees and military personnel board an RAF aircraft bound for Cyprus from Wadi Seidna Air Base in Sudan on Saturday

Pictured: British Citizens from Sudan waiting at Wadi Seidna airport in Khartoum, Sudan ahead of boarding an RAF aircrafts bound for Cyprus on Saturday

In a Monday briefing, the top UN aid official in Sudan, Abdou Dieng, warned that the situation was turning into 'a full-blown catastrophe'.

Kenyan President William Ruto said the conflict had reached 'catastrophic levels' with the warring generals declining 'to heed the calls by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and the international community to cease fire.'

In a virtual meeting with senior UN officials, Ruto said it was imperative to find ways to provide humanitarian relief 'with or without a ceasefire'.

Burhan and Daglo, who fell out after carrying out a 2021 military coup which derailed Sudan's transition to elective civilian rule, have flouted multiple ceasefires, the latest a 72-hour extension agreed late on Sunday.
An emotional Princess Anne today spoke of her heartache upon leaving Balmoral after the Queen's death, telling of the 'touching' moment she saw thousands of mourning Briton's lining the streets to say farewell.

In a rare, candid interview the stoic Princess Royal, 72, spoke of her relationship with her late mother and paid tribute to 'sheer numbers of people' who lined the roads from Balmoral to Edinburgh, and later from London to Windsor in the wake of her mother's death.

The Princess, who was visibly moved as she accompanied her mother's coffin in a funeral cortege last September, said she 'took a lot of it in' as she passed mourners, adding she 'spotted people she knew on the way'.

She told Canada's CBC News in a poignant interview: 'It was such an impressive sight, and it was more than that because it was really touching (to see) how people responded and how they did things.

'The sheer numbers of people turned up in quite extraordinary places, you were never going to miss that and the atmosphere it created.'

In a rare interview with Canada's CBC news, Princess Anne spoke of her heartache in leaving Balmoral after the Queen's death, telling of the 'touching' moment she was thousands of mourning Britain's lining the streets to say farewell

Thousands lined the streets in Edinburgh as the hearse carrying the Queen's coffin passed through the streets of the Scottish capital

The Princess spoke of the tractors that lined the road, looking 'tidy, all clean' which the grieving daughter said was 'an astonishing site'. Pictured: Farmer's guard of honour as the Queen's coffin passed from Balmoral to Edinburgh

Reflecting on the tens of thousands of mourners that lined the street to bid their final farewell to the Queen, Princess Anne said it was a 'touching' and 'impressive site'

The Princess spoke of the number of people from rural communities across Scotland who brought out their ponies and horses, having plaited their tails.

Tractors lined the road in a Guard of Honour which the Princess Royal said was 'an astonishing site'.

When asked how she felt leaving the Queen's beloved Balmoral with her mother for the last time, she spoke of her own pain.

She said: 'Leaving Balmoral was never easy, but then it never has been, I mean I was just as bad when I was leaving as a child.'

The Queen had chosen her only daughter to accompany the funeral cortege, seeing Princess Anne take on perhaps the hardest role in the wake of the monarch's death.

Pictured being driven in a Bentley behind the hearse, Anne, who was accompanied by her husband of 30 years Sir Timothy Laurence, was visibly moved as she looked out onto those members of the public who had come to pay their respects.

The mother and daughter had enjoyed a close bond, which was evident each time they were seen together.

In Glenfarg, a village in Perth and Kinross horse riders lined the fields surrounding the road where the Queen's cortege passed by on September 12 last year

Princess Anne, the Queens only daughter, was chosen by her mother to accompany the funeral cortege on the six-hour journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh (pictured). Speaking of that day in September she said it was not 'easy'

Poignantly reflecting on their exceptionally close mother-daughter bond, she said: 'The relationship tends to remain if you are lucky very similar throughout your life.'

In the interview, which took place just days before her brother's Coronation and ahead of her visit to New Brunswick in a few weeks time, the Princess spoke with sadness about the tragic photo of the Queen sitting alone in grief at Prince Philip's funeral.

When asked by the interviewer whether she believed it was 'thievery' that her mother was forced to alone at a time of enormous grief, she agreed.

She said: 'Yes, you're quite right. In some ways I'm glad we didn't see that, at that moment. When you see the photograph it's much worse somehow'.

Throughout the interview, the Princess went on to reflect on the future of the British royal family.

Speaking in defence of the monarchy, she insisted it continues to bring 'long-term stability' and 'goodness to the UK and the Commonwealth', warning it should not be slimmed down further.

Since 2020, the Sussexes have stepped down as working royals and Prince Andrew was stripped of his HRH title, patronages and military affiliations by his mother.

Before he became King, Charles was vocal about wanting fewer working members of the Royal Family and a cheaper, smaller, institution.

Throughout the interview, the Princess also reflected on her exceptionally close relationship with her mother, the Queen (pictured at the Royal Ascot in 2013)

Princess Anne, the Queen's only daughter, was chosen by the Queen to accompany her coffin. As she passed thousands of mourners she looked visibly upset

During the interview, the Princess defended the British monarchy, suggesting it the Royal Family does not need to be 'slimmed down' any further. Pictured: King Charles and Princess Anne in Aberdeenshire a week before their mother's death

But the Princess has suggested the number of working members of the royal family is already small enough.

She said: 'Well, I think the "slimmed down" was said in a day when there were a few more people around. It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I would say. I'm not quite sure what else we can do.'

Adding her defence of the monarchy, which has seen a backlash in some Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand in recent days, said: 'There will be [conversations about relevance] everywhere. It's not a conversation that I would necessarily have.

'It's perfectly true that there is a moment when you need to have that discussion, but I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite hard to come by in any other way.'

When asked what type of King her brother would be, the humorous Princess joked: 'Well, you know what you're getting because he's been practicing for a bit, and I don't think he'll change.'

It comes as a new poll revealed in the Mail today that most believe that the King should not apologise for historical links between the monarchy and slavery, something Charles recently signalled his support for.
Police have urgent concerns for the welfare of a 39-year-old woman who was last seen leaving a hospital over 24 hours ago.

Bree Kelly left the Peel Health Campus on Lakes Road in the West Australian city of Mandurah, which is south of Perth, at about 3pm (WST) on Monday.

She is described as being 176cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair and green eyes.

West Australian police are searching for missing 39-year-old woman Bree Kelly who has gone missing in the city of Mandurah

Ms Kelly was last seen leaving the Peel Health Campus on Lakes Road at about 3pm (WST) on Monday

When last seen in the northern suburb of Greenfields she was wearing a black jumper and black leggings.

Police could not reveal further details but said they held concerns for Bree's welfare.

They urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to immediately contact them.
The number of people crossing the Channel in small boats this year has passed 6,000 as ministers hunt for a fleet of vessels to accommodate them.

The latest Home Office figures showed 246 migrants were detected in six boats on May 1, taking the total for the year to 6,192.

The department is reportedly seeking to acquire a fleet of up to 10 vessels to house them amid a backlog in processing cases.

Cruise ships, ferries and barges are set to e moored at UK ports including Liverpool.

The first vessel, the Bibby Stockholm, has already been lined up to house 500 people off Portland in Dorset.

Rishi Sunak has pledged to clear the backlog within a year, but the Guardian today reported that the queue of people waiting for their cases to be assessed is now 1,500 longer than when he made the pledge.

More boats are being sought amid a backlash at plans to also use military bases and other government sites as emergency accommodation.

This morning the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, admitted no-one would want a large facility to accommodate asylum seekers in their constituency.

The Braintree MP's local council failed to secure a High Court injunction blocking the Government's plans to use the redundant RAF Wethersfield airfield in Essex to house asylum seekers.

The latest Home Office figures showed 246 migrants were detected in six boats on May 1, taking the total for the year to 6,192.

The Home Office is looking at cruise ships, ferries and barges to be moored at UK ports including Liverpool, it was reported today.

The first vessel, the Bibby Stockholm, has already been lined up to house 500 people off Portland in Dorset.

This morning the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, admitted no-one would want a large facility to accommodate asylum seekers in their constituency.

Asked about the PM's committment to stop the boats, his official spokesman said: 'There is no silver bullet or one lever to pull to achieve this commitment.

'There are significant pieces of work, including legislation, already underway which, combined, we believe will stop the boats, which is a priority of the public.

'Clearly some of that is subject to legal challenge, some of that is still working its way through the House - you will know the Bill moves to the Lords now.

'So there is a great deal of work already underway, including greater cooperation with our French counterparts which we do believe is having an impact.

'But it will only be once all these elements are working in full and are not subject to legal challenger or working their way through Parliament that we will be able to fully deliver for the public.'

Mr Cleverly said the Government's Illegal Migration Bill was intended to speed up the system so large-scale detention facilities would not be needed in future.

He told Sky News 'Of course, no-one would want a facility like that in their constituency ... but the point I'm saying is that the legislation we are putting through is to reduce the need for facilities like that.'

On Wethersfield, he added: 'I have concerns about the remoteness of the site and the road network around that.

'The bottom line is if the decision is made that that is where this site needs to be - and it's not a decision for me to make exclusively - but if that is the decision that's made, I want to make sure it works effectively, properly and our wider immigration system is fit for purpose.'

Dozens of suspected migrants trying to enter the country in small boats were picked up yesterday - just hours after Albania's Prime Minister launched another scathing attack on the UK.

A boat carrying approximately 80 people believed to be migrants was seen entering Dover and at least one small child was seen disembarking.

Figures showed that at least 13,000 Albanians entered Britain on small boats last year - just under a third of all arrivals.

Speaking at an economic event in Greece, Mr Rama said the UK was targeting his nation 'to feel like they still have muscle'

A young child was seen amongst the migrants disembarking in Dover on May 1. Around 80 people were seen leaving a boat

Edi Rama said at the weekend the UK was in 'a bad place' and having a 'nervous breakdown' over the flow of thousands of people from the Continent in small boats.

He signed a deal with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in December to stem the flow of illegal immigration as part of one of Sunak's key pledges but has made no secret of his dislike of incendiary rhetoric used by senior British politicians.

Speaking at an economic event in Greece, Mr Rama said the UK was targeting his nation 'to feel like they still have muscle'.

'We have fought against [this language] and now we see they have calmed down a bit. But they are going through something of a nervous breakdown as a country so we have to understand them,' he told the Delphi Economic Forum, according to the Independent.

'It is not something we can't understand, we have to understand them. They have lost a lot of points of reference and they are really in a bad, bad place.'
A British-Iranian politician who was hanged by the Iranian regime in January was a 'British spy' who shared sensitive information for 15 years, intelligence officials say.

Insider sources told the New York Times that former Iranian Deputy Defence Minister Alireza Akbari handed Britain Iran's nuclear and military secrets from 2004.

He was convicted of spying and hanged in Iran on 14 January this year, but the British government has not acknowledged that Mr Akbari worked for MI6.

Akbari was accused of leaking secrets in 2019 after Iran found - with help from Russian intelligence - that he had revealed the location of the underground Fordow nuclear enrichment facility in Qom province in northern Iran.

Alireza Akbari (pictured, undated) was executed in January, convicted of spying for Britain

Image shows the Fordow facility in northern Iran, allegedly identified by Alireza Akbari

Iran trials a medium-range surface-to-surface missile, the Sejil-2, in northeastern Iran in 2009. Then-President Ahmadinejad said Iran was capable of sending any aggressor 'to hell'.

The New York Times reported that a British intelligence official visited Israel in 2008 and shared information from Akbari suggesting Iran was building nuclear weapons.

Akbari had allegedly also identified that Iran was enriching uranium at an underground site at Fordow, near Qom city in northern Iran.

The former defence minister's role in disclosing the reported proliferation of nuclear activity in Iran was not known to Iran at this time.

In 2009, then-President Obama confronted Iran over the alleged building of the clandestine underground facility and said he would not rule out military action if they did not 'come clean' about the extent of their programmes.

Iranian officials acknowledged the existence of the Qom facility but said it had been reported as required.

Western officials noted that Iran had, by 2006 when the enrichment facility started construction, agreed to let the IAEA know of any new builds.

The IAEA said after an arranged inspection in October 2009 that it believed there was a 'high-level decision not to cooperate', withholding facility blueprints.

Steadily the situation escalated until in 2015, Iran and several world powers signed an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear programme in return for relief on harsh sanctions.

In January 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency finally verified that Iran had completed steps under the so-called Iran deal, designed to limit its nuclear programme to 'peaceful' uses.

President Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018.

Yoni Koren, then-chief of staff for Israel's defence minister, said the information shared on the Fordow enrichment facility was shocking at the time.

'The great contribution of the British to the combined Western efforts to gather data from inside the Iranian nuclear project was always in human intelligence,' he said.

'They had a foot on the ground in places where neither we nor the Americans had a presence.'

Norman Roule, the former national intelligence manager for Iran at the CIA, also said the 'discovery of Fordow radically altered the attitude of the international community towards Iran.'

This handout picture provided by Iranian Army office on August 24, 2022 shows suicide (kamikaze) drones during a two-day drone drill at an undisclosed location in Iran

Iran forces conduct a military drill with ballistic missiles and unmanned air vehicles at Great Salt Desert, in the middle of the Iranian Plateau, on January 15, 2021 in Iran

Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registers his candidacy for Iran's presidential elections on May 12, 2021 in Tehran. Akbari was arrested in 2019 under Ahmadinejad's regime.

After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Alireza Akbari rose to prominence as a senior commander in the Revolutionary Guards.

He was responsible for implementing UN Resolution 598, which ended the war with Iraq in 1988.

Akbari went on to work as the Deputy Defence Minister of Iran between 1998 and 2003.

READ MORE: Iran could make materials for a nuclear bomb in just 12 DAYS, US warns Advertisement

In this role, he fervently opposed the nuclear deal with the West, arguing it would threaten his country's security.

He said: 'If we retreat every time they put pressure on us, they will continue the pressure and push us farther back until we are completely disarmed and defenceless.'

Akbari was initially responsible for arguing on the global stage that Iran's nuclear programme was only for peaceful purposes, such as energy production.

He was then arrested on suspicion of spying for Britain in 2008 and later released on bail.

Akbari moved to London with his wife Maryam and their daughters Atefah and Faezah and settled in Hammersmith.

He became a British citizen in 2012.

He returned to Iran on several occasions and was arrested in 2019 after Iran, with help from Russian intelligence, identified him as being responsible for the leaking nuclear and military secrets to Britain.

He was also accused of sharing the identity and activities of more than 100 officials with western intelligence agencies.

The Iranian regime announced in January this year that it had executed Akbari by hanging aged 62.

It appeared that he had been secretly held in custody since 2019.

In a filmed statement before his death, Akbari said: 'They broke my will, drove me to madness and forced me to do whatever they wanted.

'By the force of gun and death threats they made me confess to false and corrupt claims.'

Alireza Akbari during an interview in Tehran. Akbari was executed after being sentenced to death for 'corruption on earth and harming the country's internal and external security by passing on intelligence', the judicial news agency Mizan Online reported

This 2020, satellite photo by Maxar Technologies shows construction at Iran's Fordow facility

MI6, the British intelligence agency in London, denied Akbari fed Britain Iranian secrets

Iran has been developing nuclear technology since 1957, backed at first by the American 'Atoms for Peace' programme which provided adopters with nuclear technology in return for a commitment to only using it for civilian purposes.

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful, enriching uranium to levels consistent with fuel needed for power plants.

US officials still warn against the possible threats of Iran's nuclear programme.

In March, a top US Defense Department official said Iran could make enough material for one nuclear bomb in 'about 12 days'.

This was a dramatic fall from the estimated one year it would have taken while the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was in effect.
The first-ever sighting of an extremely rare bird in the UK was captured on camera for the first time.

The Grey-headed lapwing was spotted in Low Newton, Northumberland yesterday and word soon spread around Britain's birdwatching community.

More than 1,000 twitchers flocked to see the bird, which is native to Asia, is around 34-37cm long and has a grey head and neck, darker grey breast band and white belly.

The lapwing was spotted at the northern beauty spot on Monday and was recently previously spotted in Slovenia, Holland, Sweden and Norway - making this sighting the fifth in recent years.

Birdwatchers scrambled to the Northumbria site to catch a glimpse of the elusive bird

A Grey-headed lapwing drew plenty of admiring glances in Northumbria yesterday

The bird is native to Asia and is around 34-37cm long with a grey head and neck, darker grey breast band and white belly

James Hanlon, 48, a photographer who specialises in birds, bats & herptiles, made a four-and-a-half-hour trip to Northumberland from Cambridge to photograph the bird.

Mr Hanlon said he felt relief when he arrived at the park and saw the bird still there.

The photographer from Cambridge said: 'This is the first time on record this bird has been in the UK. I felt a sense of relief when I arrived as it can fly off any minute, I was glad we didn't waste our time.

'There were a lot of people down earlier but at the moment there are around 100 to 150 people here. We don't know how long it will be here for, it could literally fly away at any point.

'One that turned up in Europe recently stayed between two and seven days.'

It is the first time a Grey-headed lapwing has been caught on camera in Britain

The bird in question has travelled a long way to land in Britain.

Grey-headed lapwings breed in Japan and north-east China and are a migratory bird.

They commonly winter in south-east Asia and India and have been known to frequent areas as varied as Russia, Australia and the Philippines.

Both male and females have the same physical appearance however the males are slightly larger.

Fortunately, the birds are prolific breeders and are not considered endangered.
A mother allegedly hacked her five-year-old son to death with a machete at their home in Egypt before boiling and eating part of his head.

The woman, named only as Hanaa, 29, was arrested by police after Youssef's horrified uncle found the little boy's body parts in buckets at the family home in the village of Abu Shalabi.

She confessed to police that she had eaten part of her son's head because she 'wanted him to stay with her together', local media reports.

Hanaa allegedly killed her unsuspecting son with four blows to the head before butchering his body in the bathroom.

Then she allegedly cooked his head and other parts of his flesh in boiling water on the stove before eating them.

An Egyptian mother (right) confessed to police that she had eaten part of her son's head because she 'wanted him to stay with her together', local media reports. Pictured, left: Victim Youssef

After her arrest, she claimed to the police in Faqus, northern Egypt, that she 'suffers from a mental illness' and had not intended to kill her son.

She and Youssef had been living alone after she separated from her husband, who insists she knew exactly what she was doing.

The ex-husband, identified only by his initials H.A., told local media: 'When I arrived, the police prevented me from seeing my son because of the horrific scene.

'We separated from each other four years ago because she had land from her father and asked me to leave the house and my family and go with her to live on the land.

'But I refused, and the relationship ended entirely by her will, and I tried to reconcile with her after the divorce, but she refused and stuck to her opinion.'

He added: 'My son was the one who kept me connected to her, and I used to see him regularly and bring him clothes and things he needed.

'But recently she was trying to keep him away from me and plant hatred towards me in his heart, so he wouldn't come to me.

'I was trying to communicate with her family to see my son and make sure he was OK.'

According to his lawyer, Samir Mohamed Saleh, the suspect was stone-faced when she told her questioners: 'I wanted to free him and myself.

'I wanted to take revenge against his father and be free. His father keeps coming and trying to take him away all the time.'

The Public Prosecution Office said in a statement that the suspect had been detained and that she will undergo a psychiatric assessment.

Youssef's father, H.A. (above), insists his ex-wife knew exactly what she was doing
A push to have kids who commit serious crimes punished as adults is gaining traction in the wake of a horror crash that killed three woman, which was allegedly caused by a 13-year-old boy in a stolen Mercedes-Benz.

The fatal collision on Sunday in Maryborough, 265km north of Brisbane, involved the luxury car as well as a Holden and a Mazda.

Police allege the Mercedes slammed into the back of a Holden travelling south on Saltwater Creek Road with the force of the impact sending the Holden into a Mazda that was headed north.

Michale Chandler, 29, and Kelsie Davies, 17, were in the Holden and both killed.

The other person in the car, 23-year-old Davies Behrens, survived the crash but needed to be airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital where she was reported to be in a critical condition.

Maryborough Hospital nurse Sheree Robertson, 52, was driving the Mazda and died at the scene despite desperate attempts by her colleagues who were called in for medical assistance.

Queensland's Police Union president Ian Leavers said that anyone convicted of such 'terrible acts' should be punished with an 'adult sentence', which was a 'minimum of life imprisonment'.

Kelsie Davies, 17, died when a stolen Mercedes plowed into the Holden she was riding in on Sunday night in Maryborough

Michale Chandler, a 29-year-old church pastor, also died at the scene of the horror smash in Maryborough

'That is a community expectation and these bleeding hearts need to wake up and comes to terms with reality because that is something that has hit the entire community,' Mr Leavers told the Courier Mail.

'We need to look at the law and look at changes that need to take place,' he said.

'Because we've seen things happen over the last few years but this one has really struck a nerve.

'Three women have been killed, we have another lady fighting for her life. Their families are decimated and will never be the same.'

In contrast, Greens state parliament MP Michael Berkman has called for the criminal age of responsibility to be raised from 10 to 14 - meaning anyone aged under 14 who commits a crime could not be charged.

Federally there is a proposal for it be raised to 12, which Australia's attorneys-general are currently working towards, although the ACT also wants it be 14.

Mr Leavers said as someone who has informed families of the deaths of loved ones by a criminal act he could not support the moves to raise the age of responsibility.

'I cannot envisage delivering a death message to a family saying your loved one has been killed but the offender is [underage] and there is nothing we can do as police,'

'I suggest to the do-gooders, the lefties, and all those who want to sympathise and say that person has had a terrible upbringing, or a judicial officer, you go and deliver the death message.'

Queensland's Police Union president Ian Leavers has hit back at calls to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14

Sheree Robertson, a 52-year-old nurse at Maryborough Hospital, died when the Holden was shunted into Mazda on Sunday night

Mr Leavers also called for parents and caregivers to be held more accountable for youth offenders

'They've got to share some of the responsibility and the blame for this,' he said.

'They are irresponsible and showing they are incapable of looking after a young person.'

He believed there was a 'core group' of a dozen young people 'causing mayhem' in the communities of Maryborough and Hervey Bay, which sit on the coast north of Brisbane.

'That is the same in Townsville, Cairns and other parts around Queensland,' he said.

'They are not misguided youths  and need to be dealt with accordingly and the courts need to step up and do their job.'

He suggested all levels of government would need to co-operate to deal with this problem, suggesting that if caregivers were not doing their duties they should be docked welfare.

Mr Leavers also believed children who were in situations that bred unlawfulness needed to be identified early with interventions put in place between the ages of three to five because by the time they 10 years and over it was already too late.

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle over Sunday night's tragedy.

CCTV has emerged of two youths allegedly stealing the Mercedes-Benz involved in the crash at a Maryborough address around 8:30pm on Sunday.

Police are investigating if a passenger in the Mercedes fled the scene after the crash.

The 13-year-old was mentioned at Maroochydore Children's Court on Monday and was set to face Maryborough Children's Court on Tuesday.
Kim Jong Un is using child 'influencers' as young as 11 to preach about their idyllic lives on social media in a bid to spread North Korean propaganda to the world.

Despite being one of the world's most isolated nations - where the internet is banned and tourism is strictly managed - these young girls try to sell North Korea as a flourishing nation filled with endless opportunities.

Speaking perfect English, one 11-year-old girl who goes by Song A, has racked up more than 30,000 subscribers, while her introductory video has been watched over half a million times.

Wearing a flowery dress in her pink bedroom, with rows of books and teddy bears behind her, Song A says: 'Pyongyang, where I live, is a very beautiful and magnificent city. Have you ever been? If you come here you will be totally surprised.'

North Korea's new leading influencer, who reportedly grew up in London, is part of a wave of young YouTubers vlogging everyday life in Pyongyang, including trips to theme parks, water parks and even ice cream shops.

Kim Jong Un (pictured with daughter on April 15) is using child 'influencers' as young as 11 to preach about their idyllic lives on social media in a bid to spread North Korean propaganda to the world

Song A (pictured), who is believed to be the daughter of a North Korean diplomat who worked in London, talks about Harry Potter being her favourite book

Song A, who is believed to be the daughter of a North Korean diplomat who worked in London, reveals that the reason for her fluent English is because her mother taught her the language from a very young age.

As she shows off her English by naming different parts of the body, her eyes can be seen darting to one side while it often sounds as though she is reading from something behind the camera.

She then adds: 'My favourite book is Harry Potter written by J.K Rowling. I bet your favourite book is Harry Potter too. Next time let's challenge who knows more about Harry Potter.'

During the pandemic, when North Korea was accused of covering up accurate Covid-19 statistics, Song A said in a video: 'Everything is under control as it used to be and everyone is just fine.'

For decades, North Korea has been closed off from other nations, with access to information and the outside world prevented and citizens lack the right to free expression.

In fact, in March, it was reported a North Korean agent would face a firing squad after he was caught using his internet privileges to 'google' Kim Jong Un.

Experts believe that these videos which keep cropping up 'represent an attempt by Pyongyang to get people to like them'.

'This, when they've spent most of their time up to now, encouraging the international community to be scared of them,' Dr Colin Alexander, a Political Communications senior lecturer specialising in East Asian politics at Nottingham Trent, added.

He told MailOnline: 'The videos themselves are interesting for several reasons. They tend to use females with the intention of creating a sense of the innocent. The younger girl speaks with a southern English (rather than American) accent.

'This is both bemusing but also important. Perhaps Pyongyang sees this accent as an international signifier of integrity. There is mention of Harry Potter in an attempt to create bonds between young adults and children around the world.

'Having been to North Korea I can tell you that most houses and streets look nothing like the one in the background to the young woman's video.

'Most people live in small and bare apartments and it's rare to see cars outside of Pyongyang let alone ones parked in a driveway like on a suburban street in Europe or North America.'

Another female influencer, who goes by YuMi, posted a video of her trying out an ice cream shop

The video in which YuMi tries out different ice creams has been watched more than 150,000 times

The videos always feature high praise for North Korea President Kim Jong Un

In more recent videos, Song A has taken trips to a science centre, a water park and a children's hospital.

While filming herself with a selfie stick in the hospital, Song A tells viewers: 'This is just like a palace which is ruled by children and guarded by nurses and doctors.

'I thought the palace was a place for kings and queens and dancing and singing, but if you come here you would know that a palace for patients exists.'

Song A's grandfather is thought to be Pak Myong Guk, part of North Korea's foreign ministry while her great-grandfather, Ri Ul Sol, is understood to have been an elite military commander who guarded the Kim family.

As Song A's channel continues to rake in subscribers, what has become clear is that she is not alone.

Another popular female influencer, who goes by YuMi, also shares videos showing North Korea off as a country filled with opportunity under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

In one video by YuMi, which has been watched more than 150,000 times, the young influencer rifles through a fridge of ice creams in a small shop.

At the start of the video she says, 'I feel a little bit nervous. Ok, here we go.'

For decades, North Korea has been closed off from other nations, with access to information and the outside world prevented. Pictured: Kim Jong Un and daughter on November 27, 2022

Kim Jong Un had two new skyscrapers built to resemble his 'most powerful' rocket in Pyongyang

Experts believe that these videos which keep cropping up 'represent an attempt by Pyongyang to get people to like them'. Pictured: Kim Jong Un and his daughter on April 14

Later on, she runs through the different flavours - including an 'egg milk' ice cream. While pulling out the next one and pointing at the packaging, she says: 'This is milk flavour  the picture is so cute.'

After leaving the shop, she adds: 'Almost all the ice creams you saw in the store are from the Oil General Health Drinks Factory.

'It was built under the guidance of President Kim Jong Un, who wants to develop and produce more nutritious health drinks and nutritious food for the citizens of Pyongyang.'

But in reality, supplies seem to be limited with just a single row visible in a fridge behind her during her taste test. And tables are sparsely filled during a visit to a fresh fish market in another video.

Earlier this year, North Korea sources described chronic food shortages which have stemmed from the pandemic and sanctions imposed against the country amid Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

YuMi has also been posting regular videos, including vlogging about new streets, performances, restaurants and gyms.

People walk in the street near the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang, North Korea, on November 25, 2021

They all come under her 'tour series' where she explores different parts of North Korea.

While filming a workout at the gym, she sits down to explain: 'President Kim Jong Un turned it [the building] into a modern fitness centre.

'After that, he gave concrete guidance on the spot and made sure it was built into a comprehensive centre for physical training and curative gymnastics.'

Park Seong-cheol, a researcher at the Database Centre for North Korean Human Rights, told CNN that YuMi's videos 'look like a well-prepared play scripted by the North Korean government'.
Police are hunting a man they wish to speak to after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted by a stranger as she walked to school.

The terrified victim was subjected to the shocking sex attack in broad daylight while she made her way to school at around 8.10am on Thursday, April 20.

West Mercia Police said she was approached by the man who then assaulted her on Tunnel Hill in Worcester.

The force has now released CCTV images of a man they believe may be able to help them with their enquiries.

CCTV image of a man who police would like to speak to in connection with the incident

The teenage girl was sexually assaulted on Tunnel Hill, Worcester, as she walked to school

The man is described as tall, about 20-years-old, with blackish or brown straight hair and wearing an orange tie-dye jumper with black on it.

He was also wearing greyish jogging bottoms and trainers at the time CCTV images show him walking away from the scene.

Investigating officer PC Rebecca Paley said: 'We're releasing CCTV images of a man that we would like to speak to in connection with this incident.

'He may be able to help us with our enquiries and I would encourage either the man in the picture or anyone who thinks they may recognise him to get in touch with police as soon as you're able to.

'We understand that the CCTV image is from the back. However, the orange tie-dye top is very distinctive.

'We're keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time or were within the vicinity at the time and may have seen him.'
An alleged drunk driver who was chased down by a group of vigilante neighbours fell asleep on the pavement as cops tried to arrest him.

The bizarre episode, on a suburban street in Guildford in Sydney's west, occurred last night just after 10pm when concerned neighbours saw a vehicle careering into parked cars.

They chased after the visibly battered silver Toyota Avalon for over 300 metres before eventually catching up, pulling on the handbrake and taking the keys out of the ignition.

Police struggled for an hour to arrest the alleged driver of the vehicle (pictured) because he fell asleep on the pavement

Police arrived within minutes but they were unable to arrest the 57-year-old alleged driver because he was too intoxicated, according to 9News.

It took them over an hour to get him into custody because he fell asleep on the pavement.

Eventually, paramedics had to be called to stretcher the alleged driver to hospital.

Vincent Kajos, a local whose car was damaged by the alleged driver, said: 'I just heard boom and a neighbour told me someone hit your car and drove all the way up.'

'(He) couldn't move so I had to pull up the handbrake and stop him.'

The battered silver Toyota Avalon was only stopped after a group of vigilante neighbours chased after it and yanked on the handbrake

An NSW police spokesman said: 'Officers... were told the driver of a silver Toyota Avalon had crashed into parked cars before hitting a pole and attempting to leave the scene.

'The alleged driver  a 57-year-old man  and sole occupant of the vehicle was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital to undergo testing after returning a positive roadside breath test.'

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam vision is urged to contact police.
Lucy Letby used Facebook to search for the parents of some of the seven babies she is accused of murdering while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, a court heard.

The emotional 33-year-old wept in the witness box as she repeatedly denied murdering five boys and two girls and attempting to kill 10 other infants between June 2015 and June 2016, insisting she 'only did her best to care' for the babies.

Wearing a black trousers and a black fitted blazer, she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and sobbed as she gave evidence in her defence for the first time, seven months on from the start of her trial at Manchester Crown Court.

The court heard how the alleged killer nurse had carried out hundreds of searches for people on Facebook - including hunting for parents of the children she is accused of murdering or trying to kill.

Asked by her barrister Ben Myers KC why she was carrying out the searches, Letby told the court: 'They're just people that have crossed my mind at that time. It's general curiosity that I look at a lot of people.

Lucy Letby was in the witness box for the first time today as her defence began at Manchester Crown Court. She wept in court as she gave her evidence

She denies the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of ten others between June 2015 and June 2016

Pressing further, Mr Myers asked if there was anything sinister in searching for the parents of babies who she is accused of harming.

'Because, you understand, that's the suggestion that's being made, you understand? It's babies you have hurt. Is that what it's about?,' he said. Letby replied: 'It's not.'

Letby said she and other staff would regularly use their phones whilst at work, though there was a general rule not to use them in clinical areas.

On June 9, 2015 she had searched not only for the mothers of Baby A and Baby B, but also for three social contacts, two colleagues  Ashley Hudson, a nurse, and David Harkness, a paediatrician, and the mother of a child from the neonatal unit of Liverpool Women's Hospital.

Asked whether she had done anything to cause deliberate harm to the babies, she replied: 'I only ever did my best to care for them. That's completely against being what being a nurse is. I'm there to help, not to harm'.

Prosecutors say Letby was a 'constant malevolent presence' in their care at the neonatal unit, claiming she used various means to target the infants, including injections of air into their systems and insulin poisoning.

But Letby said the allegations against her had ruined her life and left her with PTSD, claiming that all the 'hopes' she once had 'for the future' had gone.

She testified today for the first time, as her parents John, 76, and Susan, 62, looked on behind - along side the family members of the alleged victims on the other side of the public gallery.

Manchester Crown Court was previously shown images of her bedroom and excerpts from a 2016 diary where the accused killer had made notes for some of the children she is alleged to have attacked.

Jurors also saw a number of notes written on coloured post-its.

Asked why one note read 'I am evil, I did this' Letby said: 'I felt at the time that if I'd done something wrong I must be such an evil, awful person.

'I'd somehow been incompetent and had done something wrong which had affected those babies.

'I felt I must be responsible in some way. I think looking back on it now, I was really struggling, and this was a way of me expressing what I wasn't able to say to anyone else.'

Extracts of this letter the prosecution say was written by Letby were read out in court. She was asked why she wrote the 'I'm evil. I did this' at the bottom, as well as other sections of the handwritten note

Letby, originally from Hereford, denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder a further ten (pictured: April 2016 entries in a diary)

Letby was flanked by three guards as she appeared in court to give evidence for the first time. She denies the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of ten others between June 2015 and June 2016

Sitting in the witness box flanked by two women prison officers, she saw her removal from the neonatal unit in the early summer of 2016 as 'a life-changing' moment because it took her away from colleagues she saw as friends.

As well as causing her to question 'everything about myself', it drove her to consider taking her own life.

Letby said she first learned of the allegations against her in a letter from the Royal College of Nursing  just as she was putting in a grievance against the NHS Trust she had worked for since January 2012.

'It was sickening. I just couldn't believe it,' she told the court. 'I don't think you can be accused of anything worse than that.

'I was just devastatedI just changed as a person. My mental health deteriorated. I felt isolated from my friends and family on the unit.'

Hospital managers advised her not to communicate with colleagues other than three she identified as two women nurses and a registrar  the man she revealed in her notes as the person she loved.

Letby briefly closed her eyes as she revealed that she found it impossible to sleep without medication. She had also been on anti-depressants since the time of her first arrest in July 2018.

She went on: 'I didn't want to liveI thought of killing myself.'

Mr Myers asked: 'Had you done anything wrong?'

'No,' she whispered in reply.

The nurse broke into a sob as she acknowledged that her mental health had got progressively worse.

The 33-year-old (pictured with a baby), said she was 'devastated' when she was removed from clinical duties

The corridor within the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit, where the alleged incidents are all claimed to have taken place

She was no longer the person she had been, and her life had changed 'completely'. 'The hopes that I had for the futureEverything has just gone'.

Letby revealed she had been detained in four different prisons since her third arrest in November 2020. She had a three-hour return journey on each day of her trial, which is now in its 26th week.

The nurse's father, David, was staying with her when police first called at her home  a semi-detached house less than a mile from the Countess of Chester Hospital.

'There was a loud knocking at the door at 6 in the morning. They told me I was being arrested for multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. They quickly handcuffed me and took me away,' she told the court.

She was at her parents' home in Hereford when police next arrested her on June 10, 2019. 'It was a mirror image of the time before, with loud banging at the door. It was the mostthe scariest thing I'd ever been through,' she added.

She had felt similarly frightened at the time of her third arrest in 2020. The three experiences had left her with a sensitivity to noise. She is also 'easily startled' by 'new things or new people'. Doctors have diagnosed her as having PTSD.

Police searched the home of Letby's parents in Herefordshire (pictured in 2018). Speaking in court today, the she claimed she had been left with PTSD after being accused of murder

Police are pictured searching the home of Lucy Letby on July 3, 2018. She is giving evidence of the first time today in her trial, where she is accused of murdering a number of babies. She denies the charges against her

The court had previously been shown images of Letby's bedroom. Two teddy bears were positioned on an unmade double bed while among items on the floor were a red suitcase, a large burgundy handbag and a small black handbag, the court heard

Mr Myers asked whether she had done anything wrong 'to hurt any babies'.

'No,' she told him. She felt an immense sense of responsibility, that she might have been 'incompetent or done something wrong that had harmed children'.

Letby's notes sometimes appear as a jumble of words crammed onto a single sheet of paper. At one point she read out one particular line, identifying it as 'There are no wordsI can't breatheI can't focusOverwhelming fear and panic'.

She said she had written it not because she had done anything wrong, but because it was the way she felt at the time.

Mr Myers referred her to a note in which Letby wrote: 'I killed them on purpose because I'm not good enough to care for them and I'm a horrible evil person'.

She insisted it did not mean she had killed them, but that she had 'somehow failed in my duties, in my competencies'.

Elsewhere on a crowded sheet of paper Letby writes the phrase: 'I'm evil. I did this'. Again she explained: 'I felt that if I'd done something wrong I must be such an awful, evil person that I'd made some mistakes and not known'.

Letby (pictured) described how there were times she 'didn't want to live' and had been prescribed anti-depressants by her GP

A diary, along with a Post-it note which was found inside the diary, recovered from a chest of drawers at the home of Lucy Letby

'Had you done something intentionally to harm or kill them?' asked Mr Myers.

Letby replied: 'No.'

Mr Myers said: 'Why did you think you may not be good enough?'

The defendant said: 'Because that was the suggestion throughout ... that I had been removed from the unit, that I had done something wrong. That was what was being insinuated to me.'

In another note Letby had written 'I'm an awful person. I pay every day for that right now'.

She explained: 'At that time I did feel I must have been awful - to have made any mistakes. I'd been taken away from the job I loved and accused of things I just hadn't done'.

Letby was asked about another message in which she writes: 'Never have children or marry. I'll never know what it's like to have a family'.

She explained: 'I couldn't see any future for myselfThere were times when I didn't have any hope'.

In a further note Letby writes the word HATE in capital letters. 'At the time I did hate myself because I was made to feel I had done something wrong  that I had done something incompetent'.

Letby was quizzed by her defence lawyer Ben Myers (pictured with her in this court sketch) about her alleged crimes

Letby's parents John and Susan are pictured leaving Manchester Crown Court today having attended their daughter's latest murder trial hearing

At one point Letby writes 'Why me?' She told Mr Myers that at the time she didn't understand 'why it was happening to me'. Until that point she had always felt competent and that 'I'd always done my best'.

Her job as a nurse had been everything to her. It was massive. 'I always strived to go on every course that I could so I could be the best I could'.

She said she had written the notes at a time she was 'really struggling'.

Earlier, the court heard how Letby grew up in Hereford with her mother and father. Asked when it was she first wanted to be a nurse, she replied: 'I have always wanted to work with children.'

She told the court she chose A-levels to take 'which would best support that career'.

Letby said she studied her nursing degree at the University of Chester and was the 'first person in her family to go to university'.

During her studies she went on numerous work placements, she said, with the majority at the Countess of Chester Hospital, either on the children's ward or the neo-natal unit.

Letby said she qualified as a Band 5 nurse in September 2011.

Continuing with his questioning, Mr Myers asked how many babies she would have been looking after during 2015 and 2016

'It would be hundreds,' she replied.

Mr Myers said: 'Did you care for them?'

Letby said: 'Yes.'

Asked if she ever wanted to hurt any of them, she said: 'No, that's completely against being what a nurse is.'

Letby said she was 'devastated' when she was removed from clinical duties, adding: 'I have always prided myself on being very competent and, potentially, I was not competent, it really affected me and I was taken away from the job I loved.

'It was life-changing, in that moment I was taken away from the support system I had on the unit, I was put in a role I did not enjoy and I had to pretend it was voluntary. It made me question everything about myself.'

Letby is currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court (pictured)

Letby told the court her mental health had started to deteriorate after she received the letter from the Royal College of Nursing blaming her for the deaths of the babies.

She said after she was accused of being responsible for harming the infants she felt very isolated and her mental health deteriorated.

She said she was prescribed anti-depressants by her GP, which she is still taking.

Mr Myers KC continued and asked her: 'How bad did the negative feelings get?'

Letby replied: 'There were times when I did not want to live. I thought of killing myself.'

Mr Myers said: 'Had you done anything wrong?'

Letby replied: 'No.'

Mr Myers said: 'Then why did you think of killing yourself?'

Letby replied: 'Because of what was being inferred.'

Quizzed by Mr Myers on how it felt to have her job as a nurse taken away from her and to be accused of killing babies, Letby replied: 'My job was my life. My whole world was stopped.'

Mr Myers continued: 'If you think back to when you were a young woman, you were 25, 26, before you were being blamed for what happened, are you the same person?'

'Everything has completely changed. Everything about me and my life, the hopes I had for the future, everything has gone,' Letby said.

The accused killer told jurors her first time on the neo-natal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital was in 2010 during her university placement.

She went on to start working full time there from January 2012, she said.

'How much did you value being a nurse?' her barrister Mr Myers questioned.

Letby said: 'Massively. It was everything.'

Mr Myers went on: 'And caring for babies?'

Letby said: 'I always strived to go on every course possible to be the best I could.'

She went on to qualify to work with intensive care babies from March or April 2015, she told the court.

The defendant said her time on the unit was from then 'predominately' spent looking after the sickest babies on the unit.

Letby later told the court the impact of a baby dying on the ward Letby would affected 'everyone on the unit' and that nurses would turn to each other for emotional counselling.

The court was shown a photograph of Letby's bed at her home in Chester. It is covered by a duvet bearing the motif: Sweet Dreams.

Jurors were were shown a photograph of Letby's bed at her three-bedroom home in Chester, where she was asked about the room's contents

Letby was asked by her defence lawyer about items recovered from her room during the police investigation into the alleged killings. Pictured is another photo of Letby's bedroom in Chester

The court was previously shown a photo taken by police of a black bin bag which officers claim contained a handwritten note recovered by Cheshire Constabulary from her a garage

Arranged at the pillow end of the bed are four cuddly toys - Winnie the Pooh, Eyor, a rabbit and a light brown teddy bear.

Mr Myers observed that someone must have straightened the bed following her arrest, and suggested it was probably her father. 'Yes,' replied Letby.

The alleged killer appeared to becom increasingly distressed as her barrister went through the photographs. At times she cried. Mr Myers tried to reassure her, saying on one occasion: 'I'll do this as quickly as I can, Miss Letby'.

Letby had two cats. When the medical record of one of them appeared on the monitor in front of her, Letby momentarily hesitated before almost sobbing their names: 'Tigger and Smudge'.

One of the notes shown to the court contained lyrics from a song by Craig David. They included the line 'Love was all we needed' and 'Time let us down'.

It also bears the name of Baby O and Baby P, the two identical triplets she is alleged to have murdered, together with that of their surviving brother.

Mr Myers asked if there was any reason for their names appearing there. She replied: 'I was thinking of them at the time.'

In a second reference to the two dead triplets, she writes their names and adds 'Today is your birthday but you aren't here. So sorry for that.'

Mr Myers asked: 'What is it that's making you sorry'.

Letby replied: 'I think this was on their anniversary and I was thinking of them'.

She also wrote of the two infants: 'I'm sorry that you couldn't have a chance of life, and sorry for the pain that your parents must experience every day.

'We tried our best and it wasn't enough. I don't know if many people will be thinking of you today, or any day, but I will. I will always remember.'

She said the 'us' in the note referred to herself and the rest of the medical team.

She confirmed the references to O and P written at a time just after she was being blamed for deaths on the unit.

Asked to explain the word 'HELP' in capital letters, she replied: 'I just wanted someone to help me, and at that point no one could help meIt was just devastating and it changed my whole life'.

Continuing, Mr Myers asked the defendant if she had ever 'introduced air intravenously or forced air down a nasogastric tube'. 'No I haven't,' she insisted.

Mr Myers said: 'Have you ever done that with the intention of killing a baby?' 'No,' said the defendant. Mr Myers went on: 'Or any other reason for that matter?' 'No,' repeated Letby.

Her barrister asked: 'Have you ever overfed a baby with the intention of killing him or her?' Letby said: 'No, never.' Mr Myers said: 'Have you ever done that to a baby for any other reason?' 'No,' said Letby.

Mr Myers said: 'Have you ever used insulin with the intention of killing a baby or harming him in some other way?' 'No,' said Letby.

The defence counsel continued, asking: 'Have you ever committed a physical assault on a baby in your care with the intention of killing them or hurting them?' The defendant replied: 'No.'

Mr Myers asked: 'What did you want to do with the babies you were looking after?' Letby said: 'To care for them. To do my best for them. To help them.'

Letby, of Hereford, denies the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of ten others between June 2015 and June 2016.

The trial was adjourned until Friday.
A 15-year-old girl killed after being struck by a car on a busy road has been described as 'strong' and 'beautiful' following her death.

Schoolgirl Keely Morgan was struck by a blue Vauxhall Astra while crossing a busy road and a 40-year-old man is being quizzed over her death.

A tribute from one family member said: 'Fly high my beautiful cousin. Love you with all my heart.

'Keep the sky beautiful for us my strong girl done everyone proud.'

Police officially named Keely, from Caerau, Cardiff, as the victim of the crash and said her family was being supported by specialist officers.

A 40-year-old man who has not been named was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention.

Police were called to Heol Trelai, Caerau in Cardiff, following reports of a collision on Monday

The tragedy happened at 9.30pm on Monday night in Cardiff and detectives have appealed for witnesses.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: 'The 15-year-old girl who died following a road traffic collision which happened shortly after 9.30pm on Monday May 1 on Heol Trelai, Caerau in Cardiff has been named as Keely Morgan from Caerau.

'Keely's family is being supported by a family liaison officer and has asked to be allowed to come to terms with their grief in private.

'Our thoughts remain with Keely's family at this time.

'South Wales Police is continuing to investigate the collision which involved a black Vauxhall Astra.

'Officers are appealing for any witnesses who have not yet come forward or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident or of either Keely or the car prior to the collision to make contact.'

The road was closed for hours overnight and reopened at around 6am on Tuesday.

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called shortly after 21:30 yesterday evening [May 1] , to a road traffic accident on Heol Trelai in Cardiff.

'We deployed a rapid response vehicle, an emergency ambulance and were supported by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service along with pre-hospital immediate care specialists from MEDSERVE Wales.'
A DJ has slammed a Sydney venue for booting him out after his set for wearing a hat.

Matty Ferguson aka DJ Flexy Ferg, claims he was thrown out of the Miranda Hotel in the city's south by two security guards as he mingled with the crowd.

The 27-year-old said that after stepping down from the decks and putting on a red cap, he was asked by bouncers to take it off - as it was against house rules.

'I was about 10 steps from the door and this security guard comes up to me and goes, 'Oi mate, you can't wear a f***ing hat in here',' Ferguson said on the podcast BondiLines.

'I was like, man, I literally just got off the f***ing deck.'

Matty Ferguson aka DJ Flexy Ferg, claims he was thrown out of a Sydney pub by two security guards as he mingled with the crowd for wearing a hat

The 27-year-old DJ said that after stepping down from the decks and putting on a red cap, he was asked by bouncers to take it off - as it was against house rules

The situation escalated after he refused to take off the hat and continued towards the door.

'I took three more steps, so I'm about seven steps from the door, grabs me with both hands and goes, 'I told you to take your f***ing hat off',' he said.

'I'm leaving to go to another gig, I'm manhandled by two security guards and fully thrown out onto the street for wearing a hat in a venue.'

He went on to say that Sydney security guards and police are especially high-strung compared to other city's.

'I feel like that s**t doesn't happen anywhere else in the world,' Ferguson said.

'I've partied all around the world and I can't imagine anything happening like that. Sydney definitely has the propensity to over-police.'

Sydney's once-thriving nightlife drastically declined after controversial lockout laws were introduced in 2014 following a string of violent incidents in the heart of the city.

The strict rules meant patrons could not enter venues after 1:30am in the city centre.

Although the laws were wound back in 2021, the damage had been done and the Harbour City is still struggle to regain its reputation as a fun place to go out.

Peter Ryan, owner of Ryan's Hotel Group which manages the Miranda Hotel, said he had not been told about the incident.

'People say a lot of things on podcasts,' Mr Ryan told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Daily Mail Australia have reached out to the Miranda Hotel for comment.

Peter Ryan, owner of Ryan's Hotel Group which manages the Miranda Hotel, said he had not been told about the incident

Sydney's once-thriving nightlife drastically declined after controversial lockout laws were introduced in 2014 following a string of violent incidents in the heart of the city (Miranda Hotel is pictured)

It comes after another shocking incident over the Easter weekend, where patrons at Coogee Pavilion in Sydney's east witnessed a security guard kick out an autistic teenager before pushing him to the ground.

Footage of the incident shows the same security guard pushing the woman to the ground after she yelled at the guard.

Police were called to the scene by the venue after they reported 'malicious damage and assault of a security guard'.

'On arrival, officers were told a young person had forced entry to the venue, before allegedly smashing a glass door and getting into an altercation with a security guard,' a police spokesperson said.
'Drunk' woman swore at theatre-goers after she stood up and blocked their view

This is the moment a woman berated fellow theatre-goers after being asked to sit down by the people behind her as she was blocking their view.

Romain Esteban was attending The RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Friday night when the scene unfolded in front of him.

The 33-year-old watched on as the unidentified woman stood brazenly in front of other attendees, blocking their view, before proceeding to unleash a foul-tempered barrage at those behind her.

The video begins with the middle-aged woman standing up and slowly waving her arms aloft during drag performer Danny Beard's time on stage, whilst the rest of the audience around her remain seated.

The on-screen text read that a 'drunk' woman made 'the person in front of us cry and then starts attacking everyone around'.

This is the moment a woman berated fellow theatre-goers after being asked to sit down by the people behind her as she was blocking their view

The middle-aged woman stood up and slowly waving her arms aloft during drag performer Danny Beard's time on stage at the RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Friday night

The woman appears to be trying to get the people next to her up and dancing too, whilst a woman dressed in blue looks to be reassuring those sitting behind her over her friend's actions.

The standing woman then turns to a young woman behind her to give her a glare, before leaning in and confronting her.

After listening to the young woman's pleas, the standing woman appears to look around and asks who exactly is asking her to sit down.

Those behind her look to gesture that everyone is requesting that she remain seated, to which the woman then shouts: 'You're telling me to sit down? F*** you.'

She then gestures her middle finger at the people sitting behind her twice whilst ranting obscenities that are drowned out by the music onstage.

The woman then turns to address her friend in blue once again, but seemingly stands by her claim, refusing to be made to sit down.

The video was uploaded to social media by Mr Esteban on Sunday with the caption: 'I just wanted to enjoy Danny Beard's performance.'

The video has since received over 50,000 likes and more than 3,000 comments from users left shocked at the woman's brazen rudeness to those around her.

One user wrote: 'Hope she sees this and feels ashamed of herself.'

Another commented: 'The person with her is mortified and stressed.'

The exterior of the Royal Albert Hall in London, where the RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour show took place on Friday night

A third said: 'You can tell when people don't get out much.'

Another replied: 'Everyone is being far too polite. They should have all joined forces (even her companion who didn't look impressed) and got her out.'

A fifth quipped: 'She'd be wearing my drink.'

Another added: 'Be interesting to see her reaction if the person in front of her stood up all night.'

Speaking today Mr Esteban said: 'Somebody in the audience, a man in the row before us, politely asked [the woman] to sit down.

'She then turned around and yelled at the first person she saw, the young lady two rows in front of us with blonde short hair and the sequined gold jacket.

'She gave her that dark look - you can see again later in the video - and called her names then flipped her off.

'Then she turned back facing the stage, that's when the person two rows in front of us started crying.

'The friend with the silver jacket tried to comfort her, the lady wearing the blue dress next to her seemed to feel very sorry and tried to apologise for her, I think.'

Social media users criticised the woman for standing in front of people at the Drag Race show

'After a minute [the woman] turned again and this is where the video starts.

'Everyone around us started asking her to calm down and sit down for that one performance.

'Seems like a lot of people in the comments are confused about why people behind her just didn't stand as well, but everybody stayed seated.

'This show wasn't a concert, more of a succession of different types of performances.

'She was blocking everyone's view and honestly even if we stood up as well it was too difficult to see anything since unlike the rest of the venue this area is flat.

'But really the issue was more how aggressive she was even before I started recording - it just felt like she was looking for a fight.

'The two young people wearing the gold and silver jackets left before the end of the show unfortunately.

'I saw someone - I believe from the staff - talking to them, but I don't have more information on what happened.

'Since I posted the video, someone who sat next to [the woman] came forward and it seems she was attending the event with her sister, the lady with the flower dress, the one that [the woman] tried to have standing at some point during the video.

'They didn't know her at all and apparently were both trying to ignore her the entire show, but they did confirm she was intoxicated.'

Voss Events, who organise the RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour, and the Royal Albert Hall have been contacted for comment.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has accepted an invitation from President Joe Biden to discuss the debt limit on May 9 in an attempt to end the on-going standoff, according to a report citing a source familiar to the matter.

The invitation came after the Treasury Department warned American is set to run out of money by June 1 and default on its debts - earlier than expected - ratcheting up the hear on lawmakers to avert an economic crisis.

Biden made calls on Monday afternoon to McCarthy as well as the minority leaders in the Senate and the House, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Now, according a source cited by CNN, McCarthy has accepted Biden's invitation. Should the May 9 meeting go ahead, it will be the first time Biden and McCarthy have met for talks over the impending crisis since February.

The warning came from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who in a letter to Congress told the divided House that it is running out of time to raise the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has accepted an invitation from President Joe Biden (pictured together March 17) to discuss the debt limit on May 9

'In my January 13 letter, I noted that it was unlikely that cash and extraordinary measures would be exhausted before early June. After reviewing recent federal tax receipts, our best estimate is that we will be unable to satisfy all of the government's obligations by early June, and potentially as early as June 1,' Yellen wrote.

Just after Yellen's letter was made public it was revealed Biden had called McCarthy's team to set up a meeting on how to move forward with the nation's borrowing limit.

Biden and McCarthy have been at loggerheads over how to move forward.

In the May 9 meeting, it is understood that Biden plans to 'stress that Congress must take action to avoid default without conditions,' a White House official said.

But Republicans insist they will not allow the debt ceiling to be raised without spending cuts, and Democrats insist they will only agree to a clean increase.

Any agreement over how to move forward would have to first be worked out between the speaker and the president.

The GOP-led House and Democrat-led Senate would have to get on board and pass it and send it to the president's desk, all in as little as a month.

The House will have four day weeks the week of May 15 and 22, taking Fridays off. Then, the House is out of Washington the week of May 29, returning June 5. The Senate will be out from May 22 to 29 for a state work period.

'There is very little time on the legislative calendar to reach a deal,' wrote Goldman Sachs Group Inc analyst Alec Phillips in a note to clients. 'The next few weeks are going to be unpredictable.'

Although there is plenty of precedent for Congress's scheduled state work visits to be changed, Biden's May travel schedule is less flexible.

The Group of Seven leaders' meeting in Hiroshima, which the White House says Biden is attending, starts May 19, and he'll need to leave earlier than that to reach it in time. After that ends on May 21, he will attend the May 24 meeting of the Quad Leaders' Summit in Sydney, Australia, the White House said.

While plenty is negotiated in Washington by Zoom, text or over the phone, touchy political compromises are still typically the province of in-room deal-making.

Biden and McCarthy (pictured taking questions on the debt ceiling from reporters at the US Capitol building on April 26) have been at loggerheads over how to move forward

Schumer's office revealed Monday the majority leader scheduled votes on a clean two-year suspension of the federal debt ceiling - past the 2024 elections - and the House-passed debt limit GOP bill, which could be largely amended into a deal.

Schumer and Jeffries also released a joint statement emphasizing the need for a clean increase to the borrowing limit.

'We do not have the luxury of waiting until June 1 to come together, pass a clean bill to avoid a default and prevent catastrophic consequences,' they said.

Last week the House passed sprawling debt ceiling legislation that Senate Democrats have insisted is dead on arrival in their chamber.

Republicans have said their plan would save $4.5 trillion in exchange for lifting the nation's borrowing cap by $1.5 trillion. Now GOP leadership insists the ball is in Biden's court to come to the negotiating table.

Now some House Democrats have even said publicly it's time for Biden to come to the negotiating table.

But after the political wrangling it took for McCarthy to get his conference on board with a party-line bill, questions loom over how he would get his caucus on board with a less conservative bill.

Asked how he would next get his caucus to agree to a debt ceiling bill that could actually pass the Democrat-led Senate last week, the speaker demurred.

'Now as the president continues to not negotiate what what I know is I'm confident that one party has taken care of the debt ceiling. We have lifted the debt ceiling so nobody could worry about whether the debt ceiling is gonna get lifted,' he said.

'We did. The Democrats have not. The President wants to make sure the debt ceiling is going to be lifted, sign this bill.'

Pictured: President Joe Biden during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington DC

'Other bills that we passed you say you're going to veto, at the end of the day, you probably end up signing this one as well,' McCarthy said in words directed at Biden.

Last week Biden said he would meet with McCarthy only if he wouldn't use the debt limit as leverage.

'Happy to meet with McCarthy,' Biden said. 'But not on whether or not the debt limit gets extended. That's not negotiable.'

The new June 1 date is a shorter timeline than forecasters had predicted.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued its own assessment confirming the nation would run out of the funds to pay all of its bills in early June after previously stating the deadline would fall between July and September.

'The extent to which the Treasury will be able to fund the government's ongoing operations using cash balances and remaining extraordinary measures will also remain uncertain throughout May, even if it turns out that the Treasury runs out of funds in early June,' CBO director Phil Swagel wrote in a Monday statement.

If Congress fails to act, some legal experts say Democratic President Joe Biden has another option to avert a crisis: Invoke the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution to ensure the United States can continue to pay its bills.

Section Four of 14th Amendment, adopted after the 1861-1865 Civil War, states that the 'validity of the public debt of the United States ... shall not be questioned.'

Historians say that aimed to ensure the federal government would not repudiate its debts, as some former Confederate states had done.

But the clause has been largely unaddressed by the courts, and legal experts disagree about what it requires from Congress and the presidency.

Some, like Cornell University law professor Michael Dorf, say the 'least unconstitutional' option would be for Biden to act on his own to protect the integrity of the national debt. That would mean borrowing money,' he said.

Any action by Biden would surely prompt a lawsuit.
After School Satan Clubs must be allowed to meet on campuses in a Pennsylvania school district to protect free speech, a federal judge has ruled.

Run by The Satanic Temple (TST) - which uses imagery of Satan to rail against religious proselytization - the clubs have sparked controversy in recent months, with meetings held for pupils at schools in Virginia and California.

The latest green light for the club follows outrage from Christian parents after flyers went around advertising it being held at Saucon Valley Middle School, Hellerstown.

A decision to allow it was then reversed by the district superintendent, who cited protecting the 'safety and welfare' of students following 'violent threats' made against the school.

The district was overruled on Monday when a judge found that it had 'unquestionably' violated the First Amendment rights of the Salem, Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple.

The After School Satan Club has been given the go ahead at Saucon Valley Middle School, Hellerstown, by a federal judge

The district argued that the club had violated policy in relation to permission slips not making it clear that the it wasn't district-sponsored.

The Satanic Temple's website describes the club as a way to educate without proselytization

Monday's ruling by US District Court Judge John M. Gallagher read: 'although The Satanic Temple, Inc.'s objectors may challenge the sanctity of this controversially named organization, the sanctity of the First Amendment's protections must prevail.'

'Though the 'First Amendment is often inconvenient' depending on one's perspective, or responsibilities, this inconvenience 'does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.''

Parents at the time lashed out at the decision to allow the club to be held at their kids school, with one Christian father describing it as 'insanity'.

Now free speech advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have welcomed the decision to give it the go ahead.

The national ACLU and ACLU of Pennsylvania and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit against the school district on behalf of The Satanic Temple in March.

They alleged First Amendment violations, allegations which Judge Gallagher found 'credible'.

'In a victory for free speech and religious freedom, a federal court has ruled that the Saucon Valley School District must allow the After School Satan Club to meet in district facilities,' the ACLU said.

The suit came after district Superintendent Jaime Vlasaty u-turned on a decision for school grounds and facilities in the district to be allowed to host the ASSC.

Superintendent Vlasaty argued that the club had violated district policy in relation to ASSC permission slips not making it clear that the club wasn't district-sponsored.

The decision came after a North Carolina man was accused of making 'violent threats' toward Saucon Valley schools for allowing the ASSC to go ahead.

North Carolina man Ceu 'Van' Uk was accused of making 'violent threats' toward Saucon Valley schools

A 20-year-old man called Ceu 'Van' Uk allegedly said he would 'come in there and shoot everybody' in a voicemail, Northampton Daily Voice reported.

Saucon Valley schools were closed February 22 amid an investigation into threats.

What is the Satanic Temple? Headquartered in Salem, Mass. the Satanic Temple claims to work to 'preserve and advance secularism and individual liberties'. Unlike similar groups, The Satanic Temple does not necessarily worship the Devil, but instead views the character as a symbol to 'reject tyrannical authority', according to its website. As the foremost satanic group, TST is a registered religious group recognised by the US Internal Revenue Service. It has hit headlines for a number of high-profile public campaigns, often taking on Christian conservatives including over issues such as the overturning of Roe v Wade. The group operates under seven 'tenets', which promote acting with compassion, the inviolability of the body, fighting for justice, basing beliefs on science and acting with 'compassion'. Advertisement

'Our community has experienced chaos. Our students, staff, and teachers have had to endure a threat to their safety and welfare,' Superintendent Vlasaty wrote at the time.

'The gravity of feelings of instability, anxiety, and fear have been profound.'

There was widespread criticism of the decision to rescind approval for the club, with people taking to social media to say it went against free speech.

The ASSC's stated aims include providing 'a safe and inclusive alternative' to evangelical religious school clubs like the Good News Club, and says it only sets up clubs where religious groups are already operating.

'We applaud the court for recognizing the threat to the First Amendment rights of the After School Satan Club and The Satanic Temple and preventing Saucon Valley School District from continuing its brazen discrimination,' said Sara Rose of the Pennsylvania ACLU in a statement.

'When a school district opens up its facilities, it cannot discriminate based on religious beliefs.'

The Satantic Temple describes itself as 'a non-theistic religion that views Satan as a literary figure who represents a metaphorical construct of rejecting tyranny and championing the human mind and spirit'.

The ASSC claims it does not attempt to convert children to any religious ideology, but 'supports children to think for themselves'.

'All After School Satan Clubs are based on activities centered around The Seven Fundamental Tenets, and emphasize a scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious worldview', it says.

The latest decision comes after another After School Satan Club was allowed to meet at an elementary school in Chesapeake, Virginia following similar controversy.

Protests were held by parents outside B.M. Williams Primary School after the club was allowed to take place there

Protests were held by parents outside B.M. Williams Primary School in Chesapeake, Virginia, after the club was allowed to take place there

The ASSC's stated aims include providing 'a safe and inclusive alternative' to evangelical religious school clubs like the Good News Club

Protests were held by parents outside B.M. Williams Primary School after the club was allowed to take place there.

Superintendent Dr Jared Cotton said at the time: 'Favoring one religion over another or one organization over another because of its mssion or its lawful, unpopular activities is called content discrimination and would violate the US Constitution.

'As stated before, the ASSC is not a school district-approved club, and no district employee is acting as a club sponsor.'

The first meeting was held on February 16 and reportedly attended by nine pupils.

Less than a week later, the elementary school was forced to evacuate following a bomb threat, with an email seen by local media saying the school promoted 'devil worship.'
He had been on a three-month-long hunger strike when he died on Tuesday

A high-profile Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a nearly three-month-long hunger strike, Israel's prison service announced, at a time of already soaring tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.

Khader Adnan, a leader in the militant Islamic Jihad group, had begun staging protracted hunger strikes more than a decade ago, introducing a new form of protests against Israel's mass detentions of Palestinians without charges or trials.

On Tuesday, the 45-year-old, who leaves behind nine children, became the first long-term hunger striker to die in Israeli custody.

Palestinians called for a general strike in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and protests were expected later in the day.

Palestinian militants responded by firing a volley of rockets from Gaza toward empty fields in Israel, while Islamic Jihad said in a statement that 'our fight continues and will not stop.'

Khader Adnan died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a nearly three-month-long hunger strike

Adnan's death comes as Israel is led by its most right-wing government ever.

Prisons and Palestinian prisoners are overseen by Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, an ultra-nationalist politician who previously tightened restrictions on the Palestinian inmates, including shortening their shower time and closing prison bakeries.

Ben-Gvir said Tuesday that prison officials must exhibit 'zero-tolerance toward hunger strikes and unrest in security prisons' and ordered prisoners be confined to their cells.

As Israeli-Palestinian violence has spiked, the number of administrative detainees has risen to more than 1,000 over the past year, the highest number in two decades.

For administrative detainees, hunger strikes are often the last recourse. Several have staged hunger strikes lasting several months, often becoming dangerously ill. Previous Israeli governments have at times conceded to some of their demands to avoid deaths in custody.

This time, warnings about Adnan's deteriorating health were ignored, said the advocacy group Physicians for Human Rights Israel.

The group and Adnan's lawyer said they had asked Israeli authorities to move him from his cell to a hospital where his condition could best be monitored. The rights group said a doctor who visited Adnan several days ago warned that his life was in danger.

'We lay the responsibility for his death at the feet of the Israeli authorities,' said Dana Moss, from the rights group. 'Hunger strikes are one of the few nonviolent tools left to Palestinians as they battle against Israel's unfair legal system, set within a context of long term occupation and a regime of apartheid.'

Dawood Shahab, an Islamic Jihad spokesman, called Adnan's death 'a full-fledged crime, for which the Israeli occupation bears full and direct responsibility.'

Palestinian Khader Adnan, center, is greeted by Palestinians after his release from an Israeli prison in the West Bank village of Arrabeh near Jenin, Sunday, July 12, 2015

Khader Adnan hugs his daughter as he arrives home in the village of Araba, near the West Bank City of Jenin, on 12 July 2015

In the West Bank, Mohammed Shtayyeh, the prime minister of the Palestinian self-rule government also held Israel responsible.

He portrayed Adnan's death as 'premeditated assassination by refusing his request for his release, neglecting him medically, and keeping him in his cell despite the seriousness of his health condition.'

Israel's prison service said Adnan had been charged with 'involvement in terrorist activities.' It said he was in a prison medical facility, but had refused medical treatment 'until the last moment' while legal proceedings moved forward.

It said he was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Around 200 people gathered outside Adnan's home in the occupied West Bank town of Arraba, holding signs bearing his image and called for revenge.

Adnan's widow, Randa Musa, told those gathered outside that 'we do not want a single drop of bloodshed' in response to his death.

'We do not want rockets to be fired, or a following strike on Gaza,' she told the crowd.

Palestinian prisoners are seen as national heroes and any perceived threat to them while in Israeli detention can touch off tensions or violence. Israel sees Adnan and other Palestinian prisoners as security threats accused of involvement in deadly attacks or plots.

Over the past decade, Adnan became a household name in the Palestinian territories, as a symbol of steadfastness against Israel's open-ended occupation, now in its 56th year.

A Palestinian kicks a burning object during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers following the death of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan during a hunger strike in an Israeli jail, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday

Israeli soldiers shoot rubber bullets at Palestinians during clashes following the death of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan during a hunger strike in an Israeli jail, in Hebron, West Bank on Wednesday

He staged several lengthy hunger strikes over the years, including a 66-day protest in 2012, and two other strikes in 2015 and 2018 that lasted 56 and 58 days respectively. Israel released Adnan after the 2015 strike.

He is credited with turning hunger strikes into a tool of protests by Palestinian detainees and a useful bargaining chip against Israeli authorities.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, which represents former and current prisoners, Adnan was arrested 12 times and spent about eight years in Israeli prisons, most of that time under administrative detention.

The number of administrative detainees has grown in the past year as Israel has carried out almost nightly arrest raids in the West Bank in the wake of a string of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israel in early 2022.

Israel says the controversial tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons.

Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.

Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank have been locked in a bout of fighting for the past year. About 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and 49 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

On Tuesday, Israeli officials said an Israeli man was lightly wounded in a suspected Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank.
Hundreds of police officers are preparing for the coronation with a security strategy dubbed 'Operation Golden Orb'.

Police from across the country will be at Britain's biggest state event since the Queen's funeral last September.

Officers will line the King's procession route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.

Snipers will also be positioned on nearby rooftops, plainclothes police are set to walk among the crowds, blockades will stop vehicles being driven into spectators and pavement barriers running for miles will be erected.

Airport-style screenings will be in place as well as armed patrols, a no-fly zone over central London, dog teams and a close protection security operation. Police have also spent weeks on a pre-emptive operation looking at potential threats posed by royal obsessives and looking through social media for intelligence.

Police speak today to royal fan John Loughrey who is camping near Buckingham Palace

Mounted police officers patrol along The Mall in London this morning ahead of the Coronation

Visitors take pictures ahead of the Coronation today outside Buckingham Palace in London

Royalist Anne Daley stands with a cardboard cutout of King Charles and Queen Camilla today

Metropolitan Police officers are set to visit convicted terrorists before the big day and tell them to avoid the celebrations, according to The Times.

There are also concerns over what environmental protest groups such as Just Stop Oil could do to disrupt the procession.

Detectives are said to be using intelligence on the most active demonstrators that will help prevent disruption.

Localised road restrictions have been in force since April 3 but more will come into force from 4pm today ahead of the majority from 7pm this Friday.

It comes as police have seen the number of fanatics posing a risk to the royals and other VIPs double since 2014, with officers keeping tabs on more than 200 people.

Scotland Yard's Royalty and Specialist Protection Command refers individuals of concern to the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre which monitors risks to royals, politicians and other prominent figures.

The threat posed by each person is then graded from low to high based on a 'stalking risk profile' by forensic psychologists and psychiatrists, which looks at their behaviour, any prior convictions and risk of violence.

Royalist John Loughrey emerges from his shelter near Buckingham Palace this morning

Aran Osman of the London Lamplighters checks a gas lamp near Buckingham Palace today

A woman stands near to her temporary camp next to flags featuring King Charles III today

Viewing areas along the procession route with open from 6am on Saturday, before Charles and Camilla set off from Buckingham Palace at 10.20am for the 11am service.

The event has been organised by Transport for London  whose chairman is Sadiq Khan  and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; City of London; Westminster City Council; London Borough of Lambeth; Metropolitan Police; British Transport Police; London Ambulance Service; and London Fire Brigade.

Westminster Abbey shut its doors to visitors following the Anzac Day ceremony attended by Prince William last Tuesday, and is being prepared for the Coronation.

Westminster City Council officials have insisted that access to homes and workplaces will be maintained throughout the road closures.

Elsewhere, around the country communities are preparing to celebrate the coronation at more than 3,000 street parties.

Councils in England have approved 3,087 road closures for gatherings marking the royal event, according to figures from road management company one.network shared with the PA news agency.

The parties will cover a total of 263 miles, which is roughly equivalent to the distance from Westminster Abbey  where the coronation ceremony takes place on Saturday  to Land's End in Cornwall.

The most popular day for parties over the three-day bank holiday weekend is Sunday, when 62 per cent will take place. Some 27 per cent are planned for Saturday, while just 11 per cent are scheduled for Monday.
Islamic Jihad leader Khader Adnan died on Tuesday in Israeli custody after a nearly three-month long hunger strike at a time of already soaring tensions between Israel and Palestinians.

Adnan, 45, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead after efforts to revive him failed, Israel's prison service said. He had refused any medical assessments or treatment, it added.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Gaza to rally in support of Adnan and mourn his death, and the Israeli military said three rockets were fired into Israel from the strip.

Adnan had conducted at least five hunger strikes in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. The tactic has been used by other Palestinian prisoners, sometimes en masse, but none had died since 1992.

Here MailOnline takes a look at who Khader Adnan was and why he was arrested and on hunger strike.

Islamic Jihad leader Khader Adnan died on Tuesday in Israeli custody after a nearly three-month long hunger strike at a time of already soaring tensions between Israel and Palestinians

Who was Khader Adnan?

Born in the town of Arraba, near Jenin in the north of the occupied West Bank in 1978, Adnan became involved with the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad while studying mathematics at Birzeit University in the late 1990s.

He spent the following two and a half decades in and out of Israeli custody, periods of incarceration marked by a string of high-profile hunger strikes - at least five, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club said.

Andan is credited with turning hunger strikes into a tool of protests by Palestinian detainees and a useful bargaining chip against Israeli authorities.

Adnan later became one of the political leaders of Islamic Jihad. The faction has a limited West Bank presence but is the second most powerful armed group in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where Israeli forces fought a brief war against it last August.

Andan (pictured with his daughter in 2015) is credited with turning hunger strikes into a tool of protests by Palestinian detainees and a useful bargaining chip against Israeli authorities

The group is considered a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States.

Alongside his time in and out of custody, Adnan ran a bakery in Arraba, and had also worked as a banker.

Today, his face can be seen stencilled across walls in Palestinian cities and refugee camps across the West Bank and Gaza.

Why was Khader Adnan arrested and on hunger strike?

Adnan, who leaves behind nine children, had refused food since his February 5 arrest by Israel on terror and incitement charges.

He was arrested and indicted in an Israeli military court on charges that included links to an outlawed group and incitement to violence, the Prisons Service said.

An Israeli official described Adnan as an 'operative' of Islamic Jihad who 'took part in dozens of organisational activities... and delivered inciteful speeches that support a hostile organisation'.

Palestinian prisoners are seen as national heroes and any perceived threat to them while in Israeli detention can touch off tensions or violence.

Israel sees Adnan and other Palestinian prisoners as security threats accused of involvement in deadly attacks or plots.

Khader Adnan died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a nearly three-month-long hunger strike

Has Khader Adnan been arrested and on hunger strike before?

Adnan was no stranger to Israel's prisons. His death on Tuesday came during his 13th stint in Israeli custody, with nearly eight years of his life spent behind bars.

Over the past decade, Adnan became a household name in the Palestinian territories, as a symbol of steadfastness against Israel's open-ended occupation, now in its 56th year.

He staged several lengthy hunger strikes over the years, including a 66-day protest in 2012, and two other strikes in 2015 and 2018 that lasted 56 and 58 days respectively.

In 2012, a 66-day hunger strike turned Adnan into a national hero, and revitalised hunger striking as a form of protest among Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli jails.

Palestinian protesters hold pictures of Palestinian Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan following his death in an Israeli jail, in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday

At the time it was the longest hunger strike ever staged by a Palestinian prisoner.

The 2012 protest shone a light on administrative detention - a controversial Israeli measure under which people are interned without charge for renewable periods of up to six months.

In 2015, he again secured his release from Israeli custody with a 56-day hunger strike.

Adnan also found himself in the crosshairs of President Mahmud Abbas' Palestinian Authority.

In 1999, he was arrested by the Palestinian security forces for leading student protests against the visiting French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. He was arrested by Palestinian security forces on at least two other occasions.
A young boy was fatally mauled by a lion after reportedly climbing through the protective fence of a Palestinian zoo.

Police confirmed the death of six-year-old Hamada Iqtiet who had been visiting a private zoo in the Gaza strip with his family.

The local police force in the embattled coastal region, which is under the control of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, said Hamada died yesterday.

Shocking footage showed the terrifying moment that the lion managed to capture the child and maul him at the Asdaa Park zoo in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.

Hamada appeared to get stuck behind the bars of the cage when the lion got hold of him.

Hamada Iqtiet (pictured) was fatally mauled by a lion after he 'climbed through the protective fence' at a Palestinian zoo

Footage from the scene after the event tragically showed bloodstains on the cage bars where the boy is said to have come through the protective fence.

Police spokesman Col. Ayman Al-Batniji said Hamada had climbed through the fence when he was attacked by the lion but the family of the boy dispute this.

They say that Hamada, who was with his mother and other family members, had gone close to an outer fence where the lion was standing when he was attacked.

The officer confirmed that the police decided to close the park temporarily until the completion of an investigation.

It is reportedly the first time anyone has been killed by animals kept at one of the region's several private zoos.

It sparked fresh calls for them to be closed, as the animals can not be properly cared for in the crowded and impoverished Palestinian territory.

The animals are reportedly kept in deplorable conditions and have suffered from repeated fighting between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers, leading to neglect, starvation and lack of medical care.

Although animal rights welfare groups have carried out several rescues of animals, many still remain in the strip that is home to some two million people.

Earlier this year another young boy, aged 12, was mauled to death by a tiger in Karnataka, southern India.

Just hours later, on February 13, his grandfather - identified as a 75-year-old tribal man - was attacked and killed in the same area.

Tragically, another family member died of shock after hearing about the deaths.
For all the latest Royal news, pictures and video click here

** Are YOU a royal superfan whose travelled far to attend on May 6?

A couple of royal superfans have made the 10,000-mile journey from Australia to attend King Charles' coronation and meet up with other monarchists.

Husband and wife Jan and David Hugo, who own Australia's biggest collection of royal memorabilia, have travelled to the UK for the historic occasion on May 6.

Mrs Hugo, 65, has collected more than 10,000 pieces stretching back to the days of Queen Victoria.

She said her hobby started 'by accident' in the 1980s, when she received a coin commemorating Charles and Diana's engagement to celebrate her daughter's birth.

The couple, from Hunter Valley in New South Wales, were so eager to attend the event this weekend they booked their flights to London an hour after the date of the coronation was announced.

Jan Hugo and her husband David started their Royal collection back in the 1980s

Jan and David visited the museum of fellow monarchist Anita Atkinson during their trip

King Charles' coronation this weekend is expected to attract visitors from all around the world

Mrs Hugo met Charles when he on a tour of Australia and is planning to take home more items for her haul.

She said: 'Forty two years later we've got well over 10,000 pieces - we stopped counting when it got to 10,000.

'We got the plate, then the spoon, then the cup, and it just went from there.'

The couple live among their memorabilia, which even includes life-size mannequins of the King and Queen.

She added: 'We actually have it all in our house - it's like living in a museum with everything behind glass.

'We opened it up for about seven years and then Covid hit so we had to close it down. The pandemic was pretty bad in Australia, and we haven't opened since but we are thinking about doing it again.'

Jan Hugo pictured with her collection of royal memorabilia at her home in New South Wales, Australia

Royal superfan Anita Atkinson has been chosen as the face off Aldi's new coronation range

Ms Atkinson's museum in Crook, County Durham, holds more than 12,000 royal collectables

During their trip to the UK, the couple are set to meet other royal superfans, including Anita Atkinson, 66, whose museum in Crook, County Durham, holds more than 12,000 collectables.

The couple are in friendly competition with the fellow monarchist and relished in comparing their collections during a meet-up at Ms Atkinson's museum last week.

Mrs Hugo added: 'I told her about lots of my collection. She made us feel really welcome.'

Ms Atkinsona, a well-known Royal superfan, headed down to the Mall a week early on Saturday to try and get a prime spot to see the King.

Supermarket Aldi has also picked her to be the face of its coronation campaign.

** Are YOU a royal superfan whose travelled far to attend on May 6? Email allen.glen@mailonline.co.uk
Jock Zonfrillo's long hours in the kitchen and his battles with addiction took a huge toll on his personal life, leaving him with two failed marriages and 'a deep mistrust of most people'.

But his pain and torment evaporated on October 21, 2014, when he first met Lauren Fried in the bar of a waterfront hotel in Adelaide.

Zonfrillo, who died on Sunday aged 46, later described their meeting as 'love at first sight'.

'I didn't believe in the concept until it happened, but there was no denying it,' he wrote in his memoir Last Shot.

The pair would later marry on New Year's Day in 2017 and had children Alfie, six, and Isla, two, together. He said his family made him feel like he had won a 'gold medal'.

Yet, just eight months before he met his future wife - who he fondly called Loz - Zonfrillo gave a stark assessment of how his career as a chef had impacted his personal relationships.

Jock Zonfrillo, who died suddenly in Melbourne on Sunday, once said it was 'love at first sight' when he met wife Lauren Fried for their first date on October 21, 2014. (They are pictured together with their children Alfie and Isla)

Zonfrillo said his family made him feel like he had won a 'gold medal'

'Two divorces, a handful of friends because you don't have the time to spend with them, so therefore you can count your close friends on one hand, and a deep mistrust of most people,' he told the Adelaide Advertiser.

'That's what you're left with at the end of the day. Is it really that glamorous after all? I don't think so.'

He admitted to making mistakes in previous relationships and realising that he had been a 's*** partner to women'.

'Shortly before meeting Loz, following a string of disastrous short-term relationships in Adelaide, after which I realised I was actually a fairly s*** partner to women, I'd finally put myself in therapy to try and sort myself out,' he wrote.

He added: 'I found myself spilling my guts, just telling her everything I didn't want her to find out later on: the drugs, the failed marriages, my daughters Ava and Sofia, from previous marriages.'

Fried, a panelist on the ABC series Gruen, initially reached out to the twice-divorced MasterChef judge on Twitter, Zonfrillo recounted in his 2021 memoir Last Shot

Elsewhere in the memoir, Zonfrillo revealed how his wife's love helped him soothe the scars of drug addiction and divorce.

'The hours, the drugs, the burnout  it led me to two divorces, and very few close friends, because there was just no time to nurture relationships' he said.

'Then, all of a sudden, there was Loz.'

Fried, a panelist on the ABC series Gruen, initially reached out to the twice-divorced MasterChef judge on Twitter.

She had just returned from a European holiday to get over a bad relationship when a mutual friend reached out and said the Scottish-born chef was 'her kind of man'.

After just a few days of talking on the phone, Zonfrillo was so smitten by the marketing director that he flew from Adelaide to Sydney for their date.

'We planned to take a water taxi to a restaurant on the harbour for lunch, so we met in the bar of the waterfront hotel I was staying at,' he said.

She had just returned from a European holiday to get over a bad relationship when a mutual friend reached out and said the Scottish-born chef was 'her kind of man'

'When she walked through the door she smiled, and I just knew. We were going to be a thing, and it was going to be wonderful. It was as simple as that.'

Zonfrillo said he and Fried fell quickly and madly in love, with their first date in Sydney lasting three days before he asked her to come back to Adelaide with him.

'By that weekend, we were telling each other that we loved each other. It was completely unexpected. I'd sort of given up on ever finding somebody,' he said.

The couple began a long and happy relationship from that point on, welcoming their first child, a son called Alfie in 2018.

He was born two months premature and weighed just 1.2kg at the time of his birth, meaning he spent time in intensive care ward before going home.

In a social media post in 2020, Zonfrillo reflected on the traumatic experience.

'Our little Alfie was born two months early, weighed 1.2kgs, and spent the first 5 weeks of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit,' he said on Instagram.

'He's now a happy healthy little boy, just the same as most other 2.5 year olds. Those very difficult weeks sometimes feel like a lifetime ago, and on days like today feel very vivid to us.'

Zonfrillo's youngest child, Isla, was born in 2020. The now two-year-old, along with the chef's three other children, were the light of his life.

'I couldn't ask for more  a healthy baby, happy siblings, and a rockstar wife. The Zonfrillo Clan have never been happier,' Zonfrillo said on Instagram when she was born.

After just a few days of talking on the phone, Zonfrillo was so smitten by the marketing director that he flew from Adelaide to Sydney for their date

The restaurateur is survived by Fried and their children, as well as his teenage daughters from his first two marriages, Ava and Sophie.

The grieving widow has now deleted her Instagram account, which was filled with happy photos of their recent Italian holiday together, as she mourns her husband.

Jock was found dead at a Melbourne hotel at 2am on Monday morning after police were called for a welfare check.

No cause of death has been disclosed, but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14
The family of a pregnant teacher who was killed by her fiance before he took his own life in a suspected murder-suicide said the couple 'doted on each other' as they revealed that she had been expecting a boy.

Marelle Sturrock's body was found at a property on Jura Street in the Craigton area of Glasgow at about 8.40am on Tuesday, April 25.

Police Scotland launched a murder investigation including searches of Mugdock Country Park following the death of the 35-year-old, who was 29 weeks pregnant. Her unborn baby did not survive.

The body of her partner, David Yates, whom police had been seeking in connection with her death, was recovered on Thursday after searches of Mugdock reservoir, north of Glasgow.

In a statement released by Police Scotland, Ms Sturrock's parents, Colin and Lorna Sturrock, paid tribute to their daughter, saying: 'We are devastated following the deaths of our daughter, Marelle, and soon to be grandson, Jayden Sturrock.

'Marelle was the happiest person you could ever meet and was always looking to help others the best she could.

'Marelle and her partner doted on each other, and this incident has come as a total shock to all who knew her.

Marelle Sturrock, 35, was found dead two days before her partner David Yates in what police believe was a murder-suicide

Marelle Sturrock, 35, was 29 weeks pregnant when she was found dead in the couple's home on Jura Street, Glasgow. Her parents revealed she was expecting a boy

'We would like to thank family and friends; colleagues at Sandwood Primary School; Police Scotland officers, both in the Highlands and Glasgow, for their efforts and comforting support following our tragic event. Our family would like everyone, including the press, to respect our privacy at this very sad and difficult time.'

An investigation into Ms Sturrock's death is continuing, and last week police said there was nothing to suggest anyone else was involved.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), the watchdog for Police Scotland, said last week it had launched a probe into Ms Sturrock's death.

A Pirc spokesman said: 'The Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed the Pirc to carry out an investigation into the death of Marelle Sturrock on April 25.

'Once our inquires are complete a report will be submitted to COPFS.'

Ms Sturrock's parents revealed she was expecting a boy with her partner David Yates

Police Scotland officers outside the couple's home in Jura Street, Glasgow, on Thursday

Further details of the Pirc probe have not been revealed.

Meanwhile, a source told the Daily Record: 'It is thought to have been pre-planned because David brought the dog to his mum's house the night before and told her he had plans the next day.

'It is not being considered as an accident - it was a brutal, frenzied attack.'

Following the discovery of Ms Sturrock's body on Tuesday, Yates's white Seat Ateca was found at Mugdock Country Park, some eight miles north of the couple's property, sparking a major search.

He was last seen near at the park in East Dunbartonshire, and was wanted in connection with her murder. It is thought that he did not leave the park after he travelled there.

Helicopter search teams could be seen flying above the park and police divers were involved, with large sections of the reservoir cordoned off with police tape.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Police maintain there is no information to suggest anyone else is involved with Ms Sturrock's death, though an investigation remains ongoing.

Deputy Superintendent Nicola Kilblane previously refused to comment on the couple's relationship or if there had been any prior police involvement.

Friends say Ms Sturrock was 'really excited' about becoming a mother and was 'brilliant with kids'.

But friends of Yates said he had struggled with his mental health in the past.

One said: 'David had a bit of a breakdown before his dad died last year. He was in a band for a few years and wanted to make a go of that and he was still doing his theatre shows and things. Nobody can get their heads around what has happened here.'

Ms Sturrock had worked as a teacher at Sandwood Primary School for more than six years and led its choirs. She was also a keen actress outside the school.

Fiona Donnelly, the headteacher of Sandwood Primary School, said: 'Marelle had been a much-loved member of our school community since her probationary year more than six years ago and has taught many year groups throughout her time at the school.

Marelle Sturrock, 35, pictured with her fiance David Yates, 36

'We all miss her so much. She was a lovely, kind, diligent and considerate person who loved and made time for everyone.

'Marelle used her artistic talents across the school and was our music champion - a key player in the success of our school choirs, with one of her classes going to see her on stage in one of her many acting roles outside of school.

'We are a school community in mourning and devastated by the tragic news of her death.'

Sarah Sturrock, Marelle's sister, shared the family's heartbreak, writing: 'There are no words how utterly devastating this is for us as a family & how we are going to cope without her.

'How this could of happened to her I will never get my head around this.'

It is understood that Yates and Ms Sturrock got engaged in 2015.

Police searching Mugdock Country park, Milngavie, prior to the discovery of Yates's body

According to neighbours, the couple would sometimes visit Mugdock Country Park to walk their dog.

Neighbour Alex Collie said his wife had spotted Ms Sturrock's worried colleagues at the house on Tuesday morning.

He told the Daily Record: 'My wife walked past when they were at the house.

'They were knocking on the door and seemed worried. I think concern was raised when she didn't show up for work.

'A few hours later we saw the police here. We got the shock of our life when we heard what had happened to Marelle. It's tragic. I can't believe it.'

Pupils at Sandwood Primary School are being supported after the tragedy.

Dept Supt Kilbane, of Police Scotland, said in a statement: 'Our thoughts are with Marelle's family and friends, along with everyone affected by this tragedy.

'We are providing her family with specialist support at this incredibly difficult time.'
This is the astonishing moment an elementary school headteacher came face-to-face with a black bear as it emerged from a dumpster - which was designed to keep bears out.

West Virginia elementary school principal James Marsh can be seen unlocking the dumpster on CCTV footage from Monday May 1, before running for his life.

Mr Marsh, principal of Zela Elementary School in Summersville, said he was removing a lock bar 'designed to deter bears'.

The bar evidently did not work, and to the teacher's surprise a huge bear then pops his head out of the dumpster and looks him directly in the face.

The beast then launches itself out towards him as Mr Marsh legs it.

'I like wildlife and bears but prefer them more than an arm-length away.

'Video surveillance later showed the bear squeezing in and out of the dumpster all weekend to dine,' Mr Marsh said.

'I guess it had a good meal and a nap, lol!'

Seemingly spooked at the encounter, the bear makes off into nearby woodland as Mr Marsh runs in the opposite direction across the parking lot.

At the same time, a colleague of the headteacher looks out of the back door of the school.

She jumps back behind the door, taking cover as she notices the bear jumping out.

According to local reports, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources gave Marsh the dumpster lock because employees had been experiencing issues with bears.

The moment James Marsh realised a black bear was inside the dumpster he was opening

The West Virginia elementary school principal can be seen unlocking the dumpster on CCTV footage from Monday, May 1, before running for his life

The footage showing Mr Marsh's encounter with the dumpster-diving bear was released by the Nicholas County Board of Education.

While no fatal attacks by a black bear have ever been confirmed in West Virginia, attacks do happen.

In 2019, an adult black bear was killed after a 66-year-old woman called Opal Gillespie was mauled in her own backyard.

Her dog was killed and Ms Gillespie sustained lacerations on her head and neck, along with bruising on her upper body.

The roughly 750,000 black bears across the US kill less than one person per year on the average, according to the North American Bear Center.

The primary reason behind bear attacks is bears protecting their food or cubs, and injuries are usually minor, the National Parks Service says.
GOP Sens. Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley are accusing President Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken of providing 'false testimony' to Congress related to the president's son Hunter's Burisma business dealings.

In a letter to Blinken Monday, obtained by DailyMail.com, the senators wrote that the false statements occurred when he sat for an interview before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in December 2020.

Blinken was still working for the Biden campaign at the time and aiming for the secretary of state job.

'On December 22, 2020, you provided false testimony to Congress during your voluntary transcribed interview,' the senators wrote.

'As part of our ongoing investigation into the Bidens' business dealings, you agreed to participate in an interview with our staff to discuss your relationship with Hunter Biden, among other topics.

GOP senators wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken accusing him of making false statements during a transcribed interview in December 2020

In an interview with Fox News' Benjamin Hall Monday, the secretary of state denied his involvement in a 2020 letter signed by over 50 former intelligence chiefs claiming that Hunter Biden 's laptop was Russian 'disinformation'

'At the start of that interview, our staff reminded you of the statute that makes it a crime to lie to Congress. You acknowledged your understanding of that statute and stated that there is no reason you would be unable to provide truthful answers during the interview,' the letter continues.

The senators state that based on emails from Hunter's laptop and other records and information that is now more widely available, Blinken's 2020 statement to Congress was blatantly false.

'Your statement to Congress that you did not email Hunter Biden is clearly not true and calls into question the veracity of your entire December 22, 2020 testimony,' the senators state.

'Based on evidence now available, your above statement is patently false. Emails contained on Hunter Biden's laptop and recent reports have revealed that you did in fact email Hunter Biden on at least two occasions, contradicting what you told congressional investigators.'

Grassley, R-Iowa, and Johnson, R-Wis., included an email from May 22, 2015 as an example.

The email shows Hunter Biden writing to Blinken's personal email address requesting to meet to get your 'advice on a couple of things,' to which the now-secretary of state replied: 'Absolutely.'

Another email from 2016 show that Hunter and his business associate Eric Schwerin were directed to 'please call Evan Ryan ... Hunter -- she tried your cell earlier and it went straight to vm[.].'

'It seems highly unlikely that you had no idea of Hunter Bidens association with Burisma while your wife was apparently coordinating with Hunter Biden to potentially connect you with Burismas U.S. representatives,' the senators followed up by writing.

The senators' letter to Blinken follows a report by DailyMail.com revealing that Blinken and his wife, Joe Biden's cabinet secretary Evan Ryan, were both embroiled in an alleged attempt to influence U.S. government officials on behalf of Ukrainian gas firm Burisma.

Blinken told Senate investigators under oath in 2020 that he had 'no knowledge of Hunter Biden's service on the board' of Burisma, and didn't know about Blue Star Strategies, a Democrat consultancy hired by the firm in 2015 to improve its image in Washington D.C.

Ron Johnson, R-Wis. (left) and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. (right), included an email from May 22, 2015 as an example

Johnson says Blinken told a 'boldface lie' to Congress about his communications with Hunter Biden

But State Department emails show he spoke with Blue Star's CEO Karen Tramontano at a political event around July 2016 while he was Deputy Secretary of State, and agreed to have a coffee with her to discuss 'some troubling events we are seeing in Ukraine'.

The government and laptop emails obtained by DailyMail.com suggest Blinken may have been more aware of Hunter's dealings than he has let on.

The senators note the Blue Star connection, writing: 'State Department documents obtained during our investigation make it clear that you were concurrently trying to connect with representatives from Blue Star Strategies.'

If proven to be true, providing false statements to Congress carries a prison sentence of up to five years.

The senators are demanding 'all records, referring or relating to Hunter Biden, his business dealings, or his family's business dealings' be handed over by May 15.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the State Department for a response to the letter.

Last week, former CIA Acting Director Mike Morell told the House Judiciary Committee that he was asked by Blinken to help discredit the Hunter Biden laptop reporting.

Morell coordinated letter signed by over 50 former intelligence chiefs claiming that Hunter Biden's laptop was Russian 'disinformation' because he wanted to help Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.

The government and laptop emails obtained by DailyMail.com suggest Blinken may have been more aware of Hunter's dealings than he has let on

Emails from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop show Tony Blinken (center) and his wife Evan Ryan (right) were both embroiled in an alleged improper attempt to influence government officials

However, Blinken has directly denied his role in the letter, saying that he didn't 'ask for it' or 'solicit it.'

In an interview with Fox News' Benjamin Hall Monday, the secretary of state denied his involvement.

'One of the great benefits of this job is that I don't do politics and don't engage in it. But with regard to that letter, I didn't  it wasn't my idea, didn't ask for it, didn't solicit it. And I think the testimony that the former deputy director of the CIA, Mike Morrell, put forward confirms that,' Blinken said.

House Republicans are now probing the Biden campaign's role in the creation of the letter.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner asked Blinken last week to provide their committees his communications with Morell around the laptop.

'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,' Turner and Jordan wrote.

Also on Monday, Johnson slammed Blinken for telling a 'boldface lie' to Congress about his communications with Hunter Biden after it his emails with the first son were revealed.

'Now, because of more information that's come out, we know that he lied boldface to Congress about never emailing Hunter Biden,' Johnson told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo Monday.
Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch both spoke with President Zelensky in March this year on the anniversary of two Fox reporters' warzone deaths, while Tucker Carlson continued to trash the war effort on his now defunct show.

Carlson was unceremoniously fired by Fox in April after hosting its most popular show for seven years.

Fox is yet to explain the move, but insiders say it was largely down to a growing impatience among bosses for Tucker's insubordination - he trashed senior executives in private text messages that were revealed as part of the Dominion lawsuit.

His opinion of the war in Ukraine and America's steadfast support of Zelensky was unfavorable, and pushed senior Ukrainian officials to complaint, according to a report in Semafor today.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week. He spoke with both Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch in March

The calls are said to have mostly been about the death of two Fox News reporters last March. Lachlan (left) also spoke with Zelensky

Neither Lachlan nor Rupert spoke about Carlson during their calls with Zelensky in March, according to Semafor's sources.

Instead, the discussions centered instead around the deaths of Fox News reporters who were killed while reporting on the conflict.

Pierre Zakrzewski, 55, and Oleksandra Kuvshinova, 24, were killed when their vehicle was struck.

Carlson was unreserved in his criticism of Zelensky on-air.

While the rest of the media largely fawned to him, Carlson in one December broadcast called hima 'dictator'.

'In fact, Zelenskyy is far closer to Lenin than to George Washington.

Tucker was fired in April after covering the war in Ukraine on his show for a year, though his opinion of the conflict is not what led to his firing. He was however unreserved in his criticism of Zelensky, who he called a 'dictator'

Pierre Zakrzewski (left) and Oleksandra Kuvshynova (centre) were killed in Ukraine while they were travelling in a vehicle involved in the same attack which left a British journalist injured

He is a dangerous authoritarian who has used a hundred billion in U.S. tax dollars to erect a one-party police state in Ukraine,' he said.

It remains unclear what senior News Corp executives thought of his approach.

His firing has been largely attributed to text messages that had been private, but became public as part of the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against Fox.

Carlson railed against bosses in those messages, calling one a 'c**t', according to some reports, and was prepared for those remarks to become public.

Tucker has not given any explanation for his firing.
Tomi Lahren, 30, said conservatives would continue to avoid buying Bud Light over the controversy

Political commentator Tomi Lahren has said conservatives will continue to boycott Bud Light until they 'acknowledge' the mistake they made after their disastrous partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

The beer brand presented Mulvaney with personalized cans showing her face, which she promoted on April 1st.

Fans of the beer erupted in fury with a boycott was declared, Kid Rock used Bud Light cans as target practice, and $5 billion was wiped off the value of the brand.

Two senior marketing executives have taken leave of absence amid the fiasco.

Now, Lahren has weighed in on the fury saying that conservatives will continue to boycott the beer until leaders 'acknowledge' their mistake.

Lahren told Fox News that Conservatives would continue to boycott Bud Light over their partnership with Dylan Mulvaney

Speaking to Fox News, the 30-year-old said: 'Conservative consumers matter and I think that Bud Light and all other companies out there are starting to realize that the hard way.

'Until they come out and actually acknowledge it head on, conservatives are still going to be upset and we will not be drinking Bud Light - I can promise you that.'

Lahren had been responding to a commercial Bud Light had launched which was a clear nod to American country music and its fans, and designed to appeal to its more traditional market.

The company had to resort to disabling comments on the YouTube video after being criticized for it.

Budweiser also came under fire earlier last month for a patriotic ad featuring its iconic Clydesdale horses.

The ad for the beer - which like Bud Light is owned by Anheuser-Busch - appeared to be a return to traditional values for the brand which has historically appealed to blue-collar American workers.

Online users again slammed the ad as a pathetic attempt to right the ship that was permanently sent in the wrong direction with the Mulvaney partnership.

Mulvaney, 26, announced the partnership in a series of videos posted to social media at the start of April

Mulvaney was sent a personalized beer can to mark 365 days since she transitioned. Mulvaney documented her journey on TikTok and gained millions of online followers

On Sunday, Beer Business Daily reported that the beer's off-premise sales volume - meaning the amount of beer sold outside of restaurants and bars - had fallen by 26.1 percent from a year earlier in the week ended April 22.

Sales were down 21.1 percent in the prior week. While competitors, Coors Light and Miller Lite, saw consumers turning to their brands as both have had an increase in sales.

So far this year, Bud Light volumes are down 8 percent.

'The shocking deterioration of Bud Light Blue's market share continued apace through the third week of April  and actually somehow worsened.

'We've never seen such a dramatic shift in national share in such a short period of time,' Beer Business Daily wrote on its website.

Coors Light's volume was up 13.3 percent for the same time period, and Miller Lite rose 13.6 percent.

Some of Bud Light's biggest rivals have seen an increase in sales after the backlash

Last month, Donald Trump Jr called for an end to the boycott of Bud Light, in a video posted on his Rumble channel.

During his message, Trump Jr emphasized the brewer's conservative credentials and said it was wrong to 'blame the whole company for the inaction or the stupidity of someone in a marketing campaign that got woke as hell.'

Trump Jr said he had researched Anheuser-Busch and saw they mainly donated to Republicans, and said his fellow conservatives sometimes had 'the tendency of  shooting first and aiming second.'

In the video, the former president's son pointed to Anheuser-Busch's support of Republicans including Ohio Senator JD Vance and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

Donald Trump Jr said he felt the Bud Light boycott should end

Trump Jr. said that the decision to partner with Mulvaney was reportedly made by a low-level marketing employee, rather than the senior executives.

'We looked into the political giving and lobbying history of Anheuser-Busch. And guess what? They actually support Republicans,' said Trump Jr.

'Last cycle their employees and their PAC gave about 60 percent to Republicans and 40 percent to Democrats. That's literally almost unheard of in corporate America, where it's really easy to go woke, where they do so constantly, where there's a consequence to actually being a conservative. So 60 / 40 to the conservative side is kind of a big deal.'

The 45-year-old said he also respected the St Louis-based beer company's corporate approach.

'On the lobbying front, we looked into the bills that Anheuser-Busch was working on,' he said.

'You know what they're focused on, guys? They've focused on taxes and trade things that actually impact their business. They haven't done any lobbying for like the random pet issues of the day and the nonsense and the BLM crap  I didn't find that  they focused on the things that affect their job.'

The CEO, Brendan Whitworth, is a former Marine and CIA agent who has been registered as a Republican for most of his adult life.

Brendan Whitworth, 46, has been the CEO of Anheuser-Busch since July 2021. His company is now in the middle of a firestorm over their decision to partner with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney

Whitworth issued a public statement two weeks into the controversy

'So here's the deal,' he said.

'Anheuser-Busch totally s*** the bed with this Dylan Mulvaney thing.

'I'm not, though, for destroying an American and iconic company for something like this.'

He added: 'When I actually look into it, I'm not going to blame the whole company for the inaction or the stupidity of someone in a marketing campaign that got woke as hell.

'The company itself doesn't participate in the same leftist nonsense as the other big conglomerates.'

He said he loves 'going after people when they screw up,' but felt the Bud Light boycott had gone too far.

Trump Jr said he disagreed with boycotting a 170-year-old company for one mistake.

His comments echo those of Howard Stern and Joe Rogan, who both argued that it was excessive.

The CEO, Brendan Whitworth, is a former Marine and CIA agent who has been registered as a Republican for most of his adult life.
Three 13-year-old girls were gang-raped after they were offered a new flavour of vape which had been drugged, Malaysian police have said.

The girls were said to have been assaulted by four teenagers at a lodging house in the Malaysian state of Sabah last week on April 26.

The suspects lured the 13-year-olds to the house with the help of another female accomplice said to be aged 17.

Police said the suspects had approached the young girls at a shopping centre before convincing them to hang out at the lodging house where they offered them the vape.

After trying the vape, which had been drugged, investigators said the three girls lost consciousness before later waking up naked.

Three 13-year-old girls were allegedly gang-raped after they were offered a new flavour of vape which had been drugged, Malaysian police have said (file image of a person vaping)

The suspects were arrested by officials in the Sabah state capital of Kota Kinabalu after one of the victims came forward and filed a report with police.

A subsequent investigation found that two friends of the girl had also been victim to the gang-rape by the four teenagers.

'All the suspects, aged 13 to 17, were arrested around the city and Telipok Ria in Tuaran district,' Mohd Zaidi Abdullah, the local police chief said, as reported by The Straits Times.

They will remain in custody until later this week on May 5 while investigations continue, police said.

'In that incident, the four male and one female suspects approached the three victims when they were at a shopping centre in the city and subsequently persuaded them to hang out at their lodging house in Kampung Air,' Mr Mohd Zaidi told local press.

'While at the lodging house, they were lured to smoke a new flavoured vape.'

The police chief said the young girls accepted the invitation to try the vape, and then lost consciousness.

'When the victims woke up in the middle of the night, they found themselves naked, while the suspects had disappeared.

'All three victims suspected they were raped and have since made a police report,' he said.

Police said they were investigating the suspects under accusations of rape as well as pimping.

Malaysia's Criminal Investigations Department confirmed the five suspects were arrested last week on April 27, including the 17-year-old female.
The family of a 17 year old boy who died while playing in the River Thames have urged others to 'stop and think' before going swimming in open water.

Gloucestershire Police found the boy after he was reported missing, just after 10pm on Sunday, while playing in the river near Lechlade on Thames.

The boy was later identified as 17 year old Jake Smith from Swindon, Wiltshire.

Emergency services began searching for the boy late on Sunday after he failed to resurface while playing with four friends in the river.

Police said members of the group had entered the water to try and find the missing teenager. All other members of the group are now accounted for.

Jake Smith, 17, failed to resurface after going swimming in the River Thames

Police found a body after the boy disappeared in Lechlade on Thames on Sunday night

Gloucestershire Police began searching the River Thames after the boy was reported missing

A statement released by his family said: 'We unfortunately lost Jake in a tragic accident.'

'The support and messages we have received have been overwhelming, and shows the love that people had. Jake will be missed by all his family and friends.

'We would like to thank the emergency services, the community and especially The Riverside for their kindness and support.

'Although this was a tragic accident, we urge people to stop and think before they jump into the river.'

The boy had been with four other friends by the River Thames in Lechlade, at the southern edge of the Cotswold's.

A Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: 'We were called at 10.03pm by the coastguard to reports that some teenagers, believed to be aged about 17, had been playing in the river at Lechlade and one hadn't resurfaced.

'We assisted the search by sending three crews from Fairford, Gloucester South and Tewkesbury along with boat crews.

'We liaised with coastguards and the police who were coordinating the search and came away from the scene at about 4am.'

Although formal identification has not yet taken place, the boy's next of kin have been informed and they are being supported by trained officers.

Specialist teams launched a fresh search on Monday morning

Emergency services failed to find the missing boy after carrying out searches on Sunday night

The boy failed to resurface while playing in the river near Lechlade on Thames

'A friend living close to the bridge messaged that she had seen a group wrapped in metallic blankets in the back of an ambulance,' the Lechlade resident told the Mirror

Gloucestershire Constabulary has said its thoughts are with the boy's family and friends at this distressing time. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

Officers searched for the boy with the help of the National Police Air Service, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Severn Area Rescue Association and Wiltshire Search & Rescue.

Residents who live near the incident told the PA news agency police launched a rescue boat from Lechlade marina and slowly searched the water.

Officers were seen searching the water and park with torches last night.

A helicopter was seen circling above the area on Sunday night and Monday morning.
A woman stabbed to death in broad daylight was 'on the phone her grandmother on the way home after buying a birthday present', a shocked neighbour has said.

The victim, in her 30s, was walking along Stockwell Park Walk in Brixton just after 4pm yesterday when she is believed to have been approached by a man from behind who attacked her.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody, the Met Police confirmed this afternoon.

Police said that at this stage of the investigation, there is no information to suggest the victim and the man were known to each other.

A neighbour close to the family described how the victim's grandmother heard a 'terrible scream' before the phone dropped to the floor at the time of the attack.

A 31-year-old woman was stabbed to death near the O2 Brixton Academy yesterday

The victim, believed to be of Ghanaian descent, was on her way to a birthday celebration at her flat where she lives with her mother, father, brother and sister.

'He said his daughter had gone to buy a present for her mother and was on her way home.

'She was on the phone to her grandmother when she was attacked,' the neighbour said, according to the Evening Standard.

The grandmother reportedly heard a 'terrible scream' before the phone dropped to the floor. Relatives then attempted to phone back the woman but had no response.

The neighbour said they were at the scene with the woman's father yesterday evening.

In a conference this afternoon a police officer said: 'Officers were swiftly on scene along with the London Ambulance Service. The 31-year-old victim was treated but very sadly died at the scene.

'Her family are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are very much with the family as they struggle to come to terms with this tragic news. At this time we are not naming her.

'I know this incident will cause concern in the local community and wider and want to reassure the public that we have committed significant resources to the investigation.

'Detectives from our specialist crime command are carrying out a detailed review of the area. there are more resources local officers will be patrolling in the area. i would encourage anyone to report suspicious behaviour.'

In a conference this afternoon a police officer said the force are currently not naming the victim

Metropolitan Police officers yesterday cordoned off Stockwell Park Walk in Lambeth with a blue tent erected following the death of the woman, 31

Met Police were called to Stockwell Park Walk in Brixton around 4.04pm yesterday to reports of a stabbing

A member of the victim's family said the situation is 'still so raw'. The family, who have been notified of her death, are being supported by specialist officers.

Hussain, who has owned a shop in the area for more than 20 year, said one of his customers told him the attacker 'chased' the woman into an estate.

He said: 'I was standing outside my shop [yesterday] and somebody said, Theres been a stabbing.

'I feel sorry for the woman... I heard she was stabbed in the neck.

'I was working, but a customer told me they had been arguing on Brixton Road, near to Roosters.

'I think the guy chased her into the alleyway. Somebody said he was from an estate near Stockwell Park.

'I think she probably from here as well, because she ran there.'

Another local, who gave his name as Francis, said he heard the woman was stabbed around 15 times.

Francis, who has lived in Brixton for 55 years, said: 'Its horrible... Everyones getting stabbed, its awful. I heard she got stabbed 15 times in her back.'

Officers, paramedics and an air ambulance attended, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Met Police officers are pictured at the scene yesterday evening

Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation and have carried out a number of enquiries, including a review of CCTV from the area. They have also spoken to several witnesses, the force said.

Based on initial enquiries, it is believed the woman was walking along Stockwell Park Walk when she was approached from behind by a man who attacked her.

Police investigating the stabbing cordoned off Stockwell Park Walk in Lambeth, with a blue tent erected, yesterday afternoon.

Officers were seen inside the cordon, with a number of forensic officers wearing blue plastic suits going between their vans and the blue tent.

The tent was between two blocks of flats in an alley off Stockwell Park Walk, near to St Helen's Catholic Primary School.

Five police vehicles were still at the scene yesterday evening. The road remained closed to traffic, but residents whose homes are within the cordon were allowed to go inside.

The victim's family and friends gathered outside the cordon, next to a block of flats.

A family member said: 'It's still so raw. Family are on their way here now and we still need to tell them what's happened. It's just so raw.'

An officer blocks off Stockwell Park Walk in Lambeth, south London, yesterday evening following the death of a woman in a stabbing attack

Police confirmed today they have arrested a man, 33, on suspicion of murder and he remains in police custody

Natasha Jordan, who works at Live True London on Brixton Road, said: 'There were loads of police cars and ambulances that came.

'Loads of police were walking up and down the road because there's a police station right near here. No one actually came in and said anything though, and I've been in here all day.'

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Lambeth, said: 'This is a shocking attack and my thoughts are with the woman's family and friends as they come to terms with this awful news. We will do everything we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time.

'I recognise the considerable concern this incident has caused and I'd like to reassure you that a dedicated team of detectives are carrying out a number of enquiries and have made an arrest.

'Despite this, we have additional officers in the area to respond to any concerns from members of the community and I would ask people to report any suspicious activity to us.'

Formal identification is yet to take place and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 4728/01May. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Uganda's parliament on Tuesday passed a strict anti-LGBTQ+ bill that would approve the death penalty for people found guilty of having gay sex when HIV positive.

The bill received wide condemnation from the European Union, the United States and the United Nations when it was first adopted back in March.

But despite requests from President Yoweri Museveni to tone down the law, the new bill threatens capital punishment for so-called 'aggravated homosexuality'.

The bill also provides for a 20-year-sentence for 'promoting homosexuality'. Activists argue this could, in practice, criminalise any advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni speaks during a Reuters interview at his farm in Kisozi settlement of Gomba district, in the Central Region of Uganda, January 16, 2022

Emira Woods, an activist with the group Africans Rising for Justice Peace and Dignity, speaks during a protest against the bill outside the Ugandan Embassy on 25 April in Washington, DC

The legislation now heads back to the President for final sign-off. He can either sign and approve it, veto it or return it again to parliament.

Museveni, an opponent of LGBTQ rights, has signalled he plans to sign the bill once certain changes are made, with measures to 'rehabilitate' gay people.

It was not immediately clear if the new bill satisfied his requests. MailOnline was unable to reach his office for comment on Tuesday.

The legislation was amended to note that merely identifying as LGBTQ is not a crime.

It also revised a measure that obliged people to report homosexual activity to only require reporting when a child is involved.

After a voice vote that followed less than a half-hour of debate, parliament speaker Anita Among urged lawmakers to remain defiant in the face of international criticism, describing the bill as needed to protect Uganda's children.

'Let's protect Ugandans, let's protect our values, our virtues. We have a culture to protect,' Among said. 'The Western world will not come and rule Uganda.'

Uganda has increasingly tried to step up 'Anti-Homosexuality' legislation in recent years.

In response to another law signed by Museveni in 2014, Western governments have suspended aid, imposed visa restrictions and curtailed security cooperation.

That law was nullified within months by a domestic court on procedural grounds.

Speaking to MailOnline, Roland Ebole, regional researcher for Amnesty International, warned that the bill's ambiguity will allow the government to shut down activists campaigning on behalf of LGBTQ rights.

He said: 'Museveni has over the years wiped out or forced the very vocal civil society organisation leaders and activists to flee the country in a way that he has weakened organising in the country.

'Civil society groups have also been weakened by the fact that a few years ago, President Museveni withdrew an agreement [for] a democracy and governance fund - which was a port for some development partners, especially in Europe to put together money to support especially human rights, rule of law and governance.'

In September 2021, Uganda's NGO Bureau also suspended the activities of 54 NGOs in the country - part of a wider trend of the president clamping down on the ability to protest in Uganda.

Mr Ebole said that the policies had weakened the ability to protest to the extent that opposition party members and women MPs were unable to peacefully protest the cost of living.

'There is no protest in Uganda. Museveni has killed protest... The militarisation of the country whereby military is deployed, basically, to control almost every civilian action has really made protests very hard.'

'In a country where a few years ago, the LGBTI community were vert strong and very vocal, we are seeing that none of them can really afford to come out and protest.'

Facing waning support ahead of the 2026 presidential elections, Mr Ebole explained how the president could use bills such as the Anti-Homosexuality Bill this year to rally backing from conservative groups.

He warned that an ageing Museveni, his heir, opposition parties and the military could all be tussling for power - in a country in which every change of power has been marred by violence.

The Bill itself - as indicated by resistance from Ugandan diaspora and onlookers around the world - is unlikely to garner much support across the country, but in 2023 as in 2019 and 2014 has proven a tactic for Museveni to drum up support among his base.

People demonstrate against Uganda's new legislation - in Pretoria, South Africa, on 31 March

Ugandan queer activist Papa De raises a fist outside the Uganda High Commission during a picket against the country's anti-homosexuality bill - in Pretoria, South Africa, on 4 April, 2023

The consequences of the passing of the Bill could be disastrous, activists warn.

The incentive to report people has led to claims of rife blackmail, in which 'people are receiving call that "if you don't give me money, I will report that you are gay".'

Amnesty have also warned that the provision on 'aggravated homosexuality' could 'deter individuals from the LGBTI community living with HIV/AIDS from accessing health care and medical services'.

In response to the proposed bill, the US government said last week that it was assessing the implications of the looming law for activities in Uganda under its flagship HIV/AIDS programme.

The United Nations Human Rights Office also condemned the move back in March.

UN experts said in a statement that 'the imposition of the death penalty based on such legislation is an arbitrary killing and a breach of article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).'

They added: 'The imposition of the death penalty for same-sex intimacy  including so-called 'serial homosexuality'  is an egregious violation of human rights.'
Medics who tried in vain to save murdered Cash App founder Bob Lee stapled shut two stab wounds to his heart during a four hour battle to save the entrepreneur - who had ketamine, cocaine and alcohol in his system.

Lee, 43, was allegedly murdered by another tech executive on April 4 while visiting San Francisco from Miami, where he moved last year with his family.

A coroner's report reveals in graphic detail how Lee was found slumped outside an apartment block with no pulse before paramedics rushed him to hospital, where knife wounds were found on his heart and a lung.

During the desperate, hours-long attempt to save his life, medics performed several procedures to try and seal the wounds and stop his bleeding before Lee was pronounced dead on an operating table at San Francisco General Hospital.

The autopsy from the San Francisco Medical Examiner revealed he had mixture of drugs an alcohol in his system when he was stabbed.

Cash App founder Bob Lee died of stab wounds on the operating table and had drugs and alcohol in his system, his autopsy revealed

The autopsy findings come after claims that Lee was romantically involved with Momeni's sister, Khazar (pictured), and the pair had visited the home of a drug dealer before the murder

Paramedics found Lee collapsed in front of an apartment block after he called 911 himself at around 2.36am.

Lee was 'unconscious, pulseless' and gasping for breath when medics found him. Paramedics, who discovered two stab wounds to his chest and a third on his hip, fitted a tube to help with breathing and performed CPR.

He was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, where medics began a massive transfusion protocol and carried out an emergency thoracotomy which 'revealed two injuries to the heart that were closed with staples', the autopsy report said.

He was then taken into an operating theater, where further treatment was carried out before he was pronounced dead at 6.49am.

The autopsy also revealed traces of cocaethylene, which is produced when alcohol and cocaine are consumed, and the allergy medication antihistamine levocetirizine.

IT entrepreneur Nima Momeni, 38, has been charged with the killing and appeared in a San Francisco court on April 25.

The medical examiner's discovery of drugs in Lee's system comes after claims that Lee was romantically involved with Momeni's sister, Khazar, and the pair had visited the home of a drug dealer the day before the murder.

It has also been claimed Momeni was concerned his sister had been using drugs and had argued with Lee hours before the stabbing.

Momeni is the older brother of Khazar Momeni, known as Tina to her friends, who had a close friendship with Lee.

He was due to be arraigned at his court appearance on April 25 but his attorneys successfully pushed for an extension.

Nima Momeni appears in court on Tuesday April 25 to be arraigned on murder charges

Momeni said nothing in court during his brief arraignment on the morning of Tuesday, April 25

The 38-year-old hugged his attorney Paula Canny before he left the courtroom

They say he will plead not guilty when the time comes, but that they haven't yet been shown prosecutors' evidence against Momeni. He is due back in court this week.

More than a dozen of Lee's relatives - including his children - were in the courtroom for last week's hearing, but Momeni's sister - who supported him in designer sunglasses last week - was not.

Paula Canny, Momeni's attorney, said she is not convinced by the surveillance footage she has seen.

'He's gonna plead not guilty, and he's gonna deny the special allegation and absolutely the plea will be not guilty.

'I don't think you can see anything in the videos,' she said after his appearance.

Prosecutors had claimed the videos showed Momeni stabbing Lee in his BMW after driving him to a secluded part of town in the early hours of April 4.

They however said the footage was dark and difficult to make out.

Friends have claimed Khazar was romantically involved with Lee despite her being married to plastic surgeon Dino Elyassnia, and one alleged in a recent interview with The San Francisco Standard that Khazar had a drug problem.

'She was basically asking me to buy drugs with my money,' Samira Kuduzovi, who was friends with her, said.

Police sources say that on the day of his murder, Lee and Khazar visited the home of a man who has a criminal record for dealing drugs.

It's unclear if they purchased any from him that day. A previously-filed court motion says the trio were 'drinking' at his home.

Attorney Paula Canny, representing Nima Momeni, speaks to reporters outside of a courtroom at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 25, 2023

On April 3, Lee and Momeni visited an apartment at 1500 Mission St. Police say they were visiting a man with a prior conviction for selling drugs

Khazar Momeni with her husband, plastic surgeon Dino Elyassnia, at her brother's first court appearance on April 14. Her friends told The San Francisco Standard she has a drug problem

The man in question has not been named.

The apparent connection to drugs ties into an earlier claim that Lee argued with Nima Momeni about Khazar hours before the stabbing.

Nima Momeni has been charged with murdering Lee in a rage after grilling him about his relationship with his sister

It was claimed by friends that Nima was concerned his sister was wrapped up in a bad crowd and had been using drugs.

Lee, according to the friends, assured him she was not.

Robert Canny, an attorney who spoke on behalf of Khazar Momeni and her husband at her brother's first court appearance, did not immediately respond to previously DailyMail.com inquiries.

Authorities have not released any further details regarding illicit substances being involved in the case.

Canny, the attorney representing Nima, previously suggested police had arrested he wrong person.

'Clearly they 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. There isn't enough [to hold him].

'My client is a super nice person, his family loves him and supports him.'

Police found a text on Bob Lee's phone from Khazar where she told him she 'love you'

Local officials in San Francisco celebrated Momeni's arrest and the fact he and Lee knew each other.

They were eager to play down fears that Lee's death was yet another example of the random violence plaguing the city.
A toddler died from sepsis after hospital doctors ignored his parents fears and repeatedly dismissed symptoms as chicken pox, an inquest was told.

After hearing evidence of lost chances to save 16-month-old James Philliskirk, a jury found his death was contributed to by neglect from the hospital.

James was taken to Sheffield Childrens Hospital on the instructions of his concerned GP. But during two visits on the same day doctors insisted the youngster was only suffering from chicken pox  which he had two weeks earlier  and prescribed chamomile lotion, the inquest was told.

The youngsters condition failed to improve at home and three days later he was found cold and lifeless in bed during the early hours by his father Daniel Philliskirk.

Mother Helen Philliskirk told the inquest: Daniel brought James in and screamed. We rang 999 who advised us to start CPR [when paramedics arrived] we were in complete shock. We did not understand what was happening. I felt trapped because there was so many people in our bedroom. It was like watching a movie. It didnt feel real.

16 month old James Philliskirk was neglected by Sheffield Children's Hospital, a jury said

Nothing could be done to save the toddler and his death in May last year was confirmed in hospital.

The inquest, reported by the Sheffield Star, heard how James felt unwell at nursery on 10 May and saw his GP the following morning.

The youngster was sent to hospital and an email from the GP detailing concerns, including the possibility of Scarlet Fever, was not read by hospital staff.

Describing the first visit to the childrens hospital, mother-of-two Mrs Philliskirk, a teacher, said: The doctor seemed unconcerned about how James had had chickenpox three weeks before, and diagnosed chickenpox anyway.

It was a busy day at A&E and the doctor just decided it was chickenpox and prescribed chamomile lotion.

The family was sent home but returned to the hospital that afternoon when James had a temperature of 38.5c and his parents called the NHS 111 service.

Mrs Philliskirk said: I felt unwelcome. A nurse said dismissively its chickenpox, isnt it? A nurse then gave James chamomile lotion and put us in a room for hours.

I was made to feel like an anxious parent. The doctor had a dismissive response to everything I said  all they said was chickenpox.

They were sent home at 5pm and the boys parents had two sleepless nights caring for the sick youngster.

James was taken to Sheffield Children's Hospital on the instructions of a concerned GP

Instead of chicken pox James was actually fighting sepsis brought on by a severe Group A Strep skin infection, the inquest last week was told.

Doctors failed to properly account for his parents warnings or enquire after a lesion on his wrist that was not healing.

The couple went to bed at 10.15pm on 13 May, feeling exhausted, and when Mr Philliskirk checked on his son at 2am he was unresponsive and they called 999.

In her evidence, Mrs Philliskirk criticised the written accounts of two hospital doctors.

She also firmly stated she was given no safety net advice on sepsis before she left hospital, or indeed she was told sepsis was a possible cause at all.

The jury found staff at A&E failed to place sufficient weight on the referral by the GP or the parental concerns and that James might not have died had they been properly considered.

Since his death Jamess family has been organising fundraising events in memory. The results have included a climbing frame at his nursery and a bench at the local park in Sheffield.

A statement from the Philliskirk family said James was an extremely special boy who was adored by them.

There are no words to describe how much our little boy meant to us, how much joy he brought to us and those around us and how he still is profoundly loved by us all. We will never move on from Jamess death but it would not be healthy, right, nor would James want us to continue as we currently are, so we must try and move forward in some way. We were so lucky to have James for 16 months and we continue to be proud that we are his parents.

We want everyone to remember our beautiful little boy who was cheeky, self-directed and had the most wonderful smile.

Dr Jeff Perring, Medical Director at Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust, said: I would like to extend my sympathies to Jamess family.

We are sorry that the care James received fell below the high standards we set ourselves and that James family expected of us. We accept fully the jurys conclusion.

Our internal investigation showed that there were failings in Jamess care, and we have taken immediate action to address these failings.

The inquest jury recorded the cause of death as Sepsis and Group A Streptococcus skin infection.

The narrative verdict read: Following a number of assessments in hospital James was misdiagnosed and was not provided with treatment in line with departmental guidance. He developed sepsis and died at home on 13 May 2022. His death was contributed to by neglect.
Video has emerged showing the moment a United Airlines passenger swung wild punches at crew members and other passengers, before attempting to jump out of an aircraft door.

The incident unfolded overnight Sunday at San Francisco International Airport on United flight 505, shortly before the flight to Houston took off, witness Naya Jimenez told KABC-TV.

The male passenger became belligerent and violent when Jiminez asked him and his wife to move out of her assigned seat, said Jimenez, who filmed the shocking video of the incident.

After throwing punches at the airline workers and other passengers, the man attempted to jump out of the plane, according to Jimenez.

'After he paused for a minute, he ran toward where the pilot was, where the emergency exit doors are, and attempted to open it. (He) successfully opened the emergency exit and was about to jump down,' she said.

Video has emerged showing the moment a United Airlines passenger swung wild punches at crew members and other passengers overnight Sunday in San Francisco

'The plane is elevated, so he would have jumped apparently two stories to the ground, and the flight attendants just kicked in, and everybody pulled him back to safety,' she added.

Jimenez said that the man became violent during the boarding process, when she tried to tell him and his wife that they were sitting in her ticketed seat, and asked them to move.

'They had to bring in a gate attendant to try to talk to both of them,' she said. 'Then, he began slurring his speech a little bit, like, 'Sir, why are you smiling at me?' That's the first thing he said.'

It was not immediately clear whether the unruly passenger had been arrested, and the local ABC affiliate obscured his identity on video of the incident pending confirmation that he had been criminally charged.

FBI's field office in San Francisco referred inquiries from DailyMail.com to the San Francisco Police Department, which did not immediately respond to messages on Tuesday morning.

According to data from FlightAware, the plane took off from San Francisco at 12.12am on May 1, only 13 minutes after its scheduled departure time, and arrived on-time in Houston.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, a United spokesperson said: 'On Sunday night, our team at San Francisco International Airport immediately contacted law enforcement officials after a customer became disruptive during boarding.

'We're grateful to our team in San Francisco for their professionalism in this situation and for looking out for the safety of our customers and their fellow United employees,' the airline added.

Witness Naya Jimenez, who filmed the incident, says the man exploded when she asked him to move out of her assigned seat

A United flight is seen at SFO in a file photo. According to data from FlightAware, flight 505 took off from San Francisco at 12.12am on May 1, only 13 minutes after its scheduled departure

It is only the latest incident in a string of bizarre passenger outbursts to disrupt air travel and pose safety concerns.

Last week, a United flight from New Jersey to Israel turned back three hours after taking off, because a passenger refused to get up from the airline steward's seat while waiting for the bathroom.

However, the total number of passenger incidents reported onboard US flights has fallen sharply and returned to pre-COVID levels, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA received 2,456 unruly passenger reports in 2022 and proposed $8.4 million in fines, down from 5,981 reports in 2021, which included 4,290 mask-related incidents. The FAA proposed $5 million in fines in 2021.

Assaulting a flight attendant or other airline crewmember is a federal crime, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
A rare mix of House members from across the ideological spectrum is reintroducing legislation to ban stock trading this Congress.

Moderate Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Problem Solvers' Caucus, together with Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Calif., introduced the Restoring Faith in Government Act on Tuesday to prohibit financial investments by members of Congress, spouses and dependents.

'The fact that Members of the Progressive Caucus, the Freedom Caucus, and the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, reflecting the entirety of the political spectrum, can find common ground on key issues like this should send a powerful message to America,' Fitzpatrick said in a statement on the bill.

Ocasio-Cortez added: 'When members have access to classified information, we should not be trading in the stock market on it. It's really that simple.'

'When members have access to classified information, we should not be trading in the stock market on it. It's really that simple,' said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday at the introduction of the Restoring Faith in Government Act

'Members of Congress are spending their time trading futures instead of securing the future of our fellow Americans. We cannot allow the Swamp to prioritize investing in stocks over investing in our country,' Gaetz said of the new bill

Gaetz and Ocasio-Cortez have frequently sparred over the years, with the progressive firebrand calling the Florida Republican a 'bad haircut in a cheap suit' when Gaetz said Rep. Jamie Raskin might be unable to perform his job through the grief of losing his son to suicide.

'Members of Congress are spending their time trading futures instead of securing the future of our fellow Americans. We cannot allow the Swamp to prioritize investing in stocks over investing in our country,' Gaetz said of the new bill.

Public momentum for a stock trade ban came to a head last Congress after ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband made a number of questionable high-value trades.

A stock trading ban has had bipartisan support - and quiet opposition - in both parties in both chambers.

'The dirty secret here is that members of Congress hate this, they hate this bill,' Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who introduced another ban told DailyMail.com earlier this year.

Last July, Paul unscrupulously purchased $5 million in semiconductor chip stock days before a House vote that handed $52 billion to semiconductor producers. He sold the shares at a loss to avoid 'misinformation' - or the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Problem Solvers' Caucus, said the bill will prohibit financial investments by members of Congress, spouses and dependents

Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Calif. also supported the bill which comes after ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband made a number of questionable high-value trades

In September Pelosi backed a bill to ban congressional stock trades that some government reform advocates said didn't go far enough. She and other Democratic leaders failed to bring a ban up for a vote on the House floor.

Nearly 100 House members bought or sold financial assets that intersected with the work of the committees they sit on, according to a New York Times report from September.

Of the 435 House members, 183 traded stocks through themselves or their immediate family members from 2019 to 2021. At least 97 bought or sold stocks, bonds or other financial assets through themselves or their spouses that directly intersected with their congressional work.

The trades that intersect with committee work are split evenly on partisan lines - 49 Republicans and 48 Democrats.

Since 2012, Congress members have been bound by the STOCK Act which requires they report stock transactions of $1,000 or more by themselves or their family members within 45 days. Members of Congress are also supposed to be confined by insider trading laws.
Vice co-founder Shane Smith reportedly once told Rupert Murdoch: 'I have Gen Y, I have social, I have online video. You have none of that. I have the future, you have the past.'

The pitch worked and in 2013 Murdoch invested $70million.

For the best part of 20 years, the extraordinary rise of the punk magazine founded in Montreal in 1994, was fueled by sheer chutzpah.

But the left-leaning disruptors have struggled to live up to their own hype - amid growing evidence they have been ditched by younger audiences.

As Vice prepares to file for bankruptcy, DailyMail.com asks: how did the bad boys of news lose their cool?

Vice began life in Montreal in 1994 as a punk magazine using cash from a welfare program

Ottawa-born co-founder Shane Smith, dubbed 'Bulls****** Shane' adopted a brash approach to deal-making, which some viewed as a mixture of lies and bluster, that brought in billions of pounds of investment from the likes of Disney and MTV

The company, which is headquartered in hipster Williamsburg, Brooklyn, soon went global and set up glitzy offices across the globe, including this one in Venice, California

'BULLS****** SHANE'

At its peak, Vice had 3,000 employees across the globe, with a cable network, two HBO shows, and more than a dozen websites.

It had an ad agency, a film studio, a record label, and a bar in London.

In 2016, it was valued at $5.7billion and Smith boasted to The Wall Street Journal that by the end of the decade, the company could be worth $50billion.

It was quite the turnaround for a company set up with cash from a government welfare program - and Smith reveled in his success.

Nicknamed 'Bulls****** Shane' by fellow co-founder Gavin McInnes, the Ottawa-born upstart was so proud of his deal-making prowess that one former employee compared him to Donald Trump.

The bluster sometimes spilled over into outright lies - but it didn't appear to matter.

In 1998, Smith reportedly told a journalist that a wealthy media mogul named Richard Szalwinksi had invested in the firm.

It was a lie and Szalwinski got wind of it. But he was so taken by the audacity that he paid for the company to move to New York on West 27th Street.

According to The New York Magazine, when a reporter came to visit the firm's new HQ, Vice paid someone to pretend they were an MTV executive interested in a Vice-branded show.

Smith has enjoyed the lifestyle of a media mogul and is pictured here with rap legend Jay-Z

The 53-year-old has amassed huge personal wealth despite complaints of low pay from staff

Suroosh Alvi, the third founder, once said: 'The reason those lies were so successful was because even we believed them after a while.'

But some of these lies would later become a reality. When Smith brokered a real meeting with MTV, he turned on the charm the only way he knew how.

'He told us, 'MTV's over, you suck, we're the new kids on the block,' Van Toffler, head of MTV at the time, said.

Smith wooed his clients by showing them a good time - and they wanted a piece of his cultural cache.

'It also helps to eat them out and mail them drugs,' Smith said of his strategy in 2003.

Brands felt that Vice could help them connect with young people in all corners of the globe.

'WHO'S HEARD OF VICE MEDIA?'

For most of its teenage years, the story of Vice was one of constant expansion.

It launched an ad agency, Virtue, and a digital music magazine, Noisey. By 2014, it had moved into its current glitzy headquarters, a 75,000 sq-ft office in the ultra-hipster neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

But perhaps most significant was its venture into television and documentaries.

In 2007, Vice became one of the first media outlets to plunge into online video with vbs.tv, following a $2million investment from Viacom.

Filmmaker Spike Jonze was brought in to oversee content, sending Smith or Alvi to strange and dangerous situations.

It became a trademark that would lead to a landmark deal with HBO, in which Vice was given an hour-long newsmagazine slot to showcase its documentaries.

It used these to burnish its credibility: documentaries on the Islamic State and the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville won multiple awards.

In 2012, shortly before Fox bought a 5 percent stake in the company, Rupert Murdoch tweeted: 'Who's heard of Vice Media? Wild, interesting effort to interest millennials who don't read or watch established media. Global success.'

Rupert Murdoch was wooed by Smith into investing $70million in Vice Media in 2013, valuing the company north of a billion dollars

Shortly before he invested, he took to Twitter to dub the company a 'global success' in its bid to interest 'millennials who don't read or watch established media'

In 2014, the BBC published an article asking whether the 'big bear of a Canadian' would be the next Rupert Murdoch.

A year later, Disney announced a $400million investment in Vice and would launch Viceland, its own TV channel.

This has been viewed by some media commentators as a mistake - an expensive undertaking at a time when most were moving away from cable TV.

But Smith saw it differently. 'Twelve months from now, we'll be on the cover of Time magazine as the guys who brought millennials back to TV,' he said at the time.

LOSING ITS COOL

Around the same time as Disney came on board, Vice was named company of the year by Inc. Magazine.

In 2016, Smith was crowned 'media person of the year' at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

He was delighted, telling the hosts: 'We are f******* s*** up. We are the revolutionary guys.'

But Vice was now facing a perennial conundrum.

'How do you scale the essence of a punk-rock magazine into a multibillion-dollar media company?' a former Vice executive asked The New York Magazine in 2018. 'There is no real answer. At some point, what you got there isn't what you are.'

Vice has struggled to retain its punk identity in recent years under pressure from investors

The company has enjoyed critical acclaim with its documentaries. Here, rock stars Josh Homme (left) and Jesse Hughes (centre) are interviewed by Smith (right)

Smith (left) and producer Johnny Knoxville attend the Los Angeles Premiere of 'Being Evel' on August 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California

There was also evidence Vice wasn't as cool as it claimed. A 2017 report funded by Google found that among 122 brands, teenagers thought Vice was the second-least cool.

Vice may have captured a millennial audience, but it has lost out on Gen Z, with advertisers instead turning to social media giants such as Snap and TikTok.

With all its various projects, its overall output has become mixed. It launched a 'luxury travel' site aimed at men with disposable income, while Viceland also grapples with who it is talking to.

There have been shows about weed and skateboarding, while Gloria Steinem has fronted a program about oppression and violence against women, and Ellen Page presented 'Gaycation' on global queer culture.

This lurch to the left made it unrecognizable to those who followed it during the McInnes years, whose brash, offensive style shaped its early output.

McInnes was bought out in 2008 and is now a leading figure of the alt-right.

BRO CULTURE

A bigger problem for Vice has been reconciling its pitch for a younger, 'woke' audience, with the reality of its own 'bro culture'.

In November 2017, The Daily Beast published allegations of a 'toxic' culture for women in its Los Angeles office - a tricky look for an outwardly progressive media firm airing documentaries about misogyny.

The outlet spoke to more than a dozen current and former company employees who experienced harassment.

New hires at the company were reportedly asked to sign a 'non-traditional workplace agreement, which read: 'Although it is possible that some of the text, images and information I will be exposed to in the course of my employment with Vice may be considered by some to be offensive, indecent, violent, or disturbing, I do not find such text images or information or the workplace environment at Vice to be offensive, indecent, violent, or disturbing.'

Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes has become a figurehead for the alt-right since he was bought out of the company in 2008. Pictured here reading a speech by Ann Coulter at a conservative rally in Berkeley, California in 2017

McInnes pictured surrounded by members of the Proud Boys, a far-right group he founded

Smith, right, with former Vice president Andrew Creighton, left, who stepped down in 2018 after The New York Times revealed details of a harassment complaint against him, which was subsequently 'found to lack merit' by an independent law firm. Smith was not implicated but apologized for the firm's 'boys' club' culture

The following month, The New York Times exposed accusations of sexual misconduct across the company.

Andrew Creighton, Vice's president at the time, left the company after details emerged of a $135,000 settlement in 2016 to a woman who had accused him of harassment.

He was cleared of wrongdoing and the allegation was 'found to lack merit' by an independent law firm.

Smith was not implicated, but he apologized for the firm's 'boys' club' culture and promised change.

FROM PUNK TO PRIVATE EQUITY

In March 2018, Smith stepped aside as CEO, moving to executive chairman.

His successor, Nancy Dubuc was left to deal with stakeholders who now wanted to see a return on their investments.

By 2019, Disney had taken two write-downs on its investments, totaling more than $500million.

Dubuc was under pressure to find a buyer before the start of guaranteed-dividend payments to private equity firm TPG, which had invested $450million in 2017, were due to begin.

The deal set specific revenue targets for Vice, which it failed to meet on more than one occasion, including in December last year, when The Wall Street Journal reported the firm had fallen $100million short.

Under the pact, this meant TPG's stake increased and what started as a punk revolution was now dancing to the beat of the PE drum.

'If private equity is in charge of a creative enterprise - look out,' a former top Vice executive told Business Insider.

During this period, Vice, like many other media organizations, was battered by the pandemic.

Smith and Vice now face pressure from stakeholders to deliver returns on their investments

Redundancies at Vice have already begun as the company desperately seeks a buyer

Film production ceased and when conditions allowed a resumption, costs had rocketed.

In January this year, the company put itself up for sale. Two months later, media collective Group Black put in a bid for around $400million, according to The WSJ.

Seven years earlier, Smith reportedly held talks with Disney over a takeover in the region of $3.5billion, but had felt that Vice had more room to grow.

As it is, if a buyer is not found, the firm's largest debtholder, Fortress Investment Group, could end up controlling the firm.

Dubuc left Vice in February, with longtime company insiders Bruce Dixon and Hozefa Lokhandwala taking over as co-CEOs.

'Vice Media Group has been engaged in a comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives and planning,' Vice said in a statement on Monday.

'The company, its board and stakeholders continue to be focused on finding the best path for the company.'

Back in 2018, Alvi said that Vice has 'not followed any path other than growth'. But as layoffs begin in earnest, it will soon begin to shrink.
The TV naturalist is suing three men for libel in articles at the High Court today

Chris Packham was accused of playing the 'Asperger's victim card' by publishers who claimed he defrauded the public into donating to a wildlife charity.

The 61-year-old TV naturalist is suing three men for libel over nine online articles claiming he defrauded people into donating money to rescue 'broken' tigers from circuses while knowing they were well looked after.

The court was told that Mr Packham had been described by the defendants as a fraud, a 'notorious liar', of having an 'obvious nastiness', and of playing the 'Asperger's victim card'.

The strongly-denied allegations, repeated in several tweets and videos, relate to Mr Packham's involvement with the Wildheart Trust charity, which runs a wildlife sanctuary on the Isle of Wight.

One of the articles on the website Country Squire Magazine said Mr Packham and his partner had 'clearly not been truthful with the British public', adding: 'Money has been raised on the back of their truth-bending and they now need to come clean and tell the truth.'

Environmentalist Chris Packham has been fighting his case during a libel trial this morning over denied allegations that he misled the public into donating to a wildlife charity

The weblog's editor Dominic Wightman, writer Nigel Bean and a third man, Paul Read, are defending the libel claim.

Mr Wightman previously said the articles were a 'long-term journalistic investigation' and he was 'standing on a mountain of facts' about the allegations.

In written arguments, Mr Wightman and Mr Bean also said: 'The statements complained of are serious and would convey a defamatory tendency were they not factual and bloody well true.'

In a preliminary ruling in March 2022, Mr Justice Johnson found that the allegations were defamatory and said the men 'do not shy away' from their allegation that Mr Packham 'misused his role as a BBC presenter to defraud the public into making charitable donations on the false pretext that tigers had been mistreated by a circus and rescued by a zoo'.

At the start of the trial, the High Court in London heard that the environmentalist was accused of 'abusing his privileged position as a BBC presenter' to dishonestly appeal for donations for the charity, which he and his partner Charlotte Corney are trustees of.

Jonathan Price, for the presenter, said: 'It is now a facility that rescues animals in need of a forever home, as they put it, because for whatever reason they are unwanted by their former owners.

The 61-year-old TV naturalist (left) is suing three men for libel over nine online articles claiming he defrauded people into donating money

'A central allegation in this case that it is fraudulent to attach the word rescue to this process.'

Mr Price said in written submissions: 'Mr Packham is well known for his decades of vociferous campaigning for, and strongly held beliefs on, animal welfare and nature conservation issues.

'An argument that he does not genuinely hold those beliefs but has instead sought to defraud the public for money is, at best, an ambitious one.'

Mr Price argued that the three men intended to run 'a full-frontal attack' on Mr Packham's character during the legal case and to get him fired.

'As the litigation has progressed, the defendants have published an enormous amount of puerile, offensive and damaging material about the claimant, often under the guise of fundraising for their defence,' the barrister said in written submissions.

Nicholas O'Brien, for Mr Wightman and Mr Bean, said the articles in the claim were true and could also be defended as under the public interest.

In written submissions, the barrister said: 'It is clear that the tigers had not been rescued from a circus, were not then in need of rescue, and were not rescued by Mr Packham.'

Mr O'Brien said the pair 'contend that Mr Packham knew the statements were false, and they were therefore made dishonestly'.

'They were also fraudulent in that they were made with a view to a gain and constituted an abuse of his privileged position as a BBC presenter,' he added.

David Price KC, for retired computer programmer Mr Read, said he was not responsible for the publications attributed to him as he was a 'mere proofreader'.

In written submissions, he continued: 'Mr Read's proofread version was then subjected to further amendment by Mr Wightman and/or Mr Bean before publication.'

Mr Price added that Mr Wightman had admitted responsibility.

'The fact that Mr Read was given courtesy byline credits... cannot override the hard evidence as to his limited involvement,' he added.

The environmentalist is expected to give evidence on Wednesday.

The trial before Mr Justice Saini is due to conclude on May 12, with a decision expected at a later date.
Afghanistan's first female airline pilot who fled the country when the Taliban came to power has managed to regain a place in the skies after starting a new life in Europe.

Mohadese Mirzaee, 24, made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to fly a commercial airliner in her native Afghanistan.

Mirzaee and an all-female crew took to the skies in a Boeing 737, performing various flights to cities in Afghanistan as well as countries including Turkey, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and India.

However, her stint in the aviation company she worked for - Kam Air - was cut short a year later, in August 2021, when the Taliban regained momentum in the country and took control of the capital Kabul.

The Taliban's all-male-dominated society model made it impossible for Mirzaee to continue her career.

Instead, Mirzaee fled Afghanistan the same day the Taliban took over, taking a flight to Bulgaria, where she had obtained a visa thanks to doing much of her training there.

Mohadese Mirzaee, 24, made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to fly a commercial airliner in her native Afghanistan

Mirzaee fled Afghanistan the same day the Taliban took over, taking a flight to Bulgaria, where she had obtained a visa thanks to doing much of her training there

Mirzaee (right) once again became a pilot and took to the skies, this time over Europe

Now settled in the country, Mirzaee has taken additional training flights in order to obtain a European pilot license over the course of six months.

And at the end of last year, Mirzaee once again became a pilot and took to the skies, this time over Europe.

Mirazee told local media about her newly found job, saying: 'It's always interesting when I go to the airports and pass through the security checks.

They see me in the uniform, and then they check my passport. They say "You're from Afghanistan".'

Responding to the surprised looks of staff, she always proudly affirms that she is from Afghanistan.

Mirzaee did not reveal the identity of the company that she now works primarily due to security reasons.

She remains hopeful that women from Afghanistan will continue to achieve marvellous feats, despite the Taliban's increasing imposition of bans on women's rights.

Mirzaee claims that no barrier will be able to stop women from her native country.

Mirzaee added: 'For me, it's a proud moment. I didn't give up. Even though the Taliban did everything to put us down and take us away.'

She is hopeful that one day she might have a chance to return to her country after the Taliban have been deposed, implying she keeps the memories of flying over the country close to her heart.

And at the end of last year, Mirzaee once again became a pilot and took to the skies, this time over Europe

Mohadese Mirzaee, 24, made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to fly a commercial airliner in her native Afghanistan

Mirzaee (third from left) and an all-female crew took to the skies in a Boeing 737, performing various flights to cities in Afghanistan as well as countries including Turkey, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and India

When the Taliban seized power in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces were pulling out of Afghanistan after two decades of war, they initially promised a more moderate rule than during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

But there has been a growing international outcry as Taliban leaders have gradually re-imposed their severe interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, on women and girls.

During the 20 years after the Taliban were ousted in 2001 for harboring al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden, who masterminded the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, schools and universities were opened for girls and women entered the workforce and politics, and became judges, ministers and professors.

But now, under Taliban rule, girls have been barred from school beyond the sixth grade and women are now virtually confined to their homes, unable to go out and travel without a male guardian.

In late December, the Taliban banned national and international aid groups from employing Afghan women and on April 4 they extended that ban to Afghan women working for the United Nations.
It comes after executive order from President Biden directing activation of the Army Reserves to help at the southern border

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been accused of making a 'blatant lie' after claiming that illegal immigration dropped by 90%.

During a press conference on Monday, Jean-Pierre was questioned on how President Biden plans to deal with illegal immigration.

The press secretary insisted the administration had already put forward efforts to address the ongoing issues at the border.

Images and new statistics shared by Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz over the past few days have revealed that they have made 73,000 arrests while an additional 17,000 got away.

She said: 'On his first day in this administration the President put forth a comprehensive immigration legislation and that's to show how serious he took this.

Jean-Pierre made the comments during a press conference on Monday

According to the US Border Patrol, they have managed to arrest 73,780 immigrants and confiscate a whole litany of drugs, money and firearms all in the last ten days

'The system had been broken, it needs to be modernized, to be moved to the 21st century and so this is something the President has talked about.

'In the meantime, he has tools that he has used to make sure that we do this, that we actually deal with the immigration system in a humane way, in a way that actually deals with what we are seeing at the border.

'When it comes to illegal migration you have seen it come down by more than 90% and that is because of the actions this President has taken.'

Statistics published by the U.S Customs and Border Protection show that in March of this year there was 257,910 nationwide encounters across all borders.

The figures for March brought the total number of encounters in the U.S. to 1,544,087 this year.

Current trends could see the total number of crossings break last years record of 2.76 million.

On social media, Jean-Pierre was slammed for her comments which GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said where a 'blatant lie'.

Pictured: The most recent figures from the U.S Customs and Border Protection show that in March over 250,000 people made crossings

She tweeted: 'This is a blatant lie from the Biden administration. This is the worst border crisis on record.

'They created the crisis, and now they are denying it exists.'

Senior advisor to former President Trump Stephen Miller tweeted: 'We are suffering through the largest tidal wave of illegal immigration in human history and its not even close.'

Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross said: 'Maybe the biggest lie from the White House podium so far this year.'

The comments made by Jean-Pierre came under fire by journalists and politicians

Meanwhile, US Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz shared an update on Monday of their work over the weekend and what they had halted going over the border.

He tweeted: 'Past 72 hours. 2 agents assaulted, 22,220 apprehensions, 806lbs methamphetamine, 283lbs marijuana, 62lbs cocaine, 3 firearms, 5 maritime events, 2 sex offenders, 2 tractor trailer events, 1 convicted murderer, 1 gang member.'

Images shared by the Chief show a number of firearms, piles of cash and collections of bagged drugs

The border patrol constantly capture pictures of narcotics that they have managed to stop making it through the border and onto the streets

A series of weapons were also confiscated from illegal migrants flooding into the US, including this one with loaded rounds of ammunition

Bundles of cash, bullets and ammunition can be seen in this picture

Sex offenders have also been arrested entering the US, including these two that were shared by Border Patrol

His most recent update means that in the past ten days alone the US Border Patrol has arrested 73,780 illegal immigrants, with just under 17,000 managed to escape into the country.

Patrols across the country also intercepted 1052lbs of Meth, 820lbs of marijuana, 676lbs of cocaine, 13 firearms, 19 sex offenders, 6 gang members, 1 convicted murderer as well as 19lbs of heroin and 54lbs of fentanyl over the same time.

It comes after the Biden administration said they would be setting up migrant processing centers in Central and South America in an attempt to expedite deportations and further deter illegal immigration to the U.S.

The first centers will be located in Colombia and Guatemala, which are two countries that have developed key choke-points for those attempting to transit through in order to migrate to the U.S.

Chief Raul Ortiz shared an update on his Twitter page about the latest figures of items confiscated and migrants arrested

President Biden has also authorized the Army Reserves to deploy to the southern border as pandemic-era Title 42 is set to expire in two weeks.

Title 42 allowed for the expedited expulsion of migrants from the U.S. in the midst of the public health emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials were able to use this policy in more than 2.7 million instances since March 2020 while processing migrants' asylum claims.

But now that there is no longer a health emergency in the U.S., the policy is set to end on May 11.

Republicans and border policy hawks have been highly critical of the program coming to an end, claiming there is no alternative to make sure the southern border is not overrun and even more overwhelmed once Title 42 expires.

Migrants march along the side of a highway in Alvaro Obregon, Chiapas, last month

Migrants continue to wait at the U.S Mexico border in January of this year

Internal projections show that migration at the southern border could spike by a whopping 10,000 to 13,000 per day when the policy comes to an end next month.

Another method of deterring unlawful crossings after Title 42's end is the Biden administration working to finalize a rule to disqualify migrants from asylum if they did not seek humanitarian protection in a country they had to traverse to get to the U.S. and then entered the country illegally.

Currently, migrants who illegally cross the southern border to claim asylum are many times released into the country to await a decision on their asylum claims.

This has led to millions without legal status disappearing into the country after release from Customs and Border Protection custody.

The administration also announced it is expanding a program that allows migrants to come to the U.S. if they have family members who are citizens or permanent residents.

While the current policy only applies to Haitian and Cuban migrants, the expanded version would also allow for citizens from Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to participate in the family reunification program.

The Texas National Guard stand guard as migrants continue to wait at the U.S.-Mexico border in January of this year

Last month, 3,000 immigrants started trekking through Mexico as a large group to push towards the U.S southern border.

The asylum-seeking caravan had threatened to block roads or cause self-injuries unless the Mexican government agreed to meetings or supply buses that would transport them to the capital.

They had hopes of reaching Mexico City where they planned to pressure officials to provide them with exit visas that would allow them to continue to the United States.

In February of this year, Border Patrol agents testified before a government committee that the amount of fentanyl seized at the southern border was enough to kill nearly five times the population of the U.S.
Vladimir Putin has been betrayed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to the Russian dictator's closest popular supporters.

Xi's telephone talks and engagement with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in recent days have outraged Putin's biggest cheerleaders.

Last week, Xi called Zelensky for the first time since the Russian invasion for an hourlong call that the Ukrainian president described as 'long and meaningful'.

Zelensky has since named an ambassador to Beijing, and China will send the envoy for European affairs to Kyiv.

But the move has rattled spectators in Russia. War analyst Sergei Mardan said on SolovyevLive that Xi's visit to Moscow last month had undermined the Kremlin.

'What are we supposed to think?' he said. 'Are we friends or what?!'

Mardan (pictured) is a military analyst for pro-Kremlin Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper

On SolovyevLive he criticised Xi's call with Zelensky to apparently find a diplomatic solution

Mardan said on his show '[we had] joy and confidence in believing that Xi Jinping saw Zelensky as a puppet, definitely will not call him...'

Putin has been betrayed by Xi Jinping, says pro-Putin war analyst Sergei Mardan (pictured)

'And then boom - this,' he told viewers.

China has supported Russia by buying its energy, when to its advantage, in spite of western sanctions throughout the war.

Exporting to large buyers like China has also helped soften Russia's recession, with fiscal revenues increasing overall.

Exports from Russia to China increased 43% year-on-year in 2022.

But China has avoided directly sending munitions to Russia - much to the ire of onlookers backing Putin's campaign.

In recent months China has pushed to lead negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to de-escalate the violence that has claimed the lives of more than 350,000.

Russia has not openly opposed this.

In February, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the proposals should be 'analysed in detail', though Russia did not see a way out of the war just yet.

But the call between Xi and Zelensky was a bridge too far for Putin supporters.

'How do we take this call? Why did he call our enemy?

'Comrade Xi Jinping, why did you come to Moscow? And spend three days here, interrupting Putin's work?

'So as a result of his three-day stay in Moscow, he goes back to his Beijing, spends a week talking to his advisors - and then decides to call Zelensky.

The slap down for Xi comes as Putin's supporters also feel aggrieved that their close Chinese ally has not sent advanced weapons and drones to help Russia's beleaguered war effort.

As early as March last year, US officials reported that Russia was seeking military equipment to help bolster its sluggish invasion of Ukraine.

China denied the claim that Russia had asked for equipment after running out of weapons during its initial invasion.

The SolovyevLive channel is led by Vladimir Solovyov, Putin's favourite state TV propagandist.

Mardan is a military analyst for pro-Kremlin Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.

Putin takes part in a videoconference call in St Petersburg on 2 May 2023

President Zelensky (left) and Xi Jinping (right) spoke for the first time since the war last week

The nearly one-hour discussion between the two leaders, which reportedly included Xi advocating for peace negotiations, was met by Russian accusations that Ukraine was undermining efforts to end the fighting.

Zelensky said previously he would be open to talks with his Xi.

The telephone call 'was initiated by the Ukrainian side', Yu Jun from China's foreign ministry told a press conference.

'On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has always stood on the side of peace and its core position is to promote peace talks,' CCTV reported Xi as saying.
Sen. John Kennedy said Dems upset they 'aren't winning every decision.' 'Barrett I hope you don't have an overdue library book ... you're next

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.,declared: 'The court has conclusively proven it cannot police itself'

'How low can the court go?' Chair Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said, adding the Supreme Court 'won't even acknowledge it's a problem'

Senate Democrats tore into the Supreme Court in an ethics hearing Tuesday as Republicans insisted they were just upset about the court's conservative leaning.

Accusations flew from both sides about free and undisclosed trips justices had taken.

Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, D-Ill., opened by saying the hearing was about ensuring 'American people have confidence judges cannot be bought.'

'Over the course of several decades, Congress and the judicial branch have created a system of ethics laws and standards for federal judges that lay out clear rules of the road,' Durbin went on.

'Here's the problem: the Supreme Court does not consider itself bound by these rules.'

Durbin insisted the hearing was not targeted at conservatives. He said that during his ethics inquiry after reporting on Justice Clarence Thomas' relationship with billionaire Harlan Crow, he's heard questions about the conduct of 'virtually every justice.'

Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, D-Ill., opened by saying the hearing was about ensuring 'American people have confidence judges cannot be bought'

Unlike other federal courts, the Supreme Court does not have a formal code of ethics. The high court has said it informally follows the rules of lower-court US judges.

Ranking Republican Lindsey Graham said he could understand 'the desire for court to be more transparent have rules the public can relate to.'

'I have never suggested the Congress should take over the court's ability to take over itself.'

Graham said he would not vote for bills to impose restrictions on the Supreme Court but urges them to 'take this moment to instill more public confidence' and that we would 'all be better off if they did.'

Durbin had invited Supreme Court chief Justice John Roberts to testify at the hearing or appoint another justice to do so, but he declined. Durbin could not subpoena Roberts without the vote of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has been absent from the Senate and Judiciary Committee for over two months.

Meanwhile Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called for a Department of Justice investigation into justices' activity and accused Roberts of 'judicial malpractice' by not appearing before the committee.

Durbin pointed to recent reporting about Clarence Thomas' lavish vacations at the expense of billionaire Harlan Crow and Crow's purchase of a home where Thomas had partial ownership.

'How low can the court go?' he said, adding the Supreme Court 'won't even acknowledge it's a problem.'

Meanwhile hearing witness and law professor Amanda Frost tried to poke holes in the separation of powers argument for why Congress could not impose a code of ethics on the court.

She said that many aspects of the high court are controlled by Congress, from 'its size to when it meets.'

But Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, noted that other branches of government impose their own codes of ethics.

'I look back at the rules of the United States Senat - whatever tools by which we are governed and they are rules that are set by the Senate itself,' he said. 'What if the Supreme Court said we don't like the ethics code of senators or for members of the House of Representatives?'

Graham called out a 'concentrated effort by the left to delegitimize this court and cherry-pick examples to make a point.'

He noted that Justices Sonya Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg had both taken weeks-long trips to Florence at the expense of American universities. Graham also pointed out that Justice Elena Kagan, who he called a 'fine person,' was formerly the dean of Harvard University law school and still tries to raise money for the institution, but will not recuse herself from cases before the court in which Harvard has an interest.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., noted that in 2019 Sotomayor took a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the expense of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has business before the Supreme Court.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., suggested Democrats were lobbing attacks due to the court's 6-3 conservative majority

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., who has introduced a bill to impose ethics restrictions on the high court, declared: 'The court has conclusively proven it cannot police itself.

He displayed a painting of Thomas with Crow and wealthy conservative activist and Federalist Society founder Leonard Leo together at Crow's Adirondacks resort and called out late Justice Antonin Scalia's nearly seven dozen free trips to hunting resorts.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., suggested Democrats were lobbing attacks due to the court's 6-3 conservative majority.

'The danger isn't that rogue justices are operating without ethics it's that Democrats aren't winning every decision,' he said. 'My Democratic colleagues should fill out a hurt feelings report and move on.'

'Justice Barrett if you're listening, I hope you don't have library books overdue. If history is any indicator you're next.'

The hearing falls exactly one year after an unprecedented Supreme Court leak about the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade sent shockwaves throughout the nation. And one year on, the identity of the leaker is still not known.

Whitehouse displayed a painting of Thomas with Crow and wealthy conservative activist and Federalist Society founder Leonard Leo together at Crow's Adirondacks resort and called out late Justice Antonin Scalia's nearly seven dozen free trips to hunting resorts

Thomas flew on Crow's private jet, sailed around the world on his yacht and stayed at his resort in the Adirondacks nearly every summer for around two decades, according to a Pro Publica report released Thursday

Crow called Thomas a dear friend, and got to know him after he joined the Supreme Court. Crow is a Dallas-based real estate magnate

A series of bombshell reports about Thomas' relationship with billionaire Harlan Crow - which included lavish gifts, odd but pricey gifts and now a real estate transaction where Crow bought the house Thomas' mother lives in and is not charging her rent.

Thomas has since said he would amend his 2014 financial disclosure to include the sale.

Unlike other federal courts, the Supreme Court does not have a formal code of ethics. The high court has said it informally follows the rules of lower-court US judges.

There had been call for a code of ethics when previous reports about Thomas's gifts from real estate billionaire Harlan Crow came out in 2011, which Roberts 'dismissed' at the time, according to Durbin.
Frankie Boyle has divided viewers with his one-off show about the monarchy with some branding the controversial comedian's jokes as 'absolutely vile'.

In the run up to King Charles III's coronation on May 6, Channel 4 decided to give viewers an alternative examination of the Royal Family on Sunday night.

Titled Frankie Boyle's Farewell to the Monarchy, the hour-long special saw the Scottish comedian, 50, share his unfavourable views towards the Royals.

'Let's raise a bottle to them filled with petrol and a burning rag,' he demands at the start of the show.

He also declares it is time to 'say goodbye to the monarchy' as he explores topics such as Prince Andrew's inclusion in official events and the monarchy's colonial past.

Frankie Boyle with artist Kit Green as Queen Elizabeth I outside Queen's House, Greenwich, for his Channel 4 show Frankie Boyle's Farewell To The Monarchy

The alternative programming around the coronation of King Charles III has received mixed reviews with some branding it 'brilliant' while others say it is 'vile'

Throughout the show he also meets with a series of royal experts to try and understand their admiration for the monarchy.

Many of Boyle's jokes divided viewers, with one person writing on Twitter: 'Never found this guy funny and this just proved it. Vile man.'

Another social media user wrote: 'Absolutely shocking. Sorry, if [you] don't want to live under a monarchy... leave. We don't need his vile talk.'

A third person added: 'Boyle is the stain on Scotland, he needs to be cancelled.'

Yet, it appears some viewers loved the programme as one person wrote: 'It was a brilliant show.'

Another said: 'Loved Frankie Boyle ripping into royals this evening on Channel 4 with his programme, Farewell to the Monarchy.'

It also made a large impact on this viewer who added: 'Watched Frankie Boyles programme on the Monarchy last night  superb viewing, lots of home truths for the monarchies and plenty of Frankies trademark humour.'

This latest special is certainly not the first time Boyle has offended viewers with his comedy material.

Boyle on stage during day three of Latitude Festival 2022 at Henham Park last year where he made a controversial joke about Holly Willoughby

In July last year Boyle was slammed for making a rape joke about TV presenter Holly Willoughby.

READ MORE: Frankie Boyle branded a 'hypocrite' for criticising Ricky Gervais's jokes about trans people Fact-box text Advertisement

The Scottish comedian described a game about killing and sh***ing people  which included Miss Willoughby  during a set at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk.

Sources recalled Boyle saying: Id obviously kill her and rape her afterwards. Im joking  Id rape her first.

The comedian has also previously made jokes about Katie Price's autistic son Harvey.

Following his comment about Harvey and a series of offensive jokes about the Paralympic Games, Channel 4 bosses ruled out the possibility he would return to the channel in 2013.

Prior to being given his New World Order show, Boyle had been axed from a Comic Relief broadcast by BBC bosses after he said he wished the Queen had died before her Diamond Jubilee.

In a 10-minute routine on Russell Brand's Give It Up For Comic Relief event at London's Wembley Arena in 2013, he also drew gasps from the 12,500-strong audience with a jibe at Oscar Pistorious.

Boyle's routine was deemed in such bad taste that it was axed from the 'almost-live' broadcast of the show on BBC Three.
The Massachusetts mother who strangled her children to death then tried to kill herself has been moved to a different hospital while awaiting a grand jury decision on whether or not she will be charged with murder.

In January, Lindsay Clancy, 32, strangled her five-year-old daughter Cora, three-year-old son Dawson, and seven-month-old son Callan in the basement of their home in Duxbury.

Lindsay, who had been battling post-partum depression and who had begged doctors for help, cut her own wrists then jumped from a top floor window of the family's home.

She became paralyzed as a result, and has spent the last four months receiving intense medical care. Prosecutors say she deserves to be charged with murder. They have also deferred the case to a grand jury.

It's unclear if a jury has been impaneled yet, or if it is yet to convene.

Lindsay Clancy, shown during a January court appearance, is still paralyzed in the hospital

Lindsay Clancy with her husband Patrick and their oldest children, Cora, five, and Dawson, three. She

If charged with murder, Lindsay will face life in prison. Her attorney is fighting for more compassionate charges, and say she will require round-the-clock medical care for the rest of her life.

DRUGS PRESCRIBED TO LINDSAY CLANCY OVER EIGHT MONTHS, ACCORDING TO HER ATTORNEY Klonopin

Valium

Ativan

Zoloft

Amitriptyline

Remeron

Prozac

Trazodone

Lamictal

Seroquel

buspirone

hydroxyzine

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She had been moved from hospital to a rehabilitation center, but now her attorney says she has been moved back to a different facility, such are her extensive medical needs.

Now, she is being looked after in Tewskbury Hospital, which is run by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for July.

On January 1, Lindsay - who was herself a labor nurse herself at Massachusetts General Hospital - checked herself into the McLean psychiatric hospital in Belmont.

She spent five days there, according to her attorney Kevin Reddington, during which she complained about becoming addicted to benzodiazepines.

Doctors at the hospital decided to take her off Seroquel - a drug used to treat schizophrenia and depression.

She was then given Trazodone, another anti-depressant, and Ativan, a branded version of Lorazepam, according to her attorney.

The circumstances surrounding Lindsay's discharge from the hospital remain unclear, and it is also unclear whether she ever told doctors that she felt homicidal.

In the weeks before the killings, she told her husband that she felt suicidal.

Her attorney says that she went back to the doctor after leaving McLean, but he has not specified what drugs she was given then.

Twenty days later, she strangled her three children then tried to kill herself by slitting her wrists and jumping from a top floor bedroom of the family home.

Lindsay Clancy, 32, is facing life in prison if convicted of first degree murder for the deaths of her children Cora, five, Dawson, three, and Callan, eight months on January 24. She is shown with daughter Cora

The Clancy home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, where the children were killed in the basement

After strangling the kids, Lindsay tried to cut her own wrists. She then jumped from a window at the family home. Baby Callan, eight months, died in the hospital. Cora and Dawson died at home

A spokesman for the hospital declined to give details on her care or discharge, citing privacy laws.

'Due to federal privacy laws and our ethical standards, we are unable to comment on specific patient cases.

'The complexities of mental health are different for each individual and similarly, treatment strategies vary depending on each persons unique needs.

'Whether it be proven and effective medications, psychotherapy, peer support, complementary and alternative medicine, or a combination of multiple approaches, it is important that any care plan be evidence-based and derived from patient-centered discussions and shared decision making,' he said.

Prosecutors told a court yesterday that Lindsay later told her husband she heard a 'man's voice' telling her to kill the kids and herself, and that it was her 'only chance'.

Her attorney says she had become shell of herself in the months since her third child's birth, and that she'd been overprescribed an astonishing combination of 13 different drugs to help her cope.
President Joe Biden will send 1,500 active duty troops to the U.S. border ahead of the end of Title 42 next week as a massive caravan of thousands of immigrants makes its way north.

The move is coming at the request of the Department of Homeland Security, a U.S. official told DailyMail.com. The Defense Department will deploy the troops for about three months to help out U.S. Custom and Border Patrol agents.

'At the request of DHS, DOD will provide a temporary increase of an additional 1,500 military personnel, for 90 days, to supplement CBP efforts at the border,' the official said.

The soldiers would come from a variety of active duty Army units, two senior U.S. officials told Fox News, which first reported the news.

The troops would not help with law enforcement but would be there to support the 18,600 agents on the border, freeing them up ahead of a suspected surge of migrants after Title 42 ends on May 11th.

Troops will arrive 'as early as May 10,' according to the Pentagon.

Above a migrant caravan in Chiapas, Mexico, heads for the border ahead of Title 42 expiring on May 11

'DoD personnel will be performing non-law enforcement duties such as ground based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support. DoD personnel have never, and will not, perform law enforcement activities or interact with migrants or other individuals in DHS custody. This support will free up DHS law enforcement personnel to perform their critical law enforcement missions,' the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

And White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that military personnel will do data entry, warehouse support and other administrative tasks so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can focus on fieldwork.

The troops 'will not be performing law enforcement functions or interacting with immigrants, or migrants,' Jean-Pierre said. 'This will free up Border Patrol agents to perform their critical law enforcement duties.'

Some estimates have up to 35,000 asylum seekers waiting to cross the U.S. border once the pandemic-era policy Title 42 ends next week.

Last month, 3,000 immigrants started trekking through Mexico as a large group to push toward the U.S southern border in preparation for the COVID-related ban to end.

The Donald Trump-era order allowed migrants to be quickly turned away at the border and sent back to Mexico, citing the COVID pandemic.

Republicans have been critical of Biden's handling of the situation at the border. And even some Democratic lawmakers in border states have questioned how the administration is handling the migrant situation there.

On Monday it was revealed US Border Patrol agents made more than 50,000 arrests in one week - along the southern, northern and coastal borders - with over 1400lbs of drugs being recovered.

Migrants, mostly from Venezuela, are camped out in front of Sacred Heart Church in El Paso in advance of the planned May 11 ending of COVID-19 border restrictions known as Title 42

Jean-Pierre on Monday argued it was up to Congress to take action on the border, saying Biden has done all he can solely with executive power.

'He has asked Congress to take action - Republicans in Congress to take action,' she said. 'He's going to continue to do that.'

Biden signed an executive order last week to help combat drug trafficking at the border, the active duty Coast Guard units to be deployed to help.

Meanwhile, El Paso, Texas, Mayor Oscar Leeser declared a state of emergency on Monday ahead of the expected surge in his city, but warned migrants they will not be able to enter the U.S. without any documentation.

'We are not opening the borders. The borders are not open today and they will not be open on May 12,' he said.

President Joe Biden weighing whether to send 1,500 active duty troops to the U.S. border ahead of the end of Title 42 next week

Migrants line up after being detained by US authorities at the US-Mexico

Then-President Trump had sent troops to the border in October 2018 for support when a caravan more than 4,000 migrants was making its way from Mexico toward the United States.

They functioned as support personnel and their duties included transporting border officials via helicopter and staffing command and control centers, in addition to helping erect tents and perform crowd control.

Biden's troop surge is expected to do the same.
Former President Donald Trump's decision to sit for a prime time CNN town hall in battleground New Hampshire puts him head to head with CNN's Kaitlan Collins  who he ridiculed as not knowing about construction when she asked about his borde wall.

Trump has long had a fraught relationship with CNN, which he derided as 'fake news' as president, even though former exec Jeff Zucker helped give him his start on 'the Apprentice.'

Now, he is set to be questioned by Collins, who his staff tried to bump from her seat in the White House briefing room amid tense relations between Trump and the press generally.

Trump's team is characterizing it as a brash move to get a leg up on rivals who are 'too afraid' to face touch questioning on air  in a dig at rival Ron DeSantis.

Former President Donald Trump will appear at a CNN town hall in New Hampshire, with a dig at rivals who are 'too afraid' to face touch questioning on air

The event is set to air at 8 pm on May 10 at St. Anselm's College in Goffstown, New Hampshire  and comes as Trump has been running up huge leads against the Florida governor. But he still trails President Joe Biden narrowly in the polls, even as DeSantis holds a slight lead over the 80-year-old Democrat.

'President Trump is running to be President for all Americans,' a Trump advisor told DailyMail.com.

'Going outside the traditional Republican comfort zone was a key to President Trumps success in 2016. Some other candidates are too afraid to take this step in their quest to defeat Joe Biden, and are afraid to do anything other than Fox News,' the advisor continued, adding that CNN execs 'made a compelling pitch.'

The comment appeared to be a clear dig at DeSantis, who has sat for interviews with Fox News, and has taken steps to insulate himself from local media and even ordinary voters during his book tour. DeSantis often surrounds himself with supporters during his press events.

Trump regularly clashed with CNN's Kaitlan Collins when she was a White House correspondent for CNN

The town hall will air this month in prime time. It comes after coshost Don Lemon was booted from the morning show Collins cohosts

A Trump advisor said he wasn't afraid to go outside his 'comfort zone'

Trump has also been interviewed by hosts Sean Hannity and fired prime time host Tucker Carlson. (Hannity is also revealed in emails to have provided private advice to Trump).

'Trump likes attention, so an hour of television makes him a prime time center of attention, which - even for Trump - remains important for his candidacy. Kaitlan is no pushover, so it will be interesting to see how Trump reacts,' Republican operative Doug Heye, who has appeared on CNN as a contributor, told DailyMail.com.

Collins has proved to be one of the networks standout interviewers, and has recently transitioned to daily morning television out of New York (cohost Don Lemon was fired late last month).

During one memorable exchange, she asked Trump why Mexico wasn't paying for the border wall, as he said it would during the campaign.

You ran your campaign promising supporters that Mexico is going to pay for the wall, Collins asked him, prompting Trump to say: Here we go again.

You said the wall will be made of concrete. You just said it could be made of steel. Right now our government is shut down over a demand from your administration that the American taxpayer pay for the wall. How can you say youre not failing on that promise to your supporters? she asked.

Trump sarcastically called it a 'very nice question so beautifully asked, even though I just answered it, and referenced a trade deal he claimed amounted to paying for the wall.

Then Trump dismissed Collins' concrete question. 'I know youre not into the construction business. You dont understand something. We now have a great steel business thats rebuilt in the United States. Steel is stronger than concrete. If I build this wall or fence or anything that Democrats need to call it because Im not into names, Im into production, Im into something that works,' he said.

In 2019, the Trump White House tried to get a pool reporter to take Collins' front row seat and force her to relinquish her front row seat for a coronavirus briefing. Both refused. Then-White House Correspondents Association president Jonathan Karl said the WHCA would let the White House 'pick and choose who sits where in the briefing room.'

Meanwhile, the network itself is getting some pushback for hosting Trump, after giving a boost to Trump's 2016 campaign by airing his rallies live on air.

'The transparent attempt to goose their ratings does feel at least a little odious. But all the more reason that they need to get this right,' said Angelo Carusone, chief executive of liberal watchdog Media Matters for America.

CNN's statement announcing the town hall anticipated some of the pushback. It said it has a 'longstanding tradition of hosting leading presidential candidates for Town Halls and political events as a critical component of the networks robust campaign coverage. This event with former President Trump will be the first of many for CNN in the coming months as CNN correspondents travel across the country to hear directly from voters in the runup to the 2024 presidential election.'

A network source said the audience will be made up of New Hampshire Republican as well as undeclared voters who say they intend to vote in the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary.

Asked if any subject was off the table, including legal matters involving the former president, the source said no subject is off limits.
A pilot and three passengers were able to walk out unscathed after their small jet crash landed and broke in half on a highway in Panama.

The shocking incident took place Monday afternoon while they were flying over the Panama City town of El Dorado.

Three government health workers, a 36-year-old man and two women, aged 41 and 45, were taken to an area hospital and were said to be in good condition. One of them complained on knee pain.

The pilot, captain Arquimedes Vargas, did not require medical attention.

A surveillance camera captured a Cessna 172 flying low over trees before it crashed on a highway in Panama City, Panama, on Monday. The pilot, captain Arquimedes Vargas, and three government health employees - a 36-year-old man and two women, aged 41 and 45 - survived

A Cessna 172 broke in half after crashing on a highway in Panama City, Panama, on Monday. The pilot and three government employees survived the crash

Surveillance video showed the Cessna 172 rapidly descending over a row of trees moments before it slammed onto the road near a school.

A video recorded by one of the passengers showed the pilot attempting to maintain control of the aircrafts yoke prior to the emergency landing.

Loud screams could be heard from everyone aboard the plane just before Vargas avoids incoming traffic on the highway lane and crashes.

Moments later, one of the two men helps lead the two women away from the airplane wreckage.

A Panamanian health worker braces for impact moment before the small jet she was flying in crashed on a highway in Panama City on Monday. She, along with two coworkers and the pilot, survived the accident

A Cessna 172 is removed from a road in Panama City after crashing Monday afternoon

Panamanian authorities reported that the plane had taken off from the indigenous province of Guna Yala but did not say where it was headed to.

The accident caused the temporary suspension of service at Albrook Gelabert Airport in Panama City.

The Civil Aeronautic Authority opened an investigation into the accident.
A black woman has sued the iconic Esalen Institute in Big Sur after an instructor at the new age retreat allegedly played a video with racist slurs during a meditation class.

Nicole Evans, from Los Angeles, claims instructor Lorin Roche showed a video of a black comedian who joked that 'Irish people were the n*****s of Europe'.

Evans is seeking at least $1 million in damages over the alleged incident, which is described in the lawsuit as 'one of the most humiliating and traumatizing experiences of her life'. She claims the California retreat and its employees violated her civil rights.

The Esalen Institute is a popular escape for the rich and famous and bills itself as a 'holistic retreat and educational institute'. Accommodation ranges from a 'sleeping bag space', which costs $900 for four nights, to private suites which cost $8,000.

Evans took a medication class led by Roche on September 7 2022, midway through her four-night stay. He allegedly played a YouTube video of the comedy routine which attendees initially found funny, but 'the room became deafeningly silent' when the n-word was used in a joke about Irish people.

The lawsuit alleges that Lorin Roche (pictured) played the offensive clip during a meditation class, which Evans described as 'one of the most humiliating and traumatizing experiences of her life'

The Esalen Institute is a popular escape for the rich and famous and bills itself as a 'holistic retreat and educational institute'. Accommodation ranges from a 'sleeping bag space', which costs $900 for four nights, to private suites which cost $8,000

The institute offers a range of classes and workshops covering activities from mindfulness and yoga to writing and dance

Roche, who the suit calls 'a faculty member with decades of tenure at the institute', and some other attendees looked directly at Evans, the only black person present, when the clip was shown.

The instructor then rewound the clip and replayed the joke, causing some people to walk out of the class and leaving Evans 'completely confounded, shocked and overwhelmed with emotion', it is claimed.

The clip was believed to be of Reginald D Hunter, an American stand up comedian from Georgia who is based in the UK. A video from one of Hunter's stand-up shows, uploaded to YouTube in 2011, shows he made the same joke during a routine about time he spent in Ireland.

Evans' suit, reported by the LA Times, says that after the incident, 'she felt paralyzed and did not know what to do. She felt like a fish in a fishbowl with everyone glaring at her, which in turn made her feel unsafe.'

She chose to remain at the retreat but word spread about the incident and she was asked about it by other attendees, which made her feel uncomfortable.

Evans was supposed to attend another class with Roche the following day but chose not to. Roche's wife, Camille Maurine, who also works at the Esalen Institute, then urged Evans to attend the class to talk about the issue with him.

Roche acted like 'nothing was happening' and did not apologize, the suit claims.

He also told another person from the retreat who confronted him about it: 'I'm sorry that you regular people do not understand the brilliance of the video.'

Evans left the class 'humiliated and enraged'.

Roche and his wife, Camille Maurine, who also is also a member of the Esalen Institue faculty

A woman sitting on a rock on the cliffs overlooking an ocean playing a wooden flute at the Esalen Institute. The center has a number of workshops which run into thousands of dollars

The institute inspired a scene in the final episode of Mad Mad, whose troubled anti-hero Don Draper joined a hippie commune overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Roche only offered a 'forced' apology later that day after his wife invited Evans to a meeting with a director at the institute. Evans claims the director said 'he was sorry that this had happened to her'.

The suit said: 'As a result of defendants' actions, plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer general and special damages, including severe and profound pain and emotional distress, anxiety, depression, headaches, tension and other physical ailments, as well as medical expenses, and expenses for psychological counseling and treatment.'

The suit was filed in December and a trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 2 2023. The Esalen Institute was approached for comment.

It claims the institute didn't take proper disciplinary action against Roche and accuses him of a history of 'discriminatory and bigoted conduct'.

The Esalen Institute was founded in 1962 and established itself as a leader in the New Age movement. The institute offers a range of classes and workshops covering activities from mindfulness and yoga to writing and dance.

The retreat inspired the final scenes of the hit show Mad Men, whose troubled anti-hero Don Draper joined a hippie commune overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
An 84-year-old woman claims to have suffered a brain injury after a firefighter pushed her to the floor in a row over her leaving food and water for stray cats near his fire station.

Maureen Hvegholm, 84, was feeding cats near her home in Sparks, Nevada, when Timothy Egan grabbed the plates of food and bowls of water away, moments after she had placed them down.

In CCTV footage from outside the station, the two then appeared to get into an argument, with Ms Hvegholm swatting Mr Egan away and appearing to reach for the bowls.

Shocking footage of the incident allegedly shows Mr Egan throwing her onto the concrete floor, with Ms Hvegholm disappearing out of sight.

She slowly gets up and walks away. Her family said she returned home with a nasty swollen lump on her forehead and was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

On March 29, Ms Hvegholm filed a lawsuit in Nevada's Washoe County, alleging that he battered her with excessive force.

The suit stated: 'Hvegholm has suffered a severe decline in her quality of life, her ability to move about freely, and her ability to care for herself independent of her children  as well as a looming sense of panic, terror, and lack of security in her home.'



During a city council meeting last week, her son, Marc, described the incident as 'an egregious act that should never have occurred,' the Washington Post reports.

Mr Egan is believed to still be employed by the Sparks Fire Department.

Ms Hvegholm has been taking food and water to the cats almost every day since she moved to the neighbourhood in Sparks, Nevada 16 years ago.

Pictures show a large raised lump on her forehead, which she says she sustained in the incident.

The fireman said at the time that he was picking up debris in a nearby alley when a woman - later identified as Ms Hvegholm - screamed at him.

He contended that he had 'pushed her away' after she threw cat food and a bowl of water at him.

The old woman said that she had been 'scared' and 'confused' when he had grabbed her things.

Pictures show a large raised lump on Maureen Hvegholm's forehead, which she says she sustained during the incident

She said she was lifted up and thrown face down by Mr Egan.

After the incident, her son drove her to the Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where they say doctors told them she had suffered a concussion.

The lawsuit alleges that she also sustained injuries to her head, neck, back, legs, arms and organs.

A police incident report stated that Mr Egan's actions were 'justified and did not constitute a battery.'

An incident report claimed that Ms Hvegholm had been told by firefighters not to feed the cats, as they said the animals would climb onto and scratch their equipment.

CCTV footage from outside the station appears to show Timothy Egan and Ms Hvegholm in an altercation, before he pushes her to the ground

Meanwhile, Ms Hvegholm was initially cited for battery, police records state, but this was later dropped after her children spoke with police.

Her daughter Gayla Oullette said her mother continues to suffer from health problems after the incident and is now a 'shell' of her former self.

The 84-year-old's daughter claims her mom now suffers from headaches, nerve pain, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

She said she has to walk with a cane, and while she still feeds cats, avoids the fire station area.

Ms Hvegholm's lawsuit is requesting upwards of $15,000 in damages, medical expenses and legal fees.

Ouellette said they are also seeking an apology from Mr Egan.

Sparks City Council has been contacted for comment.
Almost 87 percent of Coca-Cola shareholder votes opposed a proposal to look into whether anti-abortion laws in some states would negatively affect the business.

During its annual shareholder meeting last week the company voted on several items, including whether to produce a report on the impact of anti-abortion laws.

The proposal was made by As You Sow, a non-profit group that lobbies shareholders in corporations to enact policies it believes will bring about positive social change.

As You Sow suggested anti-abortion laws in some states could cause Coke to lose female employees, and that shareholders should consider the risk.

But in a statement rejecting the proposal, the board said measures 'already in place are appropriate and sufficient to address potential risks'.

Coca-Cola shareholders voted against producing a report into how anti-abortion laws in certain states would drive female employees away. Pictured is the company's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia

Nearly 87 percent of votes cast during the company's annual shareholder meeting on April 25 were against the report. Each share corresponds to a single vote, so shareholders with more shares in the company have more votes and yield greater voting power

'In addition, the Company already has in place comprehensive health benefits that provide for our employees' needs, as opposed to what might be otherwise suggested in this proposal,' it added.

On April 25, nearly 2.7 billion votes (87 percent) were cast against the proposed report, and just over 400 million (13 percent) were in favor. Around 70 million votes were abstained.

Each share corresponds to a single vote, so shareholders with more shares in the company have more votes and yield greater power.

In its proposal As You Sow said 'Coke has given more than $1.8million to politicians and political organizations seeking to limit women's reproductive rights'.

CEO of As You Sow, Andrew Behar, said that by coordinating a report into anti-abortion laws the company would actually be withdrawing itself from a potentially damaging political debate.

'We don't think it's good for business,' Behar told DailyMail.com. 'We don't think they should be associating the brand with polarizing political topics.'

Behar was unable to say whether Coke donated that money to political entities in order to actively promote an anti-abortion agenda or whether it had merely associated with politicians who happened oppose to abortion.

'You don't just get caught up [in anti-abortion policy],' said Behar. 'We know the people in Coca-Cola. We've been in this conversation for four years.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Meredith Benton, who consults with As You Sow on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, said: 'Coca-Cola, as a result of politicians' decisions, has new challenges in strategically managing its ability to provide employees with the health care they want.

'There is a potential upside to the company in acknowledging this truth through a thoughtful report to its shareholders; stronger long-term strategic planning, increased investor confidence in the stock, increased employee confidence in the company, and stronger allyship with the majority of Americans.

When asked about the costs of implementing such programs she described them as 'limited and unquantified'.

The proposal As You Sow put forward made direct reference to Georgia, where the company is headquartered and hires thousands of staff.

In Georgia, abortion is banned when a 'fetal' heartbeat can be detected - about six weeks into a pregnancy. Under previous law before the repeal of Roe v. Wade, abortions were legal up to about 22 weeks.

'Women who cannot access abortion are three times more likely to leave the workforce than women who have access to abortion,' wrote As You Sow in the proposal, citing a report by the UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health.

It also referred to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, which estimated that state-level abortion restrictions may annually keep more than 500,000 women aged 15 to 44 out of the workforce.

'Shareholders request that Coca-Cola's Board of Directors issue a public report prior to December 31, 2023,' read the proposal, first filed in November.

It said the report should detail 'any known and potential risks or costs to the company caused by enacted or proposed state policies severely restricting reproductive rights,' it went on.

Pictured is the CEO of As You Sow, Andrew Behar

The proposed report would likely have been to apply pressure to Coca-Cola to use its might to oppose, and potentially divest from, states that have strict anti-abortion laws

Non-profits like As You Sow seek to influence corporate decision-making by leaning on shareholders to consider social and environmental impacts.

It can exert influence because shareholders of publicly-traded corporations have a right to put proposals up for a vote.

But ESG strategies have come under criticism in recent years, especially from conservatives, who believe investment decisions should be guided by nothing other than profit.

In response, some advocates of ESG investing have argued the approach is most profitable because it is indicative of good, forward-looking corporate values.

The purpose of the proposed report would likely have been to apply pressure on Coca-Cola to use its might to oppose, and potentially divest from, states that have strict anti-abortion laws.

Similarly, in Florida Disney is standing up against Republican governor Ron DeSantis and his recently passed 'Don't Say Gay' bill, which limits how homosexuality can be spoken about in schools.

Disney and DeSantis are now embroiled in a war in which the governor has tried to revoke the company's special jurisdiction over the Disney World Resort after the company spoke out against the bill.

DailyMail.com wrote to Coca-Cola for details on exactly which states it operates in but did not hear back. The company relies on a network of independent bottling companies in different regions, some of which are independent.

Another item voted on by shareholders on April 25 was a proposal requesting an audit of the company's 'impact on non-white stakeholders'.

It was similarly unpopular - 17 percent of votes were in favor and 83 percent against.
Subway closed more than 500 sandwich shops across the US in 2022 due to over-expansion and stale menus as it explores a potential $10billion sale.

The chain shed another 571 locations - for 2.7 percent - in 2022 after even steeper closings in previous years in the United States, its largest global market, according to the latest disclosure document it provides to franchisees who are interested in buying locations.

Subway has closed thousands of US locations in recent years due to an abundance of stores, outdated operations and decor, dated menus and $5 footlong deals that eroded franchisees' profits, according to a disclosure document viewed by Reuters.

In 2021, the chain shut down 1,000 stores and more than 1,600 in 2020.

At the end of 2022, Subway had 20,576 shops in the United States. That is a sharp decline from 2016, when it had 26,772. It has roughly 37,000 total locations globally.

The company attempted to revitalize its favor among fans by introducing a refreshed menu with splashy advertising campaigns featuring A-list celebrities, including Serena Williams and Steph Curry. The role out came under CEO John Chidsey and it could take several years to succeed, said restaurant consultant John Gordon.

Subway has closed thousands of US locations in recent years due to over-expansion, outdated operations and decor, stale menus and $5 footlong deals that eroded franchisees' profits.

In 2022, the company closed 571 stories. In 2021, it close 1,000 stores, and in 2020, it closed more than 1,600

Continued closings can also hurt public perception, said franchisee advisor Robert Edwards.

'That's baggage that they'll be hard pressed to step away from,' Edwards said.

'We have spent the past two years optimizing our footprint by using a strategic, data-driven approach to ensure restaurants are in the right location, image and format,' Subway said in a statement.

'This includes opening new locations, with quality remaining a top priority, relocating restaurants to maximize guest traffic and closing locations when needed.'

The company also said the slowdown in store closure has to do with Subway limiting its market to hot-spot areas.

'The slowdown in closures is a result of the progress we have made to get back to smart growth, which will boost franchisee profitability and protect our position in the market,' Subway said.

Subway announced early this year that it was exploring a billion-dollar sale. A source told Reuters last week that bids are ranging between $8.5billion to $10billion

'In 2023, our goal is to increase new openings across North America by approximately 35 percent compared to 2022.'

Subway announced early this year that it was exploring a billion-dollar sale. A source told Reuters last week that bids are ranging between $8.5billion to $10billion.

Subway will soon allow bidders to team up before submitting final offers, and Bain, TPG and Advent have already been in discussions about doing so, the sources added.

Although Subway previously shot down speculations that it was preparing for a sale last year, the franchise has seen a big turn following years of controversies regarding its ingredients, including its tuna and bread, and pedophile former spokesperson, Jared Fogle.

The company attempted to revitalize its favor among fans by introducing a refreshed menu with splashy advertising campaigns featuring A-list celebrities, like Megan Rapinoe (pictured). The role out came under CEO John Chidsey and it could take several years to succeed

Serena Williams (left), Tom Brady, and Steph Curry (right with Brady) also appeared in the new revitalized ads

In 2015, Subway faced a public image nightmare when the face of the company, Jared Fogel, was convicted on child pornography charges.

It has also faced criticisms over the freshness of its ingredients, with Ireland's Supreme Court ruling that its bread had too much sugar to be called bread.

The company also faced a class-action lawsuit claiming it was misrepresenting its tuna sandwiches, with lab analysis repeatedly showing the meals had no tuna DNA.

The tests prove that the tuna is actually a mixture of various concoctions that do not constitute tuna, yet have been blended together by [Subway] to imitate the appearance of tuna, according to the complaint filed against the company.

A judge rejected Subway's request to dismiss the lawsuit in July, with the case being reviewed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California before heading to trial.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he would not be running for president 'this year' - but could still jump in the 2024 race later in the campaign cycle as he argued that the future of the GOP 'doesn't necesarily depend on Donald Trump.'

Youngkin, a Republican, was interviewed Monday by The Wall Street Journal's Editor-at-Large Gerard Baker for a Milken Institute event in Los Angeles.

When asked if he'd be 'dusting off that fleece jacket' - his trademark campaign trail look when he won the governor's mansion in 2021 - for a presidential run, Youngkin answered in the negative.

'No,' he told Baker. 'I'm going to be working in Virginia this year.'

Youngkin explained that until November he would be focused on Virginia's legislative elections, with an aide later telling Politico he could still throw his hat in, it would just be later in the cycle.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he would not be running for president 'this year' - but could still jump in the 2024 race later in the campaign cycle

'This was not an announcement or a definite decline,' the aide said.

With Baker's question based on Youngkin's 2023 plans, the governor 'was answering the question with that in mind.'

As Youngkin explained, 'I have my midterms this year. We're off-cycle.'

'I want to hold our House, and I'd like to flip our Senate,' he said. 'And I think we're going a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to bring that to voters.'

Youngkin also noted, 'I haven't written a book and I'm not in Iowa' - two things that generally indicate a politician will launch a presidential bid.

Iowa generally holds the first presidential contest, a caucus, and that holds true for Republicans in 2024, while Democrats have moved their first contest to South Carolina.

Youngkin's 2021 win was a bright spot for Republicans after former President Donald Trump lost the White House and Democrats retained control of Congress in 2020.

In 2021, Youngkin earned the endorsement of former President Donald Trump (pictured) but they've become more critical of each other as of late

Youngkin beat former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe - who was seeking a second, non-consecutive term - by keeping Trump and his MAGA allies at a safe and peaceful distance, allowing himself to make gains in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, which have turned the state blue in recent cycles.

In Fairfax County, for example, while President Joe Biden beat Trump 70 percent to 29 percent, Youngkin won 35 percent of the vote to McAuliffe's 65 percent.

Early on in his race, Youngkin embraced Trump's false election fraud claims.

He was endorsed by Trump after winning the gubernatorial nomination at the party convention and praised the ex-president.

Youngkin mostly avoided references to the former president after that.

Since then, Trump has sporadically targeted Youngkin as he fends off a handful of 2024 challengers.

In November, Trump spelled the governor's name 'Young Kin' and added a racist remark.

'Sounds Chinese, doesn't it?'

Trump insisted Youngkin only won his gubernatorial race thanks to his endorsement.

'I Endorsed him, did a very big Trump Rally for him telephonically, got MAGA to Vote for him - or he couldn't have come close to winning,' the former president said. 'But he knows that, and admits it.'

'Besides, having a hard time with the Dems in Virginia - But he'll get it done!' Trump also said, seemingly still supporting Youngkin simply because he's a Republican.

So far, Trump has dominated in the 2024 GOP primary polls against both announced and unannounced candidates.

Still, on Monday, Youngkin voiced that the Republican Party could leave Trump behind.

'I think there's a future for the Republican Party for sure, and it doesn't necessarily depend on Donald Trump,' he told Baker. 'This is a moment, I believe, as Republicans where the common-sense approach to so many of these challenges resonates, and in Virginia, we've demonstrated that it works.'
A notorious short-seller has targeted billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn, accusing his company of relying on 'ponzi-like economic structures' to pay unsustainable shareholder dividends.

Hindenburg Research on Tuesday disclosed a short position in Icahn Enterprises (IEP), and issued a report accusing the holding company of inflating the value of its units and taking on too much debt.

In a public statement, Ichan slammed the Hindenburg report a 'self-serving', adding: 'We stand by our public disclosures and we believe that IEP's performance will speak for itself over the long term as it always has.'

The report sets up a fight between two renowned activist investors, with Hindenburg, run by infamous short-seller Nathan Anderson, taking aim at Icahn, a Wall Street legend who made his fortune as a corporate raider.

Shares of IEP, which is controlled by Icahn and had a market valuation of roughly $18 billion at last close, plunged as much as 20 percent in afternoon trading on Tuesday.

Hindenburg's report accuses the company of selling its units to new investors to support whopping and 'unsustainable' dividend payouts, which at roughly 15.8 percent are the biggest of any large US company.

A notorious short-seller has targeted billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn, accusing his company of relying on 'ponzi-like economic structures' to pay unsustainable dividends

Shares of IEP, which is controlled by Icahn and had a market valuation of roughly $18 billion at last close, plunged as much as 20 percent in afternoon trading on Tuesday

'In brief, Icahn has been using money taken in from new investors to pay out dividends to old investors,' the Hindenburg report said. 'Such ponzi-like economic structures are sustainable only to the extent that new money is willing to risk being the last one 'holding the bag'.'

The report claims that Icahn Enterprises' rich cash dividends are 'mathematically unsustainable' and unsupported by the company's free cash flow.

'In the past 4 years alone, IEP has paid out $980 million in cash dividends, despite cumulatively burning almost $1.6 billion in free cash flow,' wrote Hindenburg.

Hindenburg also alleged that the valuation of Icahn Enterprises units was inflated by more than 75 percent, and that the company's stock 'trades at a 218 percent premium to its last reported net asset value (NAV), vastly higher than all comparables.'

The report also notes that only one large investment bank offers research coverage on Icahn Enterprises: Jefferies, which has maintained a continuous 'buy' rating on IEP while also running all of the company's fresh share offerings since 2019.

Hindenburg also notes that Jeffries research reports assume IEP's dividend will continue in perpetuity, even in its pessimistic scenario, a projection the report calls 'one of the worst cases of sell-side research malpractice we've seen.'

The report adds: 'Overall, we think Icahn, a legend of Wall Street, has made a classic mistake of taking on too much leverage in the face of sustained losses: a combination that rarely ends well.'

Jefferies did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com, and Hindenburg's claims could not immediately be independently verified.

Icahn, a Wall Street legend who made his fortune as a corporate raider, has an estimated net worth of $24.8 billion, and with his son controls about 85 percent of IEP stock

Hindenburg, run by infamous short-seller Nathan Anderson, profits from taking large sort positions in the companies it issues reports on, betting that their shares will plunge

Far from being an unbiased watchdog, Hindenburg profits from taking large sort positions in the companies it issues reports on, betting that their shares will plunge as markets digest the research.

However, Hindenburg's research has previously led to criminal charges and convictions, including that of Nikola founder Trevor Milton, who was found guilty of deceiving investors with exaggerated claims about his electric truck company.

In January, Hindenburg targeted Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, in a report alleging his conglomerate Adani Group 'has engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades.'

Adani Group vehemently denied the claims and expressed shock at the allegations, which wiped billions off the company's market capitalization and its founder's net worth.

In March, Hindenburg issued a scathing report on Jack Dorsey's payments company Block, accusing the firm of misleading investors and embracing a criminal user base.

Block fired back in a statement to DailyMail.com, saying it would explore legal action against the short seller for its 'factually inaccurate and misleading report' that was 'designed to deceive and confuse investors'.

In March, Hindenburg issued a scathing report on Jack Dorsey's payments company Block, accusing the firm of misleading investors and embracing a criminal user base

Founded in 2017 by Nathan Anderson, Hindenburg Research is a forensic financial research firm that seeks out corporate fraud, corruption or malfeasance.

It is named after the high-profile 1937 tragedy of the Hindenburg airship, which ignited as it flew into New Jersey, an incident the company describes as the 'epitome of a totally man-made, totally avoidable disaster.'

Hindenburg says it looks for similar 'man-made disasters' in financial markets 'before they lure in more unsuspecting victims.'

The firm typically spends months on its investigations, poring over financial disclosures and talking to current and former employees.

The company invests its own capital, and distributes its reports to limited partners who, together with Hindenburg, take short positions in the target companies.
Two university students have been charged for murder which happened in April

Two university students charged with murdering a 19-year-old student who was stabbed to death near the University of Northampton's campus have been told they will face trial in October.

Ogechi Eke and Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, both aged 19 and from London, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday charged with murdering Kwabena Osei-Poku, who was fatally attacked on April 23.

The university has confirmed both defendants and two other people charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice have been suspended from their courses pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Mr Osei-Poku, originally from Peterborough, was studying on an advertising and digital marketing course.

Police said he died at the scene after being stabbed in New South Bridge Road, Northampton, following an incident which started on the university campus.

Marketing student Kwabena Osei-Poku, 19, was fatally stabbed on April 23

Mr Osei-Poku, originally from Peterborough, was murdered near the University of Northampton's campus

Eke and Lebaga-Idubor spoke only to confirm their names during a five-minute appearance before Judge Rupert Mayo.

Adjourning the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing, Judge Mayo told the men: 'Your trial will take place in October but before then there needs to be another formal hearing at this court, which will take place on the 12th of June, when you will both attend.

'In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.' Lebaga-Idubor, of Ice House Court, Abbey Road, Barking, and Eke, of Brimsdown Avenue, Enfield, are charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

They were told their trial will begin on October 2 and is expected to last for around ten days. In a statement issued last Friday, University of Northampton vice chancellor Anne-Marie Kilday extended her gratitude to 'our community and neighbours for their resilience during such an unprecedented, difficult time'.

'Following the charges brought against these individuals we will continue to closely support staff and students while assisting officers with their inquiries,' she added.
The owners of dating app Tinder have decided to quit Russia by the end of next month - more than a year after Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Match Group, whose brands also include Hinge and PlentyOfFish, have made the decision to pull out of the Russian market in a move they say is to protect human rights.

Following in the footsteps of several Western firms to leave Russia since Putin sent troops into Ukraine last year, Tinder will end its time in Moscow by June 30.

'We are committed to protecting human rights,' Match said in an annual impact report published yesterday.

'Our brands are taking steps to restrict access to their services in Russia and will complete their withdrawal from the Russian market by June 30, 2023.'

The owners of dating app Tinder have decided to quit Russia by the end of next month - a year after Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion began. (file image)

Match has made the decision to pull out of the Russian market in a move they say is to protect human rights. Pictured: Russian soldiers from the Southern MD T-72B3 tank crews launch strikes on Ukrainian targets on May 1

Many digital services providers with few staff in Russia, such as Spotify and Netflix, pulled out shortly after Moscow began its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.

READ MORE: Fashion tycoon Paul Smith pulls out of Russia following fury over his failure to shut shops in the wake of Ukraine war Advertisement

Tinder's parent company has made few public statements about its Russian operations, but flagged negative impacts on its European business in March last year.

Match declined MailOnline's request for additional comment.

Match shareholder Friends Fiduciary Corp said Tinder's owner had set an example for others to follow in tying its decision to the human rights risks faced by the Ukrainian people.

The European police agency Europol said in September that dating apps were among the online platforms being 'hijacked' by individuals for human trafficking purposes, drawing attention to the plight of Ukrainian refugees.

Jeff Perkins, executive director at Friends Fiduciary, said that a business that trades on trust had good reason to leave Russia.

He said: 'It's not a good look for a trusted brand to be continuing operations in a nation where the head of state has been indicted by the International Criminal Court.'

The ICC issued an arrest warrant on March 17 against Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine.

Match Group, whose brands also include Hinge (pictured), is following in the footsteps of several Western firms to leave Russia since Putin's invasion began

Jeff Perkins, executive director at Friends Fiduciary, said it is 'not a good look for a trusted brand to be continuing operations in a nation where the head of state [Putin, pictured] has been indicted by the International Criminal Court.'

Many digital services providers with few staff in Russia, such as Spotify and Netflix, pulled out shortly after Moscow began its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. (file image)

Western stores including Dior (pictured in Moscow) also shut for business shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Moscow denies committing war crimes including forced deportations of children, and says the ICC decision is meaningless as Russia is not a member.

Match's decision to pull out of Russia comes after fashion tycoon Paul Smith dropped ties with the nation after being confronted by the Mail.

In February, Smith said he has 'ceased all supplies' to the country and intends to close his stores there. There had been a growing backlash over his failure to pull out of the country condemned for their invasion of Ukraine.

Brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Zara, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Pepsi and Starbucks all left the Russian market shortly after Putin's invasion.
A safari park ranger trying to coax a bull elephant back through a gate it had opened to the safety of the reserve has been horrifically trampled and tusked to death in a frenzied attack.

Elephant handler Kabelo Mashao, 36, was on park border patrol in South Africa when he saw the fully grown tusker use its trunk to release a gate catch which would allow it to escape.

The father-of-two stopped his 4x4 and told his colleague to stay in the vehicle while he approached the elephant he knew well at the upmarket Inverdoorn Private Nature Reserve.

As he tried to lure the elephant back into camp the elephant became spooked and charged his handler.

Mashao was subsequently knocked to the ground by the bull elephant's heavy trunk before he was stamped to death.

Elephant handler Kabelo Mashao, 36, was on park border patrol in South Africa when he saw the fully grown tusker use its trunk to release a gate catch which would allow it to escape

Footage showed Kabelo Mashao trying to lure the elephant back into camp the elephant became spooked and charged his handler

Kabelo Mashao was subsequently knocked to the ground by the bull elephant's heavy trunk before he was stamped to death

A park employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'It is normally a very friendly elephant and Kabelo knew it well and went over to try and get it back in the open gate.

'But they say it just trumpeted and went for him and then stamped on him repeatedly and drove its tusks through him several times killing him instantly and leaving him unrecognisable.

'His colleague was helpless to do anything and is in a terrible way from what he saw and we just don't know what went wrong but it was all over and done with very quickly' he said.

Managers at the luxury Big Five game reserve where a lodge for two costs between 250 a night to 550 a night had to break the news to Kabelo's wife of three years Busi Magagula.

The devastated mother-of-two was said to be 'distraught' and posted on Facebook 'RIP my lovely husband' and then had to break the news to her two sons of his brutal death.

The handler was killed by the elephant he trusted yesterday which was a public holiday as Workers Day and he had volunteered to be on duty so others could take the day off.

A South African Police Service spokesman said: 'An inquest docket into this tragedy has been opened following the trampling and tusk death of a park handler by an adult elephant bull.

'Preliminary information is he and a colleague were patrolling the camp when they saw a male elephant push open a gate and on seeing it the deceased got out of the vehicle.

'He tried to lure the elephant back into camp when the elephant suddenly turned on him and trampled him and engulfed him with its tusks and he was declared dead at the scene.

'The investigation is ongoing and our condolences go to all involved' he said.

Kabelo Mashao, an experienced elephant handler was killed by an elephant he trusted at the Inverdoorn Private Nature Reserve

Kabelo Botha Mashao, 36, was trampled and gored to death by a trusted elephant he knew

Kabelo Botha Mashao is pictured waving and smiling. He worked at the Inverdoorn Private Nature Reserve

African bush elephants kill some 500 people a year and are the biggest land animal in the world and can stand up to 13 feet (four metres) tall and weigh 12,500lbs (5,700kg) and run at up to 25mph.

Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve is set on 10,000 acres a 2-and-a-half drive from Cape Town and is just outside Ceres in the Klein Karoo and is popular with wealthy UK tourists.

It is home to the Big Five of elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard. Herds of elephants were introduced to the park in 2012, although the killer elephant has been there for at least 15 years.

An Inverdoorn spokesman said: 'It is with great sadness we confirm the tragic death of one of our staff members Kabelo Botha Mashao who was fatally injured by an elephant.

'The elephant had been introduced approximately 15 years ago and we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Mashao family, his friends and colleagues at this time.

'We are providing support to our staff and all those affected by this terrible loss' it said.

Inverdoorn Private Nature Reserve, where Mashao worked, is home to the Big Five of elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard

Neither spokesman would comment on the future of the killer bull elephant or confirm or deny whether it had been euthanised

Kabelo Mashao, 36, was on park border patrol in South Africa when he saw the fully grown tusker use its trunk to release a gate catch which would allow it to escape

Aquila Collection which owns and manages Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve stressed that the safety and well-being of staff and guests and wildlife was of the 'utmost importance'.

'We are providing support to our staff and all those affected by this terrible loss'.

Neither spokesman would comment on the future of the killer bull elephant or confirm or deny whether it had been euthanised after it killed one of the most popular handlers at Inverdoorn.
A judge has approved a 150 million compensation settlement for people affected by the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire which claimed the lives of 72 people.

Lawyers representing Grenfell survivors, bereaved relatives and local residents said there had been a global settlement of about 900 cases.

A sum of 150 million compensation has been agreed, the High Court heard on Tuesday.

The judge, Senior Master Barbara Fontaine, said she approved 'overall settlement terms'.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the London Fire Commissioner and cladding giant Arconic were among defendants involved, lawyers said.

The names of claimants did not emerge at Tuesday's hearing and no detail of individual amounts was outlined.

A total of 72 people lost their lives following the fire at the tower block in 2017

However, a judge approving a settlement means that the claimants will get the money.

Richard Hermer KC, who represented claimants, outlined detail of the overall settlement to the judge.

He said the settlement related only to civil court damages claims and would not affect the work of the public inquiry.

'No amount of money will ever truly compensate for what the claimants have had to endure,' he told the judge.

'This is a settlement purely of the civil claims for compensation.'

He added: 'The settlement does not right the wrong, it does not secure accountability.'

Defendants include the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and cladding giant Arconic

The judge specifically approved financial arrangements for settlements of claims made by eight children.

Lawyers said the children were part of the global claim.

They said a judge had to examine issues such as investment arrangements for compensation paid to children.

Judges would consider arrangements for claims made by other children at further hearings, they said.

Mr Hermer told the judge that, as well as agreeing compensation, defendants had agreed to put a total of about 50 million into a 'restorative justice project'.

READ MORE: BBC and National Theatre face backlash from families of Grenfell fire survivors over dramatisations of tragic inferno which killed 72 Advertisement

He said the Government was contributing about 25 million and Arconic about 6 million, but said that programmes that would feature in the project had yet to be finalised.

News of that project had also emerged earlier this year.

Arconic said then that it was among defendants who had agreed to the settlement and to the 'restorative justice project'.

A spokesman said the project would 'benefit the community affected by the fire'.

Lawyers said the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and firms involved in the construction or refurbishment of the tower block were also among the defendants.

Mr Hermer said defendants had also agreed to fund an event called 'testimony week'.

He said the event was planned for next year and would feature people involved in the tragedy discussing their experiences.

The panel and team working on the phase two report, which examined how the tower block came to be in a condition which allowed the fire to spread, has insisted they will 'spare no effort' to finish it as soon as possible.

They said the report will be sent to the Prime Minister 'as soon as we can, but that will probably not be possible before the beginning of next year', after which Mr Sunak will decide when it will be published.
Alex Salmond tonight claimed Charles III will be Scotland's last ever King before his country adopts an elected head of state.

The ex-first minister, who is now the leader of the Alba Party, predicted Scotland would ditch the monarchy if it breaks away from the UK.

Ahead of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Mr Salmond's government at Holyrood promised Queen Elizabeth II would remain as Scotland's head of state in the event of a 'Yes' vote.

But he has now insisted an independent Scotland would 'start on the premise of a democracy' and so cut ties with the Royal Family.

Mr Salmond also fumed that the historic 'Stone of Destiny' is set to be used in King Charles's Coronation ceremony and blasted the SNP government for allowing it to be transported to Westminster.

He claimed current First Minister Humza Yousaf should have ordered a 'ring of policemen' to be formed around Edinburgh Castle to prevent the stone being removed.

Alex Salmond, the leader of the Alba Party, predicted Scotland would ditch the monarchy if it breaks away from the UK

The former first minister claimed Charles III will be Scotland's last ever King before his country adopts an elected head of state

Mr Salmond also fumed that the historic 'Stone of Destiny' is set to be used in King Charles's Coronation ceremony

Mr Salmond, who led Scotland between 2007 and 2014, predicted the monarchy would have a 'limited' role in his country in the future.

'I think Scotland will become independent... and I think the majority of people will want to start on the basis of an elected head of state,' he told LBC's Tonight with Andrew Marr.

'If you're starting a new country, then presumably, you start on the premise of a democracy. And in that sense, I think Charles III will be the last King of Scots.'

The Stone of Destiny was welcomed to Westminster Abbey at the weekend ahead of Charles's Coronation.

Also known as the Stone of Scone, it was transported from its usual home of Edinburgh Castle to London ahead of being placed in the Coronation Chair for the King's enthronement.

The 125kg stone is an ancient symbol of Scotland's monarchy and was used for centuries in the inauguration of the country's kings.

King Edward I of England seized the stone in 1296 and had it built into a new throne at Westminster, since when it has been used in the coronation ceremonies of the monarchs of England and Great Britain.

It was officially returned to Scotland in 1996 and put on display at Edinburgh Castle.

Mr Salmond insisted, if he was still first minister, the stone 'would not be going anywhere'.

'The Stone of Destiny is the most ancient symbol of Scottish sovereignty,' he added.

'I mean, I know it's just a lump of rock, but it's our lump of rock. And of course, you have to understand why it was taken from Scotland by Edward Plantagenet in 1296 in the first place.

'Edward took it to Westminster Abbey, to sit on it to symbolise English overlordship over Scotland, that's why it was there... It's a symbol.'

Mr Salmond suggested Mr Yousaf should have used the upcoming Coronation ceremony to redouble demands for another Scottish independence vote.

He said the First Minister should prevented the stone being transported to London until 'the Westminster Government or King Charles III recognises the right of self-determination of the Scottish people'.

'You don't command very much as First Minister of Scotland, but you do command the Scottish Police Force, you could have put a ring of policemen around Edinburgh Castle,' Mr Salmond added.

'Have a stand-off on the Esplanade and politely explain to the world that Scotland should not sacrifice its symbol of sovereignty until that sovereignty is at least a recognised by Westminster and the powers that are.'
It comes as sales of natural diamonds plummet by around 25 percent

That number has doubled since 2020, according to wedding site The Knot

Some 36 percent of engaged men proposed with a lab-grown diamond last year

More than a third of engaged men proposed with a lab-grown diamond ring last year as sales of man-made stones plummeted.

Research by wedding website The Knot found the number of couples opting for lab-grown stones had more than doubled since 2020 after major jewelry brands such as Pandora started offering the sustainable alternatives.

At the same time the amount of engagement rings with natural diamonds fell by around 25 percent, according to an independent diamond industry analyst Edahn Golan.

Experts said the trend is being driven by couples wanting super-sized stones - made more accessible by the cheaper cost of the lab process.

And it has been accelerated by celebrities such as Meghan Markle and Gigi Hadid who have all been pictured in man-made diamonds.

More than a third of engaged men proposed with a lab-grown diamond ring, according to wedding website The Knot

A 1 carat lab-grown diamond is on the market for as little as $1,430. Comparatively a diamond of the same size which had been mined naturally would cost $5,635.

According to The Knot, the average size of a lab-grown engagement ring in 2022 was 1.8 carats.

By comparison the average size of a natural diamond was 1.5 carats.

The survey found that 36 percent of engaged couples has opted for a lab-grown ring, up from 18 percent in 2020.

Natural diamonds are made of pure carbon below the earth's surface and are the hardest natural mineral found on Earth.

But the way they are mined with fuel, hydrocarbons and heavy machinery has been linked to heavy air pollution and climate change. The industry has also come under fire for a poor human rights record over conditions inflicted on diamond miners in developing nations.

By comparison, lab-grown diamonds are considered more eco-friendly as they recreate the same conditions but in a laboratory.

The first ever lab-grown diamond was created in 1950 but the jewelry has only gained popularity in recent years after the trend was adopted by mass-market brands.

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, and pass the same tests used to define precious stones dug from the Earth.

A lab-grown diamond ring by Pandora, left, costs $550. By comparison the Tiffany Soleste Emerald-cut Halo Engagement Ring, right, retails for $18,000 and upwards with a one-carat stone

A white gold ring with lab-grown diamonds from Charles and Colvard, left, is currently on sale for $703.20. By comparison a heart-shaped natural diamond ring from Tiffany, right, costs $11,900

A men's lab-grown diamond ring in 14K yellow gold, left, sells for $2,649 from Charles and Colvard. Another 1 carat lab-grown ring from Pandora, right, costs $1,950

Kay Jewelers started selling lab-grown diamonds in 2019 while Pandora launched its own collection in last year.

Pandora's rings start at $300, with its cheapest ring 0.15 carat in size.

Meanwhile Gucci and watchmaker Breitling have both recently started using man-made diamonds in their collections.

And the private equity arm of Louis Vuitton's parent company LVMH invested $90 million into firm Lusix which uses solar power to grow its diamonds.

Lusix founder Benny Landa told the Wall Street Journal: 'Consumers are smart.

'When they see a two carat lab-grown diamond for not much more than a one carat mined diamond, its a no-brainer.'

Amish Shah, founder of man-made diamond producer ALTR Created Diamonds., also told the outlet: 'Young couples can now get the carat size they want and still afford a honeymoon.'

A host of celebrities have also been pictured in lab-grown jewelry.

In 2019, Meghan Markle attended an event in London wearing a pair of lab-grown diamond earrings from Dutch company Kimai.

Similarly, Gigi Hadid was spotted in a lab-grown diamong necklace from New York jeweler Smiling Rocks.

Lab-grown diamonds have been popularized by a host of celebrities including Meghan Markle who wore a pair of man-made diamond earrings from Kiami in 2019, pictured

Gigi Hadid was spotted in a lab-grown diamond necklace at this week's Met Gala

Diamonds grown in a lab now account for 13.6% of the $88.6 billion in diamond jewelry sold globally in 2022.

In 2015m this figure stood at 1 percent.

But The Knot's research found younger couples were more likely to adopt the trend.

Some 37 percent of shoppers 18-to-34 years old said they were likely to choose a lab-grown diamond - compared to only 24 percent of those 35 or older.
The true toll of crime in Chicago has been revealed, after figures showed just one third of murders are solved in the Windy City.

That statistic, shared by NPR, showed that the vast majority of homicides in the Illinois city did not get cleared between 2016 and 2020.

It sits below the national average for murders cleared - 50 percent. That statistic in itself is cause for embarrassment, with the United States' having the lowest murder clearance rate of any industrialized country.

Professor Philip Cook, a public policy expert at Sanford, said that rate has not risen much in the interim.

Germany, by contrast, clears 90 percent of its murder cases. The FBI defines a cleared case as one where a suspect has been identified and arrested.

Things are even worse in Oakland, California. It cleared just 36 percent of murders in 2022.

But that figure includes cold cases from previous years.

If those are stripped out, the number of murders cleared in Oakland in 2022 sits at a paltry 27 percent.

The percentage of murders in Chicago between 2016 and 2020 resulting in at least one arrest dipped below 34 percent

The murder clearance rate in the United States dipped below 50 percent in 2020 and has not ticked back up much, making the US the worst of the developed nations at solving murders

Professor Cook says that America's abysmal clearance numbers are 'undermining whatever trust there is in the police. And it's a vicious circle.'

'Communities that are especially impacted by gun violence believe that the police are ineffective or indifferent, and as a result, they're less willing to cooperate and provide information the police need to have successful investigations,' he said.

Cook explains that the reasons for the low clearance rate are multi-faceted, but that more people getting away with murder in the US is driving a doom loop that leads to a higher murder rate.

A low clearance rate impedes future investigations, which drive up killings in some communities where a dearth of arrests undermines security and sends the message that police will not or cannot protect citizens.

Drennon Lindsey, an Oakland deputy chief, said there are a number of reasons for the for the measly solve rate in Oakland, including an antiquated case management system, and an understaffed department in which 16 detectives are often each handling two dozen or more cases at a time.

The biggest reason, however, said Lindsey, is that people are scared to speak with the Oakland Police Department.

'People don't want to cooperate, people don't want to come to court and testify. And they're afraid of retaliation, of being labeled in their communities as a "snitch." And we're often left trying to plea and beg for the community to come forward with information to hold this person accountable for committing murder,' she said.

In Lori Lightfoot's Chicago, a mere one-third of murders are solved annually

Oakland has a murder clearance rate of just 36 percent, which, if adjusted for the handful of 'cold' cases that were solved, drops to just 27 percent

In Chicago, the clearance rate has also been toyed with to make it appear as though the ailing police department has solved more murders than it really has

The Oakland department remains under federal oversight, which it has been under for more than two decades

The Oakland Police department remains under federal oversight, which it has been under for more than two decades. The agency has had twelve leaders in that time, the most recent of which was recently fired for an alleged coverup of an officer's misdeeds.

Crime rocketed during the COVID pandemic in 2020 - and was compounded by the Black Lives Matter protests and riots of that summer, sparked by Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin's murder of George Floyd.

That also led to widespread calls from progressives to defund police departments across the United States.

Some did just that - or committed to cutting police budgets. Portland cut its police department, and has since seen murder rates hit record highs for two years in a row.

San Francisco is also facing a huge explosion in crime and open drug abuse on the city's streets, with many progressives there still resistant to calls to boost its short-staffed police force.

FBI officials say a murder can also be labeled cleared by 'exceptional means.'

Exceptional means clearances include when a suspect is found dead, cannot be extradited, or prosecutors are refusing to press charges.

Criminologists note that some cities - like Chicago - that are posting marginally improved clearance rates, are really just toying around with their numbers through the exceptional means clause.

In Chicago, between 2016 and 2020, the percentage of murders in Chicago with any type of weapon that led to at least one arrest was just 33 percent.
Massachusetts police probing the death of missing murdered mom Ana Walshe received a ransom note demanding $127,000, it has been revealed.

The note was sent to Cohasset Detective Harrison Schmidt on January 7, about a week after she was allegedly killed, and said: 'We have the so named Ana Walshe with us here  we had a deal worth $127,000.

'She messed up..we have her here with us and if she doesnt pay the money..then shell never be back, and we know that the police and the FBI are involved.. Good luck finding us.'

It was sent via email from a man named Richard Walker, with Detective Schmidt receiving it three days after Walshe's name was added to the National Crime Information Center Database, the Boston Globe reported.

Mm-of-three Walshe, a real estate executive, is believed to have been beaten to death on New Year's Eve 2022 after her husband, Brian Walshe, discovered an alleged affair.

A ransom note was sent to Massachusetts cops investigating the disappearance of Ana Walshe, pictured above, days after details of her case were released to the public

Walshe being led into court last Thursday. He shook his head as the charges were read aloud

Ana and Brian were parents to three young sons. He was in line to collect a $2.7m life insurance payout in the event of his wife's death, but insists he didn't need the money

Brian, 47, has been charged over claims he murdered her over the affair then dismembered her body in the family's basement and disposed of it.

Investigators believed the ransom missive to be suspicious and likely fake, because it did not include any further details on how to respond.

The body of Walshe has never been found

News of Walsh's disappearance had been widely-circulated by the time it was sent.

Her body has never been found.

Days before Walshe disappeared, she told a friend she believed Brian would end up going to prison on art fraud charges.

She added that she was planning on leaving her husband and moving to Washington DC, it is alleged.

Brian Walshe was arraigned last week. He denies killing his missing wife, who was mother to the couple's three sons. He is due back in court in August.

Norfolk Superior Court was told how Brian's mom had previously tailed Walshe during a trip to Washington DC, because she suspected her daughter-in-law was cheating on her son.

Brian Walshe is shown on January 1 purchasing cleaning supplies, a hacksaw, hatchet and other items from Lowes, hours after allegedly murdering his wife Ana

Walshe pushing his cart through the home store. He is accused of murdering and dismembering Ana at around 4.30am on January 1

Brian is accused of obsessively checking the Instagram account of a man he believed Walshe was cheating on him with.

He was also in line to collect a $2.7 million life insurance payout in the event of her death, although Brian's family claim he was sufficiently wealthy not to need that cash.

Surveillance grabs released by prosecutors also allegedly show him buying a hacksaw, hatchet and cleaning supplies at a Lowes store.

The images became public yesterday in court filings submitted as part of the murder case.

It was also revealed that Ana, a mother-of-three, had been having an affair for several months with an unidentified man. The man told police that the pair spent Thanksgiving together in Dublin.

By the time she died, Ana had become the family's sole breadwinner. She was working in real estate in Washington DC, while her husband remained in Massachusetts with their three young sons.

Ana, a mother-of-three, had been having an affair for several months with an unidentified man. The man told police that the pair spent Thanksgiving together in Dublin

By the time she died, Ana had become the family's sole breadwinner. She was working in real estate in Washington DC, while her husband remained in Massachusetts with their three young sons after being convicted of fraud

Brian was awaiting sentencing for a fraud conviction, after stealing and then passing off as real an Andy Warhol painting.

Friends say Ana was ready to leave him and broke down in tears at a dinner in the days before she vanished.

The new information about the affair were contained within a search warrant for the home which became public yesterday.

Police say Ana was murdered at around 4am on January 1, three hours after saying goodbye to her friend and former boss who they rang in the New Year with.

In the hours following her death, Brian is accused of using his son's iPad to search Google for 'how to dispose of a body' and 'how long before a body starts to smell'.

His attorney conceded that the searches were 'problematic'.

The next day, he visited several stores including Home Depot, Lowes and CVS, buying a combination of cleaning agents, plastic sheets, hazmat suits, a hatchet and a hacksaw.

Today, Brian's attorney suggested that she was killed either by someone else, or that she chose to disappear. 'It has been four months since she was last seen. As your honor knows, a person is not presumed dead because they're missing for seven years, because it is easy for a single person to disappear if they want to disappear. 'There has been no body found. There's been no indication of if she died, how she died. There's been no murder weapon. There's no motive.'

Walshe being led into court today. He shook his head as the charges were read aloud

Brian was seen in the days following visiting the dumpsters of apartment complexes near his mother's home.

It is the prosecution's claim that Ana's dismembered remains were in the bags, but that they were removed by trash services and incinerated by the time police searched the dumpsters.

They discovered items of clothing and jewelry - including the Prada boots, Hermes watch and Gucci necklace she'd been wearing when last seen alive - along with traces of her blood and DNA.
17,000 people have commented on the viral video which has 450,000 likes

The video was taken inside the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook

TikTok users left horrified comments underneath a video of people standing for the National Anthem inside a Southern California restaurant

A viral video of patriotic patrons standing up for the National Anthem inside a Southern California bar has shocked some media users who left thousands of horrified comments on TikTok post.

The 14-second video posted by a user identified as 'Paulina' shows roughly a half dozen individuals standing for the Star-Spangled Banner as it played on a TV screen.

'By far the most dangerous situation I've ever been in,' Paulina wrote alongside the hashtags 'godblessamerica,' 'getout,' 'illegal,' and 'whitepeoplethings.'

The video was taken at the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook - a city located around 50 miles northeast of San Diego.

A viral video of patrons standing up for the National Anthem inside a Southern California sparked anger among TikTok users who left thousands of horrified comments on the post

The 14-second video posted by a user identified as 'Paulina' shows roughly a half dozen individuals standing for the Star-Spangled Banner as it played on a TV screen

The video has since amassed 450,000 likes and more than 17,000 comments with many people from other countries chiming in to express shock

'This feels like a horror movie' and 'I would be scared for my life' were both comments left

According to KUSI, the restaurant plays the National Anthem every day at noon.

One video posted by the San Diego news station in April shows the restaurant packed with customers, all singing the patriotic tune with their hands over their hearts.

The TikTok user who posted the now viral-video of the salute was clearly not aware of the daily tradition and was stunned by the display.

Shared less than a week ago, the video has garnered more than 3.1 million views.

Not all who watched were moved by the large group standing for the National Anthem, however, as the majority of comments were outraged and disgusted.

'Serious question. Is this real? Like people actually do this in real everyday life?' one user asked.

'This happened when i was at mission bbq once and it was so awkward that i havent been back since,' another responded.

'As someone from the uk this feels so dystopian,' one person said.

'This feels like a horror movie,' another added.

'As a Canadian this is kind of insane,' one user wrote.

'I would be scared for my life,' one person responded.

Others who chimed in called the video, 'wild' and 'terrifying.'

The video was taken at the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook - a city located around 50 miles northeast of San Diego

According to KUSI , the restaurant plays the National Anthem every day at noon

The TikTok user who posted the now viral-video of the salute was clearly not aware of the daily tradition and was stunned by the display

'Is this real? Do they really do this?!?!' one TikTok user asked in a comment

'Love it! Beautiful show of patriotism,' one person wrote on KUSI's video

According to KUSI, the restaurant has carried out the tradition daily for six years.

Many of the San Diego station's viewer's found the display endearing and patriotic when they shared video of the tradition in mid-April.

'Love it! Beautiful show of patriotism,' one person wrote on KUSI's video.

'Great food and yes very patriotic. The staff treats everyone very well. Breakfast there is one of the best in North County,' another person responded.

'Love this. Would like to see more restaurants do it,' a man wrote.

'Good for them, we need more businesses and people like this,' another wrote.
The UK's largest Jewish community body is to meet with The Guardian's editor-in-chief, after the newspaper was accused of publishing a 'sickening' anti-Semitic cartoon.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews will raise their 'concerns' about the cartoon 'as well as other examples of questionable output' when they talk to newspaper boss Katharine Viner.

Miss Viner has been facing calls to resign over the offensive caricature of ex-BBC chairman Richard Sharp which included Jewish stereotypes.

The controversy comes not long after The Guardian's sister-title, The Observer, sparked fury by publishing a letter by Labour MP, Diane Abbott which suggested Jewish people do not suffer racism.

It is understood the meeting with Miss Viner was proposed by the Board of Deputies.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews will raise their 'concerns' about the cartoon 'as well as other examples of questionable output' when they talk to newspaper boss Katharine Viner (pictured)

Miss Viner has been facing calls to resign over the offensive caricature of ex-BBC chairman Richard Sharp (pictured) which included Jewish stereotypes

There have been concerns from people in the Jewish community that the apology from the newspaper over the cartoon in Saturday's newspaper had not been fulsome enough.

Drawn by Martin Rowson, the image depicting Mr Sharp, who is Jewish, was accused of containing a series of anti-Semitic tropes.

It showed the ex-Goldman Sachs banker with 'outsized grotesque features' carrying a box from the bank stuffed with a squid, Rishi Sunak's head, and what appeared to be gold coins.

When complaints about his image began appearing online, Mr Rowson, 64, said in a thousand-word apology: 'What I'm feeling now is enormous regret, idiocy and deep shame.'

He said he knew Mr Sharp was Jewish because they both attended the fee-paying Merchant Taylors' School in north London, but insisted that fact 'never crossed my mind as I drew him'.

Mr Sharp stepped down from his BBC role at the of last week after he broke rules by not disclosing his involvement in Boris Johnson's personal finances.

A statement from the Board of Deputies this afternoon, said: 'We can confirm that the editor-in-chief of The Guardian has agreed to meet us to discuss concerns regarding the cartoon in Saturday's paper, as well as other examples of questionable output.

'We will update our Deputies and the wider community on this in due course.'

According to a report in the Jewish Chronicle the group is also set to discuss previous drawings by another cartoonist, Steve Bell, which the newspaper had also previously published.

In 2012 Mr Bell was criticised for a cartoon which showed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a puppet master, who was in control of then-foreign secretary William Hague and Middle East envoy at the time Tony Blair.

Dave Rich, who is policy director of Jewish charity, the Community Security Trust told the Jewish Chronicle the cartoon of Mr Sharp 'falls squarely into an anti-Semitic tradition of depicting Jews with outsized grotesque features, often in conjunction with money and power'.

A Guardian spokesman said: 'The Guardian apologises to Mr Sharp, to the Jewish community and to anyone offended. We have received a small number of complaints about the cartoon. The Guardian's independent readers' editor is considering these and will respond in due course.'
This is the shocking moment a college student smiled during a DUI test after she killed two victims in an Illinois drunk driving crash.

Stephanie Melgoza, 24, of Farmington, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday for the deaths of Andrea Rosewicz, 43, of Avon, Ohio, and Paul Prowant, 55, of Seattle.

She pleaded guilty to four felonies for aggravated DUI and aggravated reckless driving in February. Four lesser chargers were dismissed earlier this year in exchange for a guilty plea, the Pekins Daily Times reported.

Melgoza struck and killed them in a DUI crash on April 10, 2022, while they were crossing the street near Full Throttle bar in East Peoria. Megoza.

The then-Bradley University student was three times over the legal limit and failed every field sobriety test. She admitted to officers that she had three vodka and waters and had cannabis in her purse.

In bodycam footage, released on Saturday, Melgoza can be seen manically smiling at the police officer as she giggles her way through a light test.

Stephanie Melgoza, 24, of Farmington, was seen manically smiling during her field sobriety test just moments after she struck and killed two people while driving 40mph down a roadway on April 10, 2022

When she was asked follow the light with just her eyes, she failed to do so. 'It's really hard, it's really hard,' Melgoza laughed before grabbing her own face to steady her moving head. Despite bracing herself, she continuously failed to stay still, all while doing so with a wide smile on her face

After being asked to 'touch the tip of my pen' to indicate she understood the assignment, the young woman proceeded to move her head back and forth, rather than just her eyes.

'Just your eyes,' the officer reminded her.

'It's really hard, it's really hard,' Melgoza laughed before grabbing her own face to steady her moving head. Despite bracing herself, she continuously failed to stay still, all while doing so with a wide smile on her face.

Earlier in the evening, she told police officers after they examined her busted-up car, that she 'called as soon as this s**t happened.'

The 24-year-old seems more shocked that the event happened to her at all, telling the officer: 'I go to Bradley, why would this happen to me?'

Bradley University is a private school located in East Peoria and costs roughly $36,000 a year. It was roughly 15 minutes away from where the accident occurred.

She was four weeks out from graduating at the time of the incident, she told officers.

In court on Thursday, the former college student told the jury: 'I have not drunk since that day. I do not plan on drinking ever again. I want to try to do something positive to make a difference, speak out about this and warn others about the dangers that come with drinking.

'I'm so sorry for everything, and I will never, ever commit anything like that again.'

Melgoza was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday for the deaths of two people

Andrea Rosewicz, 43, of Avon, Ohio, and Paul Prowant, 55, of Seattle, were killed in April 2022

After police arrived on scene in April 2022, bodycam footage showed her red Dodge Dot's hood with a large dent in the center and she admitted to police that she was 'just getting her night started,' despite already being three times over the limit.

She started her night at Tavern 41 and was heading to Full Throttle when the accident happened.

After placing her purse on the hood of the squad car, she admitted to having marijuana on her, but said she had not yet smoked any that night. She also had a vape tucked in the bag.

While recalling the events, Melgoza said one of the victims 'walked out in front of me' while she was driving toward Full Throttle and said her 'car got hit.'

'Someone said: "Oh, someone else is hit." And I said: "Oh my God, how did that happen?"' she said. 'They came out of nowhere, because I'm a safe driver.'

She estimated she was 'going at least 40[mph]' when she hit Rosewicz and Prowant.

She also told officers that she 'think I would pass' if given a field sobriety test.

'Don't test me,' she quickly corrected. 'But I think I would pass.'

She admitted that she had her last drink 40 minutes ago at Tavern 41.

During her sobriety test, she blew an 0.264. She was immediately arrested afterward.

While she was at the hospital to be treated for her injuries, she began to sing to the officer because it got 'too quiet.' When he scolded and reminded her that she killed two people, she simply asked when she'd be able to go back to Bradley University

Melgoza blew a 0.264 and was three times over the legal limit. She admitted to officers to enjoy vodka and waters before killing the two

After being placed in cuffs and put in the back of the cop car, she denied hitting both people, telling officers: 'I did not.'

'However you want to word it to yourself, that's fine,' the officer told her. 'But I'm just telling you, there's two people struck by your vehicle and both are dead.'

Police took her to the emergency room to attend to her bruises from the windshield cracking. While in the ER, she happily told police that someone was going to 'take her to Vegas' and that she was 'going to spend at least $500 and I'm going to start off with two Long Islands.'

'You haven't had enough of drinking already?' the officer questioned.

She also told the officer while he was on his phone: 'I swear to God if you're Snapchatting right now and I'm not, I'm going to be so mad.'

Melgoza also sang for the officer when it 'got too quiet.'

When she asked the officer when she'd be able to go back to school, he harshly explained to her that she had killed two people and would not be seeing school anytime soon.

'[Your] being completely careless about killing two people tonight,' he told her. 'You could care less, that's sad, apathetic, and horrible all at the same time.'

Shortly after the crash, students held a memorial for the two victims and held a protest, angered by the fact that Melgoza was allowed to attend her graduation ceremony, despite the charges she faced.
Residents of a small California university town are on edge after three stabbings in less than a week killed a college student, a beloved homeless man known as 'Compassion Guy' and left a local woman in critical condition.

The FBI has been called in to help Davis police who say they are still investigating whether the three 'brazen' stabbings are related, but noted that the description of the suspect in both Monday and Saturday night's attacks, are 'substantially similar.'

In the the most recent attack, a 64-year-old woman was stabbed through a tent at a homeless encampment in the area of 2nd Street and L Street around 11:46 p.m. on Monday. She is in critical condition, police said.

The assailant, who has not yet been caught, is described as a man with a light complexion and curly hair, who is 5 feet and 6 inches to 5 feet and 9 inches tall, with a thin build. He was believed to be wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with stripes and carrying a brown backpack.

Police said the description closely resembles the suspect who fatally stabbed UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm in Sycamore Park on Saturday night. A few nights earlier, 50-year-old David Breaux, who was a fixture in the community, was found stabbed to death on a bench in another park near campus.

A 64-year-old woman is in critical condition after being stabbed through the tent she was sleeping in Davis, California, Monday. It's the third stabbing in less than a week. Two other stabbings claimed the lives of Karim Abou Najm and David Breaux

Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said in a press conference on Tuesday that even though they have combed through hundreds of tips, they have 'not been able yet to positively link the three crimes' that are 'particularly violent and brazen' and that they are 'still waiting for evidence to come back.'

Pytel spoke about the similarities between the attacks. He said the two 'particularly brutal' homicides occurred in city parks, while the suspect or suspects in the second homicide and Monday night's attack both interacted with witnesses. That suggests bold behavior that causes police 'significant concern,' Pytel said.

A 'detailed search' overnight of the downtown area did not result in finding a suspect, the department said in a statement.

The shelter-in-place order was being lifted, but the suspect or suspects remain on the loose and police urged residents to 'continue to be aware of your surroundings.'

The FBI has been called in to help with the investigation after Monday night's stabbing brought the total to three in less than a week.

A map shows where each stabbing took place. Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said Tuesday they have 'not been able yet to positively link the three crimes' that are 'particularly violent and brazen' but said the suspect in Monday and Saturday night's attacks, are 'substantially similar'

On Saturday, another stabbing took the life of UC Davis senior Karim Abou Najm. The 20-year-old computer science major was on his way home when he was killed at Davis' Sycamore Park

Pytel said police were called to the scene late Monday night where a 64-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, 'was able to provide a description of the assailant and she was able to tell us what happened.'

Isaac Chessman and Christine Berrios, a couple in a neighboring tent told KCRA they heard the woman screaming for help. Chessman added that he believed he encountered the suspect earlier that day.

'So we're sitting in front of the tent, and I said, 'Babe, this isn't feeling right,' and I seen a dude run across the way and started running, but he would stop along every tree to blend in with the tree because it's dark. I noticed that because that's something you would do if you're scoping something out,' he said.

'I said, 'Hey bro,' and he starts walking normal, and then I said, 'You look like the dude they've been describing that's been stabbing people.' He takes off and I started to take off after him and my wife is like, 'Don't leave me here,' Cheessman said.

On Saturday, another stabbing took the life of UC Davis senior Karim Abou Najm. The 20-year-old computer science major was on his way home when he was killed at Davis' Sycamore Park around 9:15 p.m., according to police.

A resident heard the disturbance and went outside to try and help, even having a brief interaction with the suspect who then fled. He found Abou Najm with multiple stab wounds.

The suspect of that attack was described as being 'a light-skinned male, possibly Hispanic, 5'-7' to 5'-8' tall, 19-23 years of age, with long curly loose hair.'

He was last seen wearing a white hat, a light-colored T-shirt, and a button-up shirt over it, and riding a men's bike with straight handlebars, police said.

Karim Abou Najm, a 20-year-old computer science major, was set to graduate in just six weeks, and had two jobs lined up, his father Majdi Abou Najm said

Abou Najm was set to graduate in just six weeks, his father, Majdi Abou Najm told Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV.

'Karim was a wonder of energy, a free spirit, someone who just wants to see goodness around him,' he said.

Abou Najm already had two jobs lined up for after graduation.

'We moved from Lebanon in 2018 when the situation in Lebanon was a little bit starting to go in not the right direction,' Abou Najm said. 'We came here hoping for safety.'

'I want this to be his memory: a bundle of energy, a bundle of positivity,' Majdi Abou Najm said of his son. 'Someone who was full of ambition, proud of his roots, who just wanted to make this world a better place.'

The wave of attacks began on Thursday with the fatal stabbing of 50-year-old David Breaux, known as the 'Compassion Guy' who was killed in Central Park on the park bench where he often slept.

The wave of attacks began Thursday with the fatal stabbing of David Breaux, known as the 'Compassion Guy' who was killed in Central Park on the park bench where he often slept

A memorial set up at the compassion bench in Davis to honor David Henry Breaux, 50, who was found stabbed to death last week. He was a fixture in the community for over a decade

Breaux, who was a fixture in the community for over the past decade, was 'instrumental' in the addition of a 'Compassion Bench' at the corner of 3rd and C Streets in 2013

Breaux, who was a fixture in the community for over the past decade, was 'instrumental' in the addition of a 'Compassion Bench' at the corner of 3rd and C Streets in 2013.

'The death of David Breaux is utterly and completely devastating,' Davis Mayor Will Arnold said. 'Many of us knew David. We talked with him. We shared in his vision for a kinder world. We connected on what it means to be human and humane.'

The bench is where he would ask people their definition of the word 'compassion.' He later published his notes as a collection of anonymous writings.

'Like so many of you, I am grieving the death of David Henry Breaux, known as the 'Compassion Guy.' ... David led a life with real purpose, to connecting humanity for the greater good, something we should all aspire to do,' the UC Davis chancellor said in a statement.

The school has expanded the hours available for safe rides from campus to off-campus locations as the investigation continues.

The chief of UC Davis police said that security efforts are being doubled on campus and that the school has hired private security and brought in officers from UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley.
A gigantic fin whale died after it was stranded off the East Yorkshire coast today.

The 39-foot whale was spotted in shallow water in the North Sea by Bridlington beach at around 1.15pm.

It is uncommon for fin whales, the second largest species in the world, to be in the North Sea, suggesting it could have been suffering from malnutrition or disease.

Hundreds of people watched as rescue teams from the Coastguard and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) tried to save the poor animal, which died this evening.

Mary Ford, who lives nearby, said: 'It is very sad to see such a beautiful creature die.

A gigantic fin whale (pictured) died after it was stranded off the East Yorkshire coast today

Hundreds of people watched as rescue teams from the Coastguard and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) tried to save the poor animal, which died this evening

'It was throwing a huge spout of water initially, then that got less and less as time went on.

'It was obvious it was dying.'

Another local said her dog howled just as the whale died.

She said: 'It's like he knew the whale had died.'

Dogwalkers gathered to watch the rescue effort off the coast of East Yorkshire today

The fin whale, which is an endangered species, was seen blowing water in the hours before its death

Mary Ford, who lives nearby, said: 'It is very sad to see such a beautiful creature die.' Pictured: The British Divers Marine Life Rescue's marine mammal rescue ambulance

Marine mammal medics were on hand at the scene but sadly they could not return the whale to the sea

As the tide receded the huge whale struggled to lift its head and was seen thrashing its tail.

Trails of bright red blood could be seen coming from its tail end.

The BDMLR said: 'Sadly we are not able to return them to the water due to their size.

'The fin whale is not common in the North Sea therefore for it to be found in Yorkshire would indicate there is something very wrong with the animal.

'It's most likely suffering from malnutrition or disease.'
A Brazilian man gunned down his daughter and son-in-law and also wounded two other people before he was shot dead.

Antonio Pereira, 45, broke into the home of his son-in-law's parents on Monday to hunt down his daughter, Poliana de Oliveira, 24, and sought out revenge after he was convicted of allegedly raping her, police in the southern city of Galvao said.

Civil Police chief Roberto Fronza said that the gunman had been allowed to remain free while he appealed the conviction.

Pereira entered the home through a window at 5:30 am and opened fired, striking his daughter and her husband, Ewerton de Oliveira, 30.

Antonio Pereira shot dead his daughter and son-in-law on Monday after breaking into the home of his son-in-laws's parents in Galvao, Brazil. Police said Pereira sought revenge against his daughter after he had been convicted of raping her and was allowed to remain free while he appealed the case. Pereira also wounded his son-in-law's father and brother. One of them returned fire and shot him. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died

Poliana de Oliveira (pictured) and her husband were shot dead Monday morning at the home of her father-in-law after her dad broke in and opened fire. The Civil Police said her father was reportedly seeking revenge after he had been convicted of raping her

He also shot and wounded Ewerton de Oliveira's brother and father.

However, one of them returned fire and shot and Pereira while they protected Ewerton de Oliveira's mother from being harmed.

'We cannot yet specify who fired the shots at the perpetrator as we have were unable to hear from the survivors,' Fronza said.

Ewerton de Oliveira was shot dead by his father-in-law at the home of his parents on Monday in Brazil

Authorities said Antonio Pereira entered the home through a window that was open before he opened fire and shot dead his daughter and son-in-law before he shot and wounded his son-in-law's father and brother. Pereira was shot by one of the injured victims and was then taken to a local medical facility, where he died

Both victims were taken to a hospital, although authorities did not provide an update on their condition.

Pereira was rushed to a medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.

According to the military police, Pereira had a lengthy criminal history that included arrests for assault, theft, contempt and slander.
Its over.

Monday nights Met Gala was a desperate last gasp for elitism, cultural tone-setting, celebrity worship and Anna Wintours reign of terror.

Add this one-time legendary event, the subject of its own documentary called 'The First Monday in May,' to the list of flagging entities killed by Covid-19.

Absent were A-listers once Met Gala vanguards of high-style and theatricality. Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyonce, the Olsen twins, Zendaya, Taylor Swift, Anya Taylor-Joy, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga  all took a pass on the former Oscars of fashion.

Instead we got a stream of Z-listers peddling filth and flesh, their thirst palpable.

Really, who among us was waiting to see what Maude Apatow, that great beneficiary of nepotism, was wearing?

Her compatriot Brooklyn Beckham? Devon Aoki? Camila Morrone?

Even the few true stars who attended got it wrong. Margot Robbie may have been in Chanel, but her torso was sheathed in plastic. Imagine the body heat trapped within. To paraphrase an infamous Real Housewife: Even Chanel makes mistakes.

Margot Robbie may have been in Chanel, but her torso was sheathed in plastic. Imagine the body heat trapped within. To paraphrase an infamous Real Housewife: Even Chanel makes mistakes.

Monday nights Met Gala was a desperate last gasp for elitism, cultural tone-setting, celebrity worship and Anna Wintours (pictured with partner Bill Nighy) reign of terror.

Jennifer Lopez, 53, cosplayed - per usual - as a dewy twenty-something perpetually surprised by her own glamour, abdomen out.

Janelle Monae wore a cartoonish Thom Browne coat over an impossible-to-sit-in spherical dress. Doja Cat was made up to look like an alien feline.

Olivia Wilde showed up in the same dress as Vogue China editor, Margaret Zhang  an absolute horror for a night such as this.

Lil Nas X wore a thong and silver body paint, his face looking encrusted by some kind of parasite. (Perhaps not the best post-pandemic look.)

Rihanna, usually queen of the Met, showed up two hours late, long after the livestream ended, looking swallowed whole in custom Valentino, boyfriend A$AP Rocky in jeans  bedazzled jeans at that.

One can only imagine what the late Karl Lagerfeld, the galas honoree, would have made of this mess. One things for sure: Lizzo would never have made his guest list.

Lagerfeld may have been a genius, but he was also a monster, earning the sobriquet Kaiser Karl for his ruthless diktats.

Among them: No one wants to see curvy women Youve got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television and saying that thin models are ugly. The world of beautiful clothing is about dreams and illusions.

Well, weve all seen behind the curtain and we know: Few businesses are as ugly as high fashion.

As that great trend prognosticator Gwyneth Paltrow said after the 2013 ceremony: Im never going again. It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all.

Jennifer Lopez, 53, cosplayed - per usual - as a dewy twenty-something perpetually surprised by her own glamour, abdomen out.

Lil Nas X wore a thong and silver body paint, his face looking encrusted by some kind of parasite. (Perhaps not the best post-pandemic look.)

Doja Cat was made up to look like an alien feline.

Seems most of the cool kids have finally agreed.

Despite excluding once-welcomed social media influencers and most reality stars, Wintours attempt to class up the event, to make it feel chic and exclusive, failed miserably. Despite what seemed a lifetime ban, Paris Hilton was allowed to attend.

One can date the moment Vogue lost its authority to Wintour's decision to put Kim Kardashian and Kanye West on the cover in 2014. The magazine has never recovered.

Even Wintour couldnt exclude all the Kardashians from this years gala, and what did we get?

Kim serving up a soft-core porn look, wrapped as she was in none-too-subtle pearl necklaces, an homage to her 2007 Playboy shoot.

Hey  at least she didnt ruin a one-of-a-kind historic dress, as she did with Marilyn Monroes beaded gown last year.

Jared Leto dressed as Lagerfelds beloved cat Choupette, resembling nothing so much as a live Disney character removing his head for a smoke break.

Pete Davidson looked grubby and out-of-place, trying so hard to appear above it all. Jack Harlow looked like a roadie.

These are the people we're supposed to admire? To emulate? Glamour, it seems, is on life-support.

The afterparty looks were even worse.

Rihanna, usually queen of the Met, showed up two hours late, long after the livestream ended, looking swallowed whole in custom Valentino, boyfriend A$AP Rocky in jeans  bedazzled jeans at that.

Jared Leto dressed as Lagerfelds beloved cat Choupette, resembling nothing so much as a live Disney character removing his head for a smoke break.

Kim Kardashian serving up a soft-core porn look, wrapped as she was in none-too-subtle pearl necklaces, an homage to her 2007 Playboy shoot.

Naked Dressing, Vogue called it in its own coverage  and here were Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Olivia Wilde, and a very pregnant Rihanna all in various states of undress.

Monae was the nadir, dressed in nothing but bra and panties, miming intercourse with a giant fake cat.

As anyone who has ever worn a uniform knows, it matters not where you are  you are always representing the institution. What a mark of Wintours lost power. Not a single invitee fears her wrath for underdressing or inelegance or besmirching the brand as a whole.

Perhaps all the recent hypocrisy was just too much. Recall New York City mayor Eric Adams on last years red carpet, wearing a flashy tuxedo jacket emblazoned with the words, End Gun Violence.

Or socialist congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the year before in a white gown that looked spray-painted with the slogan Tax the Rich  the exorbitant cost of her dress, hair, make-up and hotel room subject of a House ethics investigation last year (AOC since cleared).

And thats to say nothing of Lagerfelds own troubling history. He was a hardcore misogynist, openly critical of #MeToo and its impact on the fashion industry.

If you dont want your pants pulled about, dont become a model, he said in 2018. Im fed up with it. What shocks me most in all of this are the starlets who have taken 20 years to remember what happened.

This was one year after fashion photographer Terry Richardson was dropped by the entire industry over rape allegations.

Lagerfeld called those who models who complained of industry-wide sex abuse 'stupid,' 'toxic' and 'sordid creatures.'

Creatures!

Janelle Monae dressed in nothing but bra and panties, miming intercourse with a giant fake cat.

The afterparty looks were even worse. Naked Dressing, Vogue called it in its own coverage  and here were Kendall Jenner (pictured), Emily Ratajkowski, Olivia Wilde, and a very pregnant Rihanna all in various states of undress.

As anyone who has ever worn a uniform knows, it matters not where you are  you are always representing the institution. (Pictured: Olivia Wilde at a Met after-party).

What a mark of Wintours lost power. Not a single invitee fears her wrath for underdressing or inelegance or besmirching the brand as a whole. (Pictured: Emily Ratajkowski).

He also put models in blackface and yellowface. Feminists, he said, were feminists because they were ugly. He sent flowers to Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former chief of the International Monetary Fund, after he was accused of rape.

Women, Lagerfeld said, get horny from politics, from power, yet admitted that DSK had a problem.

Sweet guy, Lagerfeld said, as long as youre not a woman.

WOW. Shame on Wintour for ignoring this.

Lagerfeld, true to form, shunned his blue-collar American family, sister included, for being unglamorous. And wouldn't you know: there was no invite to this year's Met Gala for them.

But there was one for Lagerfeld's cat, whose reps declined at the last minute. Eat the rich, indeed.

Lagerfeld even blamed Kim Kardashian for getting robbed at gunpoint in a Paris hotel suite in 2016.

You cannot display your wealth then be surprised that some people want to share it, he said. If youre that famous and you put all your jewelry on the [internet], you go to hotels where nobody can come near to the room. How on-brand for a misogynist  blaming the victim.

It says everything about how the fashion world, its fakery and hypocrisy, that Kim showed up to this years gala. No slight is too cruel, no insult too personal to matter.

And if nothing matters, how can anything? There is artistry and there is artifice, and in a post-pandemic world, we commonfolk increasingly have less tolerance for the latter. Times change, even if Lagerfeld would never understand.
The man later died in hospital - the former marine from Queens will not be charged

A former marine, 24, then put him in a headlock until he was unconscious

A 24-year-old former Marine who put an erratic New York subway passenger in a headlock before he later died will not be charged, according to police.

The fight broke out at the Broadway-Lafayette station on Monday afternoon when a 30-year-old man entered the subway car and started threatening passengers.

Witnesses said he was acting in a 'hostile and erratic manner' before the younger man put him in a headlock and held him there until he was unconscious.

The younger man was arrested after the fight and the older man was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A 24-year-old former Marine who put in a headlock an erratic New York City subway passenger that later died will not be charged, according to police

The fight happened just before 2.30pm on the northbound F train platform at Broadway-Lafayette station in downtown Manhattan

The incident happened just before 2.30pm on the northbound F train platform at Broadway-Lafayette station in downtown Manhattan.

The 30-year-old entered the northbound train and reportedly started yelling and throwing garbage at other commuters, prompting an argument with the former Marine, who NY Daily News reported was from Queens.

The other passenger then intervened by putting the other man in a headlock until he was unconscious, police said. When an EMS team boarded the train, which remained at the platform, they were unable to revive him.

Police have chosen not to identify the 24-year-old man, who was released without charges Tuesday.

The man who died has also not been identified because police are still working to notify his family.

In a separate incident in April the DA's office U-turned by saying it would not charge a garage security guard who shot a suspected thief with his own gun. Pictured is the midtown parking garage on West 31st Street where the shooting happened

The decision not to charge the younger man aligns with recent decisions by the Manhattan DA, Alvin Bragg.

In April his office U-turned by saying it would not charge a garage security guard who shot a suspected thief with his own gun.

The garage attendant was himself shot twice by the alleged thief before tussling for the same gun and firing back.

Both were initially charged with attempted murder, assault and firearms charges before the DA's office changed its position.

Bragg's office said at the time it would dismiss the case 'pending further investigation'.
On Tuesday she shut down a question and said she was referring to parole program

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre got in a tense exchange at Tuesday's daily press briefing when she was asked to defend a claim that illegal immigration had dropped 90 per cent.

Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy put the question to her, on a day when she also shut down a reporter's question about why President Joe Biden hadn't acknowledged his seventh grandchild amid a Hunter Biden custody dispute.

'You said yesterday that when it comes to illegal migration, you've seen it come down by more than 90%. Where did that number come from?' Doocy asked her.

He tried to cite an increase in migration, as reported by Customs and Border Protection.

'I hear you, I'm about to answer, she told him amid cross talk.

'If the dramatics would come down just a little bit,' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre admonished Fox News reporter Peter Doocy when she was pressed about her claim that illegal migration dropped 90 per cent

'If the dramatics would come down just a little bit,' she admonished him, before telling him: 'I'm going to answer.'

'What's dramatic about asking a question?' he asked her.

Then Jean-Pierre indicated that she was referencing a particular program at her Monday briefing.

'So I was speaking to the parolee program. As you know, the President put in place a parolee program to deal with to deal with certain countries on on ways that we can limit illegal migration. And we have seen the data has shown us that is gone down by more than a percent. That was what I was speaking to,' she said.

Before Doocy could press her for clarification she told him: 'We're going to go. We're going to move,' and called on another questioner.

The parolee program she referenced Tuesday involves extending a program used for Venezuelans to Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba, letting up to 30,000 people per month from the countries be vetted and then come to the country for two year periods with work authorizations.

She didn't otherwise provide a time window she was referring to with the 90 per cent figure.

Bill Melugin, a Fox correspondent in Los Angeles called her cleanup effort 'false.'

'There was a window of time earlier this year where encounters with Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Cubans did temporarily dip 90% after a policy change, but other countries, like China, shot up over 800%. Illegal crossings, including Venezuelans, back at peak highs now.'

Officials have made internal projections that southern arrivals could spike between 10,000 and 13,000 per day with the end of Title 42 restrictions May 11, CBS News reported.

The tense exchange came after she was accused of telling a 'blatant lie' after claiming that illegal immigration dropped by 90%.

During a press conference on Monday, Jean-Pierre was questioned on how President Biden plans to deal with illegal immigration.

The press secretary insisted the administration had already put forward efforts to address the ongoing issues at the border.

She said: 'On his first day in this administration the President put forth a comprehensive immigration legislation and that's to show how serious he took this.

Jean-Pierre made the comments during a press conference on Monday

According to the US Border Patrol, they have managed to arrest 73,780 immigrants and confiscate a whole litany of drugs, money and firearms all in the last ten days

'The system had been broken, it needs to be modernized, to be moved to the 21st century and so this is something the President has talked about.

'In the meantime, he has tools that he has used to make sure that we do this, that we actually deal with the immigration system in a humane way, in a way that actually deals with what we are seeing at the border.

'When it comes to illegal migration you have seen it come down by more than 90% and that is because of the actions this President has taken.'

Statistics published by the U.S Customs and Border Protection show that in March of this year there was 257,910 nationwide encounters across all borders.

The figures for March brought the total number of encounters in the U.S. to 1,544,087 this year.

Current trends could see the total number of crossings break last years record of 2.76 million.

On social media, Jean-Pierre was slammed for her comments which GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said where a 'blatant lie'.

Pictured: The most recent figures from the U.S Customs and Border Protection show that in March over 250,000 people made crossings

She tweeted: 'This is a blatant lie from the Biden administration. This is the worst border crisis on record.

'They created the crisis, and now they are denying it exists.'

Senior advisor to former President Trump Stephen Miller tweeted: 'We are suffering through the largest tidal wave of illegal immigration in human history and its not even close.'

Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross said: 'Maybe the biggest lie from the White House podium so far this year.'

The comments made by Jean-Pierre came under fire by journalists and politicians

Meanwhile, US Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz shared an update on Monday of their work over the weekend and what they had halted going over the border.

He tweeted: 'Past 72 hours. 2 agents assaulted, 22,220 apprehensions, 806lbs methamphetamine, 283lbs marijuana, 62lbs cocaine, 3 firearms, 5 maritime events, 2 sex offenders, 2 tractor trailer events, 1 convicted murderer, 1 gang member.'

Images shared by the Chief show a number of firearms, piles of cash and collections of bagged drugs

The border patrol constantly capture pictures of narcotics that they have managed to stop making it through the border and onto the streets

A series of weapons were also confiscated from illegal migrants flooding into the US, including this one with loaded rounds of ammunition

Bundles of cash, bullets and ammunition can be seen in this picture

Sex offenders have also been arrested entering the US, including these two that were shared by Border Patrol

His most recent update means that in the past ten days alone the US Border Patrol has arrested 73,780 illegal immigrants, with just under 17,000 managed to escape into the country.

Patrols across the country also intercepted 1052lbs of Meth, 820lbs of marijuana, 676lbs of cocaine, 13 firearms, 19 sex offenders, 6 gang members, 1 convicted murderer as well as 19lbs of heroin and 54lbs of fentanyl over the same time.

It comes after the Biden administration said they would be setting up migrant processing centers in Central and South America in an attempt to expedite deportations and further deter illegal immigration to the U.S.

The first centers will be located in Colombia and Guatemala, which are two countries that have developed key choke-points for those attempting to transit through in order to migrate to the U.S.

Chief Raul Ortiz shared an update on his Twitter page about the latest figures of items confiscated and migrants arrested

President Biden has also authorized the Army Reserves to deploy to the southern border as pandemic-era Title 42 is set to expire in two weeks.

Title 42 allowed for the expedited expulsion of migrants from the U.S. in the midst of the public health emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials were able to use this policy in more than 2.7 million instances since March 2020 while processing migrants' asylum claims.

But now that there is no longer a health emergency in the U.S., the policy is set to end on May 11.

Republicans and border policy hawks have been highly critical of the program coming to an end, claiming there is no alternative to make sure the southern border is not overrun and even more overwhelmed once Title 42 expires.

Migrants march along the side of a highway in Alvaro Obregon, Chiapas, last month

Migrants continue to wait at the U.S Mexico border in January of this year

Internal projections show that migration at the southern border could spike by a whopping 10,000 to 13,000 per day when the policy comes to an end next month.

Another method of deterring unlawful crossings after Title 42's end is the Biden administration working to finalize a rule to disqualify migrants from asylum if they did not seek humanitarian protection in a country they had to traverse to get to the U.S. and then entered the country illegally.

Currently, migrants who illegally cross the southern border to claim asylum are many times released into the country to await a decision on their asylum claims.

This has led to millions without legal status disappearing into the country after release from Customs and Border Protection custody.

The administration also announced it is expanding a program that allows migrants to come to the U.S. if they have family members who are citizens or permanent residents.

While the current policy only applies to Haitian and Cuban migrants, the expanded version would also allow for citizens from Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to participate in the family reunification program.

The Texas National Guard stand guard as migrants continue to wait at the U.S.-Mexico border in January of this year

Last month, 3,000 immigrants started trekking through Mexico as a large group to push towards the U.S southern border.

The asylum-seeking caravan had threatened to block roads or cause self-injuries unless the Mexican government agreed to meetings or supply buses that would transport them to the capital.

They had hopes of reaching Mexico City where they planned to pressure officials to provide them with exit visas that would allow them to continue to the United States.

In February of this year, Border Patrol agents testified before a government committee that the amount of fentanyl seized at the southern border was enough to kill nearly five times the population of the U.S.
A majority of likely voters in both parties believe President Joe Biden should negotiate over the debt ceiling - something that he has, so far, refused to do.

New polling from Echelon Insights found that 74 percent of respondents said they believed that Biden should agree to negotiations and find some common ground, which would likely include spending cuts.

Even a majority of those who lean Democratic - 58 percent - believed Biden should get to the negotiating table.

On Tuesday's briefing White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stood firm.

'This is not an issue that we will negotiate on,' she said. 'Given the limited time Congress now has, it is clear that the only practical path to avoid default is for Congress to suspend the debt limit without conditions.'

Even a majority of Democrats wants President Joe Biden (left) to negotiate on the debt ceiling with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (right). Biden has pushed for a clean debt bill and for negotiations about spending to be separate. House Republicans passed a spending cuts/debt ceiling bill last week

Overall 74 percent of likely voters said they wanted to see Biden negotiate on the debt ceiling, including 58 percent of Republicans. The new House Republican majority wants large spending cuts made in exchange for their votes on the debt ceiling

House Republicans narrowly passed a bill last week that would raise the debt ceiling, but broadly slash spending.

Biden and the Democrats want the debt ceiling raised and then a seperate negotiation of the budget and appropriations.

Some movement has been made, with Biden inviting the top four Congressional leaders: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to the White House next Wednesday for a meeting.

However, Jean-Pierre said that president planned to stay firm during the gathering.

'During his meeting with the leaders, the president will discuss initiating a separate process to address the budget and appropriations,' she said Tuesday.

She used the top of her briefing to call attention to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen saying the U.S. could default by June 1 if the debt ceiling issue isn't settled.

'The updated projection should be a wake up call to Congress,' the press secretary said. 'It is time for the speaker and the Maga Republicans to stop the brinksmanship and act to prevent default, which would have devastating consequences in our economy and the American people.'

'It is Congress's constitutional obligation to act, not hold the full faith and credit of the United States hostage unless we allow them to make cuts to programs hardworking Americans rely upon,' she continued.

Jean-Pierre said that McCarthy's 'entire agenda isn't just unreasonable, it's dangerous.'

'That's why the president called each of the four leaders yesterday and asked that they come to the White House on May 9, to discuss the urgency and importance of avoiding default,' she said.
Nearly half of the King's realms  including Canada and Australia  would vote to become republics if a referendum was held tomorrow, a bombshell poll has found.

Research by former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft reveals the true scale of the challenge Charles faces abroad.

It found that of the 14 overseas countries where he is head of state, six  Australia, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Solomon Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda  would vote to ditch the monarchy.

Of those surveyed, 42 per cent of Australians were for a republic with 35 per cent against, while 47 per cent of Canadians wanted change with just 23 per cent for the monarchy.

Nearly all the other eight nations with Charles as head of state  New Zealand, Belize, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu  hang in the balance.

Research by former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft reveals the true scale of the challenge Charles faces abroad

It found that of the 14 overseas countries where he is head of state, six  Australia, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Solomon Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda  would vote to ditch the monarchy

Only Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Tuvalu have significant majorities in favour of maintaining the status quo, according to the survey of 11,251 people.

It stands in stark contrast to Lord Ashcroft's landmark study on attitudes in the UK, published in the Daily Mail yesterday, which found support for the monarchy at home is rock solid.

But in a possible signpost to the future of Charles' reign, the in-depth analysis found that all the realms overwhelmingly want to remain part of the Commonwealth. Most also said the monarchy gives them 'more stability'.

We don't get any benefits, so why are we part of it?

Nearly all agreed that the Royal Family 'needs to modernise in order to have any chance of surviving' and only three disagreed that The Firm 'should be scaled down and its cost significantly reduced'.

As Lord Ashcroft surmises, while at home 'the institution looks secure for now', looking abroad 'the picture is much more mixed'.

His survey found:

Reasons for ditching the monarchy are varied, with Caribbean countries citing colonialism while others see the monarchy as distant and no longer relevant;

Most of those who want a republic believe this would 'bring real, practical benefits' to them;

The Sussexes are believed over the rest of the Royal Family by ten out of the 14 countries, with most feeling that Meghan's treatment exposed 'racist views';

Canada is among four countries arguing the monarchy is a 'racist and colonialist institution and we should have nothing to do with it';

In nearly every country, the majority of people said 'in an ideal world we wouldn't have the monarchy, but there are more important things for us to deal with'.

Sussexes find more sympathy overseas than here in the UK King Charles and Prince William are the most popular royals in the King's overseas realms  even though most of the countries are siding with Harry and Meghan in their family fallout. While most people in Britain have rejected the Sussexes' accounts of racism and unfair treatment, those overseas have more sympathy, according to polling by Lord Ashcroft. The Sussexes are believed over the rest of the family by ten out of the 14 Commonwealth realms, with the same margin thinking the treatment of Meghan exposed 'racist views'. But, significantly, two in five stated they did not care for the family drama. Asked who they had more sympathy for, most said both sides or neither. Only the Bahamas, the Solomon Islands and Grenada were more in favour of the Sussexes. William still comes top of approval ratings, with an average of 55 per cent across the 14 countries, followed by Charles (51 per cent) and Kate (50 per cent). Harry scored 48 per cent and Meghan 43 per cent. This is still far higher than in Britain, where Harry scored just 22 per cent and his wife 18 per cent. It comes as a top US think-tank is suing the Biden administration to force officials to release Harry's US immigration files after he admitted using illegal drugs in his memoir, Spare. Under US law, anyone who admits to past illegal drug abuse is generally denied entry to the country. The Heritage Foundation's legal complaint argues there is 'immense public interest' in knowing if Harry admitted his drug use in his visa application. Advertisement

A pattern emerged from focus groups that showed the Royal Family's waning grip in the popular imagination of the 14 Commonwealth realms.

One Australian said: 'Britain is just like a distant memory. If anything, we're just following in the footsteps of whatever the US is doing.'

And a Canadian respondent remarked: 'The story of the monarchy is beautiful, but it's no longer real to the modern day.'

Some 61 per cent of Australians and 54 per cent of Canadians agreed that the monarchy was good for them in the past, but no longer makes sense.

In Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Jamaica, over 75 per cent of people agreed that 'in an ideal world we wouldn't have the monarchy, but there are more important things for us to deal with'.

The increasing apathy towards the royals comes after Barbados voted to become a republic and some critics described William and Kate's tour of the Caribbean as a PR disaster.

There is a growing republican movement across the Caribbean  particularly in Jamaica  but even most New Zealanders agreed that the monarchy no longer makes sense for them. Many countries seem to be upset that they get no tangible benefits.

A Jamaican respondent told Lord Ashcroft's pollsters: 'To top it all off, even to travel to England we need a visa. We don't get any benefits, we don't get to travel to the UK visa-free, so why are we even part of it?'

In the Bahamas one person noted Britain's absence while the US and Canada helped with relief after Hurricane Dorian.

And one New Zealander said that, while the royals 'probably work hard' in the UK, they 'honestly don't know what they do' in their own country.

However, most countries agreed that 'the King can unite everyone in my country, no matter who they voted for', with the exceptions of Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands.

Most agreed that the Royal Family 'care a lot' about their country and that it 'might seem a strange system in this day and age, but it works'.

They were by no means totally won over by the argument for republics, with some citing worries about corruption and dictatorship under a presidency.

Others said the monarchy gave them, as young countries, a shared history. It would seem that there is much goodwill to tap into, and that for the most part the Commonwealth just feels left behind and distant.

It is a racist and colonial institution

Lord Ashcroft concludes that while it is for these countries to decide if they want to become republics, 'there is a fine line between not campaigning and not seeming to care'.

As King Charles is set to be crowned, the former Conservative deputy chairman says he and the British Government must consider the question, 'How much do these relationships matter, and are we willing to invest in them?'

He's secure in Britain, but future abroad is less certain

Commentary by Lord Ashcroft

Yesterday I wrote about how people in Britain see their monarchy as they prepare to witness the Coronation of the new King.

Despite some challenges, the institution looks secure for now. But my research found that in the Commonwealth realms  the 14 other countries in which the King is head of state  the picture is much more mixed.

In six of these countries  Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica and the Solomon Islands  more voters said they would choose to become a republic than would opt to stay with the Crown.

The question is not settled  in all but two, the proportion saying they didn't know or would not vote was bigger than the gap between the two sides  but it shows the balance of forces and perhaps the direction of travel.

LORD ASHCROFT: Yesterday I wrote about how people in Britain see their monarchy as they prepare to witness the Coronation of the new King

(Visit www.lordashcroftpolls.com/2023/05/commonwealth-realms-monarchy-map to see each country's results on our interactive map.)

In the eight countries that would stay with the monarchy, the margins ranged from tight (five points in Belize, six in Papua New Guinea) to comfortable (29 points in St Vincent and The Grenadines, 45 points in the Pacific nation of Tuvalu).

At first glance, this suggests a division of varying magnitude as to what people think about the Royal Family, or how they see the institution of the monarchy.

In fact, it has more to do with how they see themselves, and what, if anything, they think they gain from their relationship with Britain and having the King at the apex of their political system.

In other words, and as I always remind politicians  it's not about you (Your Majesty), it's about them.

For republicans, the objection to the Crown is not that it stops them doing what they want but that it feels irrelevant to their country and their allegiance to it seems an anachronism.

Some, especially in Canada and Australia, felt it was incompatible with what they considered their inclusive and egalitarian national character.

Britain's cultural influence was fading, while relationships with partners like the US and China seemed increasingly important.

The monarchy's association with the history of slavery and colonialism was another inescapable factor, especially in the Caribbean.

Many in Jamaica (where people said they would vote for a republic by a nine-point margin in a referendum tomorrow) said the fact that they were not only nominally ruled by their former colonial masters but needed a visa to visit the UK added insult to injury.

We heard many calls for the King to apologise on behalf of the monarchy and his country for their past misdeeds  calls which were echoed by some at home.

But these were strongly resisted by the majority of British voters ('the Royal Navy freed 150,000 slaves. Why should we apologise to anyone?' was a typical comment in our focus groups).

While just over half of British republicans thought such an apology should be issued, three quarters of those who would vote to keep the monarchy disagreed.

This will be one of the trickiest questions the King has to tackle: appropriately acknowledging the more shameful parts of our history is one thing, but going too far along this road risks upsetting the wider public without ever satisfying activists' demands.

Many around the world were torn between the wish to assert their independence and end the association with historical wrongs on the one hand, and on the other, the stability and reassurance they felt the monarchy offered.

People in Belize spoke of the sense of security they had felt from seeing British soldiers in their 'nice big trucks', and said that even though the Army's presence had been scaled back significantly, they felt the Crown implied a degree of protection in the face of territorial claims by neighbouring Guatemala.

Many in more remote countries including New Zealand (which would vote to keep the monarchy by a ten-point margin) felt they had more influence and international standing than they would have on their own 'down at the bottom of the world'  not to mention generous visa arrangements with the UK.

Elsewhere, even some who were doubtful about the monarchy were even more reluctant to trust their own political elites ('a president would become a dictator and control everything,' warned a man in Papua New Guinea).

Around the world, a substantial proportion of those voting to keep the monarchy said this was because the alternative would be worse, or the process of changing too disruptive.

Few were attracted to the idea of a US-style executive president, but nor could they see the point of elevating one of their own citizens to the position of 'phoney monarch' or 'head ribbon cutter', as they described the idea of a home-grown ceremonial head of state.

Indeed, one of the biggest advantages the monarchy has in this debate is its seeming irrelevance to most people: the cost of living, crime, violence, corruption, the environment, poverty, healthcare, education and jobs were all more pressing.

In every country leaning towards voting for a republic tomorrow, large majorities also agreed that 'in an ideal world we wouldn't have the monarchy, but there are more important things for us to deal with'.

As they told us in Jamaica, they could get rid of the King but 'the price of rice remains the same'.

The line from the Palace is that the monarchy's place in the Commonwealth realms is a matter for the people in those countries.

That is as it should be. But there is a fine line between not campaigning and not seeming to care.

Understandably, some want to leave. But others want to feel that they are taken seriously and that they benefit from their bond with Britain. Much of this is down to His Majesty's Government, rather than the King himself.

How much do these relationships matter, and are we willing to invest in them?
A female firefighter has died overnight after she became 'trapped' and ran out of air' in a factory fire at Slacks Creek, Brisbane, early yesterday morning.

Izabella Nash, 46, died after entering the inferno with two colleagues about 2.30am on Tuesday before the three were all feared missing in the flames.

Her two fellow firies were found and pulled from the flames but it is believed Ms Nash ran out of oxygen, amid fears her breathing apparatus failed.

She is understood to have fallen unconscious inside the blazing building before being discovered and carried out by other firefighters.

A second firie, senior Firefighter Lia Drew, remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, suffering burns and smoke inhalation.

A female Fire and Rescue Service firefighter has died overnight following a factory fire (pictured) at Slacks Creek, Brisbane, early yesterday morning

Fire crews were called to Pacific Highway at Slacks Creek in Brisbane's south at about 2.20am overnight following reports a pool maintenance warehouse was engulfed in flames (pictured)

Izabella Nash died after entering the inferno with two colleagues about 2.30am on Tuesday before the three were all feared missing in the flames

Both were described as veteran firefighters with around 25 years of experience between them. The third male firefighter escaped without injury.

The two women are said to have been trapped on the second storey of the building as they tried to tackle the inferno.

'They were upstairs for a while. The crews went to rescue them, they had to find them,' United Firefighters Union Queensland secretary John Oliver told the Courier-Mail.

'We will look into every aspect of what went wrong - communications, whether the breathing apparatus failed or not, the types of areas that were posted to them.

'It will all come out. Im concerned for the fireys that have gone down. Im very concerned for the firefighters that rescued those firefighters.'

Ms Nash was declared dead at 9.15pm on Tuesday at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital, where she was taken by rescue workers.

Tributes have been posted to the fallen firefighter online, with one commenting: 'RIP Izzy, your shift is over.'

Another added: 'Rest easy Izabella, thank you for your service.'

Former colleague Rob Boniwell revealed he had met Ms Nash when she was bidding to become a firefighter in 2014.

'I interviewed Izzy for her role as a permanent firefighter and was proud to see her graduate from the school several years ago,' he posted on Facebook.

'In my 29 years of service I have never experienced a fellow firefighter from my own agency or service pay the ultimate sacrifice to protecting their communities.

'Until now.

My thoughts and prayers are with our Fire and Rescue friends, families and colleagues today and the immediate future. We are all feeling this sad loss.

'Rest in peace Izzy. You will be sadly missed.'

An investigation has now been launched into the condition and operation of Ms Nash's breathing apparatus, while a probe is also underway into the cause of the fire.

'It is very rare that our firefighters are injured in this way,' Queensland Fire and Emergency Service Deputy Commissioner Michael Wassing said.

'That's because of the enormity of the training and professionalism of our firefighters.'

Ms Nash joined the Fire and Rescue Service in 2014 and served as a First Class Firefighter.

'The thoughts of all QFES members are with Izzy's and Lia's families, friends and fellow crew members,' said a QFES spokesman.

Senior Firefighter Lia Drew (pictured) remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, suffering burns and smoke inhalation

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the tragedy brought home the dangers faced by emergency services personnel every day.

'She was clearly devoted to her job, on the front line supporting her fellow Queenslanders,' said the premier.

'Izabella's passing is a terribly sad and poignant reminder of the dangers our front-line staff face on a daily basis.'

Federal Treasurer and local MP Dr Jim Chalmers also paid tribute to Ms Nash, calling her an 'incredible young woman'.

He added: 'The news has come through this morning that Isabella Nash lost her life protecting our community in that horrible fire in Slacks Creek.

Authorities declared the fire under control just after 6am but multiple crews and three senior officers remained on scene, with police declaring the area a crime scene (pictured)

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing (pictured, damaged building at Freedom Pools, at the scene of a factory fire in Slacks Creek)

'This is another reminder of the courage, the selflessness and the commitment of people who are first responders.

'That fire two nights ago was a dangerous fire. We've lost an incredible young woman. Selfless, committed and courageous.

'Her loved ones and her work mates will be incredibly sad today and our community is heartbroken too.'

State fire and emergency services minister Mark Ryan added: 'So sad to hear of the passing of firefighter Izabella Nash. With Izzy's passing, Queensland has lost a hero.

'The thoughts of our entire state are with her family, friends and the broader fire and emergency services family,' Mr Ryan posted on Twitter.
A woman was stabbed to death just yards from a police station while phoning her grandmother.

The 31-year-old had been walking home from buying birthday gifts for her mother when she was ambushed.

Her grandmother heard her screaming down the phone during Mondays attack near Brixtons O2 venue in south London.

A 33-year-old man who is not thought to have been known to her was arrested yesterday and was last night being quizzed by detectives. Neighbours said the victim lived with her parents, brother and sister and worked from home.

Jacqueline Demontague said she saw the womans distraught father rushing to the scene shortly after 4pm following a phone call from the grandmother.

The 31-year-old had been walking home from buying birthday gifts for her mother when she was ambushed

Her grandmother heard her screaming down the phone during Mondays attack near Brixtons O2 venue in south London

The fatal stabbing took place in a street right next to both Brixton police station and the Brixton O2 Academy (pictured)

She said: She was on the phone to her grandmother and suddenly she began shouting and screaming.

'I cannot imagine how awful it must have been for both her and her grandmother. The grandmother phoned the womans father, who came straight out to the scene.

He was in a state of shock, of course. He couldnt believe what had happened. Lots of other family members came out too  they were beside themselves.

It had been her mothers birthday and she went out to pick up some birthday things and was on her way back from the shop when she was attacked from behind.

Ms Demontague said a witness claimed the knifeman was all in black.

Im not sure what it was for, for a mobile phone, a mugging or what. But what a tragedy, a waste of a young life, she added.

Another neighbour said residents had been desperately calling for more police because of anti-social behaviour and drug use. Despite Brixton police station being close by, he said there were few patrols.

A 33-year-old man who is not thought to have been known to her was arrested yesterday and was last night being quizzed by detectives

Metropolitan Police officers yesterday cordoned off Stockwell Park Walk in Lambeth with a blue tent erected following the death of the woman, 31

Neighbours said the victim lived with her parents, brother and sister and worked from home

In one residents meeting with police someone stood up and said it would take a violent rape or murder to happen before they did something, he added.

And look where we are now. A young girl has lost her life in broad daylight.

Scotland Yard confirmed the victim died at 4.42pm on Monday.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, policing commander for Lambeth, said: This is a shocking attack and my thoughts are with the womans family and friends.

The latest tragedy has triggered fresh calls for police to ramp up efforts to do more to protect women from violence in the capital.

Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall, branded the killing a 'senseless' act of violence but urged people not to become 'desensitised to violence against women and girls'.

'It is a big issue and I think one of the things we need to look at is the vicious nature and randomness of this attack,' she told ITV.

'But equally, we do know that there is a history with knife attacks - especially knife attacks when fatal.

'One of the things we need to do is make sure we have got good, local police who are visible, working with the community and that's something we are trying to do locally here.'
A 'fraud FBI' will go to war on scammers, Rishi Sunak announced today.

The Prime Minister revealed a National Fraud Squad is being set up to crack down on the 'despicable' crime that costs Britain nearly 7billion a year.

Announcing a wide-ranging package of tough measures, Mr Sunak  writing exclusively for the Daily Mail today  vows: 'The time has come to put the fraudsters out of business.'

The Government's fraud strategy will 'take the fight to the scammers', he adds, banning all 'cold calls' for financial products  even those that are legitimate.

MI6 and government listening post GCHQ will also play a greater role in identifying overseas fraudsters.

The Prime Minister revealed a National Fraud Squad is being set up to crack down on the 'despicable' crime that costs Britain nearly 7billion a year. Pictured: PM Rishi Sunak shakes hands with His Majesty King Charles III

In wide-ranging measures, the Government will create a dedicated National Fraud Squad with 300 specialist investigators  rising to 500 by 2025  to hunt down scammers. There will be a ban on unsolicited calls by insurance firms and other financial providers so the public knows any approaches they receive are dodgy.

The beleaguered Action Fraud agency  recently slammed as 'unfit for purpose' by MPs  will be replaced with a 30million fraud reporting service by the end of this year.

Law changes will be made to introduce longer jail terms for fraudsters.And banks could be allowed to delay processing transactions so suspicious payments can be investigated.

Mr Sunak said: 'By blocking scams at the source, boosting protections for people and bolstering enforcement, we will stop more of these cold-hearted crimes from happening in the first place and make sure justice is done.'

Officials will also work with tech firms to make it easier to report online scams with a single 'click'.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, said: 'The measures are a good first step in the right direction. This is about putting enough resources in to build a dam to stop the flood'

Telecoms regulator Ofcom will take steps against scammers who 'spoof' legitimate phone numbers in a bid to fool victims into believing they are being called by a genuine organisation.

Criminals will be prevented from getting hold of specialist equipment  known as 'SIM farms' which can send out millions of phoney messages.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: 'It is vital we adopt a new approach to this threat.' The new National Fraud Squad will be jointly run by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and City of London Police. Victims will have access to an 'online portal' where they can get step-by-step updates on their case, a spokesman added.

The Government is to launch a review of the way fraud is prosecuted in a bid to speed up the justice system. Increasing maximum jail terms  currently 10 years in prison for fraud  will also be considered.

An 'anti-fraud champion' role will be filled by Anthony Browne, a Conservative backbench MP and former chief executive of the British Banking Association. He said: 'We can use the technologies fraudsters are exploiting against them to stop them in their tracks.' The crackdown is a victory for the Daily Mail's Stop The Scammers campaign, launched in 2018, which set out a number of demands to tackle the insidious crime.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, said: 'The measures are a good first step in the right direction. This is about putting enough resources in to build a dam to stop the flood.'
On the campaign trail in his west London constituency, an ebullient Boris Johnson was swamped by well-wishers as he staged an impromptu walkabout.

Marching up and down residential streets, knocking on doors, shaking hands, and posing for selfies, he was armed with piles of Tory election pamphlets. They all bore the same message: ULEZ driving charge notice. Do not ignore.

In other words, car owners will face punitive charges under Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khans hated Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

In tomorrows English local elections, ULEZ has turned into a major issue on the doorstep  and the Tories believe it could play into their hands.

The scheme was introduced in central London in 2019. Under it, older vehicles considered excessively polluting  typically pre-2015 diesel cars and pre-2006 petrol vehicles  are charged 12.50 each day for driving within the zone.

Car owners will face punitive charges under Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khans hated Ultra Low Emission Zone

On the campaign trail in his west London constituency, an ebullient Boris Johnson (pictured last month) was swamped by well-wishers as he staged an impromptu walkabout

Failure to pay can result in fines of up to 2,000, and these penalties have already netted Labour-controlled City Hall a windfall of almost 100million. The expansion of the zone  due to be introduced from the end of August  means it will soon cover all 32 boroughs in inner and outer London and take in millions more drivers.

Crucially, research shows the impact of the charge will resonate well beyond the capital and affect more than 1.5million who drive into London. And it is these drivers in boroughs bordering the city who are among those voting tomorrow.

Khan insists the expansion is vital to cut the number of lives lost each year to air pollution. But Boris says his successor as London Mayor is using ULEZ as a fig leaf to cover up a financial crisis at Transport for London (TfL) which administers the scheme. There is a 740million black hole in the finances of TfL. Khan is using ULEZ to plug the gap. How is Khan able to impose this tax on working people? This scheme was never intended for outer London. Khan must be stopped.

Boris and fellow Tory MPs have been campaigning on the issue in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Kent, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey and East and West Sussex where drivers will be hit by the expansion.

In Kent, where Labour has only one MP, research by the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) estimates more than 250,000 vehicles are likely to be non-compliant with ULEZ. In Dartford a Tory petition against ULEZ has attracted more than 35,000 signatures.

Anti-ULEZ protesters with placards demonstrate in Trafalgar Square in central London last month

Crucially, research shows the impact of the charge will resonate well beyond the capital and affect more than 1.5million who drive into London

Gareth Johnson, the local Tory MP, says: Its regrettable Keir Starmer has backed Khans plan to expand ULEZ to Dartford. He could have chosen to back working people. No one here wants or supports ULEZ. The Mayor of London and Labour Party are not listening to what people are saying here.

Jeremy Kite, the Tory leader on Dartford Council, says: Its a cruel and unfair tax on people who dont have the benefit of being able to chop and change vehicles at will just because Sadiq Khan tells them what they must drive. In Essex, where around 240,000 cars could be non-compliant, Brentwood Tories passed a motion with Essex County Council refusing to co-operate with the installation of detection cameras. They say in their election leaflets: We will continue to do everything legally available to us to frustrate its introduction. Pointedly the Labour and Lib Dem councillors abstained rather than oppose the Tory motion.

In Crawley, West Sussex, Labour appears equally ambivalent. When local Tories tabled a motion demanding the Labour-run town hall oppose the ULEZ extension, the response was to delay things. Councillor Duncan Crow, Tory group leader, says: This means Labour councillors conveniently avoid having to vote on ULEZ expansion before Crawleys elections on May 4.

In Buckinghamshire, Tory councillor Steve Broadbent argues that rather than cutting air pollution, ULEZ will have the opposite effect. We are concerned about the potential increased number of vehicles redirecting on to our local roads to avoid entering the ULEZ. It also has the potential to see more polluting vehicles on our roads.

At Hertsmere Council, which covers Borehamwood, Bushey and Potters Bar, Morris Bright, the Tory group leader, says: It might be the case that ULEZ is going to be forced through and, if it is, we are going to make sure it is with as much noise as possible from residents and councillors in this borough.

Protesters listen to speeches holding a variety of signs at the demonstration at Trafalgar Square on April 15

The Tories are not just fighting it on the doorstep. Last month five Conservative controlled local authorities, Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon and Surrey, won the right to challenge the scheme in the High Court in July. At the weekend thousands of protesters took to the streets in different towns in high-visibility jackets with Free our Streets placards and mock registration plates reading No to ULEZ. They were also holding placards that read Get Khan Out and Take Back Democracy.

Yet rather than listen politely to his critics and try to engage them in debate, Khan instead smears them as conspiracists. At a public meeting in London last month he mocked the hundreds of noisy protesters outside saying: Lets call a spade a spade; some of those on the outside are part of the far-Right, some are Covid deniers, some are vaccine deniers, and some are Tories.

Khan wasnt just offensive, he was also ignoring an uncomfortable truth. One of the loudest protests against ULEZ is from the Unite trade union, which is Labours most generous benefactor. Unite has 20,000 members at Heathrow Airport which is within the expanded ULEZ. Many Unite members including cleaners, caterers and airport cabin crew cant afford to change their older cars. Joe McGowan of Unite said: We want the mayor to delay ULEZ expansion. The outcome of this is profoundly anti-worker.

The GMB trade union also warns the expansion will threaten many of their members at Heathrow. Trevlyn McLeod, a GMB regional organiser, said: GMB understands how important it is to tackle air pollution, but the ULEZ extension will affect our Heathrow members who arent earning huge great salaries, who are struggling to support their families, and now face being financially penalised for going to work.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is still enthusiastically backing ULEZ, as is shadow foreign secretary David Lammy who suggested in a radio interview that plumbers who cant afford to change vehicles should use public transport. He said: We have got fantastic buses, fantastic tubes. He couldnt explain where they would store their ladders and toolboxes on a bus.

The GMB trade union also warns the expansion will threaten many of their members at Heathrow

But Khan is pressing ahead, installing some of the 2,750 cameras across the capital even before Julys High Court confrontation with the five Tory-controlled councils

Many Labour MPs such as Siobhan McDonagh, who represents Mitcham and Morden, are open in revolt. What Im concerned about is how do you get cleaner air and not make it so very hard for so many people who are key workers. I would say Sadiq: Please think about this. Please delay it.

Seema Malhotra, the shadow business minister, says: Im concerned it will have a disproportionate effect on lower income families, residents, and small businesses.

Labour-run Hounslow Council, which supports ULEZ, is hypocritically seeking an exemption for 400 of its own cars because they may not be compliant by the August deadline. Yet the council has no such worry about its residents. There are already 37 ULEZ cameras installed in the borough.

Retailers are also demanding a rethink with Hamish Mansbridge, chief executive of Heals furniture store, a landmark of Londons Tottenham Court Road for 200 years, warning ULEZ is creating ghost towns in the centre of London. He adds: Its like theyre actively trying to discourage people coming into the centre of London.

But Khan is pressing ahead, installing some of the 2,750 cameras across the capital even before Julys High Court confrontation with the five Tory-controlled councils.

This week, it emerged a secret activist army dubbed Blade Runners has vowed to remove every single camera being used to catch drivers using high-polluting vehicles across the capital. Some cameras have been ripped from their bases, others have had their wires cut or bags placed over them.

Khan insists his scheme is vital to protect lives. He says: Around 4,000 Londoners are dying prematurely every year due to air pollution. The ULEZ is cleaning up Londons toxic air. He points to a study by Imperial College London which shows air pollution can also stunt lung growth. From evidence of lowering sperm count to impacting foetal development, air quality can even have a major impact pre-birth. Taking action must be an absolute priority.

Ironically, by continuing to roll out the scheme, Khan may be offering Boris an unexpected lifeline. The privileges committee inquiry into whether Boris knowingly misled Parliament over Partygate will soon deliver its report. If the seven-strong committee, chaired by Labours Harriet Harman, rules against Boris and they suspend him for ten days or more he will face a perilous by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.

If that comes to pass, Boris has a plan  he will turn the by-election into a referendum on ULEZ and Mayor Khan which would unite the Tories behind him and give him a strong chance of another election victory.

The truth is that ULEZ could both deliver a better than expected result for the Tories in the local elections and ensure Boris emerges triumphant from partygate. Quite an achievement for London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Women and children who claim to have suffered miscarriages and birth defects from a pregnancy test drug yesterday said they were determined to be heard despite attempts to throw out their case.

Around 200 people who say they have been harmed by Primodos are bringing the compensation case against Bayer Pharma, Schering Health Care, Aventis Pharma and the Government.

The hormone-based pregnancy test was introduced in the 1950s, with up to a million women thought to have taken it before it was withdrawn in 1978 amid safety concerns.

The five-day hearing began at the High Court in London yesterday with the defendants arguing the case should be dismissed without trial. They argue the claim is wholly speculative with a lack of causal evidence meaning it has no realistic prospect of success.

But Marie Lyon, 76, of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests, said women and children had already died waiting for justice. Her daughter Sarah was born with a partially formed arm, which she believes was the result of taking the pills.

Marie Lyon, 76, pictured, of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests, said women and children had already died waiting for justice. Her daughter Sarah was born with a partially formed arm, which she believes was the result of taking the pills

Around 200 people who say they have been harmed by Primodos are bringing the compensation case against Bayer Pharma, Schering Health Care, Aventis Pharma and the Government. Pictured: Claimants outside the High Court

Speaking outside court, she said: We want acknowledgment and acceptance that they were able to prevent this from happening and thats more important to us than anything  to stop it happening again.

The second reason we want it is to get rid of guilt. Every one of our mums, including me, feel guilt that we took the tablets, that we didnt ask and we didnt question.

As first-time mums, as many of us were, we never dreamed of questioning our GP. That guilt will never go away for all of us.

'The third reason we need to be heard is redress. Weve lost three of our children in their late 40s, early 50s, who have died from the effects and that was in the last three months.

We know that their health is deteriorating. We need to know that they have got security in the future.

The tablets worked by triggering a period if the woman was not pregnant. Schering, now owned by Bayer, has always denied any association between the drug and malformations in babies.

The case continues.
A New York woman accused of setting fire to a Pride flag that that included the message Make America Gay Again has been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial.

Angelina Cando, 30, appeared briefly in court in Manhattan Tuesday when the ruling was made. She will appear again on May 9 while the district attorney's office review the decision.

The incident occurred outside of the Little Prince NYC resident in the trendy Soho section of New York City.

In February, Cando was charged with arson as a hate crime and reckless endangerment as a hate crime, in an earlier incident, Cando was accused of scrawling 'Jesus is King' on two police cars.

During her first appearance in court shortly after her arrest, Cando had 'outbursts' in front of the judge which referenced her sister and stepfather where she insisted she was innocent.

Angelina Cando, 30, appeared briefly in court in Manhattan Tuesday when the ruling was made that she is mentally unstable

Cando is accused of setting fire to a Pride flag that that included the message Make America Gay Again

The incident occurred outside of the Little Prince restaurant in Manhattan's trendy Soho neighborhood

When prosecutors brought up a January incident in which Cando was accused of cutting a man after throwing something at him, she said: 'False accusation. False accusation. They're all fake.... Let me free! He is king!'

Also in February, Cando was accused of threatening employees of a pizza shop with a knife.

Her lawyer said in February that Cando was suffering from 'some kind of psychotic breakdown.'

'All I did was write with a pen, please let me free, don't pin me down,' Cando said following that hearing, reported the New York Post at the time.

Cando was also charged with criminal mischief for scrawling 'Jesus is King' on the back of two NYPD squad cars.

The suspect has been arrested in the past for menacing, though details of those crimes are not clear.

Officials earlier said that prior to the flag burning, Cando wrote the words 'Jesus,' 'J&A' and 'Suck D**k' at the Canal Street subway station.

The fire caused by Cando's actions broke the windows of the restaurant and broke a flower display as well damaging the doors in addition to spreading to an apartment above, prosecutors said.

In February, Cando's lawyer said she was suffering from 'some kind of psychotic breakdown

Officials earlier said that prior to the flag burning, Cando wrote the words 'Jesus,' 'J&A' and 'Suck D**k' at the Canal Street subway station

Also in February, Cando was accused of threatening employees of a pizza shop with a knife

The flag burning incident sparked outrage among Little Prince's trendy downtown clientele

The incident sparked outrage among Little Prince's trendy downtown clientele.

'Can't imagine someone would have that much hate to do something like this. Especially not knowing if it could physically hurt someone as well,' a regular told ABC New York.

The French hotspot is in the heart of SoHo and has been the target of homophobic attacks before.

A worker previously revealed that someone once tried to steal the Pride flag, which hangs proudly among an exterior flower wall.

The NYPD listed Cando as having a downtown Manhattan address not far from the restaurant, but no other details of her life have yet become public.

The superintendent of the building Cando lived with her boyfriend along Mott Street until earlier this year said that she was known for her homophobic behavior.'

'She wasnt a tenant, just the crazy girlfriend of a tenant,' Love Texidor told the New York Daily News.

'She knocked on my door a couple of weeks ago when she was freaking out. Everybody in that building knows her,' a neighbor told the newspaper.

Angelina Cando pictured during her February court appearance

Cando was also charged with criminal mischief for scrawling 'Jesus is King' on the back of two NYPD squad cars

Cando pictured on surveillance footage following the burning

The restaurant was seen torched from the outside after firefighters put out the blaze

Following the incident, local councilmember Erik Bottcher contributed to helping the restaurant hang a larger pride flag.

'What we saw in the video was a hate crime. Someone who intended to strike fear into our entire community,' Bottcher said.

'Our resolve is only strengthened when acts like this happen. We are standing up in the face of this hate and reasserting our pride in ourselves and our community. That's why we hung the flag again,' he added.

The French restaurant has been the target of vandals before, with one worker recalling a separate incident where a person tried to steal it.

An unidentified employee told ABC New York they were 'hurt' to witness the hate crime in the city where they live and work.

'To be a part of it, and to witness it, and to work here and to have that happen, like this is my job. This is where I make money and this is also where I have a home,' the employee told ABC 7.

'So to have that taken away, I'm confused and I'm hurt, and I don't know how to feel about it.'

A resident living above The Prince Restaurant was also astonished to learn why he had to evacuate in the early morning.

'I can't believe something like that that happened last night, so I just think we've started to go the wrong way,' Stu Matz told the news outlet.

'This is a really usually nice neighborhood where everybody respects each other and that's not something that should ever happen around here.'

'Hate exists unfortunately so I don't know what to say, it's heartbreaking,' Asli Fevzi added.
Alex Murdaugh has claimed he lied when he told emergency responders and investigators that his dogs caused housekeeper Gloria Satterfields fatal trip and fall at his hunting lodge home of Moselle.

It is a sensational development in what remains an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the 57-year-olds death following an incident at the Murdaugh family home in 2018.

Murdaugh, 54, made his confession in legal papers obtained by DailyMail.com in response to a fraud lawsuit being brought against him by insurance company Nautilus.

The company shelled out millions to Satterfields sons when Murdaugh encouraged them to sue him in the wake of their mothers death, assuring them that he would admit liability.

He did so to pocket the money himself, recommending that the brothers use the services of attorney Corey Fleming without telling them that Fleming was his best friend and co-conspirator in what has been described as a depraved plot to cheat them out of the guaranteed pay day, the court documents allege.

Alex Murdaugh, who was sentenced on March 3 for the murder of his wife and son, has claimed he lied when he told emergency responders and investigators that his dogs caused housekeeper Gloria Satterfields fatal trip and fall

Gloria Satterfield was previously said to have died after falling at the Murdaugh home in 2018. She was the family's housekeeper and nanny for 25 years

When Nautilus settled the case, Murdaugh concealed it from Tony and Brian Satterfield and took the lions share of the money intended for them. Fleming took $600,000 in legal fees.

Now, having stuck to the story that secured a multimillion dollar pay-out five years ago, Murdaugh has changed his tune.

According to the Satterfields attorney, Eric Bland, he has done so in a bid to cheat the housekeepers boys once again.

In court documents filed May 1, Murdaugh states: No dogs were involved in the fall of Gloria Satterfield on February 2, 2018. After Ms Satterfields death, [he] invented Ms Satterfields purported statement that dogs caused her to fall to force his insurers to make a settlement payment.

With Blands persistence Satterfields sons have recouped north of $7.5million of the insurance money from other liable parties and secured a separate judgment of $4.3million against Murdaugh.

Murdaugh, 54, made his confession in legal papers obtained by DailyMail.com in response to a fraud lawsuit being brought against him by insurance company Nautilus

In the complaint, the company states that it was Paul and Maggie who were at Moselle when the incident happened, with Paul calling 911

But, if Murdaugh made up the circumstances of Satterfields death, then the claim was fraudulent, meaning no money should have ever been paid out in the first place and that, while Murdaugh defrauded Nautilus, he owes Satterfields sons nothing at all.

Speaking to DailyMail.com Bland said: Are you going to believe anything that comes out of the mouth of a convicted double murderer, fraudster and liar?

This is a desperate bid by a desperate man with desperate lawyers.

Nautilus filed their suit against Murdaugh in June, 2022.

In the complaint seen by DailyMail.com the company states that it was Murdaugh's son Paul and wife Maggie who were at Moselle when the incident happened, with Paul calling 911.

Gloria Satterfield died following the incident at the Murdaugh hunting lodge home of Moselle in February 2018

According to the court papers, Immediately following Gloria Satterfields fall on February 2, 2018, [Murdaugh] rushed to the scene, arriving before EMS'

The insurance policy documents seen by DailyMail.com show that Murdaugh took out a $5million umbrella policy to cover Moselle just one month before Satterfields fall

According to the court papers: Immediately following Gloria Satterfields fall on February 2, 2108, [Murdaugh] rushed to the scene, arriving before EMS. On March 29, 2018 Murdaugh stated that Ms. Satterfield briefly regained consciousness during which time she stated that Murdaughs dogs had caused her to fall. This statement was heard by no one else and is contradicted by Ms. Satterfields later statement to hospital staff that she had no idea what made her fall.

Murdaugh also claimed that Satterfield was at his property not to perform work for Murdaugh and his family, but to collect a check for work performed by someone else, thus avoiding a workers compensation defense.

The insurance policy documents seen by DailyMail.com show that Murdaugh took out a $5million umbrella policy to cover Moselle just one month before Satterfields fall.

Heartless text messages have revealed how Murdaugh lied to his former housekeeper's son about a $4million wrongful death payout.

The disgraced attorney, 54, promised Tony and his brother Bryan, a vulnerable adult, he would 'take care' of them after their mother died.

During Murdaugh's trial for the cold-blooded murders of his wife, Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 21, Tony told the court that Murdaugh pledged to get the pair $100,000 each and cover Gloria's medical expenses.

But he went on to steal more than $4.3million from two insurance policies without giving them a cent.

Murdaugh told Satterfield's sons (Bryan, left, and Tony, right) at her February 2018 funeral that he would get insurance settlements for her death and take care of them, according to a lawsuit filed by the sons

Alex Murdaugh pictured on March 7 as he was transferred to prison in South Carolina

'When the defendant came to you around the time of your mom's funeral and said he was going to help you and file a claim on your behalf, why did you agree?' prosecutor Creighton Waters asked.

'Because I trusted him,' said Satterfield.

Satterfield testified he was only informed of the settlements in June, 2021, after the murders.

'Did you ever get one cent from Alex Murdaugh?' Waters asked.

'No,' Satterfield answered.

Even though Gloria Satterfield died in an accident, her death was never reported to the Hampton County coroner.

State Law Enforcement Division agents said they would exhume her body about a year after the deaths of Murdaugh's son and wife, but never announced any findings or reopening of the investigation into her death.

Murdaugh during his sentencing on March 3 for the murder of his wife and son

Murdaugh with his wife Maggie, and son Paul. He murdered them both in 2021 at the family's property

The Murdaugh family told the sons their mother tripped over the family dog. Gloria died in hospital around four weeks later from a head injury. She was never able to relay the events of that day.

However, the boys' lawyer Eric Bland has stated that they do not suspect foul play was at work. Bland later secured $4.3million for Gloria's children after suing Murdaugh.

But when his fraud regarding the Satterfield payout was exposed in September 2021 it was as shocking as it was damaging and came as one of the first major revelations that saw his life implode.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Department announced that they would be opening a criminal investigation into Satterfields death on September 15, 2021.

The decision was prompted by a letter written by Hampton County Coroner Angela Topper to Mark Keel, then SLED Chief, in which she expressed concern that no autopsy had ever been conducted on Satterfield, whose death, she noted, was ruled natural which was inconsistent with a trip and fall.
Motorists should not enter yellow-lined boxes on junctions unless exit is clear

Drivers face unfair fines if councils grab powers to issue yellow box junction penalties, the RAC warned yesterday.

Motorists should not enter the boxes unless the exit is clear and are hit with fines if they get stuck in one.

But outside London, only police forces have the power to punish motorists in England.

But research by the RAC found that 27 councils have put forward proposals to enforce 111 boxes under legislation introduced last year.

If successful, they can issue their own fines. The RAC said there are problems with 90 per cent of the 111 boxes 'likely to lead to' unfair fines.

Drivers face unfair fines if councils grab powers to issue yellow box junction penalties, the RAC warned yesterday. Motorists should not enter the boxes unless the exit is clear and are hit with fines if they get stuck in one

The RAC'S Simon Williams said: 'It is a moral duty to ensure that fines are fair, justified and the appeals process is consistent across the country.'

In England outside London, only police forces have the power to punish motorists over their use of yellow box junctions.

But 27 councils have put forward proposals to enforce 111 boxes under legislation introduced by the Government in May 2022.

Successful applicants will be able to issue penalty charge notices (PCNs) to offending drivers.

On Transport for London's (TfL) red routes, PCNs are 160, reduced to 80 if paid within 14 days.

Chartered engineer Sam Wright was commissioned by the RAC to analyse the 111 boxes which councils have put forward proposals to enforce.

The RAC said there are issues with 90% of the boxes which are 'likely to lead to drivers being fined unfairly'.

Forty boxes were found to pose visibility difficulties such as faded road markings, while 18 extend beyond junctions.

Mr Wright, who was formerly responsible for the design and approval of yellow boxes on TfL's road network, said: 'I haven't seen a single proposal that reviews the visibility of the box from a driver's point of view.

'If you also factor in bad weather, poor light and other vehicles, then the poor visibility situation is exacerbated.

'This is all very concerning, especially as enforcement is carried out via cameras high in the air.

'Many of the boxes have been around for years, perhaps decades.

'It appears that many authorities have simply assumed that the boxes already on the ground are suitable for enforcement without carrying out a fresh assessment as is recommended in Government guidance.'

Mr Williams added: 'Fining people can have real financial consequences for those on the receiving end.

'Enforcing yellow boxes means that the driver of a vehicle overhanging a box by any amount for just a moment can get a ticket.

'Yet many drivers end up stopped or trapped in these junctions through no fault of their own.

'It is not only imperative, but a moral duty to ensure that fines are fair, justified and that the appeals process is consistent across the country.

'We urge the Government to carry out an urgent review of its yellow box junction guidance and clarify what is and isn't enforceable.'
Top hotels and restaurants have backed the Mail's campaign to scrap the tourist tax.

Bosses of The Savoy hotel and Greene King pub chain have joined calls to axe the levy, saying bringing back VAT-free shopping would help them return to their pre-pandemic glory.

Hospitality businesses argue the UK economy would be stimulated by more tourists dining in their restaurants and staying in their hotels.

Instead, holidaymakers are currently being enticed to European rivals like Paris or Milan by tax refunds on pricey goods, which they do not receive in the UK.

Top retailers including Kurt Geiger and Selfridges have already signed a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, organised by hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, calling for the return of VAT-free shopping.

Bosses of The Savoy hotel and Greene King pub chain have joined calls to axe the levy, saying bringing back VAT-free shopping would help them return to their pre-pandemic glory

Greene King boss Nick Mackenzie said: 'Anything that the Government can do to encourage tourism is really welcome and important'

Greene King boss Nick Mackenzie said: 'Anything that the Government can do to encourage tourism is really welcome and important.'

Accor  the parent company of hotels including the Orient Express, ibis and The Savoy  also said retail was a magnet for tourists from the US, China and the Middle East.

UK spokesman Aiden McAuley said: 'We know that being an attractive shopping destination is a key tool in the UK's ability to appeal to high-spending overseas tourists.

'Having a level playing field with other European countries is important if the UK wants to maintain its appeal and gain all the knock-on economic benefits that it delivers.'

Offers a beacon of hope

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said the UK needed a tax regime that 'incentivises tourism and makes us competitive on the world stage', including VAT-free shopping.

Ms Nicholls, whose trade body represents 740 firms, said an analysis cited by the Government to justify getting rid of the incentive was 'inadequate' and did not consider the effect losing these visitors would have on the wider tourism economy, which contributes 139billion each year.

It comes as venues struggle amid eye-watering cost increases and the repercussions of the pandemic.

Charlie Gilkes, the founder of Inception Group, said VAT-free shopping would offer a 'real boost' as 'busy shops also have a positive knock on to bars, restaurants and hotels'.

He added: 'With a raft of bad news for the hospitality sector... the return of tourism offers a beacon of hope, especially for London and other [cities].'
Furious royal aides fear the backlash over the invitation for people to swear allegiance to King Charles is casting a cloud over the Coronation, it is reported.

Officials were forced to leap into action over the weekend after the office for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, called millions of citizens to 'pay homage' to the new monarch.

Lambeth Palace quickly had to clarify the 'Homage of the People' was an 'invitation' for people to vocally offer their 'true allegiance' to the monarch and his heirs, rather than an 'expectation or request'.

Republican groups had jumped on the announcement, calling it ' an offensive and tone-deaf gesture that holds the people in contempt'.

And the backlash from what is believed to have been an attempt to make the historic ceremony more accessible has caused consternation at Buckingham Palace, according to reports.

King Charles III and the Archbishop of Canterbury shake hands at Windsor Castle in April. Royal aides fear the backlash over the invitation for people to swear allegiance to the monarch is casting a cloud over the Coronation

The backlash from what is believed to have been an attempt to make the historic ceremony more accessible by the Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured) has caused consternation at Buckingham Palace, according to reports

The order of service will read: 'All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.'

Royal insiders are understood to be less than impressed with the unsuccessful attempt to get the public more involved.

The Sun quotes one source as saying: 'The Archbishop of Canterbury has gone off-piste on this one.'

MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace and Lambeth Palace for comment.

Speaking after the backlash began on Sunday, a representative for Lambeth Palace said: 'The Homage of the People is particularly exciting because that's brand new.

'Our hope is at that point, when the archbishop invites people to join in, that people wherever they are, if they're watching at home on their own, watching the telly, will say it out loud - this sense of a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King.'

While it was clear there is no diktat whatsoever to do so, both Buckingham Palace and Lambeth Palace were clearly taken aback yesterday by the strength of feeling the invitation provoked, however.

Many felt their well-meant rallying cry played into the hands of Republicans and critics of the ceremony generally, sparking an outpouring of comment and criticism on social media.

Labour MP Clive Lewis told the Guardian that he thought the proposed oath would be 'either unwelcome or ignored by many'.

Republic, the anti-monarchist organisation, said it was 'an offensive and tone-deaf gesture that holds the people in contempt'.

But Transport Secretary Mark Harper told Sky News he would be swearing the oath and said MPs already pledge allegiance to His Majesty.

He said the coronation would be a 'fantastic opportunity' and a 'great showcase for Britain around the world'.

On Sunday night a Lambeth Palace source clarified that the invitation was very much optional and simply an opportunity for people to join in should they so wish.

They said: 'This is very much an invitation rather than an expectation or request, as you can see from the Archbishop's introduction to the homage.

Royal insiders are understood to be less than impressed with the unsuccessful attempt to get the public more involved in the ceremony. Pictured: King Charles III

The order of service will read: 'All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God'

'It's simply an opportunity offered by the Archbishop so that, unlike previous Coronations, those who wish to join in with the words being spoken by the Abbey congregation could do so in a very simple way.

'For those who do want to take part, some will want to say all the words of the homage; some might just want to say 'God Save The King' at the end; others might just want to it to be a moment of private reflection. '

They added: 'We live in a wonderfully diverse society with many different perspectives and beliefs, and it's quite right that people decide for themselves how they relate to this moment.

'Much like the National Anthem, it's for people to join in if that feels right for them.

'For those who may wish to join in, we hope it's a moment of joy and celebration - both in the Abbey, and in homes around the country and beyond.'
Princess Anne today insisted the British monarchy is in rude health and warned against slimming it down further after Megxit and Prince Andrew's fall from grace, declaring: 'It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing.'

The late Queen's only daughter, 72, who is the hardest working royal in terms of annual engagements, spoke in defence of the Royal Family, insisting it brings 'long-term stability', 'continuity' and 'goodness' to the UK and Commonwealth.

The King himself is known to be in favour of a smaller, cheaper monarchy. And in a nod to the larger number of working royals when Meghan, Harry and Andrew were in the fold, Anne said today: 'I think that "slimmed down" was said in a day when there were a few more people to make that seem like a justifiable comment'.

When it was put to her that the world changes, Anne said: 'It changes a bit. I mean, it doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I have to say. I'm not quite sure what else, you know, we can do.'

In the extraordinary interview with Canada's CBC News, released just five days before the Coronation, Anne also distanced the Windsors from the slave trade amid calls for Britain and the royals to pay compensation.

Charles recently agreed to support a study into historical links between the monarchy and slavery, while a new poll for the Mail revealed today most Britons believe that the King should not apologise. Describing her own view as 'slightly different, maybe more realistic', Anne said: 'Come on... don't be too focused on time scales and periods. History isn't like that.'

The Princess Royal also spoke with sadness about the defining image of her mother alone in grief at Prince Philip's funeral. Asked if this was a 'thievery', she said: 'Yes, you're quite right. In some ways I'm glad we didn't see that, at that moment. When you see the photograph it's much worse somehow'.

She added that the pandemic and lockdowns robbed her father and other older people of social interaction and stimulation, saying that the 'switch to online' didn't work for everyone.

Princess Anne insisted today that the monarchy is in safe hands with King Charles after sitting down for a rare interview ahead of her brother's Coronation

King Charles III leaves Windsor Castle as he heads to London today, hours after Anne's forthright interview aired

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, help prepare food as they visited visit Big Venture Community Centre, Wolverhampton today

Anne described the sadness at the photo of her mother alone at her husband's funeral in 2021 - and said that lockdowns had robbed her father of social interaction and stimulation, as with many older people

Britain's King Charles III (L) and Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, at church in Windsor for Easter. She says the monarchy is safe in her brother's hands

And when asked about what type of King her brother will be, she joked in her typical dry way: 'Well, you know what you're getting because he's been practicing for a bit, and I don't think he'll change.'

'Covid stole from my father, who lost a lot of the people who would have gone to see him and come and talk to him and have those conversations that would have kept him interested. He lost all of that', Anne said.

'I'm sure that there are lots of families who will tell you the same thing. For the older generation, losing those contacts - online didn't do that for everybody'.

She also looked deeply moved as she also described following her mother's coffin on its journey from Balmoral in Scotland to Buckingham Palace after her death last September.

Anne's interview CBC News is one of the most wide-ranging carried out by royals, other than Harry and Meghan, in recent times. At the end, when asked whether she is worried about the future of the British Royal Family, she gave a resounding: 'No'.

She spoke to CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault ahead of her visit to New Brunswick later this month to honour the 175th anniversary of the 8th Canadian Hussars regiment, of which she is Colonel-in-chief.

Since 2020, the Sussexes have stepped down as working royals and Prince Andrew was stripped of his HRH title, patronages and military affiliations by his mother.

Before he became King, Charles was vocal about wanting fewer working members of the Royal Family and a cheaper, smaller, institution.

But Anne has suggested she believes the pool of working royals is already small enough, in a nod to Megxit and her brother Andrew's fall from grace.

Defending the role of the monarchy in modern times, especially with a new King, she added: 'There will be [conversations about relevance] everywhere. It's not a conversation that I would necessarily have.

'It's perfectly true that there is a moment when you need to have that discussion but I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite hard to come by in any other way.'

Anne was visibly moved as she described her mother's death and the public's response

Anne looks on at her brother on the day of their mother's funeral

Tractors lined both sides of the road as the Queen's cortege passed through the Aberdeenshire countryside on its way to Edinburgh. Anne described being moved by it

How Princess Anne was once again the hardest working royal in 2022 Princess Anne: 214 engagements King Charles: 181 engagements Prince Edward: 143 engagements Sophie Wessex: 138 engagements Prince of Wales: 126 engagements Queen Consort: 102 engagements Duke of Gloucester: 100 engagements Duchess of Gloucester: 94 engagements Princess of Wales: 90 engagements The Duke of Kent: 78 engagements Princess Alexandra: 44 engagements SOURCE: Reboot SEO company Advertisement

'I rather hope that sometimes what we can do is just to underline the goodness and the fact that there are an awful lot of people out there who really do understand about the way they behave towards each other is important and that the monarchy provides an element of a focus to that level of service and encourages that in the long term.

'It's not a short-term thing. You're there for the long term.'

Anne also claimed the British public would know what to expect from the King as he prepares to formalise his position in a much-anticipated ceremony on Saturday.

She added: 'He is committed to his own level of service, that will remain true.'

The Princess Royal's interview came as a major poll reveals rock-solid support for the Royal Family in Britain.

The poll by former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft revealed Britain would decisively back the monarchy if a referendum on the subject were held tomorrow.

She said that she was not worried about the future for the royal family, but admitted that it was right to discuss it following her mother's death.

William, Kate, Harry and Meghan meet crowds following the Queen's death. The Sussexes show no signs of returning as working royals

'We don't, in many respects, need to deal with it [a drop in people wanting the monarchy to continue], not least of all because it is the monarch that is the key to this and the constitution that underpins the monarchy,' Anne added in her interview.

'We as a family see ourselves as there to support that role.

'What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy and the way in which it can convey continuity, not just of interest but service and understanding the way that people and communities want to live their lives.

'I think so often we get the chance to see communities and the people who do things really well and are very generous with their time in a way that, if you look at the media, you tend not to get that impression'.

She added: 'My mother was the Queen for a very long time. And although you kind of know that this might happen, you don't really think about it very much  not least of all because the monarchy is about continuity.'

'For the rest of us, it's more a question of, OK, we have to shift the way we support. And that's what we need to do.'

Last month Britain faced new calls to pay compensation for its role in the slave trade after King Charles signalled his support for a study into historical links between the monarchy and slavery.

Buckingham Palace is cooperating with landmark academic research into the British monarchy's involvement with the transatlantic slave trade and said the King took the issue 'profoundly seriously'.

When asked about what her brother meant about 'support', she said: 'It's not really a subject of conversation that I would even go down. I have a historical perspective which is slightly different, maybe more realistic.'

'The historical perspective [is] it just goes back a lot further. And the modern contexts are very different. Slavery hasn't gone away.'

Speaking about what her mother had felt about the Platinum Jubilee last June, she said: 'It was a long weekend for her. But when she came at the end, that really made a difference. I think she appreciated it'.

Anne then reflected on the death of her mother in the interview. She was moved by it.

Speaking of the days travelling the country during the mourning period, she said: 'I think we took a lot of it in, partly because we knew the route and I did actually spot people I knew on the way.

'It was such an impressive sight and it was more than that because it was really touching in the way that people responded and how they did things.

'People brought their ponies and horses out, but they not only brought them out, they plaited them, they were properly dressed and well turned out.

'They brought their tractors out, and they parked them tidily, they were all clean.

'If you come from a rural background I was really impressed, it was just an astonishing sight.

'But the sheer numbers of people who turned up in quite extraordinary places. You're never going to miss that and the atmosphere it created.

'Leaving Balmoral was never easy, but then it never has been. I was just as bad when I was leaving as a child, because I didn't like leaving, [I was happy there].'

Harry and Meghan's cheerleader, Omid Scobie, praised the discussion on social media.

He wrote: 'A refreshingly fluff-free interview with Princess Anne by CBC's Adrienne Arsenault, who (amongst many questions) asked the Princess Royal about the growing decline in support for the British Monarchy and how they deal with it as a family.'
Princess Anne said the Covid lockdown robbed her father Prince Philip of social interactions before his death in a rare glimpse of the royals' view on the pandemic's restrictions.

The Princess Royal revealed her thoughts around the toll the social distancing rules had on her family and others during an interview with Canadian public broadcaster CBC, released just five days before the King's Coronation.

She said lost conversations would have kept Prince Philip 'interested' , adding that the 'switch to online' didn't work for everyone.

'Covid stole from my father, who lost a lot of the people who would have gone to see him and come and talk to him and have those conversations that would have kept him interested. He lost all of that,' she said.

'I'm sure that there are lots of families who will tell you the same thing. For the older generation, losing those contacts - online didn't do that for everybody'.

Princess Anne said lockdowns robbed her father and other older people of social interaction and stimulation

Anne described the sadness at the photo of her mother alone at her husband's funeral in 2021

The Princess Royal also spoke with sadness about the defining image of her mother alone in grief at Prince Philip's funeral, amid pandemic social-distancing rules.

Asked if this was a 'thievery', she said: 'Yes, you're quite right.

'In some ways I'm glad we didn't see that, at that moment. When you see the photograph it's much worse somehow'.

She also looked deeply moved as she also described following her mother's coffin on its journey from Balmoral in Scotland to Buckingham Palace after her death last September.

Speaking of the days travelling the country during the mourning period, she said: 'I think we took a lot of it in, partly because we knew the route and I did actually spot people I knew on the way.

'It was such an impressive sight and it was more than that because it was really touching in the way that people responded and how they did things.

'People brought their ponies and horses out, but they not only brought them out, they plaited them, they were properly dressed and well turned out.

'They brought their tractors out, and they parked them tidily, they were all clean.

'If you come from a rural background I was really impressed, it was just an astonishing sight.

'But the sheer numbers of people who turned up in quite extraordinary places. You're never going to miss that and the atmosphere it created.

'Leaving Balmoral was never easy, but then it never has been. I was just as bad when I was leaving as a child, because I didn't like leaving, [I was happy there].'

Princess Anne insisted today that the monarchy is in safe hands with King Charles after sitting down for a rare interview ahead of her brother's Coronation

Princess Anne and her father Prince Philip pictured together

King Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, after the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey

How Princess Anne was once again the hardest working royal in 2022 Princess Anne: 214 engagements King Charles: 181 engagements Prince Edward: 143 engagements Sophie Wessex: 138 engagements Prince of Wales: 126 engagements Queen Consort: 102 engagements Duke of Gloucester: 100 engagements Duchess of Gloucester: 94 engagements Princess of Wales: 90 engagements The Duke of Kent: 78 engagements Princess Alexandra: 44 engagements SOURCE: Reboot SEO company Advertisement

Anne's interview CBC News is one of the most wide-ranging carried out by royals, other than Harry and Meghan, in recent times.

At the end, when asked whether she is worried about the future of the British Royal Family, she gave a resounding: 'No'.

Defending the role of the monarchy in modern times, especially with a new King, she added: 'There will be [conversations about relevance] everywhere. It's not a conversation that I would necessarily have.

'It's perfectly true that there is a moment when you need to have that discussion but I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite hard to come by in any other way.'

'I rather hope that sometimes what we can do is just to underline the goodness and the fact that there are an awful lot of people out there who really do understand about the way they behave towards each other is important and that the monarchy provides an element of a focus to that level of service and encourages that in the long term.

'It's not a short-term thing. You're there for the long term.'

CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault raised the idea of a slimmed-down monarchy and said it is difficult to imagine how the 72-year-old princess would have the time to take on more work.

Anne replied: 'Well, I think the 'slimmed-down' (monarchy) was said in a day when there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment.'

When it was put to her that the world changes, Anne said: 'It changes a bit. I mean, it doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I have to say. I'm not quite sure what else, you know, we can do.'

King Charles III and Princess Anne, Princess Royal, at church in Windsor for Easter. She says the monarchy is safe in her brother's hands

The royal family has gone through a lot of changes in recent years, with the deaths of both the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, the decision taken by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to quit as working royals, and the Duke of York stepping down from public life.

Speaking about what kind of King her brother will be, Anne said: 'Well, you know what you're getting, because he's been practising for a bit, and I don't think he'll change.

'He is committed to his own level of service. That will remain true.'

It was put to the princess that she does not seem worried about the health or the longevity of the monarchy, and she replied: 'I think you're putting words into my mouth, as they say.'

She said she believes there is 'genuine benefit from this particular arrangement, the constitutional monarchy, and I think it has good long-term benefits', adding: 'And that commitment to long term is what the monarchy stands for.'

Anne also claimed the British public would know what to expect from the King as he prepares to formalise his position in a much-anticipated ceremony on Saturday.

She added: 'He is committed to his own level of service, that will remain true.'
Princess Anne's admission that it may have been 'justifiable' to slim down the monarchy before Charles became King is tacit approval for his decision to cut out Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew, royal experts told MailOnline today.

The late Queen's only daughter, 72, who is the hardest working royal in terms of annual engagements, spoke in defence of the Royal Family, insisting it brings 'long-term stability', 'continuity' and 'goodness' to the UK and Commonwealth.

But some believe the Princess Royal also hinted that there may be too much pressure on William and Kate as the ageing pool of working royals continues to shrink.

The King himself is known to be in favour of a smaller, cheaper monarchy. And in a nod to the larger number of working royals when Meghan, Harry and Andrew were in the fold, Anne said in an interview with Canadian TV today: 'I think that "slimmed down" was said in a day when there were a few more people to make that seem like a justifiable comment'.

When it was put to her that the world changes, Anne said: 'It changes a bit. I mean, it doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I have to say. I'm not quite sure what else, you know, we can do.'

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'Anne implies support for the action taken against Andrew and also against the Sussexes, who wanted a half-in, half-out role as senior working royals which was refused'.

Expert Phil Dampier added: 'Anne has always worked hard but she probably feels there is too much of a burden on William and Kate. We have got a slimmed down monarchy by default, but you can go too far.

Princess Anne insisted today that the monarchy is in safe hands with King Charles after sitting down for a rare interview ahead of her brother's Coronation

King Charles III shakes hands with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster to attend a reception ahead of the coronation.

Some have read Anne's comments that her brother has been right to cut out Harry, Andrew and Meghan and a warning to Charles not to go further

'There is a danger that they become short of numbers. Anne is in her seventies, as are the King and Queen, and the likes of the Kents and Gloucesters are close to retiring.

'The late Queen and Prince Philip had 1600 patronages between them and so who is now going to take up those charities and causes?'

In the extraordinary interview with Canada's CBC News, released just five days before the Coronation, Anne also distanced the Windsors from the slave trade amid calls for Britain and the royals to pay compensation.

Chatting to CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault ahead of her visit to New Brunswick later this month, the Princess Royal also spoke with sadness about the defining image of her mother alone in grief at Prince Philip's funeral.

Asked if this was a 'thievery', she said: 'Yes, you're quite right. In some ways I'm glad we didn't see that, at that moment. When you see the photograph it's much worse somehow'.

Mr Dampier said: 'I know the late Queen hated masks and thought they were unnecessary in many situations. She was old school, having lived through the war, and probably thought society over reacted to the pandemic'.

Mr Fitzwilliams added: 'Her comments about the photograph of the Queen, isolated and wearing a mask at her husbands funeral, may well reflect what the monarch thought. The nations heart went out to her and Annes comments about the dreadful effect of isolation during the pandemic reflect strongly held views with which many would agree'.

Charles recently agreed to support a study into historical links between the monarchy and slavery, while a new poll for the Mail revealed today most Britons believe that the King should not apologise. Describing her own view as 'slightly different, maybe more realistic', Anne said: 'Come on... don't be too focused on time scales and periods. History isn't like that.'

She added that the pandemic and lockdowns robbed her father and other older people of social interaction and stimulation.

'Covid stole from my father, who lost a lot of the people who would have gone to see him and come and talk to him and have those conversations that would have kept him interested. He lost all of that', Anne said.

'I'm sure that there are lots of families who will tell you the same thing. For the older generation, losing those contacts - online didn't do that for everybody'.

Biographer and investigative journalist Tom Bower said: 'Anne is a wise, hard working and respected member of the Royal Family. Its fascinating that she chose this moment to speak. She clearly thinks that Charles should not enjoy the spotlight alone. And his own silence has left a vacuum she fills with typically forthright views. She is a great asset which the King knows he needs.

'Her opinions should be influential. She knows that without Harry and Andrew the Royal Family is stretched fulfil all the expectations of visits, patronages and openings. She also knows that the family is much loved across the country. The slimming down she refers to is the expenditure. She is modest but Charles is not  for a start he has too many homes. At least 11 palaces, houses and castles'.

William and Kate face increasing numbers of royal engagements

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, help prepare food as they visited visit Big Venture Community Centre, Wolverhampton today

Prince Edward and Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh visiting the City of Wolverhampton College today

The Duchess of Edinburgh wears a virtual reality headset at the City of Wolverhampton College today

Prince Edward talks with the Health & Social Care department members at the City of Wolverhampton College today

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh talks with Police Cadets at the college today for the Big Coronation Lunch

Sophie talks with school pupils at in Wolverhampton today ahead of the King's Coronation

Anne described the sadness at the photo of her mother alone at her husband's funeral in 2021 - and said that lockdowns had robbed her father of social interaction and stimulation, as with many older people

Britain's King Charles III (L) and Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, at church in Windsor for Easter. She says the monarchy is safe in her brother's hands

Anne also looked deeply moved as she also described following her mother's coffin on its journey from Balmoral in Scotland to Buckingham Palace after her death last September.

Anne's interview CBC News is one of the most wide-ranging carried out by royals, other than Harry and Meghan, in recent times. At the end, when asked whether she is worried about the future of the British Royal Family, she gave a resounding: 'No'.

Since 2020, the Sussexes have stepped down as working royals and Prince Andrew was stripped of his HRH title, patronages and military affiliations by his mother.

Before he became King, Charles was vocal about wanting fewer working members of the Royal Family and a cheaper, smaller, institution.

But Anne has suggested she believes the pool of working royals is already small enough, in a nod to Megxit and her brother Andrew's fall from grace.

Defending the role of the monarchy in modern times, especially with a new King, she added: 'There will be [conversations about relevance] everywhere. It's not a conversation that I would necessarily have.

'It's perfectly true that there is a moment when you need to have that discussion but I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite hard to come by in any other way.'

Anne looks on at her brother on the day of their mother's funeral

Tractors lined both sides of the road as the Queen's cortege passed through the Aberdeenshire countryside on its way to Edinburgh. Anne described being moved by it

How Princess Anne was once again the hardest working royal in 2022 Princess Anne: 214 engagements King Charles: 181 engagements Prince Edward: 143 engagements Sophie Wessex: 138 engagements Prince of Wales: 126 engagements Queen Consort: 102 engagements Duke of Gloucester: 100 engagements Duchess of Gloucester: 94 engagements Princess of Wales: 90 engagements The Duke of Kent: 78 engagements Princess Alexandra: 44 engagements SOURCE: Reboot SEO company Advertisement

'I rather hope that sometimes what we can do is just to underline the goodness and the fact that there are an awful lot of people out there who really do understand about the way they behave towards each other is important and that the monarchy provides an element of a focus to that level of service and encourages that in the long term.

'It's not a short-term thing. You're there for the long term.'

Anne also claimed the British public would know what to expect from the King as he prepares to formalise his position in a much-anticipated ceremony on Saturday.

She added: 'He is committed to his own level of service, that will remain true.'

The Princess Royal's interview came as a major poll reveals rock-solid support for the Royal Family in Britain.

The poll by former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft revealed Britain would decisively back the monarchy if a referendum on the subject were held tomorrow.

She said that she was not worried about the future for the royal family, but admitted that it was right to discuss it following her mother's death.

William, Kate, Harry and Meghan meet crowds following the Queen's death. The Sussexes show no signs of returning as working royals

'We don't, in many respects, need to deal with it [a drop in people wanting the monarchy to continue], not least of all because it is the monarch that is the key to this and the constitution that underpins the monarchy,' Anne added in her interview.

'We as a family see ourselves as there to support that role.

'What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy and the way in which it can convey continuity, not just of interest but service and understanding the way that people and communities want to live their lives.

'I think so often we get the chance to see communities and the people who do things really well and are very generous with their time in a way that, if you look at the media, you tend not to get that impression'.

She added: 'My mother was the Queen for a very long time. And although you kind of know that this might happen, you don't really think about it very much  not least of all because the monarchy is about continuity.'

'For the rest of us, it's more a question of, OK, we have to shift the way we support. And that's what we need to do.'

Last month Britain faced new calls to pay compensation for its role in the slave trade after King Charles signalled his support for a study into historical links between the monarchy and slavery.

Buckingham Palace is cooperating with landmark academic research into the British monarchy's involvement with the transatlantic slave trade and said the King took the issue 'profoundly seriously'.

When asked about what her brother meant about 'support', she said: 'It's not really a subject of conversation that I would even go down. I have a historical perspective which is slightly different, maybe more realistic.'

'The historical perspective [is] it just goes back a lot further. And the modern contexts are very different. Slavery hasn't gone away.'

Speaking about what her mother had felt about the Platinum Jubilee last June, she said: 'It was a long weekend for her. But when she came at the end, that really made a difference. I think she appreciated it'.

Anne then reflected on the death of her mother in the interview. She was moved by it.

Speaking of the days travelling the country during the mourning period, she said: 'I think we took a lot of it in, partly because we knew the route and I did actually spot people I knew on the way.

'It was such an impressive sight and it was more than that because it was really touching in the way that people responded and how they did things.

'People brought their ponies and horses out, but they not only brought them out, they plaited them, they were properly dressed and well turned out.

'They brought their tractors out, and they parked them tidily, they were all clean.

'If you come from a rural background I was really impressed, it was just an astonishing sight.

'But the sheer numbers of people who turned up in quite extraordinary places. You're never going to miss that and the atmosphere it created.

'Leaving Balmoral was never easy, but then it never has been. I was just as bad when I was leaving as a child, because I didn't like leaving, [I was happy there].'

Harry and Meghan's cheerleader, Omid Scobie, praised the discussion on social media.

He wrote: 'A refreshingly fluff-free interview with Princess Anne by CBC's Adrienne Arsenault, who (amongst many questions) asked the Princess Royal about the growing decline in support for the British Monarchy and how they deal with it as a family.'
A growing number of pupils are now gambling with grades as they cannot bear to part with smartphones during assessments, experts have warned.

Exam watchdog Ofqual revealed that GCSE, A-Level and VTQ test-takers now clutch onto phones as a 'comfort blanket', despite risks of disqualification.

Penalties for smart devices have rocketed by more than 50 per cent between 2019 and 2022, with over 250 students missing out on qualifications and aggregation last year.

Students often actually have no intention of using their phones, with research showing they may just worry about losing or damaging them.

One exam officer told Ofqual: 'It is true I think that most students who do bring their phones into the exam room have no intention of using them to cheat or actually switching them on. It is almost like a comfort blanket and they feel anxious when apart from their phones.'

A growing number of pupils are now gambling with grades as they cannot bear to part with smartphones during assessments, experts have warned (stock image)

Another added: 'It is such a normal part of their life they feel bereft and some fear it may be stolen if left outside, but the message from us is clear.'

WHAT IS EXAM MALPRACTICE? Malpractice involves some form of wrongdoing. Examples include: Sharing answers

Impersonation

Leaking exam papers or assessment materials

Swapping scripts

Smuggling information

Taking mobile phones and communication devices into exam halls

Wearing a watch Source: Ofqual Advertisement

Bringing phones to exams is considered to be malpractice alongside other forms of wrongdoing such as sharing answers, swapping scripts and impersonation.

Coventry-based Ofqual stressed that students commonly believe they will not be caught with a phone unless they actually use it.

Penalties range from loss of marks to disqualification from all exams, with the watchdog stating that the consequences have been made clear.

Over two-thirds of penalties issued last year saw teenage students lose marks in GCSE and A-Level settings.

Punishments totalled 1,845 in 2022 compared with 1,385 in 2019, which was the last time exams were sat.

Meanwhile, around three-fifths of all penalties issued to VTQ students resulted in a loss of marks.

Fewer than 150 VTQ students lost out on a qualification or aggregation as a result of this.

'My experience when liaising with the students who are caught with a phone is that they did not intend to cheat,' another exam officer added.

'It is either accidental or they just don't think it's an issue because they never intended to use it. They will often justify it by telling me that it wasn't switched on.'

Ofqual's research comes after numerous studies on 'smartphone separation anxiety' and nomophobia.

This generally includes an inability to turn off your smartphone, obsessively checking it and taking it to the bathroom.

Scientists previously found this condition is only getting worse as our devices become more personalised.

Research stressed that students commonly believe they will not be caught unless they actually use their phones (stock image)

'As smartphones evoke more personal memories, users extend more of their identity onto their smartphones,' researchers wrote in the paper by Sungkyunkwan University and City University of Hong Kong.

'When users perceive smartphones as their extended selves, they are more likely to get attached to the devices, which, in turn, leads to nomophobia by heightening the phone proximity-seeking tendency.'

In a blog post, Ofqual stated that addressing student concerns is a good way to combat the issue as exam season kicks off.

It read: 'Exams Officers in schools and colleges and awarding organisations are working hard to communicate the realities of rule breaches to students and identifying ways of addressing any concerns students might have.

'We hear that some of the most successful methods for keeping phones away from exams and assessments are often those recognising the value of them, such as bag and ticket systems to keep them safe.

'Clearly those who are best placed to impact on students' fortunes in this area are students themselves.

'So, if you're taking exams or assessments this year, please don't be tempted to take your mobile phone, smartwatch or any other into the exam hall or assessment venue. If you have any concerns about your mobile, please talk to your Exams Officer and they will be pleased to help.'
The 'godfather' of artificial intelligence (AI) has tossed a grenade into the raging debate about the dangers of the technology  after sensationally quitting his job at Google and saying he regrets his life's work.

British-Canadian pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, 75, further fanned the flames of a growing Silicon Valley civil war, as he issued a spine-chilling warning that 'scary' chatbots like the hugely popular ChatGPT could soon become smarter than humans.

Some of the world's greatest minds are split over whether AI will destroy or elevate humanity, with Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates championing the technology and Tesla founder Elon Musk a staunch critic.

The bitter argument spilled into the public domain earlier this year when more than 1,000 tech tycoons signed a letter calling for a pause on the 'dangerous race' to advance AI.

They said urgent action was needed before humans lose control of the technology and risk being wiped out by robots.

Debate: The 'godfather' of artificial intelligence Geoffrey Hinton has tossed a grenade into the raging debate about the dangers of the technology  after sensationally quitting his job at Google and saying he regrets his life's work. Some of those who and against AI are pictured

Giant: Geoffrey Hinton, 75, who is credited as the 'godfather' of artificial intelligence, issued a warning that 'scary' chatbots like the popular ChatGPT could soon be smarter than humans

Supporters argue, however, that AI may be a brilliant thing for civilisation because it could help cure cancer, solve climate change, and eradicate poverty.

THE GREAT AI DIVIDE: WHICH TECH EXPERTS ARE FOR OR AGAINST FOR Microsoft founder Bill Gates Believes it can reduce worldwide inequalities Google CEO Sundar Pichai Thinks it could cure cancer Futurist Ray Kurzweil Predicts we can live side by side with robots AGAINST Tesla founder Elon Musk Fears AI will no longer listen to humans Stephen Hawking Believed it could spell the end of the human race Geoffrey Hinton Worries that 'bad actors' such as Putin could use AI for 'bad things' Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak Says AI has the potential to make 'horrible mistakes' Advertisement

Now, in what is a seismic moment in the battle between the two warring factions, Dr Hinton has fired an astonishing salvo by issuing his resignation and sounding the alarm about the dangers of how quickly AI is advancing.

He said chatbots are already capable of holding more general knowledge than a human brain, and added that it was only a matter of time before AI also eclipses us when it comes to reasoning.

At this point, he said, 'bad actors' such as Russian President Vladimir Putin could use AI for 'bad things' by programming robots to 'get more power'.

Dr Hinton's ground-breaking research on deep learning and neural networks has laid the foundations for current AI technology, but he cautioned that humanity should now be 'worried' about the consequences of developing these systems further.

'Right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be,' the British-Canadian cognitive psychologist and computer scientist told the BBC.

Industry experts said Dr Hinton's announcement was a 'significant moment for the future of AI' that had 'caught the world's attention'.

Jake Moore, global cyber security adviser at ESET, said: 'Although we are a little way off computers attacking humans, bad actors are already taking advantage of the power of this technology to aid them in their attacks.

'We have spent many years investing in AI but this wonderful achievement will inevitably be used nefariously and could form part of larger scale attacks, especially if used in nation state attacks.'

Professor Alan Winfield, of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), praised Dr Hinton for speaking out.

What are the dangers? Fears about AI come as experts predict it will achieve singularity by 2045, which is when the technology surpasses human intelligence and we cannot control it

Concern: Some of the world's greatest minds are split over whether artificial intelligence (AI) will destroy or elevate humanity, with Tesla founder Elon Musk (pictured) a staunch critic

Supporters: Bill Gates, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and futurist Ray Kurzweil are on the other side of the debate, hailing ChatGPT-like AI as the 'most important' innovation of our time

'As someone who has been worrying about robot and AI ethics for nearly 15 years, and advocating for both responsible innovation and regulation, I feel somewhat vindicated  although no less worried,' he said.

'However, as one of the signatories of the FLI open letter, I am pleased that we  and Hinton  have shone a spotlight that has caught the world's attention.'

Dr Carissa Veliz, an associate professor in AI at the University of Oxford, added: 'That so many experts are speaking up about their concerns regarding the safety of AI, with some computer scientists going as far as regretting some of their work, should alarm policymakers. The time to regulate AI is now.'

Dr Hinton's decision to leave Google, which he also said was partly due to his age, comes amid a fierce dispute in Silicon Valley about the dangers of AI.

The growing divide comes after the extraordinary rise of ChatGPT, which has taken the world by storm in recent months, passing leading medical and law exams that take humans nearly three months to prepare.

Musk, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and the late Stephen Hawking are among the most famous critics of AI, who believe the technology poses a 'profound risk to society and humanity' and could have 'catastrophic' effects.

However, Gates, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and futurist Ray Kurzweil are on the other side of the debate.

They think ChatGPT-like AI could be our time's 'most important' innovation.

The civil war became even more apparent at the end of March with the publication of the letter on The Future of Life Institute.

Opposed: The bitter argument spilled into the public domain earlier this year when more than 1,000 tech tycoons signed a letter calling for a pause on the 'dangerous race' to advance AI

Among those to sign the letter were scientists John Hopfield from Princeton University and Rachel Branson, of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, as well as DeepAI founder Kevin Baragona

DeepAI founder Kevin Baragona, who was among those who signed it, explained why the rapidly advancing field of AI was so dangerous.

'It's almost akin to a war between chimps and humans,' he told DailyMail.com.

'The humans obviously win since we're far smarter and can leverage more advanced technology to defeat them.

'If we're like the chimps, then the AI will destroy us, or we'll become enslaved to it.'

On the other hand, Gates supports the progress of AI, proclaiming the ChatGPT-like technology to be 'as revolutionary as mobile phones and the internet.'

He believes the rise of AI is poised to improve humanity, increase productivity, reduce worldwide inequalities and accelerate the development of new vaccines.

In its simplest form, the technology combines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem-solving.

It allows machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs and perform human-like tasks.

The systems, which include machine learning and deep learning sub-fields, are made up of AI algorithms that seek to create expert systems which make predictions or classifications based on input data.

From 1957 to 1974, AI flourished. Computers could store more information and became faster, cheaper, and more accessible. Machine learning algorithms also improved and people got better at knowing which algorithm to apply to their problem.

Now with the release of ChatGPT at the end of last year, its popularity and what it can achieve is evidence of how fast the technology is growing.

The chatbot is a large language model trained on massive text data, allowing it to generate eerily human-like text in response to a given prompt.

In just a few months, it has passed the bar exam with a higher score than 90 per cent of humans who have taken it, and it achieved 60 per cent accuracy on the US Medical Licensing Exam.

People have also used ChatGPT to write research papers, books, news articles, emails and other text-based work.

However, while some see the chatbot and others like it  such as Google's Bard  as a virtual assistant of the future, many others worry it could signal the beginning of the end for humanity.

With Dr Hinton's resignation, the debate is only likely to intensify.
They analysed the components in a whisky's 'headspace' while diluting it

Whether it's on the rocks, neat or with a mixer, whisky drinkers can be very particular about the best way to enjoy the smoky beverage.

One of the most popular ways is by adding water, an effect known as 'opening up' the drink, which helps to release the volatile chemical compounds that give it its flavour.

But exactly how much can you add before you start diluting its taste, too?

To find out, scientists at Washington State University analysed the chemical changes that occurred as 25 different types of whiskies including bourbons, ryes, Irish whiskeys and Scotches were increasingly diluted.

The findings will come as bad news for whisky fans who enjoy loading their glass up with ice - as the limit was found to be just 20 per cent water.

Scientists at Washington State University wanted to find out how much water could be added to whisky to 'open up' its flavour profile before it starts to be diluted

Dr Tom Collins, the study's senior author, said: 'If you want to enjoy a specific whisky, this suggests that you don't want to dilute it by more than about 20 per cent.

'By the time you get to 60/40 whisky to water, the whiskies are not differentiated by the panellists  they begin to smell the same, and that's not really what you're looking for.'

HOW DOES WATER AFFECT THE FLAVOUR OF WHISKY? Whisky gets a lot of its flavour from small, volatile molecules, of which some of them are water-repelling, or 'hydrophobic'. As water is added to whisky, these hydrophobic molecules make their way to the 'headspace' of the drink. The headspace is the area between the surface of the liquid and the top of the glass it is in. When volatile compounds from the liquid accumulate in the headspace, they can add to the drink's overall flavour profile. Advertisement

For the study, published in Foods, the researchers analysed the chemical composition of the headspace - the area between the surface of the liquid and the top of the glass it is in - of different whiskies as they were increasingly diluted with water.

The whisky types fit into two distinct styles, one that included single malt and blended Scotches, and the other that included American bourbons and ryes.

A trained sensory panel of 20 experts also assessed six of the whiskies as they were diluted - three Scotches and three bourbons.

Both tests showed that adding a little water could change how the whiskies smelt.

Many of the Scotch whiskies started out with a smoky, peat aroma, but as they were diluted they moved towards a fruitier aroma known as pome.

American bourbons were mostly associated with vanilla and oak scents at first, but as more water was added, they took on more aromas of the corn and grains used to make them.

'"Oak" aroma appears to evolve into a "cedar" aroma with dilution,' the researchers wrote.

They say this is because this aroma is associated with a type of molecule called a 'lactone' which is hydrophobic, or repelled by water.

As water is added, these molecules make their way into the headspace.

When volatile compounds from the liquid accumulate in the headspace, they can contribute to the drink's overall flavour profile.

The scientists had a trained sensory panel of 20 experts assess six of the whiskies as they were diluted - three Scotches and three bourbons

The authors added: '"Pome fruit" was associated with single malt Scotch-style whiskies and acetate esters. These esters are derived from acetic acid and fusel alcohols, which were also notably higher in single malt Scotch-style whiskies and tend to provide 'fruity' aromas.

'They are also relatively hydrophobic compounds... which suggests they are more likely to be repelled by water into the headspace above the sample.'

Overall, the compounds that are associated with smoky aromas dissipate from the headspace and are replaced by compounds that are associated with fruity aromas, explained Dr Collins.

The panellists could easily tell the whiskies apart when they had not been diluted, and up to when they were about 20 per cent water.

But after that, whiskies within one of the styles would start to have the same aromas as each other.

The aromas of the two styles would still remain distinct.

The scientists say that since smell and taste are often closely linked, this likely affects the spirit's flavour as well.

The team hopes the findings will help whisky makers better understand how their customers will experience the drink if they choose to add water or ice.

Dr Collins added: 'This study helps to understand why those large, square ice cubes have become so popular because you can actually enjoy the whisky before it gets diluted to the point that it's not the same whisky.'
There's nothing quite like sitting in the sunshine and listening to some upbeat music.

And it turns out we really do prefer happy songs when the weather is nice, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Oxford analysed tens of thousands of songs which topped the UK charts between 1953 and 2019.

When they compared the songs to Met Office weather records, they discovered the popularity of energetic and upbeat songs was linked to the forecast.

Songs which evoked positive emotions of joy and happiness performed better in the charts when the weather was warm and sunny, when compared with cold and rainy months, they said.

There's nothing quite like sitting in the sunshine and listening to some upbeat music. And it turns out we really do prefer happy songs when the weather is nice, according to a new study (stock image)

UK summer chart-toppers 9 September 1965  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones) 19 July 1970  In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry) 3 August 1975  Barbados (Typically Tropical) 6 July 1980  Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra) 25 August 1985  I Got You Babe (UB40 ft Chrissie Hynde) 26 August 1990 - Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini (Bombalurina) 17 September 1995  Boombastic (Shaggy) 16 July 2000  Life Is A Rollercoaster (Ronan Keating) 19 June 2005  Crazy Frog (Axel F) 25 July 2010  We No Speak Americano (Yolanda Be Cool vs D Cup) 24 July 2015  Black Magic (Little Mix) Advertisement

A look back at the UK charts supports their findings  with the likes of 'In The Summertime' by Mungo Jerry and 'Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' by Bombalurina topping the charts during the warmer months.

The researchers said their study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, challenges the view that success in the music industry is solely based on the quality of the music.

Dr Manuel Anglada-Tort, head of the Music, Culture, and Cognition Lab at Oxford University, said: 'Our study suggests that favourable environmental conditions, such as warm and sunny weather, induce positive emotional states in listeners, which in turn, leads them to choose to listen to energetic and positive music, potentially to match their current mood.

'Thus, it highlights the importance of considering broad environmental factors when analysing the success of songs in the music market, and provides insight into how music choices are influenced by external factors beyond the music itself.'

The team said hyper-popular songs in the top 10 of the charts showed the strongest links with weather fluctuations.

However songs that were of low intensity and had negative emotions of sadness  such as Never Gonna Fall In Love Again by Dana  did not appear to be influenced by the weather.

Dr Anglada-Tort said: 'This suggests that negative emotional states may be more influenced by individual situational factors rather than general environmental conditions.'

The researchers said their work only shows a link between music success in the charts and the weather conditions so the results must be interpreted with caution.

The team said hyper-popular songs in the top 10 of the charts showed the strongest links with weather fluctuations. Pictured: Little Mix's music video for Black Magic
The world is on the verge of a new religion created by artificial intelligence, the historian Yuval Noah Harari has claimed.

The academic  known for his bestselling book Sapiens  said software such as ChatGPT could attract worshippers by writing its own sacred texts.

Speaking at a science conference, he said AI had crossed a new frontier by 'gaining mastery' of our language and was now capable of using it to shape human culture.

Dr Harari used the event to add his voice to growing calls for urgent regulation over the sector, which experts have warned is amid a 'dangerous' arms race.

He said: 'In the future we might see the first cults and religions in history whose revered texts were written by a non-human intelligence.

Prediction: The world is on the verge of a new religion created by artificial intelligence, the historian Yuval Noah Harari (pictured) has claimed

'Of course, religions throughout history claimed that their holy books were written by unknown human intelligence. This was never true before.

READ MORE: 'Godfather' of AI quits Google job amid fears tyrants like Putin could use the growing intelligence of robots for 'bad things' The 'godfather' of AI Geoffrey Hinton has quit his job at Google amid chatbot fears Advertisement

'This could become true very, very quickly, with far-reaching consequences.'

Speaking at the Frontiers Forum event in Switzerland, he warned machines now had the tools to 'cocoon us in a Matrix-like world of illusions', referring to the 1999 sci-film film.

The Hollywood blockbuster depicts a dystopian future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality that intelligent machines have created to distract humans while using their bodies as an energy source.

He said: 'Contrary to what some conspiracy theories assume, you don't really need to implant chips in people's brains in order to control them or to manipulate them.

'For thousands of years, prophets and poets and politicians have used language and storytelling in order to manipulate and to control people and to reshape society.

'Now AI is likely to be able to do it. And once it can... it doesn't need to send killer robots to shoot us. It can get humans to pull the trigger.'

Calling for tighter regulation, he said: 'We need to act quickly before AI gets out of our control. Drug companies cannot sell people new medicines without first subjecting these products to rigorous safety checks.'

He added: 'Similarly, governments must immediately ban the release into the public domain of any more revolutionary AI tools before they are made safe.'

Historian: The academic  known for his bestselling book Sapiens (pictured)  said software such as ChatGPT could attract worshippers by writing its own sacred texts
3D printing was once thought of as a futuristic technology to print anything on demand - but companies and ordinary people are using the systems to create everything from fetuses to guns and even homes.

The systems use a computer design to create three-dimensional objects by layering materials on each other.

The early beginnings of 3D printers - the first device was released in 1981 - saw people make small figurines and models to make other products.

However, 3D printers are revolutionizing the healthcare industry by letting medical professionals print hearts, skin and even ears in hours - eliminating the need for organ donors.

Companies are also creating replicas of fetuses using pictures taken during ultrasounds. This allows new parents to hold their babies before birth.

Food and homes are also gaining popularity.

Researchers can print meats without killing animals and homes can be constructed in days instead of years.

Below are six of the most bizarre things crafted with 3D printers.

Send 3D Babies your ultrasound and a fat check, and the company will send you a custom, life-size figurine of your fetus in a wooden box for $600

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process that creates three-dimensional objects layer-by-layer using a computer-created design.

Specific materials are developed into inks that the printer layers on top of each other to make the finished product that is based on the computer model chosen by the user.

The technology was birthed in the 1980s but has become popular over the last few years due to printers being more accessible.

This is also due to the dramatic drop in price, with some as low as $300, and the changes in operation have become so easy that the average person can operate them.

Unborn babies

Expectant parents can now get a 3D-printed model of their unborn child.

Ultrasound images can build a three-dimensional view of a fetus and recreate its features in stunning detail.

The model can be used to give parents an early glimpse at their baby, or it can be used to look for signs of physical abnormalities.

One company called Embryo 3D layers MRI scans to create an accurate plastic model of a baby.

Brazilian designer and Royal College of Art PhD student Jorge Lopes uses images of fetuses to prepare parents for deformities and, in one case, to allow a blind couple to 'see' their unborn child when they cannot appreciate traditional ultrasound images.

Japanese company Fasotec 3-D prints human anatomy for medical applications as teaching tools.

Their printers can print with two materials simultaneously, allowing them to distinguish between tissue types in the body.

One company called Embryo 3D layers MRI scans to create an accurate plastic model of a baby

The plastic gun, which cost $8,000 to make, was found to have the power to penetrate several inches of flesh and a human skull

Guns

The first 3D-printed gun was unveiled in May 2013 using simple blueprints known as the Liberatore.

The plastic gun, which cost $8,000 to make, was found to have the power to penetrate several inches of flesh and a human skull.

While the State Department demanded the design be taken offline after two days of the gun being online, the Liberator paved the way for people to make at-home guns.

Materials for a 3D-printed gun differ significantly from those used to make jewelry or figurines.

3D Printerly suggests using High-Temp or reinforced Nylon, which is strong and durable.

Nylon can also withstand the heat and stresses produced by the gun for a more extended period than other materials.

In March 2023, a 30-year-old man was arrested for drug possession and making ghost guns at home with a 3D printer

While it is legal to print a gun, such weapons are surrounded by controversy - mainly due to guns being made available to terrorists.

In March 2023, a 30-year-old man was arrested for drug possession and making ghost guns at home with a 3D printer.

Julia Fox's brother, Christopher Fox, was arrested last month in a drug and ghost gun bust in their New York City apartment.

Prosecutors say police seized three 3D printers, multiple gun parts, a pill press, and fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, buprenorphine, amphetamine, and methadone.

Fish fillets and other food items

Scientists worldwide have been working to develop more sustainable foods using the powers of 3D printers.

Steakholder Foods unveiled the world's first 3D-printed fish fillet in April, noting the grouper is ready-to-cook once completed.

The Israeli company used grouper fish cells to make the printing ink and claims the final product has the same taste and texture as the real thing.

Israel-based MeaTech unveiled the world's largest lab-grown steak in December 2021.

The steak weighs in at 3.67 ounces and is made from real fat and muscle cells taken from tissue samples of a living cow.

The printed slab of 'meat' was then matured in an incubator, allowing the stem cells to be differentiated into fat and muscle cells that develop into fat and muscle tissues.

Israel-based MeaTech unveiled the world's largest lab-grown steak in December 2021. The steak weighs in at 3.67 ounces and is made from real fat and muscle cells taken from tissue samples of a living cow

Steakholder Foods unveiled the world's first 3D-printed fish fillet in April, noting the grouper is ready to cook once completed

And in March 2023, engineers at Columbia University the world's first 3D-printed cheesecake.

The technology makes the dessert by meticulously layering seven edible inks to form a triangular shape.

The foundation ingredient is graham crackers, and the layers consist of peanut butter, Nutella, cherry drizzle, banana puree, strawberry jelly and whipped cream.

The team has not shared how the cheesecake tastes - only that it is vegan.

Chocolate is a great 3D printing substance because it can be layered, melted, and hardened.

Several companies sell 3D-printed chocolate, including chocolate behemoth Hershey.

Homes

Unlike 3D printers that make food, guns and unborn babies, the devices that create full-size homes are massive.

A 3D-printed house described as America's first 'home built by robots' went on sale for $300,000 in New York in 2021

The three-bedroom Long Island property made from concrete and comes with two bathrooms and a garage was put together in a computerized process requiring as few as three construction workers on site

A Dutch couple moved into Europe's first 3D-printed home (pictured) - which developers claim can be built from scratch in just five days

A 3D-printed house described as America's first 'home built by robots' went on sale for $300,000 in New York in 2021.

It was constructed in just 80 hours using a giant 3D printer.

The three-bedroom Long Island property made from concrete and comes with two bathrooms and a garage was put together in a computerized process requiring as few as three construction workers on site.

In the same year, a Dutch couple moved into Europe's first 3D-printed home built in five days.

The house comprises 24 concrete elements 'printed' by a machine that squirts layer upon layer of concrete before the finishing touches - such as a roof - are added.

View of the bedroom showing the 'printed' layers in the walls of the 3D-printed two-bedroom bungalow

The layers give a ribbed texture to its walls, inside and out.

Mighty Buildings, based in California, claims it can manufacture a 350-square-foot studio unit in less than 24 hours, providing owners with a peaceful hideaway or a holiday cabin to accommodate guests.

The firm offers various units on its website, ranging from a dinky studio to a luxury family home, printed with liquid synthetic stone that hardens almost instantly.

Human body parts

Bioprinting has been birthed from the popularity of 3D printing, which uses a patient's cells to create sheets of artificial skin that can be used during surgeries.

The technology was used in 2022 to give a woman the world's first 3D-printed ear.

'Revolutionary': A 20-year-old woman named Alexa has become the first person in the world to receive a 3D printed ear made from her own cells. Pictured left is Alexa's ear before the transplant, while right is the results 30 days after the procedure

AuriNovo, as the implant is called, was developed by the company 3DBio Therapeutics

The 20-year-old, known only as Alexa from Mexico, was born with a rare birth defect that causes the external part of the ear to be small and misshapen.

The woman's chondrocytes  cells responsible for cartilage formation  were isolated from the tissue sample and grown with nutrients to turn them into billions of cells.

These cells are mixed with collagen-based bio-ink, which is shaped into an outer ear after being inserted into a specialized 3D bio-printer with a syringe.

A printed, biodegradable shell surrounds the implant to provide early support, but it is absorbed into the patient's body over time.

After a while, the implanted ear is supposed to mature, developing a regular ear's natural look and feel, including elasticity, and be a mirror replica of the patient's healthy ear.

Scientists in Israel say they have produced the first 3D print of a heart with human tissue and vessels, calling it a 'major medical breakthrough' even though they are a long way off from creating the first hearts suitable for transplant

The whole printing process took less than 10 minutes.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel unveiled the first 3D-printed heart in 2019, using human tissue and blood vessels.

The organ is about the size of a rabbit's heart and can contract like a muscle but cannot make a full pumping motion.

Cars

3D-printed cars are gaining ground as different technologies advance.

The world's first 3D-printed car debuted in 2011, which was made using a particular printer that built up layer upon layer of bodywork.

Called Urbee, the vehicle was designed to last 30 years.

The world's first 3D-printed car named Urbee debuted in 2011

British-based Aston Martin recently employed the technology when designing the DBR22 model. The car features a 3D-printed rear subframe with aluminum parts bonded together to form the finished subframe

NOWlab unveiled the world's first 3D-printed motorcycle in 2018, called Nera - but it is not yet for sale

READ MORE: 3D-printed 'suicide capsules' are legalized in Switzerland The country's medical review board has given the green light for use of the coffin-like devices, named Sarco Suicide Pods, which have been designed for use in assisted suicide and can be operated by users inside Advertisement

It features a gas and electric engine and uses eight times less energy than a similar vehicle.

The Urbee, which took 15 years to make, has three wheels, two seats and a combustion engine in case of emergencies.

Since 2011, many carmakers have adopted 3D printing in making specific components and designs of vehicles.

The process uses less material, designs faster prototypes and saves space in factories.

British-based Aston Martin recently employed the technology when designing the DBR22 model.

The car features a 3D-printed rear subframe with aluminum parts bonded together to form the finished subframe.

A few models will be built for a handful of select Q customers at an undisclosed price of more than $2.2 million.

NOWlab unveiled the world's first 3D-printed motorcycle in 2018, called Nera - but it is not yet for sale.

The company printed everything on the bike - tires, rims, frame, fork and seat.

The motorcycle was 3D-printed using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) process, which feeds a continuous filament of thermoplastic material through a moving, heated printer extruder head.
The number one in the report is software quality assurance analyst

A new report compiled internet data and Google job searches to create the list

Knowing the state of the job market is critical to finding your next position - a new report aims to take out the guesswork by revealing the most in-demand worldwide.

Experts compiled internet data and Google job searches to create a list of the top 10 most sought-after positions, ranking software quality assurance analyst at the top.

A software quality assurance analyst, someone that tests software to ensure it is free of bugs, saw a 155 percent increase in searchers from 2021 to 2022.

The second most searched was solar consultant, who provided customers with information about solar-powered equipment, and customer service associate.

However, the report was conducted before AI's success, which is set to take over many positions, and the recent tech layoffs that saw thousands of people lose their jobs.

Experts compiled internet data and Google job searches to create a list of the top 10 most sought-after positions, ranking software quality assurance analyst at the top.

The report comes from Lensa, a job search engine, which delved into their internal data.

Knowing the in-demand jobs typically helps people find better salaries, benefits and more stability at their next position.

They have then calculated the percentage increase in job searches, comparing 2021 and 2022 data and ranking the top 10.

A software quality assurance (QA) analyst oversees computer software development, ensuring that no product errors go to market.

And it may not be a surprise that it has increased in popularity as companies turn to software to run their operations.

The base salary for Software Quality Assurance Analyst I ranges from $58,757 to $71,824, with an average base of $64,892, according to Salary.com.

'With more and more people concerned about the impact of their everyday lives on the environment, the job market in the renewable energy sector has expanded rapidly over recent years,' Lensa shared in a statement.

'So its no surprise solar consultants, who provide sales and support for solar energy systems, take second place with a 106 percent increase in job searches between 2021 and 2022.'

Solar consultants are primarily paid through sales commissions but have an average salary of $49,390.

Positions for a vocational nurse was found to be the fourth most searched, seeing a 60 percent increase, followed by business operations specialist - this saw a 49 percent uptick in searches.

The average salary for a vocational nurse is $46,050, and for a business operations specialist, positions typically start at $67,782.

The sixth and seventh worldwide were digital marketing professional and data analyst.

The eighth most in-demand job on the list is site reliability engineer, which uses automation tools to monitor and observe software reliability in the production environment.

And this occupation starts at around $146,783 for the salary.

Information security analyst, a salary of $106,064 a year, and cloud architect that manages cloud computing ranked ninth and tenth on the list.

Positions for a teacher are the most in-demand jobs for Americans

Knowing the current state of the job market is critical to finding your next occupation - a new report has revealed the most in-demand position worldwide

The report also focuses on the most in-demand jobs in the US, with the position of a teacher taking the top spot.

'The country is currently facing high demand for teachers as many are leaving the profession thanks to low pay and stressful working conditions,' Lensa shared.

READ MORE: AI will take 20% of all jobs within five YEARS, say experts I believe that ChatGPT could replace 20 percent of the workforce as is, AI expert Richard DeVere, Head of Social Engineering for Ultima, told DailyMail.com. ChatGPT is no fad  its a new technological revolution. Advertisement

The job for a flood risk engineer saw a 167 percent increase, which the company attributes to increased infrastructure spending from the government boosting job openings.

Both the global and US report had customer service associate rank as third amid a time when AI is poised to take over this occupation.

'Demand for customer-facing roles is growing, as many companies are shifting away from product innovation and focusing on customer satisfaction to grow their businesses in the face of a volatile global economy,' shared Lensa.

OpenAI's ChatGPT launched after the report's data was compiled, suggesting people might not search for customer service associates as a job position in 2023.

The company and researchers at the University of Pennsylvania released a study in March that warns AI systems will impact 80 percent of US jobs, with personal financial advisors and brokers, insurers and data processors at the top of the list.

The team found that about 15 percent of all worker tasks could be completed significantly faster by AI and with the same level of quality.

The most 'exposure' falls on white color jobs, such as mathematicians, accountants and writers, and occupations making at least $80,000 a year.

The study analyzed 1,016 occupations and their 19,265 tasks and obtained employment and wage data from the 2020 and 2021 Occupational Employment series provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The team then cross-analyzed the data with AI capabilities to see which positions could run smoother when done by the technology.

The overall findings show 'at least 10 percent of their work tasks affected by the introduction of LLMs, while approximately 19 percent of workers may see at least 50 percent of their tasks impacted,' reads the study published in arXiv.

The team looked at exposure when formulating the list of jobs at risk, which included basic skills of occupations like active listening, speaking and critical thinking that Ai is designed to perform.

The study determined 86 occupations as 'fully exposed' to AI, with several receiving 100 percent scores.

These include legal secretaries, clinical data managers, web designers and journalists.
A new American beer commercial might seem like a nightmare, but some say it is still better than Bud Light's latest campaign.

A London-based company asked AI to generate an advert based on what is seen in a typical US beer commercial - and the public is calling it 'fantastically horrendous.'

The clip, dubbed 'Synthetic Summer,' is based at a backyard party where people are enjoying brews from blue labeled cans and bottles, but a look closer and you can see the trademarks of the software.

Digital people have giant mouths with too many teeth, alien-like hands with more than five fingers and flailing arms, while others' tongues flail around the rim of cups.

A company asked AI to create a beer commercial using text prompts

Synthetic Summer was created by London-based Private Island, which said the team spent 12 months making the clip.

Director and co-founder Chris Boyle told Stash Media that Private Island used Stable Diffusion, Control Net and Runway Gen 2 to create the creepy commercial.

'We are creating a series of in-house experiments that help us figure out how these tools can be used in production,' said Boyle.

'Most of our work combines live-action and animation, so this kind of stuff seems like a natural evolution.'

The all-American beer commercial starts with a shot of a backyard filled with people partying.

The hit 1999 song 'All Star' from Smashmouth plays in the background while you hear the attendees talking and laughing as they sip from blue labeled bottles and cans.

However, some of the guests are seen drinking from the bottom of beers or swishing their tongues on the outside rims of glasses - not ever taking a sip.

The AI does capture the essence of a beer commercial, showing flames from the barbeque rising and exploding throughout the party and guests acting like nothing is out of the ordinary.

Chris Catchpole shared his thoughts about the video on LinkedIn: 'Ironic its a blue cola as this is so close to the truth with those clients.

The software generated a backyard filled with people talking, laughing and drinking beer

However, the AI churned out clips that were nightmarish

Some people aren't even drinking the beer - their tongues are flicking around the rim of glasses

'I almost expected their real logo to appear at the end!

'Every single box ticked except the one which says, would anyone want to watch it again?

'For pure freak show, this is brilliant. Ai is improving exponentially every day.'

The iconic blue label is likely in reference to Bug Light, which lost billions of dollars since partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

One TikTok user even said the ad should be played at the Super Bowl with no explanation to see if viewers notice the difference.

While another shared: 'I dont want AI to improve. I want it to stay like this forever.'

A Twitter user, in January, conducted a similar experiment with AI, but generated images using Midjourney that look like pictures taken at a party.

The generated images of women smiling at the camera and men raising their cups for a toast.

People are calling it 'fantastically horrendous' as the clip hits the mark on what an American beer commercial would look like - even though it takes a fiery turn at the end

Digital people have giant mouths with too many teeth, alien-like hands with more than five fingers and flailing arms

The images appear to be candid shots of friends at a party, but a closer look may give you nightmares.

The 'people' are grinning with mouths full of teeth, hands are growing from hips and tattoos look like mold growing on their skin.

However, the excessive amount of fingers has captivated the internet, with one user saying they look like 'a nest of alien appendages sprouting forth to devour their host.'

Midjourney is an AI program that creates images from textual descriptions.

This means users type keywords of what they want to be made, and the AI generates the photos based on the theme.

Miles shared a thread with the AI party images, the first group showing only women.

A Twitter user, in January, conducted a similar experiment with AI, but generated images using Midjourney that look like pictures taken at a party. But the too many fingers is a dead giveaway AI created the images

READ MORE: AI-generated photos of 'people' at a party Artificial intelligence can now let people invent a social life by creating images that suggest they attended a party that never happened and with friends that do not exist. Advertisement

Two of the photos suggest the women are taking pictures looking in the mirror - one of them is holding up what appears to be a camera.

And the other two snaps show candid shots of three friends smiling and looking forward.

The 'mirror pics' are a dead giveaway that AI created the images because the 'people' holding the camera have more than the standard five fingers on their hand.

Along with too many fingers, the women also have too many teeth.

The following photographs show men, which could have been taken during a weekend house party.

A group of three are raising their cups to cheers, but they not only have an excessive amount of fingers, but one of them has a hand growing out of his arm.

And while many users laugh at the mistake, Miles found the AI may be biased when creating 'people.'

'I had to be specific in order to get male-looking AI peopleand even then, variation is a challenge. It definitely defaults to white people when you ask for 'people,' Miles tweeted.
This round-up of stunning shots of Bulgaria includes an image of a cave that's home to a large bat population

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With cheap-as-chips restaurants, resorts and hotels, Bulgaria is known as a holiday destination that offers wonderful value for money, as we regularly report.

But these photographs show that the Balkan nation also has the power to bewitch.

Included in this portfolio of pictures are mysterious caves - one cavern appeared in a Sylvester Stallone blockbuster while another is said to look like the face of the devil - and chocolate-box villages, such as Etar with its cobblestone streets and quaint watermill.

There are also spectacularly remote monasteries, such as Rila Monastery, a colourful heritage site hidden away in the Rila Mountains.

And it's no secret that the country has magical beaches - among the images are lesser-known glorious stretches of sand on the Black Sea coast.

Scroll down to see some of Bulgaria's most beautiful landscapes in picture form...

Behold, the imposing Belogradchik Fortress (also known as 'Kaleto'), an ancient fortress in the northwestern corner of the country. Originally built by the Romans, the structure sits on a striking peak that's studded with rock pinnacles. If they're feeling brave, visitors can climb a series of precarious ladders that have been built into the rock formations to take in the views of the surrounding scenery

This slice of paradise is Bolata Beach, a sandy enclave that's part of the Kaliakra Nature Reserve on Bulgaria's north-eastern Black Sea coast. The nature reserve is a haven for bird-watching, and pods of dolphins can be spotted off the coast

This picture shows the striking Devetashka cave in northern Bulgaria, which has a large bat population. You might recognise it from the 2012 action film The Expendables 2 - in one scene, Sylvester Stallone's character crash-landed a plane inside the cave

The 14th-century Cherepish Monastery on the banks of the Iskar River is shown in this idyllic photograph. It's home to a little museum, a guesthouse and an eatery that serves up 'traditional monastery meals and Bulgarian cuisine', according to Bulgariamonasteries.com

This breathtaking photograph shows the Kardzhali Reservoir, a large reservoir formed by the Kardzhali Dam in the south of the country. It's a hotspot for rowing and fishing - you might catch trout or catfish

The sun can be seen setting over Bulgaria's capital city, Sofia, in this captivating photograph. The mountain massif of Vitosha looms in the background, while the green domes of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Church soar in the centre of the frame

The spectacular Rila Monastery is the subject of this shot. Founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, the Unesco-listed complex lies at 1,147m (3,763ft) above sea level in the Rila Mountains

This chocolate-box village is Etar, an ethnographic village and open-air museum that was founded in the 1960s in the country's Gabrovo Province. It's a recreation of a traditional village from the Bulgarian Revival Period, which began in the late 18th century. Boasting a water mill and cobbled streets, the museum is described as a 'living picture of a bygone era'

This gorgeous aerial image shows the emerald waters of Sozopol, a historic resort town on the Black Sea coast that was founded in the 7th century BC

The view from a seaside cafe in Sozopol. Though it's picturesque, there are dark corners to the town's history. In 2012, skeletons from the Middle Ages were found in Sozopol - they had metal stakes driven through their chests, supposedly to prevent them from becoming vampires

This beautifully wintry shot shows the Liberty Memorial, which lies atop the 1,326m (4,350ft) Shipka Peak in the Balkan Mountains. It pays tribute to those who lost their lives in Bulgaria's fight for freedom from Ottoman rule in the late 1800s

This atmospheric shot shows a walkway leading to the Ovech Fortress, located near the town of Provadia. Dating back to the 3rd century, the stronghold was 'inhabited successively by Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians, and Turks', the tourist board reveals

This vibrant picture shows Silistar Beach, a sandy beach with shallow waters near the Turkish border. Tripadvisor reviewer 'Adrian C' said: 'It is the most beautiful beach [in] Bulgaria'

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia is the subject of this eye-catching shot. The largest cathedral in the Balkans, the domed cathedral is 53m (174ft) high and can hold 5,000 people

You could easily mistake this idyllic scene for the south of France, but it's actually a lavender field in the Rose Valley in the centre of Bulgaria. As its name suggests, the area is known for its colourful rose plantations - each summer the region hosts a Rose Festival, in which locals dress up in traditional costume and celebrate the rose harvest

The charming city of Veliko Tarnovo is shown in this picture. The city's 'Sound and Light' shows, which have been running since the 1980s, see its walls illuminated by more than 2,000 multi-coloured laser lights

This postcard-perfect picture shows the 'Devil's Bridge' over the Arda River, near the town of Ardino. 'According to legends, the devils footprint is visible in the rocks nearby,' a Bulgarian tourism site reveals

This photograph shows the Largo, a trio of Socialist-built buildings in central Sofia. The complex sits above the ancient ruins of Serdica, the Roman name for the city. A glass screen built into the ground at the Largo offers a glimpse inside the underground archaeological site
The head of Europe's largest luxury shoe retailer Kurt Geiger has said running a business in London with a tourist tax is like 'having one arm tied behind your back'.

Neil Clifford is among 150 business leaders calling for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to bring back a VAT-free incentive for overseas visitors.

The Daily Mail has launched a Scrap The Tourist Tax campaign with the support of big names in retail including Burberry and Harrods. Kurt Geiger has more than 70 stores in the UK, as well as selling shoes and accessories in major department stores.

But Mr Clifford said London was placed at a disadvantage in the battle to woo overseas visitors back to the country, rather than to Milan or Paris.

A concession allowing international tourists to shop tax-free was abolished in 2021 by the then-chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The head of Europe's largest luxury shoe retailer Kurt Geiger has said running a business in London with a tourist tax is like 'having one arm tied behind your back'

Mr Clifford said: 'You are starting the race further back. You have one arm tied behind your back, no matter what service you can deliver or the products in your collection or how wonderful your stores look. If you're 20 per cent more expensive than stores in Paris, then it's more difficult.' The decision by the now-Prime Minister to scrap the incentive had 'put London so far behind in the global race to be one of the best cities to visit for tourism and pleasure' and has had a knock-on effect on the rest of the country too, he believes.

And Mr Clifford joined other bosses in lamenting that this weekend's Coronation would not be as lucrative an occasion for businesses as it could be.

'London is going to be broadcast around the world. The British are so fabulous at pomp and circumstance. It's a shame we can't take full advantage of that.'

He was concerned that tourists would come to the UK for a couple of days to celebrate the historic royal moment, before heading off elsewhere in Europe.

Neil Clifford (pictured) is among 150 business leaders calling for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to bring back a VAT-free incentive for overseas visitors

'One may well visit for a couple of days, to get a glimpse of the King in a wonderful carriage, before jumping on the Eurostar to do your shopping in Paris.'

A letter to Mr Hunt was organised by hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and has been signed by the bosses of M&S, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Cross-party politicians have thrown their weight behind the campaign, including former prime minister Liz Truss and London mayor Sadiq Khan.

The Treasury has dismissed industry calls to scrap the tax and argued it would cost 2billion a year. But economists argue this figure does not take into account the tax generated if visitors spent more cash in the UK.
Scheming nanny Nicky Milligan's life is set to get very complicated as he sets a date for his wedding to Gabby Thomas next week.

Nicky (Lewis Cope) has kept the surprises coming in recent instalments of the ITV soap as he plots to bring down businesswoman Kim Tate (Claire King) and get his hands on her fortune.

His dastardly plan saw him propose to Gabby (Rosie Bentham) last month after the pair had grown close in the weeks before.

However, last week, Nicky was seen passionately kissing newcomer Ally (Josh Horrocks) after a heated exchange between the pair following Ally's arrival in the village.

While viewers now know of Ally's previous connection Nicky and the true nature of their relationship, Gabby is none the wiser, and she attempts to whisk Nicky upstairs to the bedroom after he set an official wedding date for his nuptials to Gabby.

Mix up: Scheming nanny Nicky Milligan's (left) life is set to get very complicated as he sets a date for his wedding to Gabby Thomas (right) next week

Passion: As Gabby attempts to spark some celebratory passion after setting the wedding date, Nicky is left sheepish after it was a non-starter and he slinks off for an illicit meet-up with Ally (right)

However, Nicky is left sheepish after his non-starter in the bedroom with Gabby, and he slinks off for an illicit meet-up with Ally.

Attempting to cover his tracks, Nicky deletes an incriminating message, spoiling any chances of Gabby finding out the truth.

But he is later left horrified when Gabby has a chance meeting with Ally and, when their plans fall through, Gabby suggests Nicky hits the town with Ally.

Mysterious newcomer Ally arrived in the village last month as Nicky was in the midst of planning his wedding to Gabby, following his shock proposal.

However, it was immediately obvious that Nicky and Ally were connected, with Nicky appearing on edge as Ally told Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy): 'Oh, we go way back, dont we, Nicky? You wouldnt believe the things weve got up to.'

Viewers later watched Nicky's plan to steal a car from Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) unfolded, although things did not go to plan.

Nicky has teamed up with his father Caleb (Will Ash), who is also Cain's brother, to launch a revenge plot against Kim.

The pair, who have connections with Frank Tate, have been trying to destroy Kim and Home Farm and are taking steps to put their plot in the works.

Tense scenes unfold: Nanny Nicky is later left horrified when Gabby has a chance meeting with Ally

Playing happy families: When their plans fall through, Gabby suggests Nicky hits the town with Ally

But Nicky made a risky move as he plotted to steal from the formidable Cain after the pair came into conflict.

Nicky was seen in Cain's garage on Monday as he attempted to steal the vehicle, hoping sell it and give the money to Caleb and win his approval in the process.

But Nicky was rumbled when Cain walked in and spotted Nicky, leaving him furious with an altercation ensuing.

Nicky was left heartbroken after his father Caleb stood by and watched him get attacked as he fled the garage, with Caleb having next to no sympathy with his son as he is determined for his plan to take down Kim to come to fruition.

Caleb told Nicky to go home and lick his paws, while ensuring his fiancee Gabby is happy.

Twists and turns: A huge ongoing fan theory was confirmed last week as Nicky shared a passionate kiss with newcomer Ally

True love: With soap fans theorising on what the nature of the relationship between Nicky and Ally could be, it appeared many of them were right as they kissed

However, Nicky had other plans and at the end of the episode Ally was seen pulling up on a remote countryside road in a yellow Mini.

Keen to get an explanation from Nicky, Ally asked him why he was marrying Gabby when she is 'not his type', branding the engagement a 'sham'.

Nicky protested, insisting he was not 'playing at anything', before grabbing Ally and throwing him against the car before leaning in for a kiss.

Emmerdale airs weekdays Monday to Friday at 7:30pm on ITV.
Stan has dropped a spectacular trailer for its new drama series Ten Pound Poms.

Debuting on the streaming platform from May 15, the limited series dramatises the famous Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which brought more than a million people to Australia after World War II.

The preview features actors Faye Marsay (Game of Thrones) and Warren Brown (Luther). They play a married couple, The Roberts, who come to Australia in 1956 after paying just 10 for their passage out.

The Australian government promise them a better house, better job prospects and a better quality of life Down Under, far away from dreary post-war England.

But the family soon discover the grim reality of migrant life as they battle the poor living conditions in a hostel for 'New Australians', as well as prejudice.

The new Stan Original Series Ten Pound Poms will premiere May 15, only on Stan.

Stan has dropped a spectacular trailer for its new drama series Ten Pound Poms

Debuting from May 15, the limited series dramatises the famous Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which brought more than a million people to Australia after World War II

The trailer begins as Annie (Marsay) and Terry (Brown) arrive in Sydney.

But instead of enjoying the glamour of their new city, authorities send them out into the bush.

The couple is housed with other recent arrivals in primitive conditions in a migrant hostel.

Even though Terry is a qualified builder, the only work he can get is digging ditches. He soon finds himself in a fist fight with a local tough guy, played by David Field.

At one point, Terry appears ready to return to England, but Annie is starting to fall in love with her new country. 'I've never felt so alive in years,' she tells him.

Other scenes show Terry finding friendship with Ron (Rob Collins), an Indigenous Australian war veteran, who is struggling to fit into white society.

The Australian government promise them a better house, better job prospects and a better quality of life, far away from dreary post-war England. But the family soon discover the grim reality of migrant life as they battle the poor living conditions in a hostel for 'New Australians'

At one point, Terry appears ready to return to England, but Annie is starting to fall in love with her new country. 'I've never felt so alive in years,' she tells him

Also featured in the trailer is Michelle Keegan (Our Girl), who plays a nurse desperate to rewrite her devastating past after arriving in Australia without her fiance.

The Australian government originally undertook the 'ten pound pom' scheme to bolster the country's population, which was at only 7.4 million in 1947.

When the APMS ended in 1982, Australia was home to 15 million people. Twenty-five per cent of Britons who joined the scheme returned home.
James McAvoy looked dapper as he arrived at the star-studded Met Gala with wife Lisa Liberati at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City on Monday evening.

The Scottish actor, 43, put on a suave display in a perfectly-fitted black suit and bejewelled black tie with small white dots and a tiger brooch.

Ensuring his outfit was up to the occasion, he added a white waist coat and crisp white shirt to match, as well as stand-out peaked lapels.

James completed the look with a pair of smart shiny black suit shoes and, most poignantly, a black foldable hand fan.

Posing for pictures at the star-studded event, James flashed his quirky accessory, alongside a luxury black watch.

Getting hot! James McAvoy looked dapper as he arrived at the star-studded Met Gala with wife Lisa Liberati at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City on Monday evening

Stylish: The Scottish actor, 43, put on a suave display in a perfectly-fitted black suit and bejewelled black tie with small white dots and a tiger brooch

He wore his beard at a trimmed length and slicked his silver fox locks back to show off his photogenic looks.

Meanwhile, wife Lisa, 44, was the picture of elegance in a red leather midi dress.

The red number featured a corset bust and a lined pattern on either side of her waist.

She stunned in the daring number, which perfectly hugged her gorgeous curves.

She paired the look with a pair of black sparkly toe-pointed heels and carried a black velvet clutch.

Lisa accentuated her natural beauty with a stunning palette of make up, including a bold red smokey eye and swipe of pink lipstick.

She tied her brunette locks into a slicked-back pony tail which cascaded past her shoulders.

The Met Gala, recognised as one of fashion's biggest nights will see a star-studded turn-out, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Dapper: Ensuring his outfit was up to the occasion, he added a white waist coat and crisp white shirt to match, as well as stand-out peaked lapels

Bold! James completed the look with a pair of smart shiny black suit shoes and, most poignantly, a black foldable hand fan

Having fun: Posing for pictures at the star-studded event, James flashed his quirky accessory, alongside a luxury black watch

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honour Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

Suave: He wore his beard at a trimmed length and slicked his silver fox locks back to show off his photogenic looks

Gorgeous: Meanwhile, wife Lisa, 44, was the picture of elegance in a red leather midi dress

Details: The red number featured a corset bust and a lined pattern on either side of her waist

Beauty: Lisa accentuated her natural beauty with a stunning palette of make up, including a bold red smokey eye and swipe of pink lipstick

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
James Corden and wife Julia Carey dressed to impress as they arrived at the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening.

The presenter cut a dapper figure for the evening as he walked up the famous stairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art alongside his glamorous wife.

James opted for a custom smart blue blazer with a pair of black trousers, crisp white shirt and a dark bow tie from Brioni.

Meanwhile Julia turned heads in a dazzling silver strapless gown which boasted a large split up the back.

She elevated her frame in a pair of strappy heels and accessorised with a pair of glittering drop earrings.

Amazing: James Corden and wife Julia Carey dressed to impress as they arrived at the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening

All smiles: The presenter cut a dapper figure for the evening as he walked up the famous stairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art alongside his glamorous wife

The blonde beauty styled her long tresses pulled back in a neat bun from a centre parting as she cosied up to her famous partner on the star-studded red carpet.

Fashion's biggest night is upon us once again, with a slew of stars preparing to walk the iconic staircase in just a matter of hours.

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

Dressed to impress: James opted for a smart blue blazer with a pair of black trousers, crisp white shirt and a dark bow tie

Phenomenal: Julia turned heads in a dazzling silver strapless gown which boasted a large split up the back

Glamorous: She elevated her frame in a pair of strappy heels and accessorised with a pair of glittering drop earrings

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Margaret Qualley showed off her toned legs as she arrived at the 2023 Met Gala in New York on Monday.

The Maid actress, 28, looked incredible in a black lace mini dress that was cinched in at the waist.

The star - who's the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley - finalized her look with a pair of black ribbon tie heels.

The Montana-born beauty wore her short dark tresses parted on the side and slicked down.

She kept her glam simple, highlighting her blue eyes with a touch of black eyeliner and mascara, and wearing a pink lipstick.

Leggy! Margaret Qualley showed off her toned legs as she arrived at the 2023 Met Gala in New York on Monday

Margaret kept her accessories simple as well, wearing dangling silver earrings and a few slim rings on her fingers.

The only contrast to her stylish all-black ensemble was her bright red nail polish.

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

Stunner: The Maid actress, 28, looked incredible in a black lace mini dress that was cinched in at the waist

Chic: The star - who's the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley - finalized her look with a pair of black ribbon tie heels

Slick: The Montana-born beauty wore her short dark tresses parted on the side and slicked down

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Elegant: She kept her glam simple, highlighting her blue eyes with a touch of black eyeliner and mascara, and wearing a pink lipstick

Smile! The star flashed a bright smile for the cameras

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party. Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala. Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Pierce Brosnan and his wife off 22 years, Keely Shaye Smith looked as loved-up as ever as they attended the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening.

The James Bond actor, 69, and the journalist and author, 59, dressed to impress as they posed for photos on the famous stairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Pierce looked as dapper as ever in a black printed suit which he donned with a crisp white shirt and bow tie.

The award winning star opted for a pair of shiny shoes and a pair of red tinted Oliver Peoples glasses.

Meanwhile Keely showcased her sensational curves in a black sequin gown and wore a sheer diamonte cape over the top which also cascaded to the floor.

Sensational: Pierce Brosnan and his wife off 22 years, Keely Shaye Smith looked as loved-up as ever as they attended the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening

Looking good: The James Bond actor, 69, and the journalist and author, 59, dressed to impress as they posed for photos on the famous stairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

She simply accessorised with a pair of pearl drop earrings and styled her long brunette tresses in a voluminous do.

Fashion's biggest night is upon us once again, with a slew of stars preparing to walk the iconic staircase in just a matter of hours.

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

Dressed to impress: Pierce looked as dapper as ever in a black printed suit which he donned with a crisp white shirt and bow tie

Stunning: Meanwhile Keely showcased her sensational curves in a black sequin gown and wore a sheer diamonte cape over the top which also cascaded to the floor

Glamorous: She simply accessorised with a pair of pearl drop earrings and styled her long brunette tresses in a voluminous do

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Noel Gallagher has reportedly split from his author lover Dorothea Gundtoft after a short-lived romance.

It is claimed the pair drifted apart after struggling to find the time to go on dates.

Musician Noel, 55, was said to have enjoyed a date with the Danish writer last month at London's Chiltern Firehouse.

It came after Noel and his music publicist wife Sara MacDonald, 51, issued a statement to MailOnline in January announcing their split.

But after Noel and Dorothea appeared to leave the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant together last month, it is claimed they struggled to get their relationship going.

Called off: Noel Gallagher, 55, has reportedly split from his author lover Dorothea Gundtoft after a short-lived romance (pictured last month)

A source told The Sun: 'Noel and Dorothea enjoyed some dates but it never got off the ground.

'His schedule promoting his new album is gruelling and its been hard for them to see each other, let alone go on another date.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Noel for comment.

After Noel and Dorothea's date last month, an onlooker told The Sun the pair 'looked like a couple' and appeared 'affectionate' during their reported night out together.

They told the publication: 'They looked like a couple, and there wasn't any effort to hide the fact they were there together.

'Noel is a Firehouse regular and is always photographed coming and going, so for him to go there with a female companion suggests he's quite happy for them to be seen.'

Dorothea has contributed to high-end magazines including Vogue Italia, Harper's Bazaar and Dazed, as well as design publication Icon.

She speaks languages including Danish, Spanish and English while she also published books - Real Nordic Living, New Nordic Design and Fashion Scandinavia.

Once blossoming romance: Musician Noel was said to have enjoyed a date with the Danish writer (pictured) last month at London's Chiltern Firehouse

It comes after it was revealed in January that Noel is set to divorce his wife Sara MacDonald after nearly 12 years of marriage.

Noel is said to have moved out of their 8million South Downs mansion in Hampshire - and now fans are wondering if the Oasis brothers will heal their feud and reform, after Liam previously claimed Sara was the one stopping them reunite.

Noel and Sara are parents to two sons, Donovan, 15, and Sonny, 12. The rocker is also father to his eldest daughter Anais, 22, from his previous relationship with ex-wife Meg Mathews.

A spokesperson for Noel and Sara confirmed the split to MailOnline 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.'

While a source told The Sun: 'It is a great shame but they are trying to keep it civilised.'

'Noel has moved out, but in time Sara might want to move back to London. They're working everything out steadily to minimise the disruption.'

Noel and Sara have been living in an 8M South Downs mansion near Hampshire's town of Petersfield since 2019, with their two young children.

Fizzled out: After Noel and Dorothea appeared to leave the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant together last month, it is claimed they struggled to get their relationship going

But the Don't Look Back In Anger hitmaker is now said to be living apart from his wife in North London.

Noel met Sara back in 2000 at an Ibiza club named Space - a year before his divorce from his first wife Meg.

The rocker was married to Meg for four years.

The former couple were notorious for a party-hard lifestyle as they lived it up during rowdy nights with Kate Moss and Sadie Frost.

But 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 this 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.'

Noel and Sara tied the knot in 2011 at the Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest in a 60,000 ceremony, with guests including Russell Brand watching on - but Liam said he wasn't invited.

'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 told the Chicago Sun Times.

Liam famously doesn't get along with Sara and has had a slew of public rows with the PR exec in the past.

He even hinted that she was the reason that an Oasis reunion wouldn't be happening, with Noel furious over Liam's name-calling about Sara.

Split: It comes after it was revealed in January that Noel is set to divorce his wife Sara MacDonald (pictured in October 2019) after nearly 12 years of marriage

Back in 2020, a fan tweeted him, asking: 'Hi Liam, do you know why Noel hates oasis reunion so much??????'

While he responded suggesting that it was her fault, penning: 'I've told you before he's rite up for it but you know who won't let him as she doesn't like oasis music [sic].

The brothers themselves have had little contact in the last ten years, after Noel publicly quit the band in 2009.

But fans are now wondering if there may be hope in the future for the band to get back together again.
Miranda Kerr needed a pick-me-up before a big night at the Met Gala on Monday.

The Australian supermodel, 40, looked youthful and rejuvenated as she received an IV drip of vitamins and hydration infusions.

Sharing the moment to her Instagram Story, the ex-Victoria's Secret model sat with her arm outstretched as she took a dose before the anticipated fashion event.

'Quick IV with Samir,' she wrote alongside the smiling photo.

The model has been keeping fans up to date while she prepares to walk the Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening.

Miranda Kerr needed a pick-me-up before a big night at the Met Gala on Monday night. The Australian supermodel, 40, looked youthful and rejuvenated when she received an IV drip of vitamins and hydration infusions

She will be wearing a stunning white Dior gown with a fitted bodice and pearl embellishments.

The cover girl, known for her elegant and timeless fashion, has previously attended the Met Gala in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022.

Last year, Kerr oozed elegance in a strapless ivory tulle Oscar de la Renta gown, which was custom made by designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia.

The model has been keeping fans up to date while she prepares to walk the Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening

Kerr will be wearing a stunning white Dior gown with a fitted bodice and pearl embellishments

She turned heads at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the low-cut dress that showed off her decolletage.

The brunette beauty was also dripping in breathtaking Bulgari jewels, including a choker necklace, glittering bracelet and large stud earrings.

Miranda went for old Hollywood glamour for her hair and makeup - pulling her locks back into a chic chignon and opting for a bold red lip and a wing-tipped lined eye.

Less than 24 hours before fashion's biggest night of the year, the supermodel-turned-beauty entrepreneur was seen stepping outside the The Carlyle hotel in New York City.

She looked stunning, showing off her cherry red lip colour on her way to the star-studded event

As she strutted outside in her gold metallic heels, the mother-of-three smiled as fans crowded by the entrance to catch a glimpse of her.

For her night out, the wife of Snap CEO Evan Spiegel completed her effortlessly chic look with oversized black shades, Louis Vuitton purse, gold hoops and brunette locks in a sleek bun.

The former Victoria's Secret Angel, who turned 40 last month, looked radiant as she opted for a casual look ahead of her highly-anticipated ascent up the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ahead of her recent milestone birthday, the businesswoman took to her company Kora Organics' Instagram to gush about her secret to happiness and youth.

In 2022, Kerr showed off her stunning decolletage in a low-cut Oscar de la Renta gown and blinding Bulgari diamond jewels as she attended the Met Gala in New York City

Additionally, she raved that being a mother to her three sons 'is really the most incredibly rewarding experience' of her life.

In addition to her eldest, Flynn, 12, who she shares with ex-husband Orlando Bloom, Kerr and Spiegel welcomed their first child, Hart, four, in 2018, and his younger brother Myles, three, the next year.

'Being a mum has its challenges for sure. Not all days are so easy, but I really try my best to be patient and kind and nurturing,' she said in her post.

The Sydney native continued: 'Being a mother has taught me that I'm so much more capable of more than I actually thought I was capable of. More love, more patience, more resilience.'

The cover girl, known for her elegant and timeless fashion, has previously attended the Met Gala in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022 (seen above with husband Evan Spiegel last year)

Kerr went for old Hollywood glamour for her hair and makeup - pulling her locks back into a chic chignon and opting for a bold red lip and a wing-tipped lined eye

She went on to say she learns 'so much' from her little boys.

Kerr and her husband first met at a Louis Vuitton event in 2014.

The pair were officially dating by 2015 and they got engaged the following year before tying the knot in May 2017.

'It was lovely to find someone who appreciated my kind heart and joyful spirit,' she said of her partner in LVR magazine.

Miranda was previously married to Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom, whom she started dating back in 2007.

They married just a month after getting engaged in June 2010, but announced in October 2013 they were getting divorced.
Miranda Kerr showed off her style credentials in a cropped black and white tweed jacket and a pair of light-wash jeans ahead of the 2023 Met Gala on Monday evening.

Less than 24 hours before fashion's biggest night of the year, the supermodel-turned-beauty entrepreneur was seen stepping outside the The Carlyle hotel in New York City.

As she strutted outside in her gold metallic heels, the mother-of-three smiled as fans crowded by the entrance to catch a glimpse of her.

For her night out, the wife of Snap CEO Evan Spiegel completed her effortlessly chic look with oversized black shades, Louis Vuitton purse, gold hoops and brunette locks in a sleek bun.

The former Victoria's Secret Angel, who turned 40 last month, looked radiant as she opted for a casual look ahead of her highly-anticipated ascent up the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stylish: Miranda Kerr showed off her style credentials in a cropped black and white tweed jacket and a pair of light-wash jeans ahead of the 2023 Met Gala on Monday evening

Fashion icon: Less than 24 hours ahead of fashion's biggest night of the year, the supermodel-turned-beauty entrepreneur, 40, was seen stepping outside the The Carlyle hotel in New York City

The cover girl, known for her elegant and timeless fashion, has previously attended the Met Gala in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022.

Ahead of her recent milestone birthday, the businesswoman took to her company Kora Organics' Instagram to gush about her secret to happiness and youth.

Additionally, she raved that being a mother to her three sons 'is really the most incredibly rewarding experience' of her life.

In addition to her eldest, Flynn, 12, who she shares with ex-husband Orlando Bloom, Kerr and Spiegel welcomed their first child, Hart, four, in 2018, and his younger brother Myles, three, the next year.

'Being a mum has its challenges for sure. Not all days are so easy, but I really try my best to be patient and kind and nurturing,' she said in her post.

The Sydney native continued: 'Being a mother has taught me that I'm so much more capable of more than I actually thought I was capable of. More love, more patience, more resilience.'

She went on to say she learns 'so much' from her little boys.

Kerr and her husband first met at a Louis Vuitton event in 2014.

Effortlessly chic: As she strutted outside in a pair of gold metallic heels and a Louis Vuitton purse on her shoulder, the mother-of-three smiled as fans crowded by the entrance to snap a photo of her on their phones

Happy couple: The cover girl, known for her elegant and timeless fashion, has previously attended the Met Gala in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022 (seen above with husband Evan Spiegel last year)

The pair were officially dating by 2015 and they got engaged the following year before tying the knot in May 2017.

'It was lovely to find someone who appreciated my kind heart and joyful spirit,' she said of her partner in LVR magazine.

Miranda was previously married to Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom, whom she started dating back in 2007.

They married just a month after getting engaged in June 2010, but announced in October 2013 they were getting divorced.
Karlie Kloss is expecting her second child.

The model, 30, showed off her far-along baby bump for the first time as she hit the red carpet at the 2023 Met Gala in New York on Monday night.

The beauty wore a stunning skintight black gown that clung to her curves and was adorned with strings of white pearls.

This will be the second child for Karlie and her businessman husband Joshua Kushner, 37, who accompanied her to the event.

The couple welcomed their first child - son Levi, who is now two - in March 2021.

Expecting! Karlie Kloss is expecting her second child. The model showed off her far-along baby bump as she hit the red carpet at the 2023 Met Gala in New York on Monday night

Bumpin' along: The beauty, 30, wore a stunning skintight black gown that clung to her curves and was adorned with strings of white pearls

Baby number two: This will be the second child for Karlie and her businessman husband Joshua Kushner, 37. The couple welcomed their first child - son Levi - in March 2021

The runway sensation rather accessorized with a number of silver jewels, including a ring and earrings.

The expecting mother wore her brunette tresses parted in the middle and slicked back into a long ponytail, which was adorned with a chic black satin bow.

She wore a touch of matte lipstick on her pout and a light brush of highlighter on her cheeks.

Kloss discussed the 'special' and 'vulnerable' reveal with Emma Chamberlain as she hit the red carpet as per Page Six.

'I dont know how to style a belly,' she told her, sharing that her last pregnancy happened during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chicago native also took to Instagram to show off her preparation for the event.

Wearing a cozy white robe, Karlie was seen prepping her skin with a violet light Therabody machine in a clip posted to her Stories.

She also posted a cute snap that saw her toddler son reaching for her tummy as she was getting ready.

Sophisticated: The runway sensation rather accessorized with a number of silver jewels, including a ring and earrings

Elegant: The expecting mother wore her brunette tresses parted in the middle and slicked back into a long ponytail

Glamorous reveal: She wore a touch of matte lipstick on her pout and a light brush of highlighter on her cheeks

From the back: Her ponytail was adorned with a chic black satin bow

Cute! Karlie proudly showed off her baby bump from a number of angles

Going strong: Kushner and Kloss made their union official during a wedding ceremony that was held in October of 2018, and they had a second event in June of 2019

Inside: Karlie was pictured mingling inside with actress Yara Shahidi

Another clip showed off the makeup she would be using for the occasion.

She also shared a mirror selfie taken in a bathroom while getting ready for the big night.

Karlie and Joshua - whose brother and sister-in-law are Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump - were first spotted spending time together during an afterparty for the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

They waited for a whole year before making their initial public appearance as a couple. The duo went Instagram official with their relationship in 2014.

Although the two fielded rumors of an engagement in 2017, they initially shut down the idea before they decided to begin planning their marriage the following year, with Karlie converting to Judaism.

Kushner and Kloss made their union official during a wedding ceremony that was held in October of 2018, and they had a second event in June of 2019.

In October of 2020, multiple sources reported that the two were planning on bringing a child into their lives.

The supermodel later confirmed that she was pregnant with a video that was shared to her Instagram the following month, during which she showed off her then-growing baby bump.

She eventually gave birth to Levi Joseph in March of 2021.

Preparing for the big night! The Chicago native also took to Instagram to show off her preparation for the event

Touch up: She touched up her glam in the bathroom

Cozy: Wearing a cozy white robe, Karlie was seen prepping her skin with a violet light Therabody machine in a clip posted to her Stories

Her man: She also shared a sweet polaroid snap featuring her and Joshua

A special visitor: Another cute snap saw her son reaching for her tummy while she was getting ready

Selfie: She also shared a mirror selfie taken in a bathroom while getting ready for the big night

Beauty secrets: Another clip showed off the makeup she would be using for the occasion

Pearls: There was also a snap of the Chanel pears she would be wearing to the fundraiser

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.
Irina Shayk was a sight to behold at the 2023 Met Gala in a silky white gown.

The model, 37, looked breathtaking in a elegant yet simple dress featuring floral designs at the bust and rope-like straps.

The radiant beauty was also working some serious bling with a multi-layer gem choker necklace turning up the volume.

She kept things simple when it came to her makeup, opting for a bronze coat of eye shadow and bold red lip.

In contrast to her exquisite look, she wore basic white flats.

Wow! Irina Shayk was a sight to behold at the 2023 Met Gala in a silky white gown

As she walked the staircase, she let her dramatic skirt do the talking and allowed it to billow with the breeze.

The 2023 Met Gala has returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities. Unfortunately, the feline announced on Instagram she would not be making an appearance.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

All that glitters! The radiant beauty was also working some serious bling with a multi-layer gem choker necklace turning up the volume

Fashion statement! As she walked the staircase, she let her dramatic skirt do the talking and allowed it to billow with the breeze

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

Putting her best foot forward! She kept it comfortable with white flats

Natural beauty: She kept things simple when it came to her makeup, opting for a bronze coat of eye shadow and bold red lip

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

Strike a pose: All eyes were on Shayk as she approached the staircase

A vision! The supermodel commanded attention at the celeb-packed event

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo-in.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
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She has been slipping into an array of bright pink outfits to promote her upcoming Barbie movie with Ryan Gosling.

But Margot Robbie vamped it up for the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening.

The 32-year-old Australian actress showed off her abs in clear PVC and black corseted gown while honouring the late Karl Lagerfeld by dressing head-to-toe in Chanel.

Her dress was a in a black silk chiffon dress from the designer label's haute couture spring/summer 1993 collection and featured gold chains running down Margot's waistline.

The blonde beauty wore her hair in classic Hollywood waves and accessorised with a pair of black Chanel heels and Chanel 'Impression Florale' yellow gold and diamond earrings from the Coromandel collection.

Margot Robbie vamped it up for the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening

She opted for a minimal makeup look with a soft neutral eyeshadow and a nude lip.

Margot, a longtime Chanel ambassador, walked on the red carpet solo - her husband Tom Ackerley absent from the star-studded fashion event.

The Suicide Squad star displayed her wedding ring on her right finger and a bold gold ring on her left.

Supermodel Cindy Crawford wore the original version of Margot's Met Gala dress and was seen showcasing the look on the runway at the Chanel Haute Couture show during Paris Fashion Week in January, 1993.

'I'm wearing Chanel, this dress was worn by Cindy Crawford in 1993. They remade it for me and it's obviously a Karl design. I feel really great in it, actually,' Margot told La La Anthony for Vogue of the ensemble.

'It's incredible, obviously the Met is always an exciting night, but I had the great privilege of getting to know Karl to an extent,' she added of the night.

'I was the last Channel ambassador that he picked, actually. It is an honor. I'm thrilled that they're honoring him tonight because he was exceptional.'

The 2023 fashion extravaganza dress code is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the late controversial fashion designer.

The 32-year-old Australian actress showed off her abs in clear PVC and black corseted gown while honouring the late Karl Lagerfeld by dressing head-to-toe in Chanel

She let her stunning frock do the talking by wearing minimal accessories - her wedding ring on her right finger and a gold ring on her left

The former Neighbours star's hair and makeup was flawless - with her locks coiffed in bouncy Hollywood waves

Margot tucked her hair behind her ears to show off her stunning gold and diamond Chanel Impression Florale earrings

The Met Gala will have Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa as the co-chairs, along with Anna Wintour.

Vogue magazine announced the news of the theme in January via their social media and website, writing on Instagram: 'This year, the #MetGala - which benefits the @metmuseum 's @metcostumeinstitute - falls on May 1 and will honor one of fashion's greatest talents: Karl Lagerfeld.'

The outlet added that the 2023 theme will be 'in honor of Karl.'

Karl died February 19, 2019 at the age of 85 following complications of pancreatic cancer.

The fashion designer served as the creative designer for Chanel, Fendi as well as his own label.

He also worked with Chloe, Patou and Balmain during his career in fashion.

Margot attended the event without her husband Tom Ackerley

The Suicide Squad star flashed her million dollar smile as she posed on the red carpet solo

On its website, Vogue offered some styling advice to those lucky few who will be invited to attend the Met Gala this year, sharing a list of 'approaches' that they can take when it comes to paying homage to Karl.

'The first, most authentic approach would be to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld led,' it suggested.

'The second would be to sport modern-day Chanel or Fendi, two houses on which Lagerfeld left an indelible impression.'

The final recommendation was for guests to find their own version of Karl's beloved cat, Choupette, and 'dress a la Lagerfeld'.

'Lagerfeld, we guess, would have hated a half-hearted homage, and with such an immense oeuvre, guests shouldn't have any trouble unearthing a one-of-a-kind piece,' it continued.

Karl, who was born in Hamburg, Germany, moved to Paris in 1953.

He won a contest held by the International Wool Secretariat in the coat category for his designer, alongside Yves Saint Laurent, who won in the dress category.

She showed off her fresh French manicure as she placed her hands on the train of her dress

'I was the last Channel ambassador that he picked, actually,' Margot said of Karl. 'It is an honor. I'm thrilled that they're honoring him tonight because he was exceptional'

Soon after, he was hired as the assistant and later apprentice for Pierre Balmain; he worked with Pierre for three years.

In 1958, Karl was hired as Jean Patou's artistic director and worked on ten haute couture collections with the brand, according to Business of Fashion.

In 1964, Karl began freelancing for Chloe; Three years later, he began working with Fendi.

In 1983, he started working with Chanel, bringing the fashion house back to life with the now iconic interlocked CC logo, changing the sizes of the bags and jewelry and updating the silhouette of clothing for the brand.

Supermodel Cindy Crawford (pictured) wore the original version of Margot's Met Gala dress

She was seen showcasing the look on the runway at the Chanel Haute Couture show during Paris Fashion Week in January, 1993

Karl began his own brand Karl Lagerfeld in 1984.

The Met Gala was founded in 1948 by Eleanor Lambert, a fashion publicist; she founded it as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute ahead of its first annual exhibit.

The gala was attended by members of high society and the fashion industry.

From 1948 to 1972 the gala took place at Central Park, the Waldorf Astoria and Rainbow Room.

In 1972, Diana Vreeland became the Costume Institute consultant; the attendees became more celebrity oriented.

'It's incredible, obviously the Met is always an exciting night, but I had the great privilege of getting to know Karl to an extent,' Margot told actress La La Anthony on the red carpet

Margot's dress was a in a black silk chiffon dress from Chanel's haute couture spring/summer 1993 collection and featured gold chains running down her waistline

Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Madonna and more were on the guest list for previous Galas.

Anna, the Editor in Chief of Vogue, took over the chairperson position for the Gala in 1995 and has continued since.

Every year Anna co-chairs the event with high profile attendees; last year her co-chairs were Blake Lively, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Regina King.
Stranger Things star Maya Hawke looked remarkable as she attended the Met Gala in a dramatic white Prada coat.

The 24-year-old daughter of actor Ethan Hawke stunned as she strutted her stuff for photos on the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art staircase.

The actress was captivating as she layered the statement-making piece, which had a pronounced oversize collar, over a mini dress.

The Little Women star was poised as she modeled the designer threads, teaming the items with white pantyhose.

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Breathtaking: Maya Hawke looked remarkable as she attended the Met Gala in a dramatic white Prada coat

Star: The 24-year-old daughter of actor Ethan Hawke stunned as she strutted her stuff for photos on the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art staircase

Maya's focal point coat boasted a long train that trailed behind her as she made her arrival.

As she moved through the flashing lights and sea of reporters, the Hollywood fixture lifted the outer layer.

She dropped it slightly at some moments, baring her shoulders and showing the thin spaghetti straps of the dress.

The frock was designed in the same material as the cloak - with both covered in dainty, delicate 3D florals.

The fashionista hit the carpet in a pair of sleek, pointy-toe white kitten heels.

To accompany the ensemble, the rising superstar wore her honey blonde locks in a long, shaggy bob.

The shoulder-grazing haircut was framed with fringe bangs and the look was textured with soft crimps.

Her makeup was feminine and subtle, with the beauty showing off heavy, elongated fluttery eyelashes on her bottom lash line.

Looking great: The Little Women star was poised as she modeled the designer threads, teaming the items with white pantyhose

Layers: The actress was captivating as she layered the statement-making piece, which had a pronounced oversize collar, over a mini dress

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

Stealing the scene: Maya's dramatic coat featured an extra long train that trailed behind her

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
Quinta Brunson stood out while attending her first Met Gala on Monday thanks to a towering hairstyle inspired by the late Karl Lagerfeld.

The 33-year-old actress and writer hit the carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art with her hair by celebrity hairstylist Alex Armand commanding attention.

The soaring updo featured braids wrapped into a trio of stacked spheres with a few pink feathers sticking out.

Quinta also added an intricate touch with her edges styled in delicate loops that framed her face.

The Abbot Elementary creator, co-writer and star came prepared as she made her Met Gala debut that was themed "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty".

First time: Quinta Brunson stood out while attending her first Met Gala on Monday thanks to a towering hairstyle inspired by the late Karl Lagerfeld

Quinta revealed that her Prabal Gurung dress was inspired by a piece in Karl Lagerfeld's 1992 collection.

She added that her hair was inspired by one of the late fashion designer's 2003 shows.

Quinta's dress featured a plunging neckline and a long train that draped the stairs of the Met Gala's famous staircase.

She accessorized with sparkling dangling earrings, several rings and bracelet and also wore long sheer black gloves.

Quinta's natural beauty was accentuated with a stunning glam look created by beauty pro Jessica Smalls who used products from Glossier to perfectly complement the starlet's outfit for the evening.

First, the makeup artist applied the brand's Super Glow, before combining liquid bronzer with the Priming Moisturizer Rich 'for the ultimate glowing skin'.

Moving onto eyes, Jessica 'rimmed Quinta's eyes with the Glossier No. 1 Pencil', then used shades from the Monochromes Essential Eyeshadow Trio in Heather, before accentuating them further with the Pro Tip liquid eyeliner.

Finally, the actress' pout was perfected using the Glossier G Suit lip liner, before a swipe of the brand's clear Lip Gloss was applied for 'a juicy' look.

When asked how she felt about attending her first Met Gala, Quinta responded: 'I'm just speechless. I'm just really happy to be here.'

The Emmy winner has become a fixture recently in New York's fashion work and attended several shows in February during New York Fashion Week.

Quinta on the eve of a possible strike by Hollywood writers said she was a proud member of the Writers Guild of America.

Towering hairstyle: The 33-year-old actress and writer hit the carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art with her hair by celebrity hairstylist Alex Armand commanding attention

Paying homage: The Abbott Elementary star revealed that her Prabal Gurung dress was inspired by a piece in Karl Lagerfeld's 1992 collection

Long train: Quinta's dress featured a plunging neckline and a long train that draped the stairs of the Met Gala's famous staircase

Designer inspired: The writer and actress said that her hair was inspired by one of the late fashion designer's 2003 shows

'No one wants a strike but I hope that were able to rectify this. Whatever that means,' Quinta said.

The Philadelphia native won an Emmy last September for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary, making her the first Black woman to win the award solo.

Quinta last month also made her debut as a host of Saturday Night Live.

Abbott Elementary premiered in December 2021 on ABC and was renewed in January for a third season.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Guild member: Quinta on the eve of a possible strike by television writers said she was a proud member of the Writers Guild of America

Hit show: Taraji P. Henson and Quinta are shown in an April still from Abbott Elementary, which was renewed in January for a third season

Pregnant singer Rihanna was among the major stars who attended the Met Gala and she arrived fashionably late with her beau A$AP Rocky.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Serena Williams, Emily Ratajkowski and Gisele Bundchen were among the other celebs attending and Paris Hilton also made her debut at fashion's biggest night.
Sam Frost and her fiance Jordie Hansen welcomed their son Ted in March.

And on Tuesday, the former Home and Away star, 34, shared a precious video on Instagram showcasing her new baby carrier, which was strapped around her front.

Sam looked every inch the doting mother in the clip, in which little Ted was safely harnessed in the carrier while she explained the benefits of the device.

The video was part of a paid promotion between Sam and The Self Styler, an online women's fashion store specialising in chic bohemian designs.

'I have got a few pieces on now. I'm going to show you what I have and hopefully you like it,' Sam told her followers.

Former Home and Away star Sam Frost, 34, shared a precious video on Instagram showcasing her new baby carrier, which was strapped around her front with her son Ted safely secured

In another video, she also modelled her best angles in a black mini dress, which, to Sam's delight, had pockets.

Sam and Jordie have been in a love bubble ever since their bub's arrival.

The couple welcomed Ted on March 7, sharing the news to Instagram.

The video was part of a paid promotion between Sam and The Self Styler, an online women's fashion store specialising in chic bohemian designs

'This is Ted. Theodore Paul Frost-Hansen. There's no words to describe how much we love you  07/03/2023,' Sam wrote at the time alongside a sweet photo of her newborn.

In the sweet image, an adorable Theodore is wearing a tiny beanie and wrapped in a blanket as he sleeps on his mother's chest.

In another video, she also modelled her best angles in a black mini dress, which, to Sam's delight, had pockets

The couple's celebrity friends quickly congratulated them on their new addition.

'This is Lucky Ted! Such beautiful news Sam. Huge congrats to you alland here's to all the magical moments ahead. xx,' Lisa Wilkinson wrote.

Sam and her Australian Survivor star partner got engaged in July after dating for five months, and announced in September they were expecting a child.

Sam and her fiancee Jordie Hansen (left) have been in a love bubble since welcoming Ted in March
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Kim Kardashian paid homage to her jaw-dropping 2007 nude Playboy shoot as she headed to the Met Gala in an eye-popping pearl-embellished necklace on Monday.

The reality star, 42, who famously posed in nothing but pearl necklaces in a sizzling shoot at the start of her career, went topless beneath a selection of chains as she left a hotel with daughter North, nine,

The star flashed her cleavage beneath the selection of pearl necklaces, with the dress also boasting a champagne-hued bodysuit.

A sheer skirt also comprised of pearl necklaces revealed the beauty's honed legs as she stepped out, with the star completing the ensemble with white stiletto heels and a white jacket.

Her tresses were styled in a chic bun that was styled by her long-time friend and beauty pro Chris Appleton, and she sported a smoky palette of make-up.

Throwback: Kim Kardashian paid homage to her jaw-dropping 2007 nude Playboy shoot as she headed to the Met Gala in an eye-popping pearl-embellished necklace on Monday

Wow: Kim set jaws dropping in the revealing ensemble as she headed to the Met with daughter North, nine

To achieve Kim's hair look for the evening, Chris revealed that he prepped the reality star's tresses with the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray to ensure her hair was 'ultra-smooth and glossy', before adding plenty of volume with the use of the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer combined with Color Wow's Raise the Root on the locks.

Finally, he used the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener to ensure a perfectly sleek look.

Kim's iconic shoot with the men's magazine saw her bare all in a shoot observed by mom Kris Jenner - who famously quipped: 'You're doing amazing sweetie!' in a much-memed moment,

North wore a pink Chanel jacket and stonewash jeans, teamed with pearl necklaces as she headed to her first Met Gala.

Fashion's biggest night is upon us once again, with a slew of stars preparing to walk the iconic staircase in just a matter of hours.

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

Glitz: The star showed off her toned frame in the extremely revealing ensemble

Revealing" The star showed off her curves in the racy look

Curves ahead: Kim dripped in pearls as she posed up a storm in her revealing outfit

Eye-popping: The star famously bared all for Playboy back in the day

Got her approval: Momager Kris quipped: 'You're doing amazing sweetie!' as Kim bared all

Duo: The star flashed her cleavage beneath the selection of pearl necklaces, with the dress also boasting a champagne-hued bodysuit

Mom duties: A sheer skirt also comprised of pearl necklaces revealed the beauty's honed legs as she stepped out

Glitz: The star posed on the red carpet alongside Kylie Jenner

Racy: The star showed off her toned curves as she posed up on the red carpet

Let's go: Her tresses were styled in a chic bun and she sported a smoky palette of make-up

Leggy: Kylie looked ravishing in a patriotic red and blue asymmetric gown as she posed up

Leggy: Kylie smoldered as she posed up on the famous stairs in NYC

The look: The star wore her locks in a messy updo and opted for smoky eye make-up

Cheeky; Kendall Jenner wore a sequinned thong leotard with dramatic sleeves and platform boots

Glittery: The statuesque star showed off her statement platforms as she posed

Glitz: The beauty shimmered as she showed off her very revealing ensemble

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Off they go: Kylie looked patriotic in red and blue as she stepped out with daughter Stormi, five

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
She was dubbed 'the hottest bride ever' on Married At First Sight this year.

And Evelyn Ellis lived up to her reputation when she stepped out in a stunning $89 Mateo Mesh dress on Saturday night.

The 27-year-old marketing manager turned heads as she showed off her incredible physique in the affordable frock.

Evelyn's figure-hugging ensemble showcased her toned legs and ample bust.

The reality star paired the show-stopping outfit with $150 black strappy heels from Tony Bianco and a $8,000 Dior handbag.

She was dubbed 'the hottest bride ever' on Married At First Sight this year, and Evelyn Ellis lived up to her reputation when she stepped out in a stunning $89 Mateo Mesh dress on Saturday night

Ellis' night out began at the Rydges Hotel in Sydney's Circular Quay.

From there, she crossed the street and joined a group at Bar Millie for her Bad Graces podcast co-host Rice's birthday.

Evelyn broke up with shy electrician Rupert Bugden after growing tired of the lack of effort he was putting into their relationship.

The 27-year-old marketing manager turned heads as she showed off her incredible physique in the affordable frock

The reality star paired the show-stopping outfit with $150 black strappy heels from Tony Bianco and a $8,000 Dior handbag

Ellis' night out began at the Rydges Hotel in Sydney's Circular Quay. From there, she crossed the street and joined a group at Bar Millie for her Bad Graces podcast co-host Rice's birthday

Evelyn has since moved on with her co-star Duncan James.

The pair's undeniable chemistry began during the MAFS couple-swap week, which saw Evelyn direct Duncan, 36, in a sizzling photo shoot that left fans swooning.

The pair are now officially 'seeing each other' and have already been on several romantic dates.

'They're not boyfriend or girlfriend or anything like that, but they're going on dates and telling friends they're seeing each other,' a source told Yahoo Lifestyle.

But the couple is said to be taking things slow, with one friend telling Daily Mail Australia: 'They are both into each other, but don't want to put a label on it yet.'
Miranda Kerr is one of Australia's most accomplished supermodels with a career spanning more than two decades.

So it's no surprise that the KORA Organics founder, 40, looked utterly breathtaking at the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday.

Miranda was as pretty as a princess in an off-white gown from designer Dior with pearl embellishments.

The glamorous garment was cinched in at the waist and featured a tastefully low-cut neckline to reveal the model's decolletage.

The floor-length gown had a petite train for a touch of drama and elegant straps on the shoulders.

Miranda Kerr looked utterly breathtaking at the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday

Miranda was as pretty as a princess in an off-white gown from designer Dior with pearl embellishments

Kerr paired her frock with a diamond choker, along with matching earrings and a ring.

She carried a rose gold clutch in one hand and had streaks of blonde through her brown hair.

The star's followers were blown away by her stunning look, with one commenting that she was the 'best dressed' of the night.

'Miranda is actually a real life Disney princess,' gushed another admirer.

Earlier that day, the model looked youthful and rejuvenated as she received an IV drip of vitamins and hydration infusions.

Sharing the moment to Instagram, the ex-Victoria's Secret stunner sat with her arm outstretched as she took a dose before the anticipated fashion event.

'Quick IV with Samir,' she wrote alongside the smiling photo.

The stunning supermodel was the belle of the ball as she posed for photographers

The floor-length gown had a petite train for a touch of drama and elegant straps on the shoulders

The model has been keeping fans up to date while she prepares to walk the Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening.

In fact, the model-turned-beauty brand founder even did her own skincare prep for the glittering event, using a host of products from her own company, KORA Organics.

Miranda 'created a flawless, glowing makeup base' using the brand's newly-launched Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum, after de-puffing her face with the KORA Rose Quartz Heart Facial Sculptor to 'lift and sculpt' while also 'bringing about a calm, soothing energy' ahead of the red carpet.

To perfect her Met Gala glow, Miranda applied the Turmeric Glow Moisturizer, the Noni Glow Face Oil, then finished off her skincare routine with the Minty Mineral Hydration Mist 'to keep skin hydrated and dewy' throughout the night.

Turning to makeup, Miranda relied on another all-natural brand: Ilia. Using products from the brand, celebrity beauty pro Ericka Verrett created a 'high glamour' look that was inspired by the Chanel runway shows of the 90s.

'I was inspired by the high glamour girls of the 90s Chanel runway shows,' Ericka shared. 'I love how everything was everything. Hair was having a moment, (overdone and accessorized), and makeup felt like it had no rules. There was an eye, a lip, a cheek the whole kitchen sink!'

To that end, Ericka gave Miranda a natural, glowing base using the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 then added a flush to the cheeks with the brand's Multi Stick, before adding some serious sparkle to the eye with the Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint in Mythic.

Miranda's bold lip for the night was created using a mix of the Ilia Color Block Lipstick in Tango and Ultra Violet, with Ericka describing the hue as her 'favorite' aspect of the look.

The model flaunted her impeccable makeup in a selfie on Instagram just hours before the event

The 40-year-old provided a closer look at the pearl embellishments on social media

Ericka was also responsible for Miranda's 'do for the evening - which she created using products from az Craft Luxury Hair Care, including the Elevate Luxe Mousse, the Intense Volume Mist and the Amplify Texture Spray, which gave the stunning style plenty of oomph.

To ensure the style stayed locked in place all night, Ericka finished it off with the az Craft Luxury Hair Care Obey Hairspray. Et voila!

The cover girl, known for her elegant and timeless fashion, has previously attended the Met Gala in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022.

Last year, Kerr oozed elegance in a strapless ivory tulle Oscar de la Renta gown, which was custom made by designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia.

Ahead of her recent milestone 40th birthday, the businesswoman took to her company Kora Organics' Instagram to gush about her secret to happiness and youth.

Additionally, she raved that being a mother to her three sons 'is really the most incredibly rewarding experience' of her life.

In addition to her eldest, Flynn, 12, who she shares with ex-husband Orlando Bloom, Kerr and Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel welcomed their first child, Hart, four, in 2018, and his younger brother Myles, three, the next year.

'Being a mum has its challenges for sure. Not all days are so easy, but I really try my best to be patient and kind and nurturing,' she said in her post.

The Sydney native continued: 'Being a mother has taught me that I'm so much more capable of more than I actually thought I was capable of. More love, more patience, more resilience.'
Lily James debuted a striking new fringe as she donned a leather ball gown while arriving at the star-studded Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City on Monday evening.

The Mamma Mia actress, 34, channelled Audrey Hepburn with her sleek up-do and new choppy bangs.

Lily, who has recently been filming new flick Relay in New York, turned heads in her strapless leather ball gown, which was gathered at the bust by rose detailing.

The jaw-dropping dress was then belted and pleated, before pooling at her feet in an impressive train.

Her exposed neck and collarbones were accessorised with a pearl choker necklace from iconic jewellery brand De Beers, which gave a vintage feel to the look.

Stepping out: Lily James, 34, debuted a striking new fringe as she donned a leather ball gown at the Met Gala on Monday evening

Wow: The Mamma Mia actress wore a strapless leather gown, which was belted at the waist

Meanwhile her brunette tresses had a new look with a high rugged fringe, and were slicked back into a neat bun.

For make-up, Lily opted for bronzed eyeshadow, smokey fawn eyeliner and a baby pink lip, with her make-up and skincare done by Valeria Ferreira using Charlotte Tilbury Beauty.

The actress posed for snaps with her friend and collaborator make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, 50, who donned a plunging emerald gown.

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

Details: The leather gown had a very long train and was belted and pleated

Smoulder: Lily opted for bronzed eyeshadow, fawn eyeliner and added a baby pink lip while accessorising with jewellery from De Beers

Surprise: Lily was the spitting image of Audrey Hepburn as she debuted her new hairstyle

Friends: Lily posed for snaps with her good friend and collaborator Charlotte Tilbury, 50

Gorgeous: Her brunette tresses were also slicked back into a bun in a stylish up-do

High fashion: Lily made a bold choice by wearing all-leather to the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

Honour: This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019 (pictured in 2017)

Drama: The decision to honour Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu. She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
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Amanda Seyfried took a major fashion risk in a see-through minidress made up of layers of just shimmering silver chains to the 2023 Met Gala, honoring the late legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, in New York City.

While decked out in her daring thigh-skimming frock from Oscar de la Renta, and jewelry from Cartier, the 37-year-old Big Love star turned heads as she strutted up the museum's iconic staircase in a pair of open-toed metallic gold pumps.

As she attended the prestigious and glamorous fashion event, known as 'fashion's biggest night,' for the fourth time, the mother-of-two turned heads in her racy ensemble, draped in crystals and and a subtle mesh-insert to preserve her modesty, which showcased her incredibly toned legs.

The performer, who won her first Golden Globe earlier this year for her starring role as Elizabeth Holmes in Hulu's The Dropout, styled her golden blonde tresses in voluminous tight curls that cascaded down her back.

Risky: Amanda Seyfried took a major fashion risk in a see-through minidress made up of layers of just shimmering silver chains to the 2023 Met Gala, honoring the late legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, in New York City

Looking good! While decked out in her daring thigh-skimming frock from Oscar de la Renta, and jewelry from Cartier, the 37-year-old Big Love star turned heads as she strutted up the museum's iconic staircase in a pair of open-toed metallic gold pumps

For her makeup, the Mean Girls alum turned to her long-time beauty pro Genevieve Herr, who used products from Lancome to create a 70s-inspired look for the evening.

'The inspiration was Karl Lagerfelds designs for Chloe in the 70s; the big curly hair of the time, the deep saturated lip, and smokey eyes with a modern twist of color instead of black and very little blush,' Genevieve revealed - explaining that the bold lip color was created using the Lancome Le Lip Liner in Caprice under the brand's L'Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick in Berry Intense.

To ensure Amanda's complexion looked perfect all night long, the beauty pro used the Teint Idole Ultra Wear 24H Full Coverage Foundation and the Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Full Coverage Concealer, adding just a light touch of the Blush Subtil to the apples of the cheeks for a 'subtle flush of color'.

On the eyes, Genevieve used shades from the Hypnose 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Fraicheur Rosee, then added definition with the Le Crayon Khol Eyeliner Pencil and the Lash Idole Mascara.

Despite oozing confidence at the Costume Institute Gala or the Costume Institute Benefit, Seyfried admitted in December that still gets nervous on the red carpet.

'I really enjoy experimenting with fashion on photoshoots, but the red carpet is a different animal; its very brief and its very frantic,' she explained to Harper's Bazaar.

The Oscar nominee continued: 'You dont really have enough time. When Im on a shoot, it feels more like acting  its more about the art in fashion, which is really fun for me.'

'You can take as long as you like to feel comfortable and make the clothing work for you, which just isnt really the case on the red carpet,' Pennsylvania native, who is married to Thomas Sadoski, noted.

Baring all: As she attended the prestigious and glamorous fashion event, known as 'fashion's biggest night,' for the fourth time, the mother-of-two turned heads in her racy ensemble, draped in crystals and and a subtle mesh-insert to preserve her modesty, which showcased her incredibly toned legs

Leggy display: For makeup, the Mean Girls actress opted for a bold crimson pout, warm-toned, light brown eyeshadow that made her mesmerizing green eyes pop and bronzer for a sun-kissed glow

Seyfried then praised her longtime stylist Elizabeth Stewart for being 'so savvy' and 'amazing' at finding her 'pieces that she knows' suit her.

'She has these incredible relationships with designers,' the actress insisted. 'She understands what will look good on my body and she knows my boundaries with fashion, and I am so grateful for that.'

Over the years, Seyfried said she has begun to prioritize comfort over everything.

'I think my style has really always stayed in one place  it has evolved here and there and of course my body has changed when Ive had kids, but I have always been one to wear sweatpants as often as I can,' she mused.

The star also said jeans are a staple in her wardrobe and if something 'works for' her she doesn't 'move away from it.'

'I live on a farm for the most part now  no one is photographing me, so I just dress how I want,' she pointed out.

Seyfried said she aspires to keep her style 'timeless' and to avoid 'trends' but acknowledged she might 'just not brave enough' just yet.

'I think that embracing what truly feels like you, and what you feel comfortable in is how you look your best,' she concluded.

Margot Robbie, Florence Pugh, Vanessa Hudgens, Lily James, and Miranda Kerr and Gigi Hadid are also among the faces who will be at the Met Gala.

Additionally, Dr. Dre, and Nick Jonas are expected on the carpet when the festivities begin.

The Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with cameos that included everyone from Sydney Sweeney to Paris Hilton.

Radiant: The performer, who won her first Golden Globe earlier this year for her starring role as Elizabeth Holmes in Hulu's The Dropout, styled her golden blonde tresses in voluminous tight curls that cascaded down her back

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Style icon: This year marks Seyfried's fourth appearance and first time since 2018 (seen above)

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Julia Garner was a vision of beauty and style at the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening.

The 29-year-old actress looked elegant as she walked the red carpet donning a custom Gucci snow silk gown with twisting halter neck and pearl-lined collar.

The Emmy-winning actress paired the gown with a black velvet cape to the proceedings on fashion's biggest night.

The Riverdale, New York-born star, who has past worked with the high-end fashion label, posed with her cape open, revealing a sparkly rogue interior.

Garner, who played Ruth Langmore on the Netflix series Ozark, wore her wavy blonde locks to the side while donning gold cornucopia shaped earrings.

Vibrant: Julia Garner, 29, was a vision of beauty and style at the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening

The Inventing Anna star was styled by Elizabeth Saltzman for the big night in the Big Apple.

Garner posed alongside fellow actresses Halle Baile and Daisy Edgar-Jones, who were also clad in Gucci at the event.

Garner has a pair of thriller films slated for release, including The Royal Hotel; and Apartment 7A.

Garner was among a number of stars attending the annual fundraising event, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton slated to be there.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director.

He passed at age 85 in 2019, and his beloved cat, Choupette, was invited to the festivities.

Beauty: The actress looked elegant as she walked the red carpet donning a custom Gucci snow silk gown with twisting halter neck and pearl-lined collar

Garner, who played Ruth Langmore on the Netflix series Ozark, wore her wavy blonde locks to the side while donning gold cornucopia shaped earrings

Chic: The Emmy-winning actress paired the gown with a black velvet cape to the proceedings on fashion's biggest night

Bold: The Riverdale, New York-born star posed with her cape open, revealing a sparkly rogue interior

Garner posed alongside fellow actresses Halle Baile and Daisy Edgar-Jones, who were also clad in Gucci at the event

Coming soon: Garner has a pair of thriller films slated for release, including The Royal Hotel; and Apartment 7A

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagine - one of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.
Two-time Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney flaunted her God-given assets in a Miu Miu gown at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's $50K/ticket Costume Institute benefit in Manhattan on Monday.

The Spokane-born, LA-raised 25-year-old accented her pink-studded manicure by nail artist Zola Ganzorigt with a diamond bracelet and statement ring, but she was noticeably not wearing her $150K engagement ring from fiance Jonathan Davino.

Sydney beamed as her embellished nude trumpet gown, selected by stylist Molly Dickson, was fanned out for the photographers by a tuxedo-clad staffer.

Hairstylist Glen Coco fastened a black bow in Sweeney's highlighted mane, which matched the black bow tied at the knee of her daring dress.

Make-up artist Melissa Hernandez defined the Frankies Bikinis collaborator's natural brows and applied liner and mascara on her baby blues.

Mermaid vibes: Two-time Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney flaunted her God-given assets in a Miu Miu gown at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's $50K/ticket Costume Institute benefit in Manhattan on Monday

Again! The Spokane-born, LA-raised 25-year-old accented her pink-studded manicure by nail artist Zola Ganzorigt with a diamond bracelet and statement ring, but she was noticeably not wearing her $150K engagement ring from fiance Jonathan Davino

Sydney slowly and carefully ascended the grand staircase lined with press at the Met Gala, which celebrates the opening of the Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty exhibition.

Sweeney opted not to bring along the Chicago-based 39-year-old, whom she joined at Tao Hospitality Group's Sake No Hana party on Manhattan's Lower East Side last Saturday.

The Fifty-Fifty Films founder is said to have been dating Jonathan - who reportedly co-owns his family's Pompei Restaurant - as far back as 2018.

On Monday, celebrity branding expert Jeetendr Sehdev told TMZ on Monday he believes the rumored romance between Sydney and her Anyone But You leading man Glenn Powell is all just a PR stunt to drum up attention for their upcoming rom-com.

The scandalous, PDA-packed closeness between Sweeney and the 34-year-old Texan - whose girlfriend Jehane-Marie 'Gigi' Paris split with him - had fans comparing her to her cheating Euphoria character, Cassie Howard.

The SAG Award nominee produces and stars in Will Gluck's Australian-set movie, which just wrapped production on April 21.

But first, audiences can catch Sydney playing real-life American intelligence specialist-turned-whistleblower Reality Winner in Tina Satter's critically-acclaimed drama Reality, which premieres May 29 on HBO Max.

Reality - based on Satter's 2019 play Is This A Room - centers on Winner's dubious interrogation by the FBI without having been read her Miranda Rights to remain silent and hire an attorney.

Diva moment! Sydney beamed as her embellished nude trumpet gown, selected by stylist Molly Dickson, was fanned out for the photographers by a tuxedo-clad staffer

Gift wrap: Hairstylist Glen Coco fastened a black bow in Sweeney's highlighted mane, which matched the black bow tied at the knee of her daring dress

Fresh faced: Make-up artist Melissa Hernandez defined the Frankies Bikinis collaborator's natural brows and applied liner and mascara on her baby blues

Back view! Sydney slowly and carefully ascended the grand staircase lined with press at the Met Gala, which celebrates the opening of the Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty exhibition

The 31-year-old NSA Translator was convicted of the Espionage Act of 1917 and she's currently completing the remainder of her five-year, three-month sentence at a transitional facility.

Sweeney portrays Spider-Woman Julia Carpenter in S.J. Clarkson's Madame Web - hitting US/UK theaters February 16, 2024 - alongside Dakota Johnson, Adam Scott, Emma Roberts, Zosia Mamet, and Mike Epps.

The in-demand Zoomer also plays South Dakota waitress Penny Jo Poplin in Tony Tost's indie action crime drama Americana, which has yet to secure distribution after premiering March 17 at the South by Southwest Film Festival.

Fashion's biggest night is upon us once again, with a slew of stars preparing to walk the iconic staircase in just a matter of hours.

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

Everything okay? Sweeney opted not to bring along the Chicago-based 39-year-old (R), whom she joined at Tao Hospitality Group's Sake No Hana party on Manhattan's Lower East Side last Saturday

Fake? On Monday, celebrity branding expert Jeetendr Sehdev told TMZ he believes the rumored romance between the Fifty-Fifty Films founder and her Anyone But You leading man Glenn Powell (L) is all just a PR stunt to drum up attention for their upcoming rom-com

Cheaters? The scandalous, PDA-packed closeness between Sweeney and the 34-year-old Texan (L, pictured April 10) - whose girlfriend Jehane-Marie 'Gigi' Paris split with him - had fans comparing her to her cheating Euphoria character, Cassie Howard.

Premieres May 29 on HBO Max! But first, audiences can catch Sydney playing real-life American intelligence specialist-turned-whistleblower Reality Winner in Tina Satter's critically-acclaimed drama Reality

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
Paris Hilton exuded gothic glamor as she attended her first-ever Met Gala in NYC on Monday.

The socialite, 42, flashed her cleavage in a sparkling black leather dress, paired with statement platform heels as she posed up a storm.

The star's off-the-shoulder gown cinched in at her toned waist, flowing into a dramatic leather skirt.

She added height to her statuesque frame with sparkling platform brogues and wore a black rose detail choker.

Her locks were pulled into a sleek ponytail and she sported a striking makeup look created by beauty pro Steven Tambia using products from Danessa Myricks.

Debut: Paris Hilton exuded gothic glamor as she attended her first-ever Met Gala in NYC on Monday

Wow: The socialite, 42, flashed her cleavage in a sparkling black leather dress, paired with statement platform heels as she posed up a storm

Speaking about the inspiration behind the look, Steven explained that he wanted to focus on a 'strong' eye, while achieving a luminous complexion for the starlet.

'I really wanted to bring in an element of strength and smoke to the eyes,' the beauty pro shared.

'For this I used the Danessa Myricks ColorFix Matte liquid pigment and lined with the Linework Paint Brush Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner to frame the entire eye. I kept Paris' skin soft matte with strategic placements of luminosity.

'To achieve this glowing complexion, I used Yummy Skin Serum Foundation and for a youthful and flushed look I topped off her complexion with Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed with a touch of Dew Wet Balm for that glossy pop.

'To lock everything in place my absolute favorite security blanket Set It Forever Mist Oil Control Setting Spray to ensure a long lasting makeup application.'

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Pose: The star's off-the-shoulder gown cinched in at her toned waist, flowing into a dramatic leather skirt

Train: She added height to her statuesque frame with sparkling platform brogues and wore a black rose detail choker

Goth: Her locks were pulled into a sleek ponytail and she sported black eyeshadow and liner for a striking make-up look

Fashion forward: Marc Jacobs joined the star for a fun snap

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Pete Davidson returned to the Met Gala solo on Monday - one year after he and now-ex Kim Kardashian made waves with a loved-up appearance at the event.

The comedian, 29, who split from Kim, 42, last summer, risked an awkward red carpet run-in with her as the beauty wowed in a flesh-flashing ensemble at the event.

A cheery Pete, who is now dating Chase Sui Wonders, wore a graphic print tee, purple leather trousers and a tailored coat as he posed.

He paired this with a black bucket hat and shades, a chain and gloves as he happily posed.

The star also posed up with Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh at the event, with the pair looking delighted.

Back again: Pete Davidson returned to the Met Gala solo on Monday - one year after he and now-ex Kim Kardashian made waves with a loved-up appearance at the event

Happier times: Pete and Kim - who wore Marilyn Monroe's dress - wowed at the 2022 Met Gala

Pete and Kim went their separate ways after nine months in August 2022 - an insider told us that the pair ha decided to just be friends - citing demanding schedules and the long distance as Pete worked on a project in Australia while Kim is based in the U.S.

A source close to Pete Davidson also confirmed the split to DailyMail.com.

Pete has spent months filming his upcoming movie Wizards! in Australia, where Kim visited him in July for a romantic getaway in the Daintree Rainforest.

However their luxury stay at a lavish five-star 'eco lodge' in the jungle was evidently not enough to salvage the couple's relationship.

The 2023 Met Gala will be returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

All smiles: The star flashed the peace sign as he attended the event

Fun: A cheery Pete, who is now dating Chase Sui Wonders, wore a graphic print tee, purple leather trousers and a tailored coat as he posed

Pals: The star also posed up with Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh at the event, with the pair looking delighted

Glam: Michelle looked ravishing in a black and white gown

There she is: Kim was also in attendance at the glittering event

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
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Kendall Jenner put on a very cheeky display in a black sequined bodysuit with floor-length sleeves and sparkly silver collar, designed by Marc Jacobs, to the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday.

While strutting down the red carpet in a pair of gothic platform boots, the 27-year-old supermodel flashed her bottom to the world in a pair of nude Wolford tights as a sea of adoring photographers rushed to capture her walk up the stars.

For the occasion, the reality star, who is rumored to be dating Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, paid homage to the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld by rocking her glossy chestnut brown locks in a bouncy, high ponytail with perfectly coiffed ends.

The daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner was clearly not afraid to display her assets as she caught the eye of her longtime best friend, Gigi Hadid, while crossing paths at the star-studded event.

Upon seeing her pal, the 818 Tequila founder let out a gasp and looked over her shoulder in Hadid's direction before going on to reunite inside.

Stunning: Kendall Jenner put on a very cheeky display in a black sequined bodysuit with floor-length sleeves and sparkly silver collar, designed by Marc Jacobs, to the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday

Peachy posterior: While strutting down the red carpet in a pair of gothic platform boots, the 27-year-old supermodel flashed her bottom to the world in sheer Wolford tights as a sea of adoring photographers rushed to capture her walk up the stars

Sister time: Additionally, the five-foot-nine catwalk queen was seen posing for a family photo with younger sister Kylie Jenner and their half-sister, Kim Kardashian

Additionally, the five-foot-nine catwalk queen was seen posing for a family photo with younger sister Kylie Jenner and their half-sister, Kim Kardashian.

Since 2014, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians has attended the Met Gala eight times, and become a stand-out at the annual gala after modeling a number of show-stopping over the years.

While her beau also was in attendance, they did not pose for photographs together, and he arrived much earlier in the evening.

During one interview outside the event, Kendall said she feels 'amazing' and 'is so happy to be here.'

Margot Robbie, Florence Pugh, Vanessa Hudgens, Lily James, and Miranda Kerr and Gigi Hadid are also among the faces who will be at the Met Gala.

Additionally, Dr. Dre, and Nick Jonas are expected on the carpet when the festivities begin.

The Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Sydney Sweeney to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Turning heads: For the occasion, the reality star, who is rumored to be dating Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, paid homage to the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld by rocking her glossy chestnut brown locks in a bouncy, high ponytail with perfectly coiffed ends

Iconic: Since 2014, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians has attended the Met Gala eight times, and become a stand-out at the annual gala after modeling a number of show-stopping over the years

Star of the show: While her beau also was in attendance, they did not pose for photographs together, and he arrived much earlier in the evening

Top of the world: Jenner smiled for photographers at the top of the stairs

All together! The Kardashian-Jenner posed for a group shot

Best genes: Kendall's younger sister Kylie wore a red gown designed by Haider Ackermann for Jean Paul Gaultier

All legs: Kendall Jenner is five-foot-ten, which makes her four inches taller than Kylie and eight inches taller than Kim

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

Fans can watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

Fellow supermodel: The daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner was clearly not afraid to display her assets as she caught the eye of her longtime best friend, Gigi Hadid, while crossing paths at the star-studded event

Beaming: Kendall lit up as she reunited with her pal at the event

Glowing: Jenner wore a pair of large statement earrings and blush on the apples of her cheeks

Bootylicious: All eyes were on Kendall's back as she flashed her bottom

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

Wow: Jenner got plenty of attention as she exited The Carlyle hotel in New York

Head down: While walking to her car, the model received applause from fans, who rushed to take her picture from the sidewalk

Making an entrance: The Vogue cover girl has become known for her incredible and bold Met Gala looks over the years

Another time: She and Bad Bunny were not ready to make their red carpet debut as a couple as they each opted to arrive to the event solo

Purr-fect night: once inside Kim, Kendall and Kylie were seen chatting with Jared Leto, who was dressed as Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette

Glamorous: The sister trio sat together inside the gala

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little are reportedly in the running to replace Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris as hosts of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here next year.

The pair currently co-host the Hit Network's drive show Carrie and Tommy, and were formerly colleagues on Channel Ten's The Project.

The news comes amid rumours Morris is set to follow Dr Brown out the door at Ten after he jumped ship to rival network Channel Seven.

Dr Brown announced his exit from Ten in February, after a 15-year tenure at the station. He will begin work at Seven in July.

A TV insider told New Idea Morris would be reluctant to continue on I'm a Celebrity without her close friend Dr Brown by her side.

Carrie Bickmore (left)and Tommy Little (right) are reportedly in the running to replace Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris as hosts of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here next year

The news comes amid rumours Morris (right) is set to follow Dr Brown (left) out the door at Ten after he jumped ship to rival network Channel Seven

The source added: '[Bickmore and Little] would be the breath of fresh air the show needs, especially being as funny and close as they are on radio and [were on] The Project.'

While she hasn't confirmed her future at Ten, Morris has announced she will take to the stage later this year for a stand-up comedy tour.

It follows reports of Bickmore, 42, growing close to Little since her split from her long-term partner Chris Walker in January.

Little, 38, is also single following his break-up with girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021.

Other contenders to replace Dr Brown as co-host of I'm a Celebrity are Joel Creasey, Tim Campbell and Shane Crawford.

While she hasn't confirmed her future at Ten, Morris (pictured) has announced she will take to the stage later this year for a stand-up comedy tour

Creasey was previously a contestant on I'm a Celebrity and once hosted a short-lived after-show that aired for one season.

Dr Brown first joined Channel Ten in 2008 to host Bondi Vet, which became a surprise ratings hit and was syndicated around the world.

The factual series was based on his real-life experience as a vet at the Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital in Sydney's east.
Bec Judd set temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she flaunted her flawless physique in a jaw-dropping activewear ensemble.

The 40-year-old model and footy WAG posed up a storm in a figure-hugging grey spandex outfit, in a gallery of sizzling Instagram snaps.

She swept her brunette hair into a ponytail and completed her sporty look with an exercise watch and white sneakers.

Bec, the wife of AFL champion Chris Judd, accessorised by draping a stylish tan trench coat over her shoulders and donning designer sunglasses.

The former Channel Nine weather presenter rocked her best angles against a scenic beachside backdrop.

Bec Judd set temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she flaunted her flawless physique in a jaw-dropping activewear ensemble

The photos were to promote the sportswear label Jaggad, of which Bec is a part-owner alongside her husband and another AFL couple.

'How good is this?' she captioned the photo gallery.

Back in April, Bec was left surprised when she was refused service at a bottle shop.

The 40-year-old model and footy WAG posed up a storm in a figure-hugging grey spandex outfit, in a gallery of sizzling Instagram snaps

She took to Instagram to reveal she'd been turned away from a liquor store in New Zealand because she did not look 'old enough' to buy a bottle of wine.

The influencer said she and her sister Kate had been refused service because they could not produce ID to prove they were over 18 - the legal age to purchase booze.

The sisters wanted to purchase a bottle of NZ Wairau River Rose.

Back in April, Bec was left surprised when she was refused service at a bottle shop

She also included a photo of herself posing with her sister Kate and included the caption: 'Just a couple of under-agers trying to get a bottle of rose.'

The sisters were joined for the trip by Bec's husband Chris and their four sports-mad children, Oscar, Billie, Tom and Darcy.

The Judds celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary at the start of the year.
Gigi Hadid was unmissable in a sizzling black ensemble at the Met Gala on Monday evening.

The 28-year-old model had on a revealing look built around a striking black bustier from Givenchy Haute Couture that emphasized her curves.

The iconic event was returning to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer, who died at 85 in 2019, was Chanel's long-time creative director.

Gigi's bustier was enlivened with zipper-like rows of silver sequins running down its front.

Back in black: Gigi Hadid was unmissable in a sizzling black ensemble at the Met Gala on Monday evening

Stunner: The 28-year-old model had on a revealing look built around a striking black bustier from Givenchy Haute Couture that emphasized her curves

She paired the sheer look with a matching set of translucent black panties.

Instead of a traditional dress, she wore a long tulle skirt that rested on her hips and featured a long train.

The catwalk star wore matching pantyhose over her trim legs, and she elevated her 5ft10in stature with a set of pointy black heels with gold embellishments over the toes.

Gigi paid tribute to Lagerfeld by wearing a short set of sheer gloves. The late fashion designer was famous for often wearing sets of fingerless gloves when out in public.

Gigi's appeared to have long black strings that tied them tight around her wrists.

She completed her outfit with a sheer black shawl that was draped over one shoulder and wrapped around her torso diagonally.

The blond beauty wore her long locks tied back and fanned out across her back in thick waves.

She added some glamour to the chic ensemble with a pearl necklace and bracelet, along with a diamond necklace dangling from her throat.

Embellishments: Gigi's bustier was enlivened with zipper-like rows of silver sequins running down its front

Revealing: She paired the sheer look with a matching set of translucent black panties

Mix and match: Instead of a traditional dress, she wore a long tulle skirt that rested on her hips and featured a long train

Legs for days: The catwalk star wore matching pantyhose over her trim legs, and she elevated her 5ft10in stature with a set of pointy black heels with gold embellishments over the toes

Gigi completed her look with some delicate cat-eye makeup.

She met up with several of her model pals at the event, including Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne.

However, Gigi's sister Bella Hadid was notably absent from the ceremony, which she has attended several times in the past.

So far, she hasn't addressed the absence or what she did instead.

This year's decision to honor Karl Lagerfeld has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the '60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagine  one of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to the Associated Press.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet  with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious  at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Nailed the theme: Gigi paid tribute to Lagerfeld by wearing a short set of sheer gloves. The late fashion designer was famous for often wearing sets of fingerless gloves when out in public

Friends: She met up with several of her model pals at the event, including Kendall Jenner (pictured) and Cara Delevingne

MIA: However, her sister Bella Hadid was notably absent despite being a regular attendee of the event

Mum's the word: So far, neither Bella nor Gigi have addressed the absence

Grand exit: Earlier on Monday, Gigi was seen leaving the Mark Hotel and heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Even those who have the funds aren't guaranteed entry to the party, though many of the guests are sponsored by fashion houses that foot the bill for their tickets.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton is among the big names attending in what will be her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Kyle Sandilands' outspoken ex Imogen Anthony shared a cryptic Instagram post seemingly about the radio host just two days after his wedding to Tegan Kynaston.

The model, 32, who dated Sandilands for eight years until 2019, has made several shady remarks in the past about his relationship with Kynaston.

She reignited the feud on Monday by sharing a video on Instagram of herself sipping on a large cocktail with her new partner in the background, alongside a lengthy caption in which she spoke of not 'settling' for a bad relationship.

'You'll never know heaven 'till you've been to hell,' she wrote.

'Please don't assume you know anything when it's taken this long to overcome. People are exactly what you think they are, conniving, vindictive and manipulative.'

Kyle Sandilands' outspoken ex-girlfriend Imogen Anthony (pictured) shared a shady Instagram post seemingly about the radio host just two days after his wedding to Tegan Kynaston

The model, 32, who dated Sandilands for eight years until 2019, has made cryptic remarks in the past about his relationship with Kynaston. (The couple is seen on their wedding day)

Anthony went on to emphasise the importance of living life on her own terms, before saying she harbours no hard feelings towards anyone.

'My life is about making it a special one, living under zero control of others, doing and being as I please with no ill intent,' she said.

Anthony also seemingly hinted at the lack of appreciation she received from Sandilands during their former relationship, writing: 'It's not my fault if someone didn't know how to treat or appreciate something while they had it.'

She reignited the feud on Monday by sharing a lengthy Instagram post (caption pictured) in which she spoke of not 'settling' for a bad relationship

Anthony accompanied her post with a video of herself sipping on a large cocktail with her new partner in the background

She went on to express her desire to live life for herself and not to settle for anything less than what she feels she deserves.

Her post concluded with Anthony asking others to 'leave her out' of the situation, stating: 'If someone else is willing to settle, that's on them. I ain't. So leave me out of it.'

While Anthony's message did not specifically mention Sandilands or Kynaston, the timing of her post strongly suggested it was in reference to the newlyweds.

Anthony and Sandilands (pictured in 2014) called time on their relationship in 2019

She had earlier tried to steal the spotlight on the couple's wedding day by sharing a series of racy photos from her 'honeymoon' in Thailand with her new partner.

She uploaded the snaps on the very day Sandilands and Kynaston said 'I do' in a ceremony rumoured to have cost the KIIS FM host a cool $1million.

In one of the photos, the words 'H. Moon' were spelled out in rose petals; however, it is unclear whether Anthony has actually legally married her new man.

She had earlier tried to steal the spotlight on the couple's wedding day by sharing a series of racy photos from her 'honeymoon' in Thailand with her new partner
Lea Michele made her first appearance at the Met Gala in nine years on Monday evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where she donned a sequined silver Michael Kors gown.

The long-sleeved open back gown the New York City native wore included a bow on the chest above a keyhole cut, with a matching choker. Michele toted a metallic clutch purse and slipped her feet into Flower Strass Buckle Platform Sandals by Roger Vivier.

Michele, 36, who is playing Fanny Brice in the revival of Funny Girl on Broadway, wore her brown locks in a bob style to complement her flashy fashion ensemble.

Michele was pictured dancing with fellow stars such as Kerry Washington, Brian Tyree Henry and Vanessa Hudgens at the event.

Michele's team who helped put together the glamorous look included stylist Brian Meller, hairstylist Ryan Richman and makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez, among others.

Back in the high life: Lea Michele, 36, made her first appearance at the Met Gala in nine years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, where she donned a sequined silver gown

Gonzalez said she helped Michele put together the healthy look using products such as True Botanicals to prep her skin, and Armani and Tweezerman for the makeup palette, according to Hollywood Life.

Gonzalez said she drew creative inspiration from the iconic entertainer who preceded Michele in the Funny Girl role, Barbra Streisand.

'I wanted a modern nod to Barbra Streisands makeup when she won her award for Funny Girl,' she said, according to the outlet. 'I thought perfect with her look in its entirety.'

Michele has been the musical comedy's leading lady since September of 2022, following the departure of Beanie Feldstein months earlier.

While Michele was initially slated to perform through the show's spring slate, the actress and producers agreed to extend her run through September 3. After that, she is slated to appear in a solo show at Carnegie Hall in October.

The Glee alum, who is mom to two-year-old son Ever Leo Reich with husband Zandy Reich.

Last week, while appearing at the Time 100 Gala, Michele gave fans an update on her son's health after he was hospitalized for an undisclosed issue.

Michele told E! News it had been 'a challenging month' and that she was buoyed by 'the most incredible support from' her family and cast members, who she called her family as well.

The long-sleeved open back gown the New York City native wore included a bow on the chest above a keyhole cut, with a matching choker

Michele toted a metallic clutch purse and wore silver platform heels to the exclusive gathering

Michele, who is playing Fanny Brice in the revival of Funny Girl on Broadway, wore her brown locks in a bob style to complement her flashy fashion ensemble

Michele's team who helped put together the glamorous look included stylist Brian Meller, hairstylist Ryan Richman and makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez, among others

The Glee alum, who is mom to two-year-old son Ever Leo Reich with husband Zandy Reich, posed on a staircase in front of chandelier at the event

Michele, who had previously attended the event in 2012 and 2014, made significantly different fashion splashes during her first two trips to the annual fashion gala.

In 2014, she donned a bold gold Altuzarra dress to the event, which was themed Charles James: Beyond Fashion. She rounded out the look with Christian Louboutin shoes, a clutch by Kotur and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

In 2012, when the theme was Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, Michele was clad in a navy blue dress by Diane von Furstenberg.

Michele was among a number of stars attending the annual fundraising event, as since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event will be held on the first Monday of May.

This year, the ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director.

He passed at age 85 in 2019, and his beloved cat, Choupette, was invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

Michele posed with fellow attendees Kaitlyn Dever, Camila Morrone and Vanessa Hudgens

Michele was pictured dancing with fellow stars such as Brian Tyree Henry, Hudgens and Kerry Washington at the event

The celebs appeared to be having an amazing time at the annual event in the Big Apple

Michele was among a number of stars attending the exclusive event

Chic: She later slipped into a custom Michael Kors Collection black mini-dress with hand-embroidered sequins to party with pal Jonathan Groff

Wowza: While Kerry Washington opted for a custom Michael Kors Collection ivory duchesse satin jacket and cropped tank with hand-embroidered pearls and crystals

After party: They were joined by Vanessa Hudgens who slipped into a silver matte-jersey cropped tank and matching sequinned skirt , both from the Spring/Summer 2023 Michael Kors Collection

Leggy: Ashley Park wore a custom Michael Kors Collection black oversized motorcycle vest with hand-embroidered sequins, matching strapless dress and thigh-high boots

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagine - one of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Michele made significantly different fashion splashes during her first two trips to the annual fashion gala. In 2014, she donned a bold gold Altuzarra dress to the event, which was themed Charles James: Beyond Fashion

In 2012, when the theme was Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, Michele was clad in a navy blue dress by Diane von Furstenberg

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.
Nicole Kidman has posted rare backstage footage of her glamorous red carpet look for the 2023 Met Gala.

In a series of photos uploaded to Instagram on Tuesday, the Australian actress, 55, flaunted her incredible figure as she posed in her hotel room wearing her stunning gown.

The Hollywood star showed off her toned back as she slipped into her pink dress - the same one she wore in her iconic 2004 Chanel No. 5 commercial.

Nicole also revealed the frock's dramatic four-metre train crafted from silk tulle and embroidered with 250 pink ostrich feathers.

She shared another image, showing off the frock's 3,000 silver crystals and sequins as she waited for the elevator.

Nicole Kidman showed off her incredibly toned back as she stripped down and got fitted for her Met Gala gown

The A-lister made sure the focus was on her stunning frock by wearing simple black strappy stilettos and a very pared back hair and makeup look.

Her strawberry locks were out in a straight style with a slight wave.

The 2023 fashion extravaganza's dress code is be Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the late controversial fashion designer.

Nicole wore the same dress, designed by Lagerfeld himself, in her 2004 advertising film for Chanel N5 'Le Film', which was directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Nicole revealed the frock's dramatic four-metre train crafted from silk tulle and embroidered with 250 pink ostrich feathers

She shared another image, showing off the frock's 3,000 silver crystals and sequins

Costing a whopping $33 million USD, the extravagant 180-second ad still is considered the most expensive ever made.

At the time, Baz and Nicole were still riding high off their recent success of their film Moulin Rouge!, the aesthetic of which was reflected in the Chanel advertisement.

In the commercial, Kidman played a Hollywood star who desperately wanted to escape the paparazzi.

Wearing her iconic pink gown, she flees the red carpet and jumps into a taxi with her on-screen love interest, played by Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro.
Adut Akech used a touching detail to pay homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld in her 2023 Met Gala outfit on Monday night.

The 23-year-old South Sudanese-Australian model wowed in a tiered tulle monochromatic Carolina Herrera gown complete with a train.

The fitted strapless bodice was detailed with dazzling pearl and diamond embellishments, while her hair was styled in a short blunt bob.

She accessorised with diamond rings and earrings, and opted for a minimal makeup with a dark matte lip.

The model was accompanied by Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon.

Adut Akech used a touching detail to pay homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld in her 2023 Met Gala outfit on Monday night

Adut says the colours of the gown were a nod to the famous but controversial fashion designer.

'Black and white were very much Karl's colours,' she told Vogue.

'He always gravitated towards clean and refined colour palettes, and loved to play with the bold contrast of black and white to bring his designs to life.'

Adut has attended the Met Gala several times after making her debut in 2018.

The 2023 fashion extravaganza dress code is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the late controversial fashion designer.

The 23-year-old South Sudanese-Australian model wowed in a tiered tulle monochromatic Carolina Herrera gown complete with a train

The model was accompanied by Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon (left)

The Met Gala will have Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa as the co-chairs, along with Anna Wintour.

Vogue magazine announced the news of the theme in January via their social media and website, writing on Instagram: 'This year, the #MetGala - which benefits the @metmuseum 's @metcostumeinstitute - falls on May 1 and will honor one of fashion's greatest talents: Karl Lagerfeld.'

The outlet added that the 2023 theme will be 'in honor of Karl.'

Karl died February 19, 2019 at the age of 85 following complications of pancreatic cancer.

Adut says the colours of the gown were a nod to the famous but controversial fashion designer

The fashion designer served as the creative designer for Chanel, Fendi as well as his own label.

He also worked with Chloe, Patou and Balmain during his career in fashion.

At the time of his death, Adut mourned Karl and said she's still feeling the pain of his passing.

The supermodel detailed her 'special' relationship with the fashion powerhouse, writing: 'Shocked doesn't even describe what I'm feeling right now, I just received the WORST NEWS that has passed away this morning after weeks of being so ill.

'It's so hard to believe that you're gone, I didn't think that three weeks ago would be the last time I saw, hugged and kissed you.'

Karl died February 19, 2019 at the age of 85 following complications of pancreatic cancer. At the time of his death, Adut detailed her 'special' relationship with the fashion powerhouse

She went on: 'Karl thank you so much for being one of the people in this industry that excepted me believed in me and took a chance with me.

'Working with Chanel had always been one of my biggest dream since I started modelling and you made that dream come true for me.

'I don't think I could ever thank you enough for the life changing experiences and opportunities that I received from you.'

Adut made history as the second black bride to close the Chanel Couture show, after being hand-picked by Karl himself.

She followed in Alek Wek's footsteps, modelling a cutting-edge wedding gown at Chanel's Haute Couture Fall 2018 show in Paris.
The day after channeling former FLOTUS Jackie Kennedy in a tidy tweed suit, Oscar nominee Salma Hayek Pinault vamped it up in a fetish wear-inspired creation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's $50K/ticket Costume Institute benefit in Manhattan on Monday.

The 56-year-old Mexican bombshell - who boasts 27.6M social media followers - dedicated her red-hot look to the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, whose large body of work was honored at The Met exhibition A Line of Beauty.

Salma showcased her God-given assets and slim 5ft2in hourglass figure in a Gucci gown, featuring a glossy red bustier with pearl off-the-shoulder straps and a cascading ruffled tulle skirt, selected by stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray.

Gucci wasn't a difficult choice for Hayek (born Jimenez), whose husband of 14 years - Francois-Henri Pinault - literally owns the brand through his multinational corporation Kering.

Hairstylist Peter Savic fastened three red rose ponytail holders down the faux-nytail extension he fastened on The Magic Mike's Last Dance star's natural shoulder-length brunette mane.

Lady in red! Oscar nominee Salma Hayek Pinault vamped it up in a fetish wear-inspired creation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's $50K/ticket Costume Institute benefit in Manhattan on Monday

'For you Karl': The 56-year-old Mexican bombshell - who boasts 27.6M social media followers - dedicated her red-hot look to the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, whose large body of work was honored at The Met exhibition A Line of Beauty

Make-up artist Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury fully contoured Salma's complexion and applied maroon Walk of No Shame lipstick that could've better resembled the shade on her slinky dress.

Hayek finished off her ensemble with two diamond statement rings, pearl-and-diamond earrings, and a white manicure applied by Luxuria Nail Bar owner Leonobi Galvez.

The Puss in Boots: The Last Wish actress even gave a shout out to massage therapist Camila Perez and facialist Ivan Pol, who's famed for his $295 'secret sauce' called The Beauty Sandwich.

At one point a tuxedo-clad Met Gala staffer helped arrange and fluff up Salma's sparkly train.

Hayek then proudly posed with her own tuxedo-clad French billionaire - turning 61 on May 28 - who just took a pay cut following the ad scandal for another one of his fashion brands, Balenciaga.

The Daytime Emmy winner originally met Francois-Henri in the spring of 2006 at the Palazzo Grassi in Venice, and they looked thick as thieves during the fashion festivities.

Salma and Pinault are proud parents of 15-year-old daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault, who has already amassed over 184K TikTok followers.

The Groupe Artemis president is also father to three older children - son Francois Jr., 25; daughter Mathilde, 22; and son Augustin, 16 - with ex-wife Dorothee Lepere and nineties supermodel Linda Evangelista.

Werrrk! Salma showcased her God-given assets and slim 5ft2in hourglass figure in a Gucci gown, featuring a glossy red bustier with pearl off-the-shoulder straps and a cascading ruffled tulle skirt, selected by stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray

Thanks, babe! Gucci wasn't a difficult choice for Hayek, whose husband of 14 years - Francois-Henri Pinault (R) - literally owns the brand through his multinational corporation Kering

Floral flare: Hairstylist Peter Savic fastened three red rose ponytail holders down the faux-nytail extension he fastened on The Magic Mike's Last Dance star's natural shoulder-length brunette mane

Ready for her close-up! Make-up artist Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury fully contoured Salma's complexion and applied maroon Walk of No Shame lipstick that could've better resembled the shade on her slinky dress

All in the details! Hayek (born Jimenez) finished off her ensemble with two diamond statement rings, pearl-and-diamond earrings, and a white manicure applied by Luxuria Nail Bar owner Leonobi Galvez

It takes a village! The Puss in Boots: The Last Wish actress even gave a shout out to massage therapist Camila Perez and facialist Ivan Pol, who's famed for his $295 'secret sauce' called The Beauty Sandwich

Diva moment! At one point a tuxedo-clad Met Gala staffer (L) helped arrange and fluff up Salma's sparkly train

Still going strong! Hayek then proudly posed with her own tuxedo-clad French billionaire (L) - turning 61 on May 28 - who just took a pay cut following the ad scandal for another one of his fashion brands, Balenciaga

Thick as thieves: The Daytime Emmy winner originally met Francois-Henri in the spring of 2006 at the Palazzo Grassi in Venice

Baby of the family: Salma and Pinault are proud parents of 15-year-old daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault, who has already amassed over 184K TikTok followers

2022 family portrait: The Groupe Artemis president is also father to three older children - son Francois Jr. (L), 25; daughter Mathilde (2-R), 22; and son Augustin (2-L), 16 - with ex-wife Dorothee Lepere and nineties supermodel Linda Evangelista

While at the Met Gala, Hayek excitedly reunited with Oscar winner Anne Hathaway, her co-star in Netflix's upcoming film Seesaw Monster.

Olivia Milch penned the action comedy about two rivals forced to work together, which was based on Kotaro Isaka's 2019 novel of the same name.

The Frida alum seemed even more excited to get her hands on Oscar winner Jared Leto's full-body character costume resembling Karl Lagerfeld's beloved Birman cat Choupette.

Salma is a self-described animal hoarder who at one point adopted around 50 critters including 20 chickens, five parrots, four alpacas, two fish, dogs, cats, and a hamster.

Hayek was so distracted by the WeWork onscreen couple she didn't notice Beef actress Ashley Park hilariously bowing down at her.

Once seated at her VIP table, the BMW brand ambassador had a conversation with former Daily Show host Trevor Noah, who was rocking a corn-rows hairstyle with his three-piece tuxedo.

Career-wise, Salma will next portray the vengeful Nina in her Eternals castmate Angelina Jolie's fifth feature directorial effort Without Blood also starring Demian Bichir.

The Italian-set trauma drama is based on Alessandro Baricco's 2002 novel about 'the cruelty of war, a little girl's shattered world, and her lifelong quest for revenge and healing.'

Hey girl! While at the Met Gala, Hayek excitedly reunited with Oscar winner Anne Hathaway (R), her co-star in Netflix's upcoming film Seesaw Monster

Bring it in! Olivia Milch penned the action comedy about two rivals forced to work together, which was based on Kotaro Isaka's 2019 novel of the same name

So soft! The Frida alum seemed even more excited to get her hands on Oscar winner Jared Leto's (M) full-body character costume resembling Karl Lagerfeld's beloved Birman cat Choupette

Self-described animal hoarder: At one point, Salma adopted around 50 critters including 20 chickens, five parrots, four alpacas, two fish, dogs, cats, and a hamster

Yasss queen! Hayek was so distracted by the WeWork onscreen couple she didn't notice Beef actress Ashley Park (R) hilariously bowing down at her

Comedian seatmate: Once at her VIP table, the BMW brand ambassador had a conversation with former Daily Show host Trevor Noah (R), who was rocking a corn-rows hairstyle with his three-piece tuxedo

Action! Salma will next portray the vengeful Nina in her Eternals castmate Angelina Jolie's fifth feature directorial effort Without Blood also starring Demian Bichir (2-L, pictured July 3)

Source material: The Italian-set trauma drama is based on Alessandro Baricco's 2002 novel about 'the cruelty of war, a little girl's shattered world, and her lifelong quest for revenge and healing'

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.
Channel 10 has made a somber change to MasterChef Australia's official Facebook page following the unexpected death of Jock Zonfrillo.

The Scottish-Australian chef was found dead by police at a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne, at about 2am on Monday. He was 46.

At 2.13pm on Tuesday the network replaced a previously featured photo, which showcased Jock alongside fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, with the MasterChef logo.

The untimely passing of the beloved Scottish-Italian chef has cast a shadow over the popular reality show, raising questions about the future of the upcoming series.

Originally scheduled to return to television screens on May 1, the fate of the new season is now uncertain, as fans and production staff alike come to terms with the loss of the culinary icon.

Channel 10 has made a somber change to MasterChef Australia's official Facebook page following the unexpected death of Jock Zonfrillo. Pictured, left to right, Melissa Leong, Andy Allen and Zonfrillo

At 2.13pm on Tuesday the network replaced a previously featured photo, which showcased Jock alongside fellow judges Melissa and Andy, with the MasterChef logo

Zonfrillo, who joined MasterChef Australia as a judge in 2019, quickly became a favourite with fans due to his warm demeanor, culinary expertise, and mentorship to contestants.

His passion for Indigenous Australian ingredients and his philanthropic efforts in the culinary world were well-known and admired.

Police found Zonfrillo's body after they were called to a hotel in Carlton, Melbourne for a welfare check.

No cause of death has been disclosed, but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.

The Glasgow-born chef became a host of the popular Channel 10 cooking show in 2019 alongside Allen and Leong.

Police found Zonfrillo's body at about 2am on Monday after they were called to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne, for a welfare check

The trio replaced original judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan after they quit the show amid a pay dispute.

'With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,' his family said in a statement on Monday.

'With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,' his family said

'So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words.

'For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.

'We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.'

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14
She had already put on a showstopping display at the Met Gala.

And Emily Ratajkowski set pulses racing once again in a jaw-dropping black sheer dress as she headed to the event's star-studded after party at Zero Bond in New York City on Monday night.

The model, 31, showed off her eye-popping cleavage in a sexy look with matching gloves as she strutted into the private bash after gracing the event's red carpet.

Emily flaunted her incredible figure in the revealing sheer black dress with a corset body that flowed into a see-through skirt.

The Blurred Lines star's look was teamed with layers of pearls and chained necklaces with matching chunky bracelets.

Wow! Emily Ratajkowski set pulses racing once again in a jaw-dropping black sheer dress as she headed to the Met Gala's after party at Zero Bond in New York City on Monday night

Hard to miss! The model showed off her eye-popping cleavage in a sexy look with matching gloves as she strutted into the private bash after gracing the event's red carpet

Bold! Emily flaunted her incredible figure in the revealing sheer black dress with a corset body that flowed into a see-through skirt

Continuing to sport her eye-catching fringed crimped look, Emily made a bold statement with her racy black dress.

Emily had already taken the Met Gala staircase by storm as she arrived for the swanky event earlier in the evening.

The model had all eyes on her in a plunging taupe dress which left little of her cleavage to the imagination.

Adorned with pearls, the strapless look cinched into her svelte waist and featured a semi-sheer skirt that furled out into a dramatic train.

The outfit fell in line with this year's theme of Karl Lagerfeld, as the dress closely aligned with his signature style.

Emily's brunette locks were styled glossy and were held back with the help of an elegant black bow. She also rocked edgy fringe and glossy lips.

A swipe of smoky eye shadow ramped up the drama while her cheeks looked radiant with a touch of blush.

She carried a small clutch decked out with feathers.

Standing out! The Blurred Lines star's look was teamed with layers of pearls and chained necklaces with matching chunky bracelets

Edgy! Continuing to sport her eye-catching fringed crimped look, Emily made a bold statement with her racy black dress

Show it off! Emily flashed every inch of her underwear in the see-through black dress

How daring! Emily cut a sultry figure in her after party look after turning heads as she headed into the post-Met Gala bash

Sizzling! She looked nothing short of incredible in the revealing black sheer dress

Amazing! Emily teamed the sheer dress with matching see-through gloves

Met Gala madness! Emily had already taken the Met Gala staircase by storm as she arrived for the swanky event earlier in the evening

Taking the plunge! The model, 31, had all eyes on her in a plunging taupe dress which left little of her cleavage to the imagination as she attended the 2023 gala

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Rita Ora attending the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May, and fans were able to watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even been invited to the festivities.

The decision to honour Karl sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'I'm against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'It's difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I don't know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

Picture perfect: She looked majestic posing for photographers

Nailed it! Even her taupe manicure matched her dress

A-list extravaganza: The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event

Working it! Emily posed confidently upon the staircase

Controversial theme: This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019

Fashionistas! Emily posed alongside Phoebe Bridgers and designer Tory Burch

She's a pro! The star has been to several Met Galas in the past

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala will also be co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she will not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony are among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Eddie Redmayne and his wife Hannah Bagshawe received a coveted invite to the 2023 Met Gala, held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday.

The actor, 41, and Hannah, 40, put on a united display as they walked the star-studded red carpet.

This year's theme was celebrating Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty and Eddie made sure he paid tribute to the late legendary designer with his suit.

Eddie looked effortlessly cool in his double breasted blazer which was adorned with pearl brooches with draping chains and flare trousers.

The Fantastic Beasts actor has attended the Met Gala over the past few years, having caught Vogue editor Anna Wintour's eye with his experimental taste when it comes to fashion.

On the A-list: Eddie Redmayne and his wife Hannah Bagshawe received a coveted invite to the 2023 Met Gala, held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

Loved-up: The actor, 41, and Hannah, 40, put on a united display as they walked the star-studded red carpet

The couple looked loved-up as they posed for photos with Hannah looking glamorous in a pearl dress with a satin ruffle gown in homage to Karl.

Coco Chanel was known for her pearls and Karl went on to make pearls a signature part of the brand.

The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honour Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby?

This year's theme was celebrating Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty and Eddie made sure he paid tribute to the late legendary designer with his suit

Eddie looked effortlessly cool in his double breasted blazer which was adorned with silver emblems with draping chains

Hannah, meanwhile, looked glamorous in a pearl dress with a satin ruffle gown in homage to Karl, who made pearls become a signature look for Chanel

Style: The Fantastic Beasts actor has attended the Met Gala over the past few years, having caught Vogue editor Anna Wintour's eye with his experimental taste when it comes to fashion

'I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala was co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.
A year after making her Met Gala debut, Maude Apatow returned to the annual gala in a stunning look.

The 25-year-old Euphoria star hit the red carpet in a stunning gown from Chloe for the bash on Monday evening.

She posed on the red carpet with three more women also wearing Chloe gowns - Olivia Wilde, Vanessa Kirby and designer Gabriela Hearst.

Apatow stepped out in a stunning black gown with big cutouts on both sides, with the cutouts featuring jewel-encrusted silver trim.

Her auburn locks fell just below her chin as she accessorized with diamond-encrusted earrings and two massive diamond rings on each hand.

Maude returns: A year after making her Met Gala debut, Maude Apatow returned to the annual gala in a stunning look

Maude's look: The 25-year-old Euphoria star hit the red carpet in a stunning gown from Chloe for the bash on Monday evening

Chloe sisters: She posed on the red carpet with three more women also wearing Chloe gowns - Olivia Wilde, Vanessa Kirby and designer Gabriela Hearst

The actress is the daughter of film director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann, getting her acting start with brief roles in her father's movies.

It didn't take her long to break out on her own, though, with roles in HBO's Girls, The House of Tomorrow and Assassination Nation before landing the role of Lexi Howard in HBO's Euphoria.

She also played Claire in the Pete Davidson film The King of Staten Island and voiced Claire in Pantheon.

Most recently, she's been keeping busy by playing Audrey in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors.

She revealed last month while promoting the show on Late Night with Seth Meyers that she actually suffered a concussion on the set.

'Well, I'm always really kind of in a panic the entire time, and I was running offstage and I guess my eyes were kind of adjusting to the light, and I just ran full-speed into the wall. Yeah, and I got a concussion!' she admitted.

Still, she went on to finish the performance, though she added she, 'was just like almost crying' throughout the rest of the show.

She added, 'And then yeah, after the show I think the adrenaline wore off and I was like: "I need to go to the hospital,"' she said with a giggle. 'But I'm all good now!'

Daughter: The actress is the daughter of film director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann, getting her acting start with brief roles in her father's movies

Breaking out: It didn't take her long to break out on her own, though, with roles in HBO's Girls, The House of Tomorrow and Assassination Nation before landing the role of Lexi Howard in HBO's Euphoria

Roles: She also played Claire in the Pete Davidson film The King of Staten Island and voiced Claire in Pantheon

Off-Broadway: Most recently, she's been keeping busy by playing Audrey in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors

Last month: She revealed last month while promoting the show on Late Night with Seth Meyers that she actually suffered a concussion on the set

Panic: 'Well, I'm always really kind of in a panic the entire time, and I was running offstage and I guess my eyes were kind of adjusting to the light, and I just ran full-speed into the wall. Yeah, and I got a concussion!' she admitted

Performance: Still, she went on to finish the performance, though she added she, 'was just like almost crying' throughout the rest of the show

All good: She added, 'And then yeah, after the show I think the adrenaline wore off and I was like: "I need to go to the hospital,"' she said with a giggle. 'But I'm all good now!'

Maude will return as Lexi in the third season of Euphoria, though it's unclear when production will begin.

It was revealed last week that Apatow will continue working on the stage, though this time she's heading across the pond.

The actress signed on to play Sally Bowles in the West End revival of Cabaret in London, starting May 29.

The West End revival of Cabaret debuted in 2021, with Apatow taking over the role from Aimee Lou Wood.
Rebel Wilson isn't letting Nicole Kidman forget about her famous advertisement for AMC Theatres.

The Hollywood actress wore the pink dress from her iconic Channel No.5 commercial to the Met Gala, and posted a clip of the ad to her Instagram page on Tuesday as the glamorous event kicked off.

In the Chanel commercial, Nicole is seen running through New York City in the gorgeous gown.

She captioned the Instagram post: 'Running to The Met' followed by a wink face emoji.

Rebel didn't miss a beat to relate her Met Gala look to her cinema ad, as she commented: 'Just run to the AMC theatre', followed by a love heart emoji.

Nicole Kidman wore the pink dress from her iconic Channel No.5 commercial to the Met Gala, and posted a clip of the ad to her Instagram page on Tuesday

The Oscar-winning actress appeared in an AMC theatre ad in 2021 to welcome customers back to the cinema after the pandemic, and it built a cult following between some cinemagoers.

Many movie lovers were obsessed with the advertisement, but some were upset when a shorter version began to play in cinemas.

In the ad, the Moulin Rouge actress welcomes audiences back as she describes the theatre a 'place for magic' and to 'laugh, cry and take care'.

In the Chanel commercial, Nicole is seen running through New York City in the gorgeous gown

Rebel didn't miss a beat to relate her Met Gala look to her cinema ad, as she commented: 'Just run to the AMC theatre' followed by a love heart emoji

Many fans reacted with laughing faces to Rebel's AMC comment

It begins with the Australian actress arriving to an empty cinema, removing the hood from her coat as she enters the theater.

She goes on to deliver her iconic line: 'For some reason, a broken heart feels good in a place like this.'

The mom-of-four continued: 'Our heroes feel like the best part of us, and the sorties seem perfect and powerful, because here they are. AMC theaters. We make films better.'

While shown in some theaters, moviegoers have been known to clap, laugh and recite the ad.

However, many were outraged when the ad was shortened and an online petition was even created to try and persuade AMC to put the original commercial back on.

The Oscar-winning actress appeared in an AMC theatre ad in 2021 to welcome customers back to the cinema after the pandemic, and it built a cult following between some cinemagoers

It begins with the Australian actress arriving to an empty cinema, removing the hood from her coat as she enters the theater

The Australian actress, 55, also posted some rare backstage footage to Instagram of her glamorous Met Gala look.

In a series of photos uploaded to Instagram on Tuesday, Nicole flaunted her incredible figure as she posed in her hotel room wearing her stunning gown.

The frock featured 3,000 silver crystals and a dramatic four-metre train crafted from silk tulle and embroidered with 250 pink ostrich feathers.

Nicole's gown featured 3,000 silver crystals and a dramatic four-metre train crafted from silk tulle and embroidered with 250 pink ostrich feathers

The A-lister made sure the focus was on her stunning frock by wearing simple black strappy stilettos and a very pared back hair and makeup look.

Her strawberry locks were out in a straight style with a slight wave.

The 2023 fashion extravaganza's dress code is be Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the late controversial fashion designer.

Nicole wore the same dress, designed by Lagerfeld himself, in her 2004 advertising film for Chanel N5 'Le Film', which was directed by Baz Luhrmann.
She is a stalwart at the annual fashion bash.

And Sienna Miller once again pulled out all of the style stops, as she attended the Met Gala at the at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on Monday night.

The actress, 41, oozed 1920s style as she channelled a Flapper in a backless black feathered dress with a thigh slit up the leg, revealing her toned pins.

Sienna teamed the look with a diamond headpiece and a pair of pearl drop earrings, while her blonde locks were worn slicked back into a neat bun.

The British star further accessorised with a pair of fingerless PVC gloves and a pair of bejewelled silver heeled sandals.

Sensational: Sienna Miller once again pulled out all of the style stops, as she attended the Met Gala at the at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on Monday night

Stunning: The actress, 41, oozed 1920s style as she channelled a Flapper in a backless black feathered dress with a thigh slit up the leg, revealing her toned pins

The Anatomy of a Scandal star completed the glamorous look with heavy grey eye make-up and a slick of matte pink lipstick, with her makeup and skincare done by Wendy Rowe using Charlotte Tilbury Beauty.

During the evening, Sienna, who is dating model Oli Green, 25, shunned her beau in favour of attending the party with her longtime pal Emily Blunt.

Emily and Sienna first attended the Met Gala together in 2019, and then again 2021.

The best pals posed for a series of adorable animated snaps together before heading inside to the exclusive bash.

Sienna was later pictured attending an after party at the Mark Hotel in the city, sporting the same outfit that she wore on the red carpet.

The biggest night in fashion took with a slew of the industry's most notable stars walking the red carpet to showcase their glamorous and daring looks.

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May and the annual extravaganza kicked off at 6:30PM EST on May 1.

The ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

Glam: Sienna teamed the look with a diamond headpiece and a pair of pearl drop earrings, while her blonde locks were worn slicked back into a neat bun

Cute! During the evening, Sienna, who is dating model Oli Green, 25, shunned her beau in favour of attending the party with her longtime pal Emily Blunt

Date: Emily and Sienna first attended the Met Gala together in 2019, and then again 2021

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'I'm against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'It's difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I don't know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala was co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission was raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six. But even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Rolling through: Sienna was later pictured attending an after party at the Mark Hotel in the city, sporting the same outfit that she wore on the red carpet

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Heiress Paris was among the biggest names to attend the event, in what marked her first ever Met Gala.

However it didn't go off without a hitch, as her grand Met Gala entrance was blocked by angry climate change protestors who laid in front of her vehicle.

But the small disruption didn't stop the billionaire from arriving on the red carpet and stunning an off-the-shoulder leather dress.

The best dressed of the night included Met vet Kim, who wowed in an incredible pearl dress, as she seemingly revisiting her Playboy look from 2007 by accident.

Kim wore custom Schiaparelli, covered in 50,000 pearls that were hand-strung and draped onto her body.

The mother of four revealed that she wanted pearls because 'what is more Karl' than 'iconic Chanel pearls,' she said during her interview on Vogue.com's livestream.

Pregnant Rihanna, Gisele and Emily Ratajkowski also honored Karl in their statement gowns as they brought their A-game to the red carpet.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she would not be attending the party this year. 'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Cara Delevingne and Margot Robbie continued the Met Gala celebrations as the BFFs rocked up together at an after party on Monday night.

But just six months ago, the Australian actress, 32, was forced to set the record straight after being pictured crying, seemingly outside Cara's house.

Margot's teary-eyed outing in September came after the British model sparked health concerns with a series of disheveled public appearances.

Cara had failed to show in NYC for the launch of her fashion collection honoring late designer Karl Lagerfeld held at chic restaurant Saga in the Financial District.

Nor was she present at the Emmy Awards, alongside her fellow Only Murders In The Building stars.

Here come the girls! Cara Delevingne and Margot Robbie continued the Met Gala celebrations as the BFFs rocked up together at an after party on Monday night

Upset: But just six months ago, the Australian actress, 32, was forced to set the record straight after being pictured crying, seemingly outside Cara's house (pictured in September 2022)

The actress, 32, toted her essentials around in a black-and-white handbag while adding inches to her enviable frame with black heels.

The distressing pictures came a week after the one-time 'it girl' drew concern from her devoted fans by appearing erratic and out of sorts at Van Nuys Airport.

But in a November interview with Vanity Fair, Margot insisted she wasnt at Caras house at all and that she'd only had something in her eye.

Explaining how her mum wanted to know if both she and Cara were ok, she told the magazine, Im like, First of all, yes and yes.

"And second of all, Im not at Caras house, Im outside an Airbnb that I was renting for five days! And Im not crying!

I had something in my eye. Im trying to grab my face mask, trying to hold a coffee cup, and I couldnt get a hair outta my eye.

Half a year later, Cara and Margot seemed to have moved on from the drama as they were seen for the first time together again.

The supermodel, 30, continued to showcase her bold new platinum look as she arrived clad in a skintight black gown with a leg-flashing thigh-split.

Edgy: The supermodel, 30, continued to showcase her bold new platinum look

Hot stuff: She arrived clad in a skintight black gown with a leg-flashing thigh-split

Towering: Accessorising with a collared tie around her neck and cuffs, Cara elevated her height with platform boots

Out of this world: Her dress boasted a daring thigh-high split and she accentuated her height with platform lace-up boots

Sizzling: Also making her way into New York City 's Zero Bond social club was Margot, who put on a leggy display in a sequinned black mini dress with white zig-zags

Looking good: The actress, 32, toted her essentials around in a black-and-white handbag while adding inches to her enviable frame with black heels.

Glitzy: The 2023 Met Gala returned on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the annual fundraising event

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

Accessorising with a collared tie around her neck and cuffs, Cara elevated her height with platform boots.

Her dress boasted a daring thigh-high split and she accentuated her height with platform lace-up boots.

Also making her way into New York City's Zero Bond social club was Margot, who put on a leggy display in a sequinned black mini dress with white zig-zags.

The 2023 Met Gala returned on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May. It was scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

This year, the ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honour Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 Met Gala was also co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 Met Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Longtime Chanel muse! Cara emulated her 'dear friend' Karl Lagerfeld in honor of the opening of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition A Line of Beauty, dedicated to his designs,

Classic: Margot showed off her abs in clear PVC and black corseted gown while honouring the late Karl by dressing head-to-toe in Chanel

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton was among the big names attending this year, in what was her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she would not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony were among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organises the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
TV star-turned-influencer James Devlin has been caught photoshopping himself and drag queen pal Carla From Bankstown into the MET Gala.

James, who starred as the bartender on the Australian version of First Dates, showed his sense of humour with the post.

In the frame, James is seen standing on the famous stairs of the Met Gala in front of the world's media in a barricade ready to snap him.

The photo showed him wearing a pair of tight black leather pants, a black singlet and a graphic short-sleeve shirt.

The influencer finished the ensemble with a black fedora hat.

TV star-turned-influencer James Devlin has been caught photoshopping himself and drag queen pal Carla From Bankstown into the MET Gala. Pictured

He also included into the frame a photo of Sydney drag queen, Carla From Bankstown, who wore a leopard print jumpsuit.

'Tearing up the red carpet at @metgalaofficial with this Gronk! [Australian slang for an undesirable],' James captioned the photo.

James is a fixture on the social scene, and Carla From Bankstown recently revealed their body transformation.

Speaking to the The Daily Telegraph's Confidential, the 28-year-old performer said that the surgery has been anything but 'the easy way out' as her stomach is one quarter of the size it used to be.

'Tearing up the red carpet at @metgalaofficial with this Gronk! [Australian slang for an undesirable],' James captioned the photo

James, who starred as the bartender on the Australian version of First Dates, showed his sense of humour with the post

Carla, whose real name is Benjahmin James, describes herself as an 'emotional eater', but after undergoing the surgery she can only eat small amounts of food to ensure she doesn't feel sick or stretch her stomach.

'I come from a really big family where every Sunday wed have big lunches and eat and eat and eat,' she said.

'Now, I go to dish what I normally would and have two mouthfuls and Im full. You have to retrain your brain because you can still re-stretch your stomach.'

The TV personality said she has always struggled with her weight her whole life, and was 184kg at her heaviest before undergoing the surgery.

Carla from Bankstown has lost a massive 75kg since undergoing gastric sleeve surgery a year ago

Now, she's 75kg lighter and hopes to lose another 20-30kg so she can get to her goal weight of 'well below the 100kg mark'.

Despite her massive transformation, Carla said she often sees herself as being her old size, but her confidence has grown.

She added that getting the weight loss surgery has been life changing.

'Im really happy with my decision (to get the surgery),' she said.

'This is one of the best things Ive ever done for myself, and for Carla as well, it takes me a lot less to get drunk, which is great. Im a cheap date.'
Ian Smith is set to reprise the beloved role of Harold Bishop on the new reboot of Neighbours.

The 84-year-old was spotted on the Ramsay Street location on Tuesday breathing new life into the character he played for 28 years.

In the images Ian is carrying a large leather-bound book titled The History of Ramsay Street.

The actor was wearing a colourful checked shirt, a pair of navy slacks and a navy rain jacket.

He looked elated to be back on the Neighbours set as he smiled alongside Australian actor Scott Major, who has also previously starred in the soap as Lucas Fitzgerald.

Ian Smith is set to reprise the beloved role of Harold Bishop (pictured right) on the new reboot of Neighbours. The 84-year-old was spotted on the Ramsay Street location on Tuesday breathing new life into the character he played for 28 years

In the images Ian is carrying a large leather-bound book titled The History of Ramsay Street

However, it appears that he is in a behind-the-scenes roll, perhaps reprising his role as an episode director.

Last July, filming for the iconic Australian soap wrapped up after 37 years.

It was cancelled as it failed to find a new broadcaster after Channel 5 dropped the long-running soap for its UK audience.

However, just months after a reunion episode was aired that included iconic stars such as Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, it was announced that the soap would be coming back after a new broadcaster was found.

The new series will now air for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US and will include streaming rights to thousands of episodes from previous seasons.

In Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, it will stream on Prime Video.

Camera's began rolling for the revamped soap last month as Georgie Stone (as Mackenzie Hargreaves) and Tim Kano (as Leo Tanaka) will also reprise their roles as series regulars.

Along with Ian, April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan) and Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson) will return in guest roles.

He was filming scenes on the Ramsay Street location, which is Pin Oak Court, carrying a large leather-bound book

Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD original content and programming, Amazon Studios, recently said: 'Neighbours has captivated its audience for nearly 40 years, building a dedicated and loyal following for the lives and stories of the characters on Ramsay Street.

'With the power of streaming, we're able to offer a catalogue of thousands of Neighbours episodes for new audiences to discover this legendary series and current fans to relive their favourite moments.

'We look forward to immersing the audience in new Ramsay Street experiences when we relaunch the show next year for Amazon Freevee and Prime Video customers.'

However, the beloved series is reportedly unlikely to return as a daily program as it previously was during its impressive 37-year run.
Rachel Brosnahan looked sensational as she arrived at a Met Gala after party on Monday night in New York City.

The actress, 32, flashed her legs in a strapless black gown featuring a zip-up thigh-split as she headed into The Standard hotel.

She highlighted her cinched waist with a black leather belt and accessorised her look with a chunky gold necklace.

Toting her essentials around in a miniature handbag, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star added inches to her enviable frame with black heels.

She had flawlessly applied a full face of make-up to enhance her natural beauty and tied her chocolate tresses into a sleek ponytail.

Incredible: Rachel Brosnahan looked sensational as she arrived at a Met Gala after party on Monday night in New York City

Stunning: The actress, 32, flashed her legs in a strapless black gown featuring a zip-up thigh-split as she headed into The Standard hotel

The 2023 Met Gala returned on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May. It was scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

This year, the ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honour Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

Wowzers: Earlier in the night, Rachel put on a very daring display in a sheer black mesh Sergio Hudson gown with sequin nipple pasties built-in

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 Met Gala was also co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 Met Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton was among the big names attending this year, in what was her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she would not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony were among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organises the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Kylie Jenner's daughter Stormi stole the show as she posed up a storm in a cheeky pre-Met Gala appearance on Monday night.

In an adorable video clip taken in a New York hotel lobby with her reality star mother, 25, the five-year-old turned around as she saw cameras.

Stormi, who was joining Kylie in the car ride to the Met Gala as she could not walk the red carpet, smiled as she posed for cheeky photographs.

She also stuck her tongue out as photographers took pictures and her mother held her hand.

Stormi wore a white T-Shirt, a denim jacket and jeans as she put on the funny display in the cute clip, captured by Deux Moi.

Cute: Kylie Jenner's adorable daughter Stormi stole the show as she posed up a storm in a cheeky pre-Met Gala appearance on Monday night

Adorable: In an adorable video clip taken in a New York hotel lobby with her reality star mother, 25, the five-year-old turned around as she saw the cameras waiting

Kylie later had all eyes on her as she took the 2023 Met Gala red carpet by storm in a sizzling scarlet gown.

The lip kit mogul looked ravishing in a custom-made Jean Paul Gaultier asymmetrical dress with a thigh-high leg slit that showed off her toned pins while hitting the red carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The lavish ensemble also featured a matching two-toned robe in baby blue and bright red colours.

The mother-of-two - who was also joined by sister Kendall Jenner, 27, and older half-sister Kim Kardashian, 42, during fashion's biggest night - added extra height to the look with a pair of sophisticated red heels.

The reality TV star wore her raven tresses parted on the side and pinned up into a chic up do featuring voluminous curls.

Kylie wore picture-perfect glam, including a touch of pink blush on her cheeks and nude matte lipstick.

Kylie accessorised her look with a pair of diamond stud earrings and sparkling rings.

The 2023 fashion extravaganza's dress code was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the controversial fashion designer, who died in February 2019 at the age of 85 following complications of pancreatic cancer.

On their way: Earlier in the day, Kylie was seen leaving her hotel in New York hand-in-hand with Stormi as she headed to the Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Mommy's girl: The reality star's girl stuck by her side at all times in a behind-the-scenes video

Kylie shares Stormi and son Aire Webster, 15 months, with her rapper ex-boyfriend Travis Scott, 32.

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton set to attend the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May, while fans could watch the event unfold in real-time via a livestream on Vogue.

This year, the ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

The decision to honour Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'I'm against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'It's difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby?

'I don't know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

Sizzling! Kylie later had all eyes on her as she took the 2023 Met Gala red carpet by storm in a sizzling scarlet gown by Jean Paul Gaultier
Danniella Westbrook tried to relax by the pool in Portugal after 'the most frightening few days' saw her back in hospital after major facial reconstruction surgery.

The former EastEnders actress, 49, had a string of procedures in Turkey last week in a desperate bid to save her collapsing face.

Danniella had a thread lift, liposuction in her cheeks and lips, fat grafting on her chin and her jawline etched after her septum collapsed from excessive drug use in 2002.

The TV star is continuing her recovery in Portugal and was seen this weekend soaking up some sun by her hotel pool.

A bruised and bloodied Daniella struggled to contain her ample cleavage in a plunging blue bikini.

Health scare: Danniella Westbrook tried to relax by the pool in Portugal after 'the most frightening few days' saw her back in hospital after major facial reconstruction surgery

Procedures: The former EastEnders actress, 49, had a string of procedures in Turkey last week in a desperate bid to save her collapsing face

Under the knife: Danniella had a thread lift, liposuction in her cheeks and lips, fat grafting on her chin and jawline etched after her septum collapsed from excessive drug use in 2002

The soap star showcased a hint of underboob as she roughly towel dried her hair after a swim and still had a gruesome wound on the side of her head.

Danniella has been wearing thick bandages around her head and nose, but wasn't wearing them on Saturday.

The television personality has been shaken after a health scare saw her back in hospital, hours after landing in Portugal.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, she penned: 'Only I could land back in Portugal after surgery only to end up in hospital.

'The pain I've experienced is unreal, most frightening few days. Need it like a hole in the head, literally.'

When Danniella first woke up after the lengthy procedure, she said she looked 'like she had done 10 rounds with Tyson Fury'.

Danniella said she has wanted to have the reconstruction done for the last seven years, but was unable to find a surgeon who would operate because her septum had completely collapse.

She told The Sun: 'I was very fearful. My mum and my son Kai were on the phone constantly - I wrote up a will before I left and my son is the executor of that.

Busty display: Danniella sported a bronzed tan and struggled to contain her ample cleavage in a plunging blue bikini

Before and after: Daniella pictured before the surgery (left) and after (right)

Painful: Danniella had wounds on the side of her head

Bikini: Danniella grappled with her cleavage as she cooled off in the water

Taking time out: Danniella is recovering in the sunshine after having the string of procedures

Ouch: Danniella tied her hair back into a bun, with her head looking bruised, red and sore

Scart stuff: Taking to her Instagram Stories on Sunday she penned: 'Only I could land back in Portugal after surgery only to end up in hospital

'But luckily Im still here and Ive come through the other side. Someone is looking over me. I looked like Id gone 10 rounds with Tyson Fury.

'But the swelling has actually gone down really quickly. Im already happy with the results.'

Danniella says she paid for the surgery all herself despite being offered freebies from clinics all over the world, after a health scare last year left her in intensive care because she struggled to breathe through her nose.

Now in the recovery stage, Danniella has to just stick to ibuprofen and paracetamol, because any pain killer stronger could be a trigger for her past cocaine addiction.

Danniella previously revealed she needed five operations to correct her 'collapsing' face due to a previous cocaine addiction and osteoporosis, and was planning to have it done on the NHS.

She told The Sun: 'I've spent the last seven years trying to get somebody to do it, but they said no in case it failed and they got struck off.

'Plastic surgeons wanted 500,000 to change my face, so I thought I was never going to get it done. It was only because I went into intensive care before Christmas.

'I couldn't breathe because I had a cold. There was a build up of fluid and after I fell asleep I couldn't wake up properly and ended up in ICU.

'I was sent over to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool and it's only because I was put in front of the right doctors, or else I'd still be waiting now to find someone. 'They're doing it for me under the NHS now.'

Danniella previously underwent a rib insertion procedure in 2018, after osteoporosis rotted away her cheekbones and gums and, after spending the last year getting lip filler and Botox, in addition to surgery on her face, she is hoping to get back to her best.

Recovery process: Danniella has been pictured with thick bandages around her head and nose, but wasn't wearing them on Saturday

Tough: Now in the recovery stage, Danniella has to just stick to ibuprofen and paracetamol, because any pain killer stronger could be a trigger for her past cocaine addiction

Actress: Danniella first appeared in EastEnders in 1990 at the age of 16 but her septum collapsed from excessive drug use in 2002 (pictured left 2009, right in 2018)

The actress' battle with drugs has been well-publicised, and she famously had her nose reconstructed after her septum collapsed from excessive cocaine use in 2002.

At the height of her use it was reported she would take up to five grams of cocaine a day, blowing close to 250,000 on the drug.

The star has since embarked on multiple rehab stints in order to battle her demons - and revealed she was finally clean in June 2021, after attending a clinic in Mijas, Spain.

Danniella first appeared in EastEnders in 1990 at the age of 16 and acted on the soap for three years.

She returned in 1996 but her time was cut short when her off-screen behaviour got her sacked.

She returned again shortly after, but was axed again in 2000 after further disruptive behaviour, admitting she blew 100k on cocaine at the time.

The part was recast between 2002 and 2005, and played by Kim Medcalf, but Danniella returned to the role once more in 2009 until 2010.

She was back once more in 2016 for the storyline surrounding on-screen mother Peggy Mitchell's death, which is to date her final appearance.
Kathy Hilton made a hilarious comment on the Met Gala live feed on Monday night ahead of her daughter Paris's debut at the event.

The socialite, 64, took to social media to assure the official event page that 'Paris was in the car on the way' after her entrance was blocked by climate change protestors - in a move later branded 'iconic' by fans.

An account called 'commentsbycelebs' then picked up the funny quote and reposted it with the caption: 'TY @kathyhilton'.

As Paris, 42, was travelling to the star-studded bash at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York she found her route blocked by the protestors.

They stood in front of the vehicle she was travelling in meaning there was a slight delay to her red carpet appearance.

LOL: Kathy Hilton made a hilarious comments on a Met Gala live feed on Monday night ahead of her daughter's debut at the event

Funny: The socialite, 64, took to social media to let the official event page know that 'Paris is in the car on the way'

Iconic: An account called 'commentsbycelebs' then picked up the funny quote and reposted it with the caption: 'TY @kathyhilton' (Kathy pictured last month)

The scenes were captured and posted to Twitter as protestors lay out a banner in front of her vehicle which read: 'The 1% are killing the climate.'

The footage showed an angry crowed chanting as the blocked her black van from passing.

Twitter users were quick to comment on Kathy's funny comment - as one said: 'nah cause i acc love Kathy Hilton #MetGala.'

Another said: 'No hilarious', while another said: 'Such a classic mom move'.

A fourth said: 'I love her' as they reposted a laughing meme.

Once she did finally make it to the red carpet she looked incredible, exuding gothic glamor as she attended her first-ever Met Gala.

She flashed her cleavage in a sparkling black leather dress, paired with statement platform heels as she posed up a storm.

The star's off-the-shoulder gown cinched in at her toned waist, flowing into a dramatic leather skirt.

She added height to her statuesque frame with sparkling platform brogues and wore a black rose detail choker.

Oh no: The 42-year-old icon was on her way to the star-studded bash at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York when she found her route blocked

Reaction: Twitter users were quick to comment on Kathy's funny comment - as one said: 'nah cause i acc love Kathy Hilton #MetGala'

Beauty: Once she did finally make it to the red carpet she looked incredible, exuding gothic glamor as she attended her first-ever Met Gala

Her locks were pulled into a sleek ponytail and she sported black eyeshadow and liner for a striking make-up look.

The biggest night in fashion took place on Monday night with a slew of the industry's most notable stars walking the red carpet to showcase their glamorous and daring looks.

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May and the annual extravaganza kicked off at 6:30PM EST on May 1.

The ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'I'm against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'It's difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I don't know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala was co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission was raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six. But even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Heiress Paris was among the biggest names to attend the event, in what marked her first ever Met Gala.

However it didn't go off without a hitch, as her grand Met Gala entrance was blocked by angry climate change protestors who laid in front of her vehicle.

But the small disruption didn't stop the billionaire from arriving on the red carpet and stunning an off-the-shoulder leather dress.

The best dressed of the night included Met vet Kim, who wowed in an incredible pearl dress, as she seemingly revisiting her Playboy look from 2007 by accident.

Kim wore custom Schiaparelli, covered in 50,000 pearls that were hand-strung and draped onto her body.

The mother of four revealed that she wanted pearls because 'what is more Karl' than 'iconic Chanel pearls,' she said during her interview on Vogue.com's livestream.

Wow: The star flashed her cleavage in a sparkling black leather dress, paired with statement platform heels as she posed up a storm

Debut: Paris exuded gothic glamor as she attended her first-ever Met Gala in NYC on Monday

Pose: The star's off-the-shoulder gown cinched in at her toned waist, flowing into a dramatic leather skirt

Train: She added height to her statuesque frame with sparkling platform brogues and wore a black rose detail choker

Goth: Her locks were pulled into a sleek ponytail and she sported black eyeshadow and liner for a striking make-up look

Fashion forward: Marc Jacobs joined the star for a fun snap

Pregnant Rihanna, Gisele and Emily Ratajkowski also honored Karl in their statement gowns as they brought their A-game to the red carpet.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she would not be attending the party this year. 'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Kendall Jenner stole the show at the 2023 Met Gala on Monday night.

But the stunning model provided a minor headache for the cameramen on the red carpet, thanks to her towering platform boots.

The 5ft 9in model added to her height with a pair of gothic platform boots for fashion's biggest night.

And when it came to a joint interview with her sisters Kim Kardashian, 5ft 2in and Kylie Jenner, 5ft 6in, with Vogue, the cameraman had to work hard with his angles.

Model looks: Kendall Jenner stole the show at the 2023 Met Gala on Monday night but the stunning model provided a minor headache for the cameramen on the red carpet

Leggy beauty: The 5ft 9in model added to her height with platform boots and towered over her sisters Kim Kardashian, 5ft 2in and Kylie Jenner, 5ft 6in in a Vogue interview

In a clip of the video circulating on Instagram, Vogue's red carpet cameraman can be seen frantically panning in and out to try and find the right angle to ensure all three sisters are in shot.

With Kendall towering over Kylie and Kim, it's a struggle to fit her in, with the top of her head being cut off in some of the shots shared on Instagram.

Kendall put on a very cheeky display in a black sequined bodysuit with floor-length sleeves and sparkly silver collar, designed by Marc Jacobs, on Monday.

While strutting down the red carpet in her platform boots, the 27-year-old supermodel flashed her bare bottom to the world as a sea of adoring photographers rushed to capture her walk up the stars.

For the occasion, the reality star, who is rumored to be dating Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, paid homage to the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld by rocking her glossy chestnut brown locks in a bouncy, high ponytail with perfectly coiffed ends.

The five-foot-nine catwalk queen was seen posing for a family photo with younger sister Kylie Jenner and their half-sister, Kim Kardashian.

Since 2014, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians has attended the Met Gala eight times, and become a stand-out at the annual gala after modeling a number of show-stopping over the years.

While her beau also was in attendance, they did not pose for photographs together, and he arrived much earlier in the evening.

Sister time: The five-foot-nine catwalk queen was seen posing for a family photo with her more diminutive sisters

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May and the annual extravaganza kicked off at 6:30PM EST on May 1.

The ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'I'm against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'It's difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I don't know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

Stunning: Kendall put on a very cheeky display in a black sequined bodysuit with floor-length sleeves and sparkly silver collar, designed by Marc Jacobs

Peachy posterior: While strutting down the red carpet in a pair of gothic platform boots, the 27-year-old supermodel flashed her bare bottom to the world

Racy: Kendall looked incredible in one of her most revealing looks yet as she attended the Met Gala at Zero Bond for the afterparty

Couple: The model, 27, left little to the imagination in a completely transparent black micro bodysuit as she headed to the bash with her new beau Bad Bunny

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala was co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.
Stormzy dressed to impress as he arrived at the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening.

The rapper, 29, cut a dapper figure for the evening as he walked up the famous stairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a blue and black suit.

The royal blue number featured a subtle floral design and stylish silver zip on his chest.

He paired the matching blazer and trousers with a turtleneck black jumper and black shiny suit shoes.

The star went all out for the occasion, rocking a variety of diamond encrusted accessories - including a ring, bracelet and eye-catching watch.

Dapper gent: Stormzy dressed to impress as he arrived at the 2023 Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening

Suave: The rapper, 29, cut a dapper figure for the evening as he walked up the famous stairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a blue and black suit

Later in the evening, he switched into a yellow jumper and black jeans for an afterparty at Loosie's Moxy.

The musician appeared in good spirits as he posed up a storm at the star-studded bash.

Stormzy appeared alongside famous faces, including Naomi Ackie, Burna Boy, Jack Harlow and Kendrick Lamar.

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

This year, the ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honour Karl sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

Slick: The royal blue number featured a subtle floral design and stylish silver zip on his chest

Smart: He paired the matching blazer and trousers with a turtleneck black jumper and black shiny suit shoes

Bling: The star went all out for the occasion, rocking a variety of diamond encrusted accessories - including a ring, bracelet and eye-catching watch

Keeping it casual: Later in the evening, he switched into a yellow jumper and black jeans for an afterparty at Loosie's Moxy

'I'm against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'It's difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby?

'I don't know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala was also co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard. This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party. Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

Boys' night out: Stormzy appeared alongside some famous faces, including (L-R) Jack Harlow and Kendrick Lamar

Blue team: The musician appeared in good spirits as he posed up a storm alongside I Wanna Dance With Somebody actress Naomi Ackie at the star-studded bash
Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough has revealed she had to work harder to be heard throughout her acting career as she is routinely underestimated.

The US actress, who stars in the hit series Daisy Jones & The Six, is the cover star for the May issue of Vogue Australia, and she spoke to the publication about what it was like building a career as a nepo-baby.

Asked if she had been routinely underestimated in the industry, Riley said: 'Ive experienced it a lot in my career, where you feel like you have to work a lot harder to be heard.

'Theres a perception, or it feels like youve ended up where you are by accident and not that youve earned your seat at the table.'

Working hard is something that the actress prides herself on, as she is a self-confessed workaholic.

Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough has revealed she had to worker harder to be heard throughout her acting career as she is routinely underestimated

'I dont have chill time I really work to the bone,' she said.

'Im not very good at taking time off. I have press, I have this show Im doing, I have life stuff Im dealing with. So every day is very booked up.'

The Hollywood actress, 33, fell in love with Byron Bay local Ben Smith-Peterson after they met on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road in Namibia in 2012.

The US actress is the cover star for the May issue of Vogue Australia, and she spoke to the publication about what it was like building a career as a nepo-baby

Working hard is something that the actress prides herself on, as she is a self-confessed workaholic

The Hollywood actress, 33, fell in love with Byron Bay local Ben Smith-Peterson after they met on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road in Namibia in 2012 (both pictured at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2023)

He was a stunt double and she was starring in the flick alongside Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy.

Eight years later, they got married, and last year they welcomed their first child together, a baby girl.

The actress said that Australia is like a second home to her, and that she would love buy a house Down Under one day.

'Were going to try and come this summer... thats what we used to do every year,' she said.

'Australia is a second home. Im just really happy when Im there. I have certain countries and places that I just feel so free in, and I think Australias one of them. And I fell in love there.

'I think that when you fall in love in a place, its always got that memory to it. If it wasnt so far, I would live there in a heartbeat. We talk about it all the time.

'I would love to have a house there. I love being in Australia.'

The US actress stars in the hit series Daisy Jones & The Six, which was released on Amazon Prime this year

The daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley, who died aged 54 four months ago, said being a mother herself has brought 'a new adventure' to every day.

She added: 'Its incredible. I feel really grateful to be able to have this experience.'

The actress graces the cover of this month's Vogue Australia in a Dior crochet white two-piece bra top and skirt.

She was photographed on a private pebbled beach in California by Emma Summerton and she was styled by Vogue Australia editor-in-chief, Christine Centenera, who has described her as 'a Keough and also undeniably a Presley'.
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Vanessa Hudgens flashed her abs in a glamorous silver co-ord as she left Dua Lipa's Met Gala after party on Monday night.

The actress, 34, showcased her incredible frame in the glittering two-piece as she left Zero Bond in NYC alongside model Cara Delevingne, 30.

Vanessa completed her look with huge platform black heels and an across-body bag while accessorising with gold hoop earrings.

She swept her hair back into a chic up do and opted for a typically bronzed makeup look.

Stunning: Vanessa Hudgens flashed her abs in a glamorous silver co-ord as she left Dua Lipa's Met Gala after party on Monday night

Edgy: Beside her Cara Delevingne, 30, showed off her sense of style in a sheer mesh white T-shirt and black jeans which she teamed with Chanel trainers

Gals: The actress, 34, showcased her incredible frame in the glittering two-piece as she left Zero Bond in NYC alongside model Cara

Beside her Cara showed off her sense of style in a sheer mesh white T-shirt and black jeans which she teamed with Chanel trainers.

Earlier in the night Cara and Margot Robbie continued the Met Gala celebrations as the BFFs rocked up together at a different after party on Monday night.

But just six months ago, the Australian actress, 32, was forced to set the record straight after being pictured crying, seemingly outside Cara's house.

Margot's teary-eyed outing in September came after the British model sparked health concerns with a series of disheveled public appearances.

Cara had failed to show in NYC for the launch of her fashion collection honoring late designer Karl Lagerfeld held at chic restaurant Saga in the Financial District.

Nor was she present at the Emmy Awards, alongside her fellow Only Murders In The Building stars.

The actress toted her essentials around in a black-and-white handbag while adding inches to her enviable frame with black heels.

The distressing pictures came a week after the one-time 'it girl' drew concern from her devoted fans by appearing erratic and out of sorts at Van Nuys Airport.

Outfit: Vanessa completed her look with huge platform black heels and an across-body bag while accessorising with gold hoop earrings

Beauty: She swept her hair back into a chic up do and opted for a typically bronzed makeup look

Working it: She looked in great spirits as she flashed a huge grin while leaving the after party in NYC

Ladies night: As well as Cara she was joined by another pal who looked great in a black sequin dress

Here come the girls! Earlier in the night Cara and Margot Robbie continued the Met Gala celebrations as the BFFs rocked up together at a different after party on Monday night

Edgy: The supermodel continued to showcase her bold new platinum look after dying her tresses

But in a November interview with Vanity Fair, Margot insisted she wasnt at Caras house at all and that she'd only had something in her eye.

Explaining how her mum wanted to know if both she and Cara were ok, she told the magazine, Im like, First of all, yes and yes.

"And second of all, Im not at Caras house, Im outside an Airbnb that I was renting for five days! And Im not crying!

I had something in my eye. Im trying to grab my face mask, trying to hold a coffee cup, and I couldnt get a hair outta my eye.

Half a year later, Cara and Margot seemed to have moved on from the drama as they were seen for the first time together again.

The supermodel, 30, continued to showcase her bold new platinum look as she arrived clad in a skintight black gown with a leg-flashing thigh-split.

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

Accessorising with a collared tie around her neck and cuffs, Cara elevated her height with platform boots.

Her dress boasted a daring thigh-high split and she accentuated her height with platform lace-up boots.

Also making her way into New York City's Zero Bond social club was Margot, who put on a leggy display in a sequinned black mini dress with white zig-zags.

The 2023 Met Gala returned on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the annual fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May. It was scheduled to begin at 6:30PM EST on May 1, 2023.

This year, the ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honour Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 Met Gala was also co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 Met Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission has been raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six.

Even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Hot stuff: She arrived clad in a skintight black gown with a leg-flashing thigh-split

Towering: Accessorising with a collared tie around her neck and cuffs, Cara elevated her height with platform boots

Sizzling: Also making her way into New York City 's Zero Bond social club was Margot, who put on a leggy display in a sequinned black mini dress with white zig-zags

Out of this world: Her dress boasted a daring thigh-high split and she accentuated her height with platform lace-up boots

Looking good: The actress, 32, toted her essentials around in a black-and-white handbag while adding inches to her enviable frame with black heels.

Glitzy: The 2023 Met Gala returned on Monday evening, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the annual fundraising event

Longtime Chanel muse! Cara emulated her 'dear friend' Karl Lagerfeld in honor of the opening of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition A Line of Beauty, dedicated to his designs,

Classic: Margot showed off her abs in clear PVC and black corseted gown while honouring the late Karl by dressing head-to-toe in Chanel

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Paris Hilton was among the big names attending this year, in what was her first Met Gala.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she would not be at the party.

'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian and La La Anthony were among the other celebs attending.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organises the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Kate Ritchie has promoted an upcoming book signing in Bondi.

The star, 44, shared a post to Instagram on Tuesday sharing the cover of her children's book, Everyday Play.

'Book signing with Kate Ritchie... Tell your friends! And hope to see you there..' the Nova star wrote.

The signing will take place at Harry Hartog in Bondi, on Saturday, May 27, at 11am.

Kate released her children's book back in September.

Kate Ritchie has revealed she will attend a book signing in Bondi on May 27, at 11am, after the release of her children's book Everyday Play

'Book signing with Kate Ritchie... Tell your friends! And hope to see you there..' the Nova star wrote of the event. The signing will take place at Harry Hartog in Bondi on May 27

'I cannot tell you how excited I am to breathe a big, happy sigh of relief and FINALLY show you my brand new children's book Everyday Play,' she wrote at the time.

Kate went on to say it was a privilege to watch her daughter Mae under the guise of work.

'I am so proud of my Mae. She was not only the inspiration for every single page but a very important content contributor,' she said

The signing comes just weeks after Kate revealed her passion for acting was 'reignited' following her starring role in Channel Seven's true-crime drama The Claremont Murders.

The Home And Away icon starred in the two-part mini series as Carol Spiers, a real-life Western Australian woman whose daughter Sarah went missing in Claremont in 1996 and has never been found.

Kate revealed the book back in September saying it was inspired by daughter, Mae

'Working on this project in Perth, being on set, surrounding myself with good people has undoubtedly reignited something in me,' she told The West Australian.

'The opportunity to work on this and watch it all come together has reminded me of many things. Most importantly of a passion that started long ago.'

Kate's new gig marks her return to acting after a decade away from the craft.

She stars alongside a variety of veteran actors including fellow Home and Away star Ryan Johnson and Erik Thomson (Packed to the Rafters).
Kim Kardashian's daughter North West waited in a car while her mother walked the red carpet at the Met Gala on Monday evening.

The 42-year-old reality television personality told Vogue reporters that her eldest child, aged nine, was 'watching' her mother from the sidelines as she walked the star-studded red carpet.

The influencer, who had a reunion with her ex Pete Davidson at the Gala, and her daughter were, however, spotted in each other's company while leaving the Ritz-Carlton prior to the event.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the age restriction mandating that attendees be at least 18 years old was first put in place in 2018.

Prior to that year, children such as Willow Smith had been invited to the star-studded event.

Separated: Kim Kardashian's daughter North West waited in a car while her mother walked the red carpet at the Met Gala on Monday evening

Keeping a close eye: The 42-year-old reality television personality told Vogue reporters that her eldest child, aged nine, was 'watching' her mother from the sidelines as she walked the star-studded function's red carpet.

The theme for the 2018 iteration of the Met Gala was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, and it's organizers provided a statement to express that the function was 'not an appropriate event for people under 18.'

It was also reported that exceptions could be made for guests accompanied by their parents.

The theme for this year's Met Gala was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, which served to honor the late designer, who passed away in 2019.

Although North did not get to spend time on the event's red carpet, she wore a vintage Chanel jacket and a pair of slightly distressed blue jeans while leaving the Ritz-Carlton.

The daughter of Kardashian and Kanye West also carried a conch shell-shaped clutch as she spent time with her mother.

The reality television mainstay turned heads while wearing a draped skirt and sleeveless top made almost completely out of thousands of pearls, which was designed by by Daniel Roseberry, during her time at the event.

She also accessorized with a sparkling necklace that also featured several pearls, and her dark brunette hair contrasted perfectly with the bright tone of her outfit.

Kardashian spoke about her outfit to Vogue reporters while spending time at the Met Gala and opened up about the inspiration for her look.

Standing out; Although North did not get to spend time on the event's red carpet, she wore a vintage Chanel jacket and a pair of slightly distressed blue jeans while leaving the Ritz-Carlton

Making an impression: The reality television mainstay turned heads while wearing a draped skirt and sleeveless top made almost completely out of thousands of pearls, which was designed by by Daniel Roseberry, during her time at the even

Accidents happen: The social media personality did admit, however, that several pearls fell off as she made her way to the event

'I wanted pearls. I thought, "What is more Karl [Lagerfield]?" You know, the iconic Chanel pearls is what I always thought of. So we wanted to just be dripping in pearls,' she said.

The social media personality did admit, however, that several pearls fell off as she made her way to the event.

'I told my daughter to grab them all. They're real pearls and she was putting them all in her purse,' she said.

Kardashian previously caused quite the stir at last year's Met Gala, as she wore Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress to the function.
Myleene Klass cut a stylish figure as she stepped out to buy flowers on Tuesday.

The television and radio personality, 45, sported an ankle-length leopard print dress, an apparent nod to her current stint in pre-recorded I'm A Celebrity South Africa.

Myleene was channelling spring and summer vibes in the strappy dress as she opted to pair the ensemble with Chanel sandals.

She clutched two huge bouquets after her shopping trip in north London and wore large black sunglasses.

The beauty, who swept her raven tresses into a sleek up do, was later seen getting into her car to leave.

Looking good: Myleene Klass cut a stylish figure in a leopard print dress in an apparent nod to her current stint in I'm A Celebrity South Africa as she stepped out to buy flowers on Tuesday

Stylish: The star was channelling Spring and Summer vibes in the strappy dress as she opted to pair the ensemble with Chanel sandals

It comes after a terrifying trial involving Myleene was aired on Monday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity.

The star took on the World's End challenge, which was the highest trial ever in the history of the reality show, alongside Amir Khan and Helen Flanagan.

They were told they would all be climbing a crane-like structure 1,100m high, in a bid to unhook stars and attach them to themselves and win stars for camp.

A Bush Bulletin brought news of the trial to camp earlier in the episode as Carol Vorderman read: 'Celebrities, it is now time for three of you to take part in today's Trial, World's End.'

She added: 'The names are here: Amir, Helen and Myleene.'

Georgia Toffolo then told Helen: 'You've got to do better this time. Sorry to be savage, but you have to.'

Andy Whyment added: 'Just remember, if you come back with no stars, Janice will rip your head off.'

Arriving at the Trial, the trio learned they would be facing the highest Trial ever in the history of the show.

Feeling floral: She clutched two huge bouquets after her shopping trip in north London and wore large black sunglasses

Off we go: The beauty, who swept her raven tresses into a sleek up do, was later seen getting into her car to leave

A nervous Amir then insisted: 'Camp's been eating well we have to get through this.

'We've got a strong team today. We're going to make sure we have another feast tonight.'

Helen, who is infamous for refusing to do Trials, shocked hosts Ant and Dec as she said: 'Guys, I'm not going to let you down, I'm going to do it.'

During the Trial, Amir slipped down heavily onto a suspended plank. As the hosts grimaced, Amir said: 'The jewels are alright guys, don't worry.'

It comes after Friday's show saw Shaun Ryder and Gillian McKeith become the first stars to leave the camp.

Shaun, Phil Tufnell and Andy Whyment left the Savannah Scrub and headed into Main Camp, only to discover they would take part in the first survival Trial of the series.

Here we go: It comes after a terrifying trial involving Myleene was aired on Monday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity

Terrifying: The star took on the 'World's End' challenge, which was the highest trial ever in the history of the reality show, alongside Amir Khan and Helen Flanagan

Each picked another celebrity to do it with them, and the losing pair would leave camp for good - with Shaun choosing former nemesis Gillian.

The trial saw the pairs handcuffed together and had to remove spanners and wrenches from three boxes - filled with creepy crawlies - in a bid to free themselves.

However Gillian refused to put her into the first box as she was scared of the snakes inside, resulting in her and Shaun being the first to leave camp and fans exclaiming the nutritionist 'didn't even try' to win the task.

Phil, teamed with Georgia Toffolo, got off to a flying start they were followed close behind by Andy and Jordan Banjo.
Keanu Reeves was recently visited by police officers conducting a welfare check.

According to TMZ, the 58-year-old performer was paid a visit by the authorities, who had responded to a call concerning the disappearance of an unidentified 27-year-old woman, at his Los Angeles-area residence.

The actor, who recently shared a kiss with his longtime girlfriend Alexandra Grant at a gala, did not have any information about the individual in question and confirmed that they did not reside at his home.

Reeves was reported to have been understanding about the mistake and acted graciously towards the responding officers.

It was unclear if the person who made the report was mistaken about the actor's address or if they were attempting to pull a prank.

Wrong target: Keanu Reeves was recently visited by police officers conducting a welfare check; he is seen in March

The actor was recently featured in a promotional photo for his band, Dogstar, that was released on the group's Instagram account last week.

In the snap, Reeves posed alongside guitarist and vocalist Bret Domrose and drummer Robert Mailhouse as they stood on the roof of a house in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The band expressed that there was 'exciting news coming soon' in the post's caption.

Dogstar was originally formed in Los Angeles in 1991 and they began touring heavily in the following years.

The group's debut album, entitled Our Little Visionary, was released to the public five years later.

The band went on to release a follow-up, Happy Ending, in 2000 before they largely became inactive in 2002.

However, Dogstar revealed that they were planning on recording a third album in July of last year.

Reeves was subsequently featured in several videos and photos that had been taken during the record's writing and recording process that were shared to the band's Instagram account over the course of 2022.

Striking a pose: The actor was recently featured in a promotional photo for his band, Dogstar, that was released on the group's Instagram account last week

In the past: Dogstar was originally formed in Los Angeles in 1991 and they began touring heavily in the following years

Hard at work: Reeves was subsequently featured in several videos and photos that had been taken during the record's writing and recording process that were shared to the band's Instagram account over the course of 2022

The performer spoke about his band during an interview with GQ, where he discussed how the group could have received more exposure during its heyday.

The John Wick franchise star stated: 'I guess it would have helped if our band was better.'

Reeves then told a humorous story about an instance where Dogstar was negatively received during a metal festival in Wisconsin.

'We were like, "They hate us. What are we doing here? What can we do? Let's do the Grateful Dead cover." They were just like, "F*** you, you suck." I had the biggest grin on my face, man,' he said.
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Diddy and Doja Cat pulled out the stops for a dazzling star-studded afterparty for the Met Gala on the first Monday of May at The Box nightclub in New York City.

Amid the cavalcade of celebrities who flooded into the high-octane event, there was a claque of women in skimpy outfits frolicking around and flaunting their assets, along with a few men in saucy chest-baring ensembles.

Two women who were almost totally naked except for pasties, underwear and jewelry could be spotted dancing on an elevated platform, and a third swung from the ceiling between the chandeliers.

Meanwhile top-flight names hobnobbed around the fete, from Cardi B who arrived with her husband Offset to Paris Hilton, Emily Ratajkowski, Teyana Taylor and Naomi Campbell.

Kendall Jenner could be seen shielding her face from onlookers as she emerged from the blowout bash with her beaming new boyfriend Bad Bunny trailing behind her.

Having a ball: Diddy and Doja Cat pulled out the stops for a dazzling star-studded afterparty for the Met Gala on the first Monday of May at The Box nightclub in New York City

Hot couple: Cardi B turned up at the fete in a skintight metallic gown with a plummeting neckline that barely contained her surgically enhanced assets as she chatted with her husband Offset

Stars galore: (from left) Paris Hilton, Emily Ratajkowski and Teyana Taylor joined the bombshell parade

Electrifying: Ratajkowski treated the shutterbugs to her mesmerizing supermodel stare, shooting a glance over her shoulder as she made her way around the room in a backless sequined royal purple frock

Legs for days: A glamorously attired aerial performer swung from the ceiling between the chandeliers

Doja herself exuded throwback style in a glittering showgirl chic outfit that brought back memories of the 1920s, including with its curtains of rose gold fringe.

The ensemble featured a pleated pink skirt with a beguilingly high thigh-slit that allowed her to showcase her shapely legs to full advantage as she slid into a seat.

Emily Ratajkowski on the other hand treated the shutterbugs to her mesmerizing supermodel stare, shooting a glance over her shoulder as she made her way around the room in a backless sequined royal purple frock.

Teyana Taylor cut an authoritative figure in a striking black leather trouser suit, which she festooned with jewelry including several strings of pearls.

Busta Rhymes made his presence felt in an eye-popping floral blazer, while Ivy Getty modeled a slinky black number accented with mesh and Mary J. Blige rocked a massive pair of chandelier earrings.

Odell Beckham Jr. showed off his sculpted athlete's physique in a clinging black t-shirt that not only enabled him to bare his musclebound arms but also his toned chest via his plunging V-neck.

Elena Azzaro slipped her petite frame into a gleaming gold minidress reminiscent of the 1960s, while Kailand Morris swanked about in a sleek white three-piece suit.

Cardi turned up at the fete in a skintight metallic gown with a plummeting neckline that barely contained her surgically enhanced assets as she chatted with her husband.

Off they go: Kendall Jenner could be seen shielding her face from onlookers as she emerged from the blowout bash with her beaming new boyfriend Bad Bunny trailing behind her

Amid the cavalcade of celebrities who flooded into the high-octane event, there was a claque of women in skimpy outfits frolicking around and flaunting their assets

Legs for days: A third swung from the ceiling between the chandeliers

Meanwhile: Top-flight names hobnobbed around the fete, including Cardi and Offset

Retro: Doja herself exuded throwback style in a glittering showgirl chic outfit that brought back memories of the 1920s, including with its curtains of rose gold fringe

Making it happen: The flesh-flashing performers at the fete showed off both their enviably toned figures and their moves

What a night: (from left) Busta Rhymes made his presence felt in an eye-popping floral blazer, while Ivy Getty modeled a slinky black number accented with mesh and Mary J. Blige rocked a massive pair of chandelier earrings

Hunk-tastic: Odell Beckham Jr. showed off his sculpted athlete's physique in a clinging black t-shirt that not only enabled him to bare his musclebound arms but also his toned chest via his plunging V-neck

On this night of a thousand stars: Elena Azzaro slipped her petite frame into a gleaming gold minidress reminiscent of the 1960s, while Kailand Morris swanked about in a sleek white three-piece suit

Diddy, draped in a shimmering black silk top that fell to expose his toned chest, could be spotted stepping up onto a platform drink in hand to rev up the crowd during the rollicking knees-up.

Diddy was heard telling friends he is gearing up to attend Miami Grand Prix at the weekend which kicks off with a party at Miami's Club M2 on Thursday night.

Some of his fellow high-profile guests joined him, including French Montana who shared an affectionate embrace with him and A$AP Ferg who seized the chance to whisper something private into Diddy's ear.

Trevor Noah was glimpsed hobnobbing with one of the female guests at the soiree, while Chris Rock could be seen throwing himself into the spirit of the occasion, clinging to the ceiling.

Paris Hilton, flashing her cleavage and her chiseled midriff in a black bandeau, snatched a bit of downtime to chat with her sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild as well as Marc Jacobs and his sizzling fiance Char Defrancesco.

Over the course of the evening Paris also indulged in some one-on-one time with Marc, having modeled one of his designs earlier that day during her Met Gala debut.

Jared Leto was a reliably scene-stealing presence amongst the partygoers, swanning about while carrying a the massive false cat head he had worn as a mask at the Met Gala.

This year's Met Ball was a tribute to the pioneering late designer Karl Lagerfeld, who was famously devoted to his cat Choupette, prompting Jared to dress as the pampered feline at the fashion extravaganza.

With his mask off at Diddy and Doja's afterparty, Jared sported glistening silver eye makeup that served as an elegant complement to the swooping epaulettes on his translucent black top.

Host with the most: Diddy, draped in a shimmering black silk top that fell to expose his toned chest, could be spotted stepping up onto a platform drink in hand to rev up the crowd during the rollicking knees-up

In demand: Some of his fellow high-profile guests joined him, including French Montana who shared an affectionate embrace with him (left) and A$AP Ferg who seized the chance to whisper something private into Diddy's ear (right)

Comic relief: Trevor Noah was glimpsed hobnobbing with one of the female guests at the soiree (left), while Chris Rock could be seen throwing himself into the spirit of the occasion, clinging to the ceiling (right)

Channeling Choupette: Jared Leto was a reliably scene-stealing presence amongst the partygoers, swanning about while carrying a the massive false cat head he had worn as a mask at the Met Gala

Socializing: Jared could be seen rubbing shoulders with model Emilia Silberg, whose silver dress featured a chain motif that matched her tasseled drop earrings

Connections: Paris Hilton, flashing her cleavage and her midriff in a black bandeau, snatched a bit of downtime to chat with her sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild (left) as well as Marc Jacobs (right) and his fiance Char Defrancesco (second from right)

Such fun: Over the course of the evening Paris also indulged in some one-on-one time with Marc, having modeled one of his designs earlier that day during her Met Gala debut

Jared could be seen rubbing shoulders with model Emilia Silberg, whose silver dress featured a chain motif that matched her tasseled drop earrings.

Fatima Cuellar, who represented El Salvador at the Miss World competition in 2017, displayed her beauty queen assets in a see-through net dress while spending time with socialite Sergio Farias.

Naomi meanwhile could be seen weaving her way through the crowd alongside Edward Enninful, the editor in chief of British Vogue and a fashion figure she has vocally championed.

The room was ornately decorated with Karl Lagerfeld florals which were curated by swanky florist Venus et Fleur.

The free flowing booze included DUSSE cognac, champagne Armand De Brignac (Jay Zs champagne), Ciroc and Deleon.

As the party neared the end guests were treated pizza at 3am served by waiters trussed up like the late designer Karl Lagerfeld.

The flesh-flashing women at the party amped up the glitz factor, modeling such outfits as a silver net dress over matching lingerie, a bubblegum frock and a spidery headdress.

Glittering evening: Fatima Cuellar, who represented El Salvador at the Miss World competition in 2017, displayed her beauty queen assets in a see-through net dress while spending time with socialite Sergio Farias

Power players: Naomi meanwhile could be seen weaving her way through the crowd alongside Edward Enninful, the editor in chief of British Vogue and a fashion figure she has vocally championed

Sparkle: The flesh-flashing women at the party amped up the glitz factor, modeling such outfits as a silver net dress over matching lingerie, a bubblegum frock and a spidery headdress
Lily James showed off her chic sense of style as she attended the Met Gala after party at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns Met After Party with Casamigos held at Zero Bond social club in New York City on Monday night.

The Mamma Mia actress, 34, appeared in good spirits as she wore a stylish black mini dress which left her long legs on show.

She wore a dazzling statement costume necklace and a pair of sparkling earrings from Maria Tash.

Lily, who has recently been filming new flick Relay in New York, wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty features, opting for a copper eyeshadow and a red lip.

She wore her hair tied back in a ponytail and showed off her new choppy bangs.

In style: Lily James, 34 (right), showed off her chic sense of style in a black dress as she attended the Met Gala after party at the Zero Bond social club in New York City on Monday

Glitterati: The Mamma Mia actress (left) wore a dazzling statement costume necklace and a pair of sparkling earrings from Maria Tash

The movie star posed up a storm at the bash as she enjoyed the company of a number of her glamorous-looking friends.

Lily debuted a striking new fringe as she donned a leather ball gown while arriving at the star-studded Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan earlier on Monday evening.

She turned heads in her strapless gown, which was gathered at the bust by rose detailing.

The jaw-dropping dress was then belted and pleated, before pooling at her feet in an impressive train.

Her exposed neck and collarbones were accessorised with a pearl choker necklace, which gave a vintage feel to the look.

Meanwhile her brunette tresses had a new look with a high rugged fringe, and were slicked back into a neat bun.

For make-up, Lily opted for bronzed eyeshadow, smokey fawn eyeliner and a baby pink lip.

The biggest night in fashion took place on Monday night with a slew of the industry's most notable stars walking the red carpet to showcase their glamorous and daring looks.

Glamour puss: Lily (right) wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty features, opting for a copper eyeshadow and a red lip

Out on the town: The movie star posed up a storm at the bash as she enjoyed the company of a number of her glamorous-looking friends

All stars: Lily (left) was seen with Australian film director Baz Luhrmann, 60, at the event in the Big Apple

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton attending the fundraising event.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

In keeping with tradition, the event was held on the first Monday of May and the annual extravaganza kicked off at 6:30PM EST on May 1.

The ball's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, was even invited to the festivities.

The decision to honor Karl sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'I'm against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

'It's difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I don't know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

Stepping out: Lily debuted a striking new fringe as she donned a leather ball gown at the Met Gala on Monday evening

Wow: The movie actress wore a strapless leather gown, which was belted at the waist

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala was co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Last year, the 2022 MET Gala alone raised a grand total of $17.4 million, reported Billboard.

This year the price of admission was raised from $30,000 to $50,000, according to Page Six. But even if you have the funds, that doesn't guarantee you entry into the party.

Every guest has to be invited, and a waiting list exists for the coveted golden ticket.

And status matters, according to The New York Times, meaning the hottest stars are a shoo in for an invite.

Heiress Paris was among the biggest names to attend the event, in what marked her first ever Met Gala.

Details: The leather gown had a very long train and was belted and pleated

However it didn't go off without a hitch, as her grand Met Gala entrance was blocked by angry climate change protestors who laid in front of her vehicle.

But the small disruption didn't stop the billionaire from arriving on the red carpet and stunning an off-the-shoulder leather dress.

The best dressed of the night included Met vet Kim, who wowed in an incredible pearl dress, as she seemingly revisiting her Playboy look from 2007 by accident.

Kim wore custom Schiaparelli, covered in 50,000 pearls that were hand-strung and draped onto her body.

The mother of four revealed that she wanted pearls because 'what is more Karl' than 'iconic Chanel pearls,' she said during her interview on Vogue.com's livestream.

Surprise: Lily was the spitting image of Audrey Hepburn as she debuted her new hairstyle

Pregnant Rihanna, Gisele and Emily Ratajkowski also honored Karl in their statement gowns as they brought their A-game to the red carpet.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively, a frequent attendee, announced she would not be attending the party this year. 'I will be watching,' she said, according to People.

As for Wintour's role in the bash, Vogue's editor-in-chief organizes the party and oversees the guest list and even the menu.

She has served as the Met Gala's chairwoman since 1994 and continues to serve look after look at every event.
Anna Faris was spotted filming scenes on a ferry for upcoming comedy My Spy 2 in Venice, Italy on Tuesday.

The actress, 46, looked unrecognisable in a long brown wig as she spoke into a microphone to a whole host of extras that appeared to take on the roles of tourists.

Anna sported dark eye make-up and an oversized brown suit as she put on a very animated display.

The Mom star completed the look with suede heels as she battled the torrential downpour.

My Spy 2 is the sequel to 2020's comedy My Spy, which starred Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman.

Filming: Anna Faris, 46, was spotted filming scenes on a ferry for upcoming comedy My Spy 2 in Venice, Italy on Tuesday

Who? The actress looked unrecognisable in a brown wig and dark eye make-up (right, pictured in 2018)

Comedy: My Spy 2 is the sequel to 2020's comedy My Spy, which starred Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman

Co-star: Also on the set was co-stars Dave Bautista (right) and Chloe Coleman (left)

In February Deadline broke news that Prime Video had reenlisted Bautista, Coleman, Kristen Schaal, and Ken Jeong for the part two.

And announced as newcomers were Faris, Craig Robinson, and Flula Borg.

The original movie told the story of JJ (played by Bautista), a CIA operative who crossed paths with Sophie (Coleman), an astute nine-year-old girl.

They met after JJ was assigned to monitor Sophie's family.

Schaal portrayed the role of Bobbi, JJ's tech specialist colleague, and Jeong played David, his boss.

My Spy was written by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber and directed by Peter Segal.

Last month Anna's ex-husband Chris Pratt opened up about meeting his second wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, while on The Drew Barrymore Show.

The Guardians of the Galaxy actor, 43, gushed over seeing her for the first time when he was at church.

Costume: Anna donned an oversized brown suit as she put on a very animated display in the scenes

Rainy days: The Mom star completed the look with suede heels as she battled the torrential downpour

Back for more: In February Deadline broke news that Prime Video had reenlisted Bautista, Coleman, Kristen Schaal, and Ken Jeong for the part two

Scene: In the scene the duo peered into a box, seeming to suggest a mystery was afoot

Low key: The pair cut low key figures in denim jackets and jeans on the ship

He explained to Barrymore, 48, that 'there was a moment in my life where I was really struggling and felt really broken,' before he met Katherine, 33.

Pratt went on to tell the whole story about how he met the rising author 'five, maybe six years ago. God has a fast-forward button, you know, when it's right, boom.

'You get hit, you fall in love, you get married, now we have two beautiful daughters to add to my family. It feels really great.'

The Jurassic World actor also shares his 10-year-old son Jack with his ex-wife Anna, who he was married to from 2009-2018.

'There was a moment in my life where I was really struggling and felt really broken. For me, my own journey of finding a higher power and leaning on that and feeling like, "Please save me," and feeling saved,' Pratt shared.

Muscle man: Former wrestler Dave towered over his young co-star

Hop skip and a jump: In another scene Chloe's character was spotted jumping into a water taxi

'And shortly later, meeting the woman of my dreams. It's all about timing. There's a perfect plan out there for you. You have to have faith.'

The Charlie's Angels actress then asked him if he had met his now-wife in a place of faith, to which he responded, 'Yeah, we met at a church. I was in the front row of church.

'And you kind of don't want to be like, "Woah, who's that?" at church. But I was sneaking some glances and wondering, "Who is that? Anyway, what am I doing? Come on, I'm broken, help me. But who's that?"'

He continued, 'So we hit it off. We didn't start dating right away, but we met there and, later on, ended up going out.'

The pair welcomed their first daughter Lyla in 2020, only a year after they got married, and their second daughter Eloise in 2022.
Olivia Wilde shared a photo from the morning after the Met Gala while took place on Monday evening in New York City.

The 39-year-old House actress was makeup free and in a white-and-black robe as she lay down on a bed.

The mom of two made a funny face in the snap, perhaps reflecting on the activities of the night before.

'Oh good morningftrnoon,' she captioned the selfie of herself.

The Met Gala was a success for the Don't Worry Darling director as she seemed to manage avoiding Emily Ratajkowski, 31, who was caught kissing Wilde's ex Harry Styles recently.

Sleepy head: Olivia Wilde managed to avoid Harry Styles' new girlfriend Emily Ratajkowski at the Met Gala and after parties

No drama here: The Met Gala was a success for the Don't Worry Darling director as she seemed to manage avoiding Emily Ratajkowski, 31, who was caught kissing Wilde's ex Harry Styles recently.

Olivia and Emily both attended the Met Gala. And they both went to the Zero Bond after party.

There are no photos of the stars together, suggesting they avoided each other.

Olivia upped the fashion ante as she hit the Met Gala afterparty at Zero Bond.

The actress put on a daring display as she went braless in a pearlescent mesh dress after changing out of her red carpet look.

Olivia risked another awkward run-in with Ratajkowski, 31, who also attended the star-studded bash.

The Met Gala is the first time the pair have crossed paths since Emily kissed Olivia's ex-boyfriend Styles in Tokyo back in March.

But Olivia showed no signs of awkwardness as she was pictured smiling while arriving at Zero Bond to party the night away.

Awkward: Olivia risked another awkward run in with Ratajkowski, 31, at the Zero Bond after party

Turning heads: Emily set pulses racing once again in a jaw-dropping black sheer dress at Zero Bond

The statement dress sheathed over her slender figure and showcased her black underwear.

Olivia teamed the look with black platform boots and wore her golden locks in mermaid waves.

Just hours earlier, Emily and Olivia had narrowly avoided each other on the red carpet, arriving within minutes of each other.

Emily had all eyes on her in a plunging taupe dress which left little of her cleavage to the imagination.

Oh Harry! While the women previously had a friendly relationship, tensions between them escalated after the supermodel told Vogue Spain she 'feels bad' for the director about her steamy make-out session with the pop star, 29. Seen in February

Adorned with pearls, the strapless look cinched into her svelte waist and featured a semi-sheer skirt that furled out into a dramatic train.

Meanwhile Wilde was a vision as she flashed her trim midriff and toned waist in a high-necked white gown with dazzling gold details

While the women previously had a friendly relationship, tensions between them escalated after the supermodel told Vogue Spain she 'feels bad' for the director about her steamy make-out session with the pop star, 29.

Following the interview, an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively Olivia wants Emily to 'keep her name out of her mouth' and 'focus on being a mum instead of dating everyone she sees.'

The source went on reveal that the mother-of-two feels the I Feel Pretty star should 'reexamine her dating life and the men she chooses to go out with' since filing for divorce from Sebastian Bear-McClard.

Previously, a separate confidante of Wilde's disclosed the ex-fiancee of Jason Sudeikis felt 'betrayed' by her 'friend' and simply does not want to be dragged into this mess' as she continues to prioritize her 'career and her kids.'
Vanessa Kirby has opened up about overcoming 'self-doubt' in her childhood, and starring as a villain in the latest Mission: Impossible film.

The Crown star spoke to Harper's Bazaar about finding confidence through acting, as she prepares to play White Widow in the American action franchise.

Kirby, 35, who played Princess Margaret in The Crown's first and second series, said she knew she wanted to act from a young age.

She told the magazine: 'I was very sensitive. I had no idea how I would become an actress, but I knew it was what I wanted to do; it was what made me feel happiest, it was what made me feel most free, least judged somehow.

'I had so much self-doubt growing up - oh my goodness, I still do. I have made peace with the fact that it is there.

Honest: Vanessa Kirby has opened up about overcoming 'self-doubt' in her childhood, and starring as a villain in the latest Mission: Impossible film

Finding herself: The Crown star spoke to Harper's Bazaar about finding confidence through acting, as she prepares to play White Widow in the American action franchise

'It's the practice of letting it be in the passenger seat. You have to say: "You are not going to drive but you can be here".'

Vanessa looked sensational as she modelled a series of striking looks in a photoshoot for the magazine.

In one image, she stood out in a bold, azure blue gown which featured a ruching design and perfectly clung to her curves.

While another image sees her opting for a more simplistic black vest, with her make-up adding a touch of drama with dark red lips and lashings of mascara.

The film star dazzled in several other elegant looks, including eye-catching black and white snaps.

Meanwhile in the interview, the Bafta-winning actress went on to add that Christopher McQuarrie, director of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, gave her 'loads of books on power' to prepare for her role as the villain.

Speaking about White Widow, she said: 'She comes from an underground crime family, so I wanted to know, how did they get into arms?

'I did all sorts of research, and Christopher McQuarrie gave me loads of books on power and how to transmit power, how calm is the thing that is most powerful - the more you reel it in, the more intimidating it is.'

Destined: Kirby, 35, who played Princess Margaret in The Crown's first and second series, said she knew she wanted to act from a young age

Belief: 'I was very sensitive. I had no idea how I would become an actress, but I knew it was what I wanted to do'

Candid: 'I had so much self-doubt growing up - oh my goodness, I still do. I have made peace with the fact that it is there'

Cover star: The June issue of Harper's Bazaar UK is on sale from May 4

Kirby said her co-star Tom Cruise is 'the most passionate actor'.

He knows more about cinema, cares more about it, than anyone I have ever met,' she said.

'He also believes anything is possible, and that really inspires everyone around him to believe in what their own mission is.'

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One will be released by Paramount Pictures on July 12 in the US and two days later in the UK.

It comes as Vanessa was the epitome of chic as she arrived at the 2023 Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday.

Wisdom: 'It's the practice of letting it be in the passenger seat. You have to say: "You are not going to drive but you can be here"

Gorgeous: Vanessa looked sensational as she modelled a series of striking looks in a photoshoot for the magazine

She looked sensational in a black bejewelled gown and was joined on the red carpet by fellow actors Olivia Wilde, 39, and Maude Apatow, 25, as well as designer Gabriela Hearst, 46.

Vanessa teased a hint of sideboob in the Art Dec inspired frock that featured intricate silver embellishments across the back, which she showed off in it's full glory.

The dress hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure and she appeared braless beneath, teasing a hint of side boob as she posed up a storm for the cameras.

Opting for a dewey make-up look Vanessa completed the 1920s theme by styling her bleached tresses into loose waves.
Keanu Reeves has been back in the studio. The music studio.

The actor, 58, who supported his partner Alexandra Grant in her first New York art show last week, is getting ready to release new music for the first time in some 20 years.

The John Wick star and his bandmates posed in rooftop in Los Angeles, teasing their next release.

Keanu, who plays bass in the rock group, looked handsome wearing a black T-shirt and pants with a charcoal toned jacket.

His dark shoulder length hair was brushed straight and his salt and pepper beard was neatly groomed.

New music: Keanu Reeves, 58 and his Dogstar Bandmates Bret Domrose, 54, and Rob Mailhouse, 61 posed on a rooftop overlooking Los Angeles. ''Exciting news coming soon,' the wrote on Instagram teasing their upcoming songs. 'Thanks for being so patient. '

Composer and songwriter Bret Domrose, 54, who plays guitar and provides vocals, stood in the center of the shot, as drummer Rob Mailhouse, 61, best known for his work on The Days of our Lives, stood to his right.

Both were styled in black T-shirts and pants and dark jackets.

'Last set up on the roof in Lincoln Heights for @dogstar photo shoot,' the rockers wrote next to the photo on Instagram.

'Exciting news coming soon. Thanks for being so patient. '

'Cannot wait!' wrote Spotify's Global Head of Rock Allison Hagendorf.

'Cant wait,' agreed another fan, who also offered a suggestion for a spot on any upcoming tours, 'and if it could be possible ..please.. a concert in Rio de Janeiro!'

The musicians have been steadily updating fans about their new music.

'Dogstar getting ready for the summer and writing more new material,' they posted on March 29.

New material: The musicians have been steadily updating fans about their new music. 'Dogstar getting ready for the summer and writing more new material,' they posted with this photo on March 29

Private show: The rockers put on a private concert in December writing, 'Back on stage. Private show for the incredible people who made our new album possible'

In December, they posted, 'Last day of mixing the new Dogstar record in Silver Lake with @tdrumfio. We are loving the new deep, lush sound.'

A few days later they shared a photo from a private concert, sharing, 'Back on stage. Private show for the incredible people who made our new album possible.'

'Cant wait to perform for everyone when the record comes out Spring 2023.'

Keanu and Rob formed formed Dogstar in 1991 with former guitarist Gregg Miller, and had some success on the Indy rock scene.

Early days: Keanu and Rob formed formed Dogstar in 1991 with former guitarist Gregg Miller. Brett joined the group in 1994. Their last song, Shine, was released in 2003. The new album will be their first in some 20 years

Brett joined the group in 1994.

After touring through the US and Asia, the rockers opened for David Bowie at the Hollywood Palladium in 1995 and for Bon Jovi on the These Days - Crossroads Tour in Australia and New Zealand.

Their first EP, Quattro Formaggi, was released in 1996, quickly followed their first album, Our Little Visionary, the same year.

Greg Miller left the band shortly thereafter.

Their last album, Happy Ending, was released in 2000 and the group has not put out any new music the single, Shine, which was included on 2003's Mr. Big Tribute Album.
Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino is married to Lauren Sorrentino.

They are nicely settled family with two children.

But before they tied the knot, they were college sweethearts. The Jersey Shore actor proved that when he shared a flashback photo on Monday of the two of them as students.

'College sweethearts,' the reality TV star wrote in his Instagram caption.

She was rocking a 90s look with a silky strapless top paired with blue jeans as she carried a Gucci purse. Mike was almost unrecognizable with darker hair and a rounder face.

They go way back: Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino is married to Lauren Sorrentino. They are nicely settled family with two children. But before they tied the knot, they were college sweethearts. The Jersey Shore actor proved that when he shared a flashback photo on Monday of the two of them as students

Oh baby! They welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mia Bella Elizabeth Sorrentino, in January

He held onto his cap as he wore his gray gown and beamed with pride during his graduation.

After college they split up and he went wild on Jersey Shore.

But they got back together in 2013 and wed in 2018.

In January the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mia Bella Elizabeth Sorrentino, a rep for the Jersey Star confirmed to People.

Mia was born at 8:22AM on Tuesday, January 24, and weighed five pounds and 15 oz.

Just days before she welcomes the baby, Mike revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that Lauren was set to give birth 'any day' now.

'It's happening like any minute, no joke. We are scheduled for the 24th, that would be full term. But the doctor said it could happen at any day, so we are on high alert to meet our baby girl and Situation party of four!' Mike told DailyMail.com.

The couple, who already share son Romeo together, didn't plan on revealing the name of their daughter until she was born but Mike says it will 'definitely' be Italian.

'We have a couple of names but we're going to probably announce it the day of. It's definitely going to be Italian!' he said.

Baby makes four! The couple announced Lauren's pregnancy back in November with this snap

Unlike his early days shooting Jersey Shore, Mike is now juggling parenthood with filming.

While Mike acknowledged it's 'not easy' doing both, he said he was currently living his 'dream' of having a family.

'It's not easy but I'm sure like most parents, you make it up as you go along. And having a family for me is what I've always wanted. I feel like I'm living my dream and I have my baby boy whose 20 months now, Romeo.

'Situation part of 4': Last week, Mike revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that Lauren was set to give birth 'any day' now

Aww! Sorrentino and Lauren also have 20-month-old son Romeo together

'So I really cherish those moments that I have with the family and also at the same time I'm so grateful to live out my dream and entertain millions on MTV and TV across the country and world!'

The Situation announced Lauren's pregnancy back in November.

'IT'S OFFICIAL, We have a Situation. It's a GIRL. Coming January 2023. Girl dad,' he announced on Instagram.

The proud parents looked as happy as can be as Mike gently placed his hand upon Lauren's blossoming bump.
Actress Eileen Saki  known for her role on the iconic show M*A*S*H  has died at the age of 79, it has been confirmed.

Saki was known to fans for playing bar owner Rosie, the boss of Rose's Bar, on the beloved 70s comedy.

Her co-star Jeff Maxwell confirmed the sad the news on his M*A*S*H Matters podcast.

Our sweet Eileen. Our sassy Rosie,' he said in a post on the official Facebook page for the podcast.

On behalf of her husband Bob, we extend sincere appreciation for the hundreds of M*A*S*H fans who filled Eileens final days with peace, encouragement, and love.

She read every email and responded to as many as she could. Our sweet, sweet Eileen. How we love you. How we will miss you.

RIP: Actress Eileen Saki  known for her role on the iconic show M*A*S*H  has died at the age of 79, it has been confirmed

A veteran actress: Saki was known to fans for playing bar owner Rosie, the boss of Rose's Bar, on the beloved 70s comedy. Three actresses inhabited the role of Rosie on M*A*S*H throughout its 11-season run, and Saki earned the distinction of being the last and longest-running Rosie

According to TMZ, family sources confirmed that the veteran actress passed away in Los Angeles on Monday after a battle with cancer.

Saki's long career in Hollywood also included minor roles in classic comedy films like Splash in 1984 and History of the World, Part I in 1981.

Three actresses inhabited the role of Rosie on M*A*S*H throughout its 11-season run from 1972 to 1983.

Saki earned the distinction of being the last and longest-running Rosie  a fact which Jeff Maxwell acknowledged in another Facebook tribute.

Maxwell  who played Private Igor Straminsky in the classic series  praised Eileen as an individual, lauding her 'energy' and lovable charm.

Recalling her as a guest on his podcast, Maxwell wrote: 'She was gracious, funny, engaging, insightful, adorable, filled with M*A*S*H stories, and exhibited more energy than I remember having twenty years ago.

'She spoke with great love for all the cast members but was particularly appreciative of her interaction with Executive Producer and director, Burt Metcalfe. The visit with her was pure joy as she filled every word with joy, life, and love.'

Concluding his remarks, Maxwell called Saki 'a special woman,' adding: 'Eileen captivated you with a twinkle and smile in her soul.'

Her long career: Saki's long career in Hollywood also included minor roles in classic comedy films like Splash in 1984 and History of the World, Part I in 1981

Touching tribute: Eileen's co-star Jeff Maxwell confirmed the sad the news on his M*A*S*H Matters podcast. Our sweet Eileen. Our sassy Rosie,' he wrote in a post on the official Facebook page for the podcast

According to TMZ, family sources confirmed that the veteran actress passed away in Los Angeles on Monday after a battle with cancer

Beloved: Maxwell  who played Private Igor Straminsky in the classic series  praised Eileen as an individual, lauding her 'energy' and lovable charm

Speaking with Maxwell on his M*A*S*H Matters podcast, Eileen opened up about her humble beginnings and her childhood dreams of becoming an actress.

'I was raised in Japan, came here, English is my second language, but I knew at the age of four that I was going to be a performer.'

The daughter of a gardener, Saki went on to explain how growing up poor inspired her to obtain a 'brighter life' for herself.

'We were very poor, and probably my psyche wanted to be somebody else. To have a brighter life and an entertaining life.'
While Met Gala guests dined on bowls of gourmet pea soup, Teyana Taylor was enjoying a different sort of fare at the A-list event - a plate full of Chick-fil-A she brought herself.

Teyana, 32, was called out by tablemate Pusha T, 45, who joked she was 'embarrassing' him for bringing the fast food to the exclusive bash.

'@teyanataylor is embarrassing me. She brought @chicfilausa to the #MetGala. I want her away from me... #HARLEM,' he wrote on an Instagram video capturing her plate full of fries, fried chicken, with a side of dip.

Even Usher, 44, tried to interfere - the R&B artist chuckled at the sight of Teyana munching on her fast food.

'#HARLEM @teyanataylor @usher tried to stop her...' Pusha T posted, along with a face slapping emoji.

Yum! While Met Gala guests dined on bowls of gourmet pea soup, Teyana Taylor was enjoying a different sort of fare at the A-list event - a plate full of Chick-fil-A she brought herself

Teyana appeared be teasing Pusha for their different plates as she compared his bowl of partially-consumed pea soup with her own dinner.

'It's two types of ppl,' she wrote with crying laughing emojis.

Monday night's theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, and the menu was curated to pay tribute to the late fashion designer.

'This menu was designed to honor the late fashion icon and pay homage to his favorite foods and global palate,' Olivier Cheng, the Vogue special events department and caterer, told the fashion bible.

'These dishes were created to maintain seasonality while using some of his favorite ingredients, such as King salmon. There is a sophisticated elegance to these pairings, one we feel that he would have truly enjoyed,' Olivier said.

The dinner menu consisted of 'chilled spring pea soup with baby vegetables, lemon creme fraiche, and truffle snow, followed by Ora King salmon with vegetable nage, asparagus, pickled strawberries, and radishall served on vintage china,' reports Vogue.

The 2023 Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday evening.

Since 1948, stars have ascended the majestic staircase into a very exclusive party where no selfies are allowed.

A-list interference! Usher had a laugh watching Teyana feast on the fast food

Hilarious! Taylor's table mate Pusha T joked he was embarrassed to be by Taylor and her fast food

Tasty: Teyana brought fries, fried chicken, with a side of dip

This year, the ball's theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. The late German designer was Chanel's long-time creative director. He passed at age 85 in 2019.

His beloved cat, Choupette, has even been invited to the festivities, however the feline was unable to attend.

The decision to honor Karl has sparked controversy given the many offensive remarks he has made over the years, from slamming the #MeToo movement to opposing same-sex marriage.

'Im against it for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life,' he told Vice of same-sex marriage.

Gourmet meal: Taylor appeared to tease Pusha over the bowl of pea soup he was served

Fine dining: The Met Gala dinner menu consisted of 'chilled spring pea soup with baby vegetables, lemon creme fraiche, and truffle snow, followed by Ora King salmon with vegetable nage, asparagus, pickled strawberries, and radishall served on vintage china,' reports Vogue

Star-studded: Teyana was one of many stars attending the exclusive affair

'Its difficult to imagineone of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I dont know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child.'

While he ultimately showed his support for same-sex marriage at his spring 2013 Chanel haute couture show, he still said he was 'less keen' on same-sex couples adopting children, according to AP.

Along with the Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who runs and hosts the annual event, the 2023 MET Gala was also co-hosted by Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel and also Roger Federer.

While the show may be known for its glitzy and over-the-top red carpet - with details of what occurs inside often remaining mysterious - at its heart, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
Emilio Estevez recalled when Laurence Fishburne saved him from drowning in quicksand and his legendary actor father Martin Sheen called The Matrix actor personally to thank him.

Father and son duo Sheen, 82, and Estevez, 60, appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Tuesday as they talked about the scary moment.

Sheen and Fishburne, now 61, were on set of legendry 1979 film Apocalypse Now in the Philippines.

Estevez said: 'We'd only known each other a couple of days and this was in the Philippines.'

He explained that he and Fishburne were 14 at the time and came upon a small boat and suggested they get on it, however, it was too close to sure.

Bond: Emilio Estevez recalled when Laurence Fishburne saved him from drowning in quicksand and his legendary actor father Martin Sheen called The Matrix actor personally to thank him as the father-son duo appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show together

Back in the day: Sheen and Fishburne (pictured), now 61, were on set of legendry 1979 film Apocalypse Now in the Philippines

Estevez then suggested to jump off the boat and push it offshore but he found himself in what he described as 'quicksand mud.'

He explained: 'I was just sinking, oh my god, and I just saw Fishburne just looking at me going, "Quick grab my hand!" And he pulled me back up on to the boat, and we were bonded ever since.'

Sheen revealed that the first time he heard of the incident was when he read the father-son memoir Along The Way: The Journey Of A Father And Son.

After hearing of the incident he promptly 'called Mr. Fishburne to thank him for saving my son's life.'

A year ago Sheen revealed that he regretted adopting a stage name for show business.

The actor, born Ramon Estevez, spoke with Closer Weekly Saturday about the career decision, saying, 'That's one of my regrets.'

The Emmy-winning actor continued, 'I never changed my name officially. It's still Ramon Estevez on my birth certificate.

'It's on my marriage license, my passport, driver's license. Sometimes you get persuaded when you don't have enough insight or even enough courage to stand up for what you believe in, and you pay for it later. But, of course, I'm only speaking for myself.'

Sheen revealed that the first time he heard of the incident was when he read the father-son memoir Along The Way: The Journey Of A Father And Son. After hearing of the incident he promptly 'called Mr. Fishburne to thank him for saving my son's life'

In the interview, the Dayton, Ohio native - who is father to stars Emilio Estevez, 60, and Charlie Sheen, 56 - said that he didn't stand in the way of his children entering show business.

'I honestly have to say I wasn't aware of it,' he told the outlet. 'I was so self-involved and trying to be a provider that I wasn't aware of their inclination to being actors.'

Sheen said he 'was doing a show one time, and Emilio showed up,' adding, 'I thought he was there to visit me, but he'd gotten a part in the same show.'

The Apocalypse Now actor said 'the only influence' he had on son Emilio 'was to keep his name,' as 'when he started out, his agent was advising him to change his name to Sheen and he wouldn't do it.

'And I thank God he didn't.'

Sheen opened up about working with his son Estevez on his 2010 dramatic comedy The Way, saying the film filled him 'with the deepest gratitude and satisfaction' of all the roles he had in his career.

'We made it in Spain about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and dedicated it to my father, who was from Galicia,' Sheen said. 'It was written, directed and starred my son Emilio Estevez. It is the best thing I've ever done.

'Thousands of people have seen the film and been inspired to do the pilgrimage. That is a great source of satisfaction and pride.'

Icon: A year ago Sheen revealed that he regretted adopting a stage name for show business. The venerated actor was snapped in 2019 in LA

In the interview, the Dayton, Ohio native - who is father to stars Emilio Estevez, 60, and Charlie Sheen, 56 - said that he didn't stand in the way of his children entering show business

Sheen also spoke about his stint on the acclaimed series The West Wing, in which he played the role of President Josiah Bartlet from 1999-2006, saying, 'The blessings were just endless with that show, and they're still coming'

Sheen also spoke about his stint on the acclaimed series The West Wing, in which he played the role of President Josiah Bartlet from 1999-2006.

'It's the people - so many wonderful, wonderful people,' Sheen said, adding that he and late actor John Spencer 'were the oldest, so we were kind of like the parents.'

He continued: 'But we all treated each other with such respect, passion and, above all, joy. I still get letters from people who are just discovering it, and a lot of young people were inspired to go into public life because of it. The blessings were just endless with that show, and they're still coming.'
Nigella Lawson has expressed her grief for the late MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo.

The Scottish-Australian chef was found dead by police at a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne, at about 2am on Monday at the age of 46.

Lawson, 63, posted a statement on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, sharing her 'deepest' sympathies for Zonfrillo's family, including his four children.

'I can't stop thinking about Jock Zonfrillo's children, his family,' tweeted the former My Kitchen Rules judge.

'So many are plunged into deepest grief. My heart goes out to them. And I hope their wishes for privacy are respected.'

Nigella Lawson (left) has expressed her grief for the late MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo (right)

The British food writer was set to work with Zonfrillo on Channel 10's MasterChef as a guest judge in 2020, but was forced to bow out due to the Covid pandemic.

A year later, Lawson appeared on the show via a video link as the contestants battled it out in a pressure test.

Police found Zonfrillo's body at the Zagame's House hotel at about 2am on Monday after they were called for a welfare check.

No cause of death has been disclosed, but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Lawson, 63, posted a statement on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, sharing her 'deepest' sympathies for Zonfrillo's family, including his four children

The British food writer was set to work with Zonfrillo on Channel 10's MasterChef as a guest judge in 2020, but was forced to bow out due to the Covid pandemic

His death came as MasterChef's fifteenth season, featuring Jamie Oliver as a guest judge, was due to premiere on Ten on Monday night but has since been postponed out of respect for Zonfrillo's family.

Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.

'With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,' his family said in a statement on Monday.

'So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words.

His death came as MasterChef's fifteenth season, featuring Jamie Oliver as a guest judge, was due to premiere on Channel Ten on Monday night but has since been postponed out of respect for Zonfrillo's family

'For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.

'We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.'

Zonfrillo became a host of the popular Channel 10 cooking show MasterChef Australia in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.

Zonfrillo, who started his career working under Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White in the UK, famously overcame an addiction to heroin during his teenage years in Glasgow before becoming one of Australia's most celebrated chefs.

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000
Natalie Cassidy enjoyed a romantic Irish getaway with fiance Marc Humphreys as she kicked off her 40th birthday celebrations last weekend.

The EastEnders actress will mark the milestone May 13, but appeared overjoyed as she headed off to the picturesque town of Killarney for an early treat.

Natalie, who shares daughter Joanie, six, with Mark, offered her Instagram followers a glimpse of their swanky accommodation before venturing to a local pub.

The lovebirds, who began dating in 2014 before getting engaged a year later, stayed in a luxurious with roaring fire and speculator views.

The soap star was surprised with a lavish chocolate cake before celebrating with Champagne and fresh strawberries.

Birthday trip: Natalie Cassidy enjoyed a romantic Irish getaway with fiance Marc Humphreys as she kicked off her 40th birthday celebrations last week

Celebrations: The EastEnders actress, who will mark the milestone May 13, beamed in a slew of snaps as the couple explored the picturesque town of Killarney

Cheers! Natalie, who shares daughter Joanie, six, with Mark, offered her Instagram followers a glimpse of their swanky accommodation before heading off to a local pub

The birthday girl to quick to tease her cameraman beau after he accidentally covered her face with a flute of bubbly while attempting to take a selfie.

Natalie, is also mum to her 12 year old daughter Eliza, from a previous relationship, Jokingly captioning the snap: 'FFS [For f*** sake].

Later writing: 'What a weekend. Killarney you were INCREDIBLE. Thank you to @aghadoeheights for the incredible hospitality and wonderful views'.

'Siobhan- (2nd pic) was amazing. As was Brendan the concierge- gutted Ive not a photo with him. Family and respect is everything there. Music is in their hearts and they love their country'.

She continued: 'We will be back very soon. Shout out to @mrsaoifehutton for all your recommendations. The best weekend to kick off my 40th celebrations. Me and Marc loved every second of it. @j.m_reidys was the best pub in town'.

It comes as Natalie's character Sonia Fowler is set to be left devastated in next week's EastEnders when she discovers the shocking secret about boyfriend Reiss Colwell.

Viewers of the BBC soap have long been suspicious about Reiss and his relationship status, especially after he made a mysterious call earlier this month asking to speak to his 'wife'.

And in upcoming scenes, it's another mysterious call which proves to be Reiss' undoing, leaving his girlfriend Sonia crushed.

Posh: The lovebirds, who began dating in 2014 before getting engaged a year later, stayed in a luxurious with roaring fire and speculator views

Walkies: The couple enjoyed a romantic stroll in the countryside

Bossy lunch: In one snap Marc appeared a little worse for wear

The drama begins when Sonia wakes up to treats from Reiss (Jonny Freeman) on her birthday but is confused when he fails to put in an appearance in person.

While over at the cafe, a concerned Rocky Cotton (Brian Conley) tells partner Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) that he overheard Reiss on the phone to a mystery person.

But she swiftly shuts him down and tells him to drop it as its Sonia's birthday.

And as time ticks down to their upcoming Coronation performance, there is concern as there's still no Reiss.

Rocky comes close to sharing his suspicions with a worried Sonia but just in the nick of time, Reiss appears.

Later, Rocky confronts Reiss and demands the truth from him, just as Sonia walks in and overhears.

LOL: The birthday girl to quick to tease her cameraman beau after he accidentally covered her face with a flute of bubbly while attempting to take a selfie

Thank you! Natalie posed for a selfie with a staff member from their swanky hotel

Loving it: Later writing: 'What a weekend. Killarney you were INCREDIBLE. Thank you to @aghadoeheights for the incredible hospitality and wonderful views'

The nurse is then left shattered when Reiss eventually admits the shocking truth about what he's been hiding.

Furious at the betrayal, Sonia berates Reiss and demands he gets out of her life for good.

Later, an utterly devastated Sonia breaks down in tears as her ex Martin Fowler comforts her over Reiss' confession.

Eve Unwin takes pity on him and lets Reiss unburden his soul before going to find Sonia and recommending that she hears him out.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
The Project host Waleed Aly modelled a fun item from his wardrobe as he stepped out in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old wore a black Batman T-shirt and a puffer jacket as he made his way to a waiting car.

The TV presenter and academic completed his laid-back look with blue jeans and sneakers as he carried a take-away coffee.

The sighting comes after Aly rallied around producer Chris Walker, his old boss at The Project, following his split from the show's former co-host Carrie Bickmore.

Aly, who once sat next to Bickmore on the panel of the Channel Ten news program, spent Sunday with her former partner as they watched an AFL game.

The Project host Waleed Aly wore a Batman T-shirt as he stepped out in Melbourne on Tuesday

The TV presenter carried a take-away coffee as he made his way to a waiting car

Posting to his Instagram Stories, Walker shared a photo of the two men smiling in the grandstands wearing Richmond Tigers merchandise.

The mates sported matching grins as they leaned towards each other for the photo.

'Second best Tigers date after Evie,' he captioned the post, presumably referring to the birth of his eight-year-old daughter Evie.

It comes three months after Bickmore announced her split from long-time partner Walker in January, saying the pair was focused on co-parenting their three children.

She had been in a relationship with him for 11 years.

The sighting comes after Aly rallied around producer Chris Walker, his old boss at The Project, following his split from the show's former co-host Carrie Bickmore

Aly, who once sat next to Bickmore on the panel of the Channel Ten news program, spent Sunday with her former partner Walker (right) as they watched an AFL game

'It's with immense sadness that Chris and I have decided to separate,' she said.

'While this is a tough time, our focus is on parenting, loving and supporting our three children Ollie, Evie and Addie with everything that we've got.

'They are doing great. We won't be making any further comment.'

Bickmore (right) announced her split from her long-time partner Walker (left) in January, saying the pair was focused on co-parenting their three children

Bickmore and Walker's love story captured the hearts of Australians.

They met as colleagues on The Project - she was a presenter and he was a producer - and they began dating in late 2012, two years after she lost her husband Greg Lange, the father of her eldest child Ollie, 15, to brain cancer.

Despite his terminal diagnosis, Bickmore had married Lange in 2005 when she was just 25 years old.

After Lange died in 2010 at the age of 35, a widowed Bickmore started the charity Carrie's Beanies for Brain Cancer in his memory.

Two years later and Bickmore had found love again with Walker, who became a stepdad to Oliver, and with whom she later had Evie, born in 2015, and Adelaide, born in 2018.

Bickmore is pictured here with her former The Project co-hosts Aly and Helliar

It follows reports Bickmore has grown close to her Hit Network co-host Tommy Little following their respective break-ups.

Little rushed to Bickmore's side in January when she confirmed her split from Walker, leading insiders to speculate their friendship could evolve into something more.

Their professional relationship began in 2016 when stand-up comedian Little joined Bickmore on the panel of The Project.

The pair began co-hosting the Hit Network's drive show a year later, and immediately gained a cult following thanks to their entertaining and organic banter.

In February 2021, it was reported Little had split from his last confirmed girlfriend, Natalie Kyriacou, after a year of dating.
As the saying goes, "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs," and the same holds for digital marketing. But fear not, as there are plenty of ways to avoid making the mistakes that businesses often fall victim to.

In this article, we will be exploring the most prevalent digital marketing mistakes that businesses make and how to avoid them. This guide offers valuable insights and strategies for navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape.

It is suitable for a small business owner and seasoned digital marketing agency in Ahmedabad as well.Get ready to dive into digital marketing and avoid common mistakes. Grab a coffee, relax, and read this article about the 7 most common mistakes businesses make and how to avoid them.

1. Neglecting Mobile Users

Digital marketers, listen up! Neglecting mobile users is a costly mistake. In today's world, customers use their phones for more than just calls.

Therefore, optimizing your website and marketing materials for mobile devices is essential. Neglecting this can cause you to lose valuable opportunities to engage. A significant portion of your audience puts your marketing efforts in danger.

How to Avoid?

To provide a seamless browsing experience, it's important to optimize your website for all devices. You can also consider creating an app to improve accessibility, especially for mobile users. When your content is easily accessible, it helps to build trust with your audience.

This can foster long-term relationships, which in turn can lead to increased conversions. Investing in mobile optimization creates a positive experience for customers. This leads to higher chances of returning to your website or app. This can also help to improve your brand reputation and increase your overall revenue.

2. Fail to Evaluate ROI

One of the most costly mistakes in digital marketing is failing to measure ROI. Not tracking your marketing performance means missing out on valuable insights. Measuring your ROI reveals what works, what doesn't, and what customers prefer. With these insights, you can optimize your marketing and maximize ROI.

How to Avoid?

To enhance your return on investment, use analytics tracking tools. Valuable information, such as lead sources and popular content, can be obtained from these tools.

Additionally, they can help identify cost-reduction opportunities and measure strategy effectiveness. By leveraging these insights, you can stay ahead of competitors and make informed business decisions.

3. Aiming At Wide Audience

When marketing to a broad audience, without specific targeting, individual needs and desires can't be met, as there are too many to consider.

This results in diluted messaging, lacking impact, and low engagement from your intended audience. To avoid this, it's important to focus your message and tailor it to your audience's needs and interests for better engagement and results.

How to Avoid?

Direct your attention to a specific audience whose unique needs align with your solution. Use Ideal Customer Profiles and personas to understand their preferences. This helps tailor marketing and messaging for increased engagement, satisfaction, and ROI.

4. Omitting Discounts and Promotions

Discounts can drive sales, as shown by a Retail Me Not survey. Two-thirds of customers reported making unplanned purchases due to discounts. Promotions can help businesses increase sales and conversions. However, unclear calls to action on websites can reduce engagement and lower sales.

Businesses must offer discounts and promotions to succeed in e-commerce. They also need to ensure that their websites have clear and compelling calls to action.

How to Avoid?

If you're not offering promotions, fix the mistake by adding discount codes and limited-time offers. Encourage higher engagement and conversions by using prominent calls-to-action with incentivized offers on your website.

This strategy not only attracts new customers but also retains existing ones. Providing compelling reasons to do business with your company can increase customer loyalty. This, in turn, can assist you in growing your business.

5. Not Having A Well-Defined Plan

In the absence of a clearly defined plan and vision for your marketing efforts. Establishing measurable goals and implementing research-backed methods can be challenging to drive results.

This can result in a significant waste of time, money, and resources for your business. By lacking a clear strategy, and data-driven approach, you cant optimize your efforts and achieve greater success in the long run.

How to Avoid?

When it comes to fixing the above problem, youve to create a comprehensive plan and vision for your marketing efforts. To build an effective marketing strategy, start by defining your target audience, setting clear and achievable goals, identifying the necessary resources, and tracking your progress.

Continuously review and refine your strategy based on performance data and insights. In addition you can seek help from digital marketing agency in Ahmedabad so that you can ensure your marketing efforts remain aligned with your overall business objectives, ultimately increasing your chances of success.

Remember to stay flexible and adapt your strategy as needed to stay ahead of the competition and meet the evolving needs of your customers.

6. Not Monitoring Your Leads

Online lead generation can be achieved through various sources. These sources include keywords, email blasts, referring links, and social media. However, the quality of leads generated may vary among these sources. It's important to track and analyze the performance of each traffic source.

This can optimize marketing efforts and generate high-quality leads. This can help identify which sources consistently generate the best leads. That ones need optimization or adjustment to improve lead quality. By doing so, businesses can improve their chances of converting leads into paying customers.

How to Avoid?

Set up a lead tracking system to monitor each traffic source's performance and identify the highest quality leads. Implement conversion tracking on your website to track performance. Also, track referral traffic with analytics tools and monitor email marketing campaigns.

Tracking leads provides insights into marketing effectiveness. It enables data-driven decision-making for optimizing strategies and allocating resources.

7. Not Taking an Expert Help

Businesses may make the mistake of not hiring a digital agency for several reasons. One common reason is a belief that digital marketing is something that can be managed in-house without external help. Another reason may be concerns about cost or uncertainty about the value that a digital agency can provide.

Digital marketing campaigns can be complex, requiring technical expertise that some businesses may lack. This can hinder their ability to fully realize the potential benefits of digital marketing. Misconceptions or incomplete information can lead to missed opportunities and lost revenue.

Businesses should invest in education to maximize their digital marketing efforts. Seeking advice from knowledgeable professionals is also essential.

How to Avoid?

The major step to take while fixing the above problem is to work with a reputable and experienced digital agency. A

And Zib Digital India is the leading digital marketing agency in Ahmedabad and nationwide that can fix your above problems with strategic planning.

Additionally, they can assist in campaign execution and analytics tracking. These services help businesses achieve their marketing goals with greater efficiency and effectiveness. Digital agencies provide expertise and resources that businesses may struggle to replicate in-house.

This can lead to more efficient and effective marketing strategies. This can result in better ROI, increased brand awareness, and a more optimized marketing strategy.

Turning Off!

To conclude, you need to be aware of common digital marketing mistakes. That can potentially harm your growth and profitability. Neglecting mobile users, not measuring ROI, targeting everyone, and not offering discounts and promotions are common mistakes that businesses make.

Additionally, lacking a clear strategy is also a frequent mistake.However, by taking proactive steps such as optimizing its website, utilizing analytics tracking tools, focusing on a specific target market, offering strategic discounts and promotions, and shaking hands with a prominent digital marketing agency your business can avoid these pitfalls and improve its overall marketing efforts.

Ultimately, avoiding these mistakes can lead to greater success, increased ROI, and sustained growth for businesses in the digital marketplace.


It is making a seismic shift to ad agencies engagement with their clients

From generative art to coding, artificial intelligence has cropped up with a new-found transformation, and leaders from every industry look forward to making the most of it. We are racing towards a world dominated by digitization and technology, and marketers welcome AI with much joy.

Artificial Intelligence has evolved further than existing merely as a tech buzzword. It's bringing a seismic shift to how businesses communicate and engage with their customers. Chatbots and customer service are two of the most touched aspects of digital AI. AI is at the core of replacing old, monotonous, inefficient practices with a personalized, engaging, efficient approach. This approach has had a dramatic impact on the advertising industry. Customer service is seen as a wearisome game of long wait times and impersonal interactions. The advent of AI has introduced much-needed disruption, transforming customer servicing to be more personalized and intuitive.

Chatbots are leading the show for countless brands, and these AI-powered assistants not only automate monotonous jobs but also provide 24/7 customer service that's fast, consistent, and personalized. Deploying a chatbot is like having a personal concierge that is always ready to help.

With the availability of countless data from customer interactions, chatbots are leveraged to serve hyper-targeted ads that relate to the customers' diverse needs and preferences. As a result, chatbots have changed the narrative, and it's no longer shooting in the dark and hoping something works. Instead, it's about understanding your customer and delivering a message that aligns with their expectations. In addition, chatbots are now programmed to stitch advertising into natural conversations seamlessly.

If you want people to engage with ads, they shouldn't be interruptions but relevant suggestions that add value. Moreover, AI-powered customer service and chatbots are taking advertising to the next stage, from a transactional interaction to a personalized one. When technology is integrated into our daily life, there are unlimited possibilities. Today, AI is being used by businesses worldwide to give impetus to customer engagement, conversions, and customer loyalty.

However, the efficacy of artificial intelligence in advertising depends on how efficiently we utilize it. We should not forget that despite the many time-saving perks, AI-powered chatbots are mere tools developed to strengthen human interaction. AI-powered chatbots are not meant to replace actual human interaction. Combining tech play with a human touch is crucial to spark customer conversations.

With more and more AI-powered chatbots coming into the picture, the advertising world is waking up to a new future. Customer service and advertising go hand in hand to transform the customer journey and add a flavour of personalization to it. As we move closer to witnessing the AI revolution, its quite clear that AI and chatbots will continue redefining the advertising experience.

(The writer is Founder & CEO, iCubesWire)
Several scientists and educators are protesting against the exclusion of Evolution Theory from curriculum

History indeed repeats first as tragedy and then as farce, as Marx had said. In 2017, the fundamentalist state of Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan removed Darwins Theory of Evolution from the school curriculum because it was a controversial subject, above the students level and not directly relevant. It was a tragedy for the Turkish state founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who had combined Islamism and political pluralism to make Turkey a model democracy in the Islamic world. Saudi Arabia is the only other country to exclude evolutionary theory from the school curriculum. Both Christian and Muslim creationists reject the theory of evolution. The forces of darkness and ignorance are never permanently defeated, the celebrated scientist and science-writer Asimov noted. Even in the USA, powerful evangelist groups have succeeded in banning evolution in some states and local schools. In 1925, a high school biology teacher named John Thomas Scopes was fined a hundred dollars by a court in Tennessee for teaching that humans had evolved from lower forms of life, against a law passed by the Tennessee legislature forbidding teachers in publicly supported schools to teach evolution.

Even now, equal time has to be given for teaching evolution and creationism in many of the publicly funded schools in the USA. But it was unthinkable that such a thing could ever happen in India, known for its prowess in science and technology that has propelled the country, once called the Sick Man of Asia, to the fifth largest economy in the world. But history never ceases to spring surprises. It is indeed a farce that in the pretext of rationalising the curriculum and reducing the load on students, NCERT has now removed the Theory of Evolution from the Class IX-X curriculum. According to a document released by NCERT, Chapter: 9 'Heredity and Evolution' has been replaced with 'Heredity'. Among the list of other dropped chapters are Charles Robert Darwin, Origin of Life on Earth, Molecular Phylogeny, Evolution, Tracing Evolutionary Relationships and Human Evolution.

Over 1,800 scientists, science teachers and educators from TIFR, IISc, IISER, IITs, and many other institutions have signed an open letter - An Appeal Against Exclusion of Evolution from Curriculum - protesting against the move. They demanded that the theory of Darwinian evolution in particular be restored in secondary education. The letter rightly stated, In the current educational structure, only a small fraction of students chooses the science stream in grade XI or XII, and an even smaller fraction of those choose biology as one of the subjects of study. Thus, the exclusion of key concepts from the curriculum till grade 10 amounts to a vast majority of students missing a critical part of essential learning in this field. The letter further stated that an understanding of the process of evolution, a law-governed process that does not require divine intervention, is also crucial in building a scientific temper and a rational worldview: The way Darwins painstaking observations and his keen insights led him to the theory of natural selection educates students about the process of science and the importance of critical thinking. Depriving students, who do not go on to study biology after the 10th standard, of any exposure to this vitally important field is a travesty of education.

NCERT has recently been on a rampage of textbook revision. It has already dropped quite a few chapters from the history textbooks, mainly those dealing with the Mughal rule of India, which has already run into controversies with academicians. But its latest misadventure in biology is fraught with grave danger because it has the potential of turning India, a modern democratic secular state, into a fundamentalist Turkey or a Saudi Arabia. History can indeed be a tragedy.

Textbooks do not simply provide a framework for teaching and learning; their impact goes far deeper in shaping the future of a country because textbooks determine how young minds are to be moulded for the benefit of society. It will be dangerous to allow young minds to be shaped according to the ideology of any ruling party. Evolution is often decried by the Hindutva fundamentalists who contend that we had descended from Rishis and Munis and certainly not from lowly apes. The ignorance runs so deep that even a minister, and that too of human resources, had said in 2018 that the theory of evolution was scientifically wrong because no one has ever seen a monkey turn into a man.

The present governments intention and attitude towards science are becoming intriguingly suspect. Very recently, it has come out with a notification for winding up Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) whose brief includes the popularisation of science and promoting scientific temper in the country. It is a unique institution in India with no parallel, within the government or outside, an institution that has been working quietly since 1989 when it was set up, to popularise science and to disseminate scientific knowledge through print and electronic media, books, journals and newsletters and films, and also through workshops and events conducted all over the country, with the help of a skeletal staff of only 10 scientists and some 25 administrative staff, on a scanty budget only Rs 14 crore a year for all its activities including establishment costs.

During its short span of existence, what it has produced will be the envy of any organisation: it has published 400 books by renowned scientists and science writers, produced over 3000 radio science programmes in 19 languages and 12 dialects and made more than 5000 films on popular science. It publishes a monthly bilingual journal called Dream 2047 in English and Hindi, with outreach to almost every government school in the country, besides 10 other monthly newsletters in Assamese, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Maithili, Urdu, Kashmiri and Punjabi. It runs India Science, an internet-based 24X7 OTT channel telecast by Door Darshan and Sansad TV that remains the only source of scientific information for most of our students and rural folks to learn about science in layman's language.

The decision to wind up such an exemplary and lean organisation, an apolitical and neutral space for promoting science and scientific temper that the country needs so badly has been shocking, to say the least, and might spell the end of science popularisation in the country, despite the governments pretensions to the contrary. It is supposedly being done for evolving a new communication structure to replace Vigyan Prasar, no details of which have been spelt out, because probably there is none. It is inconceivable that the DST will have the capacity to carry out these tasks  in any case, science communication is not a bureaucratic job, it requires specialised skills to take science to the people. It also requires a commitment and a missionary zeal that bureaucrats are hardly likely to possess. After all, why close down an efficient organisation that has been serving its purpose so well unless there is some other motive? Is this the way to promote science in a country that is still steeped in deep-seated superstitions and irrational beliefs, practices and attitudes, even among the so-called educated? The prime minister has always been forthright and rational in his views on science. The rest of the officialdom must come clean on the governments policies on science too.

(The author is a former Director General from the Office of Comptroller & Auditor General of India. Views expressed are personal)
Indian Navy ships have arrived in Singapore to take part in the first Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) India Maritime Exercise (AIME) from May 2-8, the Navy said here on Monday.

Giving details here, officials said INS Satpura and INS Delhi with Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet embarked onboard arrived at Singapore on Monday.

The Harbour Phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Changi Naval Base from 02 to 04 May 2023 and the Sea Phase will be conducted from 07 to 08 May 2023 in the South China Sea. AIME 2023 will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work together closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain.
In a major action against the communication channels of terror groups operating in Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre on Monday banned 14 mobile messaging applications which were being used by jehadi outfits to communicate with their cadres, supporters and overground workers.

The Governments move came after the recommendation of the Union Home Ministry that these mobile based communication apps were used by the terror outfits based on substantial evidence collected by the intelligence and security agencies in the Kashmir valley, sources said.

The banned applications include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second Line, Zangi, and Threema.

These apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the official said, adding that these apps are detrimental to national security and also not in accordance with the prescribed Indian laws.

The sources in the security forces deployed in the Union Territory said that these applications were getting traction and downloaded in the PoK region which alerted the agencies, leading to surveillance being mounted on these apps.

They also said that these apps were used to pass instructions to the modules and also used in executing terror incidents in the Valley.

In the official communications to higher-ups, the intelligence agencies warned that these apps are spreading terror propaganda in the Valley and also to radicalize the gullible youths of Kashmir to join the jihadist outfits.

The security agencies monitor channels used by the overground workers and the terrorists handlers for secret communication. While tracking down one of the communications, agencies found that the mobile application does not have representatives in India, and it was difficult to track down activities happening on the app, they said.

At times the apprehended over ground workers also reveal about these clandestine applications being used by the ultras, they said.

Earlier, the government has banned several mobile apps used by hostile neighboring countries which used it for anti-India propaganda and conducting low intensity warfare.
The BJP on Monday promised in its manifesto for Karnataka the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), introduction of the National Register of Citizens, 10 lakh jobs in the manufacturing sector and a State Capital Region tag for Bengaluru, besides free cooking gas cylinders thrice a year for BPL families and Atal food centres to provide affordable and healthy food.

In a bid to outmatch the Congress which is yet to release its manifesto, the BJP also seeks to launch the Poshan scheme through which every BPL household will be provided with half litre Nandini milk every day and five kg Shri Anna through monthly ration.

The Congress, which is trying hard to make a comeback in the State, has during the course of the campaign had already made a rainbow of promises to voters, including 200 units of free power to all homes, 10 kg of rice to BPL households, `2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head in every family and a monthly allowance of `3,000 to unemployed graduates in the State.

The BJP said it would provide three free cooking gas cylinders to all BPL families  one each during the months of Yugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi and Deepavali and set up an Atal Aahara Kendra in every ward of every municipal corporation in the State.

Releasing the manifesto called Praja Pranalike (citizens manifesto) in Bengaluru in the presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Lingayat stalwart BS Yediyurappa, BJP president JP Nadda said the manifesto was not prepared in an air-conditioned room but after feedback from party workers who had visited every corner of the State and gathered inputs.

The underlining theme of the document, he said was justice for all, appeasement for none.

The BJP chief said that the partys Government in the State has abolished the unconstitutional reservation for Muslims. Just before the polls were announced, the Cabinet decided to do away with the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims and divide it equally between Lingayats and Vokkaligas -- two politically-influential caste groups in Karnataka.

The move has sparked protests from the Opposition, with the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) promising to restore the reservation if they come to power.

The manifesto said, We will implement the UCC in Karnataka based on the recommendations given by a high-level committee which is to be constituted for the purpose and introduce the National Register of Citizens in Karnataka and ensure speedy deportation of all illegal immigrants in the State.

The Constitution (of India) allows us to move in the direction of Uniform Civil Code. Justice to all; appeasement to none is our policy, Nadda said.

The party also promised to create a special wing in the State called Karnataka State Wing against Religious Fundamentalism and Terror (K-SWIFT).

In the tourism sector, the manifesto promised a Rs 1,500-crore plan to develop several circuits and corridors to transform Karnataka into the countrys top tourism hub.

The party promised Sarvarigu Suru Yojane under which the Revenue Department will identify and distribute 10 lakh housing sites across the State to the homeless beneficiaries.

According to Nadda, the BJPs manifesto is centred around six As.

These six-As are Anna (food security), Akshara (quality education), Arogya (affordable health), Aadaya (assured income), Abhaya (social justice for all) and Abhivruddhi (Development), he noted.

In the Aarogya category, the BJP has promised to launch Mission Swasthya Karnataka by establishing one Namma Clinic (our clinic) in each ward of the municipal corporations. They will be equipped with diagnostic facilities. Also, it will provide a free annual master health check-up for senior citizens.

The party said if it is voted to power, it will allocate Rs 1,500 crore to develop Kalyana Circuit, Banavasi Circuit, Parashurama Circuit, Kaveri Circuit and Ganagapura Corridor to transform Karnataka into Indias most favoured tourist destination.

Further, the party will broaden the scope of Production Linked Incentive Schemes that will generate 10 lakh jobs eventually in Karnataka.

It is a manifestation of the double engine Government. This manifesto is futuristic and a vision document, which fulfills the Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of developed India, Nadda said.

According to him, the BJP manifesto is different from the promises of Congress, which offers guarantees, an outdated warranty.

The Janata Dal (Secular), the third party in the keenly-fought contest, has promised a legislation to provide reservation to Kannadigas in the private sector. It has also said that it will push the Central Government to hold civil services and Defence recruitment exams in Kannada, too.

Increasingly banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to draw votes in the State, the BJP is organising his public meetings in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi this week. Voting is slated in Karnataka on May 10 with results announced on May 13.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharges son and party leader Priyank Kharge on Monday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a nalayak drawing the ire of BJP brass while the Congress asserted that such a remark was never made by him.

Priyank, seeking reelection from Chittapur in Kalaburagi district in Karnataka said Prime Minister Modi claiming to be a son of the Banjara community and promising to take care of them was inept because he and his party had created confusion about reservations for the SC community.

His remark comes days after Mallikarjun Kharges venomous snake barb aimed at PM Modi.

BJP president JP Nadda said Opposition leaders have been using such language against the Prime Minister to please their masters, a reference to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said: In a state of despair of losing the election, he (Priyank) has forgotten his limits. A few days ago, his father withdrew his words. Now, its his turn. People will teach them a lesson.

Mallikarjun Kharge stoutly defended his son and said he never made such comments. The Congress president said: No. No. It is very wrong. He never said it. Dont put these words into his mouth. He attacked the parliament member (not Modi) who abused him. So, dont put these words into his mouth (saying it was meant) for Modi. I am sorry, everywhere this is going on (misquoting) purposely. Morning he (Priyank) condemned it but still you people are asking.

Priyank, addressing a poll gathering quoted from Modis speech and said: When you (PM Modi) came to Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) what did you tell the people of Banjara community? Aap sab log dariye mat. Banjara ka ek beta Dilli mein Baitha hai (You do not be afraid. A son of Banjara is sitting in Delhi).

Aisa nalayak beta baitha to kaise hota bhai? Ghar kaise chalega? (If an inept son is sitting in Delhi, how can you run the family?), he asked.

Priyank further said though Modi claimed to be the son of the Banjara community, confusion was created on reservation by the BJP regime in Karnataka.

Didnt injustice happen to the Banjara community? Why were stones thrown at Yediyurappas house in Shikaripura (in Shivamogga district)? Why Bandh was observed in Kalaburagi and Jewargi? Today there is confusion in the reservation, the Congress leader claimed.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Head of Safety, Security and Quality Functions Henry Donohoe for the airlines lapse in reporting about the incident of a pilot allowing a female friend inside the cockpit during a Dubai-Delhi flight (AI 915) on February 27.

Air India has 15 days to respond from the date of notice issuance. After examining the response, the DGCA will decide on the action against the crew members and the airline. Earlier this month, the DGCA directed Air India to deroster the entire crew of the Dubai-Delhi flight till investigations are complete. The show-cause notices were issued to the Air India CEO and the head of flight safety on April 21 for not doing timely reporting of the incident to the DGCA, which is in violation of the regulators safety instructions.

There was a delay in investigating the incident. Both the executives have been given 15 days to respond to the show-cause notices, the official said. As per the rules, unauthorised people are not allowed to enter the cockpit and any such entry could be in violation of norms.

A cabin crew member of the flight had filed a complaint with the DGCA about the pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit on February 27. According to the crew members complaint, the pilots of flight AI 915 were late and boarded the aircraft along with passengers. Then the captain asked the crew if there was any vacant business class seat for his friend.

The pilots way of speaking and actions offended the cabin crew member who filed the complaint on return. The actual incident occurred on February 27 and it was reported by confidential mail to Campbell and Donohoe on March 3. The first enquiry was conducted by the DGCA on April 21 while Air India had not done any enquiry before that.

The complainant in a special incident report sent to Wilson and Henry Donohoe, had stated, I have been too shattered and too shocked with certain incidents, threatening and humiliating manner of the Commander when I had raised the DGCA violations made by him...
The weekend (April 30) turned out to be a Super Sunday of sorts for the Ministry of Civil Aviation as domestic air passenger traffic touched an all-time high of 4,56,082 travellers in a single day. This is the highest turnover of domestic air passengers since November 2022. Prior to Covid, the average daily domestic traffic was 3,98,579 passengers.

According to the Aviation Ministry, on Sunday 4,56,082 passengers were ferried on the 2,978 flights. On April 29, as many as 4.50 lakh domestic flyers were ferried on 2,975 flights by scheduled airlines.

In a tweet, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the countrys civil aviation sector is setting new records every day. Post Covid, the skyrocketing domestic air passenger number is a sign of the countrys rising growth and prosperity, he added.

Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation tweeted, Indian Domestic Air Travel Hits New High, surpasses pre-Covid Average, on April 30. Indias domestic air traffic reaches new heights with an all-time high!

In March, domestic carriers flew 128.93 lakh passengers, an increase of 21.4 per cent compared to the period a year-ago. During January-March, airlines carried 375.04 lakh fliers, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) study, a revival in domestic travel to the pre-pandemic level has propelled India to the big league of major aviation markets.

Domestic travel in India missed the pre-Covid level by 2.2 per cent in February 2023 in terms of passenger revenue kilometres (PRK), the study said.

The growth in domestic travel is also seen in the Passenger Load Factor (PLF), which studies how efficiently an airline fills seats and generates revenue. India is the top domestic market in terms of PLF when compared to countries such as the US, China and Japan, it said. India recorded PLFs of 81.6 per cent in February, 85.2 per cent in January, 88.9 per cent in December 2022, and 87.9 per cent in November 2022.

Domestic air passenger traffic for all markets measured for February surged 25.2 per cent over the period a year-ago. Total February 2023 domestic traffic was at 97.2 per cent of the February 2019 level.
The Supreme Court held on Monday that it has the discretion to dissolve a marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown in exercise of its plenary power under Article 142(1) of the Constitution, and it can grant divorce by mutual consent while dispensing with the 6-month waiting period mandated under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

The apex court also said that contesting parties cannot directly approach it and seek dissolution of marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown by filing a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. Article 32 gives Indian citizens the right to seek constitutional remedy from the Supreme Court if they have been deprived of their fundamental rights.

Article 142 of the Constitution deals with enforcement of decrees and orders of the apex court to do complete justice in any matter pending before it. As per Article 142(1), a decree passed or an order made by the apex court is executable throughout the territory of India.

Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act deals with divorce by mutual consent and sub-section (2) to this provision provides, after the first motion has been passed, the parties would have to move the court with the second motion, if the petition is not withdrawn in the meanwhile, after six months and not later than 18 months of the first motion.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice S K Kaul said Article 142(1) of the Constitution, which gives wide and capacious power to the apex court to do complete justice should be exercised in a legitimate manner and with caution, as its verdict ends the litigation between parties.

The bench said grant of divorce by the apex court on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage is not a matter of right, but a discretion which is to be exercised with great care and caution, keeping in mind several factors ensuring that complete justice is done to both parties.

The bench was dealing with questions, including whether the top court can grant divorce in exercise of power under Article 142(1) when there is complete and irretrievable breakdown of marriage in spite of the other spouse opposing the prayer.

This question is also answered in the affirmative, inter alia, holding that this court, in exercise of power under Article 142(1) of the Constitution of India, has the discretion to dissolve the marriage on the ground of its irretrievable breakdown, said the bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, AS Oka, Vikram Nath and JK Maheshwari.

This discretionary power is to be exercised to do complete justice to the parties, wherein this court is satisfied that the facts established show that the marriage has completely failed and there is no possibility that the parties will cohabit together, and continuation of the formal legal relationship is unjustified, it said.

The bench said as a court of equity, the SC is required to balance the circumstances and the background in which the party opposing the dissolution is placed.

Commenting on the verdict, senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh said he is against the judgment and the reason is that perhaps twice the Bills were moved in Parliament to amend the Hindu Marriage Act to include the aspect of irretrievable background of marriage as a ground of divorce and Parliament rejected it twice.

Hence, this was purely a subject which was considered by Parliament, he said, adding, You can give judgment where you see that there was a grey area where Parliament did not discuss or thought of. But, here Parliament thought over the issue and rejected it.

Singh said irretrievable breakdown of marriage as grounds of divorce has been rejected by Parliament and, according to him, this is not the subject which could have been adjudicated by the court in the judicial pronouncement.

In such a situation where Parliament has already looked into a particular subject and felt that it is not necessary to amend the law then to still do the very same thing by a judicial order, according to me, is not appropriate, Singh said.

In its 61-page verdict, answering the question about the scope and ambit of power and jurisdiction of the apex court under Article 142(1) of the Constitution, the bench held the top court can depart from the procedure as well as the substantive laws, as long as the decision is exercised based on considerations of fundamental general and specific public policy.

While deciding whether to exercise discretion, this court must consider the substantive provisions as enacted and not ignore the same, albeit this court acts as a problem solver by balancing out equities between the conflicting claims. This power is to be exercised in a cause or matter, it said.

The apex court also dealt with another question as to whether it can, while hearing a transfer petition or in any other proceedings, exercise power under Article 142(1), in view of settlement between the parties, and grant a decree of divorce by mutual consent dispensing with the period and procedure prescribed under section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act.

It also considered if it can quash and dispose of other proceedings under the Domestic Violence Act, section 125 of the CrPC or criminal prosecution under section 498-A and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

While section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) pertains to order for maintenance of wives, children and parents, section 498-A of the IPC deals with offence of subjecting a married woman to cruelty.

In view of our findings on the first question, this question has to be answered in the affirmative, inter alia, holding that this court, in view of settlement between the parties, has the discretion to dissolve the marriage by passing a decree of divorce by mutual consent, without being bound by the procedural requirement to move the second motion, the apex court said.

It said section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act does not impose any fetters on powers of the apex court to grant a decree of divorce by mutual consent on a joint application, when the substantive conditions of the section are fulfilled and the court, after referring to the factors mentioned above, is convinced and of the opinion that the decree of divorce should be granted.

In its verdict, the top court also dealt with the issue of whether a party can directly canvass before it the ground of irretrievable breakdown by filing a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Referring to a verdict delivered earlier by a two-judge bench of the apex court, the bench said it was rightly held that any such attempt must be spurned and not accepted, as the parties should not be permitted to file a writ petition under Article 32 or Article 226 of the Constitution before the high court and seek divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage.
The Delhi government has expressed concern over the rehabilitation of thousands of poor affected due to the demolition in Tughlakabad area of south Delhi by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and demanded that an alternative arrangement or rehabilitation plan put in place before demolition.

Delhi Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj also demanded that the Centre (ASI and the DDA) should provide land to the Delhi government, so that the Delhi Government can prepare a rehabilitation plan and make alternative arrangements for the living of these innocent people.

Bharadwaj said that the Delhi government will move an application in the Supreme Court with a plea that action should be taken against officials involved in allowing encroachment.

The Delhi government will say the same thing before the Supreme Court that it is easy for the central government to destroy the houses of these people, but the task of rehabilitating them is huge.

We want that instead of taking action against innocent people, action should be taken against those officials, whose negligence led to the encroachment of these lands and people who earned crores of rupees.

Innocent people have built houses here by buying land without knowing it. Today, by destroying their houses, a big crisis is being created for Delhi and the people of Delhi.

The central government should have sympathy towards the poor people. Bhardwaj said that a major crisis looming large for the national Capital and the people of Delhi who facing removal of their residential structures by ASI.
A dismissed Delhi Police constable was arrested for allegedly posing as an on-duty policeman to demand money from people citing exigencies only to get away with the amount. According to police, the accused has been identified as Rohit, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana.

He was previously involved in seven cases, mostly of cheating. Rohit was selected as a Delhi Police constable in 2016 and was dismissed from service in 2021 for allegedly indulging in criminal activities, a senior police officer said.

Recounting how he was defrauded, Complainant Satendar Singh (55), a taxi driver from New Usmanpur, said the incident took place on Sunday when he was waiting at the Faridabad bus stand, opposite to the Kashmeri Gate ISBT. Around 1.30 pm, the accused, who was wearing a khaki pant, a belt with Delhi Police monogram, black shoes and a casual shirt, introduced himself as a Delhi Police officer on duty at the police booth near Faridabad bus stand, the senior officer said. Rohit told Singh that he needed Rs 10,000 as he has to transfer the amount to someone urgently.

He also told the complainant that he will return in cash. The complainant said he had only Rs 5,000 with him. Rohit provided a QR code and Singh paid Rs 5,000 to him after scanning the Quick Response (QR) code, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said.

"When Singh asked for the cash, Rohit started making excuses. After sometime, he told the complainant that if he does not trust him, he can keep his mobile phone until he returns money, but the complainant refused the proposal. Later, the accused started running from the footover bridge towards ISBT," the DCP said.
In a bid to achieve no. 1 place in cleanliness Mayor Malti Rai inspected various areas of the city and motivated people for active cooperation in cleanliness activities and according to the criteria set under Swachh Survekshan 2023 Mayor conducted inspection.

In order to ensure cleanliness, garbage collection and execution in a better way, citizens and businessmen are also being directed to keep different types of waste separately, not to use banned polythene and single use plastic and thermocol etc.

Appeal is also being made to make city number 1 in cleanliness and a plastic-free city. In this context, Mayor Rai inspected drains in various areas of Zone No. 21 in the morning and Zone No. 10 in the evening on Monday to ensure better cleaning of drains and to ensure continuous uninterrupted flow of water.

Gave instructions as well as to ensure a better cleaning system in both daily shifts and nightly in other areas including New Market, 06 number stop, Arera Colony area etc.

In the morning areas of New Market, Kwality Restaurant, 228 Quarter, Gitanjali Complex, Neelbad Road Sakshi Dhaba, Bhadbhada Road, Smart Park, Gandhi Bhawan, Kilol Park, Ravindra Bhawan, Banganga and GTV Complex etc. and in the evening areas of 06 number stop hawkers Corner, Parul Hospital, Shivaji Nagar, Number 10 Stop, Saibaba Board, Arera Colony, Banskhedi were inspected.

She gave instructions to ensure better cleanliness, door-to-door garbage collection system in residential and market areas. Mayor Rai instructed to ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of the park located at GTB Complex in a more systematic manner.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that by focusing on development rather than appeasement, the Bharatiya Janata Party government had raised the standard of living of the people.

Addressing a public gathering in Moradabad while campaigning for the urban local body elections, the chief minister said, The BJP government is moving forward with the basic mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

Citing the example of Padma Shri Dilshad Hussain, an artisan from Moradabad, Yogi said that both the president and the prime minister of India recognised his accomplishments. Prime Minister Modi also presented handmade artwork of Hussain to the Chancellor of Germany, he added.

The brass industry of Moradabad was experiencing a downturn. The artisans were migrating. But today, Moradabads brass business is achieving its glory under the BJP government. Exports have increased, and it is now more well-known internationally, Yogi remarked.

The chief minister asserted that what the BJP government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre had achieved in the last nine years, the opposition governments could not achieve in 60 years. The scheme for providing free ration to 80 crore people continues. Free treatment is offered under the Ayushman Yojana. Houses are being given to the destitute, poor and helpless under the PM Awas Yojana. Toilets are being built. LPG cylinders have been delivered to all the houses under the Ujjwala scheme. Electricity and clean water are being provided to everyone from village to village, he pointed out.

He added that the government had fulfilled its promise of providing 24-hour electricity and had removed darkness from villages, streets and houses.

Stating that UP was no longer anyones legacy, the chief minister said, Now there is no mafia raj in UP. No extortions, or kidnappings for ransom take place. The common man is safe in the state, and mafia-goons who used to proudly wander the streets are now begging for mercy with placards around their necks.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the affection of the people of Moradabad had brought him there despite the bad and unfavourable weather.
The Delhi BJP on Monday launched an indefinite dharna near Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence asking him to open his bungalow to the people for a visit amid allegations that Rs 45 crore was spent on its renovation.

The BJP further alleged that the consultant fee of Rs. one crore in Kejriwal's 45 crore Raj Mahal bungalow scam is a big scam in itself and asked who was the consultant. The protesters demanded the Chief Minister open the gates of the 6, Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines residence to the general public so that they can see for themselves his "lavish living", even if the entry is ticketed. Leading the protesters, BJP MP from Chandni Chowk Harsh Vardhan said Kejriwal should open his bungalow to the common people so that they can see for themselves the renovation that was undertaken. He can do so by issuing entry tickets, the former Union minister said. The BJP has been attacking Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging that the chief minister spent Rs 45 crore on the renovation of his official residence during 2020-22. The AAP leaders have alleged that the BJP was trying to divert attention from the real issues faced by the country under its government at the Centre.

Party leaders, including Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, also defended Kejriwal questioning expenditures on the residences of the prime minister and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states. Harsh Vardhan said before Kejriwal came to power in Delhi, he used to talk about simplicity, living in a small bungalow and ending the VIP culture, but today he lives in a grand "Raj Mahal" and moves in a convoy of 20 vehicles.
After resigning from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a day earlier, prominent Chhattisgarh tribal leader Nand Kumar Sai on Monday joined the ruling Congress ahead of assembly elections in the state.

Sai took membership of the Congress in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and PCC chief Mohan Markam at the Congress office, Rajiv Bhawan.

Sai filled the Congress membership form and the Chief Minister garlanded him. Other prominent leaders of the Congress were also present.

Later addressing the media, Sai said it was a tough decision for him to quit the BJP and claimed it was no longer the party which it used to be during the regime of "Atalji and Advaniji -- a reference to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani.

The 77-year-old leader, a former three-term Lok Sabha member and three-time MLA, has been the BJP state president in both Chhattisgarh and undivided Madhya Pradesh. He is said to have considerable influence in tribal-dominated parts of Surguja division (northern Chhattisgarh).

The BJPs form has changed and it is no more what it was when he joined it at the time of Jana Sangh," he said.

I decided to join the Congress as it has been doing good work in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghelji, Sai said.

Sai was first elected as a Janata Party MLA in 1977 from Tapkara in erstwhile Madhya Pradesh.

In 1980, he was elected as BJPs Raigarh district unit chief. He was then elected as the BJP MLA from the same constituency in 1985 and 1998.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Raigarh in 1989, 1996 and 2004 and to the Rajya Sabha in 2009 and 2010.

Sai was the BJP chief of undivided Madhya Pradesh from 1997 to 2000 and the Chhattisgarh BJP chief in 2003-05.

He was the first leader of the opposition in the Chhattisgarh Assembly after the state came into being in November 2000.
Borders with Nepal in eastern Uttar Pradesh will be sealed on Tuesday, 48 hours before urban local bodies polls here, to prevent anti-social elements from crossing the boundary and vitiating the election atmosphere, officials here said on Monday.

The movement at transit points will be stopped on Tuesday evening and remain shut till Thursday evening, they said.

The urban local bodies elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in two phases  May 4 and May 11. The votes will be counted on May 13. Maharajganj will go to the polls during the first phase of elections on Thursday.

Sources in the State Election Commission said the Sashastra Seema Bal would enforce the sealing of the borders and only emergency vehicles would be allowed across during this period.

The decision to seal the border was taken during a recent meeting of officials of both countries. The traffic movement was banned on the Indo-Nepal border and security personnel were maintaining round-the-clock vigil. Paramilitary, civil police and intelligence personnel are also keeping a close watch on activities along the border, the official disclosed.
MCC honours its workers on Labour Day

Chandigarh: To spread awareness about labour rights, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh celebrated International Labour Day with a large number of workers participating in various programmes across the city, including cultural performances, programmes and meetings etc. In a programme held at Community Centre sector 27, City Mayor, Anup Gupta accompanied said that the MCC has been implementing various development programmes for the welfare of labourers including their regular medical health checkup besides their insurance cover of 40 lacs each case. Similar programme was organized at Open Air Theater, sector 48. Anindita Mitra, Commissioner, extended her gratitude towards the hard work of workers and acknowledged the essential role that these workers play in maintaining the city's roads, parks, street lights, market areas, public places and infrastructure. She thanked for their efforts in keeping the city's transportation network running smoothly.



British Dy High Commissioner unveils Renee Singhs book Beyond the Stars



Chandigarh: Reene Singh, columnist, author and management guru unveiled her fourth poetic book  Beyond the Stars in the presence of book lovers from tricity during a function unveiled by Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commissioner at Chandigarh along with poet and author Nirupama Dutt. Being a stress management consultant, Renee believes the whole world revolves around love and there she derived her inspiration for a 130-page book. These poems had come to the author's emotions from her deep connection with nature and alignment with her own inner self. Renee has three poetry books namely  Sacred Longings, Sacred Karma and Sacred Desire to her credit. She is currently pursuing her new book about Science and Spirituality which is her passion.



Haryana Cabinet meeting on May 9



Chandigarh: Haryana Cabinet meeting will be held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at 4:00 PM in the main Committee Room, 4th floor, Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh on May 9, an official statement said on Monday.



Himachal government constitutes task force to curb illegal mining



Shimla: Ramping up efforts to check illegal mining in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has set up a task force that will review actions taken by various departments in this regard. The state government is trying to increase revenue through scientific mining but at the same time it is also serious about curbing illegal mining, a statement issued here said on Monday. 'Flying Squads' have been deployed at different places to curb illegal mining in border areas and the mining staff is conducting raids in industrial belts such as Baddi, Brotiwala and Nalagarh during odd hours to check illegal mining in these, a spokesperson of the state government said. The department has also initiated the process to identify private land being used for the extraction of illegal minerals by the locals in the Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh Development Authority area.

Himachal CM pays obeisance at Buddhist Monastery



Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday paid obeisance at Jonang Takten Phunstok Choeling Buddhist Monastery Sanjauli, Shimla and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the people of the State. MLAs Ravi Thakur, Chander Shekhar and Neeraj Nayar and OSD to the CM, Gopal Sharma were also present on the occasion.
In a major political development, former state president of Bahujan Samaj Party, Dr KK Sachan, and former minister in BSP government and seven-time MLA Narendra Singh Yadav joined the Bharatiya Janata Party here on Monday.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak welcomed them in the party along with their supporters, including Farrukhabad district panchayat chairperson Monika Yadav, former Lok Sabha candidate of Samajwadi Party, Sachin Singh Yadav, and state president of Uttar Pradesh Timber Association and state secretary of SP Vyapar Sabha, Mohnish Trivedi.

Pathak said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the BJP governments were working to make India self-reliant. He also highlighted the Antyodaya ideology of the BJP and how people from various political parties, social organisations and business organisations were joining the BJP family in large numbers.

Pathak also talked about the development in Uttar Pradesh under the BJP government and how the state was moving forward on the path of development with the commitment of education for all, security for all, and medical treatment for all.

He contrasted this with the previous SP-BSP governments, which, he said, had imprisoned Uttar Pradesh in the clutches of goons, mafias, mobsters, criminals, and the corrupt.

The joining of Dr Sachan, along with other prominent leaders and their supporters, is likely to strengthen the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The new members were urged to work hard in their respective areas to support the BJP candidates in the upcoming urban local bodies elections and ensure a big victory for the party.
Chhatarpur police have arrested the accused of robbery of over Rs 1 crore targeting Om Prakash Purohit's house at Ishanagar Road, Company Bagh late in the evening on April 30.

The Chhatarpur police have arrested three robbers who committed the robbery while one accused is still absconding.

Om Prakash Purohit reported that at around 09.30 pm on April 30, three unknown boys entered the house with a sharp edged weapon and gun in their hands and kept gun on girl head and threatened and tied family members by sticking tapes on their mouths and hands and feet.

Threatening wife by hitting her on the forehead with a butt they took key of the wardrobe and looted the cash kept in the house worth about Rs 36 lakhs and gold and silver jewelry worth about Rs 65 lakhs and escaped with Om's motorcycle kept in the house.

On the basis of the report, a crime was registered against the unknown accused at Naigaon police station and taken into consideration.

As soon as the information of this sensational news was received, Cyber Team, FSL, Finger Print Team, Dog Scot Team were sent to the spot. All the station in-charges and other police personnel of the district were alerted.

Taking action on the guidelines, immediately special police teams were formed under the direction of Additional Superintendent of Police and SDOP Naugaon Vikram Singh.

On interrogation, the accused told that they planned to commit the robbery after seeing the method of robbery on YouTube and did recce around the house for 10 days. After that, three accused entered the house while one accused was standing at the door of the house and another was standing outside and kept an eye.

The police seized about Rs 36 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewelery worth about Rs 65 lakh and a motor cycle.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan became emotional after seeing the teachers of his primary school at the Akhandata Utsav Samaroha at Raj Bhavan.

On the foundation day of Gujarat and Maharashtra, dignitaries of Gujarati and Marathi community residing in Bhopal were present in the cultural programme held at Sandipani Auditorium of Raj Bhavan.

As soon as Chief Minister Chouhan saw Kokila Sheth and Rohini Phadnis in the auditorium, he immediately reached out to seek their blessings, greeted them by touching their feet and received blessings. Kokila Sheth and Phadnis told that Chouhan was their student in the then Shree Gujarati Samaj Primary School on Marwari Road in Old Bhopal area.
The Delhi Government is looking to involve private players to operate four tourist destinations, including Azad Hind Gram and the Dilli Haat in Janakpuri and Pitampura. The decision has been taken as the Tourism department is finding it "difficult to run these tourist destinations" on its own, the official said.

The Tourism department is planning to float an Expression of Interest next week to understand whether it should be done on a revenue-sharing model or any other way, said official. The four tourist destinations are Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial, Azad Hind Gram Tourist Complex, and the Dilli Haat in Janakpuri and Pitampura. "We are planning to involve private players for our tourist destinations.... We are planning to float an EoI next week to understand how it can be utilised.

It is difficult to run them on our own. So the private party can take it over and run it on a revenue-sharing model or any other model," the official said. The Dilli Haat in Pitampura is a complex set up in an area of 7.2 acres. It has 108 craft stalls, along with an amphitheatre with a capacity of 450 persons, and three air-conditioned halls for exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and music and dance shows. The Dilli Haat in Janakpuri is spread over an area of eight acres. It is more spacious than the other two Dilli Haat in INA and Pitampura.

It has 100 craft stalls, 74 open platform shops and 46 air-conditioned shops. The official said the Azad Hind Gram Tourist Complex at Tikri Kalan is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and to create a quality leisure space and wayside amenities for people. With a view to beautify all the entry points of Delhi, the government set up Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial near the Singhu Border on G T Karnal Road. "This complex has been constructed in an area of 11.87 acres.

A 24-metre-high central pylon with petals at the base represents the Guru and his strength and the three 'C' arches denote his three followers and the monoliths represent the 10 Sikh Gurus with their sayings inscribed on them," the official said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday launched an action plan to combat air pollution during the summer months with a focus on controlling dust pollution. The Delhi government already has a winter action plan to curb air pollution.

The winter plan focuses on stubble burning, firecracker pollution and industrial and vehicular emissions. The summer plan involves the participation of 30 government departments. The summer plan, is a comprehensive set of 14 focus areas aimed at reducing air pollution levels. The primary focus of the action plan is on dust pollution, which has been a major contributor to the city's worsening air quality, Kejriwal said during a press conference.

"To tackle this, the government has procured 84 mechanical road sweeping machines, 609 water sprinklers and 185 mobile anti-smog guns. Additionally, 70 integrated road sweeping machines and 250 integrated water sprinklers are being procured to improve the situation further," he said.

Patrolling teams have been set up to check dust pollution, open burning of garbage and dumping of waste in industrial areas. The government will deploy 225 and 159 teams during days and nights, respectively, to monitor dust pollution in the city. Real-time source apportionment studies will be conducted at 13 air pollution hotspots and a mobile air lab deployed at each of these locations. Construction sites larger than 500 square metres will be closely monitored to check dust pollution.

The government has prepared a standard operating procedure to prevent fire incidents at landfill sites. A plan is also being prepared for the scientific disposal of industrial waste, the chief minister said.

Kejriwal added that a special team is being set up to improve the survival rate of transplanted trees.The chief minister also claimed that Delhi's air pollution situation is improving while it continues to worsen in other parts of the country.

Kejriwal said there has been a revolutionary change in Delhi's air pollution levels, with a reduction of 30 percent in pollution levels from 2016 to 2022-23. The number of severe AQI days has decreased from 26 in 2016 to 6 in 2022, while the number of very poor and severe AQI days has come down from 124 to 72. Providing some data, the Delhi CM highlighted that in 2016, there were 26 such days where the AQI was in the severe category, but in 2022-23 there were only 6 such days.

He further added that in 2016 there were 124 days in the Very Poor and Severe category, and in 2022-23 these were reduced to 72 days. He said that there were 109 days in 2016 in the Good/Satisfactory/Moderate categories and this has further increased to 163 days in 2022-23.He further said that the most important factor to reduce pollution is to work in coordination with the neighbouring state governments. The air does not belong to any one state. It is not as if the air in Delhi does not go to Haryana or the air from there does not come to Delhi. The same air moves around in the entire area, and therefore we are working in close coordination with our neighbouring states to curb air pollution, he said.

He also said that the state government was working in association with both the NDMC and MCD to sustain parks in the city. He said that there are around 3500 parks in Delhi that are greater than half an acre and these should be beautified by December this year. He said that there are a total of 17,000 parks under the MCD and these will be beautified by March next year.
GOVT OKs 1st tranchet of `773 Cr to MCD

New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal Government has approved the release of the first instalment of Rs 773 crore to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). This decision will ensure timely payment of salary/pension to the serving and retired employees of MCD. Due to the misgovernance by the earlier regime the hardworking employees of the MCD had to go on strikes for their basic right of timely salaries which use to cause a lot of trouble for the employees of MCD , their families and people of Delhi. The primary focus should be given towards cleanliness of delhi but in the earlier regime it was more focussed on troubling employees for salaries, reads the statement.

KEJRIWAL MEETS WITH GOVT SCHOOL JEE TOPPER

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met with Asteek Narayan, a student of a Delhi Government School who scored 100% in JEE Mains. During the meeting, the Chief Minister presented Asteek with the book Becoming Babasaheb Ambedkar and congratulated him on his remarkable achievement. Expressing his happiness, Kejriwal said that Asteek's parents would be very proud of his success, and the Delhi Government is also very proud of him. He added that such progress was the dream of Babasaheb and Sardar Bhagat Singh, and the government is only trying to fulfil their dreams.

Maha, Guj Foundation day held at Raj niwas

New Delhi: The Foundation day of Maharashtra and Gujarat was on Monday observed at Raj Niwas with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena lauding the role of the two States in the growth and development of the country. The Lieutenant Governor recalled the Growth of Gujarat under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking on the occasion, Saxena said Since 1960 the two states came into existence, the world has seen and praised Gujarat and Maharashtra for climbing the ladder of success and development in the last 60 years. If I say that these two states have set a new norm of India's development, then there should be no surprise in it.

Haj committee chief meETS Saudi ENVOY

New Delhi: Delhi Haj Committee chairperson Kausar Jahan on Monday met the ambassador of Saudi Arabia and requested him for better facilities for pilgrims going for Haj from the city. A total of 2,540 people from Delhi will go for Haj this year, she said in a statement. Jahan, a BJP leader, met Saudi Arabia's ambassador Saleh Eid Al Husseini and discussed with him issues related to pilgrims visiting the country for Haj this year, according to the statement. The committee has approved 2,540 Hajis from Delhi that include a group of 39 women who will be going on the pilgrimage without any male accomplice, she said.

67L smart meters to be installed in UP

New Delhi: A smart metering and digital solutions company, IntelliSmart Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, has received the order to install 67 lakh prepaid smart meters along with substantial service cabling and auxiliaries in 14 districts in Uttar Pradesh falling under the purview of Pashchimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL). IntelliSmart will implement the project in Totex mode under the Design Build Finance Own Operate and Transfer (DBFOOT) arrangement. The project will be undertaken in Amroha, Baghpat, Bijnor, Bulandshahar, GB Nagar, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Hapur, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Rampur, Saharanpur, Sambhal and Shamli districts of Pashchimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited.
A day after a tragedy struck the densely-populated area of Giaspura in Ludhiana leaving 11 dead and several others critically ill, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the role of industrial units which have allegedly been flowing chemical waste into the sewage.

Notably, no less than 11 people, including two children, died after allegedly inhaling toxic gas on Sunday morning. Giaspura is a thickly populated area with several industrial and residential buildings, majorly having a migrant population.

The investigators detected the high levels of Hydrogen Sulphide in the air, which is believed to have emanated from a sewer. It is believed that some chemical, suspected to be industrial waste, was discharged into the sewer where it got mixed with methane and other gases to produce toxic hydrogen sulphide.

The SIT will be led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) Harmeet Singh Hundal. He will be assisted by ADCP Suhail Qassim, ADCP Tushar Gupta, ACP and area SHO. The team would investigate if any industrial unit dumped waste in the sewerage line, said Ludhiana Police Commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu.

There have been reports that some industrial units have been flowing chemical waste into the sewer line from long time. If this is true, the role of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) have also come under scanner; and if any official is found guilty, they will have to face legal action, said Sidhu.

Sidhu said that the police would seek PPCBs cooperation on this, and if its officials do not cooperate, action would be taken against them too.

Already, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Meanwhile, the police have also registered an FIR under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against unidentified persons.

The district authorities on Monday said that the locality underwent a night-long decontamination process, involving putting caustic soda in drains and sewerage lines to counter the hydrogen sulphide build-up.

The area has been decontaminated. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and the municipal corporation took readings of the ambient air quality in the area throughout the nightHydrogen sulphide is no longer detected in the air, said Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik.

The teams also checked the manholes in the area at frequent intervals. During the night, the level of hydrogen sulphide in the manholes was high but it has gone down after the chemical decontamination process, she added.

A pollution control board team is also mapping the industries located in the area to check the inlet and outlet of their water, said the Deputy Commissioner, adding that sample of some industries have also been taken and same will also be matched with the samples of manhole of Giaspura.

The cordoned-off area has been reduced from a radius of 250 metres to 25 metres as the air was found to be alright, she said. Notably, the authorities had on Sunday cordoned off the area after the gas leak.

PPCB teams are also looking into the possible reasons behind the build-up of poisonous gas in the sewer that might have led to the incident.

The officials maintained that the traces of the gas are no longer present in the area. Hydrogen sulphide, also called sewer gas, is poisonous and smells like rotten eggs, which can lead to unconsciousness and death.

The latest measurement of several manholes at Giaspura by the NDRF with the gas measurement device cleared that level of Hydrogen Sulphide has turned to zero. At the time of tragedy, which caused 11 deaths, the level was said to be between 400 to 500 particulate per minute.

The incident came to light on Sunday morning when some people, who had come to a grocery store in the Giaspura locality, fainted. Four died on the spot, while others were rushed to a hospital. All the 11 deceased belonged to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Among the dead are three members of the family that owned the store and five from another. The administration has announced Rs two lakh compensation each for the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those who were taken ill in the incident.

Barnala's Sukhpreet Singh wins gold medal in Junior Federation Cup

Chandigarh: Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has congratulated Athlete Sukhpreet Singh who won the gold medal in the boys' triple jump event in the Junior Federation Cup. Sukhpreet Singh who belongs to Pandher village of Barnala district, won the gold medal in the Junior Federation Cup at Thiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu) with a triple jump of 15.76 mtr. Apart from becoming the Junior National Champion, Sukhpreet Singh also qualified for the Junior Asian Athletics Championship to be held in South Korea next month. Meet Hayer congratulated Sukhpreet Singh on this achievement and wished him good luck for future competitions. He attributed this proud achievement to the hard work of the Athlete and his coaches and parents.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim relief to the Chhattisgarh government on its plea challenging a high court order striking down its policy of giving up to 58 percent reservation in admissions, promotions and appointments to SCs, STs and OBCs.

The Supreme Court also issued notice on the state governments plea and will now hear the matter in July.

An apex court Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol heard the petition for interim relief filed by Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel welcomed the major Supreme Court decision. The struggle against the alleged conspiracy of the BJP against the youth of Chhattisgarh will continue," he said.

"Justice will be served only when the Governor grants his assent to the new 76 percent reservation bills," he added.

Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sumeer Sodhi pleaded on behalf of the Chhattisgarh government.

The Chhattisgarh government in 2012 granted reservations to the extent of 32 percent to Scheduled Tribes, 12 percent to Scheduled Castes and 14 percent to Other Backward Classes in admissions and recruitments to public services.

After the hiked quotas, the total reservations in the state went up to 58 percent.

Following several petitions, the Act was struck down by the Chhattisgarh High Court on September 19, 2022 on the ground that the policy was inconsistent with the 50 percent ceiling limit set by the Supreme Court.
In the upcoming civic elections in Uttar Pradesh, upper caste voters are set to dominate as they make up more than 50 per cent of the electorate in all 17 municipal corporations while Muslims voters are expected to be game changer.

This is evident from the fact that all political parties are vying for the attention of Muslims. Even the Bharatiya Janata Party, considered to be a pro-Hindu party, has for the first time fielded 367 Muslim candidates, including councilors in municipal corporations and candidates for the post of chairperson in nagar panchayats. The party has given tickets to Muslims for the post of councilor in four wards of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, and even in Yogi Adityanath's constituency Gorakhpur.

The Bahujan Samaj Party has given 64 per cent tickets to Muslims and Samajwadi Party has fielded 23 per cent Muslim candidates, which is lower than previous election. The SP has fielded Muslims as mayoral candidates in four municipal corporations. Mashroof Fatima has been given ticket for Firozabad seat, Noor Hasan for Saharanpur, former MLA Zameer Ullah Khan for Aligarh and Syed Raisuddin for Moradabad mayoral seats. The results of these elections will be closely watched by political observers as it could have an impact on the national political scene.

With a total of 4.32 crore voters, the urban local bodies elections in UP cover about 150 assembly seats, making it a crucial battleground for political parties. The importance of civic elections in UP can be gauged from the fact that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been holding public meetings for the last six days. Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, all ministers, MLAs and MPs are also actively taking part in civic poll campaigning.

The BJPs prestige is at stake as urban areas have always been its bastions. The party is focusing on women voters, as 37 per cent of the seats are reserved for them. The BJP has also put its Mahila Morcha on the ground and is organising 'sahbhoj' for women, specially inviting Muslim and Dalit women to connect them with the party.

The toughest challenge for BJP is in the municipality and town panchayat seats, where 20 per cent of the seats are Muslim dominated. The party is looking for a new formula to win these seats, with a special focus on Pasmanda Muslims, BJP state vice-president Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

In Uttar Pradesh, elections are being held for 14,684 posts of municipal bodies, which include 17 mayors, 200 municipality chairpersons, 545 city panchayat chairpersons and 1,420 councilors.

The SP is all set to give a tough fight to the BJP in these elections. Ahead of the civic elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao have met SP president Akhilesh Yadav, indicating the growing importance of the party in national politics.

This election is crucial for Akhilesh Yadav too as his stature in Delhi politics will be determined by the results of these elections, said Nomita P Kumar of Giri Institute of Development Studies (GIDS).

In the last civic elections, the SP did not win any mayor seat but was successful in winning the elections for the posts of nagar palika and nagar panchayat chairpersons. This time Akhilesh Yadav is working on the formula of Muslim-Yadav and Dalit (MYD) by stitching a new social combination. He recently visited Mhow, the birthplace of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. During the Ramcharitmanas controversy, Yadav even called himself a shudra.
Samajwadi Party, the main challenger to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the urban local bodies elections, is grappling with rebellion in its ranks over the candidates fielded by the party. Be it west UP or the east, the party is facing rebellion from party leaders, including veterans like 93-year-old party MP from Sambhal, Shafiqur Rahman Barq, who has announced to back an independent candidate instead of the SP official candidate.

Barq has said that it did not matter if he was expelled from the party.

Along with Mulayam Singh Yadav, I formed the Samajwadi Party. No one else can claim it. The others joined the party later. I am not scared of the party leadership. They can remove me and it wont matter to me, Barq said.

The SP has fielded local MLA Iqbal Mehmoods wife Ruksana Mehmood for the post of Sambhal nagar palika parishad chairperson.

SP national spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, however, downplayed the issue. ` Things will be ironed out. These are local elections. These things can happen because there are multiple people seeking tickets. Barq saheb is our committed leader and any issue will be ironed out with him, Chaudhary said.

Far across in Ballia district also, the SP house is not in order. The SP expelled senior leader Sanjay Upadhyay for six years after he announced to contest against the partys official candidate, Laxman Gupta, for the post of chairperson of Ballia nagar palika parishad. Upadhyay was expelled along with the partys former district unit vice-president Jamal Alam, former district secretary Adarsh Mishra and another leader Ajay Yadav.

In Sikandarpur in Ballia district, SP MLA Mohammad Ziauddin Rizvi has also announced to back an independent candidate against the partys nominee for the post of chairperson of Sikandarpur nagar panchayat. While SP has fielded Dinesh Chowdhary for the post, Rizvi has announced his support for Bhishma Yadav.

Rizvi said, Some people have misled SP national president Akhilesh Yadav.

However, SP district unit president Raj Mangal Yadav dismissed Rizvis allegations. The charges are baseless. Ticket distribution has been done with the consent of party national president Akhilesh Yadav and state president Naresh Uttam. It is the duty of all SP workers and leaders to make the party candidates win If someone does not follow this, it will be considered indiscipline Rizvi is making baseless statements in a confused state of mind, he said.

In neighbouring Mau, long-time SP loyalist and former chairperson of Mau nagar palika, Arshad Jamaal, joined the Bahujan Samaj Party after being denied the ticket. Jamaal said that at least 13 SP corporators and partys Mau city unit president Mukhtar Husain had also joined the BSP after he was denied the ticket.

SPs Mau district unit president Doodhnath Yadav, however, claimed that no party corporator had joined the BSP. It is not true. Yes, Mukhtar Hussain, who was our city unit president, has left but our corporators have not, he said.

The elections to UPs 760 urban local bodies  including 17 municipal corporations, 199 nagar palika parishads and 544 nagar panchayats  will be held in two phases on May 4 and 11.The counting of votes will be taken up on May 13.
With his whirlwind, aggressive state-wide election campaign, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has turned the urban local bodies polls in the state to a precursor for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He has pledged to cleanse the area of garbage alongside the elimination of mafia and criminals.

The urban local bodies polls are scheduled in two stages  on May 4 and May 11 and the votes will be counted on May 13.

Just a fortnight after the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad in Prayagraj, Yogi Adityanaths 19 public meetings in seven days have set the tone for Bharatiya Janata Partys campaign for urban local bodies as well as Lok Sabha polls. His speeches in each of the rallies highlighted the state governments eradication of the mafia, aparadhi, danga, and gunda and tamancha culture, consistently associating it with the former Samajwadi Party-led government in the state.

Chief Minister Yogis public meetings are backed by video campaigns by the state BJPs official YouTube channel that link SP leader Akhilesh Yadav with criminals like Atiq Ahmad and Mukhtar Ansari. The BJP emphasises that these criminals are pushing for Akhileshs resurgence.

Akhilesh Yadav commenced his campaign in Gorakhpur on Sunday, where he targeted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on issues of cleanliness and law and order. Yadav said that people were tired of the crime incidents in the state and claimed that incidents of rape and robbery were at their peak. He further accused the BJP of failing to clean the streets and drains of cities during their six-year tenure.

Yogi Adityanaths focus during his four to five daily public meetings has been on the security of the common man and maintaining strict law and order. He has exhorted the crowd in several of his meetings to establish a triple engine government by securing a majority in the shahar ki sarkar alongside the state and Central governments. He paints a grim picture of the fate of criminals and mafias in Uttar Pradesh, while touting the development initiatives implemented by his government.

Chief Minister Yogi sought support for BJP candidates in Amroha, a city famous for its drums. Yogi said while locals had kept the traditional instrument like drums alive, humnein bhi dholak baja kar mafia ko rasatal mein pahuchane ka kaam kiya hai (We have also worked to beat the mafia and sent them to abyss).

In Saharanpur, he said, No curfew, no danga, UP mein sab changa (No curfew, no riots, all is well in UP). He alleged that 2017 ke pehle, party vishesh se jure logon ke haath mein tamanche hote they.

During his meetings on April 27 in Mathura, Firozabad and Agra, Yogi Adityanath highlighted his governments main goal of eliminating criminals and filth from the state.

Humari sarkar ki ek hi yukti, apradhi aur gandagi se mile pradesh ko mukti (Our government has only one objective to clear the state of criminals and filth)," CM Yogi said. In Agra, he remarked that the citys youth had tablets instead of tamanche, or guns. The following day, he visited Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Balrampur, and Gorakhpur. In his public meetings in Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Deoria, Kushinagar and Varanasi on Saturday, Yogi Adityanath referred to the kidnapping of Nand Kishore Rungta (a businessman kidnapped in January 1997) and promised that no mafia or criminal could roam freely on the streets and dare to kidnap now.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Uttar Pradesh was moving in the right and positive direction as the states youth were no longer facing an identity crisis.

The chief minister was addressing a public meeting in Jaunpur.

He said, By connecting talent with technology and training, the future of our youth is being made bright.

Stating that the cities of UP were now being recognised as smart cities rather than garbage dumps, he said: There is no terror of miscreants in our cities, rather they have been recognised as safe cities. Now no one can question the development of UP. With hopeful eyes, the entire world looks at India and Uttar Pradesh.

The chief minister said, I bow down to the land of Jaunpur which was once known for itra, imarti and imandari.

Criticising the opposition parties, including the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and the Bahujan Samaj Party for neglecting the development of Jaunpur, Yogi said: Imartis original sweetness had turned bitter. The place was known for its itra, but these people (opposition) tried to turn the pleasant fragrance of itra into a stench.

Today, Jaunpur is regaining its lost identity, he added.

Chief Minister Yogi said that today the traders of the state were being linked with the PM SVANidhi Yojana. He said through the Traders Welfare Board, traders and business owners were connected to the Jeevan Suraksha Bima Yojana.

Highlighting the improved law and order situation in the state, the chief minister said, Now there is no mafia raj in UP. No extortions, or kidnappings for ransom take place. The common man is safe in the state, and mafia-goons who used to proudly wander the streets are now begging for mercy with placards around their necks.

Listing the development works carried out by the government in the area, the chief minister said, In Jaunpur alone we have provided more than 20,000 houses in the urban areas and have given interest-free loans to 11,499 street vendors under PM SVANidhi Yojana. Besides, 15,161 destitute women, 11,306 divyangjans and 22,242 elderly are getting pension.
Israeli forces fatally shot a Palestinian teenager in a raid in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, part of a relentless wave of violence that has rocked the region for the last year.

The Israeli military said gunmen opened fire at soldiers on an arrest raid and the troops shot back. The military has been staging near-nightly raids in West Bank cities, towns and villages in what it says is an attempt to stamp out militancy.

Dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire this year and 19 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis during that time.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the teen as Jibril al-Laada, 17. It said three others were seriously wounded in the fighting, which took place in the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp near the West Bank city of Jericho. The camp has been a frequent target of Israeli raids.

Israel launched the raids after a spate of Palestinian attacks last spring. That set off some of the worst fighting between Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank in years and while Israel says the raids are meant to thwart future attacks, violence against Israelis does not appear to be slowing.

Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and east Jerusalem last year, making 2022 the deadliest year in those areas since 2004, according to leading Israeli rights group BTselem.

Casualties have spiked this year, with 98 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire, with just under half of those affiliated with militant groups, according to a tally by The Associated Press.

Israel says most of those killed have been armed fighters, but youths protesting the incursions have also been killed as have people not involved in the confrontations.

The Palestinians see the raids as a further entrenchment of Israels 56-year, open-ended occupation. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem for their hoped-for independent state.
Terming impracticable Imran Khans demand that the National Assembly be dissolved by May 14 for a successful outcome of talks, Pakistans ruling coalition has warned the former premier that his party will be the ultimate loser if the parleys failed as the polls can be delayed for a year.

Ahead of the third round of talks between the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N)-led federal coalition and the PTI scheduled for Tuesday, the government told Khan that he cannot hold talks at gunpoint.

We want to tell Imran Khan that he cannot hold talks at gunpoint. The first condition of talks is, there are no pre-conditions. Khan is so desperate that he wants his way or the highway, PML-N Secretary General and Federal Minister for Development Ahsan Iqbal was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

The federal coalition termed Khans ultimatum impracticable and asked him to be more flexible for the success of this dialogue between the government and the opposition, the report said on Monday.

If the talks fail, the ultimate loser will be the PTI as there is a provision for delaying elections for a year under the Constitution. Imran Khan has warned of creating a law and order situation in the country (if polls are not held this July) and in such a scenario, the elections will be delayed for another year, Iqbal said on Sunday.

The federal coalition parties sat with the PTI with an open mind, but Khan continued to ask for the dissolution of assemblies (National, Sindh and Balochistan) by May 14, he said, adding that the demand is not acceptable to the federal coalition.

The people of Sindh and Balochistan cannot be punished for the folly of Imran Khan who dissolved Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies to force electionsunder the patronage of his handlers in the institutions, the minister said, adding that Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party would have to agree on a code of conduct for polls, besides the same-day elections.
The satellite news network Al Jazeera said Monday that a correspondent for one of its channels held in Egypt since 2019 has been released after nearly four years in pre-trial detention. The Qatar-funded network in Doha said that Hisham Abdel Aziz, a producer with its Al Jazeera Mubasher channel, had been freed.

Authorities in Egypt did not acknowledge his release. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

He was freed on Sunday, said Khaled el-Balshy, head of Egypts Journalists Union. Abdel Azizs wife posted an image Sunday of Abdel Aziz online, thanking God for him.

The network has said that Abdel Aziz, an Egyptian who had been based in Qatar for the public affairs channel, was stopped at Cairo International Airport in June 2019 while he was travelling for a family trip.

They say he was subjected to enforced disappearance for around a month before being found in custody. In the time since, authorities repeatedly had applied and been granted repeated 45-day extensions for his detention.

Al Jazeera long had been targeted by Cairo since the countrys 2013 military takeover that installed Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi into the presidency. Qatar had backed Egypts elected president, the late Islamist Mohammed Morsi, after the 2011 Arab Spring. Morsi belonged to the pan-Arab Islamic group the Muslim Brotherhood, viewed by some Gulf Arab nations as a threat to their hereditary rule.
Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,750,000 shares, an increase of 17.3% from the March 31st total of 4,050,000 shares. Currently, 12.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 556,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 8.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BOH has been the subject of several research reports. DA Davidson decreased their price target on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $76.00 to $55.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $83.00 to $60.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 6th. TheStreet lowered shares of Bank of Hawaii from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating for the company. Finally, Compass Point lowered shares of Bank of Hawaii from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $71.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, January 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $66.25.

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Bank of Hawaii Stock Performance

Bank of Hawaii stock traded down $0.63 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $47.80. 737,617 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 491,269. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $56.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $70.21. The firm has a market cap of $1.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.02, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.97. Bank of Hawaii has a fifty-two week low of $34.71 and a fifty-two week high of $85.45.

Bank of Hawaii Announces Dividend

Bank of Hawaii ( NYSE:BOH Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The bank reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by ($0.09). Bank of Hawaii had a return on equity of 19.01% and a net margin of 26.90%. The company had revenue of $229.07 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $177.67 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.32 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Bank of Hawaii will post 4.45 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be issued a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.86%. Bank of Hawaiis payout ratio is currently 52.83%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Bank of Hawaii news, CEO Peter S. Ho sold 7,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.40, for a total transaction of $534,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,681 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,318,428.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.11% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Bank of Hawaii

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CM Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bank of Hawaii in the 1st quarter worth approximately $225,000. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 32.8% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 35,725 shares of the banks stock worth $1,861,000 after purchasing an additional 8,825 shares in the last quarter. Harrington Investments INC raised its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Harrington Investments INC now owns 18,212 shares of the banks stock worth $948,000 after purchasing an additional 491 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of Hawaii during the first quarter valued at approximately $101,000. Finally, Cadinha & Co. LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 14.2% during the first quarter. Cadinha & Co. LLC now owns 14,978 shares of the banks stock valued at $780,000 after acquiring an additional 1,865 shares during the period. 74.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Bank of Hawaii Company Profile

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Bank of Hawaii Corp. is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers financial products and services, including loan, deposit and insurance products, private banking and international client banking services, trust services, investment management, and institutional investment advisory services.

Further Reading

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on FMS. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy rating to an underperform rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $14.00 to $11.70 in a research report on Monday, January 2nd. HSBC cut shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.45.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Price Performance

FMS opened at $24.00 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $21.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $18.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.27. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 52 week low of $12.78 and a 52 week high of $31.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.08 billion, a PE ratio of 20.00 and a beta of 1.01.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Cuts Dividend

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA ( NYSE:FMS Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.22. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a net margin of 3.46% and a return on equity of 5.80%. The firm had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.85 billion. As a group, analysts anticipate that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.13 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th will be given a dividend of $0.7086 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a yield of 2.1%. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.83%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CWM LLC lifted its position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 82.0% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,753 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 790 shares in the last quarter. Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Sandy Spring Bank acquired a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Clear Street Markets LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, American National Bank acquired a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. 5.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Company Profile

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co KgaA engages in the provision of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which regularly undergo dialysis treatment. It operates through the Care Enablement and Care Delivery segments. The Care Enablement segment is involved in the healthcare products business including research and development, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial operations as well as supporting functions, such as regulatory and quality management.

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Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GBOOF  Get Rating) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,008,800 shares, a drop of 15.0% from the March 31st total of 1,187,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 315.3 days.

Grupo Financiero Banorte Stock Performance

Shares of GBOOF stock remained flat at $8.89 on Monday. 562 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,442. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $8.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $8.12. Grupo Financiero Banorte has a fifty-two week low of $5.37 and a fifty-two week high of $9.25.

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Grupo Financiero Banorte Company Profile

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Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV is a holding company, which engages in the provision of banking services. It operates through the following segments: Holding, Banorte, Savings and Forecast, Landlord and Factor, Storage, and Brokerage house Banorte. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Rating) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report issued on Monday.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. They set a sell rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $118.00 to $125.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Kimberly-Clark from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $137.00 to $139.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $131.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $123.00 to $133.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $134.45.

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Kimberly-Clark Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE KMB traded up $0.96 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $145.85. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,536,921 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,723,704. The stock has a market cap of $49.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.23, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.47. Kimberly-Clark has a one year low of $108.74 and a one year high of $147.87. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $131.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.03.

Insider Activity

Kimberly-Clark ( NYSE:KMB Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.35. The company had revenue of $5.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 9.75% and a return on equity of 279.42%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.35 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Kimberly-Clark will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, CEO Michael D. Hsu sold 46,508 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.28, for a total value of $6,710,174.24. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,668 shares in the company, valued at $16,111,459.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Michael D. Hsu sold 46,508 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.28, for a total value of $6,710,174.24. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,668 shares in the company, valued at $16,111,459.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Tristram Wilkinson sold 3,434 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.26, for a total transaction of $495,388.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 17,229 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,485,455.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 57,912 shares of company stock worth $8,362,169 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kimberly-Clark

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KMB. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark in the first quarter valued at $96,000. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 22.2% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 190,867 shares of the companys stock worth $23,483,000 after purchasing an additional 34,646 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 2.8% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 292,834 shares of the companys stock worth $36,066,000 after purchasing an additional 7,878 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 23.9% during the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 4,102 shares of the companys stock worth $505,000 after purchasing an additional 791 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 28.7% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 20,180 shares of the companys stock worth $2,485,000 after purchasing an additional 4,503 shares during the period. 74.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kimberly-Clark Company Profile

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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.

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Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS  Get Rating) is scheduled to issue its quarterly earnings data after the market closes on Wednesday, May 3rd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.33 per share for the quarter. Nu Skin Enterprises has set its Q1 guidance at $0.25-$0.35 EPS and its FY23 guidance at $2.35-$2.75 EPS.Parties that wish to register for the companys conference call can do so using this link.

Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.36. The business had revenue of $522.34 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $542.32 million. Nu Skin Enterprises had a return on equity of 16.20% and a net margin of 4.71%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 22.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.11 EPS. On average, analysts expect Nu Skin Enterprises to post $3 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Nu Skin Enterprises Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NUS opened at $40.04 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $40.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $40.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.34 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 2.12 and a quick ratio of 1.15. Nu Skin Enterprises has a 12 month low of $29.95 and a 12 month high of $47.84.

Nu Skin Enterprises Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Nu Skin Enterprises

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 27th were paid a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a positive change from Nu Skin Enterprisess previous quarterly dividend of $0.39. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 24th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.90%. Nu Skin Enterprisess payout ratio is 75.36%.

In other Nu Skin Enterprises news, Director Emma S. Battle sold 987 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.70, for a total value of $41,157.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,659 shares in the company, valued at approximately $194,280.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CAO James D. Thomas sold 2,829 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.12, for a total transaction of $116,328.48. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 17,928 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $737,199.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Emma S. Battle sold 987 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.70, for a total transaction of $41,157.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,659 shares of the companys stock, valued at $194,280.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 90,115 shares of company stock worth $3,649,237. Insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Nu Skin Enterprises

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NUS. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 37.1% during the 2nd quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 809 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in Nu Skin Enterprises by 118.2% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,150 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 623 shares during the period. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in Nu Skin Enterprises during the 2nd quarter worth $144,000. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in Nu Skin Enterprises by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,657 shares of the companys stock worth $158,000 after purchasing an additional 413 shares during the period. Finally, PDT Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Nu Skin Enterprises during the 1st quarter worth $231,000. 93.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on NUS shares. StockNews.com upgraded Nu Skin Enterprises from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. DA Davidson cut their price objective on Nu Skin Enterprises from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Nu Skin Enterprises from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Monday, January 30th. TheStreet downgraded Nu Skin Enterprises from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on Nu Skin Enterprises from $35.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $39.33.

Nu Skin Enterprises Company Profile

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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the development and distribution of beauty and wellness solutions. It operates through the following segments: Mainland China, Americas, South Korea, Southeast Asia/Pacific, EMEA, Japan, Hong Kong/Taiwan, Nu Skin Other, Manufacturing, and Rhyz Other.

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Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC  Get Rating) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report issued on Monday.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Science Applications International from $110.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Science Applications International from $121.00 to $118.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Science Applications International from $90.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Morgan Stanley downgraded Science Applications International from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $108.00 to $114.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on Science Applications International from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $113.30.

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Science Applications International Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE SAIC traded up $1.14 on Monday, reaching $103.17. 263,067 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 299,641. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $105.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $106.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.18 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. Science Applications International has a fifty-two week low of $79.33 and a fifty-two week high of $117.94.

Insider Buying and Selling

Science Applications International ( NYSE:SAIC Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 3rd. The information technology services provider reported $2.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.41. Science Applications International had a return on equity of 25.20% and a net margin of 3.89%. The company had revenue of $1.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.86 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.50 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Science Applications International will post 6.95 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Science Applications International news, Director Katharina G. Mcfarland sold 1,193 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.48, for a total value of $129,416.64. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,813 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $847,554.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Science Applications International news, insider Michael W. Larouche sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.19, for a total value of $643,140.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 49,192 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,272,890.48. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Katharina G. Mcfarland sold 1,193 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.48, for a total value of $129,416.64. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 7,813 shares in the company, valued at approximately $847,554.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 33,430 shares of company stock valued at $3,589,623. Corporate insiders own 1.12% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Science Applications International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mendota Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Science Applications International during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates purchased a new position in Science Applications International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Science Applications International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in Science Applications International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new position in Science Applications International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.40% of the companys stock.

About Science Applications International

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Science Applications International Corp. is a provider of technical, engineering and enterprise information technology (IT) services. Its offerings include engineering, systems integration and information technology offerings for large, complex government projects and offer a broad range of services with a targeted emphasis on higher end, differentiated technology services, and end-to-end services spanning the entire spectrum of its customers IT infrastructure.

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Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA  Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 991,800 shares, an increase of 16.8% from the March 31st total of 849,300 shares. Currently, 3.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 238,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.2 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Enova International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. JMP Securities lifted their price target on shares of Enova International from $54.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th.

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Enova International Price Performance

Enova International stock traded up $0.75 during trading on Monday, reaching $44.67. The company had a trading volume of 247,792 shares, compared to its average volume of 232,054. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $45.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $42.20. Enova International has a 1-year low of $25.80 and a 1-year high of $55.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.40 billion, a PE ratio of 7.15 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 14.87 and a current ratio of 10.85.

Insider Buying and Selling at Enova International

Enova International ( NYSE:ENVA Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 1st. The credit services provider reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.10. Enova International had a net margin of 11.23% and a return on equity of 17.98%. The firm had revenue of $486.16 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $484.63 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Enova International will post 7.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Enova International news, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 2,592 shares of Enova International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.50, for a total transaction of $130,896.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 182,982 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,240,591. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Enova International news, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 2,592 shares of Enova International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.50, for a total transaction of $130,896.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 182,982 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,240,591. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ellen Carnahan sold 6,000 shares of Enova International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.57, for a total transaction of $261,420.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 50,350 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,193,749.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 7.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enova International

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ENVA. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Enova International by 53.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 20,678 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $785,000 after purchasing an additional 7,162 shares during the last quarter. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. boosted its stake in Enova International by 13.3% during the 2nd quarter. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. now owns 46,568 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,342,000 after purchasing an additional 5,461 shares during the last quarter. Denali Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Enova International by 18.3% during the 3rd quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 89,353 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,615,000 after purchasing an additional 13,800 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in Enova International during the 3rd quarter worth $102,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its stake in Enova International by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 69,197 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,025,000 after purchasing an additional 5,335 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.69% of the companys stock.

Enova International Company Profile

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Enova International, Inc engages in the provision of online financial services. Its products and services include short-term consumer loan, line of credit accounts, instalment loans, receivables purchase agreements, credit services organization program, bank program, and decision management platform-as-a-service & analytics-as-a-service.

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Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Rating) issued an update on its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $5.70-$6.00 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $5.75. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Sonoco Products also updated its Q2 2023 guidance to $1.45-$1.55 EPS.

Sonoco Products Stock Up 2.5 %

Sonoco Products stock traded up $1.51 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $62.13. The companys stock had a trading volume of 877,105 shares, compared to its average volume of 450,093. The firms 50 day moving average is $59.20 and its 200 day moving average is $59.92. The company has a market cap of $6.09 billion, a PE ratio of 13.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 0.73. Sonoco Products has a 52-week low of $51.52 and a 52-week high of $65.96.

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Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 9th. The industrial products company reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. Sonoco Products had a return on equity of 32.53% and a net margin of 6.43%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.90 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Sonoco Products will post 5.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Sonoco Products Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This is an increase from Sonoco Productss previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.28%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 9th. Sonoco Productss dividend payout ratio is currently 43.22%.

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Argus raised Sonoco Products from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $67.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 14th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Sonoco Products in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Bank of America raised their price objective on Sonoco Products from $76.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Sonoco Products from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on Sonoco Products from $61.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sonoco Products has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $66.17.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sonoco Products

In other Sonoco Products news, insider Ernest D. Haynes III sold 531 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.36, for a total value of $30,458.16. Following the sale, the insider now owns 1,198 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $68,717.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Ernest D. Haynes III sold 531 shares of Sonoco Products stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.36, for a total transaction of $30,458.16. Following the sale, the insider now owns 1,198 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $68,717.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert R. Hill, Jr. acquired 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 13th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $56.00 per share, for a total transaction of $560,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 20,065 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,640. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,458 shares of company stock valued at $207,291 in the last 90 days. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Sonoco Products

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SON. Raymond James & Associates boosted its stake in Sonoco Products by 12.2% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 65,349 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,088,000 after buying an additional 7,130 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Sonoco Products by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 14,286 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $894,000 after buying an additional 1,087 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its stake in Sonoco Products by 22.6% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 23,239 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,454,000 after buying an additional 4,281 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in Sonoco Products by 164.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 43,701 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,744,000 after buying an additional 27,157 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in Sonoco Products by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 274,058 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $17,145,000 after buying an additional 3,941 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.43% of the companys stock.

About Sonoco Products

(Get Rating)

Sonoco Products Co engages in the manufacture of industrial and consumer packaging products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Packaging, Paper and Industrial Converted Products, Protective Solutions, and Display and Packaging. The Consumer Packaging segment offers round and shaped rigid containers, fiber and plastic caulk and adhesive tubes, and aluminum, steel, and peelable membrane easy-open closures for paper and metal cans.

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Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Rating) issued an update on its second quarter earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $1.45-1.55 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.53. Sonoco Products also updated its FY 2023 guidance to $5.70-$6.00 EPS.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Sonoco Products from $71.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 13th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Sonoco Products from $76.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Sonoco Products from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of Sonoco Products from $61.00 to $57.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Sonoco Products in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two 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 $66.17.

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Sonoco Products Price Performance

Shares of SON traded up $1.51 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $62.13. The stock had a trading volume of 877,105 shares, compared to its average volume of 450,093. The companys 50-day moving average is $59.22 and its 200 day moving average is $59.93. Sonoco Products has a 12-month low of $51.52 and a 12-month high of $65.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The company has a market capitalization of $6.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.71.

Sonoco Products Increases Dividend

Sonoco Products ( NYSE:SON Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The industrial products company reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. Sonoco Products had a return on equity of 32.53% and a net margin of 6.43%. Sonoco Productss quarterly revenue was up 16.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.90 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Sonoco Products will post 5.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th will be given a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.28%. This is a positive change from Sonoco Productss previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Sonoco Productss dividend payout ratio is currently 43.22%.

Insider Transactions at Sonoco Products

In other news, Director Robert R. Hill, Jr. bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 13th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $56.00 per share, with a total value of $560,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 20,065 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,123,640. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Robert R. Hill, Jr. purchased 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 13th. The shares were bought at an average price of $56.00 per share, for a total transaction of $560,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 20,065 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,123,640. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ernest D. Haynes III sold 1,834 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $110,040.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 1,729 shares in the company, valued at approximately $103,740. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 3,458 shares of company stock valued at $207,291. Corporate insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Sonoco Products

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,991,558 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $687,633,000 after buying an additional 362,516 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,740,557 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $609,312,000 after buying an additional 179,779 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 13.4% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,240,829 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $515,546,000 after buying an additional 972,157 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,973,140 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $119,789,000 after buying an additional 56,573 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,804,866 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $112,913,000 after buying an additional 138,382 shares during the last quarter. 76.43% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sonoco Products Company Profile

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Sonoco Products Co engages in the manufacture of industrial and consumer packaging products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Packaging, Paper and Industrial Converted Products, Protective Solutions, and Display and Packaging. The Consumer Packaging segment offers round and shaped rigid containers, fiber and plastic caulk and adhesive tubes, and aluminum, steel, and peelable membrane easy-open closures for paper and metal cans.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Shaw Communications (NYSE:SJR  Get Rating) (TSE:SJR.B) in a report published on Friday. The firm issued a sell rating on the stock.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on SJR. National Bank Financial downgraded Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada cut Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Scotiabank cut Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 13th. Finally, Desjardins cut Shaw Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $40.50.

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Shaw Communications Stock Performance

SJR opened at $30.18 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $14.42 billion, a PE ratio of 26.47 and a beta of 0.52. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $29.35 and a 200-day moving average of $28.18. Shaw Communications has a 52-week low of $23.64 and a 52-week high of $31.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.68.

Shaw Communications Increases Dividend

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Shaw Communications

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were issued a $0.074 dividend. This is a boost from Shaw Communicationss previous monthly dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 14th. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.94%. Shaw Communicationss dividend payout ratio is 76.32%.

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Virtu Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Shaw Communications by 120.7% in the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 31,651 shares of the companys stock valued at $947,000 after purchasing an additional 17,313 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Shaw Communications by 47.8% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,518 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 491 shares during the period. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in Shaw Communications during the 1st quarter worth approximately $45,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Shaw Communications during the 1st quarter worth approximately $204,000. Finally, Forsta AP Fonden grew its position in Shaw Communications by 107.6% during the 1st quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 305,000 shares of the companys stock worth $9,114,000 after acquiring an additional 158,100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.44% of the companys stock.

Shaw Communications Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Shaw Communications, Inc engages in the provision of cable telecommunications and satellite video services. The company was founded by James Robert Shaw on December 9, 1966 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Stryker (NYSE:SYK  Get Rating) posted its earnings results on Monday. The medical technology company reported $2.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.00 by $0.14, Briefing.com reports. Stryker had a return on equity of 22.39% and a net margin of 12.78%. The company had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.56 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.97 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Stryker updated its FY23 guidance to $10.05-$10.25 EPS.

Stryker Price Performance

Stryker stock traded up $0.24 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $299.89. The company had a trading volume of 2,385,384 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,321,115. The company has a market capitalization of $113.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.57, a P/E/G ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Stryker has a 1 year low of $188.84 and a 1 year high of $306.56. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $279.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is $254.75.

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Stryker Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $0.75 dividend. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. Strykers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.62%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Insider Buying and Selling

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on SYK shares. Loop Capital lifted their price target on shares of Stryker from $290.00 to $312.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. BTIG Research raised their price target on Stryker from $281.00 to $299.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Stryker to $265.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Stryker from $284.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of Stryker from $250.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Stryker has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $283.33.

In other Stryker news, Director Ronda E. Stryker sold 307,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $273.91, for a total value of $84,309,498.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 4,942,954 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,353,924,530.14. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Stryker news, insider James Andrew Pierce sold 400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.88, for a total value of $111,152.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 46,676 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,970,326.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Ronda E. Stryker sold 307,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.91, for a total transaction of $84,309,498.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,942,954 shares in the company, valued at $1,353,924,530.14. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 347,303 shares of company stock worth $95,218,362 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 5.90% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Stryker

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Certified Advisory Corp acquired a new position in Stryker in the 4th quarter valued at $255,000. CIC Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Stryker in the 4th quarter worth about $252,000. SageView Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in Stryker in the 4th quarter valued at about $244,000. Arvest Trust Co. N A acquired a new position in shares of Stryker during the 4th quarter valued at about $218,000. Finally, Shorepoint Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Stryker during the 4th quarter worth about $217,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.10% of the companys stock.

Stryker Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Stryker Corp. is a medical technology company, which engages in the provision of innovative products and services that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. It operates under the MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine segments. The MedSurg and Neurotechnology segment includes surgical equipment and navigation systems, endoscopic and communications systems, patient handling, emergency medical equipment, intensive care disposable products, clinical communication, workflow solutions, products for the treatment of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, traditional brain, and open skull based surgical procedures, orthobiologic, and biosurgery.

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Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY  Get Rating) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued on Monday.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $498.00 to $470.00 in a research report on Thursday. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $503.00 to $499.00 in a research report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $485.67.

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Teledyne Technologies Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of TDY traded up $2.36 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $416.76. The company had a trading volume of 160,331 shares, compared to its average volume of 186,572. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $427.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $414.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Teledyne Technologies has a 1-year low of $325.00 and a 1-year high of $448.71. The stock has a market cap of $19.58 billion, a PE ratio of 26.38, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 1.08.

Insider Buying and Selling at Teledyne Technologies

Teledyne Technologies ( NYSE:TDY Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $4.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.43 by $0.10. Teledyne Technologies had a net margin of 13.67% and a return on equity of 10.98%. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.37 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.27 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Teledyne Technologies will post 19.17 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Teledyne Technologies news, SVP George C. Bobb III sold 10,000 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $433.12, for a total transaction of $4,331,200.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 10,490 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,543,428.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, VP Stephen Finis Blackwood sold 3,333 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $434.00, for a total transaction of $1,446,522.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 11,773 shares in the company, valued at $5,109,482. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP George C. Bobb III sold 10,000 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $433.12, for a total transaction of $4,331,200.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 10,490 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,543,428.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 16,733 shares of company stock valued at $7,274,300 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 2.14% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Teledyne Technologies

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 93.4% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 4,068 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $1,923,000 after buying an additional 1,965 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 4.0% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,911 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $903,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 40.1% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 796 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $376,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 62.5% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 1,370 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $648,000 after buying an additional 527 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 1,272.5% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,400 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $662,000 after buying an additional 1,298 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.10% of the companys stock.

Teledyne Technologies Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Teledyne Technologies, Inc engages in the provision of electronic and communication products for wireless and satellite systems. It operates through the following business segments: Instrumentation, Digital Imaging, Aerospace and Defense Electronics, and Engineered Systems. The Instrumentation segment provides monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, and electronic test and measurement equipment.

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HashiCorp (NYSE:HCP  Get Rating) and Duck Creek Technologies (NYSE:DCT  Get Rating) are both mid-cap technology services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings and profitability.

Dividends

HashiCorp pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.5%. Duck Creek Technologies pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.6%. HashiCorp pays out -100.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Duck Creek Technologies pays out -1,309.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Duck Creek Technologies is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Risk & Volatility

HashiCorp has a beta of 1.34, meaning that its share price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Duck Creek Technologies has a beta of 0.59, meaning that its share price is 41% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score HashiCorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Duck Creek Technologies 0 0 0 0 N/A

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for HashiCorp and Duck Creek Technologies, as provided by MarketBeat.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

32.5% of HashiCorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.6% of Duck Creek Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 30.7% of HashiCorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.1% of Duck Creek Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares HashiCorp and Duck Creek Technologies net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets HashiCorp N/A N/A N/A Duck Creek Technologies N/A N/A N/A

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares HashiCorp and Duck Creek Technologies revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio HashiCorp $475.89 million 10.91 -$281.26 million ($1.47) -18.46 Duck Creek Technologies $310.08 million 8.38 -$15.06 million ($0.11) -172.64

Duck Creek Technologies has lower revenue, but higher earnings than HashiCorp. Duck Creek Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than HashiCorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

About HashiCorp

(Get Rating)

HashiCorp is a leader in multi-cloud infrastructure automation software. The HashiCorp software suite enables organizations to adopt consistent workflows and a standardized approach to automating the critical process involved in delivering applications in the cloud: infrastructure provisioning, security, networking, and application deployment. HashiCorps open source tools Vagrant, Packer, Terraform, Vault, Consul, Nomad, Boundary, and Waypoint were downloaded approximately 100 million times during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021. Enterprise and managed service versions of these products enhance the open source tools with features that promote collaboration, operations, governance, and multi-datacenter functionality. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, though 90 percent of HashiCorp employees work remotely, strategically distributed around the globe. HashiCorp is backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Franklin Templeton, Geodesic Capital, GGV Capital, IVP, Mayfield, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price funds and accounts, and True Ventures.

About Duck Creek Technologies

(Get Rating)

Duck Creek Technologies develops industry-specific software that helps insurance carriers to deploy and manage their products and services.

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Ashford Hospitality Trust (NYSE:AHT  Get Rating) issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The real estate investment trust reported ($1.68) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.22) by ($1.46), Yahoo Finance reports. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.04) earnings per share.

Ashford Hospitality Trust Trading Down 5.0 %

Shares of AHT traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $3.42. The companys stock had a trading volume of 266,892 shares, compared to its average volume of 600,269. Ashford Hospitality Trust has a 1-year low of $2.61 and a 1-year high of $12.09. The stock has a market cap of $117.96 million, a P/E ratio of -0.81 and a beta of 2.29. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $3.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.26.

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Institutional Trading of Ashford Hospitality Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AHT. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust in the first quarter valued at approximately $230,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust by 22.6% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 26,230 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $268,000 after buying an additional 4,827 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust by 12.6% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 38,017 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $388,000 after buying an additional 4,251 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust by 0.4% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,710,372 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,446,000 after buying an additional 6,539 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Ashford Hospitality Trust by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 246,645 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,516,000 after purchasing an additional 13,399 shares during the last quarter. 43.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

About Ashford Hospitality Trust

Several equities analysts have weighed in on AHT shares. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Ashford Hospitality Trust in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. B. Riley decreased their price objective on Ashford Hospitality Trust from $9.00 to $6.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 13th.

(Get Rating)

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which invests in the hospitality industry. The firms investments include direct hotel, mezzanine financing through origination or acquisition, first mortgage financing through origination or acquisition, sale-leaseback transactions and other hospitality transactions.

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Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Get Rating) by 4.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 487,152 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 21,213 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC owned about 0.06% of United Parcel Service worth $84,686,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UPS. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.9% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 67,099,021 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $10,839,176,000 after buying an additional 601,166 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 0.6% during the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 9,273,417 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,988,777,000 after purchasing an additional 54,401 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 2.3% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,163,287 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $892,858,000 after purchasing an additional 93,463 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 2.7% during the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,103,236 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $501,354,000 after purchasing an additional 82,716 shares during the period. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 7.2% during the third quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 2,653,108 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $428,583,000 after purchasing an additional 179,296 shares during the period. 58.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Credit Suisse Group set a $203.00 target price on United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $199.00 to $188.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $181.00 price target on United Parcel Service in a report on Tuesday, January 31st. Melius started coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Monday, March 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $225.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com cut United Parcel Service from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $193.58.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $182.20 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.74, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.09. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $186.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $180.82. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $154.87 and a 52-week high of $209.39.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The transportation company reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.19 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $22.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.98 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 57.68% and a net margin of 10.90%. United Parcel Services quarterly revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.05 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 10.89 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Tuesday, January 31st that allows the company to buyback $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the transportation company to repurchase up to 3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Brian Newman sold 19,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.46, for a total value of $3,466,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 11,677 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,130,585.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CFO Brian Newman sold 19,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.46, for a total transaction of $3,466,740.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 11,677 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,130,585.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 20,724 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.26, for a total value of $3,777,156.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 54,341 shares of company stock valued at $9,848,061 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

About United Parcel Service

(Get Rating)

United Parcel Service, Inc is a package delivery company, which engages in the provision of global supply chain management solutions. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Domestic Package, International Package, and Supply Chain Solutions. The U.S. Domestic Package segment includes time-definite delivery of letters, documents, and packages.

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Permex Petroleum (OTCMKTS:OILCF  Get Rating) and Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Rating) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, earnings, dividends and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

72.0% of Nabors Industries shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Nabors Industries shares are owned by insiders. 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.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Permex Petroleum and Nabors Industries, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Permex Petroleum 0 0 1 0 3.00 Nabors Industries 1 5 2 0 2.13

Earnings and Valuation

Nabors Industries has a consensus target price of $177.86, indicating a potential upside of 81.78%. Given Nabors Industries higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Nabors Industries is more favorable than Permex Petroleum.

This table compares Permex Petroleum and Nabors Industries top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Permex Petroleum $880,000.00 6.66 -$2.71 million N/A N/A Nabors Industries $2.86 billion 0.32 -$350.26 million ($14.97) -6.54

Permex Petroleum has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Nabors Industries.

Profitability

This table compares Permex Petroleum and Nabors Industries net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Permex Petroleum N/A N/A N/A Nabors Industries -4.03% -26.14% -3.19%

Summary

Permex Petroleum beats Nabors Industries on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Permex Petroleum

(Get Rating)

Permex Petroleum Corporation is a junior oil & gas company with assets and operations across the Permian Basin of West Texas and the Delaware Sub-Basin of New Mexico. Permex Petroleum Corporation is based in VANCOUVER, British Columbia.

About Nabors Industries

(Get Rating)

Nabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It also provides performance tools, directional drilling services, tubular running services, and innovative technologies. It operates through the following business segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment operates in land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses on maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment refers to the Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, draw works, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is h

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Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,210,000 shares, a growth of 13.8% from the March 31st total of 3,700,000 shares. Approximately 9.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 345,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 12.2 days.

Core Laboratories Stock Performance

NYSE:CLB traded down $1.03 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $21.00. 165,462 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 352,924. The firm has a market cap of $979.23 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 2.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $22.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.86. Core Laboratories has a one year low of $13.19 and a one year high of $31.42.

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Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.01. Core Laboratories had a return on equity of 15.23% and a net margin of 4.72%. The firm had revenue of $127.57 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $130.12 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.20 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Core Laboratories will post 0.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Core Laboratories Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Core Laboratories

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th will be given a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 5th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.19%. Core Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.00%.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its position in Core Laboratories by 328.1% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,858 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,424 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in Core Laboratories by 185.7% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,903 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 1,237 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its position in Core Laboratories by 213.1% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,805 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 1,909 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in Core Laboratories by 184.9% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,934 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 1,904 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its position in Core Laboratories by 171.6% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,200 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 2,022 shares in the last quarter. 97.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup increased their price objective on Core Laboratories from $21.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Core Laboratories from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Monday. Bank of America lowered Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $21.50 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Core Laboratories in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Core Laboratories from $24.00 to $25.00 in a report on Friday.

About Core Laboratories

(Get Rating)

Core Laboratories NV engages in the provision of proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement, and reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry. It operates through the Reservoir Description segment and Production Enhancement segment. The Reservoir Description segment encompasses the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid, and gas samples and provides analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products.

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Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:EVM  Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 22nd will be paid a dividend of 0.0306 per share by the investment management company on Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $0.37 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 19th.

Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund Stock Performance

EVM traded up $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $8.85. The stock had a trading volume of 68,087 shares, compared to its average volume of 63,407. Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund has a 1-year low of $8.04 and a 1-year high of $9.87.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Covington Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund in the third quarter valued at $28,000. First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at $87,000. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new stake in Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund during the 4th quarter valued at $95,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its stake in Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund by 32.5% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $141,000 after purchasing an additional 3,460 shares during the period. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $151,000.

Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund Company Profile

Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund is a close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. The fund invests in the fixed income market of United States. It invests primarily in high grade municipal obligations comprising of various industries, such as general obligations, hospital, electric utilities, transportation, water and sewer, public education, and private education.

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Ecolab (NYSE:ECL  Get Rating) issued an update on its second quarter earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $1.15-1.25 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $1.19.

Ecolab Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of Ecolab stock traded up $0.96 on Tuesday, reaching $169.74. The company had a trading volume of 598,935 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,120,910. The firms 50 day moving average price is $161.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $153.77. The firm has a market cap of $48.32 billion, a PE ratio of 44.18, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.00. Ecolab has a 52-week low of $131.04 and a 52-week high of $178.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.30.

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Ecolab (NYSE:ECL  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 14th. The basic materials company reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.02. Ecolab had a net margin of 7.69% and a return on equity of 18.02%. The company had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.69 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.28 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Ecolab will post 4.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ecolab Dividend Announcement

Analyst Ratings Changes

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 21st were issued a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 20th. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.25%. Ecolabs dividend payout ratio is presently 55.50%.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Ecolab from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $155.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $168.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Ecolab from $158.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Ecolab from $164.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $169.80.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Larry L. Berger sold 4,404 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.95, for a total transaction of $717,631.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,442 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,027,423.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ecolab

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ECL. USS Investment Management Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Ecolab by 7.4% during the 1st quarter. USS Investment Management Ltd now owns 80,718 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $14,254,000 after purchasing an additional 5,582 shares in the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP acquired a new stake in Ecolab during the first quarter worth approximately $300,000. Geller Advisors LLC grew its stake in Ecolab by 12.4% during the first quarter. Geller Advisors LLC now owns 1,345 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $238,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the period. Stevens Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Ecolab during the first quarter worth approximately $314,000. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC grew its stake in Ecolab by 94.4% in the first quarter. Pearl River Capital LLC now owns 4,216 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $744,000 after acquiring an additional 2,047 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.76% of the companys stock.

Ecolab Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Ecolab, Inc engages in the provision of products and services in the field of water, hygiene, and energy. It operates through the following segments: Global Industrial, Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Energy & Life Science, and Other. The Global Industrial segment consists of the water, food and beverage, paper, and downstream operating segments.

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ESAB Co. (NYSE:ESAB  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 912,800 shares, an increase of 14.7% from the March 31st total of 796,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 283,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.2 days. Currently, 1.6% of the companys shares are sold short.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Christopher M. Hix sold 4,721 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.65, for a total transaction of $272,165.65. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 41,363 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,384,576.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other ESAB news, Director Christopher M. Hix sold 4,721 shares of ESAB stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.65, for a total value of $272,165.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 41,363 shares in the company, valued at $2,384,576.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Rhonda L. Jordan sold 3,810 shares of ESAB stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.39, for a total transaction of $233,895.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,311 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $326,042.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 10,977 shares of company stock valued at $647,322. 7.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On ESAB

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its stake in ESAB by 33.4% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 46,334 shares of the companys stock worth $2,737,000 after acquiring an additional 11,599 shares during the period. Oak Family Advisors LLC raised its holdings in ESAB by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Oak Family Advisors LLC now owns 63,872 shares of the companys stock worth $3,773,000 after acquiring an additional 958 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in ESAB in the 1st quarter worth $1,061,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in ESAB by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 18,579 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,097,000 after purchasing an additional 758 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System raised its stake in shares of ESAB by 2.7% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,926 shares of the companys stock worth $823,000 after buying an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.23% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ESAB Stock Down 1.1 %

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on ESAB shares. Bank of America assumed coverage on ESAB in a research note on Monday, March 20th. They issued a neutral rating and a $63.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of ESAB from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of ESAB from $61.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on ESAB from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, ESAB currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $65.20.

Shares of ESAB stock traded down $0.62 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $57.38. 40,759 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 278,244. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $58.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $51.74. ESAB has a 12-month low of $32.12 and a 12-month high of $63.32. The stock has a market cap of $3.45 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88.

ESAB Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.35%. ESABs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.41%.

ESAB Company Profile

(Get Rating)

ESAB Corporation engages in the formulation, development, manufacture, and supply of consumable products and equipment for use in cutting, joining, and automated welding, as well as gas control equipment. Its comprehensive range of welding consumables includes electrodes, cored and solid wires, and fluxes using a range of specialty and other materials; and cutting consumables comprising electrodes, nozzles, shields, and tips.

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Formidable Asset Management LLC lessened its holdings in Garmin Ltd. (NYSE:GRMN  Get Rating) by 33.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,939 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after selling 2,000 shares during the quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLCs holdings in Garmin were worth $364,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Federated Hermes Inc. bought a new position in Garmin in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Garmin during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in shares of Garmin by 45.2% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 363 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of Garmin by 119.2% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 388 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Garmin during the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Institutional investors own 63.29% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on GRMN shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Garmin from $108.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Barclays increased their price target on Garmin from $97.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. TheStreet raised Garmin from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, March 13th. StockNews.com began coverage on Garmin in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Tigress Financial reaffirmed a strong-buy rating and set a $165.00 price objective on shares of Garmin in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Five research 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $117.80.

Insider Buying and Selling at Garmin

Garmin Price Performance

In other Garmin news, Director Sean Biddlecombe sold 867 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.71, for a total value of $85,581.57. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,130 shares in the company, valued at $605,092.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link . In other news, CEO Clifton A. Pemble sold 7,216 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.54, for a total value of $711,064.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 120,460 shares in the company, valued at $11,870,128.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Sean Biddlecombe sold 867 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.71, for a total value of $85,581.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at $605,092.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 16,610 shares of company stock worth $1,635,921. 20.34% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Shares of GRMN stock opened at $98.32 on Tuesday. Garmin Ltd. has a 1-year low of $76.37 and a 1-year high of $114.39. The stocks 50-day moving average is $97.99 and its 200 day moving average is $96.42. The company has a market cap of $18.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.51, a PEG ratio of 3.34 and a beta of 0.94.

Garmin (NYSE:GRMN  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 22nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.21. Garmin had a return on equity of 16.41% and a net margin of 20.03%. The company had revenue of $1.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.32 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.55 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Garmin Ltd. will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.

Garmin Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Garmin Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of navigation, communications and information devices, most of which are enabled by Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. It operates through the following segments: Marine, Outdoor, Fitness, Auto OEM, Consumer Auto, and Aviation.

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Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BXMT  Get Rating) by 57.2% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 18,390 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 6,689 shares during the quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLCs holdings in Blackstone Mortgage Trust were worth $389,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Fox Run Management L.L.C. bought a new stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $485,000. Fiduciary Group LLC bought a new stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $210,000. Karpas Strategies LLC increased its stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Karpas Strategies LLC now owns 86,450 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,830,000 after purchasing an additional 1,720 shares in the last quarter. LDR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. LDR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,971,714 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $41,741,000 after purchasing an additional 90,859 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arete Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $807,720,180,000. 54.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on BXMT shares. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price target on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $25.00 to $18.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $23.00 to $18.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $24.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Four investment 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, Blackstone Mortgage Trust currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $19.80.

Blackstone Mortgage Trust Stock Down 2.0 %

Blackstone Mortgage Trust Dividend Announcement

BXMT stock opened at $17.88 on Tuesday. Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. has a twelve month low of $16.60 and a twelve month high of $31.48. The stock has a market cap of $3.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.76 and a beta of 1.33. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $18.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.81.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 13.87%. Blackstone Mortgage Trusts payout ratio is currently 163.16%.

Insider Activity

In other Blackstone Mortgage Trust news, Director Henry N. Nassau bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $17.81 per share, with a total value of $178,100.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 127,348 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,268,067.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, Director Henry N. Nassau acquired 10,000 shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $17.81 per share, with a total value of $178,100.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 127,348 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,268,067.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Michael B. Nash acquired 50,000 shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $18.86 per share, for a total transaction of $943,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 468,455 shares in the company, valued at $8,835,061.30. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 1.06% of the companys stock.

Blackstone Mortgage Trust Profile

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Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc is a real estate finance company, which engages in originating senior loans collateralized by commercial real estate. Its investment objective is to preserve and protect shareholder capital while producing risk-adjusted returns primarily through dividends generated from current income from its loan portfolio.

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Vaughan David Investments LLC IL increased its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP  Get Rating) by 4.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 92,957 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,800 shares during the quarter. Vaughan David Investments LLC ILs holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF were worth $13,130,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of RSP. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF in the 4th quarter worth $2,404,000. Boston Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF in the 4th quarter worth $205,000. Edge Capital Group LLC grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 60.1% in the 4th quarter. Edge Capital Group LLC now owns 28,117 shares of the companys stock worth $3,971,000 after purchasing an additional 10,554 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 3,002,656 shares of the companys stock worth $424,125,000 after purchasing an additional 386,109 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC now owns 19,273 shares of the companys stock worth $2,722,000 after purchasing an additional 348 shares during the last quarter.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA RSP opened at $145.01 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.13 and a beta of 1.05. The companys fifty day moving average is $143.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $144.13. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has a 52-week low of $124.92 and a 52-week high of $155.71.

About Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF

Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, formerly Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible, the daily performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index (the Index). The Index is a capitalization-weighted index covering 500 industrial, utility, transportation and financial companies of the United States markets (mostly NYSE Euronext issues).

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Kadant (NYSE:KAI  Get Rating) updated its FY23 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided EPS guidance of $8.90-9.15 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $9.00. The company issued revenue guidance of $910-935 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $911.94 million. Kadant also updated its Q2 guidance to $2.05-2.15 EPS.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on KAI. Barrington Research reissued an outperform rating and set a $229.00 price target on shares of Kadant in a report on Monday, February 13th. DA Davidson lifted their price target on shares of Kadant from $182.00 to $205.00 in a report on Friday, February 17th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Kadant from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd.

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Kadant Price Performance

KAI traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $186.38. The company had a trading volume of 59,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 65,854. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.95. The company has a market capitalization of $2.18 billion, a PE ratio of 18.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.20. Kadant has a twelve month low of $154.19 and a twelve month high of $221.27. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $201.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $192.38.

Kadant Increases Dividend

Kadant ( NYSE:KAI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $2.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.00 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $232.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $219.09 million. Kadant had a net margin of 13.37% and a return on equity of 17.48%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.31 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Kadant will post 8.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 12th will be given a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 11th. This is a boost from Kadants previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Kadants dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.21%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kadant

In other news, CFO Michael J. Mckenney sold 2,335 shares of Kadant stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.73, for a total transaction of $485,049.55. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 24,653 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,121,167.69. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CFO Michael J. Mckenney sold 2,335 shares of Kadant stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.73, for a total transaction of $485,049.55. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 24,653 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,121,167.69. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Michael J. Mckenney sold 1,301 shares of Kadant stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.07, for a total transaction of $260,291.07. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 23,352 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,672,034.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 5,780 shares of company stock worth $1,179,960. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kadant

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of KAI. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Kadant during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new position in Kadant during the 4th quarter worth approximately $222,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP bought a new position in Kadant during the 1st quarter worth approximately $287,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its stake in Kadant by 11.3% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 1,719 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $333,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new position in Kadant during the 1st quarter worth approximately $335,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.84% of the companys stock.

About Kadant

(Get Rating)

Kadant Inc is a global supplier of critical components and engineered systems used in process industries worldwide. The firms products, technologies, and services play an integral role in enhancing process efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in resource-intensive industries.

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Provident Trust Co. bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 2,557,130 shares of the airlines stock, valued at approximately $86,099,000. Southwest Airlines makes up 2.3% of Provident Trust Co.s portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Provident Trust Co. owned approximately 0.43% of Southwest Airlines at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 247.5% in the 1st quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 702 shares of the airlines stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Cowa LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. First Community Trust NA bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Byrne Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 290.3% in the 4th quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 1,288 shares of the airlines stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 958 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.71% of the companys stock.

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Southwest Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of LUV stock traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $30.24. 442,795 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,977,318. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $31.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.15. Southwest Airlines Co. has a fifty-two week low of $28.81 and a fifty-two week high of $48.18.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $5.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.73 billion. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.65% and a return on equity of 6.99%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 21.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.32) earnings per share. Analysts predict that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 29th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 8th were paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 7th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Southwest Airliness payout ratio is 72.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LUV has been the subject of several recent research reports. Redburn Partners cut Southwest Airlines from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $40.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. StockNews.com started coverage on Southwest Airlines in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Susquehanna cut Southwest Airlines from a positive rating to a neutral rating and set a $40.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, January 11th. Raymond James decreased their target price on Southwest Airlines from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 5th. Finally, Barclays cut Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $42.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $45.15.

Southwest Airlines Profile

(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.

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Tnf LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Get Rating) by 7.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 235,467 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 17,143 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF accounts for 5.2% of Tnf LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Tnf LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $11,477,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 5.8% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 41,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,100,000 after buying an additional 2,299 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 12.3% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 15,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $754,000 after purchasing an additional 1,640 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 78.1% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 38,808 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,951,000 after purchasing an additional 17,015 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $16,807,000. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 13.9% in the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 450,991 shares of the companys stock worth $22,667,000 after purchasing an additional 55,103 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance

Shares of EFV opened at $50.13 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $16.72 billion, a PE ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.86. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 52-week low of $49.15 and a 52-week high of $59.57. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $48.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.89.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value 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 Value 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.

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Country

Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. 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
The Soviet Union had a love and hate relationship with Jewish people. Jews had settled in many countries like Armenia, Belarus before the USSR was formed through Bolshevik revolution. On one hand, the persecuted Jews under Tsarist Russia were given reprieve under communist Russia, in the form of inclusivity of all, on the other hand there was still discrimination and repression for Soviet Jews. In the spring of 1918 widespread anti-Jewish violence was perpetrated by members of the Red Guard in the former Pale of Settlement.

Lenins speech of 1919 related his wishes for an end to the repression of the Jews:

The Tsarist police, in alliance with the landowners and the capitalists, organized pogroms against the Jews. The landowners and capitalists tried to divert the hatred of the workers and peasants who were tortured by want against the Jews.  Only the most ignorant and downtrodden people can believe the lies and slander that are spread about the Jews.  It is not the Jews who are the enemies of the working people. The enemies of the workers are the capitalists of all countries. Among the Jews there are working people, and they form the majority. They are our brothers, who, like us, are oppressed by capital; they are our comrades in the struggle for socialism. Among the Jews there are kulaks, exploiters and capitalists, just as there are among the Russians, and among people of all nations Rich Jews, like rich Russians, and the rich in all countries, are in alliance to oppress, crush, rob and disunite the workers Shame on accursed Tsarism, which tortured and persecuted the Jews. Shame on those who foment hatred towards the Jews, who foment hatred towards other nations

Lenin was supported by the Labour Zionist (Poale Zion) movement, then under the leadership of Marxist theorist Ber Borochov, which was fighting for the creation of a Jewish workers state in Palestine and also participated in the October Revolution (and in the Soviet political scene afterwards until being banned by Stalin in 1928). While Lenin remained opposed to outward forms of antisemitism (and all forms of racism), he actively allowed Jewish people a platform to rise to the highest offices in both party and state.

So, if communism was relatively good for the Jewish people in Soviet Russia, not including the horrific purges of Jews during the Second World War, why is there such animosity with the far leftists in Britain today? The recent anti-Semitic cartoon by Martin Rowson, and his insincere apology, is a weird anomaly within the so-called inclusive Marxist communists of the Guardian newspaper.

Martin Rowson recently apologised after he was accused of using notorious anti-Semitic tropes in an illustration about Richard Sharps resignation as BBC chairman.

As a caricaturist and illustrator, Rowson has certainly a great body of work under his belt despite being a communist.

One could postulate that the artist was fuelled by his anti-capitalist fervour as a Bolshevik cartoonist who just like his communist hero, Jeremy Corbyn, is staunchly fighting the success of certain people who just happen to be Jewish.

Why is a successful Jewish person feared and detested so much? Well, in the eyes of the far-leftist communist Guardian newspaper, all forms of success in business, media, and finance are seen as the antithesis of communism and socialism where every person is as poor as everyone else; that is apart from the soviet party hierarchy who dress in drab uniforms but revel in luxury while the proles bow to them in the streets. Israel is also a contentious issue with the Guardian, as it always sides with the Palestinians and other Arab or Persian entities out to destroy it. Certainly, Israel does not pull back on retribution to the daily numerous attacks on its state, but any nation would do the same if they were plonked right in the middle of a vipers nest. What the Guardian does not understand is that conquest trumps everything, and the Jewish diaspora won that land through conquest, as did every other nation win their own patch of land.

If Rowson was a true artist he would never have apologised, but he did with a 1000-word grovelling apology that appeased no one and only made him look like a simpering fool. No artist should ever have to explain themselves, and any that does is not a true artist.

Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party was overtly anti-Semitic, and the new Labour leader Keir Starmer is trying to distance itself from those horrid dark days of the Corbynite Labour shite festival of madness.

The thing is, the Corbynites are still out there, they are still in the Guardian and all over the place. Communism and Wokism is now a very large part of Britain, one only has to look at the power of the trade unions and the daily strikes blighting the country. The NHS is the ultimate bastion of communism in the UK, as it is the largest employer by far, it was created by socialist/communists and although it has been good for the UK as a whole, it is still a symbol of communism, and in its frail oversubscribed age, it has been damaged by the communists themselves. By opening the immigration doors to Britain, it was Tony Blair who single-handedly damaged the NHS because of the immense mass of people using it. As mass immigration continues daily, eventually the oversubscribed NHS, that vast symbol of communism, will totally crumble as the unsustainable force of people begging for its service pulls it under for the last time.

As for blathering pathetic apologies, please do not bother with those. Its just ugly and sad. Even the Jews probably want to vomit at the sight of it all.
Free Event

The agency is joining forces with its community partners and other major employers for a community career fair on May 24, 2023.

You bring the ambition; RTA will provide the drive  that is the slogan of the Greater Dayton RTAs first-ever community career fair.

The agency is joining forces with its community partners and other major employers for a community career fair on May 24, 2023. The career fair will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the RTAs concourse located at Wright Stop Plaza, 4 S. Main St., in downtown Dayton. Career opportunities include bus drivers, mechanics, health care workers, administrative and customer service positions and more!

In addition to the RTA, representatives from the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, the Dayton Veterans Administration, CenterPoint Energy, Crocs and PSA Airlines will be in attendance to speak with job seekers. Each employer is conveniently located along one of the RTAs routes and potential employees can use the RTA to get to and from work.

Some employers, including the RTA, will be doing in-person, onsite interviews. There will also be an application station where job seekers can fill out online applications in real time. Members of the Employment Opportunity Center will be in attendance to help people with their job search.

Rides will be free systemwide on May 24. Free parking will be available in the RTAs gated lot located next to the Wright Stop Plaza office along Third Street. If that lot is full, the RTA suggests people park in the city-owned, pay-to-park garage in the Oregon District at the corner of East Fifth and South Jefferson streets. From there, people can catch a free ride on The Flyer from the bus stop outside the garage on East Fifth Street to the bus stop on Main Street across the street from Wright Stop Plaza.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao held a high-level meeting with ministers and senior officials at the newly inaugurated Secretariat office on Tuesday. (Photo: Twitter)

Hyderabad: Providing relief to farmers who have suffered significant losses as a result of the unseasonal rains for the past week, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Tuesday announced that the state government will purchase damaged and soaked paddy stocks currently lying in market yards at MSP (minimum support price).

In an appeal to farmers not to be worried, the CM directed officials to take prompt action to purchase such paddy stocks at MSP.

He also directed officials to conduct a study on the feasibility of advancing the rabi season so that it ends in March, so that the unseasonal rains do not damage the crops.

At a high-level meeting with ministers and senior officials held at the newly inaugurated Secretariat office on Tuesday, the CM reviewed the situation arising out of unseasonal rains and hailstorms that caused extensive damage to standing crops and paddy stocks lying at government procurement centres.

The CM appealed to the farmers to postpone paddy harvesting for three or four days in the wake of weather officials predicting rains for four more days in the state.

He also directed the agriculture department to conduct a thorough study on preparing farmers to advance rabi sowing season to ensure that harvesting is completed before March, as opposed to now, when farmers harvest crops in April and May, when the state is witnessing unseasonal rains and hailstorms, causing farmers massive losses.

By advancing the rabi sowing season and ensuring harvest before March, the problem of broken rice could also be resolved, he said. Rao said that a higher quantity of broken rice will be produced from the paddy harvested in April and May due to the severe heat prevailing in these months. The Centre will not procure broken rice and it will cause losses to both the state government and the farmers.

Rao directed the agriculture department to organise extensive outreach programmes to sensitise farmers on advancing the rabi sowing season. He asked them to utilise Rythu Vedikas to hold meetings with the farmers and sensitise them on changing agriculture methods.

Rao directed Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari to conduct surprise inspections of Rythu Vedikas in districts to find whether agriculture officials were available to farmers in Rythu Vedikas.

The CM reminded that the state government announced `10,000 per acre compensation to farmers who suffered losses due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms in March. He directed officials to submit reports on crop loss due to recent rains and hailstorms to enable the government to take a decision on extending compensation accordingly.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. (File Photo)

Hyderabad: After a gap of four-and-a-half months, BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was expected to leave for New Delhi on Wednesday for the inauguration of the permanent national party office in Vasant Vihar on May 4.

While the schedule was yet to be confirmed, and there was no word on how long he would stay in the national capital, Rao is expected to perform 'yagam' at the BRS office on May 4 before its inauguration. Roads and buildings minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy and BRS Rajya Sabha member Joginapally Santosh Kumar have been camping in New Delhi for two days to oversee the arrangements for the event.

Rao last visited New Delhi on December 12 to inaugurate the BRS temporary office on Sardar Patel Road and stayed for five days before returning on December 16. During his stay, Rao held meetings with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, and leaders of farmers' associations from several states to discuss a possible non-BJP partnership to emerge as a strong alternative to the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Union ministry of housing and urban affairs in October 2020 allotted 1,100 sq. m. of land at Vasant Vihar in New Delhi to the TRS (now BRS) for the construction of party office. The CM laid the foundation stone in September 2021 and the construction was completed in 20 months.

The CM is focussed on expansion of the BRS in Maharashtra, where he has held three public meetings and admitted local leaders from various parties into the BRS fold. In the first phase, the CM has decided to set up four party offices in four major cities in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Aurangabad.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge releases party manifesto for Karnataka Assembly elections (Twitter)

New Delhi: Close on the heels of the BJP manifesto, the Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka. The party decided to call its manifesto "Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota", which translates to "Peaceful garden of all communities". The Congress' vision document reiterated five guarantees: Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi & Shakti. Speaking at the launch, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "I am giving the sixth guarantee that these poll guarantees will surely be implemented in the first Cabinet meeting on the first day of the government formation."

The Congress, in its manifesto, took a strong stand and decisive action against individuals and organisations "spreading hatred" amongst communities on grounds of caste and religion. The manifesto read: "We believe that the law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like the Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law, including imposing a ban on any such organisations."

While stating that the reservation quota will be increased to 75 per cent to accommodate the hopes of SC, ST, OBC and minorities, the party promised to restore the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims, which was scrapped by the BJP government.

With regard to the internal reservation announced by the BJP government, the Congress manifesto states, "The Justice A.J. Sadashiva Commission report on internal reservation will be placed in the first session of the legislature session. The caste census report will be implemented."

The Congress also announced that it will repeal all "unjust and anti-people laws" passed by the BJP government within one year, besides repealing the anti-farmers laws enacted by the BJP government. It has also announced that all "politically motivated" cases against farmers will be withdrawn.

The Congress made it clear that the National Education Policy will be rejected and a state education policy will be announced. "The Congress will restore the true values of Bharat and Karnataka and the scientific temper in text books. The BJP government has distorted text books by insulting Basavanna and Kuvempu," according to the manifesto.

The salaries of anganwadi and mini-anganwadi workers will be enhanced to Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively and the police personnel on night duty will get an additional allowance of Rs 5,000 per month along with a months salary extra every year.

The MSP will be based on the recommendation of the Agriculture Price Commission, it said, adding that under the Ksheera Kranti scheme, a target will be set to produce 1.5-crore litres of milk daily in Karnataka. It also promised to enhance the farmer's financial incentive from Rs 5 to Rs 7 per litre. Under the Matsya Kranthi scheme, Rs 12,000 crores will be invested to improve income in the blue economy. The Congress has also promised to complete the Yettinahole irrigation project within 2 years of coming to power.

The state is going to the polls on May 10, and the counting is on May 13.
Ajit Pawar (PTI Photo)

Mumbai: Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday refused to comment on the claims made in party chief Sharad Pawars autobiography that he misused his uncles name to misguide MLAs to join the BJP government in 2019. The veteran politician has said that he was then shocked by Ajits swearing-in with Devendra Fadnavis.

"I was shocked when I got a call on November 23, 2019, around 6.30 am that Ajit and a few NCP MLAs were at Raj Bhavan and Ajit was taking oath with Fadnavis," Pawar said in the second part of his memoir Lok Majhe Sangti.

"When I made calls to a few MLAs who were at Raj Bhavan, I got to know that only 10 MLAs have reached there and one of them told me that it is happening because I support this. But this was a plan for the central BJP to fail the plan of MVA (Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi). I called Uddhav Thackeray immediately and told him that whatever Ajit has done is wrong and NCP and I don't support that. My name was used to take NCP MLAs to Raj Bhavan. I asked him to join me in the press conference at 11 am," Pawar wrote.

When asked about it, Ajit Pawar said that he does not want to talk on the matter . "I am not aware of anything as I have not read the book yet. I will speak in detail only after reading the book," he said.

Calling Ajit 'a sentimental person' in his book, the Pawar Senior said the former might have taken the decision (to join hands with the BJP) in a heat of moment. He said, "During the formation of MVA government, talks with the Congress were not held in a transparent manner. Due to stubborn approach of the Congress leaders, problems were arising every day. Hence it felt that it was difficult to stay together and there is no point in carrying on with the talks. Ajit is sentimental person and he might taken the decision in the heat of moment," Pawar said.

In 2019, in one of the biggest political surprises, then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari lifted central rule and sworn in Fadnavis as chief minister and Ajit Pawar as deputy CM in an early morning ceremony on November 23, 2019. But the government collapsed in just three days as Ajit could not persuade enough MLAs to defect with him. Later, he returned to the NCP fold and Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as chief minister with the backing of the NCP and Congress.

Pawar, in his autobiography, also slammed Thackeray saying the latter failed to quell the discontent within his own party and resigned as Maharashtra chief minister without putting up a fight.

"The Sena leadership fell short in quelling this outburst of discontent. As Uddhav resigned without putting up a fight (after Eknath Shinde and other Sena MLAs rebelled against him in June 2022), the MVA's stint in power came to an end," the veteran politician wrote.

The MVA was not just an alliance for power but a coming together of the opposition against the BJP. The alliance could have challenged the BJP at the national level. We all knew that there will be desperate attempts to break this alliance. The government collapsed because Uddhav resigned without giving a fight, he said.

Pawar also alleged that the BJP had plotted to eliminate then ally Shiv Sena in the 2019 Maharashtra election as it was convinced that was necessary for its own growth in the state, he claimed.

"The BJP rubbed salt on the Sena's wounds by merging Narayan Rane's Swabhiman Party with it. Rane is seen as a traitor by the Shiv Sena. The BJP also fielded and supported rebel candidates in nearly 50 constituencies against the Shiv Sena. It was an attempt to damage the Sena by decreasing their numbers to have an undisputed claim on power," Pawar wrote.
Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, in Hospet, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The BJP pushed hard in the Lingayat bastion in central Karnataka on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the charge. Addressing a rally at Chitradurga in central Karnataka, the Prime Minister hit out at the Congress, saying that the party has a "history of appeasing terrorism and terrorists".

With 35 seats, central Karnataka has apparently emerged as a "key" to the BJP's electoral fortunes, a party strategist indicated. Of the 35 Assembly berths, the BJP won 24 seats during the 2018 state polls. In its poll manifesto released on Monday, the BJP made a host of promises for the central region of the state.

The Prime Minister addressed the rally with guns blazing and lashed out at the Congress for proposing to ban the Bajrang Dal in its election manifesto. "First they locked up Lord Ram and now the party (Congress) has promised to lock up those who chant Jai Bajrang Bali," the Prime Minister thundered.

The Prime Minister swooped down on the Congress within hours of the party releasing its election manifesto for the May 10 Assembly elections.

Targeting the sentiments of the majority community, the Prime Minister said, "I have come to the land of Hanuman. I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to pay obeisance to the land of Hanuman, but see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanuman's land, the Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman."

Accusing the Congress of going soft on terrorists and terrorism, the Prime Minister said that "when the Batla House encounter happened in Delhi, there were tears in the eyes of Congress's topmost leader." He went on: "When surgical strikes happened, when air strikes happened, the Congress raised questions on the capability of the country's defence forces."

The Prime Minister maintained that the Congress had left Karnataka to the "rahemokaram" (mercy) of the terrorists and it was the BJP that took on the terrorists and "ended the game of appeasement". The Prime Minister reminded the electorate that "it is important for a state to be safe".

Later, speaking at Hospet, also known as Vijayanagara, the Prime Minister said that the "Vijayanagara dynasty and its history were the pride of India." Referring to the emperor, Sri Krishnadevaraya, the Prime Minister pointed out that he had strengthened business ties with various countries and had made the culture of Karnataka famous worldwide.

As the Prime Minister zeroed in on central Karnataka, the state chief minister Basavaraj Bommai had earlier highlighted his government's contribution to the region. He pointed out that the government had allocated `200 crores to the Tumkur-Chitradurga-Davangere rail project, the Central assistance of `5,300 crores to the Upper Bhadra project, `738 crores were granted for the de-silting and modernisation of Vani Vilas Sagara canals and the two-lane Hospet-Chitradurga national highway's upgrade to a four-lane expressway.

The chief minister also spoke of funds allocated for the development of new industrial clusters in Molakalmuru in Chitradurga and nine other places and 69 projects started under the Davanagere Smart City Mission at a cost of Rs 441 crores.

Mr Bommai also claimed that the Congress was "indulging in cheap rhetoric" because they feared losing the state election. The chief minister stressed on the "importance" of a double-engine government and accused the Opposition of dabbling in a "negative" campaign.
The BJP and several right wing organisations have taken on the Congress for a poll promise in the manifesto, where it says that if it comes to power, the Congress will ban the Bajrang Dal as well as the Peoples Front of India. The ruling party said that the Congress was trying to safe the PFI, while activists of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad held demonstrations outside the Congress office in Delhi.

In its poll manifesto, the Congress said it is committed to taking actions against individuals and organisations that spread hate among communities on grounds of caste or religion. We believe that law and Constitution is sacrosanct and can not be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred  We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations, the manifesto states.

Read | Congress releases manifesto, promises 'Paradise of Peace' in Karnataka

At the BJP headquarters in Delhi, spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the Congress manifesto was a bundle of lies. This is audacious and the height of appeasement politics. This is the Congress attempt to save PFI by insulting Lord Hanuman, Patra told reporters.

He added that the people of Karnataka will not tolerate the insult. The people of the state will give a reply to the Congress when they go to vote on May 10, Patra said.

VHP president Vipin Bansal said that opposing Hindu organisations or sentiments is not new for the Congress. The Congresss sole aim is to appease Muslim terrorists. By equating the Bajrang Dal to the PFI, the Congress has ensured its exit from Karnataka. They are comparing a nationalistic organisation with a traitorous organisation, he said.

The PM, too, said at an election rally that the Congress was trying to cage Hanuman.

In response, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that Modi must apologise for comparing Bajrang Dal to Bajrangbali. How dare the prime minister compare Bajrang Dal of Dhruv Saxena-ISI fame with Lord Bajrang Bali. The PM must speak to his own minister Jyotiraditya Scindia who, in 2017, said that the Bajrang Dal has links with the ISI, Khera said.

Party general secretary and karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala took to twitter and said that to compare Lord Hanuman to any individual or organisation is an insult and that the PM is hurting the feelings and sentiments of millions of Hanuman devotees. For Modi ji and BJP, each election is about divisions on ground of religion instead of answering the basic issues of nauseating corruption, back breaking price rise, rampant unemployment, ugly and unacceptable concentration of wealth and an all pervading atmosphere of hate, read Surjewalas tweet.
With mere days left for the Karnataka Assembly elections, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge released the Congress party's manifesto on Tuesday for the poll-bound state.

Karnataka state unit president D K Shivakumar and former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah were present during the event in Bengaluru.

The release of the grand old party's document comes a day after the BJP, in a meeting chaired by J P Nadda, released its manifesto for the elections.

Karnataka goes to polls on May 10 and counting is scheduled for May 13.

More to follow...
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday he is arranging a trip to South Korea for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol in return for his March visit to Tokyo, aiming to further strengthen their ties before the upcoming Group of Seven summit.

Tokyo and Seoul have been working to repair relations that were strained over wartime history disputes as they deepen three-way security cooperation with Washington in response to growing regional threats from North Korea and China.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Ghana as part of his multi-nation trip to Africa and Singapore, Kishida said he hopes to visit May 7-8 and exchange views with Yoon on ways to speed up the bolstering of bilateral ties and discuss regional and global issues.

Also Read | 'I had no damn idea you could sing': Yoon's 'American Pie' stuns Biden

If my South Korea visit is achieved ahead of the G7 summit, I expect it will be a great opportunity to give impetus to our shuttle diplomacy' and have a heart-to-heart exchange of our views on accelerating Japan-South Korea ties and drastically changing the global situation, said Kishida, who is hosting the May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima.

Kishida will be the first Japanese leader to visit South Korea since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Pyeongchang Olympics in February 2018. The two leaders are expected to focus on their cooperation and responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

Japan and South Korea want to ensure their relations are on track for considerable recovery ahead of G7, where Yoon is invited as one of eight outreach nations. The two leaders are also expected to hold a trilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines.

Washington has been stepping up cooperation with its key Asian allies.

Also Read | US nuclear submarine to visit S Korea to send message to Pyongyang

Yoon was in Washington last week and won a stronger US commitment on extended nuclear deterrence, including improved information sharing and nuclear submarine visits to South Korea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was at the White House on Monday and Biden reiterated US commitment to the Philippines' security and noted the deep friendship between the two nations.

Ties between Japan and South Korea have improved rapidly since March when Yoon's government announced plans to use South Korean funds to compensate forced labourers without requiring contributions from Japan.

The plan aims to end a dispute stemming from South Korean court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean workers for abusive treatment and forced labour during World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was a Japanese colony.

Since Yoon's trip to Japan in March, Tokyo and Seoul have mostly resolved their trade disputes. The two sides also held the first talks between their finance ministers in seven years, seeking strengthened cooperation in resilient supply chains amid China's growing influence.
Pakistani security forces on Monday claimed to have killed a notorious Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander who was involved in multiple attacks on law enforcement agencies and polio teams.

Abdul Jabar Shah of the banned TTP Gandapur group was killed in an intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering South Waziristan tribal district. Two terrorists were also injured in the operation.

Also Read | Pakistan PM Sharif, Minister Hina Khar's discussion on US-China tussle leaked



The terrorist commander was involved in attacks on law enforcement agencies, religious groups, polio teams and extortion for the TTP.

This is the second consecutive success of law enforcement agencies in the area.

The outlawed TTP has increased the attacks in recent months and has apparently become stronger since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban.

The militant group, set up as an umbrella group of several militant outfits in 2007, called off a ceasefire with the federal government and ordered its militants to stage terrorist attacks across the country.
Amidst a large presence of Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean, the top brass of the Indian defence establishment has fanned out to Indias maritime neighbours to further boost New Delhis ties with these island nations that are strategically significant to India to keep an eye on the growing Chinese naval activities.

While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Maldives where handed over two military ships to the Maldives National Defence Forces, Navy Chief Admiral R Harikumar is in Singapore to take part in the maiden ASEAN-India maritime exercise.

The Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari is touring Sri Lanka to enhance the bonds of mutual cooperation between the two nations, official sources said.

Also Read | Rajnath Singh on 3-day visit to Maldives from Monday

While handing over a fast patrol vessel and a landing craft assault ship to the Maldives, Singh said neighbourhood first was Indias priority and among the neighbourhood, Maldives was a priority.

The defence minister is in Male for a three-day visit during which he had bilateral talks with his counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi and called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Singh also met Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

Singhs visit comes three months after Foreign Minister S Jaishankar travelled to Maldives where he handed over two sea ambulances (special boats to ferry patients) to the island nation.

India 2021 signed an agreement with the Maldives to develop, support and maintain a harbour at Uthuru Thila Falhu naval base. While the base is officially for Maldivian forces, it may turn into a strategic asset for New Delhi in future. Earlier India installed a coastal radar network in Maldives consisting of 10 radar stations to keep an eye on the Indian Ocean.

Addressing a conclave in New Delhi last week, Navy Chief Admiral Harikumar spoke about a large presence of Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean and how the Indian Navy kept a close watch. He also said the navy was aware of the docking of various PLA Navy ships at Pakistan ports.

The issues of concerns that he flagged in Delhi are likely to be deliberated among the Navy chiefs of 10 ASEAN nations who have congregated at Singapore for the inaugural India-ASEAN maritime exercise in which Indian warships INS Delhi and INS Satpura will participate.

The harbour phase of the exercise is to be held at Changi Naval Base between May 2-4 while the sea phase will be conducted between May 7-8 in the South China Sea. The sea phase in the South China Sea will provide an opportunity for the participating navies to develop closer links in the coordination and execution of operations in the maritime domain, said a Navy official.

Meanwhile, the IAF chief is on a quiet four-day visit to Sri Lanka during which he will call on the President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister besides having discussions with the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commanders of Sri Lanka Air Force, Army & Navy, and the Defence Secretary.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will have to go to jail for spending Rs 45 crore on the renovation of his official residence, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said on Tuesday.

Bidhuri was addressing the protesters who gathered outside Kejriwal's home for the BJP's dharna, which entered the second day on Ruesday.

The BJP on Monday launched an indefinite dharna near Kejriwal's official residence following controversy over the Rs 45-crore renovation.

Also Read: BJP calls Kejriwal 'maharaj' for 45-crore spends on residence 'renovation'

Bidhuri said the chief minister is entitled to Rs 15 lakh for the beautification of his official residence. Instead, Kejriwal spent Rs 45 crore.

"The BJP workers will not rest till Kejriwal is in Tihar Jail," he added.

Alleging that there was a "scam" in the expenditure, the BJP has also demanded Kejriwal's resignation.

Bidhuri said the "misdeeds" of Kejriwal and the AAP have been exposed before the people of Delhi and he will be removed from power in 2025. The BJP will form the government in Delhi after the assembly elections, he claimed.

AAP leaders have said the BJP's attack on Kejriwal was an attempt to divert attention from the real issues faced by the country under the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Congress suddenly remembers its stature as a national party when it is dealing with other parties and this attitude was evident during the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, NCP leader Sharad Pawar has said.

In an updated version of his Marathi autobiography 'Lok Majhe Sangati' (People Accompany Me) which focuses on events post-2015, Pawar accused Congress leaders of stubbornness when discussions were on to form the MVA government.

The unlikely alliance of the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena came into existence after the Sena fell out with the BJP post-2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Also Read | Crying leaders, protesting workers, suicide threat: Pawar resignation triggers range of emotions in NCP

Congress is undoubtedly central to the opposition unity. But when it comes to reconciling with other parties and giving them importance, it suddenly realises its nationwide strength. This is my observation, Pawar wrote in the book, launched here on Tuesday.

He later flagged this "arrogant attitude" of the Congress in an interview where he compared the Grand Old Party to a landlord who has lost his lands and can not maintain his mansion but keeps boasting about past glory, he said.

The Congress's attitude during the talks, which eventually led to the formation of the MVA, tested his patience, and at one point he even felt that the parleys could not continue, Pawar wrote.

Also Read | Sharad Pawar resigns as NCP chief, seeks 2-3 days to reconsider decision

The NCP leader also said the Congress had contested the 2019 Assembly polls with a defeatist mentality, but his and the NCP's aggressive campaign helped the party increase its tally slightly.
Ieq Capital LLC reduced its holdings in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Get Rating) by 36.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,802 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,043 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLCs holdings in Entergy were worth $203,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 8.1% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,122,596 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,415,313,000 after acquiring an additional 908,932 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 2.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,663,740 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,762,741,000 after acquiring an additional 650,775 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 6,018.4% in the third quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 505,869 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $50,906,000 after acquiring an additional 497,601 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 16.9% in the third quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,936,555 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $295,568,000 after acquiring an additional 424,672 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ClearBridge Investments Ltd lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 30.9% in the first quarter. ClearBridge Investments Ltd now owns 1,639,323 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $191,391,000 after acquiring an additional 386,705 shares in the last quarter. 89.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Entergy Stock Down 0.2 %

ETR opened at $107.41 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $106.30 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $108.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87. The company has a market cap of $22.71 billion, a PE ratio of 19.53, a P/E/G ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 0.65. Entergy Co. has a 52 week low of $94.94 and a 52 week high of $122.46.

Entergy Announces Dividend

Entergy ( NYSE:ETR Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The utilities provider reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.20). Entergy had a return on equity of 10.34% and a net margin of 8.17%. The business had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.80 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.32 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Entergy Co. will post 6.69 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 4th will be issued a $1.07 dividend. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 3rd. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 77.82%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ETR has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Entergy from $114.00 to $113.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 19th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Entergy in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Entergy from $131.00 to $117.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Entergy from $97.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Bank of America cut Entergy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $135.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $122.35.

Insider Buying and Selling at Entergy

In other Entergy news, insider Deanna D. Rodriguez sold 300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.96, for a total value of $31,188.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at $339,845.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through 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 stock was sold at an average price of $106.10, for a total value of $1,326,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at $968,586.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Deanna D. Rodriguez sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.96, for a total value of $31,188.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,269 shares in the company, valued at approximately $339,845.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 17,092 shares of company stock valued at $1,821,838. Insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

Entergy Profile

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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.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama cut its stake in shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK  Get Rating) by 3.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 58,252 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 2,128 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in American Water Works were worth $8,879,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AWK. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in American Water Works by 5.1% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 623,854 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $103,268,000 after acquiring an additional 30,316 shares during the last quarter. Aviva PLC lifted its stake in American Water Works by 33.1% in the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 78,509 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $12,996,000 after acquiring an additional 19,512 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in American Water Works by 53.1% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,079 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $344,000 after acquiring an additional 721 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of American Water Works by 2.0% in the first 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. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its position in shares of American Water Works by 21.9% in the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 2,186 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $362,000 after buying an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. 83.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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American Water Works Price Performance

Shares of American Water Works stock opened at $146.59 on Tuesday. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a twelve month low of $122.77 and a twelve month high of $162.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $144.46 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $147.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.57.

American Water Works Increases Dividend

American Water Works ( NYSE:AWK Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.92 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $938.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $903.84 million. American Water Works had a net margin of 21.40% and a return on equity of 10.22%. American Water Workss revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.87 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 4.77 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 9th will be issued a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 8th. This is a boost from American Water Workss previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.93%. American Water Workss payout ratio is currently 62.20%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AWK has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of American Water Works in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of American Water Works from $134.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com cut shares of American Water Works from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Finally, TheStreet cut shares of American Water Works from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $156.00.

About American Water Works

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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.

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Transatlantique Private Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Get Rating) by 12.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,041 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 462 shares during the period. Transatlantique Private Wealth LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $444,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Exxon Mobil by 13.4% in the 4th quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 67,103 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $7,401,433,615,000 after purchasing an additional 7,954 shares during the period. Tilson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Exxon Mobil in the 4th quarter valued at $3,550,000. Agate Pass Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Exxon Mobil by 20.5% in the 4th quarter. Agate Pass Investment Management LLC now owns 19,402 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,140,000 after purchasing an additional 3,303 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems grew its stake in Exxon Mobil by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 327,666 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $36,142,000 after purchasing an additional 1,432 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its stake in Exxon Mobil by 9.2% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 1,932,283 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $213,131,000 after purchasing an additional 162,166 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.49% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE XOM opened at $114.67 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $465.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 1-year low of $80.69 and a 1-year high of $119.92. The stocks 50-day moving average is $111.27 and its 200 day moving average is $110.66.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $86.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.07 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 31.25% and a net margin of 13.47%. Exxon Mobils revenue for the quarter was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.07 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 15th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.17%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is 27.45%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.50, for a total transaction of $288,750.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 31,772 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,669,666. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.06% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

XOM has been the subject of several research reports. Mizuho increased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $140.00 to $147.00 in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $114.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Cowen increased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $108.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Argus increased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $128.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Finally, B. Riley increased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $128.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $125.07.

Exxon Mobil Profile

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Exxon Mobil Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and distribution of oil, gas, and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Upstream, Downstream and Chemical. The Upstream segment produces crude oil and natural gas. The Downstream segment manufactures and trades petroleum products.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama decreased its position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  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 14,408 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 629 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $8,014,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 2,150 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,052,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,020,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,686 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,803,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 22,102 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $10,808,000 after buying an additional 704 shares during the period. Finally, Hancock Whitney Corp boosted its position in W.W. Grainger by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 4,450 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,177,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.76% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other W.W. Grainger news, SVP Kathleen S. Carroll sold 1,690 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $671.56, for a total value of $1,134,936.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 3,275 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,199,359. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, SVP Kathleen S. Carroll sold 1,690 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $671.56, for a total transaction of $1,134,936.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 3,275 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,199,359. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Deidra C. Merriwether sold 4,623 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $664.66, for a total value of $3,072,723.18. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 7,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,054,739.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 55,434 shares of company stock worth $38,315,317. Corporate insiders own 9.90% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

W.W. Grainger Trading Up 0.1 %

GWW has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $785.00 to $800.00 in a research report on Friday. 92 Resources restated a maintains rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Friday. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Loop Capital upped their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $750.00 to $800.00 in a research report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of W.W. Grainger from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating and upped their target price for the stock from $502.00 to $679.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $704.88.

Shares of NYSE:GWW opened at $695.96 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $671.04 and a 200-day moving average of $615.61. The firm has a market cap of $34.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.19. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a twelve month low of $440.48 and a twelve month high of $709.21. The company has a current ratio of 2.70, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $9.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.57 by $1.04. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 61.00% and a net margin of 10.65%. The business had revenue of $4.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $7.07 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 32.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

W.W. Grainger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 5th. This is a positive change from W.W. Graingers previous quarterly dividend of $1.72. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.07%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is currently 21.10%.

W.W. Grainger Profile

(Get Rating)

W.W. Grainger, Inc is a supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products, with operations in North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom. It operates through the following segments: High-Touch Solutions N.A., Endless Assortment, and Other. The High-Touch Solutions N.A. segment is involved in value-added MRO solutions that are rooted in deep product knowledge and customer expertise.

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The inquest into the death of Raychel Ferguson (9) is due to open today..

Raychel, from Coshquin in the city, was one of five children whose hospital treatment was examined in the Hyponatraemia Inquiry, published in January 2018.

Raychel died on June 10, 2001, at the Royal Children's Hospital in Belfast shortly after transfer from Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry following an appendectomy.

In a statement released by the family's solicitor Desmond Doherty, Raychels father and mother, Raymond and Marie Ferguson said: Raychels Inquest is due to begin today. This is after an unlawful Inquest in 2003, a 14-year public Inquiry, and the Attorney General in 2019 Directing a fresh Inquest.

The fact that a second Inquest has been directed in respect of Raychels avoidable death speaks to the culture of cover up that has plagued her death involving the medical and legal professions.

What happened in Raychels case was exposed as much as could be by Judge OHara in his Inquiry Report of 2018, which we welcome and rely on.

It remains to be seen whether the self-serving interests of the medical and legal professions continue, or if the truth is told in the interests of justice. As a family we will wait and see.
People Before Profit Councillor, Damian Gallagher, has called for an urgent clean up and a new public enquiry into toxic waste sites in the Mubuoy area on the outskirts of the city.

The large scale dump sits adjacent to the River Faughan. There are 1.2 million cubic metres of waste contained in the site which is equivalent to 1.7 million tonnes of waste.

Mr Gallagher has explained that in 1992, the DoE commissioned an investigation to assess environmental risks associated with deposits of tarry waste in the Faughan area.

A subsequent report, produced in 1996, examined 23 sites and the presence of tarry waste was confirmed on six sites at Tirbracken Rd, Falloward, Rossdowney Rd, Carnmoney Rd and two at Mobuoy Rd.

They were classified as Category A and the report concluded that the risks posed by tarry waste was low.

Mr Gallagher said: "In 2013, the Environment Minister asked for a health risk assessment to be carried out at Lettershandoney, close to the Tirbracken Rd site, where a Derry City council spokesperson has stated that tarry waste had been dumped between 1968-1972.

"It has also been reported that there appears to be a very high number of people living in Lettershandoney who have been diagnosed with a neurological condition, such as motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's; as well as a high number of people who have had various cancers.

"Following site inspections, assessment of the ENTEC report and discussions with relevant agencies about the tarry waste site at Tirbracken Road, it was concluded in 2014 that the tarry waste was unlikely to present a risk to the health of the occupants of nearby residential property or wider public due to the absence of a credible/ actual pollutant linkage.

"However, recent proposals by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Mobuoy Remediation Project Team now appear to cast serious doubt over these previous reports and assessments.

"These proposals are recommending that the two sites with tarry waste at Mobuoy Rd are removed with off-site disposal. Why has this finding not been urgently applied to the 4 sites at Tirbracken Rd, Falloward, Rossdowney Rd, and Carnmoney Rd, given they were previously categorised as the same as the 2 at Mobuoy? Why has it taken 30 years for this hazard to be properly identified at these 4 other sites?

"People Before Profit have long stood with the activists campaigning for the full clean-up of Mobuoy dump and a public inquiry."

In 2014, Stormont agreed to this Public Inquiry. However, in 2020 the Environment Minister ruled out the inquiry.

Mr Gallagher continued: "We now stand with activists calling for a new Public Inquiry into Mobuoy to include all tarry waste sites across the area. We call for the full implementation of Part 3 of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 that provides the legal provisions for the introduction of a Contaminated Land regime in Northern Ireland equivalent to that operating under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) in England and Scotland since 2000 and in Wales since 2001.

"The Order was enacted in 1997 but the regime is not yet in force. In the absence of such a regime the only role the Council's Environmental Health Service has in relation to contaminated land in general is assessing any planning applications outlining proposals for contaminated sites or adjacent land.

"Further, we call for the immediate remediation of all tarry waste sites across the Faughan area."
The inquest into the deaths of two Derry men shot dead in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6 1984 has been told by a witness that she saw the driver of one of the cars used by the British Army squad and the driver looked 'tense'.

The witness, a woman who worked in the grounds of Gransha Hospital at the time, was giving evidence in the inquest into the deaths of William Fleming (19) from the Waterside and Daniel Doherty (23) from the Creggan area who were shot dead in disputed circumstances at 8am on the morning of December 6 1984.

The woman told the hearing that her husband dropped her off that morning and she was walking towards the office block on a morning she described as 'misty'.

She said she saw a red car doing a three point turn and pulling into a lay by just beside her.

The woman said there was one person in the car and she got the impression that the driver was 'tense'.

The court heard that shortly after this the woman heard 'a burst of gunfire' followed by another burst.

She then said that there then was a third burst that was 'longer more rapid'.

The woman also gave evidence of seeing two other vehicles in the same vicinity and one of them was following a motorbike with one man on it wearing a white crash helmet.

The court heard that the woman was disputing when she made her original statement which was dated in late December 1984.

She told the Coroner, Judge Ian Huddleston, that as far as she remembered on the morning of the incident she was placed in an office, given a cup of tea and then a police officer took her statement.

The hearing continues.
The two-part documentary series The Silent Civil War which shares the epic, poignant and often challenging testimonies of family members of a number of those who were involved in the Civil War in Ireland between 1922 and 1923 concludes tomorrow night (Wednesday) on RTE One and RTE Player.

In the concluding episode Magherafelt's Dermot McKee, a nephew of Drumboe Martyr Sean Larkin, shares his uncle's compelling story.

Dermot describes his uncle's involvement in the Civil War and reads an incredibly moving extract of the last letter Sean Larkin sent to his mother before being executed.

The documentary series has unearthed over 30 hours of previously unheard audio recordings of 32 prominent figures involved in those revolutionary years in Ireland.

Recorded by a young American researcher, Harlan J. Strauss, as part of his post-graduate work in 1972, the tapes feature original recordings of Frank Aiken, Dan Breen, Peadar ODonnell, Maire Comerford, John A. Costello, Ernest Blythe, Sean Dowling among many others. Those tapes have remained untouched for fifty years.

Over 100 hours of unedited material including the Harlan J. Strauss archive and over 80 interviews recorded for the series was recently presented to the National Folklore Collection, where it will now permanently reside.

RTE Director General, Dee Forbes said: "I am so proud of this important two-part documentary series which we are bringing, with the support of our partners, to RTE One and RTE Player and which forms part of the latest chapter of RTEs continuing commemoration of the Decade of Centenaries.

"The inclusion of invaluable memories of the Civil War that were passed on through families and communities throughout Ireland, along with audio recordings of men and women central to this revolutionary period in Irish history bring powerful and significant perspectives to the complicated story which has shaped modern Ireland."

Liam McGrath, Executive Producer of The Silent Civil War said: "It was a great privilege for our team to sit down and record so many people about the stories of the Irish Civil War that were passed down to them. We are delighted that all these interviews will be preserved for future generations to learn from."

Key members of Silent Civil War Memory Project Historical team include: Dr. Conor Mulvagh, UCD School of History, Dr. Criostoir MacCarthaigh, National Folklore Collection, Dr. Mary McAuliffe, Tomas MacConmara, Liz Gillis, Caitlin White, Dr Siobhra Aiken and Thomas OCallaghan.

The Silent Civil War second episode will air on RTE One and the RTE Player this Wednesday, 3rd May, at 9:35pm.
Android 14 is now the talk of the town and is expected to launch at Google I/O 2023. Last year the predecessor Android 13 was released by Google and the major updates were based on performance, privacy, security and certain user customisations. It is believed that the incoming Android 14 will be similar with some crucial new feature highlights.

Android 14 will be available to all users by the end of this year and there is also the opportunity of accessing the early build of the OS in order to understand what new things it brings to the table.

1) Customisable fonts and scaling

Android has always been ahead of everyone when it comes to customisations as per the user. Fonts can now be even bigger than what was available in Android 13. The font can be scaled to 200% instead of 130% and also application of non-linear font scaling will also be available in Android 14.

2) Changes in privacy and security

Android 14 will restrict the installation of any app that hasn't been updated for the longest time possible. So, this would help secure your device as some old apps might just turned out to be a malware app for your phone.

Now, Android can be considered as a mature operating system. Earlier, the third party task managers would do harm in the sense by making Android work much harder than what was necessary. But now the Android 14 version will allow to kill or actually restrict these task managers by not allowing the APIs used by the third party apps too much control over system resources.

4) Separate sliders for the ringtone and notification volume

Majorly all Android phones at the moment have the same volume slider for notification and calls. But according to the reveals, the Android 14 will bring in different sliders for the two. This would just increase the customisation factor of Android phones.

5) Satellite connectivity support

Android 14 will support satellite connectivity which would finally allow users to connect via satellite during an emergency. This is similar to that of iPhones, but finally it is available for Android users as India majorly has Android users in huge numbers.

So, these were just five essential features that Android 14 is bringing in, there are a lot more to consider as well. Talking about its release date, the first beta version 'Beta 1' is already out for testing by the users.

Then it is supposed to be followed by a number of beta versions. The final version is calculated to be released by the third quarter if this year viz. around August or September.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
South Korea developed EUV pellicle with 90% transmittance; commercial use awaits nod from Samsung

South Korean suppliers have developed a EUV pellicle with 90% transmittance. All aspects of the product have reached a level where mass production can begin at any moment. It's just one step away from entering commercial use, only awaiting the go-ahead from Samsung Electronics.

According to a report from Korea's The Elec, South Korea-based S&S Tech and FST have been cooperating with the EUV process to expand the introduction and active R&D of pellicles. S&S Tech has developed a product with 91% transmittance, and FST has also developed a pellicle with nearly 90% transmittance. The two manufacturers have already confirmed their products' durability during the lab test phase.

Samsung has invested in S&S Tech and FST in 2020 and 2021 respectively. It obtained an 8% share in S&S Tech for KRW65.8 billion (approx. US$49.79 million) and a 6.9% share in FST for KRW43 billion to promote pellicle self-production in South Korea.

With the support of Samsung, both companies successfully developed their products in two years. However, Samsung declined to say anything about the commercial use timeline. Samsung clearly needs to introduce EUV pellicle, so its leisurely attitude came as a surprise to the South Korean industry.

According to sources, Samsung is concerned that the high power energy output of the EUV process will break the pellicle, causing EUV equipment failure. This will halt operation and may take days or even weeks to clean up. In addition to cleanup costs, production capacity will also be affected due to production interruption.

In other words, S&S Tech and FST need to actually put their products into Samsung's EUV process to determine the risk of the pellicle breaking and come up with measures to prevent the issues from occurring. However, Samsung is worried about production line interruptions and is therefore unwilling to take the risk of testing the pellicle.

South Korean industry sources stated that to improve the productivity of the EUV process, the pellicle is required. Although tests inevitably involve risk, the only place that can run these tests in South Korea is Samsung. TSMC has had to go through many practical tests on the production line before it could come up with the guidelines it relies on now.

The industry has no spare time to test when the market is booming. Right now, the semiconductor market is in a recession with suppliers reducing production or lowering their production line availability. Industry sources in South Korea believe that now is a good time to accumulate test data for the EUV pellicle. Samsung needs to conduct the test for South Korea's EUV ecosystem to take root.
Li Auto breaks record, delivering more than 25,000 vehicles in a single month

Chinese automaker Li Auto broke new records and became the first high-end electric vehicle (EV) brand in China to deliver more than 25,000 vehicles in a single month. This achievement allowed Li Auto to throw off rivals Xpeng Motors, NIO, and Tesla.

Li Auto stated on May 1, 2023 that the company delivered more than 25,000 cars in April, the highest in history, and more than five times more than in 2022.

According to the South China Morning Post, Li Auto remains on the sidelines of the recent price war between Tesla and local Chinese automakers. It is worth noting that the performance of Li Auto is stable. The company has delivered more than 20,000 vehicles in March 2023, and April marks the second consecutive month for Li Auto to deliver more than 20,000 vehicles - or perhaps more than 25,000 vehicles.

In contrast, Xpeng Motors will deliver 7,079 vehicles in April 2023, which is the same as in March 2023. NIO delivered 6,658 vehicles, down 36% from March 2023. The latest statistics show that Li Auto has become the closest competitor to Tesla in China's high-end EV market. Ideally, nearly 77,000 vehicles will be delivered in March 2023.

Li Auto said that the strong delivery volume is due to the company's L7 model. The five-seater flagship SUV was launched in February 2023 and accounted for nearly 40% of the delivery volume in April. Chairman and CEO Li Xiang said the company delivered more than 10,000 Li L7s in the first month of delivery.

This model has not only become the first choice of luxury five-seater SUV for Chinese families, but also the first time that the price of a five-seater SUV of a Chinese local brand has exceeded CNY300,000.

L7 offers Air, Pro and Max versions, priced at CNY319,800, CNY339,800 and CNY379,800 respectively. The model can travel 1,315 kilometers on a single charge and uses range-extending batteries made by Chinese company Sunwoda Electric Vehicle Battery and Honeycomb Energy. Li Auto uses this battery to expand its customer base and attract more buyers at the top of the pyramid.

At the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, Li Auto announced a product blueprint. It is expected to conduct a beta test of the Li AD Max 3.0 autonomous driving system in the second quarter of 2023, and hopes to launch it in 100 cities in China by the end of 2023.
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Chinese semiconductor investment continues to cool down, says market research firm

China's semiconductor investment landscape continues to cool down, returning to a normality where investors have become more discreet and valuation is more driven by rationality, according to China-based market research firm JW Insights.

In March 2023, 32 financing activities were recorded in China's semiconductor industry, marking a 43% year-on-year decline and a 7% rise compared to February, according to JW Insights.

It is estimated that a total of CNY2 billion was raised during March, a 72% year-on-year decline and a 60% monthly decline. As the research firm indicated, in first-quarter 2023 alone, the Chinese IC design sector has seen a 44% year-on-year reduction in investment activities, seeing 35 financing events compared to 63 in first-quarter 2022.

While the investment landscape of the Chinese chip industry saw a boom in 2021, signs of a cooldown already surfaced as 2022 drew to a close. Starting from the second half of 2022, Chinese semiconductor upstream began to feel the impacts of the cooling consumer demand. Along with the global semiconductor industry in general, the Chinese chip industry has also been challenged by inventory clearance. First-quarter 2023 continues to see weak demand in smartphones and computers.

In 2022, the investment in the Chinese semiconductor industry primarily focused on analog ICs, logic ICs, semiconductor materials, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The four sectors accounted for about 45% of the total investment received by the Chinese semiconductor industry. Semiconductor testing equipment particularly became a focus, amounting to 45% of total investment activities in the equipment sector, JW Insights indicated. In March, 34% of Chinese semiconductor funding activities were in Series A, and the majority of which took place in semiconductor equipment, analog and logic IC sectors.



In 2022, the global IC design sector saw US$214.4 billion in revenue, with China accounting for 15%, according to DIGITIMES Research. Despite US sanctions, Chinese chip design houses remain competitive in consumer ICs, analog ICs and power semiconductors based on 40nm and more mature process technologies.
India, EFTA discuss ways to boost bilateral trade and economic partnership

Ministers and high-level representatives from India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) gathered in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the prospects of resuming their negotiations towards a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on the state of play of their negotiations and explore ways to advance the talks.

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, the participants acknowledged the challenges posed by the current global economic and trade environment, as well as the need to address the bilateral trade and economic partnership issues in a constructive and pragmatic manner. Both sides agreed to continue their efforts to resolve all outstanding issues and work towards deepening and

The statement added that both sides agreed to continue their efforts to resolve all "outstanding issues and work towards deepening and strengthening the economic partnership, while contributing to a more inclusive global trading system."

The resumption of trade talks between India and the EFTA countries is expected to help boost trade ties between the two sides. India has been seeking to strengthen its economic relations with EFTA countries, as it seeks to diversify its export markets.

The EFTA countries, on the other hand, are looking to expand their presence in the fast-growing Indian market.

The high-level delegations included Piyush Goyal, Indias minister of commerce and industry, consumer affairs and food and public distribution and textiles; Jan Christian Vestre, minister of trade and industry of Norway; Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss state secretary at the state secretariat for economic affairs (SECO); Martin Eyjolfsson, permanent secretary of state of Iceland at the ministry for foreign affairs; Kurt Jager, ambassador and permanent representative of Liechtenstein to EFTA, WTO and the UN in Geneva; and Henri Getaz, secretary-general of the European Free Trade Association.
Policy for medical devices eyes $50 bn market in next 5 years

The union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023, which is expected to help the medical devices sector in India to grow from the present $11 billion to $50 billion by 2030.

The medical devices sector in India is an essential and integral constituent of the Indian healthcare sector and a sunrise sector which is growing at a fast pace. The market size of the medical devices sector in India is estimated to be $11 billion (approximately Rs90,000 crore) in 2020 and its share in the global medical device market is estimated to be 1.5 per cent.

The Indian medical devices sector is on a growth track and has an enormous potential to become self-reliant and to contribute towards the goal of universal health care. The medical devices sectors contribution has become even more prominent as India supported the domestic and global battle against Covid-19 pandemic through the large scale production of medical devices and diagnostic kits, such as ventilators, rapid antigen test kits, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kits, infrared (IR) thermometers, personal protective equipment(PPE) kits and N-95 masks.

Government of India has already initiated implementation of PLI scheme for medical devices and support for setting up of four medical devices parks in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Under the PLI scheme for medical devices, till now, a total of 26 projects have been approved, with a committed investment of Rs1,206 crore and out of this, so far, an investment of Rs714 crore has been achieved.

Under the PLI scheme, total of 14 projects producing 37 products have been commissioned and domestic manufacturing of high-end medical devices, which include Linear Accelerator, MRI Scan, CT-Scan, Mammogram, C-Arm, MRI Coils, high-end X-ray tubes etc has started. Remaining 12 products will be commissioned in near future. Five projects out of total 26 projects, under Category B, have recently been approved, for domestic manufacturing of 87 products / product components.

Building upon these measures, a holistic policy framework to accelerate this growth and fulfil the potential of the sector is the need of the hour. While various departments of the government have undertaken programmatic interventions to encourage the sector, the current policy aims to put in place a comprehensive set of focus areas for growth of the sector in a coordinated manner. Secondly, in view of the diversity and multi-disciplinary nature of the sector, the regulations, skilling trade promotion of medical device industry are spread over several government departments, both at the centre and state levels. There is a need to bring together the range of interventions in a coherent manner that would facilitate focused and efficient support and facilitation for the sector by the respective agencies, says a release issued by the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers.

The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 is expected to facilitate an orderly growth of the medical device sector to meet the public health objectives of access, affordability, quality and innovation. This sector is expected to realise its full potential with the strategies, viz, building an enabling ecosystem for manufacturing along with a focus on innovation, creating a robust and streamlined regulatory framework, providing support in training and capacity building programmes and promoting higher education to foster talent and skilled resources in line with the industry requirements. Encouraging domestic investments and production of medical devices complements the governments Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India programmes.

Salient features of National Medical Devices Policy, 2023:

Vision: Accelerated growth path with a patient-centric approach and to emerge as the global leader in the manufacturing and innovation of medical devices by achieving 10-12 per cent share in the expanding global market over the next 25 years. Policy is expected to help the medical devices sector grow from the present $11 billion to $50 billion by 2030.

Mission: Policy lays down a roadmap for accelerated growth of the medical devices sector to achieve the following missions, viz, Access and Universality, Affordability, Quality, Patient Centred and Quality Care, Preventive and Promotive Health, Security, Research and Innovation and Skilled manpower.

Promotional Strategies: Medical devices sector will be facilitated and guided through a set of strategies that will cover six broad areas of policy interventions:

Regulatory streamlining: In order to enhance ease of doing research and business and further to balance patient safety with product innovation measures such as creation of a Single Window Clearance System' for Licensing of Medical Devices, coopting all the stakeholder departments / organisations such as AERB, MeitY, DAHD, etc, enhancing the role of Indian Standards like BIS and designing a coherent pricing regulation, will be followed.

Enabling Infrastructure: The establishment and strengthening of large medical device parks, clusters equipped with world class common infrastructure facilities in proximity to economic zones with requisite logistics connectivity as envisioned under the National Industrial Corridor Programme and the proposed National Logistics Policy 2021 under the ambit of PM Gati Shakti, would be pursued with the state governments and industry for better convergence and backward integration with medical device industry.

Facilitating R&D and Innovation: The policy envisages promotion of Research and Development in India, complementing the departments proposed National Policy on R&D and Innovation in the Pharma- MedTech Sector in India. It also aims at establishing centres of excellence in academic and research institutions, innovation hubs, plug and play infrastructures and support to start-ups.

Attracting Investments: Along with resent schemes and interventions like Make in India, Ayushman Bharat program, Heal-in-India, Start-up mission, the policy encourages private investments, funding from venture capitalists, and also public-private partnership (PPP).

Human Resources Development: In order to have a steady supply of skilled work force across the value chain such as scientists, regulators, health experts, managers, technicians, etc, the policy envisages:

 Leveraging available resources of the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship for skilling, reskilling and upskilling of professionals in the medical device sector;

 The policy will support dedicated multidisciplinary courses for medical devices in existing institutions to ensure availability of skilled manpower for futuristic medical technologies, high-end manufacturing and research, to produce future-ready MedTech human resources and to meet the evolving needs of the sector; and

 Developing partnerships with foreign academic/industry organisations to develop medical technologies in order to be in equal pace with the world market.

Brand Positioning and Awareness Creation: The policy envisages the creation of a dedicated Export Promotion Council for the sector under the department which will be an enabler to deal with various market access issues;

Initiate studies and projects for learning from best global practices of manufacturing and skilling system so as to explore the feasibility of adapting such successful models in India; and

Promote more forums to bring together various stakeholders for sharing knowledge and build strong networks across the sector;

The policy is expected to provide the required support and directions to strengthen the medical devices industry into a competitive, self-reliant, resilient and innovative industry that caters to the healthcare needs of not only India but also of the world. The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 aims to place the medical devices sector on an accelerated path of growth with a patient-centric approach to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients, says the release.
Dating app giant Tinder will leave Russia soon, citing human rights concerns related to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.

Match Group, which owns the app as well as other dating apps such as Plenty Of Fish and Hinge, has said that it will leave Russia by June 30.

It's move echoes other organisations and companies over the last 14 months, such as Airbnb, Amazon, Nintendo, Spotify, UEFA and Apple, who have all boycotted Russia for similar reasons.

Explaining the company's decision, Match Group said: "We are committed to protecting human rights.

"Our brands are taking steps to restrict access to their services in Russia and will complete their withdrawal from the Russian market by June 30, 2023."

According to Reuters, Match shareholder Friends Fiduciary Corp praised the decision, adding: 'Match has set an example for others to follow in tying its decision to the human rights risks faced by the Ukrainian people.'

The news site Euronews also noted that last Summer, Match has previously come under pressure to store user Russian users data and messages in Russia, in compliance with intelligence service requirements.

This has raised concerns that certain users, especially LGBTQ+ users, could see their data shared with the Russian government, which is overwhelmingly anti-LGBTQ+.

When the company declined to do so, it was fined 2 million roubles (around 22,868) by a Moscow district court in a case brought against several platforms including WhatsApp, Snapchat, Spotify and Hotels.com.
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Three dresses owned by the late Princess Diana will be displayed at an Irish museum ahead of the coronation of Prince Charles, it has been confirmed.

The items will be previewed at the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware in Co Kildare from May 5, the day before the coronation on May 6.

They will be displayed alongside the museums permanent Diana exhibition, which includes pieces like the pale pink Emanuel blouse worn in her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981.

The dresses will reportedly go under the hammer at an auction in Los Angeles this summer alongside more than 1,000 objects closely associated with cultural figures.

Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) have partnered to present the Hollywood Legends collection on August 26 and 27, with Diana's dresses expected to fetch large sums.

Darren Julien, founder of the auction house, said: Juliens Auctions is pleased to announce our latest auction presentation with our esteemed partner TCM featuring two marquee collections that truly embody the stuff of legends, Warner Bros and Princess Diana.

Together, we look forward to celebrating 100 years of Warner Bros and over 10 centuries of the royal family with our special showcase of treasures from the legendary Hollywood movie studio and the beloved peoples princess, one of the most photographed women in the world, who changed the monarchy forever and whose persona continues to captivate the public and Hollywood today through tributes and film and television works about her life.

Marking the weekend before the 26th anniversary of Dianas death on August 31, the auctions headline pieces are three of her designer dresses which have not been seen in public for more than 30 years.

The princesss scarlet Bruce Oldfield gown, which she wore to the film premiere of Hot Shots! at the Odeon, Leicester Square, in November 1991, with president Arpad Goncz of Hungary and his wife, will be a highlight.

The silk dress is expected to sell for between 200,000 dollars (160,000) and 400,000 dollars (320,000).

Buyers can also bid for two dresses by Catherine Walker, Dianas personal designer for more than 16 years, who created the black cocktail dress she was buried in and whose designs are still worn by members of the royal family today.

Walkers slender-fit strapless gown made of white silk crepe with bold bands of black silk velvet and silk lining, which Diana wore to a private function, is expected to fetch between 60,000 dollars (48,000) and 80,000 dollars (64,000).

Also for sale is Walkers black and jade short-sleeved gown with a draped silk skirt, which the princess wore to a gala dinner at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada in 1986 and is expected to sell for between 100,0000 dollars (80,000) and 200,000 dollars (160,000).

The Hollywood Legends collection will be auctioned live in Beverly Hills, while bidders from around the world can join online.
The death has occurred of Liam McCourt of Doolargy Avenue, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk, Louth / Newry, Down

On Monday 1 May 2023, unexpectedly, at The Mater Hospital Dublin. Beloved husband of Ann (nee Mallon) and dear dad of Michael & Noreen. Predeceased by his parents Felix & Nora (late of Newry), his brothers Eamon & Felix, sister Marie.

He will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife, son, daughter, brothers John & Michael, sister Rita, son in-law Damien, daughter in-law Louise, his grandchildren Natasha & Daniel, great-grandchildren Karaleigh, Caolan and Kai, brothers & sisters in-law and Kevin, nephews, nieces, extended family relatives, neighbours and friends.

Funeral arrangements later.

May he rest in peace

The death has occurred of Violet Louise McCullins of Demesne Terrace, Carrick Road, Dundalk, Louth

Peacefully, in the dedicated and kind care of the staff of Killanny House, Castleross Nursing Home. Beloved daughter of the late Robert and Margaret and dear sister of Margaret (Christmas) and Robert. She will be sadly missed by her sorrowing sister, brother, sister-in-law Evelyn, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing in the Eternity Room of Quinns Funeral Homes, Bridge Street, Dundalk from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday. Removal on Wednesday at 12 noon, driving via Castletown Road, Ecco Road and Carrick Road, pausing at the entrance to Demesne Terrace and proceeding, via Anne Street and Town Centre, to St. Nicholas Parish Church (Green Church), arriving for Service at 12.30pm. Burial afterwards in Ballymascanlan Churchyard.

Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Diabetes Ireland. Enquiries to Quinns Funeral Homes on 042 9334521.

May she rest in peace

The death has occurred of Brian McKeown of Chapel Hill, Knocknagoran, Omeath, Louth



Peacefully at home. Predeceased by his parents Stephen and Elizabeth, brother Tony and aunts Margaret and Nellie. Very deeply regretted by his beloved wife Bridie (nee Mackin), sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at his residence at Chapel Hill, Omeath for friends and neighbours to call from 6.30pm-9.00pm Monday and from 2.00pm-9.00pm Tuesday. Removal on Wednesday morning at 11.15am to St. Laurence's Church arriving for Requiem Mass at 11.30am. Burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery.

May he rest in peace

The death has occurred of Abi McQuillan of Gort Na Mara, Blackrock, Louth

On Sunday 30 April 2023, peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. Cherished daughter of Deborah & Cathal and dear sister of Rebecca & Kelly. She will be sadly missed and remembered with love by her Mammy & Dad, sisters, grandparents Eamon & Rachel Carroll (Bay Estate) and Kitty Downey (Dromiskin), brothers in-law Noel McManus & Paul Gibbons, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at Shevlin's Funeral Home, Barrack Street, from 3pm to 7pm on Tuesday. Removal on Wednesday afternoon at 1.40pm driving to St. Fursey's Church, Haggardstown, arriving for Funeral Mass at 2pm followed by private cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan. No flowers, by family request, donations, if desired, to Palliative Care.

May she rest in peace

The death has occurred of Cormac (Con) O'Hagan of Hay-On-Wye, Wales and formerly of Hyde Park Dundalk



Peacefully at Hereford Hospital surrounded by his loving family on 28 April 2023. Predeceased by his wife Annette in 2020, his parents John & Annie and his first wife June in 1964. Con will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his children Linda-Jane, Joseph, Ruth and Patrick, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers Tommy and Sean, sisters in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family relatives, neighbours and friends in Wales and his home town of Dundalk.

Funeral will take place in Wales & arrangements will be updated at a later stage.

May he rest in peace
















Over 100 Louth groups joined the National Spring Clean 2023 campaign with local communities removing 22 tonnes of litter from various locations across the county, An Taisce has revealed.

The National Spring Clean is Irelands official anti-litter campaign, and over the past 24 years, the initiative has been highlighted the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem.

It is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Mars Wrigley Ireland. Throughout the month of April, the National Spring Clean encouraged communities from across Ireland to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.

This year over 100 Louth groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the county making Spring Clean 23 one of Irelands largest anti-litter campaign to date.

Almost 4,000 volunteers joined Spring Clean 23 in County Louth removing an approximately 22 tonnes of litter. Furthermore, National Spring Clean has been a starting point for a large number of groups to organise regular clean-up events all year long.

In County Louth, clean-ups took places in various locations, including Dundalk, Drogheda, Carlingford and many more.

Volunteers from Stabannon Tidy Towns held their very own National Spring Clean week from Monday to Thursday evening and collected 53 full bags of litter in their area along with many junior tidy towns members this April.

Dundalk Tidy Towns did various clean-up events for Spring Clean 23, including teaming up with The Irish Wheelchair Association to conduct a few National Spring Clean clean-up events in the town centre in Dundalk, County Louth.

Finally, Peninsula Marine Litter Project in Louth conducted a dedicated Earth Day clean-up for National Spring Clean in association with Clean Coasts to help keep their local beaches clean.

National Spring Clean 2023 has been an amazing opportunity for communities in Louth and nationwide to come together and do their bit for their local environment, contribute to creating a more sustainable community, be with like-minded people and make a difference.

This year, the aim for National Spring Clean was also to raised awareness about how the adoption of a circular economy model, will reduce our litter, and climate impact, meaning that as we transition to a more circular economy, well see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, cleaner planet.

The principles of a circular economy have always been central to the ethos of National Spring Clean for the past 24 years. This year, some 35% of all waste collected was recycled, thanks to recyclable waste bags provided to groups and individuals who register, while the removal of litter from our natural environment has helped tackle biodiversity loss.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said of the initiative: An Taisces National Spring Clean continues to showcase the dedication of volunteers all over the country.

"The commitment of volunteers in continuing to organise local clean-ups each year is a testament to the spirit in Irish communities and I would urge as many people as possible to get involved in the campaign.

"My Department will continue to support the campaign and An Taisce, whose role in organising this successful campaign each year, deserves to be acknowledged. I look forward to the many events that will be held all over the country in the coming months.

National Spring Clean, manager, Emlyn Cullen, added: This was one of our biggest years ever with regards people taking part. We cant thank the volunteers enough for giving up their time and energy to make Ireland a cleaner, greener country this April.

"Huge credit also goes to the Local Authorities who work hard during the month to collect the full bags after events. Also Id like to thank our funders, the Dept. of Environment, Climate and Communications and sponsors, Mars Wrigley Ireland.

Even though April has come to an end, there are plenty of campaigns and activities that The National Spring Clean run and endorse that you can get involved in. A few of these include:
A teenager who drove off from filling stations without paying for fuel, four times in under a week, has been sentenced at Dundalk District Court to four months for two counts of theft, and had two other charges marked taken into consideration.

19 year old Michael OReilly with an address at Green Road Halting Site, Ballybeg, Waterford, pleaded guilty.

Court presenter Sgt Jimmy McGovern outlined how at 5pm on March 6th last year, at Applegreen M1 Southbound, Castlebellingham, an Opel Insignia pulled up at the pumps.

The driver put just over 90 worth of fuel in the car and almost 134 worth was put in containers which were in the boot.

He took a can from the service station, left it back, returned to the car and drove off.

Two days later, at Maxol, Dublin Road, Dundalk, he put just over 200 in the Insignia and in two drums.

The same day, at Malones Circle K, Drogheda Road, Ardee, the defendant filled the car and several containers with over 131 worth of fuel.

The last theft occurred on March 10th at Flanagans Circle K, Dundalk, where he put over 70 worth of fuel in the Insignia.

The Defence solicitor said his client has been in custody for six months and is studying for his Junior Cert.

He added he wanted to apologise for what happened and explained that at the time the teenager was using street tablets and funding that habit.

The court heard the defendant has 20 previous convictions including for theft and is currently serving a sentence.
There were 15 people waiting for a hospital bed in Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda this morning, according to the INMOs Trolley Watch.

Nationally, a total of 704 patients have been admitted to hospital without a bed on Tuesday morning according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The numbers are high following the bank holiday weekend, with the INMO describing it as a predictable surge.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: We are seeing yet another predictable post-bank holiday surge in hospital overcrowding.

Of the five bank holidays we have had so far this year, we have seen out of control numbers of patients on trolleys in the days following.

This level of overcrowding must not be allowed to continue further into the year. Senior decision makers in both the HSE and Government must come together now to develop a year-round plan to tackle this crisis, Ms Ni Sheaghdha said.

Previously, the HSE issued advice asking people to continue to consider all options and pathways available to them before attending an Emergency Department, after a busy Bank Holiday Weekend for the health service.

"This is in order to protect our EDs for patients who need urgent and emergency care," it said.
Sinn Fein is on course to become the largest party in local government in Northern Ireland, a new poll has suggested.

The republican party will win 29.8% of first preference votes in this months council elections, a University of Liverpool-Institute of Irish Studies opinion poll for the Irish News suggests.

This puts it almost seven points clear of the DUP on 23%, with Alliance on 14.5%, the Ulster Unionist Party on 12.8%, the SDLP on 8.3% and the TUV on 5%.

Voters in Northern Ireland will head to the polls on May 18 in the local government elections, the first electoral test since last years Stormont Assembly elections.

In that election, Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party in the Assembly for the first time.

The opinion poll suggests a repeat of that result in councils, with Sinn Fein increasing its support by 6.6% from the previous local government elections.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons DUP, which is blocking the operation of the powersharing institutions as part of a protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements, has dipped slightly by 1.1% from the 2019 local government elections.

The council elections will use the single transferable vote (STV) system.

Almost half of Sinn Fein voters will transfer their second preference votes to the nationalist SDLP, the poll suggests.

However, it also indicates that the cross-community Alliance Party will pick up around two-thirds of SDLP transfers, with a quarter going to Sinn Fein.

The survey suggested that more than half of DUP voters will give their second preference to the UUP, while 21% will give a second preference to the TUV.

The poll was carried out by SMR on behalf of The Irish News-University of Liverpool-Institute of Irish Studies. It surveyed the opinions of 1,013 Northern Ireland adults over the age of 18 between April 11-21. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.

It follows a LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph earlier in the week that suggested the gap between the two largest parties was narrower. That poll put Sinn Fein on 29% and the DUP on 25%.
TELUS International Ireland, a digital customer experience (CX) innovator that designs, builds and delivers next-gen solutions, including AI and content moderation, has partnered with Macroom School of Art on a unique art initiative  Art Brings Us Together by TELUS International, bringing creative workshops to children and young people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

The aim of the initiative is to enhance creativity and opportunities for the children and young people taking part, through art. Creative workshops are being delivered by tutors of Macroom School of Art, supported by TELUS International Ireland team volunteers, in 14 schools in Cork and Dublin.

Launched in November 2022, the programme was created to encourage artistic expression in children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities. These sessions provide an engaging environment for young art enthusiasts to produce their own bespoke pieces of art, demonstrating its many positive impacts and benefits.

Commenting on the initiative, Director of Human Resources at TELUS International Ireland, Miriam Manning says: At TELUS International, its in our nature to care and to give back to our local communities. Collaborating with Macroom School of Art on this inclusive project has been the perfect partnership.

They do an incredible job in providing courses for all ages and abilities, granting the local community access to creative facilities that enable expression, engagement and exploration; working to enrich the local community by increasing awareness of the value and inclusivity of the arts.

When asked about the programme, renowned Irish illustrator, Will Sliney, who is also its ambassador said: It has been such an enjoyable experience getting to work with these incredible schools and young artists.

Many people dont realise the effect these workshops have on young people with a disability; creative art therapies for children with additional needs have numerous benefits and can stimulate new behaviours, skills, expressions and emotions that can then be applied to everyday life.

Art is obviously a huge passion of mine and being able to give back and make a positive impact on the lives of these young people has been particularly rewarding.

Principal of School of the Divine Child, Lavanagh Centre, Fiona Thomas says: The students have thoroughly enjoyed the process. For people with learning disabilities, art therapy offers an opportunity for self-expression. Art can be a way to communicate for people who find it hard to express their thoughts and feelings verbally.

It offers a creative and enjoyable way to communicate without restrictions, without worries of being judged as there is no such thing as failing when you create art. This process gives them a sense of accomplishment and builds their self-confidence.

Brian Crotty, Director of Macroom School of Art says, Art Brings Us Together is a wonderful opportunity to witness the creativity and individuality of all participants. It is so exciting to play a small part in discovering and nurturing the creative talents of others in such an important community.

The programme covers a range of artistic disciplines like painting, drawing, collage, projection art and diorama.

All works will be showcased on dedicated Art Brings Us Together by TELUS International social media channels.
AROUND 600 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Ireland annually, and the survival rate is low - somewhere around 9%.

Cork woman Pamela Deasy is among that 9%.

Having been diagnosed, undergoing surgery, and getting the all-clear, she is now aiming to walk a stretch of the Camino Trail in Spain in support of all people diagnosed with cancer.

I had no idea that only 9% of people survived this, she said of her pancreatic cancer battle.

I never looked into any of this side of it. It was only after I found that out.

By its nature, pancreatic cancer is fast spreading, but the initial phases are symptomless. Early detection is often paramount to recovery, but this can be difficult. Treatment involves a combined approach of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, usually lasting six months.

Now, in a fundraising mission for Breakthrough Cancer Research Cork, on May 15, Pamela, from Union Hall in West Cork, and 27 others - 10 of whom have direct experience of surviving cancer - will travel to northern Spain to walk the 130km stretch of the Camino Trail known as Camino de Ingles.

The six-day trip begins at Ferrol in the north-west, and will lead the walkers south to Santiago de Compostela, a city synonymous with Camino pilgrims.

Breakthrough Cancer Research is currently mainly focused on researching the seven types of cancers that cause almost 50% of all cancer deaths in Ireland. These relate to the brain, esophagus, stomach, ovarian, liver and lung and pancreatic cancer.

Pamela volunteers her time for the Patient Panel Involvement (PPI), which is part of the Breakthrough Cancer Research research facility.

One of her roles there is to relay the medical terminology associated with a persons diagnosis in laypersons terms to them.

It was at a recent volunteer meeting that she heard of the fundraising walk in Spain, and said that, because of her own experience of surviving pancreatic cancer, one of the seven cancers being researched by the organisation, her interest was piqued. Pamela wanted to do what she could to raise funds for the Research group.

It piqued my interest because they (BCR) are funding research into pancreatic cancer, and because I had been a patient diagnosed with it in December, 2018.

Up until the summer of 2018, life was fine; normal. Pamela was going about her business like everyone else.

Her days were busy working and being involved in the local GAA and RNLI. But in the summer prior to her diagnosis, a feeling was growing within her. A nauseousness in her body, and an inner knowing that something wasnt right.

What she was intuiting would eventually be given a name.

All that summer, I hadnt been feeling great, recalls Pamela. I knew there was something off with me but didnt know what was wrong.

Coming up to September or October time, I was getting tired. I went to my regular doctor and I said that I would definitely have to be sent somewhere, because there was something wrong with me.

Typical symptoms of pancreatic cancer include heartburn, rapid weight loss and tiredness, but Pamela said the only symptom she had was tiredness.

Tiredness was an issue, but not a huge issue by that October," she said.

Over the intervening months, various tests and scans were conducted, all showing up clear. But by then, the tiredness was extreme.

The indefinable symptoms relented, ebbing and flowing until manifesting as jaundice in December almost five years ago. It was only then that the truth of Pamelas health was becoming obvious.

I went to my doctor and they asked me if I had been away on holidays, because I was so yellow. When I said no, they said we had better do some tests. I felt relieved, Pamela recalled.

Tests showed a 5cm diameter tumor on her pancreas.

If she was to be even considered for surgery, the tumour would need to be 2cm in diameter, less than half of its then size. The only road to reducing its size was chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Pamelas mother had passed away from lung cancer in 2012, so in her mind, a lot was riding on the chemo and radio therapies, and the hope she would be suitable for whipple surgery, the only type of surgery available to treat pancreatic cancer. This is a complex operation to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and the bile duct.

It took two bouts of treatment, but it worked. The date was set for August 15, 2019 - she was going to have the surgery required.

And after a successful whipple surgery that lasted 11 hours, Pamela was given the all clear.

What is her main takeaway from the experience?

You know, you think you get to the end of something, but theres always another page to be turned.

Like, when I was first told what I had I didnt expect to be here today.

I know Im never going to be able to do all the things I could do before. But today Im quite content with myself. Im happy to spend time by myself. It definitely makes you appreciate what you have and about making the most of your situation.

Im so grateful that there is research happening today. Research is key. I think if I had got my diagnosis 10 years ago, I might not be here at all today, Pamela reflects.

She adds that it is this theme in general that will be on her mind throughout the 130km Camino walk.

The reason Im doing this walk really is in support of all my fellow cancer warriors and anyone else going through treatment, and especially those who have gone before their time.

Its also a way for me to raise funds for a charity that will give people more time with their families and friends, she said.

Today, Pamela maintains that she is back to a 70% capacity to what she was prior to her diagnosis and tells me she is happy with that.

She is walking a lot in preparation for the Camino and is now studying for a degree in Religions and Global Diversity In UCC.

Already, Pamela has raised more than 5,000 for Breakthrough Cancer Research, and you can support her journey by donating through this link: https://giv.i.ng/1PZs

According to research by the National Cancer Registry Ireland Cancer Incidence Projections for Ireland 2020-2045, by 2045 it is expected that Pancreatic cancer will rise 119%.
A member of Cork City Council has called on Tanaiste Micheal Martin to reconsider the lifting of the no-fault eviction ban which lapsed at the end of March, saying he has never before seen so many people facing homelessness.

Councillor Ted Tynan told The Echo he had never experienced so many appeals for help from people under threat of eviction.

This is a tragedy unfolding before our eyes that is heart-breaking to witness, Cllr Tynan said.

Thousands of men, women and children are sentenced to deprivation with no hope of relief. This is a grave violation of their human rights.

Mr Tynan, who is president of the Workers Party, said there could only be one way out of this immediate crisis and that would to re-introduce the ban on evictions.

Those responsible must be called to account and in this city the man with the power to act is Tanaiste Micheal Martin, he said.

I would insist that Micheal Martin and the Government has a duty to ensure that the human rights of citizens are respected. The effect of the lifting of this ban has created a nightmare in the number of evictions.

Mr Tynan said the ban on evictions must be re-introduced.

This is an emergency and the immediate necessity is to keep a roof over the heads of those now in accommodation, he said.

Meanwhile, Labour Cork City has condemned Governments failure to protect people from entering homelessness, with Cllr John Maher describing as horrific a 2.1% month-on-month increase in homelessness.

This data relates to while the eviction ban was in place, so I truly shudder to think what people in Cork are facing into in the months ahead, Cllr Maher said.

The 11,988 people [in emergency accommodation nationally], 3,472 of whom are children, deserve a lot better than the half-hearted, cobbled together approach of this coalition of convenience."

Labour Party Cork city local area representative Laura Harmon said the Government continued to prioritise incentives for developers rather than scaling up the supply of social and affordable homes.

These figures dont even capture those living in hidden homelessness. It is a national disgrace, Ms Harmon said.

Labour Party local area representative for Cork city Peter Horgan said the housing mini-budget announced last week was just another admission of failure by this Government on housing.

The crisis shows no sign of abating, Mr Horgan said.

We urge Government to reintroduce the eviction ban to give workers, families and children the certainty that if nothing else, they can have a safe and secure to rest their head at night.

However, Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, speaking in Cork on Friday, insisted that the choice to allow the ban on no-fault evictions to lapse had been a responsible decision.

It was a difficult one but we took that on the basis that we didnt want to make a difficult situation in relation to the private rental market any worse, Mr OBrien said.

We have very significant supports in place. All of our local authorities are tooled up to be able to purchase homes with tenant in situ, not just for those who are in HAP and RAS tenancies, but also private tenancies.

We have the cost-rental backstop and weve also assistance for tenants to buy homes should they need that assistance if the landlord is selling, he said.

Were watching this very, very closely. I think most people will agree that the way through this is by supply, by good supply  good social homes, good affordable and yes private homes and we need that.

Mr OBrien said that Government had delivered more new social homes in 2022 than it had for 50 years.

Not everybodys feeling that either and Im acutely aware of it, he said.

I meet families and I talk to people every single day of the week and I just want them to be assured that were making progress, that we are turning the corner on housing delivery and there are housing solutions out there and Cork is a really good example of that.

Were going to work through this year as hard as we can to deliver more than we did last year and to make sure that people have a safe and secure home that they can call their own for life, Mr OBrien said.

Asked for a comment on calls for Tanaiste Micheal Martin to support a reintroduction of an eviction ban, a Government spokesperson told The Echo: The eviction moratorium brought in over the winter months was always intended on being a temporary measure.

Extending the eviction ban would only worsen the situation in the long run, further impacting the supply of rental properties.

Housing for All is working by increasing supply - a measure that is key to addressing housing challenges, the spokesperson said.
A CORK city councillor has called on the owners of a derelict northside site to secure the property, following a spate of fires and incidents of trespassing there.

The former Good Shepherd Convent site in Sundays Well suffered its fourth blaze in recent years last September, leading at the time to calls that the owners develop the site or else that Cork City Council compulsorily purchase it.

In September 2018, Drogheda-based Moneda Development secured planning permission through An Bord Pleanala with a proposal to build 234 apartments at the site, which has remained derelict since.

Now, following a number of reports of anti-social behaviour on the property, a local councillor has called on the sites owners to secure it before someone is seriously injured.

Cork city councillor Tony Fitzgerald said he had been contacted recently by a number of local residents complaining about multiple incidents of trespass on the site.

The owners of Good Shepherd Covent must respond to residents concerns about health and safety issues at the site, and trespassing issues which will only increase over the summer months, Mr Fitzgerald said.

I am calling on the owners to take immediate action, as a lack of security at the site is attracting anti-social behaviour there regularly.

The Fianna Fail councillor said the ruined convent is in extremely poor condition and he described as an accident waiting to happen reports of young people repeatedly accessing the upper storeys of the western section of the building.

Gardai were informed of residents concerns at the latest Neighbourhood Watch meeting but the owners need to take responsibility and not use up garda resources as this is a private site, Mr Fitzgerald said.

Ive contacted Cork City Council and they have informed me they are dealing with it from a derelict sites perspective.

Completed in 1881, the site is a former Magdalene Laundry and is also home to Little Nellie of Holy God, a girl who died aged just four in 1908, and who is venerated within the Catholic Church as the unofficial patron saint of Cork.

The Echo was unsuccessful in attempts to contact Moneda Development to establish whether the site is monitored by any security firm.
CORK TD Thomas Gould has condemned the 108-day average wait time for a geriatric medicine appointment at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

The Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central has called on the Government to immediately resource geriatric services in CUH.

Figures supplied to Mr Gould by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly show 186 people waiting for a geriatric medicine outpatient appointment at CUH as of March 30.

The latest National Treatment Purchase Fund figures show that 152 people were waiting up to six months and 34 were waiting from six to 12 months for an appointment.

At Mercy University Hospital (MUH), 21 people were waiting up to six months. The average wait was 108 days at CUH and 29 days at MUH.

When people seek geriatric consultations, it is generally because they desperately need them. Loved ones who are declining and need support, Deputy Gould said.

The Government were jumping up and down with the launch of the Assisted Decision-Making Service. What use is that to older people who cannot access the services?

One hundred and eight days is the average wait time with 34 people waiting over six months. People do not go onto these waiting lists unless they are in dire need of services.

They are likely declining while they wait over 100 days to see a consultant. That is not good enough.

Nationally, there were 3,547 people on waiting lists for geriatric medicine as of March 30.

There were a total of 30 people on inpatient waiting lists and a total of 3,517 people on outpatient waiting lists for geriatric medicine.

In response to the deputy, Minister Donnelly referred to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan which is funding the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund to reduce hospital waiting lists by 10% in 2023. Minister Donnelly described the Plan as the next step in the multi-annual approach towards achieving a vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.

Deputy Gould said, however, the situation at Cork hospitals is escalating out of control.

We know that there are huge numbers of elderly people forced to attend emergency departments in CUH and the Mercy. Some of these people are likely on waiting lists for healthcare that could prevent their emergencies.

The South/South West Hospital Group has been contacted by The Echo for comment.
PLANS to build a new Garda regional headquarters in Macroom must be advanced, according to a local TD.

Fianna Fail TD for Cork North-West Aindrias Moynihan has called on the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to urgently advance the construction of the planned new regional Garda headquarters in Cork.

The TD urged Leo Varadkar in the Dail to expedite the construction of the new station in Macroom.

Planning permission for the headquarters in Macroom was granted in 2021.

A new policing model has been rolled out in many parts of the country and is now being rolled out in Cork County, said Mr Moynihan.

A very obvious part of that policing model appears to be missing for Cork: while the headquarters has been identified in Macroom, and planning and the site ready for it, it is not being advanced.

It needs to be prioritised and urgently advanced without delay.

The Taoiseach, in response to Mr Moynihan, said his officials were working on the matter and the project was heading in the right direction.

Mr Varadkar told the Dail:

We need a new station in Macroom pretty urgently, and also in Clonmel and Deputy Moynihan is correct to say that the difficulty is it has been rolled into a wider PPP project involving two Garda stations, one in Macroom, one in Clonmel, and the Hammond Lane court complex in Dublin.

And that might have been a good idea at the time, but it clearly hasnt worked out. So I have officials working on decoupling that, and that would allow us to proceed to construction, both in Macroom and Clonmel within months and then Hammond Lane would be a standalone PPP and that might take a bit longer.

Thats what were working on at the moment. Its heading in the right direction, added Mr Varadkar.
A Cork bar has shut its doors overnight after nine months in operation.

Brewdog opened on Washington Street in July of 2022, however the Scottish hospitality franchise has today confirmed that the Cork bar and restaurant has permanently shut its doors.

Brewdog opened in 2022 in the former Grand Central club.

A spokesperson for Brewdog has said:

Unfortunately our partner in Cork has taken the decision to close the Cork bar. We hope to bring BrewDog back to Cork as soon as we can.

The bar was opened in the former Grand Central nightclub nine months ago by Cork franchise partners Westside Leisure.

The group also operate a number of other bars and clubs in the city including: The Brog, Barbarossa, The Alibi, Voodoo, Popscene and BarBarella.

A representative for the Cork company has told The Echo:

"It is with great regret and genuine sadness that we have to announce that due to the continuing deterioration of economic conditions in the hospitality industry and ever-increasing operational costs, Westside Leisure, trading as Brewdog Cork, has made the very difficult decision to close."

"We wish to thank all our customers for your fantastic support over the last year and especially our staff for their efforts during this time," they continued.

BrewDog Cork opened its doors at 12:00pm on Friday 22nd July, located at 1-2 Courthouse Street, just off Washington Street, in the heart of the Cork citys thriving craft beer scene.

Following the opening of the Washington Street bar and eatery in 2022, Brewdog faced criticism from Cork locals following claims of staff mistreatment.

In July, The Echo reported that protesters campaigned outside the newly opened BrewDog pub in Cork city to raise awareness of past allegations of mistreatment by the franchise.

Read More Campaigners protest outside newly opened pub in Cork

All traces of the Cork Brewdog location have been removed from the franchises official website, as well as all social media channels for the Cork bar.
Cork City Council has opened a consultation process in relation to the supplemental map of the land considered to be in scope for the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), as of April 1.

The Governments Housing For All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland proposed a new tax to activate vacant land for residential purposes as a part of the Pathway to Increasing New Housing Supply.

The RZLT was introduced in the Finance Act 2021. The process to identify land to which the tax applies is now underway and the tax will be payable from 2024.

The objective of the tax is to activate land serviced and zoned for residential use or mixed use, including residential use, in order to increase housing supply and to ensure regeneration of vacant and idle lands in urban locations, that have been identified within statutory land use plans as appropriate locations for housing and have benefitted from investment to support the delivery of housing.

Cork City Council published a draft map of the land considered to be in scope for the RZLT on November 1, 2022. Submissions could be made in respect of land on the draft map up to January 1 this year.

As a consequence of submissions made, Cork City Council has prepared a supplemental map of the land considered to be in scope for the RZLT as of April 1, available online (consult.corkcity.ie) and to view at the Planning Counter in City Hall, from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Interested parties may make submissions in respect of land on the supplemental map from May 1 until June 1.

Residential properties are not subject to RZLT if subject to the Local Property Tax. It is not necessary to make a submission to remove this type of residential property from the map.

It is important to note that submissions at this stage can only be made about land contained in the supplemental map. Submissions should not be made about land which was contained on the draft maps published by Cork City Council in November 2022, according to the Council.

Submissions can challenge the inclusion of particular lands on the supplemental map on the basis that those lands do not meet the criteria set out within the relevant legislation. They can challenge the date on which the land is considered to meet these criteria, or request a change of zoning. Submissions should not identify additional lands which appear to meet the criteria as there is no provision for adding new land to the maps at this stage in the process.

Any additional land which appears to meet the criteria may be identified during the submissions process which will take place as part of the annual update to the maps from 2024 onwards.

The final map will be reviewed and revised annually from 2025 onwards.
ONE of Corks greatest bands, The Frank and Walters have been named as Cork Persons of the Month for the month of April.

The Frank and Walters were honoured with the Cork Persons of the Month award to mark their 30th anniversary together and as musical ambassadors for Cork at home and abroad during an awards presentation at The Metropole Hotel recently.

Lead vocalist and bass player Paul Linehan, drummer Ashley Keating, lead guitarist Rory Murphy and keyboardist Cian Corbett will now go forward for possible selection as Cork Persons of the Year at a Gala Awards Lunch next January in The Metropole Hotel.

Very much Corks most recognisable rock band, their music is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago and the group's longevity puts them in a unique category in the music world.

Two decades on from the release of their very first record, the Frank and Walters continue to defy expectations.

With Indie hits such as Fashion Crisis Hits New York and After All which reached the top twenty in the UK Singles Chart where it peaked at 11.

The group also appeared on Top of the Pops in support of the single, which went as high as 5 in the Irish charts.

Their anthem was also voted Corks favourite song in an online poll organised by Cork City Library in association with Creative Ireland.

Their music today is as relevant as any of the new pretenders on the block with only a handful of bands anywhere in the world in a position to lay claim to such longevity of popularity.

Each year, the Frank and Walters perform sell-out venues across the UK, Europe, and the US and their records, both new and classic, continue to sell across the world.

Awards organiser Manus OCallaghan said: Youve heard it sung at every function and party in Cork, and in a classic scene on The Young Offenders TV series - indeed when my son got married in New York he wanted a Cork element in the ceremony so After All provided that. The band will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the annual Gala Awards Lunch in January 2024.
Hollywood star Bob Odenkirk surprised locals over the weekend by popping into a Kilmurry museum as he travels around West Cork.

The Breaking Bad actor and comedian took a visit to the Independence Museum Kilmurry in Kilmurry village near Lissarda and even enjoyed a cup of tea with locals.

The American actor is best known for his role as Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad from 2008 to 2013 and its spin-off show Better Call Saul, which ended in 2022.

Volunteers at the museum has said that they got "a fair old land" as they shared photos of the star posing beside a bust of the former Lord Mayor of Cork, Terrence McSweeney.

Odenkirk told the locals that he had spotted the sign for the museum on his journey from Macroom to Kinsale and wondered why there was a museum in the middle of nowhere.

The Hollywood star explored the Michael Collins exhibition which marked the centenary of the ambush at Beal na Blath at the Independence Museum Kilmurry.

The star of the show explained his Cork connections, saying his great grandparents hailed from the Rebel County, claiming to hail from Dooley and McCormick tribes.

The actor revealed he is shortly to begin filming a programme which looks at his ancestry, including his relatives in Cork.

Mr Odenkirk appears to be touring the country ahead of filming, having posted a photograph on twitter with Irish comedian Aisling Bea in April.

Odenkirk is not the first star to pay the Kilmurry museum a visit, having welcomed award-winning director Ken Loach as he filmed scenes for The Wind that Shakes the Barley.
DID you know that every May 9 we should all celebrate? Celebrate the club Ireland has belonged to for the last 50 years, the European Union.

May 9 is known as Europe Day. Just like we celebrate the patron Saint of Ireland on March 17, independently of whether we agree with the Irish governments decisions or not, on May 9, we celebrate the European Union club and the peace it has brought to its members.

On May 9, 1950, the French Foreign Affairs Minister, Robert Schuman, read a Declaration which laid the foundations for the European adventure. This has seen economic, political, cultural and social integration across an increasing number of countries, from the six founding member states to 27 in 2023.

At the core of this Declaration was the idea of shared sovereignty. Countries who wanted to join the European club agreed to pool or share their sovereignty over a number of domains. It started small with coal and steel production being shared between France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Schuman argued that the solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible.

That is exactly what the European Union has developed  shared sovereignty which has created a level of solidarity between countries which makes it unthinkable and impossible for them to go to war.

Above all, every May 9, this is what we celebrate: peace between countries that had gone to war twice within 30 years, leading to over 100 million dying worldwide. Peace through shared sovereignty and solidarity is worth celebrating.

Dr Emmanuelle Schon-Quinlivan. Picture Tomas Tyner, UCC.

Shared sovereignty and solidarity have also led to many economic benefits members of the EU. Ireland is a prime example, having left the constraints of a small domestic market and an over-reliance on trade with Britain for an access to 450 million people and 20 million businesses across 26 countries.

Shared sovereignty requires compromise as policies are decided for 27 diverse countries. It is true that compromise means you will not always get your own way as a country. The UK decided after nearly 50 years of membership that it needed to leave the EU and its decision-making through compromise to be able to make their own laws, taking into account only their own interests. Leaving the club does not change geography and still requires the UK to follow Single Market rules if it wants to trade with EU countries, its closest neighbours.

So, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of being inside but also of being outside the club is crucial.

Schuman said in his Declaration that Europe will not be made all at once or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. This is what the European club is about: you choose to belong to it by adhering to its purpose, values, and goals.

Membership to the EU should not be taken for granted by any country. Yet how many national politicians, despite increasing protest and criticism of European policies or the direction and pace of integration by public opinions, have scapegoated European institutions or Brussels as they like to call it? How many have tried to connect their voters, communities and citizens to the EU through events, activities, social and cultural programmes?

This Sunday, May 7, UCCs Hub in Active European Citizenship, in partnership with Cork City Hall, will bring the diversity of the EU to the people and the community. No speeches, no lectures on that day. Only creative and fun activities to exchange and discover the EU. It is high time to connect the EU with people and extract it from its academic and elitist niche.

It will be a free family fun day for anyone over three years old, with over 20 activities on the themes of the EU and its values as well as 10 live performances from 1pm to 5pm.

There will be opportunities for debate with a Danish and an Irish facilitator as well as simulation games to experience decision-making in the EU, but there will also be multilingual storytelling, multilingual gaming, your opportunity to make your own European puppet, to experiment with different art techniques to express your view of the EU, to work with GMCBeats on a rap song or to play a family quiz to win lots of prizes. No celebration would be complete without face painting and sweets!

You will be blown away by Scoil Naomh Eltin and Nagle Community College, winners of the Hubs competition, who will perform their song on EU values, as well as the choir from Scoil Mhuire, Ballingollig, and 5th class from Glasheen GNS and St Columbas GNS. You cannot miss the Junior Infants from Scoil Padraig Kanturk or the amazing 3rd and 4th classes from Scoil Maria Assumpta who will rap about the EU. There will be music, dancing choreographed by Aideen Johnson, art workshops delivered by Little Fine Artists and many more activities to inspire you, your children and teens to get involved in so many creative ways with the European Union.

For further information and a list of activities, email hubeu@ucc.ie or go to UCCs Hub in Active European Citizenship

https://www.ucc.ie/en/hub-in-active-european-citizenship
Olivia Kelleher

The European Union is not as well-placed to respond to the crisis in Sudan as it should be arising out of its continued focus on the war in Ukraine, defence and security expert Declan Power has warned.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Power said the EU would normally be in a position to respond "more speedily" to the conflict which broke out earlier this month between Sudan's army and paramilitary forces.

"(The EU's) focus at the moment is on Ukraine - so the longer this conflict goes on in Sudan, the more instability [there will be] internationally."

He said the EU could normally "bring about some sort of lengthening ceasefire to get negotiations in place and get to the nub of the problem".

"If needs be, the EU will have been in a position - under a UN mandate - to deploy some sort of a force.

"That's unlikely to happen for a variety of reasons. In fact, it suits Russia's needs at the moment for this conflict - it takes some of the pressure off them a little bit with the international focus shifting."

Mr Power warned that the EU is struggling to be relevant as Russia's veto is being used to "cynically undermine the West's elements of cohesion".

He said a conflict such as the one in Sudan causes a big shift in population movement.

"Crops don't get sown, resources don't get distributed. People then shift according to their need for those kinds of things, and then huge strain is put on the areas and regions that the refugees or internally displaced people move to."

Mr Power's comments come as 218 Irish citizens and their dependents have been evacuated from Sudan.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said the State continues to offer "strong support for evacuation efforts" through consular teams in Dublin, and across the region in Nairobi, Cairo, Amman, Riyadh and Addis Ababa.
Eimear Dodd

A garda detective in the trial of four men alleged to have taken part in an attack on security men at a repossessed farm in Co. Roscommon has told defence counsel that a two-second video clip was not disclosed as he didn't consider it relevant

The trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard that at around 5am on December 16, 2018, a group of approximately 30 armed men, some wearing balaclavas, arrived at a repossessed rural property at Falsk, just outside Strokestown and attacked four of the security guards present.

Patrick Sweeney (44) of High Cairn, Ramelton, Co Donegal; Martin O'Toole (58) of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris, Co Mayo; Paul Beirne (56) of Croghan, Boyle, Co Roscommon and David Lawlor (43) of Bailis Downs, Navan, have pleaded not guilty to 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Each man is separately charged with false imprisonment of and assault causing harm to four security personnel at Falsk on December 16, 2018. Each defendant is also charged with aggravated burglary, as well as four charges of arson concerning a car and three vans allegedly set alight.

The four men are also each charged with criminal damage to a door of the house, violent disorder, robbery of a wristwatch from security guard John Graham and, finally, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting an animal to be struck on the head.

Body-cam footage

Aidan Devlin of Trinity Asset Management Services told Patrick McGrath SC, defending Mr Sweeney, that he downloaded footage from a body-cam to a memory stick, then handed this to gardai on December 17, 2018. He said this footage was not available to view during the download.

Gda Sgt Enda Daly told Mr McGrath that he only became aware last week that a two-second clip of footage from a body-cam was not disclosed to defence counsel. He agreed that it should have been disclosed with the rest of the body-cam footage.

Mr McGrath put to it Sgt Daly that it is an embarrassing piece of footage for gardai, and he replied that it shouldn't have been turned on. The two second clip was played for the jury.

Sgt Daly said he viewed footage downloaded by Mr Devlin as he had to be satisfied there could be footage of evidential value on the device.

Sgt Daly told Mr McGrath that only one file, a 37-second clip, was played that day. He agreed with counsel that there was a dispute between his evidence and that of Mr Devlin, who said the footage was not available to view during the downloading process.

He told Mr McGillicuddy that he was interested in this file as it was the time of the alleged incident. Sgt Daly confirmed it was the same 37-second clip as had been shown previously to the jury.

He confirmed he took possession of the body-cam from Mr Devlin on the morning of December 16th, and he carried out other investigative duties during the day. Sgt Daly said the body-cam was in a garda patrol car during this time.

Gda Det David McDonnell confirmed to Mr McGrath that he and another garda are visible on this two second clip. He agreed that it is important that exhibits are preserved and accepted that he took out the body-cam and inadvertently recorded the clip.

He said there was no interference with the footage on the body-cam, which was in garda custody. Det McDonnell agreed this was not best practice.

He said he decided not to disclose this two-second clip to the defence as he didn't believe it was relevant. Det McDonnell said the clip was on a memory stick, which had been examined by the defence at the start of the trial.

Mr McGrath challenged this evidence and Det McDonnell said all relevant footage about Falsk between December 11 and 16, 2018 was disclosed to the defence. He said he couldn't recall speaking to Sgt Daly about the two-second clip at a later stage.

Garda Jonathan Bates told Tony McGillicuddy SC, prosecuting, that he viewed body-cam footage on December 20, 2018 and recognised Mr O'Toole. Under cross-examination, Gda Bates said he was happy it was Mr O'Toole in the footage.

Body-cam footage was played to the jury. A paramedic told the court that he transported security guard John Graham to Sligo Hospital. He said Mr Graham was groggy and appeared to have possible head, leg and arm injuries.

The jury also heard evidence in relation to text messages and calls retrieved from a phone purportedly owned by David Lawlor.
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.

First Lady of Brazil Rosangela 'Janja' Lula da Silva, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Chief of the Kayapo people Raoni Metuktire attend the Terra Livre Indigenous Camp closing ceremony on April 28, 2023 in Brasilia, Brazil. Andressa Anholete / Getty Images

The Amazon rainforest plays a critical role in the mitigation of climate change, but in recent years it has been the target of a steep increase in deforestation.

A demarcation decree by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil has established six new Indigenous reserves in the South American country where no mining will be permitted and restrictions will be placed on logging and commercial agriculture.

The lands include an extensive area of about 1.5 million acres of Amazon rainforest.

The decree was signed on the last day of the 19th Terra Livre gathering, attended by thousands of Indigenous peoples in the countrys capital city of Brasilia.

We are going to legalize Indigenous lands. It is a process that takes a little while, because it has to go through many hands, the 77-year-old Lula, who was also president from 2003 to 2010, told a crowd of people at the gathering, as BBC News reported. I dont want any indigenous territory to be left without demarcation during my government. That is the commitment I made to you.

Lula has promised to reverse policies  including the promotion of mining on Indigenous lands  of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

Average yearly deforestation in Brazil increased by 75 percent compared with the previous decade during Bolsonaros four-year presidency, the policies of which prioritized commercial farming and logging, reported Le Monde.

If we want to achieve zero deforestation by 2030, we need registered Indigenous reserves, Lula said, as Le Monde reported.

Two of the newly established reserves are in the Amazon, the largest of which  Unieuxi  was officially designated to belong to the Maku and Tukano peoples, who live on more than 1.36 million acres in the Northern Amazon.

A third reserve is in Southern Brazil, another is in the central part of the country and the last two are in the northeast.

This lifts a weight from our shoulders, Unieuxi resident Claudia Tomas told AFP-TV, as reported by Le Monde. Its the best news we could have gotten, that our lands have been legalized. It fills us with hope.

Lula called the decree an important step in a tweet.

While hailing the proclamation, Indigenous leaders pointed out that additional areas still need to be protected, BBC News reported. Lulas government had originally pledged to recognize 14 new Indigenous territories.

When they say that you occupy 14 percent of the territory and that it is a lot, it is necessary to remember that before the arrival of the Portuguese you occupied 100 percent, Lula said, as reported by Le Monde.

The move grants exclusive use of the reserves natural resources to the Indigenous peoples. We are going to write a new history, for the sake of all humanity, of our planet, said Minister of Indigenous Affairs Sonia Guajajara, as Le Monde reported. We, the Indigenous peoples, represent only five percent of the worlds population, but we preserve more than 80 percent of the worlds biodiversity.
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.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomes participants of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, a conference for laying the groundwork for COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, in Berlin, Germany on May 2, 2023. TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images

In 2009, wealthy countries pledged to spend $100 billion annually, starting in 2020, with money going to low-income nations impacted by climate change. But with wealthy nations falling short each year, trust has eroded. This year marks the first time that the wealthy nations are on track to meet the $100 billion target, Annalena Baerbock, foreign minister of Germany, shared during climate talks in Berlin.

Twelve years after the original pledges were made, the value of $100 billion is lower now than it was originally, said Sultan al Jaber, United Arab Emirates president-designate for COP28 (and managing director & group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company). As Reuters reported, the annual total is still not enough to meet the needs of low-income countries to fight the impacts of climate change. In reality, countries may need to secure more than $1 trillion per year to help climate adaptation measures in low-income nations.

Meeting the pledge this year might assuage wealthy countries guilt, but the needs have now escalated and so must the financial reparations, said Avantika Goswami, program manager and climate change researcher at Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi, as reported by Climate Change News.

Researchers in a recent study found that wealthy countries responsible for the most emissions were also causing extensive and costly harm to low-income countries as a result of climate change. For instance, the study found that the U.S. caused climate damages totaling $1.9 trillion between 1990 and 2014, while at the same time benefiting more than $183 billion.

While some countries, like France, Japan and Germany, that committed to the 2009 climate pledges have been providing their share of the $100 billion total each year, the U.S. has been named as one of the countries with the largest gaps. An analysis by Overseas Development Institute found that the U.S. has only contributed about 5% of its share, or $2 billion instead of the expected $43 billion.

In 2020, the first year the nations were meant to deliver $100 billion, they only provided $83.3 billion, falling far short of the goal.

It is frankly an embarrassment that it hasnt been possible to mobilise this money yet  especially taking into consideration that really, when being honest, we need trillions, Dan Jorgensen, minister for global climate policy and development in Denmark, told Reuters. Still, Jorgensen is optimistic that once countries begin hitting the $100 billion target, additional negotiations can move forward during climate talks.




EU Commission meets member state officials to address issue linked to redirection of Ukraine's cereal, oilseed exports

European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski met with Ukrainian officials and representatives of five EU member states which border Ukraine and are affected by the increase in Ukrainian agricultural imports.

These EU states are Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.

The war in Ukraine led to changes in logistical routes for grain and oilseed exports from the country and the establishment of EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes. The changes in logistic routes led to higher transport costs for Ukrainian cereals and oilseeds to reach their traditional markets, resulting in a redirection of exports to the EU market. This increase in imports affected local farmers in the member states where the main Solidarity Lanes were established. In certain regions of the EU, additional imports have led to oversupply, a reduction in local prices, or saturation of logistics chains.

During the meeting, the EU's comprehensive proposals were introduced to address the concerns expressed by the member states regarding the worsening situation for producers regarding specific products. This proposed commission package includes a second tranche of agricultural financial support to affected farmers, exceptional safeguard measures on key products and measures to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain exports via the Solidarity Lanes. The commission's proposed package is subject to member states lifting their unilateral measures.

The commission 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.



- European Commission
Hollywood writers are officially on strike The rise of streaming has led to a "gig economy" for writers, the union said.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has called for a strike starting today largely over streaming productions, saying that studios are effectively creating a "gig economy" within the union. On the other side of the table, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) said the WGA was "unwilling" to compromise on key issues like mandatory staffing.

"The Board of Directors of the @WGAwest and the Council of the @WGAeast, acting upon the authority granted to them by their memberships, have voted unanimously to call a strike, effective 12:01 AM, Tuesday, May 2," the WGA wrote in a tweet. "The decision was made following six weeks of negotiating with @Netflix, @Apple, @ Disney, @wbd, @NBCUniversal, @Paramountplus and @Sony under the umbrella of the AMPTP."

The Board of Directors of the @WGAwest and the Council of the @WGAeast, acting upon the authority granted to them by their memberships, have voted unanimously to call a strike, effective 12:01 AM, Tuesday, May 2.  Writers Guild of America West (@WGAWest) May 2, 2023

The effects of the breakdown in negotiations will be felt immediately, with talk shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live! set to shut down starting today. The strike will also freeze film and TV production, affecting hubs like Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta. The labor situation has already delayed the start of some programming, FilmLA president Paul Audley told Variety. The last writers' strike started in November 2007 and lasted 100 days.

Both sides have said they're willing to continue negotiations, but appear to be far apart on some issues. The "primary sticking points" according to the AMPTP, are the guild's demand for a TV staffing minimum ranging from six to 12 writers per show, along with a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of employment per season (10 to 52 weeks). The studios rejected both proposals and didn't make counter-offers.

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Other issues (laid out in a WGA document) include a demand for streaming residuals that take into account the success of shows. The WGA also wanted increases in minimums of up to 6 percent, and the AMPTP offered 4 percent at most. The guild also wants regulation of AI, proposing that it "can't write or rewrite literary material" or be used as source material. The AMPTP only agreed to study the AI issue, according to the WGA.

There were some areas of agreement, like guaranteed minimums for writers who earn less than a certain amount, and script fees for staff writers. However, both sides are dug in for what could be a long dispute. "The companies have broken this business," guild leadership said last night, calling the problem an "existential crisis writers are facing."

Meanwhile, the AMPTP said it was "prepared to improve [compensation and residuals], but was unwilling to do so because of the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the guild continues to insist upon."
Samsung tells employees not to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard The new policy follows last month's sensitive data leak.

While many workers worry AI bots will take their jobs, Samsung employees are no longer allowed to use them. The company banned generative AI tools, like ChatGPT and Google Bard, after discovering staff had added sensitive code to them, Bloomberg reported. This revelation followed last month's incident in which Samsung engineers uploaded internal source code and meeting notes to ChatGPT and accidentally leaked it.

Samsung isn't waiting for another mishap to take action. "HQ is reviewing security measures to create a secure environment for safely using generative AI to enhance employees' productivity and efficiency," the company said in a memo to staff. "However, until these measures are prepared, we are temporarily restricting the use of generative AI." Samsung further expressed concern that data sent to generative AI tools is stored on external servers, potentially creating difficulties around access, removal and unintentional sharing. ChatGPT, for instance, uses data for training unless users specifically opt-out.

Though many companies are encouraging employees to embrace the likes of ChatGPT and Google Bard, Samsung isn't alone in taking the opposite approach. Bans are particularly popular amongst banks (clear hubs of sensitive information), with JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Citi Group all restricting employee access.

Beyond reducing worries about being let go in favor of an inanimate tool, most of Samsung's staff likely agree with the policy, sharing similar concerns to their employer. In April, an internal survey by Samsung found 65 percent of respondents believed AI tools came with security risks. With this said, Samsung is still working on its own AI tools for employees to use for tasks like software development and translation.

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Employees can still use any AI tools on personal devices strictly for non-work related matters  violating this rule is a quick path to termination. The new corporate policy won't impact consumers, with generative AI tools still available across Samsung devices.
The live action remake of classic Disney film The Little Mermaid, is out in theaters now.

The fastest way to go under the sea is officially by heading into the movie theater. The widely anticipated live action re-make of The Little Mermaid has finally made its way to the big screen. The film stars the sensationally talented Halle Bailey in the role of everyone's favorite mermaid Ariel. Other sea-stars stud the movie's illustrious cast including Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, and more.

Halle Bailey became widely known in the public eye for her work on the series Grown-ish where she and her sister Chloe Bailey played twins for four seasons. The two have grown together as artists, both as actors and sinters. Together they were two halves of the well loved music duo Chloe x Halle.

In an interview with Variety, Halle Bailey shared how much her close relationship with her sister has positively impacted her life and career. "My sister is my backbone. She's my best friend. She's my everything. When I write with her, it's different than when I'm just alone. When we sing together, I feel differently than if I'm just singing by myself." The love and support that they have found with each other has definitely propelled Halle Bailey to take on this new deep sea adventure by herself. She can be certain she has the support of her loving family behind her.

The Little Mermaid comes out in theatres today. Be sure to check it out. For more on all things Entertainment News, read more here at Enstarz!
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Since 2010, when my book A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die was published, I have been advocating for people to plan ahead for end-of-life issues. And I practice what I preach. My husband David Bleicher and I have written advance medical directives and discussed them often. We did our estate plans and set up a trust. We put our funeral plans and information on file with a funeral home a decade ago and funded those arrangements last year.

During the month of April, all that work was put to the test. You never know when you are going to be faced with life-and-death situations.

What Happened

On April 4, my husband Dave had a TURP surgery. That stands for transurethral resection of the prostate. Its a surgery used to treat urinary problems that are caused by an enlarged prostate. Dave had a history of cardiac issues, and took blood thinners and other medications. But after consulting with his cardiologist, he was given the green light for the surgery.

One of the problems with surgery when you take blood thinners is you have to stop the medication prior to the operation. Two days after the surgery, while recovering at home, Dave complained of chest pains. While that was concerning, he didnt want to go to the emergency room. The next day, he was lethargic and his blood pressure was disturbingly low. We went to the Urgent Care ER. Blood tests revealed he had experienced a heart attack, had failing kidney function, and was headed into septic shock. He was transported to the hospital to the cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Because of the compromised kidney function, the doctors needed to get him stabilized before doing a cardiac catheter procedure to understand what had happened to his heart. Turns out he did have a blocked artery which had caused the chest pain. The next day, he coded  his heart arrested, twice. He was revived after 23 minutes of CPR. Ribs were broken, he was intubated and in critical condition.

The doctors wanted to discuss Goals of Care. How aggressive do we want to be? They could put him on a heart/lung machine, called ECMO. During ECMO treatment, blood flows out of your body through a tube in a large blood vessel in your chest, near your groin or in your neck. A pump pushes your blood through tubes that carry it to a machine that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Then the machine pumps your blood back into your body. And what would this aggressive treatment yield for a man with a damaged heart?

I knew that such a treatment was not what either of us wanted. I said to change his status to DNR  Do Not Resuscitate. That didnt mean they didnt try to save his life. He got off the ventilator after a day and a half. There were other cardiac issues and serious impacts from the CPR. They make it look so easy on TV for people to recover from CPR.

After a week in the ICU, we got the word that he had heart failure. We talked about discharging him to a rehabilitation facility. But after a good day sitting in a chair and using a walker to navigate a circuit in the ICU, his health declined further. He went back to bed and stayed there.

Choosing Hospice

It was time for comfort care. I stayed with him overnight in the hospital ICU. The next day, a hospice representative met with me to admit Dave to hospice. On a lighter note, she had heard me speak a few years ago and gushed, Youre THE Gail Rubin? Im such a fangirl!

Dave was on in-patient hospice care for a week. He was mostly non-responsive, but could still hear and understand the people speaking in the room. He occasionally tried to communicate with us, but it was hard to understand what he was saying. The staff was incredibly kind and supportive, keeping him pain-free and clean. They provided me with trays of food. It was a quiet and homey atmosphere.

My brother runs a metaphysical store. One of the psychics who does readings there said that she sensed Dave would not leave while I was there with him. And I was at the hospice around the clock, save for a few hours in the afternoon when family would come and sit with Dave while I left to shower and do a few errands. But on Friday night, I left the room to make a phone call. Within 15 minutes, the nurse came to say his breathing had changed and to come to the room. He had already exhaled his last breath. He did not want me to see him die.

Choosing hospice was the right thing to do for Dave. His body was devastated by so many medical complications. Not enough people know the benefits of hospice or are brave enough to embrace comfort care available at end-of-life. It is hard to lose a person you love. It is a blessing to know you helped them make the transition in a peaceful, pain-free way.

Who was David Bleicher?

David Bleicher was 71 years old when he shed his mortal coil on April 28, 2023 due to medical complications after a surgery. Born in Los Angeles, his family moved to Brooklyn when he was 16, just shy of getting his California drivers license. He was disappointed New York didnt grant drivers licenses until age 18. As a teen, he grew his amazing mustache, a facial feature for his entire adult life.

When he was a teenager, he thought hed be a rabbi, but that didnt happen. But as a cartoonist and graphic designer, he illustrated many childrens books for the publisher Torah Aura. Titles included I Can Celebrate the Jewish Holidays, I Can Learn Torah Vol. 1, Whole School Shabbat Stories, and others. He also painted rocks with cute characters and charming scenes with elves (before Keebler cookies started doing it).

He did graphic design work for the Yellow Pages, Scholastic, and as a freelancer in New York. He could tell with a glance if a line of text was one pica off. He had wonderful handwriting.

He moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1990. With his former boss Roe Libretto, who moved west at his invitation, they founded NoBul Graphics.

After the business wasnt fun anymore, they closed the company and he went back to school to become a teacher. At Rio Grande High School, he taught English, film, and journalism. In 2010 he became a National Board Certified Teacher.

As a film buff, he was known for extensively quoting dialogue from Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and Casablanca. His personal symbol was the bat. He worked with both bats and birds as a volunteer with Talking Talons. He carried pictures of Bernie the bat he fostered as a baby.

Dave was a midnight cookie muncher. He did the laundry and cleaned up the dinner dishes. He always had a cloth handkerchief in his pocket, offering it to his wife if she sneezed or started to cry about anything. She is certainly crying a lot these days.

He is survived by his wife Gail Rubin, his mother Myra Ross and her husband Alvin, his brother Steven Bleicher, an extended family including brother-in-law Mitch Rubin, and many heartbroken friends. He is predeceased by his father Norman Bleicher.

Thank you to the dedicated staff at Presbyterian Hospital for saving his life, and the caring staff at Kaseman Hospice for helping him gracefully exit. In lieu of flowers, please support the Talking Talons education and youth leadership program.

The funeral will take place in Albuquerque on Wednesday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Albert, 3800 Louisiana Blvd. NE, followed by burial in Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd. SE.

May his memory be a blessing.

Related
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

On March 2, 2022, just days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, members of the United Nations voted to adopt United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, which condemned the invasion and, among other things, called for a full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. 141 countries voted in favor of the resolution, with 5 voting against, 35 abstaining, and 12 voting absent. Almost all of the countries that did not vote in favor were from the so-called Global South.

The reasons those countries gave for their votes are many and varied, but the overarching one is that they were unwilling to take sides in what they consider to be a rivalry between major powers. As the war has dragged on over the past year, this attitude has only hardened, according to a recent Washington Post article. The fact that the invasion is a blatant attempt at territorial conquest, precisely what the United Nations was established to prevent in the aftermath of World War II, seems to matter little to these countries. After all, they say, America and its allies are equally guilty because they have carried out their own invasions in places like Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan. Context is also unimportant to these countries; they do not differentiate between invasion and humanitarian intervention; and there is no consideration for whether an intervention was U.N.-authorized or not.

South Africa and numerous other countries in Africa seem to sympathize with Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine because, in their eyes, Russia supported their struggles against apartheid and the quest for independence from colonial powers like Britain and France. There are two problems with this viewpoint. First, these countries fail to recognize that that support came from the Soviet Union, not Russia. Ukraine was a crucially important member of the Soviet Union. Many of the Soviet Unions heavy industries were located in Kharkiv, Ukraines second city, where I lived for a period during my college days in the Soviet Union. Ukraine therefore contributed much more to Africa during that period than South Africans and others on the continent realize.

Second, the fact that Russia didnt colonize anyone in Africa doesnt mean it had no imperialistic ambitions of its own. To find out what Russia really is, one only needs to ask the Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians. They were all forcibly conquered and absorbed into the Soviet Union for decades, until they were able to break free following the Soviet Unions collapse in 1991.

For some of us who grew up in post-colonial Africa, the staunch support manifesting in the Global South for Russia in its unprovoked attack on Ukraine has come as a huge surprise. For years, we have heard over and over again from our compatriots about how colonialism did irreparable damage to the continent. Every single problem on the continent today, be it economic or social, is blamed on colonialism. Even when just a cursory observation would reveal that some current ailments in Africa are rather the products of gross mismanagement by todays elite on the continent, the mess is still blamed on colonialism. It makes little sense therefore to have many of the same people who make this argument turning around today to legitimize an attempt by Russia to colonize another sovereign country.

Inexplicably, there actually are some geopolitical experts in the West who blame Ukraine for precipitating the war through its efforts to join NATO and the European Union. In the view of these experts, a major power like Russia is entitled to a sphere of influence, and hence Putin is justified in his insistence that Ukraine should stay out of NATO. The concepts of sovereignty and territorial integrity dont seem to mean much to them. Military might is all that counts.

There were indeed times in the past when this was the case. But isnt todays civilized world supposed to have learned not to repeat these ugly episodes in history? Should historical occurrences be deemed permanent realities? Slavery was prevalent globally in a previous era, but thankfully, it has been abolished in most places. Since the natural human impulse to dominate others is ever-present, should the mighty still be allowed to enslave people in weaker nations today then?

This notion that might makes right must be strongly rejected by all who cherish human dignity. Nations, however small or poor they may be, must have the right of self-determination.

Countries of the Global South and their geopolitical expert friends like to point out the hypocrisy of America and its allies in their conduct of foreign policy. There is some truth to that. But just because America does some things wrong overseas doesnt mean Russia or China should have tickets to do their own wrongs. Two wrongs certainly dont make a right. And the fact of the matter is that American and other Western leaders have domestic restraints on them in their engagements overseas. There is little in terms of such checks on someone like Putin. He deems himself omnipotent and omniscient, and his default reaction is to kill or jail any of his citizens who dare to question anything he does or says. Therefore, legitimizing his egregious actions, in the ways that some of these geopolitical experts do, actually puts millions of lives at risk both inside Russia and around the globe.

Australia, Japan, and South Korea lie on the other side of the world where China is located. But those three democracies have freely chosen to align themselves with America and its Western allies. Ukraine should have that same freedom to choose its friends. Putin should not be allowed to dictate to the 44 million Ukrainians whom they should associate with.
From: Liza Amlani -- Retail Strategy Expert For Immediate Release: Dateline: Toronto , Ontario Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Hello and Good Morning! Welcome to The Merchant Life where founders, VPs, and C-Suite executives come to seek out valuable merchandising insights. In this edition, we talk about AI. Then again, literally EVERYONE is talking about AI. We were at ShopTalk, and the term was mentioned so much you would think it was the answer to all questions. Future of retail? AI. What are you working on? AI. Hey, wheres the closest bathroom? AI think its over there. Response from the ShopTalk crowd whenever AI was mentioned. Its almost like were all jumping onto The AI Bandwagon. But before going for the ride, we give our take on AI and its impact within retail. The Fur Seal of Namibia endures sandstorms by lying down on the beach, waiting for the storm to end. Baby seals lie adjacent to their mothers, using them as another layer of protection. Scroll along in your social media feeds, and youll see the sandstorm that is AI hype. Its the hot buzzword at conferences. Its repeatedly found in earnings calls. Dire warnings of AI not being the one to replace you, but rather someone who knows AI will replace you are followed by please sign up for my AI newsletter. Others tout data from Goldman Sachs that say 300 million jobs will be lost due to automation - for more information like this, please follow me on Twitter. It feels very similar to the talk of the metaverse last year. What ensued resembled a mad scramble for retailers and brands to make the metaverse work for them. Right now, it looks like the metaverse bandwagon has lost a wheel and is (quietly) limping along its way. Disney axed their metaverse division. Meta culled their metaverse efforts. Metaverse fashion events dont pack the same punch anymore. Moreover, this quote from a Campaign Asia article sums it up: Guy Futcher, regional creative director at VCCP, also claims he has often seen brands jumping into the metaverse with average ideas. Most companies havent thought about the most important thing  whether customers want to spend time there, he said. Which means they end up creating expensive digital ghost towns. Focus and investments have shifted to, you guessed it, AI. The bandwagon roars forward. AI is certainly transformative, but you might be surprised as to the extent. It has been at work for decades, under the radar. Christopher Mims of The Wall Street Journal has a great article discussing this called The Secret History of AI and a Hint at Whats Next. The progress in the field is rapidly accelerating, as with any R&D over a period of time. Expect the pace of progress to accelerate even more. And the technology has become widely accessible for anyone to use. Take, for instance, writing this newsletter. We use Grammarly, and they have recently released an AI capability to help with re-writing and editing a la ChatGPT. But, we should ditch our technology hubris for a moment. Our ability to accurately predict the future regarding technology isnt very good. If so, the world should have ended thanks to Y2K. Typically, we make predictions based on extremes: either the extreme of hype or fear. We are easily seduced by hucksters and blinded by hype - recall examples of Theranos, FTX and WeWork. And, making long-term plans based on fear is neither prudent nor pragmatic. Mims offers his own summary of the issue: We have been here many times before. The financial incentives to hype a new technology never change, nor does our tendency to both fear and celebrate whatever is the newest, shiniest product of our civilizations ever-growing expenditure on research and development. No doubt, retail will feel the impact of AI. We would be lying if we said we knew what the impact is. Instead, we believe there are two key things to remember when looking ahead. Its important to challenge the doom and gloom predictions of job loss. As technology advances, jobs will evolve. New jobs never thought of before will be created - likely because new AI companies will be created. Other jobs will fade away; this is part of the process. There is nothing new about what is happening today. The World Economic Forum has just released its Future of Jobs report. Read through the key findings and notice that the pace of automation is far slower than originally anticipated. Organizations today estimate that 34% of all business-related tasks are performed by machines, with the remaining 66% performed by humans. This represents a negligible 1% increase in the level of automation that was estimated by respondents to the 2020 edition of the Future of Jobs Survey. This pace of automation contradicts expectations from 2020 survey respondents that almost half (47%) of business tasks would be automated in the following five years. Again, predicting impact isnt something that we have perfected. The main thing for retailers to do is be prepared to upskill/reskill employees, helping them evolve along the way. This could be an investment in specific industry skills or an investment in getting employees comfortable with digital transformation. Without that effort, the danger of employees falling behind and becoming obsolete becomes very real. As a follow-up to the point above, this is about not being blinded by the hype. Consider that a recent report from PwC states that only 17% of supply chain executives say that tech implementations have delivered on expectations. This is not an indictment of the technology. Rather, this shortfall is about companies not changing how they work before implementation. Much of this change is due to processes, internal culture, and upskilling employees. We talk to retail leaders frequently. Many admit that they succumb to shiny object syndrome. What results is neglecting the fundamentals of the business and the related consequences, including: The repeated headlines of excess inventory issues.

Giving back gains in profitability and/or cost savings through discounts and markdowns.

The apparent dry pipeline of talent for the CEO role due to cuts in talent development and education. If technology can immediately impact retail, it should serve as a mirror. Reflecting inwardly on how the company works today and thinking about what processes need to be improved. Often, retailers get in their own way because different teams are focused on different priorities. As such, they slow down their speed to market and stifle product innovation. Further, process innovation is typically considered equivalent to contingent actions. In other words, developing better fixes to solve problems as they arise. Instead, retailers must look at developing/implementing preventative actions, eliminating problems before they occur - that is true process innovation. Layering technology on top of a poor foundation is a losing proposition. This is essentially "distraction by shiny object." It's best to examine the foundation upon which the technology is introduced - is that foundation even sound enough to begin with? We are often reminded of a university professor who once remarked: Two hours in the lab can save you 15 minutes in the library. And for retailers, they need to invest those 15 minutes. Because acting with urgency is needed, not acting in haste. Its important for retailers to think carefully and understand: What are the problems are we trying to solve here? What are the ways we can elevate performance here? What are the specific business outcomes that we are looking to drive? Then, what is the best way AI can be of use? Candidly, we would be excited with boring news from retailers like merchants doubling down on their fundamentals. We would be elated to hear companies discussing getting to market faster, driving full-price sales, and preserving margins by overhauling outdated processes. THEN, it would be a tantalizing question to ask: how can we use tech, like AI, to elevate performance even further? An exciting example comes from Fortune talking about how Tapestry Inc. intends to use AI: Tapestry Inc. highlighted new capabilities to use AI to forecast customer demand and curate its inventory. The analysis helped to ensure our product was in the right place at the right time, said CEO Joanne Crevoiserat. Seeing the enthusiasm and curiosity to explore how technology can improve business outcomes is encouraging. Our intention is not to throw cold water onto that fire. Instead, fires are best burned under control so that the energy is used properly. In contrast, a fire that burns out of control is destructive. While no fire at all means being left out in the cold. In short, when thinking about how to make AI (or any other tech) work for you, jump off the bandwagon. Its hard to think clearly on the noisy wagon ride. Following what we just discussed in this newsletter, Liza joins our colleagues at Talkdesk for The Art of the Doable: Chat GPT & Other Trends Transforming Retail Customer Service. The discussion is centered on trends that are transforming retail customer service. Unified commerce and AI are some trends that will be discussed. Taking place on May 3 at 12 p.m. EST | 9 a.m. PST, this webinar is designed for business leaders, customer service professionals, and anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve in retail customer service. Register by clicking here. If you liked what you read, hit the button below to share it with a colleague. Share The Merchant Life We are also looking for your feedback on our content. Please send a note to hello@retailstrategygroup.com to let us know if we are hitting or missing the mark. Retail Strategy Group works with retailers and brands to help them accelerate their speed to market, preserve gross margins and deliver products that their customers truly want. Their monthly newsletter, The Merchant Life attracts retail founders, VPs, and C-Suite executives as they seek valuable merchandising and product creation insights. For more information, visit www.retailstrategygroup.com, and to sign up for the newsletter, visit www.themerchantlife.com.


Among Americans outside the state, San Antonio is seen as the best city in Texas to raise a family and to visit for a vacation, according to a new poll.

Twenty-six percent of respondents ranked San Antonio as the spot they would be most interested in seeing on a vacation  topping the 15 percent who chose Houston and 13 percent for both Austin and Dallas.

Asked which Texas city they thought would be the best place for raising a family, 16 percent picked San Antonio, slightly higher than the 15 percent for Houston, 14 percent for Austin and 12 percent for Dallas.

Overall, 64 percent of respondents said Texas seems like a good place to raise a family, with 26 percent saying the opposite.

Texas also earned high marks for its business environment. Sixty-six percent said they consider the state to be a good place to start a business, with 22 percent saying the opposite.

RELATED: Where are San Antonio's most and least walkable areas?

The survey of 845 Americans outside Texas was conducted last month by Crosswind Media & Public Relations, a communications firm in Austin.

Despite being home to the Alamo and the states most-sought vacation destination, San Antonio is not at the top of Americans minds when they think of the state, it seems. In response to the question, Which city do you think of most when you think about Texas? only 13 percent chose San Antonio. That compared with 27 percent who said they think of Dallas, 24 percent who think of Houston and 17 percent of Austin.

Twelve percent said they consider San Antonio the best Texas city to start a business  less than the 18 percent for Houston, 16 percent for Dallas and 14 percent for Austin.

The survey also suggests that Americans have a higher opinion of the state than they did in past years.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents in last months poll said they have either a very positive or somewhat positive view of Texas. In a similar survey conducted in July 2021, only 48 percent made those choices.

In the new survey, 21 percent said they have either a somewhat negative or very negative view of the state; in the 2021 survey, it was 23 percent.

Texas is viewed favorably by 59 percent of America, and the state is seen as heading in the right direction, our latest national survey reveals, Crosswind CEO Thomas Graham said in a statement.

Last years survey  in which 45 percent said they had a positive view of Texas  was conducted in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and a flurry of contentious and negative headlines that impacted Americans view of the brand of Texas, he said.

That may translate to Americans' view of the state as a vacation destination,too. Sixty-nine percent of Americans said its a good place to go for a vacation, while 23 percent thought it was a bad vacation destination.

These results clearly demonstrate that our states brand is on the rise, Graham said. However, I dont believe we should take these results for granted.

About the poll: The automated survey sought the opinion of 845 Americans outside of Texas and was conducted April 11-12 by Pulse Opinion and Crosswind Media. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3.3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence, Crosswind said.
Cha-Chas New Gen Cafe, a popular Leon Valley restaurant, will be booted from its city-owned location after it failed to pay rent.

On Tuesday, the Leon Valley City Council will explain why it decided not to renew Cha-Chas lease agreement for the restaurant at 6417 Evers Road. Officials will also decide whether to solicit bids for a short-term lease at the property.

Cha-Chas originally opened in 1984 and closed in 2017. It was reborn in recent years with a healthy, vegetarian twist under new owner and chef Bania Ruiz.

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Ruiz told Leon Valley City Council on April 4 that she had been healing from a very serious injury and detoxing from some of the medication. It made it difficult to do the finances.

Ruiz said her husband attempted to take over the finances, but he fell behind because he also works a full-time job and takes care of the children.

Ruiz acknowledged having not paid rent, but I am taking responsibility and assure you that us being late will not happen again.

Ruiz is the daughter of original Cha-Chas founders Margarita and the late Ricardo Ruiz and worked in the kitchen there since she was 16. Shes a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin.

Ruiz has leased the city-owned facility near the Leon Valley Community and Conference Center since January 2021, records show. The city asked Ruiz to vacate the property by June 30, she said.

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Cha-Chas pays $800 a month in rent, according to its lease agreement with the city. There are also late fees.

City Manager Crystal Caldera said Ruiz is current on her rent.



"However she is almost always late on her payment," Caldera said. "The council decided not to renew her lease" and had given her three months notice.

Ruiz said that since obtaining its liquor license this year, Cha-Chas has seen its revenue balloon and assured city leaders that the restaurant was on good financial footing.

Ruiz also came armed with a signed letter from customers, urging the city to extend its lease another three years.

One of those customers told City Council that shed hate to see it go because we dont have anything as nice.

She added: What (Ruiz) puts on your plate is really, really nice.What it looks like isnt slop or anything like that.

timothy.fanning@express-news.net
The stretch of Walzem Road east of Interstate 35 on the Northeast Side can feel like a giant concrete parking lot with lots of traffic and enough red lights to adorn a Christmas tree. But there is a lot going on here, especially with your food options, that make it a place worth visiting.

Here you will find soul food, Mexican restaurants, a meat market, an Asian market and just about everything in between. The establishments attract a wide range of people from warehouse workers to the Sunday after church crowd dressed to the nines.

It's a hidden gem of a street where I was more than happy to eat. Here are the standouts:

Chuck Blount/Staff

Mrs. Kitchen

This soul food restaurant has been in business for 11 years and for all that time, including a stint on Commerce Street, Ms. Pat has been there to greet customers and welcome them to the establishment. Upon entry, you immediately pick up the smell of some good old-fashioned cooking in a lively and spacious environment.

They serve it all cafeteria style, where you can get popular favorites like smothered pork chops, oxtail, fried fish, fried chicken, ribs, meatloaf and other meats that will make your belly happy. You start with the meats, then move on to the side with trays of yams, mac and cheese, greens, mashed potatoes and everything else you can think of.

Because it's cafeteria style, the beauty of Mrs. Kitchen is that if you want to eat, you can do it here almost immediately. There may be a line, but the staff works like a nest of busy bees and will take care of you.

5237 Walzem, 210-549-4392, mrskitchensoulfoodrestaurant.com

Mike Sutter/Staff file photo

Pollos Asados Los Nortenos

What else needs to be said about this iconic San Antonio restaurant, where you smell the mesquite charcoal and grilled chicken as soon as you leave your car? While not the original location, this yardbird destination is the one that I would recommend to everybody who lives in San Antonio, or any tourist.

I have sent dozens of people to this restaurant and every single one has said that it ranks among the best chicken they have ever had. Now they do have other options, like hamburgers and beef fajitas, but the reason to come here is for the chicken plate. You can get a whole or half chicken, marinated in a special blend of chile paste that gives it the signature red coloring, served with rice, fresh corn tortillas, lime and a grilled onion. It also comes with a green and red sauce.

I could eat that green sauce as a bowl of soup, and even though owner Frank Garcia has let me in on every detail of his famed restaurant, it's a recipe that he will not share. And I do not blame him. As for the chicken, order the whole and savor the leftovers, if there are any.

4822 Walzem, 210-481-4168, polloslosnortenos.com/walzem

Chuck Blount/Staff

El Burrito Tapatio

Perfectly named, this property physically looks like it has a burrito for a ceiling near the entrance. It has been a fixture on Walzem for about three years after a series of other restaurant concepts that didn't end particularly well.

The drive-thru, which has a menu that includesboozy drinks to-go, is constantly busy. Inside, you will find a bar and two spacious dining areas that make it easy to find a table. Staff is quick to help you and the kitchen has a nice window to eat, so you know what you are going to get is cooked hot and fresh.

As for the menu, there's a lot to it. From many varieties of breakfast tacos to soups, desserts, tortas, and, of course, burritos, they pretty much have all of Mexico covered. Staff say that the fajitas are the top seller, and with good reason. Cooked hot and sizzling upon arrival, it's hard to beat them.

5600 Walzem, 210-467-5025, no web presence

Chuck Blount/Staff

Culebra Meat Market #8

There are multiple Culebra Meat Markets scattered throughout the city, but this one is special. It's just a tiny bit bigger than your typical neighborhood convenience store, but it's cozy and lively. Inside, you will find everything you need on your grocery list and a spacious meat counter that has marinated meats, whole chickens and a wide variety of pork and beef cuts.

"I have always chosen to go to this and other markets instead of going to those big grocery store," said Rosa Rodriguez, who was purchasing some country style pork ribs for $2.99 pound. "There's too many people at an H-E-B with those big parking lots, and here you can get in an out, and the prices are good."

There is also plenty of hot food at Culebra locations, with bacon-wrapped peppers, carnitas, tacos and other options. But the real eye catcher is the crispy pork cracklings and skins that are so big they look like they were trimmed from an elephant.

6403 Walzem, 210-654-5509, no web presence

Chuck Blount/Staff

Vietnam Market

Sticking to the market theme, this was a find that left me humbled and somewhat angry that I haven't found it before. As a food journalist, you think you have this vast command of ingredients and nearly everything food related. But when you walk these aisles, you will maybe know about 15 percent of what's on the shelves.

Finds included jars of salted fish to actual gutted full catfish in a cooler, giant bags of various rice blends that look like you are buying feed for a herd of cattle. I found bagged cuttlefish, smoked pig ears and vegetables that I had to look up on Google because I didn't know they existed. Vietnam Market will bring you back to those high school days when you could spend hours upon hours at the mall.

I'm glad I ate this street, because I can experiment with this place's many wares.

5360 Walzem, 210-653-9911, no web presence

cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver
Cattle around Bexar County are getting gunned down. But at least the cause of their deaths isn't a mystery.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office and Saint Hedwig Marshal's Office are looking for whoever shot and killed several cows in or near the city east of San Antonio.

The most recent of these deaths came April 25; a caller reported it around 2 p.m. Saint Hedwig marshal's deputies responded and found a shot cow at the intersection of Farm to Market 1518 and Jung Lane.

Earlier that day, around 8 a.m., deputies responded to a report of another fatally shot cow, in the 12700 block of FM 1346.

Responding to the first incident, deputies "arrived and found a tan and white cow that had been shot multiple times and was killed," deputies wrote in a social media post. Then, when "deputies arrived (to the 2 p.m. call), the caller stated he had heard of the cow that had been shot (earlier) and wanted to check on his cattle and found that one of his black cows had been shot as well."

Both incidents are related, Saint Hedwig deputies wrote, and there were two earlier reports of shot cows in unincorporated Bexar County. Saint Hedwig deputies are working with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office to determine whether these other shootings are related, too. BCSO is looking for whoever shot and killed cows on April 12, in an incident in the 9000 block of Elmendorf-Lavernia called in around 11:30 p.m., and the following day, April 13, in an incident in the 11000 block of Stuart Road called in around 8:25 a.m.

On April 13, when "deputies arrived, the caller stated she had heard gunshots around 1 a.m., but did not think anything of it," Bexar County deputies wrote. Later that morning, though "she saw three of her cows had been shot. One cow was found dead at the scene, one cow had to be euthanized due to its injuries, and one cow is currently under vet's care recovering."

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office determined that the April 12 and 13 incidents are related, but it's working to determine whether they are related to the April 25 incidents.

Anyone with information on the incidents should contact BCSO at 210-335-6000 or bcsotips@bexar.org or the Saint Hedwig Marshal's Office at 210-667-9605 or marshal@sainthedwigcity.com. Information can be reported to either agency anonymously.

These deaths follow other, more mysterious deaths of cows in other parts of Texas.

shepard.price@express-news.net
Democratic politicians, immigration advocates and some national celebrities are reacting vehemently to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's statement describing the victims of a mass shooting on the outskirts of Houston as "illegal immigrants."

"Five human beings lost their lives and Greg Abbott insists on labeling them 'illegal immigrants,'" wrote Julian Castro, a former mayor of San Antonio, U.S. secretary of housing and urban development and Democratic presidential candidate.

Texas State Sen. Roland Gutierrez called the remark "a new low for @GregAbbott_TX, who continues to do nothing to keep #Texas safe from #GunViolence."

The San Antonio Democrat represents a district that includes Uvalde, scene of a school shooting on May 24, 2022, that killed 19 children and two teachers. Since then, Gutierrez has campaign tirelessly but unsuccessfully for legislation that would raise the legal age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21, limit ammunition sales to minors and require gunowners to purchase liability insurance.

"Greg, how was an undocumented person able to obtain an AR-15 in the first place?" Gutierrez tweeted. "Ill tell you why. Its because you and other Republicans have made safe gun laws nonexistent. I challenge you to show some actual political courage and #DOSOMETHING. #txlege"

Gutierrez and others were reacting to a tweet in which Abbott announced a $50,000 reward for the capture of Francisco Oropeza, 38, who is wanted in the deaths of five people in Cleveland, about 45 miles northeast of Houston. Oropeza allegedly killed his victims Friday night with an AR-15, military-style semiautomatic rifle. His fled the scene and is still at large.

In a tweet Sunday night, Abbott referred to the victims as "five illegal immigrants."

"You can just say 'people.' They were people," tweeted Michael Kagan, a law professor at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and director of the school's immigration clinic.

"This is despicable," wrote actor George Takei, who achieved pop culture immortality by playing officer Sulu in the "Star Trek" television series and movies. "I would have thought bringing up the immigration status of the innocent victims of this senseless violence would be beneath even you. But I was wrong."
We all have that neighbor down the street whose cats seem to multiply inexplicably. Or the dog lover who cant resist a sweet stray. Some have turned to backyard chicken coops as an alternative to buying eggs  but just how many chickens do they have?

There have been some extreme cases of pet ownership in San Antonio over the years. Like the time 18 dogs, seven cats, two tortoises, a chicken and a turtle were seized from a Southeast Side home. Or the time 54 pets were found in a house on the South Side.

But those cases paled compared to the San Antonio woman who had more than 100 pets, including dogs, exotic birds and pheasants, taken from her home.

But how many are too many? At what point does an animal lover turn into an animal hoarder?

It helps to know city regulations.

Cats

The total number of cats allowed is eight per home.

Dogs

A maximum of five dogs is permitted at a home. Note: A combined number of eight cats or dogs are allowed at a residence.

Domestic Fowl

Eight domestic fowl (one may be a rooster) are permitted at a residence. Fowl must be kept in a coop with a run that is at least 24 square feet in size and at least six square feet of space per fowl, whichever is larger.

Livestock

The number of livestock allowed at a residence is two animals from the following type of livestock: Equines; bovines; llamas; goats and sheep.

Livestock must be kept in a corral with the nearest point at least 100 feet from a business building or dwelling owned by any resident other than the owner.

Rabbits

A total of 10 rabbits are allowed at a residence.

Snakes

To keep a non-venomous snake over 3 feet and or 15 pounds, a pet owner must keep the snake in an enclosure or cage big enough to prevent the pet from getting loose. The enclosure should be big enough for reasonable free movement.

Prohibited animals

 Any ape or other non-human primate.

 Wolf, hybrid wolf, coyote, jackal or fox and similar species except for Canis familiaris.

 Leopard, lion, panther, tiger, lynx, bobcat, cheetah, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi and any similar species except Felis domesticus.

 Mustelids, other than the domestic ferret.

 Skunk

 Any venomous or poisonous reptile or venomous species except bees.

 Crocodile, alligator, caiman or related species.

 Swine

 Ostrich or any other Ratites.

 Bear

 All other mammals that live in a natural state of undomesticated freedom, including the armadillo, opossum, raccoon and squirrel.

Animal Care Services spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said the laws are not random numbers restricting residents from owning dogs, cats or other allowed animals.

Theyre based on a humane standard of care also outlined in the law, she said. That standard should be considered the bare minimum pet owners must provide their companion animal.

Norwood said care includes providing pets access to fresh air, shade from direct sunlight, species-specific food, fresh water and shelter. Further care includes exercise and veterinary care when needed or required, such as state and city-mandated vaccinations.
Nearly two years ago, Jubenson Dominique  part of a group of more than 100 Haitian immigrants being deported under Title 42, a COVID public health emergency order  was accused of biting several federal officers on a government plane set to fly out of San Antonio International Airport.

The Biden administration, at the time, was returning many Haitians to their home country under Title 42, which is set to expire May 11.

Dominique went on trial in San Antonio federal court this week, charged with three counts of assaulting federal officers. He's accused of biting them during a tumult that broke out in the airplane's cabin as officials prepared for the flight to Haiti.

"They saw him bite as he was handed from person to person to be removed from the plane," Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Hail said in opening arguments on Monday. "To keep from being removed, he assaulted three different workers for the government."

Dominique denies the allegations, and one of his public defenders, Marina Douenat, said the matter is not "black and white" but "very gray."

"Yes, Title 42 expulsion cases were happening," Douenat told jurors. "That means they were not processed through immigration courts. They were removed without opportunity to seek asylum. A lot of these individuals did not know what was happening."

A chaotic scene had erupted on the plane, she said, and a man in a red shirt  not her client  was the main instigator. She suggested he could have been the one who attacked the officers.

RELATED: Unruly passengers forced the cancellation of Haiti deportation flight from San Antonio

Dominique was among a group of Haitian migrants who'd been bused overnight on Sept. 20, 2021, from Del Rio to San Antonio International.

Some of the immigrants had fled Haiti years ago and resettled in South or Central American countries, then marched north in caravans to the U.S. border after weathering economic or political turmoil in Latin America.

The Biden administration, citing Title 42, responded by rounding up many Haitians who crossed into the U.S. illegally and shuttling them to planes at Del Rio and San Antonio airports to expel them to Haiti, instead of letting them try to seek asylum.

Dominique and at least 111 other migrants were on the plane to Haiti. Dominique was one of about 60 men in leg shackles and handcuffs bound to waist chains. They were seated at the back of the plane. Parents with their children were seated, unrestrained, at the front. There were 13 guards, six crew members and a registered nurse on board.

Wendy Gail Bryant, the RN, testified that a tumult unfolded after a father carrying a child announced to others that the plane would return them to Haiti. Bryant recalled seeing a woman stand up, talking loudly in Haitian Creole.

"At first it sounded like a preaching, a chanting," Bryant testified via Zoom from France, where she is visiting this week. "She said we were going to drop them off in the middle of the ocean and kill them."

Bryant said another woman then stood up and shouted in Spanish, "Matame! Matame!" ("Kill me! Kill me!")

Douenat argued that the outbursts "started an uproar, and men, women and everyone started talking in Creole, getting upset because they did not want to be" deported to Haiti.

Bryant said many of the migrants began to protest, and she saw a shackled man who had been able to free a hand from his handcuffs. He approached a guard, swinging his hand in an apparent attempt to hit him, Bryant said. She said the man was removed from the airplane.

But Bryant couldn't say under cross-examination if that man was Dominique.

However, Kenneth Brooks, a deportation officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told jurors that the man was Dominique.

As the officer in charge of the flight, Brooks was busy lining up the flight plan and other paperwork when he was told about the passengers' protests. He boarded the plane and found Dominique yelling. He accused Dominique of spitting on his facemask and shirt, and attempting to hit him.

"I made the decision to remove him from the plane and further restrain him," Brooks said.

He said Dominique was wedged between seats as other passengers attempted to block guards from getting to him. Nevertheless, Brooks grabbed Dominique by the leg shackles so other guards could pick him up to carry him out.

Brooks said he did not know the officers had been bitten until Dominique was off the plane.

Because of delays in processing travel paperwork  and the unrest onboard  Brooks said the pilots could not fly the plane to Haiti and return to the U.S. without violating flight-time limits imposed on pilots. A decision was made to delay the flight.

The migrants were returned to the buses, but Dominique was taken to jail for the allegedly assaults.

Dominique was one of three migrants taken off the airplane because of security concerns, but he was the only one charged.

Court records said two of the officers were treated by emergency medical technicians at the airport. The third officer was treated at a local hospital, tested for HIV and given prescriptions, court records said.
Two people were arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at a Medical Center apartment Sunday morning.

Jose Carlos Alvarez, 50, was charged with murder, and Mary Ann Demetro, 30, was charged with altering, concealing or destroying a human corpse.

READ ALSO: Floresville teen arrested in drug-related fatal shooting outside Southeast Side Walmart, records show

San Antonio police said Demetro called 911 Sunday about 9 a.m., saying that Alvarez had shot her husband, that he was holding her hostage and that she was able to escape. When police arrived at the Demetro apartment, in the 4000 block of Medical Drive, they found a 31-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound.

Police arrested Alvarez Sunday morning.

During the investigation, detectives accessed surveillance video from the apartment complex that showed Demetro helping remove the body and cleaning evidence inside the apartment. Police said the evidence is inconsistent with the idea that Demetro was forced to help clean the scene.

READ ALSO: San Antonio woman who said she fatally shot her boyfriend in self-defense arrested on murder charge

Police said investigators also learned that Demetro and Alvarez were in relationship, though police could not specify the nature of that.

Demetro was arrested Monday morning at San Antonio International Airport attempting to flee the city, police said.
A judge has tossed a felony charge of unlawful restraint against a former San Antonio police officer who allegedly placed his knee on the head and neck of a man during a 2019 arrest, court records show.

State District Judge Kristina Escalona dismissed the charge against Michael Angel Brewer, 35, on Monday in response to a motion by a prosecutor in the Bexar County District Attorneys Office, David H. Cavazos IV.

Cavazos stated that prosecutors were unable to prove elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

An indictment had charged Brewer with unlawful restraint that exposed a complainant to a risk of serious bodily injury. It stemmed from a Nov. 26, 2019, incident in which Brewer helped arrest Matthew Garza.

Garza, now 33, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to evading arrest/detention and was sentenced to two years of deferred adjudication probation, which was to be completed in 2024, court records indicate. On March 1 of this year, his probation was dismissed and the case closed.

Brewer and another SAPD officer, Andre Vargas, had responded to a report of a disturbance at Commercial Avenue and Grosvenor Boulevard on the South Side. Police officials said at the time that Brewer used unnecessary physical violence when he placed his left knee on Garzas neck and that Garza appeared to provide no resistance.

Brewers attorney, Ben Sifuentes, had harsh words Monday for Police Chief William McManus and the DAs Office. He said Brewer did nothing wrong and should never have been charged or lost his job.

McManus told the public my client did something he did not do, Sifuentes said, calling the allegation that Brewer knelt on Garzas neck a total falsehood and citing video footage from three police body cameras.

The DAs Office released a statement Tuesday that said the grand jury had sufficient probable cause to indict, but prosecutors who had sought additional input from expert witnesses had concluded they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

SAPD records indicate Brewer and Vargas were fired over the incident. Vargas, who was not criminally charged, was fired for using unnecessary force when he lifted (Garza) off the ground in handcuffs by his arms, causing him unnecessary and unwarranted pain, records show.

Sifuentes said that statutes of limitation expired on charges that the DAs Office wanted to pursue, so prosecutors filed a charge that does not apply to officers making a lawful arrest.

They tried to allege it was a felony because of the risk of serious bodily injury, and that was based on a false statement, Sifuentes said.

He said Garza was arrested for allegations of family violence during a child custody dispute. Sifuentes said the fact that Garza admitted guilt was further evidence Brewer should never have been charged.

I dont know how this case was indicted, Sifuentes said. It is a terrible, terrible shame.

Asked for comment, an SAPD public information officer said via email: The San Antonio Police Department acknowledges the District Attorneys decision to dismiss this case. The SAPD stands by its decision to fire Michael Brewer.

Sifuentes said Brewer will seek to get his job back.
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Local Prop A opponents raised and spent more than $1 million last month in their effort to defeat the criminal justice reform measure on the May 6 ballot, adding to already hefty spending to strike it down.

The police unions political action committee, Protect SA, reported the biggest fundraising haul, bringing in $937,000 from March 28 through April 26. The business-led PAC formed against the measure, San Antonio Safe, raised $154,000 over the same period. The two PACs used nearly all of that on advertising expenses.

The fight against Prop A has eclipsed the money spent on a 2021 proposition that aimed to strip the union of its right to collectively bargain with the city, which narrowly failed. Proponents and opponents raised nearly $1.8 million in that election  well below the combined $2.4 million that has gone into this years wide-ranging measure, with still a few more days to fundraise ahead of election day.

We knew that there would be quite a bit of money, but not this much, said Ananda Tomas, executive director of Act 4 SA, the police reform group that led the effort to get Prop A, known as the Justice Charter, on the May ballot through a signature campaign. Most of the stuff on here are things that are already in place that were trying to codify, so I dont think we expected this much opposition.

READ MORE: They understand where were coming from: Council support a boon to union in Prop A fight

Proposition A has drawn the most backlash for its attempt to amend the city charter to codify and expand the citys cite-and-release policy, making it largely a requirement, rather than an option, that police issue citations for select low-level, nonviolent offenses. The proposition would also amend the charter to decriminalize abortion and low-level marijuana possession, ban police chokeholds and no-knock warrants and create a justice director at City Hall.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg and six other City Council members are against it. Nirenberg took to primetime television in early April to urge voters to reject the measure at the ballot box. The city attorney has also said all but the justice director position would be unenforceable if the measure passed.

Though organizers knew the San Antonio Police Officers Association would put up a fight, We didnt expect chambers of commerce or the general establishment coming out, Tomas said.

At a news conference last month, San Antonio Safe PAC co-chair Eddie Aldrete warned that businesses will leave the city if the proposition passes because it will lead to lawlessness and crime and tie the hands of the police in order to enforce the law.

The PACs two biggest contributors were IBC Banks political action committee and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, both of which gave $30,000. NuStar Energy gave $25,000.

Unlike 2021, when spending by proposition supporters and opponents was more evenly matched, Prop A supporters have been seriously outraised this election.

The SA Justice Charter PAC brought in about $312,000 in cash contributions from March 28 through April 26. Thats far more than what the PAC, and the now-defunct San Antonio Justice Charter PAC, generated in the first quarter when they reported a combined $50,000 in cash contributions.

We expected to bring in money, Tomas said of the campaign. I think, for us, the frustration was that it came later than we wanted it to.

As a result, organizers initially had to work with a skeleton crew for their door-knocking campaign, which has since tripled to 30 paid canvassers, she said. Digital ads also went out later than they would have liked.

The biggest financial backers of the campaign for Prop A have been the Texas Organizing Project and Act 4 SA. These funders also contributed to the combined $79,000 in non-monetary donations for mainly staffing support.

Tomas has been particularly critical of the amount of money the police officers association has used to campaign against the measure. To date, Protect SA raised $1.8 million, much of which came from union member contributions.

Its disheartening to see that this is what they chose to spend their money on, which is literally tanking the will of the people and spreading misinformation, she said, noting that she had expected the union to spend not more than $1 million this election cycle.

And though the election is days away, its opponents havent stopped raising or spending money.

Fundraising and campaign spending will continue to the very end, said Kelton Morgan, a political consultant for San Antonio Safe.

Based on turnout so far, the Safe PAC feels as good as anyone can in the closing days of a campaign, Morgan said.
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Law enforcement officials have captured Francisco Oropeza at a relative's Montgomery County home, ending a four-day manhunt for a suspect who police say fled after a mass shooting Friday night that left five dead.

A tip to the FBI around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday led authorities to Oropeza at his sister's home in the Montgomery County town of Cut and Shoot, about 13 miles from where the shooting happened in Cleveland.

OROPEZA ARREST: Accused Cleveland mass shooter's wife arrested, accused of helping him elude capture for days

Sometime after 6 p.m., police discovered Oropeza hiding under a pile of laundry in a closet, San Jacinto County officials said. Authorities arrested him without incident.

Now Playing: San Jacinto Sheriff Greg Capers discusses the apprehension of Francisco Oropeza at a relative's Montgomery County home, four days into a sprawling manhunt that followed a fatal shooting that left five dead in San Jacinto County, during a Tuesday night press conference, May 2, 2023. Video: Houston Chronicle

Oropeza, 38, was briefly jailed in Montgomery County before being transferred to a detention facility in the San Jacinto County seat of Coldsprings. He went before a magistrate and is being held on $5 million bail.

The arrest comes after police say Oropeza entered a household on his quiet street in rural Texas late Friday and massacred five people: three mothers, a teenager and a 9-year-old boy.

Police say Oropeza stormed into his neighbors house and started firing at members of the four families who had gathered that evening. Ramiro Guzman, who survived the massacre hiding under a blanket in a closet with his wife and 6-month-old, said his brother-in-law moments earlier had asked Oropeza to stop shooting his AR-15 rife so close to their front yard because the noise disturbed his sister and brother-in-laws baby.

The firearm was recovered Sunday, according to authorities.

Ken Ellis / Houston Chronicle

Sheriff Greg Capers said at a 9 p.m. news conference in Cleveland that tips about Oropeza's potential whereabouts came in from across the nation, including Wyoming and Florida. More than 200 law enforcement officials aided in the search.

San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon said Oropeza's wife was at the Cut and Shoot home at the time of his arrest. Authorities are investigating whether Oropeza's relatives had been hiding him in the days since the deadly shooting, Dillon said. No one else has been arrested in connection with the shooting and Oropeza's flight, authorities said.

Oropeza is charged with five counts of murder but a grand jury could impose more serious charges, the district attorney said.

Loved ones of those killed welcomed the arrest.

ONE SMALL ASK: How a simple request led to tragedy

Of course Im happy, but not much because this isnt going to bring my woman back, said Jeffri Rivera, whose 21-year-old girlfriend, Diana Velasquez Alvarado, was among those killed. The mother of two young boys died protecting a group of children from gunfire, her boyfriend said.

The five people killed were Alvarado, Sonia Argentina Guzman Taibot, 25; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and Daniel Enrique Lazo Guzman, 9.

Ken Ellis/Staff

In the days since the slaughter, family members demanded answers about what they say was a slow police response time. Rivera, who survived the rampage, said he called 911 multiple times before the shooting started and told dispatchers the neighbor was acting threateningly. As the gunman fired inside the home, Rivera said he called 911 several more times.

I told them to hurry up because he was killing everyone, Rivera said. Police found his girlfriend's body protecting the children  including two of her own  who survived uninjured.

Capers has not responded to repeated requests for comment on response times. His office has not produced 911 call logs or dispatch records.

RESPONSE TIMES: Why there was a long response time to Texas mass shooting

Experts said that the secluded nature of the neighborhood, the condition of the pockmarked road, lack of available officers and overlapping jurisdictional boundaries could have impacted law enforcements response time. On Tuesday morning, two Montgomery County Precinct 4 work trucks filled potholes on the bumpy road.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

On Tuesday, three large banners with Oropezas face and reward information in English and Spanish hung at the entrance to the neighborhood, at an intersection by the home and another intersection farther up the street where the killing took place, Walter Drive (the FBI put up digital billboards across the Houston area and said theyd soon be up across the state). Balloons and stuffed animals from a vigil the night before lined the front lawn of the cream house; a vase of fresh flowers perched on the porch. Two young women dropped off a yellow bouquet.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Oropeza is a Mexican national who had been deported from the country four times, most recently in 2016, according to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. He was also deported twice in 2009 and once in 2012. Law enforcement authorities say his last name also has been spelled "Oropesa" and have referred to him as such.

According to ICE, Oropeza was convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2012 and sentenced to serve jail time, though the agency did not say how long he served. It also is unknown how he was back in the United States; Gov. Greg Abbott has said he was in the U.S. illegally at the time of Friday's shooting.

CLEVELAND VICTIMS: Remembering the 5 Texas mass shooting victims, killed after dispute with neighbor

Sheriff Capers said that San Jacinto County authorities tried to arrest Oropeza on unrelated charges in 2022 but he could not be found. Then the alleged victim formally requested he not be prosecuted, effectively ending the case against him.
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Facing her father-in-laws killer, Briana Rayos held back tears as she relayed what it was like to explain to her children why they lost their Opa.

Her son was a baby, but her daughter was close to Rodney Rex Rheiner, a retired Converse Police Department assistant chief. He was killed in 2020 in a head-on crash after Jeanne-Nicole Bernice Coutros fled from San Antonio officers who tried to pull her over on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Rayos appeared to physically ache Tuesday as she described telling a 4-year-old that the favorite person in her life was gone. Now 7, her daughter, Audrey, had a message for Coutros.

She wants you to know that you broke her heart, Rayos said as the tears finally came. Coutros also wept, covering her face as she heard those words, then was taken into custody to begin a 10-year prison sentence.

CRIME & COURTS: Sutherland Springs shooting lawsuit settles for $144 million

As part of an agreement reached between prosecutor Alicia Lovett and defense attorney Amanda Hernandez, the state dropped an evading arrest charge, and Coutros, 27, pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter.

She was sentenced by state District Judge Jennifer Pena and must serve at least half her term before being eligible for parole. Coutros could have faced up to 20 years.

Rheiner, 59, was in his third year of retirement. His son, John, who was in the SUV with him the night of the crash, read a letter in court that his mother, Linda, wrote, saying she had lost her best friend.

TEXAS MANHUNT: Expert suggests shooter may have fled to Mexico

The letter highlighted her husbands law enforcement career, which spanned more than three decades, but it said being Opa and a family man were his main loves.

Relatives, friends and several in the law enforcement community attended Tuesdays sentencing, including former Converse Police Chief Rick Jamison. The citys mayor, Al Suarez, told Coutros the fatal wreck was no accident, but the consequence of bad choices.

My hope is that you serve the maximum time, Suarez said.

Reports indicate San Antonio police noticed a Toyota Tacoma driven erratically around 11 p.m., March 10, 2020, in the 14300 block of Nacogdoches Road and attempted a traffic stop.

The pickup abruptly stopped in the left lane but sped off as the officer approached it. The officer notified dispatch and went to another call, police said. San Antonio police arent allowed to pursue vehicles for traffic infractions, ordinance violations, or nonviolent misdemeanor offenses and felonies, which include fleeing from an officer, the department said.

As Coutros sped down Nacogdoches, she attempted a left turn onto Friesenhahn Court, but another vehicle pulled in front of her to also turn left. The Tacoma swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid the second vehicle and hit the Lincoln SUV in which Rheiner was a passenger. He died later from his injuries.
Last week, the Texas House advanced two bills to address school safety: HB 3 and HB 13. These bills offer an illusion of safety but fail to invest in evidence-based solutions for safe and supportive schools.

Schools must ensure our students feel safe every day, in every way, by adopting practices that have been shown to promote safe and welcoming schools and do not compromise the overall well-being of young people.

HB 3 requires all Texas school districts to employ an armed security officer, which could include a police officer, armed school employee or a private security guard. HB 13 would provide an up to $25,000 stipend to incentivize educators to carry guns on school grounds.

We agree that the legislature must prioritize policies to protect students from school violence. However, the bills focus on funding armed employees on school grounds detracts from evidence-based methods of ensuring school safety including much-needed investments in mental and behavioral health, addressing the teacher shortage, and supporting students and families recovering from the trauma and learning loss of the pandemic.

The presence of school-based armed security has not been shown to prevent school violence. A recent study of 133 school shootings between 1980 and 2019 made two key findings: (1) the presence of an armed officer had no influence in deterring school violence or shootings; and (2) the presence of an armed officer at a school was the No. 1 factor linked to increased casualties, after accounting for the perpetrators use of a high-capacity weapon.

The vast majority of educators and families do not want teachers to carry guns in schools. An ongoing review of publicly reported incidents involving guns on school campuses by the Gifford Law Center details numerous incidents where a gun was mishandled or improperly fired by armed adults at schools. For example, armed school employees have left their guns in bathrooms, teacher workrooms and school buses where they have been found by students. Some administrators have even accidentally shot themselves and threatened colleagues with weapons on school grounds.

Arming school employees will erode students trust in educators, undermine positive school climate, and make it difficult for educators to create a safe and supportive environment for students. According to a recent report, 77 percent of Texas school employees reject the idea that teachers should be armed in the classroom.

The answer to ending gun violence in our schools is not through arming more people in our schools. Safe schools are built and maintained through strong, enduring relationships between diverse staff, educators, students and families.

Texans should not accept proposals to spend money on increasing armed personnel in schools instead of investing in evidence-based practices and resources that support students and educators, address the root causes of violence and strengthen school communities.

Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., is the chief legal analyst for Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), a nonprofit whose mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college.
More than five hours and 300 miles separate Cleveland, Texas, from Uvalde.

Little less than a year separates the killing of 9-year-old Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman from the killing of 19 children, ages 9 and 10.

Daniel was killed Friday with an AR-15 in the presence of adults who died trying to protect him. The children of Uvalde were killed with an AR-style weapon in the presence of adults who died trying to protect them.

The distance in time and miles from Cleveland to Uvalde is further narrowed by the spread of bloodshed in other Texas mass shootings: Plano, Sutherland Springs, Santa Fe, El Paso and Midland-Odessa. This is an incomplete list.

Daniel was the youngest of five members of a tight-knit Honduran family killed in Cleveland, about 45 miles outside of Houston, late Friday night because they had the audacity to ask their neighbor to not fire his gun so close to their home. The gunfire had awakened a baby. They hadnt even asked him to stop shooting.

Ill do what I want to in my front yard, the suspect, 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, is said to have responded. His name has also been spelled Oropesa.

He then entered the home of his neighbors, killing the victims execution-style before fleeing into the woods, survivors recounted. Oropeza, who is from Mexico and was deported from the United States four times, was apprehended Tuesday night.

The Associated Press reported deputies had been to the property before to speak with Oropeza about shooting his gun in his front yard.

Officials have said Daniel was killed after he ran to his mother, Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, who was shot and fell to the ground. Guzman had confronted Oropeza.

Three other children were found covered in blood, but they were not physically injured because they had been shielded by two of the female victims  Diana Velazquez Alvarado, a permanent resident who dreamed of becoming a cosmetologist; and Julisa Molina Rivera.

These women, Daniels mother and the two teachers, Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles murdered with their students in Robb Elementary, tried to do something Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the Texas Legislature have failed to do this session: protect children from AR-style weapons.

Abbott and Co. might argue they are focused on improving school security, but there is no way to reduce gun violence without addressing lax access to guns. And while its hard to say one single policy will stop a particular shooting, the point is that the right policies will reduce gun violence and save lives.

Yet, even convincing legislators to raise the minimum age to purchase a semi-automatic from 18 to 21 is impossible. Last month, Uvalde families wishing to testify in favor of House Bill 2744, which would do that, were forced to wait more than 13 hours before they could speak.

One of the mothers, Veronica Mata, whose daughter Tess was slain, told legislators: You as leaders have a choice of what my daughters life will be remembered for. Will she die in vain, or will her life have saved another child? Im begging you to please hear me out and dont let my daughters murder mean nothing to you.

The sad truth is if lawmakers continue to ignore guns as the common denominator in shootings, or that AR-style weapons are acutely lethal, more mothers will continue to ask the very question Mata has asked.

Its a question that merits an answer  not that we expect a meaningful one from Gov. Greg Abbott.

Not content to merely preside over a state that routinely is the site of a mass shooting, Abbott tweeted Sunday, Ive announced a $50k reward for info on the criminal who killed 5 illegal immigrants Friday.

They were people, governor. People. To reduce mass shooting victims to their immigration status is reprehensible.

Nor was Abbott accurate. At least one of the victims  Diana Velazquez Alvarado  was a permanent resident of the United States. Abbott later clarified his statement and expressed regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting a criminal.

But it rings hollow and misses the point that humanity is shared and borderless.

It was left to another Greg to give voice to the humanity and dignity the victims deserve. In speaking of 9-year-old Daniel, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said, I dont care if he was here legally. I dont care if he was here illegally. He was in my county. Five people died in my county, and that is where my heart is.

No one is asking Abbott or the Texas Legislature to give their lives to protect children and others from gun violence. Others, including women in Uvalde and Cleveland, have already done this.

What we need, what common sense and our hearts demand, are laws that wont make these continued sacrifices necessary.
Imagine its May 24 in Uvalde and teachers and other school staff are armed. Could one of them have stopped the 18-year-old shooter from murdering 19 students and two teachers? This is the alternate reality lawmakers are trying to sell. We dont buy it.

Not only do we not buy it, but we see this type of thinking as a capitulation to violence. Perhaps an armed teacher could limit the carnage  or perhaps another gun in a classroom would make matters worse  but implicit in this type of thinking is an acceptance of continued school shootings. There is nothing about arming teachers that addresses easy access to guns or root causes of violence.

Our lawmakers say school safety is a priority this session, but theyre not doing enough. Instead of pushing commonsense gun reforms such as Uvalde Democratic Rep. Tracy Kings House Bill 2744, which would raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic guns from 18 to 21, they are pushing forward a reactive effort to harden schools. Kings bill cant even get a floor vote even though polling in June from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin found 70 percent of respondents either support or somewhat support raising the purchase age for a firearm.

In a 119-25 vote on April 25, the Texas House approved House Bill 3, authored by Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, that would place an armed officer, guardian or district employee on every campus, provide incentives for school employees to become certified to carry a firearm and install silent panic alert buttons in every classroom.

It would also establish statewide standards for campus security, boost coordination between schools and local law enforcement. House Bill 13 would increase the school safety allotment from less than $10 per student to $100.

Were glad the Legislature is making an effort to keep students safe  there are aspects of these bills we support  but we cannot address gun violence without addressing guns.

The Uvalde murderer waited until he turned 18 to legally purchase his arsenal.

Its true that in a rampage, saving precious minutes could saves lives, that maybe someone with a gun could make a difference. But lets also remember that the Uvalde shooter fired off more than 100 rounds in minutes, and stymied officers who initially sought to enter the classroom. Could an armed teacher be better prepared?

During the House hearing last month, Burrows said when he crafted the bill, he kept in mind his conversations with Uvalde grandparents and classroom educators. He also made the common GOP comparison to armed guards at airports, universities, banks, malls, sporting events and the Texas capitol. But schools are different. Schools should be safe places where children go to learn and grow, not fortresses preparing for battle. Lawmakers should be addressing why the gun threatens the school. Thats what is missing here.

We share concerns with state representatives who offered amendments that failed.

State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, wondered why they werent discussing gun reforms; she questioned if armed school staff would make schools more dangerous. And State Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos, D-Richardson, whose daughter is a teacher, said teachers dont want guns in classrooms.

We all want to imagine an alternate reality to what happened in Uvalde. Weeks after the school shooting in Uvalde, we wrote that it was outrageous that arming teachers would be considered a meaningful response to school violence. That the plan to harden schools is acquiescing to more carnage. Its what we still believe.

The first anniversary of the Uvalde massacre, the second-worst school shooting in America, looms and schools arent safe. We understand the need for improved security given the reality of the moment, but, lets remember that arming teachers and hardening schools are reactive accommodations for continued gun violence, not proactive solutions to prevent it. We are disheartened that in Texas, which in the past decade has had more school shootings than any other state, lawmakers are ignoring gun safety reforms. Firearms were the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in 2020.

Imagine its May 29  five days after the Uvalde anniversary and the final day of the 88th legislative session  and our Texas Legislature has done nothing to regulate the purchase of assault-style weapons. What a failure that will be.
I dont know who was responsible for coordinating the event at the San Antonio State School on April 22, but they did a wonderful job.

It was one of the first Fiesta events and a treat for all who attended. There were classic cars, motorcycles, marching bands and many Fiesta officials who took time out of their busy schedules to form a short parade in front of an enthusiastic crowd who so appreciated all of them.

There were also vendors with all kinds of goods and delicious food. The effort of the staff to bring these residents to see all this is just beyond words, and they deserve to be praised for their tireless work.

The funds benefit the state school, which is a long-term residential facility for the intellectually disabled. It is inspiring to see families spending time enjoying fun and food with their loved ones.

So, again, to all who made this event happen, I wish you blessings and thanks for your hard work.

Kathy Schimcek

Revisit Bracero program

There was an immigration accord between Mexico and the United States in 1942. The Bracero program, created by executive order, allowed short-term labor contracts for agricultural workers. The workers from Mexico could then work legally in the United States.

My question is, why is it the U.S. is unable to come up with a similar work agreement with Mexico and other countries? It might reduce illegal immigration.

Manuel Vera Jr.

Sentence doesnt fit crime

Re: Slain officers family reveals pain, Front Page, April 25:

The negotiated 15-year sentence approved by the Bexar County district attorney for the killing of San Antonio Independent School District Detective Clifton Cliff Martinez is a perfect example why District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales needs to be voted out of office when he comes up for re-election.

Furthermore, this is another reason county voters should vote against Proposition A.

My deepest condolences to the family of Martinez.

Edward Esparza
He calls them the enemy of the people, and often delights when supporters chant CNN sucks at his rallies, but Donald Trump wont let animosity get in the way of good television. The former president will sit down for a town hall hosted by CNN next week.

A senior Trump advisor explained away the apparent incongruity, telling RealClearPolitics the reason they accepted the invitation: Network executives made a compelling pitch.

That kind of programming note wouldnt drive headlines for other candidates. Voters dont care about the minutia of journalists jostling for access. Of course, Trump is different though. From his frequent attacks to his administrations unsuccessful attempt to pull their White House press credentials, Trump vs. CNN was both a very real legal case and a feature of his administration.

Other camps in the Republican presidential primary are taking notice, arguing that the new CNN coziness is more evidence that Trumps hatred of the media has either waned in recent years or was always a charade.

A spokesman for NeverBackDown, a super PAC encouraging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to run, told RCP that Trump was rewarding old enemies. Donald Trump has changed, and not for the better, Erin Perrine said. Hes now best friends with the woke media he used to call fake news.

Trump World doesnt make much of that allegation. The advisor countered that Trump was running to represent all Americans, hence the need to go on networks that arent traditionally friendly to Republicans. Then, they took what seemed like a veiled shot at DeSantis.

Going outside the traditional Republican comfort zone was a key to President Trumps success in 2016, the advisor said. Some other candidates are too afraid to take this step in their quest to defeat Joe Biden and are afraid to do anything other than Fox News.

If peace has indeed broken out between Trump and CNN, they will bury the hatchet at New Hampshires Saint Anselm College. The town hall will be moderated by CNN host Kaitlan Collins, an alum of the conservative Daily Caller, a website started by Tucker Carlson. The sit-down comes as Trump offers an implicit detente to the media. His campaign has invited numerous reporters from legacy media outlets to fly along on his plane to campaign events. DeSantis, meanwhile, continues to turn a cold shoulder to those outlets.

The Florida governor hardly ever sits down with the big networks or papers, preferring instead to drive his message on friendlier outlets like Fox News or Ben Shapiros Daily Wire.

The old way of looking at it is: I have to do every media hit that I possibly can, from as broad a political spectrum as I can, to reach as many people as possible, Nick Iarossi, a longtime DeSantis supporter and a lobbyist in Tallahassee, told the New York Times earlier this year. The new way of looking at it is: I really dont need to do that anymore. I can control how I want to message to voters through the mediums I choose.

More than just a strategic choice, DeSantis takes opposition to mainstream media outlets as an article of faith. Dont think that theyre coming to you in good faith, he said in a broadside attack against the press while onstage with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds earlier this year. Theyre coming to you to be able to advance their agenda, and if youre somebody thats standing for our values, like Kim and me stand for, you are an impediment to their agenda.

So dont play into it. Just speak the truth. Do your thing, he continued, counseling that conservatives should not give them the satisfaction that they are some type of neutral gatekeepers because they are not.

It isnt just Trump who has rejected that advice. Before he accepted an invitation to the network that he loved to hate, former Vice President Mike Pence sat down with CNN. So did Republican businessman and 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who got into a contentious debate with liberal commentator Don Lemon. The two men had a heated discussion about slavery and the second amendment as co-host Poppy Harlow was sidelined and looked down at her phone.

According to a person present that day, Lemon went ballistic, yelling at producers during the segment and then refusing to acknowledge the candidate when the show went to break. Lemon was later let go by CNN. Ramaswamy praised the move.
Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, sits in House Judiciary on May 1, 2023 after being censured by House Republicans. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana announced it has filed a lawsuit against the state Monday challenging the censure of Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, alleging it was a violation of First Amendment rights and the representation of her constituents.

The lawsuit names Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, and Sergeant of Arms Brad Murfitt as defendants.

Monday also marked the first day Zephyr has been able to speak in her official capacity in the state House since her censure.

She spoke during a House Judiciary committee hearing on a study bill from Sen. Barry Usher, R-Yellowstone County, after Chairwoman Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, recognized her. Zephyr asked a question of an informational witness.

Bills that were scheduled to be heard in House Judiciary were blasted from committee or re-referred to other legislative committees last week, a move criticized by Democrats as a way to further cut Zephyr from the process.

Chairwoman Regier told the Daily Montanan last week that she had no bills to schedule and did not have a plan for the committee. On Friday, she said on the House floor that the committee would be meeting.

Zephyr told the Daily Montanan following the hearing Monday the committee meeting was a result of pressure from her caucus.

My constituents sent me here to represent them in every facet of the legislative process. It feels good to be able to do that this morning, Zephyr said.

In response to a request for comment from House Republicans, a spokesperson for the Attorney Generals Office, Emily Flower, sent a statement via a link to a Fox News story.

This is performance litigation  political activism masquerading as a lawsuit, Flower told Fox News Digital following publication. The ACLU is trying to use the courts to interfere with the legislature as it carries out its constitutional duties on behalf of Montanans. Any relief granted by the court would be a gross violation of the separation of powers.

Murfitt told the Daily Montanan he had not been served anything relating to the suit.

Zephyrs censure came after a protest was held in the House gallery last Monday after Speaker Regier did not allow Zephyr to speak for a third consecutive time on the floor.

Zephyr wasnt recognized after she made comments that legislators who voted in favor of a bill to ban gender affirming care for minors had blood on (their) hands, in reference to the youth suicide associated with denying such care.

The Speaker said her remarks that Republicans who voted for the bill should be ashamed crossed a line, and he refused to recognize her. Her supporters in the gallery then demanded she be recognized, chanting let her speak, and Zephyr didnt quiet them, which Republicans argued merited the censure.

Zephyr defended her decision to amplify their voices.

The ACLUs lawsuit said protests at the Capitol are routine and that brief chanting is not the most disruptive behavior seen on the grounds.

During the coronavirus pandemic, individuals brandished guns during their protests. Despite this, no legislator was disciplined in those situations for the behavior of those with whom they are politically aligned, for acknowledging their views, or for failing to calm them, the filing read. The Censure treats Representative Zephyr unequally to other legislators by disciplining her but not other legislators for the actions of protestors with whom they are politically aligned.

The filing said Zephyrs access to the building was limited with the deactivation of her access card. The key card gave her access to Capitol entrances, bathrooms, and party workspaces. The censure only blocked her from being on the House floor, gallery or anteroom.

House leadership explicitly and directly targeted me and my district because I dared to give voice to the values and needs of transgender people like myself, Zephyr said in a statement in a release on the suit. By doing so, theyve denied me my own rights under the Constitution and, more importantly, the rights of my constituents to just representation in their own government. The Montana State House is the peoples House, not Speaker Regiers, and Im determined to defend the right of the people to have their voices heard.

Several of Zephyrs constituents were listed in the filing, all saying they want Zephyr to be able to participate in the final debates on the floor in the final days of the session. Monday marks day 86 of 90 of the 2023 session.

The filing alleges violations against protections of speech, equal protection and right to representation In the Montana Constitution. The filing requests Zephyrs legislative privileges be reinstated and defendants recognize Zephyr on the floor, without threat of censure, among other requests.

Sergeant of Arms for the House Judiciary Committee Walter Chancy told reporters on Monday the press would be limited to three chairs designated for the media. When a reporter for Lee Enterprises sat in the area designated for the public, which is normally filled with lobbyists and constituents, the reporter was told they could stay in the room but could not take notes.

This restriction marks a break from precedent in the committee, as lobbyists will typically have laptops out to take notes, as well as other days the committee has heard bills of high public interest like the bill to ban drag on public property, where more than three members of the media have been seated and standing in that area. Chancy was given this directive by Chairwoman Regier.

Monday also saw continued drama in the saga of where Zephyr works in the building.

On Thursday, Zephyr started working on a bench just outside the House floor the day after her censure, although the Speaker first tried to stop her from using the space to work. On Monday, women who identified themselves as wives of legislators but did not wish to provide their names, sat on the bench Zephyr had been working on one of them had a name tag that read Beth Hinebauch, which identified her as the wife of Sen. Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibeaux. Darin Gaub, director of Montanas Freedom Caucus Network, also sat on the bench. The women denied that they were making a statement by sitting on the bench, but said they were aware that Zephyr had been working there. They asked where else they could go, although seats were available outside the Senate Chamber.

Zephyr tweeted in response to the bench shed been using being occupied, saying some folks showed up early this morning and sat on the public benches near the entrance to the House, so Seat 31 has moved.

Im up and ready to work. Plus, I hear stand desks are all the rage these days.

Earlier Monday morning, Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, R-Billings, gave a statement to the press in regards to a video clip of her that went viral in the aftermath of Zephyrs censure. The video was of Seekins-Crowes testimony for Senate Bill 99, the bill Zephyr testified against, but when the House heard the bill in March.

In the clip she was talking about her daughters suicidal ideation, a story she said she had consent to tell. At least one viral clip was posted to a Twitter account called The Intellectualist, which posts content based on U.S. politics with a website that does not appear to post original content.

The clip of Seekins-Crowes testimony on the floor had associated text that said her daughter was transgender and made it seem that Seekins-Crowe was denying her access to care, however the Billings representative said that her daughter was not transgender and that wasnt true.

Someone once asked me wouldnt I just do anything to help save her? And I really had to think, and the answer was no, Seekins-Crowe said on the House floor in March. I was not going to give into her emotional manipulation because she was incapable of making those decisions and I had to make those decisions for her.

Im not going to let her tear apart my family and I was not going to let her tear apart me because I had to be strong for her, Seekins-Crowe said in March.

On Monday, Seekins-Crowe said the viral video was taken out of context and her family has received threats following its spread across the internet. Seekins-Crowes daughter made a video that has since been deleted where she also confirms she is not transgender and said the story her mom shared is more than a decade old.

The post ACLU of Montana files lawsuit challenging Zephyr censure; Zephyr speaks in committee appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, prepares to speak to supporters of Senate Bill 442 on Monday, May 1, 2023, just ahead of its final Senate passage. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

The fight over Montanas marijuana tax revenue may have reached a resolution Monday despite what a Democratic lawmaker called shenanigans on the House floor just hours after the Senate sent the bill with the broadest support to the governors desk.

But whether the part of the law that says how the $50+ million in annual revenue is portioned out changes remains to be seen, as Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte is unlikely to support the broadly praised Senate Bill 442, lawmakers have said in recent days and his office hinted Monday.

The governor has substantial concerns with Senate Bill 442, Kaitlin Price, a spokesperson for the governor, said in an email Monday afternoon.

The Senate voted 48-1 to pass SB442, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, on toward the governors desk  typically the legislatures final step with respect to any bill, though it could have to vote to override a potential veto after the session is over.

SB442 puts 20% of the marijuana tax revenue toward county road construction and maintenance; 20% to a new Habitat Legacy fund; 12% toward state parks, trails, facilities and nongame accounts; 11% toward the HEART fund and 5% to veterans and surviving spouses. The general fund will receive around $13 million a year.

Should the bill not get to the governors desk until after the legislature votes to end the session this week, and should he veto it, lawmakers would be sent physical polls to vote on whether to override Gianfortes veto. Anyone who does not return the poll would be considered a vote against the measure. Two-thirds of both chambers would have to agree to override a veto.

Lang, other lawmakers from both parties, and nearly 100 businesses and organizations from across the political and business spectrums support the Malta Republicans bill, which several have said took months of work and compromise to reach its final form and gain the wide support.

Several of those groups and lawmakers from both parties gathered for a news conference at noon Monday to urge Gianforte, a Republican, to sign the bill an hour before the Senate sent it to his desk.

We have overwhelming support, both in this room and both chambers of the Montana Legislature, Lang told the dozens gathered in the old Supreme Court chambers of the Capitol. The good thing about it is it spotlights many Montanans: ranchers, farmers, county commissioners, hunters, anglers, hikers, four-wheelers, veterans, home health care providers, energy people, and also many others who have been instrumental in pushing this across the floor.

But last-minute changes to another bill made last week put in competing language surrounding what was in two other bills killed off by lawmakers over the past two months, which drew ire from members of both parties supporting Langs bill and opposed to continuing to find a way to reallocate the revenue toward the governors or other lawmakers priorities.

This amendment erases that conversation from the bill, said Rep. Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula, who sponsored the 2021 bill that created the current revenue streams and laid out the framework for the recreational industry.

Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, said all of the last-minute changes left her feeling like there were shenanigans afoot, calling the measure and the late amendments a vehicle for dishonesty.

Im very concerned if this bill goes out, were going to see it back with some policy and revenue choices in it we dont want to see, she said. Lets say enough of the shenanigans; lets get back to serious business.

Mondays actions were about three months in the making.

As House Republicans pushed to get more of the marijuana tax revenue put toward the general fund and the Department of Justice, some of them arguing that citizens had appropriated money via the I-190 ballot initiative in 2020 despite the legislature setting up the current framework in the 2021 session, Langs bill became a new vehicle for compromise between groups supporting the Habitat Montana program, other conservation and trails programs, county roads, the governors HEART fund and veterans services.

In late March, the Senate Finance and Claims Committee, on which Lang sits, amended his bill that was originally aimed at putting much of the revenue toward county road maintenance, to put it close to where it sits today. The bill passed out of the committee unanimously.

The Senate sent the bill over to the House in a 49-1 vote on April 4. Two weeks later, nearly 50 proponents of the bill showed up to the House Taxation Committee to voice their support, and Lang, who is term-limited, grew emotional as he closed on the bill, telling the committee it should pass it because of the array of backers and the hard work getting to that point.

The committee added on an amendment requested by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and cleared the bill out of committee in a 17-6 vote. It then saw 84 House members vote in support of the bill on second reading in the House.

SB442 then went to the House Appropriations Committee, where several members who have backed the theory that the citizens illegally appropriated the money by initiative sit  including Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, whose House Bill 669 was a major competitor to Langs bill, as it aimed to put all the money in the general fund starting in 2025.

Though the committee chair and another member, Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, had drafted amendments to the bill, when it came up for executive action, Fitzpatrick said in his 40 years at the Capitol, he didnt think hed seen a measure draw so much input from the public.

Constituents back home say they like the bill exactly as is, he said. Thats kinda where Im at.

Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, who was among the group backing Mercers bill, said he had the same perception as Fitzpatrick, telling the committee, I think we should move this bill exactly as it is.

The bill passed House Appropriations in a 17-6 vote, then passed third reading in the House 82-17 on April 26  seemingly clearing its path to the governors desk because of the friendly House amendment and wide support in the Senate.

But there remained tension as to what was going to happen with the marijuana revenue, according to multiple lawmakers and lobbyists who have worked on the bill. Senate Finance and Claims sat on Mercers bill for executive action for eight days until it finally moved to kill the bill unanimously on April 26.

And even that was not the end of the marijuana revenue saga. After Mercers bill was tabled, similar language was added back into another bill with a broad title: Senate Bill 538, Generally revise marijuana laws, from Sen. Chris Friedel, R-Billings.

The original version of the bill had nothing to do with dispersing the marijuana tax revenue. But the day Mercers bill was tabled by Finance and Claims, House Appropriations amended SB538 to include language that was a mix of Mercers bill and another bill from Rep. Marta Bertoglio, R-Clancy, which sought to strip money from Habitat Montana and put it toward law enforcement and the general fund. Hundreds rallied at the Capitol to protect the portion of marijuana revenue funding Habitat Montana in late February.

When SB538 reached the Senate floor, its carrier, Rep. Bob Carter, D-Missoula, told lawmakers he didnt recognize the bill anymore.

Its not the bill that came out of Business and Labor. I cant support it and recommend you dont either, he told the body.

The bill narrowly failed on its second reading in a 49-50 vote. But shortly afterward, Hopkins asked the body to reconsider the bill, saying it was part of a larger conversation about marijuana policy and revenue that is still ongoing. The House voted 50-47 to reconsider the bill.

Last Friday, during a Senate Republicans caucus meeting, Lang asked President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton and Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, about SB442s status along with SB538, saying he was concerned about his bill.

You know the position of the Governors Office. Its clear theyre going to veto that bill; theyve said that multiple times, Fitzpatrick responded.

He and Ellsworth said there were three key bills  House Bills 128 and 903, and SB538, which each make marijuana statute changes to shore up HB701  that needed to pass in order to keep the current system from collapsing and marijuana businesses popping up all over the state.

Ellsworth said he thought we are going to end up in conference committee as SB538 came back to the Senate along with SB442.

The Senate voted Saturday to pass the amended version of SB442 in a 48-2 vote, setting up the third-reading vote on Monday.

But with Friedel also unhappy about the changes to his bill, and Hopkins mostly reserved to changing the policy instead of the revenue allocation, the House on Monday considered an amendment brought to the floor to strip out all the changes made by Appropriations to HB538 to put it back to the form in which it left the Senate  taking out all of the revenue allocations.

Rep. Tanner Smith, R-Lakeside, who is ardently opposed to the expansion of legalized marijuana in Montana, agreed, saying there was no one who understood what was going on behind the scenes and that there was stinky stuff passing through in the final days of the legislative session, which must end on Friday at the latest.

Initially, the amendment appeared poised to fail, as it briefly reached a 48-50 vote before what several lawmakers described as a computer glitch. The second time, the body voted 55-45 to adopt the amendment to strip out the language about the revenue streams.

After a brief closing from Hopkins, who said he was not trying to hide anything about what was happening between the bills, the House voted overwhelmingly, 38-62, to table SB538 again, where it and the competing revenue language is likely to stay, lawmakers and lobbyists said. It received votes from just over half of the House Republican caucus.

Another of Hopkins bills with a broad marijuana title, House Bill 229, was voted out of a free conference committee earlier Monday without changes to add in the revenue language, as some at the Capitol thought might happen. And unless lawmakers find another bill to fit the competing language into this week, as most want to sine die and head home, it appears any changes to how the estimated $110 million in revenue over the next biennium is dispersed could rest with the governors pen.

Thank you for the kind words about 442 and about Montana, Lang told the gathering of citizens, lobbyists and lawmakers at Mondays press conference about the bill, singing its praises about the wide array of areas of the state it would touch.

This bill deserves to be signed by our governor, he said.

The post Montanas marijuana tax revenue fight could be over, but governors veto possible appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Senate confirms University of Montana professor Johnstone for 9th circuit. (Provided by the University of Montana)

University of Montana constitutional scholar and law professor Anthony Johnstone was confirmed Monday to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by the U.S. Senate.

Montanas senators split on the 49-45 vote to confirm Johnstone, former State Solicitor and Assistant Attorney General in Montana who has taught at the UM Alexander Blewett III School of Law for more than a decade.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, supported the nomination of Johnstone, who had extensive backing from the legal community and wide and bipartisan support from Montana.

Montanans expect their judges to apply the law without bias, in a common sense way  and thats exactly what Anthony Johnstone has done throughout his entire legal career, Tester said in a statement from his office. He has an outstanding record of service to the people of the Montana, and I have no doubt that he will serve the American people well on the Ninth Circuit bench.

Im confident that Anthony will continue standing up for our constitution, and Im proud to have helped push this Montanans confirmation through the United States Senate.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican, opposed the confirmation. Six senators didnt vote, but three Independents joined Democrats in voting yes, as did Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

Elaine Gagliardi, dean of the UM Alexander Blewett III School of Law, also praised the confirmation.

It has been an exceptional privilege to work with Professor Johnstone for the past 16 years, Gagliardi said in a statement from UM. As a professor at the University of Montanas Blewett School of Law, he has trained a generation of Montana lawyers. I am proud to say that Judge Johnstone is the fourth professor or alumnus of Montanas Law school to sit on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

He follows Chief Judges Walter Pope, Jim Browning and Sidney Thomas. Sixteen alumni from our small, yet outstanding, law school have become Article III judges, and many more have become federal and state judges.

Johnstone will occupy the seat on the court vacated by Chief Judge Emeritus Sidney R. Thomas, a 1978 graduate of UMs Alexander Blewett III School of Law.

Monday, Tester spoke on the Senate floor urging his colleagues to confirm Johnstone, and he first introduced Johnstone at his first Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in October 2022, his office said.

Testers office also shared the letters of support Johnstone received:

Johnstone began his legal career by serving as a law clerk for Judge Sidney Thomas on the Ninth Circuit. Johnstone holds a bachelors from Yale University and a law degree with honors from the University of Chicago Law School, according to his UM biography.

Professor Johnstones scholarship has been cited more than one hundred times by judges, scholars, and practitioners, said the bio. He has served as counsel in more than two dozen published cases in state and federal courts, including petition-stage or merit-stage briefs for six cases at the Supreme Court of the United States.

The post Senate confirms University of Montana professor Johnstone for 9th circuit appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Since the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, the U.S. has continued sending money to the country in the form of humanitarian aid. Now, a watchdog claims that the U.S. cant be confident that our $8 billion of aid to Afghanistan isnt funding the Taliban.

John Sopko, the Special Inspector General to Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), recently testified before the House Oversight Committee, Unfortunately, as I sit here today, I cannot assure this committee or the American taxpayer we are not currently funding the Taliban.

He continued Nor can I assure you that the Taliban are not diverting the money we are sending from the intended recipients, which are the poor Afghan people.

The U.S. has sent Afghanistan $8 billion in humanitarian aid since our military withdrawal in 2021, according to CNN. Biden Administration officials have repeatedly stressed this aid is strictly going toward humanitarian efforts via non-governmental organizations and other humanitarian aid organizations.

Sopko, however, admitted there is effectively no monitoring of these funds to ensure they are not going to the Taliban. The U.S. does not currently recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government.

No effective oversight means U.S. funds could end up in the wrong hands, subjected to waste, fraud, and abuse, SIGAR wrote.

The U.S. needs to seriously reevaluate its funding and monitoring processes to ensure taxpayer dollars are actually helping the Afghan people, and not ending up of in the hands of the brutal and barbaric Taliban government.

The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com
My wife and I moved from Philadelphia to the western suburbs of Chester County for many reasons. The move offered us the best of all worlds. We would be living close enough to Philadelphia, but in even less time, we could be in rural Chester County, with its mushroom farms, farmers markets, and homemade foods and products. We could go back to South Philly to eat dinner on Passyunk Avenue, or choose to eat at a quiet country inn on a back road with no traffic lights  or even streetlights.

Our neighbors were a mix: some had lived here for decades, some had moved here from more rural communities, and some had come here, like us, from Philadelphia. For us, the suburbs were a bridge to different parts of Pennsylvania and the nation. The suburbs were both the melting pot and the patchwork quilt that is America. Our neighbors had gun racks and Volvos. We all seemed to enjoy our community and appreciate that we were made up of differing backgrounds. In a sense, it was the suburbs that were connecting all of us  and holding America together.

But something changed. I didnt notice it until it had already happened  because it happened slowly.

I shouldve noticed it in the signs that started popping up in coffee shops. The occasional speeches being made by actors at community theaters before or after a show. The new magnets on cars. The impromptu conversations after Mass. The community blogs that were supposed to be about garage sales and advice on finding a plumber but that started sounding like a Sunday morning talk show  the kind where nobody really talks, they just yell and interrupt. We were coming apart.

Finally, I noticed it in our politics. Not just the changing election results but in what the campaigns were focused on, as reflected in candidate speeches, in palm cards, and on webpages.

Somewhere, over the last generation, the suburbs had become ground zero for every societal, cultural  and, ultimately, every political  problem in Pennsylvania and in our nation.

Think of the battles of just the last few years.

The biggest fights over Covid mandates took place in the suburbs  not in rural Pennsylvania, where most people went about their business. Not in Philadelphia, where many could walk to stores or order takeout or delivery, as they did frequently even before the lockdowns. In other words, not where culture is more unified.

The battles were among store-owners of pizza shops, diners, and barbershops and their neighbors, from Langhorne to West Chester. And in 2021 and 2022, the biggest battles came when worlds clashed. When people from more rural areas and those who had moved on from masking ventured into Wayne, Media, or Narberth to buy coffee and were greeted by baristas in masks, who gave them that look: Why dont you have a mask?

And this was nothing compared to the battles over children and schools  not only concerning masks, but also critical race theory, sex education, curriculum, books in school libraries, and student bathrooms.

Not a week goes by without the media focusing on a suburban school district  Central Bucks, Perkiomen Valley, Tredyffrin/Easttown, West Chester, Southeast Delco, Great Valley, and Hatboro-Horsham. (And, in Virginia, most of America knows about the battles in Loudon County  the Chester County of the Washington, D.C. area.)

School board races now cost thousands of dollars to run and generate more interest and higher voter turnout than full-time, paying elected offices. (School board members are not paid in Pennsylvania.) School board meetings have become must-see TV  or must-avoid TV, depending on ones tastes.

The suburbs, then, are no longer a cultural bridge. No longer a melting pot. No longer a patchwork of people and cultures, with mutual appreciation  or at least respect. They are now the flashpoint. Its no wonder that politics has become so heated here. The political clashes are being driven by cultural clashes on deeply personal issues.

When it comes to elections, this is a problem for Republicans since they are currently the opposition party. The trouble is that many people have picked their party  their team  and are unlikely to switch easily. And in this polarized environment, they follow the lead of their party on most issues. And those still undecided politically may not take a favorable view of Republicans, seeing them as merely adversarial to the status quo.

For a long time, the suburbs helped keep America together. Now, its the suburbs that are pulling us apart  at rapid speed and high temperature.

As Pennsylvania  and America  becomes more suburban, its imperative that we find a way to lower that temperature. This is bigger than politics or elections. Its about staying together as a nation.
Decoupling from Communist China in every strategically significant realm, from the capital markets to defense and pharmaceutical production, and information and communications technology is imperative if we are to counter its hegemonic ambitions and persist as a free and independent nation in something more than name.

Banning TikTok  a ubiquitous social media platform that masquerades as a proliferator of harmless dance videos while doubling as a likely tool of Chinese Communist Party surveillance and data harvesting, and certain tool of its information warfare, under de facto if not de jure CCP control via Beijing-based parent ByteDance  would logically be part of any such decoupling, and manifestly in the U.S. national interest.

But arguably the most prominent congressional effort putatively aimed at achieving a ban of TikTok, the bipartisan RESTRICT Act, raises concerns that the cure may be worse than the disease  to the extent it even ameliorates it.

If past is prologue, key language in the bill hiding in plain sight would seem to legitimize the very heretofore lawless targeting of domestic dissent under which Americans have suffered in recent years  undermining the values and principles the bills supporters purport to cherish.

Under the bill, one could easily see the likes of a Twitter, or any other platform or service out of favor with authorities nuked, or at minimum under existential threat.

The RESTRICT Act broadly authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to review and prohibit certain transactions between persons in the United States and foreign adversaries.

Among other provisions, it calls on the Secretary to take action to identify, deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit, investigate, or otherwise mitigate any of a number of undue or unacceptable national security risks arising from a slew of transactions past or present, including any acquisition, importation, transfer, installation, dealing in, or use of any information and communications technology product or service to which entities tied to China or several other countries, or subject to their jurisdiction, have an interest.

The leading co-sponsors of the RESTRICT Act, Virginia Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat, and South Dakota Senator John Thune, a Republican, frame it as a holistic, rules-based effort narrowly tailored to foreign-adversary companies that is more likely to withstand judicial scrutiny than other proposed bills for combatting TikTok  bills that arose in part because the courts stymied President Donald Trumps efforts to ban the application using existing executive authorities.

Some critics, including China hawks, contend that despite the broad authority the bill grants the Commerce Secretary, it may not ultimately lead to a TikTok ban. The bill does not explicitly call for the banning of the application. Nor does it mention it, or any other application, by name  rather listing broad categories of software and hardware that could be probed under the bill, linked to several foreign foes, including among them China.

Others liken the legislation to the Patriot Act, just for the digital age. This is not meant to be a compliment. They argue that the RESTRICT Act threatens civil liberties  namely free speech  in the name of security by granting the government sweeping powers to crush communication platforms under the guise of ill-defined risks with extensive criminal penalties. The vaguer the language, more pervasive the powers, and fewer the checks and balances, such critics surmise, the riper the opportunity for government to overreach.

While the bills backers may argue otherwise, the fears of those left and right who believe the legislation opens the door to censorious mission creep are well-founded. The danger becomes self-evident when one juxtaposes the roots and results of the mass public-private censorship regime imposed upon Americans in recent years, and the bills language.

Under said censorship regime, Americas national security apparatus and public health authorities, often government-linked and/or funded academic and research counter-disinformation organizations, and Big Tech have colluded to suppress dissenting views from prevailing Ruling Class orthodoxy on a plethora of contentious issues under the guise of public safety and health.

Digital wrongthink generates real world harm, the regime argues.

The speech-stiflers have exploited, if not helped fuel a moral panic over mis-, dis-, and mal-information (MDM)  this notwithstanding that such censorious authorities have often proven the most powerful and pervasive propagators of false or misleading information  which they claim threatens American democracy, to justify their actions.

The moral panic has its roots in claims of Russian interference in the 2016 election that proved at minimum highly overblown  with national security authorities framing the threat as primarily a foreign one, which put them on ostensibly stronger footing when it came to their surveilling, policing and/or out-sourcing of policing of speech on social media platforms.

The Capitol riot fanned the flames of the moral panic. Authorities claimed that the greatest threat to the homeland now emanated from, effectively, MAGA terrorists, and that it was dangerous MDM on elections that incited them. Such Wrongthink could incite domestic violent extremists to lash out, including at critical infrastructure, compelling a whole-of-society response.

Authorities, in truth, had already been targeting domestic Wrongthink, particularly on elections, in the run-up to the 2020 presidential contest  operating on the logic that questions about the election process and results represented, or could represent a threat to critical infrastructure including election infrastructure.

The shift in focus from foreign adversaries to domestic Wrongthinkers, and on an ever-growing array of issues, including under an elastic definition of infrastructure, can be seen in the evolution of the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a key cog in the censorship regime.

By the time the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, it only made sense that the censorship regime would expand to include policing speech antithetical to whatever authorities believed it imperative for Americans to believe, on matters from the pandemics origin, to masking, and vaccine efficacy.

The Biden administration would codify the combatting of domestic MDM, and countering the influence and impact of dangerous conspiracy theories in a bid to enhance faith in government and American democracy as a strategic imperative by way of its June 2021 National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism.

Bear this background in mind  to say nothing of how government has used the most tortured of legal readings to justify its targeting of Wrongthinkers from ex-presidents, to engaged parents, to the pious, running roughshod over the First Amendment in the process  as we look at the language of the RESTRICT Act.

The bill empowers authorities to neutralize risks including those stemming from applications that could: have catastrophic effects on the security or resilience of the critical infrastructure of the U.S.; interfer[e] inthe result or reported result of a Federal election; or pose a risk of coercive or criminal activities by a foreign adversary that are designed to undermine democratic processes and institutions or steer policy and regulatory decisions in favor of the strategic objectives of a foreign adversary to the detriment of the national security of the United States.

Now consider a hypothetical post-RESTRICT Act world.

Imagine there is a U.S.-based social media platform on which Americans are raising questions about and criticizing the RESTRICT Act. At the same time, foreign adversaries, including the PRC, by way of its mouthpieces, are raising the same objections. Might authorities conclude that the proliferation of such ideas could lead to the bills repeal, leaving America open to catastrophic effects oncritical infrastructure  as evinced by the adversaries similar propaganda, one who seek a return to the infrastructure-threatening status quo?

Now, imagine that on that same platform, Americans are posting memes instructing people to vote for U.S. presidential candidates by texting fictitious phone numbers, and that hundreds or even several thousand people might be messaging accordingly. Might authorities conclude the platform is being used to interfer[e] inthe resultof a Federal election?

Lastly, imagine Americans are also using this hypothetical platform to raise questions about and criticize Americas continued involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Russian mouthpieces are leveling similar arguments. Russians have been accused of engaging in criminal influence efforts using social media platforms before, including those impacting our politics. Might authorities conclude the platform poses a risk of enabling criminal activities by a foreign adversarydesigned tosteer policy in favor of the strategic objectives of a foreign adversary by getting Americans to exert political pressure on their leaders to curtail American support for the war?

But, one might ask, why would such a platform fall under the RESTRICT Act if its U.S.-based?

Well, recall that the bill covers any of a slew of transactions in which a foreign adversary or affiliated entity is involved, or to which it is subject to the jurisdiction, including through an interest in a contract for the provision of the technology or service in question.

Might the company be targeted on grounds, however tenuous, of having taken a small investment from a person or entity who can be linked to an adversary government, or from a larger fund with ties to an adversary government, or for having used a subcontractor otherwise affiliated in some form or fashion with, or operating under the jurisdiction of an adversary government?

The hypothetical scenario we have conjured up is actually quite real. On Twitter you will find a whole raft of content critical of the RESTRICT Act. On Twitter Douglass Mackey posted the kind of meme described  one for which he was convicted of a federal crime and faces up to 10 years in prison. On Twitter, you will find many critics of U.S. involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian War  a platform that Russians used to allegedly commit federal crimes while seeking to interfere in the United States political system during the 2016 election.

What of Twitters ties to foreign adversaries? Well, among the co-investors in Elon Musks take private of Twitter is cryptocurrency exchange Binance, a company initially based in China, which put up $500 million in equity. Who knows, perhaps there are other links that could be found between Twitter and China, for example via a contractor or subcontractor with which it works or has worked. And this is to say nothing of Muskss more significant exposure to China by way of Tesla.

The Biden administration, which has seemingly had Musk in its sights since he became interested in purchasing Twitter, and certainly post-acquisition and the release of the Twitter Files, reportedly will not be investigating Musks Twitter purchase under existing authorities via the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Might that change under a RESTRICT Act that the White House has championed  this despite its disavowal of the idea that it wishes to decouple from China, and Democrats embrace of TikTok as a platform?

If this scenario sounds far-fetched, you are not being nearly imaginative nor cynical enough in this era of sophistry and illiberalism.

America should ban TikTok, but the means must not do more damage than the ends do good.

The prudent and judicious move would be for Congress to take a second look at any of several more tightly-written and straightforward bills aimed squarely at combatting TikTok  that is, if it is really serious about combatting the CCP, rather than granting authorities power-hungry presidents might use to emulate the CCP in silencing domestic opponents.
Farmers and other rural workers are being 'hit the hardest' as a result of staff shortages in the Northern Irish healthcare system, the government has been warned.

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has raised its concerns about the 'unstainable state' of the NHS within the province.

The union said farmers were 'increasingly distressed' about its current state, with fears growing over more local services being transferred to other locations.

Figures show that a third of all workplace deaths in Northern Ireland were in agriculture in the years 2021 to 2022.

The UFU said a particular concern among those in the farming industry was the "high risk of total destabilisation in general practice that has been alluded to by those working in the field.

In the past year, 14 GP practices in NI, mostly in rural areas, have returned their contracts to the Department of Health.

And according to the UFU, 30 more practices were on the brink of doing the same.

Speaking about the issue, the union's deputy president, William Irvine said the waiting lists in Northern Ireland were 'diabolical' compared to the rest of the UK.

He also called for the Department of Health to 'step up' and do more to protect their staff as well as rural patients.

On the behalf of rural people in NI, and with no political avenue to express our concerns, were backing calls to prioritise and incentivise rural recruitment and retention," he said.

"We have fantastic healthcare facilities and rural locations for family living, which coupled together, have the potential to offer a great way of life for healthcare professionals.

"Work life balance and professional support is critically important and the opportunity is there for healthcare providers and rural communities to collaborate and attract staff to work in rural areas.

"This mimics successful approaches in other countries and UFU are already supporting initiatives to encourage this."
Farmers have been urged to lock in their summer feed contracts now amid concerns of further price hikes.

Mole Valley Farmers said farmers should prioritise their summer feed contracts amid fears of more turbulence in the raw material markets.

With milk and grain prices falling, some farmers may be waiting and hoping for a more settled outlook, the agricultural supplier said.

However, the firm warned that there was only one direction of travel for feed prices  'up'.

Mole Valley Farmers head of agri procurement, Daniel McCreadie, said: There was a massive cost rise at the beginning of the Ukraine war, but over the last six months, that has fallen and now stabilised.

Unfortunately, the global situation and the ongoing conflict with Russia means there is still the possibility of big price surges at any point.

Mole Valley Farmers employs traders who monitor data on the stability of the grain corridor, the news out of Russia, the EUs position on Ukrainian exports, post-Covid currency fluctuations and the UK and worldwide grain supplies.

Taking everything into account, the agri supplier said it was now the time for farmers to lock in their summer feed requirements.

"With the falls we have seen this winter, the upsides on pricing now heavily outweigh the downsides," Mr McCreadie said.

We want to help our farmers mitigate the risks. By buying at a fixed amount, they wont have to worry about price volatility as the global picture continues to rapidly unfold.

"No one has a crystal ball, but locking in the feed price now will give you some certainty in an increasingly uncertain world, he added.
Strong population growth and limited domestic production in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) could present major opportunities for UK lamb and dairy.

Latest analysis by the AHDB, published today (2 May), has revealed the region is set to become the second largest net importer of food by 2031.

MENA is also on course to become the largest importer per capita, creating one of the best regional prospects for UK exports, with lamb and dairy set to reap significant rewards.

The region is a net importer of lamb and dairy, with the area expected to account for a third of global sheep meat imports by 2031.

Imports of cheese and skimmed milk powder into MENA are each expected to increase by 26% in 2031.

The AHDB said the region may also be longer term opportunities for beef exports to the region, pending the UK securing an Export Health Certificate (EHC) and agreeing production parameters.

Population growth in the region is estimated at 20% over the next 10 years with the population expected to exceed 500 million by 2031.

Dr Amandeep Kaur Purewal, AHDB senior analyst, said MENA was considered to have the best long-term prospects for UK agri-food exports.

With a predominantly urban population helping drive consumption of high-value products, such as meat and dairy, the lions share of those opportunities coming from the oil-rich states as large net importers of agricultural products, the openings for UK exporters are clear.

The majority of these opportunities for lamb, dairy and beef will come from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Jordan.

Within MENA, food imports per person are highest in Saudi Arabia and the other Middle Eastern countries, which includes the Gulf region.

The main opportunities for UK exporters are for lamb and dairy in the oil-rich states, which are big net importers of agricultural products.

The countries with the greatest opportunity for beef, lamb and dairy are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Jordan.

However, tariffs are not the main trade barrier in this growing market: it is the halal certification requirements, particularly for beef, the AHDB said.

In addition, the UK lacks beef Export Health Certificates (EHCs) in the Gulf region due to its historical disease status.
Farmers in Northern Ireland are encouraged to apply now for their single applications, or penalties may be applied.

The closing date for submissions is midnight Monday 15 May 2023 and after that date financial penalties will be applied.

So far more than 15,000 farmers have submitted their single applications, meaning some 9,500 still need to make their claim.

The Department of Agriculture (DAERA) has reminded farmers to allow adequate time to check all information is correct.

The single application must be used to claim farm payments under numerous schemes, such as BPS, Young Farmers Payment and Environmental Farming Scheme.

A DAERA spokesperson said: "Farmers are being urged to apply now for their Single Applications before penalties are applied.

"For help or information on an application or scheme contact DAERAs Advisory Service on 0300 200 7848 which is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

"The service has been extended to include Saturdays and Sundays in the run up to the 15 May closing date."
A rural charity is offering farmers across Yorkshire the chance to learn life-saving first aid skills at a reduced cost after securing grant funding.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is holding two half-day farm safety sessions at Skipton Auction Mart on 25 May.

The first aid courses cover life-threatening on-farm scenarios such as quad bike accidents and serious incidents involving tractors, as well as livestock.

As the course is subsidised, farmers will only need to pay 20 instead of the usual price of 100 + VAT.

The training is being subsidised due to grant funding from the Partnership Investment Fund and follows successful first aid courses held at Thirsk Auction Mart earlier this year.

Figures show that UK farming accounts for 18 percent of all workplace deaths, with a total of 22 farm workers losing their lives on farms over the past year.

Fiona Macdonald, Yorkshire Rural Support Network coordinator at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said that improving farm safety was of paramount importance.

All the First Aid skills delivered on the course help contribute to a better equipped farming workforce and could potentially save lives," she said.

"Its a great opportunity for farmers to gain really hands-on relevant training, ensuring their families and their workforce have access to important First Aid skills should they be needed.

The first aid courses include skills such as assessing a casualty, the correct recovery position, how to administer CPR, and using an Automated External Defibrillator.

It also includes learning how to treat crush injuries, amputations, impalements and severe bleeding, led by qualified health care professionals registered with the Health & Care Professions Council.

The courses, which are being delivered by Farm and Forestry First Aid (F3A) and supported by H&H Insurance Brokers, begin on 25 May.

They will run for three hours with morning and afternoon sessions available. Participants will be presented with a certificate on completion of the course.
Chinas overall international trade in March 2023 exceeded 3.94 trillion yuan or $570.5 billion, up 2 per cent year-on-year (YoY).

Exports of goods for the same period reached around 1.85 trillion yuan, while imports neared 1.51 trillion yuan, which resulted in a surplus of 344.1 billion yuan, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

China's overall international trade for March 2023 reached $570.5 billion, a 2 per cent YoY increase. Exports of goods amounted to 1.85 trillion yuan, while imports were at 1.51 trillion yuan, leading to a surplus of 344.1 billion yuan. China's trade surplus for the first two months of 2023 expanded by 16.2 per cent YoY, reaching 810.32 billion yuan.

During the first two months of 2023, Chinas overall exports increased by 0.9 per cent compared to the previous year, reaching a total value of 3.5 trillion yuan, while imports declined by 2.9 per cent to 2.68 trillion yuan. As a result, the countrys trade surplus expanded by 16.2 per cent on a yearly basis, reaching 810.32 billion yuan, the General Administration of Customs said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)
Trade union leaders from the textile and garment sector in Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Tunisia recently met members of the European Parliament in Brussels and called for mandatory due diligence legislation and Europe's support to prevent Rana Plaza-like disasters in future.

They made three key demands that rely on European action and support: mandatory due diligence legislation that includes access to legal redress; European companies offering living wages throughout their global supply chains; and more brands joining the International Accord to improve workplace safety for garment workers, according to a statement issued by the unions.

Trade union leaders from the textile-garment sector in Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Tunisia recently met European Parliament members and called for mandatory due diligence legislation and Europe's support to prevent avoidable tragedies. The meeting was part of a European advocacy tour calling for mandatory due diligence and the need for safe factories.

The meeting was part of a European advocacy tour calling for mandatory due diligence in the sector and the need for safe factories.

The union leaders also visited the International Labour Organization (ILO) office in Geneva and attended a conference hosted by the German ministry for economic cooperation and development in Berlin.

Accompanied by representatives from the IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriALL Europe, the team included Bangladesh Sammilita Garment Sramik Federation president Nazma Akter, Cambodian Apparel Workers' Democratic Union president Athit Kong, Tunisian Textile, Clothing, Shoes and Leather Federation general secretary Habib Hazami and Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar president Khaing Zar Aung.

Aung said the European Unions MADE in Myanmar project, while well intentioned to promote decent work, legitimises the military and provides a front for workers' rights violations and that income from the project helps fund the military.

Nazma reiterated the need for all brands sourcing from Bangladesh to sign the International Accord.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Sri Lankas garment exports stood at $1,157.9 million during January-March 2023, which decreased 14.9 per cent over the exports of $1,360.6 million in the same period of the previous year, as per statistics released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The countrys garment exports dropped by 10.7 per cent in March 2023 due to the world economic slowdown.

During the first quarter of 2023, textile exports from the island nation increased by 5.9 per cent year-on-year to $88.9 million. The exports of other made-up textile articles stood at $26.1 million during the same period, down 19.6 per cent, according to the banks report titled External Sector Performance.

Textiles, garment, and other made-up textile articles exports together accounted for 53.62 per cent of all industrial exports from Sri Lanka during the period under review, the report showed. The exports of all textile products totalled $1,273 million in January-March 2023, while Sri Lankas total industrial exports stood at $2,374.7 million in the first quarter of the current year.

Sri Lanka's garment exports decreased by 14.9 per cent to $1,157.9 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year due to the global economic slowdown. However, textile exports increased by 5.9 per cent to $88.9 million in the same period, while exports of other made-up textile articles decreased by 19.6 per cent to $26.1 million.

In March 2023, all textile products exports from the nation declined by 10.2 per cent year-on-year to reach $417.2 million. Category-wise, garment exports decreased by 10.7 per cent to $379.5 million, while textile exports eased 0.3 per cent to $28.5 million. The exports of other made-up textile articles were down by 15.6 per cent to $9.3 million.

On the other hand, imports of textiles and textile articles eased 31.3 per cent to $604.6 million, while clothing and accessories imports were down by 36.6 per cent to $45.7 million during January-March 2023.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Wow Alia and Deepika

Btw, I'm still waiting for Jimin to show up AAAA pic.twitter.com/x8pUi4jWeY  SwagataaAAAAAAAA|AAAAD-DAYAA (@BTSwagataekook) May 1, 2023

Alia Bhatt recently made her Met Gala debut dressed like a princess in her gorgeous white gown. A section of netizens took to social media and pointed out the similarities between her and Deepika Padukone's Cannes look.While Alia Bhatt opted for an absolutely gorgeous white gown with pearl detailing on it, Deepika wore a white saree adorned with a hand-embroidered collar and pearl bustier at the 75th Cannes film festival.Fans took to social media and praised both the Bollywood divas on their ethereal looks.Meanwhile, this year's Met Gala theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, honouring the German fashion designer who passed away in 2019 at the age of 85.
Priyanka Chopra Met Gala after party: It seems like Priyanka Chopra Jonas is not done with her fashion game just yet. The actor was seen getting ready for the after-party of the Met Gala 2023, and pictures of her preparing for the party have surfaced on social media.

Priyanka had earlier walked the red carpet of the grand fashion event Met Gala 2023 in New York with her husband Nick Jonas, where they both turned heads with their stunning black Valentino outfits. Now, fans are eagerly waiting to see what the couple has in store for the afterparty.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA STUNS IN A RED SHIRT GOWN FOR THE MET GALA 2023 AFTER PARTY

Priyanka is a fashionista who never fails to mesmerise her fans with her impeccable style statement. Over the years, the diva has experimented with her fashion, and every time she makes a public appearance, Chopra simply spreads her magic like nobody else does.

Met Gala 2023: Priyanka Chopra Wore A Stunning Bulgari Diamond Necklace; Here's Its WHOPPING Price

The Bajirao Mastani star attended the Met Gala after party wearing a stunning red shirt gown with a thigh-high slit, a collared neckline, and a black tie from the Valentino Black Tie Winter Fall Collection. She added golden hoops, a bracelet, a handbag, and black block heels to add the glam quotient to her look.

For makeup, PeeCee opted for smokey eyes, nude lipstick, blushed cheeks, highlighted cheekbones, and a high bun with curled locks dropping down from her forehead.

NICK JONAS COMPLIMENTS PRIYANKA CHOPRA AT MET GALA 2023 AFTER PARTY

Her husband, Nick Jonas, looked dapper and complimented Priyanka in an all-black pantsuit outfit, which he paired with a matching hued shirt and white sneakers. The couple looked super hot together and happy as they stayed close at the party.

Met Gala 2023: Dua Lipa, Alia Bhatt & Anne Hathaway; The Best Dressed Celebs Who Made Heads Turn On Red Carpet

Meanwhile, Priyanka, on the work front, made her digital debut with the Russo Brothers spy-thriller series Citadel and has received immense love for her outstanding performance. She will next be seen in the Hollwyood flick Love Again.
Met Gala 2023: The daughter of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani attended the New York City's annual fund-raising event donning a stunning hand-embellished saree gown. Isha marked her return to the extravagant gala night looking gorgeous.

ISHA AMBANI IN PARBAL GURUNG

At the esteemed gala event, hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Isha exuded charm as she showcased a perfect amalgamation of her desi roots with a hint of Western touch in a black saree gown from the shelves of ace designer Prabal Gurung.

Isha's black silk outfit featured thousands of crystals and pearls and extended into a floor-sweeping silk chiffon train. Her starry appearance was completed with embellished diamond necklaces, statement earrings, and rings. She opted for a sleek hairdo and minimal makeup.

ISHA AMBANI'S MET GALA DEBUT

To note, Isha Ambani made a promising return to Met Gala this time, she marked her debut at the extravagant fashion event in 2017 by donning a Christian Dior gown. She also arrived at the event in the year 2019 wearing a lilac dress by Prabal Gurung.

The Met Gala 2023 has been themed - Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. This year's theme celebrates the legacy of the late fashion legend. Other Indian celebs who are attending the gala night include Priyanka Chopra with her hubby Nick Jonas and Alia Bhatt. Alia has marked her Met Gala debut this year. She looked glamorous in a pearl Prabal Gurung gown.
Dileep was closely related to Mammootty in the film world. But later, there were rumours that there were some cracks in the Dileep-Mammooty relationship.

This was after Dileep was accused of assaulting the actress. At that time, Dileep's membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) was revoked.

Mammootty then said that it is a shame to have criminals in the organisation, and there should be reformation in the association. But Dileep's name was not mentioned. Later, there was a situation where Dileep was taken back. Within a few months, Dileep resigned himself from the association.

It is not clear whether Dileep still has close friendships with stars including Mammootty and Mohanlal. None of them talk about Dileep in public now. When Mammootty's mother passed away recently, Dileep's presence attracted attention among the stars who came to pay their respects at the house.

Meanwhile, producer K. G. Nair's words about a similarity between Mammootty and Dileep are now being discussed. He said this during an interview with Master Bin Channel. He said that Mammootty is an actor who wants to know the ins and outs of a project on which he is working, and Dileep is similar to Mammootty in that matter.

"Mammootty wants to know the ins and outs of a project he does. The same is the case with Dileep. The producer of Dileep's 'Natodi Mannan' was unable to take the film forward. Despite going to Dubai and searching, the producer did not get the money. On that occasion, he came to me. I sold that picture in three days. Not for nothing; I did it for commission. After this, Dileep said he wanted to meet me. Dileep asked why I hadn't informed him of the matter. I said the producer wanted money to take the film forward. I told Dileep that if such a thing happened again, I would not do it without asking him. In the case of Mohanlal, Anthony Perumbavoor has specifically said that if any such support is given, it should not be done without informing him. That's because if any problem happens, they will be in trouble. So it's a good concern of theirs. That's a good thing," K. G. Nair said in the interview.

Mammootty's Karnan

K.G. Nair also said that his biggest wish was to make a film with Mammootty and Mohanlal in the lead roles. He was also in the initial stages of making a film with Mammootty. But later, that film didn't happen. "Initially, Shafi was the director of the film. Many people came to write the screenplay for the film, but finally the actor and screenwriter P. Sreekumar said that he has a story with him and that he can do it." K.G. Nair said.

"The name of the story was Karnan. I have heard that story before. But after listening to the demands put forward by P. Sreekumar, I withdrew from that project. He asked for Rs 50 lakh as a reward for the script alone." Nair said. "And for acting, dubbing, and so on, you have to pay separately. His expenses were more than I could bear," Nair said. That is how he gave up the dream of that film.
Tamil actor "Robo" Shankar has been grabbing headlines lately, thanks to his latest photos that reveal his dramatic weight loss. Fans were left stunned as he appeared to be half his size in a recent photo.

Recently, he made an appearance in TV TV's reality show, Start Music Season 4 hosted by Priyanka Deshpande. Apart from Shankar's weight loss, he also looked fatigued and energyless. Looking at it, his fans have been taking to the internet to express their concerns over Shankar's weight loss and wondering what really happened to him.

Let us hope that he is hale and healthy and there is no reason to worry about his drastic weight loss.

To recall, in a recent interview, his wife Priyanka Robo Shankar, who is also an internet influencer, clarified that Shankar's health is not at risk and that he had undergone a body transformation for an upcoming movie role. Although she didn't divulge any details about the film, she assured fans that the official announcement would be made soon.

Robo Shankar rose to fame with his appearances on small screens and reality shows that won him fans' hearts. Despite his success on TV, he began his acting career with a minor role in Rajinikanth's Padayappa. However, last month, he made headlines for a different reason when the Tamil Nadu Wildlife Crime Control Bureau imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on him for keeping two Alexandrine parakeets at his Chennai residence. The birds were spotted in videos uploaded by the actor's family on social media, and after a complaint was filed, authorities inspected Shankar's residence and seized the birds, as they are protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Despite the recent controversy, Robo Shankar's fans are eagerly awaiting his upcoming movie and are excited to see his transformation on the big screen.
Anupamaa twist: Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna's hit reality show has been churning out drama-packed episodes ever since the makers introduced MaAn's separation. It's hard to believe that Anuj and Anupama are no longer together as the duo always gave serious relationship goals.

MAYA CAUSES TROUBLE FOR ANUPAMAA-ANUJ

Anuj and Anupama's marital life took a hit when Maya came into the picture. From separating them to snatching Choti Anu from MaAn, she left no stone unturned to wreak havoc in their relationship.

While ardent viewers of Anupamaa have expressed their displeasure over Maya's antics, a few trolled Chhavi Pandey on social media after she shared a picture. In the now viral photo, the Ek Boond Ishq actress can be seen wearing a black night suit. She flashed her million-dollar smile while striking a pose for the camera.

The actress posted the photo on her official Instagram along with a caption in Hindi. Sudhanshu Pandey aka Vanraj dropped a comment on her post, sharing clap emojis.

FANS TROLL CHHAVI PANDEY DUE TO THIS REASON

Netizens were quick enough to judge Chhavi Pandey's photo as they wondered if the picture was clicked on the sets of Anupamaa. As the actress earlier shared pictures, flaunting her mangalsutra and sindoor, fans thought that the photo was also clicked on the show's set.

Chhavi's character Maya has been trying to make Anuj come closer to her and fans wondered if it was another 'tactic' to seduce Anupamaa's husband. One user tweeted, "Hey maa.. mata ji

Sindoor, mangalsutra khatam. Ab direct nighty, chii kaha jaa raha ye track. Hope I am not thinking too much. Hope ye MaYa nhi Chhavi ho (sic)."

"I cant understand this obsession for a married man who loves his wife and Maaya hardly spent a month with Anuj, she is crazy. Not any more interested in her daughter whole day running after Anuj using her innocent child as a prey. Disgusting #Anupamaa," another user wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Hey maa.. mata ji

Sindoor, mangalsutra khatam

Ab direct nighty  chii kaha jaa raha ye track. Hope I am not thinking too much. Hope ye MaYa nhi Chhavi ho  #anupama #AnujKapadia #Anupmaa #anupamaa pic.twitter.com/H48BQ8wDcT  pali (@guddi_1) May 1, 2023

The current track of the show, which also stars Madalsa Sharma, Nidhi Shah, Sagar Parekh and Ashlesha Savant, is focusing on Anupamaa and Anuj's reunion. While Anuj has promised to return to Ahmedabad to meet his wife, Maya will be trying hard to stop him for leaving Mumbai.

However, Pakhi will support Anupamaa in her fight against Maya, taking efforts to reunite her mother with Anuj Kapadia. She even asked Anuj to talk to Anupamaa and resolve all the issues in their relationship.

Keep watching this space for more updates.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 1, 2023 / Cisco Systems Inc.

International Girls in ICT Day is a global movement encouraging girls and young women to pursue science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education and careers.

Cisco hosts events through our Women Rock-IT program, which began in 2014 and has seen more than two million participants, with over half enrolling in one of our Cisco Networking Academy courses as a result.

Join us on April 27 to hear from women who are working on critical environmental issues like climate change and learn how developing digital skills now can help protect our planet!

This is a guest blog from Dr Pandora Hope, a Principal Climate Scientist at the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia, and one of six guest speakers on Girls in ICT Day. Dr Hope will discuss how climate data reveals the human influence on our extreme weather and share her passion for climate knowledge, the outdoors and her expertise in climate models.

Starting out

I studied science and mathematics at school and university. The options were wide - I could study biology, physics, chemistry, psychology - and I did. I was interested in how our bodies worked, so I majored in physiology. Still, something was missing. I missed maths. So the next year, I also majored in applied mathematics. And I discovered maths that could be applied to the real world - how fluid flows, and long equations that could describe our weather.

During my Honours year my supervisor introduced me to the world of climate studies - how can we integrate weather systems together to reveal underlying patterns over the whole Southern Hemisphere? What did those patterns look like in the 1950s? What do they look like now? The study required huge amounts of data from weather stations, and statistics and coding. My Honours thesis was titled "Variability of the Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation", and my Ph.D in 2005 was titled "The weather and climate of Australia at the Last Glacial Maximum".

Coding

In first year University we all learnt Fortran. And everyone failed the test. I was astonished that everyone (including me) just didn't "get it". But somehow over time, as I used coding in my assignments and for my Honours research project, something clicked. Then I couldn't understand how anyone could not "get it". It was just there, as obvious as reading.

Years later, I was reminded of my process of learning coding as I watched my children learn to read. At first it was impenetrable. Then, they just "got it".

When I reflect on the skills I've used to do what I do, I wonder how these will change over the coming years?

Early career

I loved thinking of ways to code up solutions to novel questions, interrogating data to explore the signals that we might draw from it. Really figuring out what was going on by combining those answers with my understanding of weather systems and the large-scale transfer of heat from the tropics to the poles.

In my first job after university undergraduate studies, I was given the opportunity to play with a general circulation model - otherwise known as a global climate model. It was a huge computer program that created weather by solving the equations of motion of air around the globe, and parameterising processes like clouds and rainfall. Fun things I did included:

Doubling the number of vertical levels up through the atmosphere (and crashed the model - clouds are tricky!).

Adding a dune-building module to compare with the fixed dunes of Australia, which are indicators of past winds.

Adding an enormous permanent lake into the arid centre of Australia.

Blocking evaporation over parts of the ocean to see where our rain derived its water from.

Altering the temperature gradients across the tropical Pacific Ocean and moved the winds over Australia north or south.

Trying to grab as many nodes on the university's supercomputer as I could. Sometimes at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Building my passion

As fun as it is to "play" in a virtual world, I began to realise that my work had real-world applications in the here and now. Results from my work could help guide policy and make Australia a better place.

When I started work at the Bureau of Meteorology, I was very keen to be part of an operational institution, working with real-life people who had real-life concerns - like running out of water. I worked closely with government departments across southern Australia - where a drying signal emerged in the late 1960s in the west and the late 1990s in the east - to help them understand why, and whether the wet years would return.

Recognition

Along the way, I have been recognized for my efforts - usually as a part of a much larger group. As an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) author, IPCC was the co-laureate of the 2022 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. Also, the Victorian Climate Initiative received the Australian Water Association Research Innovation Award (Victoria) in 2019, where I was a key lead.

I received a Bureau of Meteorology Australia Day Achievement Medallion in 2018 for outstanding leadership of major projects and representation of the Bureau and Australia at significant national and international forums. And I also received a Bureau of Meteorology Community Award - Positive Working Culture, State of the Climate co-editor 2016.

Interacting with other people in the climate and weather community was a big part of my education - I was a Committee Member for "Women in Australian Weather and Climate Research" from 2013 to 2019. And Chair of Melbourne Centre of Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS) and Member of AMOS National Council from 2003 to 2005 - despite one member saying I couldn't be, because I was too young. I initiated and edited the AMOS policy on global warming during that time.

Now

I now work as a Principal Climate Scientist at The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia, which provides daily weather forecasts and multi-week to seasonal forecasts every two days. For research, we have access to major super-computing infrastructures where we can run global forecast experiments to understand the impacts of climate change on extreme weather events.

Working with the IPCC, I trust that my sharing of how we can quantify the human influence on climate trends and extremes will continue to help guide policy on the world stage and make the world a better place.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752321/Playing-With-the-Earth-One-Womans-Journey-to-Becoming-a-Climate-Scientist
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 1, 2023) - ParcelPal Logistics Inc. (OTCQB: PTNYF) (CSE: PKG) (FSE: PT0A) (the "Company" or "ParcelPal") announces that the filing of its audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certifications for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Required Filings") will be delayed beyond the prescribed filing deadline of May 1, 2023.

The principal reason behind the Issuer's delay in meeting its reporting deadline is the Company has determined that it is unable to file, without unreasonable effort or expense, its Required Filings by the prescribed due date, as it requires additional time to gather necessary information for the preparation and completion of the Required Filings.

The Company has made an application to the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC") for a management cease trade order ("MCTO"), which would restrict all trading in securities of the Company, whether direct or indirect, by management of the Company. The issuance of an MCTO does not generally affect the ability of shareholders who are insiders of the Company to trade their securities. There is no certainty that the MCTO will be granted. In the event that the MCTO is not issued by the BCSC, the applicable Canadian securities authorities could issue a general cease trade order against the Company for failure to file the Required Filings within the prescribed time period.

The Company is working expeditiously with its auditor, BF Borgers CPA PC, to complete the audit as soon as possible. The Company plans to remedy the default and file the Required Filings as soon as it is able to do so and expects such fillings to occur on or prior to May 17, 2023.

If the MCTO is granted, the Company intends to comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines as set out in the National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release. The Company will also disclose any other material information concerning its affairs that has not been disclosed.

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 ParcelPal Logistics Inc.

ParcelPal is a Vancouver, British Columbia based company that specializes in last-mile delivery service and logistics solutions. We are a customer-driven, courier and logistics company connecting people and businesses through our network of couriers in major Canadian cities including Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto, as well as in the western region of the United States. Some of our verticals include pharmacy & health, meal kit deliveries, retail, groceries and more.

ParcelPal Website: www.parcelpal.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"), the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other securities regulatory authority has reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release that has been prepared by management.

OTCQB - Symbol: PTNYF

CSE - Symbol: PKG

FSE - Symbol: PT0A

Contact Information

Investor Contact

investors@parcelpal.com

T: (587) 883-9811

Company Contact

Rick Underhill, Director of Investor Relations

ParcelPal Logistics Inc.

investors@parcelpal.com

T: (587) 883-9811

Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should" or "would" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements are 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 statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental, and other judicial, regulatory, political, and competitive developments; and other risks outside of the Company's control.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 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 and forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164478
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 1, 2023) - SOL Global Investments Corp. (CSE: SOL) (OTC Pink: SOLCF) (FSE: 9SB) ("SOL Global" or the "Company") is pleased to confirm that further to its news releases dated March 23, 2023, March 31, 2023, April 14, 2023 and April 28, 2023, the Company has filed on SEDAR its audited financial statements, accompanying management discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the year ended November 30, 2022 (the "Annual Filings").

As a result of the filing of the Annual Filings, the Company expects that the management cease trade order, granted on March 31, 2023, by applicable securities regulatory authorities, will be revoked and that directors and officers of the Company will be permitted to trade securities of the Company.

The Company wants to thank all of those who worked diligently in assisting with the finalization of the Annual Filings.

Contact Information:

SOL Global Investments Corp.

Paul Kania, CFO

Phone: (212) 729-9208

Email: info@solglobal.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "likely" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limitation, statements relating to the revocation of the management cease trade order.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, 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/164486
2 May 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 Listing Rules:





GAM Holding AG: Deferral of publication of the Annual Report 2022 announced on 24 April 2023,



approved by SIX Exchange Regulation AG



As already announced in the ad-hoc announcement of 24 April 2023, GAM Holding AG intends to briefly delay the publication of the Annual Report 2022 to 4 May 2023 to successfully conclude the commercial discussions within its strategic review and finalise the Annual Report.

SIX Exchange Regulation AG has approved this exception of the maintenance obligations and thus the deferral of the publication of the Annual Report 2022 of GAM Holding AG as well as the submission of this report to SIX Exchange Regulation AG by no later than Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at the latest. As part of its decision, SIX Exchange Regulation AG requires us to reprint the following elements of its decision (original German) / (English translation):





Die Ausnahme von Aufrechterhaltungspflichten und damit der Aufschub der Publikationdes Geschaftsberichts 2022 sowie die Einreichung dieses Berichts bei SIX ExchangeRegulation AG bis spatestens Mittwoch, 31. Mai 2023 wird unter folgendem Vorbehalt (lit.a) und unter folgenden Bedingungen (lit. b) genehmigt:



a)SIX Exchange Regulation AG behalt sich vor, allenfalls den Handel mit Effekten vonGAM vorubergehend einzustellen, wenn diese ihren Geschaftsbericht 2022 nicht bisspatestens Mittwoch, 31. Mai 2023, 23.59 Uhr nach den Vorschriften zur Ad hoc-Publizitat (Art. 53Kotierungsreglement i.V.m. Richtlinie betr. Ad hoc-Publizitat)veroffentlicht und bei SIX Exchange Regulation AG einreicht.

b)GAM hat betreffend den vorliegenden Entscheid bis spatestens Dienstag, 2. Mai 2023,7.30 Uhr, eine Medienmitteilung gemass den Vorschriften zur Ad hoc-Publizitat (Art.53 Kotierungsreglement i.V.m. Richtlinie betr. Ad hoc-Publizitat) zu veroffentlichen.

Diese Medienmitteilung hat:

- den vollstandigen Wortlaut von Ziff. I des vorliegenden Entscheides anprominenter Stelle zu enthalten;

- die Grunde fur die Verschiebung der Publikation und Einreichung des Geschaftsberichts2022 zu erwahnen.

/

The exception of the maintenance obligations and thus the deferral of the publication of the Annual Report 2022 and the submission of this report to SIX Exchange Regulation AG by no later than Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at the latest is approved subject to the following reservation (lit. a) and subject to the following conditions (lit. b):



a)SIX Exchange Regulation Ltd reserves the right to temporarily suspend trading in GAM's securities if GAM does not publish and submit its Annual Report 2022 to SIX Exchange Regulation Ltd by 11.59 p.m. on Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at the latest in accordance with the provisions on ad hoc publicity (Art. 53 Listing Rules in conjunction with Directive on Ad Hoc Publicity).

b)GAM must publish a media release regarding this decision by 7.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 2 May 2023 at the latest in accordance with the provisions on ad hoc publicity (Art. 53 Listing Rules in conjunction with Directive on Ad hoc Publicity). This media release must:

- contain the full text of section I of the present decision in a prominent place;

- mention the reasons for the postponement of the publication and submission of the Annual Report 2022.

Upcoming events:

4 May 2023 Publication of 2022 Annual Report and presentation of full year results

25 May 2023 Annual General Meeting

3August 2023 Half year results 2023

For further information please contact:

Charles Naylor

Head of Communications and Investor Relations

T +44 7890 386 699

Media Relations

Ute Dehn Christen

T +41 58 426 31 36

Visit us: www.gam.com

Follow us: Twitter and LinkedIn

About GAM

We are an active, independent global asset manager that thinks beyond the obvious to deliver distinctive and differentiated investment solutions for our clients across our three core businesses: Investment Management, Wealth Management and Fund Management Services.

Our purpose is to protect and enhance our clients' financial future. We attract and empower the brightest minds to provide investment leadership, innovation and a positive impact on society and the environment.

Servicing institutions, financial intermediaries, and private investors, we manage CHF 75.0 billion of assets as of 31 December 2022.

Headquartered in Zurich, GAM Investments is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange with the symbol 'GAM' and we employ 541 people across 14 countries with investment centres in London, Cambridge, Zurich, Hong Kong, New York and Milan, as at 31 December 2022. Our operational centres are in Dublin, Luxembourg, and London.

Disclaimer regarding forward-looking statements

This press release by GAM Holding AG ('the Company') includes forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations and projections about the Company's future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, strategies, opportunities, and the industry in which it operates. Forward-looking statements involve all matters that are not historical facts. The Company has tried to identify those forward-looking statements by using words such as 'may', 'will', 'would', 'should', 'expect', 'intend', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'project', 'believe', 'seek', 'plan', 'predict', 'continue' and similar expressions. Such statements are made on the basis of assumptions and expectations which, although the Company believes them to be reasonable at this time, may prove to be erroneous.

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects or opportunities, as well as those of the markets it serves or intends to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause those differences include but are not limited to changing business or other market conditions, legislative, fiscal, and regulatory developments, general economic conditions, and the Company's ability to respond to trends in the financial services industry. Additional factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update of, or revisions to, any forward-looking statements in this press release and any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

Attachment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

2 May 2023

Hambro Perks Acquisition Company Limited

Suspension of listing of Public Shares

Hambro Perks Acquisition Company Limited (LSE: HPA1) ("HPAC" or the "Company"), a special purpose acquisition company formed to focus on a Business Combination, provides the following update in relation to its Annual Report and Financial Statements for its financial year ended 31 December 2022 (the "2022 Annual Report").

As stipulated by DTR 4.1.3R, the Company was required to publish its audited Annual Report by 30 April 2023. However, following the decision by the board of the Company to cease operations and redeem its class A ordinary shares of no par value (the "Public Shares") as announced on 24 April 2023, the Company will need more time to update its financial statements to reflect the impact of the proposed liquidation on the going concern basis and viability statement within the financial statements. The Company's auditors will then need time to complete necessary audit procedures. The Company is discussing the revised timetable for the completion and publication of the 2022 Annual Report in light of its forthcoming redemption of the Public Shares and proposed cancellation of the listing of the Public Shares and the Company's public warrants ("Public Warrants") as announced on 24 April 2023.

Following consultation with the FCA, the Company has requested that the listing of the Public Shares and the Public Warrants be suspended with effect from 7.30 a.m. on 2 May 2023 pending publication of the 2022 Annual Report.

Notwithstanding the suspension of trading in the Company's ordinary shares, the Company will continue to make announcements as and when there are any developments that require announcement in accordance with its obligations under the Listing Rules, the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

Enquiries

Hambro PerksAcquisition Company Limited

Peter Soliman, Company Secretary peter@hambroperks.com FTI Consulting (Financial PR advisortoHPAC)

Charles Palmer

Kit Dunford

+44 (0) 7976 743 360

+44 (0) 7717 417 038

Notes to Editors

The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of HPAC is Peter Soliman, Company Secretary.

The LEI of HPAC is 2138002WGRFJRKBEVT75.

About HPAC

For further information on HPAC, please see www.hpac.uk.
TEL-AVIV, Israel and BARCELONA, Spain, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IRP Systems, the leading provider of cutting-edge electric powertrain solutions, announced today the opening of a new office in Barcelona, Spain. In addition to serving as the company's business and R&D center in Europe, the office will also provide customer support to its clients in the region.

This new office joins IRP's office in India, further expanding the company's presence in key markets. IRP's hyperlocal strategy offers its customers high proximity, thereby reducing lead times, providing immediate support and R&D services, and streamlining supply chain processes while reducing operational emissions.

The company places a high priority on the European market in light of both the European Union's efforts to combat global warming and the industry's and consumers' pursuit of highly accessible, affordable, and reliable electric vehicles. The newly opened office will enable IRP to grow its business and expand its collaboration with industry players.

IRP's CEO, Moran Price said: "We are expanding our global footprint into one of the world's most important e-mobility markets. In addition to better supporting our customers and design wins in Europe, we'll be able to attract top talent from the automotive industry and strengthen our capabilities on the way to making electric vehicles the new norm."

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/irp-systems-expands-its-global-presence-with-a-new-office-in-spain-301811951.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") announces that it has received its Environment Permit for its Kenville Gold Mine project in southeastern BC.

The Company has received the Final Environmental Permit for discharge under the Environmental Management Act issued to the Company for the Kenville Mine Project by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. This permit authorizes:

Discharge of effluent to ground and surface water from the underground operation.

Associated works including the New Mine Access Portal, Waste Rock Storage Facility, sumps, effluent storage tanks, pipelines, mine contact water collection system, and flow measuring devices.

Photo of rock truck and Longtom to be deployed at Kenville Gold Mine.

Kenville Site: Photo of CEO Christopher Anderson at drink water directly from Discharge Channel

"The Kenville Gold Mine, established in 1888, was one of the first underground gold mines in British Columbia. We have worked tirelessly on obtaining the necessary permits for this specific site, and now we are proud to announce that the Kenville Gold Mine is well on its way to becoming one of the greenest and most sustainable gold mines in Southern British Columbia," says Christopher Anderson, CEO of Ximen Mining.

"With high expectations and a strong sense of commitment, we are working hard to achieve the next phase of milestones, which will ultimately bring the Kenville Gold Mine to fruition. As we move forward, we anticipate providing a steady flow of updates to keep everyone informed," adds Anderson.

The permit includes the following conditions:

Provide surface water runoff control works for all areas of the site where runoff is generated. (Completed & being Review)

Implement the Site-wide Water Management Plan (WMP) and ensure the WMP is kept up-to date. (Completed)

Implement the Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) and review the NMP annually. (Completed)

Conduct a discharge monitoring program (three specified sites) - (Completed)

Conduct a surface water monitoring program (seven sites) - (Completed)

Within 45 days of commencement of discharge, submit a summary report for the water quality results of the discharge from the underground mine. (Completed ready for submission)

The Company is extremely pleased to have received this all-important environmental permit. The required documentation is now being prepared and once approved the authorized works will be constructed and the underground mine development will kick-off.

Technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations:

Sophy Cesar,

604-488-3900,

ir@XimenMiningCorp.com

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects, The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under an option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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 to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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: Ximen Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752323/Kenville-Gold-Mine--Final-Environmental-Permit-Received--Historic-Mining-District--Nelson-BC
CueZen, a leading AI-based personalization engine for health, and NHS Lothian, a renowned healthcare organization, are pleased to announce their joint intention to progress a strategic innovation collaboration that aims to transform the landscape of personalized health in the UK.

This collaboration will involve joint research and development efforts, safe, secure and ethically approved data sharing and clinical validation of CueZen's technology in NHS Lothian's healthcare ecosystem. The goal is to develop personalized interventions that can enhance patient care, satisfaction, and overall health outcomes, with an initial focus on Gestational Diabetes. This collaboration brings together CueZen's cutting-edge AI technology and NHS Lothian's expertise in healthcare innovation to co-develop innovative solutions that will enhance patient outcomes and experiences. The collaboration will focus on exploring how CueZen's advanced algorithms and data analytics capabilities can deliver personalized health recommendations, treatment plans, and interventions to patients in NHS Lothian's care.

Prof. Tim Walsh, Director of Innovation, East Region Innovation Test Bed, added, "We are excited to collaborate with CueZen to explore how AI can enhance patient care and outcomes. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to drive innovation in healthcare and deliver personalized solutions that can make a meaningful impact on patients' lives."

Ankur Teredesai, CEO of CueZen, added, "We are thrilled to partner with NHS Lothian in this strategic innovation collaboration. Our AI-driven personalization engine has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, and working with NHS Lothian will allow us to validate our technology in a real-world clinical setting to positively impact patient care and outcomes."

Grahame Cumming, Innovation Champion in NHS Lothian, said, "By combining CueZen's advanced AI technology with our staff's clinical expertise, we aim to create tailored healthcare interventions that can make a real difference in patients' lives. This collaboration represents a significant opportunity to advance healthcare in Scotland."

Sunil Shinde, Co-Founder of CueZen and leader of the collaboration, said, "As a company dedicated to delivering personalized healthcare solutions, CueZen is honored to partner with NHS Lothian. Together, we can drive innovation and create positive change in the healthcare landscape."

About CueZen: CueZen is a leading AI-based personalization engine for health that leverages advanced algorithms and data analytics to deliver personalized health recommendations, treatment plans, and interventions. With a mission to revolutionize healthcare delivery, CueZen is committed to harnessing the power of AI to enhance patient care and outcomes.

About NHS Lothian: NHS Lothian is a renowned healthcare organization in Scotland, serving the population of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, and West Lothian. As a part of the East Region Innovation Test Bed initiative, NHS Lothian is committed to driving innovation in healthcare and delivering personalized solutions that can make a meaningful impact on patients' lives both within Scotland and beyond.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005792/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Sunil Shinde

425.260.8766

sunil@cuezen.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Indigo Exploration Inc. (TSXV: IXI) (OTCQB: IXIXF) (FSE: INEN) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of D.T. Brian Doherty, an Alberta-based highly accomplished senior petroleum geologist with over 40 years of experience to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Doherty has numerous roles over his career ranging from technical to executive and leadership. He is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of the oil and gas industry including geophysics, reservoir and production engineering, economic risk evaluation, infrastructure, and the regulatory environment.

"The addition of Mr. Doherty demonstrates the Company's commitment to adding significant depth and experience not only within the Management team but also our Board. Brian brings a broad skillset and network that leverages his extensive oil and gas experience in Alberta that will be instrumental in the development of our lithium brine projects," commented CEO, Paul Cowley. "We are very pleased to have Mr. Doherty, a respected and successful senior-level geoscientist and entrepreneur, join our board as he brings decades of Alberta-based technical, business, managerial insight and judgment to the team."

Over his 40-year career, Mr. Doherty has developed extensive operational experience in executing annual operating and development budgets in excess of $100 million which included the drilling of several hundred wells annually. His success rate within the Western Basin on a year-on-year basis averages a 38 % growth rate from deep to shallow including Devonian, Mississippian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous targets and from a variety of lithologies and traps. Mr. Doherty has held positions at Alberta Energy Company, Canadian Superior, Gulf Canada, Shell and Apache. Later Mr. Doherty and partners founded three junior oil ventures, including Signal Resources and then undertook a position with Prime West Trust as Southern Business Unit Manager. This last position managed over 17,000 barrels of oil per day and a staff of 30 professionals.

Mr. Doherty replaces Mr. Thomas Henricksen, who has stepped down from the Board of Directors after serving for 10 years. The Company would like to thank Mr. Henricksen for his contributions to Indigo and its transition to a lithium exploration and development company.

About Indigo Exploration

Indigo Exploration is an emerging petro-lithium brine explorer with 147,904 hectares of Metallic and Industrial Minerals permits in Central Alberta, Canada. The Company's three primary lithium projects are the Fox Creek (114,522 hectares), Leduc (23,488 hectares) and Peace River (10,048 hectares) which are located within the heart of lithium exploration and development in Western Canada. The Company also owns the Hantoukoura Gold Permit in Burkina Faso which covers 23,800 hectares within the prospective Fada N'Gourma greenstone belt.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Paul Cowley",

President and CEO

For further information, please contact: Paul Cowley: (604) 340-7711

Website: www.indigoexploration.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164383
2 May 2023

PanGenomic Health Inc.

("PanGenomic" or the "Company")

PanGenomic Health Announces AGM Results

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, May 2, 2023 - PanGenomic Health Inc. ("PanGenomic Health" or the "Company") (CSE: NARA) (AQSE: NARA), is pleased to announce the results of its Annual General Meeting held on April 26, 2023 (the "Meeting").

All Company matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in the Company's Notice of Meeting and Management Information Circular, dated March 21, 2023 (the "Information Circular"), were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the meeting. A copy of the Company's Information Circular is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

In addition to the presentation of the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the Company's annual benefit report for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, at the Meeting (i) the number of directors for the upcoming year was set at five (5) directors; (ii) each nominee director set forth in the Information Circular was elected to the Company's board; (iii) Saturna Group Chartered Professional Accountants LLP were reappointed as auditors for the Company; and (iv) the Company's rolling 20% stock option plan was ratified and confirmed.

About PanGenomic Health

PanGenomic Health is a precision health company that has developed a self-care digital platform to deliver personalised, evidence-based information about natural treatments. The Company's initial focus is to support mental health. Registered as a British Columbia benefit company, PanGenomic Health's mission is to promote and improve the health and wellness of people and society by providing a technology platform that identifies plant-based solutions tailored to the health profile of each individual.

The Directors of PanGenomic take responsibility for this announcement.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

For more information, please contact:

Jerry Lai, Investor RelationsMaryam Marissen, President & CEO

PanGenomic Health Inc. PanGenomic Health Inc.

778 743 4642 778 743 4642

ir@pangenomic.com info@pangenomic.com

Novum Securities Limited, AQSE corporate Advisor

David Coffman / George Duxberry

Tel: +44 (0)207 399 9400

Yellow Jersey PR

Charles Goodwin / Shiv Thambirajah / Soraya Jackson

Investor Relations, UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 3004 9512

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements", including statements respecting the services to be provided by PanGenomic and the consideration to be paid to PanGenomic. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "would", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Although PanGenomic 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 PanGenomic can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. In particular, there is no assurance that MUJN Diagnostics and/or Psy Integrated will be able to complete trial biomarker testing program within the timeframes expected, or at all. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in PanGenomic's disclosure documents which can be found under PanGenomic's profile on www.sedar.com.
ScottHall.co, an e-commerce consultant and digital scaling expert, releases a new guide to landing pages for business owners.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - ScottHall.co has released a new guide, offering business owners an insightful analysis of how and why landing pages are a crucial part of a successful e-commerce strategy.

More details can be found at https://scotthall.co/why-a-landing-page-for-lead-generation-is-crucial-for-success/.





ScottHall.co Releases Guide to Optimized Landing Pages for Lead Generation

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/164379_2029442b843bca43_001full.jpg

The recently published piece includes a detailed look at just how effective landing pages can be in ensuring leads are converted, turning casual browsers into paying customers. ScottHall.co also explains what differentiates landing pages from standard website homepages and why both perform different roles in pursuit of a successful sales operation.

In the new guide, Scott Hall points out that landing pages offer a better user experience than standard homepages with a design that focuses on a customer's needs. Multi-step forms make it easy to capture consumer information without overwhelming the user. These types of pages can take many forms, from static versions with minimal elements to more complex interactive designs. The common element in all of these is the call-to-action (CTA).

The guide also discusses best practices for landing pages including engaging visuals, interactive elements, and fast loading times. Other recommendations include A/B testing to ensure that the page is performing as one intends before publishing.

Other tips include regular weekly maintenance to ensure a page stays current and reflects the latest SEO and marketing trends, taking time to choose the right page-building tool, and the importance of links from and to other arms of a business such as blogs and social media platforms.

Scott Hall is an experienced content marketing consultant, search engine specialist, and enterprise software analyst. He has been working in the field of e-commerce for over 20 years.

Scott Hall says, "In an ever-growing digital landscape, it's more important than ever to have an effective strategy for making sure your brand stands out from the rest and to convert visitors into leads - and that's where having a great landing page comes in. We here at ScottHall.co want to share the best tips to get your business on the right track."

For more information, and to read the article in full, go to https://scotthall.co/why-a-landing-page-for-lead-generation-is-crucial-for-success/.

Contact Info:

Name: Scott Hall

Email: scott@scotthall.co

Organization: ScottHall.co

Address: 60 West 23rd St. Suite 638, New York, NY 10010, United States

Website: https://scotthall.co

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164379
STOCKHOLM, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- H2 Green Steel has signed a 7-year agreement with Italian steel group Marcegaglia. The agreement will cover delivery of green steel from H2 Green Steel's plant in Boden, Sweden, to Marcegaglia's operations in Southern Europe, UK and Poland.

Marcegaglia is a family-owned company and a leading player in the European steel industry. They have 37 steel plants across three continents with core business activities that cover flat and welded pipes insulation, construction, and guardrail divisions, stainless steel long products, flat products, tubes and cold drawn bars and heavy plates.

"H2 Green Steel came in as a challenger in a traditional market a couple of years ago, and have proven with speed, perseverance, and a great team that they are a force to be reckoned with. We believe in the partnership approach in business, and we took this approach from day one with H2 Green Steel as they are a key player for us on our decarbonization journey which is essentially all about future-proofing our business," says Antonio Marcegaglia, Chairman and CEO at Marcegaglia Steel.

Marcegaglia is both an investor in H2 Green Steel and an early off-take customer. The partnership has now developed further, as the off-take agreement is converted into a seven-year supply agreement valued at about 1.79 billion.

"This is a very milestone agreement for us at H2 Green Steel and a real celebration on our journey. Not only for the value of about 1.79 billion, but also because of the quality player that Marcegaglia is in the steel industry. Marcegaglia have been true partners to H2 Green Steel. They challenge us every step of the way, but are incredible supporters of our team and our project," says Henrik Henriksson, CEO at H2 Green Steel.

CONTACT:

Karin Hallstan, Head of Public and Media Relations, phone: +46 76 842 81 04, email: press@h2greensteel.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/20623/3761365/2024668.pdf H2 Green Steel in 1.79 billion green steel deal with Marcegaglia https://news.cision.com/h2-green-steel/i/marcegaglia-ravenna,c3173242 Marcegaglia-Ravenna

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/h2-green-steel-in-1-79-billion-green-steel-deal-with-marcegaglia-301812839.html
Odimma Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specialized in personalized cancer immunotherapy announces a seed fundraising of 2 million in order to secure the preparation on its First-in-Man clinical trial with ODI-2001, an innovative first-in-class personalized immunotherapy against cancer.

This financing round is supported by Capital Grand Est, Alsace Business Angels, Angels Sante, historical founders and associates, several new Business Angels and BpiFrance.

In recent months, Odimma Therapeutics has completed the proof of activity experiments of its lead product ODI-2001 in several hard-to-treat preclinical cancer models. In parallel, the company has secured the pharmaceutical process for the production of ODI-2001. This relies on pharmaceutical partnerships with world-class players in the field as earlier communicated: myNEO (Ghent, Belgium) for neoepitope prediction by artificial intelligence, Touchlight Genetics (Hampton, UK) for the production of synthetic DNA and ABL Europe (Illkirch, France) for the production of the viral component of ODI-2001.

The current activities are focused on the preparation of the Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. These activities include regulatory interactions, toxicology and clinical operations. R&D activities are strengthened to continue generating additional data and intellectual property.

Jean-Sebastien Schmitt, representative of Alsace Business Angels said: "Fighting cancer with a technological disruption which is personalized, more efficient and quickly available for the patient was very attractive for our members. We are delighted to support Odimma's team in their ambition and, as a first step, provide them with the best conditions for their clinical trial."

"We are delighted about the success of this new refinancing round, and are very pleased to contribute to the development of this promising technology. We are confident the innovative personalized immunotherapy platform developed by Odimma Therapeutics will give the best chances of success to immunotherapy in oncology," said Patrick Squiban M.D. member and ambassador, Angels Sante Business Angels Network.

Jean-Marc Limacher, M.D., Chairman of the company said: "The renewed support of historical shareholders and the engagement of new investors is a mark of trust which acknowledges the advancements made by the company and its collaborators. This new investment will allow Odimma Therapeutics to bring ODI-2001, in the clinical stage of its development."

In relation with the preparation of its first clinical trial the company is actively working on the next financing round.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005360/en/

Contacts:

Pascale Balducchi

Chief Business Officer

p.balducchi@odimma-therapeutics.com
Concurrent with this Launch, the Toronto-based Company has Acquired 922 Build to Rent Units in Manchester, Liverpool and Ashford.

TORONTO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Starlight Investments ("Starlight") is pleased to announce the official launch of its European residential asset management platform through the formation of a new partnership with multiple global institutional partners focused on the United Kingdom Build to Rent ("BTR") market. This represents Starlight's first step into Europe and as part of this strategy Starlight has initially acquired three BTR communities, comprising 922 suites and valued at 225M, in Manchester, Liverpool and Ashford.





The United Kingdom's residential market is backed by strong fundamentals and continues to experience a growing imbalance between supply and demand. With the continued deterioration of home affordability and increasing demand for high-quality rentals, Starlight determined now is an opportune time to enter the United Kingdom market by providing new rental supply.

We are pleased to have global institutional capital partners support Starlight in our European expansion," said Daniel Drimmer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Investments. "The United Kingdom represents a nascent rental market with a fundamental housing imbalance between supply and demand. Entering the United Kingdom Build to Rent market is a natural extension of Starlight's North American residential expertise that will further allow us to invest with impact and strengthen Starlight's brand as a global residential investor and asset manager."

Starlight's new strategy will target BTR projects in London commuter belt markets as well as 8 - 10 major cities across the United Kingdom. Through this strategy, Starlight is seeking to initially acquire approximately 600M of assets representing a portfolio of 2,000 - 2,500 BTR units. In executing this strategy, Starlight will leverage its North American expertise (which includes $2B of direct acquisitions from Developers) to deliver the fund's growth objectives and support the local UK asset management team to further build their relationships with UK Developers.

"We are proud to be working with some of the best Developers across the United Kingdom to deliver high quality communities for residents," said Jonnie Milich, Director, Starlight Investments UK. "Relationships with reputable, local BTR experts coupled with Starlight's extensive track record of residential investment and asset management has positioned us extremely well to execute in this market. We look forward to expanding Starlight's European presence through the execution of our BTR strategy in the UK."

Starlight's entry into the United Kingdom BTR market represents a meaningful first step in the company's broader European residential strategy.

ABOUT STARLIGHT INVESTMENTS

Starlight Investments is a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm with CAD $25B AUM. A privately held owner, Developer and asset manager of over 77,000 multi-residential suites and over 9 million square feet of commercial property space, we offer a range of investment vehicles across various real estate strategies. Starlight's guiding mission is to balance our tenure with visionary curiosity to create positive impact for investors and communities alike. At Starlight, we invest with impact. Learn more at www.starlightinvest.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

CONTACT : Raj Mehta, President, Global Markets, +1-647-725-0498, rmehta@starlightinvest.com; Jonnie Milich, Director, Starlight Investments UK, +44 7930 373 945, jmilich@starlightinvest.com





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TopApps.ai has launched a new directory service to connect businesses with AI-powered solutions.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - The new TopApps.ai directory provides businesses of all kinds with a database of the best and most recently developed AI tools. The directory classifies these tools across a number of categories, including TTS tools, virtual assistant programs, image generation algorithms, and productivity enhancers.

To learn more, visit https://www.topapps.ai.

TopApps.ai Launches Comprehensive Directory of AI Apps & Tools for Businesses

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TopApps.ai was designed to help businesses find AI tools for every aspect of their operation and help boost productivity in cost-effective ways that have not been possible until very recently. The tools in the directory have been developed by some of the largest and most advanced creators in the space, and involve the full range of powerful technology currently available on the market.

TopApps.ai's database is sorted by field and application to make finding AI tools simple. Entries in the database contain information regarding the price of the service, the use cases for the technology, and some recent reviews for each entry to provide a full picture of what businesses can expect when they sign up.

For example, a recent entry in the database details the development of an AI-powered audiovisual production tool that creates cinematic animation based on audio inputs. This is one of several similar tools featured in the database, and for each, TopApps.ai explores the pros and cons to help businesses determine which is the right choice for them.

The new website also features a variety of resources that can be helpful in staying up to date on new developments in the field of AI. Among their recent stories, the site has explored the increased competition in the natural language processing space, as well as the recent trends toward more sustainable growth on the part of many large developers.

TopApps.ai founder Inge von Aulock said, "Our platform was created to solve the problem of finding the best AI apps and tools. It's much more than just a smart business solutions platform. It's also a comprehensive directory of AI apps and tools that can help businesses optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and keep up with the rapidly evolving field of AI."

For businesses looking to keep up with the rapidly evolving field of AI, TopApps.ai offers an 8-lesson mini-course.

For more information, visit https://www.topapps.ai/tools.

Contact Info:

Name: Top Apps AI

Email: contact@topapps.ai

Organization: Top Apps AI

Address: 5307 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC V5P 3V6, Canada

Website: https://www.topapps.ai

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Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets, today announced the recapitalization of euNetworks, a Western European bandwidth infrastructure company. The recapitalization is being effectuated as a sale of euNetworks anchored by a Stonepeak managed vehicle alongside strategic investments from APG Asset Management (APG) and Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005667/en/

euNetworks is a leading data center and cloud connectivity provider focused on delivering scalable, fiber-based products and solutions to customers across the wholesale, finance, content, media, data center and enterprise industries. The company owns and operates 17 dense fiber-based metropolitan city networks, connected with long haul networks covering 53 cities in 17 countries. They lead the data center connectivity market in Europe, directly connecting over 510 data centers today, with further indirect connections.

Stonepeak first acquired a majority interest in euNetworks in January 2018, and since that time the company has increased the number of connected data centers by over 60%, announced three acquisitions, and optimized the capital structure through incremental debt and equity funding. Operationally, the company has continued to scale its organization, growing its employee base by over 20% to support its growth while implementing several strategic initiatives to solidify its leadership position in sustainability.

Cyrus Gentry, Managing Director and Head of Communications Europe at Stonepeak, said, "From our initial investment in euNetworks in 2018, the company has developed and accelerated its strategy, and has become a market leader in bandwidth infrastructure in Europe. We are incredibly proud of the progress the company has made to date. APG and IMCO share our enthusiasm for euNetworks' future and collectively we look forward to working closely with the company as it continues to grow over the coming years and as Stonepeak continues to grow its presence in Europe."

Paula Cogan, Chief Executive of euNetworks, said, "With this transaction we will enhance our position as we work to grow our network solutions and offerings to our customers who are at the center of the technology transformation. With Stonepeak, APG and IMCO's support, we will continue to focus on building and densifying our networks in key European cities and across the region, connecting more data centers, and key sites with fiber. I am excited for the opportunities we have ahead and it is with great pride that I lead the euNetworks team forward."

Arjan Reinders, Head of Infrastructure Europe at APG, said, "We have been impressed by euNetworks' focus on sustainable growth and providing compelling connectivity solutions to its customers. We are thrilled to be entering into this partnership, on behalf of our pension fund client ABP, and are eager to support the euNetworks team as they continue to develop and further their strategic vision."

Matthew Mendes, Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure of IMCO, said, "Since our initial investment in euNetworks in 2018, we've been proud to partner with our co-shareholders on driving the company's growth and progress made in ESG. euNetworks represents the kind of digital infrastructure platform IMCO seeks to invest in globally a differentiated strategy, mission critical network and partner of choice for the industry. We have confidence in euNetworks' high caliber management team and are excited to be part of euNetworks' future at this stage in the company's trajectory."

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023 subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

J.P. Morgan is acting as sole financial advisor to euNetworks. Simpson Thacher Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel to Stonepeak. UBS and Baker McKenzie acted respectively as financial and legal advisors to APG. Gowling WLG acted as legal counsel to IMCO.

About Stonepeak

Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $55.7 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, and to have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates. Stonepeak sponsors investment vehicles focused on private equity and credit. The firm provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to sustainably grow investments in its target sectors, which include communications, energy and energy transition, transport and logistics, and social infrastructure. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Hong Kong, Houston, London, Singapore, and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

About euNetworks

euNetworks is a bandwidth infrastructure company, owning and operating 17 fibre based metropolitan networks connected with a high capacity intercity backbone covering 53 cities in 17 countries. The company leads the market in data centre connectivity, directly connecting over 510 today. euNetworks is also a leading cloud connectivity provider, directly connecting to all key cloud platforms with access to additional platforms. The company offers a targeted portfolio of metropolitan and long haul services including Dark Fibre, Wavelengths, and Ethernet. Wholesale, finance, content, media, data centre and enterprise customers benefit from euNetworks' unique inventory of fibre and duct based assets that are tailored to fulfil their high bandwidth needs.

About APG Asset Management

As the largest pension provider in the Netherlands APG looks after the pensions of 4.8 million participants. APG provides executive consultancy, asset management, pension administration, pension communication and employer services. We work for pension funds and employers in the sectors of education, government, construction, cleaning, housing associations, sheltered employment organizations, medical specialists, and architects. APG manages approximately 522 billion (February 2023) in pension assets. With approximately 3,000 employees we work from Heerlen, Amsterdam, Brussels, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. Visit our website: www.apg-am.nl.

About IMCO

The Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) manages $73.3 billion of assets on behalf of our clients. Designed exclusively to drive better investment outcomes for Ontario's broader public sector, IMCO operates under an independent, not-for-profit, cost recovery structure. We provide leading investment management services, including portfolio construction advice, better access to a diverse range of asset classes and sophisticated risk management capabilities. As one of Canada's largest institutional investors, we invest around the world and execute large transactions efficiently. Our scale gives clients access to a well-diversified global portfolio, including sought-after private and alternative asset classes. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @imcoinvest.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005667/en/

Contacts:

Stonepeak

Kate Beers

beers@stonepeak.com

+1 646-540-5225

euNetworks

Hannah Britt

hannah.britt@eunetworks.com

+44 7717 896 446

APG

Dick Kors

dick.kors@apg.nl

+31 (0)6 3402 0751

IMCO

Annette Robertson

annette.robertson@imcoinvest.com

+1 437-233-3971
LONDON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brillio today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire CloudStratex, a London-headquartered advisory services company that helps clients build smarter, more agile, and efficient cloud infrastructure to accelerate digital transformation.





This acquisition will enhance Brillio's presence in the UK and Europe, strengthen Brillio's consultative client engagement model, and expand its offerings for banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) clients. The combination of Brillio's digital engineering capabilities, industry-oriented solutioning, and global execution model with CloudStratex's advisory and cloud infrastructure expertise, deep client relationships, and reputed leadership will further strengthen the two companies' ability to deliver superior business outcomes and experiences to their joint clients.

"The combined strength of Brillio and CloudStratex not only underscores our focus on the UK, Europe, and the BFSI sector, but also adds to our deep expertise in making IT more agile by helping enterprises move to secure cloud and modern engineering environments. Our clients globally will benefit from the acquisition," said Raj Mamodia, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brillio. "This will open exciting new avenues for us to collaborate with our clients in not just building agile and efficient infrastructure, but also uncovering actionable insights from it to create greater business value. We are thrilled to welcome CloudStratex's talented professionals to Brillio and look forward to leveraging our well-aligned expertise and values to turn technology disruptions into competitive advantages for our clients."

"We are delighted to join a like-minded, high-growth organisation such as Brillio," said Adrian Overall, Chief Executive Officer of CloudStratex. "In Brillio, CloudStratex has found a digital-native partner propelled by the same values and founder mindset that have helped CloudStratex become one of the fastest-growing technology advisory services companies in the UK. Brillio's global reach, diverse industry experience, and entrepreneurial culture will allow us to unlock the benefits of scale and a broader portfolio of digital skills, services, and solutions, which are critical for us to drive future growth and provide greater opportunities for our clients."

CloudStratex provides cloud infrastructure advisory services to clients in the UK and Europe. Founded in 2019, it is one of the fastest-growing private IT companies in the UK, and was ranked 27th in the Sunday Times 100 list in 2022. CloudStratex has partnerships with ServiceNow (recognised as the 2023 ServiceNow EMEA Premier Partner of the Year), Microsoft, and AWS. The company employs more than 170 technology and consulting professionals, based primarily in the UK. It serves more than 15 Global 2000 multinational companies.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Brillio

Brillio is the partner of choice for many Fortune 1000 companies seeking to turn disruption into a competitive advantage through innovative digital adoption. Backed by Bain Capital, Brillio is one of the fastest growing digital technology service providers. We help clients harness the transformative potential of the four superpowers of technology: cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and mobility. Born digital in 2014, we apply our expertise in customer experience solutions, data analytics and AI, digital infrastructure and security, and platform and product engineering to help clients quickly innovate for growth, create digital products, build service platforms, and drive smarter, data-driven performance. With 17 locations across the U.S., Romania, Canada, Mexico and India, our growing global workforce of over 6,000 Brillians blends the latest technology and design thinking with digital fluency to solve complex business problems and drive competitive differentiation for our clients. Brillio was certified by Great Place to Work in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Learn more at www.Brillio.com.

Contact:

media@brillio.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067729/Brillio_CloudStratex_Logo.jpg

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce the execution of an exploration and option agreement for EMX's Yarrol and Mt Steadman Projects in Queensland, Australia (the "Projects") to Many Peaks Gold. The agreement provides EMX with cash payments, additional equity interests in MPG and work commitments during a fifteen month option period. Upon exercise of the option EMX will receive additional payments of cash and shares of MPG along with annual advance royalty payments, royalty interests and other considerations.

The Yarrol Project contains zones of gold and copper mineralization in addition to newly discovered areas with cobalt-enriched manganese oxide mineralization and heavy mineral sands deposits (see Figures 1 and 2). The Mount Steadman Project contained historically defined zones of gold mineralization in addition to areas of historic gold mining activities (see Figures 1 and 3). Both projects were acquired by EMX as part of recent regional assessments of prospectivity in eastern Australia via purchase agreements with third parties, and then greatly expanded by EMX via filing of exploration license applications.

MPG is currently an EMX partner on the Company's nearby Queensland Gold project. Together with the Queensland Gold project, the addition of Yarrol and Mt Steadman to MPG's portfolio builds a substantial property package with a diverse suite of mineral deposits and occurrences in central Queensland.

Commercial Terms Overview: All terms in US Dollars unless otherwise indicated. Upon execution, MPG will make a cash payment of $150,000, issue 850,000 shares of MPG stock to EMX and 1,000,000 stock options, with each option being exercisable for one share of MPG at a price of AUD $0.34 for 36 months.

Pursuant to the agreement, MPG can acquire 100% interests in the Projects during a fifteen month option period by:

Paying EMX an additional $200,000

Completing 10,000 meters of drilling on the Projects

Issuing an additional 2,325,000 shares of MPG to EMX

Issuing an additional 1,000,000 options to EMX that will be exercisable over a 36 month period from date of issue

Upon completing the option period requirements, MPG will earn a 100% interest in each project with EMX retaining:

A 2.5% NSR royalty ("NSR Royalty") on each project for gold and base metals

A 5% gross royalty ("Gross Royalty") on each project for mineral sands and other non-refined mineral products

Advance royalty payments that commence upon the second anniversary of the execution of the option agreement. These will be set at 20 ounces of gold per year per project, escalating to 40 ounces of gold per year per project upon publication of maiden JORC compliant resources, and further escalating to 65 ounces of gold per year if a resource that contains greater than 1.5 million ounces of gold (or gold equivalent) is defined

Milestone payments of $250,000 in cash or MPG shares upon publication of a maiden JORC complaint resource at each of the Yarrol and Mt Steadman projects

Within 51 months of executing the agreement, MPG will have the right to re-purchase 0.5% of the NSR Royalty on each project for $2 million and 250 ounces of gold to repurchase 1.25% of the Gross Royalty on each project, and another 750 ounces of gold to re-purchase an additional 1.25% of the Gross Royalty on each project.

Yarrol Project. The 55,960 Ha Yarrol Project is located between EMX's Queensland Gold project and Evolution Mining's Mt Rawdon gold mine and is positioned along the regional scale Yarrol Fault zone. Several other historical mines and active exploration projects also lie along the Yarrol Fault structural trend.

Yarrol was the site of historical gold mining activities in the 1800's through the 1930's, with historical gold production averaging ~10 g/t.1 Further exploration and assessments conducted in the 1980's and 1990's led to the definition of two historical gold resources (see notes regarding the historical mineral resources below). Gold mineralization at Yarrol is present as quartz sulfide veins and zones of silicification developed in and around Permian-aged dioritic intrusions. EMX conducted a two-hole confirmation drill program in late 2022, resulting in the intersection of 17.8 meters averaging 4.01 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 61 meters in drill hole DD22-YA187, and 12 meters at 0.91 g/t gold from 92 meters in drill hole DD22-YA188 (see EMX News Release dated November 14, 2022)2.

In late 2021, while conducting exploration programs to expand the known zones of gold mineralization, EMX geologists encountered zones of cobalt-enriched manganese oxide mineralization on the northern side of the Project area. This led to an expansion of the land position, as well as new exploration programs targeting the manganese and cobalt mineralization. Surface sampling programs demonstrated that the zones of manganese oxide mineralization encountered in the field consistently averaged over 1% cobalt, accompanied by enrichments in both nickel and copper (see EMX news release dated January 4, 2022).

Through 2022 and early 2023, EMX continued to advance the Company's understanding the manganese-cobalt mineralization with surface sampling programs and reconnaissance-style shallow drilling with an air core drill rig. These techniques helped map out the manganese oxide horizons, which vary from tens of centimeters to several meters in thickness and appear to extend for several kilometers along strike. Also present are considerable thicknesses of heavy mineral sands accumulations in beds up to tens of meters in thickness. EMX and MPG are now studying ways to approach further assessments of both the manganese-cobalt mineralization and the heavy mineral sands potential on the project.

Mt Steadman Project. The 5,700 hectare Mt Steadman project is an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS") in the New England Orogenic Belt in Queensland, Australia, a province that hosts IRGS-type gold, porphyry and epithermal deposits. Mt Steadman is located along the Perry Fault system, a major structural feature in the area. The Mt Steadman project was the focus of exploration in the 1990's when shallow reconnaissance drilling programs led to the recognition and definition of historical gold resources. However little exploration has taken place since (see EMX News Release dated April 26, 2021).

Several historic mines are located on the Mt Steadman project (Mt Steadman, Venus and London), and were initially worked in the 1880's with periodic production continuing into the 1940's3. Historic drilling in the vicinity of the Venus and London mines yielded intercepts of 2 meters of 110 g/t gold from an in-hole depth of 20 meters and 2 meters of 1.25 g/t gold from an in-hole depth of 8 meters4.

In the 1990's mineralized sheeted vein swarms (IRGS style mineralization) were recognized at the Fitzroy prospect, where over 4000 meters of shallow drilling led to the definition of historic gold resources1. Examples of historical drill intercepts at Mt Steadman's Fitzroy prospect include reverse circulation drill holes with intercepts that include 23 meters from surface averaging 1.04 g/t gold in drill hole RC95MS7, 24 meters from surface averaging 1.13 g/t gold in RC85MS10, and 26 meters from surface averaging 1.00 g/t in RC95MS44 (true widths unknown).

Planned MPG Work Programs. MPG has notified EMX that it intends to continue surface sampling work and additional drilling on the Projects in 2023. Drilling by MPG will initially focus on the zones of cobalt-rich manganese mineralization at the Yarrol project in addition to preliminary metallurgical test work on the cobalt rich manganiferous materials and heavy mineral sands occurrences.

The Yarrol Cobalt Project has recently been awarded a Queensland Government Collaborative Exploration Initiative ("CEI") grant for AUD $223,300. The CEI grant will support a passive seismic geophysics survey over the 2km by 4km basalt plateau that caps the manganese-cobalt mineralization, with a goal of better defining the sub horizontal stratigraphic section that hosts the manganese-cobalt mineralization. EMX personnel will assist MPG is executing these work programs.

Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.

Comments on Sampling, Assaying, and QA/QC. EMX's drill and surface samples were collected in accordance with accepted industry standards and best practices. The samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in Brisbane for sample preparation and analysis. Gold was analyzed by Au_AA24 fire assay and AAS (50 g nominal sample weight) method, and multi-element analyses were performed by an ME-MS61 method combining a four-acid digestion with ICP-MS finish. As standard procedure, the Company conducts routine QA/QC analysis on all assay results, including the systematic utilization of certified reference materials, blanks, and field duplicates.

Comments on Historical Mineral Resources at Yarrol and Nearby Mines and Deposits. The historical mineral resources at Yarrol were reported in 2010 by MGT Mining Ltd, which was a publicly traded Australian company at the time of publication. Discussions of these projects and historic resources can be found at: https://www.nsx.com.au/ftp/news/021723444.PDF. EMX has not done sufficient work to verify the historical resources, but considers the published historical estimates to be relevant and reliable.

The nearby mines and deposits in the region provide geologic context for EMX's Project, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Project hosts similar mineralization.

About EMX. EMX is a precious, base and battery metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol EMX, and also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol "6E9". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

For further information contact:

David M. Cole

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (303) 973-8585

Dave@emxroyalty.com

Scott Close

Director of Investor Relations

Phone: (303) 973-8585

SClose@emxroyalty.com

Isabel Belger

Investor Relations (Europe)

Phone: +49 178 4909039

IBelger@EMXroyalty.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserve and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Revised Annual Information Form (the "AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2022, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

Historical production from Mt Rawdon totals 2.0 million ounces of gold since 2011. 5

Figure 1. Location map for the Yarrol and Mt Steadman projects



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

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Figure 2. Geological Map and Drill Hole Locations at Yarrol



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

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Historic soils results were collected by Probe Resources in 1995 and additional soils were collected by MGT Mining in 2019 to refine the anomaly.6

Figure 3. Gold mineralization, historic soil anomalies and mine workings in the Chowey Goldfield, Mt Steadman Project



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

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1 Independent Geological Report for MGT Mining Ltd, 2010. https://www.nsx.com.au/ftp/news/021723444.PDF. EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify historical sample results and production figures, however, from EMX's field reviews of the Yarrol property, these data are considered to be reliable and relevant.

2 True widths remain unknown, but are estimated to be in the 50-75% range of the reported drilled interval. The interval was calculated assuming a cutoff of 0.5 g/t gold.

3 Krcmarov, R.L. & Medina, C.C., 1991; Mt Steadman Exploration Permit for Minerals 8093 - First Annual Report Ending 18 August 1991. Homestake Gold Australia Ltd., December 1991 GSQ | GSQ (data.qld.gov.au) Report CR24165.

4 The historical drilling was completed by Probe Resources in 1995 and 1996 and reported to Queensland Geologic Survey. EMX has not done sufficient work to classify these results as compliant with NI 43-101 regulation, these results should not be relied upon until they are confirmed. However, EMX believes these results are reliable and relevant.

5 Mt Rawdon historic production numbers are cited from Evolution Mining website (2023/04/27). https://evolutionmining.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mt-Rawdon-fact-sheet-FY23F.pdf.

6 Soil results are reported in MGT Mining Annual Report EPM 12834 for reporting period ending in December 2019. EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify the published assay data, and these data should not be relied upon until they can be confirmed. However, EMX considers the results to be reliable and relevant.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164404
NOTIFICATION OF TOTAL VOTING RIGHTS AND CAPITAL IN THE COMPANY

WOKINGHAM, UK / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / In accordance with DTR 5.6.1, the Company hereby notifies the following

The Company's issued share capital as at April 30, 2023 consisted of 232,171,182 ordinary shares of 10 pence each ("Ordinary Shares"), of which 27,208,571 Ordinary Shares were held in treasury as at the date of this disclosure. The voting rights of treasury shares are automatically suspended.

Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company is 204,962,611. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which to determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and the Company's Articles of Association.

Enquiries:

Kate McCormick, Company Secretary

(0118 927 3827)

May 2, 2023

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: Ferguson PLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752404/Ferguson-PLC-Announces-Total-Voting-Rights
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Lotus Ventures Inc. (CSE:J)(OTC PINK:LTTSF) ("Lotus" or the "Company") a North Okanagan based licensed cannabis producer and the owner of Lotus Cannabis Co., a premium-craft consumer brand in Canada announced the financial and operating results for the six-month period ending February 28, 2023.

The second fiscal quarter marked a significant milestone in the business evolution of Lotus, as the company proudly launched its own Lotus Cannabis Co. branded flower in the province of British Columbia. Specifically, the Keylime Kush strain was introduced in a variety of formats including a 3.5 gram and a 14 gram flower option, as well as a 3 x 0.5 gram pre-roll option. In light of this development, the following outlines the Company's activities and outcomes achieved during the First Half of Fiscal Year 2023.

Figure 1: The Lotus Keylime Kush Flower and Pre-Roll Lineup

Q1 2023 SALES AND MARKETING OVERVIEW

On January 23rd, 2023, the Company announced the launch of its first official Lotus Cannabis Co. branded Keylime Kush flower, now available in British Columbia. This latest addition to the product portfolio embodies the Company's commitment to bringing novel cannabis genetics to the legalized Canadian market. The Lotus Keylime Kush is now obtainable in over 115 retail outlets in British Columbia. Its distribution covers a broad area spanning the Okanagan, Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Northern B.C., marking a significant milestone in the Company's sales evolution.

branded Keylime Kush flower, now available in British Columbia. This latest addition to the product portfolio embodies the Company's commitment to bringing novel cannabis genetics to the legalized Canadian market. The Lotus Keylime Kush is now obtainable in over 115 retail outlets in British Columbia. Its distribution covers a broad area spanning the Okanagan, Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Northern B.C., marking a significant milestone in the Company's sales evolution. On February 10th, 2023, Lotus launched the Keylime Kush 3 x 0.5 gram pre-rolls in British Columbia, which have since experienced a strong sell-through and remain highly sought after. The British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) placed an initial order for the pre-rolls that was three times the anticipated size, indicating a significant level of demand from consumers. The first three rounds of pre-rolls sold rapidly in retailers across British Columbia, prompting the BCLDB to place a fourth order to meet consumer demand. As of the current date, the BCCS has sold through six rounds of the Keylime Kush pre-rolls, demonstrating the product's popularity.

On March 10th, 2023, Lotus announced the receipt of approval for the 14 gram Keylime Kush flower SKU which is now available in British Columbia. The introduction of the Keylime Kush 14 gram will complement the existing range of products in BC, which includes the 3.5 gram flower and 3 x 0.5 gram pre-roll SKUs. This expansion in the product lineup will provide consumers with greater flexibility in their purchasing choices while allowing Lotus to capture a larger market share in British Columbia.

The Keylime Kush recently secured approval by the Ontario Cannabis Store for the 2023 Spring Product Call. The initial Keylime Kush LOT has been made available on the Flow Through program for retailers to purchase in Ontario. The first shipments of the Lotus Cannabis Co. branded flower were made in April, marking a noteworthy milestone in the Company's ongoing sales diversification and growth strategy.

During the quarter, Lotus started participating in the ARCannabis Cup, which is a highly anticipated tournament consisting of 128 licensed producers and brands in Canada. ARCannabis is also one of Vancouver's largest cannabis retail chains. As of today, the tournament has concluded with Lotus finishing in 3rd place out of the 128 producers.

Q2 2023 OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Lotus recently completed its 115th production harvest since commencing operations, underscoring the Company's commitment to excellence and quality in its cultivation practices. As part of its ongoing efforts to innovate and introduce new, high-quality cultivars, Lotus has been actively engaged in the cultivation and propagation of new strains. The Company is now in the process of searching for its next cultivars, building upon its rich legacy of introducing innovative and highly sought-after cannabis genetics to the Canadian market. In addition to this, Lotus has completed seven successful harvests of its signature Keylime Kush, a testament to the Company's expertise in cultivating premium cannabis products.

Lotus has maintained its focus on the production and development of its highly coveted Keylime Kush and Black Blossom cannabis cultivars, both of which are available for sale in British Columbia. As pioneers of first-to-market cultivars in the legal Canadian market, Lotus has garnered trust for its ability to consistently produce strains that are both potent and rich in THC and terpene content. The Keylime Kush, for example, has tested as high as 37% in THC content and 3.1% in terpene content, while the Black Blossom has tested up to 30% in THC content and 3.4% in terpene content.

Q2 2023 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

During the three months ended February 28, 2023, the Company recorded revenue of $589,172, or an increase of 307% over the previous quarter. During the quarter, the Company commenced selling its own Lotus branded Keylime Kush cultivar in the British Columbia recreational market.

During the three months ended February 28, 2023 the Company increased its accounts receivable to $413,120 compared to $161,198 compared to the prior quarter.

During the three months ended February 28, 2023 the Company recorded a net loss of $131,035, compared to a net loss of $765,102 in the previous quarter.

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Company had net loss of $896,237 (2022 - $241,420 net income). The financial results of the Company for the eight most recent quarters are summarized below:

Description Three months ended Feb 28, 2023 Three months ended Nov 30, 2022 Three months ended Aug 31, 2022 Three months ended May 31, 2022 Revenues $589,172 $144,603 $449,574 $459,090 Net income (loss) ($131,035) ($765,102) ($4,930,606) ($103,573) Income (loss) per share, basic and diluted $0.00 $0.00 ($0.05) $0.00 EBITDA 86,672 ($570,107) ($4,633,554) $122,671 Total assets $13,959,942 $13,564,565 $13,471,193 $17,640,121 Total long-term liabilities $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil Cash dividends / share $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil

Description Three months ended Feb 28, 2022 Three months ended Nov 30, 2021 Three months ended Aug 31, 2021 Three months ended May 31, 2021 Revenues $370,551 $410,568 $1,235,937 $1,437,763 Net income (loss) $176,127 $65,293 $42,625 $208,893 Income (loss) per share, basic and diluted $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 EBITDA $399,757 $279,830 $264,876 $433,488 Total assets $17,678,148 $17,172,703 $16,907,742 $16,845,615 Total long-term liabilities $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil Cash dividends / share $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil

For further information regarding the financial statements for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2023, please refer to sedar.com.

ON BEHALF OF LOTUS VENTURES INC:

Lotus Ventures Inc.

"Dale McClanaghan"

Dale McClanaghan, President and CEO

About Lotus Ventures Inc.

Lotus Ventures Inc. is a licensed producer of cannabis based in British Columbia, Canada. The company owns and operates the Lotus Cannabis Co. brand, which has successfully marketed its cannabis through wholesale partners across all provinces in Canada. Lotus is a highly experienced cultivator on a mission to produce the purest and most consistent premium cannabis products in the country. Situated in the North Okanagan region of British Columbia, Lotus Cannabis boasts a talented team that has launched several popular cultivars, including the Keylime Kush, Black Blossom, Tranquil Elephantizer, and Kalifornia. Currently, Lotus' cannabis flower is available for purchase in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

To invest in the Company, Lotus Ventures Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:J), on the OTC Markets (OTC:LTTSF) and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA:LV9).

For More Information:

President & CEO

Dale McClanaghan

(604) - 644 - 9844

Investor Relations

Daniel McRobert

investors@lotuscannabis.ca

(604) - 842 - 4625

General Information

info@lotuscannabis.ca

(604) - 842 - 4625

To learn more, visit lotuscannabis.ca and follow the Lotus Cannabis Co. brand on social media.

Instagram: @lotuscannabisco

Twitter: @lotuscannabisco

LinkedIn: @lotuscannabisco

Facebook: @lotuscanna

Forward-Looking Information:

This document includes certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts but are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, our future operating results, our expectations regarding the market for medical and recreational cannabis products, our expectations regarding the continued growth of the medical and recreational cannabis market, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions, or beliefs about future events. Users are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties have not been documented or mentioned in this document nor other communications made by the company. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "targets," "optimistic," "intend," "aim," "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Lotus Ventures Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752348/Lotus-Announces-First-Half-Results-for-Fiscal-Year-2023
Anavo Therapeutics, a global leader in unlocking the full therapeutic potential of human phosphatase biology, announced today an EUR 8.5 million seed round extension, adding MRL Ventures Fund as a new investor. All existing investors, M Ventures, INKEF, Taiho Ventures, and Bioqube Ventures, participated in the extension, bringing the total seed round to EUR 28 million.

"Since our inception in 2021, Anavo Therapeutics has advanced multiple proprietary pipeline programs in this centrally important target class and added significant expertise to the team, SAB, and the board. Today, we welcome MRL Ventures Fund to our existing investor syndicate," commented Birgit Zech, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Anavo Therapeutics. "Leveraging our unique IGNITE phosphatase drug discovery platform, we will continue to accelerate our proprietary portfolio of programs targeting disease-relevant phosphatases toward clinical development, while continuing to build a center of excellence for phosphatase targeting."

"We are encouraged by the progress being made at Anavo in establishing a systematic approach to phosphatase drug discovery," said Karin Kleinhans, PhD, Partner at MRL Ventures Fund. "At MRL Ventures we believe Anavo's platform offers the potential to harness the therapeutic opportunity of this important target class."

As a result of the transaction, Karin Kleinhans, Partner at MRL Ventures Fund, will join the existing Board of Directors, which includes Charles McDermott (Chairman); Therese Maria Liechtenstein, M Ventures; Simone Botti, INKEF Capital; Sakae Asanuma, Taiho Ventures; Debora Dumont, Bioqube Ventures; and Birgit Zech, Anavo Therapeutics.

About Anavo Therapeutics:

Anavo Therapeutics is the first company to systematically drug phosphatases, a rich target space previously considered undruggable for decades. We have attracted world-leading scientific expertise in phosphatase-driven disease biology and drug discovery to unlock the full potential of phosphatase-targeted allosteric modulators. In oncology, Anavo is developing multiple first-in-class therapeutic programs and will build on partnerships around its platform to establish a rich pipeline across several indications. Anavo is backed by blue-chip investors M Ventures, INKEF Capital, Taiho Ventures, MRL Ventures Fund, and Bioqube Ventures. For more information, please visit: www.anavotx.com.

About MRL Ventures

MRL Ventures Fund (MRLV) is the therapeutics-focused corporate venture fund of Merck Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA. From its headquarters in Cambridge, Mass., USA, the MRLV team invests globally in early-stage innovative therapeutics companies that are developing transformative medicines in any therapeutic area using any modality. The MRLV team of experienced life-sciences venture capital professionals is committed to supporting great entrepreneurs in their quest to create value through building companies that have a meaningful impact on health and disease. For more information, visit www.mrlv.com.

About M Ventures

M Ventures is the strategic, corporate venture capital arm of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. From its headquarters in the Netherlands and offices in Germany, USA and Israel, M Ventures invests globally in transformational ideas driven by innovative entrepreneurs. Taking an active role in its portfolio companies, M Ventures teams up with management teams and co-investors to translate scientific discoveries into commercial success. M Ventures focuses on identifying and financing novel solutions to some of the most difficult challenges, through company creation and equity investments in fields that will impact the vitality and sustainability of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's current and future businesses. For more information, visit www.m-ventures.com.

About INKEF Capital

INKEF Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, backing promising early-stage companies in Europe. INKEF takes pride in being a patient, long-term investor with the ability to support companies through several rounds of funding. From the early stages of a technology or life science venture, INKEF Capital supports entrepreneurs building their ideas into successful international businesses. For more information, please visit: https://www.inkef.com/.

About Taiho Ventures

Taiho Ventures, LLC is the corporate venture arm of Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japanese specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on oncology, allergy and immunology, and urology. With $300M under management, Taiho Ventures is actively investing in early-stage private companies strategically relevant to Taiho Pharmaceutical. The firm considers company creation, spinouts and the option-type of investments as well as pure equity investments. For more information, visit https://taihoventures.com/.

About Bioqube Ventures

Bioqube Ventures is a specialist life sciences investment firm founded in 2016. The team consists of investment professionals, sector experts and serial entrepreneurs that have a proven track record in successfully building and leading companies on their growth paths. In 2020, Bioqube Ventures launched the Bioqube Factory Fund I, a 110M EUR fund with a clear focus on the discovery and development of new therapeutic platforms and assets. With a diversified investment strategy, including a venture creation model and industry guidance through selected strategic partnerships, Bioqube Ventures will exclusively invest in the most promising innovative science in Europe. For more information, visit www.bioqubeventures.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005132/en/

Contacts:

Anavo Therapeutics

Dr. Birgit Zech

Chief Executive Officer

+49 179 5340884

bzech@anavotx.com

Media Contact

Chelsea Rule

MacDougall Advisors

+1 781-235-3060

crule@macdougall.bio
Connected Kerb is well-positioned in the market with an industry-leading product that provides tremendous value in high-demand sectors.

SAN ANTONIO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Frost & Sullivan assessed the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure industry and, based on its findings, recognizes Connected Kerb with the 2023 European Company of the Year Award. The company provides robust, publicly available, long-dwell charge points aligned with broader market trends and long-term growth strategies to promote and accelerate EV adoption in urban and rural settings. Its innovative solutions address the challenges of the EV transition with the aim of providing sustainable mobility that is high value, low impact and accessible to all, backed up by exceptional customer support for high customer satisfaction. It implemented the first UK trial of public smart charging, Agile Streets, to overcome the challenge of traditional EV charging points-costly units and rapid EV charging, incorporating long-dwell charging and power flow optimization capabilities to enhance customer value and regulate the power grid flow.





Connected Kerb's Agile Streets solution enables the development of a smart network of charging points to help relieve pressures on the power grid. The smart network focuses on long-dwell charging, providing the public with a more convenient charging option (during work hours and overnight). With a portfolio of charging point stations, Connected Kerb addresses residential, commercial, fleet, healthcare, private enterprise, business park, and local authority EV charging needs.

Prajyot Sathe, Research Manager at Frost & Sullivan, observed, "Connected Kerb's modular product design differentiates it from competitors, making upgrading, repairing, and replacing components easy and affordable. Straightforward repairs ensure reliable EV charging points, with the company boasting 99% operability in 2022."

Connected Kerb's underground charging infrastructure hides expensive componentry; provides an above-ground unit with low visual impact; offers protection from weather elements, traffic, and vandalism; and enables clients to activate more above-ground units later as the demand for EV charging increases. Connected Kerb expanded its network rapidly over the last six years and now has more than 3,000 charging points in over 500 locations, with plans to install 10,000 more charging stations across the UK in 2023. It stands out from competitors with its commitment to sustainability and inclusion, seeking to cater for the charging needs of over two million Blue Badge drivers (drivers with disabilities) in the UK.

"Connected Kerb addresses unmet EV charging needs with a strong leadership focus that incorporates customer-centric strategies and exemplifies best practice implementation. It remains a trusted partner for its clients and users, earning a reputation for offering the overall best in the EV charging infrastructure industry," added Elizabeth Whynott, Best Practices Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "With its legacy of EV charging infrastructure leadership and strong overall performance, Connected Kerb is a leader in the EV charging infrastructure industry."

Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said: "The past twelve months have been transformational for the company as we have grown our network significantly and concluded a major investment deal that will enable further expansion. This prestigious award is further testament to the hard work put in by everyone at Connected Kerb in making sustainable mobility accessible to everyone."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with strong leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Tammy Chan

tammy.chan@frost.com

About Connected Kerb

Connected Kerb is one of the UK's leading providers of electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions. We exist to power the future of sustainable mobility for everyone by working with local authorities, workplaces, business parks and residential developers to increase connectivity and optimise capacity in a way that's low impact, high value, and accessible to all.

Contact:

Tariq Arafa

Tariq.Arafa@connectedkerb.co.uk

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067677/Frost_and_Sullivan_Connected_Kerb.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/connected-kerb-applauded-by-frost--sullivan-for-its-convenient-affordable-and-reliable-ev-charging-infrastructure-and-market-leading-position-301812833.html
Certif-ID plans to use the funds for further development of the technology platform and further expansion into Asia

COLOGNE, Germany and BANGALORE, India, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Certif-ID International GmbH, a blockchain-based 'Future of Work' platform for international skilled professionals, has successfully closed a seed financing of 1.6 million Euro led by NRW-Bank and the angel investors Andreas Weinberger, Malte Pollmann (Supervisory Board Utimaco Group), Jorg Will (Partner at IFP Executive Search) and Michael Bernhorster (Head of Advisory, Schilling Group). With the continued support of TUV Rheinland, Certif-ID plans to use the funds to expand its activities in Asia and Europe and to further develop its technology platform.





Tim Miller, Co-Founder and CEO of Certif-ID said, "The demand for skilled manpower across the world has never been stronger. Yet the recruitment, skill verification and visa issuance processes are slow to adapt. The urgent need to automate and digitise these processes is crucial to minimise any adverse economic impact. "

Markus Dohm, Certif-ID's second Co-Founder, added, "We are also thrilled to be supported by NRW-Bank with their relaunched NRW.SeedCap program."

Certif-ID focuses on automating and digitising the recruitment process to verify skills and issue visas for internationally skilled professionals, particularly in healthcare, engineering, and logistics. The company's TalentSure product line has more than 300,000 registered users from 32 countries and offers 16,000 job offers. The platform uses blockchain technology to bring transparency and trust to candidates' application documents.

Certif-ID also offers a second product line, CredSure, which is a SaaS platform that supports companies in digitising credentials and anchoring them to blockchain for instant verification. Education providers issue digital badges to their graduates, which can be used to showcase and verify their newly acquired competencies that match industry demand.

About Certif-ID

Certif-ID is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions that build trust in International technical recruitment. Our technology and service portfolio digitises credentials, builds verifiable talent pipelines, automates skill recognition and minimises cross-border recruitment efforts.

TalentSure by Certif-ID is a platform that connects verified professionals with employers, streamlines recruitment and automates processes.

CredSure by Certif-ID is a SaaS platform that supports companies in digitising their certificates and opening up a modern way of digital communication for graduates via badges.

Certif-ID was founded in 2020 in Cologne and employs 20 people in India and Germany.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067696/Certif_ID.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/certif-id-raises-1-6-million-in-seed-funding-to-digitise-skilled-manpower-recruitment-301813048.html
CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / PetroFrontier Corp. ("PetroFrontier" or the "Corporation") (TSXV:PFC) is pleased to announce that the Corporation's 2022 Annual Financial Statements,

Management's Discussion and Analysis and NI 51-101 forms regarding Statement of Reserves Data and Other Oil and Gas Information have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Executive Appointment

PetroFrontier is also pleased to announce that Mehran Joozdani has joined the Corporation as its new Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Joozdani, who most recently served as Husky's Vice President, Production & Exploitation - Heavy Oil & Gas Business Unit, has 25 years of industry experience including at the senior management level. Prior to joining Husky, Mr. Joozdani was the Regional Operations Manager for both Canada and Central Asia for Schlumberger where he served for 14 years. Mr. Joozdani has a degree in both Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering.

"We are very excited to have Mehran join PetroFrontier as our new COO. Mehran's extensive heavy oil production and exploitation background will bolster the Corporation's efforts to transition from a delineation and reserve establishment story to a full field development and production growth story as PetroFrontier commences its multi-lateral well and enhanced oil recovery efforts."

About PetroFrontier Corp.

PetroFrontier is a junior energy company that has been focused on developing two Mannville heavy oil plays in the Cold Lake and Wabasca areas of Alberta.

PetroFrontier's head office is in Calgary, Alberta and its common shares are listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "PFC".

More information pertaining to PFC can be obtained under the Corporation's profile on Sedar which can be accessed online at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which may be beyond the control of PetroFrontier. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, PetroFrontier does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

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.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Kelly Kimbley, President & CEO

PetroFrontier Corp.

Suite 700, 903 - 8 Avenue S.W.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0P7

Telephone: (403) 650-6355

Email: kkimbley@petrofrontier.com

Website: www.petrofrontier.com

SOURCE: PetroFrontier Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752388/PetroFrontier-Corp-Announces-Filing-of-2022-Annual-Financial-and-Operating-Results-Year-End-Reserves-Evaluation-and-New-Executive-Appointment
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Northern Superior Resources Inc. ("Northern Superior" or the "Company") (TSXV:SUP)(OTCQX:NSUPF)(Frankfurt:D9M1) is pleased to announce that it has successfully exercised "Option 1" and "Option 2" of the Option and Joint Venture Agreement with SOQUEM, dated May 8 2018, and amended in March 2019, and December 2022 (the "Agreement") and has earned a 75% ownership interest in the Philibert property (the "Philibert Project").

Pursuant to the Agreement, Northern Superior was required to incur qualifying exploration expenditures of $3.5 million (in respect of Option 1) and $2.0 million (in respect of Option 2) on the Philibert Project, which it has now completed. As per the amendment to the Agreement executed in December of 2022, Northern Superior has the option to increase its ownership of the Philibert Project to 100% by making a cash payment of $3.5 million to SOQUEM before March 2026.

Simon Marcotte, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Superior, commented: "As we advance towards a resource calculation at the Philibert Project in the near future, we are happy to formalize a 75% ownership, and establish a defined path to 100% ownership, of an asset we believe will become a pillar of the rapidly emerging Chibougamau gold camp."

Website and Corporate Presentation

Northern Superior is currently in the process of revamping its website but is thrilled to unveil a new and comprehensive corporate presentation on its temporary website. This presentation focuses on Northern Superior's primary objective, which is to capitalize on the consolidation opportunity currently taking hold in the Chibougamau gold camp in Quebec, Canada. By acquiring Genesis Metals Corp. and Royal Fox Gold Inc., Northern Superior has taken a leadership role in this exciting opportunity.

Corporate Matters

The Company announces having entered into an Option Agreement with Rockland Resources Ltd. (CSE: RKL) ("Rockland") for the development of its Wapistan property in James Bay region of the province of Quebec ("Wapistan"). Despite its location, Wapistan has never been explored for lithium, which Rockland intends to pursue. The Company has granted Rockland the sole and exclusive right and option to acquire 100% of Wapistan in exchange for total consideration of $400,000 in cash and 10,800,000 shares of Rockland, half of which has already been received by Northern Superior. In order to exercise its option, Rockland must pay the remaining consideration to Northern Superior within 12 months. Should Rockland fail to pay the remaining consideration when due, Northern Superior will retain 100% ownership of the property. Should Rockland successfully exercise its option, Northern Superior will retain a 2% NSR on Wapistan, 1% of which may be re-purchased by Rockland for $1.0 million.

The Company also announces that it has engaged King Tide Media LLC ("King Tide") to provide investor awareness and public relation services. King Tide operates from the United-States under the direction of Mr. James Filippone and will be compensated by a fee of twenty percent (20%) of the total media budget allocated by the Company as part of the agreement with King Tide. The Company will file a Form 3C with the TSX Venture Exchange in respect of this market awareness program. King Tide has not provided any services under this arrangement to date; however, the Company expects to activate a market awareness program shortly.

About SOQUEM

SOQUEM, a subsidiary of Investissement Quebec, is dedicated to promoting the exploration, discovery, and development of mining properties in Quebec. SOQUEM also contributes to maintaining strong local economies. Proud partner and ambassador for the development of Quebec's mineral wealth, SOQUEM relies on innovation, research, and strategic minerals to be well-positioned for the future.

About Northern Superior Resources Inc.

Northern Superior is a gold exploration company focused on the Chapais-Chibougamau Camp in Quebec. The Company has consolidated the largest land package in the region, with total land holdings currently exceeding 62,000 hectares. The main properties include Philibert, Lac Surprise, Chevrier and Croteau Est. Northern Superior also owns significant exploration assets in Northern Ontario highlighted by the district scale TPK Project.

The Philibert Project is located 9km from IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Gold project which was awarded the "Discovery of the Year" by the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) in 2019. To date, more than C$13 million (historical value) have been spent on the Philibert Project, with more than 75,000 metres of drilling completed. The Philibert Project is owned by SOQUEM; the Company is currently undergoing an ownership option process, details of which can be found in the corporate presentation. Chevrier hosts an inferred mineral resource of 652,000 ounces Au (underground and open pit) and an indicated mineral resource of 260,000 ounces Au. Croteau Est hosts an inferred mineral resource of 640,000 ounces Au. Lac Surprise hosts the Falcon Zone Discovery, interpreted to be the western strike extension of IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Deposit.

Northern Superior is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SUP, and the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol NSUPF.

For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.nsuperior.com or on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Northern Superior Resources Inc. on Behalf of the Board of Directors

Simon Marcotte, CFA, President and Chief Executive Officer

Contact Information

Simon Marcotte, CFA

President and Chief Executive Office

Tel: (647) 801-7273

info@nsuperior.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Northern Superior Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752347/Northern-Superior-Completes-Earn-In-Requirements-for-75-Ownership-of-the-Philibert-Project-From-Soquem
Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) ("Lucky" or the "Company") announces a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") consisting of up to 10,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of CDN $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to approximately CDN $500,000.

Each Unit of the Offering is comprised of one common share (a "Share") and one full four-year non-transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at a price of CDN $0.05 per Share, until the date that is 48 months from the closing (the "Closing") of the Offering. All the Shares and Warrants issued in connection to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance.

Investors in the Offering may include the participation of certain directors, officers and insiders of the Company which constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101as neither the fair marketvalue of the Units to be acquired by the insiders, nor the consideration for the Units to be paid by such insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Company may pay finder's fees on a portion of the Private Placement in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

This Offering is subject to TSX Venture Exchange Approval.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to continue the drill program on the Company's Fortuna Project in Ecuador and for general working capital purposes.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Francois Perron"

Chief Executive Officer

About Lucky

Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property.

The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador.

Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484.

Or by contacting:

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Kerry Schacter: kschacter@renmarkfinancial.com

Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989

www.renmarkfinancial.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information

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 release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company 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. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements unless required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752355/Lucky-Minerals-Announces-Up-to-CDN-500000-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Silver Hammer Mining Corp. (CSE: HAMR) (OTCQB: HAMRF) (FSE: 7BW0) (the "Company" or "Silver Hammer") is pleased to announce that it has submitted a Plan of Operations to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Ranger District of the United States Forest Service ("USFS") to explore its Eliza Silver Project ("Eliza" or the "Project") located in White Pine County, Nevada.

"The submission of the Plan of Operations is another critical step as we move towards examining the potential for significant mineralization at Eliza, which has seen little to no modern exploration despite a history of high-grade past production," stated Peter A. Ball, President & CEO. "We will begin by executing a property-wide geophysical program by early June and will continue to inform the market as we advance through this systematic exploration process and begin to generate results."

The Plan of Operations was submitted on April 26, 2023 and proposes 17 drill sites, 1.3 kilometres of road construction and rehabilitation, and up to 2,100 metres of drilling.

It outlines a comprehensive exploration program at Eliza, including an aerial geophysical program, geologic mapping and structural analysis. The program will follow up on results from 2021 and 2022 geologic mapping and soil and rock sampling, which identified multiple drill targets located in the northern part of the property. The Company has prioritized drill targets that consist of numerous locations, which reported high-grade silver, copper, lead and zinc hosted in carbonate replacement deposits ("CRD") containing sulfide mineralization. Previous rock samples yielded results up to 1,540 grams per tonne silver, 7.7% copper, 15% zinc, and 11% copper (refer to news release dated December 6, 2021 and May 11, 2022).

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical aspects of this press release have been reviewed and approved under the supervision of Philip Mulholland (CPG). Mr. Mulholland is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Silver Hammer Mining Corp.

Silver Hammer Mining Corp. is a junior resource exploration company advancing its flagship past-producing Silver Strand Mine in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District in Idaho, as well both the Eliza Silver Project and the Silverton Silver Mine in one of the world's most prolific mining jurisdictions in Nevada. Silver Hammer's primary focus is defining and developing silver deposits near past-producing mines that have not been adequately explored. The Company's portfolio also provides exposure to copper and gold discoveries.

On Behalf of the Board of Silver Hammer Mining Corp.

Peter A. Ball

President & CEO, Director

E: peter@silverhammermining.com

For investor relations inquiries, contact:

Kristina Pillon High Tide Consulting Corp.

T: 604.908.1695

E: investors@silverhammermining.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern, without limitation, the Company's strategic plans, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration and drilling programs, estimates of mineralization from drilling, geological information projected from sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors, including the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data, and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164115
Main Ridge Immediately Adjacent to Past Producing Pennants Gold Mine

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has obtained approvals to commence exploration drilling at its 100% owned Main Ridge Project in Jamaica. The Main Ridge Project covers 3,000-hectares and is located immediately adjacent to the past producing Pennants Gold Mine and to the west of the Company's Arthurs Seat Project (Figure 1). The Main Ridge drill permit is valid through April 2028.

Dan Symons, President & CEO, stated, "With the Main Ridge Project drill permit in hand, we now have valid drill permits through at least mid-2027 along a 30km of strike extent where we have identified 16 porphyry and 40 epithermal targets. At Main Ridge, we have identified two separate mineralized structures over 4km either along trend or in close proximity to the past producing Pennants Gold Mine. The Pennants Gold Mine was an open pit mine that operated from 2002 to 2004. The Main Ridge Project surrounds the Pennants pit to the west, north and east. We have identified nine epithermal and two porphyry targets at Main Ridge that warrant further exploration."





Figure 1: C3 Metals' concessions in Jamaica with Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI), showing 16 porphyry and over 40 epithermal prospects over a 30km trend from Bellas Gate through to Arthurs Seat and Main Ridge. Historical adits and shafts located to the south of several of the porphyry targets.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Main Ridge Project Highlights

Rock chip and soil sampling along the Bennett Fault defined a coherent gold anomaly extending 4km southeast and northwest of the former Pennants Gold Mine (Figure 2): Rock chip sample collected 300m west of historical drill hole MD28 ( 3.1m at 17.0 g/t Gold 1 ) assayed 35.8 g/t gold

Rio Minho Fault host to strong copper-silver mineralization, defined over a 4km strike length. Channel sample results include (Figure 2): 16.0m at 1.22% copper and 7.8 g/t silver 2.0m at 6.07% copper and 19.4 g/t silver







Figure 2: Main Ridge radiometric image (potassium) showing a zone of strong gold mineralization northwest of the past producing Pennants Gold Mine with numerous rock chip assays above 1.0 g/t gold and up to 35.8 g/t gold and three zones of strong copper mineralization, including both rock chip assays above 1% copper and channel sampling results.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/164414_585cedcf04be6bdc_002full.jpg

About the Past Producing Pennants Gold Mine

The Pennants Gold Mine was operated as an open pit mine from 2002 to 2004 on a reported non-compliant NI 43-101 historical mineral resource of 75,500 tonnes at 20.4 g/t gold2,3. The operator reported historical high-grade drill intersections of 1.7m at 430.0 g/t gold and 4.6m at 25.6 g/t gold from the mine property (drill results are historical in nature and have not been independently confirmed)4.

For additional information, contact:

Dan Symons

President & CEO

+1 416 716 6466

dsymons@c3metals.com

ABOUT C3 METALS INC.

C3 Metals Inc. is a junior minerals exploration company focused on creating substantive value through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds the 26,800-hectare Jasperoide project in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). C3 Metals also holds a 100% interest in five licenses covering 20,700 hectares of highly prospective copper-gold terrain of Jamaica. Mining dates to the 1500s and 1800s when Spanish and British mining companies targeted high grade copper in veins. The Company also holds a 2% royalty in Tocvan's Rogers Creek project.

Related Link: www.c3metals.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.

QP Statement

Stephen Hughes, P.Geo. is Vice President Exploration and a Director for C3 Metals and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hughes has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein.

Technical Program

C3 Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC protocol for handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Chain-of-custody protocols are designed to ensure security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory.

Samples are analysed by 4-Acid digest ICP-MS finish for 63 elements, including pathfinder REE elements with pulps from samples reporting greater than 1.0% copper being re-assayed by the ore grade method. Gold is analysed by 30g Fire Assay AAS finish, with pulps from samples reporting greater than 5ppm re-assayed by 1kg Screen Fire Assay. The Company inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control.

Caution Regarding 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 belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the exploration operations of the Company and the timing which could be affected by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. 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 risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is 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.

Source: C3 Metals Inc.

________________________

1 Data from the above drill results are reported historical results and it is unknown what type of quality-control programs were performed at the time. C3 Metals' QP also advises that true width of the above results cannot be determined at this time.

2 The mineral resourced cited above is presented as a historical estimate and uses historical terminology which does not conform to current National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") standards. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical estimates are believed to be based on reasonable assumptions, these estimates were calculated prior to the implementation of NI 43-101. As these historical estimates do not meet current standards as defined under sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101, C3 Metals is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the historical estimate is adjacent to and not located within mineral tenure under licence to C3 Metals.

3 Published report, Geochemical exploration for gold in Jamaica: A comparison of stream sediment and soil surveys, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 4, 161-170, 1 May 2004, authored by Robert G. Garrett, Gerald C. Lalor and Mitko Vutchkov.

4 Data from the above drill results are reported historical results and it is unknown what type of quality-control programs were performed at the time. C3 Metals' QP also advises that true width of the above results cannot be determined at this time.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164414
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / CLS Holdings USA Inc., and Oasis Cannabis Dispensary are pleased to welcome The Real McCoy to our Dispensary shelves. The Real McCoy is a boutique cannabis company located in Nevada that prides themselves on producing the purest indoor grown cannabis.

Oasis Cannabis Dispensary is proud to be carrying The Real McCoy's small batch, high quality hand crafted flower, which compliments our already wide variety of cannabis products offered.

Oasis Dispensary General Manager, Portia Davis states, "Excited to have The Real McCoy as a part of our menu!"

After meeting with The Real McCoy team, it's clear that our values and passions are aligned. Both teams work hard to provide affordable high quality cannabis to all. Our overall goal is to bring the amazing plant to the people and we can't wait to have our customers enjoy The Real McCoy products.

The Real McCoy owner, Carissa McCoy, says, "The Real McCoy is a family owned and operated Cultivation and Production facility. We believe in providing quality medicine at an affordable price and we are excited to be able to give to the community and the locals. Everyone at The Real McCoy is extremely passionate about this plant and the opportunity to be available at Oasis. This is the way!"

The Real McCoy operates in a new 12,000 square foot state of the art growing facility in Northern Nevada, with 25 years growing experience and extensive knowledge of the cannabis industry. The Real McCoy has adapted state-of-the-art growing practices, from nutrients to a wide variety of world class genetics to utilizing top technologies to ensure the prime environment for growing the best cannabis in the state.

CLS Holdings USA Inc., CEO, Andrew Glashow says, "After meeting with the principals, hearing The Real McCoy story, and seeing the operation, it became readily apparent that this small batch grower produced an outstanding product. We are excited to have it in the store."

Instagrams: @oasisdispensary | @clsholdingsusa | @therealmccoy_nv

Twitter: @oasiscannabis | @CLSHoldingsUSA | @TheRealMcCoyNV

Facebook: @oasisdispensarylv | @CLSHoldingsUSA

Website: oasiscannabis.com | https://www.clsholdingsinc.com/ | Therealmccoy.us

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to, among other things, the expected development of our business and joint ventures, results of operations and financial performance, future liquidity, working capital and capital requirements. The continued spread of COVID-19 could have, and in some cases already has had, an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, and retail dispensary operations as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "intends," "expects," "plans," "goals," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See CLS Holdings USA filings with the SEC and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for additional details.

Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. While supplies last*. Management reserves all rights. Serenity Wellness Center LLC RD046 and D046. The Real McCoy RC188 and RP124.

SOURCE: CLS Holdings USA, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752041/Oasis-Cannabis-Dispensary-Welcomes-The-Real-McCoy
The residual antimicrobial solutions provide continuous efficacy, minimize the frequent antimicrobial dosage on surfaces, and reduce operational costs and time in the healthcare and food and beverage industries.

SAN ANTONIO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently assessed the North American residual antimicrobials industry and, based on its findings, recognizes AvantGuard with the 2023 North American Technology Innovation Leadership Award for its residual antimicrobial solutions. The company adopts automated disinfection protocols to minimize manual labor and ensure wide-scale uniform cleaning in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. AvantGuard partnered with Auburn University in 2019 to license the N-halamine technology and develop residual antimicrobials to provide prolonged efficacy and to meet the global demand for the same. The company integrates the N-halamine and zwitterion structure to fabricate a lineup of durable antimicrobial solutions that provide sustained antimicrobial efficacy.





AvantGuard's AvantGuard247 and 1stAid provide safe and long-lasting alternatives for residual disinfectant applications, such as conventional copper-based antimicrobial technology. 1stAid is an antimicrobial wound dressing made of zwitterion-polymeric which has shown a safer and better antimicrobial performance than the conventional silver wound dressings. The AvantGuard365 is a polymeric addictive. The AvantGuard247 is currently the only spray-based residual antimicrobial coating that leverages chlorine to its ultimate usefulness. AvantGuard247 enhances and prolongs the antimicrobial activity of existing chlorine disinfectants to enhance their protection. The solution can be safely used in the food and beverage (F&B) industry and directly applied to any surface. Moreover, the solution dries quickly and is not easily wiped off once dried because it forms an invisible protective coating. The AvantGuard247 provides 24 hours of protections by forming a transparent film on the surface with a prolonged antimicrobial efficacy over months.

"AvantGuard247 sustains the efficiency of holding the chlorine ions longer than most commercialized chlorine disinfectants that typically last less than a week. Its long-term residual effect eliminates the need for frequent disinfection, and the oxidative chlorine acts on bacterial membrane receptors upon contact, causing a direct contact-based killing effect," said Hamizah Shamsudeen, a Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst.

AvantGuard's zwitterion-based antimicrobial solution reduces the cost of installing copper surfaces in hospitals and F&B establishments and reduces the associated effects of copper mining and environmental pollution from copper industries. The temporary supplemental residual antimicrobial N-halamine technology provides high efficiency of up to 3 weeks of application, lasting even after several washes. AvantGuard365 combined with Zwitterion-based molecules, however, form a preventive antimicrobial technology with a fixed coating that lasts up to 3 years. The zwitterion molecular structure easily interacts with water to form a coating, thus preventing microbe attachment on surfaces.

According to Ramya Kannan, a Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst, "AvantGuard's antimicrobial technology has the highest potential to be adopted in a large range of applications through further research and development activity and the commercialization of 1stAid and AvantGuard365." The AvantGuard365 is the polymeric additive which works well with chlorine -based disinfectants to keep chlorine ions on the surface. The additive works for various polymeric surfaces such as polypropylene and polyurethane. With its impressive overall performance, AvantGuard, Inc. earns Frost & Sullivan's 2022 Technology Innovation Leadership Award in the North American residual antimicrobial industry.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Claudia Toscano

P: 1.956.533.5915

E: claudia.toscano@frost.com

About AvantGuard

AvantGuard is a chemistry-based technology and product company creating innovative solutions that provide long-term protection against viruses, bacteria, and fungi/mold, in a wide variety of applications. The company's unique proprietary combinations of specialty molecules and polymers are customized to provide prolonged antimicrobial efficacy to a wide range of surfaces and materials. AvantGuard's revolutionary solutions can not only protect against pathogens for weeks or months, but also make surfaces easier to clean, resist adhesion, prevent fouling, and inhibit the formation of biofilms.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/avantguard-applauded-by-frost--sullivan-for-extending-the-life-of-chlorine-based-disinfectants-for-sustained-efficacy-with-its-residual-antimicrobial-solutions-301812168.html
Hybrid search with end-to-end AI enriches consumer discovery enabling businesses to significantly uplift site conversions and boost revenue

Algolia today launched Algolia NeuralSearch, a next-generation vector and keyword search in a single API with powerful, end-to-end AI processing every query. Algolia NeuralSearch understands natural language and delivers highly accurate and relevant results in milliseconds. This technology is a breakthrough in search and discovery that promises to revolutionize the way individuals engage with content online or in apps. Algolia NeuralSearch delivers superior conversions and increased revenue at enterprise scale for huge production workloads. It uses advanced Large Language Models (LLM) the same technology underpinning ChatGPT and generative AI and goes a step further with Algolia's Neural Hashing for hyper-scale and constantly learns from user interactions for better results.

Guillermo Romero, Director Enterprise Architecture at Best Buy Canada said: "Algolia's NeuralSearch technology will help us better understand customer intent to improve our search relevance across our extensive, rich product catalog. We're excited to partner with Algolia to integrate this next generation vector and keyword search technology and create a better search and discovery experience for our customers."

Bernadette Nixon, chief executive officer, Algolia noted: "Algolia is committed to advancing AI-powered Search, and we believe Algolia NeuralSearch does just that. Algolia NeuralSearch, a first-of-its-kind hybrid search product, provides users with a smarter and more intuitive way to discover the most relevant content they want, when they need it, irrespective of the type of query presented. Importantly, we make it easy to achieve live production quickly-specifically, we provide the set-up, scaling, and management of all search capabilities and services-all of which helps accelerate and power discovery. Moreover, Algolia NeuralSearch is backward compatible, which means there is zero engineering required for customers to become AI-enabled."

Frasers Group, which encompasses an array of fashion apparel brands serving unique audiences, was among the first Algolia customers to use Algolia NeuralSearch in a real world environment. Kyle Sanders, Head of Digital Optimisation, Frasers Group, said: "We tested Algolia NeuralSearch with two of our brands (Missguided and Isawitfirst), and were thrilled to see above ~65 percent drop in zero search results and up to 17 percent uplift in conversion rates. These results, despite only sending a portion of our query traffic to Algolia NeuralSearch over a four-week period, exceeded our expectations. Notably, our existing search implementation seamlessly evolved to further improve our customers' discovery journey and improve their experience on our website-all without having to make any changes to a single line of code. We are excited to see what the future holds with Algolia NeuralSearch."

Algolia NeuralSearch analyzes the relationships between words and concepts, generating vector representations that capture their meaning in an abstract and contextual manner. Because vector-based understanding and retrieval is combined with Algolia's award-winning full-text keyword engine, it works for exact matching too. Algolia NeuralSearch uniquely addresses an industry-wide problem with vector search: the inherent limitation to scale and the high burden of costs associated with using specialized computers. To solve this problem, Algolia pioneered Neural Hashing, which compresses these search vectors from 2,000 decimal long numbers into static length expressions making computing them very fast and significantly more economical. Prior to Algolia's proprietary breakthrough, vector-based search has been too computationally expensive to run in production.

Hayley Sutherland, Research Manager, IDC noted: "By adding Neural Hashing of vectors to its existing keyword-based search within a single index, leveraging a single API, Algolia has the potential to disrupt AI-powered search with significantly better precision and recall, in a manner that requires less manual work to set up and update, while incurring fewer storage and processing costs."

Algolia is the only company that incorporates AI across three primary functions-query understanding, query retrieval, and ranking of results.

Query understanding Algolia's advanced natural language understanding (NLU) and AI-driven vector search provide free-form natural language expression understanding and AI-powered query categorization that prepares and structures a query for analysis. Moreover, Adaptive Learning based on user feedback fine-tunes intent understanding.

Retrieval The most relevant results are then retrieved and ranked from most to least relevant. The retrieval process merges the Neural Hashing results in parallel with keywords using the same index for easy retrieval and ranking. This approach solves the 'null results' problem and significantly improves click positions and click-through rates. No other search platform in the search and discovery space offers this powerful capability.

Ranking Finally, the best results are pushed to the top by Algolia's AI-powered Re-ranking, which takes into account the many signals attached to the search query, (including the exact keyword matching score, the contextual personalization profile, the observed popularity of items, the semantic matching score, etc.) and learns to reach maximum relevance.

Most organizations only have the resources to optimize their search for a few popular queries. However, this leaves a significant amount of potential revenue on the table. "Industry-wide, retailers are leaving a significant amount of potential revenue on the table because it's challenging to capture revenue from 'long tail' search queries (such as 'stunning fall outfit for mother of the bride'), which could potentially represent up to 55% of all search queries today," added Nixon. "These low volume searches could collectively amount to millions of queries corresponding to billions of dollars in unfulfilled sales of less popular or searched for products. Algolia NeuralSearch optimizes for all queries, popular or infrequently searched for, while using specific keywords or natural free-form expression-truly putting search on autopilot at a price point that is 90% less than other vector-based search options."

Hayley Sutherland added: "This evolution from search to discovery through methods like vector search is significant for the ecommerce and retail industries due to its implications for product discovery use cases. In the retail world, long-tail searches-that is, less commonly used search terms that may not find exact keyword matches and return null results when queried represent lost revenue when they return null results to users, forcing those potential customers to abandon searches and take their business elsewhere. Vector search has become popular in recent years due to its ability to provide customers with similar or related products when an exact match is not found, allowing customers to find relevant results using free-form natural language and helping to ensure their revenue does not go to competitors."

Additionally, as the index changes, new products are added, new content is uploaded, or as terms take on new meaning, the AI-powered Algolia NeuralSearch product will learn and adjust automatically. It doesn't require any additional headcount or manual operations. It will automatically match keywords or concepts-possibly a mix of both-depending on the query or search phrase. This truly puts search on autopilot.

Rachel Maxwell, Digital Merchandising Manager at Everlane said: "When we implemented Algolia NeuralSearch, the overall results have been amazing and have included a 9 percent increase in clickthrough rates and a 9 percent increase in the conversion rate. We're also finding our merchandisers are spending less time on manual tasks such as creating synonyms to optimize search results, and more time on more strategic work."

Algolia NeuralSearch is available now; more information here.

About Algolia

Algolia is the world's only end-to-end AI search and discovery platform. Our engineers invented a breakthrough use of AI to create exponentially better search discovery. Our proprietary NeuralSearch tech combines vector-based natural language processing keyword matching in a single API. Algolia powers 1.5 Trillion search requests a year or more than 30 Billion a week enabling more than 17,000 customers (including Under Armour, Stripe, Petsmart, Walgreens, Procter Gamble, Sony, NBC (Universal), British Telecom and Citibank) in 150+ countries to build blazing fast and relevant search and discovery experiences for their in-app users and/or online visitors (using any web, mobile or voice device) by surfacing the desired content instantly and at scale. To learn more, visit www.algolia.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005663/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Sean Welch

PAN Communications for Algolia

Algolia@pancomm.com
Study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Vivasure's PerQseal Closure Device System designed for large arteriotomies

Vivasure Medical, a company pioneering novel fully absorbable technology for percutaneous vessel closure, today announced it has enrolled the first patients in the company's PerQseal PATCH Clinical Study, a multi-center, single-arm, pivotal study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Vivasure PerQseal Closure Device System. The first patients were enrolled at Kaleida Health's Buffalo General Medical Center-Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo, New York by Dr. Vijay Iyer, Chief of Cardiology at the University of Buffalo and Director, Structural Heart Interventions at Buffalo General Hospital.

"With the recent proliferation of large bore arterial access, there's a moment at the completion of each procedure when vessel management is critical and clinicians must quickly and effectively close it to reduce unnecessary, potentially life-threatening bleeding," said Dr. William Gray, system chief in the division of cardiovascular disease at Main Line Health, co-director at the Lankenau Heart Institute in Philadelphia and the principal investigator for the PerQseal PATCH study. "I look forward to evaluating the PerQseal technology and its simplified, controlled technique with the ultimate goal of reducing vascular complications for these patients."

Large hole arterial access is required for clinicians to perform percutaneous cardiovascular procedures, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), thoracic and abdominal endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR and EVAR), and the use of a cardiac assist device (CAD). The current approach to large-diameter arterial closure is a surgical repair or the use of suture- or collagen-based closure devices. Both can result in major vascular complications, such as vessel distortion at the closure site, which may lead to stenosis, thrombus formation or abrupt closure.

PerQseal is the first sutureless, fully absorbable synthetic implant for large-bore vessel punctures. It's placed from inside the vessel, making deployment simpler and more controlled than conventional closure techniques.

"Large bore closure can be challenging, and PerQseal is a promising technology for interventional cardiologists as a growing number of treatment options for patients utilise fully percutaneous approaches," said Dr. Iyer. "I'm honored to participate in this study and look forward to gathering additional clinical evidence supporting this innovation's potential benefits."

Vivasure's pivotal study will enroll up to 171 patients across the U.S. and up to 90 patients in up to eight European investigational sites. The data will support a pre-market approval submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

About Vivasure Medical

Based in Galway, Ireland, Vivasure is focused on the development of advanced polymer implants and delivery systems, primarily focused on minimally invasive vessel closure in cardiology, interventional radiology and vascular surgery. Vivasure operates a fully integrated R&D and ISO 13485 certified manufacturing facility and is backed by leading international medtech investors. For more information, please visit www.vivasuremedical.com.

The PerQseal is not available for sale in the United States.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005436/en/

Contacts:

Erich Sandoval

Health+Commerce

Tel.: +1.917.497.2867

Email: erich@healthandcommerce.com
The company's newest interactive display is honored with an iF Design Award and a Red Dot Design Award for excellence in product design

SEATTLE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Promethean, a leading global education technology company, has received two of the most distinguished design awards in the world-the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award-for its flagship ActivPanel 9 interactive display.

The iF Design Award is one of the most renowned design competitions in the world, with a history dating back to 1953. The award recognizes excellence in design across a range of categories, including product design, communication design, and packaging design. Winning in the educational devices category, Promethean was recognized by a 133-member jury made up of independent experts from all over the world.

The Red Dot Design Award was established in 1955 and is one of the world's largest, most well-known design competitions. The ActivPanel 9 won in the product design category, which seeks out products that have achieved great design quality and a high degree of innovation.

Powered by Promethean's patented ActivSync technology, the ActivPanel 9 responds to the evolving educational environment by breaking down barriers between devices, enabling increased connectivity and collaboration, and supporting hybrid and in-classroom learning. It provides busy, overworked teachers with the ability to create seamless workflows, design engaging and interactive lessons, customize their personal panel settings, and experience greater mobility.

"Winning these awards from two of the most respected authorities of exceptional design is a true honor and recognizes our team's dedication to good design," said Lance Solomon, chief product officer at Promethean. "Promethean's mission is to transform the way the world learns and collaborates. We firmly believe that a truly great product design is critical to achieving that mission by creating products that are indispensable to the classroom."

To learn more about Promethean's award-winning products, please visit Prometheanworld.com.

About Promethean

Promethean is a leading education technology company working to transform the way the world learns and collaborates. From our founding in Blackburn, England, more than 25 years ago to our global operations serving 126 countries today, we've continued to explore, innovate, and inspire-designing learning and collaboration tools that are built for breakthroughs. Our award-winning interactive display, ActivPanel, and lesson delivery software, ActivInspire and ClassFlow, were designed to engage students, connect colleagues, and bring out the brilliance in everyone. With headquarters in Seattle, Washington, and offices worldwide, Promethean is a subsidiary of the NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) group of companies. Visit us at PrometheanWorld.com.

2023 Promethean. All Rights Reserved. Promethean, the Promethean logo, ActivPanel, ActivSync, ActivInspire, ActivConnect, ActivSound, ClassFlow, ActivPen, and Vellum are trademarks or registered trademarks of Promethean Limited in the United Kingdom, United States, and other countries around the world. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically identified as such, Promethean's use of third-party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship, or endorsement between Promethean and the owners of these trademarks.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/prometheans-activpanel-9-receives-two-prestigious-design-awards-301813136.html
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation (TSXV: OCG) (OTCQX: OCGSF) (DE: MRG1) ("Outcrop Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Research Capital Corporation as the lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the "Agents"), in connection with a best efforts, public offering of units of the Company (the "Units") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $6,000,000 (the "Offering") at a price of $0.25 per Unit.

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.35 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering.

The Company has granted the Agents an option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to increase the size of the Offering by up to an additional number of Units, and/or the components thereof, that in the aggregate would be equal to approximately 15% of the total number of Units to be issued under the Offering, to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes, exercisable at any time and from time to time up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about May 10, 2023 (the "Closing"), or on such date as agreed upon between the Company and the Agents, and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") to list, on the date of Closing, the Common Shares and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and compensation warrants thereon.

In connection with the Offering, the Company intends to file a prospectus supplement (the "Supplement") to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated April 27, 2021 (the "Shelf Prospectus"), with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada (except Quebec). Copies of the Shelf Prospectus and, the Supplement to be filed in connection with the Offering, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Shelf Prospectus contains, and the Supplement will contain, important detailed information about the Company and the Offering. Prospective investors should read the Supplement and accompanying Shelf Prospectus and the other documents the Company has filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com before making an investment decision.

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. 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 or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

About Outcrop Silver

Outcrop Silver is rapidly advancing the Santa Ana high-grade silver deposit with ongoing expansion drilling. Outcrop Silver is also progressing exploration on four gold projects with world-class discovery potential in Colombia. These assets are being advanced by a highly disciplined and seasoned professional team with decades of experience in Colombia.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joseph P Hebert

Chief Executive Officer

+1 775 340 0450

joseph.hebert@outcropsilverandgold.com

www.outcropsilverandgold.com

Kathy Li

Director of Investor Relations

+1 778 783 2818

li@outcropsilverandgold.com

Neither the 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.

Forward-looking statements

This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the expected size of the Offering, the anticipated timing of closing the Offering, the ability of the Company to satisfy all conditions to closing the Offering, and the expected use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include general economic and capital markets conditions, stock market volatility, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary consents for the Offering, including the approval of the Exchange, and the ability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms expected or at all. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / (Via IBN) IBN, a multifaceted communications organization engaged in connecting public companies to the investment community, is pleased to announce the release of the latest episode of The Bell2Bell Podcast as part of its sustained effort to provide specialized content distribution via widespread syndication channels.

The Bell2Bell Podcast delivers informative updates and exclusive interviews with executives operating in fast-moving industries. Bell2Bell's latest podcast features Martin Kostuik, CEO and Director of Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSX.V:BMR)(OTCQB:BTRMF), a battery minerals company providing shareholders exposure to the global mega-trend of electrification while being focused on growth through cash-flow, exploration and acquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions.

To begin the interview, Kostuik provided an introduction to the company's business model and operating markets.

"Battery Mineral Resources is a development-style junior mining company operating in North America and around the world. We have properties that represent the major commodities involved with the energy transition that everybody understands and sees affecting all of our lives all around the world," Kostuik said. "We're very pleased to be able to offer our shareholders exposure to this electrification trend via our commodities, which are cobalt, graphite, lithium and copper."

Kostuik next discussed his professional background and those of the Battery Mineral Resources leadership team.

"I'm a mining engineer who has been in the business basically my whole life. I worked in mines to put myself through university and gave myself as much exposure to the space as I could throughout my career by working in all types of commodities - both in open pit and underground. For the last 10 years, I've been in business development, working with junior companies to bring mines into production," he continued. "We have an amazing team, starting with the board of directors. It's the right size for the type of company we have and features all types of experience amongst our board members - finance, business development, technical expertise, exploration and legal expertise, all the things that you would want to see Our management team is also made up of very strong people in terms of our exploration and corporate development capabilities."

He then turned his attention to the company's project portfolio.

"The company's genesis was to acquire cobalt assets in northern Ontario. We acquired quite a number of claims, and we're now the largest claimholder of cobalt assets in Canada - in a very historic producing area for cobalt and silver," Kostuik continued. "We've had some great success in terms of the exploration around those claims over the past few years, and we're very proud to have come out with the first new resource of cobalt in Canada in many years, with over a million pounds of cobalt at quite a high grade (about 1.5%). Along the way, we've acquired some very prospective cobalt assets in north Idaho, one of which is proximal to a mine that's being put into production right now and we have a very early-stage lithium project in Nevada that is proximal to an operating mine - the only operating lithium mine currently in North America."

Join IBN's Stuart Smith and Martin Kostuik, CEO and Director of Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSX.V:BMR)(OTCQB:BTRMF), to learn more about the company's project portfolio, including two former producing graphite mines in South Korea and the 100%-owned Punitaqui copper mine in Chile, which the company intends to put back into production in the very near future from non-dilutive sources of funding.

To hear the episode and subscribe for future podcasts, visit https://podcast.bell2bell.com.

The latest installment of The Bell2Bell Podcast continues to reinforce IBN's commitment to the expansion of its robust network of brands, client partners, followers, and the growing IBN Podcast Series. For more than 17 years, IBN has leveraged this commitment to provide unparalleled distribution and corporate messaging solutions to 500+ public and private companies.

To learn more about IBN's achievements and milestones via a visual timeline, visit: https://IBN.fm/TimeLine

About Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

Battery Mineral Resources Corp. is a battery minerals company providing shareholders exposure to the global mega-trend of electrification while being focused on growth through cash-flow, exploration and acquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Battery Mineral's mission is the discovery, acquisition and development of battery metals (namely cobalt, lithium, graphite and copper), in North America, South America and South Korea, to become a premier and responsible supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace.

BMR is currently pursuing a near-term resumption of operations of the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a past copper-gold producer, in the Coquimbo region of Chile. BMR is the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp in Ontario, Canada, and continues to pursue a focused program to build on the recently announced, +1-million-pound high-grade cobalt resource at McAra. In addition, Battery Mineral owns 100% of ESI Energy Services Inc. (including ESI's wholly owned USA operating subsidiary, Ozzie's Inc.), a profitable mainline pipeline and renewable energy equipment rental and sales company with operations in Alberta, Canada and Arizona, USA. Battery Mineral Resources is based in Canada.

For more information, visit the company's website at www.bmrcorp.com

About IBN

IBN consists of financial brands introduced to the investment public over the course of 17+ years. With IBN, we have amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands aim to fulfill the unique needs of a growing base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of highly influential properties, leveraging the knowledge and energy of specialized teams of experts to serve our increasingly diversified list of clients.

For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: http://IBN.fm/Disclaimer

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Corporate Communications

IBN

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

SOURCE: IBN (InvestorBrandNetwork)

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752178/IBN-Announces-Latest-Episode-of-The-Bell2Bell-Podcast-featuring-Martin-Kostuik-CEO-of-Battery-Mineral-Resources-Corp
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Bear Creek Mining Corporation (TSXV: BCM) (OTCQX: BCEKF) (BVL: BCM) ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") announces that Mr. Anthony Hawkshaw informed the Company's board of directors (the "Board") of his intent to retire from the position of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company effective June 5, 2023. Subsequently the Board, through its succession planning process, selected Mr. Eric Caba, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bear Creek to assume the role of President and CEO concurrent with Mr. Hawkshaw's retirement.

Mr. Caba joined Bear Creek as Vice President, Project Development in 2018 and has been promoted to increasingly senior roles in preparation to be the next leader of the Company. Eric has over thirty years of experience managing mining operations, overseeing mine construction and commissioning, and designing, developing and implementing business and operating processes focused on safety, operating discipline, productivity, efficiency and cost control. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Idaho and is a Registered Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.

Mr. Hawkshaw joined Bear Creek as CEO in 2017. Under his leadership the Company achieved several milestones, most recently the Company's acquisition of the Mercedes gold mine in Sonora, Mexico, which transformed Bear Creek from an exploration and development company into a gold producer with a fully permitted world-class silver development asset. Tony will remain a director of Bear Creek and will serve in the role of Vice Chair and as a member of the Board's Operations, Safety and Sustainability Committee.

Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, Chair of Bear Creek, comments, "Tony's leadership over the past six years helped set Bear Creek on its next phase of corporate development. We are pleased that he will remain a director and will contribute his more than forty years of experience in the mining industry as Vice Chair of the Company. We are also very pleased to welcome Eric into his new role as President and CEO of Bear Creek. Eric has proven himself to be an effective leader and is ready to assume the CEO role. His expertise in managing operations and building mines, coupled with his team-building management style, will steer Bear Creek into a multi-asset producer of gold and silver."

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Catherine McLeod-Seltzer

Chair, Bear Creek Mining Corporation

For further information contact:

Barbara Henderson - VP Corporate Communications

Direct: 604-628-1111

E-mail: barb@bearcreekmining.com

www.bearcreekmining.com

Subscribe to Bear Creek Mining news

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the planned resignation of Anthony Hawkshaw as CEO and promotion of Eric Caba to the position of President and CEO; the timing of these executive changes; and the Company's goals to become a multi-asset precious metals producer. These forward-looking statements are provided as of the date of this news release and reflect predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events based on the Company's expectations at the time the statements were made, as well as various assumptions made by and information currently available to them. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to Mr. Hawkshaw's stated intent to resign as CEO and Mr. Caba's consent to serve in the role of President and CEO. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and the risk exists that estimates, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions on which they are based do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the expectations expressed in them. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions expressed above do not occur, but may include additional risks as described in the Company's latest Annual Information Form, and other disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR. The foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on behalf of the Company, except as required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164465
Cato SASE Cloud enables Hafele to transform its 180-site global network and security infrastructure in less than a month

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, provider of the world's leading single-vendor SASE platform, announced today that it helped Hafele recover from a well-publicized ransomware attack in record time. By moving to Cato SASE Cloud, the international manufacturer and supplier of furniture fittings, architectural hardware and lighting products rebuilt its 50+ country, 180-site network in under 30 days.

"When your network is down from a cyberattack, every minute counts, and you can't afford to bring back a partially secured network. You have one shot to do it right and fast," said Daniel Feinler, CISO, Hafele. "The deployment speed with Cato SASE Cloud was a game changer. By working with Cato Networks, we were able to bring up the entire network with full security in less than a month. It was so fast that a competing SASE vendor didn't believe us. Cato made it possible."

"Agility and security are core requirements for every enterprise, and especially in times of crisis," says Shlomo Kramer, CEO and co-founder, Cato Networks. "We were happy to support Hafele confront such a challenge, and we appreciate their trust in Cato SASE Cloud as their new global network and security infrastructure. Our teams collaborated efficiently and professionally, setting a world record in a large-scale SASE deployment project."

Hafele Finds the Right SASE Partner: Cato

In February 2023, Hafele, a German family enterprise based in Nagold, Germany, suffered a severe ransomware attack forcing the company to shut down its computer systems and disconnect them from the internet. At the time, Hafele was in an RFP process to select a SASE vendor.

"We had finished a proof of concept with Cato and were getting ready to move to the next SASE provider when the ransomware attack occurred," said Mike Bretz, Global Team Lead of Network, Hafele. Instead, the Hafele team turned back to Cato.

Over the next four weeks, Hafele worked with Cato and restored its IT systems. Hafele installed Cato Sockets, Cato's Edge SD-WAN device, at 180+ sites across 50+ countries such as Argentina, Finland, Myanmar (Burma), and South Africa. A global, unified security policy was configured to help prevent another attack, and 8,000 employees regained secured access to the internet and enterprise resources, including 4,000 mobile users who now use Cato Client for ZTNA.

With Cato SASE Cloud, Hafele is now benefiting from a global, unified multilayer security stack that inspects all traffic in all directions from all edges and provides consistent and comprehensive enterprise-grade security. Hafele's new security from Cato includes FWaaS, SWG, IPS, Next-gen Antimalware, CASB and MDR - all targeted towards preventing future breaches and maintaining an optimal security posture anytime and anywhere.

The rebuilding of the network with Cato SASE Cloud was so fast that it even surprised Hafele. "I did not think that we could shut down, rebuild and transition our IT systems in less than 30 days," said Bretz. "Cato defied the odds and performed admirably during a challenging time and under immense pressure. Cato did exactly what they said they would do. This is how you earn customer trust."

"The Hafele project gave us an opportunity to demonstrate the agility and strength of Cato," said Alon Alter, Chief Business Officer, Cato. "We delivered our hardware everywhere Hafele needed without delay and leveraged our zero-touch provisioning to reconnect locations in hours not days. Hafele got back to work faster in part because of Cato, which is exactly what customers should expect from a true SASE platform and provider."

Digital Assets

[Photo] Shlomo Kramer

[Photo] Alon Alter

[Photo] Daniel Feinler

[Photo] Mike Bretz

[Image]Cato Networks logo

Supporting Resources

Read about Hafele.

Read about Cato Networks.

Read about Cato SASE Cloud.

Read about Cato Socket.

Read about Shlomo Kramer .

. Read about Alon Alter

Read Cato Blog.

Read Cato news releases.

For more information about Cato's news and activities, follow the company via Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube .

About Cato Networks

Cato provides the world's most robust single-vendor SASE platform, converging Cato SD-WAN and a cloud-native security service edge, Cato SSE 360, into a global cloud service. Cato SASE Cloud optimizes and secures application access for all users and locations everywhere. Using Cato, customers easily replace costly and rigid legacy MPLS with modern network architecture based on SD-WAN, secure and optimize a hybrid workforce working from anywhere, and enable seamless cloud migration. Cato enforces granular access policies, protects users against threats, and prevents sensitive data loss, all easily managed from a single pane of glass. With Cato, businesses are ready for whatever's next.?

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hafele-recovers-from-ransomware-attack-with-cato-networks-301812822.html
Interlocking Riot Shields and Specialized Versions Available for Every Application

In-House Production and Local Material Sources for Quick Delivery Times

Long Established Reputation for the Highest Quality and Versatile Designs

SARNIA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc. (OTC PINK:LLLI), an innovation leader and manufacturer of advanced security solutions for law enforcement, military and security agencies worldwide, is fully prepared to meet the rising need for riot shields in the United States, Canada and other countries around the world. With protests, demonstrations, riots and other public order crisis at an escalating level today, Lamperd is ready with the most advanced, extensive and versatile line of riot shields for every situation. Lamperd riot shields are currently serving all over the globe with police, military and correctional facility customers.

Lamperd Less Lethal can deliver completed orders for riot shields on a very timely basis as we perform all manufacturing in-house at our fully equipped and well staffed plant in Sarnia, Ontario with no outsourcing needed. Lamperd also has established very dependable local sources for all raw materials needed. Therefore, we can offer the quickest order fulfillment of any riot shield provider, generally in a matter of weeks as opposed to many months or even over a year, as is the case with other suppliers at this time. Lamperd manufacturers the entire shield, including our own handles, with the option of custom handles for specialized requirements.

The Lamperd Less Lethal riot shield line offers many different types and sizes as can be reviewed on our company website here: https://lamperdlesslethal.com/product-category/police-riot-shields-protective-gear/. Sizes are available from 24 inch (610mm) up to 71 inch (1800mm) with 4.5mm or 3mm thickness and optional gun ports for less lethal weapons. Our advanced interlocking feature can allow multiple Lamperd riot shields to be quicky linked together to form a strong, interlocking barrier. Lamperd Interlocking Riot Shields are currently being used by many police agencies throughout the United States. Curved, Round and Non-Interlocking types are also available for different applications. Whatever law enforcement needs, Lamperd is able to deliver it, in the highest manufacturing quality and any size quantity, large or small.

The Lamperd Capture Shield is available in sizes up to 6 foot tall (to our knowledge, the longest on the market). Our Capture Shield allows corrections officers to pin an unruly prisoner against a wall to safely regain control. Strong, clear Lexan material is used for lightweight ease of handling and maneuverability. The Lamperd Capture Shield is currently in use at correctional facilities throughout Canada. For more detailed information, photos and a demonstration video visit the Lamperd website here: https://lamperdlesslethal.com/product/lamperd-capture-shield/

Lamperd Extraction Shields are another available option, ideally sized and shaped to help prevent broken ribs and other common injuries or bodily fluid contamination while transferring persons to and from police cars, ambulances or other tight spaces. The Lamperd Extraction Shield is made of strong, clear polycarbonate to allow clear vision and is equipped with padded handles. Especially important is the arm handle which will flexibly move in and out in response to pressure to help prevent broken ribs as can happen with other rigid handle shields. See and learn more on the Lamperd website here: https://lamperdlesslethal.com/product/extraction-shield/.

Training models of the Lamperd Capture Shields and our Extraction Shields are also available. These special training versions are designed to allow officers to more safely practice their techniques with a greater degree of safety.

Barry Lamperd, CEO of Lamperd Less Lethal, commented, "We are very proud of our long track record for supplying vital riot shields in many different types and sizes to law enforcement and military units all over the world. Our design teams have worked in conjunction with the University of Western Ontario and other highly accredited institutions as well as with feedback from the officers we serve to develop and produce riot shields with the exact features that are needed to make them the most effective and useful in real world functions. At this time when riot shield demand is rising to a peak and availability from other sources is often limited or facing extended order fulfillment times, we want to make sure that everyone knows Lampred Less Lethal is ready and able to meet all riot shield needs with the quickest delivery times in the industry. We also invite all law enforcement and other government agency representatives to visit our facility to see our manufacturing operation and to do hands-on evaluation of our products at any time."

About Lamperd Less Lethal:

Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc. (LLLI) is a developer, manufacturer and international sales company for advanced less lethal weapons, ammunition and other security products marketed to police, correctional, military and private security forces. The company manufactures and sells over 300 different products including small & large caliber projectile guns, flash-bang devices, pepper spray devices, 12 Gauge, 37mm & 40mm launching systems and a variety of different riot shields. Lamperd also offers advisory services and hands-on training classes run by highly accredited instructors.

For more information visit: http://www.lamperdlesslethal.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc. Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results. Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements. While these statements are made to convey to the public the company's progress, business opportunities and growth prospects, readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements represent management's opinion. Whereas management believes such representations to be true and accurate based on information and data available to the company at this time, actual results may differ materially from those described. The company's operations and business prospects are always subject to risk and uncertainties. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ are and will be set forth in the company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc.

Barry Lamperd, President & CEO

(519) 344-4445

Email: info@lamperdlesslethal.com or sales@lamperdlesslethal.com

Company Website: http://www.lamperdlesslethal.com

Lamperd Less Lethal on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lamperdlesslethal

Lamperd Less Lethal on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LLLI_LessLethal

Barry Lamperd on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lamperd_llli

SOURCE: Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752283/Lamperd-Less-Lethal-is-Prepared-to-Deliver-Advanced-Riot-Shields-in-a-Range-of-Sizes-and-Types-with-Quickest-Order-Fulfillment-Thanks-to-In-House-Production
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Metalite Resources Inc. (CSE:METL)(OTC PINK:JNCCF)(Frankfurt:5VHA) ("Metalite" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its new exploration strategy after completion of its recent acquisition of Next Generation Resources ("NextGen"). The NextGen acquisition provides Metalite with immediate access to an extensive portfolio of properties covering 3,233 square kilometres which are prospective for lithium, and other rare earth elements (REEs) in Liberia, West Africa. In addition, Metalite has acquired NextGen's team of professionals with over 15 years' experience in Liberia and access to a fully functional base of operations in Monrovia including geological, logistical, financial and administrative teams to support the Company's exploration programs. The geological team has the capacity and capability to complete cost-effective evaluations and acquire additional licenses with demonstrated potential.

Mr. Dave Melling, Metalite's CEO commented "The acquisition of NextGen is an important step in building shareholder value. In one transaction the Company has acquired 7 reconnaissance licences prospective for battery metals, as well as the personnel and infrastructure to complete the exploration work. The global demand for lithium is steadily increasing and pushing the price of lithium carbonate to new highs. Lithium consumption is expected to rise exponentially over the coming decade, largely driven by consumer demand for electric vehicles, and the growing shift towards renewable sources of energy."

Dave Melling and Efdal Olcer Metalite's VP Exploration have just completed 3-weeks of reconnaissance field work covering all 7 of the Company's mineral licences in Liberia. The primary goal of this work was to develop an exploration plan and budget for the remainder of 2023. The envisaged exploration program will include up to 15,000 soils samples and 1,000 stream sediment samples in concert with geologic mapping, prospecting, and rock sampling. A key element of the program will be mapping all artisanal mining sites with emphasis placed on Coltan, a niobium-tantalum mineral commonly associated with LCT Pegmatites and gold. The sampling programs will be initiated in June and should be completed by December 2023. The results of this work will define targets for follow up work which will include trenching and drilling programs in 2023.

The information in this news release was compiled and reviewed by David Melling, P.Geo who acts as Metalite's Qualified Person, under National Instrument 43-101 rules for mineral deposit disclosure. Mr. Melling is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo) and a registered member of the Engineer and Geoscientists of British Columbia (no. 18999) a Recognized Professional Organization. Mr. Melling is Metalite's CEO and has sufficient experience relevant to the crystallization of lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) type pegmatite deposits under evaluation.

About Metalite Resources Inc.

Metalite Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior mineral exploration issuer uniquely positioned to generate incremental shareholder value through its vast battery metals focused license portfolio in Liberia, West Africa and an extensive precious metals focused project portfolio in NSW, Australia. The Company has 6 Australian projects covering over 600 sq km's in NSW and includes 67 historical mines and prospects focused on Gold and Silver, along with various indicator minerals that occur along with these precious metals.With the recent acquisition of Next Generation Resources with over 3,200 sq. km of land position in Liberia, the Company has amassed a set of 7 highly prospective licenses that show evidence of high-potential mineralization containing various lucrative metals, including Lithium, REEs, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Aluminium and Gold.

For further information please contact:

Ryan Bilodeau

(416) 910-1440

info@metaliteresources.com

To learn more, please visit https://www.metaliteresources.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historic fact, that address activities, events or developments that Metalite believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate, "expect," and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "can," "should," "could," or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of Metalite based on information currently available to Metalite. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of Metalite to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on Metalite. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, failure to successfully complete financings, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, production rates varying from estimates, changes in world mineral commodity markets, changes in equity markets, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, imprecision in resource estimates, success of future development initiatives, competition, operating performance of facilities, environmental and safety risks, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain tenure to properties and/or necessary permits and approvals, and other development and operating risks. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Metalite disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although Metalite believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

SOURCE: Metalite Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752425/Metalite-Provides-an-Update-on-Its-Recent-Acquisition-of-Next-Generation-Resources-and-Exploration-Strategy
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSXV: TNR) ("TNR", "TNR Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Ganfeng Lithium ("Ganfeng Lithium") has provided an update on the Mariana Lithium Project. TNR holds a 1.5% NSR Royalty on the Mariana Lithium Project in Argentina, of which 0.15% NSR Royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder.

In its 2022 Annual Report, Ganfeng Lithium reported:

"The Mariana lithium salt lake project in Argentina is progressing smoothly at present, the first evaporation pond of which has been in the stage of water injection. It is expected that the project will commence production in 2024."

Kirill Klip, TNR's Chief Executive Officer commented, "We are very pleased that Mariana Lithium Project is progressing smoothly towards expected commercial production in 2024.

"Representatives of Ganfeng Lithium confirmed to the Governor of Salta Gustavo Saenz that the Mariana Project, on which construction began last June, will start producing, in 2024, an estimated 20 thousand tons per year of lithium chloride. The Government of Salta has reported on Ganfeng Lithium's announcement that the operational phase of the Mariana Lithium Project began in January 2023.

"TNR does not have to contribute any capital for the development of the Mariana Project. The essence of our business model is to have industry leaders like Ganfeng Lithium as operators on the projects that will potentially generate royalty cashflows to contribute significant value for our shareholders."

ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP.

TNR Gold Corp. is working to become the green energy metals royalty and gold company.

Our business model provides a unique entry point in the creation of supply chains for critical materials like energy metals that are powering the energy rEVolution, and the gold industry that is providing a hedge for this stage of the economic cycle.

Our portfolio provides a unique combination of assets with exposure to multiple aspects of the mining cycle: the power of blue-sky discovery and important partnerships with industry leaders as operators on the projects that have the potential to generate royalty cashflows that will contribute significant value for our shareholders.

Over the past twenty-seven years, TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high-quality global exploration projects. With the Company's expertise, resources and industry network, the potential of the Mariana Lithium Project and Los Azules Copper Project in Argentina among many others have been recognized.

TNR holds a 1.5% NSR Royalty on the Mariana Lithium Project in Argentina, of which 0.15% NSR royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder. Ganfeng Lithium's subsidiary, Litio Minera Argentina ("LMA"), has the right to repurchase 1.0% of the NSR royalty on the Mariana Project, of which 0.9% is the Company's NSR Royalty interest. The Company would receive CAN$900,000 and its shareholder would receive CAN$100,000 on the repurchase by LMA, resulting in TNR holding a 0.45% NSR royalty and its shareholder holding a 0.05% NSR royalty.

The Mariana Lithium Project is 100% owned by Ganfeng Lithium. The Mariana Lithium Project has been approved by the Argentina provincial government of Salta for an environmental impact report, and the construction of a 20,000 tons-per-annum lithium chloride plant has commenced.

TNR Gold also holds a 0.4% NSR Royalty on the Los Azules Copper Project, of which 0.04% of the 0.4% NSR royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder. The Los Azules Copper Project is being developed by McEwen Mining.

TNR also holds a 7% net profits royalty holding on the Batidero I and II properties of the Josemaria Project that is being developed by Lundin Mining. Lundin Mining is part of the Lundin Group, a portfolio of companies producing a variety of commodities in several countries worldwide.

TNR provides significant exposure to gold through its 90% holding in the Shotgun Gold porphyry project in Alaska. The project is located in Southwestern Alaska near the Donlin Gold project, which is being developed by Barrick Gold and Novagold Resources. The Company's strategy with the Shotgun Gold Project is to attract a joint venture partnership with a major gold mining company. The Company is actively introducing the project to interested parties.

At its core, TNR provides a wide scope of exposure to gold, copper, silver and lithium through its holdings in Alaska (the Shotgun Gold porphyry project) and royalty holdings in Argentina (the Mariana Lithium project, the Los Azules Copper Project and the Batidero I & II properties of the Josemaria Project), and is committed to the continued generation of in-demand projects, while diversifying its markets and building shareholder value.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Kirill Klip

Executive Chairman

www.tnrgoldcorp.com

For further information concerning this news release, please contact Kirill Klip +1 604-229-8129.

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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "will", "could" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "could" occur, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements made in relation to: TNR's corporate objectives, changes in share capital, market conditions for energy commodities, the successful completion of sales of portions of the NSR royalties and decisions of the government agencies and other regulators in Argentina. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled "Risks" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's interim and annual Management's Discussion and Analysis which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. While management believes that the assumptions made and reflected in this news release are reasonable, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. In particular, there can be no assurance that: TNR will be able to repay its loans or complete any further royalty acquisitions or sales; debt or other financings will be available to TNR; or that TNR will be able to achieve any of its corporate objectives. TNR relies on the confirmation of its ownership for mining claims from the appropriate government agencies when paying rental payments for such mining claims requested by these agencies. There could be a risk in the future of the changing internal policies of such government agencies or risk related to the third parties challenging in the future the ownership of such mining claims. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements included herein are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied on.

In formulating the forward-looking statements contained herein, management has assumed that business and economic conditions affecting TNR and its royalty partners, McEwen Mining Inc., Ganfeng Lithium, and Lundin Mining will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking information herein and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164452
EQS-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Cyprus Litigation Update



02.05.2023 / 14:40 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





CPI Property Group

(societe anonyme)

40, rue de la Vallee

L-2661 Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg: B 102 254



Press Release - Corporate News



Luxembourg, 2 May 2023



CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Cyprus Litigation Update



CPI PROPERTY GROUP ("CPIPG") is aware of recent articles published simultaneously by German, Czech and Cyprus media in relation to litigation filed in Cyprus, which was previously disclosed by the Group on 3 January 2023.



The articles, which were written in a sensational and one-sided manner without prior consultation or request for comment by CPIPG, are misleading and do not contain any new information or developments. The articles also erroneously suggest that assets have been blocked or frozen.



The articles describe an interim injunction issued by a Court in Cyprus which purports to prevent CPIPG from making disposals that would cause CPIPG's total assets (which currently exceed 23 billion) to fall below 535 million, which is the alleged value of the claim. To be clear, no bank accounts or assets of CPIPG or our primary shareholder are impacted or restricted by the Court case and CPIPG's banks are not bound by the order.



CPIPG disputes and will vehemently challenge the interim injunction in its entirety, including on grounds of jurisdiction, service and overall merits as well as its effects. The interim injunction is undoubtedly provisional and was issued prior to the determination of the merits of the matter and solely based on the allegations put before the Court by the other side (and without CPIPG having been heard). In CPIPG's view, there are overwhelming grounds on which the interim injunction can be successfully challenged and we are confident that it will eventually be set aside.



To the extent that any actual new developments occur in the Cyprus case or any other litigation matter, CPIPG will update our stakeholders promptly.



For further information, please contact:



Investor Relations



David Greenbaum Moritz Mayer

Chief Financial Officer Manager, Capital Markets

d.greenbaum@cpipg.com m.mayer@cpipg.com



For more on CPI Property Group, visit our website: www.cpipg.com

Follow us on Twitter (CPIPG_SA) and LinkedIn

02.05.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Alfar Capital and Walter Capital Partners have completed the acquisition of MSP Corp, a renowned Canadian managed service provider group, in a transaction of over $100M. After the acquisition MSP Corp will merge with Groupe Access, a leading managed service provider of technology and cybersecurity solutions. The combined entity, called MSP Corp, creates a national Canadian platform of managed services poised to lead the industry in digital transformation, cloud computing, and cybersecurity solutions.

The new MSP Corp will be majority-owned by Alfar Capital and Walter Capital Partners, who invested new capital to acquire MSP Corp and simultaneously merge it with Groupe Access. BDC Capital, who was already a shareholder in MSP Corp, retains a minority stake in the new entity through its Growth Equity Partners Fund II. After the transaction, management and employees will own more then 10% along with the ownership stakes retained by the CEOs of the two merged entities. This employee buy-in demonstrates broad commitment to the future success of MSP Corp. It also fosters a strong sense of ownership and aligns the interests of the employees with the company's strategic goals. This employee buy-in further strengthens the foundation for innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction.

The new MSP Corp will be led by former Groupe Access CEO, Habib Malik, who will ensure a seamless integration process and a unified vision for the future. Ravi Ramharak, CEO & Co-Founder of MSP Corp, will remain with the company as Chief Mergers & Acquisitions Officer. Ravi will continue to drive MSP Corp's strong track record of partnering with business owners and working with them on strategic initiatives. Jason Dacosta, President & Co-Founder of MSP Corp, will hand off the reigns to Habib and Ravi for its next evolutionary steps. In addition to the merger, MSP Corp is looking forward to future organic and acquisitive growth in Canada and the United States, further expanding its capabilities and market reach.

"This is electrifying time for all our operators and team members, and I am very excited for the next steps. After working in the MSP industry for over 18 years, I am amazed at the evolution and depth of which all our companies have performed. Under the new stewardship of Habib, I can only imagine the heights our teams will reach in this new partnership that benefits everyone," said Ravi Ramharak, CEO of MSP Corp.

"The merger of Groupe Access and MSP Corp is a significant milestone in the technology industry. This union will enable us to provide unparalleled value to our customers and drive innovation in the digital landscape. Our combined expertise and resources, along with the support of our new MSP group of companies, will allow us to deliver cutting-edge solutions and address the most pressing technology challenges businesses face today," said Habib Malik, CEO of Groupe Access.

With a Pan-Canadian presence and coast-to-coast coverage, the newly formed MSP Corp will have more than 400 IT experts available to better serve its clients.

MSP Corp will serve as the parent organization for an impressive group of 15 companies, located across Canada, including:

Groupe Access - Quebec

MyCloud - Quebec

HLB System Solutions Inc. - Ontario

MBC Computer Systems Ltd. - Ontario

Netex Managed Services Inc. - Ontario

Onserve Inc. - Ontario

Stronghold Services Corporation - Ontario

Tenet Computer Group Inc. - Ontario

Broadview Networks Inc. - Manitoba

Virtual Data Corp. - Saskatchewan

Catalyst Network Solutions Inc. - Alberta

Microtek Corporation - Alberta

RJ Systems Ltd. - Alberta

Softlanding Solutions Inc. - British Columbia

Tangerine Technology - Yukon

Desjardins provided financing for the transaction, while Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP acted as legal counsel for Alfar Capital, and Walter Capital Partners. Legal counsel for the sellers included Dentons LLP for MSP Corp, and Blakes, Cassels & Graydon LLP for BDC Growth Equity Partners. CIBC Capital Markets and FOCUS Investment Banking acted as financial advisors to MSP Corp.

About Groupe Access

Groupe Access is a premier technology solutions provider with a focus on digital transformation, managed services, and IT consulting. With a team of experts dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of technology, Groupe Access has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions that drive business success. www.groupeaccess.ca

About MSP Corp

MSP Corp is a global managed service provider specializing in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IT support services. With a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction, MSP Corp offers tailored solutions to help businesses stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. www. mspcorp .ca

About Alfar Capital

Alfar Capital is a private equity fund for entrepreneurs that uses a diverse playbook to achieve superior returns. The company's team of proven entrepreneurs with a long-standing track record of successful partnerships understands the challenges that business owners face and can help them strive to greater heights. www.alfarcap.com

About Walter Capital Partners

Walter Capital Partners is a private equity firm part of the Walter Group. Its investment model combines capital inflow and operating expertise to support the growth of promising companies on solid and sustainable foundations, by drawing on the entrepreneurial background of the Walter Group and the extensive business leadership experience of its managing partners. Headquartered in Montreal, Walter Capital provides a solid international network. www.waltercapital.ca

About BDC Growth Equity Partners

BDC Capital's Growth Equity Partners team provides patient, minority equity investments, from $3 million up to $35 million, to mid-market businesses in Canada. The Growth Equity Partners team creates long-term partnerships with Canadian businesses and their owners so they can adapt to a constantly evolving future and realize their potential. https://www.bdc.ca/en/bdc-capital/growth-equity

Contact:

Amelie Plante

strategie@amelieplante.com

514-975-9425

SOURCE: MSP Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752293/MSP-Corp-Acquired-by-Alfar-Capital-and-Walter-Capital-Partners-for-100M-and-Merged-with-Groupe-Access
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / A diverse global workforce is one of our firm's most valuable assets. We thrive because our culture is built on collaboration and the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, talents, and experiences of our associates.

As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May, we recognize the importance of creating opportunities for associates from these communities across globe. By engaging our Asian American and Pacific Islander associates, they not only develop professionally and have an opportunity to advance as leaders, but they also help support the firm's agility and ability to serve our clients, and sustain and enhance our inclusive culture.

A few of our associates shared the importance of advancing leaders through opportunity:

Christine Akins, Head of Client Engagement, Individual Investors

To advance leaders through opportunity, you have to promote curiosity. Today's business environment requires nimbleness and an adaptability to see and seize strategic opportunities in a shifting landscape. A highly dynamic business world requires curious leaders who can create value by tapping into different corners of the organization, and who seek diverse talent with different experiences and expertise that bring new perspectives. Creating solutions for our clients means creating opportunities for our leaders to continue to develop and contribute and learn from one another in the process.

Sue Bhogal, Audit Director and Immediate Past Chair of MOSAIC @ T. Rowe Price

When advancing leaders through opportunity is truly put in practice, it signals recognition of the potential of pan Asian professionals beyond the stereotypes of being strong individual contributors. Specifically, the organization and leaders make a conscious effort of overcoming the bias of Asians only being strong mathematicians and technical experts in their fields. The right opportunity can provide meaningful exposure, make the talent visible within the organization, and enable Asian associate(s) to build a personal brand that showcases their leadership skills across various dimensions.

Edgardo Carlos, Principal Architect

T. Rowe Price provides our associates with tools and opportunities to improve their leadership skills. Opportunities to apply those skills, however, are not always obvious or available to some members of underrepresented communities. As a leader of MOSAIC's Asian Heritage Community, I try to live by a philosophy that leaders should lend a hand to others in need and provide opportunities for them to advance. It could be as simple as enabling a mentee to explore opportunities by connecting them to other leaders in the firm or as structured as hosting networking events to connect aspiring leaders with the firm's senior leaders to expand their visibility and impact.

Suzanne Cho, Global Product Program Manager and Chair of MOSAIC @ T. Rowe Price's Asian Heritage Community

Opportunity to tell our stories. Opportunity to be heard and seen. Opportunity to be valued. An inclusive corporate culture creates a sense of belonging and empathy and promotes productivity, profitability, and team morale. Jobs become careers, and those who aspire to positions of greater accountability, responsibility, and company impact can develop to become leaders-regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, or any other distinguishing trait.

As we commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and other celebrations of diversity, we invite you to learn more about our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and how our differences bring us together at troweprice.com/diversity.

T. Rowe Price associates shared the importance of advancing leaders through opportunity

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from T. Rowe Price on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: T. Rowe Price

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/t-rowe-price

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: T. Rowe Price

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752438/Asian-American-and-Pacific-Islander-Heritage-Month-Advancing-Leaders-Through-Opportunity
WEST VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Potash, an alkaline potassium compound, is a vital fertilizer component and plays a crucial role in the global food supply chain. As a critical source of potassium, it is essential for plant growth, helping to promote strong root development, disease resistance, and overall plant health. With the world's population growing rapidly and arable land becoming scarcer, the demand for high-quality fertilizer is only increasing.

It is estimated that by 2050, the world will need to produce 70% more food than it does today to feed the projected 9.7 billion people on the planet. Because of this potash is a critical resource for farmers and agricultural businesses around the world as they work to meet the growing demand for food and ensure a sustainable future for global communities.

Unfortunately, the global supply of potash is experiencing a shake-up. Currently, Brazil, the United States and China are the world's largest potash importers, while Canada, Russia, and Belarus account for 70% of worldwide production . The Ukraine-Russian war has had a significant impact on global supply chains, including that of the potash industry.

Russia is one of the world's largest producers of potash, and Belarus, a Russian ally, also produces a significant amount of potash. The conflict has resulted in the EU's slapping severe sanctions on the potash industry in Belarus as a country supporting Russia. Canada, the world's largest producer of potash, has been unable to fill the gap left by Belarus, leading to a global potash shortage and rising prices. As a result, many countries have been forced to either pay higher prices for potash or find alternative sources.

Millennial Potash Helping Secure World Food Supply?

A company called Millennial Potash (OTCMKTS: MLPNF) has recently acquired the Banio Potash Project in Gabon. The Gabon coastline is rich in potash deposits, presenting a possibly unique opportunity for the global potash supply chain. The country is estimated to have over 2 billion tons of potassium salts, making it one of the largest potash basins in the world . Due to its strategic location on the Atlantic coast of Africa, Gabon has a significant cost advantage due to the proximity to major potash markets, making it an attractive source of potash for these key importing nations; Brazil, Asia and Europe.

The Banio Potash Project is strategically located in the well-known potash-bearing basin with an exploration camp, drill rigs and a drill core on site. Millennial Potash reports that its management team and board of directors are well-experienced in potash and other large-scale mining projects - with the Millennial team having built and sold multiple mining companies, including Potash One, Allana Potash and Millennial Lithium. With its large resource and control of a strategic location, Millennial Potash could have the potential to become a major player in the global potash market and provide a reliable source of potash for countries around the world.

Featured photo by James Baltz on Unsplash .

Contact:

Michael Harris

ir@millennialpotash.com

SOURCE: Millennial Potash Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752412/The-Russian-Ukrainian-War-Is-Pressuring-The-Potash-Supply-Chain--Millennial-Potash-OTCMKTS-MLPNF-Reports-Stepping-Up-To-The-Plate-With-Its-Previously-Explored-Project-In-A-Well-known-Potash-Basin-In-Gabon
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Cumberland Resources Nickel Corp. (CSE: LAND) (the "Company" or "Cumberland") is excited to announce that the Company is positioning itself to be a significant player in the severely undersupplied graphite market, a critical component in batteries for electric vehicle and rapidly growing residential and industrial uses.

Cumberland is tapping into the market demand for graphite by securing a 100% interest in the Indigo Graphite Property (the "Indigo Claims" or "Indigo"). The Indigo Claims provide the Company with the opportunity to expeditiously replicate the exploration and development success that has allowed Nouveau Monde to bring its Matawinie graphite deposit to near-production. The two projects are less than 53 km apart. Further, Nouveau Monde has stated that the Matawinie graphite deposit will be in production less than nine (9) years after the initial grassroots exploration program on the property - a formula which Cumberland hopes to replicate.

Cumberland aims to replicate Nouveau Monde's success at Matawinie stems from comparing the historic information of the two projects. Nouveau Monde's 2015 "Technical Report of the 2014 Prospecting and Trenching Campaigns on the Matawinie Property, Quebec" dated April 28th, 2015, shows surface sample graphite grades at Indigo comparable to those at the Matawinie deposit. Comparison of maps of the VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic System) airborne survey anomalies at Indigo and Matawinie areas show similarities in surface shape and intensity, according to both the Vendor of the Indigo Claims and the Company's Qualified Person. The two maps below show the similarities in the geophysical anomalies between the two projects.

The April 2015 report describes several geographically separate claims blocks, VTEM survey results, and rock and trench sampling results. The block designated as Block "I" in Nouveau Monde's 2015 technical report has (with modified geographic boundaries caused by the recent staking) been designated by the staker and owner, Glenn Griesbach, P.Geo, as the Indigo Graphite Property.





Figure 1: Cumberland's Indigo Graphite Project showing the VTEM survey anomaly and historical rock results with the proposed Matawinie pit outline superimposed by the Company.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_71cfbc1f24a24a73_001full.jpg

The similarities in geophysics and assay results described in Nouveau Monde's April 2015 Technical Report suggest that graphite mineralization on the Indigo Property could reflect a similar geological structure as that of the proposed Matawinie open pit mine. The outline of Nouveau Monde's proposed open pit is superimposed on the Block "I" (now Indigo) geophysics map above by the Company for illustrative purposes only.





Figure 2: Nouveau Monde's Matawinie proposed open pit with the VTEM anomaly, with trench and rock sample results.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_71cfbc1f24a24a73_002full.jpg

The Indigo Graphite Claims are comprised of 32 claims or 1,892.5 hectares in the Saint-Michel-des-Saints municipality, Quebec. Historic ground exploration has shown evidence of graphite consistent with other deposits in the region, as noted above. The Indigo Claims are easily accessible by paved highway and is only a 2.5 hour drive from Montreal.





Figure 3: Indigo Property location.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_71cfbc1f24a24a73_003full.jpg

Glenn Griesbach, P.Geo and prolific prospector, compiled the Indigo Claims package. Mr. Griesbach is currently number four (4) on the list of claims ownership in the Province of Quebec with over 7,500 active claims and has completed over sixty (60) mineral property transactions.

This transaction with Cumberland is the first time that Mr. Griesbach has agreed to join a buyer's project development team. It is his belief that the Indigo Graphite Property has the possibility to host comparable graphite grade and tonnage potential, based on the well-documented and ongoing exploration and development on Nouveau Monde's nearby Matawinie graphite deposit, and in his opinion, could have significant potential for the Company and its shareholders.

"The Indigo project is at the same stage that Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite project Block "H" was at only 7 years ago," stated Glenn Griesbach, staker and owner of the Indigo Claims. "The road to developing the Indigo graphite deposit (trenched by Nouveau Monde but not reported to be drilled) has been clearly defined by Nouveau Monde's success in developing their historic Block "H" into the current Matawinie graphite deposit and soon-to-be mine. Nouveau Monde has provided an exploration and development template that Cumberland can look to emulate, and perhaps even improve upon. I look forward to working with Cumberland as we aim to achieve production quickly and to create value for long term Cumberland stakeholders."

Nouveau Monde has a market capitalization of over $330 million as at the date of this press release and has stated that it is set to begin mining operations at its Matawinie Graphite Deposit in 2024/25. Nouveau Monde's Matawinie project has an NI 43-101 resource of:





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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*Mineral resource estimate from the report titled "NI -101 TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT for: The Matawinie Mine and Becanour Battery Material Plant Integrated Graphite Projects, Quebec, Canada" dated August 4th, 2022, authored by Andre Allaire et al. Resource quoted is within Table 1.1 - Pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate for the West Zone [1.8%Cg Cut-off]. And Table 1-2: Matawinie Mine Mineral Reserves [2.2%Cg Cut-off, 93% Recovery].

The Company's Qualified Person (as defined herein) has not verified the Nouveau Monde's resource estimates listed in this press release. The Company's Qualified Person has mentioned the Nouveau Monde's resources as an indication of the potential of graphite mineralization in the region. The reader is cautioned that regional resources, does not necessarily indicate graphite mineralization on the Company's Indigo Graphite Property. Key assumptions, parameters and methods used to prepare the resource estimates are given by Nouveau Monde.

The global graphite market is showing a rapid increase in demand and insufficient graphite deposit discoveries and development to satisfy it, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence ("BMI"). It has been projected by BMI that the graphite industry needs 97 new mines to meet the expected demand by 2035. The key drivers of graphite demand will be refractories and foundries, as well as battery demand. Auto makers are looking to cut costs and diversify the supply base away from China. Further, graphite used in the batteries that are essential to electric vehicles ("EVs") makes up the largest proportion of the composition of EVs' batteries whereas other minerals and materials represent significantly smaller role in the battery composition. Graphite represents 48% of the EV battery components as compared to another critical mineral, lithium, which makes up only 6% of the batteries.

The following graphs shows both the rapidly increasing demand for EV battery anodes and the resulting shortfall of graphite supply for this demand*.

Figure 4



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*Source: Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

No mineral resources or reserves have been defined on the Indigo Graphite Property. References herein to potential grades herein are historic and conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and there can be no assurance that further geologic work will result in mineral resources being delineated on the Indigo Graphite Property.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Ryan Versloot, P.Geo, who is a "Qualified Person" (as defined in NI 43-101).

References:

NI 43-101 TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT for: The Matawinie Mine and Becancour Battery Material Plant Integrated Graphite Projects, Becancour, Quebec, Canada dated August 4 th , 2022, authored by Andre Allaire et al.

Technical Report of the 2014 Prospecting and Trenching Campaigns on the Matawinie Property, Quebec" dated April 28th, 2015, authored by Antoine Cloutier.

For additional information, please contact:

Binyomin Posen

Chief Executive Officer and Director

416 481-2222

b@posen.ca

About Cumberland Resources Nickel Corp.

Cumberland holds 100% interest in the St. Anthony Property located in Newfoundland, Canada. The Company is focused on acquiring, exploring and developing its mineral properties.

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: the anticipated demand, supply, uses, and price for graphite; the exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the Company's St. Anthony Property and its Indigo Graphite claims; the potential mineralization of the Indigo Graphite Property and any inferences drawn due to its proximity with Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite deposit; and the potential value of the Indigo Graphite Property to the Company and its shareholders.

Forward-looking information in this press release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to accurately forecast anticipated demand, supply, uses, and price for graphite; the Company's ability to carry out exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the Company's St. Anthony Property and its Indigo Graphite claims; the Company's ability to realize the potential mineralization of the Indigo Graphite Property and that inferences drawn due to its proximity with Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite deposit are correct and become realized upon; and the Company's ability to realize on the potential value of the Indigo Graphite Property for the Company and its shareholders.

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 accurately forecast anticipated demand, supply, uses, and price for graphite; the Company's inability to carry out exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the Company's St. Anthony Property and its Indigo Graphite claims; the Company's inability to realize the potential mineralization of the Indigo Graphite Property and that inferences drawn due to its proximity with Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite deposit are incorrect; and the Company's inability to realize on the potential value of the Indigo Graphite Property for the Company and its shareholders.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. 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.

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164522
Experts will explain how to implement verified credentials for external users and deploy passwordless for customer facing applications

1Kosmos, the only company that unifies identity proofing and passwordless authentication, today announced that Mike Engle, Chief Strategy Officer will present a session on verified credentials for vendors and contractors, and Huzefa Olia, Chief Operating Officer will discuss passwordless authentication for customer applications at the KuppingerCole European Identity and Cloud Conference, May 9-12 in Berlin.

WHO: Mike Engle, Chief Strategy Officer for 1Kosmos, previously served as head of InfoSec for Lehman Brothers where he was instrumental in designing and implementing the bank's security program. As a co-founder of Bastille Networks, he helped raise over $40m in venture capital to create a powerhouse in the RF security sector.



Huzefa Olia, Chief Operating Officer for 1Kosmos is a recognized expert in Identity Access Management. He previously held senior management roles at global identity management services provider Simeio, cyber risk management vendor Brinqa and identity compliance management vendor Vaau (acquired by Sun). WHAT: Utilizing Verifiable Credentials for Vendors and Contractor Access

The W3C Verifiable Credential standard is gaining traction in many circles. In this session Mike Engle will explain how organizations can use this standard today to enable contractors and partners to safely access their internal systems, while providing a more secure and user-friendly alternative to federated authentication.



Trends in Passwordless Authentication for CIAM

Passwordless helps reduce account takeover fraud, provides better security and reduces end-user friction. But each organization faces its own set of challenges when deploying customer facing passwordless because of the unique user journeys they must support. In this session Huzefa Olia will present best practices an organization can follow to smooth the transition to passwordless access for customer-based applications. WHERE: Berlin Congress Center, Alexanderstr. 11, 10178 Berlin WHEN: Utilizing Verifiable Credentials for Vendors and Contractor Access

Wednesday, May 10 at 3:45pm

Trends in Passwordless Authentication for CIAM

Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 3:30pm HOW: To schedule a conversation with 1Kosmos speakers, contact Marc Gendron at marc@mgpr.net or +1 617.877.7480.

About 1Kosmos

1Kosmos enables passwordless access for workers, customers and citizens to securely transact with digital services. By unifying identity proofing and strong authentication, the BlockID platform creates a distributed digital identity that prevents identity impersonation, account takeover and fraud while delivering frictionless user experiences. BlockID is the only NIST, FIDO2, and iBeta biometrics certified platform that performs millions of authentications daily for some of the largest banks, telecommunications and healthcare organizations in the world. The company is funded by Forgepoint Capital and Gula Tech Adventures with headquarters in East Brunswick, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.1kosmos.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005283/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Marc Gendron

Marc Gendron PR for 1Kosmos

617.877.7480

marc@mgpr.net
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) (the "Company" or "Northern") is pleased to provide an operating summary and financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company's Audited Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis have been filed on SEDAR.

Operational Highlights for the year include:

On April 29, 2022, the Company acquired 100% ownership of the producing Lac des Iles ("LDI") graphite mine in Quebec, Canada, and the Okanjande graphite deposit and the Okorusu processing plant in Namibia. The acquisition was funded through a combination of equity, debt and the sale of a royalty and stream on the assets acquired;

The Company announced several executive officer appointments and additions to its Board of Directors. Hugues Jacquemin was appointed CEO and a director of the Company on June 8, 2022 and Guillaume Jacq was appointed CFO on September 20, 2022. The Company also announced the nomination of Greg Bowes, the Company's ex CEO as Chairman of the Board, and the appointment of Frank O'Brien-Bernini to the Board of Directors, as well as Chair of the Environment, Social, Governance and Nominating Committee;

The Company's LDI mine in Quebec produced 9,460 tonnes of graphite concentrate with a recovery rate of 90.5%;

On October 5, 2022, the Company exercised its option to acquire 100% of the Mousseau West graphite project in Quebec to potentially provide another source of ore for the LDI mine. Subsequent to December 31, 2022, the size of the project was increased by an additional 101.6 hectares to a total of 590.5 hectares;

In June 2022 the Company completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on its Namibian assets which evaluated the economics of shipping ore from the Okanjande graphite mine to the Okorusu processing plant, located 70 km away. In late 2022 and early 2023, the Company made the decision to relocate the Okorusu plant directly at the mine site in Okanjande. An updated PEA is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2023 and includes plans for a 31,000 tpy processing plant that will be ready for production in mid-2024; and

During the course of 2022, and subsequent to Dec 31, 2022 the Company provided clarity on its mine-to-market strategy, with its intention to develop one of the world's largest battery anode material ("BAM") facilities in Baie-Comeau, Quebec with 200,000 tonnes per year ("tpy") of capacity. The Company also announced the signing of an agreement to acquire a 33.33% ownership interest and the majority of voting rights (50.1%) in NeoGraf Solutions, LLC ("NeoGraf"), a US based company focused on the manufacturing of specialty value added products made from natural graphite.

Financial Highlights for the year include:

Revenue of $12.0 million generated by 5,785 tonnes of graphite concentrate sold at an average realized sales price of $2,073/tonne (USD$1,572/tonne); (1)

Cash costs $1,364 (USD$1,033) per tonne of graphite concentrate sold; (1)

Income from mine operations of $3.1 million;

An operating loss of $4.7 million which includes general and administrative expenses of $4.9 million;

A net loss of $14.6 million ($0.14 per share) which includes a non-cash, $2.6 million foreign exchange loss on financial instruments and an impairment charge of $3.2 million arising from the Company's decision to move its processing facilities in Namibia; and

Cash and equivalents of $5.1 million and working capital of $19.4 million as at December 31, 2022.

(1) The Company reports the non-IFRS financial measures of average realized sales price per tonne of graphite concentrate sold and cash costs per tonne of graphite concentrate sold to manage and evaluate its operating performance. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-IFRS Performance Measures" below.

CEO Hugues Jacquemin commented, "April 29, 2023 marked the first full year since Northern Graphite closed the acquisition of LDI and the Namibian operations from Imerys and it has been a year of transformation for Northern Graphite. As the only significant producer of natural graphite in North America, and with an established customer base and market share, we are advancing our strategy of becoming a fully integrated, mine-to-market provider of mined and processed natural graphite to supply our existing customers, and the energy transition and widescale electrification in North America and abroad."

Selected Interim Financial Information

For the years ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Revenue $ 11,993 $ - Cost of Sales Production costs 7,888 - Depletion and depreciation 1,055 - Total cost of sales 8,943 - Income from mine operations 3,050 - General and administrative 4,866 1,313 Share-based compensation 1,490 845 Project evaluation, acquisition, and integration 1,920 1,488 Foreign exchange gain (498)

- Total expenses 7,778 3,646 Operating loss (4,728)

(3,646) Loss (gain) on marketable securities 190 (414) Finance expense 3,328 16 Foreign exchange loss on financing instruments 2,633 - Interest income (159)

(22) Impairment 3,167 - Loss before taxes (13,887)

(3,226) Current tax expense 701 - Deferred tax expense (recovery) (37)

- Net loss (14,551)

(3,226) Other comprehensive loss Foreign currency translation (454)

- Other comprehensive loss (15,005)

(3,226) Loss per share - basic and diluted (0.14)

(0.04) Weighted average shares outstanding

- basic and diluted 107,766,203 77,465,330

Lac des Iles Mine

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the LDI plant processed a total of 137,448 tonnes of ore with an average head grade of 6.5% graphite and a recovery of 90.5% to produce 9,460 tonnes of graphite concentrate. During the year LDI sold 5,785 tonnes of graphite concentrate with an average realized sales price of $2,073 per tonne.

The LDI plant operated five days a week, 24 hours per day with one of the down days used for plant maintenance. Operating targets of 1,000 tonnes/day milled and 60 tonnes/day of graphite concentrate production have been consistently achieved with the purity of concentrates within specification.

On October 5, 2022 the Company announced that it had exercised its option to acquire a 100% interest in the Mousseau West graphite project, located approximately 80 km from LDI. Ore from this project has the potential to significantly extend the life of the LDI infrastructure and return production to 25,000 tpy. The Mousseau West project area has since been extended by the Quebec ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets (the "Minister") to a total of 590.5 hectares. In order to satisfy existing and future customer demand and to continue optimizing existing inventory levels the Company intends to operate the LDI mine on an intermittent basis with an average yearly production rate of 15,000 tpy until the start-up of Mousseau West when the Company expects to operate the LDI plant at full capacity of 25,000 tpy.

Namibia

In June 2022 the Company completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") which evaluated the economics of shipping ore approximately 70 km from the Okanjande graphite mine to the Okorusu processing plant. Key metrics include an average annual production of 31,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate, production costs of US$775 per tonne, a post tax IRR of 62%, a post tax NPV of US$65 million and a payback of under two years based on a 10-year mine life and a weighted average graphite price of US$1,500/tonne.

Long lead time items were ordered, however, following Covid related delays in the shipment of new grinding mills from China management decided to evaluate installing the new mills in a plant built at the Okanjande mine site. This would represent phase 1 of an ultimate plan to build 100,000-150,000 tonnes per annum of graphite production capacity adjacent to the Okanjande deposit to meet rapidly growing EV and battery demand. The Company has been working with CREO Engineering to complete a new PEA under this operating scenario and expects to publish the results during the second quarter of 2023, including a revised capital cost estimate, with the goal of having the plant operating on a sustainable basis by July, 2024.

Mine to Market Strategy

With the growth of the electric vehicle ("EV") market, the Company is moving downstream to further process its graphite for use as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries ("LiBs") with shaping, purification and coating technologies. This is expected to be done in partnership with companies that are industry leaders in these technologies. On December 21, 2022 the Company signed a letter of intent with Graphex Technologies LLC with the intent of combining Northern's raw material supply capabilities with Graphex's downstream processing expertise in a proposed BAM plant located at Baie-Comeau, Quebec with total capacity of 200,000 tpy.

Subsequent to December 31,2022, Northern announced the signing of an agreement (February 13, 2023) to acquire a 33.33% ownership interest and the majority of voting rights (50.1%) in NeoGraf, a US based company focused on the manufacturing of specialty value added products made out of natural graphite. This is part of the Company's strategy of also pursuing downstream integration into non-BAM markets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As at December 31, 2022 the Company held cash of $5.1 million (December 31, 2021 - $3.6 million), $2.1 million of restricted cash (December 31, 2021 - $0.8 million) and had working capital of $19.4 million (December 31, 2021 - $3.7 million). Working capital includes $18.6 million in inventory consisting of 8,801 tonnes of graphite concentrate and 38,267 tonnes of ore stockpiles as well as materials and supplies. The ore stockpile contains approximately 2,251 tonnes of recoverable graphite. Inventories of graphite concentrate, and the ore stockpile are recorded at cost. Their realizable value is significantly higher and accordingly, the Company intends to reduce inventories in a controlled fashion over the next 12-18 months which is expected to generate a substantial amount of liquidity. In addition to the above the Company also has $6.0 million of ore stockpiles (107,082 tonnes) available for processing which is classified as non-current. Additional capital will be required to restart operations in Namibia and advance the Bissett Creek, Mousseau West and South Okak projects but the Company's capital investment programs are discretionary and flexible and will be managed to minimize the need to raise financing at current share prices.

About Northern Graphite

Northern is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high value products critical to the green economy including anode material for lithium-ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies.

Northern is the only significant graphite producing company in North America and will become the third largest outside of China when its Namibian operations come back online. The Company also has two large scale development projects, Bissett Creek in Ontario and the expansions of the Okanjande project in Namibia, that will be a source of continued production growth in the future. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are located close to infrastructure in politically stable countries.

Qualified Person

Gregory Bowes, B.Sc. MBA P.Geo, the Chairman of Northern, is a "qualified person" as defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release.

For additional information

Please visit the Company's website at http://www.northerngraphite.com/investors/presentation/, the Company's profile on www.sedar.com, our Social Channels listed below or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124.

LinkedIn

YouTube

Twitter

Facebook

Cautionary Note Regarding Non-IFRS Performance Measures

This news release includes certain non-IFRS performance measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The Company believes that these measures, in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company and to compare it to information reported by other companies. The non- IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. The calculation and an explanation of these measures is provided in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and such measures should be read in conjunction with the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward- looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding, among others, plans for bringing the Company's Namibian operations back on line, advancing other developments projects to production, developing the capacity to manufacture value added products and raising the financing to complete all or any of these initiatives. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements 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 including, but not limited to unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. 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 news release.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164520
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Suncor Energy



It was an eagle-eye view from the cab of her hydraulic shovel that allowed operator Jenna Plamondon to notice the fossil remains of a plesiosaur at the Mildred Lake site on March 12.

Fossils of this marine reptile have been found in the region previously, but this discovery marks the oldest Cretaceous plesiosaur found in Alberta.

Jenna was on her first dayshift back at the Syncrude Mildred Lake Mine, when a contrast in the oil sand caught her eye.

"I kept staring at this little chunk of dirt. As a shovel operator, we're trained to see things that are out of the ordinary. We take a lot of pride in our pit and keeping the area clean," says Jenna, a 16-year employee. "I called my leader and asked to have geology look and confirm. We made the decision to move the shovel just in case it was an actual fossil."

When the Mildred Lake Geology team arrived, they knew they were looking at something special. They reached out to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology to ensure the fossil could be identified and preserved as part of Alberta's history. After some examination, it was determined that the intact piece of fossil sticking out of the ore was part of a plesiosaur tail.

Older than dirt

These marine reptiles lived approximately 115 million years ago, during a time when the mining area would have been part of a vast shallow sea that covered much of northern Alberta. The find was made even more unique because of the layer of bitumen-rich ore the fossil was discovered in. It's typically found in rock layers higher up, but this case was lower down in the McMurray Formation layer.

The fossil and its discovery location paint an interesting picture of the past. The ancient marine reptile may have died in the inland sea and washed up into shallow water - as a carcass to be scavenged by other predators such as dinosaurs.

"This one may have been buried in a storm, which put a great deal of sand on top of the carcass all at once. This presents very unusual preservation conditions," says Dr. Donald Henderson, Curator of Dinosaurs at the museum. "It's so rare for things to become fossils, especially big things such as marine reptiles and dinosaurs. It's only the fact that we're shifting so much rock here, that we're fortunate to see this small piece of fossil."

To check for fossil fragments that may have separated from the main piece, Mine Operations collected and spread surrounding oil sand into rows. From there, the geologists and paleontology field technicians sifted through material. After many hours of searching, one small piece of vertebrae was discovered by a geology co-op student.

"As we were digging, I found something similar to bone, but thought it could be something else," says Ruachwaar Gatwech, who is in his third year of geological studies at the University of British Columbia. "The senior geologist thought it would be a good experience for me and another co-op student to come to the site. It was quite an experience. It's my first time in the mine, first time to see and find an actual fossil in the field."

After the area was fully examined, the museum's paleontology team worked to prepare the fossil for travel back to the museum in Drumheller, about 650 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, in a similar fashion as a human bone cast. This technique allows for a close fit of plaster to the fossil without touching the bone. The fragile bone is protected and can be transported to the museum for more thorough examination.

For Jenna, she is proud of the role her shovel team played in collecting a part of history.

"I'm really excited because if the fossil ends up being displayed at the museum, I'll get to show my one-year-old son what mom found," she says. "Not every shovel operator gets to find one, so it's pretty cool that I'm one of the few."

The first fossil discovery at Syncrude sites took place in 1994 and more than a dozen fossils have been identified since then. A variety of prehistoric finds have taken place at other Suncor sites, including the discovery of Alberta's oldest dinosaur, a nodosaur, at Base Plant in 2011.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Suncor Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Suncor Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/suncor-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Suncor Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752451/Albertas-Oldest-Plesiosaur-Fossil-Found-at-Suncor-Operated-Mine-Site
BAE Systems and KOVAL SYSTEMS a.s have signed a contract in support of the production of new infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), the CV90MkIV, for the Slovak Armed Forces.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005432/en/

BAE Systems' CV90MKIV participating in the government trials in Slovakia in 2021. (Credit: BAE Systems)

Slovak company KOVAL SYSTEMS a.s has won a contract from BAE Systems Hagglunds, the producer of the CV90 family of vehicles, for the complete turret assembly of the CV90s in the Slovak program. KOVAL SYSTEMS will also produce mechanical articles for the turret. Together, the two companies have agreed to produce approximately 80 articles at the Belusa facility, with more to come. KOVAL SYSTEMS will produce initial articles for the turret, with initial tests planned in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden in 2023.

"Together with our Slovak partners, we are committed to delivering an infantry fighting vehicle equipped with advanced capabilities and digital technology to the Slovak Armed Forces. The CV90 is a high-quality and very successful vehicle in the market that has proven itself through the rigours of combat," said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hagglunds in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden.

"We believe that this program will benefit the Slovak Army and be a success for BAE Systems Hagglunds, KOVAL SYSTEMS, and our entire network of Slovak suppliers. These valuable new strategic partnerships will significantly help Slovak industry in the long-term," said Jan Michalek, the Business Director of KOVAL SYSTEMS in Belusa, Slovakia.

The CV90 industrial cooperation program in Slovakia continues to progress. This contract with KOVAL SYSTEMS is one of several, which will be signed as the CV90s' network of local Slovak industry partners is finalized. In addition to KOVAL SYSTEMS, ZTS-Special was selected as the complete vehicle assembler on the project, signing an agreement with BAE Systems Hagglunds in December 2022.

Other members of the industrial network include, Ray Service s.r.o. for the development work and production of electrical components and sub-systems; and Aliter Technologies a.s, whose scope within the command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) domain is being defined with BAE Systems Hagglunds.

BAE Systems' proven industrial cooperation program is built on local partners playing a high-value and strategic role in the development, production, training, and support of the CV90 and its numerous variants. In Slovakia, this strengthens industry and also increases the security of supply for the Armed Forces. The growing network of industrial partners across Slovakia will ensure that local industry plays a critical role in the service, maintenance, and future development of CV90s.

The Slovak Army will receive the newest iteration of the CV9035, known as the CV90MkIV, with the latest advanced capabilities and digital technology to meet the needs of the evolving battlefield.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005432/en/

Contacts:

Ola Thoren, BAE Systems Hagglunds

Office: +46 660 80506; Mobile: +46 708 335000

ola.thoren@baesystems.se

www.baesystems.com

@BAESystemsInc
Free prep materials available two months prior to propel candidates to success on their business school journey

RESTON, Va., May 02, 2023), a global association representing leading business schools, today announced that registration for the GMAT Focus Edition, an updated version of the Graduate Management Admission Teston June 6, 2023, with a free study planner of only six weeks to help test takers stick to a schedule, inform prep activities, and track progress, as well as a free GMAT Focus Official Starter Kit that comes with a sampler of 70 real GMAT questions and two full-length practice exams to help candidates establish performance baseline.

Earlier this year, GMAC introducedGMAT Focus Edition after extensive research efforts involving hundreds of school professionals and an in-depth concept testing with thousands of students globally. The GMAT, the most widely used business school admissions exam in the past seven decades, was redesigned with improved test taking experience and flexible new features to better support candidates of graduate business education. Schools will benefit from it as an improved element in their holistic admissions process.

"We want to encourage people with a broad set of qualifications, undergraduate backgrounds and lived experiences to understand the richness of their choice and take that leap forward on their business school journey," said Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC. "It is our belief that GMAT Focus Edition will allow candidates to optimize their preparation for graduate business education while helping schools attract a global pool of qualified and diverse applicants."

"This is an important evolution of the test," said Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean for Admissions at Yale School of Management and a board member of GMAC. "In terms of the relevance and usefulness of the test, this is definitely a positive step that will be beneficial both to business schools and to candidates."

More efficient, more flexible, and more insightful, in an all-new testing experience

The GMAT Focus Edition will feature three 45-minute sections: Quantitative Reasoning, which examines problem solving skills; Verbal Reasoning, which evaluates critical reasoning and reading comprehension but no longer incorporates sentence correction; and the newly developed Data Insights section, which measures candidates' data literacy skills and ability to analyze and interpret data and apply it to real-world business scenarios. With these changes and the removal of the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), it is nearly one hour shorter than the current version of the GMAT and therefore requires less content to prepare. Besides new features that allow test takers to bookmark as many questions as they want, review questions within the remaining section time and change up to three answers per section, and to complete the three sections in any order, the enhanced Official Score Report now offers detailed performance insights that helps them assess strengths and identify focus areas at no additional cost.

"I think the redesign of the GMAT exam is testament to GMAC's commitment to continuous improvement. Changes to the exam address the growing importance of certain competencies and the future of work - for example with the addition of Data Insight," said Arnold Longboy, Executive Director, Recruitment & Admissions at London Business School.

New score scale and concordance to help assess candidate competitiveness

The GMAT Focus Edition's Total Score, ranging from 205 to 805, is based on test taker performance on all three sections of the exam, with each section, ranging from 60 to 90, weighted equally. This change has been made to ensure that test takers and schools can easily distinguish from a GMAT Focus Edition score to the currently available GMAT Exam score, which ranges from 200 to 800. To understand a test taker's relative competitiveness, one can use the concordance tables available on mba.comthat link score distributions between the two versions of the exam by percentile. With the GMAT Focus Edition's new score scale, percentile rankings deserve the primary attention from test takers and schools when looking to understand the results.

"When comparing scores of GMAT Focus Edition to the current version of the GMAT Exam, we encourage test takers and schools to compare percentile rankings rather than comparing total scores," stressed Manish Dharia, director of product development at GMAC. "Because the Total Score scale and the score scale distribution have both changed, comparing total scores or section scores from the current version of the exam to the GMAT Focus Edition is not appropriate, accurate, or a meaningful comparison of performance. Scores of 600 and 605 may look similar, but they represent very different performance levels on different skills."

Additional efforts to facilitate smooth transition and swift adoption

As GMAT Focus Edition rolls out for the remainder of 2023, the current version of the GMAT exam will continue to be available to candidates until early next year to facilitate their in-progress preparation and applications for business school. Also, to that end, the GMAT Focus Edition feeswill remain the same as the current GMAT exam.

"Keep in mind, all GMAT exam scores - whether they are of the current GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition - continue to be valid for 5 years," said Ashish Bhardwaj, senior vice president and head of market development at GMAC. "With the advance announcement of the new edition, we encourage candidates to proceed with registering and taking the GMAT exam in ways that best enable their pursuit of graduate management education."

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. GMAC provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry as well as resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

More than 12 million prospective students a year trust GMAC's websites, including mba.com, to learn about MBA and business master's programs, connect with schools around the world, prepare and register for exams and get advice on successfully applying to MBA and business master's programs. BusinessBecauseand GMAC Toursare subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:

Teresa Hsu

Sr. Manager, Media Relations

Mobile: 202-390-4180

thsu@gmac.com
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / The UN Global Compact Network USA (Network USA), the American chapter of the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, is pleased to announce that it now has 1,000 signatories in its network. This milestone reflects the private sector's commitment to advancing sustainable and responsible business practices in the US and the potential for American companies to drive progress.

Network USA was founded in 2007 as the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General that calls on companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with the UN Global Compact Ten Principles and the ambition of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the years since, Network USA has grown rapidly and scaled its work in the US market. Its participants now represent more than $5 trillion in revenue.

To help advance its mission, Network USA tapped David Fiss as Head of Engagement and promoted Claudia Herbert Colfer to Head of Programming. Colfer joined Network USA in 2020 and has been instrumental in helping the organization grow and enhance its programmatic offerings.

Fiss brings more than ten years of experience in corporate relations and sustainability. Previously, he served as Director of Corporate Relations, Partnerships & Strategy at Sustainable Brands. While there, Fiss worked with the board, membership and key brands to drive engagement and business transformation. In his new role, Fiss will design and manage Network USA's engagement strategies with US companies and organizations.

"I'm looking forward to working with the private sector in aligning itself with the mission and principles of the United Nations," said Fiss. "There are tremendous opportunities for US companies to lead in developing solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. I'm eager to support their sustainability journey through the multi-stakeholder engagement and programmatic offerings that exist within the UN Global Compact."

Network USA supports its signatories with the tools, programs, and collaborative space to enable change. Its Accelerator Programs and Peer Learning Groups are specially designed to help companies further their corporate sustainability leadership.

To support this work, Network USA also hired the following specialists: Jessica Tuquero, Communications Manager; Christine Cavallo, Engagement Coordinator; Mallory Cannon, Climate & Environment Associate; and Jessica Feoli, SDGs & Events Associate.

"This is an exciting time to join Network USA," said Adam Gordon, Interim Executive Director of Network USA. "Our staff, signatories and partners are energized behind our shared mission of mobilizing a global movement of responsible companies to create the world we want. There is no better community to build a practical and ambitious framework for a sustainable world, and there is no better time to do it than now."

"Since joining the UN Global Compact in 2020, I have seen Network USA impressively increase participation by over 35 percent, which is a testament to the organization's ability to engage with all industries and sectors of the economy," said Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director and CEO of the UN Global Compact. "Strong participation from US companies is crucial in accomplishing the ambitious goals set forth by the UN and aligning on our collective efforts of uniting businesses for a better world."

About the UN Global Compact USA

The UN Global Compact Network USA is the Local Network chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact calls for companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with the Ten Principles in human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the collective global impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With over 21,000 signatories based in over 160 countries and 69 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative - one Global Compact uniting businesses for a better world.

For more information, follow @globalcompactusa on social media and visit our website at https://www.globalcompactusa.org/.

Contact: Jessica Tuquero, +1-646-573-7377, jessica@globalcompactusa.org

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from United Nations Global Compact on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: United Nations Global Compact

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/united-nations-global-compact

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: United Nations Global Compact

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752461/1000-Signatories-Join-the-UN-Global-Compact-Network-USA-in-Advancing-the-Corporate-Sustainability-Initiative-of-the-UN-Secretary-General
KYT redefining diabetes by designing an innovative bag range that merges medicine and fashion.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Diabetics now have their own designer bags to streamline their daily treatment. KYT, which stands for Keeping You Together, has revealed three new contemporary, premium bags purpose-built for the everyday needs of people with diabetes - a chronic condition that the World Health Organization (WHO) says affects 422 million people worldwide.







Crafted with the insights of hundreds of diabetics from around the world, the bags have innovative features, smart layouts, premium materials like gold-rated Italian leather and solid brass hardware, and ethical craftsmanship. A contemporary exterior discreetly hides diabetes supplies like a testing kit, pump consumables, and insulin pens. The bags now available for global pre-order are:

SideKYT: a contemporary crossbody bag that streamlines users' essential diabetes supplies. The bag splits in two: life essentials up front and diabetes equipment out back. A testing station allows blood glucose levels to be tested straight from the bag.

SideKYT+: a larger crossbody built for pump users or those who want to take more equipment or spares.

StarterKYT: a compact case that lets users take their supplies on the sly. The size of a sunglasses case, it smartly locks together with magnets, unfolds completely flat to create a testing station, and then folds back together in a snap.

KYT is also committed to ethical production and materials, and a donation from every bag sold helps diabetes charities get crucial supplies to those in need.

At age 20, Designer & KYT Founder Bridget Scanlan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. As her pancreas stopped producing insulin, she had to learn to manage multiple blood glucose tests and insulin injections every day. Along with all the equipment that came with it.

"From talking to diabetics around the world, I got universal insights into the daily diabetes struggle," Scanlan says. "It sparked a thought: could smarter design empower people to feel better about dealing with daily treatment? I wanted to redesign diabetes so we could all redefine it."

Combining her background in fashion design and entrepreneurship, Scanlan was inspired to channel her chronic condition to help empower other diabetics by creating designer bags specifically for diabetics.

"Every zip, every angle, every equipment detail has been influenced by the insights gathered from the hundreds of incredible diabetics who have opened up and shared their diabetes stories (and gripes) with me," Scanlan says.

According to WHO, globally 8.5% of adults aged 18 and older have diabetes, making it one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide.

Stanford University research estimates that people managing diabetes make around 180 extra health-related decisions every day to keep themselves safe.

Here is some of the feedback from diabetics using KYT's original Crossbody bag:

"I've been waiting 50 years for a bag like this....it is so easy to 'keep me together.' Pick it up and off I go, and no one knows what I am having to carry around." - Joy, New Zealand Diabetic

"I am loving my KYT for travel! It's such a great bag, I now take it with me whenever I go away." - Megan, London Diabetic

"Cannot be more excited for this amazing bag designed for diabetics. Fully functional & more importantly so stylish!" - Kyoko, Tokyo Diabetic

For more information, please visit https://kytbags.com/. Photos can be downloaded from KYT's media kit.

About KYT Diabetes Bags

KYT stands for KEEPING YOU TOGETHER. We're redefining diabetes by redesigning it. With look-good, feel-good, do-good bags designed to help you feel great about doing diabetes on the daily.

Contact Information:

Bridget Scanlan

Designer & KYT Founder

bridget@kytbags.com



JP Twaalfhoven

Creative Director

jp@kytbags.com

Related Images

SOURCE: KYT Bags

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752126/KYT-Launches-Designer-Bags-for-Diabetics
In the HowIGotHere series, you'll read about the career paths of some of the world-renowned leaders at Yum! Brands. Learn more about Russ Bendel, Outgoing Chief Executive Officer of The Habit Burger Grill in this installment.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / After more than five decades of service in the restaurant industry, Russ Bendel has announced his retirement as chief executive officer from The Habit Burger Grill.

Russ joined The Habit when the brand had just 16 restaurants. Today, with approximately 350 restaurants (and growing), Russ is passing the baton into the capable hands of his successor, Shannon Hennessy.

Bendel is a restaurant industry veteran, and his leadership has made a profound impact on The Habit, Yum! Brands and all who have worked with him.

Keep reading to learn more about his storied career journey.

EDUCATION

William Tennent High School , Warminster, Pennsylvania, United States (1968 -1972)

, Warminster, Pennsylvania, United States (1968 -1972) Florida International University BA, Hospitality Management Miami, Florida, United States (1972 - 1976)

If we were to interview your teachers, what would they say about you?

As a student, Russ had a bright imagination, and his mind frequently hopped from one idea to the next.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

In college, I first thought of majoring in accounting, but after one semester, I learned that finance was not for me. That's when I leaned on my experience working in restaurants as a teen and young adult and pivoted to a degree in hospitality management, which was not that mainstream at the time. This "road less traveled" was integral in launching my career.

WORK

First Job: In high school, I worked at McDonald's, where I learned workplace responsibility and commitment to QSC: quality, service and cleanliness. Back then, burgers and cheeseburgers cost less than a dollar! Our industry has evolved since 1969, and I've been moving, changing and growing with it every step of the way.

Food Concepts, The Copper Door | 1978 - 1982: Restaurant General Manager, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

| 1978 - 1982: Restaurant General Manager, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Marriott International | 1982: Restaurant General Manager, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

| 1982: Restaurant General Manager, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Host International | 1982 - 1985: District Manager/Director of Operations, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

| 1982 - 1985: District Manager/Director of Operations, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania El Torito | 1985 - 1992: President/Chief Operating Officer, Long Beach, California

| 1985 - 1992: President/Chief Operating Officer, Long Beach, California Panda Express | 1993 - 1994: President/Chief Operating Officer, Rosemead, California

| 1993 - 1994: President/Chief Operating Officer, Rosemead, California Outback Steakhouse | 1994 - 1997: Franchisee, San Diego, California

| 1994 - 1997: Franchisee, San Diego, California Roy's Restaurants | 1997 - 1999: President/Chief Executive Officer, Dallas, Texas

| 1997 - 1999: President/Chief Executive Officer, Dallas, Texas Mimi's Cafe | 1999 - 2007: Chief Executive Officer, Dallas, Texas

| 1999 - 2007: Chief Executive Officer, Dallas, Texas The Cheesecake Factory | 2007 - 2008: President/Chief Executive Officer, Calabasas, California

| 2007 - 2008: President/Chief Executive Officer, Calabasas, California The Habit Burger Grill | 2008 - 2023: Chief Executive Officer, Irvine, California

What moments, or who, in your life influenced the way you work?

Restaurant founders: Throughout my career, I've had the good fortune of being able to work with founders at El Torito, Panda Express, Outback Steakhouse and Cheesecake Factory. I took away so many learnings from them, most notably, how change is inevitable in this industry and that if you are afraid of it, success will be an uphill battle.

COVID-19 pandemic: The "embracing change" mindset serviced me most during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, in my opinion, has been the most volatile and challenging time the restaurant industry has faced to date. As a brand, The Habit Burger Grill had to pivot and do it immediately. We were lucky enough to have almost completed work on our mobile app when COVID hit, which we were able to push forward and launch at a very critical time. Plus, we introduced a curbside pick-up model, which drastically affected our business in a positive way.

Do you believe in work/life balance?

I wholeheartedly support a schedule that works best for our team members and their families. Within the boundaries of this flexible schedule, it is important to me that we see a team-focused structure, so that in-person collaboration continues to serve the 3Cs that I, and the brand, value so highly: celebration, collaboration and connection.

I adopt this philosophy to my own life, dedicated equally to my work family, my spouse and our kids. Of course, there have been times when I've leaned on my family to keep our wheels turning, and I'm so lucky to have the support system I do. But I truly believe in work/life balance and giving myself and others grace as we figure out what that means for each member of our Habit team.

What is the best piece of advice that you've been given?

Listen more. In meetings and conversations, many people are waiting for a pause so they can interject. If we're all doing that, nothing moves forward, nothing gets done and great ideas go unheard.

What makes you happy?

I love to see the growth of others both personally and professionally. You'll often see me on LinkedIn celebrating and congratulating the success of others. If we don't cheer each other on and lift each other up, then why are we here? Rooting for everyone around me brings me joy, energy and a sense of connection.

How did you successfully lead The Habit Burger Grill?

I surrounded myself with great people - people who are smart, positive and challenge me to be better.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Yum! Brands

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Yum! Brands

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752472/How-I-Got-Here-Russ-Bendel
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Leading apparel manufacturing company, Gildan, understands the responsibility that comes with taking care of its global workforce with over 50,000 employees. Ensuring safe working conditions for factory employees has been a longstanding priority at the Company, and a cornerstone of Gildan's culture. In the garment industry, physical and workplace safety of employees often takes centre stage, and Gildan goes one step further by promoting the holistic well-being of employees, through primary care, and mental health and wellness services. This Mental Health Week, Gildan highlights some of its wellness efforts available to its factory employees.

"On our factory floors, we make it a point that mental health services are made as accessible as physical health services," says Mike Albright, Vice-President of Human Resources - Manufacturing at Gildan. "We want to provide our employees with the resources they may need to take control of their well-being and lead healthy lives."

In its North American, Central American, and Caribbean facilities, Gildan runs its Employee Assistance program, offering employees with free, confidential mental health services, and stress management support. Employees in Honduras also have access to personalized counselling. Those in need of the service can directly contact a counsellor through a hotline, paid for and managed by Gildan, and chat, schedule an online appointment, or meet with the counsellor in-person. The hotline is a great success, attracting large numbers of employees and providing them with the support they need during times of difficulty. In addition, some of Gildan's facilities are also equipped with wellness rooms where workers can take time off to relax and de-stress.

As part of its Rescue the Family program, Gildan organizes need-based virtual discussions, talks, and consultations on topics like stress control, psychological management, work-life balance, mindfulness, and finance and family budgeting. In 2022, over 2,100 consultations were provided to Gildan employees. This program has been very successful in Honduras, and the Company is currently looking at options to roll it out in its Nicaragua facilities as well.

Naturally, Gildan also works to make sure that its factory employees have the resources they need to feel physically healthy. The Company runs on-site medical clinics at its facilities in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Bangladesh, offering free healthcare services, including check-ups, medication, and basic treatments. These services reduce the additional costs associated with accessing healthcare in these regions, while allowing workers to overcome hurdles such as high transportation times and time off work.

"As we continue our vision of Making Apparel Better, we are committed to respecting our people and providing them with a space where they feel safe coming to work, both physically and mentally," continues Mike. "As a manufacturer, health and safety is a priority for us, and we will continue to push onwards to enhance our programs for our people around the world."

Find out more about Gildan's Respect for People here.

Gildan's Approach to Worker Well-being Beyond Occupational Health & Safety

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Gildan Activewear on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Gildan Activewear

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gildan-activewear

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Gildan Activewear

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752473/Gildans-Approach-to-Worker-Well-Being-Beyond-Occupational-Health-Safety
The obstructive sleep apnea market dynamics are anticipated to change in the coming years owing to the expected approval of emerging therapies focused on treating obstructive sleep apnea during the forecast period of 2023?2032. There are presently a few key players in the obstructive sleep apnea market, including Apnimed, Eli Lilly and Company, and others.

LAS VEGAS, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, obstructive sleep apnea emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan].





Key Takeaways from the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Report

As per DelveInsight analysis, the obstructive sleep apnea market size in the 7MM was approximately USD 408 million in 2022.

in 2022. According to the assessment done by DelveInsight, the estimated total prevalent obstructive sleep apnea cases in the 7MM were approximately 24 million in 2022.

in 2022. Globally, leading obstructive sleep apnea companies such as Apnimed, Eli Lilly and Company, Therapix Biosciences, Bioprojet Pharma, Axsome Therapeutics/ Jazz Pharmaceuticals and others are developing novel obstructive sleep apnea drugs that can be available in the obstructive sleep apnea market in the coming years.

and others are developing novel obstructive sleep apnea drugs that can be available in the obstructive sleep apnea market in the coming years. The promising obstructive sleep apnea therapies in the pipeline include AD109, Tirzepatide , and others.

and others. In January 2023 , Aculys Pharma initiated a Phase III trial of Pitolisant treating patients with EDS associated with OSA in Japan .

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major obstructive sleep apnea market share @ Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Report

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Overview

Obstructive sleep apnea, also known as obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea, is a sleeping disorder that causes the airflow to stop or drastically decrease while breathing is attempted. It is the most common type of sleep-disordered breathing and is characterized by recurring bouts of upper airway collapse as a person sleeps. Common obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include inexplicable daytime tiredness, restless sleep, and loud snoring. Morning headaches; sleeplessness; difficulty concentrating; and mood changes such as impatience, anxiety, melancholy, and others are less prevalent obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep-related reduced ventilatory drive and neuromuscular risk factors, in combination with anatomic risk factors, are expected to play a substantial role in upper airway blockage during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed when a patient has recurring episodes of partial or entire collapse of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in apneas or hypopneas respectively. The criteria for defining an apnea or a hypopnea differ.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Epidemiology Segmentation

DelveInsight estimates that there were approximately 24 millionprevalent cases of obstructive sleep apnea in the 7MM in 2022.

According to DelveInsight estimates, the United States contributed to the largest diagnosed prevalent population of obstructive sleep apnea, acquiring ~53% of the 7MM in 2022. Whereas EU4 and the UK, and Japan accounted for around 27% and 20% of the total population share, respectively, in 2022.

The obstructive sleep apnea market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2019-2032 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity-specific Diagnosed Cases

Download the report to understand which factors are driving obstructive sleep apnea epidemiology trends @ Obstructive Sleep Apnea Epidemiological Insights

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Market

Obstructive sleep apnea is often treated with weight loss and exercise, CPAP therapy (the first line of obstructive sleep apnea treatment), bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) equipment (if CPAP therapy is ineffective), and surgery. EDS, the most usually related indication, can be treated with PROVIGIL/MODIODAL (modafinil), NUVIGIL (armodafinil), SUNOSI (solriamfetol), Pitolisant, and certain other off-label medications. PROVIGIL (modafinil), which Cephalon introduced in 1999, is used to treat excessive drowsiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. Provigil is approved for the treatment of EDS associated with narcolepsy in over 30 countries outside the United States, including France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and Germany, under several trade names.

NUVIGIL (armodafinil), the R-isomer of modafinil, was introduced by Cephalon in June 2009 to treat excessive drowsiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. The US FDA authorized SUNOSI (solriamfetol) in March 2019 for EDS associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. Sunosi is the first and only FDA-approved dual-acting dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor to improve wakefulness in individuals with EDS and narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved OZAWADE (pitolisant) for the treatment of EDS in adult OSA patients in 2021. In 2016, the European Commission authorized it as a treatment for narcolepsy with or without cataplexy. In January 2023, Aculys Pharma began a Phase III trial of Pitolisant in Japan, treating patients with EDS accompanied by obstructive sleep apnea.

To know more about obstructive sleep apnea treatment guidelines, visit @ Obstructive Sleep Apnea Management

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Therapies and Key Companies

AD109: Apnimed

Tirzepatide: Eli Lilly and Company

AD113: Apnimed

SUNOSI (Solriamfetol): Axsome Therapeutics/Jazz Pharmaceuticals

OZAWADE (Pitolisant): Bioprojet Pharma

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for obstructive sleep apnea @ Drugs for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Dynamics

The dynamics of the obstructive sleep apnea market are expected to change in the coming years. The tremendous growth of the sleep apnea diagnosis market over the last decade can be linked to the constant advancement of sleep apnea therapy utilization. Moreover, obstructive sleep apnea is poorly understood; implementing programs such as "sleep awareness week" by various organizations and government agencies might boost the diagnosis rate and obstructive sleep apnea treatment.

Furthermore, the biggest issue and unmet need in obstructive sleep apnea treatment are that no drug is approved for direct obstructive sleep apnea treatment. If approved, the key competitive factors that may affect the success of these products and any other product candidates that have yet to reach the obstructive sleep apnea market are likely to be efficacy, safety, convenience, cost, the availability of generic competition, and reimbursement from government and other third-party payers.

However, several factors are impeding the growth of the obstructive sleep apnea market. Patients lose interest in therapy due to the high expense and concern associated with it, which is expected to stifle therapeutic obstructive sleep apnea growth. Some medications in their later stages have failed, indicating the possibility of current new drugs failing. In addition, the undiagnosed, unreported cases and the unawareness about the disease may also impact the obstructive sleep apnea market growth.

Report Metrics Details Study Period 2019-2032 Coverage 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Base Year 2019 Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market CAGR 14.7 % Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Size in 2022 USD 408 Million Key Obstructive Sleep Apnea Companies Apnimed, Eli Lilly and Company, Bioprojet Pharma, Axsome Therapeutics/ Jazz Pharmaceuticals and others Key Pipeline Obstructive Sleep ApneaTherapies AD109, Tirzepatide, and others

Scope of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Obstructive Sleep Apnea current marketed and emerging therapies

Obstructive Sleep Apnea current marketed and emerging therapies Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Dynamics: Attribute Analysis of Emerging Obstructive Sleep Apnea Drugs

Attribute Analysis of Emerging Obstructive Sleep Apnea Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's Views, Analyst's Views, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about obstructive sleep apnea drugs in development @ Obstructive Sleep Apnea Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Key Insights 2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Report Introduction 3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Overview at a Glance 4. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Executive Summary 5. Disease Background and Overview 6. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment and Management 7. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Patient Journey 9. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Marketed Drugs 10. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Emerging Drugs 11. 7MM Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Analysis 12. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Outlook 13. Potential of Current and Emerging Therapies 14. KOL Views 15. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Drivers 16. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Market Barriers 17. Unmet Needs 18. SWOT Analysis 19. Appendix 20. DelveInsight Capabilities 21. Disclaimer 22. About DelveInsight

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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / The role of a nonprofit board member is one that comes with great responsibility. Serving on a nonprofit board is not just an opportunity, but a duty to help drive change both within and outside the organization. Raj Kalyandurg , a Dallas-based private wealth advisor who has worked with several nonprofits, including The Salvation Army, outlines three key points on how to create value and impact as a nonprofit board member.

Understanding and Upholding the Mission

Board members must wholeheartedly embrace and support the mission of the nonprofit organization they serve. Raj Kalyandurg has worked extensively with The Salvation Army and Pratham, a nonprofit that strives to enhance education for underprivileged children in India. Both organizations exemplify his dedication. Pratham's education work in India is especially important to Raj as only 24% of adults are financially literate. He has consistently shown a strong commitment to these organizations' specific missions, ensuring their focus on effecting meaningful change. Pratham's mission is - "every child in school and learning well," and The Salvation Army is committed to meet human need wherever, whenever, and however, they can.

"Grasping the nonprofit's mission is vital. As board members, it's our duty to make sure the organization stays true to its core values and objectives," Raj Kalyandurg explains. By adhering to the mission, board members like Raj Kalyandurg can help nonprofits create a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Transparency and Communication

Openness and collaboration are crucial aspects of serving on a nonprofit board. Board members must work closely with stakeholders, including financial donors and staff, and volunteers, to ensure the organization's activities are transparent and well-executed. Effective boards are resources that support the nonprofit's leadership team, not a replacement for them, further underscoring the importance of collaborative communication.

Raj Kalyandurg stresses the significance of open communication, saying, "As a board member, it's essential to foster a culture of trust and transparency. We need to keep everyone informed of our progress, challenges, and successes so that all stakeholders feel engaged and devoted to the cause." By nurturing an atmosphere of openness and accountability, nonprofit boards can forge strong connections with their supporters and create lasting change.

Strategic Planning

Active participation in strategic planning is a crucial requirement for serving on a nonprofit board. To ensure the organization's long-term sustainability, board members must collaborate to establish clear goals and objectives, develop a coherent vision, and create a roadmap to achieve the nonprofit's mission, including its financial vitality and viability to serve its mission.

According to Raj Kalyandurg , every board member must have a clear vision of the future and plan accordingly. Setting goals and objectives enables nonprofits to remain focused, efficient, and effective in carrying out their mandate. A well-defined strategy also helps nonprofit boards navigate challenges and continue making a positive impact on society.

Serving on a nonprofit board is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Upholding the mission, promoting transparency and communication, and engaging in strategic planning are essential to driving change and making a lasting difference.

Contact:

Andrew Mitchell, media@cambridgeglobal.com

SOURCE: Cambridge Global

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752436/The-Responsibility-of-Serving-on-a-Nonprofit-Board-A-Philanthropic-Journey-with-Raj-Kalyandurg
Aelis Farma (ISIN: FR0014007ZB4 Ticker: AELIS, PEA-PME eligible) (Paris: AELIS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of treatments for brain diseases, informs its shareholders and the financial community that the Company's Combined General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 2 p.m., at 1 rue Lafaurie de Mondabon, 33000 Bordeaux

The notice of the meeting, including the agenda and draft resolutions as well as the terms and conditions of participation and voting at the meeting, was posted on the website of the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires "BALO" on April 17, 2023 (bulletin number 46).

Shareholders who are unable to attend the meeting in person, may exercise their voting rights remotely, before the general meeting:

either by sending a proxy to the Company,

or by voting by mail,

At this purpose, shareholders shall use the form available on www.aelisfarma.com in accordance with the procedures indicated in the notice of meeting published on April 17, 2023, in the BALO.

All documents relating to this General Meeting are available on request from the Company or can be consulted on the Company's website under the heading Investors General Meetings.

In accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions:

any registered shareholder may, up to and including the fifth day before the general meeting, request that the Company send him the documents provided for in Articles L. 225-115 and R. 225-83 of the Commercial Code. In the event of an express request, such documents may be sent by electronic means. For holders of bearer shares, the exercise of this right is subject to the provision by their authorized intermediary of a certificate of account registration;

any shareholder may consult the documents referred to in Articles L. 225-115 and R. 225-83 of the Commercial Code at the company's registered office.

About AELIS FARMA

Founded in Bordeaux in 2013, Aelis Farma is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing a new class of drugs, the Signaling Specific inhibitors of the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system (CB1-SSi). CB1-SSi have been developed by Aelis Farma based on the discovery of a new natural brain defense mechanism by the team led by Dr. Pier Vincenzo Piazza, the Company's CEO, when he was Director of the INSERM Magendie Neurocenter in Bordeaux. By reproducing this natural mechanism, CB1-SSi appear to be capable of selectively inhibiting the disease-related activity of the CB1 receptor without disrupting its normal physiological activity. They thus have significant potential for the treatment of numerous brain diseases.

Aelis Farma is developing two first-in-class clinical-stage drug candidates: AEF0117 for the treatment of disorders due to excessive cannabis use, currently in a phase 2b study in the United States; and AEF0217 for cognitive disorders, including those of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), currently in a phase 1/2 study in Spain. The Company also has a portfolio of innovative CB1-SSi for the treatment of other disorders associated with a dysregulation of the activity of the CB1 receptor.

Aelis Farma draws on the talents of more than 20 highly qualified employees.

For more information, visit www.aelisfarma.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter

ISIN: FR0014007ZB4

Ticker: AELIS

B Compartment of Euronext Paris

Disclaimer

Forward-looking statements

Some information contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, not historical data. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions about Aelis Farma's current and future strategy and the environment in which Aelis Farma operates. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements, or industry results or other events, to differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those set out and described in detail in Chapter 3 "Risk Factors" of Aelis Farma's Universal Registration Document approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers on April 26, 2023, under number R.23-018.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and Aelis Farma expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or corrections to the forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such forward-looking statement is based. Forward-looking information and statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond Aelis Farma's control. Actual results could differ materially from those described in, or implied or projected by, forward-looking information and statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005855/en/

Contacts:

AELIS FARMA

Pier Vincenzo Piazza

CEO

contact@aelisfarma.com

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky/Aurelie Manavarere

Investor Relations

aelis@newcap.eu

+33 1 44 71 94 92

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Media Relations

aelis@newcap.fr

+33 1 44 71 00 15
Nantes (France) - 2 May 2023 - 06.00 pm. - Lhyfe shareholders (Euronext Paris - FR0014009YQ1 - LHYFE), one of the world's pioneers in the production of green and renewable hydrogen to decarbonize industry and mobility, are informed that the Annual General Meeting to take place, on first notice:

Tuesday 23 May 2023 at 9.00 pm.

At la Cite des Congres de Nantes,

5 rue de Valmy, 44000 Nantes.

The meeting notice of the General Meeting, containing the agenda and draft resolutions, was published on 17 April 2023 in the "BALO" (number 46). This notice is available under the Investors, Annual general meetings section , of Lhyfe's website.

The convening notice of the General Meeting will be published in the BALO bulletin to be issued on 5 May 2023. This notice will also be available under the Investors, Annual general meetings section , of Lhyfe's website.

The documents (in French) required by the law Code are available to shareholders at the company's headquarters (1 ter mail Pablo Picasso, 44000 Nantes, France) and under the Investors, Annual general meetings section , of Lhyfe's website.

From the date of the convening notice of the General Meeting and up to and including the fifth day before the General Meeting, any shareholder may ask the Company to send him/her the documents and information mentioned in Articles R. 225-81 and R. 225-83 of the French Code de commerce, by simple request addressed to Uptevia - Service Assemblees Generales - Immeuble FLORES - 12 place des Etats-Unis CS 40083 - 92549 Montrouge Cedex. Shareholders must provide proof of their status as such by sending a certificate of account registration.

About Lhyfe

Lhyfe is a European group dedicated to the energy transition, and a producer and supplier of green and renewable hydrogen. Its production sites and portfolio of projects aim to provide access to green and renewable hydrogen in industrial quantities, and to enter into a virtuous energy model allowing the decarbonization of entire sectors of industry and mobility.

In 2021, Lhyfe inaugurated the world's first industrial green hydrogen production site in direct connection with a wind farm. In 2022, Lhyfe inaugurated the world's first pilot platform for green hydrogen production at sea.

Lhyfe is present in 11 European countries and has 149 employees at the end of 2022. The company is listed on the Euronext market in Paris (ISIN: FR0014009YQ1 - mnemonic: LHYFE).

For more information go to Lhyfe.com

Contacts

Investor relations

LHYFE

Yoann Nguyen

investors@lhyfe.com Financial press relations

ACTUS

Manon Clairet

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 73

mclairet@actus.fr Business press relations

Nouvelles Graines

Clemence Rebours

+33 (0)6 60 57 76 43

c.rebours@nouvelles-graines.com

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PLEASANTON, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Sensiba San Filippo LLP (SSF), a Top 100 U.S.-based accounting and business consulting firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of five new partners effective May 1, 2023.

The largest group of partner promotions in the firm's 45-year history reflects SSF's ongoing commitment to expanding its offerings to serve clients more effectively. These promotions grow the firm's partners to 24, nearly half of which are women-well above the accounting industry average.

"We are proud and pleased to welcome these distinguished professionals to our partnership," says John Sensiba, Managing Partner of Sensiba San Filippo. "This is our largest class of new partners, reflecting our growth in recent years. All five have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to not only to serving clients but also to our firm's people-first focus of serving fellow team members and our communities."

Brian Beal, CISSP, CISA

Partner, Risk Assurance Services

Brian Beal leads SSF's Risk Assurance Services. As a former web developer and information security officer, Beal assists clients in managing security, privacy, and confidentiality risk. Beal is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information System Auditor (CISA).

Misha Kelly

Audit Partner

Misha Kelly specializes in financial statement audit engagements of venture capital funds ranging from emerging manager funds through large institutional multi-fund entities investing in technology, life sciences, real estate, and other high-growth sectors.

Yuri Li

Tax Partner

Yuri Li works extensively with technology clients, including software, hardware, SaaS, and life science companies. She assists with tax planning, consulting, compliance, and accounting for income taxes under ASC 740. She is a licensed CPA in the states of Massachusetts and California and is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Jodie Rolih

Tax Partner

Jodie Rolih joined SSF in 2018 after serving as a principal at the forensic and financial accounting firm Hemming Morse, LLP. Rolih is based in our Fresno office and specializes in tax planning, compliance, and consulting for high-net-worth individuals, multi-generational family groups, and privately held small and medium size businesses in various industries. She is also a Certified Public Accountant and holds the Certified in Financial Forensics designation.

Fiona Wu

Tax Partner

Fiona Wu is dedicated to serving venture capital clients. Wu provides tax compliance and consulting services to her venture capital fund clients across the U.S. Wu, a licensed CPA in California, is fluent in English and Mandarin.

About Sensiba San Filippo

Sensiba San Filippo's comprehensive accounting, tax, and consulting services help businesses and people solve problems, navigate complexity, and build a foundation for sustainable growth. We're passionate about collaborating with clients to increase efficiency, mitigate risk, and prepare to embrace emerging opportunities. As a certified B Corp, we foster a culture where people, families, and communities thrive. We support our clients' international accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting needs as an independent member of Morison Global. For more information, visit ssfllp.com .

###

Contact:

Marc Stevens

Brand and Communications Manager

marketing@ssfllp.com

(925) 271-8700

SOURCE: Sensiba San Filippo LLP

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752306/Sensiba-San-Filippo-Welcomes-Five-New-Partners
In as little as two weeks, those looking for flexibility in their work schedule and a reliable source of income can get started for under $300 with early promotions

DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / With packages ranging from pre-licensing courses only to building business courses, to continuing education and a lot more, The CE Shop has all the education for a successful career jumpstart or to amplify success for seasoned agents.

Indeed.com states that real estate agents in Montana make an average of $75,339 annually, so entering the market now, while housing costs are dropping, means that more people will be buying and needing a well-educated real estate agent.

Streamlined and flexible learning with features that include mobile-friendly access, clear course progress, with options for live online, instructor-led courses - or a combination of online and life, as well as customer support seven days/week, students can feel confident that the The CE Shop is offering the easiest path to career growth and state-approved coursework.

Use the Montana Candidate Handbook as a guide, where we cover everything needed to successfully test and pass the national portion of the licensing exam. For those looking to fulfill continuing education, they can find a diverse set of courses highlighting current topics affecting the real estate industry to not just maintain their license but to feel empowered and ahead of their competition.

Learn more about The CE Shop and their Montana real estate offerings, see a demo, and get career resources here.

About The CE Shop

The CE Shop is the leading provider of professional real estate education with online mortgage, real estate, home inspection, and now appraisal courses available throughout the United States. The CE Shop produces quality education for professionals across the nation, whether they're veterans in their industry or are looking to launch a new career. We believe that the right education can truly make a difference. Visit TheCEShop.com to learn more.

Contact Information:

Liz Meitus

SVP of Corporate Marketing

liz.meitus@careercertified.com

720-822-5314

SOURCE: The CE Shop

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752265/Launch-a-Better-Career-With-the-New-70-Hour-Montana-Sales-Real-Estate-License-From-the-CE-Shop-With-Self-Paced-Learning
TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Full Alliance Group, Inc. (OTC:FAGI) operating in the health and nutraceutical space, as part of its plan to build organically and buy strategically, announces it has completed its acquisition of DYNAMAXX International LTD ("DYNAMAXX") effective April 24, 2023.

DYNAMAXX is in the health and supplement space using the direct selling channel as its sales force with its main operations in the United States and Canada. DYNAMAXX was founded in 2009 by Jay Archer and has expanded globally since that time with two leading products LIGHTS ON and LIGHTS OFF. DYNAMAXX will survive as a wholly owned subsidiary of Full Alliance Group, Inc. As part of the acquisition, Jay will be appointed to serve as FAGI's Chief Revenue Officer and will be elected to FAGI's Board of Directors.

In addition to having a world class supplement product line, DYNAMAXX has a cost-effective way for individuals to participate in the ever-growing GIG economy by offering an aggressive compensation program to those that refer customers who purchase products or customers who want to start their own business. The company offers training and support to their distributors and has a strong focus on helping people achieve financial freedom through their business opportunities.

The company has immediately begun streamlining operations and will provide an opportunity to support the future growth of DYNAMAXX, allow for cost savings through vertical integration, and will continually improve old and introduce new product formulas using good manufacturing practices and the highest quality ingredients. DYNAMAXX will move its corporate operations into FAGI's headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

"The additional resources that FAGI provides through customer service, business development, support, and integrated manufacturing will allow for immediate growth," said Jay Archer. "DYNAMAXX has always had the mission to change people's lives with quality healthcare supplements. I am excited to be part of FAGI's amazing team as the Chief Revenue Officer and board member. Full Alliance is laser focused on rolling the EBO2 protocol and rolling up strategic companies, the timing is perfect."

Bill Heneghan, COO of Full Alliance Group, Inc., stated "The company has already begun the rollout of new products for DYNAMAXX, and our growth through acquisition strategy is rapidly taking shape, affirming our method of strategic acquisitions, we are thrilled to welcome Jay to our executive team, whose expertise will undoubtedly prove invaluable to our board."

FAGI's wholly owned subsidiary, Bio Lab Naturals, Inc., founded in 2000, through its FDA-registered wholly owned subsidiary Pure Solutions, Inc., was built on the simple principles of using the highest quality ingredients, producing products with the greatest possible efficacy, and providing its partners with unsurpassed customer service all at a fair price. From day one, the Company has specialized in custom product development and FDA-compliant contract manufacturing, with a passion for cutting-edge formulations and innovative product selection. Now housed in a state-of-the-art 25,000 square foot facility in Tampa, Pure Solutions remains committed to its founding principles and is ready to expand its operations through joint ventures, partnerships, exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreements and by adding diversity to its in-house product line.

Full Alliance Group Inc. Investor Relations

Contact: Ryan Gresham CEO or Bill Heneghan COO, Full Alliance Group, Inc.

Email: ir@fullalliance-group.com

Phone: (800) 895-4415

Forward-Looking Statements

This shareholder update may contain forward-looking statements. Words and variations of words such as: "expect," "goals," "could," "plans," "believe," "continue," "may," "will," and similar expressions are intended to identify our forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: our expectation for growth, benefits from brand-building, cost savings and margins. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: continued volatility of, and sharp increase in: costs/pricing actions, increased competition, ability to raise sufficient operating capital, risks from operating internationally, consumer weakness, weakness in economic conditions and tax law changes.

SOURCE: Full Alliance Group, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/752504/Full-Alliance-Group-Inc-OTCFAGI-Completes-Acquisition-of-DYNAMAXX-International-LTD
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Ericsson



Image source: Unsplash

Originally published by Ericsson

Can technology improve access to quality education for children and youth around the world? Below, we explore the impact of Ericsson's Connect To Learn project in the Philippines, where virtual reality training will empower teachers with new digital skills.

As someone who was born and raised in Manila, I still sometimes get surprised that it's a place of striking contrasts: high-rise, high-tech skyscrapers built right next to lower-income communities; the sprawling campuses of international schools that sit within a stone's throw of more humble public schools.

At Ericsson, we see the same contrast when it comes to access to digital connectivity, tools, and skills. It is easy to assume that most people have internet access. But the reality is that, according to the ITU's latest State of Broadband report, an estimated 2.7 billion of us do not have access to that connectivity.

We kept this in mind when we were thinking about creating a virtual reality-based teacher training project for selected public-school teachers in Manila, as well as for teachers-in-training who are studying at the Philippine Normal University.

A part of Ericsson's Connect To Learn initiative, the upskilling of teachers using VR is carried out alongside collaborators Qualcomm Wireless Reach and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), as well as the Philippine Normal University and Muntinlupa Department of Education.

Though it is a priority in government education policy, training and upskilling opportunities for teachers became limited during the pandemic, when schools were closed, and the school system had to refocus on how to reach students at home so they could continue learning. Much of the training for teachers is normally done as face-to-face sessions, sometimes in a centralized location. For teachers-in-training, the school closures left them with no chance to practice their teaching skills in real-life classrooms, which they would normally undertake in the last two years of their studies.

We are working to help overcome this by instead providing them with a virtual world where they can practice their teaching skills, wherever they might be, and whenever it would be convenient. By putting on a VR headset, the teachers will be transported to a virtual classroom with virtual students. They can then practice their classroom management skills, as well as how to integrate ICT into the lessons in order to make them more student-focused.

For example, they will be asked within the training module to physically arrange the classroom to create what they think will be a more conducive learning space, and to select ICT-based tools such as online videos, quizzes, or games to help illustrate the key concepts of the lessons that they will practice delivering. The training modules are designed to give the teachers feedback on how effective their choices were. VR for teacher training has been used in a Connect To Learn initiative previously, but this is the first time it will be deployed in the Philippines.

"No education system could exceed the quality of its teachers," Dr. Bert Tuga, the President of the Philippine Normal University shared when we met him and the other project partners in September. "There's a huge need to integrate ICT in teaching, and we see great potential to use VR as a tool for developing competencies that teachers might not otherwise be able to develop in a traditional classroom."

We are hopeful that VR will readily be embraced by the teachers as a training tool: when we showed a demo unit to one of the professors at the Philippine Normal University, she breezed through it and used the headset and controllers with ease. She thought it was quite interesting and easy to master. But we knew this question wouldn't be far behind: "How can the students use it too, in the public schools? They're going to be so thrilled to use something like this."

This deep care for students was evident as we made our way to the two public high schools for a quick visit the day after our meeting with the project collaborators. It was a big school, with modern outdoor facilities and a good number of classrooms. The principal explained that they saw a surge in enrolment during the pandemic, as smaller private schools closed, and parents' livelihoods were impacted.

"From initially having 4,500 students for our four senior high school levels, now we have 9,000," he shared. "We don't have enough teachers, although hiring is ongoing. We have enough classrooms, but we want to make sure our students are comfortable, so we're trying to get some more furniture as well."

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 69 million teachers need to be recruited worldwide in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, 'Quality education', which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Connect To Learn supports this ambition by using technology to accelerate access to quality education. As a cross-discipline public and private sector collaboration, it also reflects the importance of partnerships for making progress towards the SDGs, as outlined by SDG 17.

While recruiting enough teachers to manage the expanding number of students remains a challenge, the school we visited has managed to improve the tools at their disposal. The principal was happy with improvements they have made to their computer laboratory that was recently furnished with laptops. "We teach students basic computer skills - they're working on building sample webpages at the moment." He motioned to the old, tower-type desktops that they had recently replaced. "Can you imagine that we were still using those until recently? They were still working, but were so slow - these days, students need to learn on more modern devices. Having ICT skills is almost considered to be a basic life skill, and we want to make sure our students have these skills."

In the next school we visited, it was another story of contrasts: While they were smaller than the first school, had fewer students and not as many facilities, they did boast a modern robotics lab, and a student team that had recently won local robotics competitions. "We're a science high school, so we select students based on merit," the principal explained. "We're fortunate to have had the support from the government to build a robotics lab, which is open to students who have the interest and the aptitude for robotics." He said that their students mastered robotics quite quickly. "They were already invited to other countries to compete - it's an experience that they will likely remember forever." Before we left, two teachers had already volunteered to help design and test the VR teacher training modules, as they were keen to see how it would work.

We stopped to briefly observe some students enjoying dance practice at their school gym, and our customer partner for the project, Smart, commented on how it was so good to see the students back on campus. "We have been helping schools to adapt to the pandemic through our crisis resilient education programs that support distance learning, and it was so sad to see the schools deserted," Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management, shared. "Now that they're back, we hope that our joint project will inspire the teachers to use more ICT tools to engage their students and ensure that no learner is left behind."

We know we'll be back in the next few months with the VR units to start training the teachers, and we're very interested to see how this could make a difference for both the teachers and the students.

However different these two schools might be in terms of facilities and size, their principals were aligned on one thing: ICT has great potential to improve the students' learning experiences, and ultimately, change their lives for the better.

Read more

Ericsson, Qualcomm, Dept of Education Muntinlupa and the Philippine Normal University partner to train teachers to use technology in classrooms

Learn more about VR and immersive technology

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/752514/How-VR-for-Teachers-Can-Improve-Quality-of-Education
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Alkermes Athlone site recently received a 2023 award in the Life Sciences category at Ireland's 2023 Health & Safety Excellence Awards. This recognition is a testament to our employees' focus on building a culture of safety and risk management in Athlone. Learn more about this honor: https://lnkd.in/eHzGMjC

About Alkermes

Alkermes plc is a fully-integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines in the fields of neuroscience and oncology. The company has a portfolio of proprietary commercial products focused on alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and a pipeline of product candidates in development for neurological disorders and cancer. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes' website at www.alkermes.com.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / CNH Industrial

New Holland Agriculture, a brand of CNH Industrial, has launched a mobile medical dispensary (MMD) in Pune, India. As part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, the dispensary will provide basic healthcare services to people in need within a 35-40 km radius of the city. New Holland aims to reach over 15,000 individuals each year.

Operated by Medihelp Foundation, the MMD will offer point-of-care diagnostics, including blood glucose testing and screening for hypertension and diabetes. It will continue to support through regular follow-up checks and provide patient referrals as needed.

Kavita Sah, New Holland India CSR Lead, said, "New Holland Agriculture is committed to giving back to the communities surrounding our facilities, and our mobile medical dispensary is a step towards caring for the people that live there. Through this initiative, we are dedicated to providing basic healthcare services to people in need. We hope to make a positive impact on their lives and contribute to the overall wellbeing of their communities."

Staffed by a doctor and a paramedic, the MMD is expected to visit over 20 villages in the region. The initiative is an extension of New Holland Agriculture's mobile ambulance project, which has been operational in 15 villages around Greater Noida since 2016, treating over 16,000 people every year.

New Holland Agriculture launches mobile medical dispensary in India

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Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Inc., is happy to announce that results of the initial CE Mark-enabling study using the Optimum Transcatheter Aortic Valve (Optimum TAV) in patients with severe aortic stenosis will be presented at the upcoming EuroPCR 2023 Conference. EuroPCR is an annual, world-leading conference on interventional cardiovascular medicine taking place from May 16-19, 2023, in Paris, France. Principal Investigator and Interventionalist, Jaroslaw Trebacz, MD, of the Specialty Hospital Jana Pawla II in Krakow, Poland, will discuss their experience and follow-up data up to one year during the moderated "TAVI: Late-Breaking Trials and Innovations" session.

"It is an honor to be selected as one of the featured companies at the EuroPCR TAVI session and to share data on the safety and performance of the Optimum TAV. We look forward to progressing with further implantations in additional sizes and ultimately CE Mark approval," said Dr. Mano Thubrikar, Optimum TAV's inventor, and the Company's President and Founder.

Valve performance has been outstanding, with mean gradients and effective orifice areas (EOAs) better than most commercially available TAVI valves. "The Optimum valve, with its unique design, has the potential to overcome the limitations of currently available devices," commented Jaroslaw Trebacz, MD.

Optimum TAV is the only short-profile, self-expanding TAV in the TAVI field, thus providing easy coronary access as well as the benefits of a self-expanding valve. It is designed to mimic the natural aortic valve with dimensional proportionality and leaflet surface geometry, no suture holes in the flexion zone of the leaflet, and a unique anti-calcification treatment.

Optimum TAV has shown preclinical durability up to 24 years, with less calcification than established bioprosthetic surgical heart valves in the juvenile sheep implant model. Optimum TAV is intended to meet the needs of a younger patient population requiring a long-lasting valve with excellent hemodynamic performance. In Brazil, the first patient implanted with Optimum TAV continues to do well at 4 years.

Dr. Susheel Kodali, Director of the Structural Heart Valve Center at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, and Dr. Mathew Williams, Director of the Heart Valve Center at NYU Langone Health, are long-standing Medical Advisors for the Company, and assisted in the development of the Company's Precision 2 Catheter which further optimizes ease of valve delivery and long-term success. Drs. Williams and Kodali report disclosures with Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Inc.

About Thubrikar Aortic Valve and its Optimum TAVI System

Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Inc. is a privately-held medical device company near Philadelphia, PA, that has developed the Optimum TAV, a next-generation transcatheter aortic valve designed using 30 years of research by the Company's Founder, Dr. Mano Thubrikar. He served as Director of Surgical Research at the University of Virginia, Director of Biomedical Engineering at the Heineman Medical Research Center in Charlotte, Distinguished Research Scientist at Edwards Lifesciences, and Director of Biomedical Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He is the author of The Aortic Valve, a leading textbook covering the fundamentals of valve structure and function. For more information, please visit www.tavi.us.

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Testbirds, a Munich, Germany-based crowdtesting platform provider, raised a 7-Figure funding from Round2 Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to further expand its customer base.

Led by CEO Georg Hansbauer, Testbirds helps clients to create digital products such as apps, websites or IoT applications. Its crowdtesting services offer a testing experience adaptable to the individual needs of clients with a focus on the quality assurance and usability of digital products.

Today, the company has over 100 employees and works with top clients who use in Testbirds to optimize their digital products.

FinSMEs

02/05/2023
Uwill, a Natick, MA-based mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students, raised $30M in Series A funding.

The round was led by Education Growth Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand student support.

Led by CEO and Founder Michael London, Uwill is provider of a mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, the company launched a student and therapist matching platform, which offers an appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness events, realtime data, and support. The company partners with more than 150 institutions, including Boston College, University of California Santa Barbara, American Public University System, and the University of Maryland, College Park.

FinSMEs

02/05/2023
VMG Health, a Dallas, TX-based healthcare strategy and transaction advisory firm, acquired BSM Consulting, a Reno, NV- and Phoenix, AZ-based healthcare consulting firm.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The acquisition brought together BSMs reputation of business management consulting and operational solutions and VMG Healths expertise in healthcare transactions, compliance, and physician alignment. BSM adds new services, including subscription-based membership programs, recruitment, and leadership development resources that will advance VMG Healths commitment to providing a broader array of solutions to meet the needs of its clients.

Founded in 1978 by Bruce Maller, BSM Consulting provides practice management consulting and compliance expertise to clients in ophthalmology and medical aesthetic specialties, in addition to ambulatory surgery centers through its Progressive Surgical Solutions division. Its customized consulting services are complemented by a suite of business management tools and an online learning platform.

Led by Greg Koonsman, Founder and CEO, VMG Health provides healthcare strategy and transaction advisory services. and client-focused solutions related to all types of healthcare organizations, facilities and compensation arrangements. The company has experience across the healthcare industry, from acute care hospitals to telehealth, and serves clients as trusted advisors in assessment, strategy, and compliance.

Owned by VMG employees and Northlane Capital Partners, VMG has offices in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville and New York.

FinSMEs

02/05/2023
When vaping first started gaining popularity in the 2010s many smokers looked at it as a way to kick to the butt. Some argue that e-cigarettes are a good substitute for regular cigarettes. Vaping though is seemingly less harmful than smoking, is far from safe. And teenagers the world over are hooked on it. To crack down on vaping among children, Australia is banning recreational vaping in what is being dubbed the biggest tobacco and vaping reform in the country in a decade.

All single-use disposable vapes will be banned in the country. Minimum quality standards will also be introduced and the sale of vapes restricted to pharmacies.

In Australia, nicotine vapes already require a prescription. However, a black market is thriving as the industry is poorly regulated.

Australias health minister Mark Butler said while speaking on ABCs Q&A on Monday night that vaping is creating a new generation of nicotine addicts and he was determined to stamp out this public health menace.

Just like they did with smoking Big Tobacco has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging and added sweet flavours to create a new generation of nicotine addicts, Butler said, as he announced the reforms.

Vapes have been targeted at children and sold alongside lollies and chocolate bars in retail stores, he added.

Young people who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking, and under 25s are the only cohort in the community currently recording an increase in smoking rates. This must end.  Mark Butler MP (@Mark_Butler_MP) May 1, 2023

How vaping addiction is growing among teens

People have been calling the poisons hotlines in Australia to report children under the age of four getting sick from using a vape, while one in six teenagers aged between 14 to 17 has used an e-cigarette, according to a Bloomberg report.

The use of e-cigarettes is restricted in the United States and Canada. And while the smoking rate in the US has fallen to a historic low, the use of e-cigarettes has risen.

According to the latest preliminary data from the National Health Interview Survey, a biannual survey in the US that provides general information about health-related topics, e-cigarette use rose to nearly 6 per cent last year, thats up from about 4.9 per cent the year before.

Also read: Evolution of e-cigarettes: A timeline of the rise of vaping devices and subsequent ban in multiple countries

E-cigarettes are much more popular than cigarettes among teens, so the adult e-cigarette user numbers will likely continue to grow, says a CNN report. About 14 per cent of American high school students said they used e-cigarettes, and 2 per cent of high school students smoked cigarettes last year, according to separate Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) data.

The rate of kids that use e-cigarettes high, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

A new study published in the journal Children by researchers at Brescia University College and Western University found about a quarter of high school students in Canada reportedly vaped in March this year, some of which include vapes with nicotine. Researchers found that 11.3 per cent of students are using both nicotine and nicotine-free vapes, while 2.5 per cent are using nicotine-free vapes only.

In March, one of the United Kingdoms leading respiratory doctors warned of a vaping epidemic among teenagers even though it is illegal before the age of 18. According to Dr Mike McKean, the vice president of policy for the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health, the prevalence could now be as high as 15 per cent, after NHS figures for 2021 showed that nine per cent of 11- to 15-year-old children used e-cigarettes, up from six per cent in 2018, and a figure which rises to 18 per cent for 15-year-olds. Meanwhile, 2022 figures for Scotland showed levels at 10 per cent for 15- to 16-year-olds, reports The Guardian.

While India has banned e-cigarettes, vaping is common in colleges, after-school parties and pubs, according to a report in ThePrint.

Why do teens take to vaping

E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavourings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that is inhaled. Teens are attracted to flavours like menthol, strawberry, bubblegum and juice. E-cigs are discreet and high-tech.

Many teenagers are led to believe that vaping is less harmful than regular cigarettes. The US FDA didnt regulate vapes and e-cigarettes as tobacco products until 2016. Juul, a popular e-cigarette brand, which was under fire for kid-friendly marketing, was banned by the US Food and Drug Administration only in July year.

Advertising brings the horse to water, flavours is what gets them to drink, and nicotine is what keeps them coming back, said Brian King, current director of the Center for Tobacco Products at the US FDA, when he worked at the CDC.

A Generation Vape Research Project, which surveyed teens between 13 and 17 across Australia, found that the main factor driving vaping among children was flavouring and taste.

According to a 17-year-old ever-vaper, no one buys the non-nicotine devices because they dont give you head spins, so they are pointless. Its almost like wasting money.

How harmful is vaping?

It is risky regardless of what people vape. The use of e-cigarettes or switching from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes increases health risks.

According to the Generation Vape Research Project, teens who regularly vape experience nicotine withdrawal while at school, which can feel like anxiety or stress, feel distracted and find it difficult to focus, and feel stressed about hiding the device and their habit at school, reports The Conversation.

The CDC says that most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s. Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future, it says.

E-cigarettes produce several chemicals that are not good for human health, including acrolein, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. Studies show these chemicals are known as aldehydes and can cause lung and heart disease, according to the American Lung Association.

E-cigarette aerosol can irritate lungs, throat and eyes and can also make teens more likely to catch colds or get the flu. Young users risk exposing their respiratory systems to potentially harmful chemicals in vapes.

There is also a risk of poisoning. The liquid nicotine used to refill the devices can kill children. A one-year-old died from liquid nicotine poisoning in December 2014.

These (refills) are being sold in hundreds of different flavours, including flavours and colours that would be absolutely appealing to kids, said Kyran Quinlan, a top American paediatrician and former chair of the AAP council on injury, violence and poison prevention. Its such a small quantity and yet it's so toxic and so deadly. I dont think (people) realise what a deadly toxin they have in their house when they have liquid nicotine.

Several studies claim that vaping is 95 per cent safer than cigarettes. But its been around for about a decade and while it is harmful its complete effects are not even known yet.

The fancy packaging on e-cigs might not come with a warning. But the truth is: Vaping is injurious to health.

With inputs from agencies

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By winning 16 out of the states 19 seats in 2018, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nearly won the entire coastal Karnataka.

The number grew to 17 in the 2019 by-election.

This time, the saffron party is making every effort to hold onto its fort while riding high on the Modi factor and the administrations triumphs.

The BJP released its election manifesto on Sunday in preparation for the 10 May Karnataka Assembly election.

The ruling party pledged to carry out its intentions to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the state, among other pledges.

In its electoral manifestos for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh last year, the party mentioned the UCC commitment. The party stated that it would implement UCC based on the recommendations of a high-level committee to be constituted for the purpose in the Karnataka manifesto.

Released the BJPs manifesto for Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 in Bengaluru. Our manifesto is a vision document for a developed Karnataka. It encompasses a forward looking approach and promises to fulfil the aspirations of everyone in Karnataka .#BJPPrajaPranalike2023 pic.twitter.com/VvnH4iXm29  Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) May 1, 2023

Also read: Karnataka Election 2023: Why polls matter for BJP untangled in seven charts

What is UCC?

The Indian Constitutions Article 44 mandates that the government shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.

In simple terms, the UCC advocates establishing and executing a single set of personal laws that would be equally applicable to all citizens.

Personal laws, such as those that regulate marriage, divorce, and succession, are discussed in combination with UCC.

Currently, various religions are subject to a variety of personal laws, each with its own set of restrictions and exemptions.

All inequalities would be eliminated with the implementation of UCC, essentially putting all communities on an equal footing.

UCC has been promoted over the years, especially by the BJP, and was included in the partys manifestos for the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

In both cases, the party presented it as a matter of gender justice.

Also read: Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: Beta, beti, bhai and biwi the nepo netas in the fray

Other states where UCC is expected

Gujarat

Prior to the state Assembly election in December 2022, the BJP presented its manifesto pledging to put the recommendations of the Gujarat UCC Committee into action. If the party is returned to power, it has also stated that it will establish an anti-radicalisation cell in the state.

In October last year, Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi announced the creation of a committee to implement UCC throughout the state, reported ANI. The group will be led by a former high court judge and have three to four members, according to Union Minister Parshottam Rupala.

The committees work has not received an update yet, and no report has been issued.

Moreover, in January this year, the Supreme Court declined to hear a PIL that contested Gujarat and Uttarakhands decisions to appoint committees to oversee the implementation of the UCC in those two states, as per Indian Express.

Uttarakhand

Prior to the Assembly elections, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami pledged UCC implementation in the state if the BJP was returned to power in February last year.

The state government established a five-person committee in May 2022, under the direction of the former justice of the Supreme Court Ranjana Prakash Desai, to draw a draft proposal for the implementation of UCC. Justice Permod Kohli, a retired judge, social activist Manu Gaur, former chief secretary Shatrughan Singh, and vice-chancellor of Doon University Surekha Dangwal were also members of the committee, according to India Today.

The state administration extended the committees term by six months in December of last year.

On 4 April 2023, CM Pushkar Dhami declared that the state administration will present a final report within the next two months and that the draft proposal for the application of the UCC was ready.

Also read: Karnataka Election 2023: Over 3,000 candidates in fray after scrutiny; DK Shivakumars nomination accepted

Uttar Pradesh

UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on 23 April 2022, said that the state administration is thinking of implementing the UCC in the state.

In a statement, Maurya said that UCC was necessary for the citizens of the country. Everyone should demand and welcome Uniform Civil Code. The Uttar Pradesh government is also thinking in this direction. We are in its favour and it is necessary for UP and the people of the country. This is also one of the main promises of BJP (during election), he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also brought up the subject recently and has advocated for a single legislation to govern the entire nation.

Himachal Pradesh

The BJP promised to enact UCC throughout the state if the party returned to power in November 2022.

The electoral promise made by the UCC was enough to provide Congress with the leverage it required to wrest Himachal from the BJP. The BJP only won 25 seats, compared to the Congresss 40, reported India Today.

Also read: Uniform Civil Code: Why only a tall leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi can execute UCC in India

Maharashtra

In October last year, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis backed the UCC at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards, by saying that there was a rising demand for it in the state.

BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar has also called for the creation of a committee to create a plan for the implementation of UCC in January 2023, claiming that it will provide equality between men and women, as per India Today. He also sent letters to CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis.

Haryana

According to the states Home Minister Anil Vij, the law is being investigated for Haryanas implementation after hearing reports that certain governments were considering adopting the Uniform Civil Code.

Also read: The Uniform Civil Code: If not by 2024, then when?

Assam

Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma made a strong case for UCC in April 2022, claiming that without it, polygamy will persist. Everyone wants UCC, he said, adding that no Muslim lady desires that her husband bring home three additional wives. inquire of any Muslim woman. UCC is a problem for all Muslim women; it is not a problem I have. UCC will need to be made if they are to receive justice following the repeal of Triple Talaq.

He reiterated his stance today by saying that Karnataka BJP made a very bold commitment and it will usher a nationwide demand for the implementation of UCC across the country.

#WATCH | Implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will ensure gender justice, and equal rights for Muslim women. Karnataka BJP made a very bold commitment and it will usher a nationwide demand for the implementation of UCC across the country. Nationwide NRC is the need of the pic.twitter.com/Ah112IOl1R  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

Madhya Pradesh

The state government has been raising the subject of UCC implementation as the state goes to the polls this year.

A committee would be established to implement UCC throughout the state, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP administration said in December last year.

Goa

To date, Goa is the only Indian state where everyone must abide by the common law. Since its liberation from the Portuguese in 1961, the state has continued to adhere to the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867, which established common law.

With inputs from agencies

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The federal government seized First Republic Bank and sold it to JPMorgan Chase on Monday, ending the lenders six-week-long free fall and reassuring depositors that their money is safe.

First Republic Banks failure had much the same roots as the collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank  spooked depositors and investors pulling their money and selling their shares in droves.

Here are some answers to questions you may have about what comes next for the bank and for your money.

Why was First Republic seized?

In the turmoil set off by Silicon Valley Banks collapse, First Republic was initially bailed out by the private sector. In March, it received $30 billion (Rs 2.45 lakh crore) in deposits from 11 of the countrys largest banks, including JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.

But First Republic struggled nonetheless, and its condition had been deteriorating for weeks. It had seen a large outflow of funds as depositors rushed to pull their money and park it in institutions they viewed as safer.

Its shares had been pummelled  they dropped 75 per cent just last week  as investors feared that it would fail. That drop came after the company released earnings results saying that it had borrowed heavily from the Federal Reserve and government-backed lending groups, the financial industrys lenders of last resort.

Ultimately the FDIC decided it was no longer viable on its own.

The First Republic bank failure is the second-largest in US history, after the collapse of Washington Mutual in 2008, and certainly a dramatic turn. But what happened to the bank this weekend follows a playbook that has been used before. The government usually arranges a sale of a failed bank over the weekend, so it can open for business as usual on Monday, said Amanda Heitz, an assistant professor of finance at Tulane University.

Most failed banks, she said, are resolved by a purchase and assumption agreement, in which another institution takes over the bank with the support of the FDIC. In this case that agreement is with JPMorgan.

Also Read: How the failure of Silicon Valley Bank might have affected the entire financial system

Though the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank was in many ways not a typical bank failure, depositors did have access to their money the Monday after it was seized. And the Bank of England was quick to announced that HSBC had bought SVBUK, the banks British subsidiary.

But in the United States, the sale took a little longer. It wasnt until late March that the FDIC said Silicon Valley Bank had been sold to a North Carolina bank, and until it could arrange that sale the government created whats called a bridge bank to operate it until a sale.

Why would JPMorgan buy First Republic?

In the event of a bank failure, another bank may have an incentive to take over the embattled lender because its looking to expand its footprint in a region or build relationships with new customers.

On Monday, 84 First Republic branches in eight states will reopen as JPMorgan branches.

But the acquisition makes JPMorgan, already the nations largest bank, even bigger and could draw political scrutiny.

Over the weekend, federal regulators were racing to find a buyer for First Republic before the markets opened on Monday. JPMorgan, PNC Financial Services and Bank of America were all at some point in talks with the FDIC about a potential deal.

The FDIC wants banks to take over other banks, Heitz said.

One way it incentivises buyers is by sharing in any potential losses that a buyer might take, in whats called a shared-loss agreement. JPMorgan said the FDIC would provide loss share agreements in the First Republic deal including for some home mortgages and business loans.

Does this mean deposits are safe?

Yes. The FDICs rules guarantee that deposits up to $250,000 (Rs 2.04 crore) will be covered, per depositor, per bank. The insurance coverage categories include checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit. People who have a joint account with someone else, like a spouse, each get $250,000 in coverage, for a potential total of $500,000 (Rs 4.08 crore) in a single joint account.

People with different types of holdings can add them up. If the total does not exceed $250,000, multiple holdings  say a $50,000 (Rs 40 lakh) savings account and a $20,000 (Rs 16.34 lakh) certificate of deposit  will be covered. And the insurance is automatic.

Also Read: Why Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failed so fast

Customers of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank did not lose any of their deposits. Regulators opted to pay all depositors back in full after invoking the systemic risk exception, which is intended to protect against systemwide destabilisation.

In First Republics case, JPMorgan will assume the lenders deposits, which would eliminate the need for the government to grant a systemic risk exception.

What about First Republics stock?

The stock will be delisted. When a bank is seized by the government, its common shareholders are wiped out. In this case, First Republic shareholders, along with its debt holders, will not receive anything. JPMorgan Chase said that it would not assume First Republics corporate debt or preferred stock.

Does anything happen to mortgages?

The short answer is: Nothing meaningful. With any purchase and assumption agreement, the acquiring bank takes over any loans on the balance sheet, including mortgages, Heitz said.

Can customers keep going to First Republic branches?

Yes. All offices of First Republic reopened Monday as branches of JPMorgan Chase. They will keep operating as usual, and over time customers will get access to JPMorgan Chases network of branches, as well.

First Republic customers also can expect to continue having access to uninterrupted service, including mobile and digital banking services.

Lora Kelley, c.2023 The New York Times Company

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Paris: Seventy-five years ago, Israel was born as the homeland for the Jewish people in the wake of the Holocaust, the Nazi genocide of six million Jews in World War II.

The dawn of the new state triggered rejoicing among Jewish immigrants to Palestine, but spelt mass displacement and suffering for their Palestinian Arab neighbours, triggering a conflict that has defined Israel ever since.

Here are 10 key dates in the countrys history:

1948: Jewish state born

On 14 May, 1948 Zionist leader David Ben-Gurion proclaims the independence of the state of Israel, formed out of the British Mandate of Palestine.

Jews had been promised a national home by Britain in 1917.

In 1947, the UN votes to make it a reality by partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

Over 760,000 Palestinians are driven from their homes with the creation of Israel in 1948 or flee in what Palestinians call the Nakba (catastrophe).

Also Read: How Israels worst domestic crisis over controversial judicial reforms unfolded

Israels Arab neighbours oppose the founding of Israel, which leads to an eight-month war.

Jordan occupies the West Bank, including east Jerusalem while Egypt takes the coastal Gaza Strip.

1967: Six-Day War

In June 1967, Israel crushes its Arab neighbours in the Six-Day War, seizing the West Bank including east Jerusalem from Jordan, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt.

On day one, Israel stages an air assault that destroys more than 90 per cent of Egypts air force on the tarmac.

It goes on to occupy 70,000 square kilometres of Palestinian territory, which it begins to settle.

The United Nations declares the occupation of Palestinian territory illegal.

1973: Yom Kippur War

On 6 October, 1973, Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Israel on the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur to try to win back their lost territories, but are repulsed.

1979: Peace with Egypt

The September 1978 US-brokered Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt lead the following year to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab neighbour.

1982: Israel invades Lebanon

Israel invades Lebanon in June 1982, in the middle of the countrys civil war, to rout Palestinian militants based there.

In September that year, Israeli-backed Lebanese Christian militia massacre hundreds of Palestinians living in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut.

Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon until 2000.

In 2006, after the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah abducts an Israeli soldier, Israel launches a devastating month-long offensive in Lebanon.

1993: Oslo Accords

In 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) sign a peace agreement after secret negotiations in Oslo.

The deal, which calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories, comes six years after the start of the first intifada, or Palestinian uprising, against Israeli rule.

Also Read: Benjamin Netanyahus corruption trial resumes: A look at where it might lead

Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and exiled PLO leader Yasser Arafat make history by shaking hands at the White House after the signing of the accords.

Arafat returns to the Palestinian territories in July 1994 after 27 years in exile.

1995: Rabin assassinated

Rabin in 1994 shares the Nobel Peace Prize with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Arafat for their peace efforts.

The following year Rabin is assassinated in Tel Aviv by a Jewish right-wing extremist opposed to the Oslo Accords.

2002-2005: Second intifada

In September 2000, right-wing Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visits annexed east Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the third-holiest site in Islam known as Temple Mount to Jews, who revere it as their most sacred site.

His visit, seen by Palestinians as a provocation, is the spark for a second intifada.

Following a wave of suicide bombings, Israel launches in 2002 its largest military operation in the West Bank since the 1967 war.

2005: Gaza pullout

The last Israeli forces leave Gaza after a 38-year occupation in September 2005, but soon afterwards impose a stifling land, air and sea blockade on the territory.

Tensions rise after the radical Islamist movement Hamas takes control of Gaza in 2006 after winning elections.

Also Read: Israel witnesses biggest protest in history: What has angered the public?

Israel fights four wars with Hamas in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021, launching devastating air strikes on Gaza after coming under rocket fire from the territory.

Over 1,400 Palestinian civilians are killed in the 2014 offensive alone, as well as six Israeli civilians, according to UN figures.

2009: Netanyahu in power

The head of the right-wing party Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu, returns to power in March 2009, a decade after his first stint as premier.

He goes on to enjoy a record-breaking run as Israels leader. During his tenure, relentless settlement expansion leaves the prospect of a separate Palestinian state hanging by a thread.

After a brief spell in the political desert in 2021-2022, the Israeli leader, who faces charges of corruption, returns in December 2022 at the head of the countrys most right-wing government ever.

In 2023, his government unveils controversial judicial reforms that spark months of mass protests, with demonstrators accusing Netanyahu of undermining Israels democracy.

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Jack Dorsey is taking another whack at a Twitter-like service with a new social media platform called Bluesky.

The service is gaining traction among Twitter power users, attracting prominent personalities including US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Bluesky, which bears similarities to the blue bird platform, is the latest in a long list of apps that are looking to steal Twitters thunder after Elon Musks chaotic takeover of the company.

Here are some details on the service:

What is Bluesky?

Its a text-focused social media service launched for select users in February. Users can post short messages of up to 300 characters, and pictures. There is no support for videos and direct messages, or DMs, so far.

Bluesky runs on a decentralised framework, similar to social network Mastodon. It allows users to build independent social media experiences and users can join a specific server, which has its own unique set of rules, interests and participants.

How does it compare to Twitter?

Bluesky offers a similar experience to Twitter  people create profiles and post short messages with text and images. On the timeline, Bluesky has Whats hot and Following feed, similar to the curated For You and the chronological Following feeds on Twitter.

Unlike Twitter, Blueskys core framework allows for various customisations. Instead of one site running the network, you can have many sites. It means you get a choice of provider, and individuals and businesses can self-host if they want, it said in a blog post in October.

Who is behind Bluesky?

It was started by Dorsey as a project within Twitter in 2019 and was set up as an independent company in 2022. As of April 2022, it had raised $13 million (Rs 106 crore) from Twitter.

Dorsey, Jeremie Miller, the inventor of communication protocol Jabber/XMPP, and Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky, are its board members.

Is Bluesky taking on Twitter?

Too soon to say. The company told Bloomberg News it had over 40,000 users.

The company began to sign up users on the wait-list early this year and announced its biggest single-day jump last week.

While its user base is still small, Bluesky has attracted many power users including writer and comedian Dril, following frustrations with Musks management of Twitter and the recent changes to the platform.

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Fast fashion and fast controversy. Thats Shein for you. The Chinese fast fashion brand is facing the heat after two dozen US representatives has called for an independent investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into the companys labour practices.

On Monday, news agency Reuters accessed a letter written by a bipartisan group of lawmakers asking the SEC to independently audit and verify that the company does not use forced labour from the countrys predominantly Muslim Uyghur population.

So, is Shein guilty of forced labour? Is this the only controversy affecting the brand? Here are some answers.

Shein using forced labour?

Ahead of the companys possible initial public offering in the United States, around 22 lawmakers have written a letter to SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, urging that the watchdog investigate if Chinese company Shein utilises Uyghur forced labour in creating their products.

US representatives Jennifer Wexton and John Rose leading the group wrote in the letter that there were credible allegations of the companys use of underpaid and forced labour in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and that they were demanding transparency and seeking independent verification  free from state influence  that the company does not use Uyghur force labour before it is allowed to register on the US exchange.

We strongly believe that the ability to issue and trade securities on our domestic exchanges is a privilege, and that foreign companies wishing to do so must uphold a demonstrated commitment to human rights across the globe, the lawmakers further wrote in the letter.

The allegations of using Uyghur forced labour arent new. In November last year, Bloomberg had reported that the Chinese fashion mammoth had used cotton from the Xinjiang region of China in some of its clothing. Two batches of clothes were selected for the testing and it was found that both batches had cotton which was grown in the Xinjiang region.

Last year, the United Nations published a report that stated that there was reasonable evidence to conclude that forced labour was taking place in Chinas far-western region, where activists say more than one million ethnic minority Muslims have been detained in internment camps.

Tomoya Obokata, the special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, had stated in the report that evidence of forced labour existed within the regions system of vocational skills education and training centres and a poverty alleviation programme that involves transferring surplus rural labourers to other work.

While such programmes created employment and income for ethnic minorities as claimed by the government, evidence pointed to the work in many cases being of an involuntary nature, the rapporteur said.

Further, given the nature and extent of powers exercised over workers during forced labour, including excessive surveillance, abusive living and working conditions, restriction of movement through internment, threats, physical and/or sexual violence, and other inhumane or degrading treament, some instances may amount to enslavement as a crime against humanity, meriting a further independent analysis, Obokata said.

For those who dont know, the Uyghurs speak their own language, which is similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. They are mostly practising Muslims. Beijing has long been accused of mistreating the Uyghur population  allegations range from forcibly sterilisation of Uyghur women to committing genocide.

Interestingly, the letter to the SEC echoes similar concerns by outside human rights groups. A coalition called Shut Down Shein has also called on the SEC to deny IPO registration to Shein unless it provides proof of compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Access to US capital markets is a privilege, not a right, and should not be given freely to corporations who threaten US national security with nefarious business practices, and who are making Americans complicit in their violation of US law, Chapin Fay, executive director of Shut Down Shein, has written.

Many controversies of Shein

Shein has garnered a sordid reputation thanks to its myriad of controversies. Founded in Nanjing, China in 2008, the fast fashion giant, which is notoriously private, is now headquartered in Singapore.

The company is everywhere, even in the US, and has grown to become the worlds largest fashion retailer as of 2022. In April 2022, Bloomberg valued the brand at $100 billion. Its biggest selling point is the low pricing of clothes that are shipped to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, catering to women in their teens and 20s.

Also read: TikTok is facing a ban in US. But America still addicted to these Chinese apps

However, the e-commerce brand, which is reliant on digital influencer marketing to generate the majority of its advertising, has been embroiled in various scandals  from underpaying its workers, to plagiarising designs and even selling garments that contain an unsafe level of toxic chemicals.

In June last year, the company was in a bind when videos emerged online of different help me messages written or stitched onto labels of Shein clothing tags. Some of the messages read: help me or SOS and even I have dental pain. It was unclear if these notes were specifically made by Shein workers, but it gave credence to the allegations that Shein was using forced labour.

Another controversy that the clothing brand was embroiled in was when a documentary by British television network Channel 4 titled Untold: Inside the Shein Machine shed light on the horrible working conditions of its employees. The documentary revealed that workers were forced to work up to 18-hour days and were given only one day off a month. In one factory, the documentary showed women washing their hair during lunch breaks, and workers were penalised two-thirds of their daily wage if they made a mistake on a clothing item.

Swiss watchdog Public Eye released another detailed report in November 2022, which accused Shein of violating Chinese labour laws. The group hired independent Chinese researchers to track Sheins manufacturing and packing process in China and Europe and found that many were running informal factories set up in residential buildings.

There were also reports that said that the fast fashion giant was selling items with high amounts of lead in it. A Greenpeace report had carried out testing on Shein products and found that 15 per cent of 47 products that were tested contained toxic chemicals that break European Union regulatory limits.

SheinSpeaks

Reacting to claims of using forced labour, Shein spokesperson Peter Pernot-Day said in a prepared statement that the company takes visibility across its entire supply chain seriously.

We are committed to respecting human rights and adhering to local laws and regulations in each market we operate in, Pernot-Day said. Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labour Organizations core conventions. We have zero tolerance for forced labour.

With inputs from agencies

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The countdown to King Charles coronation is on and we are just days away from the historic event. However, the ceremony scheduled for 6 May is attracting a lot of criticism after it was announced that members of the public watching the coronation  either on television or online or gathered in the open air at big screens have been invited to swear allegiance to King Charles.

For the first time in history, the public will be given an active role in the coronation, with the Archbishop of Canterbury calling on those watching or listening to the event to take part in a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King.

While some have deemed this new move as a fantastic opportunity and a lovely idea to involve the people, others have deemed it an offensive and tone-deaf gesture that holds the people in contempt.

We take a closer look at what exactly is the new move, which is being called Homage of the People and why some are seeing red over it.

New homage of the people

On Saturday, 6 May, when the coronation of King Charles III takes place, a new move called the Homage of the People has been added to the ceremony. This replaces the traditional Homage of Peers, in which a long line of hereditary peers knelt and made a pledge to the monarch in person.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will call upon all persons of goodwill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other realms and the territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.

The order of service will read: All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.

The Archbishop will then proclaim God save the King, with all asked to respond: God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live for ever.

This pledge replaces the traditional homage of peers, in which a long line of hereditary peers  or aristocrats  knelt and made a pledge to the monarch in person.

A spokesman for Lambeth Palace, the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, deemed the move as exciting.

Our hope is at that point, when the Archbishop invites people to join in, that people wherever they are, if theyre watching at home on their own, watching the telly, will say it out loud  this sense of a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King.

Great showcase for Britain around the world

Many welcomed the news of the inclusion of the Homage of the People, calling it democratic and lovely. One such person was Transport Secretary, Mark Harper. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Harper said that the coronation would be a fantastic opportunity and great showcase for Britain around the world.

Shabana Mahmood, the Labour elections campaign chief, said it was a lovely idea to involve the people and that the oath was a lovely touch.

She said she, as a Muslim MP, had already sworn allegiance to the king on the Quran and would be joining in at the weekend as well.

A spokesman for Lambeth Palace later stated that it is an invitation rather than an expectation or request, adding that people might join in if that feels right for them, as they would take part in the national anthem.

Its simply an opportunity offered by the Archbishop so that, unlike previous coronations, those who wish to join in with the words being spoken by the Abbey congregation could do so in a very simple way, he said.

For those who do want to take part, some will want to say all the words of the homage; some might just want to say God save the King at the end; others might just want it to be a moment of private reflection.

An odd request

The introduction of the Homage of Peers has clearly divided the people. It has invited a lot of criticism, with some calling it another example of how the monarchy is outdated.

Adrian Ramsay, co-leader of Green Party of England and Wales, said: I will watch it (the coronation) because its a key time for the nation but a pledge is somewhat outdated.

Labour MP Clive Lewis was also sceptical of the proposed oath. The Guardian had him quoted as saying, The Church of England exhorts lots of things. Some of them on compassion in politics and wider society and others on the dangers of inequality and greed. These statements I agree with. I can also see how they connect with the broader teachings of Christian teaching. But this is the high church making this pronouncement and I think its one that will either be unwelcome or ignored by many.

Want to know more about King Charles IIIs coronation?

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Republic, the anti-monarchist organisation protesting against the coronation, said: Asking people to swear allegiance to Charles and his heirs means swearing allegiance to Andrew. In a democracy it is the head of state who should swear allegiance to us. This is an offensive and tone-deaf gesture that holds the people in contempt.

The organisation added, This kind of nonsense should have died with Elizabeth I, not outlived Elizabeth II.

Unpopular monarchy

The British monarchy has been facing a popularity slide in recent times. A poll carried out just a week before the coronation revealed that only three in 10 think their monarchy is very important  the lowest proportion on record.

The survey, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), showed public support for the monarchy is at an all-time low, with 45 per cent of respondents saying either it should be abolished, was not very important, or not at all important.

The survey also asked respondents about the funding of the coronation event and 37 per cent of the respondents believe that the Royal Family should pay for the entire coronation ceremony, while 36 per cent wanted the UK government and the Royal Family to fund it together. Around 15 per cent of the respondents said the UK government should pay for the ceremony while 12 per cent said they dont know.

Will the coronation be a crowning moment for Britain? No one knows, but the coming weekend will be one of fanfare and much hullabaloo.

With inputs from agencies

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Sharad Pawar on Tuesday dropped the earth-shaking political news that he was quitting as the Nationalist Congress Party chief.

The veteran politico and ex-Maharashtra chief minister said he is stepping back and that it is time for a new generation to guide the party.

ANI quoted his nephew Ajit as saying, Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he wont take it back.

Which raises the question  will Ajit be the next NCP chief?

Lets take a closer look:

According to Indian Express, Ajit, the son of Pawars elder brother Anantrao, began being seen beside his uncle around 1991 and 1992.

He first gained fame after Pawar formed the NCP and even became a cabinet minister in the Congress-NCP government. Ajit then headed up a slew of ministries including irrigation, rural development, water resources and finance.

Ajit gained the reputation for getting things done and brought in fresh blood into the NCP  all of whom were loyal to him.

The first hint of turmoil came in 2004 when Ajit publicly spoke against the NCP, which had emerged as the single-largest party in Maharashtra, giving the chief ministership to the Congress.

According to News18, Ajit missed his chance to become chief minister after Pawars demanded more cabinet berths instead of the CMs post.

Ajit was then made deputy chief minister.

The political plunge by Pawars daughter Supriya Sule in 2009 brought murmurs of tensions within the NCP. Talk of tensions flared up again in 2019 when Pawars grandnephew Rohit decided to dip his toes in the political waters.

According to Times Now, this came at the same time that Ajit wanted his son Parth to contest Lok Sabha polls from Maval.

While Pawar was initially not in favour of this, the party ended up giving Parth a ticket  only for him to lose by a massive 2 lakh votes.

That caused further stress between Pawar and Ajit  the uncle was disappointed at the party loss, while the nephew was upset at his son not being fully backed by the party.

In September 2019, Ajit resigned as a party legislator from Baramati.

Then, in November 2019, came a truly stunning event  Ajit swearing an oath as deputy chief minister in the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet.

That government collapsed quickly and Ajit quickly returned to the NCP fold  events neither man has publicly addressed.

In April, Ajit in an interview expressed his desire to become Maharashtra chief minister, as per Hindustan Times.

That led to party leaders Sunil Tatkare and Dilip Walse Patil echoing Ajit and workers putting up hoardings proclaiming that Ajit would be a future chief minister.

A senior NCP leader told the newspaper Ajit was sending a message  that he was the party leader at the state level.

Sule, meanwhile, told ANI, There is nothing wrong to have ambition or a dream in politics, everybody has it, so I dont think there is anything wrong with saying openly about it. In fact, he is very honest in talking about his ambition.

This even as rumours swirled that Ajit was preparing to decamp to the BJP with 40 MLAs and that he was in constant touch with Fadnavis and Amit Shah, as per Deccan Herald.

Ajit at first said nothing and then emphatically denied it. Pawar, meanwhile, held a meeting with Uddhav Thackeray.

Deccan Herald quoted insiders as saying Pawar is predisposed towards appointing his daughter as his heir, but is wary of Ajits influence within the party.

Others told the newspaper he could be preparing the ground for Ajit to leave.

Those rumours came as the Supreme Court prepares to give its verdict on the disqualification of 16 legislators who brought down the Uddhav-led MVA regime after Eknath Shinde engineered a split and formed the government with the BJP support.

Political commentators told India Today if the Supreme Court rules against Shinde, Fadnavis and the BJP would require help from Ajit.

Political analyst Prakash Akolkar told Deccan Herald it is game of confusion.

All the leaders are trying to create an air of confusion and keep others in good humour. No one would like to hazard a guess on the Supreme Court judgment, particularly when a Constitution Bench is involved.

Rival power centres

Meanwhile, Ajit has to deal with another complication before he could potentially take the chair  that of Sule and NCP Maharashtra president Jayant Patil emerging as rival power centres within the NCP.

Sule in April predicted two political earthquakes within 15 days, as per India Today.

While NCP workers have urged Sule to talk Pawar out of his decision, Ajit has publicly advised against it, as per Hindustan Times.

I am her elder brother and that is why I am suggesting her this, Ajit said.

Meanwhile, Patil has quietly developed his own power base since becoming Maharashtra chief.

Patil has created a place for himself within the party. Although Ajit dada was always a power centre, Patils clout has grown phenomenally since he became the party president, political analyst Pratap Asbe told The Print.

Patil has ambitions for himself and there is a definite competition between him and Ajit dada. Sule is not as aggressive in asserting her position within the party, but her supporters keep raising her flag for her. Ultimately, Pawarsaheb (Sharad Pawar) ensures that the clash of ambitions doesnt cause the party any damage, he added.

It remains to be seen how things play out.

With inputs from agencies

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New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday accused Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of making hate speeches in poll-bound Karnataka and urged the Election Commission to take immediate action against them in the wake of Supreme Court orders on such speeches.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ajay Maken, Vivek Tankha, Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera met the Election Commission and gave them a memorandum demanding immediate action against such hate speeches.

The home minister says such things which polarise the country and create division in society, neither the Constitution provides for such a thing nor does the oath they take while assuming the high office. We have pointed this out to the Election Commission, Tankha told reporters after the meeting.

He asked what the home minister meant by saying that there would be riots in India if the Congress comes to power.

Does he mean to say that the Congress is getting the riots doneThe real thing is that people holding constitutional positions should not make such kind of hate speeches. It is against the law and immediate action should be taken against them as per Supreme Court orders, he said.

Tankha said the Congress delegation gave the EC copies of the Supreme Court order on hate speeches and called for immediate action as per the law of the land and the SC verdict.

We have made representations specifically against three people  Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

We have urged the Election Commission to take action as per law against these people in the wake of Supreme Court orders which has called for immediate action on hate speeches, he said.

The three BJP leaders have been alleging that if the Congress comes to power, there would be riots in the state, which amounts to hate speech as such speeches lead to a division in society, the Congress leaders said.

Extending the scope of its 2022 order beyond three states, the Supreme Court had on Friday directed all states and Union territories to register cases against those making hate speeches even if no complaint has been made.

A bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna termed hate speeches a serious offence capable of affecting secular fabric of the country.

The bench said its October 21, 2022 order shall be made applicable irrespective of religion and warned any delay in registering cases will be treated as contempt of the court.

Where have we reached in the name of religion? What have we reduced religion to is really tragic, the apex court had then observed and directed Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Uttarakhand to crack down hard on those making hate speeches, calling them shocking for a country that is religion-neutral.

Holding that the Constitution of India envisages a secular nation, the court had directed Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi to promptly register criminal cases against the offenders without waiting for a complaint to be filed.

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and thanked him for Riyadhs support to Indias mission to evacuate its citizens from violence-hit Sudan.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the current global situation.

Good conversation today with FM HH @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the current global situation. Thanked him for Saudi assistance in #OperationKaveri, Jaishankar tweeted.

Under Operation Kaveri, India has been taking its citizens in buses from conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in Indian Air Forces heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navys ships.

From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flight or IAFs aircraft.

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The Indian defence ministry has decided to phase out several colonial-era cantonments and designate them as military stations.

The first cantonment to be renamed a military station is Yol in Himachal Pradesh. The next in line to go are Secunderabad and Nasirabad.

The move will benefit civilians who were not getting access to state government welfare schemes and enable the army to focus more on developing military stations.

There are 62 cantonments in 19 states across the country, covering 1.6 lakh acres and housing 50 lakh military and civilian personnel.

In a major departure from archaic colonial practice of creating cantonments, Yol in Himachal Pradesh has shed its tag as a cantonment. The Military Area within the Cantonment will be converted into a Military Station and the Civil Area will merge with the Municipality. A pic.twitter.com/dewPsWwHVh  ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2023

The news comes as the army is evaluating British-era practises in collaboration with all stakeholders, including top brass, serving officers, soldiers, and veterans.

Civilian residents of Cantts do not benefit from State government assistance initiatives because they are controlled by Cantt Boards through MODs Defence Estates Department.

As a result, there is widespread support among civilian residents and state governments for Cantts abolition, according to media reports.

A significant percentage of the Defence Budget is spent on constructing Cantt Civil Areas, reproted ANI.

There is rising strain on A1 Defence Land due to the ever-expanding Civil Areas of Cantts. Cantts are a colonial phenomenon, whereas Military Stations are properly managed.

The neighboring municipality will take over Cantt Board workers and assets.

With inputs from agencies

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Targeting Congress leader Siddaramaiah in his home constituency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asked the people to decide between a leader who is about to retire and a future leader, as he assured to make BJP candidate V Somanna, a big personality if they make him an MLA.

In a surprise move the BJP, taking the battle to the opposition camp, has fielded Somanna, a Minister from Bengaluru, against Siddaramaiah, who is contesting his last election from his native constituency.

This Karnataka election is important, and this election in Varuna is even more important. We have fielded Somanna as our candidate from Varuna, you (people) make him MLA and send (to Assembly), Im telling you that BJP will make him a big personality and bring him back, Shah said.

Addressing a public meeting here in Mysuru district, he said, votes given to Somanna and Revanna (neighbouring T Narasipura BJP candidate)- along with sending them to the Legislative Assembly, will also ensure the safety of Karnataka. Only PM Modi can make Karnataka developed, prosperous and safe, no one else, he added.

Stating that it was the BJP government led by Modi which banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), Shah said, If Congress party comes to power and if Siddaramaiah wins they will withdraw the ban on PFI.

The Congress, while in power, had made Karnataka ATM of its central leadership, he said, alleging that during Siddaramaiahs five years tenure other than corruption, they did nothing for the state.

Siddaramaiah ji- the corruption took place in your tenure. The Siddaramaiah government was the most corrupt government in entire India, he said.

Alleging that, according to Siddarmaiah, the Lingayat community brought corruption in Karnataka, Shah said, Siddaramaiah, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Siddaramaiah by stating that Lingayats were involved in corruption, has insulted the Lingayat community. The Congress had earlier too insulted the Lingayat community by sacking (Lingayat leaders) S Nijalingappa and Veerendra Patil (from CM post), he added.

Further, questioning Siddaramaiah as to why he keeps changing his Assembly seat every time- from Chamundeshwari to Varuna to Badami, Shah said, What makes you (Siddaramaiah) change the seat every time? It is because wherever you go, you dont do any development work, and people there make you flee from their constituency.

I want to ask the people of Varuna, do you want a leader who is about to retire, or do you want a future leader? You decide, he said.

Noting that the BJP made Yediyurappa the Chief Minister, who gave farmers budget, the Union Minister said Yediyurappa and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also took forward the irrigation projects in Karnataka and various development works of the Modi government for the benefit of farmers.

Asking people whether the BJP government did the right thing by scrapping the 4 per cent Muslim reservation that was given by the Congress, he said, Congress says if Siddaramaiah wins, Muslim reservation will be brought back and the Lingayat reservation that we (BJP) had increased will go. Also, SC/ST reservation that was enhanced by BJP will go. They (Congress) can only do appeasement politics.

Crediting Prime Minister Modi for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, also surgical strikes and air strikes against terrorists inside Pakistan, Shah said the Congress could not give security to the country, make it prosperous, end corruption and develop Karnataka.

Then why should Varuna be voting for Siddaramaiah? I assure you if you make Somanna win in Varuna, we will make this the most developed seat in the state, he added.

Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Somanna and other BJP leaders attended the public meeting.

The BJP announced candidates in 212 constituencies, the Congress 165 and said it would support Karnataka Sarvodaya Partys Darshan Puttannaiah in Melukote segment, while the JD(S) has named 93 nominees.

While Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is seeking reelection from Shiggaon, former chief ministers Siddaramaiah (Congress) and H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) are contesting from Varuna and Channapatna, respectively.

The BJP has fielded senior leaders and incumbent Ministers V Somanna and R Ashoka against Siddaramaiah in Varuna and Congress state president D K Shivakumar in Kanakapura, respectively.

BJP stalwart and former chief minister B S Yediyurappa has retired from electoral politics and his son B Y Vijayendra will enter the fray in his fathers constituency Shikaripura in Shivamogga district.

With inputs from agencies.

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Sindhanur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday charged the Congress and JD(S) with trying to indulge in politics when the Centre was trying to rescue people from war-torn Sudan and Ukraine, and during the Covid crisis.

He also hit out at AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and his MLA-son Priyank Kharge for allegedly calling him poisonous snake and nalayak (worthless) respectively.

The identification of good and bad companions happens at the time of crisis. Whenever the country is in crisis, Congress and JD(S) leaders have done politics on that crisis too, Modi said.

Addressing a public meeting here in Raichur district, he said, Civil war is on in Sudan these days, bullets are being fired, bombs are exploding and there is an outcry. We (government) are working day and night to get every Indian citizen back from there safely, but Congress leaders did politics on this too, and tried to instigate several families.

Whether it is the Ukraine crisis or Corona global crisis, these people, Congress and JD(S) are involved in spreading lies, disappointment and doing their politics. They did only these things. But the strong BJP government despite all their attempts is not leaving any stone unturned in its attempts to bring every Indian back safely from the crisis, he added.

Alleging that Congress is making every attempt to insult Karnatakas great legacy, the Prime Minister said it is attempting to stain the states legacy, and the greatness of people here.

Listening to Congress and its leaders language, words, and seeing their egoistic attitude in this election campaign, not just me, the whole country is shocked. Every aware citizen is feeling ashamed of it, he said, adding that the opposition party has forgotten to respect Karnatakas maan maryada (pride and dignity).

The Prime Minister charged that at the beginning of election campaigning, Kharge took on the role of opening batsman to enter the field and called the former a snake to make one family happy despite the latters long experience in politics.

Then his son (Priyank Kharge) took over the command. Whatever the layak (worthy) father said, his layak (worthy) son took it forward. Whatever happened, I cant even repeat it, he said, adding that people of the state will respond to Congress who stained Karnatakas dignity.

I want to urge the Congress leaders, tell whatever you want about Modi, but kindly dont bring down the standard of electoral discourse, respecting the great legacy of Karnataka, he added.

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In a shocking case of seizure by customs officials, a female passenger was found with 22 snakes including two fully grown ball pythons at the Chennai airport on Friday, 28 April 2023. The woman who returned from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia had the animals hidden in her checked-in baggage in ventilated boxes. As stated by the officials, the seizure included two eight-foot-long fully-grown ball pythons besides other snakes of various species and a chameleon. A video of the incident is going viral where airport officials can be seen taking out the snake with the use of a long rod, while a few snakes can be seen wriggling out of the crates on the floor.

While the identity of the female passenger has not been revealed, it is being said that she arrived from Kuala Lumpur on flight AK13 at the Chennai airport on Friday. On the basis of inputs, the woman was intercepted by Customs, who on examination of her baggage found 22 snakes and a chameleon. The reptiles and chameleon have been seized under the Customs Act, 1962 r/w Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

On 28.04.23, a female pax who arrived from Kuala Lumpur by Flight No. AK13 was intercepted by Customs.

On examination of her checked-in baggage, 22 Snakes of various species and a Chameleon were found & seized under the Customs Act, 1962 r/w Wildlife Protection act, 1972 pic.twitter.com/uP5zSYyrLS  Chennai Customs (@ChennaiCustoms) April 29, 2023

On 28.04.23, a female pax who arrived from Kuala Lumpur by Flight No. AK13 was intercepted by Customs. On examination of her checked-in baggage, 22 Snakes of various species and a Chameleon were found & seized under the Customs Act, 1962 r/w Wildlife Protection act, 1972, the Chennai Customs tweeted.

Notably, this is not the first time when such recoveries have been made by the customs. On several occasions in the past, passengers were found smuggling exotic animals and reptiles through their baggage. In January this year, two unattended bags were recovered by the Customs department at the Chennai airport, inside which they found 45 ball pythons, three marmosets, three-star tortoises, and eight corn snakes.

Apart from this, passengers are also intercepted for illegally carrying foreign currency, gold, and diamonds, among other items.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modis monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat (MKB) completed 100 episodes on 30 April 2023. Starting in October 2014, the programme was conceived as a medium to build a direct connection between the prime minister and citizens. Few would disagree that Prime Minister Modi has established himself as an iconic leader in terms of his ability to connect with the masses. MKB has reinforced this in a unique way  it didnt just build an intimate connection between the prime minister and Indians but also reinforced ideals enshrined in the Constitution. At its core, the programme attempts to orient the mindset of citizens on issues of national importance. Endeavouring to mould the conscience of citizens, MKB has a strong social, cultural, and psychological aspect to it.

A recurring theme of the programme has been its focus on the diversity of India. An empirical study conducted by the authors evaluates the impact of MKB in fostering the feeling of unity in diversity among people of various religions in the country. This was based on preparing a questionnaire after analysing the content of all the episodes and sharing it with university students and academics from different universities/premier institutes in India.

To begin with, MKB episodes  aired live in Hindi over All India Radio (AIR)  are translated into 22 Indian languages, 29 dialects, and 11 foreign languages, thereby reaching diverse lingual groups in India and abroad. An analysis of the transcripts of all 99 episodes of MKB reveals that on 63 occasions, the PM has invoked and emphasised the importance of unity in diversity in myriad forms. These include invoking its different aspects such as vividhata (diversity), Anekta Mei Ekta (unity in diversity), Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (one India, great India), Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (world is one family), Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas (cooperation of all, welfare of all, trust of all, efforts of all), Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya (for benefit of all for happiness of all), to name a few.

In episode 32, the prime minister underlined the value of co-existence. He said, India is a country where both theists and atheists, idolaters and those loathing idol-worship co-exist. We have adapted ourselves to myriad kinds of ideologies, different ways of worshipping, and all types of traditions and imbibed the art of co-existential living.

Likewise, in episode 36, the prime minister exhorted Indians to get a feel of the countrys vast diversity. He remarked, I request you too to feel unity in diversity, which is not a mere slogan but a storehouse of enormous energy. The dream of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat is inherent in thisInternalise the diversities of millions of denizens of India within you. These experiences will enrich your livesThe element of unity in diversity being Indias speciality comes naturally to us. We feel proud of diversity, but have you ever tried to feel this diversity? I would like to reiterate to my countrymen, and especially to my young friends, that we are alive and aware beings. We should feel Indias diversity, touch it, feel its fragrance.

Similarly, in episode 51, he observed, Our festivals are replete with [the] fragrance of the essence of unity in diversity and the spirit of One India Great India.

Moreover, it was found that Prime Minister Modi has used every years October episode to speak on the relevance of unity, vouch for the Ek Bharat campaign, and encourage all to participate in the Ekta Ki Daur (Run for Unity).

The results of this study can give a few insights.

The findings of the study revealed that the MKB had a significant positive impact in fostering feelings of unity among respondents. They show that the programme transcends the boundaries of religion in invariably influencing people belonging to different faiths.

Sixty-eight per cent of respondents admitted that after listening to the episodes, there was a positive impact on their understanding of unity in diversity. Further, the respondents with high listening frequency expressed deeper belief in the idea.

Interestingly, 70 per cent of respondents revealed that it was only through MKB that they first came to know about the centuries-old Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Moreover, these respondents also revealed that the PMs positive references to the idea propelled them to explore more about it.

Another key finding was that the references to inter-faith understanding in MKB changed the mindset toward the festivals of other religions. After listening to the prime ministers call to celebrate festivals of other religions too, 65 per cent of respondents replied that they started perceiving those celebrations as Indian festivals and not merely belonging to a particular religion. Further, for 75 per cent of respondents, MKB was instrumental in instilling a sense of pride in Indian culture and linguistic diversity among respondents.

The study demonstrates how MKB has become a pivot for celebrating the diversity of the nation. It is pertinent to note that the theme of Indias G20 presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It will be an opportune setting for the country to showcase unity in diversity as a role model for the world.

(The article has been sourced from an ICSSR-supported study on Realising the Constitutional Ideal of Unity in Diversity: An Impact Evaluation of Mann Ki Baat.)

Tariq Mansoor is a former Vice-Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University and has written the foreword for the study. Mohammad Nasir is an Assistant Professor of Law at Aligarh Muslim University. Ahmed Musa Khan is an Assistant Professor of Commerce at Aligarh Muslim University. Samreen Ahmed is PhD candidate in the Department of Law, Aligarh Muslim University.

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On 20 April, the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, an army truck reportedly carrying fruit for distribution, was ambushed by terrorists in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. Five armed service personnel were killed in the attack. A week later, on 27 April, right in the middle of the 10th meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in New Delhi, the enemies of India struck again. This time in the dreaded Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh which, over the years, is usually in the news only when a deadly Maoist attack kills Indian soldiers. This time, the death toll was 10 District Reserve Guards and their driver in the Aranpur area.

After the fact, there is usually much analysis of intelligence failures or departures from SOPs (standard operating procedures). But even common sense would indicate that deep in the jungles of the region are still functioning camps and cadres that can hit specific targets to hurt the Indian state at will. Are the two attacks connected? Is there a grand security threat against India which we are not taking seriously enough? Such questions are bound to crop up after every such attack on Indian assets. But in this case, the proximity in timing gives us a rare opportunity to cross the ts and connect the dots as it were.

In my last column I spoke of Indias borders with Pakistan and China, totalling over 6,500 kilometres, in addition to a coastline of 7,500 km. This makes India one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to any attack by hostile foreign powers. And we have two enemies on both sides of our borders, Pakistan to the West and China to the North East.

To say, therefore, that managing Indias security is a tremendous challenge would be to utter a truism bordering on the banal. Yet, as a State and a nation, we do not seem to have paid sufficient attention to this challenge. There are historic reasons for this. Our freedom struggle, led by Mahatma Gandhi, emphasised non-violence not only as the avowed Congress method of gaining freedom from British colonialism, but also as our post-Independence state policy.

The grave miscalculation, if not suicidal error, of such a naively idealistic view of Indias defence requirement was realised a few months after Independence when Pakistani army-backed Islamist tribals militia invaded Kashmir. Major General DK Monty Palits biography, Major Gen A.A. Rudra: His Services in Three Armies and Two World Wars (1997), contains the astonishing revelation that it was the Kashmir invasion that saved the Indian Army from being disbanded.

After Independence, General Sir Rob McGregor MacDonald Lockhart, who was Indias first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army upon Indias independence, presented his strategic defence plan to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. According to Major Gen Palit, Nehrus reaction left Lockhart shell-shocked: The PM took one look at my paper and blew his top. Rubbish! Total rubbish! he shouted. We dont need a defence plan. Our policy is ahimsa (non-violence). We foresee no military threats. Scrap the army! The police are good enough to meet our security needs.

After two major and two minor wars with Pakistan, one major war with China, and continuing hostilities on our borders with both countries, we have come a long way from Nehrus Himalayan blunders. Yet, the question remains: have we moved sufficiently swiftly or surely to contain, if not overcome, Indias security threats, both external and internal? The two recent attacks on India, one on or border with Pakistan, the other deep inside the Indian territory, close so to speak to the very navel of the nation, indicate that the answer, unfortunately, is no.

Says former military intelligence and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, RSN Singh, While we Indians are sensitized about the ongoing proxy war by Pakistan, there is very little or no consciousness that Maoism or Naxalism is actually a proxy war by China being waged against India for last five decades. In todays India, especially May Day 2023, when the world acknowledges the struggles of the working classes, we in India ought to reflect on the role that Communists have played in destabilising our country. Especially when it comes to Maoists or Naxalites, no one ought to have any doubt about their continuing anti-state ideology and extra-territorial loyalty. In fact, Sinha unabashedly calls India Maoists Chinas Proxy Soldiers.

It would be naive, says Sinha, not to read the writing on the wall. There are many apologists of China in every strata and segment of Indian society. The same constituency earlier argued that there was no evidence of China providing WMD technology to Pakistan. Countries, like China that aid and abet insurgencies in other countries, are conscious enough of maintaining the deniability factor especially when it comes to physical evidence. But when it comes to Indias Maoists, we should not have such doubts. As Charu Mazumdar, Naxalite leader and idealogue, famously put it, Chinas Chairman is our Chairman and Chinas path is our path.

All we need to do today is substitute Chairman Mao with Chairman Xi Jinping.

[To be continued]

The writer is an author, columnist, and professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Views expressed are personal.

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The Opposition in India is waking up, albeit slowly, to the need of uniting before the Lok Sabha elections early next year. And the person who has taken the lead in doing that is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had been in the NDA camp till August last year. The plan is to bring together as many Opposition parties against the BJP as possible, and chart a common path by focusing on mutual agreements instead of disagreements.

For Nitish, it is his last-ditch effort to gain political relevance. And this battle is both personal and professional. He was a shining star in Indian politics in the late 2000s when Narendra Modi, then the chief minister of Gujarat, stole his thunder. In 2009, when the NDA under LK Advani lost the Lok Sabha elections to the Manmohan Singh-led UPA, Nitish thought his time in Indian politics had arrived. The NDAs 2009 defeat had left Nitish totally convinced Narendra Modis brand of politics was a game of diminishing returns, writes Sankarshan Thakur in his book, Single Man: The Life and Times of Nitish Kumar of Bihar.

It was this conviction that made Nitish take the biggest gamble of his life: To dump the 17-year-old alliance with the BJP in 2013 on the Modi issue. Interestingly, Nitish had no qualms about being in the NDA as a Union minister in the Vajpayee government when Gujarat was actually scarred by the 2002 communal violence. He was not in power in Bihar then, and desperately needed to hold on to something in Delhi. So, Modi had to be ignored till the time of his choosing and convenience arrived. But when he became the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2005, there was wind under his wings. Nitish, to his credit, brought Bihar out of jungle raj. In his first term, he was repeatedly named the Politician of the Year by several TV channels and newspapers. Even The Economist, which had once called Bihar Indias armpit, acknowledged the turnaround with a cheeky headline: The Bihari Enlightenment: Indias most notorious state is failing to live up to its reputation.

What further prompted the BJP-JD(U) breakup was the liberal/progressive propensity to unleash a heightened sense of importance among the political class by projecting it to be the sole guardian of avowed hallowed objectives  ranging from fuzzy liberalism to rootless secularism  though on the ground level, these mean nothing. By the end of his first term, Nitish found himself surrounded by this liberal circus, whose grandmaster was Amartya Sen. One incident just before the 2013 BJP-JD(U) divorce was enough to showcase the influence this clique had on Nitish.

Just three days before the acrimonious split, NK Singh, JD(U) MP and Nitishs trusted aide, hosted a dinner in Cambridge. At the event, Singh asked Amartya Sen, What, sir, do you think are the options before Nitish Kumar? The Nobel laureate, who was then associated with Bihars Nalanda World University project, gave a well-thought-out reply: Well, Nitish Kumar has several options, but only one honourable one. That was the final straw in the BJP-JD(U) relationship.

For Nitish, unfortunately, Modi was an idea whose time had come by then, thanks primarily to a decade of UPA misrule when corruption cases had jumped by leaps and bounds. The era also saw willful misuse of the state machinery to not just target the majority community by putting a saffron terror tag on it, but also normalise minority by pushing forward the narrative of Muslims having the first claim on resources.

Nitish committed two cardinal mistakes in his political life: One, in 1989 when he fanatically supported Lalu Prasad Yadav to gain the leadership of the Opposition in Bihar  and then the position of the chief minister a year later. Perhaps in Lalu, he (Nitish) saw a bumbler who he could remote control, writes Sankarshan Thakur in Single Man, quoting an old party colleague. It cost him 15 years of political wilderness and personal humiliation. But despite these political and personal setbacks, Nitish retained a rare aura of being an honest, educated politician who would not compromise on his integrity.

Post-2010, he squandered that image too. First, his governance model took a beating. With his focus shifting to Delhi, though Nitish had vehemently denied such claims, his second term could not upscale the governance successes of the first term. To add to his woes was Nitishs personal image taking a big hit. Change in his moniker from Sushashan Kumar to Kurshi Kumar was enough to suggest his slide. By the 2020 Assembly polls, which he again fought in the alliance with the BJP, he had become a liability. He was seen as a politician who would do anything to be in power. In 2020, Nitish could barely scrape through riding on Modis personal popularity and the BJPs well-oiled organisational machinery. His second divorce with the BJP, in 2022, was a final straw in the crisis of his credibility.

Lalu Prasad and his party, with a bankable Muslim-Yadav vote-bank, can afford to lose credibility and still score well over the 20 per cent vote mark. Nitish never had this luxury. He, with just about 4 per cent caste vote-bank, always needed credibility and the right kind of allies to propel his political career. With credibility gone, and by aligning with a party that decimates his entire political legacy of fighting the jungle raj, Nitish has been at a crossroads and probably in the twilight of his otherwise eventful political career. He has become a liability in Bihar politics, with the aggressive BJP and RJD slowly eating into his electoral base.

It is in this dismal backdrop that Nitish Kumar takes up the 2024 poll challenge on behalf of the rest of the Opposition. Its actually a win-win scenario for him. He knows theres nothing left for him in Bihar now. So, if, by accident, the Opposition manages to dislodge the Modi government in 2024, Nitish will get a fresh leash of political life, at least in Delhi. And it wont be a first for him. For so many years in the 1990s and the early 2000s, he took refuge in Delhi when his going got difficult in Patna. Nitish hopes to do the same in the mid-2020s. History, after all, repeats itself. But then, to his hard luck, Indian politics has moved on.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are as much about Nitishs political fate as they are about the destinies of other parties in the Opposition, especially the dynastic Congress led by Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul. The Bihar chief minister leading the charge against Narendra Modi only exposes the political bankruptcy of the Opposition camp.

The author is Opinion Editor, Firstpost and News18. He tweets from @Utpal_Kumar1. Views expressed are personal.

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Sharad Pawar on Tuesday stepped down as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president. The veteran politician and the four-time chief minister of Maharashtra made the announcement at a book launch event of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan in Mumbai.

After a long period of public life from 1 May, 1960, to 1 May, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party, Pawar said.

I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP Its time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take, he added.

Announcing his decision of resigning from the post of NCP chief, Pawar said that he was not retiring from public life and would continue to attend public events and meetings,

My colleagues, even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life. Constant travel has become an integral part of my life. I will continue attending public events, meetings. Whether I am in Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Delhi or any other part of India, I will be available to all of you as usual, Pawar told his party workers.

Leading NCP since its inception in 1999, Pawar said that that he has three years left of Rajya Sabha membership, during which he wants to focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, "with a caveat of not taking any responsibility."

Who will be the next NCP president?

In his address, Pawar said that a committee will be formed to decide who should be given the responsibility of the NCP chief's post.

He further said that the panel to decide the next party president will have senior members of NCP including Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Chhagan Bhujbal.

'Withdraw your decision': NCP workers to Pawar

#WATCH | Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar protest against his announcement to step down as the national president of NCP. pic.twitter.com/LsCV601EYs  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

Moment after Pawar announced his decision, NCP workers and leaders demanded him to withdraw his decision. They also threatened not to leave the venue unless he rescinded his decision.

"Let us all work together, but accept my resignation," Pawar told the party workers who were opposing his resignation.

With inputs from agencies

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American technology giant, IBM has announced that it plans to suspend some roles and teams, and will replace them with artificial intelligence-based tools in the next 5 years.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said that AI may replace some back-office workers within the next five years. A major chunk of Human Resources at IBM, according to Krishna, might possibly be supplanted by AI.

This comes after other corporations, notably Amazon, fired off HR workers in order to deploy AI instead. IBM also announced some steep cost-cutting measures earlier this year. In January, the business revealed intentions to lay off roughly 4,000 employees.

I could easily see 30 per cent of that being replaced by AI and automation over a five-year period, IBM CEO stated in an interview. IBM employs approximately 260,000 people, nearly 7,800 jobs could be replaced by AI in the coming years.

The corporation employs over 260,000 people and is still hiring for software development and customer-facing positions. Despite the cuts, Krisha stated in the interview that the company hired approximately 7,000 people in the first quarter. IBM laid off workers earlier this year after announcing intentions to spin off and sell two corporate businesses.

IBM CEO Krishna, who has been in charge of the century-old corporation since 2020, has unloaded lower-growth areas and may sell its weather division. IBM Chief Financial Officer James Kavanaugh stated that new productivity and efficiency measures are likely to save the company $2 billion per year by the end of 2024.

Krishnas remark comes at a time when generative AI has captured the attention of people all around the world, with the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI, Bing Chat by Microsoft, and Bard by Google.

Some tech companies around the world, including those in India, are even hiring prompt engineers to assist with office tasks using commands that AI chatbots can understand. In fact, after noticing an increase in productivity, a Bengaluru-based firm decided to give ChatGPT Plus memberships to staff.

According to industry insiders, AI has been making gains in software development, automating processes and considerably enhancing the productivity of the development process. As AI advances, it is expected that a growing percentage of software development duties will be done by AI systems, significantly altering the industrial environment.

While the impact of AI on the job market is still being debated, the use of AI in various industries has the potential to create new jobs and reshape the workforce. According to experts, businesses will need to adapt and engage in training and reskilling programmes to guarantee that their staff are ready for the changes that AI-driven technology will bring to the workplace.

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A government minister in Uganda was reportedly shot dead by a national army soldier who was deployed for his security.

As per reports, the deputy minister for gender and labor, retired colonel Charles Okello Engola, was shot at his home, early morning on Tuesday.

Col. Engolas passing was confirmed by the speaker of the Ugandan parliament in a brief statement read aloud during the morning session.

This morning I received sad news that Hon Engola has been shot by his bodyguard and after, shot himself. May his soul rest in peace. That was Gods plan. We cant change anything, Anita Among told MPs on Tuesday.

It is still unclear if the soldier and Col. Engola had a disagreement with the unnamed soldier who later shot himself in the head. Some eyewitnesses claimed that the soldier walked around the neighbourhood shooting in the air before turning the gun on himself.

As per the information several individuals are hurt, and videos posted on social media showed shocked locals assembling at the area.

Col. Engola, who was a senior government figure, has previously held the position of deputy defence minister.
The Canadian government is recommending a ban on assault-style rifles, which would go into effect once the legislation that is currently before Parliament is passed.

The law is reportedly aimed at classifying guns before they are put out for sale in Canada.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino stated during a press conference that our government is not targeting hunters and law-abiding gun owners.

According to the plan unveiled on Monday, the government would issue regulations under the Firearms Act to make sure that guns are appropriately classified before they are sold in Canada.

A firearms advisory committee will also be put in place which will offer suggestions on how to categorise the current crop of weaponry for sale.

Mendicino said the committee will consist of persons from the rural and northern areas, Native Americans, business executives, law enforcement officials, and proponents of gun control.

He stated, We will raise the classes of firearms for ban in accordance with the committees proposal. This group will be promptly established, and the government may request its advice as early as this summer.

Mendicino claimed that steps are being taken to make it very difficult for future governments to legalise assault-style rifles again.

In February, the Liberals withdrew a gun bill amendment that would have specified in law the numerous firearm models that would be subject to an assault-style weapon ban.

They had hailed the definition as a step that would enshrine in law a regulatory ban on approximately 1,500 firearm models and variants, as well as 482 others flagged later. The prohibition was set to take effect in May 2020.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday arrived in South Korea for a four-day official visit.

On her arrival at the Incheon Airport, she was received by the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea, Amit Kumar.

Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman reached the Republic of Korea for her 4-day official visit. She was received by Shri @KumarAmitMEA, Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea, upon her arrival at the Incheon Airport today early morning (KST), the Finance Ministry tweeted.

She is leading an Indian delegation to attend the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) along with Investor/ Bilateral and other associated meetings, in Incheon, a city in South Korea from May 2-5, the Ministry of Finance said in an official release.

Official ADB member delegations, observers, non-governmental and civil society organisations, journalists, financial institutions, banks, and other private sector enterprises will also be present at the meetings.Moreover, during the visit, Sitharaman will participate in annual meeting focal events like the Governors Business.

She will also be a panellist in the ADB Governors Seminar on Policies to Support Asias Rebound, the official release by the Ministry of Finance said.

Welcome to Incheon,  FM @nsitharaman We look forward to your appearance 3 May at the #ADBAnnualMeeting: https://t.co/sFBxB0hEEv https://t.co/xxkAvKXxD1  Asian Development Bank (@ADB_HQ) May 2, 2023

The engagements of the Union Finance Minister will consist of interaction with the Global Economists, Governors / Finance Ministers of the ADB member countries etc, and bilateral engagements with countries and international organisations.

During her visit, Sitharaman will not only interact with global business leaders and investors in roundtables but also engage with the community diaspora.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Geoffrey Hinton, who earned the 2018 Turing Award with two other so-called Godfathers of AI for his fundamental work that led to the present boom in artificial intelligence, now claims a part of him regrets his lifes work. According to an interview with the 75-year-old in The New York Times, Hinton just left Google in order to talk openly about the perils of AI.

I console myself with the standard excuse: if I hadnt done it, someone else would have, Hinton, who had worked at Google for more than a decade, said. Its difficult to see how you can keep bad actors from abusing it.

How Hinton helped Google develop its AI models

Hinton told Google of his departure last month and spoke with CEO Sundar Pichai personally on Thursday, according to NYT. The specifics of the conversation were not made public.

Hinton, a lifelong academic, joined Google when the firm was bought by Google, which had been founded by Hinton and two of his students, one of whom went on to become a top scientist at OpenAI.

After analysing millions of photographs, Hinton and his students created a neural network that trained itself to recognise common items such as dogs, cats, and flowers. This work resulted in the development of ChatGPT and Google Bard.

ChatGPT and Microsoft changed everything

According to the NYT article, Hinton was pleased with Googles management of the technology until Microsoft introduced the new OpenAI-infused Bing, which challenged Googles core business and triggered a code red response within the search giant.

According to Hinton, such severe rivalry may be hard to stop, culminating in a society with so much phoney images and text that no one will be able to identify what is true anymore.

Googles top scientist, Jeff Dean, attempted to lessen the impact by saying, We remain committed to a responsible approach to AI. We are always learning to recognise emerging hazards and to innovate aggressively.

Hinton also took to Twitter to clarify his position on Googles plans:

In the NYT today, Cade Metz implies that I left Google so that I could criticize Google. Actually, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly.  Geoffrey Hinton (@geoffreyhinton) May 1, 2023

Disinformation is a major concern

Hintons immediate worry is the propagation of disinformation. On a longer time horizon, he is concerned that AI will destroy rote employment and, maybe, humans itself if AI learns to create and operate its own programming.

The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people  there were a few people who believed that, Hinton told NYT. However, most people believed it was a long shot. And I thought it was a long shot. I assumed it would be 30 to 50 years or possibly longer. Clearly, I no longer believe that.

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Israeli airstrikes late Monday night on the Aleppo region of north Syria killed one soldier, injured seven people, including two civilians, and closed the airport there, according to official media.

At around 11:35 pm (2035 GMT) the Israeli enemy carried out an air attack with several missiles targeting Aleppo international airport and a number of sites in the vicinity of Aleppo, state news agency SANA said, citing a military source.

A soldier was killed and seven people were wounded including two civilians, SANA said, reporting material losses and that Aleppo airport was put out of service.

A weapons store caught fire as a result of a number of explosions in the area of Aleppo international airport and the Nayrab military airfield in Aleppo province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

According to the British war monitor, heavy material damage at both airports has occurred.

Furthermore, it stated that Israeli missiles fell on defence factories in the Safireh area of the Aleppo province, causing material damage.

Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian territory during the course of the countrys more than ten-year conflict, mostly focusing on Iranian-backed troops, Lebanese Hezbollah combatants, and Syrian army locations.

While Israel rarely comments on the strikes it carries out on Syria, it has repeatedly said it will not allow its arch-foe Iran to extend its footprint in the war-torn country.

Iran-backed militias have a heavy presence in the Aleppo region after providing key ground support to the army in its recapture of rebel-held districts of the city in 2016.

On 22 March, an Israeli missile strike destroyed a suspected arms depot used by Iran-backed militias at Aleppo airport, the Observatory said at the time, with authorities saying that the raid put the airport out of service.

On 7 March, three people were killed in an Israeli strike on the airport that also brought air traffic to a halt.

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UKs pub and bars are expected to earn a record 1.2 billion pounds on the coming weekend ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III on May 6.

According to recent data from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the historic event is expected to bring over 120,000,00 as the local breweries have estimated to collectively pour 62 million pints over the weekend, with longer hours to serve.

It came as the government extended pub hours by two hours on May 5 to 7 meaning bars will stay open until one in the morning.

As per reports, the coronation event is expected to be celebrated at many outlets in UK with special menus and events based on royal theme that too with attractive offers on food and drinks.

Ben Rosson, owner of a pub in Huddersfield, was quoted in the mirror saying, We have so much going on over the coronation weekend, its the first time weve hosted an afternoon tea.

It would be great to see a range of people getting involved and hopefully getting new customers into the pub too.

We have a raffle draw on the Sunday, a street party and live music.

He added: Its always good for everyone to be able to get out and enjoy themselves, especially after Covid.

The coronation is a great chance for people to get out and celebrate  what better place to do so than the pub?

The event is also being seen as crucial for UKs hospitality industry as businesses continue to recover from the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a critically difficult time for our industry, we hope people will mark this historic national celebration by visiting their local, one iconic British institution supporting another, said Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA.

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Israels prison service reported that a Palestinian prisoner who had been on a nearly three-month hunger strike had passed away early on Tuesday.

As per reports, Palestinian insurgents in the Gaza Strip launched a barrage of missiles into southern Israel soon after the news of his death broke.

In a time of already-high tensions, Khader Adnans passing increases the possibility of a conflict between Israel and militant Palestinian organisations.

The 45-year-old Adnan started his strike soon after his detention on February 5.

Adnan, a militant from the Islamic Jihad organization, had engaged in multiple hunger strikes following earlier arrests.

This included a 55-day strike in 2015 in opposition to his confinement indefinitely without indictment or trial under the so-called administrative detention policy.

In recent years, several Palestinians have engaged in protracted hunger strikes in opposition to being imprisoned in administrative detention.

In the majority of cases, once their health dramatically declined, Israel eventually released them. No one has passed away while being held, but many have experienced irreversible brain damage.

Adnan was this time accused of involvement in terrorist activities, according to the Israeli prison service, but he rejected medical attention while the case was being litigated.

It stated that he was discovered unresponsive in his cell early Tuesday and was taken to a hospital where he was later declared dead.

Soon after his death on Tuesday, Palestinian organisations called for a countrywide strike, with businesses and institutions closing for what the organisers described as a day of general mourning, in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

Barrage of missiles in reply

According to the Israeli military, the missiles fired from the Gaza Strip under Hamas control fell in uninhabited areas and did not do any harm.

In a statement, the militant organisation Islamic Jihad declared that our fight continues and will not stop.

In May 2021, Israel engaged in an 11-day conflict with Palestinian terrorists, including Islamic Jihad.

According to the Israeli human rights organisation HaMoked, Israel is presently keeping more than 1,000 Palestinian inmates without accusation or trial, which is a record high since 2003.

This number, according to reports, rose because of Israels nightly arrest operations in the occupied West Bank following a spate of deadly Palestinian assaults in Israel in early 2022.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Tehran, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has pitched for taking India-Iran ties to a new level, especially in the economic and commercial fields.

Groupings such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the BRICS can be very effective in view of the global geo-political changes, Raisi conveyed to Doval in the meeting on Monday, according to a statement issued by the Iranian Presidents office.

The NSA was on a day-long visit to Iran on Monday. Besides calling on Raisi, Doval held separate talks with his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

In their meeting, Doval and Amirabdollahian exchanged views on development of the Chabahar port, ways to deal with terrorism, issues relating to bilateral banking and the situation in Afghanistan, the Iranian foreign ministry said.

In a statement, it said the Iranian foreign minister called for boosting trade ties and hoped that the holding of a meeting of the joint economic commission in Tehran will generate fresh momentum in the relations.

It said Doval talked about unfolding developments globally and referred to a broad range of areas where Tehran and New Delhi can work together. Doval then stressed on the necessity of putting in place a roadmap of cooperation between the two nations within the framework of a long-term partnership, it said.

The foreign ministry said cooperation in the Chabahar port project figured in the talks and Doval underlined its importance including for the Central Asian region.

In their meeting, Amirabdollahian and Doval also exchanged views over the joint work of Iran and India in Chabahar, bilateral banking issues, the sanctions removal talks and regional issues, including the developments in Afghanistan, it said.

In his meeting with Doval, Raisi made a mention of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Uzbek city of Samarkand in September last and that both sides wanted to expand ties in the economic and commercial fields, the Iranian Presidents office said.

It said Raisi noted that Iran and India can develop their cooperation to a new level to have an impact on the developments caused by the establishment of the new world order.

While referring to various global developments, the Iranian President said the SCO and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) can be very effective platforms to deal with many issues.

Dovals visit to Iran comes ahead of a foreign ministerial meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa this week.

India is the current chair of the SCO and Iran is set to be made a permanent member of the grouping at its annual summit later this year.

The implementation of the Chabahar Port project in Iran is also a key focus area in the bilateral ties between New Delhi and Tehran.

Recently, Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi strongly pitched for faster implementation of the Chabahar port project as well as use of the facility by India to send various shipments, saying the key transit hub will benefit both the countries.

He also said that there is a need to look at the Chabahar project beyond economic perspectives.

Located in Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Irans southern coast, the Chabahar port is being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost connectivity and trade ties.

Iran has been seeking resumption of import of crude oil by India from Iran.

India stopped procurement of crude oil from Iran after the US did not continue with sanction waivers to India and several other countries.

(With inputs from PTI)

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As the UK politicians strive to control the asylum backlog, Home Office plans to acquire ten abandoned cruise ships in order to shelter asylum seekers in ports across the country.

Liverpool is anticipated to be the next port of call, according to the reports.

The officials reportedly have been asked to consider all options including former military camps and jails to house migrants who have not not been reinstated already.

Since December, there has been an addition of 1500 more people as migrants.

Despite criticism from Conservative backbench MPs, Home Office insiders have acknowledged that they may need to find additional hotels to lodge people after failing to find the 10,000 spaces they had planned for in military camps, abandoned jails, and huge vessels.

According to information provided to The Guardian, a top maritime corporation is even looking into the viability of putting migrants on abandoned oil rigs, a concept that ministers ruled out in 2020 due to significant logistical and safety issues and which the Home Office is unlikely to accept.

In an effort to allay concerns from Tory backbenchers about the use of hotels in their constituencies, ministers confirmed plans to house about 400 people in a gigantic barge in Dorset.

The revelation that the government wants up to 10 vessels comes at a cost of millions from taxpayers money.

Beginning in early June, the first gigantic boat Bibby Stockholm will be berthed in Portland harbour.

Later that month, the first group of migrants, who are anticipated to be single men nearing the conclusion of their claims for asylum, are anticipated to board. More migrants are anticipated to arrive throughout the summer.

Also Read: UK Migrant Crisis: Illegals quickly become involved in crime, drug trade, prostitution, says Suella Braverman

Although no contract has yet been signed, Whitehall sources claimed that Suella Braverman, the home secretary, was close to confirming a deal for a 1,800-capacity former cruise ship to house migrants to be berthed in the Mersey.

The local council must be fully involved in order for Peel Ports, which owns and operates port infrastructure in the Birkenhead region, to move forward with the proposals.

Local officials, meanwhile, have criticised the idea and called it a floating prison, citing a lack of infrastructure.

The utilisation of abandoned cruise ships and ferries was originally intended by the ministers because they could carry more passengers.

According to information provided to The Guardian, officials have been urged to locate 10,000 additional locations outside of hotels before the end of the year. But as of now, only 5,400 locations are anticipated to be prepared to receive immigrants by the end of this year, according to sources.

They include housing at the formerly used military bases in Wethersfield and Scampton, which could accommodate 3,700 people, as well as the reopening of the 1,000-person capacity immigration detention facilities in Campsfield, close to Oxford, and Haslar, in Hampshire.

400 people would be stationed on the barge in Portland, Dorset, and another 1,200 may be housed in Northeye, a former jail in East Sussex, and at barracks in Catterick, in Sunaks North Yorkshire constituency.

Although critics claim it would amount to arbitrary detention, a government source claimed the use of enormous barges or renovated ferries and cruise ships to house refugees could have a deterrent effect on people arriving in small boats.

The total asylum backlog increased from 136,230 in December to 138,052 in March, according to Home Office data provided last week ahead of the House of Commons third reading of the illegal immigration bill.

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The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the US administration to impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in the country by freezing their assets.

The USCIRF also recommended to Congress raise the issue of religious freedom during US-India bilateral meetings and hold hearings on it.

In its annual report on religious freedom, the USCIRF asked the US State Department to designate India as a country of particular concern on the status of religious freedom along with several other nations.

The USCIRF has been making similar recommendations to the State Department since 2020, which have not been accepted so far. The recommendations of USCIRF are not mandatory for the State Department.

In its India section of the report, USCIRF alleged that in 2022, religious freedom conditions in India continued to worsen. Throughout the year, the Indian government at the national, state, and local levels promoted and enforced religiously discriminatory policies, including laws targeting religious conversion, interfaith relationships, the wearing of hijabs, and cow slaughter, which negatively impact Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples and scheduled tribes).

The national government also continued to suppress critical voices  particularly religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf  including through surveillance, harassment, demolition of property, and detention under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and by targeting nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the USCIRF alleged.

Responding to questions, State Departments Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that USCIRF is not a branch of the State Department or the Executive Branch, and its report reflects the importance of religious freedom to the American people.

While the reports recommendations for designations overlap to some extent with the State Departments lists of countries of particular concern, it is not entirely conclusive. Governments or other entities that have questions or comments about this report should reach out to the Commission directly, Patel said.

While the USCIRF is predictably attempting to revive its annual case against India for inclusion in the CPC, it does so with a weaker set of data points that are predictably filled with both omission and commission, Khanderao Kand of FIIDS said in a statement. It conveniently lists delays in court cases but conveniently omits the fact that the Assam High Court actually ordered the implementation of the NRC, not the government, Kand said.

Furthermore, the report fails to acknowledge the cultural and economic significance of cows to Indian villagers, not to mention the constitutional ban on cow slaughter. It conveniently ignores the fact that the bulldozed houses were illegal and notified, and the list of omissions goes on. Astonishingly, the USCIRF fails to mention the beheadings of Hindus and their targeted killings by jihadi Muslims in Kashmir, he said.

Moreover, there seems to be a biased agenda of USCIRF generalising isolated incidents without considering the complexities of Indias diverse population of 1.3 billion people. It is clear that the USCIRFs renewed effort lacks the necessary objectivity and fairness, and it raises questions about their true intentions and credibility, Kand said.

The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) welcomed the USCIRFs decision to recommend that India be designated as a country of particular concern for the fourth consecutive year. This decision reaffirms what IMAC has been saying for years Indias government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has continued to systematically violate the religious freedom of minority communities, particularly Muslims and Christians, said Rasheed Ahmed, IAMC executive director.

It is high time that the State Department acts on USCIRFs recommendation and holds India accountable as the ground situation becomes increasingly more violent and dangerous for its religious minorities. We particularly welcome that the report highlights the systematic and appalling harassment of Journalists, Ahmed said.

With inputs from PTI.

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Another mysterious balloon has been spotted flying over the US sky. Officials from the Department of Defence said that the unmanned high-altitude object was flying over Hawaii, but its exact origin and nature remain unclear.

US officials told NBC News that they are yet to identify whether the mysterious object is a weather balloon or something else.

Could shoot it down if it approaches land

According to the officials, the Pentagon has been tracking the object since late last week, adding that its flight path over the islands has so far not taken it over any sensitive military areas.

The US military believes the balloon is unlikely to pose threat to air traffic or the national security.

The suspected balloon does not appear to be manoeuvring, or sending out any signals, said an official.

The balloon did not transit directly over defence critical infrastructure or other US Government sensitive sites, nor did it pose a military or physical threat to people on the ground, the US defence department statement read.

Based on these observations, the Secretary of Defence concurred with the recommendation of his military commanders that no action need be taken against the balloon, the department spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the military officials have warned that they could shoot down the mysterious balloon if it approaches land.

China again behind mysterious balloon in US?

The Pentagon is still working on identifying the object and its owner. They, however, are of the view that the mysterious balloon does not belong to China.

The news of the mysterious balloon over the Pacific Ocean comes a few days after a series of flying objects, including a Chinese spy balloon, were detected by the US officials earlier this year.

In February, an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down by the US off the coast of the Carolinas.

Also, within a week after the downing of the Chinese spy balloon, three other unidentified objects floating over North America were destroyed. One was described as the size of a small car which was shot down after it was spotted over Alaska, and a US fighter jet took down another small object spotted over Yukon in northwest Canada. An octagonal structure was also spotted and shot down over Lake Huron later.

The US officials have claimed that China has been operating an aerial balloon programme since 2017 for surveillance purposes or to test the US governments response. They also confirmed that the Chinese surveillance balloon was able to gather intelligence from sensitive military sites.

With inputs from agencies

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The main topic of discussion during Mondays meetings between President Joe Biden and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos at the White House was how to respond to Beijings aggressive advance into the South China Seas critical islands and shipping lanes.

Marcos four-day visit comes after Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, paid a state visit to Washington last week, and after Biden and Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan met at the White House in January.

Biden emphasised the ironclad US commitment to safeguarding the nation as he greeted Marcos in the Oval Office.

Marcos referred to difficult times and said the Philippines finds itself in a region with arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.

So it is only natural for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen, to redefine, the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and Asia Pacific, he said.

A senior US official said the Marcos visit  which began with a military honour guard outside the White House  was the first at this level and intensity between the two countries for decades.

It is clear that were in a deeply consequential period in terms of our Indo-Pacific engagements, the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Ships in near collision

Alarm bells are ringing for Washington and its Asian allies as China moves ever more confidently to assert claims to sovereignty over almost the whole South China Sea  ignoring an international ruling that this has no legal basis.

The tension, combined with constant sabre rattling over Taiwan  the democratically run island that Beijing claims but Washington vows to help defend  has prompted the Biden administration to rapidly bolster its military capabilities.

The Philippines, which lies close to key sea lanes and Taiwan, is of particular interest.

Marcos signaled as he left for Washington that he is wary of being caught between the superpowers, telling reporters: We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action.

However, this month, the Philippines identified four military bases  in addition to five existing sites  where US forces will be given access, including one located near the tense Spratly Islands.

The two allies also carried out their largest-ever military manoeuvres in recent weeks.

That has alarmed China, which accuses Washington of trying to drive a wedge between Beijing and Manila.

In a reminder of how diplomatic tensions can quickly echo in the real world, a Chinese ship on April 23 narrowly missed colliding with a much smaller Philippine Coast Guard vessel in the Spratly Islands.

New military muscle

The focus of talks between Biden and Yoon last week was on another regional flashpoint: nuclear-armed, communist North Korea.

Expressing disappointment that China has not done more to rein in North Korea, US officials announced that a US nuclear submarine would make a visit to South Korea soon  the first in decades.

During Kishidas visit, Biden also underlined the US treaty commitment to defend Japan. Tokyo is meanwhile on a shopping spree to buy an arsenal of US-made Tomahawk missiles.

The senior official briefing journalists ahead of Marcoss visit said Manila is likewise looking for reassurance and a strong desire to maintain peace and stability in this complex period.

Recent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary steps to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between the United States and the Philippines.

Although giving few details, the official said new bilateral defence guidelines would see a series of steps to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization.

In an acknowledgement of Philippine sensitivities about the US troop presence, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that the sites slated to be used by the United States remain part of the Filipino military and every single step of the way will be done in complete coordination.

Its about our ability to be better allies to one another and meet our commitments to each other, he said.

The shifting geostrategic situation in the Asia-Pacific region will be a major topic when Biden visits Japan for a G7 meeting later in the month.

The US official said Biden would also meet separately during that trip in a trilateral format with the leaders of Japan and South Korea. He then heads to Australia for a session of the Quad group: Australia, India, Japan and the United States.

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At least 20,000 Russian troops have died and another 80,000 were wounded in five months of fighting in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Bakhmut, a White House official said.

The toll from fighting  with the most intense battle being for Bakhmut, where Ukrainian troops have been driven from all but a sliver of the city  accounts for losses since the start of December, according to the US figures.

We estimate that Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

Russias attempt at an offensive in the Donbass, largely through Bakhmut, has failed Russia has been unable to seize any really strategically significant territory, Kirby said.

Kirby, citing newly declassified US intelligence, said that about half of those killed were soldiers recruited by the private military company Wagner, which draws much of its ranks from prison populations in Russia.

This attempted effort, particularly in Bakhmut, has come at a terribly, terribly high cost. Russia has exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces, Kirby said.

Kirby said he was not giving estimates of Ukrainian casualties because they are the victims here. Russia is the aggressor.

The White House will not put information in the public domain that makes it any harder for the close Western ally, whose army is being armed and trained by a US-led coalition of countries, he said.

The war in Ukraine started on February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine from the North, East, and South. Over the next couple of days, the two biggest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, came under intense shelling and missile attacks.

With inputs from agencies.

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Ahead of the summit of Quad leaders in Australia later this month, the United States said that there are no plans of adding new members to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) at this time.

While answering a media query over the expansion of QUAD, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday, The Quad was established two years ago. The Quad is still a relatively young partnership. There are no plans for new members at this time. Quad members have agreed that for now, the focus is on cementing the quads many strengths.

Head of state from Quad countries  Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga, PM Narendra Modi, and US President Joe Biden are scheduled to meet in Australia on June 24.

However, the Quad welcomes opportunities to work with a wide range of Indo-Pacific partners, such as through its Indo-Pacific partners on maritime domain awareness, which is delivering cutting edge maritime domain awareness technology around the region, she added.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is the grouping of four democraciesIndia, Australia, the US, and Japanthat aims to ensure and support a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that it will host the Quad Leaders Summit on May 24 in Sydney reiterating that it will be a chance to work in cooperation with US, Japan and India.

The May 24th Sydney Summit will showcase other opportunities for the Quad to partner around the region on climate, global health, infrastructure, and more. The Quads top priority is ensuring it is well-positioned to deliver for the Indo-Pacific. And so, theres no conversation on extending or expanding at this time, Jean-Pierre said.

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Samsung India has announced its biggest summer festival of the year  Fab Grab Fest, 2023, which begins on May 4th. During this festival, customers can enjoy huge discounts and amazing cash backs like never before on a variety of Samsung Electronics and Galaxy devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, accessories and wearables.

Offers on Smartphones

During the Fab Grab Fest, Samsung smartphones such as Galaxy S Series, A Series, M Series, F Series, and Flip3 smartphones will be available at up to 57% off.

Customers can get a discount on select models like the Galaxy F14, Galaxy F23, flagship Galaxy S21 FE 5G, and Galaxy Z Flip3, and recently launched Galaxy M14.

Offers on Laptops and Tablets

Samsungs laptops, including the Galaxy Book2, Galaxy Book Go, and recently launched Galaxy Book3 and Galaxy Book3 Pro 360, can be purchased at up to 29% off.

Customers can also avail of up to 40% off on Samsung tablets, accessories, and wearables such as Galaxy S6 Lite WiFi, Galaxy A8 WiFi, and Galaxy Watch4.

Offers on TVs

Select models of Samsung TVs such as the flagship Neo QLED and The Frame TVs, and Crystal UHD series will be available at up to 45% off.

Offers on Digital Appliances

The Fab Grab Fest 2023 offers never-before prices on digital appliances such as Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Microwaves, Monitors, and Air Conditioners.

Customers can avail of up to 40% off on Samsungs premium Side-By-Side refrigerators.

On purchase of select Side-By-Side refrigerators, customers can also get a 32-inch smart TV Samsung worth Rs. 15,990 over and above 40% off.

Offers on Washing Machines and Microwaves

Customers can get up to 30% off on select models of washing machines and a 28 liters microwave oven free.

Microwaves will be available at up to 35% off.

Offers on Air Conditioners

Select models of air conditioners will be available at up to 40% off.

Customers buying two or more of Samsungs latest range of WindFree ACs can get an additional 10% off on the total price.

Fab Grab Fest Offers

Cashback Offers

Customers can also avail an additional cashback of up to 14% on debit and credit cards of HDFC and ICICI banks, and up to 22.5% with a maximum of Rs. 25,000 on debit and credit cards of ICICI, Axis, Kotak, and other leading banks.

ShopApp Welcome Voucher

Customers can avail of benefits up to Rs. 2000 on select Galaxy devices & up to Rs. 3000 on select TV & home appliances if they make their first purchase from Samsung ShopApp. The ShopApp welcome voucher can be availed over and above the Fab Grab Fest offers.

Samsung Axis Bank Credit Card

Customers can avail an additional 10% cashback over and above the Fab Grab fest offers if they make their purchase using Samsung Axis bank credit card.

Buy More Save More

Customers can get an extra 5% off on the purchase of two or more products across categories, including accessories, listed under the Buy More Save More offer on Samsung.com and Samsung Shop App.

Availability

Samsung Indias summer event, the Fab Grab Fest 2023, is scheduled to begin on May 4th. However, early access to the festivals deals and discounts are already available starting May 1st, 2023.

Customers can take advantage of the festivals lucrative deals and discounts by visiting Samsung.com or any of the brands exclusive retail stores nationwide.

Commenting on the Fab Grab Fest Sale, Sumit Walia, Senior Director, D2C Business Samsung India, said:
In compliance with section 69A of the countrys IT law, the Indian government has banned 14 more mobile apps after inputs from intelligence agencies, according to reports.

These apps were used by terrorists in Kashmir to communicate with their supporters and on-ground workers and spread terror propaganda, adds the reports.

The government banned 59 mobile apps back in June 2020, 118 apps including PUBG Mobile in September 2020. It banned 43 mobile apps, including AliExpress, in November 2020 and banned 54 apps including Tencent-backed Garenas Free Fire in February 2022.

The apps that were banned from 2020 to 2022 had connection with China and the government said that those were prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.

The new apps that were banned on May 1st does not have representatives in India, and it is difficult to track down activities happening on the app, according to the report.

List of 54 apps that are banned

Crypviser Enigma Safeswiss Wickrme Mediafire Briar BChat Nandbox Conion IMO Element Second line Zangi Threema

Some apps are still in the Google Play Store, but these should be removed soon as Google notifies the developers to remove them. These apps should also been removed from the Apple app store soon. With this, the total number of apps banned by the government stands at 288.

Source
motorola has introduced the edge+, a slightly different US version of the edge 40 Pro that was introduced last month for the global markets. It has a 6.7-inch FHD+ 165Hz 10-bit pOLED screen with Dolby Vision, in-display fingerprint scanner. It is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage.

The phone has a 50MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera with macro option, 12MP 2X portrait telephoto lens and a 60MP front camera. It has IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance. It has ThinkShield, Moto Secure, and Family Space features. The phone runs Android 13, and the company has promised 3 years of OS upgrades and 4 years of bi-monthly security updates.

The phone has a sandblasted aluminium middle frame and a matte glass back with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection that provides a silky feel. It packs a 5100mAh battery with support for 68W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging as well as 5W reverse charging.

motorola edge+ specifications

6.7-inch (24001080 pixels) FHD+ 10-bit pOLED display, 165Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection

Octa Core Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4nm Mobile Platform with Adreno next-gen GPU

8GB LPDDR5X RAM, 512GB UFS 4.0 storage

Android 13

Dual SIM (eSIM + nano)

50MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture, OIS, 50MP 114 ultra-wide autofocus camera, 2.5cm macro option, f/2.2 aperture, 12MP 2X portrait telephoto camera with f/1.6 aperture

60MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture

USB Type-C Audio, Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, 4 microphones

Water and dust resistant (IP68)

Dimensions: 161.16748.59mm; Weight: 203g

5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ax (2.4GHz/5GHz) MIMO, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC

5100mAh battery, 68W TurboPower fast charging, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse charging

Pricing and availability

The motorola edge+ comes in Interstellar Black colour and is priced at an MSRP of $799.99 (Rs. 65,410 approx.) and in Canada at CA$1299.99.

It will be available in the U.S. universally unlocked at Best Buy, Amazon.com and Motorola.com starting May 25th with pre-order starting from May 19th. It will also be available at Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile in the coming weeks, with subsequent availability at Spectrum Mobile and Consumer Cellular. The phone will also be available in Canada at the same time.
For six days in the spring of 2021, the Suez Canal  a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and an important trade route between locations such as China and Europe  was blocked by the container ship Ever Given. A single stricken cargo vessel caused tremendous congestion, with several hundred other container ships stuck as they waited to get through. This in turn had implications for international trade. The resulting delays led to a shortage of containers at ports, threw schedules into several months of disarray and held up shipments.

This incident showed just how dependent we are on maritime bottlenecks like the Suez Canal. As a trading nation, Germany relies on imports and exports running smoothly. If a key trade route is blocked for more than a few days, this has a direct and disruptive impact on production and supply. According to the authorities, the Ever Given did not run aground because of a cyberattack, but it is not hard to imagine what could happen in the event of a successful attack on the digital navigation and communication systems on board one or more cargo ships.

Ships as potential targets

Ships increasingly require networking technology in general  whether for finding the best way to navigate routes, monitoring goods or allowing the crew to contact home. This makes maritime systems all the more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Basically, three different kinds of attacks are conceivable, as Dr. Jan Bauer, head of the Maritime Cyber Security research group at Fraunhofer FKIE, outlines: Generic attacks are not aimed specifically at ships and are therefore the most common threat, explains Bauer, highlighting the example of a USB stick infected with ransomware being connected to the on-board computer. Targeted attacks that are carried out with a high degree of expertise and can make ships simply vanish from radar, for example, are far more dangerous, he adds with emphasis. Another possible type of attack involves what is known as electronic warfare. Strictly speaking, this is not actually a cyberattack, but it can have a similar impact in that it affects systems such as GPS by means of interfering transmitters or by using high-frequency radio waves (jamming or spoofing).

Realistic test environment with a stationary ships bridge

Researchers at Fraunhofer FKIE can simulate these different kinds of cyber-physical attacks, i.e., attacks that impact the real world, in a maritime security lab. The true-to-life stationary ships bridge under development at the CML in Hamburg is currently being expanded to create a cybersecurity lab as part of the MaCy (maritime cybersecurity lab) project. This onshore facility features all the tools and systems usually found at sea: the bridge hardware, marine radio and AIS (Automatic Identification System) transceivers, a radar unit and the ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System), which is used for navigation, among other things. Within this realistic and controlled test environment, the research group is using a variety of developments to detect, investigate and, ideally, avert IT security breaches.

The Bridge Attack Tool (BRAT) makes it possible to carry out effect-based simulations. Developed as an offensive security tool, BRAT has the capability to carry out various attacks itself  such as denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or disrupting and manipulating radar and positioning systems  and show the tangible impact they have on the on-board systems. With a subsequent analysis, the researchers can then highlight existing weaknesses in software systems to industry partners and help them rectify these issues and develop countermeasures by drawing on areas such as cryptography.

To help detect cyberattacks on ships as early as possible, the team has designed a maritime intrusion detection system that automatically spots anomalies. This Cyber Incident Monitor (CIM) evaluates potential attacks and provides information and guidance to the crew over an ergonomic user interface. In stressful situations, warnings and recommendations for the ships crew need to be simple and straightforward to implement, says Florian Motz, head of the organizational ergonomics research group at Fraunhofer FKIE. Thats why, when developing CIM, we paid particular attention to ensuring that audible warnings, for example, are only triggered when urgent action is needed, and that alarms and warnings come with information and aids for making decisions  such as advice not to trust the GPS for the time being. The alarm and warning concept is in line with performance standards for bridge alarm management from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The team has been working on CIM and parts of the development of BRAT in collaboration with the company BM Bergmann Marine GmbH under the SINAV research project (a study on integrating and processing sensory, navigational, communication and automation information for semi- and fully autonomous ship operation in order to guarantee safe navigation) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.

Raising awareness and developing measures

The researchers objective is to use the innovative maritime security lab to raise awareness among companies, authorities and nautical experts of the dangers of cyberattacks at sea and to work with industrial partners to develop protective measures. On the one hand, they can test and upgrade existing systems. On the other, they can provide research data to develop new solutions and thus help establish an approach based on the concept of security by design. Jan Bauer believes that systematic prevention combined with effective methods for detecting potential cyberattacks offers the best protection from harm: We mustnt be lured into a false sense of security just because cyberattacks on ships have not been widely reported. Particularly, the systems on older cargo vessels, which have been in use for decades now, are in urgent need of upgrading. The researchers are very clear about the motivation behind their work: With their research findings, they aim to successfully prevent attacks and thus play a small but important part in ensuring IT security and cybersecurity in global supply chains  which in turn are essential to geopolitical security.
The miniaturized muscle implant, consisting of electrode contacts and electronics, is just three centimeters long and barely one millimeter thick. A silicone tube is used to extract the implant after the experiment.

A compact controller on a belt or under a jacket, a couple of discreet textile electrodes on the arms and legs, and electrodes three centimeters long and barely a millimeter thin in the muscle are all it will take to help people with tremor disorders in the future. Whenever muscle tremors start, the system sends electrical stimuli to the muscles; these stimuli are registered by the nervous system. The nervous system then stops sending interfering signals to the muscles, which settle down again. That is the basic idea behind the technology that scientists from Fraunhofer IBMT have been working on together with project partners by developing, manufacturing, integrating and experimentally testing a set of intramuscular and external electrodes and associated controllers.

The scientists have already made some concrete achievements. We have managed to reduce muscle tremors significantly in trials with patients, explains Andreas Schneider-Ickert, project manager for active implants and innovation manager.

The system is part of the EU-funded joint project EXTEND. A total of nine project partners from five different countries are working together to develop a versatile platform of distributed neural interfaces. The technology will be able to help people with neuromuscular disorders, such as tremors, or symptoms of paralysis. Even people with spinal cord injuries could benefit from this. The technology uses external controllers to link the implanted electrodes into an intelligent network. The components communicate with each other wirelessly, exchange data, detect muscle signals and send targeted stimuli into the muscles. Implanted systems are already being used medically to provide stimulation, but the current methods require complex surgical operations that are considerably stressful for patients.

Implants for the human-machine interface

A key element of EXTEND is the implants, which are made from biocompatible platinum-iridium and silicone and are injected into the muscle through a catheter. Just three centimeters long and barely a millimeter in diameter, the tiny implant has an electrode at each end that functions as either a sensor or an actuator. External electrodes sewn into a textile ribbon supply the module with energy. This sends pulsed alternating current through the muscle tissue to the implant. Whats innovative about this is not only the intelligent interplay between control electronics, sensors and actuators, but also the principle of modulating the alternating current to transmit data, explains Schneider-Ickert.

Once it has been implanted and started, the sensors register the first signs of muscle tremors and pass the information on to the external components. The controller evaluates the data and sends signals through the textile electrodes to stimulate the muscle. This closes a control circuit of intelligently networked sensor and actuator components that counteracts the tremor.

The stimulus signal is not strong enough to trigger a muscle contraction directly. It is the nervous system that plays the decisive role here. This registers the stimulation in the muscle tissue and responds by stopping the commands that trigger the muscle tremor. At least that is the theory  the finer details of the relationship between tremors and signals from the nervous system are yet to be researched. In clinical trials, however, our method is working astonishingly well. Initial trials have shown that providing the patient with stimuli for one or two hours is enough to reduce tremor symptoms for a longer period of time, says Schneider-Ickert.

Since tremors often occur in both arms and both legs, implants can be injected and external textile electrodes placed in all the affected muscle groups. This creates a distributed sensor network. The controllers can keep track of all the implanted and external electrodes at the same time and control them in coordination with each other. All this happens in real time, with the person experiencing no delay at all.

The technology being developed in the EXTEND joint project is just as functional as conventional implant systems, but minimally invasive and therefore easier to accept and better for everyday use. The basic concept originates from a Spanish project partner. Based in this concept, the researchers at Fraunhofer IBMT designed the electrodes and implantable components and produced and integrated them in the in-house cleanroom. The scientists have 25 years of expertise in neuroprosthetics and active implants.

Exoskeletons to prevent paraplegia

For tremor patients, EXTEND brings them the hope that their symptoms can be alleviated considerably. However, the technology platform could also help people with spinal cord injuries thanks to motorized exoskeletons. This is a possible because, in cases of paralysis, the nerve fibers are often not completely cut off. They can still transmit stimuli from the brain, albeit very weakly. The sensors register the activity and transmit it to the controller, which analyzes all the signals, works out what movement the person wants to perform and activates exactly the right prostheses to support the muscles in executing the movement.

Following initial successful tests, the concepts and technologies used in EXTEND have been steadily developed, miniaturized, optimized and subjected to further implementation studies. As a result, the project has now been completed with a successful proof of concept of the miniaturized full system in humans. Fraunhofer IBMT will use the knowledge gained from EXTEND to further develop its expertise in the field of neuromuscular and neural interfaces.
The popularity of electric bikes continues to grow  according to the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV), electric bikes accounted for 48 percent of sales across the entire bicycle market in 2022  and this figure is set to increase in future. The choice of models is also becoming more diverse. Alongside well-known brands, small manufacturers, too, are bringing new products to the market. However, especially in the case of batteries and motors, it is often technically and economically unfeasible to be repaired in the workshop. Thus, the failure of a component of an electric bike may result in a total loss. Why not industrially remanufacture the used electric bike motors? Researchers at Fraunhofer IPA asked themselves that very question as part of the AddRE-Mo project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Together with partners from cirp GmbH, Electric Bike Solutions GmbH, the sponsoring association Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria e. V. and the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, they explored the technical feasibility of remanufacturing electric bike motors. This involved taking a close look at the entire remanufacturing process chain  from non-destructive disassembly to cleaning, testing, reconditioning and finally reassembly  and analyzing its ecological and economic potential. Whats more, the researchers wanted to test the use of additive manufacturing processes and suitable combinations of processes and materials to produce long-lasting and reliable spare parts.

From disassembly to reassembly

If the motor or battery fails, its usually the case that the entire component is replaced, even though it may only be one gear thats faulty. It is rarely worthwhile for electric bike workshops to repair a motor or battery, and manufacturers also have a vested interest in replacing old motors, which are the biggest cost drivers in electric bikes, with new ones, says Jan Koller, project manager and group leader at Fraunhofer IPA, describing the dilemma. Our goal was to implement a value retention network by establishing an industrial remanufacturing process where a large number of motors (between 50 and 100) go through the process.

The first step for Koller and his team was to examine electric bike motors from established manufacturers to determine their probability of failure. Then they investigated whether and under what conditions spare parts with a high wear rate, such as gears and torque supports, could be additively manufactured. The scientists gathered the necessary data for additive manufacturing either through 3D modeling or 3D digitization, depending on the geometry of the components. They then selected materials and additive processes. Finally, together with the companies cirp and Electric Bike Solutions, Fraunhofer IPA manufactured the components and tested their service life, noise emission and temperature resistance on purpose-developed test benches and under real loads. A total of over 120 components were produced from 20 different materials using 3D printers. High-speed sintering, a special process for manufacturing or modifying materials, proved particularly promising when used in combination with the plastic polyamide 12 (PA12). The project results are summarized in the study Additive Refabrikation in der Elektrofahrradbranche (Additive remanufacturing in the electric bike industry), which is available for download free of charge.

The project partners were able to demonstrate technical feasibility and durability through reassembly and testing under real operating conditions. The research results showed that individual components such as gear wheels can be manufactured additively and used sustainably. At the end of the process chain, remanufacturing delivers a bike motor that is on par with a newly manufactured motor in terms of quality, and also comes with the same guarantee, Koller explains.

Resource efficiency and sustainability through additive remanufacturing

Another important factor was the ecological evaluation of the remanufacturing process relative to brand new production. Additive manufacturing has the potential to improve circularity in the electric bike industry and reduce resource wastage. A kilogram CO 2 equivalent saving of 90 percent can be achieved in comparison with brand new production, says the industrial engineer. The economic savings potential, on the other hand, depends on the number of units and is usually around 30 to 40 percent for comparable components as compared to buying a new electric motor. Consequently, remanufacturing also harbors great potential for manufacturers of electric motors.

RemanLab learning environment to open its doors in Bayreuth

To perpetuate the achievements of this project, the process chain for remanufacturing electric bike motors will be implemented and demonstrated in the new RemanLab learning environment for remanufacturing at Fraunhofer IPA in Bayreuth. The RemanLab will open on May 23, 2023. In this realistic learning environment, which features all the necessary test benches, companies will gain an insight into the future of sustainable production. Electric bike motors will be used to impart knowledge about the complexity of the remanufacturing process, from entrance diagnosis to disassembly, cleaning, testing, reconditioning, reassembly and final inspection, with the aid of demonstrators such as an augmented reality application for disassembly. Up to this point, remanufacturing has been characterized by cost- and labor-intensive processes. In the RemanLab, we will demonstrate how digital technologies and automation can revolutionize remanufacturing not only of electric motors, but also of small electrical appliances and other products in the future, says Koller.

The RemanLab will be presented at the Rematec trade show in Amsterdam (Innovation Area) from June 2729, 2023.
Cocoa farming is a fundamental pillar of the economy in Central and South America thanks to cocoas key role in the production of chocolate. However, fungal diseases such as witches broom and black pod disease can have a devastating impact on cocoa plantations, as seen in the 1990s when the diseases spread in an epidemic that caused a drastic downturn in cocoa production in Brazil. Unfortunately, despite significant efforts, there is still no solution to put an end to these diseases. As a result, damaged cocoa pods must be discarded during the production of chocolate.

This is where the CORNET (COllective Research NETworking) Damaged Beans project comes in. The aim is to establish alternative utilization pathways for diseased cocoa beans. For example, damaged cocoa pods could be used to manufacture products such as cosmetics  and even lubricants and cleaning agents. As part of the Damaged Beans project, Fraunhofer IVV in Freising is working with Unicamp to develop specific methods for detecting and classifying different types of fungal contamination. They are also researching new applications for low-quality cocoa beans. This approach has the potential to optimize the entire cocoa value chain. Farmers would be able to sell a greater portion of their harvest. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is funding the project, coordinated by Fraunhofer IVV. A consortium comprising 19 industry partners is supporting the project.

Cocoa butter can replace acrylates

Cocoa powder and cocoa butter are produced from cocoa beans. Due to chemical changes caused by witches broom and black pod, cocoa butter from diseased cocoa beans has different melting properties and is therefore softer at body or room temperature. This can be advantageous for cosmetic applications, especially for fat-based natural cosmetics such as lipsticks, body lotions and creams, explains Dominic Wimmer, research fellow and project manager at Fraunhofer IVV. Changes in the composition of the amino acids and proteins enhance gelling and thickening properties. As such, ingredients from damaged cocoa beans could be an ideal substitute for harmful acrylates, which are used as gelling agents or thickeners in conventional cosmetics but can also trigger skin allergies.

Developing a sustainable process chain

To harness the potential of cocoa beans damaged by fungal diseases for use outside the food industry, Unicamp is currently developing investigation methods based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to identify the extent of damage to the diseased cocoa beans and to determine their physical and chemical quality. Fraunhofer IVV will then establish a multi-stage cascade extraction process so that cocoa butter, proteins and phytochemicals such as polyphenols can be obtained following the fat separation stage and then used for applications in the cosmetics and chemical industries. During this process, proteins and phytochemicals will be extracted using a range of solvents. Fungal diseases cause the composition and sensory properties of the proteins and phytochemicals to change. However, despite their divergent structure, they are suitable for technical applications such as bio-based cleaning agents, disinfectants and lubricants  just like cocoa butter. They offer the possibility of replacing mineral-oil-based resources with natural ingredients, which are a sustainable alternative, says the researcher.

Relatively complex processes are required to obtain the valuable substances in cocoa beans. Wimmer and his team are therefore investigating whether it is possible to forgo the time-consuming and energy-intensive fermentation and drying processes or the roasting stage if the end product will not be used in food.

The research team is also working on a cocoa butter extraction process that does not involve pressing cocoa mass in a press gun but instead uses organic solvents such as ethanol and supercritical CO 2  a particularly gentle method. To obtain the proteins and phytochemicals, the solid components are processed using aqueous extractions. By changing the pressure and temperature, solubility can be adjusted according to the desired phytochemicals and proteins, thereby producing a specific extraction.

Improving the livelihood of small farmers

Using our cascade extraction process, damaged beans can be processed, providing cocoa farmers with new income streams that offer significant financial potential. Around 4050 million people worldwide rely on cocoa production, with small farms accounting for 8090 percent of the global cocoa supply, explains Wimmer. Whats more, the chocolate industry will benefit from high-purity, food-grade raw materials.
While Aotearoa has not yet indicated whether it will look to follow in Australia's footsteps, importers and manufacturers are required to notify the Ministry of Health before they are able to sell any vaping product in the country.
felicilin at 2-05-2023 08:36 PM (2 days ago) (f)

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament has pleaded with the United Kingdom authorities to grant Senator Ike Ekweremadu clemency in view of his conviction on charges of organ harvesting.

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament has pleaded with the United Kingdom authorities to grant Senator Ike Ekweremadu clemency in view of his conviction on charges of organ harvesting.

Recall that Ekweremadu, and his wife (Beatrice)are awa iting sentencing after they were convicted by a UK court.



However, in a letter by the Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, he urged the United Kingdom Court to temper justice with mercy.



In the letter addressed to the Chief Clerk, Central Criminal Court Old Bailey, London, the Speaker said though the ECOWAS frowns at the crime for which Ekweremadu had been convicted, it believes that lessons had been learnt.



The letter reads, I am aware of the conviction and pending sentencing of Senator Ike Ekweremadu (my predecessor in office) and his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, who had just undergone trial at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey over the breach of UK laws relating to organ trafficking and modern slavery.



Recall that Ekweremadu, and his wife (Beatrice)are awa iting sentencing after they were convicted by a UK court.However, in a letter by the Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, he urged the United Kingdom Court to temper justice with mercy.In the letter addressed to the Chief Clerk, Central Criminal Court Old Bailey, London, the Speaker said though the ECOWAS frowns at the crime for which Ekweremadu had been convicted, it believes that lessons had been learnt.The letter reads, I am aware of the conviction and pending sentencing of Senator Ike Ekweremadu (my predecessor in office) and his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, who had just undergone trial at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey over the breach of UK laws relating to organ trafficking and modern slavery. Quote Senator Ike Ekweremadu had over a decade of service with the ECOWAS Parliament. Within that period, he was Speaker of the Third Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament from 2011 to 2015. He equally served as the First Deputy Speaker of the Second Legislature of the Parliament from 2007 to 2011.



Ekweremadu is highly appreciated in the Parliament and the West African sub-region for his sterling roles in the development of the Community Parliament and the preservation and stabilisation of democracy in the sub-region.



I wish to recall that as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in 2009, he chaired the ECOWAS Parliament Ad Hoc Committee on the Political Situations in Niger Republic and the Republic of Guinea. His efforts in that regard contributed in no small measure towards resolving the impasse in the two ECOWAS Member States.



As Speaker, he strenuously and diligently guided the ECOWAS Parliament in the actualization of the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan of the Community Parliament, among them, the strengthening of the institutional role and powers of the ECOWAS Parliament and the promotion and defence of human rights, justice, gender, democracy, peace, and security in the sub-region.



He rallied the Parliament against unconstitutional takeover of power in West Africa, as well as the menace of terrorism, insurgency, and militancy. He visited virtually every flashpoint, sometimes at his very personal expense, in the quest to preserve democracy, peace, and stability in the subregion.



Importantly, we, to a very great extent, owe it to his leadership the Enhancement of the Powers of the Community Parliament, a cause he dedicated himself and his resources to in the determined bid of the Third Legislature to transit the Parliament from a consultative to a legislative Parliament. In addition, we will always be grateful to his leadership for the infrastructural transformation of the ECOWAS Parliament.



I also wish to recall Senator Ike Ekweremadus interventions in his personal capacity towards the welfare of Parliamentarians and their constituents in special need throughout his long years of service in the Community Parliament.



Many Members of Parliament had had the opportunity of attending the Annual Ikeoha Foundation Day where he, together with his wife, doled out full scholarships and bursary awards to indigent students to brighten their future, while equally empowering widows and the youth.



In view of Senator Ike Ekweremadus contributions to the West African Community Parliament and his knowledge of the sub-region, as well as his wide experience as a ranking Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, longest-serving presiding officer of the legislature in Nigeria, and a member of several international legislative institutions such as the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, International Parliamentary Congress, Climate Parliament, among others, it could be understood why he has been a major asset to the ECOWAS region.



He remains a priceless resource and his long absence owing to his circumstance since June 2022 has denied us his invaluable service. It remains dreadful if he faces a long prison sentence in the present circumstance.



Concerning his daughter, Sonia, I wish to state that it is a common feeling among parents, especially in Africa, not to bury or survive his or her child.



As a father, therefore, I can easily relate with the pains, dilemma, and crossroads of the Senator and his wife over the health condition of their ailing daughter, who must still undergo a kidney transplant to stand a chance of surviving to fulfil her destiny.



And who else could foot the bills better and also provide that morale support for the daughter? It still remains Senator and Mrs. Ekweremadu. It is certain that Sonia cannot survive the absence of her parents in her present health condition.



At this juncture, I wish to add that I totally stand against the crime for which the Senator and his spouse have been convicted. The Community Parliament also stands against it. We do not support organ harvesting in any way and by any method. Nevertheless, we believe that lessons have been learnt, not only by Ekweremadu, but by everybody.

The Speaker appealed to the court, on behalf of the ECOWAS Parliament, for leniency in meting out justice to the couple. We understand the position of the law, but only appeal that the honourable court puts on a human face in this circumstance and temper justice with mercy, especially considering his good behaviour and contributions to the good of the society, the less privileged, and democracy.



Importantly, the typical Ekweremadu, being one, who is given to charity work and experienced in lawmaking in Nigeria and internationally, could also be very useful to the Nigerian and international community in public enlightenment and legal reforms campaigns on organ trafficking to curtail such incidents drawing from his personal experience. The Speaker appealed to the court, on behalf of the ECOWAS Parliament, for leniency in meting out justice to the couple. We understand the position of the law, but only appeal that the honourable court puts on a human face in this circumstance and temper justice with mercy, especially considering his good behaviour and contributions to the good of the society, the less privileged, and democracy.

Post Reply Posted: at 2-05-2023 08:36 PM (2 days ago) | Addicted Hero
Some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed displeasure over a recent action of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Osinbajo held a virtual book launch on Monday, May 1, 2023, and renowned novelist, Chimamanda Adichie was part of the keynote speakers at the event.Considering how Chimamanda had criticized the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and was also a strong supporter of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, many APC supporters claimed Osinbajos action was wrong.

Quote

@AbeebFajobi wrote: Please what exactly is she going to say, Prof. Osinbajo is the VP under this same PMB administration that Chimamanda detests. Its well



@Subliminal002 wrote: Shame. The same lady that never see any good in your government is the one being invited to deliver a speech at your book launch?? What a time to be alive to witness thisno wonder Baba Buhari didnt attend such book launch



@mamababa20uu wrote: A conspirator will always be exposed no matter how he hides under one finger.. inviting someone that passionately hates the administration under which you are serving, as a speaker in your book launch is an absolute backstabbing bye bye to pyo in Nigeria political space



@IKS_2039 wrote: Just listen to the trash. She would have supported PYO because hes demonstrated leadershiplol. In what areas by parading himself as the Obama of Africa? If PYO did well, them under who? Im sure is under PMB



@ishakaa wrote: Apparently this woman who hates Nigeria so much to the extent of rejecting a national award given to her by a government



@ProfOsinbajo wrote: is part of was actually communicating with the VP? She wanted Prof to win but due to magical interplay in APC he lost the primaries?



@Zahrahmusa wrote: you invite the lady who has been insulting government and administration you are 2 IC of to be a keynote speaker at you event? I dont understand you prof Osinbajo, but ok



@ike wrote: you understand the lack of tact my uncle is pander to harvest #Endsar and LP votes in 20237, but as was obvious last year desperation destroys anyone. Obidents abused him for 7yrs and her we are



@trueNija wrote: Because of this, I was glad he didnt get APC presidential ticket. Im not surprise he invited someone wh has been insulting the administration for over 7 years. It only proves me right



@Mario9jaa wrote: Chimamanda, one of those who disrespectfully rejected the Nigerian honors bestowed on her by this administration was invited as agues speaker by Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President, in a private event. I a have no words for him
iQOO Neo 8 Pro to Launch with Fast 120W Charging News oi -Kabir Jain

Vivo's iQOO brand is preparing for the release of its new Neo 8 series of smartphones. Recently, there was a leak of the iQOO Neo 8 Pro's specifications online, which gave an idea of what to anticipate from the device. In a recent update, the iQOO Neo 8 Pro has been spotted on China's 3C certification website, revealing that the phone will support lightning-fast 120W charging support.

iQOO Neo 8 Pro Receives 3C Certification

The iQOO Neo 8 Pro, with model number V2302A, has recently received 3C certification and is poised to make waves with its rumored specifications. The device is expected to support 5G connectivity, along with an impressive 120W charging capability.

Additionally, the phone is rumored to feature an AMOLED display that could offer Full HD+ resolution. It is said to be powered by a Dimensity 9200+ SoC, which is a brand-new chip from the Taiwanese chipmaker and may come with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

When it comes to optics, the iQOO Neo 8 Pro is expected to have a 50MP primary camera sensor.

Standard iQOO Neo 8 Also Received 3C Certification

The iQOO Neo 8, with the model number V2301A, has also appeared on the 3C certification website, revealing that the device will support up to 120W fast charging.

The iQOO Neo 8, on the other hand, is expected to feature a 6.67-inch display with a possible 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it may come with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of internal storage. Like the iQOO Neo 8 Pro, the standard model is also speculated to come equipped with a 50MP camera.

While the official launch date for the iQOO Neo 8 series has not been announced by the company, the appearance of these devices on certifications suggests that they may be released in the coming weeks.

Via MySmartPrice

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iPhone Manufacturer Wistron Reportedly Plans to Wind Up Its Operations in India Tech Biz oi -Afrin Humayon

Amid Apple opening up two stores in India and news of it ramping up production in the country, there are reports that Taiwanese iPhone manufacturer Wistron has plans to wind up its operations in India.

Wistron's largest manufacturing unit in India is located in Karnataka and is reportedly going to be taken over by Tata Electronics.

The report further added that Wistron will approach the National Company Law Tribunal and the Registrar of Companies to wind down the company within the coming year, once the Tata takeover has been completed.

Apple recently opened up two stores in India and there have been reports that the company plans to increase the manufacture of its products in the country.

Market research firm Counterpoint Research recently revealed that Apple's made-in-India iPhones had a 162 percent year-on-year growth in terms of shipments in 2022.

So despite Apple's plans of doubling down on manufacture and production in India, Wistron's decision to shut shop comes after much controversy.

In 2020, there was news of workers violently protesting against low wages and the company's malpractices at its Bengaluru factory, which caused about $7 million worth of damages at the site. Apple paused operations with Wistron amid the unrest but revived it after a while.

Wistron's Bengaluru facility started in the year 2008 as a sales and maintenance service center called "ICT Service Management Solutions (India) Private Limited". The unit started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017.

Since then, Wistron has been one of the three Taiwanese iPhone manufacturers in India alongside Foxconn and Pegatron Corp. While Foxconn is the largest manufacturer of iPhones in India, Wistron currently manufactures the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 12 models.

The 44-acre manufacturing unit has eight assembly lines and about 12,000 employees. Wistron has another unit for the repair and maintenance of Apple devices which will continue to function in India.

Tata, on the other hand, has been making several efforts at increasing its business with Apple. The company already produces iPhone components at a factory in Hosur, Bengaluru, and is said to have hired more staff for ramping up production. It also plans to launch 100 exclusive Apple stores in the country.

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Samsung Bans AI-Generative Tools At Workplace After Employees Accidentally Leaked Sensitive Data Tech Biz oi -Alap Naik Desai

Samsung has reportedly banned the use of all generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Bing AI chatbot. Samsung employees must not use any of these platforms for any work-related activities as it may lead to data leakage, fears the company.

After reportedly discovering staff uploaded sensitive code to one of the generative AI platforms, Samsung has issued a blanket ban on using ChatGPT, Bard, and other similar tools for work. The memo issued by the company discusses the risks associated with using these AI-based platforms.

Samsung Asks Staff Not To Use Any Generative AI Platforms For Work

Samsung reportedly notified staff at one of its biggest divisions on Monday about the new policy via a memo. Samsung's memo to employees reads:

"Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT has been growing internally and externally. While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI."

Samsung has even justified the decision by revealing a potential data leakage owing to the use of the generative AI platform ChatGPT. The memo even hinted that Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code by uploading it on ChatGPT.

Samsung will deploy additional security measures, as indicated in the memo. "HQ is reviewing security measures to create a secure environment for safely using generative AI to enhance employees' productivity and efficiency. However, until these measures are prepared, we are temporarily restricting the use of generative AI."

Samsung Bans Use Of Generative AI Tools Due To Security Concerns?

A few companies, and even nations, have started restricting the use of generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Bing AI, and others, claiming they could harbor sensitive data. Samsung wasn't one of these companies.

Samsung had allowed its engineers at the semiconductor division to use ChatGPT to help fix problems with source code. However. some employees reportedly entered top-secret data, which may have included source code for a new program and internal meeting notes relating to their hardware, into the platform.

Although the employees mistakenly entered the data, it now resides on servers, which Samsung cannot directly control. Moreover, as data accepted by these platforms is stored on external servers, it may end up in the wrong hands, feared Samsung.

The new rules ban the use of generative AI systems on computers, tablets, and phones, as well as on internal networks that Samsung owns and offers its employees. Samsung products sold to consumers, such as Android smartphones and Windows laptops, aren't restricted from accessing these platforms.

Best Mobiles in India
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

May 1, 2023

Ottawa, Ontario

Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, about the situation in Sudan.

Prime Minister Trudeau expressed deep concern about the conflict in Sudan and its impact on the humanitarian situation and the stability of the region, as well as on the transition to a civilian government in Sudan.

The Prime Minister thanked President Guelleh for Djibouti's exceptional support for Canada's evacuation operations. He also commended Djibouti for its demonstrated willingness to participate in the resolution of the conflict.

The two leaders discussed ongoing mediation efforts. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada's support for regional mediation efforts, including those undertaken by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). He offered Canada's support in the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The Prime Minister and the President discussed the close ties and friendship between Canadians and Djiboutians. They both noted the potential for developing bilateral relations between Canada and Djibouti.

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CENTCOM Commander Thanks Saudi Chief of Defense for Supporting the Evacuation of American Citizens from Sudan

U.S. Central Command

USCENTCOM

May 1, 2023

Release Number 20230501-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- Today, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, called the Royal Saudi Chief of General Staff, Gen. Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, to thank him and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its support in evacuating American citizens from Sudan amidst the conflict there.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Royal Saudi Armed Forces provide access, basing, and overflights, as well as resources to evacuate hundreds of American citizens. This support allowed the movement of these Americans from Sudan to safety in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

"We are greatly appreciative of the remarkable effort of General Al Ruwaili, the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in evacuating hundreds of Americans to safety," said Kurilla. "This rapid coordination was possible due to the firm U.S.-Saudi partnership, which dates back more than seven decades. We will continue to build on that partnership into the future."

-30-



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Yemen's Houthi rebels release gov't military commander

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:18, May 01, 2023

SANAA, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday released a government military commander who had been detained for eight years, a Houthi official announced in a statement.

Faisal Rajab, a commander in the Yemeni government army, was released after a request was made by a tribal delegation from his hometown in the southern province of Abyan.

Abdulkadir al-Murtada, head of the Houthi prisoner affairs' committee, confirmed Rajab's release in a statement during a press conference held in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

"With the release of the prisoner, Major General Faisal Rajab, we confirm our readiness for a (future) comprehensive prisoner swap," al-Murtada said, urging the United Nations (UN) to "expedite the implementation of the prisoner exchange deal that was agreed upon in Switzerland."

Rajab was seen being handed over to the tribal delegation during the press conference.

While welcoming Rajab's release, Majid Fadail, the spokesman for the government negotiating delegation, tweeted that Rajab was originally supposed to be released as part of the UN-brokered prisoner swap deal implemented in mid-April, but that the Houthis insisted on delaying his release without giving any reason.

Rajab was captured in March 2015 after the Houthi rebels stormed the al-Anad Air Base in the southern province of Lahij. His name appeared on a list of around 900 prisoners who were freed in a three-day prisoner exchange in mid-April.

Yemen's warring sides have expressed readiness for the next round of talks to end the war in the Arab state, which has been going on since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia took control of several northern cities. Tens of thousands of people died in the war, which has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

Recent peace efforts, particularly China-brokered talks that helped restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, have increased hope for a resolution to the Yemeni conflict.

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Sudan's warring parties agree to 72-hour truce extension

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:25, May 01, 2023

KHARTOUM, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sunday announced their commitments to a new 72-hour humanitarian truce, effective as of midnight Sunday.

"Based on the endeavors and request of the Saudi-American mediation, the Armed Forces agreed to extend the truce for extra 72 hours, to begin at the end of the current one," the army said in a statement.

The army expressed hope that the other party would abide by the truce.

For its part, the RSF said in a statement on Sunday that "in response to international, regional and local calls, we declare an extension of the humanitarian truce for an additional 72 hours, starting today midnight."

The RSF said that it agreed to the truce extension to open humanitarian passages, facilitate the movement of the citizens and enable them to get their needs and reach safe areas.

The statement stressed the RSF's commitment to the terms of the humanitarian truce and complete ceasefire.

Also on Sunday, Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority said the closure of the country's airspace will be extended to May 13.

Flights for humanitarian aid and evacuation are excluded after obtaining a permit from related authorities and the approval of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Sudan has been witnessing a large-scale evacuation of foreign nationals and diplomats by air, land and sea since the eruption of the deadly clashes between the army and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas on April 15.

So far, the clashes have left more than 500 people dead and over 4,000 others wounded, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.

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Sudan crisis turning into full-blown humanitarian catastrophe: UN official

Iran Press TV

Monday, 01 May 2023 9:25 PM

The United Nations' humanitarian coordinator in Sudan has issued a strong warning, saying the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the impoverished country can lead to a totally catastrophic situation.

Since April 15, the country has turned into the scene of incessant violence between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). More than 500 people have been killed, while hospitals and other services have been knocked out and residential areas turned into war zones.

"It has been more than two weeks of devastating fighting in Sudan, a conflict that is turning Sudan humanitarian crisis into a full-blown catastrophe," Abdou Dieng, told a briefing via video link on Monday.

He also warned about the repercussions that the unrest could have for Sudan's neighbors, saying, "The regional spillover effect of the crisis is a serious concern."

The comments came as the prospect of negotiations between the warring sides remained bleak.

Army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has ruled out sitting down for talks with the head of the RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who, in turn, has said he would talk only after the army has ceased hostilities.

A shaky ceasefire between the army and the RSF was extended for another 72 hours at midnight on Sunday, amid a blame game between the two sides, each accusing the other of violating the truce.

Similar to the previous such deals, the truce was soon followed by reports of fresh clashes between the two sides.

UN: More than 800,000 may flee Sudan

Also on Monday, another UN official said more than 800,000 people might flee Sudan as a result of the fighting.

"Without a quick resolution of this crisis, we will continue to see more people forced to flee in search of safety and basic assistance," UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou told a briefing in Geneva.

"In consultation with all concerned governments and partners, we've arrived at a planning figure of 815,000 people that may flee into the seven neighboring countries," he added.

So far, he said, some 73,000 people have fled to Sudan's neighbors, including South Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and Libya.

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New clashes erupt in Sudan despite truce as UN warns of 'breaking point'

Iran Press TV

Monday, 01 May 2023 9:58 AM

Fierce fighting has broken out again in violence-wracked Sudan with gunfire heard in the capital despite an extension of a ceasefire between rival military forces.

The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been locked in battles since April 15, once again violated the latest 72-hour armistice after its announcement on Sunday night, with reports of fighting in Khartoum coming in on Monday.

Millions of Sudanese around the capital have since hidden in their homes with dwindling food, water, and electricity as warplanes have drawn heavy fire from anti-aircraft guns.

"Warplanes are flying over southern Khartoum and anti-aircraft guns are firing at it," said one resident on Monday, while another witness told AFP he was also hearing "loud gunfire" in the area.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese army said it hoped that the RSF forces that it referred to as the "rebels" would stick to the ceasefire but it believed they had intended to keep up attacks.

The RSF, however, said its forces would hold the ceasefire which it had been agreed to "in response to international, regional, and local calls."

Till now, the Sudan conflict has left at least 528 people dead and 4,599 wounded, the health ministry said. However, the real number of casualties is much higher, according to the United Nations data.

The conflict has also deepened the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where a third of the people were dependent on some form of humanitarian assistance before the fighting erupted, said Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations.

"The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented. We are extremely concerned by the immediate as well as long-term impact on all people in Sudan and the broader region," he said.

UN's World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday that it will immediately lift the suspension of its operations in Sudan that was put in place after the tragic deaths of its team member.

"WFP is rapidly resuming our programs to provide the life-saving assistance that many so desperately need right now," WFP executive director Cindy McCain wrote on Twitter.

WFP has warned the unrest could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people already needed aid to stave off famine.

Two weeks ago the WFP stopped its operations in Sudan after three of its employees were killed in clashes between the army and the paramilitary forces.

Only 16 percent of health facilities are functioning in Khartoum, according to the World Health Organization, with many facilities shelled.

Griffiths said on Sunday he was heading to the region to help "bring immediate relief to the millions of people whose lives have turned upside down overnight".

"The humanitarian situation is reaching breaking point," he said. "Goods essential for people's survival are becoming scarce in the hardest-hit urban centers, especially Khartoum."

"The cost of transportation out of worst-hit areas has risen exponentially, leaving the most vulnerable unable to locate to safer areas."

On Sunday, a first Red Cross plane brought eight tonnes of humanitarian aid from Jordan to Port Sudan, which is so far untouched by the fighting and has served as an evacuation hub.

The aid included surgical material and medical kits to stabilize 1,500 patients.

Meanwhile, Central Reserve Police have been deployed across Khartoum to "protect citizens' properties" from looting, the Sudanese police said, confirming an army statement.

The RSF had warned police against joining the fight.

Sudan's conflict has led to a shortage of food, water, and fuel, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes and cross into neighboring country's borders. It has prompted the UN chief to call for international mediation, warning that the country could fall apart.

In related news, an envoy from Sudan met with the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who called for the restoration of calm in Sudan, his ministry said on Sunday. Moreover, Egypt has called an Arab League meeting of its permanent delegates on Monday to discuss the "situation in Sudan".

Sudan's former prime minister has warned that the ongoing conflict between the rivaling forces in the country could turn into "a nightmare for the world."

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UN rights expert raises concern over training programs, forced labor in Tibet

The situation is likened to that of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

By Tashi Wangchuk for RFA Tibetan 2023.05.01 -- A U.N. human rights expert has expressed concern that allegations of mandatory vocational training programs and labor transfer in China's Tibet Autonomous Region may affect the human rights of Tibetans, similar to the situation with Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Tomoya Obokata, a Japanese who is the U.N.'s special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, and other U.N. experts that the programs are being used to undermine Tibetan religious, linguistic and cultural identity, and to monitor and politically indoctrinate Tibetans.

In a release from the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on April 27, Obokata and the others warned that the programs could lead to forced labor.

Hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have reportedly been "transferred" from their traditional rural lives to low-skilled and low-paid employment since 2015, according to the U.N. expert.

Obokata said he was waiting for a translation of a response from the Chinese government, which previously has said that participation in vocational training programs is voluntary.

"But in practice, and according to the information that we receive from various sources, often times they [Tibetans] do not have any choice, so they have no choice but to accept it," Obokata, a professor of international human rights law, told Radio Free Asia on April 28.

"I'm not saying that all instances are involuntary because there is no clear evidence to that regard. ... But in a similar way as with the Xinjiang situation, certain indicators of forced labor may be present, so that's why we are asking the government to provide a clarification and answer at this stage."

After Chinese authorities began arbitrarily detaining Uyghurs in "re-education" camps in Xinjiang in 2017, some of the Uyghurs were subjected to forced labor and other rights abuses. The Chinese said the camps were vocational training centers meant to prevent religious extremism and terrorism in the restive region.

In a 20-page report issued in August 2022, Obokata said that Uyghur, Kazakh and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang were being used as forced labor in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing under two state-mandated systems where minorities are detained and subjected to work placements or where surplus rural laborers.

Moving rural workers

Similar measures exist in neighboring Tibet, where an extensive labor transfer program has shifted Tibetan farmers, herders and other rural workers into low-skilled and low-paid jobs, according to the report.

The Chinese government restricts Tibetans' political activities and peaceful expression of cultural and religious identity as Buddhists.

Tibetans frequently complain of discrimination and human rights abuses by Chinese authorities and policies they say are aimed at wiping out their national and cultural identity.

"Tibetans are being drawn away from sustainable livelihoods in which they have traditionally had a comparative advantage, such as wool and dairy production, and into low-paid, low-skilled work in manufacturing and construction," the U.N. experts said in the news release.

They went on to say that Tibetans are transferred directly from training centers to new workplaces, though it's unclear if they have consented to the jobs. But a lack of oversight makes it impossible to determine whether working conditions constitute forced labor, the experts said.

Obokata and the others raised concern that vocational training programs were "designed to promote a non-plural, mono-racial and mono-ethnic nation, in violation of the prohibition of racial discrimination under international human rights law."

They called on China to provide details about measures in place for Tibetans to opt out of vocational training and labor transfer programs, to monitor the working conditions of Tibetans in their new places of employment, and to ensure respect for Tibetan religious, linguistic and cultural identity.

The U.N. experts also submitted a letter to the Chinese government expressing concerns about the mostly Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang.

"We are seeing similar patterns in terms of the treatment, so that's why we are raising our concern at this time for Tibetan people," Obokata said.

Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.

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 May 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.

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More opposition defections lift Cambodia's ruling party ahead of July election

Three opposition figures send hand-written apologies and pre-recorded videos to Hun Sen in recent days.

By RFA Khmer 2023.05.01 -- A string of recent defections and public apologies by opposition party officials and critics of Prime Minister Hun Sen has given the longtime leader a boost less than three months before July's parliamentary elections.

The high-profile defections to the ruling Cambodian People's Party are just the latest - at least nine opposition party officials have switched their allegiance to the CPP since November 2022 as the party works to co-opt and silence opposition figures.

On Sunday, the president of the little-known Khmer Win Party was appointed to be the secretary of state of the Council of Ministers. Suong Sophorn has been a fierce critic of Hun Sen and once served as the youth movement leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, the country's main opposition party before it was banned in 2017.

"I, Suong Sophorn, have made a clear decision to join my political life with the CPP," he said in a pre-recorded video addressing both Hun Sen and the prime minister's son and presumed successor, Hun Manet.

"I love my nation and love my people dearly. However, being in the opposition, I appear to think that I have contributed so little to the nation and our homeland, so I have made a clear decision to join the government so that I may use my abilities to serve our people directly."

'I was too young'

The video was posted on Hun Sen's Telegram channel. On Monday, the prime minister posted on the same channel a handwritten apology letter and a pre-recorded video from the deputy chief of the opposition Candlelight Party's organization in Takeo province.

Ir Channa, a Norwegian citizen and a former outspoken border critic, was arrested last year after he returned from exile to support the Candlelight Party in last year's local commune elections.

Speaking from jail, he apologized for information he shared on Facebook in 2020 regarding the possible return to Cambodia of a top opposition leader.

"I admit all these mistakes and leniently beg you to accept my apologies," he said. "I pledge to always comply with the national laws and the constitution of Cambodia."

He was released later on Monday, and Hun Sen posted another video clip in the evening of Ir Channa thanking him. Ir Channa did not mention whether he would defect to the CPP in exchange for his release.

Another critic, Kean Ponlork, also issued a hand-written apology letter and a pre-recorded video on Monday in which he asked to join the CPP.

The former CNRP official was in charge of the party's training department and has also served as the secretary-general of the Federation of Cambodian Intellectuals and Students.

"I, Kean Ponlork, would like to apologize to Samdech Hun Sen for having joined hands with the opposition and civil society, and for providing interviews to Radio Free Asia, Voice of Democracy and The Cambodia Daily to attack your leadership that causes confusion on your legitimate government," he said. "I was too young to be able to fully understand the depth of Cambodian politics."

Hun Sen responded on Telegram: "I warmly welcome Mr. Kean Ponlork. Since he is residing in Takeo province, the Takeo provincial CPP committee is requested to make proper arrangements for Mr. Kean Ponlork in accordance with the party procedures."

'Positions, benefits and titles'

Last month, former CNRP youth leader Yim Sinorn was appointed secretary of state for the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training. Just weeks before that, he was in jail.

Yim Sinorn was arrested in March after posting a comment on Facebook that seemed to highlight the political powerlessness of King Norodom Sihamoni. Another opposition activist, Hun Kosal, was also arrested at the same time for similar remarks.

They were both released after posting their own online apologies to Hun Sen. Afterward, Yim Sinorn met with the prime minister at his home in Kandal province, where he and his family posed for photos as Hun Sen sat at his desk.

Hun Kosal also recently received a government appointment - undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Land Management and Urban Planning.

Um Sam An, a former CNRP member of parliament, said he's not worried about the possibility of more opposition defections in the coming months. The politicians who share a genuine belief in the future of the nation won't take Hun Sen's bait, he said.

"Both positions, benefits and titles will not be essential for us. What we really want is for a positive change in Cambodia, a true respect of human rights and democracy," he said.

The recent defections will help clean the "rubbish" politicians away from the true democrats, said Seng Sary, a political commentator who lives in Australia.

"I accept the fact that some defectors are successful in their political life after defections," he said. "However, 95 to 99 percent among those defectors have lost their political lives and their reputations in Cambodian politics."

CNRP Vice President Eng Chhai Eang, who lives in the United States, told Radio Free Asia last week that Hun Sen has, in the past, made serious overtures to him about joining the CPP and the government.

But last week, the prime minister grew angry after Eng Chhai Eang made critical comments online following the news of the defections of Yim Sinorn and Hun Kosal.

"He posted a comment to mock me," Eng Chhai Eang said. "He said, 'If you want to get the government positions, first you must join the opposition party. If you want, I will pardon you and appoint you to a position in the government.'"

Translated by Keo Sovannarith. Edited by Matt Reed.

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 May 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.

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Foreign Ministers Of Armenia And Azerbaijan Open Talks In Washington On Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service May 01, 2023

A U.S.-hosted meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan has begun in Washington as part of an effort to quell tensions over a checkpoint that Baku recently set up on the only road leading to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Before the start of the meeting on May 1, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had separate discussions with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov.

Mirzoyan and Blinken discussed issues related to stability and security in the region and the process of regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports, quoting official government sources.

The meeting between Mirzoyan and Bayramov is to last four days at a State Department facility outside Washington, AFP reported.

A U.S. official speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity said the talks aim more at "an agreement on normalization of relations" rather than a peace treaty.

"Our goal is to make sure the ministers can sit down and talk to each other," the official said. The United States expects the two sides to have a forthright and frank discussion, the official said, adding "all the issues are being discussed."

Asked about Russia's position on the U.S.-led dialogue, another State Department official said, "We will be disappointed if they take it negatively."

The most important thing is that the parties communicate with each other regardless of where, the official said, adding that "a lasting, balanced and dignified peace between the parties" is the goal.

Nagorno-Karabakh is home to mostly ethnic Armenians but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Baku committed to keeping the road open as part of a Russian-brokered cease-fire in 2020 that ended a six-week war.

On the eve of the talks, Blinken held a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and expressed the United States' deep concern over the checkpoint, saying it undermines efforts to establish confidence in the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process.

Azerbaijan said it had established the checkpoint in response to what it said were Armenian weapon supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh. Yerevan denies that charge.

Blinken promised continued U.S. support for the peace talks and emphasized the importance of reopening the road, known as the Lachin Corridor, to commercial and private vehicles as soon as possible, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

According to a Baku government statement. Aliyev told Blinken the checkpoint "was established within the framework of Azerbaijan's sovereign rights and in accordance with all international norms."

Aliyev said its purpose is not to limit traffic but to ensure control, and said people are already passing through it.

Armenia called the checkpoint a gross violation of a 2020 cease-fire. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in his call with Blinken ahead of the Washington talks emphasized that the steps taken by Azerbaijan in the Lachin Corridor are aimed at the consistent implementation of its policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and the complete depopulation of the enclave.

Pashinian emphasized the importance of an adequate response by the international community to Azerbaijan's actions and taking active steps toward the unconditional implementation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Hague-based ICJ ruled in February that Azerbaijan must "take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions."

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/blinken-azerbaijain- reopening-lachin-corridor-aliyev/32386735.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.

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Uzbek Officials Say Constitutional Changes Extending President's Term Overwhelmingly Approved

By RFE/RL's Uzbek Service May 01, 2023

Uzbek officials said voters approved a series of constitutional amendments that, among other things, pave the way for President Shavkat Mirziyoev to stay in office until 2040.

Outside observers said the April 30 vote appeared to run smoothly, but there appeared to be problems with ballot counting. Observers also noted wider problems in Uzbek society with a lack of genuine political opposition or independent media.

The Central Election Commission said on May 1 that the proposed changes were approved with 90.2 percent of the vote.

In the run-up to the referendum, authorities had billed the changes as a way to improve governance in the tightly controlled nation. Officials heavily promoted the vote, holding concerts and rallies ahead of the balloting to promote the reforms. Billboards in the capital, Tashkent, showed imaginary text conversations encouraging Uzbek to cast their ballots.

The most closely watched question on the ballot effectively zeroed in on Mirzoyev's current tenure, and also extended the presidential term from five years, to seven. The result is that Mirziyoev, 65, can now serve until 2040. His current term ends in 2026.

A former prime minister, Mirziyoev came to power in 2016, succeeding the late longtime leader Islam Karimov, who had turned Uzbekistan into one of the most oppressive countries in the world.

Mirziyoev undertook a series of reforms to modernize the country's oppressive bureaucracy, pushing Karimov loyalists out of top government posts and bringing in younger technocrats.

He also clamped down on forced labor in the cotton harvest, which is a major source of hard currency.

But activists say rights abuses persist, there is no viable political opposition, and independent media are tightly restricted.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which monitored the vote, said that the voting process was "technically well-prepared and widely promoted as intending to enhance various rights and freedoms."

However, "the referendum took place in an environment without genuine political pluralism, and there was no organized opposition to the amendments and the referendum," the observers said in their May 1 preliminary report.

In a few of the polling stations visited by the group, "various serious violations were observed during voting and counting undermining the integrity of the process."

In July 2022, protests broke out in Karakalpakstan over a constitutional amendment that would have reduced the autonomy of the region.

The protests were met with a harsh police response that killed at least 21 people, according to rights activists. Dozens of people were jailed.

The proposed amendment was later withdrawn. The April 30 ballot did not include the amendment.

Other changes include abolishing capital punishment and boosting legal protections for people accused of crimes.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-referendum- constitutional-changes-mirziyoev/32386702.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.

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Philippines Will Not Turn Into 'Staging Post' for Anyone's Military Campaign, President Says

Sputnik News

20230501

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Philippines are against military provocations and will not turn into a "staging post" for any country's military campaign, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said on Monday.

The Philippine president is currently on a visit to Washington.

"We work for peace. We'll not encourage any provocative action that involve the Philippines by any other country. We will not allow that to happen, we will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post by any country for any kind of military action," Marcos told reporters, as quoted by the TV broadcaster.

The Philippine leader noted that his priority is to ensure peace and security for the country's people.

Last month, the United States and the Philippines agreed to expand their Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to four new locations, one of them near the South China Sea. Commenting on the agreement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it would lead to "more tensions and less peace and stability" in the region. Commenting on these remarks, Marcos, in turn, said the country's military bases will not be used to conduct offensive operations.

The EDCA was signed in 2014 between the US and the Philippines with the aim of strengthening the military cooperation of the two countries. The document envisages joint military exercises and higher interoperability between the armed forces of the US and the Philippines. Under the EDCA, the US is not allowed to have permanent military bases in the Philippines, but the agreement provides for US troops' extended stays on the Philippine military bases.

 Sputnik

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Blinken Expresses Concern Over Establishment of Azerbaijani Checkpoint on Lachin Corridor

Sputnik News

20230501

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a phone call with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, expressed concern over the establishment of an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Lachin corridor, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

"Secretary Blinken shared his belief that peace was possible. He also expressed the United States' deep concern that Azerbaijan's establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor undermines efforts to establish confidence in the peace process, and emphasized the importance of reopening the Lachin corridor to commercial and private vehicles as soon as possible," Miller said in a Sunday statement.

Blinken, who spoke with Aliyev a day after his phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, underscored the importance of Azerbaijan-Armenia peace discussions and pledged continued US support.

On Saturday, Blinken told Pashinyan that direct dialogue and diplomacy are the only path to a durable peace in the South Caucasus.

The US, Russia and the European Union have taken turns to try and negotiate a peace pact between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the hope of ending their long-running conflict. The regional rivals have been involved in two major military conflicts over the Azerbaijani Armenian-dominated breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh flared up in September 2020, marking the worst escalation since the 1990s. Hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered trilateral declaration of ceasefire signed in November 2020. The two former Soviet countries agreed to the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the region. Occasional clashes have since occurred on the border.

Earlier this month, the Azerbaijani State Border Service said its units had set up a border checkpoint in the Lachin corridor, the only land route linking Armenia and the Armenian-dominated Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Baku explained the decision by the alleged illegal use of the road by Armenia and security threats, noting that the Russian peacekeeping contingent and the Russian-Turkish monitoring center were informed about this. Yerevan protested Baku's move, stressing that it violated the 2020 trilateral declaration.

 Sputnik

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No: 117, 1 May 2023, Press Release Regarding the Repatriation of Turkish Citizens in Sudan

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The clashes between the Army and the Rapid Support Forces in the Republic of Sudan since 15 April 2023 are of concern.

We are worried that the clashes still continue despite all international efforts and that civilian casualties are on the rise.

H.E. President Erdogan, H.E. Minister Cavusoglu and other Turkish authorities have been in close contact with their Sudanese counterparts since the outset of the events and called for restraint and ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Turkiye engages in several initiatives for the peaceful settlement of the issue and mobilizes all diplomatic channels to avoid further bloodshed amongst Sudanese brothers.

The repatriation operations of our citizens from Sudan which began on 23 April 2023 have been completed today (1 May).

Land, sea and air routes have all been used during our evacuation operations. The security of our citizens has been our main concern during the entire process.

We have ensured the safe evacuation of more than 1700 citizens as well as around 300 nationals from 22 counties who requested for assistance. Any evacuation request from the remaining Turkish citizens in Sudan will be given due consideration.

The planning to replace Nyala Sudan-Turkiye Training and Research Hospital personnel is ongoing.

We extend our gratitude to all countries, in particular Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sudan which contributed to our evacuation operations.



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2197 people safely evacuated from Sudan by the UK

The UK has evacuated 2197 people to safety from Sudan, in the longest and largest airlift by any Western nation during the crisis.

1 May 2023

UK Government arranged extra evacuation flights from Port Sudan today (Monday, May 1).

Follows end of UK evacuation flights from Wadi Saeedna airfield, near Khartoum, on Saturday evening (29 April).

Total number of people evacuated is now 2197 (as of 17:30 Monday 1 May), in the longest and largest evacuation from Sudan by any Western nation

The UK has evacuated 2197 people to safety from Sudan, in the longest and largest airlift by any Western nation during the crisis, as the attention now turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts.

Further flights were expected from Port Sudan on Monday evening, supporting British nationals and others - including Sudanese doctors working in the NHS - who have arrived in Port Sudan.

In addition to British nationals, the UK has also helped evacuate 1087 people from other nations, including the US, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Australia.

The UK Government is no longer running evacuation flights from Wadi Saeedna airfield because of a significant decline in the number of British nationals coming forward and an increasingly volatile situation on the ground.

A UK team is now set up at Port Sudan to provide consular assistance, including to British nationals leaving by commercial routes.

Royal Navy ship HMS Lancaster is supporting evacuation efforts from Sudan.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

With thanks to the extraordinary efforts of staff and military, the UK has brought 2197 people to safety from Sudan so far - the largest airlift by any Western nation. As the focus turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, we will continue do all we can to press for a long-term ceasefire and an immediate end to the violence in Sudan.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Yet again the men and women of our Armed Forces have led the way. In one week, the RAF have flown more than 20 flights, deployed over a thousand personnel, evacuated over 2,000 civilians and helped citizens from more than 20 countries to get home. HMS Lancaster will remain at Port Sudan and her crew will continue to help provide support.

The UK is leading diplomatic efforts for peace in Sudan, with International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell in Nairobi over the weekend, meeting with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto and African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to discuss the conflict in Sudan.

The UK Ambassador to Sudan was deployed to Addis Ababa last week (27 April) to support the UK's diplomatic regional response to Sudan from the British Embassy in Ethiopia.

The UK is also exploring options to provide effective humanitarian assistance to people in Sudan, in close coordination with international partners, the UN, and NGOs. The UK is a committed donor in Sudan, having spent over 250 million in humanitarian aid in the last five years.

The UK continues to provide consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region.

The safety of all British nationals in Sudan continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice. The situation remains volatile and our ability to conduct evacuations could change at short notice.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

On Saturday we made the decision to extend the evacuation criteria to include eligible non- British nationals in Sudan who are working as clinicians within the NHS, and their dependents who have leave to enter the UK.

The two flights from Port Sudan are due to land in Larnaca in the evening of 1 May, and the passenger numbers for these flights will be included in the next FCDO update on 2 May.

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WFP resumes operations in Sudan, amid full-blown humanitarian 'catastrophe'

1 May 2023 - The World Food Programme (WFP) has lifted a temporary suspension of operations in Sudan as fighting between rival military groups pushes millions into hunger, Executive Director Cindy McCain announced on Monday.

WFP had paused its life-saving activities after three staff were killed in North Darfur on 15 April, the first day of clashes between the Sudanese army and the rival Rapid Security Forces (RSF).

Safety first

Ms. McCain said food distribution is expected to begin in four states - Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile - in the coming days.

As the security situation is still highly precarious, WFP is considering locations where humanitarian access is assured, while also strongly taking security, capacity and access-related considerations into account.

"We will take utmost care to ensure the safety of all our staff and partners as we rush to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable," she said.

Hunger expected to rise

Ms. McCain underscored the need to end the fighting, noting that more than 15 million people were already facing severe food insecurity prior to the conflict.

She warned that numbers are expected to "grow significantly" as the unrest continues.

"It is times like this that WFP and our UN partners are needed most," she said.

'Breaking point' looms

In light of the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday dispatched his most senior aid official to the region.

UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator Martin Griffiths has arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, and is expected to travel to Sudan soon.

Prior to departing for the region, he said the situation in Sudan "is reaching breaking point", as people struggle to access essentials such as water, food, fuel and medical care.

Meanwhile, senior officials from the UN and partners held a virtual briefing on Monday to update the international community on the humanitarian response to the crisis.

'A full-blown catastrophe'

With a population of 48 million, Sudan is the third most populous country in Africa.

Roughly one third of all people, nearly 16 million, required humanitarian assistance prior to the conflict, and some 3. 7 million were displaced, mostly in Darfur.

The conflict is turning this humanitarian crisis into "a full-blown catastrophe", Abdou Dieng, the top UN aid official in the country, told ambassadors attending the briefing.

Hundreds of people have been killed since the fighting erupted just over two weeks ago. Tens of thousands have fled to safety, both inside and outside Sudan, while millions more have been confined to their homes, unable to access basic services.

Mr. Dieng said that despite the dire conditions, humanitarians continue to deliver life-saving assistance. Through partners, they have been providing healthcare as well as distributing supplies, medicine, water and fuel to hospitals, for example.

'Unwavering' humanitarian commitment

"Our commitment to the people of Sudan remains unwavering," he said, speaking from Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast. A core UN team is now based in the city following the relocation and evacuation of staff last week from the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country.

However, he noted that humanitarian capacity has been considerably impacted by the conflict, with many offices, vehicles, warehouses looted and destroyed. WFP alone lost 4,000 metric tonnes of food in Nyala, South Darfur.

Negotiating safe access

Mr. Dieng said humanitarians are assessing how they can operate under the current circumstances in Sudan.

They are developing a plan to scale-up activities which will also cover issues such as the movement of emergency items and staff into Port Sudan and other accessible areas, and negotiating safe access for aid delivery.

A crisis response hub has also been established in Nairobi, Kenya, to support operations. The expert team, which includes specialists in civil-military coordination, stand ready to deploy as soon as Sudan's borders reopen.

"In the wake of large scale of looting and violence, we are working to identify ways to bring into the country supply to replenish our stockpile, so that we can deliver aid to those in need as soon as it is safe to do so," he said.

Sustained ceasefire crucial

The senior UN official urged Member States to reinforce the importance of a sustained ceasefire. He also underlined the need for "flexible funding" to ensure that the humanitarian response will continue.

"We ask donors to accept the increased risk which may be associated with this in the short term to enable us to save lives," he said.

Concern over regional impact

Meanwhile, the regional spillover effect of the conflict remains a serious concern. The fighting has displaced Sudanese citizens but also South Sudan refugees and third country nationals living in the country.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, estimates that some 73,000 people have already fled to neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Some 815,000 could flee

Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, warned that numbers could swell unless the crisis is resolved quickly.

"In consultation with all concerned governments and partners, we've arrived at a planning figure of 815,000 people that may flee into the seven neighbouring countries," he said.

UNHCR estimates that the majority, 580,000, will be Sudanese, with 235,000 South Sudanese seeking to return home "in what we would label as adverse conditions".

Chad welcomes more refugees

Mr. Mazou thanked the neighbouring countries that have taken in people escaping the chaos in Sudan.

So far, 30,000 have found shelter in Chad, which was already hosting some 400,000 Sudanese refugees. The new arrivals are mainly located in villages close to the border.

UNHCR is coordinating its response jointly with the Government and partners, and immediately deployed emergency teams to the region.

The agency also reinforced supplies of core relief items, such as sleeping mats, soap and cooking utensils, and has increasing activities in the areas of registration, protection and border monitoring.

South Sudan returnees

More than 20,000 new arrivals were registered in South Sudan as of Saturday. Nearly 90 per cent are nationals who have returned home, though overall numbers are likely to be higher.

UNHCR is again working with partners, in particular the UN migration agency IOM, to respond to the influx and prepare for larger numbers should the conflict in Sudan wear on.

Exodus to Egypt

Mr. Mazou estimated that Egypt has received about 14,000 refugees so far.

UNHCR and partners have established a humanitarian service point on the southern border providing logistics and logistical health, and humanitarian support.

"The Egyptian Red Cross is responding to about 1,000 people arriving every day, and the needs are primarily related to water, food and health," he added.

Refugees inside Sudan

Meanwhile, Sudan was already hosting 1.3 million refugees before the fighting broke out - one of the largest refugee populations on the content.

Most came from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Syria, and were mainly living in host communities and urban areas, although others stayed in camps in eastern Sudan, White Nile and Darfur.

Due to insecurity, UNHCR was forced to temporarily halt activities in Khartoum, the Darfur States and elsewhere in the country, though officers have remained in contact with some leaders and members of refugee communities.

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Makin Island ARG Conducts Balikatan with the Armed Forces of the Philippines

US Navy

01 May 2023

From Petty Officer 3rd Class Kendra Helmbrecht

CAMP AGUINALDO, Philippines -- The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed Exercise Balikatan 2023 (BK23), April 28 with a closing ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines.

U.S. and Philippine relationships are based on strong historical and cultural linkages and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights. Balikatan presented an opportunity for personnel from the AFP and the Makin Island ARG comprised of USS Makin Island (LHD 8), USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), to work together to address challenges related to the Mutual Defense Treaty, counter-terrorism threats, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The 1951 U.S. Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty provides a strong foundation for the U.S. and Philippine's present-day partnership. This alliance facilitates an open, interconnected, resilient, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

"BK23 interactions enabled the opportunity to increase our ability to work shoulder-to-shoulder through bilateral training, supporting local populations, and improving collective capabilities and interoperability." said Capt. Doug Langenberg, commanding officer of John P Murtha. "Together we are devoted to regional peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific."

Makin Island participated in Combined Joint Logistics Over the Shore, in which heavy supplies and equipment were loaded onto landing craft, air cushions and transported to the beach. A temporary bilateral, multifunctioning team was established on shore to transfer fuel to and from ships, stage and operate heavy equipment, and conduct vehicle convoys. The ability to execute amphibious offload operations ensures the AFP and U.S. military are ready to respond to crisis and contingencies at short notice.

Anchorage's Sailors, and Marines assigned to 1st Reconnaissance, 13th MEU, conducted a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) exercise on expeditionary mobile base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5). VBSS provides a variety of scenario injects that require situational analysis, communication, and bilateral decision making. This exercise provided unparalleled opportunities to demonstrate the strength and readiness of the U.S.- Philippine security alliance.

The Makin Island ARG participated in a group sail alongside Miguel Keith, and Philippine navy ships BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS 15), and BRP Tarlac (FF 601) in the South China Sea. This event enhances our forces' communication, techniques and procedures across a wide range of operations while assuring a high degree of interoperability.

Makin Island and AFP conducted a sink exercise which consisted of AFP staging a floating target with the goal of capsizing it. Makin Island launched their 6 F-35B Lightning IIsfifth generation strike fighters assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 13th MEUand employed 4 GPS guided munitions onto the target, successfully capsizing it.

For the final phase of Balikatan 23, Makin Island conducted a simulated amphibious raid at Brooke's Point, offloading U.S. Marines to conduct live fire training, and bilateral long-range fires in a coastal defense training scenario. Field training exercises create valuable training opportunities for both partners to develop proficiency in coastal defense concepts, as well as build camaraderie and respect among service members at every level.

The Makin Island ARG, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with the embarked 13th MEU to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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Biden Hosts Philippine President at White House Amid China Concerns

By Anita Powell May 01, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden assured his Philippine counterpart Monday of the the United States' commitment to the Southeast Asian archipelago as tensions rise with China.

"The United States also remains ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support the Philippines military modernization goals," Biden said.

The two leaders signed a new defense cooperation agreement Monday to strengthen Philippine security and support military modernization.

That agreement builds on the conclusion last week of the largest-ever war drills between the two nations as well as an agreement earlier this year in which the Philippines agreed to give the U.S. access to four more bases on the islands.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., known in his country as "Bongbong," is the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. On Monday, he said the archipelago nation has had a front-row seat to increased tensions in the South China Sea.

"There are also the issues, geopolitical issues that have made the region where the Philippines is possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in  in the world right now," Marcos said. "And so it is only natural that  for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and Asia Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions."

China has repeatedly harassed Philippine navy and coast guard patrols and disagrees with Manila's approach.

"The key to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region lies in the fact that regional countries adhere to mutual trust, unity and cooperation and firmly hold the lifeline of their security in their own hands," Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said last month at a ministry briefing. "We once again remind the relevant regional country that blindly catering to nonregional forces will not only fail to safeguard their own security but will exacerbate tensions, endanger regional peace and stability, and will inevitably harm themselves in the end."

Analysts say this reflects a shift in the relationship.

"It's been a dramatic turnaround over the last eight months, a real quick pace of deepening and institutionalizing the defense relationship," said Brian Harding, who studies Southeast Asia at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Southeast Asia experts say this is not an either-or situation for the Philippines. Beijing recently sent its foreign minister to Manila to meet with his counterpart, indicating a strong partnership.

"I think the Philippines and this President Marcos is probably navigating those dual strategic or national interests: security on one side, perhaps with the United States, trade and investment on the other side," Marc Mealy, senior vice president for policy at the US-ASEAN Business Council, told VOA on Monday. "China is the number one trade partner for all of the countries in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines."

In a joint statement, the leaders of the U.S. and Philippines leaders also said they would work together as allies on such efforts as promoting "inclusive and broad-based prosperity," investing in "the clean energy transition," fighting climate change, upholding international peace and stability, and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The leaders' joint statement did not mention that Marcos was visiting the U.S. under diplomatic immunity, despite a 2012 U.S. contempt order against him over his father's estate, which was to be used to pay damages to human rights victims of martial law under the senior Marcos' rule.

Prior to Marcos' visit, a group, identifying its makeup as "concerned Filipinos and US Citizens," released late last month an open letter to the White House that raised issues over what they described as "inconvenient realities stashed in Mr. Marcos' political baggage," such as his moves to silence critics and his approach to human rights.

"His official visit to the United States is as good a time as any to remind the U.S. public that his rise to the presidency is the fruit of at least three decades of his family's efforts to recast his father's dictatorship as 'a golden age' for Filipinos," the group said, raising his father's record of imprisoning political opponents and torturing dissidents.

"We understand that in advancing the United States' diplomatic agenda President Biden must deal with his official counterpart in the Philippines as a matter of course," read the letter, signed by leaders of seven organizations. "Nonetheless, we hope that America's 'ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines' will not devolve into an uncritical engagement with the Marcos administration."

Nike Ching contributed to this report.

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US Not Backing Turkish Claims Islamic State Leader is Dead

By Jeff Seldin May 01, 2023

The United States is so far declining to back up claims by Turkey that Ankara's forces have killed the current leader of the Islamic State terror group following an operation in northern Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the claim during an interview with broadcaster TRT on Sunday, saying IS leader Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi "was neutralized as part of an operation by the Turkish national intelligence organization in Syria [Saturday]."

Turkish media, citing security sources, reported the operation took place in the northern Syrian town of Jandaris, in an area controlled by Turkish-backed rebel groups, and that the IS leader had been under surveillance for some time.

A U.S. official, speaking to VOA on the condition of anonymity, said that so far Washington has seen nothing to suggest the Islamic State leader has indeed been killed.

"We are unable to confirm this," the official said. "Furthermore, we have no information that would support this claim."

Little is known about IS leader Abu al-Hussein beyond his kunya, or nom-du-guerre.

The first mention of his name came this past November, when the terror group proclaimed him as the new IS leader in the same message in which it announced the death of his predecessor, Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.

U.S. officials, however, have told VOA that unlike his predecessors, Abu al-Hussein is not part of the group that founded IS and is, instead, among the first of a new generation of leaders now charting the terror group's course.

Intelligence shared by the U.S. and by United Nations member states in a series of public reports over the past year indicate IS leaders, like Abu al-Hussein, have been trying to keep low profiles to escape from counterterrorism pressure that has resulted in the death or capture of at least 13 senior officials since early 2022.

That includes the death of a key, senior IS official in a U.S. raid last month in northern Syria. U.S. military officials said Abd-al-Hadi Mahmud al-Haji Ali was responsible for planning attacks in Europe and at the time of his death was directing a plot to kidnap foreign officials.

Sunday's announcement of the death of the IS leader is not the first time Turkey has claimed a major victory in the fight against IS.

Last May, Turkish security officials said they had captured Abu al-Hussein's predecessor during a raid in Istanbul.

U.S. and Western intelligence officials later determined that the claim was overstated, and that the captured IS official was Bashar Hattab Ghazal Al Sumaidai, a senior leader in the organization.

Turkey's Erdogan is up for reelection, with Turkish voters set to go to the polls May 14.

Opinion polls show him facing a tough reelection bid and he recently canceled a series of campaign appearances due to what was described as an intestinal infection.

VOA reached out to the Turkish Embassy in Washington about Erdogan's claims regarding the IS leader but has yet to receive a response.

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Sudanese Ambassadors Call on Warring Parties to Respect Cease-Fire

By John Tanza, Anthony LaBruto May 01, 2023

As the conflict in Sudan enters its third week with a shaky cease-fire, the current and former Sudanese ambassadors to Washington told VOA they hope the cease-fire will eventually lead to meaningful long-term talks for peace.

Ambassador Mohammed Abdullah Idris said peace can only be realized if all parties respect the terms of the truce.

"A cease-fire, truce, is a two-way traffic, so we hope that the other party will respect the truce and will respect the cease-fire, especially those elements of RSF [Rapid Support Forces] those [that] are deployed in residential areas, on roads, streets, intersections," he told VOA during a one-on-one interview at the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.

Abdullah Idris said people in neighborhoods where the fighting has occurred need the opportunity to move to safety.

"As far as the government is concerned, I would like to assure you that we are committed to respecting the cease-fire so that the civilians could have the necessary and needed protection, and also to respect international humanitarian law," he said. "Let us hope that it will hold and give the results, the expected results, on the ground and for the civilians and for the people of Sudan. The people of Sudan, they deserve tranquility, and they need it."

He expressed hope in the mediation efforts initiated by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. The heads of South Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya are spearheading the negotiations for a lasting peace.

Human rights advocates criticized both warring parties for violations of human rights.

"From the start of the fighting, both sides to the conflict in Sudan have shown deadly disregard for the civilian population," Mohamed Osman, a Sudan researcher at the New York-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

Mediation efforts

The United Nations and many western countries have also called for an end to the fighting.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is in direct talks with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto leader of Sudan, and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti, head of the RSF.

"We've also continued to engage directly with General al-Burhan to press them to extend and expand the Eid cease-fire to a sustainable cessation of hostilities that prevents further violence and upholds humanitarian obligations." Blinken said. "The Sudanese people are not giving up on their aspirations for a secure, free and democratic future. Neither will we."

Former Sudanese ambassador Nureldin Satti told VOA he hopes the temporary truce will lead to permanent peace and pave the way for a democratically elected government. But he blames the Sudanese Armed Forces for failing to address the expansion of the paramilitary RSF sooner. The RSF was created in 2013 and has steadily grown in power since that time.

"It was their own making," Satti said. "They are the ones that created the RSF... they were their partners. And they allowed them to come to Khartoum. They allowed them to amass a fortune. They allowed them to make themselves even more powerful than the army. They allowed them to even occupy army locations around Khartoum."

Abdullah Idris agreed that the conflict could have been avoided but said going forward, the government will work toward a peaceful transition.

"The government is committed to resume the political process if this kind of crisis is solved. And the political process should also lead to a civilian-led government that could lead a transitional period, expected to also end up with ... free and fair elections." he said.

This story originated in VOA's English to Africa Service.

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UN: Sudan Fighting Could Force 800,000 to Flee

By VOA News May 01, 2023

Fighting in Sudan between two military factions could force more than 800,000 people to flee the country, the United Nations warned Monday, as the two sides continued to clash despite another three-day extension to a shaky cease-fire.

The deputy head of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Raouf Mazou, said Monday that the refugee agency was planning for 815,000 people to flee Sudan into seven neighboring countries. He said that included 580,000 Sudanese along with foreign refugees now living in Sudan.

Around 73,000 people have already left Sudan, he said.

UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said in a tweet Monday that the agency hopes its planning figures turn out to be too high, but said "if violence doesn't stop, we will see more people forced to flee Sudan seeking safety."

Residents in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, and its neighboring cities, reported hearing airstrikes and artillery fire Monday despite the extension Sunday of a cease-fire agreement for another 72 hours.

A string of temporary truces has been widely ignored by both sides. The cease-fires were established by the two warring factions to allow people safe passage and to open a means for the country to receive humanitarian aid. However, while fighting has abated in some parts of the capital, heavy fighting has continued elsewhere. Each side has blamed the other for the infractions.

The top U.N. official in Sudan, Volker Perthes, told The Associated Press Monday that Sudan's warring generals have agreed to send representatives  potentially to Saudi Arabia  for negotiations.

The Sudanese ambassador to the United States, Mohamed Abdalla Idris, told VOA he hopes the cease-fire will eventually lead to meaningful long-term peace talks.

He said, "a cease-fire, truce, is a two-way traffic," and said peace can only be realized if all parties respect the terms of any deal.

More than 500 people have been reported killed since fighting erupted April 15 between Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The two generals were once allies in Sudan's transitional government after a 2021 coup.

The fighting has led the United Nations and other aid organizations to cut services to Sudan. However, the World Food Program said Monday that it was resuming operations to some areas of the country after a pause of more than two weeks prompted by the killing of three staff members.

The WFP said in a statement that distribution of food is expected to commence in the states of Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile in the coming days to provide life-saving assistance.

The agency said, "We will take utmost care to ensure the safety of all our staff and partners as we rush to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable."

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dispatched U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths to Sudan to assess the situation there.

Writing on Twitter from Nairobi Monday, Griffiths described the situation in Sudan as "catastrophic."

He said the warring parties must, "protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Ensure safe passage for civilians fleeing areas of hostilities. Respect humanitarian workers and assets. Facilitate relief operations. Respect medical personnel, transport and facilities."

The fighting in Sudan has forced foreign governments to pull its citizens from the country.

Hundreds of Americans reached the eastern city of Port Sudan this weekend, watched over by U.S. military drones. Saudi officials said Monday that a U.S. Navy ship took more than 300 evacuees from Port Sudan to the Saudi port of Jeddah.

The U.S. State Department said Monday that three U.S. convoys evacuated over 700 people since Friday and said a total of over 1,000 U.S. citizens have been evacuated since the violence started in Sudan last month.

Britain's government announced Sunday that it was offering an additional evacuation flight for its nationals in war-torn Sudan.

A late Saturday flight out of Wadi Seidna Airport had been set to be the last flight out of the African country for British nationals. However, Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced Sunday that another flight was leaving Monday from the airport in Port Sudan.

Michael Atit contributed to this report from Khartoum, Margaret Besheer from the United Nations, Anthony LaBruto; John Tanza and Nike Ching from Washington. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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US Hosts Peace Talks with Armenia, Azerbaijan

By Nike Ching May 01, 2023

The United States expects "commercial movement of goods" to start soon in the blocked Lachin Corridor as Washington hosts peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia this week.

In recent months, tensions between the two neighboring, former Soviet republics have increased over Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which is the only land route giving Armenia direct access to the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"About Lachin, we have been very clear throughout the last few months about the importance of ensuring the free movement of commercial and humanitarian traffic and people through the Lachin Corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. We continue to engage in those discussions," a senior State Department official told reporters Monday in a phone briefing.

"And we expect the commercial movement of goods to pick up and to start in earnest," that official added.

Early Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate meetings with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Arlington, Virginia.

Blinken then met with both for bilateral peace negotiations at the diplomatic facility near the State Department.

The peace talks to normalize the relationship between the two countries will continue through Thursday.

"We remain committed to facilitating a direct dialogue between both Armenia and Azerbaijan," said another senior State Department official. He added that Washington hoped the two countries would be able to "strengthen their common economic ties" and "reinforce their collective security in the region."

Monday's meetings occurred after Blinken's call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Sunday, when the top U.S. diplomat reiterated Washington's call to reopen the land route "to commercial and private vehicles as soon as possible."

The State Department had voiced "deep concern" that Azerbaijan's establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor undermines efforts for peace talks.

A representative from Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mirzoyan's working visit to the United States is to discuss "the agreement on normalization of relations" with Azerbaijan.

The two countries have had a decadeslong conflict involving the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is inside Azerbaijan but populated mainly by ethnic Armenians.

The Lachin Corridor allows supplies from Armenia to reach the 120,000 ethnic Armenians in the mountainous enclave and has been policed by Russian peacekeepers since December 2020.

The situation has left those ethnic Armenian residents in Nagorno-Karabakh without access to essential goods and services, including life-saving medication and health care, according to Amnesty International. The rights group said Azerbaijan's government has failed its human rights obligations by taking no action to lift the blockade.

Azerbaijan maintains the land route is open for humanitarian delivery, emergency services and peacekeepers.

In November 2022, Blinken hosted foreign ministers from Armenia and Azerbaijan for peace negotiations at Blair House in Washington, D.C.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Aliyev also held face-to-face meetings hosted by Blinken on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February.

Some material in this report came from Reuters.

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Statement from WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain on lifting the temporary suspension of life-saving assistance activities in Sudan

World Food Programme

1 May 2023

ROME -- As the crisis in Sudan pushes millions into hunger, the World Food Programme (WFP) is immediately lifting the temporary suspension of operations put in place after the tragic deaths of our three team members on April 15. Distribution of food is expected to commence in the states of Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile in the coming days to provide the life-saving assistance that many so desperately need right now.

The security situation is still highly precarious. WFP is considering locations where humanitarian access is assured while strongly considering security, capacity and access-related considerations. We will take utmost care to ensure the safety of all our staff and partners as we rush to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable.

To best protect our necessary humanitarian workers and the people of Sudan, the fighting must stop.

Over 15 million people faced severe food insecurity in Sudan before this conflict. We expect these numbers to grow significantly as the fighting continues.

It is times like this that WFP and our UN partners are needed most.

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Remarks by President Biden and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines Before

May 01, 2023

Oval Office

2:54 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, welcome back to the White House. We were talking on the way over. It's been a while since you've been here.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yes, sir.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: You were with  here with President Reagan, with your father. And we welcome you back.

And, you know, when we met in New York last year, you told me that  that a strong alliance has to continue, quote  I'm using your phrase  "to evolve as we face the challenges of this new century." And we are facing new challenges. And I can't think of any better partner to have than you.

I couldn't agree more that we have to. This relationship has to continue to evolve. And together, we're tackling climate change, we're accelerating our countries' transition to clean energy, and we're standing up for our shared democratic values and workers' rights and the rule of law.

And together, we're deepening our economic cooperation, which is going to continue to deepen and I think is mutually beneficial.

And we're going to announce that  we're going to announce today that I'm sending a first-of-its-kind presidential trade and investment mission to the Philippines. We talked about that very briefly 

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yes, sir.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  up in New York.

And the United States also reminds [sic] ironclad in our  remains ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including the South China Sea, and we're going to continue to support the Philippines' military modernization goals.

Mr. President, our countries not only share a strong partnership, we share a deep friendship  one that has been enriched by millions of Filipino Americans in the communities all across the United States of America.

So, I want to thank you again for being here, and I look forward to our conversation today. And I invite you to make any comments you'd like. The floor is yours.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you very much, Mr. President. And I  as you say, in the difficult times that we are facing ahead of us, I  we need to find many ways to strengthen our alliances and our partnerships in the face of the new economy that we are facing post-pandemic.

Beyond that, there is  there are also the issues  geopolitical issues that have made the region where the Philippines is possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in  in the world right now.

And so, it is only natural that  for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions.

So, I welcome very much the opportunity to come here, to visit with you at the White House, and to discuss all these terribly important issues.

We have many things that  that are new that need to be assessed and, again, our role as partners in the world  in our worldview of what we are hoping for the future of peace, not only in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific region but in the whole world.

So, thank you once again for this opportunity, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you. And I'm optimistic things will get even better.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you, sir.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you.

2:58 P.M. EDT

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Joint Statement of the Leaders of the United States and the Philippines

May 01, 2023

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is honored to welcome Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Washington, DC. The leaders recognize the remarkable ties of friendship, community, and shared sacrifice that serve as the foundation of the U.S.-Philippines alliance.

President Biden and President Marcos welcome the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine relations, and resolve to continue expanding engagement and cooperation on all issues of common concern. In efforts to promote inclusive and broad-based prosperity, invest in the clean energy transition and the fight against climate change, uphold international peace and stability, and ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law, the United States and the Philippines will remain the closest of allies, working together to deliver a better future for our citizens and tackle the emerging challenges of the twenty-first century.



Partnering for Peace and Security: Strengthening our Alliance, Upholding International Law, and Expanding Regional Collaboration

President Biden reaffirms the United States' ironclad alliance commitments to the Philippines, underscoring that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

The leaders welcome the identification of new sites pursuant to the U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which will strengthen Philippine security and support the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization goals, while driving U.S. investment to local communities across the Philippines and improving our shared ability to rapidly deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The leaders underscore their unwavering commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and the importance of respecting the sovereign rights of states within their exclusive economic zones consistent with international law. The leaders support the right and ability of Filipino fisherfolk to pursue their traditional livelihoods. The leaders note the ruling of the 2016 arbitral tribunal, constituted pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They affirm the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity. The leaders convey support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, noting that the conflict has adversely affected food and energy security in the Indo-Pacific.

The leaders welcome cooperation with partners that share the United States' and the Philippines' commitment to international law and mutual respect, and in that spirit, they reaffirm their strong support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. They look forward to establishing trilateral modes of cooperation among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, as well as the Philippines, Australia, and the United States. Furthermore, they welcome the Quad's commitment to support a peaceful and stable, rules-based region with ASEAN at the center, through its efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.



Delivering Prosperity and Resilience: Driving Broad-Based Economic Growth, Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition, and Promoting the Well-Being of Our Citizens

President Biden and President Marcos resolve to draw on the strength of their partnership to promote enduring economic growth and prosperity in the United States, the Philippines, and the broader Indo-Pacific region. To that end, President Biden will dispatch a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines on his behalf, to enhance U.S. companies' investment in the Philippines' innovation economy, its clean energy transition and critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people. Furthermore, the leaders announce that the United States and the Philippines will co-host the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum - the United States' marquee commercial event in the region - in Manila, which will further establish the Philippines as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment. Additionally, the two countries will pursue engagements with stakeholders, including in the business and social sectors, regarding opportunities to enhance bilateral economic engagement in a manner that is worker-centered, sustainability-driven, fair, and transparent, focusing on sectors in which it is critical to develop resilient supply chains and in which significant and meaningful economic value-added and employment can be generated in the United States and the Philippines.

The leaders welcome their countries' plans to prioritize bilateral economic cooperation through the U.S.-Philippines Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The leaders also applaud progress in developing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which will deliver concrete benefits to our workers, families, and businesses by promoting trade, supply chain resilience, clean economy development, and anti-corruption throughout the region. The two leaders look forward to seeing one another again in San Francisco this November for the APEC Economic Leaders' Week, to advance sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the region.

Recognizing that the climate crisis poses an existential threat to the world, and the Philippines' particular vulnerability to the effects of climate change, the leaders reaffirm they will undertake urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They resolve to expand collaboration on renewable energy production to accelerate the clean energy transition while bringing down energy costs and expanding energy access for families. The leaders hail progress in negotiating a U.S.-Philippines civil nuclear cooperation agreement ("123 agreement"). The United States and the Philippines will also pursue an ambitious program of cooperation on wind, solar, and geothermal energy, while enhancing cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the waste, road, and shipping sectors.

The leaders further resolve to expand cooperation on environmental protections, including enhanced domain awareness, marine conservation, and protecting coastal areas from environmental degradation. Acknowledging the paramount significance of science and technology in propelling our countries forward, the leaders pledge to promote increased cooperation and knowledge sharing between the United States and the Philippines through the Science and Technology Agreement (STA), and they welcome U.S. plans to establish an Open-RAN Interoperability Lab in Manila. Recognizing the importance of enhancing and sustaining joint efforts in outer space activities, the leaders also welcome their countries' plan to prioritize and strengthen bilateral space cooperation, including by convening their first bilateral Civil Space Dialogue this year.

The leaders underscore the importance of strong democratic institutions, rule of law, and respect for human rights, including freedom of expression, press, and association, and they note the importance of countering any form of violence in our societies, such as that against civil society, women, children, and marginalized groups. The leaders welcome the establishment of a bilateral Labor Working Group as part of the U.S.-Philippines TIFA, which will provide an important opportunity for the United States and the Philippines to work together on implementation of internationally recognized labor rights, and to facilitate exchange and dialogue among U.S. and Philippine governments and labor unions, as well as employer organizations.

The leaders recognize that the people-to-people ties between the two countries are an indispensable pillar of our partnership, manifested in their immense contributions to both the United States and the Philippines. The leaders note the service and sacrifice of Filipinos in World War II, and more recently, the significant contributions of Filipino Americans on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking to the future, President Biden and President Marcos express the utmost confidence that the special ties between their nations and their people will only grow stronger with time, as the United States and the Philippines continue to realize their shared vision of partnership, peace, and prosperity.

###

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Background Press Call on the Upcoming Visit of President Marcos of the Philippines

May 01, 2023

Via Teleconference

MODERATOR: Thank you all for joining today's background call on the visit of President Marcos of the Philippines. On the call today we have [senior administration official], [senior administration official], and [senior administration official].

As a reminder, this call is on background and attributable to senior administration officials. The content of this call will be under embargo until 5:00 a.m. Eastern, Monday, May 1st.

By joining today's call, you are agreeing to these ground rules.

And with that, I will turn it over to [senior administration official] to kick us off, and then we will turn it over for questions.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks, [moderator]. Very much appreciate the introduction. Our colleague [senior administration official] is actually our [redacted] and helps run our entire Asia and Oceania project, so we're thrilled to have him onboard with us today on the call.

I'll just give you just a couple of quick things for the laydown for this visit and the larger context, and then [senior administration official] will talk through the deliverables.

I think it is clear that we're in a deeply consequential period in terms of our Indo-Pacific engagement with allies and partners. And for those of you who are focused, obviously, we've seen a historic visit by Prime Minister Kishida during which Japan upped its defense commitments, its determination to work within the context of the U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship. A series of engagements at the Cabinet level and other levels at DOD between the United States and Philippines. And that will be culminating over the course of the next week with the visit and the hosting by President Biden of President Marcos of the Philippines.

And then last week, obviously, a very important visit on the part of Prime Minister  President Yoon of South Korea who came to the United States to announce substantial efforts to bolster extended deterrence and to announce substantial investments of Korean companies in the United States, totaling over $100 billion since Prime Minister  since President Biden has come to office.

So  and then, obviously, next month, we will be  the President and his team will be heading to Japan for the G7 bilateral engagements with Prime Minister Kishida. And also, the President will engage in a trilateral meeting with Japan, South Korea, and the United States before proceeding on to Australia for a meeting of the Quad and a bilateral engagement with Australia.

So it's an extraordinarily important period for our interaction with our allies and partners in the region, both in the bilateral context but also seeking many-lateral and other engagements, informal and other kinds of engagements, with partners working together.

I think the context of the visit of President Marcos is extremely important. I think as you all know, we have a long, important history with the Philippines. The Philippines were a critical partner of the United States during the Vietnam War and after. But in the '90s and early part of this century, I think it would be fair to say that less focus on the bilateral relationship, particularly on the security side.

But recent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary step to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between the United States and the Philippines.

The Philippines is also engaging actively with Japan and other countries in the Indo-Pacific, given their changing circumstances.

And what we've seen recently is a series of continuing provocative acts on the part of China testing and probing into the Philippines' waters, in areas of deep concern to the Philippines. And they're looking for reassurance and a strong desire to maintain peace and stability in this complex period.

The Chinese have taken some steps that have been really concerning to the Philippine leadership. Just earlier in the week, the Chinese ambassador to Manila gave a speech about changing circumstances in the Indo-Pacific and appeared to talk about the safety and security of the nearly 200,000 Filipinos living in Thailand  excuse me, in Taiwan. I think many in the Philippines saw that as a veiled threat.

I think President Marcos came to power with a clear intention to focus on urgent commercial and business matters. He's also very focused on climate change.

He had a long association with China. I think it's fair to say that some of these steps that China have taken have concerned him, probably even surprised him. He is not seeking to position himself in some sort of in-between role between China and the United States. He has a, I think, strong desire to work closely with both countries, but finds himself in a situation that the steps that China is taking are deeply concerning.

In that context, we have seen substantial steps with respect to bilateral engagements, restarting in the 2+2 mechanisms a number of engagements, which are basically strengthening and developing the alliance protocols between our two countries in ways that are quite important.

I think the visit this coming week is meant in many respects to diversify what we think are very important initial security engagements of the last several months. And you will see the President here not only focusing on security commitments and other things that the United States is prepared to do with the Philippines, but we will launch a number of initiatives on the commercial side. USAID will  some programs, in terms of our work there in country, will be announced. Education initiatives, people-to-people. A number of things which are designed to demonstrate the depth of engagement and commitment between our two countries.

So we view this as extremely significant. It's really the first kind of meeting at this level and intensity between the United States and the Philippines in decades. And we take it very seriously.

And he will  President Marcos and his team will be arriving this afternoon and have a series of meetings in Washington that will play out over the course of the next week.

Let me turn now to [senior administration official] to walk through, if I can, some of the specifics associated with President Marcos's visit here to the United States.

Thank you, [senior administration official].

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thank you. So, look, it's hard to follow [senior administration official]'s very thorough laydown. I will just add a couple of things.

The first is that the relationship between the presidents has been building since last year. President Biden was the first foreign leader to call President Marcos and congratulate him after the election. The administration sent a presidential delegation to the inauguration that was headed by the Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, with a representative group of us  U.S. officials and representatives of the Philippine American community.

The Secretary of State went to Manila in early August of last year.

The presidents met, as [senior administration official], said on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly and had a really extensive bilateral meeting.

In September, Vice President Harris went to Manila and then to Palawan in November, and they had very good meetings. And I think the visit to Palawan was the first time a president or vice president had gone to that island, which is on the South China Sea.

Secretary of Defense Austin went to Manila at the very end of January/beginning of February for extremely productive meetings.

We also have had  the first 2+2 meeting in many years was held in Washington, in April, between the Secretaries of State and Defense with their Philippine counterparts.

And now we have President Marcos arriving for, as [senior administration official] said, a series of meetings we consider to be extremely consequential.

I think this all happens against the backdrop of an improving relationship. In many ways it reflects the (inaudible) relationship, including some fairly significant announcements and decisions that have been taken in the last six months, but really trying to restore some of the more traditional linkages between our governments, between our peoples, and on the commercial side between us and the Philippines.

So what I'd say is, you know, one thing that is also very important to remember is the critically important role of the large Philippine American community in the United States as a force for the strengthening of the relationship. And we very much appreciate their contributions to the United States and their great influence here.

I think what we see is that the alliance is  has made great strides, but it's also trying to broaden out, trying to focus on issues of development, economics, environment, people-to-people ties, and also prioritizing our shared democratic values and respect for human rights.

This is obviously a tremendously important relationship for the U.S. that's broad and deep, and we want to try and strengthen that.

It's worth highlighting that in recent months we've added four new sites under our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, announced an additional $100 million in foreign military financing for the Philippines, and expanded intelligence sharing.

We're also expanding our military training and exercises, and we just concluded the largest-ever version or iteration of our flagship bilateral military exercise, Balikatan.

I think as all of you are aware, we're standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the South China Sea where our alliance has never been stronger. We're united in our support for international law, including freedom of navigation and the sovereign rights of states within their EEZs, and the 2016 arbitral tribunal judgment, which is legally binding on both parties.

Of course, the President is going to use this visit and our meeting  the meeting with President Marcos  to reaffirm the fact that our security to the Philippines  our security commitment to the Philippines remains ironclad and that an armed attack on Philippine Armed Forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments.

The Philippines is also an increasingly important partner to us on many of our most important regional and global priorities. They're a leader within ASEAN, and I think that we're seeing the Marcos administration trying to step up Philippine engagement in ASEAN, which we think is very positive and reflects the ASEAN centrality in regional architecture, but also the potential to do much more using ASEAN as a platform.

And we're working closely together towards the negotiation of a successful Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. And we really appreciate the Philippines' strong commitment to being a serious partner and pushing forward in the negotiations.

And we also appreciate that the Philippines has cast many votes in the U.N. General Assembly that support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

So we think that this is really a sign of one of our oldest and most important alliances having (inaudible) that reflects the challenges of today.

So, on Monday, we're looking forward to rolling out a number of important deliverables. And this will build on recent progress  in many ways, progress that goes back through a longer period, for 20 years, in which the U.S. has provided nearly $5.8 billion in bilateral support to the Philippines across programs advancing good governance, strengthening civil society, promoting economic development, bolstering security, and building resilience to climate and health security challenges.

In terms of specific outcomes for this  for the meetings, we're looking forward to announcing a new set of bilateral defense guidelines that will deepen our alliance cooperation and interoperability across operational domains, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.

We're also looking to celebrate the identification of the additional sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, known as EDCA, and that this will strengthen Philippine security and support Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization goals. It will also drive U.S. investment in local communities across the Philippines and will increase our shared ability to rapidly deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

I will also be announcing a series of steps to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization, including transferring of three C-130 aircraft subject to consultation with Congress. Also, we've transferred a number of Cyclone-class coastal patrol vessels that are on their way to the Philippines now. And we did that earlier this month.

And I think that, you know, our view is these transfers will support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program by significantly enhancing its maritime and tactical capacity. We're looking to also transfer some additional patrol vessels, and stay tuned for that.

On economic ties, we'll be announcing a presidential trade and investment mission to the Philippines on his behalf. This will be the first mission of its kind to enhance U.S. companies' investments in the Philippines' innovation economy, its clean energy transition and critical mineral sector, and the food security of its people.

We'll be announcing that we're bringing the Indo-Pacific Business Forum to the Philippines. And the U.S. and the Philippines will co-host the sixth annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Manila subject to congressional (inaudible).

This is the U.S.'s marquee annual commercial event in the region, and we think it's very appropriate it will be in the Philippines next.

We'll also be announcing support for an Open RAN  which is Open Radio Access Network  interoperability lab. This will advance a 5G rollout in the Philippines, strengthen the innovation economy, and provide digital upskilling opportunities to Philippine workers. And we'll be announcing this, and it will provide  there'll be a bricks-and-mortar lab in Manila that will provide hands-on training to current and aspiring 5G professionals, and also an opportunity for vendors and operators deploying Open RAN networks to teach and educate local engineers into how to design, build, and operate these networks.

We'll also be announcing a program by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to launch new sustainable infrastructure activities in the Philippines that will leverage over $3 billion in public and private financing to strengthen the Philippines' critical mineral supply chains, advance smart-grid technologies and clean energy solutions, promote 5G deployment, strengthen airport security and maritime safety, and support healthcare infrastructure.

You know, one of the things that makes the Philippines-U.S. relationship unique is the people-to people ties, and we'll be making some announcements there.

And I think that the key things are: We're just going to highlight that we're on track to continue putting significant amounts of money to support over 2,000 exchange participants between the Philippines and the United States over the next decade. We'll be expanding the Fulbright Program, the International Visitor Leadership Program, the Philippines Youth Leadership Program, and the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative, YSEALI, and the Humphrey program.

And I think it's  again, we're highlighting the U.S. people-to-people exchanges with the Philippines are some of our biggest in the world.

Obviously, there are other very important areas of the relationship, and these include human rights, health, energy, environment, and resilience. We'll have a series of announcements in those areas. One will be the announcement of a U.S.-Philippines labor working group that will work to have discussion on labor issues pursuant to the U.S.-Philippine Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

We'll also announce a partnership on critical minerals in which USAID will announce support for the production of  process minerals and expand downstream mineral industries in the Philippines. This will be linked to electric vehicle components and ICT equipment.

We'll also be announcing a series of support by USAID in partnering with the Philippines Department of Energy to conduct the second round of green energy auctions that will bid out a combined 11.6 gigawatts of solar, onshore wind, biomass, and waste-to-energy capacity that will be installed from 2024 to 2026. And then also programs that will protect critical water infrastructure.

So we think these are quite significant. They reflect our recognition and, I think, the recognition of the government of the Republic of the Philippines that the relationship needs to be broadened out, we need to strengthen our cooperation in economic and people-to-people ties; that it's important to make progress on human rights and rule of law; that, ultimately, one of our great strengths is our status as democracies and that we both need to take steps to strengthen that.

So I think we're very excited about this. And happy to answer any of your questions. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Thank you, [senior administration official].

And just as a reminder to everyone, if anyone joined late, that the contents of this call are under embargo until 5:00 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning.

I will now turn it over to the moderator for Q&A and just ask that everyone please limit yourself to one question so we can get through as many as possible here.

Q Thank you. And good afternoon, everyone. My question is: Have the Philippines actually committed to allowing U.S. forces to use the bases in the Philippines in the event of war? I know that the new arrangements  the four new sites under EDCA  will allow you to do a lot of stuff during peacetime. But will you be able to use them during wartime, and will you get that guarantee either in private or in some kind of more public formal way?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'll start. So, look, I would say this: We have very substantial discussions with Filipino colleagues about how to deepen our security and defense partnership, and that involves greater capabilities for the Filipinos. I think you know that we have in the past worked closely with the Philippine Armed Forces but primarily in the counterinsurgency in Mindanao in the early 2000s.

We've worked less with the navy and the air force. And maritime domain awareness and maritime capabilities to be able to engage in their vast ocean waters is of critical importance to them. So I think we're working in those capacities.

We're also engaging directly on planning-related efforts  joint operations, joint patrols.

I think we've tried to be very clear about the importance of our security treaty and the commitments we're prepared to make to support the Philippines if they are challenged directly. We're careful not to go through scenarios in public and hypotheticals.

I can just assure you that we're taking the necessary steps to strengthen our bilateral relationship, encouraging the Philippines working with other countries on the security side, and making clear of our determination to diversify the relationship across the board.

[Senior administration official], you want to say anything further?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The only thing I would add to that  and I think it's a very good laydown  is that we are very committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty, and we believe the Philippines government is as well, and obviously would govern anything that happens.

However, we also believe that strengthening our ability to work together and collaborate in peacetime is obviously one of the best ways to avoid other contingencies. And so we think that's significant.

But we're very confident both sides are fully committed to the MDT.

Q Can I just ask a follow-up?

MODERATOR: Yeah, go ahead.

Q So does the Mutual Defense Treaty take into account a situation where China takes military action against Taiwan, and the U.S. decides to respond to defend Taiwan? That's not an attack on the Philippines. Would the Philippines be obliged to support the U.S. under those conditions?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think that the terms in the Mutual Defense Treaty is a publicly available document, Demetri. I think that the key thing is that we believe that by improving our ability to work together in peacetime, we can deter and avoid these kinds of issues.

Q Thank you.

Q Hi, thank you. Thank you, [senior administration officials], for doing this. So my question is similar to what Demetri is asking. So can we expect the Philippines will step up, like Japan and South Korea, on Taiwan during or after this visit? Is there going to be stronger language in the joint statement or any documents that come out?

And also very quickly, can you confirm that President Biden will visit Papua New Guinea? Thank you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: So I can just (inaudible) here.

First of all, I think our Philippine interlocutors have made clear, like other partners in the Indo-Pacific, that they believe that the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is a matter of national interest, from their perspective as well.

There are many reasons for that  not only the larger potential consequences of a major disruption in regional trade and global challenges to business and finance. But as mentioned earlier, a substantial number of Filipinos live in Taiwan, and so their very livelihood and their lives are involved here.

It is also the case that the Philippines have indicated clearly that they are prepared to step up their own armed forces capability to help in  assist in the maintenance of peace and stability in areas that are important to the Philippines, in their own territorial waters more generally.

I think the steps that the Philippines are taking are prudent, they are careful, they are not provocative. And, in fact, the Philippines have been very clear about their desire to maintain good relations with all parties in the Western Pacific more generally. And they are seeking to buttress ties with the United States in a careful, responsible way.

And I've got nothing further to offer at this juncture about President Biden's upcoming travel. We're exploring a variety of options as we go forward.

Thank you. [Senior administration official], do you want to jump in?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Nope, that was very good. Nothing to add.

Q Thank you. Hi, [senior administration officials]. I'm curious: Are there any specific security guarantees that the Philippines are interested or keen on getting? And  I'll let you answer that question first.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: So, I'll take this. I think they are very confident and comfortable with the existing arrangements. I think that we've made very clear through a variety of administrations, including this one, that we stand by our commitments and our obligations under the MDT, and that we are working in close partnership  an increasingly close partnership with the Philippines to be able to carry that out.

Q Sorry, I just took my luck at a second question because I wasn't sure if there were others on the line. I'm just curious if there'll be any discussion about enhanced cooperation between the U.S., the Philippines, and Japan during the visit this week.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think the answer  the short answer to that, Demetri, is yes. I think as you've heard from both Japan and the Philippines, there is a desire to step up trilateral discussions and dialogue between our three countries. I think we believe that that is appropriate. And we will have more to say about that this week.

MODERATOR: Great. Well, thank you, everyone, for joining today's call. As a reminder, the contents of this call are embargoed for tomorrow morning at 5:00 a.m. And please feel free to reach out to our team with any follow-up questions. Thank you again. Have a great rest of your day.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 01 May 2023 - Day 432

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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 since summer 2022, Russia has constructed some of the most extensive systems of military defensive works seen anywhere in the world for many decades. These defences are not just near the current front lines but have also been dug deep inside areas Russia currently controls.

Imagery shows that Russia has made a particular effort to fortify the northern border of occupied Crimea, including with a multi-layered defensive zone near the village of Medvedevka. Russia has also dug hundreds of miles of trenches well inside internationally recognised Russian territory including in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.

The defences highlight Russian leaders' deep concern that Ukraine could achieve a major breakthrough. However, some works have likely been ordered by local commanders and civil leaders in attempts to promote the official narrative that Russia is 'threatened' by Ukraine and NATO.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russian Federation launched another massive missile attack on civilian objects of our state.

In total during the day, Russian forces carried out 19x missile strikes (our defenders successfully destroyed 15x Russian cruise missiles of the Kh-101 and Kh-555 types), 13x air strikes and launched 13x rounds from MLRS. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded civilians, including children. Apartment residential buildings, private houses, schools, hospitals, kindergartens and other civil infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

The threat of further missile and air strikes on the entire territory of Ukraine remains high.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on conducting offensive operations on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mar'yinka axes - more than 30x Russian attacks were repelled during the day. Bakhmut and Mar'yinka remain at the epicenter of hostilities, Ukrainian soldiers bravely defend themselves.

Volyn' and Polissya axes: no signs of the formation of Russian offensive groups were detected.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces continue to maintain a certain number of troops in the border areas of the Russian Federation with Ukraine. During the day, Russian forces carried out an air strike with guided air bombs on the settlement of Lyzunivka in the Chernihiv Oblast, a child was killed. In addition, they conducted mortar and artillery shelling of the settlements of Leonivka, Krasnyi Khutir, Gremyach, Novgorod-Siverskyi of the Chernihiv Oblast; Seredyna-Buda, Shostka, Khodyne, Iskryskivshchyna, Volfyne, and Sadky of Sumy Oblast, as well as Udy, Hoptivka, Strelecha, and Khatnye in Kharkiv Oblast.

Kupyansk axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive operations. The settlements of Figolivka, Zapadne, Liman Pershiy, Kislivka, Kupyansk, Krokhmalne, and Berestov of the Kharkiv Oblast were hit by Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Lyman axis: Russian forces tried to improve the tactical position, led unsuccessful offensive actions in the Novoselivskyi and Bilogorivka areas. They launched an airstrike on the settlements of Bilogorivka, Hryhorivka and Spirne. Makiivka, Dibrova, Belogorivka in the Luhansk Oblast and Verkhnokamianske and Spirne in the Donetsk Oblast were hit by Russian artillery fire.

Bakhmut axis: Russian forces continue to conduct offensive actions. Fighting continues in the city of Bakhmut. Also, Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensive actions on the axis of the settlement of Predtechyne. They launched an airstrike on Bakhmut and Bila Gora. Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkove, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Kostyantynivka, Diliivka and Pivdenne of the Donetsk Oblast were affected by Russian shelling.

Avdiivka axis: Russian forces carried out offensive actions in the Pervomaisky Oblast of the Donetsk Oblast, without success. Air strike was conducted on Avdiivka. They shelled the settlements of Avdiivka, Lastochkine, Pervomaiske and Karlivka in the Donetsk Oblast.

Mar'yinka axis: Russian forces continue to attack the positions of the defense forces. Battles continue for Mar'yinka. Georgiivka, Donetsk Oblast, also got under Russian fire.

Shakhtars'ke axis: during the day, Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations. Shelled the settlements of Vugledar, Bogoyavlenka, and Novoukrainka in Donetsk Oblast.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia continues to conduct defensive operations. During the day, Russian forces shelled Vremivka, Novosilka, Novopil' of the Donetsk Oblast; Malynyvka, Gulyaipole, Biloghirya, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanilivka, and Zeleny Gai of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, as well as Ivanovske, Kozatske, Osokorivka, Zolota Balka, Kachkarivka, Berislav, Vesele, Odradokamyanka, Tyaginka, Bilozerka, Kizomys, and the city of Kherson.

During the day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted 4x strikes on areas of concentration of Russian personnel, and units of missile troops and artillery hit the control post, 2x areas of Russian concentration of weapons and military equipment, 2x warehouses of ammunition and 1x warehouse of fuel and lubricants.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a long-range high-precision air and sea-based missile strike against Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities.

The goal of the attack has been reached. All the assigned targets have been neutralised.

Enterprises producing ammunition, weapons and military equipment for Ukrainian forces have been disrupted.

In Kupyansk direction, the attacks, launched by aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the AFU units near Dvurechnaya, Timkovka and Krakhmalnoye (Kharkov region).

The actions of five Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were suppressed close to Masiutovka, Kislovka, Sinkovka (Kharkov region), and Novosyolovskoye and Rozovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were over 85 Ukrainian servicemen, two motor vehicles, and one D-20.

One ordnance depot of 127nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Izbitskoye (Kharkov region).

In Krasny Liman direction, the attacks, launched by Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery of the Tsentr Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the AFU units close to Olgovka (Kharkov region), Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Serebrianka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been suppressed close to Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 55 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, one pickup truck, one D-20 howitzer, and two D-30 howitzers.

In Donetsk direction, the assault detachments continued to destroy the enemy in the western part of Artyomovsk.

The Airborne Troops support the actions of the assault detachments and restrain the AFU units on the flanks.

The attacks, launched by Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery of the Yug Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the enemy manpower and hardware close to Kalinovka, Chasov Yar, Nikolayevka and Stupochki (Donetsk People's Republic).

The Russian aviation have made 6 sorties in this area during the day. The Group's artillery have performed 64 firing missions.

The enemy losses were up to 330 Ukrainian personnel, one tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer have been eliminated.

One ordnance depot of 53th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Novoukrainka (Donetsk People's Republic).

On South Donetsk and Zapororozhye directions, aviation, as well as artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted a fire damage on the enemy units near Ugledar, Privolnoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

The actions of a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been disrupted close to Sladkoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 55 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, and one Msta-B howitzer.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 15 Ukrainian servicemen, two motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one Msta-B howitzer.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 87 artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 109 areas.

The 72th Mechanised Brigade's battalion command and observation post has been hit near Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence facilities have destroyed eight unmanned aerial vehicles close to Gorobyovka (Kharkov region), Kremennaya, Krasnorechenskoye (Luhansk People's Republic), Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Peschanovka (Kherson region).

In total, 413 airplanes, 230 helicopters, 3,913 unmanned aerial vehicles, 421 air defence missile systems, 8,927 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,095 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,703 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 9,893 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation.





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Iran, Russia to jointly manufacture research satellite

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 1, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Russia and Iran will kick start a project in two weeks to manufacture scientific research satellite, an Iranian academic has said.

Chancellor of the University of Tehran Mohammad Moghimi said on Monday that aerospace departments of the University of Tehran and University of Moscow are planned to launch the joint projects in two weeks.

He said the two universities reached an agreement on the issue during a visit by an Iranian academic delegation to Moscow last week.

4208**2050

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North Korea: US, South Korea agreement escalating tensions to brink of nuclear war

Iran Press TV

Monday, 01 May 2023 2:33 AM

North Korea has once again strongly condemned a recent agreement between the United States and the South, which makes way for deployment of American nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula.

The country's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), quoted Choe Ju Hyon, a senior international security analyst, as making the remarks early Monday.

Last week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his US counterpart, Joe Biden, agreed on the regular deployment to the peninsula of strategic assets.

In line with the deal, Biden has pledged to deploy nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea for the first time in four decades to supposedly defend its ally against what they claim to be growing nuclear threats from the North.

Choe was cited by the KCNA as saying that the agreement has stipulated the allies' willingness to take "the most hostile and aggressive action" against North Korea.

The stationing of American strategic assets has placed the situation of the Korean peninsula in a "quagmire of instability," and is intended to build "aggressive and exclusive military blocs" in the region, the report said.

"It is just aimed to [allow the US] dodge the responsibility for the worst-ever nuclear-related crimes it has committed by systematically destroying and violating the nuclear nonproliferation system, and in particular, pushing the situation of the Korean Peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war," the report added.

"It is the hegemonic sinister aim pursued by the US to turn the entire South Korea into its biggest nuclear war outpost in the Far East and effectively use it for implementing its strategy to dominate the world."

Reacting to the agreement on Saturday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, warned that Pyongyang would strive towards "further perfection" of its nuclear deterrence.

"The more the enemies are dead set on staging nuclear war exercises, and the more nuclear assets they deploy in the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula, the stronger the exercise of our right to self-defense will become in direct proportion to them," she said.

The agreement would "only result in making peace and security of Northeast Asia and the world be exposed to more serious danger, and it is an act that can thus never be welcome," Kim added.

North Korea has been under harsh sanctions by the United States and the UN Security Council for years over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

On March 23, North Korea tested its first underwater nuclear attack drone, after the country's leader urged the enhancement of Pyongyang's nuclear capability to the level of becoming ready for an actual "attack" against the enemy.

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Iran successfully tests indigenous aircraft engine

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 1, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's MAPNA Group has successfully tested a home-grown airplane engine.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attended the ceremony in Karaj, in northern Alborz province, which marked the International Workers' Day on Monday.

After President Raisi's speech at the ceremony, the native aircraft engine and its control system, which have been manufactured by MAPNA's experts through a reverse engineering process, were successfully tested.

During the ceremony, President Raisi was also briefed about latest technological achievements by MAPNA which is Iran's largest energy construction and engineering company.

1483**9417

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Myanmar troops raze two-thirds of homes in Sagaing village

'It was as if our houses had been cleared away by a big broom.'

By RFA Burmese 2023.05.01 -- It took two days for the junta to destroy what had taken generations to build in Myo Thit.

On April 26, a column of around 150 junta troops entered the village in northern Myanmar's Sagaing region and began torching buildings, looking for members of the armed resistance.

When they left the following day, more than two-thirds of its structures, including the dining hall of a Buddhist temple, had been razed and some 2,000 area residents displaced.

The destruction is just the latest result of fighting in Sagaing, where rebels have put up some of the fiercest resistance to junta rule since the February 2021 coup d'etat - and suffered some of the worst devastation amid the military's scorched earth offensive in the region.

"The houses built by my grandmother and grandfather are gone now, and the houses built during my mother's time are gone too," a resident of Myo Thit who, like other villagers Radio Free Asia spoke with, declined to be named citing security concerns. "There is nothing left. Just a landscape of ruin."

The resident said that not even a pot of rice she had been collecting had survived the fires set by the military.

"I had collected some rice that other people gave me in this pot as I could not grow rice [on my own], but I can't even eat it now, because it was burned and the grains are broken and damaged," she said.

More than 400 of the homes in Myo Thit - a tract of around 600 structures located in Khin-U township - were destroyed in the raid, according to residents.

Villagers returned to the area on April 28, but "found only ashes and ruins," another resident told RFA.

"It was as if our houses had been cleared away by a big broom," she said. Residents "can't even tell whose house used to be where."

"The reason why [the junta troops] did this is because their objective is to destroy all villages," she said. "It is their policy to cause poverty and trouble for villagers."

In addition to the devastation, residents also discovered the charred remains of 55-year-old fellow villager Tun Win, who was the only person to die in the fires. Than Khaing, a 50-year-old woman, was able to escape the soldiers after being arrested and hit in the head with rifle butts, they said.

Hundreds displaced

The more than 2,000 people who fled the raid are now sheltering in nearby villages and monasteries.

One woman who is among the refugees told RFA that all she has to look forward to are donations from residents of the township who know that what little they have could be taken away by the junta just as easily.

"Look at the sight of our village that has been here for generations - how painful it is for us to see this," she said. "Now, our main concern is finding food and shelter. There aren't even trees in the area for us to live under. All that we can hope for is that people from nearby villages will share food with us, as we can do nothing for ourselves anymore."

According to residents, the junta column that destroyed their village entered Khin-U from neighboring Ye-U township, before burning down 25 homes in Ta Pin Kaung (South) village on April 25.

The military has yet to make any announcement regarding the burning of homes in Myo Thit, and attempts by RFA to reach the junta spokesman for Sagaing region went unanswered on Monday. Junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun has previously denied reports of military troops burning civilian homes.

According to Data For Myanmar, an independent research group, the military has burned more than 3,700 civilian homes in Khin-U township between the coup and February 2023.

According to the independent research group Data For Myanmar, since the military coup, more than 3,700 houses in Khin-U have been burned down as of February and nearly 48,000 houses in Sagaing region as of mid-March.

At least 500,000 people have fled conflict in Sagaing since the takeover.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

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 May 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.

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Pakistan and Russia commemorate 75th Anniversary of establishment of Diplomatic Relations

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pakistan and the Russian Federation are commemorating the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, today. To mark this milestone occasion, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov exchanged letters of felicitations.

Pakistan and Russia enjoy close, multidimensional relations based on mutual goodwill and trust. Bilateral ties are marked by cooperation in diverse areas, including economic, energy and security. The two countries also consult at various multilateral fora on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Russia were established on 1st May 1948.

Islamabad

1 May 2023

79/2023

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Alexey Kuzmenkov was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense for Logistics

TASS

MOSCOW, 30 April. /TASS/. Colonel General Alexei Kuzmenkov has been appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation for Logistics (MTO). This was reported to journalists on Sunday in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

"Colonel-General Alexei Kuzmenkov has been appointed to the post of Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, responsible for the logistics of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," the ministry said.

It is noted that Kuzmenkov graduated from the Volsk Higher Military School of Logistics in 1992 and until 2019 he served in various positions in the logistics bodies of the Armed Forces (AF) of the Russian Federation.

From 2014 to 2018, he headed the MTO headquarters of the RF Armed Forces. From 2018 to 2019, he was the Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District for Logistics. Since 2019, he has been Deputy Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation - Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation.

A TASS

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German Diplomats Expelled by Moscow Depart From Russia - Reports

Sputnik News

20230501

BERLIN (Sputnik) - Several employees of Germany's diplomatic missions in Russia left the country on Monday, following Moscow's announcement about the expulsion of German diplomats in a tit-for-tat response to Berlin, media reported, citing the German Foreign Ministry.

Several German diplomats left Russia on Monday, German press reported. Expelled individuals had been working "in accordance with their diplomatic status," according to the German Foreign Ministry.

The German government said last month that it had decided to expel Russian diplomats in order to reduce the number of Russian intelligence officers allegedly working in the country in violation of their official diplomatic status.

On April 22, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Berlin decided to initiate a new wave of expulsions of employees of Russian diplomatic missions in the country. The Russian ministry also announced reciprocal measures, expelling German diplomats from Russia.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik in April that more than 20 German diplomats were expelled from Russia. According to Sputnik data, the number of Russian diplomats expelled from Berlin is over 20.

A Sputnik

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Report: Saudi Arabia seeks dialogue with Lebanese Hezbollah movement following dAtente with Iran

Iran Press TV

Monday, 01 May 2023 11:10 PM

Saudi Arabia is reportedly pursuing dialogue with Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement following its recent efforts to mend fences with Iran and Syria.

The Lebanese al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the report on Saturday, quoting an unidentified Saudi official, who claimed that the kingdom hopes to open dialogue with Hezbollah "soon."

It also cited "unofficial sources in Beirut" as saying that the dialogue would "be conducted through a third party."

"Whether the endeavor succeeds or fails, it reflects the new phase in which Riyadh is rearranging regional relationships...," the paper wrote, describing the kingdom's policy shift as "unprecedented."

Analysts argue that this significant foreign policy overhaul has already witnessed Saudi Arabia taking steps to re-establish diplomatic ties with Iran, and showing openness towards reinstatement of relations with Syria and the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas.

Saudi Arabia has been also significantly distancing itself from the United States both economically and politically.

Back in March, the same month when Riyadh and Tehran agreed to restore their relations through China's mediation, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah described the reconciliation as a "good development."

The ties between the two major regional players were severed in 2016 following protests outside Saudi Arabia's diplomatic facilities in Iran against the kingdom's execution of a leading Shia cleric.

The foreign policy revamp also serves as a blow to any prospect of "normalization" of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Reflecting on the unfolding developments on Monday, Israel's Maariv newspaper said, "Saudi train is expected to stop at a station bearing a large sign with the name Hezbollah on it."

Many other Israeli outlets have likewise described Saudi Arabia's ongoing campaign of rapprochement with the region's anti-Israeli parties as a source of frustration for Tel Aviv.

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Syrian president hails China's support for Syria, peacemaking role in Mideast

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:56, May 01, 2023

DAMASCUS, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has hailed China's supportive stance toward Syria and its role in solving critical regional issues, including the Iranian-Saudi reconciliation.

Assad made the remarks during his meeting with the visiting China's special envoy on Middle East affairs, Zhai Jun, in the capital Damascus on Saturday.

Assad said Syria appreciates China's firm support in issues concerning Syria's national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The president said Syria looks forward to strengthening practical cooperation with China in various fields within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Meanwhile, Assad congratulated China on successfully mediating the Iranian-Saudi reconciliation, saying it will have an important and positive impact on the regional and international situation.

Voicing appreciation for China's positive role in promoting Syria's relations with other Arab nations, Assad said China is welcome to play a greater role in maintaining regional peace and stability.

For his part, Zhai said that in recent years, China-Syria relations have continued to develop, and political mutual trust has been continuously enhanced, stressing that China is willing to work with Syria to firmly support each other in issues concerning the two countries' core interests, and promote the friendly cooperation between the two sides to achieve new progress.

Zhai noted that Syria's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity should be respected and maintained, urging the United States and the West to lift unilateral sanctions and economic blockade against Syria immediately.

He also called on the international community to sincerely provide humanitarian and development assistance to the Syrian people, noting that China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in improving Syria's relations with Arab countries.

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Top Arab diplomats discuss normalization of relations with Syria, bringing it back to Arab fold

Iran Press TV

Monday, 01 May 2023 6:34 PM

A group of Arab foreign ministers have met with their Syrian counterpart in Jordan to discuss how to normalize diplomatic ties with Damascus and bring the country back to the Arab fold.

The Monday meeting was part of a Jordanian proposal to reach a political solution to more-than-a-decade-old Syrian conflict.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and his Egyptian and Iraqi counterparts, Sameh Shoukry and Fuad Hussein, traveled to Amman on Monday for the meeting with Syria's Faisal Mekdad.

The United Arab Emirates was not represented at the meeting, even though it was the first Arab country to normalize relations with Syria in 2018.

A spokesman for the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the meeting came as a follow-up to talks in Saudi Arabia last month between the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council members, as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

The spokesman added that those countries aimed to build on their contacts with the Syrian government and discuss a "Jordanian initiative to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis."

At the Jeddah meeting, there was resistance to the move to invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the May 19 Arab League summit in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh, with Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait saying it was premature before Damascus agrees to negotiate a peace plan.

Before Arab ministers sat down for Amman talks, Syria's chief diplomat met with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, according to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

They discussed refugees, water issues and border security, including the fight against drug smuggling, the ministry said.

Jordan has called on Damascus to engage with Arab states on a roadmap to end the conflict, and tackle such issues as refugees and drug smuggling across the war-ravaged country's borders.

In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia a which once backed Takfiri militant groups in Syria a has reversed its stance on the Syrian government and is pushing its neighbors to follow suit.

Saudi foreign minister visited Damascus last month for the first time since the kingdom cut ties with Syria more than a decade ago.

Saudi Arabia has said, after its rapprochement with Iran, a new approach was needed to Damascus, which is under Western sanctions.

The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in November 2011, citing an alleged crackdown by Damascus on opposition protests. Syria denounced the move as "illegal and a violation of the organization's charter."

Syria was one of the six founding members of the Arab League in 1945. In recent months, an increasing number of countries and political parties have called for the reversal of its suspension from the Arab League.***

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Syrian Soldier Killed, 7 Injured as Aleppo Airport Closed Over Israeli Attack - State Media

Sputnik News

20230501

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - One soldier was killed and seven other people were injured late Monday during an Israeli attack on Syria's Aleppo, state media reported.

Of the injured, two individuals were said to be civilians. It remains unclear as to whether the five others were affiliated military personnel.

Earlier, a Syrian state television channel reported Israel launched an attack on the outskirts of Aleppo, and that Syrian air defenses had shot down some of the incoming missiles.

As a result of the airstrike the Aleppo International Airport had also been temporarily shuttered. Reports have indicated that structural damages to the airport's runway were detected.

State media reported the strikes unfolded just after 11:30 p.m. local time as a "barrage" of projectiles were fired from the direction of southeast Aleppo.

No official confirmation of Israel's involvement in the Monday strikes has emerged, as is typical in such strikes. However, Israeli officials have previously admitted to carrying out such attacks to prevent terroristic actions and stave off hostilities with Iran-backed military groups.

The latest spate of hostilities comes after state media detailed last week that Syrian air defenses had repelled an attack over Homs. The Syrian Defense Ministry later reported that three civilians were wounded in Israel's missile attack on the outskirts of Homs.

A Sputnik

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Israel launches fresh missile strike on Syria, targeting Aleppo Intl. Airport, killing soldier

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 02 May 2023 12:07 AM

Israel has carried out a fresh missile strike on Syria's northwestern city of Aleppo, causing casualties and material damage.

Syria's official SANA news agency quoted a military source as saying that the attack took place late Monday with bursts of missiles fired from the direction of southeast of Aleppo.

The source added that the Israeli missiles targeted Aleppo International Airport and a number of locations on the vicinity of the city.

The report said Israel's new act of aggression killed one Syrian soldier and injured seven others, including two civilians, while causing some material damage.

The attack also put Aleppo International Airport out of service.

Syria's military noted that the country's air defenses intercepted Israeli missiles, shooting down most of them.

Israel frequently carries out missile attacks on targets in Syria, mostly using the airspace of Lebanon or the occupied territories.

It usually targets military positions inside the country, especially those of the resistance movement Hezbollah, which played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists.

The regime launched similar attacks on the Syrian capital Damascus and the central Homs province in early April.

Damascus has repeatedly complained to the UN over Israeli assaults, urging the Security Council to take action against Tel Aviv's crimes. The calls have, however, fallen on deaf ears.

The country has vowed to give a crushing response to such acts of aggression at some point in the future.

"We warn the Tel Aviv regime that an adequate response to such hostilities awaits them and it will be given sooner or later," Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said last November.

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Turkey Detains Two Kurdish Journalists Over Terror Allegations

By Ezel Sahinkaya May 01, 2023

Two Kurdish reporters have been detained in Turkey over terrorism accusations, days ahead of that country's May 14 presidential election considered to be the biggest electoral challenge faced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his two decades in power.

Sedat Yilmaz, an editor at the Mesopotamia News Agency (MA), and Dicle Muftuoglu, co-chair of the Dicle Firat Journalists Association, were taken into custody last week as part of an investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Yilmaz's wife, Selma, and his sister Filiz Yilmaz were also detained.

The journalists and their loved ones were detained in Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakir province.

The move came two days after four other Kurdish journalists were arrested by a Diyarbakir court over alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which Turkey, the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist organization.

In a written statement, the prosecutor's office announced that 49 people in 15 provinces were detained because of "their activities in the 'center for ideological space' for the terrorist organization's so-called goals of 'independent, united Kurdistan.'" The detainees were taken to an Ankara police station for depositions.

Yilmaz and Muftuoglu were not able to access their lawyers for 24 hours.

"As successors of a tradition that has been continuing for more than 30 years, they are trying to silence us once again," Muftuoglu said in a handwritten statement shared via her lawyer after they met.

"Despite those who have been trying to criminalize us with similar operations for years, our pursuit of truth continues. No obstruction can shadow the truth. We call on all our colleagues to defend journalism against all these operations, which attempt to silence us," Muftuoglu added.

Other arrests

Jin News reporter Beritan Canozer, journalist Remzi Akkaya, MA editor Abdurrahman Gok and MA reporter Mehmet Sah Oruc were taken into custody in coordinated dawn raids last week, in which Turkish police detained at least 128 people in 21 cities.

Among those detained are 10 journalists, a lawyer representing arrested Kurdish journalists in other court cases and members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, or HDP, the third-biggest party in the Turkish parliament.

Media rights groups have voiced concern over the arrests of journalists in Turkey.

A Turkish security source told the Reuters news agency that the suspects were accused of providing financing, recruiting and spreading propaganda for the PKK.

Lawyer Resul Temur and MA reporter Ahmet Kanbal were released last Friday.

Mahmut Bozarslan contributed to this story from Diyarbakir.

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Prime Minister Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

May 1, 2023

Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Prime Minister reiterated Canada's solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they remain resolute in the face of Russia's brutal and unjustifiable aggression, including strikes on civilian targets and the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

The two leaders discussed the situation on the ground and how Canada can continue to support Ukraine, now and in the future. The Prime Minister reiterated Canada's commitment to stand by Ukraine with military, humanitarian, financial, and other assistance for as long as it takes.

The Prime Minister also expressed support for Ukraine's diplomatic efforts toward a just peace, and looked forward to President Zelenskyy's virtual participation in the upcoming G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

The two leaders reaffirmed their intention to remain in close and regular contact.

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Three Killed In Latest Russian Missile Barrage To Hit Ukraine, Zelenskiy Says

By RFE/RL May 01, 2023

Russia hit Ukraine with a nighttime barrage of 18 missiles, killing two people in Pavlohrad and a 14-year-old boy in the Chernihiv region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on May 1.

Forty other people were injured in Pavlohrad, Zelenskiy said in his nightly address.

"The terrorists' missiles took the lives of two people, very young men," Zelenskiy said, referring to the two deaths in the eastern city, which is a railway hub,.

Zelenskiy also said the 14-year-boy killed in the northern region of Chernihiv died close to his school when the building was hit by a bomb.

Serhiy Lysak, the head of the regional administration, had said earlier that 34 people, including five children, were injured in the attack on Pavlohrad, and seven rockets were shot down by air-defense units.

"An industrial enterprise was damaged in Pavlohrad," he wrote on Telegram. "In a residential area, 19 high-rise buildings, 25 private houses, six educational institutions, and five shops were damaged; nearly 40 residential buildings."

A post to the Telegram account of Ukraine's commander in chief, General Valeriy Zaluzhniy, said missiles were launched from Russian plants at around 2.30 a.m. local time. It said 15 out of the 18 missiles launched had been destroyed.

Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that its forces had carried out missile strikes against Ukrainian locations, and claimed that all its missiles had hit designated military sites.

Zaluzhniy spoke by phone later on May 1 with U.S. General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and informed him about the situation across the front line, describing it as "difficult but under control." He also stressed the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses and the timely delivery of weapons.

The head of Russian-controlled Sevastopol said the Crimean city was the target of a drone attack. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed administrator of the port city, said the Black Sea Fleet and Russian air-defense forces shot down one of the drones.

In recent days, there has been an uptick in aerial attacks and other explosions in Ukraine, as well as in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, including at a fuel depot on the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.

Some Ukrainian authorities have hinted that the new explosions might be connected to a widely anticipated counteroffensive.

The site of the fiercest fighting for nearly 10 months has been the Donetsk region city of Bakhmut, where Russian forces are slowly chipping away at Ukrainian positions, and are believed to hold most of the territory in the now-devastated town, but apparently at a high cost.

The White House on May 1 said it estimates that since December Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed in fighting for control of Bakhmut and other parts of eastern Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said nearly half those killed since December were Wagner group mercenaries, many of them convicts who were released from prison to join Russia's fight.

The new figures suggest that Russian losses have accelerated in recent months. Milley said in November that Russia had suffered well over 100,000 killed or wounded in the first eight months of the war.

Zelenskiy spoke by phone with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 1 to discuss long-term defense cooperation. Zelenskiy noted on Twitter the confiscation of Russian assets and called for increased sanctions-pressure on Russia.

Canada last month announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine worth 39 million Canadian dollars ($28.8 million). The aid includes funds for 3.3 million liters of fuel, sniper rifles, ammunition, spare parts for guns, and new radio equipment for Leopard 2 tanks.

The ministry added that all eight Leopard 2 battle tanks pledged by Canada have been delivered to Poland, and that Canada has sent three instructors to train Ukrainian troops on operating the tanks.

With reporting by Current Time and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russian-18- missiles-predawn-attack/32386690.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.

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Kiev Lost Over 300 Soldiers Over Past 24 Hours - Russian Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20230501

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian troops have destroyed up to 330 Ukrainian soldiers, a tank, four armored combat vehicles, four cars, and a 122-mm howitzer D-30 in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"Over the past day, the aviation carried out six combat sorties in this area. The group's artillery performed 64 fire tasks ... up to 330 Ukrainian soldiers, one tank, four armored fighting vehicles, four cars, and the D-30 howitzer were destroyed in this direction," the defense ministry said.

The defense department added that an ammunition depot of the Ukrainian armed forces has been eliminated near the village of Novoukrainka in the Donetsk People's Republic.

A Sputnik

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Turkiye Counting on Extension of Grain Deal: Erdogan

Sputnik News

20230501

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkiye expects the Black Sea Grain Initiative, also known as the grain deal, to be extended, so that countries in need can get the necessary food supplies, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

"The favorable atmosphere with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia, which was also present during the exchange of prisoners, has worked well in the grain corridor ... We look forward to the continued operation of this mechanism, providing food to needy countries in Africa," Erdogan said in an interview with Turkish broadcasters on Sunday evening.

Over the weekend a source close to the negotiations on the grain deal told Sputnik that there is no clarity regarding the prospects of extending the deal. The source said that Ankara and the United Nations are making some efforts in that respect, and Turkey expects "Western partners to support our efforts."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had a phone call with Erdogan on Friday about the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and about improving the export of Russian products, according to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The Turkish presidency said on Friday that Erdogan assured Guterres that Turkey attached importance to the continuation of the UN-brokered grain export deal between Russia and Ukraine, which is set to expire on May 18.

Ankara announced on Friday that Ukraine had proposed to expand the list of goods for export under the grain deal. Russia says it is ready to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative if curbs on its food and fertilizer exports are lifted.

A Sputnik

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Russian invaders will receive our response to every attack - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

1 May 2023 - 21:56

Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

I started this Monday and the new week with an hour-long meeting with all levels of government and defense. The head of government, ministers, the Office. The Commander-in-Chief, the heads of the Main Intelligence Directorate and the Foreign Intelligence Service, the head of the Security Service, and the NSDC Secretary delivered reports.

The first issue is the consequences of Russian strikes, including missile attacks. Last night alone, from midnight to seven in the morning, we managed to shoot down 15 Russian missiles. But, unfortunately, not all of them. Not all of them yet. We are working with our partners as actively as possible to make the protection of our skies even more reliable.

At the morning meeting, we discussed the enemy's likely actions in the near future and coordinated our defensive steps.

Separately we discussed the issue of weapons and ammunition for our warriors. Also, the situation on the still occupied territory and counteraction to Russia. No chance for the occupier on our land! Only destruction for the enemy.

Here is just one example today. Chernihiv region, the village of Lyzunivka, in the north of the region, near the state border. There, a Russian air bomb destroyed another Ukrainian school... Unfortunately, this strike took the life of a teenager - a boy born in 2009... 14 years old! He was just near the school. My condolences to the family and friends!

Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region. Terrorists' missiles claimed the lives of two people, young guys... My condolences to the families! Forty more people - women, children and men - received medical aid after injuries and traumas.

For every such attack, the Russian invaders will receive our response. And I thank all our warriors who ensure this every day and every night. They defend our positions, repel Russian assaults, help their brothers-in-arms who are nearby in the positions, and destroy the occupier to the maximum. The more Ukrainians are accurate, the more Ukrainians support each other, the faster the Russian evil will be destroyed.

I am grateful to all our partners who see the common task of Ukraine and the world in this way: the obvious defeat of the terrorist state and a just peace for Ukraine and the whole of Europe.

Today, I held several meetings on our diplomatic work in May, which brings us closer to such a peace - a just peace, such an outcome of this war - the defeat of the occupier.

I also had several phone calls today. I thanked Canada and Prime Minister Trudeau personally for the continued support of our country. We are preparing a program of long-term defense cooperation between Ukraine and Canada. This is very important: Canada has already started confiscating Russian assets. This is a significant example for everyone else in the world. We discussed sanctions pressure and our political cooperation.

Today I also spoke with Prime Minister Hipkins of New Zealand. I thanked him for the principled stance in defense of international law - New Zealand is often among the leaders in sanctions restrictions. I also thanked for New Zealand's participation in training our soldiers. We agreed to work on greater consolidation of the Pacific region countries to protect international rules.

And one more thing.

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the foundation of one of Ukraine's most glorious military units, the 140th separate special operations center. These are very skilled warriors - determined, strong and extremely experienced. They took part in the defense and liberation of the Kyiv region - Bucha, Hostomel, Borodyanka and other towns and villages, as well as the liberation of Izyum and Chuhuiv in the Kharkiv region. They carried out strategically important missions in the southern areas and fought hard against the occupiers in Donbas. Thank you, warriors!

Ukraine will always remember your courage, and will never forget those warriors who gave their lives in the battle for the state. May our country's victory in this war honor them!

Glory to all those who are in combat for Ukraine!

Glory to all who protect and save our people!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Latest in Ukraine: Deadly Round of Russian Airstrikes Hit Ukraine

By VOA News May 01, 2023

New developments:

White House estimates 20,000 Russians were killed in eastern Ukraine since December. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said almost half of them are Wagner forces.

Ukrainian troops are pushing back against Russian troops in the beleaguered city of Bakhmut, launching counterattacks that have forced Russian soldiers to abandon some positions.

The head of the mercenary Wagner Group says that if his fighters are destined to die on the front line in Ukraine, it won't be at the hands of the Ukrainian army or NATO but due to the lack of support from Moscow.

For a second time in a week, Russia launched a deadly wave of airstrikes across Ukraine, lobbing 18 missiles that killed two people.

Overnight, Russia targeted the southeastern railway hub city of Pavlohrad with missile strikes, in addition to the two deaths, 40 other people were injured, including several children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday.

"Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region. Terrorists' missiles claimed the lives of two people, young guys. ..." Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. "For every such attack, the Russian invaders will receive our response."

A huge crater had been blasted into the backyard of a house that was strewn with debris on Pavlohrad's outskirts. Russia's defense ministry said its forces struck with high-precision, long-range, air- and sea-based missiles against "Ukraine's military-industrial facilities," Reuters reports.

An explosion in a Russian region bordering Ukraine caused a freight train to derail Monday, the local governor said in a social media post, adding there were no casualties.

Pictures shared on social media showed several tank carriages laying on their sides and dark gray smoke billowing into the air at the site of the derailment in the Bryansk region.

"An unidentified explosive device went off at the 136-kilometer mark on the Bryansk-Unecha railway line, derailing a freight train," Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz said in a post on the messaging app Telegram.

Russian authorities say the region, which borders both Ukraine and Belarus, has seen multiple attacks by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups in the 14 months since Russia invaded. On Saturday, the governor said four civilians died after Kyiv shelled a village just across the border.

The site of the incident, as indicated by the governor, is around 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Russia's border with Ukraine.

He did not say who was responsible for the attack, Reuters reports.

Both sides have denied targeting civilians since the Russian invasion on Ukraine began in February 2022.

Separately, the governor of Russia's Leningrad region near St. Petersburg said a power line had been blown up overnight and an explosive device found near a second line.

Governor Alexander Drozdenko posted photos of destroyed power lines and metal supports on his Telegram page Monday morning. He said Russia's FSB federal security service was working on the site. He did not say who he believed was responsible for the incident.

Russian casualties

The White House said Monday it estimates that in just six months Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 people killed in the fight to advance in eastern Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. estimate is based on newly declassified American intelligence. Kirby said most of these casualties have occurred during fierce battles in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russia is encountering a tough Ukrainian defense.

Kirby said nearly half those killed since December are members of the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary force. Many Wagner forces convicts recently released from Russian prisons in exchange for fighting in Ukraine.

Kirby said the Wagner forces were "thrown into combat and without sufficient combat or combat training, combat leadership, or any sense of organizational command and control."

In a video posted on Telegram on Monday, Wagner head Yevgeny Prighozin complained that his fighters were receiving only a third of 300 tons of artillery shells needed a day for the stalled assault on Bakhmut.

"Three hundred tons a day is 10 cargo containers  not a lot at all," said Prigozhin, who has often clashed with Russia's defense establishment over, what he claims is, insufficient support for his fighters.

While Russia is struggling to encircle the eastern city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian troops are still in control of a key supply route into Bakhmut and have launched counterattacks forcing Russian troops to abandon some positions, Colonel Generak Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian ground forces, said Monday, according to The Kyiv Independent.

Military: Ukraine launches counterattacks in Bakhmut, Russian forces 'abandon some positions'.Ukrainian troops have launched counterattacks in parts of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, leading Russian troops to abandon some positions, Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's...

 The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 1, 2023



However, Syrskyi wrote on Telegram Monday, the situation in Bakhmut remains "quite difficult," adding, "the enemy is unable to take control of the city."

Ukraine said Monday its forces repelled more than 36 enemy attacks on the part of the eastern front line that stretches from Bakhmut to Maryinka, just west of Donetsk, Reuters reports.

Bakhmut is an important strategic landmark for Russia which says that its capture would work as the springboard for further Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Russian trenches

Russia is also digging in, expecting an imminent Ukrainian counteroffensive.

"Russia has constructed some of the most extensive systems of military defensive works seen anywhere in the world for many decades," the British defense ministry said Monday in its daily intelligence update about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The report, posted on Twitter, said there is imagery that shows that Russia "has made a particular effort" to strengthen the northern border of occupied Crimea, "including with a multilayered defensive zone near the village of Medvedevka."

In addition, according to the ministry, Russia has dug "hundreds of miles of trenches well inside internationally recognized Russian territory, including in the Belgorod and Kursk regions."

The trenches show that Russia is worried that Ukraine could achieve "a major breakthrough," the ministry said. Some of the work, however, has "likely been ordered by local commanders and civil leaders in attempts to promote the official narrative that Russia is 'threatened' by Ukraine and NATO," according to the report.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Acquisition of Advanced Jets Could Be Key to Ukraine's Spring Counteroffensive

By Myroslava Gongadze May 01, 2023

Ukraine is finalizing preparations for its anticipated spring counteroffensive against Russia, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country will fight with or without Western military jets.

Ukraine's battlefield progress depends heavily on military supplies from the West. Military experts say, without advanced jets from Kyiv's NATO allies, the counteroffensive will likely consist of costly battles of attrition.

In recent days, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was among Western leaders who held meetings with Ukraine's leadership and military command. He emphasized that through the Contact Group led by the United States, NATO allies and partners have provided more than 98% of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine, including over 1,550 armored vehicles, 230 tanks and vast amounts of ammunition.

"In total, we have trained and equipped more than nine new Ukrainian armored brigades. This will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue to retake occupied territory," said the NATO secretary general last week during a press conference.

Ukraine says it needs more. Ukraine's top military commander, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, recently held a working meeting with U.S. Army General Christopher Cavoli. According to VOA sources, the generals conferred on Ukraine's military abilities and agreed on the need for a thorough assessment of Ukraine's readiness for a counteroffensive.

Posting on Facebook after the meeting, Zaluzhnyi wrote that participants had "considered in greater depth the operational situation along the entire front line ... the likely scenarios, threats and prerequisites for our future actions."

Zaluzhnyi added, "We focused on the importance of timely supply of sufficient ammunition and materiel. I emphasized the need to provide Ukraine with a wide range of armament and air defense systems, which will significantly help us to solve the problematic issues in our resistance to Russian aggression."

VOA sources in Ukraine's military command confirmed that Ukraine has largely spent its supply of aged Soviet military hardware and munitions. Ukraine's military has been fighting on the eastern and southern fronts in recent months, hoping to exhaust Russian forces without giving up territory.

Ukraine is having success in that regard, according to U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

"Russia has exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces and since December alone," Kirby told reporters Monday. "[J]ust since December, we estimate that Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action, nearly half of whom were Wagner [Group] soldiers."

At the same time, Ukraine is transitioning to Western weapons systems, making the country even more reliant on Western military support.

As it preps for a spring counteroffensive, one of Ukraine's critical unmet needs is fighter jets, according to Gustav Gressel, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

In a recent article, Gressel wrote that "[e]xtensive fortifications in the Russian rear may slow Ukrainian advances long enough to allow Russian aircraft to strike the forces clearing obstacles. ...To screen the ground forces from such attacks, the Ukrainian air force will have to come out, at least to disrupt Russian attacks."

Addressing Ukraine's need for jets, Gressel wrote: "The US should learn from last year's delay over tank deliveries and approve their release as soon as possible."

"The end of the war depends on Ukraine," NATO's assistant secretary-general for public diplomacy, Ambassador Baiba BraAe, recently told VOA. "[T]he most important part is ensuring that Ukraine is supported in maximum ways. If it wants to continue fighting, it has the capability to continue fighting."

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Latest in Ukraine: Russia Making 'A Particular Effort' to Strengthen Northern Crimea Border

By VOA News May 01, 2023

New Developments:

"A free press is a pillar, maybe the pillar of a free society," said U.S. President Joe Biden, as he called for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, from Russian captivity.

A French artist dedicates a mural to executed Ukrainian POW.

Pope Francis says he will do anything to bring peace in Ukraine.

Russia launched 18 missiles at Ukraine's capital Monday morning. Ukraine says it intercepted 15 of them. Preliminary reports from Kyiv indicate that there were no casualties, according to the Associated Press.

Also overnight, Russia targeted the eastern Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad with a missile strike. The AP reports seven missiles were aimed at the city, but some were intercepted. Reuters reports that 34 people, including five children, were hurt in the strike.

The report, posted on Twitter, said there is imagery that shows that Russia "has made a particular effort" to strengthen the northern border of occupied Crimea, "including with a multi-layered defensive zone near the village of Medvedevka."

In addition, according to the ministry, Russia has dug "hundreds of miles of trenches well inside internationally recognized Russian territory, including in the Belgorod and Kursk regions."

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 01 May 2023.Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/Wu1lvnsXTeYY #StandWithUkraine YY pic.twitter.com/PRlzMJHXoX

a Ministry of Defence YY (@DefenceHQ) May 1, 2023

The trenches show, the update said, that Russia is worried that Ukraine could achieve "a major breakthrough." Some of the work, however, the ministry said, has "likely been ordered by local commanders and civil leaders in attempts to promote the official narrative that Russia is 'threatened' by Ukraine and NATO."

Russian attacks across Ukraine have killed at least 477 children wounded nearly 1,000 since Russia invaded more than a year ago, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said Sunday in a report posted on the messaging app Telegram.

Most casualties were documented in the Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts, where 452 and 275 children were either killed or wounded, respectively. The casualty rate among children is expected to be higher, the report said, as the current count does not include data from Russian-occupied territories or where hostilities are ongoing.

On Sunday in Uman, two children who had died in an attack Friday were buried. In all, 23 people, including six children, died in the Russian attack on an apartment building in Uman.

Last month, Ukraine's National Police said nearly 400 children are missing.

More than 19,000 children from Russian-occupied territories have been subjected to forced deportations to Russia. So far, Ukraine has retrieved only 364 of them, according to Children of War, a Ukrainian national database.

On March 17, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russia President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.

At a recent Moscow news conference, Lvova-Belova rejected the ICC's war crime charges as false, saying her commission acted on humanitarian grounds to protect the interests of children in an area where military action was taking place, according to the Reuters news agency.

The Kremlin has previously called the ICC's actions "outrageous and unacceptable."

But many Ukrainian children who were returned to families and guardians tell a different story.

In April, Vitaly, a child from the Kherson region, told Reuters: "We were treated like animals. We were closed in a separate building." He said he and other children were told their parents no longer wanted them.

Sunday was the professional day of border guards in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address Sunday. "They were the first to face the occupier in the east," he said, "they are holding the border firmly."

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Pune, India, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global defense IT spending market size was USD 81.28 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow from USD 82.12 billion in 2020 to USD 110.89 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 4.38% during the 2020-2027 period.

Segments

Hardware Segment Held 43.47% Market Share in 2019

The hardware segment, based on type, held a market share of about 43.47% in 2019 and is likely to gain momentum in the forthcoming years. This is ascribable to factors such as high defense IT spending by the defense department of several countries to develop cloud-based infrastructures.

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What does the Report Provide?

Defense IT spending is a critical aspect of national security strategy. It involves the allocation of resources towards the development, maintenance, and operation of information technology systems used by the military. The goal of defense IT spending is to enhance military capabilities and ensure that the nation's armed forces have access to cutting-edge technologies that can provide a strategic advantage over potential adversaries. It is imperative that defense IT spending be carefully managed and monitored to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that sensitive information is protected from cyber threats and that the systems are resilient and reliable in the face of potential attacks. Ultimately, defense IT spending plays a vital role in maintaining the nation's security and readiness in an increasingly complex and dynamic global environment.

List of Key Players Profiled in the Defense IT Spending Market Report:



Leidos Holding Inc. (The US)

Accenture (Ireland)

IBM Corporation (The US)

General Dynamics Corporation (The US)

BAE Systems PLC (The UK)

DXC Technology Company (The US)

Dell Inc. (The US)

Northrop Grumman Corporation (The US)

Unisys Corporation

Atos SE (France)

Capgemini SE (France)

Fujitsu Limited (Japan)

Oracle Corporation (The US)

SAP SE (Germany)

Microsoft Corporation (The US)

Amazon, Inc. (The US)

AT&T Intellectual Property (Canada)

CACI International Inc. (The US)

Atkins (The UK)

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Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2020-2027 Forecast CAGR 4.38 % 2029 Value Projection USD 110.89 Billion Market Size in 2020 USD 82.12 Billion Historical Data 2016-2018 No. of Pages 213 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Type Analysis

By Application Analysis Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

South America

Middle East and Africa Defense IT Spending Market Growth Drivers Rising Demand to Enhance Combat Operation Efficiency to Boost Market Growth Increasing Preference for Secure Communication Systems in Defense Sector to Propel Market Growth

The market report provides a detailed analysis of several factors such as the key drivers and restraints that will impact growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different regions, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies to introduce new products, announce partnerships, and collaborate that will further contribute to the market growth. Moreover, the research analyst has adopted several research methodologies such as PORTERs Five Point Analysis to obtain information about the current trends and industry developments that will drive the market growth between 2020 and 2027.



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https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/defense-it-spending-market-105030

DRIVING FACTORS



Growing Demand for Secure Communication Systems to Propel Growth

The growing to avert cyberattacks to protect sensitive defense data is propelling government agencies to increase their budget on defense IT. For instance, the United States Department of Defense announced its defense budget for Fiscal Year 2020 that is a staggering USD 721.5 billion. A significant increase to develop secure communications and boost its IT infrastructure. Moreover, increasing political tensions and the growing demand for strengthening military capabilities is leading the countries to adopt advanced IT systems. These factors are likely to contribute to the global defense IT spending market growth in the forthcoming years.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to Remain at Forefront; High Investment in Defense Sector to Aid Growth

Among all the regions, North America is expected to remain dominant and hold the highest position in the defense IT spending market share during the forecast period. This is attributable to the increasing spending on defense IT to modernize infrastructure by the governments in the region. North America stood at USD 30.16 billion in 2019.

The market in Asia-pacific is anticipated to showcase considerable growth backed by the increasing incidence of cyberattacks that is likely to boost the defense IT spending capacity of countries such as China, Japan, and India in the region between 2020 and 2027.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

The global market is consolidated by the presence of major companies that are striving to maintain their positions by focusing on securing government contracts under the defense IT spending category. Moreover, the adoption of organic and inorganic strategies by other key players to maintain their presence is expected to bode well for the growth of the market in the forthcoming years

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Detailed 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 Industry Developments Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on the Defense IT Spending Market Steps Taken by the Industry/Government/Companies to Overcome the Impact Key Developments in the Industry in Response to COVID-19 Potential Opportunities due to COVID-19 Outbreak

Global Defense IT Spending Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Segmental Definitions Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type Services Hardware Software



TOC Continued...!

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Key Industry Development

June 2020 - Fujitsu Australia Limited, a subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, secured a USD 21.0 million worth contract from the Department of Defense. Under the contract, the company will help with project delivery services by integrating defense capability in the Departments IT infrastructure.

- Fujitsu Australia Limited, a subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, secured a USD 21.0 million worth contract from the Department of Defense. Under the contract, the company will help with project delivery services by integrating defense capability in the Departments IT infrastructure. Read Related Insights:

Read Related Insights:

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Valeria Fernandes appointed Chief Digital & Information Officer







Meudon (France), May 2, 2023 - Vallourec announces the appointment of Valeria Fernandes as Digital & Information Systems Director. She succeeds Naila Giovanni and joins the Executive Committee.



Philippe Guillemot, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer of Vallourec, said: "I am delighted to welcome Valeria to the Group and the Executive Committee. Valeria has an extensive international career in IS/IT including a strong focus on Digital. Her passion for technology, her significant experience in leading change at the highest levels and her exposure to our main geographies will be a major contribution for the Group. I would also like to thank Naila Giovanni for her engagement at Vallourec.

About Vallourec

Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourecs pioneering spirit and cutting-edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 16,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive, and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible.

Listed on Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013506730, Ticker VK), Vallourec is part of the CAC Mid 60, SBF 120 and Next 150 indices and is eligible for Deferred Settlement Service. In the United States, Vallourec has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R4074, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between the ADR and the ordinary share is 5:1.

For further information, please contact:

Investor relations

Investor.relations@vallourec.com



Press relations

Heloise Rothenbuhler

Tel: +33 (0)6 45 45 19 67

heloise.rothenbuhler@vallourec.com



Individual shareholders

Toll Free Number (from France): 0 800 505 110

actionnaires@vallourec.com





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ISTANBUL, Turkey, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sisecams Chairman and Executive Member of the Board Cavaliere Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman has been honored for his long-term valuable contributions to the glass industry and elected The Glass Person of the year 2023 by the Phoenix Award Committee. Outstanding personalities in the glass industry have been awarded with the Phoenix since 1971.



Prof. Dr. Kirman: Serving the glass industry is a way of serving humanity

Glass is a miraculous material that has no substitute. With a history of 5000 years, glass has always been the most valuable material for civilizations. From this perspective serving the glass industry is a great way of serving humanity. It is the most sustainable solution for mitigating risks, and it promises a brighter future. I am very honored to be awarded one of the most prestigious awards of the glass industry, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman said.

Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown explained that It is the purpose of the Phoenix Award Committee to select, each year, a person now living, who has been active in and has made significant and major contributions to the glass industry. This may be in the field of science, production or education relating to glass, and shall include glass containers, fiberglass, scientific glass, flat glass, tableware, art glass and electronic glass. Chairman Brown further explained that Prof. Dr. Kirman had been elected for his relentless engagement not only for Sisecam but furthermore for the International Committee of Glass (ICG) together with Prof. Alicia Duran, another strong contributor for the International Year of Glass 2022 by the United Nations.

The award-giving ceremony will be held in Italy

Early April the Chairman of the Phoenix Award Committee Mr. Lincoln Brown personally visited Sisecam Headquarters to announce that Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman had been unanimously elected by the Phoenix Award Committee to be the Glass Person of the Year 2023. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman thanked Committee Chairman Brown for his personal coming and Dr. Diane Nicklas who takes care of the organization of this honorable ceremony. The award-giving ceremony will take place in Italy on 29 September 2023.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, who has been serving the glass industry since 2006 was recognized for his contributions many times. In recognition of his outstanding lifetime contributions to the glass science and technology, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and promotion of domestic and international glass community, Prof. Dr. Kirman was honored with the Presidents Award by the International Commission on Glass (ICG) in 2019. ICG is the most reputable and recognized worldwide organization in the field of glass with representatives from thirty-three countries.

Prof. Dr. Kirman has been awarded with the honor of Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italy, nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, for his contributions to the strengthening of economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Kirman has also been honored by the President of Tatarstan with the Medal of Valorous Labor in recognition of his valuable contributions to the development of investments and economic cooperation with Tatarstan. He has been honored with the Medal of Appreciation for his contributions to the economic development of the Targovishte Region in Bulgaria. He was also awarded the Chairman of the Year at the Le Fonti Awards, the award platform of one of the leading economics media organizations in Italy.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72107f1f-be3a-43d4-a226-c40ad1886a91
CHICAGO, IL, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  Epazz Inc. (OTC Pink: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of drone technology, blockchain mobile apps and cloud-based business software solutions, has announced today that Ossian Smyth, minister of state at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, visited ZenaDrones offices in Dublin, Ireland, last week. Also, the company is negotiating with a financing institution for a deal to purchase up to 100 ZenaDrone 1000s for drone as a service operations in Ireland.

The non-dilutive financing terms would receive a purchase order for up to 100 drones. These drones will be used in Ireland for establishing drones as a service operation. ZenaDrone will manage and service these drones for Irish farmers, businesses and government agencies.

Minister Smyth had the opportunity to see a ZenaDrone 1000 and meet our Irish team to discuss how ZenaDrone can greatly affect the lives of Irish farmers, businesses and government agencies. If ZenaDrone closes on the financing deal, Irish farmers will have access to advanced precision agriculture drones for monitoring plant health and spraying weeds.

ZenaDrone 1000 is a green solution which will disrupt the agriculture industry by reducing labor and reducing greenhouse gases, we were able to discuss this with the Minister, said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO and director of Epazz Inc. and ZenaDrone Inc.

The ZenaDrone 1000 has a high-quality camera, allowing users to take stunning aerial photographs and videos that capture the worlds beauty from new heights. It also has autonomous flight capabilities that prevent it from crashing, even in challenging weather conditions or amid sudden obstacles. The drones multiple-sensor system can measure height, depth and vegetation and establish GPS location to track people, objects and animals in the frame of its camera for unprecedented accuracy and control.

About ZenaDrone Inc. (https://www.ZenaDrone.com/)

ZenaDrone Inc. is dedicated to improving intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle technology by incorporating machine learning software and AI. The company was created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector and later evolved into a smart multifunctional industrial surveillance, inspection and monitoring solution.

About Epazz Inc.

Epazz Inc. is a mission-critical provider of metaverse solutions, blockchain cryptocurrency mobile apps and cloud-based software. It specializes in providing customized cloud applications to corporate firms, higher-education institutions and the public sector. Epazz is developing metaverse business solutions that will enable people to collaborate in real time through VR. Epazz is upgrading its business solutions to be fully integrated into the metaverse. Epazz will be manufacturing low-cost smart glasses for the metaverse.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, as defined by the Safe Harbor statement in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by their use of forward-looking terms such as may, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe and continue (or the negative variations thereof). Such forward-looking statements are subject to risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those the statements imply. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those that such forward-looking statements suggest. Epazz assumes no obligation, does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and has no duty to update or correct information that third parties not paid for by Epazz prepare.

Investors are encouraged to review Epazzs public filings on SEC.gov, including its unaudited and audited financial statements, registration statement, Form 10-Ks and Form 10-Qs, which contain general business information about the companys operations, operations results and the risks associated with the company and its operations. Penny stock picks need to be researched. Please do your homework, and review all our filings.

For more information, please contact the following:

Epazz Inc.

Investor Relations

investors@epazz.net

312-955-8161

www.epazz.com/investors.aspx





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Montreal, Quebec, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bugatti Group has been taking the business world by storm with its innovative approach to web 3 technology. The company has been utilizing blockchain technology to expand its business in ways never seen before, bringing users into the brand's ecosystem, offering unique opportunities for the users to build their own business alongside the brand. Further so, with a focus on mass web 2 adoption, Bugatti Group has made significant investments in new machinery and technology to produce 100% customizable, eco-friendly luggage, cross bodies, and more.

Now, Bugatti Group is launching a new program that will allow web 3 projects to partner with the brand to create Official Customizable Limited-Edition products that can be launched and customized by communities via their token-gated store in which the users can customize their official products with their own NFTs. With the ultimate goal of having web 3 branded luggage seen across global airports, this approach is set to revolutionize the way brands approach web 3 adoption.

Bugatti Group has already partnered for the official launch of the new website with brands such as Super Normal, Apes Together Strong, Toxic Skull Club, EAT, Violetta Zironi, Grandpa Ape Country Club, Pepe Ape Yacht Club, Apocalyptic Apes, Kitaro, all projects who have achieved impressive success in the web 3 space. This program is just the start of a new era for Bugatti Group, as the company strongly believes that web 2 brands need to create valuable, innovative user experiences in the space to help onboard web 2 with this amazing and beneficial technology for their consumers.

The limited-edition luggage partnership program is an excellent opportunity for web 3 projects to partner with a world-renowned brand and showcase their innovation, art and creativity to a global audience. The token-gated store ensures that only members of the community can access and customize these limited-edition products, adding a layer of exclusivity and value to the brands.

Bugatti Group's dedication to mass web 2 & web 3 adoption is evident in its investments and partnerships. The new program is yet another example of the company's commitment to bringing web 3 technology to the forefront of the business world. With the launch of this program, we can expect to see more web 3 branded luggage and other products in airports across the globe, solidifying Bugatti Group's position as a trailblazer in the world of web 3.

About Bugatti Group:

Known for its expertise, innovation and the quality of its products, the Bugatti Group is a North American company that designs, manufactures, imports, and sells, travel bags, luggage, and business bags worldwide. Headquartered in Quebec Canada and with offices in the United States and Asia, the Bugatti Group is also active in international markets with its flagship and global brands, as well as those under license. Learn more at https://bugattigrp.com/

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Chicago, IL, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Eric Tower has joined the firm as a partner in the Corporate, M&A, and Securities practice group in Chicago. A healthcare industry pro, Eric handles a wide range of corporate and M&A transactions for health systems, physician practices, and value-based care companies. Before joining Blank Rome, Eric was a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP.

Erics arrival continues Blank Romes strategic growth in Chicago, following the recent additions of partners Rikke Dierssen-Morice, Basileios Bill Katris, and Cynde H. Munzer, of counsel Jason A. Frye, and associates Sheherbano Sherry R. Mirza and Krista P. McDonald over the past year.

I am thrilled to welcome Eric to Blank Rome and our growing Chicago office, said Grant Palmer, Blank Romes Chair and Managing Partner. His significant experience and insight into the evolving and complex healthcare landscape makes Eric a fantastic addition to our diverse corporate practice and healthcare team as we expand our presence and transactional capabilities in the Chicago market.

For nearly two decades, Eric served as vice president and associate general counsel for Advocate Health Care, the largest healthcare system in Illinois. In this role, he served as a business adviser to the companys leadership team, providing guidance on matters relating to M&A, physician practice acquisitions, corporate governance, litigation, fraud and abuse compliance, and financing. He also led joint ventures and other deals worth more than $15 billion.

Erics in-house experience at a major healthcare organization as well as his significant private practice background gives him holistic and strategic insight into his clients most pressing concerns, said Peter Schnur, Partner and Co-Chair of Blank Romes Corporate, M&A, and Securities practice group. Our national team looks forward to collaborating with him as we continue to expand our corporate services in the Midwest region and beyond.

In addition to traditional M&A work, Erics private practice experience includes negotiating joint ventures in ambulatory healthcare as well as handling regulatory and reimbursement matters. He also represents rapidly growing private equity companies, having completed numerous acquisitions in multiple states for a nationally recognized advanced primary care provider and companies targeting various physician specialties. Eric has deep experience in responding to investigations from regulatory agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

Healthcare organizations are looking to advisers to provide a wide range of legal services beyond healthcare law, notably in the areas of antitrust and tax, and the strength of Blank Romes national, multiservice platform will provide for enhanced opportunities to support clients, said Tower. I am really looking forward to growing my practice at the firm and tapping into its collaborative and inclusive culture.

Eric earned his LL.M. in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his B.A., with honors, from Northwestern University.

About Blank Rome

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 14 offices and more than 650 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Romes culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit blankrome.com.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: MLRKD) (Alaska Energy Metals or the Company) is pleased to announce that Corri Feige has been appointed to the Companys Board of Directors.







Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: We are really pleased to have Corri join our company! She has great energy, vision, and leadership skills, but, most importantly, she has boundless enthusiasm for resource-centered economic development in Alaska. Her enthusiasm is infectious! With many connections in the Alaska resource, finance, and government communities, we look forward to Ms. Feige having a positive impact on our newly relaunched company.



Corri Feige commented: I am very pleased to join the AEMC team and help deliver critical energy transition metals to the market. The potential of the Nikolai nickel  copper  cobalt  platinum group element project is tremendous and stands as a great example of Alaskas critical mineral endowment. With nickel and cobalt demand estimated to increase by 1,900% and 4,000% respectively over the next 15 years, Nikolai, and projects like it, will be on the leading edge of meeting the mineral demands of electrification and new energy storage technologies for years to come.

Corri Feige is presently the President and Principal of Terra Piniun LLC. This Anchorage-based consulting firm specializes in communications, regulatory issues, permitting, land use and project planning in resource development with particular focus on mining and petroleum. Previously, Ms. Feige was Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR), having been appointed to this position in 2018 by current Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. ADNR is charged with administering the States program for the conservation and development of Alaskas vast natural resource endowment.

Ms. Feige also served as a Trustee for the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (the Permanent Fund) and while doing so chaired the Audit Committee and sat on the Corporate Governance Committee. The Permanent Fund started and sustained by Alaska petroleum production royalties and has been grown through investing activities to a total value of over US$76 billion. The Permanent Fund pays all Alaskans an annual dividend. Finally, Ms. Feige also served in the Alaska government as the Director of the States Division of Oil and Gas. She is a Geophysical Engineer, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Montana School of Mines in Butte, Montana in 1988.

Corri Feige now rounds out Alaska Energy Metals Board that consists of five members, including:

Roland Butler, a geologist and founder of successful royalty and mineral exploration company Altius Minerals.

Peter Chilibeck, an attorney and formerly corporate counsel at Falconbridge Limited and general counsel at IMAX Theaters.

Larry Cooper, a finance executive and banker formerly with National Banks of Alaska and now the Chief Financial Officer of one of Alaskas Native Corporations.

Greg Beischer, a geologist and mining engineering technologist, formerly with INCO Ltd, Alaskas Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Millrock Resources Ltd.

About Alaska Energy Metals

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, and palladium. Located in development-friendly central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals. The Company intends to delineate a major metal resource by the end of 2024.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the Companys successful realization of adequate financing to explore and develop the Nikolai project and to achieve milestones successfully. The potential quantity and grade of mineralized rock targeted by Alaska Energy Metals is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration drilling to estimate a Mineral Resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/050ede99-40a6-4954-81b9-d198f2764fc7
English French

BEAMSVILLE, Ontario, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recent claims by health advocates blaming flavoured e-cigarettes for the rise in youth vaping are unfounded and lack proper context. The real issue is the lack of enforcement of the illicit trade and individuals buying for minors. The is a direct correlation between vaping adoption rates and steep declines in smoking rates. Surveys consistently find that youth vape primarily out of curiosity, for nicotine and to deal with stress and anxiety. This is likely why there is no implementation data to support that flavour bans are effective in reducing youth vaping rates. Any data to suggest that flavour bans could be effective is based solely off theoretical surveys.



Organizations like the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) continue to educate elected Members of Parliament on the benefits of vaping for smokers and in support of small businesses. The CVA welcomes meaningful and direct dialogue with health organizations to engage in common sense policies that will protect youth and the health outcomes of millions of Canadian smokers.

The CVA stands by its position that flavours are not the cause of youth vaping. The problem is the sale of vaping products to minors through the black-market and straw sale. The industry has taken a proactive approach by implementing stringent age verification measures for our membership and are actively working with law enforcement to prevent such sales.

I will be reaching out to all the health advocacy groups to extend an invitation to form a working group. Our intention is to work together to address these complex issues and find practical and enforceable solutions. Canadians deserve to have all stakeholders working together for the betterment of public health, said Darryl Tempest, Government Relations Counsel to the CVA Board.

The health and well-being of our youth is of utmost importance. However, many health organizations have failed to appropriately weigh the impact of these policies on the health of adult who smoke. The CVA strongly believes that policies must be evidence-based and consider the interests of all stakeholders.

The CVA encourages health organizations to work with industry leaders and regulatory bodies to find common sense policies that will protect our youth while supporting the health outcomes of adults battling addiction. The CVA remains committed to engaging in meaningful dialogue and finding solutions that work for all Canadians.

For more information, please contact the Canadian Vaping Association at hello@thecva.org.

About the Canadian Vaping Association: The CVA is a registered national, not-for-profit organization, established as the voice for the Canadian vaping industry. Founded in 2014, the CVA represents Canadian vaping businesses. The CVA does not accept membership of funding from tobacco companies or affiliates. The association is a liaison with the federal and provincial governments on all legislative and regulatory issues.
SAUSALITO, Calif., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caldwell Sutter Capital (CSC) announced today that Christopher Bovich has joined the firm effective May 1, 2023. Bovich joins CSC as a managing director with over 40 years experience in the municipal bonds industry. Most recently, Bovich served as Senior Vice President at BBT Capital Markets/Truist, where he worked in institutional bond sales and specialized in high yield credits for the past 15 years.



We are excited to add Chris to our CSC team, and believe he is an excellent addition to our established fixed income group. Chris is an experienced investment professional with strong ties to his existing clientele with an excellent reputation, said President of CSC, Joe Helmer, CFA.

Im excited to join the Caldwell Sutter team and Im looking forward to working directly with Joe DuCote as well as Mari Fu, who was a former colleague earlier in my career, said Bovich. Im thrilled at the opportunity to be part of the companys continuing success and enhancing what they have built out at Caldwell Sutter.

About Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc.

CSC is a financial services firm headquartered in Sausalito, CA. Founded in 1982, CSC offers investment advisory, municipal advisory, and public finance banking to its clients, which includes managed advisory accounts, fixed income portfolio management and fixed income trading. CSC operates as a registered investment adviser, a broker-dealer, and a municipal advisor serving clients nationwide.

Contact

Joe Helmer, CFA

Caldwell Sutter Capital, Inc.

415-332-1838
HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For over 100 years, Bermuda has been touted as the best kept secret on the travel circuit and has quietly welcomed international fine artists and musicians such as Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keeffe, John Lennon, David Bowie, and more, who have experienced the Island as a place of creative expression and spiritual connection.



Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is continuing this legacy by welcoming internationally renowned artist William Wegman for a major exhibition. WILLIAM WEGMAN Around Bermuda opens to the public Saturday, May 13, 2023. It features postcard paintings made by the artist over twenty years and reflects his ongoing engagement with Bermuda, one of his self-professed favourite subjects.

Wegmans history with Bermuda dates to 2000, when he first visited the Island and began to create works on paper inspired by vintage Bermuda postcards. Around Bermuda will include a number of these works and also marks the unveiling in Bermuda of Masterworks Museums significant acquisition of Wegmans monumental painting, Around Bermuda (2018), which acts as the focal point of the multifaceted exhibition.

Especially for Masterworks Museum, Wegman has also created four new paintings and an artists book, also entitled Around Bermuda (2023), in celebration of the exhibition. As a unique opportunity for visitors, Masterworks will be hosting a book signing with Wegman on May 24, 2023. Copies of Around Bermuda will be available for purchase throughout the exhibition in Masterworks Arrowroot Shop.

Risa Hunter, Masterworks Executive Director, states: It is exceptionally exciting for Masterworks to be able to highlight the artwork of such a prominent contemporary American artist and to unveil his seminal piece acquired by the Museum, titled Around Bermuda. Central to Wegman's practice is the notion of expanding narratives, and I have no doubt that this exhibition will continue the legacy at Masterworks of unearthing new perspectives and interpretations of the Island.

Around Bermuda was conceptualised by Julie Sylvester and Mandy Cawthorn Argenio and is organised and curated by Julie Sylvester. Julie Sylvester is an internationally recognised curator and the author of John Chamberlain: A Catalogue Raisonne of the Sculpture 1954-1985, and Black Mountain Chamberlain, John Chamberlains Writings at Black Mountain College, 1955. She is the former Curator of Contemporary Art at the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, where she curated the first contemporary exhibitions in the institutions history: Louise Bourgeois; Cy Twombly and Willem de Kooning. Her concentration in the past years has been on exhibitions and writing on Cy Twombly, notably Cy Twombly Paradise at Ca Pesaro, Galleria Internationale dArte Moderna in Venice and the Hermitage exhibition, Cy Twombly Fifty Years of Works on Paper, which traveled to several museums around the world and culminated in the first exhibition of Twomblys work in Japan in 2015.

Around Bermuda is generously funded by Sue Judah through the RDJ Foundation. The exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, May 13 through November 25, 2023. Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. For more information on the Museum or the exhibition, please visit www.masterworksbermuda.org.

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art

+1-441-299-4000

marketing@masterworksbermuda.org

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/399cf5ce-a778-4ba0-a76a-87b043585f02

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dfabc6af-bcdd-41b6-8484-91f01ff4d704 (This photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.)

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2f3171f-2c99-479a-9b52-a1a5c3684b7f
Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses

LOS ANGELES, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Lumen Technologies, Inc. (Lumen or the Company) (NYSE: LUMN) investors that a lawsuit filed on behalf of investors that purchased Lumen securities (NYSE: LUMN) between September 14, 2020, and February 7, 2023, (the Class Period).

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 844-767-8529 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

According to the Complaint, the Defendants are accused of making false and/or misleading statements by misrepresenting and failing to disclose important negative information related to the Company's business, operations, and prospects. The Defendants were aware of these facts or deliberately disregarded them. The false and/or misleading statements and/or omissions made by Defendants include the following: (1) obstacles were hindering the Company's ability to invest in and expand its Quantum Fiber brand; (2) Quantum Fiber was not making progress as claimed to the public; (3) the Company's management was reevaluating its strategic priorities and had halted plans to quickly expand the Quantum Fiber brand; and (4) due to the Company's decision to postpone the expansion of Quantum Fiber, its results and metrics were negatively impacted, and the scaling up of Quantum Fiber would not occur until, at the earliest, the end of 2023.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising




Whittier, CA, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RIZON, a new brand of commercial battery-electric trucks engineered by the Daimler Truck Group, has announced three cabover truck models designed for urban delivery applications. The Class 4 e16M & e16L and Class 5 e18L medium-duty RIZON models will be distributed exclusively by Velocity-EV LLC, a subsidiary of Velocity Vehicle Group (Velocity)  one of the Daimler Truck Groups largest North American dealer partners whose sales and service teams offer several years of commercial eMobility experience. Each RIZON model comes packaged with competitive pricing, telematics access, flexible financing from Daimler Truck Financial Services, a class-leading warranty, and charging support to ensure seamless integration into customers fleets.

We are truly excited to have this unique opportunity to tap into the global engineering prowess of the Daimler Truck Group and become the exclusive distributor for the RIZON brand in USA, said Brad Fauvre, president of Velocity Vehicle Group. RIZON trucks offer a cost-effective, zero-emission solution for the fast-growing medium-duty segment, and fleet operators will benefit from our deep customer-focused relationships, combined with our knowledge of incentives and regulatory compliance. The California Air Resources Boards Advanced Clean Fleets Rule, for instance, will require fast action among our California-based customers to transition to electrification, and Velocity is in a prime position to deliver economic sustainability with affordable and flexible financing options. We will also be actively appointing dealers across the US to provide a seamless national service network.

RIZON, a Daimler Truck Group brand, was introduced for the U.S. market on May 2, 2023, at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in in Anaheim, California, where it exhibited its first battery-electric cabover models. The e18L model was unveiled in Velocitys booth on the exposition show floor and attendees were able to test run the e16L truck during onsite Ride & Drive events. RIZONs MY2024 trucks will be available for order starting in Q2 2023 at Velocity Truck Center locations throughout California, with additional markets to be added in 2024. Velocity also intends to begin appointing dealers for RIZON in areas outside of its existing service territory, with the goal of providing a seamless network across the nation. Demonstration vehicles will be available to test drive at select Velocity Truck Center locations in Q3 2023, with customer deliveries beginning in late 2023.

Velocity is as an ideal U.S. distributor partner for the new RIZON trucks given their teams extensive eMobility experience, market reach, and familiarity with customizing battery-electric vehicles to suit their customers operational needs, said Andreas Deuschle, the Daimler Truck Groups global head of the RIZON Trucks brand. The Daimler Truck Groups battery-electric technology has been road tested for more than five million miles by commercial fleet operators around the world and has received high marks for maneuverability and efficiency.

RIZON e16M, e16L, and e18L models were engineered by the Daimler Truck Group with a considerable focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Notable benefits include:

Customizable Vehicle Applications: RIZONs battery-electric cabover trucks can be customized with several different load body options for local goods movement, urban deliveries, and refrigerated deliveries. The dry van body is anticipated to be the most popular selling application. Depending on the customers load profile and maneuverability needs, trucks can be ordered with a 175- or 187-inch wheelbase.

Powerful and Highly Efficient Motor: The electric motor (eMotor) has an output of 129 kW at peak for the e16M, e16L and e18L models to provide a high-torque start, while enabling a quiet, smooth ride for drivers during operation. Integrated inverter technology requires low maintenance due to both its water cooling system and removal of additional high-voltage cables.

Flexible Range: RIZON vehicles feature lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which can be ordered with two battery pack sizes. The medium M size 82 kWh battery can run between 75 to 110 miles* on a single charge, and 110 to 160 miles* on the larger L 124 kWh battery. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with an integrated shift lever and four-stage regenerative braking, enabling drivers to easily switch between settings for energy conservation to extend the brake life and driving range.

Innovative Drivetrain: The motor-integrated differential e-axle has been designed to provide low maintenance and high efficiency. Its compact drivetrain, which was built without a propeller shaft, offers seamless acceleration (i.e., no shift shock or torque interruption) and nimble driving, with no gear change or clutch operation required. The parking lock can be activated with an electronically operated button switch.

Enhanced Driver Comfort: Multiple features have been added to improve the overall user experience, including a smart key, a 10-inch LCD display, and a second touchscreen display with vehicle information (e.g., battery charging level, navigation, radio/music, and Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music controls). It will also have LED headlights and LED taillights.

Comprehensive Safety: All three models include multiple features that contribute to safe operation, including, Active Brake Assist (ABA), Active Side Assist (ASA), electric parking brake, anti-lock braking system , vehicle stability control, lane departure alerts, reverse view camera system, and acoustic vehicle alerting system. In addition, the vehicle includes an easily accessible emergency cut switch for safety.

ePTO Option: An electric power take-off (ePTO) device controlled by an on/off switch in the cab is available for reefer belt drive and special equipment, including a hydraulic pump. The equipment is mechanically driven by the ePTO motor and hardwire connected without the need for a high voltage cable or CAN cable for easy connection to the back-body build.

Cold Climate Ready: Fleets can deploy RIZON vehicles in regions with cold weather and utilize the battery preconditioning features to warm the battery while the vehicle is charging on AC. In addition, to warm the interior cab cost-effectively, the PTC heater features an output control function with a temperature control dial and a cut switch, as well as a power-saving heating and defrost function.

Class Leading Warranty: Fleets can enjoy peace of mind with a comprehensive warranty that includes five years/75,000 miles for the powertrain, chassis and cab, and five years/120,000 miles** for the batteries.

Charging: Rizon trucks are capable of being charged by two types of battery charging systems: level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging (up to 104 kW) compliant with the CCS1 protocol. Installing AC Level 2 charging infrastructure onsite for RIZON trucks is an easy and affordable option for fleets as well as for individual customers. With AC charging (19.2 kW), it would take about 5-6 hours# while with the high-powered DC chargers, it would take about 1-1.5 hours#. Fleets will also have the option to utilize the 40 units of 150 kW chargers installed at Velocity Truck Centers along high-transit corridor stops in Rancho Dominguez, Fontana, Industry, and San Diego.

To learn more about the e16M, e16L, and e18L truck models visit www.rizontruck.com. To schedule a test drive or discuss vehicle incentive and financing opportunities, contact Velocity Truck Center. Visit the website to find your local dealer.

*Under standard testing conditions with 50% payload. The range may vary based on environment conditions, battery health / charge level, recuperation usage, road traffic / profile, accessories usage, speed of operation and driving style

#Charging time depends upon charger capacity, max. charging rate, battery health and various other operating conditions

**as of April 2023

About Velocity Vehicle Group

Velocity Vehicle Group (Velocity) is one of the largest full-service commercial truck dealerships in the U.S., with operations that include new and used commercial vehicle sales, service, parts distribution, and vehicle rental and leasing. Established in 1998, Velocity today operates a network of nearly 80 state-of-the-art dealerships, service centers, and leasing facilities across seven U.S. states, in addition to an international footprint in Australia and Mexico. Velocitys 3,500 employees are customer-focused based on the three company pillars of speed, value, and trust. Velocity is a leading distributor for 14 brands of original equipment manufacturers in the medium- and heavy-duty truck sector, and the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Daimler Truck Groups RIZON brand of electric trucks, providing a comprehensive sales and service network. In addition to commercial vehicle sales with more than 9,000 trucks sold in 2022, Velocity offers full-service leases through its Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing subsidiary and participates in equipment finance through its Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance program. Based in Whittier, California, Velocity is a leader in implementing emissions-reducing vehicle technologies, including natural gas, cleaner diesel, and electric. For more information www.velocityvehiclegroup.com.

Attachment
CALGARY, May 1, 2023 - MEG Energy Corp. ("MEG" or the "Corporation") (TSX: MEG) is pleased to announce that at its annual meeting of shareholders held on May 1, 2023 (the "Meeting"), all resolutions were approved as follows:

Election of Directors

Each of the nine (9) nominees listed in its Management Information Circular dated March 15, 2023, were elected as directors. The results of the shares voted in respect of the election of each director are set out below.

Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld # % # % Gary A. Bosgoed 162,624,279 99.78 350,532 0.22 Ian D. Bruce 161,717,440 99.23 1,257,371 0.77 Derek W. Evans 162,679,159 99.82 295,832 0.18 Robert B. Hodgins 161,524,455 99.11 1,450,356 0.89 Kim Lynch Proctor 162,590,511 99.76 384,300 0.24 Susan M. MacKenzie 162,608,448 99.78 366,363 0.22 Jeffrey J. McCaig 161,014,868 98.80 1,959,943 1.20 James D. McFarland 162,274,539 99.57 700,272 0.43 Diana J. McQueen 160,639,721 98.57 2,335,090 1.43



Appointment of Auditor

An ordinary resolution was passed approving the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor of the Corporation for the ensuing year at such remuneration as the directors of the Corporation may determine.

Votes For Votes Withheld # % # % 166,984,355 99.51 825,281 0.49



Continuation of Corporation's Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan

An ordinary resolution was passed ratifying the continuation of the Corporation's amended and restated shareholder rights plan. The voting results were as follows:

Votes For Votes Against # % # % 158,426,809 97.21 4,548,002 2.79

Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Approach to Executive Compensation

An advisory resolution was passed accepting the Corporation's approach to executive compensation. The voting results were as follows:

Votes For Votes Against # % # % 155,995,384 95.72 6,979,427 4.28



Full voting results for the meeting are also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About MEG

MEG is an energy company focused on sustainable in situ thermal oil production in the southern Athabasca oil region of Alberta, Canada. MEG is actively developing innovative enhanced oil recovery projects that utilize steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction methods to improve the responsible economic recovery of oil as well as lower carbon emissions. MEG transports and sells thermal oil (AWB) to customers throughout North America and internationally. MEG's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MEG" (TSX: MEG).

Learn more at www.megenergy.com.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

T 403.767.0515

E invest@megenergy.com

Media Relations

T 403.775.1131

E media@megenergy.com

SOURCE MEG Energy Corp.
VANCOUVER, May 02, 2023 - Fireweed Metals Corp. ("Fireweed" or the "Company") (TSXV: FWZ; OTCQB: FWEDF, formerly Fireweed Zinc Ltd.) is pleased to announce plans for the 2023 field program at Macmillan Pass and the appointment of Andrew Crook, P. Eng. as the new Vice President of Operations.



Highlights

2023 will be Fireweed's largest ever drill program with five drills secured and goals to expand all known mineralized zones

Over 16,000 m of drilling planned, with the opportunity to increase

Strengthened management team with the addition of Andrew Crook as Vice President of Operations

Increased future operational capacity with improved site infrastructure including construction of a new, larger, camp better equipped for cold-weather operations

Continued opportunities for local community members and businesses

Commencement of year-round environmental studies to inform future assessment processes on the path to eventual production at Macmillan Pass and Mactung

CEO Statement

Brandon Macdonald, CEO stated "We are delighted to welcome Andrew Crook to our management team as Vice President of Operations. His skills and experience will be instrumental in what will be an exciting and busy season for Fireweed as we ramp up to our largest ever drill program with goals to expand all the known mineralized zones. We are also building on our success in recent years by working closely with our Indigenous partners, business partners, and local communities to provide employment and business opportunities while welcoming back many returning staff this year. Perhaps equally exciting is the start of year-round baseline environmental studies as we begin our journey toward production at Macmillan Pass and Mactung."

New Vice President of Operations, Andrew Crook, P.Eng.

Andrew is a registered Professional Engineer with 10 years of experience working with leading mining companies and junior developers where he has demonstrated success leading projects from exploration stage through engineering studies, permitting, and into construction. Andrew helped see Sabina Gold & Silver's Back River Gold Project through studies, permitting, licensing, and early construction including leading field drilling programs and executing complex logistics projects. Most recently, Andrew worked as Deputy Project Director for Kinross Gold's Manh Choh project in northeastern Alaska where he fast-tracked project development and secured Board approval for $255M capital putting the project on track to achieve first gold by 2024.

Operations Update

Preparations are well underway for the biggest drilling campaign in the history of the Macmillan Pass Project. We have secured five drills for the 2023 season with plans to drill at least 16,000 m focused largely on growth through step-out drilling at the Boundary Zone advanced prospect, and step-out and infill drilling at the Tom and Jason deposits. Initial mobilization will occur in May to support camp opening and expansion to eventually support up to 150 people. Drilling is planned to begin in June and continue through to September with the option to extend further into the fall.

Local Procurement and Hiring

Fireweed is proud to be continuing to expand our team of highly skilled personnel with an estimated 40 members from local communities either returning to the Macmillan Pass Project or joining us for their first season at the site. Fireweed is also grateful for the continued dedicated service of local and Indigenous-owned businesses for the upcoming field season, including camp expansion, which was made possible through collaboration with the Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation, which is wholly owned by the Ross River Dena Council.

Commencement of Year-Round Environmental Studies

Fireweed has previously conducted routine environmental monitoring and completed heritage assessments and wildlife studies in accordance with regulatory requirements and guidance for exploration activities. In 2023 continuous year-round field-based studies will commence to support project planning and impact assessment activities to progress towards project approvals for construction and production at both Macmillan Pass and Mactung.

About Fireweed Metals Corp. (TSXV: FWZ; OTCQB: FWEDF; FSE:20F): Fireweed Metals is a public mineral exploration company on the leading edge of Critical Minerals project development. Fireweed is well-funded, with a current cash position of approximately C$35,000,000 and is well-positioned to carry out a large 2023 exploration program. The Company has three projects located in Canada:

Macmillan Pass Zinc-Lead-Silver Project: Fireweed owns 100% of the district-scale 940 km 2 Macmillan Pass project in Yukon, Canada, which is host to one of the largest undeveloped zinc resources in the world* where the Tom and Jason zinc-lead-silver deposits have current Mineral Resources 1 (11.21 Mt Indicated Resource at 6.59% zinc, 2.48% lead, and 21.33 g/t silver; and 39.47 Mt Inferred Resource at 5.84% zinc, 3.14% lead, and 38.15 g/t silver) and a Preliminary Economic Assessment 2 (PEA). In addition, Boundary Main, Boundary West, Tom North and End Zone have significant zinc-lead-silver mineralization drilled but not yet classified as mineral resources. The project also includes large blocks of adjacent claims with known showings and significant upside exploration potential.

Macmillan Pass project in Yukon, Canada, which is host to one of the largest undeveloped zinc resources in the world* where the Tom and Jason zinc-lead-silver deposits have current Mineral Resources (11.21 Mt Indicated Resource at 6.59% zinc, 2.48% lead, and 21.33 g/t silver; and 39.47 Mt Inferred Resource at 5.84% zinc, 3.14% lead, and 38.15 g/t silver) and a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). In addition, Boundary Main, Boundary West, Tom North and End Zone have significant zinc-lead-silver mineralization drilled but not yet classified as mineral resources. The project also includes large blocks of adjacent claims with known showings and significant upside exploration potential. Mactung Tungsten Project: The Company recently signed a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement and acquired 100% interest in the 37.6 km 2 Mactung Tungsten Project located adjacent to the Macmillan Pass Project. Mactung contains historic resources that make it one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped resources in the world of the Critical Mineral tungsten*. Located in Canada, it is one of the rare large tungsten resources outside of China. An updated mineral resource is planned for Q2 2023, and re-sampling of historic drill core is completed and will include assays for previously unreported by-product metals, such as gold, copper, and bismuth, in addition to tungsten.

Mactung Tungsten Project located adjacent to the Macmillan Pass Project. Mactung contains historic resources that make it one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped resources in the world of the Critical Mineral tungsten*. Located in Canada, it is one of the rare large tungsten resources outside of China. An updated mineral resource is planned for Q2 2023, and re-sampling of historic drill core is completed and will include assays for previously unreported by-product metals, such as gold, copper, and bismuth, in addition to tungsten. Gayna River Zinc-Lead-Gallium-Germanium Project: Fireweed has 100% of the 128.75 km2 Gayna River project located 180 km north of the Macmillan Pass project. It is host to extensive mineralization including Critical Minerals zinc, gallium and germanium as well as lead and silver, outlined by 28,000 m of historic drilling and significant upside potential. The results from the 2022 field program of geochemical sampling, airborne LiDAR topographic surveying and ground geophysics are now being interpreted towards defining drill targets.



Qualified Person Statement

Technical information in this news release has been approved by CEO Brandon Macdonald, P.Geo. (BC), a 'Qualified Person' as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

In Canada, Fireweed (TSXV: FWZ) trades on the TSX Venture Exchange. In the USA, Fireweed (OTCQB: FWEDF) trades on the OTCQB Venture Market for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies and is DTC eligible for enhanced electronic clearing and settlement. Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. In Europe, Fireweed (FSE: 20F) trades on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Additional information about Fireweed and its projects can be found on the Company's website at FireweedMetals.com and at www.sedar.com.

ON BEHALF OF Fireweed Metals Corp.

"Brandon Macdonald"

CEO & Director

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking" statements and information ("forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein, including, without limitation, statements relating to future work plans, the use of funds, and the potential of the Company's projects, are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management and reflect the beliefs, opinions, and projections on the date the statements are made. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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 Company's expectations include but are not limited to, exploration and development risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, expenditure and financing requirements, general economic conditions, changes in financial markets, the ability to properly and efficiently staff the Company's operations, the sufficiency of working capital and funding for continued operations, title matters, First Nations relations, operating hazards, political and economic factors, competitive factors, metal prices, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulations and oversight, permitting, seasonality and weather, technological change, industry practices, uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and laboratory tests, and one-time events. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward?looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections or other factors, except as required by law.

Footnotes and References

* References to relative size and grade of the Mactung historic resources and Macmillan Pass resources in comparison to other tungsten and zinc deposits elsewhere in the world, respectively, are based on review of the Standard & Poor's Global Market Intelligence Capital IQ database.

1: Fireweed Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Macmillan Pass Zinc-Lead-Silver Project, Watson Lake and Mayo Mining Districts Yukon Territory, Canada" filed on www.SEDAR.com on Feb 23, 2018, and Fireweed News Release dated January 10th 2018.

2: Fireweed Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Macmillan Pass Project Yukon Territory Canada" filed on www.SEDAR.com on July 9th 2018, and Fireweed News Release dated May 23rd, 2018. This Preliminary Economic Analysis includes an economic analysis of mineral resources that is preliminary in nature and does not include any mineral reserves. It is equally emphasized that the mineral resources disclosed within this Technical Report are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Toronto, May 2, 2023 - Cumberland Resources Nickel Corp. (CSE: LAND) (the "Company" or "Cumberland") is excited to announce that the Company is positioning itself to be a significant player in the severely undersupplied graphite market, a critical component in batteries for electric vehicle and rapidly growing residential and industrial uses.

Cumberland is tapping into the market demand for graphite by securing a 100% interest in the Indigo Graphite Property (the "Indigo Claims" or "Indigo"). The Indigo Claims provide the Company with the opportunity to expeditiously replicate the exploration and development success that has allowed Nouveau Monde to bring its Matawinie graphite deposit to near-production. The two projects are less than 53 km apart. Further, Nouveau Monde has stated that the Matawinie graphite deposit will be in production less than nine (9) years after the initial grassroots exploration program on the property - a formula which Cumberland hopes to replicate.

Cumberland aims to replicate Nouveau Monde's success at Matawinie stems from comparing the historic information of the two projects. Nouveau Monde's 2015 "Technical Report of the 2014 Prospecting and Trenching Campaigns on the Matawinie Property, Quebec" dated April 28th, 2015, shows surface sample graphite grades at Indigo comparable to those at the Matawinie deposit. Comparison of maps of the VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic System) airborne survey anomalies at Indigo and Matawinie areas show similarities in surface shape and intensity, according to both the Vendor of the Indigo Claims and the Company's Qualified Person. The two maps below show the similarities in the geophysical anomalies between the two projects.

The April 2015 report describes several geographically separate claims blocks, VTEM survey results, and rock and trench sampling results. The block designated as Block "I" in Nouveau Monde's 2015 technical report has (with modified geographic boundaries caused by the recent staking) been designated by the staker and owner, Glenn Griesbach, P.Geo, as the Indigo Graphite Property.





Figure 1: Cumberland's Indigo Graphite Project showing the VTEM survey anomaly and historical rock results with the proposed Matawinie pit outline superimposed by the Company.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_71cfbc1f24a24a73_001full.jpg

The similarities in geophysics and assay results described in Nouveau Monde's April 2015 Technical Report suggest that graphite mineralization on the Indigo Property could reflect a similar geological structure as that of the proposed Matawinie open pit mine. The outline of Nouveau Monde's proposed open pit is superimposed on the Block "I" (now Indigo) geophysics map above by the Company for illustrative purposes only.





Figure 2: Nouveau Monde's Matawinie proposed open pit with the VTEM anomaly, with trench and rock sample results.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_71cfbc1f24a24a73_002full.jpg

The Indigo Graphite Claims are comprised of 32 claims or 1,892.5 hectares in the Saint-Michel-des-Saints municipality, Quebec. Historic ground exploration has shown evidence of graphite consistent with other deposits in the region, as noted above. The Indigo Claims are easily accessible by paved highway and is only a 2.5 hour drive from Montreal.





Figure 3: Indigo Property location.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_71cfbc1f24a24a73_003full.jpg

Glenn Griesbach, P.Geo and prolific prospector, compiled the Indigo Claims package. Mr. Griesbach is currently number four (4) on the list of claims ownership in the Province of Quebec with over 7,500 active claims and has completed over sixty (60) mineral property transactions.

This transaction with Cumberland is the first time that Mr. Griesbach has agreed to join a buyer's project development team. It is his belief that the Indigo Graphite Property has the possibility to host comparable graphite grade and tonnage potential, based on the well-documented and ongoing exploration and development on Nouveau Monde's nearby Matawinie graphite deposit, and in his opinion, could have significant potential for the Company and its shareholders.

"The Indigo project is at the same stage that Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite project Block "H" was at only 7 years ago," stated Glenn Griesbach, staker and owner of the Indigo Claims. "The road to developing the Indigo graphite deposit (trenched by Nouveau Monde but not reported to be drilled) has been clearly defined by Nouveau Monde's success in developing their historic Block "H" into the current Matawinie graphite deposit and soon-to-be mine. Nouveau Monde has provided an exploration and development template that Cumberland can look to emulate, and perhaps even improve upon. I look forward to working with Cumberland as we aim to achieve production quickly and to create value for long term Cumberland stakeholders."

Nouveau Monde has a market capitalization of over $330 million as at the date of this press release and has stated that it is set to begin mining operations at its Matawinie Graphite Deposit in 2024/25. Nouveau Monde's Matawinie project has an NI 43-101 resource of:





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_table.jpg

*Mineral resource estimate from the report titled "NI -101 TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT for: The Matawinie Mine and Becanour Battery Material Plant Integrated Graphite Projects, Quebec, Canada" dated August 4th, 2022, authored by Andre Allaire et al. Resource quoted is within Table 1.1 - Pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate for the West Zone [1.8%Cg Cut-off]. And Table 1-2: Matawinie Mine Mineral Reserves [2.2%Cg Cut-off, 93% Recovery].

The Company's Qualified Person (as defined herein) has not verified the Nouveau Monde's resource estimates listed in this press release. The Company's Qualified Person has mentioned the Nouveau Monde's resources as an indication of the potential of graphite mineralization in the region. The reader is cautioned that regional resources, does not necessarily indicate graphite mineralization on the Company's Indigo Graphite Property. Key assumptions, parameters and methods used to prepare the resource estimates are given by Nouveau Monde.

The global graphite market is showing a rapid increase in demand and insufficient graphite deposit discoveries and development to satisfy it, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence ("BMI"). It has been projected by BMI that the graphite industry needs 97 new mines to meet the expected demand by 2035. The key drivers of graphite demand will be refractories and foundries, as well as battery demand. Auto makers are looking to cut costs and diversify the supply base away from China. Further, graphite used in the batteries that are essential to electric vehicles ("EVs") makes up the largest proportion of the composition of EVs' batteries whereas other minerals and materials represent significantly smaller role in the battery composition. Graphite represents 48% of the EV battery components as compared to another critical mineral, lithium, which makes up only 6% of the batteries.

The following graphs shows both the rapidly increasing demand for EV battery anodes and the resulting shortfall of graphite supply for this demand*.

Figure 4



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9172/164522_71cfbc1f24a24a73_005full.jpg

*Source: Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

No mineral resources or reserves have been defined on the Indigo Graphite Property. References herein to potential grades herein are historic and conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and there can be no assurance that further geologic work will result in mineral resources being delineated on the Indigo Graphite Property.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Ryan Versloot, P.Geo, who is a "Qualified Person" (as defined in NI 43-101).

References:

NI 43-101 TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT for: The Matawinie Mine and Becancour Battery Material Plant Integrated Graphite Projects, Becancour, Quebec, Canada dated August 4 th , 2022, authored by Andre Allaire et al.

Technical Report of the 2014 Prospecting and Trenching Campaigns on the Matawinie Property, Quebec" dated April 28th, 2015, authored by Antoine Cloutier.

For additional information, please contact:

Binyomin Posen

Chief Executive Officer and Director

416 481-2222

b@posen.ca

About Cumberland Resources Nickel Corp.

Cumberland holds 100% interest in the St. Anthony Property located in Newfoundland, Canada. The Company is focused on acquiring, exploring and developing its mineral properties.

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: the anticipated demand, supply, uses, and price for graphite; the exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the Company's St. Anthony Property and its Indigo Graphite claims; the potential mineralization of the Indigo Graphite Property and any inferences drawn due to its proximity with Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite deposit; and the potential value of the Indigo Graphite Property to the Company and its shareholders.

Forward-looking information in this press release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to accurately forecast anticipated demand, supply, uses, and price for graphite; the Company's ability to carry out exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the Company's St. Anthony Property and its Indigo Graphite claims; the Company's ability to realize the potential mineralization of the Indigo Graphite Property and that inferences drawn due to its proximity with Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite deposit are correct and become realized upon; and the Company's ability to realize on the potential value of the Indigo Graphite Property for the Company and its shareholders.

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 accurately forecast anticipated demand, supply, uses, and price for graphite; the Company's inability to carry out exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the Company's St. Anthony Property and its Indigo Graphite claims; the Company's inability to realize the potential mineralization of the Indigo Graphite Property and that inferences drawn due to its proximity with Nouveau Monde's Matawinie graphite deposit are incorrect; and the Company's inability to realize on the potential value of the Indigo Graphite Property for the Company and its shareholders.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. 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.

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164522
Australia, May 3, 2023 - Jervois Global Ltd. ("Jervois" or the "Company") (ASX:JRV) (TSX-V:JRV) (OTC:JRVMF) is pleased to announce Chief Executive Officer Bryce Crocker will participate in a critical minerals roundtable discussion titled 'Fostering Resilience in the Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Through Foreign Direct Investment' after an invitation from the United States ("U.S.") Department of Commerce. The roundtable is part of the 2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland, U.S. this week.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Donald Graves, will be keynote speaker at the roundtable.

Mr. Crocker will discuss the importance of enhancing security and robustness of western supply chains for critical minerals including cobalt, the need for domestic U.S. mining and refining capability, and Jervois's future role.

The roundtable will take place as part of the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit, the highest profile event in the U.S. for foreign direct investment and is dedicated to connecting companies with investors, industry experts and economic development organisations to foster investment and development.

On behalf of Jervois Global Ltd.

Bryce Crocker, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Investors and analysts: James May Chief Financial Officer Jervois Global james.may@jervoisglobal.com Media: Nathan Ryan NWR Communications nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au Mob: +61 420 582 887

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.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen was hot on the heels of Sergio Perez through the streets of Baku during the Azerbaijan GP. The pair drove away from Charles Leclerc on P3 by a good 20 seconds. Yet team advisor Dr Helmut Marko sounds a warning note. The competition has moved closer.

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Red Bull, especially after last weekend, does not seem to have much to fear from the other teams in 2023. Only the drivers, Verstappen and Perez, have to face each other at this stage to see who will run off with the drivers' title. Despite Red Bull's display of power during the race, Marko does not seem entirely at ease. According to the Austrian, the competition has not been idle

Marko still expects challengers to Verstappen and Perez

After the race, the Austrian told German Sky: "They came closer, not just Ferrari. [Fernando] Alonso was extremely strong in the race, he was only held up because of his [sixth] starting position." The development of the other teams and the diminishing of Red Bull's lead does not come as a bolt from the blue for Marko.

Marko: "It was to be expected and it will also get worse for us as the season progresses. We are very limited in our wind tunnel time and because of the regulations combined with the penalty. We are counting on the rest to come closer." So there may still be some tough battles ahead against other teams for Verstappen and Perez later in the season.
IMF bailout delay: What options are opened to us?

Graphic Business Business News May - 02 - 2023 , 04:40

For most business leaders and economic watchers, many expected a deal to have been sealed, especially during the Executive Board Meetings just ended Bretton Woods meeting in Washington, where such major decisions are taken.

This would have brought closure to the governments long awaited $3 billion financial bailout.

That was not to be, with China, the supposedly king maker in Ghanas debt crises, holding about a third of the countrys external debt, negotiating from a position of strength.

Even though our Finance Minister is overly optimistic that China will come along with regard to our external debt restructuring, the foot-dragging by China is a major source of concern.

The President has also projected that Ghana will seal a deal this month. The country had also enjoyed a whirlwind of support at the Spring Meeting with many countries promising to help the country cross this bridge.

US Vice President Kamala Harris, on her three-day visit to the country, added her voice to calls by the international community to help the country in this debt crises.

The President of the World Bank Group, David Malpass, is quoted to have said during a press conference during the Spring Meeting that Chinas insistence that multilateral lenders such as the bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should share losses from ongoing debt restructuring with Ghana and other African countries does not make sense.

Chinas request for the multilaterals to share losses is one of the major sticking points that is delaying Ghanas debt restructuring bailout to salvage the economy from suffocating under the huge debts.

At the heart of this critical decision is the geo-political power play, and Ghana seems to be the pawn in the midst of all these.

The signal this sends is very a worrying one that has dire consequences for the economy going forward.

Graphic Business is concerned that there seems to be a lacuna in the information gap. Whiles, the governments role is to share optimism, the underlining issues and threat to the economy is baring its teeth, and we cannot but help to express concern.

We are worried because the timelines kept shifting from March to April, to May and now the rating agencies are predicting June to have a clear understanding of the way forward. There seem to be no end in sight.

These are the conditions that make speculators take advantage to ran riot on the currency.

Ghana experienced this situation last year, which has thrown every economic projections out of the window for many businesses. Therefore, at this stage, the least the economy needs right now is a semblance of what happened last year.

Perhaps it is about time we went back to the IMF with a revised plan that would take into consideration the exigencies of the time.

Mindful of the fact that the IMF itself is looking out for the funding for its overstretched budget, the earlier we engaged to forestall an economic disaster the better.

The question we ask of authorities at this precarious state is what are the options opened to us as a country?

We need answers to this question. For how long should we hold on to the hope that we will soon reach the much-awaited deal?
Sub-Sahara Africa: Economic growth could permanently decline if geopolitical tensions escalate

Qianqian Zhang Business News May - 02 - 2023 , 04:22

Countries will need to build resilience to manage the inevitable shifts in trade and foreign direct investment.

Sub-Saharan Africa could stand to lose the most if the world were split into two isolated trading blocs centered around China or the United States and the European Union.

In this severe scenario, sub-Saharan African economies could experience a permanent decline of up to 4 percent of real gross domestic product after 10 years according to our estimateslosses larger than what many countries experienced during the Global Financial Crisis.

Economic and trade alliances with new economic partners, predominantly China, have benefited the region but have also made countries reliant on imports of food and energy more susceptible to global shocks, including disruptions from the surge in trade restrictions following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

If geopolitical tensions were to escalate, countries could be hit by higher import prices or even lose access to key export marketsabout half of the regions value of international trade could be impacted.

The losses could be compounded if capital flows between trade blocs were cut off due to geopolitical tensions.

The region could lose an estimated $10 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) and official development assistance inflows, which is about half a percent of GDP a year (based on an average 201719 estimate). The reduction in FDI in the long run could also hinder much-needed technology transfer.

For countries looking to restructure their debt, deepening geoeconomic fragmentation could also worsen coordination problems among creditors.

The region would fare better if only the US/EU cut ties with Russia and sub-Saharan African countries continue to trade freely. In this scenariotermed strategic decouplingtrade flows would be diverted towards the rest of the world, creating opportunities for new partnerships, and possibly boosting intra-regional trade. Because some African countries benefit from access to new export markets and cheaper imports, the region as a whole would not incur a GDP loss. Oil exporters supplying energy to Europe could even gain.

Building resilience

To better manage shocks, countries need to build resilience. This can be done by strengthening the ongoing regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which will require reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, strengthening efficiency in customs, leveraging digitalization, and closing the infrastructure gaps.

Deepening domestic financial markets can also broaden sources of financing and lower the volatility associated with relying too much on foreign inflows.

To take advantage of the potential shifts in trade and FDI flows, countries in the region can try to identify and nurture sectors that may benefit from trade diversion, for example, in energy.

Commodity exporters in the region could potentially displace much of Russias energy market share in Europe.

Countries can also rely on trade promotion agencies to help identify potential opportunities, build the necessary skills and capacity for exports, and eventually re-orient production to take advantage of new trade flows.

Improving the business environment, such as by lowering entry, regulatory, and tax barriers could also help.

What the exact outcomes will be from fragmentation and polarization, and whether these trends will continue are uncertain.

What is clear, however, is multilateral institutions will need to continue to facilitate dialogue among nations to promote economic integration and cooperation.
Surcharges pit shippers against shipping lines

Maclean Kwofi Business News May - 02 - 2023 , 04:03

FOR decades, shippers in Western and Central Africa have been hit hard with a lot of surcharges and fees over several unfounded excuses.

Some of the surcharges being imposed on shippers by different shipping lines include bunker adjustment factor, currency adjustment factor, war risk surcharge, congestion surcharge, peak season surcharge, extra risk insurance surcharge, freight rates surcharge and port operation recovery surcharge.

While some of the charges could be justified because of the security and infrastructure issues associated with the transportation of goods, industry watchers believe many are just a rip-off.

Incidentally, this is not the case for shippers in other advanced countries.

However, shippers, including importers and exporters, have to succumb to the dictates of shipping lines to remain in business, a development which puts shipping lines in a better position to make more money off the shippers.

Worried about the negative effect the numerous surcharges are having on the economy of each country, including Ghana, shipper councils from West and Central Africa recently decided to confront the issues head-on.

The meeting

At a meeting of the Union of African Shippers Council (UASC), hosted by the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), participants expressed concern that most of the surcharges which are supposed to be temporary measures to address some issues are still being collected even when those problems necessitating the charges have been solved.

The two-day meeting was aimed at finding amicable resolutions to the high cost of cargo transportation imposed by foreign shipping lines on African shippers to help boost their domestic economies.

The participants of the meeting, which is a follow-up to the first meeting held in Nigeria in June 2022, included delegates from Cameron, Congo, Nigeria, Togo, Angola and Ghana.

Participants identified security issues in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) that have also affected trade but expressed dismay that even when such issues have been taken care of, most shipping lines still impose surcharges on shippers from the continent.

The terms of reference for the committee meant to investigate the high cost of transport is to guide discussions to determine the components of shipping and other logistics costs in the supply chain in West and Central Africa.

It is also to identify all surcharges and tariff headings applicable in West and Central Africa and confirm the justification or otherwise of all surcharges and tariff headings identified in the sub-region.

The committee is also to identify the factors responsible for delays, as well as high cargo clearance cost, detect the factors responsible for the high cost of transportation as well as recommend appropriate measures to address the incidence of high transportation costs.

Intractable problem

An Assistant Director in charge of Trade Services at the Nigerian Shippers Council, Abayome Adewuyi, stated that Our job has been well cut out from the previous meetings, where our areas of concentration have been identified and we have been able to classify the different cargoes into groups for easy comparison of the cost components in our different ports.

He said the principal objective of the committee was to address the seemingly intractable problem of the high cost of transport, especially with regard to the region's international trade, and find workable solutions to this important challenge confronting the sub-region.

We would not continue to watch while the foreign shipping companies continue to exploit our subregion with higher freights and surcharges. We should thoroughly interrogate the reason why the transportation cost component of commodities in the subregion is more than 35 per cent, whereas it is less than 10 per cent in other developing economies and less than five per cent in the developed economies.

We must all be very open and free to present the positions confronting our various countries and also provide all the measures that have been put in place to address this ugly trend that is injurious to our economy, leading to the high cost of doing business at our ports and limiting the growth of our indigenous shipping companies, he said.

Negative impact

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GSA, Benonita Bismarck, observed that the critical role played by international trade in economic development was well known, particularly as a driver of economic growth and prosperity for Africans.

She said, however, that the transportation cost in the shipment of this international cargo in Africa has become prohibitive and forms a significant proportion of the cost of imports and exports.

She said the development was impacting negatively on the competitiveness of African businesses on the global market scene.

The World Bank estimates that transport costs in Sub-Saharan Africa average 50 per cent higher than other regions of the world, forming a significant proportion of the overall cost of goods.

Conclusion

Member countries forming the UASC, including Ghana, should take a bold decision to confront the shipping lines and their agents on ways to reduce sea transport fares.

The UASC must take the matter to a higher shipping entity such as the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) to address these unfair practices on African shippers.


Give content providers funding  Oscar Provencal

Jayne Buckman-Owoo Showbiz News May - 01 - 2023 , 14:29

Veteran actor Oscar Provencal has called on government to give funding to content providers who do short skits and series.

According to the Inspector Bediako actor, all those who specialise in short skits for social media as well as those who do series are all contributing to the local movie industry as all these are part of the movie industry.

Oscar Provencal was speaking on TV3s New Day moderated by Berla Mundi which also has Abraham Ohene-Djan and movie producer Peter Sedufia as panellists.

Oscar Provencal also advised Ghanaians not to compare Ghanas movie industry to Nigerias as the two are miles apart, Look at Nigerias population and the number of movies they produce in a year and compare it to ours here.

There is no point comparing the two industries because they are worlds apart and one has far advanced than the other so kindly stop the comparisons, he stated.

Oscar Provencals call come on the wake of the decline of the Ghanaian movie industry and at a time where some local movie producers especially the ones from Kumawood have resorted to producing short skits for YouTube and television series.

Oscar Provencal has been around for over three decades and has graced our screens with his brilliant acting. He is especially known for his role as Inspector Bediako in the television detective series titled Inspector Bediako.
Up your game to attract corporate sponsorship  Kwesi Ernest to Gospel acts

Kofi Duah Showbiz News May - 02 - 2023 , 12:45

ARTISTE manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Media Excel Productions Kwesi Ernest has advised gospel musicians to give a complete package of themselves when they hit the stage in order to attract sponsorship from corporate bodies.

According to him, only a handful of gospel artistes are able to garner sponsorship as a result of their large fanbase and showmanship when they hit the stage.

Now that it is not very easy to get corporate bodies to support gospel shows, the onus lies on gospel musicians to do the needful by putting their acts together and making sure that they are attractive enough to catch the eye of sponsors.

Artistes such as MOGmusic, Diana Hamilton, Ohemaa Mercy, Joe Mettle, Piesie Esther and a few others are doing great out there. However, more needs to be done if we want good sponsorship for gospel events he told Graphic Showbiz.

Kwesi Ernest also appealed to corporate bodies to be welcoming when gospel musicians seek support from them for their events.

I dont want to mention names but I have been to some of these companies and it is boldly written at their front desk that they dont sponsor gospel events. I would want to use this opportunity to encourage them to be welcoming. Sponsorship helps a lot, especially in these hard times, he added.

Asked about his view on the current gospel scene, Kwesi Ernest said the sector is doing great. I say this because it didnt use to happen. To have three Gospel artistes in the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) Artiste of the Year category is a huge deal. Now, most of the categories have a gospel artiste in thereBest Collaboration, Best Female Vocalist, Best Video, Most Popular Song, among others, he stated.

Kwesi Ernest, who has managed a lot of artistes including Becca, Praye, Stella Seal, Francis Adjei and currently manages ACP Kofi Sarpong and Abena Ruthy, said he is confident Piesie Esther will win the Artiste of the Year at this years VGMA because she worked harder than all the other artistes competing for the ultimate prize.

Some Ghanaians will not agree with me but the truth is that she deserves it.

Her works in the year under review are unmatched and she deserves it one time, he added.

Related: This year is for Piesie Esther Kwesi Ernest on VGMA nominations
2 Law firms host tech summit

Daily Graphic May - 02 - 2023 , 06:44

Law firms, TEMPLARS and Clifford Chance, have organised a tech summit titled: "Perspectives on Fintech in Ghana" in Accra, bringing together key players and stakeholders to share their views on the fintech ecosystem, including regulations, innovation, and investments, in Ghana.

The event was a sequel to the recent Perspectives on Fintech in Nigeria held in Lagos.

The summit was attended by the British Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey, representatives from the British High Commission and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development office, senior executives from Zenith Bank, investors, venture capitalists, fintech entrepreneurs, academics, and researchers, as well as industry experts and consultants.

Dorothy Mensah, Partner at TEMPLARS Ghana, highlighted the increasing demand for innovative solutions, which made the summit a crucial step in facilitating meaningful conversations and collaborations among stakeholders in Ghana's rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

The summit featured various sub themes, including Legal and Regulatory Trends in the Ghanaian Fintech Market, Fintech Investments and Funding in Ghana, and 360 Perspectives on Fintechs and the Road Ahead.

During the panel discussion on Legal and Regulatory Trends in the Ghanaian Fintech Market, the Head of the Fintech and Innovation Office at the Bank of Ghana, Kwame Oppong, said the Bank of Ghana had made provisions to protect local fintech companies and to facilitate their growth.

He added that the Bank of Ghana was working diligently to assist all players in the fintech industry to foster expansion.

The panel discussion on Fintech Investments and Funding in Ghana was moderated by Herbert Swaniker, Senior Associate of Clifford Chance, with Kwame Adadey, Divisional Head, Marketing, Zenith Bank Ghana; Simi Obatusin, an Associate at Clifford Chance; Samuel Osew-Kwatia, the Chief Finance Officer of Broadspectrum; Maud Quaye, an Associate at GOODsoil VC; Shirley Somuah, a Partner at Cardinal Stone, and Duke Lartey, Chief Operating Officer of SecondSTAX, as panel members.

The panellists discussed capital repatriation, funding options and trends, and environmental, social, and governance.

Godwin Tamakloe, Senior Manager, Regulatory and Compliance at MTN, moderated a panel titled: "360 Perspectives on Fintech and the Road Ahead."

This session examined the achievements and future of the Ghanaian fintech ecosystem, including its expansion across Africa and Europe.

Panel members, who spoke on the theme, included the Executive Director of eTranzact, George Babafemi; the Expansion Strategy and Operations Head at Paystack, Nefe Etomi; the Chief Executive of Chipper Cash, Dion Taylor Samson, and the Senior Associate of Clifford Chance, Kikun Alo.

The Clifford Chance and TEMPLARS Tech Summit provided a forum for innovators, investors, regulators, and other key players in the fintech industry to network, exchange ideas, and explore new partnerships and growth opportunities.

By fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, the organisers hope to stimulate innovation, unlock new prospects, and position Ghana as the leading fintech hub in Africa.
727 On trial for galamsey  A-G

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson May - 02 - 2023 , 05:59

A total of 727 individuals are currently standing trial across the country over their alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has disclosed.

According to the A-G, the 727 individuals were involved in 117 cases pending before various High Courts and Circuit Courts.

In a statement, Mr Dame said the Eastern Region accounted for 50 of the 117 cases, 33 in the Western Region, 23 in the Ashanti Region, seven in the Greater Accra Region, with the Upper East and Northern regions recording three and one respectively.

On the average, a typical galamsey case involves the arrest and prosecution of at least six or seven individuals. Most of the cases are prosecuted in the region in which the arrests were effected, the A-G said.

The principal legal advisor to the government said the 727 accused persons had been charged with offences such as undertaking mining operation without a licence and buying and selling minerals without licence.

Enhanced punishment

The offences, he said, were under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), which attracted stiffer punishment and which was an amendment to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

Under Section 99 of Act 995, a Ghanaian engaged in illegal mining, or one who commands, instigates or employs others to engage in illegal mining commits an offence and is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not less than 10,000 penalty units (GH120,000) and not more than 15,000 penalty units (GH180,000) and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and not more than 25 years.

For a foreigner engaged in illegal mining, Act 995 stipulates a fine of not less than 100,000 penalty units (GH1.2 million) and not more than 300,000 penalty units (GH3.6 million) and a term of imprisonment of not less 20 years and not more than 25 years, or both the fine and the term of imprisonment.

The A-G said the passage of Act 995 in 2019 was a demonstration by the Akufo-Addo administration that it would not leave any stone unturned in the fight against illegal mining, and would go all out, including making sure such people were prosecuted and punished accordingly.

Successes

In terms of successes, Mr Dame singled out the Eastern Region branch of the A-Gs Office for securing the conviction of 187 individuals who engaged in illegal mining and were accordingly convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

Out of the 187 convicted persons, 33 were tried and sentenced under the new Act 995 between August 2021 and September 2022, and are currently serving various prison terms of between 15 years and 20 years, together with fines imposed by the court, he said.

Lenient bail

Despite the successes and the dedication by his outfit to fight illegal mining on the legal front, Mr Dame said the prosecution of suspected galamsey offenders were fraught with serious challenges.

According to him, one of the major challenges was the granting of bail with lenient conditions by some of the law courts.

Most of the accused persons, he said, absconded after being granted bail.

Even when the accused do not abscond, they go back to engage in galamsey after having been granted bail by the courts.

The Judiciary ought to cooperate in the fight against galamsey by being cautious in the granting of bail and speeding up its processes to ensure swift prosecution and punishment of offenders, he said.

Wrong sentencing

Another challenge, the A-G said, was the failure of some judges to apply the punishment regime under Act 995, and rather applying the old regime under Act 703.

He cited examples of two of such cases that occurred in Tarkwa and Bolgatanga, where the judges sentenced the convicts to fines instead of the custodial sentences and fines as stipulated by Act 995.

Pursuant to the instruction of the A-G, the Western Region Office of the Attorney-General intervened and applied to the High Court for judicial review of the orders of the Circuit Court. This application was upheld and the accused persons were then sentenced to terms of 15 and 20 years as required by law, which are being served, the A-G added.,

With regard to the case in Bolgatanga, Mr Dame said he had instructed the Upper East branch of the A-Gs Office to file the necessary court process to quash the decision of the court.

Background

Illegal mining has taken on national significance due to evidence of the destruction of water bodies, forests and the environment in general.

The fight against the menace was declared by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, in 2017, said his administration would go all out to stop illegal mining.

As part of the fight, the President launched many initiatives, such as Operation Vanguard, a drive-by members of the security agencies to stop the activities of illegal miners.

Other initiatives included a community mining project to help people in mining communities to mine responsibly.

In terms of the prosecution of illegal miners, a former Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Wood, in 2017 dedicated 14 courts throughout the country to deal with mining-related offences.

However, six years after President Akufo-Addo started the fight against illegal mining, many critics say his government has failed to deal with the problem.

But the government insists that it is still committed to dealing with the illegal menace and is working hard to achieve that.
Ambassador Edward Boateng calls for effective implementation of Disability Act

GraphicOnline May - 01 - 2023 , 20:38

Ambassador Edward Boateng, Director General (DG) of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) and immediate past Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China has expressed the need to focus on mental health as a nation and called for the effective implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 Act 715.

Speaking at an event organized to interact and share with the disabled community in the Ashanti Region, he remarked that anyone could be disabled and that disability is not earmarked for a selected few.

Disability knows no boundaries. It is not reserved for the rich or poor, strong or weak, old or young. It also serves no notice and that is why we need to ensure that the right systems and policies are implemented to enhance the lives of persons with disability.

Ambassador Boateng encouraged all present especially persons with disability (PWD) to be confident, and aggressive and aim to make a difference in society irrespective of conditions. He cited great men locally and internationally who made an impact to society irrespective of their challenges.

Disability doesnt mean inability. You have inherent talents and skills to unearth, harness and aggressively engage to make a difference. President Roosevelt who steered America through the Great Depression and World War II achieved despite being affected by polio and needed mobility aids, Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University achieved great scientific feats despite needing mobility aids and losing his speech, Helen Keller became deaf blind at the age of 19 months but became an advocate for labour rights and many social causes globally, Paul Anomah Kordieh of e.tv Ghana is visually impaired but reads live news on TV and decorated as Ghanas first visually impaired news anchor. Chairman B.K. Edusei who championed Kotokos Africa club victory in 1971 also had mobility aids. The list goes on and on and on. With technology these days, you can become anything you yearn for, he said.



Additionally, he donated logistics and aids to the community as part of his annual donation to the disabled community in Ghana.

Among the items donated included white canes, walking crutches, walkers and wheelchairs. Receiving the items on behalf of the group, Mr. Kwasi Kyei thanked Amb. Boateng for his exhibition of genuine love and assured that the group will utilize the logistics in their quest to make life meaningful.

He said On behalf of the group, I say thank you. We are grateful and assure you that the beneficiaries are capable of achieving great feats. What they require is the support, technology and enabling policies.

Ambassador Boateng has consistently supported the disabled community and donated logistics and aids to Ghanas disabled communities. In his previous capacity as Executive Chairman of the Global Media Alliance group; founders of e.tv Ghana, Ambassador Boateng recruited and provided training and logistics to Paul Anomah Kordieh to become Ghanas and arguably West Africas first visually impaired news anchor and commercial television presenter. As the co-founder of the popular Family Fun Run and Corporate 5KM Run events, the annual proceeds of both events are donated to the Mercy Social Centre (an orphanage) and the Ghana Blind Union.

When asked why opted to support the disabled community in his annual charity project, Amb. Boateng shared that less attention is given to the disabled community and even though they also have needs, attention is often given to all other groups except them. Why not them? You would be surprised to know that the presentation of a white cane or one wheel chair can transform the life and fortunes of our friends here today. But attention is mostly given to other groups. This is not to belittle the needs of all other groups. Giving to other groups is also valid and important but they disabled in society also deserve our support, care and love, he said.

The event was held at the Kwadaso Methodist Retreat Centre. Among the dignitaries present were Prof. Kingsley Nyarko (Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency), Hon Richmond Agyenim Boateng (Municipal Chief Executive  Kwadaso Municipal Assembly), Mr. Kwasi Kyei (Former Director of Communications  Ashanti Region NPP).
Court of Appeal judge donates library to Ada Foah community

Benjamin Xornam Glover May - 02 - 2023 , 06:30

A Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Victor D. Ofoe, has inaugurated and handed over a library facility to the people of Ada Foah in the Ada East District in the Greater Accra Region.

The library complex is stocked with assorted books and other educational materials to encourage reading habits among young people and to empower them to fully realise their academic potential.

The facility, which boasts a 100-seater conventional library, a reception area, a storeroom, an office and washrooms, was handed over to the Ghana Library Authority.

It has become the 15th library in the Greater Accra Region and the first in the Ada East District under the Ghana Library Authority.

At the inauguration of the facility last Friday, Justice Ofoe, a native of Ada Foah, expressed excitement about the facility and the benefits he intended to bequeath to the youth in his community.

He said quality education at the basic level was critical in shaping the academic performance of children, hence the need to inculcate in them the habit of reading by making reading and learning materials available.

Full use

Justice Ofoe urged parents and teachers to get their children and pupils to make full use of the facility.

Note that the library is yours.

It is an additional tool of learning we have added to what you already have.

The pupils should have a library book for use during the library period allocated on your timetable.

Let us together improve literacy.

Let us take advantage of this facility to improve the quality of education within the district, he said.

Together, let us get the child on the wheels towards self-development.

Let us raise their curiosity, knowledge, learning and the ability to discern information from misinformation.

The world is moving and education cannot be an option.

It is a must-have, whether to be a lawyer, mechanic, medical doctor, architect, mason, nurse, teacher, you need education and you cannot have education without reading, he stressed.

Justice Ofoe thanked the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Ada Foah for giving out the parcel of land for the project, and also the Ada East District Assembly and the Ghana Library Authority for supporting the initiative.

Research facility

The Ada East District Director of Education, Moses Pormotey, entreated indigenous Ada citizens to develop the library into a research centre to pave the way for the research, preservation, restoration and marketing of the Dangme culture.

Commendation

The Chief Executive of the Ada East District Assembly, Sarah Dugbakie Pobee, commended Justice Ofoe for his invaluable service to the community and the gift of a library.

She urged other natives of Ada and persons who had invested in waterfront properties to emulate the gesture by sponsoring similar projects in other parts of the district such as Kasseh, Big Ada and the various island communities to benefit children, especially.

The Greater Accra Regional Director of the GLA, Edward Addo-Yobo, said the authority was ready to provide the necessary reading materials and services in order for the children in the community to derive maximum benefit from the library.

The Magistrate of the Ada Circuit Court, Paulina A. Kwakyewaa, thanked Justice Ofoe for the initiative, and advised the children of the community to take advantage of the library and spend their leisure time there to enrich their knowledge.
Ato Essien fails to pay GH20 million - A-G asks court to imprison him

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson May - 02 - 2023 , 16:15

The Attorney - General (A-G) has filed a motion asking the High Court in Accra to imprison Willaim Ato Essien, the Founder of the defunct Capital Bank.

The motion by the A-G followed the failure of Essien to pay GH20 million of a GH60 million restitution to the state by April 28, 2023 as part of an agreement for him not to go to prison after he was found guilty of stealing over GH90 million of depositors fund.

A motion filed today (May 2, 2023) and signed by a Chief State Attorney, Evelyn Keelson, stated that checks by the A-G at the Controller and Accountant - General Department showed that Essien was yet to pay the GH20 million as of last Friday, April 28, 2023.

It is the case of the A-G that Essiens failure to pay the money was in violation of the orders given by the High Court on December 13, last year

That having failed to fulfil a condition imposed on him by this court under Section 35 of the Courts Act, the outstanding amount has become due and the respondent is liable to a custodial sentence by the court, the motion averred.

Agreement

On December 13, last year, Essien pleaded guilty to 16 counts of stealing and money laundering and was accordingly convicted on his own plea by the court, presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour.

However, the convict avoided a custodial sentence after the court accepted an agreement between him and the prosecution for him (Essien) to pay the GH90 million.

The agreement was pursuant to Section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), which allows accused persons standing trial for causing financial loss to the state to pay the money and possibly avoid a custodial sentence.

Based on the agreement, Essien has already paid GH30 million (out of the remaining GH90 million) to the state and will pay the remaining GH60 million in three installments of GH20 million by the close of December 2023.

Essien risks going to prison if he defaults in paying the money in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

The court ordered him to pay the first installment on or before April 28, 2023, the second on or before August 31, 2023 and the last installment on or before December 15, 2023.

In that event, the prosecution shall cause the immediate apprehension of the convict and produce him before the court as soon as practicable for custodial sentence to be passed on him according to law, Justice Kyei Baffour ordered.
Court throws out contempt case against Okudzeto Ablakwa

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson May - 02 - 2023 , 11:42

The NDC Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been acquitted and discharged of contempt of court by the High Court in Accra in a defamation case.

In a ruling today, the High Court presided over by Justice Charles Gyamfi Dankwa, dismissed the contempt application filed by the General Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, who had accused the MP of defaming him.

After dismissing the contempt application, the court further awarded cost of GHC10,000 against Rev Boateng in favour of the MP.

Contempt

After filing the defamation case, which was in relation to some allegations against him relating to the National Cathedral project, Rev Boateng cited Mr Ablakwa for contempt, accusing the MP of kicking the court process served on him by the court bailiff.

Not guilty



However, in its ruling dismissing the contempt application, the court held that the said bailiff - Elis Armah, who served the court processes on the MP was not a recognised officer of the judicial service.

Such a move, the court held was against a directive by the Chief Justice that court processes should be served by official bailiffs of the judicial service.

Again, the court held that court process could not be served on the MPs performing parliamentary duties.

The applicant,the court held should had ascertain whether or not Mr Ablakwa was performing parliamentary duties on the day the process was served on him and if he was, affect the right process of service.

Justice Dankwa further dismissed the application on the basis that there were inconsistencies in the affidavits filed by Rev Boateng and the said bailiff who filed the application.

According to the court, whereas the purported bailiff claimed the court process was put in the MPs car and the legislator threw it away, Rev Boateng said the process was put at the side of the MP and he kicked it.

The application for contempt is thrown out as the applicant could not prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, Justice Dankwa held.
Inadequate medical specialists affecting health delivery  Prof. Adanu

Augustina Tawiah May - 02 - 2023 , 09:14

LACK of medical specialists commensurate with the prevailing population in the country is affecting quality health delivery, the Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Prof. Richard Adanu, has said.

According to him, the few medical specialists in the system were only concentrated at some centres to the detriment of the rest of the country, especially rural communities.

He also said that medical personnel who came to the college to specialise were opting for areas such as surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, while few went in for radiotherapy, medical laboratory and other areas.

But we need many people to specialise so that we can meet the health needs of the people, the rector added.

Prof. Adanu was answering questions from journalists on the challenges of specialist training for medical doctors during a press soiree organised by the college as part of activities marking its 20th anniversary celebrations in Accra.

Collaboration

The rector said that the college was working with relevant stakeholders to come up with initiatives that would create a faster route for medical doctors to specialise in areas he claimed some of them were avoiding.

The initiatives include helping doctors to begin the programme right after they had finished with their housemanship training.

He further said that the level of equipment available in the countrys public hospitals was not helping in the training of specialists.

In a speciality like radiology, you get residents who sometimes have to do rotation in the MRI or CT scan room, and sometimes the MRI machine might not work throughout the period of attachment of resident doctors, Prof. Adanu said.

He said the college was, therefore, collaborating with semi-private institutions such as the National Maritime Hospital and the Bank Hospital to use their modern equipment to train doctors in some specialist areas.

The immediate past President of the college, Dr John Nkrumah-Mills, said the establishment of the college in 2003 by an Act of Parliament was timely because it slowed down the brain drain of doctors from the country.

According to him, postgraduate training for doctors was one of the main reasons doctors were leaving the country, adding that so far, the college had produced 1,690 specialist doctors and 200 Fellows.

I believe we must celebrate these excellent achievements. he said.

Activities

The Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Dr Justina Ansah, mentioned activities lined up for the anniversary to include public lectures, a fundraising dinner in Accra, health screening exercises and a health walk in Accra and Kumasi.

The rest are museum exhibition, poster presentations/exhibition and thanksgiving services in Accra and Kumasi.

The first rector of the college, Prof. Paul Nyame, commended all those who contributed and supported the construction of the building for the college.
Indecent work depriving vulnerable people of their fundamental rights - ActionAid Ghana

Zadok Kwame Gyesi May - 02 - 2023 , 17:14

The Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, John Nkaw, has expressed the concern that indecent work is depriving many vulnerable people, especially women and the youth of their fundamental rights.

He further expressed the worry that the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed towards increasing the vulnerabilities of women by dislocating their livelihoods and businesses and making them targets of these indecent work practices and exploitation.

In statement to celebrate this year's May Day, Mr Nkaw called on the government and development partners to scale up livelihood skills training and development programmes in order to help women and the youth access secure decent livelihood alternatives.

The 2023 May Day was celebrated on the theme: "Workers Rights and Socio-Economic Justice."

In Ghana, for instance, the national event was celebrated at the Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga, on the theme: "Protecting incomes and pensions in an era of economic crisis: Our responsibility."

May 1 is a day set aside to celebrate achievement of workers globally.

Below is ActionAid Ghana statement

International Workers Day: ActionAid Ghana calls for a national roadmap to address decent work deficits

(Accra, Friday, April 27, 2023) - ActionAid Ghana joins the global community to congratulate all workers for their hard work towards Ghanas development agenda and sacrifices to improve their lives and those of their families. As a social justice organisation, we subscribe to the doctrine that human resources constitute the basis for the wealth of a nation and believe that members of the labour force are the active agents who carry forward national development.

Since Ghanas membership in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1957, the country has ratified about 46 ILO Conventions, exhibiting commitment towards the improvement of labour conditions. Aside these Conventions, the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Labour Act, Act 651 of 2003 and the Domestic Workers Regulation, 2020 (L.I. 2408) also contain several provisions that seek to promote and protect workers rights to unionise, work under satisfactory conditions, and protection of the right of a domestic worker.

Despite these bold steps taken to protect formal and informal workers, the implementation of decent work policies have been constrained by several challenges including inadequate safety at the workplace, wages below the minimum wage of 14.88, and lack of social security or pension programme towards retirement.

Although these challenges are recorded in both formal and informal employment settings, the incidence of child and forced labour, the right to maternity protection, social protection and discrimination against women are higher in the rural or informal economy than in the urban or formal economy.

These widespread decent work deficits cast doubts on the countrys ability to meet the ILOs decent work agenda which involves opportunities for productive work, fair income, social protection for families, better prospects for personal development, ability to participate in decisions that affect their lives, equal opportunity and treatment for women and men.



We believe that the most appropriate approach to address decent work deficits in Ghana, is to develop a national roadmap for the enforcement of decent work principles within the formal and informal sectors to fast-track the countrys ability to meet the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 8 which seeks to, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

John Nkaw, Country Director, ActionAid Ghana said: Indecent work is depriving many vulnerable people, especially women and the youth of their fundamental rights. The Covid-19 pandemic has contributed towards increasing the vulnerabilities of women by dislocating their livelihoods and businesses and making them targets of these indecent work practices and exploitation.

Government and development partners need to scale up their livelihood skills training and development programmes in order to help women and the youth access secure decent livelihood alternatives.

As we inch closer to 2030, decent work and social protection cannot be relegated to the background, and call on the government to work with stakeholders across all sectors to ensure:

 Fair minimum wages and employment standards (including pay equity and pay transparency)

 Zero tolerance for child labour and forced labour

 Protection of women from sexual harassment and emotional and physical abuses
Lack of transparency in fisheries sector worrying  Director of Fisheries Initiative

Emelia Ennin Abbey , Nana Konadu Agyeman & Della Russel Ocloo May - 02 - 2023 , 07:14

The lack of transparency in Ghana's fisheries industry is a setback to the sustainable management of the country's fisheries resources, the Executive Director of the International Secretariat of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), Sven Biermann, has observed.

He said the Government of Ghana had failed to disclose basic information on its fisheries sector such as its fish stock assessments, fishing agreements, revenue mobilised from licensing of fishing vessels, and landing fees and data of fish catches.

"In Ghana the data that is publicly available are often incomplete, outdated, unverified or not readily accessible," he said.

Ghana, he added, had freedom of information laws and that should ensure that information flow was timely to make it readily available, accessible and credible, "but it should not be on demand or as a favour".

While Ghana's Constitution recognises the right of citizens to have access to information, the importance of public access to government information is also emphasised in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the achievement of Goal 16 and as an enabler to achieving other goals.

Transparency in fisheries management, Mr Biermann said, yielded multiple benefits such as strengthening the ability for effective oversight, accountability and public dialogue, and enhanced the capacity to manage fisheries sustainably based on best available information.

Additionally, it prevents the spread of rumours and misinformation, boosts market access and investment, and avoids the marginalisation of certain actors in the sector, he added.

Training

Mr Biermann was speaking at a training and capacity-building programme for media practitioners on activities and impacts of distant water fishing vessels (DWFV) organised by the Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa) and the Centre for Coastal Management (CCM) of the University of Cape Coast.

The training was part of a project titled: Promoting local capacity to address the destabilising impacts of foreign fishing vessels in the Gulf of Guinea and Mauritania, coordinated by CEMLAWS Africa and CCM, with funding support from the Department of State of the US Embassy.

FiTI standard

Mr Biermann said governments had the fundamental responsibility to manage fisheries resources on behalf of their citizens, and to conserve marine biodiversity for present and future generations.

That, he said, would require making information available and prioritising transparency in the fisheries sector.

"The availability of information will inform the public to know how well the sector is being managed by the government.

But currently, there is no assessment of fish stock.

There is no information on fish health. How does the government know what is in its waters?

How many women are working in the fisheries sector?

How many people work in the post-harvest sub sector, how does the government make policies to address the issues?," he queried.

Mr Biermann agrees that Ghana was not data deficient as the government had data which state agencies held internally and failed to share with the public.

He said transparency was also not about just putting information on the websites of the state agencies but making it easily accessible and understandable.

"Transparency is not voluntary.

It is a government's duty and a citizen's right".

So far, FiTI has developed an internationally recognised standard which serves as a framework that defines what information on fisheries management should be published online by national authority.

To facilitate a reversal of the situation in Ghana, FiTI, in collaboration with CEMLAWS and CCM, had earlier engaged stakeholders including the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Fisheries Commission, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, the Ghana Navy, Marine Police of the Ghana Police Service, Civil Society

Organisations and Non- governmental Organisations.

Countries that were on board the FiTI standard, Mr Biermann said, included Schellels, Mauritania, Sao Tome Principe, Cape Verde, Senegal, Madagascar, Guinea and Ecuador while there were plans to bring Peru on board.

Project

The Executive Director of CEMLAWS, Africa, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, explained that the Distant Water Fishing Vessel Project was to evaluate the impacts of the activities of foreign DWFV and promote media and civil society organisation training, community advocacy and develop strategies to enhance local sustainable industrial fishing.

The project, he said, was necessary because in African countries, about 97.2 per cent of DWFVs were foreign-owned and their activities threatened the livelihoods of coastal communities and the food security of the countries.

Apart from Ghana, he said the two-year project was being carried out in Benin, Cote D'Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Mauretania and Sierra Leone.

Training

The Director of the Centre for Coastal Management, Prof. Dennis W. Aheto, said the lack of transparency was making it difficult to establish the destabilising impact of DWFVs in the countries involved in the project.

He said the objective of the training workshop was to equip participating journalists with relevant skills and expertise in fisheries laws, management policies and fisheries livelihoods while drawing on lessons of IUU fishing and DWFV activities.
Medical lab professionals demand conditions of service

Daily Graphic May - 02 - 2023 , 09:20

The Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers Union (MELPWU) has demanded conditions of service for medical laboratory workers in the country and threatened to embark on an industrial action over the issue if its demands are not met.

According to the union, which joined the May Day parade in Bolgatanga yesterday for the first time, it will soon advise itself if the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) continued to ignore its request to negotiate their conditions of service.

In a statement to mark International Workers Day, the General Secretary of MELPWU, Cephas Kofi Akortor, said we are not enthused by the commission's half-hearted approach to our formal requests and proposals submitted for negotiations of our Conditions of Service, as our right under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

Response

In view of the lack of response contrary to provisions of the Labour Act, it said the union had formally reported the FWSC to the National Labour Commission in line with Section 104 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) for the necessary action.

We shall continue to use the laid down channels, but as a union, which bears the concerns and increasing frustrations of medical laboratory professionals in the country, we are running out of patience and we will advise ourselves.

Our Collective Bargaining Certificate is not complete unless it is supported by our conditions of service, it said.

As essential service providers, the statement said, professionals had sacrificed over the years and would continue to sacrifice to serve their clients and the nation.

However, it said, professionals would not allow their conditions of service and other legitimate benefits due the workers to be sacrificed for anything.

The union pledged that professional laboratory workers would continue to deliver on their mandate to sustain and enhance quality healthcare delivery in the country.

As we pledge on our honour, we urge the employer, being the government, to also deliver on its responsibilities and provide the necessary working tools and conditions for us to work more effectively and productively, it said.

The union, which broke away from the Health Services Workers Union to become an independent body to represent the interests of over 5,000 medical laboratory professionals, described its involvement in the May Day parade as a milestone in highlighting the contributions of medical laboratory professionals and the need for their improved conditions of service.

We consider our involvement in the celebration as a milestone in our struggle to secure the wellbeing for our teeming members in the health sector, the union said, and assured the membership of continuous effort to secure the best working conditions to protect their welfare, and enable them to enhance their performance.

Parades

Scores of members of MELPWU joined the national May Day parade in Bolgatanga and the regional parades across the country.

Some of the placards held by the workers read; Be fair to medical laboratory professionals, Give us conditions of service, Give financial clearance to unemployed medical lab graduates and IGF staff working the lab, Medical Laboratory Science Council now, Dont try PPP in the lab, Don't privatise

Medical lab services in Ghana, Don't touch our pension funds, and Pay lab frontline workers their COVID-19 insurance benefits now!
President Akufo-Addo urges swift approval of new Chief Justice nominee Justice Torkonoo to avoid leadership vacuum

Kweku Zurek May - 02 - 2023 , 14:15

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to expedite the approval of Justice Gertrude Torkonoo as the new Chief Justice to avoid a leadership vacuum in the judiciary.

Justice Torkonoo was nominated by the President to replace Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, who will retire from the position on May 24, 2021.

In a letter to the Speaker, the President expressed his hope that the approval process can proceed quickly to enable Justice Torkonoo to assume the role as soon as possible.

If approved by Parliament, Justice Torkonoo, who has served on the Supreme Court for the past four years and in the Judiciary for nineteen years, will become the third female Chief Justice in Ghana's history.

President Akufo-Addo's nomination of Justice Torkonoo is his third appointment to the position of Chief Justice since he assumed office in January 2017.

Read the letter below;
Ive experience to break the 8 - Kyerematen to NPP delegates

Daily Graphic Politics May - 02 - 2023 , 07:33

One of the flag bearer hopefuls of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has said he has the political experience to win the 2024 presidential election for the party and urged the delegates to give him the nod.

He said all that the NPP needed was an experienced and a mature leader to "break the 8 adding he was that individual for the 2024 election.

Health walk

Mr Kyerematen said this last Saturday during a health walk dubbed: "Aduro Wo So (its your turn)," in Accra.

It was attended by hundreds of party members and sympathisers clad in NPP T-shirts and other paraphernalia.

The health walk was characterised by singing and dancing, with some party members displaying placards with inscriptions such as "Father for all.

Ghana's Hope, Jobs for the people, Cash for the people, Industrial titan, Mr job 4 the youth, and the true unifier.

The health walk started from the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Mantse Agbona at James Town, Accra.

A group of old students of Adisadel College, (the school Mr kyerematen attended)  the "Santacluasians for Alan"  endorsed Mr Kyerematen's candidature during the walk.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, said Mr Kyerematen had been a long serving member of the NPP and that just as President Nana Addo Dankwa

Akufo-Addo was endorsed when the party felt it was his turn, same must be done to Mr Kyerematen because "it is his turn to lead the party.

He said Mr Kyerematens competence had been proven over time through his initiatives in the area of industrialisation and that he had contributed greatly to the growth of the party and past governments.

"The competency of Alan is not in doubt.

He has done so much even from President Kufuor's time when he played a major role in the President's Special Initiatives.

An old student of Adisadel College 1997 year group and Coordinator of the "Santacluasians for Alan" group, Alfred Mensah-Onumah, touted Mr Kyerematen as an industrial genius who, when given the nod, would cause an industrial revolution in the country.

"Alan has the know-how and stands tall when it comes to industrialisation, especially adding value to our raw materials.

He played a major role in AfCFTA and even helping in making Ghana become its headquarters.

Alan also successfully spearheaded government's 1D1F programme as a minister."

"We believe it is his time and, therefore, we appeal to all delegates to vote him as the flagbearer.

Once that is done, they can be assured that they will win the general election," he said.
BAE Systems is collaborating with Eaton, to develop electric vehicle (EV) technology solutions. Through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the companies will initially offer a solution for the medium-duty commercial truck platforms market, with a Class-7 pickup and delivery demonstration vehicle in development.

As part of the collaboration, BAE Systems will incorporate its power-dense electric motor and advanced silicon carbide (SiC)/gallium nitride (GaN) power electronics suite with Eatons MD 4-speed EV transmission to provide a comprehensive EV system for medium-duty vehicles, such as those used for a variety of pick-up and delivery applications.

The complete solution will provide original equipment manufacturers with a durable, high performance, compact, efficient, and optimized system with flexibility to work with multiple zero-emission platforms.

BAE Systems has more than two decades of experience developing and integrating electric propulsion systems, including hybrid and fully electric technology. Eaton brings extensive transmission expertise and a proven track record in drivetrain durability.

BAE Systems Gen3 electric drive solution builds on 25 years of innovation that powers low- and zero-emission platforms on land and sea, including battery electric, fuel cell, and hybrid electric vehicles. The company has more than 16,000 propulsion systems operating worldwide in transit buses, boats, and military and industrial vehicles across the globe. Its electric propulsion technology is developed and serviced at its facilities in Endicott, New York and Rochester, UK.
Global specialty chemicals and performance materials company Cabot Corporation launched its new ENTERA aerogel particles portfolio. ENTERA aerogel particles are a thermal insulation additive designed to enable the development of ultra-thin thermal barriers for electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries. In this portfolio, Cabot has launched three ENTERA aerogel products that formulators can incorporate into a range of thermal barrier forms including blankets, pads, sheets, films, foams and coatings.

To meet increased EV demand, battery manufacturers are developing higher performing lithium-ion battery packs with increased range. These higher energy batteries require more advanced thermal management solutions, including thermal barriers to mitigate thermal runaway, a rare event in which a battery cell overheats to dangerous levels and the heat propagates to neighboring cells within the module or battery pack due to malfunction or damage.

As a result of the potential severe risks from an EV battery fire, additional regulations, such as the United Nations Global Technical Regulation 20 on Electric Vehicle Safety (UN GTR N 20) and Chinas GB 38031-2020, have been implemented to maximize occupant safety. Aerogel has emerged as aperformance-enabling thermal barrier material that is enabling EV manufacturers to meet critical industry safety standards.

Cabots ENTERA aerogel products not only help battery and EV manufacturers comply with these new regulations, but they also provide a lightweight thermal barrier solution that offers low thermal conductivity combined with thermal stability. The Cabot ENTERA aerogel particles portfolio ranges in size from microns to millimeters and includes ENTERA EV5200 aerogel, ENTERA EV5400 aerogel and ENTERA EV5800 aerogel.

With greater than 90% air volume, Cabots ENTERA aerogel is up to 20 times lighter than traditional insulation additives used in thermal barriers. Using lightweight materials in EVs is important to offset the weight of EV batteries as well as to improve efficiency, extend driving range and increase the lifespan of the battery.

We have been producing aerogel for 20 years and the expansion of our aerogel capabilities for use in thermal barriers for batteries is a natural progression in our commitment to support the tremendous growth of the battery market. Jeff Zhu, executive vice president and president, Performance Chemicals segment and Asia Pacific region

Cabot has a full range of products that serves the EV battery market. The company says it is the only global manufacturer with a complete conductive additives product portfolio for battery applications, including conductive carbons, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanostructures, as well as blends and dispersions of these additives to deliver optimal performance. Conductive additives play a critical role in lithium-ion battery chemistry and provide a pathway for electrons to move within the anode and the cathode which enables charging and discharging. Additionally, Cabot offers fumed alumina for separator and cathode active material coatings.
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The OnePlus Pad is OnePlus' first ever tablet, and after a weird, protracted launch it finally became available in India and Europe towards the end of last month. But those aren't the only markets it will be sold in. As it turns out, the OnePlus Pad is currently on its way to North America too.

It will reach the US and Canada on May 8, exactly one week from now. The price? $479 and CAD 649, respectively. That's for the tablet itself. The OnePlus Folio Case will set you back $39 or CAD 57, the OnePlus Stylo will be priced at $99 or CAD 139, and the OnePlus Magnetic Keyboard will go for $149 or CAD 209.

The OnePlus Pad is currently at our office being put through our usual thorough review process, stay tuned for our full thoughts on it.

The tablet comes with an 11.61-inch 2000x2800 144 Hz LCD touchscreen, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC, 8/12GB of RAM, 128/256GB of storage, a 13 MP rear camera, an 8 MP selfie snapper, and a 9,510 mAh battery with support for 67W charging (but no charger in the box). It will only be available in one hue, which OnePlus calls Halo Green.

Via
Samsung has banned the use of generative AI such as ChatGPT and Google's Bard after employees in one of the company's largest divisions reportedly uploaded internal source code to ChatGPT's servers. The information comes from a Bloomberg report.

Samsung announced the new policy with an internal memo to employees. It bans the use of generative AI systems on company-owned phones, computers, or tablets, as well as over the internal network. Samsung also asks employees not to divulge company information with ChatGPT or similar services through their personal devices.

As part of its reasoning, Samsung points to the fact that these AI platforms use external servers to store some if not all of their data and it would be difficult to protect or delete. Employees will be subject to disciplinary action and losing their job, should they fail to conform to Samsung's policy.

Samsung is the latest in a streak of high-profile companies to do this - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Bank of America, and Citigroup have either banned or restricted the use of ChatGPT over privacy concerns.

Bloomberg also notes that Samsung is working on its own AI tools for the translation and summarizing of documents, as well as for software development.

Of course, Samsung's ban only applies to its employees, when handling sensitive data. Anyone with a Samsung phone or other device is free to use generative AI. In fact, Bing AI is now officially on Samsung's Galaxy phones as part of the built-in SwiftKey keyboard.

Those who use the built-in SwiftKey keyboard will now get the OpenAI-based Bing AI in the keyboard's search tab.

We are rolling out the new Bing AI features to the Samsung users. Look for the new update (Android v9.10.11.10) in the next days. pic.twitter.com/NxUMf8Feyd  Microsoft SwiftKey (@SwiftKey) April 29, 2023

Source 1 | 2
For the first time in a couple of months or so, Google's monthly Android update release is once again on time - it's the first Monday of the month, and the update seems to be going out already to supported Pixel phones. Not just that, but the May update is also available on the Pixel Watch.

Let's start with the phones. Google releases big "Feature Drop" updates every three months, and the next one is due in June. As such, May's update doesn't bring any new features, just some fixes all over, including for a bug that occasionally caused lock screen UI elements to overlap with the home screen launcher interface.

That seems pretty nasty if you were unfortunate enough to see it, but it's eradicated now, thankfully. In addition, you can expect some improvements for touchscreen response in certain conditions on the Pixel 7 Pro.

The update is currently rolling out to Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G and later models, and after installing it you'll be on software version TQ2A.230505.002 on all supported handsets except the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a 5G on T-Mobile and MVNOs including Google Fi, which get TQ2A.230505.002.A1 instead. The rollout is expected to conclude in about a week, and is going out in stages until that point.

The Pixel Watch is getting its very own May update as well. Again, the rollout is expected to take a week to reach all devices. After installing the new software, your Pixel Watch will be on version RWDA.230114.013. Google says this update includes "the latest security patches for Pixel Watch users".

Source 1 | Source 2
The governors office on Tuesday blamed Sen. Frank Blas Jr.s amendment to the pay raise funding legislation for delays in the actual pay increases for mostly Guam Department of Education employees, calling it an unnecessary bureaucratic red tape.

Blas said Adelup had weeks to submit what he deems a simple report of plans that can be prepared in a day.

Dont blame me for your ineptness, Blas said in response to Adelups statement.

Covered government of Guam employees expected the 22% pay increase for the pay period ending April 22 to be reflected in their April 28 paycheck.

Employees in the executive branch, the judiciary, and other agencies got their adjusted pay, but those with GDOE did not.

Sen. Blas is mistaken. The problem was, in fact, caused by his amendment. The executive and judicial branches are able to use their current funding until the reports are submitted, the governors director of communications, Krystal Paco-San Agustin, said.

She said the senator, having been present during GDOEs financial condition presentation during the March session, should know that the department needed funding to implement the pay adjustments.

Instead, he supported a bill to tie up funding for facilities for which federal funding is available. The bill as introduced by Governor Leon Guerrero would have funded the pay adjustments immediately, Paco-San Agustin said.

Amid the finger-pointing, Adelup said the plans required by Public Law 37-3 will be submitted shortly as the administration works with GDOE on implementing their new pay scales.

Despite this mandate for more bureaucracy, the Department of Administration is working diligently to submit the plans required by Section 10 of the public law, which will permit allotted funds to be transferred to GDOE so it can make the necessary payments, the governors office said.

Theres no specific date when this would happen.

The Blas amendment in P.L. 37-3 mandated that the implementation of the pay raises, including the appropriation of funds for the new General Pay Plan rates, could only become effective when the governor submits to the Legislature written plans to address the payments of the following:

Merit bonuses owed to employees from 2012 to present. The plan includes but is not limited to the number of employees owed the bonus, the amounts owed for bonuses, the funding source, and the timeframe for which the owed bonuses will be fully paid. Annual increments owed to employees. The plan includes but is not limited to the number of employees owed the increments, the amounts owed, funding source, and the timeframe for which they will be fully paid. The financial assistance promised to Guam businesses in the 2023 State of the Island Address, or a second round of the Local Employers Assistance Program. The plan includes but is not limited to the initial funding amount anticipated to be provided, the process by which eligibility for the assistance will be implemented, and the timeframe for when the assistance will be made available.

Unfortunately, these restrictions have mired the process in more unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, ultimately hurting the good, hard-working people at DOE, the governors office said of the Blas amendment that senators adopted.

It said the amendment was made despite the fact that LEAP, a government subsidy for private businesses, has nothing to do with regularly due pay adjustments to employees, including those at GDOE.

Blas said he will once again seek Attorney General Douglas Moylans opinion, on whether the release of pay raises to the executive branch and other agencies without satisfying the provisions of the law is legal and proper, while at the same time trying to comply with the law for the GDOE raises.

Or is it because the revenues are not as rosy as they painted it to be? Blas said. Its interesting that after about 30 days, my amendment is being blamed for the delays. Am I the one to blame or theyre trying to deflect the blame they should carry.

Retro pay raisesBlas also earlier said the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration granted retroactive pay raises that a previous administration also implemented, but were later declared illegal by the attorney general and the employees were asked to pay them back.

Adelup as of Tuesday has not answered questions about the retroactive pay raises or what action will be taken.

The Office of the Attorney General is investigating the legality of the retroactive pay raises for some Cabinet members and Adelup staffers, AG Moylan earlier said.
Several trees where the migratory black noddy seabird, native to Guam, make their nests in Malesso have been cut down, causing concern among island bird advocates.

The three ironwood trees were on private property and requested to be removed by the owner, said Department of Agriculture Director Chelsa Muna during the Islandwide Beautification Task Force meeting last week.

The department responded to a complaint by a Malesso village resident that the birds were creating a lot of feces that damaged vehicles and were a nuisance.

After an inspection by the Forestry Division when the birds were not in the trees, Muna said they discovered rot which made them a safety hazard of falling in strong winds.

Those trees needed to come down and in the end they were on private property, so the private landowners can do whatever they wanted, she said.

Passionate bird activists said these are three of five trees where Guams black noddy make their seasonal home and the loss could cause problems for the population.

What was so terrible for us is the noddies need a place to roost. They were in Ironwood trees which they seem to favor. The birds are out fishing in the day and they need a place to roost near the water, said bird advocate Olympia Terral.

Seabirds play an important role in the ecosystem, especially on an island, because they bring nutrients from the sea onto land through their feces or by pieces of fish falling to the ground when feeding, said Martin Kastner, Ph.D. student with Virginia Tech studying migratory birds.

Black noddies nest in colonies and the 600 that annually return to Guam used to go to Cocos Island.

However, in 2021 they started nesting in Malesso possibly because of the increasing number of brown tree snakes on Cocos, he said.

About 350 nesting pairs of black noddies that lived in the three cut-down trees will now have to try and find a new place to raise their young.

The other two trees where the birds migrate to are in the park owned by San Dimas and Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church.

We know that they are already nesting in the two remaining trees. The question is how many nests can those two trees support, said Kastner, and that the long-term effects this will have on the birds population cannot yet be fully determined.

Terral said she is making signs to help educate the community about the ecological benefits of migratory seabirds and hope to get permission to post them by the Malesso Bell Tower which is next to the two remaining trees.

In the future, Kastner hopes the Department of Agriculture or other agencies that remove trees where birds nest will reach out to organizations like the Marianas Audubon Society to discuss alternatives to cutting them down.
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I just returned from Manila late last week after participating in a knowledge-sharing workshop at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

This was an effort of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Typhoon Committees Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction. I had the pleasure of joining experts from Macau, South Korea and the Philippines in this Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building in DRR workshop. This workshop focused on building local and regional capacities to mitigate risks from natural disasters. My contribution to this collaboration focused on communications: impact-based decision support services and reaching the last mile.

Communication is a must in the weather enterprise. Its great to have a perfect and timely forecast (we hope theyre perfect), but if the forecasts are not communicated or delivered such that all can receive and understand them, we are not fully doing our job to protect life and property. This is the driving force for the agency-wide focus on communications and social science. Last weeks workshop allowed us to discuss ways in which we communicate within our regions: best practices, as well as lessons learned from any high-impact events over the years.

Coincidentally, the National Weather Service released its Service Assessment on Hurricane Ida (2021). I was a part of a team assembled from across the nation to dissect and study all aspects of the NWS operation before, during and after the catastrophic passage of Category-4 Ida, which made landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast, then traveled toward New England where it dropped torrential rainfall and caused catastrophic flooding.

Of Idas casualties, more deaths occurred in the northeastern U.S. than on the gulf coast. I was part of the team of 5 who traveled to New Orleans to meet with all personnel of field offices in the region and numerous external partners of the NWS from the Parish level to the state. We toured ravaged oceanfront and inland areas. Another team of 5 worked in the New York City metro area.

The nearly 100-page document details all aspects of NWS Operations before, during and after Idas passage; forecasts, briefings, social media use; external and internal partner engagement; COOP plans and back-up procedures; mental health, Critical Incident Stress Management and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. We sought to find what was done well; what we as an agency excelled at. But we also sought to find problem areas: lessons to be learned and areas for improvement. We are public servants and we seek to serve the public to the best of our abilities.

This workshop in Manila and the Hurricane Ida Service Assessment have one key thing in common: looking forward. Yes, we are the NWS and we always tell you about the next 5 to 7 days. But were also looking beyond the week ahead. We are an agency to help you in your planning and preparedness for the coming week, the coming typhoon season and beyond.

The week ahead doesnt look so bad for us weather-wise, but we could see a busy typhoon season later this year, busier than weve seen in 4 or 5 years. Will you be prepared? What are your worries and concerns? Do you know where to find timely weather information or how to receive it? Do you understand our often-complex terminology and jargon (do you know the difference between a watch and a warning?)?

If your answer is no to any of these, this is the time to ask questions. Speak with us via Facebook or give us a call as forecasters are present 24 hours a day. You can also reach me via email with any weather-related concerns or topics of interest for a future column.




Haiti - FLASH : New radical US measures to reduce illegal migration at the border





On April 27, the Department of State (State) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced sweeping new measures to further reduce illegal migration in the Western Hemisphere, significantly expand legal pathways for protection, and facilitate the safe, orderly and humane treatment of migrants.



Like many other public health measures taken in the time of Covid-19, the CDC's Temporary Public Health Order Title 42 will also expire on May 11, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. However, the lifting of the Title 42 order does not mean that the border will be open. Indeed, as soon as Title 42 is lifted, the United States will resume using Title 8 to quickly process and return people who arrive illegally at the American border.



The transition to Title 8 processing for all persons encountered at the border will take effect immediately when the Title 42 order is lifted.



People who illegally cross the Southwest United States border will generally be processed under Title 8 and expedited deportation within days. They will be barred from entering the United States for at least five years if deportation is ordered and would be deemed ineligible for asylum under the proposed refugee settlement. circumvention of legal channels, if no applicable exceptions.



To avoid these penalties, migrants are encouraged to use the many legal avenues the United States has developed over the past two years. Additionally, the United States announces additional legal avenues, including :



Extended access to the CBPOne app to report to a US port of entry. When the Title 42 order is lifted, migrants located in Central and Northern Mexico will have access to the CBPOne mobile app to schedule an appointment to report to a port of entry rather than trying to enter illegally between ports. CBPOne will offer additional appointments and the use of this tool will allow for safe, orderly and humane treatment.



The agency is also modernizing existing family reunification parole processes for Cuba and Haiti. These processes, once finalized, will allow individuals screened with already approved family petitions to be paroled in the United States, on a case-by-case basis. The US Government will provide prompt clearance to those approved and authorized to travel. Individuals paroled in the United States through these processes would be eligible to apply for work authorization.



In addition, the United States will continue to accept up to 30,000 people per month from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Haiti under the Humanitarian Conditional Stay Program https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38566-haiti-flash-new-us-entry-program-for-haitian-migrants-conditions-and-steps-to-follow.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





PNH GrandAnse : 3 bandits killed

3 bandits were killed (Dyendi Mortune, Alex Neptune and Steevenson Francois) in exchanges of fire with the National Police of Haiti (PNH). Coming from several gangs in the metropolitan area, they had taken refuge in the department of Grand'Anse.



Diaspora : Towards the launch of the "DiaspoFATMA" program

Towards the launch of the "DiaspoFATMA" program for compatriots in the diaspora. According to Carl Francois Director General of the Office of Occupational Accident, Sickness and Maternity Insurance (OFATMA), this new program will allow interested Haitians living abroad to benefit from a health insurance card during their stay in Haiti.



The PM calls on the population to calm down

Monday, May 1st, in a pre-recorded speech on the occasion of the celebration of Agriculture and Labor Day, the Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, called on citizens to calm faced the wave of violence that is shaking the country and the mass lynchings of suspected members of armed groups. "I ask my compatriots, despite what they have suffered at the hands of the bandits, to remain calm and to collaborate with the Police in providing information on any suspicious person" See also: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39441-haiti-may-1st-tribute-to-our-farmers-and-workers-video-pm-speech.html



US Embassy : Presentation of certificates to journalists

As a prelude to the celebration of World Press Freedom Day (May 3), the U.S. Embassy in Haiti presented certificates to a group of journalists and media executives who had separately attended training sessions in the United States. Erick Stromayer the American Charge d'Affaires in Haiti, took the opportunity to insist on the importance of a press that operates freely to inform the population.



Agriculture and Labor Day messages

Former First Lady Martine Moise:

"Pep Haiti you always konn work. Agrikilti se avni nou! Fok nou plant pou lamanjay nou ka depann de nou. An nou mete men pou yon pi bel Ayiti! Bon fet work!"



The Haitian people believe in hard work. To meet our needs, agricultural production is essential. Agriculture is our future. Let's work together for better days! Happy Labor Day" Martine Moise



Kendy NICOLAS Director of the Department of Fundamental Education (DEF) :

"On this May 1st, 2023, on the occasion of this day dedicated to agriculture and work, I encourage in schools and in offices a good culture of work"



General Directorate of Customs of Haiti (AGD) :

The AGD wishes a happy Labor Day to all customs staff and expresses its gratitude for the efforts made and the professionalism that all have shown to improve the performance of the AGD on a daily basis."



Rum Barbancourt : New gold medal

The new white Rhum Barbancourt won the 2023 gold medal at the "Beverage Testing Institute" competition. An award that highlights the importance of national production on this day of Agriculture and Labor. "What pride to receive this distinction for our new overproof White Rum on this Agriculture and Labor Day ! Thank you to our teams and to more than 3,000 growers dedicated to the cultivation of Haitian cane! " said Delphine Gardere DG of Entreprise Barbancourt







HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Published on 2023/05/02 | Source

New stills 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
Published on 2020/02/11 | Source

Gyeonggi-do Pocheon, Chunhye's Natural scenery and tourist attractions are in the limelight as a background for dramas.

Advertisement

SBS drama "Dr. Romantic 2" and tvN's "Crash Landing on You" were recently all filmed in Pocheon.

The scene where Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) and Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) find out they once met on the bridge of Sigriswil in Switzerland before they met in North Korea, was taken in the Hantan River Sky Bridge in Pocheon.

The Pocheon Hantan River Sky Bridge is a 200-meter-long, wobbly walk-only bridge that opened in May 2018, and the valley can be seen from a height of 50 meters.

The exterior of Doldam Hospital, the backdrop of the SBS drama "Dr. Romantic 2" is actually a former family hotel located in Sanjung Lake in Pocheon.

The beautiful sceneries of Lake Jungsan and Mt. Myungsung were often shown to enhance its image.

Currently, the Sanjung Family Hotel is not under operation, but the number of tourists wanting to become Teacher Kim (Han Suk-kyu) from the drama and leave memories behind against the backdrop of Doldam Hospital is increasing.

"Although there is only a small number of tourists this low season, the increase in the number of tourists visiting the filming locations of the dramas has helped revitalize the local economy", a city official said. "This year, we will make efforts to attract popular dramas to become the Mecca of hallyu tourist spots".

___________

"Dr. Romantic 2" is directed by Lee Gil-bok, Yoo In-sik, written by Kang Eun-kyeong, and features Han Suk-kyu, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Joo-hun, Shin Dong-wook, Yoon Na-moo. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/01/06~Now airing, Mon, Tue 22:00 on SBS.

___________

"Crash Landing on You" is directed by Lee Jeong-hyo, written by Park Ji-eun, and features Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun, Kim Sun-young, Kim Jung-nan. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2019/12/14~Now airing, Sat, Sun 21:00 on tvN.
I couldnt applaud and admire enough the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who protested for 17 consecutive weeks against the Netanyahu governments scheme to subvert Israels judiciary under the pretense of necessary reforms.

As Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary, every Israeli should remember that the occupation stains the countrys independence day and that Israel is not and will not be a true democracy as long as it remains an occupying power.

In reality, Netanyahu and his Justice Minister Levin were bent on subordinating Israels Supreme Court to the whims of a simple majority in the Knesset, and the appointment of judges to a committee with an increased number of representatives handpicked by his government. Should such legislations come to pass, it will be tantamount to giving the government unlimited power without any checks and balances, destroying the very foundation of democracy on which the country was founded and in which Israelis take special pride.

The irony here though is that whereas the majority of Israelis believe that their country is a democracy and fervently poured into the streets to preserve it, and often refer to it as the only democracy in the Middle East, what escapes them is that no country can claim to be a democracy and be an occupying power at the same time. Indeed, applying two different sets of laws and rules, one that governs Israeli citizens (including Israeli settlers in the West Bank) that accords them protection and social, economic, and political freedoms, versus the military rules that govern the Palestinians under occupation, depriving them of their basic human rights, is totally inconsistent with democracy by any definition.

The question is, why have the Israelis grown so comfortably numb to the ruthless occupation and have not once protested against its continuation, as if it were a normal state of being that has no effect or repercussions on either the occupier or the occupied?

Public acrimony: To begin with, successive Israeli governments, especially since the second Intifada in 2000, during which conservative governments were largely in power, have systematically engaged in acrimonious public narratives against the Palestinians, portraying them as being an irredeemable foe. Depicting the Palestinians as such was deliberate, albeit every Israeli government knew only too well that the Palestinians will never be in a position to pose a credible existential threat against their country.

Nevertheless, they continue to promote their denunciation of the Palestinians for public consumption, knowing that they have been nurturing hatred and cultivating hostility against the Palestinians, which now defines the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. Acrimonious public narratives that set one people against another obviously fosters conflict rather than cooperation, which is essential to a functioning democracy.

Lack of awareness: Most Israelis have very little firsthand knowledge about the ruthlessness of the occupation and the pain and suffering the Palestinians are enduring day-in and day-out. If the Israelis could witness the night raids that terrify young and old, arbitrary incarcerations, demolition of houses, forced evictions, confiscation of private land, uprooting of trees, humiliating checkpoints, vandalism by settlers, and trigger-happy soldiers who shoot to kill, they would certainly have a better grasp as to why the occupation is not and cannot be sustainable, but is contrary to every human value they hold so high.

Had even some of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who stood tall to fight for the preservation of their democracy experienced for one day what the Palestinians endure every day under occupation, they would realize how broken Israels democracy is and how shameful it is to demand that they are entitled to live in a free society while the Palestinians live in servitude.

Living with the status quo: After 56 years of occupation, a mounting number of Israelis have given up on finding a solution to the conflict with the Palestinians and have come to accept the status quo as a permanent state of affairs with which they comfortably live. Successive right-wing governments led by Netanyahu openly state that there will be no Palestinian state under their watch, preferring to maintain the status quo regardless of the frequent flareups of violence, which Israel learned how to control at an acceptable cost.

The notion that the status quo can be sustained indefinitely is completely misguided, as there is absolutely no sign and no reason to believe that the Palestinians will ever give up their right to establish a state of their own. In recent years the oppressive occupation has become increasingly unbearable, resentment against and hatred of the Israelis is piercing, violence targeting Israelis is escalating, and hopelessness and despair is all-consuming, leaving the Palestinians with little left to lose. The Israelis helped to create this explosive environment. Now it is only a matter of time when the next explosion will happen. This is not how democracy works and the Israelis must sooner than later face this bitter reality.

The Palestinians ambition to destroy Israel: Successive Israeli governments have been brainwashing the public by promoting the notion that even if the Palestinians establish their own state, it will only be the first stage in their ultimate objective to eliminate Israel altogether. But then, not a single Israeli leader who opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state has ever provided any evidence to make their case, other than using the empty rhetoric of some Palestinian militants who state that this is in fact their national goal. One might ask though by what means, military or otherwise, will the Palestinians ever be in a position to realize such an illusion against the formidable Israeli military machine that can crush any violent provocation deemed threatening to Israels existence?

By promoting such an absurd narrative, however, the Israeli government can justify not only the occupation but its drive to annex more territories, expand existing and legalize illegal settlements, uproot Palestinians, and clear huge areas of its Palestinian inhabitants for military training. These activities are done systematically all in the name of national security, and unfortunately a growing number of Israelis are buying into this sinister scheme.

Normalizing the occupation: To understand the gravity of how the occupation became for most Israelis a normal state of affairs, one single statistic tells the story: 80 percent of all Israelis were born after the occupation began in 1967. For every single Israeli citizen under the age of 56, be that a soldier, a student, a scholar, a military commander, a medical doctor, a builder, a carpenter, a curator, a businessman, an engineer, or a government official, the occupation is normal. Those who want to end it have largely grown to be numb; many are even afraid to talk about it publicly, let alone openly advocate for the absolute necessity of creating an independent Palestinian state to end the conflict.

The killing of Palestinians almost daily has become routine and many Israelis only temporarily awaken when a militant Palestinian kills an Israeli Jew. Calls for revenge and retribution echo, especially by extremist right-wing Israelis, security forces immediately line up for the search of the perpetrators, often a gun battle ensues, Palestinian militants are frequently killed, and sadly innocent Palestinian civilians are often caught in the crossfire and end up paying with their lives. And of course, leave it to the settlers to do their own cruel deeds by taking revenge against any Palestinianguilty or innocent is of no concern to them. The settlers pogrom against the Palestinian village of Huwara offers a chilling example of their brutality. A day or two later everything is forgotten by Israeli Jews, but the vicious cycle continues. This is Israeli-style democracy.

It is critically important to emphasize that the normalization of occupation has made the young Israelis increasingly numb to the Palestinians plight, and as a result of their schooling and training they have become impervious to the people who live in servitude with little or no hope for a better and promising future. But when this indifference to the pain and suffering of the Palestinians becomes a normal state of mind for Israeli youth, it robs them of their own humanity and dignity. They do not realize how they were psychologically inculcated to become so callous and apathetic towards their young Palestinian counterparts who live in fear and uncertainty while hatred, revenge, and retribution become their only way to maintain their resistance.

None of the above suggests that the Palestinians are innocent by any standard. They have made many mistakes. They have frequently resorted to violence and have missed many opportunities in the past to make peace as they went for all and ended up with nothing. That said, it is now up to Israel, as the dominant power, to change the dynamic of the conflict by declaring its willingness to seek peace based on a two-state solution and demonstrate to the whole world its intent while putting the Palestinians to the test. Otherwise, Israels social fabric will continue to disintegrate, its regional violent conflicts will intensify, and its international standing will wane. Israel will end up being nothing but a pariah state, shattering the Jewish dream of having an independent, free, strong, and just state with which every Jew takes pride, admired by its friends and envied by its enemies.

The beacon of Israels democracy began to fade with the start of the occupation. It is time for the hundreds of thousands of Israeli demonstrators, who have poured into the streets to protect their democracy, to face the truth: the occupation is depriving three million Palestinians in the West Bank of everything the protesters want for themselves.

Even if the protesters prevail over Netanyahus menacing judicial scheme, they will not save Israels democracy unless they relentlessly pour back into the streets and this time demand an end to the occupation and make Israel once again a beacon of democracy in the Middle East and beyond.

By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He taught courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies for over 20 years.

This is a "Viewpoint" opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of The Helsinki Times. This column is not fact checked and HT is not be responsible for any possible inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article.

HT
Negotiations over the bilateral defence co-operation agreement (DCA) took place last week in Katajanokka, Helsinki.

OFFICIALS from Finland and the United States are presently negotiating a defence agreement that would grant the US Armed Forces an opportunity to freely utilise Finnish soil and military bases for exercise and defence equipment storage purposes, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

Mikael Antell, a deputy director general at the policy department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, stated to the daily newspaper yesterday that the negotiators have reviewed the agreement once in a positive and solutions-focused spirit among allies.

Antell, who is in charge of the negotiations for Finland, told that the agreement will solidify the Finnish deterrent and defence capabilities through US presence and possible advance stationing of defence equipment, supplementing the Finnish membership in Nato.

The most important thing is that the agreement enables smooth co-operation with the US in all security situations and also on short notice, he summarised to Helsingin Sanomat.

Unlike other agreements on defence co-operation, including the host nation support agreement with Nato, the bilateral agreement is a binding treaty with a much broader scope of application, according to Antell.

The DCA agreement enables the entry and stay of troops, the advance storage of materiel, and possible infrastructure investments through funds granted to Pentagon by the US Congress, he outlined.

The agreement does not apply to nuclear weapons, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

President Sauli Niinisto stated to YLE roughly a week ago that a bilateral agreement is required to maximise the security of Finland. In that sense, the US is a key player, he commented on the morning talk show the public broadcaster.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Exercise has been found to increase the number of defense cells in cancer patients, according to two studies conducted at the national PET center at the University of Turku. The studies aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exercise on the immune system of lymphoma and breast cancer patients who had recently been diagnosed and had not started treatment yet.

During the study, patients cycled for ten minutes, and blood samples were taken before and after the exercise. The study found that even a short bout of exercise increased the number of defense cells in the patients' bloodstream. The defense cells can enter the area of the tumor more efficiently and are more active in destroying cancer cells.

The relationship between exercise and cancer has been the subject of many studies, and researchers have found that exercise can reduce the risk of cancer and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. However, the mechanism through which exercise influences cancer is not fully understood. Tiia Koivula, a biomedical science researcher, says that exercise can even improve cancer prognosis.

The studies conducted by Koivula are part of a broader project supported by the Academy of Finland and the Hospital District of Southwest Finland, where the effects of exercise on cancer are being investigated. The project aims to establish whether exercise can be used as a complementary treatment for cancer patients.

In the study, the exercise intensity was individually determined so that it corresponded to light or moderate exercise. The important thing was that the patients could cycle for ten minutes continuously without exhaustion, and that the heart rate increased slightly from the resting state. Blood samples were analyzed for various types of defense cells, and the post-exercise levels were compared to resting levels.

The results showed that lymphoma patients had an increase in the number of killer T-cells and natural killer cells in their bloodstream during exercise. In breast cancer patients, exercise increased the total number of white blood cells, as well as intermediate monocytes and B-cells. The changes were rapid, and in most cases, the number of defense cells returned to resting levels within 30 minutes after exercise.

The findings of these studies provide evidence that even a short bout of exercise can have a positive effect on cancer patients' immune systems. These results support the idea that exercise could be a valuable complementary therapy for cancer patients. The study's limitations include the small sample size and the fact that it only measured the effects of one exercise session. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of exercise on the immune system of cancer patients.

HT
ROWER James Cracknell has entered the race to replace John Howell as Henleys MP.

The 50-year-old double Olympic gold medallist is bidding to be chosen by the Conservative Party as their candidate at the next general election.

Last month, Mr Howell confirmed that he would not be seeking re-election.

The 67-year-old said he would be too old to return to Parliament having already served for 15 years, winning five elections.

He took over the constituency in 2008 from Boris Johnson when he became Mayor of London.

There had been speculation that the former prime minister might want to swap his marginal Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency for his former safe seat but he has been reselected.

Mr Cracknell, a member of Leander Club in Henley, told the Sunday Telegraph that the town had a special place in his heart and representing it would be a humbling honour.

He said: I rowed there from when I was 18 years old, bought my first house in the town and had my first child when I lived there. So many of my best personal and professional memories are from my time in Henley.

If selected and elected, he pledged to focus on challenges including a lack of affordable housing, job opportunities in the town and a rail line that is still not electric.

This is not the first time he has entered politics. In 2013 he bid to become the Conservative candidate for the South West England and Gilbraltar constituency of the European Parliament but was unsuccessful.

At the time, he said: The European Union is going to have an effect on my children and grandchildren. Id like to think I can have an effect  bring a fresh perspective. Its not something I have to do, it is something I want to do.

Mr Cracknell won gold in the coxless fours at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the Athens Games in 2004. In 2005 he was awarded the OBE for services to sport.

In 2019 he became the oldest competitor in the Boat Race as part of the victorious Cambridge crew. He had enrolled at the university to study for a masters degree in human evolution.

Mr Cracknell was married to TV presenter Beverley Turner from 2002 to 2019 and they have three children. In 2021, he married Jordan Connell, an American graduate of the University of Cambridge Judge Business School who works in finance.

South Oxfordshire Conservative Association has said that it will select a new candidate in due course.

In a letter to Will Hall, who chairs the association, Mr Howell said he did not want to remain an MP due to his age.

He wrote: By the end of the next parliament, I will be approaching my mid-Seventies and that is why I said at the time of the 2019 general election that I would not seek re-adoption again. I have a number of other areas I would like to pursue.

Freddie van Mierlo, who is standing for the Liberal Democrats, said: Henley doesnt need another celebrity MP  weve done that already as a constituency and as a country.

If done correctly, being an MP is a very demanding job, where you use your office to serve and advocate for local residents. We need someone who will take the time to work hard for their residents and run a strong constituency office. 
Total Investment of $16.2M supports first-ever federally funded diaper distribution program for low-income families.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration of Children and Families (ACF), announced an additional $8.2 million to support the first-ever federally funded diaper distribution program for low-income families. Initially launched in September 2022, the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (Diaper Distribution Pilot) will add an additional six states and one tribe to the original grant recipients to address widespread diaper need. This new allocation brings the total funding for the pilot to $16.2 million, which will support projects in a total of twelve states and two tribes.

Parents and caregivers need support when caring for a little one, and these grants will lower financial burden and anxieties at an important time in their lives, stated HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. HHS believes the Diaper Distribution Pilot fulfills a critical need for families and communities, and we are looking forward to expanding the program to serve additional communities in these new states and tribes.

The seven new grants will serve families in Alabama, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Utah, and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation. Grant recipients will work with Community Action Agencies, social service agencies, and local diaper banks to strengthen and expand existing distribution infrastructure and provide wraparound support services to assist families experiencing critical diaper need. The Diaper Distribution Pilot was designed to leverage established, community-based partnerships to not only address diaper needs but accelerate access to concrete supports for participating families.

One in three families in the United States do not have enough diapers to meet the needs of their babies and toddlers, noted ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras. Every family should have the resources to ensure they can maintain the health of their children without sacrificing their financial stability, and this program does exactly that.

Diaper need disproportionately impacts families with low incomes. Diapers alone can cost 8 percent of a persons total income if they are earning the federal minimum wage. Support for diapers and diapering supplies has been found to reduce economic stress, increase workforce participation, increase family income, and improve both children and caregivers health and wellbeing. Through ACFs Office of Community Services, the Diaper Distribution Pilot awarded $8 million in September 2022 to Arizona, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Virginia, and the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency in Washington state.

When a family lacks access to diapers, it impacts their overall health and wellbeing, said ACF Office of Community Services Director Dr. Lanikque Howard. This program will help families with young children at a time when they are in greatest need of relief.

For more information about the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot, you can watch this animated video in English, Spanish, or Mandarin.

To learn about ACF Office of Community Services other anti-poverty strategies, visit www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/help.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 21: Watching your family struggle through financial complications after your life-altering illness or unfortunate demise would be terrifying. That's where the role of life insurance comes into being. In short, life insurance policies get categorized into two different types. But due to the different benefits, policyholders prefer term insurance over the other life insurance plan.

Also regarded as pure life insurance, it offers financial protection to the nominee or beneficiary's family after their unfortunate death or illness. The term life insurance plan provides financial security. So, choosing the right plan becomes the most important parameter.

But as a beginner in this sector, you may go wrong with your decision. A wrong financial choice can affect your family's lifestyle. To avoid making such mistakes, please refrain from making the following mistakes.

Refrain from these Blunders When Investing in a Term Insurance Policy

If you don't want to affect your family's and lifestyle choices, make a solid decision by avoiding these blunders.

Mistake 1: Not Including Riders

Riders are optional benefits that you can get from your pure life insurance coverage. They are valuable investments in critical times, like disability issues, medical emergencies, or reduced earning potential. On such occasions, riders can enhance the overall benefits of their term life insurance. So, when you make a buying decision, please don't neglect the significance of riders that can offer you and your family comprehensive protection.

Mistake 2: Not Letting Your Nominee Know Anything About It

Of course, you would never want your family to be unfamiliar with the term policy after your death. So, it is pointless to hide the information from your nominee. After you buy the policy for your family member, ensure that they know about your purchase. They also need to keep a copy of the documents alongside payment receipts.

Mistake 3: Understand Your Future and Present Financial Liabilities

Sure that you have your own liabilities for the present and future days. You have your old parents financially or emotionally dependent on you, a non-working wife, and small children. Their expenses for necessities are your present liabilities, while their future expense is your future liability.

What if something happens to you after two years? What will your old parents, wife, and children do? Do you have home loans? You don't want to leave the burden on your close ones. So, before investing in a term cover, ensure you don't have future liabilities. Otherwise, your family will experience severe financial complications after your sudden death or life-threatening illness.

Mistake 4: Purchasing an Insufficient Policy

Thinking that a lower cover will be enough for your family is a sheer mistake. Although it keeps the premium amount low, not all low policies are appropriate for everyone. An insufficient sum assured may lead to funds drying up speedily. Note that a term plan always assists your family after your inevitable accident, injury, or death. So, such inadequate coverage can affect overall financial stability.

Mistake 5: Thinking Of Buying Late

An unmarried or young working adult should never consider buying a term insurance plan. But what if you get married after a few years? And you also have your financially dependent parents, isn't it? The premium paid at a young age is less than what you pay later in life. So, purchasing it at a young age will always be beneficial. You will have to pay the amount each year for around 25-30 years.

Final Thoughts

You may consider a term plan as an unnecessary investment. But the truth is a different story. It's a financial asset that provides your family with financial security and stability during crucial scenarios in life. You can easily protect your family's monetary future by avoiding the above mistakes. You may consider investing in an online term plan by exploring different variations.

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Air Carrier Go First Airways on Tuesday filed for insolvency resolution proceedings in the National Company Law Tribunal. It has also suspended its flights for the next three days. Go First said it has paid  5,657 crores to lessors in the last two years of which approximately  1600 crore was paid towards lease rent for non-operational grounded aircraft

The Wadia Group-owned air carrier with more than 5,000 employees has taken the decision amid severe fund crunch. The company's chief executive officer Kaushik Khona said that Go First has grounded 25 aircraft due to non-supply of engines by Pratt & Whitney (P&W).



What is voluntary insolvency?



In simple words, voluntary insolvency means that the company has accepted its business is insolvent. It is a process in which the company says it cannot pay debts and needs help from someone to sort it out. When the company goes insolvent, it can proceed to voluntary liquidation.



This process refers to the dissolution of a company with approval from shareholders and creditors of the company. It is a time-bound process which needs to be completed in 270 days from the date of commencement of Voluntary Liquidation.

Why this drastic step?

In a statement, Go First said it had to take the step due to the increasing number of failing engines supplies by Pratt & Whitney's International Aero Engines. This resulted in the airline being forced to ground 25 aircraft, which is approximately 50 per cent of its Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet as of 1 May 2023.

The company said it had been forced to apply to the company law tribunal after P&W refused to comply with an award issued by an emergency arbitrator appointed in accordance with the 2016 Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Pratt & Whitney had been directed to take all reasonable steps to release and dispatch without delay to GO FIRST at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by 27 April 2023 and a further 10 spare leased engines per month until December 2023.

Financial woes

Go First said it has lost revenue worth 10,800 crore due to the grounding of close to 50 per cent of its A320neo fleet. The company said it has paid

5,657 crores to lessors in the last two years of which approximately 1600 crore was paid towards lease rent for non-operational grounded aircraft from the funds infused by the Promoters & Government of Indias Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme.

The airline has also sought compensation worth 8,000 crore in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. In case the arbitration is successful, the company will be able to address the liabilities of its creditors, small and large.

What next?

As mentioned earlier, Go First has applied to the NCLT because of the persistent issues with the engines supplied by Pratt and Whitney. The engine supplier, according to the airline, has failed to repair those engines and/or provide sufficient spare leased engines as it was required to do pursuant to its obligations under the relevant agreements.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed a public gathering in Karnataka's Chitradurga ahead of the crucial assembly election in the state and said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming to make the state number one in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public gathering in Karnataka's Chitradurga on Tuesday.

READ | Congress unveils Karnataka poll manifesto, promises 2,000 a month to woman head of family

The BJP's election manifesto has a roadmap to make Karnataka the number one state in the country. It has a blueprint for the modern infrastructure, and has a focus on the empowerment of women and youth. We have to make Karnataka the driving force of a developed India, and for that we need to have a double-engine government," PM Modi said.

READ | In Karnataka poll manifesto, Congress equates Bajrang Dal to PFI, vows to ban it. Key points

The PM gathered a large crowd in Chitradurga and said that the BJP is Karnataka's preferred party and that the Congress can never compete with its developmental works. He also attacked both Congress and regional party, the Janata Dal (Secular).

READ | Karnataka Assembly Election 2023 LIVE Updates: PM Modi holds rally in Chitradurga

People of Karnataka should be alert about the Congress and JD(S), both are 'pariwaarwadis', support corruption and indulge in divisive politics, he said. The Congress questioned our own army when we released information about the surgical strike and airstrike. Remember that Congress has always supported terrorism, he added.

READ | 'Complete Muslim fundamentalist...': BJP's Himanta Sarma slams Cong' K'taka manifesto

The PM also tried his hands on a traditional instrument in Chitradurga. The saffron party released its poll manifesto for the state on Monday, promising three free gas cylinders and 500 ml milk daily for BPL (Below Poverty Line) cardholders, among other guarantees.

Other prominent leaders including union home minister Amit Shah are in the state for campaigns and rallies. Karnataka is set to vote next Wednesday, while counting is scheduled on May 13.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar suffered a bird hit to his helicopter on the way to Mulabagilu for an election rally on Tuesday. An eagle collided with the leader's chopper 's near the Jakkur airport, the Karnataka Congress said. Another person traveling along with Shivakumar sustained minor injuries in the incident.

Another person traveling along with Shivakumar sustained minor injuries in the incident, according to news agency ANI. Reports said the chopper made an emergency landing at the HAL airport. Visuals shared by the Karnataka Congress on social media showed that the helicopter's windshield glass was broken.

READ | Karnataka polls: 'BJP's manifesto has roadmap to make state no. 1', says PM Modi in Chitradurga

DK Sivakumar's helicopter was hit by an eagle at the Jakkur airport, as a result of which the glass was broken, however the helicopter landed safely without any untoward incident, the Karnataka Congress tweeted.

Shivakumar was headed towards Kolar district to attend a public meeting. The chopper flew from Jakkur airport in Bengaluru but was hit by an eagle and had to make an emergency landing at the HAL airport.

READ | In Karnataka poll manifesto, Congress equates Bajrang Dal to PFI, vows to ban it. Key points

All persons inside the helicopter are safe, the Congress said. Further details are underway. The Congress is busy with campaigns and rallies ahead of the Karnataka assembly election, due to be held next Wednesday. Prominent leaders including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi are in the midst of touring different parts of the state for roadshows and public meetings.

The Congress party also released its poll manifesto on Tuesday, in which they promised 200 units of free power to each household, 2,000 to each woman head of the family under the Gruha Lakshmi project and 3,000 to unemployed graduates for two years, among other things.
Braving the inclement weather conditions, 58.66% of voters stepped out to elect the new municipal corporation (MC) in Shimla even as the polling began on a slow note amid showers. A group of women after casting their vote for the Shimla MC polls in Bhattakufer. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

Of the total 49,760 male voters, 29,504 showed up at the polling booths to account for 59.29%. The figure was similar for female voters, with 25,881 of the 44,160, 58.6%, registered voters exercising their franchise.

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh, along with his wife Kamlesh and two daughters cast their votes at the polling booth at Central Tibetan School, Chotta Shimla. Sukhu, who has remained a three-time councillor from Chotta Shimla ward before he entered Vidhan Sabha from Naduan struck an emotional chord, meeting with the shopkeepers on the way and had tea at the stall right outside the school.

Education minister Rohit Thakur and Neeraj Nayyar Chamba, and legislator Neeraj Nayyar also accompanied him, as did the Congress candidate Surrender Chauhan, a close aide.

Its a pleasure that I am casting a vote to a man who used to paste my posters on the wall, Sukhu said, reminiscing his youthful days. I used to frequent the shops along with friends.

Former Union Minister Anand Sharma, meanwhile, cast his ballot at his home Bharari ward.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, raised serious questions on the voting by the Congress leaders. Sukhu too contested elections from Naduan, so why should he cast his vote from Shimla now, former urban development minister and four time legislator Suresh Bhardwaj said.

BJP also questioned the electronic voting machines (EVM) used in Chotta Shimla ward. Speaking of the same, leader of opposition and former CM Jai Ram Thakur saying, To win the election at any cost the Congress has now resorted to hooliganism.

Thakur alleged irregularities at Chotta Shimla and Kangnadhar wards, adding, I have personally taken up the matter with the state election commissioner and am waiting for his reply.

BJPs state president Rajeev Bindal, meanwhile, shared a screenshot of the state election commissions website purportedly showing a change sequencing of candidates at one of the wards.

Speaking of the polling, Shimla deputy commissioner Aditya Negi, meanwhile, said, By and large the polling was peaceful, there were no untoward incidents of violence. The rains slowed down the polling in the morning but it picked up by evening.

There are 102 candidates in the fray. There are 93,920 registered voters across the 34 wards in Shimla.

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Panic and chaos gripped the Narwal area of Jammu City after an explosion at a fuel station on Tuesday morning. No casualty was reported in the incident. Concrete pavements at the petrol pump got damaged following the explosion, at Narwal in Jammu. (ANI)

A proxy outfit United Liberation Front (ULF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Countering the same, Jammu East sub divisional police officer, deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Zaheer Abbas Jafri said, The blast occurred on Tuesday morning at a petrol pump near Narwal Mandi around 10.50 am. According to the fuel station owner, a short circuit in the electricity board caused it.

The DSP said a team of officials from the Indian Oil Corporation was also requisitioned to ascertain the cause of the explosion, which triggered chaos in the area as passer-bys ran for safety. The fuel stations windows were shattered and a minor fire also broke out after the incident.

Prima facie no terror angel was suspected in the incident.

An employee from the adjacent bank said, All of a sudden there were two blasts. We panicked fearing militant activity, but came to know that there was some short circuit or leakage in the pipes of the fuel station.

Sharing a picture of the incident with a message on social media, the ULF wrote, #Narwal BlastDont fool the public There is nothing like mysterious or lightning. The stooges of occupational forces try to make it look like a normal thing, but the public knows what exactly happened. Jammu will turn into a battleground for occupational stooges. A lot of mysterious things are going to happen now onwards. Count the numbers#ULF.

Police sources confided to HT that it is a common modus-operandi of proxy outfits to claim responsibility for such incidents.

Since they are proxy outfits, they do it for propaganda, a senior police officer said.

On January 21 amid Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra, twin blasts in the same Narwal area had left nine people injured. The two back-to-back blasts at 11.10 and 11.30 am respectively were suspected to be powerful sticky bombs or IEDs.

On April 20, meanwhile, at least five soldiers were killed and another injured after their army truck was ambushed at Tota Gali in Poonch district.

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Hundreds of farmers on Tuesday held a protest at the Karnal co-operative sugar mill against the delay in the disbursement of payment. Hundreds of farmers on Tuesday held a protest at the Karnal co-operative sugar mill against the delay in the disbursement of payment. (REUTERS File Photo)

Due to rain, they curtailed their protest march, but raised slogans against the government at the rest house of the sugar mill.

Later, they ended the protest after handing over a memorandum to the managing director of the sugar mill Dr Pooja Bharti. The MD had assured them that the payments would be disbursed at the earliest to the remaining farmers.

A group of farmers protested outside the SDM office, Indri, demanding the disbursement of the payment to farmers from Piccadilly sugar mill in Bhadson. They handed over a memorandum to the SDM in support of their demand.

Surinder Singh, district president of the BKU, said that as per the policy, the sugar mills have to clear the dues of the farmers in 14 days, but the payments are unscheduled, and farmers were waiting for their dues.
{The futures green} A farmer tending to his crop in a village in Kashmirs Uri district. (HT Photo)

Under the watchful eyes of Pakistani Army posts on a nearby hillock, 53-year-old Naseer Ahmad Mir, a resident of northern Kashmirs Nambla village at the Line of Control (LoC), is busy tending to peas farm  a new addition being grown in the region on an experimental basis.

This is the first time that I cultivated peas on the insistence of officials of the agriculture department on more than half a hectare of land in my village. Now, I am waiting to harvest it in one go, Mir said, adding that peace in the region has allowed for farming and experimentation in villages close to the LoC. They (officials) provided us with new seed and hopefully if we earn good this year then this will become our major cultivation product in future.

After peas, we will sow sweet corn in our fields, he exclaims.

Mir is not the only villager treading the path. There are in fact over half a dozen locals who have grown peas this year. I sold my crop soon after the harvest last week and got good rates, said Abdul Lateef, another farmer at Nambla, the village that has seen many deaths due to cross LoC shelling in the past years.

As the guns have fallen silent along the LoC after India and Pakistan declared ceasefire in 2021, the fields and orchards of Uri are yielding different varieties of vegetables and fruits as villagers are able to spend more time in their fields courtesy the peaceful environs.

A first for Uri

The border town with 102 villages is all set to become a vegetable hub of north Kashmir as for the first time, the peas produced in fields of Uri were exported to Asias largest fruit mandi in Azadpur Delhi.

The first batch of 400 kg organic peas was dispatched to mandi by air from Srinagar airport. We have great potential for export of peas. Its for the first time that peas from Uri were dispatched to Azadpur fruit mandi and the peas fetched a good price, sub division agriculture officer Daljit Singh said, adding, Earlier we used to get peas from other states in Jammu for Kashmir. Now peas from Uri are sold here.

Officials concerned and farmers are now setting their eyes on the markets of the Middle East, especially Dubai. And if everything goes as per plan, the peas cultivated in the remote Uri villages could be sold at food chains in Dubai and the other Gulf countries from next season.

We did it on an experimental basis and fetched 30 more per kg than Srinagar markets. We have introduced the new seeds PB 89 which is showing tremendous results and every year more and more area is being brought under the vegetable cultivation in Uri, said Daljit Singh. who played a pivotal role in the promotion of the agriculture sector in the border area.

In the next few years, the villages of Uri could be a game changer in vegetable, mushroom and other items, he added.

Building a support system

The region was previously known for its walnut production in small landholdings. Support from the agriculture department, however, helped farmers turning unutilised land into productive farming fields and the majority of farmers are encouraged to use manure rather than the fungicides and fertilisers.

Abdul Qayoom Khan and his three children are earning their livelihood from the agricultural products and they were first to export 3.5 quintals of peas from Uri. We were encouraged to grow peas by officials and now hope the reap could be around 25 to 30 quintal.

We collectively work in the fields and now we want our future generations to take our mission forward, he said, while working in the fields.

A unique produce

The peas cultivated in Uri are unique in taste due to the moderate environment and the special quality of soil. Our peas are first to arrive in Jammu and Kashmir. And now more and more people are cultivating the crop, said Afzal Khan who was also working in his farm.

In Uri, peas, a crop sown in the month of November and reaped in April, are cultivated at Warikah, Salamabad and Nambla divisions.

Officials said currently 120 hectares of land is under pea cultivation and produce per hectare varies from 30 to 40 quintals at an average. Other vegetable varieties like tomato, knol khol, cucumber, bottle gourd, brinjal are the major vegetable varieties which could become cash crops in near future.

Agriculture Extension Officer, Gurdeep Singh said the department has distributed the seed at farmers doorstep in far flung areas and villages close to the LoC. We are trying to get GI certification for some vegetables of Uri that could fetch handsome rates and villagers can earn their livelihood from selling vegetables, he added.

Owais Shafi from Salamabad, who graduated with an MBA from Punjab has been cultivating peas in one of his plots and thinks it could bring good dividends. Hopeful of further growth, he said, From last year I started cultivation of peas on my 3.5 kanal of land. So far, I have already sold 1,500 kg and expect a couple of hundred kg more in the coming days. Hopefully in the coming years, this could become our major cash crop.
: The government offices in the city were brimming with activity on Tuesday, with employees trickling in early in the morning in adherence to the governments announcement of new office timings from 7:30am. DC Ludhiana Surabhi Malik in her office in Ludhiana on Tuesday. (Manish/HT)

Senior officials from various departments, including district commissioner Surabhi Malik, municipal commissioner Shena Aggarwal, civil surgeon Hitender Kaur and other staff members arrived at their respective offices at 7:30 am. However, arrival of visitors at the offices at that time remained low.

The Punjab Government had announced working hours at all the government offices in Punjab to be changed to 7:30am to 2pm from May 2 onwards. The orders will remain applicable till July 15. The decision was taken to reduce the electricity load during peak hours in the summer season.

Waking up early increases productivity: DC Malik

At the deputy commissioners office at the mini-secretariat, Rahul Chaba, additional deputy commissioner (ADC, general) was the first officer to reach office, followed by deputy commissioner (DC) Surabhi Malik.

Waking up early is already a tradition in India and our parents do encourage us to wake up early in the morning, it increases productivity, Malik said.

With the new timings, people belonging to service class can go to their workplace after getting their work done from the government offices in the morning, otherwise they would be forced to either get a day off or get a break from their jobs, she said.

She said that the move will help to manage the electricity load as demand and consumption of power will increase in the summer season.

Malik added that she would talk to the employees of the office to come 30 minutes earlier and do some physical activity for being healthy. She checked the attendance and found most of the staff present.

Joyful scenes at MC office

Municipal staffers were seen exchanging joyful remarks and congratulating each other for making it well on time on the first day.

A staffer at municipal corporations Zone D office said, It was a bit exciting as it is the first time I left home to come to work so early. Adjusting to the new routine will take time.

A majority of staffers arrived at their respective offices on time. The MC commissioner also issued notices to the staff who were late and directed them to be punctual.

An MC official requesting anonymity said that the new timings have put the property tax recovery staff into a dilemma.

Most of the property owners arrive at their offices well after 11 am. As the official timings are 7:30am to 2 pm, how will we meet our targets with just three hours of work, the official said.

Another staffer said that official meetings usually start after lunch and go on till evening. It is expected that they will have to spend extra hours in the office for a few days till all get used to the new timetable, the official said.

Difficulties for staffers living out of city

Several employees of the various departments, including health and electricity, who travel regularly from different towns and cities such as Raikot, Ferozepur, Malerkolta, and Jalandhar left their homes in the wee hours to make to the office on time.

SR Vashishat, chief engineer of central zone, PSPCL, Ludhiana said, though most of the staffers had reached on time, some of them got late as only a few buses are scheduled at the time with most of them filled up to capacity.

He said that the timetable of buses should be changed to be favourable for the employees who travel from different cities.

Sharing his experience of boarding an overloaded bus, a PSPCL employee said that he had to climb atop to find a place to sit in a fully packed bus at around 5.30 am in the morning.

On the other hand, staffers who drive themselves to the office were relieved with the change in time as they were saved from regular traffic jams during peak hours.

Children visit office with parents

An employee of the district education office reached office with his daughter in uniform. The employee stated that he used to reach the office after dropping her daughter at school. As the government changed the timings of the offices, he brought his daughter to the office. After marking attendance and starting working, he said he will make some arrangements to send her to school.

Employees in office, but no visitors

Employees at the Secretary of Regional Transport Authoritys office reached on time, but there was no visitor. The office usually sees scores of visitors who wait for a long duration in rows to pay for their challans and complete other formalities. Visitors started coming after 8:30 am.

The public dealing counters at MC offices also recorded a low footfall, an official said.

On usual days, we do not get even a minute as the counters remain jam-packed. Today, there were only around 10 visitors till 8:30am, the official said.
The Haryana Police on Tuesday said that its ATM Fraud Investigation Cell has nabbed five persons in two different untraced cases of ATM fraud in Faridabad district and recovered 2.36 lakh in cash from the accused. The Haryana Police on Tuesday said that its ATM Fraud Investigation Cell has arrested five persons in two different untraced cases of ATM fraud in Faridabad district and recovered  2.36 lakh in cash from the accused. (Representational image)

The arrested accused used to station themselves outside ATM kiosks and pretend to stand in a queue to withdraw money. They used to change debit cards on the pretext of helping the victims and later withdrew money from the ATM through shopping or POS machines, a Haryana Police spokesperson said.

In one case, police arrested Goverdhan, a resident of Palwal district and his two aides identified as Krishan and Lakshman, aka Lacchi. All three accused fraudulently withdrew 5,55,684 from bank account of a woman by changing her ATM on the pretext of assistance in Faridabad.

After receiving a complaint in this regard, a case was registered at police station Mujesar, Faridabad. However, despite the efforts of the local police, the case was declared untraceable in March 2021 and the case was handed over to the State Crime Branch, Haryana.

The police spokesperson said 92,500 were recovered from Goverdhan, while 17,500 and 24,500 were recovered from Krishan and Lakshman, respectively. Apart from this, due to the objection raised by the State Crime Branch at the time of bail, 1 lakh was also recovered from the accused on the orders of the court.

In another case, the ATM Fraud Investigation Cell has succeeded in arresting two accused identified as Sandeep and Mohammad Shazaad, alias Shahid, linked to a fraud case. Both the accused fraudulently withdrew 58,000 from the bank account of Uttar Pradesh native, presently residing in Faridabad in January 2022.
After three months of deficit rainfall, Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh received above normal rainfall in the month of April, officials said. The month of April witnessed just above normal rainfall after three months of deficit precipitation. (HT File)

The data provided by the meteorological departments (MeT) local centre, the union territories collectively received 113 mm of average precipitation in April against a normal of 99.5 mm  registering an increase of 13%.

The month of April witnessed just above normal rainfall of 112.9 mm after three months of deficit precipitation, the centres deputy director Mukhtar Ahmad said, adding that the months of March and April are the wettest months in the region. In 2017, we had recorded 222 mm of rain in April, the highest in 15 years, he said.

Another meteorologist, Mohammad Hussain Mir, said April received normal rainfall last year as well.

The weather in April has been its usual last year also, though we have been witnessing up and down in other months, he said.

The month also witnessed light snowfall in upper reaches intermittently. Gulmarg had received 16.4 cm of snowfall in the month.

District wise, some areas received more than double precipitation than normal while two districts in Jammu recorded 45 to 85 percent deficit rainfall.

Kashmirs northern district of Kupwara recorded an increase of 127% with 163.5 mm rain in the month. The highest 212.6 mm rainfall was recorded in another northern district, Baramulla, an 87% departure from the normal. The summer capital Srinagar recorded a 76% increase with 165 mm rains.

In Jammu division, Samba district recorded an 86% departure from normal and received 46 mm rains. The highest rainfall in the division was recorded in Poonch with 169 mm rains, followed by Doda with 154 mm precipitation.

The Ladakh union territory, though contributing negligibly to the over precipitation of the overall region, also recorded an increase in precipitation. The Kargil district recorded 25.6 mm rainfall, up from a normal of 2.8 mm  a whopping increase of 814%.

Ahmad said the marginally above normal precipitation would recharge the groundwater levels, adding, Our farmers face a lot of issues if there is a deficit, although we already have deficit months this year,

In the winter months of January and February, Jammu and Kashmir had received 22% deficit rains and snowfall.

Rains continue in Kashmir

Rains lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday bringing down the day temperatures below normal.

The meteorological department said that Srinagar recorded 3.4 mm rainfall, Pahalgam 6.1 mm, Kokernag 6.1 mm and Gulmarg 7.4 mm in Kashmir while Jammu city recorded 9.7 mm rainfall, 6.2 in Batote and 4.6 mm in Bhaderwah in Jammu division.

In Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a maximum of 19.8 degree Celsius, some 2.5 degrees below normal while Jammu city witnessed day temperature of 22.8 degree Celsius, some 12.9 degrees below normal, a department official said.

The weather is expected to be fair to partly cloudy with brief spells of rain, thunderstorm towards late afternoon or evenings between May 4 to 6.
{Vaishno Devi stampede} Jammu and Kashmir HC directed the UTadministration to take act on a three-member inquiry report into Vaishno Devi stampede. (PTI)

A division bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh high court comprising chief justice N Kotiswar Singh and justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal has directed the UT administration (Jammu and Kashmir) to take necessary action after taking into account the three-member inquiry report with regard to the stampede that claimed 12 lives at the cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on January 1 last year.

It may be stated here that lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha had marked a high-level probe to the three-member panel headed by the then home secretary Shaleen Kabra. Its other members were the then divisional commissioner Raghav Langer and Additional director general of police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh. The probe report, which was to look into the causes of the said stampede and to identify the delinquent officials responsible for the stampede, had to be submitted within a weeks time by January 7 last year.

Disposing off a petition filed by advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, the division bench further directed the UT administration and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Authorities to take effective steps in furtherance of the decision and recommendations of the three member committee constituted for ensuring safety of pilgrims and devotees.

This PIL was filed by advocate Ahmed seeking action on the inquiry report and making it public for ensuring accountability and fixing of responsibility against the delinquent officials.

Advocates HA Siddiqui and Supriya Chouhan appeared for the petitioner, whereas advocate general (AG) DC Raina alongwith senior additional AGs Monika Kohli and Raman Sharma and advocate Adarsh Sharma appeared for UT administration and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

While disposing off the petition, the bench observed, We are satisfied with regard to the steps taken by the Board to regulate the smooth conduct of the Yatra, therefore, no fruitful purpose would be achieved to keep the present PIL alive and we deem it appropriate to close the proceedings in the present PIL.

We have not been apprised about the report of the said committee. However, the learned counsel for the union territory assures this court that appropriate action as warranted in terms of the report will be taken. In light of the assurance extended by the learned counsel for the Union Territory, necessary actions in the matter be taken in terms of the report submitted by the said committee, it observed further.

The division bench concluded, Accordingly, we direct the respondents (UT administration) to take effective steps in furtherance of the decision and recommendations of the said Committee so constituted for ensuring safety of the pilgrims and devotees.

At least 12 pilgrims were killed and 16 others injured on the fateful night at the cave shrine at 2.40 am on January 1 last year.

Survivors from Mumbai, Pathankot and Prayagraj, who spoke to HT over the phone, had recalled the nightmarish experience. We reserve the right to know whose fault it was that took away 12 precious lives and injured scores. We had gone there to seek blessings of the deity for a prosperous New Year and not to get trampled, Sumit Kumar, 32, of Pathankot had told HT.

Those who died there had gone to pay obeisance and seek blessing for a prosperous New Year for themselves and their families. They returned home in body bags, he had said.

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The economic offences wing of Chandigarh Police has arrested a Karnataka native for duping at least 12 residents of Chandigarh by luring them with high returns through investments in his financial company. The Karnataka mans arrest came following a probe into a case from December 2022, registered at the Sector-39 police station on the complaint of one of the victims, Shubham Dhiman of Sector 38, Chandigarh. (Getty images)

The accused, Shivaji Singh, is a resident of Prestine Hill View Society, Chikkajala, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

His arrest came following a probe into a case from December 2022, registered at the Sector-39 police station on the complaint of one of the victims, Shubham Dhiman of Sector 38.

Dhiman told the police that he had invested in Earnedly Financial Services Limited, Sector 38, on assurances of Rohit Kumar Singh, who is running the company along with his father, Shivaji Singh, wife Meera Sharma and mother Lalita Devi. However, they neither paid the promised returns nor returned his money.

Police said during the course of investigation, multiple similar complaints were received from other victims, who had invested around 2 crore in all in the said company.

Following further probe, police arrested Shivaji from Bengaluru on April 25. He was sent to police custody till May 4 by a Chandigarh court. We are raiding the hideouts of other accused, said a senior police officer.
As many as 20 employees at the District Administrative Complex in Mohali were issued warning notices for arriving late to work after the new summer timings kicked in on Tuesday. Employees lining up to mark biometric attendance at the MC office in Mohali on Tuesday morning. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT)

In line with the Punjab governments decision, the administration had switched to the 7.30 am to 2 pm schedule from Tuesday. But 20 employees were found absent from duty as the offices opened at 7.30 am.

Confirming the development, deputy commissioner Aashika Jain said surprise checks will be conducted on a regular basis to maintain punctuality among employees.

Meanwhile, at the municipal corporation office, seven employees sought leave, while the rest reported on time. As senior officials were manning the entrance to check punctuality, employees braving rain rushed to meet the revised timings.

Section of employees flays move

Many government employees, particularly women, complained about the new office timing, citing complete disruption of their daily schedule.

They said instead of waiting for the school bus, they had to themselves drive their children to school to reach office on time.

We have to prepare breakfast and lunch for the family, and get children ready for school before rushing to office. I had to also wake my kid up early to drive him to school before heading to work, said a government employee entering the PSEB office in Phase 8.

Employees reaching Mohali from other districts were more upset, complaining that they had to wake up at 4 am and start their journey by 5.30 am to reach office on time.

We travel from Khanna and Rupnagar daily. We somehow made it work today, but well have to look for a rented accommodation for two months, as it will be difficult to keep up with this schedule, said two government employees at the administrative office.

Some welcome change

Meanwhile, a number of residents and government employees welcomed the move, saying that the closing of offices early will offer employees more time to spend with their families. People are always reluctant to any change. Soon they will adapt to the new schedule and everything will be streamlined, said Tarsem Singh, who was visiting from Mansa.

However, many people unaware of the new timings kept visiting the offices till 3 pm, only to return empty handed.
A sense of normalcy returned to Ludhianas Giaspura on Tuesday where a tragedy had unfolded two days ago. Residents and shopkeepers were seen engaging in their daily routine, but not without visible fear on their faces. Residents returning to their home after two days in Ludhiana on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

Several people living in the vicinity of the centre of catastrophe that claimed 11 lives on Sunday, who had moved to safer locations, returned to their homes. Shops and eateries, which were shut down, also reopened as the police reduced their cordon to only 30 to 50 metres. There was minimal presence of cops and teams of other departments concerned on the ground.

Moving back to their residence located right in front of the Goyal milk shop, where initial effects of the toxic gas were witnessed, Sikanti Kumari said they are a family of 20. We couldnt afford to stay away from our home anymore. It is still frightening for us, but we are helpless, she added.

Sikanti was among the residents who had rescued the 10-month-old baby of the Goyal family. She, along with her family members, had to leave when the effect of the deadly gas started reaching their home.

We have four cows to take care of. The decision to move back here is more of a compulsion than a choice, said Ajit Kumar, 20, another member of Sikantis family. He said as the source of the deadly gas has not yet been established, rains on Tuesday morning added to their anxiety and reminded them of the night before Sunday. Showers had lashed the area on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, hours before the tragedy.

He further said that his entire family, especially the children, were still in a state of trauma and scared to step out of the home.

Among the shopkeepers who ran their business a few yards away from the spot is Veer Bhan, who owns a saree shop and hails from Haryanas Ambala.

I, along with my family, have been living in the area for the last two years. I run a shop on the ground floor while my family resides on the second floor. We had to spend two days at our relatives home, he said.

Bhan said even a slight odour of something unusual makes him uncomfortable. I have kept all windows of my house open and plan to stay awake during the night to ensure that my family remains safe, he added.

Another shopkeeper, who wished not to be named, said most of the people in the area belong to labour class and are less educated. Many people are also spreading rumours and fanning superstitious beliefs.
The CEO of a Pune-based courier firm and his employees are facing a case of criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy after 82 of 216 mobile phones in a parcel dispatched from Chandigarh to Maharashtra through their service went missing. The courier firm CEO and employees have been booked on the complaint of Ravneel Malhotra, owner of Tech Arena, Sector 22, Chandigarh. (Getty Images)

The accused have been identified as Amitva Saha, CEO of Busybees Logistics Solutions, Sandeep Nair (assistant manager), Anurag Mishra (security officer), Satish Kumar (area manager) and Om Parkash, who picked up the parcel on behalf of the firm.

They have been booked on the complaint of Ravneel Malhotra, owner of Tech Arena, Sector 22, and resident of Mohali.

Malhotra submitted in his police complaint that on January 7, 2023, he informed officials of Flipkart Warehouses (Sunset) in Haryana that a consignment of 216 mobile phones was ready and they could send someone to collect it.

He received a call from Flipkart officials that Busybees Logistics will send someone to collect the consignment. On January 11, Omprakash from the company collected the phone boxes that were packed in front of him with videography, and 216 mobile phones were dispatched in separate batches.

However, the Flipkart warehouse received only 134 mobile phones.

When he approached the courier firms local office in Industrial Area, Phase 1, on February 9, area manager Satish Kumar claimed that the consignment was delivered as received. Area security officer Anurag sought the videos of the parcels, but gave no further response, following which Malhotra approached the police.

The Sector 17 police have registered a case and launched further probe to arrest the accused.
The Punjab and Haryana high court has refused to quash a criminal case against three persons even as the cabbie who was allegedly robbed off his car had compromised with the three accused. The Punjab and Haryana HC has refused to quash a criminal case against three persons even as the Gurugram cabbie who was allegedly robbed off his car had compromised with the three accused. (Getty Images/ Representational image)

Having regard to the nature of crime allegedly committed in this case, which is a crime not against individual person, rather against society at large, having impact on society, this court is of the opinion that this is not a fit case where FIR in question and subsequent proceedings should be quashed on the basis of a compromise, the bench of justice Deepak Gupta observed dismissing the plea.

The three accused had filed a plea in the high court claiming that they had compromised the matter with the complainant, an Uber driver, from whom they had allegedly robbed the car along with his valuables.

The plea was filed on May 2, 2022, upon which the high court had asked them to appear before the judicial magistrate concerned along with the complainant and record their statements. The report from the magistrate said that they had compromised the matter. However, the state government had opposed quashing of the FIR in January 2023 pointing out the heinous nature of the crime.

As per the proceedings, the cabbie associated with Uber got a message from the company regarding a booking from the Gurugram bus stand on August 29, 2021. Three people boarded the cab for Jaipur but on the way, they stopped the vehicle on some pretext and assaulted him and robbed him of his vehicle and valuables. The FIR was registered the next day.

Subsequently, three alleged accused were arrested, and recoveries as claimed by the complainant were made along with a country made pistol used to assault him. Challan was also presented against the three, but they somehow convinced the complainant for a compromise.

The bench recorded that the high court has powers to quash FIRs, but the present case does not fall in any of the categories in which the cancellation of FIR can be ordered as it was a case of heinous crime.

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The new timing in Punjab government offices came into effect on rainy Tuesday morning with chief minister Bhagwant Mann saying the move will not just save power but also result in many other benefits. The new timing will remain in force till July 15 and result in an estimated saving of up to  42 crore during the two-and-a-half month period. (HT Photo)

With effect from May 2, the timing of state government departments has been changed from the earlier 9am-5pm shift to 7.30am-2pm. The new timing will remain in force till July 15 and result in an estimated saving of up to 42 crore during the two-and-a-half month period, said Mann who, along with his staff, arrived at the civil secretariat in Chandigarh at 7.28am.

Several Punjab ministers, including Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora, besides the Speaker, Kultar Sandhwan, also reached their offices according to the new timing.

According to the power department, peak consumption hours are from 1.30pm to 4pm and the new timing will help ease the load during those hours. I want to clarify that we are not imposing any cut on industry or domestic power consumers like we used to see earlier, Mann told reporters and added We have enough power to supply for paddy sowing.

Asked if the changed timing could be extended beyond July 15, the chief minister said the government will see the results of the move and take feedback from stakeholders, including employees and the public, and then take a call on it.

Mann claimed that a few states had contacted him for feedback about the initiative.

Morning rush to reach work

Employees rushed to reach offices despite the rain across the state to meet the new timings as the government had passed strict instructions to the heads of departments.

State government offices in Amritsar town were also buzzing with activity since 7.30am. Amritsar deputy commissioner Harpreet Singh Sudan led the way in ensuring his team reported in time.

As the opening timing neared, the employees rushed to the District Administration Complex where most of the government offices are situated. However, it was not easy for many of them to reach so early and they shared their problems in doing so. Many employees hailing from far distant areas faced transportation issue. They did not find buses to reach the city as there are very limited buses which connect these areas to the city. However, they managed to do so as government directions are mandatory for them to be followed.

Sanitation staff at receiving end

The biggest problem was faced by the Safai Sewaks (sanitation workers) who are to reach one and half prior to the office timing so that they could clean the offices before other employees reach. I come daily from the village Harsha Chhina which is situated near border by bus. Today, I had to wake up 4.30 am. At 5am, I left for the office at 5am. However, these was no bus facility at that time. Then, I asked one of my family members to drop me at the point where I could take auto-rickshaw, said Navdeep Kaur. On poor turnout of public in the morning, deputy commissioner Harpreet Singh Sudan said, Most of the work is done online or through Sewa Kendras. Time of these Sewa Kendras has not been changed and is 9am to 5pm. So, people reached the administration complex as per the timing of these Kendras.

Mixed response to new timings

Bathinda ADC (general) Pallavi was the first senior functionary to reach the district administrative complex at 7.20am. As the presence of officers and their subordinate staff was almost normal on day one, people demand uniformity in the working hours of the Sewa Kendra and other government departments in Bathinda. Located at the district administrative complex (DAC), SK is a key service provider for registration including driving/arms licenses, birth and death, medical and Aadhar.

A resident of Jai Singhwala, about 16-kms from Bathinda district headquarters, Bagga Singh reached Sewa Kendra for registration of his daughters mental health certificate. But he found the centre locked at 7.30 am on Tuesday. I work as a daily wage labourer and thought I would be free in time. But on reaching here, I am told to wait till 9 pm when Sewa Kendra staff starts working.

There should not be a mismatch in the working hours of public services in the same complex, he said. Deputy commissioner Showkar Ahmad Parray admitted the issue and added he would apprise the state authorities for redressal. Kuldeep Sharma, president DC office employees union, said the state government should have opted to disconnect the power supply of air conditioners to save electricity and stick to the regular office time.

In Mohali, government employees began arriving for work before time but there were hardly any visitors.

In Sangrur, officers and employees working at the district administration complex were in time but some officials whose offices are not in the administration complex could not show up in time.

Besides, the Sewa Kendras were found closed in Bathinda and Sangrur at 7.30am and confusion prevailed till officials clarified that their timing has not been changed as they are managed by a private agency.

The decision of the state government to change timings of government offices from 7:30am to 2pm from Tuesday received mixed response in Jalandhar. Employees, belonging to Jalandhar city and its peripheral area, were satisfied with the government decision, while those travelling from away places to district administration complex were miffed over government decision.

One of the employees working in the district complex, She belongs to Shahkot, which is 48-km away from district headquarters, and had to board a bus at 5:30am to reach office at 7:30 am on Tuesday.

Usually, I started around 7:30am to reach office at 9, while on Tuesday, she started her day at 4am to get ready and complete household chores before reaching office on time, he said.

Meanwhile, senior officials including deputy commissioner Jaspreet Singh and heads of other departments reached the mini secretariat complex on time.

Another local employee said though the routine gets upset with new timings but the new office timings will help to spend time with family and children after office hours.

Almost all senior officials from various departments including Ludhiana deputy commissioner Surabhi Malik, municipal commissioner Shena Aggarwal, civil surgeon Hitender Kaur and other staff members at their respective offices arrived at 7:30 am, however, the footfall of visitors remained low. The DC checked the attendance and found most of the staff present. The number of visitors was, however, low as people were yet to get used to the new timings. The employees of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation were present in time in the Zone D office.

Outstation staff face travel delay

Employees coming from far-off places found it difficult to reach office on time.

A clerk, requesting anonymity, said, I live in Bhawanigarh and it takes 30 minutes to reach office in Sangrur. I go to office daily by bus. Today, I didnt get the bus on time so reported late by a few minutes. The government should also change the timings of buses.

A woman employee said, My husband is also a government employee. We have to two school-going children. I have to get them ready before coming to work so its tougher for me now.

Yet another employee, who is a resident of Bathinda, said, Earlier, I managed to reach office by 9am. Now I have to leave home at 5am but this cant be happening daily. I will request a transfer.

(With inputs from HT reporters in Bathinda, Ludhiana, Mohali, Ludhiana , Amritsar Sangrur)
Four inmates of rival Gogi gang killed jailed gangster Sunil Maan alias Tillu Tajpuriya, 33, after attacking him with a bar from an iron grill inside a high-risk ward of Delhis Tihar Jail on Tuesday morning, police said. Sunil Maan alias Tillu Tajpuriya. (Sourced)

Tajpuriya was named the mastermind of the September 2021 shootout at Delhis Rohini court that left his friend-turned-rival gangster Jitender Maan, alias Gogi, dead. Gunmen dressed as lawyers killed Gogi inside a courtroom before police shot dead the two assailants.

Police said Tajpuriyas attackers were lodged on the first floor of the high-security ward. They cut the grill and came to the ground floor where Tajpuriya was lodged using bedsheets. Another inmate identified as Rohit suffered injuries in Tuesdays attack but was said to be out of danger.

Delhi prisons chief Sanjay Baniwal said Deepak alias Titar, 31, Yogesh alias Tunda, 30, Rajesh, 42, and Riyaz Khas, 39, lodged on the first floor of the same high-risk ward attacked Tajpuria around 6.15 am.

They cut the iron grill installed on the first floor of the ward and used [the bar as] an improvised ice pick. Tillu was injured and rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital after the required medical attention at the jail. Tajpuriya died during treatment at the DDU hospital, said Baniwal.

Additional deputy police commissioner (west) Akshat Kaushal said they were told that two under-trial prisoners were admitted to DDU Hospital with injuries from Tihar Jail. One of them, Sunil alias Tilu was brought [to the hospital] in an unconscious state. He was later declared dead. Another inmate, Rohit is undergoing treatment and is out of danger.

A second jail official said Tajpuriya, who was lodged in jail number 8-9, was attacked when barracks were opened in the morning. ...Tajpuriya was stabbed with the rod, said the jail official, asking not to be named.

An officer from the Special Cell of Delhi Police, which is involved in operations against gangsters, said Yogesh alias Tunda and Deepak alias Teetar attacked Tillu by breaking the iron grills of the ward that separated them.

A resident of Tajpur village near Delhis Alipur, Tajpuriya was arrested in 2016. Tajpuriya and his gangs rivalry with Gogis gang dated back to 2009 when they were friends but supported different candidates in elections in Swami Shraddhanand College in Outer Delhi.

Differences arose between them during the elections and the friends became enemies. Their rivalry has claimed over 20 lives since 2013. Gogi was shot dead on September 24, 2021...Tajpuriya emerged as the mastermind behind Gogis attack. He was arrested and charge-sheeted in the case, said the special cell officer.

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With 25 of Delhis top crime lords housed inside different jails in three different jails in Delhi -- where the total number of inmates tops 20,000 against a holding capacity of 10,000 -- the odds for the security personnel are staggering. Relatives of Tillu Tajpuria, a jailed gangster and an accused in the 2021 Rohini court shootout case, outside the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, in New Delhi, Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Read here: Tajpuria murder: Rights body issues notices; Delhi govt to conduct inquiry

The countrys largest jail is no stranger to gang violence with members of different gangs striking at their rivals taking advantage of lacunae in security. Tillu Tajpuria allegedly conspired and planned the murder of his arch-rival Jitender Gogi at Rohini District Court iin September, from behind the walls of Tihar. According to investigators, Tajpuria even got live updates from the court on a mobile phone in his jail cell. On Tuesday, however, members of the Gogi gang struck back exploiting the same gaps in jail security that allowed Tajpuria carry a cell phone in prison.

According to senior police officers who have put many of these gangsters behind bars, the jail plays host to the whos who of Delhis crime world. From Neeraj Bawana, Manjeet Mahal, Kala Jatheri and Neetu Dabodia to Irfan Chhenu and Hashim Baba -- Tihar is home to leaders of almost all big gangs. They added that with many of their gang members also lodged with them, the jail has become a volatile place in terms of security.

And, they said, there are no holy cows, as evident in the brazen attack on Tajpuria who is listed among the most notorious gangsters.

One cant rule out that now Tajpurias associates will also try to eliminate their Gogi counterparts. The fact is that the gangsters have become a threat to law and order both inside and outside the jail, said Sanjay Baniwal, director general (prisons).

Before gangster Tillu Tajpurias murder on Tuesday morning, at least three other inmates working with different gangs had been murdered by their rivals in Tihar since 2020, prison records show.

Read here: Activists in Delhi seek emission data for waste-to-energy plant

On November 30, 2020, an associate of Neeraj Bawana gang was allegedly stabbed to death by four associates of rival gang. Two years later on August 22, a member of Irfan Chhenu gang was allegedly thrashed to death by his rivals. On April 14 this year, gangster Prince Tewatia was killed by his friend-turned-foe Attaur Rehman alias Atwa and Vinay Sharma following a fight. The alleged killers were the members of Rohit Choudhary gang.

Senior police officers said that the three jails in Delhi -- Tihar, Mandoli and Rohini -- together hold members of nearly 160 different gangs.

Prison officials said smaller gangs often converge with the bigger ones when they come in contact with prominent members of the leaders of the other group. Baniwal said this regrouping and frequent change in allegiance makes it difficult for the jail staff to track their movement and asses the threat to each gang posed by their rivals. Unlike other inmates, gangsters lodged in high-security jails make plans to settle scores with rival gangs by recruiting new members. Even in Tajpurias killing, the rival gang hired two new recruits, who were among the attackers, said a Tihar official, asking not to be named.

Tihar jail has nearly 150 wards, of which 10 are dubbed high-sensitive wards. We need more high-sensitive wards as these wards can accommodate a maximum of 50 prisoners. But due to dearth of space, we are unable to increase the number, said a Tihar jail official.

Baniwal said that they try to create a balance to manage the numbers of prisoners and prevent violence. We have limited wards and prisons. So, we cant keep the members of different gangs in exclusive wards. What we do is keep an equal number of members of different gangs together to deter them from clashing, he said.

The 16 jails in Delhis three central prison complexes have over 22,000 inmates though they are designed to accommodate 10,200 inmates. In Tihar jail number 8, where Tajpuria was killed by his rivals, there are over 2,300 inmates against the capacity of holding 1,200 inmates. These jails are also short-staffed. As per the jail manual, there should be one warder for eight inmates. But in reality one warder keeps an eye on almost 700 inmates here. As far as availability of improvised weapons with the gangsters is concerned, we regularly conduct thorough checking of the inmates. But checking over 22,000 inmates every day is impossible, Baniwal said talking about maintaining order inside prisons.

Read here: Iron bars bent, spoons turned into knives in war inside Tihar

To prevent another clash, Baniwal said an internal committee was asked on Tuesday to submit a detailed report about the incident within 24 hours. We need to create more effective and immediate response time in such incidents. We are going to effect a major reshuffle in jail security personnel so that there will be no possibility of their mingling with the hardcore gangsters. The commandant of Tamil Nadu Special Protection Force (TNSPF), which is responsible for security on prison premises, has been asked to submit a detailed report after conducting the security audit of the Tihar jails, he said.

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Tillu Tajpuriya, a jailed gangster who was an accused in Delhi's Rohini court shootout case, was killed allegedly by rival gang members in Tihar jail on Tuesday morning. Gangster Tillu Tajpuriya and Deepak alias Titar, Yogesh alias Tunda

Sunil Maan alias Tillu Tajpuriya,33, was immediately taken to Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Tajpuriya was killed after he was attacked and stabbed with an iron rod inside Tihar Jail allegedly by at least four jail inmates, purportedly belonging to his rival group.

The attackers -- Deepak alias Titar, Yogesh alias Tunda, Rajesh and Riyaz Khan -- were lodged on the first floor of the same ward.

Who was Sunil Maan alias Tillu Tajpuriya?

1. A resident of Tajpur village near Alipur in Delhi, Tillu Tajpuriya was arrested in 2016 for his multiple crimes and since then he has been in jail.

2. In September 2021, Tajpuriya was allegedly involved in the murder of Jitender Maan alias Gogi in a shootout inside a courtroom at Rohini courts complex.

3. Gogi, 30, who was in Tihar jail, had come to court for a hearing on September 24. Within minutes of Gogis entering the court, two gunmen, who were in lawyerss attire shot Gogi dead. The two gunmen, who are members of Tillu gang, were shot dead by the police team. Until his arrest in March 2020, Gogi, a resident of Alipur in outer Delhi was the most wanted gangster in Delhi. He had at least 19 cases of murder, robbery, and extortion.

4. The rivalry between Tillu and Gogi dates back to 2009-10, when both were friends but supporting different candidates in elections in Swami Shraddhanand College in outer Delhi.

5. "Differences arose between them during the elections and the friends became enemies. Their rivalry has claimed over 20 lives since 2013. Tillu emerged as the mastermind behind Gogi's attack. He was arrested and chargesheeted in the case," said the special cell officer.

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The nature of a one-acre plot in Daulatabad, along the Dwarka Expressway, was fraudulently changed from industrial to agricultural and shown as licensed for development of residential colony in government records, causing the state exchequer a revenue loss of at least 3.5 crore, anti-corruption bureau (ACB) officials said on Tuesday, adding that Gurugram tehsildar Darpan Kamboj, plot owner Harish and four other suspects have been arrested in the case so far. The change in the nature of land meant that the government collected a stamp duty of only about  56 lakh instead of the actual duty of about  4 crore. (Getty Images)

Bureau officials said it was tehsildar Kamboj, who allegedly executed the manual registry of the plot (measuring approximately 4,200 square yards) after conniving with land owner Harish, a developer. The change in the nature of land meant that the government collected a stamp duty of only about 56 lakh instead of the actual duty of about 4 crore, thereby causing a loss to the exchequer, said ACB officials.

Officials said manual registry --- instead of an electronic one -- empowered the tehsildar to change the nature of the land from industrial to agricultural.

Harish, Kamboj and four others suspects, including lawyer Pankaj and architect Shivam Mehra, have been arrested by the bureau in the forgery case until now, while a zonal taxation officer of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram and his reader, a contractual employee, are on the run, said ACB officials.

Harish and Kamboj were arrested on April 6, the day ACB registered an FIR in the case after a yearlong inquiry.

A senior bureau official said the plot was owned by a Delhi resident who sold it to Harish in December 2021.

Harish, with the help of MCG zonal taxation officer and reader, got a forged document prepared showing the said plot among those licensed from the department of town and country planning for residential development, he said, asking not to be named.

He said later the lands nature in government records was changed by executing a manual registry instead of online one, and the sale yielded a stamp duty of about 56 lakh instead of the actual duty of about 4 crore.

Had the tehsildar executed an online registry, he would not have been able to change the nature of land as the software would have automatically categorised it as industrial. This caused a loss of at least 3.5 crore to the exchequer, he said.

According to investigators, they have seized a personal accounts book from the tehsildar in which it was mentioned that his share of bribe money to perpetrate the fraud was 46 lakh.

When asked, Chander Mohan, Gurugram range superintendent of police, ACB, said at least 70 lakh in bribe exchanged hands to save the parties a stamp duty of 3.5 crore.

The sale would have led to construction of an illegal colony as the developer had started selling the plots to common people on the basis of forged documents, which showed that he had a DTCP licence and the registered sale deed, he said.

Investigators said besides the tehsildar, bribes were also allegedly paid to other government officials. They said the tehsildar tried to save himself claiming that he executed manual registry after perusing mutation papers of 1997 placed before him. But had he checked the details online, it would have been clearly reflected that the plot in question was industrial land that did not have any licence from DTCP for residential development, he said.

Bureau officials said the MCG ZTO had moved a city court seeking anticipatory bail but his plea was rejected on Monday. The bail plea of ZTOs reader had also been rejected. ACB said the involvement of more government officials could not be ruled out at this stage in the case.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday appeared to invoke nature as a great leveller - a force that delivers justice - saying that the land of Prayagraj does not tolerate atrocities and nature does justice with all who do injustice. "Some people had turned Prayagraj, where people suffering from injustice and atrocities come with a desire for justice, into a land of injustice and atrocities," Adityanath said addressing an election meeting on what once was the home turf of slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath speaking at a public meeting in Prayagraj on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

"But this nature doesnt commit an atrocity on anyone, nor does it accept an atrocity. It settles scores for everyone," he said, without naming anyone.

Adityanath was at Leader Road Press ground in Lukerganj here to garner support for BJP candidates in fray for urban local bodies polls.

READ | Two Atiq, Ashraf shooters used 4 SIM cards, third avoided phone: SIT

This was Adityanath's first visit to Prayagraj after the murders of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his younger brother Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf.

Quoting the Ramcharitmanas, he said, "Karm pradhan vishwa rachi rakha, jo jas karihe so tas phal chakha (the universe is based on deeds, as you sow, so shall you reap)."

"Before 2017, people used to tremble with fear during festivals, but today there is happiness in UP. Today, everything is fine in UP there is no curfew and no rioting in the state. This happened because of the governments zero tolerance policy towards criminals," he said addressing the gathering at the ground located three kilometres from Chakia, the ancestral home of Atiq.

READ | Yogi jabs opposition ahead of UP civic polls: Bhai-behen gave guns

He said those who used to grab properties of the poor and extorted money from traders have been forced to surrender to the law. "Today, the state traders' welfare board is giving a security insurance of 10 lakh to traders."

The CM said the BJP government was committed to the empowerment of people belonging to every section of society and did not believe in 'divisive politics of appeasement practiced by the opposition parties'. The government was moving forward with the basic principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, he asserted.

"Opposition parties did appeasement politics, which naturally involved discrimination and created divisions in society, but we worked for development of all. Today, UP is achieving new heights under the guidance of PM Modi by moving forward with a nationalist thinking, shedding dynastic and casteist mentality," asserted Adityanath.

On the changed atmosphere in UP, he said UP would be known for being the hub of IT skills in future rather than for its 'kattas' (country-made guns).

Urging people to vote for the BJPs mayoral candidate Umesh Chandra Ganesh Kesarwani, Yogi said the double engine government of the BJP was providing free treatment to people under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, houses to the destitute under the PM Awas Yojana, toilets under Swachhata Mission and LPG cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme. Clean drinking water was also being provided in villages under the 'Har Ghar Nal scheme' of Jal Jeevan Mission, he added.

Prayagraj Municipal Corporation polls will be held in the first phase on May 4. The second phase of the urban local body polls will be held on May 11 and the counting of votes will be done on May 13.

He said the government fulfilled its promise of providing 24-hour electricity and removed darkness from villages, streets, and houses.

Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, UP cabinet ministers Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' and Swatantra Dev Singh, former UP cabinet minister Sidharth Nath Singh, MPs Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Keshari Devi Patel and Vinod Sonkar were among those present at the public meeting.

Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three men, who posed as media persons, when they were being taken to a Prayagraj hospital for medical check-up under police escort on April 15. Ahmad was among those accused of killing Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal.
MUMBAI: In a Venn diagram, there would be little about filmmakers Vivek Agnihotri and Sudhir Mishra that would intersect. Both, at least their films and public pronouncements, represent opposing ends of the political spectrum. Agnihotri is known for films like Tashkent Files and the blockbuster Kashmir Files which can best be described as faction, and Mishra for his indie films like Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi, Dharavi and Chameli. Ideas, not sparks, flew when Sudhir Mishra met Vivek Agnihotri

But on May 1, the two directors met at Agnihotris studio in suburban Mumbai for a conversation to air grievances, discuss prejudice, and importantly, find common ground. At a time when another film, The Kerala Story, has polarised discourse, Agnihotri and Mishras conversation, they say, is the beginning of a civil dialogue.

It began with a tweet last week when Mishra who has a film coming up on the perils of disinformation and fake news called Afwah coming up for release tweeted this to his followers: Liberals complain about Kashmir Files. Why? Vivek Agnihotri made a film and his audience came to theatres and saw it. But when we make films our audience who criticise Vivek sit on their a**e and dont come to the theatre. Sorry, I had to say it. Within a few hours the tweet had 626K views but it became a bigger talking point when Agnihotri responded with his own tweet: Who is a liberal? Those who make films against terrorism or the ones who defend/ support terrorism through their art? Or ones who keep quiet? I think there should be an open debate on this but I dont know if any liberal is ready for it. If you like I can do a podcast with you.

Within 24 hours, Sudhir Mishra accepted the challenge and the two men got together for a conversation about everything under the sun, and which Agnihotri described as just two old friends, chatting without agenda.

As casual as the filmmakers make their tete-a-tete sound, as if players in a Jim Jarmusch vignette, its abundantly clear that theres something much larger at play here.

Both Mishra and Agnihotri, makers of socially-conscious films, refer to themselves as open-minded. They may not agree on much, but they do share a mutual belief in the power of debate and dialogueeven if they come to it from very individual world views. I am an Indian and we started the whole system of shastrarth, Agnihotri emphasised. It means you debate, dialogue and then you evolve from there; figure out bigger meanings of things. Thats my training, those are my values.

Mishras incentive has more to do with a desire to continue believing in a less vitiated, more humane world, where the magnificent diversity of this country that I so adore is intact. The whole environment is becoming one of either-or, which I find very odd  and I didnt grow up in this world, he said.

Of course, we should take sides, we cannot understand everything either, Mishra continued. But there has to be some basic agreement: everyones right to live, justice, education; that weve vitiated the environment and need to work to rectify it; that there has to be affirmative action because people whove been exploited for generations need a leg up. Beyond that, we can debate and let the best woman win.

So, what did they talk about? Youll have to watch the podcast to find out, quipped Agnihotri. Sometimes, when you meet after a long time, there can be lots of unexplained issues cooking in your mind because we live in a world of posturing. We dont often understand who the real person is, beyond social media.

Mishra was somewhat more precise. We talked about his film and my film, how people have reacted to his films, how Ive reacted to his films, the situation in the industry, our future plans, he said, while mentioning film bans, nepotism in Bollywood, drug addiction, critics, holding a filmmaker like Karan Johar responsible for the cliquish nature of the Hindi film industry. I think [Agnihotri] has been hurt by the perception that everyone in the industry has rejected him. But I think its more of a disagreement.

Agnihotri had hovered on the periphery of the Hindi film industry, until he garnered attention first with Tashkent Files and then with his 2022 film Kashmir Files. The two films and his frankly political posts on social media also fortified his stance as a self-appointed spokesperson for the political dispensation in power.

Mishra, who doesnt tweet as much but has his own political affiliations and comes from a political familyhe is the grandson of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister DP Mishrais sufficiently moved by the all-pervasive disinformation to want to make a film on it. The idea is that a rumour can become the monster chasing you, leaving you no place to hide because it will always get there before you. It reckons with larger ideas of fact, confirmation bias, and the absurdity of it all.

He agreed to the conversation with Vivek Agnihotri because he believes that the primary responsibility of the citizen is to be engaged.

You have to get up and engage; watch films that arent about some feudal lord whos past his prime asking to be titillated. You dont have to like it, but you have to participate in the larger cultural dialogue.
LUCKNOW Spread in 17 acres and equipped with all essential facilities, the Lucknow-based Atal Residential School is all set to begin classes from July. The school has constructed in Sithorikala (Mohanlalganj block) at a cost of 70 crore. It will operate classes from 6th to 12th. In 2019, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced the establishment of the residential schools. (HT Photo)

The admission form for class 6 has been made available now and the last date of its submission is May 27. Selection of students will be done through an entrance test to be held on June 11.

Principal Sukhvir Singh said, The school will start in July with its class 6th batch wherein 40 boys and 40 girls will be given admission. Children whose parents have e-shramik cards (for at least three years) and are registered with Uttar Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (UPBOCW), are eligible for admissions to the school. Also, children who lost either or both their parents due to Covid are also eligible. The child must have born between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2013 to be eligible for admission to class 6.

Constructed as part of the dream project of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the school would provide free education from classes 6 to 12 along with full residential facilities to kids from financially poor backgrounds from 2023-24 academic session, a district level official said. We will work on the lines of Navodyaya Vidyalaya and follow the CBSE curriculum. We have 11 sanctioned teaching posts. Interviews of the teachers have been done, and appointment letters will be issued soon. the principal added. He further said, The school will have academic blocks, separate hostels for boys and girls, mess, teachers quarters and principal residence.

Meanwhile, divisional commissioner Roshan Jacob said that the offline application form will be given free of cost. Jaccob instructed officers to ensure that the selection of children in the Atal Residential School is done in the most transparent manner. She added that the basic objective of this scheme is to develop the intellectual, physical development and overall personality of the registered labourers children, orphans and destitute children working in the building and other construction processes, and bring them to the mainstream of the society.

In 2019, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced the establishment of the residential schools in the state. Named after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, such schools are being set up in all 18 divisional headquarters of the state in the first phase. These schools are expected to start functioning from July 2023, said officials. The principal added that along with free education and lodging, these children will also get free school dress, books, and school bags.
PRAYAGRAJ The chief judicial magistrate (CJM) of Prayagraj on Tuesday granted 12-hour remand of slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmeds lawyer Khan Saulat Hanif to police in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case. CJM Dinesh Kumar Gautam said that the police custody will begin from 6 am to 6 pm on May 3, 2023, and after completion of this period, Khan will be sent back to Naini Central jail, where he is presently lodged. CJM Dinesh Kumar Gautam said that the police custody will begin from 6 am to 6 pm on May 3. (Representational Photo)

The police custody of Khan Saulat was sought to obtain his mobile through which he was allegedly connected with killers and conspirators of the Umesh Pal murder case. It is alleged that Khan Saulat Hanif had shared the photos of Umesh Pal with Asad Ahmed, son of Atiq Ahmed, a few days before the killing of Umesh Pal. Asad was one of the accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, who was later gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 14, 2023.

According to district government counsel (criminal), Gulab Chandra Agrahri, the police department had, on April 29, 2023, obtained 14 days of judicial custody of Khan Saulat in the Umesh Pal murder case from the CJM.
Tripura signed a total of eight memorandum of understanding (MoUs) for investments to the tune of 312.38 crore in different sectors including healthcare, bamboo, tourism, rubber, food, milk and agro processing, informed chief minister Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday. CM said that Tripura will emerge as the gateway of trade in the Northeast region. (Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha | Twitter)

As many as 141 investors participated in the one-day long North-East Global Investors summit where the MoUs were signed.

With proximity of Bangladesh and entire southeast Asia, Tripura will emerge as the gateway of trade in the Northeast region. Ample scope of employment will be created in the state in future. Investors from different areas came here and we signed eight MoUs worth investment of 312.38 crore, Dr Saha told media persons at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala.

Also Read: Tripura to develop green hydrogen-based energy sector, says CM Manik Saha

He added that the state is providing different benefits including subsidies to procurement, power, industrial promotion, employment cost, secondary raw materials and others to attract investors.

Dr Saha further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis initiative of development of infrastructure in HIRA (Highways, Internet ways, Railways and Airways) model to link the state with Bangladesh and southeast Asia and boost the connectivity that was needed.

Different connectivity projects including Agartala-Akhaura railway link, Indo-Bangla Maitri Setu, Inland waterways link will be launched soon to make Tripura gateway of southeast Asia, he said.
Going ahead with its plan to recruit teachers as per the newly approved policy, the Bihar cabinet on Tuesday sanctioned creation 1,78,026 posts of teachers in different categories under the education department, additional chief secretary (cabinet) S Siddharth said. A protest by teachers in Patna. (HT archive)

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar, Siddharth said all the new positions of teachers have been created under the education department after surrendering the equal number of posts of teachers hitherto attached with the urban local bodies (ULBs) and panchayati raj institutions (PRIs).

This was among 18 proposals approved by the cabinet.

The state government has approved the Bihar State School Teachers (Recruitment, transfer, disciplinary action and service conditions) rules, 2023, and decided to recruit fresh lot of teachers through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), while phasing out the prevalent system of appointment through ULBs and PRIs on fixed pay. However, the teachers appointed through previous process are up in arms and agitating against the new policy across the state.

Siddharth said the cabinet gave its nod for creation of 57,618 posts of teachers in higher secondary (11-12 class), 33,186 secondary (class 9-10), 1,785 (6-8 class) and 85,477 primary (1-5 class).

The state education department has already notified new scales of teachers of different categories to be appointed under the new policy. Net salary of teachers ranges between 35,000 to 51,000 per month.

In another important decision, the state government has decided to ban operation of all commercial vehicles more than 15 years old in Gaya and Muzaffarpur with effect from October 1 in view of rising level of air pollution. The cabinet also approved the transport departments proposal to ban plying of diesel-powered three-wheelers in the two districts from midnight of September 30.

However, the duration of extending incentives for encouraging use of clean energy has been extended till March 31, 2024.

The cabinet also gave administrative sanction for release of 4,171 crore for construction of administrative buildings of 2,000 panchayats. The scheme will be implemented by the panchayati raj department. Construction of around 3,000 panchayat buildings out of total around 8,000 is going on.

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BEGUSARAI: A 45-year-old man, who led a group of three persons who shot at a local Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Sukh Ram Mahto late on Monday, was caught by his supporters and thrashed to death in Bihars Begusarai, police said on Tuesday. Saurav Kumar Mahto and two accomplices opened fire at Sukh Ram Mahto, a former village headman, when he was returning from a wedding in Barhara village (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Police said Saurav Kumar Mahto, 45, had been in prison in connection with a murder case and was recently released on bail. Late on Monday, Saurav Kumar and two accomplices opened fire at Sukh Ram Mahto, a former village headman, when he was returning from a wedding in Barhara village under the Birpur police station limits.

Deputy superintendent of police Amit Kumar said Sukh Ram was taken to the hospital and is under treatment. Police said the assailants ran from the spot but Sukh Rams supporters went after them. At some point, the villagers found Saurav Kumar and started beating him up.

Begusarai superintendent of police Yogendra Kumar confirmed Saurav Kumars death and his criminal antecendents.

The deceased was in jail in connection with a murder case in 2020 and recently came out of jail on bail.

We are identifying the persons behind the killing of the accused and once we establish their identity, well take stern action as no one has the right to take laws into their hands.

Police did not give any details about Saurav Kumars motive in attempting to kill the RJD leader. One villager said the RJD leader was responsible for convening a recent meeting of the village panchayat over a dispute and rebuked Saurav Kumar in public at the meeting.

Woman killed

A 35-year-old woman Jhuna Devi is alleged to have died due to celebratory gunshots fired at a wedding in Begusarai district late on Monday evening, police said. Jhuna Devis family, however, alleged that the shooting in Bhawanadpur village under Baliya police station limits was related to a case involving the suspect, Hari Singh, in which she was a witness.

The killing was planned as my wife was a witness in a case between Hari Singh and his relative, Jhuna Devis husband Pawan Paswan alleged.

Hari Singh and his men threatened my wife of dire consequences and threatened her to withdraw from the case, he alleged.

SP Yogenda Kumar said the case was being probed from all angles.
PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has appealed to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Khadki Cantonment and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) Metro for help in removing water hyacinth from the Mula-Mutha river. While the PMC has begun removing water hyacinth from the lakes and parts of the Mula-Mutha river flowing in its jurisdiction, there are parts of the river where other agencies including the PCMC and Khadki Cantonment, too, need to be involved. The PMRDA Metro has built a small bund in the Wakad area on the Mula river due to which all the hyacinth has accumulated around this bund. (HT PHOTO)

Mangesh Dighe, environment officer, PMC, said, The PMC has started removing water hyacinth from the lakes and the Mula-Mutha river. At present, the PMC has cleared all the water hyacinth from the Jambhulwadi Lake. Whereas work on removal of water hyacinth from the Pashan and Katraj lakes is 50% and 40% complete, respectively. We will remove all the hyacinth from all three lakes.

We are facing a bit of a problem in removing the water hyacinth from the Mula-Mutha river as there are two other agencies involved namely PCMC and Khadki Cantonment. The hyacinth flows from the PCMC and Khadki Cantonment area to the PMC jurisdiction. It has to be a collective effort on the part of all agencies to clear the hyacinth from the Mula-Mutha river. We have written letters to the PCMC and Khadki Cantonment and requested help to remove the hyacinth from the river, Dighe said.

The PMRDA Metro has built a small bund in the Wakad area on the Mula river due to which all the hyacinth has accumulated around this bund. We have also written a letter to the PMRDA Metro to remove the hyacinth. So, it will not make its way into the Mula-Mutha river, Dighe said.

Rinaj Pathan, superintendent engineer, PMRDA Metro, said, Six months ago, we constructed a small bund at Wakad as we have to work under the river bed to construct piers. We have completed work on the pier caps and we will remove all structures from the river bed. We will complete all the work before the monsoon. We will discuss the issue regarding the removal of hyacinth.

Ganesh Deshpande, deputy health officer, PCMC, said, We got a letter from the PMC regarding the removal of hyacinth. We have started work to remove hyacinth from the Mula, Indrayani and Pavana rivers. The work was assigned to three contractors. They place nylon strings for hyacinth to accumulate at one spot. During fishing, the boats cut these strings and hyacinth makes its way into the PMC jurisdiction. We will try to remove all the hyacinth from the rivers flowing under the PCMC jurisdiction. We have set a deadline to clear all the hyacinth from the river by the end of May.

Wakad, Kaspate Vasti and Sanghvi are the PCMC areas worst affected by water hyacinth. The Mula-Mutha river flows through seven of the 15 ward offices of the PMC but Aundh and Warje are the worst affected by water hyacinth. Bopodi and Mundhwa too face water hyacinth problems. Earlier, the PMC used JCB to remove hyacinth from the Mula-Mutha river however it has started using spider machines to remove hyacinth since 2013.
Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command paid a visit to Apshinge military village, Satara on May 1 and inaugurated a learning centre and gymnasium to facilitate training and further recruitment in the Indian Armed Forces. Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command paid a visit to Apshinge military village, Satara on May 1 and inaugurated a learning centre and gymnasium (HT PHOTO)

Satara, Sangli, Karad, Solapur, and Kolhapur districts have traditionally been the catchment areas for Indian Army recruiting. Apshinge village in Satara District has a population of approximately 3,000 people.

350 families that reside in the village have at least one serving member in the Indian Armed Forces. 46 soldiers from Apsinghe Village gave their lives during World War I and in recognition of their services, the British Government built a Vijay Sthambh in the Centre of the village.

The children of the community are encouraged from an early age to pursue a career in the Indian Armed Forces and are trained accordingly. The recently implemented Agnipath Scheme for recruitment into the Indian Armed Forces necessitates stringent eligibility requirements in addition to physical fitness.

At the request of the villages ex-servicemen, Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha and the South Indian Education Society jointly established the facility centre as part of Institutional Social Responsibility (ISR) at a cost of approximately 80 lakh.

Lt Gen H S Kahlon, GOC, MG & G area, and Dr V Shankar, president, SIES and Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, as well as Apsinghe Military Village residents, also attended the occasion.
Pune: The incident left the young boy frightened and angered, forcing his mother to file a complaint with the Kondhwa police station. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

On Monday evening, the 16-year-old son of MNS City Unit Chief Sainath Babar was allegedly harassed and threatened by a woman residing in the Eleganza Phase 2 building on NIBM Road Kondhwa.

According to the victims mother, Aarti Sainath Babar, the event occurred as Babars son was playing with other youngsters in the society.

The accused woman has been identified as Hawa Khan, who allegedly mistreated Babars son Aansh and threatened him with punishment if he continued to play in society. The incident left the young boy frightened and angered, forcing his mother to file a complaint with the Kondhwa police station.

As a consequence of the complaint, police filed a non-cognisable offence (NC) charge against the accused woman. The case is currently being investigated by the police.

The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters, with many calling for swift action against the perpetrator.

Reacting to the development, MNS leader and former corporator Sainath Babar said, As per my information, the accused woman was allegedly carrying a gun, so we thought it was important to lodge a police complaint to avoid further mishaps and maintain law and order situation.
An unseen video of Alia Bhatt from Met Gala 2023 has surfaced on Reddit where the New York paparazzi mistook her for Aishwarya Rai. This was Alia's debut appearance at one of the biggest fashion events in the world. Going by the video, she handled it quite well on the red carpet. Also read: Vivek Agnihotri calls Alia Bhatt's Met Gala look gorgeous, graceful, she thanks him Alia Bhatt attended Met Gala 2023. (PTI Photo)(PTI)

The video features Alia in her dreamy ball gown. She wore an atelier Prabal Gurung ivory silk tulle and satin face organza exaggerated basque waist ball gown with hand-beaded pearls. She entered the event with the designer when some of the paparazzi addressed her as Aishwarya, as heard in the video.

However, Alia paused for the cameras and smiled before Prabal helped her with the dress and she walked off. Reacting to the video, a user wrote in the comments, They are taking revenge for jhandeya and tommy. Ngl if I was mistaken for Aishwarya, Id be crying of joy. But if I were Aishwarya, Id be offended, added another one. Someone also commented, Paps are same everywhere.

The incident reminded a section of people about the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre gala where Indian paparazzi shouted incorrect names at the Hollywood stars. Videos of the same had gone viral. While some called Tom Holland 'Makdi Man', 'Kya Spiderman banega re tu (how will you become Spiderman), others addressed Zendaya as 'Jhandeyaaa' and then said Jijaji sharma gaye (brother-in-law is shy) to Priyanka Chopras husband Nick Jonas.

Meanwhile, Alia, earlier in the day, had explained the inspirations behind her white gown. She shared, "I have always been fascinated by the iconic Chanel brides. Season after season, the genius of Karl Lagerfeld shone through in the most innovative and awe-inspiring couture. My look tonight was inspired from this and in particular by supermodel Claudia Schiffers 1992 Chanel bridal look. I wanted to do something that felt authentic (hello, pearls!) and proudly made in India. The embroidery, made with a 100,000 pearls is a labour of love by @prabalgurung. Im so proud to wear you for my first Met." As per the theme of the gala, she paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld.

Alia will be making her Hollywood debut soon with Netflix's Heart of Stone. It also has Gal Gadot.

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Arjun Kapoor and his father, producer Boney Kapoor, got to enjoy the music of composer Hans Zimmer live as they attended his concert in Frankfurt, Germany. The father and son had good seats for the show and got to experience the Oscar-winning composer's scores. They also recorded a message for Arjun's younger sisters Anshula Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor, who weren't with them. The actor called the experience, 'inspiring and incredible' and shared this was on his bucket list. (Also read: Arjun Kapoor posts pics from Berlin with his 'love' Malaika Arora, fans call them love birds) Arjun Kapoor and his father Boney Kapoor spent some time together in Germany.

Tagging his father Boney Kapoor and sisters on Instagram, Arjun shared, "HANS ZIMMER LIVE with dad! @boney.kapoor What an experience! This is a dream come true for me... It was emotional, inspiring and incredible Ticked this one off from my bucket list... a groundbreaking audio and visual show in the truest sense. Watching all my favourites performed by him up close and personal... can it get any better than this? Legendary music. The BEST company. A night to remember. #HansZimmerLive2023 #HansZimmer. @anshulakapoor @janhvikapoor @khushi05k."

The actor also made a Reel video of his concert experience. In it, he joked to his father, "I'm recording that you made it on time." Arjun and Boney also recorded a hello message for Janhvi, Khushi and Anshula who couldn't be with them for the concert.

He also recorded performances from the concert of films such as The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean and Inception. Arjun ended his Reel, posting pics of himself and his father on their evening out. Janhvi and Anshula both dropped several red heart emojis on Arjun's post.

Last month, Arjun spent time in Berlin with girlfriend Malaika Arora. He shared several pictures of their time together in the city. Most of the pics of Arjun were clicked by Malaika on their European holiday. In his last Instagram post, Arjun wrote, "Berlin with love (red heart emoji) (literally) (winking face emoji)." Malaika had added red heart and heart eyes emojis to his post which shared many photos from their time in Berlin. While Malaika has returned to India, Arjun is still taking in the sights in Europe.

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Manisha Koirala will be part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Netflix period drama Heeramandi later this year. She will be part of the series which also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Sheikh. Recently, in an interview, the actor came out against remakes, saying it would be best to leave films as they were. She felt that many remakes fall apart as it is difficult to recreate the same energy and magic. (Also read: Manisha Koirala reunites with Mani Ratnam for PS2 screening, recalls how his wife helped her during shooting of Bombay) Manisha Koirala was last seen in the film Shehzada.

Incidentally, Manisha was last seen in the Hindi film Shehzada which is a remake of the Allu Arjun-starrer Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020). Shehzada, which starred Kartik Aaryan and Kritin Sanon, could not match up to the success of the Telugu original which was a blockbuster hit. Manisha played Kartik's mother in the Hindi film, which was directed by Rohit Dhawan.

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Manisha shared, "The films I had loved working, I would leave them as it is. It is difficult to recreate that same energy and magic which is why so many remakes have fallen apart. Anything that has been perfected, I dont want to touch that. With time, everything moves on, even the human mind."

On Sunday, Manisha was present for the screening of Ponniyin Selvan 2 at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai. She reunited with her Bombay director Mani Ratnam and his wife Suhasini Maniratnam and reminisced about her time working with him. She had shared a few photos with the director on Instagram. She wrote, "Such humble man Mani Ratnam sir is and such a great filmmaker!!! I remember working with him was intense but so fulfilling we artists long to working with directors who push our limits and help us to excel He always tries to do things differently! My first day of shooting for Bombay is so fresh in my mind.."

In 2022, the actor also starred in the American comedy film India Sweets and Spices with Adil Hussain, Sophia Ali and Rish Shah. Directed by Geeta Malik, the film is yet to release in India.

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Alia Bhatt looked no less than a princess in pearls during her debut MET Gala appearance on Tuesday. The actor was showered with praise from family, friends, and fans on social media. This included her mother-in-law Neetu Kapoor, sister-in-law Riddhima Kapoor and actor Katrina Kaif. Also read: Met Gala 2023 live updates: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas share behind-the-scene pics Alia Bhatt arrives for the 2023 Met Gala.(AFP)

Neetu Kapoor took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of Alia's MET Gala look and wrote, stunning with a star-eyes emoji and a heart emoticon. Riddhima also shared a collage of Alia and Natasha Poonawalla's picture and wrote, Wow and wow. Pretty and fierce #handsdownfave. Alia's mom Soni Razdan also shared her pictures with hearts and her sister Shaheen Bhatt called her an angel on social media.

Neetu Kapoor's post for Alia Bhatt.

Riddhima Kapoor praised Alia Bhatt and Natasha Poonawalla.

As Alia shared her pictures from the MET Gala on Instagram, her industry colleagues and fans praised her in the comments section. Katrina Kaif wrote, So pretty with a heart emoticon in the comments section. Kareena Kapoor called Alia The Best Girl. Janhvi Kapoor showered the post with several fire, hearts and hearte-eye emojis. Fitness trainer Yasmin Karachiwala commented on her post, Absolutely stunning.

Alia wore an atelier Prabal Gurung ivory silk tulle and satin face organza exaggerated basque waist ball gown with hand-beaded pearls. For her maiden appearance at the 'fashion's biggest night', the actor said she wanted to wear something that felt authentic and was "proudly made in India". "The embroidery, made with 100,000 pearls, is a labour of love by @prabalgurung. Im so proud to wear you for my first Met," she wrote on Instagram alongside a series of photographs from the gala.

She said she has always been fascinated with the iconic Chanel brides, dressed by Karl Lagerfeld, and her look was inspired by them. "Season after season, the genius of Karl Lagerfeld shone through in the most innovative and awe-inspiring couture. My look tonight was inspired from this and in particular by supermodel Claudia Schiffers 1992 Chanel bridal look," Alia added.

The actor completed her look with a bow of pearls on her hair and ring stack as well as a knuckle duster. Fashion stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania was behind creating Alia's look for the event.

(With PTI inputs)

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Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra ended the first Monday in May at the Met Gala after party where the couple spent time with actors Florence Pugh, Ashley Park and Valentinos creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli. The actor had worn a black strapless gown by Valentino earlier in the evening. The party of five were sitting close to one another when they were captured by photographers at the event held at the Standard Hotel in New York City. (Also read: Priyanka Chopra switches to red for MET Gala afterparty, rocks a shirt gown with tie. See pic) Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra partied with Florence Pugh, Ashley Park and Valentinos creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli on Monday night.

A fan account on Twitter shared a candid photograph of the group. In it, Nick Jonas and Pierpaolo are sitting next to one another, while Florence and Ashley are sitting on the other side. Priyanka is seen crouching on the ground while holding Florence's hand. Nick and Florence both have a drink in hand.

Priyanka was dressed in a long red dress shirt with a black tie; she had her hair done up as well. Nick wore a black suit paired casually with sneakers. Other Hollywood celebrities who attended the same after-party included Janelle Monae, Ariana DeBose, Jenna Ortega and Olivia Rodrigo.

Florence and Ashley arrived together at the after-party. The two actors had spent the day together. Ashley shared a selfie with Florence Pugh in Central Park on her Instagram Story, and wrote over the photo, "Pretty perfect way to start a Met gala day and the month of Mayyyyy." Florence recently shaved off her head and wore a black and white collared mini dress for the night party. Ashley, on the other hand, was dressed in a black glittering mini dress and sleeveless blazer, paired with knee-high black boots.

On the Met Gala red carpet, while the couple was being interviewed by Vogue magazine, Nick shared that the event had a special meaning for them. He stated that the event has become a 'date night' for them over the years. He said, "It is, and for us it was like the beginning of our love story. Six, seven years ago. And, here we are now."

Nick and Priyanka got married on December 1, 2018, in India. They welcomed their first child, daughter Malti Marie Jonas, last January.

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Salman Khan channeled his inner Groot from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a promotional video of their upcoming film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 which was released by Marvel India on Tuesday. The quirky video saw Salman respond to a bunch of reporters at a press conference in his trademark swag, sufficiently influenced by Groot. (Also read: Sab apni jagah bohut khush hai: Salman Khan talks about his exes, says he's the one with faults) Salman Khan in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 promotional video.

Marvel India took to their official Instagram and posted a quirky promotional video featuring Salman Khan. The clip began with Salman watching a video of the popular MCU character Groot on his phone before heading to a press conference. Influenced by the character of Groot, and his habit of answering most of the questions with I am Groot in the films, Salman then opts to do the same when asked questions at the press conference with I am Salman. The 57-year-old evades a final question on his unmarried status despite all the other Khans being married, and begins to groove to songs on Star-Lords Walkman. He even shows the back of his shirt that has a print of Groot on it.

Marvel India put a caption on the video saying, I am.. naam toh suna hi hoga @beingsalmankhan. Swagat Karo Guardians ka on May 5th only in cinemas.(You must have heard my name before. Welcome the Guardians on May 5th) #GOTGVol3. Releasing in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Salman Khan also took to his Instagram and shared the video. He wrote in the caption, I live in Galaxy. Uparwale is my Guardian Swagat karo mere new friend ka on May 5th only in cinemas.(I live in Galaxy (apartments). Above me is my Guardian... Welcome my new friend on May 5th)

Guardians of Galaxy VOL 3 is directed by James Gum and stars an ensemble cast of actors including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, and Maria Bakalova.

The synopsis of the film reads, "Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own. If the mission is not completely successful, it could possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them." Available in 4 languages, Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu, the movie is all set to release on May 5 in theatres. Volume 3 will be the final installment of the franchise.

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Earlier this year, when the small independent film To Leslie broke into the Oscar race, landing actor Andrea Riseborough a surprise Best Actress nomination, eyebrows were raised. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) decided to keep her nomination intact after a reconsideration. Now, the Academy has released a new set of rules that are more explicit about campaigning on behalf of films to protect the reputation and integrity of the awards process. (Also read: Oscars 2023: Deepika Padukone reveals Oscars red carpet look in beautiful off-shoulder gown, shows off her new tattoo) The Oscars Academy has set a new set of rules and regulations.

The new and updated rules and regulations released by the Academy come at the wake of the controversies that came to light before the recently-concluded Oscars. From To Leslie's last moment star-powered screenings and interviews to Top Gun: Maverick producer Jerry Bruckheimer's party for Paramount chief Sherry Lansing and star Tom Cruise, to Michelle Yeoh's now-deleted Instagram post, several questions were raised ahead of the ceremony.

The new set of rules and regulations now responds to all these questions that were called around social media, public screenings, and private events as well as violations and penalties. It also details on the subsequent review process for individuals directly associated with the film.

Regarding the subject on social media promotions, the statement has stated that, "Public communications (including any social media posts, re-posts, shares, and comments) by Academy members, motion picture companies, or individuals directly associated with an eligible motion picture may not:

 State voting decisions, preferences, or strategies.

 Encourage or discourage members to vote for any motion picture, performance, or achievement.

 Reference a motion picture meeting, not meeting, or exceeding Oscars eligibility requirements, such as Inclusion Standards or theatrical distribution thresholds.

 Share misleading or false information about a motion picture, performance, or achievement."

The statement also underlined the fact that additional screenings, or For Your Consideration (FYC) screenings may not be paid for or promoted as being affiliated with third parties, brands, or sponsorsthis includes third party, brand, or sponsor mentions on invitations. Additionally, for panels and question and answer sessions, Unless directly associated with an eligible motion picture, Academy members may not moderate Q&As or panel discussions after nominations. At no time during the awards process may Academy Governors host screenings or moderate a Q&A or panel discussion unless directly associated with the motion picture or the Q&A or panel discussion is produced or hosted by the Academy.

The new rules also clearly defined the limits of anonymous voters at the end of the year and said, You may not share your voting decisions at any point. You may not discuss your voting preferences and other members voting preferences in a public forum... This includes comparing or ranking motion pictures, performances, or achievements in relation to voting. This also includes speaking with press anonymously.

A few weeks ago, it was announced that next year's ceremony, the 96th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

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Only a handful of Korean celebrities were seen at Met Gala 2023 and among them was Blackpink's member Jennie and the Descendants Of The Sun actor Song Hye Kyo. After the New York event, the actor treated fans to a selfie with the K-pop idol. Their photo left fans on Twitter asking for more. Also read: Priyanka Chopra wore a 204 crore diamond necklace to Met Gala Blackpinks Jennie and Song Hye Kyo at Met Gala 2023. (Photo: Fan account/Twitter)(twitter)

The photo featured Song Hye Kyo and Jennie inside the Met Gala event. While the actor flaunted her subtle smile for the camera, Jennie kept it intense with her pose. While Song Hye Kyo wore a blushing pink Fendi gown, Jennie came in a Chanel look.

Reacting to their photo, a fan wrote on Twitter, Really dream come true!!! The two queens are finally one frame! SongHyeKyo looks like she is in mid 20's.. So stunning, added another one. Someone else said, #SongHyeKyo looks stunning...she looks so young here.

At the biggest fashion event in the city, Song Hye Kyo was styled by Kim Jones. Her Fendi look was styled with a messy braided hairdo adorned with minimal hair accessories. She completed her outfit with a mini clutch bag and simple dewy makeup.

Jennie, on the other hand, was dubbed as 'Human Chanel' by her fans. She is the brand ambassador of Chanel. She slipped into an archival Chanel ribbon dress with a matching black choker ribbon, gloves and high heels. She elevated her look further with sleek hair and minimal makeup.

Jennie and Song Hye Kyo also posed with Korean model Choi So Ra in a picture. The actor also met Michelle Yeoh at the event. It was Song Hye Kyo's Met Gala debut.

Song Hye Kyo with actor Michelle Yeoh at Met Gala 2023.

In attendance was also Jackson Wang. He recently wrapped up his concert in Vancouver and attended his first Met Gala night. He was dressed in a head-to-toe black Louis Vuitton suit. It also came with black shades and gloves. All celebrities paid tribute to late icon Karl Lagerfeld as this year's theme was based on the Costume Institute's spring show Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.

However, fans on the micro-blogging site also expressed their disappointment with the absence of BTS members. While Jimin was rumoured to be a part of this year's guest list, many also expected to see Blackpink member Rose at the event.

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As always, social media is buzzing with rumors and jokes about the supposed fall, but we're here to set the record straight: Jason Derulo did not fall down the stairs at the Met Gala this year, nor has he ever even attended the event. Jason Derulo falling off the stairs in rehearsals on an event in Los Angeles.

The joke first started back in 2015, with a tweet from a now-suspended account @dashausofjack, claiming that Jason Derulo had taken a tumble at the Met Gala. Derulo himself responded on Instagram, denying the claim and telling everyone that he was actually in rehearsals in LA.

So, who really fell down the stairs at the Met Gala? Nobody! The photo that is used for the meme is actually from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in France, where an unnamed man tried to crash the event and fell down the stairs during the chaos.

In a YouTube video, the man behind the meme admitted that he found the whole thing hilarious and even his 93-year-old grandmother called him to ask if he was alright after hearing the rumors.

Despite the truth behind the meme, we can still expect to see it pop up on social media every year during the Met Gala and other major red carpet events. After all, who doesn't love a good meme?

Also read | Lil Nas X goes wild at Met Gala 2023, wears nothing but
May 2 marks the 102nd birth anniversary of legendary filmmaker-writer-sketch artist Satyajit Ray. He is renowned for classic films such as Pather Panchali (1955), Charulata (1964), and Ghare Baire (1984) among many others. The filmmaker is also known to speak his mind. On his birth anniversary, we take a look at his statements regarding the audience. This was at a time when he recalled facing backlash for the Sharmila Tagore-starrer Devi. (Also read: Hollywood actor Alden Ehrenreich calls himself a big fan of Satyajit Ray) May 2 marks the 102nd birth anniversary of filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

Satyajit talked about the film in his 1960 film to French journalist Pierre Andre Boutang in 1989. Sharmila played the role of a young woman who is seen as an avatar of goddess Kali in the film that also featured Soumitra Chatterjee and Chhabi Biswas.

Satyajit said in the old interview, I once made a film called the goddess Devi, it dealt with religious dogmatism, it didnt attack religion as such, it attacked dogmatism, the extreme form of religion...But people (are) writing in the papers that Oh! Mr Ray is not a Hindu, he is making such films against Hinduism. But they are stupid people you cant take them into account. This happens in India all the time. We have a fairly backward audience here, in spite of the film society movement and all that, if you consider the audience at large, it is a backward audience.

He added, "An unsophisticated audience, exposed to the commercial Hindi cinema more than anything else. And so you face this problem, but you make the kind of films (you want to) and I make the kind of films that I want to make. I make the kind of films that I enjoy making... that engages my attention, my creativity, that is all I can do."

He also said that many ideas in his story Alien "are in ET" (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the 1989 film). He also said that he worked in Hollywood for five weeks and there were many copies of his screenplay (at Colombia Pictures) on the story, making it accessible for many people to read it. A middle-man's "peculiar behaviour" made Satyajit "drop the idea" of working with Hollywood. Someone then alleged that Steven Spielberg stole the story of ET from Satyajit Ray's Alien, but "Spielberg, of course, denied it", the filmmaker said.

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Actor Shalini has gone viral on social media after she posted pictures from a recent photoshoot. Many have termed it as a divorce photoshoot. Reportedly, Shalini divorced her husband and announced the same with the creative photoshoot. Also read: Kamal Haasan on Ponniyin Selvan 2: Mani Ratnam and team have worked together to make Tamil cinema international Tamil actor Shalini's divorce photoshoot went viral on social media.

The photos of the viral photoshoot feature Shalini in a red gown. She is seen happily posing with a banner which reads divorce. In another other, she happily tore apart a photo which seemed to be from her wedding day. One more had her holding a sign board announcing 'I got 99 problems and husband ain't one."

Sharing the pictures, the actor wrote in the caption, A Divorced womans Message to those who feel voiceless. Its okay to leave a bad marriage cause You deserve to be happy and never settle for less, take control of your lives and make the changes necessary to create a better future for yourself and your children.

DIVORCE is NOT a FAILURE!!! Its a turning point for you and to led positive changes in your lives. It takes a lot of courage to leave a marriage and stand alone So to all my BRAVE WOMEN out there I dedicate this, she also added.

After she posted them online, many came out in support of the actor. A few also mocked her. One of them commented, Don't worry aka u get happiest life now on words. Same da I'm divorced now I'm happy bt i ve problem it's difficult 2 one time meal bt I'm happy wit my son's, added another one. One more commented, It is better to be free from that relationship than to be tied in a wrong relationship.

According to a report of ETimes, Shalini was married to her husband Riaz since July 2020. They welcomed their daughter Riya after some time, however, the actor reportedly accused her husband of mental and physical abuse a few months ago. Reportedly, they opted for divorce.

Shalini made her screen debut with the TV serial Mulluma Malarum. She was last seen in the reality show Super Mom.

ott:10

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Actor Naga Chaitanya recently opened up about what it feels to be rejected in a relationship. He is currently gearing up for the release of the upcoming Tamil-Telugu bilingual film Custody. During the promotion of the film, the actor played a round of truth and dare and answered some interesting questions and also talked about the concept of being friends with ex. Also read: Police constable tells Naga Chaitanya his film helped him recover from brain injury Naga Chaitanya will be next seen in Custody.

Naga Chaitanya often makes news about his personal life. He was married to actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu till 2021 when the two announced their separation. He is rumoured to be dating actor Shobhita Dhulipala. However, neither he nor the actor has confirmed the reports yet.

Chaitanya recently appeared in a video with Youtuber Irfan for the promotion of his upcoming film. The two played a game of truth or dare and gave unfiltered answers to some questions. As part of a question about being rejected in a relationship, Irfan spoke about his break-up from two and a half years ago when asked about rejection in a relationship

He explained how the girl told him it wont work out but suggested that they can be good friends. Chaitanya quickly responded to his statement. We can be good friends. It is that part that irritates me the most. I didnt ask for friendship, Chaitanya said.

When the clip from the interview surfaced on social media, several people agreed with Chaitanyas opinion. One user wrote: +1. Can totally relate to that kind of irritation. Another user wrote: Cant agree with him more.

As part of the same interview, Naga Chaitanya also spoke about his biggest regret in life. I don't have any regrets per se. I see them as experiences from which Ive learnt. There are 2-3 films that I regret doing but again I see them as the kind of work I shouldnt repeat, he said.

Chaitanya's next film Custody stars him as a police constable. It is directed by Venkat Prabhu. The film is set to release on May 12, and also stars Krithi Shetty, Priyamani, Sampath Raj and Arvind Swami in crucial roles.

ott:10

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Ukraine minister expresses regret over Goddess Kali tweet: Respect Indian Ukraine's first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzheppar on Tuesday expressed regret a day after a morphed image of a female figure - allegedly depicting Goddess Kali tweeted by the Ukrainian defence ministry triggered outrage. Read More Ukraine's first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzheppar(AP)

Seven bodies found in Oklahoma search for missing teens: Media reports

Seven bodies were found in the US state of Oklahoma on Monday during a police search for two missing teenagers, US media reported. The victims were not identified and authorities did not say whether they included the missing 14-year-old and 16-year-old girls, who were said to have been seen with a convicted sex offender, The New York Times reported. Report

AR Rahman breaks silence after Pune police stopped his show midway, shares clip of cop on stage. Watch

Music composer AR Rahman broke his silence after the Pune police stopped his show midway recently in the city. The show was stopped as it went past the permissible time of 10 pm. Read More

World Asthma Day 2023: Signs and symptoms of allergic and exercise-induced asthma, how to prevent

Asthma is a chronic lung condition which is characterised by narrowing of airways due to swelling and increased production of mucus inside the airways. Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough are among the main symptoms of an asthma attack. Read More

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BCCI takes strict action against Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Naveen-ul-Haq, punishes them for ugly fight in IPL 2023

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Air India on Tuesday directed its pilots to keep the cockpits sterile, days after the aviation regulator issued notices to the airlines top officials for not reacting fast enough to a violation of safety norms by one of its pilots who entertained a female friend in the cockpit. On April 21, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) off-rostered the entire crew of the flight pending investigation (Representational image)

Read here: Air India sends strongly worded directive to pilots amid licence renewal row

The violation by the Air India pilot in the Delhi-Dubai AI 915 flight on February 27, first reported by HT, came to light after a member of the flights cabin crew complained about the incident, in which a female friend of the pilot allegedly spent over an hour in the cockpit, to the airline on March 3 .

On April 21, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) off-rostered the entire crew of the flight pending investigation. The aviation regulator also issued show cause notices to the airlines chief executive officer (CEO), Campbell Wilson, and its safety head to explain the delay in reporting the matter and acting on it.

Recent incidents have highlighted that there have been instances of a lapse in maintaining a sterile cockpit, which resulted in avoidable errors posing flight safety hazards. This reinforced the importance of maintaining a sterile cockpit from the start of push back until 10,000 feet and again until engine shutdown, in order to keep the crew focused on the dynamic and rapidly changing environment and to enhance situational awareness, the airlines order dated May 1 read.

Any breach of this (maintaining sterile cockpit) will result in appropriate levels of administrative deterrent and correction, the airline added, warning its pilots.

In the order issued by its operations department, the airline defined the concept of a sterile cockpit as an environment that prohibits non-essential conversation and distractions such as crew entry/exit, texting, browsing.

This practice, the airline said, has been recommended during ground operations and below 10,000 feet in various standard operating procedures (SOPs), crew resource management (CRM) guidelines, and company recommended practices.

Highlighting the importance of a sterile cockpit, the airline further said that as air traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels, it is increasingly important to remain focused on the task at hand and avoid distractions.

Read here: Woman in cockpit: DGCA notices to Air India CEO, chief of flight safety

Any violation of the sterile cockpit concept reflects a lack of discipline and poor CRM, casting a negative light on us as professionals and at worst, creating an unsafe situation. Therefore, as an organization, department, and as professionals, it is essential to maintain a sterile cockpit at all times, the order added.

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A video from the event on Tuesday where Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar announced his resignation from the party president post has gone viral. In the video, which is originally a live telecast of the event, an NCP worker urged Sharad Pawar with folded hands that they don't want to come to power but want Sharad Pawar as the chief. Ajit Pawar shut him up saying, 'Chup baith na..' Ajit Pawar scolded a party worker as he was requesting Sharad Pawar to continue as the party chief.

While Sharad Pawar's resignation from the party chief post will be a gain for Ajit Pawar, Ajit Pawar visibly supported his uncle's decision and urged the party workers at the event to not be emotional about this.

"Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar) will always be the head of the NCP family. Whoever will be the new President will work only under Pawar Saheb's guidance...Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won't take it back," Ajit Pawar said.

Later however, Ajit Pawar said Sharad Pawar was urged by the top leadership of the party to continue as the chief in view of the huge protest of the workers. "He (Sharad Pawar) has said he has made his decision, but he will need two-three days to think it over on account of your insistence. But he will think it over only when all workers go home," Ajit Pawar told party workers.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for promising to ban Bajrang Dal in its election manifesto saying it wants to lock up those who worship Lord Hanuman. PM Modi(HT File Photo)

He said the Congress had earlier locked up Lord Rama and now it wants to lock up those who chant Jai Bajrang Bali (Hail Hanuman).

Modi's attack on the Congress came within hours of the Mallikarjun Kharge-led outfit releasing its election manifesto for the May 10 Assembly elections.

The Congress manifesto said: "We believe that law and constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations".

Addressing an election rally here in Vijayanagara district, Modi said: "I have come to the land of Hanuman. I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to pay my obeisance to the land of Hanuman but see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanuman's land, at the same time, Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman."

"Initially, they locked up Prabhu Shri Ram (Lord Ram). And now they want to lock up people who say Jai Bajrang Bali'," the Prime Minister remarked.

"It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Prabhu Shri Ram and now it has a problem with the people who say 'Jai Bajrang Bali'," he added. The Vijayanagara empire of mighty ruler Sri Krishnadeva Raya is considered by some historians as the 'Kishkindha Kshetra', the monkey kingdom of Vaali and Sugreeva of Treta Yuga or Ramayana era.

Right next to Hampi is Anjanadri, the Anjana Hill at Gangavathi in Koppal district, which is believed by many to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The BJP has decided to build a grand Hanuman temple at Anjanadri hill and develop the region.

Accusing the Congress of widening the "rift" between urban and rural areas, Modi said everywhere people have rejected Congress, which once boasted of ruling the country from panchayat to Parliament.

"Congress today is reduced to just three states where it is in majority. Its greed for corruption is never ending in these three states and now it has set its eyes on the income of people of Karnataka and make the state an ATM of its loot," he alleged. The Congress is governing the states of Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Ridiculing the 'guarantee' schemes of the Congress, he charged that the party, which has lost the trust of people and whose existence itself is in danger, can only lie in the name of guarantees.

Congress does not have the track record of fulfilling the guarantees but to loot the poor, Modi alleged.

"Congress had given the guarantee to wipe out poverty. The poverty did not reduce during the Congress rule but the Congress leaders became millionaires and billionaires," the Prime Minister alleged.

He also said the Congress is an "85 per cent commission government".

According to him, the whole world is looking at India to play a major role as the country became the globe's fifth largest economy and is aiming to break into the top three.

In this journey, Karnataka has to play the role of a leader and hence, this state has to be made number one. The Prime Minister told the crowd that the BJP is committed to make Karnataka a number one state and "I pray for the accomplishment of this vow by bowing by head at the feet of Lord Hanuman".

"BJP will never let anyone damage the honour and culture of Karnataka," Modi vowed to the crowd.

He said the Vijayanagara dynasty and its history are the pride of India. Invoking the name of the glorious ruler of Vijayanagara dynasty, he said Sri Krishnadeva Raya with his resources immortalised this region and had strengthened business ties with various countries and had made the culture of Karnataka famous worldwide.

Modi said the Government of India is inspired by the Vijayanagara dynasty and is moving ahead in the path shown by Sri Krishnadeva Raya.

"The entire world is proud of Hampi but the Congress with its mindset filled with slavery never ever showed its pride towards the history and legacy of India, due to which the places like Hampi had to bear the loss," Modi claimed.

He added that the BJP government at the Centre published the picture of stone-made chariot of Hampi in the new 50 currency notes.
In Athani, politics has come a full circle. Laxman Savadi and Mahesh Kumathalli who contested for the BJP and Congress respectively in 2018, are facing each other again. But this time, they will be contesting from the parties they opposed in the previous election. While Kumathalli is counting on the large Lingayat vote bank, Savadi says he is fighting for self-respect

In the fierce contest, Kumathalli defeated Savadi by a margin of 2,330 votes. But the political atmosphere and factors influencing the results are different in 2023. Kumathalli was one among the 17 MLAs who joined the BJP , triggering the collapse of HD Kumaraswamy-led JDS-Congress government in 2019. It was Savadi who facilitated Kumathallis defection. Kumathalli won the by election from Athani in 2019.

The reward for his role in getting the BJP to power, Savadi believes ,is a ticket from Athani; when denied, the former deputy chief minister joined the Congress.

While Kumathalli is counting on the large Lingayat vote bank in the constituency remaining loyal to the BJP, Savadi, also a prominent Lingayat leader, says he is fighting for self-respect. According to him, the party used him to gain power and later dumped him.

For Savadi, the Athani contest will be a test of popularity. He also has some influence in nearly 20 constituencies in North Karnataka and also in assembly segments bordering Maharashtra.

The outsider factor

Ooru katte --an elevated platform usually located near the largest trees at the centre of the village -- is a popular hangout in Karnatakas villages. In Kohalli village, Channappa Goudappa Biradar is not happy that mobile phones have made their way to the katte, which was otherwise reserved for a good chat. If there is something that irritates him more, it is the prospect of going to Gokak to get work done.

Gokak, located 75 km away from Athani, is the political headquarters of BJP leader Ramesh Jarkiholi, on whose insistence Kumathalli was chosen over Savadi. Lets be clear about one thing. On paper, it could be an election between Kumathalli and Savadi. But for us, it is an election between Jarkiholi and Savadi, said Biradar.

Ramesh Jarkiholi remains a powerful political force in the region. He played a key role in the defection of about 14 Congress and JD(S) MLAs, including himself, to the BJP. He was duly rewarded by giving control over the governments affairs in Belagavi.

Even though Kumathalli is from Athani, he is considered an outsider. Nanjnappa Adahalli, a resident of Adahalli said the MLA spent most of his time in his house in Belagavi city around 140 km. He has not visited us. Even if he comes , he goes to Gokak. Savadi has helped us even when he was not an MLA. We want someone who is available to us.

The equation of irrigation

Badshah Imam Shah and Mahadev Venkat Rao of Adahalli village have been friends for decades and have seen their village grow over the year. For them, the biggest change in their village happened after an irrigation canal was constructed in their village in 2009. All the greenery you saw on your way here happened after the canal came, said Rao. It was Savadi who gave us water. So, whether he contests from BJP or Congress, we will vote for him. This time, the BJP has done injustice to him. You will see the impact of it soon, added Shah.

Savadi is counting on such goodwill to counter Jarkiholis political clout and wealth. A villager from Yekanchi village said that even though Jarkiholi announced that he would spend even 6,000 per person to influence voters, it would not change his decision. Savukar (Savadi) gave us water. 6,000 may last for a month or two, but if water continues to come, we can have two rounds of crops every year, said the villager, who didnt want to be named.

Savadis campaign

Savadi, who was the partys choice to become the deputy chief minister, when BJP decided to appoint people to the post from three prominent castes  Lingayat, Vokkaliga and Dalit -- is still upset with the partys decision to deny him a ticket. It was a decision made because of pressure from Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is backing Mahesh Kumatahalli. Before announcing the candidates, the party conducted an internal survey, which showed that Mahesh Kumtahalli would lose. Even I asked an agency to conduct a survey. They said I had more than 60% chance of winning whereas he had around 20% chance, said Savadi.

According to him, his decision to approach people even before the ticket announcement has helped him build support. In 2008, I won by 26,000 votes, in 2013 I won by a margin of around 21,000 votes. I lost by 2300 votes in 2018. There is a reason for the defeat, I was given a lot of party-related work and was asked to campaign extensively in several areas. I couldnt pay attention to my constituency. Because I thought I would get a ticket (this time), I started visiting all villages and communities in my constituency admitting to my mistake in the last election and asking for another chance. They appreciated it, he said.

When the BJP decided against giving him a ticket, he says he went back to the same villages and communities. When realised that the BJP had cheated me, I held meetings across my constituency. I proposed contesting as an independent or looking at joining Congress. They said I should join Congress since there was a chance of doing good work for the constituency if there was support from the government, he said.

The numbers game

The assembly segment comprises around 2.20 lakh voters, of which around a lakh are Lingayats. There are also around 40,000 Marathas, 30,000 who belong to the scheduled castes and 28,000 are from the Muslim community. With both Savadi and Kumathalli belonging to the Lingayat community, it remains to be seen which way will the voters go.

The BJP camp in Athani is confident that the Lingayat vote bank will stay loyal. Athani has always been a BJP stronghold and people have voted for the party regardless of the candidate. An example is the by election after 2019. Even though Kumathalli had come from Congress, the voters remained loyal . The Lingayats here know that even if they vote for Congress, a Kuruba will become the Chief Minister but BJP will ensure that a Lingayat will be the CM, said a district office-bearer of the BJP, who didnt want to be named. Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramiah is a Kuruba.

Kumathalli said that people will back him for the work he has done. The voters of BJP in Athani are united. The party has given me a chance to contest in the election. Im confident of a win because, during my term as an MLA, I have carried out work worth over 2,000 crores, he said.

Basavangouda Biradar, gram panchayat member in Aihalli, who earlier supported BJP said that the election in Athani is no longer about Lingayats but self-respect. What they (BJP) did to Savadi, who is also a Lingayat leader and popular, is not right. He has peoples sympathy and it will convert to votes.

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UPDATE | Go First crisis may benefit rivals IndiGo, SpiceJet: Financial analysts Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia (ANI Photo)

Cash-strapped domestic carrier Go First has received a 'show cause' notice from the Director-General of Civil Aviation after it cancelled May 3, 4 and 5 flights and filed for voluntary insolvency before the National Company Law Tribunal.

The regulator said the airline's actions were not in compliance with the rules - and would lead to 'passenger inconvenience' - as it had 'failed to report in writing the cancellations and reasons thereof.'

Go First has been given 24 hours to respond to the notice, 'failing which, the matter (will) be processed ex-parte', the DGCA said in its statement.

Earlier today Go First chief executive officer Kaushik Khona told news agency PTI the cancellation of flights and the insolvency filing were an 'unfortunate decision' and that it 'had to be done to protect the interests of the company'.

" facing a financial crunch due to non-supply of engines by Pratt & Whitney, which has forced the company to ground 28 planes, over half of its fleet."

The airline - which employs over 3,000 people according to news agency Reuters - has informed the government and is submitting a report to the DGCA, said suspended flights will resume only after the insolvency application is admitted.

Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the government 'has been assisting the airline in every possible manner' and has spoken to stakeholders.

" unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position. It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course," he said.

Go First said it had 'had to take this step due to the ever-increasing number of failing engines' supplied by American manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. The airline said these failures had led to the grounding of 25 aircraft as of May 1.

READ | Go First files for voluntary insolvency. What happened to the airline?

Go First operates on a cash-and-carry model - which means it pays oil marketing companies daily per flight it operates - and, given the grounding of flights due to the engine issue, it lacks funds to pay OMCs their dues.

The airline said it had been 'forced' to apply for insolvency as P&W had 'refused to comply with an award issued by an emergency arbitrator', which directed the supply of 10 engines by April 27 and 10 more per month till end-2023.

Go First also said P&W had so far 'failed to provide any further serviceable spare leased engines'; P&W said they had no engines available at this time.

The cash-strapped airline has been struggling to raise funds since posting its biggest annual loss in fiscal 2022. Last month Reuters reported owners Wadia Group were in talks with partners to either sell a majority stake or exit the firm.

Go First later denied rumours it plans to exit the business; a senior official told news agency ANI there were 'no plans to shed stake or exit the aviation business' and that the promoters were 'committed (to) infusing further funds'

In its statement today the airline today said 'substantial funds' - 3,200 crore - had been made available over the past 36 months; 2,400 crore of this amount was injected in the last 24 months and 290 crore in April alone.

According to the airline, the engine supply issue has cost it 10,800 crore in lost revenues and additional expenses and 'to recover these (and other) losses' it had sought compensation of 8,000 crores from a Singapore tribunal.

Go First has also sued Pratt & Whitney in a US federal court over the non-supply of engines and has sought enforcement of the Singapore arbitral award.

A P&W official told ANI in February 'global supply chain challenges' are 'limiting the availability of structural castings and other parts (needed to manufacture the jet engines)'.

The grounded flights - this is not the first time - led to Go First's market share falling to 6.9 per cent in March from 8.4 per cent in January, according to the national aviation regulator DGCA.

With input from agencies

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Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang will visit India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers meeting this week, his second trip to the country in two months, and also travel to Myanmar to deepen cooperation. Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang. (AP)

From May 2 to 5, Chinese state councillor and foreign minister Qin Gang will visit Myanmar and attend the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO in India, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Tuesday.

The upcoming SCO foreign ministers meeting will be held on May 4 and 5 in Panaji, the capital of Goa, India, Mao said, adding Qin will exchange views with counterparts from SCO member states on the international and regional situation and SCO cooperation in various fields. These deliberations will help prepare for the SCO summit in July, she said.

There were also indications that Qin is expected to travel to Pakistan following the SCO meeting, with reports saying the UN Security Council has cleared a visit to Islamabad by Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for a meeting with his Pakistani and Chinese counterparts.

The Talibans top leadership is currently subject to a travel ban and all visits by the groups leaders have to be cleared by a sanctions committee under the UN Security Council. Reports said a letter sent to the Taliban sanctions committee by Pakistans UN mission requested an exemption for Muttaqi to travel during May 6-9 for a meeting with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China.

Both China and Pakistan have spoken of a role for the Taliban administration in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative.

Chinas foreign ministry said Qins visit to Myanmar will follow-up on the outcomes of President Xi Jinpings trip to that country in January 2020 and to deepen cooperation in areas such as the economy. The visit will also Myanmars efforts to maintain stability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to attend the SCO Summit in New Delhi during July 3-4.

Several key meetings in the runup to the summit have already been hosted by India, including the national security advisors meeting on March 29 and the defence ministers meeting in late April.

Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu attended the defence ministers meeting  the first visit to India by a Chinese defence minister since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 and the subsequent chill in bilateral ties.

Qin visited India in early March to attend the G20 foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi, where he told external affairs minister S Jaishankar that India and China should put the border problem in its appropriate place and ease the situation to normalised control.

We should put the border issue in the appropriate place in bilateral relations and promote the early shift of the border situation to normalised control, Qin told Jaishankar at the meeting, their first since Qin replaced Wang Yi as Chinas foreign minister.

The two sides should maintain dialogue, settle differences and promote the improvement of bilateral ties as soon as possible and move forward steadily, Qin said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout.

On his part, Jaishankar described Sino-Indian ties as abnormal during his talks with Qin, adding that their conversation was about challenges in bilateral relations, especially for restoring peace and tranquillity in border areas.

Its our first meeting after he took over as foreign minister. We spent maybe about 45 minutes talking to each otherabout the current state of our relationship, which many of you heard me describe as abnormal and I think those were among the adjectives I used in that meeting, Jaishankar had said at the time.

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The Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, making big promises and proposing a ban on organisations that promote enmity or hatred such as the Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) and Bajrang Dal. Congress flags waves at rallies

According to the party, law and Constitution is sacrosanct and can not be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities."

We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations, says Congress in its manifesto for Karnataka Elections 2023, the Congress tweeted.

Here are the top five promises in Congress' Karnataka manifesto

Gruha Jyothi

Under Gruha Jyothi, the Congress will provide free electricity up to 200 units in all houses in Karnataka.

Gruha Lakshmi

Under this, the Congress has promised to provide 2,000 to each woman head of family.

Anna Bhagya

Every person in Below Poverty Line (BPL) family will get 10 kg of food grains per month.

Yuva Nidhi

3,000 will be provided per month to unemployed graduates, and 1,500 will be given to unemployed diploma holders under Yuva Nidhi.

Shakti scheme

The Congress has promised to provide free travel to all women throughout the state in regular KSRTC/BMTC buses.
Cultural celebrations were held across Raj Bhavans of different states on Monday to celebrate the foundation day of Maharashtra and Gujarat under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, officials said. Punjab Raj Bhawan was all decked up for the foundation day celebrations. (Central Bureau of Communication, Chandigarh | Twitter)

Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were among the many states who put festivities on display.

In the national Capital, lieutenant governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena congratulated the two states to have contributed to the growth and development of the country.

Also Read: In a first, 30 Raj Bhawans to mark Maharashtra, Gujarat statehood day on Monday

Since 1960, the two states came into existence, the world has seen and praised Gujarat and Maharashtra for climbing the ladder of success and development in the last 60 years. If I say that these two states have set a new norm of Indias development, there should be no surprise in it, Saxena said.

According to the Lt. Governor, the globe adopts the ideals of Indias rich culture. India is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanks to the determination of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Performances by the artists and army personnel dressed in traditional garb highlighted the fusion of local, Gujarati, and Maharashtrian cultures and hailed the spirit of unity in diversity.

It was the central governments decision that all states celebrate the statehood days of other states too.

Raj Bhavans across the nation commemorated the statehood days of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

20 states and 8 union territories celebrated the statehood day of Gujarat and Maharashtra in their respective Raj Bhavans.

Under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, the government aims to enhance interaction and promote mutual understanding between people of different states/UTs through the concept of state/UT pairing.

The programme further enhances the engagement matrix between the states and UTs.

Our government is committed to the all-inclusive development of the state along with all sections of the society. I appeal to all to come together and resolve to create a new and strong Maharashtra Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais said.

Best wishes on Maharashtra Day. The state is blessed with a great culture and hardworking people who have enriched national progress across different sectors. I pray for the continued progress of Maharashtra in the years to come, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

The PM also extended his wishes to the state of Gujarat, Greetings on Gujarat Sthapana Diwas. Gujarat has made a mark due to its all-round progress as well as its unique culture. I pray that the state continues to scale new heights of development in the times ahead, he tweeted.
Congress leader Deepender Hooda on Tuesday visited the protesting wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and reaffirmed his support to them. Slamming the Wrestlers' Federation of India (WFI) Hooda said, Till our daughters get justice, we will stand with them. We cannot remain silent when we see such crimes being committed against our daughters. We will fight & we will fight for justice. Deepender Hooda(HT File Photo)

Hooda's statements come as the wrestlers' protest enters its 10th day.

WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment allegations, had accused Deepender Hooda of hatching a conspiracy against him earlier on Sunday.

Interacting with reporters at his residence in Bishnoharpur, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, "this whole conspiracy was hatched by Congress leader Deepender Hooda and wrestler Bajrang Punia. We have an audio (clip) to prove this. When the time comes, it will be handed over to the Delhi Police."

"The fight has now gone out of the hands of the players. Political parties have entered into this. I could see the signs from day one," he added.

Deepender Hooda had visited the protest site on Saturday. Other leaders of the party including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Harish Rawat, Navjot Singh Sidhu also visited the place.

The wrestlers' protest dates back to January. After their uproar, a committee was formed to look into their allegations. However, the wrestlers claim that no action has been taken after the committee's report which made them continue the protest.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who is on an official visit to the Maldives, on Tuesday handed over a fast patrol vessel and landing craft assault to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), describing the delivery of the two indigenous vessels as a symbol of the shared commitment of the two countries towards peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Maldives is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Indias Neighbourhood First policy. (Twitter | Rajnath Singh)

India has emerged as a leading defence exporter in recent years. A defence manufacturing ecosystem has been created which has the advantage of abundant technical manpower. We produce world-class equipment to meet not only our own needs, but also for exports, Singh said at the handing over ceremony attended by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi.

Also Read: Rajnaths 3-day visit to Maldives begins today

India offers an enhanced defence partnership to friendly foreign countries, which is accommodative of their national priorities and capacities, he said.

We wish to create symbiotic relationships where we can learn from each other, grow together and create a win-win situation for all. Indias commitment to support the Maldives will only get stronger with time, Singh said.

The fast patrol vessel, capable of coastal and offshore surveillance at high speeds, was commissioned as MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee.

In the absence of a navy, the coast guard functions as the armed maritime component of the MNDF.

The Maldives is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Indias Neighbourhood First policy.

Singh called for enhanced cooperation among nations in the IOR to address the common challenges faced by the region.

The Indian Ocean is our shared space. The primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the region rests with those who live in the region. Peace and security of a region are best secured with cooperation and collaboration of the regional players.

Singh identified sustainable exploitation of resources and climate change as the most important common challenges faced by the IOR. He called for collaborative efforts towards ensuring that the maritime expanse of the Indian Ocean is peaceful, and the resources are optimally harnessed for regional prosperity.

He said the Maldives was particularly exposed to the vagaries of climate change, while articulating Indias willingness to work with the country for adaptation and mitigation.

India has been the first responder in a large number of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) requirements in the region in the past many years. We look forward to building upon each others expertise by collaborative engagement, Singh said.

Earlier in the day, Singh called on Solih, and held discussions on ongoing projects and ways to further bolster defence ties.

Work on developing the harbour at Uthuru Thila Falhu base under a bilateral agreement is among the ongoing projects and is aimed at creating a hub for vessel maintenance.

In 2021, India extended a $50 million line of credit to the Maldives for defence projects, and the two countries signed a pact to develop the harbour at Uthuru Thila Falhu.
Former Union minister Sharad Pawar, 82, on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief 24 years after he founded the party following his expulsion from Congress for opposing Sonia Gandhis candidacy for Prime Minister due to her foreign origins. Sharad Pawar with NCP leaders in Mumbai. (PTI)

I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership...during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down..., said Pawar at an event in Mumbai.

NCP leaders and workers, including some in tears, gathered around Pawar as he made the announcement and requested him to withdraw his decision to step down.

Follow live updates on Sharad Pawar resignation

Pawar said it was time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take. He recommended the formation of a committee, including former Union minister Praful Patel, former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, and Member of Parliament Supriya Sule, to decide on the election of his successor. This committee will decide on the [NCP] presidents selection. It will continue to strive for the growth of the party organisation, to take the ideology and goals of the party to the people, and to serve the people, as they deem fit.

Sharad Pawars announcement came against the backdrop of speculation about a rift within NCP. Ajit Pawar, who is Sharad Pawars nephew, late last month said he could become chief minister now and not in 2024, days after clarifying he would not leave the NCP till his last breath. The comments were seen as a signal to Sharad Pawar, who is believed to have rejected his suggestion of joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ajit Pawars close aides are believed to be saying the BJP will offer him the chief ministers post if the Supreme Court disqualifies Eknath Shinde and his lawmakers in its judgment on the Shiv Sena split last year.

He has been contradicting NCP as well as his Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi allies on issues and praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut wrote in his newspaper column that Sharad Pawar told him and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray that some of his party colleagues were under pressure due to the central governments investigating agencies but he had told them to take their own decision. This fuelled speculation that Ajit Pawar could split the party to join hands with the BJP.

Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he was not retiring from public life. I will continue to work round the clock to solve the peoples problems. The love and trust of the people is my breath. There will be no separation from me or public retirement.
NEW DELHI: Any dialogue between different faiths has to embrace differences and diversity to build real bridges, and Muslims across the world, including in India, have to be discerning when it comes to religious fatwas that arent in consonance with contemporary realities, the Grand Mufti of Egypt has said. Grand Mufti of Egypt Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam said India has seen staggering development since his last visit five years ago (HT Photo/Sanjeev Verma)

Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, who is on a six-day visit to the country at the invitation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous body under the external affairs ministry, said Muslims who carry out terrorist attacks are part of a fringe minority that represents a sick mentality. Egypts Dar al-Ifta, an Islamic advisory body, is gathering like-minded scholars to stop this phenomenon, Shawki Allam said in an interview. Edited excerpts:

How do you view India and what are the sort of engagements you plan to have in the country?

Its my second time in India and what I have personally noted is India has seen staggering development since I last visited New Delhi about five years ago. Any visitor to New Delhi would notice the successive developments in a great country like India. I personally feel the fragrance of the ancient vision of wisdom and knowledge of India mixed with new urban development undertaken by the government of India. Personally, I feel like the recent visit of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi [chief guest at Republic Day celebrations] has added a new flavor to the ever-growing and strong bilateral relationship between India and Egypt.

You have referred to the importance of messages by President Sisi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the need to build bridges in a challenging world. What will you do to help such bridges?

I think the starting point is to realise we are created by God in a diverse way, in terms of languages, ethnicities, religions, orientations and thinking. In Islam, this diversity is seen as a divine gift. We have to embrace it and move to the second step, which is to get to know each other, get rid of different barriers which we have built within ourselves that helps feed the hatred of others. Rather, we have to get to know each other. God, in one chapter of the Quran, says, O people We have created you and made you into tribes and nations so that you get to know each other. So this is the purpose for which God created us. God did not say I have created you to kill each other or hate each. Rather, he underscored the purpose of getting to know each other. The third bridge builder is to move from getting to know each other to real partnerships and real cooperation. Because man cannot live by himself or herself. Rather, we have to engage, interact and cooperate on that which is good for ourselves and for humanity at large.

You have said any dialogue has to embrace the differences between Indian and Egyptian society and that people behind extremist views are a minority. How can this minority be countered and will you talk to people from different religious groups during this visit?

What I have personally found is that there is a crisis of religious authority all over the world. This crisis emerges especially when we try to answer the question: Who speaks for religion? I keep saying that unfortunately, there is a minority of self-proclaimed scholars who did not study Islam in credible institutions and do not know the higher values of Islam. Rather they reflect heartless opinions and misunderstanding of the religion and religious values. So, I think one step is to stop these self-proclaimed people from speaking in the name of Islam and in the name of Muslims. We have, as scholars, to try to build a coalition of credible scholars to engage and to fill the gap. Because these self-proclaimed people would not arise unless they found a gap. We are trying as credible, authoritative scholars to fill this gap. I feel there is also a big responsibility on the shoulders of the media, which should be very selective in giving its platform to credible, authoritative scholars. Unfortunately, especially the Western media, have succumbed to the fallacy of hosting pseudo or self-proclaimed scholars who give an unauthoritative picture of Islam.

I came to engage with people. I did not come just to visit monuments and sights. I started engaging [on Monday] and will continue to do so for the rest of the journey. I believe that engaging and carrying on a mature dialogue is the only solution that we have for a better future, for humanity and for our two great nations. I have been doing that throughout my international visits and will continue to do so because this is my mission statement. I believe that just engaging and starting a conversation melts the ice of hatred and ignorance. Once we sit together and start talking, one is inclined to feel the sentiments of other people and to share their concerns and problems, and this is a starting point towards a fruitful engagement and dialogue. I believe this is the only viable option. We cannot accept other options of clashes and hate speech. We have to believe that the only viable option left for humanity is to engage, reach out and start cooperating with one another.

You come from an organisation known for its scholarly and well-researched fatwas. There are sometimes problems over fatwas issued by obscure clerics who are not in sync with modern realities. How can this issue be addressed?

I totally agree with you that such people who havent understood modern realities fail to produce relevant fatwas that resolve peoples concerns and problems. I have been stressing the importance of understanding current realities and relating Islamic texts to current realities so that we can produce viable solutions for Muslims worldwide. Without this, fatwas would be flawed, full of errors, incorrect and irrelevant to the lives of Muslims. We have been issuing fatwas at Egypts Dar al-Ifta that meet these important criteria. Our higher goal is to accomplish societal peace locally, regionally and globally. We are seeing this phenomenon of self-proclaimed clerics who issue these fatwas which have nothing to do with the current realities of Muslims and therefore they give them wrong solutions for their problems that push them away from Islam, rather than making them abide by the values of Islam. We have a role to play in curbing this phenomenon, and thats why we have created an umbrella body to bring all fatwa authorities worldwide on one platform, one common agenda to stop self-proclaimed people from hijacking the fatwa discourse. As I stressed before, the media have a role to play. The media should not go to such people and seek their opinion. I believe the common people have a role to play. Each Muslim has to be really careful in going to the wrong person because it is like a medical doctor. If you go to the wrong specialist, he will not be able to help you. The common man has a role to play by being very thorough in terms of reaching out to the good people, the certified and authoritative people who, besides understanding the religious text, they also understand the current realities of issues surrounding the fatwa.

You have criticised all kinds of terrorism, including attacks that targeted Christians in Egypt and the Shia minority in Pakistan. How can this problem be tackled and what can be done to address the negative connection between terrorism and people of the Islamic faith?

There is no association whatsoever between true religious values and resorting to violence, extremism and terrorism. We have to understand that terrorist attacks perpetrated by Muslims  they are a fringe minority. They do not represent Muslims. They represent themselves, they represent their sick minds and sick mentality. They resort to such violence because they havent understood religious values in a holistic, scholarly and authoritative way. Understanding Islam and all religions requires scholars who dedicate their entire life to the study of religion and to study the realities of the modern world and to be able to bridge religious values and cater them to the modern world so that Muslims or any faithful person would feel content and loyal to his or her religious values. I believe that again, its a shared responsibility. We have a role to play as scholars. Other players have a role to play to stop such sick minds and sick mentalities, who hijack the platform for producing these wrong opinions. As I mentioned, we are gathering like-minded scholars to be able to curb and stop this kind of phenomenon. This visit comes as a tool to reach out because dialogue is the only viable option. We have to reach out. We have to respect each other. We have to voice our concerns to each other in a tactful way, and our goal should be to accomplish societal cohesion and societal peace. This is the overriding purpose for all religions of the world  to live in peace with each other.

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The Gujarat high court is likely to complete the hearing on Congress leader Rahul Gandhis plea challenging a Surat court order declining to stay his conviction in a criminal defamation case on Tuesday. The matter is listed for urgent admission at 2.30 pm on Tuesday in the high court. (Rahul Gandhi | Twitter)

The matter is listed for urgent admission at 2:30pm on Tuesday in the high court.

Gandhis counsel argued in the Gujarat HC on April 29 that the offence for which he was handed a maximum sentence of two years in jail was not a serious matter that warranted his disqualification from contesting elections for eight years.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi stops campaign speech after hearing sound of Azaan, slams BJP on corruption

Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the high court on April 29 began hearing Gandhis revision application against the Surat sessions courts April 20 order declining a stay to his conviction for criminal defamation over his Modi surname remark.

After a sessions court in Surat refused to stay the March 23 conviction by a magisterial court that sentenced him to the maximum permissible punishment of two years imprisonment, Gandhi has moved the HC.

Gandhis counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, pleaded for a stay on the conviction in a case that is neither serious in nature nor of moral turpitude and is a non-cognizable and bailable offence.

The state government argued that Gandhis offence was of a serious nature and the complainant, Purnesh Modi, a Gujarat BJP MLA, questioned the maintainability of Gandhis application claiming that the plea was filed under the wrong provisions of the law.

When Singhvi argued that Gandhi is facing irreversible damage, losing his seat in Parliament and his disqualification as MP, the judge commented that greater duty is cast on him towards the people at large, and he should make statements within limits.

The lawyer stressed on the consequences of the conviction and said the conviction could be reversed in the future.

After hearing Singhvis arguments, the HC adjourned the hearing to May 2 as advocate Nirupam Nanavati, the lawyer of complainant and the BJP MLA, sought time to file a reply.

Singhvi questioned the locus of the state government to oppose Gandhis plea and said Purnesh Modis insistence on opposing it at this stage is to see that Gandhi remains disqualified and thus, these efforts bring the matter into the political sphere.

The judge asked the public prosecutor to make submissions on the provisions under which Gandhis plea has been filed.

Later, the BJP lawmakers counsel, Nirupam Nanavati, submitted that Gandhi could not have filed his plea under multiple provisions and hence his plea was not maintainable.

Justice Prachchhak asked the parties to make final submissions on Tuesday.

I will complete this matter because I am going out of India on May 5, he said.
The Gujarat high court on Tuesday refused to give any interim protection to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Modi surname case as it reserved the verdict on his plea for a stay on his conviction in the 2019 case which cost him his Parliament membership. A lower court convicted Rahul Gandhi on March 23 for his 2019 comment 'how come all thieves have Modi surname in common'. Rahul Gandhi was sentenced to two years imprisonment which disqualified him as an MP. Rahul Gandhi approached a higher court which upheld the lower court's verdict following which Rahul Gandhi approached the high court. High Court refuses interim protection to Rahul Gandhi in Modi surname case(Congress Twitter)

In the high court, Rahul Gandhi was represented by Abhishek Singhvi who contested that the offence for which Rahul Gandhi has been awarded the maximum sentence of two years was not serious and it did not involve any "moral turpitude" but the consequences of denying a stay on the verdict will be irreversible.

"In the case of a public servant or a legislator, it has very serious additional irreversible consequences - to the person, the constituency, and also drastic consequences of re-election," Singhvi said referring to a possible bypoll in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

"When you say all Modi are thieves, is it not moral turpitude? What message are you giving to the world? That an opposition leader of India brands his Prime Minister as a thief before thousands of people?" advocate Nirupam Nanavaty appearing for the complainant, BJP's Purnesh Modi, countered.

"An elected person loses the right to be a representative of the people, which is irreversible. He will lose the next session, meetings, etc. There is a loss to him, he loses the right to represent the voice of people. The people of the constituency lose their voice. The entire right of collectivity 'we the people' is lost. There will be a loss of public exchequer," Singhvi presented his case during Tuesday's hearing.

While the court refused to provide any interim protection to Rahul Gandhi, the verdict has been reserved. Justice Hemant Prachchhak concluded the hearing before he goes out of India on May 5. The verdict will come out after the vacation.

Rahul Gandhi's conviction, followed by his disqualification as an MP has brought the opposition parties together against what they call 'BJP's vendetta politics'. Congress alleged that the case was pursued soon after Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech in which he questioned the relationship between PM Modi and Adani.

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Jyethu Hansda and his wife, Jasomoti, looked nervously around the empty community hall in the heart of the bustling town of Bolpur in Bengals Birbhum district on April 27. It is all they can call a home for now. PREMIUM The Hansda family at the Bolpur community hall. (HT Photo)

Read here: NIA files charge sheet in 2022 Bengal explosives seizure case

We are wandering from one tribal village to another for three years, looking for a home. Nobody gave us land to settle down. Provided by government officers on April 24, this hall is our shelter now. But, for how long? Jyethu, 50, the head of the Santhal family, said.

The holes in his white vest, the cheap slippers left in a corner and some items of daily use scattered on the floor serve as tell-tale marks of poverty.

Of the 12 members, Jyethus four minor grandchildren, two girls and two boys, have not seen a school ever since the family was ostracized and thrown out of their home in the Bolpur block area.

We are residents of Munikundu. It is a hamlet of around 200 people. In August 2020, the village headman accused my mother of practising witchcraft because she used to worship idols. Holding a kangaroo court in the presence of a witch doctor they alleged she was responsible for the death of a villager and some livestock. We were thrown out of the village, said Uday Hansda, 37, Jyethu and Jasomotis eldest son.

And the news spread.

Many Santhal women worship idols these days instead of following the Sarna. How can blind faith drive people to such madness in this modern age? Munikundu residents misled people in other villages to ensure that we dont get a place to stay, Uday added.

In Bengal, a number of tribal groups want the Sarna, which is quite distinct from Hinduism, to be recognized by the Constitution as a separate religion. Numerous agitations have already taken place on this issue.

Followers of Sarna worship nature instead of idols. In 2020, the Jharkhand assembly passed a special resolution and sent it to the Centre, seeking a separate religion code for the tribal population.

Sumiram Hansda, 24, Jyethus youngest son, said: In many tribal villages, rivalry over property or land are often found to be the real reason behind ostracism. But it is not applicable in our case. We dont own any land or money. My brothers and I worked on the fields for other people to run our families.

Sumiram is the only one in the family who went to a school but he dropped out after class 7.

An extra hand on the field means some more money at the end of the day, he said.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) controlled panchayat in our area held mediatory talks with Munikundu residents several times but failed. Tribal bodies tried their best to help us return home. They failed too. Government officers visited our village as well, Sumiram added.

Bengals Scheduled Tribe (ST) population stood at 5.29 million during the 2011 census, accounting for about 5.8% of the total population. The major chunk of the tribal population lives in West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram and Birbhum districts.

Uday said Ayan Nath, the sub-divisional officer (SDO) of Bolpur, has been trying to help his family.

These are very sensitive cases. The administration cannot use force to rehabilitate this family because the villagers will pounce on them once the police leave. The issue can be solved only through talks. We are taking the help of tribal leaders and experts who understand the psyche of these people, Nath said.

Sekhar Sain, the sub-divisional officer (SDO), is supervising the talks between mediators and the Munikundu headmen.

Sain said: There was a time when declaring someone a witch or even killing that person was very common in the tribal belts. But things changed over the years. The ostracism of the Hansda family is quite unique because there is no politics or property related dispute involved. We found that one of the headmen, Sunil Murmu, took the lead in driving the Hansdas out.

Read here: Birbhum leader Anubrata Mondals daughter Sukanya arrested by ED; TMC reacts

Sain organised mediatory talks on April 26 and 29.

The SDO and BDO both went to our village on Saturday. The villagers are still adamant. They asked for time to discuss the issue among themselves. We are still at the community hall, Uday said on Sunday.

HT tried to contact Sunil Murmu but he could not be reached for comment.
Sharad Pawar announced his resignation from the post of the president of the Nationalist Congress Party that he founded in 1999 at the launch of the second part of his autobiography Lok Maze Sangati'. While his exit from the party chief post raises several questions over the future of the party, the role of his nephew Ajit Pawar and NCP's alliance with the Congress and the Uddhav Sena in the state, his tell-all book reveals many a thing about Ajit Pawar's 2019 misadventure when Ajit Pawar extended support to the BJP and took the oath as the deputy chief minister in a secret coup when talks for Maha Vikas Aghadi among Congress, Shiv Sena (undivided) and the NCP were on. Read | BJP secretly worked against ally Shiv Sena to destroy it, says Pawar in autobiography Sharad Pawar announced his exit for the post of the party supremo at the launch of his autobiography which too contains explosive revelations about Maharashtra politics. (PTI)

'NCP MLAs were told I agreed to side with BJP'

Recounting the 2019 incident, Sharad Pawar said he received a call at 6am on November 23, 2019. He was shocked to know that 10 NCP MLAs along with Ajit Pawar were at the Raj Bhavan. Sharad Pawar called those MLAs and got to know that those MLAs were told Sharad Pawar agreed to NCP supporting the BJP. "Immediately, I called Uddhav Thackeray and told him that whatever Ajit did had no go-ahead from me," Sharad Pawar wrote in his book. Read | Sharad Pawar quits as NCP chief, sparks Ajit Pawar v Supriya Sule row?

'Maha Vikas Aghadi govt collapsed because Uddhav resigned without fight'

Sharad Pawar wrote in his book that Maha Vikas Aghadi was not just an alliance for power but a coming together of the opposition against the BJP. MVA could have challenged the BJP at the national level. "We all knew that there will be desperate attempts to break this alliance. The government collapsed because Uddhav resigned without giving a fight," Sharad Pawar wrote. Read | Like Balasahebdirty politics: Sanjay Raut on Sharad Pawar's resignation

'BJP wanted to destroy Shiv Sena'

After the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the power equation between the BJP and the Shiv Sena changed though they were allies, Pawar wrote. BJP was planning to finish Shiv Sena: "Without finishing the Shiv Sena, which had a strong presence in urban areas, it would not be able to establish undisputed supremacy in the state." In 2019, the BJP was confident about getting a full majority, the book says.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has already expressed his disapproval of Sudipto Sen's Kerala Story -- about women going missing from Kerala and being radicalised. On Twitter, Tharoor was countered by his old post where he claimed that he was approached by three Kerala mothers who feared their daughters were radicalised. As Tharoor faced questions as to why he has objections to the movie based on the same subject, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said he was aware of four cases which are a far cry from 32,000 that the Kerala Story makers claimed. Meanwhile, the makers of the movie updated the description on YouTube and changed '32,000 women' to '3 women'. Earlier, the description said the movie is about the "heartbreaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32,000 females in Kerala'. Now it says: "A spine-chilling, never told before true story - revealing a dangerous conspiracy that has been hatched against India. The Kerala Story is a compilation of the true stories of three young girls from different parts of Kerala'. Read | Shashi Tharoor clarifies stance on The Kerala Story film: Not calling for ban, but Shashi Tharoor said his objection is to the "gross exaggeration and distortion" of Kerala's reality in The Kerala Story. (PTI)

"If there really were so many ISIS female members from Kerala, that would mean double the number when you count their husbands, whereas even Western intelligence sources say the number of ALL Indians in ISIS does not approach three figures. This gross exaggeration and distortion of the Kerala reality is what I am objecting to.

On the change of the description of th movie, Film's producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah told PTI that the film is about three women, though the mkers stand by the number of 32,000.

The Kerala Story has stirred a controversy after Kerala Congress opposed the claims made in the movie and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the movie is to further Sangh parivar's propaganda.

Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the release of the movie in threatres and on OTT platforms. The Supreme Court refused to entertain the plea as it said that the film has got certification and has been cleared by the board. "It's not like a person getting on the podium and starts giving uncontrolled speech. If you want to challenge the release of the movie, you should challenge the certification and through appropriate forum," A bench of Justice KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna said.

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The Indian and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) navies are set to conduct their maiden joint drills in the South China Sea where China is known for its aggressive activities that threaten to escalate tensions in the region, officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar at the opening ceremony of the inaugural ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-23). (HT picture)

China has longstanding territorial disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea with several members of the regional bloc including Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The opening ceremony of the inaugural ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-23) was held at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore on Tuesday, with the drills aimed at promoting maritime cooperation and enhancing trust, friendship and confidence amongst ASEAN and Indian Navies, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

Also Read: US demands China halt provocative South China Sea acts after near-collision with Philippine vessel

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and his Singaporean counterpart Rear Admiral Sean Wat, and senior dignitaries from ASEAN were present.

The regional bloc consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The inaugural edition of AIME is being co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and Indian Navy.

The harbour phase of the exercise will be held at the Changi Naval Base from May 2 to May 4, and the sea phase will be conducted from May 7 to May 8 in the South China Sea.

The first phase will witness a range of professional and social interactions between the participating navies including cross deck visits, subject matter expert exchanges and planning meetings, while the second phase in the South China Sea will provide an opportunity to the participating navies to develop closer links in the coordination and execution of operations in the maritime domain, the statement added.

To be sure, the Indian Navy has exercised with regional navies in the South China Sea before.

Beijing has been increasingly belligerent in stressing its claims in the South China Sea.

India has consistently called for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific, pivoting on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, while stressing on peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and under the framework of international laws.

India is concerned about complicating actions and incidents that have eroded trust and confidence, and undermined peace and stability in the region, defence minister Rajnath Singh said last November, while addressing the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus at Siem Reap in Cambodia.

India stands for the freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and adherence to international law, he had then said.

ASEAN is at the core of Indias Indo-Pacific Policy as enunciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in 2018.

Indigenous warships INS Delhi and INS Satpura along with a P8I maritime patrol aircraft will participate in the India-ASEAN naval drills.

India is keeping tabs on Chinas moves in the South China Sea and taking steps to ensure that the Chinese navy doesnt muscle its way into the Indian Ocean where combat-ready Indian warships are carrying out round-the-clock surveillance for any unusual activity.
NEW DELHI: Vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar will represent the Indian government at the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6. Tourists visit Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday. The coronation of King Charles III will takes place at Westminster Abbey on May 6. (AP)

Dhankhar, who will visit the United Kingdom during May 5-6, will join a gathering of about 2,000 dignitaries, including heads of state and government, at the coronation ceremony.

India and UK have historic relationship and share values of democracy, rule of law and many complementarities and convergences, the external affairs ministry said while announcing Dhankhars visit on Tuesday.

The bilateral relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021 with the adoption of Roadmap 2030 for guiding ties over the next decade.

In September 2022, President Droupadi Murmu visited the UK to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and offer condolences.

The coronation of King Charles III will be the first since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned in June 1953.
Indias unemployment rate climbed to a fourth-month high, the latest data showed, even though rural jobs ticked up slightly. Creating jobs for Indias burgeoning population will remain a key challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, especially as he looks to a third term in office. (File)

The nationwide joblessness rate rose to 8.11% in April from 7.8% in March. Urban unemployment climbed to 9.81% from 8.51% in the same period and rural unemployment fell marginally to 7.34% in April from 7.47% a month ago, data from the research firm Centre for Monitoring India Economy showed.

Creating jobs for Indias burgeoning population will remain a key challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, especially as he looks to a third term in office in national elections due next summer.
New Delhi The process has begun to ascertain if a less painful and more humane method than hanging by the neck can be considered for carrying out the death sentence in India, the Union government told the Supreme Court on Tuesday, adding that a committee will soon be set up to review the mode of execution under the countrys penal law. The Supreme Court asked why the CBI was needed if this (written questionnaire) is the yardstick to be adopted (HT File Photo)

Read here: SC rules HCs cannot suspend sentence unless case of acquittal made out

Appearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, attorney general (AG) R Venkataramani submitted that the government is in the process of appointing an expert committee to examine whether a less painful method of execution can be used under the law.

I had suggested the appointment of a committee to examine the issue, and the government is considering it while pondering over which experts could be part of the proposed committee, Venkataramani told the bench, which also included justice JB Pardiwala.

The bench recorded the AGs submission that the Centre was in the process of appointing a committee to examine alternative methods of executing capital punishment.

The Centres response came following the top courts observations on March 21 that hanging by the neck to execute the death sentence can be declared unconstitutional if there is scientific material favouring a different method of execution as less painful and more consistent with human dignity.

Asking the Union government to initiate a discussion on the subject and collect information on the executions carried out in the last four decades, the bench said that the time that the court was inclined to set up a panel of experts to go into the issue threadbare and examine if there was empirical evidence to suggest that hanging may not be the least painful and dignified mode of execution.

In the March 21 hearing, the apex court clarified that while the court will not tell the legislature which method of execution should be included in the statute, it could still ascertain the validity of the existing mode of execution (hanging) on the anvil of the constitutional right to dignity in death -- both in the process of execution and the manner of it.

The bench also said that it would consider referring the matter to a Constitution bench so that the 1983 judgment in Deena @ Deena Dayal Etc Vs Union of India could be reviewed. According to the bench, the 1983 judgment, while affirming the validity of death by hanging, did not consider the test of proportionality to examine if there was any less painful or intrusive method to carry out death sentences. The 1983 judgment was delivered by a three-judge bench, led by former CJI YV Chandrachud, the current CJIs father.

The AG, during the March hearing, submitted that the government was open to revisiting the issue, and sought some time to come back with suitable instructions.

The court was hearing a petition filed by advocate Rishi Malhotra in 2017, challenging the constitutional validity of Section 354(5) of the CrPC, which states that when a person is sentenced to death, he shall be hanged by the neck till he is dead. The lawyer has contended that execution of a death sentence by hanging is an inhuman and cruel act that violates the fundamental right of a convict.

Malhotra, in his plea, relied on Article 21 (right to life) and some previous Supreme Court judgments to argue that a condemned prisoner has the right to have a dignified mode of execution so that death becomes less painful. He also referred to the 187th report of the Law Commission, which advocated the removal of the present mode of execution from the statute.

Responding to a notice by the top court in 2018, the Union government said that hanging remained the safest and quickest method of execution, and that it eliminated the possibility of a lingering death. It rejected the suggestion of using lethal injections as an alternative, pointing out that not only were trained medical professionals unlikely to participate in executions, the possibility of failure of the chemical used in lethal injections also loomed large. The Centre added that the use of lethal injections has gained the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of botched executions within the United States between 1900 and 2010.

Read here: SC judge decries bid to delay Bilkis case verdict

Finally, the Centres affidavit emphasised that the death penalty is given to only those convicts who have acted with extreme brutality, depravity or carried out premeditated or socially abhorrent acts. Making the entire process of death penalty overtly comfortable, serene and painless may substantially reduce its effectiveness in acting as a deterrent against abhorrent criminal acts as was intended by the legislature and may not be able to serve its social purpose, it argued while seeking the dismissal of Malhotras petition.

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Jailed gangster Sunil Baliyan, better known as Tillu Tajpuria (33), was murdered inside his Tihar prison cell early on Tuesday by four inmates who are allegedly members of the criminal group earlier led by his rival Gogi, in an elaborately planned operation that underlined the frail state of security in Indias largest prison. Sunil Maan alias Tillu Tajpuriya. (Sourced)

Read here: Who was Tillu Tajpuriya  Delhi gangster killed in Tihar jail?

The vicious murder  the second in the prison complex in just 18 days  comes roughly a year-and-a-half after members of Tillus gang shot Gogi dead in a sensational killing inside a Rohini courtroom, and marks a key turning point in one of Delhis most brutal gang rivalries.

One undertrial was injured during the attack as he tried to save Tillu, and is being treated in hospital, said the police, adding that the four assailants made a second attack on the gangster minutes after the first to make sure he was dead, even as he was surrounded by security personnel. The four were booked for murder, attempt to murder and common intention.

Tillu was moved from Mandoli jail to a high-risk ward in Tihar just a month ago, said prison officers. He inhabited a cell alone on the ground floor in Tihars jail number 8 and 9, they added.

The intricate plan unfolded at 6am on Tuesday, a time when prisoners are allowed to step out of their cells.

Deepak Dabas (30), Rajesh Bawania (42), Yogesh (31) and Riyaz Khan (39) were imprisoned in a cell on the first floor of the same ward. Each floor, except the ground, is cordoned off by iron bars to prevent prisoners on one floor from entering another.

According to a preliminary probe, the four pried open the iron bars over several days to avoid being noticed. They also ripped out one of the bars, which they would later use as a weapon to attack Tillu. Then, they used a bedsheet to slide down to the ground floor on Tuesday morning.

Tillu was still in his cell, though the gate was unlocked, said police.

They rushed into Tillus cell and stabbed him several times with improvised weapons, like knives made from broken spoons, said Delhi prisons chief Sanjay Baniwal.

When Tillu realised they were coming, he tried to keep his cell door shut and was helped by another undertrial, Rohit. However, the four assailants overpowered the two and stabbed Tillu at least 100 times, said the police.

Tillu was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he was declared dead. Rohit was wounded during the attack and is being treated in hospital, said the police.

Baniwal said an inquiry has been launched to ascertain the precise sequence of events, identify the security lapses that paved the way for the attack and hold culpable jails officers responsible.

The inquiry, he said, will also outline long-term steps to avoid such incidents, the frequency and nature of which have over the past few years left prison authorities across the national capital red-faced.

Additional deputy police commissioner (west) Akshat Kaushal said, We have registered a case of murder, attempt to murder and rioting against the four inmates involved in the attack. The metropolitan magistrate (MM) concerned will be informed about the incident and permission will be sought to arrest and interrogate the alleged accused. Our probe will also focus on establishing if there was any larger conspiracy involved.

Baniwal added that an internal Tihar committee has been asked to submit a report on the incident within 24 hours.

The four men devised the detailed plan over several days and executed the murder with relative ease, with prison and police experts highlighting the repeated security lapses in Tihar Jail.

Murders and brutal attacks have become frequent occurrences across Delhis three prisons  Tihar, Mandoli and Rohini.

As recently as April 14, jailed gangster Prince Tewatia, who was allegedly associated with notorious criminal Lawrence Bishnoi (the prime suspect in the murder of Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala), was killed in another suspected gang war.

On August 4, 2021, 29-year-old gangster Ankit Gijjar, accused in at least eight murders, was found murdered inside a high-security ward in Tihar, a killing that led to widespread outrage, an extensive investigation and the promise of significant reform. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probed the case and chargesheeted at least six senior jail officials, including former deputy superintendent Narender Meena, for allegedly beating Gujjar to death.

Read here: Rival gang members kill gangster Tillu Tajpuriya in Delhis Tihar Jail

However, even after that murder, experts said Tillus killing leaves behind a series of red flags for the prisons security apparatus.

First, rival gang members shouldnt be kept in the same jail and ward, said Sunil Gupta, who retired from Delhi Prisons as a legal advisor and spokesperson. Secondly, jail manuals say high-risk prisoners lodgments should be searched twice in the morning and evening every day. The fact that the attackers had improvised weapons means this wasnt done. Third, such prisoners should be shifted every month. Over and above this, jail staff and security personnel should be trained to deal with such prisoners professionally.

Gogi and Tillu have a long chequered past. They first crossed paths as schoolchildren in the early 2000s. Then, in 2007, Gogi enrolled in Alipurs Shraddhanand College. Tillu, who dropped out of school in 2010, kept up his acquaintance with his boyhood friend for much of Gogis college life. But what once blossomed into a friendship quickly turned into a devastating rivalry after they supported opposing candidates in student elections at the college in 2010, said an officer from the Delhi Polices special cell.

Since then, their turf war has spilled blood on the streets of the National Capital Region (NCR) and the two men and their supporters have found their names in dozens of case files over the years. The conflict hit a crescendo on September 24, 2021, when Gogi was shot dead in Rohini courtoom by gunmen from Tillus gang dressed as lawyers. The murder unfolded before the judge and a dozen others, all of whom escaped unhurt, minutes before a routine hearing. The police shot dead the two assailants on the spot.

A resident of Tajpur Kalan village near Delhis Alipur, Tillu was arrested from Rohtak by Haryana Police in 2016.

Police officers said Tillu was moved from Mandoli in April, after he approached jail officials and reported a possible security threat from rival inmates there.

He was then moved to Tihar jail number 10 and 4 and later shifted to the high-security ward 8 and 9 on April 20.

Soon after Tillus killing, a few messages were posted on social media allegedly on behalf of gangsters linked with Gogis gang. These included notorious gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi, Kala Jatheri and Goldy Brar, claiming responsibility for the murder and threatening his sympathisers.

...todays murder of Tillu Tajpuriya inside Tihar jail was committed by our brothers Yogesh Tunda and Deepak Titar...Tillu had got our brother, Jitender Gogi, killed...today we have taken revenge of his (Gogis) murder... nobody becomes a gangster just by just being on Facebook...one has to kill and get killed for our brothers... those supporting our enemies should understand that they will not be spared... read one of the messages on Twitter, through an account created in the name of fugitive gangster, Goldy Brar.

Read here: Gangster Tillu Tajpuriya, accused in Delhi's Rohini court shootout, killed in Tihar jail

HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the social media account through which the message was posted.

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Lamenting an endeavour to stop him from deciding the case before retirement, Supreme Court judge, justice KM Joseph, on Tuesday left it for some other bench to hear Bilkis Banos petition against the remission granted to 11 men convicted of gangrape and murdering her family, observing that incessant attempts to derail the proceedings were unfair to him. Bilkis Bano was 21, and five months pregnant when she was gangraped while fleeing the violence during the 2002 riots. (HT_PHOTO)

As several lawyers for the convicts, one after the other, raised questions over the receipt of formal notice in the matter and sought more time to file their affidavits, justice Joseph remarked that he could clearly see a pattern that the parties did not want him to be on the bench for deciding the matter.

Read here: Delaying tactic: Mahua Moitra on remission of convicts in Bilkis Bano case

Justice Joseph retires on June 16 when the Supreme Court is on its summer break. His last working day in court will be May 19, after which the vacation starts.

Its obvious that they dont want me to hear the matter. Its very, very clear...we issued the notice on the first day this matter came to us. Thats the best and the maximum we could do. But is this the way the matter can proceed? asked the judge, sharing the bench with justice BV Nagarathna.

We can clearly see the pattern. Even after we put this matter after a week, someone will come and will say either they have not been served or they will ask for more time to file reply, justice Joseph added.

On the last date of hearing in April, the bench had told the Union government that it wants to see if there was a valid exercise of power and application of mind in granting remission to the 11 men, questioning the reluctance by the Centre and the Gujarat government to produce the original files behind the controversial decision.

Justice Joseph, on that day, further observed that the crime -- the rape of Bano and murder of seven people during the 2002 Gujarat riots -- was horrendous and that a massacre could not be compared to a single murder.

Here a pregnant woman, who was gangraped and several members of her family were killed...This was murder of 14 innocent persons and a case in which trial had to be shifted outside state (to Mumbai). How can it be compared with any other rape and murder case? There are larger considerations for granting remission. What is the message you are sending? the judge had asked the counsel for the Centre and Gujarat on April 18.

On Tuesday, advocate Shobha Gupta, appearing for Bano, requested justice Joseph to expeditiously decide the matter before his retirement as she accused the convicts of intentionally delaying the case on administrative grounds. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing one of the public interest litigation petitioners, added that the court must not let such tactics succeed and the judges should not recuse just because a party wants it.

Read here: Why is govt fighting shy of showing Bilkis case files: Supreme Court

Justice Joseph, however, replied: We are not recusing. We have no difficulties hearing it, but the fact is that I am retiring on June 16 and May 19 is the last day in the court before the vacation. We cannot compel anybody to argue a case during the vacation...Had this matter come to us earlier, it might have taken a different turn. I have done everything in my power but there is no time now.

The judge added that it cannot ignore the procedure that requires serving of a formal notice on the parties and giving time to them to respond. We have to see the service is complete. There is some procedure that has to be followed. How do we proceed with the matter without all getting served? You know criminal law. We never said on any day that we dont want to hear it but there is paucity of time, justice Joseph told Gupta after she said the bench may proceed with the matter with respect to the convicts who received formal notices.

At one point, a lawyer appearing for one of the convicts raised objections against the idea of concluding the arguments in the matter before May 19, prompting justice Joseph to retort: I have kept quiet till now on what you are trying to do. But dont make me say things. Its unfair to me. You may be appearing for a client, but you are also an officer of the court. Dont forget your dual roles.

In its order, the bench recorded the names of the convicts who have been served notices, saying it would want to keep things clear for the next bench that will take up the matter.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Union and Gujarat governments, also recorded his statement that they have no problem in adducing the documents relating to the remission of the convicts and that they are not pressing a claim of privilege with respect to such records. The S-G adds that they are not interested in filing a review against the previous order asking for the production of such records at the time of hearing, said the bench in its order.

Justice Joseph fixed the next hearing on May 9 only for the purpose of administrative directions, adding he would fix the hearing of the matter in July so that a new bench could take it up.

Bano was 21, and five months pregnant when she was gangraped while fleeing the violence during the 2002 riots, and her three-year-old daughter was one of the seven people killed.

The 11 men convicted of the crimes against her and her family were released on August 15 after one of them, Radheshyam Shah, approached the Supreme Court in April seeking remission, arguing that he had spent over 15 years in prison.

Read here: Set to walk free, Anand Mohan cites release of Bilkis Banos convicts as BJP raises heat

By an order in May 2022, a bench led by justice Rastogi directed the state government to consider the convicts plea for premature release in accordance with the 1992 policy  the one prevalent on the date of their conviction. While the existing remission policy of 2014 of the Gujarat government prohibits early release of rape convicts, no such restrictions were part of the 1992 policy.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday hit out at the Congress over its promise of banning the Bajrang Dal and Popular Front of India (PFI) in its Karnataka election manifesto.



Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the grand old party of appeasing Muslims. PFI is already banned. Siddaramaiah government withdrew cases of PFI. So they are saying that to appease Muslims they will ban Bajrang Dal, he said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during an interactive session with people from North-East India at BTM Layout constituency ahead of upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, in Bengaluru on Monday.(PTI)

Congress is saying that PFI can't say that we will take revenge. Congress' manifesto looks like the manifesto of PFI and fundamentalist Muslim organisations, Sarma, who is campaigning in the poll-bound state, added.

The manifesto launched by Congress today shows that it is a complete Muslim fundamentalist manifesto. Even if Jinnah was alive, he would not make such a manifesto. Congress has become a Muslim fundamentalist party. Our HM had banned PFI and now Congress is saying that they will ban Bajrang Dal, he added.

In September last year, the Centre declared the PFI an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for five years.

The radical outfit's associate organisations including All India Imams Council, Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Womens Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala, were also been banned.

The MHA said PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts were involved in the violent terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the state.



ALSO READ: 'BJP's manifesto has roadmap to make state no. 1', says PM Modi in Chitradurga



In its Karnataka poll manifesto, the Congress stated, "Law and Constitution is sacrosanct and can not be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities."



We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations, says Congress in its manifesto for Karnataka Elections 2023, the grand old party added.

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Belagavi After Maharashtra BJPs announcement campaigning in Karnataka, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) spokesman Sanjay Raut said he and other leaders from his party would campaign for the candidates backed by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti. (ANI)

Ahead of the May 10 assembly elections in Karnataka, political parties in Maharashtra are fighting over campaigning in favour or against pro-Maharashtrians in the poll fray.

Responding to its Karnataka counterpart, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra has agreed to deploy its leaders -- Union minister Nitin Gadkari and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis -- to campaign among the Marathis in Karnataka.

Coming down on the BJPs decision, the Shiv Sena said the BJP is campaigning to defeat Marathi-speaking candidates by pressing its leaders. Despite knowing what damage their campaign would inflict, the Maharashtra BJP has taken a drastic step to put an end to Marathas asmita (status) in Karnataka, the Sena said.

After Maharashtra BJPs announcement on Sunday about campaigning in Karnataka, Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut announced on Monday that he and other leaders from his party would campaign for the candidates backed by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES). He has appealed to the BJP to forget politics and join hands to keep up the welfare of Marathis in Karnataka.

However, both Maharashtra and Karnataka BJP units have refused the invitation of Shiv Sena, saying winning one or two seats would not protect the interest of Marathis in Karnataka and that it will not help Maharashtra on its border dispute case in the Supreme Court.

Responding to the BJPs claim, Raut said the party has shown its real picture -- giving importance to the party than protecting the interest of its linguistic group in Karnataka.

He said winning a single seat is important for MES while BJP would not suffer major damage if it lost one or two seats. He warned the BJP that people of Maharashtra would teach the party a lesson in the next elections as his party would make the campaigning in Karnataka an issue.

Referring to Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde who had said that he was jailed for about two months in Belagavi for participating in MESs movement against Karnataka in 1986, Raut asked if so, why he is not campaigning in favour of MES and against BJP in Karnataka. If he has a little concern for pro-Maharashtrians, he should have campaigned there. But unfortunately, he is helpless and tight-lipped, Raut, a Rajya Sabh MP, said.

He added that the pro-Maharashtrians in Karnataka are struggling to keep alive the border dispute for 70 years. As the current generation is not interested to continue the movement, the MES leaders are worried and are feeling insecure. BJP and Balasaheb Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena must understand the Marathas fear and help them in the election.

Raut said an MES delegations met both the factions of Shiv Sena and appealed them to campaign for it in the election. The MES also met chief minister Shinde and made the same request. However, Fadnavis who had assured of not campaigning for the party has now said he will campaign in the Maratha belt in Karnataka, which would be a great setback to MES, Raut said, adding that as promised he would campaign for the pro-Maharashtrians this week.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, said he and Chagan Bhujabal would campaign for MES. NCP has not fielded candidates to help MES.
Mahatma Gandhis grandson Arun Gandhi passed away at Kolhapur in Maharashtra on Tuesday after brief illness, family sources said. The funeral of the 89-year-old author and socio-political activist will be held at Kolhapur later today, his son Tushar Gandhi said. (File)

The funeral of the 89-year-old author and socio-political activist will be held at Kolhapur later today, his son Tushar Gandhi told PTI.

Born to Manilal Gandhi and Sushila Mashruwala in Durban on April 14, 1934, Arun Gandhi followed in the footsteps of his grandfather as an activist.
Ahead of the Supreme Court's final hearing of pleas against the remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday expressed doubt that the Centre and the Gujarat government may deploy "delay tactics". Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra.(ANI file)

Our #bilkisbanocase petition listed today at 2 pm for final hearing. Waiting to see what delaying tactics of review/privelege etc will be used by Union & Gujarat state, Moitra, who is one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court against the release of the 11 rapists of Bilkis Bano, tweeted. She added that truth shall overcome. Justice will prevail.

Earlier, Moitra slammed the Gujarat government for claiming privilege over the files of remission or premature release of the convicts in the case of gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots.

This is a delaying tactic on the part of Centre and Gujarat governments. They were clearly in contempt as they didn't produce the files, she had said.

During the last hearing on April 18, the Centre and the Gujarat government had told the Supreme Court that they might file a plea seeking a review of its March 27 order asking them to be ready with original files on the grant of remission.

The Supreme Court had questioned the Gujarat government over the remission. The court said the gravity of the offence should have been considered and asked whether there was any application of mind.

Asked about the hearing in the Supreme Court and the top court's observation, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, "It was not an ordinary crime or just gangrape, her child was killed... Can you imagine what she would have gone through and the the Gujarat government and the central government say these files are privilege."

"What privilege is there, is it a national security issue? This is a matter of a woman's right. You will have to put forward the truth on what basis you released such hardened criminals and on what basis your people called them 'sanskari'," she said, slamming the government.

Asking for reasons for the premature release of the convicts, a bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna had also questioned the paroles granted to them during their incarceration period.

On March 27, terming Bilkis Bano's gangrape and the murder of her family members as a "horrendous" act, the top court had asked the Gujarat government whether uniform standards, as followed in other cases of murder, were applied while granting remission to the 11 convicts in the case.

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NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as party chief. However, he won't retire from active politics. Sharad Pawar at the 'NCP Yuva Manthan' program in Mumbai last week.(PTI)

Pawar, who helmed the party since its inception in 1999, said in his address, "I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party".

A committee will be formed to decide who should be given the responsibility of the party chief's post, Pawar said. He said the panel should have senior members including Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Chhagan Bhujbal and others.

My colleagues, even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life. Constant travel has become an integral part of my life. I will continue attending public events, meetings. Whether I am in Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Delhi or any other part of India, I will be available to all of you as usual, Pawar told the NCP workers.

As soon as the veteran leader announced his decision, the NCP workers in the auditorium demanded that Pawar withdraw his decision, saying they won't leave the auditorium till he does so.



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"History seems to have repeated itself... But owing to the love of Shivsainiks he had to withdraw his decision... Like Balasaheb, Pawar Saheb too is the soul of the State's politics," Sanjay Raut tweeted. Read | On Sharad Pawar's resignation, nephew Ajit says veteran leader will

Sanjay Raut had hinted at a major development in Maharashtra politics a year before the election. But what he hinted at was a clash inside NCP which might lead to a split in the party. Raut earlier claimed that Pawar told him that there was pressure on individuals to break rank.

This led to speculations that Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar might break away from the NCP to support the BJP. While these speculations were laid to rest by the party, Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced his decision to step down from the post of president. "There was a signal that the bhakri will be rotated...but the pan was rotated," Sanjay Raut commented after Sharad Pawar's announcement, instead of Ajit Pawar's which was expected.

Supriya Sule's hint of '2 political blasts'

Though the announcement of Sharad Pawar's resignation comes out of the blue, the development was foreshadowed by NCP MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule. Last month, amid intense speculation of Ajit Pawar supporting the BJP, Supriya Sule indicated that there will be two political blasts soon -- one in Delhi and another in Maharashtra.

Sharad Pawar who founded the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999 -- breaking away from the Congress -- however is not going to retire from politics. He said he will be with his party but not as the party chief. Sharad Pawar's stepping down might make it easier for Ajit Pawar to support the BJP.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a fun-filled interaction with kids in poll-bound Karnataka's Kalaburagi before holding a roadshow and asked them what do they want to pursue in life. Excited children greeted PM Modi with enthusiasm as he briefly talked to them about their studies and remarked, Tumko PM ban ne ka man nhi krta?. PM Modi with kids in Karnataka's Kalaburagi. (ANI)

In the one-minute video, the prime minister could be seen approaching the young group as the children chanted Modi-Modi. The first question he asks is, Aap log school jate hai? (Do you all go to school?). 

Then he challenges them with some quick focus exercises and asks them to copy his hand postures. Padhayi karoge? Sab Padhayi karoge? Acha tum padhke kya banoge? (Will you all study? What will you choose as a career? he asks as kid shouted their answers.

Police, doctor, his security personnel were the professions the kids choose for their future, which prompted Modi to say  Tumko PM ban ne ka man nhi krta? PM bano.

PM Modi's roadshow in Congress President Mallikarjun Kharges home district passed through major roads of Kalaburagi city amid chants of Modi-Modi and the Prime Ministers new slogan for the May 10 Assembly election: 'Eee baariya nirdhara, bahumatada BJP sarkara' (This time's decision, a majority BJP government).

Earlier in the day, he held three consecutive rallies in Chitradurga, Hospet, and Sindhanur in northern Karnataka canvassing for the ruling BJP, which is seeking to retain power in the state.

(With agency inputs)
Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday slammed the opposition for using filthy language against prime minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to news agency ANI, Joshi - in the state to campaign ahead of next week's assembly election - said, "They're not able to digest the popularity and success of the prime minister. So they think that by using filthy language they can at least satisfy themselves. But people won't tolerate this... I strongly condemn this." Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi(ANI )

Joshi's comments come a week after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's Modi is a poisonous snake attack at an election rally in Kalaburagi. Kharge later claimed he was referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideology and not the prime minister but by then the commment had provoked furious responses from several BJP leaders, including union minister Smriti Irani.

Days later the prime minister himself responded by embracing the Congress leader's venomous words and declaring the opposition party hated him because he had made it his mission to fight against corruption, which has become a major issue in this election.

... my government has been working hard to make (a) strong nation and eradicate corruption from its roots and the Congress is not liking it. In return, they are calling me a poisonous snake, Modi told voters in Kolar, "... a snake stays on the neck of Lord Eashwar..."

The unseemly poisonous snake spat between the BJP and the Congress was noted this afternoon by the Election Commission, which called on all parties in Karnataka to maintain a high standard of political discourse. The poll panel said it had taken serious note of the plummeting level of discourse and referred to the use of inappropriate vocabulary and language... in particular, by those invested with the statutory status of star campaigner.

There was no reference to Kharge but the Congress chief is a star campaigner for his party.

Joshi's remarks also come after Congress leader and ex-Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah's comment last month - that 'PM Modi is not (a) God to bless anyone'.

The union minister criticised Siddaramaiah, saying, "We are not saying PM Modi is God (but that) people see him as God. Whatever they (Congress) have spoken against Modi ji, people have given them a befitting reply."

Meanwhile, Joshi on Monday once again played down talk of becoming the next chief minister of Karnataka. He declared he wishes to continue working directly under Modi.

"No. Absolutely no... I feel I am fortunate to work directly under Modi, I have never seen in my life such a personality," the four-time MP from Karnataka's Dharwad said as he defended his party's ticket distribution strategy for this election. The BJP has seen several high-profile names, including former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and deputy CM Laxman Savadi quit the party - and join the Congress - after being denied tickets in a bid to fight incumbency.

The battle for Karnataka - the first big state to vote this year, to be followed by Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and Telangana - is widely seen as a close race between the BJP and the Congress, with the Janata Dal (Secular) also in the fray.
A senior leader of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), a political party in West Bengal, was killed after he was allegedly pushed off a cliff after a brawl with a biker in Kalimpong district, police said on Tuesday. A case of murder under IPC Section 302 was registered on Tuesday (Representative photo)

According to the police, the incident took place on Monday night when Roshan Lama, with his wife and daughter, was heading towards their home at Monsong from Kalimpong in his car.

Around 8.30 pm (Monday) at Burmek Deorali, Lama met with a minor accident with a two-wheeler. It led to an altercation, which soon turned ugly, said Kalimpong superintendent of police (SP) Aparajita Rai. A fight started between Lama and one Tshering Sherpa.

During the brawl, the accused allegedly pushed Lama off the cliff and fled the spot. Lamas family members rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

A case of murder under IPC Section 302 was registered on Tuesday based on the complaint filed by Lamas brother Bhushan. Tshering Sherpa has been arrested, said the SP.

A GNLF leader said: Lama was about to be made the president of the GNLF Kalimpong branch... a political angle in the murder cannot be ruled out.

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Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that he is stepping down as the party chief. However, he will not be retiring from active politics. Speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan in Mumbai, Pawar said that After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. He added that it is time for a new generation to guide the party.

Sharad Pawar (PTI)
Has Sharad Pawar's resignation as the Nationalist Congress chief president triggered an all out war of succession between his daughter Supriya Sule and nephew Ajit Pawar?



The veteran leader's decision to step down as the chief of the party he founded 24 years after being expelled from the Congress sent shockwaves among the party cadre. Several party workers raised slogans demanding that Pawar withdraw his decision. Some of them even broke down after hearing his decision.



Sharad Pawar resigns as NCP chief: LIVE COVERAGE



NCP workers demanded that Sule speak to her father to reconsider his decision. But Ajit Pawar intervened and suggested to her cousin not to speak anything.

"I am her elder brother and that is why I am suggesting her this," Ajit Pawar said.



Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won't take it back, ANI quoted him as saying.



ALSO READ: On Sharad Pawar's resignation, nephew Ajit says veteran leader will



There have been murmurs in the NCP over a purported rebellion within the party ranks. Ajit Pawar reportedly held meeting with MLAs in his support before his uncle managed to prevail over the situation. But the ambitious nephew has minced no words about his chief ministerial ambitions.



Recently, Ajit Pawar had said that the NCP is ready to stake claim to the chief minister's post and does not have to wait till the 2024 Maharashtra election. Reacting to his remark, Sule had said there is nothing wrong to have ambition in politics. Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar.(HT Photo)

"There is nothing wrong to have ambition or a dream in politics, everybody has it, so I don't think there is anything wrong with saying openly about it. In fact, he is very honest in talking about his ambition," the NCP leader had told ANI.



On April 19, Sule had hinted will be two political blasts in the next 15 days, one in Delhi and another in Maharashtra. When asked about her brother, she had said,"What has happened is that for any development, my brother (Ajit Pawar) is held responsible. Everybody talks about a coin that is in demand in the market."

Back in 2019, Ajit Pawar had attempted a coup when he took oath as the deputy chief minister in the short-lived government led by Devendra Fadnavis. Then, Sharad Pawar had managed to bring back the rebels including Ajit back into the fold.



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Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar has announced his decision to step down as party chief after helming it for 24 years. His resignation sparked protests by his party workers who urged the veteran leader to withdraw his decision. Now, his nephew Ajit Pawar has said Pawar will abide by a decision of the NCP committee on his resignation.



Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won't take it back, he added. Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule and Sharad Pawar.(Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)

Follow live updates on Sharad Pawar resignation



Pawar's decision to step down comes amid reports of rebellion within the party, withi his nephew Ajit Pawar in focus. Recently, he declared that his party is ready to stake claim for the chief minister's post at any point of time instead of waiting for the 2024 Maharashtra poll. In fact, flex banners projecting him as the future CM had also appeared in Dharashiv recently.



ALSO READ: Time for the new generation': Sharad Pawar as he steps down as NCP chief. Top quotes



The rumours of Ajit's next political moves grew louder recently after he suddenly cancelled his scheduled meetings and made comments seen as being soft on the Bharatiya Janata Party and chief minister Eknath Shinde's camp.



When asked about a possible rift within the party few days ago, Sharad Pawar had said, "If someone is trying to break away, then it is their strategy and they must be doing that". There have been reports of Ajit Pawar holding meetings with the MLAs in his support, but the veteran leader prevailed over the situation. Ajit Pawar gave statement asserting he will remain in the NCP as long as he lives.



In 2019, Ajit Pawar staged a midnight coup after he took oath as deputy chief minister in Devendra Fadnavis' short-lived coalition government. Sharad Pawar had then prevailed over the situation prompting the return of MLAs who had joined Ajit back to the party fold. Even Ajit Pawar had resigned from the deputy CM post after his coup failed.

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Former Union minister Sharad Pawar, on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). His resignation comes 24 years after he founded the party. NCP chief Sharad Pawar with party leaders.(PTI)

After his announcement to step down as the party chief, workers of the party gathered at the NCP office in Thane shouting slogans and asking him to withdraw his resignation. The workers declared that they would not leave the venue unless Pawar takes his decision back.

NCP president Jayant Patil and party leader Jitendra Awhad broke down upon hearing Pawar's decision. The NCP president said that Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before taking the decision.

After announcing his resignation, Pawar said, I am with you but not as NCP chief.

"I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party, he added.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as party chief. However, he won't retire from active politics.

Pawar, who helmed the party since its inception in 1999, said in his address, "I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party".
Around 3,000 stranded Indians have left the crisis-hit Sudan for Jeddah till now, as India intensified Operation Kaveri to rescue stranded citizens from Khartoum on Friday. Indian nationals, evacuated from violence-hit Sudan under Operation Kaveri, upon their arrival in Ahmedabad, Tuesday, May 2. (PTI)

The Indian Air Force C-130J flight with 122 stranded Indians, senior citizens including took off from the crisis-hit Sudan.

"IAF C-130J flight carrying 16th batch of evacuees takes off from Port Sudan. 122 passengers onboard this flight are en route to Jeddah. Nearly 3000 persons have now left Sudan under #OperationKaveri," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

"Respect and regard to our senior citizens being evacuated from Sudan. #OperationKaveri," he added.

Till now around 2300 Indians have been evacuated, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said on Sunday.

"A C-130 Indian Airforce flight has landed in New Delhi with 40 passengers. With this flight, around 2,300 people have reached India," EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft with 40 passengers onboard New Delhi from Jeddah as 'Operation Kaveri' progresses further to evacuate stranded Indians from battle-torn Sudan.

It was the 8th flight carrying Indian evacuees that took off from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, since 'Operation Kaveri' began.

Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi wrote, "#OperationKaveri 8th flight carrying Indian evacuees takes off from Jeddah. IAF C-130J aircraft with 40 passengers is on its way to Delhi."

The 7th flight destined for Bengaluru took off from Jeddah earlier today, with 229 passengers onboard. "#OperationKaveri bringing citizens back home. Destined for Bengaluru, 7th outbound flight carrying 229 passengers departs from Jeddah," MoS Muraleedharan tweeted.

On Saturday evening, 365 Indians from Sudan arrived in New Delhi under Operation Kaveri, while a flight carrying 231 Indian passengers reached the national capital on Saturday morning. As a ceasefire has been called in Sudan, several countries, including India, are attempting to evacuate their citizens from a conflict-ridden nation.

Sudan is experiencing bloodshed due to clashes between the army and paramilitary forces. Even though there is a 72-hour ceasefire, there have been allegations of violence.

Fighting has erupted between soldiers loyal to Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary Rapid Support Soldiers (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
The Supreme Court has granted a temporary concession to the Chhattisgarh government to implement the law providing 58% reservation to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in state government jobs. A three-judge bench headed by justice BR Gavai was hearing an urgent request by the Chhattisgarh government. (HT File Photo)

Read here: Supreme Court judge decries bid to delay Bilkis Bano case verdict

The apex court stayed the Chhattisgarh high courts order that declared unconstitutional an amendment to the 2011 law and struck it down in September last year.

A three-judge bench headed by justice BR Gavai was hearing an urgent request by the Chhattisgarh government, which submitted that owing to the high courts stay, recruitments had come to a standstill and the state was facing with extreme shortage of manpower.

We find that a situation cannot be permitted where the state does not have requisite manpower to run the administration, the bench, also comprising justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol, said in its order on Monday, taking note of the extraordinary situation.

The bench, however, clarified that any action by the state will be subject to the final result in the appeal filed by the state challenging the Chhattisgarh high courts decision of September 19.

All appointment and promotion orders shall specifically mention that such appointments and promotions are subject to the final outcome of the present proceedings, the bench said, as it posted the appeal of the state along with accompanying petitions in July.

In September last year, the high court struck down the Chhattisgarh Lok Seva (Anusuchit Jatiyon, Jan Jatiyon aur Anya Pichhade Vargon ke Liye Arakshan) (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam, 2011, which provided 58% reservation  12% for SCs, 32% for STs and 14% for OBCs  in in public services and posts and to certain educational institutions established, maintained or aided by the state government.

The high court held that no exceptional circumstance had been made out for breaching the reservation ceiling limit of 50% as held by the Supreme Court in the Indira Sawhney case in 1994.

After the top courts order, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted: We all welcome the decision of the Supreme Court to stay the order of the high court on 58% reservation. But our struggle against the conspiracy of BJP against the youth of Chhattisgarh will continue. If the governor signs the new bill only then the right justice will be given. We will fight and win.

Read here: SC rules HCs cannot suspend sentence unless case of acquittal made out

Reacting to Baghels tweet, senior BJP leader and former CM Raman Singh said, The BJP government had already implemented 58% reservation after considering it very seriously and today the Supreme Court has cleared it and opened the way for recruitment for young colleagues.

He added: The reality of the Congress government, which has become an obstacle in this 58% reservation, is now in front of the youths.
A special investigation team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court didnt carry out a proper probe into the 2002 Naroda Gam massacre and that the prosecution couldnt prove that the accused were present at the crime scene, said the judgment in the case that was made public on Tuesday. Former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani leaves the session court after being acquitted in the 2002 Naroda Gam massacre case, in Ahmedabad. (Agencies)

Read here: 'Celebrate or': Kapil Sibal reacts to 2022 Naroda Gam case verdict

A special SIT court last month acquitted all accused in the Naroda Gam case where 11 Muslims were killed, bringing the curtain down on the trial in one of the worst episodes of violence in the 2002 Gujarat riots that spanned two decades. The court pronounced a one-line verdict letting off all 67 accused in the case  another 18 were charged but died during the course of the trial  including former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani, Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaydeep Patel.

The detailed 1,728-page order was made public on Tuesday and blamed the SIT for the acquittals. The court order said the investigating agency did not verify the statements of the witnesses, and added that their statements were found to be contradicting those made before the police earlier. The investigation team did not properly conduct a test identification parade either, the order said.

To sum up the submission it is respectfully stated that there is no manner of doubt in these set of facts of the case that the NGO/Third Party has taken much interest right from the beginning to create/ fabricate facts and ultimately to implicate more persons in the case in such circumstances the investigation, made by SIT which is virtually futile except to add more accused ( and to file additional charge-sheet) is of no consequence and is required to be completely given a go bye and not be relied upon, according to submission made before the court by Kodnanis counsels Amit Patel and Yogesh Lakhani.

Based on the evidence provided before the court, written arguments and judgments, no way does it establish that the accused have conspired to commit a crime, engaged in unlawful assembly or to achieve a common goal have committed a heinous crime or killed someone, special judge Shubhada Baxi said in his order.

The prosecution and defence examined 187 and 57 witnesses, respectively, during the trial that started in 2010. Seven judges heard this case at different stages. We will advise the government to challenge the courts order, said special public prosecutor Gaurang Vyas.

The Naroda Gam massacre case was one of the nine major 2002 communal riots cases investigated by the SIT and heard by special courts. On February 28, 2002, 11 Muslims were killed as communal violence rocked the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad city, a day after 58 passengers on board the Sabarmati Express were charred to death when the train was set on fire in Godhra. In 2008, a Supreme Court-instituted SIT filed a charge sheet against 86 people, booking them under Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons), 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), and 153 (provocation for riots), among others.

Read here: All 67 accused acquitted in Naroda massacre case

The defence witnesses included Union home minister Amit Shah, who appeared as a witness for Kodnani to establish her alibi that she was at the Sola Civil Hospital on the morning of February 28, 2002. The prosecution witnesses had claimed she was at the Naroda Gam along with Patel at that time. In 2017, Shah told the court he saw Kodnani in the Gujarat Assembly around 8.30am and at Sola civil hospital around 11.15am on the day the violence took place.
The Supreme Court collegium on Tuesday recommended a Parsi lawyer to be appointed as a judge in the Bombay high court, snubbing an objection by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) that he was a junior to an advocate who wrote an article alleging lack of free speech in the country. In January, the collegium had reiterated its recommendation to appoint two lawyers as judges in the high courts of Bombay and Madras respectively, emphasising on the importance of free speech. (Agencies)

Brushing aside IBs objections against the proposed elevation of advocate Firdosh Phiroze Pooniwalla over an article penned by his former senior three years ago, the collegium maintained that the lawyer is suitable in all respects for appointment as a judge of the Bombay high court.

The Intelligence Bureau has, however, flagged that Shri Pooniwalla had earlier worked under an advocate. It is reported that the said advocate has written an article in a publication in 2020 expressing concerns over the alleged lack of freedom of speech/expression in the country in the last 5-6 years. The views which have been expressed by a former senior of Shri Pooniwalla have no bearing on his own competence, ability or credentials for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Bombay, stated the collegiums resolution released on Tuesday.

The collegium, comprising Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph, noted that Pooniwalla and his former senior did not have an employer- employee relationship because both of them practised on the original side of the litigation in the high court where juniors are free to handle their own cases.

Junior counsel associated with the chamber of a senior on the Original side are not engaged in a relationship of employer-employee with their senior. While juniors are associated with the chamber, they are free to do their own work and for all intents and purposes, are entitled to independent legal practice, added the resolution. Under Original jurisdiction, a high court has the authority to hear the dispute in the first instance, and not only by way of appeal.

Apart from reservations expressed over his former senior, the collegium noted, no other adverse comments reflecting on the suitability of Pooniwalla for elevation have been made by the IB. The candidate has an extensive practice at the Bar and is specialized in commercial law. The candidate professes Parsi Zoroastrianism and belongs to a minority community, it further stated.

In addition to Pooniwalla, the collegium also recommended advocates Shailesh Pramod Brahme and Jitendra Shantilal Jain for appointment as judges in the Bombay high court. About Brahme, the collegium noted that he is a competent lawyer with experience of about thirty years of practice in civil, criminal, constitutional and service law cases and that no adverse inputs were received against him.

Jain, with his specialization in tax litigation, will be an asset to the work of the High Court, the collegium said while recommending him.

In January, the collegium had reiterated its recommendation to appoint two lawyers as judges in the high courts of Bombay and Madras respectively, emphasising on the importance of free speech.

It said that expression of views by a candidate does not disentitle him to hold a constitutional office while imploring the Centre to appoint Somasekhar Sundaresan, who has been picked for elevation to the Bombay high court, and R John Sathyan, who has been selected for the Madras high court. But the two lawyers are yet to be appointed by the government.

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Upset over breach of its direction passed over a month ago in suo motu proceedings relating to grant of anticipatory bail, the top court on Tuesday directed the Allahabad high court to send two judicial officers in Uttar Pradesh for training at the state judicial academy, relaying a clear message that such instances will not be tolerated. The March 21 order of the top court passed in a batch of cases titled Satender Kumar Antil had said, It is the duty of the high courts to ensure that the subordinate judiciary under their supervision follows the law of the land... (PTI)

The order was passed by a bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ahsanuddin Amanullah while monitoring a series of past orders aimed at curbing the tendency of courts to direct custody of accused and lessening the burden of litigation in courts that follows as a result of their arrest.

One such order was of March 21, when the Court gave a specific direction to all high courts to ensure that courts below adopt a lenient approach towards accused who cooperated during investigation and were not arrested once during the probe by granting them anticipatory bail at the time when they appear in Court on being summoned during trial. Prior to this, in July last year, the court held that even regular bail should be granted to an accused who fulfil the twin criteria listed above and seek regular bail on being summoned.

By the March order, the court also put high courts on guard to deal with judges who defy the order by withdrawing judicial work and sending them for training at judicial academy. This was made practical by the Court on Tuesday as it was confronted with two orders alleging breach of March 21 order.

One order came from the sessions judge in Lucknow, passed on April 26, in which the judge in question rejected the anticipatory bail pleas of several accused in a matrimonial dispute despite being informed about the top courts judgment. The accused parents in the case were not arrested throughout the investigation. The Lucknow court cited a specious ground saying ample safeguards are available to applicants while denying them anticipatory bail.

Certainly the judge concerned meets the parameters for upgradation of skills at the judicial academy, the bench said, as it brought this order to the lawyer appearing for the Allahabad high court. Despite our directions, much leaves to be desired, the court added.

The March 21 order of the top court passed in a batch of cases titled Satender Kumar Antil had said, It is the duty of the high courts to ensure that the subordinate judiciary under their supervision follows the law of the land. If such orders are being passed by some magistrates, it may even require judicial work to be withdrawn and those magistrates to be sent to the judicial academies for upgradation of their skills for some time.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, assisting the court as amicus curiae, showed another illustration of non-compliance by lower courts, again from Uttar Pradesh. The order was of April 18 passed by the special judge, Ghaziabad,handling anti-corruption cases relating to central bureau of investigation (CBI). The accused was a cancer patient who was denied anticipatory bail. The court order does not mention the names of the two judges.

The top court directed the Allahabad high court to examine the case of this judicial officer too in the light of its order passed on March 21. There were other applications too mentioned before the Court pertaining to other states but since a copy of the same was not provided to Luthra, the bench requested applications to be routed through the amicus for proper consideration.

The bench failed to understand how it could bring about a change in the approach of judicial officers noting that such orders had a dual ramification of sending people to custody where they are not required to be so sent and creating further litigation by requiring the aggrieved parties to move higher courts.

We are getting bail applications here (in Supreme Court) since what should be attended to at the district court level is not happening. Luthra said that the directions of the top court would have a positive impact on reducing the case load on courts across all levels.

The bench further observed, We have paucity of judges and on top of it, we have these matters flooding the court. It was with this intention that in the same case (Satender Kumar Antil), the top court issued orders on July 12 last year to grant regular bail after completion of investigation by police.

Through the March order, the purpose sought to be achieved through the earlier order of July was reinforced as the top court said, What we have enunciated qua bail would equally apply to anticipatory bail cases. Anticipatory bail after all is one of the species of a bail.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to immediately take up a plea seeking a stay on the release of the controversial movie The Kerala Story, pointing out that the movie has already been cleared by the censor board and that the petitioners should instead challenge the films certification before an appropriate authority. The Supreme Court of India (ANI)

A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna, which is currently seized of a clutch of matters relating to hate speeches, said that the plea to stay the release of the movie cannot be clubbed with the other instances of hate speech since the exhibition of films entails a different process.

This has gone through certification. We cannot make it a part of the hate speech case. You should move the high court or any other appropriate forum but this cannot be here, the bench told senior counsel Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha, as they urged the bench to hear their plea.

Pasha, on his part, pointed out that the YouTube trailer of the movie already had 16 million views. This is the worst instance of hate speech. This is audio-visual propaganda. We do not have time for any other remedy and thats how we are here before the highest court of the land. This movie will release on Friday, he contended.

But the bench declined.

We cannot tag it with the hate speech case. There is a difference between this and other matters you brought to our notice. Why dont you move the concerned high court first? See, a board had certified it, through a process, the bench told Pasha.

Sibal requested the bench to reconsider its views. Please, look at the transcript of the YouTube trailer during the lunch recess and then take a call. We will also file a substantive petition by tomorrow, the senior counsel told the judges.

But the bench retorted: In substance, its a different medium. This has gone through a process of certification. Unless you challenge the certification, we cant do anything. We are nobody to advise you here. But you should go to the jurisdictional high court. You cannot start everything here at the Supreme Court...This may not be the forum where you will get your relief, it told Sibal.

With the writing on the wall, Sibal said that he would mull over approaching a different forum to get a stay on the movies release on Friday.

The Kerala Story is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Shah. The Adah Sharma-starred film is based on 21 people who went missing in 2016 and reportedly joined the Islamic State. The trailer of the movie claims that 32,000 women from Kerala were forcibly converted and allegedly recruited into ISIS.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday hit out at the makers of the film, alleging that they were pushing the propaganda of Sangh Parivar (a term used to refer to organisations affiliated to or inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys ideological fount) of projecting the southern state as a centre of religious extremism.

Kerala Congress has urged the state government not to give screening permission for the film which it said was full of lies and painted the Muslim community in bad light.

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New Delhi The Supreme Court on Tuesday took exception to a Patna high court order allowing three life-sentence convicts to remain on bail till their appeal gets decided. Delhi The Supreme Court on Tuesday took exception to a Patna high court order allowing three life-sentence convicts to remain on bail till their appeal gets decided. (Representational image/Shutterstock)

Finding the order that suspended the life sentence of the convicts impermissible, a bench of justices MR Shah and JB Pardiwala set aside the high courts order passed on September 16 last year, and directed the three men, convicted for murder, to surrender before the Hajipur trial court within three days.

The high court committed a serious error in suspending the substantive order of sentence of the convicts and their release on bail pending the final disposal of their criminal appeals, the bench said, setting aside the high courts order.

In doing so, the apex court interpreted the broad contours that high courts should bear in mind while deciding the issue of suspending sentence of an accused during the period of appeal under Section 389 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

The endeavour on the part of the court should be to see as to whether the case presented by the prosecution and accepted by the trial court can be said to be a case in which, ultimately the convict stands for fair chances of acquittal, the bench noted.

In coming to this conclusion, the high court should not re-appreciate the evidence or try to pick up lacunae or loopholes here or there in the case of the prosecution as such an approach would not be a correct one, the bench held.

Section 389 states that pending any appeal by a convicted person, the appellate court may order that the execution of the sentence or order appealed against be suspended and, even order release on bail on a personal bond.

To ascertain whether the convict has fair chances of acquittal, the bench said: What is to be looked into is something palpable. Something which is very apparent or gross on the face of the record, on basis of which the court can arrive at a prima facie satisfaction that the conviction may not be sustainable.

Justice Pardiwala, writing the judgment for the division bench, said, If ultimately the convict appears to be entitled to have an acquittal at the hands of this Court, he should not be kept behind the bars for a pretty long time till the conclusion of the appeal, which usually take very long for decision and disposal.

In the present case, however, the court noted that none of these parameters was met. What the high court has done is something impermissible. It (HC) has gone into the issues like political rivalry, delay in lodging the FIR, some over-writings in the FIR, etc. All these aspects will have to be looked into at the time of the final hearing of the appeals filed by the convicts, it said.

It directed the three convicts  Jai Shankar Chaudhary, Abhay Kumar and Ram Babu  sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life by the trial court in March 2021 for the 2018 murder of one Manish Kumar, the block pradhan, to surrender within three days. The top courts order came on an appeal filed by the deceaseds brother who was the complainant in the case.
Can the Congress capture power in the Karnataka elections scheduled for May 10? Here are three charts that try to answer this question in a strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT) framework. PREMIUM Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar and senior party leader Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Tuesday. (PTI)

Strength: Congress has the biggest support base in the state At a time when the Congress is facing a shrinking footprint across the country, it can take some solace from the fact that its support base  measured in terms of vote share  has almost always been higher than its competitors in Karnataka. An HT analysis of the past results shows that Congress has had the highest vote share in all assembly elections held in Karnataka except in 1985 and 1994. It is important to note that this includes the 2004, 2008, and 2018 elections when the Congress did not end up as the single largest party in the state. A comparison with the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)s vote share in assembly elections shows that the latter has never had a higher vote share than the Congress in the state. At a time when the Congress is facing a shrinking footprint across the country, it can take some solace from the fact that its support base  measured in terms of vote share  has almost always been higher than its competitors in Karnataka. An HT analysis of the past results shows that Congress has had the highest vote share in all assembly elections held in Karnataka except in 1985 and 1994. It is important to note that this includes the 2004, 2008, and 2018 elections when the Congress did not end up as the single largest party in the state. A comparison with the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)s vote share in assembly elections shows that the latter has never had a higher vote share than the Congress in the state.

Chart 1: Vote share of Congress and BJP in assembly elections in Karnataka.(HT_PHOTO)

Weakness: Congresss seat share to vote share ratio is the lowest among the three major parties in Karnataka

While a higher vote share is enough to guarantee power in a proportional voting system, things are different in a first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, where a partys ability to win elections is contingent on converting its vote share into seat share at the constituency level. Theoretically speaking, it is possible for a party to have a much smaller vote share and end up with a higher seat share if its support base is concentrated in a selected region. A useful metric to measure the ability of the party to convert popular support into seats is the seat share to vote share ratio. A comparison of this number for the past four elections in Karnataka shows that Congress has not fared well on this front except in 2013. This is the biggest weakness of the Congress in the forthcoming elections. The BJP has the highest seat share-vote share ratio during the last four assembly elections, with 2013 as an exception when its seat-vote share ratio was drastically reduced.

Chart 2: Seat share to Vote share ratio of Congress, BJP and JD(s) from 2004 onwards(HT_PHOTO)

Opportunity: Will 75% reservation promise expand the traditional vote bank of the Congress?

The Congresss best performance in Karnataka was achieved on the basis of a social coalition called AHINDA under the leadership of Devraj Urs. AHINDA is a Kannada acronym for Alpasankhyataru or minorities, Hindulidavaru or backward classes, and Dalitaru or Dalits. This alliance was also aimed at othering the two dominant castes in Karnatakas politics, namely Lingayats and Vokkaligas. While the social groups broadly defined as AHINDA are still the biggest support base of the Congress in the state, its primary opponent, the BJP, has closed the gap as far as non-minority constituents of AHINDA are concerned. With the BJP trying to increase its advantage among the states two most important social groups by announcing additional reservations for Lingayats and Vokkaligas at the cost of reservations for Muslims  the decision has been stayed for now  the Congress has tried to counter this by announcing proportionate reservations going up to 75% in the state. If the promise gains political momentum, Congress stands to gain the support of additional social groups without compromising its traditional support base.

Chart 3: CSDS-Lokniti caste-wise support for Congress-BJP from 2008 to 2018(HT_PHOTO)

Threat: Will a post-poll discord undo Congresss gains

The Congress has managed to form governments in Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka in the post-2014 period. But in almost every state, its organisation has been mired in factional fights between state-level leaders. While tensions have not led to the fall of government so far in Rajasthan (Ashok Gehlot versus Sachin Pilot) and Chhattisgarh (Bhupesh Baghel versus TS Singhdeo), the party has lost a government between elections in Madhya Pradesh after Jyotiraditya Scindia walked out of the Congress in 2020, and elections after it replaced chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh with Charanjit Singh Channi before the 2022 Punjab polls. Even in Karnataka, the party has seen competitive factionalism between former chief minister K Siddaramaiah and its state president DK Shivakumar. Given the fact that the Congress has already seen a major defection of 13 MLAs in 2019, which led to a fall of the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) alliance government, the possibility of discord within the Congress ranks even if the party were to win a majority cannot be ruled out.

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The content of the upcoming Hindi film The Kerala Story has snowballed into a massive political backlash, with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Congress opposing the film. A banner from The Kerala Story film,

The controversial film depicts how thousands of young women were brainwashed into joining the Islamic State (IS) and heading off to countries like Syria and Afghanistan.

Top points on The Kerala Story row:

1. Both the CPI(M) and the opposition Congress criticised the makers of the movie, saying they were taking up the Sangh Parivar propaganda of projecting the state as a centre of religious extremism by raising the bogey of 'love jihad' -- a concept rejected by the courts, probe agencies and the Union home ministry.

2. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Sangh Parivar of trying to destroy religious harmony in the state by sowing the poisonous seeds of communalism.

3. The Bharatiya Janata Party has termed as double standards the stand of the Kerala CM and ruling CPI(M) that freedom of speech and expression could not be a justification for using cinema to spread sectarianism in the state and create divisions.

4. As the BJP came out in support of the controversial film, Congress's Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor said Keralites had the right to say loud and clear that the movie was a "misrepresentation of our reality". "Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud & clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality," he tweeted.

5. According to reports, representatives of the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) have stated that banning a film is futile since viewers can still watch it on OTT platforms. Suresh Shenoy, an office bearer of FEUOK and a theatre complex owner in Kochi, has been quoted by the media as saying that such a move sets a bad precedent and amounts to censorship.

6. The Kerala State Committee of Muslim Youth League has announced a reward of 1 crore for the individual who proves the allegations levelled in the movie.

7. In a strange twist, a right-wing activist and founder of the Hindu Seva Kendra Pratheesh Viswanath has also offered 10 crore. To prove the opposite: that no one from Kerala has gone to Syria to join IS.

About 'The Kerala Story'

The Kerala Story, starring Adah Sharma, is set to be released in cinemas on May 5. It is backed by Sunshine Pictures Private Limited, founded by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who serves as the producer, creative director and co-writer of the film.

The film's writer-director Sudipto Sen's earlier movies are 'Aasma', 'Lucknow Times' and 'The Last Monk.'

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Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) has hit back at Narendra Modi for his recent claim that the Congress abused him 91 times and questioned the prime minister's silence when the people of the Bharatiya Janata Party hurled abuses against me and his family. Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray speaks during Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) 'Vajramuth' public rally in Mumbai on Monday, (PTI)

During the Karnataka election campaign, PM Modi said that the Congress has abused him 91 times. The prime minister and his team have time to count the abuses but people from his party are abusing me and Aaditya every day. They are using abusive language, why is the PM not stopping them? We will answer them in the same language, Thackeray said addressing the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) rally in Mumbai on Monday.

The former Maharashtra chief minister alleged that their abusive language shows their culture. I am asking the RSS: do you accept such an offspring (BJP), Thackeray said.

Referring to the criticism he has faced for joining hands with the Congress and NCP, Thackeray said, When I go with the Congress and NCP, they (BJP) claim that I have forsaken Hindutva. If that is the case, then what about (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwats visit to a mosque, he said.

Thackeray also said he will visit Barsu on May 6 to meet the locals who are opposing the proposed oil refinery. No one can stop me from visiting Barsu, its part of Maharashtra This is not POK, Thackeray said.

Yes, I suggested the site for the refinery when I was the CM, but my letter (to Modi) did not specify that police should fire on protesters, the ex-chief minister said.

Last week, the protest against the proposed petrochemical refinery escalated when villagers attempted to forcibly enter the survey site. In response, the police fired tear gas and lathi charges to disperse the crowd, which resulted in several villagers sustaining injuries.

Subsequently, over 200 villagers who managed to enter the site, where soil testing for one of the country's largest petrochemical refinery projects is underway, were detained and transported to Ratnagiri. The Ratnagiri police arrested 201 protesters, including 181 women and 37 men, on charges of assaulting a public servant, rioting, unlawful assembly, molestation, and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Slamming the government for shifting mega projects from Maharashtra, Thackeray said, We will make pieces of anyone who tries to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.

The golden land of our Mumbai was sold for the bullet train. Why this bullet train? Who will go from Mumbai to Ahmedabad? I don't know how many 'Khokhas' they have taken from this... I will break them if they break Mumbai from Maharashtra, all projects have been shifted to other states, Thackeray said at the rally.

He also challenged Union minister Amit Shah, saying the latter will taste defeat in Mumbai and Maharashtra elections. If you have guts, send the ED to the house the Chinese president, whose country has encroached upon a huge area of India, he said.

On a sarcastic note, he suggested that industrialist Gautam Adanis life story must be part of the school curriculum so that people of India can learn how to become rich like him.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

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Alleging that central, state and local governments in India had promoted and enforced religiously discriminatory policies, the United States Commission on Independent Religious Freedom (USICRF) has once again asked the State Department to categorise India as a country of particular concern (CPC), impose sanctions on agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom and ban their travel to the US. It has also asked the US Congress to take up the issue of religious freedom in India in hearings, briefings, letters and Congressional delegations. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that USCIRF continues to regurgitate biased and motivated comments about India (ANI)

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This is the fourth year in a row that the USCIRF has made a similar recommendation with regard to India. The report defines CPC as countries where a government engages in or tolerates severe violations of religious freedom. USCIRF is a bipartisan government advisory body that was created by an Act of the Congress in 1998.

The ministry of external affairs has consistently rejected USCIRF reports. In a statement on Tuesday evening, responding to the latest report, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that USCIRF continues to regurgitate biased and motivated comments about India. We reject such misrepresentation of facts, which only serves to discredit USCIRF itself. We would urge USCIRF to desist from such efforts and develop a better understanding of India, its plurality, its democratic ethos and its constitutional mechanisms.

In 2022, India had said the report was biased and inaccurate, and reflected a severe lack of understanding of India and its constitutional framework, its plurality and its democratic ethos. The government had said that the commission had a motivated agenda and it continued to misrepresent facts time and again.

The Joe Biden administration, which has made deepening the strategic relationship with India a key priority, has chosen not to heed the call. While top American officials have, occasionally, expressed concern about developments in India, the dominant mood in the top echelons of White House and State Department is to recognise Indias political complexity, have a degree of humility given Americas own troubling democratic record in recent years, focus on the bilateral relationship and ensure India is a partner in the evolving Indo-Pacific security architecture with an eye on China. From President Biden to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, from Secretary of State Antony J Blinken to Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, from commerce secretary Gina Raimondo to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, top American leaders have consistently lauded the relationship with India and highlighted the countrys democratic credentials.

But the USCIRF report said that in 2022, conditions of religious freedom continued to dip in India and governments at all levels promoted and enforced discriminatory policies including through laws targeting religious conversion, interfaith relationships, the wearing of hijabs, and cow slaughter, which negatively impact Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and Adivasis.

The national government also continued to suppress critical voicesparticularly religious minorities and those advocating on their behalfincluding through surveillance, harassment, demolition of property, and detention under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and by targeting nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the report states.

The report, in particular, criticises India for laws against conversion, claiming that 12 states had criminalised conversion in various circumstances and that these disproportionately target Muslims and Christians.

The report flagged the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens in Assam as instances of discriminatory policies, and claims that only 92 of the 700 cases filed during the protests against CAA have reached trial while many peaceful protesters languish in jail. In addition, it points to vigilantism around cow protection. Violent attacks were also perpetrated across India under the justification of protecting cows from slaughter or transport, which is illegal in 18 states. Examples of violence against Christians, Muslims, and Dalits around suspicions of cow smuggling were reported in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.

Diaspora groups offered mixed reactions to the report. While the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) welcomed the report and asked the State Department to act on the recommendation, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies pointed to the gaps in the report.

Read here: Was not informed about US classified materials leak, says Zelensky: Report

Khanderao Kand, FIIDS president, said that while USCIRF was attempting to revive its case against India, it was doing so with a weaker set of data points. It conveniently lists delays in court cases but conveniently omits the fact that the Assam High Court actually ordered the implementation of the NRC, not the government. Furthermore, the report fails to acknowledge the cultural and economic significance of cows to Indian villagers, not to mention the constitutional ban on cow slaughter. It conveniently ignores the fact that the bulldozed houses were illegal and notified, and the list of omissions goes on. Kand said the report also failed to mention the targeted killings of Hindus in Kashmir and questioned its objectivity, fairness, intentions and credibility.

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Stating that same-sex marriage is against the "ethics of Indian culture," Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday held a protest in Tripura's Agartala and said the outfit will orgainse similar protests nationwide against a plea in the Supreme Court on the issue. VHP Tripura chief Mahendrapal Singh(ANI)

This comes amid the ongoing hearing in Supreme Court in connection with various petitions seeking legal recognition of the same-sex marriage.

"Nationwide protests will be held against the plea in the Supreme Court. This plea is against the ethics of Sanatani beliefs," VHP Tripura chief Mahendrapal Singh said.

Opposing the plea, Singh said that the Hindu Marriage Act 1954 is sacred and should not be changed.

"Hindu Marriage Act 1954 is very sacred and based on the 'sanatani' belief and it should remain unchanged and unchallenged," Singh said.

"All the saints and educated fraternities have strongly objected to this unexpected anticipation," he added.

The Constitution Bench comprising the Chief Justice, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Ravindra Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice PS Narasimha is dealing with a batch of petitions pertaining to 'marriage equality rights for the LGBTQI community'.

The Constitution Bench started hearing the petitions on April 18.

Various petitions are being dealt with by Supreme Court seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. The Centre has opposed the petitions. One of the petitions earlier raised the absence of a legal framework which allowed members of the LGBTQ community to marry any person of their choice.

According to the petition, the couple sought to enforce the fundamental rights of LGBTQ individuals to marry any person of their choice and said that "The exercise of which ought to be insulated from the disdain of legislative and popular majorities".

The petitioners, further, asserted their fundamental right to marry each other and prayed for appropriate directions from the apex court allowing and enabling them to do so.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday lashed out at the Congress for equating Bajrang Dal with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly election and said the people of the country will not accept it. United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi.(ANI file)

The Congress, in its manifesto, said it will take decisive action as per law including banning organisations like Bajrang Dal, the PFI and others.

It's unfortunate that Congress today compared the Bajrang Dal with anti-national and banned PFI. People of the country will not accept it. The Bajrang Dal accepts this challenge and will answer it through all democratic ways, Surendra Jain, international general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said in a video statement.

The youth wing of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, will stage a protest outside the Congress' Delhi office on Tuesday.

Every member of the Bajrang Dal is dedicated to the serve the country and society while the entire world is aware of the activities of the PFI, Jain said.

"You cannot deceive the people of the country, (senior Congress leader) Sonia Gandhi. The way you have attempted to defame the Bajrang Dal, people of the country will not accept it. Every activist of the Bajrang Dal will take it as a challenge," Jain added.

"We do not dabble in politics. But you want to drag us into politics. Then, we would like to respond to you in that arena also and we will not let your wrong intentions be fulfilled," the VHP leader said.

Hitting out at former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he also said that her party's "hidden agenda" has come out in the open with its poll promise.

"You talk about banning the Bajrang Dal and you forgot that you had opposed the ban on SIMI. People like you had staged demonstrations on streets protesting the ban on SIMI. When you are talking about a ban on Bajrang Dal, your hidden agenda has come out in open," Jain charged.

The Bajrang Dal and people of the country accept this challenge and "a reply will be given in all democratic ways", the VHP leader added.

Slamming the Congress in a series of tweets, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the party which is being rejected all over the country is daydreaming of banning the Bajrang Dal.

"Comparison of PFI with Bajrang Dal...Enough of Congress drama in Karnataka. This manifesto itself will become the factor of the Congress's end," he said in one of the tweets.

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Hong Kong: Govt unveils DC reform plans

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee today announced proposals on improving governance at the district level, with key recommendations to enhance the service functions of District Councils (DCs) as well as strengthen the district governance structure.

Unveiling the proposals at a press conference this afternoon, Mr Lee noted that the whole design of the proposals was for the benefit of society as a whole.

I have very strong confidence that the district councils, as we have proposed now, will be able to discharge their basic function better and more efficiently to satisfy the demands and the wants of the people in the district.

The seventh-term DCs will be composed of appointed, District Committees Constituency (DCC), District Council Geographical Constituency (DCGC) and ex-officio members; with appointed, DCC and DCGC members accounting for about 40%, 40% and 20% of the total number of members respectively, plus 27 ex-officio members.

There will be a total of 470 seats, comparable to 479 seats in the current term.

An eligibility review mechanism is proposed to ensure that all candidates participating in the election as well as appointed and ex-officio members, uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The Government also suggested to enhance the advisory and service functions of the DCs, designate District Officers as DC Chairmen, and empower them to lead the work of DCs.

The remuneration package of DC members will be generally maintained at the current level after the reform.

The proposed reform will also introduce a monitoring mechanism of DC members' performance, which includes investigating members whose behaviour falls short of the public expectation and imposing appropriate sanctions proportionate to the severity of the shortfalls.

In regard to strengthening the district governance structure, the Government proposed establishing a Steering Committee on District Governance to be chaired by the Chief Secretary, to take a leading role in the overall strategies, policies and measures of district governance.

The current District Matters Co-ordination Task Force chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary will be repositioned and renamed as the Task Force on District Governance, to co-ordinate and steer the district work of various policy bureaus and departments, in place of the existing Steering Committee on District Administration.

The proposals on improving governance at the district level are guided by three principles: national security must be put as the topmost priority and the "one country, two systems" principle must be fully and faithfully implemented; the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" must be fully implemented; and executive-led governance must be manifested.

This story has been published on: 2023-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
#AHORA | El ministro Vicente Romero llega a Aguas Verdes, #Tumbes, para supervisar los servicios de la @PoliciaPeru en la frontera con Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/9VAMD7GN8M
The fashion's biggest night - Met Gala - is here. This year, your favourite stars will be celebrating the theme 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty' with looks inspired by the iconic designer's work. Alia Bhatt, who is one of the most anticipated debutants of the night - arrived at the Met Ball as designer Prabal Gurung's muse. And they gave a subtle nod to Karl Lagerfeld with a gown that took inspiration from his unforgettable Chanel bride collection. Keep scrolling as we share pictures from Alia's night out at the Met Gala. Met Gala 2023: Alia Bhatt debuts with a Chanel bride-inspired Prabal Gurung white gown at Met Gala. (AP, Reuters)

Alia Bhatt makes her debut at the Met Gala

On Monday night (Tuesday IST), Alia Bhatt walked the red carpet at the Met Gala for the very first time. Alia posed for the paparazzi on the iconic stairs of The Met Museum dressed in a bridal white gown created by Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung. The long train, corseted finish and the pristine white shade of Alia's ensemble took inspiration from Karl Lagerfeld's unforgettable and unmissable bridal collection at the luxury house of Chanel. It is a perfect nod to the late designer as the Met Gala celebrates him this year with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Read our download on Alia's look below.

Alia's white gown for the ball features a wide plunging U neckline and back, a corseted bodice hugging her bust, cinched waistline defining her svelte frame, a layered tulle skirt, and a floor-sweeping train at the back covering the Met Gala red carpet. The ensemble comes decorated in hand-embroidered white pearls all over.

Alia teamed the gown with embellished gloves, matching diamond earrings and rings. In the end, Alia chose to style her bridal look with a centre-parted half-tied ponytail, high heels, subtle smoky eye shadow, kohl-lined eyes, mascara on the lashes, rouged cheekbones, feathered brows, nude lip shade, and a dewy base.
On the first Monday of May (Tuesday IST), all the biggest stars descended at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to celebrate fashion's biggest night - Met Gala 2023. K-Pop stars Jackson Wang and Blackpink's Jennie Kim, with South Korean actor Song Hye-kyo, also graced Met Gala's red-carpeted steps for the very first time in stellar looks. While Blackpink's Jennie turned into 'Human Chanel' in a mini dress, Jackson Wang turned heads in head-to-toe Louis Vuitton, and Song Hye-kyo slipped into a blush pink Fendi gown. Keep scrolling to check out their ensembles for the star-studded Met Ball below. Blackpink's Jennie Kim, Jackson Wang and Song Hye-kyo debut at Met Gala 2023.

Blackpink's Jennie Kim, Jackson Wang and Song Hye-kyo debut at Met Gala 2023

Blackpink's Jennie Kim

Blackpink's Jennie Kim made her debut at the Met Gala 2023. The K-Pop star is a Chanel ambassador and has openly shared her love for the brand's archival pieces stems. Moreover, she is often dubbed as 'Human Chanel' by her fans. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the Blackpink performer chose an archival Chanel dress for the occasion. The star lived her dream at the 2023 Met Gala in a white camelia and a black ribbon dress from Chanel's Autumn/Winter 1990 collection. She styled the strapless ensemble with a black choker ribbon, matching Opera gloves, black pumps, dainty diamond earrings, pulled-back sleek open tresses, and minimal makeup.

Jackson Wang

Jackson Wang, who just ended his concert in Vancouver, made his first appearance at the Met Gala 2023 in a head-to-toe black Louis Vuitton suit with black shades and gloves, paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld's signature look. His ensemble featured a cropped embellished jacket paired with black leather gloves and skinny-fit pants. He accessorised the all-black look with an embellished bracelet, heeled dress shoes, tinted black sunglasses, centre-parted messy hairdo, dainty earrings, glossy nude lip shade, and minimal makeup.

Song Hye-kyo

Song Hye-kyo stunned in a blush pink Fendi blouse and skirt set, styled by Kim Jones, for her debut at the Met Gala. While her spaghetti-strapped top features a corseted bodice, fitted bust, and a cropped hem length, the skirt comes with a high-rise waistline, intricate embellishments, lace embroidery, and a floor-length silhouette. She styled the ensemble with a messy braided hairdo adorned with a hair accessory, an embellished mini clutch bag, coral pink lip shade, rouged cheekbones, and minimal makeup.
If you want to know how the world is preparing for the next global pandemic look at Rolaing, a Cambodian village located on a tributary of the Mekong River. For a few days in February this isolated spot became a hive of public health activity after an 11-year-old girl died of H5N1, the most virulent strain of bird flu  the countrys first fatality from the disease since 2014. (Also read: Bird Flu outbreak: Warning signs of avian influenza in humans) Bird flu: The virus generally occurs among wild aquatic birds and can infect domestic poultry, other birds, and animals.(PTI)

A rapid response team of local health workers was dispatched within hours to the village, a two hour drive from the capital Phnom Penh. They found a community of almost 2,000 people living in brightly colored wooden and sheet metal homes, close to their livestock and chickens.

In the space of just 24 hours they set up a makeshift testing center, identified a dozen of the girls closest contacts, took swabs and scoured for the pathogen. Her father tested positive. He was treated with antivirals and recovered. At least 11 others, including close relatives she lived with, were found to be infection-free. The team monitored the village for another three weeks, testing dozens more people. Only the two infections, which health experts said stemmed from direct contact with sick animals, were discovered.

The speed with which Cambodia, and other countries where novel viruses are known to emerge, can identify and respond to future virus threats will determine how effectively the world can contain the next pandemic.

The Cambodian response, honed by years of work with the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was remarkably swift for one of Asias poorest countries. It forms part of a much bigger global effort  combining government, industry and health officials  to be better prepared for the next pandemic, whether it is avian flu or anything else.

The world has been primed by Covid-19 and torqued by reports of new variants of H5N1 avian flu  a threat researchers have been tracking for over a quarter of a century  that appear to be making it more transmissible between mammals. The danger is twofold. Novel infections are emerging more quickly than in the past, leaving the public health community less time to regroup and respond to the chaos caused by entirely new pathogens. Since the 1970s, about 40 infectious diseases have been discovered. Experts also worry that Covid could be mild in comparison to what might come next. H5N1 kills more than half of those it infects. If it mutates to transmit easily between humans  the ultimate concern for public health experts  deaths could dwarf the 6.8 million caused by SARS-CoV-2, with as many as 15,000 people a day in the UK alone according to one estimate by Airfinity, a health analytics firm.

There is a community of experts constantly on high alert, even when threat levels dip. So far there has been no human-to-human transmission identified and only around a dozen people globally have been infected with H5N1 since January 2022.

We built a strong health system here during Covid, and it has paid off, said Or Vandine, Cambodias Secretary of State for Health. Tools from the Covid response, we can use for this event. The master plan, these key elements, were still relevant.

Cambodia, which recorded 37 bird flu deaths in the decade up to 2014, has finetuned its pandemic preparedness since Covid. The government added hundreds of health workers to local response teams, built up laboratories so they could get genetic results in hours and crafted educational materials to teach the public how to protect themselves.

With Covid, we learned you have to be ready to immediately go, day or night, Or Vandine added, if the community doesnt engage, you fail.

The focus is on avian flu because cases in birds  wild and domesticated  have hit record levels. Since late 2021 more than 50 million birds, including farmed poultry, have been culled in Europe, 58 million in the US and 17 million in Japan, most preemptively in an effort to slow the spread. The economic impact has been severe for producers and consumers, with egg and chicken prices climbing steeply. The number of turkeys slaughtered for meat in the US last year fell to the lowest level since 1986, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Countries including China placed restrictions on imports from areas where the virus has been detected  disrupting supply chains and sales for companies including Tyson Foods Inc.

The USDA estimates the bird flu outbreak cost the US economy $2 billion in 2022, including the higher prices consumers paid for eggs, chicken and turkey.

There is no indication yet that the mass cull alone is working. In a sign that the UK believes the worst is over it has lifted restrictions, in place since November, on keeping birds inside to stifle the spread of the virus. Yet in other parts of Europe new cases continue to pop up, as they do in Asia and countries in South America. The virus is so contagious that it can sweep through an entire flock in days. Infections caused by a new variant of H5N1 are also occurring in a variety of mammals, on land and water, including mink on a Spanish farm, Peruvian sea lions and US grizzly bears, raising fresh concerns about the potential for mutations that could facilitate human-to- human transmission.

While H5N1 is the most feared form of avian influenza, more than half a dozen other strains have made their way into humans in recent years. The most recent case involved a 56-year-old woman in China who died in March after contracting an H3N8 infection.

The sheer volume of virus being carried by birds through the air is a concern, with the established strain causing outbreaks in Asia and the mutating variant picking up pace in the West.

The current situation, with so much virus in birds, is concerning, said Sonja Olsen, associate director for preparedness and response in the US CDCs influenza division. Influenza viruses like to share their genetic material. They are constantly evolving, and thats why surveillance in animals and humans is so important.

Its difficult to predict which virus is going to acquire mutations that will be more adaptive to humans, Olsen added. Thats why we do what we do, the surveillance and rapid response, jumping on every case.

Inside the lab

On the other side of the world from Cambodia, scientists at The Pirbright Institute, an hour outside London, are trying to harness technology in an effort to combat the threat from avian flu.

First established as a cattle testing station for tuberculosis in 1914, Pirbright is now one of the UKs leading veterinary virus diagnostics and surveillance centers. Large colorful windows denote high containment areas, where the most dangerous pathogens  including African Swine Fever, Bluetongue Virus and Bird Flu  are handled. Showers are mandatory upon exiting to guard against any accidental spread.

At the head of the avian influenza virus team is Munir Iqbal, who has never been more in demand. Along with 25 other experts, Iqbal has been co-opted onto a new UK government panel to assess the risk of the bird flu epidemic on humans as part of its preparations for the next pandemic. Among his colleagues on the panel is Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist who advised the UK government during Covid.

Experts say the immediate risk to humans is low. Globally, there have been fewer than 1,000 people infected with H5N1 since 2003. There have been at least four cases so far in 2023, with a patient in China joining the two in Cambodia, and Chile reporting its first ever case on March 29.

Despite that, government, industry and public health leaders are laying the groundwork for a global response. High on the list is the active monitoring of birds and surveillance in humans for signs of infection, while the pharmaceutical industry is crafting immunizations and governments are stockpiling antivirals that could be used if needed.

Iqbals team at Pirbright is monitoring the ability of the avian flu virus to spread in people. In the laboratory, they expose synthetic carbohydrate molecules like those found on the surface of cells in the human trachea, to the virus, then measure whether it can latch on. So far, every time the team has run the test, a message pops up: UK H5N1 does not bind to human receptor.

At the moment, there is no sign in the virus, or no signature in the virus, that can pose any risk, says Iqbal. But this virus can change any time. You cannot predict tomorrow.

The team monitors the ability of the virus to attack bird cells and studies how that process is evolving. They inject pristine eggs from specialized biosecurity farms with the virus and monitor how the 10-day-old embryos respond. The team also uses this method to grow the virus for analysis and vaccine development.

Iqbal, who has spent more than two decades studying the disease and its evolution, says this is a seminal moment for avian influenza.

We are watching the virus, he said. Were more prepared because of the coronavirus pandemic and all the losses. This time around, experts are focused on mitigating the risk, as well as scenario planning for when action should be taken to get ahead of any outbreak that threatens human health. The UK government is already assessing rapid tests that could be used to detect the virus, evaluating whether asymptomatic infections could occur in people directly exposed and deciding what mutations should be considered a serious threat.

It's important from a resilience and preparedness point of view, said Andrew Pollard, who led the UK clinical trials for the Oxford-AstraZeneca Plc Covid-19 vaccine, to consider infectious threats in the same way that we do other threats that are very unlikely to happen  for example military conflict.

This virus is here to stay

Pollard believes there is a risk of governments losing focus on pandemic planning post-Covid. Yet when it comes to bird flu at least, there is a whirlwind of activity around new approaches, designed to detect emerging infections and quickly avert transmission. The pharmaceutical industry is crafting potential vaccinations for birds and humans, and designing drug treatments in case they are urgently needed.

We have to be vigilant about H5N1, but always looking out of the corner of our eyes for what else may be coming,' said Beverly Taylor, Head of Influenza Scientific Affairs, at CSL Seqirus, one of the companies with a long-standing vaccine partnership with the US government for avian flu  including H5 strains. The ambition is to get vaccines into arms in less than 98 days after the identification of a new strain.

Vaccinating poultry flocks to prevent infection is a proposal that is gaining traction with farmers keen to avoid more culls. But the risks are substantial: immunization may help infected animals survive instead of preventing transmission. That could unintentionally prolong the spread of the virus. The USDA has four vaccine candidates for animals in development and expects to get initial results in May. Several countries, including Mexico and China, are already vaccinating some of their poultry.

Moderna Inc. is considering human tests for its bird flu vaccine this year.

One of the most urgent threats is posed by nature. Seasonal outbreaks of avian influenza make the twice yearly migration of wild birds in the spring and fall precarious for farmers with some birds potentially carrying the toxic pathogen. Brazil, the worlds largest exporter of chicken meat, is testing migrating birds in an effort to maintain its status as one of the few countries still free of avian influenza, even as case counts climb among its neighbors.

Elaine Kellner, who raises ducks on the Hearth & Haven Farm, outside the US city of Seattle, adopted strict biosecurity measures last year: no visitors, dedicated shoes and jackets for farm tasks, and a guard dog to scare off wild birds. The moves didnt prevent a bird flu outbreak that struck before Christmas. Kellner was forced to cull more than 170 ducks and four geese.

This virus is here to stay, she said. All it takes is one bird flying over your flock and defecating.

Learning the lessons

Although the response in Rolaing has been deemed a success by health officials, the challenge is clear. It took a full week for the infection to come to the attention of the government health system. The villagers didnt think anything was amiss when a handful of dead chickens were found along the river, blaming hot weather for the deaths.

It was only as the schoolgirls condition deteriorated that the connection was made. When she arrived at hospital on Feb. 21, doctors  unaware that two of the familys four chickens, which lived largely underneath the room where she slept, had died  assumed she had a seasonal flu. The symptoms are similar, with key signs including a high fever, cough or shortness of breath, which can develop into pneumonia. So they gave her an antiviral drug, swabbed her, and processed the sample overnight.

She died hours before the results came back showing the H5N1 infection.

Covid showed that time is of the essence when it comes to air-borne respiratory viruses. Identifying and isolating anyone who is infected or has been exposed can slow the spread, while immunizations reduce the severity of those cases. Sharing information between countries and within communities is essential to mitigate the risk and allow people to protect themselves. Tests that can detect infection can now be crafted within days of uncovering a new pathogen, and it might not be bird flu.

Staying vigilant is an issue, even for experts. Li Ailan, the WHO representative to Cambodia, specifically warned her team not to make assumptions. No single country, including Cambodia, is fully ready for the next pandemic, she said.

We need to continue our journey, she added, to keep the world safe.
World Asthma Day 2023 is being observed on May 2, 2023 and this day is an annual event organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to raise awareness and improve asthma care around the world. The theme for World Asthma Day focuses on promoting asthma control and reducing the burden of asthma on individuals, families and communities since asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of people worldwide and can have a significant impact on quality of life. World Asthma Day 2023: Watch out for these factors and red flags of asthma (Pexels)

World Asthma Day provides an opportunity to educate the public about asthma and advocate for better access to treatment and care. Asthma is known to cause higher mortality and morbidity rates if not addressed at the right time hence, it is imperative for those with asthma to go for regular health check-ups without fail to enhance their quality of life.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sushant Meshram, Prof and Head, Dept Of Pulmonary, Critical Care And Sleep Medicine at Nagpur's Govt Medical College, explained, Asthma is a lung disease commonly seen in people of all age groups. Here, ones airways get narrow and swollen and are blocked owing to excess mucus. This condition affects millions of people in the country and can become fatal if one doesnt seek timely intervention. The factors causing asthma are allergens, pollen, dust, molds, pet dander, perfume, fumes, chemicals, air pollution, respiratory infections, second hand smoke, family history, certain medications, stress, exercise and cockroaches and even mice.

He elaborated, The red flags of asthma are coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and fatigue. It is essential to speak to the doctor without any delay and take the necessary treatment. Timely intervention is key to managing asthma. Not paying attention to it can land you in serious trouble. Thus, asthma patients should not skip regular health check-ups. It is essential to treat asthma at the right time and go for regular check-ups.

The health expert concluded, There is still a significant burden of undiagnosed, hence untreated asthma in both children and adults. Untreated asthma can make it challenging for you to exercise daily, either because exercise triggers symptoms or symptoms leave you feeling tired. It is better to seek medical attention without any delay and lead a healthy life.
Los Angeles is a city with an abundance of culinary delights, and with so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide where to eat. From French cuisine with a South Asian twist to homestyle West African cooking, and everything in between, there's something for everyone. In this article, we've curated a list of some of the best restaurants in L.A. that you won't want to miss. Discover LA's diverse food scene at these top restaurants. Locals and visitors alike won't want to miss out!(Instagram/ilebistro)

Camphor

Camphor is a restaurant that's quickly making a name for itself in the L.A. food scene. Here, you'll find traditional French cuisine with a creative twist from young chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George. The amuse bouche pays homage to South Asian street snacks, while the anchovies spiced with gunpowder recall the salty fried fish from the Philippines and South Korea. The service and ambiance are equally impeccable.

Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles

For the best ramen in the city, look no further than Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles in Sawtelle. From charsiu to Negi to vegan options, there's something for every palate here. The wait for a table can be long, but once you smell the rich aroma of the broth and noodles, you'll know it was worth it.

Ile Bistro

Ile Bistro is a West African-inspired restaurant that's quickly gaining popularity. Nigerian spices are the highlight here, and Chef Tolu "Eros" Erogbogbo aims to bring West African cuisine to the global stage it deserves. Multi-course dinners are the norm, and storytelling is woven into the meal. Currently, Ile Bistro is open for dinner service from Tuesday through Sunday.

Agnes

Agnes in Pasadena has everything you could want from a restaurant, including a full dinner menu and a handy lunch bill of fare that can be enjoyed at the bar. Try the braised brisket melt or a platter of cheese with charcuterie alongside a well-shaken cocktail. Co-owner Vanessa Tilaka even hosts cheese-tasting classes.

Jitlada

Jitlada is a must-visit for lovers of Thai cuisine, serving both regional specialties and more Americanized dishes. Don't miss the crispy morning glory salad or the green mussel curry. Even turmeric chicken wings are a must-try. And for the adventurous, ask your server about the off-menu Jazz Burger.

Rice & Nori

Rice & Nori in Little Tokyo is the perfect spot for onigiri, the ideal portable snack for a warm day in L.A. The second location in South Pasadena offers a similar setup with counter service and Japanese snacks and sweets.

Soban

Soban is a cozy restaurant that takes its name from the traditional low-slung tables used for communal dining. The homestyle cooking is bursting with flavor, with buttery, sweet crab marinated in a blend of green chilies, white onion, and soy sauce being a standout dish. The housemade banchan is also excellent, as are the galbi jjim and gochujang stew.

Hayato

For a truly intimate dining experience, head to Hayato, where chef-owner Brandon Go's years of training in Japan are reflected in his precision and technique. The steamed abalone, crab meatball soup, and donabe finale are all must-tries, and the handcrafted ceramics and diligent service make for an unforgettable evening.

With so many amazing restaurants to choose from, this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you're craving ramen or West African cuisine, Los Angeles has something to offer everyone. So next time you're hungry, try one of these must-visit restaurants and taste the best of what L.A. has to offer.
Calls for the reform of the Bretton Woods institutions are not new. For years, these demands have largely been motivated by two factors. One, the need for resources (or simply put, money). Two, the issue of control with countries such as China and India wanting more say in the running and choice of leadership of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Now, a third issue has been added to these  climate financing, or the need to raise money to fund the transition of countries, mostly in the Global South, to low-emission economies. Unlike the first two factors, the third has a deadline and a threshold  unless countries, both developed and developing, move rapidly to a low-emission regime, the world looks on target to exceed the bar of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming over pre-industrial levels sometime in the 2030s. And its important to acknowledge the elephant in the room  successive climate talks have faltered on the issue of climate finance, with even its definition still up in the air. The good news is there appears to be a broad consensus on the need for IMF and the World Bank to expand the scope of their objective PTI

It is in this context that Indias push, as chair of the G20, for transformative and holistic reforms of the multilateral development banks  the words within quotes are those used by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the G20 expert group on strengthening the multilateral development banks that is headed by former US treasury secretary Lawrence Summers and NK Singh, chairman of Indias 15th Finance Commission in April  instead of a piecemeal approach. The minister asked that global public goods be added as the third goal to the two existing ones of the multilateral development banks  elimination of poverty and shared prosperity (natural goals for bodies set up after WWII). Global public goods include everything from the environment to health to culture to aspects of the digital domain (India, for instance, is showcasing its Unified Payments Interface or UPI, which has powered India to becoming a world leader in digital transactions, as a digital public good).

The good news is that there would appear to be a broad consensus among all stakeholders on the need for IMF and the World Bank to expand the scope of their objectives to include public goods. The question, though, is one of resources. India and the Summers-Singh expert group are clear that there can be no redeployment of funds from the first two objectives to the third. The challenge, then, is to find additional resources for global public goods. HTs Prashant Jha, reporting on the deliberations of the expert group from Washington wrote that it believes that a mix of creative leveraging of the multilateral development banks current capital, with fresh capital infusion, including a large amount of private capital, can make a significant change to lending capacity. A caveat may be in order here  it is unlikely that stakeholders of the multilateral development banks will sign off on the recommendations of the expert group with enthusiasm and that there will be some sense of closure before the end of Indias term as G20 chair; but just as India is building on work done under the chairmanship of Indonesia, and before that Italy, Brazil and South Africa will have to build on what is achieved this year. That said, recognising a third goal for these institutions would be a milestone, as would be recommendations on how it could be funded. To be sure, it probably makes sense to delink this from the pressing need to reform the running and control of the multilateral development banks  for that would ensure a quick death for the new idea. And even as they adopt a new third objective, both the World Bank and IMF continue to focus on the first, the elimination of poverty  especially at a time when Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, and the slowdown in the West have affected incomes around the world. Jha wrote in his report that the expert group is also examining ways to enhance concessional financing provided by the International Development Association.

The report on the capital adequacy of multilateral development banks, presented last year, is a good starting point. The report found that these institutions can use their capital more efficiently (read: lend more), simply because previous assessments of capital adequacy overlooked two things: One, borrowing governments always repay their loans from the development banks; two, the buffer that these institutions have in the form of callable capital (basically money they can tap from shareholders in case of financial trouble). The report, commissioned during Indonesias chairmanship of the G20, found that the World Bank, IMF, and 13 other multilateral development banks have around $1.2 trillion in callable capital  money that has never been called upon.

Efficiencies apart, there is also the real need for enhanced contribution by shareholders of the institutions, but the discussions of the expert group have revolved around staggering and optimising these. Given the extent to which the multilateral development banks are able to leverage capital  the bigger ones by as much as 30 times  this will be a significant source of funds. The challenge for the expert group, and for the banks, will be to work out ways to attract private capital. There is consensus in the group that the multilateral development banks cannot provide unlimited funds for just about every need, and that there is a need to tap other sources. Theres been talk of underwriting risk to some extent to attract private capital, for instance, but theres also a very clear recognition of the moral hazard this involves.

How important is this? In 2021, for instance, multilateral development banks provided just over $50 billion to low- and middle-income countries as climate finance. While some experts believe this could have been higher, the amount was still a significant portion of the under $100 billion in climate financing these countries received that year. Getting these institutions to focus on public goods, especially climate financing, may well be the key to accelerating the transition to low-carbon economies.

letters@hindustantimes.com

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A man was arrested outside Buckingham Palace after throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into palace grounds, police said as per BBC. Metropolitan police's chief superintendent Joseph McDonald said, Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody. There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public. Buckingham Palace Lockdown: Buckingham Palace in London.(File)

Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing, the superintendent informed.

The incident comes just four days before King Charles' coronation which is scheduled to take place on May 6. Rehearsals are scheduled to take place for the procession, The Mirror reported.

Police cordons remain in place surrounding the area after the man was also found to be in possession of a suspicious bag, the report said.

Some roads in the area had already been closed in preparation, the report further claimed.

A television segment on GB News which was featuring Jacob Rees-Mogg in a room near the Buckingham Palace was interrupted during the incident.

I think that was probably a controlled explosion in the background, that's what it sounded like to me, Jacob Rees-Mogg was heard saying.

Millions of people across the UK and beyond are preparing to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III which will be held at Westminster Abbey. King Charles will be crowned along with his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort. More than 2,200 people including members of the royal family, representatives from 203 countries and approximately 100 heads of state are set to attend the historic ceremony.

Almost 400 young people representing charitable organisations nominated by King Charles will watch the service and processions from inside St Margarets Church, which is next to the Westminster Abbey.

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Beijing: Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang will visit India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations (SCO) foreign ministers meeting this week, his second visit to India in two months. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (right) with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang on the sidelines of G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting, in New Delhi, on March 2, 2023. (PTI)

From May 2 to 5, Chinese state councillor and foreign minister Qin Gang will visit Myanmar and attend the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of SCO in India, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Tuesday.

The upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting will be held on May 4 and 5 in Panaji, the capital of Goa, India, Mao said, adding that Qin will exchange views with other SCO member states foreign ministers on the international and regional situation and SCO cooperation in various fields, among other topics, to make full preparation for this years SCO summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to attend SCO summit in New Delhi on July 3 and 4.

Several key meetings in the run-up to the summit have already been held in India including the national security advisers meeting on March 29 and the defence ministers meeting in late April.

Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu attended the defence ministers meeting in late April, which was the first visit to India by a Chinese defence minister since the Galwan Valley clash in June, 2020, and the subsequent chill in bilateral ties.

Qin visited India in early March to attend the G20 foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi where he told external affairs minister S Jaishankar that India and China should put the border problem in its appropriate place and ease the situation to normalised control.

We should put the border issue in the appropriate place in bilateral relations and promote the early shift of the border situation to normalised control, Qin told Jaishankar during the meeting, their first since Qin took over as Chinas foreign minister, replacing Wang Yi.

The two sides should implement the important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, maintain dialogue, settle differences, and promote the improvement of bilateral relations as soon as possible and move forward steadily, Qin said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout released on March 3, several hours after the bilateral meeting took place in New Delhi.

On his part, Jaishankar had described the Sino-Indian ties as abnormal during his talks with Qin, adding that their conversation was about the challenges in bilateral ties, especially for restoring peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

Its our first meeting after he took over as foreign minister. We spent maybe about 45 minutes talking to each other about the current state of our relationship, which many of you heard me describe as abnormal and I think those were among the adjectives I used in that meeting, Jaishankar said, according to a report by the Press Trust of India.

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The recent settlement between Fox Corporation and Dominion Voting Systems left many people stunned when the news broke. The $787 million settlement was intended to resolve the defamation lawsuit Dominion had filed against the cable network giant, but it did not put an end to Dominion's pursuit of justice against other individuals and media outlets that played a role in spreading falsehoods about the 2020 presidential election. John Poulos, CEO of Dominion Voting Systems, and Dominion lawyers Davida Brook, Justin Nelson and Stephen Shackleford leave the courthouse after Dominion Voting Systems and Fox settled a defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million, avoiding trial, over Fox's coverage of debunked election-rigging claims, in Delaware Superior Court, in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz(REUTERS)

In a recent interview with Axios, Dominion CEO John Poulos, investor Hootan Yaghoobzadeh, and Susman Godfrey partner Stephen Shackelford, who is representing Dominion, shared details about the company's ongoing defamation suits. Dominion has filed lawsuits against NewsMax, One America News, and several high-profile Trump supporters, including Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Lindell, and Patrick Byrne.

Poulos made it clear that Dominion will not rest until it holds accountable those who disseminated lies about the presidential election. "We have six more cases and we are completely aligned as we have been from the beginning," he said. Shackelford added that the settlement with Fox should be seen as a warning to the other defendants, saying, "We are serious about exposing the truth, and we are serious about accomplishing full compensation and justice for Dominion."

Although the settlement did not require Fox to issue an on-air apology, the internal messages that were uncovered during the lawsuit revealed that executives and hosts at Fox knew that Trump and his allies were lying but gave them airtime anyway. The case also shone a light on the lack of journalistic standards used by some media outlets and personalities.

The recent firing of Tucker Carlson by Fox News raises questions about its connection to Dominion, as redacted messages reveal Carlson's offensive remarks about Fox executives. Meanwhile, other anchors like Maria Bartiromo, who spread Trump's lies, remain employed. Yaghoobzadeh expressed doubt about the awareness of Fortune 500 CEOs regarding the lack of journalistic standards on the show. "If they're deciding to go on that show after understanding all that information, I'm not one to judge these things, but I certainly wouldn't go on that show," he said.

In response to the settlement, Fox News referred to a previous statement in which it acknowledged rulings "finding certain claims about Dominion to be false" and claimed that the settlement "reflects Fox's continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards."

Although the settlement between Dominion and Fox took many by surprise, it is clear that Dominion is not finished pursuing justice against those who spread lies about the presidential election. The ongoing lawsuits against media outlets and individuals demonstrate that Dominion is committed to holding people accountable for their actions, and as Poulos said, they will not stop until they achieve justice.
A woman told a New York civil trial on Tuesday that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her on a flight in the United States in the late 1970s. Jessica Leeds, right, arrives at federal court to testify as part of a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump in New York, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)(AP)

Read here: 'Donald Trump raped me', author E Jean Carroll testifies: He thrust

Jessica Leeds recounted the alleged attack while testifying in the writer E. Jean Carroll's rape and defamation lawsuit against the ex-president.

Trump denies all allegations of sexual assault and has never been criminally prosecuted over any such claims.

Leeds told Manhattan's federal court that Trump put his hand up her skirt in the business class section of a flight to New York in 1978 or 1979.

"There was no conversation. It was like out of the blue," said Leeds, now 81.

"He was trying to kiss me, grabbing my breasts," she added.

Leeds first made the allegation in an interview with the New York Times weeks before the 2016 election that sent Trump to the White House.

Some dozen women came forward accusing Trump of sexual misconduct in the run-up to the vote.

Leeds went public with the accusation after Trump refuted sexual assault allegations during a presidential debate with Hillary Clinton.

"I was furious because he was lying," Leeds recalled.

Leeds was called to testify by Carroll's lawyers to try to persuade the nine-person jury that Trump has engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct.

Carroll, 79, has sued Trump alleging he sexually assaulted her in a changing room at the luxury Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in the mid-1990s.

She also claims that Trump then defamed her when he called her "a complete con job" after she went public with the allegation in 2019.

Trump has repeatedly and strenuously denied the allegations.

Carroll filed her lawsuit late last year after a law took effect in New York that gave victims of sexual assault a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers decades after attacks may have occurred.

The suit seeks unspecified damages and asks that Trump retract his comments.

No criminal prosecution can stem from Carroll's civil case but if Trump loses it will be the first time he has ever been held legally liable for an allegation of sexual assault.

The case is one of several legal challenges facing Trump as the 76-year-old Republican seeks a return to the White House in next year's election.

Last month he pleaded not guilty in a criminal case related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star just before the 2016 vote.

Read here: US' state senator makes shirtless vote during Zoom meeting

Trump is also being investigated over his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the southern state of Georgia, his alleged mishandling of classified documents taken from the White House and his involvement in the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021.
Toronto: Indias Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Canada next week and that trip could add political momentum to the ongoing negotiations for an Early Progress Trade Agreement ( EPTA). Indias Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal addresses the Open Network of Digital Commerce (ONDC) 'Enabling Bharat 2.0' conference, in New Delhi in April. (ANI)

Goyal is scheduled to be in the Canadian capital Ottawa on May 8, for a bilateral Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment with Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Mary Ng.

He is then scheduled to visit Toronto on May 9 and 10 for meetings with trade and industry representatives and chambers of commerce.

The trade dialogue between the two countries started in March last year when Ng visited New Delhi and met Goyal. They also launched the EPTA process. The EPTA, if concluded, will be a transitional step towards the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Indian and Canadian negotiators concluded their seventh round of discussions towards securing the EPTA in April. India and Canadian officials said there was some progress during the four-day discussions in Ottawa, as the two teams lead by their chief negotiators met in the Canadian capital. Some differences persist, officials said, but were not considered insurmountable.

Goyals possible visit, a senior Indian official said, could help give political direction to the talks and give them momentum.

Both countries originally hoped to finalise the agreement within a year but that deadline has elapsed and they are targeting potential finalisation of the document this autumn.

Overcoming key hurdles will depend on political will, and critical decisions could be made when Ng meets Goyal. They are also expected to sit across the table on the margins of the G20 Trade Ministers vertical in Jaipur in August.

Both nations have focused on strengthening trade ties recently. After Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly met Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi this March, the latter tweeted the talks encompassed bilateral issues including, among other matters, trade, connectivity and people to people ties.

Joly told attendees at the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber meet in New Delhi in March the economic potential contained in strengthening the Canada-India relationship cant be understated.

According to Global Affairs Canada, in 2022, India was Canadas 10th-largest merchandise trade partner, and the relationship has been steadily growing. Two-way foreign direct investment between Canada and India amounted to CA$4.6 billion ( $3.39 billion) in 2021, with Canadian direct investment in India standing at CA$2.9 billion ($2.14 billion). In addition, Canadian portfolio and institutional investment into India reached CA$ 70 billion ($51.7 billion).

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In a move that sent shockwaves through the media world, Fox News top critic of U.S. support for Ukraine, Tucker Carlson, was recently fired from the network. The reasons behind his dismissal are not entirely clear, but some sources suggest that his outspoken criticism of American support for the countrys war against Russia may have played a role. The unexpected termination of Tucker Carlson from Fox News has raised speculation, with indications that his criticism of U.S. support for Ukraine could be a factor. Rupert Murdoch's call with Ukrainian President Zelensky adds intrigue, although its connection to Carlson's firing remains unclear.(AP, AFP)

What is known, however, is that media mogul Rupert Murdoch reportedly held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in March, just weeks before Carlsons firing. While details of the conversation are scarce, it is believed that the two did not discuss Carlson directly, and it remains unclear if the call had anything to do with his dismissal. Zelensky also recently held a call with Murdochs son and heir apparent, Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch.

Senior officials with the Ukrainian government had previously voiced their objections to Carlsons coverage, but it is not believed that Zelensky raised this issue during his conversations with the Murdochs. Instead, the focus of their discussions was reportedly on the war and the anniversary of the deaths of Fox News journalists last March.

Carlsons firing immediately relieved pressure on key Capitol Hill Ukraine supporters, whom he had criticized on air and sometimes pressed behind the scenes to change their positions on the war. Texas Rep. Michael McCaul has been one of the most outspoken Republican supporters of U.S. support for Ukraine, but Carlson had taken issue with some of his comments in the past.

Also Read | Biden roasts Fox News and CNN at Correspondents' Dinner after Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon get fired

Washington has a long history of pushing out dissenting voices on issues of war and peace, and Carlsons dismissal may be just the latest example of this trend. Russia's state media outlets have already offered Carlson a job on their networks, suggesting that his criticism of U.S. support for Ukraine may find a more receptive audience abroad.

The truth behind Carlsons firing may never be fully known, but the move is likely to have significant implications for U.S. support for Ukraine and the ongoing conflict with Russia. As tensions continue to rise between these two nations, the role of the media in shaping public opinion will remain a topic of ongoing concern.
The US Secret Service said it blocked a Muslim mayor from Prospect Park, New Jersey, from attending a White House celebration with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. US President Joe Biden hosted a reception to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, at the White House, in Washington.(Reuters)

Shortly before Mayor Mohamed Khairullah was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests, according to the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

US Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but declined to detail why. Khairullah was elected to a fifth term as the borough's mayor in January.

While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening, Guglielmi said in a statement.

Unfortunately, we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.

Selaedin Maksut, CAIR-NJ executive director, called the move wholly unacceptable and insulting.

"If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has? Maksut said.

Khairullah, who has previously done humanitarian work in Syria and Bangladesh, was previously stopped by authorities and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists, according to Dina Sayedahmed, a spokesman for CAIR-NJ.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leaders to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governor's mansion.

The White House declined to comment.
Days after Pakistan declared itself free from mpox, Punjab province reported its first case of the disease on Tuesday, with the health authorities issuing an alert for the public and private sector hospitals across the province to take emergency measures. Swab samples for monkeypox being tested.

According to the Punjab Health Department, the first mpox case in the province was detected in a man who arrived from Saudi Arabia last month.

"The 40-year-old man belonging to Mandi Bahauddin district of Punjab has been diagnosed with mpox upon his return from Saudi Arabia last month," Punjab caretaker Health Minister Dr Javed Akram told reporters on Tuesday.

Mpox is the preferred term for monkeypox, changed due to concerns of stigma and racism associated with the name, according to the World Health Organisation.

Akram added that the report of another suspected patient is awaited.

He said an alert was issued to government hospitals across the province regarding mpox and asserted that passengers suspected of having the disease should be screened inside the planes or at airports.

Earlier, a seven-year-old boy in Karachi, suspected of suffering from mpox, was admitted to a hospital and kept in an isolation ward.

The new case comes days after Minister for National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel claimed that Pakistan was free of mpox disease, as the only patient who tested positive for the virus had recovered.

Currently there is no patient of mpox in Pakistan as the only confirmed patient has been discharged from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad after fully recovering, the federal health minister tweeted on Sunday.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mpox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although clinically less severe.
A Pune-based architect and teacher- Sourabh Phadke- has been named among the selected charity champions invited to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III. Reacting to the invitation, Sourabh Phadke said that he is still absorbing the news. Sourabh Phadke is set to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles. (Prince Foundation)

The 38-year-old was chosen for his association through the causes supported by the Princes Foundation- Charles' charity which was founded when he was Prince of Wales. Sourabh Phadke joined the foundations Traditional Building Skills programme where he expanded his repertoire by training as a stonemason.

It's still sinking in and I dont know what to expect considering Ive never been to a Coronation before. Its with that spirit in mind that Im approaching it, Sourabh Phadke said.

It was an opportunity for me to become a student again and become part of the [Prince's Foundation] programme. I was really happy that I got the opportunity. Even though Id done stonework in the past, I hadnt trained as a stone mason, he recalled.

It could be houses, toilets, schools, anything that a community needed. It could be in deprived communities, schools, farmers, or womens collectives. I basically lived where I was working and moved from place to place. The circumstances would differ widely but in some cases, we would reach a place and start building, lets say a toilet in open land where there was no toilet, and we would camp outdoors. It taught me a lot, he shared as per news agency PTI.

He further said, Crafts and skills are opportunities to reflect. I might be building a toilet in India or working with a student on a project in the UK, but its still the same. We need to be able to respect everything in the same way  it can offer us the same joy and the same love."

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An explosive device derailed a Russian freight train in a region bordering Ukraine for a second straight day Tuesday ahead of an expected counteroffensive by Kyiv. The last four days have seen two trains derailed by explosions. (The Moscow Times)

Watch: Putin fumes as second Russian train attacked in two days; Blasts part of Ukraine's offensive plot?

Read here: US to include air-launched rockets in next aid package to Ukraine: Report

Russian territory and Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, have been hit in recent days by a series of attacks.

The last four days have seen two trains derailed by explosions, a suspected drone hitting an oil depot in Crimea that caused a huge blaze and power lines blown up near Saint Petersburg.

The strikes come as Russia gears up to celebrate May 9, a holiday marking the Soviet victory over the Nazis that has become a central event during President Vladimir Putin's rule.

Ukraine has followed its usual line of not claiming responsibility for the attacks, which came as Kyiv said it is finalising preparations for a spring offensive announced weeks ago.

Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of Russia's western Bryansk region, said Tuesday the train was derailed by an "unidentified explosive device."

He said it went off at Snezhetskaya station, outside the regional hub of Bryansk, a city of around 370,000 people near the Ukraine and Belarus borders.

"A locomotive and several wagons of the train derailed," he said, adding that there were no casualties.

On Monday, a similar explosion caused a train to derail and catch fire near Unecha, in the same region but closer to the Ukraine border.

Throughout its more than year-long offensive, the Kremlin has sought to portray Russia as safe while its troops fight in Ukraine.

Earlier on Tuesday it acknowledged a security threat.

"Of course, we are aware that the Kyiv regime, which is behind a number of such attacks -- terrorist attacks -- plans to continue this line," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

All our intelligence services are doing everything necessary to ensure security.

Rail sabotage

Russian Railways also put out a statement saying the train had derailed due to "the intervention of unauthorised persons in the work of rail transport.

It did not mention an explosive device.

The state operator said the incident took place at 7:47 pm local time (1647 GMT) between Snezhetskaya and the nearby village of Belye Berega.

It said the train's front locomotive and "around 20 wagons" were derailed and that rail traffic in that section had been suspended.

There have been many reports of sabotage on railways in Russia since Moscow launched its Ukraine offensive, but this week is the first time officials confirmed attacks.

More than 65 people, including a third of minors, have been detained since the fall in around 20 regions of the country alone on charges of railway sabotage, according to a count by the independent media Mediazona published in mid-April.

Ukraine says it has been preparing for months a counteroffensive aimed at repelling Russian forces from the territory they currently hold in the east and south.

Read here: Tinder exits Russia over 'human rights'

Denmark meanwhile said it was sending 1.7 billion kroner ($250 million) worth of military aid to Ukraine "to support the forthcoming Ukrainian offensive,"

The package included mine clearing vehicles, ammunition and financial support for the procurement of air defence, the Danish defence ministry said in a statement.

"The equipment... is essential to pave the way for Ukrainian tanks and mechanised infantry on the front line," acting defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
The company behind dating app Tinder is leaving Russia, more than a year after the invasion of Ukraine saw a wave of international companies close or suspend their Russian operations. The Texas-based firm made the disclosure in its annual impact report. (File/ AFP)

Read here: US policeman who held back crowd convicted in George Floyd murder

Match Group said on Monday that it will quit Russia by June 30 because "we are committed to protecting human rights."

The Texas-based firm made the disclosure in its annual impact report, a summary of how the company is meeting goals on the environment, human rights and good governance.

"Our brands are taking steps to restrict access to their services in Russia and will complete their withdrawal from the Russian market by June 30, 2023," it said.

Most major Western companies have ended or suspended their operations in protest to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as Chinese companies expand their presence.

And as it seeks to reduce its dependence on the west, Russia has been shoring up its domestic technology sector in recent years.

Read here: King Charles' coronation guest list includes this Pune-born architect

Tinder's exit also comes when Russia has been strengthening laws to regulate the tech sector, against a backdrop of growing political repression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Washington Post in an interview published on Tuesday that he had not had any conversations with the White House about a leak of secret US documents that grabbed attention around the world last month. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. (AFP)

Read here: Is Rupert Murdoch's secret call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the real reason for Tucker Carlson's firing?

"I did not receive information from the White House or the Pentagon beforehand, Zelensky was quoted as saying.

"It is unprofitable for us." he added. It is not beneficial to the reputation of the White House, and I believe it is not beneficial to the reputation of the United States.
Seven bodies were found in the US state of Oklahoma on Monday during a police search for two missing teenagers, US media reported. This missing poster provided by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol shows 14-year-old Ivy Webster, left, 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, center, and Jesse McFadden, who were reported missing Monday, May 1, 2023.(AP)

The victims were not identified and authorities did not say whether they included the missing 14-year-old and 16-year-old girls, who were said to have been seen with a convicted sex offender, The New York Times reported.

But authorities had called off their search for the teens after the bodies were found in the city of Henryetta, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice told the newspaper.

"We believe to have found everything that we were seeking this morning," Rice said, adding that the case was being investigated as a homicide.

The Tulsa World reported Rice as saying officials believed two of the seven bodies found were those of the missing girls.

The bodies were found on a property where registered sex offender and convicted rapist Jesse L. McFadden resided, according to the newspaper.

The state highway patrol had issued a missing persons notice earlier Monday saying the two girls were last seen at 1:22 am (0622 GMT) in Henryetta and were both possibly traveling in a white Chevrolet Avalanche with McFadden, 39.

He was due to go on trial Monday in Muskogee County on several charges, including "child pornography and soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor using technology," the Times reported.

A warrant for his arrest was issued after McFadden failed to appear in court on Monday morning.
Sudan's war has forced 100,000 people to flee over its borders and fighting now its third week is creating a humanitarian crisis, U.N. officials said on Tuesday as gunfire and explosions echoed across the capital despite another ceasefire deal. War-torn Sudan(AFP)

The conflict risks morphing into a broader disaster as Sudan's impoverished neighbours deal with a refugee crunch and fighting hampers aid deliveries in a nation where two-thirds of people already rely on some outside assistance.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Cairo would provide support for dialogue in Sudan between the rival military factions, but was also "being careful about not interfering in their domestic matters".

"The entire region could be affected," he warned in an interview with a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday as an envoy from Sudan's army chief, who leads one of the warring sides, met Egyptian officials in Cairo.

United Nations officials had said U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths aimed to visit Sudan on Tuesday, but the timing was still to be confirmed.

The U.N.'s World Food Programme said on Monday it was resuming work in the safer parts of the country after a pause earlier in the conflict, in which some WFP staff were killed.

"The risk is that this is not just going to be a Sudan crisis, it's going to be a regional crisis," said Michael Dunford, the WFP's East Africa director.

The commanders of the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who previously shared power as part of an internationally backed transition towards free elections and civilian government show no sign of backing down, yet neither seem able to secure a quick victory. That has raised the spectre of a prolonged conflict that could draw in outside powers.

Early on Tuesday, black smoke could be seen hanging over the capital Khartoum, which lies at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers. Air strikes hit Bahri, on the east bank, while clashes flared in Omdurman to the west, witnesses said.

Hundreds of people have died in the fighting that pits the army under General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. Each has blamed the other for the violation of a series of ceasefires.

The army has used airpower against RSF units dug into residential areas of Khartoum, damaging swathes of the capital area and reigniting conflict in Sudan's far west Darfur region.

Port Sudan, where thousands of people have fled Khartoum seeking evacuation abroad, is the main entry point for aid for many countries in the region, the WFP's Dunford told Reuters.

"Unless we stop the fighting, unless we stop now, the impact on a humanitarian scale is going to be massive," he said.

Kenya has offered the use of its airports and airstrips near the border with South Sudan as part of an international humanitarian effort, Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua said.

AID SUPPLIES

Aid supplies that have arrived in Port Sudan for other aid agencies were still awaiting safe passage to Khartoum, a road journey of about 800 km (500 miles), although Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it had delivered some aid to Khartoum.

Some 330,000 Sudanese have also been displaced inside Sudan's borders by the war, the U.N. migration agency said.

Thousands of Sudanese are trying to exit the country, many across the borders with Egypt, Chad and South Sudan. The U.N. warned on Monday that 800,000 people could eventually leave including refugees living in Sudan temporarily.

At the border with Egypt, where more than 40,000 people have crossed over the past two weeks, delays are causing refugees to wait for days before being let through after paying hundreds of dollars to make the journey north from Khartoum.

Foreign countries have carried out their own evacuation effort, with an airlift from outside the capital and long road convoys to Port Sudan where ships have ferried them abroad.

Most European countries have ended their evacuation efforts. Russia said on Tuesday it had pulled out 200 of its citizens.

The army and RSF had shared power since a 2021 coup but had fallen out over the timeline for a transition to civilian rule and moves to merge the RSF into the regular military.

The two had fought side by side to battle an uprising in Darfur from 2003 onwards in which more than 300,000 people died, raising accusations of genocide.
???????? | Peru y Japon coinciden en impulsar el comercio bilateral como instrumento para el desarrollo. Conoce mas detalles en el siguiente grafico. ?? pic.twitter.com/XdofCX5Giq
Ukraine's deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzheppar on Tuesday apologised for a tweet by her country's defence ministry 'depicting Hindu Goddess Kali in (a) distorted manner'. "Ukraine and its people respect unique Indian culture and highly appreciate support. The depiction has already been removed... Ukraine is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect and friendship," Dzheppar tweeted. On Sunday, the official account of Ukraine's defence ministry tweeted a photo that showed a female in an upskirt pose with the face and detailing resembling Hindu Goddess 'Maa Kali'.

Watch: India's anger over Kali insult forces Ukraine to express 'regret' | 'Respect unique Indian culture'

On Sunday, Ukraine's defence ministry tweeted a photo by Ukrainian artist Maksym Palenko which showed a female in an iconic pose by Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe; the face and details of the figure resembled Kali. The ministry captioned the picture 'work of art'.

The post was fiercely criticised online and the Ukraine defence ministry deleted the tweet; Twitter users said the ministry had acted in a 'disrespectful' and 'Hinduphobic' manner.

One person wrote: "I am absolutely appalled to see the Ukrainian defence handle mocking Maa Kali, a revered Hindu goddess. This is a gross display of insensitivity and ignorance. I urge them to take down the offensive content and issue an apology. Respect for all religions and beliefs is paramount."

Another declared 'our faith is not a matter of joke'.
Residents of a Northern California university town are frightened and on edge after three people were stabbed within a week  two fatally  with the most recent attempt Monday night when a homeless woman reported being knifed several times through her tent. People view a memorial set up at the compassion bench in Davis, California, on Monday. (AP)

Read here: US' state senator makes shirtless vote during Zoom meeting

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Davis Police Department, as are other law enforcement agencies. It's unclear if the same suspect is responsible for all three stabbings in the downtown Davis area, which also includes the University of California, Davis campus.

Police issued a shelter-in-place order for residents shortly after the stabbing of the woman was reported at 11:45 pm Monday. It was lifted hours later after police said they had not caught the suspect, who is described as a male with curly hair, a thin build and carrying a brown backpack.

Davis is a city about 70 miles (112 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco and 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Sacramento, California. An estimated 9,000 U.C. Davis students live on campus, in addition to 67,000 residents of the city.

The first death was reported Thursday before noon when officers found an unresponsive male in downtown's Central Park.

The victim, David Henry Breaux, 50, was well known in the area for at least the last decade as the Compassion Guy," the mayor and city council said in a statement. Breaux often greeted people and asked for their views on compassion, according to the statement.

The second stabbing occurred Saturday around 9:15 p.m. when a resident heard a disturbance and went outside to find a young man at Sycamore Park with multiple stab wounds. Authorities identified the victim as Karim Abou Najm, 20, a student at the university and a graduate of Davis High School.

Police said Monday that investigators were trying to figure out if the two incidents are linked.

Although there are common factors between these two brutal crimes, such as the brutal nature of the crimes and that the suspect likely used a knife, there are no known connections between the victims, police said in a statement Monday.

They also have not publicly linked the suspect in the woman's stabbing to the suspect in Najms stabbing, who was described by police as having long curly loose hair and being about the same height as the suspect in the third stabbing.

Read here: US policeman who held back crowd convicted in George Floyd murder

The woman, whom police have not identified, is hospitalized and in critical condition.

Davis police did not respond immediately to a phone call seeking more information. University officials also did not respond immediately to a call and emails seeking information.
Four people found shot to death in an RV in a small Mojave Desert community in California. Four partygoers slain and 32 injured in small-town Alabama during a Sweet 16 birthday that ended with a girl kneeling beside her fatally wounded brother. Six people, included three 9-year-old children, gunned down at an elementary school in Nashville. A forensic technician ties a used police line together to seal off a crime scene in Monterrey.(Reuters Photo/Representative Image)

Now the discovery of seven people found shot to death in rural Oklahoma is keeping the US on a torrid pace for mass killings in 2023 and could push the number of people slain past 100 for the year.

Read here: Over 3,000 guns exchanged for gift cards in a single day in New York

The Mojave slayings over the weekend represented the 19th mass killing of the year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in a partnership with Northeastern University. That is the most during the first four months of the year since data was first recorded in 2006. The Oklahoma deaths have not been added to the database as of Tuesday afternoon.

As of the Mojave shooting, 97 people had been killed in the 19 mass killings this year, exceeding the record set in 2009 when 93 people were killed in 17 incidents by the end of April.

The number killed is a fraction of the total number of people who died by homicide for the year. The database 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.

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 2,851 people who have died in mass killings in the U.S. since 2006, according to the database.

Mass killings are happening with staggering frequency this year: an average of about one a week, according to an analysis of The AP/USA Today data.

The 2023 numbers stand out even more when they are compared with 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 19 a third of the way through is remarkable.

The violence has erupted from coast to coast and has 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 January 1.

Yet 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 there is 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 month, 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 last week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a ban on certain kinds of semi-automatic rifles into law. But it faces a federal court challenge.

Other states are experiencing a new round of pressure. In conservative Tennessee, protesters descended on the state Capitol to demand more gun regulation after the March shooting at the Nashville school.

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.

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.
?? En vivo | La presidenta Dina Boluarte, junto con el titular del @MidisPeru, sostiene un encuentro con lideresas del programa Vaso de Leche.

?? Ver transmision: https://t.co/qsKJPvZVdW #ConPunchePeru pic.twitter.com/GBKmhjR3DV
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenia continues to insist on mechanisms for Stepanakert-Baku dialogue, Member of Parliament Arman Yeghoyan (Civil Contract) told reporters.

Asked whether Armenia would be ready to sign any document with Azerbaijan when the Azeri troops are located in sovereign territory of Armenia, Yeghoyan said that this is one of the most important points in the talks. He said that the withdrawal of the Azeri troops from sovereign territory of Armenia is among the terms of Armenia.

We believe that no agreement can function without a strong international system of guarantees. This is the minimum bar that we must ensure. There must be some international guarantees, without it the treaty wont function effectively, Yeghoyan said.

The lawmaker added that Armenia will continue to insist on visible mechanisms for the Stepanakert-Baku dialogue.

Yeghoyan noted that the rhetoric of the international community has changed significantly, becoming better, more targeted and substantial for Armenia.

Speaking about the duration of the talks in Washington D.C., Yeghoyan said that the content is very voluminous and substantial, thus the long duration.

Asked whether or not a document could be signed after the talks in Washington D.C., Yeghoyan said that would depend on the course of the talks.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is involving over $236,000,000 in loan for the construction of the North-South Road Corridor in Syunik Province. The loan will be used for the construction of a 32-kilometer long tunnel and 17 bridges in Kajaran and two tunnels in Meghri and Litchk.

The bill on ratifying the agreement was presented in parliament on May 2.

The agreement was signed between the government of Armenia and the Eurasian Development Bank.

It is planned to start construction this year.

The bill also seeks to extend the term of the loan agreement until 30 December, 2026 and increase the size of co-financing by 86,6 million dollars, thus the projects budget will stand at 236 million 681 thousand dollars.
Vision Hospitality Group Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony today commencing construction on the seven-story 184-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Chattanooga Downtown. Ideally located on the corner of Broad Street and 4th Street in the heart of Downtown Chattanooga, the Embassy Suites Chattanooga Downtown will feature a rooftop bar, a street-level bar and coffee area in an open lobby style, a leasable restaurant space, and 5,000 total square feet of meeting space. Centrally located in the heart of the city, the property is blocks from the Tennessee Aquarium, Hunter Museum of American Art, National Medal of Honor Heritage Museum and Tennessee Riverpark festivals and events.

With an investment of $54 million, the property will provide a healthy economic boost to the destination with more than 100 jobs ranging from senior management positions, guest service agents, housekeepers and more. With a construction timeline of approximately two years led by Humphreys and Associates Contractors, LLC, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Chattanooga Downtown is expected to celebrate its grand opening in summer 2025.

Embassy Suites by Hilton, one of Hilton's 19 market-leading brands, is dedicated to delivering what matters most to travelers. The full-service, upscale brand offers both leisure and business travelers an approachable, best-in-class experience with two-room suites, free made-to-order breakfast, inviting open atriums, 24-hour fitness centers and a complimentary evening reception. Embassy Suites by Hilton offers more than 260 open hotels with 42 properties in development.

The Embassy Suites Chattanooga Downtown is one of fifteen projects in the robust Vision development pipeline expected to open in the next two years. Vision's portfolio currently has 16 properties in Greater Chattanooga and 41 nationwide.

Hotel website
Pro-invest Group has unveiled details of its newest property - Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point. Following the settlement of the hotel purchase in February 2023, the company has now signed a franchise agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts and an extensive renovation is planned to bring the essence of this vibrant Sydney neighbourhood to life.

Opening in Q4 2023, the multi-million-dollar transformation of the former Larmont Sydney by Lancemore into a Hotel Indigo marks a new chapter in the property's history - and will be the brands' debut in the city. Offering Sydney's sought-after harbour and city views, the 105-room hotel is in walking distance of the CBD, nestled behind another of the city's iconic landmarks, the Kings Cross Coca-Cola sign. Drawing inspiration from local history and culture, the revamped hotel will feature art deco tributes and a unique design that reflects the area's distinctive charm. The rebranding to Hotel Indigo incorporates the brand's signature storytelling, personalised service, exceptional design, and culinary delights, for guests looking for both character and comfort during their stay. This will be delivered by Hotel Manager Caitlin Walter and her team, who will be instrumental in bringing Hotel Indigo's neighbourhood story to life.With 262 open or pipeline hotels globally, the Hotel Indigo brand is one of the world's leading boutique premium brands. In Australia, the brand continues to expand its presence, with Pro-invest Group as a key partner in its growth. Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point will be the fourth Hotel Indigo in Australia, and third Hotel Indigo in the Pro-invest portfolio, following the recent signing of Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders and last year's opening of Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre.

Hotel website
The Bodrum EDITION is pleased to announce the appointment of Mustafa Bulmus as the new General Manager. Having been Hotel Manager at the resort previously and a General Manager at the W Istanbul and Ritz-Carlton Residences Istanbul, Mustafa is set to bring a wealth of experience as he returns to the Bodrum EDITION in his new role.

Responsible for the acclaimed opening of The Ritz-Carlton Residences Istanbul, whilst also being an integral part of the pre-opening task force as the commercial lead at The Reykjavik EDITION and the Times Square EDITION, Mustafa is fueled by his agility and ambition. Mustafa, through his impressive hotel experience, has grown to be a results-driven leader, with an unwavering passion for operational excellence and guest satisfaction.
Virgin Hotels New York City, the newest addition to the luxury-lifestyle hotel brand by Sir Richard Branson, is pleased to announce that Aisling Kennedy has been named Director of Finance. She will oversee financial strategy for the new 460-room hotel in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood. Kennedy joins the executive leadership team as the hotel opens its doors to visitors from around the globe as well as local New Yorkers.

Kennedy brings over a decade of experience in financial management within the tourism and travel industry to this position. Most recently, she was the Director of Finance for the Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina where she developed the hotels finance team and assisted the CFO in financial analytic needs. Before joining Montage Palmetto Bluff, Kennedy served as the Assistant Director of Finance at the Four Seasons in Orlando Florida where she assisted the Regional Director of Finance. She has worked at five different Four Seasons properties over the years, and began her hospitality career moving from Ireland to the U.S. where she worked with Marriott in the Rooms Department.
The Broadmoor announced the promotion of David Patterson to vice president of food and beverage. In this leadership role, Patterson will oversee all food and beverage operations while maintaining the resort's high culinary standards and enriching the resort's award-winning dining experiences. Prior to this new position, Patterson was The Broadmoor's executive chef and was responsible for overseeing the iconic resort's diverse collection of restaurants, cafes, and lounges, as well as servicing over 300,000 square feet of banquet and event space.

Patterson joined the Forbes 5-star, AAA 5-diamond Broadmoor as executive sous chef in January 2013 after working with Alain Ducasse restaurants in New York, Paris and Monaco. He was appointed as The Broadmoor's executive chef in 2017. A former executive chef of Hotel Hana-Maui, his career led him to host the prestigious James Beard House dinner, "A Taste of Maui." As a young sous chef at Maisonette in Cincinnati, David was introduced to the world of Stars and Diamonds in the restaurant that earned five of each for 42 consecutive years. Throughout his tenure, he has traveled extensively to explore and discover the exciting world of food and its traditions in South Korea, China, Thailand, Singapore, India, Egypt and Jordan.
Pakistan's hospitality industry is on the rise, and IMARAT Hospitality is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.

With its upcoming hotels across the country, IMARAT Hospitality is set to provide exceptional, bespoke services and comfort to travelers. Its partnership with Marriott International, a leading hospitality brand, ensures access to the best amenities and services for its guests. The group recognizes that travelers today expect more than just contemporary accommodations. They demand top-quality service, amenities, and experiences tailored to their individual needs. This is why IMARAT Hospitality has teamed up with top industry brands to incorporate innovative ideas, technology solutions, and unique guest experiences, providing personalized service that meets individual guest needs.

The group's hotels in Islamabad and Multan provide modern amenities and prime locations for both business and leisure travelers. The Courtyard by Marriott in Mall of IMARAT, Islamabad Downtown, and the Courtyard by Marriott in the G-11 sector of Islamabad offer modern accommodations and world-class amenities. For extended stays, the Residence Inn by Marriott in DHA, Islamabad, provides suites equipped with modern amenities. The Courtyard by Marriott in DHA, Multan, offers a comfortable and convenient stay with exceptional service.

With a focus on elevating the hospitality industry in Pakistan, IMARAT Hospitality has collaborated with major hospitality brands to raise the bar for exceptional service. The group and its partners aim to create a new standard of hospitality that caters to the unique needs of individual guests. This partnership is a testament to IMARAT Hospitality's commitment to providing personalized and exceptional service to all its guests.

We are thrilled to partner with leading hospitality brands to provide our guests with a truly exceptional experience. Our upcoming hotels in Islamabad and Multan are poised to redefine hospitality in Pakistan, and our partnerships with renowned hospitality brands will help us deliver the best possible amenities and services to our guests. Farhan Javed, Group Director of IMARAT Hospitality

IMARAT Hospitality's partnership with Marriott International is just one example of its commitment to providing exceptional service and raising the bar for hospitality in Pakistan. The group believes that by working together, they can create a new standard of hospitality that caters to guests' individual needs.

About IMARAT

IMARAT hospitality is a disruptive and dynamic group envisioning to elevate and redefine the hospitality sector of Pakistan. The paramount mission of IMARAT is to build a collection of globally recognized brands, paving a route to provide exceptional experiences for guests, instilling gratification in team members and uplifting the hospitality sector of Pakistan to new heights. For more information, visit www.imarat.com.pk, and to stay updated with our latest openings, follow us on Instagram and Linkedin at @imaratpk
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the worlds leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 hotels, across 18 distinct brands, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) at the Arabian Travel Market 2023.

The MOU provides a framework for both entities to explore methods to increase inbound visitation to Saudi Arabia from key markets across Middle East and Africa region. This includes developing customised promotions, joint marketing campaigns, and promotion through loyalty programs which will showcase Saudi Arabia as one of the worlds most exciting destination to an international audience.

The MOU was signed at the Saudi pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market 2023 held in Dubai, by James Britchford, Vice President Commercial at IHG for India, Middle East and Africa, and Munirah Abanomy, Head of Marketing Partnership for Middle East & Africaat Saudi Tourism Authority.

With Saudi Arabia targeting 100 million visitors by 2030, the Kingdom is a priority market for IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East. The hospitality group aims to support the tourism sector in the country by growing the footprint of its existing brands, as well as introducing new brands from its global portfolio, in addition to running campaigns to promote various destinations within the country. IHG also plans to further support the Kingdoms economic Vision by investing in developing Saudi talent in the Kingdom, with an ambition to hire 6,000 nationals across its growing portfolio by 2030.

As a reflection of our commitment to support the growth of the tourism industry within the Kingdom, we are delighted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Tourism Authority. Collaborations with key government entities, such as the STA, enable us to position and promote attractive destinations and exciting tourism offerings that the country has developed, to our guests across markets. James Britchford, Vice President, Commercial, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Signing of an MOU with IHG comes within the framework of the Saudi Tourism Authoritys keenness to strengthen strategic partnerships with major international companies and prestigious brands with global reach. Such partnerships enhance the efforts of the Saudi Tourism Authority in attracting tourists and enriching their experience by providing best-in-class products, offers and packages. Abdulkarim Aldarwish - President of Middle East & Africa Markets at the Saudi Tourism Authority

To expand its presence in key cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Makkah, Dammam, Al Khobar and Mega projects, IHG Hotels & Resorts is positioned to add over 10,000 additional rooms to its portfolio in the next 2-3 years. This is set to significantly boost the tourism infrastructure in the country and provide a diverse range of accommodation options  across luxury, leisure, religious and business tourism.

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 37 hotels across five brands in Saudi Arabia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and voco, with 31 hotels in the development pipeline set to open within the next three to five years.
Just in the past few weeks, AutoGPT has emerged, which is AI that controls other AI to do increasingly complex tasks. AI will start coding itself, which makes formerly hot skills like software engineering far less valuable. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence like this are happening each week now, instead of over months or years as in previous technology innovation cycles.

So what does all of this mean for us in hospitality?

To understand this, I spoke with Michael Hraba, Partner at Waterford Hotels & Inns. Michael is based in San Francisco - the epicenter for much of the technology we're seeing today - and runs operations for their collection of iconic properties such as The Inn At The Presidio.

His hot take? This is going to create a big recruiting opportunity for hotels and hospitality companies.

Michael Hraba Photo by hoteloperations.com

AI is going to make many more people look at hospitality as the place to build a durable career

In Michaels view, hospitality-oriented service can't be taken over by AI. Building a career in hospitality provides career security in an increasingly AI-driven world because youre providing something uniquely human that AI can never replicate.

He quoted David Kong who said: Theres no such thing as virtual hospitality.

Working with hotels is life-changing. You can impact people's lives in ways that reverberate long after they've left, Michael told me.

There are so many expressions of this. Think about the huge wellness trend thats been happening in hospitality. People are leaving hotels with inspiration on how to find peace, meditate, and chill out.

Working in areas like this wasn't always available in our industry, Michael observed. A career in hospitality is so much more diversified now, and there are opportunities across the board that cater to nearly anyones interests.

What does that mean? AI is going to make many more people look at hospitality as the place to build a durable career because there are so many jobs that cant be replaced.

The icing on the cake with a career in hospitality is the human connection, which is something Michael has enjoyed throughout his own career and sees in others as well. People are rediscovering that post-pandemic, being around people and hearing their stories is a very fulfilling way to live and work.

People who left hospitality during the pandemic are starting to return

Something I found fascinating is that Michael is already seeing people who left the industry during the pandemic start to come back.

Weve seen a lot of people who left the hotel industry over the past few years returning and telling us they cant sit at a desk anymore and continue with the jobs they had in other industries.

People are looking for more human, meaningful, and worthwhile ways to spend their time and energy at work. Theres nothing more marginalizing than feeling like youre just a part of an algorithm, clicking buttons on the internet for work.

All of this means the opportunity to recruit into hospitality is better than ever. Theres never been a better time to build your career in the hotel industry, and it will only become more attractive as technology and artificial intelligence advances, Michael said.

In the past, the hotel industry hasnt communicated the advantages of working in our industry. We havent done a great job building culture. But thats changed. Hotel leaders have learned we have to be more empathetic to the human experience for employees, which makes hospitality a better place to build your career than ever before.

Moving forward, the human connection is going to be celebrated. People are starting to realize they can make a drink for someone, have a conversation, make them happy, change their life - and do that as a job you get paid for!

People across industries and around the world are fearful AI will make them replaceable. Its time for us to use this moment to make the case for why hospitality can be the best place to build a long-term, fulfilling career.

Listen to Michael talk about this further in his own words on the Hospitality Daily podcast: Worried about AI? Try a career in hospitality.

Josiah Mackenzie

hoteloperations.com
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. An Armenian parliamentary delegation has met with the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides during a visit to Cyprus.

The President highly praised the brotherly relations between Armenia and Cyprus, MP Hayk Konjoryan, the parliament majority leader and Chair of the Armenia-Cyprus Inter-parliamentary cooperation commission said in a statement.

We mutually underscored the high level of inter-parliamentary cooperation and discussed new prospects of deepening the cooperation. We raised the issue of Azerbaijans illegal installation of a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. We discussed the ongoing peace process taking place with Azerbaijan, the existing challenges and ways for resolving them, Konjoryan said.
Laurent Kleitman - Group Chief Executive - Mandarin Oriental

Laurent Kleitman has been appointed as Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental International Limited with effect from 1 September 2023. He will succeed James Riley who has been the Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental since 2016 and will be stepping down.

Laurent was most recently the President and Chief Executive of Parfums Christian Dior, the largest luxury fashion beauty business of LVMH. He was responsible for the business globally, managing the luxury brands perfume, make-up, and skincare categories.

Prior to joining LVMH in 2019, Laurent was President of the Consumer Beauty division of Coty, a NYSE listed leading beauty company with a portfolio of well-known brands across fragrance, colour cosmetics, and skin and body care. Prior to that, he spent 25 years at Unilever and held global and regional leadership roles covering the UK, Europe, and Asia, across its personal care, home care, and food businesses.

Laurents career has centred on building iconic brands. He has led the creation and evolution of new and historic brands as well as growth strategies focused on customer-centric innovation and experience. He has also built digital platforms for brands, and expanded brands into new markets and new product lines.

Ben Keswick, Chairman of Mandarin Oriental International Limited, said, With Laurents leadership, we will continue to grow our global portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts and residences. Building on Mandarin Orientals renowned legendary service, he will further evolve our brand for our guests  delivering 21st century luxury hospitality and lifestyle experiences steeped in a rich and proud Asian heritage. I am delighted to welcome Laurent to Mandarin Oriental.

I would like to thank James for his 30 years of valued service to the Jardine Matheson Group. I especially want to highlight his significant contribution as Group Chief Executive Officer of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group over the past seven years. James has been instrumental in continuing to expand Mandarin Orientals development pipeline and elevating the Mandarin Oriental brand globally. James has also made substantial progress embedding sustainability into the way in which we operate and make decisions at Mandarin Oriental. Today, Mandarin Oriental operates 36 hotels and nine residences in 24 countries and territories, and has a pipeline of 25 properties under development which are expected to open in the next five years.

James will step down as Chief Executive on 31 July 2023, however he will be available to support the management team until Laurent begins on 1 September 2023.
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Guestroom at the Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt Hotel

The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt is set to open next week (May 10, 2023), delivering the city's only premium 4.5-star apartment-style hotel.

The new-build 60-room apartment hotel, spanning five levels built by Sarin Investment is centrally located on High Street, overlooking the Hutt River and Wellington Harbour in the distance.

The elegantly decorated rooms offer privacy and space, as well as kitchen facilities and a dining area, allowing for tailor-made self-sufficiency. Providing a range of options to suit all-purpose stays. These include studio (27 sqm plus), one bedroom (45 sqm plus) and dual key exclusively designed for families and groups (27 plus 45 sqm).

Boasting an electric blue colour palette, owner and developer Raman Sarin says The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt design elements have been inspired by the river, and surrounding hills.

"We wanted our guests to have a feel of a green, serene Aotearoa. Thus, the natural elements are seen in the interior design including the hall carpets and exterior screen.

"We wanted to ensure we adhered to our reputation of delivering high standard projects and internally believe we've met those. We can finally focus on doing what we do best, operating a family run hotel with great efficiency, passion and care for our guests."

The Sebel is a premium brand of Accor  the largest hotel operator in New Zealand.

"We are proud to be operating from Lower Hutt and to be offering world-class services to our customers who can also take advantage of Accor's global distribution and loyalty network," says Sarin.

Finding its home on the ground floor of The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt is Grazie - a new Italiano restaurant and pasticceria bringing a slice of authentic Italian cuisine to the heart of Lower Hutt. Produce will be sourced locally where possible with fresh pasta, pizza, breads and pastries made onsite. A relaxed dining space will be available for locals and guests dining inside and alfresco in the surrounding courtyard.

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"We are so proud of the end result - this hotel will be a real asset to all of Hutt Valley. The location is ideal for leisure travellers wanting to enjoy access to the river, walking and bicycle trails as well as shopping to corporates here for business and conferences held at the nearby Lower Hutt Events Centre."

Sarin Hotels have hired 40 staff, the majority of which are local, to work in the hotel and restaurant, creating career opportunities for the local community.

"We are pleased to contribute to the economic growth for the Hutt by creating employment opportunities and bringing visitors and businesses to the region through quality accommodation and dining experiences. The hotel will also provide a boost to the nearby Events Centre, and support a number of new facilities being built in Upper Hutt, including the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport and the Lane St Film Studio," said Sarin.

He says The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt opening is also timely with the $700m RiverLink urban development project, which would turn the central city towards Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River and support the revamped central city.

Jo Miller, Chief Executive Hutt City Council, said: "The Sebel Hotel is a quality offering in the heart of our city that fills a gap in the hospitality industry. The hotel will contribute to enhancing the city centre and complement the planned RiverLink revitalisation programme of work."

Sarah Derry, CEO Accor Pacific, said:" The Sebel Wellington Lower Hutt's riverside location holds great appeal for visitors to the region. It is an outstanding property, built to a high standard with impactful details, and providing an impressive Italian culinary experience for hotel guests and the local community."
Set in a historic building that dates back to 1855, Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, formerly known as NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, is a landmark in Amsterdam. It is situated right on the main square and enjoys a privileged location overlooking the Royal Palace. Reach many of the citys attractions on foot, such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam Central Station is only seven minutes away. Recently renovated, Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam has 402 spacious contemporary rooms. There are 8 family rooms, 35 apartments with canal views and 10 premium triple rooms. Each has individually controlled air-conditioning, Nespresso machines, rain-effect showers and ultra-comfortable mattresses. The height of luxury is the Royal Suite, spread over two floors. A delectable breakfast is served daily in the grand 19th century Winter Garden. A perfect setting for a wedding, the hotel has 16 meeting rooms for up to 1500 people. Opened in April 2016, Michelin starred The White Room is a true gastronomic delight where Jacob Jan Boerma heads the kitchen. Grand Cafe Krasnapolsky is ideal for business lunches, enjoying views of the Dam Square. To unwind, head to Bar The Tailor and enjoy a cocktail.

$422 Avg. per night View Deals
General

Computer use available

Radio

Terrace/Patio

Increased accessibility

Family rooms

Linens

Towels

Feather pillow

Saltwater pool

Elevator

Flat-screen TV

Free toiletries

Shampoo

Shared lounge/TV area

Smoke alarms

Heating

Shower

Breakfast included

Iron and ironing board

Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic pillow

Physical distancing in dining areas

Physical distancing rules

First-aid kit

Microwave

Outdoor pool

Socket near the bed

Sofa

Alarm clock

Key card access

Sofa bed

Enhanced cleaning

No smoking

Bathtub

Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas

Bar/Lounge

Express check-out

Body soap

Hairdryer

Tea/coffee maker

Cable or satellite TV

Telephone

Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against coronavirus

Carpeted

Air-conditioned

Refrigerator

Non-feather pillow

Toilet

Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays

Toilet paper

Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning

All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized

Thermometers for guests provided by property

Safe

Delivered food is securely covered

Clothes rack

Trash cans

Complimentary breakfast

Guests can opt-out of accommodation cleaning

Coffee machine

TV

Free parking

Conditioner

Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities

Disinfection of high-touch surfaces

Desk

Vending machine (drinks)

Private bathroom

24hr front desk

Designated smoking area

Private parking Show more
9.2 Wonderful Paul, Jul 2018

For a 5 star hotel a little disappointed , our first room was a little sad. fridge didn't work , heater didn't work , no spare blanket or pillows. We ended up having to change rooms , Peter the concierge was like a knight in shining armour , he took note of the problems straight away and changed our room upgrading us to a harbour view room (very nice) .After that we did enjoy our stay . we think the dining room could use a few upgrades like the toasters and the serving bowls at the buffet , most hotels we have stayed at have the bowls with the auto lids on them making it easier to get to without trying to find somewhere to put lids down and hot condensation dripping everywhere. The staff we found were awesome in every way , polite and there to help if they seen you were a little lost ,I was travelling with a broken foot but they couldn't do enough to help me in every way , WELL DONE TO THEM ALL.
Computer use available

Electric kettle

Terrace/Patio

Family rooms

Safety deposit box

Fire extinguisher

Seating area

Laundry facilities

Elevator

Flat-screen TV

Free toiletries

Shared lounge/TV area

Smoke alarms

Shower

Dining room

Physical distancing in dining areas

Physical distancing rules

First-aid kit

Property is cleaned by professional cleaning companies

Process in place to check health of guests

Microwave

Indoor pool

Outdoor pool

Sofa

CCTV in common areas

Allergy-free room

CCTV outside property

Enhanced cleaning

No smoking

Balcony

Kitchenware

Soundproof rooms

Bathtub

Restaurant

Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas

Express check-out

Hairdryer

Screens or physical barriers placed between staff and guests in appropriate areas

Cable or satellite TV

Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against coronavirus

Air-conditioned

Toaster

Refrigerator

Toilet

Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays

Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning

All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized

Thermometers for guests provided by property

Food can be delivered to guest accommodation

Guests can opt-out of accommodation cleaning

Coffee machine

Free parking

Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities

Disinfection of high-touch surfaces

Desk

Pool with a view

Coffee shop

Vending machine (snacks)

Dining area

Garden

Dining table

Private bathroom

Private check-in/check-out

Wardrobe or closet

Kitchen

24hr front desk

Designated smoking area

Washing machine

Kitchenette

Storage available
General

Computer use available

Electric kettle

Entire unit wheelchair accessible

Family rooms

Cribs available

Fire extinguisher

Laundry facilities

Ironing service

Flat-screen TV

Free toiletries

Garden view

Room service

Smoke alarms

Heating

Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic pillow

Physical distancing in dining areas

Physical distancing rules

Property is cleaned by professional cleaning companies

Process in place to check health of guests

Interconnected room(s) available

Key card access

CCTV in common areas

No smoking

Restaurant

Bar/Lounge

Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas

Express check-out

Parking

Hairdryer

Lockers

Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against coronavirus

Air-conditioned

Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays

Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning

All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized

Delivered food is securely covered

Food can be delivered to guest accommodation

Gay friendly

Guests can opt-out of accommodation cleaning

Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities

Disinfection of high-touch surfaces

Bathrobe

Private bathroom

Garden

24hr front desk

Designated smoking area

Storage available

Private parking

Quiet street view

Terrace/Patio

Increased accessibility

Roll-in shower

Linens

Towels

Safety deposit box

Seating area

Elevator

Minibar

Shampoo

Shared lounge/TV area

Shower

Iron and ironing board

Shower cap

Accessible by elevator

Slippers

First-aid kit

Snack bar

Socket near the bed

Sofa bed

Allergy-free room

Enhanced cleaning

Soundproof rooms

Soundproofing

Bidet

Body soap

Breakfast in the room

Tea/coffee maker

Telephone

Chapel/shrine

Toilet

Toilet paper

Thermometers for guests provided by property

Safe

Toothbrush

Trash cans

Coffee machine

TV

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Conditioner

Desk

Wardrobe or closet Show more
General

Electric kettle

Executive lounge access

Family rooms

Cribs available

Feather pillow

Fire extinguisher

Gift shop

Laundry facilities

Ironing service

Flat-screen TV

Packed lunches

Free toiletries

Fruits

Heated pool

Room service

Smoke alarms

Hardwood or parquet floors

Heating

Physical distancing in dining areas

Physical distancing rules

Infinity pool

Property is cleaned by professional cleaning companies

Process in place to check health of guests

Hot tub

Interconnected room(s) available

Child pool

Outdoor pool

Key card access

CCTV in common areas

Kids meals

CCTV outside property

No smoking

Kid-friendly buffet

Restaurant

Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas

Bar/Lounge

Laptop safe

Express check-out

Hairdryer

Lockers

Cable or satellite TV

Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against coronavirus

Air-conditioned

Air purifiers

Non-feather pillow

Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays

Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning

All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized

Outdoor furniture

Delivered food is securely covered

Pants press

Food can be delivered to guest accommodation

Guests can opt-out of accommodation cleaning

Free parking

Picnic area

Pool cover

Pool towels

Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities

Pool view

Disinfection of high-touch surfaces

Pool with a view

Private beach

Bathrobe

Garden

Private bathroom

24hr front desk

Designated smoking area

Steam room

Storage available

Quiet street view

Spa and wellness center

Radio

Terrace/Patio

Increased accessibility

Beach towels

Linens

Towels

Safety deposit box

Grill

Sea view

Seating area

Elevator

Minibar

Shampoo

Pool bar

Shower

Iron and ironing board

Shower cap

Accessible by elevator

Adapter

Slippers

First-aid kit

Additional bathroom

Socket near the bed

Additional toilet

Sofa

Alarm clock

Sofa bed

Allergy-free room

Enhanced cleaning

Baby safety gates

Balcony

Soundproof rooms

Bathtub

Soundproofing

Spa bath

Bidet

Body soap

Bottle of water

Swimming pool toys

Breakfast in the room

Tea/coffee maker

Telephone

Tile/marble floor

Toilet

Child-safety socket covers

Toilet paper

Toilet with grab rails

Thermometers for guests provided by property

Sauna

Towels/sheets (extra fee)

Clothes rack

Coffee machine

Tumble dryer

TV

Smartphone dock

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Conditioner

Valet parking

Desk

Walk-in shower

Wardrobe or closet

Drying rack for clothing Show more
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  The slaughterhouse cleaning company that was found to be employing more than 100 children to help sanitize dangerous razor-sharp equipment like bone saws has continued to lose contracts with the major meat producers since the investigation became public last fall.

For its part, Packers Sanitation Services Inc., or PSSI as it is known, said it has taken a number of steps to tighten up its hiring practices but it says the rising number of child labor cases nationwide is likely related to the increase in the number of minors crossing the U.S. border alone in recent years.

The scandal that followed the February announcement that PSSI would pay a $1.5 million fine and reform its hiring practices as part of an agreement with investigators also prompted the Biden administration to urge the entire meat processing industry to take steps to ensure no kids are working in these plants either for the meat companies or at contractors like PSSI.

Federal investigators confirmed that children as young as 13 were working for PSSI at 13 plants in Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee and Texas. It wasn't immediately clear if any additional children have been found working for the company because PSSI declined to answer that and government officials haven't offered an update on the investigation since February.

The Labor Department has said there has been a 69% increase since 2018 in the number of children being employed illegally nationwide, and it has more than 600 child labor investigations underway. Officials have said they are particularly concerned about the potential exploitation of migrants who may not even have a parent in the United States.

PSSI maintains that it prohibits hiring kids and the only way children could have been hired is through deliberate identity theft or fraud at a local plant. Regardless of the reason they occurred, it is our responsibility to address the problem.

As has been widely reported, the recent record rise in unaccompanied minors from abroad and rising prevalence of identity theft has clearly revealed new vulnerabilities in the area of underage labor across hundreds of different businesses including ours, PSSI spokesman Ray Hernandez said.

Companies like PSSI are put in a difficult situation of having to turn away applicants who appear to have a valid ID when they want to hire workers, and they also have to be careful not to discriminate by imposing extra scrutiny on immigrants, said David Bier, an immigration policy expert at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute that advocates for more open immigration laws. The fact that more than half a million children have crossed the border without their parents since 2019 creates a large group of minors who may try to get jobs.

"Seventeen-year-old, 16-year-old or 15-year-old even gets an ID and a company needs workers, its difficult to police, Bier said. And the meatpacking industry is always desperate to find more workers. If youre willing to do the work and you have an ID, then youre going to be able to get a job.

Cargill, Tyson Foods and JBS have all terminated contracts with PSSI at at least some of their plants  particularly any plants where Labor Department investigators confirmed children were working  although Cargill went furthest and cut ties with the Kieler, Wisconsin-based company entirely. Another meat processing giant, Smithfield Foods, said only that it is taking a close look at its contracts with PSSI, which currently cleans about one-third of the companys 45 plants, to ensure that all labor laws are being followed.

Those four companies, along with National Beef, control over 80% of the beef market and more than 60% of the pork market nationwide. National Beef didnt respond to questions about its actions.

Cargill spokeswoman April Nelson said the company notified PSSI in March that it would end all 14 of its contracts because we will not tolerate the use of underage labor within our facilities or supplier network.

Tyson and JBS officials also reiterated their commitment to eliminating child labor in their plants, and they said each of their companies had ended PSSI contracts at several plants. But they declined to provide specific numbers about how many contracts they cut and how many plants PSSI is still cleaning for them.

Tyson Foods is committed to compliance with all labor laws and holding those we do business with to the highest standards of accountability, said Dan Turton, a senior vice president at Tyson, in a letter to members of Congress about their child labor concerns. He promised Tyson would step up its audits of contractors and continue cooperating with federal officials to ensure its own hiring meets all standards.

The major meat processors say they are looking to bring more of the cleaning work at their plants in house, but they will likely continue to rely on contractors in many places. Tyson, for instance, said that its own workers clean about 40% of its plants.

PSSI wouldn't say how many workers it has laid off after losing contracts, but the way it describes itself on its website hints at the job losses. PSSI now says it has about 16,500 employees nationwide working at more than 400 plants, down from the more than 17,000 it cited last fall before the investigation. Still, it remains one of the largest cleaners of food processing plants.

PSSI says it is going above and beyond what the official court agreement required to ensure no kids are working there. And the company, which is owned by the New York-based private equity firm Blackstone, named a new CEO who just took over last week after its longtime top executive retired after 24 years.

PSSI hired a former U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer to help strengthen the training its managers get to spot identity theft, and brought on a former Labor Department official to conduct monthly unannounced checks on its practices. The company also set up a hotline for employees to anonymously report any concerns.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. On May 2, the RA NA President Alen Simonyan received the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yuumi Yoshikawa, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

After the exchange of greetings, the parties documented that both sides are concerned about the deepening of political dialogue, the development of trade-economic ties and the expansion of cooperation in a number of other directions.

The RA NA President noted that within the bilateral cooperation the role of the parliamentary diplomacy is great, expressing readiness to further deepen the inter-parliamentary cooperation and activate the contacts between the legislative bodies.

Alen Simonyan documented that our country highlights and highly appreciates the support continuously shown to the health system and in other spheres by the Government of Japan.

Speaking about the preconditions of deepening the Armenian-Japanese cultural cooperation, the RA NA President mentioned the Hanami Festival held in the Park of the National Assembly, which still from 2015 is organized by the Armenian-Japanese Scientific and Cultural Union Arumenia-Nippon by the efforts of the RA NA Armenia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group.

At the Japanese guests request, the RA NA President gave details about the humanitarian disaster caused because of the Lachin Corridor crisis, stressing that the use of force and the threat of the use of force are the inseparable part of the policy of Azerbaijan and have a goal to essentially destabilize the situation in the region and to undermine the efforts of the intermediary partners aimed at continuing the peaceful negotiations.

He added that despite all challenges, Armenia adopted the path of democracy and continues remaining faithful to reaching peace agenda.
U.S. trade officials have solicited the advice of lobbyists for Amazon.com, Alphabet's Google and other major technology companies to help craft the new Indo-Pacific trade framework.

Officials with the U.S. Trade Representative invited Amazon and Google lobbyists early last year to meet personally with Sarah Bianchi, the deputy trade representative, according to emails obtained by Senator Elizabeth Warren and shared with Bloomberg News.

That gave the companies insight into the confidential talks long before the public knew about the 14-nation economic initiative, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.

"We wanted to speak with experts like yourself to get your thoughts and feedback on our Indo-Pacific Economic Framework strategy and to further discuss the digital element of the strategy," an assistant to Bianchi wrote in an email to Google.

The emails were obtained by the advocacy group Demand Progress via a public-records request and shared with Warren's office. Warren's office issued a report on the ties between the big tech companies and USTR as advocates increasingly scrutinize corporate influence over digital trade policy.

The lobbyists had worked in the Trade Representative's office.

Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said the emails show that the Biden administration's trade representatives are continuing to coordinate with large tech companies despite President Joe Biden's promises to make workers and consumers a priority in setting trade policy.

"Big Tech companies and their army of lobbyists, including former government officials, are secretly trying to undermine President Biden's trade policy and his commitment to promote competition," Warren said in a statement.

In a January 2022 email to Amazon, a USTR official requested multiple meetings between Bianchi and Michael Punke and Jennifer Prescott, members of Amazon's government affairs team and former USTR officials, "to get to know them better." Punke had been a deputy trade representative and ambassador to the World Trade Organization, while Prescott was an assistant trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources.

Bianchi's staff emailed to set up an additional meeting with Amazon lobbyist Arrow Augerot, previously deputy assistant for congressional affairs at USTR, in February. And Bianchi's staff in February contacted Google Cloud lobbyist Behnaz Kibria, another former USTR official, to request an "off-the-record" meeting to get "feedback" on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

The trade talks are well underway, although the framework has not yet been released to the public. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is to meet with the Senate Finance Committee behind closed doors later on Tuesday to discuss the trade deal, according to a person familiar with the briefing.

Another round of talks is set to begin next week in Singapore. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the negotiations could produce results by the end of the year. The framework is intended to strengthen U.S. trade relationships in the region and represents the most significant American economic engagement since President Donald Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017. Participants include Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and Indonesia.

Progressive lawmakers are concerned that language in the U.S. proposal related to digital trade could undermine artificial intelligence, privacy and competition regulations. In an April 21 letter, Warren and lawmakers in both the House and Senate said the draft could "tie Congress's and regulators' hands," citing how similar language in the U.S.-Canada trade deal has emerged in debates about digital regulations under consideration in Canada.

Countries including Japan, South Korea and Australia have been leaders on regulation related to the tech giants.

The emails released by Warren's office on Tuesday reveal close ties between current USTR officials and former officials who left to work at big tech companies. A USTR official in June 2021 asked for Punke's availability to meet with Tai "in your personal capacity" to discuss "your time in Geneva and how you approached the job."

In July 2021, Tai personally thanked Karan Bhatia, global head of public policy and government affairs for Google, for his "ability to be candid" in a private meeting.

They also show that USTR contacted South Korean government officials about legislation intended to pare back the power of Apple and Google's app stores.

Bhatia in August 2021 emailed Tai about Google's concerns with the South Korean legislation, adding "we would be grateful for your attention to this issue and for raising those concerns with the Korean government." Tai wrote back within a few days, agreeing to "touch base with my counterpart(s) in Seoul," and promising to "make sure we and our teams are in touch with any insights we are able to glean."

Amazon, Google and tech industry-backed groups like the Computer & Communications Industry Association have hired former USTR officials to work on trade policy. Jonathan McHale, a former deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for ICT services and digital trade, was hired by CCIA in June 2022. The year before, McHale told Google lobbyists it would be "good to know what you think the best response would be" to issues that could arise in negotiations with Mexico.

Amazon communicates with officials across the government, said spokeswoman Julia Lawless. "Like many other American companies with significant domestic investments and job creation, we advocate on issues that are important to our customers and our sellers."

CCIA didn't comment on any communication with USTR, but President Matt Schruers said that failing to address "the benefits of the digital economy in IPEF would be a lost opportunity."

Google has "very publicly advocated for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to include strong digital trade provisions that ensure digital technologies are widely accessible, and that support privacy, security, and trust in cross-border data flows," said spokesman Jose Castaneda.
Music festivals are no more synonymous with Galveston than the city's often overlooked surfing scene is yet. That could well change by Sunday evening, when the final notes of the La Izquierda Surf & Music Festival drift into the Gulf Coast breeze.

Buoyed by an infusion of philanthropic cash, then rescued by one of the islands most esteemed real-estate names, La Izquierda is poised for a breakthrough this year after moving to Beach Central, the open field and popular Seawall event space neighboring the Grand Galvez hotel. For starters, its unwise to bet against any event headlined by Bun B  especially fresh off his blockbuster rodeo takeover two months back.

Joining the ex-UGK rapper is an impressive lineup that reflects the regions depth of talent as much as its diversity: second-generation zydeco king Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band; H-Town pachuco boogie stalwarts Los Skarnales; Devo-esque athleisure enthusiasts Swimwear Department; veteran Americana funnyman Opie Hendrix; indie-rock favorites Young Mammals; red dirt regular Rich OToole; and many others.

Violeta Alvarez

Theyre all good music and theyre all different, says Galveston musician Robert Kuhn, one of La Izquierdas organizers, but they all fit together to really shape and exemplify the best of this great stuff thats going on on the Gulf Coast around here.

La Izquierda Surf & Music Festival When: May 5-7

Where: Beach Central, 2102 Seawall Blvd., Galveston

Details: $15-$175; 409-770-4211; laizquierdafest.org See More Collapse

Kuhn will also be playing the festival himself with his psych-folky band Galvezton, on the heels of last years Persevere LP. To him, the camaraderie between musicians is one of La Izquierdas primary selling points. Just about all of the festivals artists are from the immediate area, including islanders Jo Bird the Fiddle Witch, Dem Roots and India Tigers In Texas; while InDaSkies, Blaze X Black, Blossom Aloe, and Son Bayou hail from just up I-45 in Houston.

Kuhn expects some of his musician friends sit in on multiple sets across the weekend, one of the surest signs of a true festival. Such jam sessions almost inevitably create the kind of positive onstage vibes that easily spill into the audience.

If you have a good crowd of really nice people, and your friends are all there, its just more energy, Kuhn says. Thats what I love about it: its the energy feedback loop that happens between the musicians and the crowd.

Its certainly hard to imagine another festival anywhere nearby that offers yoga on the beach or photo opportunities with a mermaid, or that starts off with an early-morning surfing contest for men and women. Kuhn is a longtime surfer himself, with many friends in the local surfing community; the festivals name  Spanish for left, surfing lingo for a wave that breaks to the surfers left  honors the heavy Hispanic influence on Gulf Coast surfing culture.

Everybody that surfs around here [also] goes to Mexico, because those are the closest real waves you can count on, Kuhn says.

La Izquierda actually started as a benefit show for the Surfrider Foundation, Kuhn explains. When construction of Babes Beach in far western Galveston inadvertently created a huge surf break off the 91st Street pier, he and his friends were quick to take advantage of the situation. After losing 2020 and 2021 to the pandemic, last year Kuhn moved the festival to Menard Park on the seawall. It could have been a catastrophe  unscheduled construction on an overpass just north of the I-45 causeway choked off traffic in both directions, marooning many musicians and vendors  but Kuhn remained sanguine.

It really turned into a pure locals event, really, and it was beautiful, he says. People loved it. Everybody knew one another and there was a good crowd, but it wasnt overwhelming. It was still chill, and everybody knew everybody and felt safe. It ended up being nice. People were all excited about it, and we still made money. It was still a good, good thing.

This year, after winning $20,000 last fall in the Philanthropitch nonprofit competition, Kuhn significantly upgraded La Izquierdas lineup. But the city nixed the festivals return to Menard Park, saying its plans to charge admission and sell alcohol put the festival out of step with city rules, according to public information officer Marissa Barnett.

La Izquierda is a great local event, and were happy to see it growing in popularity and attendance, she added. But as a result of this success, we believe the event is outgrowing the greenspace available at Menard Park. Weve continued to work with the organizers and look forward to [the festival] remaining a mainstay of the islands more than 60 annual events.

La Izquierda Surf & Music Festiv

Luckily, Mitchell Historic Properties, owners of Beach Central and a number of other Galveston landmarks, stepped in and donated the space. Besides the music, Kuhn and his team are planning on aerialists, beach volleyball, interactive murals, live painting by local artists Gabriel Prusmack and Adam Garrison, and a special appearance by Texas City drumline Marching Thunder to introduce Bun Bs set. Meanwhile, festivalgoers will definitely be eating well with Buns Trill Burgers and beloved island food truck The Shepherd Mix topping the list of food vendors.

Their benefactors and sponsors generosity has allowed La Izquierda to keep ticket prices more than reasonable: $15 advance or $25 at the door per day, or $30/$50 for the weekend. VIPs pay extra, and get more stuff. Friday nights psych-pop bonanza curated by Galvestons Third Eyeland Collective, featuring India Tigers and Young Mammals alongside Austins Neon Lemon and Annabelle Chairlegs, is a completely free pre-party  the festivals thank-you gift to the community, as it were.

Kuhns partner, La Izquierda program coordinator Jessica Antonelli, is excited about how far the festival has come in a relatively short time, and believes the increased attention its already drawing is a great way for organizers to keep their eyes on the real prize  funding the Save the Locals free summer concert series in Menard Park, as well as nurturing the next generation of artists and festival fans alike.



The hope is that were going to be able to expand this year with the bigger headliners [in order] to have enough of a budget to not only do the Save the Locals events but, as we continue to grow, to offer more programs for education on arts and music and surfing, she says. Thats the dream.






Its called the greatest two minutes in sports, but the festivities surrounding the Kentucky Derby are epic. For Houstonians who enjoy celebrating the legendary horse race, the partying can stretch for hours.

So break out your seersucker and festive hats because Houston bars and restaurants have planned a variety of bourbon-fueled parties for Derby Day, Saturday, May 6. Mint Juleps, shots of bourbon, and contests for best hats will rule the day.

Here are some places that will mark the Kentucky Derby with cocktails and more.

Julep (pictured above)

The Mint Julep has always reigned at Alba Huertas award-winning cocktail bar. But it positively shines during its annual Kentucky Derby Day Party. On May 6, 1 to 6 p.m., Julep will offer juleps, house cocktails, champagne and a whiskey bar as well as tacos from El Topo, sweets from Fluff Bake Bar, a bistro menu, a live DJ, and live stream from the race. Wear lawn-party chic, bowties and Derby hats. 1919 Washington; julephouston.com

Heights Bier Garten

Travis Poston

The Heights bars 7th annual Lets Get Down & Derby party will be held May 6, 1 to 10 p.m. with cocktail and food specials, games and prizes for best dressed (winner gets four tickets to the Houston Polo Club). 1433 N. Shepherd; thekirbygrouphtx.com

Permission Whiskey

John Huang

The bourbon and whiskey bar on White Oak will host its third annual Kentucky Derby party noon to 7 p.m. The event will feature broadcast of race, live music, Derby-themed roses, hat contest, and fresh Mint Julep cocktails. Makers Mark also will be on site to give away branded swag. General admission tickets are $20 per person. 2920 White Oak; permissionwhiskey.com

DRINK UP: Our list of the top 25 places for cocktails and wine in Greater Houston

Heights Social

Dylan Minor

Derby Day will be marked on May 6 with a party beginning at 3 p.m. featuring Woodford Reserve Mint Julep cocktails, Derby-themed drinks, a Churchill Downs menu, and best dressed contest. 1213 W. 20th; @heightssocialhouston.

Brasserie 19

Shannon Smith Waiter

Break out your fascinators and hats for the annual Kentucky Derby Hat Party at the River Oaks restaurant from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Food and drink specials and Julep cocktails all day; hat contest winner will receive a champagne brunch for 6. 1962 W. Gray; brasserie19.com

Rockhouse Southern Kitchen

Raydon Creative

The new Southern food and live music venue will hold its first Talk Derby to Me party from 2 to 8 p.m. with Makers Mark drinks, Julep specials, brunch and lunch menus, and live music. Derby attire is encouraged. Early bird general admission ($20); general admission ($30); and VIP table reservations begin at $100. See derbyhtx.com for tickets. 6205 Richmond; rockhousehtx.com

Lyric Market

Lyric Market

Rhapsody Bar in downtowns newest food hall will mark Derby Day with a special Woodford Spire Cocktail (Woodford Reserve bourbon, lemon, cranberry) for $10. 411 Smith; lyricmarket.com

Monkeys Tail

Becca Wright

The Lindale Park neighborhood patio bar has multiple TVs to watch the Kentucky Derby. On May 6 the bar will feature a Mexican Julep ($11) made with mezcal, bourbon, mango and tamarind syrup and mint. The regular food and bar menu will be available, too. 5802 Fulton; monkeystailhou.com

Heights & Co.

Heights & Co./Heights & Co.

The Heights neighborhood bar will hold a Derby Day party from noon to 6 p.m. Festivities include live music, whiskey bar, champagne bar, specialty Julep cocktails ($12) and two contests (best dressed and best hat). 1343 Yale; heightsandco.com

ETerie Bar & Grill

Raquel Fatiuk

This Woodlands restaurant at Embassy Suites by Hilton will serve a Trifecta of Julep cocktails ($11 each) on Derby Day. The cocktails include PBJ Julep (Screwball Whiskey and cranberry juice), Old Forester Mint Julep (classic bourbon style), and Diplomatico Julep (made with rum and chocolate bitters). 1855 Hughes Landing, The Woodlands; eterie.hiltonfoodandbeverageportfolio.com

Eloise Nichols

Adair Concepts

The River Oaks restaurant specializing in Southern-style food and charm will mark Derby Day with a classic Mint Julep ($12) and a Peach Spritz ($12, made with Absolut Peach Vodka, elderflower liqueur, creme de peche, and a splash of bubbles). 2400 Mid Lane; eloisenichols.com

Hilton Americas Houston

Brenda Rojo

The downtown hotels Lobby Bar and R24 Rooftop Lounge will celebrate the Kentucky Derby with Mint Juleps made with a variety of bourbon pours including Jim Beam ($12), Makers Mark ($16) and Woodford Reserve ($18). 1600 Lamar; Hilton.com

Laura Hotel

The Laura Hotel

The Downtown Houston hotel will celebrate beginning at noon through race time. The lobby's Laura Bar will offer $11 Woodford Reserve Mint Julep cocktails. Free admission, but RSVP through Eventbrite.com is encouraged. 1070 Dallas; thelaurahotel.com

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com.
Ouzo Bay, one of the showcase restaurants at River Oaks District, has closed but owners Atlas Restaurant Group intends to keep the location to open a new dining concept.

The Baltimore-based Atlas, which opened Ouzo Bay and sister restaurant Loch Bar at River Oaks District in 2019, announced that April 30 was the last day of service at the Mediterranean seafood restaurant with a Greek-inspired menu. But a new restaurant, not yet named, will go into the Ouzo Bay spot, 4444 Westheimer sometime this winter. Atlas is reconceptualizing the space to add to its Houston portfolio including Loch Bar and Marmo, the Italian chophouse in Montrose. Operations at Loch Bar and Marmo are not affected by Ouzo Bays closing, Atlas stated.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd has been convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

Tou Thao, who already had been convicted in federal court of violating Floyds civil rights, was the last of four former officers facing judgment in state court in Floyds killing. He rejected a plea agreement and, instead of going to trial, let Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill decide the verdict based on written filings by each side and evidence presented in previous cases.

There is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Thao's actions were objectively unreasonable from the perspective of a reasonable police officer, when viewed under the totality of the circumstances, Cahill wrote in a 177-page ruling that was filed Monday night and released Tuesday.

Floyd, a Black man, died May 25, 2020, after officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyds neck for 9 1/2 minutes as he pleaded for air. The killing, captured on bystander video, touched off protests around the world and prompted a national reckoning with police brutality and racism.

Chauvin, the senior officer at the scene, was convicted of murder and manslaughter in April 2021 and later pleaded guilty in the federal case. Two other officers  J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane  pleaded guilty to state charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter and were convicted with Thao in their federal case.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution team, said Thao's conviction brings one more measure of accountability in the tragic death of George Floyd while calling on Congress to enact a sweeping police overhaul named for Floyd.

While we have now reached the end of the prosecution of Floyds murder, it is not behind us. Ellison said. There is much more that prosecutors, law-enforcement leaders, rank-and-file officers, elected officials, and community can do to bring about true justice in law enforcement and true trust and safety in all communities.

Defense attorney Robert Paule did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Lawyers for the Floyd family called the verdict "another measure of accountability for his death."

Nearly three years after George was killed, the family and Minneapolis community continue to heal as the criminal justice system prevails. With each of these measures of justice, it is even more so demonstrated that police brutality is an illegal  and punishable  act, civil rights attorney Ben Crump and his team said in a statement.

The judge set sentencing for Aug. 7. Minnesota guidelines recommend four years on the manslaughter count, which Thao would serve concurrently with his 3 1/2-year federal sentence.

Unlike the other three former officers, Thao maintained he did nothing wrong. When he rejected a plea deal in state court last August, he said it would be lying to plead guilty.

Cahill based his decision on exhibits and transcripts from Chauvins murder trial, which he presided over, and the federal civil rights trial of Thao, Kueng and Lane. Thao was specifically convicted then of depriving Floyd of his right to medical care and of failing to intervene and stop Chauvin. Cahill wrote that he focused on the evidence that pertained to Thao and not on the other officers or their pleas and guilty verdicts.

Thao is Hmong American, Kueng is Black and Lane is white.

Thao testified during his federal trial that he was relying on the other officers to care for Floyds medical needs while he served as a human traffic cone to control a group of about 15 bystanders and traffic outside a Minneapolis convenience store where Floyd had tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.

Thao said that when he and Chauvin arrived, the other officers were struggling with Floyd. He said it was clear to him, as the other officers tried to put Floyd into a squad car, that he was under the influence of some type of drugs.

His body camera video showed he told onlookers at one point, "This is why you dont do drugs, kids. When an off-duty, out-of-uniform Minneapolis firefighter asked if officers had checked Floyds pulse, he ordered her, Back off!

Thao acknowledged he heard onlookers becoming more anxious about Floyds condition and that he could hear Floyd saying, I cant breathe. But Thao said he didnt know there was anything seriously wrong with him even as an ambulance took him away.

Cahill wrote that he found that key parts of Thao's testimony, and his justifications for his actions, were not credible.

The judge wrote that under Minneapolis Police Department policies, it was objectively unreasonable to (among other things): encourage fellow officers to engage in a dangerous prone restraint for 9 minutes and 24 seconds; encourage those officers not to use a hobble; actively assist their restraint by acting as a human traffic cone; and prevent bystanders from rendering medical aid."

"Thaos actions were even more unreasonable in light of the fact that he was under a duty to intervene to stop the other officers excessive use of force and was trained to render medical aid, the judge added.

In keeping with an agreement between the prosecution and defense, Cahill dismissed a more serious aiding and abetting second-degree murder count with a presumptive sentence of 12 1/2 years.

Vice President Kamala Harris and others have called for reviving the the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act this year after it stalled in the Senate amid Republican opposition in 2020 and 2021. The legislation aims to eliminate misconduct, racial discrimination and excessive force in policing nationwide. It would ban the use of chokeholds and end the qualified immunity that protects officers from lawsuits, among other things.

___ For more of AP's coverage on the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
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OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP)  A judge on Monday sentenced a former Wisconsin student who attacked his high school's police officer with a barbecue fork to 17 years in prison.

A jury convicted Grant Fuhrman, now 20, in February of attempted first-degree homicide in connection with the 2019 incident at Oshkosh West High School. He faced a maximum sentence of 60 years in the state prison system.

In addition to the 17 years, Winnebago County Circuit Judge Daniel Bissett sentenced him to 10 years on extended supervision.

Furhman was 16 years old when he stabbed the school's liaison officer, Mike Wissink, multiple times in the neck at the school in December 2019. Wissink shot him during the struggle. Neither was seriously injured and Wissink was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Fuhrman texted a friend in late September or early October 2019 to bet that Fuhrman would not go to Wissinks office and stab him with a pencil, take Wissinks gun out of his holster and either shoot himself or the officer. The friend did not report Fuhrmans comments.

Prosecutors were seeking 20-25 years in prison, plus 20 years extended supervision, WLUK-TV reported. Fuhrman's attorney countered that he deserved 3 1/2 years behind bars and five years on extended supervision.

Wissink asked the judge to sentence Fuhrman to the maximum 40 years in prison and 20 years extended supervision.

Fuhrman told the judge on Monday that he feels horrible about his actions and asked for a chance to prove he's not a bad person, WBAY-TV reported. He apologized to Wissink, his family and first responders.

Wissink didn't hear the apology, the television station reported. He left the courtroom after providing a statement to the judge.
A New Mexico teenage mother was sentenced Monday to a mandatory 18 years in prison for tossing her newborn son into a trash bin behind a shopping center, but a state district judge cited mental health concerns and the defendant's age in suspending two years of the punishment.

Jurors convicted Alexis Avila, 19, of child abuse involving great bodily harm following a days-long trial last month in which her public defender argued her actions were not premeditated and that a previously undiagnosed mental health disorder played a role.

Judge William Shoobridge told Avila that had it not been for luck and the grace of God he would have been deliberating a sentence in a murder case as there was a high probability the child would have died had it not been found that winter day in Hobbs, near the Texas border.

Avila told the judge she wants to learn how to deal with stress and anxiety and said she regrets missing out on her son's first milestones.

I regret his first hours of life were traumatic, and I regret that he will always have this in the back of his head and will think I do not love him because thats what hell read and hear," she said. "But thats not true at all. I do love him. I truly do.

Avila was arrested in January 2022.

Police said a group of people were looking through the trash bin when they found the baby and tried to keep the boy warm until police and paramedics arrived. Investigators used surveillance video to identify a car suspected of being involved, which led them to Avila.

Public defender Ibukun Adepoju disputed that Avila made a premeditated attempt to kill her baby. Abepoju said while Avila's actions were wrong, they were the result of her bipolar disorder and that she was disassociated and detached from her feelings.

Avila's case also spurred new conversations in New Mexico communities and among legislators about the state's safe haven law, which allows parents to leave a baby younger than 90 days at a safe location without criminal consequences.

Such laws first began to pass in state legislatures in the early 2000s in response to reports of baby killings and abandonments.

New Mexico lawmakers in 2022 approved a bill to expand the state's Safe Haven Program and provide funds to build one baby box for every county where an infant can be left.

Boxes have been installed in several other states. Florida is the latest to consider legislation that would allow for the boxes.

___

Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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LAS VEGAS (AP)  Seven alleged Hells Angels members wont face racketeering or gang charges in a Las Vegas-area freeway shooting that authorities said injured rival Vagos motorcycle gang members almost a year ago, a judge decided Monday.

Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones also reduced from 25 to five the number of shooting counts in the case against defendants, including the Hells Angels Las Vegas chapter president, Richard Devries.

The court finds that the ... indictment does not specify which of the defendants engaged in which type of criminal activities, and further does not include the specificity of the racketeering crimes," Jones wrote. Her ruling followed a March 31 hearing with attorneys and defendants in the case.

Attorney Richard Schonfeld, representing Devries, said Monday he was pleased the judge "granted important aspects of my motion." He had argued that the indictment was too broad and should be dismissed or revised.

Prosecutors Michael Dickerson and Michael Allmon said they were looking at the ruling and declined immediate comment. They could appeal Jones' decision to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Attorneys for the other defendants did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Devries and the men identified as Hells Angels members or associates  Russell Smith, Stephen Alo, Cameron Treich, Taylor Rodriguez, Aaron Chun and Rayann Mollasgo  still face prosecution on charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, battery and assault with weapons. Each has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Each could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder with a weapon.

The judge instructed prosecutors to revise the indictment. A hearing in the case remained scheduled Wednesday.

Police said seven people were treated at hospitals for wounds or injuries following the gunfire that erupted among motorcycle riders on Interstate 11 in Henderson after a Memorial Day weekend ceremony at a veterans cemetery in Boulder City.

Schonfeld argued March 31 that Mollasgo, a Hells Angels associate but not a full member, was treated for a gunshot wound, and that police at the scene examined handguns that some of the alleged Vagos had with them, but returned them.

The grand jury doesn't know that a Hells Angels-affiliated individual (was) shot and that four Vagos members had firearms concealed on their person, Schonfeld said. He argued that prosecutors failed to present exculpatory evidence" that might cast doubt on the charges they were seeking.

Four motorcycles had gunshot damage, according to evidence, and police found 25 bullet casings on the freeway near where the gunfire took place. Schonfeld told the judge the indictment did not specify what person was alleged to have fired which shots, or which bullets hit which motorcycle.

Mollasgo's lawyer, Augustus Claus, told Jones that his client had become a member of the Hells Angels chapter less than a week before the shooting, but he was accused of a conspiracy with other members dating to 2019.

Schonfeld and Tom Pitaro, attorney representing defendants Russell Smith and Stephen Alo, told the judge that prosecutors never presented evidence that their clients had any intent or agreement to commit a crime.

Riding (motorcycles) in a group does not show a conspiracy to commit a violent act of shooting (or) attempted murder, Pitaro said.
American Airlines pilots voted Monday to authorize a strike, but it would be rare for such an action to actually result in travel delays for passengers. Despite the vote, contract negotiations were ongoing and there remained additional hurdles pilots would need to clear before a walkout could happen.

The Allied Pilots Association union, headquartered in Fort Worth, represents 15,000 pilots with American Airlines. Of the members who voted, 99 percent were in favor of the strike. They have been demanding greater reliability and predictability related to their work schedules.

MORE ON AIR TRAVEL: Houston noticeably absent from list of 10 domestic airports with best food

Pilots Monday picketed at the airline's 10 major hubs, including the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.

"The APA membership has spoken. We will strike if necessary to secure the industry-leading contract that our pilots have earned and deserve  a contract that will position American Airlines for success," APA president Ed Sicher said in a statement. "With more than 99 percent of participating pilots voting in favor of authorizing a strike, our pilots resolve is unmistakable. We will not be deterred from our goal of an industry-leading contract."

What does this mean for Houston airports?

Nothing yet. If contract negotiations fail, then American Airlines pilots would take their dispute to the federal government's National Mediation Board, which has prevented nearly 99 percent of strikes since 1980, according to the board. If the board does not settle the dispute, President Biden could get involved to avert a strike. Congress also has a hand in the process and could legislatively mandate a settlement.

MORE ON HOUSTON AIRPORTS: How common are aviation incidents at Houston's IAH and Hobby airports?

Will my flight be canceled?

No. American Airlines pilots picketed at airports across the country Monday, but they are not on strike  at least, not yet. A lengthy legal process would need to play out before any flights could be affected.

What's the next step after pilots voted to strike?

The union was expected to continue its negotiations with the airline. If that step isn't successful, they would need to win approval to strike from the National Mediation Board.

jen.rice@houstonchronicle.com
Lawyers have begun questioning prospective jurors and will do so for most of May to determine who will hear evidence in the third, and what they hope will be the final capital murder trial for Antonio Armstrong Jr.

Armstrong is accused of killing his parents in their home in 2016.

One juror entering the cramped reserve courtroom Tuesday passed lawyers crammed around their tables and compared the experience to a job interview.

I get nervous at job interviews, she said.

Read more: Lawyers clash over as Antonio Armstrong Jr. Harris County jury selection for third trial nears

That juror, who will return later in the month, and 23 others said they were familiar with the accusations against Armstrong. Many said they'd seen news reports or read articles about the couple's 2016 deaths. At least one person had read headlines as recently as Friday about the looming trial. Police believe Armstrong, then 16, shot and killed Dawn and Antonio Armstrong Sr. as they slept at their Bellaire-area home.

One-third of the 74 prospective jurors this week said they were familiar with the allegations against Armstrong.

The arduous selection process started Monday in the 178th District Court, and pretrial publicity quickly became a common thread in questioning. The Harris County residents were asked whether they recognized the 23-year-old defendant or his parents.

Ive read too much about it, one man said, adding that he had an unspecified opinion about the case.

Prosecutors tried in 2019 and 2022 to convict Armstrong on capital murder charges but failed. Both efforts ended in mistrials after jurors were unable to reach a verdict in either.

Another juror remarked on the length in the case and how often it has gone to trial.

"It's come around so many times," she said.

None of the jurors recognized Armstrong or the lawyers on either side, but some had heard about the case. Armstrong introduced himself to the prospective jurors as Antonio Armstrong, rather than the nickname "A.J." that his attorney often uses.

The jurors were polled about their ability to remain impartial, a question those jurors and dozens more will have to answer in the coming weeks. During one-on-one interviews, defense attorney Rick DeToto asked questions about mental health issues and their understanding of reasonable doubt. The prosecutors asked jurors to elaborate on bad experiences they'd had with police officers, relationships with their parents and the extent of their knowledge about the case.

The prosecutors quizzed a man who said he knew nothing about Armstrong.

Youre in a great spot because you know nothing about this case  thats just a young man sitting over there, Assistant District Attorney John Jordan said.

But Jordan later moved to have that same juror excused because he indicated he would be uncomfortable with Armstrong being sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, if convicted.

"He'd be in jail for a very long time," the man said.

Lawyers will submit their jury list May 31, with testimony expected to begin June 5, court officials said.

Another panel of about 75 will be called to court next Monday, with more individual interviews to follow.

The string of mistrials in the case nearly sent the trial to another Texas county, but a last-minute agreement to undergo individual voir dire  a more candid process typically reserved for death penalty cases  kept the trial in Harris County instead.

The start of jury selection followed a flurry of court filings last week that pitted the prosecutors against Armstrongs defense over a romantic relationship between an assistant district attorney who was not assigned to the case and an alternate juror on the second trial. The legal clash prompted Jordan to ask the judge to keep court filings private until she could approve them.

Judge Kelli Johnson denied that motion and others asking for more time. She ordered that both parties must swear by their future court documents and that all filings be related to the trial.

A gag order prevents either side from talking about the case beyond what is in the court record.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. The Regional Council of Hauts-de-France supports the full realization of the rights of the people of Artsakh and, in particular, the right to self-determination, ARMENPRESS reports Xavier Bertrand, President of the regional council of Hauts-de-France, and Sergey Ghazaryan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh, signed a joint statement at the Artsakh Representative Office in Yerevan.

Photos by Hayk Badalyan

Officials who have arrived from France are calling on the international community to impose sanctions on the Azerbaijani regime as long as Baku refuses to comply with the decision of the UN International Court of Justice to ensure the two-way movement of people and goods through the Lachin Corridor.

During the meeting, Xavier Bertrand emphasized that the aggression and other actions unleashed by Azerbaijan are unacceptable and must be stopped.

"No one has the right to set up a checkpoint, block a corridor, prevent hundreds of people from receiving treatment, deprive children of the opportunity to get education, block the supply of gas and electricity. No one has given Azerbaijan such a right. I have to speak about this after returning to France," he said.

According to the joint statement, the regime of Azerbaijan, both with the way of oppressing its own citizens and with its military ambitions towards Armenia and Artsakh, can only lead to war, destruction, misery and despair.
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UPDATE (as of 12:30 Wednesday): The Cleveland mass shooting suspect, Francisco Oropeza, was captured by police Tuesday night, ending a four-day manhunt that involved more than 200 law enforcement officials from multiple agencies. Heres the latest since news broke of Oropeza's arrest.

A San Jacinto County family said they called 911 several times Friday after they confronted their neighbor about shooting his AR-15 rifle near their property line.

By the time deputies arrived around 20 minutes later, the neighbor's deadly rampage left five people dead, including a 9-year-old boy, before the man slipped into nearby woods, said Ramiro Guzman, who lived at the home and survived the shooting. The alleged shooter, Francisco Oropeza, 38, remained on the loose Monday afternoon as the manhunt widened.

For the grieving family, the deadly mass shooting is raising new questions as to why police response seemingly took so long.

THE LATEST: Texas manhunt continues for alleged Cleveland shooter; schools locked down after possible sighting

As of Monday, few new answers were available. Officials with San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office, which responded to the call, had not provided information about the 911 call log.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

District Attorney Todd Dillon said responding agencies will review what happened overnight Friday, but the the immediate focus was tracking down and arresting Oropeza.

Witnesses said Oropeza was shooting an AR-15 rifle in his front yard after 11 p.m. Friday when his neighbor asked him to stop shooting because his infant was trying to sleep. Oropeza first went home but then is alleged to have come back, came into his neighbor's house and started shooting inside. Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9, were killed in the shooting. Velazquez Alvarado and Molina Rivera were found dead inside a bedroom, their bodies draped across three small children, who survived.

Sheriff Greg Capers and Dillon did not dispute the family's characterization of the 911 calls. They said the size of the sprawling county and jurisdictional hurdles often hinder their ability to respond swiftly to calls in that secluded neighborhood.

"The rule in law enforcement is that those rural counties don't have a lot of people," said Mitchel Roth, a professor of criminal justice at Sam Houston State University in nearby Huntsville. "If you're working out there, you have to cover a larger area of territory than an urban police officer."

Law enforcement, academic and budget experts Monday all said multiple factors could have slowed deputies' response to the scene of Friday's mass shooting, including background knowledge that gunfire was common in that area, a lack of manpower and communication issues.

Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Neighborhood of shooting spans three counties

Sheriff Greg Capers said at a news conference after the shootings that deputies got there as quickly as they could, given the fact that the office had three employees who patrolled 700 square miles.

Henry Trochesset, a sheriff in Galveston County, said it was certainly possible that San Jacinto County, northeast of Houston, might have had a limited number of deputies on call the night of the shooting.

The latest San Jacinto County budget documents shows the sheriff's office funded about 19 deputy positions. It's not clear how many of those were full-time staffers and Capers did not respond to request for comment about the matter.

TEXAS MASS SHOOTING: What to know about Francisco Oropeza, the alleged mass shooter in the Cleveland, Texas, murders

But if you take the numbers and break them down into shifts, responsible for covering 24 hours each day for 365 days per year, that might mean there are only a few deputies working on a given shift, Trochesset said.

Some neighbors said theyve been frustrated with a lack of police response for years.

Adrian Browning has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years. His children go to school at Northside and knew Daniel, who was killed in the attack. Browning said Oropeza dumped some things in their yard while on the run after the shooting.

My wife and kids are scared, Browning said. They didnt go to school today.

Browning said the sheriffs office rarely responds to neighbors complaints.

If they wouldnt have taken so long to get out here, they wouldve found him, said Browning, who added that he has called the sheriff numerous times this year. "They dont do anything.

James Thurmond, a professor at University of Houston's master of public administration program, said rural counties generally have a harder time funding services, such as law enforcement, compared to larger counties, because their tax bases are smaller, he said.

"The Houston metro area and that first ring of counties around it  Fort Bend and Montgomery, certainly  are in pretty good shape," he said. "But you get further away, you're not comparing apples to apples, as far as resources and what they can afford to pay people."

Dillon, the San Jacinto County district attorney, said local law enforcement has long had issues responding to calls in that area because the neighborhood sits at the nexus of three different jurisdictions  San Jacinto, Liberty and Montgomery counties, he said.

Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

The residence of the shooting has a Cleveland address, but Cleveland sits in Liberty County, records show. Despite the address, the neighborhood falls under San Jacinto Countys jurisdiction, Dillon said.

MORE ON THE SHOOTING: Mass shooting survivors recount how small ask led to unthinkable tragedy in San Jacinto County

Depending on where a call comes from, deputies might have to drive through all three jurisdiction while responding to a scene, Dillon said. The three county courthouses sit at least 50 miles apart from each other, and securing a warrant might mean leaving the scene and driving to a different courthouse, depending on what investigators are trying to access, Dillon said.

Normalcy of gunfire may have muddied threat level

Both Roth and Trochesset said residents living nearby reported hearing gunfire regularly in that neighborhood and that might have also colored law enforcement response.

"In all honesty, we've had this happen in different parts of our county, someone will call and say they could hear shooting," Trochesset said. "Well, there's no law against discharging a firearm in an unincorporated areas. If it's making someone unsafe, that's another thing."

Officials with the federal agency later released several photos of Francisco Oropesa, also identified as Francisco Oropeza. Oropesa reflects his identity in law enforcement databases, Hagan said.

Gabrielle Banks and Claire Partain contributed to this story.
UPDATE (as of 12:30 Wednesday): The Cleveland mass shooting suspect, Francisco Oropeza, was captured by police Tuesday night, ending a four-day manhunt that involved more than 200 law enforcement officials from multiple agencies. Heres the latest since news broke of Oropeza's arrest.

Federal officials leading the search for the man accused of killing five people in the San Jacinto mass shooting on Tuesday said he could be anywhere, including across the border in Mexico.

The FBI is working with local, state, nationwide and international law enforcement agencies to try to find Francisco Oropeza, 38, according to the agencys Houston office.

The acknowledgment was the latest indication the search for the man, who remained at large as of Tuesday despite an arrest warrant carrying a $5 million bond, might expand beyond the immediate vicinity.

Gregory Fremin, a retired Houston Police Department captain and a professor at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, said while it remained possible Oropeza had hunkered down in the woods or in an abandoned home nearby, it seemed increasingly likely he had fled further afield.

Being on the run for four days, I doubt very seriously hes in the area, Fremin said Tuesday, the fourth day of the search. Fremin has experience coordinating manhunts and spoke to the Chronicle about how the process might unfold.

Given the seriousness of the crime and the media attention on the search, deputies and other law enforcement officers likely would continue the in-person search near the site of the shooting for another week or so, Fremin said. Although it might not seem like a long time, given the resources agencies must expend to staff the search 24 hours per day, seven days per week, it's significant, he said.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers previously said the search had expanded to well over 200 officers going door-to-door, searching for tips. Yet as days went by, it became less likely Oropeza had remained in the immediate vicinity, Fremin said.

Fremin explained even as deputies continued the in-person search, some investigators were working simultaneously to track down Oropezas relatives and anyone who might be in regular contact with him. That will help detectives determine how far away he might have fled, Fremin said.

San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon told the Chronicle that investigators were concerned Oropeza might have fled to Mexico. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the suspected shooter had been deported four times and had re-entered the United States illegally.

Its possible Oropeza got help from someone and made it to the border, Fremin said. But if he didnt have help, he would have had to steal a car and someone likely would have reported it.

Fremin compared the case to the May 2022 escape of an inmate, who later killed five members of a Tomball family in the deadliest escape in Texas prison history. That man, Gonzalo Lopez, spent three weeks on the run before killing the five people.

Oropeza could be hiding out in the Sam Houston National Forest, but it would be a matter of attrition before he showed up somewhere else, Fremin said. That might be a break-in, another shooting, or something else.
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people Saturday morning after learning their boat was at risk of capsizing 60 miles away from the Galveston shore, officials said.

The agency's Houston-Galveston sector received word around 2 a.m. from TowBoatUS, a towing service, that a 36-foot sailboat, "The Faith," experienced a loss of steering and was adrift with two people inside, a release from the agency stated.

A SafetyNet message was issued requesting assistance from mariners nearby. A 623-foot bulk carrier, "Global Vega," arrived to help the two people on board, but was told they regained control of their sailboat and didn't need any further assistance.

Around 9 a.m., the towing company informed the agency that the sailboat was without fuel and in danger of capsizing 60 miles away from shore.

There were also 6- to 8-foot waves and winds of 34 mph, the release states.

Now Playing: The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people April 29, 2023 after learning their boat was at risk of capsizing 60 miles away from the Galveston shore, officials said. Video: Houston Chronicle

The crew of the "Harold Miller," a 154-foot fast response cutter, arrived on-scene and rescued the pair as well as anchored their sailboat.

"I've never been on a boat in (that type of condition) by myself before," Petty Officer 2nd Class Trey Grein told The Houston Chronicle, who assisted in the rescue. "I can imagine it be pretty scary."

Petty Officer 2nd Class Zane Arambula said in the release that all boaters should exercise caution and check the weather forecast before heading out into the water.

People should reconsider taking their boat out if the weather is bad, Grein said.

If someone does take their boat out and they lose power to their boat engine in those weather conditions, they should anchor the boat if the water is shallow enough, he said.

"If you're close to shore and you're in those conditions, and you lose power on your engine, it'll just send you into the shore or into some rocks," Grein said.
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The community activists studied the overgrown ditch in northeast Houston. Plants sprouted up. Water sat stagnant. Trash accumulated in spots. They had no doubt what this represented to them: unequal flood protection in a lower-income community of color.

The neglect is criminal, or it feels criminal, said Frederick Woods II, who lives in the area and joined those calling for better treatment. Theres no equity. Were paying our fair share and getting nothing in return.

City policy requires residents to clean out open ditches in front of their homes and the culverts connecting them  a burden neighbors in this part of town notice does not fall equally.

Many open ditches are in less wealthy communities, such as northeast Houston. Other wealthier areas have curbs and gutters, which residents must also maintain but arent as intensive to keep up.

Northeast Houston residents are calling on the city to take back the responsibility for keeping the ditches and culverts clear. They argue some of their neighbors cannot afford or are physically unable to do it. They note they pay their share of taxes.

As it stands, city workers clean culverts only if major repair is needed. Houston Public Works has a $15.3 million budget to cover equipment and labor for ditch maintenance. It responded to more than 5,000 requests last year for ditch cleanup in northeast Houston.

The department in a statement said that it was willing to work with the residents to address their concerns.

The flooding that is in this area is not our fault, said Genette Smith, 76, on a tour of the area.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Three years in, Harris County flood bond progress slow but steady

Fixing the culvert problem emerged as an obvious first step when community leaders formed Northeast Super Neighborhoods United to address common issues. Leaders of the group were fed up with feeling treated as if they were worth less because their homes didnt cost as much.

Our homes mean to us what everybody elses homes mean (to them), said organizer Jackie Mayhorn, who lives in Northwood Manor. It may not be the same value, but, to us, its like a million-dollar home. We want to protect our assets also.

The lack of perceived value felt blatant, said her husband, Ivory. The requirement to clean their own ditches felt insulting.

Communities of color have long been shown to bear an inordinate share of environmental harm. President Joe Biden aimed to address these disparities. Local leaders hoped to see change, too, including with flooding.

Harris County commissioners scrambled when federal dollars were unexpectedly cut short for projects planned after Hurricane Harvey, momentarily jeopardizing plans meant to benefit the poorest neighborhoods.

Jim Blackburn, an established environmental expert here, wondered if a federal project could also benefit northeast Houston, such as flood tunnels like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering to minimize flooding on the wealthier west side and through the central city.

Blackburns firm, Sustainable Planning and Design, pulled together a report for the super neighborhood coalition about how it might advocate for this and other initiatives, such as the ditches.

On HoustonChronicle.com: A massive underground tunnel may be the way to alleviate Houstons flooding, Army Corps says

The open ditch systems werent necessarily worse, the report stated. But poor maintenance was contributing to regular flooding from smaller storms. It took only one culvert clogged with debris or leaves to block water flow.

Ditches and storm sewers are important as the first line of defense from flooding, said Matt Zeve, deputy executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District. But illegal dumping persists. Tires, a shopping cart and even an animal skull were easy to spot.

People, meanwhile, pay the price: Smiths home flooded so many times in the 50 years shes lived there that shes lost count. Some residents leave ahead of heavy rains, fearful of power loss or getting stuck, the community activists said. Others pay to park their car at the nearby airport.

Every storm you name, those neighborhoods were hit hard, City Council member Tarsha Jackson said.

And climate change is making heavier rains more likely.

Jackson has a committee working to help her propose a maintenance schedule for the city to take over cleaning the ditches again. The catch will be how to fund it, she said.

In one spot on a recent day, a city of Houston grate covered a drain filled with Styrofoam cups, a SunnyD bottle and a Funyun bag. Young men stood outside a convenience store nearby.

Montari Morrison, a local pastor, questioned how this sight would make those men feel about themselves.

What message does that send? Morrison asked.

He answered the question himself.

You guys dont matter.

emily.foxhall@chron.com

twitter.com/emfoxhall
Disasters have not fallen evenly on Iola and Port Arthur. Hurricane Harvey flooded almost the entire coastal city on the Louisiana border, which was damaged by Ike and Rita before that. Iola, a tiny Grimes County community 100 miles inland, largely is insulated from tropical storms.

Both cities applied for federal Harvey disaster aid distributed by the state. Iola pitched a wastewater system that would serve 379 people. Port Arthur proposed the replacement of century-old storm water pipes to help 42,000.

The state funded Iolas project. Port Arthur got nothing.

With our susceptibility to being affected by hurricanes, if those places got money, you know it wasnt fairly done, said Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie.

A Houston Chronicle investigation found the $1 billion in aid distributed by the Texas General Land Office in May disproportionately flowed to inland counties with less damage from Harvey than coastal communities which bore the brunt of the storm.

Alexandra Kanik

The GLO also steered aid toward counties with a lower risk of natural disasters  by the states own measure  and sometimes to projects that help far fewer residents per dollar spent than unfunded projects in more vulnerable counties.

The lowest-risk counties that received awards, like Grimes, were only eligible because of the GLOs decision to add them. And in some cases, the state funded projects in these places even though they scored worse than applicants in the highest-risk counties, according to criteria the land office set.

Aransas and Nueces counties, where Harvey made landfall, did not receive a dime. Neither did Jefferson County, which recorded the highest rain totals. Same for Houston and Harris Countys governments, even though the county suffered the most deaths and flooded homes from the storm.

To get goose-egged is really disappointing, said Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales. The coast is going to get battered first.  How do you come out of $1 billion and Nueces isnt even on your radar?

Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, said his vote in Congress to approve the aid packages was to help Houston and the other most vulnerable coastal areas.

We know we have these storms coming again, and again, and again, Green said. We need to know GLO is going to help those most in need, and not circumvent the process by, for whatever reason, making sure that persons who are less needy are getting a portion of the funds.

The result is that Texas is missing an opportunity to protect coastal communities, which are especially at risk as climate change brings stronger and more frequent hurricanes, said Jim Blackburn, director of Rice Universitys Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center. He questioned what role the GLO plays as a middleman for the federal aid, if not to direct money to large-scale projects that local governments rarely can afford on their own.

Some areas are more dangerous than others; they should be getting assistance, Blackburn said. Until weve got a serious, coherent strategy, I think were endangering the economic future of the Gulf Coast.

GLO spokeswoman Brittany Eck released a statement for the agency defending the process, saying inland counties are important to coordinating a response to tropical storms.

It is important that Texas inland counties are resilient as they provide vital assistance to our coastal communities during events such as asset staging, evacuations, sheltering, and emergency response/recovery, Eck wrote.

After bipartisan outcry from Houston-area officials, Land Commissioner George P. Bush said he would ask HUD to direct $750 million to Harris County. That fix, if approved, does nothing to address the concerns of other coastal communities.

Eighty-five percent of our county flooded (during Harvey), said Jefferson County Commissioner Everette Bo Alfred. You couldnt get into the county. Its unfair to think about us not even getting funding.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Unequal distribution

After the devastating 2017 hurricane season, which included Harvey, Congress the following year approved $4.3 billion in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds to help Texas recover and prepare for future storms.

Gov. Greg Abbott placed the General Land Office in charge of disbursing the mitigation aid, $2.1 billion of which was required to flow to HUD-designated counties, including those worst-hit by Harvey.

Distributing the aid in a manner communities accept as fair would always be difficult, since the cost of all potential projects far exceeds the money available. Competition became far tougher, however, when the GLO made an additional 29 counties eligible for its funding competition.

Eck noted that all of the additional counties were covered by the FEMA disaster declaration for Harvey. She said the major factor behind the disparity between Harvey damage and aid received was the fact that the federal government forbade Texas from using Harvey damage as a factor for distributing the funds.

Eck said high-risk counties that failed to win awards scored too poorly in other categories required by HUD, such as the share of low and moderate income residents served and a cost-benefit analysis.

Experts, however, said some of those criteria, which were developed by the GLO, were flawed and discriminated against populous communities. One divided the number of residents helped by a project over a jurisdictions total population, which lowered scores for the largest cities and counties.

Eck declined to explain how some lower-scoring projects were awarded over higher-scoring applicants.

MORE: The fight over federal disaster money in Texas, explained.

Instead of using Harvey damage, Texas developed a metric to determine which counties need the most protection. This considers all types of calamities  including flooding, hurricane winds and drought  and ranks counties by risk.

The state included this metric on its scoring rubric for projects, though the average winning project had a lower disaster risk than the average losing project, the Chronicle found. Put simply, applicants from counties Texas designated as the most vulnerable to natural disasters were less likely to be awarded this disaster aid.

In some cases, awards flowed to areas with high disaster risk; Galveston County received $179 million and San Patricio County got $38 million. Those were the exception, however. The remaining highest-risk counties  including Harris, Nueces, Aransas and Jefferson  secured 38 percent of the aid despite containing 88 percent of the eligible population.

In contrast, GLO awarded 40 percent of the $1 billion to counties with lower disaster risks, though they contain 8 percent of the eligible population.

Fourteen projects in the lowest-risk counties received funding, though they would impact few residents. A $4.1 million sewer upgrade in Snook, in Burleson County, will help 415 residents while $4 million in drainage improvements in Bedias, in Grimes County, will benefit 310.

In announcing the $5 million award for drainage improvements in Brenham, GLO cited in a press release the small Washington County citys proximity to the coast as a risk factor for flooding. It is 102 miles inland.

We all have a need

In Iola, Mayor Christina Stover said the city had been trying to fund a wastewater system for 13 years. It floods here too, she said, including a 2016 storm that swamped the post office. Homes here still rely on septic systems or simply discharge sewage directly into ditches, a health risk when those same channels overflow with rain.

Stover said she understands why residents in coastal communities are upset places like Iola were awarded disaster funds. However, she said, if the city is eligible for free aid, residents depend on her to apply.

Im sure that we all have a need, Stover said. I can assure you the city of Iola will do our very best to spend the least amount of funds possible to complete our project, and that any funds we could hand back, we would.

Wayland Carter, who owns a service station on Iolas main drag, had a more succinct message for skeptical coastal residents.

Tell them to come here and smell this (sh) and theyll understand why we got money, he said, gesturing toward the ditch in front of his business where sewage from other properties pools.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Taken together, these projects in the lowest-risk counties cost $119 million and would help 51,000 people. A $97 million breakwater project in Nueces County would have benefited seven times as many people.

Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales said she was disappointed her county was snubbed because engineers had crafted their proposals carefully. The breakwater, a coastal barrier to protect Port Aransas from storm surges, was ambitious and expensive but modeled after a Hurricane Sandy recovery project New York had designed that won HUD funds.

I want to know whats wrong with my project, Canales said. If I had one criticism, I think the day you get denied, (the GLO) ought to provide you a full analysis of why.

Canales acknowledged that communities across Texas need better protection from disasters, but said the most vulnerable areas should be a priority. The GLO funding competition was tilted toward state-designated counties, however.

In some cases, projects from the state-designated counties won awards despite scoring lower than projects in HUD-selected counties. All nine of Harris Countys applications, as well as 14 of 22 projects from Jefferson, Nueces and Aransas counties scored higher than the lowest-scoring winning project from a GLO-selected county.

One of those was a $47 million joint proposal led by Aransas County for an underground fiber optic network that can withstand hurricanes. Harvey knocked out the areas 911 and first responder communications systems.

Eck said high-risk counties that failed to win awards scored too poorly in other categories required by HUD. An earlier Chronicle analysis found states had wide discretion over their funding competitions, however. Eck declined to explain how some lower-scoring projects were awarded over higher-scoring applicants.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

A second chance?

Harris County politicians, Republicans and Democrats, were united in disbelief they had been snubbed. They held press conferences, lambasted the General Land Office and appealed to the Biden administration. Within a few days, Bush announced he would ask HUD to give $750 million to the county.

Charlotte Moses, a Port Arthur councilwoman, said she has not seen that level of support from her local leaders. She suspects politics are to blame; Port Arthur is run by Democrats and most of its leaders at higher levels of government are Republicans.

Someone heard Harris Countys voice. How many people have you heard talk about the need for Port Arthur to be funded? Moses said. Youd be interviewing him if there was a voice, not me. Its going to take more than a cry from the local level.

The citys Republican congressman, Rep. Randy Weber, met with Port Arthur leaders last week but has made no public comment on that citys funding snub. He declined to speak with the Chronicle.

Moses said the need for help is plainly visible for anyone who wishes to see it. On a tour of the hard-hit Montrose neighborhood, she pointed out more than a dozen homes swamped by Harvey that remain vacant and unrepaired. A lifelong city resident, Moses knew many residents here.

She recalled talking to 80-year-old Rita Levy, who lived on Linkwood Street, as the storm approached. Levy told her she had put towels around her door in case flooding crept above the stoop. The neighborhood got 6 feet of water. A Coast Guard helicopter rescued Levy. She moved to Louisiana. Harveys high water mark still is visible on the front door.

Author Lucy Dennis had lived in her home on 13th Street less than two years before Harvey flooded it. She said friends already have moved away, tired of being battered by storms. Dennis son has vowed to make her leave if the house takes on water again.

I believe Port Arthur has a lot of potential, and I believe we can become that great city were bound to be, Dennis said. But if we dont get the help we need to keep us from being underwater, its not going to work.

She frets now about stronger storms fueled by climate change. A downpour three weeks ago brought water within a couple feet of her porch.

Nearby, houses on stilts, mostly rebuilds from Harvey, offered a reminder that Port Arthurs future lies in accepting the water will come. To the west, rumbling pierced the thick June air. Lightning streaked across the sky.

Another storm.

Zach Despart/Staff

Kaitlin Bain contributed reporting.

zach.despart@chron.com
Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are letting the public know not to panic if they see a bunch of helicopters and agents in protective gear, as it's just a nuclear response training exercise.

Law enforcement will train for a nuclear emergency in personal protective equipment through May 5 in southeast Houston. The training will be "large-scale," involving military personnel and helicopters, FBI officials said. It will take place from around NRG Park and State Highway 288 to State Highway 146 and Interstate 10 east to Highway 255 and around Ellington Field.
Local activist Gerry Monroe, who died Sunday, was remembered on social media as a champion for Houston students.

MORE ON LOCAL: Texas shooting manhunt continues, neighbor blames slow police response on racism

Monroe was known as the Five Star General who would do anything for the students of Houston Independent School District. Friends and acquaintances took to social media to share their condolences for the 55-year-old.

One commenter said, Houston, we have lost a fighter. Gerry Monroe was an activist for children. He took on the school boards. He wasnt afraid. #RIPGeneral. Your battle here is done.

Monroe devoted his time advocating for Houston students since 2014, when one of his stepchildren complained about old, worn marching band uniforms at Jack Yates High School, where Monroe attended.

He made calls and pushed for the band to get new uniforms, and when they got them, community members saw the passion and change he brought to the community.

Former FOX 26 evening anchor Jonathan Martin paid tribute to Monroe on Twitter saying, #Houston has lost one of its loudest voices. Activist #GerryMonroe was NEVER to be silenced. For years, he lit up school board meetings. Yes, he was often radical  but also held leaders accountable and called out corruption. Sending condolences to his loved ones and supporters.

MORE ON LOCAL: 2 dead after jeep T-boned while making U-turn in southwest Houston, police say

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Sharon Steinmann/Staff Photographer Show More Show Less



A notable characteristic that set Monroe apart according to community members was his ability to respect others despite their differences.

Monroe has taken stances on issues that some have disagreed with, like his support of the state takeover of HISD and allegations of voter fraud in Harris County.

Nonetheless, Monroe was able to disagree with others and still treat them with respect and appreciation, some said.

I cant believe Gerry Monroe has passed. We may not all agree with everything, but he always supported me. RIP Gerry, one Twitter user said.

Monroes family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses.

So far, its amassed over $1,400 of its $35,000 goal.
The Denver Zoo has posted an update on Duncan, the 9-year-old Asian elephant who left the Houston Zoo in April to become a dad.

Duncan was born Feb. 7, 2014 to his parents Shanti and Thai, and had long been a beloved member of the Houston Zoo.

MORE ON LOCAL: Gerry Monroe, one of Houston's most outspoken education activists, dead at 55

The Denver Zoo Saturday made a Facebook post about Duncan arriving at his new home, and the Houston Zoo commented: Your Houston Zoo wishes you all the best, Duncan! Enjoy your new home in Denver.

The Denver Zoo responded by saying, He's going to be a wonderful addition to our herd and we love him already!

The Denver Zoo said Duncan is settling in with a new herd of other male elephants.

He has been introduced to the herds leader, 53-year-old Groucho, as well as the rest of the herd, including 19-year-old Bodhi; 15-year-old Billy; 14-year-old Chuck; and 13-year-old Jake.

Asian elephants are an endangered species, so Duncan was moved specifically in an effort to preserve the species through reproduction in another herd.

MORE ON TRENDING: At least 246 people have been killed in Texas mass shootings since 2013

According to the Denver Zoo, elephants have a matriarchal social system in which young males leave their maternal herds between the ages of 8 and 11, when they begin maturing.

They then live in groups that include an older bull to mentor the younger males in the group, which in this case is Groucho.

The Denver Zoo is the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institution to house and socialize a number of Asian bull elephants.

It also has an elephant care team specializing in studying the social dynamics of bulls to better understand the conservation of the species.

Duncan was recommended to move by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan.

Duncan can be seen at the zoo's Toyota Passage, east of the Clayton F. Freiheit Elephant House, which is designed to support the needs of male elephants.

This is important during "musth," an annual hormonal cycle for male elephants when they have high levels of testosterone and experience increased aggression.
As the manhunt expands for the man accused in the fatal mass shooting of five people inside their home in Cleveland, Texas, Texans are once again facing the reality of how many people have died as a result of mass shootings in their state.

Since 2013, 246 people have been killed in mass shootings in Texas, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive and the USA Today Mass Killing Database.

USA Today defines mass shootings as mass killings with four or more fatalities in which most or all the victims are killed by gunfire.

Here are some of the deadliest mass shootings and killing sprees in Texas from the past 10 years:

2013

Fort Worth

Four victims (including an unborn child) were shot by Amos Wells in Fort Worth. Amos is currently on death row.

Terrel

Charles Brownlow was convicted of murdering five people, four of whom he allegedly shot. Brunslow was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Rice

Guadalupe Ronquillo Ovalle reportedly fatally shot her husband and three sons before ending her own life in their North Texas home.

Paris

Four people were shot to death in a Paris home in a case that still remains unsolved.

2014

Spring

Ronald Lee Haskell fatally shot six members of his ex-wife's family, which included four children. Haskell is currently on death row.

Cypress

Feng Lu was arrested last year after being accused of shooting and killing a family of four in their Cypress home in 2014.

2015

Waco

Known as the Waco Shootout, a shooting broke out at a Twin Peaks in Waco that left nine people dead, 18 wounded and 177 in jail.

Harris County

David Conley was convicted of shooting a family of eight people in their Spring-area home. Conley was sentenced to life in prison with no parole.

Tennessee Colony

William Hudson is on death row for murdering six people, shooting at least five. The murders reportedly began at a campsite.

2016

Dallas

A lone sniper killed five police officers in Dallas. The shooter was identified as Micah Xavier Johnson who was later killed by law enforcement.

Channelview

Channelview officials reportedly found the bodies of four people who were killed by a gunshot to the head before the car was set ablaze. It is not clear if any suspects have been arrested.

2017

Plano

Police said 32-year-old Spencer Hight shot nine people, killing eight, in the home of his estranged wife's home in Plano, Texas before beign fatally shot by police.

Sutherland Springs

A gunman identified as Devin Patrick Kelley reportedly shot and killed 26 people in a church. Kelley died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was shot and chased by two men who heard the gunfire at the church.

2018

Santa Fe

Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the man facing capital murder charges for killing eight students and two teachers at Santa Fe High School, is committed to a state mental health facility after a yearly evaluation deemed him still unfit to stand trial.

Ponder

Justin Painter shot and killed three children and one adult in a North Texas home before turning the gun on to himself, according to police.

2019

El Paso

Patrick Crusius drove 11 hours to El Paso, walked into a Walmart, and shot and killed 23 people after allegedly publishing a racist hate-filled diatribe and telling police he was targeting Hispanics. Crusius pleaded guilty to all federal charges in February.

Odessa

Seth Ator was killed in a shootout with police after authorities said he killed seven people and wounded 23 with an assault-style rifle.

2022

Corsicana

Six people were killed in connection to a shooting spree in Navarro County, according to authorities. Authorities identified the suspected gunman as Kevin Milazzo who apparently took his own life through a self-inflicted gunshot after a short chase.

Uvalde

A shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde left 19 students and two teachers dead before Salvador Ramos was killed in a classroom.

2023

Dallas

A pair of suspects were arrested earlier this year in connection with a quadruple shooting that left four people dead inside an apartment, according to ABC News. An investigation is ongoing.

Cleveland

As of the time of publication, Franciso Oropeza remains at large after being accused of shooting and killing five people in the San Jacinto County home.
Dialogue is key to reaching a lasting peace in the South Caucasus region, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after hosting peace talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Washington D.C.

May 2, 2023, 10:24 Dialogue is key to reaching a lasting peace in the South Caucasus  Blinken

STEPANAKERT, MAY 2 , ARTSAKHPRESS: Hosting peace talks this week with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov at our new facility at the George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. Dialogue is key to reaching a lasting peace in the South Caucasus region, Blinken tweeted.
Daniel Enrique Lazo Guzman, a 9-year-old who loved soccer and dreamed of being a police officer, was up late watching TV Friday night in the front room of his family's home in San Jacinto County when he saw a neighbor gun down his 25-year-old mother, Sonia Argentina Guzman Taibot. Daniel ran over to her, only to be shot in the back and arm. He died writhing in pain.

In the master bedroom, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, died shielding a group of kids with their bodies. The children survived and were taken by first responders to the hospital covered in the women's blood.

Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18, dreamed of giving his parents a comfortable life. He was shot "execution style" like the three women.

Out of all the things that could be said about these five victims and their surviving extended family, Gov. Greg Abbott felt the need to define them with a phrase that's among the most polarizing in the country.

"Ive announced a $50K reward for info on the criminal who killed 5 illegal immigrants Friday. Also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout," Abbott tweeted Sunday.

This isn't leadership, it's the opposite.

With one tweet, the five people whose lives were cut short became merely illegal immigrants. The governor's official statement attached to the tweet included one scripted line of condolence, "Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the five victims that were taken in this senseless act of violence." No words, however, sympathizing expressly with Wilson Garcia, the father who lost his wife and son, who is trying to stay strong for his surviving children but whose sobs at a Sunday vigil were audible over a choir singing of "Amazing Grace."

Conveying sympathy shouldn't be so difficult. If Abbott needs a lesson, he should look to Greg Capers, the Republican San Jacinto County sheriff, whose agency is helping lead the law enforcement response to the Cleveland shooting. Capers gave this response when asked by reporters about the immigration status of the shooter:

"I dont care if he was here legally. I dont care if he was here illegally. He was in my county. Five people died in my county, and that is where my heart is  in my county protecting our people to the best of our ability."

It's that simple.

Law enforcement has not publicly confirmed the immigration status of the victims, except that many of them hail from Honduras. In fact, one of the victims appears to be a legal permanent resident. Abbott's office has acknowledged the governor's mistake and said federal officials provided the information, stating, "We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal."

The problem isn't only one of distraction. As the sheriff understood, the point is that everyone is worthy of justice and victims should not be reduced to their legal status.

The only immigration-related fact we can glean from this shooting is that the shooter had entered the U.S. illegally and been deported by immigration officials at least four times. Yet Abbott did not keep the focus of his statement on the legitimate issue of stopping violent criminals who cross the border illegally. Rather he portrayed the victims in a flat and dehumanizing way.

"Don't politicize tragedies," we've been told any time anybody, be it this editorial board, activists or politicians, raises the specter of enacting sensible gun regulations after a mass shooting. The timing, they say, is "too soon" for any discussion of legislation or political maneuvering. Let the community grieve and at least bury their loved ones before we evaluate any potential solutions.

The survivors of the Cleveland shooting were not given any such respect. Not even a funeral service was announced before Abbott decided to seize the moment and name drop his Operation Lone Star initiative, the interminable border crusade that has cost Texans billions and has accomplished very little to stem the tide of migrants seeking entry to the U.S.

Have we really reached the point where shootings like these are so routine, so numbingly dreadful, that even our so-called leaders can't summon basic decency? If he hasn't already, we suggest Abbott place a phone call to Wilson Garcia, share a moment of empathy with his family, even make an appearance in Cleveland to help the healing process.

This wouldn't be the first time Abbott has failed to meet the moment after a gun violence tragedy. He drew vociferous criticism in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde last year for failing to show up in the community in the weeks afterwards, angering family members of victims. He seems to have a problem with finding compassionate words when communities need it most, as evidenced by declaring early on after Uvalde that it could have been worse and then making a reprehensible comparison to the homicide rate in Chicago.

At this point, we're used to the political inertia. So many legislative sessions have passed without any action to curb gun violence that we now barely expect Abbott or state lawmakers to expend any political capital on this issue. But we expect our leaders to get across the sense that they really do represent everybody touched by tragedy  including immigrants unauthorized to live in the U.S. If we can't even recognize our shared humanity in the wake of gun violence, the fight for bigger solutions will become even more insurmountable.
Regarding Gov. Greg Abbott comments on Texas shooting, calling victims 'illegal immigrants,' (May 1): It truly breaks my heart and hurts my soul to know that a state leader would refer to the victims killed in Cleveland as illegal immigrants instead of acknowledging the loss of human life. And all for his political ambitions.

Texas should be embarrassed and ashamed of allowing this type of man to serve in office.

Jerry Poscovsky, Sugar Land

I read todays page 1 article about the Cleveland murders all the way to the end, and I am surprised that you failed to mention our governors response to it. First, a Twitter photo of a smiling dog, and then later his characterization of the victims as illegal immigrants. His actions are truly vile and he is a very poor excuse for a governor. I hoped for better from him and from you.

Jacqueline Clark, Houston

As his guiding principle, our governor has replaced What would Jesus do? with What would Tucker do? What a weak, pathetic example of leadership during a human tragedy.

John Turner, Cypress

Gun control

Regarding Uvalde couldnt bring gun reform. Can it bring Abbotts promised investments in mental health? (Editorial), (April 30): Your editorial decried the lack of sensible gun control. I have two observations. First, what does this look like? To criticize lack of action without identifying what action you propose is just whining.

Second, the editorial addressed the killing of the family in Cleveland without acknowledging that the shooter was illegally in the country after having been deported several times. What are the chances he would care about following gun laws?

If you have a real solution that stands a chance of not conflicting with the Second Amendment, and which would have prevented the Cleveland massacre, please print it so I can join in its promotion. Otherwise, kindly stop demonizing those who fail to do something just to do something.

Bill Pratt, Deer Park

Canceled

Regarding Spring Branch ISD says 'James and the Giant Peach' play isnt age-appropriate, cancels field trip, (April 27): I was so sorry to read that Spring Branch ISD canceled a field trip to the Main Street Theater production of James and the Giant Peach, citing concerns from a few vocal critics about age appropriateness, cross-gender casting and gender-neutral pronouns for insects.

Its James and the Giant Peach, for crying out loud. There is no mention of what ages are not appropriate. Do they mean kindergarten or high school? Anyone at all familiar with theater knows that cross-gender casting has been a normal part of theater since day one. Think Greeks and Romans and good old Will Shakespeare. And as for the insects, most of us actually cant identify the gender of insects, so we usually refer to them as them, they or it.

When I was in elementary school some 70 years ago, I vividly remember seeing plays performed in the beautiful Lubbock High School auditorium by the students. I will never forget how I felt and still feel when the lights dim and actors take the stage and the magic begins. Children are never too young to experience this.

I am truly sorry that a few naysayers have been able to deprive children of the magic of theater. Not all parents have the means to introduce their children to live theater. A school field trip to see a play is a fun and educational experience for children. It goes without saying that if a parent objects they are free to keep their child at home, but to deny the experience to everyone is tragic.

Main Street Theater is an outstanding theater company. They are not the losers here. Spring Branch ISD students are.

Sammye Larson, Houston

Spring Branch ISD should be ashamed for cowering to a few misguided but loud parents and robbing students of the experience of live theater. Whats next, Peter Pan? That title role has been played since the 1960s by women, from Mary Martin and Sandy Duncan to, most famously, Olympic gold medalist and role model Cathy Rigby. Was that mother of four a groomer trying to indoctrinate students? Field trips require written parental permission, and those few could have just declined for their own children.

Joanna Pasternak, Houston

Canceled visits to performances involving cross-dressing, banned books, shutdowns of womens health clinics, restrictions on LGBTQ people. All are in the guise of protecting children. But children cannot be protected from execution in classrooms because our revered forefathers established protections for muzzleloader rifles in the Constitution.

Kenneth Meyers, Houston
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Three years after George Floyd was murdered by a police officer, Floyd's legacy has essentially been reversed in Texas. Instead of pushing for more oversight of police, Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans are cracking down on large protests and strengthening legal protections for officers who do wrong.

I think we are in legislative hell, said Ashton P. Woods, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter in Houston. This is basically them weaponizing our work against us.

RELATED: Gov. Abbott's call for Daniel Perry murder reprieve surprises a former Texas pardon official

In the days and weeks after Floyd, a longtime Houston resident, was killed by police in Minneapolis, Republicans and Democrats nationwide called for laws to keep bad cops off the street and for better training to prevent a repeat of what happened to Floyd.

While Texas did pass one law aimed at preventing police from using chokeholds on suspects like the one used on Floyd, other reforms regulating use of force, strengthening law enforcement misconduct reporting or ending police immunity protections have all hit dead ends.

Instead, the bulk of the legislation passed since Floyds death has been focused on targeting the people who spent the summer of 2020 protesting in nearly every major city in Texas.

Since then, Gov. Greg Abbott has:

Signed a bill into law allowing felony charges for protesters who obstruct emergency vehicles from using highways and major roads

felony charges for protesters who obstruct emergency vehicles from using highways and major roads Enacted another law that makes it a felony to use fireworks or laser pointers to obstruct police during a protest

Last month called for the pardon of a man who shot and killed a Black Lives Matter activist during protests in Austin in 2020. Both men were armed

The shift is partially a reaction to a national increase in homicides and other violent crimes since the pandemic. In 2020, homicides across the country spiked with a 29-percent increase as a number of large cities  including Chicago and New York  recorded increases greater than 50 percent. In Texas, all major cities except Dallas saw homicides increase again from 2020 to 2021.

Speaking at a ceremony honoring fallen officers on Sunday in Austin, Abbott touted the restrictions on protesters as evidence of his strong support for law enforcement.

"We passed a law to criminalize the conduct of protesters who harm or disrupt law enforcement officers in the line of duty," Abbott said. "We will not tolerate that in the state of Texas."

Now, the Republican-led Texas Legislature is trying to pass legislation to protect officers from legal action when they use Taser stun guns or bean bag projectiles that can cause serious injuries. That comes after police in Austin last year were indicted for using bean bag rounds that caused life-long injuries for some protesters.

State Sen. Drew Springer, a Republican from Cooke County near the Oklahoma border, said law enforcement officers need better legal protection when using nonlethal force as they respond to dangerous situations. He said right now, a lot of officers will just use their guns because the rules and protections are more clear-cut than when they use Taser pistols or other less lethal weapons.

In Austin in 2020, as the protesters marched to the police station, he said officers were using the bean-bag rounds as instructed by their commanding officers and couldnt have known the rounds they were using were actually defective and would cause more damage than normal. About three dozen protesters were treated at Austin hospitals during more than a week of protests.

To be held criminally liable for that is wrong, Springer said.

His bill, SB 2593, passed the Texas Senate last week and now goes to the Texas House.

Furthermore, the call of protesters to Defund the Police has turned into a rallying point for Republicans who passed laws in 2021 to punish cities and counties that reduce law enforcement funding in any way. The new law triggered a high-stakes accounting battle between Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, a Republican, and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat earlier this year.

The Democrat won in that case. Hegar accused the county of cutting its law enforcement budget but later dropped his attack as Hidalgo and others pointed to how law enforcement funding was actually increasing. Hegar in April rescinded the charge.

'They're mad at protesters'

Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, when Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground with a knee to the neck for more than nine minutes as Floyd gasped, "I can't breathe."

Chauvin was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for murder.

While there was widespread outrage for how Floyd was killed that sparked bipartisan calls for police and criminal justice reform, State Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, said that is largely gone now in the Republican-led Texas Legislature.

Now were having this backlash to George Floyd empathy, Miles said.

Miles said the tough-on-crime agenda has left no room to even talk about the Floyd case.

State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, said instead of smart crime programs to get people out of jail and back into society, the Republican political leadership in Texas is all about raising criminal penalties and locking people away for longer to send a tough-on-crime message.

Whitmire said hes always approached those issues from the perspective that you lock up people youre afraid of, not people youre mad at.

But he said that philosophy is falling on deaf ears in the Legislature.

They want to lock up everyone, he said. Theyre mad at the protesters. They dont like their position on the issues.

Woods, the Black Lives Matter activist, said it goes beyond criminal justice and police reforms. He said recent political fights over critical race theory in classrooms and diversity, equity and inclusion programs on Texas college campuses all ramped up after protesters inspired by Floyd took to the streets to end systemic racism in Texas.

That hasn't stopped Black Lives Matter from staying active in Houston and around the state. They continue to do community organizing and participate in rallies for racial justice.

Theyre criminalizing us further for speaking out against the injustices that they are inflicting upon us, Woods said. So you want us to be silent while you put your foot on our throat? None of us is going to stand for that.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden is sending 1,500 more troops to the border as his administration braces for the end of a public health order it has used to turn away millions of migrants.

RELATED: Border Patrol chief calls for more officers at Texas hearing, but doesnt blame Biden

The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that the additional troops will join 2,500 already stationed there for 90 days as officials anticipate a surge in border crossings following the end of Title 42 next week.

The move comes as Texas has stationed thousands of troops there over the last two years, drawing flak from Democrats and immigration advocates for militarizing the border against migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.

But the White House has insisted the troops Biden is sending will not be performing law enforcement duties like those deployed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. They will instead be helping monitor cameras, enter data, staff warehouses and more to help free up border patrol agents.

"They're not going to be interacting with migrants," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. She said Department of Defense personnel have been supporting Customs and Border Protection at the border for "almost two decades now."

"This is a common practice," she said.

Abbott has long faced criticism from Democrats and immigration advocates who say he has overly militarized the border by deploying thousands of National Guard members and state troopers there under his multibillion-dollar border initiative, Operation Lone Star.

Under that program, National Guard members are granted limited authority to carry out arrests, though they have largely focused on apprehending migrants and turning them over to federal custody. They have also been assigned to construct fencing along the border  used by state troopers as the basis to arrest and jail migrants for trespassing  and, in some cases, assigned to help local prosecutors and other officials with office work related to the border initiative.

The cost of stationing thousands of Guard members and state troopers in South Texas has pushed the states two-year border security tab north of $4 billion, blowing past prior spending levels. Republican state lawmakers are gearing up to approve another $4.6 billion for border security over the next two years; though in the meantime, they are also considering legislation that would deputize everyday citizens to arrest migrants as part of a Border Protection Unit.

The federal deployment is the latest shift in Biden's border strategy as his administration prepares to end Title 42, which was put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been used to immediately expel most migrants.

Biden's plan  which has been panned by immigrant advocates and restrictionists alike  would establish harsher penalties for migrants who cross the border without first scheduling an appointment at a port of entry to make a claim for asylum, and for those who have not already been denied asylum in another country.

The administration is also opening processing centers in Colombia, Guatemala and other Central American countries where migrants can apply for asylum before reaching the border.

Border crossings dropped 40 percent in January after portions of the plan were put in place, but they have since begun to climb again. CBP reported 191,899 arrests in March, the latest available data shows.

ben.wermund@houstonchronicle.com

jasper.scherer@houstonchronicle.com
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is bringing a little more punch to Houston tonight to help him pitch a school choice program that would let parents use state money for private school tuition.

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman is scheduled to join Abbott at The R.O.C.K. Church in Houston, where the governor is holding yet another rally to promote the school choice proposal, which has stalled in the Texas House.

IN-DEPTH: Where does Texas stand on school choice? Here's what to know.

With just 27 days left in the Texas Legislatures regular session, Abbott is trying to get lawmakers to pass the legislation, which calls for expanding Educational Savings Accounts to allow parents to use up to $8,000 of taxpayer money to help pay for private school tuition or homeschooling materials. Most private schools charge more than $8,000 a year.

To get the bill moving, Abbott has been touring the state to sell parents on the plan and put pressure on state lawmakers who have voted against it.

I cannot win this fight alone, Abbott told parents at a rally in Austin last month. I need you standing with me  fighting with me on this challenge. And when you stand and fight with me, we are going to win.



Although former governors Rick Perry and George W. Bush both pushed for school voucher programs in the past, Abbott has said he thinks this is the year because parents are frustrated with how schools handled the pandemic, and are tired of schools that push a leftist agenda with their classes and libraries.

Not only do I see something, but the reality is, the facts are different today than they were under Bush and Perry, Abbott said in an exclusive interview with Hearst Newspapers earlier this spring.

Tonights rally is at 6 p.m. at The R.O.C.K. Fellowship Hall, 4101 Broadway Street, Houston.
WASHINGTON  Texas Republicans on Monday seized on the immigration status of the man who authorities say shot and killed five people in San Jacinto County over the weekend, saying the shooting highlights the "devastating consequences" of illegal immigration.

RELATED: Gov. Greg Abbott calls Texas shooting victims 'illegal immigrants'

Both U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz used the shooting to hammer President Joe Biden's border policies, despite the fact that it is unclear when the suspect  a Mexican citizen who has been deported four times  last entered the U.S.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement said Francisco Oropeza, 38, was most recently deported in 2016. Oropeza was also deported twice in 2009 and once in 2012.

"Im angry  and everyone should be angry, because this will keep happening," Cruz said on his podcast. "We are dealing with day after day after day, crime, sexual assault, murders being committed by illegal aliens, over 6 million of whom Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have allowed to flood into this country with their open borders."

Numerous studies have found immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens. A 2020 study of Texas Department and Public Safety data, for instance, concluded that US-born citizens are twice as likely to be arrested for violent crimes, 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes, and more than 4 times more likely to be arrested for property crimes.

IN-DEPTH: What to know about Francisco Oropeza, the alleged mass shooter in the Cleveland, Texas

"Contrary to public perception, we observe considerably lower felony arrest rates among undocumented immigrants compared to legal immigrants and native-born US citizens and find no evidence that undocumented criminality has increased in recent years," the study concluded.

A 2015 study by the non-partisan Migration Policy Institute found 93 percent of the 10.3 million people living in the country without authorization had no criminal record. Three percent had a felony conviction and 4 percent had a serious misdemeanor.

Cornyn acknowledged in his speech on the Senate floor that "any attempt to frame immigrants in general as a threat to our country is completely devoid of facts and detached from reality."

But, he said, cases like Oropeza's "prove that there are devastating consequences when the Biden administration simply refuses to enforce the law, both at and inside of our borders."

Border arrests topped 2 million for the first time last year, but have fallen since the Biden administration rolled out a new plan to manage the border that includes directing asylum seekers to points of entry to make their claims.

Cornyn pointed to reporting in Fox News and other outlets that more than 1 million migrants have crossed the border without being apprehended by border patrol during Biden's term.

"The so-called got-aways  1.2 million of them  we have no inkling what they are up to, whether they are economic migrants, simply looking for a better life," Cornyn said. "My guess is probably not. My guess is they were probably either convicted criminals who knew they would not be allowed into the United States, or they were people who were transiting the United States, carrying drugs into the interior."

The comments of the Texas senators came after Gov. Greg Abbott sparked national outrage by referring to the five people killed in the Cleveland mass shooting as "illegal immigrants" in a tweet Sunday afternoon.

His office released a correction Monday afternoon after an immigrant rights activist shared on Twitter a photo of Diana Alvarado's ID card identifying her as a permanent resident of the United States.

"We've since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally," said Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze. "We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal."

ben.wermund@houstonchronicle.com
WASHINGTON  A Texas man suing three Houston women who helped his ex-wife terminate her pregnancy knew of his wife's plan to take abortion medication and later told her he would have helped if she had told him about it sooner, according to new legal filings.

BACKGROUND: Texas man sues three women who helped with ex-wifes abortion, alleging wrongful death

Two of the women being sued, Jackie Noyola and Amy Carpenter, allege in a countersuit that Marcus Silva was a "serial emotional abuser" who is now seeking revenge on his ex-wife's friends who helped her escape a toxic relationship. The countersuit, filed in state court in Galveston on Monday, claims Marcus Silva invaded their privacy and broke the law by searching Brittni Silva's phone without her consent and accessing her text messages with them.

It alleges Marcus Silva used the abortion as leverage in their divorce, threatening to go to the police if Brittni Silva did not give him primary custody of their children and continue "playing wife" until the divorce was finalized.

"He knew about Brittnis intentions before she acted but chose not to say or do anything, instead lying in wait," the countersuit says. "Silva did not file this lawsuit because he is interested in 'protecting life.' Instead, he wanted to control a life."

Attorneys for Marcus Silva did not respond to a request for comment.

The Silva case is an early test of the state's near-total ban on abortion, which allows for exceptions only when there is "substantial" risk to a mother or if a fetus has a fatal diagnosis. It comes as Republicans have sought to further restrict access to abortion medication.

Marcus Silva of Galveston County alleged in his lawsuit, filed in March, that he had learned only recently that his ex-wife terminated the pregnancy last July, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing the states abortion ban to take effect. It accuses three women of helping her obtain abortion pills and convincing her to conceal their murderous actions from him.

Marcus Silva, who is suing for wrongful death and conspiracy, is represented by Jonathan Mitchell, a former state solicitor general who helped draft the abortion ban, and state Rep. Briscoe Cain, a Deer Park Republican.

Noyola and Carpenter are represented by high-profile Houston attorney Rusty Hardin.

RELATED: 5 women sue Texas, saying its abortion ban put themselves or their fetuses at risk

Their countersuit claims Marcus Silva knew about Brittni Silva's plan to terminate the pregnancy in July, when he told League City police he had found an abortion pill while searching through her purse without her permission. He also had found text messages on her phone after searching it without her permission, in which she discussed the plan with Noyola and Carpenter, according to the suit.

The suit details years of alleged abuse by Marcus Silva, who Brittni Silva told her friends would frequently get drunk and verbally attack her. He constantly sought to isolate her from her them, they said, and tried to keep her from leaving the house by hiding the car keys and repeatedly demanding access to her phone to search for evidence that she was having an affair.

The countersuit says in April 2022, Marcus Silva got drunk at a work event for Brittni Silva and verbally attacked and threatened her in front of co-workers. The countersuit says police were called and Marcus Silva was escorted off the property after Brittni gave him money for a hotel.

"The hypocrisy of Silva seeking more than a million dollars in damages is as shocking as it is shameful," the suit says. "It is a craven misuse and abuse of the judicial system to facilitate his ongoing harassment and abuse of his ex-wife."
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The Texas Senate on Tuesday passed legislation to allow Gov. Greg Abbott precedent-setting power to overturn elections in Harris County, in order to punish local officials for running out of ballot paper at some polling sites last year.

The legislation, which passed the Senate 19-12, would give Abbotts appointed secretary of state the authority to order an entirely new election in Harris County if the county ever again runs out of paper at 2 percent or more of its polling sites for over an hour.

IN-DEPTH: GOP leaders say Harris County's ballot shortage was targeted at Republicans. Here's what the data says.

There is no reason, there is no excuse why we cant competently run our elections and have adequate ballot paper, said state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, a co-author of the bill whose district includes part of southeast Harris County.

The measure provoked outrage from outnumbered Democrats in the Texas Senate who blasted Middleton for trying to give the governor new authority to toss election results as President Donald Trump sought to do after he lost in 2020.

You want to vest in a political appointee the ability to make a decision as to whether or not an election should be overturned and reheld? asked state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, during a debate in the Senate on Monday.

LAST SESSION: Texas Republicans say lowering the bar for overturning elections is bad policy. So why did they try?

Middleton quibbled when West called it overturning an election.

I would disagree about overturning  youre calling a new election so voters get to vote again, Middleton said. You get the opportunity to vote again. This is very different from the way you are describing it.

Abbott's current secretary of state appointee is Jane Nelson, a former Republican state senator from Flower Mound.

Under current laws, the only way to get a new election in Texas is by turning to the courts. After the November election, 22 Harris County Republican candidates filed lawsuits challenging the election results. One case has already been tossed; the others are still pending.

Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, took offense to Middletons bill for only giving Abbotts appointee the power to overturn an election in Harris County, the most populous of the states 254 counties. The cost of that new election would also be the responsibility of taxpayers in Harris County, which would cost millions of dollars.

"Does that seem kind of biased to you?" Miles said. "We're just going to pick on my county?"

Middleton shot back that Harris is being targeted because it failed to do one of the most basic things required in an election.

Youve got to supply enough ballot paper, Middleton said. Theres no reason that should happen again. Its really a simple thing. You just deliver enough paper.

Though Middleton said during Monday's debate he would consider an amendment to apply the legislation to more Texas counties, there was no word of that Tuesday as the Senate voted.

Harris County was a Republican stronghold as recently as 2014. Since then, though, Democrats have won the majority of county commission seats, the county judge's office and swept nearly every judicial seat. Statewide candidates like Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who all have deep ties to Harris County, won the county in 2014. But all three have lost the county in recent years, narrowing the margins in their statewide re-elections.

While it is true Harris County had ballot paper shortages during the 2022 midterm elections that saw Judge Lina Hidalgo narrowly elected to a second term, a Houston Chronicle study found no evidence voters were systematically disenfranchised as some Republicans have claimed. Nor is there evidence the Election Day issues prompted people not to vote in numbers great enough to change the outcome of any of the races being contested.

Miles said Middleton is pushing legislation based on conspiracy theories in certain Republican circles that people were prevented from voting because of the paper issues. At the polls that ran out of paper, voters were directed to other polling places where they could cast their ballots.

They never stopped letting people vote. Thats a fact, Miles said.

Miles said instead of Middleton trying to overturn Harris County elections, he should focus on a civil rights lawsuit that has been filed in his home county of Galveston accusing county commissioners of racial gerrymandering in violation of the Voting Rights Act as they redrew commissioner districts.

Youve got a bill directly targeting Harris County, and youve got problems in your own damn district in Galveston  major problems, Miles said.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee blasted the Middleton bill and others that are aimed at the county in the name of election integrity.

They are not about making elections better, Menefee said. They are about targeting the largest county in the state, which is led by people of color. Laws that attack only one county are not only bad public policy, but also violate the Texas Constitution.

County Commissioner Adrian Garcia called Middletons bill election denial, framing it as an attempt to overturn election results that Republicans dont like.

Call it for what it is. Theyd rather be able to rig results than try to win fair and square, Garcia said.

Despite those protests, the Democrats are largely powerless to stop the bill that easily passed the Senate and now goes to the Texas House, where Republicans also outnumber Democrats.
Israeli Air Force planes fired missiles at Syrian army positions in the suburbs of Aleppo, 360 kilometers from Syrian capital Damascus, on Tuesday.

May 2, 2023, 11:10 Israel damages Aleppo airport runway during its attack on city

STEPANAKERT, MAY 2 , ARTSAKHPRESS: As a result of this attack, the runway of Nairab international airport was damaged, news.am reported.

The airport is out of service.

A Syrian Armed Forces source told the aforesaid TV channel that the Syrian air defense system countered the Israeli missile attack.

"Our anti-aircraft guns managed to hit several air targets," he said. "While pushing back the attack, one Syrian soldier was killed, seven more people, including two civilians, were wounded."

After the Israeli attack on March 7, the international airport of Aleppo did not work for more than two weeks. And the deliveries of humanitarian aid by air bridge to the Syrian population affected by the February 6 earthquake were temporarily carried out through Latakia and Damascus.
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A Delicious Way To Toast The Women In Your Life
Texas State Technical Colleges nursing students work using the same values Florence Nightingale established back in the 1850s.
Dalton Town Meeting OKs $21.5M Budget, All Warrant Articles



Voters passed all 26 articles at Monday's annual town meeting at Wahconah Regional High School. DALTON, Mass.  Voters approved all 26 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School.

Exactly 99 voters attended the two-hour meeting to approve the budget and various spending items for town equipment, repairs and green initiatives.

The town budget of $21,501,716 is an increase of $1,023,197, or 5 percent, over this year; the assessment to the Central Berkshire Regional School District of $17,505,621 is up 2.27 percent, and includes operating costs of $8,752,286, transportation at $312,385, and capital costs of $1,269,442.

The budget has increased substantially because, according to the Finance Committees report, the town is attempting to catch up with modern-day needs that have been overlooked in previous years.

Officials will be looking into stabilizing spending by taking a historical look at department spending and increasing diligence with the spending without overlooking needs the town has to address.

One voter asked why the state is not fully funding regional school transportation and what has been done about it.

"From what I understand, presently, there is a movement in the latest budget for the state to fund it at a much higher rate than we've been receiving. I was at a meeting this past weekend in Stow that they made that clear from the [Massachusetts Municipal Association,]" Finance Committee Chair William Drosehn said. "We'll see how everything comes out of the State House."

The town voted to transfer $67,500 from free cash to fund developing a "Climate Change Roadmap" and Climate Fair.

The roadmap is required for communities to achieve state Climate Leader status, which creates more grant opportunities. It would outline the changes Dalton needed to make to meet greenhouse gas emission targets.

Voter Joe Albano said he is not opposed to the article but asked, if passed, would the Green Committee have the authorization to force residents to use environmentally friendly products, such as electric power tools or solar panels?

The Green Committee does not have the authorization to mandate residents; rather the goal of the initiative is to improve the accessibility of green projects by opening up funding opportunities.

Paxton Strout asked what the physical results would be. The result would be a "tremendous amount of action" including weatherizing homes, heat pumps, electrical infrastructure, Green Committee member Thomas Irwin said.

Some voters thought these incentives are not enough to make an impact on the climate crisis and had concerns about the lack of data surrounding the aftereffects of these initiatives.

The town voted to transfer $46,324 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to cover the cost of a new administrative vehicle for the Police Department.

This will replace a 2016 Ford Fusion that has extensive issues with a 2023 Ford Explorer.

Fusion had a rejection sticker for six months because the parts it needs have been on back order. Police Chief Deanna Strout said after the meeting that she had to use her personal vehicle to go to calls and training this winter because the Fusion couldn't function.

One person asked about purchasing a hybrid. Drosehn said the technology doesn't meet the towns needs at the moment but that it will be considered as hybrids become more accessible.

Also approved was a transfer $5,000 to cover the relocation costs of residents who inhabit homes that the town condemns. The town will attempt to recoup the cost from the owner or landlord or put a lien on the property, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said.

Town meeting voted to appropriate $214,941 to cover the cost of highway repaving projects that will be reimbursed by the state.

Officials will be looking at the roads that are in the worst conditions, based on a streetscan study, and the level of travel to determine what roads to repave. The study showed that Dalton had a large number of streets in poor or serious condition.

"We have been working on establishing a prioritized list of roads. One of the difficulties is that that can change year by year as damage to roads differs. So, it's difficult to put out a list that is rock solid," Hutcheson said.

"With the amount of funding that we have, we can't get to them all right away. Of course, we wish we could. So we're also looking at the worst roads, which ones are the most high the traffic. Those are the factors that we're using in order to determine which roads to pave over the next few years."

Some of the roads high on the town list for paving are Pleasant Street and Sleepy Hollow Road since they are connected together.

Voters approved having the Select Board collaborate with emergency personnel to explore alternative options for voting locations to improve voting accessibility for voters with physical restrictions.

Also approved was a transfer $200,000 from free cash to reduce the tax rate.

Dalton Annual Town Meeting 2023 by iBerkshires.com on Scribd
Scott Levoune has built up a property portfolio with 10 homes worth more than $6.5 million. (Source: Supplied/Getty)

Scott Levoune dropped out of high school when he was in Year 10. Now, he owns 10 properties and earns $100,000 a year in passive income.

Located across metropolitan and regional New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, eight of his properties are rented out, one is a short-term holiday rental and one is his own personal home.

The properties have a combined value of more than $6.5 million, with Levoune having around 40 per cent in equity. But it wasnt an easy journey to get there.

After dropping out of school, Levoune started working as a tradie. When his boss was unable to offer him overtime, he decided to start up his own side business and was working grueling 16-hour days to save up for his first home.

I worked a normal job which was about two hours away from where I was living, so I used to drive from 5:00am  to get to work, Levoune told Yahoo Finance.

Then, after work at 3:00-4:00pm, Id run my own little thing on the side and wouldnt get home until 11:00pm. I was doing that seven days a week.

In 2016, after saving for two years, Levoune purchased his first property in Sydneys Hassall Grove for $560,000 - where he still lives today.

In 2018, Levoune and his then-partner purchased two investment properties in New South Wales using their joint savings, which they then rented out.

Levoune's property in Malua Bay. (Source: Supplied)

My life shattered

He then went through what he describes as the lowest point in his life after his relationship broke down and his boss passed away, leading him to go full-time with his own trade business.

My life shattered and it took me about a year to rebuild myself and, through that, I didnt actually realise what the properties were doing because I neglected everything, he said.

But when I started rebuilding myself I noticed I was getting good rent and earning $2,000 a month from the [two properties].

Story continues

This realisation led him to purchase another two properties in Orange and Bathurst using the equity in his other properties.

He then ran into some issues after his mortgage broker cross-collateralised the loans (where more than one property is used as security) and he found himself maxed out by the bank, unable to borrow more money.

Levoune said it cost him $100,000 to fix his scenario but, once he did, he was able to get his serviceability back using special-purpose vehicles and he purchased five additional properties at the same time.

It was very, very stressful. I wouldn't recommend it. They literally settled a day apart, Levoune said.

Anyone can achieve

Levoune is now a buyers agent and the director of property-consulting business Wealth Through Property. He said anyone could achieve similar success.

His strategy is generally based on purchasing established properties where buyers can add some kind of value to them, including through minor or major renovations or development potential.

His business also considers investments based on more than 30 data streams, considering both immediate market pressure and long-term growth characteristics.

I want to show the world that anyone can achieve what Ive achieved. You can be an everyday Aussie of modest means and still achieve the property portfolio of your dreams, he said.

Buying property can be a leap of faith, but taking smart risks is the building block to long-term wealth. All it takes is a good strategy, the right knowledge and a lot of hard work.

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The Vogue editor-in-chief stepped out for fashion's biggest night with Nighy by her side

Theo Wargo/Getty Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy

Anna Wintour has arrived at the 2023 Met Gala!

The Vogue editor-in-chief, 73, stepped onto the red carpet Monday as one of the first people to arrive at fashion's biggest night in New York City  and with her, she brought Bill Nighy.

Dressed in a patterned coat worn over a floor-length silver skirt, Wintour took Nighy's arm as they made their way up the Met's steps on their way to the exclusive event.

The Love Actually actor, 73, opted for a classic look for the night honoring the late Karl Lagerfeld, in a dark-colored suit paired with a blue tie and white shirt.

Be sure to check out all of PEOPLE's Met Gala coverage to get the latest news on fashion's biggest night.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy

RELATED GALLERY: The Best Met Gala Looks of All Time

Wintour and Nighy, an Oscar nominee earlier this year for his movie Living, have been spotted together on numerous occasions over the years, The Telegraph notes, though both have remained tight-lipped about the nature of their relationship.

Wintour and David Shaffer, with whom she shares son Charles and daughter Bee Shaffer, have been divorced since 1999.

She then was in a long-term relationship with investor partner Shelby Bryan, though in 2020, PEOPLE confirmed that the couple had privately split a few years prior.

Reps for Nighy and Vogue did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

RELATED VIDEO: 3 Things to Know About the 2023 Met Gala

This year's Met Gala, officially titled "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," honors the German fashion designer who died in February 2019 at the age of 85.

And along with the year's theme, comes the accompanying dress code which this year is simply, "In honor of Karl."

Vogue offered several suggestions on how to abide by the dress code, with its first and "most authentic" approach being to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld led  for example, Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi or Chanel.

Story continues

Another suggestion offered by the magazine was to wear modern-day Chanel or Fendi or "to find a Choupette [the late designer's famed feline muse] all your own and dress a la Lagerfeld."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Name: Dinesh Varadharajan

Company: Kissflow

Job Title: Chief Product Officer

Location: Chennai, India

Dinesh Varadharajan is the Chief Product Officer (CPO) at Kissflow. With profound knowledge of the design and technical implementation of BPM solutions, Dinesh oversees the company's product operations. He was part of Kissflows early team and has been with the company for nearly two decades. Varadharajan is a hands-on executive with a wide range of experience working with cutting-edge technologies, developing innovative products, and mentoring highly productive teams. He holds an MCA in Computer Applications from Bharathiar University.

What was the most valuable piece of career advice that you received? To never stop learning. This seems like a cliche statement but its something that is so often forgotten. Its easy to settle into a rut, but having the constant curiosity to keep learning can both help you succeed and advance in your current role, and also keeps your horizons open as you advance in your career, potentially jumping to a whole new industry along the way.

What was the worst piece of business advice that you received? The worst business advice I received was to never get involved in a startup. The sentiment that underpins this advice is understandable. Startup life is challenging and requires a lot of grit and tenacity and patience. A lot of startups fail, but that should not keep you from taking the risk of joining a startup that aligns with your skills and larger vision. I am glad I did so and have been fortunate that its worked out well for me.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career in IT/tech? Depending on your field and area of specialisation, the first few years of IT can be largely an extension of what you learned in college. My advice would be exactly the best advice I received: keep learning. If you are a developer, keep up with the latest in-demand programming languages. Networking is also important. This can include attending industry events and growing your connections on LinkedIn, as well as niche industry groups on Reddit and other social channels.

Did you always want to work in IT/tech? Since my childhood, I was very much interested in science and technology  specifically Astro-Physics. I enrolled in Physics for my undergrad. During my second year of college, my professors nudged me to learn about computers as they had the potential to offer a lot more growth opportunities based on practical applications. When I got introduced to computers, it changed my whole career vision and path. The ability to create something fascinated me and I quickly got hooked on it.

What was your first job in IT/tech? I joined Selectica fresh out of college. The Selectica leadership team replicated Silicon Valleys innovation-led culture in their India office. and I am very fortunate to have been a part of that. It provided me with extraordinary learning in the first few years of my career. This first job really set the foundation for where I am now.

What are some common misconceptions about working in IT/tech? A common misconception about working in tech is that we are all coders. While its true that for many tech roles, we have to learn a lot of programming languages, the truth is being in tech is all about problem-solving. Coding is just a means to solve those problems. Just like violinists who create music using violin, techies use code as a tool to solve people and business challenges. Additionally, there are many other career options in IT and tech that dont directly involve coding, including designers, UI/UX specialists, business analysts, systems administrators, and more.

What tips would you give to someone aiming for a c-level position? Look beyond self-defined boundaries or societal norms. We often associate successful C-level positions with Fortune 500 companies. However, there are many opportunities for C-level positions at emerging growth-stage tech companies including chief product officer, CISO, CMO, etc. No matter the size of the organisation, if youre starting out in your career, have patience as you advance and gain experience. Unless you launch a company and name yourself CEO or COO, you will not walk right into a C-level position as your first role. Keep working hard, and again, keep your network/connections up to date.

What are your career ambitions and have you reached them yet? I am more interested in the journey than the end result. I don't think about the end result, as there will be nothing left to achieve once you get there. My biggest ambition is to continue to learn and grow and do what I can to be part of a team/company that empowers its customers to achieve success. If I can do that, I will be satisfied.

Do you have a good work-life balance in your current role? I dont believe in the concept of work-life balance per se, as I love both. Both work and life are intertwined and I like to have it that way.

What, if anything, would you change about the route your career path has taken? Nothing. Every choice leads to a different outcome. We make hundreds of choices every day. So, it is impossible to pick a choice that would have changed my career for the better.

Which would you recommend: A coding Bootcamp or a computer science degree? Both are important. A computer science degree sets the right base and boot camps and hackathons help us continuously hone our skills.

How important are specific certifications? I dont believe in the concept of certifications as a be-all and end-all. That is not to say they have zero value, but true learning happens every day.

What are the three skills or abilities you look for in prospective candidates? Strong problem-solving skills. Curiosity, able to quickly learn and adapt. Strong opinions and conviction.

What would put you off a candidate? The idea is that individuals are more important than the team. Arrogance. No inclination to learn.

What are the most common mistakes made by candidates in an interview? How can those mistakes be avoided? Not prepared well, including coming in with no research or knowledge about the company they are applying to work for.

Not asking/having clarity about the role they are applying for. Roles and responsibilities may be more fluid for entry-level candidates and positions, but its important for all candidates (especially for higher-level positions) to ensure that they ask about and leave with clarity about the role.

Do you think it is better to have technical or business skills  or a mix of both? Candidates need to have a mix of both. Tech is a means to solve a business problem. Without knowing about business challenges, it is like shooting in the dark. Having both technology and business knowledge is a winning combination that can arm individuals to approach challenges and opportunities from multiple perspectives and find solutions that are both effective and aligned with broader business goals.
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Attendees of the Los Angeles Philharmonics recent concert were startled by the sounds of a woman screaming and moaning midway through the show.

During the orchestras performance of Tchaikovskys fifth symphony on Friday (28 April) at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, several concertgoers claimed to have heard a person having a loud and full body orgasm.

Everyone kind of turned to see what was happening, Molly Grant, told the LA Times.

Grant, who was seated in the balcony near the person who allegedly made the noise, said: I saw the girl after it had happened, and I assume that she... had an orgasm because she was heavily breathing, and her partner was smiling and looking at her  like in an effort to not shame her.

It was quite beautiful, she added.

Soon after the event, others shared their experience on Twitter.

Went to see @LAPhil play @Thomasades and Tchaikovsky 5 last night. A woman in the audience had loud and full body orgasm during the 5ths second movement... Band politely carried on. Props to LAPhil (and Pytor Ilyich) for bringing it on... composer Magnes Fiennes wrote.

An alleged audio clip of the moment began making its way around social media. In the recording, someone can be heard crying out during a pause in the music.

According to the outlet, audience members confirmed what they had heard was similar to the recording.

Friends who went to the LA Philharmonic last night are reporting that in the middle of the show some lady had a SCREAMING orgasm, to the point where the whole orchestra stopped playing, posted journalist Jocelyn Silver. Some people really know how to live...

Silvers account that the orchestra stopped playing has varied from others who said the musicians continued playing through the commotion.

Classical pianist Sharon Su posted that she checked with someone who works at the LA Phil and they confirmed that the disturbance did not stop the orchestra.
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Hundreds of Afghan women have taken part in protests to criticise what they see as an intentional decision to sideline them from a key UN meeting in Doha.

The closed-door meetings, which involve discussions on the human rights situation in Afghanistan as well as on the removal of sanctions on the Taliban-led nation, will see nations around the world take part.

The de facto authorities from the Taliban have not been invited to the critical talks being led by the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres.

During the meeting, the UN will seek a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues.

Leaders from several nations are expected to reinvigorate international engagement around key issues, such as human rights, in particular womens and girls rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking, the UN said in a statement on Sunday.

In Afghanistan, various protests by women groups took place while the meetings went on. They said they were angered by the talks looking to formalise the Taliban-led regime, despite the erosion of womens rights in Afghanistan by the interim leaders, who call the handling of the affairs an internal social issue.

On Monday, however, 64 Afghan women were reportedly invited to speak virtually, along with a group of envoys, and asked to present their recommendations on reforms in Afghanistan to the UN officials.

The collective said this did not substitute for the official lack of presence of Afghan women on the panel. Its leaders asked the UN and envoys to refrain from compromising the rights of Afghan citizens in return for cooperation from the Taliban.

Dont be deceived by Talibans promises. They cannot and should not be trusted. There is no moderate Taliban. For us, they are all the same, the ones in Qatar, the Kandaharis and the Haqqanis, read the top recommendation offered to the leaders in Doha.

It added that the Taliban wont give women their basic rights without imposing conditions and pressure from influential countries.

The UN and other nations have been asked to refrain from public statements suggesting recognition of the Taliban as such statements further strengthen [its] propaganda as the legitimate government.

Talibans deputy spokesperson Bilal Karimi said they were hoping for the meeting to help remove sanctions on their interim regime and chart out engagement with the international community.

Reacting sharply to the Talibans exclusion, Suhail Shaeen, the leader of the regimes office in Doha, said such meetings will be unproductive, and even sometimes counterproductive.

How will they implement decisions while we are not part of it? Issues can be solved through a pragmatic approach, not one-sided decisions, he said.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned a Taliban administration ban on women working for the UN in Afghanistan and called on Taliban leaders to swiftly reverse a crackdown on the rights of women and girls.

The Taliban claims to respect womens rights in accordance with its strict interpretation of Islamic law. Taliban officials said decisions on female aid workers are an internal issue.
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Opposition parties have renewed their calls for the government to close a loophole in its windfall tax on energy giants after BP said it made more than half-a-billion pounds more than expected in just three months.

The oil giant said it made just under 4bn in underlying profit between January and March, citing a strong performance in its oil trading business.

These enormous profits are the unearned, unexpected windfalls of war, said Labour shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband.

The profit is a reduction from last year  when the business rested on extremely high energy prices  but apart from that is the best result BP has reported in at least a decade.

The drop from last year is largely down to BP getting less money for the oil and gas it sold, although it was partly offset by an exceptional performance from its gas marketing division.

It is also around $700m (560m) more than analysts who follow the oil major thought it would make.

BP boss Bernard Looney said: This has been a quarter of strong performance and strategic delivery as we continue to focus on safe and reliable operations.

But it has sparked renewed calls for the government to ensure oil companies are hit with what Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called a proper windfall tax.

It shows that these really huge profits are continuing. This isnt the first but 4bn pounds thats a huge amount of money, he told BBC Breakfast.

And its always worth bearing in mind that of course we want BP and others to make profits so they can invest.

Theyve put a loophole in for that which means that the amount of money that is yielded from that tax is much reduced from what it could be Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

But these are profits they didnt expect to make. These are profits over and above because the world price of energy is so high.

Sir Keir said Labour wants to use an effective windfall tax to freeze council tax so money is passed on to people.

This is a cost of living crisis. Its about choices. Labour is choosing to use those excess profits, use a proper windfall tax and use that directly to help people with the bills that theyre struggling with, he said.

Sir Keir said the governments windfall tax has a loophole that allows them to reduce the amount they pay if they invest in new oil and gas exploration in the UK.

Theyve put a loophole in for that which means that the amount of money that is yielded from that tax is much reduced from what it could be, he said.

The governments energy profits levy charges means companies are charged 75 per cent on the profits they make in the North Sea.

But for every pound they invest in their UK oil and gas business they can write down their tax by 91p.

The government says this will encourage investment in the UK and protect the countrys energy security.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: These eye-watering profits are a kick in the teeth for all those struggling to pay their energy bills.

The Conservative government has let oil and gas giants off the hook for billions of pounds while people and businesses struggle to pay for their gas and electricity.

It shows just how out of touch they are; these Conservatives may as well be living on another planet.

Ministers must finally put in place a proper windfall tax and use the money raised to cut peoples energy bills by 500.

BP said it expects oil prices to remain high after a recent decision by Opec+ cartel, a group of oil-producing countries, to restrict production in order to keep prices up. Demand from China will also serve to put upwards pressure on the cost of oil and liquid natural gas.

BP said it will return another 1.4bn to shareholders by buying back shares.

UK firms that need to pay to decommission old oil platforms in the North Sea are able to claim back some of their costs from the Treasury; it means that, in 2020, BP received 35.4m from the Treasury in production taxes.

But it paid no corporate tax from its North Sea business in the same year, in part because it was investing in the area.

However, it did pay 229m in corporate taxes, property taxes and employer taxes, plus some 1.6bn in excise duties, employee taxes and sales taxes collected from others and paid to the Treasury.

Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said: Its important not to understate how bad 2020 was for the oil and gas industry, as demand collapsed, and oil companies cut production as storage and refinery capacity ran out.

There is certainly a case for criticising the amount of money these businesses set aside for investors and shareholders relative to investment in renewables, however rather than calling for a populist windfall tax, which would also deter investment, perhaps it would be better for governments to make investment in renewable energy more attractive by way of tax breaks in the areas of blue and green hydrogen.
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Wealthy nations are on track to meet a $100-billion climate finance pledge to developing countries this year  three years later than promised,

Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said donor countries met on Monday to discuss progress towards their pledge, made back in 2009, to transfer $100bn (80bn) per year from 2020 to vulnerable states hit by the increasingly severe impact of the climate crisis.

"The good news is that it looks like we are on track to finally reach the sum of $100 billion this year," Baerbock told a Berlin meeting of more than 40 county representatives to discuss efforts to tackle climate change.

The $100 billion falls far short of poor nations' actual needs, but has become symbolic of wealthy countries' failure to deliver promised climate funds. Failure to meet it has fuelled mistrust in climate negotiations between countries to attempt to boost carbon-cutting measures.

The United Arab Emirates' president-designate of this year's UN climate talks said the funding delays were holding up progress in addressing the climate crisis.

"Expectations are high. Trust is low," Sultan al-Jaber said, adding that the real value of the $100 billion had eroded since the pledge was first made in 2009.

Developing economies say they cannot afford to cut carbon emissions without more support from the rich nations responsible for most of the greenhouse gases heating the planet.

Wealthy countries provided $83.3 billion in 2020  falling $16.7 billion short of the target, according to the latest available data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD and wealthy countries had previously indicated the goal could be met this year.

"It is frankly an embarrassment that it hasn't been possible to mobilise this money yet  especially taking into consideration that really, when being honest, we need trillions," Dan Jorgensen, Denmark's minister for global climate policy and development, told Reuters.

Mr Jorgensen, who said Denmark had provided more than its fair share of the $100 billion total in recent years, said finally meeting the goal could unlock progress in other areas of climate negotiations this year.

Reuters
A young Queensland tourist facing years in jail for allegedly going on a "naked and drunken" rampage in Indonesia has been recorded desperately apologising in a video.

Dressed in prison clothes, Bodhi Risby-Jones, 23, who was originally on a surfing holiday, can be seen bowing and putting his hands together in prayer while apologising to a local man for allegedly assaulting him while he was passing by on a motorcycle. The man reportedly needed 50 stitches.

"To the victim's family and the victim, I am extremely sorry," the Noosa carpenter said in the video, after being led from his 3m-by-3m prison cell. "My actions I can't even fathom".

Queensland man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, has apologised from jail for his alleged drunken rampage in Aceh, Indonesia. Source: 9 News

"I really want to make it right, and fix the issue. I am sorry," he said to the camera.

Mr Risby-Jones had reportedly been drinking from a vodka bottle in the conservative Indonesian province of Aceh, before he stripped in his room at the Moon Beach Resort sometime after midnight.

Local police allege Mr Risby-Jones left his room still naked and assaulted a security officer who attempted to stop him.

Police also allege the young Aussie struck a passing motorcyclist and threw the motorcycle on the man as he fell into the gutter, who suffered a leg injury that needed stitches.

The young Queensland man was detained last Thursday and faces a maximum five years in prison if he is convicted of maltreatment resulting in serious physical injury. As the consumption and sale of alcohol is banned in Aceh, he could also face charges under Islamic law.

It is believed a meeting between the accused, the alleged victim and community leaders could be arranged and lead to some sort of resolution, Nine News reports.

Local police investigations are still ongoing.

Story continues

with NCA Newswire

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
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The Met Gala has returned and this year, celebrities were asked to dress in honour of Karl  ie, Karl Lagerfeld, the fashion designer and former Chanel creative director, who died in 2019.

Anna Wintour, who oversees the event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, welcomed Roger Federer, Michaela Coel, Penelope Cruz, and Dua Lipa as her co-chairs. The benefit accompanies the Mets Costume Institutes fashion exhibit Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, which opens to the public on 5 May.

While the Met Gala guest list is typically the subject of much secrecy  and a healthy dose of speculation  at least three celebrities confirmed they would not be in attendance this year. Rumours swirled around another few.

Here is a breakdown of some of the notable absences from the 2023 Met Gala red carpet:

Blake Lively

Much to her fans chagrin, Blake Lively confirmed ahead of the gala that she would not attend this years event. Lively is typically one of the events best-dressed guests, and she even co-chaired it last year.

Asked by reporters whether people would spot her on tonights red carpet, Lively replied: You will not. But I will be watching.

As the event got underway, Lively shared a photo of herself pumping breast milk with the capture: First Monday in May.

The post from Lively, who recently welcomed her fourth child with husband Ryan Reynolds, comes after the Deadpool star revealed the reason that the couple will not be attending the 2023 Met Gala is only partly due to the expansion of their family.

Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala, with the theme: Gilded Glamour (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend were absent at this years Met Gala, though it didnt come as too much of a surprise as they havent attended for several past years.

While the model and mother of three did not appear to address her lack of attendance on social media, she was apparently keeping track of the red carpet.

In an Instagram Story, Teigen shared a photo of model Anok Yai on the red carpet with the caption: Phewww [fire emoji].

Teigen did hit the red carpet two days earlier at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington DC.

Law Roach

The celebrity stylist, who announced his retirement in March, said in an interview with The Cut that his decision to step away from the industry extends to the Met Gala.

I feel so free, Roach told the magazine. I feel a freedom that I dont remember ever feeling. And no matter what, if I come back, which I dont have plans on coming back 

Lindsay Peoples, The Cuts editor-in-chief, interjected to ask: So no Met Gala?

No Met Gala, Roach confirmed.

Law Roach and Zendaya at the 2019 Met Gala, with the theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion' (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Rihanna

The Fenty Beauty arrived fashionably late at the Met Gala, after much speculation over whether she would walk the red carpet at all.

Rihanna finally posed for pictures with boyfriend A$AP Rocky on the Met Gala red carpet dressed in a white floral Valentino outfit that covered her entire face. She accessorised the look with a pair of white cat-eye sunglasses, which were decorated with a pair of fake eyelashes, and a bold red lip.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky arrive fashionably late to 2023 Met Gala (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Meanwhile, A$AP Rocky could be seen wearing a black suit jacket with a white button-down shirt, along with a red plaid kilt over a pair of baggy jeans.

Their appearance came just moments after the Vogue red carpet livestream came to an abrupt end, as fans waited for their delayed arrival.

Jonathan Majors

The actor was arrested in March in New York, on charges of strangulation, assault and harassment, The Associated Press reported at the time. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The following month, Deadline reported that Majors and the fashion house Valentino had mutually agreed that the actor would not be attending this years Met Gala as one of its guests.

Katy Perry

Perry, a Met Gala veteran who famously attended the 2019 after-party dressed as a burger, didnt appear at this years event.

According to Just Jared, she wasnt be able to make it because of a live taping of American Idol  on which she is a judge  on Monday evening.

However, Perry was spotted in New York City as celebrities started making their way towards the Big Apple ahead of the gala, as noted by Page Six. Perry is also scheduled to perform at King Charless coronation on 7 May, an event for which American Idol  which is also airing that day  would presumably make contingency plans.

Perry remained vague when ET quizzed her about both events.

You'll just have to tune in and wait and see. The hologram is finally real! she said of American Idol.

As for the Met Gala, she joked: I'm sending Zooey Deschanel in my place. Hi, Zoe. I love you!

Katy Perry at the 2019 Met Gala, with the theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion' (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Harry Styles

Styles made his most recent appearance  which was also his first  at the Met Gala in 2019.

The celebrity updates account DeuxMoi suggested that Styles would not attend this years event either, as he appears not to be in the US at the moment.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga was noticeably absent from this years Met Gala. However, there are plenty of good reasons why the singer skipped the event.

The Born This Way singer is currently juggling a number of projects, including filming for the upcoming movie musical sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux.

Gaga also recently promoted a new product launch for her beauty line, Haus Labs, on Instagram.

Plus, the AStar Is Born actor told Wallpaper magazine in March 2023 that shes interested in living more of a life of solitude.

Lady Gaga attends 2019 Met Gala (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Its really nice to just have time to be alone, and be expansive, and know that youre enough, she said. I wish I could tell my younger self that. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time alone writing music. But the more successful I became, the more I felt like I needed other people to tell me I was great.

Lady Gagas last appearance at the Met Gala was in 2019, where she had four outfit changes on the red carpet in line with the theme, Camp: Notes on Fashion.

Zendaya

Despite attending five Met Galas over the years, all in jaw-dropping looks styled by Law Roach, the Euphoria star never addressed why she didnt attend this year.

Her last appearance at the event was in 2019 when the theme was Camp: Notes on Fashion. She wore a a stunning icy blue look by Tommy Hilfiger.

Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber was a no-show at this years Met Gala, despite attending previous red carpets with her husband Justin Bieber. However, the models decision to not attend the annual fashion event appeared to be a work-related one.

Weeks before the 2023 Met Gala, Bieber allegedly broke the news that she wont be attending the extravaganza in an Instagram group chat.

In a screenshot of the rumoured conversation, which circulated on social media, Bieber allegedly wrote: Im not going to the Met this year gearing up for our next Rhode launch so decided to sit this one out but will be back next year.
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Bill Nighy has clarified that he and Anna Wintour are just great friends after the pair sparked rumours rumours when they walked the red carpet of the Met Gala together.

Wintour, whos been organising the annual fundraising event since 1995, arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday 1 May arm-in-arm with Nighy. For the occasion, which honoured her late friend Karl Lagerfeld, she wore a patterned coat over a silver, satin skirt.

Meanwhile, Nighy wore a black suit along with a white button-down shirt and a navy blue tie. As the pair posed for pictures, Wintour had her hand wrapped around the Love, Actually stars arm.

However, in statement to The Independent, a representative for Nighy denied that he is dating Wintour. Bill and Anna have simply been great friends for two decades, the statement read. They are not in a relationship.

The pair first sparked romance rumours back in December 2022 when they were spotted in New York City for the screening of Nighys film Living. At the time, The Telegraph reported that the actor and journalist, who have been friends for years, were involved in a private, romantic relationship.

Rumours about the duo dating also swirled back in 2018 after they were spotted at a theatre together in London. Nighy briefly addressed the dating speculation to Page Six at the time, saying: There are a lot of rumours about me and probably about Anna.

Before fans speculated that she was dating Nighy, Wintour was married to David Shaffer from 1984 to 1999. The pair share two children, Charles, 38, and Bee, 35.

She was also in a long-term relationship with Shelby Bryan before they split in 2020. Nighy also has a daughter, Mary, 38, whom he shares with his ex, Diana Quick.

(Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)

On Monday, Wintours annual event paid tribute to her late friend and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. The dress code was in honour of Karl and saw many celebrities walking the red carpet in looks that represented the designer and his work.

You can follow live updates of the 2023 Met Gala here.
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Florence Pugh has earned praise for her new look after debuting a buzz cut on the red carpet of the 2023 Met Gala.

On Monday 1 May, the Dont Worry Darling star, 27, arrived on the red carpet steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of the Costume Institutes new exhibit Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.

For the occasion, Pugh wore a white gown with a black bow, which she paired with a large feathered headpiece, designed by Valentino.

However, it was Pughs hairstyle that captured fans attention, as the actress completed the look with a shaved head.

The Florence Pugh buzz cut happened and my god her first Met Gala and its flawless. No notes. A red carpet queen #metgala, one person tweeted, while another said: Florence Pugh is a full serve and Im so excited for the buzz cut she looks so hot.

FLORENCE PUGH HAS A BUZZ CUT THIS IS NOT A DRILL FLORENCE PUGH HAS A BUZZ CUT, someone else excitedly tweeted.

Others revealed that theyve already been influenced by the look, with one person writing that Pughs hairstyle was making [them] want to shave [their] head for the summer.

Florence Pugh absolutely rockin the buzz cut no surprise, another person wrote.

(Getty Images)

The debut of Pughs new look comes after it was rumoured ahead of the Met Gala that she would be showing off a new short hairstyle at the annual fashion extravaganza.

The event also marked one of Pughs first as the latest ambassador for Valentino. Ahead of the 2023 Met Gala, the actor hinted that about her look during an interview with The New York Times, with Pugh revealing that she would be wearing something big for her first-ever Met Gala.
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Princess Grace Kellys granddaughter Charlotte Casiraghi made a royal appearance at the Met Gala when she walked the red carpet at the event honouring Karl Lagerfeld.

On Monday 1 May, Casiraghi, the daughter of Caroline of Hanover and the granddaughter of Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, joined fashion royalty when she arrived on the red carpet-covered steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

For the occasion, Casiraghi, who is an ambassador and spokesperson for Chanel, where Lagerfeld served as creative director from 1983 until his death in 2019, wore a black lace off-the-shoulder vintage Chanel gown.

The late royals granddaughter completed the look with a sleek updo, a black clutch and simple drop earrings.

As she posed on the red carpet ahead of the unveiling of the Costume Institutes new exhibition, Casiraghi joined fellow Chanel ambassadors Kristen Stewart and Sofia Coppola.

Casiraghis attendance at the event is not surprising, as both she and her mother Princess Caroline had a close relationship with the late German designer.

Its been more than 45 years of friendship, Caroline, who often attended Lagerfelds shows, told French magazine Point de Vue following Lagerfelds death.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)

Casiraghi also had a history of working with the late creative directors fashion houses, as she made headlines when she appeared on horseback for Chanel during its spring summer 2022 show in Paris.

This is not the first time that Grace Kellys granddaughter attended the Met Gala, as she previously attended the exclusive fashion event in 2019, 2018 and 2016. She is also not the first royal to do so, as Princess Diana and Princess Beatrice both attended the annual gala, while Queen Rania of Jordan joined Casiraghi at the 2016 fashion extravaganza.

(Getty Images)

Casiraghis presence at the Met Gala was not the only link to her late grandmother. Acrtor Elle Fanning revealed that the 1955 Cartier Grain de Cafe necklace she wore to the event was reminiscent of the one worn by Grace Kelly in a 1955 royal portrait, according to Harpers Bazaar.

Grace Kelly became Princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III in April 1956, with the pair going on to have three children, Princess Caroline, Prince Albert II, and Princess Stephanie. The American actress turned royal died in a car accident in 1982 after suffering a stroke while driving.
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Karl Lagerfelds pampered cat Choupette has confirmed that she will not be attending Monday nights Met Gala in honour of her late owner.

On Monday, the designers beloved pet revealed via a post to her Instagram that she would not be walking the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 1 May 2023, where Lagerfeld will be honoured through the theme: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.

Many people invited me to walk the red carpet of the #METGALA2023 in tribute to Daddy, but we preferred to stay peacefully and cosy at home, the Choupette Lagerfeld account said in an post shared to her Instagram, where she has more than 165,000 followers, on Monday. We pay tribute to my Daddy every day since his parting and we are very moved to see one more day dedicated to him.

(Choupette is represented by a pet marketing agency, which likely penned the post on her behalf.)

The announcement came just days after Kim Kardashian posted a selfie with Choupette in Paris, with the reality star revealing that she was visiting Lagerfelds pet while gaining some inspiration for the Met Gala.

The white Birmin with blue eyes and creamy markings was born 15 August 2011. At 10 weeks or so, she was given to Baptiste Giabiconi, one of Lagerfeld's model friends in Paris.

It was Giabiconi who named the cat Choupette, a nickname in French for cute girls. Giabiconi asked Lagerfeld to care for the cat for two weeks while he was on holiday. As Lagerfeld described to New York magazine in 2018: When he came back, I told him that the cat was not returning to his house, and I kept it, this kind of genius creature.

I think Choupette made me a better person, Lagerfeld told the Scottish author Andrew OHagan in 2015. Less selfish.

Lagerfeld later turned Choupette into an international star in her own right, with the pet boasting her own maids, bodyguards, custom Louis Vuitton carriers, silver bowls and a jet-set lifestyle. She also had her own jewels and nannies.

Choupette, which literally translates to sweetie, also travelled often via private jet with Lagerfeld, who died in 2019.

In addition to her pampered lifestyle, the cat also served as a muse for Lagerfeld, who published a book of her images, created clothes in Choupette blue for Chanel and put out a line of handbags with the cats face on them for his own eponymous brand.

Choupette also appeared in photo shoots and advertising campaigns for Chanel, the German carmaker Opel and the Japanese cosmetics brand Shu Eumera.

Following his death in 2019, Lagerfeld left the beloved feline to her most prominent caretaker Francoise Cacote.

In June 2021, Cacote told Lagerfeld biographer William Middleton that Choupette was doing well living with in Paris:She is happy. And I tell myself that if Monsieur sees us from above, that he can be happy because this is just what he wanted for Choupette.

On social media, the news that Choupette would not be attending has been met with disappointment from fans of the cat, with one person writing: You will be missed tonight. Stay cosy.

However, others assured Lagerfelds pet that she had made the right decision. We understand Choupette, a beautiful cat like you needs her beauty rest at home, plus the flight from France to New York is a long one, someone else wrote.

Additional reporting by AP.
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Kim Kardashian arrived at the 2023 Met Gala solo, but her daughter North West wasnt far behind.

The 42-year-old reality star walked the Met Gala red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday 1 May. While Kardashian famously attended the 2022 Met Gala with her then-boyfriend Pete Davidson, the SKIMS founder was riding with her sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner this year.

While speaking to Vogue livestream co-hosts Derek Blasberg and Chloe Fineman, Kardashian revealed that she was wearing a head-to-toe pearl outfit designed by Schiaparellis creative director, Daniel Roseberry.

The white gown was even adorned with real pearls, to which Kardashian said: What is more Karl?

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum also revealed that her nine-year-old daughter, North West, was waiting in the car and watching her mother walk the red carpet from a distance.

In videos posted to Twitter, the mother-daughter duo could be seen leaving the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York City as they made their way to The Met museum. North appeared to match her mother in white suit jacket dripping with pearls, along with a pair of baggy jeans.

Meanwhile, TMZ also captured Kylie Jenner leaving the hotel with her five-year-old daughter, Stormi Webster.

Kim Kardashians attendance at the 2023 Met Gala comes just one day after the mother of four revealed that her eldest daughter had surprised her with some pre-Met Gala massages. In a video posted to Instagram, Kardashian shared footage of the relaxing spa day set-up, which included massage tables, candles, bouquets of white roses, and silver balloons that spelled out, Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala.

The silver balloons were in line with this years Met Gala theme  Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty  which pays tribute to the legendary German designer.

Kim Kardashian attends the 2023 Met Gala in Schiaparelli (Getty Images)

How sweet is North for surprising me tonight with this for us to relax before the Met, she wrote over her Instagram Story on Sunday. In the clip, Kardashian said: Massages before the big day. How beautiful!

Last week, Kim Kardashian joined the handful of celebrities who confirmed their attendance at this years Met Gala ahead of the annual fashion event. In an Instagram post featuring none other than Karl Lagerfelds cat, Choupette, Kardashian wrote: Had a date with @choupetteofficiel in Paris.

The post also showed Kardashian preparing for her Met Gala look, which is likely to be inspired by Lagerfelds archival looks from his time as creative director of Fendi or Chanel. We then spent some time at @karllagerfelds office to get a little inspiration for the Met, she added.

Kardashians appearance at the Met Gala comes after much speculation over whether the famous family received an invite from Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. A report from Page Six in March claimed that the reality stars have not received an invitation because Wintour was allegedly cracking down on the guest list.

Follow for live updates from the Met Gala 2023 red carpet.
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Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang wore the same dress to the Met Gala, prompting the Dont Worry Darling director to jokingly address the coincidence on Instagram.

On Monday 1 May, the 39-year-old director and the 29-year-old Vogue China editor arrived on the red carpet steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in different colours of the same 1983 Chloe dress.

The outfit in question, which featured a high collar and cutouts on each side, was reportedly a collaboration between the late Karl Lagerfeld and Chloes Gabriela Hearst.

Wilde wore a white colour version of the outfit, which had a gold design on the middle and cut-out design on the sides. She also opted for a matching gold bracelet and a pair of silver earrings.

Zhang wore the Chloe dress in black with a fuller skirt, train and gold detailing on the hem.

The Independent has contacted Zhang and Wildes representatives for comment.

On Instagram, both Wilde and Zhang have addressed the matching moment, with the House star posting a photo of herself and the editor wearing the dress on her Instagram Stories, where she wrote: Great minds. If youre gonna twin with anyone, make it @margaretzhang.

Zhang then reposted the Story to her own Instagram Stories, where she added: Cue the strings.

(Instagram / Olivia Wilde)

(Margaret Zhang / Instagram)

This years Met Galas theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, which honoured the full work and life of the late German designer.

However, not everyone was supportive of the theme chosen and announced by Vogues editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, as many pointed to the designers history of controversial comments.

(Getty Images)

Ahead of Mondays event, some protested the theme due to Lagerfelds alleged past treatment of models.

The choice to honour Lagerfeld embodies the dissonance of an industry that claims to be progressive, that celebrates body positivity and survivors on the one hand, and then reveres figures like [Lagerfeld] without even acknowledging their regressive views, Sara Ziff, the founder of the Model Alliance, told Jezebel.

Model Alliance was joined by a number of notable individuals, including LOreal Global Ambassador Nidhi Sunil, models Ambra Gutierrez, Mame Adjei, Rozi Levine, Roberta Little and New York state senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, according to Jezebel.

Jameela Jamil also condemned the decision to honour Lagerfeld with the Met Gala theme shortly afer it was announced last year, with the actress recalling the distinctly hateful way the designer used his platform.
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The coronation of King Charles III will finally take place on Saturday 6 May 2023, almost eight months after he ascended to the British throne following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

Ahead of the big event, many may be wondering what the royal familys tree looks like.

Up until 8 September 2022, when she passed away at her beloved Balmoral estate in rural Aberdeenshire aged 96, the late Queen sat at the top as she had throughout her extraordinary 70-year reign, the longest of any monarch in our history.

That began when she succeeded her father George IV in 1952, and ended in the year of her platinum jubilee celebrations with her inviting her 15th prime minister, Liz Truss, to form a new government.

In her final hours, spent under medical supervision at her Scottish residence, many of the Queens immediate family raced to be at her bedside to say goodbye, including her sons Charles, Andrew and Edward and grandsons William and Harry (whose bitter estrangment has dominated royal concerns in recent months).

The Queen married Prince Philip in 1947. The Duke of Edinburgh was her husband, consort and rock for almost 74 years until he passed away in April 2021.

The couple had four children: Charles, now King Charles III and formerly the Prince of Wales, born in 1948; Anne, the Princess Royal (born 1950); Andrew, the Duke of York (1960); and Edward, Earl of Wessex (1964).

Charles had two sons from his ultimately unhappy marriage to the late Princess Diana, William and Harry, the former now the heir to the British throne.

(Getty)

Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011 and the now-Duke of Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge have three children of their own, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, all of whom happened to be taking part in their first full day at Lambrook School in Berkshire on the day of the late Queens passing, hence their absence, and that of their mother, from Her Majestys bedside.

Prince Harry married the American actress Meghan Markle in 2018 but the couple have since acrimoniously severed their official ties with the royal family and relocated to the US. They have two children: Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.

Princess Anne meanwhile presented the Queen with two grandchildren from her first marriage to Captain Mark Phillips: Peter Philips and Zara Tindall, the latter a successful equestrian married to the former England rugby player Mike Tindall.

The Queen with members of the royal family at Buckingham Palace (PA)

Mr Philipps and his ex-wife Autumn have two daughters, Savannah and Isla, while the Tindalls have three children: Mia, Lena and Lucas.

The Duke of York, who has recently faced difficult questions about his friendships with notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, is likewise divorced but has two daughters from his marriage to Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Both princesses have married and each had their first child last year  Beatrice gave birth to a daughter, Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, and Eugenie a son, August Brookbank  bringing the late Queens total number of great-grandchildren to 12.

Lastly, Prince Edward has two children from his marriage to Sophie Rhys-Jones, the Countess of Wessex: Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn.
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King Charles IIIs coronation, which takes place on Saturday 6 May, is set to be attended by 2,000 guests, including foreign monarchs across the world.

The coronation will be held in London at Westminster Abbey, which can seat up to 2,200 people. The limited guest list marks a departure from the late Queen Elizabeth IIs coronation, which was attended by 8,000 guests with 129 nations and territories officially represented at the ceremony.

In early April, Buckingham Palace unveiled the official invites for King Charles and Queen Camillas coronation. The elaborate invitation, which was reportedly sent to 2,000 people, invited guests to attend The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla  By Command of the King the Earl Marshall is directed to inviteto be present at the Abbey Church of Westminster on 6th day of May 2023.

As the Kings coronation fast approaches, theres been much speculation over who will be attending the slimmed-down service. While members of the British royal family are likely to attend, many royal families throughout the world are also expected to attend the coronation.

The move marks a break from royal tradition. According to The Telegraph, the coronation was considered a sacred ceremony between a monarch and their people in the presence of God, but Charles is set to do away with the tradition and invite his counterparts from around the world.

Heres a list of all the foreign royals who have confirmed their attendance so far.

On 11 April, Crown Prince Fumihito and his wife Crown Princess Kiko of Japan confirmed they will be attending the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, according to local media.

The Imperial Household Agency announced they received an invitation from the British royal family in March requesting that the head of state or proxy attend the ceremony. The crown prince will represent his brother, Emperor Naruhito, at the coronation, seeing as the emperor doesnt attend foreign royal coronations per protocol. However, Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, attended the Queens funeral last September.

Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko confirm attendance at Kings coronation (Getty Images)

The Danish royal family also confirmed their attendance at the coronation earlier this month. In an announcement shared to the Danish Royal Houses website, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark said they will participate in the coronation of HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla of Great Britain at Westminster Abbey in London. Frederik attended Queen Elizabeths funeral in September with his mother, Queen Margrethe II.

In addition to Denmarks royal family, the Swedish Royal Court has also confirmed the coronation attendance of King Carl XVI Gustaf, along with his daughter and heir, Crown Princess Victoria. The Swedish monarch is one of the few foreign rulers to attend the British kings coronation, rather than sending a consort to represent him.

Prince Albert II of Monaco was the first foreign head of state to confirm he would be attending the Kings coronation. In January, Monacos reigning sovereign told People that he and his wife, Princess Charlene, will be among the guests at Westminster Abbey.

Im certain that its going to be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one, the 64-year-old royal said. Weve maintained contact since His Majesty became King, but I havent talked to him personally since the Queens funeral.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 (Getty Images)

The prince shared that hes certain the King will add his own personal touches to the coronation. However, he was unsure whether their eight-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, will be invited.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain confirmed their attendance on 11 April, as well as King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will also attend the coronation, while their daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, and Willem-Alexanders mother, Princess Beatrix, will attend the reception at Buckingham Palace on 5 May.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will represent Norway at the coronation, following their recent visit to the UK where they were hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle in March. Grand-Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand-Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg will also attend, along with Queen Anne-Marie of Greece and her son and daughter-in-law, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal.

A source previously told The Mail on Sunday: At the Queens Coronation there were no crowned monarchs, only the protectorate rulers like the Queen of Tonga. Its been a tradition for centuries. Inviting the King of Jordan, the Sultan of Brunei, the Sultan of Oman and the Scandinavian royals  who are all friends of Charles  will be a good bit of soft power and diplomacy.

Buckingham Palace previously announced that King Charles III has invited more than 850 community and charity representatives to his and Queen Camillas coronation. More than 450 British Empire Medal (BEM) recipients were invited to see the service from inside Westminster Abbey, while some 400 young people representing charities will be able to watch the coronation and procession from a special private viewing at the nearby St Margarets Church.

Although not a foreign monarch, President Joe Biden has confirmed that he will not be attending King Charles IIIs coronation. Instead, his wife First Lady Jill Biden will be going on behalf of the United States.
 Close King Charles III and Queen Camilla spotted leaving coronation rehearsal

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The Prince and Princess of Wales went for a visit to The Dog and Duck pub in Soho after hopping on the Elizabeth line from Acton to Tottenham Court Road on Thursday afternoon (4 May).

Prince William and Kate Middleton were greeted by crowds who cheered for them outside the pub, as they carried out the engagement ahead of the coronation.

It comes as police have said they will not stop anti-monarchy protests during the big day on Saturday 6 May unless the demonstrators cause serious disruption or break the law.

Meanwhile, many royal fans who want to watch the grand procession after the coronation ceremony in person may have to prepare for wet weather, as the Met Office has predicted rain and thunder in parts of the UK. London could see the warmest coronation in history, with highs of 19C in south London predicted.

On Wednesday morning (3 April), the monarch was spotted leaving Westminster Abbey after attending rehearsals, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children.

Prince George, nine, will be a Page of Honour to the King at Saturdays ceremony, alongside Queen Consorts three grandsons. One of her grandsons, Gus Lopes, was spotted wearing a sling on his right arm during the rehearsals yesterday and reportedly broke his arm during a biking accident while on holiday.
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, a new Mexican restaurant will open in the Auburn area this week.

Costa Grande, located in the former Munchies in Grant Avenue Plaza in Sennett, will open on Thursday, May 4.

The restaurant is owned by partners Pedro Alonso and Roberto Lazaro. Alonso is also a partner at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant in Syracuse. Lazaro will serve as the new restaurant's chef.

Costa Grande will feature traditional Mexican cuisine like enchiladas and burritos with modern twists, the partners told The Citizen in February, as well as a focus on seafood dishes.

They decided to open a restaurant in Cayuga County due to its growing Hispanic population, which is up 30% since 2013.

"It's a big town. To not have a Mexican restaurant here is a shame," Alonso said. "Why should people have to drive all the way to Syracuse if we can have a place for them over here?"

Mexican restaurant, Costa Grande, to open in Auburn-area plaza SENNETT  The former Munchies in Grant Avenue Plaza will become a Mexican restaurant by this spring.
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Prince George has been given an official role at the 6 May coronation  a Page of Honour to the King.

King Charles III and the Queen Consort each have four Pages of Honour supporting them on the day of the coronation, including schoolboys who are family friends or close relatives.

George, the nine-year-old future monarch, is the most prominent among them. Camillas three grandsons will also join George in the role.

The Kings pages are: his grandson George; Nicholas Barclay, 13, grandson of Sarah Troughton, one of the Queens Companions; Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, 13, son of the Marquess of Cholmondeley, also known as filmmaker David Rocksavage, and a friend of the Prince of Wales; and Ralph Tollemache, 12.

The Queen Consort will also have two Ladies in Attendance  her sister Annabel Elliot and her trusted friend the Marchioness of Lansdowne  whose roles will be to support her through elements of the service.

It comes after it was reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales were debating whether George should be included in the congregation at Westminster Abbey.

The Telegraph reports that his siblings Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, are expected to attend the ceremony as spectators and wont have an official role to play.

Meanwhile, the decision to include Camillas grandchildren in the procession is seen as an unprecedented move considering that her grandchildren are from the Parker-Bowles side of her family. Reports suggest that the decision was made to reflect the reality of a modern blended family.

Reports suggest that Prince George could be given a formal role in the coronation procession (AFP via Getty Images)

Her son Tom Parker Bowles has two children aged 15 and 13 and her daughter Laura Lopes has a 15-year-old daughter and twins aged 13.

The last time Britain held a coronation ceremony was 70 years ago when the Queen was crowned on 2 June 1953 at the age of 27.

Prior to that, her father King George VIs coronation ceremony took place 16 years earlier in 1937, when Queen Elizabeth II was just 11 years old.

Buckingham Palace has evealed that the Kings coronation will be a slimmed-down affair. At the event, there are expected to be 2,000 guests in attendance, a stark contrast to the 8,000 guests present at the Queens coronation in 1953.

Read everything you need to know about King Charles coronation here.
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King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned at their coronation ceremony on 6 May, which is expected to be a grand occasion.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The coronation will reflect the monarchs role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry, the palace added.

It is understood that the King will opt for a more modern choice of clothing for the ceremony. Instead of the traditional silk stockings and breeches worn in coronations past, it has been reported that the monarch will be crowned in his military uniform.

Therefore, it is expected that Camillas coronation dress will also be more modern compared to previous versions, which tend to include ornate designs and lavish materials.

The last time Britain saw a coronation dress was during the late Queen Elizabeth IIs crowning ceremony in 1953.

She wore a silk satin gown with short sleeves and a full skirt, featuring elaborate embroidery and alternating lines of gold bugle beads, diamantes and pearls. It was designed by Norman Hartness, who merged two of eight designs he presented to the Queen to create her gown.

Heres everything we know about what Camilla will wear to the coronation this spring...

Who will design the dress?

In February, it was revealed that Camilla had chosen her friend Bruce Oldfield to design her coronation dress.

The British couturier works frequently with the royal family to dress them and was the favourite designer of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Bruce Oldfield is greeted by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during the Bruce Oldfield Fashion Show at Lancaster House in support of the National Osteoporosis Society on November 15, 2017 (Getty Images)

The design of the coronation gown has been decided in collaboration with Camilla, but will remain a secret until the day of the ceremony.

A source told The Telegraph: Camilla has a very close friendship with Bruce spanning many years. In so many ways, it is the natural and obvious choice.

Camilla trusts Bruce because he has really delivered on dresses for so many important occasions recently for her.

The Queen Consort wore an all-white gown embellished with white beads and diamantes by Oldfield when she attended the 2016 State Opening of Parliament, during which she was still the Duchess of Cornwall.

She also wore an Oldfield design to the premiere of the 2021 James Bond film, No Time to Die, which was a blue sequinned gown.

Will Camilla wear a robe?

Traditionally, monarchs and their consorts have worn dramatic gowns for their coronation events.

(PA)

The Coronation Robes are quite extravagant, usually made of silk, velvet and lace, and trimmed or lined with ermine.

The late Prince Philip wore a red velvet coronation robe during the Queens ceremony, which had an ermine trim and shrug over his shoulders.

But whether the King and Queen Consort will wear the traditional robes remains in question, as it has been suggested that Charles wishes for a more modern ceremony.

What crown will Camilla wear?

It was announced in February that the Queen Consort will wear Queen Marys crown for the coronation  but it will not feature the controversial Koh-i-noor crown nor its replica.

Buckingham Palace said that Camilla will be the first consort to reuse a crown at a coronation instead of commissioning a new one since the 18th century. The last consort who did the same was Queen Caroline, the consort of King George II.

(Getty/Buckingham Palace)

The Crown Jeweller is carrying out minor changes and additions to the crown, which will be reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds. These were part of the late Queens personal jewellery collection.

You can learn why the Koh-i-noor diamond is so controversial here.

What jewellery will Camilla wear?

Camilla will likely wear a ceremonial ring, known as the Queen Consorts ring, to symbolise being wedded to the people.

Charles will have a special ring placed on his fourth finger to symbolise this as well. The Queen Consorts ring was made in 1831 for Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV.

It was last used for the Queen Mothers coronation with her husband, King George VI, in 1937.
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Russia couldnt escape its war against Ukraine during its highly contentious presidency of the U.N. Security Council, and the war will still loom over Switzerland as it takes over the monthlong presidency Monday for the first time since becoming a full member of the United Nations in 2002.

Switzerlands U.N. Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl said at the traditional opening press conference that her country's approach has been to work for unity of the council's 15 members and to be a bridge builder. She conceded, nonetheless, that she expects some heated or polarized discussions.

Fireworks are almost certain during Switzerlands signature events, starting Wednesday with a session on how to ensure trust to sustain peace in the future and another on May 23 on protecting civilians in armed conflict.

The council is also highly likely to hold a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, she said, which is certain to pit Moscow against Kyivs allies.

Russia started its presidency by giving the spotlight to its commissioner of childrens rights, who is accused with President Vladimir Putin of war crimes for deporting Ukrainian children to Russia. Then, it went after the West by claiming it is violating international laws by arming Ukraine.

At its premiere event last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov defended his countrys military action and accused the U.S. and its allies of undercutting global diplomacy  the foundation of the United Nations ,which was created to prevent a third world war.

Envoys from the U.S. and several allies responded to the video briefing by Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian childrens rights commissioner, by walking out of the council chamber. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzias accusations about arming Ukraine drew a blistering response that Ukraine has every right to defend itself against Putins invading army.

And U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Western envoys berated Lavrov for violating the U.N. Charter by attacking Ukraine and occupying part of its territory.

Switzerland Ambassador Baeriswyl was among those who accused Russia of violating the U.N. Charter, saying Ukraines state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the prohibition of the use of force continue to be flouted by the military aggression of a permanent member of the Security Council against its neighbor.

The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly in alphabetical order of its 15 members.
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Swedens King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia began a three-day state visit to Estonia Tuesday  their first official visit to the former Soviet repubic in more than 30 years.

Estonian President Alar Karis and his wife welcomed the Swedish king and queen at Tallinns central Freedom Square with full military honors, and an enthusiastic crowd of adults and children alike waved the Estonian and Swedish flags.

The presidents office said the visit, to both Tallinn and the second city of Tartu, underscores the close friendship between Estonia and Sweden, all the more so given that it is taking place during the 50th anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustafs accession to the throne.

The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  all former Soviet republics that are members of the European Union and NATO  are Swedens neighbors across the Baltic Sea and have close business and political ties with Stockholm. Estonia also has historical links to Sweden, as the small nation of 1.3 million was a province of the Swedish Empire in the 17th and early 18th centuries.

The last time King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia paid a state visit to Estonia was in 1992, a year after the Baltic nation regained in its independence after nearly fifty years of Soviet rule.

The royal visit will focus on boosting cooperation between the two countries in the security and defense sectors, economy and in the field of education, research and innovation, the Estonian presidents office said.

King Carl XVI Gustaf ascended the throne on Sept. 15, 1973, and is Sweden's longest reigning monarch. In early June, the king will mark his 50 years on the throne with extensive celebrations.
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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 40,177 active Covid cases on 3 May, part of a steady seven-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 latest update from 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 11.7 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.
Unions representing more than one million NHS workers have voted to accept a 5 per cent pay rise from the government following months of strikes.

Healthcare staff covered by 14 unions will be given the raise for 2023-24, along with two one-off payments for last year, after the majority voted in favour of the deal at the NHS staff council today.

Unison and the GMB, which represent ambulance staff and other healthcare workers, were key organisations to sway the vote after their members voted last month to accept.
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A former BBC director-general has called on the Government to overhaul its public appointments process after the resignation of BBC chairman Richard Sharp.

Mr Sharp quit after an inquiry by Adam Heppinstall KC found he had breached the rules on public appointments by failing to declare his connection to a 800,000 loan made to Boris Johnson.

The investigation also found that Mr Johnson, while prime minister, had personally approved Mr Sharps appointment and that individuals running the recruitment process had been informed that he was the only candidate the Government would support.

Former director-general of the BBC, Lord Birt, told the House of Lords that the report was shocking and called on the Government to address the flaws in its process.

The independent crossbench peer said: This episode will not damage the BBC  its been around 100 years, its a wonderful institution, it will quickly ride through this sorry affair.

The damage that has been done is to the Governments own process for making public appointments and the Heppinstall report is a truly shocking read.

Will the Government now overhaul the process for making public appointments?

Lord Vaizey of Didcot, a Tory former minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), said he thought Mr Sharp was an excellent chair of the BBC who has been extremely harshly treated, condemning a now-pulled cartoon in The Guardian, which has been branded antisemitic.

However, the Times Radio presenter agreed that one of the things that is very clear from this report and something we all knew at the time is who the Governments favoured candidate was for the position.

And I think this does a disservice to the Government because it prevents excellent candidates putting themselves forward and giving the Government a genuine choice.

The minister must know that the Government should have a much more open process with the appointment for the next chair of the BBC.

Former political adviser at Number 10 Lord McNally told peers that Downing Street trying to interfere with public appointments is nothing new.

The now-Liberal Democrat peer was appointed the head of the prime ministers political office at Downing Street when James Callaghan succeeded Harold Wilson in 1976.

He said: Nothing the minister has said so far can give us any confidence that the process is not going to still be influenced by Number 10 Downing street.

And therefore is it now absolutely imperative that a system of selection is produced that makes it clear that whoevers the incumbent of Number 10, they will not have improper or undue influence on this appointment.

I say this as someone who was once head of the political office in Number 10, so I know how, under successive governments, there is a desire to interfere.

And the Government has an opportunity now to create a really transparent open system, but its got to have the will to do it as well.

DCMS minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay responded that there are some lessons to be learned from the report.

He said: Mr Heppinstalls report concluded that overall DCMS officials conducted a good and thorough process.

There are some lessons from his report and we will carefully consider the findings and respond in due course.

He added: The process for appointing the chair of the BBC is set out in the BBCs royal charter.

It requires an appointment to be made by Order in Council following a fair and open competition; by convention, the Secretary State for Culture, Media and Sport recommends the appointment to the Lord President of the Council and the Prime Minister who recommends the appointment to His Majesty the King.

It is important that the process is followed and all public appointments are set out and followed in accordance with the Governments code.

The minister added that he agreed with Lord Vaizey about the brilliant work done by Mr Sharp at the BBC, and branded The Guardians cartoon deplorable.

He then acknowledged: The Adam Heppinstall report rightly points to the impact that the publication of candidates names in the media can have on the public appointments process, we echo the concerns he has raised there.

The process to appoint a new permanent chairman will be run in a robust and fair and open manner in accordance with the Governments code.

Former chancellor of the exchequer Lord Clarke of Nottingham added that the process should be changed to make sure those involved in making recommendations or the eventual choice in BBC chair must make sure potential conflicts of interests are made known to them.

However, Lord Parkinson responded that Mr Heppinstalls report makes it clear that the governance code puts the obligation to make the disclosure on the candidate.
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The principal at a primary school in West Virginia was given a shock when a bear leapt out of the bin he was unlocking.

James Marsh, 58, head of Zela Elementary School, ran for his life when a sizeable bear emerged from the bin he was standing by at around 7.15am on Monday.

Mr Marsh can be seen in the video unlocking the bin before a bear pokes its head out from under the lid, with the principal running one way while the bear leaps out and scarpers in the opposite direction.

It was not how I planned to start my week at all! Mr Marsh told the PA news agency.

Apparently he came in over the weekend and unknown to me had climbed in there.

I was unlocking the bar so we could put trash in the dumpster for the day and I just never dreamed that there would be anything inside it, especially with it locked.

So, as you can tell, it was a complete surprise. It was amazing that I never heard anything, there was no noise inside, I had several staff members that had come to work that morning and walked right beside the dumpster on the way into the building.

All of a sudden it let out a big growl and came out of there, and it scared me!

Mr Marsh said a bear had visited in the night around a week before, prompting the school to install a lock bar on the bin to protect it.

The bear was undeterred though. Having checked surveillance video after his ursine encounter, Mr Marsh confirmed it had bent the metal bar enough to squeeze in and out several times over the weekend.

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources has since modified the lid to make it more secure.

I showed (the video) to my students at lunchtime, we put it on the big television and they watched it and they just laughed and laughed and laughed, said Mr Marsh.

I love wildlife, I love animals, but I would rather they not be that close.
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Many British nationals arriving on evacuation flights from Sudan have had their lives turned upside down by the conflict in the African nation, a charity has said.

More evacuees arrived at Birmingham Airport at 4.58pm on Tuesday, on what had been thought to be the last Government-arranged flight.

The Government later said more flights would leave Port Sudan on Wednesday.

Some 2,341 people have been evacuated by the Government from Sudan on 28 flights since fighting began three weeks ago.

Many are returning home from a holiday after Ramadan or staying with family but there are also people whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict and have nowhere to go Madeline Farrar, British Red Cross

Madeline Farrar, emergency response operations manager at the British Red Cross who was at Birmingham Airport to greet evacuees on Tuesday evening, said: The people weve been greeting in Birmingham are genuinely relieved and happy to be here.

Many are returning home from a holiday after Ramadan or staying with family but there are also people whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict and have nowhere to go.

Our trained volunteers have been on the ground providing practical and emotional support for peoples immediate needs as soon as flights land, including checking if people need something to eat or drink or a friendly listening ear to talk about any worries they may have.

Our dedicated team are also helping with practical things like making phone calls and connecting people online, getting hold of advice, medication and offering short-term cash support.

We have been working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, RE:Act, Islamic relief and St John Ambulance as part of a multi-agency response, delivering crucial support to people in crisis.

The flight, organised by the RAF, was one of nearly 30 which have carried more than 2,000 people out of the war-torn country, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), many of which have landed at London Stansted Airport.

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: Birmingham Airport is supporting Sudanese evacuation flights arranged by the UK Government.

Together with local partner agencies, we will be offering support to passengers who need it.

The RAF has also helped more than 1,000 nationals from over 20 other countries, including the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Norway, with the UKs evacuation effort being the longest and largest of any western nation, according to the FCDO.

Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told GB News that the conflict in Sudan was not over yet and there would still be a UK military and Government presence in the country to assist British nationals, with warship HMS Lancaster off the coast.

He said: There is still an ongoing humanitarian situation, we still have a presence at Port Sudan, both a military presence and a number of other Government officials, to help British nationals and their dependants leave the country.

We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals, because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile, and it is still dangerous.
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed to death by a stranger in broad daylight in south London.

Police launched an urgent investigation after the bank holiday Monday horror attack shortly after 4pm on Stockwell Park Walk, Brixton, near the music venue the O2 Academy.

A Met Police spokesperson said the victim, 31, whose identity has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family has been informed.

On Tuesday, police confirmed a 33-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of her murder and is in police custody.

Have you been affected by this story? If so, email thomas.kingsley@independent.co.uk

The force said investigations so far and a review of CCTV in the area suggest the woman was walking along Stockwell Park Road when she was attacked by a man from behind.

There is nothing to suggest the attacker and the victim knew each other.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Lambeth, said: "This is a shocking attack and my thoughts are with the womans family and friends as they come to terms with this awful news. We will do everything we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time.

"I recognise the considerable concern this incident has caused and Id like to reassure you that a dedicated team of detectives are carrying out a number of enquiries and have made an arrest.

"Despite this, we have additional officers in the area to respond to any concerns from members of the community and I would ask people to report any suspicious activity to us."

Formal identification is yet to take place and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

Police have taped off the area where the stabbing happened, while a blue tent has been erected.

Natasha Jordan, who works at Live True London on Brixton Road, told the Evening Standard: There were loads of police cars and ambulances that came.

Loads of police were walking up and down the road because theres a police station right near here.

Any witnesses are asked to call 101 quoting CAD 4728/01May. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
New York State Police are urging the public to be aware of a computer scam occurring in the region covered by Canandaigua-based Troop E, which includes Cayuga County.

When logging on to a computer, some people are finding a message that states to contact Microsoft due to a virus. The victim then contacts the phone number provided and speaks with a person who identifies themselves as a representative of Microsofts Security Office. The victim is then told their bank account information has been compromised.

In a news release, police are advising anyone who receives such a call to not provide any personal information, because your personal information can be used to steal your identity and commit fraud.

Police additionally offer the following tips to protect against various scams, many of which are carried out over the phone:

 Take a pause. Scammers create a sense of urgency to prey on victims emotions and their love for family members.

 Verify any supposed emergency by calling friends and family before sending money. This is especially important if a potential victim has been warned not to do so by the caller.

 If the caller purports to be a bail bondsperson, ask where the relative is being held and contact the facility directly.

 If the caller purports to be a law enforcement officer, get the exact agency name, hang up, and call that department directly.

 Be suspicious of anyone who calls unexpectedly asking to be sent money.

 Never send cash through the mail.

 Never purchase pre-paid debit cards or gift cards for the purpose of transferring money.

 Develop a secret code or password with family members that can be used to verify the identity of family members over the phone.

 Ask a question that only the real family member would know the answer to, such as what was the name of your first pet?

 Set Facebook and other social media settings to private to limit information available to scammers, such as the names of relatives.
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Two university students charged with murdering a 19-year-old marketing student have been told they will face trial in October.

Ogechi Eke and Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, both aged 19 and from London, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday charged with murdering Kwabena Osei-Poku, who was stabbed near the University of Northamptons campus on April 23.

The university has confirmed both defendants and two other people charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice have been suspended from their courses pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Mr Osei-Poku, originally from Peterborough, was studying on an advertising and digital marketing course.

Police said he died at the scene after being stabbed in New South Bridge Road, Northampton, following an incident which started on the university campus.

Eke and Lebaga-Idubor spoke only to confirm their names during a five-minute appearance before Judge Rupert Mayo.

Adjourning the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing, Judge Mayo told the men: Your trial will take place in October but before then there needs to be another formal hearing at this court, which will take place on the 12th of June, when you will both attend.

In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.

Lebaga-Idubor, of Ice House Court, Abbey Road, Barking, and Eke, of Brimsdown Avenue, Enfield, are charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

They were told their trial will begin on October 2 and is expected to last for around ten days.

In a statement issued last Friday, University of Northampton vice chancellor Anne-Marie Kilday extended her gratitude to our community and neighbours for their resilience during such an unprecedented, difficult time.

Following the charges brought against these individuals we will continue to closely support staff and students while assisting officers with their inquiries, she added.
 Close Police search home of Lucy Letby after eight babies murdered at Countess of Chester Hospital

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A nurse accused of killing seven babies and attempting to murder 10 infants has taken the stand for the first time.

Lucy Letby, 32, is giving evidence at Manchester Crown Court where she faces allegations of killing seven babies and attempting to murder 10 infants at the Countess of Chester Hospitals neonatal unit.

The nurse broke down in tears in the witness box after being asked how shes coping with her situation.

She has also been questioned about a Post-it note found in her home with the message I am evil, I did this.

Defence barrister Ben Meyers KC asked about a part of the note which reads Im not good enough, Letby says that was the overwhelming thought I had about myself at the time, that I wasnt good enough.

Had you actually done anything wrong to hurt any babies? Mr Meyers asks. She replied No.

Letby denies all the allegations against her.
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Police have launched an appeal after a man allegedly performed sex acts in front of two women while pretending to be asleep on the London Underground.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are investigating two incidents of indecent exposure believed to involve the same man, which both occurred on the night of 23 December last year.

The first saw a woman board the northbound Northern Line at Tuffnell Park at 9.40pm. She sat down opposite a man who appeared to be sleeping.

When she looked across at him, she noticed the man was not actually asleep and was performing a sex act on himself, police said. The woman then quickly moved to another carriage.

The force believes the man left the train at East Finchley.

A BTP spokesperson added: "Later that evening, at about 10pm, a second woman boarded the northbound Northern Line at Leicester Square and took a seat.

"At Camden, the same man from earlier that evening boarded the train and sat opposite her. It looked as if the man was once again asleep but when the woman looked over, the man had indecently exposed himself.

"On this occasion, the woman verbally confronted the man and he then left the train at West Finchley.

"Officers believe the man in the CCTV image may have information which could help their investigation."

The force is urging anyone who recognises the man to come forward (British Transport Police)

The force has urged anyone who might recognise him, or who has any information, to contact them by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2200133485.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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The parents of murdered pregnant primary school teacher Marelle Sturrock have said they are devastated by the death of the happiest person you could ever meet and their unborn grandson.

Police launched a murder investigation after the body of Ms Sturrock, 35, was found at her home in Jura Street, Glasgow, on Tuesday 25 April.

She was 29 weeks pregnant and her unborn baby, Jayden Sturrock, did not survive.

Marelle Sturrock was 29 weeks pregnant and her unborn baby, Jayden Sturrock, did not survive (Facebook)

The body of her partner David Yates, who police had been seeking in connection with her death, was found on Thursday after searches of Mugdock reservoir, north of Glasgow.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, Ms Sturrocks parents Colin and Lorna Sturrock said: We are devastated following the deaths of our daughter, Marelle, and soon-to-be grandson, Jayden Sturrock.

Marelle was the happiest person you could ever meet and was always looking to help others the best she could.

Marelle and her partner doted on each other and this incident has come as a total shock to all who knew her.

Marelle Sturrock with her partner David Yates, who was found dead last week after police launched a manhunt to find him in connection with her death (Facebook)

We would like to thank family and friends, colleagues at Sandwood Primary School, Police Scotland officers, both in the Highlands and Glasgow, for their efforts and comforting support following our tragic event.

Our family would like everyone, including the press, to respect our privacy at this very sad and difficult time.

Ms Sturrock, from Wick, Caithness, moved to Glasgow aged 17 to pursue a career in the performing arts. She later became a primary school teacher after completing her postgraduate diploma in education.

At the time of her death, Ms Sturrock was teaching at Sandwood Primary in Glasgow where she had worked for six years. Headteacher Fiona Donnelly paid tribute to her former colleague, describing her as a lovely person who was the schools music champion.

Marelle was the happiest person you could ever meet and was always looking to help others the best she could, said her parents (PA Media)

We will all miss her so much. She was a lovely, kind, diligent and considerate person who loved and made time for everyone, Ms Donnelly said.

Marelle used her artistic talents across the school and was our music champion who has been a key player in the success of our school choirs, with one of her classes going to see her on stage at The Kings Theatre in one of her many acting roles outside of school.

Parents were informed of the death in a letter last Wednesday, and educational psychologists have been on hand to support pupils where needed. Many have expressed their shock, recounting their memories of Ms Sturrocks kind nature.

Police divers at the scene at Mugdock Country Park, East Dunbartonshire, as police searched for Marelle Sturrocks partner David Yates (PA)

She treated the kids like her own  she made them have confidence within themselves, one parent told Sky News. Its really tragic that shes never going to be a mum herself.
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Nurses in England are striking in their latest walkout over an ongoing pay dispute with the government.

Services across England were braced for exceptionally low staffing as part of the biggest walkout yet over the bank holiday.

In an interview with the Independent over the weekend, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary Pat Cullen warned the government could face years of strikes by nurses if it did not find a way through the strikes.

Healthcare workers hold placards as they demonstrate outside St Thomas' Hospital in London (AFP via Getty Images)

The strike comes after a High Court judge ruled it would be unlawful for the industrial action to continue into Tuesday 2 May as originally planned.

However, Ms Cullen said this morning that striking nurses will return to help patients if emergencies arise.

She told ITVs Good Morning Britain: Our nurses will continue to work today to ensure our patients are kept safe, and those nurses that are on the picket lines losing a days pay, should there be other emergencies that arise during that period, I wont even have to ask those nurses to return to work, they will return at their own volition.

They dont turn their back on patients, they will continue to do what they need to do.

Urging the public to use NHS services wisely, NHS England asked those who need non-urgent care to go to pharmacies or dial 111 as their first port of call.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary Pat Cullen warned strikes could go on for years if pay is not raised (EPA)

Here is the list of employers where strike action will be taking place:

East Midlands

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB

NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Eastern

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB

NHS Mid and South Essex ICB

NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB

NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

London

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust

Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

NHS North Central London ICB

NHS South West London ICB

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

St Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

North West

Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool Womens NHS Foundation Trust

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

Northern

Country Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS)

North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

South East

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

NHS Kent and Medway ICB

NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

South East Coast Ambulance Service

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Solent NHS Trust

South Central Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

South West

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

NHS Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB

NHS Devon ICB (One Devon)

NHS Dorset ICB (One Dorset)

NHS Gloucestershire ICB (One Gloucestershire)

North Bristol NHS Trust

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

West Midlands

Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust

Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Midlands and Lancashire CSU

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB (BSol ICB)

NHS Black Country ICB

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Yorkshire and the Humber

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

NHS North West Yorkshire ICB

Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust

Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

National employers
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Extra evacuation flights to rescue British nationals stranded in Sudan have been announced by the UK government.

Any Britons left in the war-torn country have been told to leave through Port Sudan on the countrys east coast, which has become a hub for several foreign countries organising evacuations, or via land borders into neighbouring countries.

Additional flights will depart from Port Sudan on 3 May, the UK government confirmed in a statement issued via Twitter on Tuesday evening.

Personnel from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) prepare aid kits for Sudanese refugees from the Tandelti area who crossed into Chad, in Koufroun, near Echbara, on April 30, 2023 (AFP/Getty)

British nationals still wishing to leave the country should go to the Coral Hotel in Port Sudan by 10:00 Sudan time tomorrow. No further flights will leave from Port Sudan.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly further tweeted: After the successful evacuation of 2341 people on 28 flights, the last UK flight is expected to leave Port Sudan tomorrow.

Those looking to flee the nation were previously told by the Foreign Office that they had until 11am on Monday to reach the city to be within a chance of boarding one of two final flights.

According to flight tracking websites, a Hercules plane left the airport at 6.43pm local time on Monday. An Airbus Atlas aircraft was scheduled to depart at 10.10pm local time.

The evacuees from the later flight arrived at Birmingham Airport at 4.58pm on Tuesday after a four-hour and 40-minute flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, greeted by members of the British Red Cross.

The RAF has helped an additional 1,000 nationals from over 20 other countries, including the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Norway, with the UKs evacuation effort being the longest and largest of any western nation, according to the FCDO.

Tens of thousands of people have fled or been evacuated from the African nation since fighting erupted three weeks ago, turning the capital Khartoum and a neighbouring city, Omdurman, into a battlefield.

Sudans military, led by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, is fighting a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, both of whom have powerful foreign backers.

The two generals were allies in a military coup which took over the country in October 2021 and halted the countrys move to establish a democratic government. The current conflict is the culmination of months of increasing tension between the two groups.

Despite a three-day extension to a ceasefire being agreed on Sunday, hundreds are believed to have been killed in the fighting.
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The British mission in Sudan is not over yet despite the end of the evacuation airlift, the Foreign Secretary said.

James Cleverly said the situation remained dangerous and officials were still in Port Sudan to help Britons seeking to leave the country.

The final evacuation flights left Sudan on Monday for Cyprus, with anyone seeking to leave now relying on making their own way to safety through Port Sudan or at land borders into neighbouring countries.

According to UK Government figures, as of Monday at 5.30pm, the number of people repatriated from the war-torn African nation by Britains armed forces stood at 2,197.

Mr Cleverly told GB News: There is still an ongoing humanitarian situation, we still have a presence at Port Sudan, both a military presence and a number of other government officials to help British nationals and their dependents leave the country.

He added: We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals, because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile, and it is still dangerous.

As well as officials and military personnel in Port Sudan, HMS Lancaster is off the coast to support them.

Mr Cleverly said the evacuation from Sudan would have a significant cost to taxpayers.

But he told LBC Radio: What we have found increasingly now, as people use those land routes to Port Sudan, in many instances they are less in need of an air evacuation from Sudan itself.

There are a number of options available from Port Sudan, including a ferry across to Saudi Arabia.

He added: At the moment we have a warship just off the coast of Port Sudan, we have a cross-Whitehall team of officials in Port Sudan to help British nationals leave the country.

We can scale that up, or indeed scale that down, according to circumstances.

The international focus is shifting to preventing a wider humanitarian catastrophe in the region and Mr Cleverly warned that any further fighting would hamper relief efforts.

The United Nations said Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan and his rival General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed to send representatives to the negotiation table in a bid to establish a more stable truce.

Generals Burhan and Dagalo, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudans fraught transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.

Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4s Today: Where there is live conflict, our ability to provide humanitarian support is massively degraded.

He added: We have given aid to Sudan, we are giving support to countries in the region, we will continue to push for an extension of the ceasefire and a permanent end to the conflict because that is the best way to maximise the effectiveness of our humanitarian support.
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James Cleverly said he expects to meet Chinas vice-president when he visits the UK for the Kings coronation.

Han Zheng, who has been blamed for overseeing a crackdown on freedom in Hong Kong, was recently appointed as president Xi Jinpings deputy and is set to represent China at the event.

The Foreign Secretary indicated he will raise issues including Hong Kong and human rights abuses in Xinjiang province and stressed that engagement does not mean agreement with China.

He said it would be counterproductive for the UK to gag itself by refusing to talk to Beijings representatives.

With the relationship with China, it is incredibly important that we continue to have conversations. To basically gag ourselves, to limit our own ability to exert influence, would be counterproductive James Cleverly

Asked if he will meet the Chinese vice-president, Mr Cleverly said: I suspect that I will. And when I do, I will discuss a whole range of things just as I do when I meet other Chinese officials, including those areas where we have points of criticism.

When officials from the UK and China engage, Mr Cleverly said he always takes the opportunity to ensure the Chinese government understand our views on a range of issues, including those issues where we feel strongly their behaviour is inappropriate, like, for example, their failure to abide by the commitments in Hong Kong or by the treatment of the Uighur minority in Xinjiang and others.

The coronation is expected to see large numbers of world leaders and other senior figures gather in London, providing an opportunity for diplomatic networking by Mr Cleverly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and officials.

But senior Tories including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith have strongly criticised the invitation for Mr Han.

Sir Iain said it was outrageous to invite the man responsible for trashing the international treaty on Hong Kong.

Defending the Governments approach, Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4s Today: I think people need to understand that engagement doesnt mean agreement.

Because the simple fact is countries all around the world have got to have conversations with other countries. Sometimes those conversations are very collaborative, with our close friends and allies, sometimes they are much more about what we disagree on.

With the relationship with China, it is incredibly important that we continue to have conversations.

To basically gag ourselves, to limit our own ability to exert influence, would be counterproductive.

Mr Han led Hong Kong affairs for Beijing between 2018 and March this year, during which time it imposed the national security law after mass protests in the city, stifling opposition and criminalising dissent.

The move strained relations with the UK and led to the creation of a visa scheme allowing Hong Kongers to come to Britain.

Beijing was represented by Mr Hans predecessor, Wang Qishan, at the Queens funeral.

The UK says China remains in breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, under which it has a duty to uphold Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.

Hong Kong was handed over from the UK to China in 1997 with a promise by Beijing to keep western-style liberties under a one country, two systems framework.

Downing Street acknowledged there were strong feelings from MPs about the Beijing government but the Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters in Westminster: As the Foreign Secretary has said, we need to be clear-eyed about how we approach China, it would be wrong to exclude them completely given their significance to the global economy and on things like tackling climate change.

Preparations are being stepped up across Whitehall for the coronation and the diplomatic opportunities it presents.

The Prime Ministers spokesman said: The public would expect, whilst a significant number of world leaders are in the UK, it is right to ensure that we are meeting with them to further the UKs interests.

At Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said the coronation would be a wonderful occasion for the nation, which would balance pageantry, history and the role of the King at the centre of the United Kingdom, according to a Downing Street summary.
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The majority of schools in England were forced to shut their doors to some pupils as tens of thousands of teachers went on strike, data suggests.

More than half of state schools in England restricted access to pupils or were fully closed during walkouts by teacher members of the National Education Union (NEU), according to Department for Education (DfE) data.

Pupils and parents faced more disruption on Tuesday as teachers returned to picket lines in the latest strike in a long-running pay row.

The DfE said 50% of the 16,400 state schools in England known about were open but restricting attendance on Tuesday and 5% were closed.

On Thursday last week  when NEU teacher members also walked out  47% of the 16,100 state schools in England known about were open but restricting attendance and 5% were closed.

Picket lines were mounted outside schools on Tuesday and hundreds of striking teachers marched in Westminster before taking part in a rally outside Downing Street.

Outside the DfE, which is overseen by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, teachers turned their backs to the building and raised their fists as they chanted Come on Gill, pay the bill.

The latest DfE data showed London was the most affected region of the country, with 18% of state schools fully open on Tuesday.

Four unions representing teachers and school leaders said they could co-ordinate any future industrial action in England in the autumn after members voted to reject the Governments pay offer.

For unions to co-ordinate strike action with the aim of causing maximum disruption to schools is unreasonable and disproportionate, especially given the impact the pandemic has already had on students learning Department for Education

The Government offered teachers a 1,000 one-off payment for the current school year (2022/23) and an average 4.5% rise for staff next year after intensive talks with the education unions.

The NEUs executive is due to meet this month to decide whether to approve three more strike days in late June or early July.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said the strike dates in the summer term are very likely to go ahead.

Speaking at a picket line outside City and Islington College in north London, Mr Courtney told the PA news agency: At that stage that would be just the NEU. All the unions are balloting, we are re-balloting, but the timescales that that will lead to will be the autumn term.

But we want the Government to settle this before the autumn term, so we want to maintain pressure on the Government before the autumn term.

Currently only the NEU has a mandate to take strike action and it plans to re-ballot its teacher members in England to take further action in the autumn.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the NASUWT  which both failed to meet the mandatory 50% turnout threshold required for strikes in England in their last ballots  will re-ballot members.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is due to hold a formal ballot for national strikes in England for the first time.

Addressing teachers at the rally in central London, Mr Courtney said: The Government has united the teaching profession as never before and we are going to win.

The decision on teachers pay in England for next year has been passed to the School Teachers Review Body (STRB).

A DfE spokesperson said: For unions to co-ordinate strike action with the aim of causing maximum disruption to schools is unreasonable and disproportionate, especially given the impact the pandemic has already had on students learning.

Childrens education has always been our absolute priority and they should be in classrooms where they belong.

We have made a fair and reasonable teacher pay offer to the unions, which recognises teachers hard work and commitment as well as delivering at additional 2 billion in funding for schools, which they asked for.
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The King has been described as a proven friend of Northern Ireland during a cathedral service ahead of his coronation.

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and the Catholic Archbishop of Ireland Eamon Martin were among the congregation at the Church of Irelands historic St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh city on Tuesday evening.

US consul-general Paul Narain and Mark Hanniffy, Irish joint secretary of the North/South Ministerial Council, were also at the service before Charless coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

The cathedral choir sang a number of pieces of music performed at previous coronation services, including Handels Zadok the Priest.

Mr Martin, who is to attend the coronation, gave a Bible reading before the sermon by Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell.

Mr McDowell is set to present the Sovereigns Orb during the coronation service at Westminster Abbey, the first time this part of the ceremony has been undertaken by anyone other than the Archbishop of Canterbury

During his address Mr McDowell will have the prayers of all the people of Northern Ireland in my heart.

He told the congregation the King has shown himself to be a friend of Northern Ireland.

He added: Indeed a friend of Ireland North and South  with a very detailed knowledge of our affairs, and more importantly, we have a place close to his heart.

Mr McDowell said Charles has an advantage over many of his predecessors in his incomparable experience of working with an enormous array of people from every nation under the sun, adding the familiarity that comes from working with people over a long period of time is a priceless gift in terms of discipleship and a practical monarchy.

The service concluded with the National Anthem and a collection was taken to support the work of Southern Area Hospice Services.

Speaking before the service, Archbishop Martin said he was pleased to attend to represent the Catholic community, and offer prayers and thoughts for the King on Saturday.

Im also very privileged to be able to attend the coronation myself, along with the other church leaders from the island of Ireland, its a very special moment, he said.

We were at the time of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeths funeral and so to return on Saturday on a much happier occasion is a wonderful privilege.

The new King himself said just before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth that he wants to be someone who represents the diversity of faiths and indeed who represents people of no faith, and all traditions on these islands.
Local scouting troops honor William H. Seward, the former New York State governor and Secretary of State to Abraham Lincoln, at the 76th annual Seward Day ceremony at Seward Park. The scouts also recognize Seward Day's founder and life long scouter, Harold J. Short. In 1947, Short decided that the scouting community should do something positive, peaceful and patriotic that would be in contrast to the May Day military celebrations held in the Soviet Union.
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The future of Britains top civil servant is under the spotlight after claims the service is demoralised and badly led. Sir Anthony Seldon, a leading political historian, has called for cabinet secretary Simon Case to resign, saying he no longer has the authority or experience to renew the civil service after a period of turmoil.

Mr Case was already under pressure after his personal views towards Partygate investigator Sue Gray were thought to be behind the delay of her appointment as Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff, even before the events of Tuesday and the pause of the government inquiry into her appointment.

Describing the civil service as a team without a captain, Sir Anthony told The Times: With great sadness, because Case has been an exceptional public servant, I have concluded that the time has come to release him for a fresh leader charged with guiding, modernising and reforming the civil service, and providing renewed grip as cabinet secretary.

The former Tory health minister Lord Bethell hit back at Sir Anthonys comment, saying that criticism of the cabinet secretary is coming from fed up sources.

He told Times Radio: I just dont recognise a lot of the stories that have been told, they seem very one-sided. It seems like a lot of them come from the same people who were fed up with the civil servants at the heart of the Boris administration. Theres a lot of friction in them.

Simon Case is not the typical candidate for the job, but he is a very, very emollient player who is good at smoothing over problems. He has some real strengths, and this hatchet job of trying to get him out. I dont know. It doesnt sit right with me.

Lord Bethell added that Mr Case is being treated as a scapegoat for failures in the civil service, which he said was unfair.

Pressure is mounting on Mr Case after his involvement in the Cash for Boris row which led to the resignation of BBC chairman Richard Sharp last week.

He came under fire for failing to take notes or bring anybody to a meeting with Mr Sharp in December 2020 at which Mr Johnsons finances were discussed.

Mr Sharp told investigator Adam Heppinstall that he told Mr Case about his application to run the BBC and that he presumed the cabinet secretary would note any potential conflict of interests.

He was thought to be considering quitting in March after some of his private WhatsApp messages were made public by the journalist Isabel Oakeshott. In one exchange Mr Case suggested it was hilarious that travellers were being locked up in quarantine hotels.

And the cabinet secretary, appointed by Boris Johnson in September 2020, has also become embroiled in the row over Ms Grays planned switch from high-ranking Whitehall position to the Labour leaders chief of staff. Mr Case has been accused of pursuing a vendetta against Ms Gray.

Simon Case at a cabinet meeting during the reign of Boris Johnson (PA)

The Times has also been told by senior Whitehall officials that Mr Case is not the right person to run the civil service, with others calling for a fresh start.

On Tuesday foreign secretary James Cleverly also defended the cabinet secretary, saying he has always found Mr Case very thoughtful and very professional.

Mr Cleverly told Sky News: It is the prime ministers appointment and the only person who Simon needs to have the confidence of is the prime minister.

The Cabinet Office, meanwhile, said the government has an ambitious plan to reform the civil service and Mr Case is focused on the job.

A spokesperson said: The cabinet secretary is focused on leading the civil service to deliver on this plan and the governments priorities.

Downing Street also said Rishi Sunak had full confidence in Mr Case. The spokesperson said: This is a process that is being carried out by the Cabinet Office, not by one single individual.

Of course, the cabinet secretary is focused on delivering the prime ministers priorities. You heard the prime minister speak quite recently about his regard for the cabinet secretary. The cabinet secretary is closely involved in all the prime ministers priorities, particularly on small boats, and that work continues even this week.
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Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he had no discussions whatsoever with Sue Gray while she was probing Partygate last year.

The Labour leader is braced for an update on a Cabinet Office probe into his appointment of Ms Gray as his chief of staff in March.

A statement in Parliament today will give more information on the circumstances around Ms Gray resigning from a senior role in Whitehall to take the top Labour job.

It will suggest Ms Gray was in talks with Sir Keir about the job while working for the team advising the Commons Partygate probe, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Foreign secretary James Cleverly said such a finding would raise serious questions for Sir Keir.

Mr Cleverly said the report is independent and said he has not seen the detail. But responding to the claim, he told Sky News: If that is what the report says, I do think Keir Starmer has got some serious questions to answer.

But Sir Keir has insisted he had no discussions with Ms Gray while she was a civil servant investigating Boris Johnson and he was confident she had not broken any rules.

Firstly I had no discussions with her while she was investigating Boris Johnson whatsoever, I dont think anyone is suggesting thats the case, the Labour leader told BBC Breakfast ahead of the expected update today.

He went on: Im confident she hasnt broken any of the rules.

Whenever a senior civil servant leaves the Civil Service there is always a process that they have to go through, that is the process she is going through, quite rightly.

He added: The government is trying to resurrect a story about Sue Gray, maybe because they dont want to talk about the cost of living crisis, which actually is the thing that most people are most concerned about.

Labour has always denied that any approach was made while Ms Gray worked in the Cabinet Offices ethics unit that was corresponding with the committee over its investigation into Mr Johnson.

The Sue Gray report into gatherings at Downing Street during the Covid pandemic contributed to Mr Johnsons resignation as prime minister last year.

In March, it emerged Sir Keir had poached Ms Gray from the civil service to serve as his chief of staff, sparking uproar among Tory MPs .

As a result, the Cabinet Office is investigating whether her appointment undermined civil service impartiality. It is also considering other factors around her taking the job including whether she consulted the appointments watchdog beforehand and if she declared talks with Sir Keir as a conflict of interests.

Sue Gray resigned from the Civil Service in March after accepting a senior Labour Party position (PA Archive)

The findings are expected to feed into a ruling on how long Ms Gray should wait before joining Labour, by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba).

It comes a day after a former commissioner for public appointments, Peter Riddell, said that should be next year .

He told Times Radio that period of time would be reasonable.

He said: I think a substantial period is reasonable, mainly as an act of reassurance ... to ministers that their senior civil servants arent going to just be here today, gone tomorrow.

Labour has insisted that Ms Gray was approached last autumn, long after she completed her Partygate report in May. Mr Johnson was forced from office by his own MPs later that summer.

But supporters of Mr Johnson suggested he was the victim of a stitch-up when it emerged Ms Gray was leaving to work for Labour.

Labour denied that any approach was made while Ms Gray worked in the Cabinet Offices ethics unit that was corresponding with the committee over its investigation into Mr Johnson.

The propriety and ethics team handled requests from the Privileges Committee, reporting to minister for Cabinet Office, Jeremy Quin, a Labour source told PA.

Sue Gray was not working in that team.

Recommended Boris Johnson is using every element of the Trump playbook to undermine the Partygate committee

Sir Keir is thought to want Ms Gray in place to help ready his party for power should he win the next general election, which is widely expected to be held next year.
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The UKs aerial evacuation mission from Sudan is over with the passengers on the final repatriation flights expected to land in Britain within hours.

Two flights organised by the Royal Air Force (RAF) were expected to land in Cyprus late on Monday.

The evacuees, which include Sudanese doctors working for the NHS, were then expected be transported to the UK within 48 hours of landing at the Larnaca airbase, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.

According to UK Government figures, as of Monday at 5.30pm, the number of people repatriated from the war-torn African nation by Britains armed forces stood at 2,197.

The number of people who were on the last rescue flights, which left from Port Sudan, more than 500 miles east of the capital Khartoum, is expected to be announced by the Foreign Office on Tuesday.

While the UK Government said it expected no more flights to leave following the bank holiday airlifts, Royal Navy warship HMS Lancaster will remain in the Red Sea to support any further evacuation efforts from Sudan.

The UK has brought 2197 people to safety from Sudan so far  the largest airlift by any Western nation Foreign Secretary James Cleverly

Officials said the UKs focus would turn to the diplomatic and humanitarian response to the bloody conflict caused by a violent rivalry between two generals.

A fragile three-day ceasefire was holding together despite opposing troops clashing in Khartoum on Monday.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: With thanks to the extraordinary efforts of staff and military, the UK has brought 2,197 people to safety from Sudan so far  the largest airlift by any Western nation.

As the focus turns to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, we will continue to do all we can to press for a long-term ceasefire and an immediate end to the violence in Sudan.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: Yet again the men and women of our armed forces have led the way.

In one week, the RAF have flown more than 20 flights, deployed over a thousand personnel, evacuated over 2,000 civilians and helped citizens from more than 20 countries to get home.

HMS Lancaster will remain at Port Sudan and her crew will continue to help provide support.

In addition to British nationals, the UK helped evacuate 1,087 people from other nations, including the US, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Australia.

Following the final RAF repatriation flights, the FCDO said a UK team will continue to be based at Port Sudan to provide consular assistance, including to British nationals leaving by commercial routes.

There is hope in the West that an internationally-brokered ceasefire could be reached to quell the fighting.

The United Nations said the rival generals, Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed to send representatives to the negotiation table in a bid to establish a more stable truce.

Generals Burhan and Dagalo, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudans fraught transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.
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It is ludicrous to say Ukraines Nato membership is provocative to Russia and the UK Government should support an application from Kyiv, former prime minister Boris Johnson has said.

He told MPs the next meeting of Nato heads in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July will be an important test of the military alliances willingness to fulfil its long-standing promises to Ukraine.

He said Kyiv should be invited to make the necessary preparations to join as soon as possible for the sake of clarity and peace in Europe.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Natos position in regard to Ukraine is unambiguous and the invitation has been put out for Ukraine to join.

Mr Johnsons comments came during questions to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the Commons.

This summers Vilnius summit will be an important test of Natos willingness to fulfil its long-standing promises to Ukraine Boris Johnson

He said: This summers Vilnius summit will be an important test of Natos willingness to fulfil its long-standing promises to Ukraine.

Does he agree with me that its now ludicrous to say that Ukraines Nato membership might be in some way provocative to Russia, since (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has shown what he is willing to do when Ukraine is not a member of Nato and because Ukraine is not a member of Nato?

And does he agree that it should therefore be the policy of the Government that Ukraine should be invited to make the necessary preparations to join as soon as possible under the rules, for the sake of clarity and stability and peace in Europe?

Mr Cleverly paid tribute to the former PM for the leadership that he showed at a vital point in time, adding: Natos position in regard to Ukraine is unambiguous. The invitation has been put out for Ukraine to join Nato.

I think its incredibly important that that is not taken off the table.

Of course Russias aggression into Ukraine was the provocative action.

Ukraines desire to join Nato was an entirely understandable defensive posture because of that threat from the east.
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Fighting has erupted in Sudans capital city Khartoum and across the country this month as powerful rival military factions battle for control of the African nation and its future.

The sudden slide into violence between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stranded thousands of foreigners, including diplomats and aid workers in the country, with the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states among those closing embassies and racing to evacuate their nationals.

Follow our live blog for latest updates

More than 450 people have been killed in the conflict and another 4,000 wounded so far, according to the World Health Organisation.

A brief 72-hour ceasefire has been declared to allow for the evacuations to take place, with negotiations currently underway to extend its duration.

British families caught up in the fighting had initially accused the UK government of abandoning them, despite reassurances from prime minister Rishi Sunak and the Foreign Office that talks were underway to bring them home.

After the truce was agreed between the two factions, the UK was able to airlift 536 citizens to safety, with foreign secretary James Cleverly now urging British nationals who may be hesitant or weighing up their options to make their way to Wadi Seidna, where there are planes and capacity in place to get people out.

Alicia Kearns, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the number of British people hoping to be evacuated could total 3,000, 4,000 plus, adding that those on the ground were living in abject fear, had little food and water left and even been reduced to killing their pets in some cases because theyre worried theyre going to starve.

Whats going on in Sudan?

Tension had been building for months between Sudans army and the RSF, which together toppled a civilian government in an October 2021 coup.

The friction was brought to a head by an internationally-backed plan to launch a new transition with civilian parties. A final deal was due to be signed earlier in April, on the fourth anniversary of the overthrow of long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir in a popular uprising.

Both the army and the RSF were required to cede power under the plan and two issues proved particularly contentious: one was the timetable for the RSF to be integrated into the regular armed forces, the second was when the army would be formally placed under civilian oversight.

When fighting broke out on 15 April, both sides blamed the other for provoking the violence. The army accused the RSF of illegal mobilisation in preceding days and the RSF, as it moved on key strategic sites in Khartoum, said the army had tried to seize full power in a plot with Bashir loyalists.

Who is fighting who?

The protagonists in the power struggle are General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the army and leader of Sudans ruling council since 2019 and his deputy on the council, RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.

As the plan for a new transition developed, Hemedti alligned himself more closely with civilian parties from a coalition, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), that shared power with the military between Bashirs overthrow and the 2021 coup.

Smoke clouds the sky over Khartoum (Maheen S/AP)

Diplomats and analysts said this was part of a strategy by Hemedti to transform himself into a statesman. Both the FFC and Hemedti, who grew wealthy through gold mining and other ventures, stressed the need to sideline Islamist-leaning Bashir loyalists and veterans who had regained a foothold following the coup and have deep roots in the army.

Along with some pro-army rebel factions that benefited from a 2020 peace deal, the Bashir loyalists opposed the deal for a new transition.

Whats at stake?

The popular uprising had raised hopes that Sudan and its population of 46 million could emerge from decades of autocracy, internal conflict and economic isolation under Bashir.

Conflict could not only destroy those hopes but destabilise a volatile region bordering the Sahel, the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

It could also play into competition for influence in the region between Russia and the United States and between regional powers who have courted different actors in Sudan.

What about other countries?

Western powers including the US and the UK had swung behind a transition towards democratic elections following Bashirs overthrow. They suspended financial support following the coup, then backed the plan for a new transition and a civilian government.

Energy-rich powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition away from Bashirs rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and bolster stability in the region.

Gulf states have pursued investments in sectors including agriculture, where Sudan holds vast potential and ports on Sudans Red Sea coast.

British nationals remain trapped in Sudan as fighting continues (Marwan Ali/AP)

Russia has been seeking to build a naval base on the Red Sea, while several UAE companies have been signing up to invest, with one UAE consortium inking a preliminary deal to build and operate a port and another UAE-based airline agreeing with a Sudanese partner to create a new low-cost carrier based in Khartoum.

Burhan and Hemedti both developed close ties to Saudi Arabia after sending troops to participate in the Saudi-led operation in Yemen. Hemedti has struck up relations with other foreign powers including the UAE and Russia.

Egypt, itself ruled by military man President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who overthrew his Islamist predecessor, has deep ties to Burhan and the army and recently promoted a parallel track of political negotiations through parties with stronger links to the army and to Bashirs former government.

What could happen?

International parties have called for a ceasefire and a return to dialogue but there has been little sign of compromise from the warring factions.

The army has branded the RSF as a rebel force and demanded its dissolution, while Hemedti has called Burhan a criminal and blamed him for visiting destruction on the country.

Though Sudans army has superior resources including air power and the RSF expanded into a force estimated at 100,000 men that had deployed across Khartoum and its neighbouring cities as well as in other regions, raising the spectre of protracted conflict on top of a long-running economic crisis and existing, large-scale humanitarian needs.

The RSF can also draw on support and tribal ties in the western region of Darfur, where it emerged from the militias that fought alongside government forces to crush rebels in a brutal war that escalated after 2003.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Conflict has forced 100,000 people to flee Sudan as fighting creates a humanitarian crisis, UN officials said on Tuesday as gunfire and explosions echoed across the capital despite another ceasefire deal.

The three-week clash risks morphing into a broader disaster as Sudans impoverished neighbours deal with a refugee crunch and the fighting hampers aid deliveries in a nation where two-thirds of people already rely on some outside assistance.

UN refugee agency spokeswoman Olga Sarrado told reporters in Geneva that the 100,000 total included people from Sudan, citizens from South Sudan returning home, and people who were already refugees within Sudan fleeing the fighting. Refugees have also been fleeing over Sudan's border with Egypt in the north and Chad in the west.

Some 330,000 Sudanese citizens have also been displaced inside the countrys borders by the war, the UN said.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Monday it was resuming work in the safer parts of the country after a pause earlier in the conflict in which some WFP staff were killed. The risk is that this is not just going to be a Sudan crisis, its going to be a regional crisis, said Michael Dunford, the WFPs east Africa director.

Commanders of the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who previously shared power as part of an internationally backed transition towards free elections and civilian government show no sign of backing down, yet neither seem able to secure a quick victory. That has raised the spectre of a prolonged conflict that could draw in outside powers.

Hundreds have died in the fighting that pits the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. Each has blamed the other for the violation of a series of ceasefires.

Another truce  for seven days, starting on Thursday  has been agreed in principle and both sides will nominate representatives for peace talks, South Sudans foreign ministry said late on Tuesday, though it was unclear if it was any more likely to hold than previous efforts.

Port Sudan, where thousands of people have fled Khartoum seeking evacuation abroad, is the main entry point for aid for many countries in the region, the WFPs Mr Dunford told Reuters. Unless we stop the fighting, unless we stop now, the impact on a humanitarian scale is going to be massive, he said.

Kenya has offered the use of its airports and airstrips near the border with South Sudan as part of an international humanitarian effort, Kenyan foreign minister Alfred Mutua said.

Aid supplies that have arrived in Port Sudan for other aid agencies were still awaiting safe passage to Khartoum, a road journey of about 500 miles (800 km), although Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it had delivered some aid to Khartoum.

At the border with Egypt, where more than 40,000 people have crossed over the past two weeks, delays are causing refugees to wait for days before being let through after paying hundreds of dollars to make the journey north from Khartoum.

The UN warned on Monday that 800,000 people could eventually leave including refugees living in Sudan temporarily.

Foreign countries have carried out their own evacuation effort, with an airlift from outside the capital and long road convoys to Port Sudan where ships have ferried them abroad.

Most European countries have ended their evacuation efforts. Russia said on Tuesday that it had pulled out 200 of its citizens.

The army and RSF had shared power since a 2021 coup but had fallen out over the timeline for a transition to civilian rule and moves to merge the RSF into the regular military.

The two had fought side by side to battle an uprising in Darfur from 2003 onwards in which more than 300,000 people died, raising accusations of genocide.

Reuters
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British families are begging the government to reunite them with loved ones left behind in war-torn Sudan, after they were turned away from evacuation flights or faced trouble picking up travel documents.

Rishi Sunak has praised his government for the successful operation to evacuate British nationals who wished to leave, their dependents and other nationalities from Sudan. added that it was the largest and longest evacuation of any Western country and one that those involved can be proud of.

However British citizens and their MP say relatives are still stuck in the fighting and say repeated calls for them to be rescued have gone unanswered.

Mohamed, 27 a civil engineering student in Cardiff, said he now fears for the lives of his heavily pregnant Sudanese wife and unborn child, trapped and displaced in the capital Khartoum. Her family home was bombed at the start of the three-week conflict.

Manahil, 26, who is due to give birth next month, had been applying for a family reunion in the UK when fighting broke out between Sudans top two generals. She has yet to be granted an emergency visa to be with her husband, and cannot evacuate to neighbouring countries as her passport and documents are trapped in the British Embassy in Khartoum which is now empty, with staff having been evacuated.

Her home was bombed by a fighter jet, she is sleeping on a sofa of a relatives house, and Im terrified as there are no functioning hospitals near her, said Mohamed, who asked for his full name to be withheld for the safety of his wife on the ground.

The explosions and gunfire are happening all around her. Im scared she will go into labour early. He said the government hotlines were not working and no one has answered his desperate calls.

My wife doesnt even have access to her passport because it is with the British embassy.

Now the evacuation flights have ended she is crying every day. There is no way to get her out. There is no way to express how I feel

Now the evacuation flights have ended... There is no way to express how I feel Mohamed, 27 from Cardiff who pregnant wife is stuck in Khartoum

Anna McMorrin, Mohameds MP in Cardiff and Labours shadow justice minister, said the situation was desperate for several of her constituents. She urged the government to immediately work with third-party countries to get family members out of danger so their papers can be processed and they can get to the UK.

To leave a heavily-pregnant wife in the fighting is just horrific. This is an incredibly hostile response to people who are dependent on British families, she told The Independent likening the UKs response to failed efforts to airlift citizens from the Afghan capital Kabul after it fell to the Taliban in summer 2021.

This happened in Afghanistan where we couldnt repatriate people that were stuck and it is happening now in Sudan.

We should be stepping up and showing leadership as a country, she added.

A UK government spokesperson said: The UK has carried out by far the longest and largest evacuation of any Western country from Sudan, bringing 2,341 people out in under one week. It has always been the case that the evacuation has been open to British nationals and their eligible family members, with a later exemption for NHS clinicians.

Preventing a humanitarian emergency in Sudan is our focus right now. Alongside the UK evacuation effort, we are working with international partners and the United Nations to bring an end to fighting.

More than 500 civilians have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of people displaced since fighting erupted in April between the commanders of Sudans army and a rival paramilitary the Rapid Support Forces, who had previously shared power.

Both sides have blamed each other for repeated violations of a series of ceasefire. Khartoum has faced intense fighting, including repeated volleys of artillery and airstrikes. Although South Sudan announced on Tuesday afternoon that the warring factions had agreed in principle to a seven-day ceasefire starting from Thursday.

The final UK government evacuation flights were thought to have left Sudan on Monday for Cyprus, but the government announced that people should make their way to the Coral hotel in Port Sudan by 10am local time (9am BST) on Wednesday for a last evacuation flight, adding that there would be no further British flights from the city.

United States Sudan American Doctor (UK MOD  Crown copyright 2023)

But many will still not be able to make it to the evacuation point at Port Sudan in time for the deadline. It means those left in Sudan must now make their own way along the perilous road to Port Sudan or land borders with neighbouring countries.

Alaa, 29, a British teacher in Cardiff said her father Ahmed, 62 risked his life to get his daughter Sara and wife Nagla, to one evacuation point at a military airbase near Khartoum. When the family got there Sara, 23 and Nagla, 59  both British passport holders  were permitted to board the escape flight but the father had to stay behind.

After camping at the airbase for a night, the pharmacist and father-of-five was forced to return to Khartoum alone through gunfire and shelling, where he is now trapped.

He has no supplies because they had gave the food and water away before they left, thinking they wouldnt come back, said Alaa with desperation.

Yesterday they bombed a factory right next to the family home, we are scared for him.

She said the family was desperate.

Weve been told he has to go to Egypt and apply from there but that is a dangerous and long journey, he cannot do that at his age alone.

We had one chance, he was right there at the airport and now that chance is gone.

We had one chance, he was right there at the airport and now that chance is gone Alaa, a British teacher, whose father is trapped in Sudan

More than 100,000 people have been forced to flee the country via Egypt a border, which is hundreds of miles north of Khartoum.

Sudanese and foreign nationals who made the perilous journey described being shot at, shelled and robbed along the way.

At the border, they told The Independent there was no water or food supplies and the wait could be two or three days long.

Despite claims by the British authorities that dependents had been evacuated the reality on the ground is different, according to Ms McMorrin  who is set to raise the issue in parliament.

You have British family members being split up, they are being so strict about having a British passport, she said. Even husbands and wives are not given automatic rights.
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Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan both spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky in the months before Fox News fired Tucker Carlson, a major critic of the Ukrainian president, according to reports.

The 92-year-old News Corp executive chairman held an unreported call with Mr Zelensky earlier this spring, reported Semafor.

During the conversation, they reportedly discussed Ukraines conflict with Russia as well as the March 2022 deaths of Fox News Journalists Pierre Zakrzewski and Oleksandra Kuvshynova in the country.

Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2017 (Getty Images)

The outlet also reported that Lachlan Murdoch, the CEO of Fox Corporation, held his own call with Mr Zelensky on 15 March.

While Mr Zelensky reportedly did not speak about Mr Carlson during the calls, the right-wing host exited the station on 24 April days after Fox News agreed to pay $787.5m to Dominion Voting Systems over election lies made on the channel.

News of the calls caught the attention of conservatives, who heaped criticism on Fox News.

Conservative activist Lauren Witzke, wrote: Simply put: Tucker Carlson fired because he knew the truth about the war in Ukraine.

Simply put: Tucker Carlson fired because he knew the truth about the war in Ukraine. https://t.co/WTjFEyVMe6  Lauren Witzke (@LaurenWitzkeDE) May 1, 2023

And Brigitte Gabriel, who founded ACT For America, added: Fox News is fake news.

Fox News is fake news. https://t.co/CefybaByIW  Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) May 1, 2023

Mr Carlson regularly used his Fox News show to attack Mr Zelensky and the White House for providing billions of dollars in aid to fight back against Vladimir Putin.

He also criticised Mr Zelensky for wearing fatigues to the White House and said that he had dressed like the manager of a strip club.

The Washington Post reported in April that Rupert Murdoch had become tired of Mr Carlsons antics on his channel and was disturbed by his stance on Ukraine.

Mr Carlsons anti-Ukraine and seemingly pro-Kremlin position has made him a regular face on Russian state-controlled television.
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Police are investigating a break-in at the home where a Detroit neurosurgeon was found murdered.

Dr Devon Hoover, 53, was found dead at the home in the Boston-Edison area of the city on 23 April after police performed a welfare check.

Investigators say that the surgeon had been shot multiple times in the head and his body had been wrapped up in a blanket in a crawl space.

Dr Devon Hoover (WXYZ)

Now police say that an unknown suspect broke into the home, which was unoccupied, between Saturday 29 April and Sunday 30 April.

Officials have not said that the break-in was connected to the killing, which is still being investigated.

Dr Hoover had worked as a neurosurgeon in Detroit for more than 20 years. His funeral was held on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit and a burial service is planned for a later date.

Detroit Police Chief James White announced on Friday that a person of interest had been taken into custody but that the suspect is being held on charges unconnected to the slaying.

Police have not yet linked the break-in at Dr Hoovers home to his death (WXYZ)

The police chief says that the suspect was known to the victim but refused to comment on the nature of their relationship reported The Detroit Free Press.

Were confident this person has information about what transpired, Chief White said. This was not a random act.

Police say that a member of Hoovers family, who lives in Indiana, called police when the doctor failed to show up at event he was expected at.

Officers went to the surgeons $1.2m home and were quickly concerned about some of the things that they saw and went into the home, Chief White said.
 Close 5 killed, including 8-year-old in San Jacinto County, shooter at large

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Francisco Oropesa and his partner were allegedly plotting their escape to Mexico after he killed five of his neighbours in a horror mass shooting in Cleveland, Texas.

Authorities said on Wednesday that the suspected gunman hid out in a home near Conroe just miles from the massacre while Divimara Lamar Nava brought him donuts from a local store.

Ms Lamar Nava also allegedly delivered a message to Mr Oropesas cousins asking them to help in their escape over the border  all the while she was pretending to cooperate with investigators.

She is now facing charges for helping Mr Oropesa following his capture on Tuesday.

The accused gunman had been the focus of a dramatic four-day manhunt in the wake of Fridays shooting which unfolded when his neighbours asked him to stop shooting near their home because a baby was trying to sleep.

He allegedly stormed into his neighbours home with an AR-15-style rifle and opened fire on people inside.

Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, her nine-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18, were all killed in the shooting.
Kayakers on the Salt River approach wild horses grazing in the water. Photo by Robin Silver Photography, republished with permission

PHOENIX (CN)  Led by the Center for Biological Diversity, a group of conservationists sued the U.S. Forest Service on Thursday to protect a region of the Tonto National Forest from hundreds of unowned horses they say threaten endangered species in the area.

Known as the Salt River herd, the horses live on the 20,000-acre allotment called the Lower Salt River Recreation Area. In 2017, federal, state and local agencies, along with local tribes and other interested parties, committed to reducing the wild herd to only 100, to minimize its impact and protect other species that compete for forage and water. Instead, the Forest Service approved a management plan in February to reduce the population via birth control and natural attrition to 100200 horses in the next 10 years. The center estimates it would take closer to 2535 to reduce the herd to 200.

Federal range scientists in 2019 concluded that the land can only reasonably support 2844 horses. The most recent count from the Forest Service estimates the current number of horses to be between 400 and 500, but the plaintiffs estimate 600 in the lawsuit.

This is another tragic example of Forest Service employees failing to do their jobs, obey the law and manage public lands based on science, Center for Biological Diversity co-founder Robin Silver said in a statement. The agencys management plan ignores science, their own experts, facts on the ground and basic livestock husbandry. Its senseless to try to manage 600 horses in an area where ranchers couldnt even sustain 12 cows.

Cattle ranching on the Lower Salt River Recreation Area was terminated in 1978 because officials determined that the land couldnt produce enough forage to support the added livestock.

Horse advocacy groups like the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group claim the horses are native to the land, having come over by boat with Spanish conquistadors hundreds of years ago. But most scientists and conservationists agree wild horse herds are actually made up of escaped or released horses from nearby ranches and tribal nations. Because they arent natural members of the ecosystem, conservationists say the horses damage the land and put other species at risk.

Endangered riparian songbirds like yellow-billed cuckoos and Southwestern willow flycatchers are barely hanging on in this area, said Charles Babbitt, conservation chair of the Maricopa Audubon society. With horses eating all the riparian tree saplings, these trees cant grow into the mature cottonwoods that desert nesting bald eagles need. Yuma clapper rails also need the area to recover, but without the riparian vegetation, the situation is becoming increasingly hopeless.

Simone Netherlands, president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, is already working with the Forest Service to slow population growth by giving birth control to female horses via darts. She called the 600-horse estimate a wild guess and said the real number is around half of that.

This horse herd is already being managed responsibly, she said.

Netherlands pointed to the 8 million people who visit the Tonto every year, who she says do way more harm to the forest than horses through activities like hunting, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Conservationists maintain the horses threaten endangered animals and drive out other native wildlife that compete for food, like bighorn sheep and mule deer.

Mule deer have already been run out of the area by the horses severe overgrazing, said John Koleszar, past president of the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation. Native quail have no nesting areas with the habitat so barren. The Forest Service here does dozens of management plans per year for cows. What could possibly be stopping them from doing a science-based plan for the Lower Salt?

Netherlands says theres no proof.

Bighorn sheep are being seen again along the lower Salt River with babies, bald eagle populations are thriving and mule deer are benefiting greatly from the water troughs and emergency feed programs during drought, she said.

Conservationists say the emergency feed programs are evidence that the land cant support the high number of horses without significant human intervention.

The plaintiffs say both the 2017 intergovernmental agreement and the 2023 Salt River horse herd management plan violate the National Environmental Policy Act and Administrative Policy Act because they failed to take into account the horses impact on endangered species and the riparian area they live in. They want a federal judge to vacate both agreements and block the management plans pending a full NEPA review.

The center has gone after wild horses before. It sued the Forest Service in 2020 over unauthorized livestock in the White Mountains, where the estimated 600-horse herd roams the Black River watershed in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

The Forest Service didnt respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit by press time.

This article was first published by Courthouse News Service and is republished under their terms of use.
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A teenage sleepover turned to tragedy this week when seven people were found dead at the Oklahoma home of a convicted rapist.

Jesse McFadden, 39, had been scheduled to appear in court on the same day that the bodies were found on his rural property.

He is believed to be among the dead.

Also killed were two teenagers who were reported missing and endangered on Monday morning after they failed to return home after being in his company.

The identities of the other four victims are yet to be publicly confirmed, but relatives named then as McFaddens wife Holly Guess and her teenage children Rylee Elizabeth Allen, Michael James Mayo, and Tiffany Dore Guess.

So who is the man at the centre of this horrific tragedy?

Who is Jesse McFadden?

Jesse McFadden is a convicted rapist who was scheduled to appear in court on new charges on the day that the bodies were found.

McFadden was convicted in 2003 for first-degree rape, and served nearly 16 years before being released in 2020, according to Oklahoma prison records.

On Monday, he was due to appear in court for the start of his jury trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.

The charges were filed back in 2017 when he was still in prison for his rape conviction.

Amber Alert issued for missing teens (AP)

While behind bars, he allegedly exchanges nude photos and videos with an underage girl from behind bars.

When he failed to appear in court on Monday morning, police began searching for him.

Missing girls

On Monday morning, an Amber Alert was issued to find two missing teenagers  14-year-old Ivy Webster and 15-year-old Brittany Brewer  after they failed to return home from a sleepover at McFaddens home.

Ivys mother told KJRH that the two girls had gone to McFaddens house for a sleepover with his teenage daughter over the weekend and had been planning to go swimming on a ranch in McAlester.

They never showed at the ranch and failed to return home by 5pm on Sunday as had been expected, Okmulgee County Sheriffs Office said.

The two teens were last seen at around 1.30am on Monday travelling with McFadden in a white Chevrolet pickup.

Missing girls Brittany Brewer, 15, left, and Ivy Webster, 14, right, were found dead in Oklahoma in May 2023 (Brewer family / Webster family via Facebook)

Ivys mother said her daughters cellphone tracking had been turned off and that it was unlike her daughter not to respond to messages or calls.

After the Amber Alert was issued, authorities went to McFaddens property on the outskirts of Henryetta.

Investigators discovered the bodies of seven people there not in the residence, but just on the property, said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Gerald Davidson.

The victims

While the bodies are yet to be officially identified, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said they were believed to include McFadden and the two missing girls Ivy and Brittany.

We believe that we have found the persons, he said.

We are no longer looking. We believe to have found everything that we were seeking this morning. Our hearts go out to the families and friends, schoolmates and everyone else.

The missing endangered person advisory was canceled on Monday afternoon by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Brittanys father Nathan Brewer confirmed that his daughter was among the victims.

Seven bodies found in search for two missing Oklahoma teens, police say

At a vigil held on Monday night, he said his daughter had dreams of being a teacher or a veterinarian.

Its just a parents worst nightmare, and Im living it, he said. I am just lost.

While the four other victims have yet to be officially identified, they were named by a relative on Tuesday.

Janette Mayo, 59, told the Associated Press that the Okmulgee County Sheriffs Office notified her about the deaths of her daughter, Holly Guess, 35, and her grandchildren, Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.

In a Facebook post, Ms Mayo said that her daughter was married to McFadden. Authorities have not confirmed a cause of death for the seven victims, but Ms Mayo said they were shot at various locations across McFaddens property.

My daughter loved her children and yes she married the man who killed them but she was fooled by his charm, Ms Mayo wrote. I hurt just like the other families but he took my world from me. My grandchildren and my daughter. I have a hole in my heart ...

Ms Mayo described Ivy as a sweet girl, and said she didnt have the chance to meet Brittany.

I really didnt know Brittany but she must have been a sweet girl for my Tiffany to care for her, the grieving grandmother wrote. My prayers are there for both of the other families. I just ask that people remember my family as well, and that they had names too.

Judy White-Allen, the grandmother of victims Rylee and Michael, also confirmed their deaths to The Independent on Tuesday.

All I can tell you is my kids are hurting, she said. My son lost his daughter and son. My other kids lost their niece and nephew. My other grand kids lost their cousins. Rylee and Michael have four other siblings that will never know them.

Holly was a great mother. She had a big heart.

Unanswered questions

Questions are being asked about McFaddens ability to be around the teenage victims due to his prior rape conviction and pending sex offender charges.

During the search for the mising girls, Ivys parents said that they were unaware of McFaddens criminal history.

Justin Webster told a local outlet they were shocked to learn about his past.

Recommended Grandmother shares heartbreak after two grandchildren identified among seven bodies found in Oklahoma

He should not have been out and its our justice system that needs to be harder, he said.
 Close Seven bodies found in search for two missing Oklahoma teens, police say

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Authorities said on Wednesday that Jesse McFadden shot his six victims in the head before staging the grisly scene on his rural property and then turning the gun on himself.

Seven bodies were discovered at the property on Monday during a frantic search for two teenagers who failed to return home from a slumber party with a friend. The victims were identified as McFaddens wife Holly Guess, 35, her children, Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13, as well as two other teenagers Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15  both of whom were friends with Guesss children.

All six had suffered between one and three gunshot wounds in their head, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice revealed on Wednesday, as he said that they were all murdered by McFadden with a handgun bought by Guess in 2022.

McFadden, who was on the states sex offender registry, was previously convicted of raping then-16-year-old Krystle Strong in 2003. He was released in 2020, despite being charged with new child porn counts in 2017.

I called the jail, Ms Strong tells The Independent. I believe I left a voicemail and tried to get transferred and I kept getting the runaround. I told them, Look, Ive called you guys over the years several times trying to get updates and Ive seen that you guys are still going to let him out even after you found contraband child porn on his phone. If this doesnt show that somebody isnt rehabilitated, then I dont know what else would.
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The grieving grandmother of two teens who were among seven people found dead in an Oklahoma property has shared her heartbreak with The Independent.

The Oklahoma State of Bureau Investigations (OSBI) announced on Monday that seven bodies were found on the Henryetta property of 39-year-old convicted rapist Jesse McFadden. The gruesome discovery was made after two teens went missing in the area on Sunday, and McFadden failed to show up in court on Monday morning to stand trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.

OSBI spokesperson Gerald Davidson said during a press conference that although the victims have not been officially identified by the medical examiner, three of them were believed to be the missing teens, 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 15-year-old Brittany Brewer, and McFadden. On Tuesday, the other four victims were identified by relatives as McFaddens wife Holly Guess, 35, and her children Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.

Judy White-Allen, the grandmother of Rylee and Michael and former mother-in-law of Guess, said her family is still processing the devastating tragedy.

My kids are hurting. My son lost his daughter and son, Ms White-Allen told The Independent. My other kids lost their niece and nephew. My grandkids lost their cousins. Rylee and Michael have [four] other siblings that will never know them.

The grandmother also described her former daughter-in-law Guess as a great mother with a big heart.

In a Facebook post, Guesss mother Janette Mayo said that her daughter was married to McFadden. Authorities have not confirmed a cause of death for the seven victims, but Ms Mayo said they were shot at various locations across McFaddens property.

My daughter loved her children and yes she married the man who killed them but she was fooled by his charm, Ms Mayo wrote.  I hurt just like the other families but he took my world from me. My grandchildren and my daughter. I have a hole in my heart ...

Ms Mayo described Ivy as a sweet girl, and noted she didnt have the chance to meet Britanny.

I really didnt know Brittany but she must have been a sweet girl for my Tiffany to care for her. the grieving grandmother wrote. My prayers are there for both of the other families. I just ask that people remember my family as well, and that they had names too.

Guesss sister Heather Pettigrew has started a GoFundMe account to cover funeral expenses.

This is a huge tragedy not just for my family but all of our friends and the community, Ms Pettigrew wrote in the description of the fundraiser. So much was lost so quickly and any help is greatly appreciated.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Gerald Davidson said his agency will not officially release the identity of the victims until results from the medical examiners office are back.

An Amber Alert was issued early on Monday after Ivy and Brittany failed to return to their homes on Sunday, as they had planned. The advisory was cancelled on Monday afternoon by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The two teens were last seen at around 1.30am on Monday travelling with McFadden in a white Chevrolet pickup. McFadden, who was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 and released in October 2020, was on the states sex offender registry

In an interview with told KOTV , Brittanys father Nathan Brewer said she had visited McFaddens home several times before, and that he was not aware he had been convicted of rape in the past.

Brittany was an outgoing person. She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta ... coming up in July for this Miss National Miss pageant in Tulsa. And now she aint gonna make it because shes dead. Shes gone, Mr Brewer said.

At a Monday night vigil, Mr Brewer told hundreds of people that the circumstances surrounding his daughters death are just a parents worst nightmare, and Im living it. He said Brittany had aspired to be a teacher or a veterinarian.

Henryetta Public Schools also posted on Facebook and its website that it is grieving over the loss of several of its students.

At this time we are all grieving over the tragedy of the loss of several of our students, the statement said. Our hearts are hurting, and we have considered what would be best for our students in the coming days.
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Two teenage girls were spending the weekend having a sleepover with a friend.

They planned to go swimming at a local ranch in Oklahoma.

But they were never seen alive again.

On Monday, their bodies were discovered among seven people found dead on a rural property near Henryetta.

Among the other bodies was that of a convicted rapist who was due to stand trial on child porn and solicitation charges that very day.

Heres everything we know so far about the shocking case:

What happened?

On Monday morning, an Amber Alert was issued to find two missing teenagers  14-year-old Ivy Webster and 15-year-old Brittany Brewer.

Okmulgee County Sheriffs Office said that Ivy had gone out with a friend to the McAlester area and was supposed to return home by 5pm on Sunday.

She failed to return home.

The two teens were last seen at around 1.30am on Monday travelling with Jesse McFadden  a convicted rapist who was on the states sex offender registry  in a white Chevrolet pickup.

Ivys mother told KJRH that her daughters cellphone tracking had been turned off and said it was unlike her daughter not to respond to messages or calls.

Ivy and Brittany had gone to the McFaddens house for a sleepover with his teenage daughter over the weekend and had been planning to go swimming on a ranch in McAlester but never showed. She said she was unaware of the mans criminal history.

Amber Alert was issued for the missing girls (Oklahoma Highway Patrol)

Brittanys father, meanwhile, told KOTV that the girls had been to the mans house many previous times without incident.

Ive known this family for a while and Brittany was a beautiful, smart and full of life 16 year old young lady, Facebook user Cassandra Apperson wrote .

She went out this weekend with her friends and was supposed to return home last night, and her father reported her missing and just a little while ago they found her and a few others deceased and the man responsible was also found deceased. If you could please share this or donate if youre able.

On Monday morning, McFadden, 39, also failed to show up for a court appearance.

Authorities went to McFaddens property on the outskirts of Henryetta and found the bodies of seven people.

The bodies were found not in the residence, but just on the property, said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Gerald Davidson.

Who are the seven people found dead?

While the bodies are yet to be officially identified, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said the bodies were believed to include those McFadden and the two missing girls Ivy and Brittany.

We believe that we have found the persons, he said.

We are no longer looking. We believe to have found everything that we were seeking this morning. Our hearts go out to the families and friends, schoolmates and everyone else.

The missing endangered person advisory was canceled on Monday afternoon by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

On Tuesday, a relative of the other four victims revealed their identities. Janette Mayo, 59, told the Associated Press that the Okmulgee County Sheriffs Office notified her about the deaths of her daughter, Holly Guess, 35, and her grandchildren, Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.

In a Facebook post, Ms Mayo said that her daughter was married to McFadden. Authorities have not confirmed a cause of death for the seven victims, but Ms Mayo said they were shot at various locations across McFaddens property.

My daughter loved her children and yes she married the man who killed them but she was fooled by his charm, Ms Mayo wrote. I hurt just like the other families but he took my world from me. My grandchildren and my daughter. I have a hole in my heart ...

Ms Mayo described Ivy as a sweet girl, and said she didnt have the chance to meet Brittany.

I really didnt know Brittany but she must have been a sweet girl for my Tiffany to care for her, the grieving grandmother wrote. My prayers are there for both of the other families. I just ask that people remember my family as well, and that they had names too.

Judy White-Allen, the grandmother of victims Rylee and Michael, also confirmed their deaths to The Independent on Tuesday.

All I can tell you is my kids are hurting, she said. My son lost his daughter and son. My other kids lost their niece and nephew. My other grand kids lost their cousins. Rylee and Michael have four other siblings that will never know them.

Holly was a great mother. She had a big heart.

Brittanys father Nathan Brewer told KOTV that his daughter was about to appear in an upcoming pageant.

Missing girls Brittany Brewer, 15, left, and Ivy Webster, 14, right, were found dead in Oklahoma in May 2023 (Brewer family / Webster family via Facebook)

Brittany was an outgoing person, he said.

She actually was selected to be Miss Henryetta in [an upcoming] pageant in Tulsa, and now she aint gonna make it because she dead. Shes gone.

At a vigil held on Monday night, he said his daughter had dreams of being a teacher or a veterinarian.

Its just a parents worst nightmare, and Im living it, he said. I am just lost.

Who is Jesse McFadden?

McFadden is a convicted rapist who was scheduled to appear in court on new charges on the day that the bodies were found.

According to Oklahoma prison records , McFadden was sent to prison in 2003 for first-degree rape, and served nearly 16 years before being released in 2020.

Jesse McFadden (KOTV-DT)

On Monday, he was due to stand trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.

The charges were filed back in 2017 when he was still in prison for his rape conviction.

While behind bars, he allegedly exchanges nude photos and videos with an underage girl from behind bars.

When he failed to appear in court on Monday, police began searching for him.

What comes next in the investigation?

Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said on Monday that while he was still waiting for the identities of the bodies to be confirmed, we believe we have found everything that we were seeking this morning.

How can we support the victims of the Oklahoma disappearance?

A GoFundMe page in memory of Brittany Brewer has been set up to assist with funeral expenses.

This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult times they will ever experience and they need to be focused on their healing instead of worrying about how they are going to pay for Brittanys funeral, a message alongside the fundraiser reads.

School pays tribute to several students killed

Henryetta Public Schools released a statement saying that it is grieving over the tragedy of the loss of several of our students.

Our hearts are hurting, and we have considered what would be best for our students in the coming days, the school system said.

Classes will still take place but mental health services are available to students.

We understand if you feel it is more appropriate to keep your student at home. Please continue to keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.

Is this disappearance related to other crimes in the area?
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Schools in Montgomery County, Texas, secured their doors and brought students indoors on Monday (1 May) after there were reported sightings of Francisco Oropesa, the man suspected of killing five people over the weekend.

A person matching the description of Mr Oropesa was apparently seen in the area of Crockett Martin and FM 2090 on Monday afternoon.

We have no confirmation that this Oropesa, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said in a statement posted on Facebook.

But out of an abundance of caution local, state and federal law enforcement agencies searched the areas.

As they did, Caney Creek High School, Moorhead Junior High School, Grangerland Intermediate School, Milam Elementary School, Hope Elementary School and Creighton Elementary School all secured their campuses.

All students and staff are safe. Please avoid the area and remain indoors, Montgomery County Sheriffs Office wrote.

The sheriffs office urged people to contact the police if they see someone matching the description of Mr Oropesa.

The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office later commented on their Facebook post saying, The wood line and surrounding areas were searched by Deputies, K9-Units, and air units, all persons in the area were investigated, and none were found to be Oropesa.

Mr Oropesa is suspected of shooting five people, including a nine-year-old boy, on Friday (28 April) after entering his neighbours home armed with an assault rifle-style firearm.

The shooting occurred after Mr Oropesa was asked to stop shooting his gun in his yard because it was keeping his neighbours baby awake.

The victims include Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, 9; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18.

Over 200 law enforcement officers are currently searching for Mr Oropesa.

So far there have been no leads to find him. Officers found a cellphone and clothing believed to belong to Mr Oropesa in a heavily wooded area. However, K-9 units tracking him lost the scent.
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A third stabbing in less than a week occurred on Monday (1 May) near the University of California Davis campus, triggering the City of Davis Police to issue a shelter-in-place until Tuesday morning and sending fears of a potential serial killer through the community.

Officers responded to an adult woman who reported that a suspect stabbed her more than one time through a tent near 2nd Street and L Street, according to the Davis Police Department.

The woman was taken to UC Davis Medical Center where she was treated for her wounds. At last notice, the woman was in critical condition.

The terrifying stabbing marks the third time in less than a week that a person has been stabbed near the college campus. The other two incidents have been fatal.

Police acknowledged that the three stabbings had similarities in both the way they were conducted and the description of the suspect given. Though authorities said in a press conference posted to Facebook that they werent able to positively link the three crimes.

In a press conference reported by CBS, Mr Pytel said: Everybody is asking if these three crimes are connected and it certainly seems more probable than not that they are.

One man was found deceased after suffering from multiple stab wounds after a violent attack on 27 April near Central Park in downtown Davis, according to law enforcement.

Then on 30 April, another man, who was a student at UC Davis, died after being violently attacked with a knife at Sycamore Park.

Following the third stabbing, the City of Davis Police issued a shelter-in-place order for people in the community as police searched for the suspect. The request asked people to seek safety inside a building and remain there if possible.

The order was lifted the following morning after an unsuccessful search for the suspect.

Davis police say they are searching for a suspect who has been described as a 56 to 59 light-skinned man with curly hair. He has been seen both on foot and riding a bike.

As of now, police are partnering with numerous allied agencies from the Yolo and Sacramento areas and conducting detailed searches of surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Davis via drones and K-9 units.

Mr Pytel also said the FBI and Department of Justice are assisting in the City of Davis polices investigation.

As of Tuesday evening, Mr Pytel said they are trying to work with FBI profiling to determine if they are dealing with a serial killer.

Theyre asking people to be aware of their surroundings and consider travelling in groups when out at night.

People can report suspicious activity by calling the police at 530-747-5400 or emailing policeweb@cityofdavis.org.
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Dominion Voting Systems executives have taken credit for Fox News firing Tucker Carlson and say they want all of the messages revealed in their $787.5m defamation lawsuit to be made public.

The right-wing host exited the channel just days after Rupert Murdoch agreed to the massive settlement over claims that personalities on his channel had promoted Donald Trumps election lies even though they knew them to be false.

As part of discovery in the case, Dominions lawyers found text messages in which Fox News hosts seemingly acknowledged that Mr Trumps fraud claims were false, but gave them airtime anyway.

Dominion did not insist on them firing Tucker Carlson as part of the settlement, said the companys lawyer Stephen Shackelford told Axios.

But the very fact that thats what resulted out of all of this, and its traceable from the work that Dominion set in motion ... of course I know whats in the redacted stuff and I cant say anything about it.

And he added: I hope that it all gets un-redacted at some point.

Hootan Yaghoobzadeh, the co-founder of Staple Street Capital which owns Dominion, told the outlet that Carlsons firing was much more profound than some disingenuous apology or forced statement in which Fox News admitted wrongdoing.

For us to have a meaningful impact, we had to make sure that we got that rock moving, he said.

And he insisted the company had never wanted to settle the case without saying why they had done so in the end,

We made sure that all the attorneys understood that settlement was like a curse word. We didnt want to talk about it, he told Axios.

Our strategy was to go to trial, get to a verdict and accomplish three goals, which were to make sure the truth got exposed, kept Fox accountable, and that we were compensated for the damages they inflicted.
 Close Dust storm causes massive wreck on I-55

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The first victim has been identified after a dust storm caused a 72 vehicle pile-up on the I-55 outside of Springfield, Illinois.

The massive pile-up occurred during a dust storm with low visibility on Monday (May 1) morning.

Seven victims were killed while 37 were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, and those hurt are two to 80 years old, Illinois State Police said in a statement.

Shirley Harper, 88, was named as the first victim killed in the tragedy. The death toll was initially reported as six but rose to seven on Tuesday as investigators asked for the publics help in identifying two yet-to-be-named victims.

The Montgomery County Coroners office is working to identify the five others and notify their families.

Kevin Schott, the director of Montgomery Countys Emergency Management Agency, said that efforts to rescue victims were hampered by the thick dust on the scene as well as multiple vehicle fires which made it difficult to get to victims in a rapid manner.
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A woman who accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her on a plane in the late 1970s told a Manhattan jury that it felt like the former president had 40 zillion hands.

Jessica Leeds, 81, testified on Tuesday on behalf of writer E Jean Carroll in her civil rape and defamation lawsuit against Mr Trump.

Ms Leeds recalled she had been moved from the economy cabin to an aisle seat in first class on the flight to New Yorks LaGuardia Airport in about 1979.

Mr Trump had introduced himself, and they engaged in small talk, before having a meal, she said.

All of a sudden, Trump decided to kiss me and grope me, she said.

There was no conversation. It was like out of the blue. It was like a tussle. He was trying to kiss me, trying to pull me towards him, she said.

He was grabbing my breasts. It was like he had 40 zillion hands. It was like a tussling match between the two of us.

Ms Leeds, of North Carolina, said that another passenger witnessed the alleged assault, but nobody came to her aid.

When Mr Trump tried to put a hand up her skirt, she got out of her seat and moved back to her seat in economy, she said.

After the plane landed, Ms Leeds said she had remained onboard until every passenger had disembarked to avoid seeing Mr Trump again.

She later told how she had cut her hair short and would avoid wearing dresses after the distressing encounter to try to remove as much attention to my feminity as I could.

Jessica Leeds leaves the federal courthouse after testifying in writer E Jean Carrolls lawsuit against Donald Trump on Tuesday. (AP/Seth Wenig)

Ms Leeds testified that she met Mr Trump again at a fundraising gala for the Humane Society of New York at Saks Fifth Avenue in 1981.

She had been handing out table chits and had been excited to meet some of the famous guests in attendance, she told the jury.

Everybody was dressed to the nines, she said.

Then, she said, Mr Trump and his very, very pregnant wife Ivana came up to the table.

I looked at him and I thought boy I remember you, she said. I didnt say anything. As I took the chit from his hands, he said: I remember you, youre that c*** from the airplane.

Ms Leeds said it felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over my head. She suddenly felt as if she was completely alone, and gathered her things and went home.

She said she didnt tell anyone about the alleged assault for nearly 40 years, until she became incensed while watching a presidential debate between Mr Trump and Hillary Clinton in October 2016.

She wrote a letter to the New York Times describing what had taken place, and they published her story before the presidential election.

Under cross-examination, defence attorney Joe Tacopina asked why Ms Leeds had waited for nearly 40 years before she told anyone about the alleged sexual assault.

She said she hadnt wanted to complain to her bosses about the rigours of travel.

It was the late 70s, women didnt complain about situations in their workplace, she said.

All of the jobs that Ive held over the years have been in male-dominated fields, and the banter was  frequently sexual in nature.

E Jean Carroll arrives at court on Tuesday, after giving evidence for three days in her rape and defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump. (Associated Press)

After her testimony, Ms Leeds told The Independent outside court: Im exhausted, Im above it all and I hope I never have to tell my story again.

In a separate prepared statement to media outside the Moynihan federal courthouse, Ms Leeds, 81, said that Ms Carrolls rape allegation against the former president rings true to me.

Ms Leeds also encouraged anyone who had suffered sexual aggression to know they are not alone, and they can speak up.

Weve seen how society and perpetrators dont get the message of how damaging aggression is until it becomes apparent, she said.

Go ask your mothers, your wives, your sisters, your daughters and your sons.

Ms Carroll is suing the former president in civil court for defamation and battery after he claimed she was a con job. Mr Trump, 76, has strongly denied the encounter ever took place.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ms Carrolls close friend Lisa Birnbach testified that the writer had called her immediately after the alleged sexual assault at Bergdorf Goodman in 1996.

Ms Birnbach said that the writer was hyperventilating as she told her about the encounter, the Associated Press reported.

She said had urged Ms Carroll to report the incident to the police, but she refused and they agreed never to speak about it again.
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A Minnesota lawmaker was caught in an embarassing Zoom mishap after being briefly seen shirtless and lying in bed.

Senator Calvin Bahr was attending a Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor Zoom meeting that was also streamed on YouTube when the mishap occurred.

The Republican from East Bethel was first elected to the Minnesota legislature in 2016, where he served in the House of Representatives for three terms.

He was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2022.

On social media, the clip shared by journalist Aaron Rupar attracted more than two million views as of Tuesday morning.

The senator was seen topless and responding to a roll call for the meeting. He could be seen quickly ducking down after saying yes when his name was called.

This State Senator is a whole vibe. I cant stop laughing, commented a Twitter user.

He had one of those 2 oz joints and had a hard time getting out of bed, said another.

This is not the first time a Zoom gaffe has entertained social media users. After the onset of the Covid pandemic, several clips of employees working from home and being caught in awkward situations during Zoom meetings were shared widely.

In one such incident from 2021, a Texas lawyer had his Zoom stuck on a cat filter in a hilarious technical mishap during a court appearance.

County attorney Rod Ponton sounded unmistakably anxious as he said: Are you there judge? after being alerted to the fact that his face was not showing up on the call.

I dont know how to remove it, I got my assistant here, shes trying to, Mr Ponton said after the mouth and eyes of a cat moved along with his words and movements.

Were prepared to go forward with it, he said, appearing to admit defeat.

Im here live, Im not a cat.

In another incident, a Minnesota Republican representative appeared upside-down in a video conference.

In a serious incident, legal expert Jeffrey Toobin, who was then employed by the New Yorker magazine, was seen masturbating during a Zoom call in October 2020.

I made an embarrassingly stupid mistake, believing I was off-camera, Toobin later said in a statement.

I apologise to my wife, family, friends and co-workers. I thought I had muted the Zoom video, I thought no one on the Zoom call could see me.
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A New York morgue attendant allegedly shared graphic and disturbing autopsy photos and videos to her Instagram and TikTok accounts, according to a lawsuit.

Northwell Health claims in court papers that Quantaise Sharpton continued to post macabre images taken inside Long Island Jewish Medical Center even after she was fired.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Nassau County Supreme Court, alleges that the material included images and videos of bodies with electrical burns, amputated body parts, internal organs and even a late stillbirth.

Some of the graphic material was paired with dance music and also allegedly featured her mocking the smell or condition of the cadavers.

On her social media accounts, where she has nearly 20,000 followers on Instagram and 1,000 on TikTok, Ms Sharpton refers to herself as #autopsybae.

As a morgue attendant, Sharpton assumed a position of the utmost trust and confidence with Northwell, the suit states. Sharpton took advantage of the trust given to her by Northwell for her own personal gain. Indeed, Sharptons posting of pictures and videos from the LIJMC morgue onto her social media platforms marks a gross deviation from the level of care and loyalty expected as Northwells employee.

The suit also states that despite efforts by Northwell, the largest hospital system in the state of New York, Ms Sharpton has refused to take down the offensive material.

Court documents state that she was hired as a morgue attendant at the New Hyde Park hospital last December and began work on 30 January.

Before she started the job she went through mandatory training on patient privacy, the ban on cellphones in the morgue, inappropriate social media posting and the use of hospital resources, the suit says.

She was fired on 17 March after other staff members raised the alarm about her social media postings.

Hospital officials ordered her to delete the photos and videos from her social media pages before she left the hospital, which an affidavit states that she had appeared to do,

Sharpton explained that she is a social media influencer and that she receives monthly revenue based on her posts, and that she viewed her morgue and autopsy photos and videos as social media content, Vartges Saroyan, Northwells compliance program director and privacy officer, stated. Sharpton expressed no remorse or regret for her conduct.

Northwell states that days after her firing she reposted the deleted images and videos, as well as new ones that she had not before made public.

The lawsuit asks a judge to issue a preliminary injunction ordering Ms Sharpton to permanently delete the photos and videos and also seeks undetermined damages.

Northwell Health strives to provide the highest level of care to its patients, patients families and communities. As this matter is in active litigation, we refrain from commenting regarding this matter, Northwell told The Independent in a statement.

The Independent reached out to Ms Sharpton through her social media pages.
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The United Nations chief warned on the eve of World Press Freedom Day that the media is under attack in every corner of the world and urged all nations to stop the targeting of truth and those who report it.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the 50% increase in the killing of media workers in 2022 unbelievable, stressing that freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice and it is under threat.

At least 67 media worked were killed in 2022. In addition, digital platforms and social media have made it easier for extremists to push false narratives and harass journalists.

Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy, Guterres said.

Guterres said the collapse of the media industry, which has led to closures of local news outlets and consolidation of media into the hands of the few is threatening freedom of expression.

So are threatening new laws passed by governments worldwide, such as Russia's 2022 law that anyone publishing information about its military that Moscow deems to be false could face up to 15 years in prison.

Russia detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in late March under accusations of spying, which the Journal denies. The Biden administration has said Gershkovish is being wrongfully detained and has been working to secure his release.

Guterres strongly criticized the targeting of media workers both on and offline, saying they are routinely harassed, intimidated and detained. He added that nearly three-quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online and one-quarter have been threatened physically.

Guterres made the remarks in a video message for the U.N. commemoration of 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, which the U.N. General Assembly first proclaimed in December 1993 and authorized to be held every May 3.

The secretary-general said the world must unite to stop threats, attacks and imprisonment of journalists for doing their jobs, and stop the lies and disinformation.

As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands up with them, he said.

Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which organized the commemoration, said the advent of the digital era has changed the entire information landscape.

While digital platforms have provided new ways for expression and information, she said, they are also proving fertile ground for those who sow disinformation, hate speech and conspiracy theories.

We find ourselves at a new crossroads, Azoulay said. Our current path is leading us away from informed public debate  towards even more polarization, she warned. The other path is one we must imagine together, to ensure information can remain a public good, accessible to all.

Azoulay said UNESCO in 2021 launched a model curriculum for teachers on media and information literacy to develop critical mindsets to navigate these new flows.

Given that the business models of digital platforms are based on the number of clicks, she said, they all too often favor sensationalism over truth.

Azoulay said thats why UNESCO in February organized a global conference to address the issue, which was attended by over 4,000 interested parties. UNESCO is also working to publish a set of guidelines on the moderation and selection of online content later this year.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York called on Senator Dianne Feinstein of California to resign amid her continued absence from the Senate, CNN reported.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez posted her comments on the Bluesky social media app, which is meant to be a competitor to Twitter. Ms Feinstein, the oldest-serving Senator at 89, has been out of the Senate since March when she contracted shingles.

Democrats have only 51 seats in the Senate and Ms Feinsteins place on the Senate Judiciary Committee means that Democrats are unable to confirm any judicial nominees out of committee that do not have Republican support.

Last month, Ms Feinstein asked to temporarily give up her spot on the committee and have Senator Ben Cardin replace her. Republicans rebuffed the request, though they said they would seat a permanent replacement were Ms Feinstein to resign.

The self-described democratic socialist said that Ms Feinstein, who announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election, should step aside.

I think criticisms of that stance as anti-feminist are a farce, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said.

Some Democrats have hinted that calls on Ms Feinstein to resign the Senate seat that she won in 1992 are sexist given that some Senators served until they were far older than she was and others died in office.

Her refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary - precisely where repro rights are getting stripped. That failure means now in this precious window Dems can only pass GOP- approved nominees, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said.

Ms Ocasio-Cortezs spokesperson Lauren Hitt confirmed to CNN that the Bluesky posts were authentic.

The congresswomans spokesperson also confirmed that Ms Ocasio-Cortez would not run a primary campaign against incumbent Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand next year.

She is not planning to run for Senate in 2024. She is not planning to primary Gillibrand, she said.
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The eldest son of former President Donald Trump is griping about supposedly receiving the cold shoulder from Fox News as the network faced a historic legal fight as a result of the lies and misinformation spread by Mr Trumps team in late 2020 and early 2021.

Donald Trump Jr outlined his complaints on his podcast, which is likely the driving motivating factor behind his desire for exposure itself. Since his fathers departure from the White House, Mr Trump Jr has worked to maintain his own political profile through his program, while filling his pockets  he signed a seven-figure deal with Rumble in January.

I used to be on Fox three, four, five, six, 10 times a week. I havent been on in nine months. Not a call, not an invite, not anything, he told his listeners, while trying to make the issue political in nature: You saw what Fox did to Tucker Carlson last week, and the week before that, it was Dan Bongino, and, you know, the people who would actually question some of that narrative like: Is it a brilliant plan to send $130 billion to Ukraine, one of the most corrupt nations in the world?

The charges of Foxs supposed leftward slide are hardly new in the Trump sphere and have been echoed by the former president many times in the months since the network finally clamped down on guests and even presenters who were endorsing the false claims spread by the Trump campaign about the 2020 election. While Fox did stem that tide of false claims emanating from its primetime opinion shows, it was not fast enough to free the network from legal liability. The network would go on to settle with one voting machine company targeted by those conspiracy-peddlers for $787m last month.

Mr Trump Jrs father has also been a far rarer presence on the network where he used to be a frequent caller to the Fox & Friends morning program as well as participant in interviews with its primetime hosts. He has continued to do the latter, sitting down for a chat with host Tucker Carlson just weeks before Carlsons firing, though much less often.

Fox has undergone possibly the most tumultuous time in the companys history over the past six months as brutal revelations stemming from the Dominion lawsuit portrayed the networks primetime shows as a hotbed of sexism and vulgar behaviour where hosts like Carlson were platforming people they explicitly said were lying to Fox viewers.

The networks firing of Carlson has been the only major change to take place in the wake of the legal battle, but even that was enough to make the companys stock price drop. The networks journalists have largely kept silent about the issues at their network, while their detractors on the left and in the mainstream media have gleefully watched the networks public implosion.
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CNN was hit with swift criticism on social media after the network announced it was hosting Donald Trump in a town hall forum next week in New Hampshire.

The event will be held May 10 at St Anselm College, where Mr Trump will take questions from New Hampshire Republicans and voters who plan to participate in the 2024 presidential primary, the network said.

Anchor Kaitlan Collins will moderate the session. The surprise appearance of the former president on the channel, which was often his favourite target for criticism, has left the internet divided.

While several Twitter users called out the network for providing a platform to the former president, accused of baselessly claiming that 2020 presidential elections were rigged, some commentators have seen this as an attempt by Mr Trump to reach out to a wider audience ahead of the 2024 elections.

CNN is doing a town hall with indicted Donald Trump on May 10, because theyve learned absolutely nothing. No one should watch this trash, wrote journalist Scott Dworkin.

This is absolutely ludicrous. There is no reason to give the biggest pathological liar in politics a platform to spread his bullshit. Trump doesnt belong on television. He belongs in prison.

British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan also expressed his amazement at the networks announcement.

Wow. Theyre giving a live primetime platform to an indicted insurrection-inciter, who also incited violence against their network, he tweeted. I was asked multiple times on my recent book tour whether the US media had learned lessons from 2016 and 2020. Clearly some in our media have not.

Listen. Our media is absolutely addicted to Donald Trump and the ratings and money his chaos creates, wrote another user. This is a broken system, through and through, and we have to stop expecting these corporations to value democracy or peoples lives over their own bottom line.

Former congressman Joe Walsh defended CNNs decision to hold a town hall, but demanded that the network ask tough questions about the 2020 presidential elections.

Of course CNN should do a town hall with Donald Trump. Hes the leader of the Republican Party & he will be the GOP nominee, he tweeted.

Having said that, CNN better ask him real questions, tough questions. You know like, President Trump, why are you still lying about the 2020 election?

A spokesperson said in a statement that CNN has a longstanding tradition of hosting leading presidential candidates for Town Halls and political events as a critical component of the networks robust campaign coverage.

This event with former president Trump will be the first of many for CNN in the coming months as CNN correspondents travel across the country to hear directly from voters in the runup to the 2024 presidential election.
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The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo meet in Brussels on Tuesday to continue talks on the implementation of a European Union-backed 11-point plan to normalize ties between the two, but tensions continue to simmer.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will convene the high-level meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. They are expected to endorse a declaration on missing persons and also discuss the first draft statute on the creation of an association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo  two delicate issues for the former war foes.

The meeting follows one in February when both leaders gave tacit approval to the EU-sponsored plan to end months of political crises, and a March summit in North Macedonia where Belgrade and Pristina tentatively agreed on how to implement the plan.

Miroslav Lajcak, Borrell's envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations, said Tuesday's meeting is a crucial step forward and its important to avoid any actions that could worsen the atmosphere.

Few of the agreements reached between the two countries in the 12-year-long EU-facilitated negotiations have been applied. Brussels and the United States often intervene to calm down tense situations between Belgrade and Pristina, more so in the past year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Belgrade insists Pristina must implement a 2013 agreement to establish an association of the municipalities in the north of Kosovo that have a Serb-majority population. It would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level. Kosovos Constitutional Court later declared the plan unconstitutional, ruling it wasnt inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers.

Serbia says no progress is possible in the talks before the association is tackled. Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said Kosovo will try to avoid any movement on the topic.

We heard the same 10 years ago. Everyone was thrilled that it was a historic act. Ten years passed and the association of Serb municipalities did not happen, said Dacic.

Local elections were held last month in Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives had left their posts last year. The vote was overwhelmingly boycotted by ethnic Serbs.

Vucic praised the vote boycott and sharply criticized Western officials, calling them liars and frauds. He said the Serb minority in the former Serbian province will no longer tolerate foreign occupation.

The talks will also tackle the issue of the more than 1,600 people still officially missing since the 1998-99 war. Kosovo accuses Serbia of hiding their locations.

The EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, or EULEX, says it is difficult to find the bodies as many were buried in small, unmarked graves or even in cemeteries, in an effort by the perpetrators to make the search for the missing more difficult and to hide evidence. Most of the missing are ethnic Albanians, while a few are Serbs.

The international community will pressure both Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic to continue with a constructive approach, because that is the only way forward, said Kosovar analyst Artan Muhaxheri.

Kosovo is a former Serbian province. The 1998-1999 war in Kosovo with a majority ethnic Albanian erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people died, mostly ethnic Albanians. In 1999 a NATO military intervention forced Serbia to pull out of the territory. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which is not recognized by Serbia.

___

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lsemini
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Florida lawmaker Matt Gaetz says he is pressing charges against a leftist wino woman who allegedly threw a drink over him at a wine festival in his home state.

Selena Chambers, 41, has been charged with felony battery after allegedly tossing a glass of wine at the Republican politician at an event in northwest Florida on Saturday.

But according to an arrest report made by the Walton County Sheriffs Office, Ms Chambers insists she tripped and spilled her drink on Representative Gaetz.

Selena Chambers, 41, of Tallahassee (Walton County Sheriffs Office)

Ms Chambers, who is from Tallahassee, Florida, was charged with two counts of battery. One count is a misdemeanour, while the other, battery on an elected official, is a felony in the state.

Her bond was set at $1,000 and she was released from custody the following day.

The congressman said on Tuesday that he pressed charges against the person who assaulted him in order to uphold the civility our community deserves.

I will never allow the safety of Northwest Floridians to be comprised, Mr Gaetz said in a statement.

Matt Gaetz presses charges against woman who allegedly threw drink over him at Florida wine festival (Twitter/Matt Gaetz)

Mr Gaetz then went on to detail the incident on his Firebrand podcast and said it happened as he took pictures and chatted with supporters.

A lady threw a drink on both of us and she was promptly arrested, he said, as he thanks the Walton County Sheriffs Office deputies.

I want everybody to know why we press charges in circumstances like this. It is quite alright for folks to let their voice be heard with an opinion or a comment, folks can shout and scream all they want. This is America and people ought to be able to say what they believe, what they desire, even offer criticism and critiques of people in public life.

BREAKING: Tallahassee Woman Arrested and Charged with Assaulting Congressman Matt Gaetz on Saturday Evening, Gaetz Issues Statement in Response



I will never allow the safety of Northwest Floridians to be compromised. I will be pressing charges against this individual in order pic.twitter.com/lXccJypznU  Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 2, 2023

But if we start to allow stuff to be thrown or hurled, if we allow people to be harmed there is a severe risk of escalation and accident.

We dont want to see anyone in harms way, whether its family members, supporters, or even our detractors, we want them to be safe too.

But when they cross the Rubicon beyond just words to throwing stuff and striking me and a gentleman I was speaking to with a drink, then that really has caused harm to our community and we want to contain and extinguish.
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Unreported gifts and lavish vacations worth tens of thousands of dollars from politically connected megadonors. Undisclosed real-estate transactions involving family members. Potential conflicts of interest with enormous political impacts.

Following an avalanche of reporting about justices on the nations highest court, Democratic members of Congress have argued that the US Supreme Court  the only arm of the federal judiciary that is not bound by a code of ethics  should not be insulated against a system of checks and balances.

Notably absent from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court ethics on 2 May was any member of the court. Chief Justice John Roberts was invited, but he declined to appear.

Committee chair Dick Durbin said recent reporting that exposed the close relationships between Justice Clarence Thomas and his friend and influential Republican donor Harlan Crow, among other revelations involving members of the court, would be unacceptable at any other level of government.

But the court wont even acknowledge that its a problem, the Democratic senator said.

How low can the court go? he added. Because the court will not act, Congress must.

A ProPublica investigation into Justice Thomas was the latest in a string of findings over the last two decades about questionable gifts and the relationships between conservative members of the nine-member panel with special interest groups and other figures that have business at the court.

The court should have a code of conduct with clear and enforceable rules so both justices and the American people know when conduct crosses the line, Mr Durbin said at Tuesdays hearing.

The highest court in the land should not have the lowest ethical standards, he said. That reality is driving a crisis in public confidence in the Supreme Court. The status quo must change.

Several proposals in Congress  including legislation introduced by Independent Senator Angus King and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski  would force the nations high court to create a binding code of conduct, appoint an ethics officer to oversee compliance, or establish an ethics policy as strict as one for members of Congress.

Republican lawmakers  who have supported a years-long effort with right-wing legal groups to radically reshape the federal judiciary by seating dozens of ideologically like-minded judges  accused congressional Democrats of using ethics reform to undermine the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority, a long-held goal of GOP-aligned special interest groups.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas at one point during Tuesdays hearing accused Democratic lawmakers of racism by singling out Justice Thomas. As an example, he showed a copy of a magazine illustration depicting the justice shining the shoes of the late Justice Anton Scalia. The magazine went out of business more than 20 years ago. The cover was from 1996.

The left despises Clarence Thomas. And they do not despise him because hes a conservative, the left despises Clarence Thomas because he is a conservative African American, Mr Cruz said.

Recommended Supreme Court preserves abortion drug approval as legal case plays out

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham characterised the hearing and other Democratic-led efforts for ethics reform at the Supreme Court as a concentrated effort by the left to delegitimise this court and to cherry-pick examples to make a point.

This assault on Justice Thomas is well beyond ethics, he added. It is about trying to delegitimise a conservative court that was appointed through the traditional process.

Protesters in Washington DC join rally pushing for Supreme Court ethics rules and the end of Citizen United as lawmakers debate codes of conduct on 2 May (EPA)

Congressional Republicans have accused Democrats over the years of a kind of judicial extremism in advocating for expanding the number of seats on the Supreme Court or adding more oversight, despite the GOPs own efforts to pack federal courts across the country with judges vetted by right-wing legal groups and conservative activists.

Senator Chuck Grassley accused Democratic lawmakers and the press of working in concert to do the bidding of liberal grand plans to undermine the Supreme Court. He pointed to relentless political battering and left-wing dark money interest groups who are engaged in a crusade to threaten, pack and smear the courts.

All because the left is opposed to recent court rulings, he said.

The Supreme Courts 2010 decision in the Citizens United case has allowed groups that do not disclose their donors to spend unlimited sums on campaigns, including tens of millions of dollars to influence judicial nominations.

Within the years that followed, groups aligned with Republican candidates and right-wing causes spent tens of millions of dollars supporting their favoured campaigns to immense success, but rather than reverse Citizens United, Republicans have instead zeroed in on dark money groups backing Democratic causes.

Former US Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who was in office during George W Bushs administration, defended the Supreme Court justices under scrutiny and said the American public is being forced to hallucinate misconduct at the court in a concerted effort to undermine its authority.

He also said that if any law imposing ethics requirements at the court were ever challenged in a lawsuit, I believe it would be found to be unconstitutional  suggesting that he believes Supreme Court justices who would be forced to abide by those checks and balances would toss it out anyway.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse shows a photo-realistic painting of Clarence Thomas with influential right-wing figures that hangs inside a vacation home owned by a GOP megadonor. (EPA)

Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff pressed Mr Mukasey whether he, as a judge, would have declined the kinds of offers that Justice Thomas accepted from Mr Crow.

If I were a district judge and somebody wanted to fly me on his private plane on a vacation with his family, and I were friendly with that person, would I have refused and endangered the friendship? Im not sure that I wouldve, he said.

After a beat, Mr Ossoff replied: I think the American public sees that kind of conduct and quite reasonably asks the question whether its appropriate.

Before the hearing, a pair of influential constitutional experts told the committee that Congress does have the power to impose a code of conduct on the Supreme Court.

A statement from retired appeals court Judge J Michael Luttig  a prominent conservative former federal judge revered on the right  said that Congress indisputably has the power under the Constitution to enact laws prescribing the ethical standards applicable to the nonjudicial conduct and activities of the Supreme Court of the United States.

He said a binding code of conduct ought not be thought of as anything more  and certainly nothing less  than the housekeeping that is necessary to maintain a Republic.

In another statement, former Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe said congressional attempts to impose ethical norms in a binding way on the justices are eminently sensible.

I see such legislation as a necessary though probably not sufficient response to the current situation, he wrote.

Senator Lindsey Graham addresses the Senate Judiciary Committee on 2 May. (REUTERS)

Legal experts and Democratic lawmakers rejected Republican arguments that imposing a code of ethics on the Supreme Court would violate the separation of powers between the court and Congress.

Checks and balances is equally important, and the role of the Congress is to establish the Supreme Court. Its not just permitted, its required, Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, told the committee.

The Supreme Courts creation is constitutionally mandated, but there is no detail about how to operate  that is left to the Congress, she said.

Deciding whether it abides by congressional oversight is not in the hands of the chief justice and his colleagues, she added.

The justices are not free to say that law does not apply to me, she said. What is troubling is, there is an implication in the recent statement of ethics policies as well as previous statements by the court, that it doesnt think these laws bind it.

Kedrick Payne, a senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, said it is unclear why the Supreme Court simply has not created its own code of conduct.

They could create this immediately, he said.
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Another mass shooting in Texas.

More innocent lives lost.

And another shock-stirring response from Governor Greg Abbott.

On Friday, five people  including a nine-year-old boy  were shot dead in a horror attack at a home in Cleveland.

Around 15 family members, friends and godparents had gathered together to prepare for a church event when neighbour Francisco Oropesa allegedly stormed into the home with an AR-15-style rifle.

Going room to room, the 38-year-old suspect gunned down anyone in his path.

Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, her nine-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18, were killed in the shooting.

Two of the women died after they threw their bodies over small children to protect them from the gunfire.

In the eyes of their alleged killer, the victims crime was asking him if he could stop shooting his firearm so close to their home while their baby was trying to sleep.

But in his initial response to the shooting, Governor Abbott pointed out something else entirely, describing the victims as illegal immigrants.

Silence and a photo of a pet dog

It took two days for the Republican governor to even acknowledge the latest mass shooting in his state  which came less than a year after 21 young students and teachers were murdered in a massacre in Uvalde.

On Saturday, while the Cleveland community and devastated families grieved and a huge manhunt was launched to find the killer, Mr Abbott took to Instagram to post a photo of his pet dog.

All smiles for the weekend, he wrote.

On Sunday, he finally broke his silence over the shooting in a statement where he announced his office was contributing a $50,000 reward to catch the suspect.

Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, and her nine-year-old son Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman (Family handout)

But in the statement, he also chose to label the five people killed not as victims but illegal immigrants.

Announcing a $50K reward for a @TxDPS top 10 fugitive who is in the country illegally and killed five illegal immigrants Friday night. I also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout for the criminal and any attempts to flee the country, he said on Twitter.

The following day, Mr Abbott was forced to walk back his comment after it turned out it was not even a factual statement.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, Mr Abbotts spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement on Monday.

We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Mr Abbotts silence and then perceived anti-immigrant rhetoric sparked an instant backlash from public figures, gun control activists and immigration advocates.

Its below the dignity of the governor to impugn the victims of a mass shooting about their legal status, Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, told NBC News.

All of the victims are Latino and so is the suspected gunman. This is a tragedy that involves another serial killing and a weapon for war that was used in the killing. Thats the issue, not the legal status of the victims.

But the criticism may have little effect on Mr Abbott.

After all, he has been here many times before.

Mass shootings under Abbotts watch

It was November 2017  two years into his first term  when 26 people were murdered and another 20 wounded when a 26-year-old gunman opened fire during Sunday service at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs.

Just six months later in May 2018, a 17-year-old student killed eight classmates and two students at Santa Fe High School.

One year later in August 2019, a domestic terrorist attack at a Walmart in El Paso left 23 shoppers and store workers dead and dozens more injured.

Then, on 24 May 2022, 19 students aged just nine to 11 and two teachers were shot dead at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde by an 18-year-old gunman who had legally bought an AR-15-style rifle in the state just days after his birthday.

A vigil held for the nine-year-old boy Daniel who died on Friday (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In total, Texas has been rocked by at least six major mass shootings under Mr Abbotts watch, according to a Texas Tribune database.

And, after each, he has come under fire for inaction.

Mr Abbotts response  or lackthereof  was especially audible after Uvalde.

As the nation reeled from one of the deadliest school shootings in American history, the governor continued with his plans to attend a campaign fundraiser that same day.

Records show he spent three hours at the event, drumming up up to $50,000 in donations for his re-election campaign.

When he finally addressed the horror attack the next day, he infamously told the community that had just lost 21 members that it could have been worse.

He then appeared  via pre-recorded video message  at the NRA convention that weekend where he claimed gun safety laws have no impact on reducing gun violence.

He then failed to attend any of the victims funerals.

And he refused the pleas of the grieving families and state lawmakers to call a legislative session to even discuss the possibility of introducing gun safety measures in the state.

Anti-immigration rhetoric

Following the Uvalde massacre, gun control advocates suggested that Mr Abbotts ongoing anti-immigration rhetoric may have contributed to his unwillingness to take action.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, former US Representative for Florida and senior adviser for gun control advocacy organisation Giffords, told The Independent in September that his response revealed a discrimination towards the low-income, Hispanic community situated close to the US-Mexico border.

Uvalde is a predominantly Hispanic community and I wonder if his response would have been different if the community was of a higher income bracket and more representative of his base, she said.

She added: Is it because of the colour of their skin and their appearance that Republicans have completely dismissed one of the most disgusting tragedies where children were massacred?

Each of the five victims killed last week were Honduran nationals.

Critics say Mr Abbotts first comments about that shooting make it clear he is trying to make the massacre about immigration.

In his only statement to date, he referred to both the victims and the suspect in terms of what he believed to be their immigration status.

Mr Oropesa was described as a fugitive who is in the country illegally while his alleged victims were labelled illegal immigrants.

The states access to firearms  including the AR-15-style rifle used in the attack  didnt feature at all in his comments.

The reality is that it has become increasingly easy for people to get their hands on guns in Texas in recent years  in large part thanks to Mr Abbott.

Lax gun laws

Less than one year before Uvalde, in June 2021, the Texas governor signed a bill into law allowing Texans without a licence to open carry handguns.

At the bill signing was NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre and NRA president Carolyn Meadows.

Mr Abbott  and the Texas GOP  have long enjoyed a cosy relationship with the gun lobby group and this relationship appears to play a major part in the unwillingness to enact gun safety measures.

From 2017 to 2022, the NRA spent more than $2m lobbying Texas state lawmakers, data from Open Secrets reveals.

Ahead of his gubernatorial reelection race in the November midterms, data compiled by Giffords shows that Mr Abbott received $20,700 in career gun lobby contributions  one of the highest of all candidates in gubernatorial races.

So long as he keeps that cosy relationship with the NRA, it seems unlikely Mr Abbott will take action  or even give a more meaningful response  to the constant cycle of mass shootings and gun violence in his state.

Children play outside the scene of the mass shooting in Cleveland (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

As Cal Jillson, professor of political science at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, told The Independent in September: Hes been through this many times.

As Texas governor, hes had about 10 mass shootings and each time there are calls for dramatic action and hes dealt with calls in a particular way which is concluding that hes not going to take significant action so theres no need to go through the pretence.

Its now five days since the latest horror mass shooting in Texas.

Children have been left to grow up without their mothers, fathers without their sons.

And the governor who made it easier for people to buy firearms in Texas is yet to visit any of the victims families.
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The Biden administration is expecting to dispatch 1,500 active-duty service members to the US-Mexico border to assist in handling the large influx of migrants expected when pandemic-era border restrictions expire next week, according to three Biden administration sources.

The plan for deployment of active-duty troops is part of the administrations preparation for the end of public health restrictions imposed by the Trump administration at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention invoked a rarely-used section of US law known as Title 42, which allows the US Surgeon General to prohibit ... the introduction of persons and property from such countries or places as he shall designate if he finds it necessary to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the US.

The Trump-era policy, which has allowed border officials to rapidly expel most migrants who cross the US-Mexico border before they can have a chance to claim asylum, was championed by immigration hardliners but has been criticised by Democrats and immigration activists as inhumane and ineffective.

The policy has remained in place despite Biden administration efforts to rescind it due to a court order sought by a group of Republican-led states. In December, the Supreme Court allowed the Title 42 order to remain in place through February, and the Biden administration later announced that it would sunset the policy when pandemic-era emergency declarations expire on 11 May.

Because large numbers of migrants whove been effectively blocked from claiming asylum under Title 42 would now be permitted to make those claims, officials say the troops being deployed to the border will augment 2,500 other service members who are currently deployed there.

The 1,500 extra troops would be tasked with handling administrative and support work so federal law enforcement agencies charged with securing the border can spend their time in the field.

Although an 1878 law, the Posse Comitatus Act, prohibits the US military from undertaking law enforcement responsibilities under most circumstances, the use of active duty service members to perform administrative and support tasks at the border is permissible. Biden administration officials have confirmed that the troops being sent to the border would not engage in any law enforcement work.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said the additional troops will be deployed for 90 days and are being requested due to an anticipated increase in migration.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday that the troops would be performing administrative tasks like data entry and warehouse support and will not interact with migrants in any capacity.

This will free up Border Patrol agents to perform their critical law enforcement duties, she said.

Ms Jean-Pierre added that the deployment would not be necessary if Congress would advance the comprehensive immigration reform bill put forth by President Joe Biden on the first day of his administration.

The Biden administration is also rolling out a number of new policies to deal with the expected migrant surge, including what officials have described as improved access to lawful pathways to the United States for asylum seekers.

Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the establishment of regional processing centres in South and Central American nations to be operated by international aid organisations. A senior administration official said personnel at the regional centres will act to expedite pre-screening of individuals for lawful pathways to the United States with interviews to determine if they are eligible to be referred for refugee resettlement or other lawful pathways such as parole programmes, family reunification or existing labour pathways.

The new programme will be modeled along the lines of an existing Biden administration initiative to process asylum seekers from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti, but individuals from those four nations will continue to be handled by the existing programme, under which asylum seekers who are found to be ineligible for asylum after entering at the US-Mexico border will be returned to Mexico.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
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Ukraines interior minister has said that eight storm brigades  comprising of up to 40,000 troops  are being re-equipped as Ukraine prepares to launch a counteroffensive against Moscows invasion.

The brigades are fully formed but Ihor Klymenko said that they require two to three weeks of instruction before they are tasked with appropriate offensive assault operations alongside the Ukrainian army. Mr Klymenko said that Kyiv was also planning the formation of additional units in parallel with this training, during an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

At the same time, Russias defence minister has ordered the production of missiles in the country to be doubled as soon as possible and its weapons supply rapidly increased. Western and Ukrainian officials have been suggesting for months that shortages of artillery munitions and missiles are undermining Russias war, which is now more than 14 months old.

The actions of Russian units conducting the special operation largely depend on the timely replenishment of stocks of weapons, military equipment and means of destruction, Sergei Shoigu said in remarks published by the Defence Ministry and broadcast on state television. He added that Russias defence enterprises had been told to increase the pace and volume of production. In particular, Mr Shoigu said the output of high-precision missiles needed to be doubled as soon as possible.

It comes as Ukraines military vowed not to give up on the eastern city of Bakhmut, the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting in the last few months. The battle for Bakhmut has symbolic importance for both sides, with Ukraine still holding on to some parts of the city after months of fierce fighting against regular Russian troops and fighters from the private Wagner mercenary force. Russia sees the city as a stepping stone to other areas of the region of Donetsk that it seeks to control. However, the frontlines have barely moved in weeks.

In remarks released after a visit to troops fighting in Bakhmut, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian ground forces said: Together with the commanders, we have made a number of necessary decisions aimed at ensuring the effective defence and inflicting maximum losses on the enemy

He told soldiers in video footage of his visit: We will continue, despite all the forecasts and advice, to hold Bakhmut, destroying Wagner and other most combat-capable units of the Russian army ... we give our reserves an opportunity to prepare and we are preparing for further actions ourselves.

Mr Syrskyi said on Monday that Ukrainian units had ousted Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut. The Wagner group said its units had made incremental advances there. Reuters was unable to verify the battlefield situation.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner group, said on the same day that his troops were being supplied with only a third of the artillery shells they needed for their assault on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Mr Prigozhin has for months railed against a lack of ammunition supplies from Moscow, saying poor support is holding back Russias offensive.

On Monday, the US estimated that more than 20,000 Russians had been killed in the last five months of fighting, with another 80,000 injured. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the estimates were based on US intelligence and said that half of those killed were from the Wagner group, mostly around Bakhmut. The Kremlin dismissed the estimate on Tuesday, saying that been plucked from thin air and said that Washington had no way of obtaining the correct data.

Elsewhere, Denmark has said it will donate military equipment and financial support to Ukraine worth 1.7 billion Danish crowns (200m)  including mine clearance vehicles, munition, field bridges and money for air defence that will be needed for a counteroffensive against Russian forces that are dug in behind hundreds of miles of trenches.

We know that the Russians have entrenched themselves in the occupied territories of Ukraine with trenches, minefields and other obstacles to stop a Ukrainian offensive, the acting Danish defence minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said. The material in the donation package is important to pave the way for Ukrainian tanks and the armoured infantry in the frontline, he added.

The defence minister added that Denmark would reduce its military presence in Iraq starting in early-2024 and instead focus on the Baltic countries, offering Nato a battalion to defend the region. The battalion is expected to consist of between 700 and 1,200 soldiers, and is set to be deployed in Latvia between four and six months every year. The rest of the year, the troops will remain in Denmark, ready to be deployed to the Baltic states in case of a crisis, their Ministry of Defence said.

Denmark will withdraw one of its security and escort units of about 105 soldiers in Iraq as of February next year, but will continue to provide staff and advice to Natos mission in Iraq.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
Footage captures the moment a powerful tornado flipped a car into the air and hurled debris across a highway in Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday (29 April).

Firefighters told local media that one of the drivers was slightly injured when two cars heading south on US 1 overturned because of the storm.

According to a post by the National Weather Service in Miami, the twister was an EF-2 tornado that resulted in multiple reports of damage to trees, homes, buildings, power poles and cars.

Such a tornado is characterised by wind gusts between 110 and 137 mph.

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A computer scientist regarded as the "godfather" of artificial intelligence (AI) has quit his job at Google, issuing a warning about the dangers the technology poses.

Geoffrey Hinton worked at the company for over ten years, developing technology which led to systems such as ChatGPT being created.

"The kind of intelligence we're developing is very different from the intelligence we have. We're biological systems, these are digital systems," Mr Hinton told the BBC.

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A motorist drove through Just Stop Oil protesters blocking a road in north London on Tuesday morning (2 May), colliding with a person.

It went over my foot, a member of the group can be heard saying.

The demonstration was part of Just Stop Oils vow to march every weekday and on Saturdays from 24 April to call on the government to stop licensing any new fossil fuel projects in the UK.

The Metropolitan Police said it is appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage after a person was involved in a collision with a vehicle... whilst engaged in a protest.

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New York Police Department (NYPD) police officers lined the streets of Brooklyn to pay tribute to a detective who spent 33 years in a vegetative state after being shot in the head in 1990.

Troy Patterson was washing his car when he was approached by three suspects demanding $20.

A 15-year-old boy shot the officer in the head, leaving him with catastrophic injuries.

Mr Patterson died on 29th April in New Jersey.

His remains were transferred to a funeral home in Brooklyn on Monday, 1 May.

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The Senate Judiciary Committee began a hearing on Supreme Court ethical standards on Tuesday (2 May) after reports that Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch may have violated rules.

A ProPublica investigation revealed that Justice Thomas failed to disclose gifts, luxury travel, and financial benefits from Republican megadonor and friend Harlan Crow.

According to a report from Politico, Justice Gorsuch made hundreds of thousands of dollars in a property sale that involved the owner of a prominent legal firm with business before the court.

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Alan Joyce has been CEO of Qantas for the past 15 years. Photo: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg

QANTAS chief executive Alan Joyce, the Dubliner who has run the iconic airline for the past 15 years, is to retire from the role in November.

Hell be succeeded by Qantas chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson. Shell be the airlines thirteenth chief executive in the past 103 years.

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder paid tribute to Mr Joyces long tenure in the hot seat. Hes lead the airline through the global financial crisis (GFC) as well as the pandemic.

This transition is happening at a time when the Qantas Group is extremely well positioned, said Mr Goyder.

We have a clear strategy, a strong balance sheet and record profitability that supports a pipeline of investment for customers, opportunities for our people and returns to shareholders, he said.

Mr Goyder added: Much of the credit for the bright future in front of Qantas goes to Alan. Hes faced more than his fair share of challenges as CEO and hes managed them exceptionally well  from the GFC, to record oil prices, to intense competitive pressures and the Covid crisis.

Mr Joyce, who became an Australian citizen in 2003, has sometimes been the focus of intense criticism by unions, passengers and staff.

In 2014 as the airline racked up significant losses, he slashed 5,000 jobs at the carrier, targeted huge savings, cut airline's debt pile and reduced the number of fleet types that Qantas operated.

But in the initial depths of that turnaround, Joyce (56) faced death threats (he even had bodyguards at one stage), vitriol and calls for his resignation.

But Qantas survived and thrived in the intervening years before the pandemic. However, he moved to axe thousands of jobs during the Covid crisis as the carrier posted huge losses. He bought a multi-million dollar mansion in Sydney Harbour during the pandemic.

The airline made a A$1bn profit in the first half of the current financial year.

Mr Joyce, who is gay, has been a champion of gay rights and strongly supported gay rights in Australia.

In 2017, Mr Joyce received Australia's highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for his services to aviation, tourism, gender equity and indigenous education.

He also had a lemon meringue pie shoved in his face that year at a business breakfast gathering in Perth by an opponent of gay rights.

Later in 2017, Australias electorate approved a change that would allow same-sex marriage. Mr Joyce had contributed A$1m of his own money in the campaign for a yes vote.

The aviator, who once worked at Aer Lingus after graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, was appointed chief executive of Qantas in 2008, having headed Jetstar from 2003.

His mother worked as a cleaner in the local swimming pool in Tallaght, leaving the house at dawn to go to her job, leaving Alan to mind his three younger brothers. His father worked three jobs to help pay the mortgage.
Digicels bondholders have extended a grace period by another 15 days, giving more time to thrash out restructuring talks on the telcos debts.

In a statement on Tuesday, Digicel said it has also received agreement from bondholders to provide a debt issuance of up to $100m (90.9m) to finance the working capital needs and other general corporate financial requirements of the telecoms company that was founded by Denis OBrien.

The 15-day grace period can also be extended by another 15 days.

A general agreement  which is not yet finalised  has already been struck with bondholders. It would result in Mr OBrien, who is Digicels chairman, ceding a majority stake in the company to the bondholders in return for the debt deal. Under the agreement, the businessman would remain a Digicel director and one of the biggest shareholders in the group.

Formalisation of these agreements into a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) and implementation of same would recapitalise the business and place it on a firm and sustainable footing for the future, Digicel said in a statement last month as it secured an earlier time extension.

It added: The agreements in principle are subject to definitive documentation and other requirements, as applicable, and there can be no assurances that they will be consummated.

Last year, Digicel completed the sale of its Pacific Ocean arm to Australias Telstra in a deal that valued the division at up to $1.85bn.

The sale to Telstra was supported by the Australian government amid tensions with China.

Last November, Digicel warned investors that significant civil unrest in Haiti was having a major detrimental effect on its business in the country.

It reckoned that the financial impact on Digicel Haiti in the six-month period to March this year would be significant.

On a reported basis, assuming recent trends, Digicel estimates adjusted Ebitda in Haiti will be in the region of $25m to $35m, compared to $74m in the prior half year, it noted.

US-based humanitarian group Mercy Corps warned on Tuesday that Haiti is on the brink of civil war. Vigilantes dragged 13 suspected gang members from police custody last week and beat them to death.
After an initial attempt to notify the successful members of a class action lawsuit against the City of Billings went badly, the parties have settled on a plan for a do-over.

The case has dragged on in the courts for nearly five years, reaching a settlement in March with the city agreeing to pay $3.6 million to the class. The dispute was over the claim by class members that the city had illegally collected a utility fee for decades. As part of the settlement, a judge ordered a permanent injunction barring the city from ever charging the fee again.

Of the $3.6 million awarded, as much as $925,000 will go to plaintiff attorneys' fees, and $130,000 will go to a private court administrator to notify class members. That leaves just over $2.5 million to be split by the 35,000 or so class members, about $70 each.

But, most of the notices sent to class members informing them of their options were sent to the wrong people. As a remedy, the private administrator  at its own expense  is resending the postcards, this time color-coded to help clarify class member options.

That initial remedy, however, also contained an error. In a section of the notice labeled Important Additional Information, an incorrect email address was listed that class members could use to contact class counsel. That error was caught before the new notices were mailed.

Fixing the mailing error is estimated to cost in excess of $18,000, according to court records.

Two different postcards will now be mailed, a blue card for current customer class members and a cherry-colored card for excluded current customers.

Current customer class members are those who paid the franchise fees between Feb. 2, 2015 and June 30, 2018, and are still customers of the citys public works department. Current qualifying customers would get a one-time credit on their utility bill.

Excluded current members are those who are current Billings public works customers who didnt establish service until after June 30, 2018. Excluded current customers will not receive a rebate but can file a claim before Aug. 31.

In the lawsuit, claims were made that the city over decades collected more than $50 million in what plaintiffs alleged were illegal fees. After being sued in early 2018, the city stopped collecting the fees.

Ironically, because the settlement is being paid for by taxpayers, members of the class are essentially paying for their own rebate.

Important additional information

More information is available on the Settlement Website. The Notice of Class Action Settlement provides additional information on the Settlement and how the Settlement Amount will be distributed. See: https://www.cityofbillingsfranchisefeessettlement.com

If you cannot determine whether you are a Current Customer Class Member, an Excluded Current Customer, or a Former Customer Class Member, you may contact the Class Administrator for clarification. Please do not contact the Court.

Class Administrator

PO Box 25199 Santa Ana, CA 92799

(833) 513-0862

Problems or concerns

The Court has appointed Matthew G. Monforton as Class Counsel. If you have any problems or concerns, you may reach out to Class Counsel:

Matthew G. Monforton, Esq.

Monforton Law Offices, PLLC

40 Spanish Peak Drive, Suite 101

Bozeman, Montana 59718

Telephone: (406) 570-2949
Emerald Airlines chief executive Keith Butler criticises 'disappointing and unnecessary' move by IALPA

The operator of the Aer Lingus Regional service, Dublin-based Emerald Airlines, has been warned by a pilot union that it may ballot its members for industrial action up to and including strikes if the carriers management does not agree to negotiate a collective agreement with the union.

But the airline has criticised the union for threatening the ballot as it approaches the busy summer season. Emerald has also insisted that it has been constructively dealing directly with its pilots and has already improved their terms and conditions, including pay.

It is understood Emerald racked up substantial losses in its first year of operation, as is common with startup airlines.

The Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) wrote to its members in Emerald Airlines last week. It said that IALPA and Emerald Airlines are now officially in a trade dispute.

As you know, IALPA has tried to engage with Emerald Airlines management on pilot pay, pension, terms and conditions of employment, the pilot union said in a letter to members seen by the Irish Independent.

Crucially, we have not received from management a positive response to our request for a meeting to negotiate, it said.

But Emerald Airlines CEO Keith Butler said the carrier is already engaged in direct dialogue and negotiations with its staff through its Employee Representative Group, resulting in significant improvements in pay and conditions.

This development from IALPA, coming as we approach a busy summer season, is extremely disappointing and unnecessary, he said. We maintain an active and healthy dialogue directly with all of our employees including pilot employee representatives.

He added: We are committed to providing a positive, progressive, and healthy work environment for everyone working at Emerald Airlines.

IALPA told members in its letter to them that it has been working on how to resolve this dispute in the interests of our members.

If Emerald management do not engage with IALPA in the short term, then there will be a secret ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action, it said.

Emerald Airlines was founded by entrepreneur Conor McCarthy who is its executive chairman. Its understood to have about 140 pilots flying its ATR turboprop fleet, 70 of them based in Dublin. It employs 400 people.

The carrier was awarded a 10-year contract in 2021 to operate the Aer Lingus Regional service.

Emerald has significantly expanded the number of routes it operates under the franchise agreement, and now serves 30 routes from Dublin, Cork and Belfast.

It is understood that IALPA president Evan Cullen has been working since late last year to lay the foundations for a collective agreement for members at Emerald. He did not respond to messages left for him over the weekend.

In a letter to Mr McCarthy and Mr Butler seen by the Irish Independent, IALPA warned that a ballot of its members for industrial action is possible.

We remain available to meet with you to negotiate and agree a collective labour agreement on pay, pension, terms and conditions of employment of our pilot members working in Emerald Airlines, it said.

Please notify us if you are agreeable to meet with us, otherwise we will have to consider other methods of resolving this trade dispute on behalf of our members, it added.
Global tech consulting company Slalom has opened a Dublin office and intends to hire more than 50 people this year.

The firm, which manages large projects with partners such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Google Cloud, intends to grow its workforce to several hundred in the next five years, it said in a statement.

Slalom, founded in the US city of Seattle more than 20 years ago, currently has around 13,000 staff worldwide and works with over 400 tech clients.

It has several offices in the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and Germany.

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney said the news demonstrates Irelands position as an excellent strategic choice for global business and also highlights our talented workforce as being major factor in attracting [foreign direct investment].

IDA Ireland chief executive Michael Lohan, which has supported the companys move, said Slaloms expansion plans were a welcome addition to Irelands technology sector.

Ireland is an ideal location in terms of talent from which Slalom can grow and expand their offering in Europe, he said.

The consultancy plans to launch a new service in Dublin, Slalom Build, for builders of digital products, it said. It will be led by former Vodafone Ireland chief information officer David Gregg, as managing director.

Jane Dawson-Howe, country leader for Slalom Ireland, said the Dublin office would allow the company to reach more businesses who want to achieve better outcomes - an exciting prospect for us all - and will be a home for a team of industry leading consultants who are truly experts in their fields.
Perry Mason: Five out of five stars

Perry Mason (Matthew Rhys) and Paul Drake (Chris Chalk) go up against white power and money in season two of the drama

Creating an origin story for a beloved old character is always challenging. Its doubly so when said characters creator didnt furnish them with anything remotely resembling an inner life to draw on.

The first season of Perry Mason (Sky Atlantic, Tuesday) back in 2020 used the name of prolific novelist Erle Stanley Gardners unbeatable criminal defence lawyer, previously played by Raymond Burr in a long-running series (1957-66) and, much later, in some 26 TV movies, but threw away almost everything else.

The only other elements of the original retained were Perrys loyal sidekicks, secretary Della Street and investigator Paul Drake, and District Attorney Hamilton Burger.

Gardner, a former lawyer, was uninterested in depth or character development; his stories were all about the mystery, the legal detail, the courtroom drama, the denouement  which regularly featured Perry sweating the killer into breaking down and confessing in the witness box, something the first season gently mocked.

The new Perry, played by the marvellous Matthew Rhys, wasnt even a lawyer at first. He was a scruffy, down-at-heel private eye in 1930s Los Angeles, a traumatised war veteran who drank too much, scraped a living from low-rent cases, lived alone on his familys failing dairy farm and had just emerged from a messy divorce.

Della (Juliet Rylance), little more than eye candy in the old series, became an independent woman with a naturally sharp legal brain. Shes gay, as is Burger (Justin Kirk), and the two act as one anothers beard at swanky social functions.

Paul (Chris Chalk) was changed from a stiff white dude to a young black cop and family man who, sickened by the racism and corruption rife inside the LAPD, turned in his badge and threw his lot in with Perry and Della.

Much of the first run focused on Perrys gradual transformation from grubby gumshoe to brilliant lawyer. While thrilling to watch, it also meant the core mystery, pivoting on the botched kidnap and gruesome murder of an infant, could sometimes be a little woolly.

Judging from the brace of season two episodes Ive watched (all eight are available from today), this time Perry Mason has got the balance between character and plot exhilaratingly right. Its taken a step up from excellence to brilliance.

Juliet Rylance who plays Della in Perry Mason

Everything feels sharper and more confident from the off. The pacing is tighter, the mystery this time denser and more gripping.

The depiction of the rapidly expanding City of Angels, glamorous on the surface but rotting underneath, is even richer than before as the series leans even more into the noirishness of Chinatown and LA Confidential.

Picking up several months after the first season, we find Perry only marginally less unhappy than before. Hes troubled by the aftermath of his last big case and still drinking heavily. But at least hes doing it in a bachelor apartment, albeit one strewn with boxes full of his clothes, rather than on his crumbling old farm. At the behest of Della, whos studying law and holding him to his promise to make her a partner, Perry has given up criminal cases in favour of civil ones, which are better for paying bills.

They hate the work, though, and especially their latest client Sunny Gryce (Sean Astin), a supermarket owner who rips off a talented former employees ideas, claims hesthe one being ripped off and insists on a legal settlement he knows will put the other mans store out of business.

Meanwhile, Paul, whos not getting the work Perry promised him, feels betrayed and takes on a job for Perrys old private eye partner Pete Strickland (Shea Whigham). Its a decision he soon comes to regret.

You know its only a matter of time before Perrys burning sense of justice wins out.

That time comes when, using the money hes earning from Gryce, he agrees to defend poor Mexican-American brothers Rafael and Mateo Gallardo (Fabrizio Guido and Peter Mendoza).

They are clearly being set up for the murder of Brooks McCutcheon (Tommy Dewey), the sleazy son of businessman Lydell McCutcheon (Paul Raci), a powerful, ruthless figure with his fingers in many pies.

Its great to have Perry and the team back on the case.
Presenter Baz Ashmawy says he has not been contacted by RTE in relation to the Late Late Show hosting gig.

Ashmawy is one of several named in the mix to take over from Ryan Tubridy when he stands down from the flagship show later this month.

No one has ever talked to me about the Late Late, he says. Im excited about it so see who gets it. I dont think it will be me I am sure they will make a decision very soon. There are a lot of good candidates out there and a nice new fresh approach would put some good energy into it.

Ashmawy, who hosts the hugely popular DIY SOS, says many underestimates how difficult a presenting gig the Late Late Show is.

As a presenter I am telling you it is juggling grenades to do a two-hour live show. And in fairness to Ryan, maybe one Christmas special there was a fluff but apart from thatI think people underestimate what a big, big challenge it is so whoever gets it good luck to them.

Asked what broadcaster he would like to see land the presenting job he replied, I have too many friends and cant pick favourites.

Ashmawy is currently filming a new drama comedy Faithless in County Wicklow. The six-part series is co-written by and stars Ashmawy and will air on Virgin Media next year.

It follows Irish-Egyptian dad, Sam, as he raises his three young daughters alone in the wake of his wife's sudden and unexpected death.

It is a passion project for the presenter, who began his career as an actor before being cast on travel show How Low Can You Go, and has been in the works for five years. "This is my baby, so I love it and it has been a long time coming. Seeing it come together has been strange and rewarding, he says. I started writing the pilot five years ago it has changed a lot since then.

I have never written anything before or acted in anything before, so it was a hard sell for people sometimes, he says.

The series also stars Art Campion, who played sexy priest Father Peter Conway in Derry Girls, and acclaimed actress Eleanor Methven who starred in The Boxer.

Tubridy will finish up as host on May 26thseveral days before he turns 50. Claire Byrne, Brendan O'Connor, Patrick Kielty and Sarah McInerney have all been suggested as replacements.

Last month, Graham Norton said he would have no interest in hosting the Friday night programme. "That job is such a hard gig" he said on Brendan O'Connor's radio show.

"I chip away at a very silly bit of show business, and I talk to actors and musicians... with the Late Late Show you have to cover so much stuff. You have to be across so many things and the changes of tone."
Everything you need to know about making top quality silage on your farm this summer
It's also understood there are concerns that understocking and overstocking by some farmers on commonages will impact all the farmers who are in ACRES on that commonage. Stock image

Hundreds of farmers could lose out on their full ACRES commonage payment this year, if others on the commonage cut turf or dont adhere to necessary stocking rates.

Farmers with commonage will only receive the full rates of payment if the entire commonage meets the required habitat management levels, which are based on a scorecard.

Its understood that if more than 10pc of the commonage is active turbary (turf cut this year), three points will be deducted from the commonages scorecard, which has a maximum of 10 points  this would reduce payments for farmers in ACRES.

Its also understood there are concerns that understocking and overstocking by some farmers on commonages will impact all the farmers who are in ACRES on that commonage.

Commonage in ACRES with a field score of 10 is eligible for payment rates of 220/ha, but if the score is seven, the payment drops to 115/ha.

INHFA President Vincent Roddy has called on the Department of Agriculture to provide clarity on the situation.

Since December, farmers have been contacting us expressing concern that the cutting of turf on lands declared for ACRES is prohibited, or if carried out will see a reduction on their scorecard that would have serious implications for their overall payment.

This issue we did address at our meeting with Minister McConalogue and DAFM staff in December and we were of the understanding that a practical solution would be found.

We are now four months on and turf machines are ready to go onto these lands and there is still no clarity on this.

A series of information meetings will be taking place from this week for farmers in the west with commonage.

ACRES West Connacht is being administered by a local project team and project manager Mary McAndrew told the Farming Independentthat the initial task of the project team is to develop a local action plan, which will set out local objectives and the means by which these will be met.

The aim of the local action plan is to ensure that the scheme is tailored to best meet the environmental needs of the local area, taking into account the agricultural and environmental characteristics of the landscape.

The scores for commonages, she said, will be gathered from now and continue over the summer, after which farmers will be told what their commonage scores are, as well as areas that have seen their scorecard drop.

There is a lot of confusion and we are starting information meetings, she said.

With commonage, its about trying to find a balance of fairness.

The ACRES West Connacht team has 170,000ha of commonage within two zones to score by September to ensure farmers are paid in December, McAndrew added.

In a statement to the Farming Independent, the Department of Agriculture said it is conscious that active turbary could have a disproportional impact to scores on commonage.

"The intention is for these turbary fields to be scored separately on the ground, with the resultant score feeding into the average weighted score calculation for the entire parcel to arrive at a parcel level score. This will mitigate against the negative impact of smaller severely damaged areas on the wider commonage parcel.
Courts

Tattoo of man accused of robbery that led to gardas murder to be used as evidence
Mayo solicitor asked the High Court judge to recuse herself, alleging close relationship with law firm Arthur Coxs senior counsel

Solicitor Ammi Burkes challenge to the Workplace Relations Commissions rejection of her claim of being unfairly dismissed by law firm Arthur Cox is due for hearing before the High Court on Tuesday.   Collins Courts

A High Court judge will rule tomorrow on whether she should recuse herself from hearing solicitor Ammi Burkes challenge to the Workplace Relations Commissions (WRCs) rejection of her claim she was unfairly dismissed by law firm Arthur Cox.
Three Dublin men accused of the gang rape of a woman in a Belfast hotel room were today acquitted of all charges after the prosecution offered no evidence against them.
Associates of gang boss Derek Dee Dee ODriscoll have emerged as the only suspects in the unsolved murder of a notorious criminal who died six weeks after being shot multiple times in an underground car park in Kilmainham, south Dublin.
The death of a grizzly bear found along the highway between Cody and Yellowstone National Park is being investigated.

A Wyoming Game and Fish Department spokesperson said the agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are conducting an inquiry into the incident, but would provide no further details.

The dead bear was reported to officials on Monday morning. Photographs of the bear lying on a hillside about 20 to 40 yards off the highway have been posted on Facebook by a Cody-area photographer. The photographer said she had seen the bear, a large boar, near the Newton Springs picnic area along the North Fork highway about 10 days ago.

Bears have recently been spotted in Montana's Paradise Valley and Yellowstone National Park as they search for food following winter. People recreating outdoors should carry bear spray and make noise to avoid coming into contact with a bear.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Wyoming Game and Fish.
A criminal trial had to be postponed because there was no senior barrister available to prosecute it.

The case, which was due to open before the Central Criminal Court, was subsequently delayed due to the shortage in counsel availability.

There have now been calls for more barristers to be appointed to the inner bar to deal with shortfalls at that level.

The inability to open a criminal trial because there was no senior counsel available to prosecute it is understood to be an unprecedented issue.

The trial was due to begin outside of Dublin last week but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not have a senior prosecution barrister to hand.

Sources said that an email was then sent out to every senior counsel on a panel, understood to be in excess of 40 people, in an attempt to fill the position.

However, this was unsuccessful and today the case was postponed once again. The matter is due back before the court later this week.

There have been shortages, especially at senior counsel level in the past year, but for a trial not to proceed because there arent any senior barristers available at all to prosecute the matter hasnt happened before, one informed source told Independent.ie.

They added that the matter could be addressed by appointing more barristers to senior counsel to deal with the shortfall in numbers.

Other issues cited included backlogs resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, barristers being appointed as judges, and more criminal trials coming before the courts.

Last year, it emerged that the DPP expressed concerns that trials were being impeded due to counsel unavailability and that cases had to be handed over to other barristers.

However, it is understood that the recent example is the first instance where a serious criminal trial has been postponed because there was no senior counsel available at all to prosecute it.

It comes as barristers held protests at courthouses around the country today in relation to pay issues under the criminal legal aid scheme.

Dozens of barristers took part in a protest on the steps of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin over what they say is the Governments failure to reverse pay cuts imposed during the financial crisis.

This has left criminal legal aid fees around the same level as they were in 2002. In comparison, much more generous fees can be charged in the civil courts.

The issue is particularly acute in the District Court.
The renting crisis has meant many people can only afford to live a house share. Stock image

Graffiti on the fence of a construction site in Dublin this February as rents continue to increase in the capital   Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The renting crisis in Dublin has meant many people can only afford to live a house share, which has left some anxious due to a potential toxic atmosphere and no privacy.

Eddie, from Offaly, is in his 40s. He works in Dublin but moved back in with his parents in an attempt to save for a mortgage. But now, everything is out of his price range, so he has been forced back to the renting market.

He told Independent.ie: I moved to Dublin in 2012, I wanted to buy a house, but I couldnt. I moved back to Offaly, moved in with my parents to save a deposit and I started looking at houses.

I had to keep renting; everything was above my budget. Im stuck here and Im trying to move out. To rent in Tullamore, prices are just like Dublin.

Half of your life is not your own, youve your own bedroom but its not in your own house. I get along with my parents great, but I dont have my independence.

I have been looking to rent again. Im not hopeful. Im on HAP and I dont think anyone will accept it. They have to say they will, but I dont think they will.

Diary of a Dublin renter - '1,750 a month and it smells like s**h'

If I want to move to Dublin Ill probably have to move into a house share. But how long should I do that? Im 43 now. Theres no privacy.

The Government is full of excuses, what do they want to happen with house prices? he added.

Meanwhile, Orla, in her mid-twenties from Co Meath, has dealt with everything from an alcoholic housemate to a mushroom growing on the bathroom floor.

I was living in Dundrum for two years. It was convenient for me; it was on the Luas line, and I worked in the city centre. It was disgusting, but it suited me.

A mushroom grew out of the bathroom floor; I couldnt believe it. We had mould, my bedroom wasnt too bad.

My rent was 600, any time a new tenant moved in hed up the price of their room each time.

A box room was 700, there was black mould all over the walls in there. The guy living in there was evicted, he was an alcoholic and did drugs.

He got really aggressive one night and we nearly had to ring the guards on him.

He got really violent, I was the only girl living with all guys. Luckily, they were there that night. I wouldnt like to think what would happen if they werent.

None of us had locks for our doors either. When I wasnt there, one of the lads would come into my bedroom. I found cigarette butts in my room from him too.

We noticed the full extent of the room when he moved out, it was disgusting. The landlord said it was because he never opened the window, it was black mould.

We had to advertise the room, he said hed say nothing about the mould for people viewing the room and would paint over it later.

The black mould was dripping down the wall, he didnt think anything was wrong with it. People walked into the room and walked straight out.

Orla also spoke about how her house was advertised as not owner occupied, despite her landlord staying at least once a month and sleeping in the shed.

The landlord moved to London, but hed come home once a month or so and semi lived with us.

It was half owner occupied, it did my head in. He always advertises as not owner occupied when it is.

Hed come home, use all the facilities, the Wi-Fi, the cooker, washing machine and TV. He wouldnt contribute to the bills.

It was awkward living with him, everyone was on edge when he was home. He lived in a shed in the back.

He brought home a woman once; she was in the kitchen in a dressing gown after being in the shed with him.

The anxiety in that house. It was toxic, she added.
A Fine Gael minister has clashed with the Green Party over a proposed 650m liquid gas storage plant that would ease the countrys dependence on Russian fuels.

Irelands urgent need for a liquid gas storage facility will be made clear by a special energy supplies report for the Government which is due shortly, OPW Minister Patrick ODonovan has said.

The Limerick-based junior ministers comments will increase the volume in a coalition struggle about the planned 650m liquid natural gas (LNG) storage facility at Ballylongford, Co Kerry, on the Shannon Estuary.

Energy Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is caught in the middle of pressures from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to soften his partys opposition due to the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. But on the other side, Mr Ryan faces a party revolt if he consents to such a move, which would go against reducing fossil fuel use and pursuing climate change targets.

At the weekend, Mr Ryan again signalled that he may be prepared to envisage a publicly operated storage facility at the site as a stop-gap solution, until wind and solar energy targets were met later this decade  something that would still enrage some Green Party members.

However, a previous official energy assessment suggested a public storage facility would be unduly expensive for taxpayers.

Mr ODonovan, a Fine Gael TD for nearby Limerick County, utterly dismissed arguments for a public facility or nothing.

This is about who can do it most efficiently and swiftly  and that is most likely to be a private investor. With proper supervision by the statutory authorities, upholding environmental and other standards, there will be no danger, Mr ODonovan told the Irish Independent.

A US conglomerate, Fortress Energy, wants to build the storage facility on the Kerry side of the border with Limerick and opposite an ageing coal-fired electricity generating station in Moneypoint on the Clare side of the Shannon Estuary.

Separately, Fortress Energy, has won contracts to operate two gas-powered generating stations at the Ballylongford site, increasing arguments against the Green Party stance.

A planning application for the LNG storage facility still awaits a decision from An Bord Pleanala and there is much local frustration at the delay.

Mr ODonovan has rejected accusations of pushing a constituency development, arguing that he wants the plant to meet national energy demands.

A spokesperson for Mr Ryan confirmed that the energy review, focusing on how to cope with shortages, is due shortly.

Mr Ryan said the best way forward was to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and by the start of the next decade Ireland will have 80pc of its energy needs supplied by renewable sources.

But he also acknowledged that in the short term, back-up gas storage may be necessary to hedge against a disruption to gas imports from UK and Norway. Such LNG storage facilities must also comply with various legal obligations and avoid use of fracked gas.

Minister Eamon Ryan does not believe that a commercial LNG facility would meet these criteria, the spokesperson said.
A FINE Gael councillor says she is leaving the party because it is not the same party I joined, in a further blow to Leo Varadkar and the central leadership.

Aisling Moran (49) is a member of Laois Co Council, representing the Graiguecullen / Portarlington.

Fine Gael is a changed party  we are not looking after the people we are supposed to be looking after, she told Independent.ie.

And she warned: There are other councillors at the same stage that I am at. They are frustrated.

My memory is of the Garret FitzGerald Fine Gael. The leadership under Leo has lost touch with the ordinary people, I feel  although the party is still full of brilliant politicians and workers who are trying very hard.

But they need to listen to the people  and they dont.

She added: I was whipped not to ask questions about public spending by the Laois party group. But she also admitted: Ive had a number of rows with the local leadership.

She said she could totally understand why a number of senior Fine Gael figures are to call time on their careers at the next general election.

I have been in politics all my life  I canvassed with Alan Dukes when I was eight or nine years of age, she said.

I got elected five years ago and my whole thing was about transparency. But if I ever asked to see a valuation or a cost breakdown, I was refused by my own party. It just got too much.

When I was spending too much time thinking about how I was feeling in there  I just thought I have to get away from this. And I have been steeped in Fine Gael  I was born with a blueshirt on my back, she said.

By leaving the party it might help a little bit. I felt completely bullied. It is, however, understood that the bullying charge is strongly rejected by Fine Gael.

The party has been contact for comment and is expected to make a formal statement soon.

Ms Moran said: Every time I opened my mouth I was told I was being rude, or that I was against jobs or investment. But our job is to make sure there is proper scrutiny and value for every penny. To me it seemed like there are millions of euro in wasted money.

She says she will probably stand as an Independent in the local elections next year.

I have got phone calls, texts and emails all morning from party members saying how they were sorry to see me going. The response has been huge  including locals who arent members of Fine Gael, or any organisation.

Cllr Moran commented: I think the party at the moment is al about Dublin and rural Ireland is completely forgotten about. Really the civil servants are running the country, and we as public representatives are meant to be holding them to account.

There is no support for members from headquarters. This was a very hard decision for me to make. I have been toying this decision for over a year. I have been frustrated  and now it has come to a head.

A Fine Gael spokesman said this evening: Councillor Aisling Moran informed Fine Gael HQ of her resignation late Monday night.

Fine Gael notes Cllr Morans comments today. She is aware of the partys complaints procedures for accusations such as bullying, but she never engaged with it. No complaint was ever received by the party.

He added: It is obviously disappointing to voters that Cllr Moran, who was elected as a Fine Gael councillor, has left the party and is no longer a member.

The Fine Gael group of Laois councillors will continue their hard work on behalf of the people who elected them.
National security demands now go far beyond military defence to take in threats from pandemics, climate, human rights abuses, economic shocks, and cyber and hybrid attacks, Micheal Martin has told a conference on global insecurity.

The Foreign Affairs Minister held out the prospect of deepening Irish relations with China - but said China must rule out force in Ukraine and call out Russian aggression. He also said that Beijing must address allegations of human rights abuses within its territory as part of its international obligations.

The Tanaiste was delivering a landmark foreign policy speech at a conference in the Royal Irish Academy, in Dublin, on the theme of Human Insecurity in an Unsettled World.

Mr Martin repeated his utter condemnation of Russias invasion of Ukraine, stressing that while Ireland is militarily neutral, it is never politically or morally neutral. He said Irelands 100-year international engagement was shaped by historic experience of injustice, and will always be done via the United Nations and its charter.

The Tanaiste said Russia had flouted all UN rules and obligations, grossly violated international law, including potential war crimes. He said all these wrongs also emboldened others who want to advance via force rather than debate and law.

Russia is counting on us growing tired, of looking away, he said. But the 22,000 civilian deaths, the eight million Ukrainians forced to flee their country, and the five million people internally displaced in Ukraine, meant this could not happen.

Turning to Irelands deepening relations with China, he said it was a country of 1.4 billion people and the sum of trade between both countries was 34.5bn in 2021. Ireland wants trade, cultural and other links to continue  but was not naive in its approach to all this.

Mr Martin rejected some commentators assessments of a west-versus-the-rest - with China facing off against the USA, and the European Union being squeezed between the two.

He said Ireland would anchor its approach to China within the European Union endorsing Commission President Ursula von der Leyens approach.

The Tanaiste welcomed elements of Chinas position paper on the Ukrainian war published in February. However, the paper failed to call out Russias aggression. To date, Chinas proposals for peace have not acknowledged that Russia started this war  and that it is Russia that can, and must, end it, he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister noted Beijing-Moscows close links at present epitomised by a recent state visit by President Xi Jinping. He recalled Chinas assurances to a fledgling Ukraine after the break-up of the USSR in 1991.

I call on China to reflect on this commitment, and to use its considerable influence to end Russias war, Mr Martin said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister endorsed the one China policy which effectively banned diplomatic relations with Taiwan. But he also stressed this did not mean economic, cultural and other links with Taiwan were ruled out.

Mr Martin also said that Ireland was always committed to human rights and he again expressed concerns about Chinas human rights record. He noted a UN report last year on rights abuses against the Uyghur and other Muslim peoples upon which China had vetoed security council debate.

Irelands message on human rights will remain consistent. Whether in relation to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong or elsewhere  China has an obligation to act in a manner that ensures full respect for the rule of law, he said.

China, like every other UN member state, must comply with its human rights obligations, the Tanaiste added.
The State has appealed a High Court ruling that quashed a District Court judge's refusal to hear the cases of three people accused of publishing information online identifying the teenage boys who murdered Ana Kriegel in 2018.

The three, who are accused of breaching publication restrictions under the Children Act 2001, won a High Court challenge in July of last year over how a District Court judge refused jurisdiction in the matters.

The three accused were among 10 people charged with similar breaches of the Children Act who were initially told by Judge Brian O'Shea in October 2020 that jurisdiction was accepted and that their matters could be heard at the District Court level.

However, when the matter returned to the District Court on December 2, 2020, Judge John Hughes deemed the offences as being too serious for the District Court and ruled that they should be sent to the higher Circuit Court, where penalties upon conviction can be more severe.

The three then brought a successful judicial review to the High Court challenging the decision, where Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan decided that the matter should be sent back to the lower court for "reconsideration".

The teenagers known as Boys A and B were both convicted of the murder of Ana Kriegel following a trial in 2019. The 14-year-old had been murdered at a disused farmhouse in Lucan, Co Dublin, in May 2018, when the boys were both 13-years-old. They could not be identified by order of the trial judge and under a provision of the Children Act that prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence.

Boy A was sentenced to life imprisonment with a review after 12 years, and to eight years for aggravated sexual assault.

Boy B was sentenced to 15 years detention, to be reviewed after eight years, and has appealed his conviction.

Edel Doherty (48) of Rory OConnor House, Hardwicke Street, Dublin, was charged at Dublin District Court accused of posting photos of the convicted boys on Facebook.

Kyle Rooney (26) of Rathfield Park, Raheny, Dublin, was charged with the posting of photos of the two boys on Twitter.

Declan Corcoran (30) of Williams Place Lower, Dublin, was accused of both naming the boys on Twitter and of posting images of them.

The DPP had consented to their trial at District Court level.

Ms Justice Phelan quashed Judge Hughes' decision saying the manner in which the judge approached the issue of jurisdiction was unfair because he did not address the cases individually or give reasons for the change.

At the Court of Appeal today, Sunniva McDonagh SC for the State argued that the return of the matter to the District Court was made in error by the High Court and that "no breach of natural justice had been made" by Judge Hughes.

Ms McDonagh argued that Judge Hughes had correctly weighed all the cases before him when considering the outline of the evidence in each case before making one ruling on all matters instead of making 10 similar rulings in each.

Ms McDonagh said the High Court ruling was not that the reasons given by Judge Hughes were "inadequate" but that the judicial review found that justice had not been seen to be done to any observer of the court.

The barrister said that the 10 accused people knew the reasons the judge said he could not hear a "non-minor" matter.

Mr Justice John Edwards said that Mr Corcoran was accused of "actually naming them [the boys]" which differentiated his case from the other two accused, as it potentially causes "much more serious harm".

"Anyone from Afghanistan to Cork could know by name who they were," said Mr Justice Edwards.

Ms McDonagh said "no argument" had been made at District Court level as to how each case was different. "Even now, it's not clear how they differentiate themselves. The arguments being made now were not made then," she said.

"They were taken aback on Hughes' jurisdiction point," said Mr Justice Edwards.

"Ms Justice Phelan did not find any breach of natural justice. We believe there was no breach by the District Court judge," said Ms McDonagh.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly pointed out that the Director of Public Prosecutions did not consider the cases to be "non-minor".

Ms Justice Donnelly said that Judge Hughes did not give a reason as to why the cases were "non-minor" and that he does not mention each case separately in his ruling on jurisdiction.

"He [Judge Hughes] is entitled to revisit the matter. I don't think he has to give reasons as to why he disagreed with his colleague," said Ms McDonagh.

"Would a 'reasonable observer' observe each fact? Justice has to be seen to be done," said Ms Justice Donnelly, who added that it was "not simply a test of what the appellants understood".

Conor Devally SC, for Mr Rooney, said cases had been brought in many counties around the country which were the "exact same" and that the DPP consented to summary dismissal at District Court level to "all" of those cases. "There were at least dozens of cases, possibly more," he said.

"This is an outlier, no matter how grave they appear they were," said Mr Devally.

Mr Justice Edwards said Judge Hughes made his decision on jurisdiction on "a rolled-up basis".

Mr Devally said a failure to give reasons on the jurisdiction ruling was a failure to administer justice in public.

Kathleen Leader SC, for Ms Doherty, said the charge against her client was different to that of Mr Corcoran's in that she did not name Boy A and Boy B and reasons separately addressing her client's charge should have been given.

Ms Leader said no personal circumstances regarding her client had been considered by Judge Hughes. The barrister said Judge Hughes stated he was satisfied that the charges were not minor "but there's no reason at all".

"He [Judge Hughes] simply comes out, refers to no particular case, then refers to them in the plural and doesn't say why," she said.

"Why depart? Why go into jurisdiction and why depart from the stance of his colleague who had dealt with that in October, two months earlier," said Ms Leader.

Feichin McDonagh SC, for Mr Corcoran, said that while there was a "degree of commonality involved", each case was different.

Mr McDonagh said there were "clear distinctions and levels of alleged culpability" among the 10 cases. The barrister said it "couldn't be that the cases were all identical".

Mr Justice George Birmingham, presiding, said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter.
Dermot Goode: Many believe they still have the cheapest cover, which is not the case.

Up to 50,000 people may now be paying too much as they have failed to review their cover. Stock image   Getty Images

Thousands of people who rushed to take out health insurance before the rules changed to punish those over a certain age from taking out cover are now over-paying, it has emerged.

Up to 50,000 people may now be paying too much as they have failed to review their cover. This is because they took out entry-level plans in 2015 for themselves and their families just to get into the system to avoid future loadings.

Many have not changed health insurance plans since.

Life Community Rating was introduced eight years ago to encourage younger people to take up health insurance early to avoid age loadings.

The rules mean anyone over the age of 34 and who never had health insurance previously is charged a 2pc loading on the gross premium for every year. That means a 44-year-old is 10 years over the threshold and will have a 20pc loading on their gross premium, according to Dermot Goode of TotalHealthCover.ie.

He said that around 100,000 consumers had taken out health insurance just before the deadline of April 30, 2015.

But Mr Goode said half of these had taken out an entry-level plan for themselves and their families just to get into the system.

Many are now due to renew their policies.

How to save money on your health insurance

Mr Goode said: Because they have not reviewed their cover, they are potentially significantly over-paying as they have auto-renewed their policies since 2015. They mistakenly believe that they still hold the cheapest cover, which is not the case.

He said some older entry-level plans for public hospital cover had now become very expensive for adults.

He said this was particularly the case with Layas Assure Ideal plan  which is 1,191 a year for an adult. By comparison, Layas Essential Assist is 931, while its Future Protect Choice is 920.

Irish Life Healths Select plan costs 660, its Day-to-Day Focus plan is 870, while its Level 1 Hospital plan is 1,085.

He said VHIs entry-level plans were still well priced and many of the older schemes had been discontinued.

For those who just want basic cover for public hospitals only, he recommended Laya Assure Protect at 513 per adult and 157 per child.

For those with Irish Life Health, Mr Goode recommended the entry-level plan First Cover at 464 per adult and 176 per child.

When it comes to VHI, Mr Goode recommended PublicPlus Care at 486 per adult and 134 per child.

Those on dated plans could pay similar premium but upgrade their cover to include public and private hospital cover by considering Layas Signify at 966 per adult and 271 per child, Irish Life Healths Benefit Access 300 at 967 per adult and 239 per child, and VHIs Enhanced Care 350 at 945 per adult and 201 per child.

Mr Goode said anyone who had just renewed would have a 14-day cooling-off period that would allow them to amend or even cancel their cover.

Many parents took out these entry-level plans on behalf of their adult dependants. They need to check their plans now to see if they have them insured on some of the older, more expensive options, he said.
His false Dublin identity is just the latest outlandish claim by all-American fugitive Nicholas Rossi

It was December 2021 and Arthur Knight was on a ventilator in the Covid-19 ward of Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The illness was another gruelling chapter in the incredible life story of the Irish orphan who had escaped a Dublin institution when he was 14 and fled to the UK on a ferry.

Since then, the survivor had managed to be the architect of a good and decent life for himself: marrying his wife Miranda in 2020, and now working as an academic at the University of Glasgow.

He was known locally as a friendly eccentric who wore dapper clothes and drank expensive whiskey while he bantered with barmen about British politics.

Knight couldnt have known, lying in his hospital bed one Monday, that the intricate cover he had fabricated was so close to collapsing, with each and every step the Scottish police officer took towards his ward.

Because Knight is a sham. The man lying in that hospital bed on Ward 7A was actually Nicholas Rossi  an American fugitive who had tried to fake his own death and is wanted in four US states for fraud, sexual assault and rape.

Rossi, who is accused of using 16 different aliases to evade capture, has since become a media sensation as he fights extradition from Scotland  all the while insisting that he is Knight, an innocent Irish orphan who is being framed. Wheeling himself into court wearing three-piece suits and panama hats, he claims to require a wheelchair and an oxygen mask due to long-Covid.

The Indo Daily: American fugitive, Irish orphan and cannibalism - the unbelievable story of Nicholas Alahverdian

Last year, a Scottish court ruled that Rossi and Knight were one and the same. But Rossi kept finding ways to deny the undeniable.

He claimed the Interpol warrant issued for him was Photoshopped, and that the tattoos found on him which matched Rossis had been done while he was unconscious.

He is a colourful character who has been more than happy to court media attention, but his quick temper and refusal to answer basic questions have strained his relations with the press.

His false Irish identity is just the latest outlandish claim by an all-American con artist.

Rossi, who also goes by the name Nicholas Alahverdian, is from Rhode Island. He spent a lot of his youth in care, and would later use this as a springboard for a political and advocacy career where he agitated to improve state services for children.

Rossi, who talked his way into a legislative page at the State House when he was 14, became known as a rent-a-quote by local press and his profile grew.

But in 2020, the campaigner announced the sorry news that he was suffering from terminal illness at the age of 32. A couple of weeks later, a grand and verbose obituary would appear, praising the now deceased Rossi for leading a warriors life a fighter in spirit, but a peacemaker in practice. Around the same time that he was writing tributes to himself, he was getting married in Bristol under the alias Arthur Knight.

Investigations have shown that Rossi passed through Dublin on his way to the UK in 2017. He is also understood to possess an Irish driving licence under the name Nicholas Brown.

During hearings in Edinburgh last year, his cut-glass British accent would sometimes swing erratically to the other side of the Irish Sea, his Queens English being peppered with the occasional aye and grand.

In her excellent podcast on the incredible affair, I Am Not Nicholas, Northern Irish journalist Jane Macsorley tried to pin Rossi down on his alleged Irish orphan backstory. Where in Ireland did he come from, exactly? All over. But North or South?

After some protracted answers, Rossi conjured memories of the Dublin of his youth. It was a place where people spoke to each other on the street corners, not like now when everyone is on their phone. And he recalled memories of the Moore street.

The market? Macsorley asked. Aye, he said, he remembered all of the fruits and the aul lady screamin.

This is a man who is in his 30s. Yet listening to him, you would think he had grown up in Molly Malones Dublin.

The Irish backstory that he created for himself was conveniently vague. He claimed to be an orphan who grew up in an institution in Dublin. Which one, though? The Sacred Heart, he said, under pressure. St Marys. All institutions with very generic names, he explained. Yes,very generic.

With his gossamer thin cover story, and his penchant for showing up to court wearing satin pyjamas and jaunty little hats, its tempting to dismiss Rossi as a ridiculous figure. But between the audacious twists and turns of this story, it is important to remember that he is accused of extremely serious sexual violence. And since 2008, he has been on the sex offenders register in the US after he attacked a woman at a college.

After being found guilty of public indecency and sexual imposition in 2008, Rossis sympathy seemed to only be for himself.

After unsuccessfully agitating for a retrial, after apparently fabricating a false confession that suggested that the encounter was consensual, Rossi tried to drag his victim through the courts by suing her for mental distress and defamation.

In 2014, he compared being prosecuted for the assault to the September 11 attacks.

In an essay, My Personal 9/11, Rossi claimed his victim coming forward was tantamount to flying planes into my twin pillars of personal success and public service. My goals and aspirations crumbled to the earth, amassing a huge heap of rubble.

Around the same time, he tried to make himself a darling of the mens rights activism movements of the internet.

A former partner has since come forward to make serious allegations of coercive control and domestic abuse against him.

The DNA taken from him for this 2008 case would later link him with a rape kit sent for testing at the Utah State Crime Lab in 2017. In 2018, the results would return and be found to match Rossis.

Rossis depthless compassion for himself has endured throughout his extradition battle.

Since his arrest in 2021, he has lost a number of lawyers.

Earlier this year, he claimed he was being bullied in prison by cellmates who mocked his extradition battle by singing the John Denver song Leaving On A Jet Plane at him.

After organising a press conference to promote his plight against the authorities, he lost his temper after arriving to find it was sparsely attended.

He phoned a BBC journalist to berate them for their lack of interest in his case.

Most recently, he has gone viral after giving an interview to US current affairs show Dateline  where he frequently hyperventilates and gasps with tears, trying with all of his might to convince us that he is Arthur Knight, but likely only convincing himself.

The Indo Daily podcast features the story of Nicholas Rossi in an episode going online on Tuesday, May 2
Takeaway owner grins and laughs as he walks free from prison after serving his time

Yung chats with friends who had waited to meet him on the outside

Hoi Ping Yung carries a case on his release from the Midlands prison

A tourist who raped a friend in a Dublin hotel room emerged from prison laughing and smiling after serving his time for the attack.

British restaurateur Hoi Ping Yung (50) left the Midlands prison this week and is expected to return to England where he ran a Chinese takeaway.

He joked with a couple who had waited for him outside the Co Laois lock-up when he emerged with a carry-on luggage bag, sporting a black leather jacket and hoodie.

A family member helped him sort travel arrangements to get home, 10 years after the attack at a Harcourt Street hotel after a day of drinking in city pubs, according to sources.

The woman he attacked said in a victim impact statement how she had been subjected to victim shaming during his trial, which took place seven years after the horror incident.

Yung was jailed for four-and-a-half years for the rape of the woman during a visit to Ireland, after he had arrived here with a pal who knew her.

The three had travelled into Dublin city in the morning and spent the day drinking and visiting around five pubs in 2013.

After missing the last bus home, they agreed to get a twin room in a hotel.

The victim went to sleep in a single bed while the two men took the double bed.

The woman told the trial she awoke twice to find Yung lying next to her and rubbing her arm and leg. She elbowed him away each time and fell back asleep.

She awoke a third time to find her body had been pulled down in the bed and Yung was raping her.

She said what the f**k? and he stopped and got off her and got back into the other bed.

The woman dressed quickly and left the hotel room as Yung tried to pull her back into the room, and reported the rape.

Because of various delays it took until December 2020 before Yung was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of the rape.

Gardai had quickly arrived at the scene and arrested Yung but he was too drunk to be interviewed.

He was arrested some time later and told gardai he had no memory of the rape.

Yung said he wasnt denying sex had taken place but maintained that if it did happen it was consensual, it was heard at his trial where he pleaded not guilty.

The victim was in court for the trial but had asked that her impact statement be read into the record by counsel.

In the statement she said certain words and phrases used during the trial had caused her to feel shame and guilt, like I played a role.

The way my character was twisted was disgusting and still upsets me. There was victim shaming being done, she stated.

The mother-of-two said that as a result of the trial process she now questioned herself about wearing red lipstick, and wondered is my underwear too sexual?.

She said the trial forced her to relive her nightmare and that it was soul destroying.

Ms Justice Tara Burns said the victim was entitled to set out her criticisms of the trial process.

This is the system we have, the system is difficult on complainants, the judge said.

The woman later gave an interview in which she described Yung as a sick man who needed help.

I dont wish him any pain or suffering but I do believe the way he behaved over the last seven years has been cowardly, unjust, selfish and inconsiderate to me and my family, she said in 2020.

I think he is a sociopath who showed absolutely no empathy and told lie after lie during this whole nightmare. It may be seven years ago but Im still having flashbacks.

He attacked me when I was asleep, chased after me when I managed to escape and then went back to sleep while I was suffering from a panic attack in the street.

I had no idea he was wandering the corridors looking for me but I had the determination to get away.

Despite the gruelling court process, she urged other victims of rape and sexual abuse to come forward.

It was harrowing being cross examined in court, having my underwear being shown and my father who passed away being brought up, but it was worth it in the end.

I was telling the truth from day one and in the end they believed me and not the man who told lie after lie.

There was no way I was going to accept a sexual assault plea  the simple fact is that he raped me.
Independent TD Denis Naughten has been pursuing the matter for many years. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The ongoing delay in setting up a vaccine damage compensation scheme for people who suffer severe reactions now looks set to be dragged out even further.

While a working group  headed by former National Maternity Hospital master Dr Rhona Mahony  has been established to examine the issue, no separate unit within the Department of Health has yet been put in place to support the work.

The hold-up was revealed in a parliamentary question from Independent TD Denis Naughten who has been pursuing the matter for many years.

Mr Naughten said: Commitments were given in the past two Programmes for Government to introduce a no-fault vaccine compensation scheme.

This was again promised by the former Taoiseach Deputy Micheal Martin in advance of the introduction of the Covid vaccination programme.

"My engagement on this issue with various ministers for health has been ongoing for the past 250 months  or more than two decades.

How many children have to be dragged through the courts to get the expert support that they need as a result of being damaged by a state-supported vaccination programme, before we will see any action?

Children who claimed they developed narcolepsy after getting the swine flu jab are the most recent group to seek compensation.

Im aware of children damaged by vaccines over 50 years ago who are still waiting for such a scheme, and that is just not good enough.

This is despite the then Minister for Health, in the early 1980s, offering a once-off payment of 10,000 to 16 families of children who were on the balance of probabilities damaged by the state vaccination programme, said Mr Naughten.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has blamed Covid-19 for the delay.

He said: "Government recently approved the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to examine the rising cost of health-related claims and consider mechanisms to reduce costs.

The group will examine the rising cost of clinical negligence claims in the health system.

Regarding a vaccine damage compensation scheme, during the pandemic, all available Department of Health resources were devoted to the public health response. This has meant that work in this area could not be progressed. Further scoping work is required to inform decision-making in this area.

"This remains under consideration by my department.
Time is crucial during a medical emergency.

In West Yellowstone, the closest emergency medical center is a 50-mile drive to Big Sky.

That means that in an emergency medical situation, or even follow-up care, tourists and year-round residents may have to travel at least an hour  if the weather is good  to get medical care.

West Yellowstone is a major access point to Yellowstone National Park, and acts as the busiest entrance to the park. In 2022, more than 700,000 visitors passed through the gateway town.

Yet the town lacks a true emergency medical center.

If people need a higher level of care, they might be transported by air to medical facilities further away or across state lines to Idaho or Wyoming.

In the face of long travel times and harsh medical realities, a push began last year to try and get an emergency hospital in West Yellowstone.

Property owners in West Yellowstone petitioned to add the creation of a hospital district to the ballot late last year and will decide whether to approve the measure during the May 2 school and special district election.

Proponents of that district, called the Hebgen Basin Hospital District, intend to use it as a vehicle to build a 24-hour emergency medical center there. If approved, the district would be the first of its kind in Gallatin County, and would join a handful of similar tax districts throughout the state.

Because it is a special district, only voters within the boundaries of the proposed hospital district can vote on it.

Those in favor of the district see it as a boon to West Yellowstone that could signal the beginning of the end of medical turmoil and life-altering decision-making. A hospital would also provide a faster stop for medical care for the thousands of Yellowstone National Park visitors who balloon the towns population during the summer.

Despite would-be future benefits from those stumping for the district, voters in West Yellowstone have wondered exactly what the cost of a hospital district could be.

A hospital district, like other special tax districts, would grant a governing body authority to make financial decisions within the districts boundaries, and to set plans in motion to tax property owners to pay for their designs.

Kenny Jones has spent months advocating for the district, and is one of the five members on the board of trustees  the governing body that would ultimately act as a decision-maker in the proposed hospital district.

The first step is to create the district. Then comes studies and planning that could rely on taxpayer money, he said.

If we have this kind of facility it's going to benefit so many people, but on the other hand, the first concern everyone has is, what's it gonna cost, Jones said. It could cost you your life.

Acute needs

West Yellowstone is not completely devoid of medical care.

Billings Clinic opened a facility earlier this year that offers primary care, radiology and lab services. However, the clinic lacks the full gamut of services that proponents of the district hope to provide.

The facility is also limited to regular nine-to-five business hours.

Bryce Ward, a consultant and researcher who has focused on the economics of rural health care and Medicaid expansion, said that medical care is on a sliding scale in towns across the state.

He said most people, like residents of West Yellowstone, do not live far from some form of health care. However, a facility that provides only a limited range of care won't cover every person's need.

You can go to a primary care physician during nine to five hours and they can say hey, you're having a heart attack, let's get you in a helicopter, Ward said. But if you have a heart attack at 7 p.m. on Saturday, well, then you're in a little bit more of a challenging situation.

Members of the board of trustees shared stories of people who have struggled with medical care, or just put off getting help because of time and distance. Many of those stories are linked by the lone pair of roadways, Highway 20 and Highway 191, that provide access to West Yellowstone.

Highway 20 provides a direct route to the Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho, which is over 80 miles away. Highway 191 links West Yellowstone to Big Sky, which is the closest option for emergency medical services.

Those roadways are often unreliable during the winter.

Lindsey Charlton, a member of the board of trustees, joined the push for a district to be an advocate for seniors living in West Yellowstone.

She volunteers to help seniors in the town, and began noticing that many would cancel their medical appointments during the winter. Those appointments were often for follow-up care.

Some would stop showing up to the senior center, and Charlton realized that they had moved away because of limited medical resources.

Others feared or came close to almost dying on the route to a hospital because of treacherous road conditions. Sometimes the roads would be completely closed  Charlton said that Highway 20 was closed over 20 times this winter.

It's scary thinking in the winter, it could take you an hour and a half to get stitches, Charlton said.

Jones shared a story of a man who began feeling chest pains, but put off traveling to get care. He died of a heart attack.

Even if a person were to make it to the closest medical facility in Big Sky, they might have to be sent to Bozeman depending on their condition. Jones said that the hospital in Big Sky is a critical access facility, and in the best case can stabilize people.

There are ambulances to transport people to medical care, which is often provided by the Hebgen Basin Fire District. But the distance from medical facilities adds more strain to the limited service.

Fire Chief Shane Grube said that during the peak of the tourism season in the summer he has enough people to fully-staff two of the three ambulances operated by the department.

The fire district averages over 500 calls a year. Grube said that about 50% of those calls are for transports to medical facilities in Big Sky, Rexburg, Ennis, Idaho Falls and Bozeman. The majority of those calls are for tourists.

What would normally be a 45-minute call if there were a hospital in West Yellowstone often grows to a three hour ordeal because of travel time, which takes an ambulance crew and vehicle out of rotation until they return, Grube said.

Life flights, or air ambulances, are used to fill gaps in service. Jones said that the first district had to use life flights 26 times last year. Each flight costs about $80,000.

All of those barriers boil down to time, the most valuable factor in a medical emergency.

Roy Davis, a board member, said that in many cases it's minutes versus hours, which notably impacts even getting a person to stabilizing care.

Its almost amazing to me that things get done as well as they do in terms of patient survival because theres clearly mortality that comes with delay, Davis said.

Cost of care

Lack of access and travel times that eat into precious minutes are real factors in West Yellowstones continuum of medical care.

An unknown factor, the exact cost of a hospital district, has caused apprehension from voters in the town.

Well, you know, the number one thing that I hear from people is what's it going to cost, Grube said.

The first step in creating a hospital district would be for voters to approve the district, which would then give the five-member board of trustees financial authority in the district. Jones and others stressed that if the district were approved, it would not mean that voters would immediately be taxed.

Charlton said that the push for a hospital district has been an uphill climb, even during the signature gathering process. She said that property owners had reservations about the cost of the district, especially those that owned multiple properties.

Jones was hesitant to put an exact figure on the district, largely because there would be nothing to pay for immediately should the district be approved.

He said that the first financial move would be paying for feasibility studies and consultants to draft plans for a medical facility that the town could reasonably afford. His hope was to use grant funding for that cost.

Jones did give a rough estimate of what the district could cost taxpayers. For example, someone with a property that has a taxable valuation of $400,000 could pay about $200 a year, but he stressed that the figure would likely change.

The tax revenue generated by the Hebgen Basin Fire District could give a better sense of how much money a hospital district could produce.

The hospital district is a carbon copy of the fire district, meaning it shares the exact same boundaries and service area. That also means that it has the same taxable base of property owners.

Grube said that the fire district generated over $16.9 million in tax revenue.

Even if the district is approved, and the board does figure out exact costs that could be handled by taxpayers, any mills that could go to the district would first need to be approved by the county.

Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown said before the county were to begin a discussion about taxation, they would need to know what the board's plan is.

Though the exact financial details of the district are murky, Jones believed that a neighboring hospital district was proof that the Hebgen Basin Hospital District could be successful.

Analogue

The Madison Valley Medical Center is about 71 miles away from West Yellowstone, and acts as one of the many distant medical options that are often turned to in emergency situations.

Its also funded by a hospital district that has operated in Madison County since 1953.

Allen Rohrback, CEO of the Madison Valley Medical Center, said that the hospital originally began in a double wide modular home where the living room acted as a waiting room. That modular home has since been replaced with an emergency medical center that serves hundreds of patients a year.

Jones said that the demographics in Ennis almost mirror West Yellowstones, and intended to try and model the Hebgen Basin Hospital District on the neighboring district in Madison County.

Jones also believed that the financial aspects of Madison Valley Medical Center would make the attempts at building a hospital more feasible in West Yellowstone. His major point of emphasis was on the patient revenue generated by the neighboring hospital.

Madison Valley Medical Center brought in $9.7 million in patient revenue in 2021, according to hospital financial records. Jones said that his hope was that a future medical facility in West Yellowstone could solely rely on patient revenue to operate.

Rohrback cautioned that rural hospitals almost always operate on a negative financial margin, and that operating costs are between 15% and 20% higher than the nearly $10 million in revenue.

That hospital district also generated $1.6 million in tax revenue.

Rohrback said that in order for the hospital to operate, special district revenue and grants were needed.

He added that when a town or community makes the step to create a hospital district, the expectations of the community changes. He likened adding a hospital to that of a school, and the financial needs that come with education.

If you had a school and there was no funding for it, it would look much different, Rohrback said.
Members of the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights. Photo: Mark Stedman

Dubliners were today asked to imagine how they would feel if their beloved St Stephens Green was dug up for a palm oil plantation.

A human rights coalition staged a mock demonstration against the fictitious plans to highlight how the palm oil industry destroys nature and communities.

The satirical protest comes ahead of a key vote in the European Parliament when Irish MEPs will have a chance to push through laws that would force firms to think twice about where they source raw materials and ingredients for their products.

Some 20 human rights groups, overseas development organisations, trade unions and academic research teams who are part of the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights (ICBHR) took part in the demonstration.

They marched under a banner urging Dont Dig Up the Green and pledged to defy plans by Sham Palm Industries Ltd to create a five-acre palm oil plantation in the Dublin city centre park.

Trocaire chief executive Caoimhe de Barra said St Stephens Green was safe as anyone could see it would be absurd to site a commercial palm oil operation there.

But whats even more absurd is that many of the communities we work with around the world are under attack, being forced out of their homes and are losing their land, all to satiate the global demand for palm oil, she said.

Palm oil is used in many everyday foods and toiletries and it is a lucrative commodity for multinational agribusiness companies but its success in replacing more sustainable plant oils comes at a huge price for others.

Demand for palm oil is causing significant environmental damage around the world, including mass deforestation and species loss, said Jim Clarken of Oxfam Ireland.

This is happening against the backdrop of an out-of-control climate crisis. We wouldnt let this reckless behaviour by corporations happen in St. Stephens Green or anywhere in Ireland and we cant let it happen elsewhere in our world.

Palm oil plantations have taken over huge tracts of lands in South East Asia and Central and South America, destroying crucial forests and pushing small farmers off their holdings.

In Central America, communities that tried to resist have suffered intimidation, violence and murder.

Our tongue-in-cheek stunt today is intended to raise a really serious issue, said Sorcha Tunney, coordinator of the ICBHR.

Later this month our MEPs will have the chance to vote in the European Parliament to introduce historic new human rights and sustainability rules for corporations.

We are calling on our Irish MEPs to make sure these rules are strong and effective. We need to prevent human rights and environmental damage, not just connected to palm oil, but across all sectors, whether related to garments, mining, or modern slavery.
The Women of Honour group is still insisting on a full public tribunal into bullying, harassment and abuse within the military following what they called a disappointing meeting with Tanaiste Micheal Martin.

The group of both current and former members of the Defence Forces, who claim they were subjected to gender-based violence, harassment and abuse during their careers in the military, met with Mr Martin at Government Buildings today. During the meeting he presented them with the draft terms of reference for an impending statutory inquiry into their allegations.

However, they left the meeting disappointed over what they said was a lack of consultation with themselves and other potential victims.

Weve been pushing for a full statutory investigation since the very start, Women of Honour spokeswoman Diane Byrne told the Irish Independent. Were still asking for the same thing.

Women of Honour meet Tanaiste for update on statutory investigation

The retired army captain said the group believes that the terms of reference for the statutory inquiry is too narrow and that the key issue of alleged concealment of abuse by senior military will not be addressed in the inquiry.

Its still a self-governing system and it will just keep repeating itself, she said.

While the group has yet to go over the terms of reference to examine the finer details, at a glance we dont see that accountability, she said.

In a statement following their meeting with Mr Martin, the group said: The Tanaiste presented draft terms of reference for a statutory inquiry when we met him today. We will review this draft.

"However it is disappointing that the Tanaiste and the Department of Defence seek to design draft terms of reference without any consultations with us or any other victims.

We remain with a feeling that the Government seeks to railroad through us and others without any courtesy or respect. It smells of the same institutional abuse as victims endured in the Defence Forces. Meetings should have been held to agree a process on terms of reference.

"Nothing less than a full public tribunal to ascertain the truth will work. The people of Ireland deserve the truth.

However, Mr Martin said there would be further consultations with stakeholders on the terms of reference.

He said the draft terms of reference circulated with Women of Honour and five other groups is to "come back with suggestions".

"We had good meetings relatively lengthy meetings with each group, he said.

"There'll be further engagement and further consultation before we firm up on an actual terms of reference, he said.

Former Air Corps captain Yvonne ORourke said ahead of the meeting that both the Department of Defence and its former ministers must be included in the statutory investigation, along with the Defence Forces itself.

The development comes after an independent review group (IRG) published a scathing report in March which concluded that the Defence Forces barely tolerates women and is an unsafe working environment for both men and women.

It found a "discernible pattern of rape and sexual assault" in its analysis of participants' contributions.

On misogyny in the Defence Forces in general, the IRG concluded that, at best, the Defence Forces "barely tolerates women" and, at worst, "verbally, physically, sexually and psychologically abuses women in its ranks".
This week, on behalf of this newspaper, I will be heading overseas to cover the coronation of King Charles III. And perhaps, more importantly, the greatest cultural event of the year  the Eurovision Song Contest (squee!).
Eamon De Valera being cheered by crowds in Ennis, where he was arrested in 1923, under the Public Safety Act, as he was about to make a speech

On this day a century ago, one of the more awful events of Irelands bitter Civil War took place in Ennis, Co Clare. At 7.30am, two young Irishmen, one aged just 19, were taken out and shot by a National Army firing squad.
The apartments in Reuben House, Dublin 8, were listed on airbnb. Pic: Google Maps

A planning application seeking to convert apartments in Dublin 8, which were being illegally listed on airbnb, into an aparthotel has been rejected.

The landlord, Marc Godart, who owns a large property portfolio, evicted tenants from Reuben House on Reuben Street in Dublin 8 last year.

At the time, he told them he was selling the apartments, but then offered them as short-term lets on airbnb without planning permission.

Mr Godart was issued with an enforcement notice in March by Dublin City Council, ordering the cessation of the unauthorised use of the property, following an inspection.

Meanwhile, the landlord lodged a planning application to convert the apartments into a 16-bedroom aparthotel. This has now been refused following the enforcement order.

The planning application to convert the property into an aparthotel was rejected on April 28.

According to the planning officer, the standard of tourist accommodation proposed is poor and does not meet criteria on unit styles and sizes, and discouragement of over-proliferation of single-bed aparthotel unit.

The planning officer said the proposed development would be detrimental to the wider objective of providing a rich and vibrant range of uses in the city centre, including residential, social, cultural and economic functions.

It also stated that the development for tourist accommodation would provide a loss of housing stock and would be seriously injurious to the amenities of the area.

The proposed development would have included 16 bedrooms from the first to the fifth floor, where the apartments are currently located.

One tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, previously toldIndependent.ie that she was evicted from Reuben House last August on the basis that the landlord was selling the property.

Following the eviction, the tenant filed a complaint with Dublin City Council in February and the council conducted an inspection of the property.

As a result of the inspection, the council issued the landlord, Mr Godart, with an enforcement notice on March 28 for unauthorised use of the property under Section 154 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

The cessation of the unauthorised use of the property at Reuben House, Reuben Street, Dublin 8 for short-term letting purposes, said the enforcement notice.

The landlord was given until April 28 to comply with the notice and stop short-term letting of the property.

In a rent pressure zone, a landlord requires permission from the council for short-term lettings when the property is not their principal private residence.

The planning officer making the decision on the planning application was notified of the enforcement notice which was taken into consideration.

The matter will be forwarded to the senior executive planner, who will be making a decision as to whether the application should be invalidated, said the enforcement notice in March.
Minister Norma Foley pictured with Miriam Ryan, Mairead Curran(Principal) and Samantha Nash (Deputy Principal) on her visit to Saint Joseph's National School Castlemaine.

Minister of Education Norma Foley pictured here with staff and management of Fybough National School Back L-R Councillor Michael D O'Shea MCC,Mary Dorgan,Eileen Murphy, Michael Murphy,Margaret Graham,Katherine O'Connor, Tommy Griffin.Front seated L-R Eileen Lovett,Minister Norma Foley,Catherine Ni Mhuircheartaigh (Principal)

Students Roisin O'Neill and Aoife Daly Tobin performing in the group that entertained Minister Norma Foley on her visit to Saint Joseph's National School Castlemaine.

Minister of Education Norma Foley on a guided tour of the school by students inspecting some of the murals created by them at Saint Joseph's National School Castlemaine.

Some of the students of Kiltallagh National School performing for Minister of Education Norma Foley on her her visit to the school on Friday last.

That Friday feeling kicks in at Kiltallagh National School Castlemaine with a visit from Minister for Education Norma Foley,Pictured here with pupils, parents,teachers,staff and members of the Board of Management.All photography by Michael G Kenny.

She didn't leave empty handied,The pupils presented Minister Norma Foley with gifts to to mark her visit to Fybough National School,also in the picture Catherine Ni Mhuircheartaigh (Principal) Councillor Michael D O'Shea MCC,Tommy Griffin.

Principal of Fybough National School Catherine Ni Mhuircheartaigh leading the students in the musical offering for Minister Norma Foley visit to the school on Friday last.

Kiltallagh National School student Madeline Lynch shares a moment with Minister Norma Foley on visit to the school on Friday last.

Minister of Education Norma Foley being greeted by a guard of honour of the students of Saint Joseph's National School in Castlemaine during her visit on Friday last.

Minister for Education Norma Foley with pupils of Kiltallagh National School who displaying their artistic efforts with arange of T-Shirts which they designed themselves.

Waiting in anticipation,Students in Saint Joseph's National School Castlemaine getting ready to meet Minister of Education Norma Foley on her visit to the school on Friday last.

The pupils,staff and management of Fybough National School pictured with Minister of Education Norma Foley on her visit to the school on Friday last.All photography by Michael G Kenny.

To mark her visit to Kiltallagh National School Minister of Education Norma Foley was presented with this very unique piece of artwork created by the pupils,It contains the handprints of all the school's students.

There was great excitement in schools in Kerry last week as the Education Minister Norma Foley  herself, of course, a Kerry woman  paid a visit.

Three Mid-Kerry schools were on the Education Ministers list for a visit: Fybough National School, St Josephs National School Castlemaine and Kiltallagh National School.

At each school, she received a very warm welcome from students and staff, who were thrilled to have such an important visitor.

In Fybough National School, students formed a guard of honour to welcome the Minister, and they sang Amhran na bhFiann for her.

Principal Catherine Ni Mhuircheartaigh thanked the Minister for visiting the school and said it was a great day for students and staff.

Minister Foley spoke with all the children and commended them on their good work, acknowledging all the extra-curricular activities the school is involved in, including the Green Flag programme, Gaelbhratach, Amber Flag, Active Schools, Junior Entrepreneur Project and much more.

The chidren also played a selection of tunes for her and sang Irelands Call, with special presentations also made on the day.

Sixth-class students Thomas Joy and Oisin OConnor presented a hand-made patchwork quilt to the Minister, while third-class pupils Dara Flaherty and Ciaran Clifford presented flowers to her.

Chloe Hilliard and Keelin Flynn presented a thank you card  which they made for the occasion  to Minister Foley.
Pictured earlier this month at Ross Castle for the official launch of the Killarney 'Darkness into Light' walk - known more locally as Nathan's Walk - were the O'Carroll family - from left to right, Denis, Marie and Ryan. The walk will take place on Saturday morning, May 6 4:15am at Killarney Race Course. Photo by Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan.

Darkness Into Light, the annual fundraising event organised by Pieta House and supported by Electric Ireland, is taking place this coming weekend on Saturday May 6 in eight locations around Kerry with all walks starting at 4:15am.

The locations around the county where walks will take place this year are Caherdaniel, Tarbert, Dingle, Glenbeigh, Kenmare, Cahersiveen, Tralee and Killarney.

Here is where all of the eight walks will start from:

- Caherdaniel: walkers will set off from the The Blind Piper, Ballycarnahan, V93 DD83

- Tarbert: this will commence from Tarbert Comprehensive School, V31 WD66

- Dingle: the start point is at the Dingle Marina Centre, V92 W52C

- Glenbeigh: it all kicks off from Ocean Delights - Rossbeigh Beach - Glenbeigh, V93 D659

- Kenmare: walkers will meet up and set off from the Kenmare Mart, V93 K652

- Cahersiveen: here, the walk will start from Colaiste na Sceilge School, V23 Y003

- Killarney: Nathans walk will start from the Killarney Racecourse, V93 KR0H

- Tralee: the county capitals walk will commence at Tralee Wetlands, V92 HH57

The Darkness Into Light walks help to raise essential funds and enables Pieta to continue providing free of charge suicide prevention, intervention and bereavement support to people of all ages across Ireland.

The funds raised from this years Darkness Into Light will help communities within Kerry, with the funding going directly to Pieta Houses services.

See the Darkness into Light website here for all the information.
Appointment of new physician at UHK for pulmonary care is first of its kind in Kerry that will benefit public patients.

Gemma ODowd, Grainne Coffey, Eileen Sugrue, Sean OShea, Mary Kelly, Gerry Redican, Eddie Cassidy, Dr Liam Chalk, John Hanilan, JP OSullivan, and Annette Cremin at the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association event at the Meadowlands Hotel last Saturday afternoon. Photo by Mark OSullivan.

A newly appointed respiratory consultant - the first to be recruited in Kerry since the inception of University Hospital Kerry (UHK) - is being hailed as a hugely significant development in pulmonary care for people across the county.

Dr Liam Chawke is the Consultant Respiratory Physician, who along with his team recently commenced the hub at UHK which is intended as a special unit comprising of various levels of care and services for respiratory patients.

The Respiratory Service unit at UHK provide expert outpatient and inpatient services in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic respiratory disorders.

However, the addition of a consultant for public patients is deemed a much needed addition to UHKs overall output of pulmonary care services.

Dr Liam Chawke will oversee what is considered a breakthrough for respiratory patients in the public sector as it will open a channel of care to public patients that will result in less need to travel for such treatment outside of Kerry.

The development was welcomed at a special launch at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee last week by the Kerry Lung Fibrosis Support Group (KLFSG).

This group is affiliated with the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA), who provide research, education and support for lung fibrosis patients and their families.

Tralee man Gerry Redican, who was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis some years ago and was fortunate to receive a lung transplant, stressed the importance of having this service in Kerry.

For the average patients suffering from respiratory issues, this brings accessible expertise to the county, and to the public system, he said.

This is hugely significant as were trying to build up a rapport and help built the practice, which means the service is kept in the county, he added.

Gemma ODowd is the Administrator for ILFS. She called Dr Chawkes appointment a significant move because up until now UHK did not have a respiratory consultant.

The recent appointment of Grainne Coffey as the respiratory clinical nurse specialist at UHK is also a hugely positive development.

This is a significant move in the direction of supporting respiratory patients in Kerry. It means they dont have to make the journey to Cork or Limerick anymore, Ms ODowd said.

She added how there are huge areas lacking in terms of healthcare for patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Dr Chawkes appointment is the first step in the right direction for these patients.
Britain's King Charles III shakes hands with Sinn Fein party Northern Leader Michelle O'Neill in Belfast on September 13, 2022, during his visit to Northern Ireland.   POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Although many praised the diplomacy of Sinn Fein vice-president and Northern leader Michelle ONeill in accepting an invitation to the coronation of King Charles III in London next weekend, there were also those who viewed her acceptance as a betrayal of Republican ideals.

The leader of the Aontu party Peadar Toibin was quick to condemn Sinn Fein's attendance at the huge, elaborate event and these views were quickly backed up in Wexford by his party colleague, Cllr Jim Codd.

"Whatever happened to 'we serve neither King nor Kaiser?, Cllr Codd asked. Republicans have no place at the coronation of Kings. Its an antiquated and undemocratic system and this coronation will leave a gigantic tax bill to be party carried by the ordinary people of the six counties.

"This event will cost upwards of 100 million in pomp and ceremony to place a crown on the new King's head. It comes while 15,500 cases in the six counties sought help due to homelessness and 4,000 children are in emergency accommodation there.

While he accepted there were those who felt that Ms ONeills attendance was the extension of an olive branch and showed a willingness to move forward from the bitter divisions of the past, Cllr Codd feels republicans should be free to opt out of such events, while wishing our neighbours all the best.

"Are we gone so PC in this country that we can no longer say we are republicans? That we want no part in the coronation of kings? This is going to be a big military show of force too. Therell be gun salutes from British warships and that type of thing. As an Irish republican, we have no place at the coronation of kings.

"I'm all for moving forward and diplomacy, but there should be no shame attached to being republican and saying that we want no part in celebrating a system of monarchy. Best of luck to our neighbours if thats what they want to celebrate, but all I can say is its a sad day when Irish republicans attend the coronation of a king.

With a hint of that resentment of the past, Cllr Codd added:

"Also, let's not forget that this man (King Charles) was the Colonel in Chief of the parachute regiment who shot 26 unarmed civilians on the streets of Derry in 1972. I wouldnt like to attend or support any military show of power for that man.

However, from a Sinn Fein perspective, Wexford councillor Tom Forde was supportive of Ms ONeills decision to attend the ceremony, pointing out that our own head of state, President Michael D Higgins, will also be in attendance in London.

"I completely understand Michelle ONeills decision to attend, Cllr Forde said. Shes in a position where she's First Minister elect. Her job is to represent all of the people of that region, including those of different backgrounds to her own.

I respect her decision to attend the coronation. I don't believe in monarchies myself and I would love to see them abolished. We have a long and troubled history with British state forces and the British royal family obviously has close ties to them.

"It is a difficult thing for a lot of people to take, but ultimately I think its important for Michelle ONeill to represent everybody and extend that hand of friendship. Just because she's attending doesnt mean shes in favour of systems of monarchy and I dont think anybody could question her republican credentials or integrity.
Major investigation has been launched after the huge fire at Belvedere House which took hours to bring under control.

A garda spokesman said that they were definitely treating the incident as suspicious as it appeared that the fire may have been maliciously set.

The fire gutted Belvedere House, a Georgian period property which dates back to the 1730s. The fire service rushed to the scene as huge flames were seen emanating from the property shortly after 5 p.m.

Large plumes of smoke were visible all over town and gardai closed off the busy Belvedere Road entirely as the fire service got to work.

Two fire service appliances from Wexford, one from Enniscorthy and one from New Ross were tasked with tackling the blaze and thankfully their job was made easier as it was quickly established that there was nobody inside the building, which has been vacant for some time.

Wexford Fire Service confirmed that, thankfully, nobody was injured during the course of the incident and the fire was contained to Belvedere House itself.

"Thankfully, there was nobody in it, a fire service spokesperson said. There were no injuries and no fatalities and it was relatively straight forward. It was a large Georgian period building and it will now be up to the dangerous buildings section at Wexford County Council now to determine a course of action and whether the building needs to be condemned.

From a garda perspective, however, the incident is being taken very seriously as they seek to track down those responsible for the blaze. Uniformed members carried out door to door inquiries in the area in the aftermath of the blaze and a full investigation is ongoing.

"Were definitely treating the incident as suspicious, a garda spokesperson said. A fire like this doesnt just start by itself. We would appeal to any member of the public who may have information in relation to this incident, or anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the area of Belvedere House at around 5 p.m. on Monday, to come forward to us at Wexford Garda Station.

Anyone with information in relation to the fire can contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666111.
A South Heart woman is charged with harassment for directing statements at Gov. Doug Burgum including a phone message in which she threatened to execute him in a busy state tourist town.

Authorities on Monday issued an order for Jody Kuntz, 46, to answer to the allegation. She faces a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a possible $3,000 fine and a jail term of just less than a year. No attorney is listed for her in court documents.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol in an affidavit alleges Kuntz in a 911 call on Feb. 12 said she was at the Capitol and that Burgums tenure was at its end. About a week later she left two voice messages on the governors office phone line in which she made threats to hang him in Medora, the Patrol said.

Kuntz in March allegedly called the state Department of Environmental Quality and stated, The governor should meet his demise. A few days later in a call to the Department of Public Instruction, Kuntz stated it was the governors final day and he should flee, the affidavit states.

Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki told the Tribune it's "standard practice not to publicly discuss the governors security or comment on pending litigation."
Jock Zonfrillos fellow judge on MasterChef Australia has paid tribute to him as an inspirational and important part of our lives.

The Glasgow-born chefs family announced his death on Monday, saying they had lost an irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.

Victoria Police said officers went to an address in Lygon Street in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton where they found a body at about 2am.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Sharing a tribute 24 hours after the news broke, TV presenter and chef Andy Allen, 35, referenced their respective families.

He said: When I met you 5 years ago I knew our lives were about to change forever. What I didnt realise is how close Alex and I would become outside of the kitchen with you, Lauren and your kids.

Youve become such an inspirational and important part of our lives. Sure, youve taught me so much about food, but its the lessons I learnt about what it means to be a great father, husband and friend that Ill take away from our time together and will last forever.

Allen, who won MasterChef Australia in 2012 and became a judge in 2020, said he will miss the way Zonfrillo, 46, mentored him and the contestants, as well as their mid-morning coffees.

Thanks for making me constantly laugh and being there when I needed to cry, he added.

You really were the complete package mate and life will never be the same without you. I know youll be looking down on Loz, Ava, Sophia, Alfie & Isla. Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo.

Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay were among those to express their shock and sadness at the news on Monday.

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On Tuesday, Nigella Lawson tweeted: I cant stop thinking about Jock Zonfrillos children, his family. So many are plunged into deepest grief.

My heart goes out to them. And I hope their wishes for privacy are respected.

The new series of MasterChef Australia was due to air on Australian television on Monday night with Oliver among its celebrity guests.

A statement issued by Network 10 and the programmes producers Endemol Shine Australia confirmed the show would not be broadcast this week.

Born in Glasgow to an Italian father and Scottish mother, Zonfrillo left school at 15 and started an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel in South Ayrshire before moving on to other high-end kitchens.

He struggled with addiction from his early years after first trying heroin as a teenager and was fired from his job aged 17 after a heated argument.

In his 2021 memoir Last Shot, Zonfrillo charted his journey from reckless drug addict to one of Australias best-known chefs.
More than 800,000 people are expected to flee to neighbouring countries from Sudan as rival groups fighting for control of the country create a full-blown catastrophe, the UN said.

Around 73,000 people have crossed borders over the past two weeks, having caused chaos as they scrambled to obtain visas.

Without a quick resolution of this crisis we will continue to see more people forced to flee in search of safety and basic assistance, Raouf Mazou, a UN official, told a member-state briefing in Geneva.

In consultation with all concerned governments and partners weve arrived at a planning figure of 815,000 people that may flee into the seven neighbouring countries.

Fighting has been raging in the northeast African country since the middle of April after a vicious power struggle between the army and paramilitaries called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The army interpreted an RSF move to redeploy members around the country as a threat, which led to an explosion of violence in the capital, Khartoum.

Yesterday air strikes pounded the city in another flagrant violation of a ceasefire designed to enable civilians to seek safety. The fighting has made it impossible for millions of people trapped in the city to flee  but staying put remains equally perilous as medical supplies, food and water run critically low.

Abdalla Sholami (85) a retired businessman from north London, and his wife were down to their last bottle of water a couple of weeks ago after their home was looted by the RSF, The Times reported. Yesterday his granddaughter, Azhar, implied in a tweet that he had been shot dead.

My grandfather unfortunately got shot & my disabled grandmother who is also diabetic has been alone for 5 days now. Were still trying to get her out. We have tried everything. Trying my luck here, she wrote.

Azhar, who lives in New York, said many people had tried to reach them but had been prevented from doing so because of the fighting. British Embassy staff left Khartoum without responding to the familys request to send the couple water.

The scale and speed of what is unfolding... is unprecedented, said Martin Griffiths, the UNs relief chief.

Britain was due to make another evacuation flight, from Port Sudan, yesterday. It said it had evacuated more than 2,100 people. The Foreign Office told British citizens wishing to leave to arrive at the British evacuation handling centre at the Coral Hotel for processing before noon local time.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Army leader, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF head, have been under pressure to stop their men fighting.

But though they have nominated representatives for talks on monitoring the ceasefire they have agreed, they are also digging in for what could be a protracted battle.
Millions watching the coronation around the world are to be asked to cry out and swear allegiance to the King   PA

New Zealands prime minister has said he wants the country to become a republic, just hours before he was due to depart for King Charless coronation.

Chris Hipkins said he ideally thinks that in the future, the former British colony should ultimately be an independent country.

He told reporters: Ideally, in time, New Zealand will become a fully independent country, will stand on our own two feet in the world, as we by and large do now.

He made the remarks just before he was to travel to the UK to witness King Charles being crowned this weekend, but he added that it wasnt a change he intends to push for.

New Zealand is self-governing but the British monarch retains a largely ceremonial role as head of state, and is represented in the country by a governor-general. Mr Hipkins added: I dont think that swapping out the governor-general for some other form of head of state is necessarily an urgent priority right now, though.

Russell Crowe

Like many former British colonies, New Zealand wrestles with what constitutional role the British monarchy should play in modern times. However, the prime minister said there isnt a groundswell of support for having the debate right now.

Honestly, I think it is something for New Zealanders to instigate a discussion on, he said.

His remarks came as the New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe said he sees Charles as a good bloke despite viewing the monarchy with distant interest.

While recounting meeting Charles at a film premiere, the academy award-winning actor said he was struck by the monarchs intelligence and gallant behaviour towards his pregnant wife.

Writing on Twitter yesterday, Gladiatoractor Crowe (57) recalled sitting next to the monarch for the 2003 London premiere of Master and Commander.

Caveating that he

does not really think we need a king, Crowe wrote

: Ill never forget the warmth in our last hand shake. Good bloke. I dont think any of us can really understand what that life of duty and expectation must feel like. Hes taking over the family business. That is his destiny.
Ferdinand Marcos, the president of the Philippines, has said he will not allow his country to become a staging post for military action ahead of a four-day official visit to Washington DC for security talks.

Mr Marcoss official visit will be the first by a Philippine president in more than 10 years and comes amid heightened tensions between the US and China as they compete for strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific.

Manila has recently faced Beijings ire after granting the US access to four extra Filipino military bases. The move gives American forces a stronger foothold in locations close to Taiwan and in the South China Sea, where China is making sweeping territorial claims.

Mr Marcos must also counter domestic disquiet about the risk of being drawn into a future US-China conflict.

We will not encourage any provocative action that will involve the Philippines by any other country, Mr Marcos told local reporters as he flew to Washington.

We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action.

The US, which sees Manila as a key regional ally, has sought to reassure the Philippines that it can be relied on for support, recently calling on Beijing to stop provocative and unsafe conduct in the contested South China Sea following a near-collision with a Philippine coast guard vessel.

In an interview with Nikkei Asia last week, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, said Washington was prepared to assist Manilas efforts to resupply a grounded naval ship on the contested Second Thomas Shoal.

The presence of the small military contingent, which was intentionally grounded in 1999 to assert the Philippines own territorial claims over the atoll, has been the source of frequent confrontations with China. Beijing has previously tried to block access to the site to force the Filipino personnel out.

China has frequently interfered with those resupplies, and these acts are clearly unlawful, Adm Paparo said.

In a briefing ahead of the visit, a senior White House official said it was clear that were in a deeply consequential period in terms of our Indo-Pacific engagement with allies and partners.

The official added that Mr Biden and Mr Marcos are expected to reach agreements on increased US investment in the Philippines, as well as American support for the modernisation of Filipino armed forces, as well as further military enhancements, amid shared concerns about China.

Were seeking not to be provocative, but to provide both moral and practical support for the Philippines as they try to make their way in a complex Western Pacific, the official said. Their geographic position is critical.
Speaking perfect English, an 11-year-old girl wearing a flowery dress talks to the camera from her pink bedroom. A teddy and rows of books sit behind her. Her favourite read? Harry Potter.

As the girl, named Song A, introduces herself, one thing becomes clear: She is not speaking from Britain, but the capital of North Korea.

In the video, Song A says: Pyongyang, where I live, is a very beautiful and magnificent city. Have you ever been? If you come here you will be totally surprised.

She is part of a new wave of propaganda coming out of Kim Jong-uns North Korea. Instead of the typical mass displays of military might and talent shows, North Korean influencers are making vlog-style YouTube and TikTok videos, purporting to show the rest of the world the reality of life in the secretive country.

Song A, whose introduction video racked up more than 500,000 views, is the countrys leading influencer.

Her channel is one of several, including one presented by a woman named YuMi and a TikTok account called North Korean Life.

Experts said these accounts are part of a push to create more innovative propaganda. Dr Owen Miller, a North Korea expert from SOAS University of London, said: Theyre trying to adapt their public image and their public relations to the style of content on social media that people expect to see.

It shows that the people who are in charge of this propaganda are very aware of whats going on in the world.

Song As videos show an idyllic view of North Korea, including trips to a waterpark, a science centre and a childrens hospital. She takes her viewers on a tour of the hospital, drawing attention to the cartoon drawings on the wall, a playground and a school for patients.

It is thought that Song A is the daughter of a diplomat who worked in London and she is likely to have attended an English school.

There are indications that her videos are scripted. Her eyes often dart to one side and her narratives are stilted, almost as if she is reading a teleprompter.

However, the videos are carefully crafted to perform authenticity, said Dr Sarah Son, a lecturer in Korean studies at the University of Sheffield.I
Thomas Markle has said he will not allow his daughter, Meghan Markle, to bury him while he is still alive.

Meghans retired lighting director father (78) claimed in the Australian news programme 7News Spotlight that his daughter had not called him in four years.

He said that he suffered a debilitating stroke last year and expressed disappointment that she did not reach out.

If she doesnt turn up for a stroke, if that doesnt move her, what would? he said.

It comes after Prince Harry wrote in his memoir Spare that Meghan was mourning the loss of her father.

Thomas told the programme: She killed me and then mourned me.

He added: I refuse to be buried by her.

Meghan and Thomas have a strained relationship, which came to a head after Thomas collaborated with paparazzi to stage several photo shoots before her wedding to Harry in 2018.

Thomas did not attend Harry and Meghans wedding and leaked part of one of her private letters to Associated Newspapers Limited in 2018.

Meghan later sued the publisher for reproducing parts of the letter.

In their Netflix documentary series, Harry & Meghan, Meghan spoke about learning her father wouldnt be attending her wedding from a TMZ report.

The unravelling happened that week when he wouldnt pick up my call, Meghan said. And instead youre talking to TMZ. And Im finding out that youre not coming to our wedding through a tabloid.

Elsewhere in the interview with the Australian broadcaster, Thomas said that he wishes he and Meghan could work out their differences and sit down and talk.

He also said that he regretted posing for the paparazzi photos and that he leaked the letter Meghan sent him.

Meanwhile, Meghans half-sister Samantha claims that Meghan and Harry have a toxic relationship.
Attacks leave dozens injured  including children

Liubov Vasylieva (77) reacts as she stands among remains in a yard of her house hit by a Russian military strike in the town of Pavlohrad. Photo: Reuters/Sofiia Gatilova   REUTERS

Russian missiles struck a weapons fuel plant or ammunition dump, triggering a series of explosions in a blow to Ukrainian plans for a counter-offensive.

Moscow launched a wave of missile strikes on targets across Ukraine, the second in four days, in what the Ukrainian military believe could be an attempt to disrupt its anticipated spring attack.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian armys commander-in-chief, said bombers from the Arctic and the Caspian Sea launched 18 rockets, with Ukraines air defence shooting down 15 of them.

One of the rockets appeared to have hit a chemical plant or an ammunition dump as videos from the town of Pavlohrad in the central Dnipro region, released by Russian and Ukrainian media, showed multiple explosions, flares and flashes of light rising over the horizon.

The size of the blast suggests that Russia may have hit an important arms depot in an apparent attempt to hinder Kyivs preparations for a counter-offensive.

It was not immediately clear what was at the site of the explosion, but Ukrainian media reported in 2020 that Pavlohrad housed a major chemical plant where large amounts of solid rocket fuel were stored.

In the rural area nearby, at least 34 people, five of them children, were injured as 24 blocks of flats and 80 private houses were damaged, according to the emergency services ministry.

Villagers were seen looking distraught as they walked around their damaged or destroyed houses.

The Russian military denied targeting civilians and insisted yesterday that the attack struck military targets.

In a statement, its defence ministry said: All the designated sites have been hit. We have disrupted the work of the factories that produce ammunition, armaments and equipment for the Ukrainian army.

In a Russian region bordering Ukraine, meanwhile, a train carrying fuel and building material was derailed after someone apparently planted a bomb on the tracks.

In a video filmed by local residents, a locomotive and several railcars were seen lying on the side of the tracks with flames rising over one of the freight cars.

The incident appears to be one of the major acts of sabotage on Russian infrastructure since the start of the invasion.

Alexander Bogomaz, governor of the Bryansk region, said yesterday that an explosive device detonated on the 136th kilometre of the railway between Bryansk and Unecha, about 70km from the border with Ukraine.

Russian Railways, the countrys rail operator, said the incident occurred at 10.17am and that seven freight cars were derailed and the locomotive caught fire. Two Russian media outlets linked to security agencies said authorities were looking for two male suspects who were caught nearby on CCTV footage.

Earlier yesterday, power pylons were blown up in north-western Russia outside St Petersburg.

A top Ukrainian general said yesterday his forces had pushed out Russian troops from some positions around the strategic city of Bakhmut. Col Gen Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, described the situation around Bakhmut as difficult but said his troops counter-attacked and ousted Russian forces from certain parts of the city.

Meanwhile, the White House said yesterday it estimated that Russias military has suffered 100,000 casualties in the last five months in fighting against Ukraine in the Bakhmut region.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the figure, based on US intelligence estimates, included more than 20,000 dead, half of them from the Wagner mercenary group. Russias attempt at an offensive in the Donbas largely through Bakhmut has failed, Mr Kirby said.
The search in Texas for a gunman who fatally shot five neighbours with an AR-style rifle entered a third day yesterday after authorities over the weekend widened a dragnet near Houston while acknowledging they had little sense of the killers possible whereabouts.

Yesterday, a heavy presence of police converged in an area where the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office reported a possible sighting of the suspect, but later said none of the persons were found to be 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza after a search by officers, scent-tracking dogs and aerial units.

The false alarm was one of the first times since Fridays shooting in the rural town of Cleveland that authorities had announced a possible sighting of Oropeza, underscoring how the ongoing search has continued to turn up nothing, even as more and more people join in the manhunt.

By Sunday evening, authorities said more than 250 officers from multiple jurisdictions had joined the search, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott put up $50,000 (45,000) in reward money for tips leading to Oropezas capture.

I can tell you right now, we have zero leads, James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, said on Sunday.

Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous after fleeing the area on Friday night, likely on foot.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities had widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, which occurred after the suspects neighbours asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.

At a Sunday vigil in Cleveland, Wilson Garcia, the father of the one-month-old, described the terrifying efforts inside his home by friends and family that night to escape, hide and shield themselves and children after Oropeza walked up to the home and began firing, killing his wife first at the front door.

Mr Garcia said the attack began 10 to 20 minutes after the man refused his request.

People in their rural town north of Houston are used to people firing their weapons to blow off steam, but it was late on Friday and Mr Garcia had a one-month-old son who was crying.

So, Mr Garcia said, he and two other people went to his neighbours house to respectfully ask that he shoot further away from their home.

He told us he was on his property, and he could do what he wanted, Mr Garcia said after a vigil in Cleveland, Texas, for his nine-year-old son who was killed in the attack that soon followed.

Mr Garcia called the police after Mr Oropeza rejected his request. The man shot some more, and now it sounded louder. Mr Garcia could see the man on his front porch but could not tell what he was doing.

I told my wife, Get inside. This man has loaded his weapon, Mr Garcia said. My wife told me to go inside because he wont fire at me, Im a woman.

The gunman walked up to the home and began firing. Mr Garcias wife, Sonia Argentina Guzman (25) was at the front door, and the first to die.

Also among the dead were Mr Garcias son, Daniel Enrique Laso, and two women who died while shielding Mr Garcias baby and two-year-old daughter.

I am trying to be strong for my children, Mr Garcia said, crying. My daughter sort of understands. It is very difficult when she begins to ask for mama and for her (older) brother.
Authorities had been searching for Ivy Webster (14) and Brittany Brewer (16) after an Amber alert was issued on Monday

A missing poster was released for 14-year-old Ivy Webster, left, 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, centre, and Jesse McFadden (Oklahoma Highway Patrol via AP)   Uncredited

The bodies of seven people, including two missing teenagers and a convicted sex offender, have been discovered at a property in rural Oklahoma.

Authorities had been searching for Ivy Webster (14) and Brittany Brewer (16) after an Amber alert was issued on Monday.

Okmulgee county sheriff Eddy Rice said that they believe the bodies found included Ivy and Brittany as well as registered sex offender Jesse Lee McFadden, whom the two girls had been seen travelling with.

He added that members of McFaddens family are also thought to be among the deceased, but the county medical examiner had not yet formally identified the bodies.

Weve had our share of troubles and woes, but this one is pretty bad, Rice told reporters.

Our hearts go out to the families and friends, schoolmates and everyone else.

He added that authorities were no longer searching for the missing teens or McFadden.

The bodies were found on a property near Henryetta, a small town less than two hours away from Oklahoma City.

McFadden (39) lived at the address where the bodies were found, according to the Oklahoma Sex Offender registry.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections prison records state that he was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 and was released from prison in October 2020.

He was due to go on trial on Monday on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.

Brittanys father Nathan Brewer told Tulsa television station KOTV that one of the bodies discovered was his daughter.

Brittany was an outgoing person, he said.

She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta coming up in July for the National Miss Pageant in Tulsa, and now she ain't gonna make it because she's dead. She's gone.
Magazine columnist admits urging victims of sexual assault to go to police

A magazine columnist who says Donald Trump raped her in a department stores dressing room two decades before he became president acknowledged yesterday that she never followed her own advice to readers that they report sexual attacks to police.

E Jean Carroll told a federal civil court jury that the reason was generational. The 79-year-old said that as a member of the silent generation, she was conditioned to keep her chin up and not to complain.

The fact that I never went to the police is not surprising for somebody my age, she testified as Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina cross-examined Ms Carroll about why she never went to authorities about the alleged rape, which Mr Trump denies. Ms Carroll said she had called police only once in her life, when she feared the mailbox at a home where she was staying was going to be damaged on Halloween.

You would call police if a mailbox was attacked, Mr Tacopina asked, but not if you yourself were attacked?

Ms Carroll replied that at the time, she was ashamed of what she alleges happened.

Research has repeatedly found that rapes and sexual assaults are among the types of violent crime least likely to be reported to police. 

Ms Carroll was testifying for a third day in the trial stemming from her lawsuit against Mr Trump. She has said the real-estate magnate raped her in the spring of 1996 at a Manhattan department store after they went into a dressing room together in an encounter that she said was fun and flirtatious until Mr Trump became violent. She said she eventually kneed him and fled.

Mr Trump (76) says he was never at the store with Ms Carroll or that he even knew her beyond a fleeting moment when a group photo was taken in 1987. He has not attended the trial, which is expected to last through the week.

This is a fraudulent & false story, Mr Trump wrote on his social media platform shortly before Ms Carroll first took the stand last week.

Ms Carrolls renewed testimony came shortly after Mr Tacopina asked Judge Lewis A Kaplan, who is overseeing the civil proceedings, to declare a mistrial because of rulings he made that Mr Tacopina said favoured Ms Carroll. The judge rejected the request.

Ms Carroll filed suit against Mr Trump in November, under a state law that temporarily allows sexual assault victims to sue over alleged attacks that happened even decades ago.

Amid a flurry of public denials, Mr Trump has insisted that Ms Carroll was motivated by political reasons and a desire to sell copies of the 2019 memoir in which she first revealed her rape claims.

Ms Carroll wrote an advice column for Elle magazine for decades, and Mr Tacopina confronted her yesterday with instances in which she advised contacting law enforcement authorities after people wrote in about sexual assaults.

I always  in most cases  advised my readers to go to the police, she acknowledged.

Mr Tacopina also pointed out that although Ms Carrolls memoir described sexual assaults by multiple men over the course of her life, Trump was the only one she sued.

And, although Mr Trump has insisted he had no sexual encounter with Ms Carroll, his attorney asked her whether what allegedly happened could somehow be viewed as consensual.

It was not consensual. Not consensual, she said.
At the close of the 2021 session of the North Dakota Legislature, a couple of highly respected lawmakers announced theyd had enough of the incivilities and would not seek reelection.

It could happen again this year following a dysfunctional session that wrapped up early Sunday morning.

Several respected legislators, some publicly and some privately, have said this has been the most frustrating session theyve ever experienced. Why? The trivial pursuits of those bent on passing laws designed to force the rest of us see the world as they do.

While culture warriors sucked all the air and attention out of the Capitol with bills and long debate over things that affect few of us and will make virtually no positive impact, there actually was some consequential work occurring.

Not all of it is universally liked, but it is clearly consequential: property tax relief, income tax relief, child care assistance, modernized pay levels for state employees, a new state pension program, a new prison for women, modernized animal agriculture, a new state immigration office, increase funding for education, and a cutting edge cybersecurity curriculum, all supported by a huge budget, the states largest ever.

And yet whats interesting about this session is that many legislators always seemed to need an enemy.

Usually, the enemy can be found in the legislators from the other political party. But who are you going to fight with when the number of Democrats in the Legislature is so small as to be disregarded?

Dont worry. There are as many animosities as ever.

The moderate Republicans, those who for decades have been the partys mainstream, put on the gloves with the culture war Republicans, who they see as having abandoned traditional conservative values.

Simultaneously the culture warriors dont mind going a few rounds with the traditional conservatives.

The Senate doesnt like being told by the House how things should be done, and the feelings in the House are mutual.

If thats not enough for you, you can always watch as legislators duke it out with state elected officials. Theres long been a line in the sand in the Capitols Great Hall, which separates the governors office and the legislative wing.

This year, fighting words also have been lobbed across the line to and from the attorney general. And no one, it seems, has anything but nastygrams for the state auditor.

Here are a few cases in point.

 Last week, first-year House Majority Leader Mike Lefor of Dickinson said on the House floor that he feels disrespected by the number of vetoes issued by Gov. Doug Burgum. Actually, out of nearly 600 bills passed, there were just seven vetoes, and five of them were upheld by legislators. Still, Lefor is in the good company of thousands of citizens who feel disrespected by the Legislature.

 Fargo Rep. Shannon Roers-Jones called out Attorney General Drew Wrigley for injecting politics into a criminal case in Bismarck. Then Wrigley, after a beat-down in his legislative push for a bill calling for mandatory minimum sentencing for certain crimes, proclaimed, This is war, and this is one battle. Then Grand Forks Rep. Landon Bahl accused Wrigley of bullying legislators.

 West Fargo Rep. Ben Koppelman chastised his fellow House Republicans for failing to override Burgums veto of one of the book ban bills. That shows that weve lost our way as a body, he said. Sounds more like a sore loser.

This session started with a Williston lawmaker making up a lie about an attack on a transgender student. It progressed to suggestions that librarians are grooming young students to become sexual deviates, that there is a porndemic in our libraries, and that parents arent capable of making health care decisions or book choices for their families.

Thankfully it is now over, except for the likelihood that several of the bills enacted into law will result in costly court challenges for the state.

Hopefully, the result wont be the retirement of more good and decent legislators. On the other hand, who could blame them.
Ukrainian units have ousted Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut amid fierce battles, a top Ukrainian general said on Monday, as the White House believes that more than 20,000 Russian fighters have been killed in Ukraine since December.

"The situation (in Bakhmut) is quite difficult," Col GenOleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukrainian commander of ground forces, said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

"At the same time, in certain parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions" in recent days, he said.

The 10-month-long battle for the eastern Ukrainian city has taken on a symbolic importance for both sides. It has become the fulcrum of a war that has seen little shift in front lines since late 2022, leaving both sides looking for a breakthrough.

On Monday, Russia unleashed a fresh volley of missiles on Ukraine overnight that killed two people in the east, set off huge blazes and damaged dozens of homes and other buildings.

The White House said on Monday that Russia has exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces with some 100,000 Russian troops killed or wounded in Ukraine in the past five months. Of the 20,000 killed, half have been from the Wagner Group.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner, said on Telegram on Monday that his fighters needed some 300 tonnes of artillery shells a day for the assault on Bakhmut, but were receiving only a third of that amount.

"Three hundred tonnes a day is 10 cargo containers - not a lot at all," said Prigozhin, who has often clashed with Russia's defence establishment over its conduct of the war in Ukraine.

In a separate posting on Monday evening, Prigozhin said his troops had advanced some 120 metres (400 feet) into Bakhmut at the loss of 86 of his fighters.

Syrskyi said that new Russian units are being "constantly thrown into battle for Bakhmut" despite taking heavy losses, Syrskyi said, adding: "But the enemy is unable to take control of the city."

Russian forces have steadily made incremental gains in Bakhmut, but Ukraine said on Sunday that it was still possible to supply the defenders with food, ammunition and medicine.

Kyiv is widely expected soon to launch a counter-offensive to retake swathes of territory in the east and south that were occupied by Russian forces following the invasion 15 months ago.
Human greed is causing destruction of forest covers in India's Kerala and Pakistan's Balochistan exposing the regions to future climate disasters. Sai Kiran from from India's Thiruvananthapuram and Tanveer Ahmed from Quetta in Pakistan report in a cross-border journalism project

The southernmost state of Kerala in peninsular India is at least 2,300 km far from Balochistan province in Pakistan. What links these two regions which are different in every aspect- be it geographical, climatic or political? The answer is the exploitative nature of human beings, who are at war with the environment, more out of greed than necessity, without realising what is in the offing  despite nature sending several visible signs.

Both India and Pakistan are victims of climate change. Balochistan province in Pakistan and Kerala in India are faced by environment issues because the forests in both the regions are cut by the population for encroachment and fuel.

Two sites, which have been recognised by UNESCO as heritage sites, are slowly facing the wrath of nature, as human exploitation is at its peak. The famous Western Ghats run along the western coast of peninsular India for 1,600 km and touch six states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, covering the whole length of Kerala and ending at Marunthvazh Malai in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. Of these six states, the state of Kerala (which has the highest population density among Indian states) alone accounts for 40% of the ghats, with maximum human agglomeration on the highly ecologically fragile mountain range.

Rainforest cover of Western Ghats in Kerala. (Image by Shagil Kannur/Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometres away in Balochistan, another region recognised by UNESCO is facing a similar fate. Almost 100 km away from Balochistans capital city of Quetta is Asias biggest juniper forest in Ziarat. Kabir Khan, 50, keeps his guest room warm with the traditional stove fuelled by the trunks and branches of juniper trees. Ironically, the ceiling of the same room where he lights the tree for fire is made up of the planks of the very same tree. In effect, like for thousands of others, the juniper tree is everything for Kabir Khan too.

On 6 August 2020, a small housing colony  if at all they can be called houses  where the workers of a private tea plantation situated at Pettimudi on the slopes of of the Rajamalai hills in Idukki district, the majority of which is situated on the ghats, woke up to see gushing water and mud flowing down from the hilltops.

The heavy landslide that engulfed the area in a matter of a few seconds, took 70 lives out of 81 people whose world was those one-room houses in a few lanes. The Pettimudy disaster was not the first one. The state of Kerala had witnessed the biggest flood in over a century just two years ago in 2018  taking the lives of 483 people, of which 152 died in the landslides. The floods caused heavy devastation in the state, and the losses were estimated at Rs 31,000 crore (Rs 310 billion).

On the other hand, Ziarat district is at an altitude of 16,000 feet above ocean level, making it one of the coolest regions and locally people call it Tandathe cold Ziarat. Winter months are unbearable here. The village Chautheer is far away from the main city, covered in the woods shielded from the forest guards and other arms of the government. This secluded village  distant not only from enforcement agencies, but also the welfare schemes that are supposed to reach the local masses  forces Kabir Khan to fell the juniper trees during the winter like other villagers.

We cut these beautiful trees out of necessity. The harsh weather and the lack of an alternate fuel are forcing us to cut them down. These trees are also cut down and transported to other districts in large numbers, he said.

Deforestation in Juniper forest in Balochistan. Image by Tanveer Ahmed

The year before  2017  saw the Ockhi cyclone that devastated both lives and properties as well as the popular belief that the state was relatively safe from cyclones. In another extreme, the state saw the harshest draught in 120 years despite the fact that as much as 29.65% of the total area of the state being green forests, of which 9195.735 square km are reserve forests, 291.575 square km are proposed reserves and 1905.476 square km are vested forests and ecologically fragile lands.

Environmentalists and those who oppose the lopsided developmental vision have been asserting that these are repeated alarm bells to understand what awaits us in the future ahead. Still, the number of granite quarries is steadily going up. There are already 610 legal quarries functioning in the state, with at least three to four times of this number in the illegal category.

A census undertaken in 2017 shows that the population of Ziarat is 160,000 and the total area under the forest cover is 101, 000 hectares. The Junipers are slow-growing trees, and some of them are recorded to have aged above 1,000 years. As per the experts, Juniper replantation is impossible. The Juniper trees fall victim to not only the local population, who have no other alternative to fight the winters, but these trees are forced to make space for apple plantations, which is a more lucrative business.

The only act that exists here is the British colonial-era act for forest regulation, which is too weak to punish the culprits involved in cutting the Ziarat Juniper trees. Though the government passed the Balochistan Forest Act, 2022, it is yet to be enforced

Deforestation in Juniper forest in Balochistan. Image by Tanveer Ahmed

Though the local law is in force that punishes those who are felling the Junipers, the existing penalty is too paltry to have any deterrent effect over the law breakers. Those caught red-handed need to pay a meagre penalty of 5,000 PKR (US$ 18), which is another reason that paves the way for the possible death of the Ziarat Juniper forest.

The government is still lagging far behind in taking concrete steps to address the serious issues that are being cited in the intergovernmental panel report on climate change, says Keralas opposition leader V D Satheesan, who has taken up several environmental issues in the past. The state has become a place which is susceptible to drastic climatic changes since 2015.

It is yet to learn and take the necessary steps despite thousands of landslides have been reported from Western Ghats. Even after the 2018 floods, the government sanctioned more than 200 quarries in the state. This lopsided vision about development will have to be redrawn at the earliest before it is too late, he said.

In a state like Kerala of which 54.7% of the area is under forest cover, as much as 12415.896 acres of forest land in the state are under encroachment and are under court litigation in various courts across the state, as per the figures of the Forest and Wildlife Department. As much as 43727.89 acres of forest have been destroyed in wildfires in the last one decade. These are just the official figures, and the actual figures are many times this number.

Deforestation in Juniper forest in Balochistan. Image by Tanveer Ahmed

Nevertheless, the Indian government is presenting a rosy picture of forest conservation. As per the statistics presented before the legislative assembly, the extent of area under the forests in the state have increased in the last one decade. Between 2011 and 2019, the total area under forest has increased by 210.5826 square km.

While it was 11309.4754 square km of forest in 2011, it increased to 11520.058 square km by 2019. The increase in the area under the forest cover is mainly being achieved by including mangroves, porambokes (no mans land) and areas that have been earmarked but are yet to be declared as reserve forests etc, under the category of forests.

Viju B, senior environment journalist and author of the book Flood and Fury: Ecological Devastation in the Western Ghats, says: There is hardly any awareness regarding the need to conserve the Western Ghats. The communities are more influenced or even threatened by the local politicians who have vested interests in implementing the developmental projects.

"These point out the urgent need for the governments of six states along the Western Ghats- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat- to come together and chart a comprehensive future plan to protect the 1600-km long region."

Deforestation in Juniper forest in Balochistan. Image by Tanveer Ahmed

The lack of a strong law is always a strong deterrent against protecting any rare species, whether trees or animals. The only act that exists here is the British colonial era act for forest regulation, which is too weak to punish the culprits involved in cutting the Ziarat Juniper trees. Though the government passed the Balochistan Forest Act, 2022, it is yet to be enforced. It is evident from the fact that the government has deployed only 200 employees for the protection of the vast forest region.

The new Forest Act by the Balochistan assembly is still under making, and the rules are yet to be framed, says Syed Ghulam Muhammad, the chief conservator of Ziarat Juniper forest. The government research shows that many areas of the forest are becoming regenerating areas, if these new plants are protected then they can naturally grow, he adds, as a silver-lining statement.

Earlier, the winters used to be so harsh that the people of Ziarat would migrate to neighbouring Harnai and Sibbi, but global climate change started impacting these regions as well. The changes in climatic conditions forced the people to stop their seasonal migration and they started to cut the Juniper trees for survival, Kabir Khan. Felling these precious trees begins from November when the winter sets in, sometime goes up to March or April, which would mean that a substantial number of trees are lit in the fireplace in these six months.

Deforestation in Juniper forest in Balochistan. Image by Tanveer Ahmed

The Ziarat Juniper forest has been declared as a bioreserve region by UNESCO and they are also living fossils. Sanaullah Tareen, 40, a local resident and activist for the forests and social rights, blames the government for not ensuring adequate gas supply as fuel during these winter months, so that the public refrain from depending on these fossil fuels.

People are forced to cut down natural wealth. If they are provided with an alternate fuel for surviving these winter months, none will harm these trees. Along with this, the law also should be tightened. Unless we act quickly without wasting any further time, the Juniper will be extinct from here forever, he says.

Along with human intervention, another factor is also contributing to the extinction of the Juniper trees. The parasite attacks on these trees are also taking a heavy toll on them, and healthy Junipers have now become a rare phenomenon. These situations create a grim future for Juniper trees.

These trees would grow only in cold weather. Dr Shazia Saeed, professor at the University of Balochistan who has done extensive research on the Ziarat Juniper forest, says: When Pakistan is facing a drastic climate change, these trees are facing a natural extinction too, The government should also fence the regenerating forest trees so that this precious vegetation is protected."

A panoramic view of Western Ghats in Kerala. (Image Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Governments everywhere claim that they are doing the best. But drawing the line of demarcation between human encroachments out of necessity and greed is what is immediately expected out of the government, along with ensuring pro-environment welfare schemes so that the people and nature coexist peacefully. And this must be done before environmental degradation leads to larger dangers  which nature has hinted at multiple times.

(This story was part of a cross-border reporting workshop organised by the US-based East-West Center. IBNS-TWF is a media partner to disseminate the reportage.)
Image:Geoffrey Hinton Twitter page

London: Geoffrey Hinton, who is considered the godfather of artificial intelligence (AI), recently quit his job at Google and even warned about the growing dangers of the field.

Geoffrey Hinton, aged 75, announced his resignation from Google in a statement to the New York Times, saying he now regretted his work, reports BBC.

Hinton, who is considered as a pioneer in the sector, told the BBC some of the dangers of AI chatbots were "quite scary".

"Right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be," he said.

It is the research by Hinton on deep learning and neural networks which have paved the way for current AI systems like ChatGPT.

The British-Canadian cognitive psychologist and computer scientist told the BBC the chatbot could soon overtake the level of information that a human brain holds.

"Right now, what we're seeing is things like GPT-4 eclipses a person in the amount of general knowledge it has and it eclipses them by a long way. In terms of reasoning, it's not as good, but it does already do simple reasoning," he told the British media.

"And given the rate of progress, we expect things to get better quite fast. So we need to worry about that," he said.

In the NYT today, Cade Metz implies that I left Google so that I could criticize Google. Actually, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly.  Geoffrey Hinton (@geoffreyhinton) May 1, 2023

Earlier in the day, he tweeted: " In the NYT today, Cade Metz implies that I left Google so that I could criticize Google. Actually, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly."
Rajnath Singh Twitter page

New Delhi: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Maldives on May 1, 2023, on a 3-day official visit at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi.

"As a special gesture, reflecting the warmth in the bilateral relations, the Defence Minister of Maldives broke protocol and personally received the Raksha Mantri upon arrival at the airport," read the statement.

Later, the Defence Minister held bilateral delegation-level talks with the Maldivian Defence Minister.

"Issues of mutual defence cooperation and new initiatives to further strengthen defence and security partnership were discussed in the meeting," read the statement.

India will be handing over a Fast patrol vessel along with an assault landing craft to Maldivian Coast Guard in a formal ceremony on May 2.

It is always wonderful to meet the Defence Minister of Maldives, Ms @MariyaDidi.



Our meeting in Male today was very good. We exchanged views on multiple subjects including further boosting the defence partnership between India  & Maldives . pic.twitter.com/1oMzrCkkz3  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 1, 2023

Singh also held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid.

Issues of ongoing bilateral defence and infrastructural development cooperation in Maldives by India were discussed.

Singh will call on the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on May 2.
All India Radio twitter page

New Delhi: Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Delhi with RAdm Gurcharan Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet embarked onboard arrived at Singapore on 1 May 2023 to participate in the Inaugural ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) scheduled from May 2 to 8 May.

"The Harbour Phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Changi Naval Base from 02 to 04 May 2023 and the Sea Phase will be conducted from 07 to 08 May 2023 in the South China Sea. AIME 2023 will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work together closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain," read a government statement.

INS Delhi, India's first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate are a part of Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and function under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

These ships are fitted with state-of-the art weapons and sensors.

The ships, during their port call at Singapore, will also participate in International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) being hosted by Singapore.
Image credit: Twitter

Satinderjit Singh Goldy Brar, an accused in the murder case of singer Sidhu Moosewala, has been named in the list of Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives, the Canadian High Commission in India said in a media release on Tuesday.

Goldy Brar is a key member of a gang run by Lawrence Bishnoi with whom he has been friends since 2010, their college politics days.

Lawrence Bishnoi is lodged in jail for many years. When Moose Wala was murdered in May last year, he was in Tihar Jailfrom where he allegedly ran his gang.

In a Facebook post, Brar claimed responsibility for Moose Walas murder in retaliation" for the murder of a Youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera.

Issuing a statement, the Canadian government said, "Brar is the subject of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigation into the allegations originating from India. The offences committed in India are very serious in nature and merit the interest of police in Canada."

"Brar is believed to be in Canada and represents a risk to public safety. He is currently under investigation but is not charged with any criminal offences in Canada."

Image Credit: Instagram/Sidhu Moosewala

The new list, which consists of Brar's name, has been updated by the BOLO Program in Canada, which is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that amplifies police fugitive cases to increase public awareness.

Moosewala was ambushed and shot down at Jawarharke village in Mansa on May 29 last year.

The 28-year-old rapper was driving a Mahindra Thar when his assailants showered bullets at his SUV, inflicting multiple bullet injuries.
Image Credit: Facebook/Sharad Pawar

Mumbai/IBNS: Maharashtra strongman and four time chief minister Sharad Pawar Tuesday announced that he has stepped down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

While he said he is not retiring from public life, his successor has not yet been named. Pawar, who was formerly a senior and powerful Congress leader from Maharashtra, formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999.

He made the announcement accompanied by his nephew Ajit Pawar at an event of his autobiography's launch in Mumbai. There are already many political speculations around Ajit Pawar who in 2019 had even taken oath as a deputy CM in a BJP led government (after BJP's falling out with Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena over chief ministership) that later failed to prove its majority. There are speculations of Ajit going to the BJP even now.

"I cannot forget that Maharashtra and all of you have given me strong support and love in the last six decades. It's time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take. I am recommending that a committee of NCP members should be formed to decide on the election of the vacancy in the president's post," Pawar said in his speech in Marathi as quoted by NDTV.

He said he has three more years in Rajya Sabha, but he will not contest elections in future.

"I will concentrate more on issues concerning the state and the country. I will not take any additional responsibilities... One must not be greedy," he said, quoted India Today.

Sharad Pawar's politician daughter Supriya Sule had earlier hinted of "two big political explosions", one as it turned out being the stepping down of Pawar as NCP chief.
Image: Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi/Tehran: Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who is visiting Tehran, called on Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

During the meeting with Doval on Monday President Raisi said Iran and India can enhance their bilateral cooperation which would enable both countries to have a more effective role in the new world order.

Referring to his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Uzbekistans Samarkand on the sidelines of the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit last September, the Iranian president said that the leaders of both countries are determined to expand relations in different economic and trade areas.

He noted that regional and international organisations such as the SCO and BRICS group of emerging economies, with their remarkable power and resources, can affect the changing world.

President Raisi said that more enhanced cooperation between Iran and India can help in the settlement of regional issues, including in Afghanistan.

NSA Doval said great changes are happening across the world and emerging technologies are increasingly linking the economies of the countries, reported IRNA, the official news agency of Iran.

Doval added that India believes that in order to be able to affect these global changes, it needs to develop increased relations with its neighbours, in particular Iran.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, the latter expressed hope that the two countries further expand their cooperation on key regional and international issues, including fighting against terrorism and drug trafficking.

The Iranian minister also called for boosting economic and trade relations that match the existing potentials of the two countries.

Doval said that the existence of a wide range of potentialities for cooperation between the two sides is of paramount importance with regard to the current developments taking place in the international arena.

He said that transit cooperation is a key pillar in Iran-India relations, and stressed the importance of advancing the Chabahar port project that would lead to enhanced integration between central Asian and Caucasus countries as well as Russia.

NSA Doval earlier on Monday held talks with his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani.

(With UNI inputs)
Chitradurga (Karnataka): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the history of Congress is of terror and appeasement of terrorists, and it had left Karnataka at the mercy of terrorists, citing how then topmost Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had shed tears over the killings of terrorists in the 2008 Batla House encounter.

Sonia Gandhi cried bitterly after seeing the images of the Batla House encounter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

"Here in Karnataka, you have seen how the Congress has been promoting terror. Congress had left Karnataka at the mercy of terrorists. It is the BJP that has broken the back of terrorism. The appeasement game has stopped. To make Karnataka number one for prosperous Karnataka, it is equally important for Karnataka to be safe," he said while addressing a public rally here.

Modi said the history of Congress is of terror and appeasement of terrorists, but the BJP broke the back of terrorism and stopped appeasement politics in the state.

"The people of Karnataka should never forget the history of Congress and its ideology. The history of Congress is of terror and appeasement of terrorists. When the Batla House encounter took place in Delhi, tears welled up in the eyes of the biggest leader of the Congress (Sonia Gandhi) after hearing the news of the death of the terrorists," he said.

Salman Khurshid, in one of his rallies during the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, had said that Sonia Gandhi, the then Congress President, cried bitterly after seeing the images of the slain terrorists, Modi said.

Modi also said the Congress questioned the capability of the country's armed forces when the surgical and air strikes took place. "Terror promoting Congress, JDS can never increase investment and create new opportunities for the youth here," he said.

He said the agenda of Congress is to insult people by abusing them, and sometimes abuse OBC and Lingayat communities. "They (Congress) have abused me more than 90 times and now they are moving towards the century. The Congress had not even spared Nijalingappa ji, the Congress that insults him can create a century of abuses," he said.

People of Karnataka must beware of both Congress and JDS, because their heart and their actions are the same. "Both of them are dynasts, both promote corruption, he said.

The proof of misgovernance of Congress-JDS is the Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project, Modi said, adding that they were not worried about the farmers, so they ignored this project. "The double-engine government of BJP has resolved to complete this project," he said.

Modi said Congress can never compete with the development works of the BJP because of the number of medical colleges built by Congress in the 10 years before 2014, the BJP government built twice as many medical colleges in just 9 years.

He said the BJP government is emphasizing conducting education from medicine to engineering in the local language. "This will give special benefit to the poor youth of the village," he said.

Modi said Congress had allocated a meager budget worth Rs 25,000 crore for the tribal development measures, whereas in the case of BJP, the number stands at around 1.25 lakh crore for the same.

He said BJP started 'Raita Vidya Nidhi' for the education of farmers' children, and built more than 400 Eklavya model schools for tribal comrades. "The Congress government had even created a scam in the children's uniform," he said.

To make Karnataka a driving force, a growth engine for a developed India, bringing double-engine government back to power was necessary, he said.

BJPs Sankalpa Patra for Karnataka unveiled yesterday is excellent as it has a roadmap to make Karnataka the No.1 state in the country. It has a blueprint for modern infrastructure and focuses on the empowerment of women and youth, he said.

(With UNI inputs)
I returned to North Dakota in 2004 and it was not the state that I left in 1972. The general politics of the state became distrustful of outsiders, fear and distrust of people of color, fear of the LGBTQ+ community, love of guns and not a state where it was welcoming to anyone living on the margins. One of the things that was really disturbing was the rush to take away health care options for women. It was initially a mystery to me then it dawned on me that North Dakota media was dominated by the advent of three hours daily of Rush Limbaugh and in the 1990s the arrival of 24 hours of Fox News. When I looked around at any given venue, I saw Fox Television at the gym, at hospital waiting rooms and any given restaurant or bar. So, it solidified my understanding of how easily people can be brainwashed into a belief system. I always knew that Fox News is not an unbiased news station, but it is a deliberate propaganda machine that has worked extremely well in creating general fear and distrust. I am saddened that so many people do not want to understand the plight of poor people or gay people or women who have limited options when considering child care. Now the new rush is on to make sure future generations have even fewer options for learning about race or gender considerations, so they can be as paranoid as their parents. I hope they will wake up to the fact that not all multi-racial people commit crime and that women need to have choice and that gender challenged people need community support. Public education needs to be supported for everyone, not just the chosen few. Time to leave!
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has launched a month-long "Tibet Matters March" from Gangtok (Sikkim) to Tezpur (Assam) recently to bring to the notice of the world the human rights violations in Tibet under China.

The march involves over 80 volunteers from the regional chapters of TYC in India and Nepal, according to Delhi-based advocacy and policy research group Tibet Rights Collective (TRC).

The President of TYC, Gonpo Dhundup, stated that the march was initiated to commemorate the forced signing of the Seventeen-Point Agreement by Tibetan delegates with China on May 23, 1959, which ultimately led to China's occupation of Tibet.

During the march, TYC activists demanded that world leaders and China take necessary actions to address the Sino-Tibet conflict. They requested the G20 leaders to raise the issue during their summit in September 2023. They also demanded the Chinese government to immediately shut down colonial boarding schools that attack and eliminate Tibetan culture and identity, and address the deteriorating human rights situation under its repressive rule in Tibet, according to the TRC website.

The TYC activists emphasized that Tibet matters in resolving growing tensions between China and several Southeast Asian countries as almost 2 billion people depend on freshwater resources originating from the Tibetan plateau. The continued exploitation of Tibetan landscape, ecosystem, and natural resources by China will have long-lasting negative consequences for downstream countries.

The TYC activists also raised concerns about the Chinese colonial education system, which has separated over one million Tibetan children from their families and forced them into Chinese state-run boarding schools. This is a genocidal policy aimed at indoctrinating Tibetan children from their cultural roots, they said.

The activists also criticized the Chinese massive surveillance system, which collects Tibetan DNA samples, including children as young as five, to attack Tibetan identity and individual privacy.

The TYC stated that after more than six decades of illegal and forceful occupation, Tibet has become the worlds least-free country, sharing the bottom spot with South Sudan and Syria in Freedom Houses global freedom scores. The current human rights situation in Tibet is one of the worst in recent years, and China's repressive policies aim to eliminate the very identity of Tibetans.

In conclusion, the "Tibet Matters March" aimed to raise awareness about the Sino-Tibet conflict and urged world leaders to take necessary actions to address the issue. The TYC emphasized that Tibet matters in promoting permanent peace and security in Asia and demanded the Chinese government to address the deteriorating human rights situation and shut down colonial boarding schools attacking Tibetan culture and identity.
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Kyiv: Ukraine on Tuesday expressed "regret" after a picture resembling Goddess Kali tweeted by the country's defence ministry elicited outrage on social media.

The social media users alleged that Ukraine used Goddess Kalis image in a demeaning way. The artist portrayed the explosion using the famous photo of American actress Marilyn Monroe in her 'flying skirt' pose with the face and detailing like Goddess Kali, reported news agency ANI.

The country's deputy foreign minister Emine Dzhaparova said that Ukraine "regrets" the "distorted" depiction of goddess Kali by its defence ministry and that Ukraine "respects unique Indian culture and highly appreciates support from India".

She added the depiction had been removed.

"We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine & its people respect unique #Indian culture&highly appreciate support. The depiction has already been removed. is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect& friendship," Dzhaparova tweeted.

The image, tweeted by Ukraine's Defence Ministry on April 30 with the caption "Work of art," was improvised by Ukrainian artist Maksym Palenko.

After hitting social media, the tweet caused a huge backlash, forcing the Defence Ministry of Ukraine to pull down the Twitter post.

One Twitter user posted, "Shocking! Official handle of Ukraine Defense Ministry is portraying Maa Kali in a demeaning pose. This is not a work of art. Our faith is not a matter of joke. Take it down and apologise @DefenceU"

Meanwhile, another Twitter user said, "Hurting sentiments of 1.4 billion Indians is not Okay @DefenceU. This is a blatant display of Hinduphobia by Ukraine's defence ministry. Please remove this."

In February last year, Dzhaporava had visited India, marking the first visit by a Ukrainian minister to the Asian country since the beginning of the Ukraine war.

While on the visit, the Ukrainian minister engaged in talks with Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs.
Bengaluru/IBNS/UNI: The Congress poll manifesto, which was released on Tuesday ahead of the Karnataka elections, promises to ban Bajrang Dal and the radical Islamist outfit Popular Front of India, arguing that these organisations promote enmity or hatred, among the majority or minority communities.

"The Congress Party is committed to taking firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste or religion.

"We believe that law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities," the manifesto says.

The manifesto says if the party is voted to power in the state, it will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on them.

The party also promised to repeal, within 1 year of coming to power, "all unjust laws and other anti-people laws" passed by the BJP government in the state.

The manifesto also included the five guarantees spelled out during the poll campaigns led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The enlisted guarantees are Gruha Jyothi (which promises 200 units of free electricity to all), Gruha Lakshmi (Rs 2,000 monthly to every woman head of the family), Anna Bhagya (10 kg of food grains of their choice - among rice, ragi, jowar, millet - to every person in a BPL family).

The Congress party vowed to increase the ceiling of reservation from 50 percent to 75 percent in order to accommodate the hopes and aspirations of SC/ST/OBC/minority and other communities such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas.

The party said it is committed to increasing reservations for SCs from 15 to 17 percent and STs from three to seven percent, and restore minority reservations of 4 percent, and increasing reservations for Lingayats, Vokkaligas, and other communities.

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said that all the promises will be implemented in the first cabinet meeting on the first day of government formation.
Image: Facebook/Sharad Pawar

Mumbai/IBNS: Maharashtra strongman and four-time chief minister Sharad Pawar, who announced to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has agreed to 'rethink' his decision that left many shocked, his nephew Ajit Pawar told reporters Tuesday evening.

Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule, met the veteran politician this evening along with other party leaders and later told reporters that he has sought a few days' time.

"I took my decision but because of all of you, I will rethink on my decision. But I need two to three days and I will give it a thought only if the workers go home. Some people have been resigning from party posts too. These resignations should stop," Ajit Pawar quoted his uncle as saying.

The leaders have suggested that Sharad Pawar remain the president and appoint a working president under him, Ajit said.

"We told Sharad Pawar that the workers are unhappy. You be the president and appoint a working president. Sharad Pawar listened to us and then asked us to come back here and speak to the workers sitting here," Ajit added.

Sharad Pawar announced his resignation this morning citing his advanced age. He is 83 years old.

He made the announcement accompanied by his nephew Ajit Pawar at an event of his autobiography's launch in Mumbai.

There are already many political speculations around Ajit Pawar who in 2019 had even taken oath as a deputy CM in a BJP-led government (after BJP's falling out with Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena over chief ministership) that later failed to prove its majority. There are speculations of Ajit going to the BJP even now.

"I cannot forget that Maharashtra and all of you have given me strong support and love in the last six decades. It's time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take. I am recommending that a committee of NCP members should be formed to decide on the election of the vacancy in the president's post," Pawar said in his speech in Marathi as quoted by NDTV.

He said he has three more years in Rajya Sabha, but he will not contest elections in the future.

"I will concentrate more on issues concerning the state and the country. I will not take on any additional responsibilities... One must not be greedy," he said, quoted India Today.

"After Sharad Pawar's decision today, we all got emotional and stopped him for hours and demanded him to rethink. Since it was getting late, we asked Sharad Pawar to go home. However, the protest of the workers continued," Ajit Pawar told reporters.
Image: Twitter/MEAIndia

New Delhi/IBNS: India Tuesday slammed the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for continuing to regurgitate biased and motivated comments about India in its annual report and rejected the misrepresentation of facts.

In a scathing rejoinder, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a statement, said: The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) continues to regurgitate biased and motivated comments about India, this time in its 2023 annual report."

We reject such misrepresentation of facts, which only serves to discredit USCIRF itself. We would urge USCIRF to desist from such efforts and develop a better understanding of India, its plurality, its democratic ethos, and its constitutional mechanisms, he said.

The response came after the USCIRF in its 2023 report designated India as a Country of Particular Concern along with Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, and Vietnam.

The report also called for the US government to condemn ongoing religious freedom violations and support religious organizations and human rights groups targeted for their advocacy of religious freedom.

Impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals assets and/or barring their entry into the United States under human rights related financial and visa authorities, citing specific religious freedom violations.

It also recommended that the US Congress should: Raise religious freedom issues in the US-India bilateral relationship and highlight concerns through hearings, briefings, letters, and congressional delegations.
Image Credit: Unsplash

Bryansk/Russia: A freight train was derailed on Monday following an explosion in a Russian region bordering Ukraine, according to a social media post by the local governor, no casualties were reported in the incident.

Russian Railways, the country's rail operator, said the incident occurred at 10:17 Moscow time (0717 GMT), reported Reuters.

The locomotive and seven freight wagons were derailed in the accident, and the locomotive caught fire.

"An unidentified explosive device went off at the 136-kilometre mark on the Bryansk-Unecha railway line, derailing a freight train," stated Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz in a post on his Telegram channel.

Social media images revealed the scene of tank carriages lying on their side and dark grey smoke rising from the site of a derailment in the Bryansk region

According to Russian authorities, the region that shares borders with both Ukraine and Belarus has experienced several assaults from pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups in the past 14 months since Russia's invasion.

In a separate incident on Saturday, the governor reported that a village just across the border was hit by shells from Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of four civilians.

Located approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Russia's border with Ukraine, the governor identified the area of the incident. However, he did not disclose the party accountable for the attack.

The governor of Russia's Leningrad region adjacent to St. Petersburg reported that a power line had been detonated overnight and that an explosive device was discovered near a second line.

In images shared on his Telegram page on Monday, Governor Alexander Drozdenko displayed destroyed power lines and metal supports.

He stated that the federal security service of Russia, the FSB, was present at the location, but did not indicate whom he held accountable for the occurrence.
Pixabay

A dust storm caused crashes of dozens of vehicles along a major highway in the Central Illinois region of the US on Monday, killing at least six people and injuring several, media reports said.

The crashes along I-55 led to the interstate closing in Sangamon and Montgomery counties after police say dust from newly plowed fields took over the highway. The city of Springfield, the state capital, is in Sangamon County, reports CNN.

Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick told CNN that at least six people were killed and more than 30 people were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Those injured in the wrecks ranged in age from 2 to 80 years old, he said.

Thirty patients were taken to Hospital Sisters Health System hospitals, HSHS spokesperson Jennifer Snopko told CNN Monday evening.

I-55 is shut down both south and northbound I-55 from milepost 63 to 80 at this time due to a large crash. Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. Motorists are urged to take an alternative routes.  IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) May 1, 2023

Another four people were taken to Springfield Memorial Hospital, hospital spokesperson Anne Davis told the news channel.

However, the exact condition of the injured people is still not known.

The Illinois Police tweeted: "I-55 is shut down both south and northbound I-55 from milepost 63 to 80 at this time due to a large crash. Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. Motorists are urged to take an alternative routes."
King Charles III Image credit: Twitter/Royal family & Justin Trudeu Facebook

Ottawa/IBNS: Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will head next week to the United Kingdom to attend King Charless coronation, according to an official in his office.

The crowning of Charles and his wife Camilla, who will become Queen, will reportedly take place at Londons Westminster Abbey on May 6.

Reported to unfold in front of about 2,000 guests, the Kings coronation is expected to be less lavish.

When asked Friday whether its time for Canada to hold a referendum on whether or not to sever ties with British Monarchy, Trudeau who once called Queen Elizabeth "one of my favourite people in the world, said he believes Canadians are seized with bigger issues.

There are obviously a number of people who feel that a different system would serve us better. Those people could make those arguments, but what those people cant do is agree on what alternative would be better, he was reported speaking from the Global Citizen NOW summit in New York.

I think diving into constitutional negotiations over an issue like this, when so much focus is on how we support Canadians, how we create a strong economy for the future  our budget was focused on affordability, on creating great jobs and delivering on healthcare and dental care  these are the things that Canadians are most concerned about, Trudeau has said

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
"Rishton ke bhi roop badalte hai..."

This is what people are saying after Vivek Agnihotri recently praised Alia Bhatt who made her Met Gala debut today. The Kashmir Files filmmaker had earlier praised Deepika Padukone as well as Priyanka Chopra. And now everyone is scratching their heads.

AFP

"Vivek is real life Duggal sahab," said a Redditor.

"Vivek & Kangana are the same Im confused," said another one.

"Hate to agree with that baldy guy, are we really into the matrix?" asked another one.

"Never let them know your next move," said another one.

What did Vivek say?

Vivek Agnihotri praised Alia Bhatt

Taking to Instagram, he shared Alia Bhatt's photos and wrote, "Gorgeous, Graceful, wow" tagging her with three heart emojis.

Instagram

Why is it a big deal?

At the time when Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra had released, he had called out Bollywood's fakeness. He said this by retweeting a tweet that claimed multiplex chains have suffered a loss of Rs 800 crore due to tepid reviews of Brahmastra.

"Problem is everything runs on fakeness in Bollywood. And nobody is answerable. No industry can survive which invests 0% in R&D and wastes 70-80% money on stars (sic)," he wrote.

Problem is everything runs on fakeness in Bollywood. And nobody is answerable. No industry can survive which invests 0% in R&D and wastes 70-80% money on stars.



Brahmastra wipes out over 800 crore wealth of PVR and Inox investors | Business Insider https://t.co/ZgHOlzBm3H  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) September 9, 2022

Earlier, he had also praised Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.

In fact, he was called out for double standards after he praised Deepika Padukone.

Vivek who had severely criticised Deepika Padukone's song Besharam Rang from Pathaan praised Deepika after she made her Oscar debut and said, "While travelling with #TheKashmirFiles in USA & overwhelming response of Americans, I had said that now everyone wants to increase their footprint in India. India is now the most lucrative, safe and growing market of the world. This is the year of Indian cinema. #AchcheDin."

While travelling with #TheKashmirFiles in USA & overwhelming response of Americans, I had said that now everyone wants to increase their footprint in India. India is now the most lucrative, safe and growing market of the world.



This is the year of Indian cinema. #AchcheDin https://t.co/1HNz3jU1TD  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) March 3, 2023

For the unversed, Vivek Agnihotri had earlier called PC a real star after she spoke about leaving Bollywood because she was being 'pushed into a corner'.

He wrote, "When big bullies bully, some kneel down, some surrender, some give up and leave, some take drugs, few have lost life too. Against this 'impossible to defeat' gang of bullies, very very few quit and make their own universe of success. Those are the real life stars."

When big bullies bully, some kneel down, some surrender, some give up and leave, some take drugs, few have lost life too. Against this impossible to defeat gang of bullies, very very few quit and make their own universe of success. Those are the real life stars. https://t.co/TArOEtzwPY  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) March 28, 2023

When people called out his double standards, Vivek Agnihotri said, "Well in a new world criticising someone when you disagree and appreciating when you like their act is called double standard. Well, I thought its called fairness. Anyone who makes Indias name popular deserves appreciation unanimously."

(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.)






Conspiracy Theory

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Academy Award winners Julia Roberts and Mel Gibson team up for the first time in this taut thriller of a beautiful Justice Department attorney entangled in a paranoid cab driver's Conspiracy Theory. In an age when the media and the Internet crackle with stories of conspiracies and cover-ups, New York taxi driver Jerry Fletcher (Gibson--Braveheart, Lethal Weapon films) compiles bits of rumors, scraps of information and pieces of his dimly remembered checkered past into a newsletter detailing outlandish plots. He brings these warnings to the attention of Alice Sutton (Roberts--Erin Brockovich, Pretty Woman), a government lawyer he feels strangely connected to. Although Alice doesn't believe Jerry's seemingly ridiculous ideas, his fears prove all too real when a horrific encounter plunges them both into a whirlpool of deceit, treachery and murder.

Release date

1997

Running time

2:15:14

Audio

EnglishPortuguese (Brazil)

Subtitle

English [CC]

Actors

Alex McArthurTerry AlexanderSteve KahanCylk CozartPatrick StewartJulia RobertsMel Gibson

Director

Richard Donner

Producers

Joel SilverRichard Donner

Writer

Brian Helgeland

Genres

DramaThriller

Show less

Provider

Warner Brothers

Rating

R

483 Comments

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[Calvin Li]

Add a comment...

[Barbraba Kuhnlehner]

Barbraba Kuhnlehner

1 day ago

It's an interesting that everything that mel gibson is saying in this movie is actually happening to us right now

268

Reply

43 replies

[BAGGS the Augmented Eyes]

BAGGS the Augmented Eyes

1 day ago

This movie is so good. It's hilarious, but also horrifying. It's heartbreaking, but also lighthearted. It's really good filmmaking.

87

Reply

6 replies

[Roy Skuderin]

Roy Skuderin

1 day ago

Mind control was and is a real thing. Met some strange characters in my military days that were beyond explanation. The truth is out there.

88

Reply

8 replies

[John Reed]

John Reed

1 day ago

Anyone who likes this movie and relates with the content of this should also see Enemy of the State if you havent already, it came out roughly the same time as this movie and is considered like a sister movie to this one.

52

Reply

9 replies

[Robert Perry]

Robert Perry

21 hours ago

The evidence of this conspiracy has been factchecked, by me, and confirmed as accurate.

17

Reply

[BroncStomper]

BroncStomper

1 day ago (edited)

I missed this one somehow? I am not much of a TV Bug... But, Wow!, this one is a champion spook show that stands the test of time. Great acting, great story! MK-ultra stuff can't beat that. If you guys missed it the guy that handed him a stack of newspapers at the end was the same guy handing him a stack of newspapers in the wheelchair at the beginning in the splash scene.

Show less

56

Reply

16 replies

[Lara O'neal]

Lara O'neal

19 hours ago

Ive studied so much about MKULTRA, Project Paperclip , Max Spiers and so much more and never even knew of this movie until now. For me this was chilling. I felt badly for Jerry.

16

Reply

1 reply

[A-Frame Wedge]

A-Frame Wedge

1 day ago

This movie is actually non-fiction.

137

Reply

18 replies

[Edward Allan]

Edward Allan

1 day ago

This was a VERY under-rated and overlooked film. Amazing. And, actually strong acting work by Gibson.

41

Reply

6 replies

[LILIANA PRINA]

LILIANA PRINA

1 day ago

This movie have many funny moments, it is enjoyable to see these two characters work together.
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the newly appointed President General (PG) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for some of his infrastructural interventions in the South East.

The PG who was sworn-in on Sunday after the Imeobi ratified his nomination, explained that contrary to misconceptions in certain quarters, Buhari does not hate Ndigbo.

While speaking on Arise Television on Monday , he said, We know that Buhari loves Ndigbo. Im in touch with our state governors and they told me many of the things he has done in their states.

Buhari has done the Second Niger Bridge; Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway; he has approved the dredging of Ugwuta Lake which is a joint venture between the Imo State Government and the Nigeria Navy.

So, I thank him and appeal to him to do us this one favour which is to release Nnamdi before leaving office on May 29. Every Igbo will be happy if he does that.

Iwuanyanwu who said he had commissioned a study on power generation in the South East, disclosed that he would set up committees on education and economic revival.

READ ALSO: Your Peace Negotiation Isnt Complete With Nnamdi Kanu In Prison  Iwuanyanwu To Buhari

He identified youth unemployment as a major challenge that Ohanaeze under his watch would aggressively tackle in partnership with state governors in the South East.

Unemployment causes social unrest. We will work together with state governors to address it.

After the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, by 1960, Igbo had come top in education, economy, military, science and technology and so many areas.

We have never had political powers, yet we are highly advanced. So, Im going to set up a council on education to find out what makes us strong in education and to improve on it. I will also set up a council on business to ensure our businessmen and women succeed.

The new Ohanaeze helmsman also said he would set up a committee to bring back on stream, the famous but moribund NIGERCEM Cement Industry in Nkalagu before the year runs out.

The major raw material for cement is limestone, and we have it in abundance in South East. So, I will set up a committee to ensure Nigercem Nkalagu begins production before the end of this year.

On how to end the power challenge in the South East, he said: I commissioned a study on power, and I got an amazing report that we can generate cheap power through coal. We have coal in abundance in Enugu. Its one of the best in the world. So, we will explore that especially now that power has been brought to the concurrent list.
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 19 students of Akwa Ibom State University for internet-related offences.

The commission disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday on its website, noting that the suspects were apprehended on Friday, April 28, 2023.

READ ALSO: 2023 Supplementary Elections: EFCC Arrest 12 In Kano, Katsina For Vote-Buying

The commission added that the undergraduate students were arrested at their private hostels  Obong Abasi Lodge and Mfon Obong Lodge -located at Ikot Akpadem in Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.

19 undergraduates of Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat-Enin, were on Friday, April 28, 2023, arrested by operatives of the Uyo Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for suspected internet-related offences.

Their arrest followed several months of surveillance on their suspected involvement in romance scam, fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions and impersonation. They will be charged to court as soon as Investigations are concluded, the commission said.

Items recovered from them include several laptops and mobile phones.
The Federal Government has disclosed that Egypt has opened its borders to Nigerians fleeing war-torn Sudan.

In a Twitter update on Monday, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on Monday said an Air Force plane was already on ground in Aswan, Egypt, adding that the processing of the first set of evacuees would begin.

With the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, Egypt has finally opened its border to Nigerians fleeing Sudan, the Commission tweeted.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Commission, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari reached out to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, his Egyptian counterpart, before arriving at the solution.

According to her, Egypt agreed to open the border under stringent conditions.

READ ALSO: FG To Pay Egypt Visa Fees For Stranded Nigerians In Sudan

The border has just been opened, (with stringent conditions) after President Buharis intervention with the Egyptian President. So, the processing of evacuees by the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt will begin, Dabiri-Erewa said in a statement.

The development comes shortly after an update by NiDCOM, saying the Egyptian border was still not opened for our students.

The Commission however, stated that the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) is ready with the NAF C 130 having landed at Aswan Airport, and they say We will not leave without our students.

Recall that due to the closure of Sudanese airspace, the Federal Government had made arrangement for buses to convey Nigerians to Egypt from where they were to catch flights back home.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate for Labour Party (LP) in the last general election has admitted having a private conversation with founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo.

Speaking on Arise Television as a featured guest on Monday night, he also debunked describing the presidential poll as a religious war.

Information Nigeria had reported a leaked conversation allegedly between Peter Obi and Bishop Oyedepo, where the former was heard pleading with the cleric to help sway support and votes of Christians in southwestern states and Kogi.

According to the telephone conversation which was said to have taken place before February 25 presidential election, Obi was heard allegedly describing the poll as a religious war that must be won, and why the release of the audio gathered a series of backlashes and criticisms for the former Anambra state governor.

But responding to a question on whether the phone call christened Yes Daddy actually took place, he said, Call it whatever you want to call it. Whatever anyone wants to make of it. I am not a religious bigot. Do you think I can just pick a phone and say religious war? No, I was even begging the bishop to help me ask his people to vote, which was what I was doing for six months  begging. I wasnt saying catch him, kill him, force it. I was even begging. That shows that I continued to look for votes by begging. There were so many things we tried to do but they were not okay.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi To Sue Peoples Gazette Over Leaked Audio With Bishop Oyedepo

The former Anambra State governor further stressed that he is no religious bigot, adding that no non-muslim governor has ever sent more people to Mecca than he did as a governor.

Let me tell you. Those who have been trying to manipulate Nigerians have been doing it. But it is coming to an end. The people they have been manipulating are dying of hunger. They will soon know who is the religious or tribal bigot. I am not one. I have just given you an example of how I built mosques. Till today, no non-Muslim governor has sent more people to Mecca than me.

I can never say it (poll) is a religious war. Because it is not. There was a conversation. But I never said it was a religious war. What for? I am surrounded by people. If there was ever an instance where the presidential candidate and his deputy work as brothers, it is me and Datti. And I know and we never stop talking about it.

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, we have a presidential candidate, running mate and party chairman who were born after Nigerias Independence. We must save this country and he (Datti) knows my commitment to it. I cant do all these with the background of religious war, he added.
Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Peter Obi, has slammed the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, for wasting Nigerias resources on media rounds outside the country.

Recall that the Minister had recently made an allegation while engaging with journalists in Washington DC, the United States of America, that Obi had committed treason.

According to Mohammed, the former governor of Anambra State incited people to violence over the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, saying it was treasonable.

But Obi during an appearance on Arise Television on Monday described the allegation of treason against him as the height of rascality.

READ ALSO: Lai Mohammed Chose Foreign Land To Lie, Taint Sacred Facts About Elections  Afenifere

The LP flagbearer also berated Lai Mohammed saying that the amount used for such engagement can build six blocks of classrooms in his village.

His words: That is the height of rascality. It was even announced in Washington. I committed a treasonable offence and Im in Onitsha, and my minister went to announce it in Washington. This is the waste in governance we are talking about and people dont want to understand.

The amount it cost Nigeria for him to go and announce that in Washington can build a block of six classrooms in a primary school. Im sure if you go to his village there are so many places where children dont even have desk or classrooms to go to school.

Instead of using that money for this purpose, he went to Washington to announce treason against someone in Onitsha. He doesnt need to do that. From there he went to London, announcing the same thing when Im in Nigeria. He should have come to see me or invited me and tell me my offense.
The former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has said that Nigeria is at loss for not having the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as the countrys President.

Sanusi stated this while speaking at a book launch titled: Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader, on Monday.

READ ALSO: Kano Gov-Elect, Abba Kabir, To Revisit Sanusis Dethronement  Kwankwaso Breaks Silence

Sanusi, who is also a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, noted that Osinbajo was one of those in the present administration ready to deliberate on developmental matters.

He said, And I dare say, we all agree that Nigeria is worse off for not having someone like him (Osinbajo) as president, but I do hope that he will be available to serve and to advise and to put in his best for the country and continue to do.

So Im sure he will, in whatever capacity he finds himself in the future, and maybe, well still be lucky to have him lead us at some point or take some leadership role as a statesman.

Recall that the VP was one of the aspirants of the All Progressives Congress presidential primary, who some criticised for contesting against the now President-elect, Bola Tinubu during the presidential primary.
The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has denied visiting Nigerias president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Obi, the rumours and purported photoshopped pictures making rounds on social media, are part of moves by the opposition to derail his objective.

The former Anambra State governor who made the clarification during an interview on Arise Television on Monday night said, I never visited him (Tinubu). I didnt. These are some of the things Ive been telling you. They have turned the whole thing upside down.

READ ALSO: Obi Commends Buhari Over Postponement Of Census

So, what they (the opposition) do now is think about what they are going to do to cause issues and what they are going to do to label him (Obi) this or that, Obi said.

The presidential candidate who emerged third place as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission is in court to challenge Tinubus victory.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has on Tuesday arrested the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari.

Recall that Yunusa had controversially declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru (Binani), winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections.

The Force headquarters via a statement confirmed his arrest in Abuja through the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The statement read: The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) hereby confirms the arrest of Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who was alleged to have announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections following calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of alleged impropriety in the course of supplementary gubernatorial polls in the State.

READ ALSO: Police Panel Invites Suspended REC, Yunusa Over Adamawa Guber

Barrister Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday May 2 2023, is currently in Police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State. In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team.

The spokesman furthered that the IGP assured that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution.
The investigation panel set up by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has invited the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, for questioning.

Recall that the panel invited Yunusa-Ari over his conduct during the April 15 governorship election in Adamawa State.

Yunusa-Ari had declared Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) of the All Progressives Congress, the winner when the collation of the results was yet to be completed, thus stirring controversy.

To its end, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.

The electoral umpire also wrote to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to prosecute Yunusa-Ari over the electoral infraction, of which approval of President Muhammadu Buhari followed suit, pending the completion of an investigation by the police.

READ ALSO: I Did Nothing Wrong  Suspended Adamawa REC Writes IGP From Hiding

Subsequently, the IGP asked an investigative team to work in collaboration with INEC on the matter, according to TheCable.

However, the investigative panel, headed by Garba Umar, Assistant Inspector-General of Police and head of Interpol in Nigeria invited Yunusa-Ari to show up at the force headquarters in Abuja.

The spokesperson of forces criminal investigation department, Funmi Eguaoje, confirming the invitation of the REC on Monday, said he would appear before officials of INEC, Department of States Services (DSS) and NPF.

Eguaoje said: There was a committee constituted to investigate, which included INEC and police. The AIG Umar is the chairman of that committee.

He (Yunusa-Ari) was not invited by police or Interpol so to say. He was invited by the committee. The committee comprises officials of DSS, NPF and INEC.
The House of Representatives has invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, including Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to appear before the house to give account of evacuation status of Nigerians in Sudan.

READ MORE: Sudan: Dangote To Partner With FG, Air Peace On Evacuated Nigerians

Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known at the resumed plenary in Abuja on Tuesday on the crisis and evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan.

He said, over the last few weeks, the Republic of Sudan had descended into war, adding that unfortunately, such rapid descent into the carnage of violent conflict had entrapped many Nigerians resident in that country.

He said, efforts were underway to ensure that Nigeria citizens resident in the Republic of Sudan, as students, business people and in other vocations, were evacuated quickly and safely.

Gbajabiamila said the House was aware of ongoing difficulties with the evacuation efforts and the federal governments response to the developments in the Republic of Sudan.

According to him, we are also mindful that some of these difficulties flow from interagency disagreements arising from overlapping mandates and the absence of established operational guidelines for such circumstances.

While our priority is to ensure the welfare and well-being of our fellow citizens caught in this war, we must further revisit the statutory and other frameworks that have left us seemingly unprepared to respond promptly and effectively.

He said the conflict in Sudan reminded the House of the fragility of nations, adding that in pursuing the countrys political objectives, we must never lose sight of the fundamental truth.

This according to him is that, in war, everybody loses; in peace, everybody can win, adding that all personal, partisan and sectional interests must always succumb to the overarching and overriding interest of ensuring the unity and stability of Nigeria.

 If we fail in this regard, nothing else will matter, and none of us will be absolved in the judgment of history.
Director Lewis Milestone made three definitive war movies about three separate wars in three different decades. In 1930, he helmed the immortal World War I drama All Quiet on the Western Front, which won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. Fifteen years later in 1945, he mounted A Walk in the Sun, a devastating account of America's invasion of Italy in World War II, and 14 years after that in 1959, Milestone directed one of the few and finest films to focus on the Korean War, Pork Chop Hill.

Much like Stanley Kubrick's shattering World War I film Paths of Glory, released two years earlier, Pork Chop Hill chronicles a futile military mission that results in dozens upon dozens of unnecessary casualties. In Paths of Glory, a vain French general commands his troops to capture the Ant Hill despite the impossibility of success, while in Pork Chop Hill, Lt. Joe Clemons (Gregory Peck) is tasked with retaking the titular parcel of land so the Americans can use it as a bargaining chip in their peace talks with the North Koreans and Chinese.



Lt. Clemons knows the war will be ending in a matter of days if not hours, but he's ordered to carry out a dangerous mission with few instructions that will send his tired, homesick troops to almost certain doom. Clemons initially achieves success, but miscommunications and logistical snafus complicate matters and force Clemons and his ever-dwindling forces to hang on by the skin of their teeth as they struggle to hold the desolate terrain while waiting and waiting and waiting for reinforcements.

More of a traditional war film than Paths of Glory, Pork Chop Hill focuses heavily on military maneuvers and battles, but within that violent context Milestone, just as he did so brilliantly in All Quiet on the Western Front, transmits an incisive anti-war message. Pork Chop Hill may be gritty, exciting, and tense, but a deep humanity courses through it, and vivid characters, many of whom only get a few minutes of screen time, populate the story. Milestone also captures the chaos of war and how the broken chains of command and complex bureaucracy put enormous pressure on the regiment officers who must make split-second decisions that might inexorably alter the lives of their men.

Peck plays Clemons with his typical mix of stoicism, grace, and quiet intensity. He's tough when he needs to be - his scenes with a black soldier (beautifully portrayed by Woody Strode) who squirms in the face of battle are particularly strong - but his compassion always comes through. Though at 42 he's a bit old for the role (the real Lt. Clemons was 24 at the time, which really ratchets up our admiration for his leadership and accomplishments), he fills Clemons' shoes well.

The supporting cast is a veritable who's-who of up-and-coming actors who would dominate the world of cinema and television for the next 20-odd years. Rip Torn, George Peppard, Harry Guardino, James Edwards, Robert Blake, Norman Fell, Harry Dean Stanton, Gavin MacLeod, and Martin Landau in his film debut all impress, and Milestone makes sure he gives each and every actor his moment in the spotlight. Peck may loom above them all, but at its core Pork Chop Hill is an ensemble piece that reflects the teamwork and brotherhood of America's armed forces.



About 20 minutes were trimmed from Pork Chop Hill just prior to its release, reportedly at the request of Peck's wife Veronique, who claimed the film took too long to introduce her husband on screen. Whether Milestone would acquiesce to the demands of a star's wife remains a topic for debate, but the cuts, which supposedly excise chunks of dry roundtable peace talks between the Americans and Chinese, probably improve the film by keeping the focus more intently on the soldiers' gut-churning plight.

Though Pork Chop Hill stands as a realistic portrait of men in combat and hammers home the futility of war, it lacks the emotional gravitas of All Quiet on the Western Front and A Walk in the Sun. It may be the weakest entry in Milestone's war trilogy, but it's arguably the strongest American film that deals with the Korean War. It holds up well and documents a difficult time with dignity, frankness, and honor.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Pork Chop Hill arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard clear case inside a glossy slipcase. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is LPCM 2.0 dual mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu with music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.
The Lagos State Government has arraigned a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Osibanjo Oluwaseun, who crashed into a moving train at Ikeja and allegedly killed six people on March 9, 2023.

He was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on 16 counts bordering on involuntary manslaughter and grievous harm preferred against him by the state government.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA earlier reported that Osinbajo was conveying some staff members of the Lagos State Government to work on March 9 and wanted to cross the rail line when he rammed the bus into the moving train.

READ MORETrain-BRT Crash: Bus Driver Faces Manslaughter, Bodily Harm Charges

According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, the BRT driver negligently killed the victims by ignoring warning signals and ran into an oncoming train.

The defendant is accused of also negligently inflicting grievous harm on 10 other passengers on the bus.

Oluwaseun pleaded not guilty to the 16 counts and the court adjourned the case till May 26 and June 16 and 28, 2023 for commencement of trial.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has described the demands of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in an ultimatum issued to the Federal Government as absurd.

Recall that on Saturday, NARD threatened to embark on strike if the government fails to meet its demands within two weeks.

The doctors are demanding an immediate increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to the tune of 200 per cent of the current gross salaries of doctors.

The body also condemned the bill seeking to mandate medical and dental practitioners to practice for five years before relocating abroad.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Monday, May 1, Ngige said: If the NARD who we have been managing their matter, we are giving them everything they want, including their Medical Resident Training Fund, we are paying them, even when in training, pay them a full salary, pay them all the allowances and you decided that we have not done enough.

Like I said before, you have an option to go. It is left for the education ministry and the health ministry to fashion out what they can do.

READ MORE: Unpaid Salaries : Well Not Allow Chris Ngige Ridicule Us- ASUU Chairman

You asked that a bill by one of the members of the House of Representatives be removed and that is one of the reasons you want to go on strike. How can the government tell a member who has done a private members bill, it is not even an executive bill, you now release it as one of the conditions of going on strike, that is absurd.

The entitlements syndrome, the sense of entitlement is too much in this country and like I said earlier, you obey the law you look odd, you apply the law, you look odd or you are a wicked man, he added.
This article is a copy of the original article on Think.ing.com

The European Union's implementation of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to reduce the risk of carbon leakage as it strengthens its Emission Trading System is likely to push consumer prices higher and affect metal trade flows. It will also force producers globally to accelerate efforts to cut their carbon footprint

Steel is one of the six carbon-intensive industries CBAM will initially apply to, as there is a larger risk of carbon leakage

What is CBAM?

The CBAM is set to complement the EUs Emission Trading System (ETS), in order to help hit the blocs 'Fit for 55' target of reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and eventually achieving net zero by 2050.



The ETS has been in place since 2005 and works on a cap-and-trade principle. A cap is placed on the amount of emissions that can be emitted by operators who fall under the ETS, and this cap is reduced over time. These operators either buy or receive allowances and can trade the allowances with each other. The price of carbon allowances on the ETS has seen significant strength in recent years following regulatory changes to the system (the market was trading sub-10/t in early 2018 but has traded as high as 100/t in 2023). The EU ETS covers 40% of the blocs emissions.



Under the latest CBAM agreement  the first of its kind globally  goods imported into the EU will also face a levy at the border based on their emissions footprint. This will be phased in from 2026 until 2034.



While it may appear that CBAM is aimed at driving decarbonisation among key trade partners, it is in fact a tool to make the EU's ETS more robust and effective.



The European Commission currently provides free allowances under the ETS to industries where there is a high risk of carbon leakage. Carbon leakage is where carbon-intensive production is moved to countries where there are less stringent climate policies in place, therefore resulting in no reduction in emissions. In fact, the risk is for higher emissions.



The Commission wants to start reducing the amount of free allowances given to these industries in order to push them to decarbonise. However, in order to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage when doing so, the EU will charge a carbon tax on imports based on their carbon footprint.



CBAM would initially apply to imports whose production is carbon intensive and at the most significant risk of carbon leakage, including cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. CBAM is mostly limited to basic materials and their key intermediates with the broadest value chain coverage in the steel sector, covering both raw materials and downstream fabricated products.



The European Commission estimates that CBAM will help reduce CO2 emissions in the sectors it covers by 1% in the EU and 0.4% in the rest of the world by 2030. It also predicts that the CBAM will decrease carbon leakage in the five sectors by 29% by 2030.

Products covered under CBAM for the steel and aluminium sectors

Source: European Commission, ING Research

EU CBAM timeline Source: European Commission, ING Research

How will it work?

The CBAM will initially apply to six carbon-intensive industries: cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. These are the industries where there is a larger risk of carbon leakage. Eventually, the aim is for all imports to be covered by the carbon tax.



For the selected industries, a trial period will begin in October 2023. During the trial period, importers of goods will only have to report greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) embedded in their imports (direct and indirect emissions), without making any financial payments or adjustments. Although according to the draft regulation, indirect emissions will not be calculated for iron and steel, aluminium and hydrogen. However, over time it is safe to assume indirect emissions will also be included for these sectors.



Direct emissions are those emissions created during the production process over which the producer has direct control. Indirect emissions refer to emissions from generating electricity that is consumed in a production process.



CBAM will come into force from 1 January 2026 and importers will need to declare each year the quantity of goods imported into the EU in the preceding year and their embedded GHG. They will then surrender the corresponding number of CBAM certificates. The price of the certificates will be calculated depending on the weekly average auction price of EU ETS allowances expressed in EUR per tonne of CO2 emitted. The phasing-out of free allocation under the EU ETS will take place in parallel with the phasing-in of CBAM in the period 2026-34.



Some suppliers may be unable to provide the necessary emissions data to EU importers, and at the standard required by the EU. In these instances, default emission data will be used, which could very well be more punitive. This is obviously a risk to some countries/suppliers who simply do not have this level of data.



CBAM will not apply to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland given they already participate in the EU ETS or their domestic ETS is linked to it, as is the case for Switzerland. Additionally, goods imported from countries that have a carbon price can offset the amount paid under CBAM by an amount equivalent to their domestic carbon price.

Reduction factor for free allowances, 2026-34

Source: European Commission, ING Research

EU CBAM process Source: European Commission, ING Research

How have trade partners reacted to CBAM?

Although CBAM will not be implemented for several years, its proposal has already sparked a backlash from a number of the EUs trading partners criticising the bloc of green protectionism. The United States, China, India, Brazil, South Africa and several others have expressed concerns that the new rules will further complicate trade and raise export costs for non-EU manufacturers.



There is a possibility that the EUs trading partners might choose to retaliate and impose barriers on EU imports in response. They could also challenge the EUs policy at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). China has already asked the EU to justify its incoming carbon border tax at the WTO, a move that suggests it may challenge the law at the trade courts. Chinas Ministry of Commerce released a paper last month saying the government and enterprises should plan how to respond to the incoming changes as early as possible.



The pushback from a number of key trading partners comes despite a number of these countries having a carbon tax of their own in some form or the other. Some 40 countries and more than 20 cities, states and provinces around the world already use carbon pricing mechanisms, with more planning to implement them in the future, according to the World Bank. In aggregate, these carbon pricing schemes now in place cover about half their emissions, which translates to about 13% of annual global GHG.



The issue is that the bulk of these carbon mechanisms around the world falls short of the EUs ETS. This is either in terms of coverage and/or simply the level at which carbon is priced. EU carbon allowances trade at a significant premium to most carbon prices around the world. For example, Chinas ETS, which covers only power generators for now, is trading at around US$8/t versus the EU market trading in the region of US$100/t. The difference will need to be made up for imports into the EU. The only country which has a comparable carbon price to the EU is the UK. In fact, over 2022, the UK ETS traded at a premium to the EU. However, for now, goods imported from the UK will still be subject to CBAM. Although clearly it would make sense to link these, as seen with Switzerland. The UK government has launched a consultation on whether to introduce a UK CBAM as part of its net zero strategy while discussions are also taking place with the EU on whether to link the blocs carbon pricing systems to the UKs.



Ideally, there should be a standard carbon price across the world, yet carbon pricing schemes vary hugely in their severity and scope. A harmonisation in carbon taxes globally is much easier said than done.

Carbon pricing initiatives around the world Source: The World Bank, ING Research

Global carbon prices (US$/t) Source: Refinitiv Eikon, ING Research

The impact of CBAM

The first and most obvious impact of the implementation of CBAM is that European consumers will face higher prices. This is not only because imports will be more expensive, but also because the allocation of free allowances to a number of these domestic sectors will be gradually reduced as the CBAM is phased in, which will drive costs higher for EU producers. However, given the phase-out period for free allowances will run from 2026 to 2034, the impact will be felt gradually. Reporting obligations related to CBAM will also push up costs, which will likely also be passed on to consumers.



Carbon leakage is still a risk with CBAM. How much of a risk will really depend on how far downstream CBAM will apply. The draft regulation has tried to address this. So, for example, CBAM will go relatively far down in the steel value chain, covering even screws, bolts and nuts.



Trade flows will also likely be affected. This will be felt both with imports and exports. For exports, the eventual removal of free allowances will have an impact on the export competitiveness of European downstream sectors. A way to minimise this would be to offer a rebate equivalent to the carbon price on export volumes, which would remove the disadvantage for European exporters. However, this is unlikely, given it wouldnt exactly fit in with the EUs decarbonisation goals.



For imports, there will also be large shifts. Although the degree of impact will really depend on how carbon-intensive some of these third-country producers are and whether these countries have a meaningful carbon price already in place to drive the decarbonisation of domestic industries in the coming years. Suppliers who have a carbon intensity similar to that of EU suppliers will likely not be significantly impacted in terms of competitiveness. Low-emission producers are likely to increase their share of exports to the EU, given the lower CBAM burden they would face, whilst higher carbon emitters will likely look for markets where their high emission intensity will not be penalised.

What does CBAM mean for aluminium flows?

For aluminium, Norway and Iceland were the largest and third-largest suppliers of aluminium to the EU in 2022. Goods from these countries will not be subject to CBAM and aluminium flows are likely to remain largely unaffected. However, other key suppliers include Russia, Turkey, China, the UAE and India. Of these five suppliers, India and China have the highest emission intensity by some distance.



What really drives differences between direct emissions from aluminium smelters is whether they source their power from the grid or have a captive power plant. For those with captive power, their direct emissions are significantly larger. The feedstock used in captive power will also be important. The carbon footprint of aluminium imports mostly comes from the electricity used in the electro-intensive smelting process. Currently, the primary fuel for many captive power plants is coal. In China, for example, 88% of Chinese primary aluminium production is based on coal-fired electricity generation, while the remaining 12% is based on hydropower.



China has its own domestic ETS market, but it only covers power generators for now covering around four billion tonnes of CO2 and trades at a significant discount to the EU ETS. Therefore, the additional cost to move this product to the EU will be significant. As things stand, it would be difficult not to see Chinese aluminium flows to the EU falling. The import cost of Chinese aluminium products into the EU could increase by around 17% as a result of CBAM. However, we will need to see how Chinas ETS develops, as over time one would expect prices to strengthen and to also include heavy industry, which would help decarbonise the Chinese aluminium industry, and as a result reduce the CBAM burden. In addition, a trend which has become very clear in China is the moving of smelters to the Southern provinces, and with this, a move away from captive coal-fired power to hydropower, as Beijing has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. By 2027, 29% of Chinas aluminium output will be powered by green energy. If this trend continues, it will bring down the average carbon intensity for Chinese aluminium producers, increasing their competitiveness in the EU under CBAM.



The outlook for Indian flows is a bit more worrisome. India does not have a carbon tax or ETS, although there is a coal tax. However, this by definition is not a carbon tax, so it is unlikely to be used as a partial offset for the CBAM. Emission intensity from Indian aluminium producers is not only the highest among suppliers to the EU, but the highest globally. These high emissions are driven by coal captive power plants. The additional cost per tonne of Indian aluminium going into the EU will be significant, and without robust decarbonisation efforts it is difficult not to see these flows being impacted. The import cost of Indian aluminium products into the EU could increase by more than 40% due to CBAM.



Russian aluminium has a relatively low carbon footprint, despite Russia not having a carbon tax. Therefore, CBAM is likely to have a limited impact on these flows. We estimate an additional cost in the region of 6%. The bigger risk to Russian aluminium flows to the EU is the self-sanctioning that we are seeing as a result of Russias invasion of Ukraine.



As for Turkey, emission intensity is not much higher than the EU. In addition, it appears as though Turkey is moving toward implementing its own ETS, which if effective would drive further decarbonisation of the industry. Turkey has only one smelter in the country, however, it has a large semi-fabricated and finished products manufacturing base, which imports largely primary aluminium and exports semi and finished products.



The UAE is also a fairly large supplier to the EU, and like China and India, the smelters in the country use captive power. However, instead of using coal, natural gas is the feedstock. This does mean emission intensity is significantly lower than in India and China. However, given the use of captive power, direct emissions are still higher than those seen in the EU  although the UAE is starting to increase the use of renewable power in its aluminium industry.

Key aluminium suppliers to the EU and emission intensity

Source: Company reports, IAI, Eurostat, ING Research

What does CBAM mean for iron and steel flows?

While the iron and steel sector is an overall larger emitter of emissions than the aluminium sector, emission intensity is much lower than that of the aluminium industry, with a global average of 1.91 tonnes CO2e/ per tonne of steel. There are a number of factors which affect this, but the most important comes down to the production process used. Direct emissions from the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) process are significantly higher than that seen from electric arc furnaces (EAF), which use scrap as feedstock. Global emission intensity via the BOF process, which makes up around 71% of global production, averages 2.23 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of crude steel output, whilst emission intensity via the EAF route (29% of global output) averages 0.67.



In the EU, just under 60% of the blocs total steel is produced via the BOF process, while around 40% is produced via the EAF production route.



The variance between emission intensity in the steel sector is much narrower than seen in the aluminium industry. This also suggests that trade flows are also likely to be less affected. Looking at the largest suppliers of steel products to the EU, CBAM could increase import costs in the region of 8%. Although obviously, this will depend on where carbon prices are trading.



In 2022, Russia was the largest supplier of steel products to the EU. These flows are predominantly semi-finished steel products, as well as pig iron. Russian steel has an emission intensity in the region of 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel, which is below the global average and suggests that CBAM should not impact flows significantly. However, the bigger impact on Russian steel is the EUs eighth sanction package against Russia, which includes semi-finished steel products.



Steel flows from the second-largest supplier to the EU  Turkey  should manage with CBAM. Turkey has a large amount of EAF capacity meaning that emission intensity is well below the global average as well as the EU average.



China was the third-largest supplier of steel products to the EU in 2022. The emission intensity of the Chinese steel sector is also the third-highest among the largest suppliers to the EU. As previously mentioned, China has launched a domestic ETS, which will eventually cover the steel sector, and assuming an effective ETS price, should help to decarbonise the domestic industry. The government in recent years has already taken steps to try to decarbonise the sector. And with Chinas scrap ratio still well below the global average, there is the potential to increase this further in the years ahead, which would drive emission intensity lower.



Indian steel has the second-highest emission intensity amongst the largest suppliers of steel products to the EU, with only Ukraine ahead of it. With an intensity above both the global average and the EU average, we could very well see these Indian steel flows coming under pressure. There are some Indian domestic producers which have targets to cut emission intensity to levels more comparable to the current global average by the end of this decade.



It is not just steel and downstream steel products that will be subject to CBAM. Upstream sectors will also be affected with iron ore falling under CBAM. However, the emission intensity of iron ore is marginal and so this should have little impact on flows. In addition, the EU is highly dependent on iron ore imports, further supporting the idea of minimal impact on trade flows.

Key steel suppliers to the EU and emission intensity

Source: WSA, Global Efficiency Intelligence, Eurostat, ING Research
The late Jerry Blavat on the dance floor at Memories in Margate. The disc jockey opened the club 43 years ago, and it's built a loyal following - regulars have bought houses nearby so they can walk to Memories. Read more

Some loyal patrons loved Jerry Blavats Jersey Shore nightclub so much that they supposedly bought houses nearby so they could walk, dance to the oldies for hours, and shuffle home.

According to an April 30 Facebook post by Blavats longtime partner, Keely Stahl, Memories of Margate, a Shore staple for 50 years, is for sale. Signs on the window of the Amherst Avenue club, which opened in 1971, do not list a price, but urged potential buyers to email BuyMemoriesinMargate@gmail.com.

 READ MORE: Jerry Blavat, The Geator with the Heater, dies at 82

A news release sent by the executors of Blavats estate Tuesday confirmed that there is no specific asking price but said proposals, high and low, will be reviewed. Proposals must be submitted by May 19.

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Purchase will include the property, contents within the property, Jerry Blavats one-of-a-kind record collection, and naming rights  exclusions apply, the executors wrote in a news release.

On Tuesday, Stahl told The Inquirer that she created the Facebook post to dispel rumors around the future of the property. She said Blavat wanted the club to remain open.

He wanted someone who could create the same energy there he did, but thats going to be hard, she said.

The executors, in the news release, said there would be tribute events for Blavat throughout the tri-state area and urged fans to follow the late DJs social media.

According to property records, Memories is owned by New Gold Inc, of Philadelphia, and assessed at $854,100.

Blavat, the energetic DJ known as The Geator with the Heater, died Jan. 20 due to complications from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disease that weakens the skeletal muscles.

He was 82.

Best-case scenario would be, as Jerry wished, for it to continue as the kind of club he ran so people can continue to enjoy the kind of music he played and create new memories. And were all hoping to have at least ONE memorial event there before everything is final, Stahl wrote on Facebook.

 READ MORE: From 2018: Why Jerry Blavat loves me (and literally everyone else at Memories in Margate)

Nearly 200 people commented on Stahls post, some of them praying for a divine intervention to keep Memories open for a 51st summer. Others hoped the club wouldnt be turned into housing.

Devastating news, one wrote.

Many people agreed that Memories could never be the same without Blavat himself there, spinning records and chugging Wawa coffee, late into the night. Stahl, in her post, said she would like to hold one final memorial at Memories if the club is sold.

If not, there are tapes of many of his broadcasts from Memories, which we might be able to play for you somewhere, somehow ... and re-create the legendary spirit and vibe of Memories in Margate and our beloved Geator for you all, she wrote.
Kim Cassidy, president of Bryn Mawr College, will step down in June 2024. Read more

Kim Cassidy will step down as president of Bryn Mawr College in June 2024, ending an 11-year run, nearly twice the average tenure for presidents these days.

I believe that leadership renewal is crucial to the long-term, strategic success of any organization, Cassidy wrote in an email to the campus community Tuesday. It has been an honor to serve as president of Bryn Mawr.

The average tenure for a college president  an increasingly difficult job with enrollment challenges and financial strain  was 5.9 years in 2022, down from 6.5 in 2017 and 8.5 years in 2006, according to a recent report by the American Council on Education.

Cassidy, 59, an expert in psychology, will return to the faculty in fall 2026 following a two-year sabbatical, the college said. She has spent her entire career at Bryn Mawr, joining the faculty at the womens college in 1993 and serving as provost for six years before stepping in as interim president in 2013.

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The college, which has 1,409 undergraduates, said it will form a search committee for the next president.

 READ MORE: Bryn Mawr names Cassidy as president

Cynthia Archer, chair of Bryn Mawrs board of trustees, said in a message to campus that she was grateful for Cassidys leadership.

Her collaborative leadership has raised Bryn Mawrs enduring commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and student success within a vibrant, inclusive community to new heights, Archer said.

 READ MORE: Alumna gives Bryn Mawr College $25 million, largest donation in its history

Archer credited Cassidy, a native of Elverson, Chester County, with helping to make education more affordable by eliminating loans as part of the financial aid package for students with family incomes below $60,000 and reducing loans for others. Cassidy led a $301 million fundraising campaign and garnered the colleges largest single gift of $25 million from an alumna and longtime supporter who asked to remain anonymous.

Cassidy also championed multidisciplinary approaches to teaching, led the colleges efforts for diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism and advocated for gender equity, the college said.

She also had to lead the college through some difficult times, including concerns that were raised about M. Carey Thomas, perhaps Bryn Mawrs most influential president, who led the college from 1894 to 1922, but who employed racist and antisemitic policies. The college in March said it was removing Thomas name from the library.

 READ MORE: Bryn Mawr College to remove former presidents name from library after legacy of antisemitism and white supremacy
A member of the Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue team walks through the scene of the explosion site at the R.M. Palmer chocolate factory in West Reading, Pa. on March 26, 2023. Read more

A natural gas-fueled explosion destroyed a West Reading chocolate factory building in March, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report Tuesday. Seven people were killed and 11 were injured in the R.M. Palmer blast that rocked the tight-knit borough of about 4,500 people.

The source of the likely gas leak was not laid out Tuesday, and will be a focus of the ongoing investigation, according to the NTSB report.

Still, the preliminary information laid out by investigators forms the clearest picture of what happened the day of the explosion, 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

According to investigators, 35 office staff and 70 production employees were working in two R.M. Palmer buildings that shared a block with an apartment building.

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Employees from Building 2, which was flanked by an apartment building and another Palmer building, told investigators they smelled natural gas before the blast. Employees from the building next door said they smelled rotten eggs.

 READ MORE: Chocolate maker ignored warnings of gas leak prior to West Reading blast, lawsuit claims

The explosion occurred shortly before 5 p.m., destroying Building 2 and causing significant structural damage to the Palmer building next door. Three families in the neighboring apartment building were displaced.

UGI Corp. serviced the Palmer buildings with natural gas coming through two mains adjacent to the accident site, but reported that there had been no known work in the area, nor a pressure spike in gas use ahead of the explosion.

In a statement, the company said it supports the ongoing investigation.

We remain focused on providing accurate, timely and comprehensive information to the NTSB to assist them in analyzing and understanding the events of that day, the statement said.

Employee interviews collected by NTSB investigators echo claims made in news reports and in a lawsuit against Palmer and UGI in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

The gas leak at the factory and the horrific explosion it caused was foreseeable, predictable, and preventable, reads the wrongful death suit filed by a family member of one of the victims.

The suit alleges that workers reported a natural gas smell to the company to no avail.

Six of the people killed are believed to have died from blast injuries, according to the Berks County Coroners Office. Investigators believe the seventh victim died from thermal burns. Their ages ranged from 30 to 63.

 READ MORE: West Reading chocolate factory victims died of blast injuries, thermal burns, coroner says

The rest of the investigation and final report could take up to two years to complete and will also focus on related industry practices and federal regulations.

With the NTSB no longer needing access to the explosion site, West Reading officials said the Palmer properties and others on the block will be returned to their respective owners, who will be responsible for clean-up efforts.
The Philadelphia man who authorities say shot a mother and daughter during an attempted robbery at a Northeast Philadelphia pizza shop is facing new federal charges tied to the crime.

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, Kaleb Bridges, 19, was charged with robbery and using a firearm in a crime of violence  a count that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. A parallel case remains pending against him in state court on charges of attempted murder and other related crimes stemming from the March 8 case.

In a court filing seeking to keep Bridges behind bars until trial, federal authorities laid out their description of the robbery. At around 8:50 p.m., Bridges, wearing gloves, a mask, and a hood, walked into Mayfair Pizza, a family-owned and operated pizza shop on the 7400 block of Frankford Avenue and demanded money, authorities said. He fired three shots and two of the bullets struck the mother and daughter, who were working in the restaurant at the time.

Bridges pointed a gun at the daughter  Cacy Karasava, 35  and demanded she fill a bag with money from the cash register, authorities said. When her fingers got caught in the bag of cash as Bridges tried to walk away, authorities said, he shot her at point-blank range, striking her in the shoulder.

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The owner of the pizza shop, who is the husband of the 66-year-old woman and Karasavas father, fought Bridges, with help from two employees, and held him until police got to the scene, police said. Police arrested Bridges that night without incident.

During the scuffle, at least one more shot was fired and the mother was hit in the abdomen, authorities said.

When officers arrived, police said, they found three spent shell casings, along with a large amount of cash on the floor. A Taurus TX22, a.22-caliber semiautomatic handgun, was also recovered.

Bridges is unable to legally possess a gun because of his age, authorities said.

Karasava said Tuesday that she nd her 66-year-old mother, who was hit once in the stomach, were both doing better and taking it day by day. The family learned of the federal charges Tuesday, she said.

Bridges, meanwhile, remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Inquirer staff writer Jeremy Roebuck contributed to this article.
Safiyyah Okoye, 39, and her husband, Tristan Quinn-Thibodeau, 40, with their kids, Miryam Quinn-Thibodeau, 6, and Asa Quinn-Thibodeau, 4. Read more

When Eleanore Pabarue had her daughter, Kate, christened at Christ Church and St. Michaels Episcopal in Germantown 37 years ago, the minister delivered a kind of parental commandment:

Thou shalt do the Mt. Airy Babysitting Co-op,  Pabarue recalls. She and her husband were newcomers to Philadelphia from North Carolina in need of child care. I listened. And I did what the minister told me to do.

Now 68, Pabarue, who taught English, Latin, French, and history for the middle- and upper-schools at Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Bryn Mawr, is retired and lives in Blue Bell.

But, she said, my heart is in Mount Airy.

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The babysitting co-op, where parents look after each others children free of charge, has been a much-loved Mount Airy institution for decades, and is approaching its 50th year. Members say theyre not aware of a similar organization in the area with such longevity.

Its seen as an extension of what residents have come to label the village  a city neighborhood of kindred spirits who celebrate diversity and the idea of community-building. The area, a home to many artists, professionals, individualists (one local is a sword-swallower), and the civic-minded, has been nationally lauded for residents organizing efforts to create and maintain racial integration.

Theres no concern about prejudice or judgment here, Pabarue said. My husband and I are an interracial couple, and we never had problems. The approach is acceptance of others, almost like the Quaker philosophy: There is that of the divine in everyone, so you treat each one the same.

That same philosophy lives in the co-op.

Recently, the co-op, which also includes families in Chestnut Hill, reopened after a pandemic-fueled hiatus. It currently has 13 families but is open to new members and is looking to return to pre-COVID-19 levels of around 30. Most of the babysitting over the years has been done by mothers, though many fathers get involved.

You have to work to be a member, said Erin Mooney, part of the group for eight years. Its not as easy as hiring a babysitter. You have to show up and put in babysitting hours on a monthly basis.

Dues are just $10 a year. The co-op runs on a fairly complex points system that tracks and balances the number of times parents babysit and request a babysitter themselves.

So if you only ask for, but dont provide sits, youre held accountable, said Mooney, who did not give her age. Shes the interim executive director of the Schuylkill Center, an urban environmental education center in Northwest Philadelphia. And you need to get back in positive standing. It can feel cumbersome at first glance, but the bottom line is its worked for almost 50 years.

A new member must be nominated by one family, then seconded by two others. The applicant must then participate in a playdate and exchange two babysitting sessions with other families so they can be seen in action, Mooney said, to see if its a good fit. Then the membership votes.

Its all very specific, Mooney said. We dont like the idea of background checks, so its families seeing families. No one has ever had a problem with that system, she added.

Its quite a process of vetting that took a few months, said the co-ops newest member, Safiyyah Okoye, 39, who lives in Chestnut Hill. Shes a professor of nursing and public health at Drexel University. She and her husband, Tristan Quinn-Thibodeau, 40, who works at a nonprofit, moved to the area with their children, ages 4 and 6, from Baltimore in August.

They checked us out, then checked out our house for safety.

Okoye is eager but anxious for her first sit.

Its pretty intimate to go to someones house and take care of their kids, she said. Im a little nervous about it. My mother and father never had outside sitters.

But my husband and I feel we should go out more. And babysitters are very expensive. Plus, this is a great way to build community.

Pabarue agreed. Its a wonderful chance to get to know others, and to get involved, she said. Mothers arent at home chatting over the back fence anymore.

Whats also important about the co-op is the feeling of complete comfort it delivers, Mooney said. One night, she and her husband were out, and at 11 p.m., their then-infant started throwing up.

The co-op sitter called and the couple sped home.

When I got there, the babysitter was covered with vomit, but just holding the baby. Shed been holding her all night without cleaning up. Parents will do things that hired babysitters just wouldnt.

And I have an incredible connection with that other mother because of that night.

As it happens, not just the grown-ups bond.

I like how tight-knit everyone is, and willing to step in, said Pierce Barsanti, 10, Mooneys son and a fourth-grader at William Penn Charter School in East Falls. Everyone is kind to each other, and you know its a parent watching you, and not a random teenager. When we were younger, theyd tuck us in and read us books. It was nice.

Happily reminiscing herself, Pabarue said, The babysitting co-op is a lifesaver. And so great. In the end, it restores your faith in human kindness.
Leanne Feilmeier is owed $14,435 from her former employer, Osaka in Chestnut Hill, which agreed to pay $1 million to its workers to settle a U.S. Department of Labor wage theft case. Four years later, workers have still yet to get paid. Read more

In February 2019, the owner of two Philly-area sushi restaurants agreed to pay $1 million to settle a U.S. Department of Labor lawsuit that claimed hed stolen wages from his workers.

Kwang Bum Kim, who owned Osaka Japan in Chestnut Hill and Lansdale, was supposed to pay $935,000 in back wages and damages to 201 workers  servers, bussers, hibachi chefs, dishwashers  as well as a $65,000 civil penalty to the government. Kim had shorted his workers on their tips, the Department of Labor said, and failed to pay them overtime.

Some workers were owed more than $30,000, as part of the settlement.

But more than four years later, Kims former employees havent gotten anything. Nor has the federal government, according to the Labor Department.

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When a worker is the victim of wage theft  getting tips skimmed, not making minimum wage, or simply not getting paid at all  winning a favorable result in a government investigation or court case is only half the battle. Whether its in Philadelphia with its Department of Labor or in a state like California, collecting on wage theft judgments is notoriously difficult, and even the federal government struggles with it.

Leanne Feilmeier, who spent her 20s working as a hostess and bartender at the Chestnut Hill location, was due $14,435  money that wouldve helped her pay off the loans she took out to attend Temple University.

Now a teacher, Feilmeier, 33, said shes given up hope on ever getting her share of the settlement. I dont how to go about demanding it, she said.

 READ MORE: For the first time, Philly enforces its wage theft law by suing an employer who stiffed workers

Kim, who is 77, according to public records, did not respond to requests for comment sent through his lawyers, voice mails, and registered mail addressed to his home.

Labor Department spokesperson Lenore Uddyback-Fortson said in a statement that her office has made significant efforts to collect this judgment, including filing writs of garnishment and liens on property owned by Kim.

In February 2020, the federal government filed a $1 million lien against Kims properties. He and his wife own Osakas former Chestnut Hill location on Germantown Avenue and a home in Blue Bell. The lien could result in money for the workers if the Kims want to sell or refinance.

The government cannot seize the properties because Kim owns them with his wife. Under Pennsylvania law, if a judgment is placed against someone, properties owned with a spouse cannot be taken to pay a debt.

 READ MORE: After they won their wage theft cases, they waited years to get paid. Some still wait.

One way to make employers pay up is to ask the court to hold them in contempt. The Labor Departments Wage and Hour Division did this successfully last year in Boston. The process, which took three years, involved investigating the business owners assets and selling properties they owned. In September 2022, the two construction companies paid the rest of what they owed  $1.8 million  to their former workers.

This strategy worked because the DOL found evidence the employers had the ability to pay the judgment but were refusing to do so.

The Labor Department referred the Osaka case to the U.S. Treasury Department for collection, Uddyback-Fortson said. The Treasury Department did not respond to requests for comment. The Labor Department declined to answer further questions about its collections efforts.

Kim has other debts. He and his business Osaka Japanese Restaurant Inc. owe Philadelphia $344,450 in unpaid business taxes, according to court filings. JHSK Inc., the corporate name of his former Lansdale location, owes the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue $73,930.

The city shut Osaka down in September 2019 for not paying taxes. Since then, the Chestnut Hill property has housed at least two different sushi restaurants, including the one there currently: Sakura Ramen and Sushi Bar.

Gabriel Stoler, who worked at Osaka in Chestnut Hill and Lansdale, is owed more than $34,000 from the settlement. When he found out in 2019, he was excited  he, too, thought about paying off his college loans.

But since then, hes moved on. He has a wife and a kid; he now works at a financial technology company. He hasnt been able to get any answers from the Labor Department about the settlement.

I feel like Mr. Kim is gonna get away with it, he said.

Staff writer Mike Klein contributed to this article.
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our regional newsletter, Talk of the Town.

STATE COLLEGE  In January, despite months of documented public opposition, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) unanimously approved a casino slated to go in the Nittany Mall.

Andrew Shaffer, who runs the website SayNoCasino.org, was at the forefront of the anti-casino movement, collecting thousands of State College area residents signatures opposing the project. They believe the casino will be a drain on the economy and adversely affect Penn State students, a population especially susceptible to gambling addiction.

The mini-casino, which could have anywhere from 300 to 750 slot machines and up to 40 table games according to state rules, has drawn criticism from residents who feel they were not included in the approval process.

So why couldnt the opposition movement halt the project? While Shaffer speculates part of the reason behind the PGCBs approval was pressure from the gambling industry, another explanation lies in the regulatory procedure behind the casinos development. Because of a 2017 state law, College Township had to OK the possibility of a casino before a license was even available in Centre County.

The 2017 legislation, called Act 42, created 10 mini-casino licenses to be distributed across Pennsylvania and included an opt-out period for municipalities, which opened in November of that year and closed about 60 days later.

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At a council meeting on Dec. 7, 2017, College Township chose not to opt out and remained a potential location for a casino  one of 14 Centre County municipalities to do so. At the time, council members doubted that the Nittany Mall, the only place one could go due to the townships restrictions on gambling, would be a sought-after locale, with one council member calling its chances pretty slim.

College Township Manager Adam Brumbaugh told Spotlight PA that the municipalitys gaming policies, combined with a desire to address the deteriorating economic situation of the Nittany Mall, ultimately drove the councils decision.

This short opt-out window, combined with the jumbled decision-making order of operations, limited the publics chances to weigh in. Brumbaugh said the townships December 2017 public meeting, when the opt-out decision was an agenda item, wasnt attended by any casino opponents.

At that time, there were no licenses [for Centre County] that were available, Brumbaugh said. It never came up as a discussion point from the public.

The language of the 2017 law also allows municipalities to decide at any time that they want to opt in, or become a potential casino host, but once they do, opting out is prohibited. Shaffer said this aspect of the 2017 legislation is extremely biased in favor of casino developers. College Township, based on its solicitors opinion, believes it could have opted out until July 2, 2019, because of an amendment to state law, but it missed that chance, too.

Blaine Lucas, a Pittsburgh-based attorney who specializes in zoning law, said the main difference between casino development and other land development is that the former is largely directed by the state legislature rather than municipalities or private companies.

Its hard to compare [gaming legislation] to other uses, because there is a pretty unusual legislative regime that exists there, Lucas said. Its certainly not typical.

For more than two years after College Township did not opt out, the gaming industry made no moves in the area. It wasnt until September 2020 that Ira Lubert, a former member of Penn States Board of Trustees, won a PGCB auction for a mini-casino license and chose to build in the former Macys of the Nittany Mall under a company called SC Gaming.

Lubert won the auction with a bid of $10,000,101, and he submitted his license application on March 2, 2021. Lubert owns a 3% stake in Pittsburghs Rivers Casino, and he opened the Valley Forge Casino Resort outside Philadelphia in 2012, later selling it for $280 million.

Shaffer was first made aware of the casino in August 2021 when the PGCB hosted its first public hearing on the project. He said scheduling a hearing at that time of year hindered public participation.

That date  was chosen at a time when as many people as possible would be out of town, Shaffer said.

Ive heard from hundreds of people that they didnt know a casino was coming, even after a fight against it was well underway.

The PGCBs public input period began July 21, 2021 and remained open much longer than the typical 30-day window. But because of this extended period, the PGCB did not allow comments at their most recent (and final) hearing in January of this year, when the license was granted.

As a result, the public record includes comments from only two people opposing the casino, and the thousands of signatures SayNoCasino gathered werent mentioned.

Shaffer and other community members requested that the College Township Council submit a letter to the PGCB summarizing public disapproval, but the township refused.

We received an abundance of correspondence from community folk in opposition, Brumbaugh said. After consultation with the solicitor, we decided not to forward a letter of concern because the solicitor advised that that could be interpreted as a type of interference, which could create a liability for the township in the event that a license was not afforded to SC Gaming.

Now, the only things potentially standing between SC Gaming and its Nittany Mall casino are two parallel court cases against the PGCB filed by Cordish Companies, which owns the gambling business Stadium Casino and lost the license bid in 2020.

The first, filed in Commonwealth Court, argues that SC Gamings mini-casino license should be thrown out because of its partnership with Ballys Corporation, which signed onto the project in January of 2021  months after Lubert had already won the auction. Cordish claims Lubert financed the bid with the help of Ballys, which Cordish contends is forbidden by the 2017 law. The company also argues the PGCB shouldnt have considered SC Gamings application at all.

The second case is an appeal of the PGCBs license itself, which has gone straight to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

On April 5, a Commonwealth Court judge denied a stay request from SC Gaming that would have prevented the case from moving forward until a decision by the state Supreme Court had been made. The judge said that the lower court case requires a record of the facts before the state Supreme Court can consider it.

If Cordish wins and Luberts license is revoked, Stadium will have the option to build a casino in a different city and might choose to do so in a more populated location, such as Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, where it already operates other casinos.

Until then, Shaffer said SayNoCasino plans to keep voicing its disapproval.

Im not enthusiastic about [Stadium] winning the license and building the casino elsewhere, he said. In my view, casinos are harmful to their host communities wherever they are.

Lilly Riddle is a journalist in Penn States News Lab and an intern with Spotlight PAs State College regional bureau.

SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
Stop whatever you're doing and go check out this baby short-beaked echidnaalso known as a "puggle"! She was born last year at Taronga Zoo Sydney as part of its "backyard to bush" breeding program. She's so cuteThat snout! Those claws! Those pricklies! You can see her doing what she does bestdigging, foraging for food, and breaking apart logs. So, what's an echidna? PBS describes them:

Echidnas are one of only three monotremes, egg-laying mammals that drink milk, in the world. Aside from the echidna species, the only other monotreme species is the duck-billed platypus. There are four species of echidna: the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), the Sir David's long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), the eastern long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bartoni), and the western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii). Their conservation status varies depending on the species. Sir David's long-beaked echidna and the western long-beaked echidna are both listed as critically endangered with populations declining. The eastern long-beaked echidna is listed as vulnerable. Their current population size is estimated to be around 10,000 mature individuals, but this number is likely declining. The IUCN categorizes the short-beaked echidna as a species of Least Concern.

The Government of South Australia provides more facts about echidnassome of which are just wild! (1) Their spines are actually hairs. (2) They have different colored spines depending on where they live. (3) During breeding season, they form "echidna trains"which are, yes, exactly what you're imagining. GSA explains:

From mid-May to early September, male echidnas actively seek out females to mate. They form a line known as an 'echidna train', with the female leading the 'train', followed by up to ten males. A smaller, younger male is often at the rear of the line. The male suitors follow the female for long distances until the female is ready to mate. She then lies relaxed and flat on her stomach and the males that formed the 'train' dig a circular trench around her. Eventually the largest male pushes the competing rivals out of this 'mating rut'. He then digs more dirt out from the spot where the female's tail is resting, lies on his side and places his tail under hers, and they mate.

Ready for even more? (4) Male echidnas have a four-headed penis. (5) Echidnas lay eggs. (6) They don't have any teeth, but instead they have long sticky tongues that they use kind of like anteaters do, to slurp up ants, worms, and more. (7) Finally, they are excellent diggers. As GSA explains, "The claws on an echidna's hind limbs are curved backwards to help them dig, which is another way they help protect themselves from danger as they can dig their way out of trouble."

Amazing creatures!
Police on the scene of a double shooting that left one man dead and the other in very critical condition at Temple University Hospital, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Read more

In response to record-setting gun violence, the city of Philadelphia created a new police unit for investigating shootings, expanded curfews for juveniles, installed security cameras at recreation centers, and funneled millions in funding for community anti-violence programs.

But its efforts to enact stricter gun laws have not gained majority legislative support in Harrisburg or survived challenges in state courts. So far.

Last week, for the first time in years, four gun safety bills advanced toward a vote in Pennsylvanias state House of Representatives, where Democrats control the House for the first time in decades. Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, a Philadelphia Democrat, called his partys effort a key step to end the reckless flow of weapons on our streets. Its unclear whether any of the bills has a chance of passing in the Republican-controlled state Senate, which historically has opposed gun control proposals.

Giffords.org, a national gun control group, gave Pennsylvania a B- and ranked it 15th for public safety gun laws in its 2022 report card. Neighboring New Jersey ranked second and New York fourth. In Pennsylvania, people died from gunfire at a rate of 14.8 per 100,000 residents, nearly three times the rate in New Jersey (5.2) and New York (5.4).

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Law enforcement officials and gun safety advocates say regulations in place elsewhere could be put in place in Pennsylvania to reduce the risk of gun violence and safeguard citizens. Here are some of them:

Limit how quickly and how many guns someone can buy

Unlike New Jersey and other states, Pennsylvania does not limit how many handguns, rifles, or shotguns a person can buy at one time.

For decades, Philadelphia officials have sought a local law to slow the pace of gun buying inside city limits. In 2008, City Council enacted a short-lived law limiting individual sales to one handgun a month, which, among other actions, could have curtailed straw buyers, who illegally purchase firearms for people who cannot pass a background check. The National Rifle Association successfully sued to overturn it.

Supporters of such limits note that studies have shown that although multi-gun sales are only a fraction of all sales, they account for as many as one-quarter of guns recovered at crime scenes. In addition, bulk-purchased guns have been linked to as many as two-thirds of crimes.

Last year, a panel of judges rejected a lawsuit brought by Philadelphia, CeaseFire PA, and other plaintiffs to enact tougher city gun regulations. The panel ruled to uphold the states preemption law. That legal concept prevents local governments from making regulations  in this case, about firearms and ammunition  that are stricter than federal or state laws. Loosening the preemption restriction about city gun regulations would require a state law that would survive a challenge to the state Supreme Court, according to legal experts.

New Jersey is one of four states that in some way limit gun sales to one a month. (Exceptions include purchases by law enforcement, gun dealers, and antique-weapon collectors.) Further, New Jersey laws do not prohibit local municipalities from passing their own regulations on firearm sales as long as the new rules dont conflict with state law.

While federal law requires a dealer to notify the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of sales of two or more weapons at a time within five business days, it doesnt limit the numbers of guns that can be purchased. To avoid attention, straw buyers often spread their purchases across different gun shops, sometimes on the same day.

Require gun owners to report to police when their firearms are stolen

Unlike New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, Pennsylvania does not require gun owners to report missing or stolen guns, leaving unknown the number of weapons currently held by someone other than their owner. ATF data show that guns used in crimes can illegally trade hands many times and for years before law enforcement learns that they were lost or stolen.

Sixteen states have laws mandating such reporting. New Jersey gun owners have a duty to inform law enforcement within 36 hours of learning their firearms are missing or face a fine. A similar law in New York calls for a misdemeanor violation if missing guns are not reported after 24 hours. Delaware imposes a fine for gun owners who fail to report missing weapons after seven days.

Philadelphia has tried to pass a similar law. Its latest attempt was overturned in February 2022, when a Commonwealth Court panel ruled that the ordinance was a violation of the states Uniform Firearms Act.

A mandatory reporting law could potentially trip up straw buyers who may not report guns as stolen or missing until law enforcement questions how their firearms ended up linked to a crime. Court records show that agents with the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office Gun Violence Task Force have uncovered straw-purchasing rings after stories of missing guns were contradicted by evidence.

In other cases, straw buyers have reported weapons stolen almost immediately after purchase. Though filing a false report is illegal in the state, straw buyers have used this tactic, police say, to create a false alibi in case the firearm turns up at a crime scene, or in the possession of an ineligible person.

Finding guns in the wrong hands is an increasing city problem. Since 2020, Philadelphia police have made more than 2,800 arrests of people carrying a gun who were prohibited due to a previous conviction.

One of the bills voted out of a state House committee April 26 would require gun owners to report a firearm lost or stolen to police within three days.

Require firearms dealers to notify law enforcement of suspicious purchases

Under state law, gun shops have to submit paperwork to state police recording each sale, including the buyers name. But they are not required to notify authorities about suspicious buyers  and the decision about what constitutes suspicious behavior is generally left up to an employees discretion.

Law enforcement officials say they often receive helpful tips from gun shops. Still, it is not possible to know how many straw buyers were able to evade such suspicion.

A 2022 report by the gun control group Brady analyzed recent traces by law enforcement and found the majority of statewide crime guns came from a handful of gun shops. Just 1% of the in-state dealers were responsible for half of the recovered crime guns.

Require Pa.s licensed firearms dealers to submit gun sales records electronically

Although gun dealers in Pennsylvania are required to submit records of sale to the Pennsylvania State Police, only about half are submitted electronically, authorities estimate. The rest are submitted on paper, which creates a lag between the date of sale and the time when police are able to record it in the states electronically searchable system.

Following the 2019 launch of Track + Trace, a program led by the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office to help law enforcement agencies share information on crime guns, electronic sale records increased. The AGs office said one year after the program was launched that about half of the 15 largest gun dealers were filing their sales electronically, up from three.

Still, Adam Garber, executive director of CeaseFirePA, a gun safety advocacy group, said state lawmakers could further support digitizing all sale records that gun shop employees submit to state police. This effort would help eliminate the state polices paper backlog, giving law enforcement more up-to-date information about gun buyers making frequent or bulk purchases.

What we want to do is encourage more careful consideration of whos buying guns, Garber said.
Philadelphia School District officials appeared before City Council Tuesday to discuss their $4.5 billion 2023-24 budget. Read more

The Philadelphia School District is suing the city. At least some City Council members think the district is incapable of adequately managing its facilities issues.

But in Tuesdays four-hour public budget meeting that historically has produced fireworks, relations between the entities were notably cordial.

I truly believe the seeds of sustainable collaboration have been planted, school board president Reginald Streater said as he presented the districts proposed $4.5 billion 2023-24 budget to Council.

 READ MORE: More teachers, more school safety officers: Heres whats planned for Phillys $4.5 billion budget

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Sprinkled throughout the school systems annual budget hearing, though, were newly revealed hints about the superintendents forthcoming strategic plan, the ongoing asbestos work in city schools, and a push to hire extra counselors for some schools next year.

Here are some takeaways from the meeting:

Watlington wants to offer financial incentives to teachers

In Philadelphia, as in other large urban systems, the schools that struggle most often employ many new teachers and see the most turnover.

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. wants Philadelphia to be the fastest-improving city school district in the country. To do that, he thinks more teachers who have demonstrated a strong ability to grow student achievement need to be working in struggling schools.

Money will make that happen, Watlington said  really significant improvement bonuses, really significant annual performance bonuses, and retention bonuses.

Some say getting teachers to work in hard-to-staff schools is not about money, but about working conditions and other factors.

I beg to differ, Watlington said. The districts that are getting better, they are doing some significant work with financial incentives.

When the superintendent introduces his much-anticipated five-year strategic plan on May 25, he said, were going to put that on the table.

Whats happening at all the schools closed from asbestos?

Watlington and Chief Operating Officer Oz Hill gave a status update on the schools closed by damaged asbestos.

Building 21, the first school closed, on March 1, re-opened for students Tuesday after staff returned Monday.

C.W. Henry Elementary students and staff are still learning virtually, but a return is on the horizon; the school system is awaiting results of air quality tests, and once those pass muster with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers environmental scientist, the school can re-open.

Mitchell students and staff have relocated to McMichael Elementary, in West Philadelphia; the Mitchell building, in Southwest Philadelphia, will be closed through the end of the school year.

Frankford Highs 900 students are all still learning virtually, and that school building will also be closed through June. But Hill said 10 classrooms at Olney High are being prepared to relocate Frankfords students with disabilities, and that those students and teachers could relocate next week.

Though the school closed nearly a month ago, no alternate location for the rest of the school has yet been identified, though work is still ongoing, Hill said.

Environmental conditions in most district schools put swing space at a premium, officials said. In all, 295 district schools have asbestos-containing materials.

Six schools have closed this school year because of damaged asbestos.

Next year there will be fewer students but with more staff

The school system, whose enrollment is 113,443 this year, projects a 0.5% enrollment drop for next year, officials said.

Even so, the district wants to hire more staff and spend more money per pupil.

Current plans include 15,037 school-based staffers for the 2023-24 school year, vs. 14,774 this year. Of that number, 8,690 will be teachers, up from 8,543 this year.

Thats not irresponsible spending, Watlington said. The district has been underfunded for decades, a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court judge concluded in a historic school-funding ruling that came earlier this year.

After years of cuts  including the layoff of thousands of teachers, counselors, nurses, school secretaries and assistant principals  its taken years to build back up to even an appropriate level of staffing, and in some areas, were still understaffed, Watlington said.

Of note: Watlington said the school system will hire 15 additional counselors for the neediest schools, including those hit hard by the gun violence and opioid epidemics.

If any hostility exists, you wouldnt know it

Notable in their absence were any mention of the school districts lawsuit over a new legislation that gives the city oversight over environmental conditions inside schools, and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas push to give an independent authority control over issuing bonds and managing district repairs.
When Richard P. Nicoletti was a Philadelphia SWAT Officer responding to the citys racial justice protests in 2020, he pepper-sprayed three demonstrators who had descended onto I-676 and sat in the middle of the highway.

Of that, there is no dispute.

But Tuesday, as Nicoletti sat through the first day of his criminal trial on charges including simple assault and reckless endangerment, prosecutors and Nicolettis defense lawyers offered divergent interpretations of whether his actions that day were legally justified  or a crime.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Collins told jurors during his opening statement that Nicolettis decision to spray the protesters was unnecessary, harmful, and beyond the scope of his duties as a police officer.

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The badge the defendant carried was a responsibility, not a license, Collins said.

But one of Nicolettis lawyers, Fortunato Perri Jr., said Nicoletti had been authorized by his chain-of-command  including the police commissioner  to use tactics including pepper spray if demonstrations began to spin out of control.

There will be no expert to come in and tell you he was not legally justified, Perri told the panel. Thats how hes trained ... and for that, [prosecutors] want you to call him a criminal.

The trial marks the latest chapter in a saga that attracted national attention and turned into a protracted legal battle in both civil and criminal courts. In March, the city agreed to pay $9.25 million to hundreds of plaintiffs who had sued over the Police Departments use of force during the protests, which lasted several days.

On Tuesday, two of the people Nicoletti pepper-sprayed took the witness stand, along with a witness who watched it unfold. One of the women who was doused in the eyes, Katharine Walsh, choked up while recalling what happened. Prosecutors also played video of the episode and showed jurors a number of photos.

The episode occurred on June 1, 2020, when hundreds of protesters gathered in Center City to demonstrate over the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. As marchers took different routes through the city, some ventured onto I-676  even ascars traveled the highway.

Walsh and Diamonik Hough, who also testified, said the events were nonetheless peaceful, even joyful, until police began deploying tear gas toward people on the interstate. As the crowd began trying to disperse, Hough said, he decided to sit down in an attempt to show that the protesters were not seeking violence,

Walsh testified that she noticed Hough  whom she did not know  and decided to sit with him in an attempt to protect him and not let him face police alone.

I was afraid that he was going to get hurt, she said, noting that Hough is Black and she is white, and the demonstrations were centered on police brutality against people of color.

Videos showed what happened next: Nicoletti, wearing a gas mask and protective gear, approached Hough, Walsh, and another woman who was also seated in the middle of the road. Nicoletti pulled down that womans goggles and pepper-sprayed her in the face, doused Walsh at point-blank range, then sprayed Hough several times while shoving him to the ground.

Perri, while cross-examining the witnesses, sought to emphasize that they knew entering the highway was potentially dangerous. And he told jurors Nicoletti had been ordered to clear the highway  and was authorized to use pepper spray to do so.

He did that, nothing more, Perri said.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw fired Nicoletti several weeks after, and District Attorney Larry Krasner charged him two weeks later.

But Nicolettis case has wound an unusual path since then: In 2021, Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan dismissed all charges against him, saying prosecutors did not prove that his actions were criminal: You cant put [officers] in charge of maintaining order, and then tie their hands on how theyre going to do it, Meehan said.

Common Pleas Court Judge Crystal Bryant-Powell later reversed that decision, reinstating all charges and putting Nicoletti on the path to trial.

Nicoletti has remained free on bail in the time since. Testimony is expected to resume Wednesday.
It started with a single gunshot.

Thats what Philadelphia police officers said they heard on Saturday as they attempted to enter the Germantown home of 65-year-old Steve Robbins, who was barricaded inside and wanted for missing a court hearing.

Officers responded that afternoon to reports of a man with a weapon. Robbins warning shot initiated a lengthy standoff, one the District Attorneys Office called a suicide by cop attempt that would end with two SWAT officers shot and Robbins in the hospital, struck in the shoulder area by officers returning fire.

A spokesperson for the department said officers were trying for Robbins peaceful surrender as he holed up on the third floor of the house on the 400 block of West Bringhurst Street.

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But after hours of unsuccessful phone conversations between Robbins and a negotiator, the tense situation took a violent turn when officers entered the home, climbing the stairs to the bedroom where Robbins waited with a shotgun.

Robbins sent one shot through the closed bedroom door, striking the officers outside, according to police.

Two male officers, a 56-year-old and a 35-year-old, were shot, but were wearing bulletproof vests. A third officer holding a bulletproof shield was also hit, but not seriously injured.

The first two officers returned fire, according to police, striking Robbins one time in his upper right chest. Robbins was rushed to the hospital, where he was in critical but stable condition and later released.

He was charged with assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and related crimes. Robbins will also be charged with six additional reckless endangerment charges for endangering a family member and officers at the scene, authorities said.

Robbins was wanted for failing to appear at a February 2022 court hearing on charges of unlawful contact with a minor.

According to the criminal complaint in that case, a 9-year-old relative told detectives in 2020 Robbins inappropriately touched her twice the year before. Robbins was arrested in October 2021, and later posted bail, then failed to show up at a court hearing.

After shooting the officers, Robbins was being held on $1 million bail on the new charges, authorities said.

The two officers who shot Robbins have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Philadelphia's efforts to stand up a wastewater testing program have faced an array of obstacles. Read more

Three years ago, Philadelphia led the region in rolling out new technology using wastewater to track COVID-19.

But coming out of the pandemic, the city lags behind its neighbors in identifying emerging health threats in what gets flushed down toilets.

Locations in several Pennsylvania counties, including in Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware Counties, are now able to use wastewater to track mpox, the virus formerly called monkeypox responsible for a concerning outbreak last summer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though it is not the counties themselves necessarily running that testing.

The Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority is testing wastewater for influenza, RSV, and norovirus.

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 READ MORE: Phillys wastewater testing for COVID is up and running, but city has yet to share data

New Castle County, Del., announced last month that it would begin testing for drugs, including opioids, amphetamines, and nicotine, in wastewater. County officials said this will provide a better understanding of where these substances are used most often.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia in April began getting COVID test results that health officials were confident were accurate. The citys three wastewater sampling sites are not among the 22 in the state, including locations in Philadelphias four neighboring Pennsylvania counties, currently sharing wastewater testing data to help the CDC monitor COVID. However, city officials said they will begin routinely sharing data this week.

Health department officials said the wastewater testing programs rollout has been slow because they decided to manage it in-house, a complicated endeavor that they hope will enable the department to respond more nimbly to emerging public health threats in the future. Many other communities contract out the scientific analysis to private companies.

This capacity has taken time to develop but puts us in a much better place to address future infectious risks to Philadelphia promptly without being dependent on sending specimens to outside labs, Cheryl Bettigole, the citys health commissioner, said in a statement.

Still, the approach has limited the health departments ability to offer meaningful data on current public health threats, such as COVID. The health department hasnt updated its public dashboard showing the results of wastewater testing for COVID since Jan. 23. Officials said they werent confident enough in the results to publicize them.

In November, the city was one of two locations in the nation selected by the CDC to test wastewater for polio, which has shown signs of rebounding nationally. Philadelphias lab likely wont be ready to test for polio until 2024, health officials say.

The other participant in the pilot program, Oakland County, Mich., expects to start testing for polio soon, said a spokesperson from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Charles Haas, a Drexel University professor, described the progress of wastewater testing as, disappointingly slow for a city of our size.

A halting rollout

As public health officials scrambled for ways to continue tracking COVID, wastewater testing seemed promising. Hospital data on treatment and illness rates can be skewed by how many people report test results or seek treatment. Wastewater screening can identify where and when the virus is circulating and may give an early warning of its resurgence.

Maintaining a national wastewater surveillance system ensures readiness to respond to evolving risks, a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine study released this year found.

Philadelphias health department launched a wastewater testing pilot in 2020, and started a full-fledged program, drawing sewage samples from three sites in the city, in January 2022.

By late spring the program was generating reliable results, health officials have said. But it quickly began to run into problems.

The city had a $700,000 contract with Temple University to run analysis. But concerns about data collection and interpretation methods kept the health department from sharing data publicly until last October.

Temple routed wastewater samples from Philadelphia to Michigan State University for processing. It sometimes took weeks to get results and occasionally, samples got lost in the mail, undermining the value of wastewater testing as an early alert system.

 READ MORE: Testing sewage for COVID is providing valuable data, but Philly seeks to get faster results

When the contract with Temple ended in January, the department moved the entire operation in-house  but did not yet have a lab ready to take on the task. Everything from sample collection to testing is now conducted through the departments genetic sequencing lab, which opened in August.

They have spent $615,000 paid for through CDC grants to hire and train staff and buy equipment and chemicals.

The data continued to be collected, but we couldnt publish it before we were confident that our results were valid, health department spokesperson Jim Kyle said.

In-house or outsourced?

The health department anticipates its wastewater testing program wont be prepared to test for anything other than COVID for months.

The process of building a lab should have begun years ago, if the city wanted to process its own wastewater test samples, said Drexels Haas, a national expert who was on the committee that authored the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine study.

I think they should have planned in advance if they intended to move this all in-house, Haas said.

Boston is among the cities that decided to conduct wastewater testing through a company, Biobot Analytics in Cambridge, Mass., which processes samples from about 1,000 locations nationally.

New Castle County recently contracted with Biobot to scan wastewater samples for drugs, said Jennings Heussner, Biobots director of government business. Wastewater samples in Delaware County are processed by a testing initiative from Stanford University, WastewaterSCAN, the county water authority reported.

Its pretty difficult to stand up these kinds of operations, Heussner said, noting that conducting testing in-house does give the health department more flexibility in deciding what it tests for.

The citys lab is also getting results faster than when Michigan State processed Philadelphias samples. Test results consistently arrive in four days, Kyle said.

The health department is in the process of applying for additional federal grants to keep the program running when CDC funding runs out in July.

We believe that having this capability in-house is an important part of the preparedness for the future, Kyle said, and will enable us to have much more rapid turnaround in the event of a future emergency.
Scam emails are full of typos, mistakes and unlikely scenarios (like lottery wins and foreign princes) by design: it weeds out savvy respondents and selects gullible and vulnerable marks. Why does the new generation of scammers pretend to be Elon Musk? Perhaps it's because fans of his are gullible and vulnerable marks.

A principal of a charter school in Volusia County resigned after writing a $100,000 check to an internet scammer posing as Elon Musk. Dr. Jan McGee worked at Burns Science and Technology Charter in Oak Hill since its inception. The school and McGee have always been well thought of. Burns Science and Technology is A-rated with just under 1,000 students and a huge waiting list. The principal who has guided it all these years is a superstar in many circles, but a huge lapse in judgment has cost her her job. "I am a very smart lady. Well-educated. I fell for a scam," McGee said.

McGee wrote a $100,000 check out of the school's account, but another administrator blocked it, and she had been warned by staff at the school that her Elon was an obvious fraud. It's almost as if her high self-regard created a workplace dynamic that guaranteed both bad decision-making and an awareness that everyone needed to be ready to stop bad things happening.
BMS Group, a global insurance brokerage, has acquired ALE underwriting, a firm described in a media release as the leading MGA for hospitality in Australia. The release also said the purchase is the first agency acquisition by BMS in Australia.
Andrew Parker joined Canopius as the head of treaty for Australia and New Zealand and head of casualty treaty for Asia Pacific. With 33 years of experience, he joined the company after spending eight years at Aspen Re in Sydney, where he was most recently the head of Australia and New Zealand. During his time with Aspen Re, he was credited for developing the company's P&C operations in Australia, doubling its premiums since 2015.
I am delighted to welcome Hiroyuki Endo to MLC Life Insurance and to the insurance leadership team, and I know the broader business joins me in welcoming Endo-san, Griffin said. This is a sign of the critical, close working relationship between Nippon Life Insurance and MLC Life Insurance, and the commitment Nippon Life has to the success of our business. I look forward to working with Endo-san.
The second piece of advice: test protocols and backups

Make sure that your backups are actually backing up correctly, said Di Fiore. Also, check your response plan to make sure that when an event occurs, that you actually are prepared, the right people are being contacted and that you can actually access the response plan itself.
GoodRx and BetterHelp had a business model that said, Well provide you discounted services, or telehealth services in exchange for us being able to share your information with our partners to help you get health care that you need. I think that their intentions were good-- to increase access and reduce the costs of care by creating marketing partnerships for healthcare consumers. Unfortunately, the means to promote these services may have violated privacy laws.
This giraffe family was recently caught on camera waiting out the rain, tucked safely under their own little awning. The footage is from the Savannah Cam at the Taronga Zoo, Sydney and was posted on Twitter by "Nature is Amazing," which you should go follow for awesome animal content. The Savannah Cam is just one of several live cams hosted by Taronga Zoo that allow you to get a peek into what various animals do with their time. My favorite is the Capybara Cam, where you can see five capybara brothers hanging out: Pedro, Sanchez, Guillermo, Carlos and Rodney. Click here to see all of their live cams. According to their YouTube channel:

Taronga Conservation Society Australia is a not-for-profit conservation organisation and a leader in the fields of wildlife research, rehabilitation and conservation as well as animal welfare and environmental education. Our staff, scientists and researchers are experts in their fields, working in partnership with governments, universities and other partners to support conservation projects around the world. Taronga participates in regional and global conservation breeding programs to establish insurance populations for species threatened in the wild, from Australia's critically endangered Corroboree Frog to the Southern Black Rhino.
This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.

A proposed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule would enact a near-blanket ban on noncompete clauses within employment contracts, even for gig-workers and freelancers.

So, what drives the FTCs rule? And what impacts might such a wide-reaching rule have on  yes of course this is our question  the insurance industry?

Today well examine first the basics of noncompete clauses, the FTCs proposed Rule to Ban Noncompete Restrictions, and commentary on why the federal agency believes such a rule is necessary, as well as the potential downstream consequences. As always, if this is an issue you need particular guidance on, you should call a lawyer because this blog is for nerdy commentary and not legal advice.

What is a noncompete agreement?

Noncompetes are legal clauses a business includes in its terms of employment or as part of a severance package that prevents their current employees from taking positions with the employers competitors.

The intention of a noncompete is to protect a business from pouring training and education into an employee, only to have that employee take all that information and experience to start their own competing business or take that knowledge to a competitor. So, when you take a position with a company, you may need to sign a noncompete, or, if youre leaving a business and they offer you a severance package, that severance may come with a noncompete contract attached.

Noncompetes, also known as a covenant not to compete generally last six months to two years  although some can be for much longer. They also have quite varied enforcement; some states explicitly outlaw businesses from enforcing noncompetes, others simply make it difficult via disparate court interpretation of state right-to-work laws (holla Kansas), and others still are very diligent in enforcing noncompete clauses to the fullest extent possible.

People who advocate to preserve noncompetes argue that noncompete covenants are part of a negotiation process for sophisticated business leaders, such as C-suite executives, who may agree to a noncompete in exchange for more stock options, a higher salary, or better severance packages. Opponents, however, argue noncompetes are rarely negotiated and often dont need full enforcement  merely the threat of noncompete enforcement is enough to keep workers in a detested role or force them into different industries or career tracks if they decide to leave a company.

What makes a noncompete enforceable?

As long as you dont live in a state that bans noncompetes, current U.S. law comes down to a judge ruling that a noncompete contract is enforceable (or not) based on whether it is reasonable, something that is very subjective based on a persons role, knowledge level, and the companys standing. Some states have noncompete laws that make it illegal to use these contract tools, while others limit their use but dont ban them outright.

Much of what makes a noncompete unenforceable is tied up in state case laws, and whether state precedent or general jurisprudence finds a situation to have a legitimate business purpose.

Which states prohibit noncompete agreements?

California, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Washington, D.C. have laws explicitly nullifying the enforceability of noncompete agreements. Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington prohibit noncompetes for employees under these states respective income thresholds.

What would the FTC rule do?

The Federal Trade Commissions Rule to Ban Noncompete Restrictions would (unsurprisingly) abolish noncompetes in most contracts moving forward, from entry-level up through executive employees. Not only would businesses be forbidden from including noncompetition agreements or negotiating noncompete terms with employees, the rule would be retroactive, nullifying noncompete agreements in existing contracts and making all noncompete covenants unenforceable.

FTC guidelines about the proposed rule also make clear that it would make it illegal for a business to tell a worker that they are subject to a noncompete. The FTC would require businesses to rescind existing noncompete contracts by the rules compliance deadline, and actively inform their workers that they arent subject to noncompete covenants.

Exceptions to the FTC rule

The Rule to Ban Noncompete Restrictions has a few exceptions. Franchisees, for example, would still be subject to noncompete restrictions, giving a franchise business the assurance that a franchisee wont change restaurant chains at a whim. Additionally, noncompete covenants would still be legal and applicable for people who are selling their business or their businesss property, or who maintain substantial ownership in a business.

In lay terms, under the new rule, anyone who is functionally an employee would never be subject to a noncompete, but someone who is a business owner might be.

FTC jurisdictional authority

Critics of the law complain that the FTC is overstepping its legal authority in banning noncompetes for employees across the nation. However, the FTC asserts that, under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, the FTC is tasked with stopping unfair trade practices and unfair competition. The FTC has taken the stance that noncompetes are an unfair method of competition as they stymie job growth and innovation, wage growth, and business startups in numerous industries, and therefore fall under its jurisdictional direction.

The freedom to change jobs is core to economic liberty and to a competitive, thriving economy, said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan in one news release. Noncompetes block workers from freely switching jobs, depriving them of higher wages and better working conditions, and depriving businesses of a talent pool that they need to build and expand. By ending this practice, the FTCs proposed rule would promote greater dynamism, innovation, and healthy competition.

Why is the FTC seeking to abolish noncompete clauses?

The FTCs proposed rule is based on four free-market economic principles, all of which turn on the idea of a more robust and competitive capital market:

Noncompetes drive down wages Noncompetes stifle businesses and innovation Noncompetes exploit workers and hinder individual economic liberty Noncompetes are unnecessary given employers other legal options

To point to the cumulative effects of each of these individual principles, the FTC estimates ending noncompetes for the medical field could save Americans up to $148 billion in health costs. FTC testimonial points to a few reasons for this cost savings: Doctors could have more room to compete, opening their own practices and trying innovative care models. Health care employers that maintain toxic environments would have a higher incentive to change working conditions. And, perhaps the most impactful benefit, more doctors would stay in the medical field instead of being forced out by aggressive noncompetes.

Using the testimonial provided in the FTCs February Forum Examining Proposed Rule to Ban Noncompete Clauses, lets take a look at these four key premises underpinning the rule, and the pros and cons that those who testified raised as discussion points.

1. Noncompete clauses and wages

According to an FTC fact sheet, ending the practice of noncompete restrictions would increase workers earnings by nearly $300 billion a year. The data set cited one study that said banning noncompetes nationwide would close racial and gender wage gaps by 3.6 to 9.1 percent.

Noncompetition agreements by their nature bar employees from seeking employment elsewhere, a condition that often traps that employee at a job that isnt handing out wage increases. At a personal level, this restricts an individual with a skill set to one employer.

In the FTCs forum where people across different industries and market sectors gave testimony, many health care professionals  surgeons and other highly educated medical professionals  testified against the practice. One testified that she had moved her family of five to different states multiple times because of geographically broad health facility systems that said they would enforce their noncompete covenant with her. Another doctor testified noncompetes drive unsafe conditions in the medical field.

I mean, these noncompetes dont just ban you from that hospital or the city. Sometimes the entire region or the state, depending on your specialty. And so it really creates a safety concern, not only for obviously the patients but also the well-being of doctors, said Dr. Sameer Baig. I personally know a physician who committed suicide. And this was not at some smaller hospital. This was at a prestigious institution and it shook everyone that knew her. And I have no doubt that it was the working conditions that she was under. So I think it has a real impact on safety for workers and by nature of what we do, safety for patients.

One couple testified that, as property managers, they were locked into noncompetes that would cost them their housing if they chose to leave. Year after year, the company paid them incremental wage increases, yet they watched as new hires were hired at salaries tens of thousands of dollars above their pay, despite their years of experience and established service records.

Opponents of the noncompete Clause Rule point out that noncompetes could be leveraged in severance and employment negotiations to actually increase wages.

I think this rule goes too far in prohibiting private parties, employers and employees, from bargaining over a noncompete, which may be in both of their interests, said Emily Glendenning, Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Employment and the Chief Privacy Officer for BAE Systems. You may have a worker who is delighted to accept the equity grant or the additional consideration, or to take the job in the first place fully agreeing to a noncompete with eyes wide open.

Glendenning and other noncompete advocates pointed that, by making noncompetes unenforceable nationwide, some employees, particularly at the executive level, could wind up with disproportionately high salaries or benefits as a result of having negotiated a noncompete that no longer exists.

2. Noncompete covenants stifle new business and innovation

The FTC has data that suggests noncompete restrictions are holding back innovation and competition. Some estimates project the number of new businesses in any given industry could double in the event of a nationwide ban on noncompetes.

Scott Shewcraft, Vice President of Policy at the Economic Innovation Group, testified in support of the noncompete ban. While some testifiers proposed a potential income threshold that would allow companies to use noncompetes against senior knowledge workers at a company and not against their entry-level employees, he resisted this idea altogether.

In many cases its those knowledge workers at a firm that are most likely to be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow and the innovators that bring dynamism to their local economy and new jobs, said Shewcraft.

noncompetes are essentially supposed to keep workers from leaving to start competing businesses or take their ideas and experience to an existing competitor. This captive approach means many startups never start, many businesses never change, and knowledge that could be shared across industries remain siloed.

Nearly 100 percent of net new jobs come from new businesses according to the Kauffman Foundation. If you look at census data, were in a startup or new business slump. There have been an uptick over the last couple years, but business formation is around a 50-year low and a large part of that is businesses are not able to access capital or the talent to grow, said Ross Baird, Founder and CEO of Blueprint Local. Historically, the demise of large companies and the creation of smaller companies has been a natural part of our economic growth. I think extending that right to anybody in America who wants to start and grow a company will cause more capital to flow, more jobs to be created and ultimately be a huge net benefit for our society.

Alternately, Jennifer Hahn, Chief Council and Head of Global Regulatory Affairs at Managed Funds Association, posed that investors may see noncompetes as an attractive piece of a business. She posited that investors are more willing to provide the backing to grow and innovate for new companies if they know their investments in the workforces experience and education will be protected.

Noncompetes in the alternative asset management space are essential to protecting intellectual property and investor assets, rather than stifle innovation, investment, and competition. They are a critical component in helping our members prevent the divulgement of proprietary trading strategies and investment positions, protecting proprietary algorithms developed and used by asset managers to conduct business and trades, and they protect relationship assets as well, Hahn testified.

I think when it comes to innovation, this is really a policy choice of, are we trying to optimize for companies protecting their existing positions? Or are we trying to optimize for the mobility and success of the average worker? Because theyre sometimes at odds. ~ Ross Baird

3. Noncompetes exploit workers and hinder individual economic liberty

The exploitative nature of noncompetes was hotly contested by testimonials before the FTC. Although 18 percent of full-time workers are subject to noncompete agreements, those agreements arent tailored to senior leadership, knowledge workers, or those who are dealing in proprietary knowledge. Instead, they cover a range of employees.

Yes, these agreements cover senior researchers and executive leadership. But they also cover gas station attendants, teachers, veterinarians, hair stylists, house cleaners, call center staffers, and more. The reality is, even with employers that are very unlikely to enforce the noncompetes they have with millions of minimum-wage employees, its not just the enforceability of a noncompete that matters.

As Daniel Kalish, founder of HKM Employment Attorneys, testified, his white-collar, sophisticated clients often chose to stay at companies they dislike or to leave their respective industries altogether rather than violating a noncompete clause. The reason comes down to a simple calculation. Its not about whether a noncompete is legally enforceable, but instead is about whether the person is willing to go through the process of proving its unenforceable. Even a moderate case, he said, could amount to more than $100,000 in attorneys fees.

Even for our employees who win a lawsuit against an invalid noncompete, it will bankrupt them, Kalish said.

Dr. Baig echoed that sentiment, expressing that, while noncompetes for low-wage employees are particularly predatory, even workers with higher incomes and education were losing in the current system.

I think aside from being part of the 1 percent, nobody can afford prolonged, protracted litigation in the United States, said Dr. Baig. I am triple-specialized in internal medicine, hematology and oncology. I still cannot understand my employment contract without an attorney. And I think even at higher education levels to say, Well, youre smart enough, you can understand this legalese, thats not fair.

Glendenning pushed back on the idea that noncompetes are exploitative or overly complicated. Instead, Glendenning posited that, while its important for companies to stay focused on their protectable interests, that doesnt mean it should be limited to senior executives, since proprietary knowledge could exist at any level of the company.

We trust people to enter into all kinds of contracts all the time. And a mortgage agreement may be confusing for someone, but that doesnt mean weve banned mortgage agreements. So I think we can focus on providing information, providing education. But I think to say no one can have a noncompete because there may be some workers who are confused by them, to me is just too Draconian a response, said Glendenning.

4. Noncompetes are unnecessary given employers other legal options

One of the primary arguments against noncompete covenants comes down to the fact that companies wishing to protect their secret sauce have a few different levers at their disposal. Employees often sign nondisclosure agreements to prevent them from sharing company secrets. Nonsolicitation agreements can keep sales people from dragging clients with them to a new service provider. Many trade laws and corporate espionage laws prevent employees from walking away and disseminating proprietary information across the industry already.

But is that enough to negate the need for a noncompete contract?

Dr. Baig said yes.

You want to keep your people? Pay them. Create an environment that is nice to be around. Dont create toxic environments. I wholeheartedly disagree with noncompetes on any level. I think even at an executive level, if somebody wants to leave, who are you to tell them that, Youre too smart? You cant go to this company for a period of two years and use your brain. Find a way to keep them, said Dr. Baig. They have nonsolicitation agreements, they have nondisclosure agreements, they have patents and they have an army of lawyers. You dont necessarily need the noncompete there.

As a counterpoint, Chenai Kirkpatrick, Director for Global Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), countered that noncompetes preserve a businesss incentive to educate its employees.

With an economy that is more knowledge-based than ever, there are more and more circumstances where employers need to protect information. We also believe the broadly drafted regulation would jeopardize the ability of HR professionals to require the repayment of education or training benefits, and it would also endanger the use of nondisclosure and nonsolicitation clauses, said Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick and other pro-noncompete testimonials noted that some businesses pay for training, testing, re-skilling, and other educational expenses on behalf of employees. Things like paid-for college courses or work-endorsed training certifications could, they theorized, become relics of the past if an employer couldnt guarantee that the educational opportunities would be put to work on their behalf.

SHRM believes the FTC should differentiate between agreements designed to limit labor market mobility and those designed to protect confidential trade secrets or strategic planning, said Kirkpatrick. SHRM supports a well functioning labor market and the ability of workers to secure good paying jobs, and we believe that this proposed rule will limit the ability of employers to create workplaces where everyone thrives.

How would abolishing noncompete clauses affect the insurance industry?

With 30 million workers subject to noncompetes, theres no shortage of them in insurance.

While other industries have taken aim against the practice, with the American Bar Association and American Medical Association declaring noncompetes unethical (despite their continued widespread use), people who work in insurance are likely to encounter them at some point or another.

Yet, the potential repercussions specific to insurance are likely to track with the FTCs other projections. If a noncompete contract is all that holds you to your job, then your employer isnt getting an enthusiastic, innovative, driven worker. Their main benefit at that point comes down to merely preventing you from joining a competitor and thwarting true capitalism.

Noncompetes as they work in insurance

In insurance, noncompete restrictions certainly work to limit competition. (You know, putting the NON in noncompete.)

For instance, captive agents who want to become independent and start their own firms often face noncompetes that prevent them from leaving, or that allow them to leave but prevent them from communicating with former colleagues or clients for years. These terms are far more punitive than nonsolicitation agreements.

Nonsolicitation agreements: Nonsolicitation agreements may be part of noncompete covenants, or may be stand alone agreements. In a nonsolicitation agreement, an employee agrees not to actively recruit their employers clients, vendors, or other employees if they leave the company. However, nonsolicitation agreements often dont prevent those clients or ex-colleagues from seeking out the ex-employee in their new venture.

Noncompetition agreements lock people out of geographies and industries, and many of them dont distinguish the circumstances under which an employee left.

Fired? Layed off? Company collapsed? Starting a new firm? Joining your friends for a new venture? noncompetes dont care. Regardless of the reason for the departure, voluntary or not, employees subject to noncompetes can be intimidated enough to keep them from pursuing their own interests in their area of expertise. For the insurance industry, where the freedom to be self-employed and control your own destiny is an oft-touted benefit, a noncompete can discourage and prevent people from doing just that.

The truth of noncompetes in insurance is that, without a noncompete agreement in place, an unhappy employee has options. They could renegotiate compensation and benefits to improve the situation. Or, they can leave and find a more fulfilling position, joining a competitor, moving into an adjacent area of the industry, or starting their own business. In every situation, the industry (not just the individual) would benefit. Sure, a freer flow of ideas, experience, and talent between competitors could lead to stiffer competition. But it also could lead to more innovation and changes that improve certain aspects of the industry as a whole. A rising tide lifts all boats, after all!

Instead, noncompetes give people the options of staying stuck with a job that they resent, moving to a new locale, or leaving the industry entirely. During a time when talent recruitment and retention are essential for the insurance industry, these are unwelcome options.

Benefits of the FTC rule against noncompetes

Each state takes a different approach to regulation for insurance, but the basics of solvency, underwriting, and actuarial design are fundamentally repeatable. So, in that respect, carriers wouldnt see much change  there are strict limits to how innovative you can get with product development, and theres not much secret sauce to solvency.

In other ways, the industry would see the kind of competitive innovation we pride ourselves on in the American capital market. We could see exchanges in technology, digitization, customer service, internal culture expectations  the things that make carriers and agencies different beyond their product ratings.

But an incredible positive for our industry could come down to retention. Young workers subject to noncompetes who leave jobs due to downsizing, toxic leadership, or other changes are currently forced to reconsider the city or even state they live in or leave the industry altogether. Particularly if youre starting a family or are early in a career, an industry switch is far more likely!

Further, without noncompetes in place, many gig workers, part-timers, temporary employees, and contractors could find themselves staying in insurance and contributing to a robust American economy. Currently, if you have a noncompete agreement, you might do contract work for a gig and then have to wait 6 months or a year before you take another insurance gig. With gig jobs and temp labor often serving as an entry-point to the broader industry, noncompetes are a strong deterrent to new recruits just developing a taste for insurance. It doesnt have to be this way.

Regardless of whether the FTC implements the ban on noncompete agreements, ending the practice of noncompetes in the insurance industry could ensure our businesses collectively stay competitive, collaborative, and staffed for decades to come.
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The widow of a man who died from COVID-19 has been denied workers compensation benefits because she failed to prove that the death was work-related.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York on May 1 upheld the denial of benefits by the Workers Compensation Board.

Mariela Holders late husband worked as a house manager for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. On March 13, 2020, a vacation day, he began experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19. He had last worked on March 11, 2020. He was admitted to a hospital and, ultimately, passed away on March 29, 2020. His death certificate identified the immediate cause of death as COVID-19.

His wife filed a claim for workers compensation death benefits in July 2020, alleging that her husbands death was the result of his contracting COVID-19 during his employment.

His employer and its workers compensation carrier, the State Insurance Fund, denied her claim. However, following a hearing with testimony, a Workers Compensation Law Judge ruled in her favor and established the death benefits claim, finding that his death was causally-related to his employment.

Upon administrative review, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) reversed and disallowed the claim, finding that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that COVID-19 was prevalent in her husbands work environment prior to the onset of his symptoms.

The appeals court has now affirmed that denial, agreeing that the claimant did not meet the burden of establishing that her husbands death arose out of and in the course of his or her employment.

The appeals court noted that COVID-19 in the workplace reasonably qualifies as an unusual hazard, not the natural and unavoidable result of employment. Whether a compensable accident has occurred is a question of fact to be resolved by the WCB. To this end, the claimant bears the burden of establishing that the subject injury arose out of and in the course of his or her employment.

According to WCB guidance, it was her burden to demonstrate either a specific exposure to COVID-19 or that there was a prevalence of COVID-19 in the work environment that presented an elevated risk of exposure constituting an extraordinary event; for example, workers with significant contact with the public in communities with high rates of infection or workers in a workplace experiencing high rates of infection.

The court agreed with the WCB that Holder offered no evidence of her husbands specific exposure to COVID-19 in his workplace. Nor did she identify any cases of COVID-19 among those living or working in the group home where her husband was house manager, or among other employees with whom he may have had contact, prior to his onset of symptoms. In fact, the employers witness testified that he was the first known COVID-19 infection in his workplace. Moreover, the court added, the claimant did not know the extent to which, if at all, her husband personally interacted with others at the group home where he worked.

Topics Workers' Compensation Talent COVID-19
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Virginias statutory presumption that a COVID-19 disability of a first responder is work-related, which went into effect July 1, 2020, does not require that the employee be diagnosed with COVID-19 on or after that date, a state review panel has made clear in reversing a citys denial of benefits for a police officer.

The statute established a presumption that COVID-19 causing the death or disability of firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, correctional officers, and regional jail officers is an occupational disease compensable under the Workers Compensation Act.

The reversal was by a review panel of the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission for a Virginia Beach law enforcement officer who was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 31, 2020. Thereafter, she exhibited signs and symptoms of COVID-19 needing medical treatment, and required long term medical treatment. She became totally disabled in connection with her COVID-19 infection and disease through May 26, 2020. She has continued working a light duty position for the city since May 27, 2020 to the present.

She filed a claim for medical benefits and wage loss benefits on August 19, 2021, alleging that she had sustained a compensable occupational disease of COVID-19.

Her employer, the city of Virginia Beach, denied the claim and she appealed.

Her appeal to a deputy workers compensation commissioner was heard last August. The city argued that there was no occupational disease and that her March 31, 2020 diagnosis of COVID-19 fell outside of the statutory presumption.

On January 12, 2023, the deputy commissioner ruled in favor of the city, finding that the statutory presumption did not apply and that the claimant failed to prove with clear and convincing evidence that her COVID-19 infection was contracted in the course of her employment and not a result of outside exposure.

On appeal of the deputy commissioners ruling, the law enforcement officer maintained that the statutory presumption should apply in her case and that a clear and convincing evidentiary burden of proof standard was inappropriately applied.

Now, a review panel has found that the statutory presumption might apply to the claimant and that it is not eliminated based upon the date of diagnosis. The panel cited a prior case involving a police officer where the commission made it clear that that the statute does not require that the COVID positive test or results be after July 1, 2020.

The presumption applies to any death or disability occurring on or after July 1, 2020, and prior to December 31, 2021, that is caused by infection from the COVID-19 virus. It says that the claimant must have received a diagnosis of COVID-19 from a licensed physician and presented with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 that required medical treatment but it does not place a timeline on these conditions.

The review panel said that presuming that the date of diagnosis was the underlying grounds for the finding that the presumption did not apply to the claimant, it reversed this interpretation of the statute. It remanded the case to the deputy commissioner to reconsider the claim.

Topics Workers' Compensation Talent COVID-19 Virginia
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The appellate division of New Jersey Superior Court has upheld a state trial court opinion that the war exclusion in drugmaker Merck & Co.s all-risk property insurance policies does not apply in the case of the cyber attack that the company suffered in 2017.

The appeals court affirmed that insurers could not use the policy exclusion to avoid covering about $1.4 billion in damages Merck said it suffered from a spring 2017 cyber attack known as NotPetya.

The appeals court agreed with the lower court s decision issued in January, 2022 that the plain language of the exclusion does not support the insurers position. It found that the exclusion of damages caused by hostile or warlike action by a government or sovereign power in times of war or peace requires the involvement of military action.

The hostile/warlike action exclusion was included in each of the 2017-2018 policies involved. It excludes loss or damage caused by hostile or warlike action in time of peace or war, including action in hindering, combating, or defending against an actual, impending, or expected attack by any government or sovereign power (de jure or de facto) or by any authority maintaining or using military, naval, or air forces; or by military, naval, or air forces; or by an agent of such government, power, authority, or forces.

Could Recent NotPetya Case Outcomes Pressure Insurers to Reword War Exclusions? Lloyds Insurers Must Exclude State-Backed Cyber-Attacks to Avoid Systemic Risks From Pandemic to Cyber War, Clear Policy Wording Is Key for Insurers Cyber Lessons for the Insurance Industry Continue Three Years After NotPetya

While insurers conceded the word warlike in the exclusion might not be applicable, they asserted the word hostile should be read in the broadest possible sense, as meaning adverse, showing ill will or a desire to harm, antagonistic, or unfriendly. They contended that any action that reflects ill will or a desire to harm by the actor falls within the hostile/warlike action exclusion, as long as the actor was a government or sovereign power, in this case the Russian Federation.

As the American Property Casualty Insurers Association explained the insurers position, damage caused by any unfriendly action of any nature undertaken by a nation-state falls under the plain meaning of the hostile/warlike action exclusion.

The insurers asserted that the trial court should have granted them summary judgment because the exclusion is clear and unambiguous, and it plainly applies to the NotPetya attack. The war exclusion applied to the NotPetya attack because it was attributed to Russia and was meant to be deployed to disrupt and destabilize Ukraine, insurers maintained.

Language and History

However, the appeals court found that the plain language and history of the exclusion do not support the insurers interpretation. The exclusion of damages caused by hostile or warlike action by a government or sovereign power in times of war or peace requires the involvement of military action. The exclusion does not state the policy precluded coverage for damages arising out of a government action motivated by ill will, the court wrote.

In considering the history of the war exclusion, which has been included in policies for more than a century, the court found that the few applicable cases reaffirm that similar exclusions have never been applied outside the context of a clear war or concerted military action.

Contrary to the Insurers contentions, these cases demonstrate a long and common understanding that terms similar to hostile or warlike action by a sovereign power are intended to relate to actions clearly connected to war or, at least, to a military action or objective, the opinion states.. Therefore, in addition to the plain language interpretation of the exclusion requiring the inapplicability of the exclusion, the context and history of this and similarly worded exclusions and the manner in which similar exclusions have been interpreted by courts all compel the conclusion that the exclusion was inapplicable to bar coverage for Mercks losses.

Remaining Insurers

More than 30 insurers were involved in the case at the start. However, many have since resolved their claims with Merck, leaving eight remaining defendants. Mercks property insurance program included the all risks property policies in a three-layer structure, with $1.75 billion in total limits above a $150 million deductible. The remaining eight Insurers policies insured percentages of coverage in one, two or all three of the layers. In total, they were disputing $699,475,000 in coverage or just under 40% of Mercks total coverage for the policy period.

Ruling a Warning

The consumer group United Policyholders, which submitted a brief in support of the war exclusion not applying to cyber attacks, called the appeals court decision an important win for policyholders who continue to seek (and pay substantial premiums for) certainty with respect to their insurance coverage in the face of these oft-uncertain cyberattacks.

While the ruling is specific to New Jersey, when the lower court issued its January, 2022 decision, Moodys Investor Service said it was a warning to property/casualty insurers and reinsurers about cyber coverage embedded in traditional policies.

Later in 2022, food and beverage company Mondelez International settled its lawsuit against Zurich American Insurance Co. in Illinois over its $100 million NotPetya claims.

In August 2022, a Lloyds market bulletin said insurers must exclude state-backed cyber-attacks in standalone (or affirmative) cyber policies. The exclusion should include liability for losses arising from both war- and non-war-related state-backed cyber-attacks.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has increased the risk of cyberattacks and further testing of the effectiveness of war exclusion and hostile act exclusion language. Larger insurers have taken significant pricing and underwriting actions in response to rising cyber claims in recent years, including tightened contract language, which should help mitigate underwriting losses in the current uncertain environment, Fitch Ratings reported.

Topics Cyber New Jersey
Hundreds more Credit Suisse Group AG bondholders sued Switzerlands banking regulator after their securities valued at about $1.7 billion were wiped out during the lenders government-brokered takeover by UBS Group AG.

Law firm Pallas Partners, which filed the suit in a Swiss court on April 18, said the Finma agency had no right to order the writedown and is seeking full compensation for its clients  90 institutional investors and asset managers with $1.35 billion in so-called additional tier-1 bonds, as well as 700 retail and family office clients accounting for some $300 million.

This was an abuse of process and the resolution procedure should not be used by Switzerland to enable UBS to take over Credit Suisse to the detriment of AT1 holders, Pallas founder and managing partner Natasha Harrison said in a statement.

The latest claims mean that investors representing more than a third of the $17 billion in AT1 bonds issued by Credit Suisse have now sought to get their money back. US law firm Quinn Emmanuel last month filed a claim in Swiss court representing more than 400 institutional investors who held about $4.5 billion worth of AT1s, and at least two other complaints have been filed.

Created after the 2008 financial crisis, AT1s are the lowest rung of bank debt, producing juicy returns in good times but taking the first hit when a bank runs into trouble. Even shareholders  often the first domino to fall in such situations  salvaged some value from the takeover engineered by Swiss authorities, while Credit Suisses AT1 holders walked away with nothing. Many bondholders were furious at the move. European regulators hurried to reassure investors that the Swiss arrangement was an exception.

Bondholders have argued that changing the law the day before the notes were written off was unfair and that a process upending the conventions of an insolvency where bondholders take priority over shareholders is wrong.

However, Finmas move was covered by emergency legislation enacted the weekend of March 18-19 the deal to rescue Credit Suisse was put together. Defenders of the writedown also point to the fact that the fine print on the bonds always warned that the risk of a writedown to zero was a possibility.

Further lawsuits are expected this week as UBS races to complete the deal. (Some law firms have interpreted the 30-day deadline for suits to be April 18, while others believe the 30-day rule to be only working days.)

UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher has said he plans to finalize the takeover this quarter, specifically in May.

With assistance from Lucca de Paoli.

Photograph: A logo on the window of a Credit Suisse Group AG bank branch in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Photo credit: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits
BMS Group, the London-based independent specialist re/insurance broker, has acquired the Australian managing general agent GARD Insurance Pty Ltd., which includes ALE underwriting.

The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

GARD was founded in 2015 and provides public and products liability and associated professional indemnity insurance to a diverse range of businesses from small to medium enterprises (SMEs) through to multinational businesses. It is headquartered in Sydney and also has offices in Melbourne and Brisbane.

ALE is the leading MGA for hospitality in Australia. Its primary focus is property and casualty covers for hotels and pubs, licensed clubs, bars, restaurants, caravan parks, alpine accommodation, backpackers, modern short-term accommodation, boarding houses and one-off events. ALEs unique and bespoke IT platform is offered exclusively to select brokers.

GARD non-executive chairman Craig Patterson will join BMS as executive chairman of GARD, with a remit to grow and expand the acquired business. Patterson is an industry veteran with a wealth of valuable experience gained from senior roles at Austagencies, AON Benfield, Aviva in the UK and CGU/NZI.

This announcement is the latest in a string of recent acquisitions by BMS in Australia and is the first one involving an MGA.

Buying an MGA in Australia is aligned with our global strategy to diversify our international retail operations, commented Andrew Godden, chief executive of BMS Australian business.

Both GARD and ALE have excellent underwriting capabilities and a stellar leadership team in Craig Patterson, Craig Walker, Dean Fiddes and Janelle Cox. We share the same vision on growth, and I am excited to work with them to take our business to the next level, Godden added.

ALE and GARD share similar cultural DNA with BMS, which is what makes this an exciting milestone, Patterson said. We look forward to being part of a global speciality organisation with extensive risk expertise and market knowledge, and to the added capital that will allow us to expand into more technical, niche segments that complement our current offering.

Source: BMS Group

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Insurance Wholesale Australia
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP)  People living along the Mississippi River watched warily Sunday as water levels rose in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois, awaiting spring crests as floodwaters began to slowly recede and reveal damage in areas further north.

The National Weather Service said many of the crests across the region this season will rank in the top 10 of all time, but will remain well below the records set in past floods. Officials in many cities along the river are optimistic theyll be able to either keep the floodwaters at bay through a combination of floodwalls and sandbags or contain it to low-lying park areas. But some homes close to the river have been damaged.

Luckily weve had relatively dry weather over the last week or so and not expecting much in the way of rainfall as well, National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Philip said. So its coming through as forecast for the most part.

The river peaked in the Dubuque area Saturday at 23.03 feet (7 meters)- well below the 25.7 feet (7.8 meters) record  but officials there were grateful to have the floodwall the city built 50 years ago in place.

Without that floodwall, the city would be facing significant problems, said Deron Muehring, a civil engineer for the city of Dubuque.

The floodwaters would be up to 6 feet deep in the Port of Dubuque and more than 7 feet deep in the south port, Muehring told the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald.

The river is expected to crest at around 21.6 feet (6.6 meters) on Monday in the Quad-Cities area, where several neighboring cities sit along the Iowa-Illinois line. Some roads and parks near the river are closed. The record at that spot is 22.7 feet (6.9 meters).

Once the river crests in an area, it may take up to two weeks for the floodwaters to fully recede.

In recent days the Mississippi flooded low-lying parks and trails in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and flooded streets and basements in the town of Campbell on French Island, which lies in the Mississippi and Black rivers just west of La Crosse.

The river crested at 15.9 feet (4.8 meters) on Thursday, almost 4 feet (1.2 meters) above flood stage and the third-highest level ever, but it has been receding by the hour since.

About 60 miles (95 kilometers) downstream, flood waters covered streets in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The river crested there at 22.9 feet (7 meters) on Friday, which also the third-highest crest ever. Officials posted guidelines for disposing of sandbags and other debris on the citys website as the river levels started to fall.

The flooding is expected to ease as the spring surge of water from melting snow works its way further down the 2,300-mile (3,700-kilometer) length of the river on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the tributaries in Iowa, Illinois and other Midwest states are running lower than usual, so they wont exacerbate the flooding by dumping large amounts of water into the river.

Topics Mississippi Illinois Iowa
DIXON, Ill. (AP)  Gertie Wadsworth was in the arms of her grandmother that bright day when sunshine dissolved distasteful memories of a long, brutal winter. Christan Goble held the 3 1/2-year-old girl in a crowd of more than 200 on the bridge over the Rock River. After a procession down Galena Avenue from the Baptist Church on May 4, 1873, the Rev. J.H. Pratt began baptizing parishioners in the brisk, rapid current.

Then, with a sharp crack and a crescendo of shrieking spectators loaded on the pedestrian walkway in front of towering trusses, the 4-year-old bridge twisted, splintered and rolled over. Forty-six people perished, many immured by the unrelenting gridiron just below the waters surface. Along with 56 injuries, the Truesdell bridge tragedy, 150 years ago Thursday, remains the worst vehicular- bridge disaster in American history.

Its not as though the bridge just collapsed and went straight down, says Tom Wadsworth, 70, a retired magazine editor and expert on the calamity. It turns over on top of these people.  As the (Chicago) Tribune said, the truss fell over with the weight and imprisoned the doomed in an iron cage with which they sunk and from which there was no escape.'

Wadsworth wouldnt be telling the story had Gertie Wadsworth, his great- grandmother, not survived. Family lore holds that as Goble, 51, plunged to her death, she tossed the toddler into the river beyond the reach of the failing superstructure. The tot was rescued downstream.

Post-Civil War Dixon, 103 miles (166 kilometers) west of Chicago, was a growing city split by the formidable Rock River, a tributary of the Mississippi on which, a few miles north and a half-century later, a young Ronald Reagan would work as a lifeguard after the future presidents family moved to Dixon in 1920.

For decades, wooden bridges had succumbed to raging floods. Fed-up voters in 1868 demanded an iron bridge. The city council chose Lucius Truesdells design from 14 proposals despite the city engineers warnings about its lack of uniformity and strength.

The $75,000 toll bridge opened in January 1869 to great fanfare, even though  just weeks earlier  a Truesdell bridge in Elgin had collapsed. It was repaired and failed again six months later. The Truesdell design carried traffic in other Illinois cities, including Chicago.

Newspapers post-disaster dubbed Dixons span The Truesdell Trap and The Patent Wholesale Drowning Machine. It was shocking how the ironwork had slammed atop victims like a gate.

You could look down and see their faces. They couldnt get to the surface because all that iron was on top of them, Wadsworth said. Its frightening to look down, but to look up and to see daylight, to be only 12 inches (30 centimeters) from air?

The location of the May 4 crowd, clumped on the west walkway, helps explain why four of five fatalities were women, along with many children and teenagers. Chivalrous men surrendered prime bridge viewing spots to women and girls and stepped to the bank, Wadsworth said. Boys climbed atop the trusses.

But contemporary womens fashion might also be to blame, Wadsworth theorizes. The 1870s ushered in a heavy, layered bustle at the rear of floor-length dresses supported underneath by a crinolette, a series of fabric-covered metal half- hoops.

Youre not going to win any Olympic swimming races wearing one of these things,  Wadsworth said.

Drowning, referred to in news reports as strangulation, took many. Others met an even more gruesome demise. The crisscrossed iron in the latticework pivoted like shears, slicing into victims such as 16-year-old Katie Sterling, who was so entangled it took two days to cut her free.

Several bodies were recovered miles away. Lizzie Mackey, 17, was recovered at Sterling, 14 miles (23 kilometers) downstream. The youngest victims were sisters Alphea and Lucia Hendrix, ages 6 and 4, according to Patrick Gorman, another student of the tragedy who helped raise money in 2011 for a marker listing the names of the fatalities.

A new memorial will be dedicated at the site on Sunday, May 7.

Pratt was wracked by guilt, admitting he had detained the crowd longer than necessary to extol the benefits of coming to Jesus. But he was a hero that day.

He started grabbing them by the hair and by the shoulder and by the pants, Wadsworth said. He knew what the riverbed was like. Hed walked out there many times for baptism ceremonies, so he knew how far he could get and grab people and he got 10 or 15 himself.

A century-and-a-half later, Truesdells casualties keep it atop the worst failures of vehicular bridges in American history. The foundering of the Silver Bridge over the Ohio River from Ohio to West Virginia in 1967 also claimed 46 lives but there were nine injuries compared with 56 in Dixon.

The horrific 1981 collapse of a Kansas City hotels pedestrian walkways resulted in 114 deaths, the most of any crumbled span in U.S. history.

Separating it from the Truesdell affair are four railroad bridge incidents, including another in Illinois. In 1887, a trestle dropped from under a train at Chatsworth, 103 miles (166 kilometers) southwest of Chicago, killing 82 passengers as cars were flung into one another like a telescope as they slammed the opposite embankment.

Like he had done in the Elgin collapse, Truesdell blamed sabotage for the Dixon failure. In a letter to a newspaper in Massachusetts, where he lived, he defended himself feebly:

It is nearly 18 years since I began building iron bridges, and the Elgin and Dixon bridges are the only ones that have fallen, and no loss of life except at Dixon. Can as much be said of any other plan?

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Illinois
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Think of them as speed cameras, but for methane. Just like roadside instruments used to identify drivers breaking traffic rules, new powerful satellites are starting to catch oil and gas operators releasing the planet-warming gas into the atmosphere.

At least two dozen high-resolution satellites are expected to be in orbit by the end of this year, quietly tracking the super pollutant thats invisible to the naked eye. Their sensors are able to detect the natural gas component as it spews from pipelines, unlit flares, storage tanks and compressor stations around the world. The images sent back are crystal clear and leave little doubt about who is responsible for leaks.

Commercial and state interests are driving an acceleration in satellite launches at a time when fossil fuel companies face investor pressure to quantify and slash their emissions, and governments intent on meeting global climate targets seek to benchmark progress. The satellite missions include public and private efforts and are poised to deliver climate transparency on a scale never before seen.

Exxon Broke Rules With Late Reporting of Methane Leak

Theres been strong demand for facility-level information on emissions because its directly actionable, said Daniel Varon, a postdoctoral researcher studying atmospheric composition and satellite remote sensing at Harvard University. Varon and peers published an overview of how high- and low-resolution satellites are used to track methane last year.

Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide during its first two decades in the atmosphere. Halting emissions of the greenhouse gas could do more to slow climate change in the near-term than almost any other single measure.

While fines and enforcement vary, companies increasingly face reputational risks and potential loss of business if their operations are seen as contributing more than peers to the climate crisis. In the US, the worlds largest oil and gas producer, the Biden administration is hammering out new rules that would empower private citizens to police oil wells and gas pipelines for leaks using information such as satellite data.

So far this year, at least three high-resolution satellites have launched, and four more are expected to enter orbit before 2024. Much of the demand for the data is coming from oil and gas operators themselves, who are increasingly using the systems to identify leaks along thousands of miles of pipeline or remote facilities. GHGSat Inc., a private company that has worked with operators, including Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Chevron Corp. and TotalEnergies SE to detect leaks, made about a million facility measurements last year and is on track to double that in 2023. The company launched three new satellites in April and plans to have three more in orbit before the end of the year.

How Methane Is Detected From Space

Satellites observe concentrations of methane from space by analyzing the way sunlight reflects off the Earth. As light passes through a cloud of the gas, its intensity is weakened on certain wavelengths. Methane absorbs light in the short-wave infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Firms, including GHGSat and Carbon Mapper, a non-profit working with partners including Planet Labs PBC, are launching satellites designed specifically to detect methane. But much of the new high-resolution imagery is the result of data processing innovations that leverage observations from public satellites that werent explicitly built to observe the greenhouse gas yet have spectral bands that include the short-wave infrared.

For instance, NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technologys EMIT instrument was designed to help understand how giant dust clouds may heat or cool the atmosphere, but it turns out its imaging spectrometer is also able to detect concentrations of methane. The sensor was installed on the International Space Station in July last year and began releasing data through its public portal in February.

The methane observations are exposing flaws in decades-old reporting approaches used by companies and government agencies that have typically underestimated emissions. In the US, for instance, methane emissions from oil and gas operations exceeded amounts reported by the Environmental Protection Agency by 70% between 2010 and 2019, an analysis of satellite data published this month showed.

The detections are also empowering regulators and the public. New Mexico officials said in March they were inspecting any methane plumes detected by NASA and other entities and would use the data to evaluate reporting and compliance by operators.

Bloomberg Green has used high-resolution satellite data from EMIT, Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellites to report on five previously unreported methane emission events, four of which were in the US. Heres a short synopsis of what happened:

Operator: Exxon Mobil

Location: New Mexico

What happened: A methane release was observed by satellite Feb. 5 near the companys Big Eddy Unit 156 that Exxon failed to initially disclose to state officials. After Bloomberg shared the imagery with Exxon Feb. 24 and the company notified state regulators within hours. Exxon blamed the omission on human error and said someone forgot to file a form.

Operator: Targa Resources

Location: Texas

What happened: A methane plume was detected by satellite Jan. 20 near a Targa compressor station. Bloomberg shared satellite imagery of the release with Targa Feb. 3 and the company notified state regulators within eight hours of an emissions event. Texas is investigating why the release wasnt reported within 24 hours as required under state rules.

Operator: APA Corp.

Location: New Mexico

What happened: A methane concentration was spotted by satellite on Dec. 24. Bloomberg shared the satellite imagery with the company Jan. 12 and APA said in a subsequently filed excess emissions report that it discovered a release in a later investigation. New Mexico authorities said they werent aware of the methane plume before being contacted by Bloomberg.

Operator: Tallgrass Energy

Location: Wyoming

What happened: Multiple satellites observed a plume that geospatial scientists with the United Nations said was nearly 5 miles long. The timing and location of the release matched a report from Tallgrass, which said it vented about 2.1 metric tons of methane in five separate safety releases. The UNs International Methane Emissions Observatory said it was highly unlikely the volume reported by the operator could account for the emissions rate observed by the satellite.

Operator: Kuwait Oil Co.

Location: Kuwait

What happened: Seven distinct methane clouds were observed by satellite over a 20-day period in October near a flare pit associated with Kuwaits Burgan oilfield. The operator said its monitoring systems never registered the leaks.

Although operators are incentivized to cap methane leaks because it means they have more product to sell, in the short term that often means more investment and extended downtime to change out equipment like valves or pneumatic pumps. Except for very rare emergency instances when a release may be needed to avoid a pressure build-up that could trigger an explosion, almost all deliberate emissions are avoidable and operators should have a zero-tolerance policy, according to the International Energy Agency.

But many operators still justify intentional releases or say its impractical to halt them.

This year could see a wave of new reports on operator leaks, as new orbitals increase the coverage and frequency of observations. For operators unable to halt their emissions, that may mean a loss of credibility, fees or trouble insuring future projects. Insurer Chubb Ltd. said in March that to underwrite new oil and gas extraction projects clients would need to implement evidence-based plans to manage methane releases.

The most effective approach to mitigating global emissions, scientists say, is to combine high- and low-resolution satellite systems with aerial surveys and on-the-ground sensors to provide operators, governments and the public with near real-time observations of methane.

Existing satellites are demonstrating that one can pinpoint methane emissions to individual facilities and pieces of equipment and provide enough confidence that theres a real emission source, said Riley Duren, chief executive officer of Carbon Mapper. The non-profit has received funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the charitable organization founded by Michael Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent company Bloomberg LP.

Duren said methane tracking deserves comprehensive long-term government funding in order to build out and maintain a system as powerful and effective as weather satellites today. Theres still some work to be done as a society to prioritize and capitalize these systems if we really want to get the most out of them, he said.

With assistance from Gerson Freitas Jr and Zachary Mider.

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.
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MGA DUAL North America Appoints 3 Industry Veterans for Leadership Roles

DUAL North America Inc., a subsidiary of Howden Group, has appointed three industry veterans to leadership and key underwriting roles through promotion and new hires. Jim Jinhong was promoted to head of Capacity and Product Development, D.J. Postles joined as executive vice president of Underwriting for DUALs NationsBuilders Insurance Services Inc. (NBIS), and John Kopach joined as executive vice president of Excess Liability.

In his role as DUAL head of Capacity and Product Development, Jinhongs responsibilities include leading a strategic and balanced deployment of partner capacity across the enterprise and developing new products in support of an ever-changing marketplace. Prior, he served as executive vice president of Underwriting & Business Development at NBIS, a member of the DUAL North America Inc. group of companies, where he drove program diversification through organic growth over the past 20 years.

As EVP of Underwriting, Postles will be leading the underwriting team at NBIS. Postles has 22 years of underwriting and leadership experience, with large and mid-size carriers in the North American Insurance marketplace, including Chubb, Swiss Re, and Hiscox. He brings with him corporate insurance and association leadership experience along with technical property and casualty underwriting skills. Working strategically with brokers over his career, he has developed a strong relationship focused on profitable growth, efficiency, innovation, and customer success. Postles is based in Atlanta, Ga., reporting to Bill Tepe, president of NBIS.

Jim has led NBIS through an impressive period of growth and diversity, building creative coverage lines and driving underwriting profit for our market partners, said Tepe at NBIS. D.J. has a dynamic background of insurance leadership roles, he will have the opportunity to lead a diverse team of underwriters and drive best-in- class customer service to our clients.

Kopach will work directly with Mike Towell, president of Excess Liability, to help drive the expansion of DUALs excess liability product in the East and Southeast. He joins the team with more than 20 years of experience, most recently serving as the senior vice president of Excess Casualty, Southeast Region for AXA XL. Kopachs background also includes serving as senior vice president and vice president for Swiss Re Financial Corporate Solutions and Everest National Insurance Co. Kopach is based in Atlanta, Ga.

About DUAL North America and NationsBuilders Insurance Services Inc.

DUAL North America Inc. is part of the DUAL Group, the specialist underwriting arm of Howden Group Holdings. DUAL North America is a leading specialty program administrator that offers property, casualty, and financial lines products through several specialized operating subsidiaries.

One of those subsidiaries, NationsBuilders Insurance Services Inc. (NBIS), provides insurance and risk management solutions for crane, rigging, specialized transportation, concrete pumping and equipment dealer/rental operations in the United States.

***

AXA XL Insurance Names Duke as Head of Pricing, Mid-Market Team

AXA XL Insurance in the Americas continued the build out of its U.S. Mid-Market team with the addition of Matthew Duke as head of Pricing, U.S. Middle Market Analytics.

Duke joins AXA XL from Xceedance, where he served as senior vice president and chief actuary, head of Global Actuarial Services. Prior to his most recent position, he served as head of Pricing and Growth Analytics and interim head of Risk for Blackboard Insurance. His 20-year career also includes various pricing and reserving positions with Guy Carpenter, Arch Insurance and Travelers.

He holds credentials as an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). Duke received his undergraduate degree in Applied Math & Statistics from Stony Brook University, and earned his MBA from the University of Pennsylvanias The Wharton School.

AXA XLs Mid-Market team is actively building out AXA XLs target mid-market client offering in the U.S., leveraging its strength in underwriting, data, claims handling and global capabilities. The team plans to officially launch its underwriting operations in June 2023. At launch, AXA XLs U.S. Mid-Market team will offer workers compensation, commercial auto, general liability, property and umbrella to private equity firms.

With the addition of Matthew, we continue to build out a strong team of industry talent and move another step closer to officially launching our underwriting operation, commented Matt Waters, head of U.S. Middle Market.

Matts career experience, especially his work establishing actuarial pricing infrastructure and portfolio monitoring tools to support underwriters, is particularly relevant to our situation and focus on efficiency. In his new role with us, Matt is tasked with developing our US Middle Market pricing strategy and infrastructure, Waters added.

Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Insurance Wholesale Leadership AXA XL
Conservationist and wildlife veterinarian Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka spoke at The Explorers Club in New York City last night in support of her new book, Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet.

Dr. Kalema-Zikuoska founded the NGO Conservation Through Public Health, and has had remarkable success in Uganda with a revolutionary approach to conservation by focusing on the integrated health of humans and wildlife.

She talked about her holistic approach to saving critically endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda's national parks. She promotes the health and lives of the gorillas by promoting the health and well being of the local communities. The approach is to give education, health care, and family planning services to the communities, involve them in the care of the gorillas, and ensure that they participate in the economic benefits of the ecotourism that the gorillas generate.

If both the gorillas and the people in the area are healthy, they will not transmit diseases to each other. And if the people maintain economic stability, they will not resort to hunting for bushmeat.

If they are participating in the tourism money gorillas bring to the area, they will have an economic incentive to keep them alive and well.

Dr. Kalema-Zikuosa spoke about the cultural aspects of hunting gorillas, and how education is essential to combating ingrained beliefs. She said that while one group would not hunt gorillas because they believed it was bad luck to look them in the eyes, another believed that eating gorillas would give you their strength.

Using her approach, the mountain gorilla population in the Bwindi and Virunga national parks has grown from about 700 in the mid-2000s to over 1,000 in 2018.

Her story is fascinating because implementing a conservation program that takes the entire well being of the local communities into account is not only best for the people, but also the gorillas.

By the way, The Explorers Club, founded in 1905, is an amazing place.

Its members have included Robert Peary, the first to the North Pole (1909), Roald Amundsen, first to the South Pole (1911), Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, first to the summit of Mt. Everest (1953), and Neil Armstrong, first to well, you know (1969).

And it looks just like you'd imagine it.

And, yes: Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka is a member.

This video shows Dr. Kalema-Ziusoka explaining her conservation philosophy.
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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Friday that a special lawmaking session dedicated to possible changes to the states gun laws in the wake of a deadly school shooting last month would likely have to take place after July 4.

I think the ideal solution is that we find a way to do what most people think is important, which is to make sure that people that are a threat to themselves or others because of a mental crisis, that people that are a threat do not have access to weapons, the Republican governor told reporters in Covington on Friday.

The timeline comes after lawmakers sped up to finish their annual session last week without taking action on a gun control plan offered by Lee after the March 27 shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, which killed three 9-year-olds and three adults at the Christian school.

Tennessee Republicans were facing national pressure after they expelled two young Black Democratic lawmakers for a protest over gun control on the state House floor, as protesters filled the galleries above. The lawmakers have since been reinstated. For weeks, students, parents, politicians and others protested for more restrictions to be added to Tennessees gun-friendly laws at the Capitol.

Hours after lawmakers wrapped up their session April 21, Lee announced that he would call them back for the special session to work to protect Tennessee communities and preserve constitutional rights. His spokesperson, Jade Byers, said Friday that more details would be announced when they become available.

Lees office has said he offered dates from May through August.

Lee has proposed the creation of a temporary mental health order of protection,  which aims to keep guns away from people who could harm themselves or others. Enough Republicans joined gun lobby groups in opposition to keep Lees proposal from coming to a vote last week.

Some on the other side of the guns debate argue that Lees proposed measure doesnt go far enough. Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group, said that the three-to-five-day period between when law enforcement would file a petition with a court to seize firearms and when a court hearing would generally occur under the proposal could be the difference between life and death.

Some Republican lawmakers have since said they want to review The Covenant School shooters writings, which police have not yet released, before deciding how state law needs to be changed.

Lee told reporters Friday that he thinks Tennesseans want clarity around this issue. The day before, he said on Twitter that Nashvilles police chief has assured him that the documents about the 28-year-old shooter will be released to the public very soon.

The investigation has advanced to the point that writings from the Covenant shooter are now being reviewed for public release. That process is underway and will take a little time, Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson Kristin Mumford said in a statement Thursday.

The department has said that during the attack, the shooter fired 152 rounds before being killed by police.

Police say the shooter 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.

Rep. John Ray Clemmons, the Democratic House Caucus Chairman from Nashville, called on lawmakers to focus less on what was in a manifesto and more on how were going to work together across the aisle to enact a law that will allow for the timely and temporary removal of firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves and others.

Lee said top lawmakers gave input on his proposal and he argued it isnt 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 after the proposals release, House Republicans didnt appear to make a distinction on terminology, saying in a caucus statement that any red flag law is a non-starter.

After the shooting, lawmakers and Lee joined together on proposals that largely target student behavioral health measures and heightened school security, including funding for a school resource officer in every public school and grants for private school security.

The Covenant School, meanwhile, on Friday marked about a month since the shooting with a letter of gratitude.

In short, we have been learning to navigate the new, forever-changed life before us, the school posted on Facebook. This internal focus has not, however, prevented us from feeling the awe-inspiring expressions of love and support from the Nashville community and across the nation.

Photo: Lee at a news conference in April on background checks and gun safety legislation. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Gun Liability Tennessee
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Risk retention groups may not be the sexiest of insurance topics, but they have gained new attention this week after the Florida House of Representatives approved a bill that would require strong financial ratings for the groups that operate in the state.

With just a week left in the 2023 regular legislative session, the House last week voted 84-30 in favor of House Bill 57, by Rep. Keith Truenow, R-Tavares. A companion bill in the Senate was approved by three Senate committees. But with a flurry of questions about it  and fierce opposition from some small trucking companies  its suddenly less than certain that the measure will now pass the full Senate.

The National Risk Retention Association, in a strongly worded email blast Monday, said the bills would unnecessarily raise insurance costs for small businesses that depend on member-owned retention groups, groups that can provide lower-cost liability insurance than commercial carriers can. The association claimed that adoption of the measure will have a devastating impact for retention groups and will create a monopoly for one insurance rating firm  AM Best.

This defectively drafted bill is ironically being sponsored by a risk retention group for construction contractors which already has an A.M. Best A rating, with its own capital surplus exceeding $100 million, the NRRA statement said.

Risk retention groups, similar to some captive insurance plans, sell coverage only to eligible members. Unlike insurance carriers, they do not need to be licensed in every state they operate in and do not need to participate in insolvency guaranty programs, such as the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association. The groups do not submit rate filings, explains a Florida legislative analysis of SB 516. Regulations also allow fronting by admitted insurance carriers  the practice of insurers offering policies on behalf of retention groups, for a fee.

Some 25 retention groups are licensed in Florida, but few are large enough or have financial ratings high enough to meet the bills requirements, opponents of the bill said at at Senate hearing last month.

Smaller trucking companies and others have said the retention groups provide affordable liability coverage, especially in Florida, where market-based insurance premiums have soared in recent years.

Removing risk retention groups from that market would have a disastrous impact on all small-business truckers in Florida, whether or not they insure through a risk retention group, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Associations executive vice president, Lewie Pugh, told Land Line trade news outlet in March.

The bills are the result of a pop-up window that has appeared on the Florida Office of Insurance Regulations active company search page for the past two months. The window warns that risk rentention groups are not authorized insurance companies and are not chartered in Florida.

That messaging has caused trouble for some trucking companies hoping to do work for the state, stakeholders explained. State agency officials seeing the pop-up have lately become skittish about hiring haulers that arent backed by admitted insurance carriers, people on both sides of the debate explained.

As a work-around, the American Contractors Insurance Group, a large RRG based in Dallas, went to state Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, to craft a bill that would give a stamp of respectability to larger retention groups. DiCeglie. DiCeglie is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and runs a sanitation business that owns trucks.

His measure, Senate Bill 516, would require RRGs that cover construction vehicles in Florida to have an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent) or better. They also would have to be of a certain size  rated category VIII or higher.

The bill also would allow surplus lines insurers of that size and financial strength to provide commercial vehicle insurance.

We didnt mean to exclude any groups, Robert Reyes, a registered lobbyist with the contractors insurance group, testified at a Senate committee hearing in April.

The Florida Association of Insurance Agents supports the bill. But opposition and questions about the plan have grown in recent weeks. At the same Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, hauling company owner Linda Allen said she has to spend $36,000 a year to insure two trucks through a retention group, which is a better price than she can get from insurance carriers.

Florida is a hard state to do trucking business in, Allen said. Insurance is higher here than almost any place else.

Allen has been with the same RRG for 12 years, without problems, she noted. Requiring the top financial rating and the requisite surplus levels would force her retention group to leave Florida or raise rates significantly, she said.

NRRA has argued that the bill would mostly benefit the American Contractors Insurance Group, and would allow its members to avoid the $25,000 fronting fee to an insurance carrier that some smaller RRGs have to pay. The Florida bills also are unconstitutional and conflict with federal law that already address risk retention group regulation, the association has maintained. The NRRA also is concerned that passage of the measure could open the door to similar efforts in other states, and has launched a fundraising campaign in a last-ditch effort to defeat it, or to pursue legal action to block it if it becomes law.

Others argued that the bills are unfair to smaller RRGs and would require a financial review from only one rating firm  when several other rating firms provide similar analyses. And insurance companies do not face similar requirements.

Theres nowhere in statute that requires any insurance company to have a rating, and certainly not a (category) VIII size requirement, said Paul Handerhan, president of the Federal Association for Insurance Reform. The group is working with NRRA to oppose the bill.

A late amendment to the Senate bill may have been intended to narrow the scope, but it only limited it to public and private construction and infrastructure projects, he noted.

At a House floor vote on HB 57 last week, it seemed clear that the bills sponsor, Truenow, had not fully considered the intricacies of the legislation. State Rep. Hillary Cassel, D-Dania Beach, asked Truenow what is required to achieve a category VIII financial size rating from AM Best, as would be mandated by the bill.

I dont know the answer to the question, Truenow replied. He later added that he believed the size rating required at least $100 million to $200 million by the insurer.

Other answers may not sit well with the other rating firms, such as Demotech and KBRA. When Cassel asked why HB 57 appears to create a monopoly for AM Best on retention group ratings, Truenow responded: Were not trying to create a monopoly. What were trying to do is use the highest and best standard.

Despite the questions from Cassell and from Rep. Tommy Gregory, House members overwhelmingly approved the bill. But with the legislative session set to adjourn on Friday, May 5, there may be little time left in the Senate to resolve some of the issues that have been raised. As of late Monday, the bill had not been scheduled for a third reading or a final floor vote.

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Natural gas is flowing again in a Mississippi pipeline after a towering blaze Friday that officials believe was caused by a lightning strike.

The pipelines owner, TC Energy Corp. of Calgary, Alberta, said Saturday that it had completed operational adjustments. The Canadian company notified its customers through an electronic system that it was lifting the force majeure it had declared on Friday. The contract term allows the pipeline to curtail deliveries because of forces outside the owners control.

Tina Faraca, president of TC Energys U.S. Natural Gas unit, told investors on a conference call Friday that the blaze caused very minimal impact to facilities. 

Alcorn County Emergency Management Director Ricky Gibens told local news outlets that firefighters were called to the compressor station of the Columbia Gulf Transmission Pipeline northeast of Corinth around 1 a.m. Friday. He said it appears that lightning sheared off a piece of pipe and set the natural gas ablaze.

Firefighters and workers with TC Energy closed valves, which Gibens said may have prevented an explosion. The fire burned for more than four hours until firefighters could put it out.

Nearby resident Philip Trest told WTVA-TV that the flames glowed over treetops and sounded like a jet engine.

No one was injured.

The compressor station helps push natural gas through the Columbia Gulf Transmission Pipeline, which runs between Kentucky and Louisiana. The pipeline carries natural gas from southern Appalachia to liquefied natural gas terminals in Louisiana, where its frozen into a liquid and loaded onto giant ships for export.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mississippi
Source: Stephane Foucaud

May 2, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This oil company released a strong operational update at the end of 1Q23, noted a Auctus Advisor's research note.

PetroTal Corp. (PTALF:OTCMKTS;PTAL:AIM) has released a promising report at the end of 1Q23 showing that oil production is performing better than previously expected.

Stephane Foucaud of Auctus Advisors writes: "1Q23 production was 12,618 bbl/d, above our expectations of 11,500 bbl/d. Oil sales continued to be very high in March at 21,500 bbl/d with 19,565 bbl/d sold through Brazil and the balance to Iquitos, with production averaging > 20 mbbl/d for more than 60 consecutive days."

PetroTal is experiencing generous returns for its shareholders through a share buyback program that allows up to 10% of the share capital over a 12-month period in 2023. With a US$0.015 per share quarterly dividend, investors are seeing an annual dividend of around 13%.

Review of Results

Foucaud presented the key points of PetroTal's latest reports.

The company expects a few catalysts in 2023 that could increase production even further.

"The Northern Peruvian Pipeline (ONP) has also resumed operations, and PetroTal estimates that ~270,000 bbbl of oil will be exported in late 2Q23 at Bayovar, generating US$5-7 mm in net revenue," according to Foucaud's report. However, the company is currently not exporting new volumes of oil through this pipeline until credit lines are guaranteed for payment from Petroperu.

At the same time, PetroTal has put Well 14H into production and is producing 3/mmbl/d, which is within expectations and performing at a similar initial rate to Well 12H.

Valuation

Foucaud maintains Auctus' previous target price of 1.50 per share, noting that "[t]he story continues to be about significant free cash flow generation, production, and reserves growth."

PetroTal continues to commit to producing 14-15mmbbl/d for this year, even expecting a potential of up to 17mmbbl/d later in 2023.

Structure and Predictions

The company has outperformed its own cash productions for the first quarter of this year by US$15 mm, coming in with a working capital surplus of US$104 mm.

Following the audit of the FY22 accounts, additional tax loss pools are now available to offset the FY23 tax. This results in an additional US$30 mm free cash flow in 2023. We now forecast that PetroTal will hold US$190 mm in working capital at YE23 (~US$160 mm previously)," Foucaud reports.

Auctus' valuations have increased, with a Core NAV of 1.13/sh and a ReNAV of 1.52/sh. The company is expected to distribute US$41 mm in dividends this year, US$56 mm next year while continuing to maintain over 50% of the current market cap in working capital.

PetroTal has 950 mm shares diluted and is estimated to reach 944 mm by the end of 2023. Its market cap is currently US$541 mm with anticipated marginal growth. The current share price is 0.46 and the price target is 1.50.

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1) Cori Rupe wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. 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.

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Disclosures for Auctus Advisors, PetroTal Corp., April 25, 2023

Copyright and Risk Warnings PetroTal Corp. ("PetroTal" or the "Company") is a corporate client of Auctus Advisors LLP ("Auctus"). Auctus receives, and has received in the past 12 months, compensation for providing corporate broking and/or investment banking services to the Company, including the publication and dissemination of marketing material from time to time. MiFID II Disclosures This document, being paid for by a corporate issuer, is believed by Auctus to be an 'acceptable minor non-monetary benefit' as set out in Article 12 (3) of the Commission Delegated Act C(2016) 2031 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. It is produced solely in support of our corporate broking and corporate finance business. Auctus does not offer a secondary execution service in the UK. This note is a marketing communication and NOT independent research. As such, it has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and this note is NOT subject to the prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research. Author The research analyst who prepared this research report was Stephane Foucaud, a partner of Auctus. Not an offer to buy or sell Under no circumstances is this note to be construed to be an offer to buy or sell or deal in any security and/or derivative instruments. It is not an initiation or an inducement to engage in investment activity under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Note prepared in good faith and in reliance on publicly available information Comments made in this note have been arrived at in good faith and are based, at least in part, on current public information that Auctus considers reliable, but which it does not represent to be accurate or complete, and it should not be relied on as such. 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Disclaimer This note has been forwarded to you solely for information purposes only and should not be considered as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell, buy or subscribe to any securities or any derivative instrument or any other rights pertaining thereto ("financial instruments"). This note is intended for use by professional and business investors only. This note may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Auctus. The information and opinions expressed in this note have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable but, neither Auctus, nor any of its partners, officers, or employees accept liability from any loss arising from the use hereof or makes any representations as to its accuracy and completeness. Any opinions, forecasts or estimates herein constitute a judgement as at the date of this note. There can be no assurance that future results or events will be consistent with any such opinions, forecasts or estimates. Past performance should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of future performance, and no representation or warranty, express or implied is made regarding future performance. This information is subject to change without notice, its accuracy is not guaranteed, it may be incomplete or condensed and it may not contain all material information concerning the company and its subsidiaries. Auctus is not agreeing to nor is it required to update the opinions, forecasts or estimates contained herein. The value of any securities or financial instruments mentioned in this note can fall as well as rise. Foreign currency denominated securities and financial instruments are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates that may have a positive or adverse effect on the value, price or income of such securities or financial instruments. 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May 2, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp.'s maiden mineral resource estimate for its 100%-owned flagship Santa Ana project shows "potential for a sizable project," the company says.

Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp. (OCG:TSX.V; OCGSF:OTCQX; MRG1:DB) has released its maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its 100%-owned flagship Santa Ana project in Colombia.

Initial indicated resources are estimated at 1.2 million tonnes grading 614 grams per tonne silver equivalent (g/t Ag eq), containing 24.1 million ounces (Moz) Ag eq. Initial inferred resources are estimated at 966,000 tonnes grading 435 g/t Ag eq, containing 13.5 Moz Ag eq.

Analyst Stuart McDougall of Research Capital Corp. noted in a table in an updated research note on April 27 that the resource's overall grade of 530 g/t Ag eq compared favorably to peers, such as Blackrock Silver Corp. (BRC:TSX.V; BKRRF:OTCQX) with 389 g/t Ag eq, Dolly Varden Silver Corp. (DV:TSX.V; DOLLF:OTCQX) with 294 g/t Ag eq, and Vizsla Silver Corp. (VZLA:NYSE American) with 427 g/t Ag eq.

"On a comparable basis, we think the maiden estimates stacks up well against similar projects," McDougall wrote, reiterating his Speculative Buy rating on the stock with a CA$0.75 target price per share.

A total of 64% of the resource was classified as indicated, compared to 54% for Dolly Varden's estimate and 45% for Vizsla, according to McDougall's data. The Outcrop MRE also has an M&I EV/ounce Ag of $2.23 compared to $5.35 median for its peers, including Blackrock, Dolly Varden, Vizsla, and Kuya Silver Corp. (KUYA:CSE: KUYAF:OTCQB)

According to the data provided by McDougall, OCG's resource has the third largest number of ounces among its explorer peers with 37.6 million silver equivalent ounces (SEO) after Vizsla with 201.8 million SEO and Dolly Varden with 90.9 million SEO. Blackrock has 37.1 million SEO.

Resources were calculated using a 158 g/t Ag eq cut-off grade and minimum vein width of 1.0 meter, Outcrop said. Only 17% of the mapped veins at the project have been drilled.

The MRE's results create "the measurable potential for a sizable project," said Vice President of Exploration Guillermo Hernandez. "As we advance, we will continue significantly enhancing our resource endowment. We are confident in the strong resource growth potential with multiple targets in the next phase of our exploration drilling."

Outcrop said dozens of additional veins have been identified on the project and form a high-grade silver-enriched trend that extends for 30 kilometers. The veins are drill-permitted and will be drilled in 2023, and the results will be added to the established resource.

Resources from the project have highly commercial flotation concentrate grades of 12,133 g/t Ag and 172 g/t gold (Au), with recoveries of 93.4% Ag and 96.7% Au, the company said.

The Catalyst: 'Excellent Exploration Upside Potential'

"Santa Ana has excellent exploration upside potential," Outcrop noted in its release.

McDougall noted that each of the veins included in the MRE remains open along strike and at depth.

"We see strong potential for growth and are keeping our valuation goalpost at 50 Moz Ag," he wrote. "Furthermore, OCG has identified dozens more veins with similar characteristics as those in the resource area, either by scout drilling, geological mapping, or underground sampling."

Santa Ana covers 27,000 hectares, a significant part of the Mariquita District, where mining records date to at least 1585. The district was once the highest-grade primary silver district in Colombia, the company said.

Spanish Royal Archives reports said the area historically had 14 mines producing an average of 4,000 g/t Ag over an average of 1.4 meters, with some mines finding as much as 17,000 g/t Ag.

Silver Vital in the Green Economy

Asset manager and author of the What is Chen Buying? What is Chen Selling? newsletter Chen Lin is bullish on silver this year, saying the precious metal will be vital in the green economy transition. He said he was watching Outcrop closely.

The global silver market will see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.83% through 2030, according to Market Research Future.

Silver is great at coating electrical contacts. Almost all computers, phones, cars, and appliances contain the metal. It's also in high demand for use in solar panels. Because of this, the Silver Institute predicted global demand for silver would reach a new high of 1.21 billion ounces in 2022, up 16% from the preceding year.

"Physical investment (in silver) in 2022 (was) on track to jump by 18% to 329 Moz, which would also be a new record," the report said.

Industrial demand for the metal, including for vehicle electrification and other green technologies, is on course to grow to 539 Moz, it said.

"Developments such as ongoing vehicle electrification (despite sluggish vehicle sales), growing adoption of 5G technologies, and government commitments to green infrastructure will have industrial demand overcome macro-economic headwinds and weaker consumer electronics demand," the report's authors wrote.

Ownership and Share Structure

Mining financier Eric Sprott owns about 14% of Outcrop. Management and directors own about 12%, and the rest is held by high-net-worth investors and retail, the company said.

Major inside shareholders include Executive Chairman of the Board Ian Slater, with about 10.1% or 20 million shares, and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Hebert, with 0.95% or 1.88 million shares, according to Reuters.

Outcrop has a market cap of CA$70.11 million with 197.6 million shares outstanding and 148.5 million free-floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.43 and CA$0.10.

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Disclosures for Stuart McDougall/Research Capital Corp:

Analyst Certification: I, Stuart McDougall, certify the views expressed in this report were formed by my review of relevant company data and industry investigation, and accurately reflect my opinion about the investment merits of the securities mentioned in the report. I also certify that my compensation is not related to specific recommendations or views expressed in this report. Research Capital Corporation publishes research and investment recommendations for the use of its clients. Information regarding our categories of recommendations, quarterly summaries of the percentage of our recommendations which fall into each category and our policies regarding the release of our research reports is available at www.researchcapital.com or may be requested by contacting the analyst. Each analyst of Research Capital Corporation whose name appears in this report hereby certifies that (i) the recommendations and opinions expressed in this research report accurately reflect the analyst's personal views and (ii) no part of the research analyst's compensation was or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific conclusions or recommendations expressed in this research report.

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May 2, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) As countries gradually recover from the pandemic, substantially better economic growth rates naturally will push the demand for commodities higher. This is one of several factors behind what many believe is a new commodities super-cycle.

The last super-cycle, starting in 2003, was driven by China, which demanded almost every commodity under the sun to meet double-digit annual increases to its GDP. This time is different. I believe we are going to see demand across the board for nearly every type of commodity, based on infrastructure renewal, electrification, reduction of carbon, and food demand.

The fossil-fueled based transportation system needs to be electrified, and the switch must be made from oil, gas, and coal-powered power plants to nuclear energy. If we have any hope of cleaning up the planet, before the point of no return, a massive decarbonization needs to take place.

In a recent report, commodities consultancy Wood Mackenzie said an investment of over $1 trillion will be required in key energy transition metals over the next 15 years, just to meet the growing needs of decarbonization.

A green infrastructure spending push will mean a lot more energy metals will need to be mined, including lithium, nickel, and graphite for EV batteries; copper for electric vehicle wiring and renewable energy projects; silver for solar panels; rare earths for permanent magnets that go into EV motors and wind turbines; and tin for the hundreds of millions of solder points necessary in making the new electrified economy a reality.

Metal supply however will not be able to match this unprecedented level of demand, without the discovery of new mineral deposits from which to mine the metals of the future.

Lithium nationalization

The lithium nationalization bombshell dropped last week by Chile is good news for North American lithium miners, that are likely to become more important as potential suppliers of the white metal needed for making lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars and trucks, as well as energy storage and an array of consumer electronics.

The development could also further pressure electric vehicle makers, who are scrambling to secure lithium supplies.

President Gabriel Boric announced last Thursday that his government would nationalize the country's lithium industry, with the state planning to partner with companies to enable development of a local industry. According to mining media, state-owned copper company Codelco will initially sign up partners for new contracts, after which a national lithium company will have that responsibility.

As well, Codelco and another state-owned miner, Enami, will be given exploration and extraction contracts in areas where there are now private projects. The two lithium miners already in Chile, SQM and US-based Albemarle, will continue to operate until their contracts expire.

Chile's long-anticipated announcement comes on the heels of a similar nationalization in Mexico last year. The country also wants to create a regional lithium association with Argentina and Bolivia; the three countries make up the "lithium triangle" where 65% of the world's known lithium resources are located, and where 29.5% of global production in 2020 was based.

Chile itself represents about 30% of world supply.

The Chilean government projects global demand for lithium will quadruple by 2030 to 1.8 million tonnes, but supply is only expected to reach 1.5Mt, leaving a shortfall.

Nationalization will likely add pressure to electric vehicle carmakers who are hoping to lock in supply before the deficit takes hold and prices skyrocket.

"[T]here may be some hesitation investing in Chile's lithium space until further details have been released and companies are confident on stability and in how the public-private partnerships will operate," Jordan Roberts, battery raw materials analyst at Fastmarkets NewGen, told Mining.com in an email.

As share prices of Chilean lithium companies tumbled on Friday, mining magnate Robert Friedland said the announcement would be "quite challenging for international capital, and it makes it harder to invest in Chile."

"Money is a coward - it runs away at the first sign of trouble," he quipped.



The Ivanhoe Mines chairman also said Santiago's move will undermine Chile's reputation as one of the safer places for foreign investors in Latin America, telling Bloomberg:

It's "likely to set the government back a long ways  denying companies like Rio Tinto and Teck and BHP to come in there and invest," Friedland said. "That will not end well, in my estimation."

Governments are inefficient miners, and it was "much more efficient" to encourage the private sector to invest, he said, adding that "ill-considered" nationalist policies risked derailing the clean energy transition.

Meanwhile, auto industry executives are warning of a supply chain crunch by the middle of the decade, due mostly to plans to spend nearly $1.2 trillion to produce millions of EVs.

According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI), to meet demand, the global lithium industry needs to invest up to $42 billion by the end of the decade. This works out to $7 billion each year from now until 2028, helping it to meet predicted demand of 2-4 million tonnes per annum by 2030, which is four times higher than the 600,000 tonnes of lithium that was expected to be produced in 2022.

"Automakers may be more trepidatious around committing to lithium supply deals from Chile until it's clear what nationalization will look like," Reuters quotes Caspar Rawles, BMI's chief data officer. "Most automakers will have been looking for a diversified portfolio of regional supply before this anyway, but perhaps this makes other regions more appealing."

It only makes sense that if Chile is unable to provide the needed lithium, it could give fresh impetus to finding new sources of the metal.

Reuters notes major carmakers have already been looking for new lithium supplies in the United States, Europe and Africa, giving the example of General Motors investing in Nevada's Thacker Pass lithium project being developed by Lithium Americas.

Volkswagen too is "looking at a lot of regions," with the company's Chief Technology Officer Markus Schaefer telling reporters on Monday that "there are alternatives [to Chile], such as Australia and Canada."

Canada's EV supply chain buildout

In fact the German carmaker has already chosen Canada to build its first battery plant outside of Europe, with the site in St. Thomas, ON, to begin production in 2027. Last Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford gathered at an old railway building turned museum to lay out plans for the CAD$7 billion plant. Ottawa is investing up to $13 billion in production subsidies once it's operational, plus another $700 million to help cover capital costs. The Ontario government will kick in $500M.

In December, 2022, the Canadian government and General Motors announced the opening of Canada's first electric-vehicle manufacturing plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. The plant makes electrified delivery vans and is expected to manufacture 50,000 EVs by 2025.

The provincial and federal governments each invested $259 million towards GM's $2 billion plan for the Ingersoll plant and to overhaul its Oshawa, ON plant to make it EV-ready, Global news reported.



The next-door province of Quebec has also attracted EV investment. In March, 2021, Lion Electric announced it will build a battery pack manufacturing plant in its home province. The $185 million factory, funded by the Quebec and federal governments who each committed $50 million, will build lithium-ion battery packs capable of electrifying 14,000 medium and heavy-duty vehicles annually.



Canada doesn't currently produce lithium, but hosts about 2.5% of the world's lithium deposits. According to Natural Resources Canada, the country has an estimated 2.9 million tonnes of lithium resources, in the measured and indicated category.

Similarly, the US mines and processes only 1% of the world's lithium, according to the US Geological Survey. However, within its borders are 1 million tons of lithium reserves, ranking it among the top five countries in the world, according to the USGS. In the less certain resources category, the US has 12 million tons, including continental, geothermal and oilfield brines, claystones and pegmatites.

While there is just one lithium mine in operation, Albemarle's Silver Peak, a lithium brine operation located outside Tonopah, Nevada, many lithium juniors are exploring for the white metal in the Silver State.

In fact last year's record-high prices have spurred a boom in lithium exploration, which has persisted despite prices retreating.

CBC News quoted a mining executive saying that even though a tonne of battery-grade lithium currently sells for about US$30,000, compared to a November peak of $85,000, production costs are only in the neighborhood of $9-10,000 per tonne, meaning lithium mining is still very profitable for producers - certainly high enough to motivate industry players, big and small, to move forward with new projects.

According to Mining Intelligence data, via Mining.com, there are 409 active lithium projects in Canada, 35% of which are early-stage.

The publication also says Quebec, which hosts some historical production, has by far the most active lithium projects, and accounts for almost half of all lithium exploration projects in the Mining Intelligence database.

Conclusion

Battery and energy metals including nickel, copper and zinc are on a tear due to global infrastructure build-out promises, along with the burgeoning needs of the new green economy.

The world's top carbon emitters are a long way from aligning their climate goals with the Paris agreement, something that shareholders are demanding, meaning soon they are likely to seek higher amounts of raw materials required for decarbonization and electrification.

Reducing their carbon footprint though, is unachievable without a major push by the mining industry to find and produce more battery- and clean-energy metals.

In our opinion, as the competition for materials needed to go clean and green heats up, prices can only go higher.

Richard (Rick) Mills

aheadoftheherd.com

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May 2, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Keeping coal technology as clean as possible is an important mission. One nascent player in this field has just been rewarded with conditional approval for listing on a major international stock exchange.

ME2C Environmental (MEEC:OTCQB), aka Midwest Energy Emissions Corp., is an environmental technologies firm developing and delivering patented and proprietary solutions to the global power industry. The company's leading-edge mercury emissions technologies achieve emissions removal at a significantly lower cost than currently-used methods, lessening operational impact while increasing power plant output and preserving the marketability of byproducts.

ME2C is engaged in developing and commercializing control technologies for capturing and controlling mercury emissions from coal-fired boilers in the United States and Canada. The firm provides mercury capture solutions driven by a patented two-part Sorbent Enhancement Additive (SEA) technology process.

The company's SEA technology provides mercury control solutions based on a scientific understanding of actual and probable interactions involved in mercury capture in coal-fired flue gas. This double-edged solution consists of a front-end sorbent injected directly into the boiler in minimal amounts combined with a back-end sorbent injection solution to ensure maximum mercury capture.

With commercialization beginning in 2010 and representing over US$60 million in research and development, the patented SEA system is now the leading mercury control technology used by the coal-fired utility fleet across the USA.

During the company's recent investor conference call held on April 17, 2023, Richard MacPherson, CEO of ME2C Environmental, announced the company's foray into new technologies under development for water treatment, particularly addressing PFOA and PFOS under pending EPA regulation and an update on the company's rare earth element extraction technologies that are currently in final stages of lab testing and development. The company's move into water treatment will provide a boost to its current core business in mercury emissions, which utilizes activated carbon.

ME2C is working to produce activated carbon to benefit their existing technologies, as well as to develop new technologies to clean water from these "forever chemicals" under EPA's review. The company is working to expand these technologies into several areas that affect the energy sector, including wastewater and coal ash remediation.

The Catalyst: TSX-V Listing

On April 24, ME2C announced that it had received conditional approval to list shares of its common stock on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V). Upon completing the final listing requirements, the Company expects to be listed on the TSX-V as a Tier 1 Industrial, Technology, or Life Sciences Issuer under the symbol "MEEC."

ME2C has appointed a new Chief Financial Officer, Greg Powell, to support the pending listing, effective March 1, 2023. Powell is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant, and Certified Fraud Examiner who has been a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants since 2012. He brings experience with both large and small-scale international operations in multiple sectors, including mining and technology

ME2C CEO Richard MacPherson explains, "Enhancing [ME2C's] financial profile is a strategic enterprise that has been long underway."

"This pending listing onto the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, one of the largest in North America, is an exciting milestone for our company and our shareholders. ME2C's listing with the TSX-V will allow the expansion of our strong Canadian shareholder base and attract new investors both across North America and beyond."

"This international growth is a key component of corporate initiatives that are now in progress. Our Company is excited to welcome Mr. Powell during this auspicious time within our company's growth. With our pending listing on the TSX-V, the appointment of a Toronto-based

CFO reinforces our position in the Canadian marketplace. Mr. Powell's expertise in both the Canadian financial market and with major stock exchanges will provide the necessary financial leadership as we work toward increasing shareholder value."

Why This Sector? Coal Continues To Be an Energy Workhorse

Although governments worldwide are pursuing "greener" alternatives, coal-burning power stations in the U.S.A. continue to provide about 20% of the country's base energy needs. Countries like China and India are even more dependent on coal to meet their base energy needs.

Market Data Forecast states, "The global clean coal technology market was worth US$3.86 billion in 2022 and is predicted to exceed US$4.89 billion by 2028."

Coal-powered electricity generation isn't going anywhere soon, but its traditionally "dirty" image behooves those who must use it to do so in the most environmentally-friendly manner possible. ME2C's tech offers the best way to do so.

Why This Company? Unique Tech, Unique Revenue Model

While ME2C's competitors, such as ADA, Calgon, and Cabot, are limited to revenue from the sale of product supplies, ME2C also enjoys revenue from technology licenses, consulting fees, and demonstrations.

This flexibility should make it easier for the company to expand its foothold in Europe (where some strict regulations are already in place) and China (where clean coal regulation is currently pending.

The upshot of this market-leading position is 50% year-over-year growth since 2019, with no sign of slowing down in the foreseeable future.

Why Now? Undervalued, Impending Ruling

Analyst Clive Maund has been bullish on the stock for a while. On April 20, he wrote, "We got the breakout yesterday in ME2C we have been looking for as recently as last Friday, and it was spectacular."

"This breakout was due to the news announced yesterday that ME2C Environmental Announces New Three-Year Supply Business Estimated up to US$3 million Annually. I did not know about this development, and the assessment that it would break higher was purely the result of a technical analysis of the stock."

"We stay long for the intermediate uptrend just starting," he advised, "and we can see on our chart the MACD indicator showing that it has plenty of room to run."

In addition, ME2C is sitting on a potentially lucrative lawsuit win. In 2021, the company was approved to seek redress from 16 key refined coal process defendants violating the company's patent protections.

In a shareholder letter issued in January, CEO MacPhearson wrote, "ME2C may become a very different company by 2024. We expect to have our day in court this November against several major refined coal companies, the culmination of three years of litigation proceedings that began with our initial July 2019 filing. The damage claims put forth by our legal team to the defendants and the court to date are substantial, and we are confident in our position."

Ownership and Share Structure

As of the last quarterly filing, the company had 93 million shares outstanding, 4.3 million warrants, and 19 million options. Insider participation is 31%, with President and CEO Richard MacPherson owning 12.70%, with 11.79 million shares, according to Reuters. Chairman Chris Greenberg owns 5.85%, with 5.43 million. Senior VP/CTO John Pavlish owns 1.13%, with 1.05 million shares. Vice President of Operations James Trettel owns 0.36%, with 0.34 million, and Director David M. Kaye owns 0.27%, with 0.26 million.

Reuters reports 12.60% of the stock is with institutional investors, with primary lender Alterna Capital owning 12%, with 11.70 million shares. Alterna provides the option for ME2C to buy back a significant amount of stock (~7.5M shares at CA$0.50/share) at an appropriate time to be determined by ME2C.

The rest is held by retail investors.

Cash on hand was US$1.5 million as of January 31, with a monthly burn rate of US$1.1 million to US$1.2 million.

According to Market Watch, ME2C has a market cap of CA$43.65 million and trades in the 52-week range between CA$0.1600 and CA$0.5268.

Disclosure:

1) Owen Ferguson wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. They or members of their household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: none. They or members of their household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: none.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: ME2C. 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.

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Scottish bar BrewDog, which opened in Cork City in July last year has closed suddenly after just nine months in operation, a spokesperson for the company confirmed this morning.

A collection of the latest business articles from - and about - the Cork region from the Irish Examiner's business team and their contributers.

The bar was opened as a franchise by Cork owners, Westside Leisure, which also operates several pubs and nightclubs across the city including An Brog, Alibi, Voodoo Rooms, Barbella, and Barbarosa.

Confirming the closure, a spokesperson for Westside Leisure told the Irish Examiner: It is with great regret and genuine sadness that we have to announce that due to the continuing deterioration of economic conditions in the hospitality industry and ever-increasing operational costs, Westside Leisure trading as BrewDog Cork has made the very difficult decision to close.

We wish to thank all our customers for your fantastic support over the last year and especially our staff for all their efforts during this time.

Following the closure, a spokesperson for the brewery's parent company said it was unfortunate that its Cork partner had decided to close the bar, telling the Irish Examiner: We hope to bring BrewDog back to Cork as soon as we can.

Located in the former Grand Central Social site on James Street, which was also operated by Westside Leisure, the Cork franchise was one of more than 100 BrewDog bars worldwide, first opening in Scotland in 2017.

The Cork franchise's social media channels disappeared overnight, with the James Street bar also being removed from BrewDog's official website, leaving just one Irish location remaining  the company's first bar in Dublin's docklands which opened in 2019.

In December, BrewDog lost its B Corp status less than two years after joining the scheme, which offers certification of a companys ethical commitment to the environment, community, and staff.

It followed an apology issued by BrewDog after former workers alleged that a culture of fear existed within the business, with toxic attitudes directed towards junior staff.

It is understood that B Lab, the organisation that issues B Corp certificates, launched an investigation after staff submitted complaints following a BBC documentary, Disclosure: The Truth About Brewdog which looked at the brewers workplace culture.

Following its launch last July, BrewDog's establishment in Cork City was met with protests from activists who cited past mistreatment allegations against the bar's UK parent company.
This week, Succession is a tale of two princes. Though Kendall and Roman are theoretically equals at the head of Waystar Royco, they are dealing with the responsibilities of following in their fathers footsteps in very different ways. With the takeover of Waystar by GoJo proceeding fitfully, the Roys fly to Los Angeles to rein in their free-spending Hollywood studio and launch a loopy new lifestyle division, Living+.

Kendall has been charged with the theoretically trickier task of unveiling Living+ to the world. Its a wackadoodle attempt at bringing the dotcom philosophy to assisted living. The pitch is that clients will live in luxuriant gated communities, receiving visits from Waystar-affiliated movie stars and top-of-the-line life-extending treatments. Nobody lives forever, jokes Kendall. But Living+ might be the next best thing.

A scene from Succession.

We expect Kendall to make a mess of the pitch  and he is indeed waylaid by unforeseen events (more below). However, he also surprises us by stepping comfortably into the late Logans shoes. At any rate, it goes better than his last big speech  at which he delivered the notorious 'Kendall rap' (Bitches be catty, but the king's my daddy).

The real growing pains are those of Roman, who tries to double down on his fathers reputation for toughness only to reveal himself as a frightened child in over his head. He cracks when meeting the head of Waystars movie division. She expresses concern over the ATN news division and its support for a quasi-fascistic presidential candidate, Jeryd Mencken.

Sarah Snook in a scene from Succession.

He sacks her on the spot  and when Waystar executive Gerri finds out and reacts with horror he fires her too (though it is unclear she has actually left the company or that he even really means to show her the door). In just a few hours he has sabotaged, Waystars entire movie operation. All so he could be more like his dad.

Roman breaks the news to Kendall, who thinks the sackings will go down well. The Roy brothers are cleaning house and rebooting the company.

But hang on, arent they supposed to be simply watching the shop as the Waystar deal goes through? Maybe not: in a confab with the execs they explain that GoJo boss Lukas Matsson behaved strangely on their visit to Europe. Maybe hes not the person to entrust the future of Waystar?

The suits bat aside these fears. Gerri, before her firing, says that Matssons flakiness is already priced in. Hes a genius, she explains. Nobody minds a genius acting weird.

Matsson thinks the Roys are plenty flaky too. He calls Shiv to share his concerns about her brothers  and then dangles the carrot of potentially keeping her onboard to handle aspects of the business he considers too boring to deal with. He has one more thing to say: he doesn't like Living+ and wants Shiv to kill it.

Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans in Succession.

She, however, is too busy having illicit canoodles with her estranged husband Tom. They reconnect after he discovers that she has scheduled time to be alone in a suite crying her eyes out. In the Roys' world, even grieving for your father has to be time-tabled.

Kendall gives the Living+ address and there is applause all around. Until Matsson tries to sabotage it by sending a tweet that suggests the service will be, in the words of one of the suits, a concentration camp for grannies. Kendall, to his credit, steamrolls the controversy by talking up the new division (albeit with wildly inflated growth projections, delivered by a deep-faked video of Logan that will surely come back to haunt Waystar).

He is praised by the board. Roman meanwhile slinks away. We see him crying in a car, listening to a playback of Logans voice. He is a little lost boy, haunted by the dad who gave him everything except the one thing he needed  which was, of course and inevitably, a fathers love.
The Boss is back in town for the first time in almost seven years and fans can expect outstanding shows over the three-night Dublin run.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are kicking off their sold-out concerts this Friday at the RDS.

The 73-year-old singer is known for his three-hour gigs and promoters say that he will deliver just that.

Playing on Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday, fans are being warned to arrive on time as there will be no support act.

Springsteen and the band kicked off the European leg of the tour in Barcelona last weekend.

Fans will have been watching the US tour with great excitement as some very special guests joined The Boss on stage - including Michelle Obama.

However, there is no official word on whether fans will be treated to any special guest appearances at the Irish shows, according to Aiken Promotions Head of Operations, Shane Mates.

Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt on stage in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

There may not be any special guests on stage but there will be one in the audience.

Charlie Bird spoke last week about his excitement ahead of the Springsteen gigs and revealed that meeting the New Jersey singer is the final item on his bucket list.

When asked whether any arrangements have been made to grant Charlie's wish, Mr Mates said that at this stage there are no arrangements in place but extended his well wishes to Charlie after he suffered a bad fall over the weekend.

Although Bruce was Born in the USA, his love of Ireland is no secret. He has made several trips over the years and is a frequent visitor to the RDS as his daughter Jessica has competed in horse shows there.

Promoters remain tight-lipped about when Springsteen will arrive in Ireland but expect him to be here "well in time" for Friday's show.

Ireland is something of a second home for Bruce, said Mr Mates who has worked on a number of Springsteen tours.

"I think this place certainly holds a special place in his heart."

With a day off between each gig and three days off before the tour heads to Paris, people shouldn't be surprised if they see him knocking around the city over the next week.

Peter Aiken, promoter of the Bruce Springsteen gigs in Ireland. Picture: Darragh Kane

Those Waitin' on a Sunny Day could find themselves waiting a long time as the current forecast predicts cloudy but dry conditions for the three gigs with temperatures in the low-to-mid teens.

Around 114,000 fans are expected to attend the three concerts and plans have been put in place to ensure things run smoothly.

The show will start at 7pm and people are urged to arrive on time, especially as there will be no support act.

Early queuing will not be permitted at the venue in order to minimise disruption for local residents and businesses.

Tickets should be downloaded to devices ahead of the gig and those who do not own a smartphone should attend the booking office as print-outs will not be accepted.

Bags should not be brought into the venue, if necessary they must be A4 size or smaller.
Boy, ItellyouwhatthatdangoldgotdangKingoftheHilldangoldcomingback, man.

For those who don't speak fluent Boomhauer, let's translate the preceding sentence- if you can call it that. Last year, it was announced that Hulu was interested in reviving Mike Judge's hilarious animated sitcom King of the Hill. During its original run, King of the Hill became one of adult animation's most critically and commercially successful properties. Depending on who you ask, King of the Hill might be Mike Judge's best project, including the groundbreaking Beavis and Butt-Head and Office Space. Unfortunately, King of the Hill was canceled during its 13th season to make room for The Cleveland Show.

As King of the Hill gets ready to return, fans are curious if the series will be able to recapture the magic of the show's original run. According to Comic Book Resources, the cast of King of the Hill are about to start table reads. Thankfully, King of the Hill is powered by propane, so it can keep its heat for decades.
The Government and private sector need to be "realistic" and "clear-eyed" about China's strategic objectives and their implications for Ireland, the Tanaiste will warn today.

Micheal Martin is expected to lay out Ireland's stance on China in a keynote address this afternoon. He will strongly advise the private sector, academics and other stakeholders to increase their awareness of their level of exposure and to "de-risk" where necessary.

It comes as staff at Government departments and agencies have been told to remove TikTok from their official devices following a detailed risk review by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

IDA Ireland has also confirmed it will be following the advice to delete the video-sharing app from devices over fears that the data contained could be sent to the Chinese government, despite the social media platform being a client company.

The Tanaiste will say Ireland's engagement with China will be linked to its approach to Ukraine, its commitment to the multilateral system, and our strong desire to partner with them on global challenges and it will be anchored in Irelands enduring mission to preserve and promote human rights.

He will use his address at the Royal Irish Academys Annual International Affairs Conference to say this country will not be "naive nor silent" when we see evidence of core principles of the UN Charter being undermined by China. He will acknowledge that China and Irelands different world views, values and interests will inevitably shape how we engage with one another.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen recently said the EU's relationship with China is not black and white but it is not in our interest to fully decouple from China. She instead suggested diplomatic and economic "de-risking".

The Tanaiste will elaborate that for Ireland, de-risking means developing our economic and systemic resilience to, in turn, protect our values and interests.

He will say the process of de-risking is not confined to government and the private sector, academic and other stakeholders  while building relationships with China should increase their awareness of their level of exposure and de-risk where necessary.

"This does not mean turning our backs on an economic, diplomatic and cultural relationship with China. There are many mutually beneficial ties that we can nourish and grow. We will continue to support many of our businesses in their engagement with China, and to work with the Chinese companies established in Ireland to create jobs and build prosperity," he will say.

Mr Martin will strongly reject the framing by some of a West against the rest scenario and tell the gathering that Irelands starting point for analysing Chinas global ambitions and engagements is whether or not it upholds the multilateral system with the UN Charter at its heart. "This is true for our relationship with any State," Mr Martin will say.
Irish man Alan Joyce is stepping away from his role as chief executive officer of Australia's flagship carrier, Qantas Airways Ltd.

He will be replaced by the company's finance chief, Vanessa Hudson, who will become the first woman to lead the century-old airline.

Ms Hudson will in November take over from Mr Joyce, whose 15 years in the job has made him one of the longest-serving current CEO of a major Australian company, and a high-profile figure in the global aviation industry.

Mr Joyce, 56, served as Qantas CEO during turbulent times and is credited with navigating the airline through the 2008 financial crisis, the covid-19 pandemic, fluctuating fuel prices, and a bruising market share battle with Virgin Australia domestically and international rivals such as Emirates and Etihad Airways.

Mr Joyce was born in Dublin and studied at DIT and Trinity, beginning his career at Aer Lingus. He joined Qantas in 2000, having also worked at the now defunct Ansett Australia

Ms Hudson will be one of the few female executives leading a major company in Australia, although rival carrier Virgin Australia also has a woman as its CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka.

"I come with an understanding of this organisation that is very deep," Ms Hudson told reporters in her first news conference as CEO designate.

"I think that the experience that I've had, and also recently, in helping manage through COVID, places me in a great position to look forward in terms of all of the investments that are coming with new aircraft, but also continuing to invest in our customers," she said.

A Qantas Airbus A380 arrives at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California. (AP Photo/Matt Hartman, File)

Ms Hudson inherits an airline that is delivering record profits as travel rebounds. But she will also need to fix a reputational crisis facing the flying kangaroo, as passengers are frustrated with delays, cancellations, lost baggage and staffing issues.

Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder said Hudson's handling of the finance and treasury portfolio during the COVID crisis put her ahead of almost 40 candidates globally that the airline had short-listed for the job.

Qantas shares were down 2.4% on Tuesday against a broader market decline of 0.25%.

"Vanessa has been market-facing as CFO since October 2019, which will have prepared her well for the very public role as Qantas CEO," RBC Capital Markets analyst Owen Birrell said in a note.

Ms Hudson joined Qantas 28 years ago and has held several senior roles there, including CFO, chief customer officer and senior vice president for the Americas and New Zealand.

Though men still account for far more top executive roles in Australian-listed companies, a growing number of high-profile CEO roles are occupied by women, including at the No. 1 investment bank, Macquarie Group, top telco Telstra Corp, oil and gas giant Woodside and financial services firm AMP.

Ms Hudson said she was proud to lead the airline.

"On a personal note, I have two young daughters, 21 and 18, and I've always been a mother who's wanted to lead by example and to listening to their reflections last night was incredibly meaningful to me," she said.

Succession Plans

Ms Hudson said the airline has been working to rebuild trust among its customers. She will also work on building ties with the unions, who have had a poor and often bitter relationship with Joyce.

Mr Joyce hired bodyguards in 2011 after receiving death threats over his unprecedented grounding of the airlines entire fleet during an industrial dispute.

The announcement is a golden opportunity for a reset at Qantas, Transport Workers Union (TWU) National Secretary Michael Kaine said in a statement.

Qantas swung to a record first-half profit from a loss this year, as raging travel demand from a population shaking off years of pandemic restrictions jacked up fares and profits.

Mr Joyce, who is gay, has been a vocal supporter of campaigns for marriage equality, the recognition of Aboriginal people in the nations constitution and for womens progress in the corporate world.

"Theres not many female CEOs in the worldwide aviation industry, and it's a credit to this country that a gay man was appointed 15 years ago to be CEO of the company, and now we have the first female accredited to the board, Mr Joyce said at the news conference.

Mr Joyce said he and his husband would stay in Sydney, focus on community involvement and look forward to other opportunities that may come up.

Qantas said Ms Hudson would continue in her current role until taking over as Qantas' 13th CEO at the 2023 annual general meeting.

- Reuters
Exiled Belarussian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has fought for democracy since her husband was jailed for political dissent, called for Irish solidarity against tyranny in her country.

She was in Ireland to accept the Tipperary International Peace Award on Tuesday, which has previously been awarded to other world-changing thought-leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai.

Belarus has become an Orwellian nightmare where an oppressive dictatorship will prosecute the crime of thought, she said.

She has not been permitted to speak to her husband since he was jailed in 2020 and she fled Belarus for Lithuania with their two children.

Deep links with Ireland

Ms Tsikhanouskaya has deep links with Ireland, having spent time in Roscrea with the Chernobyl Childrens Project as a child. Ireland, she says, is her second home.

She was thrust onto the international stage when her husband, Sergei Tsikhanousky, was arrested and imprisoned after he announced his intention to contest the 2020 election against ruling dictator, Alexander Lukashenko.

To support my husband, I ran as a [presidential] candidate in his place. They thought a woman running was a joke so allowed me to register.

Ms Tsikhanouskaya is widely believed to have won the election.

But Lukashenko claimed otherwise.

Martin Quinn, Hon Secretary Tipperary Peace Convention presents Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya with a copy of his book, 'Tipperary People of Great Note' at the Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in protest at what they said was a stolen election.

Belarussians shouted in one voice enough. Enough of dictatorship, enough of oppression."

But the Lukashenko regime responded with violence. Some people were killed, many were injured and thousands were jailed.

Wearing the red and white wrist band, the colours of the Belarussian pro-democracy movement, which Ms Tsikhanouskaya wore on her visit, would land you in jail for five years, she said.

And Soviet-era jails there are harrowing. Torture, rape and humiliation are commonplace for political prisoners, who have no real recourse to justice or a fair trial, she said.

Fate of Ukraine and Belarus intertwined

The fate of Ukraine and Belarus are deeply intertwined, Ms Tsikhanouskaya said. Ukrainian freedom and a weaker Putin will galvanise the pro-democracy movement in Belarus.

Belarussian society is boiling, its ready to explode.

War in Ukraine has galvanised people who were politically neutral in Belarus to join the [pro-democracy] movement.

Were looking for powerful friends.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses the attendance at the Tipperary International Peace Award ceremony at St. Mary's Church, Tipperary Town

International cooperation is extremely important. It sends a message to elites that there is no future with Lukashenko, that Belarussian people want to be part of the European family.

And Ms Tsikhanouskaya understands the power of international solidarity at a very personal level.

Ms Tsikhanouskaya had all the excitement and happiness of a daughter coming home when she returned to Ireland, chatting, drinking endless cups of tea and eating as much potato salad as she could get her hands on with the Deane family.

The Deanes in Roscrea had hosted has in her youth when she visited Ireland with the Chernobyl Childrens Project to escape radiation following the nuclear disaster.

Since 2020 I have never felt happy. The pain lives with you every day. But when I met the Deanes yesterday, those wonderful warm people in this paradise, I felt happy. For a couple of hours I even forgot about the suffering, the tyranny.
The first of 700 modular homes for Ukrainian refugees will be handed over in Mahon in Cork in two weeks, an Oireachtas committee has been told.

Your home for a collection of news, views, sports and business reporting from - and specifically about - the Cork region.

The Housing Committee was told on Tuesday by the Office of Public Works that the delayed units will "continue to flow" through the summer.

Ciaran O'Connor of the OPW told the committee that the office had been asked initially to provide 500 units on state-owned lands, but that this had been revised upwards to 700.

Mr O'Connor said that the OPW had "learned a lot" and had "taken an industry that was in junior infants into secondary school".

The projects have been dogged by delays and opposition from some local communities with a number of protests held outside earmarked sites.

It is estimated that the rapid-build homes will cost between 165,000 per two-bedroom unit to develop and they would house Ukrainians for up to three years, at which point they will be offered to the local authority for social housing.

The units have a lifespan of up to 60 years.

Mr O'Connor said that the units were designed to be "plug and play" and were delivered fully fitted out.

He said that the OPW had set out a single standard because some manufacturers "were operating with no standards" and that the homes comply with both building regulations and housing standards.

He said that the homes could be taken intact and given to Ukraine as part of rebuilding efforts if the Government decided but that many of the homes can become interconnected and form larger homes.

Social housing standards

He said that the site layouts all meet social housing standards in terms of parking and materials.

The Mahon site at Ballinure had been owned by Cork City Council but had been used for "fly-tipping and all sorts of things".

He praised the community of Thurles where 62 homes are being built as "being very welcoming".

He said that the OPW has now "cracked" how to build the modular homes that are two- and three-storey and will soon go to tender on a site with two-storey homes.

These homes come in four parts, he said, and are brought by crane and put together on site.

The Cork project has been dogged by delays and opposition. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Mr O'Connor told Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe that the build price was similar to a standard home per square metre. He said that the delay in the delivery of the homes was that the sites were not serviced.

"We had the units, we didn't have the sites," Mr O'Connor said. He added that many sites were "tricky" to resolve.

The discussion of the committee was focused on the use of new building methods as part of the solution to the housing crisis.

In his opening statement, Mark Carlin of Coillte called for timber construction rules to be changed.

"Our building regulations currently have a 10-metre height limit in the use of timber, which is only three storeys.

"Mass timber buildings of up to 24 stories are being constructed elsewhere, so the regulations must be changed in Ireland.

"We are also of the view that embodied carbon needs to be measured and quantified for all new builds."
Prison officers must wear full riot gear to deal with psychotic prisoners who wait years for a bed in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH).

It is totally unacceptable for extremely mentally unwell people to be in prison when what they need is hospital care, said Irish Prison Service (IPS) director general Caron McCaffrey.

Prison officers are being assaulted by psychotic inmates and the intense resources they require mean personnel are diverted away from other prisoners.

Five prison staff were recently injured in one assault by a person with serious mental health issues and three of those staff remain out of work, Ms Caffrey said.

Currently, 17 men and one woman in prison are on the waiting list for the CMH. Four of those men have to be barrier handled.

Psychotic prisoners require barrier handling, where a prisoner is managed by five staff in full riot gear with shields due to the potential level of threat.

The reality is those people are gravely unwell," said Ms McCaffrey.

They're psychotic, they shouldn't be in a custodial setting, we cant provide them with the treatment they need to get better.

In my view, it's totally unacceptable to have four people who are psychotic being managed on barrier handling within a prison setting where what they really need is hospital care.

They've been deemed by the clinicians in the CMH as warranting admission. One of those men has been waiting two years for admission to the CMH and that has a hugely detrimental effect within the prisoner environment.

It contributes to assaults, but it also diverts staff away from providing services to other prisoners.

Prisons have seen a 63% increase in staff injuries as they try to control escalating violence.

Increase in assaults

Assaults on prison officers jumped by 46% between 2021 and 2022, according to IPS figures. Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults increased by 52% over the same period.

Ms McCaffrey said that 50% of the more than 4,000 prison population are either engaging with psychologists or waiting to see a psychologist.

Personality disorders are also a significant issue for the prison service. An estimated 60% of people in custody have a personality disorder, she said.

The IPS is considering establishing a special unit to treat people with personality disorders presenting with very challenging behaviours.

Irish Prison Service director general Caron McCaffrey.

Initiatives are being introduced to divert mentally ill people from the IPS, Ms McCaffrey said, coupled with an increase in psychological services for those who are committed to IPS care.

A pilot project in Limerick Prison embeds mental health staff in a Garda station so that they have the ability to properly assess and possibly divert people to mental health facilities.

That's certainly something that we'd love to see rolled out across the country.
Solicitor Ammi Burke is asking a High Court judge to recuse herself from hearing her challenge to the Workplace Relations Commissions (WRCs) rejection of her claim that she was unfairly dismissed by law firm Arthur Cox.

The application, made at the opening of her case against the WRC, asks Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger to recuse herself on grounds including that she has previously expressed views concerning the core issue in her proceedings and that she has a particularly close relationship with Arthur Coxs senior counsel in the tight-knit community of employment law specialists.

The application will continue in the afternoon when the judge is expected to rule on this matter. Ms Burke alleged Ms Justice Bolger and Arthur Coxs barrister Peter Ward were founding members of the Employment Law Bar Association and have appeared on panels together.

Ammi Burke's recusal request

Ms Burke, from Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, further claimed the judge wrote, in a 2015 article published in the Irish Employment Law Journal, that the right to a fair hearing requires unfair dismissal proceedings of this nature to be adversarial.

This, Ms Burke said, effectively decides the core issue in these proceedings, as she, to the contrary, contends the procedure mandated in the 1977 Unfair Dismissal Acts is inquisitorial in nature.

It was also extremely concerning, said Ms Burke, that Ms Justice Bolger did not retract a statement, made at an earlier stage of the proceedings, to the effect that this was not a public interest action.

Ms Burke produced a letter she received from Arthur Coxs solicitors in 2020 that included the judges name, then a senior counsel, as one of three potential barristers who could mediate her claim.

The judge asked: Ms Burke are you seriously suggesting that because I am proposed as a mediator that I should recuse myself? Senior counsel for the WRC, Catherine Donnelly, said Ms Burkes grounds do not meet the test required for moving a successful recusal request.

Mr Ward, for notice party Arthur Cox, agreed with the WRCs submissions in opposing the recusal application, which came on the first morning of the hearing of her case. He submitted that Ms Burke made offensive comments to the judge at an earlier stage of her case.

Ms Burke objected to his characterisation of her previous words, saying: "I will not have my name brought to the gutter."

Ammi Burke's unfair dismissal case

Her case asks the court to judicially review the WRCs rejection of her claim that she was unfairly dismissed by Arthur Cox LLP in November 2019.

Ms Burke alleged she had an exemplary and unblemished record during her time at the law firm, which she joined in May 2016. Her firing at a meeting with the managing partner came without warning, she claimed.

She had been left in the office until 2am working on a transaction while a partner was out socialising, she alleged. No partner approached her about a conversation during which she raised this matter, which formed part of the basis for her dismissal, she said.

The explanation for her dismissal  an alleged breakdown of trust and confidence  was unclear and contradictory, she alleged. Ms Burke claimed she suffered reputational damage and sought reinstatement.

Arthur Cox, represented by Mr Ward and barrister Mairead McKenna, instructed by Daniel Spring & Co, opposed her case at the WRC, submitted that certain exchanges she was involved in led to a breakdown of trust and confidence and to the decision to dismiss her. The law firm accepted reviews of her employment were positive, but her relationship with three partners broke down.

Ms Burkes behaviour during and after her employment, including picketing its offices, meant reinstating her was not possible, it said. She was paid three months' pay in lieu of notice and an ex-gratia payment of 70,000. She is seeking judicial review of adjudication officer Kevin Banehams April 2022 decision to reject her complaint.

Workplace Relations Commissions 2022 ruling

In a 46-page decision, Mr Baneham said there was scope for more evidence, but Ms Burke and her mother interrupted the hearing after he refused Ms Burkes request to summon an Arthur Cox partner and a human resources director to give evidence. He also declined to order the firm to discover certain emails she requested about the late-night working.

Following his decision on these two elements, at 11.45am on April 1, Ms Burke and her mother spent several hours making objections. He attempted to swear in the managing partner at 4pm to continue with the evidence, but, he said, the Burkes objections prevented this.

The Burkes were given multiple opportunities to allow the hearing to proceed and when they did not take those the only viable option was to dismiss the complaint, he said. Prior to April 1, 2022, Mr Baneham had rejected an application by Ms Burke to recuse himself from dealing with the case.

In her High Court judicial review, Ms Burke says it was unfair, unreasonable and contrary to law for him to refuse to summon the two Arthur Cox witnesses for cross-examination by her and to direct production of the emails, she contends. Further, she alleges his termination of the proceedings and dismissal of her complaint was unfair, unlawful and/or outside his powers.
The State has appealed a High Court ruling that quashed a District Court judge's refusal to hear the cases of three people accused of publishing information online identifying the teenage boys who murdered Ana Kriegel in 2018.

The three, who are accused of breaching publication restrictions under the Children Act 2001, won a High Court challenge in July of last year over how a District Court judge refused jurisdiction in the matters.

The three accused were among 10 people charged with similar breaches of the Children Act who were initially told by Judge Brian O'Shea in October 2020 that jurisdiction was accepted and that their matters could be heard at the District Court level.

However, when the matter returned to the District Court on December 2, 2020, Judge John Hughes deemed the offences as being too serious for the District Court and ruled that they should be sent to the higher Circuit Court, where penalties upon conviction can be more severe.

The three then brought a successful judicial review to the High Court challenging the decision, where Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan decided that the matter should be sent back to the lower court for "reconsideration".

The teenagers known as Boys A and B were both convicted of the murder of Ana Kriegel following a trial in 2019. The 14-year-old had been murdered at a disused farmhouse in Lucan, Co. Dublin, in May 2018 when the boys were both 13 years old. They could not be identified by order of the trial judge and under a provision of the Children Act that prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence.

Read More Three accused of publication breaches of Ana Kriegel case win challenge over district court handling of cases

Boy A was sentenced to life imprisonment with a review after 12 years, and to eight years for aggravated sexual assault. Boy B was sentenced to 15 years detention, to be reviewed after eight years, and has appealed his conviction.

Edel Doherty (48) of Rory OConnor House, Hardwicke Street, Dublin, was charged at Dublin District Court accused of posting photos of the convicted boys on Facebook. Kyle Rooney (26) of Rathfield Park, Raheny, Dublin, was charged with the posting of photos of the two boys on Twitter.

Declan Corcoran (30) of Williams Place Lower, Dublin, was accused of both naming the boys on Twitter and of posting images of them. The DPP had consented to their trial at District Court level.

Ms Justice Phelan quashed Judge Hughes' decision saying the manner in which the judge approached the issue of jurisdiction was unfair because he did not address the cases individually or give reasons for the change.

State's argument

At the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, Sunniva McDonagh SC for the State argued that the return of the matter to the District Court was made in error by the High Court and that "no breach of natural justice had been made" by Judge Hughes.

Ms McDonagh argued that Judge Hughes had correctly weighed all the cases before him when considering the outline of the evidence in each case before making one ruling on all matters instead of making 10 similar rulings in each.

Ms McDonagh said the High Court ruling was not that the reasons given by Judge Hughes were "inadequate" but that the judicial review found that justice had not been seen to be done to any observer of the court. The barrister said that the 10 accused people knew the reasons the judge said he could not hear a "non-minor" matter.

Mr Justice John Edwards said that Mr Corcoran was accused of "actually naming them [the boys]" which differentiated his case from the other two accused, as it potentially causes "much more serious harm". "Anyone from Afghanistan to Cork could know by name who they were," said Mr Justice Edwards.

Ms McDonagh said "no argument" had been made at District Court level as to how each case was different. "Even now, it's not clear how they differentiate themselves. The arguments being made now were not made then," she said.

"They were taken aback on Hughes' jurisdiction point," said Mr Justice Edwards. "Ms Justice Phelan did not find any breach of natural justice. We believe there was no breach by the District Court judge," said Ms McDonagh.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly pointed out that the Director of Public Prosecutions did not consider the cases to be "non-minor". Ms Justice Donnelly said that Judge Hughes did not give a reason as to why the cases were "non-minor" and that he does not mention each case separately in his ruling on jurisdiction.

"He [Judge Hughes] is entitled to revisit the matter. I don't think he has to give reasons as to why he disagreed with his colleague," said Ms McDonagh. "Would a 'reasonable observer' observe each fact? Justice has to be seen to be done," said Ms Justice Donnelly, who added that it was "not simply a test of what the appellants understood".

Kyle Rooney's argument

Conor Devally SC, for Mr Rooney, said cases had been brought in many counties around the country which were the "exact same" and that the DPP consented to summary dismissal at District Court level to "all" of those cases. "There were at least dozens of cases, possibly more," he said.

"This is an outlier, no matter how grave they appear they were," said Mr Devally. Mr Justice Edwards said Judge Hughes made his decision on jurisdiction on "a rolled-up basis". Mr Devally said a failure to give reasons on the jurisdiction ruling was a failure to administer justice in public.

Edel Doherty's argument

Kathleen Leader SC, for Ms Doherty, said the charge against her client was different to that of Mr Corcoran's in that she did not name Boy A and Boy B and reasons separately addressing her client's charge should have been given.

Ms Leader said no personal circumstances regarding her client had been considered by Judge Hughes. The barrister said Judge Hughes stated he was satisfied that the charges were not minor "but there's no reason at all". "He [Judge Hughes] simply comes out, refers to no particular case, then refers to them in the plural and doesn't say why," she said.

"Why depart? Why go into jurisdiction and why depart from the stance of his colleague who had dealt with that in October, two months earlier," said Ms Leader.

Declan Corcoran's argument

Feichin McDonagh SC, for Mr Corcoran, said that while there was a "degree of commonality involved", each case was different. Mr McDonagh said there were "clear distinctions and levels of alleged culpability" among the 10 cases. The barrister said it "couldn't be that the cases were all identical".

"We say the matter was properly dealt with by Judge O'Shea, who adjourned matters to December 2020 for a plea or a date for hearing. It was mentioned for the purpose of what was going to happen but it was time-management and was not going to happen on that day. There was no suggestion it was there for anything other than administrative function, it doesn't require Judge Hughes to consider it," said Mr McDonagh.

Mr McDonagh said that while judges were entitled to a precis of evidence, "that's for the judge who is about to hear the case". The barrister pointed out that "nobody pleaded" in front of Judge Hughes when their cases were there to solely fix dates. "The proof of the pudding was that some who were accused were not in court, nor were some solicitors," said Mr McDonagh.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, presiding, said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter.
There were 11 active nursing homes converted into accommodation for Ukrainian refugees before the practice was banned, it has emerged.

However, the Government has confirmed the ban will be reviewed.

The conversion of the homes was stopped because of the impact on affected residents and their families.

Minister for older people Mary Butler said the move to exclude active nursing homes from consideration for temporary accommodation was to avoid unintentionally incentivising such homes to leave the market.

However, she added this decision would be reviewed given the changing situation with regard to accommodation for persons under temporary protection.

Hiqa confirmed that since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, an additional six active nursing homes have deregistered, putting further strain on the sector that already has a scarcity of beds.

Nursing Home Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly said it was not viable for the now-closed nursing homes to continue operating.

The escalation in the cost environment regrettably proved a tipping point for many providers, with fees payable under Fair Deal not based on cost realities," he said.

However, advocacy group Care Champions Eimear Fitzgerald has worked with families impacted by nursing homes transforming into accommodation for Ukrainians and said the trend of converting shows the sectors business nature.

While we certainly appreciate that theres a problem in relation to accommodation for refugees and Ukrainians, that is not to be denied at all, but this is really people hopping on the bandwagon and by solving one problem, we are creating a major problem for elderly people, she said.

'Major effects' on residents

She said there had been major effects on residents who have had to leave their homes along with their family members who had put thought into their prior choice due to practicalities and locality.

Some had been in these places for quite a long time and the upheaval to actually move is bad enough and for the extended family as well but the problem of trying to find another suitable nursing home was a major issue for a lot of the families, she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said the scarcity of nursing home beds had been exacerbated by the sector being a hard-nosed profit-making business, saying the search for a bed is often traumatic.

Similar to the housing crisis, Ms Fitzgerald said families are nearly taking any bed that is available.

The system is in a very bad state, but this is certainly compounding the issue.
Did you watch Joe Biden at the White House Correspondents Association dinner the other night? Great, wasnt he? He poked fun at himself, especially at his age. And he poked fun at the media organisations that have attacked him mercilessly. I particularly like the line about all the Fox personalities turning up at the dinner because they can no longer afford to turn down a free meal.

But it was all done with a disarming grin. It was also a useful reminder, perhaps not for the first time, that Joe Biden quite likes to be underestimated.

But the core of that speech was a passionate defence of free speech. Especially a free press, which he accurately described as a pillar  perhaps the pillar  of a free society.

He didnt just mention a free press in passing  he defended journalists under persecution, he talked about the truth always mattering more than lies.

US president Joe Biden and Jill Biden arriving at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday when he delivered a passionate defence of journalism. Picture: Carolyn Kaster/AP

I watched the speech on Youtube after earlier watching Micheal Martin in the Dail, talking about a very small media outlet that has done a lot of substantial and substantiated work uncovering the kind of things politicians prefer to remain uncovered.

I admit it. I was confused. The attack the Tanaiste launched on The Ditch was (in my humble opinion) completely over the top, and actually quite out of character.

I know Micheal Martin well enough to know that one of the things hed die on the ditch for (if youll pardon the expression) is a free and independently minded media.

Sure, hell kick back against criticism, which hes entitled to do. But its not his way to seek to deflect criticism of a junior minister by launching a full-blooded attack on the entity that found some stuff in the ministers closet.

The first rule about being in political life needs to be clear  and this is by no means the first time Ive written this. If theres something that youre thinking of doing, but you really wouldnt ever want it to appear in the media, then dont do it.

The public interest

Everything The Ditch has uncovered, and substantiated through painstaking research, falls into that category of things people would rather not see reported.

But the public interest has been served every time those stories have been published. (Which is not  by a long stretch  the same as saying that anyone who falls foul of The Ditch should immediately resign.)

So the attack was unwarranted.

Its pretty clear that theres no love lost between the Tanaiste and The Ditch, and thats true of both sides of the argument.

Eoghan McNeill, the editor of 'The Ditch' website, which has served the public interest with the information it has uncovered. File picture: The Ditch

On Sunday, the editor of The Ditch told RTEs This Week that he had been critical in the past of people who defended Micheal Martin on the grounds of his basic human decency.

Thats an astonishingly childish position to take up.

All the best journalists Ive ever known are capable of being as tough as nails on the politicians under their microscopes, while acknowledging good and bad human qualities.

It may be that Micheal Martin thought a tribal shout-out might be helpful to his beleaguered troops.

That certainly didnt work  it just gave a damaging story more legs.

Or it may be that hes just fed up to his back teeth with Paddy Cosgrave, the CEO of Web Summit, which will invest 1m in The Ditch in the next five years or so, according to the websites editor.

Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave. 'The Ditch', which Web Summit helps fund, serves the public interest with information it uncovers. But Mr Cosgrave himself dismisses many whose views diverge from his with terms such as 'hypocrite'. File picture: Horacio Villalobos/Corbis/Getty

I wouldnt blame the Tanaiste for that. Mr Cosgrave describes himself as always hopeful for a new and better Ireland. His pinned tweet on Twitter says: Theres an entire generation now demanding a more decent & progressive society & economy. Its inspiring to watch. Change is coming.

Right. But, in the meantime, anyone who disagrees with Mr Cosgrave is a hypocrite and a toady. Everyone in politics, more or less, is a shill. In the last day or so this passionate defender of free speech has said that the integrity and professionalism of an honest and tough journalist should be questioned. Because, horror of horrors, the same journalist has written that Micheal Martin is committed to his country.

Another highly respected academic was dismissed in the last day or so as a hypocrite. Her crime, it seems, was to say on the one hand that the use of the term shite hawks to describe people in the media was inappropriate, and on the other, to retweet some material mildly critical of The Ditch.

You can spend hour after useless hour reading Mr Cosgrave on Twitter. You might come to the conclusion, as he has himself, that he is one of Irelands greatest heroes of the modern world. Or you might decide he is a royal pain in the you-know-what, with a massive chip on his shoulder. Ill leave that up to you (Ive pretty much decided).

For the record, I dont think the two journalists who run The Ditch have the remotest interest in developing a toxic atmosphere around public discourse and politics in Ireland. I do think Mr Cosgrave does like spreading toxicity around, but hes a bit sort of specialised  clearly not to everyones taste.

But behind all of this  and bear in mind most of it exists on social media  the really frightening thing is how much it (social media that is) feeds an increasingly poisonous and vicious discourse.

An example of online toxicity

Let me give you a tiny example.

Last week I wrote here about the experiences Irish women have, throughout their lives, of sexual violence. The article was based on a careful and scientific study by the Central Statistics Office.

The study didnt show trends in sexual violence, apart from suggesting that things hadnt got any better in a quarter of a century. My article didnt show trends either because that data simply isnt there.

The Irish Examiner posted my article on its Twitter page.

Fergus Finlay: We have an epidemic of sexual violence on our hands https://t.co/j0NDTu7ZW9  Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) April 25, 2023

It was immediately inundated by racist bilge of the worst kind, by dozens of hashtag warriors with identifiers like Ireland is full and No to open borders. One after another they claimed that what the study showed was an increase in sexual violence against Irish women by foreign men.

Utterly, completely, untrue. Utterly, completely, poisonous. And probably  saddest of all  they all believe each other.

Paddy Cosgrave is delighted to quote other peoples descriptions of his company Web Summit as the Olympics of tech and all that stuff. Heres a thought.

Addressing online toxicity

I wonder would he ever be interested in The Ditch, which his company funds, taking a really hard look at how corrupted public discourse has become on the various platforms that make the Web Summit possible, how poisonous and dangerous that entire world is becoming, how it has enabled lie after lie to predominate.

What is it he says again?

Theres an entire generation now demanding a more decent & progressive society & economy. Its inspiring to watch.

If he were to use his power and resources, as well as attacking whatever corruption he sees at home, to really expose the corruption and toxicity all around us in his world, the world from which he makes (I hope) a handsome living, I reckon that would be truly inspiring to watch.
Judging by the growing number of companies vowing to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions to zero these days, it may seem like the corporate world is finally taking the climate crisis seriously.

Check out our Sustainability and Climate Change Hub where you will find the latest news, features, opinions and analysis on this topic from across the various Irish Examiner topic desks and their team of specialist writers and columnists.

According to the Net Zero Tracker, more than one-third of the worlds largest publicly traded companies have announced such targets, up from one-fifth in late 2020.

While some of these corporate pledges appear to be genuine, others are clearly a fig leaf to obscure pollution as usual.

One can easily imagine an oil executive telling an airline boss: A net-zero target, some ads featuring trees, and everyone will love us.

If that was the plan, it is rapidly falling apart, owing to a slew of regulatory decisions and court actions that signal a crackdown on corporate greenwashing.

And last years report by the United Nations High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments, which provided detailed recommendations for maintaining the integrity of such pledges, heralds limits on companies ability to make promises they have no intention of keeping.

Extravagant claims

New regulations in France and the United Kingdom, for example, aim to prevent advertisers from making extravagant claims about the carbon neutrality of their products.

Research commissioned by the UKs Advertising Standards Authority found when people hear such a claim, they assume an absolute reduction in emissions has occurred.

So, the ASAs updated guidelines instruct companies to avoid claiming carbon neutrality if the emissions associated with the advertised product were merely offset.

The French climate law, passed in 2021 and amended last year, goes further.

To claim carbon neutrality, the product must be neutral across its entire life cycle.

Companies must disclose how emissions were avoided, reduced, and offset (the order is important).

They must also show how these offsets qualify as measurable, verifiable, permanent, and additional.

Companies that get it wrong could face a 100,000 fine for misleading consumers.

Underlying this trend is the obvious mismatch between what some companies say and what they do.

After all, one does not need to be a sleuth to figure out that when a company can claim that a barrel of oil, a cargo of liquefied natural gas, or some tar sands bitumen is carbon-neutral, something has gone wrong.

Spate of lawsuits

A spate of recent lawsuits promises to draw a line in the (tar) sand.

Over the past year, companies such as food giant Danone Waters, cement maker Holcim, oil companies TotalEnergies, BP, and Shell, cosmetics manufacturer Beiersdorf (Nivea), and KLM have been sued in various countries for making misleading sustainability claims.

The Australia Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, has filed a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, claiming the governments own certification scheme, Climate Active, is misleading under national consumer law, because it assures people that products are carbon-neutral when they are not.

In countries where national net-zero plans rely on offsets and wishful thinking, citizens must use all the legal tools at their disposal to force their governments to do the hard work that a credible decarbonisation path demands. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Companies net-zero pledges look just as flimsy under scrutiny.

For example, a recent report by the Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor examined the net-zero plans of 24 major corporations purporting to be climate leaders and found numerous flaws, loopholes, and omissions.

On average, according to the report, these companies will cut just 36% of their emissions by their net-zero target year.

Moreover, their plans imply a median reduction of 15% by the end of the decade, rather than halving emissions, as the current science says is necessary.

Similarly, an earlier report by CDP found fewer than one in 200 companies that submitted climate data to its environmental-disclosure platform have devised credible transition plans.

Potential game-changer

The UN groups recommendations, commissioned and endorsed by secretary-general Antonio Guterres, are a potential game-changer.

As they become mainstreamed, companies will no longer be able to claim they have a credible net-zero plan unless they have set a decarbonisation pathway compatible with the 2015 Paris climate agreements targets.

Such plans must include measures to reduce emissions along the entire value chain, phase out fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, abstain from lobbying for high-carbon industries, disclose emissions annually, have reductions data independently verified, and so on.

An ad campaign, a cheery speech, and some tree-planting will no longer do.

Companies without detailed transition plans in place can expect regulatory as well as legal action, as more and more countries require corporations to disclose climate-related risks.

The European Union, India, New Zealand, and Switzerland are expected to join the UK and China by introducing such measures this year, followed by Canada and South Korea in 2025.

The International Organization for Standardisation has also recently published its own set of net-zero guidelines, providing regulators with clear rules and criteria for credible climate strategies.

But if the world is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, regulators must insist on independent verification of corporate claims, interim targets, and binding commitments to phase out fossil fuels.

In countries where national net-zero plans rely on offsets and wishful thinking, citizens must use all the legal tools at their disposal to force their governments to do the hard work that a credible decarbonisation path demands.

While there is still much work to be done, a carbon-neutral future is within reach. Net-zero targets now cover 91% of global GDP, compared with 16% just four years ago.

But to have any hope of meeting the Paris agreements targets, the first step is to ensure that governments and companies are setting realistic goals that they can back up with credible data.

We can see the right path ahead, but the right decisions are still needed to ensure it is taken.
Vanity Fair reports, weeks after the incident, that former president Trump got so angry with a reporter's questions that he grabbed his devices, threw them, and had him removed from his presence.

But then a line of questioning from NBC News reporter Vaughn Hillyard, who suggested that Trump had in recent days seemed "frustrated" by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's investigation, began irritating the former president. "Don't ask me any more questions," Trump said. About 10 minutes later, as Hillyard continued to ask about the investigation, Trump snapped, grabbing the reporter's two phones and chucking them to the side, according to a source familiar with the matter. "Get him out of here," Trump told his aides, according to a recording obtained by Vanity Fair.

It tells you a lot about our times that Trump can assault a reporter asking him questions, in front of other reporters, and rather than it being reported it becomes insider gossip that one of Trump's own people eventually leaks to someone who wasn't there. One can only hope it spoiled a book deal.
I had the privilege of being born in a military hospital, in the 1930s, at the Curragh Camp. My father served and I followed suit for about 32 years up to 1992.

If we want to be a neutral country, then we must study the consequences and obligations to support neutrality and the levels of deterrence required.

Neutrality must not be an attitude to a few countries, or a preventative against possible occupation or reducing the possibility of significant military strikes on our infrastructure.

The current European war waged by Russia shows that boundaries will not stop an aggressor intent on expansion of influence. The only response for a neutral country is to defend its territory and seas with modern capable forces and sufficient supports to sustain an army in the field or those at sea and in the sky.

We are presently in a much weakened state having lost historic capability, including medical support structures and nursing.

The backbone of a modern island defence is absent and needs to be fortified at an ALL arms level, in land, sea, and air services. We might then consider it is safe to be neutral.

John JordanCloyneCo Cork

Boost the economy with marine activity

Ronan Smyth reports that Michael McGrath is taking steps to address the risks associated with corporate tax windfalls  McGrath: Action needed on corporate tax risk ( Irish Examiner, April 27). ISME has called for an agency similar to the IDA to help small enterprises instead of large multinationals (not a bad idea, considering SMEs employ a huge percentage of the workforce).

Another good idea would be to stop giving away the massive resources of the sea which surrounds us; a properly developed maritime industry would employ thousands and contribute billions to the domestic economy.

I cycle along Kennedy Quay on the way home from work and saw three German and one Dutch trawler tied up there last week.

Once I saw a Dutch-registered trawler unloading onto a Dutch-registered articulated truck. What did the domestic economy gain from that? The truck and trawler probably filled up their huge tanks with diesel in Holland. Maybe the lorry driver bought a coffee and a sandwich somewhere on the way to Rosslare to help out the economy here.

Michael OFlynnFriars WalkCork

Ball-throwing has no place in hurling

The ball-throwing which is making a mockery of hurling has just got to be stopped. I'm so fed up with it, that I find watching hurling games now more like a chore than anything else.

I am wondering when Croke Park will tell referees to properly police this massive problem, or have they decided that there are only a few cribbers out there, and if they ignore them the problem will disappear. That will not happen.

The answer to the problem is to introduce a new rule whereby if a player receives a handpass, he cannot give one at that time.

This new rule would have a few advantages:

1) The number of handpasses would be reduced so referees could police the problem much easier;

2) Ball passing with the hurley would become far more developed, and so become a very impressive and often used skill;

3) Hurling would become far more interesting from the spectators' point of view.

This rule could be introduced immediately, just like the changes that were made to the 20m free-taking a few years ago, which has worked well.

Liam BurkeDunmoreCo Kilkenny

Its a cruel, cruel, and violent world

For a long time we have constructed a myth that respect, harmony, and fairness is the norm and violence is the exception, while the reality is the opposite  violence is the norm and respect and fairness the exception.

This is a difficult fact for most of us to live with or face up to.

The list is long. Its something like this: Hierarchy, patriarchy, dominance, and poverty; sexism, racism, classism, homophobia, and poverty; war, torture, genocide, ecocide, ignorance, and poverty; child cruelty, animal cruelty, hare coursing, assumed privilege, discrimination, and poverty.

These are just a few of the violences we live with and perpetuate. We are a species with the gift of consciousness and most of the time we go sleepwalking through life. Who or what will change this violence?

Mary ShanahanTraleeKerry

Rate of abortion must be reduced

In 2018, many voters were persuaded to repeal the Eighth Amendment on the grounds that the eventual abortion law would be modelled on the draft legislation proposed by the Government before the referendum.

Now, less than five years later, we are facing calls to change this legislation, removing some of the most basic safeguards which were part of the Yes campaigns promises.

This is a truly heartwrenching place to be in as a country. A renewed examination of Irelands abortion policy may well be needed, but the proposals on the table for sweeping changes such as removing the three-day waiting period for reflection, attacking a doctors freedom of conscience, and increasing abortion gestational limits are deeply alarming.

Women who face unplanned pregnancies should be given options to continue with their pregnancy  including information on supports and adoption services.

In the current system, abortion is being promoted as a first solution to unplanned pregnancy. This needs to change and the Government must seriously begin to offer meaningful supports for these women.

If a renewed abortion debate is on the cards, let us firstly focus on the need to reduce the abortion rate.

Siobhan Nic CathailRath Ara ContaeRos Comain

Windy weather is part of our folklore

The Scairibhin (pronounced 'the Scaraveen') is an old Irish weather phenomenon, which apparently unknown to most of us, explains the cold, windy weather we have been experiencing for the last few weeks. It is a more commonly used term in rural, rather than urban areas, possibly because of its effect on livestock, crops, etc.

It translates directly to garbh shion na gcuach  the rough month of the cuckoo. As described by a weather expert on a local radio station recently: The Scaraveen is the time between April 15 to May 15, each year in Ireland, when weather patterns on the west coast of Ireland become unpredictable and severe at times.

It is said that the old people were afraid of this tumultuous period, as it was believed to bring a lot of illness with it.

Its interesting to know that this severe weather period can, in fact, be traditional. It is even recorded in Irish folklore.

We cant blame climate change for everything.

Eileen LuceyCrookstownCo Cork

Political system paralysis up North

I am a great believer in the saying if you want to understand anything, start from the beginning.

So, where did the rule that if any one party in Northern Ireland  be it the DUP, Sinn Fein, or the Alliance Party  declares it will not attend the Assembly then the Assembly cannot meet? This, in effect, gives any party the power to paralyse the political system.

Is there such a rule in mainland UK? Would such an idea be tolerated in Westminster?

Do you know of any democracy on Earth where this applies?

Surely what the northern secretary should do is get rid of it.

Brendan CasserlyBishopstownCork City

New interpretation of border control

Unfortunately Northern Ireland differs from the rest of the United Kingdom in that it shares a land border with another country  the Republic of Ireland.

As goods can slip easily over this 310-mile border, its logical that goods coming from the UK mainland should be checked before entering as they could easily end up in the Republic.

Goods travelling the other way from NI to Great Britain cant readily pass over into France and other foreign countries. Goods leaving mainland UK either by ship or plane destined for foreign countries are checked, monitored, and observed.

Therefore, if NI is treated differently from the rest of the UK in regards the importation of goods, it shouldnt weaken NIs integration with the rest of the UK; and a softening resolve on the part of the British government towards NIs position within the UK shouldnt be inferred from the situation.

Also the situation shouldnt be used to delay the functioning of the NI Assembly, as is presently happening.

Louis ShawcrossHillsborughCo Down
The man often touted as the godfather of AI has quit Google, citing concerns over the flood of fake information, videos and photos online and the possibility for AI to upend the job market.

Dr Geoffrey Hinton, who with two of his students at the University of Toronto built a neural net in 2012, quit Google this week, the New York Times reported.

Hinton, 75, said he quit to speak freely about the dangers of AI, and in part regrets his contribution to the field. He was brought on by Google a decade ago to help develop the companys AI technology.

Hintons research led the way for current systems like ChatGPT.

He told the New York Times that until last year he believed Google had been a proper steward of the technology, but that changed once Microsoft started incorporating a chatbot into its Bing search engine, and the company began becoming concerned about the risk to its search business.

Dr Geoffrey Hinton

Some of the dangers of AI chatbots were quite scary, he told the BBC , warning they could become more intelligent than humans and could be exploited by bad actors.

Ive come to the conclusion that the kind of intelligence were developing is very different from the intelligence we have. 7

"So its as if you had 10,000 people and whenever one person learned something, everybody automatically knew it. And thats how these chatbots can know so much more than any one person.

Hintons concern in the short term is something that has already become a reality  people will not be able to discern what is true any more with AI-generated photos, videos and text flooding the internet.

The recent upgrades to image generators such as Midjourney mean people can now produce photo-realistic images  one such image of Pope Frances in a Balenciaga puffer coat went viral in March.

Hinton is also concerned that AI will eventually replace jobs like paralegals, personal assistants and other drudge work, and potentially more in the future.

Googles chief scientist, Jeff Dean said in a statement that Google appreciated Hintons contributions to the company over the past decade.

Ive deeply enjoyed our many conversations over the years. Ill miss him, and I wish him well. As one of the first companies to publish AI Principles, we remain committed to a responsible approach to AI. Were continually learning to understand emerging risks while also innovating boldly.

Google Bard seen on Google blog post with Google logo on mobile. Picture: Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto

It came as IBM CEO Arvind Krishna told Bloomberg that up to 30% of the companys back-office roles could be replaced by AI and automation within five years.

Krishna said hiring in areas such as human resources will be slowed or suspended, and could result in around 7,800 roles being replaced. IBM has a total global workforce of 260,000.

Last month, the Guardian was able to bypass a voice authentication system used by Services Australia using an online AI voice synthesiser, throwing into question the viability of voice biometrics for authentication.

Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at the University of New South Wales AI Institute, said people should be questioning any online media they see now.

When it comes to any digital data you see  audio or video  you have to entertain the idea that someone has spoofed it.

- The Guardian
Russias defence chief has urged a state company to double its missile output, as a possible Ukrainian counter-offensive looms and with both sides in the 14-month war reportedly feeling an ammunition crunch.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking at a meeting with top military brass, said the state-owned Tactical Missiles Corporation had been fulfilling its contracts in a timely manner.

But, Mr Shoigu added, right now it is necessary to double the production of high-precision weapons in the shortest possible time.

Analysts have been trying to work out whether Russia is running low on high-precision ammunition, as its missile barrages against Ukraine have become less frequent and smaller in scale.

The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.



The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  02 May 2023.



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/W28xpQdX8C



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/k0qitUcIIO  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 2, 2023

The UKs Ministry of Defence noted in an assessment on Tuesday that logistics problems remain at the heart of Russias struggling campaign in Ukraine.

Russia does not have enough munitions to achieve success on the offensive, it said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday described Washingtons latest estimate of Russias losses in Ukraine as spun out of thin air.

The White House said on Monday it now estimated that just since December Russia had suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US estimate was based on newly declassified American intelligence.

He did not explain how the intelligence community derived the number.

Washington doesnt have the opportunity to give any correct numbers. They dont have such data, Mr Peskov said.

Later in the day, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces launched 30 air strikes, three missile strikes and eight attacks from multiple rocket launchers on Tuesday, resulting in casualties among the civilian population and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The General Staff of Ukraines armed forces said Russia was continuing to concentrate its efforts on offensive operations in Ukraines industrial east, focusing attacks around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka in the countrys Donetsk province.

The material in the donation package is important to pave the way for Ukrainian tanks and the armoured infantry in the front line

The prosecutors office in Ukraines southern Kherson province reported that Russian shelling in the regional capital, also called Kherson, and several villages killed three people and wounded five.

Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, say they are readying their own counter-offensive  and stockpiling ammunition to sustain it along potentially long supply lines.

Ukrainian defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Monday that the key things for the assaults success were the availability of weapons, prepared, trained people, our defenders and defenders who know their plan at their level, as well as providing this offensive with all the necessary things  shells, ammunition, fuel, protection, etc.

As of today, we are entering the home stretch, when we can say: Yes, everything is ready, Mr Reznikov said in televised comments.

Also on Tuesday, Denmark said it was donating 1.7 billion kroner (201 million) in aid to Ukraine, including mine clearance vehicles, munition, field bridges and money for air defence that will be needed for a counter-offensive against Russian forces that are dug in behind multilayered defensive lines, including hundreds of miles of trenches.

We know that the Russians have entrenched themselves in the occupied territories of Ukraine with trenches, minefields and other obstacles to stop a Ukrainian offensive, acting Danish defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

The material in the donation package is important to pave the way for Ukrainian tanks and the armoured infantry in the front line.

In recent months, amid winter weather, the conflict has become bogged down in a war of attrition that has depleted ammunition stocks.

A Ukrainian soldier fires an RPG during his training at the frontline positions near Vuhledar, Donetsk (AP)

The Kremlins forces took aim at Ukraines critical infrastructure with long-range strikes, while Kyiv has zeroed in on Russian targets with precision artillery provided by its western allies.

In February, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg warned that Ukraine was using up ammunition far faster than its allies could provide it.

According to some estimates, Ukraine was at that time firing up to 6,000-7,000 artillery shells each day, around a third of the daily amount that Russia is using almost one year into the war.

Sporadic night-time Russian shelling continued to hit Ukrainian areas early on Tuesday, officials said.

At least seven civilians were wounded, authorities said.
Museums in Austria and Greece are discussing the potential return to Athens of two ancient Greek sculptures, a move which could have a knock-on effect for the worlds thorniest cultural heritage dispute: the fate of the British Museums Parthenon Sculptures.

The talks announced by Austrias foreign minister on Tuesday concern two small pieces of the 2,500-year-old marble works from the Acropolis.

The sculptures are now held in Viennas Kunsthistorisches Museum.

If a deal for their return is struck, it would be Greeces third in a few months with the handful of European museums that own small parts of the Parthenon Sculptures.

This will add to a series of highly symbolic gestures that may create a positive momentum

That could increase pressure on the British Museum to return its own much larger collection, amid the global debate on cultural restitution.

Austrian foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg discussed the issue with his visiting Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, in Vienna, the Foreign Ministry said.

Mr Schallenberg said that technical talks are currently under way between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Acropolis Museum in Athens about the possibility of a loan, according to Austrian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Antonia Praun.

Sounding optimistic, Mr Dendias voiced deep satisfaction at the development, but did not provide any details on the terms being discussed.

The two museums did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This will add to a series of highly symbolic gestures that may create a positive momentum for the return of the sculptures from the British Museum, Mr Dendias said after meeting with Mr Schallenberg.

In January, the Vatican Museums  in a donation from Pope Francis  returned their three small parts of the sculptures, shortly after a museum in Palermo, Sicily, sent back its one piece.

The Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum in London (Matthew Fearn/PA)

So, (Viennas) will be the third one, Mr Dendias said.

And this, for us, is of huge importance.

In February, the chair of the British Museum said the UK and Greece were working on a deal that would see his institutions Parthenon Marbles displayed in both London and Athens.

Nothing has been announced since.

The two relief sculptures in Vienna measure 26 by 29 centimetres (10 by 11 inches) and 36 by 35 centimetres.

The one depicts two bearded men, and the other two young riders and the head of a horse.

They were part of the 160-metre-long (520ft) frieze that ran around the outer walls of the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom.

447-432 BC The years between which the Parthenon Sculptures were carved

Carved between 447-432 BC, the frieze and other sculptures remained largely intact until the temple  used by the Turkish garrison as a gunpowder store  was blown up during a siege in 1687.

About half the surviving works were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, while Athens was still under Ottoman Turkish rule.

Since 1816 they have been a key part of the British Museums collections.

Greece claims they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation.

British officials have rebuffed repeated demands for their return to Athens.

Most of the other works are in the Acropolis Museum, with scattered fragments in Paris, Copenhagen, Munich and Wuerzburg in Germany, and Vienna.
Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners have joined growing crowds at Sudans main seaport, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation.

After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table.

US soldiers escort American nationals to a US Navy ship in Port Sudan (Smowal Abdalla/AP)

The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said on Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a week-long ceasefire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks.

The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Gen Burhan and Gen Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt.

Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the countrys Red Sea coast.

The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday.

American nationals are searched by US soldiers before boarding a ship in Port Sudan (Smowal Abdalla/AP)

He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area.

Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat.

Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air.

Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later on Tuesday, Mr Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

We could have ended up dead bodies

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late on Monday.

They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt.

Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Mr Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting.

He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies, he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighbouring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to UN agencies.

Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

The war never stopped

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration, said at a news briefing on Tuesday in Geneva.

At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad country director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighbouring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early on Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed through many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said.

Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky ceasefire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate.

Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 injured since the fighting began, according to figures provided on Monday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties.

As of a week ago, the Sudanese Health Ministry had counted at least 530 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with another 4,500 wounded, but those figures have not been updated since.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there have been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster.

Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according to the UN envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes.

The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting ceasefire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudans former prime minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and western diplomats in Kenyas capital Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately, he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in October 2021 when Gen Burhan and Gen Dagalo, then allies, removed Mr Hamdoks western-backed transitional government in a coup.
The principal at a primary school in West Virginia was given a shock when a bear leapt out of the bin he was unlocking.

James Marsh, 58, head of Zela Elementary School, ran for his life when a sizeable bear emerged from the bin he was standing by at around 7.15am on Monday.

Mr Marsh can be seen in the video unlocking the bin before a bear pokes its head out from under the lid, with the principal running one way while the bear leaps out and scarpers in the opposite direction.

James Marsh was given a fright when a bear leapt out of the bin he was opening (Nicholas County Schools/PA)

It was not how I planned to start my week at all! Mr Marsh told the PA news agency.

Apparently he came in over the weekend and unknown to me had climbed in there.

I was unlocking the bar so we could put trash in the dumpster for the day and I just never dreamed that there would be anything inside it, especially with it locked.

So, as you can tell, it was a complete surprise. It was amazing that I never heard anything, there was no noise inside, I had several staff members that had come to work that morning and walked right beside the dumpster on the way into the building.

All of a sudden it let out a big growl and came out of there, and it scared me!

Mr Marsh confirmed the bear had bent the metal bar enough to squeeze in and out several times (Nicholas County Schools/PA)

Mr Marsh said a bear had visited in the night around a week before, prompting the school to install a lock bar on the bin to protect it.

The bear was undeterred though. Having checked surveillance video after his ursine encounter, Mr Marsh confirmed it had bent the metal bar enough to squeeze in and out several times over the weekend.

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources has since modified the lid to make it more secure.

I showed (the video) to my students at lunchtime, we put it on the big television and they watched it and they just laughed and laughed and laughed, said Mr Marsh.

I love wildlife, I love animals, but I would rather they not be that close.
Interview Myanmar Junta Weakening as Fighting Intensifies, New Battlefronts Emerge: Mandalay Resistance

Members of Mandalay People's Defense Force conduct weapons training.

Armed conflict has intensified in Myanmar over the past two years since the coup as a nationwide uprising forces Myanmars military regime to fight on multiple new fronts.

In April, the Mandalay Peoples Defense Force (MDY-PDF) attacked junta troops in Nawnghkio on the border of Shan State. The regime suffered heavy casualties in the clashes and had to call in air support. Among the junta troops killed was a battalion commander of the rank of lieutenant colonel.

MDY-PDF spokesman Ko Osmond recently talked to The Irrawaddy about the fighting in Nawnghkio, which is among many new battlefronts facing the regime.

What is the latest update on the fighting in Nawnghkio?

Clashes broke out on April 5 after we attacked their hilltop outpost in Thanbo village, and they continued until April 24. The fighting was quite fierce.

Junta forces began launching air raids on April 8. They bombed four to seven times a day, dropping three to four bombs in each bombing raid. They also fired 60mm, 80mm, 120mm and 155mm artillery shells. The fighting was more like conventional warfare as it took place over a large area. We attacked their hilltop base and they attacked our outpost. We defended by digging foxholes and trenches.

We also attacked Infantry Battalions (IB) 114 and 155 in Nawnghkio with 107mm homemade rockets. We retrieved the dead body of the IB 147 commander, who was a lieutenant colonel. We lost 11 comrades in the fighting, with others also injured. There have been no fresh clashes since April 23, but the fighting is far from over.

The latest fighting was the fiercest since MDY-PDF attacked junta troops in 2022. What motivated your attack?

We called the latest assault Operation Thabyay Nyo. We plan to escalate our attacks this year, in line with the National Unity Government (NUG)s 2023 plan. We carried out our first attack of 2023 on February 10. That fighting was fierce too, and the regime had to deploy air attacks. We seized a cache of weapons in that attack, and the regime suffered heavy casualties. It was the first part of Operation Thabyay Nyo.

The second attack took place on April 5.

Whats your relationship with the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and other ethnic armed organizations based in your area? Has the TNLA joined your group in the fighting?

There are other revolutionary groups in the area where we are operating  not just ethnic revolutionary organizations but also other PDF groups. We have friendly ties with many groups including Mogoke PDF and Nawnghkio PDF, and we also cooperate with them and help each other. We also have close ties with the TNLA, but I have no comment about the details of our relationship with the TNLA.

How many civilians have been displaced by the fighting?

Residents of many villages in the warzone had to flee fighting, mainly because artillery shells fired by regime forces hit their villages and houses were damaged. In Thanpoe village, two children were killed and three civilians injured by regime shelling. Artillery shells have also hit Hoke village. So villagers dare not stay in their villages.

How was the MDY-PDF formed? Is it under the command of the NUGs Ministry of Defence?

We were established in June 2021. In the early days, we focused on building our capacity and barely carried out any attacks. We started fighting in 2022. The current clashes have been the longest and fiercest that we have fought so far.

We are under the direct command of the NUGs Defence Ministry. We are in a military hierarchy. Though we are called Mandalay PDF, not all of our members are Mandalay natives. Many of them are from Sagaing and Magwe regions while others are from Yangon, Ayeyarwady and other parts of the country. They are from different walks of life and are also diverse in terms of their religion and age.

The core value of MDY-PDF is order and obedience. We took time to make sure that our organization is founded on a framework and strict policies, and not via a personality cult. We consulted with experts and reviewed the matter extensively. So, we took time to build up our organization systematically. We can say we have instilled strong discipline.

What are your thoughts on the regime being forced to fight on new fronts?

We can now effectively handle the juntas ground troops. And the regime has been forced to use excessive air and artillery support to conceal this fact. The fighting will only intensify in the months to come. The regime will very likely have to fight on various fronts across the country, including in areas where there is still no fighting. We, MDY-PDF, plan to carry out more clashes in 2023. The regime has been increasingly weakened. Data [from dead bodies and weapons] we seized during clashes show the regime has been forced to redeploy soldiers from four to six battalions to get 300 to 400 troops to send to the front.
Asia Leading Thai Opposition Candidate Gives Birth Two Weeks From Polling Day

Pheu Thai Party candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives for the first day of the constituency candidate registration ahead of Thailand's general election, in Bangkok on April 3, 2023. / AFP

BANGKOKAn opposition frontrunner in Thailands upcoming general election has given birth two weeks before polling day, her party confirmed on Monday.

The kingdom is entering the final stretch before the May 14 election with reformist groups, including Pheu Thai and Move Forward, surging ahead of establishment parties.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of billionaire former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, is one of Pheu Thais prime ministerial candidates and has been polling strongly.

A near-constant presence on the campaign trail, for the past week she has rallied virtually, appearing by video link at an event on Saturday in Thailands eastern Si Sa Ket province.

She gave birth this [Monday] morning, Rinthipond Varinvatchararoj, Pheu Thai acting spokeswoman, told AFP.

It is unclear how long Paetongtarn will rest, she said, but Rinthipond was confident that she would be present at Pheu Thais final rally in Bangkok on May 12.

On her official Instagram page, Paetongtarn said the baby boy would be named Prutthasin Sooksawas and nicknamed Thasin.

The news was also shared by her father, who said on Twitter that he would return to the kingdom to care for his seventh grandchild.

Ousted in a 2006 coup, Thaksin lives in Dubai to avoid corruption charges he says are politically motivated.

All of my seven grandchildren were born while I lived abroad. I will go back to raise my grandchildren, he wrote, without specifying when he might return.

It is not the first time Thaksin has promised to return to Thailand.
Burma Chin Groups Hail Successful Attack on Myanmar Junta Troops

Arms and ammunition the CDF and CNA seized from junta troops after the clashes on May 1. / CDF

At least 23 junta troops were killed in Hakha Township in two days in fighting with the Chin National Army (CNA) and Chin Defense Force (CDF), according to the armed groups.

Light Infantry Division 77 troops into the township on May 1 and were attacked by the Chin State revolutionary groups.

The troops came from Gangaw and we organized the attack well. At least 23 troops were killed and many injured. We seized many arms, including a mortar and RPG, said a CDF spokesman.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

In response, junta aircraft attacked Vantlang village on the Gangaw-Hakha road in Hakha Township on Tuesday and three houses were destroyed.

Jets circled before bombing Vantlang, a small village with just about 40 houses. We fled to a forest, said a villager.

The CDF confirmed the airstrike but did not know about the casualty numbers.

Another clash broke out near Chong Kyone village in Hakha on Sunday. At least three junta troops and Lance Corporal Salai Bah Aye from the CNA were killed.

His funeral was held on Sunday night near the village.

The CDF and CNA raided Chong Kyone village on Sunday where junta troops had been based for a few weeks. The troops retreated and the Chin forces seized arms, ammunition and an armored vehicle.

We burned the vehicle and left the village but on Monday we heard junta troops returned and torched 15 buildings, including a church, said the CDF representative.
Burma Myanmar Junta Stops Food Crossing Key Bridge to Resistance Strongholds

The Chindwin River Bridge connecting western parts of Sagaing and Magwe regions. / RNA

Myanmar regime troops on the Chindwin River are blocking food deliveries to western parts of Sagaing and Magwe regions, sparking fears of widespread hunger.

Townships to the west of the Chindwin: Yinmabin, Pale, Salingyi, Kani, Mingin, Mawlaik and Kalay since last week have not been able to receive deliveries of rice, salt, cooking oil, fish paste and charcoal because of the Shwe Taung U checkpoint on the Chindwin bridge in Monywa Township.

The bridge on the Monywa-Yinmabin-Pale-Gangaw road also serves Myaing, Pakokku and Pauk townships in Magwe Region.

Sagaing and Magwe regions are resistance strongholds.

Residents said the troops want to starve out revolutionary forces.

A former National League for Democracy MP for Sagaing Region said more than a million people could face hunger.

Those townships have endured many difficulties since the beginning of the revolution. As the military banned carrying food deliveries, residents have no choice at all, the former MP told The Irrawaddy.

Troops at the bridge even seized bags of cooking charcoal, according to Ko Khant of North Yamar Peoples Defense Force.

The people will face starvation soon, Ko Khant said.

Nearly 100 soldiers and police officers at the checkpoint thoroughly check anyone crossing the bridge.

The bridge connects to the Sagaing regional capital, Monywa, to the east.

A Yinmabin resident said ferry crossings are currently difficult because water levels are low during the hot season.

Last year solar and other electrical products and fertilizer were banned from crossing the Chindwin.
Utahans who want to peruse the catalog at PornHub and enjoy themselves will now need a VPN. PornHub has blocked Utah in response to a law insisting they verify the ages of their users, and residents have already begun to scream at their politicians.

Rather than PornHubs normal set of inspired content, Utahans find a video by actress Cherie DeVille explaining how Utah's politicians are ruining their resident's good times and limiting their choices.

Salt Lake Tribune:

State Sen. Todd Weiler picked up the phone Monday morning and received an angry, profanity-laced tirade from a Utah man upset that he could no longer access Pornhub, thanks to a bill the senator sponsored. Weiler's legislation, which takes effect Wednesday, requires porn websites to verify the age of visitors to ensure minors don't get access to adult content and allows parents to sue the companies for damages if they don't comply. That prompted Pornhub, the busiest porn website in the United States, to begin blocking access to all Utah users as of Monday. "As you may know, your elected officials in Utah are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website," a statement from Pornhub  and an accompanying SFW (suitable-for-work) video featuring adult performer Cherie DeVille  says.

Via Crooks and Liars
Burma Myanmar Resistance Fighter Beheaded in Sagaing

Ta Ein Te village in Sagaing Township on Monday after a junta raid.

Myanmar junta troops beheaded a resistance fighter when they raided at least six villages in Sagaing Township on Sunday and Monday.

His body was found with the abdomen cut open in Ta Ein Te village after a regime raid on Monday, according to a resistance member.

His intestines were falling out. The head was about 3km away, he said.

Troops clashed with resistance forces when they raided Ywar Ma village on Sunday, killing another resistance member.

Regime troops detained at least 100 residents who were sheltering at the Ywar Ma village monastery, according to a source.

Some were tortured and three are receiving medical treatment, he said.

At least 15 Ta Ein Te village homes were burned by junta troops on Monday.

Later troops raided Myaing Lel, Maung Htaung, Let Pan Thar and Htein Kone villages.

The force of around 150 troops included Pyu Saw Htee militia members. It left Sagaing Township for neighboring Myinmu on Tuesday, according to residents.

Regime troops have been raiding the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region, killing numerous resistance members and civilians.

They are trying to spread fear but it doesnt work on us. We will fight them until the end of the revolution, a resistance fighter said.

A resistance member from Than Bo village in Khin-U Township in the region was beheaded on March 13.

A force of around 100 soldiers from Division 99 committed a series of raids in Ayadaw, Myinmu and Sagaing townships in Sagaing Region.

They killed and beheaded 20 resistance members and massacred 16 civilian detainees, including three women who were raped before being killed, from February 23 to March 5.
Myanmars Crisis & the World China Calls for Dialogue to Restart Political Transition in Myanmar

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer meet in Beijing on May 1, 2023. / Xinhua

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Monday told the UNs special envoy on Myanmar that the international community should support all parties in Myanmar and restart the political transition process through political dialogue in order to bring peace to the country, which has been ravaged by post-coup conflict since 2021.

During his meeting with Noeleen Heyzer on Monday, the foreign minister said China, more than any other country, hopes Myanmar can achieve stable development as it is a close neighbor, but added that the background of the Myanmar issue is complex and there is no quick fix to its problems. The country is engulfed by violence as armed resistance to the military regime has spread nationwide since the coup.

The meeting came ahead of Qins visit to Myanmar, where he is expected to meet regime leader Min Aung Hlaing. If Qin meets the junta chief, observers say, the visit would be another indicator of warming relations between the Myanmar junta and its northern neighbor. Since the military takeover, no Chinese foreign minister has met the regime chief, despite Beijings refusal to condemn the coup. Qins predecessor Wang Yi visited the country last year to co-chair the 7th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers meeting but didnt met Min Aung Hlaing. Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times at the time wrote that Wangs visit does not hint at China recognizing the current administration.

However, following the US Congress passage of the Burma Act authorizing funds and technical assistance to anti-junta forces in Myanmar, including ethnic armed organizations, Beijing has stepped up its engagement, especially since late last year.

Heyzer visited Myanmar and met with Min Aung Hlaing last year but no progress was made on breaking the countrys political deadlock.

During his meeting with Heyzer on Monday, Qin said China is willing to provide support and help to her mediation efforts for Myanmar.

We need to act prudently and pragmatically to prevent escalating tensions and spillover of the crisis, the foreign minister said, according to Chinese state-owned media outlet CGTN.

Heyzer said dialogue cant change the past, but can make a difference for the future.

China has backed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)s mediation efforts for Myanmar and said the international community should promote the implementation of ASEANs peace plan, which calls for an immediate end to the violence, dialogue among parties and other steps.

The plan, known as the Five Point Consensus, was adopted in 2021 but the junta has failed to honor it.
Commentary China Increases Its Engagement With Myanmars Reviled Regime

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Chinese foreign minister Qin Gangs first visit to Naypyitaw signals that Beijing intends to step up its engagement with the Myanmar regime. This high-level visit will be watched closely.

Ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in the north, opposition forces inside and outside the country and the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) will be anxious to see the results of this increased engagement, which will certainly not be a one-way street. We will see.

In Beijing, before coming to Myanmar Qin Gang met with Noeleen Heyzer, special envoy of the UN secretary-general on Myanmar.

Qin said the Myanmar issue is complex and has no quick fix. He called on the international community to respect Myanmars sovereignty and support all parties in the country, within constitutional and legal frameworks, to bridge differences and resume the political transition process through political dialogue.

Qin also said that the international community should respect the mediation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and promote the implementation of its Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar. The irony is that China has unwaveringly defended past and present regimes, including the current State Administration Council (SAC), at the UN Security Council (UNSC) as if Myanmar was one of its provinces.

He also paid a rare visit to the China-Myanmar border before coming to Myanmar. During the border visit, Qin called on local communist party, police and government departments to join in strengthening the border defense system.

He called for improvements in maintaining distinct and stable borders, and a severe crackdown on cross-border criminal activities.

It is necessary to coordinate border management, border trade development, and bilateral relations, he was quoted as saying in a ministry news release.

In any case, it is important to note that Beijing has its own game plan for Myanmar.

Last week, Myanmar Ambassador U Tin Maung Swe presented his credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinpinga sign of Beijings recognition of the brutal and appalling regime in Myanmar.

Prior to that the regimes Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it welcomed Xis Global Security initiative (GSI), saying it is a visionary initiative, and its commitments conform to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference that Myanmar consistently adheres to in conducting its foreign policy.

In December, Deng Xijun, Chinas special envoy, visited Myanmar and met with junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Deng also held several meetings with ethnic armies from northern Myanmar based along the Chinese border. It was one of two recent trips he has made to the country.

Expanding Northern Alliance ties

But the Chinese have not overlooked their friends in the north.

On the northern border Deng held separate meetings with representatives of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), the Arakan Army (AA), the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

These EAOs are under the sway of China, and three of themthe KIA, TNLA and MNDAAbased in northeast Myanmars Shan State are actively fighting the regime. The Wa continue to sell arms and ammunition to resistance forces under the NUG including the People Defense Force groups (PDFs) active in central Myanmar and in the north.

Since December, several Chinese officials from Yunnan Province have visited the headquarters of the ethnic armed groups and held broad discussions on a ceasefire, the political landscape in Myanmar, border trade, and expanding their friendship. Through the Northern Alliance network senior Chinese officials from Yunnan Province also recently made overtures to NUG representatives.

During meetings with Northern Alliance forces Chinese officials have spoken frankly, expressing their growing concerns about the instability in Myanmar. The Chinese think Min Aung Hlaing is on a road to nowhere and have stepped up their engagement with the Alliance to expand their influence.

Analysts noted that the recent flurry of high-profile visits by China took place soon after the US Congress passage of the Burma Act.

The Act authorizes funds and technical assistance for anti-junta forces in Myanmar, including EAOs. The US has pledged to continue to support opposition forces inside and outside of Myanmar.

In Southeast Asia, Myanmar is contested territory in the US-China rivalry. China is concerned with growing Western-oriented democratic opposition in and out of the country, as well as Myanmars Spring Revolution.

In any case, Beijing has consolidated its influence in the northern region, particularly in Shan and Kachin states.

China sees junta not in full control

The Chinese realize the conflict in Myanmar will be long and protracted and doubt Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaings ability to control the country after seeing the extension of the emergency period and his forces loss of control over territory. Under the current circumstances, there is a danger that the fire could spread to Myanmars neighbors, including China.

In mid-April, Peng Xiubin, the director of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, traveled to Naypyitaw and held two unpublicized meetings with former junta leader Than Shwe and Thein Sein, the president of Myanmars quasi-civilian government from 2011 to 2016. Thein Seins political reforms were praised at home and abroad.

Than Shwe is an architect of the 2008 military-drafted constitution and Thein Sein was instrumental in implementing the gradual, military-guided opening of the political transition that began in 2011. Unlike Min Aung Hlaing, who has openly expressed anti-China feeling, former junta supremo Than Shwe cultivated deep and long-lasting ties with China.

This shows that China has access to the inner circle of leaders of the past and present regimes. But why would Chinese officials want to meet Than Shwe and Thein Sein? Perhaps Beijing thinks Than Shwe can still influence Min Aung Hlaing to change course.

But would Than Shwe place himself at risk by telling Min Aung Hlaing to change his ways or step down? It is doubtful.

Yunnan to expand business ties

In early April, Wang Ning, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC)s Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, visited Myanmar. He also met with Min Aung Hlaing, but his request to meet detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was denied. Chinese officials also said they were not happy with the disbandment of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which China continues to engage.

During his visit, China signed a power purchase agreement for hydropower plants, as well as agreements on rice, agricultural produce and fertilizer trade, with the junta-appointed ministers for electricity, agriculture, livestock and irrigation, energy, and commerce. Agreements on infrastructure projects were also reached. It is expected that more and more business from Yunnan Province will come to Myanmar.

China has huge economic and geopolitical interests in Myanmar and has invested heavily in natural resources such as oil, gas, timber, and minerals in the country. Community leaders are concerned that China always exploits Myanmars natural resources without any concern for the fate of the local population.

Myanmar is a key part of Beijings Belt and Road initiative (BRI), hosting several major infrastructure projects including the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).

The CMEC includes a deep-sea port at Kyaukphyu, an industrial park, and a high-speed rail link between Kunming in China and Mandalay in Myanmar. Many of these projects have stalled since the coup.

Chinese government officials, the regime and the business community in Myanmar want to implement cross-border development schemes, restart major infrastructure and connectivity projects and address electricity shortages in Myanmar.

It is believed that in the near future China and Myanmar will sign agreements on several projects including economic zones, agricultural and commercial industrial parks, and an upgrade of the Mandalay-Muse Road.

This shows China is confident that resistance forces and ethnic insurgents will not harm Chinese interests in the country. But can China fully trust all ethnic armed forces in the north? Perhaps not.

But cozying up to the regime will come with a price tag.

Soon after the coup in 2021, massive anti-China protests erupted as anti-China sentiment swelled in Myanmar, with many believing Beijing had a hand in the takeover. Along with calls for a boycott of Chinese products, there were calls to blow up the pipelines if China refused to condemn the regime. Chinese factories in Yangon were attacked.

Youth across the country have also launched campaigns to boycott Chinese products and called on Myanmar employees of large Chinese projects to participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement to show their opposition to the military regime.

In response to the increasing anger directed at Beijing, Chinas ambassador to Myanmar, Chen Hai, told local media that the situation in the country is absolutely not what China wants to see.

Chinas increased engagement with the vicious regime in Myanmar will receive condemnation and will not go down well with the majority of Myanmar people, who loathe the regime and oppose the coup. However, under Beijings more balanced approach to the Myanmar crisis it will try to cultivate more friends and engage with all parties. Can China really balance its engagement? China still wants to bet and will side with whoever wins the conflict. However, Qins note of caution that the Myanmar issue is complex and has no quick fix, delivered prior to landing in Myanmar, is significant.

So what can we expect from China?

Beijing will expand its influence and leverage over the trajectory of the Myanmar conflict. On one hand, it will continue to consolidate its ties with the Northern Alliance, meaning we can expect more economic engagement and expanding autonomy in Kachin and Shan states; on the other, China will increase its engagement with the reviled and isolated regime in Naypyitaw, lending it undeserved legitimacy. For China, its own interests come first and at the end of the day it will side with the winnerwhoever it is.

For now, though, Beijing is happy to engage with all parties in Myanmar.
Thursday, Mar 19th, 2020 (12:02 am) - Score 26,134

The UK Governments new legally-binding Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband  supplied by ISPs BT and KCOM  will tomorrow go live. The aim is to ensure that anybody living in a digitally disadvantaged area can request a minimum download speed of at least 10Mbps (1Mbps upload), but there are caveats.

Universal Service Obligations (USO) are designed to set a minimum expected performance level and thus the old obligation (here), which has been in place since 2003, only enables you to request a basic telephone service, which must also be capable of delivering data rates that are sufficient to permit functional internet access. In practice this could technically be satisfied by a dialup (narrowband) connection but all that is changing.

At present fixed line superfast broadband (24Mbps+) ISP networks are estimated to cover more than 96% of premises across the United Kingdom and by the end of 2020 this could rise to around 97-98%. The focus of this new USO is thus primarily on helping to cater for those in the final 1-2% (around 155,000 premises currently fall into this category, if you include 4G services, or 610,000 premises if you only look at fixed broadband).

Crucially the new USO is NOT an automatic upgrade, which means it will give people the legal right to request a 10Mbps+ connection from a supporting ISP but such premises will not be eligible for a USO connection if they are included in a publicly funded broadband rollout plan within the next 12 months.

On top of that anybody who requests such a service might be left to wait awhile before its actually delivered. Ofcom states the maximum time that consumers should have to wait to receive a connection is one year from the request date (the regulator expects ISPs to be quicker than this, provided it doesnt result in disproportionate costs being incurred  details below).

NOTE: The USO is set at 10Mbps+ but many of those who benefit from it should get even faster speeds.

10Mbps USO Specification * A minimum download sync speed of at least 10Mbps (Megabits per second). * A minimum upload sync speed of at least 1Mbps. * A medium response time with end-to-end latency of no more than 200ms for speech applications (this rules out Satellite). * A maximum sharing between customers (contention ratio) of 50:1. * A minimum data allowance of 100GB. * A technology neutral design (can be delivered via a mix of fibre based and / or wireless solutions). * BT/KCOM will have 30 days to make an assessment about whether or not a consumer is eligible for the USO after request. * BT must deliver every USO connection as quickly as possible and deliver at least 80% of connections within 12 months, 95% within 18 months, and 99% within 24 months of the confirmed USO order (intended to help manage the expected rush of early requests). KCOM must deliver a USO connection as quickly as possible and no later than 12 months after someone places their order, unless there are exceptional circumstances that make it more difficult. * The USO must adopt uniform pricing (i.e. cost the same no matter where you live), with a maximum cap of 45 inc. VAT a month. People who only have access to a service priced over 45 per month will also have the right to request a USO connection. * The UK Government stipulated in its legislation (Digital Economy Act 2017) that the definition of the USO speed should be reviewed when at least 75% of premises in the UK subscribe to a broadband service that provides a download speed of at least 30Mbps (were around 50-60% today).

The USO is to be funded by the industry (e.g. ISPs)  via a Universal Service Fund (USF), have a cost threshold of 3,400 (i.e. you may have to help pay for it if the cost per property goes above this or forget the USO try something else) and support a form of demand aggregation (i.e. multiple properties can be used to bring the cost down by considering predicted take-up).

NOTE: The 3,400 cost threshold is the same level as existed under the old USO.

On that last point, Ofcom states that where network infrastructure can be shared, build costs should also be shared between premises to determine whether the cost of provision to an individual premises would fall below 3,400. Using the regulators own example, if a cabinet served 100 premises and the cost of deploying FTTC was 100K, then Ofcoms forecast take-up of 70% would mean that the cost of upgrading that cabinet could be just 1,429 for each premise (note: other technologies, such as FTTP and 4G, can also be used).

The regulators analysis of this 3,400 threshold suggested that it could enable coverage for up to 99.8% per cent of UK premises. Previous estimates from Ofcom and the BSG have noted that the 10Mbps USO could cost anything from around 200m and all the way up to 1bn (here), depending upon its design and technology choice. We suspect it may be even less than 200m given the somewhat watered down approach now being taken.

Ofcom appears to have largely accepted an argument from BT (EE), which said that the majority of the USO could be delivered via a 4G based wireless broadband (mobile broadband) connection. Likewise KCOM should have no trouble catering for the USO within their East Yorkshire and Hull network because this is now almost entirely reached by FTTP.

The above leaves around 155,000 premises and BT has suggested that 110,000 of those may be too expensive to reach via the USO (likely to need more public subsidy/vouchers or something like Openreachs co-funded Community Fibre Partnerships), which suggests that fixed line FTTC/P fibre broadband technologies may only end up catering for a very small portion overall.

Closing Thoughts on the USO

At this point some may ask why only BT and KCOM  the two designated Universal Service Providers (USP)  are delivering the USO. The reality here is that other ISPs have largely rejected any notion of taking on such a significant legal and financial burden (here). Others will of course also complain that 10Mbps is a fairly weak minimum, although the costs would rise significantly for a faster obligation (consumers end up paying).

A faster USO might also risk creating market distortions or enabling BT to rebuild a monopoly position, which could disrupt investment and alternative networks. Lest we forget that the faster the USO, the harder it is to deliver and thus the longer the likely wait before roll-out. Those arguing for a full fibre USO would similarly do well to consider how many years and how many billions it might take before related requests could even be delivered (the industry would never agree to fund that by itself).

A careful balance is needed to weigh against these risks and hence the 10Mbps was chosen, although many would agree that 10Mbps is quite weak and we look forward to the day when Ofcom reviews this speed. Similarly the decision to allow highly variable 4G services to cater for most of the USO has perhaps watered it down a little too far.

The big question now is whether, come tomorrow, we start seeing a rush of early requests that swamp existing resources. On the other hand theres an expected issue of awareness and whether or not consumers will understand the what, where and how of making a USO request in the first place.

So far those who have contacted BTs sales staff about the USO have not been given any guidance on how to request it (most staff didnt even know it existed), so we hope a clear process will be introduced tomorrow. Ofcom informed us that BT will also be writing to potentially eligible households to make them aware of the USO and offer advice on next steps, which is expected to be complemented by advice on their website (the regulator will also upload advice).

UPDATE 20th March 2020 (9am)



BTs website now appears to have a page live for the USO  https://www.bt.com/broadband/USO. Just a warning though, dont expect BTs customer support lines to be much help, many of their agents still seem to lack awareness of it and in some cases are giving people the run-around to different departments that are equally hopeless. We expected better, theyve had plenty of time to prepare.

Likewise some people who should be eligible, due to receiving sub-10Mbps speeds, are being told theyre not (if you already get close to 10Mbps then this may be an issue of estimation vs different real-world experience). Clearly theres some work left to do.

UPDATE 20th March 2020 (10:12am)

A Spokesperson for Ofcom just told ISPreview.co.uk: The scheme is now open and people can apply. However, due to the ongoing situation with the outbreak of coronavirus, Im sure you can understand that providers resources are under significant demand at the moment. We are therefore advising people to visit the dedicated USO information on BT/KCOMs websites in the first instance, where possible, rather than calling the providers call centres.

UPDATE 21st March 2020

We spent what little spare time we had on Friday trying to check through a number of complaints about the USO checker on BTs website and confirm some of the issues, which alongside Thinkbroadband weve now been able to do. Most of the issues so far have tended to centre around three key problems (see below).

The first thing well say is that BTs plans for the USO appear to have been dented, particularly on the support (staffing) front, by the COVID-19 situation. Nevertheless BT are aware of some of these issues, but right now the advice is to be patient as we are not in normal times (the fix may take longer).

On the other hand some criticism is justified since the USO has been coming for a long time (plenty of window for development), while COVID-19 is only very recent, so we dont fully accept their excuse on this front. Nevertheless we have had some feedback from BT, although were not certain if its directly quotable and thus Ive paraphrased it in to a shorter response below (while also giving our own opinion).

Key Issues with BTs USO (Website) Checker 1. Some people are being told to get a 4G (mobile broadband) solution when in reality the mobile signal or local mobile capacity  from all operators (especially EE)  in their area makes actually attaining a 4G signal in the first place impossible or extremely difficult. Even if they can, receiving 10Mbps+ may be a forlorn hope. BTs Position: The operator said they use a 4G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution for the USO, which they said may not result in the same service as that received via a 4G mobile handset / mobile phone signal (i.e. a proper FWA approach is where they install an external antenna on your home, which may indeed result in a better outcome  EE have been doing this for awhile). BT says that the best approach may be to follow through with the process, get the mobile router and see how it goes. The operator adds that, in the event that it does not deliver, then customers can return the product if they arent happy with it or, better yet, ask for an external antennae, which may further improve the service. We dont know what happens if neither helps. In our view the big problem here is that none of this is made very clear via BTs checker. Consumers need to know what theyd actually be getting and what the processes are. This should be an easy fix with a bit of extra text and some pictures of the hardware. Equally the very inclusion of highly variable 4G technology was always bound to cause issue like this. 2. Some people, who in the real-world can only receive sync speeds a few Megabits below 10Mbps (via best technology available to them), are being told that they cant benefit from the USO, which magically estimates their line as able to deliver better than 10Mbps. Sadly no option to request a manual review is given to these individuals. BTs Position: The operator acknowledges that some issues like this were always going to occur due to the highly variable nature of older copper line broadband solutions, which can also be impacted by poor home wiring and various other factors that arent always easy to pin down. Edge cases  those lines closer to the USO level  are most likely to run into problems here. For Edge cases BT suggests consumers go through a technical check process with their existing ISP first to ensure that the line isnt faulty (we suspect quite a few ISPs will shun this at the first hurdle, unless a real fault is clearly identified; this could also risk additional costs from engineer visits if no issue can be found). If problems still persist and the synch speed is still a marginal issue in terms of 10Mbs, then we are happy to discuss this further with the customer, said BT. In our view there is again a lack of clear information on the checker to help people through cases like this. Likewise some of the complaints weve seen on this one have been more than mere edge cases (a few people have reported speeds well below 10Mbps in the real-world and still get denied the option of a USO). Upload speed also seems to have been entirely overlooked in this, even though 1Mbps is mandated. A better process is needed to support such cases, although it will be difficult, but they should have access to enough data to determine whether a line is at least within a fair range of eligibility, even if it may not at first appear be quite hitting the mark. 3. The checker failing to recognise that alternative network (altnet) operators exist and thus unnecessarily recommending USO solutions (e.g. 4G mobile), when a better network is available. BTs Position: The operator claimed they dont generally have access to altnet coverage data, particularly at individual premise level, and thus this is not referenced. Only if a customer cant get 10Mbs with BT will they be referred to the broadband USO Helpdesk. Once there, a few specialist agents for the USO have access to a specific Ofcom database which has the information about altnets. In our view (ISPr), and that of TBB, this is not made clear enough in the messaging on BTs USO site (theres no mention of altnets at all) and indeed this is the website that most people will end up using. We arent saying that BT needs to promote other ISPs but they do at least need to be confirming in clear text (not small or hidden print) that they arent able to check the availability of alternative networks. Ideally Ofcom and BT should be coming up with a generally better solution where altnets are concerned (we feared this might be an issue back when the USO was first being designed).

At present it does feel a bit like the USO is being treated as an afterthought, but we are pleased to see that BT have recognised some of the early problems. The operator asks for patience as they attempt to resolve the issues, so if anybody is affected by these problems then it might be worth coming back in a few weeks or months to try again.
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 (11:08 am) - Score 1,728

Mobile network analysts at Streetwave have published the results of a new survey, which examined the mobile signal quality on the London (England) to Edinburgh (Scotland) train route. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the route was found to suffer from various not-spots, while EEs network performed the best for mobile broadband.

The research found some users went without a useable internet connection for over 2 hours of their 4-hour 40-minute journey. Internet connectivity dropped regularly for every network, with coverage gaps up to 31 miles long limiting passengers ability to browse online whilst on the train.

NOTE: The railway line was surveyed on the 17th of March 2023 and mobile networks were judged to have internet browsing not-spots if they were unable to load a web page within 3 seconds (this seems to ignore voice connectivity).

Overall, the data showed that EE was the network that provided the least interruptions for passengers when browsing the internet during the survey. EE was also found to offer the fastest average speeds along the line, with download speeds up to twice as fast as the other mobile networks.

However, such results probably wont come as much of a surprise to commuters, particularly given the length of the route. Like it or not, youre bound to come across some patches of poor connectivity, although this does help to highlight the areas most in need of improvement.

Mobile Network Time Spent in Internet Browsing Not-Spots (Minutes) Average Download Speed (Mbps) Average Upload Speed (Mbps) EE (BT) 94 10.3 4.8 O2 (Virgin Media) 140 5.5 3.1 Three UK 130 5.8 1.4 Vodafone 148 5.1 2.7

Angus Hay, CEO of Streetwave, said: One of the key advantages rail should have over other transportation means is that it should enable passengers to stay connected for work while on the move. We hope that the findings from Streetwaves independent survey can be used by stakeholders to identify the locations where mobile coverage can be improved for passengers travelling between London and Edinburgh.
Vice Media is preparing to file for bankruptcy, reports The New York Times. Once valued at $5.7bn, its potential buyers now wait and wheel above.

The media firm has received interest from five companies and might consider a sale to avoid bankruptcy, the NYT report said, adding that in the event of a bankruptcy, which could happen in the coming weeks, Vice's debtholder Fortress Investment Group could end up controlling the company.

Its potential bankruptcy comes as several other media and technology firms have had to downsize in recent months due to a challenging economy and a weak advertising market.

Earlier this month, BuzzFeed Inc (BZFD.O) said it would shutter its news division, which gained renown for its irreverent and probing coverage, but ultimately succumbed to the challenges of its digital-first business model.
Imagine Schools at Imperial Valley, pictured here, ceased operations after eight years, effective with its boards decision to withdraw an appeal with the state Board of Education of the denial of its charter renewal in El Centro, September 2018.
Today

Wind increasing. Lots of sunshine. High around 75F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Windy this evening. Low 54F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph.

Tomorrow

A mainly sunny sky. High 79F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
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.
FILE - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands following a joint news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, March 16, 2023. Prime Minister Kishida said he is arranging a May 7-8 trip to South Korea for talks with President Yoon in return to his March visit to Tokyo and give a boost to their impetus of deepening ties before the upcoming Group of Seven summit he hosts.
Candace Chapman Scott, 36, pleaded not guilty to selling more than 20 boxes of human skulls, skin, hearts, arms, lungs, kidneys, penises, and a complete head to the owner of a private Facebook group called "Oddities." Apparently Scott worked for a commercial cremation company.

According to the indictment, Scott messaged the owner: "I follow your page and work and LOVE it. Just out of curiosity, would you know anyone in the market for a fully in tact [sic], embalmed brain?"

He ultimately paid her more than $10,000 for an array of organs. From NPR:
Workers United set off a chain reaction of unionization across the country when it organized its first corporate Starbucks store on Elmwood Avenue in 2021.

That seems to have made it a target of an interest group critical of unions, which launched a campaign against it here Monday.

NLRB to begin case Monday against Starbucks on second bundle of charges Starbucks Corp. will head back to court Monday to answer a complaint by the National Labor R

Center for Union Facts has accused Workers United of being a "progressive poser," and has erected billboards to call attention to a report it published about a bank majority owned by the union, which it accused of having disproportionately rejected loans to Black and low-income borrowers.

Workers United declined to comment.

"Welcome to Buffalo: Home of the Countrys Most Hypocritical Union," reads a billboard on the I-190, near exit 4.

Starbucks fires Buffalo-area union leader two days after former CEO is grilled in Congress Starbucks late on Friday fired Lexi Rizzo, a longtime shift supervisor at the company's Genesee Street store in Cheektowaga, who had led the labor campaign at that location that won one of the first unionization votes at a Starbucks store.

The group has also employed a mobile billboard that reads, in changing text, "Got Hypocrisy? Got Nepotism? Got broken promises? You've got it all with Workers United." The back panel of the mobile billboard points viewers to its website.

"Workers United is one of today's most visible labor unions, backing high-profile organizing drives by appealing to young workers' progressive values," the website reads. "But the union could be better described as a Progressive Poser than the social justice warrior it makes itself out to be."

In the past, CUF has launched campaigns critical of teacher unions, public employee unions and the Service Employees International Union, of which Workers United is an affiliate. Its other ads have compared unions to roach traps, and compared union leaders to dictators such as Fidel Castro and Kim Jong Il.

Based in Washington, D.C., CUF regularly commissions studies about workers and unionization, and supports anti-union legislation. Most recently, it is advocating for the Employee Rights Act, which would change the way union votes happen and prohibit unions from using union dues for anything except collective bargaining.

CUF is not required to disclose its funding sources, and its founder Richard Berman has declined to share them. But SEC filings show one of its largest donations  more than $2 million  came from the Bradley Foundation, an organization that is a top funder of climate change denial.

Buffalo in spotlight as Starbucks' labor practices scrutinized The Buffalo connection to the labor fight came up frequently, from the first elections taking place here, to a National Labor Relations Board ruling against the company, to the lack of a first labor contract at a Starbucks store.

The CUF's campaign centers on the New York-based Amalgamated Bank, of which Workers United is the major shareholder. It was founded in 1923 by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America and became publicly traded in 2018.

A report produced by CUF showed the bank denied 12.2% of mortgage applications filed by black borrowers from 2014 to 2021, compared to 5.3% of those filed by white borrowers, using federal data. That disparity in approval rates is lower than the industry average, which denied 18% of black borrowers and 9% of the overall population in 2020, according to a report from LendingTree.com.
More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder during their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chances are, some of these individuals will be inheriting wealth at some point.

If a family members mental health issues may interfere with their ability to manage finances, answering these questions could help them create long-term financial stability.

HAVE I SET UP A TRUST?

Setting up a trust is one way to transfer wealth to a loved one and create financial stability for them. A trust enables you to leave specific instructions for trustees about how to care for your loved one and distribute assets.

Trusts can be especially helpful for transferring assets to loved ones who have a mental illness but are still able to function independently. While these loved ones are often independent, they may still have difficulty managing assets on their own, says Lillie Nkenchor, an attorney who does estate planning in New York. One example includes someone with depression.

You can put assets in a trust, Nkenchor says. It can simply be a trust that says, This money is to be used to take care of my sister who is high functioning, but is not great with money.

Likewise, you can request money be allocated to health care expenses and anything else that helps them live a healthy and functional life. Having a trust in place can also help beneficiaries avoid probate, a court process for handling estates that could be stressful for someone who has a mental illness.

DOES MY LOVED ONE RECEIVE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE?

Another important question to ask is whether the person receives government assistance or may need to in the future. While a basic trust may suffice for a loved one who has a mental illness but mostly functions independently, it could negatively impact one who doesnt and receives government assistance.

We want to make sure that if we are caring for someone whos receiving that type of benefit, we dont accidentally leave them something that disqualifies them from that benefit, Nkenchor says.

People who receive government assistance may have limits on how much they can have in assets. For instance, to be eligible for Supplemental Security Income through Social Security, they generally cant have resources of more than $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple. That is, unless you put those assets into a special needs trust. Its an estate planning tool for individuals with disabilities or functional needs.

The special needs trust is meant to supplement government benefits that person is receiving. It doesnt replace it, its meant to supplement it, Nkenchor says.

Nkenchor adds that a standard special needs trust isnt effective until the person who establishes the trust dies. So, if you plan to financially support your loved one while youre alive while they receive benefits, consider setting up a stand-alone special needs trust. Since setting up a special needs trust can be complicated, its advisable you speak to a professional who specializes in this area. The Special Needs Alliance website has a directory that can point you toward attorneys for special needs planning to help you get started.

HAVE I NAMED THE RIGHT TRUSTEES?

The estate managers you name will be responsible for distributing assets to your loved one when you die or if youre incapacitated. Talisa Utsey, an independent estate planning attorney licensed in Maryland and New York, says a mistake some people make is not appointing the right trustee. She adds that people sometimes take advantage of older adults, young people and those with mental illnesses.

You have two options: someone you know or a corporate fiduciary. Utsey says if you opt for the former, choose someone who has a good relationship with the beneficiary. You also want to be sure they have some knowledge of estates or can get advice from someone who does.

If they are not familiar with estate administration, if theyre not familiar with the documents that give them the authority, theyre not familiar with their actual authority, then that can be harmful, Utsey says.

Alternatively, you may choose to appoint a corporate trustee since theyre usually experienced and have no emotional investment. For example, you could use a financial institution like a bank. Just know that corporate fiduciaries often charge heavy fees.

Utsey also advises appointing at least one successor trustee  a person who takes over trustee duties if the initial trustee cant serve. And dont forget to consult with prospective trustees first, Utsey says.

Make sure that the primary and the successor are both interested in taking on that type of responsibility.

IS MY ESTATE PLAN CLEAR?

To protect your loved one from financial abuse and prevent mishandled funds, you want your plan to be clear and streamlined, Utsey says. This means ensuring all your accounts and assets are addressed to the trust, none are in your loved ones name, and there are clear directions about how money is spent. All assets should flow through the trust if possible.

When theres a plan, theres less likelihood of manipulation and funds being wasted because its clear, its a process and its written down in plain English, and black and white, Utsey says. And to some extent, its legally enforceable when its done the right way.

Being clear will also help the trustee execute your plan with ease.

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance site NerdWallet. The content is for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Elizabeth Ayoola is a columnist at NerdWallet. Email: eayoola@nerdwallet.com.

RELATED LINK:

NerdWallet: Special needs trust (SNT): What it is and how to start one https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-special-needs-trust
An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo
Fierce fighting between rival generals continues in Sudan despite the latest truce, with warnings of a potential humanitarian crisis and massive refugee exodus.

Tensions between regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, have resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.

The situation has also triggered the exodus of many Sudanese people to the neighbouring countries.

The top UN aid official in Sudan has warned that the situation is becoming a full-blown catastrophe.

Foreign governments have started to evacuate their citizens, and the UN is looking for ways to provide relief to the millions of civilians trapped inside Sudan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the fighting is pushing Sudans health sector towards disaster with only 16% of health facilities in Khartoum still functioning.

The WHO has delivered six containers of medical equipment to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast and distributed scarce fuel to hospitals relying on generators for power.

Lawlessness has engulfed the West Darfur state capital, leaving the health system collapsed.

The Janjaweed militia, accused of atrocities in Darfur, later evolved into the RSF, which was formally created in 2013.
Hollywood Screenwriters in Discussions with Studios at the Eleventh Hour to Avoid Strike

Negotiations between Hollywood writers and film and television studios are underway in an effort to avoid a potential strike that could cause significant disruption to TV production.

The Writers Guild of America could call for a work stoppage as early as Tuesday if an agreement cannot be reached with companies such as Walt Disney Co and Netflix Inc. If a strike occurs, it would be the WGAs first in 15 years.

One of the key issues being negotiated is pay increases and changes to industry practices that writers believe force them to work more for less money.

The WGA is also seeking safeguards to prevent studios from using artificial intelligence to generate new scripts from writers previous work.

The negotiations take place against a difficult economic backdrop for the industry, including declining television ad revenue, pressure to make streaming services profitable, and the threat of recession.

Late-night shows, soap operas, and other daytime programs are among the productions that would likely be immediately affected.

In the event of a prolonged strike, programming would increasingly consist of unscripted reality shows, news magazines, and reruns.

The last WGA strike in 2007-2008 lasted 100 days and cost the state an estimated $2.1 billion.
Israel Defense Forces engage in gunfire exchange with Gaza militants following a Palestinian prisoners death in custody.

The Israeli military engaged in a skirmish with Gaza militants on Tuesday after the death of a Palestinian prisoner, Khader Adnan, who was on a hunger strike in Israeli custody.

The Israeli army announced that it retaliated with tank fire in response to rockets from Gaza, which provoked another round of fire from Gaza.

Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called it a deliberate assassination, accusing Israel of declining to release Adnan, neglecting him medically, and keeping him in his cell despite his serious health condition.

Adnan was a member of the Islamic Jihad militant group. The Israeli prison service, which says Adnan was affiliated with the same group, stated that Adnan had been discovered unconscious in his cell.

Adnan, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, is the first Palestinian to die owing to a hunger strike.

Throughout the West Bank, Palestinians went on a general strike in response to Adnans demise.

The Arab League complained that Adnans death was the result of a policy of deliberate medical negligence by the Israeli military, which it practices systematically.

Israels far-right National Security Minister described Adnan as a hunger striker who refused medical attention, risking his life.

 Islamic Jihad, which is regarded as a terrorist organization by the EU and the US, has warned Israel that it will pay the price for Adnans death.
A 41-year-old Buffalo father faces a manslaughter charge in the death of his infant son, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday.

Benjamin Rodriguez was ordered held without bail after being arraigned in State Supreme Court, prosecutors said.

Police responded to a 911 call for an unresponsive 5-month-old boy on Crestwood Avenue on Dec. 20. The child was transported to Oishei Children's Hospital.

Micah Rodriguez later died from his injuries, according to prosecutors, who did not reveal the nature of the boy's injuries.

Benjamin Rodriguez was arrested by Buffalo police on Monday. Under the first-degree manslaughter charge, he is accused of recklessly causing his son's death, according to prosecutors.

His next court date has not yet been scheduled.
Yellen warns that the US might default on debt by June 1 in absence of Congressional action.

The US Treasury has issued a warning that the federal government may be short of cash to pay its bills by June 1 if Congress does not increase the debt limit.

It has added urgency to a bitter fiscal fight between Democrats, Republicans and the White House.

In a letter to Congress, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen mentioned that the agency will be unable to meet payment obligations potentially as early as June 1 without rapid action from Congress.

The new potential X-date hasnt changed substantially since Treasury Secretary Yellen reported in January that the government could run short of cash around June 5.

However, Yellen has also added some wiggle room, highlighting that it is impossible to predict with certainty the exact date when Treasury will no longer be able to pay the governments bills and promising to update Congress as more information becomes available.

Following discussions between Republicans and Democrats, the debt ceiling battles are expected to continue for several more years, with benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare projected to grow considerably as the population ages.
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( Middle East Monitor )  Israeli occupation authorities have started plans to confiscate 70 Palestinian homes in the Old City of the southern occupied West Bank governorate of Hebron.

Director of the Hebron Construction Committee Imad Hamdan said the Israeli occupation plans to hand over the Palestinian homes to Israeli settlers.

Hamdan added: The Israeli raid of Nasreddine Building is the start of the implementation of the Israeli plan, reiterating that the Palestinians are the genuine owners of these homes and shops.

At the same time, he stressed that Palestinian ownership of these buildings is protected by local and international laws, which guarantee the safe and secure residence of citizens and prevent forced expulsion.

Article continues after bonus IC video

AJ+ How Israeli Apartheid Destroyed My Hometown

Meanwhile, Palestinian activist in Hebron Issa Amro criticised the Construction Committees weak response to the Israeli occupation plans, stressing: The start of the implementation of the Israeli plan, disclosed early this year, sounds a dangerous alarm.

Amro stated: The forced expulsion of Palestinians out of Nasreddine Building, which is located in the most sensitive places in the Old City, is not an incident to pass without any official action.

Amro accused the Hebron Construction Committee, a Palestinian government body, of coordinating the theft of Palestinian property with the Israeli occupation authorities.

The activist condemned the silence of the Hebron Construction Committee over the demolition of six Palestinian shops by Israeli settlers in the heart of the city a couple of days ago, stating that the committee has a large budget and is able to do much more for the protection of Palestinian property in the city.

Via Middle East Monitor
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By Kristian Gustafson, Brunel University London; Dan Lomas, Brunel University London; Neveen S Abdalla, Brunel University London; and Steven Wagner, Brunel University London | 

(The Conversation)  After more than a week of intense fighting between Sudanese government troops and paramilitary forces in Khartoum, many western countries  including the US and UK  are evacuating their nationals from the strife-torn city.

While the conflict has been billed as a clash between rival warlords, there are questions about the role played by the private Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group. This group, allegedly associated with Russian president Vladimir Putins ally Yevgeny Prigozhin  although he has denied any involvement  is heavily engaged in several African countries, exacerbating regional instability.

Aid organisations have warned of a humanitarian crisis as, in recent days, tens of thousands of people have fled Sudan to neighbouring countries that already face their own internal issues.

The potential involvement of Russia and the shadowy Wagner Group in the region complicates things further. While the group has denied involvement in the current conflict in Sudan, these denials appear increasingly questionable.

Author:mtcurado Via Unsplash

There is growing evidence of Wagners role in arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces which are engaged in a violent power struggle against the Sudanese military. The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, this week confirmed Washingtons belief that the group of mercenaries is involved in the conflict, stating:

We do have deep concern about the engagement of the Prigozhin group (the Wagner Group) in Sudan  Its engagement simply brings more death and destruction with it.

Wagner Group in Africa

Students taking the Masters degree in intelligence and security studies at Brunel University London were tasked with assessing the capabilities and intentions of the Wagner Group (and Russia) in Africa. They collected publicly available material (sometimes referred to as open source intelligence) to assess the groups influence. This information was then subjected to structured analytic techniques used by the UK intelligence community and elsewhere, as part of a Brunel Analytical Simulation Exercise to prepare the students for roles as professional intelligence analysts.

They found numerous examples of how the Wagner Group has expanded its operations in recent years  often at the request of national governments. In January, the UK Ministry of Defence estimated there were as many as 5,000 Wagner operatives across Africa in 2022.

Despite the war in Ukraine, leaked US intelligence documents suggest the group is developing a confederation of anti-western states. These include Chad, to the west of Sudan, where US intelligence reports allege that Wagner mercenaries are involved in destabilising the government. Chad is a key ally of the US in this region of Africa.

Sitting directly beneath Chad is the Central African Republic (CAR), where the Russian ambassador Alexander Bikantov said in February there are 1,890 instructors involved in fighting between the government and rebel troops.

The Wagner Group has reportedly had a presence in CAR for several years, initially providing training and back-up services and latterly involved in combat operations against rebel insurgencies. According to the International Crisis Group, although the CARs president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, has denied signing a contract with the Wagner Group, its presence  is barely a secret.

The Crisis Groups report continued:

Rather than eradicating armed groups, the contractors are perpetrating abuses that increasingly drive violence in the provinces and fuel guerrilla warfare against government troops by rebels scattered in the bush.

Wagner mercenaries are also reportedly active in Sudans north-western neighbour, Libya, which has been in a state of armed chaos since the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi in 2012. In 2020, the BBC reported a leaked UN document saying there were 1,200 Wagner personnel in Libya. They have reportedly been supporting rebel warlord Khalifa Hafters forces against the Tripoli-based government, alongside other mercenaries from Belarus, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine.

Shifting influence

In Mali, the Wagner Group has supported the military junta to enforce its rule, with a large base at Bamako International Airport. The groups increasing influence in that part of Africa has coincided with a dilution of western involvement. In February 2022, the French government announced the withdrawal of its forces after nine years of trying, and failing, to counter Islamist insurgency.

In March 2022, Malian state forces  reportedly supported by suspected Russian mercenaries (although no group was identified)  massacred civilians and militant fighters. Calls by the UN Security Council for an independent investigation into the massacre were blocked by Russia, and the UN was not granted access to the site.

There is also growing evidence of the Wagner Groups presence in Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Burkina Faso has experienced two coups in the last 12 months, and is facing escalating threats from Islamic State-linked groups.

Russia is courting Burkina Faso through military and political endeavours, and has stated its intent to aid nations in the Sahelian region in combating the jihadist threat in their countries. DRC, Mali, CAR and Sudan have all abstained or voted against requiring Russia to remove troops from Ukraine.

Its unclear to what extent the Wagner Group does the Kremlins bidding as Prigozhin himself has repeatedly denied any involvement. But as a private enterprise, the profits for them in Africa are spectacular. And, as with so many of the biggest Russian businesses, Wagners successes are owed to the Russian state and the kleptocratic elites who are likely to share in its revenue.

The Kremlin provides direct support where profit interests align with Russias political interests. At the moment, the troubled countries in which the Wagner Group is alleged to be involved in conflict and destabilisation provide resources and political support at the UN, which are important for Russias war on Ukraine. Further regional instability is to be expected.

Brunel MA students Laura Collins, Freya De Santis and Bobby Payne assisted with the research for this article

Kristian Gustafson, , Brunel University London; Dan Lomas, Lecturer in Intelligence and Security Studies, Brunel University London; Neveen S Abdalla, Lecturer, International Relations, Defence, and Security, Brunel University London, and Steven Wagner, Senior Lecturer in International Security, Brunel University London

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Florida Phoenix is a nonprofit news site thats free of advertising and free to readers. We cover state government and politics with a staff of five journalists located at the Florida Press Center in downtown Tallahassee. We have a mix of in-depth stories, briefs, and social media updates on the latest events, editorial cartoons, and progressive commentary.
Record Gold Sales of 23,115 ounces in 2022

$17.3 million in Adjusted EBITDA (1)

Made payments of $3.4 million on offtake agreement

Invested $9.7 million in the Cordero Mine

Total cash cost per ounce of gold produced of US$1,002 (1)

VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Soma Gold Corp. (TSXV: SOMA) (WKN: A2P4DU) (OTC: SMAGF) (the "Company" or "Soma") announces financial and operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 (Q4 2022 and FY2022). Gold equivalent ounces produced during the year from its 100% owned El Bagre, Colombia, operation was 23,115 ounces and 22,952 ounces were sold - a 30% increase from the previous year. The Company's Financial Statements and MD&A have been filed on SEDAR and are available at the following link: https://bit.ly/SomaYEFinancials.

Soma's CEO, Javier Cordova, states, "Soma Gold successfully completed the construction of the Cordero Mine, with commercial production being declared effective January 1, 2023. Soma also achieved its goal for gold ounces produced, setting another record for the El Bagre Gold Complex in Colombia. The second tranche of the Nuevo Granada Gold Loan was completed in January 2023, leaving only the 1% NSR tail as the remaining obligation. The Company is generating free cash flow from operations with aggressive development and exploration projects underway to ensure a long mine life. During 2022, our business generated $17.3 million of Adjusted EBITDA(1), a 53% increase from the prior year. Free cash flow from current operations substantially funded our long-term growth investments. It includes the construction of the Cordero Mine and a new tailings disposal facility ($9.7 million), the down payment for the underground mining fleet ($1.1 million), exploration programs ($1.1 million) and the commencement of final permitting and engineering and design work for the Nechi Mine."

2023 Guidance

Mr. Cordova further states, "Looking forward, we expect to produce between 35,000 and 37,000 ounces of gold during 2023. We are also continuing to develop our partnerships with artisanal and small-scale miners to align with the Colombian government's focus on enabling small miners to operate in compliance with the Country's environmental policy. "

2022 Highlights

Operational:

Produced a record 23,115 gold equivalent ounces.

Sold 22,952 gold equivalent ounces at an average realized price (1) of US$1,813 per ounce.

of per ounce. Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold (1) of US$1,002 compared to US$1,084 per ounce in 2021.

of compared to per ounce in 2021. Updated NI 43-101 Technical Report increased our Colombia indicated gold resources to 665,000 tonnes at 5.9 g/t (127,000 contained ounces) and our inferred gold resources to 1,165,000 tonnes at 7.4 g/t (277,000 contained ounces).

indicated gold resources to 665,000 tonnes at 5.9 g/t (127,000 contained ounces) and our inferred gold resources to 1,165,000 tonnes at 7.4 g/t (277,000 contained ounces). Optioned the Tucuma Project in Brazil to Ero Copper . Option terms include staged cash payments of US$450,000 and exploration expenditures of US$1,700,000 with a final option payment of up to US$6,000,000 in cash or Ero shares (see news release dated March 15, 2022 ).

Financial and Growth Investments:

Revenue from mining operations increased 33% to $53.0 million

Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 53% from last year to $17.3 million

increased 53% from last year to Significant capital and growth initiatives were funded out of cash flow: Construction of Cordero Mine and new tailings disposal facility - $9.7 million ; Down payment for the underground mining fleet - $1.1 million ; and Exploration programs - $1.1 million .

Net income of $258,000 compared to a loss of $1.2 million in 2021

Environmental, Social and Governance:

Awarded the "Sello de Sostenibilidad" by the State of Antioquia for the second year in a row. This award is given to companies that exceed the environmental guidelines and requirements of the state.

Entered into a mutual collaboration agreement with CORANTIOQUIA, The Province of Antioquia's Environmental authority, to advance environmental voluntary activities in Zaragoza and El Bagre, Antioquia.

Introduced a Safety-First Program resulting in a 48.3% reduction in lost time accidents compared to 2021.

Q4 2022 and Year End Financial and Operating Highlights

The key operating and financial data for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

The Company also announces, subject to regulatory approval, the grant of a total of 300,000 stock options to employees of the Company to purchase common shares of the Company in accordance with its Equity Incentive Plan. The options will vest immediately and be priced at the Company's market price after expiration of the current trading blackout period associated with the release of our annual financial results. The options expire five years from the date of issuance.

ABOUT SOMA GOLD

Soma Gold Corp. (TSXV: SOMA) is a mining company focused on gold production and exploration. The Company owns two adjacent mining properties in Antioquia, Colombia with a combined milling capacity of 675 tpd. (Permitted for 1,400 tpd). The El Bagre Mill is currently operating and producing. Internally generated funds are being used to finance a regional exploration program.

The Company also owns an exploration property near Tucuma, Para State, Brazil that is currently under option to Ero Copper Corp.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Javier Cordova Unda"

Chief Executive Officer and President

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.

(1) This news release refers to certain financial measures, such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, average realized price per ounce of gold sold, and total cash costs per ounce of gold sold which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those made by other companies and accordingly may not be directly comparable to such measures as reported by other companies. These measures have been derived from the Company's financial statements because the Company believes that they are of benefit in understanding the Company's results. For a complete explanation of these measures, please refer to Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures disclosure included in the Company's MD&A for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 which can be accessed at www.sedar.com.

All statements, analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements even if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Minera Alamos Inc. (TSXV: MAI) (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to provide selected financial highlights from its 2022 Annual Financial Statements and MD&A filed on Sedar on May 1st, 2023.

2022 Operational Highlights

Total gold ounces recovered and sold in 2022 was 11,667 ounces from the Santana Project with inventory on the pad of 6,950 ounces as at December 31, 2022.

Primary surface rights agreements were concluded for the development of the Cerro de Oro gold project in northern Zacatecas, Mexico. The agreements allowed the Company to complete the documentation required to formally proceed with the Cerro de Oro permitting process.

The Company announced the positive results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the Cerro de Oro Project in Zacatecas, Mexico.

2023 Operational Outlook

At Santana, as outlined in January 2023 ( see operation update news release dated January 31 st , 2023), the Company has given priority to the acceleration of some waste removal ("pre-stripping") activities during early 2023 in advance of the planned transition of mining activities at the Nicho main zone.

The Company is continuing to utilize existing pad space while waiting for the pending permit amendment approvals. During this period of waste mining, gold production slowed, as expected, but the Company still maintained some mining and leaching activities and sold 1,295 ounces of gold in Q1.

The Company is anticipating an increase in mining, stacking and leaching activities in Q2 relative to Q1 utilizing the existing pad capacity at Santana. Updated operational plans have identified approximately 4000 ounces of gold from the Nicho Norte pit which are available for short term mining activities in the coming quarter ahead of the planned expansion of mining operations.

The planned pad expansion that would triple pad capacity will allow efficient loading of the existing pad alongside the expanded pad area.

Exploration drilling of the Benjamin Hill, Benjamin West and the Zata zones is currently ongoing, the results of which will allow for the longer term site planning at Santana.

In April 2023, the Company completed the documentation necessary to formally proceed with the Cerro de Oro permitting process. The management of the remainder of the permit process will now be handled by the Company's permitting consultants. Concurrent with the permitting, the Company is planning additional drilling and metallurgical work that will inform the final operational plan for the proposed mine.

Discussions continue with a number of interested lending partners to provide the modest capital funding requirements for the development of the Cerro de Oro mine, with the goal of a definitive lending package by mid-year, which could be drawn down for construction purposes upon final receipt of permits.

Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data is summarized from the Company's audited Financial Statements and related notes thereto (the "Annual Financial Statements') for the year ended December 31st, 2022, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended December 31st, 2022 (all numbers in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated). A copy of the Financial Statements and MD&A is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Revenues (not factoring deferred revenue) totalled $21,726,211 with cost of goods sold and depletion amounting to $13,547,284 for gross profit of $8,178,927

Income from operations of $1,197,367 compared with a loss of $4,936,977 in 2021

Net income of $5,609,393 for the year of $0.012/share compared to a net loss of $1,753,220 in 2021

Cash and Cash Equivalents of $13,153,828 compared to $7,042,790 as at December 31st 2021

Working capital as of December 31st, 2022 stood at $18,284,236

Cautionary Statement

The Company made its production decision at the Santana gold mine without having completed a feasibility study demonstrating economic and technical viability. As such, there may be increased uncertainty of achieving planned production levels, estimated recovery of gold, the costs associated with such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure.

Mr. Darren Koningen, P. Eng., Minera Alamos' CEO, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this press release under National Instrument 43-101.

For Further Information Please Contact:

Minera Alamos Inc.

Doug Ramshaw, President

Tel: 604-600-4423

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Victoria Vargas de Szarzynski, VP Investor Relations

Tel: 289-242-3599

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.mineraalamos.com

About Minera Alamos Inc.

Minera Alamos is a gold production and development Company undergoing the operational startup of its first gold mine that produced its first gold in October 2021. The Company has a portfolio of high-quality Mexican assets, including the 100%-owned Santana open-pit, heap-leach mine in Sonora that is currently going through its operational ramp up. The 100%-owned Cerro de Oro oxide gold project in northern Zacatecas has considerable past drilling and metallurgical work completed with plans to enter the permitting process. The La Fortuna open pit gold project in Durango (100%-owned) has a robust and positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed and the main Federal permits in place. Minera Alamos is built around its operating team that together brought 3 mines into successful production in Mexico over the last 13 years.

The Company's strategy is to develop very low capex assets while expanding the projects' resources and continuing to pursue complementary strategic acquisitions.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking information and Minera Alamos cautions readers that forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations of Minera Alamos included in this news release. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements", which often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". These statements are based on information currently available to Minera Alamos and Minera Alamos provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements with respect to Minera Alamos' future plans with respect to the Projects, objectives or goals, to the effect that Minera Alamos or management expects a stated condition or result to occur and the expected timing for release of a resource and reserve estimate on the projects. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, the economics of processing methods, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Minera Alamos' mineral properties, the ability to complete a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons. Minera Alamos' financial condition and prospects could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to finance and/or complete an updated resource and reserve estimate and a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Minera Alamos' activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. Minera Alamos does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by Minera Alamos or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company does not have a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability for the Santana project, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations.

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.
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Meridian Mining UK S (TSX:MNO)(Frankfurt/Tradegate:2MM) ("Meridian" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that the Company has closed the bought deal offering previously announced on April 24, 2023 by issuing 36,800,000 common shares of the Company (the "Offered Shares") at $0.50 per Offered Share (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $18,400,000 (the "Offering") pursuant to terms of the underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") entered into among the Company, Beacon Securities Limited and Raymond James Ltd. (the "Co-Lead Underwriters"), Cormark Securities Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc. and Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. (collectively with the Co-Lead Underwriters, the "Underwriters"). The Offering included 4,800,000 Offered Shares issued pursuant to the full exercise of the over-allotment option by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

Mr. Gilbert Clark, Executive Chairman, comments: "Meridian greatly appreciates the strong support from its existing and new shareholders, and the exceptional efforts of the Underwriters in positioning Meridian for long-term value creation. The Company's focus is on the development of the advanced Cabacal copper-gold project and the unlocking of the exciting potential of this emerging 50km long, VMS belt in Brazil."

The Company intends to use the net proceeds to advance the development of the Cabacal project, regional exploration in the Cabacal district and exploration of other Brazilian projects, working capital and general corporate purposes.

An insider of the Company participated in the Offering and purchased an aggregate of 50,000 Offered Shares. Participation of the insider in the Offering constituted a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61101"), but was exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61101, as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to the insider nor the consideration paid by the insider exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization. None of the Company's directors expressed any contrary views or disagreements with respect to the foregoing. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering as the details of the participation of the insider of the Company had not been confirmed at that time.

The Offered Shares issued pursuant to the Offering were qualified for distribution by way of a prospectus supplement of the Company dated April 26, 2023 (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing short form base shelf prospectus dated February 24, 2023 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus") filed in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, and offered and sold to eligible purchasers by way of available prospectus exemptions in certain jurisdictions outside of Canada. The Base Shelf Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement, the documents incorporated by reference therein and the Underwriting Agreement are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the "United States" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. This news release shall 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.

About Meridian:

Meridian Mining UK S is focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development activities in Brazil. The Company is currently focused on resource development of the advanced Cabacal VMS goldcopper project, the regional scale exploration of the Cabacal VMS belt, the exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone belts all located in the state of Mato Grosso and exploring the Espigao polymetallic project in the State of Rondonia Brazil.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining UK S

Mr. Gilbert Clark

Executive Chairman

Meridian Mining UK S

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ph: +1 (778) 7156410 (PST)

Stay up to date by subscribing for news alerts here: https://meridianmining.co/contact/

Follow Meridian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeridianMining

Further information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws, including the anticipated use of proceeds, anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs, future operations, and future development plans. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has made several assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning: production costs; that there is no material deterioration in general business and economic conditions; that the political environment in which the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects; financial position; and results of operations and/or cash flows. Although management of the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the headings "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus, and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There is some risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct or that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Mining Corp. (Prime or the Company) (TSX-V: PRYM, OTCQX: PRMNF, Frankfurt: 04V3) is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its Los Reyes gold-silver project, located in Sinaloa State, Mexico.

Resource Highlights:

The addition of 100,000 metres (m) of Prime drilling has doubled the current MRE compared to the April 2020 resource, with a discovery cost of approximately $US 25 per gold equivalent 1 (AuEq) ounce (oz).

(AuEq) ounce (oz). At the resource gold cut-off grade of 0.22 gpt, Primes updated open pit MRE contains: 1.47 million Indicated AuEq ounces at a 1.68 grams per tonne (gpt) average grade. This represents a 73% increase in Measured and Indicated AuEq ounces, and 26% increase in AuEq grade. This is 1.0 million ounces of gold at 1.16 gpt and 35 million ounces of silver at 40.4 gpt. 0.73 million Inferred AuEq ounces at a 1.26 gpt average grade. This represents a 175% increase in AuEq ounces and 8% increase in AuEq grade. This is 0.5 million ounces of gold at 0.85 gpt and 18.4 million ounces of silver at 31.5 gpt.

Using a higher 1.0 gpt gold cut-off grade, the MRE highlights a robust, extremely high-grade open pit resource that contains in excess of 1.0 million AuEq Indicated ounces at an average AuEq grade of 3.70 gpt (see Table 2 for more details).

The MRE has a high-grade open pit mill resource and a lower grade heap leach portion.

The MRE includes drilling completed before December 31, 2022 from only the three main zones at Los Reyes: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central.

This MRE does not include positive results from: Mariposa, Las Primas and Fresnillo; highly prospective exploration targets outlined in Primes February 27th news release; over 20,000 m drilled to-date during 2023.



Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Kunz commented, Congratulations to our exploration team for doubling the known gold-silver resource at Los Reyes while simultaneously increasing the average grade and improving the quality and confidence in the mineral resource estimate. Included in the open pit resource tonnes and grade is a notable high-grade mill feed component. The key elements of our on-going discoveries made over the past two years are the size and scale of the high-grade mineralization. On-going metallurgical testwork is confirming the relatively simple, high-recovery nature of the resources. With the additional proceeds from the early warrant exercise, we will have the flexibility to increase the drill program as we maintain our success-based approach to exploration.

Scott Smith, Executive Vice President of Exploration, added: We remain hard at work drilling known extensions to the resource and new generative exploration areas highlighted earlier this year. We are targeting yet another doubling of our mineral resource. Since the MRE year-end drilling cut-off, we have already drilled an additional 20,000 metres at Los Reyes that are not included in todays mineral resource estimate. In the majority of the mineral envelopes, our resource pits pull right to the extent of our drilling - these represent immediate expansion opportunities with our ongoing 2023 drilling. Prime has already increased its 2023 drill program to 45,000 m, and the team is already planning for an expanded fall drill program.

With ongoing drilling success, the Company believes there is significant potential to expand the MRE.

Table 1  2023 Resource Estimate at 0.22 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade

($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2

Process

Stream Assurance

Category Ore

Tonnes Average

Gold

Grade Contained

Gold Average

Silver

Grade Contained

Silver Average

AuEq Contained

AuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) Mill Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 M+I 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 Inferred 10.8 1.18 411 47.2 16,390 1.79 623 Heap Measured (M) - - - - - - - Leach Indicated (I) 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 M+I 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 Inferred 7.3 0.37 86 8.3 1,944 0.47 111 TOTAL Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 M+I 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 Inferred 18.1 0.85 497 31.5 18,334 1.26 734

Resource Description

The Los Reyes resource is composed of three main areas: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central (see Figure 1  Resource Area Map). Resources were estimated assuming a gold price of $1700 and silver price of $22, and various processing, operating cost and other economic parameters as described in Note 2 below. Resources are reported from blocks within an economically constrained pit, containing gold grades greater than 0.22 gpt. The resource areas remain open along strike and at depth (see Figure 2  Resource Area 3D view).

The majority of the Los Reyes resource is contained within a high-grade envelope (see Figure 3  Guadalupe East cross-section). For example, at a 1.0 gpt gold cut-off, the Los Reyes MRE contains in excess of 1 million gold equivalent ounces at an average grade of 3.70 gpt AuEq in the Indicated category and 374,000 ounces at a grade of 3.07 gpt AuEq in the Inferred category (see Table 2).

Table 2  2023 Resource Sensitivity Estimate at 1.0 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade

($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2

Assurance

Category Ore

Tonnes Average

Gold

Grade Contained

Gold Average

Silver

Grade Contained

Silver Average

AuEq Contained

AuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) 1.00 g/T Measured (M) - - - - - - - Cutoff Indicated (I) 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 M+I 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 Inferred 3.8 2.30 281 59.2 7,208 3.07 374

For the purposes of this MRE, all resources are assumed to be mined using conventional open pit methods (see Note 2 for further assumptions).

The MRE was estimated using a drilling cut-off date of December 31, 2022. It is based on a resource block model developed from almost 50,000 metres (m) of drilling completed by previous property owners, and over 100,000 m of drilling completed by Prime, of which more than 90% is diamond drill core.

This MRE was completed under the supervision of John Sims, a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists since 2004, an Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 guidelines, with over 35 years of related experience. Prime will file a NI 43-101 compliant updated Technical Report in support of this resource update within 45 days of this release. The following information is available on our website, including the full drill hole table up to December 31, 2022:

Link 2  PDF Drill Hole Table

Figure 1 Resource Area Pits, and Generative Target Locations

Figure 2 Northeast View of Resource Area Indicating Expansion Potential

Figure 3 Cross-section of Guadalupe East Indicating Continuous High-Grade Envelope

Next Steps

With the resource areas remaining open along strike and at depth, Prime will complete an increased 45,000m exploration drilling program at Los Reyes in 2023. Overall, Primes discovery cost over the past three years is less than $US25 per AuEq ounce. Supported by a strong treasury bolstered by the recently announced warrant acceleration (see Primes April 11, 2023 news release), Prime will continue to drill the highly prospective Guadalupe, Z-T and Central Zones in order to expand known resources and further explore newly developing resource areas. Work will also continue on other technical areas including metallurgical test work, geotechnical assessments, mine and processing stream optimization and trade-offs, environmental studies and social contributions.

Notes

Gold equivalent grades are calculated as in-situ contained grades, applying the assumed ratio of gold to silver prices using the following formula: AuEq grade (gpt) = Gold grade (gpt) + Silver grade (gpt) x ($22 / $1700). Relative recoveries are not considered in the in-situ contained grade estimate but are stated below and utilized in the resource shell economic pit constraints. All dollar values are in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Resource estimate is based on economically constrained pits using the following optimization parameters (all dollar values are in US dollars): $1700/ounce gold price and $22/ounce silver price

Mill recoveries of 93% and 83% for gold and silver, respectively

Heap leach recoveries of 73% and 25% for gold and silver, respectively

45-degree pit slopes, with an assumed 5% ore loss and 5% dilution factor applied to the 5x5x5m resource block model

Mining costs of $2.00 per tonne of waste mined and $2.50 per tonne of ore mined

Milling costs of $15 per tonne processed and heap leaching costs of $4 per tonne processed

G&A of $1.60 per tonne processed

3% royalty costs and 1% selling costs were also applied

Unless otherwise noted, an overall 0.22 g/T gold cut-off was applied to all ore blocks

QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures

Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled in predominately HQ size (63.5 millimetre mm), reducing to NQ or BQ size ranges (47.6 mm and 36.5 mm respectively) when required. Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m long along the core axis with allowance for shorter or longer intervals if required to suit geological constraints. After logging intervals are identified to be sampled and split, and one half is submitted for assay. RC drilling returns rock chips and fines from a 133.35 mm diameter tricone bit. The returns are homogenized and split into two halves, with one half submitted for analysis and the other half stored.

Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified reference materials and blanks as well as preparation duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up approximately 8% of the samples submitted to the laboratory for each drill hole.

Samples are picked up from the Project by the laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango or Hermosillo Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay, including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element analysis completed in North Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250-gram split to at least 85% passing 75 microns.

Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with detection by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a full suite of elements.

Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an upper detection limit of 10 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21.

Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC accredited assay laboratories. Drill core assay results range from below detection to 200.0 gpt gold and 4,955.0 gpt silver.

Qualified Person

Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of Exploration, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release.

Additional Notes

Primes mineral resource estimate as of May 2, 2023 are classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the CIM Definition Standards) in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver Project

Los Reyes is a rapidly evolving high-grade, low sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. Historic operating results indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Primes acquisition, recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies. The Project remains underexplored and holds potential for additional discovery and resource expansion.

Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent approximately US$30 million on direct exploration activities and has completed two phases of comprehensive drilling totaling over 100,000 metres. Results to date suggest the three known main deposit areas, Guadalupe, Central and Z-T, are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries outside of the currently defined resource areas.

About Prime Mining

Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the Los Reyes Project. The company has a well-planned capital structure with a strong management team and insider ownership.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Kunz

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Daniel Kunz

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Prime Mining Corp.

1307 S. Colorado Ave.

Boise, Idaho 83706

Telephone: +1 (208) 926-6379 office

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Scott Hicks

Executive Vice President

Prime Mining Corp.

710  1030 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC, V6E 2Y3

Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128 office

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the perceived merit of the Companys properties, including additional exploration potential of Los Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the Companys exploration and development plans in Mexico. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates, including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions, variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license, changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters, delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Companys objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated April 22, 2022, available on www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Group Eleven Resources Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV: ZNG) (OTC: GRLVF) (FRA: 3GE) is pleased to announce an increase in the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), as described in the Company's news release dated May 01, 2023.

The Company now intends to issue up to 16,666,666 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.09 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (from $1,000,000 previously). All currency in this news release is denominated in Canadian dollars.

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one non-transferrable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 36 months from the date of issue at an exercise price of $0.15 per Warrant Share.

The Private Placement will be made available to subscribers pursuant to the accredited investor and friends, family and business associate exemptions provided under sections 2.3(1) and 2.5 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions.

The Company expects to pay finder's fees in connection with the Private Placement to certain eligible finders in the form of: (i) a cash commission of 6% of the gross proceeds raised under the Private Placement from investors introduced to the Company by the finder; and (ii) the issuance of such number of non-transferable common share purchase warrants of the Company equal to 6% of the Units issued under the Private Placement from investors introduced to the Company by the finder.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement primarily for follow-up drilling on the Company's Ballywire zinc-lead-silver discovery at the PG West project (100%-interest) in Ireland, as well as for general and administrative purposes. There may be circumstances, however, where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of funds may be necessary.

Michael Gentile currently holds 26,366,614 Common Shares and 6,508,333 Warrants, each Warrant entitling Mr. Gentile to purchase one additional Common Share upon payment of additional consideration to the Company. These Common Shares and Warrants represent approximately 16.66% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and approximately 19.95% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis. Mr. Gentile has agreed to subscribe for up to 15% of the Private Placement which, in the event the Company issues the full 16,666,666 Units in the Private Placement, would result in Mr. Gentile subscribing for 2,433,333 Units for aggregate cash consideration of $219,000. Following the completion of the Private Placement, Mr. Gentile would beneficially own and control an aggregate of 28,799,947 Common Shares and 7,725,000 Warrants, representing approximately 16.46% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and approximately 19.99% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis.

The Private Placement is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals including acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada.

The ownership percentages of Common Shares described above are based on the Company having 158,301,502 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this news release and 174,968,169 Common Shares outstanding upon completion of the Private Placement.

About Group Eleven Resources

Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSX.V: ZNG; OTC: GRLVF and FRA: 3GE) is a mineral exploration company focused on advanced stage zinc exploration in Ireland. Additional information about the Company is available at www.groupelevenresources.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bart Jaworski, P.Geo.

Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the anticipated proceeds to be raised under the Private Placement; the use of any proceeds raised under the Private Placement; and the payment of finder's fees in connection with the Private Placement.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required regulatory approvals for the Private Placement; market uncertainty; and the inability of the Company to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Private Placement.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will obtain the required regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange approvals for the Private Placement; the Company will be able to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Private Placement; and the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as currently anticipated.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 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 and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 1, 2023 /CNW/ - Gold Line Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GLDL) (Frankfurt: 4UZ) (WKN: A2QGWC) (OTCQB: TLLZF) ("Gold Line" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release of April 3, 2023, the Company has closed its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1,000,000 (the "Private Placement").

In closing the Private Placement, the Company issued an aggregate of 8,333,334 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.12 per unit consisting of 8,333,334 common shares and 4,166,667 share purchase warrants (each, a "Warrant").

In consideration for introducing subscribers to the Private Placement, the Company paid finder's fees totalling $21,564 and issued a total of 179,700 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") to certain arms-length finders.

All Warrants and Compensation Warrants are exercisable at a price of $0.25 per share for one common share in the capital of the Company for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance, expiring April 28, 2025.

All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period expiring on August 29, 2023. Proceeds of the financing will be for general working capital and exploration follow-up in Sweden.

Two insiders of the Company participated in the Private Placement and acquired an aggregate of 833,333 Units. The purchases by these insiders constitute "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuances are exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as they are distributions of securities for cash and the fair market value of the Units issued to, and the consideration paid by, the insiders did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. No new insiders were created, nor any change of control occurred, as a result of the Private Placement.

ABOUT GOLD LINE RESOURCES LTD.

Gold Line is focused on acquiring mineral properties with exceptional exploration potential in the most prolific gold-producing regions of Sweden and Finland. Gold Line is working in two of the world's top mining jurisdictions and emerging exploration frontiers due to their strong mineral endowment, stable tenure, straightforward permitting, favourable tax regime and supportive geopolitical landscape.

Gold Line currently holds a prospective portfolio of gold exploration projects in Sweden and Finland. In Sweden, projects are located in the Gold Line Mineral Belt and Skelleftea Belt of north-central Sweden and the Mjsa-Vanern Belt in southwest Sweden. In Finland, Gold Line holds the entire underexplored Oijarvi Greenstone Belt located in northern Finland.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GOLD LINE RESOURCES LTD.,

Adam Cegielski

CEO & Director

FOLLOW US:

Website: https://www.goldlineresources.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gold-Line-Resources

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GLDL_Resources

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gold_line_resources/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gold-line-resources-ltd

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Gold Line's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such 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.
ALBANY  Language included in the final state budget agreement terminates the appointment of every commissioner of the Western Regional Off Track Betting Corp., a response to a series of audits and media reports finding misspending by the public benefit corporation.

In addition, the bills language outlines a new voting process that will give Erie County and Buffalo new strength in the corporations oversight, while diminishing the strength of smaller, rural counties with lesser population that previously had outsized influence.

Nursing homes, hospitals get Medicaid rate increase in state budget  just not as much as they wanted The hot-button issue of Medicaid reimbursement was among the highlights of the initial details that have trickled out since Hochul late Thursday announced a conceptual agreement on the fiscal year 2024 budget.

The budget languages insertion was driven by Democratic State Sen. Tim Kennedy of Buffalo, who last year introduced several bills seeking to reform the corporation. Two aspects of his proposals made it into the final budget: one terminating the current board members appointments, and another recalibrating its voting strength based on population.

This is a big victory for the people of Western New York, Kennedy said in an interview. We are rooting out corruption, and we are removing a board that demonstrated a blatant disregard for the public good. We are looking to ensure that there is a fresh voice with representation that is going to empower the people of the Western New York region that OTB represents.

Richard Bianchi, the current chairman of the Western New York Off Track Betting Corp., said in a statement Tuesday that the board was "disappointed" by the budget language.

No menthol ban; whistleblower suits; burial sites: What we're learning about the state budget A $1 tax increase on cigarettes, but no ban on menthols. A law allowing whistleblower lawsuits that claim wealthy people and corporations intentionally failed to pay taxes. The fine print of the state budget agreement is finally beginning to emerge.

"It was negotiated in secret with no open discussion, debate, or input from our member counties," Bianchi said. "In the short term, we will remain focused on fulfilling the responsibilities to our partners in local government as we look to evaluate potential next steps.

The betting corporation is owned by Buffalo, Rochester and 15 Western New York counties, and its profits are supposed to be split among those governments. The corporation operates Batavia Downs and a dozen local betting parlors.

But the corporation has faced scrutiny in recent years both in the media and from State Comptroller Tom DiNapolis office. In 2021, DiNapoli auditors stated in one report that the corporation spent at least $121,000 on tickets to sporting events, concerts, food and alcohol for board members, employees and other people without the oversight required by state rules.

In a second audit, DiNapolis office found the corporations CEO and president, Henry Wojtaszek, did not reimburse the organization for his personal use of an official vehicle in a timely manner.

DiNapoli found lax oversight of operations by the board of directors, and in a 2021 statement, said that the corporation needed to clean up its operations, adding that revenues were supposed to go to participating municipalities, not to give board members and employees generous perks and other benefits.

After a month delay, state lawmakers are now in a hurry to pass a budget At a briefing on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said the final budget bill containing many of its most contentious initiatives  known as the Big Ugly in Albany parlance  will be voted upon on Tuesday.

In addition, the Investigative Post reported in 2019 that the FBI was investigating the corporations awarding of contracts to politically wired companies.

Now, the state budget will allow for the entire boards replacement, which could well bring a shakeup of the bodys staff.

Kennedy declined to say whether he believed Wojtaszek and other staff would be retained by a new board of directors, saying that would be at the discretion of the board. The budget language also does not bar the reappointment of current board members.

The legislative language, included in this years final and most complex budget bill, was posted Monday evening. The Senate and Assembly are beginning voting on the budget on Tuesday, bypassing the normal three-day aging process for legislation  and giving opponents little chance to fight back.

Asked about the languages late public disclosure, Kennedy called the measure a common sense good-government reform that the people have been clamoring for, and said the reaction to similar proposals he made in 2022 had been overwhelmingly positive.

Republicans representing more rural areas have defended the corporation and said a shakeup ending the current voting rules would hurt rural communities.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, whose district covers a large portion of Central New York, issued a statement arguing that the changes sought by Kennedy would dismantle, politicize, and disadvantage rural communities.

I stand with local leaders across the district in calling on Kathy Hochul to drop this misguided plan, she said. It should be dead on arrival during budget negotiations in the Albany sewer."

Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, a Republican whose district includes Niagara and Orleans counties and a portion of Monroe County, told The Buffalo News on Tuesday, "The Western Regional OTB language snuck into the state budget is Albany's latest attack on rural communities."

"Governor Hochul and Albany Democrats have conspired to eliminate the longstanding arrangement that allowed 15 counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo to have balanced representation on the OTB board," Ortt said. "The voice of rural counties is being smothered out simply because they are represented by Republicans. This is nothing more than a partisan power grab disguised as reform."

Kennedy said there was nothing partisan about his actions, and that his was simply responding to audits and reports finding reported malfeasance at the corporation.

When the public is forced to see that the state comptroller is conducting audits and finding misuse of power and funds, and that the FBI is continuing an ongoing investigation, it demonstrates a continuing pattern of corruption that needs to be rooted out, Kennedy said.

In 2022, Kennedy introduced three pieces of legislation seeking to reform the OTB: One revising the structure of the board based on population, a second capping the allowance of promotional items for members of the corporation and a third prohibiting corporation cars from being used as take-home vehicles.

A version of the first bill made it into the budget agreement, while the second two did not.

But Kennedy believes the measures left out  capping promotional items and prohibiting take-home vehicles  will pass the Senate in the coming weeks as stand-alone items, and says they also have support in the Assembly.

Under current law, each of the corporations 17 board members has had an equal vote on the board, according to Kennedy.

That means a county like Schuyler County, with 17,000 people, has the same weighted vote as Erie County, with nearly a million people, Kennedy said. Thats not a fair, level playing field.

The budget language set to be passed still provides that the corporation will be composed of 17 members: One for each of the 15 counties  appointed largely by county executives  one representing Rochester and one Buffalo, with their representatives appointed by mayors.

But the counties and cities will no longer have equal voting strength.

The representative of Erie County will have 24 votes. Monroe County has 20, Buffalo has 10 and Rochester has eight.

The representative of Niagara County also has eight votes; Chautauqua, five; Oswego, four; Steuben, Wayne, Cattaraugus and Cayuga, three; Livingston and Genesee, two; Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca and Schuyler, just one. The commissioners will serve four-year terms.

Bianchi, the corporation's chairman, defended the board's record. He said while many in the hospitality industry never recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, the corporation "not only grew, but set new records for revenue, leading to the largest distribution of profits ever to member counties and cities."

"That leadership came from the Board of Directors," he said. "We are proud we of the direction and leadership we provided during those historically difficult times.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - MANTARO PRECIOUS METALS CORP. (TSXV: MNTR) (OTCQB: MSLVF) (FSE: 9TZ) (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement to acquire two highly prospective licenses, being the East Trend and Media Sur properties, in the San Ramon Greenstone belt in Bolivia.

Darren Hazelwood, Chief Executive Officer of the Company states "Although our focus continues to be the exploration and development of the Golden Hill Property, we will continue to target accretive acquisitions in the underexplored Bolivian Shield. Our team has reviewed a number of projects in the region. Given the relative close proximity of these properties to Golden Hill, we can optimize exploration work across our portfolio of gold focused Bolivia properties. We believe these are low cost, high upside assets for future exploration work."

The East Trend property is comprised of a total of 2,650 hectares and is located within the San Ramon gold producing district. The property covers faulted greenstone terrain which forms the eastern extension of the La Cruz Gold trend, a NW-SE striking gold mineralized zone that has been mined via a large number of small open pits by small-scale gold miners over 8 strike kilometres. Recent activity by small scale miners indicates the gold mineralized trend continues to the southeast the East Trend property. The property is located 20 kilometers east from the Puqio Norte historical gold mine and the Company's Golden Hill Property. East Trend is significantly underexplored, despite its highly prospective geological setting, which is analogous to known proximal gold mines and deposits.

The Media Sur property is comprised of a total of 4,750 hectares and is centered on the underexplored southern arm of a highly gold prospective metasedimentary - metavolcanic faulted greenstone belt. The project is situated along the same broad structure as two large orogenic gold systems, Medio Monte and La Lupa. The latter is currently in production and is operated by a local Bolivian company that producing a significant amount of gold using basic gravity circuits. Recent artisanal mining activity suggests that gold mineralization continues to Media Sur.

Under the share purchase agreement with Jacob Garland, the Company will acquire all of the shares of Minera Meranti Ltda ("Merenti"), a Bolivian company that holds title to the East Trend and Media Sur licenses. In consideration of Merenti, the Company has agreed to issue 2,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share for a deemed value of $100,000. The transaction is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified Person

Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ph. D., FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release

About Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.

Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. is a British Columbia company that holds a diversified portfolio of gold and silver focused mineral properties in Bolivia and Peru. The Company holds an option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the advanced Golden Hill orogenic gold property ("Golden Hill"), located in the underexplored Precambrian Shield, Bolivia.

In Peru, the Company has a 100% interest in the high-grade Santas Gloria silver property as well as a 100% interest in each of the La Purisima, Cerro Luque and Huaranay properties.

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 management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Company's limited operating history 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, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 1, 2023) - ZEB Nickel Corp. (TSXV: ZBNI) (OTCQB: ZBNIF) ("Zeb" or the "Company") announces that as a result of a review by the British Columbia Securities Commission of the Company's press release dated March 15, 2022 and certain other disclosures, the Company is issuing this press release to clarify and retract certain disclosures with respect to the Company's Zebediela nickel project (the "Project" or the "Zeb Project").

In the aforementioned press release it referred to an "existing" preliminary economic estimate on the Project. In addition, the Company has also made disclosures of a mineral resource estimate on nickel mineralization in the Lower Zone Uitloop II body at the Project (the "Historical Resource Estimate") that was completed by MSA Geoservices (Pty) Ltd (MSA) in March 2012 that did not fully comply with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101.

The Company clarifies that the press release was referring to the Historical PEA and not to any subsequent economic assessment. The Zeb Project property does not contain a current mineral resource estimate and there is no preliminary economic estimate. In addition, the following disclosure is provided with respect to the Historical Resource Estimate. The Historical Resource Estimate used categories that conformed to CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM, 2010) at the time of completion of the Historical Resource Estimate. The Historical Resource Estimate has an effective date of March 31, 2012 and estimated an Indicated Resource of 485.4 million tonnes averaging 0.245% Ni, with an additional Inferred Resource of 1,115.1 million tonnes at 0.248% Ni, using a cut-off grade of 0.1% TNi (Total Nickel). The Historical Resource Estimate used a nickel price of US$8.50 per pound or US$18,739.00 per ton. The mineral resources were quoted as TNi and were restricted to mineralization in the "Sulphide Zone". They were stated as in-situ with no geological losses applied. The mineralization in the Uitloop II body was constrained by a TNi grade-derived envelope. Although the intrusive body is largely coincident with this, there is no uniform geological control on the mineralization across the body.

Additional drilling was determined to be required to further investigate the morphology of the mineralized envelope and to in-fill sparsely-drilled areas. The Company's drill program planned for 2023 is intended to determine a current estimate of mineral resources on the Zeb Project and the extent to which the Historical Resource Estimate may be considered current. The Historical Resource Estimate is not supported by a compliant NI 43-101 technical report, and the Historical Resource Estimate should not be relied on until it has been verified and supported by a compliant NI 43-101 technical report.

No qualified person has done sufficient work to classify any of the Historical Resource Estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Company is not treating the Historical Resource Estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Investors are cautioned that the Historical Resource Estimate does not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the Zeb Project.

Richard Montjoie has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical contained in this press release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Montjoie is the CEO & VP Exploration of the Company and is not, therefore, independent of the Company. Mr. Montjoie is a registered member of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) membership number 400131/09. Mr. Montjoie holds a M.Sc. Honors in Economic Geology from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, and is fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA).

About the Company and Project

Zeb Nickel Corp is focused on exploring for and developing world-class mineral deposits, with a focus on metals that are critical in the production of rechargeable batteries, such as nickel, graphite, lithium, cobalt, manganese, copper and aluminum. The Company is currently focused on developing its flagship Zeb Nickel Project, located in Limpopo, South Africa. The Zeb Nickel Project is a developing Class 1 nickel sulfide project strategically located in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

James Nieuwenhuys

Non-executive Chairman,

Zeb Nickel Corp.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Company Website: www.zebnickel.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill results relating to the Zeb Project, the potential thereof, timing of economic studies and mineral resource estimates, the ability to sell marketable materials, strategic plans, including future exploration and development results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of 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 information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, and the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Company's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia  TheNewswire - May 02, 2023  Cosa Resources Corp. (CSE:COSA) (Cosa Resources or the Company) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the 100% owned Astro uranium exploration property in the Eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan.

Highlights

Astro covers 20 kilometres strike length of electromagnetic (EM) conductors which are untested by drilling

Strong potential exists to develop significant additional conductive strike with low-cost airborne surveying

The 40,025-hectare project was acquired by low-cost staking and is 100% owned by Cosa Resources with no encumbrances

Keith Bodnarchuk, President & CEO, commented: We are thrilled to add Astro to Cosa's portfolio of underexplored magnetic low corridors in the Athabasca Basin. Astro is another result of our efforts to acquire projects with potential for Tier 1 discoveries. Cosa is preparing to initiate significant exploration programs on multiple properties in our portfolio and we are eager to share our plans and results with shareholders.

Andy Carmichael, VP of Exploration commented: Astro has the key primary attributes which warrant significant exploration in the Athabasca Basin  conductive basement and abundant search space. With 20 kilometres of undrilled, prospective strike length already defined and good potential to add significantly more, we view Astro as an early-stage project with great prospects.

Astro Property

The Astro property is located 28 kilometres west of the McArthur River Mine, 17 kilometres west of the Fox Lake Deposit, and 13 kilometres north of the Millennium Deposit (Figure 2). Access trails extending west from the McArthur River haul road are within six kilometres of the propertys eastern boundary, and other access trails on Cosas Ursa property extend onto Astro.

Astro covers a series of subparallel, northwest-trending magnetic low and high zones interpreted to represent prospective metasediments and buttressing granitic rocks, respectively. Historical airborne and ground EM surveying has defined 20 kilometres of EM conductor strike length within the property, including conductors extending from Cosas contiguous Ursa project to the west. Most historical conductors within the property extend to the limits of their survey areas, indicating significant potential to develop additional conductive strike length by extending survey coverage (Figure 2). The continuity of magnetic lows at Astro is encouraging, as is the propertys location between the Cable Bay Shear Zone and an interpreted corridor extending south to the Millennium deposit.

No drilling has been completed on the project. The depth to the unconformity is expected to be between 800 and 1000 metres. Initial steps will include compilation and interpretation of historical geophysical survey data and planning for modern airborne geophysical surveying.

Figure 1  Cosas Eastern Athabasca Portfolio with Prospective Uranium Corridors

Figure 2  Astro Project Map

About Cosa Resources

Cosa Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, BC and is focused on the exploration of its uranium and copper properties in northern Saskatchewan. The portfolio includes six uranium exploration properties: Ursa, Orion, Castor, Charcoal, Helios, and Astro, totaling 140,677 ha in the eastern and northern Athabasca Basin.

The team behind Cosa Resources has a track record of success in Saskatchewan, with several decades of combined experience in uranium exploration, discovery, and development in the province.

Qualified Person

The Companys disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Andy Carmichael, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Cosa Resources. Mr. Carmichael is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. This news release refers to neighboring properties in which the Company has no interest. Mineralization on those neighboring properties does not necessarily indicate mineralization on the Companys properties.

Contact

Keith Bodnarchuk, President and CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+1 888-899-2672 (COSA)

Cautionary Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes certain ForwardLooking Statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, would, could, schedule and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forward looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Companys mineral projects.

Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of the Company, future growth potential for the Company and its business, and future exploration plans are based on managements reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Companys ability to operate in a safe and effective manner.

These statements reflect the Companys respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the speculative nature of exploration and development; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified in the Companys public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Kraken Energy Corp. (CSE: UUSA) (OTCQB: UUSAF) (the "Company" or "Kraken") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of agreement (the "Agreement") to acquire up to a 75% interest in the Harts Point Uranium Property (Figures 1 & 2) in San Juan County, southeast Utah ("Harts Point" or the "Property"). The Property is located in the center of the Colorado Plateau, referred to by some as "the US version of the Athabasca Basin," and is 64 kilometers ("km") (40 miles) north of the White Mesa Uranium Mill, the only fully licensed and operating conventional uranium mill in the United States.

Garrett Ainsworth, Chairman of Kraken, commented: "Since Kraken's inception in mid-2022, we have been reviewing numerous uranium properties in the western US to acquire or option. This process has led us to selecting the Harts Point Uranium Property based on its potential to host another Lisbon Valley style trend of uranium deposits. Harts Point has been de-risked from an exploration standpoint given that there are three widely spaced historic oil and gas wells that encountered intervals of off-scale radioactivity within the favorable Chinle Formation host rock. Historic uranium mining has taken place 11 km west of the Property where the Chinle Formation outcrops, which confirms that significant uranium mineralization is associated with the flanks of the Harts Point anticline feature."

Harts Point Property Highlights:

World class uranium jurisdiction: located in the center of the Colorado Plateau, which has produced over 328 million ("M") pounds ("lbs") U 3 O 8 at 0.2 to 0.4% U 3 O 8 since the 1950s 1 .

located in the center of the Colorado Plateau, which has produced since the 1950s . Property consists of 324 lode mining claims on Bureau of Land Management (" BLM ") ground that covers an area of 2,622 hectares ("ha") (6,480 acres) .

on Bureau of Land Management (" ") ground that covers an area of . Harts Point Anticline is Analogous to the Lisbon Valley Anticline: where the Lisbon Valley Uranium District (Figure 1) had 17 large uranium mines which produced approximately 80M lbs U 3 O 8 at 0.34% U 3 O 8 from 1948 to 1988 2 . The dimensions of these tabular sandstone-hosted uranium deposits range from 2 to 13 meters ("m") (7 to 43 feet) thick, 100 to 3,048 m (328 to 10,000 feet) long, and 31 to 427 m (100 to 1,400 feet) wide 3 .

where the Lisbon Valley Uranium District (Figure 1) had from 1948 to 1988 . Significant Historic Uranium Production: Several historic mines located 11 km (7 miles) west of the Harts Point Property produced approximately 280,000 lbs U 3 O 8 at 0.3% U 3 O 8 from the favorable Chinle Formation host rock 4 . The Lisbon Valley Anticline is located 31 km (19 miles) to the east of the Harts Point Property (Figure 1) produced approximately 80M lbs U 3 O 8 0.3% U 3 O 8 2 .

Historic Exploration: Three wide-spaced historic oil and gas wells on the Property (Figure 2) along the east flank of the Harts Point Anticline show 'off-scale' radioactivity within the favorable Chinle Formation host rock.

(Figure 2) along the east flank of the Harts Point Anticline Permitted to Drill: The Harts Point Property is permitted for up to 25 exploration drill holes upon payment of the US$58,000 bond to the BLM.

The Harts Point Property is upon payment of the US$58,000 bond to the BLM. Excellent Infrastructure: located approximately 64 km (40 miles) north of the White Mesa uranium processing facility. There is excellent access throughout the Property, which is situated 45 km (28 miles) from the town of Monticello, Utah.

located approximately

Figure 1: Harts Point Location Map within Colorado Plateau

"We are very excited to bring the Harts Point Property into our current portfolio of prospective US uranium projects." Stated Matthew Schwab, CEO of Kraken. "With drilling permits in place and targets selected at Harts Point, our team is eager to begin work on this property in the most prominent uranium mining jurisdiction in the United States."

Figure 2: Harts Point Property with Regional Uranium Occurrences

Terms of the Agreement

Under the terms of the Agreement, the parties will enter into a definitive option agreement (the "Option Agreement") within 60 days, pursuant to which the Company may acquire up to 75% of the Harts Point Property from Atomic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: ATOM) ("Atomic") by meeting the following requirements:

Kraken will be the operator and must incur US$1.5 million of eligible expenditures within 18 months from the date of the Option Agreement to earn a 65% interest.

Kraken has the option to increase interest in the Property from 65% to 75% by incurring an additional US$2.0 million of eligible expenditures within 30 months from the date of the Option Agreement and issuing Atomic 2.0 million common shares of Kraken.

Kraken will grant Atomic a 2.0% net smelter royalty (subject to a buy down to 1.0% for US$5.0 million).

After the initial option (Kraken 65%: Atomic 35%) or the extended option (Kraken 75%: Atomic 25%), a definitive Joint Venture Agreement will be formed.

As consideration for identifying the Harts Point Property and facilitating completion of the proposed transaction, finder's fees are being considered according to CSE policy for a "non-arm's length party" to the Company.

References

1 Holger Albrethsen, Jr. and Frank E. McGinley (1982). Summary History of Domestic Procurement Under U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Contracts, September 1982.

2 Chenoweth, W.L. (1990). Lisbon Valley, Utah's Premier Uranium Area, a Summary of Exploration and Ore Production. Utah Geological Survey Open File Report 188, July 1990.

3 Gordon W. Weir and Willard P. Puffett (1981). Incomplete manuscript on stratigraphy and structural geology and uranium-vanadium and copper deposits of the Lisbon Valley area, Utah-Colorado. Open-File Report 81-39. Pages 153 to 163. United States Department of the Interior

Geological Survey.

4 Chenoweth, W.L. (1993): The geology and Production History of the Uranium deposits in the White Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, Utah Geological Survey Miscellaneous Publication 93-3.

Technical Information

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared by or reviewed and approved by Matthew Schwab, P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company, and Garrett Ainsworth, P.Geo., Chairman of the Company. Each of Mr. Schwab and Mr. Ainsworth is a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The data disclosed in this news release is related to historical drilling results. Kraken has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. Kraken considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company is using this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling.

About Kraken Energy Corp.

Kraken Energy Corp. is a new energy company advancing its portfolio of high-grade uranium properties in the Unites States. The Company is advancing its 100%-owned Apex Uranium Property, located 280 km (174 miles) east from Reno, Nevada which is recognized as Nevada's largest past-producing uranium mine. The Company has additionally entered into an option agreement to earn 100% of the Garfield Hills Uranium Property. The past-producing Garfield Hills Uranium Property covers 1,238 ha (3,060 acres) and is located 19 km (12 miles) east of Hawthorne in Mineral County, Nevada. The Company has also recently staked the Huber Hills Uranium Property, located 136 km (85 miles) north of Elko, Nevada which covers 1,044 ha (2,580 acres) and encompasses the historic Race Track open pit mine.

For more information about the Company, please visit; www.krakenenergycorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Kraken Energy Corp.

Matthew Schwab

President & Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Office:

Suite 907 - 1030 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6E 2Y3

T: (604) 737-2303

For investor relations inquiries, contact:

Kin Communications Inc.

T: (604) 684-6730

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include our plans for exploration at the properties. These forward-looking statements 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 information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prosper Gold Corp. ("Prosper Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV:PGX) is pleased to introduce high priority exploration targets at the recently optioned Mohave Gold Project in Mohave County, northwestern Arizona, USA. (see the Company's April 24, 2023 news release for details) The large low-sulphidation epithermal gold system at Mohave is comprised of three main mineralized trends, only two of which have seen shallow historical drilling to date.

Exploration Target Highlights:

Dixie Trend  1.8 km x 1 km area of epithermal alteration and gold mineralization with 26 historical small-scale mine workings. No historical drilling.





Klondyke trend  1 km x 1 km area host to several zones of epithermal gold mineralization, including past producing open-pit and underground Klondyke Mine.





Golden Door Trend  1.5 x 1 km area host to several past-producing, high grade gold mine workings with only shallow drilling (average depth of 34 m).

There are a number of highly prospective exploration targets on the project. The Dixie Trend with widespread high-grade gold at surface, anomalous gold-in-soil and 26 historical small-scale mine workings has not seen a single drill hole, commented Peter Bernier, CEO.

Mohave Gold Project

Exploration to date by historical operators has outlined several mineralized zones through relatively shallow drilling along with additional targets outlined through geochemical and geophysical surveys which have not been drill tested. Extensive alteration and widespread gold mineralization outlines three mineralized trends: the Golden Door, the Klondyke and the Dixie trends. The Dixie trend has seen no drilling to date, despite the presence of highly anomalous rock and soil geochemistry and the presence of numerous historical workings.

Dixie Trend

The Dixie Trend is characterized by moderately to steeply dipping quartz-calcite  adularia-chalcedony veins flanked by quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration within a 1.8 km by 1 km area. Historical composite chip sampling results of up to 4.0 m grading 15.8 gpt gold show potential for high-grade gold at the Dixie Trend. Despite the presence of widespread high-grade gold at surface, anomalous gold-in-soil and 26 historical mine workings this area has never been drilled.

Historical mine workings in the area range from short adits to the relatively large Dixie Queen Mine (Figure 3). Higher gold grades are associated with quartz-calcite vein breccias, proximal to both NNW and NE trending structures. A significant amount of diking persists across the Dixie Trend, associated with a SW-NE trending, dilational structural corridor.

Klondyke Trend

The Klondyke Trend, situated in the central portion of the Mohave Gold Project, is characterized by widespread sub-horizontal to locally steeply dipping quartz-calcite  adularia-chalcedony veins within a 1 km by 1 km area. The Klondyke deposit has been interpreted as a low-sulphidation epithermal gold system that has been tilted almost 90 degrees with originally sub-vertical veins being rotated to sub-horizontal. This interpretation is supported by alteration mapping completed in 2020 which indicates higher-temperature hydrothermal alteration (quartz-sericite-pyrite) in the east and high-level lower temperature alteration to the west (clay-hematite). The presence of sporadic sub-vertical veining in this area is likely due to gold-hosting veins being emplaced relatively late in the period of extension and associated westward rotation.

A total of 373 historical drill holes with an average length of 43.4 metres completed by historical operators in the 1980s and 1990s primarily focused on defining shallow oxide gold mineralization in and around the area of the past-producing Klondyke Mine open pit. Historical drill results at the Klondyke Mine prospect include 6.57 gpt gold over 9.1 m in drill hole M80R-003 and 5.63 gpt gold over 10.7 m in drill hole M87A-117. The Klondyke deposit remains open to the northeast, to the west and to depth.

The Apex prospect, approximately 500 m north of the center of the Klondyke Mine deposit has seen limited drilling to date though intercepts up to 4.27 gpt gold over 4.6 m in drill hole 89A-244. Approximately 500 to the southeast of the center of the Klondyke Mine deposit historical chip sampling results include 8.56 gold over 2.0 m and 8.16 gpt gold over 2.0 m. Additional exploration targets at depth beneath strong quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration approximately 700 east of the Klondyke Mine deposit have been outlined by previous operators and have seen limiting exploration and no drilling.

Golden Door Trend

The Golden Door Trend comprises a 1.5 km by 1 km area with 6 historical small-scale mine workings. Gold mineralization in this portion of the property consists primarily of sub-horizontal quartz-calcite  chalcedony-adularia veins, vein breccias and mineralized tectonic breccias.

Of the six significant prospects five have seen shallow Reverse Circulation and Rotary Air Blast drilling. Historical drill results include 6.75 gpt gold over 7.6 m in drill hole M81R-035 at the Golden Ram prospect, 8.1 gpt gold over 4.6 m in drill hole M87A-083 at the Golden Door prospect and 1.39 gpt gold over 35.1 metres in drill hole M80R-149 at the Scout prospect.

The Red Gap prospect in the northwestern portion of the Golden Door Trend has seen no drilling to date. The prospect has locally high-grade gold mineralization coincident with highly anomalous gold-in-soil geochemistry over an area of 600 m by 250 m. The majority of historical workings within the Golden Door Trend underlie the Red Gap prospect where silicified rhyolites yielded 8.91 gpt gold over 1.6 m in 2020 chip sampling.

About Prosper Gold

Prosper Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on discovering high-grade gold deposits in stable jurisdictions. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Golden Sidewalk Project in the Red Lake Mining Division of northwestern Ontario, Canada, and holds the right to earn a 100% interest in the recently optioned Mohave Gold Project in Mohave County, northwestern Arizona, USA.

The Mohave Gold Project is host to a large, robust low-sulphidation epithermal gold system with over 40 historical small-scale mine workings, over half of which have not seen any drilling to date. The Project comprises 160 contiguous mining claims covering 1,176 hectares in the Mohave County, northwestern Arizona. It is road-accessible with a well-developed network of access roads to historical workings and drill sites. The Project is permitted for construction of up to 600 drill sites and approximately 27 kilometres of access roads.

The Golden Sidewalk is a district-scale Archean orogenic gold exploration project covering over 160 square kilometres of contiguous mineral claims and mining leases in the western Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt, approximately 60 km east of Red Lake, Ontario and 60 km northeast of Kinross Golds Dixie Project, acquired from Great Bear Resources in 2022. The vehicle-accessible project straddles 12 kilometres of the Balmer Assemblage  Narrow Lake Assemblage unconformity, a regional-scale feature that has been the Red Lake exploration guide, but which has seen limited exploration in the project area. The Golden Corridor lies immediately north of the unconformity and is characterized as a highly prospective trend of coincident favourable magnetic and resistivity lineaments supported by highly anomalous gold-in-till samples covering 7.0 by 0.5 kilometres. An additional highly prospective target area was defined in 2021, termed the Skinner North Target Area, where 2022 channel sampling results include 9.69 gpt gold over 3.0 metres and 13.13 gpt gold over 1.8 metres and till samples containing up to 1,014 gold grains, was drilled for the first time in November of 2022. A high-resolution Induced Polarization survey completed in 2023 has outlined a number of high-priority drill targets at the Skinner Target to the west and to the east of the Skinner North prospect, where the inaugural 2022 drill program was completed.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Rory Ritchie, P.Geo., Vice-President of Exploration for Prosper Gold and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. The results contained in this release were completed by previous operators of the Property. Although the Company was not involved in the original work in respect of these results, proper industry data verification procedures appear to have been followed.

For an overview of Prosper Gold please visit www.ProsperGoldCorp.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Per: Peter Bernier

Peter Bernier

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Peter Bernier

President & CEO

Prosper Gold Corp.

Cell: (250) 316-6644

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation; statements about the terms of the Option Agreement, exploration potential of the Property, the planned exploration of the Property and granting the Royalty are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; the Companys ability to satisfy conditions precedent under the Option Agreement; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Seventy-five years ago, Israel was born as the homeland for the Jewish people in the wake of the Holocaust, the Nazi genocide of six million Jews in World War II.

The dawn of the new state triggered rejoicing among Jewish immigrants to Palestine, but spelt mass displacement and suffering for their Palestinian Arab neighbours, triggering a conflict that has defined Israel ever since.

Here are 10 key dates in the country's history:

- 1948: Jewish state born -

On May 14, 1948 Zionist leader David Ben-Gurion proclaims the independence of the state of Israel, formed out of the British Mandate of Palestine.

Jews had been promised "a national home" by Britain in 1917.

In 1947, the UN votes to make it a reality by partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

Over 760,000 Palestinians are driven from their homes with the creation of Israel in 1948 or flee in what Palestinians call the "Nakba" (catastrophe).

Israel's Arab neighbours oppose the founding of Israel, which leads to an eight-month war.

Jordan occupies the West Bank, including east Jerusalem while Egypt takes the coastal Gaza Strip.

- 1967: Six-Day War -

In June 1967, Israel crushes its Arab neighbours in the Six-Day War, seizing the West Bank including east Jerusalem from Jordan, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt.

On day one, Israel stages an air assault that destroys more than 90 percent of Egypt's air force on the tarmac.

It goes on to occupy 70,000 square kilometres of Palestinian territory, which it begins to settle.

The United Nations declares the occupation of Palestinian territory illegal.

- 1973: Yom Kippur War -

On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Israel on the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur to try to win back their lost territories, but are repulsed.

- 1979: Peace with Egypt -

The September 1978 US-brokered Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt lead the following year to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab neighbour.

- 1982: Israel invades Lebanon -

Israel invades Lebanon in June 1982, in the middle of the country's civil war, to rout Palestinian militants based there.

In September that year, Israeli-backed Lebanese Christian militia massacre hundreds of Palestinians living in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut.

Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon until 2000.

In 2006, after the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah abducts an Israeli soldier, Israel launches a devastating month-long offensive in Lebanon.

- 1993: Oslo Accords -

In 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) sign a peace agreement after secret negotiations in Oslo.

The deal, which calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories, comes six years after the start of the first intifada, or Palestinian uprising, against Israeli rule.

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and exiled PLO leader Yasser Arafat make history by shaking hands at the White House after the signing of the accords.

Arafat returns to the Palestinian territories in July 1994 after 27 years in exile.

- 1995: Rabin assassinated -

Rabin in 1994 shares the Nobel Peace Prize with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Arafat for their peace efforts.

The following year Rabin is assassinated in Tel Aviv by a Jewish right-wing extremist opposed to the Oslo Accords.

- 2002-2005: Second intifada -

In September 2000, right-wing Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visits annexed east Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the third-holiest site in Islam known as Temple Mount to Jews, who revere it as their most sacred site.

His visit, seen by Palestinians as a provocation, is the spark for a second intifada.

Following a wave of suicide bombings, Israel launches in 2002 its largest military operation in the West Bank since the 1967 war.

- 2005: Gaza pullout -

The last Israeli forces leave Gaza after a 38-year occupation in September 2005, but soon afterwards impose a stifling land, air and sea blockade on the territory.

Tensions rise after the radical Islamist movement Hamas takes control of Gaza in 2006 after winning elections.

Israel fights four wars with Hamas in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021, launching devastating air strikes on Gaza after coming under rocket fire from the territory.

Over 1,400 Palestinian civilians are killed in the 2014 offensive alone, as well as six Israeli civilians, according to UN figures.

- 2009: Netanyahu in power -

The head of the right-wing party Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu, returns to power in March 2009, a decade after his first stint as premier.

He goes on to enjoy a record-breaking run as Israel's leader. During his tenure, relentless settlement expansion leaves the prospect of a separate Palestinian state hanging by a thread.

After a brief spell in the political desert in 2021-2022, the Israeli leader, who faces charges of corruption, returns in December 2022 at the head of the country's most right-wing government ever.

In 2023, his government unveils controversial judicial reforms that spark months of mass protests, with demonstrators accusing Netanyahu of undermining Israel's democracy.
Opening last weeks hearings before the Yoorrook truth commission in Melbourne, southeastern Australia, Commission chair Eleanor Bourke reflected on the historic moment of an Aboriginal-led inquiry asking questions to people in positions of authority, people who should be accountable about why things have happened and how certain policies remain. The delayed hearings were originally scheduled for mid-March, but were postponed over the governments repeated failure to answer questions and provide documents to Yoorrook by agreed deadlines. Commissioner Burke said earlier this month that the states tardiness demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the truth-telling process. It is more business as usual.

In a letter appended to a government submission to the Commission, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews acknowledged that the ongoing overrepresentation of First Peoples in the criminal justice and child protections system is a source of great shame for the government, accepting that discrimination and mistreatment in these systems are not confined to history  they persist to this day. Andrews accepted that significant structural change is required to achieve self-determination and justice, hailing his governments commitment to negotiate a treaty with Victorias First Peoples.

The substantive element of the governments submission, focused on the child protection system, continued in a similar vein. The government acknowledged the impact of colonisation on the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in child protection and recognised the critical role of self-determination in seeking to remedy the system and its outcomes.

The States dispossession of First Peoples, the forced removal of their children, and denial of Law, Lore and culture, created the conditions for the intergenerational trauma and social and economic inequality experienced today, the submission said.

Alarming statistics

The submission presented alarming statistics that 1 in 10 Victorian Aboriginal children were in care as at June 2022, and were 22 times more likely to be in care than non-Aboriginal children. The government partly attributed this inequality to structurally biased system and decision-making which play a role in increasing the likelihood that risk is substantiated and protective intervention, including taking a child into care, will proceed.

Notably, the government also accepted that the current service system is not well adapted to meet the needs of First Peoples nor to provide access to culturally appropriate services that help prevent or address risk factors. Legislation, policies and procedures which drive interventionist approaches, and the impact of conscious and unconscious bias by reporters and decision-makers in the child protection system were partly blamed for these failures.

While the government lauded the success of programs transferring child protection decision-making powers to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), it remains unavoidable that the rates of Aboriginal children in care have risen markedly in recent years. The rate of Aboriginal children having some interaction with the child protection system increased from 14.6% at the end of 2016 to 20.9% in 2022, and the rate of children in out of home care rose from 7.4% to 10.4% in the same period.

Racism in child protection services

It was against this background that Argiri Alisandratos, Acting Associate Secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), the public service body responsible for child protection, appeared before the Yorrook Commission on April 27 and 28.

Alisandratos acknowledged that the DFFH had so far failed to reduce the rates of overrepresentation, but pointed to a promising recent 3% fall in the rate of Aboriginal children in out of home care as a sign that the Department was making progress. Commissioner Travis Lovett responded: Weve got to be more aspirational than thatseriously.

Under questioning from Commissioners, the public servant accepted that bias and racism existed amongst child protection workers and the system at large, and could influence judgements of harm: That is one significant driver, and racism exists right across the broader system because childrens pathway into child protection is a product of judgements that have been made by community members and other professionals. To this end, Alisandratos was unable to say whether the department was a safe environment for child protection staff to report racism from colleagues.

Weak cultural safety plans and funding concerns

It emerged that the Department had substantially failed to meet its target of providing 100% of children in the system with a cultural safety plan to ensure that they maintain connections to cultural values, beliefs and identity. Commissioner Kevin Bell said that a system which produces shameful rates of child removal of indigenous people from their family is a shameful system, and it's shameful in this respect.

Where cultural support plans do exist for children in permanent care  not a common mode of care for Aboriginal children  there is no review of their implementation and any potential for enforcement is left to birth parents bringing a court application, the Commission heard. The department ceases its responsibilities through the issuing of a permanent care order, Alisandros said. Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter bemoaned the situation: These children will then be lost to culture, country, family, mob if no one has oversight of making sure these orders [are enforced]. We are relying on goodwill and probably [the carers] money spent on making sure these kids keep connected. Further, there exists no specific program set up to support non-Aboriginal permanent carers of Aboriginal children, the Commission was told.

The Commissioners emphasised the disconnect between moves to transfer greater responsibilities to ACCOs and kinship carers, and the concomitant levels of funding required. Commissioner Maggie Walter expressed concern that responsibility for failure will be handed over to Aboriginal people while the system wont change.

Fiona Mcleod SC, counsel assisting Yoorrook, questioned Alisandros on gaps in the kinship carer system  where children are placed with members of extended family or existing social circles  with the public servant admitting that, in 98% of cases, its longer than six weeks before anybody confirms what the kinship carer needs to provide: a safe, secure and nurturing home. Not provisioned with timely and adequate assistance, kinship carers have in some instances been unable to transport children in their care to school and essential appointments, further continuing a cycle of inequality.

An apology

Often supporting children in addition to their own families, or dealing with old age and the burden of intergenerational trauma and other compromised social determinants, kinship carers are further disadvantaged by inequalities in the welfare system. The Commission heard that 96% of kinship carers received the lowest level of care allowance, compared to 32% of foster carers. Alisandros assured the commissioners that DFFH will be looking at methods of getting more suitable support to kinship carers.

After the Commission traversed further issues of crossover between the child protection and criminal justice systems, and cultural safety training for child protection workers, Alisandros ended with an apology:

I accept the significant level of shame that we have openly acknowledged in terms of our delivery of support to First Peoples across the state. I accept that we have not provided adequate support and we have failed many, many children and young people.

Further government witnesses from the child protection system will appear in front of the Commission next week, before hearings progress onto criminal justice issues over the coming fortnight. Evidence heard at these and prior hearings will inform a critical issues report in August, outlining the Commissions findings and recommendations for reform in the child protection and criminal justice systems.
Warring generals in Sudan have agreed "in principle" to a seven-day truce, the government of neighbouring South Sudan said Tuesday, after regional envoys denounced repeated violations of previous truces.

The announcement came as diplomatic efforts intensified to end more than two weeks of war in Africa's third-largest country.

Warnings have multiplied of the potential for a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis that the UN said has already caused more than 430,000 people to flee their homes.

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, "have agreed in principle for a seven-day truce from May 4th to 11th," the South Sudanese foreign ministry in Juba said in a statement.

Multiple truces agreed since fighting began on April 15 have been repeatedly violated, including one previously announced by South Sudan early in the fighting, which saw renewed air strikes on Tuesday.

"We are hearing some sporadic gunfire, the roaring of a warplane and the anti-aircraft fire at it," said one resident of south Khartoum.

Other witnesses reported air strikes in north and east Khartoum.

The latest battles come during a 72-hour ceasefire extension announced by the warring sides on Sunday. The army said that measure came due to "US and Saudi mediation".

The repeated violations sparked criticism earlier Tuesday at a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of the Extended Mechanism on the Sudan Crisis which brought together African, Arab, United Nations and other representatives.

"The two generals even though they accept the ceasefire, at the same time they continue fighting and shelling the city," said Ismail Wais, of the eight-nation northeast African bloc IGAD.

Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, told the meeting that, "Despite intense meditation efforts... that have obtained successive commitments by SAF and RSF to cease hostilities, the situation in Sudan remains of deep concern as the parties continue their fighting."

- 'Catastrophic' -

The Addis talks aim to ensure a coordinated response, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said, opening the meeting.

"Our priority today is to have the ceasefire prolonged and respected, then to ensure humanitarian assistance," he said.

Kenyan President William Ruto said earlier that the conflict had reached "catastrophic levels" and it was imperative to find ways to provide humanitarian relief "with or without a ceasefire".

The UN said that more than 100,000 refugees were estimated to have fled Sudan to neighbouring countries, including Sudanese refugees, South Sudanese returning home prematurely and others who were themselves refugees in Sudan.

The agency said it was bracing for the "possibility that over 800,000 people may flee".

Despite the dire needs, on Tuesday the UN said its 2023 aid appeal for Sudan was $1.5 billion short.

But some relief has been arriving in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it had delivered six containers of medical equipment to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, including supplies for treating trauma injuries and severe acute malnutrition.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it delivered 10 tons of supplies to a hospital in Khartoum as teams were starting to arrive to "launch emergency response activities."

A Sudanese physician, Howida Elhassan, posted social media video of medical staff struggling to cope with a surge of wounded civilians at a hospital in Khartoum's East Nile neighbourhood.

Blood appeared to stain the floor of the crowded facility where patients, one who appeared to grimace in pain with blood staining his shirt, lay or sat on cots.

At least 528 people have been killed and about 4,600 wounded in the violence, according to the health ministry.

Another 250 are estimated to be missing, said a spokesman for the Mafqoud (Missing) online project.

Munira Edwin turned to the project when her brother Babiker disappeared on the first day of fighting. They called her back nearly two weeks later.

"He had been found dead with two bullets" in his body, she said, struggling to hold back tears.

Discussions involving Saudi and US mediators were underway with the rival generals to firm up a truce, UN head of mission Volker Perthes said ahead of the South Sudanese announcement.

The two sides "told us that they are ready to start talks on technical level over a ceasefire," Perthes told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television in an interview released on Tuesday.

Burhan's envoy, Dafaallah al-Haj, was in Cairo where he met senior Egyptian and Arab League officials. Haj told a press conference that he hoped the Arab League, African Union, Saudi Arabia and the US could play a role in such talks toward a more lasting truce.

Burhan and Daglo fell out after a 2021 military coup which derailed Sudan's transition to elective civilian rule.

While diplomats have tried to stop the fighting, foreign governments scrambled to evacuate their citizens, thousands of whom have been brought to safety by air or sea in operations that are now winding down.

- Russian evacuation -

Russia's armed forces said on Tuesday they were evacuating more than 200 people from Sudan on four military transport planes.

A group of Indonesian university students evacuated earlier landed in their home province of Aceh on Tuesday, where they were embraced by relatives.

But Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday said 20 buses prepared to evacuate hundreds were still blocked in Sudan but would travel to Port Sudan instead of to Egypt.

Beyond Khartoum, lawlessness has engulfed the West Darfur state capital, El Geneina.

More than 330,000 people have been internally displaced, over 70 percent of them in West and South Darfur states, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The Darfur region is still scarred by a war that erupted in 2003 when then hardline president Omar al-Bashir unleashed the Janjaweed militia, mainly recruited from Arab pastoralist tribes, against ethnic minority rebels.

The Janjaweed -- whose actions led to war crimes against Bashir and others -- later evolved into the RSF, which was formally created in 2013.
ALBANY  A $1 tax increase on cigarettes, but no ban on menthols.

A law allowing whistleblower lawsuits that claim wealthy people and corporations intentionally failed to pay taxes.

The fine print of the state budget agreement is finally beginning to emerge ahead of expected final passing by the Legislature this week.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced a conceptual agreement on the month-late budget, stating that she, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins had struck a deal on major issues ranging from the states bail law to a prohibition on natural gas hookups in new construction.

But the details of those agreements have taken days to emerge as negotiations continued into the weekend. Budget bills began posting online Sunday, and by the end of Monday, most of the bills were available.

Hochul announces 'conceptual' agreement on $229B budget; agreement on bail changes Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a "conceptual" $229 billion state budget agreement on Thursday evening, laying out the broad strokes of deals struck with the Legislature related to public safety, energy and health care.

Some of the more contentious issues, however, have not yet emerged in budget language and appear likely to be merged together in one, final bill that will be disclosed last, known in Albany parlance as the Big Ugly. For instance, the fine print of the states controversial, revised bail law is not in the public protection bill.

According to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate is set to vote on budget bills, including the "Big Ugly," on Tuesday.

One budget document that has been released confirms that the state tax on a pack of cigarettes will rise by $1, to $5.35. But nothing in that budget document indicates that another provision Hochul had sought, banning flavored tobacco including menthol cigarettes, was included in the final agreement. Hochuls proposed ban faced heavy pushback from the tobacco industry.

One surprising inclusion is language amending the states False Claims Act. The law, which allows whistleblower lawsuits reporting fraud, had not allowed lawsuits claiming that a person or corporation had intentionally failed to file their taxes.

In 2021, and again in 2022, the Legislature passed standalone bills to make intentional non-filing of taxes subject to the lawsuits. The bills were sponsored by the top officials overseeing finance in each chamber, Democratic State Sen. Liz Krueger and Democratic Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein.

Both times, Hochul issued last-minute vetoes. As The News reported earlier this year, Hochuls administration was pushed to issue the vetoes by a prominent lobbying firm that strongly supported Hochuls 2022 campaign and represented the countrys Big Four'' accounting firms.

Gregory Krakower, former counselor to ex-state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, drafted a 2010 amendment to the law. He supported its expansion to close the reported loophole allowing those that did not file taxes at all to escape the lawsuits.

Senator Krueger and Assemblywoman Weinstein have closed a notorious loophole that prevented whistleblowers from being protected and rewarded for exposing large out-of-state tax cheats and millionaires who knowingly avoid filing state tax returns, Krakower said. By exposing such tax fraud, the law helps ensure that honest New York businesses do not a face a competitive disadvantage because they pay their taxes.

But the State Business Council feels otherwise.

We remain unconvinced that the FCA should have been, or needed to be, expanded, said Ken Pokalsky, vice-president of the group, which represents 3,000 member companies both large and small.

He said the Business Council provided the Legislature with bill language that would have more narrowly addressed knowing failure to file tax returns. But he said that the Legislature insisted on broader language where the exact meaning, and limitations, are unclear.

There was one victory for business interests: The law applies retroactively to tax obligations knowingly concealed or knowingly avoided on or after May 1, 2020. The Legislatures original bills would have applied to intentional failures to file taxes dating back 10 years.

New York to become the first US state to ban fossil fuels in most new buildings Beginning Dec. 31, 2025, developers and builders will be required to comply with "zero emission construction" standards for most buildings of seven stories or fewer, said Katy Zielinski, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The budget language includes details of a tax credit expanded to some $700 million a year that is lucrative for the television and film industry. It also includes details of a deal between the Legislature and Hochul to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates at hospitals and nursing homes  though not nearly to the degree favored by the Legislature, hospital industry or the states major health care care workers union.

And the final agreement includes another measure that Hochul had previously vetoed in December, known as the Unmarked Burial Protection Act, which makes it more difficult for developers to build on the remains of Indigenous peoples ancestors. The veto had contributed to Hochuls strained relationship with New Yorks Native American tribes.
Song Hye Kyo rocked the red carpet as she made her debut at the prestigious Met Gala 2023.

The South Korean superstar was among the 400 notable figures from fashion, politics, music, tech, sports, social media, TV, and film to join one of fashion's biggest nights.

With the theme "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" to honor the late German designer, the invite-only event took place in New York City, hosted by Michaela Coel, Penelope Cruz, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and Vogue's Anna Wintour as the night's co-chairs.

Song Hye Kyo's Met Gala 2023 Red Carpet Moment

The award-winning actress joined a slew of big names in Hollywood as they showed off their beauty at the Met Gala 2023 red carpet.

Song Hye Kyo never fails to amaze the crowd with her exceptional charm and elegance.

The actress graced the event as luxury brand Fendi's ambassador, wearing a peach long gown with lace and beaded details. She capped off the outfit with a silver glittery mini bag. She also stepped out on the Met Gala 2023 red carpet, donning a trendy hairstyle.

On social media, fans couldn't help but gush over Song Hye Kyo's beauty.

Netizens praised the actress' youthful beauty, while some pointed out how she owned 2023 with massive achievements.

Besides Song Hye Kyo, other South Korean personalities were spotted at the event. BLACKPINK's Jennie, who is the ambassador for Chanel and Jung Ho Yeon, for Louis Vuitton, also joined the event.

Interestingly, netizens also spotted Song Hye Kyo and the BLACKPINK member in one frame.

 230502 Song Hye Kyo and Jennie at #MetGala pic.twitter.com/zMGI7cust7    (@NEWSJENNlE) May 2, 2023

Song Hye Kyo Dominates 2023 With Massive Victory

Welcoming 2023, Song Hye Kyo continues to star in the hit K-drama "The Glory" along with Lee Do Hyun, Lim Ji Yeon, and more.

Despite the series being her first revenge K-drama, the 41-year-old top star delivered an amazing performance, landing her a nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards 2023.

Amid tough contenders like Kim Hye Soo, Park Eun Bin, and more, Song Hye Kyo managed to take home the Best Actress Award. In addition, her acceptance speech reached over 1.9 million views on YouTube.

For netizens, Song Hye Kyo's message moved them after seeing how she expressed deep gratitude to fans and her "The Glory" family.

To recall, the actress caught everyone's attention after she made reference to her character Moon Dong Eun and said, "I won the prize, Yeon Jin, I'm so thrilled right now."

In addition, she also mentioned the drama's writer, Kim Eun Sook, whom she considers her "glory."

Song Hye Kyo was previously nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the 2005 K-drama "Full House," as well as "That Winter, The Wind Blows" in 2013 and "Descendants of the Sun" in 2016.

IN CASE YOU MISSED: Song Hye Kyo Among Top Korean Celebs Who Are Most Likely to Get Involved in Dating Rumors

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
After a tough winter and other challenges, Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown announced during his State of the City address Monday inside Statler City his plans to invest in affordable housing, public safety and the people of the city.

Stressing a theme of resiliency and transformation out of adversity, the mayor ticked off a number of new initiatives he said are aimed at improving the lives of city residents.

"Today's State of the City address won't be as usual. It can't be. You need to see the complete picture of where Buffalo stands in the wake of what we've endured and where we're headed. That's why this afternoon my annual speech will focus on investing in our people and will include highlights from four different city budgets. These budgets will serve as our financial blueprint for our city's transformation," Brown said.

Commission recommends pay hikes for Buffalo's elected officials Buffalos Citizens Salary Review Commission has recommended 12.63% hikes in salaries for the citys elected officials: the mayor, comptroller, nine Common Council members and nine Board of Education members.

The mayor announced that the city will buy 11 new pieces of equipment for the Buffalo Fire Department, including a pumper truck and a ladder truck that was parked in Niagara Square on Monday. Brown said 24 new pieces of snow-clearing equipment and a vehicle rook to take away stranded vehicles are additional investments being made in the city's Department of Public Works fleet.

He said $1 million in city funding will go toward hiring emergency snow-removal contractors. Brown added that thanks to $10 million in state funds from Gov. Kathy Hochul, plans for a state-of-the-art Department of Public Works Campus and Resiliency Center continue to move forward.

Several hundred people attended the State of the City address, which featured a message of hope delivered by Pastor Brek Cockrell of Renovation Church and a video presentation highlighting the city's resiliency narrated by Bills safety Damar Hamlin.

"Damar Hamlin is a symbol of resilience, an athlete who met this challenge head on and embraced the challenges necessary to move forward," said Brown.

As he talked about planned investments in the city, the mayor said that violent crime was down 11% this year, while homicides have dropped 50% and shooting incidents are down 28%.

Plans for some new infrastructure investments were also announced by the mayor, including $12.5 million toward newly paved streets and nearly $8 million for new sidewalks. He said his administration is on track to produce improvements to city parks and park facilities that amount to more than $91 million since 2006.

Brown said his proposed $582 million budget for 2023-2024 continues what he said is his ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility.

"Most importantly, we are investing in our people, and the people who need it the most," he said.

Brown announced a historic, one-time bill forgiveness program aimed at assisting thousands of struggling low-income homeowners pay off their past due water, sewer and tax bills.

"This investment is about $30 million and includes funding set aside by Gov. Kathy Hochul to help East Buffalo homeowners become current," Brown said.

"I'm also taking it one step further to ease the stress on residents during the pandemic. I have directed my departments of assessment, taxation and law not to hold a foreclosure auction this year," he added.

In order to keep up with rising costs to maintain the city's ability to provide essential services, the mayor is proposing a 3.8% property tax increase. For a home assessed at $100,000, that would increase the tax bill $46 a year.

"I'm also recommending an increase in the garbage user fee between $7 and $22, depending on the size of your tote," Brown said. "The increase we are proposing to the user fee is needed to address higher fuel costs and equipment repairs. This will make our sanitation operations self sufficient. Even with these increases, we are still lower in costs than other upstate cities and surrounding suburbs."
One of the top advisers to Buffalo Diocese Bishop Michael W. Fisher has stepped down from her post as diocese chancellor in a move that she described in an email as a firing.

Fisher notified clergy across the diocese last week saying that Sister Regina Murphy has completed her long and distinguished tenure with the diocese.

The bishop did not otherwise describe the circumstances around Murphy's departure.

Joseph Martone, diocese spokesman, responded to a reporter's inquiry about Murphy with a written statement that echoed Fisher's memo to clergy. Martone declined to comment beyond the statement.

Murphy used the word terminated in explaining to department heads in the Catholic Center that she was leaving, according to two sources who read her email. She did not respond to a voice message and an email from The News seeking comment.

Murphy, who worked under eight diocese top administrators, was appointed chancellor in 2018. She was the first woman and first nonpriest to hold the high-ranking post, which involves overseeing diocese correspondence and archives and acting on behalf of the bishop in official communications with clergy and parishes.

Prior to being chancellor, Murphy served for 27 years as diocesan director of research and planning. She played a central role in steering the dioceses Journey in Faith & Grace, a massive and controversial restructuring process that was launched in 2005 and ultimately resulted over several years in the closure of more than 70 worship sites across eight counties, a reduction in the number of parishes from 265 to 169 and the shuttering of 25 elementary schools.

In that capacity, she spent much of her time analyzing demographics and other data on Catholics in Western New York, where the practice of the faith has fallen off dramatically over the past few decades, as it has in other Northeastern cities that were once strongholds of Catholicism.

Former Bishop Richard J. Malone appointed Murphy as interim chancellor in 2018, shortly after the dioceses cover-up of child-molesting priests from decades earlier started getting exposed by local news outlets.

Murphy is part of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur. She was a high school teacher and administrator prior to starting work at the Catholic Center in 1988 as associate director of research and planning in the administration of Bishop Edward D. Head.

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI recognized Murphy with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, a papal distinction of honor.

In his email, Fisher said he was immensely grateful to Murphy for her dedicated service and always-reliable counsel.

Melissa Potzer, who was named vice chancellor in 2022, will serve as primary point person on matters related to the chancellors responsibilities until Murphys successor is named, said Fisher. Murphys research and planning and archive responsibilities will be handled by a collaboration of other administrators, Fisher added.

Fisher has been under pressure from abuse victims and their advocates to replace chancery officials connected with past bishops accused of covering for abusive priests, including Malone, who resigned in 2019 amid a firestorm of criticism over his handling of molestation claims.

It's unclear, however, if that had anything to do with the departure of Murphy, who was responsible for maintaining and organizing priest personnel files and was instrumental in developing a diocese list of clergy accused of abuse.
Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, has warned the government to pick a lesson from the murder of the State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola.

Minister Engola was shot dead on Tuesday morning by his bodyguard, Private Wilson Sabiti attached to the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF).

It is alleged that Sabiti who had spent one month on duty as Engolas bodyguard made a dying declaration where he claimed to have gone months without pay.

Addressing journalists at Kyanja, Lukwago noted that if the motive of the UPDF guard is confirmed, then it should serve as a reminder to improve on the plight of security officers.

Everybody is angry. People are living extravagantly at the expense of others, Mr Lukwago said.

According to Lukwago, a number of Ugandans have deep-seated anger which could lead the country into trouble.
By Jane Nafula

The State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola has been shot dead this morning by his body guard from his home in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb.

Yes. Go to Kyanja, there is a shooting. A soldier has shot his boss, Owoyesigire told this publication in a brief telephone interview.

The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, also confirmed the ministers death while presiding over the plenary session this morning.

This morning, I received sad news that Hon Engola has been shot by his bodyguard and after, shot himself. May his soul rest in peace. That was Gods plan. We cant change anything, Ms Among said. Read more
Police have intensified investigations into the shooting that happened this morning in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday morning at their headquarters at Naguru, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said the shooting happened at around 8 am at the residence of the deceased State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola.

According to Enanga, the deceased was shot at close range by one of his body guards while entering his car this morning.

He says after shooting his boss, the soldier fled the scene and went to the trading center along Kyanja ring road where he entered a salon and also shot himself dead.

He was shot at his residence in Kyanja by one of his bodyguards who allegedly fired several shots at close range. He fled from the scene up to the trading centre at Kyanja, Ring Road where he entered a salon and also shot himself dead, Enanga told journalists on Tuesday.

Enanga meanwhile says a team of crime scene experts has been dispatched to the scene to investigate the motive behind the ministers murder.
Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) deputy spokesperson, Lt Col Deo Akiiki has refuted allegations that army officers have not been paid for several months now.

Akiiki made the affirmation while addressing journalists at the shooting scene of the State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola on Tuesday morning in Kyanja., a Kampala suburb.

There are reports that Private Wilson Sabiti (deceased) who shot Minister Engola was disgruntled by the delayed release of his salary and also decried his deplorable situation moments before he turned the gun on himself.

However, Akiiki says army officers are paid every 27th of the month.

All of us get our salaries by the 27th of every month and I have facts to show you that my bank received that money and every soldier received his pay, Akiiki said.

Lt Col Akiiki says together with other joint security teams, they are committed to finding out the motive behind the conduct of the UPDF officer.

According to Akiiki, the deceased soldier had just spent one month on duty guarding the deceased.

He has expressed optimism that the ministers ADC Ronald Otim who sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Mulago hospital for treatment will help the security forces in thorough investigations.
She was described as fabled and sinister and the most fabulous and cunning woman criminal in the annals of the Buffalo Police Department. Cat-Eye Annie turned Buffalo upside down when she stole what would today be $1.3 million in jewels from a home on Linwood Avenue before becoming the first woman to escape from both the Erie County Jail and later Auburn Prison.

Her nickname came from the fact that she had one blue eye and one eye that was blue on top, chestnut on the bottom. She was known in big cities all over the country by a handful of aliases to the point where it wasnt really possible to pin down her true name but her MO was as unmistakable as that eye. With a falsified list of tough-to-trace references and an impeccable knowledge of the book of servants etiquette, she would join a prominent, wealthy family as a maid. As soon as she could locate the family jewels shed load up a sack and take off.

After assuming the identity of Mary McCoy, a well-regarded servant in Buffalo, Annie was hired as a maid in the house of Lewis Surdam, a vice president for F.W. Woolworth who lived at 464 Linwood Ave. Only hours after being hired, on the morning of Dec. 5, 1923, Annie vanished  along with $75,000 ($1.3 million in 2023 dollars) of Mrs. Surdams jewels. Among the pieces missing was a platinum ring set with a seven-karat diamond surrounded by 60 smaller diamonds.

She made a clean getaway, but Annie was picked out of a rogues gallery photo lineup by Mrs. Surdam and two maids. Police immediately began their search for the woman known as Lillian McDowell, Mary McCoy, Elsie Webb, Martha Conners, and a total of more than dozen names. Her first Buffalo arrest had come a decade earlier in 1913, but most recently, shed jumped a $2,000 bail in Cleveland, coming right to Buffalo to lay the groundwork for the heist here. Immediately, Buffalo cops started a nationwide manhunt, with mugshots and a rap sheet sent to police all over the country.

When word reached Baltimore, authorities there recognized the woman in question as Cat-Eyed Lil, who they had credited with more than $200,000 in stolen jewels ($3.6 million in 2023 dollars) in the late 1910s and early 1920s. After two years on the lam after swiping the jewels on Linwood Avenue, a detective in Milwaukee saw the woman with the distinctive eye board the street car he was riding. He remembered the all-points-bulletin from Buffalo and arrested her.

Buffalo escape

Returned to Buffalo, under the name Lillian McDowell, Cat-Eye Annie pleaded guilty. As she awaited sentencing, she was being held in the first degree murderers cell at the Erie County Jail. In the early morning hours of Oct. 25, 1925, Annie picked the lock of the cell, placed a dummy on her cot, and made her way to a second floor window from which she jumped onto Church Street and off into the night.

A city bus driver came forward to say he remembered picking up a woman that night she was walking with a clearly hurt leg and kept squinting one eye. She took the bus to the city line at Kenmore and disappeared. The next day, workers found Annie in the attic of a home under construction a few blocks away on Westgate Avenue. She was feverish and her ankle had swollen to three times its normal size.

After being taken back into custody, two deputies carried her on a chair into the courtroom, she told the court her true name was Lillian McDowell, she was 44, and was born in Louisville, Ky., Judge Noonan sentenced her to the maximum  10 years of hard labor at Auburn.

Her last words for Buffalo, as she was being carried out of the courtroom were, If I hadnt broken my ankle, you fellows would have never gotten a hold of me.

Auburn escapes

Six months into her sentence at Auburn, Annie used a spoon to tunnel through the mortar of a brick wall and then climbed the wall surrounding the prison to freedom. Twenty-six hours later, she was found hiding in a haystack on a farm near the prison.

Four years later, in 1930, Annie escaped Auburn again  this time foiled when a man who picked her up hitchhiking, found it strange that she was wearing a mans coat and hat and called police. Annie was taken back into custody wearing the clothing she stole from a guards closet on her way out of the prison.

She was paroled in New York in 1935 but faced charges in other states. Her sentence was commuted and she was released from a Missouri jail in 1941. Thats the last time anyone heard from Cat-Eye Annie. Courier-Express reporter Manuel Bernstein tried to track her down in 1961, but neither the Buffalo Police nor the FBI had any record of her whereabouts after that release.

Longtime Buffalo scribe Dick Hirsch didnt have any luck tracking her down either in the mid-'50s, but ended his story with the idea that she could be the spry, white-haired old lady who shops regularly at the corner supermarket. Perhaps we shall never know.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  This is where Luke Russert grew up: among journalists, living in the shadows of monuments and the hallways of history.

This is also how Luke Russert grew up, chatty and engaging, a smile etched onto his face, a face shaped like his fathers, doling out anecdotes as though he were perched on the corner stool of a South Buffalo bar.

Russert belongs in that place, but in the duality of his life  one spent growing up the son of a legendary broadcaster and a famous writer  he belongs here, too. This is the National Press Club, a place with upholstered wooden chairs and a room called the Truman Lounge, because Harry Truman once played the piano nestled against the wall.

It is lunchtime, and Russert is here talking about the man and the subject that has defined his life: his Buffalo-born father, Tim Russert, the iconic moderator of Meet the Press, who died of heart attack in 2008, when Luke was 22 years old.

I always knew from a young age that people recognized my father, and I always knew we were a little bit different, Russert said. Wed be walking into a restaurant, they would look up, and I would always hear the whispers: Theres Tim Russert. Thats his wife, Maureen, " referring to Maureen Orth, the noted author and Vanity Fair correspondent. "I knew that was special, and that I sort of had a role to play in that, which was to be the dutiful son, look people in the eye and shake their hands and project out the proper image. I came to peace with that.

Even in this simple setting, sitting at a quiet table abutting a 14th floor window, Russert is projecting that proper image now. Hes talking about the most personal of losses  the untimely and highly publicized death of his father  and how hes doing it in the most public of ways: Russert has authored a memoir, Look For Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself.

The book chronicles the phone call informing him and his mother of his fathers death  Luke and Maureen were in Italy when Tim collapsed at NBCs Washington studio  and the weeks, months and years that followed: As thousands gathered for his father's wake and funeral services, Luke took on the role of gracious host, consoling luminaries, chatting up President George W. Bush and delivering a eulogy and reflections so eloquent that it earned him offers to become a television broadcaster. He was only months out of Boston College when, like his dad, he became an NBC journalist.

Some special, unscripted Russert moments on 'Meet the Press' anniversary You knew that the late Tim Russert would get some prominent mentions and highlights during the 70th anniversary program of NBCs Meet the Press Sunday. But there were a couple of unscripted moments that had to bring smiles to some fans of the late South Buffalo legend. During Chuck Todds interview with Buffalo native Thomas E. Perez, the chairman

Inevitable scoffs of nepotism were audible, but quieted over time. As an NBC congressional correspondent, Russert proved himself a solid journalist in his own right, building a network of sources on Capitol Hill and digging for truth.

He was just so instinctively good, recalled Chuck Todd, then NBC News' political director and now moderator of Meet the Press.

Russert had long ago accepted that his father's legacy would define how people view his own life.

I realized there's very few things I could do in this world where the first line of my obituary wouldnt be Son of Tim Russert,  he said. I actually joked about that with President Bush. 'Youre twice elected president and the first line of your obit will still be "son of"  . 

But in the eight years that arced Lukes college graduation, his fathers death and his own television career, Luke had never defined how he viewed his life.

He proved he could follow in his dad's footsteps, if he wanted to, Todd said by phone this week. He did that a while ago. I think what happened to him is, it still didn't get rid of the emptiness. Whatever it was that he was looking for, it didn't solve it.

On Sunday, Russert appeared on Meet the Press to talk about his book. Todd shared this excerpt on air: The last eight years have been such a whirlwind that Ive never fully processed my grief for Dad. Its apparent that Ive spent so much time honoring his legacy that Ive never truly accepted his death. Worse, by honoring that legacy, I have failed to forge my own life.

That quote resonated with Todd, who was 16 when his own father died.

Unfortunately, Luke and I share this in common, Todd said. You never get over it. You think about it every day. But you learn to live with it, and you learn to learn with it.

Sometimes, others help you learn, too. For Russert, that lesson came from an unexpected source: then-Speaker of the House John Boehner, a Republican from Cincinnati who, like Tim and Luke Russert, was devoutly Catholic and Jesuit-educated. As Luke recounts in his book, one day in the spring of 2015, Boehner and his security detail brushed by him in the hallways of the Capitol.

Come by my office in an hour, Boehner said to Russert, who showed up expecting to talk about a story. Boehner wanted to talk about Russerts life choices.

What are you doing on Capitol Hill? Boehner said. Youve been here awhile now, huh?

Russert told the speaker that was in his sixth year covering Congress. They bantered for a bit; Russert wondered why Boehner, who was third in line for the presidency, would urge someone to leave Capitol Hill.

Look, youre a young guy, Boehner said. At one point, you up and realize youve spent your entire life here and never once got out into anything else.

Boehner, in an interview last week, elaborated on why he summoned Russert that day.

My wife and I have two daughters, and over the years, I've adopted a bunch of sons: members of Congress, staffers and a couple of journalists, said the former speaker, who knew both Tim Russert and Maureen Orth.

I had a lot of relationships with reporters, Boehner said, but I had a little different relationship with Luke. Maybe it was because I knew his mom and his dad. Maybe because I liked him more than the others. Kid did a nice job.

Boehner liked to tease Russert about his booming voice, and his career choice, asking, When are you going to grow up and get a real job? But that needling probed deeper than a superficial joke.

I thought there was something special about Luke, and I thought that he was not maximizing his own abilities, Boehner said.

By mid-2015, Boehner knew he was retiring from Congress at the end of the year, and decided that one day to have a candid talk with Russert.

I thought rather than just shooting the breeze in the hall, maybe I'll just call him into my office, Boehner said. So I did.

The impact of the conversation ran deep. Unbeknownst to Boehner at the time, Russert had already been reflective.

The feelings were there, but that woke them up in a real way, he said. It was a conversation that rattled me. It was very unexpected. I had to reconcile the fact that here's somebody who's at the top and saying, Is it worth it? That caused me to reevaluate a lot of stuff.

Luke Russert tweets hes leaving NBC News Son of South Buffalo native Tim Russert says he wants to pursue other

Over the next year, Russert immersed himself in introspection: What is this feeling of longing for? Where is this feeling of emptiness coming from? ... I am not totally happy. Im not satisfied. I kind of feel like Im drifting through.

The following summer, as the 2016 Hillary Clinton-Donald Trump presidential campaign was heating up, he announced on Twitter that he was leaving NBC News and included the email he sent to staff. It said, in part:

Its fair to say my broadcast career began in an unusual way after college graduation and the death of my father. As a result, I threw myself into the work and never took the time to reflect, to travel and to experience many things that would have given me a clearer sense of what my future should be. Now at 30, I look forward to taking some time away from political reporting and focusing my efforts on other endeavors that I've long wanted to pursue.

With money from his fathers estate, Russert had financial freedom. He decided to travel, with no end date in mind. His journey began in Maine, driving along the coastline and deep into the woods with his dog, Chamberlain, in an old truck his father had given him. For a privileged kid who grew up to hold an exalted reporting job in the nations capital, a drive through a working forest on old logging roads qualifies as an adventure, Russert writes.

Its dangerous, too: Russert brushed with his own demise when a roaring timber truck on a narrow roadway nearly collided with him head-on. But the effort to decompress blossomed into a realization.

The power of aloneness  those hours, those miles, alone in my truck, with only my dog, my music, and my thoughts  has helped open my mind to self-discovery, Russert writes.

He decided to keep traveling, and embarked on a three-and-a-half-year journey around the world, journaling and posting to Instagram. Look For Me There is drawn from the writing Russert kept throughout his sometimes-harrowing travels. He processes his fathers death, and at points speculates how Tim Russert would have felt about his son trying to do things like charm his way through Bolivian border security when he didnt have the proper paperwork. (He suspects his dad would have been terrified.) Luke also explores the mother-son relationship with his Orth, herself an experienced traveler and former Peace Corps volunteer.

Orth, whom Luke describes as the stricter of his parents, supported his journeying  and years into his travels, also urged him to stop and figure out his next steps. He did that, but on his own timeline, and it is still going.

I like storytelling, Russert said. He's finished his lunch of chili and chicken caesar salad; now sipping a black coffee and turning introspective. For a guy who has so many of his fathers traits  gregarious and affable, a good companion for a five-star meal or a five-dollar beer  he has discovered a difference between himself and Tim Russert.

I proudly say he was very competitive, in a good way, Luke said. "But there's what I call the sort of Michael Jordan, Kobe competitiveness. Derek Jeter competitiveness, which is just an absolute desire to put your best self out there to win. Not win at all costs, but to win. And I could sometimes get to that level, but not all that time. He had that every day.

If youre Luke Russert, what do you do now? How do you parlay that realization into figuring out whats next?

You start by telling more stories: on page, on screen, in whatever form it takes.

I think Ive been blessed with a talent to do it, Russert said. I learned at the feet of two incredible people  my parents  how to do it. Thats something I want to explore.

The journey isnt over.

...

Russert is visiting Buffalo for a book launch event on Sunday. He's appearing at 6 p.m. at The Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub, 2134 Seneca St., Buffalo, for a book reading and signing. Pre-ordered copies of "Look For Me There" are available through Talking Leaves Books and include a free pint from Blackthorn. Attendees are asked to register here. A portion of the book sales will be donated to the GoFundMe page for the late Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno, who died in the line of duty March 1. Donations will also be accepted onsite.
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(Kitco News) - Fortuna Silver Mines (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) said on Tuesday that a small group of union employees, representing 15% of the mine and plant workforce, have illegally blockaded access to the San Jose mine in Mexico.

According to a company news release, as a result, operations at the mine have been temporarily halted.

The illegal blockade arose after this group of workers did not agree with the estimated amount the company is to distribute among the workforce as part of the workers profit sharing entitlement. Profit sharing is a transparent calculation and is payable in accordance with Mexican legislation. The blockaders demand the company increases profit sharing participation beyond what is stipulated by law, Fortuna Silver said.

The company noted it is engaged in dialogue with the union leadership in an open and constructive manner to have employees return to work and for operations to resume as soon as possible.

For over a decade, the San Jose mine has been the single largest employer in the region of Valles Centrales and provides direct quality employment to over 1,200 people, it added.

Fortuna Silver Mines is a Canadian precious metals mining company with four operating mines in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Mexico and Peru, and a fifth mine under construction in Cote d'Ivoire.
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(Kitco News) - Gold producer Harmony Gold Mining today reported a loss of life incident at its Kusasalethu mine near Carletonville, South Africa, on Sunday, 30 April 2023.

In a press release, the company said that a seismic induced fall of ground event resulted in the loss of life of one of the night shift team leaders.

The management and employees of Harmony express their sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Kusasalethu team who have been affected by this tragic incident, Harmony Gold added.

CEO Peter Steenkamp stated, I am deeply disappointed by this loss of life, especially considering the significant efforts we have made to foster a safety culture within our organization.

Safety is at the core of Harmonys values, and the company continues to prioritize rigorous safety standards throughout all of its operations, the company noted.

Harmony Gold also said that all work in the affected section has been temporarily ceased, pending a comprehensive internal investigation.
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(Kitco News) - Impala Platinum (JSE: IMP, Implats), a leading producer of platinum group metals (PGM), reported today that in the March quarter of 2023, its 6E PGM in concentrate production declined by 5% y-o-y to 735,000 ounces.

Moreover, the company said that its refined 6E PGM production, which includes saleable ounces from Impala Canada, declined by 10% y-o-y to 662,000 ounces.

Implats explained that refined production in the quarter was impacted by lower group production volumes and compounded by reduced available smelting capacity due to scheduled maintenance and the increased severity and frequency of load curtailment in the quarter.

"The scheduled rebuild of the Number 4 furnace, which began in November 2022, was completed as planned at the beginning of April, but experienced some delays in recommissioning due to constrained power availability," the company said in a press release.

"In addition to load curtailment at South African managed and JV operations, severe loadshedding was also experienced across the Zimbabwean national grid in March 2023 due to generation constraints at Hwange Power Stations and the curtailment of power imports following payment challenges," it added.

Implats pointed out it responds to load curtailment requirements through several operational interventions including reducing power to group smelters and adjusting milling, hoisting and re-mining rates.

"The estimated impact of Eskom load curtailment on group production in the quarter resulted in the deferral of circa 16,000 6E ounces. Implats finished the period with circa 190,000 6E ounces of excess inventory," Implats said.

Despite the challenging operating environment during the period under review, the elevated load curtailment requirements and the prevailing exchange rates, Implats noted it remains on track to deliver within the guided group parameters for FY2023, with volumes trending towards the lower and costs increasing towards the upper boundaries of the range, respectively.

Implats is a leading producer of platinum group metals. The group is structured around six mining operations and Impala Refining Services, a toll refining business.

The company's operations are located on the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe  the two most significant PGM-bearing ore bodies in the world  and the Canadian Shield, a prominent layered igneous domain.
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(Kitco News) - Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have been receiving a lot of attention lately as more than 110 countries around the world are at some stage in the exploration or testing of digital fiat, but the full scale release of CBDCs for institutional and public use in most countries remains years away.

In the interim, fiat-pegged stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) have established themselves as the go-to tokens for stability in the crypto market. As the world slowly shifts from a dollar-centric global market to one of competing currencies, options for non-dollar-denominated stablecoins have begun to emerge to satisfy the needs of traders in different countries.

At the recent Consensus conference held at the end of April, Kitco Crypto spoke with Alex McDougall of Stablecorp, a company focused on creating a Canadian dollar-denominated stablecoin (QCAD) and a delivery mechanism designed to facilitate on-chain FX connectivity between the U.S., Canada, and other jurisdictions.

According to McDougall, while there has been a market for non-USD stablecoins for a while, their uptake has been lackluster due to the on-chain FX and connectivity side, which is something Stablecorp is looking to remedy for their Canadian dollar token.

They are also focusing on the concept of embedded finance, which would enable companies such as buy now, pay later providers, supply chain financing platforms, or even exchanges to no longer need a client's bank account in order to operate.

We can do an on-ramping as a service right to their end users, and then they can run their entire platform in digital assets, McDougall said. It untangles the fiat-ness from inside all these platforms and puts it right around the outside, and you start to have these machine-speed webs of commerce that work really quickly.

These types of systems can then be combined with the infrastructure for Circles USDC in the U.S., other local payment rails, and with the on-chain FX markets for international exchanges and international market makers to create the global webs that we have been talking about since 2008 but havent really done anything with, he said.

One example of how Stablecorp utilizes this technology is through its partnership with Finoo, a company that brings Brazilian students to Canada and allows them to pay tuition using the Canadian stablecoin.

The program allows Brazilian parents to pay for their students attending school in Canada, offering instant settlement while accessing FX rates that are up to 90% cheaper than they would be as cross-border payments.

They can take advantage of good FX rates. They don't need to open a bank account in Canada. They can all do it directly out of digital assets, McDougall said. So it's just like a whole bunch of things that are annoying about that experience of going to Canada smoothed all out from digital assets. It's Canada focused, but it's kind of global as well.

McDougall pointed out that there is a huge global push towards the development of real-time payment rails, noting that they currently represent 27% of payments and are expected to account for 50% or more in the next five years.

While its something that takes a huge amount of infrastructure and a huge amount of coordination using traditional assets, you kind of have it right out of the box with a stablecoin, he said.

QCAD

To develop the new QCAD stablecoin, Stablecorp followed the guidance released by the Canadian Securities Association to ensure that it met global regulatory standards. The company also collaborated with an international stablecoin standards group to establish the token as fiat-backed with independent attestations of reserves that will be done on a monthly basis. All reserves are held with a qualified custodian who assures proper handing on the backend.

The standards group is working with companies like Stablecorp to develop common standards that ensure stablecoins are accepted as a form of money and not considered securities.

QCAD is backed by reserves held in either liquid cash or 30-day guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) by Tetra Trust, a Canada-based licensed custodian. The income earned from these holdings allows Stablecorp to fund its operation while also providing clients with free on and off-ramps.

As the world moves towards an increase in digital currencies and digitally based financial systems, Stablecorp is also looking to help smaller jurisdictions that may not have as robust and stable a banking system develop stablecoin options. This includes places like Bermuda and other Caribbean nations, which have businesses that conduct transactions with partners around the world that entail a large amount of corresponding banking friction and excess fees.

When we think about Canada, connecting Canada to kind of the global world of stablecoins and skipping those correspondent banking hops that take days and add additional costs, it's even more important and friction-full for those smaller nations, McDougall said. So we're always looking at different jurisdictions, but at the same time, we love partnering with regions that already have all the regulations set up.

CBDCs and stablecoins

On the topic of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), McDougall said that he sees the potential for an interesting hybrid world where both public and private digital money exists. One possible future outcome is the creation of algorithmic banks that operate fully on-chain and play the money multiplier role and then a private stablecoin on top of that.

He added that there are still a lot of questions about how these types of banks and systems would work and what tech stack they would use, such as blockchain versus Hyperledger versus a standard closed-loop network.

McDougall noted that he doesnt see the release of CBDCs as a move to compete with the private banking sector. Every country, their banking sector is a huge part of their economy. So I would be surprised if we do end up buying coffees with CBDCs in the way that seems to be the prevalent model in the Western world of keeping it as a bank-to-central bank idea.

He also highlighted that in regions where CBDCs have already rolled out, end users havent really adopted them, calling it an issue with user adoption, people being comfortable with it, and how much its supported, among the variables to consider.

Privacy is also a major concern that many have around CBDCs and is an area that will need to be explored and addressed as digital currencies for widespread use by the public start to roll out.

McDougall said he sees three outcomes moving forward. The best case scenario is a wholesale move towards stablecoins, he said. It forces all banks and everybody to get blockchain infrastructure. And once the infrastructure is there and there is a push towards doing it, the leap from there to a fully autonomous, self-sovereign world where you can do everything yourself is not that far.

The base case scenario is probably much simpler and more boring, where we get everything slightly more efficient. Nothing really changes from a big picture, macro perspective, but cross-border transactions dont cost six and a half percent, they cost two percent. But it's still the banks controlling it, its all the same players.

The extreme case outcome would end up with us all in surveillance states, where we all have decentralized IDs that have everything attached to them, he said. The real outcome is somewhere in between those three.

Institutions and stablecoins

As for other recent developments in the stablecoin world, McDougall highlighted that a lot of the recent interest has been coming from institutional players.

He gave the example of the wireless industry, which pays a lot in friction costs just to cover roaming between two countries. They're looking at stablecoin solutions between institutional players in Canada and institutional players in the US to be able to cut out millions of dollars in friction costs, he said. We're starting to build out those solutions with some of the bigger players and work on that side as well.

In the near term, Stablecorp plans to begin launching its first stablecoin-as-a-service offering that will include embedded stablecoin API that allows companies to utilize blockchain technology behind the scenes, offering increased functionality and virtual accounts without needing to broadcast that they are using crypto.

The company is also focused on establishing partnerships with Canadian exchanges and other payment providers to enable the ability to make payments for all manner of transactions, including tuition, taxes and credit card payments straight from the stablecoin.

Thus far, Stablecorp has been well received by Canadian regulators, McDougall said, and they have released reasonable requirements for stablecoin projects, such as independent attestations, fully fiat reserve, independent qualified custodians and segregated accounts for assets.

They've taken a relatively proactive approach, he said. They have this classification called the crypto trading platform for all of the platforms right now. They've created this kind of exemption where as long as you do X, Y, Z and trade these coins and keep leverage out of it, you're fine to operate. Its heavy-handed in some ways, but it provides clarity.

Above all, clarity is the key factor as it lets companies know where to work from and they no longer feel like they are playing Russian Roulette when engaging with regulators, he said.
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(Kitco News) - The Biden administration continues to take a more heavy-handed approach toward the cryptocurrency industry as the President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) is now pushing for a 30% Digital Asset Mining Energy (DAME) tax.

According to a report from Yahoo News, the CAE is looking to institute the new tax as part of the White Houses effort to minimize the crypto mining industrys impact on climate change.

Cryptominers high-energy consumption has negative spillovers on the environment, quality of life, and electricity grids where these firms locate across the country, the CEA argues in a post set to be released on the White House blog.

The CEA went on to lay out its case for instituting the DAME excise tax, which is referred to as an example of the Administrations efforts to fight climate change and reduce energy prices.

Currently, cryptomining firms do not have to pay for the full cost they impose on others, in the form of local environmental pollution, higher energy prices, and the impacts of increased greenhouse gas emissions on the climate, the CEA said. The DAME tax encourages firms to start taking better account of the harms they impose on society.

Last September, the White House released a report indicating that cryptocurrency mining consumes more power than the entire country of Australia and accounts for an estimated 0.9% to 1.7% of all the electricity use in the United States.

Many in the blockchain ecosystem see this as yet another avenue of attack being used by the government to crack down on an industry that they dont like or see as a threat. This puts a clear line in the sand that they do not like the industry, Tom Mapes, director of energy policy at the Chamber of Digital Commerce said. They are looking for ways to hamstring it. This is just a way to go after the industry which they do not support.

A recent study conducted by ESG analyst and investor Daniel Batten showed that the majority of Bitcoin mining comes from renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric (23.12%), wind power (13.98%), nuclear (7.94%), solar (4.98%) and 2.4% from other energy sources. This means that roughly 52.4% of all Bitcoin mining relies on renewable energy for its power needs, a trend that is expected to continue to grow.

Batten further projects that the industry will see a 6.2% annual growth rate in sustainability in terms of power used for Bitcoin mining, which will further reduce the use of fossil fuel-based energy.

But the energy use by the mining industry is also increasing as the crypto industry expands, and the CEA is looking to get out ahead of any future problems. In Texas, the operation of ten large-scale Bitcoin mines has resulted in higher prices for all customers amid an effort by the states grid operators to make sure supply and demand are in balance and avoid blackouts.

Where we see the strains emerging are in these places that are drawing off the grid, where this starts getting noticed at the level that communities are pushing back and are experiencing consequences of it, an economist on the CEA said. Localities are dealing with it, and theyre struggling to come up with solutions on their own.

The White House is looking to address the issue from the federal level as state or local regulations could result in the industry just moving to more welcoming jurisdictions. The Biden Administration wants to create national regulation that reflects the social cost of crypto mining.

The current plan is to have the 30% tax phased in over three years, starting with 10% and increasing by 10% each year for two additional years.

It is estimated that the proposed tax will generate $3.5 billion over a ten-year period, but the primary goal of the tax is to start having crypto miners pay their fair share of the costs imposed on local communities and the environment, the CEA said.

In response to cryptocurrency proponents who highlight that there are other energy-intensive industries like chemical manufacturing that are not being targeted with a tax on their electricity use, the White House has argued that crypto mining doesnt necessarily generate the same benefits as those industries, such as job creation and the supply of essential products.
Some bit of history was made last week when a monster was convicted of a terrible crime. Hell be going to prison for it.

Angel Elliot Dalfin pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday, admitting to a felony of lying in official documents that he was unaware of lead-based paint hazards in 23 rental homes he sold or that had no reports or records pertaining to lead-based paint in the houses.

Prosecutors agreed to a prison sentence of 12 to 18 months and a fine between $5,500 and $55,000. The charges carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Given the sentence Dalfin imposed on his tenants, he got off easy, even counting the civil fine of more than $5 million engineered by State Attorney General Letitia James. Dont hold your breath waiting for it to be paid. Based on Dalfins nearly two years as a fugitive, no one should suspect any enthusiasm to pay his debt.

Dalfin was among the worst rental housing operators in Buffalo, prosecutors and inspectors have said  and may actually have been the worst. At one time, he owned or controlled more than 150 single- and two-family homes in Buffalo, renting mainly to low-income people of color in East Buffalo  people whose health and even lives he put in danger.

An investigation by the state Attorney Generals Office found that he repeatedly allowed lead paint to deteriorate, and, in an apparent effort to cover up his criminality, provided deficient and false lead disclosures  or no disclosures at all  to tenants and purchasers of his properties.

As a result, renters were exposed to lead dust and children to lead paint chips, which they are prone to putting in their mouths. Lead poisoning can  often does  produce dire consequences.

The worst cases in children end in death. Those that dont can lead to catastrophic, lifelong impairments, including intellectual disability and behavioral disorders. The World Health Organization says there is no known safe level of concentration in the blood.

Who would knowingly subject innocent people to such hazards and also lie about it?

Angel Dalfin would.

His crime spree might have been cut short if Erie County would create and maintain a searchable database identifying rental houses with lead paint problems. Its surely time for that.

As this page has previously observed, the family who once lived at 96 Wick St. could have been spared its trauma. In November 2015, the Erie County Department of Health received a report of a 2-year-old child with an elevated blood lead level living at the property. Tests found 10 lead paint hazards in several locations.

Potentially even more useful would be a system to directly notify tenants of lead paint hazards in their residences. Indeed, it seems unconscionable not to provide that information, given the high risk of devastating consequences. What can be the excuse not to do this?

Others in Western New York have been convicted of federal crimes regarding lead paint violations, but the Dalfin case is momentous. Only one can be the worst and, if Dalfin isnt that, hes contending for that reprehensible distinction. He should be required to serve every day of his sentence and to pay every penny of what he owes.

Because what he did was monstrous.

  

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.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

A few showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving overnight. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's biographer Eddie Cross says the Zimbabwean leader is plotting revenge against name-dropping Zimbabwe Ambassador-at-large Eubert Angel for embarrassing him through incriminating comments contained in an Al Jazeera documentary aired recently.Angel told undercover journalists who filmed the corruption busting documentary that he could use his diplomatic status and links to the First Family to, among other clandestine services, launder over US$1,2 billion on behalf of the journalists who posed as criminals.In the documentary, Angel also told the Al Jazeera journalists Mnangagwa has stashed US$240 million in personal funds for general elections expected not later than August this year.Government said recently it has frozen the assets of those implicated in the documentary pending an investigation into their illegal dealings.But Zimbabweans view this with skepticism after many connected individuals implicated in past acts of corruption still walk free.Cross, who recently featured in a local podcast interview, claimed government was still to take sterner action against the United Kingdom based preacher."Eubert Angel embarrassed the government of Zimbabwe; worse than that, he embarrassed the President and I want to tell you, when that happens there are consequences."A small cabinet committee has been informed and they have reviewed the programmes; all four and appropriate action has been taken and if I was Eubert, I would stay in the UK, look after his British passport and burn his Zimbabwean passport."Because he is not coming back. If he comes back here, there will be consequences," said Cross.Cross said he had classified information from some senior government officials who confided in him over Angel's fate.The former Zimbabwe opposition lawmaker said Mnangagwa lived up to his moniker, "crocodile"."Crocodiles attack fast and when they do attack, it's often fatal but you don't see it coming."He is not a man who makes his views public."He is a very reserved man as a matter of fact," Cross said.In a damage control statement made through his lawyer last month, Angel dismissed sentiments he was involved in illegal gold dealings and money laundering.The preacher said he cooperated with the journalists as part of a covert national intelligence operation investigating if the undercover journalists were genuine investors.
Fremantle - Channel 5

Neighbours star Candice Leask has broken her silence about her return as Wendy Rodwell in the upcoming reboot.

The actress debuted as the character in 2021, and it was officially confirmed earlier today (May 1) that Candice would be reprising her role on Amazon Freevees revival, which is due to air later this year.

The news was confirmed via the official social media channels for the Australian soap, with a post on Instagram showcasing a photo of Candice as Wendy: "And Wendy makes three," read the caption.

Related: Neighbours legend Ian Smith discusses future as Harold Bishop

"We're delighted that Candice Leask will be returning with the rest of the Rodwell clan in all new episodes of #Neighbours. We look forward to Wendy saying 'Yoo-hoo' again later in the year."

Candice responded to the post, expressing her enthusiasm at being able to return to Ramsay Street, commenting: "well YOO-HOOOOO indeed!!! I AM soooo thrilled to be joining the amazing and immensely hardworking show  that is Neighbours!!!!

"And SO happy that the fans are getting their Neighbours back... ( I wonder what events the street will bring this year... any guesses???)," she added.

The news wont come as a surprise to ardent followers of the soap, with Candice being pictured on-set alongside on-screen family members Emerald Chan and Lloyd Will last month.

Fremantle - Channel 5

Related: Neighbours confirms return for Melanie Pearson in show revival

Both Emerald and Lloyd were subsequently announced to be reprising their roles as Sadie and Andrew respectively, with the pair joining the ever-increasing roster of returning stars.

One new cast member will be Mischa Barton, with The OC star joining the soap as Reece: "Im excited to be part of this iconic shows next chapter, and I am really looking forward to being back in Australia, a place I know and love," she said upon her announcement. "I think the character of Reece is going to be a great role for me to explore and play with."

Story continues

Neighbours returns in the second half of 2023 with new episodes streaming free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia for the new series.

Read more Neighbours coverage on our dedicated homepage

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Sudanese Army soldiers rest near a tank at a checkpoint in Khartoum on April 30, as clashes continue in war-torn Sudan.
A Ukrainian trench in Bakhmut, Ukraine, on March 5, 2023. Photo by John Moore/Getty Images

UK officials on Monday noted extensive Russian defense far from the current front lines.

Some are even behind Russia's own borders, suggesting it is worried about Ukraine attacking there.

Ukraine is preparing a counteroffensive, but it isn't clear that could invade Russia, or wants to.

Russia is building defenses hundreds of miles away from its borders with Ukraine, fearing a counteroffensive so sweeping it could push into Russian territory, according to British intelligence.

The UK Ministry of Defence posted an update on Twitter Monday morning, noting the presence of trench networks "well inside internationally recognised Russian territory including in the Belgorod and Kursk regions."

Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 1, 2023

The reason, per the update, was "Russian leaders' deep concern that Ukraine could achieve a major breakthrough."

Anticipation is building around a long-promised counterattack from Ukraine, which has for the past months been building its strength while trying to hold back the grinding advances of the Russian military through winter.

Ukraine's defense minister last week said that the counteroffensive was mostly ready to go. Ukraine has been organizing new brigades and has recently received powerful new weapons from Western allies, including the Leopard, Challenger, and Abrams tanks.

The extra troops and firepower could help achieve a breakthrough in countering the invasion, which has been mostly static for months.

However, a serious effort to invade Russia is beyond what most observers consider feasible for Ukraine, which has far fewer resources than Russia and has been focused on defending its own territory.

Ukraine hasn't made any attempts so far to occupy Russian land, and its stated aim in the war is to restore control over Ukraine's internationally-recognized territory, including the Crimea peninsula, which Russia has held since 2014.

Story continues

The UK update noted that the defenses far from the front line might be more of a propaganda effort to harden the population's resolve by making them think the Ukrainian military could come close to their homes.

"Some works have likely been ordered by local commanders and civil leaders in attempts to promote the official narrative that Russia is 'threatened' by Ukraine and NATO," the update said.

The UK update noted that Russia has also been fortifying defensive lines inside occupied Ukrainian territory, much closer to the fighting.

Some of those, including the town of Medvedivka in Crimea, have been documented in photographs, including those analyzed in an April 3 article from The Washington Post.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MFS High Yield Municipal Trust (NYSE:CMU  Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 22,000 shares, an increase of 7.8% from the March 31st total of 20,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 58,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MFS High Yield Municipal Trust

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CMU. Doyle Wealth Management acquired a new position in MFS High Yield Municipal Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $66,000. UBS Group AG grew its stake in shares of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust by 5.5% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 459,430 shares of the companys stock worth $1,778,000 after acquiring an additional 24,080 shares during the last quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust by 87.7% in the first quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC now owns 1,137,238 shares of the companys stock worth $4,401,000 after acquiring an additional 531,223 shares during the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust in the first quarter worth $42,000. Finally, Robinson Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of MFS High Yield Municipal Trust by 2.4% in the first quarter. Robinson Capital Management LLC now owns 715,718 shares of the companys stock worth $2,770,000 after acquiring an additional 17,006 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 30.93% of the companys stock.

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MFS High Yield Municipal Trust Trading Down 1.3 %

CMU stock traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $3.15. 71,327 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 65,649. MFS High Yield Municipal Trust has a twelve month low of $2.88 and a twelve month high of $3.75. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.16.

MFS High Yield Municipal Trust Cuts Dividend

About MFS High Yield Municipal Trust

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 19th were issued a dividend of $0.011 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 18th. This represents a $0.13 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.19%.

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MFS High Yield Municipal Trust is a closed-end investment fund. It primarily invests in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes. The company was founded on January 22, 1987 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

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Air New Zealand Limited (OTCMKTS:ANZFF  Get Rating) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 300,800 shares, a decline of 14.0% from the March 31st total of 349,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 6,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 50.1 days.

Air New Zealand Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:ANZFF opened at $0.47 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day moving average is $0.48 and its 200 day moving average is $0.48. Air New Zealand has a fifty-two week low of $0.34 and a fifty-two week high of $0.60.

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About Air New Zealand

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Air New Zealand Ltd. engages in the transportation of passengers and cargo on an integrated network of scheduled airline services. It also provides engineering and maintenance services. The company was founded on April 26, 1940 and is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand.

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Galp Energia, SGPS, S.A. (OTCMKTS:GLPEY  Get Rating) saw a significant decline in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,200 shares, a decline of 18.6% from the March 31st total of 11,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 59,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Galp Energia, SGPS Stock Down 1.3 %

GLPEY traded down $0.08 during trading on Monday, hitting $5.94. 22,335 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 42,063. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $5.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.99. Galp Energia, SGPS has a twelve month low of $4.36 and a twelve month high of $7.00.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on GLPEY shares. UBS Group lowered Galp Energia, SGPS from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Galp Energia, SGPS from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Galp Energia, SGPS has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $12.97.

Galp Energia, SGPS Company Profile

Galp Energia SGPS SA engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas. It operates through the following segments: Upstream; Refining and Midstream; Commercial; and Renewables and New Businesses. The Upstream segment includes exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons, mainly focused on Brazil, Mozambique, and Angola.

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Southern Michigan Bancorp (OTCMKTS:SOMC  Get Rating) is one of 316 publicly-traded companies in the State commercial banks industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Southern Michigan Bancorp to similar companies based on the strength of its dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, earnings and profitability.

Volatility and Risk

Southern Michigan Bancorp has a beta of 0.29, indicating that its share price is 71% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Southern Michigan Bancorps peers have a beta of 0.60, indicating that their average share price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Southern Michigan Bancorp and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Southern Michigan Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Southern Michigan Bancorp Competitors 903 7656 6629 305 2.41

Valuation and Earnings

As a group, State commercial banks companies have a potential upside of 46.21%. Given Southern Michigan Bancorps peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Southern Michigan Bancorp has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

This table compares Southern Michigan Bancorp and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Southern Michigan Bancorp $51.51 million $13.49 million 6.21 Southern Michigan Bancorp Competitors $2.07 billion $330.41 million 9.45

Southern Michigan Bancorps peers have higher revenue and earnings than Southern Michigan Bancorp. Southern Michigan Bancorp 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.

Dividends

Southern Michigan Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Southern Michigan Bancorp pays out 18.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, State commercial banks companies pay a dividend yield of 3.1% and pay out 27.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Profitability

This table compares Southern Michigan Bancorp and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Southern Michigan Bancorp 23.99% 16.17% 1.10% Southern Michigan Bancorp Competitors 24.90% 13.02% 1.20%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

50.7% of shares of all State commercial banks companies are held by institutional investors. 11.0% of shares of all State commercial banks companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Southern Michigan Bancorp peers beat Southern Michigan Bancorp on 10 of the 12 factors compared.

About Southern Michigan Bancorp

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Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. operates as a bank holding company. It offers individuals, businesses, institutions, and government agencies a range of commercial banking services which include deposit, payment, credit, and other financial services. It also provides time, savings, and demand deposits, safe deposit services, and automated teller machine services. The company was founded in March 1982 and is headquartered in Coldwater, MI.

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High Arctic Energy Services Inc (TSE:HWO  Get Rating) shares hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$1.00 and last traded at C$1.00, with a volume of 38064 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$1.04.

High Arctic Energy Services Stock Down 1.9 %

The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$1.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$1.45. The company has a market cap of C$49.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.39 and a beta of 2.25. The company has a current ratio of 7.06, a quick ratio of 4.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.94.

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High Arctic Energy Services (TSE:HWO  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported C($0.19) EPS for the quarter. High Arctic Energy Services had a negative return on equity of 27.71% and a negative net margin of 45.72%. The firm had revenue of C$13.10 million during the quarter. On average, equities analysts predict that High Arctic Energy Services Inc will post -0.01 earnings per share for the current year.

High Arctic Energy Services Announces Dividend

High Arctic Energy Services Company Profile

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 12th. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th will be issued a $0.005 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $0.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.88%. High Arctic Energy Servicess dividend payout ratio is currently -8.11%.

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High Arctic Energy Services Inc, an oilfield services company, provides oilfield services to exploration and production companies in Canada and Papua New Guinea. The company operates through three segments: Drilling Services, Production Services, and Ancillary Services. It offers snubbing services, including foothills standalone snubbing system for completions and workovers; hydraulic workover units, such as a patented L-Frame equipment configuration; rig assist snubbing unit, a truck-mounted hydraulic system to manage underbalanced wellbore conditions; and power tower to install a snubbing unit and blowout preventers in one lift.

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Geneva Capital Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Get Rating) by 9.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 207,411 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 22,302 shares during the quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLCs holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $21,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp acquired a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Red Tortoise LLC purchased a new stake in Intercontinental Exchange in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Cowa LLC purchased a new stake in Intercontinental Exchange in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Concord Wealth Partners purchased a new stake in Intercontinental Exchange in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Private Ocean LLC raised its holdings in Intercontinental Exchange by 87.1% in the 4th quarter. Private Ocean LLC now owns 262 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.28% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on ICE shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $125.00 to $122.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Rosenblatt Securities restated a buy rating and issued a $168.00 price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $110.00 to $117.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $119.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $126.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Intercontinental Exchange currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $131.55.

Insider Activity at Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange Stock Down 2.0 %

In related news, CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher sold 81,827 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.02, for a total value of $8,511,644.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,203,104 shares of the companys stock, valued at $125,146,878.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In other news, CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher sold 81,827 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.02, for a total value of $8,511,644.54. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,203,104 shares of the companys stock, valued at $125,146,878.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, SVP Douglas Foley sold 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.80, for a total value of $167,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,481 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,251,208.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Shares of ICE stock traded down $2.13 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $106.49. 698,763 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,599,132. The businesss fifty day moving average is $103.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $103.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 1.05. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a 12-month low of $88.60 and a 12-month high of $115.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.26, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.92.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 13.11% and a net margin of 15.01%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.34 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 5.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Intercontinental Exchange Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 17th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.58%. This is an increase from Intercontinental Exchanges previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 16th. Intercontinental Exchanges dividend payout ratio is 65.37%.

Intercontinental Exchange Company Profile

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Intercontinental Exchange, Inc engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services and technology solutions. It operates through the following segments: Exchanges, Fixed Income and Data Services, and Mortgage Technology. The Exchanges segment includes trading and listing revenue from the global futures network, the New York Stock Exchange and other registered securities exchanges.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ICE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Get Rating).

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Meiwu Technology (NYSE:WNW  Get Rating) and Jumia Technologies (NYSE:JMIA  Get Rating) are both small-cap business services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, risk, earnings, profitability and institutional ownership.

Volatility & Risk

Meiwu Technology has a beta of 1.64, suggesting that its stock price is 64% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Jumia Technologies has a beta of 2.53, suggesting that its stock price is 153% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Insider and Institutional Ownership

0.6% of Meiwu Technology shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 22.2% of Jumia Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.9% of Jumia Technologies shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Meiwu Technology N/A N/A N/A Jumia Technologies -107.18% -92.53% -57.53%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Meiwu Technology and Jumia Technologies net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Meiwu Technology and Jumia Technologies top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Meiwu Technology $5.93 million 1.25 -$1.08 million N/A N/A Jumia Technologies $221.88 million 1.22 -$237.80 million N/A N/A

Meiwu Technology has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Jumia Technologies.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Meiwu Technology and Jumia Technologies, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Meiwu Technology 0 0 0 0 N/A Jumia Technologies 0 1 0 0 2.00

Jumia Technologies has a consensus target price of $6.00, suggesting a potential upside of 121.40%. Given Jumia Technologies higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Jumia Technologies is more favorable than Meiwu Technology.

About Meiwu Technology

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Meiwu Technology Company Limited operates as an online and mobile commerce company in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Clean Food Platform, Restaurant, and others segments. The company offers green food, organic food, intangible cultural heritage food, agricultural products, and pollution-free products. It also engages the provision of restaurant services; and wholesale of agricultural products. The company was formerly known as Wunong Net Technology Company Limited and changes its name to Meiwu Technology Company Limited in August 2021. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, the People's Republic of China.

About Jumia Technologies

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Jumia Technologies AG is engaged in the provision of logistic services. It operates though the e-Commerce platform segment. The e-Commerce platform segment consists of marketplace, which connects sellers with consumers to its logistics service, enabling the shipment and delivery of packages from sellers to consumers, and payment service, which facilitates transactions among participants active on platform in selected markets. The company was founded by Jeremy Hodara, Sacha Poignonnec, Peter Allerstorfer, Manuel Koser, Tunde Kehinde and Raphael Afaedor in 2012 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

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Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC  Get Rating) (TSE:MFC) has earned a consensus rating of Hold from the twelve research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $29.29.

A number of research firms have weighed in on MFC. Credit Suisse Group began coverage on Manulife Financial in a research note on Thursday, January 12th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. CIBC upped their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$23.00 to C$27.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. TD Securities upped their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$30.00 to C$32.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. National Bank Financial upped their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$26.00 to C$27.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their target price on Manulife Financial from C$27.00 to C$34.00 in a report on Monday, January 30th.

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Manulife Financial Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE MFC opened at $19.82 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $18.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $18.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.03, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.11. Manulife Financial has a 52 week low of $14.92 and a 52 week high of $20.40.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

Manulife Financial ( NYSE:MFC Get Rating ) (TSE:MFC) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 firm had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter. Equities research analysts anticipate that Manulife Financial will post 2.39 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were issued a $0.274 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 27th. This is an increase from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.53%. Manulife Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.65%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Tsfg LLC grew its stake in Manulife Financial by 145.7% during the 3rd quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 1,693 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 1,004 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Manulife Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Arlington Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial in the first quarter worth about $29,000. 43.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Manulife Financial Company Profile

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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.

Further Reading

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Rational Advisors LLC lessened its stake in Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Rating) by 27.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,545 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,690 shares during the quarter. Rational Advisors LLCs holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $702,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 28,199,642 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,228,254,000 after acquiring an additional 625,052 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Sempra Energy by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,795,347 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $638,074,000 after buying an additional 24,679 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in Sempra Energy by 2.8% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,935,160 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $440,097,000 after buying an additional 80,852 shares during the last quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC boosted its stake in Sempra Energy by 16.8% during the third quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 2,540,802 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $381,066,000 after buying an additional 366,259 shares during the period. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp increased its position in shares of Sempra Energy by 7.5% during the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 2,388,520 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $358,329,000 after acquiring an additional 166,839 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.75% of the companys stock.

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Sempra Energy Stock Performance

Shares of SRE opened at $156.46 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $151.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of $154.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.60. Sempra Energy has a 1 year low of $136.54 and a 1 year high of $176.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.23 billion, a PE ratio of 23.63, a PEG ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 0.73.

Sempra Energy Increases Dividend

Sempra Energy ( NYSE:SRE Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The utilities provider reported $2.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.06 by $0.29. Sempra Energy had a net margin of 14.74% and a return on equity of 10.53%. The company had revenue of $3.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.79 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.16 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Sempra Energy will post 8.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 22nd were paid a $1.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 21st. This is a boost from Sempra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. This represents a $4.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.04%. Sempra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 71.90%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Sempra Energy news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 19,260 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.09, for a total transaction of $2,813,693.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1 shares of the companys stock, valued at $146.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CAO Karen L. Sedgwick sold 1,621 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 20,823 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,320,019.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 19,260 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.09, for a total transaction of $2,813,693.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1 shares in the company, valued at $146.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 33,600 shares of company stock worth $4,986,846 over the last 90 days. 0.14% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SRE has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on 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 cut their price objective on Sempra Energy from $169.00 to $166.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Bank of America decreased their target price on Sempra Energy from $173.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Sempra Energy from $150.00 to $164.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Sempra Energy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $167.25.

Sempra Energy Company Profile

(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.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SRE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Rating).

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Shore Capital upgraded shares of Tritax Big Box REIT (LON:BBOX  Get Rating) to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, Marketbeat.com reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a GBX 195 ($2.44) target price on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Barclays raised shares of Tritax Big Box REIT to an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Berenberg Bank raised shares of Tritax Big Box REIT to a buy rating and set a GBX 170 ($2.12) price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 172.50 ($2.16).

Get Tritax Big Box REIT alerts:

Tritax Big Box REIT Price Performance

BBOX opened at GBX 155.10 ($1.94) on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of 2.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -456.18, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.18. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 143.74 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 145.68. Tritax Big Box REIT has a twelve month low of GBX 120.08 ($1.50) and a twelve month high of GBX 248.20 ($3.10).

Tritax Big Box REIT Increases Dividend

Insider Activity at Tritax Big Box REIT

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 9th were paid a dividend of GBX 1.98 ($0.02) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a yield of 1.35%. This is a boost from Tritax Big Box REITs previous dividend of $1.68. Tritax Big Box REITs payout ratio is currently -2,058.82%.

In related news, insider Elizabeth Brown bought 11,042 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 135 ($1.69) per share, for a total transaction of 14,906.70 ($18,624.06). 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Tritax Big Box REIT

(Get Rating)

Tritax Big Box REIT plc is the only listed vehicle dedicated to investing in very large logistics warehouse assets (Big Boxes) in the UK and is committed to delivering attractive and sustainable returns for shareholders. Investing in and actively managing existing built investments, land suitable for Big Box development and developments predominantly delivered through pre-let forward funded basis, the Company focuses on large, well-located, modern Big Box logistics assets, let to institutional-grade tenants on long-term leases (typically at least 12 years in length) with upward-only rent reviews and geographic and tenant diversification throughout the UK.

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The RAF has airlifted nearly 2,200 people from an airfield near the capital Khartoum (PA Media)

The deadline has passed for British nationals to get what is being billed as the last evacuation flight out of Sudan as a fragile ceasefire holds.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had given those looking to flee the war-torn nation until 11am UK time - midday in Sudan - to reach the departure site on the eastern coast.

Officials at the Foreign Office would not confirm what time the flight was due to take off, but flight tracking websites showed a Royal Air Force (RAF) Airbus A400M Atlas plane as having landed at Port Sudan at about 3pm on Monday.

The UK Government said it was exceptionally" offering one final flight following a series of repatriation departures out of Sudan last week.

It is understood the flight will airlift a limited number of British nationals left in the country - which has been rocked by fighting that is pushing Sudan into a humanitarian crisis - who wish to leave.

Those who wanted to be on the aircraft were instructed to arrive at the Coral Hotel by the midday deadline.

The extended evacuation flight came after concern from figures including Tory MP Alicia Kearns, who worried about UK residents, including NHS doctors, being prevented from reaching evacuation flights by fighters.

Foreign Office officials said the number of people evacuated on UK flights up to Saturday was 2,122 on 23 flights, calling the British effort the longest and largest evacuation by any Western nation.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly earlier said: Evacuation flights have ended from Wadi Saeedna but our rescue efforts continue from Port Sudan.

The UK will continue to advocate for a long-term end to the conflict along with its international allies, Mr Cleverly added.

The British Government has agreed to include NHS doctors without UK passports on its final journeys amid criticism over the scope of its eligibility criteria for evacuation.

Flights had previously been limited to British nationals and their immediate family.

Story continues

But its decision not to offer escorts to those making the potentially perilous journey to the airfield near Khartoum was also called into question.

Flights have been touching down in Cyprus, which has activated a humanitarian rescue mechanism for evacuating third-country civilians, before arriving in the UK hours later.

The conflict pits army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan against General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The generals, both with powerful foreign backers, were allies in an October 2021 military coup that halted Sudans fraught transition to democracy, but they have since turned on each other.
This Nov. 13, 2022 file photo provided by the President of South Korea Press Office shows Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holding a meeting during ASEAN in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Yonhap



Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he will make a two-day visit to South Korea next week, Japan's Kyodo News reported Tuesday, in the latest sign of a slow thaw in bilateral ties.



The Japanese leader will arrive in South Korea on Sunday. President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit with Kishida in Tokyo in March in the wake of his government's decision to compensate Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor without contributions from Japanese firms.



Yoon was the first South Korean president in 12 years to make a bilateral visit to Japan, as the two countries' relations had been strained over a series of historical disputes stemming from Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.



The two leaders agreed during their summit to resume shuttle diplomacy, or regular visits to each other's country.



The last visit by a Japanese prime minister to South Korea was made by Shinzo Abe in February 2018. (Yonhap)


Garrett, IN (46738)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 42F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 42F. Winds light and variable.
By Stephen Beech via SWNS

Half of parents believe their childrens mental health has suffered due to social media during the past 12 months, according to a new study.

Researchers found that concerns continue to grow about the impact social media use has on the mental well-being of youngsters.

The survey of more than 2,000 American adults, of whom over 700 have kids younger than 18, was conducted on behalf of The On Our Sleeves Movement For Childrens Mental Health.

One in two moms and dads (50 percent) feel their child or children's mental health has suffered during the past 12 months as a result of social media use.

On Our Sleeves encourages parents to sit down and have regular conversations with their children about how using certain social media platforms can make them feel.

But fewer moms and dads (86 percent) say theyre comfortable talking with their kids about mental health, a drop of five percent from 91 percent in a similar poll last year.

Protecting the mental health of children online has also become a major issue with platforms such as TikTok introducing new safety measures in the last 12 months.

Dr. Ariana Hoet, clinical director of On Our Sleeves, said: This is a positive step, but parents cant trust that this is enough.

Social media has the ability to increase anxiety and depression in children when used inappropriately, as well as potentially open them up to inappropriate sharing, hurtful language, bullying and more.

Dr. Hoet, a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in the U.S., says not all social media is bad, and it can help in building a sense of community, relationships and self-understanding.

However, the findings of the survey show that the number of people who say childrens use of social media has a positive influence on their mental health has fallen to just 35 per cent, down from 43 per cent in 2022.

Dr. Hoet says that, in an increasingly digital world, its important for parents and caregivers to understand the pros and cons of social media use and work to maintain open communication about what children are experiencing online.

She said: Be curious about what your child is doing on social media.

"Taking an active role in their social media engagement, instead of simply limiting their exposure, can help them feel comfortable to ask questions, report concerns and seek help when they need it."

Dr. Hoet says "consistent and open communication" is essential if parents are to talk with their kids about social media use.

She recommends asking children to show you their favorite video, channel, or online influencer and following up with open-ended questions so parents listen more than you speak.

Dr. Hoet also recommends talking to your children about how to seek help from a trusted adult if they feel like something unsafe is happening, and discussing which parental controls and settings will be in place for social media use and why.

She added: "The balance between allowing children to explore social media while avoiding potentially dangerous aspects can be difficult.

"Through On Our Sleeves, parents can work to build trusting relationships that allow their children to reap the benefits of social media while minimizing the risk of negative outcomes."
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 43F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 43F. Winds light and variable.
Woxsen University launches Woxsen Summer Program for 9th-12th graders

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] | Published : May 2, 2023



Woxsen University is pleased to announce the launch of its Woxsen Summer Program which has garnered pan India participation from students across CBSE, IB & Cambridge schools. The inherent advantage of this program is that it gives an edge to the student's profile and future university application and learn about the world that exists behind the scenes of their ideal higher education. Live the University Life this summer and build a strong university application for higher studies by meeting peers from across the country, discovering new avenues and connecting with various viewpoints, thinking and practices."Woxsen Summer Program has been exclusively designed to pique the interest of this tech-savvy generation of budding scholars and future leaders. It will provide them an opportunity to explore the various STEAM and Non STEAM based domains available to arrive at their career choice. The program is loaded with various co-curricular activities and competitions curated to help build their profile and experience the true University campus life," said Vishal Khurma, CEO, Woxsen University.Woxsen Summer Program is meticulously designed with an aim to provide Budding Scholars (9th & 10th Graders) and Future Leaders (11th & 12th Graders) a Top Ranked University experience. This is an exciting opportunity for students to explore evolved academic career opportunities while experiencing the vibrant culture and community of the university.- STEAM based competitions like Science Bee and Experiments- Youth Parliament, debate competitions and more- Visit to Tech Park, a peek into the world of works- Day of community service at a local village- Inspired Designs using 3D printing- Celebration night, rewind and unwind- App Development competition using coding techniques- Entrepreneurial Challenge, bring out start-up ideas- Creative writing, character building, storytelling and more- Visit to Innovation Hub and Incubation Centre- Day of community service at a local village- Celebration night, rewind and unwindThis entire program will be executed by faculty of university who teach the university level students. These faculty have a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields and are committed to providing participants with the best possible learning experience.The Woxsen Summer Program (WSP) will take place from 22nd May - 2nd June, 2023. Applications for the program are now open and interested students are encouraged to apply at the earliest to secure their spot.Click here to register for WSP, https://summerprogram.woxsen.edu.in/Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, is one of the first private universities of the state of Telangana, India. Renowned for its 200-acre state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, Woxsen University offers new-age, disruptive programs in the fields of Business, Technology, Arts & Design, Architecture, Liberal Arts and Humanities, Law, Sciences. With 100+ Global Partner Universities and Strong Industry Connect, Woxsen is reckoned as one of the top universities for Academic Excellence and Global Edge. Woxsen is Ranked #13, All India Top 150 B-Schools by Times B-School Ranking 2022, Rank #15, All India Top Pvt. B-School, BusinessWorld 2022 and features in India's Best B-Schools beyond IIMs by Dalal Street Investment Journal 2023.

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The Commission announced today new funding of 22 million in humanitarian aid in Ethiopia as well as 3 million in Kenya to support those suffering from the impact of conflict, displacement, drought and health issues.

The EU's humanitarian funding in both countries will help address the high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition amongst the most vulnerable and provide access to primary health care, clean and safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as education opportunities for children caught in humanitarian crises and who, as a result, have lost out on their schooling.

This new funding brings total EU humanitarian funding in Ethiopia to 82.5 million and 15,5 million in Kenya respectively so far in 2023.

Background

Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia are massive, resulting from the impact of the two-year conflict in the north of country,a severe and prolonged drought, large population displacements, as well as other conflict hotspots and localised conflicts. Additionally, more than 90,000 refugees have recently crossed into Ethiopia from Somalia, with Ethiopia now hosting now over 890,000 refugees.

Kenya continues to be severely affected by the catastrophic drought in the Horn of Africa. The last rainy season (October to December 2022) was characterised by late onset, sporadic, and poor spatial and temporal distribution of rains, marking the fifth consecutive below average rainy season. Despite some heavy rainfall during the first part of the March-May rainy season, the drought situation remains critical in most of the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL). It is estimated that around 4.4 million people (or 27% of the ASAL population) are facing high levels of Acute Food Insecurity.

For more information:

EU Humanitarian Aid to Ethiopia

EU Humanitarian Aid to Kenya

Zarazeno ut 02.05.2023 12:05:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=IP/23/2503&language=en lang en
BLOOMER  Highway 53 between Tilden and Bloomer was closed Tuesday morning for about 90 minutes after a man suspected of making a threat to the courthouse was pulled over and would not leave his vehicle, according to Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes.

Harley Alcala, 39, of Duluth, Minnesota, was arrested Tuesday after Chippewa County authorities said a threat was made to the courthouse regarding a case that was to take place that day.

Hakes did not specify the case in question, nor the nature of the threats made.

Chippewa County increased security at the courthouse for business hours Tuesday following the threats.

The Chippewa County Sheriffs Office and several assisting agencies monitored the area of suspected travel for the man they believed was responsible for the threat.

With the cooperation of law enforcement in northwestern Wisconsin and Minnesota, authorities said the vehicle was identified and law enforcement coordinated a traffic stop on Highway 53 between Exit 110 and Exit 102, near the town of Woodmohr.

The driver refused to exit the vehicle. Due to this Highway 53 was closed in this area in the best interest of public safety, Hakes stated in a press release.

Negotiations were initiated by a crisis negotiator from the Chippewa Falls Police Department. Area law enforcement and the regional SWAT team assisted in securing the scene.

The suspect was taken into custody after nonlethal use of force techniques were utilized, the release said.

The Chippewa County Sheriffs Office, Chippewa Falls Police Department, Bloomer Police Department, Barron County Sheriffs Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Rice Lake Police Department, Washburn County Sheriffs Office, Eau Claire County Sheriffs Office, the regional SWAT team, Chippewa County Highway Department, Tilden Fire Department and Bloomer Area Fire Department all assisted in this incident.

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Dow recognized as a leader in supplier engagement on climate change by CDP

MIDLAND, Michigan  May 1, 2023  Dow (NYSE: DOW) has been named a Supplier Engagement Leader for addressing climate change for the second consecutive year by CDP, a global non-profit that runs the worlds environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions.

In 2022, Dow achieved an A score for climate change action in the supply chain and earned its place once again amongst the top-rated companies featured on CDPs Supplier Engagement Leaderboard. This score stands alongside Dows A- rating from CDP for climate, forests, and water.

Reflecting on this great achievement, Dows chief purchasing officer, Cathy Budd commented: Only by effectively engaging our suppliers in emission reduction initiatives can Dow achieve scalable decarbonization at the pace required to meet our 2050 carbon neutrality targets. Scope 3 emissions represent approximately 70% of Dows carbon footprint, with more than half of those originating from purchased raw materials, transportation, and other services. We need our suppliers to reduce their climate emissions to enable reductions throughout the value chain.

CDP evaluates supplier engagement best practices in GHG emissions reduction and climate change issues using an independent Supplier Engagement Rating (SER). The rating considers company responses to questions across four key areas: governance, targets, scope 3 emissions accounting and supplier engagement. In addition, an organizations overall CDP climate change performance is also factored into the rating.

Every year, those who obtain the highest SER score join CDPs Supplier Engagement Leaderboard. Inclusion on this list demonstrates that a company is working closely with its suppliers to ensure that climate change action is cascading down their supply chain.

Being amongst the highest-scoring companies on CDPs SER system demonstrates that Dow is proactively collaborating with our supply chain partners to incentivize transparent and accurate disclosure of upstream emissions and drive accelerated climate action. said Leticia Jensen, Dows global purchasing director for Sustainability, Supplier Diversity and ESG. I am proud to see our global cross-functional teams being recognized for their relentless commitment to building sustainable and resilient supply chains.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance leadership to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,800 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $57 billion in 2022. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.

For further information, please contact:

Petya Todorova

+447442787816

ptodorova@dow.com


New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Wednesday distribute regularisation appointment letters to 4,500 workers of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), granting permanent status to those who have spent 20-25 years of their lives working in the department.

The event will be organised at Talkatora Stadium in the national capital on Wednesday evening.

Also Read | Hollywood Writers to Go on Strike over Pay.

Earlier in February, the Home Minister had written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal informing him about the regularisation of 4,500 Regular Muster Roll (RMR) employees of the NDMC.

In 2019, under Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is an ex officio member of NDMC by virtue of being the MLA of the New Delhi assembly constituency, the civic body approved the regularisation of these RMR employees.

Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: AAP Leaders Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh Named in ED Charge Sheet.

In February this year, Kejriwal had also written to the Home Minister to regularise the RMR employees.

Kejriwal pointed out that the proposal for the approval of draft recruitment rules for Group 'C' posts was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs in September 2020 after it was approved by the council.

The RMR employees of NDMC had met the Delhi Chief Minister several times in the recent past demanding regularisation of their services.

As per officials, RMR employees or daily wagers, who are given preference when there is work, have been waiting for many years for their regularisation against the existing vacancies in NDMC.

This is an issue that concerns people who have spent 20-25 years of their lives working in the NDMC and come from poor families.

NDMC is also facing a shortage of employees. The regularisation of these employees will go a long way in solving this issue. (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], May 2 (ANI): The Centre and Gujarat governments on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that they will not seek a review of the top court's earlier order directing them to place original records for remitting the sentence of 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano case.

The state and central governments also told the apex court that they would not claim privilege over the documents on remission of sentence and agreed to share the documents with the top court for its perusal.

Also Read | Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra To Start on May 26; Jammu Police Commissioner Reviews Preparedness.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna also asked the convicts, who have not filed their response to the pleas, to file their affidavits within two weeks.

As several counsel appearing for the convicts raised objections on not being served the notice on Bano's plea and sought time, Justice Joseph said, "It is obvious, rather more than obvious, that you all do not want the hearing to be conducted by this bench."

Also Read | 'No Privilege Over Documents on Remission of Convicts in Bilkis Bano Case', Gujarat Government, Centre Tells Supreme Court.

Bilkis Bano and others had approached the top court challenging the premature release of 11 convicts in the gang-rape case and murder of her family members during the 2002 riots.

The apex court has now posted the matter for directions on May 9 and said that case will be listed for hearing in July.

During last hearing, the Centre and state governments claimed privilege over the files relating to the grant of remission to the convicts and said they are likely to seek a review of the March 27 order whereby original files of the remission were sought.

Besides filing a petition against per-mature release of convicts, Bano had also filed a review petition seeking a review of its earlier order by which it had asked the Gujarat government to consider the plea for the remission of one of the convicts.

The review petition was dismissed.

Some PILs were filed seeking directions to revoke the remission granted to 11 convicts.

The pleas were filed by the National Federation of Indian Women, whose General Secretary is Annie Raja, Member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Subhashini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, social activist and professor Roop Rekha Verma and TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

Gujarat government, in its affidavit, had defended remission granted to convicts saying they completed 14 years of sentence in prison and their "behaviour was found to be good".

The state government had said it has considered the cases of all 11 convicts as per the policy of 1992 and remission was granted on August 10, 2022, and the Central government also approved the release of convicts.

It is pertinent to note that the remission was not granted under the circular governing grant of remission to prisoners as part of the celebration of "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav", it had said.

"State government considered all the opinions and decided to release 11 prisoners since they have completed 14 years and above in prisons and their behaviour was found to be good," the affidavit said.

The government had also questioned the locus standi of petitioners who filed the PIL challenging the decision saying they are outsiders to the case.

The pleas said they have challenged the order of competent authority of the government of Gujarat by way of which 11 persons who were accused in a set of heinous offences committed in Gujarat were allowed to walk free on August 15, 2022, pursuant to remission being extended to them.

The remission in this heinous case would be entirely against public interest and would shock the collective public conscience, as also be entirely against the interests of the victim (whose family has publicly made statements worrying for her safety), pleas stated.

The Gujarat government released the 11 convicts, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, on August 15. All the 11 life-term convicts in the case were released as per the remission policy prevalent in Gujarat at the time of their conviction in 2008.

In March 2002 during the post-Godhra riots, Bano was allegedly gang-raped and left to die with 14 members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter. She was five months pregnant when rioters attacked her family in Vadodara. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 2 (ANI): Amid the ongoing controversy over the 'The Kerala Story', Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday advocated for the May 5 scheduled release of the movie and said that he would go and watch the film.

"This film should be released all over India and we oppose those demanding a ban on this film. I will go to watch the first show of the film," Somaiya said.

Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Parents of Five Kill Baby Blaming Her For Car Accident, Arrested.

The BJP leader said that he spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure there is no problem with the release of the movie.

"I also spoke with the producer. We have assured him that there will be no problem with the release of the film," he said.

Also Read | Northern Lights in India: Strong Solar Storm Causes Skies Over Ladakh to Show Rare Auroras (See Pics).

Helmed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film is all set to hit the theatres on Friday.

'The Kerala Story' stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani and Sonia Balani in the lead roles.

The trailer of Sen's film came under fire as it claimed that 32,000 girls from the state went missing and later joined the terrorist group, ISIS.

Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly VD Satheesan recently said that the film should not be granted permission for screening.

"The film 'The Kerala Story' which falsely claims that 32,000 women in Kerala converted and became members of the Islamic State, should not be granted permission for screening. The trailer clearly shows what the film intends to say", Satheesan said in a Facebook post.

"This is not an issue of freedom of expression but part of an attempt to implement the Sangh Parivar agenda to create a divide in the society by casting a shadow of doubt over the minority groups", he added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain on Tuesday hit out at the Congress party for comparing VHP with Popular Front of India (PFI) in its Karnataka Assembly election manifesto and said the move is 'highly objectionable.'

"Comparing VHP with anti-national, terrorist and banned organization PFI is highly objectionable", Jain said.

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Talking to ANI, Surendra Jain said, "The manner in which the Congress party, while releasing its manifesto for the Karnataka elections, compared Bajrang Dal, a fiercely patriotic organization, with PFI, a notorious anti-national, terrorist, banned organization, is highly objectionable. Every worker of VHP is dedicated to society and the whole world is familiar with the activities of PFI."

"Wherever PFI people stood with 'Sar Tan Se Juda' Gang and the Congress governments supported them, Bajrang Dal workers used democratic methods to end the 'Sar Tan Se Juda' Gang terror", Jain told ANI.

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VHP Leader further told ANI that the way Congress and PFI have formed an alliance, Bajrang Dal has become an eyesore of the Congress. "Sonia Gandhi cannot cheat the people of the country. The way Congress has wrongly tried to defame Bajrang Dal, the country's people will not accept it and Bajrang Dal workers are taking it as a challenge. We will answer that too and will not let your plans succeed."

"Congress Party talk about banning Bajrang Dal but forget that they were the ones who opposed the banning of anti-national organizations like 'SIMMI' and they even protested on the streets against the ban", he added

Jain further added that by the Congress party demanding to ban Bajrang Dal, the party's agenda has come out in public.

Congress party on Tuesday released its Party Manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly election. It said that they believe that law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities.

"We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations, says Congress in its manifesto for Karnataka Elections2023", the manifesto said.

"Congress party also committed to increasing reservation from 15 per cent to 17 per cent for SC, from 3 per cent to 7 per cent for ST and restore minority reservation of 4 per cent and increase reservations of Lingayats, Vokkaligass and other communities and to pursue inclusion in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution", the Congress party mentioned in its manifesto. (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], May 2 (ANI): Rajya Sabha MP of the Aam Aadmi Party, Raghav Chadha's name has been mentioned in the Enforcement Directorate's supplementary chargesheet in the case pertaining to the Delhi liquor excise policy case.

Chadha, meanwhile, said that he has not been made an accused or a suspect in any complaint by the central agency.

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"I have not been named as an accused or even a suspect in any of the complaints filed by ED. There are no allegations whatsoever against me in the said complaints. It appears that in the complaint my name is mentioned as an attendee to some meeting, though the basis of making such an allegation is not clear" Raghav Chadha said.

According to the chargesheet filed by ED, C Arvind, the then Secretary of Manish Sisodia in his statement stated that Raghav Chadha was also present in a meeting held at the residence of Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi.

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"Arvind's statement said in the meeting held at former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence, in which Raghav Chadha, ACS Finance of Punjab Govt, Excise Commissioner, Varun Roojam, FCT and officers from Punjab Excise and Vijay Nair was also present", the chargesheet said.

In its prosecution complaint, the ED further stated that Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai, presently in judicial custody, has given false statements under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 during the investigation.

"Arun Pillai has actively participated in evidence destruction and has changed/used/destroyed five mobile phones in the span of two years. He has not produced the phones used during the period of the scam. The chats with Arun Pillai recovered from other persons' phones have not been found from his phones which were seized during the search which is because Arun Pillai has been indulged in the destruction of evidence", the chargesheet said.

Arun Pillai has attempted to create a legal facade by allegedly filing a retraction of all his statements during the period of investigation given u/s 50 of PMLA. This act of Arun Pillai is only to create a legal facade and is motivated to derail the investigation.

The prosecution complaint further added that, in September 2021, there was a meeting in Taj Mansingh.

"A few days before this dinner, Pernod had confirmed to Indo Spirits. So, this dinner was to acknowledge this wholesale distribution relationship which was established. Sarath and Raghav Magunta were also congratulated for winning retail zones in Delhi", the complaint added.

According to the prosecution complaint, Sameer Mahendu had met K Kavitha in early 2022 in Hyderabad at her house.

"In this meeting, Sameer, Sarath, Arun Pillai, Abhishek Boinpally and Kavitha and her husband Anil were present. Kavitha told Sameer during the meeting that Arun is like family to her and that they will take this relationship to a larger scale in multiple states and expand majorly. Kavitha asked about the issues that Indo Spirits LI was facing in the first few months of operations and Sameer briefed her about those", the complaint read.

Sameer told Kavitha that Vijay was an important person in AAP and managed the excise policy issues in Delhi. Vijay had told him that the new excise policy was a brainchild of Arvind Kejriwal, added the complaint.

"To verify the credibility, clout and influence of Vijay Nair, Sameer asked him to make him meet Arvind Kejriwal, so Vijay fixed a meeting with him twice but did not work out. So, Vijay made Sameer speak to Arvind Kejriwal on a Facetime call", reads the complaint.

The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Monday took cognizance of two prosecution complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering related to the alleged Liquor excise policy scam.

The prosecution complaints were recently against Arun Ramchandra Pillai, Rajesh Joshi, Amandeep Dhal, Gautam Malhotra, Raghav Magunta and related entities.

The Special Judge MK Nagpal on Monday took cognizance of the Chargesheets (Prosecution Complaints) and directed to produce all naming accused on May 10, 2023.

Further investigation is continuing to investigate the role of ECIR named accused and other persons on various allegations, the court was informed by the ED.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval. The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection.

The FIR in the case was instituted on a reference from the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Big Spring School District residents can anticipate a 1.5% increase in real estate taxes, according to the newly approved proposed final budget for next year.

The school board approved the budget Monday evening with a 7-2 vote with members Kenneth Fisher of Lower Mifflin Township and Richard Roush of Upper Frankford Township opposed.

The proposed budget anticipates $61,075,358 in revenue, which includes the tax increase as well as $224,720 in capital project reserve funding to help accommodate a temporary increase in bond payments, according to the meetings agenda.

Expenditures total $61,452,662, leaving a deficit of $377,304 that will be pulled from the districts fund balance.

The tax increase brings the districts tax rate to 16.1260 mills, a 0.2383 mill increase from last years budget, which had a rate of 15.8877 mills.

This means a resident with a $100,000 home could expect to pay an additional $23.83 in real estate taxes with the 1.5% tax increase.

In addition to salaries and benefits, some of the districts larger expenses include charter school tuition, which has increased in recent years, and special education costs.

Michael Statler, the districts business manager, said in March that spending on charter school tuition increased from below $1.5 million in 2017 to more than $4 million budgeted for 2024.

He said Big Spring also had a larger percentage of students in special education than other local districts from 2020 to 2022, including Carlisle, Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg and Shippensburg.

The district has seen an increase in special education over the past three years. That program includes more than 20% of Big Springs students and 20% of the districts operational budget, Statler said in March. The cost per student in special education in 2021 was just over $18,000, a total that included supplies, equipment and other expenses.

The proposed budget will be available for public view on the districts website in the coming days and is scheduled for adoption during the boards June 19 meeting.

This comes before the state is anticipated to announce school funding.

Statler said in March that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro compiled a wish list of state funding that included an approximately $1.2 million increase in funding for basic education and a $220,000 increase in special education for Big Spring.

The list also called for one-time school-based mental health funding of about $127,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.

However, historically, districts have received approximately 20% of the governors ask, Statler said.

School Board President John Wardle said the proposed budget assumes no new state money, and once the districts budget has been approved, no additional money can be expected aside from state funding.

Superintendent Nicholas Guarente said in April the board could preliminarily adopt the 1.5% tax increase and use real time data closer to June for the final budget analysis.

You can never go up after the preliminary adoption, but you can go down, he said of the real estate tax increase.

Wardle said Statler will continue to work to adjust the districts numbers as final budget approval draws nearer.

The new budget will go into effect July 1 and run through June 30, 2024.

Photos: Boiling Springs rallies to top Big Spring in Colonial baseball clash
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea of Vishal Yadav, convicted in the Nitish Katara murder case, seeking regular parole to file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the order passed by the Delhi High Court.

Vishal was convicted in the case of the murder of Nitish Katara. His cousin Vikas Yadav along with others were also convicted in the same case. Nitish was murdered in Ghaziabad on February 17, 2002.

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Justice Anish Dayal on Tuesday dismissed the plea of Vishal Yadav after hearing the submissions of all the parties. Vishal Yadav had moved the High Court in March 2022. A detailed order is awaited.

The petitioner had sought an order directing the authorities to release the petitioner on regular parole for a period of four weeks to pursue the filing of a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court against the Judgment delivered by the High Court in a Criminal Appeal against the judgment in a case titled "Vishal Yadav vs State Government of UP."

Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: AAP Leaders Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh Named in ED Charge Sheet.

The FIR was registered at the police station Kavi Nagar under sections 302, 364, 201, and 34 of IPC. The High Court upheld the conviction and enhancement of sentences.

He also sought to set aside the order of November 26, 2021, passed by the competent authority rejecting regular parole to the petitioner.

Senior counsel for the petitioner submitted that seeking parole inter alia on the ground that the petitioner wishes to file his SLP before the Supreme Court and as per the parole guidelines of 2010, it is one of the grounds on which parole can be granted, subject to having crossed the threshold of the certain conditions, which according to him are satisfied in the case of the petitioner.

Meanwhile, additional Standing Counsel (ASC), however, refuted this vehemently and stated that the opportunity for filing an SLP was granted even earlier and had been considered through two orders on May 30, 2014, and April 20, 2018, by this court.

Senior Counsel, who appeared for the complainant also refuted this plea by the petitioner also relying on prior orders of this court and that the petitioner had been sentenced without remission and the refusal of the remission itself is an indication that parole cannot be granted to the petitioner. (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], May 02 (ANI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started a special audit of a helicopter operator Kestrel Aviation in Kedarnath, days after an official of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) was killed after being hit by a chopper's tail rotor blade after the inspection of the helipad.

DGCA has already ordered the services of the operator to be grounded after the official's death on April 23.

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A senior DGCA official confirmed that the operator has been grounded since the incident and a special audit has started on Monday.

The deceased official who was identified as Amit Saini, 35, was the finance controller of UCADA. He was present at Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) helipad for audit and inspection work.

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"When he was about to board the helicopter he was struck by the tail rotor blade and died on the spot," an official had earlier said.

The official added that they are conducting another audit of the operator to ensure safe operation. After the incident, all other operators were asked to ensure high-level safety guidelines during operations. (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, May 2 (PTI) The Centre on Tuesday said it was mulling over making the Indian Patent Act, 1970 more simplified and research-friendly for product oriented results.

Addressing the CII Global Science, Research and Innovation Summit, Akhilesh Gupta, senior adviser at the Department of Science and Technology, said while India grants an average of 23,000 patents per annum, it lacks the culture of patents filing.

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Gupta, who is also secretary of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), said the time duration for filing of patents and the same being granted is three years in India against the global average of two years.

He said the central government is looking to simplify the patent laws to encourage research, development and innovation in the country.

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According to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, all funding agencies of research in the country will merge into a single entity -- National Research Foundation (NRF) -- with an objective to catalyse quality research in the country. It will have twin objectives of basic research and high-quality innovation.

Referring to around 0.69 per cent of the budget being spent on R&D (research and development) in India, Gupta urged the private sector to pitch in with higher research allocation to match and support the government for a win-win proposition.

The senior official said the Department of Science and Technology (DST) was working in collaboration with state governments to completely re-orient and transform the R&D infrastructure of 350 state universities, which are in a very poor condition.

Earlier, Parvinder Maini, scientific secretary in the office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, urged the industry, academia and start-ups to join hands to co-produce and co-develop world class products and solutions, as the era of working in silos is over now.

She underlined that the huge gap of the low research and development budget of India was almost due to non-participation of the private sector to take big risks in emerging and cutting-edge technologies.

Maini said out of 90,000 start-ups in India, only 12,000 are technology-based and about 3,000 of them are deep tech start-ups.

She added that if the industry does not lend funding support to innovative and bright ideas, India will miss the bus in the research and development sector, which is now on its way to full bloom.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu, May 2 (PTI) Senior police and civil officers on Tuesday reviewed the security, transport and other arrangements for the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra which is scheduled to take place in Kashmir later this month, an official spokesperson said.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner (DC) Ramesh Kumar and Additional Director General of Police Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh chaired a meeting which was attended by functionaries of different departments besides the representatives of Mata Kheer Bhawani Committee, the spokesperson said.

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The Yatra will start on May 26 after its flagging off from Nagrota here, the Committee members informed the meeting and called for making available hassle-free transportation services for the pilgrims.

Kheer Bhawani melas are organised at five shrines -- Ragnya Bhagwati at Tulmulla in central Kashmir's Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam and Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara.

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Among these temples, the Tulmulla temple nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees witnesses massive gatherings with pandits settled in and outside Kashmir visiting the shrine to seek the blessings of the presiding deity in one of the biggest religious functions of the displaced community.

The spokesperson said a threadbare discussion was held regarding the arrangements for Yatra with a major focus on transportation facilities for devotees and security arrangements.

The Committee members listed different requirements for the smooth conduct of the Yatra from Jammu to Mata Kheer Bhawani temple at Ganderbal district, he said, adding it was informed that the advance party of the management committee will move on May 22 for making arrangements at the temple.

The DC directed the Relief Commissioner and JK Roads Transport Corporation to deploy an adequate number of buses to ferry the pilgrims to the temple.

Kumar also issued directions for effective traffic regulation and foolproof security arrangements for the safety of the pilgrims, the spokesperson said.

He said the health department has been asked to establish medical camps and make arrangements for an ambulance at Government Higher Secondary School Nagrota, the Yatra flag-off venue.

The DC instructed the Deputy Commissioners of Udhampur and Ramban to make community kitchen arrangements in designated places near Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

The Deputy Commissioner of Ramban was also told to ensure that road clearance machinery is in place in case of landslides or road blockades, the spokesperson said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, May 2: A war of words over the Congress manifesto pledge to ban the Bajrang Dal added to the shrillness of the poll campaign in Karnataka on Tuesday, even as the Election Commission issued an advisory to parties and their star campaigners asking them to exercise restraint in their remarks and not to vitiate the atmosphere.

Both the Congress and the BJP rushed to the Election Commission seeking a ban on electioneering by top leaders of the other side alleging that they had violated the model of conduct with their remarks. Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out at PM Narendra Modi Over 'Abused 91 Times' Charge, Says 'This Election Is Not About You'.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the offensive on Congress' anti-Bajrang Dal stance, members of the outfit held protests outside Congress Party's Karnataka offices, even as top BJP ministers attacked the grand old party alleging it has opposed both "Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman" and was following politics of appeasement and division. Karnataka Assembly Election 2023: Free Travel in Public Transport Buses for All Women Commuters, Promises Rahul Gandhi.

The promised ban on Bajrang Dal was the latest in a series of dissonant campaign notes, after invectives like 'nalayak beta' (unworthy son), 'zehreela saanp' (poisonous snake) and 'vish kanya' (venomous maiden) were hurled during the high-voltage campaigning for a triangular fight among the Congress, BJP and JDS.

Addressing an election rally in Vijayanagara district, Prime Minister Modi said he was fortunate that he got the opportunity to pay obeisance to the land of Hanuman.

"But see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanuman's land, at the same time, the Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman.

"Initially, they locked up Prabhu Shri Ram (Lord Ram). And now they want to lock up people who say Jai Bajrang Bali'," the prime minister said. "It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Prabhu Shri Ram and now it has a problem with the people who say 'Jai Bajrang Bali'," he added.

The BJP alleged that Congress had insulted Lord Hanuman with its "audacious" statement and the people of Karnataka will give a befitting reply in the polls, but the Congress hit back claiming that it was Prime Minister Modi who had hurt religious sentiments and insulted the deity by "equating" him with the Bajrang Dal, and demanded an apology from him.

The Congress, in its election manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls, said it will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on organisations like Bajrang Dal and PFI and alleged that they were promoting enmity among communities.

The party also accused top BJP leaders Amit Shah, J P Nadda and Yogi Adityanath of giving hate speeches that were leading to a divide in society, and demanded that they be banned from further campaigning as they were vitiating the atmosphere.

On the other hand, the BJP sought an FIR and a ban on campaigning by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Priyank Kharge. Amid the verbal slugfest, the Election Commission issued an advisory to political parties and their star campaigners, asking them to exercise caution and restraint in their utterances and not to vitiate the election atmosphere.

Taking serious note of the "plummeting level of campaign discourse" during electioneering, the poll panel referred to the instances of "inappropriate vocabulary and language" used during the ongoing campaign by persons, "in particular, by those invested with the statutory status of star campaigner".

"Such instances have occasioned various complaints, cross complaints and have also attracted negative media attention," the EC said in a statement.

"It is imperative for all parties and stakeholders to remain within the confines of the Model Code of Conduct and the legal framework in their utterances while campaigning so as to maintain the dignity of the political discourse and not to vitiate the campaign and the election atmosphere," the advisory read.

"The spirit of the MCC is not just avoidance of a direct violation, it also prohibits attempts to vitiate the electoral space through suggestive or indirect statements or innuendoes," it said in its advisory.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who led a BJP delegation to the EC, welcomed the poll body's advisory and hoped the Congress will respect it. He alleged the Congress has "not respected any constitutional body including EC, Parliament and courts".

Goyal raised with the Election Commission the issue of Congress promising tough action against Bajrang Dal and its leader Priyank Kharge calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "nalayak", as it accused the opposition party of resorting to politics of appeasement and division in Karnataka.

He also defended the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the RSS-affiliated Vishva Hindu Parishad, as an organisation devoted to Lord Hanuman and serving people, and said the Congress' attack on it was "shameful". It shows that the party believes in only appeasement, he told reporters.

"The devotees of Lord Hanuman are the Bajrangis of Bajrang Dal and the Congress Party has announced in its election manifesto that it would ban the Bajrang Dal. If the devotees of Lord Hanuman rebel, then the Congress will be uprooted from the country, Karnataka CM Basavraj Bommai's office quoted him as saying in a statement.

The Congress met the EC and accused Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of making "hate speeches" in poll-bound Karnataka and urged the Election Commission to take immediate action against them by banning them from campaigning in the wake of Supreme Court orders on such speeches.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ajay Maken, Vivek Tankha, Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera met the Election Commission and gave them a memorandum.

"The home minister says such things which polarise the country and create division in society..., neither the Constitution provides for such a thing nor does the oath they take while assuming the high office. We have pointed this out to the Election Commission," Tankha told reporters after the meeting.

He asked what did the home minister mean by saying that "there would be riots in India if the Congress comes to power" and asked if he meant that the Congress was causing the riots.

"The real thing is that people holding constitutional positions should not make such kind of hate speeches. It is against the law and immediate action should be taken against them as per Supreme Court orders," he said.

"We reiterate our concern that this is a case of a well hatched criminal conspiracy to commit offences against public tranquility, and offences relating to elections and offences related to criminal intimidation, insult and annoyance," the memorandum said.

It added that the pattern has started adversely affecting the election process and the inaction from this commission is furthering the agenda of creating communal disharmony.

"We reiterate our request to this commission to ban Sh Amit Shah, Mr Yogi Adityanath and Mr J P Nadda from all campaign activities till the conclusion of the election," Surjewala said in the memorandum.

The opposition party has alleged that the BJP leaders are trying to "scare, divide and mislead the society through 'hate speeches'". Meanwhile, the Bajrang Dal also held a protest outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi and demanded that the opposition party immediately withdraw its poll promise failing which it will launch country-wide protests.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, May 2 (PTI) Marine and NSG commandos will be deployed to secure the venue of the G20 working group meeting scheduled to be held in Kashmir later this month, a senior official said on Tuesday.

At a security review meeting here, Additional Director General of Police Kashmir zone Vijay Kumar emphasised the importance of river and lake domination in ensuring the security of the G20 summit, a police handout said.

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Kumar also emphasised the need for the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) to be deployed to provide a strong security cover for the water bodies around the summit venues, it added.

Also Read | Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra To Start on May 26; Jammu Police Commissioner Reviews Preparedness.

"The ADGP Kashmir shared with all stakeholders that NSG teams will be used for counter fidayeen attack along with SOG and specialise NSG teams to counter drones will be deployed at all venues," the police said.

The security officials who attended the meeting reviewed the current security arrangements in place and discussed possible ways to enhance the security measures to ensure the safety of all participants and attendees during the event.

Apart from the security measures, the meeting also discussed the management of foreign NGOs and media personnel during the summit, the police said.

The GOC of Kilo Force assured that all assistance like domination of high reaches, corridor protection, additional area surveillance teams for area domination specifically in the night will be provided.

During the meeting, special focus on emerging threat of VBIEDs and other modes of potential terror attacks including potential fidayeen strikes, standoff fire and grenade attacks were discussed in detail and counter measures to counter these terror threats were also discussed, the police said.

Kumar emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to ensure foolproof security for the summit.

The officials also discussed the deployment of security personnel, traffic management, and crowd control measures to be adopted for the peaceful conduct of the summit.

The ADGP urged all agencies to work in a coordinated manner in order to ensure the success of the summit, which is expected to be attended by several high-profile dignitaries from across the world.

The meeting focused on the deployment of security personnel, counter drone measures and other critical aspects of security planning.

Kumar directed the officials to ensure that the security arrangements are put in place well before the summit, and the deployment of security personnel should be done in a manner that does not cause inconvenience to the local residents and tourists.

He also emphasised the need to be vigilant and take pre-emptive measures to prevent any untoward incident during the summit.

He further advised them that additional security measures should be placed at the vulnerable locations to avoid any untoward incident during the G20 summit.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kota (Raj) May 2 (PTI) A 17-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh who left on a trip after her class 10 exams ended up being abducted and sold as a bride twice, a Child Welfare Committee (CWC) official here said on Tuesday.

She landed up with the panel in Kota when she was found by the railway police, shortly after she had tried to commit suicide at the house where she was kept for months against her will, CWC chairperson Kaniz Fatima said.

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The ordeal began over five months ago when the girl left her home in Madhya Pradesh's Katni for a trip after giving her class 10 exams, Fatima said.

While she was waiting for a train at Katni railway station, some youths befriended her and took her to a nearby park, where they offered her food and drink. After consuming it she became unconscious, she said.

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When the girl gained consciousness, she found herself in a hotel room in Ujjain with two men and a woman, she said.

The victim told that they threatened her and forced her to marry a 27-year-old man. After marriage the man told the girl that he had bought her for Rs 2 lakh, Fatima said.

The man died four months after their marriage after accidentally consuming pesticide and his family members then sold the girl to another man in Kota district's Kanwas area on the pretext of marriage.

Not being able to bear physical exploitation and discovering that her "second husband" bought her for Rs 3 lakh, the girl tried to commit suicide but could not do it so she ran away from her in-law's house, the CWC chairperson said.

She reached a local railway station and boarded a train for Kota city. Noticing the minor in a bad condition, the railway police personnel approached her at Kota railway station on Monday morning. She narrated her ordeal to them following which they informed the ChildLine and CWC, Fatima said.

The minor's parents were contacted and they told that they had filed a missing complaint in a local police station after the girl did not return home, she added.

The parents and local police will reach Kota on Wednesday, she said.

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New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): The Yoga Mahotsav witnessed an exhilarating atmosphere as more than 15,000 enthusiasts performed Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), along with dignitaries, at the sprawling ground of Bhawani Niketan Shiksha Samiti in Jaipur on Tuesday.

The Yoga Mahotsav was a celebration to commemorate 50 days of the upcoming International Day of Yoga, 2023.

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The participants performed Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) in complete rhythm and harmony with a mesmerising outcome.

Speaking at the occasion, the Governor of Rajasthan, Kalraj Mishra said, "Yoga and Ayurveda have a long history which dates back to centuries. The very first mention of Yoga was in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest sacred texts. This spiritual discipline is based on a subtle science that aims to bring about harmony between the body and mind.

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"The whole world has been going through a tough time in the form of Covid-19. Yoga and Ayurveda have helped to control the Pandemic. I am extremely happy to be part of this mega event of the 50th Day countdown of Yoga. I congratulate the Ministry of Ayush for organising this event in the Pink City of Jaipur." he added.

Addressing the gathering Sarbananda Sonowal said that with a rich legacy of Yoga Jaipur has made this Yoga Mahotsav event a grand success.

"As thousands of you have joined here. Our endeavour through these Mahotsav is to sustain a ripple effect around the rich heritage of yoga. Yoga has been proven to act as an elixir to realise a healthy mind and body. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Modi ji, we remain steadfast towards building a healthier nation with the help of our rich traditional medicinal system including Yoga," he added.

He further said that as India is chairing the G20 for this year, the country has a special responsibility to further our soft power of yoga to enrich the health and wellness of people across the world" He added

Union Minister Ayush Sonowal further said that this year, the Centre is planning to demonstrate of Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) in the Arctic and Antarctic region. "With the tremendous response to the Yoga Mahotsav in Jaipur, it has emboldened our effort to make Yoga a global healthcare movement," Sonowal said.

Explaining the reasoning behind organising the 50-day countdown in Rajasthan, the Ayush Minister said, "Thousands of foreign tourists visit Rajasthan each year and avail the services of numerous yoga institutions to learn yoga and yoga therapies. There is tremendous potential for the yoga institutions of Rajasthan in the field of Medical Value Travel and spiritual tourism. We are also promoting village tourism, which is perfectly complemented by yoga in Rajasthan."

He further said that the government's effort is to connect the rural population through Ayush Gram in each state.

"An Ayush Gram will be a congregation of two-three villages and engage an average population of over 3,000. All out efforts would be made for special training by appointing Yoga trainers in the identified villages so that each Ayush Gram is ready to demonstrate CYP on 21st June 2023," he added

Three Jaipur-based Yoga groups, namely Yogashtali Yoga Society, Yoga Peace, Madan Gurjar and the team also performed at the Yoga Mahotsav.

The Ministry organised the event with the active support and cooperation of the state government of Rajasthan, local authorities and various institutions with an objective to boost Medical Value Travel in Rajasthan through Yoga.

The Mahotsav was conducted by Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, Director of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi. (ANI)

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Pune, May 2 (PTI) Leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra on Tuesday expressed shock over Sharad Pawar's decision to resign as NCP chief, and said his guidance was needed at this juncture.

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Pawar was instrumental in the formation of the unlikely alliance of his Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and their then ideological foe Shiv Sena in 2019.

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Senior state Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said Pawar should not step aside when a "new freedom struggle" is going on.

"Sharad Pawar's presence has extraordinary importance when a new battle for freedom is going on in the country to save the Constitution and democracy, and in such a situation, Pawar should not step aside," he said.

Prithviraj Chavan, a senior Congress leader and former chief minister, said the decision has taken everyone by surprise.

"A lot of party workers and leaders are urging him to reconsider his decision and we have to await the final outcome," he said.

Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP and leader of the Uddhav Thackeay-led Shiv Sena who is considered to be close to Pawar, said the veteran politician had not retired from politics.

"Leaders like Pawar never retire from politics or social work. This development pertains to their internal party matter and it is not appropriate to comment on it," he said.

But the country and state need his guidance and leadership, Raut said.

He also said that considering "some recent developments, it (Pawar's decision) was not unexpected."

He also recalled that Sena founder Bal Thackeray had at one point in the 1990s decided to step down, but later changed his mind due to the party cadres' insistence.

Raut also said that the development will not affect the MVA.

Shiv Sena leader Chandrakant Khaire too recalled the episode of Thackeray's resignation while stating that Pawar's decision was "absolutely unexpected."

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan said it was the NCP's internal matter.

"But personally, I would say that Pawar is an experienced politician, and it is sad to hear about his announcement when his guidance is needed to handle the current political situation," he said.

Saroj Patil, Pawar's sister and wife of late Peasants and Workers Party leader N D Patil, said the decision was a big jolt to everyone.

"People are crying....He has announced the decision at a time when there is an atmosphere of anarchism and anxiety, a question is being asked whether democracy will survive or not, a rift is being created between communities," she added.

"Pawar is needed when there is a danger of ED (Enforcement Directorate) actions, the Constitution is in peril and there is no opposition leader who is as strong," Patil said.

She noted that Pawar's health was important, and he wanted to create alternative leadership.

"This reasoning is also true, but he should create leadership before leaving the position," Patil added.

NCP Member of Legislative Council Satish Chavan said he felt that Pawar will rethink his decision.

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said Pawar and NCP were not two separate things.

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Kalaburagi (Karnataka), May 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a mega roadshow in Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's home district of Kalaburagi in northern Karnataka.

The event comes days after Kharge had likened Modi to a "venomous snake" and his MLA-son and former Minister Priyank Kharge dubbed him 'nalayak' (inept).

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The roadshow passed through major roads of Kalaburagi city amid chants of Modi-Modi' and the Prime Minister's new slogan for the May 10 Assembly election: 'Eee baariya nirdhara, bahumatada BJP sarkara' (This time's decision, a majority BJP government).

Mounted on a decorated special open vehicle, Modi wore the BJP's saffron cap and a yellow shawl around his neck. He was accompanied by BJP MP from Kalaburagi Umesh Jadhav and Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Bhagwant Khuba.

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Modi waved at the enthusiastic crowd that was gathered on both sides of the roads.

BJP's flags, festoons and posters dotted the nook and corner of roads in the city.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister held three consecutive rallies in Chitradurga, Hospet, and Sindhanur in northern Karnataka canvassing for the ruling BJP, which is seeking to retain power in the state.

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PHILADELPHIA  Philadelphia police are seeking two people in a shooting at a home last week that killed three people and wounded a fourth, authorities said Monday.

A 15-year-old and a 22-year-old man being sought in Fridays shooting should be considered armed and dangerous, said Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom, the homicide unit commander. Authorities said they appear to be cousins, and both have outstanding warrants, he said.

Two suspects, ages 15 and 16, have already been arrested on firearms offenses and related crimes, police said.

Police said earlier that officers called to the home in the Lawncrest neighborhood of northeast Philadelphia shortly after 3:30 p.m. Friday found Malik Ballard, 17, dead on the sidewalk, Khalif Frezghi, 18, dead on the front porch, and Salah Fleming, 14, dead just inside the door.

A 16-year-old male who had been shot in the chest arrived later at a hospital in a vehicle in which a gun was found, police said.

The shooting occurred after two groups of people came to the home for some kind of transaction, Ransom said. Investigators believe that all the victims were shot inside the home and that one managed to get outside before collapsing.

Philadelphia school district officials said at least two of those killed were students in the school district, one in the eighth grade and the other in the 11th grade, WPVI-TV reported.
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi called GST revenue collection for April 2023 being highest ever at Rs 1.87 lakh crore "great news for the Indian economy."

"Great news for the Indian economy! Rising tax collection despite lower tax rates shows the success of how GST has increased integration and compliance," tweeted PM Modi.

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The gross GST collection in April 2023 is an all-time high of Rs 1,87,035 crore, Rs 19,495 crore more than the next highest collection of Rs 1,67,540 crore in April 2022.

GST revenues for April 2023 are 12 per cent higher than the GST revenues year-on-year. The highest tax collected on a single day ever was Rs 68,228 crore through 9. 8 lakh transactions on April 20, 2023.

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Of the GST revenue collected in April, CGST is Rs 38,440 crore, SGST is Rs 47,412 crore, IGST is Rs 89,158 crore (including Rs 34,972 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is Rs 12,025 crore (including Rs 901 crore collected on import of goods).

The government has settled Rs 45,864 crore to CGST and Rs 37,959 crore to SGST from IGST. The total revenue of the Centre and the States in the month of April 2023 after the regular settlement is Rs 84,304 crore for CGST and Rs 85,371 crore for the SGST.

"The revenues for April 2023 are 12 per cent higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year," a Finance Ministry release said.

During the month, the revenues from domestic transactions (including import of services) are 16 per cent higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year.

For the first time, gross GST collection has crossed Rs 1.75 lakh crore mark.The total number of e-way bills generated in the month of March 2023 was 9.0 crore, which is 11 per cent higher than the 8.1 crore e-way bills generated in the month of February 2023. (ANI)

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Mansa (Punjab) [India], May 2 (ANI): Morinda sacrilege case accused Jasvir Singh died on Monday evening at Mansa Civil Hospital, informed officials.

Accused Jasvir Singh alias Jassi was lodged in Mansa's Tamkot Jail and was shifted from Rupnagar to Mansa on April 29. In a video that had surfaced, he was seen entering the sanctum sanctorum of Gurdwara in Morinda, hitting granthis (priests) and desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib.

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According to hospital authorities, Jasvir Singh complained of chest pain and difficulty in breathing.

"Jasvir Singh was shifted to Mansa Civil Hospital. He was admitted to Mansa Civil Hospital by Jail Department. His condition worsened around 8:30 pm and he complained of chest pain and difficulty breathing. Despite our best efforts we could not save him," said Dr Ishan, Civil Hospital Mansa.

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Earlier on April 24, after the sacrilege incident at a gurdwara in Punjab's Morinda, Jathedar of Shri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh expressed concern over these incidents in Punjab.

The Jathedar said that incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Gutka Sahib are happening continuously in Punjab, which is a matter of concern.

He said the incident that happened on Monday in Morinda deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs."A person came and thrashed the granthi and also talked about Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This incident is not tolerable," Giani Harpreet Singh said.

The Jathedar further said that the government and the administration should take strict action against the person.

"Until strict action is taken against such persons, sacrilege cannot stop. These things happening in Punjab indicate that the State is being pushed towards darkness. There must be some bigger forces behind them," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured action after the video of sacrilege at a Gurdwara in Morinda surfaced on social media.

"The incident that happened at Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib of Morinda is highly condemnable and no one will be spared for this incident. Anyone who commits the act of blasphemy will be severely punished... For us, the honour of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the first priority," tweeted Mann.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh demanded strict action against the perpetrator.

"The beadbi incident at Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib in Morinda is highly condemnable. I urge Punjab Police to immediately arrest the perpetrator of this heinous crime and award the strictest punishment possible," tweeted Capt Amarinder Singh. (ANI)

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New Delhi, May 2: The second meeting of the G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group will be held in Mumbai from May 23 to 25, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Tuesday. Beginning on May 23, more than 120 members will attend the 2nd G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting.

The Ministry of Home Affairs made the announcement after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal held a meeting at the BMC headquarters in Mumbai to review the preparations being made by the corporation and other agencies. A total of three Working Group Meetings of the G-20 Council are being held in Mumbai in the month of May. G20 Summit 2023: Haryana To Showcase State Art, Food to Delegates in Gurugram From March 1-3.

BMC Commissioner directed all the agencies including BMC to maintain proper coordination and complete the pending works within the prescribed time. On the sidelines of the meeting, representatives of the Working Group will visit BMC headquarters too. Global Investors Summit 2023 and G20 Meet: Lucknow Airport Prepares for Massive Rush From February 10 to 15.

This visit will cover an inspection of the control room of the Disaster Management Department and a heritage walk of the historic municipal building.

In view of this, the BMC Commissioner also mentioned that the ongoing renovation works in the BMC Headquarters building should be completed on time by maintaining good coordination with all other stakeholder agencies.

"The concerned departments should complete the works of roads, sanitation, beautification etc. which fall within the jurisdiction in time and also by keeping in mind the experience dignitaries had during previous G-20 meetings in the city," BMC Commissioner said. He also added that a review of the preparations in this regard will be taken in the next week.

Principal Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, Government of Maharashtra, Asim Kumar Gupta; Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Ashwini Bhide; Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Ashish Sharma; Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) P. Velrasu; Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr Sanjeev Kumar; Central Government's G-20 Council Director Mrinalini Srivastava, Director General (West Zone) of Press Information BureauMonideepa Mukherjee, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Joint Commissioner (General Administration) Milin Sawant attended the review meeting.

Joint Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner's Office) Chandrashekhar Chore, Deputy Commissioner (Circle 4) Vishwas Shankarwar, Deputy Commissioner (Circle 2) Ramakant Biradar, Deputy Commissioner (Circle 1) Dr Sangeeta Hassanale, K East Ward's Assistant Commissioner Manish Valanju, Director (Disaster Management) Mahesh Narvekar, Chief Fire Officer Sanjay Manjrekar, Chief Security Officer Ajit Tawde, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security) Mahesh Chimte, Government of Maharashtra's Additional Secretary Milind Hardas were also present in this review meeting along with representatives of various other agencies.

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Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 2 (ANI): Extending his greetings on International Labour Day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday announced the withdrawal of the amendment to the Tamil Nadu Factories Act stating that the state government will never compromise with the welfare of the labours.

While addressing the May Day celebrations in Chennai, Stalin said, "To attract huge investments in Tamil Nadu and to create employment opportunities for thousands of youngsters from North and South Tamil Nadu, the Government introduced one bill. That was not for all Industries and only for specific industries with regulations. "

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"Few opposed the bill with doubts. The DMK Labour Union itself opposed this Bill. I appreciate that. DMK is that much democratic. Then we had a discussion and withdrew this," he added.

Targeting the Centre, Stalin said the farmers lost their lives in the protest on the borders of the national capital but "no one cares about it".

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"Union Government withdraws new farmers law after one year amid the farmer's huge protest. Even a few lost their lives in that Protest. No one cares about that. The DMK Government withdrew the bill in two days after Labourers Union raised doubts," he said.

"I never considered giving up a shame. I see that as pride only. If introducing some bill is courage, giving up that bill immediately is also courage only," the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister added that whenever the DMK came to power, it implemented various welfare programmes to benefit the labourers and working class.

He pointed out that during the regime of the previous DMK governments, holidays with pay on May 1, apart from a 20 per cent bonus for labourers, land for landless labourers and several other welfare programmes were implemented.

The passage of the bill to amend the Factories Act of 1948 witnessed stiff opposition from most, including DMK allies Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allies and trade unions had strongly opposed the move and termed it "anti-labour".

On April 24, the bill was put on hold after political parties and labour unions threatened to take out a series of agitation in the coming days. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the release of the movie 'The Kerala Story' in theatres and OTT platforms saying the movie is likely to cause hatred and enmity between different sections of society in India.

The plea said the film demeans the entire Muslim community and it will result in endangering the life and livelihood of the entire Muslim community.

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Seeking direction to not allow the release of the movie, the plea also sought direction that its trailer be removed from the internet.

Alternatively, it sought direction that the movie 'The Kerala Story' be released with a disclaimer stating that it is a work of fiction and the characters in the movie bear no resemblance to any person living or dead.

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"The message the movie imparts is that non-Muslim young women are being lured into converting to Islam by their classmates and subsequently, trafficked to West Asia where they are forced to join terrorist organisations. The movie gives the impression that apart from extremist clerics who radicalise people, ordinary Muslim youngsters, their classmates, also play an instrumental role in luring non-Muslims and radicalising them by posing as friendly and good-natured, in accordance with instructions given by extremist scholars," the plea stated.

It added that the film promotes the view that "love jihad" is being used to lure non-Muslim women into converting to Islam and also joining ISIS".

However, an investigation by the State police carried out in 2009 revealed that there was no evidence of "love jihad" in the State of Kerala, it further said.

The movie may adversely impact social relations between communities as well as individuals belonging to different communities by spreading enmity, hatred and suspicion, the plea stated.

In the morning, the apex court declined to hear immediately an application seeking a stay on the release of the film 'The Kerala Story', which allegedly promotes hate speech.

The application was mentioned before a bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna and the bench said the fresh application can't be tagged along with a batch of hate speech cases.

It asked the petitioners to move the appropriate forum since the movie has gone through a process of certification by the Censor Board.

"The film claims to be "inspired by many true stories". The story-line of the said film as seen from the trailer is how thousands of Hindu and Christian women are being lured and brainwashed by Muslim men pursuant to an international conspiracy, converted to Islam, turned into radicals and trafficked to become part of ISIS where they are kept against their will, abused and exploited," the application has stated.

The film depicts how thousands of young women were allegedly brainwashed into joining the Islamic State (IS) and heading off to countries like Syria and Afghanistan.

'The Kerala Story', starring Adah Sharma, is set to be released in cinemas on May 5. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Two unidentified intruders from Pakistan, who had crossed into Indian territory were killed and three packets of suspected contraband items were recovered close to the Indo-Pak border, Border Security Force (BSF) said on Tuesday.

The incident happened on Monday, close to the Indo-Pak border, about 10 km north of Munabao, Rajasthan. The operation was carried out by a patrol party of 13 battalions of BSF.

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The BSF said that, during their duty on Monday at around 9:00 pm, some suspicious movements were observed near the border security fence on the international border, and immediately took positions.

When the intruders kept on moving close to the border fence, the troops fired upon them.

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While conducting searches after some time, two bodies of Pak intruders and three packets of suspected drugs/heroin were recovered from their possession. (ANI)

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Kottayam, May 2: A woman committed suicide in this central Kerala district following alleged cyber bullying by her ex-boyfriend. The woman was found dead on Monday at her home in Manjoor village of Kaduthuruthy area of Kottayam district and police have lodged a case in connection with the incident and initiated a probe.

According to the police, it received a complaint stating that the 26-year old woman -- Athira -- ended her life over the cyber bullying by her ex-boyfriend after their relationship went sour. The complaint also claimed that besides the cyber attacks, the man also released online personal chats between the two, police said. Cyberbullying: Online Bullying of Children in Australia Hits Concerning Level, Nations eSafety Commissioner Warns.

Athira was the sister of a Sub-Collector's wife in Manipur who claimed that she was a victim of "cyber bullying" and "online harassment". "She had been facing online harassment for the past couple of days with a man releasing her photos online. We filed a complaint. But the man doing it was hiding. Police could not trace his location," he told reporters. Cyberbullying: Nine in 10 Adults Social Media Users From India, US Admit to Cyberbullying, Says Study.

He further said that the alleged perpetrator was aware of the complaint to police and that it was searching for him, but despite that he continued with his cyber attacks. He said that before going to sleep everyone had comforted the victim and told her not to worry, but the next day she took her life. "She was going to get married. A wedding was to take place in this house," Athira's brother-in-law said.

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New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is undertaking a third-party assessment of Startup India Seed Fund Scheme to see its impact on the ground, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

The Rs 945-crore scheme was launched in April 2021. It aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialisation. The fund was divided into four years for providing seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators across India.

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Joint Secretary in DPIIT Manmeet Nanda said that the scheme has benefited the startup community.

"A third-party impact assessment of the startup India seed fund scheme is underway. It is being done by NIFM. They will do an independent review of how the scheme is actually benefited. They will evaluate the performance of the startups, incubators and see how this funding... led to greater opportunities and will also give us feedback on how we can improve our work," Nanda told reporters here.

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About 98,000 startups have been registered with DPIIT, she told reporters here.

Startup India was launched by the government on January 16, 2016. Under Startup India, to provide capital at various stages of the business cycle of a startup, the government has implemented Fund of Funds and Startup India Seed Fund schemes.

The seed fund scheme is benefiting startups in different sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, IT services and auto.

She added that over 100 women-led startups are approved under the theme in the healthcare sector alone.

"There is a multiplier effect of this scheme," Nanda said.

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New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Renewable energy solutions provider Suzlon has bagged an order to develop 69.3 MW wind power project from Juniper Green Energy.

The project is located at Surendra Nagar district in Gujarat and is expected to be commissioned in 2024, a company statement said.

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"Suzlon Group today announced the second order of the 3 MW product series for the development of a 69.3 MW wind power project for Juniper Green Energy Private Limited," it stated.

The company, however, did not disclose the financial details of the order.

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"We are delighted to announce our first order with Juniper Green Energy Private Limited and our second order for the 3 MW series," JP Chalasani, CEO, Suzlon Group, said.

Suzlon will install 22 wind turbine generators (WTGs) with a Hybrid Lattice Tubular (HLT) tower of their new product with a rated capacity of 3.15 MW each.

This is the first major order for the company's largest turbine rated 3.15 MW, S144-140m from the 3 MW series.

As part of the agreement, Suzlon will supply the wind turbines (equipment supply) and execute the project including, erection and commissioning.

Suzlon will also provide comprehensive operations and maintenance services post-commissioning.

"With over 800 MW of operational solar power capacity, we hope to embark on our wind energy journey with this project and look forward to creating many more landmark projects in the future," Naresh Mansukhani, Chief Executive Officer, Juniper Green Energy said.

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Brasilia, May 3 (AP) Brazil's Justice Ministry on Tuesday ordered Google to stop conducting what it called a propaganda campaign against Brazilian legislation aimed at curbing misinformation or face about USD 200,000 per hour in fines.

The company later Tuesday took down an article the ministry had labelled propaganda, but it was not immediately clear if the big tech giant was in complete compliance with the agency's order. The ministry and Google did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

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The legislation, hotly contested by big tech companies including Google, would establish fines and deadlines for removing misinformation and hate speech from social media and messaging apps, and require tech companies to file reports on transparency.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government says it is essential to regulate online discourse following a recent spate of fatal school attacks that officials argue was motivated by hate speech and social media forums. The bill was sent to the lower chamber on Friday and may be voted on this week.

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On Sunday, Google published a message on its homepage arguing that the bill "could increase confusion about what is true or false in Brazil" and should be improved. The message redirected to an article written by the search engine's public policy department listing arguments against the bill.

Brazil's Justice Ministry accused Google of promoting a disguised editorial position and ordered the company to promote content which goes against its position. The agency also determined that Google needs to clearly indicate that its position is propaganda and needs to be transparent about any interference in its search engine to links related to the bill.

The agency said the company would be fined 1 million reais, or approximately USD 200,000, per hour if it failed to comply with the order. Google's message on its homepage, and the article, were removed Tuesday after the order's publication.

Brazilian lawmakers last week approved a request to speed up the approval process for the bill in the House. Analysts and big tech companies criticised the move and argued there was a need for further discussion.

The bill dates back to 2020 when it was approved by the Senate under Lula's predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, but has since undergone substantial modifications and become much broader. If approved by the House, the bill will return to the Senate for a final vote.

Last week, Telegram was suspended by a judge after the messaging app refused to send information on profiles which spread Nazi speech. A few days later, another decision cancelled the suspension. (AP)

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Legislation considered essential to fund Missouris environmental regulatory agency now includes an amendment that could drastically hinder efforts to protect the states rivers from pollution.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources calls the issue  nonpoint source pollution the greatest threat to the states waters, according to its website.

The amendment, which was added in a Senate committee, strikes a single phrase from the Missouri Clean Water Law.

But environmental advocates fear it could have far-reaching consequences, including a potential takeover of state water regulation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a loss of millions of dollars in grant money for pollution control.

This takeover is referred to as dedelegation, and is viewed by environmentalists and industry alike as a nuclear option, Michael Berg, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said in an email to state senators last week. It is a drastic measure, and one not easily reversed.

Asked about the proposed change on Tuesday, Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, said the amendment would be removed when the full Senate takes it up for debate.

Even the people that wanted it in thought maybe it did more than they thought it did, Bernskoetter said, adding that there was confusion about the language. He said supporters would continue to work on it after the end of the legislative session.

As introduced, the bill in question made a minor change to the makeup of a state environmental commission. It was amended in the Missouri House to include language that would renew the fees charged to industry to fund the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Without the legislation, the departments authority to collect some of those fees would expire this year.

But members of a Senate committee adopted a substitute that would eliminate nonpoint source pollution from the definition of water contaminant sources in the Missouri Clean Water Law.

Critics contend that the amendment undermines DNRs ability to prevent nonpoint source pollution, which includes runoff from farms, parking lots, mines, construction sites, industrial hog farms and other indirect sources.

Of the rivers in Missouri that are contaminated enough to wind up on the list of impaired waters, roughly 87% are there because of nonpoint source pollution, according to DNRs website.

Nonpoint sources of pollution can contribute nitrates and phosphorus, nutrients that are found in fertilizer, to water, causing algae blooms that can kill aquatic wildlife. Other nonpoint source pollutants include bacteria, sediment and chloride, according to the state.

Pollution that winds up in the Mississippi River can flow downstream to the Gulf of Mexico and contribute to the dead zone, or hypoxic zone, an area of low to no oxygen that is, on average, more than 4,200 square miles or 2 million acres. The lack of oxygen, caused by nutrient pollution, can kill fish and marine life.

The legislation was also amended to say the Missouri Department of Natural Resources could not rely on guidance documents from the EPA in enforcement procedures.

Ray McCarty, president of Associated Industries of Missouri, which is supporting that amendment, said DNR isnt using EPA guidance documents. But the language would codify that practice.

McCarty pushed legislation in 2021 and 2022 that barred the state from enacting hazardous waste rules that are any stricter than federal legislation because  at that time  he said the state was relying on federal guidance documents in its enforcement efforts.

That legislation was backed by a mid-Missouri business owned by the family of Republican donor Barry Orscheln amid the companys showdown with the state over long-running contamination.

Downriver pollution

For years, Missouri and other states along the Mississippi River have tried to reduce pollution to shrink the size of the dead zone.

The state currently uses voluntary efforts to reduce the amount of nonpoint source pollution entering the states waters.

Chris Wieberg, who represents Missouri on a task force meant to address the hypoxic zone, said the state receives millions of dollars to find ways to reduce nutrient runoff into rivers. Planting cover crops is one way farmers can prevent soil erosion and runoff.

Wieberg referred questions about the legislation to the departments legislative liaison, who referred questions to the departments spokeswoman. She said the department doesnt comment on pending legislation.

Another House bill with the fee extensions and ban on using guidance documents has also passed the Senate committee. It doesnt include the nonpoint source pollution amendment.

But environmentalists fear the nonpoint source pollution amendment could jeopardize the states ability to protect its rivers.

State Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, was absent because of a broken ankle when the committee adopted the amendment. Otherwise, she said, she would have definitely spoken out on it.

She said she plans to ask questions about the intent and interests behind the amendment if the bill reaches the Senate floor.

I hate to sound cynical, McCreery said, but I have been a public policymaker for a long time, and this does not pass the smell test for me. This seems like it has been put in to benefit a certain industry, a certain company, a certain donor.

She said water is nobodys property, and pollution created in Missouri affects people downstream.

Its really quite selfish of us to do something like this that could have a negative environmental impact on our neighbors downstream, she said.

Berg said legislators shouldnt tack on an amendment that would weaken environmental regulation on a must-pass bill to fund the department.

If someone thinks that theres a compelling reason for it, it should be taken up separately, Berg said in an interview, so that we can debate the merits outside of the framework of these absolutely necessary fee renewals.
Paris, May 2: More than 100 French policemen were injured in clashes that erupted in Paris on Monday, marking May 1, in the wake of unpopular changes to the pension system that were signed into law last month, reported CNN.

Ahead of the protest, the police had warned of a heightened risk of violence, with a total of 291 detentions across France, 90 of whom were apprehended in Paris, according to the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

The France capital had turned into a pitched battle between the protesters and the police. According to CNN, around 1,12,000 people took part in the protest in the French capital, said Paris Police. May Day: World's Workers Rally, France Sees Pension Anger.

It is the second-highest turnout since demonstrations against pension reform began this year, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV. A CNN team on the ground reported chaotic scenes from the protests, having witnessed fireworks and other projectiles thrown at the police who answered with tear gas as they retreated and regrouped.

Reacting to the protests, France Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne tweeted, "In many cities in France, this May Day was a moment of responsible mobilization and commitment. The scenes of violence on the sidelines of the processions are all the more unacceptable. Support for our law enforcement."

Visuals From May Day Protest in France

May Day protests turn violent in Paris, France as clashes erupt between protesters and police pic.twitter.com/LRHCEpXCSG  TRT World (@trtworld) May 1, 2023

This is the latest day of mass action against changes that raise the state pension age from 62 to 64. Trade unions want them withdrawn. In April, French President Emmanuel Macron, despite severe protests across the country, signed a pension bill into law to raise the country's retirement age by two years, Al Jazeera reported.

The key retirement-age legislation was accepted by France's Constitutional Council, which came after months of opposition to the change, which the administration rammed through parliament without a final vote. Key reform provisions, such as raising the retirement age to 64 and lengthening the number of years of employment necessary for a full pension, were approved by the nine-member Constitutional Council, which found that the legislation complied with French law.

The fight to put the bill into effect ended up being the biggest domestic obstacle of Macron's second term because of both the overwhelming public resistance to the revisions and his own declining personal popularity, Al Jazeera reported. Italy Slashes Anti-poverty Subsidies.

A specific contract for older workers as well as requiring large corporations to disclose the number of persons over 55 they employ were two of the nine minor ideas that were turned down in the discussion, according to Al Jazeera.

Earlier, the reforms were passed by parliament on March 16 after the government used a mechanism to bypass a vote by MPs, inflaming nationwide protests. They were considered adopted by parliament when the government survived two no-confidence motions on March 20.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Paducah (US), May 2 (AP) Gunfire broke out in the parking lot of a venue where an after-prom party was being held in western Kentucky, injuring four young people, police said.

No one has been arrested in the shooting, reported early Sunday at the W.C. Young Community Center in Paducah, local police said. Investigators were checking leads and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Also Read | SCO Summit 2023: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang To Visit India To Attend Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers.

Police were told that there had been a disturbance among those in attendance and that several shots were fired in the parking lot. Gunshots or shrapnel injured two females, ages 14 and 18, and two males, ages 17 and 20. None of the injuries was life-threatening.

Camdon Marshall, 20, told WSPD-TV that he went to the event to see his girlfriend and was standing outside when he heard arguing and then gunshots and took action quickly  just to grab my girlfriend and her two friends and pull them out the way, and throw them down out of danger.

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He thought he had been grazed by gunfire, he said, but later found out he had been shot.

Paducah Tilghman High School Principal Allison Stieg said in a message to parents that social workers, guidance counselors and therapists would be available to help students through any trauma, news outlets reported.

We know that our students who were at the party may be traumatized and in need of our support following this act of violence, Stieg said. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bangkok, May 2 (AP) The head of Myanmar's military-controlled government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, met Tuesday with the visiting foreign minister of China, which has provided key support to his regime since it seized power two years ago.

Myanmar state television MRTV said Qin Gang held talks in the capital, Naypyitaw, with Min Aung Hlaing and other top officials and exchanged views on bilateral relations, Myanmar's political situation and conditions needed for its stability and development.

Also Read | Pakistan Economic Crisis: Misery Worsens As Inflation Surges to Record High of 36.4% in the Cash-Strapped Country.

Myanmar is mired in strife because of a political crisis unleashed when the military took power in February 2021, deposing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover prompted widespread peaceful protests that security forces suppressed with deadly force, triggering armed resistance throughout the country that the army has been unable to quell.

China has strategic geopolitical and economic interests in Myanmar, its southern neighbor, and is one of the few large nations that has maintained good relations with its military government, which is shunned and sanctioned by many Western nations for its takeover and brutal repression of its opponents.

Also Read | SCO Summit 2023: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang To Visit India To Attend Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers.

China, along with Russia, is a major arms supplier to Myanmar's military. It also is Myanmar's biggest trading partner and has invested billions of dollars in Myanmar's mines, oil and gas pipelines and other infrastructure.

Qin's visit was announced Tuesday by China's Foreign Ministry, which said it would follow up on the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's visit in January 2020, deepen cooperation and support Myanmar's efforts to maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve people's lives, and realize sustainable development.

MRTV reported that Qin said his visit showed that China stands by Myanmar internationally.

Qin's visit to Naypyitaw came a day after he met with Noeleen Heyzer, the U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, in Beijing on Monday.

Qin told Heyzer that international society should respect Myanmar's sovereignty and support all parties in Myanmar within the constitutional and legal framework to bridge differences and resume a political transition through political dialogue, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.

Qin also said the Myanmar issue is complex and there is no quick fix, it said.

Opponents of military rule in Myanmar suspect that China supported the military takeover because it has refused to condemn the military for its action and initially described it as a major Cabinet reshuffle.

Beijing's adherence to a nominal policy of non-interference in other countries' politics has angered many in Myanmar who oppose the military, with some calling for boycotts of Chinese products.

Since the military seized power, a special Chinese envoy, Sun Guoxiang, visited Myanmar twice and previous Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Wunna Maung Lwin, Myanmar's former foreign minister, twice in China.

Wang Yi also attended a regional meeting of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation group held in Myanmar's central city of Bagan in July last year.

A new Chinese special envoy, Deng Xijun, visited Myanmar in December, February and March and held separate meetings with Min Aung Hlaing and the leaders of ethnic armed forces based in the eastern Shan and northern Kachin states.

Myanmar's military said Qin will leave on Thursday, after which he is to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Indian state of Goa.

Earlier Tuesday, Qin called for stability and a crackdown on cross-border criminal activity along his country's border with Myanmar during an unusual visit to southern China's border region.

The 2,129-kilometer (1,323-mile) border runs through densely forested mountains and has long been notorious for drug smuggling into China from the Golden Triangle region where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.

The United Nations says the production of opium in Myanmar has flourished since the military seized power in 2021, with the cultivation of poppies up by a third in the past year as eradication efforts dropped off and the faltering economy led more people to enter the drug trade. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], May 2 (ANI): After an oil tanker registered in Gabon caught fire off the coast of southern Malaysia on Monday, three of its crew members were reported missing, CNN reported citing the statement of Malaysian maritime authorities.

The search for the missing members is underway by the authorities.

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The tanker was reported to be on fire at about 4 p.m. local time on Monday, about 37.5 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Sedili, a coastal community in the state of Johor, according to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

Quoting MMEA, CNN reported the tanker, which had 28 crew members on board, caught fire while travelling from China to Singapore.

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"A naval patrol boat was dispatched to the scene to rescue those on board," MMEA added.

The oil tanker was recognised as the MT Pablo by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Large black smoke plumes were seen rising into the air and the tanker was seen on video to be on fire. There were other ships nearby, too. If there has been a significant environmental impact, it is not yet evident, CNN reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jeddah, May 2: As fighting continues in conflict-ridden Sudan, the 11th outbound flight carrying a group of 328 Indian nationals has left from Jeddah for New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

Taking to Twitter, MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "#OperationKaveri 11th outbound flight Jeddah to New Delhi 328 passengers." The flight is carrying Indian evacuees from Jeddah to New Delhi under Operation Kaveri. Sudan is currently reeling under the conflict between rival factions of military and para-military forces. Operation Kaveri: 229 More Indians Leave Jeddah From Sudan in Bengaluru-Bound Flight (See Pics).

Meanwhile, an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J aircraft carrying the 18th batch of 135 Indian evacuees from Port Sudan has reached Jeddah. Embassy of India, Riyadh tweeted, "#OperationKaveri IAF C-130J aircraft carrying 18th batch of Indian evacuees reached Jeddah evacuating 135 passengers. @MEAIndia." Operation Kaveri: Eighth Batch of Indian Evacuees From Conflict-Hit Sudan Received at Jeddah Airport by MoS V Muraleedharan (See Pics).

Earlier, as the flight flew from Jeddah, Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India, tweeted, "IAF C-130J aircraft carrying 18th batch of Indian evacuees departs from Port Sudan. !35 passengers are on their way to Jeddah. #OperationKaveri."

Another 'Operation Kaveri' flight carrying 231 Indian evacuees reached Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Tuesday from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

"Another #OperationKaveri flight lands in Ahmedabad. 231 more passengers have reached home safely," the EAM tweeted. Under Operation Kaveri, the 10th flight carrying Indian nationals left Jeddah earlier on Tuesday.

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Sudan has warned that the humanitarian crisis in the country is turning into a "full flown catastrophe" and that the risk of spillover into neighbouring countries was worrisome.

"It has been more than two weeks of devastating fighting in Sudan, a conflict that is turning Sudan's humanitarian crisis into a full-blown catastrophe," Abdou Dieng, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, told a briefing of member states via video link.

Fighting is underway in Khartoum as the UN warns that Sudan is at a humanitarian "breaking point". Rival military forces accuse each other of new violations of a ceasefire that they had just agreed to extend as their devastating conflict enters a third week.

Sudan continues to face bloodshed as a result of clashes between the army and paramilitary forces. Earlier, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Sunday said that nearly 2300 evacuee Indians have reached the country.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], May 2 (ANI): Another 'Operation Kaveri' flight carrying 231 Indian evacuees reached Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Tuesday from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

"Another #OperationKaveri flight lands in Ahmedabad. 231 more passengers have reached home safely," the EAM tweeted.

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Under Operation Kaveri, the 10th flight carrying Indian nationals left Jeddah earlier today.

Taking to Twitter, the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wrote, "#OperationKaveri 10th outbound flight carrying Indian evacuees from Jeddah. 231 passengers are en route to Ahmedabad."

Also Read | Afghanistan: Over 200 Afghan Migrants Return to the Country From Pakistan.

Earlier on Monday, a total of 186 Indians from strife-torn Sudan arrived in Kochi under Operation Kaveri on the 9th outbound flight.

"#OperationKaveri continues to bring Indians back home. The flight carrying 186 passengers touches down in Kochi," Bagchi tweeted on Monday.

The Kochi-bound flight on Sunday departed from Jeddah with 186 passengers.

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Sudan has warned that the humanitarian crisis in the country is turning into a "full flown catastrophe" and that the risk of spillover into neighbouring countries was worrisome.

"It has been more than two weeks of devastating fighting in Sudan, a conflict that is turning Sudan's humanitarian crisis into a full-blown catastrophe," Abdou Dieng, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, told a briefing of member states via video link.

Fighting is underway in Khartoum as the UN warns that Sudan is at a humanitarian "breaking point".

Rival military forces accuse each other of new violations of a ceasefire that they had just agreed to extend as their devastating conflict enters a third week.

Sudan continues to face bloodshed as a result of clashes between the army and paramilitary forces.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Sunday said that nearly 2300 evacuee Indians have reached the country.

"A C-130 Indian Airforce flight has landed in New Delhi with 40 passengers. With this flight, around 2,300 people have reached India," EAM Jaishankar tweeted. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Reena Bhardwaj

New Jersey [US], May 2 (ANI): Muslim mayor in New Jersey said he was stunned after he got a call on Monday afternoon disinviting him from an annual Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House while he was in his car just miles away from the event. Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he was informed that the Secret Service denied him security clearance and he could no longer attend the gathering of prominent Muslim leaders.

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"It's disappointing and it's shocking that this continues to happen under our Constitution which provides that everyone is innocent unless proven guilty. I honestly don't know what my charge, if you want to put it that way, is at this point, to be treated in such a manner," Khairullah told journalists.

In response to this allegation, Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications, United States Secret Service said, "While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening. Unfortunately, we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House."

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Earlier, Fox Carolina reported that Selaedin Maksut, CAIR-NJ executive director, called the move "wholly unacceptable and insulting."

"If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has?" Maksut said.

Khairullah, who has previously done humanitarian work in Syria and Bangladesh, was previously stopped by authorities and interrogated at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists, according to Dina Sayedahmed, a spokesman for CAIR-NJ.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leaders to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governor's mansion, according to Fox Carolina. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Actor Hugh Grant, who is gearing up for his upcoming spy-thriller Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre, has shared that all actors secretly want to dig their claws into negative parts as it's creatively fulfilling for them. Directed by the legendary Guy Ritchie, the film seamlessly integrates comedy into its riveting storyline. 'Hugh Grants Wife' Google Search Result Shows the Actor Married Anna Eberstein for Passport Reasons, Notting Hill Star Says 'Love' Was the Reason.

It follows the story of the character Orsen Fortune, who learns about a deadly weapons deal by a billionaire arms broker, he puts together his best team of operatives to track it down. Talking about his character, Hugh Grant said, "He's motivated by money. Greg Simmonds loves money! But he's also one of those billionaires who has come to regard himself as a good man, even though he sells arms all over the world. He even has a charity for war orphans, in a delicious irony." Wonka Extended Trailer: CinemaCon 2023 Reveals Hugh Grant As Oompa Loompa in Timothee Chalamets Musical Drama.

He further mentioned, "Greg thinks he has values, and he loves life, people, and his team. I think it's important to enjoy the character you're playing, and I quite enjoyed being Greg. Almost every actor prefers being a bad guy. They're more fun, and more delicious." The film, which also stars Aubrey Plaza, Jason Statham and Bugzy Malone, will drop on Lionsgate Play in India on May 5.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2023 03:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Panaji, May 2: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that about 90 per cent of the crimes in the coastal state are committed by migrant labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other areas, urging contractors to obtain "labour cards" before employing them.

Sawant made the claim at a Labour Day function on May 1 in Panaji. The chief minister said that every migrant labourer working in the state should have a labour card given by the state government. CM Sawant: Credible Inputs Must Be Behind NIA Raids Against PFI in Goa.

The Goa government issues labour cards to those working in the private, unorganised and industrial sectors to keep a record of employment as well as extend welfare measures to this category.

Sawant said that it is necessary to track the details of labourers as after committing a crime in Goa, migrant labourers often return to their state and it becomes difficult to locate them. The chief minister said that about 90 per cent of the crimes in Goa are committed by migrant labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other areas. 'Mann Ki Baat' Inspires, Ignites Aspirations of People of India: Goa CM.

Sawant said that the state government has roped in two NGOs to ensure that all labourers are issued the cards. The chief minister announced that the facility to enrol the labourers for the card would be made online soon. He said that once the cards are issued to all the labourers, it would be easier to access the database. It will also help the police investigate the cases and track them, Sawant added.
Panaji, May 2: The Goa unit of Narcotics Control Bureau on Tuesday busted LSD manufacturing laboratory at Anjuna in North Goa and arrested manufacturer along with seizure of multiple drugs valued at Rs 25 lakh.

NCB-Mumbai informed that during the initial search, multiple illicit drugs were recovered as 2,464 LSD blots (61.97 grams), 10.47 gms MDMA powder, 76.6 gms hashish moist powder, 60.5 grams hydroponic eeed (Ganja), 3.42 gms hashish and 25 Psilocybin Mushroom capsules (5 grams) were seized. These contrabands are valued at Rs 25,17,000. No to Drugs Drive in Goa: CM Pramod Sawant Urges Youth To Help Eradicate Drug Menace.

NCB officials also recovered cash Rs 32,000, $18 and Sri Lankan Rupee 38,210. NCB officials said that in follow up of information which led to recent seizures of multiple party drugs on April 28 in Goa, further intelligence was developed which strongly indicated the presence of a wholesale manufacturer in the region. Goa CM Pramod Sawant Says International Tourists and Labourers Bring Drugs to Coastal State.

"Accordingly, various intelligence sources were approached to gain additional information about the suspected manufacturer. Soon, after rigorous analysis, the identity of a person named A. Kundu was discovered in Anjuna," police said. NCB sleuths said that A. Kundu, who has been arrested, has confessed that he was involved in illicit manufacturing of drugs.

"He (A. Kundu) also mentioned that due to huge consumption of LSD in Goa, he assembled the total setup. He had been in this illicit drug manufacturing business for last few years. He was in contact with various other syndicates across various cities for supply of the drugs, some of whom are of foreign nationality," NCB officials said.

"It would be worthy to mention that the drug lab bust is one of the few instances in recent past in Goa and the arrest of the main manufacturer will have a detrimental effect on drug trafficking," NCB officials further said. Further investigation is underway to identify other receiver syndicate members, suppliers of raw material.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2023 04:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Piedmont Virginia Community College Pottery Club members have invited the community to enjoy a sweet, cinnamon-dusted fritter on Friday evening and keep the handcrafted bowl it's served in for Saturday morning's cereal.

The "Bowls & Bunuelos" fundraiser, set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday outside the college's V. Earl Dickinson Building, will raise funds for Sin Barreras to help the local immigrant community.

Mexican-Appalachian fusion band Lua Project will be performing during the fundraiser.

Tom Clarkson, professor of art at PVCC, said that students have been creating functional pottery bowls all semester long on their own time for the annual fundraiser. On Friday, traditional Latin American treats baked by a community member will be individually packaged and placed in the bowls.

New this year will be bowls created by ceramicists from throughout the area. "We're trying to reach out and include the whole clay community," Clarkson said.

Before the pandemic, the bowls came filled with hot soup. This time, expect to find bunuelos in the new vessel. Popular in Mexico, Spain, Latin America and as far afield as North Africa and the Philippines, bunuelos are pastries of sweetened dough that are lightly fried and topped with cinnamon and sugar. Plenty of regional variations abound that top them with syrup, flavor them with anise or fill them with figs, sweet potatoes or cheese.

Pottery Club members are applying their ceramics skills in a labor of love to combine practicality with artistic expression.

"People are exploring their imaginations and creativity," Clarkson said. "It has to be a functional bowl."

Clarkson recommends arriving promptly on Friday  and not just so you can enjoy Lua Project's music. "Last year, we sold out in about half an hour," he said.

Sin Barreras works to educate and support the Hispanic community in Charlottesville and the surrounding area. It offers advocacy and legal services and presents workshops. multicultural health fairs and the annual Cville Sabroso cultural festival. Learn more at sinbarrerascville.org.

The event is free. A suggested donation of $20 for each bowl and bunuelo will benefit Sin Barreras. Plenty of free parking is available in front of the building. Learn more at pcvv.edu/performingarts.
Prayagraj, May 2: Addressing an election meeting on what once was the home turf of slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday appeared to invoke nature as a great leveller  a force that delivers justice.

"Some people had turned Prayagraj, where people suffering from injustice and atrocities come with a desire for justice, into a land of injustice and atrocities," Adityanath said addressing a meeting in the former Samajwadi Party MLA's Allahabad West constituency. Uttar Pradesh: Man Who Attempted Self-immolation Near CM Yogi Adityanath Residence Dies in Lucknow Hospital.

"But this nature doesn't commit an atrocity on anyone, nor does it accept an atrocity. It settles scores for everyone, he said, without naming anyone. Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three men, who posed as media persons, when they were being taken to a Prayagraj hospital for medical checkup under police escort on April 15. Ahmad was among those accused of killing Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal.

Umesh Pal was shot dead, along with his two security guards, outside his home in Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj in broad daylight on February 24. The shoot out had raised serious question on law and order in Uttar Pradesh and Adityanath had vowed to in the assembly to "destroy" the mafia in the state.

Later, at his public meetings, he has stressed on the improvement in law and order during the term of the BJP government in the state.

On Tuesday, the last day of campaigning for the first phase of urban local body polls to be held on May 4, the chief minister said, "It's the same Uttar Pradesh where festivals were celebrated in the shadow of fear and terror. But today festivals bring prosperity. Today there is no curfew, no riots in the state."

"Today, there is no terror of eve teasers in cities. Today, our cities are becoming safe cities. Girls can go to school safely, businessmen can do business. Today, the youth do not have 'tamancha' (country-made pistols) in their hands, they have tablets," he said. Yogi Adityanath Stern Warning to Mafias: Uttar Pradesh CM Quotes From Ramcharitmanas to Give Terse Message to Mafia (Watch Video).

He said those who used to grab properties of the poor and extorted money from traders have been forced to surrender to the law. "Today, the state traders welfare board is giving a security insurance of Rs 10 lakh to traders."

Adityanath said his government has focused on empowerment of people rather than appeasement. "Everyone has developed in our government," he said.

"Today, Uttar Pradesh is moving beyond the dynasty-based and casteist-minded parties with a thought of nationalism. UP is scaling new heights of development now."

The chief minister was campaigning for BJP mayoral candidate Umesh Chandra Ganesh Kesarwani at the Leaders Press Ground. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Allahabad Lok Sabha MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Phulpur MP Keshari Devi Patel, Kaushambi MP Vinod Sonkar, outgoing mayor Abhilasha Gupta Nandi and several MLAs were present during the election meeting.

Prayagraj Municipal Corporation polls will be held in the first phase. The second phase of the urban local body polls will be held on May 11 and the counting of votes will be done on May 13.
San Francisco, May 2 : Microsoft has launched a new Payments app, which will allow small businesses to easily manage and collect payments from within Teams on their desktop or mobile device during a meeting. Smartphone Launches in May 2023: From Google Pixel Fold to Samsung Galaxy F54, List of 7 New 5G Phones Arriving This Month.

The app will be initially available for users in the US and Canada. For instance, a lawyer or financial advisor can collect payments for consultative appointments, a real estate instructor can do the same for license-renewal sessions, or a teacher for tutoring classes. Google I/O 2023: From Pixel Fold to Pixel Tablet to All-Improved Bard AI Chatbot; Heres the List of 5 Expected Major Launches From Google on May 10.

Moreover, the company said that it has partnered with some of the largest players in the payments space to combine the core collaboration capabilities in Teams with powerful commerce features.

"With a mutual focus on helping small businesses prosper, we are excited to partner with GoDaddy, PayPal, and Stripe to help you increase your revenue and make it even easier for customers to interact with you," Microsoft said in a blogpost.

The app is available in public preview in the Teams Store for Teams Essentials and Microsoft 365 business subscribers at no charge. Stripe and PayPal are both now available within the app, while GoDaddy Payments is coming soon, Microsoft said.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced the integration of Snapchat Lenses in Teams to make the virtual meet more expressive, which will be available to users globally starting this week.

"A collection of 20 plus of the most popular Snapchat Lenses are available to Teams customers globally, giving you more ways to express yourself, build relationships and let your meetings shine," Microsoft said in a blogpost.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2023 08:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mumbai, May 2: In what can be seen as a rare case in the field of health and medicine, dermatologists in the United States have reportedly been said to have detected the world's smallest skin cancer. Yes, you read that right. The world's smallest skin cancer measures just 0.65 mm. The incident came to light when Christy Staats reached out to a dermatologist after she sighted a red spot just underneath her eye.

Although the dermatologist said that it was the "red spot" was harmless, the skin care specialist was taken aback on spotting another blemish on her same cheek, reports DailyMail.CO.UK. After examining Staats' skin, the dermatologist found that the tiny red spot, which was almost invisible to the human eye was melanoma. It must be noted that melanoma is one of the deadliest types of skin cancer. Oral Sex Causing Throat Cancer! UK Doctor Says Oral Sex Responsible for Wave of Throat Cancer Cases in US, Fueling 'Epidemic'.

Interestingly, the tiny red spot which measured just 0.65mm and was later identified as cancer is now being recorded as the world's smallest skin cancer. After detecting the red spot to be melanoma, doctors told Staats that her malignant mass is the world's smallest skin ever cancer detected. The discovery of the world's smallest skin cancer has also been awarded a Guinness World Record.

Dr Alexander Witkowski, who works as an assistant professor of dermatology at the Oregon Health & Science University said that the discovery meant that melanoma can be treated before it spreads. Dr Witkowski was the one who spotted the red spot to be cancer. As per the report, Staats was concerned about the red spot underneath her eye for many years. However, time and again, dermatologists said that there was nothing to worry about. Melanoma: 5 Things You Need to Know About Malignant Skin Cancer.

After examining, Dr Witkowski diagnosed the red spot as cherry angioma. However, things changed when he noticed another red spot on the patient's right cheek. After further examinations, Dr Witkowski found atypical cells which are usually seen in melanoma cases. Back then he told her, "I think this could be the smallest skin cancer ever detected".

Later, experts also revived the case and further examined the red spot. The team of experts from across the globe indeed confirmed the "red spot" melanoma in situ, which is also called stage 0 melanoma.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2023 07:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Times Staff Writer

The crew compartment of the space shuttle Challenger, with the remains of astronauts aboard, has been found 100 feet beneath the sea off the coast of Florida, NASA officials announced Sunday.

Sonar equipment tentatively identified the crew compartment Friday afternoon and family members of the five men and two women, who died in the U.S. space programs worst disaster, were notified of the possible find. The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch from Cape Canaveral on Jan. 28.

On Saturday morning, after securing operations during the night for safety reasons, the USS Preserver, whose divers are thoroughly briefed on debris identification and who have participated in similar recovery operations, began to work, read a National Aeronautics and Space Administration statement distributed at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

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Deference to Families

Subsequent dives provided positive identification of Challenger crew compartment debris and the existence of crew remains.

NASA officials would not say if the entire crew, including New Hampshire high school teacher Sharon Christa McAuliffe, was still inside the split-level cabin nor would they comment on the condition of the module.

We really dont want to say anything else in deference to the families, NASA spokeswoman Shirley Green said in Washington.

While the condition of the compartment was not known, sources said it appeared to be relatively intact. Debris from inside the cabin, including personal effects from crew lockers, has already been recovered, however, indicating that it probably is ruptured.

Among those personal effects, all found on the surface of the ocean, were astronaut flight helmets and some of the contents of McAuliffes locker, including material for her teacher-in-space project.

The exact location of the module was not given for security reasons, according to the brief NASA announcement, which was approved by Rear Adm. Richard H. Truly, associate administrator for spaceflight. Depending on the conditions of the weather and the sea, recovery of the crew compartment could take several days, NASA said.

Local security measures are being taken to assure that the recovery operations can take place in a safe and orderly manner, the statement said.

Identification of Crew

Assistance in positive identification of crew will be provided by Armed Forces Institute of Pathology personnel located at the Patrick Air Force Base Hospital.

The base is 25 miles south of Cape Canaveral.

The crew module is a 2,525-cubic-foot pressurized cabin in the front of the shuttle.

At blastoff, McAuliffe was strapped into a chair in the compartments mid-deck. To her left was engineer Ellison S. Onizuka. To her right was engineer Gregory B. Jarvis.

In the forward seats of the upper flight deck were mission commander Francis R. (Dick) Scobee and pilot Michael J. Smith. Behind them sat engineer Judith A. Resnik and laser physicist Ronald E. McNair.

Mark Weinberg, a spokesman for the presidential commission investigating the shuttle explosion, said he could not comment on the significance of the find to the commissions probe.

I would not want to characterize its importance. Thats to be determined. Clearly all pieces of evidence are important, he said.

Recovery of the crew compartment probably will not answer the perplexing questions about why Challengers launch became a disaster. Wreckage of the shuttles right solid-fuel booster rocket is believed to be the key to understanding the tragedy in space.

Photographs of the Challenger launch show a puff of black smoke spewing from the booster milliseconds after the spacecrafts engines were ignited and a spurt of flame pouring from the same area 15 seconds before the explosion.

The smoke and flame appeared near a joint between the bottom two segments of the solid fuel rocket.

Debris scattered across the sky after the explosion. Some of it landed on the sandy shore, luring the curious to comb the beaches. But the bulk of the wreckage splashed into the Atlantic, sinking to the bottom or drifting north with the Gulf Stream.

Officials said tracking radar detected 14 large objects falling toward the ocean immediately after the fiery detonation, including the shuttles twin booster rockets, which continued to fire until safety officers beamed up self-destruct commands when one appeared to be heading back for the coast.

Salvage efforts so far have yielded only 10% of Challengers 126-ton bulk.

Wreckage recovered to date includes blasted fragments of a satellite booster that was riding in Challengers payload bay, parts of the ships wings and fuselage and all three of the shuttles powerhouse main engines.

The massive search for debris--now nearly six weeks old--includes 11 surface ships, two manned submarines and three robot submersibles.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

One year into his 16-year sentence, the only FBI agent ever charged with a homicide is coming to grips with life in prison.

Mark Putnam reads, exercises, works in the prison hospice and chapel, and is talkative during calls to his family. He is adjusting.

But the sister of Susan Daniels Smith--the woman Putnam strangled, the woman whose body he hid for 12 months while her family agonized over her disappearance--is not.

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Because of Shelby Wards persistence--and the wrongful-death suit the family has filed against Putnam--Susan Daniels Smiths body was exhumed in May and the autopsy on her resumed, two years after she was killed.

It seems like it wont go away, Ward said of the case.

The 28-year-old woman, Putnams informant and lover, was reported to have been four months pregnant when she was strangled on June 8, 1989, but medical examiners officials say they have yet to find any trace of a fetus.

In his written confession, Putnam said he strangled Smith in a fit of rage because she was threatening to tell his wife and superiors that she was carrying his child. Putnam, who already had been transferred to Miami, dumped the body off a coal mine road in the eastern Kentucky hills and returned to his wife and two children.

A year later, apparently racked by guilt, he offered to lead authorities to her body. In exchange, he was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of first-degree manslaughter.

Ward, whose clamorings about her sisters disappearance first brought the case to light, still insists that there was more than an unwanted pregnancy behind the killing--and she believes that the autopsy, halted two years ago at the request of the family, might prove that.

Ward said FBI Agent Ron Poole, who was Putnams superior and knew about the pregnancy, had talked with her about Putnam.

He said he knew some things on Mark Putnam that was awful . . . furnishing informants with guns and drugs--Susan, too, she said. Theres a lot of things Ive not told the press . . . things that my sister told me.

Poole, who was transferred to Lexington, Ky., shortly before Putnams conviction, declined to comment on the case.

Throughout all this, Putnam, 31, also has remained silent. He declined a recent written request for an interview.

Some people have suggested that he confessed to the slaying to hide something worse from authorities, but his younger brother, Tim Putnam, said he believes that Mark just could not bear the guilt.

Thats exactly it. He couldnt handle it, the brother said.

Tim Putnam, an employee for the Connecticut Legislature, said that his mother talks to Mark about every two weeks, but that he has not heard from him since Christmas.

I think the reason he doesnt call me, I think hes embarrassed, said Tim, 30. Hes doing OK, considering.

Mark Putnams wife, Kathy, has moved to Minnesota to be near her husband. His attorney, Pat Molloy of Lexington, said she and the children visit him regularly at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minn.

The family rarely talks about the case publicly, Tim Putnam said.

We dont want to make a secret about it, but we prefer not to bring it out, he said. I just wish it would all die down. The familys been through a lot this past year.

It is unlikely it will die down soon. At least one book and a television movie about the case are in the works.

Aphrodite Jones, an assistant professor of English at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky., who is writing the book, said she believes that Putnam returned to Pikeville knowing he probably would have to kill Smith.

He flew into West Virginia when he had business in Lexington, Jones said. He rented a car when he could have used an FBI vehicle. Why?

She said she did not think Putnam wanted to kill Smith, but rather that he was pushed to it. But the bottom line is hes a killer.

Several of Smiths survivors, including ex-husband Kenneth Smith, have received money from Jones advance, and she said half the royalties also would go to the family.

Ward said she would be paid $50,000 for helping with the movie.

Ive thought about it and I feel sort of bad collecting money off it, but I went through a lot of hell for it, she said. Some of the money will be put into a trust fund for Smiths children--Meranda Lynn, 8, and Brady, 5--she said.

Neighbors in Freeburn, Ky., say the children appear to be living happily with their father. But Katheryn Sizemore, Kenneth Smiths landlady and a neighbor, said it is obvious they miss their mother.

The girl is kind of forlorn sometimes, she said. Her father said she told him, I sure wish my mommy had lived. 

Since her sisters death, Ward has been taking sedatives and seeing an analyst once a month.

I dream that I go and see her at a hospital and shes still alive and Im talking to her, she said. I see her in heaven with the baby. Shes telling me in the dream not to worry about her, that she was doing fine.
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Air Transat Flight 236 was more than seven miles above the Atlantic Ocean before dawn Friday when Capt. Robert Piche heard the right engine stop. He started to descend slowly to reduce the strain on the remaining engine. Two minutes later, the second engine failed. A check of the fuel gauges showed that a leak had almost drained the fuel tanks.

Piche had no engines working, 10 minutes of fuel left and a plane full of 304 passengers and crew on their way from Canada to Portugal. He told the crew to prepare to ditch in the ocean.

On Tuesday, Piche and two other crew members calmly recounted at a news conference in Montreal what happened next on the charter flight that has become known as Miracle Flight 236.

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Their accounts, combined with a report by Portuguese aviation authorities and passengers statements, paint a portrait of a crew struggling to safely land the stricken plane.

The flight attendants began to gather up the breakfast trays they had just passed out--the first signal to the just-waking passengers that something was wrong with the Airbus A-330. As they began to demonstrate emergency water landing procedures, a few people screamed. Some went white and blankly calm. Many started to pray.

In the cockpit, though, Piche and his co-pilot, Dirk DeJager, were intently focused, struggling to control the plane as it dropped quickly through the sky. At 6:13 a.m, Piche reached the air control tower at a U.S. Air Force base on the Azores island of Terceira, a dot in the ocean 30 minutes and many miles away. While passengers donned life jackets, Piche steered the powerless craft like a glider toward the island, about 800 miles from Portugal.

For 18 minutes, the plane rode the wind until the island was finally visible. DeJager went on the public address system, telling the crew to prepare passengers for a rough ground landing instead of a splashdown.

Using only basic instruments and instructions from the control tower, Piche guided the jet onto a short airstrip. Exactly 33 minutes after the first emergency call, the planes tires touched down. After the craft shuddered to a halt, the crew evacuated all of the passengers in less than 90 seconds. Ten people suffered minor sprains or fractures going down the slides.

But they were alive.

Thirty-three minutes is a long time to know you hold the fate of more than 300 people in your hands. But Piche said Tuesday that he thought of nothing but doing his job right.

Its not what pilots like to dream about, said Piche, who has been flying for 30 of his 49 years and mastered tricky landings as a bush pilot on Quebecs rugged Anticosti island. He joined Air Transat, Canadas largest charter airline, five years ago.

Even though youre trained, ready, youre always surprised, he told reporters. It makes no sense that a big jet with two engines has no more power with 300 people on board. I guess at that time my experience came in.

First Officer Meleni Tesic praised the pilots and flight attendants for their professionalism, as well as the passengers for not panicking during the last few minutes of the final approach.

It was an extremely silent cabin, she said. There was not a pin drop to be heard.

However, passenger Renato Marcelino told Portuguese television Sunday in Lisbon that the last half an hour before the emergency landing was brutal. It was horrible. It was everything you could imagine.

After all the fears and prayers, he was amazed that the plane landed safely.

The pilot was extraordinary, he said.

My wife was hysterical. My father-in-law was white, Daniel Rodrigues, a 24-year-old helicopter pilot trainee from Toronto on the way to Portugal with his family for a wedding, told Canadian Press news service after the landing. He said that one member of the cabin crew was swearing and that they could hear the panic in another flight attendants voice as she shouted instructions.

Once people heard her voice, he said, all the old people started praying.

While the pilots and crew have been widely hailed as heroes, the government agency Transport Canada ordered a special audit of the airline and has banned it from operating the three twin-engine Airbus A-330s in its 24-plane fleet beyond a 60-minute range of an airport until transport authorities can determine that there are no safety problems with the aircraft.

A preliminary report issued Tuesday by Portuguese investigators said a malfunctioning fuel injection pump caused low fuel pressure in both engines of Flight 236.

Fridays emergency was the second in a week for the air carrier. A flight was evacuated at the airport in Orlando on Aug. 18 after smoke poured into the cabin. The problem was blamed on an overheated air conditioning system.

Parades and a heros welcome are planned for Piche in his hometown in Quebec. The thought of those celebrations makes the pilot uncomfortable.

Thats what we get trained for, thats what we get paid for, to be successful in a situation like that, Piche said. Im not a hero.

Times staff writer Farley reported from New York and special correspondent Perron from Toronto.
Times Staff Writer

Dear Mexican, Why do Mexicans call white people gringos?

It was the type of impolite question few people would dare ask in everyday Southern California, much less in print.

Dear Gabacho, began Gustavo Arellanos answer in the OC Weekly alternative newspaper. Mexicans do not call gringos gringos. Only gringos call gringos gringos. Mexicans call gringos gabachos.

Arellano went on to explain that gabacho is a sometimes pejorative slang term for white Americans, with its etymological roots in the Castilian slur for a French national.

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Ask a Mexican, the newspaper headlined it.

The column, published in 2004, was meant as a one-time spoof, but questions began pouring in.

Why are there so many elaborate wrought-iron fences in the Mexican parts of town? What part of the word illegal do Mexicans not understand? Why do Mexicans pronounce shower as chower but chicken as shicken?

Arellano has responded each week, leading an unusually frank discussion on the intersections where broader society meets the largest and most visible national subgroup in the country: Mexicans.

Nothing is taboo. When asked to explain the inclination of Mexicans to sell oranges at freeway offramps, he fired back:

What do you want them to sell -- Steinways? According to Dolores, who sells oranges off the 91 Freeway/Euclid onramp, in Anaheim, she can earn almost $100 per week hawking the fruit. That averages out to more than $5,000 a year -- and since its the underground economy, she doesnt pay taxes!

The questions came from both assimilated Mexican Americans and whites, or as Arellano might say, pochos and gabachos. The newspaper kept publishing Ask a Mexican, and it quickly became one of its most popular features.

*

Dear Mexican,

Whats with the Mexican need to display the Virgin of Guadalupe everywhere? Ive seen her in the oddest places, from a sweatshirt to a windshield sticker. As a Mexican, I find it a little offensive and tacky to display this religious symbol everywhere.

Dear Pocha,

... Ive seen her painted on murals, woven into fabulous silk shirts worn by Stetson-sporting hombres and -- one holy night -- in my bowl of guacamole. But while I share your disdain for the hypocrites who cross themselves in Her presence before they sin.... I dont find public displays of the Empress of the Americas offensive at all.

Mexican Catholicism is sublime precisely because it doesnt draw a distinction between the sacred and the profane. We can display our saints as comfortably in a cathedral as we do on hubcaps.

Arellano, a 27-year-old reporter and fourth-generation Orange County resident, has taken his Ask a Mexican personality to radio and other print outlets. He has found receptive audiences in unlikely places, even conservative talk radio.

Ask a Mexican is historically and culturally accurate, in some cases painfully so, while pushing the edges of modern political correctness. Its logo depicts a stereotypical Mexican peon, complete with bushy mustache, large sombrero and a single shiny gold tooth.

There isnt any politically correct bridge that you have to walk over; youre just right there, Sasha Anawalt, director of arts journalism fellowship programs at USCs Annenberg School for Communication, said about Arellanos column. His writing kind of tackles you.

At times, it can also sound like the work of a graduate student -- which Arellano once was. His response to the shicken question included references to native Indian languages and linguapalatal fricatives.

But under it all, Ask a Mexican is imbued with affection for Mexican immigrants, which may explain its appeal among Mexican Americans who might otherwise take offense.

*

Dear Mexican, [some female readers asked]

Why do Mexican women dress up to go to the swap meet? .... Why do Mexicans put on their Sunday best to shop at Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, etc.?

Dear Pochas,

... You gotta love our moms and aunts, que no? Despite living in abject conditions, never having enough money to purchase vaccines for the kids -- let alone save up for a Prada this or Manolo that -- Mexican women always primp themselves for something as simple as buying tortillas.

*

Arellano, who is also the OC Weekly food editor, never fancied himself a newspaper columnist. The small-framed, quick-witted and admitted self-promoter had a vision of being a Harvard history professor by the time he was 26. And I wouldve done it, too.

He was a film student at Chapman University in Orange when he began reading the OC Weekly. He wrote to its editor, Will Swaim, suggesting story ideas. Swaim was impressed and asked Arellano to write the stories himself.

Arellano resisted at first, but Swaim pressed him. Arellano began writing about the Orange County he knew, including school board politics and his family history in Anaheim, his hometown. Meanwhile, he entered graduate school at UCLA, where he earned a masters in Latin American studies.

As a reporter, Arellano, who calls himself a good Catholic boy, aggressively covered the sexual abuse scandal in the Diocese of Orange and allegations of corruption against Orange County Latino activist Nativo V. Lopez. He also wrote one of the earliest profiles of Jim Gilchrist, the Aliso Viejo activist who began the border-watching Minuteman Project.

Arellano is driven by a strong sense of loyalty to Orange County. He describes it as the Ellis Island of the 21st century, a place where a large immigrant population belies the myth of the county as a bastion of white conservatives and big-spending decadence.

We didnt have to go outside of our little enclave to experience Mexican culture, Arellano said, recalling weekends of Mass attendance, girls quinceaneras and relatives baby showers.

*

Dear Mexican,

Ive noticed that areas with lots of recent Mexican immigrants have stores that sell nothing but water. I find this very odd. Do people recently arrived from Mexico not know that tap water here is potable?

Dear Gabacha,

Mexicans can never get far from the bottle, whether its H2O or Herradura. In a 2002 survey, the Public Policy Institute of California found that 55% of Latinos in the state drink bottled water, compared with 30% of gabachos. Its definitely a custom smuggled over from Mexico, where tap water remains fraught with nasty viruses and bugs.

*

The column was born when Swaim approached Arellano with an off-the-wall idea: Explain the humor behind a Spanish-language radio advertisement Swaim saw on the side of a bus. At first, Arellano saw the concept as an easy way to make readers chuckle. But in time he realized there was more to Ask a Mexican than that.

The people who write in -- they have this preconceived notion of what a Mexican is, Arellano said. I answer their question, but in a way thats either going to flip the stereotype or going to explode it.

Similar to comedians who satirize their own cultures, including Dave Chappelle and Jeff Foxworthy, Arellano critiques the biases and prejudices of Mexicans and non-Mexicans equally. He freely draws attention to some of the nastier elements of Mexican culture, such as strains of sexism, homophobia and prejudices against other ethnic groups.

Im being exotic so that we can remember were not exotic, Arellano said. In any minority group, youre always going to have this stigma that you perpetuate on yourself. Oh, were a minority, were a minority. My response is Were not a minority. Lets get over that and just say, All right, these are the problems we have. 

*Dear Mexican,

As an Asian person, would I be considered a gabacho? Or do I fall into the yellow bucket labeled chinito, even though Im not Chinese?

Dear Chino,

Like Americans assume all Latinos are Mexican, Mexicans think all Asians are chinos -- Chinese. When I used to go out with a Vietnamese woman, my aunts would speak highly of mi chinita bonita -- my cute little Chinese ruca.... Chinese were the Mexicans of the world before there even was a Mexico, migrating to Latin America a couple of decades after the fall of Tenochtitlan.

*

Like other readers, Sali Heraldez, owner of a gallery in Santa Ana, said her first instinct was to be offended by Ask a Mexican. But she couldnt deny the columns allure.

In every culture there are things that people do that are just funny, Heraldez said. He doesnt just throw out a racist comment; he actually puts history behind it. Some of them are just plain funny, like why do Mexicans honk instead of going up to knock when theyre picking up friends?

Some readers remain unconvinced that Ask a Mexican is a good thing to publish. Swaim said he occasionally received calls or e-mails demanding that Arellano be fired.

Not only am I a fellow Mexican American, but Im also an American veteran of Desert Storm, one offended reader wrote in a letter the newspaper published. I know I didnt fight for a country that portrays Mexicans the way your magazine does. You even allow them to ask racist questions that you have no problems answering.

Yet the column has appeal across the ideological spectrum. Since April, Arellano has been taking listeners questions live on the air on the conservative talk radio program The Al Rantel Show on KABC-AM (790).

Im a frothing-at-the-mouth right-winger, said Al Rantel Show producer John Phillips, who contacted Arellano about doing Ask a Mexican on the radio. The thing that Gustavo and Al and I have in common is, hes absolutely as politically incorrect as they come. He has no problem saying things on his mind that he believes may or may not offend others.

After the first time Ask a Mexican hit the airwaves, Phillips asked Arellano back. During a recent in-studio visit to the program, Arellano took a question from a caller named Cheryl, who started off by saying, My question is, why do Hispanic people -- 

Mexicans, Arellano interrupted.

OK, Mexicans. Thank you, Cheryl said. Why do they graffiti everywhere?

Those guys are honors students and theyre just practicing, Arellano said, adding later, Graffiti is really the last resort of people who dont have anything else to do.

Alexandro Gradilla, an assistant professor of Chicano and Chicana studies at Cal State Fullerton, said that even 10 years ago, an uproar would have followed publication of Arellanos constant jokes about Guatemalans. Arellano satirizes what he insists is Mexicans disdain for immigrants from that small nation to their south: Guatemalans are the Mexicans of Mexico. And who doesnt hate Mexicans?

*

Dear Mexican,

I am a Mexicana who is dating a gabacho. My gabacho always asks me why you see Mexicans lying in the grass under a tree.... Por que?

Dear Pocha,

... Mexicans, unlike gabachos, are good public citizens who know that parkland is best used for whittling the afternoon away underneath an oak, a salsa-stained paper plate and an empty six-pack of Tecate tossed to the side.

*

What makes such talk acceptable -- or at least tolerable -- today?

I think our generation of artists, intellectuals -- were not concerned with the same issues, nor do we try to hide our contradictions as earlier generations did, Gradilla said. He added, Nor does he gloss over the deep divisions that exist in this community -- that is, between Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants. More people identify with that than with this politically convenient, united front perspective.

Arellano is also one of these home-bred intellectuals who can talk about Orange County in a way that is not being captured in the popular media, Gradilla said. He talks about the O.C. that is ignored.

The columnist sees his work as filling a vacuum.

A lot of my activist friends say, why do you go on a conservative talk show? Nobody else is doing it, Arellano said at a restaurant in Santa Ana that specializes in food from the Mexican state of Puebla. Nearby, a group of day laborers wailed the days sweat away with a few songs over a guitar.

People who dont like Mexicans -- nobody is actively engaging them unless its a protest and theyre separated by police, he added.

Arellano pondered this for a moment, then launched into another biting joke: Theres a lot of liberals who hate Mexicans too. I hate a lot of Mexicans, for that matter.

People from Jalisco are evil. Im from Zacatecas, and theyre right next to us. Theres always drama.
Teachers at Garfield High School were winding down classes for the approaching lunch break when they heard the startling sound of people  they were not sure who  running through the halls, pounding on classroom doors. Walkout! they were shouting. Walkout!

They looked on in disbelief as hundreds of students streamed out of classrooms and assembled before the school entrance, their clenched fists held high. Viva la revolucion! they called out. Education, not eradication! Soon, sheriffs deputies were rumbling in.

It was just past noon on a sunny Tuesday, March 5, 1968  the day a Mexican American revolution began. Soon came walkouts at two more Eastside high schools, Roosevelt and Lincoln, in protest of run-down campuses, lack of college prep courses, and teachers who were poorly trained, indifferent or racist.

By the time the blowouts peaked about a week later, 22,000 students had stormed out of class, delivered impassioned speeches and clashed with police. Scenes of rebellion filled newspapers and television screens. School trustees held emergency meetings to try to quell the crisis; Mayor Sam Yorty suggested students had fallen under the influence of communist agitators.

In the midst of the disruptions, Julian Nava, the only Mexican American on the Los Angeles Board of Education, turned to Superintendent of Schools Jack Crowther. Jack, he said. This is B.C. and AD. The schools will not be the same hereafter.

Yes, said Crowther. I know.

The East L.A. walkouts 50 years ago were the uniquely California embodiment of the fury and hope that marked much of 1968. The first act of mass militancy by Mexican Americans in modern California history set the tone for activism across the Southwest as America drifted into a year of social turmoil, assassinations, war and disillusionment.

RELATED | 1968: A timeline of anger, grief and change 

The walkouts focused national attention on a new force on the American political scene, the Chicano movement. Once a pejorative term, Chicano was adopted by a new generation of urbanized Mexican Americans as an emblem of ethnic pride, cultural awareness and a commitment to community.

We caught the entire nation by surprise, said David Sanchez, founder of the militant Brown Berets, which had its seeds in the movement for educational reform and then took on farmworker rights, police brutality and the issue that managed to mobilize just about everyone who was protesting in 1968: the Vietnam War. Before the walkouts, no one cared that substandard schools made it all but impossible for Chicano youths to find strength and pride in their culture, language and history  or to make the most of their lives, Sanchez said.

After the walkouts, he added, no one could deny that we were ready to go to prison if necessary for what we believed, which was this: With better education, the Chicano community could control its own destiny.

Pete Martinez, a former teacher at Lincoln, said students that year ignited a movement that would transform generations of Latinos in America. In 1968, the kids kicked the doors open, he said.

With better education, the Chicano community could control its own destiny.  David Sanchez, Brown Berets founder

In 1968, Mexican American students living east of downtown were funneled into high schools with some of the worst dropout rates in the nation  57% at Garfield, 45% at Roosevelt, 39% at Lincoln.

Eastside schools were run-down and overcrowded, and the community had little political power. The Mexican American community was young  about half the population was under 20  and there were no Mexican Americans on the City Council or Board of Supervisors.

At Eastside schools, Spanish speakers felt trapped in slower tracks that funneled them toward low-skilled jobs.

Harry Gamboa, now a celebrated photographer and performance artist, remembered the day in elementary school when the teacher led him to the front of the class and helped him fashion a hat made of construction paper as an art project. She put it on my head and wrote the word Spanish on it. She said I could take it off when I learned to speak English, he said. Years later, he would join the walkouts at Garfield.

Although the walkouts seemed spontaneous, they grew out of years of social activism. Since 1963, Camp Hess Kramer, a Jewish summer camp in Malibu, had hosted motivational programs for outstanding East L.A. students, who shared grievances about their underperforming high schools and neglected neighborhoods.

RELATED | Do you remember the East L.A. walkouts? Share your memories 

Others stopped in at the Social Action Training Center, an effort run out the Church of the Epiphany in Lincoln Heights by John Luce, an Episcopal priest who supported labor leader Cesar Chavez.

Four young activists opened the La Piranya Coffee Shop in 1967 at the corner of Olympic and Goodrich boulevards as headquarters for their organization, Chicano Youths for Community Action. They were led by Sanchez, then a clean-cut 18, who was president of Yortys youth advisory commission, and Vickie Castro, a Cal State Los Angeles student who, years later, would become the second Latino ever elected to the Los Angeles Board of Education.

We were all products of Camp Kramer and Church of the Epiphany and, therefore, aspired to remake society.  Vickie Castro

We were all products of Camp Kramer and Church of the Epiphany and, therefore, aspired to remake society, Castro recalled. At La Piranya, we organized strategies for doing just that, and shared outrage over things like a Time magazine article that described East L.A. as reeking of garbage and wine.

La Piranyas walls were covered with murals depicting scenes from Mexicos past, and a startling declaration in large black letters: Por mi raza mato, or For my race I kill.

Revolution was in the air. Black militant Stokely Carmichael swung by La Piranya. So did two figures known for their edgy and angry brand of activism  Rodolfo Corky Gonzales of Colorado and Reies Tijerina of New Mexico.

One day in 1967, hours before a protest against police harassment, Sanchez ran by the garment district to buy a dozen berets  the headgear seen on countless posters of Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara. Back at La Piranya, he dealt them out like playing cards, saying, Put these on, were going to a demonstration.

The Chicano Youths for Community Action had became the Brown Berets.

The group operated under a manual written by Sanchez that included a passage members were required to memorize:

For over 20 years, the Mexican American has suffered at the hands of the Anglo establishment. He is discriminated against in schooling, housing, in employment and in every other phase of life. Because of this situation, the Mexican American has become the lowest achiever of any minority group in the entire Southwest.

Members of the Brown Berets listen to a speaker during the East L.A. walkouts on June 9, 1968. (Herald-Examiner Collection / Los Angeles Public Library)

What people were only beginning to realize was that  much as the students at a Florida high school this year have seized the debate over gun control from the adults  it was the high school students of East L.A. who would refuse to wait for the adults to act.

Sal Castro, then a social studies teacher at Lincoln and a charismatic guest speaker at La Piranya, said his students wanted things changed at the school. They wanted to hold what they called a blowout  a walkout.

His response: Organize. What do you need?

The original plan was to present a series of demands  and the threat of a walkout  to the school board in 1967. The plot fizzled.

But the next year, on Friday, March 1, the principal at Wilson High in El Sereno abruptly canceled the school play, Barefoot in the Park, a romantic comedy deemed risque. Hundreds of students walked off campus in anger.

The organizers of the failed walkout plot saw their chance. Sal Castro, Brown Berets, college students and others, including students recruited from high schools, holed up at La Piranya and other hangouts over the weekend to prepare.

By Tuesday, March 5, they were ready to launch. Joseph Rodriguez, then a sophomore at Garfield High, recalled sitting in basic biology class when someone banged on our wooden door yelling, Walkout! Walkout! We heard commotion outside. Many of us, including the teacher, ran to the window to see what was going on.

My teacher looked me in the eyes, Rodriguez recalled, and said, I can see youre really interested in this stuff. Youre free to go.

Rodriguez saw students hemorrhaging through the gates and onto surrounding sidewalks and streets. Sheriffs deputies in riot gear arrived and over bullhorns ordered them back to class. Most refused.

A Coca-Cola delivery truck happened to drive up, and students began grabbing bottles and hurling them at deputies. Wading into the fray were the Brown Berets, who had planned to offer students protection. Sanchez later boasted that he outran two deputies chasing after me with batons waving.

The next day, it was Vickie Castros mission to occupy the Lincoln principal while cohorts fanned out across campus and encouraged students to leave school. She pretended to be an applicant for a teachers assistant position and peppered the principal with questions.

I held the principal hostage for 20 minutes while one worried staffer after another rushed into his office to whisper the worsening news in his ear, she recalled with a chuckle. Finally, he said, Sorry, but I really have to go. Then I drove to Roosevelt High for more action.

When Vickie Castro pulled up at her alma mater, an administrator recognized her. Vickie, if you come on campus Ill have you arrested, she said. Turn around. Now.

She drove off  for the other side of the campus, and joined other activists inciting students to walk. A brief clash with police resulted in several arrests. Students walked out at Belmont the next day. Protest plans there had spread not just by word of mouth, but by messages written in marker on the grout between tiles: Walkout. Today. 12:30.

In years to come, the Eastside would be the site of protests decrying the Vietnam War and immigration policy. But these early walkouts were about education. Students carried American flags and signs reading, We demand schools that teach, School not prison and We are not dirty Mexicans.

During one day of protest, a heavy rain broke out. At Lincoln, a few of the demonstrators who braved the downpour noticed that the water streaming down Sal Castros face was mixed with tears of pride.

The unrest continued for about a week, with protests erupting at a few other campuses  even two junior highs  not originally included in the walkout plans. At a raucous school board meeting 10 days into the protests, students presented 36 demands. Some seemed excessive: Only pass/fail grades. Student lounges with jukeboxes. Mexican dishes in the cafeteria prepared by local mothers.

Others were very basic: Smaller classes. New libraries. More bilingual counselors, teachers and principals. Improved testing to distinguish between a lack of English proficiency and lack of intelligence. More lessons on Mexican American culture, art and history. And no corporal punishment.

The school board agreed outright to two of the demands  more bilingual personnel and smaller classes. Generally, however, the district said it was already doing what the students asked, or wanted to comply but lacked funds.

In the walkouts aftermath, the organizers basked in support from high-profile leaders, including Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who made time to congratulate some students on the tarmac at Santa Monica Airport while in California to meet Cesar Chavez.

Some educators supported the students, but quietly. We were secretly guided behind the scenes by sympathetic teachers and administrators who used us, in a way, as their own vehicles for change, Vickie Castro recalled. They even helped me write speeches I gave after the blowouts during meetings with school officials.

We were secretly guided behind the scenes by sympathetic teachers and administrators who used us, in a way, as their own vehicles for change.  Vickie Castro

But the walkouts also unleashed ugly emotions. As an example of the attitudes Mexican American students faced, community leaders cited an essay Richard C. Davis, a wood shop instructor at Lincoln, published that spring in the schools faculty publication.

Declaring that most of the Mexican Americans have never had it so good, he wrote: Before the Spanish came, he was an Indian grubbing in the soil and after the Spanish came, he was a slave. It seems to me that America must be a very desirable place, witness the number of wetbacks and migrants both legal and illegal from Mexico.

He went on: When it comes to going to school  free and the best in the world  he (the Mexican-American) is passive. Absenteeism is his culture, his way of life  always manana maybe he will get an education  manana, when it comes to repairing his home, controlling childbirth, planning for tomorrow, he is passive.

Law enforcement responded with undercover operations, raids and arrests. In June, authorities rounded up 13 activists, who were indicted by a grand jury on charges including conspiracy in having planned the walkouts. Each faced 66 years in prison.

Among those indicted were Sanchez and Sal Castro, who was the only teacher to publicly participate and back students complaints to news media and school district officials.

He lost his job but was eventually reinstated after months of protests by Eastside parents. Castro had employment, but was bounced around to different campuses and made a substitute before finally landing at Belmont as a teacher. The indictments against the Eastside 13 were struck down by an appeals court in 1970.

A year after the walkouts, UCLAs enrollment of Mexican Americans soared from 100 to 1,900. Over the decades, college enrollment increased from 2% to 25% nationwide. Chicano studies programs were founded at colleges and universities across the nation. More Mexican Americans also entered the ranks of vice principals and principals in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

But perhaps the walkouts greatest accomplishment was fostering in the Mexican American community a sense of possibility  the realization that a just cause sometimes requires speaking up.

Until that day, it never crossed my mind that Garfield High was run-down, overcrowded and lagging behind public schools in wealthier white neighborhoods, said Rodriguez, who later became a prize-winning columnist at the San Jose Mercury News. All that changed after the blowouts.

Until that day, it never crossed my mind that Garfield High was ... lagging behind public schools in wealthier white neighborhoods. All that changed after the blowouts.  Joseph Rodriguez

Mexican American parents who had never attended a school board meeting watched their children addressing the board. Rodriguez recalled that his father was initially appalled by the protests, then decided the students were right.

Vickie Castro recounted a dinner table confrontation with her own father. My dad stared down at me, she said, and announced, Mija, I never thought youd grow up to be a communist.

Im no communist, Dad! she responded. Theres something terribly wrong with our schools. Our future is at stake.

She went on to become a teacher, principal and a Los Angeles school board member. But her role in the walkouts caused a rift in her family. One cousin, a sheriffs deputy, refused to speak to her for years.

As a middle school principal in East L.A. many years later, her radical past collided head on with the establishment world of education when three students walked out of class because they couldnt access their grades during a teachers work stoppage. She suspended them.

I never thought Id be the other side of a walkout situation, she said with a laugh. But that situation wasnt at all the same.

Later, she was approached by a group of Eastside high school students, many of them flanked by their parents, who were fed up because the campus cafeteria was serving too many burritos, and not enough variety.

I had to turn around and stifle a chuckle, she said. Once upon a time, I fought hard for those burritos!

This year LAUSD is remembering the walkouts with seminars, instructional materials and an arts festival. The Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown will host a major exhibition on the walkouts legacy. Many screenings are planned of Walkout, a movie about those fiery days produced by Moctesuma Esparza, who was one of the Eastside 13.

The dropout rates at Eastside high schools have improved dramatically since 1968  Garfield, 13%; Roosevelt, 28%; and Lincoln, 21%. But they remain far higher than those at affluent Westside campuses, such as Malibu High, where it hovers at about 5%.

Weve come a long way, Vickie Castro said, but theres still a lot of work to do.

Some of that work is being carried out at a campus just west of downtown. It used to be Belmont Middle School. In 2010 it got a new name: Salvador B. Castro Middle School.

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Louis.Sahagun@latimes.com

@LouisSahagun

Produced by Sean Greene

UPDATES:

FOR THE RECORD

8:45 a.m.: An earlier version of this article referred to the La Piranha Coffee Shop. It was the La Piranya Coffee Shop.
Opponents of the measure to repeal the Springfield, Mo., LGBT anti-discrimination law leave election night watch party in defeat.

Voters in Springfield, Mo., voted by a slim margin to repeal protections against discrimination for the citys gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens.

The measure passed in Missouris third-largest city with 51.4% of the vote Tuesday night.

We are still here for each other, and we will still work together to continue to make Springfield a welcoming place for all people, A.J. Bockelman, executive director of the LGBT rights group PROMO, said in a statement. Tomorrow, just as today, we continue working to achieve equality.

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Last October, Springfields city council added sexual orientation and gender identity to an existing nondiscrimination ordinance, protecting against unequal treatment in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Opponents of the amended ordinance said Springfield businesses have no exemptions for positions they wish to hire, adding that they were concerned with the laws unintended dangers.

The repeal comes as the nation debates religious freedom, the rights of business owners and LGBT rights. Pressure began mounting several weeks ago after Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill granting far-reaching freedoms for religious beliefs, protecting those who say their beliefs forbid them from serving same-sex couples.

The measure triggered immediate backlash as civil rights advocates called the religious freedom law discriminatory against gays and lesbians. By early last week, Pence was faced with a torrent of canceled convention bookings, stalled construction plans and the specter of business leaving the state just as the NCAAs Final Four was about to start in Indianapolis.

An amendment was quickly approved by the Indiana Legislature and Pence signed the revised bill that offered some protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

In Springfields case, however, supporters of the repeal said the anti-discrimination protections opened the door for sexual predators in public spaces.

It gives anyone claiming to be transgender the right to choose which public locker room, dressing room, bathroom, or other previously gender specific area they wish to use, the Yes on Question 1 campaign wrote on its website.

The campaign insisted it was not likening transgender people to sexual predators, arguing that sexual predators, usually heterosexual, can and will use this ordinance to pretend to be transgender in order to access womens locker rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, womens shelters, and other private areas.

The ACLU of Missouri said it would continue to advocate for a state law protecting the LGBT community. Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, called Tuesdays vote disappointing.

Everyone in Springfield, including LGBT people, should be able to live, work, and care for their family without fear of discrimination, Rouse said in a statement. Were committed to ensuring that equality will ultimately prevail in Springfield and throughout the state of Missouri.



For more national news, follow me on Twitter: @ParviniParlance
The Supreme Court rejects a free-speech appeal from several California high school students who were told they could not wear a shirt emblazoned with an American flag on the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

The Supreme Court rejected a free-speech appeal Monday from several California high school students who were told they could not wear a shirt emblazoned with an American flag on the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

The courts action has the effect of upholding school officials who said they acted because they feared an outbreak of fighting between white and Mexican American students.

The courts action sets no legal precedent, but it raises questions about whether students have meaningful free-speech rights on matters that may provoke controversy.

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One parent whose son was sent home for wearing an American flag said he was disappointed by the decision. I found it shocking. The flag represents the nation as a whole. It is about respect for the United States, said Kendall Jones of Morgan Hill, Calif. We can embrace a multicultural celebration at school, but that is no excuse for excluding the flag.

Many school officials in recent years have told students they may not wear the Confederate flag on their clothing at school or display anti-gay messages. The case of Dariano vs. Morgan Hill Unified School District drew greater attention because an American flag was considered the provocative message.

Los Angeles lawyer William Becker, who sued on behalf of the parents, called the courts decision a victory for bullies and a defeat for free speech. This opens the door for a school to suppress any viewpoints that are opposed by a band of vocal and violent bullies, he said.

The Live Oak High School south of San Jose had seen at least 30 fights between white and Mexican American students. And the annual celebration of the Mexican holiday on May 5 had heightened the tension.

On that day in 2010, the principal told several white students they must remove their shirts featuring an American flag or go home.

They went home but, with the help of their parents, later sued the school officials for violating their rights under the 1st Amendment.

Federal judges in San Francisco rejected their free-speech claim on the grounds that the school officials had a reasonable fear that their shirts could provoke fighting or a disruption of the schools activities.

Lawyers for the parents had urged the justices to hear an appeal, and they won the backing of prominent 1st Amendment advocates, both liberal and conservative. They included UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh, UC Irvine School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Chapman University law professor John Eastman.

They cited a ruling from the Vietnam War era that said young people do not lose their constitutional rights when they go to school. But the justices have steered clear of school free-speech disputes in recent years.

In turning down the Dariano case Monday, the court as usual did not explain its reasoning for refusing to hear an appeal.

One possible explanation is that the key people in the case  including the students and the school officials  had left the school. The former principal retired and recently died of a heart attack.

But the courts action leaves in place a ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that said judges should defer to school officials whenever they have reason to believe the display of clothing or other symbols might trigger trouble.

Twitter: @DavidGSavage

ALSO:

Opinion L.A.: Mexican flag, si; American flag, no?

Op-Ed: Cinco de Mayo -- a truly Mexican American holiday

Supreme Court revives Notre Dames challenge to contraceptive policy

Attorneys battle over who will argue for gay marriage in Supreme Court
A new on-the-go massage therapy business recently celebrated its grand opening on the back deck at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce.

Free Spirited Mobile Massage Therapy marked the launch of the new business at the gathering last Thursday co-sponsored with the Orange Chamber of Commerce. The business owner, Sarah Ramirez, offers at-home therapeutic massage services to people in need.

Ramirez found her passion for massage while living in Dayton, Ohio after going to a massage convention and finding a class on trigger points. The technique and others she learned would allow her to help her mother, suffering from debilitating headaches. The cause for these headaches was a mystery at the time, but after a couple of sessions using massage techniques, the headaches lessened and then went away.

I found a real love for it, it really was something that I was good at, that I had a passion for and that I wanted to learn everything that I possibly could, said Ramirez. I started taking continuing education classes to find my niche and where I wanted to help.

After witnessing first hand how life changing massage therapy could be, Ramirez went on to get her therapists license in 2014.

Prior to becoming a massage therapist, she had walked different paths, including going to school for music, art and cosmetology. Ramirez said she wanted to be a lawyer as a child, but none of those paths worked out.

She talked about the importance of touch in regards to helping the healing process with such issues as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

People dont understand how important touch is especially after COVID, said Ramirez. Theres been so much distance, but touch is very, very healing and theres been a lot of research into massage for PTSD and other things. I want people to feel good and to be happy.

The massage therapist covers Culpeper and Orange counties as well as surrounding localities. Interested? Contact Ramirez through Free Spirited Mobile Massage Therapy on Facebook.
On 1 May, Mexicos Presidentexpressed his support for senators of the ruling Movimiento Regeneracion Nacional (Morena) party and allied parties, following their rapid approval of a series of reforms days earlier.

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On 1 May hundreds of workers took to the streets in El Salvadors capital, San Salvador, to mark International Labour Day.

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The Donald Trump rape trial on E. Jean Carroll's civil lawsuit continued into its third day of questioning, with Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissing his lawyers' motion for a mistrial.

The former president filed the motion as he argued that Judge Kalpan made "pervasive unfair and prejudicial rulings" against him. His attorney, Joe Tacopina, added that he would ask the judge to "correct the record for each and every instance in which the Court has mischaracterized the facts of this case to the jury" or give him a greater leeway when cross-examining Carroll.

The 18-page letter filed last Monday claimed that there had been "numerous examples" of "unfair treatment by the Court." However, the judge still denied the motion. CNN pointed out that it would be unusual for the judge to declare a mistrial based on statements that he himself made during a trial.

Jean Carroll Cross-Examined by Donald Trump Attorney Joe Tacopina

During the third day, former Elle magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll, the plaintiff, was cross-examined by Trump attorney Joe Tacopina, just moments after Judge Kaplan denied their motion for a mistrial. This was the third time she took the stand and the latest round of questioning from Trump's defenders.

The Trump attorneys pressed Carroll on why she kept quiet after all these years, only coming out during the Trump presidency. However, Carroll argued, "I was born in 1943. Women like me were taught and trained to keep our chins up and to not complain."

In court, she admitted that she was ashamed of the alleged assault and stated that she believed it was her fault. According to the BBC, she spent much of her time in court talking about her experience during the alleged assault before the Trump lawyers finally got to cross-examine her, with Tacopina asking her why she still went back to the Bergdorf Goodman department store even though she was assaulted there.

"Bergdorf's is not a place I'm afraid to enter," she answered.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Rape Trial to Move Forward After Judge Denies His Request to Delay

Carroll was allegedly assaulted by Trump at the high-end department store's dressing room in the 1990s after bumping into the real estate mogul while shopping there.

Carroll also denied that she based her story on a 2012 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." That episode involved a character talking about bursting into a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room as a woman tries on lingerie and raping her. Tacopina called it an "amazing coincidence."

E. Jean Carrol Getting Advice From Trump Adviser's Husband Led to Donald Trump's Rape Trial

E. Jean Carroll filed her civil battery and defamation against Donald Trump while he was still president, and the former magazine columnist admitted that this was thanks to the advice of the husband of top Trump official, Kellyanne Conway.

She admitted that George Conway, Kellyanne's then-husband and a top conservative activist, encouraged her to take legal action. She stated George Conway laid out the difference between criminal and civil cases during her testimony.

"George said: 'you should seriously think about this,'" she told the jury.

Two days after that meeting with the conservative lawyer, she filed her first lawsuit against Trump, according to The Guardian.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Rape Case: Judge Allows Grab 'Em by the P*ssy' Tape as Evidence

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WATCH: E. Jean Carroll resumes testimony in Trump rape trial - ABC News
The Texas shooting suspect wanted for the heinous killing of five individuals, including a nine-year-old, had unlawfully entered the country and was deported at least four times, according to a source from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The suspect has been identified as Francisco Oropesa Perez-Torres, as reported by ICE, and an immigration judge had ordered his removal in March 2009, CNN noted.

The source added that Oropesa illegally reentered the US and was caught several times by the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in September 2009, January 2012, and July 2016.

The current immigration status and timeline of Francisco Oropesa's last deportation from the United States remain unknown.

The Texas shooting suspect allegedly opened fire near a neighbor's home after being asked to stop shooting his weapon.

Police are now requesting the public's cooperation in locating the suspect.

An FBI official, citing the potential danger posed by the armed and dangerous suspect, has deployed more than 250 officers to assist in the search.

Authorities have offered a significant $80,000 reward to secure information leading to his capture.

This harrowing incident is just one of over 180 mass shootings across the United States in the first four months of this year alone.

READ NEXT: Texas Shooting: Suspect in Killing of 5 Neighbors Identified

Texas Killing Survivor Tells What Happened During the Horrific Massacre

A Texas man described in heartbreaking detail the moments after a gunman allegedly broke into his home and killed his wife, 9-year-old son, and three family friends, PEOPLE reported.

A tearful Wilson Garcia told reporters he is "trying to be strong" for his other children.

Before the assault, Garcia claims the Texas shooting suspect fired shots outside his house. Garcia claimed he and the other men went to Oropeza and asked to shoot on the opposite side of the property while the baby slept.

Oropeza was a longtime neighbor of theirs. Garcia claimed that the man had once assisted him in felling a tree.

Garcia claims that he "respectfully" asked Oropeza to stop shooting and that Oropeza responded by saying he was on his property and could do as he pleased.

Garcia added that he and his relatives had dialed 911 five times. Then, he claimed, after another ten to twenty minutes, Oropeza ran up to him and started loading his gun.

Garcia recalls his wife telling him to get inside because she thought Oropesa would not fire at her as she was a woman. Unfortunately, the Texas shooting suspect allegedly went on and killed his wife, Sonia Argentina, 25, then entered the house and began firing at everyone.

There were 15, including Garcia's children, inside the house. Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, his son, was just nine years old when he was shot. Authorities previously described the child as eight years old.

Garcia claimed that two women had their bodies between the shooter and his other children, protecting them from harm.

One of the women urged Garcia to flee by jumping out a window just before she was shot.

She reportedly ordered Garcia to throw himself out the window since her kids had already lost their mom, and he had to survive to look after them.

"She was the person who helped me jump out the window," Garcia said.

Texas Shooting Suspect Could Be Anywhere

Five people were shot dead in Texas on Friday night, and police believe the suspect "could be anywhere" and poses a serious threat to the area, according to Daily Beast.

"We do not know where he is," said James Smith, FBI's special agent in charge of the case, Sunday.

The authorities canvassed the neighborhood Sunday for information about Francisco Oropesa, the Texas shooting suspect who allegedly opened fire on his neighbors inside their house after they requested him to cease firing his gun in his yard.

Oropesa fled the incident scene on Friday night, prompting the ongoing hunt. So far, detectives have found clothing, a phone in the wooded area near the shootings, and an AR-15-style rifle that was likely used.

The authorities had him "cornered" in the woods, but the tracking dogs lost their scent, so they expanded their search to include an area up to 20 miles away from the shooting on Saturday night.

"He could be anywhere now," Sheriff Greg Capers of San Jacinto County stated on Saturday.

READ MORE: California Man's Death Marks Second Fatal Davis Park Stabbing in 4 Days

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WATCH: Father of child killed in Texas mass shooting speaks out - From TODAY
The continuing violence in Haiti has led one humanitarian group to believe that the country is currently on the "brink of a civil war."

Humanitarian group Mercy Corps noted on Monday that the current security situation in Haiti, with the rising prices of commodities, has also triggered a widespread hunger in the nation, which was worsened by the violence between criminal gangs and civilians, according to Al Jazeera.

The group added that families are losing access to basic necessities such as food and clean water.

Gangs have been controlling large parts of the city of Port-au-Prince.

Mercy Corps country director for Haiti, Lunise Jules, said that the population has been "pushed to make impossible decisions" such as choosing between going to the hospital or health facilities to treat cholera or facing the risk of being kidnapped and killed by Haitian gangs.

Jules added that many residents are starting to ask, "Why not seek revenge and take justice into their own hands."

Aside from gang violence, residents have also resorted to the use of force, most recently last week.

READ NEXT: Haiti President Assassination: Armed Men Fatally Shot President Jovenel Moise at His Home

Haiti Residents Attacking Gang Members

A crowd in Haiti lynched more than a dozen suspected gang members, with footage showing burning and charred bodies with tires around them.

Residents speaking to media outlets Reuters and AFP said they believed the people lynched were gang members, as reported by CNN.

One local resident said it was 3 a.m. when gangs invaded them and started shooting. The resident added that the neighborhood is a peaceful area, with its citizens being nonviolent.

Haitian National Police said in a statement that they stopped and searched the victims in a minibus in the neighborhood, wherein they confiscated weapons and other equipment. More than a dozen individuals riding the vehicle were lynched by neighborhood members.

One 15-year-old resident said that they will defend themselves if the gangs came to invade them.

Another resident said that they are on their own and "have nothing."

Haiti's Ongoing Violence

The violence in Haiti started with the nation's political unrest after its president was assassinated by 28 foreign mercenaries.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry was also unable to establish any authority and address the crisis.

Criminal groups have started to hold the nation through violent ways, such as killing, gang rapes, and kidnappings, to control the population.

The United Nations went on to say that gangs have control of 80% of the country's capital while others claim it is 100%, as detailed by Daily Mail.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the violence in Haiti matches the level of violence similar to a country at war.

In the first quarter of 2022, more than 60 criminal incidents were reported, according to Maria Isabel Salvador, the UN's special envoy for Haiti.

In the same period this year, Salvador said that the figure more than doubled, while in the years 2000 to 2022, at least 21 journalists were killed in Haiti.

READ MORE: Haiti Gang Led by an Ex-Cop Declares 'Revolution' as Violence Surge Fueled by Poverty

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WATCH: Haiti in crisis: UN says gang violence on level of a war zone - from Al Jazeera English


The search for missing teens in rural Oklahoma took a tragic turn when police found seven dead bodies in a ranch. Among them are two of the missing girls.

The seven bodies were found on a property in Henryetta in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. The two missing girls found dead were identified as 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, according to Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice.

The Oklahoman reported that the sheriff's office issued an amber alert for the two missing teens at around 10:29 a.m. on Monday. This launched a massive search for them, and it led authorities to the ranch where the bodies were found.

The ranch where the seven dead bodies were found is on the rural outskirts of Henryetta, a small town with a population of about 5,600 people.

Two Missing Teens Seen Travelling With Oklahoma Man Convicted of Rape

The two girls were believed to be with a man named Jesse McFadden, 39, who was a convicted rapist and sex offender. He was supposed to show up at the Muskogee County District Court on Monday for a jury trial on one count of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor, as well as one count of possession of child pornography.

However, just like the girls, McFadden was also found dead on the ranch. As for the other bodies, police are yet to publicly announce their identities.

The two girls were reportedly seen traveling with Jesse McFadden before their bodies were found. The Oklahoma man was part of the state's sex offender registry, per the Associated Press, with official state records showing that he was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 before getting his release in October 2020.

READ NEXT: Texas Man Indicted Over Plot to Kill California Democrat Rep. Maxine Waters

"Brittany was an outgoing person. She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta ... coming up in July for this Miss National Miss pageant in Tulsa. And now she ain't gonna make it because she's dead. She's gone," Brittany Brewer's father, Nathan Brewer, said.

Meanwhile, Henryetta Public Schools released a statement, grieving the loss of the two missing teens. It stated that while school would still be in session, "mental health professionals and clergy would be on hand to help counsel grieving students." They also stated that they would understand if families want to keep their children home from school.

Four Other Dead Bodies in Oklahoma Ranch Might Be Jesse McFadden's Family Members

Sheriff Rice did not reveal much about the four other dead bodies, saying, "Nobody [else] was reported missing. There were other family members related to the one family."

However, according to KJRH reporter Erin Christy, the other four people found dead may be Jesse McFadden's own family members. The reporter stated that the two girls had a sleepover with Tiffany McFadden, the stepdaughter of the convicted rapist.

"They were supposed to go swimming on a ranch in McAlester but never showed. No one has heard Ivy, Brittany, Tiffany, Tiffany's two brothers, Jesse, or his wife, Holly," said the reporter in a Facebook post. "I spoke to Ivy's mother who said Ivy's Life 360, a phone tracking service, was turned off. She was unaware of McFadden's criminal history. She says it is extremely unlike her to not respond to text messages or calls."

READ MORE: Texas Cheerleaders Shooting Suspect Arrested; 1 Critically Injured

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WATCH: 7 bodies found during search for missing Oklahoma teens - 5News
Paraguayans were divided on giving the conservative Colorado party another five years of rule. Still, they did hope that Paraguay President-elect Santiago Pena would revitalize the country's farm-driven economy.

With 42.7% of the vote, 44-year-old economist Pena easily defeated his opposition competitor by 15 points, ensuring another five-year term for the Colorado Party in power.

Additionally, voters gave the Colorados a larger majority in both houses of Congress, expanding the number of seats won by the state compared to the 2018 election. Fifteen of the country's seventeen governorships are held by party members.

Beatriz Candia was out cleaning the streets of Asuncion on a more quiet Monday due to the May 1 Labor Day holiday, following a night of celebration and fireworks outside the party's main headquarters in the city center.

"For me personally, Santiago Pena is a person who could contribute a lot to the economy of our country (by) putting things in place in macroeconomic terms," Candia told Reuters.

Pena addressed the economic difficulties of the landlocked South American country in his victory speech.

"We have a lot to do, after the last years of economic stagnation, of fiscal deficit, the task that awaits us is not for a single person or a party," Pena stated on Sunday, calling for "unity and consensus."

READ NEXT: Paraguay Elections: Santiago Pena Projected to Win Presidency With Nearly All Votes Counted

Paraguay Citizens Doubt Paraguay Ex-President's Influence on President-elect Santiago Pena

With his landslide victory in Paraguay's presidential election, conservative Santiago Pena not only reinforced the long-ruling Colorado Party's grasp on power but cast doubt on the future role of his influential political mentor, who has been suspected of corruption by the US, AP reports.

With 23 of 45 Senate seats and 48 of 80 members in the lower house, the Colorado Party, which has led Paraguay almost continuously since 1947, will likewise control Congress. It also took 15 of the 17 governorships that were up for grabs.

Pena approached the stage in celebration of his victory and openly honored former President Horacio Cartes, whom he credited with helping him reach the top of his field.

While Pena acknowledged in a TV interview on Monday that Cartes "will continue to be a decisive figure in Paraguayan politics," he vowed to have "zero interference in the justice system" as president beginning on August 15.

Washington has accused Cartes, who served from 2013 to 2018, of "significant corruption," including bribing government officials and lawmakers and having ties to terrorism.

The State Department announced in January that Cartes expanded his political and economic clout over Paraguayan institutions by using the vast sums of money and influence he had amassed via illegal means.

The US imposed economic penalties against Cartes for alleged corruption and connections to Hezbollah, which it categorizes as a terrorist group, harming Pena's presidential candidacy. Pena served as finance minister in Cartes' government.

Pena has termed the claims "groundless," while Cartes, the president of the Colorado Party, has refuted them.

Paraguay President-Elect Santiago Pena

Former central banker Santiago Pena defeated center-left leader Efrain Alegre to become president of Paraguay.

He was a former economist for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a personal favorite of the strong leader of the conservative Colorado Party, according to Al Jazeera.

Paraguay President-elect Santiago Pena is the fresh face of an old organization and is known as a person who always smiles and is affable.

"Santi" became a dad at 17 when his then-girlfriend, Leticia Ocampos, got pregnant with their first child.

He pursued his education despite becoming a parent at a young age but acknowledged that this "difficult" period impacted the trajectory of his political career.

When Pena became a father at a young age, his family strongly urged him to continue his studies. He earned a BA in economics from a school in Paraguay and an MA from Columbia University in New York.

After that, he became an economist at the Paraguayan central bank in Asuncion before moving to Washington, DC, to work for the IMF.

He eventually moved back to Paraguay and joined the country's central bank board.

READ MORE: Reward for El Chapo Sons, Known as Los Chapitos, Doubled

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WATCH: Santiago Pena wins Paraguay election after hard-fought campaign - From Al Jazeera English
The U.S. Defense Department is keeping tabs on another mysterious high-altitude balloon that recently sailed above American territory.

Three U.S. officials told NBC News that the balloon traveled over parts of Hawaii but not on any sensitive areas. The officials added it was still unclear to whom it belongs or what it is.

After seeing the object late last week, the U.S. military has since been tracking it but determined that it poses no threat to air traffic or national security and is not sending out any signals.

An official said whether the object was a weather balloon was unclear, but the U.S. could bring it down if it went near any land.

According to the officials, the object does not seem maneuverable and is slowly moving toward Mexico. American authorities have not yet determined who owns the balloon but do not suspect it belongs to the Chinese.

READ NEXT: China No Apology Over Chinese Spy Balloon Incident

No Action Needed Against Mysterious High-Altitude Balloon

According to CBS News, the high balloon was spotted flying over the Pacific at about 36,000 feet on April 28. A U.S. official has confirmed that the object has left Hawaii's airspace and is no longer over American waters as of Monday.

Thus, U.S. Defense Department Secretary Lloyd Austin concurred with the suggestion of his military officers that no action was necessary. However, the U.S. military and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are still monitoring the object.

More High-Altitude Balloons or UFOs

The U.S. military shot down another unidentified flying object (UFO) over Lake Huron in Michigan on February 12, making it the fourth time an unidentified flying object was shot down in North America since February 4.

The object appeared to be the same flying object detected over Montana a day earlier. In a statement, Lt. Col. Cesar Santiago previously said the location chosen for this shootdown allowed them to avoid impact on people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery, Fox News reported.

Santiago went on to say that there were no civilians hurt or affected. The U.S. Defense Department noted that President Joe Biden directed to shoot down the airborne object flying around 20,000 feet over Lake Huron. The department said the path and altitude caused concerns such as a possible threat to civil aviation.

On February 10, a U.S. F-22 fighter jet shot down a "high-altitude object" over Alaska. Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the object "roughly the size of a small car" was shot down over the northwestern state of Alaska near Deadhorse.

Ryder noted that the flying object, which entered U.S. airspace on February 9, was brought down using an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile fired from the jet on the order of Biden.

White House spokesperson John Kirby previously told reporters that they don't know "who owns this object," adding that many details about the "high-altitude object" were unknown.

On February 11, a U.S. F-22 jet, acting on U.S. and Canadian orders, shot down a "high-altitude airborne object" over central Yukon territory in Canada, about 100 miles from the U.S. border, saying it posed a threat to civilian flights.

The second and third unidentified flying objects were reportedly about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. The Chinese spy balloon had stayed above the U.S. for a week before the U.S. shot it down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.

China earlier claimed that the balloon was just a weather research "airship" blown off course, which the Pentagon rejected. The Pentagon also rejected China's contention that the balloon was a civilian device not being used for surveillance and had limited navigational ability.

READ MORE: Texas Shooting: New Details Emerge on Ugly History of Suspect

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WATCH: Military Tracking Another Mysterious Balloon, Says it Poses no Threat - From MSNBC
U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken told a Senate committee in December 2020 that he never emailed President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, despite emails between the two found on Hunter's laptop.

Blinken's statement sparked Republican allegations that Blinken committed perjury weeks before he formally joined the president's cabinet, the New York Post reported.

A staff member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee asked Blinken in December 2020 if he ever talked with Hunter on the phone, to which the State Secretary replied, "Not that I recall."

The staff investigator also asked if he had any other means of correspondence with him, like emails or texts, to which Blinken replied, "No." He then described his relationship with the president's son as a "friendly acquaintanceship."

However, Hunter's laptop showed that on May 22, 2015, Hunter had emailed Blinken's AOL account to ask if he had time the following week "to grab a cup of coffee."

Hunter added that he knew Blinken was busy but would like to get his "advice on a couple of things." Blinken emailed back and said, "Absolutely," adding that he was "just about to land in Tokyo en route back D.C. from Burma."

He then noted: "I'll be in office from Tuesday on. Copying Linda in my office to find a good time. Look forward to seeing you."

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Under Scrutiny as Another Batch of Classified Documents Found at New Location

Antony Blinken Tells a 'Boldface Lie'

GOP Senator Ron Johnson accused Antony Blinken of telling Congress a "boldface lie" about his communications with the president's son.

Johnson told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo that as more information came out, they now knew that Blinken "lied boldface to Congress" about never emailing Hunter Biden, Daily Mail reported.

The GOP senator noted that he believes the State Secretary lied under oath, adding that Blinken needs to be subpoenaed, which could only happen if the Democrats will support it.

"My guess is he told a bunch of other lies that hopefully we'll be able to bring him and his wife back in, tell them to preserve their records. You cannot trust Joe Biden. You cannot trust Hunter Biden," Johnson told Bartiromo on Sunday.

The Republican senator added that emails from the president's son's laptop also showed Blinken's wife, Evan Ryan, had contact with Hunter.

"He [Blinken] said he did not email Hunter Biden, and now we have those emails. We also know that his wife, using her private email address when she was a[n] employee of the State Department, was basically a conduit between her husband and Hunter Biden as well," Johnson noted.

It is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison if one is found lying to Congress. The Justice Department will make the final decision in such matters. The contents of Hunter's laptop have sparked debate and controversy.

The laptop was abandoned at a Delaware computer shop in 2019. It was then used by former President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani as evidence of supposed corruption among the Biden family.

Hunter Biden: Another Controversy

As part of a paternity-related case, an Arkansas judge noted on Monday that Hunter Biden will need to sit for a sworn deposition and answer additional written questions about his investments, art sales, and other financial transactions.

CNN reported that Hunter's attorney, Abbe Lowell, noted that his client is paying $20,000 monthly child support and has given Lunden Roberts, the mother of their four-year-old daughter, $750,000 in total.

Lowell told the judge that he wanted to disprove recent tabloid headlines calling Hunter a "deadbeat dad," and he wanted to "let the world know" that Hunter is "paying what is agreed to."

Hunter Biden personally attended the hearing in Arkansas on Monday. The hearing was called after the president's son asked to reduce the monthly payments.

A trial is scheduled for July in Batesville town; if the parties don't agree to adjust the monthly payments.

READ MORE: Inside Hunter Biden's Laptop: Data Confirmed to Be Created by Joe Biden's Son Himself as CBS Authenticated Its Contents

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WATCH: 'BOLDFACED': Blinken Accused of Lying Under Oath to Protect Hunter Biden - From FOX News




The last motorcycle bought by Elvis Presley, a Harley-Davidson, is expected to fetch big bucks when it comes up for auction this month.

Aside from Cadillacs, Continentals, and other classic cars, Fox News reported that the King of Rock' N Roll also owned a lot of motorcycles during his lifetime.

Presley reportedly purchased the 1976 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide in Palm Springs, California, on August 11 that same year and shipped it to his Graceland home, where he died just over a year later.

The 1976 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide Bicentennial was built to celebrate the U.S.' 200th birthday, and there were only 750 of them.

The influential musician had reportedly sold the 1200cc bike to a Harley-Davidson dealer three months before he died. It was then purchased by a hotel owner in the resort town of Wildwood, New Jersey, where it was displayed.

The customized black and blue colored motorcycle by Presley went into the hands of several owners before it ended up at the Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo, South Dakota, in 1983.

It became a part of the museum's collection until it was auctioned in 2019 for $800,000, which was about 40 times what similar bikes are worth and close to the all-time record auction sale for a motorcycle.

Elvis Presley's motorcycle, which currently shows only 1,261 miles on its odometer, is scheduled to be auctioned at Mecum's Indianapolis on May 20.

READ NEXT: Lisa Marie Presley's Memorial Service in Graceland Gathered by Over a Thousand Mourners, Including Stars

Elvis Presley Motorcycle, Other Personal Items Put Up For Auction

Aside from Elvis Presley's motorcycle, other personal items of the King, such as jewelry, clothing, cars, and accessories, have already hit the auction block last January.

Fox 8 News reported that the rare items auctioned were part of the Artifacts of Hollywood and Music Auction. The auction has attracted bidders to one of the more unique items, such as Presley's bathroom scale, which was reportedly worth $1,500 at the last current bid.

Another item in the auction was the 1967 Lincoln Continental that Presley bought for his father. His Ruger Blackhawk 44 Magnum revolver was also included.

Other items that bidders also eyed during the auction were a monogrammed attache case, a wool shearling coat, Presley's seventh-degree black belt certificate, and his personal phone and address book.

There was also a piece from Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. It was a cotton top sheet from Lisa Marie's plane bed. The live bidding was held last January 28.

Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley's Mom, Shares Anniversary Photo With Elvis Presley

Priscilla Presley, the mother of Lisa Marie Presley, posted an anniversary photo with Elvis Presley on Instagram on May 1 to celebrate the very special occasion.

According to ET Canada, Priscilla was married to Elvis on May 1, 1967, in an intimate ceremony in Las Vegas. She reportedly shared the photo to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary.

Priscilla captioned the post: "May 1st. A very special day for Elvis and I.' Memories pressed between the pages of my mind.' Memories sweetened through the ages just like wine."

The tribute comes amid Priscilla's dispute with her granddaughter, Riley Keough, over her daughter's trust following her death. The state includes the Graceland mansion and a 15% stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises.

READ MORE: Lisa Marie Presley Memorial Set

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WATCH: Lisa Marie Presley Memorial: Priscilla Presley Remembers Her Daughter, Reads Poem by Granddaughter - From ABC24 Memphis




The rumored romance between Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny is reportedly heating up. A source told PEOPLE that the 27-year-old model and 29-year-old Puerto Rican rapper are "getting more serious."

The insider also said the two are "very cute together," and Kendall is "happy." On the other hand, the source noted that Bad Bunny is a "fun guy" who is "very much a gentleman and charming."

The source noted that Kendall likes Bad Bunny's vibe as he is "very chill."

"It was a slow start, but they spend almost every day together now," the insider continued.

The source added: "He hangs out with her friends and she hangs out with his. It's more of a relationship now... Kendall is not seeing anyone else. She really likes him."

READ NEXT: Kendall Jenner Wears See-Through Blouse, Hangs Out with Bad Bunny in New York

Kendall Jenner Walks Met Gala Red Carpet Without Bad Bunny

All eyes were on the red carpet at the highly anticipated Met Gala 2023, where a slew of stars arrived in their most glamorous and avant-garde outfits.

Among the attendees were rumored couple Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner, who had fans buzzing with excitement over the possibility of a red carpet debut, according to Page Six.

However, to everyone's surprise, Bad Bunny arrived solo in an all-white Jacquemus suit, leaving many wondering what had happened to the expected couple's appearance.

Kendall Jenner turned heads with her bold fashion statement, strutting the red carpet in a Marc Jacobs-designed black bum-baring leotard and cape adorned with cheeky sequins.

The supermodel completed her striking ensemble with black platform boots and a sleek ponytail, showing off her fashion-forward flair.

Kendall Jenner Bad Bunny Romance

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny were first linked after they were spotted making out at the Bird Streets Club in February.

After a few days, a celebrity source told the U.S. Sun that the pair were together a second time, dining with Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber at Nobu Malibu.

The two also attended Beyonce and Jay-Z's Oscars 2023 after-party in Los Angeles. Kendall and Bad Bunny were also spotted leaving the star-studded party together.

TMZ reported that the duo left as one, getting into the same car at the night's end. Photographers also tried to get Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny in the same frame, but the pair managed to dodge them.

Last month, the pair was also spotted enjoying dinner with her sister, Kylie Jenner, Timothee Chalamet, Zack Bia, and Russell Westbrook.

Jenner and Bad Bunny have yet to confirm their relationship, but they have been spending time together over the past months.

READ MORE: US Defense Department Is Tracking Another High-Altitude Balloon

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WATCH: Met Gala 2023: Kendall Jenner Goes PANTSLESS - From Entertainment Tonight
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday signed his first bill into a law  and a first-of-its-kind in the nation  that eliminates all costs for preventative screenings in women with high lifetime risk of breast cancer.

With the stroke a pen in a bill-signing ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, Shapiro enacted Senate Bill 8 that requires insurers to fully cover the cost of breast MRIs and ultrasound for women with high risk conditions and the cost for genetic testing and counseling for people at high risk of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which predisposes them to breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. The law takes effect starting in 2025.

On hand to witness the signing was first lady Lori Shapiro; their daughter Sophia; the bills sponsor Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County; House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition founder Pat Halpin-Murphy; and an army of Republican and Democratic House and Senate members and breast cancer survivors and advocates.

High-risk conditions in this measure are defined as women who have dense breast tissue, a personal or family breast cancer history, a genetic predisposition or prior radiation therapy.

No one should avoid getting these potentially life-saving treatments because they cant afford it, Shapiro said. Thanks to Kim Ward, they wont have to. We all have a mom, a grandma, a friend or a colleague whos battled breast cancer. I want us to think about them today. By taking away the burden of cost, we can ensure that more women like them can get life-saving health care they need.

The Democratic governor also touted the measure as an example of what he believes can be accomplished with a divided Legislature where Democrats control the House of Representatives and Republicans who hold the majority in the Senate.

Pennsylvanians have called on all of us to come to this building and to support common sense solutions to the problems people in the commonwealth face every single day, the governor said. Today we are all doing just that. We are helping women fight breast cancer and live healthier lives. We are putting forth real solutions to real problems everyday Pennsylvanians battle.

He praised Ward, a breast cancer survivor, who took her own diagnosis and used it to find a way to help other women battling the same disease.

Ward, in turn, credited her fellow lawmakers for supporting the legislation, which passed both chamber unanimously, and Halpin-Murphy, who shepherded the bills passage through both chambers and helped celebrate that feat at a news conference last week.

This is indeed a big day, Ward said. It is just humbling and such an honor that we have all of these legislators that made this happen. And I agree with the governor we can do big things in this legislature and this was a very good first start.

McClinton spoke of how this law will be a help to women of color particularly African American, who have a mortality rate for breast cancer at 40%, a rate she called " absolutely staggering and unacceptable. She said having the co-pay and deductible covered by insurers will mean lives saved and early detection.

She echoed the sentiment about the bipartisanship that led to the bills passage as a sign of hope for all that well accomplish together.

This law builds on a measure passed in 2020 that required insurers to cover the cost of breast cancer MRIs and ultrasounds but it did not require them to pay for copays and deductibles.

Ward chose the number eight to assign to her bill as a reminder to the public that one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.
Residents of Lopatcong got their first official look on Wednesday at a controversial plan to build a 833,258-square-foot warehouse at the site of the now dilapidated Phillipsburg Mall.

Developer CRG Services Management LLC received preliminary and final site plan approval for the project known as The Cubes at US22 Sub I LLC, on Monday from the Pohatcong Township Land Use Board. The next step is for the developer to meet the conditions and have it approved by the board.

The hearing in Lopatcong, which also must approve the project for it to move forward, is scheduled to continue at the next regular meeting on May 24 inside the Lopatcong Township Municipal Court, where more witnesses are expected to testify, Lopatcong Planning Director Paul Sterbenz said.

Site Plan Recap

CRG Services proposes to build its warehouse on the site of the former Phillipsburg Mall.

The warehouse is slated to cover the former mall at 833,258 square feet. The majority of the project  428,258 square feet  sits in Lopatcong Township, while the remaining 376,730 square feet is in Pohatcong.

The Sycamore Landing apartment complex is located to the north; to the south are more residential properties; to the east are a handful of existing fast-casual eateries; and to the west, is vacant farmland owned by the Santini family, which anticipates future redevelopment, engineers said.

The warehouse is proposed to sit between 445 and 495 feet away from Route 22 and be surrounded on all sides by ground buffering and an 8-foot hight fence, engineers said.

No potential tenants have been identified for the project yet, said Frank Petkunas, who oversees CRGs operations in the northeast region, but he told Lopatcong planners he anticipates a current tenant at his other warehouses may want to lease the space.

This is a building that maybe one of our other tenants at our other warehouses might see and think, I want to be in there, he said.

Plans show 351 new parking spaces, with 245 of them in Pohatcongs portion. Another 196 trailer spaces would be built, with 84 of them also in Pohatcong. Additionally, plans call for 160 loading docks, with 73 of those in Pohatcong.

CRG Principal Frank Petkunas anticipates the warehouse would create roughly 400 jobs, although no more than 150 people would be working at a given time, with three shifts expected and some overlapping shifts.

Residents in both townships have raised concerns about the impacts of noise, traffic and lighting on the area since new of the project broke. Their concerns have not dissuaded the developers plans.

Attorney Christopher Costa of Allentown-based Stevens & Lee, representing the developer, said Wednesday that the project already meets sound requirements and traffic regulations, but the developer would be open to adding additional buffering to help mitigate noise.

Phillipsburg Mall officially shuttered for good by winter 2021, with the exception of the Kohls department store and the fast-casual eateries that abut Route 22.

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Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter.
A man appeared in court for stealing three smoked salmon fillets from Dunnes Stores.

Angelo Dimurro, 55, of 20 Chancery Park, Tullamore, Co Offaly admitted taking the fillets from Dunnes Stores, Mountemellick Road, Portlaoise on April 6 this year.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had walked into the store and took the smoked salmon fillets valued at 30. He said the man has 29 previous convictions which are all from the same date.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. She said he had been shopping on the day and didnt appreciate that he hadnt paid.

She said he was an Italian national living in Ireland for the past 40 years and had suffered with mental health issues. She said he works as a courier and had brought 100 to court.

I think the goods were recovered, she added.

Judge Andrew Cody order the 100 be donated to the Cara Curley Foundation and he imposed a three month sentence which he suspended for two years.
Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has called on Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue to step up measures to effectively tackle livestock worrying.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after she said she had engaged with several farmers who fear, despite repeated promises, that they will be left waiting a number of years for government to demonstrate its seriousness in addressing the devastating and distressing attacks that can leave farmers facing significant financial damage.

Farmers tell me that they can almost set their watch to the annual ministerial press release on this issue, but yet when it comes to follow-up and enforcement, they are still waiting for change.

This is not just some fringe issue or an inevitable aspect of farming life; it is a relentless and yearly assault on the livelihoods of farmers and severe penalties need to be enacted to reflect that.

Both ministers accept that approximately 4,000 sheep are killed or seriously injured in dog attacks every year.

By any estimation that is an epidemic of violence being visited upon livestock and yet it goes on and on each and every year.

Farmers have had enough of the consolatory tone of ministerial press releases. They do not need any more expressions of grave concern from Government.

They need immediate action and a properly resourced enforcement regime that sends out a zero-tolerance message on this issue, Dep Nolan concluded.

The latest local attack took place near Portlaoise when two sheep were killed in April. The farmer subsequently caught the dog which was subsequently euthanised.

Owners can be fined up to 2,500 if their dogs attack livestock. A fine of 2,500 is currently in place for owners whose dogs attack livestock.
While whisky with a splash of water may be a popular order at the bar, scientists say they have figured out just how big this splash should be.

Adding a little water is thought to open up the flavour of the drink, but a new study suggests there is a point at which it becomes too much  about 20%.

At this point, too much water can make whiskies in the same group taste the same, it found.

However, the most discerning palates may still be able to tell a single malt Scotch and an American bourbon apart.

According to the researchers, the findings may also help explain why larger ice cubes, or balls, have become so popular, as they allow the drink to be enjoyed before it gets too diluted.

Mark Reynier, CEO and founder of Waterford Whisky  an Irish distillery that follows the French winemaking philosophy of terroir, said: There is often a certain fear, within whisky circles, of adding water to whisky  as though diluting somehow breaks a kind of unwritten purity law.

That can be the case if too much is added. But adding a few drops  usually no more than three  can make the unique flavours of a whisky all the more rewarding.

When drops of water are added, viscimetric whorls form  these are those mesmerising spirals you can see in the glass.

They allow the spirit to breathe: the whisky literally opens up as compounds unclench, and complex aromatic potential  derived from different barley flavour sources  can be fully realised.

Tom Collins, a Washington State University assistant professor and senior author on the study, said: If you want to enjoy a specific whisky, this suggests that you dont want to dilute it by more than about 20%.

By the time you get to 60/40 whisky to water, the whiskies are not differentiated by the panellists  they begin to smell the same, and thats not really what youre looking for.

He added: This study helps to understand why those large, square ice cubes have become so popular because you can actually enjoy the whisky before it gets diluted to the point that its not the same whisky.

For the study, researchers chemically analysed how volatile compounds in a set of 25 whiskies responded to the addition of water, including bourbons, ryes, Irish whiskeys and both single malt and blended Scotches.

They also had a trained panel of 20 experts assess six of those whiskies, three Scotches and three bourbons.

Both tests found that adding a little water could change how the whiskies smelled, and after 20%, they may start to have the same aroma.

The scientists say that since smell and taste are often closely linked, this likely affected the spirits flavour as well.

Working with Elizabeth Tomasino at Oregon State University to run the sensory panel, the researchers found that at 100% whiskey, the panellists could easily tell all the whiskies apart from each other.

They could still differentiate whiskies within each group at 80/20 whisky to water, but after more water was added, that changed.

The study found that while within each style of whisky the aromas became more similar, the larger grouping of Scotches, both single malts and blended, remained distinct from the American bourbons and ryes.

Chemical analysis revealed similar results showing the changes in volatile compounds that entered the area above the liquid (headspace), when water was added.

Whisky is a mix of compounds that run the scale from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, in other words, ones that are attracted to water and others that are repelled by it.

Adding water sends the whiskys hydrophobic compounds into that space and leaves the hydrophilic ones behind, changing the aroma of the liquid, experts say.

The chemical analysis matched the impressions of the panel, the study found.

For instance, many of the Scotch whiskies started out with a smoky, peat aroma, but as they were diluted, they moved towards a fruitier aroma known as pome.

Mr Collins explained: This happens because of the way dilution affects whats in the headspace.

The compounds that are associated with smoky aromas dissipate, and they were replaced by compounds that are associated with fruity aromas.

At first American bourbons were mostly associated with vanilla and oak scents, but as more water was added, they took on more aromas of the corn and grains used to make them.

Researchers suggest the findings, published in the Foods journal, can help whisky makers better understand how their customers will experience the drink if they chose to add water or have it on the rocks.
The completion of modular housing has been held up by issues with sites, Irelands state architect has said.

A number of rapid-build homes are being constructed at sites across the country to house Ukrainian refugees.

The first houses, at a site in Cork, are due to be finished later this month, state architect Ciaran OConnor told an Oireachtas committee.

Last month Taoiseach Leo Varadkar urged a reality check on the potential of modular homes to address the Republics housing crisis, saying that while they would help increase the housing stock, they would take time to build.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage heard from a number of expert witnesses on modern methods of construction on Tuesday.

Mr OConnor said the Government last June requested 500 units, later increased to 700, which he said are in the process of being completed with the first to be handed over in two weeks.

He said the first homes completed will be in Cork on May 18, followed by Claremorris, Thurles and Cavan.

Weve learnt a lot in that process, we have brought an industry that was at its infancy, from junior infants to secondary school, and the question is where does it go hereafter, he said.

Mr OConnor said the houses are delivered fully fitted out, and plugged into services such as electricity and sewerage.

He said the biggest issue has been with the sites, saying homes would have been finished earlier if sites had been available sooner.

He said the industry is ready to stand on its legs but needs a pipeline of work, secure funding and a commitment that it is part of the wider context.

Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe said he saw potential in rapid-build housing, but expressed concern around cost and speed.

Questioned about Mr Varadkars comments on the speed of completion, Mr OConnor said 85% of the sites had been unsuitable for building.

The units were the easy bit, the hard bit was getting sites fully serviced and getting them all ready, because when you have the unit all you do (is) place it into position, but you cant put it into position unless there is a road and all the other services are there, he said.

The sites that we got often had significant issues and they had to be resolved, there were one or two sites that were straightforward but most of the other sites were quite tricky sites to resolve, but they have been resolved.

Of the sites that were offered to us, 85% were unsuitable for building  site conditions like 45-degree slopes on certain sites, there were certain sites that had no services and were so remote that you would have to set up a separate bus service to bring people to the nearest village. So that process was slower than we had hoped.

Mark Carlin, managing director of Coillte Forest, briefed the committee on the advantages of building with wood, including mitigating climate change.

He said only 25% of houses in Ireland are built with timber frames, far behind Scotland at close to 80% and Scandinavia, which is higher still.

He called for building regulations to be changed and low-carbon materials to be prioritised.

Ireland has opportunity to be at the cutting edge of the next timber-building revolution, he added.
Young students at Portlaoise College have been given a taste of the World of Work, through a programme organised with the cooperation of local businesses.

The Schools Business Partnership has congratulated Laois County Council and Portlaoise College for completing The World of Work Programme 2022/2023.

It was given to students who are targeted and supported by the School Completion Programme, as a part of the strategy to engage students in school for them to maximize their potential in life. It provided the students with a real insight into jobs, careers and how a business operates.

Ireland is a leading country in Europe in its engagement with the world of work with students. It is considered fundamental to maximize individual talents and engage in society as young adults.

Pictured at Portlaoise College for the World of Work presentation were:Teacher Nicky Walsh, Rose Doolin (Community Section Laois Co Council), Jo Sayers (Business in the Community), Student - Nina Masiewicz, Anne Marie Kirrane (A/Administrative Officer, Community section) and Dan Bergin (Laois PPN). Photo: Michael Scully

In Laois, the World of Work programme is co-designed by Laois County Council and Portlaoise College, tapping into the students needs for skill development, based on resources in local businesses.

The students were brought on a site visit to Laois County Council and Portlaoise Fire Station, seeing as part of their visits, the various career opportunities that exist within the organisation.

At an enjoyable concluding session held at the school on April 20, the students received Certificates of Achievement for completing the programme and gave feedback on their experiences of the programme to Laois County Council Staff.

The programme is a collaboration between Business in the Community Ireland and Laois County Council.

Its aim is to provide second year students with an insight into the business that their school is partnered with, as well as supporting educational progression and inclusion, with the hope of inspiring and encouraging young minds to look towards the future.

Both Portlaoise College and Laois County Council have been committed supporters of the Schools Business Partnership Programme.

The engagement of their staff not only benefits the students, but has far reaching impacts on the local community.

Darren Maher is Coordinator of the programme for Portlaoise College.

The partnership with Laois County Council has been invaluable to the school.

The impact that this initiative has had on the students is visible right from day one, it generates an interest and motivation for the students to succeed and to continue to work hard on their studies, he said.

Anne Marie Kirrane is in Community Development at Laois County Council.

Laois County Council are delighted to be in partnership with Portlaoise College. Our employees are committed to this socially inclusive programme and they enjoy meeting the students and sharing their career experiences with them.

It is also an opportunity for the employees of Laois County Council to gain an insight into student life and our educational system. she said.

Funded by the Department of Education & Skills, The Schools Business Partnership (SBP) has to date matched 236 Partnerships.

More than 6,000 senior cycle students have taken part in the programme to date, gaining insights into the world of work and the opportunity to consider the many and varied career and study options open to them when they finish school.

Keen to continue this successful relationship, Laois County Council and Portlaoise College both intend to take on the programme again in 2023/2024 academic year.
Laois Volunteer Centre has an exciting vacancy to fill for an Outreach Officer who will promote the centre and engage with the local community.

Job Title: Outreach Officer



Reporting to: Volunteer Centre Manager



Location: Laois Volunteer Centre, Unit 7, Bloom HQ (remote working hub), Mountrath, Co. Laois. However, the role will require a reasonable amount of travel, within and around the county, to promote the Centre and to engage with local community/ voluntary groups individuals. Infrequent travel to other volunteer centres (in Ireland) may also be required as part of the role.



Overview:

Laois Volunteer Centre provides a professional, person-centred approach to supporting volunteers and volunteer involving organisations across Co. Laois.

Laois Volunteer Centre was established in 2021 and the aim of the service is to become a one stop shop for volunteerism in county Laois. The service builds upon the existing volunteering infrastructure within the county, and our role is to provide advice and support to members of the public (to become volunteers) and to not for profit/charitable organisations who require the support and assistance of volunteers to carry out their vital work in the community. The

The Outreach Officer will play a key role, working with the Manager, Development Officer and Board of Directors in creating, planning, organising and delivering an outreach service in the county. They will also be involved in the ongoing promotion of the Centre to various stakeholders within and around the county.

There is a healthy and enthusiastic appetite for volunteering in Co. Laois and to date, Laois Volunteer Centre has recruited approximately 1,000 volunteers and 80 organisations. We have been involved in event volunteering at Shine in Emo, Laois Africa Day and The Old Fort Festival. In December 2022, we secured funding to take on a Ukrainian Support Worker and this has enabled us to help members of that community to integrate more easily into Co. Laois through participation in volunteering and other community events.

Primary Purpose of the Role Outreach Officer:

The primary purpose of this position is to building relationships with the not for profit/charitable organisations in Co. Laois. In order to build and maintain strong relationships with the organisations, outreach and regular, clear communications is essential.

Outreach is the primary role however, the communications aspect of the role reflects the growing and expanding nature of the organisation. There will also be some administrative duties linked to both the outreach and communications functions.



Outreach & Communication Duties:

Deliver a fit for purpose outreach service to enable the Centre to meet its strategic objectives.

Work with the other Volunteer Centre staff (i.e. Manager and Development Officer currently) to create, plan, organise and deliver an outreach service in various public settings. This will include, but will not be limited to, public talks, workshops and presentations across the county/ community, e.g. in community centres, shopping centres, libraries, parish centres etc.

Plan, organise and deliver other events to support the Centres goals, e.g. community events  charity fundraising drives, fun days etc.

Implement and manage the Community Volunteers Programme with a large key stakeholder in the county. This will necessitate setting up meetings with the stakeholder, presenting the Programme to the stakeholder, securing their participation with the Programme and managing the day to day delivery of the Programme.

Whilst conducting outreach, the candidate will, in effect, be a spokesperson for Laois Volunteer Centre, communicating its aims and objectives, promoting engagement with the service, registering members of the public for volunteering opportunities and engaging with organisations who need volunteers.

Deliver talks/presentations (elevator pitch) to volunteer involving groups/organisations about Laois Volunteer Centre and its services - Engaging and recruiting not for profit organisations is a key requirement. Achieving targets set on organisation recruitment is key.

Update the Centres website on an ongoing basis with information including, but not limited to, Centre activities, upcoming initiatives and achievements etc.

Develop aand implement the Centres digital communications including, but not limited to, a regular e-zine for volunteers, social media communications etc.

Work with the Manager and other staff to ensure that there is publicity and communications for Laois Volunteer Centre when appropriate.

Work with the Manager and Development Officer to identify and reduce the barriers to volunteering that marginalised groups such as migrants, Travellers etc. face.



General Administration Duties:

Provide administrative back up and support to Laois Volunteer Centre Manager and Development Officer in the delivery of quality-based, person centred service within Co. Laois.

To undertake administration duties to support communication, maintenance of website, promotion, social media etc.

General administrative duties as they relate to the post including reports as requested.

Person Specification  education/ skills/ experience required

Essential criteria

Ability to work on own initiative

Ability to schedule, diarise and prioritise work

Experience of working in a communications or outreach role in not for profit/charitable organisation or in the private sector.

Third level qualification or equivalent in community development or similar or in communications.

Flexibility, with a willingness to travel and work outside normal office hours  some of the work associated with this role will take place in the evenings, and occasionally weekends.

Excellent people/interpersonal skills.

Excellent communication skills.

Strong presentation skills.

Computer/IT literate including proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, PowerPoint; Salesforce or similar CRM package.

Full clean driving licence and use of own car.

Desirable criteria

Commitment to the development of volunteering in Laois.

Experience of the community and voluntary sector including issues relating to volunteering in Ireland.

First-hand experience of being a volunteer.

Core Competencies



Essential

Communicates effectively (through all modes of communication, and at all levels, both internal and external to the organisation)

Interpersonal skills

Person-centred approach.

Drive (self-motivated) and Commitment (to achieving the aims and objectives of Laois Volunteer Centre in line with its work plan, ethos and policies).

A collaborative (constructive and progressive attitude to working as part of the staff team and ability to develop partnerships with the wider community).



Hours of Work: 20 hours per week, permanent (subject to the continuance of funding)

Six-month probationary period applies.

For further information, please contact the Manager BY EMAIL ONLY on info@volunteerlaois.ie. This post is funded by The Department of Community and Rural Development.

*Sponsored content
A female member of An Garda Siochana was allegedly bitten by a Russian national.

Ivan Matuashvili, with an address given as the Citywest Hotel in Citywest, County Dublin, was brought before Naas District Court on Thursday, April 27, by gardai.

It was alleged that the 39-year-old was denied entry into a centre for asylum seekers. This allegedly prompted him to drive into two security people.

Gardai added that he was later found drinking in a forest, but when he was brought back to a garda station, he allegedly bit a female garda in County Kildare on April 26 last.

A photo of the injury was shown to Judge Desmond Zaidan,

It was heard that the accused denied ever driving the car after being cautioned by gardai.

The defendant in turn alleged that he lost a tooth in the garda station, and also pointed to bruises he sustained on one of his wrists.

When the judge asked him if he found the tooth, the man replied: "I lost it."

The case will resume on May 4, which is when directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions are also due.

Defending solicitor David Powderly said that while his client would not be making a formal bail application, he would be making an application for bail on the next court date.
The prospect of legalising cannabis, and other drugs, in Ireland was criticised multiple times by a Naas District Court Judge on Thursday, April 27 last.

Judge Desmond Zaidan expressed his concerns during different court cases involving drug offences.

In the first case, he presided over a case involving a man who resorted to stealing to feed his addiction to heroin.

After being told about his personal circumstances by his solicitor, the judge said about his client: "He is an example of why the Citizenss Assembly should listen to people like him."

He also referred to a separate case of a man who appeared before him, whom he said 'went psychotic' after taking crack cocaine.

"We seriously need to explore the issue (of drugs) more," he said: "This is the liberal agenda, 'lets legalise cannabis, then heroin and cocaine.'"

He continued: "Its none of my business, but they are handling it the wrong way, guys."

The judge further said: "We always go on about cutting down on smoking cigarettes, but drugs are OK? They better get ready to start building more prisons then."

He added that Ireland should follow the Netherlands example, referring to recent measures introduced by the nations government to reduce alcohol and drug-related public disorder.

Specifically, back in December, Amsterdams City Council announced a campaign to discourage foreign tourists from access to activities related to alcohol, drugs, and sex, in order to combat 'nuisance' tourism.

Although cannabis is illegal in the Netherlands, it is not a crime to consume cannabis for personal use.

The judge further said: "A few states in America have legalised cannabis, so why dont we also follow them with their gun laws?"

He stressed that while he had no issue with medicinal cannabis, he does have an issue with the term recreational usage when it came to cannabis.

In the second case, referring back to his initial comments, the judge said: "I dont mean to be a party pooper, but you see it all the time in court, especially in family law."

During a third case, one which involved a juvenile caught with a small amount of drugs, Judge Zaidan told him: "If you are abusing illicit drugs, there is no shame in seeking help.

"People who give you these drugs are not your friends."
Nearly 200 Kildare groups took part in the latest National Spring Clean campaign.

Over 4,000 volunteers joined Spring Clean 23 in County Kildare removing an estimated 22 tonnes of litter.

Clean-ups took place in various locations throughout the county, such as Milltown, Leixlip, Newbridge, and many more.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said about the initiative: "An Taisces National Spring Clean continues to showcase the dedication of volunteers all over the country.

"The commitment of volunteers in continuing to organise local clean-ups each year is a testament to the spirit in Irish communities and I would urge as many people as possible to get involved in the campaign."

He continued: "My Department will continue to support the campaign and An Taisce, whose role in organising this successful campaign each year, deserves to be acknowledged.

"I look forward to the many events that will be held all over the country in the coming months."

National Spring Clean, manager, Emlyn Cullen, added: "This was one of our biggest years ever with regards people taking part.

"We cant thank the volunteers enough for giving up their time and energy to make Ireland a cleaner, greener country this April. Huge credit also goes to the Local Authorities who work hard during the month to collect the full bags after events.

"Also Id like to thank our funders, the Dept. of Environment, Climate and Communications and sponsors, Mars Wrigley Ireland."

Milltown Tidy Towns joined up with Virgin Medias weatherman and documentary presenter Deric Hartigan to do a National Spring Clean of the area that was televised on April 21 last while he reported the weather as well as on Ireland AM where he interviewed members of Milltown Tidy Towns.

During the National Spring Clean Campaign, Newbridge Tidy Towns carried out numerous clean-ups with volunteers from their group as well as external volunteer groups.

One of these groups was the students at St Patrick's National School in Newbridge joined Newbridge Tidy Towns for a clean-up event when they were learning about when they were learning about Zero Waste in Geography and Science classes.

The National Spring Clean is Irelands official anti-litter campaign and over the past 24 years, the initiative has been highlighted the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem.

Throughout the month of April, the National Spring Clean encouraged communities from across Ireland to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.

For 2023, the aim for National Spring Clean was also to raise awareness about how the adoption of a circular economy model, will reduce our litter, and climate impact, meaning that as we transition to a more circular economy, well see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, cleaner planet.

Organisers behind the initiative said: "The principles of a circular economy have always been central to the ethos of National Spring Clean for the past 24 years.

"This year, some 35 per cent of all waste collected was recycled, thanks to recyclable waste bags provided to groups and individuals who register, while the removal of litter from our natural environment has helped tackle biodiversity loss. "

The organisers added that although April is coming to an end, there are plenty of campaigns and activities that the National Spring Clean run and endorse that people can get involved in.

They said: "A few of these include:

 When you are out for a walk, visiting a park or a beach, do a quick #2MinuteStreetClean or a #2MinuteBeachClean

 Avoid single-use plastic when possible, by choosing more sustainable alternatives, such as reusable bottles and coffee cups, cotton bags, metal straws, etc

 Dont litter and if a bin is overflowing, keep your waste until you find a waste to dispose of it properly

 If you cant reduce or reuse, recycle; know where and how to recycle all types of waste.

 Recent statistics show that, in Ireland, discarded cigarette butts make up for 60% of litter on the streets. Always bin your butt!

 Make sure to bin your chewing gum when youre done to avoid a 150 gum littering fine and keep our streets clean! "

Over the past 24 years, through the National Spring Clean, around 95,000 clean-ups have been organised , 47,550 tonnes of litter have been removed, and around 12.5 million hours of work have been put in by volunteers .
Leitrim County Councillors have voted to block the sale of the iconic Town Hall in Carrick-on-Shannon as previously proposed.



A notice of intention to dispose of Leitrim County Councils interest in the Townhall Building at Townparks, Bridge street, Carrick-on-Shannon was before the Council meeting this morning (Tuesday) but Cllr Finola Armstrong McGuire proposed that the sale not go ahead and this was seconded by Cllr Paddy Farrell.



In March the Council announced they were looking for expressions of interest in the freehold purchase of the historic Town Hall.



The building was constructed c.1830 and is located on Bridge Street. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage notes it boasts a number of notable features including its distinctive perron staircase, detailed openings and a bolection-panelled entrance door all of which they say are architecturally significant.



However in recent weeks there has been much social media comment about the sale with many objecting to it.



Following the meeting the Council stated Leitrim County Council sought expressions of interest from interested parties for the sale of the Town Hall Building. The decision to bring the building to the market arose following consideration of its current use as part of the corporate office estate.



The building is a protected structure and will present significant challenges in meeting zero carbon and accessibility requirements. In this context, it was considered that the investment potential of the private sector, notwithstanding its protected structure status, would allow the building to reach its full potential.



In light of the foregoing, the Council Members were notified of the proposal in line with the requirements of Section 183 of the Local Government Act.



The Council is fully committed to ensuring the vibrancy and regeneration of the Countys towns and villages and where the private sector can demonstrate an ability to support objectives in this regard, this is welcomed.



"The sale of a Local Authority asset is ultimately a decision of the Elected Members in line with the provisions of Section 183 of the Local Government Act. In line with these provisions, members may decide that the disposal shall not be carried out or that it be carried out in accordance with terms specified in the resolution.



At its meeting, today, the members resolved that the disposal of the Town Hall as proposed by notice dated 20th April 2023 issued to members, shall not be carried out.
Three First Year Drumshanbo Vocational School enterprise students, Amy Keaveney, Freya Whitney and Alexandra OLooney, brought their business Handled With Hearts to Leinster House, Dublin along with their teacher Ms Sharon Feeney.

The students demonstrated their Grasper product to Martin Heydon, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development.

The Grasper is a lifting mechanism used to assist with the opening of slatted tank agitation covers. It saves the farmer or agricultural contractor the need to bend and lift the cover by hand.

The Grasper can also be used to close the cover afterwards. This is a vital farm safety product that reduces the risk of injuries.

Amy made Grasper cupcakes for the Minister and his team which they were delighted to receive.

Handled With Hearts thoroughly enjoyed the visit taking selfies and BeReals with the Minister!

To finish off their exciting trip, they were brought on a tour of Leinster House with a final stop off for refreshments at the visitors' Dail bar. Thanks to Minister Martin Heydon and his team Rosemary, Barry, Niamh, Councillor Enda McGloin who is Chairperson of DVS Board of Management and Frank Feighan TD for facilitating their wonderful trip.

Ms Yvonne Traynor also mentors the enterprise students at DVS and Handled With Hearts would like to thank both teachers for all their help since they started this journey in September 2022 which finishes in Croke Park on May 5th with a National Final.

You can follow them on Facebook/Instagram/TikTok and Twitter under Handled With Hearts where you can purchase their product the Grasper through private message on their social media platforms.

They would also like to wish the TY enterprise group Pocket Socks Eire the best of luck as they represent Drumshanbo Vocational School at senior level in the Student Enterprise Programme National Final in Croke Park.
The National Spring Clean is Irelands official anti-litter campaign and over the past 24 years, the initiative has been highlighted the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem.

National Spring Clean is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Mars Wrigley Ireland.

Throughout the month of April, the National Spring Clean encouraged communities from across Ireland to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.

This year over 40 Leitrim groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the county making Spring Clean 23 one of Irelands largest anti-litter campaign to date.

Over 800 volunteers joined Spring Clean 23 in County Leitrim removing an approximately 5 tonnes of litter. Furthermore, National Spring Clean has been a starting point for a large number of groups to organise regular clean-up events all year long!

In County Leitrim, clean-ups took places in various locations, including Aughavas, Drumcong, Manor and many more.

National Spring Clean 2023 has been an amazing opportunity for communities in Leitrim and nationwide to come together and do their bit for their local environment, contribute to creating a more sustainable community, be with like-minded people and make a difference.

This year, the aim for National Spring Clean was also to raised awareness about how the adoption of a circular economy model, will reduce our litter, and climate impact, meaning that as we transition to a more circular economy, well see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, cleaner planet.

The principles of a circular economy have always been central to the ethos of National Spring Clean for the past 24 years. This year, some 35% of all waste collected was recycled, thanks to recyclable waste bags provided to groups and individuals who register, while the removal of litter from our natural environment has helped tackle biodiversity loss.
COP28 UAE President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber speaks at the start of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue (Petersberger Klimadialog), a conference that focuses on laying the groundwork for the COP28 Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates, on May 2, 2023 at the Foreign Office in Berlin. TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP

Sultan Al Jaber, the president of this year's UN climate talks hosted by the United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday, May 2, called on participants to drastically ramp up their use of renewable energy.

"We will accelerate delivery in sectors like renewables that must triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040," Al Jaber said in a speech at the opening of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue  a meeting of climate diplomats in Berlin.

Al Jaber's call marked a public endorsement of a target laid out by the International Energy Agency. Last month at a closed-door meeting with G7 leaders in Japan, he had also raised the target. At the same time, he did not call for a complete end to the use of fossil fuels.

Rather, the COP28 chair said the focus must be on removing the emissions they produce while stepping up renewables. "We must be laser-focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions while phasing up viable, affordable zero-carbon alternatives," said Al Jaber in his speech ahead of the climate summit in November.

Earlier this year, the UN's climate expert panel said the world risks crossing the key 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit in about a decade, urging a dramatic reduction in planet-heating emissions.

While solar and wind power are already increasing dramatically, the UN report said that existing fossil fuel infrastructure will be enough to push the world beyond 1.5C, absent the use of costly and emerging technology to capture and store carbon pollution.

The COP28 chair also used his speech to call on developed countries to deliver a long-promised $100-billion climate package for developing countries.

"This is holding up progress. And as part of my outreach, I am requesting donor countries to provide a definitive assessment on the delivery of this commitment before COP28," Al Jaber said.

In 2009, the chaotic UN climate summit in Copenhagen saw rich nations promise $100 billion a year by 2020 to the Global South, but last year the OECD said the amount delivered was still $17 billion short.

At the same time, the funding needed for developing countries to stop burning planet-heating fossil fuels and prepare for tomorrow's climate disasters has already far outstripped that sum.

Campaigners are pushing for a redesign of the global financial architecture to help countries cope, as many emerging nations grapple with rising costs, soaring debts and extreme weather events.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is hosting the Petersberg dialogue, however, reported that the pledged sum may finally be in reach. "The good news is we are on the way to finally reaching this $100-billion sum this year," she said.

Le Monde with AFP
Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement National, and Marine Le Pen during the "celebration of the nation" in Le Havre, France, on May 1, 2023. CYRIL BITTON/DIVERGENCE FOR LE MONDE

Why did Marine Le Pen visit Le Havre, Normandy, on May 1? Most likely to try to capture some of the momentum from the social movement against the pension reform and add to her party's strong working-class base. Since 1979, the far-right Front National, as it was then called, religiously laid a wreath at the feet of a statue of Joan of Arc in Paris every May 1, but enthusiasm has waned since Marine's father Jean-Marie Le Pen was expelled from the party in 2015. In 2022, his daughter refrained from participating and sent Jordan Bardella, who is now president of the Rassemblement National (RN), to stand in front of a statue for 20 seconds, with a handful of petrified party leaders.

This time, Bardella chose to make Labor Day a "celebration of a nation." And in Le Havre, a city that has "industrial and working-class connotations," he wanted to pay tribute "to the working world." The RN sought to emphasize "the history of an unfound affection between the president [Emmanuel Macron] and the French people, which today threatens social peace in our country," in Bardella's words. But Joan of Arc "remains the patron saint of France," said Marine Le Pen, and the RN laid a wreath in Rouen, the Normand city where she was burned at the stake.

More maliciously, there is also the fact that Edouard Philippe, the rightwing mayor of Le Havre and former prime minister, could be a candidate for the 2027 presidential election. And Le Pen, who still considers herself "best placed" to compete, came to tease Macron's ally, who she said "on the issue of pensions, is Emmanuel Macron but worse." Philippe got the message. He tweeted the front page of the local newspaper Paris-Normandie featuring an interview with Bardella claiming "We are at home in Le Havre." The mayor added a little comment: "But of course..."

'We no longer know our country'

In terms of substance, the RN had little to report, except the development of its political agenda one year ahead of European elections. The party organized a banquet in a vast hangar on the docks, while a few thousand demonstrators organized a "counter-party," both against the pension reform and Le Pen's presence. Nearly 1,500 far-right supporters calmly listened to Sebastien Chenu, one of the RN vice presidents in the Assemblee Nationale, praising the achievements of "the most active, the most mobilized, the most present" group in the chamber, which is acting "perfectly republican" and therefore demonstrating its "capacity, in the future, to govern."

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LIMERICK City and County Council will complete 32 homes in Hospital and Knocklong for those on the housing list in the coming weeks.

A presentation was given to councillors in the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District by Brendan Kidney, senior engineer, housing maintenance and construction.

Mr Kidney said the 20 properties in Glenview Drive, Hospital and 12 at Station Close, Knocklong have been progressing well and will be completed in a matter of weeks.

As well as the 32 new builds, Mr Kidney also outlined the councils plans for the future. He said work will commence on sites in Kilfinane and Ballylanders this year. Mr Kidney said 10 houses are planned for Kilfinane and nine for Ballylanders.

The senior engineer said a further 18 units in Bruff are going through the Part 8 process - application of planning permission for projects by local authorities.

Cllr Ger Mitchell praised the fantastic design of the properties in Hospital and of the future ones in Bruff.

The Hospital ones are very futuristic. The attic can be converted so a one bedroom can become a two bed, two bedroom can become a three bedroom etc, said Cllr Mitchell.

Mr Kidney said the design of the houses in Hospital is very attractive.

Cllr Mike Donegan welcomed the 32 properties coming on stream this year in Hospital and Knocklong.

Well done to Brendan and his team, said Cllr Donegan.

Cllr Brigid Teefy said they are fabulous houses. They have the best of everything, said Cllr Teefy.

Cllr Eddie Ryan said they were a fabulous job. Cllr PJ Carey described it as great work.

Cllr Martin Ryan noted there were no sites in Cappamore or Doon. Cathaoirleach John Egan also spoke of an imbalance in the municipal district.

There is nothing in Cappamore, Doon, Caherconlish, Murroe. All that area has been forgotten about, said Cllr Egan.

Cllr Eddie Ryan said there were no plans in Galbally either.

During his recent visit to Limerick, Minister for Housing Darragh OBrien visited Glenview Drive, Hospital; Station Close, Knocklong and met with Cappamore Housing Association regarding their plans for the old creamery in the village. They aim to build accommodation units for elderly people.

Mr Kidney also informed councillors what the local authoritys plans are for the 30 vacant units owned by the council in the municipal district.

He said works on 11 of them will be completed at various stages in 2023. There are 11 houses in procurement stage to be completed in 2023. Four of the 30 houses have been completed with two more inspected and a further two awaiting inspection.

Mr Kidney said there was quite a lot of capital investment being put into bringing vacant units back into use.
LIMERICK firefighters came under fire while protecting the public at a May Eve bonfire.

They responded to a total of 11 bonfires in the city and county on Sunday, April 30 and the early hours of Monday, May 1.

A Limerick City and County Council spokesperson said crews did experience anti-social behaviour at one incident and had stones thrown at the fire appliances.

"It is unfortunate that such behaviour occurred while our firefighters were working to ensure the safety of our community. Thankfully none of the fire fighters were injured," said the spokesperson.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service was called to bonfires in Ballinacurra Weston, Childers Road, King's Island, Thomondgate, Prospect, Caherdavin, Corbally, Garryowen and Castleconnell.

Crews reported that there was a substantial amount of household waste like old couches and mattresses thrown on the bonfires.

The council spokesperson said May Eve bonfires can have negative impacts on the environment and public spaces.

"These bonfires can result in air pollution, damage to green spaces, and the need for costly clean-up operations by council staff. The hazards of bonfires can pose significant risks to property and people, especially young children.

"The uncontrolled nature of these fires can lead to serious burns or injuries to individuals, particularly children, if they get too close or are not properly supervised. Bonfires can release harmful fumes when burned, posing respiratory risks to those nearby. Additionally, bonfires may attract large crowds, increasing the potential for accidents or other incidents to occur," said the spokesperson.
A NEWCASTLE West businesswoman is celebrating this week after being accepted onto one of the most prestigious entrepreneurship courses in the world.

Rani Dabrai, a former director of Dublins World Trade Centre, beat 2,000 applicants to land one of only 64 places on the entrepreneurship programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in America.

She is the only Irish person to be taking part in the three-year course, which takes place both virtually and in-person, and believes she is the only European participant on the programme.

An entrepreneur, Ms Dabrai founded and sold Miss Moneypenny, a firm which provides services in telecoms, call answering and concierge services.

During her time at Dublin's World Trade Centre she chaired international boards in trade and agriculture. Now she owns an organisation helping the owners of high-potential start-up firms grow quickly.

Asked how she feels about being awarded the place, she said: Its a combination of elated and relieved, but also shock, because I really didnt expect it. To this day, Im still waiting for an email saying theyve made a mistake!

In order to win a place on the course, Ms Dabrai had to send a detailed application, as well as a video and a personal statement.

As well as her business career, she also elected to identify chapters in her life in which shes learnt from, and opened up on times she has not been successful.

I think Ive learnt more from my failures than my successes, Ms Dabrai added.
Kathy Casteel |

Food safety has become a major challenge to public health. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, about 48 million people in the United States  thats 1 in 6  fall ill from foodborne diseases each year; 128,000 of them are hospitalized and 3,000 die. A Lincoln University researcher is hoping to stem the tide by educating and training food growers, producers and processors, courtesy of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.

Cindy Borgwordt, a research specialist with Lincoln University of Missouri Cooperative Research, has received a $650,000 three-year grant from USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture to provide food safety courses and on-farm workshops, develop guidebooks and produce on-demand webinars for Missourians who work in food production and supply.

This program focuses on education and outreach to increase the knowledge and capacity to implement food safety practices and to be in food law compliance, Borgwordt says. The new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires many trainings for food producers, yet some cannot afford them. This effort will provide these training courses at no cost to traditionally underserved audiences.

Borgwordt and her research team will target beginning farmers, small farmers and small processors as well as health inspectors, farmers market managers and vendors, and shared kitchen managers.

The number of shared kitchens has dramatically increased recently, Borgwordt says. Farmers and processors use these facilities as their required inspected facilities. Shared kitchen managers often are not aware of the food regulations and how to ensure their clients follow the required food safety preventive control practices.

Farmers markets also pose challenges, she says. Many farmers market managers do not have the food safety background to ensure their vendors are complying with food regulations. Managers of small markets will be able to take the food manager training to help ensure the food at those markets is safe.

Borgwordt will also develop and implement the NIFA Food Safety Outreach Program grant writing training, offering workshops targeting underserved audiences.

Four guidebooks will supplement the courses and workshops, explaining the Missouri Food Code, labeling requirements, Missouri on-farm food safety guidelines and risk assessment.

Borgwordts team will partner with the Missouri Enterprise Program to reach manufacturers and processors and the Missouri Department of Agriculture Feed and Seed Program for animal feed and pet food producers. Another partner, The Food Safety Doctor, Derrick Payne, will offer FSMA Food Safety Preventive Controls training online, which eliminates the costs of travel.

Food safety is the highest priority in agriculture, Borgwordt says. The demand for locally produced food has dramatically increased along with the increase in farmers and processors making foods with local agricultural products. These efforts will empower our agriculture community to adopt food safety practices that will ultimately lead to safe food for the consumer. The impact will be seen statewide in local food offerings at grocers, retailers, farmers markets and roadside stands.

This effort, Borgwordt adds, is in direct alignment with Gov. Mike Parsons Show-Me-State Food, Beverage & Forest Products Manufacturing Initiative.
Jenny Schaben |

Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) hosted a two-part event on Thursday, April 13, with notable guest writers Georgia Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn and poet James Davis May.

During The Workshops & Conversation event, Rathburn and May shared some of their favorite poems with participants, spoke on various literary elements within them and discussed the all-too-important topic of revision.

Event organizer and LUs associate professor of English Elijah Burrell commented afterward, They are such wonderful poets and teachers  and they connected with our students immediately. Their visiting lecture was one of the most helpful and interesting Ive seen delivered.

The event concluded that evening with the 2023 Spring Reading Series held in Scruggs University Center Ballroom. Rathburn and May read from their most recent books to an audience of over 70 attendees. Burrell celebrated both authors for their talent, creativity and achievements during the event.

Burrell further stated that he believes Rathburns newest collection, Still Life with Mother and Knife (2019), is one of the best books of poetry Ive read in a long time. I can say this about it and the gems in this book, tooit has not left my desk, coffee table or side since I bought it. Not stuck on a shelf somewhere but always within arms reach.

Rathburn is the author of three poetry collections. Her most recent work, Still Life with Mother and Knife (2019), was listed by the New York Times as New & Noteworthy. Her first collection, The Shifting Line, won the 2005 Richard Wilbur Award. Her second collection, A Raft of Grief, was published in 2013. In March 2019, Rathburn was recognized for her esteemed writing and appointed Georgias poet laureate, the official poet chosen to represent the state.

May is the author of Unusually Grand Ideas (2023) and Unquiet Things (2016), named runner-up for the Georgia Author of the Year Award in poetry. He has received scholarships and fellowships from the Sewanee Writers Conference, Inprint, and the Krakow Poetry Seminar. He teaches English at Mercer University in Georgia and directs the creative writing program.

Lincoln Universitys Department of Humanities and Communications sponsored this program of events. For more information on this event or the creative writing program, please contact Mr. Elijah Burrell at burrelle@lincolnu.edu.
Kathy Casteel |

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded an $800,000 grant to a Lincoln University of Missouri professor to fund efforts to develop a more diverse STEM workforce over the next four years.

Sean Zeiger, an assistant professor of forest hydrology and watershed management at Lincoln, leads the project to train a diverse workforce to measure and model energy, water and carbon budgets. A partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and collaboration with the University of Missouri offers enhanced training and research opportunities for LU students selected for the program.

The need to recruit and retain underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a national security issue impacting U.S. governmental agencies of the 21st century, Zeiger says. The Department of Energy and other federal agencies are making historic investments in diversity and inclusion with Lincoln University and other historically Black colleges and universities.

Funded by the DOE Office of Science Biological and Environmental Research Program, the grant is part of an initiative called Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW). The RENEW program seeks to build a foundation for research with training opportunities for students, researchers and faculty at academic institutions not currently well represented in U.S. science and technology. At Lincoln, Zeiger and his team will mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research studies at MOFLUX, the University of Missouris AmeriFlux Missouri Ozark site near Ashland that examines the impacts of extreme weather and climate on forest-level carbon dioxide uptake and release. Students will maintain an existing network of six MOFLUX weather stations and analyze and synthesize the data they collect there.

The team will also develop student-friendly learning materials and training modules for research activities at MOFLUX and create a case-study curriculum for physical hydrology and geographic information systems (GIS) courses at Lincoln.

Students will spend time at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in an immersive short course on measuring and modeling ecosystem processes. While at Oak Ridge, they will undergo training in the theory and practice of ecosystem monitoring and modeling to develop a range of skills. As a capstone experience, graduate students will attend the Fluxcourse at the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station at Niwot Ridge near Boulder.

Zeiger, who joined Lincolns faculty in 2020, holds a bachelors degree in biology and environmental science from Drury University and both a masters and Ph.D. in natural resources/water resources from the University of Missouri. He teaches LU courses in applied watershed management and fundamentals of geospatial information sciences (GIS). Our RENEW students are learning about the role of forests in climate- and water-related issues of the 21st century, he says.

Lincoln students will reap numerous benefits from this grant, Zeiger says. Graduate research assistantships and undergraduate student employment, tuition support, hands-on student training in Mark Twain National Forest, he notes, as well as opportunities to present scientific research at internationally and nationally renowned science conferences, a journal club and travel to Oak Ridge National Laboratory for tours, scientific panels and hands-on activities. Plus, he adds, Well have sightseeing led by world-class scientists, a night of glamping in the Great Smoky Mountains and travel to the Rocky Mountains.

Lincoln students interested in joining the program for hands-on environmental research training may contact Zeiger at ZeigerS@LincolnU.edu.
The Ghanaian National Communications Authority (NCA) set a hard deadline for the 11 million remaining unregistered SIM cards to be signed up, warning those SIMs will be cut off from services at the end of the month.

NCA director general Joe Anokye (pictured) announced at a briefing the deadline will be May 31, bringing an end to the SIM registration process which began on October 1, 2021.

Anokye said the 11 million unregistered SIMs are from subscribers who were originally exempt from registering including diplomats, refugees, and citizens on official duties overseas.

As of April 25, 25.2 million out of 36.5 million SIM cards have completed stages one and two of the registering process using the Ghana Card, the countrys national ID card, a requisite to be fully registered and stored on the NCAs central SIM database.

The director general said: We wish to assure the general public that the SIM Database has not been breached. In the first place, there has been no unauthorised access to the SIM Registration database; the identified abuses of stage one process, which have been resolved, do not amount to unauthorised access to the SIM Registration database.

The NCA deployed yesterday (May 1) it's shortcode system to register the remaining SIM cards, answering calls from the public for a more simplified system. Anokye added subscribers could use the system to check details linked to their Ghana Cards and unlink unwanted numbers.

Ghana's SIM registration campaign faced setbacks which saw the regulator extend its deadline and deactivate users that were not compliant.
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As Air India rolls out new contracts for its pilots, many are pushing back against the proposed changes to their flying hours and salaries. While more than half of the pilots have accepted the new terms, a significant portion of pilots are reportedly rejecting new contracts that would reduce their flying hours and, in turn, their take-home salaries.

About 50% have signed the new contract terms, and more should follow. But there remains a large chunk who are yet to accept the offers. So the message from the top brass is clear that there will not be extensions or any other options given," a person aware of the developments said, requesting anonymity.

As Air India seeks to revamp its operations, the airline is clashing with pilots over new contract terms at a time its facing a significant shortage of pilots. Air India has warned pilots that delays in licence renewal or airport entry passes could result in disciplinary action and financial penalties, heightening tensions between the airline and its workforce.

Pilots have stated their disappointment with the new terms and conditions by writing to all the senior executives at the Tata group, including chairman emeritus Ratan Tata. While the leadership is looking to resolve the matter amicably, they are also clear that they will not completely agree with the pilots demands," a person in the know said.

The Tata group asked the pilots to initiate the documentation for renewal at least 45 days before the expiry of their licence after several pilots did not complete the required documentation. In spite of such repeated reminders, some crew are not doing the needful, which is leading to delay in their licence related issues and are becoming unavailable to the company for performing their duties, which leads company no other choice but to take some strict action against the individual crew member," the airline told pilots in an e-mail this week.

The latest tussle in the now Tata group-owned airlines started when the company redesigned its salary structure for its cabin crews and pilots and rolled out the new structures last month. Two pilots unionsIndian Commercial Pilots Association and Indian Pilots Guildrejected the new contracts on the grounds of an alleged violation of labour practices, the new promotion cycles were not accepted, and they were not consulted while finalizing the new contracts.

An Air India pilot can earn 50,000- 8.5 lakh per month, while for cabin crew it is 25,000- 78,000. However, this does not include payments for additional flying hours and layover, among others.

As part of its expansion plans and to prepare for pilot exits, the airlines will hire more than 1,000 pilots, including captains and trainers. In February, the airline announced plans to recruit over 4,200 cabin crew trainees and 900 pilots in 2023 to start new domestic and international operations.

The announcement followed a mammoth order from Air India for 470 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus to add wings to its growth plans. The airline also has the option to buy 370 more planes under the agreement signed with aircraft manufacturers. Since Tatas took over Air India, it decided to align the benefits and salaries of its staff. The airline, which until a year ago had around 8,000 permanent employees, is also looking to bring it down by another 2,000 as part of a second voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). About 1,500 employees opted for the first VRS in July 2022.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Devina Sengupta Devina Sengupta reports on the shifts in India Incs workplaces, HR policies and writes about the developments at Indias biggest conglomerates. Her stories over the last decade have been picked up and followed by Indian and international news outlets. She joined Mint in 2022 and previously worked with The Economic Times and DNA-Money. Read more from this author
New Delhi: Six months after the Delhi government reverted its alcohol policy to a system operated by state vendors, supplies of popular alcohol brands are running low, a critical challenge ahead of G20 meetings and ICC World Cup cricket matches that are set to attract global audiences.

The biggest drop has been in the supply of Kingfisher beer. Also, AB InBev, which had a 20% market share through private vendors in 2022, is down to nearly zero.

Questions mailed to a spokesperson for United Breweries, the owner of Kingfisher brand, on its scaled-back supply were not answered as the company is in a so-called silent period before the earnings announcement.

However, with many drinkers driving up to neighbouring states for their favourite beer, AB InBev brands Budweiser, Magnum, Corona, and Hoegaarden continue to have a 20% share in Haryana and a 15% share in Uttar Pradesh.

Kartikeya Sharma, president of AB InBev India, said, We look forward to policy stability in the important market of Delhi and would continue to seek a level playing field across the alcohol vends. Retail outlets or off-trade availability and share of our premium brands are totally divergent to our wide availability in the on-trade in hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs in the city."

When the citys new excise policy was scrapped in September, it was decided that only state-led enterprises could own alcohol vends in the capital. While sales of Indian-made foreign liquor, or IMFL, have improved this year compared with last years, there has been a shift in portfoliosaway from some premium brands and price segments.

Availability is an issue. Delhi had 843 outlets. As it is, the retail universe for a city of this size was the lowest, and now that number is further reduced," said Nita Kapoor, CEO of the International Spirits and Wines Association of India.

Only about 330 outlets of the current 550-odd outlets were earmarked for keeping premium products. But now that number is down to about 150 outlets. Brands are facing a problem of availability, and it is acute."

The association represents companies such as Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Campari Group, Diageo-United Spirits, Moet Hennessy, Pernod Ricard and William Grant and Sons.

The policy about-turn has seen private operators pushed out by Delhi-government-owned institutions such as Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corp. (DSIIDC), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corp. (DTTDC), Delhi Consumers Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS) and Department of Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC).

Many top-level executives at alcohol firms said on the condition of anonymity that they are finding it difficult to deal with these government entities.

Additionally, the current regime requires Indian brands to shell out as much as 25 lakh to register a brand they want to sell in the city, as compared with 1 lakh per brand and a label registration fee of 5,000 in the earlier system. Foreign liquor companies also have to pay an additional duty for bottled in origin" or BIO brands to operate in Delhi with an L1-F licence (for foreign-made liquor). They also pay a brand fee of 15 lakh for whiskey and 7 lakh for imported beer.

Many Indian companies refrained from registering their premium brands because the government was charging for the entire 12 months although just seven months were left in the existing alcohol policy.

Some companies have claimed that there is a delay in receiving excise dues of up to 20 days as compared with about two to three days two years ago, impacting sales.

The hurdles have seen French alcohol major Pernod Ricard disappear from Delhiit is impossible to find its popular brands Chivas Regal, Ballantines, Royal Stag and Blenders Pride.

Many outlets are small, and as a result, their stocking ability is less. Many vends also dont have enough chillers to keep beer cold," said Vinod Giri, director general of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies.

Excise duties are supposed to be remitted by the departments within three days of supply. However this is getting delayed inordinately, resulting in funds blockade leading to low dispatches from factories," said Prem Dewan, chairman and managing director of Devans Modern Breweries, the maker of Godfather beer.
New Delhi: Some foreign funds invested in Adani group companies have declined to identify their beneficial owners, citing client confidentiality and foreign privacy laws, two people aware of the matter said.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has sought ownership information from these funds as it checks for breaches of securities market rules. On Saturday, the regulator requested six more months from the Supreme Court to complete its investigation into the Adani-Hindenburg matter.

According to one of the two people cited above, one fund claimed it has beneficiaries in Switzerland, where it is a criminal offence to collect or submit any evidence from the country to aid a foreign investigation. Another fund pointed to its client contracts prohibiting the fund manager from disclosing information to any foreign regulator. Others said home country regulators and investors could sue them under Europes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which restricts data sharing.

Emails sent to spokespeople for Sebi and Adani group remained unanswered till press time.

These funds have already responded to the information requests made by Sebi, stating their inability to provide the sought information. They are yet to hear anything further from Sebi," the person cited above said on the condition of anonymity. They have already provided the beneficial ownership requirements as per market norms, but Sebi wants the names of actual investors behind the fund," the person said.

Until recently, foreign funds would typically declare their fund managers and compliance officers as beneficial owners since many global investors are wary of sharing information with foreign regulators over privacy concerns. However, Sebi has changed its approach and asks some foreign funds to identify actual investors, not key managerial executives, as beneficial owners.

Legal experts say Sebi can force these funds to reveal their ownership patterns. A similar situation arose in 2011-12 when Sebi was conducting a probe into the Global Depository Receipt (GDR) scam. At that time, Sebi demanded beneficial ownership information from some funds, warning them that it may freeze their India holdings if the same was not provided. These diktats by Sebi were upheld by courts, too, forcing the funds to reveal the information.

However, any high-handed action may rattle the community of foreign portfolio investors. Some of the required information can be obtained through memoranda of understanding (MoUs) as well," the second person said.

Sebi has signed such MoUs with market regulators in 22 countries, and it is also a member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), a global forum of market regulators. The people cited above added that Sebi has already received some information from one foreign regulator. However, the complex structure of these funds, with dozens of layers, makes the route very difficult.

To get to the bottom of the ownership structure of each fund, the market regulator will have to go through dozens of countries. Many global funds have similar structures designed to avail of tax benefits and protect the end investors.
New Delhi: The government plans to develop a model contract for real estate transactions that aims to standardize sale agreements, narrow expectation gaps, and boost transparency, allowing consumers to make informed decisions, Union consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said.

In addition to streamlining real estate transactions, the model contract is expected to lessen the burden on Indian consumer courts, where approximately 550,000 cases are pendingmany of them linked to the countrys real estate sector.

We have decided to create a model framework of engagement between the seller and the buyer, considering the agreement between the builder and the buyer is not standardized in India," Singh said.

The move aims to protect consumers who are investing their lifes savings in homes, especially under-construction ones while reducing grey areas in the sale agreement so that fewer disputes end up in consumer courts. This model contract will be a preventive measure, not curative, and it will make sure that the buyer is not taken for a ride", Singh added.

The proposed template will include checklists for consumers to compare against developer contracts, ensuring transparency and promoting informed purchases. The consumer affairs ministry also wants homebuyers to examine the sale agreement critically before signing it.

Singh added that market competition could encourage developers to adopt the governments template, offering additional comfort to buyers. The decision follows a round table discussion in Maharashtra late last month involving central and state officials, Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (Rera) authorities, judges, and real estate developers and activists.

Delayed projects are one of the main problems faced by homebuyers, as they have to pay EMIs and rent while waiting for the homes to be handed over. In previous years, chronic project delays caused much loss and distress to homebuyers, said Prashant Thakur, senior director and head of research at Anarock Group, a real estate consultant.

Most delayed projects were by under-capitalized smaller developers who could not complete them on time owing to the lack of funds. This issue worsened after the meltdown in the non-bank financial company (NBFC) sector in 2018 because most smaller developers depended on funds from NBFCs," Thakur said. Over the last two-three years, largely because of this problem, demand has shifted to large, listed and well-funded developers with good records of timely project completion. The sale share of these developers, who take their commitments to their customers seriously, has increased tremendously," he said. Of the around 6,200 companies that have gone into bankruptcy under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), around 21% are in the real estate sector, according to official records. The move to develop the model contract results from analyzing cases landing up in consumer courts.

The departments efforts are based on the principle that the consumer has a right to have all the relevant information to enable her to avoid exploitation and to make a considered purchase decision. The department is also now in the process of deploying artificial intelligence to make the process of filing complaints easier for consumers and to improve the ease of living.

Given the high number of consumer grievances, the Centre had in 2016 brought out the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act that paved the way for setting up state-level regulatory agencies overseeing both residential and commercial real estate transactions. In this regime, the developer cannot make any changes to the plan that had been sold without the written consent of the buyer. Every project measuring more than 500 sq. m or more than eight apartments will have to be registered with the Rera.
Laneige, a Korean skincare brand has signed actor Athiya Shetty as its first-ever brand face in India. The actor, the company said, is known for her fashion sense and that she embodies the essence of the companys philosophy of embracing the glow within. As part of the association, she will represent its line of skincare products.

Athiya Shetty, said: I am thrilled to be partnering with them, a brand that shares my passion for skincare and beauty. I have always been a fan of their products."

Paul Lee, managing director and country head of AmorePacific Group India, the company that owns the brand here, added, We welcome the vibrant and multi-talented actor as our first-ever brand face . We strongly believe and propagate that beauty is not just about appearance, it is equally about who we are and our ability to create change to make a better world. Shetty is a natural choice for our values of beauty."

Mini Sood Banerjee, assistant director and head of marketing and training here said, "The actors popularity and influence in the Indian market, coupled with her genuine connection with her fans and followers, make her the ideal choice to represent us. We will be launching new campaigns that showcase our commitment to innovation and water science and we are confident that her involvement will help us create a lasting impact in the Indian beauty industry."

According to some estimates, the Indian influencer marketing business is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 25% to 2,200 crore by 2025.
Early-stage investor Chiratae Ventures (formerly IDG Ventures India) has announced the final close of its maiden growth fund at 1,001 crore. The funds initial target was to raise 750 crore.

The sector-agnostic growth stage fund was oversubscribed by 34%. It will target technology startups looking to secure Series C or later stage funding, as well as new opportunities.

Chirataes existing investors participated in the fundraising, including Pratithi (Infosys cofounder Kris Gopalakrishnans family office), and global alternative asset manager 57 Stars. Manish Choksi, the vice chairman and a non-executive board member of Asian Paints, invested in individual capacity as well as through his family office. New investors include State Bank of India andIIFL.

The fund has started building its portfolio with its debut investment in eyewear retailer Lenskart, as part of a consortium. Out of the $400 million round, Chiratae invested 100 crore, it said.

In 2021, Chiratae raised its fourth early-stage fund of $337 million. Since its inception in 2006, it has raised six funds with assets of around $1.1 billion under management. Its portfolio spans across sectors including software-as-a-service, consumer-tech, healthtech and fintech. It has backed the likes of Bizongo, Curefit, Fibe, Firstcry, Myntra, PolicyBazaar, Pixis, Vayana, and Uniphore.The fund enables us to continue supporting the growth and expansion of market-leading technology startups in India and beyond," said Chirataes founder and chairman Sudhir Sethi.

Across its more than 130 investments, it has clocked 48 exits, helped create eight unicorns and have taken three companies to public markets, the firm said.

Chiratae Venturess Global Advisory board consists of Ratan Tata (chairman), Kris Gopalakrishnan, Manish Choksi (vice chairman, Asian Paints), Bruno Raschle (founder, Adveq Zurich), Dr. Andreas Hettich (chairman, Hettich Corporation Germany) and Dr Ferzaan Engineer (founder, Cytecare and Nightingale).

India focused funds backing early-stage and growth-stage startups are finding more takers among domestic institutional investors and family offices. From seed-angel funds to Special Opportunities funds, domestic investors have conclusively increased their exposure to startups, today. The fund sizes have also been inching up. Funds such as IIFL, Edelweiss, and Avendus, among others, have recently raised capital domestically to invest in growth stage companies.
Actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Pandeys Dream Girl 2 will now release in cinemas on 25 August, 2023. The comedy-drama is a sequel to Dream Girl featuring Khurrana that had released in 2019. The film will be helmed by original director Raaj Shaandilya. Dream Girl had made Rs. 139.37 crore in box office collections in 2019.

Bollywood has been betting big on sequels and franchise films in the past few months to cash in on the success of titles such as Bhool Bhulaiya, Heropanti and Ek Villain, among others.

Kartik Aaryan was seen in horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiya 2 last May, while the sequels to period drama KGF and Tiger Shroffs Heropanti arrived last April and May respectively. Ekta Kapoor also built on her Ek Villain series with an instalment in July, while Zee Studios is planning a sequel to Gadar with Sunny Deol.

The formula may generate some curiosity given the success of previous films but the poor response to recent titles such as Bunty Aur Babli 2 suggest forcing a story forward may not work, according to critics and trade experts. The other challenge is that Hindi cinema does not have the grandeur and special effects of Hollywood superhero franchises, which such sequels are inspired by.

Sequels are actually made for two core reasons. One is creative and the other is business-led. If audiences have loved a particular story, extending its storyline in a recognizable yet unique manner is a great business opportunity. The sequel will always feed off the appeal of its predecessor," Shariq Patel, chief business officer, Zee Studios had said in an earlier interview to Mint.

However, a spiritual successor, or a film with a completely different plot or set of actors and only belonging to the same genre as the original has been tough to sell and disappointing to audiences in the past few years, said experts.
Max Healthcare Institute is reported to have filed a suit in the Bombay High Court against private equity firm TPG after the owners of Care Hospitals neglected Max's bid to favour an offer by the world's largest PE fund Blackstone, said an Economic Times report.

"The takeover battle for Care Hospitals has landed up in the Bombay High Court with Max Healthcare Institute filing a suit against private equity firm TPG after the Care owner spurned Max's bid in favour of an offer by Blackstone, the world's largest PE fund, that was about 15-20 per cent higher," ET reported quoting people with knowledge of the matter.

As per the report, hearings are set to begin on May 3.

"Max Healthcare is citing a breach of their term sheet agreement over a "specific performance" clause. Under this, TPG should specify why it is not honouring an agreement, according to one of the persons cited above. Their legal move has been precipitated by Blackstone improving its offer after the sale process for Care was revived earlier this year once valuation expectations were lowered from the original ask of 7,000-8,000 crore," said the ET report.

The ET report further said that Max and TPG had entered into an exclusive deal for bilateral negotiations in which Max had given a non-binding offer to TPG within the stipulated six-week window for a buyout.

Max was aiming to increase its pan-India presence as Care Hospitals has a strong South Indian footprint.

Mint in the last November reported that private equity giants KKR and Temasek, as well as Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, were competing to acquire Care Hospitals in a potential deal valued at more than $1 billion (about 8,200 crore).

The TPG-backed Quality Care India Ltd, which runs the hospital chain, had also shortlisted two other private equity giants Blackstone and CVC Capital Partners.

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
The EU and US have warned the Malaysian government to not use Huawei equipment in 5G infrastructure, as the new administration was reportedly mulling plans to deviate from its controversial single 5G network strategy by building a second.

Financial Times reported delegates from both continents wrote to the Malaysian administration in April to warn against the national security risks posed by Huawei. Western nations have in the past claimed the vendor provides a backdoor to telecoms infrastructure for spying by the Chinese government, a claim the vendor has long denied.

US ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters said there are national security risks if the Malaysian government strays away from its original plan. The last Malaysian administration planned to manage a single 5G network under its vehicle Digital Nasional Berhad, which will wholesale to operators.

Swedish vendor Ericsson won the contract to be the exclusive infrastructure supplier to Malaysias 5G network.

The government has pledged to deploy 5G to 80% of the population by the end of this year, reported Financial Times, despite the multiple setbacks stemming from operator pushback.
Mutual funds do not provide guaranteed returns and their performance depends on market conditions. According to wealth advisors, equity mutual funds are best for investors planning to grow their money. Analysts believe long-term investors should go for mutual funds be it in the form of SIP or lumpsum to achieve their financial goals. The sooner you start investing, the earlier you will be able to compound your money and help you accumulate sufficient wealth.

Amit Gupta, MD, SAG Infotech says, it is important to understand that all mutual funds carry a degree of risk, including equity mutual funds, which do not offer predictable returns like bank deposits. Instead, returns are influenced by stock market conditions and can be either favourable or unfavourable. While over a long-term period, average returns of 12-15% can be expected, it is not possible to achieve these returns every year or in short periods of time.

MF plans that can help an investor achieve  5 crore corpus in 15 years

On mutual fund plans that can help an investor achieve a 5 crore corpus in 15 years, Pankaj Mathpal, MD & CEO at Optima Money Managers listed out the following schemes:

1] ICICI Prudential Large & Midcap Fund;

2] Aditya Birla Sun Life Multi-cap Fund; and

3] Nippon India Flexi Cap Fund.

Mutual fund calculator

So, if an investor invests 50 lakh lump sum in mutual fund for 15 years, then assuming a 15 per cent annual return, one will get 4,06,85,308 crore, suggests the SBI Mutual Fund calculator.

View Full Image SBI Mutual fund calculator

How the 15 X 15 X 15 rule of mutual funds can help you become rich

Mutual funds investors should be aware of various MF rules while investing and one of them is the 15 X 15 X 15 rule of mutual funds. This rule says that if an investor is invested for 15 years, one can expect to get a 1 crore maturity amount as the investment would yield around 15 per cent per annum.

So, if we combine 4,06,85,308 crore with 1 crore maturity amount for staying invested for 15 years, then the total comes to 5 crores. So, your 50 lakh lump sum amount will turn into 5 crore.

Mutual funds to invest  50 lakh for five years

For those looking to invest for five years and willing to assume some risk, balanced advantage funds or dynamic asset allocation funds can be suitable options. These funds adjust their equity allocation based on the market's valuations and can be used for a five-year investment period

On a lump sum mutual fund with a five-year horizon, Amit Gupta listed out the following SIP plans:

1) Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund Regular - Growth

2)Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund Regular - Growth

3)ICICI Prudential BHARAT 22 FOF Direct-Growth

4)Quant-Focused Fund Direct-Growth

5)Nippon India Large Cap Fund Direct-Growth
NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the pleas filed by the Delhi Police against the bail granted in June 2021 to 3 student activists in a case related to the communal riots in Northeast Delhi in 2020.

The apex court said the 3 student activists are out on bail for almost two years and it sees no purpose in keeping the matter alive.

The SC noted that in its 18 June 2021 order passed in the matter, it had observed that the high court verdicts shall not be treated as precedent and may not be relied upon by any of the parties in any of the proceedings.

We close the proceedings," the bench said, adding, We make it clear that we have not gone into the legal position regarding statutory interpretation one way or the other."

A bench of Justices S.K. Kaul and A. Amanullah was hearing the pleas challenging the Delhi high court's 15 June 2021 verdicts granting bail to activists Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha in a case related to communal riots during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

The bench observed the whole problem is that bail matters are argued by the parties as if the final prosecution has to be decided.

In a bail matter, everything is observed and argued when it is to be only considered whether a person is required to be enlarged on bail or not," Justice Kaul said.

At the outset, a counsel appearing on behalf of the police requested the top court to hear the matter next week or tomorrow.

No. We have accommodated you a number of times in this matter," the bench said and referred to its January 17 order, in which it had recorded that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing for the police, was before a constitution bench and thus, a deferment was sought on that day.

The bench said it had in its January 17 order made clear that if alternative arrangements have to be made by the government, they may do so for the next date of hearing.

The counsel told the bench that alternative arrangement was made but due to some personal difficulty, an additional solicitor general was unable to appear on Tuesday.

It is our indulgence which has created this problem. Nobody in the Supreme Court use to seek such adjournments. There is a limit. Sorry," the bench said.

Later, the solicitor general appeared in the matter and said the high court has virtually declared the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) unconstitutional" in these verdicts.

When the bench said the problem was that bail matters are being argued as if the final prosecution has to be decided, Mehta said, But the judges are also deciding as if trials are concluded."

The apex court told Mehta that its order of 18 June 2021 already protects the state.

In our view, the only issue which is required to be examined in such matters is whether in the factual scenario, the accused is entitled to bail or not. It is this argument which persuaded us to issue notice on June 18, 21 and to observe that the impugned judgement shall not be treated as a precedent and may not be relied upon by the parties ...," the bench said.

The respondents (Narwal, Kalita and Tanha) have been on bail now for almost two years. We see no purpose in keeping this matter alive," it said.

The bench observed that one of the applicants, who is a co-accused in the matter, has filed an application saying that the 18 June 2021 observation by the apex court was coming in the way of seeking bail on parity.

If the co-accused is entitled to bail on parity, that is for him to make out and for the court to consider," the bench observed, adding that purpose of the interim order of June 2021 was that the expounded legal principle regarding statutory interpretation in a bail matter should not be utilised in these proceedings or in any other proceedings.

Mehta said the apex court may say that the high court verdicts in the matter be not treated as a precedent.

That we have already said," the bench said, adding, In fact, a bail order can never be cited as precedent except for parity."

During the hearing in the matter in July 2021, the apex court had indicated its reluctance to consider the aspect of cancellation of bail granted to the three activists, who were booked under the provisions of the stringent anti-terror law UAPA.

It had termed as troubling that the bail petitions were being argued at length debating the provisions of the law.

The top court had earlier expressed its displeasure over the high court discussing the entire anti-terror law UAPA in a bail matter.

Earlier, the police had argued that 53 people had died and over 700 were injured during the riots which took place at a time when the then US president Donald Trump and other dignitaries were in the national capital.

The high court had granted them bail, saying in an anxiety to suppress dissent, the State has blurred the line between the right to protest and terrorist activity, and if such a mindset gains traction, it would be a "sad day for democracy".

Kalita, Narwal and Tanha are accused in four, three and two cases, respectively, related to the communal riots that broke out on February 24, 2020.

(With inputs from PTI)
The sudden decision by bankrupt Go First to cancel its flights for May 3 and 4 on Tuesday left several flyers, who had booked their flights with the budget airline, confused and enraged.

The Mumbai basedairline Tuesday filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Delhi due to serious cash shortage.

Flyers who had booked their flights with the airlines vented out their anger, over the decision to temporarily halt operations on May 3 and May 4, on social media, expressing their displeasure over flight cancellations.

Gurvinder Singh, a passenger from Amritsar tweeted I have my flight to Mumbai, as I reached the airport there was nobody at the counter...we asked to adjust us in other flights but airline is only talking about giving us a refund."

Amritsar, Punjab | As Go First Airlines ground flights amid bankruptcy, passengers who booked their tickets with the airlines are left in the middle of nowhere, a passenger, Gurvinder Singh, says "I have my flight to Mumbai, as I reached the airport there was nobody at the pic.twitter.com/6eBbx5u39G  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

Another passenger Vibhor Sharma said he had booked a flight for 4-May that got cancelled. He tried multiple times to the customer care number of Go First which was not reachable. Sharma said it was official visit and hence he cant afford such amendments.

@GoFirstairways My flight on 4-May

-2023 got cancelled and I got email from yo regarding same. I tried multiple times your customer care number was not reachable. Please help me with accommodating internally on same day as its an official visit so cant afford such amendments  vibhor sharma (@vibhor_sharma_8) May 2, 2023

Another fIyer seeking help from civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said she is a mother of a 3 year old and she is stranded in Pune. She had booked a Gofirst flight from Pune to Delhi 3 weeks ago. Now today, she has received a simple text msg that her flight for tomorrow is cancelled and no flight is available before the 5th.

@JM_Scindia

I had booked a Gofirst flight from Pune to Delhi 3 weeks prior . Today I received a simple text msg that my flight for tomorrow is cancelled and no flight is available before the 5th.



I am a mother of a 3 year old and stranded here.



Seeking you help Mr. Scindia  khushboo parakh (@khushboopa29968) May 2, 2023

The company said the airline was forced to ground its 28 aircraftmore than half of its fleetdue to Pratt & Whitney's (P&W) failure to supply engines. Consequently, there was a financial crisis.

It is an unfortunate decision (filing for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings) but it had to be done to protect the interests of the company," airline CEO Kaushik Khona said.
After much criticism, Ukraine's Defence Ministry deleted a controversial tweet of Goddess Kali and further, the government expressed it regrets depicting the Hindu goddess in a distorted manner.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar said, We regret the Ukraine Defence Ministry's tweet depicting Hindu goddess Kali in a distorted manner. Ukraine & its people respect the unique Indian culture & highly appreciate India's support. The depiction has already been removed."

We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine &its people respect unique #Indian culture&highly appreciatesupport.The depiction has already been removed.is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect&friendship.  Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) May 1, 2023

The Defence Ministry of Ukraine on April 30th posted a tweet that depicted a unique yet offensive blend of American actress Marilyn Monroe in her famous 'flying skirt' pose, with the face and detailing resembling the Hindu Goddess 'Maa Kali' in the background of a blast. The tweet had the caption "Work of art," and featured an improvised picture by Ukrainian artist Maksym Palenko. However, this post received massive backlash and sparked outrage among netizens, leading to the Ministry deleting the tweet.

Several netizens expressed their disapproval of the tweet and called out the Ministry for being insensitive and offensive towards the Hindu faith.

One of the netizens tweeted, "Shocking! Official handle of Ukraine Defense Ministry is portraying Maa Kali in a demeaning pose. This is not a work of art. Our faith is not a matter of joke. Take it down and apologise @DefenceU"

Meanwhile, another Twitter user said, "Hurting sentiments of 1.4 billion Indians is not Okay @DefenceU. This is a blatant display of Hinduphobia by Ukraine's defence ministry. Please remove this."

"Shame on you for making such cartoons and insulting our faith! Utterly disgusting attempt," tweeted another user.

While artistic creativity and freedom of expression are essential, it is crucial to show respect and sensitivity towards religious sentiments. Such depictions of religious figures can be deeply offensive and hurtful to people of that faith.
At least eight people are suspected to have been buried after an avalanche in the Darchula district of far-west Nepal. A team of Armed Police Force along with local enforcement officials have been deployed to the site.

While the affected individuals have not yet been identified around eight yarsagumba collectors are believed to be missing. Local media reports suggested that around 8-9 people who had gone in search of caterpillar fungus were sheltering in a tent when the avalanche occurred.

The incident took place at Bolin in the Vyas Rural Municipality-1 at around 2:45 pm on Tuesday.
CAIRO : Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners joined growing crowds at Sudan's main seaport Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation. After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital of Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table. The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle" on a weeklong cease-fire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks. The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

View Full Image European, Asian and African nationals prepare to board a ship to Saudi Arabia, at Port Sudan, Sudan (Photo: Reuters)

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Burhan and Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt. Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the country's Red Sea coast. The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

View Full Image Sudanese and foreigners arrive in Port Sudan, the country's main seaport, as they wait to be evacuated out of Sudan, Monday May 1, 2023 (Photo: AP)

Much of the capital has become empty," said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday. He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now, everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat. Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

View Full Image A picture taken on April 30, 2023, shows membres of the US military preparing to assist US nationals fleeing war-torn Sudan in boarding an evacuation vessel in Port Sudan amid ongoing deadly clashes between Army forces and paramilitaries (Photo: AFP)

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air. Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later Tuesday, Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late Monday. They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt. Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting. He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies," he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighboring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to U.N. agencies. Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said at a news briefing Tuesday in Geneva. At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said. Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky cease-fire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped," said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate. Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 wounded since the fighting began, according to figures provided Tuesday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. The Sudanese Health Ministry said it counted at least 550 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with more than 4,900 wounded as of Monday.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there has been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting cease-fire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudan's former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and Western diplomats in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately," he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in Oct. 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo, then allies, removed Hamdok's Western-backed transitional government in a coup.
Met Gala, one of the biggest nights in fashion globally, is back with its new edition. The fashion event is attended by politicians, celebrities, and models who celebrate the opening of an annual fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where stars have begun to hit the red carpet at Met Gala 2023.

The annual fundraiser began in 1948. Publicist Eleanor Lambert came up with the idea to raise money for the newly opened Costume Institute exhibit.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian is known for appearing in bizarre looks at Met Gala. However, this year she kept it simple yet classy in honor of the late legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Kim hit the Met Gala 2023 red carpet in a Schiaparelli dress that is "dripping in pearls." She elevated the outfit with a massive diamond-and-pearl choker, diamond stud earrings, white sandals encrusted with pearls, and a matching pearl anklet.

Kim made her Met Gala debut in 2013. At that time, she was pregnant with her first child North West. She walked the red carpet in a custom Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress created out of floral printed jersey with grommet details that attached the sleeves, turtleneck and perfectly matched gloves and shoes, People reported.

Here are the red carpet looks from the Met Gala 2023,

1) Kendall Jenner

View Full Image Kendall Jenner poses at the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty', in New York City, New York, U.S., May 1, 2023. (REUTERS)

2) Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham

View Full Image Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham pose at the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty', in New York City, New York, U.S., May 1, 2023. (Reuters)

3) Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner

View Full Image Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner pose at the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty', in New York City, New York, U.S., May 1, 2023. (Reuters)

4) Alia Bhatt

View Full Image Alia Bhatt poses at the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme in New York City, New York, U.S., May 1, 2023. (Reuters)

5) Pete Davidson and Michele Yeoh

View Full Image Pete Davidson and Michele Yeoh pose at the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme. (Reuters)

Vogue's Met Gala red carpet livestream kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET on May 1; fans can follow all the action on Vogue.com, as well as on the fashion bible's Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Indian audience -- It's May 2 for you all.
India has surpassed China in sending more students to the United States in 2022, according to a report. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in its annual report mentioned that India sent 64,300 students to America in 2022 while China's number shrunk to 24,796.

The number of students from China and India made Asia the most popular continent of origin. Comparable to the drop from the calendar year 2020 to 2021, China sent fewer students in 2022 compared to 2021 (-24,796), while India sent more students ( 64,300)," the report said.

According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the number of international students enrolled at kindergarten through grade 12 schools increased by 7.8% from 2021 to 2022 ( 3,887). No K-12 schools hosted more than 700 international students in the calendar year 2022, similar to the calendar year 2021, the report added.

There were 117,301 pre and post-completion optional practical training (OPT) students with both an employment authorisation document (EAD) and who reported working for an employer in the calendar year 2022, compared to 115,651 in the calendar year 2021  a 1.4% increase, it said.

Last year 7,683 SEVP-certified schools were eligible to enroll international students, a decrease of 400 schools from 2021 (8,038 schools), it said.

Among the US states, California hosted 225,173 international students last yearthe largest percentage of international students at 16.5%, the report said.

There were 276,723 active exchange visitors in the United States in 2022 compared to 240,479 active exchange visitors in 2021  a 15% rise.

The report said 46% (6,21,347) of all active SEVIS records hailed from either China (3,24,196) or India (2,97,151) one percentage point fewer than in 2021.

The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records coming from Asia increased by 68,678 from the calendar year 2021 to the calendar year 2022, with student record trends varying across different countries.

70% of all international students in the United States call Asia home. Other Asian countries that sent fewer students in 2022 compared to the previous year include Saudi Arabia (-4,115), Kuwait (-658), and Malaysia (-403), respectively.
More than 20,000 Russian soldiers were killed and over 100,000 were wounded since December 2022, White House official John Kirby said, according to CNN.

While talking to reporters, Kirby, on Monday, said that Russia has "exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces" and since December, the US estimates Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action.

Kirby, who serves as National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, noted that nearly half of those casualties were fighters with the Russian private company Wagner.

Kirby lambasted a recent assertion from Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who said Sunday that his group had only suffered 94 casualties. Kirby called Prigozhin's comments "just a ludicrous claim."

Pressed on the source of the new 100,000 figure, Kirby said it was "based on some downgraded intelligence that we've been able to collect." He declined to provide information on Ukrainian casualties, noting that the US has "never" provided such information and would defer to Ukraine on the matter, reported CNN.

Kirby added that the Ukrainians "are the victims here, Russia is the aggressor, and I'm simply not going to put information in the public domain that's going to, again, make it any harder for the Ukrainians."

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military said that it is locked in a "positional struggle" as fierce fighting continues to rage in Bakhmut, adding it has been able to push back Russian forces after a series of counterattacks.

"I can definitely confirm the information that the enemy in Bakhmut left some positions after some of our counterattacks," Serhii Cherevatyi, the spokesperson for the Eastern Grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told a national broadcaster.

"There is a positional struggle there," Cherevatyi said, explaining that the frontline was constantly shifting.

"Sometimes the enemy has some success after a powerful artillery strike and the destruction of infrastructure, and they can move forward. But we counterattack and often win back our positions after inflicting fire on the enemy," Cherevatyi added.

Earlier, a Russian freight train derailed on Monday in the western region of Bryansk bordering Ukraine after an "explosive device" detonated on the rail tracks, the local governor said, according to The Moscow Times.

"An unidentified explosive device went off, as a result of which a locomotive of a freight train derailed," Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram.

Bogomaz said the device went off "on the 136th kilometre" of the railroad between regional hub Bryansk and the town of Unecha, towards the border with Ukraine. "There were no casualties," he added.

Pictures shared on social media showed several of a train's tank carriages laying on their side and dark grey smoke billowing into the air at the site of the derailment, in the Bryansk region.

The attack came a day after a Ukrainian strike killed four people in a Russian village in the Bryansk region and as Kyiv prepared for a widely expected counter-offensive, reported The Moscow Times.

Meanwhile, Russia's defence ministry says its forces had carried out missile strikes against Ukrainian military targets overnight, state-owned Ria news agency reported.

The defence ministry said all its designated targets, including weapons depots and ammunition factories, had been hit.
"Bruno Schulz: An Artist, a Murder, and the Hijacking of History"

By Benjamin Balint

Norton. 307 pp. $30

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"Nocturnal Apparitions: Essential Stories"

By Bruno Schulz; translated by Stanley Bill

Pushkin Press. 236 pp. $18

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In 1892, Bruno Schulz was born into a family of largely secular Jews in the Galician city of Drohobycz. In 1942, he was murdered, and in between he had lived within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic, the interwar Polish Second Republic, the Soviet occupation and the Nazi Generalgouvernement. His bones rest in an unknown grave in what is today Ukraine.

Across those 50 years, he produced a small body of literature marked by profound and miraculous transformations. (Just two collections and a handful of uncollected stories survive.) "Nocturnal Apparitions," a selection of 14 stories newly translated by Stanley Bill, provides an accessible, exhilarating introduction to Schulz's oeuvre. In these stories, the calendar sprouts "a false, thirteenth month," a neighborhood dissolves into paper, a storm bursts forth from the overstuffed attics of Drohobycz. Junk shops are portals to mythological realms, and religious visions emerge from quack medicine ads. Schulz's long, sinuous sentences pulse with possibility, flexing reality through their adjective stacks, their activation of inanimate objects, until the years freeze in place and begin to flow backward. "Could it be," he wrote in "The Age of Genius," "that time is too narrow for all events?" His literature attempted to carve out a sanctuary on the margin of time.

It is unclear when exactly Schulz began to write. He briefly studied architecture in modern-day Lviv, and initially dedicated himself to visual art. He appears to have published the story "Undula," his first, under the pseudonym Marceli Weron in 1922. Yet he did not publish anything more until his first collection, "Cinnamon Shops," in 1933. During this time, he taught drawing and handcrafts at the Drohobycz State Gymnasium, a job that the shy Schulz despised but could not quit. ("There was lavender water in him," recalled a friend, "where there should have been bile.") He also produced a good quantity of sketches, etchings and paintings displaying Schulz-like men prostrated in various sadomasochistic scenes before the women of Drohobycz.

Schulz was raised in a tightknit family, forever on the precipice of financial disaster. His mother, Henrietta, taught him German, while his father, Jakub, ran a series of largely unsuccessful shops from the ground floor of their house on the market square. This household, with its older siblings and servants, became the cradle of Schulz's literary mythology. His stories are told by the child Joseph, who narrates as if craning his neck upward toward the familial phantasmagoria: exasperated mother, erotically domineering servant Adela, and especially Jakub, the ailing father who shimmers at the center of so many stories, transforming into a fireman, a cockroach, a merchant magician.

By the time Schulz published his first stories, the world of his childhood was long gone. Jakub Schulz died in 1915, and the home on the square burned along with many others during World War I. Schulz's literary work became a project of resuscitating the past, and returning the dead to life. In the title story from his 1937 collection "The Sanatorium Under the Hourglass" (as Bill translates it), Joseph finds the deceased Jakub at a health resort where time has rewound itself, like a scarf unraveling into a ball of string. "We have reactivated past time with all its possibilities here," explains the presiding Dr. Gotard, "which also means the possibility of recovery." Yet Jakub lives a wan and denuded life. "From the point of view of your home, from the perspective of your homeland, your father has already died," Gotard says. "His death throws a certain shadow on his existence here." Recovery does not mean resurrection.

You will learn a bit of all this in Benjamin Balint's new book, "Bruno Schulz: An Artist, a Murder, and the Hijacking of History." Balint's is the second biography of Schulz to appear in English, after the 2003 translation of Polish writer Jerzy Ficowski's "Regions of the Great Heresy." He runs through the facts of Schulz's childhood and artistic life, but he devotes the majority of the book to Schulz's life under the Nazi occupation, his relationship with the Austrian SS officer Felix Landau and the aftermath of his death.

Recognizing Schulz's talent, Landau granted him status as a "necessary Jew," giving Schulz access to extra rations in exchange for demeaning artistic work. This included painting a group of fairy tale murals in the room occupied by Landau's children. In 2001, these murals were rediscovered by a German documentary filmmaker, only to be "repatriated" to Israel by representatives of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center, occasioning an international controversy (their transfer violated the laws of both Ukraine and Poland, as well as international law) and plenty of soul-searching about to whom the works properly belong.

"Bruno Schulz" covers similarly vexing questions as Balint's "Kafka's Last Trial" (2018), and he narrates in detail the discovery, removal and eventual public display of the murals in contention. Balint uses the events to probe questions of cultural and ethnic ownership, in particular the idea that Israel represents both the interests and the home of the Jewish people, and must therefore gather in all remnants of Jewish culture. In the epilogue, he quotes a range of parties, Jewish, Israeli, Polish and Ukrainian, each of whom believe they have the superior claim on Schulz's legacy.

Much of this is welcome - Ficowski's biography spends relatively little time on Schulz's final years, and Balint's reportage on the murals scandal is both briskly written and thorough; his ill-advised flights of pseudo-Schulzian prose are less successful. Yet this new book frequently feels like a missed opportunity. Unlike Kafka, Schulz still does not have his own full-dress biography originally written in English, something he has surely earned. But Balint is more interested in the great writer's enslavement and the aftermath of his death than in the vast majority of his life, including those years in which Schulz composed all of his published work. He devotes 72 pages to the first 47 years of Schulz's life (1892-1939) and 50 to the final three. Schulz's artistic peers, his influences, the circles in which he ran, the literary and artistic culture of the Second Republic, even the impact that Schulz's Jewishness had on his literary reputation and opportunities during his lifetime - these and other relevant points of context go either underexplored or unmentioned.

Balint's imbalance poses a genuine problem. To focus so intensely on Schulz's death without giving readers a proper sense of his life and world is to say that this man is significant for what he represents to us in our time, rather than to himself in his own. It turns life and literature into mere prelude. Who was the man who wrote those miraculous stories? What was the nature of that life destroyed on Nov. 19, 1942? "Bruno Schulz" doesn't do enough to answer these questions.

Even Balint seems to recognize this, concluding his epilogue by wringing his hands over "the myopic hindsight" of all those contesting Schulz's legacy. To act "as if his end were somehow inscribed in his beginnings, as if his fate were foreordained," leads us to emphasize the wrong things. Ultimately, anyone engaged in the act "diminishes and flattens [Schulz's] life." He could be describing his own book.

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Robert Rubsam is a writer and critic whose work has been published in the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic, the Baffler and the Nation.
Advertising Feature: This article is from a special section that was not produced by the newsroom.

Did you know that Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas is the top-rated water park in the United States?

When you combine hot weather, huge swimming pools, water slides, and other exciting attractions, you get a lot of fun for everyone in the family.

If you live in Texas or plan to visit the state, keep reading to learn about the top 10 Texas water parks to visit this summer.

400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas proves this sentiment. It's a world-class water park with 50+ water slides and other attractions.

Want to try surfing? Then check out the Boogie Bahn surf simulator. Its part of what makes Schlitterbahn one of the water parks in Texas worth visiting.

2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Looking for big indoor water parks in Texas with pools, rides, and slides? Try the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie, Texas.

The water park occupies 80,000 square feet of land and an outdoor wave pool if you like to do your splishing and splashing outside.

You can enjoy great outdoor and indoor water parks in Texas at Epic Waters.

18270 Singing Wood Ln, Flint, TX 75762

The Waterpark at the Villages in Flint, Texas is a 25,000-square-foot facility. Of that amount, 19,000 square feet are enclosed so it can be enjoyed year-round.

You can enjoy things like a lazy river and body slides when you visit the venue.

6602 Marsha Sharp Fwy W, Lubbock, TX 79407

Lubbock Water Rampage in Lubbock, Texas offers a gigantic wave pool, a lazy river, water slides, a pirate ship, and more. It's been open for more than three decades, but don't let that fool you. The water park is loads of fun.

It's one of the water parks in Texas that you and yours should check out.

10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251

If you visit Aquatica San Antonio, you can enjoy two separate venues. Aquatica San Antonio is owned by SeaWorld, which means you can enjoy what both places have to offer.

As for the water park, you can try the water slides, lazy rivers, and other attractions. If you have time, visit the SeaWorld theme park.

1895 Campfire Cir, Dallas, TX 75232

Are you looking for water parks in Dallas, Texas? The Bahama Beach Waterpark offers lots of family fun. You'll find a water playground for kids, water slides for adults and older children, a lazy river, and more.

490 Heritage Pkwy, Mansfield, TX 76063

When you go to the Hawaiian Falls Mansfield in Mansfield, Texas, you can try any of the 14 water slides spread out over the 14-acre facility.

For the kiddos, there's an interactive splash park. Your family will have loads of fun.

1000 Central E Fwy, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Castaway Cove Waterpark in Wichita Falls, Texas is a family-friendly venue with seven water attractions.

For instance, you can enjoy the lazy river, the Pirate's Plunge water slide featuring a vertical freefall from 37 feet, and more.

4400 Paige Rd, The Colony, TX 75056

This water park features seven rides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and more. If you have small children, they'll be delighted by the water park's rainforest attraction.

Adults and older kids will enjoy rides such as the Torpedo. It's a 65-foot freefall body slide.

21300 I-45, Spring, TX 77373

The Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is a 48-acre water park situated north of Houston. It has nine water slides, two pools, and two kid's areas. It's worth checking out if you want to visit fun water parks in Houston, Texas.

There are many Texas water parks to explore. Stay cool and have fun!
A group of local veterans is trying to make a big splash statewide as they have helped push for a bill that would extend G.I. Bill rights to other members of a military members families if unused.

After the death of Laredo's Lance Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, 20, in a 2021 suicide bombing attack at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, one veteran saw that there was something wrong when the fallen military member could not pass on his GI Bill benefits to someone else due to him not being married or having kids. As he was the big brother in his family, perhaps something could be done to provide those benefits to his siblings for their educational purposes.

Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning Times

Alex Wong /Getty Images

The bill

The writer of the bill is District 42 State Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, who believes the new bill will be an extension to what is provided already in the Hazlewood Act. This is a Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas.

The idea for this bill was brought to me by some constituents, Raymond said. I have long been a strong supporter of our veterans and their families. I felt it was a very good idea.

One of those constituents who pushed for the bill was Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9194 Post Adjutant Ricardo Quijano.

Quijano said the whole issue bothered him greatly when he met the Espinoza family. He also went to Afghanistan and didn't think it was right that if something had happened to him, his wife and daughter would have been taken care of while Espinoza's siblings were not.

Quijano said he talking to his boss, David Garza -- a county service officer at the Webb County Veterans Office -- about the issue. They brainstormed ways the siblings could receive benefits for their education until they came up with the plan for the bill. They felt the potential extension of the Hazlewood Act could benefit these service members' families in a new way.

When I met one of the brothers, he was already going to college to LC, and it is just something marvelous that they saw their big brother and saw something that he was doing something with his life, as he is going out and protecting the country. And then boom, he gets killed, Quijano said. They saw him as a role model, and thats what hurts. It hurts, but at the same time those feelings of anger and rage start coming in but turn that into something positive and proposed this.

After showing it to Raymond, he said the representative quickly agreed to help write and propose the bill to the Texas Legislature, as he acknowledged the state is very good at protecting veterans and their families.

Just like the Hazlewood Act provides at the moment, HB 2540 would not provide money for any living expenses, books or supply fees.

Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times

Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times

Family involvement

Espinozas mother, Elizabeth Holguin, said she was delighted by the bill even being considered for potential passing. It sits right now in the higher education committee in the Texas Legislature that is ongoing.

I honestly think that it is awesome because college is very expensive, and I believe that for what he sacrificed, it's just right for the siblings to have that access if it were to be approved, Holguin said. Since he passed, I mean why not give it out to his brothers and sisters? He already paid the ultimate sacrifice.

On May 4, Quijano said he and other constituents that supported the bill are supposed to have a conference call with legislators, members of the VFW and other local veteran organizations. Holguin may even have a chance to travel to Austin or speak during the call to lobby for the bill's passage.

It will be an honor to go to Austin and go speak about my son, and, as a matter of fact, Holguin said. I am willing to go speak about this bill in front of the Legislature to support this cause. I am sure that if he could be able to give this away knowing about his death, he would surely have chosen his siblings.

He wanted them to succeed.

Espinozas mother said that she has greatly appreciated all the love and support the family has received from the state and other governmental officials. She also thanked Raymond and others involved in the process of the bill. She said Espinoza was the guiding example for all of his younger siblings.

They always looked up to him, as he was putting up the example, Holguin said. They just want to go to college and do the best they can, like he did.

Courtesy/Sen. Judith Zaffirini's Office

Jason Mack/Laredo Morning Times

Gaining support

Another local official in Texas State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-21), who could be instrumental to get the bill passed in the Texas Senate if it passes the House, said she is fully in support of the motion.

I strongly and enthusiastically support House Bill (HB) 2540 by Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo), which would provide exemptions for tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education for the spouses and siblings of eligible military personnel, the state senator said. It is an expression of our respect for and gratitude toward their daily sacrifices and commitment to keep our families safe.

A 2019 survey by the Military Family Advisory Network indicated that approximately 48% of military spouses moved five or more times during their spouse's military career. Zaffirini said this frequent relocation can make it challenging for them to pursue higher education opportunities through no fault of their own and, in fact, while in service to their country.

HB 2540 would waive tuition and fees for military families to enroll in college classes, easing a difficult and expensive process, she said. While it has not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing, there is still time during our legislative session to move through the process and proceed to passage.

Even Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) -- who is in the U.S. Congress -- firmly stated his support for the bill and hopes it passes at the state level. He said he was part of reforming the G.I. Bill years ago and supported the current efforts.

I certainly think that it is a good idea, Cuellar said. I think what Richard is doing is a good idea, and I hope that he is successful.

Cuellar also recently proposed his own bill that would rename the Del Mar post office as the Lance Corporal Davie Lee Espinoza, Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez & Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr. Post Office Building -- honoring three local heroes that died in service.

Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning Times

Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times

Will it pass?

So far, optimism is high that the bill can become law.

Quijano urges all veterans who believe in the bill to call their local state representatives and make a push for it to become law.

Raymond said that he does feel it is something that can potentially has bipartisan support. He hopes to also discuss it with another local representative in Tracy King of District 80, but he said he expects their full pledge of support they see as necessary for the expansion of veterans rights.

I believe this bill has bipartisan support, the representative said. I expect the bill to have a hearing soon. When a veteran makes the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives in service of this country, the pain of that loss is felt by their entire family. Siblings are amongst those who suffer this devastating loss. I felt it was a good idea to extend the benefits of a higher education to their siblings.

Espinozas mother is very grateful to see people continue to remember their son and politicians try to help those like him and their families get the benefits needed.

I am really grateful for the work being done by policymakers to pass certain bills that can eventually protect other families in the future, Holguin said. I am even more grateful for the fact that he has not yet been forgotten.

Like they say in the military, You may die once, but somebody truly dies when they are completely forgotten, and my son has not been forgotten.
A man was arrested for threatening to kill his relatives during a domestic disturbance, according to Laredo police.

Mathew Alexander Copenhagen, 29, was served with arrest warrants on April 19 charging him with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Laredo police officers responded to a domestic disturbance reported on Jan. 9 in the 1400 block of Road Runner Street.

Authorities met with a woman and her stepfather. Both stated they were threatened and feared for their lives, according to the arrest affidavit.

The woman stated that her brother, Copenhagen, got upset after her 4-year-old daughter began to laugh when Copenhagen spilled some coffee on his shirt.

Copenhagen then tried putting salsa on the childs face. When the mother tried to defend her daughter, Copenhagen called her and her daughter a b----, court documents state.

Copenhagen then stated, I will break that bastards neck as Copenhagen pointed to her 3-month-old son, according to the affidavit.

The woman called her stepfather to come to the house after the argument between her and Copenhagen got worse. Copenhagen then stated that he was calling people he knows in Mexico to pick her up and kill her, according to the court documents.

Copenhagen then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and threatened to kill the stepfather before departing the area, according to court documents.
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CAIRO (AP)  Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners joined growing crowds at Sudan's main seaport Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation. After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital of Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table. The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a weeklong cease-fire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks. The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Burhan and Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt. Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the country's Red Sea coast. The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday. He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now, everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat. Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air. Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later Tuesday, Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late Monday. They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt. Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting. He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies," he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighboring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to U.N. agencies. Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said at a news briefing Tuesday in Geneva. At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said. Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky cease-fire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate. Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 wounded since the fighting began, according to figures provided Tuesday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. The Sudanese Health Ministry said it counted at least 550 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with more than 4,900 wounded as of Monday.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there has been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting cease-fire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudan's former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and Western diplomats in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately," he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in Oct. 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo, then allies, removed Hamdok's Western-backed transitional government in a coup.

___

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
The president of Georgias oldest historically Black public university is resigning amid financial challenges that sparked employee layoffs and a faculty revolt against one of the top administrators
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Longford residents are objecting to a proposed wind turbine development.

Natural Forces Renewable Energy Ltd (Natural Forces) have lodged a planning application with Longford County Council seeking to construct one Enercon E138 Wind Energy Converter on an 81m tower with an electrical rating of 4.2MW and an overall tip height of 149.38m at Lissanore, Co Longford.

Lissanore is located between Edgeworthstown and Lisryan, and local residents have expressed 'huge concern' about the proposal.

They are unhappy with the 'excessive height' at 149.38m of the proposed wind turbine and the impact it will have visually and on property prices.

The issues of 'adverse health effects', 'noise pollution' and 'shadow flicker' have also been highlighted in an objection already submitted to the local authority against the planning application which was received by the County Council on April 19.

Planners are due to adjudicate on the application by June 13 next and the closing date for receipt of submissions from the general public or interested parties is May 23.

Other concerned residents say the 'massive' wind turbine being proposed will be significantly higher than the Dublin Spire which is 120 metres high.

They are worried about the impact on local wildlife and believe a wind turbine on this scale isn't in keeping with the efforts to promote Edgeworthstown, the home of Maria Edgeworth, as a tourism destination.

The proposed development will also entail the installation of the hard standing area for the Wind Energy Converter and the installation of underground circuit cables which will run in underground cable trenches (c.1.2m deep), from the proposed Wind Energy Converter to the proposed substation building on the site.

Natural Forces Renewable Energy Ltd also intend to construct a substation building which will be located c. 98m from the proposed wind turbine and surrounded by stock proof fencing. It will be a single storey building, measuring 55m2 and c.4.8m in height. "Construction of proposed internal site access track, constructed from permeable material and which will run from the site entrance to the Wind Energy Converter hard standing area."

Also included in the planning application is all associated ancillary infrastructure and preparatory works such as provision of the site entrance.

On its website, Natural Forces says it is a private independent power producer that delivers renewable energy projects in partnership with local communities across Canada and Ireland.
School Bus Collision in East Meadow Leaves Children and Driver Injured

Local News

By Long Island Published: May 02 2023

A vehicular accident occurred in East Meadow involving a school bus and a Toyota pickup truck resulting in minor injuries to the bus driver, 13 children and the truck driver.

The Public Information Office reports the details of a Vehicular Accident that occurred on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 3:39 pm in East Meadow.

According to officers, a 2009 Toyota pickup truck traveling southbound on Old Westbury Road, was in a collision with a 2005 school bus in the vicinity of Melanie Drive.

The 66-year-old male operator of the school bus and 13 of the 41 children on board, ages kindergarten through 5 th Grade, were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The 57-year-old operator of the Toyota pickup truck suffered injuries to his hip and was transported to an area hospital, currently listed in stable condition.

NCPD Motor Carrier unit responded to inspect the vehicles. No criminality has
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: May 02 2023

An important part of our Long Island community is our fishing and marine industry, said Legislator Anker.

Suffolk County Legislator Anker and her Chief of Staff Dorothy Cavalier presented Certificates of Appreciation to Suffolk County Cornell Cooperative Extension and New York Sea Grant, who hosted the New York Seafood Summit.

An important part of our Long Island community is our fishing and marine industry, said Legislator Anker. Using and protecting local resources is essential to our marine health and economy.

New York Sea Grant, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension, industry, academic, and other professional seafood stakeholders, offers its annual "NY Seafood Summit." The goal of the summit is to convene a group of enthusiastic professionals with vested interest in seafood to build active communications between the various sectors of New York's seafood industry. Each year, at the summit aims to highlight some of New Yorks bountiful seafood supply and introduce participants to the delicious, diverse, and versatile seafood available locally.

NYSG was thrilled to work with partners, including Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE), on the 7th annual New York Seafood Summit. The event held in Riverhead was the final of three sessions held at venues across the state and focused on Innovations in New York Fishing and Marketing, said NYSG Director Rebecca L. Shuford, Ph.D. Dynamic presentations and dialog benefitted from the participation and perspectives of commercial fishing industry members, seafood retailers, extension specialists, county and state legislators, and other interested stakeholders  leading to forward looking ideas and recommendations for cross-sector collaborations in support of NY Seafood.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: May 02 2023

Alfred DiGirolomo, Jr. allegedly stole attorney fees and settlement funds from purported client; previously pled guilty to felony Grand Larceny charges with automatic disbarment for two separate schemes.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a disbarred attorney has been re-arrested for allegedly practicing law without authorization and stealing $21,500 from a client in supposed attorney fees and settlement funds he falsely claimed he had negotiated on behalf of his client.

Alfred DiGirolomo, Jr., 67, of Manhasset, was arraigned yesterday before Judge Joseph Nocella on charges of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a D felony) and Practice of Law by an Attorney who has been disbarred, suspended, or convicted of a felony (an A misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison.

The defendant previously pleaded guilty to grand larceny charges and was disbarred. DiGirolomo was sentenced on March 22, 2021, for both cases by Judge Teresa Corrigan to 1 and 1/3 years to 4 years in prison, and he was ordered to pay $680,000 of restitution by civil judgment.

The next scheduled court date is April 27, 2023.

Less than two months after pleading guilty to grand larceny charges and losing his license to practice law, this defendant allegedly solicited purported attorney fees from an existing client and defiantly continued to provide representation, said DA Donnelly. The defendant allegedly falsely told his client that he resolved the underlying matter, stole more than $21,000 from him, and ultimately caused him to receive a notice of default on the case for failing to appear at multiple court dates.

DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, between April 2019 and February 2021, DiGirolomo, despite having been disbarred from practicing law effective April 4, 2019, allegedly continued to work with a client who had hired him in 2016 to represent him in a civil matter.

DiGirolomo allegedly requested $5,000 in purported attorney fees on two separate occasions in September 2019 and November 2019, after the defendant had been disbarred.

The defendant also allegedly made false representations to his client that he was able to negotiate a settlement that would resolve the civil matter, in which his client was the defendant, for $11,500. The victim provided the defendant with the funds in December 2019, believing the matter had been resolved.

NCDAs investigation revealed that the plaintiff in the civil case had not agreed to settle the matter, and that DiGirolomo had allegedly made an offer that had been rejected. The defendant allegedly continued to hold himself out as an attorney after his client believed the case had been settled, corresponding with the plaintiffs attorney and the court.

In July 2022, the victim received a Notice of Default from the court and learned that his case had not been resolved, that the matter had appeared on the courts calendar multiple times where DiGirolomo failed to appear, and that the case was, in fact, still pending in court.

Senior Investigative Counsel Jennifer Contreras of the Financial Crimes Bureau is prosecuting this case. Kim Kaufmann of the Legal Aid Society represents the defendant.
Health & Wellness

By Chris Boyle Published: May 02 2023

NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates Offers Comprehensive Care Across Three Sites.

NYU Langone Health and South Shore Neurologic Associates today join forces, enhancing access to high-quality specialized care in Suffolk County with three NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates locations in Patchogue, Riverhead, and Islip.

As the premier provider for neurologic care on Long Island, South Shore Neurologic Associates today joins the No. 1 ranked health system in New York State and the No. 1 ranked neurology and neurosurgery program in the nation, said Andrew Rubin, senior vice president for clinical affairs and ambulatory care at NYU Langone. With a shared commitment to high-quality care, together we will better meet the needs of our diverse patient population.

NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates grows NYU Langones footprint on Long Island, with more than 100 practices, and complements clinical services at outpatient care centers in Patchogue and Riverhead. A single electronic health record system, the NYU Langone Health app, and NYU Langone Health MyChart connect the entire health system, so patients can find all of their health information in one place.

NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates

Specialists at NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates offer a wide range of neurology care across three sites, including:

diagnostic testing

physical therapy through Rusk Rehabilitation

pain management

acupuncture

chiropractic care

clinical research trials

comprehensive services for multiples sclerosis, headache and migraine, and epilepsy

Infusion services are available nearby.

One of NYU Langones largest practice transitions, the care team at NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates brings 20,000 patients and 200 employees, including 6 nurse practitioners, 7 physical therapists, and 12 physicians. There are also plans to expand onsite services.

Our guiding principal since 1982, when Dr. Henry Moreta and Dr. Norman L. Chernik founded the practice, has always been to put our patients first, said Edward Firouztale, DO, DSc, adjunct assistant professor of neurology at NYU Long Island School of Medicine, and a former partner at South Shore Neurological Associates. While weve worked with NYU Langone for many years, joining the NYU Langone family allows us to continue to grow and provide our patients with greater access to comprehensive care closer to home.

Suffolk County Expansion

In addition to the neurologic program expansion in Suffolk County, NYU Langone will also welcome a multisite orthopedic practice and physicians who specialize in hand surgery, womens health, and interventional cardiology, bringing specialized care closer to patients where they live and work.
The AirTag from Apple is a compact tracking device that has an extremely long life and precise locating ability in the right circumstances. Unlike a GPS tracker, which requires cell service and may drain a battery quickly, an AirTag relies on the distributed Find My network of iPhones, iPads, and Macs that hundreds of millions of people around the world carry with them, and uses Bluetooth LE to signal that hardware.

While there are a thousand positive and legitimate ways to use an AirTag, it can be abused when someone tracks you without your knowledge, which potentially exposes you to a dangerous situation. For example, back in December 2021, the York regional police department in Canada announced that AirTags were being placed in hidden areas of target cars parked in public, and then tracked to the drivers residence, where the cars are stolen while parked in the driveway. In another incident, a woman claimed that she found an AirTag hidden in her wheel well after her iPhone alerted her to an AirTag moving with her. State governments in New York and Pennsylvania have issued warnings about the misuse of AirTags and similar tracking devices.

Incidents like this are rare (at the time, York police said there had been five AirTag-involved thefts out of 2,000 in the region). Apple has put some safeguards in place so that an iPhone, iPad, and AirTag provide varying alerts and information if the owner who paired the AirTag with their iPhone or iPad isnt nearby. There are tools built into the iPhone to find and disable AirTags as well as an Android app that will scan for AirTags nearby.

In May 2023, Apple and Google announced a joint initiative to allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms. A production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts is targeted for release by the end of 2023 for future versions of iOS and Android.

AirTag Read our review

You probably know already if youre a candidate for involuntary tracking: someone in your life (or formerly so) or a family member may show up at unexpected times in unexpected places when they have no reason to know youre there. They may comment in person, via email, or otherwise about your activities or whereabouts. Or youre in the middle of or long past a nasty break-up of a relationship or marriage or have broken off contact with a parent or family members.

Whatever the case, if youre in need of help, consult the National Domestic Violence Hotline or more specialized resources for victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and other violence listed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Local law enforcement, the FBI, or national police in other countries also offer resources.

How an AirTag can track you

Because AirTags dont register proximity except to the owner, the only way it can be used to gather information about you is if it travels with you. An AirTag in your home, office, or classroom wont reveal anything to someone trying to keep tabs. That reduces the surface area of unwanted surveillance because the AirTag has to be in your clothes, wallet, or purse, something else youre carrying, or in a vehicle youre in and using exclusively or at least regularly.

If youre traveling regularly through urban and suburban areas or on public transportation, other peoples devices will still pick up and relay location information about any AirTag thats with you. That can include something as innocuous as pulling over to a rest area on a highway, and someone 50 feet away has an iPhone, or even driving on a highway near other people who have iPhones or iPads connected to a cellular network.

Bluetooth LEs range is surprisingly long. I found that an AirTag I temporarily placed in my car, parked two flights of stairs down from our ground floor and about 50 feet from the house still provided regular updates about its location via devices I ownednot to mention those of neighbors walking or driving by.

Everyones devices participate in relaying secured, privacy-protecting location information about their devices and AirTags unless they opt out of the Find My network. That makes everyone around you a potential participant in tracking you via an AirTag you dont know about.

Once the AirTag is in your possession it will relay its location to the owner via the Find My network and other Bluetooth devices.

How to know you are being tracked by an AirTag

Apple issues alerts to let someone know that theres an AirTag near them that isnt associated with their iCloud account. These alerts happen after some period of time or while youre moving and the AirTag is moving with you.

Should an unknown AirTag be tracking you you will see an alert that will state: AirTag Found Moving With You. Apple will invite you to open the Find My app on your iPhone to go through various options to disable the tracking and locate the AirTag, discussed below. (Incidentally, you may also see an alert for other devices moving with you, such as AirPods and other Bluetooth trackers).

Apple recognizes that it could be an innocent case of having borrowed an item from someone with an AirTag attached or inside it, so one of the options is to Pause Tracking Notifications.

To make sure you will receive an alert like this follow these steps:

You will need to have an iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 14.5 or later.

Open the Find My app. Tap the Me tab. Tap Customise Tracking Notifications. Make sure the Allow Notifications slider is green (it should be by default).

Via the alert, you can see how long this AirTag has been with you. You can also see a map of the locations where the AirTag has been tracked in your possession, which may give you an indication of where you picked it up.

How to find an AirTag thats tracking you

Luckily Apple makes it easy to locate the AirTag that is tracking you. Heres what to do if you have seen a warning from Apple that an AirTag is following.

One option is to use Apples Find My app to manually scan for AirTags near you using the Items That Can Track Me option in the Items tab.

If you have an Android phone, you can also check for unknown AirTags moving with you using the Tracker Detect app. Its far less robust than Apples Find My app and needs to be run manually.

1. Play a sound to locate the AirTag

You may find that the tracking AirTag will play a sound once it has been separated from its owner for a time and then moves.

This happens after what Apple calls an extended period of time away from its paired iPhone or iPad (the company has disclosed elsewhere that this is three days). After this period, an AirTag makes a beep whenever its moved. If you hear an unexpected beep from something youre carrying or within your vehicle, then its time to engage in the hunt for an AirTag.

The audio alert winds up being less useful than one might hope. If a stalker or other person engaged in surveillance can come within range of the AirTag at least every three days, and they know you dont have an iPhone or iPad thats running 14.5 or later, they can reset that counter. The beep thats made isnt ongoing or particularly loud, and it can be muffled without blocking the Bluetooth signal substantially.

If you havent heard a beep, or want to hear it again, you can force the AirTag to play a sound.

If you have received an alert about an AirTag that is traveling with you and want it to make a sound follow these steps:

Tap Apples Alert. Tap Continue. Tap Play Sound.

You will have the option to play the sound again.

You may find that there is no option to play a sound, in that case, the item may no longer be near you or it may be back in range of its owner,.

Another reason why you may not be able to find the AirTag is that it may have changed its identifier (which happens regularly). The Bluetooth ID produced by an AirTag, and by all Apple devices that participate in Find My crowdsourcing, changes on a regular basis to avoid becoming a reverse tracking item: if it were persistent, then someone could track your devices based on the anonymous Bluetooth ID. That means that your iPhone or iPad has to notice an AirTag moving with it over a relatively short period of time.

Another possibility is that the AirTag speaker has been disabled. After reports of people disabling AirTag speakers, Apple announced that it would add a notification along with the sound on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch it is moving with. Apple also says it will adjust the tone sequence that plays when a user has an unknown AirTag traveling with them to make an unknown AirTag easier to find. In a 2022 firmware update version 1.0.301, Apple tweaked the unwanted tracking sound to more easily locate an unknown AirTag.

If you own the AirTag it is easy to locate it using the Find My app on an iPhone or iPad to play an audible sound on the AirTag. As part of macOS 13.1, this feature also came to the Find My app on Macs.

2. Use Precision Finding to find the AirTag

As well as the option to play a sound the alert will also give you the option to use Precision Finding if that is available on your device. Your iPhone would need to support Ultra Wideband via the U1 chip to precisely locate an AirTag, which includes iPhone 11 and later.

If Apples Alert gives you the option for directions tap Go and you should see directional arrows pointing you in the right direction and a guide to the distance between you and the device. This should help you locate it.

3. Search for the AirTag

If you didnt manage to get it to make a sound and Precision Finding wasnt the answer for you you will need to look for the AirTag.

An AirTag (underside) Apple

The first step is to get familiar with what it looks like. If you havent seen an AirTag before, consult Apples site. They have a rounded white top and a silver base, are somewhat larger than an American quarter or a dollar/pound/single unit coin in many countries, and about three to four times thicker.

As we mentioned earlier, the AirTag has to be moving with you for Apple to have sent the alert, so look inside things that you have with you when you move around:

Check pockets: In clothing, not just pockets but also check inside the lining or anywhere it could have been sewn in.

In clothing, not just pockets but also check inside the lining or anywhere it could have been sewn in. Check bags : Look inside purses, luggage, messenger bags, and other items, unzip and also feel for an AirTag thats been placed or sewn in.

: Look inside purses, luggage, messenger bags, and other items, unzip and also feel for an AirTag thats been placed or sewn in. Check belongings : Someone could have posted you an item with an AirTag in it.

: Someone could have posted you an item with an AirTag in it. Examine your car: A car may have a number of locations that are unreachable or hard to check. Because an AirTag has as long as a years worth of power, someone might wrap it in cotton (to stifle the beep it may make; see below), slit a fabric seam, slip it in, and sew it back up. Parking your car away from homes and businesses and using a Bluetooth scanner can help you pinpoint if one is in your car.

Even if someone doesnt have access to your home, work, school, or vehicle, and you dont receive mail at the address at which you liveyou might use a P.O. box or another persons addresssomeone could ship you an item with an AirTag in it, and when you take that home, they could have your location. If youre in that specific situation, you may need to examine all packages received elsewhere before bringing them home.

4. Find the AirTag using a Bluetooth scanner

Because AirTag regularly emits Bluetooth signals that Apple devices can pick up, you can use a simple Bluetooth tracker for iOS or iPadOS to scan the area around you and see if an AirTag is nearby. While these tracking apps cant identify AirTag as suchAirTag changes its Bluetooth ID regularly to avoid being trackable themselvesthe apps give you the lay of the landscape. That includes the names of Bluetooth devices that do label themselves in their broadcasts.

BLE Scanner is a limited but free app that provides a list of Bluetooth devices your iPhone or iPad can detect, and offers a mapping feature that roughly sorts them by signal strength into distance away. This is particularly useful if youre checking out whether a car has a hidden AirTag; less so inside when there may be dozens of your own and neighbors devices close enough to register. Regular Bluetooth devices typically identify themselves generically (like my HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 series printer) or specifically, as with the sharing name of your Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, FitBit trackers, and so on.

Bluetooth BLE Device Finder (free to download, but $4.99 to unlock needed features) has the advantage of letting you drill down into Bluetooth technical details, which may give additional clues about which devices are legitimate and not.

Bluetooth scanning apps can provide cues about unknown devices near you, which may include AirTags.

If you can eliminate all known Bluetooth devices, including by powering down equipment that youre unsure of, and whats left has no associated name, it can be worth looking further by hand.

How to stop an AirTag tracking you

There are a number of ways you can stop the AirTag from tracking you. Well run through them all below.

1. Opt out of the Find My network

While you cant stop other iPhone, iPad, and Mac users from relaying the location of the AirTag, you can at least opt yourself out of the Find My network, though this removes your ability to track your own lost or stolen iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, or an AirTag through this extended network. Earlier versions of iOS and macOS dont include support for the Find My network.

In iOS 13 or iPadOS 14 or later go to Settings > Account name > Find My > Find My iPhone/iPad, and disable Find My network.

In macOS 10.15 Catalina or later, go to the Apple ID preference pane, select the iCloud link at left, click the Options button to the right of the Find My Mac item, and uncheck Offline Finding or Find My network (the text varies by macOS version).

Disabling the Find My network prevents your devices from tracking AirTags or other Find My items and devices near you.

If you find an AirTag, you can safely determine more information about it without disclosing to the person who planted it that youve done so. The AirTag includes NFC, useful both for pairing the device initially and for letting any smartphone or tablet with an NFC reader pull up a URL from the device. That includes Android phones and other hardware, as it uses an industry standard for NFC encoding. On following the URL, youre taken to a page that contains the AirTags serial number. That page can also show a phone number set by the owner if they marked it lost. The owner isnt notified in any fashion about the page being loaded, and Apple preserves the owners privacy by providing no direct linkage at all.

An NFC transmitter lets you pick up information about an AirTag you discover.

However, in the case of unwanted tracking, the serial number may help if you pursue civil action, want to obtain a restraining order, or contact law enforcement. Because AirTag tracking requires device pairing, an iCloud account, and an iPhone or iPad thats logged into the account, anyone actively tracking you is also producing a trail of information stored on their phone, across the cellular network, and in other places.

A found AirTag displays its serial number via the NFC link and Apple provides instructions on how to disable it.

Apple uses end-to-end encryption to protect the location information sent from an arbitrary device to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which has to use the Find My app to view it. But the information isnt secured in the same way on the device. Police and national investigators would be able to create a close association of logins and access, as well as prove that an AirTag was paired with a specific iPhone or iPad. This may deter abusers and others somewhat if theyre aware of how easily they can be tracked back.

3. Disable the AirTag

Once youve found the AirTag and obtained the information you want from it, you dont need a hammer or rock to disable it. Unlike most of Apples hardware, the AirTag has a removable battery.
Training Developer at the Noncommissioned Officers Academy on Fort Novosel Staff Sgt. Deanna Lucchesi was the featured speaker at the John Coffee National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recent meeting during National Defense Month.

Lucchesi was awarded a Purple Heart in 2022 for her actions while assigned to the 82nd Aviation Regiment at Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq, where her unit came under attack by the largest ballistic missile operation ever perpetuated against U.S. forces.

Multiple Iranian Qiam-1 short range ballistic missiles struck the hangers, maintenance facilities, living quarters, and other support facilities primarily used by Task Force Scarecrow personnel.

A warning of an imminent threat had been received. Within minutes one missile hit near her location and a second one hit shortly thereafter. Lucchesi helped relocate other soldiers in bunkers out of harms way, as fire was spreading from one of the ballistic missiles.

As she took accountability and reported up the chain of command, at least two ballistic missiles impacted the ground 25 meters of her position, resulting in her concussion and injury.
LIVONIA, MICH.  The Dallas Intermediate School District celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year finalist Laura Trevino, '09, W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy.

Laura Trevino teaches eighth-grade English-language arts at W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy. She is an educator by accident and a writer by trade. Through an education posting in Kazakhstan with the Peace Corps, Trevino learned what teaching was all about and fell in love with the transformative power of education. After her tour in the Peace Corps, Trevino worked with AmeriCorps to train Texas teaching fellows to impact their students with the nonprofit Citizen Schools. Trevino knew she belonged in the classroom and became a certified Texas teacher. Eight years later, she has no plans to leave teaching behind but extends her reach beyond the classroom, including curriculum writing with the Texas Education Agency and Pearson. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Madonna University and a Master of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington.
LIVONIA, MICH.  Madonna Universitys Lyric Theatre recently concluded their production of Brigadoon: The Musical with resounding success. The shows themes of love, tradition, and power of magic captivated audiences and left them in awe of the talented performers who brought the story to life. Set in Scotland, the shows themes of love, tradition, and the power of magic were expertly portrayed by the cast, capturing the hearts of all who saw it.

Barb Wiltsie, founder and Director of Madonnas Lyric Theatre, was delighted with the students enthusiasm and growth throughout the rehearsal process, making it her favorite part of the production. She also noted the unique aspects of the production, which included learning about Scottish culture, highland dancing, and even incorporating kilts (which she made herself).

Despite challenges with aging sound equipment, the production team worked tirelessly to ensure that everything was ready for opening night. Barb specifically thanked Madonnas media team, including Emma Kent, Dan and Sue Boyd, and Jeff Fleshner, among others, for their help in making sure everything ran smoothly.

The Lyric Theatre is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and Barbs tireless work and dedication to the theater company has provided countless opportunities for students and local residents to engage with the arts and enrich their lives through the power of theater. Former students have approached Barb, expressing that some of the happiest times of their lives were during their time with the Lyric Theatre. Barb credits her dedication to Madonnas mission, which emphasizes the respect and dignity for others, as a reason former students have found personal fulfillment, a sense of community, and happiness in theater.

Theater requires a deep understanding of human nature, empathy, and the ability to connect with others. By embodying different characters, actors are able to step outside themselves and gain a broader perspective on the world, which can foster personal growth and development. This is a testament to the transformative power of theater, and to the dedicated efforts of the Lyric theatres staff and students.

Looking back on the last 20 years, the Lyric Theatre has established a reputation for excellence, consistently delivering high-quality performances that showcase the skills and talents of its dedicated actors, directors, and crew. With Fiddler on the Roof set to take the stage next year, theres so much more to look forward to.

From the Madonna University community, thank you, Barb, for your unwavering commitment to our performing arts community over the last twenty years. Your dedication has proved that anythin is possible, even miracles.
Since his first musical statement on 2014s A Little Late EP, Loyle Carner has captured the imagination of the world with endless sincerity and unabashed openness. Now with three albums to his name and wildly successful collaborations with the likes of Tom Misch, Madlib, Jorja Smith and Jordan Rakei, Loyle has rightfully become one of British musics most celebrated figures.
Geneva-based Stoneweg Hospitality, the hotel investment arm of global real estate company Stoneweg, has acquired two hotels in Spain from Globalia Business Corporation, the Spanish tourism group, for 83 million. The investments have been made through a variety of Stonewegs discretionary funds and increase the Companys hospitality exposure by 25%, from 1,281 to 1,691 keys, as well as its weighting to the Balearic and Canary Islands to 62%, a region where record visitor numbers are forecasted in 2023.

La Nina is a 226-room, four-star hotel located in Costa Adeje, Tenerife, 200 metres from Playa Fanabe and Playa de la Pinta. Palace de Muro is a 184-room, five-star hotel in Muro, Mallorca, and is situated directly on Playa de Muro, considered one of the worlds best beaches. Both hotels feature multiple restaurants, bars and pools, as well as a spa and gym, as well as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) facilities.

Following the 2023 summer season, Stoneweg will undertake an extensive CapEx programme to refurbish and reposition the hotels.

Stoneweg Hospitality, which was established in 2021, currently owns a portfolio of seven prime hotels across Spain, which have been, or are in the process of being, repositioned through significant managerial turnarounds, CapEx programmes and reflagging strategies. This includes Alua Menorca, Casa Lit Barcelona or Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, which re-opened in March this year following a comprehensive refurbishment of its rooms & suites, and new common areas such as the Sun Society rooftop pool & restaurant and the show-dinner restaurant Nu Downtown.

The Spanish hospitality sector continues to recover strongly from the Covid-19 pandemic and this year it is predicted that the country will welcome a record 85 million foreign visitors, surpassing the previous highest of 83 million set in 2019. This is an increase of 17% on 2022 when 71 million foreign travellers visited Spain.

Miguel Casas, Managing Director of Stoneweg Hospitality, commented: This was a rare opportunity to establish a footprint in two of Spains top performing hospitality destinations, a market where the tourism sector has enjoyed an unprecedented post-covid rebound, and add two assets that complement our existing high-quality portfolio.

While already offering strong fundamentals in their own right, in line with our existing strategy, our highly experienced team will upgrade and reposition the assets in order to generate additional returns through the creation of differentiated products from a concept and branding perspective.
Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
Elizabeth Vickers was recently presented a certificate of appreciation from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, signed by President General of NSDAR Pamela Rouse Wright, for 10 years of dedicated service the organization.

The DAR is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States American Revolution.

A non-profit group, the members promote education and patriotism. Its motto is God, Home, and Country.

Vickers is a member of the John Coffee Chapter of NSDAR, with Jacque Hawkins serving as regent.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested two illegal aliens in separate operations in Cebu and Manila.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the foreigners, an American and a Chinese, were nabbed by operatives of the BI intelligence division in separate operations conducted in Carcar City and at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Tansingco said the aliens are currently detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while undergoing deportation proceedings for violating Philippine immigration laws.

BI intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. identified the American as 48-year-old Barry Lee Jordan who was cornered at his partners residence in Barangay Upper Buenavista, Carcar City.

Members of the BIs regional intelligence operations unit based in Cebu reported that Jordan had been overstaying in the country for more than seven years or since Dec. 27, 2015 when he last arrived as a tourist.

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Jordan reportedly failed to present any travel document when confronted by the arresting team, thus he will also be deported for being an undocumented alien.

Jordan was also charged for being an undesirable alien and considered a threat to the community. Videos of Jordan circulated on YouTube threatening a bartender with a knife.

Manahan also reported that elements from the BIs border control and intelligence group (BCIU) at the NAIA 3 terminal intercepted and arrested an Indian national who was caught with a fraudulent entry visa on his passport.

Harwinder Singh, 33, was about to board a flight to New Delhi when the immigration officer who processed him doubted the authenticity of the Philippine entry visa on his passport.

Examination conducted by the BIs forensic documents laboratory confirmed that the said visa was fake.

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The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy recently announced 26 grants totaling $97,681 to be distributed to local governments and nonprofit organizations for stream cleanup and monitoring through the Michigan Clean Water Corps program.

Benzie and Manistee Conservation Districts are among those slated to receive grant funds, with Benzie to receive $1,098 and Manistee receiving $2,000.

The MiCorps Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program provides grants to local units of government to clean and improve Michigan waterways.

Local governments often partner with nonprofits or other volunteer groups for the cleanups, which include removal of trash and other manmade debris from streams and stream banks.

The cleanup grant program began in 1998 and is funded by fees from the sale of Michigans specialty water quality protection license plates, available from the Secretary of States Office.

The following local governments were also selected to receive cleanup funding this year:

Branch Conservation District, $1,350;

City of Ann Arbor, $4,580;

City of Cheboygan, $4,999;

City of Flint, $3,731;

City of Lansing, $4,944;

Grand Traverse Conservation District, $2,867;

Muskegon Conservation District, $3,633;

Newaygo Conservation District, $5,000;

Van Buren Conservation District, $2,877; and

Joseph Conservation District, $1,865.

The MiCorps Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program provides grants to enable local governments and nonprofits to conduct volunteer-based water quality and stream habitat monitoring through benthic macroinvertebrate surveys and habitat assessments.

In addition to Manistee Conservation District, the organizations were selected to receive funding this year:

Startup grant

Wexford Conservation District, $4,990.

Implementation grants

Gogebic Conservation District; Black River Watershed Stream Monitoring, $19,490.

Muskegon Conservation District; Mona Lake Watershed Monitoring Program, $14,009.

Maintenance grants

Berrien Conservation District, $1,981;

Friends of the Rouge, $2,000;

Friends of the Shiawassee River, $2,000;

Grass River Natural Area, Inc., $1,254;

Kalamazoo Nature Center, $2,000;

Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, $1,999;

Joseph Conservation District, $1,976;

The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, $1,999;

Tip of the Mitt, $2,000;

Two Forks Conservancy, $1,039; and

Van Buren Conservation District, $2,000.

MiCorps was established in 2004 by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to engage the public in collecting water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs. MiCorps is administered for Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy by Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association and Huron River Watershed Council.
The Biden administration will send 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border amid an expected migrant surge following the end of pandemic-era restrictions, according to four administration officials.

Military personnel will do data entry, warehouse support and other administrative tasks so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can focus on fieldwork, the officials said. The troops will not do law enforcement work and will be sent down for roughly 90 days, though their presence can be extended if necessary. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly about the request because it had not yet been approved and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It wasnt clear when they would be deployed.

Read more: Joe Biden announces reelection bid for 2024 presidential election

The COVID-19 restrictions allowed U.S. officials to turn away tens of thousands of migrants crossing the southern border, but those restrictions will lift May 11 and border officials are bracing for an expected surge of migrants. Even amid the restrictions, the administration has seen record numbers of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and President Joe Biden has responded by cracking down on those who cross illegally, and by the creation of new pathways meant to offer alternatives to a dangerous and often deadly journey.

Bidens actions follow similar moves by former President Donald Trump who deployed active duty troops to the border to assist border patrol personnel in processing large migrant caravans, on top of National Guard forces that were already working in that capacity. There are already roughly 2,700 National Guard members at the border now.

The decision is another line of defense in an effort to manage overcrowding and other possible issues that might arise as border officials move away from the COVID-19 restrictions. Last week, administration officials announced they would work to swiftly screen migrants seeking asylum at the border, quickly deport those deemed as not being qualified, and penalizing people who cross illegally into the U.S. or illegally through another country on their way to the U.S. border.

They will also open centers outside the United States for people fleeing violence and poverty to apply to fly in legally and settle in the United States, Spain or Canada. The first processing centers will open in Guatemala and Colombia, with others expected to follow.
A Springfield man  who in 2019 was convicted of raping a child and sentenced to 10-12 years in state prison  faces more charges that accuse him of producing child sex abuse images of a 3-year-old.

In Springfield federal court Monday, Bairon Ubeda, 42, was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of receiving child sex abuse images and one count of possession of child sex abuse images after federal officials accused him of sexually exploiting a child, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Massachusetts.

Federal court documents state that from December 2018 through February 2019, Ubeda employed, used, persuaded, induced and coerced a 3-year-old to engage in sexually explicit conduct so he could create child sex abuse images.

Also during that time, federal officials say Ubeda received and possessed child sex abuse images.

In 2019, Ubeda was found guilty on several counts of child rape of a 15-year-old and extortion of a woman. A Hampden County Superior Court Judge sentenced Ubeda to 10-12 years in federal prison after the guilty verdict.

A federal investigation led authorities to place child exploitation charges against Ubeda. Hes expected to be arraigned on the charges and go to trial if he pleads not guilty, while he remains in custody for his prior conviction.

Sexual exploitation of a child provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of receipt of child sex abuse images provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child sex abuse images has a mandatory minimum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to federal officials.
The Houston County Farm Center deal is no more.

If we buy it, its ours, District 4 Commissioner John Ferguson said. The maintenance becomes ours and the landlord status is ours. I dont know about the revenue model but without a specific need, I dont think we need to continue to try to purchase the property.

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dothan city commissioners voted to cancel a multimillion-dollar purchase agreement with Houston County for the Farm Center property.

In March 2022, the county commission planned to sell its 84% stake in the property to the City of Dothan after the city had offered $2.2 million for it. Since that day, the deal never closed, and the closing date was pushed back numerous times.

After a new county commission was seated in November 2022, it came to a consensus and realized keeping the property could benefit the county in the long run.

In early December we started having thoughts about keeping the property for our future growth needs, Houston County Commission chairman Brandon Shoupe, said, at an April 6 administrative meeting.

In a regular meeting on April 10, the Houston County Commission unanimously voted in favor of a request to mutually agree with the City of Dothan to cancel the agreement. Once that decision was made, it was up to the city on whether to approve or reject the request.

On Tuesday, city commissioners Ferguson, Gantt Pierce, David Crutchfield, and Mayor Mark Saliba all voted in favor of cancelling the purchase. However, the vote wasnt unanimous as commissioners Kevin Dorsey, Aristotle Kirkland, and Bradley Bedwell all voted against the idea.

Bedwell voted against backing out of the deal because he hasnt gotten a clear answer whether any future plans for the property would benefit his district.

Everybody knows its an eyesore and it wasnt being maintained, Bedwell said. Im not sure of allowing the county to be in the drivers seat is going to benefit District 3 because I dont know if its going to continue to be an eyesore or if it will be maintained. The problem Im having is I havent got a plan on whats going to be there other than a county hub and that might not be the best thing for my district.

In the end, with a 4-3 vote, the city will now move forward in the process. The city still owns 16% of the Farm Center and Saliba hopes both the county and the city can work together when it comes to making decisions about the property.

Well still retain our partial ownership of the property, so well have influence about its direction, Saliba said. Im confident the county will allow us to provide input so we can figure out whats good for both the county and the city.

While several ideas have been floated around, no concrete plans are in place for the property. Now that is back under the Houston County Commissions control, commissioners will come together to figure out what the next steps are going to be.

We will get together as a commission and have a work session that deals with nothing but county buildings, Shoupe said. Well figure out what we can potentially relocate and what structures we could possibly save out there. I think most of them will be removed at some point, but we want to preserve the dome building for future generations.

In other action Tuesday, the city commission:

 Proclaimed May 14-20 as Police Week.

 Proclaimed May 8-12 as Small Business Week.

 Proclaimed May 12-14 as the Tri-State Family Reunion.

 Approved an application for a Retail Beer and Retail Table Wine License (Off Premises Only) for Shell 431, 2214 Reeves Street, by Dipali Patel.

 Approved an application for a Special Events Retail License (On Premises) for Sunshine Kids Kentucky Derby Gala, 2309 Ross Clark Circle, by Vishal Anand.

 Approved an application for a Retail Beer and Retail Table Wine License (Off Premises Only) for Super Station 3, 1676 East Cottonwood Road, by Prerak Patel.

 Confirmed the costs incurred in structure abatement proceedings for properties determined to be nuisances and turning the amounts over to the county tax collector to be added to the next regular bills for taxes levied against the properties.

 Continued the tax levied on property situated in the City of Dothan at the rate of five (5) mills upon each one dollar of assessed value and fixing the compensation of the tax assessor and tax collector for collecting and assessing the tax.

 Appointed Johnathan Clay Dempsey as Interim Civic Center/Opera House Director effective April 25, 2023.

 Entered into a Private Development Agreement with M4 Development, LLC for the installation and maintenance of a new water line and meters for The Cottages located at 203 Front Porch Court.

 Entered into a Private Development Agreement with the Houston County Board of Education for the installation and maintenance of water meters that serve Wicksburg School located at 1172 S State Hwy 123.

 Entered into a permit agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the installation of a tap and valve for a fire hydrant, tap for domestic water service, and tap for irrigation service for a new Taco Bell at 3282 Reeves Street.

 Entered into a Service Order with RDG Planning & Design for design and construction phase services for the Wiregrass Innovation Center Project for a not to exceed fee of $2,155,625, and appropriating funds for said services.

 Accepted a Proposal from RDG Planning & Design for program and conceptual design services for the Wiregrass Museum, Theater, and Arena Project for a not to exceed fee of $120,000, and appropriating funds for said services.

 Appropriated $683,207 to the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority for assistance in funding the revitalization of downtown.

 Entered into a Purchase Agreement with Houston County Healthcare Authority in the amount of $350,000 and accepting a warranty deed for a parcel of property located in the 2400 block of John D. Odom Road for an electrical substation.

 Awarded bids and approving other purchases over $15,000 by the city.

 Approved advance travel requests for city employees.
HOLYOKE  City officials propose replacing the aging and energy-inefficient William R. Peck Middle School with a 550-student middle school that would utilize a design based off of several other schools in the state.

The estimated price tag is $85.5 million, which includes all necessary costs, such as hard construction, project management, architectural services, furniture and fixtures, technology and contingencies.

The proposed school will be based on a successful model used by three Massachusetts school districts, including the Goodnow Brothers Elementary School in Marlborough.

The Mount Vernon Group, the firm the Holyoke School Building Committee selected in January, designed the Marlborough school. Holyoke Public Schools released a video in April showcasing the design.

Frank Tedesco of Mount Vernon Group explained that the Goodnow Brothers School was based on a 2005 design used in New Bedford. Model schools allow for quicker builds, are energy efficient and cost-effective.

A video tour of the Goodnow Brothers School offered what some Holyoke officials envision. Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and Holyoke Public Schools Receiver Anthony Soto expressed their support for the project.

Garcia said the School Building Committee focused on the most feasible and affordable options, and the model school design achieved those goals. He added that Mount Vernon has successfully incorporated the model approach into several Massachusetts school projects.

Soto stressed that the citys middle school students had reached a critical point in their education. A new facility would provide a learning environment that prepares them for high school and beyond.

Soto also said Holyoke students deserve a middle school that provides a sense of pride and a community that supports educational investments.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority approves and funds all public school projects, including the Marlborough project. The authority provides up to 80% reimbursement costs for construction and renovations.

The last refund estimate for Holyoke was under 60% when two middle schools were proposed in 2019. The newest idea of a single middle school has drawn broader support and would not require a debt exclusion vote.

Instead, the city of Holyoke would bond for the project and pursue a higher refund from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority set an April 27 deadline for municipalities to submit project designs. The Holyoke City Council must also agree on construction bonding before the MSBA board vote in late June.

If funding is secured, construction will commence in February 2024, with an anticipated opening in the fall or winter of 2025.
CHICOPEE  New federal funding will help Elms College in Chicopee address a shortage of social workers in greater Springfield.

The college has received $1 million for the its education and social work programs.

The money, secured by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, also includes funding for the Center for Equity in Urban Education at Elms. The center fosters diversity in the teaching profession by recruiting and educating candidates. The idea is to help aspiring teachers and to better reflect the student population of the regions urban schools.

Congressman Neals support for higher education as chair of the House Ways & Means Committee was instrumental in helping many institutions across the nation weather the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Elms College President Harry E. Dumay, in a news release. The $1 million in funding will be used to bolster our education and social work programs, while also providing scholarships for students in these disciplines.

The Congressional earmarks were restricted to a state and local governments and eligible nonprofits.

The Elms money is one of 15 projects submitted by Neal totaling over $20 million in investments throughout the First Congressional District.

Elms College has a rich history of educating a diverse student body, ensuring they are equipped with the tools needed to effect real change in their community, Neal, now the ranking minority member on Ways & Means, said in a statement.

The education center at Elms College, named for longtime benefactor Cynthia A. Lyons, began in 2019.

Working with public school districts in Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee, the center identifies a diverse group already working in the system as paraprofessionals  or as teachers working on waivers  and helps them pass the Massachusetts Tests Educator Licensure (MTEL) exam and complete course work to get a license.

The program initially enrolled seven students. It now has 62 people taking part, 52 of whom are Black and Latino and 10 of whom are white.
A Duxbury mother who authorities say strangled her three young children to death with exercise bands before attempting suicide has been transferred to a different hospital, according to court documents.

Lindsay Clancy  who faces charges of murder, strangulation and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon  was transferred to Tewksbury State Hospital because doctors believed she needed extended medical care, according to WCVB.

Her next court date is July 25, according to court documents.

Clancy is accused in the deaths of her three children: 5-year-old daughter Cora, 3-year-old son Dawson and son Callan, who was less than a year old. Prosecutors say that after she strangled her three children, she jumped out of a second-story window of her home, attempting suicide.

During a February arraignment, during which Clancy appeared remotely from the hospital, Clancys attorney, Kevin Reddington, said it would be inhumane for his client to be jailed with her injuries. Reddington said Clancy is paraplegic and suffered severe spinal fractures after her jump.

Reddington added at the time that Clancys mental state was so bad that the hospital had her under 24/7 monitoring. Reddington previously said Clancy was suffering from postpartum depression or psychosis, and was clearly overmedicated.

Prosecutors said in February that Clancy asked her husband to pick up some items at CVS and get takeout for the family from a restaurant while at the same time mapping out his route on Apple Maps.

She planned these murders, gave herself the time and privacy needed to commit the murders, and then she strangled each child in the place where they should have felt the safest, at home with their mom, said Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague at a court proceeding in February. She did so with deliberate premeditation and extreme atrocity and cruelty.

At the February court proceeding, Judge John Canavan ruled she can remain at her Boston-area hospital, from where she appeared in court virtually as she lay in a bed with a brace around her neck and wearing a facemask. Canavan rejected a request from Sprague that Lindsay Clancy transfer to state-run Shattuck Hospital and be ordered held without bail.

Canavan further said in February that Clancy would need to remain at the hospital facility in the event she was moved, with the exception of going to a different medical facility for a procedure like an MRI.

If Clancy were to be in a position to be discharged to a residential setting, she would be subject to home confinement with electronic monitoring, Canavan said in February.
Authorities arrested two people after a weekend house party shooting in Lawrence left one 18-year-old dead and five people injured.

Saul Enrique Morales Espinosa, 22, and Joshual Ramirez, 20, both of Lawrence, were arrested and face felony gun charges following the deadly weekend shooting. Authorities have not labeled Espinosa and Ramirez as suspects in the deadly shooting and have not placed any assault or murder charges against the two, according to the Essex County District Attorneys Office.

On Sunday at 3 a.m., Lawrence police responded to a report of shots fired at an apartment at 5 Royal St.

Police found Espinosa, Ramirez and four other people injured from gunshot wounds, they were all taken to Lawrence General Hospital for treatment.

Desiderio Arias, 18, of Lawrence, was later pronounced dead from injuries he received during the shooting, according to officials.

Police said Espinosa was later taken to a Boston hospital by helicopter.

An investigation into the shooting led authorities to charge Espinosa and Ramirez with felony charges of carrying a firearm without a license and carrying a loaded firearm. Both pleaded not guilty during remote arraignments held Monday before Lawrence District Court Judge Stephen Geary, according to authorities.

Both individuals were ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on May 9.

Police said Espinosa is still hospitalized in Boston with gunshot wounds while Ramirez remains hospitalized in Lawrence.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the deadly shooting.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst notified employees of its fundraising division that a plan to eliminate their positions will move forward.

A letter sent by Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy on Monday informed the 124 employees of the Advancement division that their state employee positions need to be transferred into the private sector due to compliance issues that university officials identified last fall.

Subbaswamy wrote that university officials have no choice but to issue layoff notices to union employees who have resisted efforts to transfer their jobs from the public sector into the private Foundation.

The campus unions that represent the employees disagree that compliance issues exist and said that the universitys privatization plan will strip them of union protections, cut them off access to state benefits, and jeopardize their retirement funds.

As a result of these compliance issues, we are now compelled to proceed with a reorganization of the Advancement division, which will result in the transfer of fundraising, alumni relations, and related Advancement activities to the UMass Amherst Foundation, Subbaswamy wrote. We are left with no other option in this matter in order to avoid any risk that our Advancement employees - if they were to remain in their current UMass Amherst positions - would be deemed ineligible for state pension benefits in the future.

Read more: UMass Amherst union employees protest as plan to privatize 100 jobs plows forward

University officials will give employees an opportunity to move from their current positions to the private sector with comparable salaries and competitive benefits, Subbaswamy wrote.

The Advancement division at the UMass Amherst campus recently surpassed a $300 million capital campaign and hosts alumni and donor events, publishes the UMass Magazine, solicits scholarship donations, according to University Staff Association and the Professional Staff Union, two campus unions representing the employees.

All fundraising, alumni communications, and event planning work would be transitioned to a private foundation, where it would be performed with no transparency or state oversight, the union wrote in a statement.

30 1 / 30 UMass Amherst protest April 28, 2023

A rally in front of Memorial Hall on the UMass campus on Friday led by the unions protested the privatization plan.

For Advancement workers such as Gail Gunn, who took a job with the department 25 years ago, the elimination of her state job will make a big impact on her pension.

Before the privatization plan by UMass, she planned to retire in a few years when she could collect 80% of her current salary. Under the current plan, however, she will refuse to transfer to the private Foundation and expects to lose roughly $25,000 a year from her pension.

Ill be damned if I go work for the private foundation that is trying to screw us, Gunn, 61, said during a demonstration on Friday. I really wont. How can you work for someone who you dont trust and who has been nothing but deceitful and dishonest?

Union leaders accuse the universitys leadership of plowing ahead with the plan in the face of mounting public pressure to abandon it.

Earlier this month, State Sen. Jo Comerford, State Rep. Mindy Domb, and U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern signed a joint statement that questioned the universitys privatization plan and urged university officials to immediately abandon its plans to eliminate and privatize these public positions.

Last week, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey released a joint statement about the labor dispute, stating that, We stand with union workers at UMass Amherst fighting against the privatization of public sector jobs, which would put employees retirement benefits and job security at risk.

The dispute has sowed confusion among employees and state officials alike, with university officials claiming that the privatization plan is necessary to protect employees retirement benefits and pensions. Union representatives and employees counter that the job transfers threaten those benefits and that the university has manufactured a crisis of its own making.

State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg at a state retirement board meeting on March 30 laid much of the blame at the feet of campus administrators.

Theres been a tremendous misunderstanding here. This situation is clearly and absolutely 100% UMass Amhersts responsibility  and it is on them to fix the problem, Goldberg said.

Brad Turner, a co-chair of the Professional Staff Union that represents Advancement Division employees, said Moving these jobs, and Im using air quotes, means eliminating state positions and then it is up to this private employer if it wants to hire those people. There are no guarantees.
Vermont on Tuesday became the first state in the country to change its medically assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to take advantage of it to end their lives.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill that removes the residency requirement for the decades-old law.

Last year in a court settlement, Oregon agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement of its law allowing terminally ill people to receive lethal medication. It also agreed to ask the Legislature to remove it from the law.

Before Vermont removed its residency requirement Tuesday, it had reached a settlement with a Connecticut woman who has terminal cancer to allow her to take advantage of its law, provided she complies with other aspects of it.

We are grateful to Vermont lawmakers for recognizing that a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony, said Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization, in a statement. Patients routinely travel to other states to utilize the best healthcare options. There is no rational reason they shouldnt be able to travel to another state to access medical aid in dying if the state they live in doesnt offer it.

Vermont is one of 10 states that allow medically assisted suicide. Critics of such laws say without the residency requirements states risk becoming assisted suicide tourism destinations.

Mary Hahn Beerworth, executive director of the Vermont Right to Life Committee, testified before a legislative committee in March that the practice was, and remains, a matter of contention.

To be clear, Vermont Right to Life opposed the underlying concept behind assisted suicide and opposes the move to remove the residency requirement as there are still no safeguards that protect vulnerable patients from coercion, said Beerworth, adding she had a number of concerns including what liability Vermont could incur if the drugs failed to end a patients life.

Supporters of Vermonts medically assisted suicide law say it has stringent safeguards, including a requirement that those who seek to use it be capable of making and communicating their health care decision to a physician. Patients are required to make two requests orally to the physician over a certain timeframe and then submit a written request that they signed in the presence of two or more witnesses who arent interested parties. Witnesses must sign and affirm that patients appeared to understand the nature of the document and were free from duress or undue influence at the time.

Lynda Bluestein, 75, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Diana Barnard, a physician from Middlebury, sued Vermont in federal court last summer, claiming its residency requirement violated the Constitutions commerce, equal protection, and privileges and immunities clauses. Barnard specializes in hospice and palliative care and has patients from neighboring New York state, which, like Connecticut, doesnt allow medically assisted suicide.

Bluestein said Tuesday that the change in Vermont means that so many other people in the Northeast can take advantage of the states law.

Im thinking even more importantly that this is going to cause other states, the other jurisdictions that have medical aid in dying, to look at their residency requirement, too, she said.

For Cassandra Johnston, 38, of Clifton Park, New York, the news was such a relief. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last year and lives a 40-minute drive from Vermont.

It gives me such a peace of mind to know that if I need that peaceful and compassionate option that its right next door, Johnston said. And its life-changing for someone like me. It really is.
The city of Worcester is appealing a nearly $27 million lawsuit after a judge found the city overcharged the town of Holden to use Worcesters sewer system.

The eventual outcome of this case will depend on legal issues which will be addressed by the Appeals Court or the Supreme Judicial Court, the city of Worcester said in a statement to MassLive. The city is very confident that the Trial Court Judgment will be reversed.

On Monday, Massachusetts Superior Court Judge James Manitsas ordered Worcester to pay $26,525,786 with 12% added on post-judgment interest for each year the judgment was not paid, Holden officials said in a statement.

However, in a statement, the city of Worcester denied having any contractual relationship with the town of Holden.

Holden has never had any contractual or other relationship with Worcester relating to these sewer transport charges, the city of Worcester said. Its only contract has been the with the commonwealth. Worcester has an entirely separate contract with the commonwealth by which the commonwealth has guaranteed full payment to Worcester.

Christopher J. Petrini, the special counsel who represents the town of Holden, agrees that the two municipalities did not have a direct contract. However, Petrini said that the legal issue is based on unjust enrichment, which, requires a party to return money unjustly received to its rightful owner, even when there was no written contract.

Worcester was deemed responsible for overcharging Holden by more than $10 million for the use of the citys sewer system in August 2022, the Telegram & Gazette reported. As a result, Holden was awarded $14.6 million in compensation. The verdict was upheld by Judge Mantisas, who also added $2.2 million in costs and $11.3 million in pre-judgment interests.

In this case, Worcester accepted and cashed dozens of quarterly checks from Holden for wastewater transport charges imposed by Worcester that were grossly non-proportionate and excessive, and which were far in excess of the fair and reasonable value of the service provided, Petrini told MassLive.

The special counsel believes that his party will prevail against the appeal, citing that the arguments the city of Worcester has used in past litigation have been rejected in court before.

Rather than further delay, and therefore accumulate further post-judgment interest charges of 12% per year that it will be obligated to pay, Worcester should do the right thing as determined by a jury of its peers and reimburse Holden for the gross overcharges it has imposed on the residents of Holden for the past 15+ years, Petrini said.

The legal battle between the two municipalities dates back to a lawsuit filed by the town of Holden in May of 2013, the Telegram reported. In the lawsuit, Holden claimed that the sewer transport fees reviewed by both Worcester and the State Department of Conservation and Recreation were unreasonable and an unconstitutional tax. As a result, Holden officials said they were being overcharged about $1 million per year.

If it is ever finally determined that Holden is entitled to some payment, which we do not expect, we are confident that it will be paid by the commonwealth, and not by Worcester, the city said in a statement.
SOUTHWICK  The Police Department is once again applying for a Supporting Safe Schools grant in attempt to hire another resource officer for the school district.

Im cautiously optimistic, said Police Chief Robert Landis about the application.

Several weeks ago, Select Board Chair Russell Fox proposed adding a second school resource officer at the Southwick-Tolland-Granville school campus, after the school shooting in Tennessee that left three students and three adults dead.
Two Worcester firefighters sustained minor injuries after officials were dispatched to a structure fire that leveled a retail building Monday night.

After around 6 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 812 Pleasant St., Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche said. Fire crews saw smoke billowing from the buildings interior through the structures side, making access through the buildings basement difficult.

It took fire crews six and a half hours to battle the fire, which was elevated from a second-alarm fire to three alarms, Roche added. By 3 a.m., it was determined the building was a total loss and it was leveled. By 6:45 a.m., he confirmed that the fire was fully extinguished.

Two firefighters received minor injuries, Roche said, and a third was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Fighting this fire proved extremely difficult, Roche said. We did have concerns about adjacent properties, both of those properties didnt sustain any damage, it was just the occupancy of origin.

The retail building was part of a three-business strip mall, Roche said. Located at this address is U-Home Decor, along with Worcester Flower Shop nearby.

As of 6:45 a.m., one fire crew was at the site of the fire putting up a fence around the property, Roche said. What caused the fire is under investigation.
Workers at a healthcare organization in Worcester are calling on administrators to reinstate three programs that were temporarily suspended last week, resulting in about 80 layoffs.

Employees of Community Healthlink visited the administrative offices of UMass Memorial Health, which operates the organization, Tuesday morning to deliver a letter to President Eric Dickson, asking UMass Memorial to investigate what led to the suspension of the programs, meet with staff and reopen the programs as soon as possible.

UMass CHL front-line workers are dedicated to the communities they serve and have advocated tirelessly for management to address the issues the programs are facing. Their concerns were repeatedly disregarded, David Foley, president of SEIU Local 509, which represents Community Healthlink employees, wrote in the letter. If these programs are to reopen successfully, UMass CHL will have to retain these dedicated staff members and include them in the process. ... We stand ready to partner with UMass/Community Healthlink to reopen services. Now is the time for you to do the right thing.

UMass Memorial said last week that it would temporarily suspend admissions to its detox, Passages and Thayer Transitional Support Services programs at its 12 Queen St. facility following an inspection by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. Current clients in the three programs will continue to receive care, but because of the reduced caseload, 80 staff members will be laid off.

At the same time, but for unrelated reasons, Community Healthlink President Tamara Lundi announced she would step down from her role effective Friday, May 5. Gordon Benson, vice president for adult outpatient services at Community Healthlink, will serve as interim president.

Foley and Community Healthlink employees said Tuesday that the organization had been mismanaged, which led to the program closures and layoffs.

A lot of it is administrative. Thats beyond our control, said Robin Morris, an acute care nurse in the detox program. Theres a lot of good people that work here, and we want to continue to work here. So if they can fix on their end the things that need to be fixed, I think a lot of these people will return to their positions.

Morris added that she has already begun to see the impact of the suspended programs on the community. She said that she had spoken with campus security guards who had seen people sleeping in bushes because they would usually have gone to the detox program but didnt have anywhere else to go.

Mercedes DeVito, a clinician in the Passages program, echoed Morriss concerns.

We see a lot of repeat clients and were worried for them because this has been such a great resource for them and for the community. For them to just not even have a place to go is really scary, she said. These people really need the help, and where are they going to get it when were one of Worcesters biggest resources for it? So it definitely impacts that whole community and all these clients. Its just sad.

City Councilor Khrystian King said the work done at Community Healthlink is some of the most important in the city.

We know theres been a recent uptick in substance abuse, overdoses and challenges. We cant afford for one minute to not (have Community Healthlink) there as a resource, King said. This is beginning to have a significant community impact. Theres no other place you have a more dedicated group of workers committed to making Worcester better.

The Community Healthlink facility on Jaques Avenue in Worcester. (Trea Lavery, MassLive)

When the workers attempted to enter the UMass Memorial Health administrative offices to deliver the letter to Dickson, they were told to wait outside until someone could speak with them. Over an hour later, and after two UMass Police Department officers had come and gone in response to a call from inside the building about the workers standing outside, there still had not been any response from the administrators.

Instead, the employees chose to move to the Community Healthlink facility at 72 Jaques Ave. to deliver the letter. There, they were able to hand it off to an assistant to Lundi, but were unable to speak with any other administrators.

Foley said he was disappointed in the response from UMass Memorial Health and Community Healthlink, and called the administrators cowards for not speaking with the workers.

They could have come out and spoken with us. They could have spoken to the frontline workers that they laid off. They chose not to, he said. They misled us and told us that they would come out to talk to us and they never did so. ... Its disappointing to see that happening, especially with the way that theyve mismanaged this agency.

Read more: UMass Memorial calls off planned merger with Heywood Hospital in Gardner

In response to a request for comment Tuesday, a UMass Memorial Health spokesperson provided an abridged version of the statement given to MassLive last week addressing the program suspensions and layoffs.

We are committed to working with public officials at BSAS along with our staff, management teams, and SEIU representatives at Community Healthlink to keep the lines of communication open and ensure that our caregivers and clients have the resources they need in alignment with our high standards of care, the statement said. We will continue to see clients in our Urgent Care, Emergency Service, CSU, and Respite programs at 12 Queen Street and will connect those in need of substance use disorder services with other programs in the community. We recognize the urgent need for these services in our community and across the Commonwealth. We remain committed to providing detox and related services and will work with state officials to resume these programs as quickly as possible.
ARITON- Dale County Schools Superintendent Ben Baker was overwhelmed by community support that resulted in more than $70,000 to rebuild the Ariton school playground equipment destroyed in a summer storm here last year.

Baker was among those who gathered April 25 for a formal dedication of the new playground equipment installed at Ariton Elementary School funded by parents, students, community members, a grant from the Wiregrass RC&D Council and support of the Alabama state legislators.

The Ariton School community saw a need and answered the call, Baker said Monday. We are so appreciative of community members, local churches, and local businesses investing in our students at Ariton School.

We are especially thankful for the generosity of the Wiregrass RC&D and our local legislative delegation. It is so encouraging to know that communities will come together in a positive way to help our schools, Baker said.

Ariton School Assistant Principal Hilary Ellis said Monday that the fundraising project began in the fall of 2021 after a downed tree damaged the playground equipment and the fundraising was spearheaded by Ariton High School Business Teacher Jen Sanders Event Planning class, the Purple Planners. Our elementary school students are enjoying using the new equipment and are looking forward to many more years on the playground.

I really appreciate the leadership shown by Mrs. Hilary Ellis and Mrs. Jen Sanders, said Baker. Mrs. Ellis coordinated the effort and Mrs. Sanders Purple Planners served as the hands and feet to raise over $70,000 for the students of Ariton Elementary School.

The project was also partially funded by a $10,000 grant from the Wiregrass RC&D Council and the support of the Alabama state legislators. Dale County Schools are thankful for the stakeholder involvement in our school, said Baker. We are thankful for the generosity of the Ariton School community.

The playground will have a lasting impact on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our students, Baker said. The community support and generosity will enable our students to be actively engaged in exercise, fun, and making memories with classmates.
The city of Worcester was ordered to pay the town of Holden nearly $27 million after city officials were accused of overcharging the town to use Worcesters sewer system, according to the Telegram & Gazette.

Massachusetts Superior Court Judge James Manitsas ordered Worcester to pay $26,525,786 with 12% added on post-judgment interest for every year the judgment is not paid, Holden officials wrote in a statement obtained by the Telegram.

The city plans to appeal the ruling.

Read more: Worcester fined for 6M gallon sewage discharge into Lake Quinsigamond

In August 2022, Worcester was found guilty of overcharging Holden in excess of $10 million to use the citys sewer system. The jury went on to award Holden $14.6 million after the verdict. Judge Manitsas upheld the verdict and added $2.2 million in costs and $11.3 million in pre-judgment interest, according to Telegram reporters.

The lawsuit, originally filed in March 2013, stated that the sewer transport fees reviewed by both Worcester and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation are unreasonable and an unconstitutional tax, according to the Telegram. Holden officials said the town was being overcharged about $1 million a year.
The City of Dakar , in collaboration with the network of actors and local authorities for the SSE (Reseau des Acteurs et des Collectivites Territoriales pour lESS  RACTES), the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (GSEF) and the Ministry of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy of Senegal, is actively preparing to host the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum (GSEF) which will be taking place on African soil for the first time.

The GSEF 2023 will take place from the 1st to the 6th of May 2023 and will explore the theme of the transition from the informal economy to collective and sustainable economies for the territories.

This international meeting will be structured around several main highlights: the JeunESS pre-forum on the 1st and 2nd of May, which is dedicated to young people and the recognition of their participation in this economy of the future, the creation of jobs and new opportunities; the FemmESS pre-forum on the 3rd of May, a day dedicated to the vital role of women within the structures and enterprises of the SSE; and the main forum on the 4th, 5th and 6th of May, which is divided into 7 major themes or pathways, these being the co-construction of public policies that create decent jobs for young people and women, the blue economy, the green economy, the digital economy, financing, policy dialogue and research. By mid-April, more than 2,000 participants had already registered.

We are witnessing a moment of history. We must stop in our tracks, change course, and lead the ecological and social transformation of our economy; an economy that has shown itself to be vulnerable in the face of crises. We need to be more resilient, said Pierre Hurmic, Mayor of Bordeaux and Co-President of the GSEF.

The Social and Solidarity Economy must become the norm that will regulate tomorrows economy, the norm that emphasises the prime importance of humans and the fact of working together over capital alone, and that structures an enduring economy of proximity he added.

Mrs Victorine Ndeye, Minister of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy, praises the progress of the preparations for the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum. The Government of Senegal has made the Social and Solidarity Economy a fundamental priority that contributes to the strengthening of a democratic society and to the creation of added value in the formal and informal sectors through the redistribution of wealth, by promoting businesses and organisations built on solidarity and the importance of social issues.

At the helm of the events host city is Barthelemy Dias, Mayor of Dakar, who confirms we are delighted to welcome the Forum on African soil for the first time: it is an honour for all Senegalese people.

The Mayor of Dakar takes responsibility for bringing Africas voice to the Forum for its very first time on the continent.

He reminds us that the informal sector represents 80% of the continents economy while 70% of its population is under 30 years of age. This human capital is struck by unemployment, underemployment, lack of training and a lack of opportunities. Africas growth could be twice as strong if our Human Development Index (HDI) was higher, he adds.

Dakar, the capital of the GSEF 2023, has an ambitious goal: to create 20 million opportunities in terms of training, professional experience, jobs and access to finance from 2023 in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Achieving this ambition will require close collaboration with all players involved in economic and social development, Dias explains.

The Dakar Appeal will absolutely be about taking action. We want a forum of action, not just a forum of ideas, he concludes.

The GSEF is an international event organised every two years to promote the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) across the world. Previous years forums were held in Seoul (2014), Montreal (2016), Bilbao (2018) and Mexico City (2020). This year, the Forum will bring together between 4500 and 5000 participants from across all continents. The member cities of the GSEF are the main organisers of this event.

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African Export-Import Bank is delighted to announce its receipt of seven awards at the Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2023 across the transactional and house categories. Afreximbanks success at this years awards reflects the Banks increasingly well-established leadership position in the loan and debt capital markets on the continent across the main industry sectors.

The 8th Annual Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards recognises  and seeks to showcase  the most innovative and groundbreaking deals from sovereign, corporate and financial institution issuers and borrowers. Candidates are nominated by a wide selection of parties, which includes other banks and their clients, and awards reflect the culmination of an exhaustive selection process that tests Africas most pioneering transactions and market actors.

Under the transactional category, the Bank is pleased to have won awards for the following deals:

Agency Bond Deal of the Year: Bank of Industry EUR 750mn 144a (in which Afreximbank acted as a Bookrunner)

Oil & Gas Deal of the Year: Sonangol US $1.3billion (in which Afreximbank acted as Joint Coordinator, Co-MLA and Co-Bookrunner)

Project Loan of the Year: Canal Sugar US $750mn (in which Afreximbank also acted as Co-MLA)

Export Finance Deal of the Year: Project Gleam / MoF Angola Rural Electrification EUR 1.3bn (in which Afreximbank acted as MLA of the commercial tranche)

Power Finance Deal of the Year: Project Gleam / MoF Angola Rural Electrification EUR 1.3bn (in which Afreximbank acted as MLA of the commercial tranche)

Under the house category, the Bank is proud to have won awards for the following deals:

Sovereign, Supra, and Agency Debt House of the Year: Afreximbank, in recognition of its leading role in providing debt solutions to sovereigns, SoEs, central banks, and other government-owned financial institutions over the last year

Project Sponsor of the Year: NNPC

Importantly, the awards constituted an appropriate platform for Afreximbank to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of its clients and partners, as well as the outstanding contributions of a coalition of individuals and institutions working to advance the economic development of the African continent.

These Awards  which were launched in 2015  continue to play a significant role in promoting the importance and sophistication of Africas financial services sector and its pivotal role in accelerating economic development on the continent. By highlighting the achievements of African financial institutions, corporate entities, and individuals, these Awards have made a substantial contribution to the increasingly positive and prestigious status of Africas financial markets, as well as their vast untapped potential.

Commenting on the Banks awards, Denys Denya, Executive Vice President  Finance, Administration & Banking Services, said: We are pleased to receive these awards and grateful that Afreximbanks strategic work in financial markets is being recognised even beyond the continent of Africa. These awards constitute an important validation of the Banks interventions in financing, promoting and facilitating trade and its ever-broadening work to facilitate sustainable economic growth and development in Africa. We appreciate the support and trust of our partners and clients, and we will continue to collaborate with them to drive Trade and IInvestment in Africa.

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Le ministre des Services Financiers a participe a la ceremonie organisee pour marquer les deux ans de lorganisation qui a eu lieu au Mont Choisy Heritage Zone en debut de soiree du 27 avril 2023..

Ladies and Gentlemen,A very good evening to all of you.I am delighted to be here with you today to mark and celebrate your second anniversary here in Mauritius serving Mauritius and Africa well.

It has been two years since the launch of Africa Specialty Risks as a fully capitalised and licensed reinsurance entity in Mauritius, designed to meet the needs of the African continent.

The achievements shared by Mikir Shah this evening unquestionably commend the strategic decision to expand business to this part of the world.

Two years is such a short time in the business world to rejoice on successes.

So, you have every reason to be proud and celebrate your achievements realised over such a little time.

The Reinsurer and the Insurance Manager Licence granted by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius has been instrumental to your vision and is greatly benefiting Mauritius and the Region.

You were certainly right in identifying Africas long-term development prospects.

ASR has well positioned its offerings in this land of opportunities.

I am glad to note that till date ASR has helped to de-risk US $ 11.4 billion of investments into Africa and has written business in 47 countries, proving the strong potential for Mauritius as a reinsurance hub for the continent.

And the choice of Mauritius as a well-established hub for financial services and investments in Africa is the most logical destination to serve your purpose.

Our Government is keenly promoting the Mauritius International Financial Centre as a Reinsurance Hub as we believe that we have all the ingredients for success.

(i) We have an established insurer presence in Africa.

(ii) We offer a safe, sound and trusted jurisdiction, with a robust legal framework.

(iii) Our operating environment is stable, supported by policy certainty and regulatory safeguards.

(iv) We are today recognised for our commitments to keep improving on Ease of Doing business.

(v) Mauritius is also very well connected in the region and among its various memberships to regional groupings, we are part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) set up to boost intra-Africa trade and investment.

For these reasons and so many more, insurers and reinsurers are progressively developing their Africa strategy from Mauritius to better service the regions requirements.

As Africa continues to urbanise, as Africas middle class keeps growing to more than one billion consumers, as Africa keeps consuming and producing more, correspondingly, more lives, wealth and assets will need protection.

There is enormous potential for the reinsurance industry to pursue meaningful work in narrowing the regions growing protection gap.

Mauritius is well positioned to continue to play a decisive and impactful role.

Investments from Mauritius into Africa represents 9% of overall foreign investment into the Continent.

We represent a strong regional development partner and leaving no stone unturned in our engagement of Serving Africa Well.

Ladies and Gentlemen

We see Mauritius rising as an important specialty insurance hub for Africa with global companies set up within our IFC space offering capabilities in newer lines of risk, such as cyber risk.

As we continue to develop our insurance ecosystem, it is our wish and aspiration that Mauritius continues to be the launchpad for businesses such as ASR to create meaningful solutions for the region.

I am confident that ASR in Mauritius can significantly contribute to our endeavours in making our IFC take on a bigger role as a reinsurance hub.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am very pleased to see that our compatriots are being increasingly invited to join the ASR operations.

We are thankful for the employment and training opportunities to our people.

I am aware that ASR places much emphasis on capacity building and in the area in which you operate and I would like to see more sharing of knowledge and experience to develop the skills of our people.

We have a dedicated facility under the aegis of my Ministry which looks at training and I hope to see collaboration develop in this area.

Her Excellency Mrs Charlotte Pierre,

I take this evenings opportunity to express the gratitude of Government for the support and committed efforts of the British High Commission in Mauritius to facilitate the setting up of UK-based companies in Mauritius.

UK is a mature centre for international insurance and reinsurance business.

Mauritius has so much to learn from UK-established businesses.

I would like to thank Her Excellency Charlotte Pierre for the invaluable support and facilitation provided by the British High Commission, particularly the Department for Business and Trade, for close collaboration with my Ministry.

We are thankful for your commitment to Mauritius and to Africa.

I would also wish to mention the UK-Mauritius Strategic Trade Partnership signed last week.

This agreement will help consolidate the strong trade partnership ties between our two countries boosting priority areas including financial services.

The commitment of the UK Government to champion trade policies and programmes which advance our economic ambitions for the region is so relevant to our presence this evening.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us all look forward to shaping the future and making the vibrant African region more securely positioned for growth.

Our Government looks forward to even stronger collaboration with ASR as partners in shaping a better African Region.

I wish to express my sincere congratulations to the leadership of ASR, to its team, to its clients and associates.

Mr Mikir Shah, thank you for the privilege of your presence in Mauritius.

Thank you for believing in Mauritius and our People.

Let us take the opportunity of this anniversary year to look ahead with hope and confidence and reflect on the peaks which are yet to be ascended.

Let this be a time to look forward to decades of growing opportunity.

I have every confidence that AFRICA SPECIALTY RISKS will go from strength to strength rising above any challenge by remaining as adaptive and relevant as ever to serve the demands of a dynamic industry and region.

With these words, I thank you for your attention.
IF it takes a village to raise a child, the same principle can hold good in the opposite direction. In one of the most chilling books to have been published this year, the point is well made that it took a continent to collaborate in the unspeakable horrors of the Nazi-driven Holocaust and wipe out a race.

At a time when Holocaust denial begins to gain an egregious foothold, and when European leaders feel safe blaming the Holocaust on an exclusively German barbarism, Dan Stones Holocaust: An Unfinished History , argues persuasively that such is far from the full story.

The kernel of this disturbing book is that the Holocaust was facilitated by a shameful collaboration across Europe. Sometimes this was by way of leaders looking the other way, but all too often there were complicit regimes that readily co-operated in sending millions of Jews to their deaths. And although much has been written and serialised about the Holocaust, many aspects of its history have been overlooked, not least the apparent compliance of European governments in either ignoring, or in some cases actually supporting, the awful genocide.

A professor of modern history in London, Dan Stone sometimes makes the classic mistake of all academics by assuming that the reader is as familiar with the subject matter as he is himself. Holocaust: An Unfinished History is no light holiday reading, but nor is it too academic for the general reader. The author draws on official documents for his sources, but he also has access to a wealth of diaries, letters, correspondence, post-war testimonies and first-hand accounts that underscore the ineffable suffering of the victims and the cold savagery of the perpetrators.

The author recalls the account given by a German soldier, posted to the Lithuanian city of Kaunas in June of 1941. The city had just been captured by the Nazis, and several dozen Jewish men were brought into the open square, one by one. There, a local man  later to be known as the death dealer  waited, crowbar in hand. Each man was beaten to death in turn. After each death, the crowd, which included women and children, clapped and cheered.

In Oslo, as was repeated in many other European capitals, Norwegian police willingly rounded up the Jewish population and sent them to be gassed in Auschwitz. Stone tells of the horrific fate of the Jews of Moldova. Incarcerated in pigsties, many of them froze to death, or went mad with hunger, eating twigs, leaves and human excrement.

The books main strength is its comparison of different countries, their rulers, and their willingness to collaborate with the Nazis, or to slaughter local Jews themselves. Its central thread is the virulent anti-Semitism that lay just beneath the surface in so many countries, and which needed little incitement to bring to the surface.

There are many who ask today how it all could have been allowed to happen, and Dan Stone provides a telling account of how, over less than ten years, the Nazi regime was able to reduce the Jews from a prosperous community to abject destitution, step by step.

And what seemed at the start as innocuous laws  in 1935, Jews were prevented from flying the German national flag over their homes, and Jewish doctors were prevented from treating Aryan patients  soon turned into the marks of otherness which would mean death for millions.

By the time the law was passed to require all Jews to take the name Israel, for men, and Sarah, for women, to prevent Jews from hiding their identity (as the Nazis believed) behind German names, the exclusion of Jews was complete, and the ground was laid for what was to follow.
THE placename Keeloges, or sometimes Keelogues, is common to many counties, and it is usually translated as (the place of) Narrow Ridges or Stripes. The place of the osiers or osier-beds are given as explanations for An Caolog and Na Caologa in Limerick by Art O Maolfabhail, one time member of the Placenames Commission.

Dictionaries differ on the spelling of the original Irish, word but it is generally given as Na Caologa. In ODonaills dictionary it is defined as osier-bed; riverside field, meadow; small channel; small branch of river. The small definition is plausible as caol means narrow, from which we get Keel as a placename. Also, Killary, in Irish Caolaire, translates to firth or fjord!

Mayos Kelloges

IN Mayo, the townland name appears a total of six times. Two of these townlands  Keeloges New (Na Caologa) and Keeloges Old (Rath Donnain), in Kildacoomoge Civil Parish, Barony of Carra  are collectively known as the (Catholic) Parish of Keelogues, the subject of a book by Mary OBrien, reprinted last year. Another two, Keeloges Upper (Na Caologa Uachtaracha) and Keeloges Lower (Na Caologa Iochtaracha), are in Lacken Civil Parish, in the Barony of Tirawley.

The final two  Keeloges, Burrishoole Civil Parish, and Keeloges, Islandeady Civil Parish, both in the Barony of Burrishoole  are the two closest to home, so I decided to check these out.

When I visited Keeloges, Islandeady, and parked outside Padraig Joyces farm buildings, my explorations took me up the road to Kilbree Church, in the townland of Kilbree Upper (see Kilbride article, St Brigid appears around the county, published March 28 and available on mayonews.ie). In the townland near Newport, the narrow channel between Keeloges and the adjacent townland of Knockboy, An Cnoc Bui (Yellow Hill), near Ardagh (High Field), may have inspired the name. I went there recently and met local farmer Aidan Cusack. He agreed that the narrow, now fertile stripes of land stretching down to the sea could make sense of the meaning. He also pointed out the acres of ancient woodland across the hill in Keeloges.

I then contacted his neighbour, Tommy Hughes of Derradda (with two ds), and Tommy took me on a tour of Keeloges and the neighbouring townland of Knockalegan, Cnoc an Liagain (Hill of the Standing Stone)

We first went up to the top of the eponymous hill, Knockalegan. It certainly lives up to its name, with the two large standing stones still intact, one straight and the other angled slightly. They are believed to have been sited there as markers for ships in Burrishoole Bay.

John ODonovan in the Ordnance Survey namebooks uses the plural version of Keeloge and this is the generally accepted form, recommended by the modern-day scholars and the oral testimonies of local inhabitants.

Another possibility is the Irish word coilleog, meaning a grove, little wood (from O Donaills dictionary). This is an equally plausible translation, given the presence of a sizeable wood of native Irish trees, many of them willow, occupying a third of the southern half of Keeloges, stretching down to the coast.

Tommy assured me these trees would pre-date the 1840s, as the wood is clearly indicated on the Griffiths Valuation OSi six-inch map from that time. The old road that ran through Knockalegan, Keeloges and Knockglass is also visible.

Willow

OF the 400 species of willow (species Salix) that grow worldwide, several grow in Ireland. It can be tricky to tell which are native and which were introduced. Willows thrive in damp and poor soil and are an important part of Irelands biodiversity. They are also an important food source for bees and moths.

Salix caprea (the pussy or goat willow, or sailchearnach) is a very common native tree in Ireland, while Salix viminalis (the osier willow, or saileanach) has been introduced to Ireland from abroad.

Willows with very slender leaves are sometimes called osiers and those with very broad leaves are sometimes called sallows. The Chambers dictionary defines an osier as any willow whose twigs are used in basket-making. Sallow also means yellow too.

The Ancient Greeks made poultices and teas containing willow to treat pain, and Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal properties in the 5th century BC. The active medicinal chemical in willow is salicin, concentrated in the bark. If taken internally it is metabolized into salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin.

Here in Ireland, Irish harps were traditionally made of willow, and willow is now being grown in Ireland as a biofuel/biomass.

Willow is often called sally in Ireland, from the Irish saileach, itself derived from the Latin salix. Places named after willow in Ireland include Sallynoggin, Clonsilla and Parknasilla. Perhaps best avoided if you have bad memories of the sting of a sally rod!
A Beacon of inspiration: Weekend symposium to explore legacy of Cherry Street AME, Dothans oldest church

DOTHAN, Alabama  Historians, longtime church members, and a Pulitzer Prize winning author will gather at Dothans oldest church this Saturday, May 6, to examine its place as a center of religious, cultural, and civic expression.

Cherry Street AME Church has joined with the Alabama Humanities Alliance to present the symposium, Cherry Street AME Church: A beacon of inspiration 145 years and beyond.

Through various presentations, the event will highlight Cherry Streets role in history, architecture, and community. Activities began at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church at 308 N. Cherry Street. The event is free and open to the public.

Sessions will address the relevance of churches as places of community and foundations for social change. Panelists include:

John Archibald, longtime columnist for the Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, Mobile Register and AL.com. Archibald, the son of a United Methodist minister, is the author of Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution.

Dr. Wilson Fallon, professor emeritus of history at the University of Montevallo and president of Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College. Both Fallon and Archibald will discuss the relevance of churches as places of community and foundations for social change.

Lifelong and senior church members, who will share their memories of the churchs role throughout the generations.

Washington, D.C.-based historian James Morgan III, whose great-great-grandfather, the Rev. William Hightower, was the second full-time pastor of Cherry Street and the architect of the current building, will give an oral history of the church. He will also describe its construction, architecture, and its historical place of prominence in the city.

Cherry Street is among the oldest AME churches in the state and is designated as the Mother AME Church for the state of Alabama. The church has continually operated since its founding in 1877, the final year of Reconstruction. The current building was constructed in 1908.

This symposium is ideal for people who are curious about our church, said the Rev. Dr. Lynntesha Roberts Henley. For years, many have driven past our church and wondered about its history and what was inside. Our doors are open, and we are happy to extend an invitation to showcase Cherry Street and our history and legacy to Dothan and the entire Wiregrass.

A downtown mural created by Dothan artist Wes Hardin illustrates the building of the current church in 1908. The symposium will include a conversation with Michael Riddle, Board Chairman of Murals of the Wiregrass, the agency that oversees downtown public art, including the Cherry Street Mural.

Saturdays event is supported through a grant from the Alabama Humanities Alliance. The Alliance is a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The organization supports programs encouraging impactful storytelling, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.

Our event is designed to be inclusive and multigenerational with elements of history, art, architecture, and culture illustrated through discussions from the people who know those subjects first-hand, said Dr. Frederick D. Sherrod III, Presiding Elder of the Dothan-Eufaula District of the AME Church. All who attend will certainly be greatly blessed by the lessons, the fellowship, and the relationships established by this gathering.
Eight were killed and over 20 were injured after a bus and a truck collided in Laos's Bolikhamxay Province on Monday.

Vientiane rescue authorities said among the injured were foreign nationals, including two from the U.K., two from South Africa and one from Sweden, the Laotian Times reported.

The bus and the truck in the incident collided 64 km from Vientiane. Nine ambulances and 42 responders, including firefighters and medical personnel, were dispatched to the scene, authorities said.

Sebastien Perret, co-founder of Vientiane Rescue, said the bus and the truck had to be cut open for hours to retrieve the victims. The injured were transported to hospitals in Vientiane.

An investigation is ongoing.
A swimming pool at the Hai Thuong ecotourism site in Ha Tinh. Photo courtesy of the Hai Thuong ecotourism site

A 14-year-old boy was found dead in the pool at an ecotourism site in the central province of Ha Tinh Province Monday.

Pham Minh Dang went to bathe in a pool that was 90 cm deep Hai Thuong ecotourism site in Huong Son District. Some 30 minutes afterwards, security guards saw Dang floating on the surface of the water with dozens of other people swimming around him.

Lifeguards tried to resuscitate him, but Dang was already dead.

Nguyen Xuan Loi, director of the Quy Gia company, which operates the tourism site, said initial forensic studies by authorities determined that the boy suffocated "likely due to health issues, not drowning."

Loi said the site has three pools for different age groups, and seven employees monitors.

Dang was at a pool for teenagers.

When lifeguards performed first-aid on him, "there was no water inside his lungs," Loi said.

A representative of Son Trung Commune said a police investigation is ongoing to figure out the boy's cause of death.

The Hai Thuong ecotourism site, spanning over 20 ha, is a popular tourism site in Huong Son District with hotels and attractions.

Over 1,400 cases of drowning were recorded in Vietnam in the 2020-2021 period, according to data from the firefighting and rescue police department.
GrayMatters Health, a medtech company based in Israel, has developed Prism for PTSD, a self-neuromodulation therapy. The company has identified what they describe as brain-mechanism-specific biomarkers for certain mental disorders. These involve combining fMRI and EEG data. The Prism for PTSD system targets a specific biomarker called amygdala-derived-EFP, which is involved in the fight or flight response, and which can frequently be triggered in those with PTSD.

The new technique that GrayMatters Health developed involves applying an EEG cap to a patients head, and then placing them in front of a screen. An animation on the screen shows agitated people in a reception room. The system uses the patients EEG data to calculate a value for the amygdala-derived-EFP biomarker, and meanwhile the patient tries various mental strategies that may help to reduce the value. If a mental strategy works to reduce the biomarker, then the system will provide instant feedback to the patient and the agitated people in the animation will begin to sit down.

This type of neuro-feedback allows each patient to develop their own strategies to combat PTSD, and they can then apply these when they feel their symptoms arising out in the real world.

Medgadget had the opportunity to speak with Oded Kraft, Co-founder and CEO of GrayMatters Health, about the technology.

Conn Hastings, Medgadget: How is PTSD typically treated at present? Are these approaches effective?

Oded Kraft, GrayMatters Health: PTSD impacts nine million Americans, mostly women. Great progress has been made in PTSD treatment and management, yet, standard of care psychotherapy and drugs do not alleviate the symptoms for all patients. These treatments at times come with a long list of side effects, leaving many patients in search of an effective long-term solution. Of note, there are several PTSD focused modalities, such as PE, EMDR and tfCBT and others.

For some patients with PTSD, psychotherapy may not be an effective option, they may find talking about their traumatic experience stress inducing, untherapeutic or ineffective. While for other patients the possible adverse side effects from medication may prevent them from finding pharmacological therapies effective.

Alongside this, there is a shortage of mental health professionals in the United States, more than a third of the population live in areas with a lack of adequate mental health provision, leaving many patients in need of support.

Medgadget: What inspired this technology? How did the idea come about?

Oded Kraft: Prof. Talma Hendler, MD, PhD, the inventor of the core technology of Prism for PTSD, is both a psychiatrist and neuroscientist. Through her shared experience in both professions, she recognized the clear need for an alternative solution while also understanding the underlying mechanism behind the disorder. She started working on this technology around 2013 after realizing the dire need for an alternative solution for mental disorders, and through realization that science can provide more answers.

My co-founders and I met with Prof. Hendler in 2016 and we were fascinated with both her, the technology, and the paradigm shift we can drive with her in psychiatry. Throughout 2016 and until mid-2019 we conducted a deep technology due diligence, as well as market research, and met and spoke with dozens of mental healthcare providers. During this time, two additional studies ended successfully and were published, further validating the clinical safety and effectiveness.

At the end of the process, we concluded that there was a clear need, 66 million people live in the US with a mental disorder, and we could help them. We also decided that the technology was viable and scalable and should not be confined to treating a specific disorder, rather to the overall paradigm of mental healthcare therapy. We decided to start with Prism for PTSD before branching out to other mental disorders.

Medgadget: Please give us an overview of the digital self-neuromodulation therapies for mental disorders that have been developed by GrayMatters Health, or are in development.

Oded Kraft: GrayMatters Health is leveraging the EEG-fMRI Pattern (EFP) technology first developed by Prof. Hendler at the Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center.

We have so far developed Prism for PTSD the first non-invasive, self-neuromodulation adjunct digital therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. Prism for PTSD trains patients to lower the amygdala-derived-EFP biomarker associated with the emotional regulation system. The product will be available in the US this year as a prescription device, designed to fit into any clinic, administered under the direction of mental healthcare professionals.

Following the successful FDA clearance of this product, we are further developing the core EFP technology behind Prism for PTSD to address additional mental disorders. Our products will focus on treating Major Depressive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. So, this is the first step in a long journey.

Medgadget: How does Prism for PTSD work? How far along is the technology in reaching clinical adoption?

Oded Kraft: Prism for PTSD uses a specific biomarker called amygdala-derived-EFP, which is associated with the emotion regulation system, what is referred to as the fight-flight-freeze instinct. Prism for PTSD therapy consists of 15 sessions spread over eight weeks, with each session lasting about 30 minutes. In each session, the mental healthcare professional places an EEG cap on the patients head and the patient sits in front of a screen showing a virtual scene of a reception room, where the avatars huddle around a reception desk and shout. The patient is then instructed to find a mental strategy, such as memory, emotion, or experience, that would make the avatars sit down. This method is known as neurofeedback  only here we are doing it on a specific biomarker.

As the patient practices different mental strategies, Prism for PTSD reads the EEG signal, uses it to compute the amygdala-derived-EFP, and uses that value to change what is happening in the user interface (i.e., reception room). As patients find the mental strategy that lowers the biomarker, the avatars sit, and the reception room becomes quieter. Think of it as placing a mirror in front of this specific brain activity. Over the course of the 15 sessions, patients practice this new skill and can improve with time.

Patients can also receive Prism for PTSD refresher sessions once the full course of treatment concludes, following the recommendation and prescription of the attending healthcare professional.

Following the conclusion of the treatment and any refresher sessions, patients can use these mental strategies in their daily lives. Through this treatment, we hope to provide patients with the tools to have more agency over their own healing, that will continue to evolve over time, all under the direction of a mental healthcare professional. Please note, the patient does not need to undergo a fMRI scan.

Prism for PTSD recently received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market the product in the US. The product will be available to patients in the US starting later this year as a prescription device, designed to fit into any clinic, administered under the direction of mental healthcare professionals. We have already begun laying the groundwork for insurance coverage for Prism for PTSD, and have connected with top US payors to help patients gain access to adjunct digital therapy. If a healthcare professional is interested in using Prism at their clinic, they can be in contact with GMH.

Following the successful FDA clearance, GMH will also explore regulatory approvals in other markets.

Medgadget: How did you identify a biomarker of mental disorders? Please explain how this works.

Oded Kraft: Certain brain mechanisms are associated with different mental disorders. Based on the work of Prof. Hendler, GMH develops brain-mechanism-specific biomarkers named EEG-fMRI-Pattern (EFP). The biomarkers are developed by fusing data of electrical activity as measured on the scalp (measured with EEG), and blood flow signals of relevant brain mechanisms (as measured using fMRI scanners). Our product uses these biomarkers with an interactive audio/visual interface to help patients regain control (agency) over the relevant brain activity.

Prism for PTSD uses a specific biomarker called amygdala-derived-EFP, which is using data of the emotion regulation system. Scientific studies published prior to GMHs inception have shown that PTSD is associated with increased amygdala activity which is why the biomarker we have developed focuses on this specific brain activity.

Medgadget: What are the next steps for the technology? Are you planning to release other technologies to assist those with different mental disorders in the future?

Oded Kraft: We plan to expand our clinical development to evaluate how the core technology can be applied to treat additional mental disorders including Major Depressive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Looking further ahead, we plan to use deidentified data collected through Prism for PTSD treatments to develop treatment predictors, patient management tools and treatment personalization.

Link: GrayMatters Health homepage
The global genomic testing market is expected to grow from US$ 13.7 billion in 2022 to US$ 30.08 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 9.54% over the forecast period of 20232031. This is brought about by better patient outcomes, increased drug discovery, and decreased healthcare expenses.

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A growing understanding of the role genetic variables play in the onset of numerous chronic diseases, genetic disorders, and malignancies has led to an exponential rise in the global market for genomic testing in recent years. A wider spectrum of patients can now access and afford more testing choices thanks to the quick development of genomic technology and a drop in sequencing prices.

A further major source of mortality in the world, cancer affects over 19.3 million additional people each year and claims 10 million lives. Genomic analysis is frequently used to predict how a tumor will respond throughout cancer treatment. Additionally, it is a crucial component of managing and treating various cancers, including lung and breast cancer. This can aid medical professionals in predicting cancers aggressiveness and likelihood of metastasizing (spreading) to other bodily regions.

Globally, there are many genetic abnormalities, with an estimated 400 million individuals being affected by the 7,000 uncommon diseases that have been diagnosed. Chronic illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory disorders cause 41 million deaths annually, or 71% of all fatalities worldwide. The demand for genomic testing services has increased owing to the increasing prevalence of genetic diseases like cancer, uncommon diseases, and hereditary disorders.

Regional Outlook

North America is anticipated to have a sizable 35% market share, dominating the global market for genomic testing. This is because a number of elements support the regions dominant position in the market. The implementation of genomic testing methods in clinical practice has been helped by the developed healthcare infrastructure in North America. In order to access cutting-edge tools and resources for genomic testing, this infrastructure encompasses a wide network of hospitals, clinics, and research facilities.

Astute Analytica predicts that Asia Pacific will surpass North America as the second-largest market for genomic testing and will experience the highest CAGR growth. According to estimates, the area provides more than 30% of global market income. Numerous causes, including the increased incidence of chronic diseases, expanding knowledge of the advantages of genomic testing, and rising desire for personalized therapy, can be credited for the expansion of the market in the area.

The three largest nations in the APAC market are China, India, and Japan. The rise in chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer is driving the countrys expansion in the market.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular illnesses, which account for over 44% of all fatalities in China, are the main death reason. Similarly, with more than 4 million new cases identified each year, cancer is another significant health worry in the nation.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in India, accounting for more than 7% of all fatalities, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The countrys demand for genomic testing is anticipated to be driven by the rising burden of chronic diseases.

Segmentation Outlook

By Offering Segment

Reagents and consumables dominated the market with more than 49% market share

The growing popularity of automated systems, which need specialized reagents and consumables to ensure maximum performance, is another factor driving the market for reagents and consumables. Further projected to increase demand for reagents and consumables in the genomic testing market is the emerging trend of personalized medicine, which depends on genomic testing to customize treatment approaches to a patients particular genetic makeup.

By Testing Type Segment

Sequencing solutions are likely to generate more than two-thirds of the market share

The widespread adoption of NGS technologies, which provide high throughput and affordable genomic testing options for various applications, including diagnostics, drug development, and research, can be credited with the expansion of this market. By enabling quicker and more precise DNA and RNA sequencing, NGS technologies have revolutionized the science of genomics and given researchers invaluable new insights into genetic variants and mutations.

By Technology Segment

Stem cell therapy is likely to account for around 46% of the revenue share of the genomic testing market.

This is due to the rising desire for individualized medicines and regenerative medicine, which use stem cells to restore damaged organs and tissues.

By Application Segment

Drug Discovery and Development to record more than 45% of revenue of the global genomic testing market

Genomic testing has transformed drug research and development by offering a quick and inexpensive way to identify prospective therapeutic targets and create novel medications.

Genomic testing can result in significant financial savings for medication discovery and development. According to a study published in the Journal of Medicine Discovery Today, using genomic testing to design drugs can save costs by up to 60% and the time it takes to bring a medicine to market by up to 50%. According to a different study published in the journal Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, the global market for genomic testing might save up to $500 million per drug by using genomics in drug discovery.

To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/genomic-testing-market

Companies Profile

According to Astute Analytica, the six leading playersIllumina, Inc., QIAGEN, Eurofins Genomics, BGI, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.have a combined market share of over 64%. This suggests that the market is subject to oligopolistic competition.

Local and small-scale firms also exist in the market, and their combined market share is sizable. However, the top businesses are extending their geographical reach by acquiring local and small businesses. They can grow their consumer base and market share thanks to this tactic.

Recent Strategies Adopted by Key Players

In April 2023, one of the leading healthcare organizations in the world, Apollo, opened a Genomics Institute in Chennai to research genes and genetic diseases. Apollo plans to establish three additional genomics facilities by the end of 2023 in Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. The business already operates such institutions in Delhi and Mumbai. The Apollo Genomic Institute in Chennai will offer several services, including prenatal genetic screening, cancer genomics, obstetric genetics, clinical diagnostics, and more, giving patients the knowledge, they need to manage and prevent genetic illnesses.

In April 2023, Henry Ford Health, a not-for-profit healthcare organization in the Detroit metro region, and Illumina Inc., a world leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced the beginning of cooperation to examine the effects of comprehensive genetic testing on cardiovascular disease. The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Henry Ford will treat 1500 patients as part of the first trial under this new agreement, called CardioSeq.

In April 2023, Genomic Testing Cooperative (GTC), a biotechnology company based in Irvine, California, and Sysmex Inostics Inc., a subsidiary of Japans Sysmex Corporation, partnered to commercialize GTCs tissue and liquid biopsy solid tumors and hematology assay services to biopharma clients. The partnership combines Sysmex Inosticss global commercial capabilities in biopharma therapeutic development and ultra-sensitive Plasma-Safe-SeqS technology with GTCs proprietary genomic databases, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and DNA and RNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) profiling.

Leading Companies

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

BGI Group

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Danaher Corporation

Eurofins Genomics

F. Hoffmann-La Roche

Illumina, Inc.

QIAGEN

Singular Genomics Systems, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Other Prominent players

Segmentation Outline

By Offering:

System and Software

Reagents & Consumables

Services DTC Genomic Testing Service Sale of genomic data



By Testing Type:

Sequencing Solution DNA Sequencing RNA Sequencing Methylation Sequencing NGS Library Preparation Sequencing Data Analysis

Others Microarray Solution Human Genotyping with Arrays Non-Human Genotyping with Arrays Methylation Array Analysis Microarray Data Analysis Others



By Technology:

Proteomics

Pharmacogenomics

Stem Cell Therapy

Cloning

By Indication:

Cancer

Asthma

Diabetes

Hearth Diseases

Other Indication

By Application:

Drug Discovery & Development

Disease Diagnosis

Agricultural Production

Others

By End-User:

Hospitals & Clinics

Research Centers & Academic Institutions

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Others

By Region:

North America The U.S. Canada Mexico

Europe

Western Europe

The UK

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Rest of Western Europe

Eastern Europe Poland Russia

Rest of Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific Malaysia Thailand China India Japan Australia & New Zealand South Korea ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA) Saudi Arabia South Africa UAE Rest of MEA

South America Argentina Brazil Rest of South America



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About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us.

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According to Renub Researchs latest report, Japan Diabetes Market, By Insulin Pump, CGM, Self-Monitoring Blood Device and Company Analysis the Japan Diabetes Market to grow with a CAGR of 2.73% from 2022 to 2028. Japan has one of the largest older populations in the world, which is more susceptible to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a no infectious disease caused by high blood glucose levels. Over time, it can lead to serious heart, brain, blood vessels, eye, kidney, and nerve damage. With a rising aging population, lifestyle changes, increasing overweight, and the prevalence of diabetic patients increasing, have significantly boosted the market. According to World Health Organisation, Diabetes Mellitus deaths in Japan reached 5,433 deaths.

Expert Insights: Ask Analyst or Download Full Report with TOC & Figures: https://www.renub.com/japan-diabetes-market-p.php

Rapidly Increasing Aging Population creates Type-2 Diabetes Prevalence in Japan

This high prevalence of type 2 diabetes is associated with a significant economic burden, on aging population, and the costs of diabetes increase in patients with co-morbidities. In addition, the majority of type 2 diabetes had associated with a high intake of traditional Japanese foods, such as soybean products, seaweed, and Japanese pickles, increased longevity, COVID pandemic, lifestyle changes, lack of screening tests & public awareness. In 2021, the Japanese Circulation Society and the Japan Diabetes Society also emphasized the importance of biomarker measurement in diagnosing cardiovascular diseases in people with type 2 diabetes.

In Japan, the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes in children aged 0-14 increased over time. Most type 1 patient stay in a hospital for 2-4 weeks at their diagnosis for the initial treatments, exams, and diabetes education. In 2019, a country-wide campaign called Sche1sstyp was initiated by the Germany-based research canter Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen. The campaign addresses the prevention and early detection of type 1 diabetes.

Advanced Technology will create more demand for SMBG Devices

Japan is one of the high-potential markets for developing diabetes care devices. Monitoring and managing blood glucose levels are rising to avoid negative consequences. The ease of doing, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness create more demand for SMBG devices. SMBG provides rapidly accurate blood glucose readings, which offers significant benefits to diabetics and, ultimately, financially, their healthcare providers.

In addition, the market had essentially driven by the increasing number of diabetic patients, the availability of blood glucose meters at a nominal cost, and active reimbursement policies of patients. In 2021, AstraZenecas Farxiga had approved in Japan. The drug is a blockbuster in the country and became a selling diabetes drug in Japan.

Although the government of Japan has been striving to control diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases through the Heath Promotion Program called Healthy Japan 21 campaign in 2013. The Strategy for extending healthy life expectancy that sets concrete targets across disease areas, including diabetes, which the mission to reduce the number of people who will develop diabetes, as well as the number of people with diabetes who discontinue treatment, have unhealthy blood sugar levels, and formulate diabetes-related complications.

It can further strengthen primary care and governance across the entire pathway of CVD and diabetes care. Using a variety of policy instruments to improve the quality of services along the whole path, such as through the introduction of integrated care models, financial incentives for improved quality and performance, benchmarking, and target setting. In Japan, the number of dialyzes populations is the highest in the OECD d the number of dialyze populations in Japan due to low-of-pocket payment and highly effective and established clinical standards for dialysis. However, it provides health insurance to citizens and non-citizens residing in Japan for more than a year through its universal healthcare system.

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Where the insurance coverage is determined on a per-workplace identifying industries and workplaces with a high risk of diabetes and implementing efficient primary and secondary prevention programs will contribute to curbing healthcare expenditures. As such, diabetes prevention continues to be a significant public initiative in Japan.

Competitive Landscape:-

Japan Diabetes companies include Medtronic, Insulet Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, DarioHealth Crop, Dexcom, Inc, Roche Diagnostic, and Tandem Diabetes Care.

In March 2022, Quantum Operation Inc., a Tokyo-based healthcare IoT start-up, presented the worlds first non-invasive glucose monitor capable of continuous measurement. It measures the blood sugar from the wrist without any pricks.

Market Summary:-

By Devices:  The Report covers the Japan Diabetes Market by devices from 3 viewpoints. (SMBG Market by Test Strips, Lancet, Meter, Blood Glucose Device Users & Reimbursement) Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM Market by Components, Glucose Sensor, Transmitter, CGM User, Reimbursement), Insulin Pump (Users, Market & Differentiation Points of Insulin Pump Products, Training Model for Patients & HCP, Reimbursement Policies) and Reimbursement Policies), respectively.

The company report covers the Japan Diabetes Market from Three viewpoints.

Medtronic, Insulet Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, DarioHealth Crop, Dexcom, Inc, Roche Diagnostic, and Tandem Diabetes Care.

Browse Related Report:

France Diabetes Market : https://www.renub.com/france-diabetes-market-p.php

US Diabetes Market : https://www.renub.com/united-states-diabetes-market-p.php

UK Diabetes Market : https://www.renub.com/united-kingdom-diabetes-market-p.php

Canada Diabetes Market : https://www.renub.com/canada-insulin-pump-cgm-market-p.php

About the Company:

Renub Research is a Market Research and Information Analysis company with more than 14 years of experience in Research, Survey, and Consulting. Our research helps companies to take business decisions: on strategy, organization, operations, technology, mergers & acquisitions, etc. Till now we have published more than 7000 syndicated reports and worked on more than 500 custom research projects. Currently, we are supplying data to EMIS, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, etc. We support many blue-chip companies by providing them with findings and perspectives across a wide range of markets.

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by Ray Schultz , May 1, 2023

Nicole Carroll, who announced she was leaving her post as editor in chief of USA Today, has resurfacedas head of a local journalism initiative at Arizona State University (ASU).

Carroll will lead the project, working with ASU Media Enterprise, a nonprofit collective of media outlets, and ASUs Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, according to AZ Central.

Details have not yet been revealed. But the job will be to develop methods of reporting on communities and business strategies for local news outlets, primarily focusing on news deserts, AZ Central adds.

"When you lose local news, you lose cohesion, you lose political participation, you lose connections in the community," Carroll says. "It's really a crisis, and after so many years on a very big stage, I really wanted my next chapter to be about helping smaller communities save, sustain and transform local news."

Carroll joined USA Today in February 2018 after leading Pulitzer-Prize-winning coverage at The Arizona Republic, a part of the USA Today Network.

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USA Today became a majority-female newsroom in 2021 under Carrolls leadership. In addition, the paper hired more journalists of color, announcing plans to add or reassign journalists to new beats to cover inequities in the U.S.

Michael McCarter was as interim editor in chief pending the outcome of a national search for a replacement for Carroll, Gannet said in April.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 2, 2023

Google has defeated a lawsuit brought by Minnesota and New York residents who claimed the company violated state privacy laws by retaining data about consumers' streaming video rentals.

In a decision issued Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Northern District of California said New York and Minnesota privacy laws don't allow individuals to sue companies that fail to delete data with regard to video rentals.

The ruling comes in a dispute dating to last October, when Minneapolis resident Burke Minahan alleged in a class-action complaint that Google violated a state privacy law by maintaining a record of all videos he rented from the platform since 2018, when he first used the company's streaming rental service.

Among other provisions, the Minnesota law requires that "videotape service providers destroy personally identifiable information no later than one year when it is no longer needed by the company that collected it.

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Minahan's suit was later joined by New York residents, who alleged the company was violating a similar New York video privacy law. Both state laws also prohibit companies from disclosing video rental records without consumers' consent.

Google argued to Rogers that the laws only allowed consumers to sue over disclosures of their information, as opposed to failing to destroy the data.

Rogers accepted that argument, noting that earlier this year Apple prevailed in a similar lawsuit brought by New York and Minnesota residents.

In that case, U.S. District Court Judge Haywood Gilliam, also in the Northern District of California, said the laws in those states didn't allow consumers to sue over data retention. The consumers in that matter recently filed an appeal with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Until now, Tuyet Nhung still doesnt know the truth about her shattered family. Her father said her mom was the one who cheated, yet her mother claimed the opposite.

"Dad said mom went to the city to study and rented a room with a co-worker," Nhung said. But her mom said that her fathers mistress was pregnant before her parents even got married.

Unfaithful parents who divorce are the leading cause of mental health problems in children. Illustration photo by Pixabay

The mother demanded custody of the child, but then sent her back to her grandparents when she was in 1st grade.

"I didnt know who was telling the truth," said Nhung, a 23-year-old living in Hanoi.

Duc Tung, 37, from HCMC, knew since 3rd grade that his father was cheating with another woman who was only 10 years older than Tung himself.

"From then on my mom had to use anti-depressants, while I was left feeling like someone hurt me to the very soul," he said.

Tungs father is a high-ranking manager, while his mom was a homemaker. To Tung, his father was someone he looked up to  a man who was the epitome of success, who loved his wife and was beloved by people all around.

But on a cold, rainy night, Tung saw his mother return home and collapse on the bed. His father silently followed behind, only to gather his things and quietly leave the house. His parents had divorced. The father promptly married another woman. Tung then broke off all contact with his father.

According to a statistic by the Institute for Family and Gender Studies, infidelity is the second most common cause of marital crisis (25.9%). In a study by global think tank Overseas Development Institute (ODI), unfaithful parents who divorce are the leading cause of mental health problems in children.

Psychologist Hong Huong from Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children's Rights explained that parents are the people children trusted the most. As such, this trust crumbles when they know their parents cheated on one another.

"Symptoms include becoming more scared, embarrassed, fear of others knowing about their situation, failing grades in their studies," Huong said.

When her parents went their separate paths, Nhung went from a happy, talkative child into a moody and quiet adolescent. Missing her mom and dad, she stuck their photos into her diary, along with the words "I wish the three of us were together."

The desperate wish for a reunion, combined with her loneliness, turned Nhung into a person who prefers to be by herself. "Everyone told me I might be autistic, Im not even sure if I am," she said.

According to Huong, a loss of trust in parents who lied can also directly affect childrens relationships with people around them. Children will also lose their trust in romantic relationships, because if the person they were supposed to trust the most can lie to them, then who else can they trust?

This is also why Tung became depressed when it comes to being in a relationship. "I dont believe anyone can stay with someone for the rest of their life," Tung said.

But that break in trust was not that big at first. Tung managed to be in a 5-years relationship, which he planned on moving forward with until marriage. Invites have been sent out, but the moment his fiances family heard about Tungs father, they decided that their daughter should not be with Tung.

Two days before the wedding ceremony, he pleaded with his fiance, but she decided to let the relationship go. "From then on, I despised my father even more, and lost all of my trust in love," Tung said.

After many failed relationships, he actively became the one who initiates all break-ups, due to not wanting to be hurt by others. When he was 35 years old, Tung decided to marry a girl who stuck by his side.

On the day of the engagement ceremony, her parents wanted both of his parents to come over and talk. Feeling like his past was coming to haunt him again, Tung asked to cancel the marriage.

Tran Minh Hai, who has a masters degree in social work, said that the shock from knowing their parents cheat can turn well-behaved children into kids with rude and anti-social behavior. They often cause chaos to vent their stresses.

Nhung became a taciturn person, but she also found herself fighting regularly with a group of bullies who mocked her as the "girl with no parents."

When she was in 10th grade, her dad told her about how her mom cheated on him. She became more anxious, not willing to ask her mother about it, but also unable to ignore her fathers words.

So she silently investigated.

As it turned out, both of her parents were hiding the truth about their former lovers from their daughter. "I was sick of my life, but not to the point of becoming suicidal. At least I still had my grandparents who I could still rely on," Nhung said.

Hai warned that anti-social behaviors in children can result in illegal activities. As someone who has worked with street children for decades, he said there were numerous cases in which children commit crimes because their parents were cheating on each other.

The expert said that love, marriage, and divorce are common events. "If a marriage cannot be saved, then its best to be truthful to your children. They will be shocked, but when things calm down, they wont lose trust because of their parents lies."

For children who are mentally disturbed because of their parents infidelity, Hai suggested that instead of discussing it with friends  who are not yet mature enough to give proper advice, its better to talk with adults that they can trust --grandparents, uncles, aunts, teachers, or mental health experts.

He said its ill-advised to share personal stories on social media because not everyone will fully understand the story and give objective opinions. Often things posted on social media hurt the children even more. It can also bring consequences if parents want to be together again.

Tung felt he was lucky when the girl he loved accepted him. After he asked to cancel their marriage, his fiance successfully persuaded her parents to empathize with his situation. Now, whenever he thinks of his father, Tung sees it as a warning for himself.

*Characters' names have been changed
Dear Alexander,



I am very pleased to be in Vienna again today. As you were kind enough to say, this is one of our many meetings. And, also, on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Delphi Forum, I had the pleasure of meeting Chancellor Nehammer.



Today, we discussed ways to enhance even more our relations, as much as possible. Economic relations is a field in which we can do more. We will be very happy to attract even more investments from Austria.



There is lots we can do on energy. Thank you for mentioning it. The electrical interconnector between Greece, Austria and Germany through Albania and the Western Balkans could be an important item on the future energy cooperation between us.



Also, we discussed the need to raise awareness and to enhance effectiveness, at international level, in combatting illicit trafficking of cultural goods and in protecting cultural heritage.



And, to this end, please allow me to express my deep satisfaction for the announcement you have just made during your remarks, having to do with the Parthenon fragments, the two fragments here in Vienna, rather big ones; one is 25cm, the other one is 65cm. And I have to say, this will add to a series of highly symbolic gestures that may create a positive momentum. The Regional Government of Sicily in 2022 and Pope Francis in January 2023 returned to Greece parts of the Parthenon Sculptures. So, this will be the third one. And this for us is of huge importance.



And, also, besides this very fact, we believe that we created a momentum which we could use in our discussions in London, which I hope I will be able to successfully conduct at the end of the day.



We discussed about our close cooperation in the European Union and in International Organisations, such as the United Nations. As you know, we have mutually supported our candidacies. Thank you for your support for our bid for the UN Security Council.



Also, thank you for your support in migration. Thank you for realising how difficult it is sometimes.



We discussed, of course, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our common position that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty should always be on our agenda.



I would like to thank you, on another issue, for your contribution to UNFICYP in Cyprus. We are deeply in gratitude to Austria.



And thank you for your remarks on the astern Mediterranean. I have to say things are much calmer now. Yet, we know that we could count, and we can count, and we will count on your support. We are pragmatists. We hope that after the Turkish elections we may be able to try again to find a way out on our difference with Turkiye. But, of course, that can only be based on International Law and the International Law of the Sea.



Again, Austria speaks about International Law of the Sea. Austria is a proud example because Austria is a land-locked country and, yet again, is a signatory and has ratified UNCLOS, on International Law of the Sea. I hope that other countries will follow your proud example. There are not many that have not subscribed to it, but there is one, it is quite important for us.



Thank you so much. It was such a great pleasure to be again in Vienna today. Thank you, Alexander.



JOURNALIST: You are also going to meet Mr Rafael Grossi today. What is the purpose of your meeting? Is it about the new Turkish power plant that you have likened to Chernobyl? What is the position of Greece, what steps do you want to take?



N. DENDIAS: Thank you for the question. Of course, I didnt say that Akkuyu, if thats the one you mean, is Chernobyl; far from it. What I expressed, and I always express, is my anxiety that the norms according to which any nuclear station operates are to the highest level. And, let me say, Akkuyu for us is right next door. So, of course, the fact that Rafael Grossi was there makes me calmer. But Id like to learn from him the status of that nuclear reactor.



But its not only that, its not the main issue of the meeting. The nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhia poses a direct threat to the overall region, to Greece, but I believe, also to Austria. And I would like to be informed on what is happening there and how we could be of assistance to him. I discussed that with him last year and I am going to discuss this with him during this visit to Vienna as well.



JOURNALIST: There is also a deep crisis in Sudan at the moment and the UN expects around 800.000 refugees because of the fights there. Do you also expect refugees from Sudan in Greece?



N. DENDIAS: We just finished the evacuation operation of Greek citizens from Sudan. Unfortunately, the situation in Khartoum and Darfur is not getting any better. So, yes, refugees are expected to move from Sudan to safer areas. What I hope we can do and facilitate is that they stay next to the Sudanese border, while we are trying our best to bring a truce and a normalisation at a later stage. Then, leaving Sudan for Europe, I dont think that helps them and I dont think that helps you.
At age 31, Thanh Mai realized she was no longer young and needed to start considering marriage and having children seriously.

Nine years ago, Mai broke up with her first love after a 5-year relationship. After that, she developed a resistance to dating, and solely focused on working, letting many opportunities to find a good boyfriend pass by.

"After turning 30, I felt my health deteriorating," the now 37-year-old Mai said.

She became increasingly impatient as time passed by. Being a professional in the social sciences, she acknowledged that a woman should give birth between the ages of 20 and 35.

Mai started to take the calls of suitors whom shed ignored before. It didn't take her long to realize that men her age often "had something wrong" or were divorced.

"The older I am, the easier it is for me to understand someone. I spotted problems in everyone, and those that didnt have any problems also seemed unreliable to me. All the good men I knew were already married," she said.

Mai used to live in emptiness and loneliness as she didnt have any potential marriage partner. Photo courtesy of Mai

Duc Anh, 40, heard about his friend's kid getting into university while he was holding his own infant child in the hospital.

"My friends lives are all about to settle. Meanwhile, I am in the early stage of marriage," the bank employee said.

He got married at the age of 37, with a woman two years younger than him. They had two children in three years because they dont want to be too old when their children grow up.

Unfortunately, their children are often ill these days. Anhs wife's health has also gotten worse. He frequently has to take leave from work to care for his whole family, and even his own health is far from perfect.

"I should have thought about getting married earlier," Anh said.

Late-life marriage is not a rare phenomenon anymore. According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the average age of first-time spouses in Vietnam has been increasing over the past decades. On average, in 2020, Vietnamese males got married at age 27.9, up from 24.4 in 1989. In large metropolitan areas such as Ho Chi Minh City, the average age of first-time husbands is almost 30.

Purposefully planning to get married later in life and not finding any suitable partner are the two most popular reasons cited by single people in Vietnam. Unmarried adults now make up 10.1% of the population, compared to 6.2% in 2004.

Other reasons cited by the urban unmarried population are the high cost of living and the "intense pressure" of living in big cities.

Duc Anh is the oldest of four siblings whose father passed away when they were all still children. So ever since, Anh has taken it upon himself to help his mother and family financially.

"Only after my younger siblings got married did I feel financially stable and ready to get married. I dont want

my children to have a poor background like I did," he explained.

Dr. Tran Tuyet Anh, Head of the Department of Family at the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said that late-life marriage has been trending in other countries around the world, not just Vietnam. This brings several advantages, as people are more mature, financially stable, knowledgeable, and less prone to external conditions when they start their married lives.

"However, biologically speaking, people, especially women, aged 35 and over can easily encounter physical and mental issues. Popular observations in this age group are that they have higher chances of giving birth to disabled children or experiencing birth difficulties," she noted.

Other disadvantages, as psychologist Nguyen Thi Tam cited Psychological Development Theory, include the feeling of loneliness, emptiness, and anxiety. Many lose motivation as well, because children are often people's motivation in later life, according to Dr. Tam.

Mai understands the feeling of solitude and emptiness experienced by single people better than most people. Being an introverted person who enjoys taking care of her family, there are times when she cooks herself a big meal only to leave it untouched later.

"I wished I had someone eating with me," she said.

She also feels guilty because her father, whos already turned 80, worries about her staying single.

"I prioritized myself when I was young, but now, as I'm getting old myself, I tend to think from my parents' point of view and see how selfish I am," Mai admitted.

Nguyen Thi Hanh, 55, doesn't regret spending her youth pursuing her career. But she regrets not getting married sooner and giving birth so late. As a successful and good-looking woman with many suitors, Hanh never thought she would still be unmarried at age 40.

"My mother told me she wouldnt be able to rest in peace if I didnt get married," she said.

Hanhs love for her mother and her ever-stronger instinct to become a wife encouraged her to get married. However, there were no suitable husband candidates in her family and social circles. She ultimately married a divorced man 12 years older than her.

The middle-aged couple miscarried three times during their first five years of marriage. Their doctor even suggested that they should adopt a child instead. But they didn't give up. Then, in their sixth year after marriage, their IVF finally and miraculously succeeded.

Generation gaps and crises

Hanhs son is now nine years old. He now helps his parents with small chores. But the couple never stops worrying about the generation gap between them and their son. Instead of going on trips and enjoying their lives, the nearly retired couple is taking care of their son, reading books about puberty, hoping to raise their son into an upstanding man.

Meanwhile, Duc Anh is spending most of his energy caring for his elderly mother, his unwell wife, and his young children at the same time. "Sometimes I feel really exhausted," he said.

People like Anh have to put up with "great pressure," according to Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Duc Loc, president of the Social Life Research Institute. "Having to support others while needing someone to rely on themselves puts many people in crisis," he said.

Social scientists also say that Vietnams aging population, which is burdening the nations social welfare system, can also be traced to late-life marriage. Because so many who marry late in life are resistant to giving birth or have trouble doing so, researchers attribute the countrys decreasing birthrate to this phenomenon as well. Experts have predicted that by 2035, an average of four people of working age will be supporting three people of non-working age.

Psychologist and marriage expert Tran Kim Thanh has advised middle aged people who havent managed to find a partner to lower their standards, lower their egos, and prioritize values like being considerate and knowledgeable in the search for a partner.

"Sometimes we need to change ourselves to match with someone else, instead of requiring them to meet all of our standards," she suggested.

She added that nobody can ever measure the amount of money needed for a happy marriage. "I observed many feeling more motivated to earn money after having kids," she noted.

At age 37, Mai has finally found a man suitable for her. She expects to spend the next three years focusing on giving birth and taking care of her family. "People say husbands and wives are destined. However, I believe destiny is in our hands," she said.
Co Ngan celebrates her 29th birthday with her boyfriend American businessman Wynn Katz on April 24th, 2023. Photo courtesy of Co Ngan

Vietnamese model Co Ngan recently celebrated her birthday with her boyfriend American entrepreneur Wynn Katz at a famous Californian restaurant.

Co Ngan was able to celebrate her 29th birthday on April 24th with her entrepreneur boyfriend for only the second time in four years being together.

"Because of the pandemic, weve only been able to be together for this celebration twice...I havent been able to be with him during his birthdays, which made me feel very guilty," the model said.

Co Ngan shared many romantic moments with the party, saying that her boyfriend was "unusually sweet" that night.

"I had an amazing birthday again with you after three and a half years of being away from each other. Thank you for waiting for me such a long time," she said.

The entrepreneur Wynn Kats, 75, chose the world-famous Mastros Ocean Club in Newport Beach to celebrate his girlfriends birthday.

Even though the couple arrived at 9 p.m., the restaurant was still packed with guests enjoying the night, an unusual sight when most other restaurants in the southern California beachside locale were already closed.

Co Ngan was served a special strawberry drink for her birthday. "At first, the glass was filled with smoke, I thought it was like those champagne towers you see in Vietnamese weddings, but then it started to bubble, which was exciting," she said.

The American billionaire ordered a seafood tower filled with customized ingredients for their appetizer. Ngan and Kats both chose steamed shrimp dipped in sauce, crab claws and raw oysters  served in ice to lock in the freshness. Their main dishes were pan-roasted fish, served with roasted asparagus, mashed potato, and a cream soup.

The restaurant also prepared a birthday cake for Co Ngans special day, with a Happy Birthday message written on it. Her boyfriend said he adored the cream, which was made from scratch. The model closed her eyes to make a wish but was playfully interrupted by her boyfriend.

"My birthday experience was exceptional, from the food, the plating, to the friendly service," Ngan said.

Mastros Ocean Club is famed for its professional service and luxurious food  including steaks and seafood, alongside entertaining activities for guests. A signature here is the USDA Prime steak, which is aged for 28 days. Mastros diners also enjoy a variety of high-class wines.

Co Ngan, also known by her real name Co Thi Kim Ngan, is a model working in fashion and cosmetics. Her boyfriend Wynn Katz is the owner as well as designer of Rough Roses  a fashion line famous for leather bags and belts.

Ngan met Katz through Instagram in 2019. They met face-to-face during mutual business trips to Vietnam. Prior to Covid, the couple went through a temporary 6-month breakup due to frequent fights, but then soon made up during the pandemic. As of now, the pair is reunited in the U.S.

Ngan often shares details about the duos daily life on her social media accounts.
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Days after Disney sued Florida's governor in federal court for what it described as retaliation for opposing the state's so-called Don't Say Gay bill, Disney World's governing board  made up of Gov. Ron DeSantis appointees  filed a lawsuit Monday against the entertainment giant.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District sued Disney in state court in Orlando, and board members voted to defend itself in federal court in Tallahassee where the entertainment company filed its lawsuit last Wednesday.

The Disney lawsuit against the governor, the board and its five members asks a judge to void the governor's takeover of the theme park resort district previously controlled by Disney for 55 years. The governing board's lawsuit seeks to maintain its oversight of design and construction in the district that governs Disney World's 25,000 acres after the previous Disney-controlled board signed over those powers to the company before the DeSantis-appointed board members held their first meeting earlier this year.

The DeSantis board's lawsuit was filed Monday afternoon in Orange County and claims the agreements with Disney reek of a backroom deal. The previous board members failed to give proper notice about the agreements, lacked the authority to make them, unlawfully delegated governmental authority to a private entity and the agreements are unenforceable under Florida law, according to the suit.

We will seek justice in our own backyard, Martin Garcia, chair of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, said at Monday morning's special meeting approving the lawsuit.

An email seeking comment was sent Monday morning to Disney officials.

Disney filed its lawsuit last week after the oversight board appointed by DeSantis voted to void a deal that gave the company authority over design and construction decisions in its sprawling properties near Orlando.

Disney's lawsuit was the latest tug-of-war in a more than year-old feud between Disney and DeSantis that has engulfed the governor in criticism as he prepares to launch an expected presidential bid in the coming months.

DeSantis, who has framed himself as a Republican firebrand able to deftly implement his conservative agenda without drama, has dived headlong into the fray with the beloved company and major tourism driver, as business leaders and White House rivals bash his stance as a rejection of the small-government tenets of conservatism.

The fight began last year after Disney, in the face of significant pressure, publicly opposed a state law that bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call Dont Say Gay.

As punishment, DeSantis took over Disney Worlds self-governing district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers and appointed a new board of supervisors that would oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels. But before the new board came in, the company pushed though 11th-hour agreements that stripped the new supervisors of much of their authority.

In response, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers vowed to pass legislation that would repeal the agreements and end an exemption for Disney parks when it comes to ride inspections by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The agriculture agency is responsible for inspecting amusement rides in Florida, but an exception was carved out for the states largest theme park operators, such as Disney and Universal Destinations & Experiences, which do their own safety inspections. Under the proposal, the exemption would end for rides in special governmental districts, which basically targets just Disney World.

No corporation is above the law and the people of this state, DeSantis said Monday at a news conference in Titusville, along Florida's Space Coast.

The creation of the self-governing district by the Florida Legislature was instrumental in Disneys decision in the 1960s to build near Orlando. The company had told the state at the time that it planned to build a futuristic city that would include a transit system and urban planning innovations, so the company needed autonomy in building and deciding how to use the land. The futuristic city never materialized and instead morphed into a second theme park that opened in 1982.

Before and after the vote authorizing the lawsuit against Disney in state court on Monday, the current board members defended their work, claiming they were trying to promote better governance and bring the district into the 21st century.

Board member Ron Peri described being mocked in the media and getting hate mail. During the public comment portion of Monday's meeting, a man who has a Disney timeshare told the board members, You guys are terrible, and I think you all should resign.

Peri, who used to run a Florida-based ministry and has been accused of making anti-LGBTQ statements, urged the public to give the new board a chance.

Disney suing me? You've got to be kidding, Peri said. I have loved Disney World. My kids have enjoyed it. The Magic Kingdom is wonderful. It is my hope the actions we take will be better for everyone, Disney included."

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Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP.
Creative 360 will be moving to the former Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church at 5501 Jefferson Avenue this summer.

The arts non-profit said the move from its current 1517 Bayliss Street building reflects its commitment to serving the community by offering opportunities for creativity, wellness and community.

Creative 360 is an organization that loves to say 'yes,' said Executive Director Laura Vosejpka. Our goal is to offer our community as many ways as we can to experience the value of the creative process. Lately, space constraints have been limiting our ability to say yes as often as we would like. The new location will allow us to better serve our community in the ways we always have through classes, performances and exhibits, but also in brand new ways that we are really excited to explore.

Founded in the summer of 1994 by Linda Z. Smith and Cynthia Keefe through a residency at the Alden B. Dow Creativity Center, the Creative Spirit Center, as it was originally known, started in a small space on Townsend Street above what is now Crepes Et Amis.

The nonprofit quickly outgrew the space and in 2004 purchased the current venue, the former Salvation Army Church designed by Alden B. Dow in 1962, with support from a number of community foundations.

The approximately 5,000-square-foot building on Bayliss has hosted Express Yourself Artshop, Yes We Can!, Artfest 55, the Midland Artists Guild, Old Time Radio Shows, Broadway Flights and many other programs.

The arts center recently opened up two gallery spaces on the corner of Ashman and Larkin Streets. The East Ashman Galleries serve as fine arts exhibit space, classroom space, and arts retail space. Vosejpka said Creative 360 intends to remain downtown, adding that the increased visibility has been positive for the organization and the additional space for exhibitions, art sales, and classes has allowed an expansion of offerings, including serving as a home for the Midland Chess Club, Alignment 8 Yoga, and the Creative Minds visual arts series.

After successfully navigating the challenges of the pandemic in 2020, the Board of Directors realized that space issues were keeping Creative 360 from acting on many new ideas for the community," remarked Board President Bre Sklar. Our first core organizational value is Inclusion, and one important aspect of the new space is how much more physically accessible it is. For example, we are going from one accessible restroom in the lower level of the current building to a single level building with multiple accessible restrooms.

"And there is so much more opportunity  with multiple spaces for coming together, we have the chance to create environments where all people can explore creativity in a safe and supported atmosphere," Sklar added.

After the congregation and its leaders made the difficult decision to close Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church in 2021, many members were welcomed into Memorial Presbyterian Church. As Memorial had been instrumental in founding Chapel Lane over 60 years ago, Memorial assumed stewardship of the Chapel Lane property. When they became aware of Creative 360s search for a larger, more accessible space, they offered the Jefferson Avenue building for consideration.



The congregation, including former members of Chapel Lane, has enthusiastically supported this new direction for a beloved building, said Memorial Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Matthew Schramm. The work that Creative 360 has done in the community these last 25+ years is work that fits well with the legacy of the Chapel Lane congregation, as the arts have always been an important part of their ministry. We are confident that Creative 360 will use this special space in a way that creates a positive impact.

Creative 360 will be moving over the summer months, with plans to offer a special series of events in September to celebrate the opening of the new space. The board hopes to find a buyer who will continue to use the Bayliss Street property for the benefit of the community.

Founders Keefe and Smith, who are both still highly engaged with Creative 360, are very supportive of the move to the new building and the continued commitment to their holistic artistic vision.

It is rewarding to know that throughout these 29 years, our original mission has always been at the forefront of all decisions, said Smith. This next step and move is perfect. (My husband) Dave and I are extremely proud!

The Bayliss Street Stage and Gallery has been a warm, welcoming part of Midland for nearly 20 years, remarked Vosejpka. We dont ever want to lose that feeling. We know that we have more than enough energy, love and ideas to fill that big new space, and the Board and I cannot thank our supporters, donors, staff, and guests enough for all they have done to support our mission, vision and values. We look forward to at least another 29 years of serving Midland.

The former Chapel Lane Presbyterian building is the second former church building in Midland in the past year to become home to a nonprofit. The former St. Timothy Lutheran Church building at 2417 Abbott Road is now The Legacy Center for Community Success.
Thanks to DNA testing of evidence from a rape kit taken in 2013, two men face criminal sexual assault charges.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday that Douglas Johnson IV, 33, of Flint, and Rapheal Holman, 32, of Taylor, are each charged with four counts of sexual assault, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, in connection to the 2013 rape case.

Holman and Johnson are each charged with one count of the following charges:

First-degree criminal sexual conduct (multiple variables  accomplices and/or personal injury)

Second-degree criminal sexual conduct (multiple variables  accomplices and/or personal injury)

Third-degree criminal sexual conduct (incapacitated victim)

Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (incapacitated victim)

The charges stem from an April 2013 gathering in Ypsilanti, Nessels office wrote in a Friday press release.

The defendants and the victim were at a gathering with several other people, the release read. The victim eventually fell asleep on the couch, woke in the morning on the floor, without her pants, and was concerned that she had been sexually assaulted.

Due to the concern, she went to the hospital for a sexual assault kit, or rape kit, examination. The Washtenaw County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative tested evidence from her kit as part of their efforts in 2017. This was when DNA was found that came back to Holman and Johnson, according to Nessels office.

This is the kind of case we are only able to bring charges for through the incredible dedication and vital work of our Sexual Assault Kit Initiative teams throughout the state, Nessel said in the Friday release. Ten years after this assault we are still able to bring charges, and I want other survivors out there to see that. That is possible because of the tremendous work and determination of teams like the Washtenaw Sexual Assault Kit Initiative team, whose efforts I am grateful for.

The Washtenaw Sexual Assault Kit Initiative project is funded by the Michigan Legislature and involves a partnership between Nessel's office, the Michigan State Police, the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office and SafeHouse Center, a non-profit organization that provides support to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and their children in Washtenaw County.

The project uses a team approach to the re-investigation and prosecution of cold-case sexual assaults. The team consists of a special assistant attorney general, investigators employed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office, a victim advocate employed by SafeHouse Center and local law enforcement who initially responded to the report.

Were grateful for the phenomenal work our Sexual Assault Kit Initiative team is doing on these cases with the support of the attorney general, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit said in the Friday release. We are committed to ensuring justice for sexual assault survivors  no matter how long it takes. And we will.

Holman and Johnson were arraigned in 14A District Court in Ann Arbor, court records showed.

Holman is due back in court on May 16 for a probable cause hearing. And Johnson is due back on May 11 for the same.
FILER TWP.  A house fire on Maple Road kept the Filer Township Fire Department busy for almost six hours as crews used about 30,000 gallons on Sunday night into Monday morning.

The department was toned at 7:02 p.m. to a house fire on Maple Road south of Preuss Road on Sunday and firefighters cleared the scene around 12:45 a.m. Monday.

Five fire departments responded to the fire: Filer Township Fire Department, Manistee City Fire Department, Stronach Township Fire Department, Manistee Township Fire Department and Mason County's Grant Township Fire Department.

Jim Espvik, Filer Township Fire Department chief, said the residents were alerted to a fire and they were able to evacuate without injury.

Make sure that your smoke alarms are working, because thats what saved these people is the smoke alarms were all working. They went off  thats what alerted them to the fire, he said.

He said the house was a total loss and that Red Cross was able to help the family with housing and essentials.

Espvik said he was grateful for the help from other fire departments and first response agencies.

He said there was no water supply for fire departments at the location and that water had to be transported from a fire hydrant on Red Apple Road near the Filer Township water tower.

Other departments that came were very, very helpful to us as far as supplying us with water, he said. Were a small department, (a department of) volunteers and  we wouldnt have been able to do this without their help.

Espvik advised residents to always be careful when dealing with fire sources like cooking and candles.

Mobile Medical Response and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians also assisted at the scene.
MARILLA  Marilla Historical Society plans to host open hours at Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place beginning May 6.

The museum will be open from 1-4 p.m. each Saturday from May through October.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Marilla Standard School building now known as Marilla Township Hall, Community Center and Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place.

Pioneer Place consists of the 1900 Pioneer Barn, the 1870s two story Pioneer House and the Nels Johnson Cabin.

"Each of these buildings is unique and focuses on a different aspect of our rural heritage. Pioneer House is fully furnished in every way. When you step in, you will wonder where the family has gone for the day. Theyve just 'stepped out' and will soon return you will think," reads a news release in part.

A "new attraction" at the museum is the large outdoor mural depicting the life of the community through time and season by artist William Hattendorf.

On June 3, the historical society will host a founders day event involving exhibits, music on the hammered dulcimer and a presentation by author/historian Dana Johnson, whose focus is the stories behind the Lost and Forgotten  but Unforgettable villages and communities of Manistee County, including Marilla and Yates Corners in Marilla Township. More details on this event will be released at a later date.

Starting November and continuing through April, the historical society will welcome guests from 1-4 p.m. each Tuesday at the main museum.

For more information, visit marillahistory.org.


Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 259 into law Monday, which will add changes to Michigan Proposal 22-2 on how postmarked absentee ballots are handled for uniformed service and overseas voters.

The new additions focus on clerks accepting postmarked ballots that arrive within six days after election day. Clerks will now have the discretion to accept ballots within the six days following the election, even if the postmark is "missing or unclear" according to the bill.

"Every citizen's vote strengthens our democracy and this law will help ensure the right of military service members and their spouses and dependents to make their voice heard in our elections while serving our country overseas," said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a statement after the bill was signed into law. "I'm grateful to the state Legislature and the governor for their partnership to make this law a reality ahead of tomorrow's local elections."

Thumb Reps. Greg Alexander (District 98) and Matthew Bierlein (District 97) were both opposed to the additions that the bill makes to the proposal.

"It's a change that (is) being added after the fact," said Alexander. "The voters just chose to (adopt Proposal 2) for the state of Michigan. It's being done against the common rules that have been in place."

"Proposal 2 only allows the absent voter ballot to be counted if it has received a postmark," Bierlein said in a press release. "Thats what people voted to approve and we should be respecting the will of voters,. This bill disregards those voices, goes beyond Proposal 2, and expands elections laws to what Democrats think our elections process should look like."

In 2022, Proposal 2 was approved with 60% of the vote in favor of it state-wide. However, 56.3% of Huron County voters were against the bill. Additionally, the rest of the counties in District 98 also voted in majority against the proposal. As for District 97, of the four counties it covers, only Tuscola County voted against it, with Bay, Saginaw, and Genesee counties more in favor of it.
HONOLULU (AP)  Police officers responding to a report of a temporary restraining order violation on the small and close-knit Hawaiian island of Molokai shot and killed a man.

Two police officers were responding to the call Sunday morning when they encountered a man wielding a weapon, the Maui Police Department said.

The male advanced toward the officers, at which time one officer deployed his taser, which proved ineffective before both officers discharged their weapons, police said in a statement.

The man died at Molokai General Hospital, police said. The officers involved were put on administrative leave and an investigation is ongoing, police said.

Molokai is just 8 miles (12.87 kilometers) northwest of the island of Maui. Residents on the Molokai, known for its small-town atmosphere and no traffic lights, were shocked by the fatal shooting. Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, who holds the Molokai seat on the county council, told The Associated Press Monday there have been no similar incidents in recent memory.

Maui police didn't immediately respond to an AP email asking when was the last time an officer was involved in a shooting on Molokai.

Most of us are ... related or friends. We mostly know each other," Rawlins-Fernandez said of the island's population of about 7,500. Most of the officers are long-time Molokai residents, she said.

While many questions remain about what happened, people are wondering how it could have been prevented. What more services do we need on this island so that we can prevent these kinds of things from happening? she said.

She said she went to high school with the man, identified by police Monday as Nathaniel Naki, 40, of Kaunakakai, the largest town on Molokai.

This is "absolutely tragic," Rawlins-Fernandez said. "The community is, you know, trying to figure out together how  to console the family.
The United States designated a wide-spread sanctions-evasion network that works for the benefit of Hizballah financier Nazem Said Ahmad, under its counterterrorism sanctions authority. Ahmad was himself designated by the United States in late 2019 for providing material support to Hizballah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

On April 18, the United States Department of State and the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 52 individuals and entities for facilitating the payment, shipment, and delivery of cash, diamonds, precious gems, art, and luxury goods for the benefit of Nazem Said Ahmad, a Lebanese art collector and diamond dealer.

Nazem Said Ahmad leads a global network of family members, associates, and companies that exploits weaknesses in the regulation of diamond, precious gem and art markets to acquire luxury goods. The network utilizes both legal and illegal means to induce participants into falsely engineering certificates, thus allowing Ahmad to manipulate diamond prices and taxes, and to purchase or consign high-priced luxury goods and artwork from auction houses and galleries worldwide. The network undervalues invoices for such imported luxury items through seaports, and subsequently moves assets into Lebanon without paying the applicable taxes and duties.

Key sanctioned individuals include Firas Ahmad, Nazem Said Ahmads son, who handles many of his fathers business affairs in South Africa; Nazem Said Ahmads daughter, Hind Ahmad, who has brokered deals on behalf of her father, and helped to create an alias to help him evade sanctions and purchase artwork from U.S. companies; Rami Baker, his brother-in-law, who served as a proxy for Nazem Said Ahmad in many companies in Lebanon and Angola; and his wife, Rima Baker, who handled the shipping and logistics of importing millions of dollars of art from the United States and foreign art galleries into Beirut, and helped him circumvent U.S. sanctions.

The individuals involved in this network used shell companies and fraudulent schemes to disguise Nazem Said Ahmads role in financial transactions, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. Luxury good market participants should be attentive to these potential tactics and schemes, which allow terrorist financiers, money launderers, and sanctions evaders to launder illicit proceeds through the purchase and consignment of luxury goods.
THREE RIVERS, Mich. (AP)  A South Carolina man has been charged in a Michigan womans 1988 slaying after investigators used forensic genetic genealogy to narrow the pool of suspects to a single family, authorities said Monday.

Robert Odell Waters, 53, was arrested Sunday afternoon in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he lives, in the killing of Cathy Sue Swartz, St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney David Martin said.

The 19-year-old Swartz was beaten, stabbed and strangled in December 1988 in her apartment in Three Rivers, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) south of Kalamazoo near the Michigan-Indiana border. Her 9-month-old daughter was in the next room when her mother was killed, Three Rivers police said.

Martin said Waters was formally charged with open murder Sunday afternoon and he waived extradition to Michigan.

It was unclear whether Martin has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

At the time of Swartz's killing, Martin said that Waters lived in St. Joseph County in southwestern Michigan.

Swartz's slaying had long remained a cold case, despite blood, fingerprints and footprints found at the crime scene that investigators believed belonged to her killer.

But last year, Three Rivers police, working with Michigan State Police and others were able to use forensic genetic genealogy to narrow the suspect pool to a single family.

After investigators interviewed and fingerprinted members of that family and analyzed their DNA, officials identified Waters as a suspect in Swartz's killing. Detectives traveled to South Carolina to speak to Waters and then obtained a warrant from his arrest.

While nothing can replace the loss of Cathy Swartz, and the impact this senseless tragedy has had, we hope the identification and arrest of a suspect will bring some long-awaited closure to her family and friends, Three Rivers Police Chief Scott Boling said in a statement.
After the success of the first year of USA goes MAD in 2022, Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District is bringing it back on Friday, May 5.

"It wasn't hard to find people who wanted us to come work this year," said USA Director of Student Services Laura Polega. "We had an outpouring of people calling and asking for our services."

High school students will be working around the Sebewaing/Unionville area on a variety of community service tasks such as cleaning the Sebewaing Harbor Marina and riverbank, raking and cleaning yards at many homes, spreading mulch, distributing rocks along seawalls, washing fire trucks, and many more.

This year will also see the middle schoolers join in the work, though on the school grounds rather than out in the community.

The high school students will be wearing bright orange tee shirts as they work, purchased with a grant from Frankenmuth Credit Union and My Member Insurance. The middle schoolers, on the other hand, will wear shirts given to them by Thrivent Financial. Greenstone Farm Credit Services donated work gloves for the students' protection as they work.

"We are grateful for the contributions for making our day even better this year, as well as the help from volunteers in our community, who have agreed to help supervise some of our students," Polega said.

The day was first instituted under high school principal Chuck Arnold. Arnold came in with a policy of wanting to increase the school's GRIT: Growth, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity. USA goes MAD was part of that initiative. It acts as a replacement for the school's May Day event, which was a day of games and activities that the students could come together for.
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday he is arranging a trip to South Korea for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol in return for his March visit to Tokyo, aiming to further strengthen their ties before the upcoming summit of the Group of Seven industrialized natioins.

Tokyo and Seoul have been working to repair relations that were strained over wartime history disputes as they deepen three-way security cooperation with Washington in response to growing regional threats from North Korea and China.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Ghana as part of his trip to Africa and Singapore, Kishida said he hopes to visit May 7-8 and exchange views with Yoon on ways to speed up the strengthening of bilateral ties and discuss regional and global issues.

If my South Korea visit is achieved ahead of the G-7 summit, I expect it will be a great opportunity to give impetus to our shuttle diplomacy and have a heart-to-heart exchange of our views on accelerating Japan-South Korea ties and drastically changing the global situation, said Kishida, who is hosting the May 19-21 G-7 summit in Hiroshima.

Later Tuesday, both governments confirmed Kishida's trip and their talks in Seoul.

Yoon's office said Kishida will make a working visit to South Korea with his wife, Yuko Kishida, following the president's invitation during his Tokyo visit in March, marking a fresh start in their diplomacy. Kishida's office said talks between the leaders were scheduled for Sunday.

Kishida will be the first Japanese leader to visit South Korea since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Pyeongchang Olympics in February 2018. The two leaders are expected to focus on cooperation and responses to North Koreas nuclear and missile development.

Japan and South Korea want to ensure their relationship is on track for a considerable recovery ahead of the G-7 summit, where Yoon is invited as one of eight outreach nations. The two leaders are also expected to hold a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines.

But later Tuesday, Japan's Foreign Ministry said it strongly protested to South Korea's embassy in Tokyo over a trip by South Korean opposition lawmakers to a disputed island called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea. Seoul controls the island, which continues to strain ties between the nations, including when then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited it in 2012.

The ministry said the visit by the opposition lawmakers to the island was "absolutely unacceptable and extremely regrettable."

Washington has been stepping up cooperation with its key Asian allies.

Yoon was in Washington last week and won stronger U.S. commitment on extended nuclear deterrence, including improved information sharing and nuclear submarine visits to South Korea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was at the White House on Monday and Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippines security and noted the deep friendship of the two nations.

Ties between Japan and South Korea have improved rapidly since March, when Yoon's government announced plans to use South Korean funds to compensate forced laborers without requiring contributions from Japan. The plan aims to end a dispute stemming from South Korean court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean workers for abusive treatment and forced labor during World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was a Japanese colony.

Since Yoon's trip to Japan in March, Tokyo and Seoul have mostly resolved their trade disputes. The two sides also held the first talks between their finance ministers in seven years, seeking strengthened cooperation in resilient supply chains amid China's growing influence.

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Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

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Find more of APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Russia couldnt escape its war against Ukraine during its highly contentious presidency of the U.N. Security Council, and the war will still loom over Switzerland as it takes over the monthlong presidency Monday for the first time since becoming a full member of the United Nations in 2002.

Switzerlands U.N. Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl said at the traditional opening press conference that her country's approach has been to work for unity of the council's 15 members and to be a bridge builder. She conceded, nonetheless, that she expects some heated or polarized discussions.

Fireworks are almost certain during Switzerlands signature events, starting Wednesday with a session on how to ensure trust to sustain peace in the future and another on May 23 on protecting civilians in armed conflict.

The council is also highly likely to hold a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, she said, which is certain to pit Moscow against Kyivs allies.

We will try to conduct tho (open) meetings in a calm way, Baeriswyl said. When it comes to closed consultations, I may be asking in a little more active way council members to really stay respectful with each other.

Russia started its presidency by giving the spotlight to its commissioner of childrens rights, who is accused with President Vladimir Putin of war crimes for deporting Ukrainian children to Russia. Then, it went after the West by claiming it is violating international laws by arming Ukraine.

At its premiere event last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov defended his countrys military action and accused the U.S. and its allies of undercutting global diplomacy  the foundation of the United Nations ,which was created to prevent a third world war.

Envoys from the U.S. and several allies responded to the video briefing by Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian childrens rights commissioner, by walking out of the council chamber. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzias accusations about arming Ukraine drew a blistering response that Ukraine has every right to defend itself against Putins invading army.

And U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Western envoys berated Lavrov for violating the U.N. Charter by attacking Ukraine and occupying part of its territory.

Switzerland Ambassador Baeriswyl was among those who accused Russia of violating the U.N. Charter, saying Ukraines state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the prohibition of the use of force continue to be flouted by the military aggression of a permanent member of the Security Council against its neighbor.

The presidency of the Security Council, the U.N.'s most powerful body charged with maintaining international peace and security, rotates monthly in alphabetical order of its 15 members.

John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and national security adviser to former President Donald Trump, said Russias presidency shows the dysfunctional nature of the Security Council, which has been paralyzed over Ukraine since Putins February 2022 invasion of its smaller neighbor. He said the same holds true during Chinas council presidency.

Obviously, theyre not going to permit any serious discussion of some of the real security crises around the world, and even if they did permit the discussion, they would block the council from doing anything through the veto, he said in a phone interview with AP.

Bolton said its unfortunate but ironic to say the least that the promise at the end of the Cold War in 1990-1991 that the Security Council could really be effective and address global crises after decades of paralysis because of the veto power of the United States and the Soviet Union has ended, alluding to the ongoing paralysis over Ukraine and other hotspots because of Russias veto.
BRISTOL  Police say a man was killed in a fire Monday night.

Bristol firefighters and officers were called to Steele Road just before 10 p.m. Monday for the active structure fire, Bristol Police Lt. Patrick Krajewski said in a news release early Tuesday.

As firefighters searched the home, they located an elderly male in the basement, who they removed to an awaiting ambulance where lifesaving measures were taken, Krajewski said.

He said the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not released the mans name as they are waiting for his family to be notified, Krajewski noted.

Another resident was able to make their way out of the home safely, according to Krajewski.

The Bristol Fire Department is investigating the blaze.
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HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr asked a court Monday to allow for her return to the House floor after she was silenced and barred for chiding her Republican colleagues over legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care and for encouraging protesters.

Attorneys for the first-term lawmaker sued in state district court in Helena on behalf of Zephyr, a transgender Democrat who represents a liberal district in the college town of Missoula, and several constituents who the attorneys said were being denied their right to adequate representation.

Zephyr, whose comments in the Montana Legislature have made her a prominent figure in transgender rights and in conversations about the muffling of dissent in statehouses, said in a statement Monday that she and her constituents were targeted because I dared to give voice to the values and needs of transgender people like myself.

The legal challenge against House Speaker Matt Regier and Sergeant-at-Arms Brad Murfitt comes with just days left in the Legislatures biennial session.

A spokesperson for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen  a Republican whose office will defend the case  said the lawsuit was frivolous.

This is performance litigation  political activism masquerading as a lawsuit," said Emily Flower, Knudsen's press secretary. She added that a court decision blocking the Legislature's censure of Zephyr would violate the separation of powers between branches of government.

Murfitt said he would not comment on the lawsuit, and Regier did not return telephone messages and an email seeking comment.

Residents of the Missoula area said in declarations filed as part of the lawsuit that they wanted Zephyr heard in the Legislature.

Anna Wong, who lives in Missoula County with her transgender child, supported Zephyr in the 2022 election with the expectation the lawmaker would speak out against the onslaught of bills targeting transgender youth."

Suicide amongst transgender youth is not imaginary," Wong said. It is not a game and it is not a political foil. It is real. It is heartbreaking. And it is the responsibility of my representative to speak out against bills promoting it.

Zephyrs attorneys hoped to get a ruling as quickly as possible on their request for a temporary restraining order against Regier and Murfitt. One of the most important pieces of the Legislatures work, finalizing a budget for the next two years, is unfinished.

Every minute matters, said Alex Rate, legal director of the Montana ACLU and one of Zephyr's attorneys. Without Zephyr having her full rights and privileges restored, her 11,000 constituents are voiceless."

Democratic Minority Leader Kim Abbott appeared to concede that the removal of Zephyr was within the House's authority when she spoke on the House floor as the matter was considered last week. You absolutely can do this, by rule, by the Constitution ... But just because you can do it does not make it the right choice, she said.

Abbott did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Republicans achieved a supermajority in Montana during the 2022 election and now control two-thirds of the state House and Senate, in addition to the governors office.

GOP leaders, under pressure from hard-line conservatives, silenced Zephyr from participating in floor debates and demanded she apologize two weeks ago, after she said those who supported a ban on gender-affirming care for youths would have blood on their hands. Days later, she raised her microphone in defiance as demonstrators in the House gallery angrily demanded she be allowed to speak, leading to seven arrests and Zephyrs banishment from the House floor.

Republicans moved to sideline Zephyr further by canceling some meetings of the two committees on which she serves and moving the bills they were to hear to other committees, Democrats said.

She spent the first day of her exile last week battling to use a bench in a statehouse hallway. Her key card to access Capitol entrances, bathrooms and party workspaces was deactivated, according to the lawsuit.

Zephyr spoke briefly during a House Judiciary Committee meeting Monday morning. The full House  minus Zephyr  met in the afternoon, with Zephyr casting votes from a statehouse snack bar because several people occupied the bench.

The House adjourned in the evening without a ruling being made in the lawsuit. Lawmakers were scheduled to reconvene Tuesday.

Her situation echoed the ouster this year of two Tennessee lawmakers from that states legislature for a protest over gun policy.

In retaliating against Zephyr, Montana Republicans accused her of crossing a line that is faint at best in political debate. Its not uncommon for legislators wading into heated issues like abortion or gun rights to be scolded about blood on your hands by protesters or even fellow representatives.

Attorneys for Zephyr noted previous legal disputes in which courts sided with politicians who made controversial comments, including a case that involved a conservative Oregon lawmaker's veiled threats against the state police.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year ruled that a requirement for Oregon Sen. Brian Boquist to give 12 hours notice before coming to the state Capitol violated his freedom of speech as an elected official and came as retaliation for his words.

The attorneys also cited a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court case in which justices sided against Georgia lawmakers who tried to exclude a newly elected lawmaker  Julian Bond, who later became chair of the NAACP  because he endorsed criticism of the Vietnam War.

___

Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Social media companies would have to verify the age of Wisconsin users and get parental permission for kids to open accounts under a bill unveiled Monday by Republican Rep. David Steffen.

The measure would also stop children under 18 from using their accounts between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., but parents could opt out of all requirements for their child.

Lawmakers across the country have been pushing to limit children's access to social media. Nearly half of states nationwide have recently banned the popular video sharing app TikTok from state-owned devices, in many instances with bipartisan support. Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers banned the app in January.

Steffen announced his plans last month to propose more precautions for all social media platforms.

Today, social media companies, advertisers, and predators have easy, electronic access to our kids. It has become obvious that this has been at the expense of the health and wellbeing of our children," he said in an April statement. Its our job as parents or guardians to keep our kids safe, but the current online environment has made that nearly impossible.

Under the bill, which Steffen provided to The Associated Press before circulating for cosponsors Monday, social media platforms would have 21 days to verify the age of Wisconsin residents with accounts created since 2019 and get permission from a parent or guardian to allow children to access existing accounts or create new ones. Parents would also receive full access to their child's account.

Platforms that don't comply with the law could be fined $100 a day for each account in violation.

The bill would also require social media platforms to set protections for minors, including limits on data sharing and advertising for youth accounts.

To pass, the proposal needs approval from both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature and then a signature from Evers.

His spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, did not return a voicemail seeking comment Monday.

Steffen said in a statement that he modeled the measure after a law Utah lawmakers passed in March. Questions have arisen about whether and how that law will be enforced, and it's likely to face legal challenges. Arkansas lawmakers also passed a bill last month modeled after the Utah legislation that will offer another test of the enforceability of social media limits for kids.

Steffen isn't the first Wisconsin lawmaker to advocate for increased scrutiny of social media companies. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin proposed a bipartisan bill in March to allow the Commerce Department to regulate and potentially ban platforms. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who leads a House subcommittee on China, has criticized TikTok and pushed for more regulation of the app as concerns grow over the platform being used for Chinese surveillance.

___

Harm Venhuizen is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Venhuizen on Twitter.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin's conservative-controlled Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a hospital could not be forced to give a deworming drug to a patient with COVID-19, saying a county judge did not cite a legal basis for ordering the facility to administer ivermectin.

Ivermectin became popular among conservatives after commentators and even some far-right doctors held up the antiparasitic drug as a miracle cure for the coronavirus and other illnesses. But the Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for use in treating COVID-19 and warns that misusing ivermectin can be harmful, even fatal.

The Wisconsin lawsuit is one of dozens filed across the country seeking to force hospitals to administer ivermectin for COVID-19. The drug is commonly used in cattle and also approved for human use to fight parasites and certain skin conditions. But some members of online alternative medicine groups have reported self-administering highly concentrated, veterinary grade ivermectin to treat illnesses. The FDA warns that self-administering the drug, especially in doses intended for animals, can be lethal.

In Tuesday's ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 6-1 in favor of Aurora Health Care, with three liberals and three conservatives in support and only conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley dissenting.

The decision upholds an appeal courts ruling against Allen Gahl, who sued Aurora in October 2021 when doctors refused to treat his uncle, John Zingsheim, with ivermectin. Gahl was authorized to make medical decisions for Zingsheim and had researched the drug online after Zingsheim was put on a ventilator to treat COVID-19 complications.

Gahl obtained a prescription for ivermectin from a retired doctor who had never met Zingsheim or his medical team, but hospital staff said the drug did not meet their standards and refused to administer it. None of the information in the complaint Gahl subsequently filed against the hospital came directly from medical professionals, according to court documents.

The Waukesha County Circuit Court ordered hospital staff to give Zingsheim the drug but later modified its decision to say Gahl would have to provide the drug himself, as well as a doctor to administer it. An appeals court overturned that decision after Auroras attorneys argued a judge could not force a medical provider to give treatment they had determined to be substandard. The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in January.

We do not know what viable legal claim the circuit court thought Gahl had presented, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley said in the court's opinion.

Gahl was represented by the Amos Center for Justice, a conservative Wisconsin law firm that has brought litigation against ballot drop boxes and promotes conspiracy theories about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines on its website. His attorney, Karen Mueller, did not immediately return a voicemail Tuesday seeking comment.

___

Harm Venhuizen is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Venhuizen on Twitter.
Highlights

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

Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) in partnership with Castillo Engineering and RPG Energy Group unveiled a 4.3 MW solar farm in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 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 on-site 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.

"As part of Stanley Black & Decker's global environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives, this project 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 its purpose and spans across three pillars: people, product and planet. In alignment with the SDGs, its products are aimed at being a force for good in the world - improving the environment, building and maintaining vital infrastructure, and making 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

Stanley Black and Decker Media Contact: Emily Noto, emily.noto@sbdinc.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.

Castillo Engineering Media Contact: Lisa DeMarco, lisa@twentytwoandbrand.com
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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Police in Kenya clashed with anti-government protesters Tuesday in the capital, Nairobi, during a fresh round of demonstrations called by the opposition leader.

Opposition lawmakers marched to the president's office, in the central business district, to present a petition. Police dispersed them with tear gas.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua told us we know where to find them. We do. We went there and instead met police. Cowards! Sen. Edwin Sifuna, who represents Nairobi County, said.

Protesters who turned up in the morning to erect barricades on major roads around the city threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas. A bus and a cargo truck were torched.

Business was paralyzed in Kisumu County, an opposition stronghold, as police clashed with protesters.

The opposition is calling for action to tackle the cost of living and reforms to the electoral commission that oversaw the election won by President William Ruto last year.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya, rejected the governments position that Tuesday's protests were illegal and urged his supporters to turn up in large numbers.

Odinga's former running mate in last year's presidential election, Martha Karua, said protests would resume Thursday after the opposition takes a day off to strategize.

Karua said Odinga and former Deputy President Kalonzo Musyoka both had their security withdrawn.

The police chief had banned the protests, citing previous protest violence that led to businesses being looted and Kenyans being robbed.

Odinga said the protests would be peaceful.

Ruto on Monday warned opposition supporters against destroying private property. He urged Odinga to reconsider returning to talks.

Odinga had called off protests during Ramadan to pave the way for the talks proposed by Ruto. Both the opposition and the ruling party nominated politicians to take part in the discussions, but the opposition rejected some of those nominated by the ruling party.

The talks have since halted, and the opposition announced that it would resume street protests.
The brief was simple: create an explosive device which is easy to carry and innocent in appearance. No sticks of dynamite, no ticking time-bombs.

As part of an attempt to supply arms to the Chinese to aid resistance against the Japanese during WWII, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) developed an incendiary known as Aunt Jemima  for reasons that will soon become apparent.

Soldier-come-chemist George Bogdan Kistiakowsky began work on a powerful powdered explosive designed for guerrilla sabotage purposes. A nitroamine high-explosive known as HMX (the origins of whose name is still subject to speculation) was mixed with regular baking flour to create a compound which could be turned into all sorts of un-suspicious looking culinary delights.

Aunt Jemima (the name of a popula r brand of American pancake flour) could be baked and consumed without exploding, although ingesting it was generally not encouraged. The explosive powder, once perfected, was packaged in flour bags and easily trafficked through Japanese check-points to the Chinese resistance-fighters. If ordered to demonstrate that the contents of their flour bags were indeed flour, the smuggler could whip up an authentic-tasting loaf and consume it right in front of his doubters.

Although this would result in a successful mission, our smuggler would not be too happy about having eaten the mixture. As master demolitionist and saboteur Frank Gleason recalls, although not lethal, eating the explosive flour, however tempting it appeared, was ill-advised.

In China we made muffins from the stuff. I wanted to show Major Miles how you could bake Aunt Jemima into muffins, put a blasting cap into it, and blow something up. It looks like regular flour, but if you look carefully at a little piece, youd see it was gritty, unlike flour. It could make bread, so I told this Chinese cook at Happy Valley to make some muffins out of the explosive flour. I said, Do not eat those muffins! They are poison. Do not eat them! You should have seen them when they came out of the oven. They were gorgeous. The cook thought to himself, Those damn Americans just want those muffins for themselves! He violated what I told him and he ate one. He almost died.

Further tests were conducted and refinement of the compound yielded a less toxic version. The deadly, delicious muffins or pancakes could now be used as a devastating explosive device, and a non-vomit-inducing snack. Uneaten pancakes or unused dough could still be used later for its original explosive purposes. In China during WWII, 15 tons of Aunt Jemima was used, and none was ever discovered by the Japanese.
The Pentagon is sending 1,500 active-duty troops to the southwest border as federal immigration agencies and local communities brace for the expiration of pandemic-era restrictions used to quickly send migrants back to Mexico.

The troop deployment was authorized Tuesday by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for 90 days. They will work monitoring the area, doing data entry and manning warehouses amid an expected new influx of migrants and asylum seekers, even as the U.S. immigration system groans under record-high border crossings.

The service members will not be involved in law enforcement activities, the Pentagon said, a responsibility that would raise a range of legal complications.

Read Next: Army Expects to Miss Its Recruiting Goal Again This Year

Military forces, composed mostly of National Guard troops, have been continuously deployed to states along the Mexico border since 2018 under an order from former President Donald Trump. Thats on top of a string of National Guard deployments that have been approved by governors, including a Texas mission that faced repeated issues with troops getting paid on time and substance abuse.

About 2,500 National Guard troops on federal orders are already working at the border as the so-called Title 42 public health order that had allowed immigration agencies to immediately remove migrants from U.S. soil is set to expire May 11.

"I think we will see these troops arrive as early as May 10," Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman, said Tuesday during a public briefing.

The 1,500 troops will come mostly from the Army and Marine Corps, and will support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the Department of Homeland Security. But Ryder said the Pentagon may replace some of the active-duty forces with National Guard troops during the three-month deployment.

"Calling up reserve component forces involves some time associated with that," he said. "And so by tasking the active-duty forces, we're able to meet this request very urgently and support DHS."

Military deployments to the southwest border have been ordered up by every president since Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. The orders have often included thousands of troops. But deployments and border security also often mix with politics of the day.

President Joe Biden originally requested the border force last week to assist with anti-drug trafficking efforts -- shortly after announcing he will run for reelection in 2024 and amid widespread criticism on the political right over his treatment of border crossings and smuggling contributing to the fentanyl epidemic.

Trump drew widespread criticism when he surged 5,200 troops to the border days before the 2018 midterm elections, claiming that migrant "caravans" were threatening the U.S. The majority of migrants who were traveling to the U.S. at that time either chose to return home or file asylum claims waiting in line at one of the border crossings with Mexico, according to reporting from the El Paso Times.

Both presidents have used Title 42 to subvert asylum protections for migrants who come to the U.S. to flee violence or oppression in their home countries. The Trump administration began widespread use of the program during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming migrants could not stay in the country while seeking asylum due to the risk of transmitting the virus.

Instead, migrants have been quickly sent back to Mexico as the Biden administration has continued the program.

But concerns are mounting that the expiration of Title 42 next week will trigger a rush of migration for those hoping to find safe haven or remain inside the U.S. while asylum claims are weighed.

The Texas border town of El Paso has declared a state of emergency ahead of the expiration, according to the Texas Tribune. The declaration was issued by the mayor, and the city is preparing to open two temporary shelters as asylum seekers gather just across the border in Ciudad Juarez.

The DHS said Monday that it has been planning for the end of Title 42 for a year, has set up a new federal coordination center, and has run tabletop exercises.

The increased number of migrant "encounters at the Southwest Border will increase as smugglers spread disinformation, which will place a strain on our immigration system, our communities and our dedicated workforce," the agency said in the release.

-- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten.

Related: Texas Military Department Says It Needs $460 Million More to Keep Border Mission Afloat This Year
In the spring of 1947, former Army sergeant and now Nuremberg prosecutor Ben Ferencz pleaded with his boss to add one more case to the docket before the International Military Tribunals set up to try Nazi war crimes shut down.

Army Brig. Gen. Telford Taylor, who had succeeded Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson as chief prosecutor for the tribunals, told Ferencz that the Pentagon would not fund another trial. The push was on to wrap up the existing cases and be done, turning attention to the emerging Cold War with the Soviet Union.

"I got rather indignant," Ferencz later recalled in a 2021 Duke University Law School interview, "and I said, 'You can't let these bastards go. You just can't walk away and say, 'I can't do it.'"

Read Next: Army Grounds All Aircraft Following 2 Deadly Helicopter Crashes

The bastards in question were leaders of the Einsatzgruppen, meaning "deployment group" or "action group." These were mobile units that followed the advance of German forces and were assigned "special tasks" to kill every Jew, Communist and Roma they could find, according to the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

Taylor relented and asked whether Ferencz could prosecute the case himself "in addition to your other duties. So I said, 'Sure,' and he said, 'OK, you do it.'"

Twenty-two of the defendants were found guilty of war crimes, and Ferencz, who died at age 103 on April 7 in Boynton Beach, Florida, had found a lifelong and intrepid commitment to advocating for peace through international law. His motto was "law not war," and in books, countless interviews and on his own website, he pressed to replace "the rule of force with the rule of law."

Sixty-three years after he won convictions in the Einsatzgruppen case, Ferencz was called upon to give closing remarks at the Hague in the first trial put on by the International Criminal Court in 2011 against Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, who was charged with recruiting child soldiers and training them to kill.

Ferencz outlined the case: evidence showing hundreds of children under the age of 15 being trained for war in 20 different camps.

"Words and figures cannot adequately portray the physical and psychological harm inflicted on vulnerable children who were brutalized and who lived in constant fear," he said. "The case we present is a plea of humanity to law. It was a call for human beings to behave in a humane and lawful way."

The invitation to address the court was in recognition of Ferencz' long advocacy for the creation of the ICC, which again put him at odds with the U.S. government. In the obits and many tributes to his passing, Ferencz's opposition to U.S. policies that he felt detracted from the ultimate goal of peace was often overlooked.

"I'm an American patriot," he would say, but he questioned American involvement in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was adamant in criticizing the U.S. refusal to become a party to the International Criminal Court.

Under President Bill Clinton, the U.S. had endorsed the Rome Statute international agreement that established the ICC, which was designed to bring individuals to justice, filling a gap in international law.

Clinton never submitted the treaty to the Senate for ratification as required; then, under President George W. Bush, Congress passed the American Service Members Protection Act stating that troops "should be free from the risk of prosecution by the International Criminal Court, especially when they are stationed or deployed around the world to protect the vital interests of the United States."

Ferencz was deeply critical of U.S. reticence to join in upholding international law.

"I have not forgotten that it took the United States 50 years to ratify the Genocide Convention, which we sponsored," he said during a 2018 speech. "The world didn't wait for the United States."

"Of course, he was disappointed. He wanted the U.S. to take the lead" in support of the ICC, St. John's University law professor John Q. Barrett, a biographer of Justice Jackson and a long-time friend of Ferencz, said in an interview with Military.com. "But he had the long view; he knew that none of this stuff was simple. You keep going. He was indefatigable, a bundle of energy.  He always said, 'Never give up, never give up.' It just meant that there was more to do tomorrow."

Barrett called Ferencz "humanity's lawyer."

"Ben just really believed in the law," he said. "He was really an idealist, a believer. He never really wavered from that fundamental belief: This is our tool, build law, use law, deter with law and improve the planet."

From Transylvania by Way of Hell's Kitchen

Ferencz' son, Don Ferencz, told Military.com that his father could be something of a "wisecracker," which served him well in his many challenges to authority and helped convince Taylor that he was the right lawyer to go after the Einsatzgruppen.

In his interview for the prosecutor's job, Ferencz said Taylor told him, "I've been checking up on your record, but I'm concerned because you're occasionally insubordinate," Ferencz recounted in 2018 to the "Criminal" true crime podcast.

"And I said, 'No, that's not correct, I'm not occasionally insubordinate, I'm usually insubordinate. I never obey an order which I know is stupid or illegal.' And I said, 'Well, I've been checking up on you, too. I don't think you'll give me that kind of order.'" He said, 'You'll go with me.'"

Don Ferencz said his father had seen the death camps and the crematoria and said that he had "peered into hell. I think that's what drove him."

There is no birth certificate, but Berrell Ferencz was believed to have been born around March 11, 1920, in Transylvania, which was then part of Romania, and was brought as a baby to the U.S., where he became Benjamin.

The family initially settled in the tough section of mid-Manhattan's West Side known as "Hell's Kitchen." He spoke only Yiddish at first but did well enough in grade school that he was accepted at the demanding Townsend Harris High School, which had a three-year curriculum and a guaranteed entry for graduates to City College.

The remarkable list of Townsend Harris alumni included Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter; Jonas Salk, who developed one of the first successful polio vaccines; lyricist Ira Gershwin, brother of composer George Gershwin;, and Yip Harburg, who did the score for 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz."

At City College, Ferencz earned a scholarship to Harvard Law School, where he served as a research assistant to professor and criminologist Sheldon Glueck, who assigned him to read every book he could find in the Harvard Law Library on war crimes and international law.

After Harvard, he enlisted in the Army and deployed to England with the 115th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. The unit came ashore in Normandy some weeks after the D-Day invasion and later was active in the Battle of the Bulge. But in December 1944, Ferencz was pulled from the 115th AAA and assigned to the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the Third Army, commanded by Gen. George S. Patton.

French magistrate Olivier Beauvallet, who worked on the French edition of Ferencz' autobiography, wrote that Ferencz "was one of the first investigators working on war crimes, even as the war was still raging. His first investigations concerned the lynching of Allied pilots," and he then participated in the liberation of the death camps at Ohrdruf and Buchenwald.

Citing his authorization by Patton, Ferencz also went to the camps at Flossenburg, Mauthausen, Ebensee and Dachau, where he would seize the death registers of the names of the prisoners and the false causes of their deaths, Beauvallet wrote.

A Stunning Find

But with the war's end, Ferencz was discharged from the Army and was back in New York in December 1945 and looking for work. That was when he was contacted by Taylor, who convinced him to return to Germany as a lead investigator.

Ferencz pressed Taylor to add the case against 22 of the Einsatzgruppen leaders after a Swiss researcher working for him made a stunning find in an annex of the German Foreign Office of the complete and detailed reports of the daily activities of the roaming death squads, including 34,000 killed over two days in the Kyiv ravine called Babi Yar.

Ferencz later recounted how he got out a calculator to go through the reports and stopped when he reached a total of one million dead. He was 27 years old and had never tried a case before, but he devised a strategy of simply presenting the documentary evidence in what The Associated Press would describe as the "biggest murder trial in history."

Ferencz would later write, "I was keenly aware that there was no way for the scales of justice to balance the murder of more than a million innocent human beings" against the lives of the defendants, but "it was my hope that the trial would serve a more useful and enduring purpose -- that it might somehow help to deter the repetition of such horrors in the future."

Ferencz never called a witness and instead simply presented the documentary evidence over the course of two days. His son, Don Ferencz, said witnesses weren't necessary since the documents "amounted to signed confessions from all the defendants -- a prosecutor's dream."

In his opening statement to the tribunal, Ferencz urged the judges to look beyond the brutality of the case at hand to endorse the right of each individual to live free of fear and with dignity under international law.

At 5-foot-2, Ferencz barely cleared the lectern to address the court at Nuremberg's Palace of Justice. But he began in a steady voice: "May it please your honors, it is with sorrow and with hope that we here disclose the deliberate slaughter of more than a million innocent and defenseless men, women and children.

"This was the tragic fulfillment of a program of intolerance and arrogance. Vengeance is not our goal, nor do we seek merely a just retribution," he said, but "we ask this court to affirm by international penal action man's right to live in peace and dignity regardless of his race or creed. The case we present is a plea of humanity to law."

All 22 defendants, including six generals, were convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and 13 were sentenced to death. Four were eventually executed.

Don Ferencz said that his father went about his work with little thought of what history might say. "I don't think personal legacy is important to him," the son said. "I think what's important to him is that we advance the rule of law, advance the ball for all humankind to diminish suffering."

"I'm still in there fighting," Ferencz told "60 Minutes" in a 2017 interview. "And you know what keeps me going? I know I'm right."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: Ben Ferencz, Last Living Nuremberg Prosecutor of Nazis, Dies
Highlights

GE will deliver its FLEX INVERTER Solar Power Station technology for the project

INVERTER Solar Power Station technology for the project The project is part of the YEKA GES- 4 tender that is tendered by the Ministry of Energy (MOE) in Turkey

This 100 MW project will add up to the 1.3 GW of solar projects GE is delivering in Turkey

GE announces today (March 28) that it has been selected by Ecogreen Energy to deliver its FLEXINVERTER Solar Power Station technology for the 130 MWp, 100 MWac Nigde Bor Solar power plant to be built in Nigde, Turkey. The scope of work includes design, engineering, procurement, and commissioning of the Solar Power Station.

The Nigde Bor solar power plant is part of YEKA- GES4 launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Energy. It will enable the energy transition in the country and beyond, by helping Turkey continue the expansion of renewable energy resources and commission 10 GW of solar capacity between 2017-27, according to IEA, Turkey's solar energy capacity is projected to reach 52.9 gigawatts with an increase of approximately 500% by 2035.

This project adds up to the 1.3 GW of solar projects GE is delivering in Turkey.

Prakash Chandra, Renewable Hybrids CEO, GE, said: "The potential for solar energy in Turkey is a reality. We are thrilled to be partnering with Ecogreen Energy on the projects and look forward to more opportunities to increase the penetration of renewable energy in Turkey and beyond."

GE will partner with Ecogreen in the supply and services contract of an extended scope of equipment beyond inverter stations and commissioning services. Inogen will execute the local works to fulfill the EPC scope. GE and Inogen will work together again after having completed 1.3 GW of YEKA and Hybrids projects in Turkey.

Inogen managing partner Professor Ali Murat Soydan mentioned "We are very happy and proud to partner with GE and support the company with local capability in Turkey".

The FLEXINVERTER* Solar Power Station is an integrated containerized solution that combines a solar inverter, medium voltage power transformer, and an optional MV Ring Main Unit, all integrated in a standard 20-feet ISO high cube container. The technology is a smart solution that helps deliver a reliable, cost-effective, plug & play, factory-integrated power conversion platform for utility scale solar and storage applications. It helps reduce capital and operation costs and ensure a more reliable plant performance.

The FLEXINVERTER is a key component of GE's Renewable Hybrids FLEX portfolio, designed to solve customer needs through multiple applications to enable dispatchable, green MWhs. It also includes the FLEXRESERVOIR and the FLEXIQ technologies. The FLEXRESERVOIR is a systems integrated battery energy storage and power electronics solution for multiple configurations and market applications. FLEXIQ is a digital platform that provides design, operation and fleet management solutions to enable grid compliance and maximize lifetime customer value.

About GE Renewable Energy

GE Renewable Energy, an integral part of the GE Vernova portfolio of energy businesses, is a nearly $13 billion business which combines one of the broadest portfolios in the renewable energy industry to provide end-to-end solutions for our customers demanding reliable and affordable green power. Combining onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, utility-scale solar, and grid solutions as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings, GE Renewable Energy has installed more than 400+ gigawatts of clean renewable energy and equipped more than 90 percent of utilities worldwide with its grid solutions. With around 36,000 employees present in more than 80 countries, GE Renewable Energy creates value for customers seeking to power the world with affordable, reliable and sustainable green electrons.

GE Vernova, a dynamic accelerator comprised of our Power, Renewable Energy, Digital and Energy Financial Services businesses, is focused on supporting customers' transformations during the global energy transition.

Follow us at www.ge.com/renewableenergy, on www.linkedin.com/company/gerenewableenergy, or on twitter.com/GErenewables

For media inquiries, please contact:

Agathe Lefevre de la Houpliere

Communications, Hydro Solutions

GE Renewable Energy

+33 1 85 32 24 46

agathe.lefevre-de-la-houpliere@ge.com
The Algodoneros de Union Laguna of the Mexican League announced that they have signed infielder Didi Gregorius for the 2023 season.

Gregorius, 33, has been a regular in the majors for the past decade. He debuted with the Reds back in 2012, getting into eight games late in that season, then was dealt to the Diamondbacks that winter in a three-team deal that involved Shin-Soo Choo and many others. He spent the next two seasons in Arizona, hitting a combined 13 homers and proving difficult to strike out, though his overall offensive contributions were modest.

Going into the 2015 season, the Yankees needed a shortstop for the first time in many years, as Derek Jeter had just retired. In yet another three-team deal, Gregorius wound up in the Bronx as Shane Greene went to the Tigers and Robbie Ray and Domingo Leyba became Diamondbacks.

It was with the Yankees that Gregorius would have his best seasons. He found a bit more power, hitting 16 or more home runs in four straight seasons starting in 2016, while keeping his strikeout rate around half of league average. In the five-year stretch with the Yanks from 2015 to 2019, he launched 97 homers and hit .269/.313/.446. That offensive production was a hair above league average, as shown by his 101 wRC+ in that time. But his strong defense and 27 stolen bases helped him earn 10.8 wins above replacement over that stretch, per the calculations of FanGraphs.

Gregorius reached free agency prior to 2020, signing with the Phillies and having a solid campaign. He hit 10 home runs in that 60-game season while batting .284/.339/.488 overall. The Phils re-signed him to a two-year deal after that, but thats when things went south for Gregorius. He hit .209/.270/.370 in 2021 and then just .210/.263/.304 in 2022. He lost his playing time in that latter season to Bryson Stott and was released in August. He remained unsigned throughout the remainder of last season and through the winter, but will now join the Algodoneros for 2023 and see if he can get back in a good groove.
May 1: The Dodgers have now made this official, with Rojas recalled and Wynns designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

April 30: The Dodgers have designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports (via Twitter). Wynns was signed to a Major League contract a little over two weeks ago, as the Dodgers were looking to add some catching depth while Will Smith was on the concussion-related injured list.

With Smith now back in action, the Dodgers were in need of roster space, since Miguel Rojas will probably be activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday and prospect Gavin Stone is being called up (and added to the 40-man roster) in advance of a scheduled start on Wednesday. That makes Wynns the odd man out, as Los Angeles will return to its usual catching tandem of Smith and Austin Barnes now that Smith has been fully cleared for catching duty. Wynns ended up appearing in five games in his brief time on the Dodgers active roster, with a .523 OPS over 12 plate appearances.

The veteran backstop has already appeared for two different teams in under a month of the 2023 season, as Wynns minor league contract was selected by the Giants for a single game before he was DFAed earlier this month. Since Wynns has been outrighted off a 40-man roster multiple times in his career, he had the opportunity to elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment from San Francisco, and he indeed took the option of re-entering the open market.

Assuming Wynns clears waivers, he might again opt for free agency rather than remain in the Dodgers organization, considering that (when healthy) Smith and Barnes are a stable duo behind the plate. If Wynns did accept an outright assignment, David Freitas and Patrick Mazeika are also on hand as MLB-experienced catching depth options at the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate, and Hunter Feduccia is also seeing action behind the plate. The fact that Los Angeles signed Wynns at the time of Smiths injury could indicate their preference for a more seasoned catcher over their other Triple-A candidates, or Wynns might prefer to test the market again in search of a less-crowded depth chart.

Wynns has appeared in five MLB seasons, gaining most of his playing time in a part-time capacity with the Orioles in 2018 and 2021, and with the Giants last season. Wynns has hit only .229/.273/.334 over 522 career plate appearances, but the 32-year-old has a good reputation for his defense and ability to handle pitchers. With this in mind, it certainly seems possible that Wynns might catch on elsewhere, given how clubs are constantly on the lookout for help behind the plate.
The Tigers have signed right-hander Heath Hembree to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He elected free agency last week after being outrighted by the Rays. Hes been assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.

This is the third relief pitcher the Tigers have added today, as they also signed left-hander Sam Clay to a minor league deal and claimed right-hander Braden Bristo off waivers from the Rays. Those three will give the club some extra depth arms in Toledo to be potentially called upon when needed.

Hembree, 34, was a fixture of the Boston bullpen for many years. From 2016 to 2019, he made at least 38 appearances in every one of those seasons with his ERA finishing between 2.65 and 4.20 in each. He struck out 25.8% of batters faced in that time against an 8.6% walk rate while racking up a couple of saves and 43 holds.

Since then, hes worn many different jerseys as hes become a well-traveled journeyman. From 2020 to 2022, he went from the Sox to the Phillies, Mets, Reds, Pirates and Dodgers. This winter, he signed a minor league deal with the Rays and got selected to the big league club last week but was designated for assignment the very next day. He managed to make one scoreless appearances of an inning and a third during his brief stay on the roster.

Hembree cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A but rejected that in favor of a return to the open market. Any player with a previous career outright or more than three years of service time has that right, both of which apply to Hembree. Hell now head to Toledo and try to earn his way back to the big leagues and add yet another new jersey to his collection.
DETROIT - The Jonas Brothers are hitting the road for a third time just four years after reuniting for a tour in 2019. The trio will bring their Five Albums, One Night tour to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, August 24.

Tickets will be done through Ticketmasters Verified Fan sale. Registration is open now through Saturday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET. You can register here for a chance to purchase tickets.

Registration does not guarantee tickets. A lottery-style process will determine which registered fans receive a unique access code and which are put on the waitlist. Receiving a code doesnt guarantee tickets. During the Verified Fan Presale, tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The tour kicks off on August 12th for back-to-back nights in the Bronx, New York. The Jonas Brothers will perform all over the country with stops in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Denver and Houston before wrapping the tour in Miami on October 14th.

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The Iowa Utilities Board issued an order on April 27 setting conditions for MidAmerican Energy's ability to move forward with the Wind PRIME project, which includes 2,042 megawatts of new wind and 50 MW of new solar development. Importantly, the Board found solar generation is better situated to meet MidAmerican's reliability needs and that the utility's application did not adequately consider whether more solar and storage would have been better for customers. Further, the Board found that while the project would help meet the state's goals of reducing carbon intensity, the lack of coal plant retirements limits that benefit.

The Board approved the project only because the utility promised the project would provide significant economic benefits to customers. As a result, the Board found that MidAmerican should bear the risk of the $3.9 billion project underperforming and thus placed strict conditions on the utility's right to recover the project costs from customers.

If MidAmerican decides to proceed with the Wind PRIME project under the Board's new conditions, it must also conduct a public planning process before any future clean energy development. MidAmerican must let the Board know whether it plans to proceed with Wind PRIME in the next 20 days.

The Iowa Environmental Council, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and Sierra Club Beyond Coal provided independent expert testimony based on a detailed modeling analysis of how MidAmerican could best achieve its "net zero" carbon emissions goal. That modeling found that customers would save money if MidAmerican planned for a phased retirement of its coal plants and invested in battery storage and solar to round out its wind fleet. In contrast, the modeling found that Wind PRIME does little to advance the transition to carbon free electricity due to its continued reliance on coal burning.

In addition to the planning process, the order requires that in future proceedings, MidAmerican must provide "a robust analysis of the need for the project" similar to the one presented by the environmental groups' experts that compares the proposal to clean alternatives like solar and battery storage, and shows how the new resources affect the rest of MidAmerican's portfolio. This was because the IUB found "testimony submitted by MidAmerican is noticeably deficient" in assessing the impact on its other generation resources.

"MidAmerican should plan for -- and its new projects should reflect -- the path to a zero emission future and fully retiring its increasingly uneconomic coal fleet," said Josh Mandelbaum, Senior Attorney for ELPC. "The planning analysis the Board required for future advance ratemaking proceedings will make sure that MidAmerican's future investments move us down that path."

While the environmental groups generally support the addition of wind in Iowa, their experts' analysis showed that a combination of solar and battery storage was needed to accelerate the retirement of coal plants and deliver truly 100% carbon free electricity. It would also save customers millions compared to MidAmerican's proposal.

Environmental groups criticized MidAmerican's proposal for not addressing the need to retire and replace any of MidAmerican's six coal plants, the last of which will not be retired until 2049, even though MidAmerican's own internal studies showed that several of the coal plants are already losing money. A plan proposed by the environmental groups' independent modeling experts would have retired coal plants more quickly. The IUB found that "MidAmerican does not meaningfully show how or why the Wind PRIME project would be better than feasible alternatives, including for example the Environmental Intervenors' proposal for less wind and more solar and storage."

"We need a real path to a 100% carbon free electricity future for Iowa, which requires planning for the clean energy additions needed to responsibly transition away from burning coal. Our experts' analysis showed what that path could be," said Laurie Williams, Senior Attorney for Sierra Club Beyond Coal. "MidAmerican's coal plants are expensive and polluting, and ultimately, customers are the ones who will pay for the utility's failure to plan for the plants' retirement. The Board's order means that MidAmerican can no longer dodge its responsibility to plan going forward."

The order pointed to MidAmerican's Zero Emissions Study, which MidAmerican sought to keep confidential. Environmental groups argued to make the conclusions of the study public, which MidAmerican released on the eve of the hearing only after ordered to do so by the IUB. That study revealed that the company knows solar is the most affordable way to increase renewable energy and that its coal plants were uneconomic.

"We are hopeful that the Board's order will set MidAmerican on a better path going forward. We know that adding solar and battery storage to transition away from coal will save customers money and deliver the carbon free electricity they expect from MidAmerican," said Michael Schmidt, staff attorney for IEC.

Key quotes from the IUB order:

"The testimony submitted by MidAmerican is noticeably deficient with respect to how the proposed 2,092 MW of generation would be integrated into MidAmerican's existing generation portfolio." (Order p. 31)

The Board finds that the ZES is a persuasive piece of evidence in the record as to what generation assets would improve reliability. The Board also finds the quantitative analysis of reliability performance offered by Ms. Glick to be useful and persuasive. The analysis provides meaningful information regarding the need for solar generation as a more appropriate renewable resource to support reliability, and the potential for battery storage to bolster the reliability of MidAmerican's current wind[1]centric electric generation fleet. (Glick Supplemental Direct, p. 48). (Order p. 34)

MidAmerican does not meaningfully show how or why the Wind PRIME project would be better [from a reliability perspective] than feasible alternatives, including for example the Environmental Intervenors' proposal for less wind and more solar and storage. (Order p. 45)

"The Board finds that the Wind PRIME proposal fails to demonstrate its reasonableness compared to feasible alternatives under a traditional utility review." (Order p. 48)

"In any future ratemaking principle proceedings, MidAmerican shall provide in its prefiled testimony not only a robust analysis of the need for the project and comparison of the proposed generation facility with other feasible long-term sources of supply, but additional analysis regarding interaction of the proposed resources with the remainder of MidAmerican's generation portfolio, in particular reliability and impact on meeting peaking requirements and availability of baseload resources." (Order p. 95)

The Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) is the state's largest and most comprehensive environmental alliance, comprised of diverse organizations and individuals working together to protect Iowa's natural environment. Through education, advocacy and coalition building, the Council raises awareness, generates action, and creates large-scale change. We work on federal, state, and local public policy issues to ensure a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans. Learn more at iaenvironment.org.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest's leading public interest environmental legal advocacy organization. We develop strategic campaigns to protect natural resources and improve environmental quality. Our multi-disciplinary staff employs teamwork approaches using legal, economic, and public policy tools to produce successes that improve our environment and economy. Learn more at www.elpc.org.

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information visit www.sierraclub.org.
ONTONAGON, MI - Its filled with wildlife, waterfalls and some of the most picturesque spots in Michigan. And because of its remote location, a lot of people in the state may go their entire lives and never visit this state park which has been named one of the 18 Best State Parks in the entire country by Outside Magazine.

Located far away from just about everything else in Michigan, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which was also named One of the Top Skinny-dipping spots in the World, is in the western part of the Upper Peninsula. Its Michigans largest state park covering more than 60,000 acres with nearly 100 miles of trails.

To come up with its listing, Outside Magazine says it wanted to find state parks which offered everything youd be looking for in a national park, but with fewer crowds. The publication says it asked local experts to find state parks which offer everything travelers are looking for outdoors, like solitude and wildlife.

The magazine grouped Porcupine Mountains among the best state parks for wilderness along with Baxter State Park in Maine and Chugach State Park in Alaska.

Locals call the region the Porkies, but dont let the fun nickname fool you, the publication wrote about its distinction. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is serious business, encompassing 60,000 acres on Michigans Upper Peninsula, including 35,000 acres of old-growth forest, one of the largest such tracts in the middle of the country.

Porcupine Mountains also boasts 23 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. Its about a nine hour drive from Detroit and 8 and a half hours from Grand Rapids.

The landscape stretches from the shoreline of Lake Superior to the 1900-foot peaks of the Porkies with a myriad of backcountry lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails in between, the publication added. Backpacking loops abound. Start your trip with the 8.1-mile Big Carp River Trail, which travels from the banks of Lake Superior into the park, ending at Lake of the Clouds, a 133-acre backcountry lake with campsites and options for longer traverses.

Here are all of the 18 state parks listed on Outside Magazines Best State Parks in the U.S. list:

Best wildlife:

Custer State Park, South Dakota

Antelope Island State Park, Utah

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Florida

Best Dramatic Landscapes:

Ecola State Park, Oregon

Makoshika State Park, Montana

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Best that feel like national parks:

State Forest State Park, Colorado

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas

Best for Solitude:

Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California

Adirondack Park, New York

Best for Spectacular Flora:

Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California

Caddo Lake State Park, Texas

Catalina State Park, Arizona

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PONTIAC, MI -- Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Waterford Township man who was found shot to death inside his car Saturday morning. According to WDIV-Detroit, two 18-year-old men, a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old male were taken into custody and are being held pending formal charges.

Police were called to Hammond Street in Pontiac at 12:39 a.m. Saturday for reports of a shooting. Once police arrived, they discovered the victim had been shot multiple times inside his car which was parked in the middle of the road. The doors to the victims car were left open and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Former UFC fighter Felipe Colares died Monday after being hit by a bus in Guaratiba, Brazil, according to multiple reports.

He was 29.

Colares was reportedly struck just as he was leaving a training session. MMA Junkie reported that Colares was given care at the scene before being rushed to a local hospital where he died.

Per MMA Junkie, Corales turned pro in 2013 and was 8-0 when he got his shot at the UFC. He went 2-4 in his time there, scoring decision wins over Domingo Pilarte and Luke Sanders. He was let go by the UFC after losing to Chase Hooper last May.

He last fought in February at Ares FC 12, defeating Alioune Nahaye via rear-naked choke in the first round.

MMA Junkie reported that Colares had a wife and a 6-month-old son.
DETROIT  Founders Brewing Company is closing its Detroit taproom.

The Grand Rapids-based brewery announced that the 14,000-square-foot taproom at 456 Charlotte Street permanently closed its doors on Monday.

Founders, which will continue to operate its original taproom in Grand Rapids, made the announcement with great sadness, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the locations viability.

Unfortunately, our Detroit location has not been immune to the struggle to regain foot traffic after temporary COVID closures that have impacted restaurants and bars across the nation, a statement reads.

Founders says it is working diligently to find new positions within the company to help those impacted by the closure.

The Detroit location opened to much fanfare in 2017, with many expressing excitement for its location not far from Little Caesars Arena and potential for foot traffic before and after games.

But the decision marks the end of a somewhat rocky and short-lived relationship between Founders and Detroit.

Founders closed both its taprooms in 2020 amid the height of the pandemic, but the Detroit location also closed for several months in 2019 following a highly public racial discrimination lawsuit from a former employee.

The brewery, one of Michigans most iconic, had been subject to public outrage and criticism after a legal deposition, connected to the racial discrimination lawsuit, was leaked to the Detroit Metro Times.

Founders eventually settled the matter out of court. Details of the settlement were not disclosed.

Founders is now facing another racial discrimination, which was filed the same day the Detroit taproom closed, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Founders, along with Bells Brewery in Comstock, led Michigans craft beer boom in the 2000s and 2010s and are largely responsible for making the state one of Americas best beer destinations.

Founders is known for brews like All Day IPA, Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Centennial IPA and Rubaeus Raspberry Ale.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Its been over five months since Ann Arbor officials publicly expressed hopes of seeing a redevelopment of the Federal Building site downtown.

While the U.S. General Services Administration has said it has no plans to leave the site and sees it as a longterm hold in the federal inventory, city officials now have hope there could be an eventual path to reimagining the site someday  possibly with development of a new and bigger Federal Building.

The city has worked with U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, to begin a dialogue with the feds about the future of the site, which spans a full block on Liberty Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues in the heart of downtown.

This culminated in a meeting organized by the congresswoman between city leadership and both regional and national leadership at the GSA on Friday, April 22, 2023, Deputy City Administrator John Fournier wrote in a two-page memo shared in City Councils meeting packet Monday, May 2.

The GSA staff were welcoming and open to a wide-ranging dialogue, but its unlikely the Federal Building will be moved or redeveloped in the short- or medium-term, Fournier said of conclusions from the meeting.

The Federal Building site along Liberty Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues in downtown Ann Arbor on March 20, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

However, there is a path forward for a redeveloped Federal Building in the long-term that is worth the city and our federal partners exploring, he wrote, suggesting it could be done in a way that there could be less space dedicated for surface parking for vehicles and a higher-quality plaza.

The Federal Building includes a U.S. Post Office, U.S. District Court and offices for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

It was built in the 1970s and city leaders today dont see its design as a good fit for downtown and describe it as a dead area in the evening. City Council approved a resolution in November to direct the citys administration to engage with federal officials to see if theres interest in a higher-density redevelopment, eyeing it as an opportunity to bring more jobs and housing into the city center and potentially put the land on the tax rolls.

The current building does not provide a sufficient density of office space, nor any housing, nor is it configured in a way to promote a pedestrian-activated retail corridor, like much of the rest of downtown, the resolution stated.

The Federal Building site along Liberty Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues in downtown Ann Arbor on March 20, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

With the feds not interested in leaving the site, officials have talked about the possibility of a new Federal Building. It would be extremely expensive to build, as its not a typical office building and requires a high degree of security built into the design, Fournier said, citing examples of new federal facilities in other communities costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

The building would need to be built to a blast-proof standard and would require law-enforcement amenities commensurate with federal-level crimes such as high-security temporary detention and criminal transfer facilities, he wrote. In addition, federal court rooms themselves require a good deal of investment, not just in terms of their cosmetics but the security features they require and the facilities available to federal judges and clerks.

While the current building does not meet all of those standards, a new federal facility must, Fournier said.

The Federal Building site along Liberty Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues in downtown Ann Arbor on March 20, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

City officials also have learned the downtown Ann Arbor building, which is about 100,000 square feet, is in high demand by federal agencies. A long list of agencies want to work out of the building, so its likely, if a new federal building is built, it would be significantly larger, Fournier said.

Cost examples he cited for other federal projects include $335 million for a 281,000-square-foot facility in Hartford, Connecticut, $193 million for a 243,000-square-foot facility in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and $245 million for a 255,000-square-foot facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Congress also is working to accumulate funding for a 186,000-square-foot facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, estimated to cost $218 million.

Given demand for the Federal Building space downtown, born from a desire among federal workers to live and work in Ann Arbor, its not unreasonable to assume a new facility would be larger than the current building, Fournier said.

Even if it were not larger, projects of this size must be directed and have funding allocated by Congress, he wrote, explaining Congress allocates a portion of funding over several years for most federal building projects.

The Federal Building site along Liberty Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues in downtown Ann Arbor on March 20, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The Harrisburg federal courthouse, for instance, took 19 years for full funding to be accumulated by Congress, he wrote, concluding a redevelopment of the Federal Building site in Ann Arbor is likely a longterm project that would take more than a decade to complete once started.

However, there may be some strategic opportunities the city could pursue to facilitate better use of the property, he wrote, noting the GSA has had a longstanding vision to redevelop the plaza in front of the building through its Good Neighbor Program.

We may wish to engage them more directly to discuss a larger plaza footprint that could incorporate, either periodically or permanently, the right-of-way that Liberty Street currently occupies, he wrote. This could create a more activated and engaging space for members of the public.

The city also may wish to lobby the federal government to prioritize the replacement of the current Federal Building and to start accumulating funding to do so, Fournier said. A new building could be rebuilt on the current site or moved to a new location that may be more suitable for security needs, he said.

For the time being, however, we do not believe it will be possible to acquire and redevelop the property where the Federal Building is located in the short- or medium-term, his memo concludes.

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FLINT, MI -- Its not every day that you see your teacher break out and do the splits.

But Sheila Graham wasnt your everyday teacher.

The longtime Berston Field House dance teacher who founded Creative Expressions and Flint Community Schools teacher died on Monday, May 1. She was 66.

Those who knew her and worked alongside her remembered Grahams unwavering support for more than four generations of children who grew up in the Flint community.

Founded by Graham in 1982, Creative Expressions allowed Graham to teach and share her passion of dance for more than 40 years.

Graham started the class with only 30 students, but it grew in size every year. She went on to nurture more than 8,000 students, according to the Creative Expressions website.

As well as teaching in the dance studio, Graham returned to teach at her alma mater, Flint Northwestern High School, in 1999. She taught in the fine arts department until her retirement in 2018.

She also served as the director of the dance department at Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church in Flint.

Grahams motto -- My job is to teach you to take my job -- rang true for many of her students, Berston Field House Interim Director Valorie Horton told MLive-The Flint Journal.

Sheila Graham, director for Creative Expressions Dance Studio, gives hand sanitzer out to Amara McClendon, 8 of Flint at left, after dancing during a "brain break" away from computers at Berston Field House on Sept. 1, 2020 on Flint's north side. Some families are using Berston Field House's business center and its facilities to help transition into virtual education and utilize web access. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com

Many of Grahams students held lifelong relationships with her. Some even went on to begin dance studios of their own, like Porcha Clemons, who opened her own dance studio in Flint years later.

She was not just a teacher, you know, or just a director. She was part of their lives and part of their familys lives. She had so many generations of children  four generations  that she taught, Horton said.

Horton was quick to recognize Grahams teaching style. She theorized that so many students took to her because she was always able to dance alongside her students.

She could always bust a move with the best of them, Horton said.

According to her bio on the Creative Expressions website, Graham helped students reach new heights in dance that include music videos, movies, award shows and performing on Broadway.

Sheila Graham, director for Creative Expressions Dance Studio, instructs three girls for physical activity and a "brain break" away from computers at Berston Field House on Sept. 1, 2020 on Flint's north side. Some families are using Berston Field House's business center and its facilities to help transition into virtual education and utilize web access. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com

Graham was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the Flint NAACP Chapter.

Several members of the education community took to social media to remember Grahams impact.

Kelly Fields, principal at Accelerated Learning Academy, had this to say about her former colleague: Her legend is epic. Her star seed is eternal. Her talent as an educator was unparalleled. Her heart as a friend, mother and co-worker was beyond reproach.

Kevelin Jones, Flint Community Schools superintendent, said that Grahams wisdom over the years not only for Flint scholars but for the entire community does not go unseen.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley awarded Graham with a key to the city in 2022.

The loss of Sheila Miller-Graham will leave a significant void in our community, and I am deeply saddened by her death, Neeley said in a statement. Sheila was a beacon of light, a mentor, and an advocate for many children in Flint. She leaves as her legacy a love for dance, compassion for youth, and commitment to the Flint community. The City of Flint will forever be grateful. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and daughter.

Funeral arrangements for Graham are incomplete at this time. Updates can be found online at the Lawrence Moon Funeral Home website.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

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UM-Flint will host COVID-19-era teaching and learning conference in May

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FLINT, MI  Two more homicides have been tied to a Flint rapper accused of killing one person already and attempting to hire another person to kill a woman near Detroit.

Clifton Cliff Mac Terry appeared before Genesee County District Court Judge David G. Guinn on Tuesday, May 2, for an arraignment in two homicide cases stemming from October 2020 in the city of Burton.

Not guilty pleas were entered on Terrys behalf to charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, malicious destruction of between $1,000 and $20,000 of personal property, carrying a concealed weapon and four counts of felony firearm.

Related: Flint rapper Cliff Mac charged in murder-for-hire plot

The charges against Terry, 31, stem from the shooting deaths of two people just hours apart on Oct. 3, 2020.

The two victims, Ammelio G. Wilson Jr. and Lavelle Bergerac Ivy, were shot by a group of people that allegedly included Terry, police previously said.

Authorities have also charged Isiah Claiborne, Andre Sims and Troy Lyle.

Read more: 1 dead, 1 injured after shooting outside Burton gas station

Sims, 25, and Lyle, 35, were each charged in March with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, malicious destruction of between $1,000 and $20,000 of personal property, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and five counts of felony firearm.

Claiborne has not yet been arraigned on the Burton homicides. He is being held in federal custody.

Sims is currently an inmate at the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center near Jackson. Lyle is being held locally without bond.

Wilson, of Flint, was killed around 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at the Speedway gas station near the intersection of Bristol and Center roads.

Officers with the Burton Police Department found him in the drivers seat of a Dodge Durango parked next to a gas pump.

Burton Police Chief Brian Ross said at the time that Wilson had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second person also was shot in the incident. He was taken by a privately-owned vehicle to a local hospital where he recovered from non-life-threatening injuries.

More: Pair of fatal shootings in Burton calculated acts, police chief says

The same four defendants face similar charges  including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder  in connection with Ivys death.

Ivy was shot less than six hours after Wilson was killed. He was found dead outside Teds Party Store, 1160 E. Hemphill Road.

Officers responded to the report of a shooting shortly before 8:30 p.m. and found Ivy with multiple gunshot wounds inside a Hyundai Santa Fe.

Ross said the vehicle continued to roll after Ivy was shot and bounced off a school building across the street.

Another man was in the vehicle with Ivy and was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound. He has since recovered.

11 1 / 11 Police investigate shooting at Eagle Ridge Square

The two homicides are the latest charges filed against Terry and Claiborne, who are two of four people charged in connection with the Aug. 17, 2021, shooting death of Devaroe Davis at the Eagle Ridge Apartment Complex in Flint.

Responding officers arrived at the scene and found Davis, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso and neck.

Terry is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, three counts of discharge firearm from a vehicle and eight counts of felony firearm.

Claiborne is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, discharge firearm from a vehicle and three counts of felony firearm.

Also charged in the case is Andres Vela, 25, who faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, three counts of discharge firearm from a vehicle and eight counts of felony firearm.

Megan Confer, 31, is also charged. She faces charges of delivery/manufacture narcotic drugs 1,000+ grams, delivery/manufacture methamphetamine, delivery/manufacture narcotic drugs <50 grams and three counts of felony firearm.

All four defendants were initially charged in November 2021, but the cases against each of them were subsequently dropped before being refiled through a one-person grand jury.

However, the cases had to be refiled again after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled judges cannot authorize charges against suspects in the role of a one-person grand jury.

As a result, the case against each of the defendants remains in district court more than a year after taking place.

The cases have been delayed numerous times due to issues with custody of Terry and Claiborne, both of whom also face federal indictments and have been spending parts of the past year in federal custody.

Similar issues arose Tuesday, when the four defendants were scheduled to appear before Guinn for preliminary examination.

Terry was late in being transported to Flint from a separate holding location. Officials also indicated that the case was being delayed because a fifth person may be charged.

Confer is free on a personal recognizance bond while the other three defendants are being held without bond.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Police investigate fatal shooting at Flint apartment complex

Four suspects arraigned in fatal shooting at Flint apartment complex

Murder case against Flint rapper delayed as he remains in federal custody
FLINT, MI -- A lawsuit filed against Flint and two firefighters after two boys died following a delayed rescue from a burning home has survived its first legal hurdle in Genesee Circuit Court.

Judge B. Chris Christenson said during a court hearing on Monday, May 1, that he wont immediately consider motions for summary disposition filed by the city and two former firefighters, the targets of the lawsuit. The filing seeks $50 million in damages.

Attorneys for the city and former firefighter Daniel Sniegocki argued Monday that governmental immunity protects their clients from the lawsuit, but Christenson said he would hold those motions in abeyance at least until discovery begins to unfold in the case.

Attorneys for Crystal Cooper, the mother and representative of the estates of her sons, the late Lamar D. and Zyaire Mitchell, had asked the judge to take that action. They said a denial of the citys request could have caused an appeal, potentially delaying the case for years.

Detroit attorney Todd Flood, who represents Cooper, said the city itself could be excused from the lawsuit through an amended complaint in the next 30 days because of immunity, leaving the city to defend Sniegocki and another former firefighter, Michael Zlotek.

The lawsuit alleges the firefighters committed gross negligence, causing the brothers wrongful deaths, violating their due process rights, and causing a negligent infliction of emotional distress to their mother.

Zlotek and Sniegocki were among the first firefighters to arrive at the Mitchell brothers home in response to a fire on West Pulaski Street on the morning of May 28, 2022, and the men issued an all-clear after reporting that they had searched for entrapment victims on the second floor of the house without finding anyone there.

But a report by former Fire Chief Raymond Barton said the two firefighters, each of whom has since resigned, called off a search for anyone trapped inside by declaring the all-clear. He claimed they later lied in reports about having looked inside a room where the Mitchell brothers were later found on the homes second floor.

Roughly six minutes passed between the time of the all-clear and when another Flint firefighter found the boys, who were still alive.

Zyaire Mitchell was 12 years old when he died on June 1, 2022, at Childrens Hospital of Michigan. His brother, Lamar, died two days later, also at Childrens Hospital.

The lawsuit filed by their mother says both boys died as a result of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning and that after the all-clear was declared, her sons were subjected to increased inhalation of toxic smoke and the burning of their flesh from the fire ...

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Flint firefighters issued all-clear at fatal house fire, but kids were still inside

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The Grand Rapids Symphony has named Keith Elder as the organizations next president and chief executive officer (CEO).

His resume includes stints with such well-known institutions as the Boston Pops.

Elder will officially start his new role on July 1, 2023. He succeeds former president and CEO Mary Tuuk Kuras, who retired in December 2022.

Currently, Elder is the executive director and CEO of the Tulsa Symphony in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to a May 2 announcement from the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Renee Tabben, chair of the Grand Rapids Symphony Board, said Elders extensive experience in Tulsa will help build upon the successes of Tuuk Kuras leadership.

On behalf of the Search Committee and Board of Directors, I am thrilled to announce that Keith Elder will take the helm of the Grand Rapids Symphony as our new President and CEO, Tabben said in a statement.

With Keiths guidance, we are confident that the Grand Rapids Symphony will continue to thrive by fostering financial sustainability, deep community engagement, innovative programming, meaningful collaborations, and delivering exceptional music experiences to our diverse audiences while maintaining a strong connection with the community.

Chuck Frayer, who has been serving as interim president and CEO, will work closely with Elder to ensure a smooth transition, according to the release.

Before working with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Elder held various roles at renowned institutions such as the Aspen Music Festival and School, Eastman School of Music, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, and Tanglewood Music Center.

Elder said he is eager to move to Grand Rapids and join the Grand Rapids Symphony family.

I am deeply honored to assume the role of president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony, an organization with an outstanding legacy of artistic achievements, education, and community engagement, Elder said in a prepared statement. I look forward to fostering strong relationships with all Symphony stakeholders, including our patrons, supporters, and partners, as we work together to further the Symphonys mission.

In collaboration with the exceptional staff, board, trustees, and orchestra musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony, I am committed to ensuring that we continue to provide transformative musical experiences for our audiences and contribute positively to the cultural fabric of the city. My goal is not only to maintain the high standards set by my predecessor, Mary Tuuk Kuras, but also to explore new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and innovation, enhancing the Symphonys impact on the lives of the people of Grand Rapids.

As we embark on this exciting journey together, I pledge to work tirelessly to uphold the organizations values and to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the vibrant cultural landscape of Grand Rapids.

Elders appointment comes after an extensive search process led by Tabben and a search committee comprised of board members, staff, community leaders, and orchestra musicians, according to the release. Arts Consulting Group (ACG) was contracted to help conduct a national and international search.

Grand Rapids Symphony Music Director Marcelo Lehninger said he is delighted to welcome Elder on board.

Having had the pleasure of meeting Keith many years ago while I was the Associate Conductor at the Boston Symphony and recently working with him as a guest conductor at the Tulsa Symphony, I can attest to his exceptional leadership skills, dedication to the arts, and deep understanding of the needs and challenges of a symphony orchestra, Lehninger said.

As our previous collaborations have been incredibly fruitful, I eagerly anticipate working closely with Keith once again as we chart a new and exciting course for the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Elder is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the State of New York. He earned a bachelors degree in music and arts administration, with concentrations in tuba and technical theater, from Indiana University, and a Juris Doctor degree from New England Law.

During his tenure at the Tulsa Symphony, Elder oversaw numerous high-profile performances featuring world-renowned guest artists like Yefim Bronfman, Wynton Marsalis, Lawrence Brownlee, Ryan Speedo Green, The Eagles, and Sarah Coburn, according to the release.

He also developed and oversaw the Tulsa Symphonys first holiday television special A Hometown Holiday and successfully executed a safe and responsible open-air concert during the COVID pandemic, which was the first of its kind for over 1,000 people, the release said. In 2020, he was honored as Tulsan of the Year by TulsaWorld for his exceptional vision and leadership during the challenging times of the pandemic.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A Howard City man on Tuesday, May 2, admitted he and others tampered with heavy-duty diesel engines to evade emission controls.

Glenn Hoezee, 55, is among 11 men - and three companies - accused of violating the federal Clean Air Act, which regulates sources of mobile pollution.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten has called the investigation, by the U.S. Environmental Agencys Criminal Investigation Division, one of the largest of its kind ever charged in the United States.

Hoezee pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent in Grand Rapids to tampering with emissions-monitoring devices in 2017 and 2018.

When the judge asked Hoezee if he was pleading guilty freely, Hoezee responded: Yeah, I feel I dont have any option, so  . I dont have the money to fight the government.

The judge noted he was represented by a federal public defender, Sean Tilton.

Its just hard on me, Hoezee said. Nobody forced me to plead guilty.

Related: 11 Michigan men charged in major U.S. diesel engine tampering case

Hoezee faces up to two years in prison, one year on supervised release and $250,000 in fines. He is expected to be sentenced in about four months by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo. As part of his agreement, he has to cooperate with prosecutors.

He is free on bond pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Presant said in court that if the case went to trial prosecutors would use testimony of witnesses, industry experts and those who analyzed trucks, and business records and other evidence seized during execution of search warrants.

The charges were announced late last month. The government said the defendants were involved at different levels to delete emission controls to improve performance and fuel economy and save on costs.

Removing emissions controls can increase output of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

The government said that Accurate Truck Service removed or altered hardware while Diesel Freak reprogrammed trucks engine computers. Griffin Transportation allegedly engaged the other two companies to delete trucks, the government said in court records.

Along with Hoeze, others suspected in the alleged conspiracy are Ryan Lalone, 47, of Gaylord; Wade Lalone, 44, of Gaylord; Dustin Rhine, 32, of Indian River; James Sisson, 42, of Mt. Pleasant; Douglas Larsen, 51, of Wayland; Craig Scholten, 58, of Byron Center; Ryan Bos, 45, of Grandville; Robert Swainston, 50, of Hopkins; Randy Clelland, 33, of Grand Rapids; and Scott DeKock, 45, of Hudsonville.

Scholten and Bos own Griffin Transportation, a Grand Rapids-based trucking firm that operates across the U.S.

The alleged tampering of emission controls happened between 2012 and 2018.

The government said that defendants used code words on invoices to conceal efforts to delete emission controls.

The EPA has conducted a nationwide crackdown on aftermarket devices intended to bypass emissions.

Related: Volkswagen scandal payout sends $9M to Michigan to reduce rail, marine emissions

Accurate Truck Service and Griffin Transportation have agreed to pay a combined $1 million fine and Diesel Freak has agreed to pay a $750,000 fine. The penalty, however, is up to Maloney, the sentencing judge.

Last year, two Oakland County companies were fined $10 million for selling diesel defeat devices.

Griffin Transportation and Accurate Truck Service earlier released a statement that said the two affiliated companies are are committed to being responsible employers, good corporate citizens and environmental stewards.

We have taken this matter extremely seriously and have fully cooperated with investigating authorities, the statement said.. We have also taken action to ensure all our vehicles are fully compliant with state and federal regulations. We believe this plea agreement is in the best interests of our companies, so we can move forward and focus our time and attention on continuing to serve the needs of our customers and employees.

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China ranked second with US$16.4 billion, followed by the EU with US$13.7 billion, ASEAN with US$11.1 billion, the Republic of Korea (RoK) with US$7.8 billion, and Japan with US$7.3 billion.

Throughout the reviewed period, Vietnams export turnover of goods dropped by 11.8% to US$108.57 billion against the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the countrys four-month import turnover also declined by 15.4% year on year to US$102.22 billion.

China was the largest importer of Vietnamese goods with an estimated turnover reaching US$33.3 billion, trailed by the RoK with US$16.7 billion, ASEAN with US$13.4 billion, Japan with US$7.3 billion, the EU with US$4.4 billion, and the United States with US$4.1 billion.

The reviewed period saw Vietnam rack up a trade surplus of US$24.4 billion, of which US$24.4 billion was generated from Vietnamese export surplus to the US alone.

Vietjet increases frequency of flights on routes to Australia

Vietjet will increase the frequency of flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne and Sydney (Australia) to respond to the big demand for visiting relatives, traveling and studying abroad of people and tourists, reported Vietnam News Agency.

A Vietjet aircraft (Photo: Vietjet Air)

Accordingly, the frequency of direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne will increase to four return flights per week from September 17. The flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday will take off at 10:55 am and land at 10:35 pm (local time). Meanwhile, the flights from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday will take off at 12:30 am and land at 6:30 am (local time).

The direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney will also increase to four return flights per week from September 18. The flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday will take off at 07:30 pm and land at 07:20 am (local time). The flights from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday will take off at 11:15 am and land at 04:30 pm (local time).

Vietjet will increase the frequency of flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne and Sydney (Australia) to respond to the big travel demand. (Photo: Vietjet Air)

Additionally, passengers are having many opportunities to hunt zero-VND tickets on routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane) on every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, from now until October 25. The first direct flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Brisbane will also be launched by Vietjet this June.

Booking a flight with Vietjet, passengers will enjoy a journey with modern aircraft, dedicated and professional cabin crews, along with a rich menu with fresh and hot organic meals featuring global culinary culture, as well as many products, services and utilities.

Especially, when registering for the Vietjet SkyJoy loyalty programme, passengers can use reward SkyPoints to redeem vouchers of Vietjet and services from 250 favourite brands of dining, resort and shopping in Vietnam, via SkyJoy mobile app or website https://skyjoy.vietjetair.com.

Traffic accidents down in first four months

There were 3,159 traffic accidents nationwide from December 15  April 14, claiming the lives of 1,895 people and injuring 2,154 others, reported the Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee.

Illustrative image (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Compared to the same period last year, the number of accidents, fatalities and the injured was down 17.33%, 17.68% and 10.66%, respectively.

On the nation's roads, 3,122 accident cases claimed 1,869 lives and left 2,148 others injured, representing respective decreases of 17.41%, 16.82% and 10.61%.

Meanwhile, 28 railway accidents killed 18 people and injured six others. Year-on-year, the number of cases and fatalities rose by 12% and 5.88%, respectively, while that of the injured decreased by 14.29%.

Six accidents happened on waterways, down eight cases, and three on marine routes, up one case, taking eight lives in total, down 30 deaths from the same period last year.

In April alone, two waterway accidents killed two persons which remained unchanged annually.

In aviation, one accident at A-level was recorded, involving a BELL 505 helicopter which crashed while carrying tourists over the water near Gia Luan commune, Cat Hai district, the northern port city of Hai Phong. It resulted in the death of one pilot and four passengers. The investigation is now underway.

Vietnamese handicrafts promoted in Italy

A forum on opportunities for Vietnamese handicraft products has taken place as part of the MIDA  Florence International Crafts Fair 2023, which runs in Italy from April 25 to May 1, reported Vietnam News Agency.

Visitors at at the Vietnamese space at the MIDA - Florence International Crafts Fair 2023 in Italy (Photo: VNA)

Co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture (AGRITRADE), the event gathered leaders of European and Italian craft associations, as well as Italian experts and businesses in the field.

Addressing the forum, Duong Phuong Thao, Trade Counselor at the embassy, informed participants that diverse handicraft products from across Vietnam, which are produced from natural materials that are sustainably exploited locally, have so far made their presences in 163 countries and territories around the world, with the EU named their second largest market after the US. In Italy, the goods are increasingly popular, with the turnover of several products, such as bamboo-rattan products and carpets, have grown by double digits.

Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen, deputy head of the Vietnamese Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development, said the sector is not only a production area with important contributions to creating incomes and jobs for rural people, but also an industry imbued with the national cultural identity.

President of the World Crafts Council Europe Elisa Guidi said Europe's green development trend is a great opportunity for handicraft products.

She recommended the Vietnamese handicraft sector come up with communication measures to help consumers understand the art story behind each product and encourage young people to choose handicrafts as a career direction in the future.

Participating Italian experts held that Vietnam's handicraft has all the key factors serving its further success. They suggested the industry be developed based on three core values of ensuring contemporarity, sustainability and originality, meeting specific tastes of their target markets.

The annual fair attracted more than 500 exhibitors from over 50 countries worldwide, including Vietnam./.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The driver of a courier van who staged a $1.2 million holdup was sentenced Tuesday, May 2, to federal prison.

Paschal Osinachi Uchendu, 28, of Mason said he ruined his life. He disappointed his hard-working parents who brought his Nigerian family  including his brother, who joined the failed plot - to the U.S. for a better life.

I wish I could go back in time and not do what I did, Uchendu told U.S. District Judge Janet Neff.

Neff sentenced him to three years, one month in prison. She earlier sentenced his brother, Stephen Ikechuwku Uchendu, 21, also of Mason, to 2  years in prison, and his brothers friend, Todd Lamonte Harris, Jr., 21, of Grand Rapids, to two years in prison.

Related: Three men plead in staged courier van robbery of $1.2 million in cash

Paschal Uchendu worked as a driver for Empyreal Logistics. He learned the code to the safe in his courier van and recruited his brother and friend to act as robbers.

They staged the holdup on Feb. 15, 2022, in Okemos. The supposed robbers were following behind the courier van when they faked a crash.

Federal prosecutors said Harris engaged the driver, Paschal Uchendu, who got out of the van while his brother entered through the passenger side with an unloaded AR-15 rifle.

He said he was told to drive to a church parking lot where robbers, wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, took the money.

They stole $1,244,483. Paschal Uchendu paid the others $25,000 each.

Paschal Uchendu returned $500,000 but over $700,000 is still missing, prosecutors said.

His attorney, George Brown, said his client does not have the missing money.

Related: After $1 million robbery of courier van, police suspect driver was involved

After Uchendu told police he had been robbed, investigators eventually determined the holdup had been faked.

The judge said that Uchendu committed the faux robbery in a patently amateurish way, but managed to steal a significant amount of money.

The three defendants initially lied to police but later admitted what they had done. Paschal Uchendu pleaded guilty to bank larceny. Stephen Uchendu and Todd Harris pleaded guilty to the interstate transportation of stolen property.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Townsend told the judge that the faked heist caused Paschal Uchendus former employers insurance premiums to increase by $500,000.

In court records, the prosecutor wrote: To his credit, Paschal cooperated and returned $515,932 to the authorities. Paschal, however - like his codefendants - lied about the proceeds for a period of time even after he began cooperating. That time was money: the defendants failures to completely and accurately account for the proceeds at the outset sent agents down the wrong track and allowed the cash to dissipate. As of the date of sentencing, over $732,000 in stolen cash remains outstanding.

The three defendants were each ordered to cover that loss in restitution.

Paschal Uchendu said he took his freedom for granted. He had never been in trouble before. He had a job and also was a free-lance videographer and photographer with hopes of going to college.

His mother won a visa lottery when he was 8. His family initially moved to Grand Rapids.

His attorney wrote in court records that he is the oldest of five siblings. He described growing up in a rough place.

His parents hard work was the only thing standing in the way between the defendant and starvation, Brown wrote. Straying too far from home was avoided because of the threats of kidnapping and murder. Paschals parents protected their children from a world of chaos and abject desperation that it is difficult for an American to imagine.

Neff, the judge, said it appeared the parents had done everything they could to give Uchendu a good life.

She said it was kind of just incomprehensible behavior. It just kind of boggles a parents mind. Its very, very sad.

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JACKSON COUNTY, MI  Veterans facing hardship in Jackson County may be able to get some relief soon if the county is awarded a state grant its applying for.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved a grant proposal Tuesday, May 2, from Jackson County Veterans Affairs seeking to create an emergency fund for peacetime veterans.

The grant being submitted to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is seeking $137,231 from the state to create a new emergency program for Jackson County, the Peace Timers Relief Fund, which will offer at-need veterans a one-time payment of up to $2,000 to cover an unexpected emergency expense.

The payment would be made to the bill collector, not the veteran, according to the grant proposal.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the board during its study session ahead of a full board meeting as the deadline for submitting the proposal to the state is May 12.

Were looking at trying to keep people from getting their utilities shut off, said Phil McCaskey, director Jackson County Veterans Affairs. We receive five calls a week (from veterans) asking for help and we are constantly shoving people off to seek help from other organizations like United Way. This would be a great resource to the veterans of Jackson County.

Jackson County currently has 10,459 registered veterans with at least a third of them being identified as peacetime veterans, or veterans who served during times the United States was not actively involved in a war, McCaskey said.

The grant is a yearly grant that must be applied for every year. Funds that do not get spent are sent back to the state.

If approved, grant funds should be available by October 2023 until September 2024.

To be eligible for the program, the requestor must provide proof of Jackson County residency, income and urgency of their request, according to the proposal.

For more information about Jackson County Veterans Affairs, visit the county website.

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Since Jocelyn Benson was first elected Secretary of State in 2018, Michigans state government has been roiled by one scandal after another, almost invariably involving public officials and money.

Now, with Democrats in power in Lansing for the first time in 40 years, Benson is making a renewed push for a sweeping set of ethics reforms.

For far too long, lawmakers in our state have operated under the cloak of secrecy with very little transparency requirements, Benson told MLive in a recent interview.

In a 2020 ranking of U.S. states anti-corruption protection, Michigan was 47th, largely because the state has almost no independent oversight of elected officials.

As a result of decades of inaction, on both lobbying laws and campaign finance laws and ethics laws in our state, we are far, far, far behind the basic median levels that many other states are already at, she told MLive in a recent interview.

This year, lawmakers will be implementing Proposal 1, which will require Michigans state elected officials to file personal financial disclosures for the first time  though the extent and detail of those disclosures remains unclear.

Read More: Will Michigans financial disclosure law reveal politicians long-hidden perks? Its up to them.

Benson argued financial disclosures should be just the beginning.

From the expansion of FOIA to the expansion of lobbying disclosure requirements, theres far more we need to do to actually ensure citizens have a full understanding of the influence in Lansing and how their lawmakers are responding to it, Benson said.

The public should be able to see more detailed reports from lobbyists, filed more frequently, that show which legislators are being lobbied on specific legislation, Benson argued. The vagueness of Michigans current lobbying reports make that impossible in most circumstances, and the staff of public officials should be included too.

She considers these changes the lower-hanging fruit, and the legislature could build consensus to pass such laws this year. More ambitious goals, like requiring some degree of disclosure for the dark money accounts lawmakers enjoy  all of that is on the table as well.

Crafting reforms, however, ultimately rests with the legislature. Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, has lead the push to bring an open records law to the legislature and governors office, which remain exempt from Michigans Freedom of Information Act. Hes been introducing legislation since 2016 with Republican allies like Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, only to be stymied.

Session after session, weve built the case for this, Moss said. More than weve built the case for this, each scandal has built the case for this.  I think were here today and realize that this is probably among the top priorities we have to get done.

The latest scandal: former House Speaker Rick Johnson pleading guilty to federal bribery charges where, as chair of a board approving marijuana business licenses, he accepted more than $110,000 in bribes from applicants.

In Johnsons role as chair, he had to complete a financial disclosure. It was never made public, and he did not submit it until 116 days after his appointment by then-Gov. Rick Snyder.

Benson said she hopes the episode illustrates the need to increase the ability of our office to enforce existing requirements and any new ones and seek real accountability when there is deception or otherwise violations of the law.

Moss said FOIA expansion is third among priorities on the Elections and Ethics Committee he chairs. He said lawmakers have to first finish legislation to implement Proposal 2, which expands voting access, and Proposal 1.

On the other hand, Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, is deeply skeptical that Democrats, now that they control the legislature, are sincerely interested in reform.

Hes introduced a bill, SB 222, that would block legislators from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office in each session since 2015. Legislative committee chairs would have to wait three. Benson has also called for the reform since at least 2019.

Runestad told MLive the legislation stalled in the past simply because legislators didnt want to jeopardize the lobbyist jobs theyve lined up.

Moss is not fully convinced of its need after Proposal 1 tweaked term limits. Runestad blasted Moss and legislative Democrats for not taking up any significant transparency bills after four months in control.

Read more: Michigan has a transparency problem. Will the Democratic majority fix it?

The same blasted bills have been vetted more than any others, and hes going to wait two more months? Bulls---, Runestad said. I dont buy it one bit.

On FOIA expansion, Moss said he remains in negotiations with the office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on the details. Whitmer has repeatedly signaled shes on board with reforms, but in a statement spokesperson Bobby Leddy didnt endorse any specific measures.

With a new Democratic majority in the legislature for the first time in 40 years, we have an opportunity to pass good government legislation that has stalled for decades, Leddy said. We will work with the legislature as those bills begin to move because Michiganders deserve a state government that works every day to serve people in the best way possible.

Since the new legislative session began, the former House Speaker Jason Wentworth and the former House Minority Floor Leader Yousef Rabhi, among others, are now serving as lobbyists. Benson said term limits still make a job lobbying an all-too-alluring prize for legislators.

In a state like ours with term limits, thats particularly pernicious, Benson said, arguing a cooling-off period is both reasonable and effective at eliminating the quid pro quo promises that could evolve that a revolving door otherwise enabled.

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NORTHPORT, MI  The barge and crane notorious for repeatedly sinking in Michigans Grand Traverse Bay is floating again.

In recent days, springtime water level increases on Lake Michigan floated the barge owned by Balcom Marine Contractors that struck bottom 16 months ago in January 2022 when water levels dropped. State officials said they expect the barge to be towed away from its nearly two-year anchor site just offshore from luxury lakeshore homes north of Northport in Leelanau County, as previously agreed by the owner.

State and federal authorities said they do not know exactly when it will be moved elsewhere, nor where it is destined to end up.

Officials with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) said there was no specific deadline date for the barge to be moved, outside of sometime this spring. They confirmed the barge has refloated and no permits are required to relocate it.

U.S. Coast Guard officials said they are no longer involved in the case after an inspection in December 2022, yet remain ready to act should circumstances change.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources in November 2022 sent the company owner, Donald Balcom, notice that state officials consider the barge abandoned and warned they may seize it. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent a letter in September last year that said the federal government considers the barge an abandoned navigational hazard and the agency is prepared to issue a permit for any salvage operation willing to remove it.

Yet nothing happened for six months, until now.

Balcom confirmed to MLive on May 1, 2023, that the barge has, indeed, refloated. However, he declined to further comment on his plans for the vessel.

This was the second time Balcoms barge sank to the bottom of Grand Traverse Bay. The first time was in November 2020 when it sank and spilled petrochemicals into Lake Michigan just offshore of Elmwood Township, closer to Traverse City.

10 1 / 10 Sunken barge in Grand Traverse Bay

The barge was re-floated in May 2021 and moved to a boat ramp owned by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa in Peshawbestown. It stayed there for about a week before being floated to a job near Northport but by July 2021, the barge was anchored offshore near a gated resort community in Leelanau County where it remains.

That means the barge has remained in the same spot for nearly two years, whether anchored or resting on the bottom of Lake Michigan.

Officials confirmed the case remains under review by Michigan Attorney General officials for possible violations of state Great Lakes bottomland laws.

Balcom told MLive in December last year he couldnt move the barge until water levels rose in Lake Michigan, which never happened the entirety of 2022. He said thats why the barge stayed in Northport Bay, a smaller embayment on the larger Grand Traverse Bay.

Balcom argued it would cause more environmental damage to the rocky bottomlands to pull the barge across the floor of Lake Michigan than to wait until spring and hope for higher water levels.

U.S. Coast Guard pollution inspectors visited the grounded barge on Dec. 9, 2022, and found more than 40 gallons of gasoline and diesel onboard the barge among three dewatering pumps, several five-gallon fuel cans, and about 25 gallons inside the cranes fuel tank. Balcom agreed to remove the portable fuel containers and dewatering pumps, said Lt. Tyler Carlsgaard, the Coast Guards top inspections officer for the Sault Ste. Marie sector.

Carlsgaard said Coast Guard inspectors determined fuel in the cranes tank didnt pose a substantial threat of discharge because it was secured above the deck and remained structurally intact, though authorities continued to monitor the situation.

Balcoms company also owns a 33-foot towboat called the Rawhide, which sank in Grand Traverse Bay in September 2019. That vessel was salvaged using the barge and crane now under discussion, and the towboat currently remains stored in a boatyard in Northport.

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The Marshall City Council sat into the early morning hours listening to public comment on the proposed Ford battery plant taking over at least 1,200 acres of mostly farmland.

After 1:30 a.m. the council unanimously voted to approve the megasite for heavy industrial zoning.

The vote came after more than six hours of public comment from Marshall residents in the city and township. Many of them are unhappy about the BlueOval Battery Park disrupting the rural landscape and the historically agriculture-drive town.

The Marshall City Council was tasked with deciding zoning for township property that will need city services and share tax revenue. The zoning commission earlier voted 4-2 to not recommend a heavy industrial zone, against the suggestion in a city staff report.

Related: Fords $3.5B plant bringing jobs  and disappointment  for Marshall residents

Marshall Director of Community Services Eric Zuzga said the zoning and planning board, made up of township and city representatives, had a wide-ranging conversation including on traffic, environmental and political concerns. Despite the down vote, Zuzga still supported the city staffs report and recommended it to the board saying there were mitigation solutions to the problems presented.

Zoning classifications are necessary to move to the next step of site plan review, City Manager Derek Perry said.

Marshall residents in the city and township feel the project was a done deal before they knew the details of Fords proposed 2.5 million square-foot facility.

Almost three hours ahead of the meeting, John and Leigh Rothwell stood in the rain outside city hall at a roundabout asking drivers to honk if they agreed to Stop the megasite.

The zoning commissions push back on the project felt like a small win after months of opposition flooding public comment, social media and news outlets with their concerns. But when Rothwell, 69, learned the council could override the zoning commissions decision it took the wind out of my sails, he said.

Just when you might be getting a little traction they come and kick your feet out from under you, he said.

Mondays eight-hour meeting was the latest in the saga kicked off since February when Ford and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the battery manufacturing facility was coming to Marshall.

Although megasite development was approved in November in the township master plan, Marshall residents said it wasnt until the public announcement that they were fully clued into what was being built on the stretch of land at North C Drive and 13  Mile Road.

This is a farm community with a lot of downhome charm to it, Rothwell said. If I wanted to live in an industrial park I would live in Detroit.

Read more on MLive:

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Ford says Chinese government has no role in $3.5B Michigan plant

Hundreds rally at Michigan horse farm to oppose Gotion battery plant

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DETROIT -- The Toledo Mud Hens were one of the best teams in Triple-A during the month of April, thanks in part to a well-stocked roster that included plenty of capable veterans.

But its a 23-year-old who has been turning the most heads.

Justyn-Henry Malloy, acquired last December from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for reliever Joe Jimenez, is hitting .344 with five doubles and four homers in 116 plate appearances. He has an OPS of 1.001. Most impressively has been his discipline at the plate, walking 21 times against 25 strikeouts.

He had a stretch of 13 consecutive starts from April 8-23 in which he reached base at least twice in every game.

Its insane to see somebody have the at-bats that hes having, said infielder Zack Short, who was recently promoted from Toledo to the big-league club.

Triple-A is using the Automatic Ball-Strike system -- aka robo umps -- this year, and Short said Malloy is practically robotic in his strike zone awareness.

We joke that its based off him. You should ask him if its a strike or not, like, Justyn, what did you think about that? Short said. If he takes, its a ball.

Hes just 23 years old and he has at-bats like hes been around for 15 years. Its crazy.

If theres any question about Malloys game, its his defense. The Braves were in the process of converting him to an outfielder when he was traded to Detroit; hes played exclusively at third base since joining the Tigers organization.

Some analysts have questioned whether he can be a viable big-league third baseman.

But Short said Malloy works just as hard on his defense as he does at the plate, and hes not relying on his bat to carry him to the big leagues.

Hes really working at it too, which is rewarding to see, Short said. Hes not like, I know I can hit, so Ill be up there (in the big leagues). No, he wants to be really good at everything hes doing, and its awesome to watch.
ISHPEMING, MI - Winter just wont go away in parts of Michigan as some people are getting walloped on May 1st, more than a month after spring officially arrived. Were talking a foot and a half of snow in the Upper Peninsula with even more on the way.

Long-time Yooper, Mandy Carlson Moebius, says she cant believe the amount of snow theyve gotten in her Marquette County home of Ishpeming. She says the snow started falling around midnight and it was still coming down as of 7:00 p.m. with no end in sight.

This feels like the never-ending winter, Moebius frustratingly told MLive. The snow was almost gone only to come back with a vengeance. We are so ready for spring to arrive.

Moebius says it looks like about 15 inches has fallen so far and its expected to keep falling throughout the night with around two feet accumulating when its all said and done.

I was glad it wasnt as cold this winter but I am so sick of snow, Moebius added. Usually around this time of year, we have some snow on the ground still melting because we get so much in the winter, but I dont remember getting snow like this in May.

The Upper Peninsula isnt the only area of Michigan seeing snow on May 1st. According to MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa, parts of Northern Michigans Lower Peninsula are seeing up to six inches in the Traverse City and Cadillac Areas. Some areas in Southern Lower Michigan could also get an inch.

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30.04.2023 LISTEN

The 23rd congregation of the University for Development Studies had some noticeable personalities bagging various academic acolytes. A prolific writer, youth activists cum development consultant Tahiru Lukman [Prof] was part of the 23rd special graduation ceremony. He graduated with a Master of Philosophy (Mphil) Environment and Resource Management.

He has expressed his atmost gratitude to Almighty Allah for his abundance grace throughout his life. His special gratitude goes to some distinguished personalities including Dr. Abdul Yahya Kadri, Head of Department of Environment and Resource Management of SDD-UBIDS who has since become a mentor and a father figure. He equally acknowledged Mr. Gordon Tuu the project supervisor for contributing to ensuring the day is a reality. He particularly acknowledged prof. Peprah and Prof. Osuman Kanton and Dr. Amosah Jonah for urging him to work hard.

Mr. Tahiru Lukman further showered praises to his former Boss and Executive Director of Community Development Alliance (CDA- Ghana) Mr. Issifu Salifu Kanton and Programs Manager Mr. Bipuah Sulemani for supporting him to acquire this Mphil degree.

Again, he did not missed out in acknowledging the contributions of all the Lecturers and administrative staff of the Department of Environment and Resource Management of SDD-UBIDS. He was also thankful to Mr. and Mrs Peter, Dr. Boasu Bismark, Madam Millicent Zuri, Mr. Ernerst Dabil Nabwomya, Mr. Halidu Abdul Jamil and Mr. Abdul Rahaman Osman for their contributions and support.

His lengthy list of Appreciation was crowned with the mentioned of his family and late father who challenged him to pursue for academic excellence.

Mr. Tahiru Lukman holds Certificate Environmental Health and Sanitation from the Ghana Health Examination Board (GHEB), and the West African Examination Board (WAHEB); He had earlier obtained Bachelor of Art (BA) degree in Integrated Community Development from the University for Development Studies.

He has worked as a civil servant and now a development consultant. Mr. Tahiru is also the founder and Executive Director of Ideapath Consult, an entity specialised in proposal development, research, training and data management & analysis.

Let joint other well-wishers to congratulate Mr. Tahiru Lukman on his success graduation.
The Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has hailed Ghanaian workers for their hard work and patriotic contributions as the world celebrates workers today 1st May.

May 1 every year is set aside as a day to celebrate workers across the globe.

He salutes all Ghanaian workers and appreciate the collective and enormous contribution to helping build a better Ghana.

On the occasion of Workers Day, I congratulate Ghanaian workers for their hard work and patriotic contributions towards the development of our country. God bless our workers. God bless our homeland Ghana, he said.

He further stressed that in spite of the many challenges that continue to confront Ghanaians; workers remain relentless and undaunted.

"Ayekoo once again to all Ghanaian workers on this special day, and there is no gainsaying the fact that the NPP remains stoically committed to broadening and deepening the frontiers of labour in Ghana," he added.

Palgrave Boakye-Danquah said Ghana is the only country "we have and we must all put our shoulders to the wheel and strive continuously towards building a better Ghana."

He continued, "These are some of the issues that must engage the attention of the Ghanaian people. Let us ensure that this election is primarily a competition of ideas and solutions to the problems facing our people. Let us make this an election the results of which will respond to the aspirations of the youth of Ghana.

"The NPP is committed to providing a competent, progressive leadership that will bring about the transformation of our national economy, driven by Ghanaians for the good of Ghanaians. It is through rapid industrialization and value-addition that our economy can create the needed pool of decent jobs with decent pay across Ghana to enhance the dignity of Ghanaian labour."

The NPP he said is determined to forge a partnership with workers and the private sector to achieve a common goal. "For us in the NPP, the security and unity of our country are crucial and we appeal humbly to each and everyone of us to say and do things that will keep our politics healthy, clean and constructive," he emphasised.
Students of French language literature in the United States awarded the Goncourt United States prize to Haitian novelist and poet, Makenzy Orcel, for his book, "Une somme humaine" (A human sum). The ceremony took place at the French embassy's Villa Albertine in New York. The writer told RFI it was an intense experience.

I worked really hard and it is so rewarding to see the passion of the students who are also avid readers, Makenzy Orsel said after the ceremony in Manhattan at the weekend.

It looks as if my work, some 20 odd years spent writing, is finally finding its readers and that my craft means something to them.

The Prix Goncourt, one of France's prestigious literary prizes, has an international version in 35 different countries with juries made up of university students of French language literature.

On Saturday 29 April, 150 students gathered at Villa Albertine in Manhattan, a French governmental institution for arts and ideas in the United States.

The students hailed from eight distinguished American universities: Duke, Harvard, NYU, Princeton, Yale, MIT, Columbia, and the University of Virginia. They spent months studying six books shortlisted for the second edition of the US Goncourt prize selection.

Standing ovation

The six shortlisted books were " Vivre vite "(Living fast) by Brigitte Giraud who won the 2022 Goncourt prize, " Le mage du Kremlin" (The magician from Kremlin) by Giuliano da Empoli, " Les presque surs" (The almost sisters) by Cloe Korman, " La petite menteuse" (The little liar) by Pascale Robert-Diard, " La vie clandestine" (A clandestine life) by Monica Sabolo and " Une somme humaine" (A human sum) by Makenzy Orcel.

The 40 year-old Haitian writer told RFI's Elisabeth Lequeret that he was surprised and moved by the standing ovation of the 150 students gathered at Villa Albertine.

It was quite incredible. I've experienced a few things throughout my life as a writer but this this was crazy he said.

It's not so much about the prize than meeting people, meeting readers. It's like we are travelling together and are looking in the same direction. This, for me, is priceless.

The students were not expecting to see him. It so happened that Orcel had a meeting at Villa Albertine with one of the directors on the day before the prize was awarded. She told him that she would send a car for him if he won as the students would be overjoyed to meet him.

"I was at a writer's panel on that day and I later noticed two missed calls," he remembers. "The car came to pick me up and I was brought into into Villa Albertine by a side entrance."

Universalism

Une somme humaine, Orcel's seventh book, published in August 2022, also won the first Goncourt Niger, as well as the tenth Goncourt Romania and Moldova.

But he said that the US Goncourt was the first one where he got to meet the jury of readers.

It was different because I was actually there, I was in the room, I could hear them discuss my book, and we could talk to each other. I think this is what was different in receiving the US prize, the author said.

The jury compared his work to that of beloved American authors William Faulkner and Toni Morrison.

They praised his poetic prose, a magnificent fiction that speaks of universalism.
The process of restoring property damaged as a result of Russian armed aggression has already begun, but it will require significant funds in the framework of international support, German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen wrote in an article for the Kyiv Security Forum.

"The Ukrainian government, along with the EU and the World Bank, has calculated that the financial needs for the reconstruction of currently lost and damaged property will amount to more than $400 billion in the next decade. Maintaining the confidence of lawmakers in partner countries who will allocate these funds to Ukraine will require Ukraine to become example of corruption prevention. 'Building back better' requires the rule of law, anti-corruption and good governance as the first prerequisites," the ambassador said.

The same, according to Feldhusen, applies to decentralization.

"The war not only creates tremendous pressure on Ukraine's resources. It also poses different tasks for the regions and cities of the country. The eastern and southern regions experience the most destruction and hostilities, they host the wounded and a large number of military personnel. The western and central regions, on the other both sides host a large number of IDPs and relocated businesses, which poses unknown challenges to the housing market and the local economy. No central government, regardless of its goodwill and efficiency, can perfectly plan for both groups of regions," she said.

Decentralization implies the transfer of decisions and responsibilities to the regional and local levels under the principle of subsidiarity, that is, all political issues should be resolved locally as much as possible. Since people know better what is most necessary for them and their cities and villages. Just as important, the ability to create change inspires people to take responsibility and build prosperous and sustainable communities for future generations.

"During the early days of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian decentralization reform helped a lot in defending the country. Many mayors rose to the challenge and used their powers and knowledge of the region to prepare in advance to repel Russian attacks, as well as to protect the civilian population. Lots of inspiring stories from the first weeks The war was about those courageous mayors who defended their cities, in some cases at the cost of their own lives or freedom," Feldhusen said.

Ukraine is aimed at joining the European Union and has the support of its international partners, including Germany, in the issue of restoring what was destroyed to a state of "better than it was" and cannot postpone the necessary reforms for the future, the ambassador said.

"If politics involves the right timing, Ukraine cannot afford to wait until the end of the war and put its reforms on hold. The government of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada must do everything necessary to build an even stronger democracy with independent institutions that live and breathe the rule of law," she said.
The Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) says it disagrees with the Presidents decision to build a National Cathedral in the country when Ghanaians are feeling the heat of the economic crisis.

Delivering an address on Monday, May 1, during the Workers Day commemoration, GTUC Secretary-General Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah indicated that instead of building a National Cathedral, government should convert it into a National Hospital.

We believe strongly that government can lead us out of this crisis, and the government can do so by cutting expenditure on non-essentials including the need to stop spending our hard-earned revenue on a National Cathedral.

The president has always said he wants to create another Notre Dame in Ghana so we can attract a lot of visitors but we disagree.

In fact, comrades, it will be better to convert the project into a national hospital, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah said.

This years May Day celebration in Ghana was held on the theme; "Protecting Incomes and Pensions in an Era of Economic Crises: Our Responsibility."

The event was held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

In his address, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stressed that his administration is passionate about the well-being of workers in the country.

He said this was demonstrated in the approval of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Organised Labour last year.

H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo further assured that his government is working hard to address the economic woes facing the country.
The first autopsies Monday on corpses found in mass graves linked to a Kenyan pastor suspected of inciting followers to fast to death confirm starvation as the cause of death, although some victims were asphyxiated, the authorities said.

Experts carrying out the first post-mortems on more than 100 bodies unearthed in a coastal forest examined nine children aged one to 10 as well as one woman.

"Most of them had features of starvation," chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor said after the autopsies took place in a hospital morgue at the town of Malindi.

"We saw features of people who have not eaten -- there was no food in the stomach, the layer of fat was very small," he said.

"We have had a look at all their bodies and all their organs were intact. None was missing so far."

But, Oduor added, "From what we are hearing, there was some indication that they were being smothered, that can be one of the causes of asphyxiation. It was in two children. "

In a case that erupted last month, horrifying a deeply religious nation, cult leader Paul Mackenzie Nthenge is accused of urging followers to find God through starvation.

The provisional death toll stands at 109, which includes a small number of people who were found alive but died on their way to hospital.

"The process of exhumation was temporarily stopped because the experts advised us (that) when it is raining, that process cannot continue," Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said earlier.

'Other methods'

Investigators will also take DNA samples to help identification, though the full results may take months, Oduor said.

"Generally, all the bodies are decomposed and this makes it very difficult for us to calculate the time of death," he said.

Some of the victims may have died from methods other than starvation, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki says. By SIMON MAINA (AFP)

Kindiki had said on Friday that preliminary reports suggested "some of the victims may not have died of starvation. There were other methods used, including hurting them."

A former taxi driver, Nthenge created a Christian-based cult called the Good News International Church.

Investigators suspect he has links with a prominent televangelist, Ezekiel Odero, head of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church, who was arrested last Thursday.

Odero is suspected of crimes including murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutor Peter Kiprop said last week there was "credible information" linking bodies found in Shakahola forest to the deaths of several "innocent and vulnerable followers" of Odero.

Odero and Nthenge share a "history of business investments" including a television station used to pass "radicalised messages" to followers, Kiprop said in court documents.

Ruto pledge

The two pastors are currently in detention and are to appear in court in different towns on Tuesday.

Newly elected President William Ruto, in remarks on April 24, said there was no difference between rogue cult leaders and "terrorists".

"I have instructed the agencies responsible to ... get to the root cause ... of the activities of... people who want to use religion to advance weird, unacceptable ideology," he said.

Business owners, shopkeepers and worshippers enter the New Life Prayer Centre in Mavueni on Sunday, during a protest against the closure of the church. By SIMON MAINA (AFP)

More than 4,000 churches are registered in Christian-majority Kenya.

But efforts to weed out crooks and charlatans through regulation have been thwarted by accusations that this would violate constitutional guarantees for freedom of religion.

"In the course of the week," the interior minister said, "the president (will) be announcing members of a presidential task force to deal with generally how we govern religious activities in our country and how we make sure we don't infringe on the sacred right of the freedom of worship, opinion and belief.

"But at the same time we don't allow criminals to misuse that right to hurt, kill, torture and starve people to death."
02.05.2023 LISTEN

The Methodist Bishop of Sunyani, Rt. Rev. Daniel Kwasi Tannor, says there is the urgent need to embark upon moral revolution to save our nation from the clutches of materialism.

Endemic in the Ghanaian society is the insatiable appetite for money. The get rich quick attitude has poisoned the fabric of our society, humanity, work ethics and sowed in us attitudes that are at variance with our cultural norms and practices, he said.

The Bishop said this during the 44th Annual Synod of the Sunyani Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, held at the Freeman Methodist Society, Berekum, over the weekend. It was held under the theme "Discipleship: Living the Transformed Life in Jesus Christ".

According to Rt. Rev. Tannor, the tendency to get wealthy overnight has clouded peoples sense of judgement and so both adults and youth behave in many irresponsible ways.

Some of our chiefs and family heads plunder and squander resources and property entrusted into their hands. Sometimes one piece of land can be sold to more than one person. Most political overlords and in recent years, men and women in religious robes are neck deep buried in wanton theft, he added.

Transformed life

Rt. Rev Tannor said Christians should not allow themselves to be pressed into following corrupt customs, ungodly Principles and evil plans promoted by worldly men.

He said even though Christians are in the world, they are not of the world and so should not conform to the standards of the world but instead allow Jesus Christ to transform them.

Transformation is a process of rejecting the world and focusing on Jesus Christ. When we understand God's love and mercy for us, we will find the reason to transform our lives and renew our minds. To achieve total transformation, we must spend time in prayer, study the scriptures diligently, serve others and listen to the voice of God, he explained.

Evangelism

The Rt. Rev Tannor said in line with the churchs strategic plan, its membership is expected to grow by seven percent through intentional evangelism, discipleship and church planting.

This, he said, calls for hard work, prayer, and proper planning, saying: The ongoing church census reveals that there is a lot to be done to achieve our target. We need to intensify our house-to-house evangelism and visitations to our members. I appeal to ministers and evangelists to take the lead in this exercise.

He asked all Methodist ministers in the diocese to pay regular visits to Methodist schools under them and see to their effective running.

He said all Methodist school buildings are to be painted later this year with proceeds from the Education Week celebrations.

Youth empowerment

The Bishop announced that the Diocesan secretariat of the church in collaboration with the Rural Enterprises Programme has trained some youth in baking and mushroom production.

He each of the 19 beneficiaries who were trained in baking were given basic equipment to start work while 37 others who were trained in mushroom production were each supplied with 20 sacks of mushroom seeds to start their own businesses.

Rt Rev. Tannor expressed grave concern about the lack of accommodation for some of the health facilities established by the church at Kwakuanya, Yawsae, Asuakwaa, Dagyamem and Kyekyewere are confronted with accommodation problems and appealed to the government to come to their aid.

The Superintendent Minster of the Berekum Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana, the Very Rev. Kwaku Effah, who is currently the Assistant Sunyani Diocesan Assistant Synod Secretary, was elected as the next Diocesan Bishop as part of the synod.

He takes over from Rt. Rev. Daniel Kwasi Tannor on the 1st of October this year.
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said Monday that foreign laboratories have revealed that a gas that police sprayed at him in March was "toxic and deadly", accusing them of trying to assassinate him.

Sonko had said in mid-March that he felt unwell because of tear gas sent, according to him, by the police during his forced transfer to the Dakar court where he was charged of defaming Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang.

The opposition leader had said after the incident that he spent five days in a private clinic in Dakar for treatment, and that samples had been taken from his clothes and sent abroad to check their content.

"We sent the elements (taken from his clothes) to two laboratories outside" Senegal and "to two countries including France for toxicological expertise", said Sonko on Monday, without giving further details.

The analyses "concluded that there was a gas used as a riot control agent", said Sonko, who spoke in French and then in Wolof.

"It is a product that is toxic" and can cause "immediate death", he added.

The samples have been kept in the overseas laboratories and a judge can write to them for the findings, said Sonko.

"There was an assassination attempt. I consider that it was premeditated," the opposition figurehead added.

Last month Senegalese government spokesman, Trade Minister Abdou Karim Fofana, denied Sonko's accusation that police had been involved.

"Even in the worst dictatorships, one does not poison opponents live on phones and media," he wrote on Twitter.

A firebrand speaker who came third in Senegal's presidential election in 2019, Sonko has enjoyed a rapid political rise thanks in part to his popularity with young people and has declared himself a candidate for the 2024 elections.

He has had several brushes with the law, however, and was accused of rape by an employee of a beauty salon where he went for a massage. That trial is due to begin on May 16.

The opposition has denounced "a plot" to keep Sonko out of next year's election, an accusation which the government denies, accusing him of provoking demonstrations to avoid justice.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began his first week-long Africa tour in Egypt at the weekend. The four-nation visit is part of a concerted effort to strengthen relations with the "Global South" and counter the growing influence of China and Russia in the region.

The Japanese prime minister regards cooperation with Global South countries as vital for upholding what is called the "rules-based international order." The trip is also a bid to respond to China's expanding military and economic influence in the region.

"I hope to engage in discussions on the situation in Ukraine and other international issues, and reinforce our collaboration," Kishida told reporters before his departure.

Several African nations rely on Russia for energy supplies and depend on China for economic aid and investment.

On Sunday, Kishida met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the war in Ukraine and rising energy and food prices.

Japan's G7 summit: South Africa excluded

Kishida's tour comes just three weeks ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, his hometown. At the summit, Kishida aims to garner international support and solidarity for Ukraine and its plight caused by Russia's invasion.

On 17 April, Bloomberg website reported that Japan had invited the African Union to the upcoming G7 meeting in Hiroshima, that is to take place between 17-19 May.

Traditionally, it is South Africa that is represented as an observer during G7 meetings.

"The Japanese government, which is hosting the G7, decided for its version of the summit to invite the African Union instead of individual countries from Africa," the South African presidency was quoted as saying.

"Therefore, the president of Comoros, who is the current chair, will attend the G7 plus meetings and not South Africa".

Among the reasons behind Japan's move, the reluctance by South Africa to censor Russia's invasion of Ukraine during recent United Nations General Assembly votes, and Pretoria's hosting of war games in which Russia and China took part.

High level dialogue

Japan's increasing involvement in Africa is not new. In 1993, Japan started the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) conferences, aimed at promoting high-level policy dialogue among African leaders and their development partners.

The process, now in its eighth edition, emerged after the end of the Cold War in "an era of 'aid fatigue' among donor countries, and was critical in regenerating strong donor interest in Africa," according to Fletcher Tembo of the Overseas Development Institute.

On 28 March 2022, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held talks with ministers from 50 African nations, where he expressed concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and about African countries increasing their dependence on China. He also announced Japan's commitment to increase cooperation with Africa.

According to Celine Pajon of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), "deepening ties with Africa is also necessary for Japan to diversify its supply of energy and mineral resources."

Tokyo last year announced the phasing out of Russian oil imports and Japanese companies have made plans to turn old LNG tankers into floating offshore LNG production bases to cut costs.

These floating production sites "could be built off the coast of Africa, perhaps near Mozambique, a key country for Japan's investment in LNG supply and infrastructure" Pajon says.

Counterbalancing China's Belt and Road

Together with India, Japan is attempting to offer an alternative for China's multibillion dollar "Belt and Road Initiative", an mammoth project creating infrastructure such as ports, airfields, bridges and railroads.

Premasha Saha, Associate Fellow with the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, told RFI that as " India was a country which had raised its voice against the Belt and Road initiative" because it suspected Beijing was "compromising sovereignty" of the countries involved. So, as a result, it decided to join Japan in launching the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor ."

Apart from security concerns, Tokyo "seeks to promote its investment in 'high-quality infrastructure' in comparison to what it regards as 'substandard' Chinese infrastructure," according to Jagannath Panda, Head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs.

On top of that, he writes, " Japan tends to label Chinese engagement with Africa as 'unethical' and alleges that Beijing's outreach is based on offering cheap goods, providing soft loans in an attractive but unaccountable manner, and exists to take advantage of African resources".

After Egypt, Kishida will go to Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique, where he will meet with Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi respectively.

(With agencies)
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given the assurance that his government will protect the financial sector from the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

Government resorted to the programme last year as part of efforts to meet the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a support programme to address the countrys economic woes.

Speaking at the May Day celebration event held on Monday, May 1, at Bolgatanga, the President said every necessary step is being taken to mitigate the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on the financial sector.

We are also very much aware of the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on the domestic financial sector, and steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on the sector.

As has been announced by the Finance Minister, we are establishing the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) to provide, amongst others, solvency and liquidity support to eligible financial sector institutions, which may be affected by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, President Akufo-Addo said.

In addition, the President said the Bank of Ghana and the regulators in the financial sector space have provided some regulatory reliefs to support affected institutions.

He further stressed that Government, through the Financial Stability Council, will monitor continuously the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on financial institutions to enable it to take remedial action, if and when necessary.

This would ensure that measures put in place to safeguard incomes, deposits, pensions, investor funds and assets are effective, President Akufo-Addo argued.
President Nana Addo Dankwa AKufo-Addo

02.05.2023 LISTEN

President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stressed that his government is committed to protecting the incomes and pensions of Ghanaian workers.

Speaking at the May Day celebration event held in Bolgatanga on Monday, May 1, the President said protecting lives and livelihoods is his responsibility and he will ensure it is prioritised.

Since the onset of COVID-19, whose effects have been exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, one of my major preoccupations continues to be the protection of lives and livelihoods. Indeed, this is a responsibility bestowed on me by the Constitution, and I want to reassure you that Government will do whatever it takes to protect your incomes and pensions in these challenging times, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said.

The President continued, When we met last year at the Black Star Square, in Accra, I assured you of Government's commitment to protecting the jobs and incomes of workers. Not only did we demonstrate this over the course of the year, but we also proceeded to improve on the existing incomes of workers and pensioners alike.

H.E Akufo-Addo in his address noted that government recognises the challenge posed by low pensions, resulting from the relatively low incomes workers receive during their working life.

He indicated that because government is resolved to improve pension payouts, effective 1st January this year, all pensioners on the SSNIT pension payroll, as of 31st December 2022, have had their monthly pensions increased by twenty-five percent (25%).

This year's increase is a significant improvement over the 2022 rate of ten percent (10%), and also the highest increase of annual pensions since 2005, during the time of the Government of another NPP-President, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor. All these measures, put together, demonstrate to workers that the Akufo-Addo Government is a listening one, a government which is committed to improving the lot of workers and their dependants, the president assured.
North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has applauded the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Dr Anthony Yaw Baah for boldly telling President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to convert the National Cathedral project into a national hospital.

Mr Ablakwa who has been making series of corruption allegations regarding the project said he has been inspired by the utterances of the TUC Boss.

Dr Yaw Baah chastised the President for continuing non-essential projects when the country is facing enormous economic difficulties.

He also recommended, among other things, that the size of government can be reduced to save cost after insisting that the situation the country finds itself can be changed by Ghanaians themselves.

We believe strongly that government can lead us out of this crisis, and the government can do so by cutting expenditure on non-essentials including the need to stop spending our hard-earned revenue on a National Cathedral, Dr Yaw Baah stated on Monday, May 1 while delivering a speech on behalf of workers at the May Day Celebrations in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

The president has always said he wants to create another Notre Dame in Ghana so we can attract a lot of visitors but we disagree, he lashed out.

In fact, comrades, it will be better to convert the project into a national hospital.

Commenting on this in a statement, Mr Ablakwa said Before proceeding to provide details on the latest National Cathedral expose, kindly permit me to salute Comrade Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, General Secretary of the TUC for his remarkably courageous, frank and patriotic remarks on President Akufo-Addo's scandalous Cathedral project in the presence of the President at yesterdays Labour Day commemoration. Comrade, you have inspired millions!

Below is Mr Ablakwas full statement

Before proceeding to provide details on the latest National Cathedral expose, kindly permit me to salute Comrade Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, General Secretary of the TUC for his remarkably courageous, frank and patriotic remarks on President Akufo-Addo's scandalous Cathedral project in the presence of the President at yesterdays Labour Day commemoration. Comrade, you have inspired millions!

President Akufo-Addo's National Cathedral project remains the most sleazy, reckless, sacrilegious and scandalous mission by sheer magnitude and audacity in the entire history of Ghana.

In this latest installment of National Cathedral transgressions, my international partners and I shall be focusing attention on findings from our investigations into the Akufo-Addo government's cathedral operations in the United States of America.

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It is important to bear in mind that the US has been a major target for fundraising by National Cathedral and Government of Ghana functionaries including President Akufo-Addo.

Today's publication is only the first in the series of troubling discoveries we have made in the United States.

Articles of Incorporation we have secured from the District of Columbia Government's Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (corporation's division) confirm that a nonprofit corporation has been registered known as the  National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. (Articles of Incorporation duly attached).

This National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. received its Certificate of Incorporation with its effective date being May 3, 2021 and signed by Josef G. Gasimov, Superintendent of Corporations, Corporations Division. (See certificate attached).

It is worthy of note that the name National Cathedral of Ghana and Museum Foundation, Inc. is unmistakably different from what was incorporated in Ghana some two years prior, specifically on the 18th of July, 2019 as the National Cathedral of Ghana.

Curiously, we have also discovered that none of the prominent Ministers of the Gospel who serve as Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana feature in the articles of incorporation and list of governors as submitted to US authorities.

The names of governors and authorized persons as contained in the Two-Year Report for Domestic & Foreign Filing Entity are: Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, Eric Okyere Darko and Dr. Vernon Darko. (See Report attached).

In US corporate terms governor typically refers to a member of the board of directors.

We know Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah as the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, however, it is unclear why government preferred Mr. Eric Okyere Darko and Dr. Vernon Darko over and above the prominent clergy serving on the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.

The Akufo-Addo government's decision to leave out the clergy in its US operations is particularly strange considering the fact that a considerable number of these ministers have towering presence in the United States. For instance, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan- Williams has long incorporated multiple branches of his Action Chapel International in US cities such as Baltimore, Dallas, New York, Tulsa, Silver Spring in Maryland and the state of Pennsylvania. Indeed his 2007 established US headquarters is the Virginia Chapel where Bishop Dr. Kibby Otoo who is married to the Archbishop's daughter Lady Elsie serves as the Presiding Bishop for the Americas and Caribbean. Archbishop Duncan-Williams has also been an almost permanent fixture of the prestigious US National Prayer Breakfast.

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Bishop Dag Heward-Mills is similarly celebrated for his numerous Qodesh Family Church branches in several states in the United States. So is Rev. Eastwood Anaba's ministry and not to mention the other internationally famous denominations such as Pentecost, Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist who all have or once had leading priests on the Board of Trustees in Ghana.

This specific finding of the neglect of the Ghanaian clergy in favour of cronies of the regime gives credence to concerns expressed by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills in his famous resignation letter that it was obvious some outsiders were the real trustees and that inputs from people like him did not matter.

Remember that there's no residency requirement to be registered as a governor or director in Washington DC.

Further checks conducted indicate that Mr. Eric Okyere Darko was appointed to the Board of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) by President Akufo-Addo and sworn in by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on October 12, 2021  a few months after he was listed as one of three governors of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Eric Okyere Darko was also one of Hon. Kennedy Agyapong's lawyers in the recent case against Anas.

Dr. Vernon Darko on the other hand is said to be the founder and CEO of EQUIPXP (EXP) and a small business exporter. It is not clear what his usefulness will be to a National Cathedral project.

Even more shocking, we have discovered that the address provided on both the National Cathedral of Ghana website and to US authorities as the official address of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. is absolutely fraudulent. The advertised address is: National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.

1090 Vermont AVE NW,

Washington, DC 20005.

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A personal visit to this address in Washington, DC and thorough verification from managers of the property indicate that the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. has never been a tenant at that address. Indeed, none of the offices of the 12-floor apartment building has ever been occupied by the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. or any agency representing this entity. The managers of the property were furious and clear that what was going on was simply criminal.

We also decided to embark on the long travel to Springfield in Missouri where Mr. Cary Lee Summers who has been given US$6million of our money is described on the National Cathedral of Ghana website as Consultant for the United States.

On the National Cathedral website, the website of Nehemiahgroup.io and with official documents filed with US authorities, Cary Lee Summers provides this address for his Nehemiah Group: 3119 S Scenic Ave, Suite A, Springfield, MO 65807.

When we arrived at that address, there was nothing about the Nehemiah Group. We surprisingly saw quite a ramshackle warehouse with the inscription: Churchill Coffee Company, Wholesale Division.

While I was assessing the shacky warehouse which has portions used as a gym, Mr. Cary Lee Summers stepped out of his coffee wholesale division and made it into my pictures while briskly entering his car in very casual attire (Pictures attached)

How on earth did a Nehemiah Group address with its CEO keeping our colossal US$6million under a bankrupt economy lead us to a warehouse?

It is also most revealing to note that Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah uses the same Cary Summers Churchill Coffee address of 3119 S Scenic Ave, Suite A, Springfield, MO 65807 as his personal address from the articles of incorporation to the two-year report filing.

How long has Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah and Cary Lee Summers been sharing the same personal address?

Did Cary Lee Summers deserve that dubious sweetheart US$6million?

Was it a professional engagement or it was an insider deal?

Is it mere coincidence that soon after mysterious Cary Lee Summers received Ghana's US$6million he bought a new 4-bedroom house at 10107 E Farm Road 156, Rogersville, Missouri, 65742?

I shall return in a few days with part 2 of the American edition.

For God and Country.

Ghana First 
The Ghana Bloggers Association is asking the management of Surfline Ghana Limited, providers of internet data to refund monies to customers who allegedly made payments but never received the data.

Some Ghanaians complained of not being credited after allegedly purchasing data from Surfline for about three months now.

In a Facebook post, the Association stated, It is surprising that in a space of three months, Surfline as a corporate institution has not refunded the payments they received back to Ghanaians for such a huge failure to provide services to its customers.

"Members of the Ghana Bloggers Association and the general public have given them ample time but unfortunately there has been no promising feedback.

"We are asking management of Surfline Communication Limited, providers of internet data to refund monies used to purchase data by an uncountable number of people in the country without actually receiving the data.

The president of the Association, Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah, popularly known as Attractive Mustapha added that the company should not have taken monies from the public knowing it has challenges with its services.
An Accra High Court has dismissed a contempt case against North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa brought against him by the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana , Rev Victor Kusi Boateng.

The court dismissed the case on Tuesday May 2 after ruling that the evidence presented by Rev Kusi Boateng was fraught with inconsistencies and doubt.

It therefore fails to meet the legal standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Reverend Kusi Boateng filed a motion, praying the court to commit Mr Ablakwa to prison for his conduct.

The opposition lawmaker had kicked a writ meant to be served on him by a court bailiff on Friday, February 3.

He had given the pretext that he was on his way to Parliament when the bailiff approached him at the forecourt of Accra-based Metro TV to be served Rev Kusi Boateng's writ.

The writ was to restrain the lawmaker from further making pronouncements on the clergyman's case of double identity because the matter was before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The motion was also to draw the attention of the court over a possible contempt case against the lawmaker.

When the Bailiff of this Honourable Court reminded the Respondent that Parliament was in recess, the Respondent then claimed that he was on his way to a meeting of one of the committees of Parliament, an allegation which has since turned out to be a falsehood told by the Respondent merely to evade service of the court processes on him.

I am informed by my Counsel and verily believe same to be true that the immunities available to members of Parliament from being served personally with court processes can only be invoked when that member of Parliament is either on his way to or way from Parliamentary proceedings or activities; an immunity which the Respondent could not have invoked on the 3rd of February 2023 because the Parliament of Ghana was on recess at that time.

. . .dissatisfied with the excuses that the Respondent was giving to evade service of Exhibits VKB1 and VKB2, the Court Officer proceeded to discharge his statutory duty of serving court processes personally on the Respondent by leaving the processes as close as possible to the Respondent.

It was after this that the MP kicked the documents on the floor and drove off.

Rev Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, prayed thus: I am informed by my Counsel and verily believe same to be true that this Honourable Court has the power to commit the Respondent to prison for his conduct to protect the whole administration of justice and serve as a deterrent to other persons.

Mr Ablakwa subsequently reacted to the suit and said that he was not afraid to be imprisoned.

Let the cowardly forces of tyranny be told that I am not one to be frightened with imprisonment.

I am ever ready to be a political prisoner of conscience than to be forced and compromised to a behind the scene deal with the corrosive enemies of the Republic, he tweeted.

3news.com
If Poland and some other EU states impose a ban on the supply of Ukrainian dairy products, then Ukraine's retaliatory measures will be beneficial for the domestic dairy industry, Executive Director of the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine Arsen Didur has said.

"Look at the statistics. In the first quarter of 2023, Poland supplied dairy products to Ukraine for $25 million a month, and Ukraine for $5 million. If Ukraine introduces retaliatory measures, then Polish producers will lose these amounts, and we will simply pick them up and won't have problems with the sale of dairy products within the state," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

In his opinion, the volumes of supplies of grain and dairy products from Ukraine to the European market should not be confused since the domestic dairy industry is not a serious competitor with dairy products for European producers.

"If Ukraine closes imports in response to the ban, this will be the best gift for milk processing. The best support for the dairy industry in recent decades, which the state has never particularly supported," Didur said.

He said that the top five importers of Ukrainian dairy products  Italy, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, France  supplied their dairy products to Ukraine for $300 million in 2021, and 50% of these supplies were from Poland. According to him, in 2022, due to the war and fear of supplies, imports fell to $200 million.

According to Didur, even after the increase in supplies in 2022, the share of Ukrainian dairy products in the markets of European countries did not exceed 1%, with the exception of Poland, where Ukrainian producers reached a figure of 7-7.5% in the second half of last year, and the Baltic countries  around 5%.

"But I want everything to end with normal agreements, and we come out of the situation with our heads held high," the head of the union expressed hope that the parties would refuse to introduce restrictive measures.

Speaking about the situation in the industry, he said that if before the war 180 enterprises processed milk in Ukraine, now about 130 are actively working.

"Among the losses of last year, we should mention the Danone plant in Chaplynka in Kherson region, the plants in Dniprorudny, Molochansk and Melitopol. The plant in Bashtanka suffered less  its equipment was taken to other enterprises," the head of the union said.

According to him, 2023 will be a very difficult year.

"Greetings" are constantly arriving even from those from whom they were not expected, and global economic turbulence is added. I do not rule out that enterprises that have not yet been modernized, have not kept pace with the times, may leave the market. But their raw material base will be picked up by other plants. It would not be a problem," Didur said, describing the situation.

He said that in 2022 Ukraine produced about 7 million tonnes of raw milk, of which 10% remained for producers for their own consumption or the population processed it on their own.

"Another 50% went into shadow circulation  it is how processors call the turnover of dairy products that operate outside the veterinary service and avoid paying taxes. The rest went to official processing  about 2.7-2.8 million tonnes," the expert added.

According to him, last year there were enough raw materials to fully satisfy consumers in the domestic market and ensure exports, which grew by 45% compared to 2021 due to a decrease in population and the loss of occupied territories.

In general, according to him, Ukraine has been producing 7.5 million tonnes of milk per season in recent years, while at the dawn of Ukraine's independence it were 27 million tonnes.

"In order for Ukraine to be a successful leading producer of dairy products, it is necessary to produce 15 million. This will provide, firstly, a different cost of the finished product, and secondly, there will be an export potential that will help to participate in global international programs," the head of the union said.

Among the promising export markets, he named Africa, where Ukraine used to be well known, supplying products to Libya, Algeria, and Morocco.

"Therefore, the most important thing is to invest in raw materials so that there is something to process," Didur said.

According to him, even in the conditions of the war, Ukraine was able to preserve the traditional markets of Central Asia, where it supplied the cheese product, condensed milk and powdered milk. At the same time, the closure of the Black Sea increased the delivery time to about 45 days and increased the cost of logistics.

"So the markets are not lost, they have become less profitable," the director of the union said.

He also said that last year there were export deliveries of milk powder to the Philippines and Malaysia, China willingly buys Ukrainian whey powder, and there is experience of working even with countries such as Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Authorities and students of Christ the King Catholic Senior High School in the Obuasi East District can now heave a sigh of relief and hope that their 600-bed girls dormitory which has been abandoned for more than a decade will be completed.

This was after the Minister of Education Hon Yaw Osei Adutwum gave them the assurance when he paid a visit to the school as part of his tour of selected schools in the Ashanti Region.

The Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for the Bosomtwe constituency seized the opportunity to visit the Obuasi Senior High Technical School to interact with both teachers and students of the school.

In an interview with the media, Hon. Adutwum said the visit has afforded him an opportunity to have first-hand information on the challenges of the two schools in Obuasi. He said it was not a pleasant sight to have students lodging in makeshift facilities at CKC SHS.

"I have taken notice of the challenges confronting the two schools and will work assiduously to have it fixed. At Obuasi Sec Tech, we were briefed about the security challenges facing the school. All these will be fixed when we get back to Accra," he stated.

Believe in your abilities

Whiles interacting with the students of both schools, the Education minister admonished them to work hard and believe in their abilities irrespective of where they find themselves. Citing himself as an example, Hon. Adutwum said "where you come from counts for nothing but the efforts you put into your education will take you places."

He underscored the resolve of the President to develop the country through education. He said the introduction of Free SHS lends credence to the vision of the President His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to have every child have access to free and quality education.

The Member of Parliament for the Obuasi East Constituency Hon. Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom also added his voice to the need for the students to work hard and take their studies seriously. He advised them not to relent until they reach their full potential.

The District Chief Executive for the Obuasi East District, Hon. Faustina Amissah lauded the Minister of Education for the visit saying that it will serve as a motivation to the students.

She mentioned that she was particularly happy that at long last, the girls dormitory of the CKC School has been given attention. She was however optimistic that the minister will honour his promise of having the dormitory block completed.

The headmaster of Christ the King Catholic Senior High School George Owusu Gyimah said the abandoned girls dormitory posed a major challenge to the school. He noted that he was excited the minister had taken notice of it and the assurance to complete it.
We hereby recognise the wonderful roles of our gallant workers in keeping the engine of the country running.

They are varying departments strewn across the country working indefatigably for Mother Ghana regardless of the challenges of decades.

Saluting them at this time of the year is a commitment we join the rest of our compatriots in executing.

Although May Day was yesterday, given the non-production of the Daily Guide yesterday we seize this opportunity today to salute Ghanaian workers as we always do at this time annually.

The past year has been challenging for workers across the globe, Ghana not being an exception, the reason not lost to us anyway.

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economies of especially third world countries have been telling. Even the developed countries have had their resilience tested to their seams.

The United Kingdom, France, the US and others have varying stories to tell about how they have had to make necessary adjustments in response to the changed world economic order.

They have all endured different degrees of grumblings and sometimes agitations in response to the overstretched economies.

The Ghanaian worker has had to undergo unusual times in a world whose economies are intertwined through international trade.

We have observed how government has had to respond to the difficult times as workers make unambiguous and justifiable demands of upward review of their emoluments just so they can weather the economic storm.

Traders have not been helpful to the cause of our workers and the country as a whole. Even when light started beaming in the economic horizon as the cost of fuel witnessed a downward trend, prices have remained unresponsive at the hands of Shylocks called traders.

Traders have deliberately refused to bulge to the calls to reduce prices, their reason being that they bought the items at a time of high prices occasioned by the fall in the value of local currencies.

Be it as it may, we recognise the many sacrifices of workers who have not downed their tools and continue to rather work for Mother Ghana.

Let us continue to show commitment to the cause of the national interest because after all we have nowhere else to call besides the landmass called Ghana.

There is hope and light at the end of the tunnel as managers of the economy turned various stones to get us out of the doldrums.

We can only pray that all of us continue to regard our duties to this country as a sacred responsibility about which there should be no compromise.

Let us remember that no matter the travails we endure, our country is one of the most peaceful on the African continent, an attribute we must not take for granted but should rather protect with all our might.

Our situation is poles apart from the picture some would want to paint because of political disparities.

The economy is not in the hands of incompetent persons who are not unwavering about the destination and the time it would take to hit that milestone. It shall be well and soon.

Whenever the economy makes its expected turnaround and soon, the sacrifices being made by Ghanaians workers should be reciprocated.
THE other day, a lady who had read the latest article I had written warning Ghanaians about the genocide they are inflicting on their unborn descendants by destroying their water bodies through galamsey, said to me: Wobekasa abre! [You will talk and talk about it until you yourself get tired of it!]

I took this to mean that she was -- generously -- warning me, in a not-so-subtle way, not to be stupid enough to carry on talking about the matter to people who had obviously blocked their ears.

But I read her right, for I know, only too well, the trick that Ghanaians use to lull their fellow citizens to be as apathetic about national affairs, as they themselves are.

So, I am afraid I gave her concern short shrift. No-one can discourage me from doing my utmost to save my grand-children, who had no say in whether they should come into the world, from suffering from a shortage of clean water, when climate change overwhelms Planet Earth full blast, in the next few decades.

Do Ghanaians currently alive, want those who will follow them (ten or twenty years from now) to be driven out of their homes by the sort of forest fires that have been hitting California and other parts of the world and which are attributed to global warming?

Have Ghanaians heard that a group of mothers in Switzerland are contemplating lawsuits own Government, for allowing motor-cars and other machines that emit carbon dioxide, to poison the atmosphere to such an extent that the ice glaziers on the famous Swiss Alps and other mountains, are in danger of drying up?

Unlike the Swiss, we Ghanaians, of course, like to leave everything to our Government or the Authorities, while the rest of us live in a stupor, fuelled by complacency and laziness of mind.

Fortunately, some of us do realise that heads were put on our necks by Nature to think with, not merely to be used to go to sleep! No, we are in our supposed folly by the proverb that tells us that: So long as the head is intact, it must be given a hat to wear! [Eti ntee a, yennyae no ekye hye!]

It is sad to see that our media commentators and social media pundits are, to a large extent, fascinated only by the superficial elements in the Frimpong-Boateng document case, namely, who was named, what was said about them and other sensational aspects of the galamsey issue. This personalization of issues is dangerous beyond belief. We must be serious and concentrate on policy issues and leave personalities strictly alone, where possible.

Few people have thought deeply about the implications of a report, written after a world-acclaimed man of science, had been handling a national crisis hands on for two years or more. He is telling us now, in black and white, that the Government of which he was a member, had slept on the job, when it comes to galamsey.

The Government had established Operation Vanguard to battle galamsey.

Operation Vanguard had failed!

Undeterred, the Government established Operation Vanguard Number Two.

That too failed!

But the Government wasnt discouraged: it established Operation Halt.

Operation Halt went the same way as the previous attempts!

But  wait for it: Operation Halt (2) was next created!

Worse, even as Operation Halt (2) was finding its feet, a new policy called Community Mining, was announced.

Wordswordswordswordswords!

Is the Government really unaware that words are the seeds of propaganda and that propaganda reigns where no serious action is to be expected or contemplated?

Not only that: words and technicalities are the inbuilt means of escape by criminals who take part in formulating policy. In this particular instance, whenever an insider who was a galamsey operator was caught, he immediately produced a piece of paper issued by the Minerals Commission authorizing the galamseyer to carry out PROSPECTING for gold on certain lands.

But WHO was to ensure that the PROSPECTING licence was not used for ACTUAL SURFACE MINING?

Other ambiguities abounded in the execution of the anti-galamsey campaigns.

For instance: why should excavators be allowed near rivers and water-bodies, so long as they were not stationed within a certain stated distance in the locality? If it was stationed 200 yards away from the water in the daytime, could it not be moved to the water-body at night? How can the authorities tell exactly how and when it was used for operations?

Why should chanfangs (whose sole purpose is to dreg riverbeds and facilitate the washing of mud and pebbles to produce gold) be allowed on our roads at all, when we know that they are only being sent into the countryside to engage in galamsey? Hasnt the Government seen the television pictures sometimes showing as many as ten chanfangs on a river? What does it think they are doing there? Why do the operators swim away when they see reporters?

Another issue is this: there was much fanfare made about certain parts of excavators being removed so that they cannot be used to work on water-bodies. Didnt our Government realise that these parts could be replaced, so long as access to the machines could be clandestinely provided, by bribing, or intimidating those allegedly guarding the excavators?

Isnt the Government aware that foreign embassies have been watching our hypocritical song-and-dance about ending galamsey and using the Governments abysmal performance to assess whether our Governments word can be trusted or not? Does the Government not realise that credibility is indivisible and that if the foreigners conclude that we dont mean business when we say we are fighting galamsey, then we may also not mean business when it comes to other undertakings we make to them on policy issues?

Anyway, who can take seriously, the word of someone who is deliberately watching the slow destruction of such a treasured national asset as water resources? We want help with the establishment of educational institutions? Good. But what water will the students drink when foreign Governments have helped us to build schools for them?

Its simple logic, isnt it? Can you run health posts and clinics without clean water? Can you fight the next pandemic if you are, in the meantime, allowing dirty water to infect your populace with serious water-borne diseases like cholera (to say nothing of poisons like mercury and cyanide that are emptied into water-bodies during gold extraction processes?)

In other words, the Government has no time to lose in re-creating confidence in its ability and WILLIGNESS to end galamsey.

And patriots in Ghana should not get tired of telling it so!
The French inter-union group has called a new day of mobilisation against the reform of pensions in reform in France on 6 June, two days before the presentation to the of a bill to repeal the text in the National Assembly. to repeal the text.

The National Assembly is also due to discuss on Thursday 8 June a of the LIOT group of deputies (Libertes, and Territories) aiming to repeal the reform, and in particular the reform, and in particular the increase in the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. age of retirement from 62 to 64.

This after it emerged this morning that over 400 police and gendarmes were injured on Monday during clashes at May Day demonstrations. A total of 540 people were arrested in France, including 305 in Paris.

Protesters clashed with security forces across France on Monday as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets for Labour Day to vent their anger against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform.

'Black blocs'

Macron last month signed a law to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, despite months of strikes against the bill.

In the capital, 259 police and gendarmes were injured, French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Tuesday.

He also noted that 61 demonstrators were injured, including 32 in Paris.

Darmanin condemned protesters he described as being from the far-left, known as "black blocs", saying they numbered around 2,000 in Paris and another 1,000 in the southeastern city of Lyon.

"Those who attacked the police and public property must be severely punished," he said, calling for an "anti-thug law".

In Paris, radical protesters threw projectiles at police and broke windows of businesses such as banks and estate agents, with security forces responding with tear gas and water cannon, correspondents with French news agency AFP reported.

As police sought to disperse the protest at its end point, some individuals created a fire that spread to a building and prompted the fire service to intervene.

Other cities such as Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes and Marseille also witnessed clashes and vandalism of public property.

Among the injured police and gendarmes, "three are in an extremely serious condition, even if their lives are not in danger," Darmanin said.

The policeman who received a Molotov cocktail in the Parisian demonstration "was burned in the face, he is still hospitalised," he added.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told FranceInfo that among the police injured in Paris, 31 were in hospital.

"There was a level of violence ahead of the protests, among the thugs and extreme individuals which far exceeded the level of violence that we had seen over the last twelve demonstrations", he said.

Unacceptable violence

Nunez welcomed the use of drones during the demonstration which made it possible to note the presence of violent groups.

The use of drones by the police during the Paris procession was authorised by the Paris administrative court after the rejection of an appeal brought by rights groups who say they are illegal and a violation of privacy.

"In many cities in France, this May Day was a moment for responsible mobilisation and commitment. The scenes of violence on the sidelines of the demonstrations are all the more unacceptable," Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne wrote on Twitter.

Some 782,000 people protested across France, including 112,000 in Paris alone, according to the Interior ministry.

The CGT union said it counted 2.3 million protesters across France, including 550,000 in the capital.

The turnout was massively higher than May Day last year but smaller than the biggest protests seen against the pension reform this year.

(with AFP)
The Accra High Court has awarded GHS10,000 cost against Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, in the contempt case he filed against North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

This was after the court dismissed the case on the ground that the evidence presented by Rev Kusi Boateng was fraught with inconsistencies and doubt and therefore, failed to meet the legal standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Speaking to journalists after the dismissal of the case on Tuesday May 2, Mr Ablakwa said the dismissal gives us the verve, it gives impetus, it gives us more drive, more inspiration to keep doing what is right in in the national interest. Nothing is going to stop us now. We are no longer going to be distracted by all of these shenanigans, the abuse of the judicial process.

I am glad that the judge really stamped the authority of the court and cleared this out of the way, dismissed it and awarded cost so that we can focus really on the work we are doing for God and country.

Reverend Kusi Boateng filed a motion, praying the court to commit Mr Ablakwa to prison for his conduct.

The opposition lawmaker had kicked a writ meant to be served on him by a court bailiff on Friday, February 3.

He had given the pretext that he was on his way to Parliament when the bailiff approached him at the forecourt of Accra-based Metro TV to be served Rev Kusi Boateng's writ.

The writ was to restrain the lawmaker from further making pronouncements on the clergyman's case of double identity because the matter was before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The motion was also to draw the attention of the court over a possible contempt case against the lawmaker.

When the Bailiff of this Honourable Court reminded the Respondent that Parliament was in recess, the Respondent then claimed that he was on his way to a meeting of one of the committees of Parliament, an allegation which has since turned out to be a falsehood told by the Respondent merely to evade service of the court processes on him.

I am informed by my Counsel and verily believe same to be true that the immunities available to members of Parliament from being served personally with court processes can only be invoked when that member of Parliament is either on his way to or way from Parliamentary proceedings or activities; an immunity which the Respondent could not have invoked on the 3rd of February 2023 because the Parliament of Ghana was on recess at that time.

. . .dissatisfied with the excuses that the Respondent was giving to evade service of Exhibits VKB1 and VKB2, the Court Officer proceeded to discharge his statutory duty of serving court processes personally on the Respondent by leaving the processes as close as possible to the Respondent.

It was after this that the MP kicked the documents on the floor and drove off.

Rev Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, prayed thus: I am informed by my Counsel and verily believe same to be true that this Honourable Court has the power to commit the Respondent to prison for his conduct to protect the whole administration of justice and serve as a deterrent to other persons.

Mr Ablakwa subsequently reacted to the suit and said that he was not afraid to be imprisoned.

Let the cowardly forces of tyranny be told that I am not one to be frightened with imprisonment.

I am ever ready to be a political prisoner of conscience than to be forced and compromised to a behind the scene deal with the corrosive enemies of the Republic, he tweeted.

-3news.com
Caregivers who had been suspended in 2021 for not being vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to be reinstated 'mid-May', France's health minister announced.

"These caregivers will be reinstated. In recent weeks, I have brought together all the parties involved, because I want the reintegration to take place, but under good conditions", explained French Health Minister Francois Braun in an interview published this weekend in Le Pays Briard newspaper.

This decision follows the green light of France's Health body (HAS) given at the end of March to the lifting of the obligation to vaccinate against Covid-19 for health workers and other professionals concerned.

"The non-vaccinated are not necessarily expected with flowers in every department and everywhere. The instruction is ready. I will sign it at the very beginning of next week. The implementation decree will be issued in mid-May," he said.

The French government had opted for mandatory Covid jabs at the end of the summer of 2021: the obligation to vaccinate was required of 2.7 million people, not only nurses but also hospital and retirement home staff, ambulance drivers, home helpers and firemen.

In September 2021, thousands of health workers across France were suspended without pay for "failing to get vaccinated against Covid-19".

Many nurses in particular had been reluctant to get vaccinated, citing safety or efficacy concerns.

"This is a very small, even marginal, phenomenon," according to the ministry, which estimated in March that the proportion of hospital workers still concerned was "around 0.3%".

The same applies for liberal health workers as, in mid-March, the health insurance system counted less than 2,000 of them suspended.
A flagbearer hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has promised to repair Akufo-Addos problematic Free SHS policy and the National Health Insurance Scheme if he is re-elected the President in the 2024 elections.

He said reviewing the two policies will ameliorate the plight of Ghanaians and enhance the policies.

According to Mr Mahama, the challenges associated with the implementation of the Free SHS have negatively affected the quality of education in various senior high schools, hence the need to review the policy.

Speaking at a campaign tour in Kongo in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, John Mahama, pledged to end the challenges of the free SHS and the NHIS.

Free SHS is not working properly, the benefit it is supposed to give the parents, they are not getting. I can tell you today that the money we are spending on our children to go to school is far more than when we used to pay school fees.

We are going to repair the free SHS and make it better and create the situation when where school reopens, all the children will go together and when they vacate they all come home together.

The former President reiterated his call for the Health Minister to resign over the collapse of the NHIS.

The NHIL is completely destroyed, the Minister himself said there is no benefit to the NHIL card and that when he goes to the hospital he pays cash and that was why I said he should resignand so NDC is coming to make it better.

-Citi Newsroom
Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu has alleged that there is a hidden agenda behind President Akufo-Addos nomination of Mrs. Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo as the new Chief Justice of Ghana.

According to him, the Presidents long game was borne out of an agenda he conceived after his narrow defeat at the 2008 presidential elections with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate, and the lack of a long game by Mr. J. A. Kufour to have ensured a victorious outcome at all costs.

He is of the conviction that President Akufo-Addo has decided that never again must that happen on his watch as President of Ghana.

In his latest epistle, Martin Amidu argues that, unlike former President John Agyekum Kufour who was a democrat, Akufo-Addos actions suggest he's an autocrat.

Mr. J. A. Kufour exhibited better traits of a constitutionalist and democrat during his tenure as President.

Nana Akufo-Addo is, on the other hand, by any description an autocrat who works with the letter of the Constitution while subverting its spirit and core structural principles or doctrines, Martin Amidu shared in his release.

The former Special Prosecutor indicated that the appointment of the new Chief Justice is the third of the last three games President Akufo-Addo has to play in the hope that nature will support his machinations to impose his will on the letter as distinct from the spirit of the 1992 Constitution at the 2024 general elections.

Mrs. Justice Gertrude Torkornoo meets the statutory qualification to be nominated as Chief Justice even if she is not the most senior or erudite by output of celebrated judgments of the Supreme Court. But she also meets other extra-judicial requirements that makes Nana Akufo-Addo to have the confidence that she is a suitable choice for actualizing his political long game, Martin Amidu indicated.

Lawyer Amidu is of the view that the NPP presidential primaries on November 4, will be the make-or-break point for the measurement of the success or failure of the energy and resources invested by Nana Addo in his long game for the December 7, 2024 elections.
President Akufo-Addo has said Parliament must fast track the approval process of chief justice nominee Gertrude Torkornoo.

It is my respectful hope that the approval by Parliament of Justice Torkonoo can proceed expeditiously to enable her assume office as soon as practicable following the retirement of Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, the president said in a letter to Speaker Alban Bagbin.

Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah retires as Chief Justice on May 24, 2023.

He would attain the mandatory retirement age of 70 for superior court justices.

President Akufo-Addo said in a letter to the council of state that Justice Torkornoo, who has been on the Supreme Court for the last four years, has been a member of the judiciary for the last 19 years and, thus, "duly qualified and eminently fit to discharge the functions of Chief Justice.

If approved by parliament, Justice Torkornoo will become the third female Chief Justice in Ghana's history.

Justice Georgina Theodora Wood was the first and Justice Sophia Akuffo, the second.

She would be President Akufo-Addos third appointment to the office of Chief Justice since he assumed office in January 2017.

The first was Justice Akuffo followed by Justice Anin Yeboah.

Source: classfmonline.com
Ghana President, President Nana Akufo-Addo has welcomed the Japanese Prime Minister, His Excellency Fumio Kishida, and members of his delegation to Jubilee House.

The Prime Minister arrived in Ghana on Monday, May 1, where he was received by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

During engagements today, President Akufo-Addo assured Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that in Ghana, Japan should be assured that it has a firm friend.

I assured the Prime Minister that, in Ghana, Japan has a firm friend. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Japan in developing, on the basis of democratic values, our economies to provide opportunities for citizens to fulfill their ambitions, especially the youth, President Akufo-Addo shared in a Facebook post after the meeting today.

The President further assured Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that Ghana stands ready to renew and deepen its relations with Japan for the progress and prosperity of the two nation, and to confront together the challenges of the generation.

H.E. Kishida is the second Prime Minister to visit Ghana at a time New Patriotic Party-led Government is in office.

The first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Ghana was His Excellency Junichiro Koizumi, seventeen (17) years ago, in 2006, when President Akufo-Addo was Foreign Minister in the NPP government of President John Agyekum Kufuor.

In his post, President Akufo-Addo opined that everyone can safely conclude that Japanese Prime Ministers love visiting Ghana when the NPP is in office.
Ukraine to accumulate resources for restoration of energy before new heating season thanks to sales of electricity  PM

Thanks to electricity sales, Ukraine will accumulate resources to restore energy before the new heating season, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

"After the modernization, an interstate power transmission line between Ukraine and Poland was launched. Ukrenergo specialists and their Polish colleagues from PSE quickly carried out all the work. And European partners provided about a thousand pieces of equipment. The line has been operating since April 27. It has successfully passed a three-day test period ", Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

According to the prime minister, an additional powerful interconnector increases Ukraine's export-import capabilities.

"Due to sales of electricity, we will accumulate resources to restore energy before the new heating season. And if necessary, we will activate imports and receive emergency assistance from our neighbors. Ukrainians will have electricity, despite enemy missile and drone attacks," Shmyhal said.
Former President John Mahama has said he will fix the free senior high school programme if he wins the 2024 presidential election.

Speaking at a campaign tour in Kongo in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, Mr Mahama who is seeking a comeback, said the current form of the free SHS programme is appalling and counterproductive.

In his view, it is rather encumbering students and parents instead of its intended purpose of providing some academic and financial respite.

Free SHS is not working properly," he told the delegates on his tour, explaining that neither the parents nor students are reaping its fruits.

"I can tell you today that the money we are spending on our children to go to school is far more than when we used to pay school fees," Mr Mahama said.

We are going to repair the free SHS and make it better and create the situation that when school reopens, all the children will go together and when they vacate they all come home together.

He also repeated an earlier call for the resignation of Health Minister Kweku Agyemang-Manu over the "failed" national health insurance scheme.

The NHIL is completely destroyed. The minister himself said there is no benefit to the NHIL card and that when he goes to the hospital, he pays cash and that was why I said he should resign," Mahama said.

He promised: "NDC is coming to make it better.

-classfmonline.com
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has indicated that the defeat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 general election was the doing of God.

Addressing party delegates at the Amazing Hotel in Zebilla in the Upper East Region as part of his campaign tour, the flagbearer hopeful of the opposition party argued that if not for the defeat, the NDC would have fallen into a deep hole dug by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

[But] God said, NDC, stand aside. Let those who dug their hole fall into the hole.

And today, they have fallen deep into the hole, John Dramani Mahama indicated.

Meanwhile, John Dramani Mahama has welcomed the projection from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that the NDC will win the 2024 general elections.

According to him, the victory of the NDC in the next general elections is written on the wall and Ghanaians will give his party a massive victory to unseat the NPP.

Now they have predicted that the NDC will win in 2024.

So far, their prediction has proved accurate.And the verdict is out there and Ghanaians say NDC come for your stone, John Dramani Mahama indicated.

John Dramani Mahama has intensified his campaign this week ahead of the NDC primaries on May 13.

He is confident of victory to lead the party into the 2024 general elections.
Bawku West District Assembly and its partners have initiated plans to relocate migrants from Burkina Faso to new settlements in the district by the close of May 2023.

Most of the migrants who have been settled in Sapelliga and other parts of the Upper East Region stemming from attacks in Burkina Faso will be relocated to Talkuom, in the Bawku West district to ensure all social amenities were made available for improvement of livelihoods of the people.

Though UNICEF, with help of community members of Sapelliga have provided some structures for the over 400 refugees, the area is isolated and close to the border to Burkina Faso where basic social amenities such water, toilets, school, and health facilities are not available.

Alhaji Issahaku Tahiru, the Bawku West District Chief Executive (DCE), made the planned relocation known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Zebilla said the Assembly in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board, UNHCR, was working to improve roads, health care and educational facilities in Talkuom.

As at now they are clearing and putting up the structures and even though the Talkuom community has no electricity, the people have been given re-chargeable lamps and torchlights and will soon be provided solar panels to support them.

Extension of electricity is a general issue and in some parts of Sapelliga, there are some communities that do not have electricity and we are working on that and once the entire Sapelliga gets lights, the Talkuom community and all outlining areas will get hooked, he said.

On the security of the refugees, the DCE said: You receive people who are looking for security in your neighbourhood and you still keep them by the border when they are running away from jihadists attacks, leaving them so close to the borders , chances are that they can be re-attacked in Ghana and this is what we as a country are trying to prevent.

We think that it is a risk, leaving the refugees there because if they are attacked it means the jihadist are so close to the country, hence we need to move them away from that place and where we are moving them, there will be police presence to ensure their safety, there will regular feeding at the camp, since the current feeding situation of the people is not encouraging.

According to him, sending the refugees into Talkuom will improve their lives, their children will also be enrolled to school and also ensure the benefit of the community and livelihoods will be improved.

He said though there was only one CHPS at Talkuom, there were plans to put up a health centre to improve health delivery services there.

Speaking on other economic opportunities for the refugees, the DCE said: For those who have made up their minds to stay, we will look at their potentials because there are other stakeholders who have their welfare at heart and will soon take advantage to build their capacities to enable them to find income earning activities to engage in.

GNA
Nairobi, 2 May 2023  The 2023 Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW), hosted by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, from the 28th to the 30th of April, gathered African leaders, politicians, thought leaders, private sector and civil society representatives to discuss the key role that the continent has the potential to and requires to play in a world confronted to multiplying, cumulative global challenges, be it climate change, pandemics, or conflicts.

The 2023 Ibrahim Governance Weekend opened with the Leadership Ceremony, awarding in-person to former President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, his 2020 Ibrahim Prize medal. This offered the opportunity to hear from some of the most prominent voices in global leadership and governance on the challenges and prospects facing African leadership.

Held over the whole Saturday, the 2023 Ibrahim Forum focused on Global Africa. The first session - Africa in the World: Multiple assets - examined Africas place in the world, highlighting the continents assets and potential, without downsizing the current barriers to achieving this potential. The second and third sessions - The World in Africa: growing competition - state and non-state actors - invited conversation from a range of actors present in Africa to expose their interest for the continent. The fourth and final session - Africa in the multilateral architecture: where is its voice? - explored Africas current and future position in the multilateral system, the need to amend both the representativity and efficiency of the current system, and the rise of alternative competitors at multilateral level.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan featured heavily in various discussions across the three days, with public interventions from the likes ofAbdalla Hamdok, former Prime Minister of Sudan, Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group. In a public one-to-oneconversation, Abdalla Hamdok and Mo Ibrahim discussed Sudans historic roots of instability, and the conditions and prospects of solving the current crisis. The IGW also offered the opportunity for closed meetings and discussions between key stakeholders and partners.

To conclude the Forum, Mo held another one-to one conversation this time with H.E. William Ruto, President of Kenya, around the ongoing climate change debate - including the value of creating an efficient carbon market  as well as discussing reforms to the multilateral architecture and processes, such as removing the currently punitive assessment of African risk. They concluded by discussing Kenyas current political and economic situation and prospects.

The Forum was followed by a public concert on the Saturday evening featuring some of the biggest names in African music, including Nyashinski, Femi One, Otile Brown and Youssou NDour. You can watch highlights from the show here.

Throughout the course of the three days, there were also a series of parallel events discussing key African challenges. Ahead of the Africa Climate Summit, to be hosted by Kenya between 4-6 September 2023, a specific focus was given to the climate topic, with a meeting of the Climate Overshoot Commission, and the launch of the Carbon Market Working Group by the Africa Europe Foundation, which was co-founded in 2020 by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

The IGW also sought to elevate the voices of the youth representatives, by systematically including them in all central debates during the weekend. The Foundations Now Generation Network also led a series of parallel events, including an In Conversation With... Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, to discuss the need for debt restructuring and reform of the financial multilateral system.

Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: As we speak, the world is changing around us. I think everybody knows that. All of the previous assumptions are being broken. We are seeing different powers rising, tensions, camps being formed - so where exactly is Africas place here? Europe, and the rest of the world too, should not underestimate Africa, talk down to Africa or give instructions to Africa - Dont take Africa for granted!

H.E. William Ruto, President of Kenya: It is our responsibility. They say it is the wearer who knows where the shoe pinches. So, it is our responsibility to engineer the debate that will put on the table our perspective, our point of view, on what kind of financial architecture - global financial architecture - that would work not just for us but for everybody.

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said: Africa's population will more than double by 2100, its youth will be half of the world's youth. Africa, Latin America and Europe will lose about 490 million people in the same period. The result is an immeasurable potential for initiative, creativity and productive growth in all areas of human assets... This will be Africas century.

H.E. Abdalla Hamdok, former Prime Minister of Sudan, said: There is blame on all sides, mistakes made on all sides, but I also think from crisis comes opportunity, if our political space will learn the lesson that there is need to work together, we need to work on common denominator programmes. Politics is an art of compromise in the interests of the country.

H.E. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice-President of Nigeria: I think it is now imperative to commence a coordinated approach towards innovation on the continent, bringing together all stakeholders to coordinate efforts at scaling up investments and building programmes that provide the right enabling environment and produce talent pipelines that support the growth of innovation on the continent.

Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group: States compete, theres competition, whether we like it or not. The nature of that competition is what we have to deal with. An example: every two years, there are 54 votes up for grabs and Africas weight suddenly becomes relevant.

Koen Doens, Director-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) at the European Commission: I think that its really clear in this multipolar world, Africa is shaping up as a pole of that multipolar world and we need to recognise that and that shift of mentality, that shift of approach, is happening.

H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations: The state of our world is undeniably at its lowest points in history, with one crisis after another COVID-19, climate, conflict, Instead of unifying us in solidarity, it has shown us the fissures that tear us apart.

H.E. former President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger: No country on the continent can go it alone, Africa needs the glue of the values of pan-Africanism as defined by Agenda 2063.
Warring generals in Sudan have agreed "in principle" to a seven-day truce, the government of neighbouring South Sudan said Tuesday, after regional envoys denounced repeated violations of previous truces.

The announcement came as diplomatic efforts intensified to end more than two weeks of war in Africa's third-largest country.

Warnings have multiplied of the potential for a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis that the UN said has already caused more than 430,000 people to flee their homes.

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, "have agreed in principle for a seven-day truce from May 4th to 11th," the South Sudanese foreign ministry in Juba said in a statement.

Multiple truces agreed since fighting began on April 15 have been repeatedly violated, including one previously announced by South Sudan early in the fighting, which saw renewed air strikes on Tuesday.

"We are hearing some sporadic gunfire, the roaring of a warplane and the anti-aircraft fire at it," said one resident of south Khartoum.

Other witnesses reported air strikes in north and east Khartoum.

The latest battles come during a 72-hour ceasefire extension announced by the warring sides on Sunday. The army said that measure came due to "US and Saudi mediation".

The repeated violations sparked criticism earlier Tuesday at a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of the Extended Mechanism on the Sudan Crisis which brought together African, Arab, United Nations and other representatives.

An Indonesian university student, part of a group evacuated from Sudan, is hugged by a relative on his arrival at an airport in Indonesia's Aceh province. By CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN (AFP)

"The two generals even though they accept the ceasefire, at the same time they continue fighting and shelling the city," said Ismail Wais, of the eight-nation northeast African bloc IGAD.

Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, told the meeting that, "Despite intense meditation efforts... that have obtained successive commitments by SAF and RSF to cease hostilities, the situation in Sudan remains of deep concern as the parties continue their fighting."

'Catastrophic'

The Addis talks aim to ensure a coordinated response, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said, opening the meeting.

"Our priority today is to have the ceasefire prolonged and respected, then to ensure humanitarian assistance," he said.

Kenyan President William Ruto said earlier that the conflict had reached "catastrophic levels" and it was imperative to find ways to provide humanitarian relief "with or without a ceasefire".

The UN said that more than 100,000 refugees were estimated to have fled Sudan to neighbouring countries, including Sudanese refugees, South Sudanese returning home prematurely and others who were themselves refugees in Sudan.

Sudanese refugees cross into Chad by donkey from the Darfur region which has seen some of the heaviest fighting in Sudan's war. By Gueipeur Denis SASSOU (AFP)

The agency said it was bracing for the "possibility that over 800,000 people may flee".

Despite the dire needs, on Tuesday the UN said its 2023 aid appeal for Sudan was $1.5 billion short.

But some relief has been arriving in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it had delivered six containers of medical equipment to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, including supplies for treating trauma injuries and severe acute malnutrition.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it delivered 10 tons of supplies to a hospital in Khartoum as teams were starting to arrive to "launch emergency response activities."

A Sudanese physician, Howida Elhassan, posted social media video of medical staff struggling to cope with a surge of wounded civilians at a hospital in Khartoum's East Nile neighbourhood.

Blood appeared to stain the floor of the crowded facility where patients, one who appeared to grimace in pain with blood staining his shirt, lay or sat on cots.

Hospitals out of service in Sudan's Khartoum. By Sylvie HUSSON, Jonathan WALTER (AFP)

At least 528 people have been killed and about 4,600 wounded in the violence, according to the health ministry.

Another 250 are estimated to be missing, said a spokesman for the Mafqoud (Missing) online project.

Munira Edwin turned to the project when her brother Babiker disappeared on the first day of fighting. They called her back nearly two weeks later.

"He had been found dead with two bullets" in his body, she said, struggling to hold back tears.

Discussions involving Saudi and US mediators were underway with the rival generals to firm up a truce, UN head of mission Volker Perthes said ahead of the South Sudanese announcement.

The two sides "told us that they are ready to start talks on technical level over a ceasefire," Perthes told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television in an interview released on Tuesday.

A hospital in the West Darfur state capital El Geneina lies abandoned after a wave of deadly fighting and looting. By - (AFP)

Burhan's envoy, Dafaallah al-Haj, was in Cairo where he met senior Egyptian and Arab League officials. Haj told a press conference that he hoped the Arab League, African Union, Saudi Arabia and the US could play a role in such talks toward a more lasting truce.

Burhan and Daglo fell out after a 2021 military coup which derailed Sudan's transition to elective civilian rule.

While diplomats have tried to stop the fighting, foreign governments scrambled to evacuate their citizens, thousands of whom have been brought to safety by air or sea in operations that are now winding down.

Russian evacuation

Russia's armed forces said on Tuesday they were evacuating more than 200 people from Sudan on four military transport planes.

A group of Indonesian university students evacuated earlier landed in their home province of Aceh on Tuesday, where they were embraced by relatives.

But Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday said 20 buses prepared to evacuate hundreds were still blocked in Sudan but would travel to Port Sudan instead of to Egypt.

Beyond Khartoum, lawlessness has engulfed the West Darfur state capital, El Geneina.

More than 330,000 people have been internally displaced, over 70 percent of them in West and South Darfur states, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The Darfur region is still scarred by a war that erupted in 2003 when then hardline president Omar al-Bashir unleashed the Janjaweed militia, mainly recruited from Arab pastoralist tribes, against ethnic minority rebels.

The Janjaweed -- whose actions led to war crimes against Bashir and others -- later evolved into the RSF, which was formally created in 2013.
The problems in Africa are large and rife, and seem unending even in the face of world progress and globalization. They look too complex, such that theres a common monopoly on defining solutions through policies and programmes by governments across the continent.

Governments across Africa, understanding clearly the overall lack of awareness on the part of citizens and their unawaken consciousness to participate in the governance value chain, have arrogated to themselves the ultimate powers to singing, better still, reminding citizens of the problems they face, proffering solutions, and developing policies and programmes to phasing-out these problems.

To the average citizen in Africa, the provision of social amenities, and services, is assumed, and largely accepted to be the sole responsibility of government, and yes, to the extent this is true, the citizens get it wrong also assuming that governments responsibility, if accepted and followed in the provision of such amenities and services is a means to an end. This wrong assumption is cemented by the growing numbers of shoddy projects that are done by governments, and defined as solutions to address the problems of the people.

For instance, in Africa, the life span of many asphalted road projects is one year. Same can be said for school buildings, hospitals, toilets, and the list continues. In rare instances, a school building or a road can last for five years.

What this means is that, participation among citizens is limited, and this needs to be demystified and broadened, to the extent where citizens have the fullest capacity of active citizenship in participatory planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation of all it is that is handed them as solutions to the many problems they face.

The lack of awareness on the part of citizens on their fullest and active participation in the governance value chain has largely fueled the acts of corruption in government, where every politician, civil or public servant is either rich or seen to be rich. Many an elite people in Africa have considered politics as business where profit is constant, and would do just anything, mostly, in the bad, to go into politics and make money at the expense of citizens.

Politics which ideally should be seen as service to the people has become a solid opportunity to milk the people.

The acts of corruption that have made many politicians rich have deepened complexity for citizens participation in government: To this reason, there are more poor people in the continent than any other in the world. The majority of rich and powerful elite in Africa are mainly politicians and their accomplices.

To the poor citizens of Africa, participation is limited to joining a queue and standing from morning to evening to vote for a rich politician. Even with this limited horizon of participation, most citizens do not do so consciously. Most do that as a result of undue influences, from intimidations to being paid to vote. There have been several video footages online to prove that some citizens in Africa are patronised to vote for politicians who if they had a free will to think and vote, they would not have voted for.

Same can be said of intimidations with guns, and other forms of electoral violence that cow citizens into force participation. The complexity of citizens participation in Africa is real, yet this does not seem to end anytime soon.

Africa, as was envisioned by early freedom fighters, has a very rich mineral wealth, and so, by their imagination, it was worth the salt to die for their generations live and unborn to take control of these resources in order that it benefits everyone. Regrettably, these freedom fighters might have died in vain, and if many of them were present in this age of the continent, they will bother not to think of dying for Africa.

Today in Africa, aside the rich mineral wealth, the continent has the most youthful population as compared to her peers. Unfortunately, this youthful population has been handed the truest meaning of hopelessness; one that would not in the near or far future change the narration of corruptibility, but strengthens the status quo.

As I have narrated above, the complexity of citizens participation affects the youth more than any other group of people. The realities are that most of these youths completely lack awareness of the governance structures, and have become rent seeking for politicians in the causing of mayhem and all forms of destructions. They have become perpetrators of violence, and that has defined their way of participation.

For instance, BBC recently aired a documentary on occultism in Nigeria titled: Black Axe, and in the documentary, one could see how politicians with power have recruited young people as agents of murder to maim and kill other people, all in the name of making the politicians more richer and powerful to their own detriment. But this is not just only in Nigeria. There have been several other cases of young people being used by rent seeking politicians in other parts of Africa to perpetrate violence. To many of these young people, this mis-participation defines their way of participating in the governance value chain. Most of them consciously do this and unaware of the dangers this has on their lives and future.

The other form of danger to the complexity of citizens participation in Africa, which I identify with as a Ghanaian is the number of youth in Ghana who have mustered the art of singing encomiums of politicians. Their trade is to follow the politician anyhow, anyway, and everywhere to sing praises of the politician in exchange of handouts that can only feed from hand to mouth, and have mostly been brainwashed to accept that other youths who criticize politicians whose encomiums they sing, is an enemy, and must be attacked verbally, physically, and in writing, especially in this age of social media.

The danger lies more with the number of youth who by virtue of singing praises of politicians, have become rich overnight, contributing to strengthening corruption and making citizens participation more complex. Such is a mean order of mis-participation in governance, I must add.

Citizens Participation is the rights and responsibilities of citizens to contribute their talents, enterprise, aptitudes, and passions in issues that affect public policy. What this tells us is that every human being, much as their citizenship to any nation is defined and guaranteed, has the right, and is clothed with responsibility to actively take part in decisions that affects public policy. Public policies are drivers of projects and programmes that are aimed at solving the problems of communities and nations.

The African youth therefore needs to first and foremost be challenged and become alert to their rights and responsibilities on active citizenship and must see themselves as drivers of change. Alhaji Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko, Executive Director of the STAR-Ghana Foundation puts it aptly when he says "if change is not led by young people, then we are embarking on a fruitless adventure." The lack of awareness on active citizenship among young people has largely contributed to the complexity on citizens participation and this goes on to compound the problems faced in Africa by her people.

Abdul-Mumin Sofo Yumzaa

Executive Director, Simba Ghana

Email: [email protected]
Nairobi-Kenya: Retired Colonel, Charles Okello Engola, the Ugandan State Minister for Labor, Employment and Industrial Relations was gunned down this morning from his home, about 11km, north of Metropolitan Kampala City. The assassin, a PDF army officer who was a member of his security detail, complained of non-payment of his salary for six months before also shooting himself dead. According to eyewitnesses he cited several issues he had with the ruling NRM government that has consistently held power for the last 37 years.

The development has since been interpreted by regional security analysts as a signal of the depth of discontent and frustrations among members of the Ugandan security agencies that can lead to more fatal incidents.

It renders the lives of government officials at a high risk and also highlights the divisions between the elite army forces, the Special Forces Command (SFC) who are better facilitated than those in the regular national army, said David Othieno, the executive director of the Nairobi Center for Strategic studies.

The minister who died instantly was shot Tuesday morning as he prepared to leave for work. After which the assassin also killed himself in a distance of about one kilometer from the ministers home. According to eyewitnesses, the culprit complained of non-payment for his labor for six months. This was a day after Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark the World Labor Day on May 1, 2023. Eyewitness said the assassin explained to the people around that he had no problem with anyone but only had it with the government. On the occasion to mark Labor Day, a Presidential Senior Advisor, Sam Engola, who hails from the same place as the deceased minister and shares a similar name (Engola) had called on the nation to support President Musevenis son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his presidential bid as this will foster the continuity of the ruling NRM party and the protection of its supporters from victimization.

According to analysts Uganda risks similar problems as Sudan currently, emanating from the varying negative attitudes brewing in its national army. Otheino said if its true as alleged that members of the regular army go for months without payment, which is not the case with those belonging to the SFC, this will certainly spark off a more bloody confrontation between these two forces. The SFC unit is perceived as a privately created special unit by the presidents son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba himself, to protect the family interests and pursue the Museveni/Kagame regional Hima/Tutsi Dynasty project, he said.

Word is going round within Uganda of plans for a fake coup detat led by Gen Muhoozi to overthrow his father and assume national leadership without first necessarily going through an election.

This way, his father and other regime members are assured of protection from victimization, he said.

For the already disillusioned regular soldiers to see senior government officials strategically involved in the Muhoozi presidential project, they sense a hopeless future that is worse than death.
The Council of Zongo Chiefs has held the 2023 edition of the annual Traditional Durbar Celebration in Kumasi to convoke all Zongo communities in the Ashanti Region towards the promotion of unity amongst all tribal heads and the entire Zongo community.

The event which took place at Jubilee Park on Sunday, was dubbed: "Importance of Unity and Progress in Zongo Communities".

Delivering the keynote address, the President of the Council of Zongo Chiefs, Naaba Musah Akambunga, made a passionate appeal to all the 32 participating tribes - including the Frafra, Gonja, Dagomba, Moshie, Wangara and Zambarama - to be accommodative of one another and strive towards nation-building.

According to him, Ghana would witness massive development if all persons, irrespective of tribal, political or religious affiliation, come together with a renewed sense of patriotism.

"It is necessary for all sections of society to be accommodative of each other and become committed towards the attainment of greatness for the nation. The spirit of patriotism is what every Ghanaian needs only if Ghana is to make it to the top in terms of development," he stated.

Naaba Musah Akambunga stated that the lack of development in Zongo communities, over the years, was due to the disaffection amongst leadership of the various tribal communities, emphasising that tribalism is ungodly.

He observed that apart from hampering development, factionalism and tribal rivalry, amongst others, have impoverished the natives of Zongo communities in Kumasi.

He has, therefore, issued a clarion call to the Zongo leaders to eschew tribal sectarianism and rather inspire their subjects to expediently deal with socio-economic issues.

"It is time we do away with sectarianism and divisions in ideologies because they are the major contributor stagnating development and bring poverty among the people. I am therefore taking this opportunity to call on all tribal heads for negotiations for the development of our communities," he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Kukoliwura of Gonja in the Ashanti Region, Ewura Baba Al-Hassan, indicated that persons who live in Zongo communities are well-mannered and obliging, contrary to the public perception that they are violent and hostile.

He noted that most Zongo communities were plagued by a number of challenges, including education, health and sanitation. He therefore expressed hope that with the right people in the helm of affairs, Zongo communities would begin to develop.

"We have been left behind in so many aspects like education, sanitation and roads. But we believe that things would definitely improve. There is also a wrong perception that we are violent, and that is why we continue to prove that we're peaceful," he added.

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia was represented by the former Member of Parliament for Offinso South Constituency in Ashanti Region, Honourable Ben Abdallah Banda. He noted that to achieve sustainable development, a society must be able to unite and engage themselves.

Reacting to concerns regarding the upsurge in terrorism and violent extremism which have been the bane of some neighbouring countries, Honourable Abdallah said unemployment is one major factor that pushes the youth to join such evil groups. He has, therefore, appealed to all Zongo Chiefs, Mallams and Imams to have constant interaction with the youths so they do not reach the state of hopelessness.

"Violent extremism is a threat to peace. Our Chiefs, Mallams and Imams have to dialogue with the youth because they become disillusioned when there is unemployment and a feeling of hopelessness," he stated.

He revealed that handlers of the Zongo Development Fund were also doing remarkably well with regard to engaging Zongo chiefs on the welfare of the people.
Government has received the green light from Parliament to borrow an amount of $710 million.

Parliamentarians responded to calls to reconvene by Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin today, May 2.

At the sitting, five existing credit facilities were deliberated on by Members of Parliament on both the Majority and Minority side.

At the end of the day, all five loan agreements have been approved by Parliamentarians during the emergency sitting.

Speaking to journalists after the approval, Deputy Finance Minister John Kumah explained that these are not new loans.

Government is not taking new loans. These are loans already on government books but could not be approved before Parliament went on recess. So these are existing credit facilities that have been approved, John Kumah said.

According to him, the loans which amount to $710 million are to finance projects that government deems a priority.

All five loans today were approved by a Majority decision with the Minority in Parliament emphatically opposing the move.

For Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, governments decision to take more loans is shocking especially when the country is faced with an economic crisis and unable to service existing loans.
Ameresco (NYSE:AMRC  Get Rating) updated its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday. The company provided EPS guidance of $1.80-$1.90 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $1.83. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.45 billion-$1.55 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.49 billion. Ameresco also updated its FY23 guidance to $1.80-1.90 EPS.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. B. Riley cut their price objective on Ameresco from $72.00 to $63.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. Roth Mkm upgraded shares of Ameresco from a sell rating to a neutral rating and set a $44.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of Ameresco from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Roth Capital upgraded shares of Ameresco from a sell rating to a neutral rating and set a $44.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Ameresco from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $57.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Friday, March 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a 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 $65.79.

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Ameresco Trading Down 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE AMRC traded down $0.82 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $40.78. 549,368 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 357,016. The company has a market capitalization of $2.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.91, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.28. Ameresco has a 52-week low of $40.61 and a 52-week high of $76.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $45.80 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.85.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ameresco

Ameresco ( NYSE:AMRC Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $331.73 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $365.63 million. Ameresco had a net margin of 5.20% and a return on equity of 12.44%. The companys revenue was down 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.50 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Ameresco will post 1.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ameresco during the 1st quarter worth about $50,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ameresco by 85.3% during the 4th quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,907 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $109,000 after purchasing an additional 878 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Ameresco during the 2nd quarter worth about $116,000. Cetera Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Ameresco by 31.4% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 4,270 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $244,000 after purchasing an additional 1,020 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in Ameresco in the 1st quarter valued at $287,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.50% of the companys stock.

Ameresco Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Ameresco, Inc engages in the provision of energy services, including energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability, and renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations throughout North America and Europe. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Regions, U.S. Federal, Canada, Non-Solar Distributed Generation (DG), and All Other.

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Italy through EBRD to provide up to EUR 10 mln in grants to Ukrenergo to increase liquidity

The Government of Italy, through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will provide grants worth up to EUR 10 million to NPC Ukrenergo to help provide the company with liquidity and carry out emergency repairs.

"Italy, a founding member of the EBRD and a strategic partner, signed an agreement to provide grants worth up to EUR 10 million to support the Banks operations in Ukraine, in particular to support the electricity transmission system operator, Ukrenergo," the bank said on its website on Tuesday.

According to the report, the funding from Italy will help provide Ukrenergo with liquidity and carry out emergency repairs.

"The EBRD is encouraged by Italy's strong cooperation and contribution, which allows us to continue our efforts in supporting the Ukrainian economy during wartime and beyond," EBRD Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone said.

The EBRD increased investments in projects in Ukraine to EUR1.7 billion in 2022, compared to about EUR 1 billion, which it invested annually earlier, as reported with reference to the president of the bank, Odile Renaud-Basso. At the end of April, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal announced that the EBRD's pre-planned portfolio of support to Ukraine for 2023 would reach EUR 1.5 billion. The funds would be used to support the public and private sectors (in particular, support for small- and medium-sized enterprises), financing road construction projects, cooperation with cities and communities, and support for the energy sector.
A. O. Smith (NYSE:AOS  Get Rating) had its price objective boosted by Robert W. Baird from $70.00 to $78.00 in a report released on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of A. O. Smith from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 20th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of A. O. Smith from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. TheStreet cut shares of A. O. Smith from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 31st. UBS Group cut shares of A. O. Smith from a neutral rating to a sell rating and cut their target price for the stock from $65.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of A. O. Smith from $46.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, January 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $67.13.

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A. O. Smith Stock Up 2.7 %

NYSE AOS opened at $70.14 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $66.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.09. A. O. Smith has a one year low of $46.58 and a one year high of $71.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.84. The company has a market cap of $10.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.28.

A. O. Smith Dividend Announcement

A. O. Smith ( NYSE:AOS Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.17. A. O. Smith had a return on equity of 28.78% and a net margin of 6.49%. The business had revenue of $966.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $922.05 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.77 EPS. The companys revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that A. O. Smith will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.71%. A. O. Smiths dividend payout ratio is currently 75.95%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other A. O. Smith news, Director Ajita G. Rajendra sold 39,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.02, for a total transaction of $2,776,882.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 39,196 shares in the company, valued at $2,783,699.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, Director Ajita G. Rajendra sold 39,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.02, for a total transaction of $2,776,882.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 39,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,783,699.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Samuel M. Carver sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.65, for a total transaction of $278,600.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,154 shares in the company, valued at $80,376.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 57,883 shares of company stock worth $4,053,126 over the last ninety days. 0.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of A. O. Smith during the first quarter worth $3,442,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in A. O. Smith by 13.5% in the first quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 653,417 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $45,184,000 after acquiring an additional 77,836 shares in the last quarter. Vigilant Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in A. O. Smith in the first quarter valued at $28,000. Truadvice LLC acquired a new stake in A. O. Smith in the first quarter valued at $239,000. Finally, Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its holdings in A. O. Smith by 46.7% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 26,450 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,829,000 after acquiring an additional 8,424 shares in the last quarter. 77.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

A. O. Smith Company Profile

(Get Rating)

A. O. Smith Corp. manufactures residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters, boilers, tanks, and water treatment products. It operates through the North America and Rest of World segments. The North America segment manufactures and markets comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters, boilers, and tanks.

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Accredited Investors Inc. decreased its holdings in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEARCA:VT  Get Rating) by 51.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 150,604 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 162,133 shares during the period. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF makes up about 1.1% of Accredited Investors Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Accredited Investors Inc. owned about 0.05% of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF worth $12,981,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Cambridge Associates LLC MA ADV grew its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 23.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Associates LLC MA ADV now owns 3,550,920 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $280,097,000 after acquiring an additional 664,996 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 48.7% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,981,725 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $156,317,000 after acquiring an additional 649,302 shares during the last quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP grew its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 85.3% during the 3rd quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP now owns 805,738 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $63,557,000 after acquiring an additional 370,951 shares during the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF during the 4th quarter worth $31,325,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 373.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 396,743 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,205,000 after acquiring an additional 312,916 shares during the last quarter.

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Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Price Performance

VT stock traded down $1.37 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $91.92. 774,967 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,100,828. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.37 billion, a PE ratio of 14.20 and a beta of 0.94. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF has a 52 week low of $76.80 and a 52 week high of $96.27. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $90.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $89.15.

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Profile

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap Index, which covers both well-established and still-developing markets. The Fund invests in both foreign and the United States stocks. The fund offers three classes of shares: Investor Shares, Institutional Shares, and ETF Shares.

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Shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK  Get Rating) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the fourteen brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $65.77.

ALK has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Alaska Air Group from $71.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Barclays raised shares of Alaska Air Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $54.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $57.50 to $58.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 31st. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $55.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded Alaska Air Group from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th.

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Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ALK opened at $43.49 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $43.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $45.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The company has a market cap of $5.54 billion, a PE ratio of 94.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 1.51. Alaska Air Group has a 12 month low of $37.19 and a 12 month high of $54.45.

Insider Activity

Alaska Air Group ( NYSE:ALK Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The transportation company reported ($0.62) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.48) by ($0.14). Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 17.03% and a net margin of 0.58%. The firm had revenue of $2.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($1.33) earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 30.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group will post 6.29 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, Director J Kenneth Thompson sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.58, for a total value of $170,030.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 29,907 shares in the company, valued at $1,452,882.06. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alaska Air Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 6.6% in the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 84,305 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,300,000 after acquiring an additional 5,193 shares in the last quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 25.1% during the third quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 294,763 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $11,540,000 after purchasing an additional 59,220 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 10.7% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 15,664 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $613,000 after acquiring an additional 1,509 shares in the last quarter. Continental Investors Services Inc. acquired a new position in Alaska Air Group in the third quarter worth $1,046,000. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its stake in Alaska Air Group by 147.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 138,043 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $5,405,000 after purchasing an additional 82,363 shares during the last quarter. 77.04% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Alaska Air Group Company Profile

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Alaska Air Group, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of air transportation services. It operates through the following segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The Mainline segment includes scheduled air transportation on Alaskas Boeing and Airbus jet aircraft for passengers and cargo throughout the U.S., and in parts of Mexico, Costa Rica and Belize.

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Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY  Get Rating) had its price objective cut by Wells Fargo & Company from $23.00 to $21.00 in a research note published on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on NLY. Barclays increased their price target on Annaly Capital Management from $19.00 to $24.00 in a research note on Friday, January 6th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Annaly Capital Management from $22.00 to $20.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Annaly Capital Management from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 17th. Argus cut shares of Annaly Capital Management from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 21st. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $22.11.

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Annaly Capital Management Trading Down 3.3 %

Shares of NLY stock opened at $19.32 on Friday. Annaly Capital Management has a 1 year low of $15.11 and a 1 year high of $27.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 4.66 and a current ratio of 0.08. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $19.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $20.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.54 billion, a PE ratio of -8.59 and a beta of 1.36.

Annaly Capital Management Cuts Dividend

Annaly Capital Management ( NYSE:NLY Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $818.25 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $183.00 million. Annaly Capital Management had a positive return on equity of 18.86% and a negative net margin of 38.80%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.12 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Annaly Capital Management will post 2.79 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 13.46%. Annaly Capital Managements dividend payout ratio is presently -115.56%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Annaly Capital Management

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in Annaly Capital Management by 24.0% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 381,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,828,000 after acquiring an additional 73,892 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Annaly Capital Management during the 1st quarter valued at about $199,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Annaly Capital Management by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 1,185,123 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $8,343,000 after buying an additional 37,762 shares in the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Annaly Capital Management by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 97,368 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $685,000 after purchasing an additional 6,043 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. purchased a new position in Annaly Capital Management during the first quarter valued at approximately $163,000. 52.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Annaly Capital Management

(Get Rating)

Annaly Capital Management, Inc engages in the investment and financing of residential and commercial assets. It operates through the following investment groups: Agency, Residential Credit, and Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Agency group invests in agency mortgage-backed securities. The Residential Credit group involves non-agency residential mortgage assets within securitized products and whole loan markets.

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AstraZeneca (LON:AZN  Get Rating) had its target price hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from 135 ($168.67) to 140 ($174.91) in a research report report published on Friday, The Fly reports.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on AZN. Guggenheim lowered their price target on AstraZeneca from 127 ($158.67) to 119 ($148.68) in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Credit Suisse Group set a 118 ($147.43) price target on AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Morgan Stanley upgraded AstraZeneca to an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a GBX 6,950 ($86.83) price target on AstraZeneca in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a 130 ($162.42) price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of 119.32 ($149.07).

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AstraZeneca Trading Down 0.4 %

AZN stock opened at 117.46 ($146.75) on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of 113.25 and a 200 day moving average price of 110.87. AstraZeneca has a fifty-two week low of GBX 9,399 ($117.43) and a fifty-two week high of 123.92 ($154.82). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 84.02, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.86. The firm has a market cap of 182.06 billion, a PE ratio of 7,295.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.17.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

About AstraZeneca

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 23rd were paid a dividend of GBX 162.80 ($2.03) per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.51%. This is a positive change from AstraZenecas previous dividend of $76.40. AstraZenecas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14,844.72%.

(Get Rating)

AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases.

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HSBC upgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report published on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on BBVA. Societe Generale cut Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 24th. StockNews.com cut Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $6.36.

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Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:BBVA opened at $7.29 on Friday. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has a 52-week low of $3.93 and a 52-week high of $7.93. The stock has a market cap of $46.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.57 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $7.23 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.51.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Increases Dividend

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ( NYSE:BBVA Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The bank reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $6.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.17 billion. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 26.27%. Equities analysts predict that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria will post 1.23 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 4th were issued a dividend of $0.3333 per share. This is an increase from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias previous semi-annual dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date was Monday, April 3rd. This represents a yield of 4%. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias dividend payout ratio is 48.65%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 54,647,189 shares of the banks stock valued at $328,430,000 after purchasing an additional 721,686 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 19.4% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,766,725 shares of the banks stock valued at $52,689,000 after purchasing an additional 1,421,614 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 7.0% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 7,934,052 shares of the banks stock valued at $47,684,000 after purchasing an additional 518,812 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,956,950 shares of the banks stock valued at $26,926,000 after purchasing an additional 31,637 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,946,403 shares of the banks stock valued at $33,835,000 after purchasing an additional 414,352 shares during the period. 2.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

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Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA engages in the traditional banking businesses of retail banking, asset management, private banking, and wholesale banking. It operates through the following segments: Spain, the United States, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and Rest of Eurasia. The Spain segment includes mainly the banking and insurance business that the group carries out in Spain.

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Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH  Get Rating) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,750,000 shares, an increase of 17.3% from the March 31st total of 4,050,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 556,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 8.5 days. Approximately 12.2% of the companys shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on BOH. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock. DA Davidson cut their target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $76.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $83.00 to $60.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Compass Point downgraded Bank of Hawaii from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $71.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, January 24th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded Bank of Hawaii from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $66.25.

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Bank of Hawaii Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE:BOH traded down $0.63 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $47.80. The stock had a trading volume of 737,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 491,269. Bank of Hawaii has a 1 year low of $34.71 and a 1 year high of $85.45. The firms 50 day moving average is $56.64 and its 200-day moving average is $70.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.97.

Bank of Hawaii Announces Dividend

Bank of Hawaii ( NYSE:BOH Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The bank reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by ($0.09). Bank of Hawaii had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 19.01%. The firm had revenue of $229.07 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $177.67 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.32 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Bank of Hawaii will post 4.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be issued a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.86%. Bank of Hawaiis payout ratio is currently 52.83%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of Hawaii

In other news, CEO Peter S. Ho sold 7,000 shares of Bank of Hawaii stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.40, for a total value of $534,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,681 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,318,428.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 2.11% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CM Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bank of Hawaii in the 1st quarter valued at about $225,000. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its position in Bank of Hawaii by 32.8% during the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 35,725 shares of the banks stock worth $1,861,000 after purchasing an additional 8,825 shares during the last quarter. Harrington Investments INC grew its position in Bank of Hawaii by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Harrington Investments INC now owns 18,212 shares of the banks stock worth $948,000 after purchasing an additional 491 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Bank of Hawaii during the 1st quarter worth $101,000. Finally, Cadinha & Co. LLC grew its position in Bank of Hawaii by 14.2% during the 1st quarter. Cadinha & Co. LLC now owns 14,978 shares of the banks stock worth $780,000 after purchasing an additional 1,865 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.29% of the companys stock.

Bank of Hawaii Company Profile

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Bank of Hawaii Corp. is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers financial products and services, including loan, deposit and insurance products, private banking and international client banking services, trust services, investment management, and institutional investment advisory services.

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Analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Bank of the Philippine Islands (OTCMKTS:BPHLF  Get Rating) in a report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage set a neutral rating on the stock.

Bank of the Philippine Islands Stock Performance

Bank of the Philippine Islands stock opened at $1.76 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $1.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1.72. Bank of the Philippine Islands has a 52 week low of $1.49 and a 52 week high of $1.99.

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Bank of the Philippine Islands Company Profile

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Bank of the Philippine Islands engages in the provision of commercial banking services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking and Investment Banking. The Consumer Banking segment covers deposit taking and services, consumer lending such as home mortgages, auto loans and credit card finance as well as the remittance business of individual clients and retail markets.

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Benchmark Wealth Management LLC lowered its stake in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:ILCB  Get Rating) by 0.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 83,063 shares of the companys stock after selling 393 shares during the quarter. iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF accounts for approximately 3.1% of Benchmark Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position. Benchmark Wealth Management LLC owned approximately 0.62% of iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF worth $4,372,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ILCB. VitalStone Financial LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $57,000. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $59,000. Finally, Intrua Financial LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $211,000.

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iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSEARCA ILCB traded down $0.36 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $56.74. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,470 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,081. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $55.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $54.56. iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF has a twelve month low of $48.13 and a twelve month high of $59.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $746.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.13 and a beta of 1.01.

About iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF

The iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index consists of both growth and value stocks, selected from the top 90% of the US market-cap spectrum. ILCB was launched on Jun 28, 2004 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ILCB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:ILCB  Get Rating).

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Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 5.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,967 shares of the payment services companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,314 shares during the quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc.s holdings in American Express were worth $3,541,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in American Express during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $227,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in shares of American Express by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 19,360 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $2,861,000 after acquiring an additional 446 shares during the period. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management lifted its position in shares of American Express by 38.6% in the 4th quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 3,480 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $514,000 after acquiring an additional 970 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 6.8% in the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 7,732 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,142,000 after acquiring an additional 491 shares during the period. Finally, My Personal CFO LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 83.30% of the companys stock.

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American Express Trading Down 1.3 %

AXP stock opened at $159.32 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $164.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $158.60. American Express has a fifty-two week low of $130.65 and a fifty-two week high of $182.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $118.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.75, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.62.

American Express Increases Dividend

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Rating ) last released 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). The firm had revenue of $14.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.02 billion. American Express had a net margin of 13.00% and a return on equity of 29.44%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 21.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.73 earnings per share. Analysts expect that American Express will post 11.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 7th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This is a boost from American Expresss previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 5th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.24%.

American Express declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, March 8th that authorizes the company to repurchase 120,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the payment services company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Credit Suisse Group raised their price objective on American Express from $132.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on American Express from $179.00 to $172.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 21st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on American Express in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on American Express from $179.00 to $167.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Oppenheimer dropped their target price on American Express from $182.00 to $180.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $175.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 5,456 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.52, for a total value of $952,181.12. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 7,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,229,493.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 5,456 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on 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 directly owns 7,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,229,493.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 28,688 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on 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 owns 12,557 shares in the company, valued at $2,270,054.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 49,361 shares of company stock valued at $8,773,678. Company insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

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.

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From May 2 to June 5 this year, the European Commission banned the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seed originating from Ukrainian to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The decision is published on the European Commission's website.

These exceptional and temporary preventive measures on imports of a limited number of products from Ukraine were adopted under the exceptional safeguard of the Autonomous Trade Measures Regulation. These measures are necessary given the exceptional circumstances of serious logistical bottlenecks experienced in five Member States, and may be reimposed.

The products can continue to circulate in or transit via these five Member States by means of a common customs transit procedure or go to a country or territory outside the EU.

"In parallel, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have committed to lift their unilateral measures on wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed and any other products coming from Ukraine," the European Commission said in a press release on its website.

According to the press release, these measures are part of the overall support package that the Commission is putting forward and will be complemented with a financial support for farmers in the five Member States and further measures to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain exports via Solidarity Lanes to other Member States and third countries.

"The Commission is ready to reimpose preventive measures beyond the expiry of the current Autonomous Trade Measures Regulation on 5 June 2023 as long as the exceptional situation continues," the European Commission said.

The European Commission added that it is also ready to launch an assessment of the situation of the Union market for other sensitive products.
Bleakley Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 47,433 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $3,965,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mendota Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Align Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 142.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 463 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Financial Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.17% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other NextEra Energy news, Director Amy B. Lane purchased 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $74.86 per share, with a total value of $74,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 41,277 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,089,996.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Amy B. Lane bought 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $74.86 per share, with a total value of $74,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 41,277 shares in the company, valued at $3,089,996.22. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Armando Pimentel, Jr. bought 13,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 21st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $75.44 per share, for a total transaction of $995,808.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 129,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,749,111.20. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have acquired 18,872 shares of company stock valued at $1,417,721. 0.38% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NextEra Energy Trading Up 0.2 %

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Erste Group Bank upgraded NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on NextEra Energy from $95.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Bank of America lowered NextEra Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $94.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price objective on NextEra Energy from $89.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Finally, Guggenheim reduced their target price on NextEra Energy from $96.00 to $92.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $92.50.

NextEra Energy stock opened at $76.80 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The company has a market capitalization of $155.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.86, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.47. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $67.22 and a one year high of $91.35. The companys fifty day moving average price is $75.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.92.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $6.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.78 billion. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 12.44% and a net margin of 26.97%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.74 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

NextEra Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were given a $0.4675 dividend. This is an increase from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 27th. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 55.65%.

NextEra Energy Company Profile

(Get Rating)

NextEra Energy, Inc engages in the provision of renewable energy. It operates through the following segments: FPL and NEER. The FPL segment involves the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy in Florida. The NEER segment produces electricity from clean and renewable sources, including wind and solar.

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Canandaigua National Corp trimmed its holdings in American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Rating) by 8.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,095 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 1,445 shares during the quarter. Canandaigua National Corps holdings in American Express were worth $2,378,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Macroview Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 239.0% in the 3rd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 200 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. My Personal CFO LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in American Express by 288.9% during the 4th quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 210 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 156 shares during the period. Finally, MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Express during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. 83.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 5,456 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.52, for a total transaction of $952,181.12. Following the sale, the insider now owns 7,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,229,493.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 5,456 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.52, for a total transaction of $952,181.12. Following the sale, the insider now owns 7,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,229,493.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 28,688 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.78, for a total transaction of $5,186,216.64. Following the sale, the insider now owns 12,557 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,270,054.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 49,361 shares of company stock worth $8,773,678 in the last three months. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

American Express Stock Performance

AXP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on American Express from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 30th. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on shares of American Express from $182.00 to $180.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of American Express from $132.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Stephens dropped their price target on shares of American Express from $149.00 to $146.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Argus lifted their price objective on shares of American Express from $180.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 31st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $175.67.

Shares of AXP stock traded down $5.21 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $154.11. 822,152 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,515,963. The company has a market capitalization of $114.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.75, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The firms 50-day moving average is $164.94 and its 200 day moving average is $158.60. American Express has a 1 year low of $130.65 and a 1 year high of $182.15.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The payment services company reported $2.40 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.66 by ($0.26). American Express had a net margin of 13.00% and a return on equity of 29.44%. The business had revenue of $14.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.02 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.73 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 21.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that American Express will post 11.2 EPS for the current year.

American Express declared that its board has initiated 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 buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

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 paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 5th. This is a boost from American Expresss previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.56%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is currently 25.24%.

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.

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Canyon Creek Food Company Ltd. (CVE:CYF  Get Rating)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$0.01 and last traded at C$0.01, with a volume of 35000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02.

Canyon Creek Food Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$351,500.00, a PE ratio of -0.10 and a beta of 2.14. The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$0.02 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.03.

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Canyon Creek Food (CVE:CYF  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, January 30th. The company reported C($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$4.22 million for the quarter.

About Canyon Creek Food

Canyon Creek Food Company Ltd. operates as a food processing company in Canada. The company provides fresh soups and other prepared food products. It offers its products to grocery retailers and various food service establishments comprising restaurants and institutions. Canyon Creek Food Company Ltd.

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Doliver Advisors LP increased its position in Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Get Rating) by 26.9% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 5,905 shares of the energy companys stock after buying an additional 1,250 shares during the period. Doliver Advisors LPs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $363,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Devon Energy by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 77,173,489 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $4,640,442,000 after purchasing an additional 1,637,042 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in Devon Energy by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 42,814,521 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $2,574,437,000 after purchasing an additional 2,902,180 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners raised its position in Devon Energy by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 11,158,526 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $672,993,000 after purchasing an additional 797,813 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Devon Energy by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 10,141,280 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $609,794,000 after acquiring an additional 1,469,557 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in Devon Energy by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,371,571 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $435,881,000 after acquiring an additional 99,059 shares during the last quarter. 78.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DVN has been the subject of several analyst reports. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on Devon Energy from $79.00 to $72.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $84.00 to $71.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $70.00 to $59.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 17th. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $52.00 to $49.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $71.32.

Devon Energy Price Performance

NYSE:DVN traded down $2.57 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $50.67. 1,915,374 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,508,443. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.25. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $52.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.79. Devon Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $44.03 and a 1 year high of $79.40. The company has a market cap of $32.62 billion, a PE ratio of 5.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.16 and a beta of 2.33.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The energy company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.75 by ($0.09). Devon Energy had a net margin of 31.38% and a return on equity of 52.20%. The business had revenue of $4.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.39 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Devon Energy Co. will post 6.56 EPS for the current year.

Devon Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a None dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were given a $0.89 dividend. This is an increase from Devon Energys previous None dividend of $0.49. This represents a dividend yield of 9.3%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 8.77%.

Insider Activity at Devon Energy

In other news, CEO Richard E. Muncrief bought 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $53.28 per share, with a total value of $532,800.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 1,973,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $105,173,494.56. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Richard E. Muncrief bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $53.28 per share, with a total value of $532,800.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 1,973,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at $105,173,494.56. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director John E. Bethancourt bought 3,765 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $53.06 per share, with a total value of $199,770.90. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 94,669 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,023,137.14. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Devon Energy Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties. It develops and operates Delaware Basin, Eagle Ford, Heavy Oil, Barnett Shale, STACK, and Rockies Oil. The company was founded by J. Larry Nichols and John W. Nichols in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:EVT  Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 22nd will be paid a dividend of 0.1488 per share by the closed-end fund on Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $1.79 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.97%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 19th.

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund has raised its dividend payment by an average of 3.4% per year over the last three years.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund stock traded down $0.30 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $22.39. The companys stock had a trading volume of 105,119 shares, compared to its average volume of 107,568. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $22.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $23.34. Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund has a 52 week low of $21.20 and a 52 week high of $26.75.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

About Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund by 85.9% during the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 13,905 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $302,000 after purchasing an additional 6,424 shares during the period. First Republic Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund by 32.2% in the second quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 39,741 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $949,000 after acquiring an additional 9,670 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its holdings in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund by 32.1% in the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 541,549 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $12,927,000 after acquiring an additional 131,477 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund by 9.8% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 16,094 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $384,000 after acquiring an additional 1,432 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund in the first quarter worth about $226,000.

(Get Rating)

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund operates as a closed-end investment fund. It invests in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks. The company was founded on September 30, 2003 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Further Reading

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Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Get Rating) issued an update on its FY23 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $4.45-4.85 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $4.73.

Edison International Price Performance

Shares of EIX traded down $0.67 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $73.28. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,202,854 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,934,189. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $69.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $66.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.22, a PEG ratio of 5.32 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.64. Edison International has a fifty-two week low of $54.45 and a fifty-two week high of $74.92.

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Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The utilities provider reported $1.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.61 billion. Edison International had a net margin of 4.48% and a return on equity of 12.05%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.16 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Edison International will post 4.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Edison International Dividend Announcement

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were given a $0.7375 dividend. This represents a $2.95 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.03%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 184.38%.

Several analysts recently commented on EIX shares. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price target on shares of Edison International from $68.00 to $67.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 24th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $82.00 price target on shares of Edison International in a report on Monday, March 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Edison International from $50.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Edison International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $69.00 to $75.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Finally, Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Edison International from $67.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Edison International presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $71.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP J Andrew Murphy sold 22,471 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.03, for a total transaction of $1,618,586.13. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,989 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $935,597.67. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 1.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Edison International

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Edison International during the 4th quarter worth $64,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its holdings in shares of Edison International by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 193,999 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $12,342,000 after buying an additional 3,712 shares during the period. CI Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Edison International during the 4th quarter worth $1,330,000. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of Edison International by 84.1% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 31,118 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,980,000 after buying an additional 14,212 shares during the period. Finally, IHT Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Edison International during the 4th quarter valued at $211,000. 87.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Edison International

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Edison International is a renewable energy company, which through its subsidiaries, generates and distributes electric power, and invests in energy services and technologies. The company was founded on July 4, 1886, and is headquartered in Rosemead, CA.

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Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS  Get Rating) is set to issue its quarterly earnings data after the market closes on Tuesday, May 9th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($1.67) per share for the quarter. Emergent BioSolutions has set its FY 2023 guidance at EPS.Parties that wish to register for the companys conference call can do so using this link.

Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.31 by ($0.62). Emergent BioSolutions had a negative net margin of 19.97% and a negative return on equity of 7.57%. The company had revenue of $330.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $298.23 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.50 EPS. Emergent BioSolutionss revenue for the quarter was down 54.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect Emergent BioSolutions to post $-1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Emergent BioSolutions Trading Up 0.5 %

EBS opened at $8.87 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.70. Emergent BioSolutions has a fifty-two week low of $7.74 and a fifty-two week high of $40.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $447.05 million, a PE ratio of -1.98 and a beta of 0.93. The companys 50-day moving average is $10.53 and its 200 day moving average is $12.88.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in Emergent BioSolutions by 20.2% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 178,997 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,114,000 after purchasing an additional 30,043 shares during the period. State of Wyoming boosted its holdings in Emergent BioSolutions by 71.8% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 10,245 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $121,000 after purchasing an additional 4,281 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its holdings in Emergent BioSolutions by 47.0% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 97,405 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,150,000 after purchasing an additional 31,130 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Emergent BioSolutions in the 4th quarter valued at $56,000. Finally, Toroso Investments LLC bought a new position in Emergent BioSolutions in the 4th quarter valued at $186,000. 80.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on EBS shares. Benchmark raised shares of Emergent BioSolutions from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $22.00 target price for the company in a research report on Monday, April 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $9.00 price objective (down from $23.00) on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of Emergent BioSolutions from a c- rating to a d rating in a research note on Monday, February 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus 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.

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Envista (NYSE:NVST  Get Rating) will post its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, May 3rd. Analysts expect Envista to post earnings of $0.41 per share for the quarter. Individual that wish to listen to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Envista (NYSE:NVST  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 8th. The company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $660.80 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $658.40 million. Envista had a return on equity of 8.52% and a net margin of 9.46%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.46 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Envista to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Envista Stock Performance

NYSE NVST opened at $38.41 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $6.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $38.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $36.59. Envista has a twelve month low of $31.67 and a twelve month high of $45.64.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Insiders Place Their Bets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on NVST shares. Piper Sandler increased their price target on Envista from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 6th. TheStreet raised Envista from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Envista from $38.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $46.00.

In other Envista news, CFO Howard H. Yu sold 10,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.90, for a total transaction of $379,606.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 45,865 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,738,283.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.76% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Envista in the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in shares of Envista by 35.0% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,273 shares of the companys stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming boosted its position in shares of Envista by 26.8% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 3,205 shares of the companys stock worth $108,000 after purchasing an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its position in shares of Envista by 32.7% in the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 2,481 shares of the companys stock worth $121,000 after purchasing an additional 612 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in shares of Envista in the 4th quarter worth $178,000.

Envista Company 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.

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FB Financial Co. (NYSE:FBK  Get Rating) major shareholder James W. Ayers bought 6,900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $29.01 per share, for a total transaction of $200,169.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 10,782,391 shares of the companys stock, valued at $312,797,162.91. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys shares are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

FB Financial Price Performance

NYSE:FBK traded down $0.42 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $29.01. The stock had a trading volume of 110,478 shares, compared to its average volume of 150,440. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $32.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $36.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.82 and a beta of 1.02. FB Financial Co. has a one year low of $28.10 and a one year high of $45.25.

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FB Financial (NYSE:FBK  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $183.03 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $131.72 million. FB Financial had a return on equity of 10.42% and a net margin of 19.56%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.74 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that FB Financial Co. will post 2.8 earnings per share for the current year.

FB Financial Announces Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.07%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 8th. FB Financials payout ratio is 22.39%.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on FBK. Stephens lowered their price objective on FB Financial from $35.00 to $34.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. DA Davidson lowered their price target on shares of FB Financial from $35.00 to $34.50 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of FB Financial from $30.00 to $29.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of FB Financial from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on FB Financial from $40.00 to $35.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have assigned a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $38.31.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in FB Financial by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 94,767 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,210,000 after buying an additional 8,263 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in FB Financial by 20.4% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 42,955 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,908,000 after acquiring an additional 7,283 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in FB Financial by 16.3% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 31,613 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,404,000 after purchasing an additional 4,442 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of FB Financial by 57.4% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 17,187 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $763,000 after purchasing an additional 6,267 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of FB Financial by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 92,950 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,129,000 after purchasing an additional 2,589 shares in the last quarter. 63.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

FB Financial Company Profile

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FB Financial Corp. is a bank holding company, which provides commercial and consumer banking services to clients in select markets primarily in Tennessee, North Alabama, and North Georgia through its subsidiary. It operates through the Banking and Mortgage segments. The Banking segments deals with interest on loans and investments, loan-related fees, originations in banking footprint, investment services, and deposit-related fees.

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Federal Agricultural Mortgage Co. (NYSE:AGM  Get Rating) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 114,800 shares, a growth of 18.1% from the March 31st total of 97,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 78,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Approximately 1.3% of the companys stock are sold short.

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Price Performance

Shares of AGM stock traded down $0.60 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $132.69. The stock had a trading volume of 48,682 shares, compared to its average volume of 74,405. Federal Agricultural Mortgage has a 12-month low of $90.38 and a 12-month high of $149.37. The company has a market cap of $1.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.54 and a beta of 1.04. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $133.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $125.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56.

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Federal Agricultural Mortgage (NYSE:AGM  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 24th. The credit services provider reported $3.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.27. Federal Agricultural Mortgage had a return on equity of 20.40% and a net margin of 23.62%. The business had revenue of $79.05 million during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Federal Agricultural Mortgage will post 12.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Federal Agricultural Mortgage

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, March 16th were given a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 15th. This is a boost from Federal Agricultural Mortgages previous quarterly dividend of $0.95. Federal Agricultural Mortgages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.63%.

In other news, Director Charles A. Stones sold 344 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.54, for a total transaction of $50,065.76. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 824 shares in the company, valued at $119,924.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 2.58% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Federal Agricultural Mortgage

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. First Republic Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Federal Agricultural Mortgage by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,935 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $886,000 after purchasing an additional 306 shares in the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Federal Agricultural Mortgage in the 3rd quarter valued at about $200,000. Riverwater Partners LLC grew its holdings in Federal Agricultural Mortgage by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Riverwater Partners LLC now owns 10,707 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,207,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new stake in Federal Agricultural Mortgage in the 4th quarter valued at about $91,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Federal Agricultural Mortgage by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 43,364 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $4,299,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.13% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AGM has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Federal Agricultural Mortgage in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Sidoti raised Federal Agricultural Mortgage from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn reissued a buy rating on shares of Federal Agricultural Mortgage in a report on Monday, January 23rd.

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Company Profile

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Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. is a stockholder-owned, federally chartered corporation. engages in the provision of a secondary market for agricultural real estate and rural housing mortgage loans, rural utilities loans, and loans guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture. It combines private capital and public sponsorship to serve a public purpose.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings on diplomatic work on Monday.

"Today, I held several meetings on our diplomatic work in May, which brings us closer to such a peace - a just peace, such an outcome of this war - the defeat of the occupier," he said in a video address on Monday.

Speaking about a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Zelenskyy said "Canada has already started confiscating Russian assets. This is a significant example for everyone else in the world. We discussed sanctions pressure and our political cooperation."

With New Zealand's Prime Minister Hipkins, "agreed to work on greater consolidation of the Pacific region countries to protect international rules."
Formidable Asset Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Yamana Gold Inc. (NYSE:AUY  Get Rating) (TSE:YRI) by 23.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 94,842 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 29,052 shares during the period. Formidable Asset Management LLCs holdings in Yamana Gold were worth $526,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Yamana Gold by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 32,727,708 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $148,256,000 after buying an additional 979,750 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in Yamana Gold by 16.4% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 30,974,436 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $172,838,000 after buying an additional 4,374,525 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in Yamana Gold by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 20,263,506 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $91,794,000 after buying an additional 315,200 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in Yamana Gold by 27.0% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 15,438,174 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $86,331,000 after acquiring an additional 3,277,759 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Yamana Gold by 2,249.9% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,216,088 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $64,400,000 after acquiring an additional 13,611,130 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.93% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

AUY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. National Bank Financial upped their price objective on Yamana Gold from C$7.10 to C$8.05 in a research report on Friday, January 13th. Raymond James upped their price objective on Yamana Gold from $5.00 to $5.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 31st. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Yamana Gold in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

Yamana Gold Price Performance

Yamana Gold Company Profile

AUY opened at $5.85 on Tuesday. Yamana Gold Inc. has a 12-month low of $3.88 and a 12-month high of $6.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $5.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.48. The company has a market capitalization of $5.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.68, a PEG ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.20.

(Get Rating)

Yamana Gold, Inc engages in the production of gold, silver and copper. It operates through the following segments: El Penon, Canadian Malartic, Jacobina, Minera Florida, Cerro Moro, Other Mines, and Corporate and Other. The company was founded by Peter Marrone on March 17, 1994 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:FEDU  Get Rating) saw a large decrease in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,100 shares, a decrease of 8.7% from the March 31st total of 2,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Four Seasons Education (Cayman) stock. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:FEDU  Get Rating) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 41,024 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,000. Virtu Financial LLC owned about 0.09% of Four Seasons Education (Cayman) as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.19% of the companys stock.

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Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Price Performance

Four Seasons Education (Cayman) stock remained flat at $10.80 during midday trading on Monday. 17 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,716. Four Seasons Education has a one year low of $5.70 and a one year high of $18.88. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $9.27 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.41.

Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Company Profile

Four Seasons Education (Cayman), Inc is an after-school education service provider for students in Shanghai. It unlocks students intellectual potential through education that can benefit students academic, career and life prospects. The firm provides educational programs that are primarily focused on elementary-level math, and have expanded in recent years to also include other subjects, including physics, chemistry, and languages, and other grade levels, including kindergarten-level and middle school-level programs.

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Gagnon Securities LLC reduced its holdings in Model N, Inc. (NYSE:MODN  Get Rating) by 39.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,555 shares of the software makers stock after selling 4,327 shares during the period. Gagnon Securities LLCs holdings in Model N were worth $266,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Model N by 13.2% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,949,847 shares of the software makers stock valued at $100,973,000 after acquiring an additional 343,775 shares during the last quarter. First Light Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Model N by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. First Light Asset Management LLC now owns 2,707,143 shares of the software makers stock valued at $72,822,000 after buying an additional 159,213 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Model N by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 2,304,058 shares of the software makers stock worth $61,979,000 after purchasing an additional 19,326 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Model N by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,999,864 shares of the software makers stock valued at $68,455,000 after purchasing an additional 123,878 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Model N by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 949,398 shares of the software makers stock worth $25,539,000 after buying an additional 44,872 shares during the last quarter. 96.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Model N Stock Performance

NYSE:MODN traded down $0.66 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $29.62. 132,718 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 350,165. The company has a quick ratio of 2.85, a current ratio of 2.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. Model N, Inc. has a one year low of $20.95 and a one year high of $43.18. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $33.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $36.75. The firm has a market cap of $1.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -42.05 and a beta of 0.69.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Model N ( NYSE:MODN Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 7th. The software maker reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter. Model N had a negative return on equity of 7.52% and a negative net margin of 11.65%. The company had revenue of $59.15 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $57.51 million. Research analysts anticipate that Model N, Inc. will post -0.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MODN. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Model N from $45.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Model N from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price target on Model N from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Model N in a report on Thursday, April 27th. They set a sector perform rating and a $35.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on Model N in a research note on Monday, March 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $43.00 target price for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued 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 $44.63.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Model N news, CFO John Ederer sold 10,823 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.09, for a total value of $347,310.07. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 166,878 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,355,115.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Suresh Kannan sold 6,585 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.04, for a total value of $230,738.40. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 172,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,035,289.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO John Ederer sold 10,823 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.09, for a total value of $347,310.07. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 166,878 shares in the company, valued at $5,355,115.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 53,238 shares of company stock worth $1,832,671. 2.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Model N Profile

(Get Rating)

Model N, Inc engages in developing and monetizing revenue management solutions. It offers cloud revenue optimization and compliance to pharmaceutical, medical technology, semiconductor, and high-tech companies. Its products provide business processes such as pricing, quoting, contracting, regulatory compliance, rebates and incentives.

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Hang Lung Properties Limited (OTCMKTS:HLPPY  Get Rating) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 32,900 shares, a growth of 16.3% from the March 31st total of 28,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 72,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Hang Lung Properties Stock Performance

OTCMKTS HLPPY traded down $0.12 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $9.02. 28,998 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 31,984. Hang Lung Properties has a 1 year low of $6.10 and a 1 year high of $10.34. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $9.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.08.

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Hang Lung Properties Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.3628 per share. This represents a yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 2nd. This is an increase from Hang Lung Propertiess previous dividend of $0.10.

Hang Lung Properties Company Profile

Hang Lung Properties Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the property investment, development, and management activities in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The company operates through Property Leasing and Property Sales segments. The company is involved in the development, sale, and leasing of properties.

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Shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $245.81, but opened at $236.99. Illinois Tool Works shares last traded at $232.98, with a volume of 400,733 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ITW has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Vertical Research cut Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their target price for the company from $240.00 to $220.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $241.00 to $240.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $250.00 to $227.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $213.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $228.64.

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Illinois Tool Works Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $234.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $227.14. The stock has a market cap of $70.47 billion, a PE ratio of 25.13, a PEG ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.41.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.23 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.98 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 87.15% and a net margin of 19.04%. Illinois Tool Workss revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.11 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.5 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were given a dividend of $1.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.27%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is presently 53.58%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Illinois Tool Works news, Vice Chairman Christopher A. Oherlihy sold 60,137 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 40,072 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,868,130.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Ernest Scott Santi sold 235,656 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 213,538 shares in the company, valued at approximately $52,592,274.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Vice Chairman Christopher A. Oherlihy sold 60,137 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.26, for a total value 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Illinois Tool Works

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Briar Hall Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Briar Hall Management LLC now owns 26,352,224 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,760,529,000 after buying an additional 520,540 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 25,609,537 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,626,363,000 after buying an additional 215,823 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 106,553.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,185,211 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,582,902,000 after acquiring an additional 7,178,474 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 7,005,137 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,531,936,000 after acquiring an additional 545,904 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,004,410 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,100,917,000 after acquiring an additional 85,640 shares in the last quarter. 79.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

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Illinois Tool Works, Inc engages in the manufacture of industrial products and equipment. It operates through the following segments: Automotive OEM, Test and Measurement and Electronics, Food Equipment, Polymers and Fluids, Welding, Construction Products, and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment produces components and fasteners for automotive-related applications.

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Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th will be paid a dividend of 0.02 per share by the industrial products company on Thursday, June 22nd. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.14%.

Ingersoll Rand has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 66.5% per year over the last three years. Ingersoll Rand has a dividend payout ratio of 2.8% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Ingersoll Rand to earn $2.54 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 3.1%.

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Ingersoll Rand Stock Performance

NYSE:IR traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $57.10. The stock had a trading volume of 2,296,987 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,442,753. 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. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $56.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $54.51. The stock has a market cap of $23.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.59 and a beta of 1.42.

Insider Activity

Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results 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. The business had revenue of $1.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.54 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 9.99% and a net margin of 10.22%. The businesss revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.64 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Ingersoll Rand will post 2.39 EPS for the current year.

In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total transaction of $1,500,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 102,856 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,171,360. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.75% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 12.0% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 15,601 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $786,000 after purchasing an additional 1,675 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 47.6% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,880 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $497,000 after acquiring an additional 3,185 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the first quarter worth $327,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased 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 worth $1,457,000 after purchasing an additional 11,096 shares during the period. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 988 shares during the last quarter. 99.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

IR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Citigroup increased their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $58.80.

Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

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Ingersoll Rand, Inc provides a broad range of mission critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle and medical technologies, providing services and solutions to increase industrial productivity and efficiency. It operates through the following segments: Industrial Technologies and Services, Precision and Science Technologies, High Pressure Solutions, and Specialty Vehicle Technologies.

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First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. raised its stake in iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF (NYSEARCA:IBDS  Get Rating) by 344.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 42,870 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 33,220 shares during the quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. owned approximately 0.09% of iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF worth $1,002,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF by 17.3% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 85,329 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,128,000 after acquiring an additional 12,559 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in shares of iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF during the second quarter worth $286,000. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in shares of iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF by 3.6% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 158,407 shares of the companys stock worth $3,781,000 after buying an additional 5,552 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF during the third quarter worth $1,311,000. Finally, Vigilant Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF by 628.4% during the third quarter. Vigilant Capital Management LLC now owns 4,443 shares of the companys stock worth $102,000 after buying an additional 3,833 shares during the period.

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iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of IBDS traded up $0.11 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $23.79. 79,648 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 302,673. iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF has a 52-week low of $22.51 and a 52-week high of $24.56. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $23.49.

iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF Profile

The iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Corporate ETF (IBDS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a Bloomberg global index of USD-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds maturing between December 31, 2026 and December 16, 2027. IBDS was launched on Sep 12, 2017 and is managed by BlackRock.

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J. W. Coons Advisors LLC increased its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Get Rating) by 11.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,942 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 306 shares during the quarter. J. W. Coons Advisors LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $1,023,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MA. Smith Chas P & Associates PA Cpas increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Smith Chas P & Associates PA Cpas now owns 1,455 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $506,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 7.8% during the 4th quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 388 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $135,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Norway Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Norway Savings Bank now owns 1,396 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $485,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Bangor Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 21.2% during the 4th quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 166 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,678 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $583,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. 74.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

MA has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $375.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 27th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $414.00 to $442.00 in a report on Friday. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $427.00 to $437.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Sunday, January 29th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $405.00 to $400.00 in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $405.00 to $433.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, January 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $418.70.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

Mastercard Trading Down 1.7 %

In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 258,821 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $370.69, for a total transaction of $95,942,356.49. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,598,379 shares in the company, valued at $37,661,503,111.51. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 258,821 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $370.69, for a total transaction of $95,942,356.49. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,598,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at $37,661,503,111.51. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, insider Hai Ling sold 8,220 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.31, for a total transaction of $2,928,868.20. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,496 shares in the company, valued at $9,440,789.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last ninety days, insiders sold 612,137 shares of company stock worth $226,379,020. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

NYSE MA traded down $6.54 on Tuesday, hitting $373.32. The companys stock had a trading volume of 251,130 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,748,545. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $276.87 and a 1-year high of $390.00. The companys 50-day moving average is $360.81 and its 200 day moving average is $353.13. The firm has a market cap of $355.86 billion, a PE ratio of 37.95, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.11.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.09. Mastercard had a net margin of 42.33% and a return on equity of 169.12%. The firm had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.76 EPS. The companys revenue was up 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 7th will be given a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.61%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 5th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.78%.

Mastercard Company Profile

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Mastercard, Inc is a technology company, which engages in the payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, and business. It offers payment solutions for the development and implementation of credit, debit, prepaid, commercial, and payment programs. The company was founded in November 1966 and is headquartered in Purchase, NY.

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John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 19,300 shares, a growth of 14.2% from the March 31st total of 16,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 15,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 6.0% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 48,788 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $819,000 after purchasing an additional 2,751 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 24.5% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 39,541 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $664,000 after acquiring an additional 7,777 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 23.4% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 69,050 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $833,000 after acquiring an additional 13,105 shares during the period. Avion Wealth acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust in the 3rd quarter worth about $60,000. Finally, Hoertkorn Richard Charles increased its stake in John Hancock Investors Trust by 13.2% during the 3rd quarter. Hoertkorn Richard Charles now owns 17,200 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the period. 9.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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John Hancock Investors Trust Stock Performance

JHI stock traded down $0.16 on Tuesday, hitting $12.60. 4,018 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,138. John Hancock Investors Trust has a twelve month low of $11.80 and a twelve month high of $16.14. The businesss fifty day moving average is $12.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.82.

John Hancock Investors Trust Cuts Dividend

John Hancock Investors Trust Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 13th were paid a dividend of $0.192 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 10th. This represents a $0.77 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.10%.

(Get Rating)

John Hancock Investors Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. It invests in the fixed income markets across the globe. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of corporate and government bonds, debt securities.

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Kennametal (NYSE:KMT  Get Rating) issued an update on its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $1.50-$1.70 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $1.43. The company issued revenue guidance of $2.07 billion-$2.10 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $2.07 billion. Kennametal also updated its FY23 guidance to $1.50-1.70 EPS.

Kennametal Stock Performance

NYSE KMT traded up $0.27 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $26.23. The stock had a trading volume of 913,318 shares, compared to its average volume of 901,805. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $26.94 and a 200 day moving average of $26.37. The stock has a market cap of $2.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.60 and a beta of 1.88. Kennametal has a 52-week low of $20.21 and a 52-week high of $30.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 2.12.

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Kennametal (NYSE:KMT  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.05. Kennametal had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 6.25%. The business had revenue of $536.04 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $530.40 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.47 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Kennametal will post 1.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Kennametal Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 14th were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 13th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.05%. Kennametals dividend payout ratio is presently 52.29%.

Several research firms have commented on KMT. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Kennametal from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Loop Capital upped their target price on Kennametal from $22.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. Barclays upped their target price on Kennametal from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Kennametal in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Kennametal currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $26.71.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Natixis raised its stake in Kennametal by 221.8% in the 4th quarter. Natixis now owns 84,536 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,036,000 after purchasing an additional 58,270 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its stake in Kennametal by 30.1% in the 4th quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 12,962 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp acquired a new position in Kennametal in the 4th quarter valued at $212,000. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Kennametal in the 4th quarter valued at $6,066,000. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its holdings in Kennametal by 42.4% in the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 246,565 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,932,000 after buying an additional 73,476 shares in the last quarter.

Kennametal Company Profile

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Kennametal, Inc engages in the development and application of tungsten carbides, ceramics, and solutions used in metal cutting and extreme wear applications. It operates through the following segments: Metal Cutting and Infrastructure. The Metal Cutting segment develops and manufactures tooling and metal cutting products and services and offers an assortment of standard and custom metal cutting solutions to diverse end markets, including aerospace, general engineering, energy and transportation.

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By now, the Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has been updated by approximately 40%, the chief of the National Police of Ukraine will be appointed in the near future, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said.

In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, speaking about personnel appointments in the ministry, the head of the Interior Ministry said: "We appointed almost all the leaders and personnel. We retained the best, reinforced them with specialists from other ministries and departments."

According to the minister, the office of the ministry itself has been updated by about 40%. "We now face one task: to fulfil the tasks that face the government, the ministry, involving professional people in this," he said.

Answering the question about when the chief of the National Police will be appointed [Kyiv Police Chief Ivan Vyhovsky was appointed as acting chief of the National Police], the minister said: "In the near future."
Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX  Get Rating) is scheduled to release its earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, May 3rd. Analysts expect Louisiana-Pacific to post earnings of $0.10 per share for the quarter. Persons interested in registering for the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The building manufacturing company reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $705.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $695.37 million. Louisiana-Pacific had a net margin of 26.99% and a return on equity of 64.50%. Louisiana-Pacifics revenue was down 15.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.24 EPS. On average, analysts expect Louisiana-Pacific to post $3 EPS for the current fiscal year and $4 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Louisiana-Pacific Stock Performance

Louisiana-Pacific stock opened at $59.34 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $57.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.27 billion, a PE ratio of 4.47 and a beta of 1.64. Louisiana-Pacific has a 1-year low of $48.20 and a 1-year high of $78.09. The company has a current ratio of 2.54, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

Louisiana-Pacific Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be issued a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 11th. Louisiana-Pacifics payout ratio is 7.23%.

Several research firms recently commented on LPX. DA Davidson lowered shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $69.00 to $63.00 in a report on Thursday, January 12th. TD Securities reduced their target price on shares of Louisiana-Pacific from $72.00 to $65.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Louisiana-Pacific from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $59.20.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Louisiana-Pacific

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 29.8% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 21,359 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $1,327,000 after acquiring an additional 4,900 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 35.2% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,720 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $107,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 163.0% in the 1st quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 17,357 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $1,078,000 after acquiring an additional 10,757 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. bought a new position in shares of Louisiana-Pacific in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Finally, Prudential PLC increased its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 49.6% in the 1st quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 15,060 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $936,000 after acquiring an additional 4,995 shares in the last quarter. 99.23% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Louisiana-Pacific Company Profile

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Louisiana-Pacific Corp. engages in the provision of building solutions. It operates through the following segments: Siding, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), South America, and Other. The Siding segment offers engineered wood siding under the brands of LP, SmartSide, Trim and Siding LP, SmartSide, ExpertFinish, Trim and Siding, LP BuilderSeries, Lap Siding, and Outdoor Building Solutions.

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Mirion Technologies (NYSE:MIR  Get Rating) will announce its earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, May 3rd. Mirion Technologies has set its FY23 guidance at $0.28-0.34 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance at $0.28-$0.34 EPS.Investors interested in registering for the companys conference call can do so using this link.

Mirion Technologies (NYSE:MIR  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 14th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Mirion Technologies had a negative net margin of 39.44% and a positive return on equity of 2.71%. The company had revenue of $217.90 million during the quarter.

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Mirion Technologies Stock Performance

MIR opened at $8.24 on Tuesday. Mirion Technologies has a 12-month low of $5.40 and a 12-month high of $9.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.97, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a PE ratio of -5.39 and a beta of 0.53. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $8.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.43.

Insider Activity

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mirion Technologies

In other news, major shareholder Charterhouse General Partners sold 9,786,153 shares of Mirion Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.64, for a total transaction of $84,552,361.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 14,960,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $129,260,465.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Insiders own 2.68% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Mirion Technologies by 16.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,490,947 shares of the companys stock valued at $93,307,000 after acquiring an additional 1,753,745 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Mirion Technologies by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,890,996 shares of the companys stock worth $73,886,000 after purchasing an additional 471,849 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in Mirion Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $34,485,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Mirion Technologies by 12.5% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,675,048 shares of the companys stock worth $27,453,000 after purchasing an additional 407,454 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Mirion Technologies by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,384,265 shares of the companys stock worth $15,759,000 after purchasing an additional 95,637 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.41% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Mirion Technologies from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th.

Mirion Technologies Company Profile

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Mirion Technologies, Inc provides radiation detection, measurement, analysis, and monitoring products and services in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Finland, China, Belgium, Netherlands, Estonia, and Japan. It operates through two segments, Medical and Industrial. The medical segment offers radiation oncology quality assurance and dosimetry solutions; patient safety solutions for diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy centers; radiation therapy quality assurance solutions for calibrating and verifying imaging and treatment accuracy; and radionuclide therapy products for nuclear medicine applications, such as shielding, product handling, medical imaging furniture, and rehabilitation products.

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Shares of Orange Belgium (OTCMKTS:MBSRF  Get Rating) dropped 2.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $20.33 and last traded at $20.33. Approximately 100 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 50% from the average daily volume of 200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.78.

Orange Belgium Stock Performance

The companys fifty day moving average is $20.33.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO  Get Rating) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Friday morning.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on RIO. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,750 ($71.84) to GBX 5,790 ($72.34) in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. CLSA raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from an underperform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,310 ($66.34) to GBX 5,380 ($67.22) in a research report on Wednesday, January 18th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,800 ($72.46) to GBX 6,200 ($77.46) in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Rio Tinto Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $5,790.00.

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of Rio Tinto Group stock opened at $63.17 on Friday. Rio Tinto Group has a twelve month low of $50.92 and a twelve month high of $80.51. The company has a market cap of $79.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.18 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The companys 50 day moving average is $67.91 and its 200 day moving average is $68.33.

Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rio Tinto Group

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 10th were issued a dividend of $2.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a yield of 9.8%. Rio Tinto Groups payout ratio is currently 65.26%.

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 23.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 61,529 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $4,947,000 after acquiring an additional 11,879 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its position in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 33.8% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,549 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $527,000 after buying an additional 1,654 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Rio Tinto Group by 19.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,539,846 shares of the mining companys stock worth $123,803,000 after purchasing an additional 250,480 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $499,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 141.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 13,466 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,083,000 after purchasing an additional 7,894 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.43% of the companys stock.

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

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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.

Further Reading

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Lennox International (NYSE:LII  Get Rating) had its price objective upped by Robert W. Baird from $272.00 to $300.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

LII has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Lennox International from $300.00 to $283.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Lennox International from $248.00 to $272.00 in a report on Friday. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Lennox International in a report on Monday, March 27th. They issued a market perform rating for the company. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Lennox International from $279.00 to $272.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Lennox International in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $261.58.

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Lennox International Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:LII opened at $282.43 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $251.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $250.91. Lennox International has a twelve month low of $182.85 and a twelve month high of $285.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.03 billion, a PE ratio of 19.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.10 and a beta of 0.92.

Lennox International Dividend Announcement

Lennox International ( NYSE:LII Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The construction company reported $2.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.41. Lennox International had a net margin of 10.76% and a negative return on equity of 200.13%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.03 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.36 EPS. The firms revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Lennox International will post 14.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were issued a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. Lennox Internationals payout ratio is presently 29.55%.

Insider Transactions at Lennox International

In other news, EVP Daniel M. Sessa sold 2,052 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.80, for a total transaction of $504,381.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,256 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,878,124.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lennox International

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC raised its position in Lennox International by 38.5% in the 4th quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 385 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $92,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. QV Investors Inc. raised its position in Lennox International by 26.7% in the 4th quarter. QV Investors Inc. now owns 50,890 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $12,174,000 after purchasing an additional 10,740 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec acquired a new stake in shares of Lennox International during the 3rd quarter worth about $201,000. FDx Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Lennox International by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. FDx Advisors Inc. now owns 4,980 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,109,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lennox International during the 3rd quarter worth about $104,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.99% of the companys stock.

About Lennox International

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Lennox International, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of products for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. It operates through the following business segments: Residential Heating & Cooling, Commercial Heating & Cooling, and Refrigeration. The Residential Heating & Cooling segment manufactures and markets furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, packaged heating and cooling systems, equipment, and accessories.

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Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:GTE  Get Rating) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,040,000 shares, a decline of 16.8% from the March 31st total of 1,250,000 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,830,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Gran Tierra Energy

In other Gran Tierra Energy news, CFO Ryan Ellson purchased 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 15th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $0.71 per share, with a total value of $35,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 701,487 shares of the companys stock, valued at $498,055.77. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 6.45% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP purchased a new position in Gran Tierra Energy in the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Raymond James & Associates boosted its holdings in shares of Gran Tierra Energy by 144.8% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 25,360 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 15,000 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Gran Tierra Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. UBS Group AG raised its position in Gran Tierra Energy by 264.3% in the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 30,377 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 22,039 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pictet Asset Management SA purchased a new stake in Gran Tierra Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 32.83% of the companys stock.

Gran Tierra Energy Stock Performance

NYSEAMERICAN GTE remained flat at $0.80 during mid-day trading on Monday. 1,599,797 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,730,362. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The stock has a market cap of $275.52 million, a P/E ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.71. Gran Tierra Energy has a 12-month low of $0.70 and a 12-month high of $2.15. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $1.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $1.18.

Gran Tierra Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:GTE  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter. Gran Tierra Energy had a net margin of 19.54% and a return on equity of 36.99%. The business had revenue of $162.64 million during the quarter.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Gran Tierra Energy in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company.

About Gran Tierra Energy

(Get Rating)

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc engages in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in Colombia and Ecuador. It holds interests in the assets located in the Middle Magdalena Valley and Putumayo Basins. The company was founded on June 6, 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Grupo Herdez, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GUZOF  Get Rating) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 67,800 shares, an increase of 13.9% from the March 31st total of 59,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 21.9 days.

Grupo Herdez Stock Performance

GUZOF traded up C$0.03 on Monday, reaching C$2.68. The companys stock had a trading volume of 500 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,314. The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$2.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$2.22. Grupo Herdez has a fifty-two week low of C$1.22 and a fifty-two week high of C$2.68.

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Grupo Herdez Company Profile

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Further Reading

Grupo Herdez, SAB. de C.V., a food company, engages in the manufacture, purchase, distribution, and marketing of canned and packed food products in Mexico and internationally. It provides mushrooms, vegetable juices, mayonnaise, honey, mustard, moles, tomato puree, jams, pastas, homemade sauces, ice creams, tea, soy sauce, tuna, coffee, spices, pasta sauces, hot sauces, ketchup, canned chilies, vegetables, olives, nopalitos, guacamole, sauces, enchilada sauces, taco sauce, chiles, tortillas, mayonnaise, marmalades, and organic products under the Aires de Campo, Barilla, Blason, Bufalo, Cielito Querido Cafe, Del Fuerte, Dona Maria, Embasa, Helados Nestle, Herdez, McCormick, Moyo, Nutrisa, La Victoria, Wholly Guacamole, Yemina, Carlota, ChiChi's, Don Miguel, Nutrisa, Nestle Ice Cream, Cielito Dear Coffee, and Moyo brands.

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The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE:BKE  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,460,000 shares, an increase of 17.3% from the March 31st total of 2,950,000 shares. Currently, 11.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 445,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 7.8 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BKE has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded Buckle from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. UBS Group assumed coverage on Buckle in a report on Monday, April 10th. They issued a neutral rating and a $37.00 price target for the company.

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Institutional Trading of Buckle

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Unison Advisors LLC raised its stake in Buckle by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Unison Advisors LLC now owns 33,201 shares of the companys stock worth $1,506,000 after buying an additional 263 shares during the period. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Buckle by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 28,113 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,275,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Buckle by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 15,113 shares of the companys stock valued at $685,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Buckle by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 8,481 shares of the companys stock valued at $385,000 after purchasing an additional 313 shares during the period. Finally, Citigroup Inc. raised its stake in shares of Buckle by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 29,258 shares of the companys stock valued at $966,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.99% of the companys stock.

Buckle Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE BKE traded down $0.25 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $33.28. 317,827 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 460,115. The stock has a market cap of $1.68 billion, a PE ratio of 6.49 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $35.90 and a 200-day moving average of $40.28. Buckle has a one year low of $26.50 and a one year high of $50.35.

Buckle (NYSE:BKE  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 10th. The company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.14. Buckle had a return on equity of 65.52% and a net margin of 18.93%. The firm had revenue of $401.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $386.36 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.69 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

Buckle Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 14th were given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 13th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.21%. Buckles dividend payout ratio is currently 27.29%.

Buckle Company Profile

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The Buckle, Inc engages in the business of retailing medium to better-priced casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for fashion-conscious young men and women. The firm is also involved in the provision of customer services such as free hemming, free gift-packaging, easy layaways, private label credit card, and guest loyalty program.

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Shares of TF1 SA (OTCMKTS:TVFCF  Get Rating) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $6.09 and last traded at $6.09, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $6.09.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Barclays raised shares of TF1 from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 31st.

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TF1 Stock Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $6.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.09.

TF1 Company Profile

Television Francaise 1 SA engages in the provision of television broadcasting and communication services. It operates through the Media and Newen Studios segments. The Media segment is involved in the groups TV channels, online content distribution and special-interest web communities, content creation and audience-buying via special-interest online content and brand development, developing and showcasing talent via multi-channel networks (MCNs), and subsidiaries that produce and acquire audiovisual rights for the groups TV channels in line with French broadcasting industry regulations.

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Raleigh Capital Management Inc. decreased its position in The Allstate Co. (NYSE:ALL  Get Rating) by 5.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,748 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 107 shares during the quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Allstate were worth $237,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ALL. Boston Partners raised its holdings in Allstate by 384.6% in the third quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,707,454 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $337,094,000 after acquiring an additional 2,148,764 shares in the last quarter. Cowa LLC purchased a new position in Allstate in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Allstate by 549.8% in the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,476,190 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $308,361,000 after purchasing an additional 2,095,124 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in Allstate by 41.9% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,572,349 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $320,333,000 after purchasing an additional 759,114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Allstate by 3.1% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,850,782 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $3,442,082,000 after purchasing an additional 745,096 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.48% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

ALL has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Allstate from $150.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Allstate from $150.00 to $138.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Allstate from $125.00 to $122.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Roth Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Allstate in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Allstate in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $141.15.

Allstate Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ALL opened at $115.86 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.38 and a quick ratio of 0.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $116.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $126.68. The Allstate Co. has a 1-year low of $103.20 and a 1-year high of $142.15. The company has a market cap of $30.49 billion, a PE ratio of -21.78, a P/E/G ratio of 4.01 and a beta of 0.57.

Allstate (NYSE:ALL  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The insurance provider reported ($1.36) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($1.37) by $0.01. Allstate had a negative return on equity of 1.04% and a negative net margin of 2.55%. The company had revenue of $13.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.45 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.75 earnings per share. Allstates quarterly revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Allstate Co. will post 3.63 EPS for the current year.

Allstate Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were issued a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 27th. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.07%. This is an increase from Allstates previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. Allstates dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -66.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Allstate

In other Allstate news, CFO Jesse E. Merten sold 29,451 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.18, for a total value of $3,951,735.18. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 16,668 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,236,512.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.77% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Allstate

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The Allstate Corp. engages in the property and casualty insurance business and the provision of protection solutions. It operates through following business segments: Allstate Protection, Protection Services, Allstate Health and Benefits, Run-off Property-Liability, and Corporate and Other. The Allstate Protection segment offers private passenger auto, homeowners, other personal lines, and commercial insurance marketed under the Allstate, National General, and Answer Financial brand names.

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'Offensive Guard' to come under command of Defense Forces after receiving combat mission  Interior Minister

Eight brigades of the "Offensive Guard" are fully formed and will come under the command of the Defense Forces after receiving a combat mission, Interior Minister of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said.

"The brigades ['Offensive Guards'] are fully formed. These are eight brigades. We have plans to form additional brigades, because there is a demand for it, and we have the capabilities," Klymenko told Interfax-Ukraine.

He said: "We are re-equipping the already formed brigades, they will undergo appropriate training  this is two or three weeks  and in parallel we are starting to form additional units."

According to Klymenko, the task of each of these brigades is to conduct appropriate offensive assault actions together with the Defense Forces during military operations.

"The success of the operation in one direction or another will depend on each brigade, each unit, each serviceman and policeman," the minister said.

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not specify the total number of brigades, based on security issues, but noted that this figure can be calculated theoretically.

Asked if the Offensive Guard brigades are already under the command of the Defense Forces, the minister said: "No, they will come under the command of the Defense Forces after the combat mission is completed."
Toronto Dominion Bank grew its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Get Rating) by 2.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 563,303 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 11,099 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank owned about 0.06% of Mastercard worth $195,772,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Transform Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Mastercard by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Transform Wealth LLC now owns 5,090 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,770,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in Mastercard by 20.5% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 73,278 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $25,481,000 after purchasing an additional 12,481 shares during the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Mastercard by 488.1% during the 4th quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,463 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,248,000 after purchasing an additional 5,364 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 135,993 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $38,668,000 after buying an additional 6,905 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Advisors Inc. OK boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 910 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $316,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.51% of the companys stock.

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Mastercard Stock Down 1.7 %

NYSE:MA traded down $6.48 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $373.38. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,057,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,759,225. The company has a market capitalization of $355.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.11. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $276.87 and a 12 month high of $390.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.20. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $360.81 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $353.13.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.64 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 169.12% and a net margin of 42.33%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.76 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 7th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 5th. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 22.78%.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 172,548 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.35, for a total value of $64,420,795.80. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,253,283 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,802,913,208.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Hai Ling sold 8,220 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.31, for a total transaction of $2,928,868.20. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 26,496 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,440,789.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 172,548 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.35, for a total transaction of $64,420,795.80. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,253,283 shares in the company, valued at $37,802,913,208.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 612,137 shares of company stock valued at $226,379,020 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on MA shares. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on Mastercard from $390.00 to $400.00 in a research report on Friday. Citigroup raised their price target on Mastercard from $435.00 to $440.00 in a report on Friday. Raymond James lifted their target price on Mastercard from $450.00 to $453.00 in a report on Friday. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Mastercard from $405.00 to $433.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Friday, January 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Mastercard from $414.00 to $442.00 in a research report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $418.70.

Mastercard Company Profile

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Mastercard, Inc is a technology company, which engages in the payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, and business. It offers payment solutions for the development and implementation of credit, debit, prepaid, commercial, and payment programs. The company was founded in November 1966 and is headquartered in Purchase, NY.

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UBS ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN (NYSEARCA:BDCS  Get Rating) shares traded down 0% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $15.22 and last traded at $15.23. 14,911 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 34% from the average session volume of 22,759 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.23.

UBS ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Price Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $15.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.23.

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Unifi (NYSE:UFI  Get Rating) will be posting its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, May 3rd. Analysts expect Unifi to post earnings of ($0.89) per share for the quarter. Individual that wish to listen to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Unifi (NYSE:UFI  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The textile maker reported ($1.21) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($1.85) by $0.64. The business had revenue of $136.21 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $135.99 million. Unifi had a negative net margin of 2.77% and a negative return on equity of 7.03%. On average, analysts expect Unifi to post $-2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Unifi Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UFI opened at $8.43 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $152.16 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.39 and a beta of 0.89. Unifi has a 12 month low of $6.33 and a 12 month high of $16.32. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $8.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 4.73 and a quick ratio of 2.23.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Insider Activity at Unifi

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on UFI shares. CJS Securities raised shares of Unifi from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Unifi in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating on the stock.

In related news, CFO Craig A. Creaturo purchased 7,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 10th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $9.06 per share, with a total value of $67,950.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 74,628 shares of the companys stock, valued at $676,129.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Unifi news, Director Archibald Cox, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of Unifi stock in a transaction on Friday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.16, for a total transaction of $408,000.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 129,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,055,708.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Craig A. Creaturo bought 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $9.06 per share, for a total transaction of $67,950.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 74,628 shares in the company, valued at $676,129.68. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have purchased 10,000 shares of company stock valued at $90,870. 12.85% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unifi

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky purchased a new position in shares of Unifi during the 3rd quarter worth $42,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in Unifi in the 3rd quarter valued at about $128,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in Unifi by 58.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 15,447 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $133,000 after buying an additional 5,675 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Unifi by 57.0% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 7,481 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $135,000 after buying an additional 2,716 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its holdings in Unifi by 15.0% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 16,463 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $157,000 after buying an additional 2,153 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.72% of the companys stock.

Unifi Company Profile

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Unifi, Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of synthetic and recycled products made from polyester and nylon. It operates through the following segments: Polyester, Nylon, Brazil, and Asia. The Polyester segment sells polyester-based products to other yarn manufacturers, knitters, and weavers that produce yarn and fabric for the apparel, hosiery, home furnishings, automotive, industrial, and other end-use markets in U.S.

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Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Rating) had its price objective reduced by Wells Fargo & Company from $135.00 to $126.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on VLO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $111.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, January 19th. Tudor Pickering cut Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Raymond James lifted their price objective 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. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised Valero Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $135.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $155.64.

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Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $115.41 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.28, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.66. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $130.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $130.38. Valero Energy has a 52-week low of $96.93 and a 52-week high of $150.39.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valero Energy

Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The oil and gas company reported $8.27 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.24 by $1.03. The business had revenue of $36.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $37.88 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 57.11% and a net margin of 7.86%. Valero Energys revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.31 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 24.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 2,470.0% during the 3rd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 257 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 247 shares in the last quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Prostatis Group LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. 79.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Valero Energy

(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.

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Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO  Get Rating) announced its earnings results on Monday. The real estate investment trust reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.62 by ($0.61), RTT News reports. Vornado Realty Trust had a positive return on equity of 3.01% and a negative net margin of 19.25%. The company had revenue of $445.92 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $452.70 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.79 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up .9% on a year-over-year basis.

Vornado Realty Trust Stock Down 2.2 %

Shares of Vornado Realty Trust stock opened at $14.68 on Tuesday. Vornado Realty Trust has a 12-month low of $12.53 and a 12-month high of $39.15. The company has a market cap of $2.82 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.89, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.36. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.62. The company has a current ratio of 5.03, a quick ratio of 5.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on VNO. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Vornado Realty Trust from $18.00 to $13.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 31st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Vornado Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Mizuho raised shares of Vornado Realty Trust from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $25.00 to $23.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Vornado Realty Trust from $27.00 to $22.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler downgraded shares of Vornado Realty Trust from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $16.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vornado Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $18.00.

Institutional Trading of Vornado Realty Trust

Vornado Realty Trust announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, April 26th that allows the company to repurchase $200.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the real estate investment trust to repurchase up to 7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of VNO. Raymond James & Associates lifted its stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 39.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 8,627 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $391,000 after purchasing an additional 2,432 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in Vornado Realty Trust by 11.1% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 10,522 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $477,000 after buying an additional 1,052 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust during the 1st quarter valued at $208,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 24.5% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 23,245 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,053,000 after buying an additional 4,575 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 24.1% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 43,587 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,975,000 after acquiring an additional 8,459 shares in the last quarter. 75.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Vornado Realty Trust

(Get Rating)

Vornado Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the ownership of office, retail, merchandise mart properties, and other real estate and related investments. It operates through the New York and Other segments. The company was founded by Steven Roth on March 29, 1993 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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Cloudflare (NYSE:NET  Get Rating) had its price target cut by Wells Fargo & Company from $75.00 to $55.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, The Fly reports.

NET has been the subject of several other reports. Loop Capital assumed coverage on Cloudflare in a research report on Monday, February 6th. They set a hold rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. Mizuho decreased their price objective on Cloudflare from $60.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Friday. KeyCorp reduced their price target on Cloudflare from $80.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Friday. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Cloudflare from $46.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Cloudflare in a research note on Tuesday, February 14th. They issued a sell rating and a $51.00 price target on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and eleven have issued 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 $61.04.

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Cloudflare Stock Performance

Cloudflare stock opened at $44.72 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $58.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.91. The company has a quick ratio of 4.74, a current ratio of 4.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30. Cloudflare has a 12-month low of $37.37 and a 12-month high of $93.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -75.80 and a beta of 1.02.

Insider Transactions at Cloudflare

Cloudflare ( NYSE:NET Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The company reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09). The business had revenue of $274.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $274.29 million. Cloudflare had a negative return on equity of 25.65% and a negative net margin of 18.05%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Cloudflare will post -0.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Cloudflare news, CFO Thomas J. Seifert sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.49, for a total value of $967,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 61,355 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,956,783.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Cloudflare news, CFO Thomas J. Seifert sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.49, for a total value of $967,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 61,355 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,956,783.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Douglas James Kramer sold 3,000 shares of Cloudflare stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.61, for a total value of $181,830.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 54,960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,331,125.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 396,007 shares of company stock valued at $24,475,748. 15.99% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cloudflare

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kovack Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Cloudflare by 3.6% during the first quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 5,485 shares of the companys stock worth $338,000 after buying an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Utah Retirement Systems grew its stake in Cloudflare by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 47,762 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,642,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Cloudflare by 45.4% in the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 682 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corp grew its stake in Cloudflare by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 18,006 shares of the companys stock valued at $814,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. Finally, Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC grew its stake in Cloudflare by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC now owns 7,735 shares of the companys stock valued at $477,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.97% of the companys stock.

About Cloudflare

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CloudFlare, Inc operates as a cloud services provider that delivers a range of services to businesses worldwide. The company offers an integrated cloud-based security solution to secure a range of combination of platforms, including public cloud, private cloud, on-premise, software-as-a-service applications, and IoT devices.

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The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) has initiated an investigation into the collapse of a Metro reinforcement structure that resulted in the deaths of a woman and her toddler son in HBR Layout on Outer Ring Road in Bengaluru, nearly four months ago. In a notification published in newspapers on May 2, Anant Madhukar Chowdhary, CMRS (Southern Circle, Bengaluru), stated that a statutory hearing will be held at 10 am on May 3 and 4 at the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) head office in Shanti Nagar. The CMRS, under the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, has requested people with information or evidence related to the incident to either appear in person on the designated days or write to the CMRS office in Bengaluru. While a CMRS probe and public hearing following a Metro accident is standard procedure, it is unclear why the investigation was delayed for so long. Chowdhary took over as Commissioner of Railway Safety (Southern Circle, Bengaluru) only in March 2023, following the retirement of AK Rai. BMRCL officials were unavailable to comment. On January 10, 2023, a woman and her toddler son were killed when a reinforcement structure made of iron rods for the under-construction 18-metre Metro pillar at HBR Layout collapsed. The woman's husband and daughter were hospitalised with injuries. In January, Karnataka High Court took cognizance of the accident and called for a response from Metro authorities on whether safety measures were followed. While BMRCL assigned IISc Bengaluru to conduct the investigation, the city police appointed IIT Hyderabad to determine the cause of the incident. The IISc and IIT teams both concluded that the main cause of the collapse was an insufficient support structure for the tall reinforcement cage. BMRCL suspended three engineers and booked nine people after the accident. It also put a stop to work on piers taller than 12 meters. As a result, the Namma Metro project between Hebbal and KR Puram on the Outer Ring Road has been progressing slowly. This section is part of the KR Puram-Hebbal-Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Metro corridor, which has a deadline of 2025-2026.
Ahead of the May 10 Karnataka assembly elections, political parties have held out a raft of promises to homebuyers, offering a solution to the many problems they confront. One common promise made by both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress is to amend the Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act, 1972, to protect the rights of homebuyers including one to form Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to oversee the upkeep of common areas. The BJP has pledged to improve the "ease of living" for homebuyers by forming a Karnataka Residents Welfare Consultative Committee. The committee will examine and suggest amendments to the Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act (KAOA). The Congress party has also promised to amend KAOA to provide easy and efficient conveyance (transfer) of land titles to homebuyers. According to lawyer Abhilash Naik, a reply by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in Karnataka had clarified that it wasnt empowered to address the grievances of homebuyers whose apartments were registered under KAOA. Apartment owners woes Forty years after the enactment of KAOA, the state government has still not notified rules for a competent authority to tackle such grievances. Until now, an aggrieved homebuyer has had no option but to approach the civil courts for relief. Its the first time that political parties have taken note of homebuyers' issues said Anil Kalgi, president of the Bangalore City Flat Owners' Welfare Association. Even so, Kalgi said amending KAOA would not solve the problems of apartment owners unless they are allowed to form apartment owners' organizations as a corporate body. "Conveyance (transfer of titles) needs association of allottees as body corporates. I am hopeful that the new state government solve the problems of apartment owners by exercising the 97th amendment to the Constitution that inserted Article 43B. The state government needs to exercise this under state policies," he added. Article 43B speaks about setting up corporate bodies. BJP promises Additionally, BJP has promised that all resident welfare associations and compliance applications will be made available online. An effective status monitoring system will be put in place to ensure timely processing of the applications, the BJP manifesto said. The BJP also said if reelected, its government will establish a Karnataka Home Owners Grievance Redressal Cell to ensure seamless resolution of various difficulties confronted by RWAs. Among its other commitments, the BJP has promised to build 1 million houses within five years, it also said it will establish metro rail networks for affordable last-mile connectivity in Mysuru, Hubli-Dharwad and Belagavi. These cities do not have metro connectivity although the state government said last year that new plans were being prepared for such projects in Tier II cities like Mysuru. TDRs The Congress party said it is committed to simplifying Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to help landowners who lost their plots to development projects. Additionally, it promised to bring amendments to building bylaws to make them owner-friendly. TDR is a zoning technique used to protect plots of land that have a conservation value permanently. These spaces include farmlands, natural and cultural resources as well as open community spaces. Several decisions to take up projects by municipal corporations have been put on hold in Karnataka due to the absence of clarity. In September 2022, the state government notified the grant of Development Rights Certificates (DRCs) to landowners. Today, homebuyers say more clarity is needed in procedures for issuing DRCs and also the procedure to follow while acquiring private properties, especially for building roads and metro routes across cities. Additionally, by amending how a land title is transferred, homebuyers say, they will own their share in undivided land that will also be reflected in the land records of the revenue department. Once a residential project is completed, the developer has to execute a registered conveyance deed in favour of the allottee along with an undivided proportionate title in the common areas to the association of allottees or the competent authority to comply with Section 17 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA). Welfare associations top wishlist All said and done, homebuyers primary wish is for resident welfare associations to be recognized as the competent authority to represent their interests and oversee the upkeep of common areas. Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, an office bearer in the Karnataka Home Buyers Forum, said a Public interest litigation (PIL) was still pending in Karnataka High Court on KAOA 1972. "As homebuyers, we what clear directions from the government on who is the competent authority to register apartment owners association and common area transfer to association of allottees as per Section 17, of RERA Act," Padmanabjhachar added. Padmanabhachar noted that political parties have mentioned the implementation of KAOA without mentioning the related Karnataka Ownership Flats Act (KOFA) 1972. "KOFA clearly defines the process and guidelines for the formation of apartment owners association in Section 10 and sets the directions for transfer of title to owners associations in Section 11. Recently, in February 2023, the legal department of the state government responded to an RTI, saying the apartment association is to be registered as a co-operative society or as a company by following Section 10 of KOFA 1972," he said.
Ambuja Cements on Tuesday reported a decline of 10.87 per cent in its consolidated net profit at Rs 763.30 crore for the quarter ended on March 31, 2023. The company, now part of the Adani Group, had clocked a net profit of Rs 856.46 crore in the January-March quarter a year-ago, Ambuja Cements said in a BSE filing. Its consolidated revenue from operations was almost flat at Rs 7,965.98 crore during the quarter under review. It was Rs 7,900.04 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal. The consolidated results of Ambuja Cements include the financial performance of its step-down firm ACC Ltd, in which it owns around 51 per cent stake. Ambuja Cements' total expenses were at Rs 7,118.71 crore, up 4.47 per cent from Rs 6,813.51 crore a year ago. Its total consolidated revenue in the March quarter was up 3.25 per cent to Rs 8,250.45 crore. On a standalone basis, Ambuja Cements reported an increase of 1.61 per cent in its net profit to Rs 502.40 crore in the January-March quarter as against Rs 494.41 crore in the year-ago quarter. Its standalone revenue from operations increased 8.39 per cent to Rs 4,256.31 crore, as against Rs 3,926.73 crore earlier. "Sustained volume growth supported by an increase in blended cement (clinker factor reduced from 62.5 per cent to 60.6 per cent), better route planning and higher operational synergies with its subsidiary, ACC," it said, adding, "market leadership strongly maintained across key markets." Sales volume of Ambuja Cements on a standalone basis was up 2.66 per cent to 7.7 million tonnes (MT) from 7.2 MT. "The growth in revenue is despite the adverse impact on volumes from halting of the operations at the Himachal Pradesh plants for 50 days," said Ambuja Cements in its earnings statement. In the March quarter, cost was reduced by Rs 228 PMT and expected to further reduce on cost optimisation and leveraging synergies from adjacency businesses of the group, it added. "Business excellence initiatives are expected to further bring down the operating cost, reduce clinker factor, reduce logistics cost, improve sales of blended cement and expand EBITDA margin," it said. However, on a consolidated basis, its sales volume declined 2 per cent to 14.1 MT in the January-March quarter. It was 14.4 MT in the corresponding quarter. Ambuja Cement's consolidated revenue from operation for the financial year ended on March 31, 2023 (which is for 15 months this year) is at Rs 30,937.03 crore. Its Net profit for the said period was at Rs 3,02438 crore. According to Ambuja Cement, it has changed its financial year-end from December to March. "Therefore, the figure for the current year is for fifteen months and not comparable with the figures for the previous twelve months year ended December 31, 2021," it said. Ambuja Cements CEO Ajay Kapur said the company has reported another strong performance, which has been driven by strategic initiatives on business excellence, operational efficiencies and synergies. "Our focus on operational excellence and cost optimisation measures have yielded improved profitability. We have been able to maintain our growth trajectory and further strengthen our position in the market. With the rise in construction activities across our markets, we see the continuation of the elevated demand and strong volumes in the coming quarters as well," it said. He further said, "We, at Ambuja, remain committed to delivering sustainable growth and value to our stakeholders, and we are confident that our ongoing investments in capacity expansion and sustainability will enable us to achieve our long-term objectives." Over the outlook, the Adani Group firm said it is encouraged by the government's increased spending on infrastructure development, particularly roads, railways, affordable housing and other schemes as announced in the recent Union Budget. "We are optimistic and maintain a positive outlook that the government's timely and proactive measures will open more opportunities for the cement sector, that will stimulate cement demand and enhance economic growth," it said. Meanwhile, in a separate filing, Abuja Cement said its board in a meeting held on Tuesday recommended a dividend of 125 per cent, which is Rs 2.50 per equity share of Rs 2 each for the financial year ended March 31, 2023. Shares of Ambuja Cements on Tuesday settled at Rs 394.40 on BSE, down 0.48 per cent from the previous close.
A joint statement by 17 digital and human rights organizations on May 2 urged the Indian government to withdraw the recent amendment to the Information Technology Rules. The amendment mandates that a government-appointed organization will have the power to identify any "false or misleading content relating to the government." The statement, issued by groups such as Access Now, Internet Freedom Foundation, and Reporters Without Borders, coincided with World Press Freedom Day and called for a review and withdrawal of the overbroad provisions that confer excessive powers on the government, leading to unchecked censorship. The recent amendment to the IT Rules has faced heavy criticism, with many claiming that its provisions violate freedom of speech and expression. The amendments are currently facing a legal challenge in the Bombay High Court, where comedian Kunal Kamra has filed a petition requesting the withdrawal of the rules. The joint statement highlighted the increasing repression and impunity faced by journalists in India, including harassment, intimidation, smear campaigns, censorship, attacks, and imprisonment under draconian laws. It expressed concern that the IT Rules, with the recent amendment, will have a chilling effect on civil society and severely stifle journalistic freedoms. The statement argued that the rules could be used to suppress legitimate criticism of the Indian government and its policies. In response, Minister of State in Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) Rajeev Chandrasekhar urged stakeholders to allow the proposed government-appointed fact-check unit to demonstrate its performance and earn the respect of social media platforms. However, last week's hearing at the Bombay High Court revealed that the Union government will not notify the fact-checking unit until July 5. The petition filed by Kamra challenging the constitutional validity of the rules is scheduled for a hearing on June 8. The joint statement was signed by Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Center for Democracy & Technology, Centre for Law and Democracy, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Digital Rights Kashmir, Front Line Defenders, Global Witness, Human Rights Watch, Index on Censorship, India Civil Watch International, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), and International Press Institute (IPI).
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny had a phone call with Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, as part of an ongoing dialogue with partners.

"I informed in detail about the situation in all sectors of the front. The situation is difficult, but manageable. The fiercest fighting continues in Bakhmut, Avdiyivka and Maryinka, where the enemy continues to focus his efforts on offensive operations," the AFU said on the Facebook page of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Zaluzhny also spoke about missile strikes by Russian strategic aircraft and daily bombing of civilian targets with guided bombs in the frontline area. He noted the need to strengthen the capabilities of the air defense system.

In addition, the parties discussed the staffing of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the importance of timely supply of Ukraine with weapons, military equipment and ammunition in sufficient quantities.
Loss-making budget carrier GoFirst was burning cash of around Rs 200 crore every month since November and could no longer afford it and had to resort to filing for insolvency before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Kaushik Khona, chief executive officer, exclusively told Moneycontrol over a phone call soon after the announcement. Filing for insolvency is not to liquidate the company rather to preserve the company's remaining assets so that we can restart operations soon Khona said. GoFirst has been hit by the double whammy of grounded airlines due to faulty engines and mounting dues with vendors and lessors. Also Read: Go First insolvency: What does it mean for Indian aviation? On May 2, the cash strapped Wadia Group-owned airline first announced that it would temporarily suspend flight operations on May 3 and 4 due to a severe fund crunch. A bit later in the day, the company said it has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the NCLT, Delhi due to a "severe fund crunch". "GoFirst has been left with no option but to shut down operations at the moment as it has become unsustainable for us to keep paying our vendors and burning cash. The only thing left now is to hope justice prevails and the court system makes the right decision, Khona said. The airline hopes to resume operations as soon as NCLT admits the application. Khona, who is seen as a Wadia loyalist, was branded by fire when he became CEO in August 2020 when the airline industry was severely hit by the pandemic. He replaced industry veteran Vinay Dubey after his short stint at GoFirst, who went on to join the newly launched Akasa Air. Hoping to Takeoff Khona said that GoFirst needs at least 20 aircraft to return to service and break even on daily operations. We have requested NCLT to expedite taking up the insolvency of GoFirst. We are hopeful that the NCLT will help resolve cash inflow issues faced by GoFirst due to noncompliance by P&W, Khona said. GoFirst would be able to return to full-scale operations by September 2023 if Pratt & Whitney provides the airline with the engines, as stipulated in the SIAC order, Khona noted. "We just require engines, the sooner we have engines the faster we will return to operations," he said. Also Read: DGCA issues show-cause notice, matter is taken up with stakeholders: Jyotiraditya Scindia GoFirst was forced to ground half of its fleet citing faulty engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney. While the airline sought compensation from Pratt & Whitney for faulty engines, with fewer operating aircraft its market share shrunk, leading to loss of revenue and delayed payments to vendors. Blame Game GoFirst said 25 of its aircraft - which comprises 50 percent of the operating fleet - are grounded awaiting engines. The airline has squarely blamed Pratt & Whitney for the company's weak financial position, as the American aerospace manufacturer has refused to comply with the arbitral award issued by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) in favour of the airline. The SIAC, in an order issued on March 30, had asked P&W to provide GoFirst with 10 serviceable engines by April 27, 2023, and 10 engines each month till December this year. However, P&W has refused to comply with the order. The number of grounded aircraft due to the engine issue increased from 7 percent of its fleet in December 2019 to 31 percent in December 2020 and 50 percent in December 2022. This has resulted in a revenue loss of around Rs 10,800 crore. "P&W has refused to acknowledge any fault of their own till now...It has become impossible for GoFirst to keep operating with a limited fleet while paying in full lessor fees and other operational costs," Khona said. The airline had, on April 28, also moved a petition before the Delaware court seeking enforcement of the Singapore arbitration panel's award. "We hope the Delaware Federal Court upholds the decision awarded by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre," Khona said. Stand by Me The troubled airline is hopeful that vendors and employees would stand by the company till operations resume. I hope my employees continue to remain with us, Khona said. The sector regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to the airline after it cancelled fresh bookings from 3-4 May. Passengers took to social media to express their angst. Meanwhile, Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in an official statement said, "GoFirst has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines. The GOI has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved." He added that it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airlines financial position and that it is prudent for the judicial process to run its due course following the NCLT application.
Another one bites the dust. In a tweet on Monday evening, news agency PTI reported that the Wadia Group-backed Go First has filed voluntary insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal, quoting the airlines CEO, Kaushik Khona. The development comes just when the country was celebrating its highest-ever single-day domestic passenger traffic and a never-before-seen April. Earlier, media reports had suggested that Go First had stopped the sale of all flights for May 3 and May 4. This came amid the airline facing significant challenges in fleet availability as it battles the non-availability of spare engines from Pratt & Whitney. Things are becoming clearer with the airline releasing a formal statement on its request for voluntary admission into the NCLTs insolvency process, which squarely blamed Pratt & Whitney for its woes. All of Go Firsts A320neo aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney engines unlike IndiGo, which had placed an order with CFM after its initial order with Pratt & Whitney. Who will be impacted? The airline carried 8.95 lakh passengers in March (airlines data for April is awaited). Between 55,000-60,000, passengers will be impacted by this decision over the two days. Go First has been operating around 200 daily departures in domestic skies and has approval for around 220 daily flights this summer. The airline had the worst On-Time Performance (OTP) in March, at 49.2 percent at four metro airports, shows data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The closure of flights for two days comes a day after the Mumbai airport was closed for six hours owing to pre-monsoon maintenance, which has already cut capacity from Mumbai and will see a spillover of traffic tomorrow (May 3). If the grounding goes beyond two days, Indian aviation will see a major impact. What should passengers do? If you are booked on Go First flights for May 3 or 4, ensure that your contact details are updated with the airline so that it can reach out. There is also a possibility that this might be delayed, assuming the airline tries to get in touch with you. Having an alternative plan could be expensive since air traffic has picked up and last-minute airfares are sky high. The DGCAs charter for a cancelled flight requires the airline to make a full refund. That may not be enough to book a last-minute flight with any airline. The cheapest flight from Mumbai to Delhi, the busiest route in the country, for May 3 is selling at over Rs 10,000 while the cheapest flight between Delhi to Mumbai was selling at a little over Rs 5,000. In other sectors where Go First has a presence, such as Mumbai to Lucknow, the cheapest fare is in excess of Rs 18,000 for May 3. Tail Note Go FIRSTs financial and operational woes will see it struggle for a while. Passengers will think twice before booking trips with the airline and it may have to lower fares. That would mean it does not make as much revenue as the competition in the best of periods for Indian aviation. The airline has not been able to deploy as much capacity as it may have desired, leading to a case where its liabilities are far higher than its revenue. But nothing does as much damage as not operating. History shows that very few airlines have been able to recover from such a situation. When Kingfisher Airlines was shrinking, promoter Vijay Mallya famously called it a holding pattern. SpiceJet, in 2014, was grounded for a day, before changing ownership. The NCLT filings have made it clear Go FIRST is facing severe turbulence. It is peak travel season and the regulator and civil aviation ministry may very well step in to control the situation. Until that happens, passengers should wait and watch.
Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday said its total sales increased by 36 per cent to 62,294 units in April. The company's total dispatches to dealers stood at 45,640 units in April 2022. The company's passenger vehicle wholesales in the domestic market rose by 54 per cent to 34,698 units last month against 22,526 in April last year, the Mumbai-based auto major said in a statement. Commercial vehicle sales increased to 25,783 units last month, compared to 20,411 units in the year-ago period. The company said its exports last month declined 33 per cent to 1,813 units, as compared to 2,703 units in the year-ago period. M&M Automotive Division President Veejay Nakra said after a record-breaking year in FY23, the company continued its growth in SUVs by selling 34,694 units, registering a growth of 57 per cent in April. "We continue to keep a close watch on the dynamic supply chain situation, which is an industry phenomenon," he added.

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Shares of Datamatics Global Services soared 17 percent on May 2 and hit their 52-week high of Rs 404, reacting to healthy earnings show for the quarter ended March. Revenue of the global digital operations, technology and experiences company came in at Rs 416.3 crore, up 33 percent YoY and 12 percent QoQ, during the March quarter. Geography wise, the US contributed 54 percent to the companys FY23 revenue, followed by India with 27 percent share and UK & Europe with 12 percent. Rest of the world constituted 7 percent to the overall revenue, as per the investor presentation. Profit after tax rose 31 percent YoY and 30 percent QoQ to Rs 59.7 crore during the quarter. YoY, the operating margin improved 378 bps and sequentially, it saw an improvement of 439 bps to 20.2 percent during the quarter under review. The companys profitability has been improving since FY20. Catch up on all LIVE stock market updates here At 1:01 pm, shares of the company were trading 16.2 percent higher at Rs 401.05 on the BSE. In the past one week itself, the scrip has rallied over 35 percent while in the past three years, it has shot up more than 700 percent. The companys Vice Chairman and CEO, Rahul Kanodia, said, Our deal pipeline continues to remain robust, however we are alert to any strong headwinds arising out of global economic conditions. The portfolio of Datamatics Global Services spans across digital technology solutions, business process management and engineering services powered by artificial intelligence. It has established products in Robotic Process Automation, Intelligent Document Processing, Business Intelligence and Automated Fare Collection. Datamatics does business with global customers across Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, International Organizations, and Media & Publishing.

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Laurus Labs closed more than 1 percent higher on May 2, extending gains for yet another session, after getting the US health regulator's nod for an HIV drug. The stock has gained more than 6 percent in the previous two sessions. The pharmaceutical and biotech company told exchanges it received tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the world's first oral dispersible film (ODF) Dolutegravir for pediatric ARV (anti-retrovirals) treatment. This would help in bringing a significant benefit in compliance with ARV medication in paediatric HIV treatment. Laurus Labs was also the first generic approved company for a fixed dose combination of Abacavir/Dolutegravir/Lamivudine, which used in the second line of treatment for adult HIV patients. "This option will help in strict compliance and adherence in the HIV treatment and benefits caretakers," founder and CEO Satyanarayana Chava said. The stock closed 1.3 percent higher at Rs 311.60 on the National Stock Exchange, with volumes of 45.5 lakh shares, on top of an over 5 percent rally in the previous session.

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The National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday cautioned investors against two persons running illegal dabba trading with guaranteed returns to investors. Dabba trading is an illegal form of trading in shares, where operators of such trading rings allow people to trade in equities outside the stock exchange platform. The cautionary statements came after NSE found that Suresh Jani and Vishnu Darak were providing dabba or illegal trading platforms with assured returns. In addition, the bourse noted that Darak was offering to handle the trading accounts of investors by asking investors to share their user ID and password. The bourse said that these persons are not registered either as a member or authorised persons of any registered member of the NSE. Also, the bourse said that a police complaint has already been filed in this regard. Cautioning investors, NSE asked them not to subscribe to any such scheme or product offered by any person providing illegal dabba trading activity in the stock market as the same is prohibited by law. "Investors are cautioned and advised not to trade on such illegal trading platforms. Participation in such illegal platforms is at the investor's own risk, cost, and consequences as such illegal trading platforms are neither approved nor endorsed by the exchange," the bourse said in two separate statements. For any kind of disputes relating to such prohibited schemes, mechanisms such as benefits of investor protection under the exchange's jurisdiction, exchange dispute resolution mechanism, and investor grievance redressal mechanism administered by the exchange, would not be available to investors, it added.

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With over three decades in the world of investing, Shankar Sharma does not shy away from calling a spade a spade. His Twitter timeline is a Dear Diary of sorts. From the big wins to the big losses, his journey is out there for thousands to see. A part of this journey has been Brightcom Group (BCG)  a Rs 4 stock in May 2021 to Rs 113 in December the same year, and now down at Rs 9 amidst a Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) scrutiny. In November 2021, Sharma called BCG a 4 AM stock. The world is sleeping. But a faint bit of light is creeping up at the edges. That's the home run period, he wrote. He believes the 4 AM investing principles can get an investor from a slum to a penthouse. Investing in the Levers, Nestles and Asian Paints of the world cannot help you get a penthouse. Money can be made only in the unloved sectors of the markets, he says. We caught up with him to understand more about his 4 AM investing model, what led him to invest in Brightcom, what has gone wrong with the investment, his views on the Sebi allegations, and much more. Edited excerpts: Youve talked about your 4 AM Investing Model. What exactly is this strategy? My 4 AM Model is a high-risk, potential high-return model. I call it the equivalent of VC-type investing in the listed space, where one can make VC- type returns but a few may go completely south. 4 AM investing Model has a few components. a) The stock must be trading near its long-term lows. b) Its weight in its sector must be at the lows. A good example is Apple in 2002-03. It had the lowest weight in the US hardware space. Similarly, Amazon had the lowest weight in US retail in 2001. Tata Motors had the lowest weight in the auto space in India; Twitter, in 2015, in the social media space; and IndusInd Bank, in 2009, among private banks. c) There should be some spark of hope visible, meaning that the latest quarterly numbers should demonstrate some traction. Lets say on the top line. There should be some good feedback from initial product launches and so on. d) Street sentiment must be uniformly negative. Amazon had almost consensus sell recommendations. Apple had no hope because Steve Jobs had been around for six years and he had not been able to bring about any magic at all and the company kept going further down into a hole since 1996-97 when Jobs came back. Ditto for IndusInd Bank. Whenever I spoke to somebody about this, the reaction would be "Hinduja company, low governance." This was the cheapest private bank at a one-time book value, back in 2009-10. Most of Wall Street in 2015-16 had a sell on Twitter, around $9. I bought it then and finally sold it at 40+, a couple of years later. e) Position sizing is very important, and this is where most investors, especially smaller investors, go wrong. They put a very large allocation into such high-risk names. Remember that 4 AM does not necessarily mean that the stock will see the light of the day. Many stocks in this framework will fail. They can keep going back to midnight. Therefore, one must put no more than 2 percent of one's capital in each 4 AM position and not more than 20 percent of total capital into this category of investments. Position sizing is at the heart of this framework. This category of stocks are the equivalent of buying a high-risk venture capital startup in the listed space. One can potentially make venture capital-type of returns in the listed space, if one gets just a handful of 4 AM stocks right. Therefore, one does not need to risk a lot on such stocks because the potential returns are so huge that you do not need to start with big capital. Our initial investment in Amazon was only around $1 million. Apple was even less. And they all made massive money over the next 5-10 years for us. It was the same with IndusInd, which was a 20-40x stock for us. The other point is exit strategy. At the very first 100 percent gain, I will normally take at least 25 percent off the table. And at every substantial gain thereafter, one keeps taking a small bit off the table, so that at the end of the entire life cycle of such an investment, you have not more than 10 percent or 15 percent of your original quantity in the stock running for you. There is always risk in investing. As a professional investor, I only need to decide on what is acceptable risk and what is unacceptable risk and how much I should invest on the acceptable risk. So, the strategy is about lapping it up when others are shunning the stock, but taking a calculated bet that things will turn around Yes, this is about companies where there are problems of one kind or another. I do this from time to time, for a part of my investable capital. That part ( a small part, I must add) of my portfolio is always going to be high risk and I am prepared to lose money on those because I am a professional investor. To give you a recent example, I bought Turkey last year. It was a hated trade. Every single fund manager was negative on it. But for me, it's worth a bet. It may work out or not, but if the risk-reward ratio is good, I will put personal capital into a trade. Recently, I have been buying REITs in the US, a troubled sector. But yields are 10-14 percent! So they are 4 AM in fixed income instruments. But I never tell anybody else to do the same. Most people can't handle the risk. What was your bet/investment case when you bought Brightcom? Before I tell you that, one word of caution: As minority investors  by the way, I own just around 1 percent in BCG. Even us, professional investors, do not have any other information about any company that we invest in beyond what is publicly available. We may be able to take a calculated bet on that publicly available information and sometimes better than the average investor. That's pretty much what it is. I had invested in a similar company in the US, called The Trade Desk. It did very well for me in the period I stayed invested. BCG looked cheap when I decided to buy it. It is paying 27 percent taxes on its global profit. It has EY auditing its major subsidiary, Israeli company OMS, which, by the way, recently paid out Rs 60 crore as dividend to its Indian shareholders. I had no knowledge of the forensic audit at the time I invested. That came out several months later. You said your exit strategy is to take out money at every stage when there is a gain. How do you deal with a position that has gone wrong? If you have seen substantial erosion, do you simply cut at any price and run or would you prefer averaging strategies and do a gradual exit? If the hypothesis is not working out, I will exit my position even at a 50-70 percent loss, because I am absolutely ruthless when it comes to exits and I have no emotions whatsoever in taking losses. To become a great heavyweight fighter, you don't need just a good jab and good footwork. What you need even more is a strong chin. Tell us about your biggest losing bets and your best lessons from your losers A2Z, in recent times, was a big loser because the whole environment for debt restructuring changed after I made the investment. Again, it is very important to understand that when you make an investment in such problematic companies like 4 AM stocks, it is not going to be a miraculous turnaround within one quarter in most situations. Things can take some time to come through and sometimes they may not even come through. That is not a mistake in investing. That is embedded in the whole premise of investing in this framework. Unforeseen problems can crop up and I don't count unforeseen problems as mistakes because nobody can foresee two years in advance. How do you view Brightcom now? The regulator has raised several concerns, and the stock has crashed. How do you deal with such a situation? My shares, till last week, have been under lock-in. I continue to hold as we speak. I will decide on my strategy as details unfold and I do not need to inform anybody about my thinking because it is my personal capital and not public funds. The regulator has directed them to fix their compliances and reporting. That will go a long way in improving disclosures by the company. This will benefit 4 lakh shareholders of the company. I also understand that this is a show-cause notice and the company will answer the charges. Therefore, one must not jump to hasty conclusions and must watch the developments carefully. Let me also add here that every investor through his/her journey will buy many good companies, and some companies which may not be very good in hindsight. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala had DHFL and Bhushan. Raamdeo Agrawal had Manpasand. Many investors had Satyam. Every major VC/PE SWF has Byju's, which has been in the news for many accounting issues. Like I said, I am investing my own money and am prepared for the risk. To small investors doing 4 AM investing, I have only this to say: position sizing is key and so is risk management. Do not put 50 percent of your money into a single company, irrespective of how good that company is, and, definitely, not in problematic companies which may turn out to be great investments later. What is your take on the accounting irregularities Sebi has pointed out? The matter is sub judice, and, therefore, it is not appropriate for me to comment in detail on this. Right now, it is only a show-cause notice and the company will, in all probability, reply to these charges, with their reasons for treating impairment charges in overseas subsidiaries, in a particular manner, and not as per Indian Accounting Standards. The nub of the matter is the treatment of impairment charges in their overseas subsidiaries. As regards share sales by promoters, BCG has filed data on stock exchanges, which broadly state that most of the share sales between 2014 and 2020 were pledged shares being sold by various lenders, including banks, and the average price of such sales was Rs 2.7. The company has also uploaded all the financials of its material subsidiaries on its website. Therefore, now we have far better visibility and transparency, thanks to the directions of the regulators. I also welcome this show-cause notice because it will compel the company to strengthen its compliance standards, which will benefit all its current and future shareholders. The market has obviously reacted very negatively to the show-cause notice and that is to be expected. As professional investors, we must evaluate the situation with a cool mind and an analytical perspective about what the matter truly is and whether it is something which is an endgame or addressable and fixable. That is where the difference between professional and retail investors comes in. As a professional investor, I have seen many problematic situations over my 35 years, and, therefore, there is a huge data bank to go by, which most younger and smaller investors probably will not have. My first big winning trade came out of something similar, back in 1996 when the ITC top brass was arrested on charges of Foreign Exchange violations. The ITC stock crashed in panic and I gathered the courage to go in. That worked out brilliantly because the risk-reward ratio had become extremely compelling. Sometimes the market can overreact dramatically, well beyond what fundamentals deserve. Can you talk about some of your other losers? In this category of investing, the 4-AM kinds, I have had one big loser and that was A2Z. My good friend Rakesh kept telling me that the promoter is not trustworthy. He warned me several times. Despite that, I went ahead. It is my belief that I must make decisions independent of people's opinions, and if the opinion is generally negative, that can become a positive for the stock. I probably lost around Rs 15-20 crore in this position some years ago. That happened not because of anything I had missed but because the whole debt restructuring environment changed in India where banks started becoming more and more hard on debt settlement. I had invested in Indian chemical companies back in 2011, 2012 and 2013, riding the debt restructuring theme and that worked out excellently and these 4 AM stocks became 11 AM stocks! But in A2Z, which I invested in 2016, the environment for debt settlement suddenly became very difficult and these kinds of changes are very hard to foresee. One is obviously always prepared to lose money on such investments as a professional investor So, does this mean your 4 AM strategy ignores governance altogether? Governance is a very vague term. I remember telling all fund managers about the low governance for most infrastructure companies back in 2007. At FG, we stopped covering Yes Bank because we could not make head or tail out of their profit numbers! But it continued to keep going up as fund managers from across the world kept piling in despite our pointing out that the profitability being shown by them simply did not add up. Educomp was another case in which we wrote quite a few pieces of research, pointing out a lot of accounting issues but not even a single fund manager reacted to these pieces of research and most told me that it's all okay and that it's a great company. Educomp had marquee investors from local MFs to global FIIs as happy shareholders. More recently, EKI, Tanla, all owned by smart investors, have had governance/ accounting issues coming out, and the stocks are down 60-80 percent. But when all these stocks were running and doing well, nobody bothered. Therefore, as long as a stock or a sector does well, nobody really cares about governance. They only care about it when the stocks fall. It is obvious that a 4 AM stock will have some problem or the other or multitude of problems. This kind of investing framework is not for everybody because it requires nerves of steel and a very strong gut. I was speaking to one auditor 25 years ago and he told me that he has audited dozens of listed companies in his career and in every company he has found plenty of red flags. And he then told me: if you start going down this path of looking for red flags, you will not make even a single investment! Again the premise of 4 AM investing is that the company in trouble will fix all its problems or at least quite a few of them in which governance may well be one of them.
The benchmark Nifty50 at last reclaimed its psychological 18,000 mark for the first time since December 2022 and delivered 2.5 percent gains for the week ended April 28. The weekly gains were highest since July 2022, as the buying was seen across sectors with leaders being realty, technology and infra. The consistent uptrend in all five days of last week after forming a bottom around 17,550 in the previous week raised confidence among market participants, with the Nifty50 forming a long bullish candlestick pattern on the weekly scale with a higher-high formation. Even momentum indicators showed a bullish bias on daily as well as weekly scales. The Nifty is expected to move towards the next hurdles at 18,200-18,500 in the coming sessions, where we can see some possibility of profit-taking, whereas the immediate supports are placed at 17,900-17,800 and the critical support may be 17,500, experts said. "Things seem to be improving on the global fronts as well, which certainly bodes well for the bulls. As far as Nifty is concerned, it has certainly cemented its position at 200-SMA placed around 17,600 - 17,550. Before this, 17,900 - 17,700 should now be treated as immediate supports," Sameet Chavan, Head Research - Technical and Derivatives at Angel One said. On the flipside, Sameet expects the Nifty to continue this northward trajectory to enter the next important cluster of 18,200  18,500 very soon. Rohan Patil, Technical Analyst at SAMCO Securities, feels the major hurdle for bulls will be faced near 18,200 levels. If the index breaks above the said levels, then we will be witnessing a continuation of higher high formation. Hence, Sameet Chavan advised traders to remain upbeat and should use declines (if any) to add bullish bets in the coming week. Sectorally, banking and auto counters were the initial contributors; but now other heavyweight pockets like Capital Goods and IT (to some extent) have started participating in this journey. "Its also important to highlight how the broader end of the spectrum (cash segment midcaps) has found its mojo back. Its advisable to keep focusing on such potential movers," Sameet said. Let's take a look at the top 10 trading ideas by experts for the next three-four weeks. Returns are based on the April 28 closing prices: Expert: Shrikant Chouhan, Head of Equity Research (Retail) at Kotak Securities Chennai Petroleum Corporation: Buy | LTP: Rs 303.75 | Stop-Loss: Rs 275 | Target: Rs 370 | Return: 22 percent The stock is under the formation of a rounding bottom, which is suggesting a bullish consolidation and may lift the stock towards Rs 370 or Rs 400 in the medium term. After the announcement of the quarterly numbers, the stock suddenly jumped up to Rs 318 with an excellent volume, which was registered in the month of June 2022 when the stock stood at Rs 418. Based on the overall formation traders should be buyers at current levels and more on declines near Rs 290, with a stop-loss at Rs 275. Power Finance Corporation: Buy | LTP: Rs 170 | Stop-Loss: Rs 155 | Target: Rs 195 | Return: 15 percent On a monthly basis, the stock is on the verge of an upside breakout, which is at Rs 175. On the break of the same, the stock can quickly move to Rs 195. Before the breakout, the stock consolidated between Rs 170 and Rs 155 levels. Technically, such a formation leads to a breakout in price and volume. Positional traders should be buyers at current levels and more on dips near Rs 160, with a stop-loss at Rs 155. India Cements: Buy | LTP: Rs 185.55 | Stop-Loss: Rs 165 | Target: Rs 230 | Return: 24 percent In September 2022, the stock started correcting to a spectacular rally from a high of Rs 299, which started from a low of Rs 145. It was about to end at Rs 200, however, it registered an extended correction which pulled the stock up to 1.618 percent of the previous move. After hitting the same, we saw a bullish recovery up to the Rs 195 level. Currently, it is at Rs 186 and once the stock break Rs 195, we can see a trending move for the stock. Above 195, it has the scope to move towards Rs 230 with minor resistance near Rs 210. One can buy at current levels and buy more on dips to Rs 170, with a stop-loss at Rs 165. Expert: Nandish Shah, Senior Derivative and Technical Analyst at HDFC Securities La Opala RG: Buy | LTP: Rs 384 | Stop-Loss: Rs 358 | Targets: Rs 412-430 | Return: 12 percent The stock price has broken out on the daily chart with higher volumes to close at highest level since January 18, 2023. It has broken out from the downward sloping trendline adjoining the highs of December 9, 2022 and April 11, 2023. RSI (relative strength index) and MFI (money flow index) oscillator is placed above 60 and rising upwards on the daily chart, indicating strength in the current uptrend. Plus DI (directional indicator) is trading above minus DI while ADX (average directional index) line is placed above 25, Indicating momentum in the current uptrend. MSTC: Buy | LTP: Rs 303 | Stop-Loss: Rs 275 | Target: Rs 336-348 | Return: 15 percent the stock price has broken out on the daily chart from the downward sloping trendline, adjoining the highs of November 30, 2022 and February 1, 2023. Price up move is accompanied by the surge in volumes indicating strong uptrend. Primary and intermediate trend turned positive as stock price has closed above its 50, 100 and 200-day EMA. Momentum oscillators - RSI (11) and MFI (10) is sloping upwards and placed above 60 on the daily chart, indicating strength in the stock. Vidhi Specialty Food Ingredients: Buy | LTP: Rs 381 | Stop-Loss: Rs 350 | Target: Rs 420-440 | Return: 15 percent The stock price has broken out on the monthly chart from the long consolidation which held for last twelve months with higher volumes. On the weekly chart, it has broken out from the downward sloping trendline, adjoining the highs of April 8, 2022 and September 16, 2022. Stock price has formed strong base around Rs 320 levels. Momentum Indicators and Oscillators are showing strength in the stock. Expert: Mitesh Karwa, Research Analyst at Bonanza Portfolio PFC: Buy | LTP: Rs 170 | Stop-Loss: Rs 163.7 | Target: Rs 182 | Return: 7 percent The Stock has given a breakout of a Cup & Handle Pattern on a four-hourly chart. Importantly the price movement is backed by good volumes. The super trend is also indicating a bullish move on the four hourly charts which can be used as a confluence toward the bullish view. The price is trading above conversion & baseline which is now acting as support for the stock. The momentum indicator RSI (14) has also sustained above 60 which adds more strength on the upside. So, based on the above-mentioned technical structure, one can initiate a long position in PFC at CMP Rs 169.90, or a fall in the price till Rs 168 level can be used as a buying opportunity for the upside target of Rs 182. However, the bullish view will be negated if PFC closes below the support level of Rs 163.70. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation: Buy | LTP: Rs 251 | Stop-Loss: Rs 239 | Target: Rs 274 | Return: 9 percent The price has been consolidating just above the high volume zone and formed an Inverted Head & shoulder pattern indicating bullish strength. The price has formed Bullish Engulfing candlestick pattern on the weekly chart. Recently, the price has reversed from the lower Bollinger Band and shifted just below the upper band of Bollinger which adds more strength to the price. In addition, the price is trading above the cloud which indicates bullish trend. The indicator Stochastic RSI suggested also a positive crossover confirming a long position. Observation of the above factors indicates that a bullish move is possible in HPCL for targets up to Rs 274. One can initiate a long position near Rs 251 with a stop-loss below Rs 239 on a daily closing basis. Dabur India: Buy | LTP: Rs 532.90 | Stop-Loss: Rs 513.9 | Target: Rs 568 | Return: 7 percent On a weekly chart, the price has been rising continuously with Higher Highs and Higher Lows formation. Prices have respected the Rising trend tine every time it has touched. Recently, the counter has reversed from the lower Bollinger Band with Bullish Pin bar candlesticks indicating bullish strength. At the same time, the accumulation/distribution indicator is also supportive to the next bullish rally. Hence, based on the above technical structure one can initiate a long position in Dabur at CMP Rs 532.90 or a fall in the price till Rs 527 levels can be used as buying opportunity for the upside target of Rs 568. However, the bullish view will be negated if Dabur closes below the support level of Rs 513.90. Expert: Ruchit Jain, Lead Research at 5paisa.com Apollo Hospitals Enterprises: Buy | LTP: Rs 4,514 | Stop-Loss: Rs 4,420 | Target: Rs 4,660 | Return: 3 percent This stock went through a corrective phase from in last four months. Post some consolidation, the prices have now given a breakout from a falling trendline resistance. On the daily chart, the stock has started forming a Higher Top Higher Bottom structure and the RSI oscillator is indicating a positive momentum. Hence, traders can buy this stock around current market price of Rs 4,510 for potential targets of Rs 4,600 and Rs 4,660. The stop-loss for long positions should be placed below Rs 4,420. REC: Buy | LTP: Rs 132 | Stop-Loss: Rs 125 | Target: Rs 146 | Return: 11 percent The stock has given a breakout from its previous swing high resistance and has resumed its uptrend. The volumes on breakout in Fridays session were high and the RSI oscillator is indicating a positive momentum. Short term traders can look to buy the stock at current price of Rs 132 and add on dips around Rs 129 for potential targets around Rs 140 and Rs 146. The stop-loss for long positions should be placed below Rs 125. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
The upward journey of the market continued for the sixth consecutive session on the Nifty50 on May 2, driven by technology, metal, oil & gas, auto, and select bank stocks. The broader markets performed better than front liners as the Nifty Midcap 100 index gained 1 percent and the Smallcap 100 index rose 0.7 percent on positive breadth. The BSE Sensex rallied 242 points to 61,355, while the Nifty50 jumped 83 points to 18,148, and formed small bodied bullish candlestick pattern on the daily charts. "The Nifty is trading near a crucial resistance of 18,200 and once surpassed will witness further short covering towards the 18,400 level," Kunal Shah, Senior Technical & Derivative Analyst at LKP Securities said. He feels the downside support is at 18,000 where aggressive Put writing is visible. The undertone remains bullish and one should keep a buy-on-dip approach, he advised. We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades: Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks in this article are the aggregates of three-month data and not just the current month. Key support and resistance levels on Nifty The pivot charts indicate that the Nifty may get support at 18,113 followed by 18,095 and 18,065. If the index advances, 18,173 is the initial key resistance level to watch out for followed by 18,192 and 18,222. Nifty Bank The Bank Nifty climbed 118 points to 43,352, continuing the uptrend for the sixth straight session. The index has formed small bodied bearish candlestick pattern on the daily timeframe. It has been making higher tops formation for six days in a row. The index witnessed a stellar outperformance in the previous week and is now trading at a critical resistance zone of 43,500. The index needs to surpass this level on a closing basis to continue the momentum to a time-high level, Kunal Shah of LKP Securities said. He feels the downside support is visible at the 43,000-42,800 zone and any dip towards this support zone will be an ideal opportunity to create fresh long positions. As per the pivot point calculator, the Bank Nifty may take support at 43,287, followed by 43,236 and 43,154. Key resistance levels are expected to be 43,450, along with 43,501 and 43,583. Call options data On the weekly options front, the maximum Call open interest (OI) was at 18,200 strikes, with 1.09 crore contracts, which is expected to be a crucial level for the Nifty in the coming sessions. This was followed by 18,300 strikes, comprising 87.18 lakh contracts, and 18,500 strikes, with more than 70.64 lakh contracts. Call writing was seen at 18,200 strikes, which added 47.84 lakh contracts, followed by 18,400 & 19,000 strikes, which accumulated 27.14 lakh contracts each, and 18,300 strikes which added 25.98 lakh contracts. Call unwinding was at 18,000 strikes, which shed 24.42 lakh contracts, followed by 17,900 strikes, which shed 8.01 lakh contracts, and 17,800 strikes, which shed 3.42 lakh contracts. Put option data The maximum Put open interest was at 17,800 strikes with 90.95 lakh contracts, which is expected to act as support in the coming sessions. This was followed by the 18,000 strikes, comprising 88.32 lakh contracts, and the 17,900 strikes where there were 79.04 lakh contracts. Put writing was seen at 18,100 strikes, which added 55.8 lakh contracts, followed by 18,200 strikes, which added 35.41 lakh contracts, and 17,800 strikes, which added 10.36 lakh contracts. We have seen Put unwinding at 17,200 strikes, which shed 10.64 lakh contracts, followed by 17,400 strikes, which shed 7.51 lakh contracts, and 17,300 strikes, which shed 6.81 lakh contracts. Stocks with a high delivery percentage A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. The highest delivery was seen in Coforge, Hindustan Unilever, Muthoot Finance, Dabur India and Cipla among others. 91 stocks see a long build-up An increase in open interest (OI) and price typically indicates a build-up of long positions. Based on the OI percentage, 91 stocks, including Oracle Financial, Havells India, ONGC, PFC and InterGlobe Aviation saw long build-ups. 13 stocks see long unwinding A decline in OI and price generally indicates a long unwinding. Based on the OI percentage, 13 stocks, including Page Industries, Ashok Leyland, Adani Enterprises, Ipca Laboratories and Bharti Airtel saw a long unwinding. 32 stocks see a short build-up An increase in OI along with a price decrease indicates a build-up of short positions. Based on the OI percentage, 32 stocks, including Coforge, United Breweries, Atul, Hero MotoCorp and Exide Industries saw a short buildup. 54 stocks see short-covering A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering. Based on the OI percentage, 54 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included SBI Card, Axis Bank, Indian Hotels, Max Financial Services and Godrej Consumer Products. Bulk deals Ugro Capital: DBZ (Cyprus) sold 6.09 lakh equity shares in the company via open market transactions at an average price of Rs 175.14 per share. Coforge: Motilal Oswal A/C Motilal Oswal Most Focused Multicap 35 Fund acquired 4.84 lakh equity shares in the IT services company at an average price of Rs 4,125 per share, however, promoter Hulst B V sold 21.5 lakh shares at an average price of Rs 4,125.44 per share. (For more bulk deals, click here) Results on May 3 Titan Company, ABB India, Tata Chemicals, Petronet LNG, AAVAS Financiers, Anupam Rasayan India, Adani Wilmar, Bajaj Consumer Care, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, Godrej Properties, Havells India, Jyothy Labs, KEC International, Mold-Tek Packaging, MRF, R Systems International, SIS, Sona BLW Precision Forgings and Sula Vineyards will be in focus ahead of quarterly and full-year earnings on May 3. Stocks in the news Tata Steel: The Tata Group steel company has recorded 84 percent year-on-year decline in consolidated profit at Rs 1,566.2 crore for the quarter ended March FY23, impacted by weak operating performance and lower topline. Revenue from operations declined 9.2 percent to Rs 62,961.5 crore compared to the year-ago period. On the operating front, EBITDA plunged 52 percent YoY to Rs 7,219.2 crore with the margin falling 1,022 bps to 11.46 percent for the quarter, but overall numbers above analysts' estimates. The board announced a dividend of Rs 3.6 per share for FY23. Ambuja Cements: The cement maker has reported a standalone profit of Rs 502.4 crore for the March FY23 quarter, a 1.6 percent growth YoY, supported by topline and other income. However, the profitability was impacted by weak operating performance and restructuring costs (Rs 80.71 crore). Revenue grew by 8.4 percent year-on-year to Rs 4,256.3 crore, with sales volumes increasing by 8 percent YoY to 8.1 million tonnes. At the operating level, EBITDA at Rs 788.3 crore for Q4FY23 declined 0.6 percent YoY, with margin falling 170 bps to 18.5 percent. Bharti Airtel: The telecom operator, Dialog Axiata Plc, and Axiata Group Berhad have entered into a binding term sheet to combine operations of Bharti Airtel Lanka (Airtel's wholly-owned subsidiary with Dialog, a subsidiary of Axiata Group Berhad). Discussions with respect to the proposed transaction are ongoing between the parties and also with the relevant regulatory authorities. BL Kashyap and Sons: The civil engineering and construction company has secured new order worth Rs 238 crore, from Embassy Construction. The said contract is expected to be executed within 28 months. The total order book as on date stands at Rs 2,518 crore. Godrej Consumer Products: The FMCG company said the board members will be meeting on May 10 to consider approval for raising funds amounting to Rs 5,000 crore via non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in one or more tranches. Mukand: The company has completed the sale and transfer of 25.71 lakh equity shares or a 5.51 percent stake in Mukand Sumi Special Steel to Jamnalal Sons, at Rs 574 per share, and received the entire amount of Rs 147.58 crore. Mukand Sumi Special Steel is a joint venture of Bajaj Group, and Jamnalal Sons is a promoter group entity of Mukand. Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services: The non-banking finance company has recorded overall disbursement at Rs 3,775 crore in April this year, growing 39 percent over a year ago month. Healthy disbursement trends have led to business assets at approximately Rs 83,900 crore in April, a growth of 1.4 percent over March 2023. The collection efficiency was at 92 percent for April against 90 percent YoY. The company continued to maintain a comfortable liquidity chest of about 3-month's requirement. Fund Flow FII and DII data Foreign institutional investors (FII) bought shares worth Rs 1,997.35 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DII) sold shares worth Rs 394.05 crore on May 2, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange showed. Stocks under F&O ban on NSE The National Stock Exchange has not added any stock to its F&O ban list for May 3. Securities in the ban period under the F&O segment include companies in which the security has crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
The success of the Ukrainian counter-offensive will be of great importance for the continued ease of support from partners, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said.

"My partners in all meetings, in phone calls and on Ramstein always say the same thing: 'We stand with you to the end, no matter how long it takes. We see your victory as the end.' This is important. Certainly, they are all politicians, they are backed by parliaments that agree or do not agree on some things. And behind the parliaments are voters. Therefore, of course, it will be easier for them to advocate for new aid packages Ukraine in the presence of successful cases," the Defense Minister told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, it is only natural that the allies "intend to invest in success," and it is essential for them that the weapons and assistance they donate lead to results.

"Therefore, surely, our success will be of great importance for the continuation of such ease of support," Reznikov said.
1. Indirect tax collections in April post new monthly record at Rs 1.87 lakh crore A sales boom at the beginning of the current financial year boosted goods and services tax collections in April to a record Rs 1.87 lakh crore, a 12 percent jump over receipts in the same month a year ago. GST mop-up was Rs 1.68 lakh crore in April 2022, the highest collection under the indirect tax regime till March. On 20 April, collections on a single day shot up to a record Rs 68,228 crore over 980,000 transactions. Why its important: Strong tax revenues at the beginning of the financial year would provide some comfort to policymakers, who are counting on plentiful rains and an end to the Ukraine war to support economic growth. 2. April manufacturing PMI touches a four-month high on good demand for new orders Indias purchasing managers index for manufacturing in April rose to a four-month high of 57.2 from 56.4 in March, driven by new orders and output, according to a survey by S&P Global. A reading above 50 signifies expansion. The March data pointed to a consecutive 22-month rise in manufacturing. Why its important: The encouraging manufacturing PMI value indicates favorable operating conditions despite some rise in costs. Milder price pressures, better overseas sales, and improved supply chains contributed to a healthy reading. 3. Finance Ministry wants state-owned banks to recover loans worth Rs 2 lakh crore Indias public sector faces a stiff loan recovery target for this financial year as the finance ministry wants them to recover at least Rs 2 trillion from loans they have written off over the years, using all available avenues. Top executives of state-owned lenders have been told at a recent meeting to maintain their focus on written-off debt and pursue recovery using all available channels, platforms, and proceedings, including negotiating with the National Asset Reconstruction Construction Company to sell some of these assets. Why its important: The target seems overly optimistic since it is more than double the amount state-run banks have recovered from written-off loans in the past five years. 4. Regulator to seek government help in getting foreign investments info in Adani Group The Securities and Exchange Board of India may approach the central government or law enforcement agencies to get information from foreign jurisdictions in the Adani-Hindenburg case. The regulator is awaiting details on end-beneficiaries of foreign portfolio investors in connection with the charges levelled by Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group. It may refer the matter to ministries because some offshore regulators were not forthcoming in providing the information sought, citing privacy reasons. Why its important: Sebi has written to regulators in Bermuda, Luxembourg, and Switzerland for information on foreign portfolio investors. If the tax havens do not agree, the probe might get tougher. 5. Max Healthcare sues owner TPG over Care Hospitals acquisition The takeover battle for Care Hospitals has landed up in the Bombay High Court, with Max Healthcare Institute filing a suit against private equity firm TPG after the Care owner spurned Maxs bid in favor of an offer by Blackstone that was about 15-20 percent higher. Hearings will begin on May 3. Maxs offer was said to be valued at Rs 3,700 crore and had the option to buy Cares Bangladesh assets after running them for two years. Why its important: Max Healthcare expected the Care acquisition to help it acquire a pan-India presence. Max is alleging that TGP shopped around to Blackstone despite a non-disclosure agreement. 6. I Squared and Hinduja remain in race to acquire Fourth Partner Energy I Squared Capital and Hinduja Renewables Energy are vying to buy TPG Capitals majority stake in Hyderabad-based Fourth Partner Energy at an equity value of about $350 million. Fourth Partner Energy, which operates in several Asian nations, has a current installed green energy capacity of 1GW and plans to triple it by 2025. Why its important: There is strong investor interest in green energy assets ever since India is set on adding 50GW of renewable energy every year over the next five years to meet its target of 500GW by 2030. 7. Government imposes Rs 249 crore penalty on Hero Electric and Okinawa Amid investigations into the misappropriation of subsidies under the FAME II scheme, the central government has issued recovery notices totaling Rs 249 crore to Hero Electric and Okinawa Autotech. Hero Electric and Okinawa will have to repay Rs 133 crore and Rs 116 crore, respectively, according to the notice issued by the heavy industries ministry. Both automakers have been deregistered from FAME II and the recovery of incentives claimed in 2019-20 will be done within a month. Why its important: The alleged flouting of norming by electric two-wheeler makers in claiming state benefits is a setback to the rapid expansion of the market in India that may have crossed an inflection point. The automakers must clean up their acts. 8. Brookfield buys majority stake in real estate joint venture with Bharti Canadas Brookfield Asset Management has acquired a 51 percent stake in Rostrum Realty, a real estate joint venture in which Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Enterprises will hold the remaining 49 percent. The transaction was based on an enterprise value of Rs 5,000 crore. The exact deal size is not known. Brookfield's real estate operating arm, Brookfield Properties, will manage the portfolio, which includes Worldmark Aerocity in Delhi, Airtel Center and Worldmark 65 in Gurgaon, and Pavillion Mall in Ludhiana. Why its important: Big foreign investing firms like Blackstone and Brookfield have typically been interested in Indias commercial property market. Brookfield already owns prime commercial real estate in several Indian cities. 9. Government may consider equity infusion in oil marketers after they set capex plans The central government will weigh an equity infusion and a possible stake increase in the three oil marketing companies, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum after they submit their capital investment plans. The budget has set aside Rs 30,000 crore as capital support for the state-run oil marketers. The capital spending will focus on emission reduction and refinery upgradation. Why its important: The capital support will not be part of the subsidy for selling fuel below cost. The oil marketers are more in favor of financial grants or a loan to meet their capital expenditure requirements. 10. Indias internet entrepreneurs clamor for leadership change in industry lobby The countrys top internet entrepreneurs are up in arms against the Internet and Mobile Association of India, the nodal industry body. They are demanding a change in leadership because the lobby group, they say, has become a mouthpiece of Big Tech while failing to represent the interests of local digital firms. Bharat Matrimonys Murugavel Janakiraman, MapmyIndias Rohan Verma and Shaadi.coms Anupam Mittal are among the entrepreneurs who are demanding a change. Why its important: The development reveals the deepening chasm between the interests of global internet majors such as Google and Facebook and that of local internet startups over issues ranging from pricing policies to digital regulations.
Walmart-owned e-commerce player Myntra has launched FWD, a Gen Z -focused immersive fashion experience on its platform and expects to add 10 million new customers over the next two years. Gen Z refers to people born between 1997 and 2012 and in 2022, Myntra had about 8.6 million customers from this age group. As we build for many Indias, Gen-Z is an important cohort that we continue to take deep interest in. Their individualistic sense of style, diverse points of view and core values reflect in their unique fashion choices and is steadily impacting the way fashion is being consumed at a global-level, Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha said in a statement. FWD, in its initial days, will offer over 65,000 style options, from over 500 brands like H&M, and will scale that to more than one lakh by the end of the year, the company said in a statement on May 2. The announcement came after Myntra was down for users for several hours the previous day. Taking to Twitter and other social media platforms, users wondered why Myntra was inaccessible during in early hours of May 1. In response, Myntras social media handle said the company was upgrading its system between 1 am and 9 am on May 1 which resulted in the outage. A company spokesperson, however, said Myntra was prepping for a series of rollouts. To ensure discoverability during its initial days, Myntra FWD will be shown on the bottom navigation bar, within the existing Myntra app. It is also available as a separate page on the platform. Gen Z, as a category, is a growing focus area for several e-commerce companies, thanks to higher disposable income in their hands, analysts said. It was especially important for India which is home to the world's 20 percent Gen-Z population lives and the group collectively has a purchasing power of about $360 billion, as per industry estimates. Myntra has also partnered with influencers and celebrities to make their looks available on the app and through the company's tech integration, users can buy the same styles.
The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has proposed a reduction in the size of Delhi-NCR from the current 55,000 sq km to 35,000-45,000 sq km to manage the area better and to protect land owned by farmers. City planners from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi are deliberating two options  the first being 35,483 sq km and the second comprising 45,583 sq km, sources said. The NCR is presently spread over a 55,083 sq km area. "We have two options. The first option is for a 100 km around Delhi with major transit corridors contiguous to that being part of it. That is a more compact area. This is expected to be around 35,000 sq km. The second option is to have 200 km and is expected to be around 45,000 sq km," NCR Planning Board member secretary Archana Agrawal said at the stakeholder conference on Delineation of NCR held on January 17. "If we go by the first option, more then 22,000 sq mt will be lost from more than three states and in the second option a full tehsil will be out," she said. The need to reduce the area was felt to manage the region better. "We need a manageable area as we plan to move towards more developed and smart cities where you can not only manage the population but also the development and land acquisitions. So, the decision to shrink the NCR area is only for the betterment of the region," she added. "We wanted to get all the stakeholders here for this. There is also the issue of the rapid urbanisation which is disturbing farmer-owned land. There was a thought in the last meeting to discuss how much farmers land should be acquired," she said. "All in all, the size of NCR will be less than the current area, but both options may definitely have an addition of about 3,000 sq km. In the first option, you may have an addition of 2,600 sq km and in the second option you may have an addition of 3,300 sq km because of the rational way of doing it," she said. Among other recommendations presented at the conference, there may be a reduction of 9,327 sq km and 3,927 sq km from Haryana and 10,947 sq km and 6,747 sq km from Rajasthan. As per the recommendations, no area from Delhi may be reduced. As per both the options proposed, the area for Uttar Pradesh may increase by 374 sq km and 1,174 sq km. The NCR Regional Plan for 2041 is likely to be ready within two years and would focus on how to make cities citizen-centric, improve livability, environmental sustainability and disaster resilience, Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra had said in November 2019. He was speaking at the conclave on the National Capital Region -2041, organised by the NCRPB. "I am hopeful that the NCR 2041 Masterplan would be ready by 2021. The focus over the past few years has been on urbanisation," he stated. "The plan would have to be citizen-centric and would have to look at improving livelihoods, it would have to focus on sustainability, improving air quality index, and tackle issues such as flooding, preserve the biodiversity, culture and heritage of the areas. The plan would have to focus on harmonious development of the entire region whose population is almost equal to that of France or Italy," he added. He had said that the Regional Plan would have a major impact on the entire region as it would drive and decide the magnitude/direction in which the development will take place in the region. The 2041 regional plan should focus on improving livability, economic ability, sustainability, try and make the National Conservation Zone more effective, look at ways to integrate rural and urban, utilise opportunities provided by the Transit Oriented Development policy and redevelopment, Mishra said. The Regional Plan with the horizon year 2021 was notified on the 17th of September 2005 and is presently in force. A Regional Plan with the next horizon year 2041 is now required to be prepared. The Regional Plan addresses various sectors namely transport, water, sewerage, solid waste, power, regional land use, etc. As per a report by United Nations, Delhi is slated to become the world's largest metropolis overtaking Tokyo by 2028. The NCR is a federal setup having the National Capital Territory of Delhi as its core. It covers around 55,083 sq km of the area with around 60 million population. Haryana sub-region comprises of districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Rohtak, Sonepat, Rewari, Jhajjar, Mewat, Palwal, Panipat, Mahendregarh, Jind, Karnal, Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri. Rajasthan sub-region comprises of districts of Alwar and Bharatpur. Uttar Pradesh Sub-region comprises of districts of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bulandsahr, Baghpat, Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, and Shamli. NCRPB was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1985, as a statutory body under the ministry of housing and urban affairs for the development of the entire region and was tasked to evolve harmonised policies for the control of land-uses and development of infrastructure in the region.
Realty firm Macrotech Developers, also known as the Lodha group, aims to invest around Rs 2,500 crore in the ongoing fiscal 2023-24 as growth investments of the company. It plans to launch over 11 million sq ft across 10-plus projects in focus markets like Mumbai and Pune, along with two projects in Bengaluru, the group's managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Abhishek Lodha told Moneycontrol in an exclusive interview. "In fiscal 2022-23, we reduced our debt by around Rs 2,200 crore, a little more than Rs 500 crore each quarter. We have not only declared a dividend of Rs 2 per share but have also issued bonus shares. We are very comfortable with our balance sheet. The company is generating significant cash flow, and even after investment for growth we will have a substantial surplus left, which we will use to continue to reduce our debt," Lodha said. The company's net debt is around Rs 7,071 crore, as of FY23. Lodha said in the last fiscal the company had delivered around 10,000 homes, and it was confident that in the ongoing fiscal it would do the same. Launches On launches, Lodha said that the company believes in diversifying across the affordable, mid and luxury segments. "This makes us more confident in the market. The diversification will be seen in our 10-plus launches in the current fiscal. Currently, we have 30 projects contributing to sales," said Lodha. Cities in focus "We believe there is much headroom for growth in Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. Besides these we might enter one or two new cities in the coming years, but nothing has been identified so far," Lodha mentioned. Speaking about their two launches in Bengaluru, Lodha said, "We will launch one project in Bengaluru in the next three to four months, and another one will follow in the second half of this year. In the first project we are launching a saleable area of around 1.4 million sq ft. For the second one the saleable area has not been finalised yet. Overall, we will be launching more than 11 million sq ft countrywide. We will have more to share about Bengaluru by the end of this year." Bullish on demand "We continue to be bullish on all segments of residential apartments, since we believe that all segments will grow. We do not have a benchmark of a minimum carpet area when it comes to the construction of an apartment. It all depends. Two and three BHK see the maximum demand from the regular Indian family. An ideal home for an Indian family is 3BHK, but due to budget constraints people may be opting for 2BHK apartments. One and 4BHK flats comprise a smaller percentage of sales," Lodha said. Also read: Macrotech Developers aims to cut debt by nearly 40% in 2023 to around Rs 5,000 crore, says MD Abhishek Lodha Redevelopment of old buildings Asked about the company's exposure towards redevelopment of old buildings, and its plans for the future, especially in Mumbai, Lodha said, "We do not look at redevelopment as some separate segment in order to quantify our exposure. Our focus is to acquire clean land. We do not enter into redevelopment where there is a lot of dispute or difference of opinion among multiple stakeholders." Housing boom will last 15 years According to Lodha, considering the overall Indian economy, there is going to be a big housing boom that will last for 15 years, with one or two bad years because of external factors. "In these 15 years, you will see price growth, volume growth, and a lot of employment creation. As home prices go up, people who own homes will become wealthier, and as they get wealthier, they will be able to use their income for other consumption, which in turn will drive job creation and help the economy grow. Housing is going to help India transition from a low-income to mid-income economy. Hence, the next 10 years will be the decade for housing," said Lodha. Also read: Macrotech Developers sells properties worth Rs 12,064 crore in FY23 Plotted development The company launched its first plotted development project in 2021 in Thane, and another one in Dombivli. "Plotted development is less than 5 percent of our sales currently. We do not have a specific target for scaling this up, but it will see growth. In terms of locations for plotted development, we will continue to evaluate the markets of Mumbai, Pune, and possibly Bengaluru, Lodha explained. International expansion The company already has two residential projects in London. However, going ahead Lodha plans to focus on India and not launch any other projects internationally. Sharing their plans about this, Lodha said, "As a company were clear that we will not invest outside India, all our growth will come from India. As for the two London projects, weve already made a profit of Rs 550 crore in the last fiscal and in the ongoing fiscal another Rs 550 crore will come. And that will be the end of the story for London, he emphasised. Sustainable construction Lodha said the company is highly committed towards sustainable development. "We are committed to be net zero by 2035, but will get there earlier. Making our projects more sustainable increases our capex by 2-3 percent, but it comes back as savings during the operational period because you end up consuming less." On March 28, Macrotech Developers was trading at Rs 927.75 a share at 16.01 on the National Stock Exchange, down 1.42 percent from the previous close.
Uday Kotak, chief executive officer at Kotak Mahindra Bank, hailed US' 'strong' financial institutions hours after the country's largest lender JPMorgan acquired First Republic Bank. The bank was taken over by regulators after rescue efforts failed to undo the damage from wrong-way investments and depositor runs that roiled regional lenders. In a tweet, Kotak said India too needs strong institutions backed by reliable domestic capital. According to him, the development underscores strong domestic US financial institutions backed by significant capital and capable leadership.  Uday Kotak (@udaykotak) May 1, 2023 The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation said in a statement that JPMorgan will now 'assume all deposits, including all uninsured deposits, and substantially all assets' of First Republic. Also read: First Republic Bank seized by regulators, to be sold to JPMorgan According to a PTI report, the federal agency estimates it will have to pay about $13 billion to cover First Republic's losses from the deposit insurance fund. Following First Republics disclosure of a loss of more than $100 billion in deposits in the first quarter, it became the second-largest bank in terms of assets and third bank so far to fail in US history.

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The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the police to file a chart detailing the role assigned to Shahrukh Pathan, who had allegedly pointed a gun at a policeman, and others accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots case. The high court was hearing a bail plea filed by Pathan. The special public prosecutor is directed to file a chart showing the roles of the accused persons, including the petitioner, and the evidence attributed to them, Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said. During the hearing, Pathans counsel submitted that he had filed the bail plea in January 2022 and it has been pending for the last 15 months and that he has been in custody for over three years. The counsel said the other accused in the case, who were even identified by witnesses, have been released on bail but Pathan who was neither named in the FIR nor identified by anyone was still in custody. He claimed that no role has been attributed to him and the entire case is a farce. It is not their case that I shot the victim examination of the main victim is complete. That is full of contradictions and there is nothing, Pathans counsel submitted. The prosecutor opposed the bail plea, saying a mobile was recovered from Pathan in jail and that he had also attacked prison staff. Pathan has sought bail claiming there was a huge delay in the trial and had argued that though the charges were framed in the case in December 2021, only two prosecution witnesses were examined till February this year. The Delhi Police, in its status report filed in March 2022, had opposed the bail plea of Pathan, saying he has a criminal family history and can adversely influence the witnesses. Police have said that the accused can threaten and endanger the safety of prosecution witnesses and abscond, if granted bail, and can also hamper the process of investigation and destroy evidence. They have also claimed the accused has no remorse for his illegal actions. The case relates to rioting, causing injuries to police personnel and inflicting a gunshot wound on a man named Rohit Shukla by an armed mob in Jafrabad. The status report has stated, "The accused has been keeping illegal arms and ammunition and has no remorse for his illegal act. His daring act of firing at a policeman and the public shows that if released on bail, he can repeat such a criminal act." It said there are police and public witnesses who have identified him. The report said from the criminal family background of Pathan and his desperate nature, it can be inferred that he can adversely influence the witnesses. The report said the statement of the eyewitnesses and seized CCTV footage establish that Pathan was leading the mob and indulged in the act of rioting on February 24, 2020 during which he fired at the complainant and public from his pistol. Pathan approached the high court after his bail plea was rejected by a trial court in December 2021. The trial court was of the view that the CCTV footage of a nearby camera installed at the relevant location showed his presence in the riotous mob. An FIR was registered under various sections of the IPC, including rioting, armed with a deadly weapon, unlawful assembly, obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions, promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, assault, or criminal force to deter public servant from his duty, voluntarily causing hurt, attempt to murder, statements conducing to public mischief and criminal conspiracy and under the provisions of the Arms Act. Pathan was arrested on March 3, 2020 from Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district and is currently lodged in a jail here. Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi on February 24, 2020 between new citizenship law supporters and protesters, leaving 53 people dead and scores injured.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred to May 9 the hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the remission granted to the 11 convicts last year in the case of gangrape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members during the 2002 post-Godhra riots. A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna was told by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Gujarat government that they are not claiming any privilege and are not filing any plea for review of the March 27 order of the court, which had asked for production of original records, with regard to the remission granted to the convicts. The SG, at the outset, raised preliminary objections with regard to petitions filed in the matter other than by Bano, saying it will have wide ramifications as every now and then third parties will come to the courts in criminal cases. The bench fixed May 9 for hearing the matter as several counsel for convicts, who have been released in the case, said that they need time to file their replies to the plea by Bano. "We are only fixing timelines, so that whichever court takes up the matter, it will not have to waste time on these procedural issues. I am retiring during vacation on June 16. My last working day will be on May 19. My sister (Justice Nagarathna) will be going to attend a conference in Singapore till May 25. If all of you agree, then we can sit during vacation and finish hearing this case," Justice Joseph said. The SG, however, urged the court that it may list the matter before the summer vacation. Advocate Shobha Gupta said that the matter will take a very short time as only the question of law needs to be decided. Justice Joseph told Gupta, "It is apparent from the way counsel appearing for convicts that they do not want this hearing to take place. Every time the matter will be called up, one person or the other will come and say that he needs time to file a reply. It is more than obvious". However, the bench said that the new bench will take up the matter for hearing in the second week of July. Senior advocate Siddharth and advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for the convicts, said what was the tearing hurry in hearing the case after counsel for Bano and others requested that the matter be taken up before vacation. "We have been released and are out for around one year. There should not be any tearing hurry", Malhotra said. He added that he wishes to file some preliminary objections to the writ petition filed by Bano against the remission, saying that the Supreme Court rules do not allow the filing of a writ petition after a review against the main judgement has been dismissed. On April 18, the top court questioned the Gujarat government over the remission granted to the 11 convicts last year, saying the gravity of the offence should have been considered and asked whether there was any application of mind. Asking for reasons for the premature release of the convicts, the top court had also questioned the parole granted to them during their incarceration period. "It (remission) is a kind of grace which should be proportional to crime." The Centre and the Gujarat government had also told the court they may file a plea seeking a review of its March 27 order asking them to be ready with original files on the grant of remission. On March 27, terming the Bilkis Bano's gang rape and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots as a "horrendous" act, the top court had asked the Gujarat government whether uniform standards, as followed in other cases of murder, were applied while granting remission to the 11 convicts in the case. It had sought a response from the Centre, Gujarat government and others on the plea filed by Bano, who has challenged the remission of the sentences. All 11 convicts were granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on August 15 last year. The top court is seized of PILs filed by CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, Revati Laul, an independent journalist, Roop Rekha Verma, who is a former vice chancellor of the Lucknow University, and TMC MP Mahua Moitra against the release of the convicts. Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing from the riots that broke out after the Godhra train burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots.
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Managing public finances has many similarities with managing household expenses. The broad guiding principle for spending management is to ensure that one should borrow a proportionately lower amount to finance expenses that are not asset-creating. Think of a family taking a loan to buy a home. Think of a state government borrowing funds to build roads and bridges. Both are examples of taking loans to create assets that have multiplier effects. This is essential in public finances, particularly in poll-bound states, where pledges made to voters in the run-up to the elections can have important fiscal implications when put into practice. Karnataka is a case in point. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are slugging it out in a high-octane campaign, vowing to implement a raft of schemesranging from unemployment allowance to free bus rides to subsidised cooking fuel. Better Managed Economy On a relative basis among states, Karnatakas economy is better managed than many of its peers. According to the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBIs) report State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2022-23, Karnataka stands at fourth place among all the states contributing to nearly 5.8 percent of the total capital outlay by all the states put together. This is a good fiscal metric to showcase on a comparative canvas. For states, the essential marker of healthy public finance management would be not to slip onto the wrong side of the `committed expenditure components: scheme-based and non-scheme-based. To be sure, the medium term fiscal policy (MTFP) statement of the Karnataka government presented along with the budget for 2023-34 is quite unambiguous on this front. A larger proportion of the state budget allocated towards committed expenditure would result in lesser fiscal space towards developmental and welfare expenditure. Further, the flexibility available to the government to manage its expenditure would get greatly diminished it is evident that the non-scheme based committed expenditure is witnessing a steeper year-on-year increase, particularly on account of salaries and pension payment and interest payment liabilities, the MTFP statement said. A Pioneer in Fiscal Responsibility In terms of demonstrating its intent to walk the talk on fiscal discipline, Karnataka has been a pioneer. It introduced the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, a year before the Centre legislated the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act in 2003. As a 2020 paper Fiscal Prudence for What? Analysing the State Finances of Karnataka by Jannet Farida Jacob and Lekha Chakraborty of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) pointed out Karnataka is consistently fiscally-prudent with its revenue deficit-to-GSDP ratio reducing to near-zero and the fiscal deficit-to-GSDP ratio below 3 percent. The NIPFP analysis shows that the state has compressed its capital expenditure and marginally decreased its spending on education and social welfare and nutrition. It is intriguing that the state, with comfortable levels of fiscal consolidation since 2005, has resorted to heavy off-budget borrowing to finance state programmes. The new government, regardless of whichever party comes to power, will have to be careful about implementing the pre-poll promises without heavily leaning on off-budget borrowing to finance these. In 2022-23, at the time of the presentation of the budget, Karnataka was estimated to spend Rs 94,699 crore on committed expenditure items, effectively setting aside half of its revenue receipts for expenses such as salaries (22 percent of revenue receipts), interest payments (15 percent), and pension (13 percent). Committed Expenditure There is, however, a deeper problem staring at the new government on the salaries bill. The Seventh Pay Commission payout, including arrears possibly, will likely happen during the next five years. The MTFP presented in February this year, just ahead of the announcement of the state elections, has flagged this in no uncertain terms. Depending on the fitment factor, the additional financial implication of implementing the Seventh Pay Scale would range between Rs 12,000 crore and Rs 18,000 crore for the first year of implementation, it said. One shouldnt be surprised if right-sizing of the government, short-hand for reducing government employees headcount, becomes more talked about issue in the state secretariat in the coming months. There is another red flag that is jutting in Karnatakas otherwise seemingly healthy headline fiscal numbers. Interest payments have been pegged at Rs 34,023 crore for 2023-34. Over the last five years, interest payments as a percentage of revenue receipts have risen from 10.6 per cent in 2019- 20 to 15.1 per cent in budget estimates for 2023-24. The signal from this is pretty straightforward: raise revenue receipts urgently and have a defined roadmap to cut down on future borrowings. Political parties would be well advised to keep an eye firmly fixated on the fiscal landscape before doling out promises. There are no free lunches. Electoral conquest cannot, and should not, come at the cost of fiscal prudence. Gaurav Choudhury is consulting editor, Network18. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov believes that due to the defeats on the battlefield, Russia may voice another "goodwill gesture" under the guise of a man-made disaster on the territory of its country.

The Defense Minister told Interfax-Ukraine, the Kremlin is already looking for options for possible scenarios on how to justify another success of the Ukrainian army within its society.

"If you already observe a number of public statements on Russian resources, you can see that phrases are already being heard, saying: 'We must probably end the Special military operation,' 'we must go on the defensive,' 'we have to keep our' newly gained 'territories.' In the event of another success of the Ukrainian army, which is absolutely expected for them, they need to understand how to 'sell' inside, how to serve it to the people? They also had overheated expectations: Kyiv in three days and the so-called three weeks. Although propaganda in Russia works fine, it gets more and more difficult every time," Reznikov said.

The minister believes the Kremlin is already looking for options for scenarios on how to "win back" this, and it is possible that there will be a "goodwill gesture" under the guise of some kind of man-made disaster.

"This is not my forecast, but a reflection, but still I would not be surprised if they have some problem in the scenario, a serious catastrophic type, man-made, on the territory of Russia. Let's say something happens to a power plant, hydroelectric power plant, nuclear power plant, there will be risks for the population, and this will require the immediate attention of the government, the accumulation of resources, including soldiers. And so they supposedly will be able to explain to people why they are ending active hostilities in Ukraine. That is, they will have to voice a 'goodwill gesture' under the guise of some kind of man-made disaster on the territory of Russia," Reznikov said.
Dear Reader, The Panorama newsletter is sent to Moneycontrol Pro subscribers on market days. It offers easy access to stories published on Moneycontrol Pro and gives a little extra by setting out a context or an event or trend that investors should keep track of. Sometimes a crisis brings out the best in a company. Take the case of Coal India. As India edged precariously close to blackouts, production at the national miner rose 12.9 percent in FY23, the best in at least a decade. The company kept up the momentum in April, reporting a 7.7 percent rise in production. Off-take by users grew at a faster rate of 8.6 percent. The company is preparing for another busy year. It is targeting to mine 780 million tonnes (MT) of coal in FY24, 11 percent higher than in FY23. Of this, 610 MT or 78 percent of the coal will be supplied to the power sector. Coal Indias production continues to fall short of the requirement of domestic coal-based power plants. But the FY23 numbers and FY24 provisional figures indicate renewed momentum at the company. For reference, production at Coal India increased by less than 4 percent annum in a decade to FY22. What is driving this positive change? Better evacuation. Faced with fuel supply crunch at the power plants, the government focused on removing coal's supply chain bottlenecks. Indian Railways raised rake availability to the company. According to CARE Ratings, rake availability to the power sector increased by 5.6 percent in FY23. The government and Coal India, on the other hand, began work on 19 first mile connectivity projects to fast-track dispatches. The new facilities can add sizeable incremental output in the next four years, explains Rohit Natarajan, analyst at Antique Institutional Equities. The measures, along with blending of imported coal, should help the power sector tide over the peak summer demand. "Coal inventories through April appeared sufficient to avoid a repeat of the 2022 coal-supply disruptions, but the risk of complications from domestic coal-supply problems remains, as highlighted by a recent strike at Coal Indias Talcher mine that affected production," said Fitch Ratings in a note. For Coal India, the situation should logically lead to growth in earnings. However, this remains uncertain. While the company has negotiated a pay hike for its employees, it is yet to raise rates for the coal that is being supplied to the power sector under fuel supply agreements (FSAs). The last time the company raised prices for such contracts was in January 2018, according to analysts. With much of the coal sold through FSAs, and India moving closer to national elections, the company should hike rates sooner rather than later. Investing insights from our research team Tech Mahindra Q4 FY23  Why you should accumulate amid the gloom Mphasis: Why are we not turning buyer in this stock despite the correction? Why this insurance player can be a star performer Indian Hotels Company: Well positioned to ride the industry upcycle Laurus Labs: Is the worst priced in? UltraTech  The standout performer yet again Godrej Consumer Products: Why are we watchful, post the acquisition of RCCL? Shriram Finance: Profit dips on the back of one-off provision, impairment What else are we reading? The Eastern Window: Why pretend to keep the US at arm's length? Sugar mills face uncertain times again as export ban looms Chart of the Day: Smaller IT firms cracked the code in Q4 A cyclical rally may be in the offing Marketing Musings: Mann ki Baat has proved to be a superb marketing strategy Census of water bodies maps gold mines of tomorrow Revdi culture in full flow in Karnataka election Will the bidding calendar help reach the renewable energy goal? Uday Kotaks curious mix of conservativeness and audacity Its good to be JP Morgan (republished from the FT) Karnataka Elections: Can its hard-fought foray into JD(S)s Vokkaliga base backfire for BJP? The difficulties India's startups are facing reveals fundamental flaws SCs lifeline for contested divorces is welcome. A humane legal approach to irretrievably broken marriages is greatly needed France's economy is doing well. But no one believes it. Emmanuel Macron is doomed Hard decisions and reforms are needed to improve farm productivity Technical Picks: Datamatics, Persistent Systems, HEG, Coriander, Tata Steel and USD-INR (These are published every trading day before markets open and can be read on the app). R Sree Ram Moneycontrol Pro
From abuses to legal tangles, the political tussle between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is getting uglier with each passing day. The slugfest reached a tipping point after Shekhawat stated at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally in Chittorgarh on April 27 that if you want to end this Raavan of politics Ashok Gehlot and establish Ram Rajya in Rajasthan, then raise your hands. In retaliation, a Gehlot loyalist filed a police complaint charging Shekhawat with insulting the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. The Police were quick to register an FIR against Shekhawat under several sections including section 500 (for defamation) and section 504 (for intentional insult to provoke breach of peace). The Sanjeevani Scam The Raavan remark is the latest salvo in a long-drawn battle. For years, Gehlot has accused Shekhawat of involvement in the Rs 900 crore Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam that eroded the earnings of thousands of people in west Rajasthan. In February, Gehlot publicly blamed Shekhawat and his family for the scam, prompting the Union Minister to complain that the CM was hurling baseless charges with the intention of murdering me politically. Shekhawat then hit back by filing a criminal defamation case against Gehlot in a Delhi court in early March. While Gehlot welcomed Shekhawats move as it would catapult the issue to national attention, the Rajasthan Police suddenly went into an overdrive. Over the next fortnight, the Special Operations Group (SOG), probing the scam since 2019, registered 123 FIRs based on complaints from victims of the scam. Surprisingly, though SOG did not name him as an accused in its chargesheets, Shekhawat petitioned the Rajasthan High Court to stay his possible arrest in the Sanjivani case stating Gehlot was paying special attention to just one cooperative society. To move the probe out of Rajasthan Polices jurisdiction, Shekhawat is pushing for a CBI probe as the fraud relates to the societys dealings in several states. However, wishing to keep the case under the purview of his state police, Gehlot contends the central Enforcement Directorate has taken no action on his governments plea to probe the money trail in Sanjivani scam nor seized properties of the perpetrators. Intriguingly, a few weeks ago, the Madhya Pradesh government too proposed a CBI probe into the Sanjivani scam as some victims were from the state. However, in a separate plea filed by one Sanjivani Society Peedit Samiti, the Supreme Court rejected the plea by pointing out that the CBI had itself opposed the transfer of the case from SOG in an earlier petition in the Rajasthan High Court. Remnants Of A Coup Beyond the current round of defamation cases and the Sanjivani shenanigans, Gehlot and Shekhawat have been targeting each other ever since the revolt of 2020 by Sachin Pilot. Gehlot accuses Shekhawat of leading the attempts to topple his government and audio clips abound in the public arena wherein Shekhawat allegedly tries to induce Congress MLAs to switch sides. Shekhawats refusal to give his voice sample for verification of the voice in the clips is repeatedly highlighted by Gehlot to embarrass the Union Minister. In a counter move, Shekhawat also lodged a case in Delhi against Gehlots OSD Lokesh Sharma for circulating his tapped telephonic chats that project Shekhawats alleged complicity in the bid to topple the Rajasthan government. Despite repeated questioning by Delhi Police, the case has seen little progress as the Delhi High Court has stayed the aides arrest. Likewise, Rajasthan Police has made little progress in the two cases wherein Shekhawat could face serious trouble  the Sanjivani scam case and the case of toppling the Gehlot government via corrupt means. The Marwar Connection Moreover, Gehlot and Shekhawat are also at loggerheads over the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) to serve the water needs of 13 districts. Gehlot claims that despite being the Jal Shakti Minister, Shekhawat has neither provided funds nor support for making ERCP a National Project. The canal was conceived by the former BJP government in the state and even received a green signal from PM Modi. But after the Congress regained power in 2018, hurdles were allegedly created to stall the ERCP in the states eastern zone where the BJP fared poorly in the last Assembly elections. At the root of the animus is the desire for control over their home turf: Both Gehlot and Shekhawat belong to Jodhpur. Since 1980 when he won this Lok Sabha seat for the first time, Gehlot has dominated the politics of Marwar and no leader in any party comes close to his popularity in the region. Post-2014, Shekhawat has emerged as a challenger. By defeating Gehlots son in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Shekhawat has asserted himself as a mass leader of Jodhpur and used his status as a Union Minister to carve a niche for himself in the region. Shekhawats bitterness is intensified by the fact that his arch rival in BJP, former CM Vasundhara Raje had stayed inactive in order to thwart the Shekhawat-BJP bid at toppling the Gehlot government. Her alleged nexus with Gehlot is galling for Shekhawat who has been a Raje critic ever since she frustrated Amit Shahs plan to install him as the Rajasthan BJP Chief in 2018. In this clash of titans, Gehlot wants Shekhawat to be cut to size. But for Shekhawat, his combat with Gehlot is also a chance to leapfrog ahead of all his party rivals in the BJPs battle of Kaun Banega CM in Rajasthan. Whatever the outcome, this unbounded battle is instigating huge political fireworks well before the electoral clash this winter. Rajan Mahan is a journalist who headed NDTV and Star News in Rajasthan. He was also a Professor of Journalism at the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Veteran politician and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on May 2 announced he has decided to step down as the party leader. Pawar announced his decision during the book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan to which NCP officials and workers reacted with protests. I have decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party, he said. "My colleagues, even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life. 'Constant travel' has become an integral part of my life. I will continue attending public events, and meetings. Whether I am in Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Delhi, or any other part of India, I will be available to all of you as usual," Pawar told the NCP workers. In his press statement, Pawar said, "I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party." Pawar also announced a panel of senior party leaders to draw a future course of action. The panel members of the committee will be Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule, nephew Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Chhagan Bhujbal and others. Party workers and leaders, however, demanded that Pawar withdraw his decision. They threatened not to leave the venue unless he rescind his decision. "The love and trust of the people is my breath. There will be no separation from me or public retirement. I was with you; I am and will always be there till my last breath! So we'll keep meeting," the 82-year-old politician said in his parting message. Milestones Pawar is the co-founder of the NCP Party. After being expelled from the Indian National Congress due to an old conflict with Sonia Gandhi, the former INC president, Pawar, PA Sangma, and Tariq Anwar founded the NCP party in 1999. A four-time Maharashtra chief minister, who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar played a key role in bringing together an unlikely alliance of the NCP, Congress and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections. He has also served as a member of the Lok Sabha six times and has held office for several important ministries including defense (1991-93) under the PV Narsimha Rao government. He also served as the President of the International Council of Cricket from 2010-12. (With inputs from PTI)
Motilal Oswal's research report on PI Industries PI Industries (PI) has accelerated its journey into the pharma space through two major acquisitions: 1) Therachem Research Medilab LLCs (TRM) wholly owned Indian subsidiary and US based assets, and 2) Italy-based Archimica Spa. TRM and Archimica are engaged in CRDMO (contract research, development and manufacturing organization) of chemical compounds, which are ultimately used for the manufacturing of API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) and other pharmaceutical products. PI will benefit from the global presence, R&D capabilities and global clientele of acquired companies and could quickly leverage its knowledge in process chemistry and its operating efficiency to expand into the pharma space. The integration of this business is margin accretive and will be quickly scaled up (double in three to four years) with some capex and better capacity utilization. Factoring in the acquisition, we increase our earnings estimates for FY24/FY25 by 12% each. We expect a revenue/EBITDA/PAT CAGR of 25%/26%/24% over FY23-25. Outlook Factoring in the acquisition, we increase our earnings estimates for FY24/FY25 by 12% each. We expect a revenue/EBITDA/PAT CAGR of 25%/26%/24% over FY2325. We value the stock at 35x FY25E EPS to arrive at a TP of INR4,450. Maintain BUY. For all recommendations report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. PI Industries - 04 -05 - 2023 - moti

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As artificial intelligence steps out of sci-fi and makes its way deeper into our lives, one of its pioneers, Geoffrey Hinton, has left his job at tech giant Google, warning of danger ahead. Hinton, 75, expressed regret about his life's work and said he quit his job to speak freely about the dangers of AI. I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadnt done it, somebody else would have, Hinton told the New York Times in an interview. As the interview made waves across the world, the tech pioneer also tweeted that he left Google to talk about the dangers of AI and not to criticise the tech company. In the NYT today, Cade Metz implies that I left Google so that I could criticize Google. Actually, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly.  Geoffrey Hinton (@geoffreyhinton) May 1, 2023 Also Read: This CEO outsourced his finances to AI. How a chatbot saved his money in 'strange' ways Warning of the potential dangers of AI, Hinton said in the NYT interview, It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things. The tech pioneer said he feels that as companies improve their AI systems, they become increasingly dangerous. Look at how it was five years ago and how it is now, he said of AI technology. Take the difference and propagate it forwards. Thats scary, Hinton said. Also Read: IBM to pause hiring for jobs that AI could do The Turing Award winner spoke to the BBC as well and said that he concluded that the kind of intelligence AI is developing is very different from the kind of intelligence humans have. "We are biological systems and these are digital systems, with digital systems you have many copies of the same model of the world and all these copies can learn separately but share that knowledge instantaneously and that's how these chat apps can know so much more than any one person," Hinton told the BBC. Hinton also called the chatbots "quite scary". He said while current chatbots were not at par with humans when it came to intelligence but that could change soon. "Right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be," he told BBC. Speaking about his decision to quit his job at Google, Hinton said that his age had played into his decision to leave the tech giant. "I'm 75, so it's time to retire."A British expatriate to Canada, Hinton spent most of his academic life researching AI. In 1972, as a graduate student at the University of Edinburgh, Hinton started working on an idea called a neural network. A neural network is a mathematical system that learns skills by analysing data. In 2012, Hinton and two of his students in Toronto, Ilya Sutskever and Alex Krishevsky, created one such neural network which could analyse thousands of photos and teach itself to identify common objects such as flowers, dogs and cars. Also Read: Tech groupthink could hinder AI competition Google spent $44 million to acquire a company started by Hinton and his two students and their neural network led to the creation of chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Bard.
Several passengers were stranded and had their tickets cancelled after airline provider Go First decided to suspend all their flights on May 3 and 4. Passengers vented out their anger and frustration over the decision of the airline provider to not fly on Wednesday and Thursday on social media, expressing their displeasure over flight cancellations. Booked a flight which eventually got canceled just a day before the departure date airline is saying they don't have any alternate flights to put me on so they'll refund my amount & i have to book another flight which will cost 2xthe amount i paid #holidayruined@GoFirstairways pic.twitter.com/PQhgPFYBBD  Aiman Nazir (@AimanNazir12) May 2, 2023 @GoFirstairways My flight on 4-May -2023 got cancelled and I got email from yo regarding same. I tried multiple times your customer care number was not reachable. Please help me with accommodating internally on same day as its an official visit so cant afford such amendments  vibhor sharma (@vibhor_sharma_8) May 2, 2023 @GoFirstairways the worst airline of the world, cancelled tkt one day before journey.  Rajkumar (@Rajkuma67052008) May 2, 2023 @JM_Scindia I had booked a Gofirst flight from Pune to Delhi 3 weeks prior . Today I received a simple text msg that my flight for tomorrow is cancelled and no flight is available before the 5th. I am a mother of a 3 year old and stranded here. Seeking you help Mr. Scindia  khushboo parakh (@khushboopa29968) May 2, 2023 @JM_Scindia@DGCAIndia Go First is the worst airline, they did the check in G8 283 Pune to Nagpur and at last moment they canceled it. Now it's a common issue of this airline. Passengers has their medical issues, jobs, now left with no option ..Airline people are to rude,  Satish ubale (@ubale_satish) May 2, 2023 @GoFirstairways @DGCAIndia I contacted my booking partner @makemytrip, it was being told to me that you are late many of the passengers have rescheduled before you. There were no option given by GoFirst for alternatives for 2 days. It was a family trip planned by me.  Shailesh Sakpal (@SRS_016) May 2, 2023 @GoFirstairways @DGCAIndia Everything was planned for next 4 days. Now who will take responsibility for those cancellations or extra perks I had spent on my booking. @GoFirstairways kindly do needful and reply soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.  Shailesh Sakpal (@SRS_016) May 2, 2023 Gofirst the worst airlines . They have been cancelling or repeatedly rescheduling flights since past 3 months or more creating monetary loss and mental agony to passengers @GoFirstairways  DEL POTRO (@Rodio441) May 2, 2023 @GoFirstairways why the hell have you cancelled my flight 2 days before departure? Other flight tickets are twice the amount now. None of your customer care numbers are reachable. Your site is hopeless where it is not allowing to refund. Pathetic airlines  Anish Kanekar (@anex011) May 2, 2023 I had booked myself a month ago in @GoFirstairways flight schedule to depart tomorrow from BOM-Chandigarh and today I received a msz saying the flight is cancelled and they will refund the amount. How do I travel now. No rules for them to arrange 1 @MoCA_GoI@PMOIndia@DGCAIndia  Dr Akshay Shah (@drakshay_shah) May 2, 2023 @GoFirstairways@DGCAIndia@ianuragthakur Received flight cancellation mail of G8- 1914 just a day prior to departure. Pathetic response from customer care, being connected on call for 24 mins still ended up without solving query. Disgusting, Rply me earliest and refund pic.twitter.com/qmRYnJHIiy  Nikhil Bajpai (@bajpainikhil189) May 2, 2023 @GoFirstairways Worst airline , every damn time either delayed or cancelled their flight.And now even worse you cancelled my tommorow flight and i cannot reschedule it for 2 fo 3 days. Is this joke, resolve this ASAP.Reaally pathetic airline service.. Rehan Ashraf (@RehanAs49675707) May 2, 2023 The airline decided to suspend all its flights on both those days and announced that it has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in New Delhi. The announcement was made by airline CEO Kaushik Khona. It is an unfortunate decision (filing for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings) but it had to be done to protect the interests of the company, he said. Also read: 'Break his head': Stranded Go First passengers' verbal spat on camera with staff over cancelled flight
The Gujarat High Court on May 2 concluded the hearing of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking stay of his conviction by a Surat Magistrate court in a defamation case against him for "All thieves have Modi surname" remark that he had allegedly made in 2019 during an election campaign. Justice Hemant Prachhak, who heard the arguments, noted that the circumstances of the case is such that he would pass a final judgment in the case after the summer vacations, which ends on June 5. Not granting any interim relief would mean that Gandhi continues to be disqualified from the Lok Sabha. The hearing for the case saw Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appear for Gandhi while senior lawyer Nirupam Nanavati appeared for the complainant Purnesh Modi. Two sides Nanavati highlighted that Gandhi is taking different stands in the court and in the public. He said "If you are a motormouth you keep speaking. You are well within your right that you don't want to apologise. You are right in saying you won't apologise or say sorry. But then don't make hue and cry over the consequences. Don't cry here in the courtroom like a cry baby saying my career is at stake." Nanavati argued that sanctity is to be maintained in an institution like parliament and hence the law has barred persons convicted by courts from continuing as members of parliament. Singhvi, on the other hand, argued that Gandhi could lose the seat if election commission announces bye election to Wayanad constituency, which Gandhi represented. He further stated that speeches made during election campaign should be treated differently in comparison with speeches made elsewhere. Singhvi further argued that disqualification for a member of parliament is a matter of great significance. Gandhi was convicted on March 23 by the chief judicial magistrate in Surat and sentenced to two years in prison. On March 24, he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on account of his conviction. According to the Representation of the People Act of 1951, MPs and MLAs are disqualified the moment they are convicted of an offence with a sentence of imprisonment for not less than two years. The elected representative will continue to be disqualified for six years after release from prison. In Gandhi's case, the conviction, if upheld, will disqualify him for eight years. Gandhi will have to obtain a stay on his two-year conviction to be reinstated as a member of the Lok Sabha. Days after Gandhis disqualification, a plea was moved in the Supreme Court, challenging the validity of the provision under which he was disqualified. On April 20, a sessions court in Surat refused to stay Gandhi's conviction, an appeal was filed against the order of the sessions court in High Court. The HC started hearing the case on April 28 and concluded hearing the case on May 2.
Hardliners in Pakistan are making sure that foreign minister Bilawal Zardari Bhuttos visit to India ends in failure. They are also fuming at former Pakistani army chief Qamar Javed Bajwas public assertion that given the countrys dire economic situation, it cannot afford to go to war with India. The two issues have merged into a single plank for the Pakistani hardliners to mount criticism on the Shahbaz Sharif-led coalition government in Islamabad. The detractors see the current move as part of a conspiracy hatched by foreign powers to force Pakistan to engage with India and put the Kashmir issue on the backburner. Bhutto is due to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations foreign ministerial meeting in Goa, between May 4 and 5. From the time it was confirmed by Islamabad that he would attend the meeting in Goa in person and not address it virtually, diplomatic and media circles were abuzz. Bhutto will be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in 11 years. The one to do so was Hina Rabbani, who is currently Bhuttos junior minister. There was speculation over whether it would also lead to a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart and host, S. Jaishankar. There were never great expectations of a major breakthrough in frosty India-Pakistan relations even if the two met. But it could have been the first step towards a thaw in the bilateral ties. A string of developments in recent weeks have now made a possible bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Goa event extremely difficult. Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi was noncommittal when asked about a possible meeting between the two foreign ministers. Terror attack kills chances of dialogue The announcement of Bhuttos visit to India was followed by a terrorist attack on an army truck in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 20, killing five soldiers. That attack almost ended any chance of a bilateral meeting. The terrorists behind the attack were suspected to be linked to Pakistan-based terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The Indian foreign minister, S Jaishankar, who had earlier refrained from making any comments on speculation about his bilateral meeting with Bhutto, decided to speak out after the Poonch attack. Jaishankar ruled out any possibility of talks with his counterpart from Pakistan, stating that terror and talks cannot go together. Unless Pakistan shows credible proof that it is taking action against terror groups based in the country and stops using terror as a tool of engagement with India, there will be no talks with the neighbour. The invitation to the Pakistani foreign minister was sent as Pakistan is a member of the eight-country Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), whose rotating presidency is with India this year. Along with India and Pakistan, Russia, China, and the four Central Asian countries  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan  make up the eight-member SCO. There is no indication yet that Bhutto might call off his visit to India after Jaishankars rebuff. But it has set off a series of attacks on the Pakistani foreign minister by his political detractors and commentators known to be hardliners against any possible India-Pakistan rapprochement. Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has lashed out at Bhutto for going to India even after his request for a meeting with Jaishankar was rejected by the Indian side. Fawad Chaudhury, a spokesman of Imrans PTI, said Bilawals visit to India is an insult to the sacrifices of Kashmiris. No question of war Significantly, a video of Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir accusing former army chief Bajwa of publicly confessing that Pakistan cant fight India because of the sad state of its economy has gone viral in the country over the past few days. According to Mir, Bajwa confessed before a group of 25 journalists that the Pakistan Armys tanks are useless and there was no money even to put diesel in them. He even said that Pakistan Army was not capable of fighting. Mir claimed that Bajwa had made a deal on Kashmir with India and had struck a ceasefire agreement with the Indian army along the Line of Control. All this was being done to set aside the Kashmir dispute and start engaging with India. Mir said this in conversation with Naseem Zehra, another Pakistani journalist, as he claimed Bajwa was trying to make a deal with India behind the Pakistani armys back. Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistani commentator on military affairs said the timing of the video containing the conversation between Mir and Zehra was aimed at scuttling Bhuttos visit to India. However, Bajwas reported confession has put the Pakistani hardliners and various terrorist outfit leaders in overdrive. Since the video went viral, they have all come out criticising Bajwa for humiliating the country in public and demanding strong action against the former army chief. Most have publicly stated their commitment and support for the Kashmiri peoples struggle against India. These recent developments in Pakistan clearly indicate that the country is still ill-prepared to meet the conditions set by India for a possible resumption of dialogue.
If you want to know how the world is preparing for the next global pandemic look at Rolaing, a Cambodian village located on a tributary of the Mekong River. For a few days in February this isolated spot became a hive of public health activity after an 11-year-old girl died of H5N1, the most virulent strain of bird flu  the countrys first fatality from the disease since 2014. A rapid response team of local health workers was dispatched within hours to the village, a two hour drive from the capital Phnom Penh. They found a community of almost 2,000 people living in brightly colored wooden and sheet metal homes, close to their livestock and chickens. In the space of just 24 hours they set up a makeshift testing center, identified a dozen of the girls closest contacts, took swabs and scoured for the pathogen. Her father tested positive. He was treated with antivirals and recovered. At least 11 others, including close relatives she lived with, were found to be infection-free. The team monitored the village for another three weeks, testing dozens more people. Only the two infections, which health experts said stemmed from direct contact with sick animals, were discovered. The speed with which Cambodia, and other countries where novel viruses are known to emerge, can identify and respond to future virus threats will determine how effectively the world can contain the next pandemic. The Cambodian response, honed by years of work with the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was remarkably swift for one of Asias poorest countries. It forms part of a much bigger global effort  combining government, industry and health officials  to be better prepared for the next pandemic, whether it is avian flu or anything else. The world has been primed by Covid-19 and torqued by reports of new variants of H5N1 avian flu  a threat researchers have been tracking for over a quarter of a century  that appear to be making it more transmissible between mammals. The danger is twofold. Novel infections are emerging more quickly than in the past, leaving the public health community less time to regroup and respond to the chaos caused by entirely new pathogens. Since the 1970s, about 40 infectious diseases have been discovered. Experts also worry that Covid could be mild in comparison to what might come next. H5N1 kills more than half of those it infects. If it mutates to transmit easily between humans  the ultimate concern for public health experts  deaths could dwarf the 6.8 million caused by SARS-CoV-2, with as many as 15,000 people a day in the UK alone according to one estimate by Airfinity, a health analytics firm. There is a community of experts constantly on high alert, even when threat levels dip. So far there has been no human-to-human transmission identified and only around a dozen people globally have been infected with H5N1 since January 2022. We built a strong health system here during Covid, and it has paid off, said Or Vandine, Cambodias Secretary of State for Health. Tools from the Covid response, we can use for this event. The master plan, these key elements, were still relevant. Cambodia, which recorded 37 bird flu deaths in the decade up to 2014, has finetuned its pandemic preparedness since Covid. The government added hundreds of health workers to local response teams, built up laboratories so they could get genetic results in hours and crafted educational materials to teach the public how to protect themselves. With Covid, we learned you have to be ready to immediately go, day or night, Or Vandine added, if the community doesnt engage, you fail. The focus is on avian flu because cases in birds  wild and domesticated  have hit record levels. Since late 2021 more than 50 million birds, including farmed poultry, have been culled in Europe, 58 million in the US and 17 million in Japan, most preemptively in an effort to slow the spread. The economic impact has been severe for producers and consumers, with egg and chicken prices climbing steeply. The number of turkeys slaughtered for meat in the US last year fell to the lowest level since 1986, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Countries including China placed restrictions on imports from areas where the virus has been detected  disrupting supply chains and sales for companies including Tyson Foods Inc. The USDA estimates the bird flu outbreak cost the US economy $2 billion in 2022, including the higher prices consumers paid for eggs, chicken and turkey. There is no indication yet that the mass cull alone is working. In a sign that the UK believes the worst is over it has lifted restrictions, in place since November, on keeping birds inside to stifle the spread of the virus. Yet in other parts of Europe new cases continue to pop up, as they do in Asia and countries in South America. The virus is so contagious that it can sweep through an entire flock in days. Infections caused by a new variant of H5N1 are also occurring in a variety of mammals, on land and water, including mink on a Spanish farm, Peruvian sea lions and US grizzly bears, raising fresh concerns about the potential for mutations that could facilitate human-to- human transmission. While H5N1 is the most feared form of avian influenza, more than half a dozen other strains have made their way into humans in recent years. The most recent case involved a 56-year-old woman in China who died in March after contracting an H3N8 infection. The sheer volume of virus being carried by birds through the air is a concern, with the established strain causing outbreaks in Asia and the mutating variant picking up pace in the West. The current situation, with so much virus in birds, is concerning, said Sonja Olsen, associate director for preparedness and response in the US CDCs influenza division. Influenza viruses like to share their genetic material. They are constantly evolving, and thats why surveillance in animals and humans is so important. Its difficult to predict which virus is going to acquire mutations that will be more adaptive to humans, Olsen added. Thats why we do what we do, the surveillance and rapid response, jumping on every case. Inside the lab On the other side of the world from Cambodia, scientists at The Pirbright Institute, an hour outside London, are trying to harness technology in an effort to combat the threat from avian flu. First established as a cattle testing station for tuberculosis in 1914, Pirbright is now one of the UKs leading veterinary virus diagnostics and surveillance centers. Large colorful windows denote high containment areas, where the most dangerous pathogens  including African Swine Fever, Bluetongue Virus and Bird Flu  are handled. Showers are mandatory upon exiting to guard against any accidental spread. At the head of the avian influenza virus team is Munir Iqbal, who has never been more in demand. Along with 25 other experts, Iqbal has been co-opted onto a new UK government panel to assess the risk of the bird flu epidemic on humans as part of its preparations for the next pandemic. Among his colleagues on the panel is Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist who advised the UK government during Covid. Experts say the immediate risk to humans is low. Globally, there have been fewer than 1,000 people infected with H5N1 since 2003. There have been at least four cases so far in 2023, with a patient in China joining the two in Cambodia, and Chile reporting its first ever case on March 29. Despite that, government, industry and public health leaders are laying the groundwork for a global response. High on the list is the active monitoring of birds and surveillance in humans for signs of infection, while the pharmaceutical industry is crafting immunizations and governments are stockpiling antivirals that could be used if needed. Iqbals team at Pirbright is monitoring the ability of the avian flu virus to spread in people. In the laboratory, they expose synthetic carbohydrate molecules like those found on the surface of cells in the human trachea, to the virus, then measure whether it can latch on. So far, every time the team has run the test, a message pops up: UK H5N1 does not bind to human receptor. At the moment, there is no sign in the virus, or no signature in the virus, that can pose any risk, says Iqbal. But this virus can change any time. You cannot predict tomorrow. The team monitors the ability of the virus to attack bird cells and studies how that process is evolving. They inject pristine eggs from specialized biosecurity farms with the virus and monitor how the 10-day-old embryos respond. The team also uses this method to grow the virus for analysis and vaccine development. Iqbal, who has spent more than two decades studying the disease and its evolution, says this is a seminal moment for avian influenza. We are watching the virus, he said. Were more prepared because of the coronavirus pandemic and all the losses. This time around, experts are focused on mitigating the risk, as well as scenario planning for when action should be taken to get ahead of any outbreak that threatens human health. The UK government is already assessing rapid tests that could be used to detect the virus, evaluating whether asymptomatic infections could occur in people directly exposed and deciding what mutations should be considered a serious threat. It's important from a resilience and preparedness point of view, said Andrew Pollard, who led the UK clinical trials for the Oxford-AstraZeneca Plc Covid-19 vaccine, to consider infectious threats in the same way that we do other threats that are very unlikely to happen  for example military conflict. This virus is here to stay Pollard believes there is a risk of governments losing focus on pandemic planning post-Covid. Yet when it comes to bird flu at least, there is a whirlwind of activity around new approaches, designed to detect emerging infections and quickly avert transmission. The pharmaceutical industry is crafting potential vaccinations for birds and humans, and designing drug treatments in case they are urgently needed. We have to be vigilant about H5N1, but always looking out of the corner of our eyes for what else may be coming," said Beverly Taylor, Head of Influenza Scientific Affairs, at CSL Seqirus, one of the companies with a long-standing vaccine partnership with the US government for avian flu  including H5 strains. The ambition is to get vaccines into arms in less than 98 days after the identification of a new strain. Vaccinating poultry flocks to prevent infection is a proposal that is gaining traction with farmers keen to avoid more culls. But the risks are substantial: immunization may help infected animals survive instead of preventing transmission. That could unintentionally prolong the spread of the virus. The USDA has four vaccine candidates for animals in development and expects to get initial results in May. Several countries, including Mexico and China, are already vaccinating some of their poultry. Moderna Inc. is considering human tests for its bird flu vaccine this year. One of the most urgent threats is posed by nature. Seasonal outbreaks of avian influenza make the twice yearly migration of wild birds in the spring and fall precarious for farmers with some birds potentially carrying the toxic pathogen. Brazil, the worlds largest exporter of chicken meat, is testing migrating birds in an effort to maintain its status as one of the few countries still free of avian influenza, even as case counts climb among its neighbors. Elaine Kellner, who raises ducks on the Hearth & Haven Farm, outside the US city of Seattle, adopted strict biosecurity measures last year: no visitors, dedicated shoes and jackets for farm tasks, and a guard dog to scare off wild birds. The moves didnt prevent a bird flu outbreak that struck before Christmas. Kellner was forced to cull more than 170 ducks and four geese. This virus is here to stay, she said. All it takes is one bird flying over your flock and defecating. Learning the lessons Although the response in Rolaing has been deemed a success by health officials, the challenge is clear. It took a full week for the infection to come to the attention of the government health system. The villagers didnt think anything was amiss when a handful of dead chickens were found along the river, blaming hot weather for the deaths. It was only as the schoolgirls condition deteriorated that the connection was made. When she arrived at hospital on Feb. 21, doctors  unaware that two of the familys four chickens, which lived largely underneath the room where she slept, had died  assumed she had a seasonal flu. The symptoms are similar, with key signs including a high fever, cough or shortness of breath, which can develop into pneumonia. So they gave her an antiviral drug, swabbed her, and processed the sample overnight. She died hours before the results came back showing the H5N1 infection. Covid showed that time is of the essence when it comes to air-borne respiratory viruses. Identifying and isolating anyone who is infected or has been exposed can slow the spread, while immunizations reduce the severity of those cases. Sharing information between countries and within communities is essential to mitigate the risk and allow people to protect themselves. Tests that can detect infection can now be crafted within days of uncovering a new pathogen, and it might not be bird flu. Staying vigilant is an issue, even for experts. Li Ailan, the WHO representative to Cambodia, specifically warned her team not to make assumptions. No single country, including Cambodia, is fully ready for the next pandemic, she said. We need to continue our journey, she added, to keep the world safe.
Everyone wants a piece of OpenAI, the startup behind artificial intelligence-powered chatbot ChatGPT. After raising $10 billion from technology giant Microsoft, the company has raked in another $300 million from venture capitals leading lights, including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, TechCrunch reported. Its competitors may struggle to find backers with deep enough pockets to help them unseat the reigning leader. While some startup investors, like fellow OpenAI backer Tiger Global, sometimes fund direct competitors, the practice is generally frowned upon in an industry built on maintaining friendly relationships to score early access to hot deals. Sequoia relinquished its stake in payments firm Finix over concerns it competed with existing portfolio company Stripe. Now that OpenAI has the support of venture capitals biggest names, that norm will make life harder for smaller challengers - especially given the steep costs of training AI models and how stretched venture funding is now. For every $1.60 demanded by early-stage startups, only $1 of funding is available, according to PitchBook. Rivals could look to the other tech goliaths; competitor Anthropic, backed by Microsoft nemesis Google, recently completed a similarly sized fundraise. But there are only so many behemoths to go around. By planting its flag in Silicon Valley early, OpenAI may have won a lasting edge in the AI race.

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To date, the only country in the world that successfully fulfils NATO's task of resisting Russian aggression is Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said.

"The North Atlantic Alliance was created by the Americans as a response to the threat of the Russian Empire, but then it was called the Soviet Union. The main task of NATO is to resist the Russian Empire, successfully resist and, in case of aggression, fight back. Today, the only country in the world that successfully fulfils the task of NATO is Ukraine. It's hard, at the cost of our blood, our lives, our homes, today we are fulfilling the NATO mission," Reznikov told Interfax-Ukraine.

He said Ukrainians are now doing what NATO has been preparing to do for several decades.

"The Alliance understands this, and therefore we are given NATO weapons in order to see how successfully they can counter the main threat," the minister said.
Geoffrey Hinton was an artificial intelligence pioneer. In 2012, Hinton and two of his graduate students at the University of Toronto created technology that became the intellectual foundation for the AI systems that the tech industrys biggest companies believe is a key to their future. On Monday, however, he officially joined a growing chorus of critics who say those companies are racing toward danger with their aggressive campaign to create products based on generative AI, the technology that powers popular chatbots like ChatGPT. Hinton said he has quit his job at Google, where he has worked for more than decade and became one of the most respected voices in the field, so he can freely speak out about the risks of AI. A part of him, he said, now regrets his lifes work. I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadnt done it, somebody else would have, Hinton said during a lengthy interview last week in the dining room of his home in Toronto, a short walk from where he and his students made their breakthrough. Hintons journey from AI groundbreaker to doomsayer marks a remarkable moment for the technology industry at perhaps its most important inflection point in decades. Industry leaders believe the new AI systems could be as important as the introduction of the web browser in the early 1990s and could lead to breakthroughs in areas ranging from drug research to education. But gnawing at many industry insiders is a fear that they are releasing something dangerous into the wild. Generative AI can already be a tool for misinformation. Soon, it could be a risk to jobs. Somewhere down the line, techs biggest worriers say, it could be a risk to humanity. It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things, Hinton said. After the San Francisco startup OpenAI released a new version of ChatGPT in March, more than 1,000 technology leaders and researchers signed an open letter calling for a six-month moratorium on the development of new systems because AI technologies pose profound risks to society and humanity. Several days later, 19 current and former leaders of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, a 40-year-old academic society, released their own letter warning of the risks of AI. That group included Eric Horvitz, chief scientific officer at Microsoft, which has deployed OpenAIs technology across a wide range of products, including its Bing search engine. Hinton, often called the Godfather of AI, did not sign either of those letters and said he did not want to publicly criticize Google or other companies until he had quit his job. He notified the company last month that he was resigning, and Thursday, he talked by phone with Sundar Pichai, CEO of Googles parent company, Alphabet. He declined to publicly discuss the details of his conversation with Pichai. Googles chief scientist, Jeff Dean, said in a statement: We remain committed to a responsible approach to AI. Were continually learning to understand emerging risks while also innovating boldly. Hinton, a 75-year-old British expatriate, is a lifelong academic whose career was driven by his personal convictions about the development and use of AI. In 1972, as a graduate student at the University of Edinburgh, Hinton embraced an idea called a neural network. A neural network is a mathematical system that learns skills by analyzing data. At the time, few researchers believed in the idea. But it became his lifes work. In the 1980s, Hinton was a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University but left the university for Canada because he said he was reluctant to take Pentagon funding. At the time, most AI research in the United States was funded by the Defense Department. Hinton is deeply opposed to the use of AI on the battlefield  what he calls robot soldiers. In 2012, Hinton and two of his students in Toronto, Ilya Sutskever and Alex Krishevsky, built a neural network that could analyze thousands of photos and teach itself to identify common objects, such as flowers, dogs and cars. Google spent $44 million to acquire a company started by Hinton and his two students. And their system led to the creation of increasingly powerful technologies, including new chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google Bard. Sutskever went on to become chief scientist at OpenAI. In 2018, Hinton and two other longtime collaborators received the Turing Award, often called the Nobel Prize of computing, for their work on neural networks. Around the same time, Google, OpenAI and other companies began building neural networks that learned from huge amounts of digital text. Hinton thought it was a powerful way for machines to understand and generate language, but it was inferior to the way humans handled language. Then, last year, as Google and OpenAI built systems using much larger amounts of data, his view changed. He still believed the systems were inferior to the human brain in some ways but he thought they were eclipsing human intelligence in others. Maybe what is going on in these systems, he said, is actually a lot better than what is going on in the brain. As companies improve their AI systems, he believes, they become increasingly dangerous. Look at how it was five years ago and how it is now, he said of AI technology. Take the difference and propagate it forwards. Thats scary.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday summoned the four top congressional leaders to the White House next week after the Treasury warned the government could run short of cash to pay its bills by June. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a letter to Congress that the agency will be unlikely to meet all U.S. government payment obligations "potentially as early as June 1" without action by Congress. The estimate raised the risk that the United States is headed for an unprecedented default that would shake the global economy, adding new urgency to political calculations in Washington, where Democrats and Republicans were girding for a months-long standoff. Biden called Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Jerusalem, where he is on a diplomatic trip, to invite him to a May 9 White House meeting. The two leaders haven't sat down to discuss the issue since February. Biden also extended invitations to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell, whose fall in March sidelined him for weeks, said he and Biden had a "good conversation" today, adding: "I'm sure we'll be speaking again." The estimate raised the risk that the United States is headed for an unprecedented default that would shake the global economy, adding new urgency to political calculations in Washington, where Democrats and Republicans were girding for a months-long standoff. Biden called Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Jerusalem, where he is on a diplomatic trip, to invite him to a May 9 White House meeting. The two leaders haven't sat down to discuss the issue since February. Biden also extended invitations to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell, whose fall in March sidelined him for weeks, said he and Biden had a "good conversation" today, adding: "I'm sure we'll be speaking again." The estimate raised the risk that the United States is headed for an unprecedented default that would shake the global economy, adding new urgency to political calculations in Washington, where Democrats and Republicans were girding for a months-long standoff. Biden called Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Jerusalem, where he is on a diplomatic trip, to invite him to a May 9 White House meeting. The two leaders haven't sat down to discuss the issue since February. Biden also extended invitations to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell, whose fall in March sidelined him for weeks, said he and Biden had a "good conversation" today, adding: "I'm sure we'll be speaking again." SPENDING CUT DEMANDS The April 26 bill passed by the Republican-led House would slash tax incentives for solar energy and implement $4.5 trillion in spending cuts - or about 22% - in exchange for a $1.5 trillion increase in the U.S. debt limit. The bill has no chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate and the White House has said Biden would veto the legislation if it did. Budget analyst Shai Akabas at the Bipartisan Policy Center said the short deadline underscored the urgency of finding a solution to the bitter standoff, and that it dashed hopes that the Congress could negotiate through the late summer months. A potential default within weeks "is not a position befitting of a country considered the bedrock of the financial system, and only adds uncertainty to an already shaky economy," he added. BREATHING ROOM Yellen's vagueness on the actual default date is due to some fiscal events in June that could buy some breathing room. If Treasury can make it past early June benefit payments, it could take in significant cash from quarterly estimated tax payments due on June 15, analysts say. Then Treasury could float until June 30, when it would be able to tap $143 billion in borrowing by suspending reinvestment of maturing securities held by the government retirement funds. Along with tax receipts, that borrowing would allow it to pay bills well into July. Nonetheless, the U.S.'s debt ceiling battles are likely to persist for years to come, with benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare accounting for the largest category of the budget and projected to grow dramatically as the population ages. As the current debate heats up, Biden, who is seeking re-election in 2024, is using the House Republican proposal to tag his opposition as an economic threat to local economies.
Artificial intelligence technology has been around for decades but its just hitting the mainstream now. Itll only get more coverage from here. It will transform much of our lives. But will it make for a good investment? Read on to find out

AI is coming.

No, AI is here.

And its upending jobs, lives, and industries.

Were witnessing the demarcation of a new epochfrom the printing press via the smartphone to AI.

There was the world before ChatGPT and the world after.

Were never going back.

Is this melodramatic or true?

Commence the AI hype cycle

Artificial intelligence technology has been around for decades but its just hitting the mainstream now.

Itll only get more coverage from here.

If AI were a band, then ChatGPT would be its first number-one single. ChatGPT brought AI to the masses.

And now AI is getting the mass culture treatment.

Endless coverage, countless predictions, hot takes, fearmongering, and hype.

AI is rapidly improving, and its tools will disrupt lives.

Its already doing that.

Last month at the ASU+GSV Summit, Turnitin CEO Chris Caren said his company will need only 20% of its engineers and many of those will be hired out of high school, not college.

Caren predicted a similar shrinkage for the sales and marketing department.

AI is ushering a time of both displacement and opportunity.

Some jobs and industries will change (or disappear), while whole new ones will spring up.

Maybe in a few months, well be hearing about a high school student who turned their GPT-4 subscription into a hot new start-up.

Oh, how the press will have a field day with that story.

The hype is predictably spilling into the investing sector.

A good barometer of a trends potency is interest from venture capital.

And VCs are loving AI. One founder told Reutersthat VCs think this is the new internet.

According to PitchBook, investment in AI start-ups rose to US$5.9 billion since 2022, up from US$1.5 billion in 2020.

Investing in AI: lessons from history

AI will transform much of our lives.

But will it make for a good investment?

It depends.

Investing is multi-disciplinary but in the end, its about backing profitable businesses.

As Ive said before, successful investors make money and that usually means backing companies that make money.

And therein lies the crux of the matter. Technological innovations dont always make for good investments.

Burton Malkiel made this point referencing the dotcom bubble:

Most bubbles have been associated with some new technology (as in the tronics boom) or with some new business opportunity (as when the opening of profitable new trade opportunities spawned the South Sea Bubble). The Internet was associated with both: it represented a new technology, and it offered new business opportunities that promised to revolutionize the way we obtain information and purchase goods and services. The promise of the Internet spawned the largest creation and largest destruction of stock market wealth of all time.

The key to making good investments  in AI and elsewhere  is identifying businesses with sustainable profits ahead. As Warren Buffett once noted:

The key to investing is not assessing how much an industry is going to affect society, or how much it will grow, but rather determining the competitive advantage of any given company and, above all, the durability of that advantage. The products or services that have wide, sustainable moats around them are the ones that deliver rewards to investors.

Some AI companies will have competitive advantages and business models geared for profit, others will not.

The business matters more than the overarching technology.

In July 1999, Warren Buffett made a speech about the nuts and bolts of investing to a crowd drunk on the euphoria of the tech stock boom.

Buffetts was one of the final speeches held at a week-long conference in the Sun Valley dominated by newly minted tech gurus ushering an Internet revolution.

Buffetts speech went against the prevailing mood.

In her biography of Buffett, Alice Schroeder set the scene of that conference thus:

The audience, full of technology gurus who were changing the world while getting rich off the great bull market, sat silent. They were perched atop portfolios that were jam-packed with stocks trading at extravagant valuations. They felt terrific about that. It was a new paradigm, this dawning of the Internet age. Their attitude was that Buffett had no right to call them greedy. Warrenwhod hoarded his money for years and given very little away, who was so cheap his license plate said Thrifty, who spent most of his time thinking about how to make money, who had blown the technology boom and missed the boatwas spitting in their champagne.

Undeterred, Buffett warned the audience about mistaking booming industries for sound investments.

He turned to the automobile industry as an example (emphasis added):

At one point in the US, there were two thousand auto companies. The automobile was the most important invention, probably, of the first half of the twentieth century. It had an enormous impact on peoples lives. If you had seen at the time of the first cars how this country would develop in connection with autos, you would have said, This is the place I must be. But of the two thousand companies, as of a few years ago [remember, the speech dated from 1999], only three car companies survived. And, at one time or another, all three were selling for less than book value, which is the amount of money that had been put into the companies and left there. So autos had an enormous impact on America, but in the opposite direction on investors. 

Of course, we can approach the matter another way.

Investing is as much about identifying profitable businesses as it is about buying them for a fair price.

A great business at a steep price wont make for a great investment.

Our editorial director Greg Canavan made this point yesterday to readers of The Insider:

Everyone knows that Microsoft is an exceptional company with a hugely dominant position. Everyone knows that artificial intelligence (AI) is going to dominate the future, and Microsoft is in a prime position to exploit that. But when everyone knows something and everyone agrees, you have to be wary. In 19992000, everyone knew that Microsoft was going to be one of the best and most dominant tech companies in the world. But if you bought during that bubble/boom, you would have waited a very long time to get your money back. As the chart below shows, it took 16 years for Microsofts share price to get back to the tech bubble peak.

Thats something else to keep in mind.

With all that said, our editor Ryan Dinse offered a great counterbalance last week.

Ryan noted that Buffett is a legendary investor but his opinions on investing in tech are almost worthless:

Before you think this is pure arrogance on my part, bear in mind he says this himself. Buffett has long conceded that most technology plays are outside his circle of competence; therefore, he doesnt invest in them. For example, in 2014, he told Fortune magazine Bill Gates is a good friend, and I think he may be the smartest guy Ive ever met. But I dont know what those little things do. Those little things hes talking about are smartphones  probably one of the most disruptive trends of the decade. Think about that for a second Despite having direct access to the likes of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, Buffett missed most of the fastest-growing tech stocks of the past two decades, including Google, Amazon, Meta, and Apple. Though, to his credit, he did eventually start investing in Apple in 2016  and it is up around six times over since then.

For what its worth, I do think the points Buffett made at the 1999 conference are important for any investor to keep in mind when dealing with new and trending industries like AI.

AI will only get more powerful and its applications more diverse. And we are yet to hit peak AI.

So keep Buffetts point in mind as a prophylactic for any potential AI mania, a precautionary hype jab.

As Ryan said, AI will be as ubiquitous and widespread as smartphones are today. Its a story you cant afford to ignore.

Just dont ignore everything else.

Regards,





Kiryll Prakapenka,

Editor, Money Morning
Russia needs to be cut off from Crimea so that it cannot use peninsula for military purposes  intelligence

Representative of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Cherniak believes that the Russian occupiers need to be ousted from the Crimea peninsula, the department said on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.

"The enemy must be cut off from Crimea  to make sure that Russia cannot use the temporarily occupied peninsula for military purposes and, finally, implement the so-called 'Crimean goodwill gesture," Cherniak said in an interview with ArmyInform, reacting to the idea of former commander U.S. Army in Europe Ben Hodges to isolate the occupied Crimea from Russia.

Earlier, Hodges, during an expert interview for Spirit of America, said Crimea is decisive for this war. As long as Russia occupies Crimea peninsula, Ukraine will not be protected. He said that looking at the map, Crimea with Russian troops resembles a dagger pointed at belly of Ukraine.

According to the representative of the Main Intelligence Agency, Ukraine does not stop taking appropriate measures in the Crimea direction, as evidenced, in particular, by the recent events on the peninsula.

"Kilometre-long traffic jams on the illegally built bridge from Kerch to Russia is the right reaction. The Main Intelligence Agency of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry strongly recommends leaving the occupied Crimea while there is still such an option," Cherniak said.
So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time were too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky."
As of the morning of May 2, 2023, more than 1,438 children were injured in Ukraine as a result of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation, the Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) reports.

"According to the official information of juvenile prosecutors, 478 children were killed and more than 960 received injuries of varying severity," the Telegram channel says.

As noted, these figures are not final. The work continues on their establishment in the places of combat operations, in the temporarily occupied and liberated territories.

The largest number of children suffered in Donetsk region - 453, Kharkiv - 275, Kyiv - 128, Kherson - 94, Zaporizhia - 89, Mykolaiv - 89, Chernihiv - 70, Dnipropetrovsk - 67, and Luhansk - 66.

The information emphasizes that on May 1, a 14-year-old boy was killed as a result of the enemy shelling of the village of Lyzunivka, Chernihiv region.
James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Three people are facing felony charges after being arrested in Odessa following a joint human trafficking operation, according to the Department of Public Safety.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) conducted an online solicitation of a minor operation between April 26-29.
The Board of Trustees for Michigan Technological University voted to approve a number of new initiatives on campus, including plans to build a new residence hall for undergraduate students.

Michigan Techs new residence hall will house more than 500 second-year and upper-division students, tentatively beginning in fall 2025. It will be located at the east side of campus on Highway 41, just east of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, and is slated to offer suites with both single- and double-occupancy bedrooms and semiprivate baths. Planning activities will begin this summer, and construction will start later this year.

According to Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek, increasing demand for a Michigan Tech education is driving the need for a new residence hall. With enrollment expanding at the University, access to contemporary, affordable housing is a high priority for Michigan Tech, said Koubek. This vote by the Board of Trustees supports an exciting era of growth for the University and enables us to meet the needs of future Tech students through our campus master planning efforts.

The Universitys last two incoming classes were the largest since 1984, and domestic applications for fall 2023 are up 33% from last year  a new record. Vice President for University Relations and Enrollment John Lehman said he expects this years incoming class to be comparably strong both in number and academic credentials. He also echoed Koubeks sentiments about the sustained demand for a Michigan Tech education. College enrollment in STEM and STEM-related degrees is on the rise, fueled by the realization that these fields offer the hottest job prospects, said Lehman. As the demand for cutting-edge technology, innovation and scientific breakthroughs continues to shape the world, students who have a very real desire to make meaningful contributions to society are increasingly drawn to the fields that hold the key to the future.

A rendering of the new residence hall from above US 41 looking east.

The MTU Board of Trustees proactive commitment to expanded on-campus student housing will complement the smart, measured growth in enrollment the University anticipates over the next few decades, Lehman added.

Andrew Storer, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, said the residential nature of undergraduate programs is a critical part of the Michigan Tech experience. As Michigan Tech grows, we recognize the need to provide expanded housing options to ensure that we can continue to deliver an outstanding experience to our students, Storer said.

H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex Watch H-STEM Engineering and Health Sciences Complex video Watch

The new residence hall is among a handful of near-term priorities outlined in Techs campus master plan, which followed 19 months of input from a diverse group of campus stakeholders and community members at town halls, focus group meetings, surveys and reviews. The Board of Trustees approved the campus master plan at its meeting in October 2022. Other near-term priorities include renovations to existing academic and research spaces, as well as the Memorial Union Building; construction of the H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex, which is on schedule for completion by fall 2024; and construction of the Center for Convergence and Innovation, which will co-house the College of Computing and the College of Business.

Nursing Education Continues in the Copper Country

During the meeting, trustees also voted to approve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Pending approval from Michigan Techs institutional accreditor and the Michigan Board of Nursing, the University will begin admitting students this fall.

MTU will rehome nearby Finlandia Universitys nursing program and build on its strong foundation. Discussions about the possibility began earlier this semester when Finlandia announced it would close after the spring 2023 semester. Storer said the possibility became a reality thanks to the joint efforts of many dedicated, forward-focused individuals across campus and in the community  who all agreed that the nursing program at Michigan Tech will be a major asset for the community and for the region.

"As a STEM-based research institution with outstanding clinical partners in the region, we are uniquely positioned to ensure that students who want to pursue a career in nursing will be able to do so in the Copper Country, and that local health care providers will have student nurses and graduates available." Andrew Storer, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Support for adding the nursing program at Michigan Tech has been universal, said Storer. Everyone involved understood the importance of a four-year nursing program remaining in the local area, and also that Michigan Tech is the perfect university to offer such a program. We are proud to have this opportunity to support our community."

Storer said the University intends to bring six faculty members and one staff member over from Finlandia to lead the program. Were thrilled to be launching the program with such an experienced group of faculty and staff, Storer said. Having them on board from the outset will ensure that our nursing program delivers the high-quality, hands-on instruction that our students expect in a Michigan Tech education.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Kuleba: We should talk less about counteroffensive, work more to make it happen

Commenting on some experts' allegations that Ukraine's preparations for a counteroffensive have failed, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba called to "work more to make it happen, and talk less."

"These are the same experts and media outlets that on the eve of February 24 said Ukraine would not survive under Russia's strikes. Skeptics said 'three days', optimists said 'one week and we all will die'. It is a normal situation. We should talk less about counteroffensive and work more to make it happen. And we do it 120% every day," he said on the air of the Snidanok with 1+1 television program on Tuesday.

The minister emphasized that one of his permanent tasks is to ensure that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) receive everything necessary for counteroffensive from partners.

"Some people are engaged into reflection based on theoretical assumptions, and not faith in victory, instead of work," he said.

Kuleba also said that Commander-in-Chief of the AFU Valeriy Zaluzhny and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold numerous meetings and talks with partners and they always tackle the issue of weapons for counteroffensive of the AFU.

There are people in some countries who call the counteroffensive a "decisive battle," the minister said.

"And if Ukraine fails, they say, that would mean it is impossible to win by military means and it should make concessions then. That is why I keep saying to everyone that the decisive battle will be the one that will lead to the liberation of all Ukrainian territories. This is war. A war consists of several battles. If we solve this problem during this counteroffensive, then in the end, and not in the beginning, we will say that it was the decisive battle. However, it may not be the decisive battle. Then we might need another counteroffensive," Kuleba said.

He also noted that his phrase that counteroffensive is not the decisive battle was directed exactly against such narratives.

"This is a fight against narratives that at some point Ukraine will have to surrender," the minister said.
From left, Rotary Club of Saipan Treasurer Charles Cepeda, President-elect Irene Holl, Club Service Director Mary Grace Bautista, Sgt.-at-Arms Mario Valentino, Vice President Jessy Loomis, Division of Youth Services Administrator Vivian Sablan, Family and Youth Enhancement Program Supervisor Jennifer Tanaka, and Rotary Club of Saipan Secretary Joann Aquino.
Staff Reporter

Richelle obtained a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications from the Far Eastern University in Manila, the Philippines. She was a junior reporter for Marianas Variety from 2009 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2015. In the Maldives, she worked as a news reporter and marketing executive. In her free time, shes a painter, pianist, and mom baker.
RNZPacific/Pacnews  All high schools, elementary school and the community college in American Samoa have reopened - but students must be full
The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a statement in which it defined the existing political regime in the Russian Federation as ruscism.

The adoption of the relevant draft resolution was supported by 281 deputies at the plenary session on Tuesday, said Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a member of the Holos faction, on his Telegram channel.

The Rada also condemned the ideological foundations and social practices of the political regime of the Russian Federation, recognizing them as totalitarian and misanthropic.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Parliament appealed to the United Nations (UN), the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, OSCE, NATO, governments and parliaments of foreign states to support the condemnation of the ideology, policy and practice of ruscism.

The Verkhovna Rada condemns the ruscist regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin as criminal and calls on the international society to join the recognition of the existing political regime of Russia as criminal.

The Rada also calls on the international community to apply real measures that will make it possible to hold the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation accountable for committing crimes of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide against Ukraine and its people.

In addition, the Rada decided to apply to the countries of the world with an appeal to unite efforts to overcome the threats that constitute the current political regime of Russia, the ideology and practices of ruscism for peace and security.
Journal-Courier

BEARDSTOWN  City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session by 7 p.m. today in City Hall, 105 W. Third St.

The meeting will be preceded by a 6 p.m. committee meeting.
DIVERNON  The death toll from a massive crash Monday along Interstate 55 has risen to seven.

Illinois State Police said it was believed there were six fatalities, but determined Tuesday that remains thought to be one person were actually two.

Thirty-seven people were injured in a series of crashes in north- and south-bound lanes of I-55 between Farmersville and Divernon. About 70 vehicles were involved and injuries ranged from minor to critical, according to state police.

The crashes have been attributed to low visibility resulting from a dust storm. The same section of the interstate was closed Tuesday afternoon because of high winds and low visibility.

Coroners from Macoupin, Montgomery and Sangamon counties are assisting in identification of victims. As of Tuesday, one name had been released: that of Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin. Official have identified the hometowns of three others  two from Champaign and one from Florrissant, Missouri.

The crash required a significant mobilization of emergency crews. According to state police, law enforcement officers responded from Divernon Police, Hillsboro Police, Litchfield Police and the Macoupin County and Montgomery County sheriff's departments. Firefighters were called from Carlinville, Chatham, Divernon, Farmersville, Girard, Pawnee, Rochester, Shell Creek, Springfield and Virden.

Emergency medical services were provided by five helicopters from Air Evac and Arch, America Ambulance Service, Bunker Hill Ambulance Service, Carlinville Ambulance, Chatham Ambulance, Echo 6 Ambulance, Gillespie/Benld Ambulance, Hillsboro Ambulance, Litchfield Ambulance Service, Medic First Ambulance, Morrisonville Ambulance Service, Nokomis Ambulance, Pawnee Ambulance, Prairieland Ambulance Service, Raymond Ambulance Service, Stoughton Ambulance and Virden Ambulance Service.

Illinois Secretary of State Police, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Emergency Management Agency also provided on-scene personnel, police said.
Even though the nation is divided about immigration and its consequences, on one point, unanimity must be reached. Immigration, whether legal or illegal, cannot be a vehicle for child labor. And yet, the Department of Labor has uncovered several incidents that involve under-age migrants working in slave labor-like conditions.

A Department of Labor Tweet: Packers Sanitation Services Inc. has paid $1.5 M after @WHD_DOL investigators found the company employed at least 102 children-aged 13-17  in hazardous occupations and had them working overnight shifts in 13 meat processing facilities in eight states. Furthermore, DOL accused PSSI of employing oppressive child labor in perilous conditions.

In a series of stories, NBC News provided the horrific details. PSSI, a company contracted to work at slaughterhouses and meatpacking facilities throughout the county, allegedly employed at least 31 kids  one as young as 13  to work overnight cleaning shifts at three facilities in Nebraska and Minnesota, a Fair Labor Standards Act violation. Additional evidence indicated that the company may also have employed more under-age children in similar perilous conditions at 400 other sites nationwide. Identity theft is rampant and a major facilitator in underage migrant employment.

PSSI is a huge company that employs about 17,000 and has contracts with hundreds of meatpacking facilities. Toiling at PSSI wasnt an after-school job at the soda parlor. During the graveyard shift and across three slaughterhouses, when they should have been home in bed, minors literally slaved away, mopping up bloody floors.

Interviews with the minors, in their native Spanish language, revealed that several children began their slaughterhouse shifts at 11 p.m. and worked until dawn, some for six or seven days a week, and often for periods of up to 15 months. At least three victims suffered chemical burns.

The NBC News story skirted the central factor that abets minor childrens criminal employment  President Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas open border. Dont be misled. The medias deceptive language about unaccompanied minors is intended to deflect the truth  unaccompanied minors are more accurately described as the victims of child smuggling rings and are tied into the Biden administrations open borders policy. As the minors mature into adulthood, they become embedded in the permanent labor force. To most of them, any job is a good job. They need incomes to send remittances back home and to pay off their smuggling fees.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics show that after President Biden took office in January 2021, he acted immediately to eliminate effective policies, including categorically exempting unaccompanied minors from Title 42. Unaccompanied minors encounters skyrocketed. Between 2020 and 2021, total unaccompanied minors encounters at the Southwest border increased a staggering 342%, from 33,239 in 2020 to 146,913 in 2021. Those encounters increased to 152,057 in 2022 and are on pace to be at a similar level in 2023.

At a recent Senate hearing, Secretary Mayorkas couldnt explain the child exploitation surge under his watch, a fact that The New York Times described as ignored or missed. Multiple veteran government staffers and outside contractors told the Health and Human Services Department, including in reports which reached Secretary Xavier Becerra, that children could be at risk. Critics had previously brought to Mayorkas attention that the DHS Office of Refugee Resettlement routinely releases minors into the custody of unvetted families, many of whom are illegally present, and likely also illegally employed. The Labor Department also issued news releases that noted an increase in child labor. Senior White House aides were shown proof of exploitation, like migrants working with heavy industrial equipment and caustic chemicals. The net result of multiple efforts to shine light on booming child exploitation: nothing.

Multiple felonies are committed on every step of the journey from the border to the slaughterhouse. Corrupt government and private sector employers hold the upper hand. Fines are meaningless. Hard jail time might make a difference.

But if Congress cant pass mandatory E-Verify, its unlikely to put its weight behind throwing the donor class behind bars.




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 Security Service of Ukraine prevented an attempt to illegally export aircraft components subject to state export control.

"In the course of comprehensive measures in Dnipro, two entrepreneurs were exposed who were trying to smuggle two D-36 turbojet aircraft engines to Iran for sale," the SBU said on the Telegram channel on Tuesday.

According to the special service, it was established that the defendants planned to sell Ukrainian products to foreigners for $400,000.

The "customers" planned to use the high-tech equipment for An-74 military transport aircraft. To disguise their criminal activity, the offenders wanted to remove aircraft engines from Ukraine under the guise of components for main gas pipelines. For this purpose, false information was entered into the commodity-transport declarations," the SBU said.

Employees of the SBU promptly exposed the deal and blocked it.

According to investigators, the organizers of the scheme are two owners of a Dnipro-based company specializing in cargo transportation to the countries of the Middle East and Africa.

According to operational information, the engines that they tried to illegally export abroad were previously stolen during the liquidation of one of the state-owned enterprises.

"The dealers planned to make a 'cosmetic' repair of these units and make fake documents on them for subsequent sale," the SBU said.

According to it, the offenders stored aircraft products in a hangar on the territory of the enterprise, where law enforcement officers found it during searches at the place of work of the defendants.

Currently, the engines are withdrawn for examination. After that, the issue of their transfer to the needs of the military industrial complex of Ukraine will be considered.

As part of the criminal proceedings initiated by the SBU investigators under Part 1 of Article 333 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the procedure for international transfers of goods subject to state export control), an investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring those responsible to justice.
Crowds of those seeking rescue swell at Sudans main seaport View Photo

CAIRO (AP)  Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners joined growing crowds at Sudans main seaport Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation. After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital of Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table. The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a weeklong cease-fire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks. The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Burhan and Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt. Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the countrys Red Sea coast. The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday. He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now, everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat. Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air. Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later Tuesday, Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late Monday. They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt. Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting. He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies, he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighboring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to U.N. agencies. Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said at a news briefing Tuesday in Geneva. At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said. Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky cease-fire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate. Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 wounded since the fighting began, according to figures provided Tuesday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. The Sudanese Health Ministry said it counted at least 550 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with more than 4,900 wounded as of Monday.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there has been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting cease-fire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudans former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and Western diplomats in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately, he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in Oct. 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo, then allies, removed Hamdoks Western-backed transitional government in a coup.

___

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

By SAMY MAGDY

Associated Press
Taiwans president hopes to deepen US security exchanges View Photo

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Taiwans president told visiting ex-U.S. national security adviser John Bolton on Monday that her country is willing to deepen cooperation with the U.S. and other like-minded partners to safeguard peace, as the self-governed island faces increasing military threats from China.

President Tsai Ing-wen also expressed hopes to Bolton, a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2024, for more military and security exchanges and economic cooperation between the two sides, her office said in a statement.

Bolton began his weeklong visit to Taiwan last Wednesday and has called for deeper interaction between the two sides national security teams. His visit reflects the importance of the democratic island as an issue in the U.S. presidential election amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Later Monday, Tsai said at a separate event that Chinas military exercises have affected the stability and peace of the Indo-Pacific region.

But we will stay calm and firmly safeguard peace across the Taiwan Strait, she said.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 following a civil war that ended with the Communist Party in control of the mainland. The island has never been part of the Peoples Republic of China, but Beijing says it must unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

The U.S. remains Taiwans closest military and political ally despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between them. U.S. law requires Washington to treat all threats to the island as matters of grave concern, though it remains ambiguous over whether American forces would be dispatched to help defend it.

Last Friday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said Chinas military flew 38 fighter jets and other warplanes near Taiwan. That was the most since a large military exercise in which it simulated sealing off Taiwan in response to an April 5 meeting between Tsai and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China opposes any meetings between officials of Taiwan and other governments.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not go to the BRICS summit in the Republic of South Africa because of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"I think he won't go. Because South Africa has shown everyone that one can play in politics and love for Putin. This is when their leadership said that they would leave the ICC, but the next day it became clear what they were capable of - when other people came out the next day and said: we are staying in the ICC. And on the third day they said they would connect Putin online so as not to arrest him," he said on the air of Snidanok with 1 + 1.

According to him, this is a clear signal to the 123 countries participating in the Rome Statute "not to play." "South Africa is one of Putin's closest friends, now they have shown that even they are not able to renounce their obligations," the minister said.

As earlier reported, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party demands the country's withdrawal from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Yes, the governing party  has taken that decision that it is prudent that South Africa should pull out of the ICC," Ramaphosa said.

Later, in a message published on the website of the President of South Africa, it was stated that South Africa remains a party to the International Criminal Court as a signatory to the Rome Statute and will continue to campaign for equal and consistent application of international law.

The BRICS summit will be held in the South African province of Gauteng in August.
Mountain Counties Water Resources Association logo View Photo

Sonora, CA The Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) Board of Directors, led by Chair Scott Ratterman of the Calaveras County Water District and Vice Chair Barbara Balen of the Tuolumne Utilities District, has adopted official positions on a number of proposals currently making their way through Californias legislative process. MCWRA is weighing in on proposals impacting the associations strategic priorities, including Californias headwaters, water rights, and forest management. Id like to thank the MCWRA Legislative Committee for their work in identifying the bills that most impact our members, said Scott Ratterman, MCWRA President, and Calaveras County Water District Director. Our mission is to promote the statewide importance of Sierra Nevada water resources through advocacy and collaboration, and we look forward to engaging in the legislative process to advance this mission.

The MCWRA board has actively advocated several proposals, including the Water and Wildfire Resiliency Act of 2023 (ACA-2), the California Environmental Quality Act (AB 1554), and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program: Grant Eligibility: High Hazard and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (SB 470). The association supports the Water and Wildfire Resiliency Act of 2023 if amended to dedicate 50% of water project funding to wildfire suppression facilities in the wildland-urban interface. MCWRA also supports AB 1554, which exempts fuel reduction projects from the California Environmental Quality Act in moderate, high, and very high hazard severity zones.

MCWRA opposes several proposals, including the State Water Board Enforcement (AB 1337), the State Water Resources Enforcement (AB 460), the Determination of Water Right (SB 389), and the Public Works: Definition (AB 338). The association opposes AB 1337, which limits water diversions through regulation and enforces the regulations through orders to divert and use water under claims of right. It also opposes AB 460, which provides new authority for the State Water Resources Control Board and allows for its motion or upon the petition of an interested party to apply or enforce items such as the Reasonable Use and Public Trust Doctrine. The association believes this would weaken the protected rights to judicial review of the board. Similarly, MCWRA opposes SB 389, which authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to investigate the diversion and use of water from a stream system to determine whether the diversion and use are based upon appropriation, riparian right, or another basis of right. Finally, the association opposes AB 338, which seeks to expand the definition of public works to include fuel reduction work paid for in whole or in part out of public funds performed as part of a fire mitigation project.

Full information about this legislation and positions can be found here.
HONOLULU (AP)  Police officers responding to a report of a temporary restraining order violation on the small and close-knit Hawaiian island of Molokai shot and killed a man.

Two police officers were responding to the call Sunday morning when they encountered a man wielding a weapon, the Maui Police Department said.

The male advanced toward the officers, at which time one officer deployed his taser, which proved ineffective before both officers discharged their weapons, police said in a statement.

The man died at Molokai General Hospital, police said. The officers involved were put on administrative leave and an investigation is ongoing, police said.

Molokai is just 8 miles (12.87 kilometers) northwest of the island of Maui. Residents on the Molokai, known for its small-town atmosphere and no traffic lights, were shocked by the fatal shooting. Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, who holds the Molokai seat on the county council, told The Associated Press Monday there have been no similar incidents in recent memory.

Maui police didnt immediately respond to an AP email asking when was the last time an officer was involved in a shooting on Molokai.

Most of us are  related or friends. We mostly know each other, Rawlins-Fernandez said of the islands population of about 7,500. Most of the officers are long-time Molokai residents, she said.

While many questions remain about what happened, people are wondering how it could have been prevented. What more services do we need on this island so that we can prevent these kinds of things from happening? she said.

She said she went to high school with the man, identified by police Monday as Nathaniel Naki, 40, of Kaunakakai, the largest town on Molokai.

This is absolutely tragic, Rawlins-Fernandez said. The community is, you know, trying to figure out together how  to console the family.

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER

Associated Press
2 fatal stabbings, 1 attempt rattle California college town View Photo

DAVIS, Calif. (AP)  Residents of a Northern California university town are frightened and on edge after three people were stabbed within a week  two fatally  with the most recent attempt when a homeless woman reported being knifed several times through her tent.

Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said he could not say whether officials are searching for one or multiple suspects. He also said he could not recall any incidents like these in his four decades on the Davis police force and neither could officers who go back longer. Two of the victims were homeless and the third was a college student, he said.

This is different and the attacks were particularly violent and brazen, Pytel said at a Tuesday press conference, adding that in the most recent two attacks, the suspect didnt seem to care there were several witnesses who could identify him.

Davis is a small city known for its laid-back vibe, bicycle-friendly infrastructure and the University of California, Davis. There are roughly 67,000 residents in the city in addition to more than 13,000 students who live on campus. The city is about 70 miles (112 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco and 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Sacramento, California.

People are scared, said Davis Mayor Will Arnold at Tuesdays news conference.

Police issued a shelter-in-place order shortly after the stabbing of the woman was reported at 11:45 p.m. Monday. It was lifted hours later after police said they had not caught the suspect, who is described as a male with long curly hair, a thin build and carrying a brown backpack.

Radhika Gawde, president of the Associated Students of the University of California, Davis, said students stayed up Monday night monitoring police scanner activity and sharing information on social media.

I think I speak for the whole community here when I say were devastated by the loss of our peer, she said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. Our sense of safety has been completely shattered.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 80% of 4,200 students who responded to a student government survey sent out in the morning said they dont even feel safe attending classes during the day, she said. Gawde and her housemates, who live near campus, wont go out alone and their parents have asked them to come home.

The first death was reported Thursday before noon when officers found an unresponsive male in downtowns Central Park, hunched over a bench where he often sat or slept, Pytel said.

The victim, David Henry Breaux, 50, was well known in the area for more than a decade as the Compassion Guy, said the mayor and city council members in a statement. Breaux often greeted people and asked for their views on compassion.

The second stabbing occurred Saturday around 9:15 p.m. when a resident heard a disturbance and went outside to find a young man at Sycamore Park with multiple stab wounds. Authorities identified the victim as Karim Abou Najm, 20, a student at the university and a graduate of Davis High School.

In Mondays stabbing, the suspect was spotted by several people at a homeless encampment before stabbing the woman several times through her tent, the police chief said. The woman, whom police have not identified, is hospitalized and in critical condition. She is in her 60s, said Davis Lt. Dan Beckwith.

The description given of the suspect in Mondays stabbing was substantially similar to descriptions of the suspect from the second homicide, Pytel said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Davis Police Department, as are other law enforcement agencies.

Pytel said he believes all the attacks occurred at night and urged residents to be vigilant of their surroundings and to look out for one another. He said the department is scouring through hundreds of tips and searching for DNA evidence.
NEW YORK (AP)  As president, Donald Trump frequently derided CNN as fake news. Now that he's running again, Trump has agreed to appear on a live town hall forum from New Hampshire next week for CNN viewers.

The event, scheduled for May 10 at St. Anselm's College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, will be televised at 9 p.m. Eastern. Kaitlan Collins will moderate. Trump will take questions from Republicans and undeclared voters who are planning to participate in the 2024 GOP primary.

Although Trump has taken audience questions at some rallies and has been interviewed by Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson in recent weeks on Fox News, this is his first town hall-style event of the 2024 campaign.

The booking is a clear attempt by Trump to draw a contrast with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, an expected GOP presidential primary opponent. It is also a big deal for slumping CNN as it works to get beyond the era of former leader Jeff Zucker.

Trump never gave an interview to a CNN journalist while he was president.

A Trump adviser who was not authorized to speak publicly said stepping outside of the traditional comfort zone for Republicans was key to Trump's success in 2016. The adviser said CNN executives made a compelling pitch to Trump.

DeSantis has worked to avoid the mainstream media throughout his time in his office, but he is a regular on Fox News, a popular destination for conservative viewers.

DeSantis has long refused to sit for interviews or take questions with other media outlets who might ask more difficult questions. When he does have news conferences, he often holds them far from the Florida capital and with little advance notice, making it tough for journalists who know Florida politics best to attend.

As he traveled across the nation in recent weeks as part of his book tour, DeSantis usually avoided taking questions from voters or local reporters, aside from isolated interviews with conservative media.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who formally launched his presidential campaign last week, has appeared on MSNBC and CNN. Another contender, Vivek Ramaswamy, sat for a contentious interview with former CNN personality Don Lemon.

Trump's relationship with CNN was complicated, particularly given Zucker's role in promoting Trump on Celebrity Apprentice when the executive was at NBC. CNN, under Zucker's leadership, was also criticized for the extent to which it aired Trump campaign rallies early in the 2016 cycle.

As president, Trump denounced CNN as fake news and the enemy of the people and chafed under tough questioning by reporters like Jim Acosta and Collins. He attacked Zucker vitriolically.

As a result, CNN became unpopular with Trump's supporters and other Republican politicians. Current CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht, who replaced Zucker, has made it a mission to broaden the network's reach and ease some of the tension with the GOP.

The forums are a CNN tradition with presidential contenders and the network has been in touch with other candidates about doing something similar, said David Chalian, the network's vice president and political director. DeSantis is not a declared presidential candidate.

That would be a wonderful byproduct if indeed other candidates say that we should accept an invitation as well, Chalian said. But that's not why we're doing it.

Licht is also trying to rebuild CNN's struggling prime-time lineup. Landing Trump for the town hall  if it goes well  could be a step toward accomplishing multiple goals.

___

Associated Press reporter Steve Peoples from Washington contributed to this report.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month starts in May to honor the contributions generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to the U.S.

Congress officially put it on the calendar after passing a law in 1992. May was chosen because it marks the month the first Japanese immigrants arrived to the U.S. in 1843, as well as when the transcontinental railroad built mostly by Chinese immigrants was completed in1869.

As of 2019, it is the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the country, with more than 19.5 million Americans who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander, according to Pew Research Center analysis.

The Library of Congress along with other government agencies annually plan events in May to help people learn about the various cultures and ethnicities that make up the larger community. There are also numerous online activities from curated playlists to virtual museum exhibits for families to participate in this month.

The Smithsonian Institution's Asian Pacific American Center recently released a compilation of original songs, sounds and meditations called Bravespace, created by Asian American women and non-binary artists and musicians, to explore the healing arts from perspectives that have long been marginalized.

"Arriving amidst a period of collective trauma and heightened xenophobic violence, Bravespace offers listeners a refuge for contemplation, grief, and growth," the center said.

The institute also has online museum exhibits and art collections that describe how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have shaped the U.S.

The National Archives offers a volunteer opportunity for people to help make its records that document the Asian and Pacific Islander experience in America more accessible. "Citizen archivists" can donate their time transcribing and tagging Chinese heritage records from the exclusion era.

The National Park Service created a podcast series that captures the natural and cultural sounds of Hawaii's national parks. For Americans who have yet to visit the last state admitted to the union, the series acts as an introduction to the tales of extinction, invasion, volcanic eruptions, and ancient navigation that make up Hawaii's history.

The Veterans History Project details narratives from Asian and Pacific Americans who served in the U.S. military during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, putting their lives on the line for America while their families were confined to internment camps back in the States.
NASA/Getty Images

NASA needs volunteers to help listen to solar eruptions in space that collide with Earth's magnetic field.

The driving force behind the dancing multicolored auroras known as the Northern Lights, these space collisions are also known as geomagnetic storms and produce a low-frequency wave that sounds like "audible whistles, crunches, and whooshes."
MEMPHIS, Tenn.. (AP)  A former Memphis police officer who hit Tyre Nichols with a stun gun during a traffic stop that preceded Nichols brutal beating by other officers won't be charged criminally, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

Nichols' slaying was one in a string of violent encounters between police and Black people that have spurred protests and renewed debate about police brutality.

Five officers were charged with second-degree murder in Nichols' death and his family has sued the officers and the city of Memphis.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said his office did a thorough investigation of Preston Hemphills role in the arrest, reviewing hours of body camera footage and interviewing witnesses multiple times.

By no means do we endorse the conduct of Officer Hemphill at that first traffic stop ... but we do not believe that criminal charges are appropriate," Mulroy said.

Attorneys for Nichols family said in a statement that they are supportive of the decision not to pursue charges because of Hemphills cooperation. Mulroy said Hemphill has cooperated fully with the investigation into Nichols death.

Hemphill was fired Feb. 3 after an internal Memphis Police Department investigation showed he violated multiple department policies for his role in the Jan. 7 arrest of Nichols, who died in a hospital three days later. Five other officers have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in Nichols death.

The officers who have been fired and charged are Black, as was Nichols. Hemphill is white.

Nichols was beaten after police stopped him for what they said was a traffic violation and he fled the stop. Video released after pressure from Nichols family shows officers holding him down and repeatedly punching, kicking and striking him with a baton as he screamed for his mother.

Hemphill was not present for the initial traffic stop nor when other officers forcibly removed Nichols, 29, from his vehicle and put him on the ground, Mulroy said.

He had to make his decisions based on what he knew, or what he thought was happening, and following the lead and in support of the other officers," Mulroy said. "He acted on limited information in a matter of seconds at the direction and in support of the other officers. He did not pursue Mr. Nichols, was not present at the second incident where the actual beating took place that led to Mr. Nichols death."

Hemphills body camera showed that from the very beginning of the traffic stop he and two other officers approached Nichols with force that was disproportionate for the alleged offense of reckless driving, according to a statement from the disciplinary hearing that took place before he was fired.

Along with breaking rules regarding the use of a stun gun, Hemphill was also fired for violations of personal conduct and truthfulness, police have said.

Hemphills Lawyer, Lee Gerald, said the decision did not come as a surprise.

As we all know, Mr. Hemphill was not present at the second scene, Gerald said. However, as we prepared a defense our investigation brought to light evidence showing that Officer Hemphills actions did not violate Tennessee or federal law.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Taiwan's president told visiting ex-U.S. national security adviser John Bolton on Monday that her country is willing to deepen cooperation with the U.S. and "other like-minded partners to safeguard peace, as the self-governed island faces increasing military threats from China.

President Tsai Ing-wen also expressed hopes to Bolton, a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2024, for more military and security exchanges and economic cooperation between the two sides, her office said in a statement.

Bolton began his weeklong visit to Taiwan last Wednesday and has called for deeper interaction between the two sides' national security teams. His visit reflects the importance of the democratic island as an issue in the U.S. presidential election amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Later Monday, Tsai said at a separate event that China's military exercises have affected the stability and peace of the Indo-Pacific region.

But we will stay calm and firmly safeguard peace across the Taiwan Strait, she said.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 following a civil war that ended with the Communist Party in control of the mainland. The island has never been part of the Peoples Republic of China, but Beijing says it must unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

The U.S. remains Taiwans closest military and political ally despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between them. U.S. law requires Washington to treat all threats to the island as matters of grave concern, though it remains ambiguous over whether American forces would be dispatched to help defend it.

Last Friday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said Chinas military flew 38 fighter jets and other warplanes near Taiwan. That was the most since a large military exercise in which it simulated sealing off Taiwan in response to an April 5 meeting between Tsai and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China opposes any meetings between officials of Taiwan and other governments.
Denmark will allocate the largest aid package for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the amount of DKK 1.7 billion (about $250 million), the Danish Ministry of Defense reports, citing the decision of the Foreign Policy Committee of May 2.

"The overwhelming majority in the Folketing [Parliament of Denmark] supports a large aid package worth DKK 1.7 billion for Ukraine. The package consists of vehicles and materiel, air defense and ammunition aimed at strengthening Ukraine's ability to conduct an offensive in the coming months," the ministry said in a statement on its official website on Tuesday.

"We know that the Russians have gained a foothold in the occupied territories of Ukraine, dug trenches and mined fields to stop the Ukrainian offensive. The equipment in the aid package is important for paving the way for Ukrainian tanks and armored infantry," said Acting Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who is quoted in the message.

The list of assistance provided by Denmark includes armored repair and evacuation and engineering vehicles, vehicles for the construction of crossings; mine clearance vehicles; financing for the purchase of air defense; EUR 50 million for NATO support with non-lethal equipment for Ukraine; ammunition for the Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launcher.

"The contents of the aid package are what Ukraine requested. I am proud that we in Denmark can meet these needs," Poulsen said.

As reported, in March Denmark already allocated a package of assistance for Ukraine. Then the list included ammunition for small arms and missiles for air defense.

Recently, the Danish government has launched a new program to support Ukraine for 2023, under which it will allocate EUR 1 billion.
Although China accounts for only a small fraction of Mexicos total Foreign Direct Investment, it has significantly expanded its portfolio in recent years.

Chinese companies are taking an increasing interest in setting up or expanding their operations in Mexico, as Washington escalates its trade war with Beijing. In 2022, Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico soared by 48% year over year, from $1.7 billion to $2.5 billion [1], according to the Monitor of Chinese Outbound Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023, published last week by the Center for China-Mexico Studies (Cechimex) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

This contrasts with a 6.7% annual drop in Chinese FDI across Latin America as a whole. Although China accounts for only a small fraction of Mexicos total FDI (roughly 7% in 2022 based on LAC-China Networks numbers, compared to the US 43%), it has significantly expanded its portfolio in recent years and is the fastest growing source of foreign investment in Mexico.

An Interesting But Delicate Position

The report indicates that Mexico has the third largest Chinese FDI footprint in the region, behind Chinas fellow BRICS partner Brazil ($5.7 billion) and Argentina ($2.94 billion). This puts Mexico in an interesting  and somewhat delicate  position.

On the one hand, its economy is benefiting handsomely from North Americas nearshoring trend, which is seeing a wave of global companies relocate some or all of their operations from China and other parts of Asia to Mexico in order to serve the US market. Last year, it attracted $35.3 billion in FDI, its highest level since 2015. The sectors attracting most interest among companies relocating to Mexico include automotive assembly plants and suppliers, telecommunications, electronics, pharmacochemical and textile industries.

On the other hand, many of the companies relocating to Mexico are apparently Chinese. Alarmed by the recent shipping chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing geopolitical fractures, they are hoping to skirt North American trade restrictions, including USMCAs rules of origin, by setting up factories in Mexico, as the New York Times reported in February:

[D]ozens of major Chinese companies are aggressively investing in Mexico, taking advantage of an expansive trade deal with North America . Following a path forged by Japanese and South Korean companies, Chinese firms are setting up factories that allow them to label their products Made in Mexico, then truck them duty-free to the United States. The interest of Chinese manufacturers in Mexico is part of a broader trend known as nearshoring or close relocation. International companies are moving production closer to customers to limit their vulnerability to transportation problems and geopolitical tensions. The participation of Chinese companies in this change shows the deepening assumption that the divide between the United States and China will be a lasting feature of the next phase of globalization. However, it also reveals something fundamental: Beyond the political tensions, the trade forces that bind the United States and China are even more powerful.

The strategy of nearshoring in Mexico is nothing new. Countries like Japan and Germany have been manufacturing products like automobiles out of the U.S.s southern neighbor for decades in order to gain immediate access to the States while benefiting from Mexicos cheaper production costs. Traditionally, six foreign countries account for the lions share of investments in Mexicos manufacturing industry, says Jose Ignacio Martinez, the coordinator of the Laboratory for Analysis of Commerce, Economy and Business (Lacen): the US, Spain, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and China.

Taking Advantage of US-Mexico Tensions

Chinese investments in Mexico are on the rise despite a recent agreement by the governments of the US, Canada and Mexico to set up a committee for the substitution of imports to North America from Asia. At the tenth North American Leaders Summit (NALS), held in Mexico City in January, Raquel Buenrostro, called on the region to reduce imports from Asia and bolster the regional supply chain.

Since then Chinese companies have, if anything, intensified their investment push in Mexico. Just last week, Chinas newly appointed ambassador to Mexico, Zhang Run, unveiled plans to resume direct flights with Mexico, in order to improve the two countries economic relationship and promote nearshoring projects. Direct flights between the two countries have been suspended since 2020 due to trade issues and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Needless to say, these overtures have not gone unnoticed by DC-based lawmakers and lobbyists.

China increasingly sees opportunity in Mexico, and the investments are increasing, Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas, a business lobby group whose members include 200 blue chip companies representing the lions share of US private investment in Latin America, told Fox News [2]. Its convenient to try to circumvent sanctions  by going to Mexico and then producing in Mexico and then trying to get into the U.S. market.

Chinas ramping up of its commercial and investment activity with Mexico has raised concerns in the Washington beltway that Beijing may be seeking a financial and political upside as tensions between the US and Mexico rise over a whole raft of issues, from energy to GMO foods, to the fentanyl trade (which also involves China) and the Mexican governments ongoing refusal to endorse sanctions against Russia. According to Farnsworth, the spike in Chinese investment boils down to two main contributing factors: Beijings attempts to bypass Washingtons sanctions and deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Mexico.

Chinas Diplomatic Coups in Latin America

In recent months China has already pulled off a number of diplomatic coups in Latin America. It has begun to forge a more strategic relationship with fellow BRICS member Brazil. Meanwhile, South Americas second largest country, Argentina, has applied to join both the BRICS grouping and the BRICS New Development Bank. China has also signed partnership agreements with the governments of El Salvador and Honduras, both of which have severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognised the existence of only one China in the world.

El Salvador, a country whose economy is totally dollarised and which is located slap bang in the US direct neighborhood, is also in the process of negotiating a free-trade agreement with China. China already has free trade deals with Chile, Peru and Costa Rica and is negotiating future agreements with five other Latin American states.

Chinas rise in the region coincided almost perfectly with the US-led Global War on Terror. As Washington shifted its attention and resources away from its immediate neighborhood to the Middle East, where it frittered away trillions of dollars spreading mayhem and death and breeding new terrorists, China began snapping up Latin American resources. In just the first 20 years of this century, its trade with the region grew 26-fold, from $12 billion to $315 billion.

As a trading power, the US continues to hold sway over Central America, at least for now. And pound for pound, it is still Latin America and the Caribbeans largest trading partner. But that is predominantly due to its huge trade flows with Mexico, which account for a whopping 71% of all US-LatAm trade. As Reuters reported in June, if you take Mexico out of the equation, China has already overtaken the US as Latin Americas largest trading partner. Excluding Mexico, total trade flows  i.e., imports and exports  between China and Latin America reached $247 billion last year, far in excess of the US $173 billion.

But Chinas trade with Mexico is growing. According to El Economista, China provided close to 20% of all of Mexicos imports in 2021, up from 15.3% a decade earlier. During the same period, the US share of Mexican imports has fallen from 50% to 44%. Chinas share of Mexican imports could reach as high as 29% by 2035, according to some forecasts. The major products imported include telephones, LCD devices, computers, integrated electronic circuits, computer parts, auto parts, TV parts, and printed circuits.

It is a very different story when it comes to Mexican exports. The US is still by far the biggest buyer, accounting for a whopping 80% of all purchases. By contrast, China accounts for just 1.9%. But even this situation is likely to change in the coming years. According to Tatiana Prazeres, a former foreign trade secretary of Brazil and senior fellow at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, Chinas share of Mexican exports could reach as high as 20% by 2035 while the US share is expected to fall.

In the meantime, China is increasing its investments in a whole different area of Mexicos economy: infrastructure and transportation, particularly in the central and southern parts of the country. As Jose Ignacio Martinez told the online business news service BNAmericas, Chinese companies and banks have invested in bus lines in Queretero, Guanajuato, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and Chiapas; in subway lines in Monterrey and Mexico City; in the semi-fast Mayan train project (with projected maximum speeds of 200 km/h); in renewable energy projects in the south of the country; and in Pemexs new Dos Bocas refinery in Tabasco. Chinese companies have also invested in ports in Baja California, Colima, Michoacan and Veracruz.

These kinds of investments can be divided into three main categories, says Martinez: investments in alliances; investments through the sale of components; and investments in the form of cooperation or advice on technological developments. Most of the investments do not yield profits in the short to medium term, and as such are of little interest to US or European companies. But the Chinese goal is more long term, and that goal is to expand its presence, influence and activity in Mexico, just as it has across the rest of Latin America.

[1] This is roughly ten times higher than the amount registered by Mexicos Economy Ministry for 2022. The huge difference is explained by the very different methodologies used, says Enrique Dussel, economist, researcher and coordinator of the Center for China-Mexico Studies (Cechimex) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Chinese companies often use their subsidiaries in other countries, such as the US, to make capital investments in Mexico. For Mexicos Ministry of Economy, this counts as a US investment. For Cechimex, it is Chinese.

[2] The Council of the Americas was founded in 1963 by David Rockefeller as a means of combating the influence of Fidel Castro in Latin America. The Kennedy administration awarded US companies investment guarantees, which by 1967 would set the government back $600 million in the case of Chile alone. As Wikipedia notes, the Council hosts presidents, cabinet ministers, central bankers, government officials, and leading experts in economics, politics, business, and finance. It asserts that free markets and private enterprise offer the most effective means to achieve regional economic growth and was instrumental in the conception of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
Lets play out commonly-held views among non-mainstream, close watchers/commentators on the Ukraine conflict. Keep in mind they are increasingly confirmed by the orthodox press (see Ukraine Isnt Ready For Its Big Offensive, But It Has No Choice from the Sunday Times for a fresh example). Mind you, we need to offer a big caveat up front: the hawks are sufficiently well entrenched (Biden himself, Blinken, Sullivan, Nuland, as well as the key players in the UK Ministry of Defense) that it may prove to be extremely difficult to open a line to Russia. Not only, as we will discuss, is there no bargaining overlap between probable Collective West and Russian positions, but there hasnt been any between the US/NATO hawks and the realists. And its not clear that the prospect or actuality of a Ukraine defeat will change that. You would expect such a loss to dislodge the war-mongers, but look at their positions in decision-making.

Ukraine is going to launch a counter offensive, with the latest rumors pegging it for mid-May, but as late as June is possible. Ukraine cant back down because its coalition partners have spent money on it and they and Ukraine have talked it up too much. It will probably go badly. Ukraine cant muster up a very large force, even with expected NATO types and mercs adding to the ranks. It is very short on ammo. It lacks air support. It is operating with a hodge podge of armored vehicles and weapons systems. Theres good reason to expect it to be a worse bloodbath that the Kherson offensive (not to be confused with the later Russian evacuation of Kherson city), where Ukraine hospitals as far as Odessa were overflowing with the wounded. Even if goes better than expected (due to a monster Russian screw-up, Ukraine successfully deceiving Russia as to the size and target of its attack), Ukraine is too short on men and materiel to sustain an offensive. Even if Ukraine gained some ground, most expert observers agree this would be Ukraines final throw. As Obama said, Russia has escalation dominance, and Ukraines forces are weaker than they were when the war started. Many argue that Ukraines current force is effectively a second army built by the US and NATO. They lack the ability to create a third one. If Ukraine does particularly well, or alternatively pulls off a nasty terrorist stunt, the Russian government will be under pressure to hit back hard and quickly, at a minimum with more destructive air strikes. Russia has now sufficiently degraded Ukraines air defenses that it can deploy massively destructive glide bombs, which has further tipped the table to Russias advantage. Aside from the scenario of unexpectedly good performance by Ukraine leading Russia to need to hit back fast and hard for domestic purposes, Russia is likely to decide the nature and pace of what to do next based on the information it gains from Ukraines conduct of the offensive. I still believe Russia will not change from an attritional approach until it has at a minimum cleared all of Donbass and eliminated Ukraines ability to shell Donetsk city. That is still a way away on current trajectories. The Ukraine counteroffensive should accelerate the timetable by burning up men and materiel faster, particularly if Ukraine follows its established pattern of pulling troops and machines from other parts of the front lines to shore up crumbling positions. So Ukraines counteroffensive, even if it fails to dent Russian positions much/at all, could conceivably go on for a bit due to Bakhmut-level efforts to dig in. But I am not sure any of the conceivable lines of attack would offer Ukraine any where near as good holdout opportunities as Bakhmut has.

Below is a map from a few days ago from the Financial Times. It has the advantage of being relatively current and not being cluttered up with deployment porn.

My understanding from the various English-speaking war watchers is that once Russia takes Bakhmut, the last line of defense is at Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, and for reasons over my pay grade, will be easier to surmount than Bakhmut. Russia also needs to take Avdiivka and Marinka, two cities to the west of Donetsk city that Ukraine is using to shell Donetsk. Its a big embarrassment to the Russian military that this is still going on, so that needs to be cleaned up before anything big happens.

Lets throw in a few other issues:

The sharp divisions between the hawks and realists mean that even if the Ukraine counteroffensive is a complete fiasco, to the degree that the press cant and wont cover it up, the warmongers cant beat their own retreat that quickly. So any decision to talk to Russia likely wont be coming soon (if at all). A slower timetable for the Collective West coming to its senses again suits Russia. For appearances with the Global South, it least has to look like it is willing to end the war. But Russia for reasons of formal commitments has to take all of the four annexed oblasts, even if territorial acquisition is not a primary objective (prostrating Ukraine, whatever that looks like, and now bleeding NATO white, are). Despite China publishing a peace napkin-doodle (its proposal was at best an apple pie and motherhood statement of principles, which Zelensky immediately jumped upon, asking to meet Xi, which eventually led to Xi relenting and taking his call, China is an interested bystander. The most important part of the readouts to me was China making it very clear it was ready to help rebuild Ukraine. There are a lot of observers who are attributing more significance to this call that it has. The Kremlin poured cold water on the idea that this was anything more than a China-Ukraine chat. From TASS: We are ready to welcome anything that could help bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine closer and, actually, also help Russia achieve all of its goals. We are ready to welcome that. As for the fact of their communication, it is a sovereign matter for each of the two counties that pertains exclusively to their bilateral dialogue, the Kremlin spokesman [Dmitry Peskov] told reporters on Thursday.

So I dont see how peace talks get anywhere. The hawks are still in the drivers seat and will either balk at negotiations or set preconditions. Recall Russia previously rejected preconditions; even if they were to entertain them now, the odds are very high the Wests initial demands, like an immediate ceasefire, would be rejected, or quickly vitiated by Russian counters like Only if you suspend the sanctions.

That does not mean there wont be backchannel chatter, but dont expect it to go far.

The sort of thing that could provide real impetus for a negotiation initiative would be:

1. Evidence of Ukraine military failure, like Russia marching to the banks of the Dnieper, encircling Dniepro, and/or parking on the eastern side of Kiev. That sort o big change in the look of the maps would focus some minds. 2024 US elections could also produce a big change in personnel which could open up a lot more options, but I would not bet on that. 2. In connection with some sort of large-scale, undeniable success, Russia could up the ante and play to the Global South by making an ultimatum of sorts: Well entertain stopping here [subject to some conditions like a rollback of some sanctions, ideally the ones that make poor countries collateral damage], otherwise we continue. Russia is not big on signaling its targets but it would not be hard to see that as a barely-coded threat to take the Black Sea coast and leave rump Ukraine even less viable than it would otherwise be. Mind you, Putin does not seem to be all that keen about taking Odessa; hes called it an apple of discord. Others have pointed out a dearth of nearby geographic features to help in creating a barrier between presumed-future Russian Black Sea coast acquisitions and rump Ukraine.

Lets charitably assume, despite all that, that the West actually does ask Russia to negotiate. Unless the request is made in an obviously unacceptable manner, Russia has to entertain it.

But I dont see how this goes anywhere until leaders in West have really, really internalized that Russia holds a great hand and does not have good reasons to stop until it has subjugated Ukraine.

And all Russia has to do to substantively sabotage negotiations is to bring up the demand that Putin has been making in different forms since the Munich Security Conference of 2007: security guarantees. Who will give them? The gleeful French and German admissions of duplicity with respect to the Minsk Accords means no NATO state can be trusted, save maybe Turkey (and if Erdogan survives, hell likely be deemed too close to Russia to be acceptable). The US clearly cant be trusted. China would not be acceptable, and is not suited to the role (its not a land power and does not have a presence in theater).

So unless some tail events happen (and Taleb warns tails are fat), we still look to be on course to Russia prosecuting the war until it can impose terms on Kiev.

_____

1 I do not attach the significance that others do to China using a Russian translator for Zelensky. Zelensky was born and raised in a Russian-speaking parts of Ukraine and by all accounts, his Ukrainian is really not very good. I suspect his not-bad English is at at least as fluent. To me, its more telling that Ukraine did not clear the language to be used first (I would assume that customarily both sides have their own translators to assure no misunderstanding; can any readers confirm?). The use of a Russian translator looks much more like a wink and nod Chinese courtesy than an official statement.
The manipulative statements by Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation Maria Lvova-Belova will not help to conceal Russia's war crimes against Ukraine and its people, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinet has said.

"The Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine, gave an interview to the American publication Vice. A cynical statement by a representative of an aggressor country that started a war in the 21st century in the center of Europe!... Such manipulative statements will not be able to hide the war crimes that Russia is committing against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," he said on the Telegram channel on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian ombudsman stressed that Russia purposefully launches missile strikes, drops guided air bombs on peaceful cities and villages of Ukraine, killing the civilian population, children, and violating fundamental rights to life and security.

According to Lubinets, under the guise of "evacuation and rescue", Russia is deporting Ukrainian children, separating families, kidnapping orphans, illegally placing them in foster families, forcibly passporting them, granting Russian citizenship, erasing national identity  committing genocide of the Ukrainian people, as evidenced by issued warrants from the International Criminal Court.

"Responsibility cannot be avoided, the top political leadership of the terrorist country should be in the dock," he said.
(Natural News) As more information is uncovered about the late financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, we learn more about how close he was with some of our countrys most powerful, well-connected people.

Newly released documents, including Epsteins schedules, reveal that a wider circle of people associated with the convicted sex offender than previously reported, including the nations spy chief, a longtime college president, and a top woman in finance, according to The Wall Street Journal.

William Burns, the current Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, had three meetings scheduled with Epstein in 2014, when he was deputy secretary of state. They first met in Washington and then Burns visited Epsteins townhouse in Manhattan, as shown in the documents, the outlet reported, citing the schedule.

JUST IN: Newly uncovered documents show that Jeffrey Epstein had multiple meetings with current CIA Director William Burns and former White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler. They met with him AFTER he was a convicted sex offender. Why would they do that?https://t.co/4cA03w8ACA  Proud Elephant ??? (@ProudElephantUS) May 1, 2023

Also, Kathryn Ruemmler, a former White House counsel under President Barack Obama, had dozens of meetings with Epstein before joining Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as a top lawyer in 2020, and he had planned for her to join him on trips to Paris in 2015 and to his private island in the Caribbean in 2017. Epstein was invited to the Bard College campus by its president, Leon Botstein, and brought a group of young female guests. Noam Chomsky, a professor, author, and political activist, was scheduled to have dinner with Epstein at his Manhattan townhouse in 2015, the WSJ noted.

None of their names appear in Epsteins now-public black book of contacts or in the public flight logs of passengers who traveled on his private jet. The documents show that Epstein arranged multiple meetings with each of them after he had served jail time in 2008 for a sex crime involving a teenage girl and was registered as a sex offender. The documents, which include thousands of pages of emails and schedules from 2013 to 2017, havent been previously reported, the outlet said.

But its the connection to the current CIA director that turned heads the most.

The CIA says Director William Burns did not know anything about Jeffrey Epstein during his meetings with him. Maybe its just me, but if you cant figure out who Epstein is after THREE meetings  including at his penthouse  you shouldnt be Director of the CIA. pic.twitter.com/ve8VD2OuEz  Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) May 1, 2023

CIA spokeswoman Tammy Kupperman Thorp said that Burns met with Epstein about a decade ago when he was leaving government service. The director did not know anything about him, other than that he was introduced as an expert in the financial services sector and offered general advice on transition to the private sector, she said, adding: They had no relationship.

The WSJ also reminded readers of Epsteins past:

In 2006, Epstein was publicly accused of sexually abusing girls in Florida who were as young as 14 years old. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and police investigated, and Epstein reached a deal with prosecutors in 2008. He avoided federal charges and pleaded guilty to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. He registered as a sex offender and served about 13 months in a work-release program.

In 2015, Virginia Giuffre publicly accused Epstein of sexually abusing and trafficking her when she was a teen and forcing her to have sex with influential people, including Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew has denied the allegations and last year settled a sex-abuse lawsuit by Ms. Giuffre.

The WSJ noted that despite the negative press surrounding Epstein, the documents reveal that his schedule was filled with meetings with prominent individuals from morning to night. The meetings took place at various locations, including dinners at New York restaurants, gatherings in the offices of prominent law firms, and meetings at luxury hotels. Additionally, many of the appointments were held at Epsteins townhouse in Manhattan.
(Natural News) The Hoax of the Century?

The U.S. government took the information techniques it learned after 9/11 and has turned them on Americans. America may have lost the Great War on Terror, but our technocratic elites could still win their war against American liberty.

(Article by James P. Pinkerton republished from Breitbart.com)

Thats the argument made by Jacob Siegel in a 13,000-word Tablet magazine article titled A Guide to Understanding the Hoax of the Century, which seeks to explain a high-level hoax perpetrated against the American people by elitists who believe themselves to be infallible.

Specifically, Siegel writes, these infallible elitists believe they are saving the world from disinformation, which is whatever they view as untruths about Russia, Ukraine, Donald Trump, Covid, climate change, election fraud, Brexit, etc. You name a flavor of disinfo, and they want to save us from it. And theyre operating in the State Department and other federal agencies, in numerous foundations and NGOs, and at a hundred academic centers that have sprung up like shrooms since 2016.

These people and orgs were originally schooled in the infowar techniques associated with 9/11 and the Great War on Terror, but they dont seem to be worry about jihadis these days. You see, these experts on infowar have morphed themselves into experts on disinfowar. Bolstered by Pentagon-sized budgets, their new target is the American people, viewed as disinformed dunderheads or worse. What started out as a way to fight a far-away foe, Siegel argues, has quietly metastasized into a totalitarian fantasy of endless warfare against the erroneous thoughts and feelings of ordinary citizens closer to home. Totalitarian fantasyvery 1984.

Naming names, Siegel points to the State Departments Global Engagement Center (GEC)created by President Barack Obama in 2016 and still going strongwhich declares as its purpose:

To direct, lead, synchronize, integrate, and coordinate U.S. Federal Government efforts to recognize, understand, expose, and counter foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining or influencing the policies, security, or stability of the United States, its allies, and partner nations.

By themselves, those words emphasizing foreign disinfo might sound okay. However, the GEC takes the broadest possible view of its mission to include domestic targets  meaning U.S. citizens. Siegel quotes the first head of the GEC, Michael D. Lumpkin, criticizing laws that protect the rights of Americans, such as the Privacy Act of 1974.

As Lumpkin put it, The 1974 act was created to make sure that we arent collecting data on U.S. citizens. Well,  by definition the World Wide Web is worldwide. In other words, were all legitimate targets for Lumpkins agency.

Siegel explains: The message from the U.S. defense establishment was clear: To win the information waran existential conflict taking place in the borderless dimensions of cyberspacethe government needed to dispense with outdated legal distinctions between foreign terrorists and American citizens. Once again, fighting terror is a legitimate and important goal. But heres where we have to put a high degree of trust in our guardians; and to be trusted, the guardians need to be trustworthy.

Of course, the would-be guardians have their ready answer: You can trust us. After all, they are the experts and theyre diverse  at least as they like to measure diversity. To counter propaganda and disinformation, the GEC stated in 2018, will require leveraging expertise from across government, tech and marketing sectors, academia, and NGOs. In other words, the progressive gangs all here. Isnt that diverse enough?

Big tech certainly answered the censors call. In 2017, Google  always The Good Censor  launched Project Owl whose mission, the New York Times explained, was to stamp out fake news stories from its search results.

Since then, the technique of labelling inconvenient information as disinformation has spread. In March, the Associated Press offered a Fact Focus that declared that those who thought that Silicon Valley Bank went bust because of wokeness were suffering from misinformation. We might note further that the AP article was part of a series, about which the AP offers an opaque disclaimer: This [article] is part of APs effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. And if we follow the link on the outside companies and organizations, we see 18 names, all drawn from the bosom of Big Disinfo.

To be sure, the American people dont much like being told what they can think. Especially when they are being told by smug self-declared experts, whom the late Angelo Codevilla called The Ruling Class.

Still, when the disinfo-fighters get too visible or obnoxious, they become liabilities to the regime, and so they are removed from the lineupat least from the visible lineup. Thats what happened to Nina Jankowicz, who became a viral figure of mockery as the singing censor. Sample lyric: I want to be rich, famous, and powerful/Step on all my enemies. Not many people like to be ruled by someone who is too much in love with ruling.

Jankowicz was briefly head of the Department of Homeland Securitys Disinformation Governance Board, but that name was judged to be too-on-the-nose and was thus retired. As for Jankowicz, she hasnt missed a paycheck. Shes now a registered foreign agent, still working, of course, to fight disinformation, albeit in a lower-profile gig.

The smarter disinfo-fighters keep a lower profile. For instance, theres the vaguely named Hamilton 68. Is that a college reunion? A vintage wine? A Federalist Paper? Actually, its a disinfo outfit, founded in 2017, which billed itself as a new tool to track Russian disinformation on Twitter. Siegel explains:

Hamilton 68 claimed to have discovered hundreds of Russian-affiliated accounts that had infiltrated Twitter to sow chaos and help Donald Trump win the election. Russia stood accused of hacking social media platforms, the new centers of power, and using them to covertly direct events inside the United States.

Scary! But theres just one thing: None of it was true.

Okay, so maybe Hamilton 68 made a mistake. But Siegel notes that the group paid no price for its mistake. Journalist Matt Taibbi noted, MSNBC mentioned Hamilton 68, the infamous dashboard of accounts supposedly linked to Russian influence activities outed as a fraud in the Twitter Files, over 100 times in a period between the summer of 2017 and November of 2019. Indeed, Hamilton 68 it exists to this day as part of the Alliance for Securing Democracy. And the same is true for all the other outfits that got it wrong. None of them paid a price.

In Siegels reckoning, this is not an accident. These found-out mistakes were met with a great wall of silence in the national press. The disinterest was so profound, it suggested a matter of principle rather than convenience for the standard-bearers of American liberalism who had lost faith in the promise of freedom and embraced a new ideal. (Breitbart News has also covered Hamilton 68, noting some of its absurd accusations, including against well-known American citizen David Horowitz.)

Lest Siegel be accused of beating around the bush, he declares of the disinformationists:

The crime is the information war itself, which was launched under false pretenses and by its nature destroys the essential boundaries between the public and private and between the foreign and domestic, on which peace and democracy depend. By conflating the anti-establishment politics of domestic populists with acts of war by foreign enemies, it justified turning weapons of war against Americans citizens. It turned the public arenas where social and political life take place into surveillance traps and targets for mass psychological operations. The crime is the routine violation of Americans rights by unelected officials who secretly control what individuals can think and say.

He adds, with some almost poetry, Disinformation is both the name of the crime and the means of covering it up; a weapon that doubles as a disguise.

Siegel goes on like this, in a kind of controlled fury of poetry; he has written a white-hot article that could be a white-hot book. He himself is a veteran of the Great War on Terror, having served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. As he recalls of his tour of duty as a military intelligence operative, the Americans had great ability to gather informationusing everything from satellites in the sky to anthropologists in the villagesand, as a result, U.S. forces could measure thousands of different things (wait for it) that we couldnt understand. Siegel adds archly, We tried to cover for that deficit by acquiring even more data. Translation: We dont know what were doing, so well make up for it by doing it more.

Siegel was long gone from Afghanistan by the time of its collapse in 2021a collapse our expert analysts didnt at all foresee. But now those billion-dollar babies have a new focus: us! Siegel walks us through some of the disinformationists greatest hits, from Russia to Covid to Hunter Bidens laptop (remember when that was Russian disinformation?).

In addition, Siegel describes the Biden administrations information-management on Covid, which reached, of course, into Silicon Valley:

Using its new powers and direct channels inside the tech companies, the White House began sending lists of people it wanted banned, such as journalist Alex Berenson. Berenson was kicked off Twitter after tweeting that mRNA vaccines dont stop infection. Or transmission. As it turned out, that was a true statement. The health authorities at the time were either misinformed or lying about the vaccines ability to prevent the spread of the virus.

So, which is the greatest hoax of the century? All of them together. Thats Siegels point.

Information Against Disinformation

This is a bleak picture. Siegel does, however, cite some heroes: If Elon Musk had not decided to purchase Twitter, many of the crucial details in the history of American politics in the Trump era would have remained secret, possibly forever.

As any reader of Breitbart News knows, the Twitter Files, spilling out for months now, have been a gold mine of info on disinfo. (And memorably, in an April 11 face-to-face interview, Musk nailed a BBC reporter who casually threw around accusations against Twitter, even as he had no facts to back up those accusations.)

Still, the forces fighting dis- and misinformation are strong and have great reach. And now the April 13 arrest of Jack Teixeira, the Air National Guardsman accused of leaking national security secrets to a Discord chat room, will set the information hygienists into overdrive. According to the New York Times, researchers say that dark humor about race or ideology can eventually shape the beliefs of impressionable young people, and innocuous memes can be co-opted into symbols of hatred. Evidently, thats how the okay finger gesture became, in the minds of the experts, a Hitlerite meme.

We can add that in the purportedly free European Union, authorities are similarly working for the clampdown on free speech. And a lawmaker in Brazil has already introduced an anti-fake news bill aimed at regulating social media platforms to censor and punish people who post content the government deems false.

In the meantime, journalist Matt Taibbi argues that officialdom is already seeing a silver lining in the Pentagon leaker case:

The Leaker tale will also surely be framed as reason to pass the RESTRICT Act, the wet dream of creepazoid Virginia Senator Mark Warner, which would give government wide latitude to crack down on communication technology creating undue or unacceptable risk to national security.

So, the Pentagon leak gives them a chance to do what theyve always wanted to do. How bout that? Speaking of them, while Pentagon secrets were spilling out on Discord, the FBI has been busy investigating the Catholic Church. In fact, the Washington Posts deep state sources inform us that the U.S. is only identifying one percent of Russia-originated social-media posts. The obvious lesson, according to the Post is that we must simply try harder. And that trying harder, of course, will require more resources. One guess as to who will provide those resources. We can watch them, in fact, as they make the case for more resources, and chortle over what they will do with unlimited resources to surveil.

Q: What would you do with unlimited resources? A: Monitor encrypted platforms to spy on immigrant and diaspora communities to study disinformation. -Atlantic Council guy w Stanford, EIP, & Graphika pic.twitter.com/cMUPpvSBoX  Matt Orfalea (@0rf) April 26, 2023

In the meantime, in another post, the same Taibbi took aim at the convergence of media and government officialdom: It was once considered healthy for the press, he writes, to position itself as a skeptical thorn in the side of officialdom. But now, even supposedly radical figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) are openly siding with the state against free inquiry.

So, the Disinformation-Industrial Complex is just getting going, and the goal is the unification of officialdom and progressivism. Siegel is right when he observes:

The United States is still in the earliest stages of a mass mobilization that aims to harness every sector of society under a singular technocratic rule. The mobilization, which began as a response to the supposedly urgent menace of Russian interference, now evolves into a regime of total information control that has arrogated to itself the mission of eradicating abstract dangers such as error, injustice, and harma goal worthy only of leaders who believe themselves to be infallible, or comic-book supervillains.

Speaking of supervillains, one is reminded of the Joker, played so creepily by Heath Ledger in the 2008 film, The Dark Knight. The sinister character cackles to one of his victims, You know what Ive noticed? Nobody panics when things go according to plan. Even if the plan is horrifying!

The disinformation warriors have a plan, and its horrifying. And they arent joking.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
(Natural News) A woman by the name of Xi Van Fleet, who describes herself as Chinese by birth; American by choice. Survivor of Maos Cultural Revolution. Defender of liberty, made waves on social media recently when she posted a powerful warning to the Democrat Party.

(Article republished from Revolver.news)

This woman is on a mission to save the United States from internal destruction by the Democrat Party, because she knows what its like to live under the horrors of communism. And her warning to the lawless Democrat elites weaponizing the law, empowering criminals, and terrorizing law-abiding patriots is clear, stark, and prescient: you will be hoisted on your own petard.

Heres what she said:

When surrounded by the Red Guard mobs, Liu Shaoqi tried to reason with them: I am at least a citizen. Why am I not allowed to speak? Liu was the president of China when he was purged by Mao. While in power, Liu persecuted countless ppl whose lives were ruined or lost. Dont think he had ever imagined that one day he would become the victim of Maos tyranny that he helped to create. The Leftists are so committed to the destruction of rule of law & our Constitution. They need to prepare to be the victims of their own lawlessness one day!

When surrounded by the Red Guard mobs, Liu Shaoqi tried to reason with them: I am at least a citizen. Why am I not allowed to speak? Liu was the president of China when he was purged by Mao. While in power, Liu persecuted countless ppl whose lives were ruined or lost. Dont pic.twitter.com/WjD0cVD5LB  Xi Van Fleet (@XVanFleet) April 26, 2023

The Revolution always eats its own, after all.

Nom nom nom.

Van Fleets story is interesting in and of itself. In another tweet, she explains how 35 years ago her dreams were realized when she was granted a student visa to come to the U.S. And while she loves America with all her heart, she can see that were heading off a cliff and shes here to save us.

God Bless her.

I am deeply thankful. Today 35 yr ago, my dream came true. I was granted a student visa to come to USA. I no longer feel this is the America that I arrived in. She has been under attack by Marxism/Communism that I thought I had escaped from. Thats why I am fighting to save her! pic.twitter.com/kFLLVNwCsx  Xi Van Fleet (@XVanFleet) November 26, 2021

Inevitably, karma strikes back against those who go against Gods law and oppress Gods children. They will become victims of their own tyranny one day.

Theres no way around it. History repeats itself.

Xis tweet is raw and powerful, and makes us think about the dangers of totalitarianism and the consequences of forcing our beliefs on others. Its a good reminder that democracy is built on the free speech and open discussion. When we impose our beliefs on others and censor them in the name of good and fairness, we undermine everything this county was founded on.

Dems are the party of authoritarianism and censorship, and they force their beliefs on others while silencing any opposing views. If you have to resort to authoritarian measures to impose you ideology, that means your beliefs arent strong enough to stand on their own, and youre probably not the good guys after all.

Read more at: Revolver.news
(Natural News) Tucker Carlson made some very interesting points in his keynote speech at the Heritage Foundation 50th Anniversary Gala as seen in the 1st video at the bottom of this story. These take on special meaning now that the people who only pretend to be liberal, in favor of progress and democracy, are celebrating the diminishment of liberty, progress, and rule by the people.

(Article by D Parker republished from AllNewsPipeline.com)

Its becoming ironically obvious that as things become more confused, they are settling themselves out in an even starker contrast. This was something that Mr. Carlson pointed out in his keynote speech, delivered after his last Fox News show.

If you want to know whats evil and whats good, what are the characteristics of those?

And by the way, I think the Athenians wouldve agreed with this. This is not necessarily just a Christian notion, this is kind of a, I would say, widely agreed-upon understanding of good and evil. What are its products? What do these two conditions produce?

Well, I mean, good is characterized by order, calmness, tranquility, peace, whatever you want to call it, lack of conflict, cleanliness. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Its true. It is.

And evil is characterized by their opposites. Violence, hate, disorder, division, disorganization, and filth. So, if you are all in on the things that produce the latter basket of outcomes, what youre really advocating for is evil. Thats just true. Im not calling for religious war. Far from it. Im merely calling for an acknowledgement of what were watching, which is not one 

They dont want a debate. Those ideas wont produce outcomes that any rational person would want under any circumstances. Those are manifestations of some larger force acting upon us. Its just so obvious. Its completely obvious.

And I think two things: One, we should say that and stop engaging in these totally fraudulent debates, where we are using the terms that we used in 1991 when I started at [The Heritage Foundation], as if maybe I could just win the debate if I marshaled more facts.

Ive tried. That doesnt work. And two, maybe we should all take just 10 minutes a day to say a prayer about it. Im serious. Why not?

And Im saying that to you not as some kind of evangelist, Im literally saying that to you as an Episcopalian, the Samaritans of our time. Im coming to you from the most humble and lowly theological position you can. Im literally an Episcopalian. And even I have concluded it might be worth taking just 10 minutes out of your busy schedule to say a prayer for the future, and I hope you will.

It becomes even more interesting if you extrapolate his remarks and look at how this applies across the board. There is a strange dichotomy that applies to the two major sides of the political divide.

Good/Evil.

Order/Disorder.

Peace/Violence.

Cleanliness/Filth.

Right/Sinister.

Truth/Lies.

Facts/Propaganda.

Order/Chaos.

Reality/Gaslighting.

Building up/Burning down

Sanity/Insanity

Integrity/Dishonesty

Civil Rights/Cancel Culture

Freedom/Force

Liberty/Tyranny

Individualism/Collectivism

Economic Liberty/Fascism

Individual control/Centralized control

Limited government/Unlimited government

Innocence/Guilt

Sense/Nonsense

Unity/Division

Logic/Illogic

Food/Starvation

Life/Death (Vida/Muerte)

Self-determination/Slavery

Strangely enough, if you look at the various aspects of our society concerning the two sides of the political divide, youll see that there is an unmistakable contrast between the two that is growing by the day. Try it yourself, the list almost seems endless.

Consider any aspect of the pro-freedom right and its contrast with the anti-liberty left, and youll see a positive value in one and a negative in the other.

As Mr. Carlson referred to in his speech, the ideas of one side of the political divide wont produce outcomes that any rational person would want under any circumstances. They are the obvious manifestations of a larger force acting on our society and the world at large.

Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com
(Natural News) House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) on Friday subpoenaed CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and others for documents and communications related to the Committees investigation into the federal governments effort to censor speech.

(Article by Cristina Laila republished TheGatewayPundit.com)

The subpoenas, reviewed by The Gateway Pundit, were sent to the heads of Bidens top agencies:

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) director Jen Easterly

Global Engagement Center (GEC) head James Rubin

The Twitter Files and other public reporting have exposed how the federal government has pressured and colluded with Big Tech and other intermediaries to censor certain viewpoints in ways that undermine First Amendment principles. On March 22, 2023, the Committee wrote to these agencies seeking voluntary cooperation with our oversight, and to date, the agencies have failed to produce any documents responsive to the Committees requests. Chairman Jordan wrote.

Numerous documents made publicly available reflect the weaponization of the federal governments power to censor speech online directly and by proxy. It is necessary for Congress to gauge the extent to which the CDC coerced, pressured, worked with, or relied upon social media and other tech companies in order to censor speech. The scope of the Committees investigation includes understanding the extent and nature of the CDCs involvement in this censorship. Jordan wrote to Walensky.

CISA head Jen Easterly and GEC coordinator James Rubin received similar letters from Chairman Jim Jordan.

On March 22, 2023, the Committee wrote to CISA seeking voluntary cooperation with our oversight.2 Among other things, we asked for communications between CISA and private companies, internal CISA communications, and communications between CISA and other third parties discussing content moderation. To date, CISA has failed to respond or to produce any documents responsive to the Committees request. Jim Jordan wrote in a letter to CISAs Jen Easterly.

Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com
(Natural News) The Microsoft Edge browser has been leaking the URLs visited by its users to the Bing API website. A Reddit user has discovered the privacy issue as the newest version of Microsoft Edge sends a request to bingapis.com with the URL of almost every page a user has visited.

Microsoft told The Verge it is investigating the reports. (Related: How Microsoft is engineering massive, nationwide criminal election fraud with the help of a shady browser plug-in called NewsGuard)

Searching for references to this URL gives very few results, no documentation on this feature at all, said Hackermchackface, the Reddit user who first found out about the problem.

It is not clear why Microsoft Edge is transmitting the URLs a user has visited to its Bing API site. But Rafael Rivera, a software engineer and one of the developers of EarTrumpet, found during an investigation that it is part of a poorly applied recent feature in Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft Edge now has a creator follow feature that is enabled by default. It appears the intent was to notify Bing when youre on certain pages, such as YouTube, The Verge and Reddit. But it doesnt appear to be working correctly, instead sending nearly every domain you visit to Bing, Rivera told The Verge.

Microsoft initially began testing this latest creator follow feature in Microsoft Edge last year before rolling it out more broadly in the past few months. It was designed to allow users to follow their favorite content creators on YouTube and across the web. If a user disables the feature, URLs are no longer sent to bingapis.com.

URL leak has huge privacy implications

The leak of URLs a user has visited to bingapis.com has huge privacy implications, especially when this functionality is enabled by default. Were aware of reports, are investigating and will take appropriate action to address any issues, said Caitlin Roulston, director of communications at Microsoft, in a statement.

Until Microsoft finishes its investigation and resolves the problem, it is highly recommended that users turn off the follow creators feature in Microsoft Edge. Chances are users never intend to use it, so it is not a function that they will miss at all.

Microsoft has not yet given any explanation about why URLs are being sent to the bingapis.com service or how Microsoft Edge has been configured to send almost all of the sites a user visits over to Bing.

The new Bing is described as a research assistant, personal planner and creative partner at your side whenever you search the web.

When a user asks complex questions, Bing can provide detailed responses. Bing can also give an actual answer by looking at search results across the web to give a summarized answer. When a user wants to be creative or needs some inspiration, Bing can help write poems and stories, share ideas for a project or even create a brand-new image.

In the chat experience, a user can ask follow-up questions to get different and more detailed answers. The new Bing also goes beyond generating a list of relevant links by consolidating reliable sources across the web to give a user a summarized answer.

Knowing the sites visited by a user may have helped Bing perform these functions.

Follow FutureTech.news for more news about Microsoft and AI-powered technologies.

Watch the video below about Microsofts Bing going bonkers.

This video is from the Biblical Solution channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Microsofts Bing search engine CENSORING searches for politically sensitive Chinese personalities.

Microsoft admits Bing censors search results, says its necessary to promote equality.

Google CEO admits he DOESNT UNDERSTAND how his companys AI chatbot Bard works.

Ex-Google engineer warns Microsofts AI-powered Bing chatbot could be sentient.

AI chatbot GPT-4 TRICKED a person into solving captcha by pretending to be human.

Sources include:

The Vergel.com

Microsoft.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The North Carolina Supreme Court has handed the states Republican Party a major victory after ruling that the states voter ID law is constitutional.

The court became a Republican majority this year following the election of two Republican-leaning justices, and the Supreme Court wasted no time revisiting the opinion of the previous liberal-majority court regarding voter IDs. This led to the state supreme court throwing out the previous claim that a law requiring voters to present photo identification as being racially biased. (Related: Americans want stricter voter identification laws, a new poll shows.)

North Carolina voters in November 2018 approved a constitutional amendment requiring all voters to present photographic identification before being allowed to cast their ballots. The North Carolina state legislature, the General Assembly, then passed a bill  Senate Bill 824  that would have implemented the amendment into law. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, but the GOP was able to override the veto, only requiring a simple majority to do so.

The court held re-hearings on the voter ID law in March, and in a five-to-two vote allowed the state legislature to enforce the voter ID law.

The North Carolina Supreme Court also threw out previous rulings that declared it illegal for the state to redistrict maps for excessive partisanship, and it upheld a law requiring felons to complete their full sentences before regaining ballot access.

Voter ID victory upholds will of the people

Democrats and liberal activists in North Carolina continue to claim that voter ID laws are prejudiced or have a racial bias against the states Black and other non-White populations.

Future generations will remember today as the day that democracy was gutted in North Carolina and voter suppression re-emerged in the supreme court, claimed Dennis Gaddy, director of the Community Success Initiative, a non-profit that is supposedly dedicated to voters rights. It shows their commitment to knowingly and willingly upholding racist laws and practices designed specifically to disenfranchise Black voters. We are disappointed but not deterred.

But the North Carolina Republican Party argued that the state supreme courts ruling represents a victory over Democratic attempts to obstruct the will of the people.

A strong majority of North Carolina voters  voted to adopt voter ID requirements, wrote the party in a statement. For the last decade, Democrats have obstructed the will of the people, but now North Carolina will be among the three dozen states requiring some form of ID to vote.

Michael Whatley, chairman of the North Carolina GOP, noted how the supreme court reinstated the proper balance in the courts and the legislature.

I think this is great for our elections and its going to be great for our state, said Whatley. I dont think that this is a threat to democracy in any way. I think that we want to make sure that it is easy to vote and hard to cheat in North Carolina.

A federal lawsuit challenging the voter ID law is still pending, but without an injunction, the North Carolina State Board of Elections announced that its staff would start working toward a smooth rollout of the photographic identification requirement for municipal elections scheduled for this November.

Learn more about vulnerabilities in elections, like the lack of voter ID laws, at VoteFraud.news.

Watch this video from Recharge Freedom debunking the claim that voter ID laws are racist.

This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Jim Price: Americans must FIX election system to get the president they really want  Brighteon.TV.

BLUEPRINT PLAN: How to use Florida Governor Ron DeSantis model for secure elections to protect the US national election in 2024.

Election interference? Leonardo DiCaprio testifies that China-linked financier tried to donate $30M to Obamas 2012 campaign.

Biden judicial nominee said proof of citizenship is voter suppression.

Democrats demand photo ID to buy ammunition, but refuse to support ID to vote.

Sources include:

ABC11.com

APNews.com

WBTV.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) According to the Harvard University-run Lumen database, social media platform Twitter has yielded to more government demands for censorship under its new CEO Elon Musk. This appears to be a complete 180 from the free speech principles the tech mogul espoused prior to acquiring Twitter.

The database revealed that the company has received 971 government demands and court orders since Musk bought the Big Tech company for $44 billion. Twitter has fully complied with 808, or 83.21 percent of these requests. Prior to the Tesla CEOs purchase, the compliance rate was only around 50 percent.

Rest of World reported that based on Twitters self-reported disclosures to Lumen, there is not a single request with which the company refused to comply. Twitter rejected three such requests in the six months before Musk assumed CEO duties.

Maintained by Harvards Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Lumen has collected government requests to online platforms for more than two decades now. While Lumens data is made up entirely of self-reporting by Twitter and other platforms, outside surveys have largely confirmed its accuracy.

Historically, it seems Twitter has sent a copy of everything theyve received to us, said Lumen project manager Adam Holland. My understanding is that they have a small team of people that work on this and its a largely automatic process.

However, the biggest irregularity came when the flow of new reports from Twitter abruptly stopped on April 15. The Big Tech company has not made a submission to Lumen in more than 12 days.

Holland is still determining what caused the sudden stop of reports, with the project manager being unsure if a glitch caused it or if Twitter deliberately stopped sending in data. I would be saddened if it turned out they decided to stop sharing because a lot of really good research is being done, he commented.

Requests come from nations with stringent speech laws

According to Rest of Worlds U.S. tech editor Russel Brandom, the bulk of the requests to Twitter came from countries that have recently passed restrictive speech laws. These nations include Turkey, India, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. The latter, which submitted 255 requests, recently increased enforcement following amendments to a 2017 law banning hate speech and extremism.

Under the leadership of former Twitter CEOs Jack Dorsey and Parag Agrawal, Twitter actively turned down these requests from many of these nations. Back in 2014, Twitter was banned in Turkey for a two-week period, partly because it refused to globally block a post that accused a former Turkish government official of corruption. Former Twitter General Counsel Vijaya Gadde, who Musk fired in late October 2022, was a driving force in the decision to resist Ankara.

In July 2022, the company sued the Indian government over an order to restrict the visibility of specific tweets. However, Twitters stance quickly changed when Musk took over. The site quickly complied with more than 100 block orders from New Delhi  censoring journalists, foreign politicians and the poet Rupi Kaur. (Related: Twitter Files: US government helped launch project where millions of online posts were flagged for censorship.)

While the orders to Twitter vary widely in scope and subject, all of them involve a government office asking Twitter to either remove content or reveal information about a user.

In one case from January 2023, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered Twitter to take down all posts sharing footage from a BBC documentary about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dozens of posts, including one from a local lawmaker, were removed.

Musk has abolished many of the departments in charge of processing government documents, which may have reduced Twitters ability to challenge these orders. At the same time, Musk has made clear in interviews that his vision of free speech does not extend to legal requests.

We cant go beyond the laws of a country, he said in an interview with the BBC. If we have a choice of either our people go to prison or we comply with the laws, well comply with the laws.

Visit BigTech.news for more news about Twitter.

Watch this clip from the Fox Business program Kennedy about Elon Musks revelation that the government has access to private messages on Twitter.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

BREAKING: Twitter files detail the censorship-industrial complex, revealing an incestuous self-appointed truth squad made up of media, government, and NGOs.

Smoking gun: U.S. government, CDC colluded with Google, Twitter, Facebook to censor important information about experimental covid vaccines.

Twitters open-source code shows U.S. government is able to easily RIG the recommendation algorithm.

BioNTech, German government pressured Twitter to censor threats against Big Pharma.

Twitter Files: Government funding created cottage industry of disinformation labs.

Sources include:

RestOfWorld.org

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) In his testimony before lawmakers, Office of Inspector General (OIG) Michael Horowitz casually admitted that more than 10,000 federal employees have access to the National Security Agencys (NSA) database for surveillance inquiries.

That database contains the electronic data on all Americans, including emails, text messages, social media posts, instant messages, direct messages, phone calls, geolocation identifiers, purchases made using electronic funds, banking records, and any keystroke any American person puts into any electronic device for any reason.

This is a scary list, to be fair. The idea that a government databank holds every single datapoint from every single American is creepy enough, let alone the thought that 10,000 random people who work for the government are able to access it on demand.

If the United States still had a working government, all of this would stop immediately, and the NSA database destroyed. Instead, this surveillance state only continues to grow with each passing day, and nobody on either side of the aisle seems to be taking this breach of the Constitution seriously.

(Related: In 2013, the NSA admitted that it spies on 75 percent of all U.S. internet traffic, including emails, texts, and even voice calls  is that still true today?)

The NSA data collection center needs to be destroyed: its unconstitutional

All of this first starting coming to light back in 2018 when it was revealed through these agencies own documents that both FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and DOJ (Department of Justice) contractors had performed more than 1,000 illegal searches using the NSA database. Most of these queries targeted Republican primary candidates between November 2015 and May 2016.

It was the DOJs own reporting to the FISA court that brought this all to light. The exact number of illegal search queries was redacted in that report, but the size of the redacted text shows four digits, meaning it was anywhere from 1,000 to 9,999.

In 2021 during the first year of fake president Joe Bidens regime taking office, that number ballooned to more than 1.1 million illegal searches.

Where is all this electronic data being stored, we wonder? Last we checked, the NSAs main spying facility is located at Camp Williams near Bluffdale, Utah, between Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake. It was constructed in 2014 at a cost of $1.5 billion.

Are there any additional facilities where this data is being stored  and perhaps more importantly, why is this data being stored? Who controls this all-encompassing electronic data collection, and why is Congress allowing it?

Congress is right now debating whether or not to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that allows this in the first place, as well as whether or not to allow the DOJ and FBI to intercept private communications at all.

Were these so-called representatives of We the People truly constitutional, they would shut all of this down immediately.

If the inspector general is now admitting the FISA laws have been so comprehensively corrupted such that 3.4 million searches by more than 10,000 federal employees and government contractors now have access, there is no way that any reasonably intelligent person should support such reauthorization, reports The Conservative Treehouse.

Even contemplating this request is absurd, beyond absurd.

The United States government is admitting to the public that a total and comprehensive surveillance state is currently in place, and 10,000 federal government agents have the authorization to monitor everything we do.

Check out the below video which shows Horowitz admitting that the FBI has conducted millions of warrantless backdoor searches in violation of the Constitution:

BREAKING: DOJ Inspector General ADMITS that the FBI has done 3.4 million warrantless backdoor searches! Over a MILLION of which were in error. pic.twitter.com/t9VcVp4iYx  Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) April 27, 2023

The latest news about the federal governments obsession with peoples private lives can be found at BigGovernment.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheConservativeTreehouse.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running for president as a Democrat in 2024 against fake president Joe Biden, participated in his first sit-down interview with the corporate-controlled media this week. And as you might expect right out of the gate, major portions of his interview were censored from viewers  and the fake news outlet admitted to this publicly  because Kennedy apparently told too much truth about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines.

Host and interviewer Linsey Davis was blatantly hostile from the moment she started presenting Kennedy to her audience, referring to him as a member of the political royalty  this type of rhetoric aims to make Kennedy seem distant from average Americans and part of the elite most people abhor, even though his positions generally align with the middle class  and claiming that he is anti-science because of his position on vaccines.

RFK Jr. is one of the biggest voices pushing anti-vaccine rhetoric, regularly distributing misinformation and disinformation about vaccines which scientific and medical experts overwhelmingly say are safe and effective based on rigorous scientific studies, Davis stated with super-speed.

But can a Kennedy break through in 2024, or will RFK Jr.s controversial stances limit his appeal?

The nearly 15-minute interview was published on the ABC News YouTube page, and you can watch it below:

Linsey Davis says extended portions of Kennedy interview were censored to prevent viewers from hearing vaccine truth

As you will notice at the end of the above video, Davis explains that the interview as you just watched it is not the complete interview that actually took place. She explained why at the end, stating that ABC News chose not to air the full segment because Kennedy made numerous false claims about vaccines.

We should note that during our conversation, Kennedy made false claims about the Covid-19 vaccines. Data shows that the Covid-19 vaccines prevented millions of hospitalizations and deaths from the disease, Davis said, once again in speed talking.

He also made misleading claims about the relationship between vaccination and autism. Research shows that vaccines and the ingredients used in vaccines do not cause autism, including multiple studies involving more than a million children, and major medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the advocacy group Autism Speaks.

Weve used our editorial judgment in not including extended portions of that exchange in our interview. We thank Mr. Kennedy for the conversation.

It is unclear to what extent the interview was chopped and clipped before airing, but Davis use of the words extended portions suggest that the full interview is significantly longer than what ABC News ultimately decided to share with viewers.

All the major media companies are controlled by Big Pharma, one commenter wrote about ABC News and most of the rest.

Theyre all part of the all-encompassing international corporate mafia state that we have all been living under for many decades, but are only beginning to realize, responded another about how vast and far-reaching the tentacles of control have slithered into the companies and institutions that steer the public narrative, particularly on matters relating to medicine (i.e., pharmaceuticals and vaccines).

Another wrote the following, which is a modern adaptation of the famous words spoken by the late President Abraham Lincoln:

Pfizer can fool some of the people all of the time.

Pfizer fooled all of the people some of the time.

Pfizer does not fool all of the people all of the time.

Thank you, RFK Jr., for having the courage to just say no to Pfizer and its ilk.

The latest news about the corporate medias blatant censorship of a presidential candidate can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

YouTube.com
Estonia will acquire barrage ammunition for the first time, it will purchase them from the Israeli state-owned company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for EUR 100 million.

"The presence of such an offensive potential will certainly significantly increase Estonia's defense capability," Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur commented on Tuesday on the signing of the contract, which has become one of the most expensive.

According to him, the appearance of a new type of ammunition will be an important addition to the development of Estonia's defense capability. They will allow to attack the enemy from closed firing positions from a long distance.

Pevkur stressed that together with anti-ship missiles and multiple launch rocket systems, Estonia will have a number of new opportunities to influence the enemy from long distances in the near future.
(Natural News) There are people in the United States who have already received brain implants from a Utah-based company called Blackrock Neurotech, which has unleashed a microchip called NeuroPort Array that allows people with physical disabilities to perform tasks using just their brains.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Blackrock Neurotech has branded this brain implant as a solution to cure physical paralysis, blindness, deafness, and even depression. Recipients of the chip can control robotic arms and wheelchairs, play videogames, and even feel sensations because of it.

Equipped with nearly 100 microneedles, NeuroPort Array is attached to the brain, where it reads electrical signals produced by a persons thoughts. So far, around 50 people have opted to get one injected into their brains.

We are the only company with direct-brain BCI implants in humans, proudly announced Marcus Gerhardt, Blackrocks co-founder.

Our implantable arrays have enabled people to connect directly to computers, control robotic arms and wheelchairs, play video games, even regain sensation  with just their brain signals.

(Related: Elon Musk is working on the very same type of thing with his Neuralink brain chip implants.)

Will implantable brain microchips eventually become mandatory?

NeuroPort Array can be placed anywhere on the brains surface, and multiple NeuroPort Arrays can exist on the same brain.

Machine learning software tracks and decodes the electrical signals generated by a wearers thoughts into digital commands such as cursor movements on a screen, which can then be used to control prosthetics, computer equipment, and more.

As with most implantable chips, the company behind NeuroPort Array is branding it as a medical device to help people in need. This is simply the cover story for normalizing chip implants into human bodies, which is ultimately leading to the Mark of the Beast and transhumanism.

Right now, NeuroPort Array is only being used in voluntary participants in the Blackrock lab. The company hopes to soon gain FDA approval for the devices to be commercialized across the entire population.

We are pursuing regulatory approval of the worlds first-ever BCI designed specifically for at-home use: MoveAgain, Gerhardt explained. This medical device aims to increase independence and mobility, and ultimately, quality of life, for people with paralysis.

Once home-use BCIs are available, theyll help people build new lives that may have seemed impossible following their disability; we think well see people return to work, establish greater independence, and engage with the world in powerful new ways.

There is a lot of money to be made from these microchips, and Blackrocks goal is to maximize their use across the entire population.

Our long-term vision is that our implants will become as readily available to people with paralysis as pacemakers are for people with heart issues, Gerhardt added.

NeuroPort Array is already being customized for other uses such as to restore hearing and vision. Virtually any health condition is on the radar for NeuroPort Array to fix, the company has said.

As the technology continues to advance, well see BCIs with indications for memory and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, Gerhardt further revealed.

One major downfall with NeuroPort Array is that the devices palisades, or arrays, break down over time, causing the signal to degrade. This means that the device has to be removed and replaced around every five years, which involves more surgeries.

The first implant occurred back in 2004, though the company did not reveal this publicly due to public perceptions about implantable microchips.

The skys the limit for what BCIs will be able to do in the future, Gerhardt added.

Just to be clear, Blackrock Neurotech is not related to the BlackRock asset management firm.

To learn more about these chip implant predecessors to the Mark of the Beast, visit Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) In solidarity with American Democrats who are pushing for the same, lawmaker Orlando Silva of the Communist Party of Brazil, submitted a bill this week that has been dubbed an anti-fake news censorship bill.

Just like American Democrats are trying to do, Silva and his communist sympathizers in Brazil want to make it illegal to spread misinformation and disinformation. His bill, entitled the Brazilian Law on Freedom, Responsibility and Transparency on the Internet, was granted urgent status for expedited approval.

The legislation takes specific aim against online free speech, and particularly the kind that occurs on social media. Silva wants all speech determined as false by the government to be strictly prohibited.

I conclude my report for the Brazilian Law on Freedom, Responsibility and Transparency on the internet, Silva wrote in an English-translated tweet.

One issue remains: which institution will enforce the law, and eventually apply sanctions. I will make the last consultations and we will publish the final opinion.

(Related: Last year, Brazil faced crop failures due to Russias freeze on fertilizer exports.)

Brazilian lawmakers to be exempt from social media censorship law  rules for thee but not for me

Justice Minister Flavio Dino, another communist leftist in the Brazilian government, was so excited about Silvas censorship bill that he gave it the highest priority for passage this session.

According to Dino, Brazil is in desperate need of government censorship to eradicate all the hate speech that he says is occurring online.

If passed, Silvas censorship bill would require all social media platforms to create their own respective legal entities for consistent and regular contact with the government.

It would also create legal punishments for social media sites that do not act to immediately remove content the government deems in violation of Brazilian law or the rights of children and teenagers, ranging from warnings to outright blocking access to the platform in Brazilian territory, a media report further explains.

Furthermore, Silvas censorship bill would criminalize the dissemination of false content online through what has been described as automated bot accounts. Social media platforms would then be liable for all damages caused by paid content generated by third parties.

As with most communist proposals, the political elite would be exempt from all these censorship provisions, which would only apply to the peons below them in the social strata.

Following heavy backlash from other Brazilian lawmakers, a provision of the bill that would have created an autonomous overseeing body to regulate and enforce compliance with the newly proposed law was stripped.

The response was not very good, Silva said about his bill and the stripping of this provision. The feeling in the House is that, with this autonomous review entity, the bill will not pass.

Both the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies and the lower chamber of Congress approved a motion to grant urgency status to the bill. This allows it to skip all those pesky committee debates and go straight to a floor vote next week.

If the legislation passes the House, it will then move on to the Senate before being signed into law, much like how laws are passed here in the United States.

I believe we will be able to approve the text, Silva said. The report dialogues with everything I have heard in the last few days. The effort is to guarantee the freedom of expression, but also to guarantee the accountability of the digital platforms.

Silva further added that the passage of his bill means that Brazil will be able to help in the global debate on media regulation if the law is approved at this time.

More related news coverage can be found at Communism.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A survivor of former communist revolutionary Mao Zedongs regime of terror in China is speaking out about how she fears the very same oppression she once fled is taking hold in the United States.

Xi Van Fleet, who describes herself as Chinese by birth; American by choice. Survivor of Maos Cultural Revolution. Defender of liberty is making waves on social media for some tweets she fired at the Democrat Party.

Recognizing that todays Democrats are cut from the same cloth as Mao, Van Fleet shared a bit of history about Liu Shaoqi, the former president of the Peoples Republic of China who laid the tyrannical groundwork upon which Mao staged his cultural revolution.

When surrounded by the Red Guard mobs, Liu Shaoqi tried to reason with them: I am at least a citizen. Why am I not allowed to speak?'

This was Liu speaking at the time when he was being purged by Mao. Prior to this, Liu himself was persecuting countless people, Van Fleet said, ruining or ending peoples lives. And by the time Mao came along, Liu had become a victim of the very tyranny that he helped create.

The Leftists are so committed to the destruction of rule of law & our Constitution, Van Fleet warns. They need to prepare to be the victims of their own lawlessness one day!

(Related: Is China in control of Silicon Valley?)

Those who go against Gods law and oppress Gods children will one day become the subjects of their own tyranny

It is a similar story to the one outlined in the biblical book of Esther. Haman, an official within the court of the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus, commonly identified as Xerxes, came up with a plan to destroy the Jews of Persia, only to end up in the gallows that he himself built for Mordecai and the rest of the Jews.

These are stories that todays Democrats would do well to consider as they build the worlds largest surveillance state, and initiate their plans for a global genocide. It just might end up being the case, as Van Fleet is also promising, that these villains of modern-day America will end up succumbing to the very fate they have planned for all of us.

I am deeply thankful, Van Fleet tweeted about her own experience. Today 35 yr ago, my dream came true. I was granted a student visa to come to USA. I no longer feel this is the America that I arrived in. She has been under attack by Marxism / Communism that I thought I had escaped from. Thats why I am fighting to save her!

All throughout history, there is a pattern of wicked people who after spreading their wickedness for a time end up becoming the recipients of the very wickedness they sought to inflict on others. It happened with Liu when Mao took over; it happened to Haman in the book of Esther; and it will one day happen again to the tyrannizing globalists who seek to destroy all that is good and normal.

As if the Republicans are not just as bad as the Democrats, one commenter noted about how these two political parties are just opposing wings on the same bird.

I might remind everyone it was the Republicans that gave us TSA, which shredded the 4th Amendment. It was Republicans that kept us in war in Afghanistan for 20 years. It was Republicans that murdered millions of civilians in Iraq. Republicans are just the controlled opposition in the UniParty.

The latest news about communist China can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Renowned forensic computer expert Jeff ODonnell, who has worked closely with election fraud whistleblower Dennis Montgomery, has shed light on the clandestine methods used to undermine the voting process.

The methods used were far-ranging and spent a lot of time and money subverting these elections. It took two years, and were still discovering new things about the methods and sources used, ODonnell said during a recent episode of Connecting the Dots with host Dan Happel on Brighteon.TV.

ODonnell told Happel about the existence of two computer programs: Hammer and Scorecard. Hammer is a counter-intelligence surveillance program used to spy on activities on protected networks like voting machines without detection, while Scorecard is a vote-manipulation application that changes votes during transfer.

These programs were originally designed by Montgomery as tools for monitoring foreign entities affecting American security and influencing foreign elections. However, the Obama administration allegedly weaponized these programs in 2012, and Montgomery eventually became a whistleblower. (Related: Brannon Howse: November 23, 2020  Interview with General Thomas McInerney about HAMMER, Scorecard and wholesale election theft.)

It didnt just magically start in 2020. Weve been looking at the 2020 election and we see echoes and evidence of many elections in the past. So I believe 2020 was the culmination of technology and methods they were developing for decades, ODonnell said.

The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has provided the perfect opportunity to implement this strategy, as the crisis allowed the powers that be to capitalize on the situation and exploit it to their advantage. They never let a good crisis go to waste. They use it. And that was the final piece that brought it all together for them.

Many factors contribute to election fraud

A combination of fraudulent mail-in votes, computer manipulation, external manipulation and external connections controlled the elections. ODonnell outlined the various factors that contributed to election fraud, including demographic targeting across different regions and age groups. He stressed the consistency in patterns observed throughout the compromised elections, underscoring the calculated nature of the fraudulent activities.

We now have accumulated so much data from across the country. It will touch the nine key states, showing the most consistent manipulation, said ODonnell.

He is planning to release a comprehensive report detailing the conspiracy to defraud the 2020 election on May 1.

When you see this report, all these states and counties have the same voters. A voter in a small precinct in Nevada got out and in some ways voted the same as Union County, New Jersey or Carolina. Ive given away a couple of states. Thats what they call a teaser, he said.

So when this drops, between now and May 1, it will be the culmination of the last few years of work. And if we can get it into the hands of the right people, and get them to read it, which is always the issue, it should forever change how people think about this election again.

Visit VoteFraud.news for more news related election fraud in the United States.

Watch this episode of Connecting the Dots with Dan Happel featuring Jeff ODonnell. Catch new episodes of the program every Tuesday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Its clear once more: The 2020 election was stolen from Trump, as new evidence of manipulation surfaces.

Anomalies in vote counts and their effects on election 2020.

How Democrats plan to steal the 2020 election.

Trump was right: Pfizer was pressured to hold back announcement of new COVID vaccine until after the 2020 election.

PROOF: Facebook interfered, tampered with fraudulent 2020 election.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

NOQReport.com
(Natural News) Conspiring against the natural rights of the people, Irish lawmakers are on the verge of passing into law a new series of Hate Speech bills that fine and jail individuals for possessing hateful content on their personal devices. These radical new Hate Speech bills police a persons thoughts and regulates the intent of a persons speech. The bills do not define hateful content and put the burden of proof on the accused.

These statutes would challenge the longstanding judicial principle  the presumption of innocence. Individuals are innocent until proven guilty. However, under these radical hate speech laws, the accused are deemed guilty until they can argue that their speech is kind and innocent. If authorities seize someones device and find hateful content that they do not like, the suspect individual is, by default, GUILTY and must prove that their content is acceptable to think or speak. This will leave individuals helpless and enslaved, begging for their right to think, speak, debate, and dissent against their totalitarian accuser.

Individuals can be prosecuted for possessing hateful material likely to incite violence or hatred

In the first section of the bill, individuals can be prosecuted for the offense of preparing or possessing material likely to incite violence or hatred against persons on account of their protected characteristics.

Offence of preparing or possessing material likely to incite violence or hatred against persons on account of their protected characteristics

Subject subsection (2) and (3) and section 11, a person shall be guilty of an offence under this section if the person  (a) Prepares or possesses material that is likely to incite violence or hatred against a person or group of persons on account of their protected characteristics or any of those characteristics with a view to the material being communicated to the public or a section of the public, whether by himself or herself or another person, and (b) Prepares or possesses such material with intent to incite violence or hatred against such a person or group of persons on account of those characteristics or any of those characteristics or being reckless as to whether such violence or hatred is thereby incited.

Under the next subsection, the accused are guilty until proven innocent.

In any proceedings for an offence under this section, where it is proved that the accused person was in possession of material such as is referred to in subsection (1) and it is reasonable to assume that the material was not intended for the personal use of the person, the person shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to have been in possession of the material in contravention of subsection (1).

The Irish Constitution is failing to protect free speech

The Irish Constitution promises to protect the free speech rights of the citizens, but it is unlike the United States Constitution, which defines free speech without restrictions. The Irish Constitution says, The State guarantees liberty for the exercise of the following rights, subject to public order and morality.

In Section 6:1, the Irish Constitution guarantees: The right of the citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions. However, it also states that the publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law. The Irish Constitution also declares that the radio, the press, the cinema and even criticism of government policy must abide by the common good and shall not be used to undermine public order, morality or the authority of the State. There are loopholes in the Irish Constitution that pave the way for radical Hate Speech laws to take effect.

The bill puts forth rules on what content is acceptable:

(2) In any proceedings for an offence under this section, it shall be a defence to prove that the material concerned consisted solely of 

(a) a reasonable and genuine contribution to literary, artistic, and political, scientific, religious, or academic discourse,

(b) a statement that is the subject of the defence of absolute privilege, or

(c) material that is necessary for any other lawful purpose, including law enforcement or the investigation or prosecution of an offence.

Finally, the new bill calls for the fining and imprisonment of people accused of having hate speech.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable 

(1) on summary conviction, to a class C fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both.

Sources include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

Gustavus.edu
(Natural News) Ivermectin is just as effective as monoclonal antibodies in treating Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, according to board-certified physician Dr. Mary Talley Bowden.

She expounded on this during the April 24 episode of the Brighteon.TV program America Can We Talk? with Debbie Georgatos. Bowden said she started offering monoclonal antibodies to patients when they first came out. The physician attested to the efficacy of this treatment as her patients infected with COVID-19 managed to recover within 24 hours.

At the time, Bowden had an unlimited supply of monoclonal antibodies since she could go straight to the manufacturer and order as many as she wanted. However, procuring monoclonal antibodies became much more difficult when the government took over distribution. She then turned to ivermectin as she was running out of monoclonal antibodies and many sick patients were coming to her.

Ive found out that ivermectin worked just as well, not as quickly I would say, [as] monoclonal antibodies. People wake up the next day and feel amazing  not all the time, but for the most part, Bowden told Georgatos. Ivermectin might have taken a little bit longer, but that  in combination with other medications  worked very well. I havent counted in a while, but last time I counted I had 5,500 patients alive and well because of early treatment. (Related: Houston Methodist Hospital suspends doctor who advocated use of ivermectin to treat COVID patients.)

Sadly, the physician found herself being shut down and kicked out of a doctors Facebook group after putting all the results on her website and posting them on social media. She was accused of underestimating the disease.

COVID-19 made ivermectin more expensive

Prior to COVID-19 pandemic, Bowden said she had barely heard of ivermectin. However, she researched the drug and stumbled upon the Food and Drug Administrations original approval document.

The physician mentioned that ivermectin was approved for human use way back in 1987 as a treatment for river blindness disease in Africa. Since then, it has been given to more than four billion people. Georgatos agreed, adding that ivermectin  which is a drug viewed as safe  is on the World Health Organizations list of essential medications.

Georgatos, a former national political analyst for Fox News Radio, pointed out that ivermectin wasnt very expensive at first. Bowden concurred with her observation, adding that this was the trend until COVID-19 came. That, alongside insurance companies refusing to pay for ivermectin, drove up the drugs price and made it more expensive than it should have been.

The America Can We Talk host also asked Bowden about breathing treatments she used for COVID-19 patients. Bowden said she used budesonide, albuterol and steroids for those with breathing problems. Aside from these, she also offered breathing treatments using battery-operated nebulizers.

Moreover, Bowden shared that she had a laboratory that offered PCR test for sinusitis caused by bacterial and fungal infections. This quickly turned into a testing facility that processed COVID-19 tests during the pandemic. The physician told people with a positive COVID-19 test to go to their primary care doctor at the soonest. Unfortunately, these patients returned to her saying that they were told to wait.

It turned out out be a blessing in disguise as Bowden provided the right treatment to help them get cured.

IvermectinScience.com has more stories about ivermectin for treating COVID-19.

Watch the April 24 episode of America Can We Talk? with Debbie Georgatos below. Catch new episodes of this program from Monday to Thursday at 1-2 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

The COVID pandemic was entirely unnecessary. Cures were available. The medical profession is responsible for the murders of huge and growing numbers of people.

Three doctors sue FDA, HHS for interfering with ivermectin prescription for COVID.

Doctors in Kentucky, California received millions in bonus payments for vaccinating Medicaid patients against COVID.

Doctor who testified about ivermectin as early COVID treatment forced out of hospital board meeting.

Pandemic Health Alliance fights to allow hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin for early treatment of covid.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

AmericaCanWeTalk.org
(Natural News) The state of New York is on the verge of banning natural gas-powered appliances under a budget deal forged by Governor Kathy Hochul and Albany lawmakers.

Were going to be the first state in the nation to advance zero-emissions new homes and buildings, Hochul said. Interestingly, the Democratic governor has gas stoves in her own Buffalo home and the Executive Mansion in Albany while pushing for the gas ban in future buildings through the state budget process.

Albany Democrats are expected to approve the electrification push as part of a $229 billion spending deal, which mandates all new buildings under seven stories to be fully electric by 2026 with larger structures set to follow three years later. Exemptions will be made for commercial kitchens, emergency generators and hospitals.

Last year, a study from Stanford University found that gas stoves alone produce warming pollution that is tantamount to about a half-million gas-powered cars each week. It also indicated that natural gas could raise levels of nitrogen dioxide, which could cause respiratory issues. Another study also linked indoor gas stove usage to increased risk of asthma among children.

Still, there are at least 20 states in the nation that have outright prohibited gas bans, according to S&P Global. And in April, a federal appeals court overturned Berkeley, Californias first-in-the-nation ban on natural gas in new construction.

Many New Yorkers are not in favor of the ban

The proposed ban on installing gas furnaces and stoves in new buildings did not sit well with New Yorkers.

Kathy should mind her own business and get out of our kitchens, said Yas Kantakis, a resident of Sutton Place. Now shes in our kitchens first, our bedrooms will be next. Why would somebody come into your private home and tell you what to do? Were not communist yet  were getting there but its just an insult.

Meanwhile, an Upper East Side resident named Ella is very much against the change. I dont see the benefit. Electric stoves dont cook as well. Also, her 70-year-old neighbor Claire Gozzo commented: I have electric (stove) in Florida and I hate it, you cant control it. I like gas because you can control it and everything cooks good.

Some New Yorkers are just not fully sold on the governors idea. Elena Adams, 34, of Sunnyside, Queens, said she needs more information about the issue. She also highlighted her broader support for actioning against climate change. We have an extreme issue with fossil fuels right now and climate change is something we all need to address and take action, but we need to be educated on the benefits of getting rid of gas stoves, she said.

Ian Alterman, 64, from Upper West Side, drew a connection between the culture wars battle over gas stoves and a broad problem with political messaging on the political left. New Yorkers should educate themselves, but the governor has an obligation to message properly so people understand whats going on and why  if thats not happening theres a problem, he said. It could be a fantastic decision, but I just dont know.

According to environmental groups, the details of the plan were still unclear. They were worried it might contain a provision that would allow local governments to effectively veto the measure. But the governors spokesperson Katy Zielinski denied the allegation.

The new law will not have any loopholes that will undermine the intent of this measure, said Zielinski. There will not be any option for municipalities to opt-out.

In February, a Siena College poll found that only 39 percent of registered voters support banning all fossil-fuel-burning equipment. People are apt to make choices whether they are located in New York State or somewhere else, and this will provide a further strain on the market until theres certainty about the availability in the grid as we move forward. So thats a real concern, said Joseph Hogan, vice president of building services at the Associated Contractors of New York State. (Related: Another ploy to control peoples lives: Biden administration plans to ban gas stoves.)

Visit GreenDeal.news for more news related to mandates that ban natural gas-powered appliances.

Watch the video below that talks about the gas stove ban in Los Angeles, California.

This video is from the Healthy American channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

NO ENERGY FOR YOU! SF Bay Area to phase out heating appliances powered by natural gas.

City of Eugene in Oregon bans natural gas hookups in new homes.

Yes, Biden really IS trying to ban gas stoves as federal agency moves closer to ending them altogether.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

Politico.com

CBSNews.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Have you ever heard of neonicotinoids? Most of you probably have not, and that is exactly what the giant agricultural corporations want. They dont want you to know that crops all over the United States are literally being pre-poisoned with harmful insecticides that are having a nightmarish impact on the environment. And most of our politicians will never do anything about this because they are being showered with campaign donations by the companies that are doing the poisoning. So millions upon millions of pounds of neonicotinoids will continue to be used every single year, and most Americans will never have any idea what these insecticides are doing to the world around them.

(Article by Michael republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com)

On Wednesday, Tucker Carlson delivered his first monologue since leaving Fox News.

In that monologue, he pointed out that some of the most important issues of our day are rarely or never debated on television

According to Carlson, one of the things one notices when one takes a little time off is how unbelievably stupid most of the debates you see on television are. Theyre completely irrelevant. They mean nothing. In five years we wont even remember that we had them and yet, at the same time, the undeniably big topics  the ones that will define our future  get virtually no discussion at all. War, civil liberties, emerging science, demographic change, corporate power, natural resources. When was the last time you heard a legitimate debate about any of those issues?

He is right.

Much of the chatter on television is complete nonsense.

So in this article I am going to try to address something that really matters.

If you are not familiar with neonicotinoids, this is how they are defined by Texas A&M

Neonicotinoids are a new class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine. The name literally means new nicotine-like insecticides. Like nicotine, the neonicotinoids act on certain kinds of receptors in the nerve synapse. They are much more toxic to invertebrates, like insects, than they are to mammals, birds and other higher organisms. One thing that has made neonicotinoid insecticides popular in pest control is their water solubility, which allows them to be applied to soil and be taken up by plants.

Today, many seeds that our farmers use actually come pre-coated with neonicotinoids.

I was greatly alarmed when I first learned that, and you should be greatly alarmed as well.

Our crops are literally pre-poisoned before they even sprout.

After seeing the impact that neonicotinoids had on the environment, Europe banned them.

But they are still legal here in the United States even though they have been blamed for killing bees on an absolutely massive scale

Since the introduction of systemic neonicotinoid pesticides, both honey bees and wild, native pollinators have experienced ongoing catastrophic declines. In some years, such as the 2015-2016 season, beekeepers experienced an average of 44% colony loss, with some beekeepers losing their entire business. The scientific literature shows that the use of these chemicals results in exposed pollinators suffering impaired foraging, navigational, and learning behavior, as well as increased susceptibility to mites and pathogens. This threatens the sustainability of the global food supply, particularly nutrient dense fruiting foods that depend on bees and other pollinators. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, of the 100 crop species that provide 90% of global food, 71 are pollinated by bees.

Of course it isnt just bees that are dying.

According to an incredible article that has just been published by The Intercept, countless other species have been hit really hard as well

Honeybees have captured almost all the attention for the dangers of neonics, but they are hardly the only species in decline because of the chemical. Studies have tied neonics to the disappearance of native bees, butterflies, mayflies, dragonflies, amphipods, and a range of waterborne insects, as well as earthworms and other insect invertebrates. Several species of bumblebees in the U.S. and Europe are approaching extinction, a die-off researchers say is tied to the use of neonics and other pesticides. In September, a study released in the academic journal Science revealed that migrating songbirds suffered immediate weight loss following the consumption of only one or two seeds treated with neonics. Previous research had linked disappearing insect life to dwindling food sources for birds in the Netherlands, but the Science study provided the evidence that bird species were directly affected by the chemical. Another groundbreaking study published in Natures Scientific Reports showed that neonics are likely causing serious birth defects in white-tailed deer, the first time research has shown that the chemical compound could endanger large mammals.

Because these insecticides are so widely used, there is literally no escaping them.

In fact, neonicotinoids have been found in streams, rivers and drinking water systems all over the world

Millions of pounds of the chemical are applied to 140 commercial crops every year. In the U.S., nearly all field-planted corn and two-thirds of soybean use neonic-coated seeds. The chemical is found in soil samples from coast to coast, in waterways and in drinking water. Neonics, which are water soluble, have been detected in the American River in California, the River Waveney in England, tap water in Iowa City, and hundreds of other streams and rivers across the world. In Brazil last year, after President Jair Bolsonaros government approved dozens of new pesticides, the use of neonics caused the death of more than 500 million bees across the country. In August, a study published in peer-reviewed journal PLOS One found that the American landscape has become 48 times more toxic to insects since the 1990s, a shift largely fueled by the rising application of neonics.

This is the kind of issue that our politicians should be talking about.

But they arent.

Instead, the giant agricultural companies are assuring us that the food that has been saturated with these poisons is perfectly safe for us to eat.

Yeah, right.

As I detailed extensively in End Times, we are literally killing ourselves and everything around us.

Given enough time, humanity would not survive.

We are steamrolling down a road that leads to societal suicide, and we desperately need help.

But most people dont realize what is being done to them, and so they dont even understand that they should be extremely upset about what these evil corporations are doing to our planet.

Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com
(Natural News) Ukraine is running out of imported munitions from countries like Poland, which said we simply dont have the ammunition in a recent statement about the matter.

While Russia has more than enough bullets to keep the war going indefinitely, Ukraine is running dry, according to Polish Armed Forces chief of staff General Rajmund Andrzejczak, who added that he is pessimistic about Ukraines position in all this.

There is nothing that indicates that Russia will lack the resources to continue the conflict, Andrzejczak said while speaking at a strategy session of the National Security Bureau.

Sanctions are not enough to stop Russia from having the funds it needs to continue the war, Andrzejczak went on to state, adding that Poland can no longer supply Ukraines needs in the conflict.

We simply dont have the ammunition, he said. Our industry isnt ready to send the equipment to Ukraine and to maintain our own dwindling reserves.

(Related: Concerning the energy crisis, Poland shifted to coal for help, not to solar or wind.)

Ukraine isnt winning the war against Russia

Andrzejczak would go on during the session to explain that war is not the business of soldiers, but is rather a question of politics with economic factors involving finance, infrastructure, technology, food, and a range of other problems that you have to figure into the equation to be able to understand it.

Ukraine is experiencing huge financial problems, he added  this despite the billions of dollars in aid that the Biden regime, Poland, and others throughout the West have been sending to Volodymyr Zelensky.

It turns out that Ukraine is not doing so well in the war, and that Russia still and will likely continue to have the upper hand. Andrzejczak said the security situation that Poland now faces because of this is bleak, adding that an honest assessment of the threats was still both a surprise and a shock for most Western leaders.

Putting all the media propaganda aside, Ukraine is not winning the war, and it appears that Russia will prevail. And there is still no indication that the Ukrainians who fled their country in early 2022 will be able to return any time soon because of it.

Andrzejczak expects that the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius will be a summit to define our credibility, of NATO, and the whole of the West concerning the war. If the response to the Russian invasion turns out to have been late or lacking in determination, then the prospects of Ukraine having a secure future are bleak.

Poland and France have been sparring as of late about who will prevail in being the contract nation of choice for producing ammunition for Ukraine.

Right now, France has contracts with the European Union (EU), which has been purchasing ammunition for Ukraine. Poland has been fighting with France over these contracts, trying to work out a plan for it to hold the contracts instead.

The main point of contention: How much to restrict the money to EU manufacturers, and whether to include companies in places like the U.S. and U.K. France has been leading a charge to keep the money within the bloc, irking some of its EU compatriots, reported Politico about the matter.

The joint ammunition buying plan is part of a three-stage process that EU leaders approved last month in the hopes of quickly getting Ukraine much-needed ammunition  The first stage will feature EU countries transferring shells from their own stocks to Kyiv, while the second stage involves joint purchases. The third stage aims to ensure EU manufacturers are capable of meeting Europes defense needs.

The latest news about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

RMX.news

NaturalNews.com

Politico.eu
(Natural News) With guns blazing, 2024 presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is promising Americans that if he wins the White House, he will immediately go after everyone in a position of power who engaged in criminal wrongdoing during the pandemic.

Kennedy, who announced his run against Joe Biden in early April as a Democrat, is gaining incredible momentum as he continues to drop truth bombs all over social media and during appearances before standing-room-only crowds of supporters.

It is dawning on mainstream figures like Anthony Fauci that their Covid policies were a public health disaster, Kennedy said. Lots of us are angry about the mandates, the lockdowns, the censorship, the insanity. But we need to avoid the toxic quagmire of retribution and blame and focus on ensuring this never happens again. Clean up the regulatory agencies, get corporate money out of public health, and guarantee free, open, uncensored public and scientific discourse.

Of course, officials who betrayed the public trust must not be allowed to hold power. I will remove them from their positions and, if laws were broken, my attorney general will prosecute.

Just to be clear, I will prosecute any official who engaged in criminal wrongdoing during the pandemic. Corrupt individuals are a small part of the problem. Our agencies have been captured by corporate power, but the vast majority of their staff are decent people. We need to get corporate influence out of *all* regulatory agencies so that they can serve the people honestly.

Kennedy says he will go after the medical journals for participating in a racketeering syndicate  many lawsuits to be filed

Kennedy emphasized once again that he is focused not on retribution but on delivering justice against those who destroyed lives while profiting from all the death and destruction that ravaged the world throughout the saga.

As president, Kennedy explained, he plans to direct his attorney general to investigate and prosecute every single person who knowingly defrauded or deceived the American public about the safety and efficacy of medical products, including both the face masks and the so-called vaccines.

Kennedy also plans to obtain compensation for every American who was injured or who suffered the death of family members due to everything that was forced on the public in the name of public health.

As a presidential candidate, Ill continue to expose corruption to obtain justice for the injured, he added.

Kennedy also told Kim Iversen in an interview this week that he plans to go after the corrupt medical journals that published bogus studies in support of the covid tyranny  be sure to watch the interview below:

Ill bring the medical journals  into the Justice Department as soon as I appoint an AG, and Ill say to them You guys are part of a racketeering syndicate  We are gonna sue you both civilly for damages and criminally @RobertKennedyJr https://t.co/kx1qxTVVPL pic.twitter.com/GcwoHqQeJR  Dr. ZW (@ZombyWoof2022) April 26, 2023

You guys are part of a racketeering syndicate, Kennedy stated, speaking directly to said medical journals. We are going to sue you both civilly for damages and criminally.

Another of Kennedys top priorities includes separating the corrupt merger of state and corporate power, also known as fascism. It is clearly problematic in terms of Big Pharma and its influence on public health policy, but also in terms of the wealthy elite and their destruction of the middle class.

To commoditize our children, our purple mountains majesty, to poison our children and our people with chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs, he said in reference to the pharmaceutical industry.

To strip mine our assets, to hollow out the middle class and keep us in a constant state of war, he added about the destruction of wealth and prosperity.

More related news coverage can be found at VoteDemocrat.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a telephone conversation with President of the Comoros, Chairman of the African Union Azali Assoumani.

I am glad to have the first call in the history of our relations with President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani. Congratulated my colleague on his election as the Head of the African Union, he said on Twitter.

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is interested in developing cooperation with Africa and is ready to remain a guarantor of food security in the world. Thanked my colleague for his principled position and support of Ukraine at the UN and other platforms. Invited him to join the implementation of the Peace Formula, Zellenskyy also said.
In Brazil, it was discovered that tree frogs pollinate milk fruit flowers for the first time in amphibians.

The milk fruit trees near Rio de Janeiro are occupied by brownish-orange frogs on warm evenings. Unlike most frogs, the Xenohyla truncata tree frog prefers the pulp of bulbous fruits as well as the nectar found in the tree's flowers to insects.

Brazil Tree Frogs Pollinate Milk Fruit Flowers

The frogs completely submerge themselves in the plant's flowers as they search for nectar, leaving only their buttocks exposed. Pollen adheres to their heads and backs when they emerge. Then they dismount, possibly spreading pollen to the subsequent milk fruit flower they come across from their earlier stop at the tropical buffet.

This means, the frogs might disperse the plant's seeds and conduct the plant's first-ever amphibian pollination of its flowers.

According to Luis Felipe Toledo, the University of Campinas' director of the Amphibians Natural History Lab, animal behavior is novel because amphibians haven't been observed doing it before. Toledo is one of the authors of a study that was published last month in the journal Food Webs and suggests that there is an ecological connection between frogs and flowering trees.

First Time Seen in Amphibians

The majority of frogs are carnivorous; they only unintentionally eat vegetation when it becomes an obstruction to their pursuit of other animals. But at the beginning of this century, researchers found evidence of plants in the guts of Xenohyla truncata, also known as Izecksohn's Brazilian tree frog. According to their investigations, the species intentionally consumes fruits, leaves, and flowers regularly, while only rarely consuming insects.

However, there is no evidence of this behavior in the wild.

While conducting research in Brazil's Restinga forests, Toledo's team happened upon plant-loving frogs in action at dusk. They were surprised to find two frogs sipping nectar from the bell-shaped flowers for anywhere between five and fifteen minutes.

Pollination by Tree Frogs

Because one of the frogs surfaced from its flowery snack clad in pollen, Toledo said, the team hypothesized that it was very likely that the frog species aids milk fruit tree pollination, which is something amphibians weren't thought to perform. The frogs could have accidentally taken pollen from flower to flower and caused reproduction. Similarly shaped flowers could have also been pollinated in this manner. The team captured footage of frogs sipping nectar from alien bearded irises that evening.

According to a 2019 research article that appeared in The Scientific Naturalist, the discovery could add an amphibian to the relatively diverse list of recently discovered pollinators, which already includes pollinating rats, cockroaches, and even lizards. The abundance of pollinators may test the current understanding of how animals interact with their environments, but more research is required to conclusively prove that frogs are pollinating plants.

Also Read: Coal Pollution Causes Sickness in Native Frogs of Australia National Park

It is too early to label the frogs as pollinators, according to Felipe Amorim, a Paulo State University pollination ecologist; rather, the frogs are flower visitors. There is still much to learn about the novel plant-animal interaction, he claimed. Aromim is not involved in the study.

For instance, it is necessary to test the frog's skin mucus to make sure the pollen won't be ruined before it reaches its destination. Additionally, researchers must determine whether the pollen is ever carried to other flowers and whether it is successful in fertilizing and germination. Furthermore, it is still unknown why this species of frogs developed a preference for flora over fauna in the first place.

Understanding the subtleties of the relationship between the Brazilian milk fruit tree and the Xenohyla truncata is essential for their conservation because both species are endangered, The New York Times reports.

Relared Article: New Species of Tree Frog with Unique Shrill Calls Discovered in Costa Rica
Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said that he had telephone conversations with his Norwegian and Finnish colleagues, in particular, they discussed the situation on the battlefield.

Today I had a phone talk with my Norwegian colleague Bjrn Arild Gram Bjornarildgram. Feel support from our Norwegian friends. Expecting to continue our fruitful cooperation in defence sphere, Reznikov said on Twitter.

Also later, the minister wrote that he was glad to talk with Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen.

Discussed the situation on the battlefield. The Republic of Finland is our reliable ally on the way to joint victory over russian aggression, Reznikov said on Twitter.
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The US and the EU have put heavy diplomatic pressure on the government of Malaysia, urging it to bar Chinese networking equipment vendor Huawei from its state-owned 5G network, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Letters from the US ambassador to the country, Brian McFeeters, and from the head of the EU delegation to Malaysia, Michalis Rokas, warned of potential legal problems and national security issues, if the country succumbs to what the Financial Times described as heavy lobbying by Huawei.

Senior officials in Washington agree with my view that upending the existing model would undermine the competitiveness of new industries, stall 5G growth in Malaysia, and harm Malaysias business-friendly image internationally, wrote McFeeters, according to the Financial Times. Allowing untrusted suppliers in any part of the network also subjects Malaysias infrastructure to national security risks.

The prompt for the letters seems to have been a decision by Malaysia to re-examine its decision selecting Ericsson as the sole prime contractor for the 5G network  that company had been awarded a $2.5 billion tender by the government.

Rokas letter, according to the report, said that European businesses investing overseas appreciate straightforward policy decisions, and expressed displeasure at the possibility of a switch to Huawei.

[Any change would] likely impact negatively and significantly the contractual terms agreed upon at the time of the launch of the open tender, Rokas wrote.

The diplomatic pressure reported by the Financial Times is part of an ongoing telecom policy dispute between the US and China, centered on Huawei. Citing national security concerns over Huaweis close ties to the Chinese government, successive US administrations have enforced a ban on that companys equipment, and have urged other countries to follow suit.

EU member states, while initially resistant to the Trump administrations calls for boycott, have begun to turn against Huawei in recent years, with France applying pressure to local telecom companies, and Germany reportedly considering following the US, UK and several other nations in officially barring Huawei from its national networks.

The US has even moved to enact a law mandating that the State Department monitor allies use of equipment from companies like Huawei or ZTE  the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act passed the house in September 2022 and is now under consideration by the Senate.
Zelenskyy hopes that Portugal to be able to take measures to strengthen abilities of Ukrainian defenders

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes that Portugal will be able to take the necessary decisions to strengthen the abilities of Ukrainian defenders on the front line.

He said this during a meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday with Portuguese Parliament Speaker Augusto Santos Silva.

"We discussed cooperation on the path of Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO, the priority needs of Ukrainian defenders. The start of EU accession negotiations by the end of this year will be a powerful incentive for Ukrainian society and Ukrainian defenders, who have been deterring the aggressor for more than 14 months. We hope that the Portuguese government and parliament will be able to take the necessary decisions to strengthen the abilities of Ukrainian defenders on the front line," Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram channel.

"Thanks to the Portuguese parliament and government for supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, as well as to the Portuguese society, which, thanks to the actions of the government and parliament, was united in supporting our country and people. This is a very important signal of faith in Ukraine," Zelenskyy also wrote.
K V Vasudevan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: An officer job in the government sector took him places. And he went places with his passion for theatre. That is TD Sundarrajan, a brand name in the world of Tamil theatre, who has seen it all in his five decades, mastering the craft as actor-director-creator. His mantra for his longevity is  never claim what you are not and whatever you have done, claim it with justifiable pride.

I am in the best phase of life, having given my might in both profession and passion, reflects the 85-year-old with the enthusiasm and energy of a college student on his first date. The show must go on is an age-old adage that holds good even today. The bottom line of a writer is the need to be open to change and start writing plays in sync with the prevalent scenario, opens up TD, as he is affectionately called in the world he loved, ruled and charmed all and sundry with his mannerisms.

Writing to acting

The windows to his acting career opened up when he joined hands with Kathadi Ramamurthy, forming Stage Creations. My transferable job, every three years, did not deter me. Be it in Mumbai, Delhi or Visakhapatnam, my experience in theatre helped me to be part of the local groups, enjoying a good patronage from them, he says.

In those days when there was a clamour for quality stage plays in cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Madurai; TD was a livewire handling all departments with an energy level which spoke volumes of his commitment. Pocketing an award from Mylapore Academy for playing the second brother character in Pattina Pravesam was a moment of reckoning for him.

TD did not chase success even when he had a chance to. Spurning a movie offer from Iyakunar Siganar K Balachander was unheard of in the era where each actor worth his salt yearned to be part of the tinsel world of Kavithalaya. KB sir offered the same character which I did in Pattina Pravesam with the note that he was overwhelmed with emotions at my range. Movies did not interest me then; besides getting leave for a length of time was a professional hazard. I am not carrying any regret, as I was destined for laurels in theatre which the movies would not have given. I chased my dreams in stage plays with no place for the monetary aspect. Till date, I have not taken even a rupee as remuneration, he shares.

Pressed with his movie commitments, KB could not find time to give life to the creation of his play Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai. When he placed a request to TD that he was his only choice who could do justice to that, TD felt it was the moment of his life. What more could I have asked for? The play won rave reviews, which was my way of showing gratitude to KB sir, he beams.

Asked to pick his favourite as an actor, TD says it had to be Piriyamudan Appa directed by CV Chandramohan. I lived and breathed with the character where the father is sheltered in a destitute home by his son. The play dwelled extensively on the emotions where the father rewinds the day when his child was born to the time he is educated and finds his life partner. There were lots of close-up shots which helped the character to connect with the audience. Those days, long sentiment-drenched dialogues were the feature of stage plays. Such characters had to be written with passion where the director scored, happy to leave the space for the actor in me to explore, explode and live with it for the rest of my life, he details.

A stage for writers

Slipping into English theatre was a logical turn. Those days word-to-mouth was in vogue and in no time, I was part of Madras Shakespeare Society. Short plays were the norm and I had a feast of a handful. The big moment was in playing a character moving around in a wheelchair in the play Rear Window with all the formula which an Alfred Hitchcock play demanded. Winning a new set of admirers made me realise that more is merry in the chosen world of mine, he says.

For TD, the best phase had been the forming of Shraddha with a few like-minded friends in 2010. The idea was to break the shackles that there is a template in the way a drama has to open and end with an all-is-well feel. In Shraddha, age is no barrier as we believe in the dictum that a writer has to pen his script for the artiste it is intended. We choose characters for the artistes and not the other way round. The best thing is in students and homemakers being part of Shraddha. The training is based on each ones mindset. The onus had been on us, proud to say that a handful of talents had been spotted, who are regulars in Shraddha, he says.

Revealing that bringing life to stage and stage to life has ensured in not restricting the creativity of a writer, who is happy to put his thinking cap on, TD said the winning formula is in not holding the rights of the play. The writer has the freedom to take it to the desired level and he can stage any number of times. Only, Shraddha moves on to the next play, after four shows back-to-back, he says.

Innovation and novelty were the watchwords in Shraddhas plays. Recalling a poignant moment, TD says the stage was divided horizontally and not in the traditional vertical way in the play Valai to show that the stage was divided into two places. Vyugan was everything in black and white including the costumes and lights, bowling over the audience. Bringing a horse to stage in Vathavudan, a towering 18-foot long octopus in a children musical and an English play of college students only done with mime showed Shraddha in a different light, he shares.

On the directors chair

As a director, TDs cherished moment was in Ippadikku Nandini where the feelings of a young woman on the threshold of marriage was brought out with all its pristine pureness. There is a moment of loneliness which engulfs every woman when she is in search of her soulmate. The happiness in the wedding does not last long when the pressure heats up to beget a child. Why adopt a child when there are scores of elderly couples who are left high and dry by their children? The concept touched emotional chords as the girl herself was an orphan, the moment was worth living for, he explains.

TDs acumen for perfection won approbation in Thupparium Sambu where writer Devan had created a huge impact depicting Sambu as a dumb one blessed with the Lady Luck. The challenge was in changing Sambus image but the deadpan image of the character could not be trampled upon. The IQ level of the audience was on par with my thinking. I was happy to find so many happy faces around partaking in the joy of a well-conceived play, brought out with all its lustre, he says.

In a team game, TD says an artiste has to accept and move on. My involvement was total in plays of Manickavasagar and Alwar. But in a directors medium, I had restricted footage in both as an actor. In Shraddha, there is no room for cribbing with the unwritten law to make the most of the given space, he shares.

Borrowing a line from others and feasting up with that is also in order, he notes. We took a line from a Marathi play of Vijay Tendulkar and gave it a colour to suit the Tamil audience. I played the ice-cream vendor helping a 10-year-old girl realise her dream. Such characters on the face of it may look out of imagination but if presented in the right way can upset all calculations, he says.

A long stint in television serials and the only movie, Nala Damayanthi, where his act was restricted to one scene (as father of actor Madhavan), completes the CV of TD.

In a retirement home, off Mahabalipuram, away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, TDs eyes speak volumes of the bygone eras. My limbs are tired but deep inside there is the unbridled job in having given the best shot. Life has to be lived fully and am in that phase where every second has to be savoured. As a consultant, Im open to anyone desiring my inputs, just a phone call away, he says.

With a new set of friends, TD is set to direct a short play and an all-ladies play for the inmates of the Home. Of course, with the consent of his wife Prema, a pillar of support all through, TD winds up, with a twinkle in his eyes. So characteristic of his on-stage ways.

CHENNAI: An officer job in the government sector took him places. And he went places with his passion for theatre. That is TD Sundarrajan, a brand name in the world of Tamil theatre, who has seen it all in his five decades, mastering the craft as actor-director-creator. His mantra for his longevity is  never claim what you are not and whatever you have done, claim it with justifiable pride. I am in the best phase of life, having given my might in both profession and passion, reflects the 85-year-old with the enthusiasm and energy of a college student on his first date. The show must go on is an age-old adage that holds good even today. The bottom line of a writer is the need to be open to change and start writing plays in sync with the prevalent scenario, opens up TD, as he is affectionately called in the world he loved, ruled and charmed all and sundry with his mannerisms. Writing to acting The windows to his acting career opened up when he joined hands with Kathadi Ramamurthy, forming Stage Creations. My transferable job, every three years, did not deter me. Be it in Mumbai, Delhi or Visakhapatnam, my experience in theatre helped me to be part of the local groups, enjoying a good patronage from them, he says.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In those days when there was a clamour for quality stage plays in cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Madurai; TD was a livewire handling all departments with an energy level which spoke volumes of his commitment. Pocketing an award from Mylapore Academy for playing the second brother character in Pattina Pravesam was a moment of reckoning for him. TD did not chase success even when he had a chance to. Spurning a movie offer from Iyakunar Siganar K Balachander was unheard of in the era where each actor worth his salt yearned to be part of the tinsel world of Kavithalaya. KB sir offered the same character which I did in Pattina Pravesam with the note that he was overwhelmed with emotions at my range. Movies did not interest me then; besides getting leave for a length of time was a professional hazard. I am not carrying any regret, as I was destined for laurels in theatre which the movies would not have given. I chased my dreams in stage plays with no place for the monetary aspect. Till date, I have not taken even a rupee as remuneration, he shares. Pressed with his movie commitments, KB could not find time to give life to the creation of his play Idiyudan Koodiya Mazhai. When he placed a request to TD that he was his only choice who could do justice to that, TD felt it was the moment of his life. What more could I have asked for? The play won rave reviews, which was my way of showing gratitude to KB sir, he beams. Asked to pick his favourite as an actor, TD says it had to be Piriyamudan Appa directed by CV Chandramohan. I lived and breathed with the character where the father is sheltered in a destitute home by his son. The play dwelled extensively on the emotions where the father rewinds the day when his child was born to the time he is educated and finds his life partner. There were lots of close-up shots which helped the character to connect with the audience. Those days, long sentiment-drenched dialogues were the feature of stage plays. Such characters had to be written with passion where the director scored, happy to leave the space for the actor in me to explore, explode and live with it for the rest of my life, he details. A stage for writers Slipping into English theatre was a logical turn. Those days word-to-mouth was in vogue and in no time, I was part of Madras Shakespeare Society. Short plays were the norm and I had a feast of a handful. The big moment was in playing a character moving around in a wheelchair in the play Rear Window with all the formula which an Alfred Hitchcock play demanded. Winning a new set of admirers made me realise that more is merry in the chosen world of mine, he says. For TD, the best phase had been the forming of Shraddha with a few like-minded friends in 2010. The idea was to break the shackles that there is a template in the way a drama has to open and end with an all-is-well feel. In Shraddha, age is no barrier as we believe in the dictum that a writer has to pen his script for the artiste it is intended. We choose characters for the artistes and not the other way round. The best thing is in students and homemakers being part of Shraddha. The training is based on each ones mindset. The onus had been on us, proud to say that a handful of talents had been spotted, who are regulars in Shraddha, he says. Revealing that bringing life to stage and stage to life has ensured in not restricting the creativity of a writer, who is happy to put his thinking cap on, TD said the winning formula is in not holding the rights of the play. The writer has the freedom to take it to the desired level and he can stage any number of times. Only, Shraddha moves on to the next play, after four shows back-to-back, he says. Innovation and novelty were the watchwords in Shraddhas plays. Recalling a poignant moment, TD says the stage was divided horizontally and not in the traditional vertical way in the play Valai to show that the stage was divided into two places. Vyugan was everything in black and white including the costumes and lights, bowling over the audience. Bringing a horse to stage in Vathavudan, a towering 18-foot long octopus in a children musical and an English play of college students only done with mime showed Shraddha in a different light, he shares. On the directors chair As a director, TDs cherished moment was in Ippadikku Nandini where the feelings of a young woman on the threshold of marriage was brought out with all its pristine pureness. There is a moment of loneliness which engulfs every woman when she is in search of her soulmate. The happiness in the wedding does not last long when the pressure heats up to beget a child. Why adopt a child when there are scores of elderly couples who are left high and dry by their children? The concept touched emotional chords as the girl herself was an orphan, the moment was worth living for, he explains. TDs acumen for perfection won approbation in Thupparium Sambu where writer Devan had created a huge impact depicting Sambu as a dumb one blessed with the Lady Luck. The challenge was in changing Sambus image but the deadpan image of the character could not be trampled upon. The IQ level of the audience was on par with my thinking. I was happy to find so many happy faces around partaking in the joy of a well-conceived play, brought out with all its lustre, he says. In a team game, TD says an artiste has to accept and move on. My involvement was total in plays of Manickavasagar and Alwar. But in a directors medium, I had restricted footage in both as an actor. In Shraddha, there is no room for cribbing with the unwritten law to make the most of the given space, he shares. Borrowing a line from others and feasting up with that is also in order, he notes. We took a line from a Marathi play of Vijay Tendulkar and gave it a colour to suit the Tamil audience. I played the ice-cream vendor helping a 10-year-old girl realise her dream. Such characters on the face of it may look out of imagination but if presented in the right way can upset all calculations, he says. A long stint in television serials and the only movie, Nala Damayanthi, where his act was restricted to one scene (as father of actor Madhavan), completes the CV of TD. In a retirement home, off Mahabalipuram, away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, TDs eyes speak volumes of the bygone eras. My limbs are tired but deep inside there is the unbridled job in having given the best shot. Life has to be lived fully and am in that phase where every second has to be savoured. As a consultant, Im open to anyone desiring my inputs, just a phone call away, he says. With a new set of friends, TD is set to direct a short play and an all-ladies play for the inmates of the Home. Of course, with the consent of his wife Prema, a pillar of support all through, TD winds up, with a twinkle in his eyes. So characteristic of his on-stage ways.
ENS Economic Bureau By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Domestic air traffic surged to an all-time high of 456,082 passengers in a single day on Sunday (April 30), said Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday.

Indian civil aviation sector is setting new records every day post the covid-19 pandemic. The skyrocketing domestic air passenger numbers are a sign of Indias rising growth and prosperity, said Scindia on Twitter.

A total of 456,082 passengers flew on 2,978 flights on Sunday, as per the civil aviation ministry. Prior to Covid, the average daily domestic passenger number was 398,579.

The countrys domestic air traffic has seen a sharp recovery in the past few months even as airfares have shot up and airlines are facing difficulty in expanding their fleet due to slower delivery by aircraft manufacturers.

According to the data from the aviation regulator DGCA, domestic carriers flew nearly 1.29 crore passengers in March 2023, an increase of 21.4% compared to the year-ago period.

The passenger traffic in March 2023 was the highest after the Covid-19 era and was just a few thousand away from the highest-ever monthly traffic ever recorded.

For the entire January to March quarter (Q4FY23), domestic airlines clocked a 51% rise in domestic passenger traffic to 3.75 crore.

Rating agency Crisil estimates that domestic air passenger traffic is expected to remain robust and clock double-digit growth of 17% in FY24.

NEW DELHI: Domestic air traffic surged to an all-time high of 456,082 passengers in a single day on Sunday (April 30), said Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday. Indian civil aviation sector is setting new records every day post the covid-19 pandemic. The skyrocketing domestic air passenger numbers are a sign of Indias rising growth and prosperity, said Scindia on Twitter. A total of 456,082 passengers flew on 2,978 flights on Sunday, as per the civil aviation ministry. Prior to Covid, the average daily domestic passenger number was 398,579.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The countrys domestic air traffic has seen a sharp recovery in the past few months even as airfares have shot up and airlines are facing difficulty in expanding their fleet due to slower delivery by aircraft manufacturers. According to the data from the aviation regulator DGCA, domestic carriers flew nearly 1.29 crore passengers in March 2023, an increase of 21.4% compared to the year-ago period. The passenger traffic in March 2023 was the highest after the Covid-19 era and was just a few thousand away from the highest-ever monthly traffic ever recorded. For the entire January to March quarter (Q4FY23), domestic airlines clocked a 51% rise in domestic passenger traffic to 3.75 crore. Rating agency Crisil estimates that domestic air passenger traffic is expected to remain robust and clock double-digit growth of 17% in FY24.
Ujwal Jalali By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhi's top gangster Sunil alias 'Tillu Tajpuriya', who was lodged at the high-security Tihar Jail, was stabbed to death by rival inmates on Tuesday morning, officials said.

The deceased Tajpuriya was the prime accused in the brazen killing of rival gangster Jitender Maan alias Gogi inside a courtroom at Rohini Court complex in September 2021.

Notably, this is the second incident of gang war inside Tihar Jail in the past 15 days. On April 14, a "dreaded gangster" named Prince Tewatia was killed by fellow inmates at the same Tihar prison. The deceased Tewatia, was previously involved in 16 cases including, murder, attempt to murder, and a recent sensational case of carjacking in southwest Delhi.

According to a senior prison official, the 33-year-old Tajpuriya was lodged on the ground floor of a high-security ward in Tihar Jail. "He was attacked by four inmates, who were lodged in the same ward but on the first floor. They attacked Sunil Tillu using an improvised sua (weapon) that they made by cutting open an iron grill installed on the first floor of ward," the official told The New Indian Express.

The accused inmates, identified as Deepak alias Titar (31), Yogesh alias Tunda (30), Rajesh (42), and Riyaz Khan (39), were members of the rival Gogi gang. They jumped on the ground floor from their ward using several bedsheets.

Soon after the incident, Tajpuriya was immediately rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital after he was given the required medical attention at the Central Jail OPD around 6.45 am. "The injured inmate expired during the course of the treatment at DDU hospital," the official said.

Meanwhile, a senior Delhi Police official said that they received information from the DDU hospital regarding two under-trial prisoners of Tihar Jail being admitted to the hospital and one of them named Sunil alias Tillu was brought dead. "Another person, Rohit is undergoing treatment and is out of danger," the official said.

Tillu Vs Gogi

On September 24, 2021, Delhi's most wanted gangster Jitender Singh Mann alias 'Gogi' was shot dead inside a courtroom by two gangsters from the rival 'Tilu' gang, dressed in lawyers' garb. The two attackers were gunned down by police personnel present in the court.

The bitter strife between two rival gangs, constantly being escalated by regular bloodbaths, was the prime reason for Jitendra Gogi's broad daylight murder at a local court.

Delhi has witnessed an unending bloodbath between the two rival gangs -- the Gogi gang and the Tillu Tajpuriya Gang -- in the past decade.

The 'Gogi' gang was once led by Jitender Singh Maan while the 'Tilu' gang was till now being run by Sunil Tajpuriya.

Both Tillu and Gogi hail from the same village on the outskirts of Delhi. Sources say that both of them were childhood friends who once used to hang out together.

But how did this childhood friendship turn into a turf war that has claimed the lives of over 25 people in the past 10 years in Delhi and Haryana?

It is being said that the gang war between Sunil Maan alias Tillu and Jitender alias Gogi started during the student union elections in the year 2010 at the Sharddhanand college in Alipur, Delhi. It was the same time when both childhood friends turned foes and later on fierce rivals.

Although they themselves did not contest the elections directly yet both provided the support and muscle power to rival candidates which caused bitterness between the two, culminating in the most violent gang war in Delhi.

In one of the fierce clashes between both gangs on June 18, 2018, in Burari, Delhi, four persons including two members of the Sunil Tillu gang and two passers-by were killed and five others got injured.

But before becoming a gangster, Gogi seemed to have a bright future ahead. He studied in a local government school in Alipur and was a budding volleyball player and an athlete. Gogi often during interrogations told police that he always wished to represent India in the international games. However, destiny had something different written for him -- a death in a witness box.

From small-time college politics and scuffles, the two friend-turned-foes gradually became Delhi's top rival gangsters and are now dead.

NEW DELHI: Delhi's top gangster Sunil alias 'Tillu Tajpuriya', who was lodged at the high-security Tihar Jail, was stabbed to death by rival inmates on Tuesday morning, officials said. The deceased Tajpuriya was the prime accused in the brazen killing of rival gangster Jitender Maan alias Gogi inside a courtroom at Rohini Court complex in September 2021. Notably, this is the second incident of gang war inside Tihar Jail in the past 15 days. On April 14, a "dreaded gangster" named Prince Tewatia was killed by fellow inmates at the same Tihar prison. The deceased Tewatia, was previously involved in 16 cases including, murder, attempt to murder, and a recent sensational case of carjacking in southwest Delhi. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); According to a senior prison official, the 33-year-old Tajpuriya was lodged on the ground floor of a high-security ward in Tihar Jail. "He was attacked by four inmates, who were lodged in the same ward but on the first floor. They attacked Sunil Tillu using an improvised sua (weapon) that they made by cutting open an iron grill installed on the first floor of ward," the official told The New Indian Express. The accused inmates, identified as Deepak alias Titar (31), Yogesh alias Tunda (30), Rajesh (42), and Riyaz Khan (39), were members of the rival Gogi gang. They jumped on the ground floor from their ward using several bedsheets. Soon after the incident, Tajpuriya was immediately rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital after he was given the required medical attention at the Central Jail OPD around 6.45 am. "The injured inmate expired during the course of the treatment at DDU hospital," the official said. Meanwhile, a senior Delhi Police official said that they received information from the DDU hospital regarding two under-trial prisoners of Tihar Jail being admitted to the hospital and one of them named Sunil alias Tillu was brought dead. "Another person, Rohit is undergoing treatment and is out of danger," the official said. Tillu Vs Gogi On September 24, 2021, Delhi's most wanted gangster Jitender Singh Mann alias 'Gogi' was shot dead inside a courtroom by two gangsters from the rival 'Tilu' gang, dressed in lawyers' garb. The two attackers were gunned down by police personnel present in the court. The bitter strife between two rival gangs, constantly being escalated by regular bloodbaths, was the prime reason for Jitendra Gogi's broad daylight murder at a local court. Delhi has witnessed an unending bloodbath between the two rival gangs -- the Gogi gang and the Tillu Tajpuriya Gang -- in the past decade. The 'Gogi' gang was once led by Jitender Singh Maan while the 'Tilu' gang was till now being run by Sunil Tajpuriya. Both Tillu and Gogi hail from the same village on the outskirts of Delhi. Sources say that both of them were childhood friends who once used to hang out together. But how did this childhood friendship turn into a turf war that has claimed the lives of over 25 people in the past 10 years in Delhi and Haryana? It is being said that the gang war between Sunil Maan alias Tillu and Jitender alias Gogi started during the student union elections in the year 2010 at the Sharddhanand college in Alipur, Delhi. It was the same time when both childhood friends turned foes and later on fierce rivals. Although they themselves did not contest the elections directly yet both provided the support and muscle power to rival candidates which caused bitterness between the two, culminating in the most violent gang war in Delhi. In one of the fierce clashes between both gangs on June 18, 2018, in Burari, Delhi, four persons including two members of the Sunil Tillu gang and two passers-by were killed and five others got injured. But before becoming a gangster, Gogi seemed to have a bright future ahead. He studied in a local government school in Alipur and was a budding volleyball player and an athlete. Gogi often during interrogations told police that he always wished to represent India in the international games. However, destiny had something different written for him -- a death in a witness box. From small-time college politics and scuffles, the two friend-turned-foes gradually became Delhi's top rival gangsters and are now dead.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: MCD is likely to witness heated scenes on Tuesday with the ruling AAP looking to pass a proposal for the transfer of sanitation services to the PWD and the BJP vehemently opposing it. Sanitation services, including cleaning, sweeping, washing of footpaths and desilting along 60- foot roads are currently under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) while the Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for the maintenance of roads.

The BJP has opposed the proposal, alleging that AAP intends to turn the MCD into a department of the Delhi government.

In the last House, the Aam Aadmi Partys Shelly Oberoi was re-elected as Delhi mayor without contest after her rival Shikha Rai withdrew her nomination. Oberoi had announced that the next municipal House would meet on May 2.

The MCD will bring several proposals related to education, including those related to the supply and delivery of dual desks at the doorstep of each individual school through GeM for use by children studying in municipal schools.

The House will also seek administrative approval and expenditure sanction, along with the approval of rate and agency for procurement of 5.28 lakh school bags for distribution to students of municipal schools. Another agenda of the MCD education department is the supply and delivery of diaries and various types of exercise notebooks at the doorstep of each individual school for distribution to children.

In addition to this, a proposal related to the enhancement of fund allocation and allowance and facilities for councillors will be presented. But MCD officials expressed concerns about the proposal related to the PWD. The proposal for transferring of sanitation services, to PWD, is expected to witness a heated discussion as the BJP has been opposing it, an MCD official said.

The BJP has said it will not accept any compromise on MCDs autonomy. The party is also expected to obstruct the proceedings as the standing committee has not yet been elected. The House might not see fresh elections for six members of the MCDs standing committee because hearings in connection with previously held polls for the posts remain pending before the Delhi High Court.

NEW DELHI: MCD is likely to witness heated scenes on Tuesday with the ruling AAP looking to pass a proposal for the transfer of sanitation services to the PWD and the BJP vehemently opposing it. Sanitation services, including cleaning, sweeping, washing of footpaths and desilting along 60- foot roads are currently under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) while the Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for the maintenance of roads. The BJP has opposed the proposal, alleging that AAP intends to turn the MCD into a department of the Delhi government. In the last House, the Aam Aadmi Partys Shelly Oberoi was re-elected as Delhi mayor without contest after her rival Shikha Rai withdrew her nomination. Oberoi had announced that the next municipal House would meet on May 2.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The MCD will bring several proposals related to education, including those related to the supply and delivery of dual desks at the doorstep of each individual school through GeM for use by children studying in municipal schools. The House will also seek administrative approval and expenditure sanction, along with the approval of rate and agency for procurement of 5.28 lakh school bags for distribution to students of municipal schools. Another agenda of the MCD education department is the supply and delivery of diaries and various types of exercise notebooks at the doorstep of each individual school for distribution to children. In addition to this, a proposal related to the enhancement of fund allocation and allowance and facilities for councillors will be presented. But MCD officials expressed concerns about the proposal related to the PWD. The proposal for transferring of sanitation services, to PWD, is expected to witness a heated discussion as the BJP has been opposing it, an MCD official said. The BJP has said it will not accept any compromise on MCDs autonomy. The party is also expected to obstruct the proceedings as the standing committee has not yet been elected. The House might not see fresh elections for six members of the MCDs standing committee because hearings in connection with previously held polls for the posts remain pending before the Delhi High Court.
A Sharadhaa By

Express News Service

The love for art runs deep in the family of Dr Rajkumar, with every member involved in artistic initiatives. Niveditha, the daughter of Shivrajkumar, produced a serial and three web series, (HoneyMoon, By Mistake, and Hate You Romeo). She is now entering the film industry with her debut feature film under the Shri Mutthu Cine Services banner.

"A cool breeze is set to sail in the summer fields, to explore life, death, and all things destiny yields. A new chapter begins on May 1st  she announced her first film, as producer along with a poster, which is a melodrama, marking the debut of director and actor Vamshi Krishna. Charan Raj and Abhilash Kalahathi will be scoring the music and cinematography respectively.

Dr Rajkumar, popularly known as Annavaru, was a captivating performer on screen, and his wife Parvathamma played a crucial role behind the scenes as the backbone of their production company. With her business acumen, she produced many super-hit films under the production house Poornima Enterprises. This legacy continues now, with Geetha Shivarajkumar under Geetha Pictures, and Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar under PRK Production. Now Shivanna's second daughter Niveditha Shivarajkumar is making her debut film under her own production company.

"My grandmother's success as a producer, at a time, when the industry was male-dominated was inspiring," says Niveditha, explaining why she decided to enter the industry. "I started with a serial production, and followed with three web series but, I realized that there is not much demand for Kannada web series on OTT platforms. Despite trying to establish it for the last few years, there has been a lukewarm response. Despite that, I will continue to try my hands on that platform. Meanwhile, I got to listen to Vamshi Krishna's script and was impressed by his vision. So I decided to try my hand in cinema and will start with the project directed by and star him," she says.

The young producer has a clear plan to make her production house unique. She wishes to bring out films with contemporary and minimalistic themes while maintaining technical excellence and encouraging new talents. "I aim to work mostly with newcomers and people of my age, focusing on the content and not getting into commercial or mainstream films," says Niveditha, who thanks her father for his guidance and support in the venture. "In fact, he pushed me to start film production. He sat to listen to the scripts coming by and often gave me his feedback. He will be my go-to person when it comes to taking valuable opinions," she signs off.

My first film will be both artistic and commercial: Vamshi Krishna

Vamshi started his cinema journey as an assistant director with Radhakrishna Reddy's Mayabazaar. He marked his acting debut with the anthology, Pentagon (2023). The young talent will now be making his directorial debut, in the film which also features him in a full-fledged role. "Niveditha was looking for web series content. I pitched her two stories which did not work out business-wise. Then, I narrated to her the script, I had planned to direct. Fortunately, she liked the story, and gave it a green signal," says Vamshi.

The engineer-turned-filmmaker got his chance to work as an assistant director during his college. The director in the making, describes his film as 'a real-life drama that is both artistic and commercial in its own way.' He plans to go on floors in June, and is in the process of finalising the cast.

The love for art runs deep in the family of Dr Rajkumar, with every member involved in artistic initiatives. Niveditha, the daughter of Shivrajkumar, produced a serial and three web series, (HoneyMoon, By Mistake, and Hate You Romeo). She is now entering the film industry with her debut feature film under the Shri Mutthu Cine Services banner. "A cool breeze is set to sail in the summer fields, to explore life, death, and all things destiny yields. A new chapter begins on May 1st  she announced her first film, as producer along with a poster, which is a melodrama, marking the debut of director and actor Vamshi Krishna. Charan Raj and Abhilash Kalahathi will be scoring the music and cinematography respectively. Dr Rajkumar, popularly known as Annavaru, was a captivating performer on screen, and his wife Parvathamma played a crucial role behind the scenes as the backbone of their production company. With her business acumen, she produced many super-hit films under the production house Poornima Enterprises. This legacy continues now, with Geetha Shivarajkumar under Geetha Pictures, and Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar under PRK Production. Now Shivanna's second daughter Niveditha Shivarajkumar is making her debut film under her own production company.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "My grandmother's success as a producer, at a time, when the industry was male-dominated was inspiring," says Niveditha, explaining why she decided to enter the industry. "I started with a serial production, and followed with three web series but, I realized that there is not much demand for Kannada web series on OTT platforms. Despite trying to establish it for the last few years, there has been a lukewarm response. Despite that, I will continue to try my hands on that platform. Meanwhile, I got to listen to Vamshi Krishna's script and was impressed by his vision. So I decided to try my hand in cinema and will start with the project directed by and star him," she says. The young producer has a clear plan to make her production house unique. She wishes to bring out films with contemporary and minimalistic themes while maintaining technical excellence and encouraging new talents. "I aim to work mostly with newcomers and people of my age, focusing on the content and not getting into commercial or mainstream films," says Niveditha, who thanks her father for his guidance and support in the venture. "In fact, he pushed me to start film production. He sat to listen to the scripts coming by and often gave me his feedback. He will be my go-to person when it comes to taking valuable opinions," she signs off. My first film will be both artistic and commercial: Vamshi Krishna Vamshi started his cinema journey as an assistant director with Radhakrishna Reddy's Mayabazaar. He marked his acting debut with the anthology, Pentagon (2023). The young talent will now be making his directorial debut, in the film which also features him in a full-fledged role. "Niveditha was looking for web series content. I pitched her two stories which did not work out business-wise. Then, I narrated to her the script, I had planned to direct. Fortunately, she liked the story, and gave it a green signal," says Vamshi. The engineer-turned-filmmaker got his chance to work as an assistant director during his college. The director in the making, describes his film as 'a real-life drama that is both artistic and commercial in its own way.' He plans to go on floors in June, and is in the process of finalising the cast.
By AFP

WASHINGTON: A computer scientist often dubbed "the godfather of artificial intelligence" has quit his job at Google to speak out about the dangers of the technology, US media reported Monday.

Geoffrey Hinton, who created a foundation technology for AI systems, told The New York Times that advancements made in the field posed "profound risks to society and humanity".

"Look at how it was five years ago and how it is now," he was quoted as saying in the piece, which was published on Monday.

"Take the difference and propagate it forwards. That's scary."

Hinton said that competition between tech giants was pushing companies to release new AI technologies at dangerous speeds, risking jobs and spreading misinformation.

"It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things," he told the Times.

In 2022, Google and OpenAI -- the start-up behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT -- started building systems using much larger amounts of data than before.

Hinton told the Times he believed that these systems were eclipsing human intelligence in some ways because of the amount of data they were analyzing.

ALSO READ | Samsung bans use of ChatGPT for mobile, appliances staff

"Maybe what is going on in these systems is actually a lot better than what is going on in the brain," he told the paper.

While AI has been used to support human workers, the rapid expansion of chatbots like ChatGPT could put jobs at risk.

AI "takes away the drudge work" but "might take away more than that", he told the Times.

The scientist also warned about the potential spread of misinformation created by AI, telling the Times that the average person will "not be able to know what is true anymore."

Hinton notified Google of his resignation last month, the Times reported.

Jeff Dean, lead scientist for Google AI, thanked Hinton in a statement to US media.

"As one of the first companies to publish AI Principles, we remain committed to a responsible approach to AI," the statement added.

"We're continually learning to understand emerging risks while also innovating boldly."

In March, tech billionaire Elon Musk and a range of experts called for a pause in the development of AI systems to allow time to make sure they are safe.

An open letter, signed by more than 1,000 people including Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, was prompted by the release of GPT-4, a much more powerful version of the technology used by ChatGPT.

Hinton did not sign that letter at the time, but told The New York Times that scientists should not "scale this up more until they have understood whether they can control it."

WASHINGTON: A computer scientist often dubbed "the godfather of artificial intelligence" has quit his job at Google to speak out about the dangers of the technology, US media reported Monday. Geoffrey Hinton, who created a foundation technology for AI systems, told The New York Times that advancements made in the field posed "profound risks to society and humanity". "Look at how it was five years ago and how it is now," he was quoted as saying in the piece, which was published on Monday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Take the difference and propagate it forwards. That's scary." Hinton said that competition between tech giants was pushing companies to release new AI technologies at dangerous speeds, risking jobs and spreading misinformation. "It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things," he told the Times. In 2022, Google and OpenAI -- the start-up behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT -- started building systems using much larger amounts of data than before. Hinton told the Times he believed that these systems were eclipsing human intelligence in some ways because of the amount of data they were analyzing. ALSO READ | Samsung bans use of ChatGPT for mobile, appliances staff "Maybe what is going on in these systems is actually a lot better than what is going on in the brain," he told the paper. While AI has been used to support human workers, the rapid expansion of chatbots like ChatGPT could put jobs at risk. AI "takes away the drudge work" but "might take away more than that", he told the Times. The scientist also warned about the potential spread of misinformation created by AI, telling the Times that the average person will "not be able to know what is true anymore." Hinton notified Google of his resignation last month, the Times reported. Jeff Dean, lead scientist for Google AI, thanked Hinton in a statement to US media. "As one of the first companies to publish AI Principles, we remain committed to a responsible approach to AI," the statement added. "We're continually learning to understand emerging risks while also innovating boldly." In March, tech billionaire Elon Musk and a range of experts called for a pause in the development of AI systems to allow time to make sure they are safe. An open letter, signed by more than 1,000 people including Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, was prompted by the release of GPT-4, a much more powerful version of the technology used by ChatGPT. Hinton did not sign that letter at the time, but told The New York Times that scientists should not "scale this up more until they have understood whether they can control it."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the preparation of a new large sanction package against the Russian Federation.

"I held a meeting on strengthening sanction regimes - both ours, Ukrainian, and joint ones with partners. We are closely monitoring how the terrorist state is trying to circumvent sanctions. We are recording each of such directions. We are preparing a large sanction package - a decision is coming soon," Zelenskyy said in his evening video message.

He also reported on the preparation of conceptual security solutions for the development of the state.

"We are preparing conceptual security solutions for the development of Ukraine, our infrastructure both as of now and after the war. We are also preparing for the planned international meetings on the restoration of Ukraine and relevant negotiations with partners," said the president.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Chinas foreign minister Qin Gang is in Myanmar for strategic talks following which he will reach Goa for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made this announcement on Tuesday.

"Qins visit to Myanmar will give a boost to Chinas ties with them which will further enhance cooperation in economy and livelihood and support Myanmar's efforts to maintain stability, revitalise the economy, improve peoples lives and realise sustainable development," Mao said.

Qin has called for stability and a crackdown on cross-border criminal activity along the countrys border with Myanmar.

ALSO READ | PM Modi, President Biden likely to meet five times in person in the next few months

The 2,129-kilometer (1,323-mile) border runs through densely forested mountains and has long been notorious for drug smuggling into China from the Golden Triangle region where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.

Meanwhile, Qins upcoming visit to Goa will be his second to India this year. He had earlier come to India in March to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers meet in Delhi.

"During the meeting, Qin will exchange views with the foreign ministers of other member states on the international and regional situation, SCO cooperation in various fields among other topics to make full preparation for this year's SCO summit," Mao said.

After the SCO meet, Qin will head to Pakistan for bilateral talks. This will be his first visit to Pakistan after he took charge as foreign minister.

Some reports suggest that there could be trilateral talks between China, Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss the regional situation. Afghanistans interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to attend the meeting. The last trilateral was held between these three nations in 2019.

NEW DELHI: Chinas foreign minister Qin Gang is in Myanmar for strategic talks following which he will reach Goa for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made this announcement on Tuesday. "Qins visit to Myanmar will give a boost to Chinas ties with them which will further enhance cooperation in economy and livelihood and support Myanmar's efforts to maintain stability, revitalise the economy, improve peoples lives and realise sustainable development," Mao said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Qin has called for stability and a crackdown on cross-border criminal activity along the countrys border with Myanmar. ALSO READ | PM Modi, President Biden likely to meet five times in person in the next few months The 2,129-kilometer (1,323-mile) border runs through densely forested mountains and has long been notorious for drug smuggling into China from the Golden Triangle region where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. Meanwhile, Qins upcoming visit to Goa will be his second to India this year. He had earlier come to India in March to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers meet in Delhi. "During the meeting, Qin will exchange views with the foreign ministers of other member states on the international and regional situation, SCO cooperation in various fields among other topics to make full preparation for this year's SCO summit," Mao said. After the SCO meet, Qin will head to Pakistan for bilateral talks. This will be his first visit to Pakistan after he took charge as foreign minister. Some reports suggest that there could be trilateral talks between China, Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss the regional situation. Afghanistans interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to attend the meeting. The last trilateral was held between these three nations in 2019.
By ENS & Agencies

NEW DELHI: India's top court on Tuesday was apprised by the Centre that it was considering setting up a committee of experts to examine the prevalent mode of execution of death row convicts by hanging in the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala took note of the submissions of Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, that the government was considering his suggestion on constituting a committee of experts and deliberations were on.

The top law officer said there were processes related to finalisation of names for the proposed panel and that he will be able to respond on the issue after some time.

"The Learned Attorney General states that the process of appointing a committee was under consideration. In view of the above, we will give a fixed date after the (summer) vacation," the bench said.

The top court on March 21 had said it may consider setting up of a committee of experts to examine whether the execution of death row convicts by hanging was proportionate and less painful and had sought "better data" from the Centre on issues pertaining to the mode of execution.

The SC bench had earlier said that a relook would be possible only after considering better data. It asked the Centre to compile data specifying the impact of death by hanging in terms of pain, whether science has suggested any other method of execution consistent with human dignity and whether they are available in India or abroad.

"We can have perspective on alternate methods (for executing the death row convicts). Or can we see whether this method (of hanging the convicts) satisfies the test of proportionality for it to be upheld? We must have some underlying data before we relook at it. You (Attorney General) can come back to us by next week and we can formulate a small order and constitute the committee. We can hear you on its remit (scope and ambit of the committee)," the bench said.

On March 21, the CJI had said although the court cannot tell the legislature to adopt a particular method for executing death sentences, it could constitute a small committee to take a relook. We cannot tell the legislature that you adopt this method. But you can certainly argue that something may be more humane. We can look into any scientific study which shows a method is far less painful and more humane. The burden is on the Union to constantly make a survey and study, CJI Chandrachud remarked.

Lawyer Rishi Malhotra had filed a PIL in 2017 seeking to abolish the present practice of executing a death row convict by hanging and replace it with less painful methods such as "intravenous lethal injection, shooting, electrocution or gas chamber."

(With inputs from PTI)

NEW DELHI: India's top court on Tuesday was apprised by the Centre that it was considering setting up a committee of experts to examine the prevalent mode of execution of death row convicts by hanging in the country. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala took note of the submissions of Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, that the government was considering his suggestion on constituting a committee of experts and deliberations were on. The top law officer said there were processes related to finalisation of names for the proposed panel and that he will be able to respond on the issue after some time.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The Learned Attorney General states that the process of appointing a committee was under consideration. In view of the above, we will give a fixed date after the (summer) vacation," the bench said. The top court on March 21 had said it may consider setting up of a committee of experts to examine whether the execution of death row convicts by hanging was proportionate and less painful and had sought "better data" from the Centre on issues pertaining to the mode of execution. The SC bench had earlier said that a relook would be possible only after considering better data. It asked the Centre to compile data specifying the impact of death by hanging in terms of pain, whether science has suggested any other method of execution consistent with human dignity and whether they are available in India or abroad. "We can have perspective on alternate methods (for executing the death row convicts). Or can we see whether this method (of hanging the convicts) satisfies the test of proportionality for it to be upheld? We must have some underlying data before we relook at it. You (Attorney General) can come back to us by next week and we can formulate a small order and constitute the committee. We can hear you on its remit (scope and ambit of the committee)," the bench said. On March 21, the CJI had said although the court cannot tell the legislature to adopt a particular method for executing death sentences, it could constitute a small committee to take a relook. We cannot tell the legislature that you adopt this method. But you can certainly argue that something may be more humane. We can look into any scientific study which shows a method is far less painful and more humane. The burden is on the Union to constantly make a survey and study, CJI Chandrachud remarked. Lawyer Rishi Malhotra had filed a PIL in 2017 seeking to abolish the present practice of executing a death row convict by hanging and replace it with less painful methods such as "intravenous lethal injection, shooting, electrocution or gas chamber." (With inputs from PTI)
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, along with senior officials from the National Security Council Secretariat, met with Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), in Tehran on Monday.

The duo mulled bilateral trading in the local currencies, besides discussing economic, security and political issues. They also shared mutual concerns over international events. The visit comes days after Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.

India and Iran share close economic and diplomatic ties and both have been propagating the use of Chabahar Port for trade and also the International North-South Transit Corridor. Dovals visit to Iran comes ahead of a foreign ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa this week. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian are likely to attend the summit.

Iran is set to formally become a member of the SCO in July during the SCO Summit. Iran on March 17 strongly pitched for faster implementation of the Chabahar Port as well as the use of the facility by India to send various shipments saying the key transit hub will benefit both countries.

Iranian Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi also sought the resumption of the export of crude oil to India  which is under U.S. sanctions. India stopped procurement of crude oil from Iran after the U.S. did not continue with sanction waivers to India and several other countries.

We believe that India is and was strong and powerful to stand against the pressure of the West... India is a rising power. India has a powerful economy. So India could easily resist pressure from the US and the West, Iraj Elahi, the Iranian envoy had said in the month of March this year.

NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, along with senior officials from the National Security Council Secretariat, met with Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), in Tehran on Monday. The duo mulled bilateral trading in the local currencies, besides discussing economic, security and political issues. They also shared mutual concerns over international events. The visit comes days after Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. India and Iran share close economic and diplomatic ties and both have been propagating the use of Chabahar Port for trade and also the International North-South Transit Corridor. Dovals visit to Iran comes ahead of a foreign ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa this week. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian are likely to attend the summit.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Iran is set to formally become a member of the SCO in July during the SCO Summit. Iran on March 17 strongly pitched for faster implementation of the Chabahar Port as well as the use of the facility by India to send various shipments saying the key transit hub will benefit both countries. Iranian Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi also sought the resumption of the export of crude oil to India  which is under U.S. sanctions. India stopped procurement of crude oil from Iran after the U.S. did not continue with sanction waivers to India and several other countries. We believe that India is and was strong and powerful to stand against the pressure of the West... India is a rising power. India has a powerful economy. So India could easily resist pressure from the US and the West, Iraj Elahi, the Iranian envoy had said in the month of March this year.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Breaking all previous collection records, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) mopped up an impressive Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April, showing the robustness of the countrys economy and improving compliance under the indirect tax regime.

This is the first time since the implementation of the indirect tax regime in 2018 that the figure crossed the Rs 1.75 lakh crore mark. The April collections registered a 12 per cent year-on-year growth. Sequentially, it grew more than 14 per cent as the monthly collections stood at Rs 1.60 lakh crore in March.

Analysts say the high number could be partly attributed to the closing of FY23. M S Mani, partner with Deloitte India, said the record mop-up relates to the transactions in March, the closing month of FY23, where all organisations would have been keen to close the fiscal year on a high note.

He points out that the April figure comes after back-to-back collections of over Rs 1.4 lakh crore in FY23, and hence it is a testimony to the robust economic growth and the governments enhanced efforts aimed at improving compliance.

Most of the large states have reported over 20 per cent growth in GST collection over the same period last year, indicating a broad level of growth across sectors and states. Madhya Pradesh recorded a 28 per cent jump in GST collection, followed by Karnataka at 23 per cent, Haryana 22 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra at 21 per cent each.

Abhishek Jain, partner and national head (indirect tax) at KPMG in India, said: The highest ever GST collection is aligned to expectations, specifically with the increased e-way bills generated during March and reconciliations linked to year-end activities. With continued growth in collections and the governments bid to control evasion, the cheer for increased collections could continue.

Total number of e-way bills generated in the month of March 2023 was nine crore, which is 11% higher than 8.1 crore e-way bills generated in the month of February 2023.

NEW DELHI: Breaking all previous collection records, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) mopped up an impressive Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April, showing the robustness of the countrys economy and improving compliance under the indirect tax regime. This is the first time since the implementation of the indirect tax regime in 2018 that the figure crossed the Rs 1.75 lakh crore mark. The April collections registered a 12 per cent year-on-year growth. Sequentially, it grew more than 14 per cent as the monthly collections stood at Rs 1.60 lakh crore in March. Analysts say the high number could be partly attributed to the closing of FY23. M S Mani, partner with Deloitte India, said the record mop-up relates to the transactions in March, the closing month of FY23, where all organisations would have been keen to close the fiscal year on a high note.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He points out that the April figure comes after back-to-back collections of over Rs 1.4 lakh crore in FY23, and hence it is a testimony to the robust economic growth and the governments enhanced efforts aimed at improving compliance. Most of the large states have reported over 20 per cent growth in GST collection over the same period last year, indicating a broad level of growth across sectors and states. Madhya Pradesh recorded a 28 per cent jump in GST collection, followed by Karnataka at 23 per cent, Haryana 22 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra at 21 per cent each. Abhishek Jain, partner and national head (indirect tax) at KPMG in India, said: The highest ever GST collection is aligned to expectations, specifically with the increased e-way bills generated during March and reconciliations linked to year-end activities. With continued growth in collections and the governments bid to control evasion, the cheer for increased collections could continue. Total number of e-way bills generated in the month of March 2023 was nine crore, which is 11% higher than 8.1 crore e-way bills generated in the month of February 2023.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In the process to take India-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relationship to the next level Admiral R Hari Kumar, Indian Navy chief, reached Singapore on Monday to participate in the Inaugural ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023).

The AIME-2023, scheduled to be held in two phases from May 2 -8 and two Indian Naval Ships (INSs) Satpura and Delhi also reached Singapore on Monday, to participate in the exercise. The Indian Navy said, The Harbour Phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Changi Naval Base from May 2 to 4 and the Sea Phase will be conducted from May 7 to 8 in the South China Sea.

The exercise will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain, the Navy added.

The ships, during their port call at Singapore, will also participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference being hosted by Singapore.

INS Delhi, Indias first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate are a part of Indian Navys Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.

NEW DELHI: In the process to take India-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relationship to the next level Admiral R Hari Kumar, Indian Navy chief, reached Singapore on Monday to participate in the Inaugural ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023). The AIME-2023, scheduled to be held in two phases from May 2 -8 and two Indian Naval Ships (INSs) Satpura and Delhi also reached Singapore on Monday, to participate in the exercise. The Indian Navy said, The Harbour Phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Changi Naval Base from May 2 to 4 and the Sea Phase will be conducted from May 7 to 8 in the South China Sea. The exercise will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain, the Navy added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The ships, during their port call at Singapore, will also participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference being hosted by Singapore. INS Delhi, Indias first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate are a part of Indian Navys Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.
By PTI

PRAYAGRAJ/JHANSI: Addressing an election meeting on what once was the home turf of slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday appeared to invoke nature as a great leveller --- a force that delivers justice.

"Some people had turned Prayagraj, where people suffering from injustice and atrocities come with a desire for justice, into a land of injustice and atrocities," Adityanath said addressing a meeting in the former Samajwadi Party MLA's Allahabad West constituency.

"But this nature doesn't commit an atrocity on anyone, nor does it accept an atrocity. It settles scores for everyone," he said, without naming anyone.

Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three men, who posed as media persons, when they were being taken to a Prayagraj hospital for medical checkup under police escort on April 15.

Ahmad was among those accused of killing Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal.

Umesh Pal was shot dead, along with his two security guards, outside his home in Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj in broad daylight on February 24.

OPINION | Atiqs life and death: Saga of systems failures

The shoot out had raised serious questions on law and order in Uttar Pradesh and Adityanath had vowed in the assembly to "destroy" the mafia in the state.

At his public meetings, he stressed on improvement in law and order during the term of the BJP government in the state.

On Tuesday, the last day of campaigning for the first phase of urban local body polls, the chief minister said, "It's the same Uttar Pradesh where festivals were celebrated in the shadow of fear and terror. But today festivals bring prosperity. Today there is no curfew, no riots in the state. Today, there is no terror of eve teasers in cities. Today, our cities are becoming safe cities. Girls can go to school safely, businessmen can do business. Today, the youth do not have 'tamancha' (country-made pistols) in their hands, they have tablets," he said.

He said those who used to grab properties of the poor and extorted money from traders have been forced to surrender to the law.

"Today, the state traders welfare board is giving a security insurance of Rs 10 lakh to traders."

Adityanath said his government has focused on empowerment of people rather than appeasement. "Everyone has developed in our government," he said.

"Today, Uttar Pradesh is moving beyond the dynasty-based and casteist-minded parties with a thought of nationalism. UP is scaling new heights of development now."

The chief minister was campaigning for BJP mayoral candidate Umesh Chandra Ganesh Kesarwani at the Leaders Press Ground.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, several other ministers in the UP government and BJP MPs and MLAs were present during the election meeting.

Later, at an election meeting in Jhansi, Adityanath said his government will keep cracking down on criminals. "We will not disturb any poor or a gentleman, but we will not let any criminal walk freely in the state," he asserted. "There is no terror of miscreants in our cities now, rather they have been recognised as 'safe cities'."

WEB SCRAWL | Lawbreakers to lawmakers: How organised crime reared its violent head over UP's political landscape

Criticising those who ruled Uttar Pradesh previously, he said, "After independence, Bundelkhand was to participate in the development process, but the people in power never gave development any thought. Instead, their henchmen did not think twice before plundering Bundelkhand's resources."

Because of this, people were forced to migrate and youth became unemployed in Bundelkhand, he said.

"Modi ji gave a vision of development. He laid the foundation stone of a massive plant of Bharat Dynamics in this region and the work on the Defence Corridor is also going on, which will employ thousands of young people," he said.

"The prime minister has dedicated the Bundelkhand Expressway, which has become the lifeline of Bundelkhand, and soon the government is going to start its Jhansi link," Adityanath said.

He also said the government has announced Rs 6,000 crore for constituting the Jhansi Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (JBIDA).

"Now the youth of Bundelkhand will not need to migrate to other cities as they will get employment here itself," he said.

The chief minister also said a sound-and-light show is organised at Jhansi Fort on the life of Rani Laxmibai, the brave ruler of the princely state of Jhansi, and the First War of Independence in 1857.

Prayagraj and Jhansi will vote on May 4 in the first phase.

The second phase of the urban local body polls will be held on May 11 and the counting of votes will be done on May 13.

PRAYAGRAJ/JHANSI: Addressing an election meeting on what once was the home turf of slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday appeared to invoke nature as a great leveller --- a force that delivers justice. "Some people had turned Prayagraj, where people suffering from injustice and atrocities come with a desire for justice, into a land of injustice and atrocities," Adityanath said addressing a meeting in the former Samajwadi Party MLA's Allahabad West constituency. "But this nature doesn't commit an atrocity on anyone, nor does it accept an atrocity. It settles scores for everyone," he said, without naming anyone.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three men, who posed as media persons, when they were being taken to a Prayagraj hospital for medical checkup under police escort on April 15. Ahmad was among those accused of killing Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal. Umesh Pal was shot dead, along with his two security guards, outside his home in Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj in broad daylight on February 24. OPINION | Atiqs life and death: Saga of systems failures The shoot out had raised serious questions on law and order in Uttar Pradesh and Adityanath had vowed in the assembly to "destroy" the mafia in the state. At his public meetings, he stressed on improvement in law and order during the term of the BJP government in the state. On Tuesday, the last day of campaigning for the first phase of urban local body polls, the chief minister said, "It's the same Uttar Pradesh where festivals were celebrated in the shadow of fear and terror. But today festivals bring prosperity. Today there is no curfew, no riots in the state. Today, there is no terror of eve teasers in cities. Today, our cities are becoming safe cities. Girls can go to school safely, businessmen can do business. Today, the youth do not have 'tamancha' (country-made pistols) in their hands, they have tablets," he said. He said those who used to grab properties of the poor and extorted money from traders have been forced to surrender to the law. "Today, the state traders welfare board is giving a security insurance of Rs 10 lakh to traders." Adityanath said his government has focused on empowerment of people rather than appeasement. "Everyone has developed in our government," he said. "Today, Uttar Pradesh is moving beyond the dynasty-based and casteist-minded parties with a thought of nationalism. UP is scaling new heights of development now." The chief minister was campaigning for BJP mayoral candidate Umesh Chandra Ganesh Kesarwani at the Leaders Press Ground. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, several other ministers in the UP government and BJP MPs and MLAs were present during the election meeting. Later, at an election meeting in Jhansi, Adityanath said his government will keep cracking down on criminals. "We will not disturb any poor or a gentleman, but we will not let any criminal walk freely in the state," he asserted. "There is no terror of miscreants in our cities now, rather they have been recognised as 'safe cities'." WEB SCRAWL | Lawbreakers to lawmakers: How organised crime reared its violent head over UP's political landscape Criticising those who ruled Uttar Pradesh previously, he said, "After independence, Bundelkhand was to participate in the development process, but the people in power never gave development any thought. Instead, their henchmen did not think twice before plundering Bundelkhand's resources." Because of this, people were forced to migrate and youth became unemployed in Bundelkhand, he said. "Modi ji gave a vision of development. He laid the foundation stone of a massive plant of Bharat Dynamics in this region and the work on the Defence Corridor is also going on, which will employ thousands of young people," he said. "The prime minister has dedicated the Bundelkhand Expressway, which has become the lifeline of Bundelkhand, and soon the government is going to start its Jhansi link," Adityanath said. He also said the government has announced Rs 6,000 crore for constituting the Jhansi Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (JBIDA). "Now the youth of Bundelkhand will not need to migrate to other cities as they will get employment here itself," he said. The chief minister also said a sound-and-light show is organised at Jhansi Fort on the life of Rani Laxmibai, the brave ruler of the princely state of Jhansi, and the First War of Independence in 1857. Prayagraj and Jhansi will vote on May 4 in the first phase. The second phase of the urban local body polls will be held on May 11 and the counting of votes will be done on May 13.
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In order to add capacity to the armed forces of friendly foreign countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as part of India's 'Neighbourhood First' commitment, ships and propellers were presented to Maldives and Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Defence said, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel and a Landing Craft Assault ship to the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF).

The Fast Patrol Vessel, capable of coastal and offshore surveillance at high speeds, was commissioned as MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee, the MoD added.

President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh described the handing over of the two Made in India platforms as a symbol of the shared commitment of India and the Maldives towards peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

He stated that India, through a robust defence ecosystem, has significantly enhanced its manufacturing capabilities to further support the capacity building of partner countries.

ALSO READ | Chinese research vessels operating in Indian Ocean pose a challenge, says Navy chief

On Indias strong defence cooperation with the nation, Rajnath Singh asserted that the ties emanate from the twin policies of Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Maldives in June 2019, during which he emphasised that Neighbourhood First is our priority and in the neighbourhood, Maldives is our priority.

The Defence Minister called for enhanced cooperation among nations in the IOR to address the common challenges faced by the region. The Indian Ocean is our shared space. The primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the region rests with those who live in the region. Peace and security of a region are best secured with cooperation and collaboration of the regional players, he said.

Discussions were held on ongoing projects and ways to further strengthen defence ties. The Maldivian President expressed gratitude for Indias continued aid and support in various sectors, stating that it is a testament to New Delhis special regard for the nation. He also conveyed the Maldives commitment towards strengthening this relationship. Rajnath spoke about the progress of various developmental projects undertaken by India in the Maldives and assured continued support.

These Made in India vessels will greatly enhance the MNDF Coast Guards ability for off-shore/coastal surveillance and help tackle issues of smuggling, human and drug trafficking, terrorism and violent extremism. It is a reflection of Indias commitment to enhance the capabilities of the MNDF.

In an effort to build capacity of the Sri Lankan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), who is on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka since Monday, donated propellers to it.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari #CAS @IAF_MCC donated AN-32 propellers to Commander @airforcelk at Katunayake Air Base on behalf of Government of India. Highlights #Indias resolute commitment towards capacity building of #SriLanka Armed Forces.

During the visit, the CAS is scheduled to meet the President, Prime Minister, State Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commanders of Sri Lanka Air Force, Army and Navy, and the Defence Secretary.

The visit of the CAS will enhance the existing professional ties and bonds of mutual cooperation between both the nations, said the MoD.

NEW DELHI: In order to add capacity to the armed forces of friendly foreign countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as part of India's 'Neighbourhood First' commitment, ships and propellers were presented to Maldives and Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The Ministry of Defence said, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel and a Landing Craft Assault ship to the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF). The Fast Patrol Vessel, capable of coastal and offshore surveillance at high speeds, was commissioned as MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee, the MoD added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi were present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh described the handing over of the two Made in India platforms as a symbol of the shared commitment of India and the Maldives towards peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He stated that India, through a robust defence ecosystem, has significantly enhanced its manufacturing capabilities to further support the capacity building of partner countries. ALSO READ | Chinese research vessels operating in Indian Ocean pose a challenge, says Navy chief On Indias strong defence cooperation with the nation, Rajnath Singh asserted that the ties emanate from the twin policies of Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Maldives in June 2019, during which he emphasised that Neighbourhood First is our priority and in the neighbourhood, Maldives is our priority. The Defence Minister called for enhanced cooperation among nations in the IOR to address the common challenges faced by the region. The Indian Ocean is our shared space. The primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the region rests with those who live in the region. Peace and security of a region are best secured with cooperation and collaboration of the regional players, he said. Discussions were held on ongoing projects and ways to further strengthen defence ties. The Maldivian President expressed gratitude for Indias continued aid and support in various sectors, stating that it is a testament to New Delhis special regard for the nation. He also conveyed the Maldives commitment towards strengthening this relationship. Rajnath spoke about the progress of various developmental projects undertaken by India in the Maldives and assured continued support. These Made in India vessels will greatly enhance the MNDF Coast Guards ability for off-shore/coastal surveillance and help tackle issues of smuggling, human and drug trafficking, terrorism and violent extremism. It is a reflection of Indias commitment to enhance the capabilities of the MNDF. In an effort to build capacity of the Sri Lankan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), who is on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka since Monday, donated propellers to it. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari #CAS @IAF_MCC donated AN-32 propellers to Commander @airforcelk at Katunayake Air Base on behalf of Government of India. Highlights #Indias resolute commitment towards capacity building of #SriLanka Armed Forces. During the visit, the CAS is scheduled to meet the President, Prime Minister, State Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commanders of Sri Lanka Air Force, Army and Navy, and the Defence Secretary. The visit of the CAS will enhance the existing professional ties and bonds of mutual cooperation between both the nations, said the MoD.
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: Punjab government employees had an early start at work on Tuesday with new office timings coming into force.

For the next two-and-a-half months, the office timings are 7.30 am to 2 pm instead of the usual 9 am to 5 pm.

The new timetable does away with the 30-minute lunch break. Still, employees will work an hour less than before.

The new work hours will remain in force till July 15 and result in an estimated saving of Rs 40-42 crore, according to officials.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who along with his staff arrived at Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh at 7.28 am, went straight to his office before later addressing the media.

He said the new work hours will ensure that maximum sunlight is utilised in government offices.

"Before implementing this decision, we talked to the employees and the people and they agreed (to the decision on the changed timings)," Mann told reporters at a press conference.

He said the move will help save power and added that "power is a big issue".

Government employees, from IAS, IPS officers to superintendents and peons, were seen heading to their respective offices at many places in Punjab before the deadline of 7:30 am.

Cabinet ministers too adhered to the new timeline as they reached their offices before time.

"Good Morning Punjab.Work is Worship. Great initiative by @PunjabGovtIndia to change Office timings from 7:30am to 2pm. Small steps will lead to GREAT Achievements & Unparalleled Heights under dynamic leadership of @BhagwantMann ji. Let's all work together for this Dream," Information and Public Relations Minister Aman Arora tweeted.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, who reached her office in Patiala well before 7:30 am, said, "As per directions of CM sir @BhagwantMann ji #TeamPatiala is present in all Govt offices at 7:30am, we are committed to serve our citizens with full zeal of work is worship."

Elaborating upon the benefits of the new office timing, the Chief Minister said when the government offices close at 2 pm and electrical appliances on the premises are shut, it will mean lower consumption by about 350 megawatts per day, resulting in savings of about Rs 16-17 crore per month on power bills.

"Thus, a total of Rs 40-42 crore will be saved during the period (till July 15)," he said.

ALSO READ | AAP's power subsidy burning huge hole in Punjab govts pocket

According to the power department, peak consumption hours are from 1.30 pm to 4 pm, and the new timings will help ease the load during those hours, Mann added.

Although the move was seen by many employees as an opportunity to spend more time with their families, outstation employees expressed concern over the new timetable.

"The bus timing of my children is also 7.30 am and I have to be in office at 7.30 am. I dropped my children near the spot from where the school bus picks them up at 7.15 am and rushed to the office. I kept worrying about my children who had to wait for the bus all alone and board themselves," an employee rued.

Another employee said it will be tough, especially for women outstation employees, who will have to get up very early to complete household chores, send children to school and then head to their offices.

In Ludhiana, the changed office timings evoked a mixed response from officials, employees and the general public.

ALSO READ | Power paucity prompts Punjab to tweak work timings in government offices

While most of the officials were seated at their desks by 7.30 am, as it was the first day after the changed schedule, there was not much rush of people who usually visit the offices, in the morning hours.

Officials maintained that the new routine may take a few days to get used to and the general public will start visiting the offices in morning hours. On Tuesday, the visitors started to trickle in around the normal time after 10. 30-11 am.

Some women employees complained that they found it difficult to reach office on time.

"Most of us have to take care of children, get them ready for school and also handle household work before coming to office," a woman employee working in Ludhiana's mini secretariat said, adding that it has become so hectic as the children have to reach school at the same time.

Some outstation employees, who shuttle between neighbouring towns and cities, also found it difficult to commute early in the morning.

They said those employees, who live in Jalandhar and are posted in Ludhiana and vice versa, will now have to leave at 5 or 5.30 am to reach their offices by 7:30 am.

Vikas Juneja, president, Deputy Commissioner's Office Employees Union, Ludhiana, said he supported the government's move to save electricity.

He said there may be some initial hiccups, but hoped that things will normalise very soon.

Ashwani Sahota, chairman, Ludhiana Municipal Employees Sangharsh Union also welcomed the move and said the employees are happy with the change.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab government employees had an early start at work on Tuesday with new office timings coming into force. For the next two-and-a-half months, the office timings are 7.30 am to 2 pm instead of the usual 9 am to 5 pm. The new timetable does away with the 30-minute lunch break. Still, employees will work an hour less than before.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The new work hours will remain in force till July 15 and result in an estimated saving of Rs 40-42 crore, according to officials. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who along with his staff arrived at Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh at 7.28 am, went straight to his office before later addressing the media. He said the new work hours will ensure that maximum sunlight is utilised in government offices. "Before implementing this decision, we talked to the employees and the people and they agreed (to the decision on the changed timings)," Mann told reporters at a press conference. He said the move will help save power and added that "power is a big issue". Government employees, from IAS, IPS officers to superintendents and peons, were seen heading to their respective offices at many places in Punjab before the deadline of 7:30 am. Cabinet ministers too adhered to the new timeline as they reached their offices before time. "Good Morning Punjab.Work is Worship. Great initiative by @PunjabGovtIndia to change Office timings from 7:30am to 2pm. Small steps will lead to GREAT Achievements & Unparalleled Heights under dynamic leadership of @BhagwantMann ji. Let's all work together for this Dream," Information and Public Relations Minister Aman Arora tweeted. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, who reached her office in Patiala well before 7:30 am, said, "As per directions of CM sir @BhagwantMann ji #TeamPatiala is present in all Govt offices at 7:30am, we are committed to serve our citizens with full zeal of work is worship." Elaborating upon the benefits of the new office timing, the Chief Minister said when the government offices close at 2 pm and electrical appliances on the premises are shut, it will mean lower consumption by about 350 megawatts per day, resulting in savings of about Rs 16-17 crore per month on power bills. "Thus, a total of Rs 40-42 crore will be saved during the period (till July 15)," he said. ALSO READ | AAP's power subsidy burning huge hole in Punjab govts pocket According to the power department, peak consumption hours are from 1.30 pm to 4 pm, and the new timings will help ease the load during those hours, Mann added. Although the move was seen by many employees as an opportunity to spend more time with their families, outstation employees expressed concern over the new timetable. "The bus timing of my children is also 7.30 am and I have to be in office at 7.30 am. I dropped my children near the spot from where the school bus picks them up at 7.15 am and rushed to the office. I kept worrying about my children who had to wait for the bus all alone and board themselves," an employee rued. Another employee said it will be tough, especially for women outstation employees, who will have to get up very early to complete household chores, send children to school and then head to their offices. In Ludhiana, the changed office timings evoked a mixed response from officials, employees and the general public. ALSO READ | Power paucity prompts Punjab to tweak work timings in government offices While most of the officials were seated at their desks by 7.30 am, as it was the first day after the changed schedule, there was not much rush of people who usually visit the offices, in the morning hours. Officials maintained that the new routine may take a few days to get used to and the general public will start visiting the offices in morning hours. On Tuesday, the visitors started to trickle in around the normal time after 10. 30-11 am. Some women employees complained that they found it difficult to reach office on time. "Most of us have to take care of children, get them ready for school and also handle household work before coming to office," a woman employee working in Ludhiana's mini secretariat said, adding that it has become so hectic as the children have to reach school at the same time. Some outstation employees, who shuttle between neighbouring towns and cities, also found it difficult to commute early in the morning. They said those employees, who live in Jalandhar and are posted in Ludhiana and vice versa, will now have to leave at 5 or 5.30 am to reach their offices by 7:30 am. Vikas Juneja, president, Deputy Commissioner's Office Employees Union, Ludhiana, said he supported the government's move to save electricity. He said there may be some initial hiccups, but hoped that things will normalise very soon. Ashwani Sahota, chairman, Ludhiana Municipal Employees Sangharsh Union also welcomed the move and said the employees are happy with the change.
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: As Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has signaled his willingness to hold a meeting of all Opposition parties in Bihar after the Karnataka elections, Congress appears to have accepted the key issues championed by regional parties, especially the caste-based parties. The grand old partys support to the demand for a nationwide caste census is a case in point.

Experts and political observers are increasingly indicating that the Congress is pitching itself behind the social justice parties, letting them lead the agenda of the caste census ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Raising the pitch, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had called for a caste census during the election campaign in Karnataka and the release of the data of Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted by the Congress-led UPA government in 2011. The party also demanded the removal of the 50 per cent cap on SC/ST/OBC reservation.

By endorsing caste census, Congress is positioning itself in a future scenario where it may not take the lead in a coalition, says political analyst Manisha Priyam. Caste census is not the agenda of Congress. Its an idea championed by the splinter group of the Janata Parivar. Most notable champion is Nitish Kumar. By endorsing the demand for caste census, Congress is saying that it is willing to let the Mandal parties take the lead and its will move behind them, said Priyam.

ALSO READ | Caste matters: Why is there a growing demand for caste-based census?

Though Congress hasnt responded officially to the proposal of a meeting in Bihar, Congress sources have told this paper that discussions will take place only after the Karnataka elections. Stressing that caste census will be the main agenda of Opposition parties in 2024, JD(U) leader and close confidante of Nitish Kumar told this paper that Congress has already joined the bandwagon of social justice parties.

Social justice parties are already leading the front. Congress is also on board. Many regional parties such as JD (U), SP, BSP and DMK have been pioneers of social justice politics, he said, adding that the meeting of Opposition parties is likely to be held in the third or fourth week of May after Karnataka polls.

Mamata Banerjee has proposed the meeting in Bihar and Nitish Kumar welcomed it saying that Bihar is a place for the JP movement. However, the venue will be finalized after talking to all parties, said Tyagi.

Though Congress track record on reservation policies and social justice are not impressive, political scientist Sandeep Shastri says that changing times call for new coalitions. While first PM Jawaharlal Nehru opposed a caste census in 1951, Indira Gandhi wasnt in favour of the Mandal Commission reportby the Janata Party government.

Every political party has shifted its stance on the issue. In the context of changing times and social coalitions parties are taking a stand on social justice. Lets be fair to them that they are addressing issues which are important, said Shastri.

All political parties seek to create a rainbow coalition and they will do their best to form the coalition, he added.

The Opposition parties will also look to capitalise on the BJPs u-turn conducting a nation-wide caste census. Though in 2018, the Centre told Parliament that it will conduct a caste census, it changed its stance.

ALSO READ | Caste census: BJP not opposed, but for scientific method

NEW DELHI: As Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has signaled his willingness to hold a meeting of all Opposition parties in Bihar after the Karnataka elections, Congress appears to have accepted the key issues championed by regional parties, especially the caste-based parties. The grand old partys support to the demand for a nationwide caste census is a case in point. Experts and political observers are increasingly indicating that the Congress is pitching itself behind the social justice parties, letting them lead the agenda of the caste census ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Raising the pitch, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had called for a caste census during the election campaign in Karnataka and the release of the data of Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted by the Congress-led UPA government in 2011. The party also demanded the removal of the 50 per cent cap on SC/ST/OBC reservation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); By endorsing caste census, Congress is positioning itself in a future scenario where it may not take the lead in a coalition, says political analyst Manisha Priyam. Caste census is not the agenda of Congress. Its an idea championed by the splinter group of the Janata Parivar. Most notable champion is Nitish Kumar. By endorsing the demand for caste census, Congress is saying that it is willing to let the Mandal parties take the lead and its will move behind them, said Priyam. ALSO READ | Caste matters: Why is there a growing demand for caste-based census? Though Congress hasnt responded officially to the proposal of a meeting in Bihar, Congress sources have told this paper that discussions will take place only after the Karnataka elections. Stressing that caste census will be the main agenda of Opposition parties in 2024, JD(U) leader and close confidante of Nitish Kumar told this paper that Congress has already joined the bandwagon of social justice parties. Social justice parties are already leading the front. Congress is also on board. Many regional parties such as JD (U), SP, BSP and DMK have been pioneers of social justice politics, he said, adding that the meeting of Opposition parties is likely to be held in the third or fourth week of May after Karnataka polls. Mamata Banerjee has proposed the meeting in Bihar and Nitish Kumar welcomed it saying that Bihar is a place for the JP movement. However, the venue will be finalized after talking to all parties, said Tyagi. Though Congress track record on reservation policies and social justice are not impressive, political scientist Sandeep Shastri says that changing times call for new coalitions. While first PM Jawaharlal Nehru opposed a caste census in 1951, Indira Gandhi wasnt in favour of the Mandal Commission reportby the Janata Party government. Every political party has shifted its stance on the issue. In the context of changing times and social coalitions parties are taking a stand on social justice. Lets be fair to them that they are addressing issues which are important, said Shastri. All political parties seek to create a rainbow coalition and they will do their best to form the coalition, he added. The Opposition parties will also look to capitalise on the BJPs u-turn conducting a nation-wide caste census. Though in 2018, the Centre told Parliament that it will conduct a caste census, it changed its stance. ALSO READ | Caste census: BJP not opposed, but for scientific method
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The body of a Greater Noida businessman was recovered from a room of the Karauli Ashram. The ashram belongs to self-styled godman Dr Santosh Singh Bhadauria alias Karauli Baba.

The businessman, identified as Devendra Singh Bhati (56), a property dealer, had arrived at the Ashram around five days ago for yoga practice and detox sessions. However, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances. His body was found lying on its belly on the floor in his room on Monday morning.

Sources claimed that Bhati had come out of his room at 7.30 am on April 30. He went to bed at 9.30 pm. The next morning, when the businessman failed to emerge from his room, the Ashram inmates got suspicious and broke open the doors of his room to find his body lying face down on the floor. The inmates turned the body and discovered he was dead. They hauled the body out without informing the police.

Only later, one of the servants of the Ashram, Gopal Gupta, lodged a complaint with the Bidhnu police station. Following this, an FIR was registered by the police.

Upon information, the police reached the spot and informed the property dealer's family. Subsequently, the body was shifted to a hospital for post-mortem.

An autopsy of the body was done by a panel of doctors. The procedure was videographed.

Devendra Singh Bhati used to often visit Karauli Baba ashram.

According to ACP Ghatampur Devendra Kumar Shukla, the cause of the death was yet to be ascertained and the viscera of the deceased was preserved.

The police officer claimed that the family of the deceased had not submitted any complaint so far. "However, an investigation has been launched into the incident, ACP added.

"When the body of the businessman was sent for forensic examination, traces of blood were found on the torso. There was a scratch on the toe of the deceased. Blood was oozing from the nose. Traces of saliva and blood were found on the right hand," police sources said further.

Meanwhile, soon after getting the information about the death of Devender Singh Bhati, a resident of Greater Noidas NSG apartment, his family reached Kanpur from Greater Noida. They told the media that they had spoken to him on the phone on Sunday evening and till then everything was fine. "We have doubts about his sudden death," they added.

Karauli Baba claims to cure serious ailments through spiritual healing. People from faraway places come to his ashram in large numbers. Recently, he had hit the headlines for beating up a doctor, also hailing from Noida, in the ashram.

LUCKNOW: The body of a Greater Noida businessman was recovered from a room of the Karauli Ashram. The ashram belongs to self-styled godman Dr Santosh Singh Bhadauria alias Karauli Baba. The businessman, identified as Devendra Singh Bhati (56), a property dealer, had arrived at the Ashram around five days ago for yoga practice and detox sessions. However, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances. His body was found lying on its belly on the floor in his room on Monday morning. Sources claimed that Bhati had come out of his room at 7.30 am on April 30. He went to bed at 9.30 pm. The next morning, when the businessman failed to emerge from his room, the Ashram inmates got suspicious and broke open the doors of his room to find his body lying face down on the floor. The inmates turned the body and discovered he was dead. They hauled the body out without informing the police.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Only later, one of the servants of the Ashram, Gopal Gupta, lodged a complaint with the Bidhnu police station. Following this, an FIR was registered by the police. Upon information, the police reached the spot and informed the property dealer's family. Subsequently, the body was shifted to a hospital for post-mortem. An autopsy of the body was done by a panel of doctors. The procedure was videographed. Devendra Singh Bhati used to often visit Karauli Baba ashram. According to ACP Ghatampur Devendra Kumar Shukla, the cause of the death was yet to be ascertained and the viscera of the deceased was preserved. The police officer claimed that the family of the deceased had not submitted any complaint so far. "However, an investigation has been launched into the incident, ACP added. "When the body of the businessman was sent for forensic examination, traces of blood were found on the torso. There was a scratch on the toe of the deceased. Blood was oozing from the nose. Traces of saliva and blood were found on the right hand," police sources said further. Meanwhile, soon after getting the information about the death of Devender Singh Bhati, a resident of Greater Noidas NSG apartment, his family reached Kanpur from Greater Noida. They told the media that they had spoken to him on the phone on Sunday evening and till then everything was fine. "We have doubts about his sudden death," they added. Karauli Baba claims to cure serious ailments through spiritual healing. People from faraway places come to his ashram in large numbers. Recently, he had hit the headlines for beating up a doctor, also hailing from Noida, in the ashram.
Pirates have kidnapped three sailors from a ship anchored in Gabon's territorial waters, Georgia's Maritime Transport Agency said on Tuesday.

The kidnapping occurred in the early hours of May 2, with two Georgian citizens among the kidnapped individuals, the agency said. It did not specify the name of the vessel or the flag it was flying.

"The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia's Economy and Sustainable Development Ministry, together with the Foreign Ministry, is working actively alongside the crewing and ship-owning company, among others, to release our sailors. Representatives of the agency have already contacted the sailors' relatives and provided them with detailed information," the agency said.
Chandrajit Banerjee By

In an uncertain global business environment, India has been proactively engaging with the world for new economic opportunities. This is an opportune moment to deepen engagement with two long-time collaborators and close partnersItaly and Francewith whom India shares historical ties and many mutual interests.

Both Italy and France are among Indias top trading partners, with Indias total trade recording around $25 billion during April-January of FY 202223. There is a large Indian diaspora in both countries and the presence of Italian and French companies in India has been historically strong. France is the eleventh-largest foreign investor in India while Italy is Indias seventeenth-largest contributor in terms of direct investments.

Indias relationship has intensified with the two European Union members, with frequent exchanges and visits at the highest levels and constant collaborations across diverse sectors. With India and the EU progressing on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the two large economies of the region will play an important role in future economic engagement with India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Italy for the G20 Summit in October 2021, while the most recent visit from Italy to India was of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in March 2023. During Melonis visit, the India-Italy relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership. Indias relationship with France expanded further with the signing of 14 governmental and 14 business agreements during President Emmanuel Macrons visit in 2018.

Taking these robust exchanges to the business domain, two delegations of Indian CEOs accompanied the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal during his visit to France and Italy in April. Some critical areas of cooperation came up during the visit, which can strengthen the India-France and India-Italy partnerships further:

One, defence has been a critical pillar in the India-France Strategic Partnership for many years. France has been a key supplier of military hardware such as the Rafale and Dassault aircraft and has supported India in the development of missile systems. There is great potential for enhancing collaboration in areas such as naval systems, unmanned systems and cybersecurity. Likewise, India can take forward its defence cooperation with Italy and greatly benefit from the latters strong expertise in air defence, communication, surface/submarine naval systems, etc. The two can also enhance cooperation in co-production and design of military equipment.

Two, green infrastructure is an important area of cooperation. France and Italy can share best practices and expertise in planning and implementing green infrastructure projects. Indias renewable energy mission has made it the fourth-largest renewable energy market and the two European partners can collaborate in the green hydrogen mission, solar module manufacturing and energy efficiency, along with co-creation of green infrastructure projects. India is witnessing rapid urbanisation and has discussed cooperation in the area of green cities with both countries separately. Italy and France can provide valuable expertise and technical assistance to India in this regard.

Third is the potential in digital industries. The Strategic Partnership Agreement between India and France, signed in 2018, included cooperation in AI, quantum computing and cybersecurity. Given Indias robust digital initiatives and Frances expertise in AI, the two can enhance cooperation in this area to provide global solutions for global problems. Cooperation can also be strengthened in establishing joint technology projects and promoting the growth of startups and MSMEs for fostering innovation. Collaboration in emerging areas such as advanced materials and nanotechnology must also be considered. India and Italy already have a strong record in IT cooperation. The two can explore greater opportunities by investing in training manpower and organising business-to-business engagements.

Four, with the Indo-Pacific becoming a critical domain of foreign policy, India has been strengthening its cooperation with like-minded partners for promoting the stability and prosperity of the region. Both Italy and France are Indias natural partners in this regard. India and France have already engaged in several initiatives to enhance cooperation in the region, including the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). On the other hand, Italys engagement with the Indo-Pacific has increased manifold over the recent past. The two countries together with India can drive economic engagement of the EU in the Indo-Pacific as spelled out in its strategy. Integrating India into their global value chains, joint investments in third countries of the region, and trilateral projects can be considered.

Five, both France and Italy are leaders of the global luxury industry. India has one of the fastest-growing luxury markets in the world, with luxury and fashion goods such as fine dining, luxury travel, jewellery, luxury cars, etc witnessing rising demand and strong growth. India can be a key market for both the countries and can also participate in their creative industries through design and innovation centres.

India recently concluded the fourth round of negotiations with the European Union on the India-EU comprehensive FTA, which saw progress on several fronts. A well-negotiated Agreement will significantly boost trade and investments between India and the EU, and further enhance Indias economic ties with France and Italy.

Given the rapidly changing geopolitical scenario, strengthening the India-Italy and India-France partnerships holds great potential for expanding trade and investment opportunities across new frontiers. With the relevant ministers engaging strongly and businesses interacting with each other, a new pace for Indias economic relationship with Europe is being rapidly set.

Chandrajit Banerjee

Director General, Confederation Of Indian Industry

(cb@cii.in)

In an uncertain global business environment, India has been proactively engaging with the world for new economic opportunities. This is an opportune moment to deepen engagement with two long-time collaborators and close partnersItaly and Francewith whom India shares historical ties and many mutual interests. Both Italy and France are among Indias top trading partners, with Indias total trade recording around $25 billion during April-January of FY 202223. There is a large Indian diaspora in both countries and the presence of Italian and French companies in India has been historically strong. France is the eleventh-largest foreign investor in India while Italy is Indias seventeenth-largest contributor in terms of direct investments. Indias relationship has intensified with the two European Union members, with frequent exchanges and visits at the highest levels and constant collaborations across diverse sectors. With India and the EU progressing on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the two large economies of the region will play an important role in future economic engagement with India.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Italy for the G20 Summit in October 2021, while the most recent visit from Italy to India was of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in March 2023. During Melonis visit, the India-Italy relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership. Indias relationship with France expanded further with the signing of 14 governmental and 14 business agreements during President Emmanuel Macrons visit in 2018. Taking these robust exchanges to the business domain, two delegations of Indian CEOs accompanied the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal during his visit to France and Italy in April. Some critical areas of cooperation came up during the visit, which can strengthen the India-France and India-Italy partnerships further: One, defence has been a critical pillar in the India-France Strategic Partnership for many years. France has been a key supplier of military hardware such as the Rafale and Dassault aircraft and has supported India in the development of missile systems. There is great potential for enhancing collaboration in areas such as naval systems, unmanned systems and cybersecurity. Likewise, India can take forward its defence cooperation with Italy and greatly benefit from the latters strong expertise in air defence, communication, surface/submarine naval systems, etc. The two can also enhance cooperation in co-production and design of military equipment. Two, green infrastructure is an important area of cooperation. France and Italy can share best practices and expertise in planning and implementing green infrastructure projects. Indias renewable energy mission has made it the fourth-largest renewable energy market and the two European partners can collaborate in the green hydrogen mission, solar module manufacturing and energy efficiency, along with co-creation of green infrastructure projects. India is witnessing rapid urbanisation and has discussed cooperation in the area of green cities with both countries separately. Italy and France can provide valuable expertise and technical assistance to India in this regard. Third is the potential in digital industries. The Strategic Partnership Agreement between India and France, signed in 2018, included cooperation in AI, quantum computing and cybersecurity. Given Indias robust digital initiatives and Frances expertise in AI, the two can enhance cooperation in this area to provide global solutions for global problems. Cooperation can also be strengthened in establishing joint technology projects and promoting the growth of startups and MSMEs for fostering innovation. Collaboration in emerging areas such as advanced materials and nanotechnology must also be considered. India and Italy already have a strong record in IT cooperation. The two can explore greater opportunities by investing in training manpower and organising business-to-business engagements. Four, with the Indo-Pacific becoming a critical domain of foreign policy, India has been strengthening its cooperation with like-minded partners for promoting the stability and prosperity of the region. Both Italy and France are Indias natural partners in this regard. India and France have already engaged in several initiatives to enhance cooperation in the region, including the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). On the other hand, Italys engagement with the Indo-Pacific has increased manifold over the recent past. The two countries together with India can drive economic engagement of the EU in the Indo-Pacific as spelled out in its strategy. Integrating India into their global value chains, joint investments in third countries of the region, and trilateral projects can be considered. Five, both France and Italy are leaders of the global luxury industry. India has one of the fastest-growing luxury markets in the world, with luxury and fashion goods such as fine dining, luxury travel, jewellery, luxury cars, etc witnessing rising demand and strong growth. India can be a key market for both the countries and can also participate in their creative industries through design and innovation centres. India recently concluded the fourth round of negotiations with the European Union on the India-EU comprehensive FTA, which saw progress on several fronts. A well-negotiated Agreement will significantly boost trade and investments between India and the EU, and further enhance Indias economic ties with France and Italy. Given the rapidly changing geopolitical scenario, strengthening the India-Italy and India-France partnerships holds great potential for expanding trade and investment opportunities across new frontiers. With the relevant ministers engaging strongly and businesses interacting with each other, a new pace for Indias economic relationship with Europe is being rapidly set. Chandrajit Banerjee Director General, Confederation Of Indian Industry (cb@cii.in)
Truth can be stranger than fiction at times, but fiction peddled as truth could open up the pathway to dangerous consequences. The Kerala Story, a motion picture set for release on May 5, is said to be based on true stories but has kicked up a storm for its alleged fictionalisation of a few past incidents in a typically filmy and polarising way.

While Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan believes the film is part of the Sangh Parivar propaganda, Congress leaders have called it a bundle of lies and sought denial of permission for its screening.

The Kerala High Court is currently seized of a petition seeking a stay on its release, though the Supreme Court had earlier rejected a similar petition. Both petitions argued that the movie promotes hate speech and could disturb communal harmony.

The movie is said to revolve around the theory of Love Jihadan alleged plot to lure women into Islam through marriage/affair and radicalise them before they are drafted for terror activities. The movies first teaser triggered the storm, which claimed that close to 32,000 women were radicalised this way. When the number was disputed, the movie makers claimed it was the story of three women. Thats the number of Kerala women, as confirmed by Indian agencies, who were converted and recruited for the terror group Islamic State. The Love Jihad conspiracy theorists, however, talk of larger numbers but none close to 32,000.

Apart from the content, another thing that seems odd here is the timing. The movie is being released when serious attempts are being made to achieve and strengthen non-Muslim vs Muslim polarisation in Kerala. Besides, with the controversy, the movie seems to have achieved one objective: It has generated much interest and stirred a debate on the Kerala reality, with those calling for its ban helping. Since we only have the promo to go with, lets hope the movie sticks to facts and doesnt present vastly fictionalised accounts, given how sensitive the matter is. A film is a work of art and can appear larger than life because of the associated values like artistic liberty and creative freedom. But, such a work could be testing the limits of freedom of expression when it acquires the potential to disturb the peace and cause serious harm. A work of art that becomes communal fodder is nothing to be proud of.

Truth can be stranger than fiction at times, but fiction peddled as truth could open up the pathway to dangerous consequences. The Kerala Story, a motion picture set for release on May 5, is said to be based on true stories but has kicked up a storm for its alleged fictionalisation of a few past incidents in a typically filmy and polarising way. While Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan believes the film is part of the Sangh Parivar propaganda, Congress leaders have called it a bundle of lies and sought denial of permission for its screening. The Kerala High Court is currently seized of a petition seeking a stay on its release, though the Supreme Court had earlier rejected a similar petition. Both petitions argued that the movie promotes hate speech and could disturb communal harmony. The movie is said to revolve around the theory of Love Jihadan alleged plot to lure women into Islam through marriage/affair and radicalise them before they are drafted for terror activities. The movies first teaser triggered the storm, which claimed that close to 32,000 women were radicalised this way. When the number was disputed, the movie makers claimed it was the story of three women. Thats the number of Kerala women, as confirmed by Indian agencies, who were converted and recruited for the terror group Islamic State. The Love Jihad conspiracy theorists, however, talk of larger numbers but none close to 32,000.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Apart from the content, another thing that seems odd here is the timing. The movie is being released when serious attempts are being made to achieve and strengthen non-Muslim vs Muslim polarisation in Kerala. Besides, with the controversy, the movie seems to have achieved one objective: It has generated much interest and stirred a debate on the Kerala reality, with those calling for its ban helping. Since we only have the promo to go with, lets hope the movie sticks to facts and doesnt present vastly fictionalised accounts, given how sensitive the matter is. A film is a work of art and can appear larger than life because of the associated values like artistic liberty and creative freedom. But, such a work could be testing the limits of freedom of expression when it acquires the potential to disturb the peace and cause serious harm. A work of art that becomes communal fodder is nothing to be proud of.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modis jibe that JDS is the B team of Congress, the party has initiated the Voting for JDS is voting for Kannadigas campaign.

During a campaign in Channapatna on Sunday, PM Modi had attacked JDS stating that the party was the B team of Congress and said that Congress will be benefited from every vote cast to JDS. Hitting back at the remark, the JDS launched the campaign Janata Dalakke matha haakidare, adu Kannadigarige matha haakidanthe (Voting for JDS is voting for Kannadigas) campaign.

The party has appealed to its workers to put up the same as their profile and display photos on social media platforms until May 10, the polling day.

Its a hard time for both BJP and Congress parties. They are seeking votes by making the B team allegation against the JDS as they do not have anything to speak on development, the party stated. Meanwhile, the party has also criticised the BJP manifesto and has ridiculed its freebie announcements.

BENGALURU: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modis jibe that JDS is the B team of Congress, the party has initiated the Voting for JDS is voting for Kannadigas campaign. During a campaign in Channapatna on Sunday, PM Modi had attacked JDS stating that the party was the B team of Congress and said that Congress will be benefited from every vote cast to JDS. Hitting back at the remark, the JDS launched the campaign Janata Dalakke matha haakidare, adu Kannadigarige matha haakidanthe (Voting for JDS is voting for Kannadigas) campaign. The party has appealed to its workers to put up the same as their profile and display photos on social media platforms until May 10, the polling day.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Its a hard time for both BJP and Congress parties. They are seeking votes by making the B team allegation against the JDS as they do not have anything to speak on development, the party stated. Meanwhile, the party has also criticised the BJP manifesto and has ridiculed its freebie announcements.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: High profile gambling organiser Chikoti Praveen was reportedly arrested along with Medak District Cooperative and Central Bank Chairman Chitti Devendar Reddy by Thailand police from a luxury hotel in Pattaya city in the early hours of Monday for organising gambling activities like baccarat and blackjack in a hotel room modelled on a casino.

It may be recalled that the Enforcement Directorate had raided the residence of Chikoti Praveen for alleged violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) last year.

Praveen is known for organising gambling in Nepal, Bangkok, Thailand, etc. According to Bangkok Post, an English daily published in Bangkok, the police raided a luxury hotel - Asia Pattaya Hotel - in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, and found 83 Indian nationals, including women engaged in gambling activities.

The gambling organisers reportedly charged Rs 1.19 lakh (50,000 baht) for each game. They imported all gambling equipment including the card dealers from India. They were organising gambling in such a way that even the hotel staff was not allowed to enter their room.

Pol Maj Gen Kampol Leelaprapaporn, the Chon Buri police chief, said the raid occurred about a quarter past midnight at Asia Pattaya Hotel in Soi Phra Tamnak 4 in Tambon Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Bangkok Post said quoting the top local officials.

The police said that they had arrested 93 people, including 83 Indians. The investigation revealed that gamblers booked the hotel from April 27 to May 1 by colluding with a female Thai national named Sitranan Kaewlor, 32.

The police seized four baccarat tables, three blackjack tables, 25 sets of cards, 209,215,000 chips, Rs 1.6 lakh in cash, eight CCTV cameras, 92 mobile phones, three notebook computers, one iPad and three card dealer machines from the possession of the accused.

HYDERABAD: High profile gambling organiser Chikoti Praveen was reportedly arrested along with Medak District Cooperative and Central Bank Chairman Chitti Devendar Reddy by Thailand police from a luxury hotel in Pattaya city in the early hours of Monday for organising gambling activities like baccarat and blackjack in a hotel room modelled on a casino. It may be recalled that the Enforcement Directorate had raided the residence of Chikoti Praveen for alleged violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) last year. Praveen is known for organising gambling in Nepal, Bangkok, Thailand, etc. According to Bangkok Post, an English daily published in Bangkok, the police raided a luxury hotel - Asia Pattaya Hotel - in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, and found 83 Indian nationals, including women engaged in gambling activities. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The gambling organisers reportedly charged Rs 1.19 lakh (50,000 baht) for each game. They imported all gambling equipment including the card dealers from India. They were organising gambling in such a way that even the hotel staff was not allowed to enter their room. Pol Maj Gen Kampol Leelaprapaporn, the Chon Buri police chief, said the raid occurred about a quarter past midnight at Asia Pattaya Hotel in Soi Phra Tamnak 4 in Tambon Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Bangkok Post said quoting the top local officials. The police said that they had arrested 93 people, including 83 Indians. The investigation revealed that gamblers booked the hotel from April 27 to May 1 by colluding with a female Thai national named Sitranan Kaewlor, 32. The police seized four baccarat tables, three blackjack tables, 25 sets of cards, 209,215,000 chips, Rs 1.6 lakh in cash, eight CCTV cameras, 92 mobile phones, three notebook computers, one iPad and three card dealer machines from the possession of the accused.
By AFP

THE HAGUE: Dutch judges on Friday ordered a man suspected of fathering more than 550 children through sperm donations to stop donating, in the latest fertility scandal to shock the Netherlands.

The man, identified in Dutch media only as "Jonathan M.", 41, was dragged to court by a foundation protecting the rights of donor children and the mother of one of the children allegedly fathered from his sperm.

Dutch clinical guidelines say a donor should not father more than 25 children in 12 families, but judges said the man had helped produce between 550 and 600 children since he started as a sperm donor in 2007.

The court therefore "prohibits the defendant from donating his semen to new prospective parents after the issuing of this judgement", judge Thera Hesselink said.

Jonathan M. may also not contact any prospective parents "with the wish that he was willing to donate semen... advertise his services to prospective parents or join any organisation that establishes contact between prospective parents", Hesselink said in a written judgement.

Should he continue with his donations, he would face a 100,000-euro ($110,000) fine for every transgression, as well as additional fines, the judge ordered.

The mother of one of the children in the court case, identified only as "Eva", said she was grateful that the court stopped the man from "mass donations that's spread like wildfire to other countries".

"I'm asking the donor to respect our interests and to accept the verdict, because our children deserve to be left alone," she said in a statement.

'Deliberately misinformed'

More than 100 of Jonathan M.'s children were born in Dutch clinics and others privately, but he also donated semen to a Danish clinic named as Cryos in court papers, which then dispatched his seed to private addresses in various countries, the judge added.

"The donor deliberately misinformed prospective parents about the number of children he had already fathered in the past," the Hague District Court said in a separate statement.

"All these parents are now confronted with the fact that the children in their family are part of a huge kinship network, with hundreds of half-siblings, which they did not choose," it said.

The court considered it "sufficiently plausible" that this has or could have negative psychosocial consequences for the children.

This included psychological problems around identity and fears of incest.

"The point is that this kinship network with hundreds of half-brothers and half-sisters is much too large," court spokesman Gert-Mark Smelt told AFP.

"The interests of the children weigh too heavily and that is why it is forbidden for the gentleman to give further semen," he said.

"It is the first time that a judge has ruled on such a case and it is encouraging to see this behaviour immediately dealt with," added Mark de Hek, one of the lawyers in the case.

The case is the latest in a series of fertility scandals to hit the Netherlands.

In 2020 a deceased gynaecologist was accused of fathering at least 17 children with women thinking they were receiving sperm from anonymous donors.

The year before, it emerged that a Rotterdam doctor fathered at least 49 children while inseminating women seeking treatment.

THE HAGUE: Dutch judges on Friday ordered a man suspected of fathering more than 550 children through sperm donations to stop donating, in the latest fertility scandal to shock the Netherlands. The man, identified in Dutch media only as "Jonathan M.", 41, was dragged to court by a foundation protecting the rights of donor children and the mother of one of the children allegedly fathered from his sperm. Dutch clinical guidelines say a donor should not father more than 25 children in 12 families, but judges said the man had helped produce between 550 and 600 children since he started as a sperm donor in 2007.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The court therefore "prohibits the defendant from donating his semen to new prospective parents after the issuing of this judgement", judge Thera Hesselink said. Jonathan M. may also not contact any prospective parents "with the wish that he was willing to donate semen... advertise his services to prospective parents or join any organisation that establishes contact between prospective parents", Hesselink said in a written judgement. Should he continue with his donations, he would face a 100,000-euro ($110,000) fine for every transgression, as well as additional fines, the judge ordered. The mother of one of the children in the court case, identified only as "Eva", said she was grateful that the court stopped the man from "mass donations that's spread like wildfire to other countries". "I'm asking the donor to respect our interests and to accept the verdict, because our children deserve to be left alone," she said in a statement. 'Deliberately misinformed' More than 100 of Jonathan M.'s children were born in Dutch clinics and others privately, but he also donated semen to a Danish clinic named as Cryos in court papers, which then dispatched his seed to private addresses in various countries, the judge added. "The donor deliberately misinformed prospective parents about the number of children he had already fathered in the past," the Hague District Court said in a separate statement. "All these parents are now confronted with the fact that the children in their family are part of a huge kinship network, with hundreds of half-siblings, which they did not choose," it said. The court considered it "sufficiently plausible" that this has or could have negative psychosocial consequences for the children. This included psychological problems around identity and fears of incest. "The point is that this kinship network with hundreds of half-brothers and half-sisters is much too large," court spokesman Gert-Mark Smelt told AFP. "The interests of the children weigh too heavily and that is why it is forbidden for the gentleman to give further semen," he said. "It is the first time that a judge has ruled on such a case and it is encouraging to see this behaviour immediately dealt with," added Mark de Hek, one of the lawyers in the case. The case is the latest in a series of fertility scandals to hit the Netherlands. In 2020 a deceased gynaecologist was accused of fathering at least 17 children with women thinking they were receiving sperm from anonymous donors. The year before, it emerged that a Rotterdam doctor fathered at least 49 children while inseminating women seeking treatment.
By Associated Press

A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to local media.

The victim, Charles Engola, served in the government of President Yoweri Museveni as the junior minister in charge of labour. He was a retired army colonel.

The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then shot himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.

The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Police detectives are now at the crime scene.

The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages.

"Witnesses claim that the soldier was yelling that he had not been paid for a long time despite working for a minister," the online newspaper NilePost reported.

The incident is likely to send shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years.

In 2021, a former army chief in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala.

A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to local media. The victim, Charles Engola, served in the government of President Yoweri Museveni as the junior minister in charge of labour. He was a retired army colonel. The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then shot himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Police detectives are now at the crime scene. The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages. "Witnesses claim that the soldier was yelling that he had not been paid for a long time despite working for a minister," the online newspaper NilePost reported. The incident is likely to send shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years. In 2021, a former army chief in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala.
By Online Desk

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has caused more than 330,000 people to flee their homes within the country, and over 100,000 people have crossed into neighbouring countries. The numbers are only expected to rise, according to the United Nations estimate.

The UN's refugee agency the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) estimates that a total of 800,000 people could potentially flee to neighbouring nations, reports AFP.

Briefing the press in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado said that "Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now fled Sudan to neighbouring countries, including Sudanese refugees, South Sudanese returning home prematurely, and others who were themselves refugees in Sudan."

The number of internally displaced people as per the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) stands at an estimated 334,000. As per a situation report released by the agency: "the total estimate of displaced individuals across Sudan has reached 334,053".

According to WION, the UN also stated that its 2023 aid appeals for Sudan have fallen around $1.5 billion short and were only 14 per cent funded. "The $1.75 billion joint appeal for Sudan in 2023 is only 14 per cent funded. In other words ... (it is) facing a funding gap of $1.5 billion," said the UN humanitarian agency's spokesperson Jens Laerke.

The ongoing armed conflict between two generals  General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Chief General Mohamed Hamdan Dagaloofof the paramilitary group RSF  began on April 15th. It has already crossed into the third week, and since it started, the conflict has resulted in the death of at least 528 people. As per estimates by the Sudanese health ministry, an additional 4,599 have been injured in the fighting.

(With inputs from Agencies.)

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has caused more than 330,000 people to flee their homes within the country, and over 100,000 people have crossed into neighbouring countries. The numbers are only expected to rise, according to the United Nations estimate. The UN's refugee agency the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) estimates that a total of 800,000 people could potentially flee to neighbouring nations, reports AFP. Briefing the press in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado said that "Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now fled Sudan to neighbouring countries, including Sudanese refugees, South Sudanese returning home prematurely, and others who were themselves refugees in Sudan."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The number of internally displaced people as per the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) stands at an estimated 334,000. As per a situation report released by the agency: "the total estimate of displaced individuals across Sudan has reached 334,053". According to WION, the UN also stated that its 2023 aid appeals for Sudan have fallen around $1.5 billion short and were only 14 per cent funded. "The $1.75 billion joint appeal for Sudan in 2023 is only 14 per cent funded. In other words ... (it is) facing a funding gap of $1.5 billion," said the UN humanitarian agency's spokesperson Jens Laerke. The ongoing armed conflict between two generals  General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Chief General Mohamed Hamdan Dagaloofof the paramilitary group RSF  began on April 15th. It has already crossed into the third week, and since it started, the conflict has resulted in the death of at least 528 people. As per estimates by the Sudanese health ministry, an additional 4,599 have been injured in the fighting. (With inputs from Agencies.)
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC, formerly OPIC) has invested $25 million in the equity capital of the new fund of Horizon Capital investment company Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV (HCGF IV), which announced that it has raised a total of $254 million.

"I am proud of DFCs equity investment in Horizon Capitals latest fund, to provide growth stage companies in Ukraine with the capital they need to create jobs and opportunities for the Ukrainian people across important sectors," DFC CEO Scott Nathan said.

French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins signed the agreement on behalf of Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Economique (Proparco) and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) on investments of EUR17.3 million in HCGF IV at this ceremony with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Large-scale project to support the Ukrainian economy and the development of the Ukrainian IT sector. Solidarity," he said on Twitter.

In addition, Swedfund International AB (Swedfund) and the Finnish Industrial Cooperation Fund (Finnfund) announced investments in HCGF IV in the amount of $15 million each, noting the importance of Ukraine's IT sector that survived the war for the development of the country, creating jobs and providing foreign exchange earnings.

Another $5 million was contributed to the new Horizon Capital fund by the Danish Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), which is a member of the previous EEGF III fund.

"IFU is planning additional investments from its Ukraine facility, including potential projects together with Danish partners that are ready to deepen existing activities or enter into new enterprises that contribute to Ukraines economic recovery and development potential," the IFU said.

Representatives of the management of all these funds were also present at the ceremony of signing the agreements and during their visit to Kyiv held meetings with representatives of the government, the Office of the President and business.

Earlier it was reported that the largest participant in the new HCGF IV was the International Finance Corporation (IFC) from the World Bank Group, which contributed $30 million as part of the first round of fund formation closed in September last year, when it raised $125 million, and another $30 million as part of last round.
KCBC asks govt, political parties to come clean on play attacking Christianity

Thiruvananthapuram, May 1: The Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference (KCBC) president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis on Monday asked the state government and the political parties to come clean on an insulting play to Christianity, that is being staged in the state despite protests.

KCBC asks govt, political parties to come clean on play attacking Christianity

'Kakkukali', is the drama that has come under attack from the Catholic community in particular is staged by Alappuzha-based Neythal Nataka Sangham which is scripted by K.B. Ajayakumar and directed by Job Madathil.It tells the trials and tribulations faced by a girl who becomes a nun, against the wishes of her Communist father.The trouble began when Opposition came from a pro-outfit of the KCBC- Pro Life which raised a banner of revolt when it was to be staged at Guruvayoor's Municipality's cultural event in Thrissur.However, the AIYF, the youth wing of the CPI, has come in support of the play, saying that if the creators of the play wish to stage it at Thrissur, they will provide all the support for it."It's most unfortunate that the work of those who have pledged their entire life to the Church are being portrayed in a bad manner which is an insult to Christianity. This vow taken is the most beautiful part in Christianity and this commitment and dedication has uplifted the community to a very high level," said the Cardinal."We now want the state government and the political parties to come clean and express their views on it publicly. Those who are supporting this are spreading hatred against Christianity. It is painful that people who speak of secularism and minority rights have taken a hypocritical stand on this issue," added the Cardinal and demanded that this should be banned with immediate effect.But, the play director Madathil said that by now they have already staged it at 15 places and has decided to continue with it.IANS01 May 2023

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EAM visits Dominican Republic, discusses multilateralism and UNSC

Santo Domingo [Dominican Republic], April 30: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid an official visit to the Dominican Republic from 27-29 April 2023. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Alvarez and EAM S Jaishankar met in the framework of the High-Level Political Dialogue on 28 April 2023 and held fruitful discussions on bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

EAM visits Dominican Republic, discusses multilateralism and UNSC

The Ministers recognized the solid ties of friendship that unite the Dominican Republic and India, since the establishment of their diplomatic relations, on May 4, 1999, which have been strengthened with India's decision to elevate its bilateral relations with the Dominican Republic to the next level, through the formal opening of its diplomatic mission in Santo Domingo.The leaders reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism, as the ideal mechanism to cooperatively address major global challenges and ensure higher levels of equity. To this end, they emphasized the need for urgent and comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities.Both Foreign Ministers reiterated their interest in strengthening the political dialogue between the two countries, promoting democratic values and principles, peace, and security. Accordingly, they reaffirmed their willingness to agree on common positions in international forums on issues of mutual interest.They welcomed the close cooperation between the two countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dominican Republic appreciated India's supply of essential medicines and Covid-19 vaccines, particularly through its "Vaccine Maitri" initiative.In this regard, they called for early reforms through a text-based process in the Intergovernmental Negotiations with the aim of achieving concrete outcomes in a fixed time frame, and in consultation with all member states in a transparent and inclusive manner keeping with relevant provisions of the UN Charter.They emphasized the need for close collaboration between the two countries regarding national candidacies and expressed their interest in continuing to positively evaluate the proposals presented by both countries before different forums, and regional and multilateral organizations.Acknowledging the serious threat posed by terrorism to international peace and security, they strongly condemned it in all its forms and manifestations.They reaffirmed their commitment to contributing to global efforts to combat terrorism, by adopting a zero-tolerance approach. In this regard, Minister Alvarez welcomed the adoption of the "Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes" at the Special Session of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).They also called for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.EAM Jaishankar and Dominican Republic MFA Roberto Alvarez took due note of the dynamics of bilateral trade. They agreed on the need to join efforts to expand trade and promote investment in sectors of mutual interest, through the regular exchange of business delegations.Both leaders highlighted the relevance of the business meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, with the participation of a delegation of businessmen from the Confederation of Industries of India (CII), and the National Council of Private Enterprise of the Dominican Republic (CONEP).A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), as a substantial step in bringing the private business sectors of both countries closer together.Framework agreements were signed between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT) of the Dominican Republic, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi), International Institute of Information Technology (IIT-Bangalore).The framework agreements set the pathway for the inclusion of these Indian institutions in the Dominican Republic's National Scholarship Program with the objective that Dominican students pursue master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in India. In addition, both countries committed to jointly promoting the Dominican Republic as a higher education destination for Indian students.Jaishankar and Alvarez finalised negotiations on the following agreements Protocol on Joint Economic and Trade Cooperation (JETCO) between the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic; a Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Drug Control Organization of India (CDSCO) and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food, and Health Products of the Dominican Republic (DIGEMAPS) and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Ministry of AYUSH, Republic of India and Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena (UNPHU) on the establishment of an 'Academic Chair' at the university.Negotiations were done for the signing of different bilateral instruments, amongst which stand out the agreements between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Dominican Republic and the Ministry of Education of India; between the National Institute of Oceanography of India and the National Maritime Affairs Authority of the Dominican Republic; and between the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic and the National Book Trust of India, at a future date.MFA Dominican Republic thanked EAM Jaishankar for its inclusion in the ITEC-Defense scheme, which will allow armed forces personnel of the Dominican Republic to train in India.Both leaders agreed on the need to expand technical exchanges and good practices in the context of South-South cooperation, in the areas of information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnologies, space exploration, and satellite data management, among others.Both Foreign Ministers consented to joint initiatives to promote renewable energy, both within the framework of the bilateral agreement on renewable energy signed in 2015 and in the context of the International Solar Alliance.Both nations reaffirmed their willingness to work together in the fight against climate change and its effects, joining efforts to carry out joint research and strengthen capacities in the areas of marine science, meteorology, risk management, prevention, and early warning systems.Recognized the importance of the work being carried out by both countries within the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructures (CDRI) framework, India as co-chair and the Dominican Republic as the representative in the Executive Committee of Small Island Developing States, for the period 2022-2024.Expressed satisfaction with the recent dynamism of training exchanges between India and the Dominican Republic and expressed their willingness to expand these programs in cybersecurity, Big Data management, and information technology.Reiterated the importance of culture and people-to-people linkages between the two nations and agreed to not only continue but further strengthen bilateral exchanges in music, dance, art, cinema, and literature.A statue of Mahatma Gandhi was established in Santo Domingo and a pavilion dedicated to India at Faro a Colon Museum was inaugurated as tangible signs of friendship between the people of the Dominican Republic and India.Jaishankar paid a courtesy call to Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, and discussed the possibility of a future visit to India of the President of the Dominican Republic.MFA Dominican Republic Roberto Alvarez and EAM Jaishankar jointly inaugurated the Embassy of India in Santo Domingo on 28 April 2023, in the presence of Raquel Pena, Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Eduardo Estrella, President of the Senate of the Dominican Republic and other cabinet ministers.Both Ministers expressed satisfaction with the fruitful outcome of the visit and their readiness to advance Dominican Republic - India relations in all areas agreed upon by the two countries.ANI01 May 2023

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Even when I didnt have work, I knew I was a brilliant actor: Anupam Kher on combating fear of failure

Mumbai, April 30: An actor who started his career playing the role of a 65-year-old man (Saaransh) while he was 29 in reality, cannot have fear of failure. He was and still is sure of his craft. He is a well-read person, who has a personal collection of 14,000 books. Anupam Kher, a talented actor in the Hindi film industry, is going stronger on his work front with each passing day.

Even when I didn't have work, I knew I was a brilliant actor: Anupam Kher on combating fear of failure

From 'Saaransh' to 'The Kashmir Files', the actor has worked in 522 films over a span of 38 years. In an exclusive chat with ANI, the actor talked about his biggest fear, how he overcame the anxiety of failure and meeting with his wife Kirron Kher."If you ask me about my biggest fear, it is the fear of losing memory. If you don't have memory, you have nothing. Dilip Saab (Kumar) lost his memory. He was an amazing person, an amazing storyteller, a person with vast knowledge of many things. Aap unse kisi bhi cheez ke bare mein baat kar sakte the. (You can talk to him on anything and everything)," Anupam was recollecting the bygone days.Then he shared an anecdote of working with Dilip Saab. "We were shooting for 'Saudagar' in Kulu-Manali." Director Subhash (Ghai) told me we would get a lunch break after 2.30 PM. I was starving by then. Then I asked Dilip Saab, what your father's profession was. He said, he was a fruit seller. Aise laal laal seeb late the, ke usko dekh kar hi khane ko man karta tha. Wo seeb hath me aise lekar, usme daat daalkar khaneke baad, jab wo ras gale me jata tha...(The red apples were so lucrative and titillating...Holding them in hands and having a bite on them and when the juice touches my taste buds...).Anupam was trying to reinforce the fact that Dilip Kumar could describe anything in vivid detail. But that person lived his last few years in oblivion. From his own experience, Anupam shared, "While shooting for "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara", I met many people who were suffering from Alzheimer's disease. They have vacant eyes, not blank eyes."The actor has worked with all the big names in the Hindi film industry. Chopra, Barjatya, Bhatts... he was and (is) a favourite of these houses. Asked about whether he ever felt the anxiety of failure, Kher said with confidence, "When I didn't have work, even then I knew I was a brilliant actor. This confidence comes from education. I am a well-read person. Mein acting school me itna ghis chukka tha. I always knew I am a brilliant actor. I have a collection of 14000 books. If you read books in any field, you would know your craft. You won't fear failure."He continued, "I celebrate failure. My father drove away the fear of failure early in childhood days. He said, failure is an event, never a person. I believe, you can do brilliant things, only if you have stepped out of your comfort zone. There's a famous line from Osho, "If you try, you risk failure, if you don't, you only ensure it."Anupam and Kirron Kher make a lovely pair in the industry. But they are best friends first, and partners later. Sharing the details of meeting Kirron for the first time, Anupam said, "She was a star already then. She was doing theatres, she was working in movies. She is an M.A. first class first. I met her in Chandigarh. I was a simple village boy. Apparently, there was no connection between us. She was married then and had Sikandar (Kher). We used to be best of friends and we did theatres together. Later when she had problems in marriage, I was ditched by the person I was going with, and then things started to change. But we always remain best friends first."Anupam believes Kirron would have worked in more films than she achieved so far. They know each other for more than four decades now.ANI01 May 2023

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PM Modis Mann ki Baat contributed towards greater goals of transforming education

New Delhi, May 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 100th episode of the monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' ideas on education have contributed towards fulfilling the great goals he has set before the nation of transforming education, as per an official release.

PM Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' contributed towards greater goals of transforming education

The programme, which started on October 3, 2014, has become a key pillar of the government's citizen-outreach programme addressing multiple social groups such as women, youth, and farmers and has spurred community action.PM Modi raised hundreds of varied issues for making the country better. All these issues are based on deep and sound research, and feedback from various stakeholders and practitioners from the length and breadth of the country.Through Mann ki Baat he brought the concerns, including various educational aspects before the country with facts and figures and received a tremendous response from the public each time."It has impacted all sections of society, who have been inspired to contribute towards fulfilling the great goals he has set before the nation," read an official release.On Sunday, the 100th episode of the Mann ki Baat took place and at this juncture, the glimpses of the numerous initiatives of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India and its various autonomous institutions highlight the impact the programme has on the Indian education system.MoE undertook several initiatives such as identifying young artistic talents through Kala Utsav, programmes for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, National Yoga Olympiad, encouraging Toy-based Pedagogy for schools to promote traditional Indian toys and games, Pariksha pe Charcha, NIPUN Bharat for early Literacy and Numeracy, National Digital Library for schools, NDEAR for digital education, Manodarpan and Sahyog, PM e-Vidya, SWAYAMPRABHA channels and many more. Academicians and professors of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) too were inspired by many of the ideas that the Prime Minister brought to the notice of academia. It took several initiatives to give them a tangible form.In the sixty-sixth episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister gave a call to promote its traditional games and toys, and expressed his concern about the toy industry's quality and the children's health issues caused by cheap toys (made of plastic) pouring the market from unorganized sources.In the previous episodes of June and July 2020, he had already talked about being Vocal for Local and discovering ways to be engaged at home during the national lockdown through traditional games."National Education Policy 2020 too emphasised joyful learning. These were taken very seriously by the Ministry of Education and within two years, through toy-based pedagogy the message to promote Indian toys has reached every household," it read.Giving space to the traditional toys in the school system, the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational stage and the Draft National Curriculum Framework for School Education, the learning-teaching materials for Foundational stage, the Handbook of Toy based Pedagogy for all stages and subjects of school education, organizing International Webinar, national and regional seminars and webinar, toy hackathon, national toy fair for school education, including a separate category of Indigenous Toys and Games in Kala Utsav from 2020 where two hundred boys and girls participated, embedding training modules in NISHTHA for Foundational and Secondary stages where more than 21 Lakh teachers have taken the module of Toy based Pedagogy are some of the significant initiatives undertaken by the NCERT and other institutions in school education and as a result of his vision for incorporating traditional Indian games and toys into the classroom for school activities the idea has penetrated into the system.In many of his episodes of Mann ki Baat, PM Modi narrated the tradition of practising yoga for mental, physical and spiritual health from ancient times, and declared June 21 as International Yoga Day on that day in 2015 at the UN General Assembly, made the academia think of various ways to make it a part of practice for all students of the country.The Ministry of Education proposed the National Yoga Olympiad for schools under different age groups and the NCERT has been organizing this 3-day national event from 2016 onwards. For three years, the event could not take place due to COVID-19, and online quizzes had been organized instead. Hundreds of students from in the age groups of 10-18 years (Class VI-XII) reach the National level starting from school, district and state level competitions."So far, more than sixteen hundred students have participated. Thus, a very large number of schools and students take part in the different levels of events. This is the impact which Mann ki Baat has upon the people," stated an official release.Mental Health and Well-Being of his people, especially children have always been a concern of the Prime Minister and he raised several issues through Mann ki Baat about the stress, pressure of examination, and peer and parental pressure, all related to the mental health of students.This has made several recommendations and initiatives by the Ministry including very effective programmes of Pariksha pe Charcha and Manodarpan. While Pariksha pe Charcha is an annual event where he addresses the students to overcome examination stress, there are several activities under the Manodarpan since July 2020 to provide psychosocial support to students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well-being during COVID-19 and beyond."There is a 24x7 helpline for students, parents and teachers to address the rising mental health concerns of students' well-being and promote mental health in the school system as a whole. The webpage of Manodarpan contains advisory and guidelines for students, parents and teachers, a Directory of counsellors (approximately 350 counsellors, both school and college/university level) along with other support materials. Regular weekly online interactive sessions are organized and a mental health survey has been conducted to know find out the status of the mental health of the students and teachers and the issues faced by them," it read.There have been several nationwide digital educational programmes, especially during the COVID-19 period by the Government of India through several national educational institutes such as NCERT, CBSE, UGC, IGNOU and NIOS, etc.Maximum use of technology contributed towards fulfilling quality and universal education through programmes like NISHTHA, e-pathshala, NROER, NIPUN Bharat Abhiyan, PM e-Vidya, SWAYAMPRABHA, DIKSHA etc. to support the uninterrupted education of crores of children.Analysis of the daily rising hits show the popularity of the programmes and their outreach. These have been very supportive and several studies have been conducted on its effectiveness by NCERT. A study was conducted by RIE, Mysuru where student-teachers were included who will become the future teachers and teacher educators, whose opinions therefore play a significant role in utilizing the digital resources."The study says that 77 per cent of the student-teachers are aware of PM-Mann Ki Baat, and they find this program useful in teaching, training and subject content as well. The study also shows that the percentage of student-teacher awareness is 81 per cent for e-pathshala, 78 per cent for DIKSHA, 78 per cent for SWAYAM, 52 per cent for NISHTHA, 38 per cent for NROER and only 36 per cent for SWAYAM Prabha. NIPUN Bharat Mission has proved to be an effective teaching methodology after the New Education Policy 2020 and various initiatives have been taken up by the NCERT under the guidance of the Ministry of Education," it read.Some of the initiatives taken up by the Ministry of Education and the NCERT have been studied by the faculty members, and a special issue of Indian Educational Review (IER), one of the prestigious journals of NCERT, April 2023 has been brought out highlighting the impact of 'Mann Ki Baat', having ten research papers, three in English, two each in Marathi, Gujarati and Kannada, and one is in Odia.ANI01 May 2023

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PM Modi mentions Selfie with Daughter campaign in 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat

New Delhi, April 30: As 'Mann Ki Baat' completed its 100th episode on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly radio programme spoke about Sunil Jaglan of Haryana who runs 'Selfie with Daughter' campaign to promote girls' education.

PM Modi mentions 'Selfie with Daughter' campaign in 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat'

Addressing the 100th episode of his monthly radio programme, the Prime Minister said the people who we mention in 'Mann Ki Baat' are all country's 'Heroes' who have made this programme come alive.He said, "Today, when we have reached the milestone of the 100th episode, I also wish that we once again go to all these Heroes to know about their journey. Today, we will also try to talk to some colleagues. Sunil Jaglan of Haryana is joining me. Sunil Jaglan ji has had such an impact on my mind because there used to be a lot of discussion on the gender ratio in Haryana and I also started the campaign of 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' from Haryana itself. And meanwhile, when I came across Sunil ji's 'Selfie With Daughter' campaign, I felt very happy.""I also learned from him and included it in 'Mann Ki Baat'. In no time 'Selfie With Daughter' turned into a Global Campaign. And the issue in this was neither selfie nor technology... importance was accorded to the daughter. The importance of a daughter in life also comes to the fore through this campaign. The result of many such efforts is that today the gender ratio has improved in Haryana," PM Modi said.During the programme, Prime Minister had a telephone conversation with Sunil Jaglan.Jaglan said the fourth battle of Panipat ('Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao') that PM Modi started from Haryana to bring smiles to daughters, is really important for all fathers who love their daughters.Prime Minister enquired about the well-being of Jaglan's daughter.Replying to PM Modi, he said, "Yes, my daughters are Nandani and Yachika, one is studying in class 7, one is studying in class 4 and they are big fans of yours. Actually, they and their classmates have written letters to you saying 'Thank you Prime Minister'."PM Modi's monthly radio programme completed its 100th episode on Sunday.The programme was broadcasted live across the country and in various parts of the world including the United Nations Headquarters.The programme, which started on October 3, 2014, has become a key pillar of the government's citizen-outreach programme addressing multiple social groups such as women, youth, and farmers and has spurred community action.Apart from 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 11 foreign languages including French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari and Swahili. Mann Ki Baat is being broadcast by more than 500 broadcast centres of All India Radio.A study was conducted regarding the impact of Mann Ki Baat on the lives of the people.The study showed that over 100 crore people have connected to Mann Ki Baat at least once, it speaks directly to people, celebrates grassroots-level changemakers and achievements of people and has influenced people towards positive actions.ANI01 May 2023

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WhatsApp bans record over 47 lakh bad accounts in India in March

New Delhi, May 1: Meta-owned WhatsApp banned a record of over 47 lakh bad accounts in India in the month of March, in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021, the company said on Monday.

WhatsApp bans record over 47 lakh bad accounts in India in March

Between March 1 and March 31, "4,715,906 WhatsApp accounts were banned and 1,659,385 of these accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users", WhatsApp said in its monthly compliance report.The most popular messaging platform, which has nearly 500 million users in the country, received another record 4,720 complaint reports in March in the country, and the records "actioned" were 585."This user-safety report contains details of the user complaints received and the corresponding action taken by WhatsApp, as well as WhatsApp's own preventive actions to combat abuse on our platform," said a company spokesperson.Moreover, the company mentioned that the orders received from the Grievance Appellate Committee between March 1 and March 31 were 3, and orders complied with were also 3.Meanwhile, in a bid to empower millions of Indian social media users, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar recently launched the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) that will look into their concerns regarding content and other issues.The newly-formed panel, a move to strengthen the country's digital laws to tame the Big Tech companies, will look into appeals by users against decisions of social media platforms.The IT Ministry last month notified to establish three GACs as required under the recently amended IT Rules, 2021.In a major push towards an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet, the Ministry of Electronics and IT has notified some amendments aimed at protecting the rights of 'Digital Nagriks'.IANS01 May 2023

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Jack Ma to teach at Tokyo University on sustainable agriculture, food production

Tokyo, May 1: The University of Tokyo announced on Monday that Alibaba Group Founder Jack Ma will teach as a visiting professor, giving lectures on management and sustainable agriculture.

Jack Ma to teach at Tokyo University on sustainable agriculture, food production

Ma accepted an invitation from Tokyo College, a new institution run by the University of Tokyo. His tenure will begin from May 1 till October 31, and his contract may be renewed annually.His research area will be sustainable agriculture and food production.Ma founded Alibaba Group in 1999 and served as its executive chairman from 1999 to September 2019. He previously served as Alibaba Group's chief executive officer from 1999 to May 2013."He founded the Jack Ma Foundation in 2014, and its efforts are focused on supporting education, entrepreneurship and environmental protection, among other areas. Ma is a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Emeritus Advocate and serves as a global board member of The Nature Conservancy and is co-chair of the Paradise Foundation," according to Tokyo College.He has been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities including the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Taiwan Normal University, De La Salle University, and Tel Aviv University.Earlier, the billionaire was in the spotlight for criticising China's regulatory framework.Ma, who has rarely been seen in public in the past three years, resurfaced at a school in China's Hangzhou in March.The 58-year-old has kept a low profile since criticising China's financial regulators in 2020.Ma was the most high-profile Chinese billionaire to have disappeared amid a crackdown on tech entrepreneurs. He recently returned to China after more than a year overseas, according to the South China Morning Post.It added that Ma has been travelling to different countries to learn about agricultural technology, but made no reference as to why he had disappeared from public view in recent years.IANS01 May 2023

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Biden may limit investment in China by American businesses

New Delhi, May 1: The Joe Biden administration in the US is reportedly about to announce new restrictions on US companies investments in China, noted analyst Christopher Wood of Jefferies said in a research note.

Biden may limit investment in China by American businesses

"The word is that Biden aims to sign an executive order in coming weeks that will limit investment in China by American businesses. The executive order will reportedly cover semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing," Wood wrote.Some types of new investment in critical sectors will be prohibited while others will require companies to notify the US government. The US hopes to get an endorsement from its G7 partners on such investment curbs at the G7 summit in Japan which begins May 19, Wood said.The cumulative direct investment in China by US business totalled $118 billion at the end of 2021, with $57 billion or 48 per cent going into the manufacturing sector.An April 20 speech by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was clearly an attempt to extend an olive branch. In particular, Yellen stated that US national security concerns "are not designed for us to gain a competitive economic advantage, or stifle China's economic and technological modernisation".It was clearly a reference to the stated policy of the US Department of Commerce to block the supply of advanced semiconductors to China.Wood said it also seems from a Beijing point of view as a targeted effort by Washington's national security lobby to stop China from upgrading its economy, which results in the risk that it is stuck in the dreaded middle-income trap given China's deteriorating demographics.So Yellen's tone should be welcomed as an effort to soften the rhetoric of late coming from the likes of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan or Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who appear at times to be out to pick a fight with China,.Yellen's speech represents mixed messages at best. Indeed, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated last Friday that Washington's "true intention is to deprive China of its development rights". It is pure economic coercion, Wood added.IANS02 May 2023

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Marathi varsity to come up in Amravati, says Governor

Mumbai, May 1: The world's first Marathi language university will come up at Ridhpur in Amravati district of eastern Maharashtra as the state government is urging the Centre to confer it the status of a 'classical language', Governor Ramesh Bais said here on Monday.

Marathi varsity to come up in Amravati, says Governor

"The state government is taking up the matter with the Union government for giving the status of classical language to Marathi. A Marathi language University will be established at Ridhpur in Amravati, in the near future," he said on the occasion of the 63rd Maharashtra Day celebrations.Til now, 6 Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia - have been given the status of classical languages by the Centre, and Maharashtra is demanding a similar recognition for Marathi since the past several years.Bais led the official state function by unfurling the national tricolour at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Park at Dadar in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, followed by a ceremonial parade, and many other functions held across Maharashtra to mark the occasion which coincides with the International Labour Day.He also paid homage to the icons of Maharashtra like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Lokmanya Tilak, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, V.D. Savarkar, and others.The Governor said that May 28, the birth anniversary of Savarkar, shall be celebrated as the "Swatantraveer Gaurav Din" by the government across the state.IANS02 May 2023

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The US Embassy in Azerbaijan organized a roundtable on transition to green energy at the Baku American Center, Trend reports.

Executive Director of the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Douglas Arent made a presentation via video conference within the roundtable.

Speaking at the event, the scientist touched upon such important topics as the use of hydrogen in green energy and energy equity issues, namely the plan to move to zero emissions by 2050.

Arent emphasized a positive trend in global electricity generation due to the increase in the use of renewable energy sources over the past decades.

At the end of the presentation, a Q&A session was held.

Answering reporters' questions, Arent said that, if necessary, the NREL is ready to conduct research on the Caucasus region, and in particular on Azerbaijan.

NREL specializes in the research and development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy systems integration, and sustainable transportation.

On April 3, the US-Azerbaijan Green Energy Forum - a partnership between the Department of State and Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy, Renewable Energy Agency, and Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO)  was held in Baku.
Kiara Advani raises temperature in blue swimwear, check out

Mumbai, May 1: Before heading for another shooting schedule, actor Kiara Advani took some time for herself and enjoyed swimming in the pool.

Kiara Advani raises temperature in blue swimwear, check out

Kiara took to her Instagram story and dropped a video of herself swimming in a blue swimsuit and she looked stunning in that look.Sharing the video, she wrote, "Sunday well spent."After that relaxing session, she headed to Hyderabad for 'Game Changer', she is going to share screen space with Ram Charan in the movie.The film billed as an action drama with current-day politics, features an ensemble cast, with Kiara playing the female protagonist.The upcoming project is jointly produced by Dil Raju and Shirish Garu under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations for a Pan-India release.'Game Changer' will release in three languages - Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.Apart from Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, the film also stars SJ Suryah, Jayaram, Anjali, and Srikanth.The film is slated to release this year.Apart from this, Kiara recently wrapped shooting for her upcoming movie 'SatyaPrem Ki Katha'.Helmed by Sameer Vidhwans, and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film is all set to hit the theatres on June 29, 2023. In the film, Kartik will be seen romancing Kiara Advani. The film marks the actor's second collaboration after the blockbuster 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', which was released in 2022.ANI02 May 2023

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Eknath Shinde, Governor offer tributes to those who sacrificed lives for Samyukta Maharashtra Movement

Mumbai, May 1: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement at Hutatma Chowk on the occasion of 63rd Maharashtra Foundation Day on Monday.

Eknath Shinde, Governor offer tributes to those who sacrificed lives for Samyukta Maharashtra Movement

CM reached Hutatma Chowk and laid floral tributes during this he was accompanied by party leader and officials. Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad was the predecessor organization of Samyuktha Maharashtra Samithi created with the claim for a distinct Marathi-speaking state out of the State of Bombay with Bombay as its capital. It was established on 1 November 1955 under the leadership of Keshavrao Jedhe in Pune.While Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais spoke during the official program organized at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan congratulated Marathi people."It is also 'International Labor Day', today and it is our duty to remember that the formation of the state of Maharashtra was because of the 'Sweat and blood' of the laborers. On 19 February 2023, my government has accepted the song "Jai Jai Maharashtra Maajha" as the state song," said the governor.Governor also praised the state government for combating Covid-19 in a well-planned manner and said "Combatting with all the three waves of Covid-19 in a well-planned manner, Maharashtra has set an example before the entire nation. Now that there is a rise in graph of Covid patients, I appeal to the people of Maharashtra to take care of their health."Listing down his government achievements Governor claimed that his government has provided one lakh 25 thousand jobs by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU's) with 45 different industries and industrial groups.In order to make the youth of the state employable, the Maharashtra State Skill University has been established and at least 500 youths from each district will be made employable by imparting training to them in various hospitality sectors like water tourism, agriculture tourism, Caravan tourism, adventure tourism and sustainable tourism, mentioned Governor.Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad was the predecessor organization of Samyuktha Maharashtra Samithi created with the claim for a distinct Marathi-speaking state out of the State of Bombay with Bombay as its capital. It was established on 1 November 1955 under the leadership of Keshavrao Jedhe in Pune.On Sunday, CM Shinde visited the Indira Gandhi Hospital and met the people injured in the Bhiwandi building collapsed on Saturday night. CM Shinde met with the injured labourers and inquired about their condition. He also inquired about the two children who survived the accident. The two children have been identified as Prem and Prince. The CM has also given instructions to provide medical treatment to the injured at government expense.ANI02 May 2023

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Anupam Kher offers prayers for all at Bhimashankar shrine

Mumbai, May 1: Actor Anupam Kher paid a visit to the ancient shrine of Bhimashankar in Maharashtra. 'The Kashmir Files' actor prayed for the prosperity of all people, himself and the nation.

Anupam Kher offers prayers for all at Bhimashankar shrine

Kher took to his Instagram to share the video of him offering prayers at the temple on Monday. The caption of the post read, "India's religious heritage is ancient and wonderful. Visited Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga which is 110 kilometres from Pune! Had long worship! Mind, body and soul are grateful. This is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas found in India! The history behind this is unforgettable. Prayed for you and your family as well. Do come here and take blessings of Shiv ji and Parvati Maa! Om Namah Shivay! Hail Lord Shiva!The veteran actor added that the video was shot after taking requisite permissions from the authority. Kher in the video is heard saying that he is grateful at the chance to visit the holy site. Underlining the significance of the shrine, the actor says in the clip that 5 out of 12 jyotirlingas are in Maharashtra alone. On the professional front, actor was last seen in the movie 'Uunchai' alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani and Neena Gupta, which was released on November 11, 2022.ANI02 May 2023

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4 persons sustain injuries in cylinder blast in J-Ks Poonch

Poonch (Jammu And Kashmir), May 1: Four people sustained injuries in a cylinder explosion in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, an official said on Monday.

4 persons sustain injuries in cylinder blast in J-K's Poonch

The official said that the injured were rushed to the hospital following which they were given first aid.Zulafkar Ahmed, Medical Superintendent District Hospital, informed that out of the four injured persons, three had sustained minor burns while the other was majorly injured."We rushed our ambulance after getting information about the cylinder blast. Four people were brought here, out of which 3 had minor burns and one had major burns. After giving first aid they have been admitted here," Zulafkar Ahmed said.He said that the person who suffered major burns will be referred to the medical college and the rest of the injured are stable.Further details into the matter are awaited.ANI02 May 2023

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SpiceJet joins Operation Kaveri, flies 184 rescued Indians from Jeddah to Kochi

Gurugram (Haryana), May 1: Domestic carrier SpiceJet has joined in efforts to bring back stranded Indians from Sudan under Central government's 'Operation Kaveri'.

SpiceJet joins 'Operation Kaveri', flies 184 rescued Indians from Jeddah to Kochi

The airline operated its first evacuation flight from Jeddah to Kochi on April 30, evacuating 184 stranded Indians, who were stuck in Sudan.Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of SpiceJet, said, "We are humbled by the opportunity to contribute in the evacuation of stranded Indians from Sudan under 'Operation Kaveri'. SpiceJet remains committed to supporting the Government in its mission to safeguard our citizens and enable their safe return to their homes and families. We successfully operated our first evacuation flight from Jeddah bringing back 184 stranded Indian nationals. We are in touch with the government to operate more such flights."The airline is in regular touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to coordinate further evacuation efforts. More evacuation flights from Saudi Arabia to different cities in India are being planned. SpiceJet is well connected to Saudi Arabia and operates daily flights from Jeddah to Calicut, Delhi and Mumbai. It also operates daily flights from Riyadh to Delhi.SpiceJet has been a crucial part of the government's evacuation and repatriation efforts in the past. SpiceJet helped evacuate more than 1600 students under "Operation Ganga", having operated special flights to Budapest, Kosice and Suceava. SpiceJet also played a key role in repatriating Indians and foreign nationals during the pandemic times.The Union government, under Operation Kaveri, is set to evacuate about 3,000 Indian-origin passengers from Sudan.Sudan is experiencing bloodshed as a result of clashes between the army and paramilitary forces.Fighting has erupted between soldiers loyal to Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary Rapid Support Soldiers (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.Committed to ensuring that no Indian national is left behind in Sudan, India has deployed its military planes and warships in the war-torn country to bring its citizens safely under 'Operation Kaveri'.ANI02 May 2023

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PM Modi thanks Bill Gates for his words of appreciation for Mann Ki Baat

New Delhi, May 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his gratitude to Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates for his words of appreciation on his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat.

PM Modi thanks Bill Gates for his words of appreciation for 'Mann Ki Baat'

PM Modi on Monday tweeted "I thank my friend @BillGates for his words of appreciation. #MannKiBaat reflects the collective spirit of the people of India to make our planet better, something Mr. Gates is also passionate about. The strong resonance with SDGs is highlighted well in the study by @BMGFIndia."The tweet was in response to Gates' post on Saturday, saying, "Mann ki Baat has catalyzed community-led action on sanitation, health, women's economic empowerment and other issues linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. Congratulations @narendramodi on the 100th episode."Indian Americans on Sunday, too, celebrated 100 episodes of PM Modi's "Mann Ki Baat".External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar decided to tune in to the programme live with the diaspora in New Jersey at 1.30 am (local time) on Sunday, hailing it as a platform that has "an emotional connect" between PM Modi and the people of India."10 years ago if he had mentioned that at 2.10 at night everyone would be assembling at some place and the foreign minister of India would be with you, listening to the Prime Minister of India, none of you would have believed me," Jaishankar told members of the diaspora."You have to understand that PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' has an enormous impact not because the medium is 100 years old, somewhere there is an emotional connect between PM Modi and the people of India," Jaishankar noted.Also participating in the event and jointly listening to Prime Minister Modi were India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and the Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal.The 30-minute programme was also broadcast at the United Nations headquarters in New York, again in the wee hours.Indian Permanent Mission to UN on Sunday tweeted "A singular connect! Special moments from the Trusteeship Council at UN Headquarters, New York, where #MannKiAtBaat100 went LIVE, leaving all inspired and motivated."ANI02 May 2023

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Jock Zonfrillo death: Jennifer Winget recalls interacting with MasterChef Australia judge

Melbourne (Canberra) [Australia], May 1: After learning about the demise of 'MasterChef Australia' judge Jock Zonfrillo, actor Jennifer Winget paid an emotional tribute to him.

Jock Zonfrillo death: Jennifer Winget recalls interacting with 'MasterChef Australia' judge

Taking to Instagram Story, Jennifer wrote, "First, simply a fan from afar, then how blessed to have our paths cross. To have known you, learned from and shared in your craft, culture and cuisine, from slightly closer quarters, will forever be life's cherished memory. Shocked and saddened with the rest of the world. Still coming to terms with it all.My heart is with your beautiful family during this difficult time.You lived large. Your life, like your recipes, all from the heart.Now rest in love dearest Jock as we make a meal of all the memories you leave us with."Jennifer had collaborated with Zonfrillo quite a few times in the past.She also shared a video from her earlier conversation with Zonfrillo."I have enjoyed this so much today, I am really thankful to you for thinking of me to do this together. I want to learn more dishes from you and even teach you some dishes coming from culture," Jennifer said in the clip.Chef Kunal Kapur also reacted to the unfortunate news."It is with a heavy heart that I write today to express my deepest condolences on the passing of Jock Zonfrillo. His sudden departure from this world has left us all in shock and disbelief. Jock was a true icon in the culinary world, a chef who not only cooked from the heart but also lived with an immense passion for food. His dedication to showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Australia was truly remarkable, and he has been an inspiration to countless chefs and food lovers around the world.As a fellow chef, I had the privilege of working alongside Jock and getting to know him personally. He was a kind and generous soul, always willing to share his knowledge and experiences with others. His talent, creativity, and infectious energy will be sorely missed in the kitchen and beyond," Kunal said.He added, "To his family and loved ones, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Jock will be remembered for the incredible legacy he has left behind, and his spirit will continue to live on through the many lives he has touched and the dishes he has inspired. Rest in peace, Jock. You will be deeply missed."Zonfrillo was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother and obtained an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at 15 years of age. By 17 he was working alongside Marco Pierre White at his eponymous Restaurant Marco Pierre White, Variety reported. He was 46.After moving to Australia, Zonfrillo opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana in Adelaide, with the latter winning significant culinary awards.He led a colorful and controversial life. In 2002, he set fire to an apprentice in his restaurant, apparently for working too slowly. Damages were awarded by a court, but he was declared bankrupt in 2007, after failing to pay. Other controversies surrounded his Orana Foundation (intended to preserve historic cooking techniques) and the bankruptcy of the two Adelaide restaurants.Zonfrillo published a memoir in 2021, "Last Shot." Shortly after, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper debunked many of its claims and descriptions, including stories of drug use. It quoted White as saying, "Jock is not a bad man. He has a natural intellect and is very nice. The only problem is that almost everything he has written about me is untrue."ANI02 May 2023

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PM Modi congratulates citizens on 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat, calls the programme a festival

New Delhi, April 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, hailed the spirit of all countrymen, calling them an inspiration and said that the programme has become a festival of goodness and positivity.

PM Modi congratulates citizens on 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', calls the programme a festival

He said that the monthly program, through its journey of 100 episodes, showcased stories of talented individuals across diverse fields and became an agent for change in society.Addressing the centenary episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi said, "Many a time while reading your letters, I got emotional, got carried away in emotions and then also composed myself. You have congratulated me on the 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', but I say this from the core of my heart, in fact, all of you, the listeners of 'Mann Ki Baat', our countrymen, deserve congratulations. 'Mann Ki Baat' is the 'Mann Ki Baat' of crores of Indians, it is the expression of their feelings"."October 3, 2014, was the festival of Vijaya Dashami and all of us together started the journey of 'Mann Ki Baat' on the day of Vijaya Dashami. It is the festival of victory of good over evil. 'Mann Ki Baat' has also become a unique festival of goodness and positivity of the countrymen. A festival that comes every month, keenly awaited by all of us. We celebrate positivity and people's participation in this," he added.Hailing the spirit of the countrymen in his 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister said that every Indian became an inspiration for another through the monthly radio programme while adding that each episode of the popular show "prepared the ground for the next one"."In every episode, the spirit of service and capability of the countrymen have inspired others. In this program, every countryman becomes an inspiration to other countrymen. In a way, every episode of Mann Ki Baat prepares the ground for the next episode. 'Mann Ki Baat' has always moved ahead with goodwill, the spirit of service and the sense of duty," PM Modi said.He added, "This positivity will take the country forward in the Azadi Ka Amritkaal, will take her to new heights and I am happy that the beginning made by 'Mann Ki Baat' is becoming a new tradition in the country today. A tradition in which we see the spirit of everyone's effort".Stating that tourism is witnessing fast growth in the country, PM Modi said that for the sector to prosper, it is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of natural resources."Today tourism is growing fast in the country. Be it our natural resources, be it rivers, mountains, ponds or our pilgrimage sites, it is important to keep them clean. This will help the tourism industry a lot. Along with cleanliness in tourism, we have also discussed the Incredible India movement often. Through this movement, for the first time, people came to know about such places, which were just in their neighbourhood," he said.The Prime Minister added, "I always say that before going abroad for tourism, we must visit at least 15 tourist destinations of our country and these destinations should not be from the state where you reside, they must be from any other state outside your state. Similarly, we have continuously talked about serious topics like clean Siachen, single-use plastic and e-waste. Today, this effort of 'Mann Ki Baat' is important in solving environmental issues about which the whole world is concerned".He further said that 'Mann Ki Baat' in his journey of 100 episodes has showcased stories of talented individuals across diverse fields from promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat to Make in India and Space start-ups. He added that there are many talented people in the country who reached the pinnacle of success through hard work and this programme became a medium to bring those people and their products to the forefront."There are so many talented people in our country who have reached the pinnacle of success through their hard work. Venkat Murali Prasad from Visakhapatnam shared an interesting Atmanirbhar Bharat Chart in 2021. He has compiled a broad list of things used at his home, saying that he plans to ensure he will use as many products made in India. We have discussed many examples from Make in India to Space Start-ups in Mann Ki Baat", the PM said.He further said, "When Pramod ji of Bettiah set up a small unit to make LED bulbs or Santosh ji of Garhmukteshwar started making mats, 'Mann Ki Baat' became the medium to bring their products in front of everyone."The Prime Minister also mentioned how Mann Ki Baat acted as a tool for many mass movements to gain momentum. Taking the example of the mission to re-establish traditional toys and toy industry, PM said that every such model has become an agent of change in society."There has been another speciality of 'Mann Ki Baat'. Through 'Mann Ki Baat', many mass movements have come into being and gained momentum. For example, the mission to re-establish our toys and our toy industry started with 'Mann Ki Baat'", he said.PM Modi further added, "The beginning of raising awareness about Indian breed dogs, our native dogs, was also started with 'Mann Ki Baat' only. We had started another campaign that we will not bargain with the poor small-scale shopkeepers, we will not haggle with them. Even when the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign started, 'Mann Ki Baat' played a big role in connecting the countrymen with this resolve. Every such example has become an agent of change in the society."PM Modi's monthly radio programme completed its 100th episode today which was aired at 11 am live across the country.The programme, which started on October 3, 2014, has become a key pillar of the government's citizen-outreach programme addressing multiple social groups such as women, youth, and farmers and has spurred community action.Apart from 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 11 foreign languages including French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari and Swahili. Mann Ki Baat was broadcast by more than 500 broadcast centres of All India Radio.A study was conducted regarding the impact of Mann Ki Baat on the lives of the people.The study showed that over 100 crore people have connected to Mann Ki Baat at least once, it speaks directly to people, celebrates grassroots-level changemakers and achievements of people and has influenced people towards positive actions.The programme was telecast live by Doordarshan in Raj Bhavans across the country.ANI02 May 2023

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Japan reforms Ocean Policy after security threat from China

Tokyo [Japan], April 30: Japan adopted a new five-year ocean policy that calls for stronger maritime security, including bolstering its coast guard's capability and cooperation with the military as China grows increasingly assertive in regional seas, Beijing News reported.

Japan reforms Ocean Policy after security threat from China

The new Basic Plan on Ocean Policy adopted by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet also says Japan must accelerate the development of autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated robots to strengthen its surveillance capability.It cited a list of threats, Chinese coast guard ships' repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters, growing unauthorized maritime activity by 'foreign survey boats' inside Japan's exclusive economic zone, increasing joint military exercises by China and Russia, and North Korea's repeated missile launches.'The situation in the ocean around Japan is increasingly tense,' Kishida said at a policy meeting Friday. 'It's time for us to unite our wisdom among the industry, academia and government for ocean policy reform - or ocean transformation.'He also noted the need to better use maritime resources to achieve carbon neutrality, Beijing News reported.The new ocean policy is in line with Japan's new national security strategy that Kishida's government adopted in December in a major break from the self-defence-only principle that the country has maintained under its postwar pacifist constitution.The new strategy provides for the strengthening of Japan's military power with a strike capability and doubles its defence budget within five years. The strategy also calls for closer cooperation between the military and the coast guard in any emergency over Taiwan or other possible conflicts, Beijing News reported.Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao urged Japan on Friday to stay away from the Taiwan issue, saying it is China's core national interest and a red line that should not be crossed.'He blamed rising tensions around Taiwan on 'foreign forces that are colluding with Taiwanese independence forces' and said their ultimate goal is to split self-governed Taiwan, which Beijing claims, from China, Beijing News reported.A change in the status quo would cause a 'catastrophic outcome,' he said at a news conference. If Japan takes sides with independence forces, it would lead the Japanese people 'into the fire,' he said.The ocean plan also says the capability of Japan's coast guard, which has been on the front line of border disputes, needs to be improved. The coast guard frequently confronts Chinese coast guard vessels approaching Japanese-controlled disputed islands in the East China Sea, North Korean poachers and suspected spy boats, and Russian coast guard vessels near disputed northern islands, Beijing News reported.Japan's coast guard is used for civilian policing at sea and not military combat, and the new plans calling for closer cooperation with the Self-Defense Force have raised concerns about its role and safety in a possible conflict.The ocean plan also says Japan needs to be more aggressive about undersea surveys and using undersea resources for energy, calling for greater use of the exclusive economic zone outside territorial waters to build offshore wind-power generators.Japan has repeatedly protested Chinese research ships' entry into Japanese waters or the exclusive economic zone just outside it for apparent surveys of undersea deposits and other marine resources.ANI02 May 2023

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Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver pay tributes to MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo

Melbourne (Canberra) [Australia], May 1: The untimely demise of 'MasterChef Australia' judge Jock Zonfrillo has left everyone in shock.

Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver pay tributes to 'MasterChef Australia' judge Jock Zonfrillo

Jock's family confirmed the sad news in a statement shared on social media as they paid tribute to him."With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possible move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday.So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words.For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend," the statement read.After learning about the unfortunate news, British chef Jamie Oliver paid an emotional tribute."In total shock to hear of the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo. Had the best time working with him for this year's @MasterChefau. Jock was very generous with his time and spirit in the show and will be so very missed. Sending heart felt love and condolences to all of his family, friends and the MasterChef team and contestants," Jamie wrote.British chef Gordon Ramsay too mourned the demise of Zonfrillo, who breathed his last at the age of 46."Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo's passing. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time," he tweeted.Zonfrillo was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother and obtained an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at 15 years of age. By 17 he was working alongside Marco Pierre White at his eponymous Restaurant Marco Pierre White, Variety reported.After moving to Australia, Zonfrillo opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana in Adelaide, with the latter winning significant culinary awards.He led a colorful and controversial life. In 2002, he set fire to an apprentice in his restaurant, apparently for working too slowly. Damages were awarded by a court, but he was declared bankrupt in 2007, after failing to pay. Other controversies surrounded his Orana Foundation (intended to preserve historic cooking techniques) and the bankruptcy of the two Adelaide restaurants.Zonfrillo published a memoir in 2021, "Last Shot." Shortly after, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper debunked many of its claims and descriptions, including stories of drug use. It quoted White as saying "Jock is not a bad man. He has a natural intellect and is very nice. The only problem is that almost everything he has written about me is untrue."ANI02 May 2023

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The Compulsory Insurance Bureau of Azerbaijan paid about one million manat ($588,235) to citizens for causing harm to health by a third party in 2022, Executive Director at the countrys Compulsory Insurance Bureau Rashad Ahmadov told reporters, Trend reports.

According to Ahmadov, this year, the bureau's payments to citizens whose health was harmed by an unknown or uninsured person, or by a stolen vehicle, will amount to or even exceed one million manat.

"Any citizen who has suffered harm caused by an uninsured person or a stolen vehicle from 2011 to the present day can apply for a payment," he added.

According to the law on Compulsory insurance, third parties whose health was harmed by an unknown or uninsured person, or by a stolen vehicle, are entitled to compensation paid by the bureau, and in the event of the death of the victim, this right passes to members of the victim's family.

Besides, following the law, the insurance payment in case of death in an accident is 5,000 manat ($2,940), and in case of injuries it varies from 750 manat ($441.18) to 4,000 manat ($2,350).

As of January 1, 2023, the total assets of Azerbaijan's insurance companies amounted to 1.45 billion manat or $850 million (an increase of 18.8 percent over the year), and the volume of the companies obligations is about 1.02 billion manat ($600 million).
Punjab: Anurag Thakur pays tribute to former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal at his native village

Lambi, May 1: Union Minister Anurag Thakur along with his father and former Himachal Pradesh CM Prem Kumar Dhumal visited Parkash Singh Badal's native village to pay tribute to Shiromani Akali Dal patron.

Punjab: Anurag Thakur pays tribute to former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal at his native village

The senior Punjab politician passed away at the age of 95 on April 25. He breathed his last at Fortis Hospital in Mohali.Thakur said that Badal contributed a lot to the development of the country."Prakash Singh Badal has contributed a lot to the development of the country. The work he has done for brotherhood and development will be remembered for many generations," said the Union Minister.Earlier on April 29, former MP from Kurukshetra, Naveen Jindal, paid floral tributes to former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, at his native residence in village Badal, district Bathinda, Punjab."Sardar Prakash Singh Badal Ji was a great leader, son of the soil and one of the most charismatic leaders of masses, farmers and weaker sections of society," said industrialist Naveen Jindal in a statement."As Chief Minister, he served the people of Punjab with tireless dedication. His contributions towards the development of Punjab and the welfare of farmers will always be remembered," he added.Badal was the Chief Minister of Punjab five times from 1970-71, 1977-80, 1997-2002, and 2007-2017.He was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Mohali on April 16 after complaining of breathlessness, where he passed away on April 27.Apart from being the youngest Chief Minister of Punjab, he also held the record for being the Chief Minister for the longest time.ANI02 May 2023

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Over 20,000 Russian troops killed in Ukraine war since Dec 2022: US

Washington, May 2: US National Security Council (NSC) spokesman John Kirby said that Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties in its ongoing war against Ukraine, including over 20,000 killed in action, since December 2022.

Over 20,000 Russian troops killed in Ukraine war since Dec 2022: US

Kirby made the remarks during a press briefing on Monday and added that 80,000 troops have also been injured, the BBC reported."Russia's attempt at an offensive in the Donbas (region) largely through Bakhmut has failed," Kirby told reporters."Russia has been unable to seize any real strategic and significant territory. We estimate that Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action," he added."The bottom line is that Russia's attempted offensive has backfired after months of fighting and extraordinary losses."The NSC spokesman added he was not giving estimates of Ukrainian casualties because "they are the victims here. Russia is the aggressor".Russia however, has not responded to Kirby's estimates.Moscow has been trying to seize Bakhmut since late last year, reports the BBC.It currently holds most of the small city, but Ukrainian troops are still control a small portion of Bakhmut in the west.Ukrainian officials have also said they are using the battle to kill as many of Russia's troops as possible and wear down its reserves.The capture of the city would bring Russia slightly closer to its goal of controlling the whole of Donetsk region, one of four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine annexed by Moscow last September following sham referendums.IANS02 May 2023

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Chinas Zhang upsets Norrie to reach ATP Madrid Open last 16

Madrid, May 2: Zhang Zhizhen continued to make history as he became the first player from the Chinese mainland to reach the last 16 of the ATP 1000 tournament after defeating Britain's 11th seed Cameron Norrie at the Madrid Open.

China's Zhang upsets Norrie to reach ATP Madrid Open last 16

The 26-year-old Zhang, who stunned Canadian player Denis Shapovalov in the second round, pulled off an even bigger upset against world No. 13 Norrie, rallying from one set down to win the match 2-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), reports Xinhua."I'm so happy, I didn't expect it before the match," Zhang said. "Especially since I was able to grit my teeth in the second and third sets after losing the first 6-2 so quickly."Zhang finished the intense match with 32 winners and only 21 unforced errors, while Norrie had 32 unforced errors.In the deciding set, Zhang took no break points but dominated in the tiebreak. The Madrid crowd cheered for Zhang in their newly learned Chinese and gave him a standing ovation after the history-making victory."Thanks very much to the fans, their cheering was great and made me feel like I was on home court," Zhang commented.After the win, Zhang's live ranking has risen to No. 89 and might reach No. 65 if he wins the next match against America's Taylor Fritz, who knocked out Cristian Garin 6-1, 7-6 (4)."Again, a top player for sure, a tough match. I will try my best to fight," said Zhang.IANS02 May 2023

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Evidence of US high-level snooping revealed in leak of Doval-Patrushev talks

New York, May 2: The US snooping on India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has been revealed in the leak of a Washington document on talks between him and Russia's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

Evidence of US high-level snooping revealed in leak of Doval-Patrushev talks

It was not clear from The Washington Post report on the leak that if the intercept was made in India or in Russia.Reporting on the leaked document on Sunday, the newspaper wrote, "It says that Doval assured Patrushev of India's support for Russia in multilateral venues and that New Delhi was working to ensure the war did not come up during a Group of 20 (G20) meeting chaired by India, despite 'considerable pressure' to do so."According to the Post, the document said that Doval asserted that India was resisting "pressures" to support West-backed resolutions at the United Nations on Ukraine.Citing the document, the Post said that India "would not deviate from the principled position it had taken in the past".It was not clear from the Post story if the conversation was at an in-person meeting between between them or a phone call leaving open how the US got the information.If it was based on a direct recording of an in-person conversation, it would appear to have taken place in Moscow.If so, there is a difference between the date of the meeting cited by the Post and when a possible meeting could have taken place.According to the newspaper the conversation is said to have taken place on February 22, a week before the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bengaluru on March 1.But a public record could not be found of a conversation between Doval and Patrushev on that date.The likely date for an in-person meeting between them is February 9, when, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, they met in Moscow and "discussed issues, including bilateral relations, regional and international developments".Doval was in the Russian capital from February 7 to 9 when he also met Russia's President Vladimir Putin.It is possible that the document was dated February 22 and the newspaper assumed that it was the day of the meeting - unless there was a phone conversation on that date.On February 20, Doval received a phone call from Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asking India to support a UN General Assembly resolution on February 23 condemning Russia's invasion.It is possible that Patrushev called on the eve of the Assembly meeting and the leaked report was based on it.India abstained on the resolution.The provenance of the conversation reported in the leaked document was not clear in the Post story and it could also have been based on internal reports of the meeting rather than a direct recording.The document on the Doval-Patrushev conversation was one of a trove of documents leaked on Discord, a messaging platform.Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, has been charged with leaking scores of classified documents, many that offer insights into US surveillance operations.There is no independent verification of the authenticity of individual documents beyond the filing of spying charges against Texeira collectively over the leaks.The G20 foreign ministers' meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov of Russia and Qin Gang of China.It obviously could not reach a consensus and it was noted at the top of the outcome document presented by India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that not all foreign ministers agreed to the two paragraphs on Ukraine.Those paragraphs said that "most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine" and that "it is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability".They ended with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oft-quoted statement, "Today's era must not be of war".India has stayed neutral on resolutions at the UN on Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the UN, while offering carefully couched criticism of Moscow.Jaishankar said at the UN General Assembly last year, "India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there", but added, "We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles".According to the Post, the leaked documents also showed that the US was able to access Pakistani internal government documents.It reported that in an internal memo quoted in a leaked document "Pakistan's Difficult Choices", Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said that Islamabad "no longer try to maintain a middle ground between China and the United States".The Post said that according to the document, she wrote that preserving Pakistan's partnership with the US would sacrifice full benefits from the "real strategic" partnership with China.The newspaper said that another document from February 17 showed that an aide to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advised him that backing a West-backed resolution on Ukraine under pressure from the West would signal a shift in Pakistan's position and jeopardise Pakistan's ability to negotiate trade and energy deals with Russia.The Post said that the documents showed the extent of snooping on South Africa, Brazil and Egypt.IANS02 May 2023

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Israel launches fresh missile attack at military sites in Syria: Report

Damascus, May 2: Israel launched a fresh missile attack at military sites in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo, according to the state-owned Syrian TV.

Israel launches fresh missile attack at military sites in Syria: Report

The Syrian air defences intercepted many of the missiles, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Syrian TV report.The report added that several explosions were heard in Aleppo following the attack.Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported several explosions heard in Aleppo after Israeli missiles hit the military sites.It is not known yet if there were any casualties.IANS02 May 2023

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Priyanka, Nick twinning in monochrome at Met Gala Carpet

Mumbai, May 2: Actress-producer Priyanka Chopra, who is receiving good response to her streaming show 'Citadel', and known for putting her best fashion foot forward for Met Gala, didn't disappoint her fans at the recent edition of the fashion mega event which was held recently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Priyanka, Nick twinning in monochrome at Met Gala Carpet

The actress was seen on the Met gala red carpet along with her husband Nick Jonas. She wore a sexy black gown with thigh-high slit from ace designer Valentino. Interestingly, Priyanka's entry in the bold gown received the loudest cheers at the Met gala.The couple chose the theme of black and white to pay tribute to the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, on whom this year's Met Gala theme is based on. Nick sported a white shirt paired with a black leather blazer.Interestingly, Priyanka and Nick's love story started on the Met Gala carpet back in 2017 when the two were seen in Ralph Lauren couture.IANS02 May 2023

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Breaking Barriers: How the Progressive Artists Group Revolutionised the Indian Art Scene

New Delhi, May 2: The Progressive Artists' Group (PAG) was formed in Bombay in 1947 by a group of young artists who aimed to break away from the academic tradition and establish a modern Indian art movement.

Breaking Barriers: How the Progressive Artists Group Revolutionised the Indian Art Scene

Their works reflected a synthesis of Indian and Western influences and focused on social realism and contemporary issues. The PAG played a crucial role in shaping the identity of modern Indian art by introducing new techniques, styles, and themes.Their work challenged traditional art forms and paved the way for future generations of Indian artists to explore their individual identities while embracing global influences. TThe group was initially formed by artists such as F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, M.F. Husain, K.H. Ara, H.A. Gade, and S.K. Bakre, and was later joined by more artists including, Tyeb Mehta, Ram Kumar, and Krishen Khanna among others.In its upcoming Masters Legacy Auction, AstaGuru will present unique works by each of these artists.It is not a common affair for the works of these such important artists to be showcased together on a platform, which makes this auction an exciting opportunity for art collectors.Here is a glimpse into some of the important works by these artists in the upcoming auction.Landscape by F.N. SouzaThe beautiful landscape work by F.N. Souza was executed in 1962 when the artist was living in London.Although the artist was not inclined towards abstraction, he seldom did create landscapes which were executed with spontaneity and dynamism. In this work, one can trace the sporadic brushwork painted with dark outlines and cross-hatch, the basis on which the architectural structures were composed. Hereby establishing the image purely based on the colour and textural contexts.F N Souza's paintings express defiance and impatience with a well-defined aura of artistic conviction, as he shunned the banality of societal norms. His works periodically reflected the influence of various schools of art the folk art of his native Goa, the full-blooded paintings of the Renaissance period, the religious fervour of the Catholic Church, the landscapes of the 18th and 19th-century European art and the path-breaking paintings of the moderns.Le Village by S.H RazaExecuted in 1956, this work by Raza showcases a row of houses depicted with an eschewed approach.The rooftops of the structure collide with each other, imparting a certain degree of pictorial conflict. The artist had painstakingly achieved the feat of infusing his inner vision on the canvas. The year of the painting's creation was of great importance, considering S. H. Raza had won the 'Prix de la Critique d'Art award the very same year.This validation indeed proved his mettle as an Indian artist who had attained a modern creative temperament. Soon thereafter, he gained a reputation in Paris, having been written about by Rudy von Leyden and the future Director of the Museum of Modern Art of Paris, Jacques Lassaigne.The latter hailed him for not bringing and transferring his Indian exotic inferences; his strange unaccounted works were unconnected to any traditional form of art. Among the people to patronise his creations during the period were Jacques Lassaigne, Jean Bhownagary, Madame Rothschild, and celebrated writer Andre Maurois, amongst others.Untitled by M.F. HusainThis work is a rendition of his famous horses, for which Husain was known across the globe. It was executed in 1990 with an acrylic on canvas palette dominated by the colour blue.Husain was taken by the imagery of horses very early on in life, witnessing the tazias taken out during Muharram processions. Later, he travelled around the world seeing various horse iconography in different cultures including horse pottery by the Song dynasty in China and European artists such as Marino Marini.This would lead to him rendering powerful galloping horses. These horses served as symbols of grace and freedom and expressed both personal and universal emotions.Untitled by K. H. AraThe exploration of the nude form by K. H. Ara served as a path-breaking juncture in the idiom of modern art in India at the time. The presented lot is considered to be one of K H Ara's most important paintings.At the time of its creation, the artist had mastered his subject and had attained fluid control over his craft, which is evident in this artwork. It depicts a centrally positioned nude figure on a bed.The soft curves of the woman's body are contrasted with an architectural background, executed with hatched strokes in tones of black and brown. The painting is also a glorious testimony to K H Ara's masterly virtuoso over the delicate medium of paper.Darjeeling Sun by H.A. GadeThis is a beautiful work by artist H.A Gade executed with oil on canvas in the year 1982. In 2014, the work was also published in the Retrospective Catalogue by Dhoomimal Gallery titled 'H A Gade - Founder Member Progressive Artists Group.' Gade started his career with watercolours, eventually experimenting with different mediums, mainly oil on canvas. One of the most talented Indian artists, Hari Ambadas Gade, chose abstract expressionism as his artistic language.Dancing Girl by Krishen KhannaExecuted in 1966 after his return to India, the presented lot titled 'Dancing Girl' is a striking and captivating work that commands attention with its bold lines and sweeping curves.Measuring almost six feet long, the oil on canvas work is executed in thick, confident strokes of different shades of brown against a sepia background. The gestural composition captures the fluid movements of a dancing figure, with the curves and lines evocative of the dancer's body as it moves through space.Despite its fragmented form, the painting conveys a sense of narrative and emotion, capturing the joy and passion of dance in a way that is both visceral and cerebral.These works will be offered at AstaGuru's upcoming 'Masters Legacy' auction, alongside several other rare and unseen works of art. Slated to be held on April 29-30, 2023, the auction presents a stellar selection featuring works by India's most celebrated modernists, including Nicholas Roerich, M.V. Dhurandhar, M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, F.N. Souza, Tyeb Mehta, H.A Gade, Ganesh Pyne, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna, K.G. Subramanyan, K.K. Hebbar, Prabhakar Barwe, A. Ramachandran, Himmat Shah, Rameshwar Broota, B. Prabha, and T. Vaikuntam.(Sneha Gautam, is the Senior Vice President, and Client Relations, of AstaGuru Auction House)(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)IANS02 May 2023

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Earthquake of magnitude 5.1 strikes Yunnan in China

Beijing, May 2: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale struck Yunnan, China on Tuesday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.1 strikes Yunnan in China

The earthquake occurred at 205723 IST and hit Yunnan, China at a depth of 10 km, the NCS informed.NCS tweeted, " Earthquake of Magnitude5.1, Occurred on 02-05-2023, 205723 IST, Lat 25.66 and Long 99.51, Depth 10 Km, Location Yunnan, China."The earthquake's epicentre was Latitude- 25.66 and Longitude- 99.51, respectively.No casualties have been reported yet. Further details are awaited.ANI02 May 2023

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Has gone through certification, SC on plea against release of The Kerala Story

New Delhi, May 2: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to immediately hear a plea seeking a stay on the release of the controversial movie 'The Kerala Story'.

'Has gone through certification', SC on plea against release of 'The Kerala Story'

A bench comprising Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna observed that the censor board has already cleared the movie and the petitioners should rather challenge the film's certification before an appropriate authority. This bench is currently hearing matters in connection with hate speeches. The bench said that the exhibition of films entails a different process, therefore the plea seeking a stay on the release of the movie cannot be clubbed with the hate speech matters.Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha urged the bench to hear their plea saying that the movie will release on Friday.During the hearing, the bench said, "This has gone through certification. We cannot make it a part of the hate speech case".Pasha, on his part, submitted that the YouTube trailer of the movie already had 16 million views so far and this is the worst instance of hate speech and this is audio-visual propaganda.The bench told the counsel, "You should move the high court or any other appropriate forum, but this cannot be here."Pasha pressed that they do not have time for any other remedy. However, the bench declined to entertain the plea against the movie.Emphasizing that it cannot tag the plea with hate speech case, the bench orally observed that there is a difference between this and "other matters you brought to our notice. Why don't you move the concerned high court first?"Sibal urged the bench to look at the transcript of the YouTube trailer during the lunch recess and then take a call and added that they will also file a petition by Wednesday.Declining to entertain the plea, the bench said, "This has gone through a process of certification. Unless you challenge the certification, we can't do anything...you should go to the jurisdictional high court. You cannot start everything here at the Supreme Court..."The bench told Sibal, "This may not be the forum where you will get your relief."The film starring Adah Sharma, slated to release on May 5 created a major controversy when it claimed that 32,000 women have left the state.As soon as the teaser of the film was released, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left and the UDF demanded that the film should not be screened.The Kerala State Committee of Muslim Youth League announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for the individual who proves the "allegations" levelled in the movie. A right-wing activist and founder of the Hindu Seva Kendra Pratheesh Viswanath also offered Rs 10 crore to prove the opposite -- that no one from Kerala has gone to Syria to join IS.The film is directed by Sudipto Sen. It traces the journey of four female college students in Kerala who become part of Islamic State.The film also stars Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani. It is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.IANS03 May 2023

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken needs to press Yerevan to make peace with Azerbaijan, reads the article by Michael Doran, director of the Hudson Institutes Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, published in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Trend reports.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is hosting talks in Washington this week between Armenias Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, his latest effort to broker a peace agreement between the two countries. Mr. Blinken has prepared the parties to expect several days of hands-on American mediation. This plan represents a significant expansion of Washingtons role as a peace mediator that should be lauded. In November, Mr. Blinken also hosted Messrs. Mirzoyan and Bayramov, but at that time he did little more than welcome his guests and encourage them to engage each other directly, reads the article.

The author points out that while fostering strong economic ties with Europe, to which Azerbaijan supplies oil and gas, President Ilham Aliyev has simultaneously developed deep and enduring defense ties with Turkey and Israel.

Over the past decade or so, those ties helped the Azerbaijani military increase its power quietly but with remarkable speed. The power it revealed in the Second Karabakh War shocked many seasoned observers. Azerbaijans triangular alignment with Turkey and Israel especially terrifies Tehran, not least because of the support it has among Iranian Azerbaijanis, who constitute at least one-fifth of the countrys population and are the largest non-Persian ethnic group, Michael Doran writes.

He notes that French President Emmanuel Macron has devoted significant energy to diplomacy in the South Caucasus, where his efforts clearly favor Armenia over Azerbaijan.

The conflict wont end until Armenia recognizes Karabakh as sovereign Azerbaijani territory. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan doesnt sound ready to take that step. If Yerevan will only come around, the U.S. and its allies can work with it and Baku to safeguard the welfare of the Armenians of Karabakh. Unfortunately for Mr. Blinken, many influential friends of the Armenian-American community, such as Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Adam Schiff, refuse to urge Yerevan in this direction, reads the article.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. ADA University in Baku is hosting an international conference on "Shaping the geopolitics of Greater Eurasia: from past to present and future" with the participation of about 40 representatives from more than 30 countries, Trend reports.

Rector of the ADA University, former Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the US Hafiz Pashayev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Department for Economic Affairs and Innovative Development Policy Shahmar Movsumov, Minister of Digital Development and Transportation Rashad Nabiyev, Deputy former Assistant Secretary of State of the US, former First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistans Parliament and other persons are taking part in the event.

Pashayev said that ADA University is holding such a conference for the fourth time.

According to him, the conference is of great importance from the point of view of politics, science and international relations, and noted that the university is considered an important platform for discussing issues on the regional and global agenda. The ideas expressed here are covered in magazines around the world and in social networks.

The rector pointed out that the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev was a person who took important steps in the field of geopolitics.

"He was the only Azerbaijani who reached political heights in the Soviet Union. In the 1990s, Azerbaijan was going through a crisis. The war, the occupation of our lands by Armenia, the economic crisis  under these conditions the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev came to the leadership of the country. After the national leader came to power, the war was stopped and the economy stabilized," Pashayev said.

Speaking at the conference, the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan spoke about the significance of the "Contract of the Century", the BakuTbilisiCeyhan pipeline, and major transport corridor projects initiated by Azerbaijan.

Movsumov said that about $300 billion of investments have been invested in the country, which has turned from a country sharing its alternative energy resources into a transit country.

Minister of Digital Development and Transportation of Azerbaijan said that the country is the initiator of many international projects, mainly in the field of transport and transit. Great leader Heydar Aliyev also laid the foundation for the BakuTbilisiKars railway project.

Nabiyev highlighted that the events taking place in the world, wars once again show the need for alternative transit routes, which increases the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route also known as the Middle Corridor.

"Over the past 10 years, we have built several new airports. According to our calculations, the volume of transit traffic through our country in the next five years will amount to 23 million tons. Moreover, the Middle Corridor should not be considered only as an alternative during the crisis," Nabiyev added.

The moderator of the second session of the conference was a research faculty member of the Energy Academic Group at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Brenda Shaffer.

Furthermore, the speakers, former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, former Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza, the Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan Sodig Safoyev, former Georgian Ambassador to the US and Canada Tedo Japaridze, former Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Bolat Nurgaliyev and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State David Merkel noted that Heydar Aliyev is always highly appreciated because he brought the young Azerbaijani state out of the years full of chaos. It was mentioned that Heydar Aliyev rose to very important posts in the Soviet era and, thanks to his political wisdom, received recognition in the Soviet Union.
Our County Editor

Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a law "On approval of the agreement between member states of Organization of Turkic States On combined international cargo traffic", Trend reports.

According to the law, the agreement On combined international cargo traffic between member states of Organization of Turkic States, signed on November 11, 2022 in the city of Samarkand, was approved.
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, American computational virologist Dr. Jesse D. Bloom analyzes the association between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic material and the genetic material obtained from environmental and animal samples collected by the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China.

Study: Association between SARS-CoV-2 and metagenomic content of samples from the Huanan Seafood Market. Image Credit: TimeStopper69 / Shutterstock.com

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Where did SARS-CoV-2 originate?

At the end of 2019, Chinese officials claimed that SARS-CoV-2 infections were only identified in patients who previously attended the Huanan Seafood Market, thus indicating that human-to-human transmission of the virus was not occurring. However, by January 2020, it became clear that SARS-CoV-2 was spreading between humans, with some of the earliest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases having no relation to the Huanan Seafood Market.

Before the Huanan Seafood Market was closed on January 1, 2020, about one month after the first COVID-19 case was detected in China, the Chinese CDC collected samples from 457 animal species of the Huanan Seafood Market, none of which tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Comparatively, 73 of the 923 environmental samples from the same market were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

This data, which was eventually published in a 2022 preprint, only correlated the number of SARS-CoV-2 deep sequencing reads with the number of human reads. In addition to not providing any specific correlations for other species, the Chinese scientists also did not provide the raw sequencing data, which could have been used by other researchers around the world to determine whether the abundance of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material identified in these samples could be correlated with material from other species.

Nevertheless, the Chinese CDC eventually uploaded the raw sequencing data for some of the environmental samples to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database. Thereafter, bioinformatic analysis of this data led to the identification that some of the environmental samples contained genetic material from animals like raccoon dogs that are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.

Study findings

In an effort to provide an objective analysis of these environmental samples, the author of the current study devised a fully reproducible computational pipeline using data originally published by the Chinese CDC.

The dataset, which consisted of 696 FASTQ files from 365 deep sequencing runs of 176 samples, was processed to retain only high-quality leads. Dr. Bloom subsequently aligned each read to the SARS-CoV-2 genome and a representative set of mammalian mitochondrial genomes. This analysis similarly reported that the mitochondrial genetic material of raccoon dogs was most abundant, followed by that of ducks.

When the authors computational pipeline was applied to the environmental samples, over 75% of these samples did not exhibit any reads that aligned to the SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, with most of the remaining 25% also exhibiting only a small number of viral reads. In fact, only two samples had over 1,000 reads that aligned with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, most of the samples with high SARS-CoV-2 content were collected by the Chinese CDC on January 1, 2020, with few SARS-CoV-2-positive samples collected after this date.

Dr. Bloom also analyzed any correlations that existed between the number of reads mapped to SARS-CoV-2 to the mitochondrial genome of different species identified across all samples. When Dr. Bloom applied a log-log scale to this data, which was also performed in the original Chinese CDC report, the genetic material of the largemouth bass, catfish, cow, carp, and snakehead fish were most correlated with SARS-CoV-2 abundance. Importantly, none of these animals are likely hosts for SARS-CoV-2.

Due to conflicting results regarding correlations between human and SARS-CoV-2 genetic material from the collected samples, the author used chordate mitochondrial compositions. To this end, when only samples containing at least one SARS-CoV-2 read were used, the genetic material of the largemouth bass, catfish, cow, sheep, and pig were all more strongly correlated with SARS-CoV-2 reads than that of humans.

Although the degree of correlation increased between SARS-CoV-2 and human genetic material when samples collected before January 12, 2020, were excluded, Dr. Bloom found that the genetic material of goats and spotted doves were also similarly correlated. Notably, neither analysis indicated that the genetic material of raccoon dogs nor bamboo rats was positively correlated with SARS-CoV-2 reads.

Correlations between SARS-CoV-2 content and mitochondrial content for all species were calculated for samples containing at least one SARS-CoV-2 read from any sampling date (left) or just the January-12-2020 date when most of the wildlife sampling occurred. This plot is designed to mimic the fourth figure of Liu et al. (2022), and so only shows samples with at least one SARS-CoV-2 read and calculates correlations between the log number of SARS-CoV-2 reads versus the log number of species mitochondrial reads for consistency with Liu et al. (2022). See the interactive version at https://jbloom.github.io/Huanan_market_samples/overall_corr.html to mouseover all points for details, select different subsets of samples, and calculate the correlations on a linear or log scale.

Conclusions

The author of the current study confirmed that many of the environmental samples collected from the Huanan Seafood Market in January 2020 contained genetic material from various species, including humans, fish, snakes, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, birds, raccoon dogs, and bamboo rats. After expanding his analysis to correlate the abundance of SARS-CoV-2 and mitochondrial genetic material across all environmental samples, Dr. Bloom observed that the greatest co-mingling of viral and animal material involved species that were almost certainly not infected by SARS-CoV-2, such as fish and livestock.

There was a weak but identifiable correlation between the abundance of SARS-CoV-2 and human genetic material. Furthermore, the genetic material of raccoon dogs was extremely unlike to correlate to SARS-CoV-2 genetic material.

Most of the samples analyzed in this study were collected on January 1, 2020, or later, which is several weeks after the Huanan Seafood Market acted as a superspreading site for human SARS-CoV-2 infections. Thus, it is not surprising that the analysis of these samples did not elucidate the exact origin of SARS-CoV-2.

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Idaho's strict abortion laws create uncertainty for OB-GYNs in the state Play

At a brewery in this northern Idaho city, hundreds of people recently held a wake of sorts to mourn the closure of Sandpoint's only labor and delivery ward, collateral damage from the state's Republican-led effort to criminalize nearly all abortions.

Jen Quintano, the event's organizer and a Sandpoint resident who runs a tree service, called to the crowd, packed shoulder to shoulder as children ran underfoot, "Raise your hand if you were born at Bonner General! Raise your hand if you gave birth at Bonner General!" Nearly everyone raised their hand.

Later this month, the hospital, founded in 1949 near the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, will stop providing services for expectant mothers, forcing patients across northern Idaho to travel at least an additional hour for care. In June, a second Idaho hospital, Valor Health, in the rural city of Emmett, will also halt labor and delivery services.

Those decisions came within months of Idaho's abortion ban, one of the nations strictest, going into effect in August 2022. Physicians can now perform the medical procedure only to stop the death of a pregnant woman or in the case of rape or incest reported to the police.

In March, Bonner General Health officials said the law was a driving force in the closure, noting Idaho's legal and political climate.

Highly respected, talented physicians are leaving," the hospital wrote in a statement. "Recruiting replacements will be extraordinarily difficult. In addition, the Idaho Legislature continues to introduce and pass bills that criminalize physicians for medical care nationally recognized as the standard of care."

OB-GYNs face dangerous dilemmas

Amelia Huntsberger, an OB-GYN, has delivered babies and treated miscarriages at Bonner General for more than a decade. Soon after abortion became illegal here, she saw a patient with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy  where a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus  and faced a dangerous dilemma. The state law did not allow physicians to terminate ectopic pregnancies, which are never viable.

"I went to the emergency room and evaluated the patient," Huntsberger said. "Her vital signs were stable at the time of my evaluation, but I knew based on her imaging we needed to move quickly to stabilize her."

Huntsberger said her duty as a doctor was clear  to prioritize the safety of her patient  but added that she "also knew that I was putting myself potentially at risk of felony charges, which would have a minimum of two years in jail, [and] loss of my medical license for six months."

She added, "I took care of multiple cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy in the first weeks following that law going into effect."

The Idaho Supreme Court has since ruled that the law does not apply to ectopic or molar pregnancies, a rare complication caused by an unusual growth of cells. But physicians say that limited change does not account for many common pregnancy complications that can escalate rapidly.

That has led to deep frustration and turmoil in hospital emergency rooms.

"When is it OK for me to act?" Huntsberger said. "Do I wait until she bleeds out? Do I wait until we do CPR? When is it that I can intervene? How close to death does she need to be before I take care of her?"

State Rep. Mark Sauter, a Republican from this lakeside community 60 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington, said he hadn't thought much about the state abortion ban.

"It really wasn't high on my radar other than I'm a pro-life guy, and I ran that way," he said during an interview at his home overlooking the lake and forested mountains. "I didn't see it as having a real big community impact."

Then in December, Sauter had dinner with Huntsberger, whose husband is an emergency physician at Bonner General. "They started explaining all the details of whats going on and how it was uncomfortable for them," Sauter said.

Those conversations proved revelatory. "You get exposed to something, all of a sudden you go, 'Wow, theres a different way to look at this,'" he said. "'What are we going to do about all this?'"

With Sandpoints maternity ward closing, Sauter supported a bill that would have allowed doctors to terminate pregnancies to protect a womans health, not just prevent her death. But that effort was shot down by other Republicans during a committee hearing in late March.

"The list was endless when we began considering the conditions that could fall under that language," said Rep. Julianne Young, a Republican from Blackfoot. "We want to make sure that health of the mother doesnt become so broad that everything becomes an exception to take the life of a potential child."

The effects of the ban are being felt statewide. In Boise, the state capital, Lauren Miller, an OB-GYN, resigned earlier this month from her position at one of the states largest hospitals, St. Luke's Health System, further shrinking the state's already minuscule corps of maternal fetal medicine specialists.

As a doctor who cares for complex and high-risk cases, Miller said, she's had to send patients out of state to end dangerous pregnancies, including a woman with a serious kidney disease.

"I could very easily have taken care of that patient along with my partners," she said, noting that the Boise-based medical center has kidney specialists and an intensive care unit. "Instead, she had to leave her family and fly several more hours away to receive care in an expeditious time frame. Its just not what we signed up to do."

Miller said the abortion ban and threat of prosecution were not the only factors that drove her to resign. She cited lawmakers' failure to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage beyond two months and to renew the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The state panel investigates deaths of pregnant patients and new mothers and whether they could have been prevented.

During a hearing before the House Health and Welfare Committee, Rep. Mike Kingsley, a Republican, said the maternal mortality reports "all seem to identify the same thing: substance abuse, mental health. So, I think this has served its purpose."

The start of an exodus

Directors of women's health care services at Idaho hospitals are bracing for what's next: 75 of 117 Idaho OB-GYNs recently surveyed by the Idaho Coalition for Safe Reproductive Health Care said they were considering leaving the state. Of those, nearly 100%  73 of 75  cited Idaho's restrictive abortion laws.

An exodus could affect broader medical coverage for women who rely on OB-GYNs for routine and urgent gynecological care unrelated to pregnancy, like menstrual disorders, endometriosis, and pelvic pain.

Idaho is one of 15 states that have implemented strict abortion laws since last year's Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. And while there is no official nationwide count yet, anecdotal evidence shows that women's health specialists from states where abortion is criminalized are beginning to relocate to places like Washington state, which has strong abortion rights laws.

In Seattle, for example, about 270 miles west of Sandpoint, Sarah Villareal, an OB-GYN, is now practicing medicine without fear of prosecution after moving from Texas, where performing an abortion is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. In Texas, private citizens can file civil lawsuits against anyone who aids or abets an abortion, earning a minimum of $10,000 for cases prosecuted successfully.

The difference between Texas and Washington is stark, said Villareal, noting an atmosphere of fear and distrust at many Texas hospitals. She recalled caring for a patient in a Gulf Coast emergency room who was having a miscarriage, though the fetus still had a heartbeat. The patient, already in physical and emotional crisis, had to navigate a legal issue, too.

"She was trying to figure out if me as the provider was going to report her if she did decide that she wanted to do a procedure to save her life over the life of her fetus," Villareal recalled. "And the worst part was I could assure her that Im going to try to do everything that I can for her, but I could not assure her that someone else in the emergency room or someone else in the operating room was not going to report her."

Sarah Prager, an obstetrics and gynecology professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who has been recruiting OB-GYNs from states with abortion bans, including Texas and Tennessee, says physicians believe deeply that they are failing their patients.

"Theres really a moral and an ethical injury that happens when you are unable to do the job that you want to do," Prager said. "Being unable to take care of our patients is what makes doctors stressed out. And when you add that we are legally unable now to prevent harm to patients, it leads to incredible rates of burnout."

Even medical students are beginning to change their plans.

Kathryn Tiger and Allie Ward, first-year medical students in Moscow, Idaho, are both planning to become surgeons, though both say they intend not to practice in Idaho.

"I wouldnt feel safe here as a provider, and I wouldnt feel safe here as a patient," said Tiger, 25.

Ward said the new laws criminalizing abortion in the state are constricting the ability of physicians to provide comprehensive care.

"You have to be able to refer and collaborate with not only just your care team and nurses and everyone thats involved there, but also with other physicians," Ward said. "Its terrifying to think that I wouldnt be able to refer a patient who was seeking care or even just education to a colleague of mine that I trusted because of the laws in place."

Back in Sandpoint, Huntsberger and her family are saying their goodbyes to Idaho, saddened by the idea that some patients left behind may be in medical peril.

"Its heartbreaking to me to think about what it will mean for a woman experiencing a pregnancy crisis," the doctor said.

But, she added, "This isnt a safe place to practice medicine anymore."
During his trade mission trip to Israel, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a new agreement between Florida Atlantic University and Insightec, a global health care company headquartered in Haifa, Israel. This agreement will enable FAU and Insightec to collaborate to advance scientific knowledge about the use of focused ultrasound to treat brain diseases, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

By harnessing acoustic energy, Insightec's innovative technology uses focused ultrasound to treat diseases in different ways. Currently, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a United States Food and Drug Administration-approved means of creating lesions that treat Parkinson's disease. More recently, the system has been used under different paradigms to non-invasively modulate and disrupt the blood-brain barrier, a network of blood vessels that plays a key role in keeping harmful substances from reaching the brain. At the same time, the blood-brain barrier also prevents the uptake of most pharmaceuticals, which makes it difficult to treat diseases of the brain. Alzheimer's disease and other neurological diseases may be treated by opening the blood-brain barrier.

FAU and Insightec will explore opportunities to collaborate on research using focused ultrasound in pre-clinical settings both to non-invasively introduce therapeutic drugs across the blood-brain barrier to accelerate development of treatments for these neurological diseases and optimize HIFU and low intensity focused ultrasound to change the way the nervous system functions.

Gov. DeSantis has set the stage to place neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease at the forefront of health issues in the state of Florida and we appreciate his vision and continued support. This important partnership between Florida Atlantic University and Insightec will help to propel novel therapies to meaningfully impact brain health and attain patient access to advanced care." Brad Levine, FAU Board of Trustees Chair

As part of the agreement, FAU will leverage its clinical and academic expertise in the areas of preclinical research and basic sciences related to neurological conditions as well as its capacity and capabilities to conduct clinical research in these areas. Insightec will provide its expertise and resources related to research and development as well as its pre-clinical and clinical experience with the focused ultrasound platform.

"Improving the lives of patients is core to our mission at Insightec, and Florida Atlantic University shares our mission," said Maurice R. Ferre, M.D., CEO and chair of the board of directors for Insightec. "There is a great urgency to accelerate the pace of medical innovation to treat neurological diseases. Together with our academic research partners at FAU we will advance preclinical and clinical investigations and further examine the potential of the therapeutic power of focused soundwaves."

FAU has a vibrant neuroscience ecosystem including its state-of-the-art FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute located on the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, which serves as a collaborative hub for neuroscience and fosters connections to unravel the complex mysteries of the brain to ultimately improve quality of life.

Julie Pilitsis, M.D., Ph.D., dean and vice president for medical affairs in FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine, will lead FAU's clinical research efforts. She has had National Institutes of Health funding on focused ultrasound for the past 10 years and is considered a leading expert in the arena. She is a board-certified practicing neurosurgeon who is a national expert in movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, and in chronic pain.

"We are incredibly excited to partner with Insightec on ultrasound technology, which has the potential to be a gamechanger in how we treat patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and how we ensure that each patient is offered the best treatment," said Pilitsis.

An estimated 6.5 million Americans ages 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, which is the sixth leading cause of death for those age 65 and above in the U.S., according to the Alzheimer's Association. Florida has the second highest incidence of Alzheimer's in the country, with an estimated 580,000 cases. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are living with the disease, with an estimated four percent of people diagnosed before age 50. Florida is among four states in the U.S. with the highest incidences of Parkinson's disease.

"Focused ultrasound is an amazing tool that affords us the opportunity to treat many brain diseases in a variety of ways," said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., interim vice president for research at FAU, executive director of the Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention (I-Health), and program director for "Research University Alzheimer's Research Using Exablate Neuro-focused Ultrasound," a clinical trial collaboration between FAU, Delray Medical Center and Insightec. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Insightec on this newest initiative to further explore this technology's ability to treat some of the most debilitating and costly neurological disorders."
Every day, Adrienne Grimmett and her colleagues at Evara Health in the Tampa Bay area see stories of inequity in their patients' teeth, gums, and palates.

Marked in painful abscesses, dangerous infections, and missing molars are tales of unequal access to care.

All of these ailments  which keep patients out of work because of pain or social stigma, and children out of school because they can't concentrate with rotting roots  are preventable.

Annual dental checks are essential to overall health. But of the 67 counties in Florida, experts say, only one has enough dentists to treat all patients. Nine counties in Florida have fewer than three practicing dentists apiece. Lafayette County, in north Florida, doesn't have a single one.

"It's a social injustice," said Grimmett, director of dental services at the not-for-profit, which serves Medicaid and uninsured patients in the Tampa Bay region.

"You will never be totally well if you don't have oral health," she said.

In Florida and across the nation, vulnerable and marginalized communities  already prone to higher rates of chronic disease and limited access to health care  are left behind in these dental deserts. There, patient volume exceeds the capacity of providers, or too few dentists are willing to serve those on Medicaid or the uninsured.

Constricting the pool of dentists are low  or nonexistent  reimbursement rates for services paid through the state's Medicaid programs. Meanwhile, costly dental education can make dentists reluctant to work in more rural areas.

About 6 million Floridians live in dental deserts, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That's the largest state population living without basic dental care in the U.S.

The consequences can be catastrophic, as people try to navigate a health system with few providers willing to serve them and costs that make services unattainable.

They're people like Mark Maggs, a 54-year-old Pinellas Park resident diagnosed with cancer last year. He delayed treatment because doctors said he needed to have teeth pulled first. His daughter started a GoFundMe to raise the $3,000 for the extractions.

They're people like Lisa Lambros, a 40-year-old New Port Richey resident who drives 90 minutes to Tampa for appointments at the county health department. She lost her teeth due to cancer three years ago and desperately needs dentures, but hasn't been able to afford them. She feels bad for her kids, embarrassed when they bring friends home to meet her.

"I had perfect teeth until I got sick," Lambros said. "Now people treat me different. They look at me like I'm a bad person."

Lambros and Maggs both live with daily pain that could be relieved with dental care.

Health equity advocates are fighting for long-term investments in oral health at the local, state, and federal levels to close gaps in care.

Where are all the dentists?

Poor dental access is not the result of too few dental school graduates.

Enrollment has been ticking up nationally, with more than 26,000 students in school last year. That's about a tenth the number of working dentists in the U.S., according to the American Dental Association.

But the majority of those graduates aren't practicing in underserved communities and don't accept uninsured patients or those enrolled in federal health insurance plans.

The issue is uneven distribution, said Joe Anne Hart, who's worked for the Florida Dental Association for nearly two decades.

Recruiting dentists to rural communities, where public infrastructure is typically worse, can be a challenge, Hart said.

And often, she added, there's a financial reason why dentists choose to practice in more affluent regions: student loan debt.

As of 2020, new graduates left dental school with an average debt of about $300,000, according to the American Dental Education Association.

With fewer patients in mostly poorer rural communities, graduates flock to private practices elsewhere, seeking financial stability. But it's not just rural residents who struggle to access care. Because Medicaid reimbursements for dental care are paltry, even in urban areas, most dentists opt not to serve Medicaid patients.

Nearly 8 in 10 Florida dentists reported they did not accept Medicaid patients, according to the most recent workforce survey from the state Department of Health. More than 70% of respondents cited low Medicaid reimbursement rates as the main reason why.

In Florida, fewer than 5% of dentists work in publicly funded dental offices and community clinics. The survey found the majority work in private practices.

"When you look at our dental Medicaid funding, we haven't had an increase since 2012," said Christopher Bulnes, who practices in Hillsborough County. "We're at the bottom of the nation."

In 2020, the Medicaid reimbursement rate for child dental services in Florida was just 42.6% of what private insurance reimbursed on average, according to the American Dental Association. That's one of the lowest reimbursement rates in the country. In Texas, for example, the rate is 70.3%. Arizona's reimbursement rate is nearly double that of Florida's.

For standard adult services, such as preventive cleanings and imaging, there is no benefit in the Sunshine State.

Kimme Heller is a 38-year-old St. Petersburg mom who lost her teeth after pregnancy as she battled infection after infection, a product of unlucky genetics and lack of access to preventive care. Her jawbone is so deteriorated from decay that her face is starting to change shape. It hurts to eat. She's been looking for a dental surgeon, but availability is limited. Even if she could get in, she couldn't afford the procedures.

"The rich get their smiles. The poor get disease," she said.

Representatives of the Florida Dental Association said the state  which controls how much dental coverage is offered under Medicaid  should promote oral health care and increase coverage for vulnerable patients.

Additionally, the organization is lobbying for programs that would encourage dentists to care for underserved communities. One initiative they've floated would offer dentists up to $50,000 a year in student loan relief for efforts such as serving Medicaid patients or working in areas without enough providers.

As lawmakers convene in Tallahassee, the association has asked the state to set aside $1.8 million per year to support the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program. But with days to go, lawmakers have yet to act.

A costly toll

The percentage of adults and kids who have visited a dentist in the past year is lower in Florida than in any other state.

"We're talking about quality-of-life issues," said Grimmett, of Evara Health. "Every day we see patients who weren't able to move forward with cancer treatment because they needed dental clearance and they weren't able to get it. We've seen patients who have been in pain for long periods of time who can't sleep or eat and need treatment. We see people without teeth who need dentures."

Each year, more than $45 billion is lost from the U.S. economy  tallied in work missed and job opportunities lost  because of untreated oral disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. Nearly 1 in 5 adults reported that oral disease affected their appearance and hampered their ability to get work. Some struggle to eat through the pain.

Children, meanwhile, miss class.

"I can't tell you how many times I've received calls from a parent or school nurse because a child cannot focus or learn because they are in pain," said Jacinta Lamontagne, who serves Medicaid patients near Pensacola.

In 2020, fewer than half of people ages 1 through 20 on Medicaid received preventive dental care, such as an annual screening. In Florida, about 67% of kids on Medicaid went without.

Black and Hispanic children are more likely to have untreated oral illness.

For people 65 or older who use Medicare, dental care can also remain out of reach. Medicare does not cover standard services such as cleanings and fillings.

Frank Catalanotto is a founding member of Floridians for Dental Access and former dean of the University of Florida College of Dentistry. His organization is a partnership between nonprofits, individual dentists, and medical centers working to improve health access in the state.

He's motivated to close disparities  and not just those directly related to health. Oral pain can affect children's educational outcomes too.

"The literature now documents very clearly that if you are in pain, you're going to miss school more often than other kids, you're not going to learn as well," Catalanotto said. "You're going to have social issues, because if you've got broken-down front teeth, kids are going to make fun of you."

Catalanotto said there's also a financial toll. When people don't have access to local providers and are in pain, they often go to the emergency room.

In 2020, Florida hospitals billed roughly $330 million for more than 100,000 emergency room visits that stemmed from preventable oral health problems, according to analysis of hospital data by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a national nonprofit that focuses on health equity.

Much of that burden falls on taxpayers.

And while health care access is limited across medicine  not just in dentistry  Catalanotto stressed that teeth don't fix themselves.

Some minor ailments, such as colds and viral infections, can simply run their course. A minor dental ailment, he said, does no such thing.

Oral disease is progressive and ongoing and ultimately leads to severe infections.

Until more people have access to preventive care, the most vulnerable are going to continue to get unnecessarily sick.

"We have a crisis in Florida," Catalanotto said. "That is abundantly clear."
While the coronavirus continues to infect people around the world, researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a specific protein inside the human body that plays a critical role in how the virus spreads from cell to cell after infection -; a discovery that will help better understand the COVID-19 disease and could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs in the future.

The finding provides new insight into how the protein, known as the occludin protein, serves as a mediator for cell-to-cell transmission of the virus.

Despite all the mitigation strategies implemented since the start of the pandemic, including the vaccines and antiviral drugs, we are still working to effectively control the spread of this disease, which continues to infect people each day, including those who have been vaccinated and exposed to the virus before. This basic, scientific research is very important to better understand the underlying mechanisms of disease progression inside the body's cells so that the proper countermeasures can be identified and developed." Wenjun Ma, associate professor in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and the MU School of Medicine and lead author of the study

Ma and his team examined how the coronavirus spreads throughout cells by analyzing cell samples at the MU Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research. The lab serves as a critical resource for MU faculty and collaborating scientists who perform research on infectious diseases to help protect public health in the United States and abroad.

In the study, Ma found that when the occludin protein in a single cell is damaged by the coronavirus, the virus is able to quickly replicate and spread to neighboring cells throughout the body, making the infection worse and symptoms potentially more severe.

Ma said this newly discovered knowledge could assist developers of antiviral drugs by examining the potential impact the antiviral drugs have in strengthening the occludin protein against infection.

"Whether it is studying how the virus enters the cell in the first place or studying the virus replication process, this basic, scientific research helps us learn more about how the disease progresses," Ma said. "We learned that the virus may only start off by infecting a singular cell, but cells are incredibly complex, and when the occludin protein gets damaged, the virus quickly replicates and spreads to neighboring cells. For example, if only one cell in the lungs is infected at first, the ability to breathe may not be significantly impacted. However, once the virus spreads to neighboring cells throughout the lungs, it can lead to difficulty breathing and other respiratory problems."

Going forward, Ma plans to study if other viral infections also impact the occludin protein in an effort to better understand how viruses interact at the cellular level with the hosts they infect.

"Tight junction protein occludin is an internalization factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and mediates virus cell-to-cell transmission" was recently published in PNAS. Funding for the study was provided by the University of Missouri start-up fund, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers of Excellence in Influenza Research and Response, the Kansas University Medical Center and the Peachtree Collaborative Orthomolecular Medicine, Education, and Research Foundation. Co-authors on the study include Jialin Zhang, Wenyu Yang, Sawrab Roy, Heidi Liu, R. Michael Roberts, Liping Wang and Lei Shi.
The fastest-growing two-wheeler battery manufacturing company in India Ipower Batteries announced that it has developed Indias first LMFP (Lithium Magnesium Iron Phosphate) batteries series named Rugpro. The company said the sole purpose for introducing such high-quality batteries is to contribute countrys EV sector.

As per the details shared by the brand, the ground-breaking battery series has received AIS 156 (Amendment III) Phase 2 approval from the Indian Government India under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme. The company claims that Ipower Batteries is by far the only battery manufacturer in the country to have achieved this approval.

Also Read: Hyundai Creta EV Spied Testing Again! Check Expected Launch Date, Price, Range and Features

The company also revealed that the batteries have been produced with the use of 2C rated cells, which allows them to deliver high amounts of power quickly. The LMFP batteries are an upgraded version of LFP batteries and make up for their shortcomings.

In order to provide a safe yet high-quality battery, the company claimed that they have tested Rugpro (LMFP) batteries from every left, and right centre, and the results were satisfactory.

Reacting about the same, Ipower Batteries founder Vikas Aggarwal said that the company is thrilled to launch such top-notch quality batteries for electric two-wheelers in the Indian market.

Aggarwal said their product has received an overwhelming response from the associated OEM vendors and other partners. He further informed me that Ipower will be delivering the first batch of 5,000 battery packs by May 2023.

Read all the Latest Auto News here
SpiceJet on Monday said it plans to operate more flights from Saudi Arabia to different Indian cities to bring back people evacuated from Sudan under Operation Kaveri.

The no-frills airline operated a flight from Jeddah to Kochi on April 30 and brought back 184 Indians under Operation Kaveri.

In a release, the carrier said it is in regular touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to coordinate further evacuation efforts.

Also Read: Operation Kaveri: IndiGo Offers to Operate Chartered Flights to Jeddah

More evacuation flights from Saudi Arabia to different cities in India are being planned," it said.

The airline operates daily flights from Jeddah to Calicut, Delhi and Mumbai. It also has daily services from Riyadh to Delhi.

Under Operation Kaveri, a total of 2,140 Indians have been brought back from strife-torn Sudan, according to official data.

Earlier, SpiceJet helped in evacuating more than 1,600 students from Ukraine under Operation Ganga by operating special flights to Budapest, Kosice and Suceava.

Read all the Latest Auto News here
Petrol, and Diesel Prices Today: Petrol and diesel prices were constant on Tuesday, 2 May across New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Petrol rates and diesel rates have been steady over the last eleven months.

At present, petrol in Delhi is being sold at Rs 96.72 a liter while diesel is being sold at Rs 89.62 a litre. Whereas in Mumbai, petrol is available at Rs 106.31 and diesel at Rs 94.27 per litre. While petrol in Kolkata is Rs 106.03 and diesel is Rs 92.76 per litre. On the other hand, petrol is being sold at Rs 102.63 and diesel at Rs 94.24 per liter in Chennai.

However, in states like Maharashtra and West Bengal, fuel prices showed a decline. Petrol has become cheaper by 41 paise and diesel by 39 paise in Maharashtra. In Punjab too, petrol has become cheaper by 26 paise and diesel by 25 paise. There is a drop of 25 paise in the price of petrol and diesel in Uttar Pradesh. Petrol has become cheaper by 44 paise and diesel by 41 paise in West Bengal.

Except for individual cases, petrol and diesel rates across the country have been steady since May 21 last year, when the previous pan-India revision was announced. However, many cities saw petrol prices above Rs 100 mark.

New prices continue in these cities as well

 Petrol in Noida has gone up to Rs.96.58 and diesel to Rs.89.75 per litre.

 Rs 96.58 in Ghaziabad and Rs 89.75 per liter of diesel.

 Petrol in Lucknow has become Rs 96.57 and diesel Rs 89.76 per liter.

 Petrol in Patna has become Rs 107.42 and diesel Rs 94.04 per liter.

 Petrol has become Rs 84.10 and diesel Rs 79.74 per liter in Port Blair.

In India, oil marketing companies (OMCs) such as Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum determine petrol and diesel prices. This is done on a daily basis, and rates are determined in accordance with the price of crude oil throughout the world.

Why do fuel prices vary across states?

The rates for each day, whether new or unchanged, are announced at 6 am on the day. These, however, vary from state to state; this is due to criteria such as Value Added Tax (VAT), freight charges, local taxes, etc.

Petrol, and Diesel prices in Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Noida, and Gurugram on May 2, 2023

CITY Petrol (Per Litre) Diesel (Per Litre) Bengaluru Rs 101.94 Rs 87.89 Chandigarh Rs 96.20 Rs 84.26 Chennai Rs 102.86 Rs 94.46 Gurugram Rs 96.84 Rs 89.72 Kolkata Rs 106.03 Rs 92.76 Lucknow Rs 96.47 Rs 89.67 Mumbai Rs 106.31 Rs 94.27 New Delhi Rs 96.72 Rs 89.62 Noida Rs 96.65 Rs 89.93

This is how you can know todays latest price

You can also know the daily rate of petrol and diesel through SMS. Indian Oil customers can get information by sending RSP and their city code to 9224992249 and BPCL customers can get information by sending an SMS to 9223112222 by typing RSP and their city code. Whereas, HPCL consumers can know the price by sending HPPrice and their city code to 9222201122.

Crude Oil Prices Today

Oil prices fell in thin early Asian trade on Tuesday as the market digests weak economic data from China and expectations of another U.S. interest rate hike. Brent crude fell by 2 cents to $79.29 a barrel by 0021 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 2 cents to $75.64. Both benchmarks fell by more than $1 last session.

Read all the Latest Business News, Tax News and Stock Market Updates here
US President Joe Biden on Monday summoned the four top congressional leaders to the White House next week after the Treasury warned the government could run short of cash to pay its bills by June.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a letter to Congress that the agency will be unlikely to meet all US government payment obligations potentially as early as June 1" without action by Congress.

The estimate raised the risk that the United States is headed for an unprecedented default that would shake the global economy, adding new urgency to political calculations in Washington, where Democrats and Republicans were girding for a months-long standoff.

Biden called Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Jerusalem, where he is on a diplomatic trip, to invite him to a May 9 White House meeting. The two leaders havent sat down to discuss the issue since February.

Biden also extended invitations to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell, whose fall in March sidelined him for weeks, said he and Biden had a good conversation" today, adding: Im sure well be speaking again."

House Republicans passed a bill to raise the debt limit last week that includes steep cuts to spending from healthcare for the poor to air-traffic controllers, which the Democratic-controlled Senate and Biden say they will not approve.

Biden has steadfastly said he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling increase, but will discuss budget cuts after a new limit is passed. Congress has often paired debt-ceiling increases with other budget and spending measures.

A White House official said Biden, who had previously said he wouldnt meet McCarthy at all to discuss the debt limit, would stress that Congress must take action to avoid default without conditions" on May 9.

The new potential X-date," which takes in to account April tax payments, is largely unchanged from a previous estimate, issued in January, that the government could run short of cash around June 5. But Yellen added some wiggle room, noting federal receipts and outlays are inherently variable." The actual date that Treasury exhausts extraordinary measures could be a number of weeks later than these estimates," she wrote.

It is impossible to predict with certainty the exact date when Treasury will be unable to pay the governments bills," she wrote.

After hitting the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap on Jan. 19, Yellen previously told Congress that Treasury would keep up payments on debt, federal benefits and make other spending by using extraordinary cash management measures. One such step Treasury is taking is suspending the sales of securities that state and local governments use to temporarily hold cash.

In 2011, a similar debt ceiling fight took the country to the brink of default and prompted a downgrade of the countrys top-notch credit rating. This time, negotiations may be even more difficult, veterans of 2011s face-off say.

SPENDING CUT DEMANDS

The April 26 bill passed by the Republican-led House would slash tax incentives for solar energy and implement $4.5 trillion in spending cuts - or about 22% - in exchange for a $1.5 trillion increase in the U.S. debt limit.

The bill has no chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate and the White House has said Biden would veto the legislation if it did.

Budget analyst Shai Akabas at the Bipartisan Policy Center said the short deadline underscored the urgency of finding a solution to the bitter standoff, and that it dashed hopes that the Congress could negotiate through the late summer months.

A potential default within weeks is not a position befitting of a country considered the bedrock of the financial system, and only adds uncertainty to an already shaky economy," he added.

BREATHING ROOM

Yellens vagueness on the actual default date is due to some fiscal events in June that could buy some breathing room.

If Treasury can make it past early June benefit payments, it could take in significant cash from quarterly estimated tax payments due on June 15, analysts say. Then Treasury could float until June 30, when it would be able to tap $143 billion in borrowing by suspending reinvestment of maturing securities held by the government retirement funds.

Along with tax receipts, that borrowing would allow it to pay bills well into July.

Nonetheless, the U.S.s debt ceiling battles are likely to persist for years to come, with benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare accounting for the largest category of the budget and projected to grow dramatically as the population ages.

As the current debate heats up, Biden, who is seeking re-election in 2024, is using the House Republican proposal to tag his opposition as an economic threat to local economies.

Read all the Latest Business News, Tax News and Stock Market Updates here
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a law "On approval of the agreement between member states of Organization of Turkic States On creation of simplified customs corridor", Trend reports.

According to the law, the agreement between the governments of the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States "On the establishment of simplified customs corridor" was signed on November 11, 2022 in the city of Samarkand.
Robert Opie has a unique way of documenting coronations: the 76-year-old has been gathering consumer products with a royal theme since the late Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953, when his school held a scrapbook competition. The six-year-old Opies compilation of bread wrappers, milk bottle tops and pictures from magazines won first prize. Seventy years on he runs Londons Museum of Brands, with some 12,000 objects, many of them devoted to Britains royals.

As the country gears up for the coronation of King Charles on May 6, Opie has updated his collection with new items, including labels of Cadbury chocolate and Lyles Golden Syrup.

Theyll all fade away into some bin unless I save something," he said. And in another 10 years well look back and say Woah! That was fun.'"

Opies museum in Notting Hill charts consumer culture and houses objects from past coronations, including a commemorative can of beer from the 1937 crowning of King George VI - with the beer still inside. Canned beer was a novelty having been introduced in Britain in 1935.

People get a tremendous thrill out of seeing the story that is us. And yet, without it, you dont understand when things happened," Opie said, adding that royal events formed the skeleton of history."

The oldest object in his collection is a Delftware plate from the reign of King William III who was on the throne from 1689 to 1702.

The museum, which was founded in 1982, represents only a small sample of Opies collection which he began in the 1960s and extended to hundreds of thousands of objects, he said.

Ive always had a fascination with things that are in many ways trivial, but when theyre all joined together, theres a very powerful and exciting story that comes out."

Read all the Latest Buzz News here
In the world of social media, where people often share happy moments and milestones, a tweet from a doctor about laddoos" may seem unusual. But for this doctor, it was a reminder of a patient who touched his life in a profound way. The tweet read, The 4th Laddoos." The doctor explained he was treating a patient named Paul, who suffered from alcohol use disorder for over 15 years. Despite his efforts to help his patient recover from his alcohol addiction and improve his health, Paul, unfortunately, experienced a relapse and eventually passed away due to severe alcohol-related hepatitis.

However, even in the face of this tragedy, the doctor was struck by the kindness of Pauls wife, who came to visit him months later and gifted him with three Laddoos, a traditional Indian sweet. One from her side, two from her daughters The fourth laddoo, the doctor realised, was missing because it would have been given by Paul himself, had he not passed away. This poignant moment served as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of showing compassion and understanding towards those who are struggling with addiction.

Three Laddoos. One from her and two from the daughters, the tweet read. The doctor added, But all I could think about, was that fourth Laddu. The one I never received from Paul, because he died. A woman lost her husband, two bright young children lost their father.

The 4th Laddu.These 3 laddus were given to me by the wife of my patient on his birthday, a few weeks before. She was now happy and the family was doing good for themselves. My patient Paul, suffered from alcohol use disorder. He had been drinking for more than 15y. Three pic.twitter.com/wLjMyuXhNZ  TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) May 1, 2023

The story of Paul and his family touched hearts on the internet and it severed as a tragic reminder of the destructive power of addiction. It is a reminder that addiction affects not just the individual but also their loved ones. Many wanted the doctor to post this heartwrenching story in Hindi and other languages so it could reach more people. Others cheered him on to keep his head high. This is so heartwarming. Thanks for sharing. Alcoholism is a global scourge. Your writings should reach globally. Will see if such posts of yours can be translated to Arabic. I live in Dubai, read a tweet.

This is so heartwarming. Thanks for sharing. Alcoholism is an global scourge. Your writings should reach globally. Will see if such posts of yours can be translated to Arabic. I live in dubai. saleem ahmed (@saleembhai) May 2, 2023

Another user wrote, If possible put this out in Hindi. A lot of people need to read it. Most of them wont understand English are the very ones who should be reading this.

If possible put this out in Hindi. A lot of people need to read it. Most of them won't understand English are the very ones who should be reading this. Vivek Tiwari (@Viv2511) May 1, 2023

Next time I would try to see patients and relatives in a different way. Thanks a lot for sharing your perspective, a user tweeted.

Next time I would try to see patient and relatives in a different way. Thanks a lot for sharing your perspective. Iftikhar Kazi (@IftikharKazi) May 1, 2023

In a world that can be harsh and unforgiving, the doctors story is a beacon of light, reminding us that we can all make a difference in someones life, no matter how small.

Read all the Latest Buzz News here
At four in the morning outside a Yangon monastery, Shwe Lei and her team were wrestling 30 writhing pythons into old rice sacks and loading them into a van. It was just another day in the life of Myanmars premier snake removal squad, prising pythons and cajoling cobras from dangerous entanglements with the human world before returning them to their natural habitat. Stuffed into the sacks were three months worth of work, rescued from homes and apartments around Yangon and cared for at the monastery until they are fit for release to the wild.

I love snakes because they are not deceitful," Shwe Lei told AFP at the snake shelter run by the group, a python entwined around her body.

If you acknowledge their nature, they are lovely."

Her mentor Ko Toe Aung, a burly 40-year-old who said he has been hospitalised seven times since he started catching snakes in 2016, was more prosaic.

Anyone in the snake-catching game has to be fast and agile", he said.

Wherever we catch a venomous snake, it is 90/10 Its a 90 percent chance the snake will bite me."

Their team  called Shwe Metta, or Golden Love" in Burmese  has around a dozen members and rescued around 200 snakes last year from around Yangon.

Social media videos of the pair pulling snakes out of sink plugholes and extricating them from roof eaves have earned them the moniker prince and princess of snakes" from local media.

On the scent

The team all have day-jobs and rely on donations for everything from their protective gear to petrol to run their purple-coloured snake ambulance".

They mostly catch Burmese pythons  non-venomous snakes that typically grow to around five metres (16 feet) long and squeeze their prey of rats and other small mammals to death.

Cobras and banded krait also make homes in Yangons apartments and are a trickier prospect  their venom can be fatal.

More than 15,000 people were bitten by snakes in Myanmar in 2014, according to the latest available figures from the World Health Organization.

Of those, 1,250 died, a fatality rate higher than many other countries, largely due to Myanmars creaking healthcare system and patchy access to antivenoms.

It is a danger never far from the teams work.

In March, they spent two days trying to remove several cobras nesting underneath a Yangon house.

Tunnelling into the foundations as neighbours watched, their digging was frequently interrupted by the snakes inside spitting venom towards them.

It stinks," said Ko Ye Min, 31, a tattooed member of the team, as he took a break from trying to reach the nest.

Recognising exactly which kind of stink is another skill a snake-catcher must hone, according to Ko Toe Aung.

We have to be familiar with their smells to identify the species of snakes before removing them," he said.

Cobras smell rotten", he said.

But the smell of a python is much stronger. Sometimes we even vomit when we bring it into the ambulance."

Compassion

Through their online videos and growing fame, the Shwe Metta team hope to encourage people to be more compassionate towards the slithering reptiles  especially if one turns up in their house.

In the past people used to kill snakes whenever they found them," said Shwe Lei.

But they have more knowledge and they know we can release snakes back into the wild. So they call us to capture and remove them."

The rescued snakes are kept under observation in a nearby monastery until there are enough of them to justify a journey into the bush to release them.

In late March, the team walked into the sweltering backwoods of the Bago Yoma hills, 150 kilometres (90 miles) north of Yangon, on such a journey.

Each member carried a python in a bag slung over their shoulder until they reached a suitable spot to release it.

A few of the dazed reptiles needed gentle prods to get going, but after weeks in a cage and a five-hour car journey, Shwe Lei sympathised.

Nobody likes the feeling of being locked up," she said after the last one had slithered off  hopefully not to return to the human world for a long time.

I feel happy releasing the snakes from the point of view of compassion for each other, it is satisfying."

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When one is hungry, they are ready to eat anything that is readily available. In many survival films, we often come across people eating raw meat just because they did not get food for a prolonged period. But this Seoul student seems to have taken his hunger pangs a tad bit seriously, despite not being in an emergency situation. An expensive artwork made from a banana affixed to the wall, worth $120,000 (roughly Rs 1 crore), was eaten by a student while visiting Seouls Leeum Museum of Art. In his defence, he claimed that he was hungry.

According to a report by New York Post, the famous art illustration was created by an Italian artist named Maurizio Cattelan. It is known as the Comedian, and was kept as a part of an exhibition at the Leeum Museum. Apparently, the student, Noh Huyn-soo, who visited the museum pulled out the banana attached to duct tape on the wall and enjoyed the fruit for over a minute.

Italyan sanatc Maurizio Cattelan'n "Comadian" adl duvara bantl muz calsmas, karn ackan bir ogrenci tarafndan yenildikten sonra yeniden duvara bantland.Calsmann degeri 120.000 USD olarak belirlenmistir. pic.twitter.com/x5QAsplC9b  Wannart (@wannartcom) May 1, 2023

After eating the banana, he pasted the fruit peel to the wall once again. The entire incident was recorded by his friend, who later dropped the video on social media.

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelans wall-taped banana work Comedian" was taped to the wall again after being eaten by a hungry student. The value of the study was determined as 120,000 USD, read the caption of the video.

Upon being quizzed by the museum officials on why he devoured the banana, the Seoul National University student claimed that he skipped breakfast and hence was quite hungry. In another interview, the student claimed, Damaging a work of modern art could also be an artwork.

The artist, Maurizio Cattelan, however, had no complaints about the visitor eating the banana. He shared that the museum curators replace the bananas every two days and it was not a matter of concern. This is not the first time, Maurizios the Comedian was devoured by a common man. In 2019, performance artist David Datuna consumed the popular real-life banana artwork after the piece was sold.

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A woman named Candace Chapman Scott, who used to work at Arkansas Central Mortuary Services in the US, has been accused of selling body parts of corpses to a man on Facebook and earning around $10,975 (approximately Rs 8.9 lakh) from the illegal trade. Scotts responsibilities included transporting, cremating, and embalming remains. The University of Arkansas Medical Services would send the corpses to the funeral home after students had completed their studies. According to reports, Scott allegedly stole the body parts from the corpses used for medical studies and sold them to Jeremy Lee Pauley, who she met on a social media group called oddities.

As per the Daily Mail report, the federal court indictment has disclosed that Candace Chapman Scott is accused of selling at least 20 boxes of body parts. Its reported that Scott interacted with the buyer on Facebook and asked, Just out of curiosity, would you know anyone in the market for a fully intact, embalmed brain? in her first message. The communication between the two continued for nine months, during which they exchanged various body parts, including a fetus. The indictment alleges that Scott offered a discount on the fetus, citing that it wasnt in great shape. The alleged transactions are illegal and unethical, and the accused could face serious legal consequences.

A text exchange from December 2021, also indicates Scott offered 2 brains, 3 hearts, 1 lung among numerous other parts to the online buyer. She allegedly made $10,975 (approximately Rs 8.97 lakh) in 16 separate PayPal payments. Scott has reportedly pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of criminal charges which include mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, among others. She currently remains behind bars until her next bail hearing.

Previously, a funeral home owner, Megan Hess, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for allegedly dissecting 560 corpses and selling their body parts without permission, as per Guardian. The 46-year-old allegedly operated a funeral home namely Sunset Mesa and a body parts entity Donor Services from the same building located in Montrose in Colorado.

Read all the Latest Buzz News here
The online result is not exactly the mark sheet. The printout of the online result will act as a provisional mark sheet, however, it cannot be assumed that it is error-free. In case you find any error in the online results, alert the authorities at the earliest. Heres what to look for in the mark sheet 

Personal details: Students can match their names, exam centre name, date of birth, fathers name and spellings etc from admit card and ensure its correct

Totalling: Calculations including the totaling of marks and percentage calculation should be correct.

Spelling: From the name of the student to the exam centre, everything should be spelled correctly, in case of an error, this could impact future prospects.
Results for the class 12 or HSC science stream exams have been released by the Gujarat Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) today, May 2 at 9 AM. The results can be checked at the official website, gseb.org. Students from the Gujarat Board Arts and Commerce streams will have to wait a little longer to receive their results.

GSEB 12th Result 2023 LIVE Updates

GSEBs class 12 exams were held from March 14 to March 31, while the practical tests began on February 20 and were completed on February 28. Approximately 1.07 lakh students had registered themselves for the Gujarat HSC 12th board exams this year out of which about 1,06,347 of them turned up to take the exams.

Gujarat Board HSC Result 2023: Pass Percentage Over The Years

In terms of the pass percentage trend over the previous year, the Gujarat Board exam results last year were slightly better than they had been in the previous two years when the exams were administered as the pass percentage had slightly risen. In 2022, a total of 72.02 per cent of students who took the exam passed it. This was a rise over 2020 and 2019, when 71.34 per cent and 71.9 per cent of students in the science stream, respectively, cleared the exam.

In 2022, the exams were conducted across 2503 exam centres. While A1 grades were scored by 196 pupils, A2 grades were earned by 3,303 students. About 18,982 students, or the majority of those who passed, received a C2 grade.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Gujarat board had to cancel the HSC exam in 2021. The Gujarat Board generated the final results using an alternative evaluation method. The class 10 results were given 50 per cent weightage, the class 11 results and the class 12 internal unit tests each received 25 per cent of the weight for preparing the GSHSEB results. As many as 3.71 lakh students took the GSEB class 12 exam, with 2.83 lakh of them passing the exam. In 2020, a total of 3245 of the 1.7 lakh students who registered for the science stream examination received an A1 grade.

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The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has extended the deadline to submit the assignments for Open and Distance Learning (ODL), online programmes, Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), and EVBB for the June 2023 Term End Examination (TEE). As per the latest updates, the last date to submit the assignments is May 15.

Making the announcement through a tweet, IGNOU wrote, The Notification for extension of the last date for submission of Assignment up to 15th May 2023. Earlier, the deadline to submit the IGNOU June 2023 assignment was April 30.

The Notification for extension of last date for submission of Assignment up to 15th May 2023 pic.twitter.com/TLX3g7aAWq IGNOU (@OfficialIGNOU) May 1, 2023

As per the schedule, the June Term End Examination 2023 will begin on June 1 and conclude on July 6. The exam will be conducted in two sessions - morning and evening. The first session (morning) is scheduled to begin from 10 AM to 1 PM while the evening session will take place from 2 PM to 5 PM. The admit card for the IGNOU June TEE 2023 exam will be uploaded on the main website 7 to 10 days prior to the exam.

How to submit IGNOU June TEE assignments

-Candidates will have to submit one hand-written assignment for every eight-credit programme.

-Every assignment should be submitted as a single document for each programme.

-Candidates should not submit separate pages, but properly presented. Also, students are not allowed to combine assignments for two courses in a single document.

-As per the guidelines, all candidates need to submit their assignments to their study or regional centre. It is to be noted that every candidate needs to include their contact information (like programme code, enrollment no, email, course code, and phone number) on their assignments.

-If hard copies are being accepted (according to the instructions given by the regional centre) then candidates need to send their handwritten and signed assignments to the address provided.

-And if soft copies are being accepted by the centre  then they must be signed and scanned properly.

-Those who have opted for the School of Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS) as their regional centre, must submit their assignments to sogds@ignou.ac.in.

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After the Congress released its poll manifesto for Karnataka elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party condemned one of the promises, which included banning Bajrang Dal, and said it looked like a list of poll planks issued by Popular Front of India (PFI).

The Congress manifesto, however, has also proposed a ban on the already-banned outfit PFI.

Taking a dig at Congress, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: PFI is already banned. Siddaramaiah government withdrew cases of PFI. So, they are saying that to appease Muslims, they will ban Bajrang Dal. Congress is saying that PFI cant say that we will take revenge. Congress manifesto looks like the manifesto of PFI and fundamentalist Muslim organizations."

#WATCH | PFI is already banned. Siddaramaiah govt withdrew cases of PFI. So they are saying that to appease Muslims they will ban Bajrang Dal. Congress is saying that PFI can't say that we will take revenge. Congress' manifesto looks like the manifesto of PFI and fundamentalist pic.twitter.com/8rNrBszwxn ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje also lashed out at the Congress for the Ban on Bajrang Dal" promise in manifesto. Karandlaje said: I had earlier said that Siddaramaiah is the chief of Muslims, today this statement has turned out to be true. Reeling under pressure from Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, Congress is weighing PFI and Bajrang dal on the same scale, we wont tolerate it."

We wont let Karnataka turn into another Mallapuram, conversion takes place in that place, Hindus have no place to live there, anti-national activities take place there, we wont let that situation arise in Karnataka. We have understood what they are planning to do if they come to power. Even I am part of Bajrang Dal, arrest me. BJP will stand with Bajrang Dal," added the minister.

In its poll manifesto, some of the top promises made by Congress are allowances for unemployed youths, free travel for women, and pensions under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government.

Congress also promised to ban outfits like Bajrang Dal and repeal all unjust, anti-people laws passed by the BJP government within one year, if elected to power.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjuna Kharge, AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D K Shivakumar, Assembly Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, Legislative Council opposition leader BK Hariprasad and manifesto committee chairman G. Parameshwar, among others were part of the manifesto launch at Shangharila Hotel in Bangalore.

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The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hurting the religious sentiments of devotees by equating Lord Hanuman with the Bajrang Dal and demanded an apology from him.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said it is shameful that the prime minister has drawn such a parallel which is an insult to crores of devotees of Lord Hanuman.

"The prime minister is insulting our faith in Lord Hanuman. He should apologise to the country as he has hurt our religious sentiments as well as crores of devotees of Bajrang Bali. No one has given the prime minister the right to insult Bajrang Bali," he told reporters.

Taking out a copy of the devotional hymn Hanuman Chalisa from his pocket, he said, "Can Bajrang Dal be compared with Lord Bajrangi? Will we tolerate it? We will not tolerate this insult. How can they insult our Bajrang Bali ji." The Congress is committed to taking firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India (PFI) "spreading hatred" among communities on grounds of caste and religion, the party said in its election manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka assembly polls released on Tuesday.

The action will include a "ban" on such organisations, the party promised.

The BJP accused the Congress of "insulting" Lord Hanuman by promising to ban the Bajrang Dal.

Congress general secretary in-charge for Karnataka Randeep Surjewala charged that the prime minister and his associates refuse to speak about scams under the BJP's "40 per cent commission" government and are merely looking for excuses for polarisation.

He said Lord Hanuman depicts piousness and commitment to reverence and duty and symbolises service and sacrifice.

"To compare Lord Hanuman with any individual or organisation is an insult and PM is hurting the feelings and sentiments of millions of devotees of Hanuman ji. Of course, these canards were manufactured in the factory of B L Santhosh, the self-nominated Chanakya," he said, in a swipe at BJP national general secretary Santhosh.

"PM must apologise for equating Lord Hanuman with Bajrang Dal. Millions of Hanuman bhakts will fight this with full rigour. For Modi ji and the BJP, each election is about divisions on grounds of religion instead of answering the basic issues of nauseating corruption, back-breaking price rise, rampant unemployment, the ugly and unacceptable concentration of wealth and an all-pervading atmosphere of hate," he tweeted.

"Constitution and law are clear - any individual or organisation spreading hatred or enmity must be proceeded against in accordance with the law. The duty to follow raj dharma is of Prime Minister and Chief Minister but they refuse to do so," he charged.

He said the people of Karnataka are ready to defeat the "40 per cent commission" government.

The Congress has accused the BJP dispensation in Karnataka of engaging in rampant corruption and "taking 40 per cent commission in all kinds of work done by the government".

Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram said, "When did 'Bajrang Dal' become 'Bajrang Bali'? The BJP has a special talent to twist words and facts. Those who find fault with the Congress manifesto should at least read the words of the manifesto without distorting the words." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for promising to ban the Bajrang Dal in its Karnataka election manifesto. He called it the party's attempt at trying to lock up those who worship Lord Hanuman.

He claimed that the Congress had earlier locked up Lord Ram and now it wanted to lock up those who chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali' (Hail Lord Hanuman).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the US will continue for several days, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Aykhan Hajizada told Trend.

"The main topic of negotiations is a peace agreement. At the moment we cannot disclose the details. The meetings will continue for several days," Hajizada said.

On May 1, a trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan, and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken took place in the US.

After that, a bilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries was held at Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC).
The coastal town of Udupi has been tense since the Hijab row broke out in December 2020. However, as the Karnataka elections approach, it seems both the BJP and the Congress are hesitant in raising the controversy as an election issue for fear of backlash from the electorate.

While the parties have been pushing the development card, the voters too may have a few aces up their sleeve.

Udupi falls in coastal Karnataka and is the stronghold of the BJP. In fact, the region is called the Hindutva factory of the BJP. Of the 19 assembly seats covering the three coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttar Kannada, the BJP has 16 MLAs who have won from this region.

BJPs candidate and one of the 75 fresh faces fielded by the party in this election, Yashpal Suvarna is known to be the poster boy of the anti-Hijab campaign.

Suvarna emphatically states that Hijab is a non-issue. He says people want to see Udupi as the next educational, medical, and pilgrimage hub of Karnataka and not fall into the trap of controversies like Hijab which have been raked up by anti-social groups like the Popular Front of India (PFI).

We are going to people and focusing on how BJPs double-engine government can deliver the best for the voters. Hijab is not an election issue at all. The decision on a uniform was taken keeping in mind that all children should get equal education, equal opportunities and there should be uniformity. A group of anti-social elements tried to flare it up, said Suvarna.

The Congress too has focused its campaign on exposing the BJPs corrupt government and anti-people policies. The Congress candidate in Udupi is also a new entrant, Prasadraj Kanchan.

Its the political parties like BJP and SDPI that are trying to make Hijab an issue. People in coastal Karnataka feel they have more serious issues to be concerned with. They want a good government in the Centre and the state and that is what the Congress can provide, said UT Khader, a senior Congressman and the incumbent MLA from Ullal constituency near Mangaluru.

Suvarna is very confident that the voters in his constituency will vote in his and the BJPs favour.

We (BJP) are part of an organisation to safeguard Hindutva. Hindutva is not an agenda, it is my duty. I am first a Hindu. Those who are against Hindutva and speak against my nation are not fit to be in India Those who are creating the Hijab issue dont want their women to get educated because the women will get to know what PM Narendra Modi and development mean, he said.

However, Congress Khader counters this.

People are clever. Minorities have decided not to fall prey to this foul play of the BJP. Whatever they try to rake up, nobody is bothered about such things. People, not only minorities, will vote against the BJP and see that the Congress comes to power and they can live a peaceful life, he adds.

In December 2020, Udupi saw major unrest after a government girls pre-university college disallowed six Muslim girls to wear a Hijab (headscarf) while attending classes. Suvarna, the vice-president of the college development committee of the college, along with Udupis incumbent MLA Ragupati Bhat, made a dress code compulsory for all students which included removing their Hijab while attending class.

However, on the ground in Udupi  which has over 2.16 lakh voters  the Hijab issue continues to simmer. Several voters News18 spoke to said while they would like to vote for a candidate who can give them good roads, resolve their water issues, and provide employment opportunities, Hijab will certainly be on their mind when they cast their ballot.

Its been 16 months since Shaheen, a PUC student, was shaken up by the widespread protests in Udupi over Hijab.

As she expressed her views on the issue, she requested that she should not be photographed. I felt fear while attending college wearing a Hijab. This time, I am a first-time voter in the Karnataka elections and Hijab will certainly be an important factor while casting my vote, she said.

Shagufta, a mother of two, says Hijab is her right and nobody can forcibly demand a change in their attire. It is part of our religion, our culture. Just like we do not comment or force any other community to dress, or behave in a particular way, we also expect the same freedom of choice to follow our religion, she told News18.

Shaesta, Shaguftas sister and also a mother of two, says she will keep in mind the issues that Udupi faced in the past couple of years, including the Hijab row, before exercising her franchise.

We all should think thoroughly before we vote. We should take into consideration our future as well. Hijab is our right and just as Indians we hope to stay in harmony and respect. Hijab should not have become an issue and we should think carefully so that we dont face issues in our future as well, she told News18.

Namratha Shetty is another first-time voter and student. She thinks that the Hijab issue snowballed without reason and young voters like her should vote for a good leader who will deliver their best rather than harp on communal issues.

The Hijab issue is not important in this election. The youth should focus on electing a strong young leader who will give us development and take Udupi forward, Namratha said.

Vilasini Shetty, another PUC student, mirrors Namrathas thoughts. She felt that the elections this time in Udupi may be thought in the shadow of the Hijab issue but for her, voting for a party and candidate who will develop Udupi into a world-class city is important.

I would like to see my city grow like other metros and become an even bigger hub for education, banking, technology, and medical sciences. By talking about Hijab, we are going back 30 years. This election should be about voting for the right leader who will take Udupi 50 years ahead, she said

Ansar Ahmed, a social activist working in Udupi, claims the hot issue was stoked by the BJPs Yashpal Suvarna.

Every Muslim voter will think about the Hijab row before voting. It is like snatching the right of Muslim women. No man will remain quiet when somebody tries to snatch the veil away, especially when it is embedded in our religious fabric. If a person touches the veil of a lady, she will raise her voice in protest, that is what is going to happen, he points out.

Sharath, a fruit seller near Udupis market area, wants to vote for the party that will keep coastal Karnataka peaceful. We are simple people who only want to live in peace and elect a government that will be beneficial to the people. Havent you heard of the killings of people from the RSS, BJP, and PFI? We want peace and my vote is for that candidate who can guarantee me that, he said.

Haneef Muloor, SDPIs candidate from Kaup, speaks of how Hijab is a Muslim womans constitutional right and they will fight for it till the end.

Even if we win or lose in the election, we will continue our fight for our rights. It is a constitutional right to wear a Hijab. People should think about it in this election, he said. The SDPI is contesting across 100 seats in Karnataka and the issues that they have been spearheading in their campaign have been the decisions taken by the BJP on Hijab, Halal, and removing reservation for Muslims.

Our fight is a direct one with the BJP. The Congress has been telling people that if they vote for the SDPI, it will benefit the BJP and people dont believe it.

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Karnataka Assembly elections have entered the final lap. The southern state has six regions and the elections in each region are also unique. As part of our special series, News18 reporters travelled to each of the six regions to gauge the pulse of the electorate and give a 360-degree view of which way the political wind is blowing.

Along the breezy beaches of coastal Karnataka, there is a sense of calm. However, beneath the exterior, coastal Karnataka has, over decades, seen a churn of communal politics and violence that has left the region polarised.

The region has been divided over a series of volatile issues that have decided which party will gain ground. So far, communal politics, revenge killings and anti-incumbency have played a role, but this time, the issues are different  boycott of Muslim traders, hijab, halal and azaan rows. The political campaigns of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have refrained from the intense communal angle, instead focusing on the caste politics.

On ground, the voters are divided. Those who feel that the hijab issue was important to bring uniformity in education are looking to support the BJP. Those who feel the BJP has touched a raw nerve by forcing Muslim girls to remove their hijab while attending classes may vote against them. Adding a touch of drama is the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which is seeking votes, urging people to oust the communal BJP and the backstabber Congress.

Although a BJP bastion, there is a close fight between the Congress and the BJP, with both the parties hoping that the winds will blow in their favour.

BJP HOPES COASTAL WAVES WILL WIPE OUT CONGRESS

Coastal Karnataka is called the Hindutva laboratory and fortress of the BJP, and the party hopes to keep it. They believe that their poll pitch of a double-engine government, coupled with fresh faces to give GenZ a boost, will help them secure the numbers.

The 2018 elections were fought on emotional lines, where the BJP highlighted its fight to protect Hindutva and its people, by squarely blaming the Congress for dragging its feet when six Hindu youths were brutally murdered allegedly by Popular Front of India (PFI) activists. This time, the focus of the BJP has changed and their campaign keywords are development and nationalism.

The BJP is riding on a massive wave of confidence that the hijab issue will not affect their fortunes, rather their approach towards tilting the political rhetoric towards nationalism and development will bear fruit and give them a big lead.

A senior BJP leader who has been tasked with constantly monitoring the partys election campaigns in coastal Karnataka said that people want development, development, development! Everything else is cacophony.

ALSO READ | BJP Turning Coastal Karnataka into Hindutva Laboratory: Siddaramaiah

The party believes the hijab controversy will have no bearing on the results and they will sweep all 19 seats in the region, which covers Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

The BJP had won 17 of the 19 seats in the coastal belt, leaving two to the Congress  U T Khader (Mangalore) and Shivram Hebbar (Yellapur). In 2019, along with 17 other MLAs, Hebbar jumped ship to the BJP, leaving Khader as the lone Congress MLA from the region.

The Congresss campaign pitch includes the failures of the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government, 40% commission charge of corruption, PayCM and how the communal BJP will only further tear the social fabric of the beautiful, rich and peace-loving coastal Karnataka".

NEW EXPERIMENT: FIELDING FRESH FACES

In its coastal bastion, the BJP sprang a surprise by denying tickets to five of its MLAs, including three senior leaders. Sullias sitting MLA S Angara, who has been elected six times, did not get a ticket and was replaced with a new face, Bhagirathi Murulya. Another sitting MLA and senior BJP leader Raghupati Bhat did not make it to the list, as his seat was given to the poster boy of the anti-hijab campaign, Yashpal Suvarna. Sitting MLA Lalaji R Mendon (Kaup) was replaced with Gurme Suresh Shetty, a Bunt community leader; Gururaj Gantihole replaced B M Sukumar Shetty (Byndoor); and a new face Kiran Kumar Kodgi was picked for Kundapur, after his mentor and sitting MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty announced his retirement from electoral politics.

ALSO READ | BJP Keeps Doing New Experiments: Karnataka Leader CT Ravi on 52 New Faces in First List

Karnatakas energy and cultural minister V Sunil Kumar is looking at winning the Karkala seat again, as he takes on Congresss Muniyalu Uday Shetty. However, the fight for this seat took an interesting turn, when right-wing outfit Sri Rama Senes Pramod Muthalik decided to contest. He has pitched his campaign on saving Hindutva and fighting corruption, the first being the BJPs agenda and the second the Congresss poll pitch.

The Congress has fielded six new faces, including former Union Minister Margaret Alvas son Nivedith from Kumta in Uttara Kannada, M Dinesh Hegde (Kundapur), G Krishnappa (Sullia), and Rakshit Shivaram (Beltahnagdy).

THE HIJAB SHADOW

The controversy surrounding the wearing of hijab in educational institutions is certainly what the voters of the region will keep in mind before they cast their vote, but they say that it is not the only issue. As News18 spoke to voters, hijab found its way in every conversation.

ALSO READ | PFI Created Unrest, Didnt Want Girls to Study: Hijab Row Poster Boy Yashpal Suvarna is BJPs Udupi Candidate

Haneefa Khannum, a young architect is on her way home to Kapu from Mangaluru City, where she has been working for a couple of years. Sipping on a tender coconut to beat the sweltering humid heat, she waits by a bus stand. Clad in a hijab, she speaks of how she is proud of her attire as it gives her a sense of security.

I feel safe in it. Our hijab is part of our rights and religion and nobody can point a finger at it. Nobody will tolerate this, no Muslim woman would. This election will teach all those who hurt us a big lesson, she said, requesting not to take her photo as it is against her beliefs.

Many hijab-clad women News18 spoke to echoed Haneefas sentiments.

Restricting us from wearing hijab is an infringement of our religious rights and asking us to remove it in a public place is a violation of our basic rights. Every woman, irrespective of her faith, should keep that in mind before voting, said Shagufta, a homemaker.

Sisters Poornima and Shalini Shetty, who are active members of their college students union, say a new face should be picked to better Udupi, instead of communalising it with issues such as hijab. We need good roads, safety for women, jobslets concentrate on that. The young faces can bring about a definite change, said Shalini.

REVENGE KILLINGS & CASTE POLITICS

There is simmering anger among the BJP workers in the region who feel the party has not done much to protect the footsoldiers  be it the delay in providing justice to the families of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) karyakartas such as Praveen Nettaru, who was murdered in July 2022; or the killing of Deepak Rao in Surathkal in 2018; or Sharath Madiwala, who was hacked to death in July 2017; or Rudresh, who was murdered in broad daylight in Bengaluru in 2016. The karyakartas say they expected more than just announcements and false promises. The BJP has been trying to defuse the anger.

Its been six years since my son Sharath was murdered. I have run from pillar to post, but we are yet to get justice and put the real culprits in jail, said Taniyappa Madiwala, who has now built a smaraka or memorial for his son as a constant reminder of the need for justice.

In Nettarus case, while the investigation, like the other murders, has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), his wife has been given a government job and the local BJP unit helped fulfil the RSS karyakartas dream of building a new home for the family. BJPs national president J P Nadda, during his campaign, too, said that the martyrdom of Nettaru will not go to waste. We will not forget the murders of our brothers. We will get justice for them, Sabha Karandlaje told News18 when asked about the hurt morale of the workers.

However, Nettarus killing brought up another issue, which was so far only discussed in hushed voices  how the BJP used the Bilava community (OBC) workers, including Nettaru, to gain ground in the region, but did not reward them with plum positions in the government. Two ministers in the Bommai cabinet represented this community.

To avoid any backlash, the BJP gave four Billavas, including three sitting MLAs and a fresh face, tickets for the polls.

Coastal Karnataka has major say in Karnatakas politics. Will the tide be in favour of the BJP or will there be a sea change in favour of the Congress? The ballots will tell on May 13.

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constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organizations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations.

PM Modi said, I have come to the land of Hanuman. I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to pay my obeisance to the land of Hanuman but see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanumans land, at the same time, Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman. Initially, they locked up Prabhu Shri Ram (Lord Ram). And now they want to lock up people who say Jai Bajrang BaliIt is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Prabhu Shri Ram and now it has a problem with the people who say Jai Bajrang Bali.

The Congress party, which is hoping to make a comeback to power in Karnataka, has promised to take decisive action against outfits promoting hatred. A day after the BJP promised the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in its manifesto, the Congress promised action against individuals, organisations spreading hatred.

On Monday, the BJP released its manifesto for Karnataka assembly elections. While PM Modi lauded the BJPs manifesto as development-centric and said it sets the tone for building on the good work done by the partys government in the last four years in the state, the Congress called it bogus and a JhootLoot BJP Moneyfesto and asserted that people will vote out the saffron party.

The BJP has also promised three free cooking gas cylinders and half-litre Nandini milk every day to all BPL families. It has also announced a slew of measures for developing the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress has accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of making hate speeches in Karnataka and urged the Election Commission to take immediate action against them in the wake of Supreme Court orders on such speeches. News agency PTI reported that a delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ajay Maken, Vivek Tankha, Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera met the Election Commission and gave them a memorandum demanding immediate action against such hate speeches. The home minister says such things which polarise the country and create division in society, neither the Constitution provides for such a thing nor does the oath they take while assuming the high office. We have pointed this out to the Election Commission, Tankha told reporters after the meeting.

There are a total of 224 seats in the Karnataka Assembly and a party needs 113 seats for a majority.

(with inputs from PTI)

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The May 10 Karnataka election is not about making someone an MLA or minister or chief minister but is about the future of Karnataka, senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in an exclusive interview to News18 Kannada.

Under the leadership of Yediyurappa and Bommai, the double engine government has done dozens of developmental works in Karnataka If you want a safe, prosperous, educated and developing Karnataka, bring the double-engine government to power. Karnataka will develop under the leadership of Modi. We made Karnataka safe by banning PFI. We jailed the traitors. Bring a full majority BJP government to power instead of a hung Assembly, Shah said when asked what message he wants to give to the people of Karnataka.

Fourteen projects have been implemented in the field of irrigation. When Congress was in power both at the Centre and the state, Karnataka received a grant of Rs 92,000 crore. When the BJP came to power at the Centre and in the state, Karnataka got Rs 2.40 lakh crore in grants, he added.

Refuting parallels between the BJP and Congress manifestos, Amit Shah said the saffron partys promises are not freebies.

Our brochure is not intended for freebies. Giving half a litre of milk is part of the elimination of malnutrition. The Narendra Modi government is already giving 5 kg of rice, or maize. We have been offering this for many years. In this, milk has been added keeping in mind malnutrition among children. There is no question of free gift in this.

Asked about the Congress promise of Rs 2,000 to every housewife in the state, which would cost the exchequer roughly Rs 24,000 crore every year, Shah said the grand old party made the promise because they themselves know that the Congress will not come to power.

Congress gave a similar guarantee in Gujarat. They have been in power in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Which of the five guarantees they are promising in Karnataka have been implemented there? It is not that the people of Karnataka do not know all this, the BJP leader said.

Watch the full interview with Home Minister Amit Shah at 8pm on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@News18Kannada and on News18 Kannada TV channel.

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Whenever Congress uses such language, peoples love for the BJP increases and the same will happen in Karnataka, senior party leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah told News18 Kannada in an exclusive interview amid the row over Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Priyank Kharge using words like snake and nalayak for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP does not stoop to such low levels of campaigning. The Prime Minister has upheld the dignity of India, has improved the living standards of the poor, has improved the economy, has maintained security of the country. Calling him such words will surely have an impact on the voters, Shah said during the interview.

Whenever the Congress uses this kind of language, peoples love for the BJP increases The same will happen in Karnataka, Shah added as campaigning for Karnataka elections on May 10 enters the final lap.

The latest row was triggered in Kalaburagi where Congress leader Priyank Kharge, seeking reelection from Chittapur in the district, purpotedly called the Prime Minister nalayak", drawing the ire of the BJP brass. The Congress has claimed that such a remark was never made by him.

His purported remark came days after his father and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge fired venomous snake" barb at PM Modi.

Reacting to the row, BJP president JP Nadda had said opposition leaders have been using such language against the Prime Minister to please" their masters.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said: In a state of despair of losing the election, he (Priyank) has forgotten his limits. A few days ago, his father withdrew his words. Now, its his turn. People will teach them a lesson."

Mallikarjun Kharge, meanwhile, stoutly defended his son and said he never made such comments. The Congress president said: No. No. It is very wrong. He never said it. Dont put these words into his mouth. He attacked the parliament member (not Modi) who abused him. So, dont put these words into his mouth (saying it was meant) for Modi. I am sorry, everywhere this is going on (misquoting) purposely. Morning he (Priyank) condemned it but still you people are asking."

Watch the full interview with Home Minister Amit Shah at 8pm on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@News18Kannada and on News18 Kannada TV channel.

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South actress Shubha Poonja has paved her way into the hearts of the masses with films including Moggina Manasu, Kanteerava, Jai Maruthi 800 and Naragunda Bandaya. Apart from films, Poonja also dishes out major couple goals by dropping adorable pictures with her husband Sumanth Billava. Shubha tied the nuptial knot with Sumanth in January 2022. Recently, the adorable couple was seen sharing a little PDA moment together, the pictures of which were shared by the actress on Instagram. Along with the three-set pictures, Shubha penned a funny yet relatable caption that read, We both are very bad at remembering to take pics. So we hardly have pics. These are some nice pics for a change taken by my sister-in-law.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Crsww3hvEvm/?hl=en

The mushy pictures captured her sharing a warm hug with her beloved, nestled in his arms. While the actress was dressed in a small-printed black dress, Sumanth donned a blue shirt. Shubha Poonja left her tresses open, tucking a few strands with a hair clip, looking affectionately at her partner. The pair flashed beaming smiles in the clicks, looking madly in love. The photos seem to have been clicked at a restaurant on outdoor premises.

Shubha made her relationship with Sumanth official in 2020. In an interview with Bangalore Times, she revealed that what drew her to Sumanth was the fact that despite him being introverted, he does not shy away from contributing his part to society. I always wanted a partner from a different field. He understands and likes my work, and has absolutely no objection to me continuing to act, shared Shubha.

Shubha Poonja, who was earlier a participant in Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8, will next be seen in the Ashvin Matthew directorial 3 Devi. Apart from Shubha, the thriller film will also star Sandhya Lakshminarayan, Jyotsna B Rao, Nikhil Bharadwaj and Sheila Govindarajan in important roles.

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Actor Shailesh Lodha has been in the headline lately due to his fallout with the makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Ever since Shailesh left the show last year, he has been sharing cryptic social media posts about the producer, Asit Kumar Modi. Shailesh was part of the show for 14 years and his departure left many fans heartbroken. The rift has already taken a legal turn as Shailesh has filed a case against the producer at National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for not clearing his dues.

Responding to allegations against him, Asit said that it was surprising to receive the notice as he had been regularly following up with the actor regarding his pending dues. He told ETimes that completing formalities for pending dues is standard in any organization. Asit stated that minor disagreements and clashes are bound to happen when you work together for so many years, just like in a family.

Asit Kumar Modi revealed that Shailesh Lodha had a disagreement with the production team regarding his request to participate in kavi sammelans. Following the minor tiff, Shailesh stopped coming to shoots.

He said that he had never bad-mouthed Shailesh Lodha and had always respected his work. Asit Kumar Modi claimed that he had taken a risk by entrusting him with the responsibility of playing the title role, even though he wasnt an actor.

He quit the show, we didnt tell him to leave. We even offered him to serve a three-month notice period if he wished to quit the show, but he refused to have a meeting with us. The TMKOC producer was quoted as saying by the portal.

According to Asit Modi, Shailesh Lodha refused to sign any document or complete formalities and instead of discussing the issue, he filed a case.

Meanwhile, Shailesh Lodha declined to comment on the case when approached by the portal. However, he mentioned that Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was not his first show, and he did not approach Asit Modi to cast him.

The actor said that he will reply to claims by the makers with legit proof in due course.

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Following the success of Pushpa: The Rise, South superstar Allu Arjun has become a pan-India sensation. The actor has a massive fan following all over the country and receives love from all ages. Currently, the actor is shooting for Pushpa: The Rule. The film, directed by Sukumar, is a sequel to the first part. There has been a lot of curiosity regarding Allu Arjuns future projects ever since the roaring success of Pushpa. Now, it is being said that the actor has signed three more films.

According to reports, Allu Arjun will do a film with Trivikram Srinivas. The two had previously collaborated on Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo and S/O Satyamurthy. The shooting of the film is expected to start in 2024. Presently, Trivikram is doing a film with Mahesh Babu.

Allu Arjun will also be collaborating with T-Series and Sandeep Vanga Reddy on a film. They have planned to make a movie like Kabir Singh and Animal, which will star Allu Arjun in a unique role.

Pushpa 2 will reportedly end with a huge twist showing Pushparaj ruling, so the makers of the blockbuster are also looking to add a third film to the franchise. The story has already been written, and it seems that the third part will start in 2025. Pushpa 3 will start production after Allu Arjun completes Sandeep Vanga Reddys film.

Currently, Allu Arjun is shooting for Pushpa: The Rule in Hyderabads Ramoji Film City. On the actors birthday, the makers launched the first glimpse of Pushpa 2, which received a great response from the audience.

After this schedule, Allu Arjun will join the cast and crew in Bangkok. It is said that the movie will be shot in Bangkok for about 30 days. After the Bangkok schedule, about 40 percent of the shooting will be completed. There is also news that Pushpa will be facing off against a tiger in a dense forest. The director, Sukumar, has designed the scene on a very large scale.

It is being reported that Sai Pallavi will be making an important cameo in Pushpa: The Rule, but the makers have not confirmed the news so far. The movie will also see Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil reprise their roles from the first part.

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Having promised an action-packed quarter, Lionsgate Play is prepared to set your screens ablaze with their latest spy-thriller Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre. Directed by the legendary Guy Ritchie, the film seamlessly integrates comedy into its riveting storyline. Starring the dreamy Hugh Grant and the quirky gods of comedy Aubrey Plaza, Jason Statham and Bugzy Malone the film is going to stream in India on May 5, 2023.

When Orsen Fortune (Jason Statham) learns about a deadly weapons deal by a billionaire arms broker (played by Hugh Grant), he puts together his best team of operatives to track it down. With its incredible comic timing, unconventional performances, and gripping narrative, Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre is sure to keep you hooked to your screens.

Talking about his character, Hugh Grant said, Hes motivated by money. Greg loves money! But hes also one of those billionaires who has come to regard himself as a good man, even though he sells arms all over the world. He even has a charity for war orphans, in a delicious irony. Simmonds thinks he has values, and he loves life, people, and his team. I think its important to enjoy the character youre playing, and I quite enjoyed being Greg. Almost every actor prefers being a bad guy. Theyre more fun, and more delicious.

The one-hour and 45 minutes action-comedy film is written by Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies, and Ritchie, and shot through different parts of the world, including Antalya, Turkey, Farnborough, and Qatar. The film was released in selected parts of the world in March and April.

Get ready for an epic spy venture in Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre, releasing on 5th May 2023 exclusively on Lionsgate Play in India.

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With Bluesky, Jack Dorseys new social media site, hes taking another shot at a Twitter-like service. The service is growing popularity among Twitter power users, drawing important figures such as US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Bluesky, which is similar to the Bluebird platform, is the latest in a long line of apps vying for Twitters attention following Elon Musks disastrous takeover of the firm.

What is Bluesky?

Its a text-focused social media service launched for select users in February. Users can post short messages of up to 300 characters, and pictures. There is no support for videos and direct messages, or DMs, so far, as per a report by Reuters.

Bluesky runs on a decentralized framework, similar to social network Mastodon. It allows users to build independent social media experiences and users can join a specific server", which has its own unique set of rules, interests and participants.

When Did it Launch?

The idea for Bluesky was conceived within Twitter in 2019, but it formed its own public benefit corporation in 2022, with backing from former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.

Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter in 2006 and stood down as CEO in 2021, now serves on Blueskys board of directors. In a lengthy discussion in April 2022, the platform emphasised its ties with Twitter, noting that former Twitter software engineer Jay Graber was also recruited on to assist launch the new platform, according to a report by NBC News.

The Bluesky app is similar to Twitter in many ways, but the main distinction is that it is organised around a decentralised framework. This means that user data can be stored on independent servers rather than those owned by the firm, and that in the future, users will be allowed to create their own servers to use with communities of their choice, the report says.

People have been saying for years that it would be great if users could own their data and relationships; if we could have transparent algorithms and algorithmic choice; if there could be more accountability and user control over how social platforms are moderated," Graber wrote last month in a blog post.

Can Bluesky Take on Twitter?

On a technical level, Bluesky is distinct from big social networking programmes such as Twitter. A report by Vox argues that the main difference that people notice is that people who use it are less mean and have been having more fun, so far.

Theres something so refreshing about scrolling through a feed and seeing posts from accounts you follow that are funny instead of accounts you dont follow and think you dont deserve rights," a user known as em" was quoted as saying in the report.

This is in stark contrast to what some individuals claim to be experiencing on Twitter these days. In keeping with Musks free speech absolutist" attitude, Twitter has controversially reinstated previously suspended neo-Nazis and other extremist individuals, and has lately pushed back some hate speech restrictions for trans users.

Musk has stated that he is reducing the exposure of unpleasant tweets and that hate speech has decreased since his appointment, although other studies have observed an increase in racial and homophobic slurs on the platform following Musks appointment, the report says.

However, some argue that the object of Bluesky is not to compete with Twitter, but consolidate it. A report by Kelly Nath in the Inc says that the two companies are a strategic meeting of minds in terms of building a business that will stand the test of time, calling it an expansion strategy that fortifies the social construct that Twitter has developed.

As per Nath, the future points to decentralisation and Web3 for Twitter, which would need it to contemplate the adoption of decentralisation and how would affect it.

Companies frequently diversify to enhance market share and overall stability by generating new brands, brand extensions, or sub-brands, many of which appear to conflict with the original brand or firm, the report explains.

Even though having competing brands may appear strange to the average consumer, it allows businesses to strategically gain market share, expand as a whole, and secure a position in the future, it adds.

With inputs from Reuters

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkiye has become a strong state of the world and a lot of work has been done, Sahil Karimli, Deputy Director of Trend news agency, said in an interview with Space TV, Trend reports.

Karimli noted that the solution to any problem in the Middle East, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and the Caucasus is impossible without Turkiye.

According to him, Turkiye's Ankara plays an important role in the system of international relations.

"There is no doubt that today Turkiye has very serious opportunities for influence in Asia, Africa, and it has its own projects. That is why the country faces threats all the time. You can list a variety of points, from secret sanctions to steps taken in the economic sphere. And terrorist groups, including PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party], pose an immediate threat to the fraternal country. Western circles have been trying to hinder Turkiye with these threats for many years," Karimli said.

He also highlighted that the country is determined in its fight against terrorists.

"Turkiye is constantly working to prevent terror and threats, so it is determined to ensure its safety. To do this, the arsenal of the Armed Forces of the country has everything you need. If earlier some weapons were purchased abroad, now the country not only produces light weapons itself but also exports them," the deputy director added.
The Allahabad High Court has recently granted bail to a juvenile, accused of killing his mother when she tried to restrain him from playing mobile phone game PUBG.

The bench of Justice Shree Prakash Singh allowed the revision petition moved by the 16-year-old boy against the decision of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, POCSO court, who had denied him bail.

The single judge bench noted that there were no eyewitnesses in the matter and only on the basis of hearsay evidence, the juveniles bail plea had been rejected.

The court also stressed that the juvenile had been in a child protection home since June 8, 2022, and an undertaking has also been given by his father that he will keep an eye on him and will ensure that he observes good conduct and behaviour.

While further stressing that the DPO report did not disclose any fact that the release of the revisionist will bring him in association with any unknown criminal or expose him to moral, physical or psychological danger, the court decided to release him on bail.

The FIR in the matter was lodged by the grandmother of the juvenile. She had stated when her daughter-in-law tried to stop her teenage son from playing a game on his mobile phone, he opened fire at her and killed her.

However, the counsel for the accused juvenile argued that he had been falsely implicated in the matter as no one had seen the incident, and the FIR had also been lodged by the grandmother on the basis of only hearsay statements.

He further asserted that the Juvenile Justice Board failed to consider the mandate of Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which provides for bail to a child allegedly involved to be in conflict with law.

Therefore, the revision petition was vehemently opposed by the counsel appearing for the state who argued that the mandate of Section 12 of the JJ Act could not be applied in the present matter. He also argued that the juvenile should not be granted any relief as serious allegations were against him of committing a heinous crime.

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In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Poonch incident, where five Army officers were killed, has been taken very seriously by the Narendra Modi government and just like any other cases of terrorism, it aims agencies to probe and 100%" solve this incident.

Shah responded on the Poonch ambush, when News18 asked who was behind the incident in Kashmirs Poonch and whether Pakistan was involved in it.

To the question, Shah said: We have taken the incident in poonch very seriously. Terrorism in Kashmir has been curbed after the Narendra Modi government came to power. The whole country now knows that terrorism in Kashmir is on the decline. Similarly, we will 100 Percent solve this case."

Soon after the incident, security agencies had confirmed that a local Gujjar from Poonch-Rajouri area, on instructions from Pakistan-based terrorists, had planned and arranged the logistics for ambush on an Army truck. The attack on Jammu-Poonch national highway, amid rain and low visibility, had killed at least five soldiers. RELATED NEWS Bilawal Bhutto Arrives in Goa, Becomes First Pakistani Foreign Minister to Visit India in 12 Years

'Our House And Factory Were Torched': News18 Speaks to People Fleeing Manipur as Violence Rages According to sources, the local Gujjar had kept terrorists at his home for three months. During their stay, the attackers  believed to be three in numbers  got instructions by a local handler on voice notes. Sources had earlier confirmed that that the attack was planned from Pakistan. The banned Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Pakistan-backed terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, had claimed responsibility for the attack on the military truck on an isolated road at Bhata Duriyan in Poonch district of J&Ks Jammu division. The outfit had released some pictures on social media, claiming them to be from the site of ambush. It also stated that some parts of the videos of the Operation will be released soon. Watch the full interview with Home Minister Amit Shah at 8pm on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@News18Kannada and on News18 Kannada TV channel.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred to the second week of July the hearing of a clutch of petitions challenging the release of the 11 men convicted for the rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots. During the hearing, the Centre and the BJP-led Gujarat government agreed to produce the papers related to the release of the convicts.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna fixed May 9 for fixing the timelines of the case. We are only fixing timelines, so that whichever court takes up the matter, it will not have to waste time on these procedural issues. I am retiring during a vacation on June 16. My last working day will be on May 19. My sister (Justice Nagarathna) will be going attending a conference in Singapore till May 25. If all of you agree, then we can sit during vacation and finish hearing this case," Justice Joseph said.

However, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Gujarat government, urged the top court that it may list the matter before the summer vacation.

Advocate Shobha Gupta said that the matter will take a very short time as only the question of law needs to be decided.

Justice Joseph told Gupta, It is apparent from the way counsel appearing for convicts that they do not want this hearing to take place. Every time the matter will be called up, one person or the other will come and say that he needs time to file a reply. It is more than obvious." However, the bench said that the new bench will take up the matter for hearing in the second week of July.

After counsel for Bano and others appealed that the matter be taken up for hearing before vacation, senior advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for the convicts, said, What is the tearing hurry? We are already out of more than one year."

Bano has challenged the remission of sentence of 11 convicts in the case who were granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on August 15 last year. She was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing from the riots that broke out after the Godhra train burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots.

Bano had moved the apex court on November 30 last year challenging the premature release of 11 lifers by the state government, saying it has shaken the conscience of society".

(with inputs from PTI)

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The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that it cannot issue the writ of mandamus to the Delhi government to expedite the finalization process of the Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which relates to the prohibition of screening procedure in the matter of admissions to the preprimary level (nursery/pre-primary).

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Tushar Rao Gedala asked Advocate Ashok Agarwal to show them a provision of law that states that the court can order a writ of mandamus to the government.

During the hearing, Advocate Ashok Agarwal along with Advocate Kumar Utkarsh appearing for the NGO contended, such a long delay with the child-friendly bill is not justified at all.

Opposing the PIL, Delhi government standing counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi apprised the bench that when this Bill was introduced in 2015, Agarwal had himself staged a protest against the present bill. Today he is saying to implement this Bill, My Lord!, he argued.

To this, Agarwal contended, This is wrong! The protest was against the part of the bill that takes away the right of the teachers under Section 10 and this bill was drafted by me. After I drafted the bill, the government had accepted it. How can I protest against a bill, I drafted.

What is this you are doing Dharna and then you are filing this PILYou are an interested person. Dharna was regarding this bill also. We cannot pass a writ of mandamus to the government, the Chief Justice remarked orally.

Additionally, Justice Gedala said, Can a constitutional court pass a writ of mandamus to the government? Where is the consideration? Where is any Judgment? We cant pass a mandamus! Sorry!

We cannot issue mandamus! State one judgment where we can issue a mandamus. Please, Show me! There are none at allthis is not done. Under the PIL, just throw any piece of paper on us!, CJ Sharma remarked.

Accordingly, the court adjourned the matter to May 17 and asked Agarwal to seek instructions on the matter.

The PIL filed by NGO Social Jurist, a Civil rights group, alleges that private schools have been adopting the unethical practice of subjecting children aged 3+ to screening procedures. It states that a child-friendly Bill, namely, Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2015, banning screening procedures in Nursery admission in schools is hanging between the Central and Delhi Governments for the last 7 years without any justification and is against the public interest and opposed to public policy.

Right to Education Act, 2009, prohibits screening procedures in the matter of admission of a child in a school and makes it offence punishable under the law. However, the Act, does not apply to children below 6 years of age and so does not apply to nursery class admissions, it stated.

The plea further states that the admission criteria being adopted by the private schools are a screening procedure in terms of Section 2 (o) of the RTE Act, 2009 which is prohibited and punishable under Section 13 of the RTE Act, 2009.

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With the outbreak of Covid-19, the use of antibiotics has risen significantly across the globe including in India, Malin Grape, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) ambassador from Sweden, told News18.

In an exclusive conversation, the top Swedish official said, India is an important country and the issue of fighting antimicrobial resistance should be made part of the political agenda by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government.

She said that with the G20 presidency, India has an opportunity to lead a global call to action for AMR.

Antibiotic resistance is a serious global threat to human and animal health. According to the World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. WHO labels it as one of the top 10 global health threats facing humanity.

We have seen the use and misuse of antibiotics has increased a lot during the Covid-19 outbreak period. In some parts, this has accelerated the development of antimicrobial resistance as well, said Grape. Now, we dont know what will be the next pandemic but while we aim to increase preparedness and prevent the next outbreak, AMR should be the next big thing we should be ready to handle.

According to a study published in The Lancet in 2021, the global use of antibiotics was estimated to be 40.2 billion DDD (defined daily doses) in 2018 and has increased by about 50 per cent in the last two decades.

At the same time, antibiotic consumption was 20.6 DDD in high-income countries (HIC) compared to 13.1 DDD per 1,000 population per day in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Use of antibiotics going down in Sweden

The official gave an instance of Sweden  where the use of antibiotics is extremely limited and prescription of antibiotics is done only for exclusive cases.

According to several studies, the overall use of antibiotics in Sweden in the past 20 years has decreased, without measurable negative consequences, and levels of antibiotic resistance are low compared to other countries.

Even during the pandemic, the use of antibiotics went down in Sweden, whereas the majority of other countries reported a rise in the usage, said the official.

With a continuous fall in the use of these medicines, not many pharmaceutical companies find Sweden a lucrative market. Hence, we suffer from the problem of access. We dont have enough options of antibiotics or advanced medicines which we require for severe cases or for people needing medicines, she said.

Progress towards countering AMR very slow

Grape was in India to meet officials from the ministry of health and family welfare, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, and industry associations to discuss ways to prioritise AMR on the political agenda.

The progress of the work on antimicrobial resistance  which is referred to as a silent pandemic  she said, is in fact very slow not only in India but in several other countries across the globe.

Unless we accelerate our response, we may be inviting the worst outcomes very soon," she said while adding that the world is not putting enough effort together".

She emphasised that while India is a pharmacy to the world and is a leading manufacturer of medicines exported across the globe, it needs to put in efforts to safeguard the effectiveness of these medicines.

Highlighting the conflict of interest in advocating against the use of antibiotics, she said that the Indian government must devise incentives for keeping the industry profitable and encourage it to develop newer antibiotics.

India and Sweden have had a longstanding memorandum of understanding in the health sector since 2009, with AMR being a part of the collaboration.

The education of medical professionals is also very important as they can help in reducing the prescription of these medicines in cases where the problem is not severe and patients could be put on a wait-and-watch mode.

For instance, a study showed that a dose of antibiotics cures a type of ear infection in half a day whereas, without antibiotics, it takes a day more to cure. Hence, the role of doctors is extremely important in judging where patients can be asked to avoid medicines, she said.

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Four minor girls of a family were charred to death in a fire that broke out in their hut in Bihars Muzaffarpur district, police said on Tuesday.

According to police, the incident occurred at Ramdayalu locality under Sadar police station around 10 p.m on Monday.

The victims  Soni Kumari (12), Shivani Kumari (8), Amrita Kumari (5) and Rita Kumari (3)  were daughters of one Naresh Ram. The girls were sleeping when the fire engulfed their hut trapping the four inside. Soon, the inferno spread to three adjacent huts.

Seven persons sustained burn injuries in this mishap and are undergoing treatment in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in the district where their condition is stated to be critical.

Satyendra Mishra, the SHO of Sadar police station told IANS: It was a tragic incident that occurred at Ramdayalu locality. Four minor girls of one family died in the mishap. The reason for the fire is yet to be ascertained. We have recovered the bodies and sent them for the post-mortem. The injured persons are admitted to SKMCH."

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Dreaded Gangster Tillu Tajpuriya, who was involved in a Delhi court shooting, was killed by rival group run by gangster Jitendra Gogi inside Tihar jail on Tuesday. Tillu Tajpuriya was the main accused in the 2021 Rohini court shootout case.

Injured from the attack, the inmate was immediately rushed to DDU Hospital after giving required medical attention at the Central Jail OPD at around 6.45 am. He, however, succumbed to his injuries during the course of the treatment at the hospital, confirmed police.

Tillu (33), was lodged in the ground floor of High Risk Ward, was attacked by four inmates  Deepak, Yogesh, Rajesh and Riyaz Khan, who were lodged in the first floor of the same Ward at around 06.15am. The used a iron grille, installed on the first floor of ward, as a weapon.

Recently, Tillus name had cropped up during the investigation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a terror case.

On September 2021, two shooters shot and killed Jitendra Gogi in Rohini Court No. 207 during a shootout. Tillu was considered the mastermind even though he was lodged in Tihar at that time. He is a history sheeter and has been named in several case of extortion, murder and illegal possession of cars and weapons.

Tillu was one of the most dreaded gangster in the national capital and has been accused of running his entire nexus from inside the Tihar jail.

This is the second such incident of gang war from inside Tihar jail. On April 14, another dreaded gangster and undertrial prisoner, Prince Tewatia, was killed by the members of the rival gang, raising questions on the ability of Tihar jail authorities to maintain law and order inside the Delhis most secured correctional centre.
All Go First flights will remain cancelled from May 3-5. The airline has communicated its decision to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), according to ANI.

The Mumbai-based low-cost airline also stopped taking flight bookings for the next two days.

ALSO READ: Go First Goes Broke: Aviation Minister Scindia Says UnfortunateGovt Assisting Airline

Go First has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before NCLT, said CEO Kaushik Khona.

He said that Go First is facing a financial crunch due to a non-supply of engines by P&W that has forced the grounding of 28 planes.

Go Air is facing a financial crunch due to the non-supply of engines by P&W that has forced the grounding of planes. CEO has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before NCLT," the company said in a statement.

DGCA Issues Show-cause Notice to Go First

The DGCA issued a show cause notice to Go First after the airline cancelled fresh bookings.

No prior intimation has been given to DGCA for such cancellations which is non-compliance with conditions for approval of schedule. Thus Go First has failed to report in writing the cancellations and reasons thereof. Go First has failed to adhere to the approved schedule which would lead to passenger inconvenience thereby violating the provisions of CAR, Section 3, Series M, Part IV. Go First is hereby called upon to show cause as to why suitable action shall not be initiated against the airline for the aforesaid violation. The reply of the airline shall reach this office within 24 hours, failing which the matter would be processed ex-parte," read the notice.

The aviation regulator also asked Go First to submit its plan of action to operate flights as per the approved schedule from May 5.

Go Air Crew Stranded in India, Abroad

After the airlines decision to cancel flights and file for insolvency, many crew members who were on a layover, are now stranded within the country and abroad, sources said.

Meanwhile, people who booked their tickets for Go First flights are angry with the airline.

A passenger, Gurvinder Singh, said, I have my flight to Mumbai, as I reached the airport there was nobody at the counterwe asked to adjust us to other flights but the airline is only talking about giving us a refund."

Passengers also took to social media to express outrage.

Booked a flight which eventually got cancelled just a day before the departure date airline is saying they dont have any alternate flights to put me on so theyll refund my amount & i have to book another flight which will cost 2xthe amount i paid #holidayruined," a user tweeted.

Booked a flight which eventually got canceled just a day before the departure date airline is saying they dont have any alternate flights to put me on so theyll refund my amount & i have to book another flight which will cost 2xthe amount i paid #holidayruined@GoFirstairways pic.twitter.com/PQhgPFYBBD Aiman Nazir (@AimanNazir12) May 2, 2023

@GoFirstairways Worst airline , every damn time either delayed or cancelled their flight. And now even worse you cancelled my tommorow flight and i cannot reschedule it for 2 fo 3 days. Is this joke, resolve this ASAP. Reaally pathetic airline service..," another user tweeted.

@GoFirstairways Worst airline , every damn time either delayed or cancelled their flight.And now even worse you cancelled my tommorow flight and i cannot reschedule it for 2 fo 3 days. Is this joke, resolve this ASAP.Reaally pathetic airline service.. Rehan Ashraf (@RehanAs49675707) May 2, 2023

The Wadia Group-owned company rebranded itself in 2021 as Go First. Earlier, it was known as GoAir.

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After Go Firsts decision to cancel flights and file for insolvency, many crew members who were on a layover, are now stranded within the country and abroad, sources told CNN-News18.

Passengers were also left helpless after the company made the announcement due to the financial crunch.

A passenger in Amritsar, Gurvinder Singh, said, I have my flight to Mumbai, as I reached the airport there was nobody at the counterwe asked to adjust us in other flights but the airline is only talking about giving us a refund."

Amritsar, Punjab | As Go First Airlines ground flights amid bankruptcy, passengers who booked their tickets with the airlines are left in the middle of nowhere, a passenger, Gurvinder Singh, says I have my flight to Mumbai, as I reached the airport there was nobody at the pic.twitter.com/6eBbx5u39G ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

Another passenger, who booked her ticket with Go First, said, Our flight was cancelled suddenly. They should have given us another flight. They are telling us that they will give us the refund after 7 days."

Due to operational reasons, Go First said all flights have been cancelled for 3rd, 4th and 5th May. The Mumbai-based low-cost airline also stopped taking flight bookings for the next two days.

Meanwhile, Surat Airport Director Rupesh Kumar informed that two Go First flights - one from Srinagar to Mumbai and another from Delhi to Mumbai - diverted and landed at Surat airport between 6:30 pm to 7 pm. All the passengers are still on the aircraft. The cause of the landing is not clear," he told ANI.

ALSO READ: Go First Goes Broke: Aviation Minister Scindia Says UnfortunateGovt Assisting Airline

Go First has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before NCLT, said CEO Kaushik Khona.

He said that Go First is facing a financial crunch due to a non-supply of engines by P&W that has forced the grounding of 28 planes.

Go Air is facing a financial crunch due to the non-supply of engines by P&W that has forced the grounding of planes. CEO has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before NCLT," the company said in a statement.

DGCA Issues Show-cause Notice to Go First

The DGCA issued a show cause notice to Go First after the airline cancelled fresh bookings.

No prior intimation has been given to DGCA for such cancellations which is non-compliance with conditions for approval of schedule. Thus Go First has failed to report in writing the cancellations and reasons thereof. Go First has failed to adhere to the approved schedule which would lead to passenger inconvenience thereby violating the provisions of CAR, Section 3, Series M, Part IV," read the notice.

Go First is hereby called upon to show cause as to why suitable action shall not be initiated against the airline for the aforesaid violation. The reply of the airline shall reach this office within 24 hours, failing which the matter would be processed ex-parte," it added.

The aviation regulator also asked Go First to submit its plan of action to operate flights as per the approved schedule from May 5.

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After Go First cancelled its flights from May 3-5 and filed an insolvency plea, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said the Government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner.

However, he said it is incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for passengers so that inconvenience is minimal.

Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines. The GOI has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved," Scindia said in a statement.

Since Go First has applied for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before NCLT, Sincida said it is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course.

Yet, it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airlines financial position. It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course," he said.

Meanwhile, the DGCA has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights. Its incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for passengers, so that inconvenience is minimal," he added.

The Mumbai-based low-cost airline also stopped taking flight bookings for the next two days.

Go First has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before NCLT, said CEO Kaushik Khona.

He said that Go First is facing a financial crunch due to a non-supply of engines by P&W that has forced the grounding of 28 planes.

Go Air is facing a financial crunch due to the non-supply of engines by P&W that has forced the grounding of planes. CEO has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before NCLT," the company said in a statement.

DGCA Issues Show-cause Notice to Go First

The DGCA issued a show cause notice to Go First after the airline cancelled fresh bookings.

No prior intimation has been given to DGCA for such cancellations which is non-compliance with conditions for approval of schedule. Thus Go First has failed to report in writing the cancellations and reasons thereof. Go First has failed to adhere to the approved schedule which would lead to passenger inconvenience thereby violating the provisions of CAR, Section 3, Series M, Part IV. Go First is hereby called upon to show cause as to why suitable action shall not be initiated against the airline for the aforesaid violation. The reply of the airline shall reach this office within 24 hours, failing which the matter would be processed ex-parte," read the notice.

The aviation regulator also asked Go First to submit its plan of action to operate flights as per the approved schedule from May 5.

Read all the Latest India News here
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been held in the US, Trend reports.

Earlier, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Aykhan Hajizada told Trend that negotiations between the FMs of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the US will continue for several days.

"The main topic of negotiations is a peace agreement. At the moment we cannot disclose the details. The meetings will continue for several days," Hajizada said.

On May 1, a trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan, and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken took place in the US.

After that, a bilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries was held at Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC).
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has pitched for taking India-Iran ties to a new level", especially in the economic and commercial fields, during a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Tehran.

Raisi also conveyed to Doval in the meeting on Monday that groupings such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the BRICS can be very effective" given the global geo-political changes, according to a statement issued by the Iranian Presidents office.

The NSA was on a day-long visit to Iran on Monday. Besides calling on Raisi, Doval held separate talks with his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

In their meeting, Doval and Amirabdollahian exchanged views on the development of the Chabahar port, ways to deal with terrorism, issues relating to bilateral banking and the situation in Afghanistan, the Iranian foreign ministry said.

In a statement, it said the Iranian foreign minister called for boosting trade ties and hoped that the holding of a meeting of the joint economic commission in Tehran will generate fresh momentum in the relations.

It said Doval talked about unfolding developments globally and referred to a broad range of areas where Tehran and New Delhi can work together.

Doval then stressed on the necessity of putting in place a roadmap of cooperation between the two nations within the framework of a long-term partnership," it said.

The foreign ministry said cooperation in the Chabahar port project figured in the talks and Doval underlined its importance including for the Central Asian region.

In their meeting, Amirabdollahian and Doval also exchanged views over the joint work of Iran and India in Chabahar, bilateral banking issues, the sanctions removal talks and regional issues, including the developments in Afghanistan," it said.

In his meeting with Doval, Raisi made a mention of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Uzbek city of Samarkand in September last year and that both sides wanted to expand ties in the economic and commercial fields, the Iranian Presidents office said.

It said Raisi noted that Iran and India can develop their cooperation to a new level to have an impact on the developments caused by the establishment of the new world order".

While referring to various global developments, the Iranian President said the SCO and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) can be very effective" platforms to deal with many issues.

Dovals visit to Iran comes ahead of a foreign ministerial meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa this week.

India is the current chair of the SCO and Iran is set to be made a permanent member of the grouping at its annual summit later this year.

The implementation of the Chabahar Port project in Iran is also a key focus area in the bilateral ties between New Delhi and Tehran.

Recently, Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi strongly pitched for faster implementation of the Chabahar port project as well as the use of the facility by India to send various shipments, saying the key transit hub will benefit both countries.

He also said that there is a need to look at the Chabahar project beyond economic perspectives.

Located in Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Irans southern coast, the Chabahar port is being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost connectivity and trade ties.

Iran has been seeking the resumption of the import of crude oil from India from Iran.

India stopped procurement of crude oil from Iran after the US did not continue with sanction waivers to India and several other countries.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is carrying out raids at multiple locations across Jammu and Kashmir. Raids are underway in four districts in Central and South Kashmir. The NIA action comes days after five Indian Army personnel were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district.

NIA raids are also underway in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, Pulwama, Tral and Kanelwan Bijbehara districts of the Valley. An NIA spokesperson said 12 locations in Jammu and Kashmir are being raided. NIA teams carried out search operations at the residences of Mohammad Yusuf Wani in the Wahipora area of Pulwama and Fayaz Ahmad Sofi in Chandpora Kanelwan of Bijbehara. More details are awaited.

CNN-News18 reported earlier that a Gujjar man from the Poonch-Rajouri area, on instructions from Pakistan-based terrorists, had allegedly planned and arranged the logistics for the ambush on the Army truck. He has been arrested along with an associate, and they have helped in the identification of the terrorists, according to sources.

The banned Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Pakistan-backed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, had claimed responsibility for the attack on the Indian Army vehicle.

Jammu and Kashmir Police said the attack was carried out with the support of locals. Over 200 people have been questioned till now in the case, DGP Dilbag Singh said, an India Today report mentioned.

ALSO READ: Poonch, Dhangri Attacks Carried Out by Same Group of Terrorists: Top Intel Sources | Exclusive

According to an IANS report, General Officer commanding in chief (GoC-n-C) of the armys northern command, Lt General Upendra Dwivedi, on Sunday assured that the Poonch terror attack perpetrators would face consequences very soon.

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Hello readers, News18 brings you the latest updates on Congress leader Rahul Gandhis defamation case hearing, Union Home Minister Amit Shahs response to Pakistans involvement in the Poonch ambush, and other top stories.

Go First Cancels All Flights on May 3-4 Due to Financial Crisis, Files Plea for Insolvency

All Go First flights will remain cancelled on May 3-4. The airline has communicated its decision to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), according to ANI. The Mumbai-based low-cost airline also stopped taking flight bookings for the next two days. READ MORE

Exclusive: Amit Shah Responds on Pak Link in Poonch Ambush, Says Modi Govt Will 100% Solve Case

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Poonch incident, where five Army officers were killed, has been taken very seriously by the Narendra Modi government and just like any other cases of terrorism, it aims agencies to probe and 100%" solve this incident. Shah responded on the Poonch ambush when News18 asked who was behind the incident in Kashmirs Poonch and whether Pakistan was involved in it. READ MORE

Setback to Rahul Gandhi, Gujarat HC Says No Interim Relief in Modi Surname Remark Case

In a setback to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday refused to pass any interim order in his favour in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname" remark. The Congress leaders counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, requested the high court to pass an interim order. READ MORE

Chup Baith: Ajit Pawars Reply to NCP Worker Urging Sharad Pawar Not to Resign Goes Viral

Sharad Pawar stepping down as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief has left parties across Maharashtra reeling. His nephew Ajit Pawar, who is also a party chief whip, subtly requested his 82-year-old uncle to reconsider the resignation, even though he stated that the former NCP chief will not be withdrawing his decision. Ajit Pawar also said that Sharad Pawar will still be the head of the family." READ MORE

Priyanka Chopras Met Gala Diamond Necklace Is Worth Rs 204 Crores; Heres What She Will Do With It

Priyanka Chopra is no stranger to glitz and glamour, but her newest necklace just brought her jewellery collection to a whole new level. The Bollywood icon wore an 11.6-carat diamond necklace to Met Gala 2023. The statement piece was from Bulgari. READ MORE

Sebi Fines Future Corporate Resources, Kishore Biyani, 13 Others for Open Offer Lapses

READ MORE Sebi has imposed a penalty totalling Rs 20 lakh on Future Corporate Resources, Kishore Biyani and 13 others for failing to make a public announcement of an open offer to the shareholders of Praxis Home Retail. They have been asked to pay the fine within 45 days, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in its order.

Read all the Latest India News here
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) swooped on multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir early Tuesday as part of its investigation in a Pakistan-backed terror conspiracy case, an official said.

The searches at 12 locations continued till late evening, a spokesperson of the federal agency said.

The official said 11 of these locations were in Kashmir Valley  eight in Pulwama district and one each in Kulgam, Anantnag and Budgam districts  one was in Poonch district of Jammu region.

The case was registered suo motu on June 21 last year to investigate a conspiracy, both physical and in cyberspace, and plans by proscribed terrorist organisations to execute violent terrorist attacks in J&K with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms.

The plans are part of a larger conspiracy by the terrorist groups to commit terror acts in association with local youths/overground workers to create communal disharmony in J&K. The terrorist outfits involved in the conspiracy were identified as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, besides others, the spokesperson said.

The official said searches were also being carried out in the premises of cadres and hybrid overground workers linked with the affiliates and offshoots of these organisations, operating under pseudo names such as The Resistance Front, United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir, Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind, Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers and Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF).

Initial investigations indicated that these workers and cadres were involved in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs or magnetic bombs, IEDs, cash, narcotics and small weapons. These weapons, bombs and narcotics were being pushed into the Indian soil by Pakistan-based handlers and commanders of proscribed terrorist organisations using drones," the NIA said.

The spokesman said the agency had conducted searches in the terror conspiracy case at 14 locations in Jammu and Kashmir on June 24 last year.

The searches, conducted then in the districts of Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam and Kathua, had led to the seizure of incriminating material and digital devices," the official said.

Officials said at least two persons, including a woman, were detained for questioning during the raids on Tuesday.

One person has been detained for questioning from the Sozeith area of Srinagar, the officials said, identifying the detained person as Ishaq Ahmad Bhat.

The NIA came early in the morning between 5.30 and 6 am. They asked for Ishaq and took him away along with his mobile phone. He works as a labourer," Mohammad Ramzan Bhat, the father of the suspect, told PTI.

We have no links with militancy or stone pelting," he added.

Bilal Bhat, the brother of the detained person, said Ishaq was illiterate and worked as a window glass fitter.

The detained woman was identified as Shahnaz Akhtar, a resident of Khaneter village of Poonch.

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Indias Operation Kaveri in Sudan has been making headlines as the country is evacuating its citizens in hundreds from the conflict-ridden African country.

The Indian government launched the operation after the conflict in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan started on April 15. It quickly stationed Indian Naval Ships and Air Force aircraft to evacuate Indians stranded in Sudan.

During the 8 days of Operation Kaveri, over 3195 Indians have been evacuated, with the Embassy mobilizing and facilitating the movement of 62 buses from various parts of Sudan to reach Port Sudan.

Overview of Operation Kaveri8th Day of Operation Kaveri: The conflict in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan started on 15th April 2023. Government of India launched Operation Kaveri and swiftly stationed Indian Naval Ships and Indian Air Force Aircrafts for evacuation of pic.twitter.com/c3wJy9ULcv  India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) May 2, 2023

Here are the main points of Indias evacuation operation Kaveri in Sudan

The government of India launched Operation Kaveri to evacuate Indians stranded in Sudan after the conflict began on April 15

Indian Naval Ships and Air Force aircraft were stationed for the operation

The Embassy of India facilitated the first evacuation of Indians in 6 buses on April 23, 2023

Embassy established a center at the Comboni School to accommodate Indians and facilitated evacuation by air and sea

MEA Team arrived at Port Sudan on INS Teg on April 25, to strengthen the operations

Presently, the Indian School in Port Sudan is being used as the Facilitation Centre

The Embassy of India mobilized and facilitated the movement of 62 buses from various parts of Sudan to reach Port Sudan

Indians have been evacuated to South Sudan, Egypt, Chad, and Djibouti

Embassy also guided and assisted in evacuating foreign nationals including Sri Lankans, Nepalese, and Bangladeshis.

On May 2, India temporarily relocated its embassy in Khartoum to Port Sudan

Read all the Latest India News here
India on Tuesday brought back home a total of 559 people under its mission to evacuate stranded Indians from violence-hit Sudan.

While 231 Indians arrived in Ahmedabad, another batch of 328 citizens were brought to New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted, 328 more passengers have landed in New Delhi. #OperationKaveri moving steadily forward as around 3000 have reached India now." Earlier in the day, 231 people reached Ahmedabad.

Another #OperationKaveri flight lands in Ahmedabad. 231 more passengers have reached home safely," Jaishankar said in another tweet.

Separately, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said a group of 20 Indians crossed over to Chad through the adjoining land border with Sudan.

Our teams are facilitating their journey back home," he said on Twitter.

On Monday, India brought back 186 people under the evacuation mission that was launched a week back.

On Sunday, 229 Indians arrived in Bengaluru while 365 people reached Delhi on Saturday.

Under the evacuation mission, 754 people arrived in India in two batches on Friday.

The Indians were brought back home from the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah where India set up a transit camp for the evacuees.

The first batch of 360 evacuees returned to New Delhi in a commercial plane on Wednesday.

The second batch of 246 Indian evacuees arrived in Mumbai in a C17 Globemaster aircraft of the IAF on Thursday.

Under Operation Kaveri, India has been taking its citizens in buses from conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in Indian Air Forces heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navys ships.

From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flight or IAFs aircraft.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the countrys army and a paramilitary group that has reportedly left around 400 people dead.

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Traces of RDX have been found in the improvised explosive device used by terrorists in the Poonch ambush that killed five soldiers on April 20, police sources told News18 citing preliminary tests. The final forensic test reports are awaited.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police had on Friday said the attack on the Army vehicle was a well-planned one and executed by three to five terrorists. Six locals have been arrested for sheltering the terrorists before they carried out the attack using explosives and weapons that came from Pakistan through drones, police have said.

The amount of RDX used was minimal and hence the IED was deliberately stuck to the fuel tank of the truck to use it as an incendiary device meant to cause maximum damage," a police officer told News18.

The device used in the Poonch attack was similar to the one used in the Katra bus blast of May 2022 in which four people were killed and 24 injured when the vehicle carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims caught fire. Investigators had said the fire was caused by a sticky bomb stuck to the fuel tank. Similar modus operandi was used in the Domail blast in Udhampur in September 2022.

While the Katra attack was claimed by a group called J&K Freedom Fighters, the Poonch ambush has been claimed by a group called the Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF).

IED Dropped by Drone

According to security agencies, smaller quantities of RDX are being dropped into Jammu via Punjab with Pakistan-based terror groups changing tack after the 2019 Pulwama attack for which 20kg RDX was smuggled in through a tunnel on the Sambha border. These are fully assembled IEDs with RDX packed inside. All the attacker needs to do is stick the magnet to a place where minimum explosion can cause maximum fire," an official told News18 on condition of anonymity.

In November last year, three different consignments of small IEDs were seized by the Jammu Police. One such consignment, detected in Sambha, was reportedly packed inside a wooden crate with a steel base and dropped by drone. It contained unassembled improvised explosive devices, Chinese pistols and Rs 5 lakh in cash, as per police.

Between July and November last year, several alleged Lashkar operatives were arrested for ferrying drone-dropped consignments from India-Pakistan border to their terror hideout.

The Attackers

According to investigators, three terrorists carried out the attack in Bata Doriya forest. Two of them are suspected to be Pakistanis who infiltrated in late December. The group responsible for the Poonch blast is also suspected to have a hand in the Dangri Village firing and IED blast of January 1.

A member of the Gujjar, alleged to be an over-ground worker for terror groups, has been arrested by the police and allegedly harboured the Bata Doriya terrorists for three months before the attack.

Speaking to News18 Kannada in an interview on the sidelines of Karnataka elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed confidence that the Poonch case will be solved very soon. We are taking the matter very seriously. Before the Poonch attack, not a single case has been unresolved. We will solve Poonch attack also," he said.

The NIA, meanwhile, is carrying out searches at 12 locations in Jammu looking for over-ground workers who continue to support Lashkar and Jaish terrorists.

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The month of May began with a downpour across the national capital bringing the mercury 13 degrees below normal making it the citys second coolest day of the month since 2010. The maximum temperature recorded at Safdarjung was 26.1 degrees, which was also the lowest since mid-March this year.

With the exception of one single day when the mercury plunged to 23.8 degrees on May 19, 2021, the day temperature for the month was the lowest since 2010. The minimum temperature recorded on Monday was 19.6 degree Celcius. The humidity oscillated between 100 to 77%.

According to a TOI report, Safdarjung recorded 14.8 mm of rain between 8:20 am and 5:30 pm. The ridge recorded 21.2 mm, Narela 17 mm, Mayur Vihar 16 mm and Palam logged 0.4 mm rainfall. While the rain brought much-needed relief, Delhiites faced traffic clutter at several places in the capital due to waterlogged roads.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for Tuesday and Wednesday. Weather experts expect isolated or widespread rainfall for the next 3-4 days.

The weather agency said the maximum and minimum temperatures in the capital on Tuesday might hover around 27 and 19 degrees respectively. The daytime temperature is expected to remain below normal for the next three days with a gradual rise from Thursday onwards.

We expect light to very light rainfall at a few places on Tuesday while the intensity of rain activity will increase on Wednesday with thundershowers. Rainfall will thereafter decline although the conditions may remain overcast till at least May 4. Temperatures will begin to rise gradually after May 4," said Kuldeep Srivastava, a weather scientist at IMD.

In other news, rain improved the air quality in Delhi to satisfactory. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was 86 as compared to 132 a day earlier.

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Along the Indo-Nepal border lies a small hamlet Hasuri Ausanpur, which falls in Domariyaganj tehsil of Uttar Pradeshs impoverished Siddharthnagar district. The hamlet with a population of 1,227 people is all set to become the nations second most carbon neutral panchayat after Jammus Palli Gram Panchayat.

Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan (UBA)  a flagship programme of the Ministry of Education (MoE), GOI  the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) has adopted the village in order to make it the countrys second carbon neutral panchayat.

On April 24, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 500 KW solar power plant in Jammus Palli Gram Panchayat of its Samba district, making it the countrys first carbon neutral gram panchayat.

Carbon neutral is a state of net zero carbon dioxide emissions. It can be done by putting the use of coal, oil, and gas to an extent that the emissions of carbon dioxide are reduced to a bare minimum. We are done with the survey part that largely includes the measures to be taken in order to neutralize the carbon emissions from the village, a professor with IIT-BHU said.

Besides, the team that recently surveyed the village also carried out a detailed study estimating the villages green cover and the total carbon emission from the village. A detailed project report (DPR) would be compiled after which appropriate measures would be taken in order to make the village a carbon neutral village.

VILLAGE HEADS GOAL

Project scientist Manavee Ajit Singh from IIT Delhi  the national coordinating institute for UBA  said that a proposal to adopt Hasuri Ausanpur came from the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj. She said an analysis will be done and technical support will be provided to make this gram panchayat carbon neutral.

Dileep Tripathi, the village head whose out of box thinking eventually led to the transformation, said, I made the students aware about the Prime Ministers resolve to combat air and water pollution. When PM Modi inaugurated a mega solar place and declared Palli as the first carbon neutral village, I was determined that our village too will attain the status of carbon neutral village.

Since then, he said, he started working on the criteria to minimize the carbon emission. Presently, around 14,000 trees including neem, peepal, sheesham and others have been planted on around six hectares of land that belongs to gram panchayat. Also, there are around 31 solar street lights and four solar irrigation pumps in the village. A solar power plant has been installed in the primary school and at the Panchayat Bhawan. All 148 houses have gas and electricity connections.

However it was only after the Ministry of Panchayati Raj found the efforts made by the village head fruitful and in line with the carbon neutrality initiative, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj recommended the name of the village under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan. Hasuri Ausanpur Gram Panchayat of Siddharthnagar district, UP is one such gram panchayat which has shown its inclination to work towards carbon neutrality initiative. The gram has already made good progress in this direction through its efforts in afforestation and renewal energy interventions. Accordingly, I request that the UBA may provide all possible support for conducting energy survey and preparations of local climate action plan on the lines of Palli Gram Panchayat of Jammu, reads the proposal from the Ministry of Panchayat Raj, dated January 13, 2023.

INDIAS FIRST VILLAGE TO HAVE RURAL SPACE LAB

However, its not the only thing that is unique in this remote village. Hasuri Ausanpur is also the nations first village to set up a rural space lab at a primary school.

Tripathi, the man behind setting up the rural space lab, said the story goes back to 2019. I was watching a movie  Mission Mangal  in Lucknow. And it was then, the idea behind setting up our own lab came into my mind, said Tripathi, a postgraduate in Ancient History.

Tripathi says that was the Eureka moment for him. Soon after, Tripathi approached Vyomika Space Pvt. Ltd, which has worked in the field of space education in North India in association with ISRO. Students of the Hasuri Ausanpur were so aware about space that their knowledge left us all spellbound. This was something that was not expected form the students of a government school in one of the backward districts, CEO Govind Yadav recalls.

The lab, set up by the experts from ISRO, was launched on November 14 (Childrens Day), 2022.

Of the total space, the two halls and a big verandah of the school have been converted into the lab, says headmaster Manoj Kumar. Kumar said at both the halls, the scale models of all the satellites, launched by ISRO since 1980 and those that will be launched till 2030, have been kept on display. These include models of rockets and launchers such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), GSLV MK-III, Gaganyaan, RLV-TD, said Kumar.

Another section of the hall has been dedicated to drones. Here students are trained how to fly drones. In addition, students also learn how drones can be of use in agricultural work, be it monitoring fields, sprinkling of fertilizers or pesticides, etc. This would also help them in building their career in drone technology, said Kumar. Besides, he also gave the entire credit to Tripathi stating that it was his vision that made it all possible.

DREAM WITH OPEN EYES

Tripathi says its not just a village to him, but a baby that needs to be nurtured and pampered until its fully grown. As the late APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India has rightly said, I believe in seeing dreams with open eyes. And to make this village a smart village is my dream, said Tripathi.

There was a time when Hasudi Ausanpur was listed in the NITI Aayogs list of 112 most underdeveloped districts in the country in 2018, said Tripathi. But the spontaneous efforts of the 45-year-old Pradhan not only took the village out of the category, but also helped it win seven national and two state awards in the past few years.

Presently, the village is equipped with WiFi. Other than this, Tripathi, while highlighting the development work, said the village has a hi-tech panchayat building, equipped with a video-conferencing facility. CCTV cameras have been installed at 23 places besides public address systems. He said the streets are illuminated with 90 LED lamps powered by 45 solar panels. There is a facility of Reverse Osmosis (RO) water plant to provide pure drinking water to the villagers. Whereas, the outer walls of the houses have been painted pink, declaring it a Pink Village.

We have also ensured a system of door-to-door garbage collection besides an agricultural machinery bank. And to combat the issue of air pollution caused by brick kilns in the village, an outdoor mass-level air purifier has been installed that can purify nine lakh cubic meters of air per day. All initiatives have been funded by the Panchayat Nidhi, he added.

Other than these, the Upper Primary School is the only such institution with state-of-the-art facilities in all of UP, with all its classrooms air-conditioned. The digital lab is WiFi-enabled and teachers have biometric attendance. I am happy that students now even think of becoming scientists, other than being a doctor or engineer, he added.

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Tawang, the westernmost district of Arunachal Pradesh, is internationally famous due to its location as a border area, sharing borders with China and Bhutan. During the 1962 India-China war, Tawang faced a heavy blow and ever since, the martyrs of this war are worshipped in Tawang.

News18 visited the Tawang War Memorial, which has a spiritual side. The guns and caps of the martyrs are kept here, and every day, a lama comes and worships them. The memorial also has a space for candles and small bowls of water on both sides.

Col Rawat, who accompanied News18 to the Tawang War Memorial, said that this is their spiritual area, and many soldiers laid down their lives here. The people of Tawang are very attached to this memorial and come to offer prayers there.

The Tawang War Memorial has the names of over 2,000 soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for their motherland. The architecture of the memorial has a Bhutan and Nepal touch and looks like a Buddhist Stupa. The memorial also has remnants of the 1962 war. One room in the memorial has a statue of Joginder Singh, another war hero who fought brilliantly against China.

This room consists of blood-soaked soil from Bumla, the place on the border through which the Chinese attacked India in 1962, and Zimithang, another border place from where the Chinese doubled down their effort. The memorial displays bullets used by Indian soldiers, warriors caps, utensils used by the Indian army, and Chinese guns.

In Bumla, the most inhospitable area, a war memorial has been made for Joginder Singh. A young soldier, who accompanied News18 to the Joginder memorial, says that Singh guarded the area even when he was ordered to go back. People say he fought till his last breath, and was later arrested by the Chinese forces. The Indian soldiers worship him because he inspires them.

Brief History

Joginder Singh was commanding a platoon of 20 soldiers to form the guards of IB Ridge and Twin Peaks. The Chinese were eyeing the capture of Tawang, and they knew they couldnt get a hold of Tawang without capturing the Twin Peaks because the Indian soldiers stationed there could see every movement of the Chinese from miles away.

On 23rd November, the Chinese started opening fire, and it was certain they would put all their effort into capturing IB Ridge and Twin Peaks. In the early hours of 23 October 1962, the Chinese launched an offensive from three sides, and the Assam Rifles posted at Bum La couldnt pose much resistance. Subedar Singh was given the responsibility, and the rest is history.

As more history of the war surfaces, more truths come out, and more questions about the previous government arise. News18 headed towards the most inhospitable place called Bumla, where China and India conduct border meetings.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Azerbaijan took necessary measures to ensure its national security, for which a border checkpoint was installed on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road, Parvin Mirzazade, Ambassador-at-Large of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, writes in his latest article, Trend reports.

So, on April 23, 2023, the historical event took place, which the Azerbaijani people had been waiting for over 30 years. Full national control has been restored on the external borders of Azerbaijan, which once again confirmed the correctness of the independent foreign policy chosen by President Ilham Aliyev, aimed at further strengthening the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan, he said.

As Mirzazade writes in his article, this act is fully in line with national legislation and Azerbaijan's international obligations. This checkpoint will carry out border and customs control of passengers and cargo crossing the border of the two states in both directions, which will no longer allow the Armenian side to transport military cargo and military personnel along the Lachin-Khankendi road.

Armenian propaganda launched a hysterical campaign "on a global scale", fanning theories of a far-fetched blockade, impending "deportation" and "second genocide" of the Armenian population of the Karabakh region, he added.

Mirzazade pointed out that the Armenian side, exploiting the subject of the so-called blockade, tried to internationalize the situation and, under the pretext of "humanitarian catastrophe", tried to attract new players from third countries and international organizations, which have long demonstrated their helplessness in addressing pressing global problems.

All the provocations of the Armenian side, as well as the illegal use of the Lachin-Khankendi road, in violation of the agreements reached, forced Azerbaijan to take the necessary measures to ensure its national security. The Armenian leadership is dwelling on the past and is not thinking about the future of their country's population, whose numbers are decreasing exponentially. They still have time to accept the new geopolitical realities and sit down at the negotiating table to discuss proposals for a final peace agreement, the author said
Two Pakistani men, suspected to be engaged in narcotics trafficking, were killed by the Border Security Force along the India-Pakistan International Border in Rajasthan, official sources said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday night along the Barmer front, they said. About three kilograms of suspected drugs were seized following the interception, they added.

Rajasthan shares a nearly 1,036-kilometre-long boundary with Pakistan on Indias western flank.

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In 2022, India sent more students to the United States as compared to the previous year while China sent fewer, according to a new report.

The number of students from China and India made Asia the most popular continent of origin. Comparable to the drop from the calendar year 2020 to 2021, China sent fewer students in 2022 compared to 2021 (-24,796), while India sent more students (+64,300), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in its annual report.

According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the number of international students enrolled at kindergarten through grade 12 schools increased 7.8 per cent from 2021 to 2022 (+3,887). No K-12 schools hosted more than 700 international students in the calendar year 2022, similar to the calendar year 2021, the report said.

All four regions in the United States saw an increase in international student records from 2021 to 2022, with respective increases ranging from 8 to 11 per cent, the report said.

There were 117,301 pre and post-completion optional practical training (OPT) students with both an employment authorisation document (EAD) and who reported working for an employer in the calendar year 2022, compared to 115,651 in the calendar year 2021  a 1.4 per cent increase, it said.

In the calendar year 2022; 7,683 SEVP-certified schools were eligible to enroll international students, a decrease of 400 schools from 2021 (8,038 schools), it said.

In 2022, California hosted 225,173 international students, the largest percentage of international students (16.5 per cent) of any US state, the report said.

There were 276,723 active exchange visitors in the United States in 2022 compared to 240,479 active exchange visitors in 2021  a 15 per cent increase.

The report said 46 per cent (6,21,347) of all active SEVIS records hailed from either China (3,24,196) or India (2,97,151) in the calendar year 2022, one percentage point fewer than calendar year 2021.

The overall number of active F-1 and M-1 student records coming from Asia increased by 68,678 from the calendar year 2021 to the calendar year 2022, with student record trends varying across different countries.

Seventy per cent of all international students in the United States call Asia home. Other Asian countries that sent fewer students this year compared to last include Saudi Arabia (-4,115), Kuwait (-658) and Malaysia (-403).

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Summer vacations are going to start rolling in very soon and kids will definitely want to go out on a trip to the hills. However, taking trips during peak seasons can be extremely difficult not just because you will not be finding any proper accommodation but because even if you do fix up everything for your stay there, it will cost you a bomb. This is the simple reason why you need to look for places that are not just budget-friendly but are also scenic and nice.

Check out these 9 hill stations this summer-

McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh:

Situated in the Dhauladhar Range, McLeod Ganj is a popular destination for those who are tight on the budget front. The town is home to many Buddhist monasteries, trekking trails, and vibrant street markets that sell local handicrafts and souvenirs. Darjeeling, West Bengal:

This charming hill station located in West Bengal is known for its tea plantations and stunning views of the Himalayas. Darjeeling has a plethora of options when it comes to hotels, guesthouses, and homestays that cater to backpackers and budget travellers. Ooty, Tamil Nadu:

Nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is a popular hill station that offers a pleasant climate and breathtaking natural beauty. The town is dotted with lesser-priced hotels, guesthouses, and homestays that cater to backpackers and budget travellers. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand:

Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Mussoorie is a popular hill station that offers stunning views of the mountains and lush greenery. The town is dotted with truly budget accommodative hotels, guesthouses, and homestays that cater to budget travellers. Manali, Himachal Pradesh:

Known for its scenic beauty and adventure sports, Manali is a popular destination for budget travellers. The town offers a range of budget-friendly accommodations, including guesthouses, homestays, and campsites. Munnar, Kerala:

Known for its sprawling tea plantations and stunning landscapes, Munnar is a popular destination. The town offers a range of budget-friendly accommodations, including guesthouses, homestays, and campsites. Gangtok, Sikkim:

The capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok is a popular hill station that offers stunning views of the Himalayas. The town is dotted with budget-friendly hotels, guesthouses, and homestays that cater to budget travellers. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu:

Nestled in the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal is a popular destination for those travelling on a budget. The town offers a range of budget-friendly accommodations, including guesthouses, homestays, and campsites. Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh:

Located in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, Kasauli is a small town that offers a peaceful and tranquil environment. The town is dotted with budget-friendly hotels, guesthouses, and homestays that can be well within your price limit.

Remember, these are just a few of the many affordable hill stations that can be explored this summer in India. So, pack your bags and head out to explore the hills of India without breaking the bank.

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MET Gala 2023: Looking stunning in a white gown, actor Alia Bhatt walked the iconic stairs of MET Gala 2023 like a true superstar. Radiant and graceful, Alia adorned a voluminous gown embroidered with one lakh pearls.

Designed by celebrated fashion designer Prabal Gurung, the gown was inspired by the iconic Chanel bridal wear and featured craftsmanship that was truly made in India. Taking to Instagram, Alia first posted a black and white image, giving the world a sneak peek into her look.

Later on, the star walked the iconic MET Gala stairs looking like a bride in pearls. Taking to instagram, Alia posted a long note complementing Karls innovative and inspiring couture and also praised designer Prabal for the iconic look, which was inspired by supermodel Claudia Schiffers 1992 Chanel bridal look.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt (@aliaabhatt)

Met Gala  Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. I have always been fascinated by the iconic Chanel brides. Season after season, the genius of Karl Lagerfeld shone through in the most innovative and awe-inspiring couture. My look tonight was inspired from this and in particular by supermodel Claudia Schiffers 1992 Chanel bridal look.

She further added, I wanted to do something that felt authentic (hello, pearls!) and proudly made in India. The embroidery, made with a 100,000 pearls is a labour of love by @prabalgurung. Im so proud to wear you for my first Met. A girl can never have too many pearls and the right accessories to complement the look which in our case translated to the bow of pearls on my hair. Oh, and its white, for my Choup-ED.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prabal Gurung (@prabalgurung)

Alia was styled by celebrity fashion stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania and her au natural makeup was done by celebrity makeup artist Puneet B Saini. Overall, the entire look complemented Alia and her personality to the T.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by  (@aliaabhatt.tr)

The MET Gala 2023 fundraiser was attended by an array of celebrities including Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Serena Williams, Jenna Ortega, Emily Blunt, Mindy Kaling, Gigi Hadid, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Nicole Kidman, Jared Leto, Roger Federer, Isha Ambani Piramal, Jessica Chastain,Sydney Sweeney, Anne Hathway, Halle Bailey, Kaitlyn Dever, Lily Collins.

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There is no doubt that Isha Ambani Piramal consistently dazzles everyone with her fashion picks. Isha loves to add stunning touches to every outfit she wears since she is a fan of all things artistic, and this mesmerises us. She also transformed into a stunning beauty during the Met Gala 2023!

Isha is spotted at the MET Gala 2023 wearing a Prabal Gurung saree gown, and to say the outfit is gorgeous would be an understatement. Isha made a statement in a gorgeous black satin-back sari gown designed by longstanding partner and Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung in homage of Karl Lagerfeld. The opulent crepe dress included a silk chiffon train and was hand-adorned with tens of thousands of gems and pearls.

True to the #MetGala dress code of In honor of Karl, businesswoman and arts patron #IshaAmbani turned heads in a stunning, black, satin-back sari gown by Nepalese-American designer and longtime collaborator Prabal Gurung (@prabalgurung). The glamorous crepe outfit was hand-embellished with thousands of crystals and pearls, and adorned with a silk chiffon train," read the official statement on Ishas outfit.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by VOGUE India (@vogueindia)

For the fashion bonanza, Isha Ambani Piramal was styled by Priyanka Kapadia. To top off her looks, Isha chose jewels by Lorraine Schwartz and a super cute yet elegant Chanel bag.

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Met Gala 2023: It was a big and proud moment for India and Kerala-based high fashion, luxury brand Neytt by Extraweave on May 1. The brand made history second time in a row when they created the iconic carpet for the biggest night in fashion, the MET Gala 2023.

Last year, when the Metropolitan of Arts Costume Institute decided to shift from the traditional red carpet and moved on to a sustainable one, they chose to connect with Neytt by Extraweave, a company based in Alleppey in Kerala. Little did they know that they would be manufacturing it this year too.

When News18 got in touch with Sivan Santhosh, co-founder of Neytt by Extraweave, he was overwhelmed with the love their work has been receiving on social media. Sharing light on how everything fell into place for them, Sivan shares, It is a proud moment for us and India to have our creation at the MET Gala 2023. We got the order through one of our customers in the US, called Fibreworks Corporation. They do a lot of high-end projects in the US, so we got the order through them. They connected us with the MET Gala team and we directly worked with the designers there who designed the carpet and we manufactured it in Kerala.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neytt by Extraweave (@neytt.extraweave)

The state-of-art carpet may be used for just a single day, but Sivan shares that the carpet is completely biodegradable and sustainable. Made from Sisal fibre, which is derived from the Agave plant, the fibre is 120 cm long, sturdy and is used to make floor coverings, wall coverings and high-end carpets.

In 2022, MET Gala moved from the traditional red carpet to natural fibre carpet. We used a material called Sisal, which is derived from the bark of the Agave plant.It is a biodegradable and sustainable fibre. From the same family of the Agave plant, which is a cactus and the fibre is around 120 cm long, sturdy and can be dyed into any colour, says Sivan, adding, We made around 58 rolls of 4 metre by 30 metres, and the total comes to around 6960 sq metre. It took us 60-70 days to manufacture the whole thing. It is machine made along with a lot of hand finishing done to complete the carpet. The carpet colour was whitish beige which was then hand-painted by local artists in New York with red and blue.

While Sivan wasnt able to attend the MET Gala, he shared how happy he was to see the carpet after he saw it installed. He says, We have an installation team in Fibreworks which does installations for us. Initially, we didnt know how it would turn out, but when it was installed we loved how it looked on the stairs. Also, changing the traditional colour has worked out for us very well.

With renowned celebrities such as Rihanna, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Dua Lipa, and Roger Federer gracing the carpet with their exquisite looks, the carpet did play the perfect canvas to enhance the celebrity looks. We are so glad that the carpet really added to the beauty of the whole event. We really hope some of the celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra Jonas took notice of the carpet at the event. It is really an achievement that a brand in India has manufactured it, shares Sivan.

Alia, and Priyanka, if you are reading this, we hope you give a shout-out to Neytt for laying out the perfect backdrop for your ensembles.

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MP and author Shashi Tharoor has called Salman Rushdies novel Victory City magnificent and magical". Tharoor took to social media and wrote how Rushdie is able to recreate the Vijayanagara Empire through his magical-realist lens, brilliantly written as always, full of the verve and brio of a writer at the height of his powers".

Tharoor called Rushdie the greatest living Indian writer" who should have won the Nobel Prize for Literature by now.

Ive just finished Salman Rushdies magnificent & magical Victory City  a fabulous recreation of the history of the Vijaynagar Empire through his magical-realist lens, brilliantly written as always, full of the verve and brio of a writer at the height of his powers," wrote Tharoor.

The book ends with the sentence Words are the only victors. But the wielder of these words is a victor too, & Victory City is a triumph. That overdue Nobel must not be withheld any longer to the greatest living Indian writer."

Tharoor and Rushdie have shared the stage on numerous occasions at various literary events. Despite controversies surrounding Rushdies work, Tharoor has remained a steadfast supporter and friend to Rushdie throughout their long relationship. Rushdie has praised Tharoors writing, calling him one of the most articulate and sophisticated writers in India." Tharoor, in turn, has spoken about Rushdies influence on his own writing and has defended Rushdies right to free expression in the face of controversy.

Ive just finished @SalmanRushdies magnificent & magical Victory City  a fabulous recreation of the history of the Vijaynagar Empire through his magical-realist lens, brilliantly written as always, full of the verve and brio of a writer at the height of his powers. The book Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 1, 2023

In 2012, Rushdie was forced to cancel a scheduled appearance at the Jaipur Literature Festival in India, due to threats of violence from religious groups. Tharoor, who was a member of parliament at the time, publicly criticized the decision to cancel Rushdies appearance and called it a shameful moment" for India.

Shashi Tharoor was in news recently for his take on the upcoming film The Kerala Story. He clarified that he is not advocating for a ban on the upcoming film. However, he believes the film misrepresents the reality of his home state.

Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud and clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality," Tharoor tweeted.

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WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2023: Every year on May 3, World Press Freedom Day is marked to bring attention to the significance of press freedom and the obstacles that journalists encounter worldwide. The United Nations General Assembly declared World Press Freedom Day in 1993. This declaration came after a recommendation made in 1991 at the twenty-sixth General Conference session of UNESCO. This year marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.

World Press Freedom Day 2023: History

The idea of celebrating World Press Freedom Day was first proposed by African journalists in 1991 during a UNESCO seminar in Namibia. They wanted to draw attention to the vital role that the press plays in promoting democracy and highlight the many dangers that journalists face while carrying out their work.

We are LIVE!Join us and watch the opening ceremony of @UNESCOs #WorldPressFreedomDay Global Conference! Together, lets take a stand to defend #PressFreedom today and every single day! https://t.co/kDfHiX0HPT  UNESCO  #Education #Sciences #Culture  (@UNESCO) May 2, 2023

The first World Press Freedom Day was celebrated on May 3, 1993, and since then, it has become an annual event that is observed in many countries around the world.

ALSO READ: What is Freedom of Speech, Press Freedom? Learn in Classes with News18

World Press Freedom Day 2023: Theme

Each year, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated with a different theme that reflects the current issues and challenges facing the press. The theme for this years World Press Freedom Day is Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights".

This theme highlights the critical role of freedom of expression for the enjoyment and protection of all other human rights.

Below are the themes for the last few years:

World Press Freedom Day 2022 Theme: Journalism under digital siege World Press Freedom Day 2021 Theme: Information as a Public Good World Press Freedom Day 2020 Theme: Journalism without Fear or Favour

The chosen themes for World Press Freedom Day every year emphasize the crucial need to safeguard the autonomy of the media and ensure that journalists can exercise their rights to report without any threats of censorship, violence, or intimidation.

World Press Freedom Day 2023: Significance

World Press Freedom Day is significant because it raises awareness about the importance of press freedom and the role that journalists play in promoting democracy and holding governments accountable.

The day provides an opportunity to show solidarity with journalists and to support their important work. It is a reminder that press freedom is not just a right, but a vital component of a free and democratic society.

The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, which acknowledges the significant contributions of journalists, especially those who put their lives at risk to provide vital information to the public, will also be presented on World Press Freedom Day 2023.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on release of the movie The Kerala Story on grounds that its a worst kind of hate speech and an audio-visual propaganda.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna was told by senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha that the trailer of the movie, which is scheduled to be released on Friday, has garnered 16 million views.

Pasha said, This movie is the worst kind of hate speech. It is a completely audio-visual propaganda".

The bench said, There are varieties of hate speeches. This film has got certification and has been cleared by the board. Its not like a person getting on the podium and starts giving uncontrolled speech. If you want to challenge the release of the movie, you should challenge the certification and through appropriate forum.

Sibal then said that he will do whatever necessary.

Justice Nagarathna said the petitioner should first approach the high court. Pasha said there was no time left as the movie is scheduled to release on Friday.

This is not a ground. Otherwise everyone will start coming to the Supreme Court, the bench said.

Pasha said that is why he has filed an intervention application in the hate speech matter. Justice Joseph said though he may not be advising the petitioner but for seeking appropriate remedy a substantial writ petition needs to be filed.

Filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shahs upcoming film, The Kerala Story, has been creating headlines ever since its teaser was unveiled. It revolves around the stories of Hindu women of Kerala who were converted to Islam and trafficked to ISIS and other Islamic war zones in 2018-2019. It unearths the events behind approximately 32,000 women going missing in Kerala, who are said to have been radicalised and deployed in terror missions in India and the world. The trailer of the film triggered protests in Kerala and some parts of the country along with some political parties calling for a ban on the screening of the film.

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At the height of the protracted invasion of Afghanistan by the United States of America (USA), there was a flourishing opium cultivation and global trade that sustained and enriched many violent terror groups operating in Afghanistan. Traders, middlemen, financiers and terror groups, all reaped lucrative profits, dealing in opium. However, the opium farmers remained an impoverished lot, heavily indebted to loan sharks and financiers. Having no means of any alternative livelihood, these opium farmers, also had to face the destruction of their poppy fields by the American forces, as also hostile climatic conditions, that could ruin a harvest. These farmers were ever dependent on drug traffickers for periodic loans to meet family expenses and for opium cultivation. In a country that has never known peace and where life itself was uncertain, the traffickers demanded as security, young and nubile girls. Failure to repay the loan along with interest resulted in the girls being carted away for sexual exploitation and being sold off repeatedly to different buyers, to satisfy the carnal desires of lustful terrorists. Every year sees lots of girls being taken away to be sold as sex slaves. These unfortunate victims are called opium brides.

Approximately, 2,805 km, almost far south, a similar phenomenon is happening in the state of Kerala in India. It has labelled as love jihad.

Over the past decade, social observers in Kerala have noticed the surreptitious trend of Muslim boys luring Hindu and Christian girls into love marriages, and compelling them to convert to Islam, adopt Islamic practices such as wearing hijab and burqa, forcing them to join Islamic religious schools, and to study Arabic and the Quran. When these conversions started developing into a well-structured pattern, alarm bells started ringing among different sections of the population. What worsened the situation was the medias total silence on the issue, fearing loss of advertisement revenue, as the Muslim community in Kerala owns highly prosperous business establishments. Further, their Gulf connections have endowed them with formidable monetary muscle. A sizeable section of the media in Kerala, both vernacular and English, are recipients of generous advertisement revenue, and hence preferred to maintain a studied silence on this matter.

Politicians across the spectrum were also in strong denial mode, dismissing all talks of love jihad as fabricated stories, communal propaganda and baseless rumours.

However, as early as July 2010, then Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan dropped a bombshell that the Popular Front of India (PFI) had plans to Islamize Kerala in 20 years using money and marriages. He further added that the PFI was actively engaged in activities to increase the Muslim population. One such strategy was to lure girls from Hindu and Christian communities into feigned love marriages, keep producing children year after year to augment the Muslim population in Kerala. This candid revelation by no less an authority than the Chief Minister emboldened the affected girls and private investigators to unravel the depth of the conspiracy and the ramifications of this modus operandi. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and different church denominations embarked on their independent investigations to assess the extent of damage. Their investigations and surveys brought to light the existence of an organized racket to trap young girls, seduce them using drugs, money, sex and blackmail, culminating in sham marriages, and trafficking to terror zones like Syria and Afghanistan for use as sex slaves. Many distraught parents, who out of shame and false notions of prestige, were maintaining tight secrecy, were emboldened to approach the judiciary. However, nothing substantial emerged.

Meanwhile, Kerala is undergoing a massive Arabization in cultural, educational and economic sectors. Arabic food joints sporting Arabic names, educational institutions with Arabic names, strict dress codes for women, multiplying number of mosques in every town, innumerable burqa shops springing up across the state, Muslim enclaves getting set up in almost all-important towns and cities are all raising deep suspicions about some sinister gameplan in operation to make the state a full-fledged Islamic State. Even in the 1970s and 1980s, Muslim women in Kerala never used the Arabic hijab and burqa, but presently even young girls in schools are coerced into wearing it. All this has created a fear complex in Hindu and Christian communities that a calculated and well-designed strategy of Islamisation has been set in motion.

Another trend started in 2023 is the renaming of many localities using Arabic names. In a controversial move by the Kozhikode Corporation in Kerala, the historic Tali Temple area is renamed as Markazudaawa on Google Maps, and the corporation has started the process of changing the names of the temple and surrounding areas. The Jubilee Hall, which is located in the temple area, has been renamed as Muhammad Abdurrahman Sahib Memorial Hall, and the adjacent park renamed as Naushad Park. This aggressive Arabization has stoked fears in the minds of Hindu and Christian communities that the state is headed the Kashmir way, and vote-crazy politicians of all political parties are actively conniving and abetting it.

In September 2021, Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of the Palai diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, stirred a hornets nest by affirming the existence of love jihad and narcotics jihad in Kerala. The bishop unequivocally asserted that those who claim that love jihad" doesnt exist in Kerala are blind to reality. Such people, be it politicians or those from social and cultural spaces or the media, may have their own vested interests. But one thing is clear. We are losing our young women. Its not just love marriages. Its a war strategy to destroy their lives."

He also alluded to a former DGPs statement that Kerala was becoming a recruitment centre for terrorists and that it was home to sleeper cells for such persons. The bishop also emphasised: For objectives such as exploitation, forced religious conversion, making financial gains and employing in terrorist activities, jihadis are trapping women of other faiths through love or other means. Young women are being trapped by feigning love, forcibly taken away without the consent of the parents and family members. They are often divorced after a few years of marriage. Such incidents are rising. Fathima, who got converted and went to Afghanistan, was a Hindu woman named Nimisha. Sonia Sebastian, a Christian, similarly became Ayesha. These are just a few examples. How Hindu and Christian women like them are ending up in terrorist camps is a serious subject to be studied.

The bishop also pointed out that schools, colleges, hostels, training institutes and business establishments were being used by jihadis to lay traps and lure young women. He also mentioned the existence of narcotics jihad, through which the lives of youngsters belonging to non-Muslim faiths were being destroyed by getting them addicted to the use and sale of drugs and narcotic substances.

Love jihad is a phenomenon occurring in other parts of the globe too. It is not an exclusive Kerala phenomenon. The Coptic Christians of Egypt are experiencing how hardline Islamists and radical Muslim organizations are paying young men to lure Christian girls away from their families. Kidnapping of Coptic girls is reported regularly. Egyptian conversion laws weigh heavily in favour of Islam.

The United Kingdom is also facing the problem. Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of UK, in April 2023, tweeted: I will do whatever it takes to root out evil grooming gangs who prey on vulnerable women and young girls. Firstly, Im launching a group of specialist police officers wholl go after grooming gangs across the country to bring them to justice.

In July 2020, in a shocking interview with the Triggernometry, rape survivor Dr. Ella Hill revealed that at least half a million Non-Muslim (kaffir) girls had been raped by grooming gangs, operated by Muslim men in the United Kingdom in the past 40 years".

Recounting her tale of horror from 20 years ago, Hill said that she was targeted as a teenager by her Pakistani Muslim boyfriend. She said that the relationship soon turned into a controlling, obsessive, and religiously charged one. She reminisced about being taken to different flats around Rotherham, Sheffield and Bradford and subsequently raped, tortured, and strangled.

Similarly, in the UK, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, has taken a serious view of reports of Sikh girls falling victim to love jihad perpetrated by Pakistani youths to impress, marry and convert Sikh girls to Islam and use them in jihadi efforts.

As early as 2009, Portugals Cardinal Jose Policarpo had warned young women in the predominantly Catholic nation against marrying Muslims. The advice that I give to young Portuguese girls is  be careful with relationships, think twice about marrying Muslims, the patriarch of Lisbon said.

There are about 40,000 Muslims in Portugal, which, like neighbouring Spain, was once ruled by Muslims from North Africa, where many Muslim immigrants come from.

The Vatican discourages Catholic women from marrying Muslims and Policarpo echoed that position in blunt terms. The entire Europe is facing an identical problem, be it France, or Spain.

Germany has the additional problem of polygamy among Muslims. Justice Minister Heiko Maas has promised to clamp down on polygamy, preventing Muslims in Germany from maintaining multiple marriages. No one who comes to us has the right to put their cultural roots, or their religious beliefs, above our laws," Maas told to Bild newspaper. For that reason, multiple marriages cannot be recognized in Germany, he added.

An August 2022 report of BBC states that thousands of Germans are fleeing to Paraguay to escape hostilities from Muslim migrants. An average of two women or girls are being gang-raped in Germany per day, with foreigners making up half of all perpetrators, according to the data released by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) in Germany. In 2020, there were 704 instances of gang rape throughout the country, compared to 710 in 2019 and 649 in 2018. Afghani migrants were said to be particularly involved in the gang-rape statistics.

As early as 2015, Reuters had reported that approximately 550 young Muslim women had left Europe to join Islamist groups in Syria and Iraq, often marrying fighters. Many are well-educated, from middle-class families, born and raised in Europe.

The phenomenon of love jihad is thus not confined to India and Kerala alone. It is happening in many countries around the world. For this purpose, the temporary marriage, or Nikah Mutah, is being revived, which is an ancient Islamic practice that unites man and woman as husband and wife for a limited time. Historically, it was used so that a man could have a wife for a short while when travelling long distances. The Nikah Mutah consists of a verbal or written contract in which both parties agree to the length of time and conditions for the marriage. The union can last for a few hours, days, months or years and when the contract ends so does the marriage. Love jihad is just another form of Nikah Mutah. Unfortunately, girls who are enticed into this kind of marriages are not aware of the legal intricacies of the Islamic Law.

The Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (CASA), a Kerala-based Christian body, is one of the many organizations that are at the forefront of exposing love jihad. Kevin Peter, President of CASA, opined during the 10th Ananthapuri Hindu Maha Sammelan in Thiruvananthapuram on April 29, 2022. This is a silent war, part of the global agenda. In India, we call it love jihad, in England, they call it grooming gang. The lives of our girls have been destroyed without any security.

The aim of the Muslim community is to increase their population, thereby increase the number of MPs and MLAs and control the government, he said.

The movement against love jihad is universal and the Christian community is aggressively campaigning against this form of conversion and marriage, which are mostly temporary. On January 14, 2020, the Synod of Bishops of the Eastern-rite Syro-Malabar Church came out with a press statement on love jihad, which said Christian girls are lured through marriages to terrorism and its tragedies.

How can the issue be resolved amicably? All inter-religion marriages are performed under the Special Marriages Act, 1954. However, this Act just provides a legal framework for the marriage of people belonging to different religions. The problem encountered is that girls belonging to non-Islamic religions are being lured to convert and marry, and thereafter they are getting whisked away to distant foreign lands, especially terror zones, where they end up as sex slaves of foreign terrorists. How can this misuse of the Act be curbed?

Presently, data is being withheld, suppressed and kept secret by all stakeholders, including affected families. Government agencies are in the dark about the post-marriage movements of the couples. Hence, it should be made mandatory that for a period of five years from the date of marriage, the couple should be assigned to a marriage counsellor, who will conduct quarterly meetings to keep track of their welfare and submit a detailed report. These reports should be endorsed to the local jurisdictional Police Station and Intelligence Agencies, both Central and State, to effectively monitor any illegal developments. The government can also make it mandatory that the girl entering into a marriage under the Act need not change her maiden name for a period of five years and no religious conversion can be conducted. This would give a five-year post-marriage protection to the girl and deter persons who are hunting for soft targets from marriages of convenience. The government has an inescapable duty to protect every daughter of the nation from being misused, and being made pawns in a diabolical game of conversions and fodder for foreign terror predators.

Indian girls cannot be made terror brides.

The author is IRS (Rtd), Ph.D. (Narcotics), Former Director General, National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN). Views expressed are personal.

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First version published at 10:45

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. ADA University in Baku is hosting an international conference on "Shaping the geopolitics of Greater Eurasia: from past to present and future" with the participation of about 40 representatives from more than 30 countries, Trend reports.

Rector of the ADA University, former Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the US Hafiz Pashayev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Department for Economic Affairs and Innovative Development Policy Shahmar Movsumov, Minister of Digital Development and Transportation Rashad Nabiyev, Deputy former Assistant Secretary of State of the US, former First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistans Parliament and other persons are taking part in the event.

Pashayev said that ADA University is holding such a conference for the fourth time.

According to him, the conference is of great importance from the point of view of politics, science and international relations, and noted that the university is considered an important platform for discussing issues on the regional and global agenda. The ideas expressed here are covered in magazines around the world and in social networks.

The rector pointed out that the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev was a person who took important steps in the field of geopolitics.

"He was the only Azerbaijani who reached political heights in the Soviet Union. In the 1990s, Azerbaijan was going through a crisis. The war, the occupation of our lands by Armenia, the economic crisis  under these conditions the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev came to the leadership of the country. After the national leader came to power, the war was stopped and the economy stabilized," Pashayev said.

Speaking at the conference, the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan spoke about the significance of the "Contract of the Century", the BakuTbilisiCeyhan pipeline, and major transport corridor projects initiated by Azerbaijan.

Movsumov said that about $300 billion of investments have been invested in the country, which has turned from a country sharing its alternative energy resources into a transit country.

Minister of Digital Development and Transportation of Azerbaijan said that the country is the initiator of many international projects, mainly in the field of transport and transit. Great leader Heydar Aliyev also laid the foundation for the BakuTbilisiKars railway project.

Nabiyev highlighted that the events taking place in the world, wars once again show the need for alternative transit routes, which increases the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route also known as the Middle Corridor.

"Over the past 10 years, we have built several new airports. According to our calculations, the volume of transit traffic through our country in the next five years will amount to 23 million tons. Moreover, the Middle Corridor should not be considered only as an alternative during the crisis," Nabiyev added.

The moderator of the second session of the conference was a research faculty member of the Energy Academic Group at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Brenda Shaffer.

Furthermore, the speakers, former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, former Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza, the Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan Sodig Safoyev, former Georgian Ambassador to the US and Canada Tedo Japaridze, former Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Bolat Nurgaliyev and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State David Merkel noted that Heydar Aliyev is always highly appreciated because he brought the young Azerbaijani state out of the years full of chaos. It was mentioned that Heydar Aliyev rose to very important posts in the Soviet era and, thanks to his political wisdom, received recognition in the Soviet Union.
After NCP Surpemo and veteran Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar announced his resignation from the post of party chief, Shiv Sena leader and his political ally, Sanjay Raut compared Pawars decision to step down with Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

Raut on Tuesday took to Twitter to hail Pawars decision and wrote, Fed up by dirty Politics and allegations, Shivsena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray too had resigned as the Shivsena Pramukh. History seems to have repeated itself But owing to the love of Shivsainiks he had to withdraw his decisionLike Balasaheb, Pawar Saheb too is the soul of the States politics.

Fed up by dirty Politics and allegations , Shivsena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray too had resigned as the Shivsena Pramukh. History seems to have repeated itself But owing to the love of Shivsainiks he had to withdraw his decision Like Balasaheb , Pawar Saheb too is the pic.twitter.com/A0wq3XcnLU Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) May 2, 2023

Rauts party Shiv Sena Uddhav Bal Thackeray, which is the split faction of the former Shiv Sena, is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi that also comprises NCP and the Congress.

His reaction came after Sharad Pawar, whose party has been clouded with speculations of joining forces with the BJP, on Tuesday announced that he was stepping down as the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

Pawar founded the political outfit in 1999 and lead it since then. He announced the launch of a revised version of his autobiography.

The announcement was met with protests by party workers and leaders who asked the octogenarian leader to rescind the decision NCP leader Anil Deshmukh, who was present at the meeting in Mumbai where Pawar announced his decision, said that the state and the country need Pawar saheb.

Meanwhile, Pawars nephew Ajit Pawar, who recently became subject to rumours of aligning with political rival BJP, expressed regret about Sharad Pawars resignation and said that he will always remain the head of the family.

A four-time Maharashtra chief minister, who also served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar played a key role in building an unprecedented coalition between the NCP, Congress and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

(With inputs from PTI)

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As expected, in the third Vajramuth rally held in Mumbai on May 1, Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray targeted the BJP and challenged them to hold the elections now.

Uddhav said BJP is scared of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is receiving positive response from people.

While criticising the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government, Uddhav said they are now eyeing the fix deposits of BMC as they want to loot Mumbai, including the governments decision to give the land of MMRDA grounds in Mumbai for bullet train. I am not against development but any project which is not in favour of local public, we will not support that. I had put stay in the bullet train project as Mumbai-Ahmedabad route is not the busiest one. So, why the Centre wants to force this project in Maharashtra. Hence, I oppose it. But this government, after coming to power immediately, allotted prime land of MMRDA grounds for the bullet train project, Uddhav said.

Regarding the Aarey site for the Metro car-shed project, Uddhav said he had suggested an alternate land in Kanjurmarg where the bigger car depot could have been built for other lines too. But with the help of the Central government, the BJP halted the land allotting process, and a few days ago, I got to know that they want the same Kanjurmarg plot for other lines. It means you did everything deliberately, he alleged.

All leaders of MVA, who spoke in the rally, targeted the BJP and Eknath Shinde over BMC elections and issues related to Mumbai. Aditya Thackeray questioned the government on not having a single woman minister in the Cabinet. This government is still silent on projects like Vedanta Foxconn, bulk drug park. Gujarat also celebrates May 1 as their state day like Maharashtra, but the Central government is giving different treatment to both the states. Why are major projects are going there from Maharashtra? Why are ministers silent on this? Aditya asked.

Amid the speculation that Ajit Pawar will join hands with the BJP, Ajit Pawar, who was also in the rally, said he is very much in the NCP. One should not believe in false news, and people should not fall for such speculative news, many times they have been planted, Pawar said while criticising media on spreading lies about joining BJP.

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday slammed BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira for making baseless" allegations against one of his ministers.

Mann said the allegations showed that they were feeling jittery ahead of the Lok Sabha bypoll in Jalandhar, scheduled for May 10.

Sirsa on Monday alleged in a tweet that one of Manns ministers tendered his resignation after his obscene video" was submitted to the Punjab governor.

Replying to a question on Sirsas allegations, Mann took a swipe at the BJP leader and dubbed his claims as baseless".

Mann added that he did not receive any resignation or video.

The chief minister was addressing the media after he reached office in the morning. The new timing in Punjab government offices came into effect on Tuesday with shifts changing from the earlier 9 am-5 pm regime to 7.30 am-2 pm. The new timing will remain in force till July 15.

Without naming anyone, Congress MLA Khaira on Monday said he had handed over highly objectionable video clips of gross misconduct" of an AAP minister to the governor. He also demanded the ministers dismissal from the Cabinet if the video is found to be genuine.

Mann was also asked to comment on Khairas accusation that Lal Chand Kataruchak had misused" his position as minister to appoint his son as his telephone attendant and his nephew (sister-in-laws son) as his special assistant.

Mann rejected the allegation and said, It shows they are feeling jittery. They are not getting any issues. They are jittery about the Jalandhar (bypoll)." Therefore, they say that he (Kataruchak) has appointed his nephew, son of his sister-in-law," said Mann.

Mann also asked Khaira why his Punjab Democratic Alliance fielded Kataruchak from Gurdsapur in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections if he (Kataruchak) was involved in any impropriety.

Kataruchak has also rejected Khairas allegations.

The bypoll to the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat was necessitated by the death of Congress MP Santokh Chaudhary.

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Sharad Pawars decision to step down as the NCP president on Tuesday created ripples in the political circles with leaders across party lines reacting to the surprising development that comes just a year before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis termed Pawars decision to quit an internal matter" of the NCP, adding that the BJP is keeping an eye on the situation.

Talking to reporters, Fadnavis said, Pawar sahibs decision is NCPs internal matter. It is his personal decision. He is a senior leader and he has decided something. Brainstorming over several issues is going on within his party. So, it will not be right for us to react to this. We will keep an eye on the situation and react after a day or two.

ALSO READ: Pawar-ful Journey: From 4-Time Maha CM to BCCI Chief, Know All About NCP Veteran Sharad Pawar

Springing a surprise, Pawar said he was stepping down as the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the outfit he founded after breaking away from the Congress. He had helmed the NCP since 1999.

Pawar made the announcement at the launch of a revised version of his autobiography. The announcement was met with protests by party workers and leaders who asked the octogenarian leader to rescind the decision.

Top NCP leader and nephew, Ajit Pawar, while speaking to the media, said that Pawars resignation doesnt mean he was quitting politics. He added that Pawar wanted to announce this decision on May 1 but he could not since there was a MVA rally. We expected this day will come someday, said Ajit.

In the Congress party, Sonia ji is still the leader, but she doesnt hold the post. We have to consider his age. All functions will happen under his leadership only," added Ajit Pawar.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called Pawar the soul of Maharashtra politics and likened his decision to the resignation of Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Taking to Twitter, Raut said, Fed up by dirty Politics and allegations, Shivsena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray too had resigned as the Shivsena Pramukh. History seems to have repeated itself But owing to the love of Shivsainiks he had to withdraw his decisionLike Balasaheb, Pawar Saheb too is the soul of the States politics.

ALSO READ: Still Head of the Family, NCP Leader Ajit Humbly Requested Sharad Pawar to Take Back Resignation

Rauts party Shiv Sena (UBT) is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi that also comprises NCP and the Congress.

NCP leader Anil Deshmukh, who was present at the meeting in Mumbai where Pawar announced his decision, said that the state and the country need Pawar saheb.

A four-time Maharashtra chief minister, who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar was instrumental in stitching together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

(With PTI inputs)

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In a setback to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday refused to pass any interim order in his favour in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname" remark.

The Congress leaders counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, requested the high court to pass an interim order.

However, Single-judge Justice Hemant Prachchhak denied Singhvis request and said the final verdict will be pronounced after the Court reopens post the summer vacation of the Court, Bar and Bench reported.

The Gujarat High Court on Saturday began hearing Rahul Gandhis plea challenging the order of the Surat sessions court declining a stay to his conviction in the case.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the high court took up the criminal revision application filed by Gandhi challenging the April 20 order of the sessions court. If the high court allows his plea, it could pave the way for Gandhis reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.

On Wednesday, high court judge Justice Gita Gopi recused herself from hearing the case after it was brought before her for an urgent hearing. The matter was then assigned to the court of Justice Prachchhak.

A metropolitan magistrates court in Surat on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019, was disqualified as a an MP under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi, 52, challenged the order in the Surat sessions court along with an application seeking a stay to the conviction. While granting him bail, the court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction.

Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname? remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

(With PTI inputs)

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After Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced to step down as the party chief, the big question is who will lead the 24-year-old party. Even as party workers are protesting against Pawars decision, the veteran leaders daughter Supriya Sule and nephew Ajit Pawar are considered frontrunners for the post.

While announcing his decision, Pawar also announced a panel of senior party leaders to draw a future course of action. Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, P C Chacko, Narhari Zirwal, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujabl, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Jaydev Gaikwad and chiefs of party frontal cells will be a part of the committee.

ALSO READ: Sharad Pawar Will Rethink His Decision to QuitNeeds 2-3 Days, Says Nephew Ajit

Sharad Pawars resignation came days after speculations hinted that Ajit might join hands with the BJP. However, Ajit dismissed these claims as baseless and reiterated that he would stay in the NCP till his last moment

Last month on April 19, Sule said there will be two political blasts" in the next 15 daysone in Delhi and another in Maharashtra. It is apparent now that one of two political blasts" is Sharads resignation from the party chief. All eyes are now on the other.

ALSO READ: A Pawar-ful Journey: From 4-Time Maha CM to BCCI Chief, Know All About NCP Veteran Sharad Pawar

Ajit Pawar

With uncle Sharad Pawar as his guide, Ajit quickly rose through the ranks within the party. His political innings began in 1982 when he was elected to board of a cooperative sugar factory in Maharashtra.

In 1991, he was elected to Lok Sabha from Baramati. However, he vacated the seat for Sharad Pawar and returned to state politics. He entered the Maharashtra assembly after victory in the 1991 Assembly elections.

The seven-term MLA has handled important portfolios like deputy CM, Finance, and Agriculture in the past.

In 2019, Ajit attempted a coup when he extended support to Devendra Fadnaviss government defying Sharad Pawar and became the deputy CM. However, the governments stint lasted for only three days. Sharad apparently forgave him and he was made deputy CM when the NCP joined hands with Congress and Shiv Sena to form the government with Uddhav Thackeray as CM.

Supriya Sule

When NCP was in power with Congress in Maharashtra in 2006, Supriya Sule was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2006. She has won three consecutive Lok Sabha elections from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat since 2009.

Sule is the face of NCP in Lok Sabha and has been aggressively taking up matters in the House.

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Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has announced that he is stepping down from his post. I have decided to step down as president of NCP," Pawar made the announcement of his retirement during the release of his autobiography, Lok Majhe Sangaayi - Political Autobiography".

While addressing party worker, Pawar said a committee has been formed to decide who will take reins of the party and steer it forward. Senior party leaders like Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and a few other will be a part of the committee. Supriya Sule, however, has not been named Pawar.

#WATCH | "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," says NCP chief Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/tTiO8aCAcK ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

I know when to stop I have set up a committee of senior NCP leaders who will decide on the next president," said Pawar, 82, flanked by his wife Pratibha.

However, the Rajya Sabha member with three more years to go, assured that he would remain active in public life through social-politics, as in the past over 55 years.

His announcement was greeted with shock, many bursting into tears and raising slogans in his support with many party activists appealing to Pawar to take back his decision as the country needs him. Party workers and leaders, however, demanded that Pawar withdraw his decision. They threatened not to leave the venue unless he rescind his decision.

Sharad Pawars sudden decision of stepping down as NCP chief has left top party leaders shocked. While some said Pawar took the decision unilaterally and did not consult them, others tried to pacify party workers.

Top NCP leader, Ajit Pawar, while speaking to the media, said that NCP Chief Pawars resignation as President doesnt mean he is quitting politics. He added that NCP Chief Pawar wanted to announce this decision on May 1 but he could not since there was a MVA rally. We expected this day will come some day," said Ajit.

In Congress party, Sonia ji is still leader but she doesnt hold the post. We have to consider his age. All functions will happen under his leadership only," added Ajit Pawar.

In a tweet, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut stressed that Pawar may have too take his decision back after public outrage just like Balasaheb Thackeray had once done before.

Fed up by dirty Politics and allegations, Shiv Sena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, too, had resigned as the Shivsena Pramukh. History seems to have repeated itself but owing to the love of Shiv sainiks he had to withdraw his decision like Balasaheb, Pawar Saheb, too, is the soul of the States politics," Raut tweeted on Tuesday.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole also reacted to Pawars sudden reaction. We thought Sharad Pawar will remain in public life till his last breath but we cant tell why he resigned today. It will not impact Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). We hope the new president of NCP will stay with MVA," said Patole.

#WATCH | Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar protest against his announcement to step down as the national president of NCP. pic.twitter.com/LsCV601EYs ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

A four-time Maharashtra chief minister, who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar was instrumental in stitching together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Sharad Pawar formed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999 after separating from the Congress. Congress had in 1999 expelled three dissident leaders, one of which was Sharad Pawar, for opposing Sonia Gandhis candidacy for Prime Minister because she was born in Italy.

Read all the Latest Politics News here
Geoffrey Hinton, a renowned computer scientist and one of the Godfathers of AI," recently resigned from his position at Google to speak freely about his concerns regarding the risks of artificial intelligence.

Hinton, who won the Turing Award in 2018 for his groundbreaking work in AI, says that he now regrets some of his lifes work and fears the consequences of the technology he helped create.

In an interview with The New York Times, Hinton expressed his concerns about the potential misuse of AI by bad actors" and the spread of fake imagery and text.

He noted that as competition in the industry heats up, it may be impossible to prevent such outcomes, which could ultimately result in a world where nobody can tell what is true anymore.

For half a century, Geoffrey Hinton nurtured AI technologies. Now he worries they will cause serious harm.His journey from AI groundbreaker to doomsayer marks a remarkable moment for the technology.https://t.co/jZO0vnwV0s  Prof. Nikolai Slavov (@slavov_n) May 2, 2023

Hinton also worries about the impact of AI on employment and the potential for the technology to eliminate rote jobs. He acknowledges that AI has the potential to write and run its own code, and even surpass human intelligence. Hinton admits that he was once skeptical of such claims but now believes that it is a real possibility.

Hinton joined Google over a decade ago after the company acquired a startup he co-founded with two of his students, according to the NYT report. Their work on neural networks, which allowed machines to teach themselves to identify common objects, led to the development of cutting-edge AI tools like ChatGPT.

Hinton said he was initially satisfied with Googles stewardship of the technology, but became concerned when Microsoft launched Bing, an AI-infused search engine that threatened Googles core business.

After the interview, he took to Twitter to clarify his position on why he left Google. Defending his former employers, he said, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly."

In the NYT today, Cade Metz implies that I left Google so that I could criticize Google. Actually, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly. Geoffrey Hinton (@geoffreyhinton) May 1, 2023

Hintons resignation from Google marks a turning point in his career as a scientist and educator. He now plans to devote his time to speaking out about the risks of AI and promoting a responsible approach to its development and use.

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International Business Machines Corp expects to pause hiring for roles as roughly 7,800 jobs could be replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the coming years, CEO Arvind Krishna told Bloomberg News on Monday.

Hiring specifically in back-office functions such as human resources will be suspended or slowed, Krishna said, adding that 30% of non-customer-facing roles could be replaced by AI and automations in five years.

His comment comes at a time when AI has caught the imagination of people around the world after the launch of Microsoft Corp-backed OpenAIs viral chatbot, ChatGPT, in November last year.

The reduction could include not replacing roles vacated by attrition, the PC-maker told the publication.

IBM did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The Karabakh Revival Fund organized a trip to Azerbaijans liberated Zangilan district with participation of more than 20 donors and partners of the fund, which supported the laying of a forest in the district, as well as public representatives, Trend reports via the fund.

The trip was organized in connection with the restoration of a forest area in Zangilan, consisting of 30,000 trees, and a tree planting campaign on the territory on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev, and supported by the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts of the Eastern Zangazur economic region.

The trip participants were informed about the project to establish the forest area with the financial support of the Karabakh Revival Fund and the organizational support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

Chairman of the Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund Rahman Hajiyev said that during the Armenian occupation huge damage was inflicted to the cities and villages of Azerbaijans Karabakh, including their ecology - forest cover, biodiversity, water resources.

According to Hajiyev, restoring the ecological balance in the territories liberated from the occupation is one of the priorities.

He noted that the Karabakh Revival Fund and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding to eliminate environmental damage in the liberated territories and restore the ecological balance.

The official explained that in accordance with the memorandum, on December 17, 2021, within the framework of the project "From Victory to Revival", a project was launched to establish a forest area in Zangilan.

According to Hajiyev, who emphasized the support of donor companies in the implementation of the project, in accordance with the project, at the entrance to Zangilan city, 30,000 trees, mainly the Eldar pine, evergreen cypress, ash, honey locust and oriental plane tree, meeting local climatic conditions, were planted on an area of 30 hectares.

All work carried out on the territory in order to establish the forest area meet the requirements of reforestation.

Power supply and irrigation systems have been established, and regular monitoring of the territory planted with trees has been ensured. The territory where the forest area is being established was visited, and familiarization with the work carried out within the framework of the project took place.

Then the participants got acquainted with the consequences of the vandalism committed by Armenia, as well as the large-scale restoration and reconstruction work carried out there.

Further, the participants, having familiarized themselves with the Zangilan International Airport, visited Aghali village where they were given detailed information about the conditions created in the village.

After the completion of the project to establish the forest area in Zangilan, the Karabakh Revival Fund will launch projects for planting greenery in other liberated territories, and the relevant information will be further published.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is encouraging car owners to use Apple AirTags to reduce car theft in the city. The initiative comes after a viral TikTok video demonstrated an easily accessible exploit for breaking into Hyundai and Kia vehicles, causing an uptick in thefts across the United States.

According to a tweet by the NYPD chief, the authorities said that the 21st century calls for 21st century policing," and an AirTag in a car will help officers recover a car if it is stolen. An accompanying video instructs car owners to get an AirTag and install it in a location in the vehicle where it cant easily be found.

The 21st century calls for 21st century policing. AirTags in your car will help us recover your vehicle if its stolen. Well use our drones, our StarChase technology & good old fashion police work to safely recover your stolen car. Help us help you, get an AirTag. #GSD pic.twitter.com/fTfk8p4lye NYPD Chief of Department (@NYPDChiefOfDept) April 30, 2023

The 21st century calls for 21st century policing. AirTags in your car will help us recover your vehicle if its stolen. Well use our drones, our StarChase technology & good old fashion police work to safely recover your stolen car. Help us help you, get an AirTag. #GSD," NYPD Chief of Department tweeted.

The video also demonstrates a car theft scenario, where the owner uses the Find My app to track the car using the AirTag, and the tracking information is relayed to the police. Thanks to the AirTag, officers are able to recover the vehicle and arrest the thief.

In a press conference on Sunday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city will provide 500 free AirTags to car owners. The AirTags will be given to residents in Castle Hill, Soundview, and Parkchester, as these areas have seen a significant increase in stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles, MacRumors reported.

According to the report, Adams said that the city is committed to using technology to reduce crime and that the AirTag initiative is just the beginning. He also urged car owners to take all necessary precautions to prevent car theft, including locking doors and not leaving valuable items in cars.

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In the latest incident of Zoom botch-up, a US lawmaker was caught on camera for a split-second voting yes" while partially topless and covered with a blanket during a recent voting session of the state legislature.

The incident, the video of which went viral, captured Senator Calvin Bahr during a Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor Zoom meeting.

The lawmaker, who was elected to his current position in 2022 following three terms as a state representative, appeared stunned to be on camera. Despite attempting to quickly shut off the camera, the incident was witnessed by others in attendance who struggled to contain their laughter.

Minnesota state Sen. Calvin Bahr briefly appeared shirtless during a Zoom roll call on Monday. pic.twitter.com/D9Yoonvzve Newsweek (@Newsweek) May 2, 2023

This is not the first time that Zoom mishaps have occurred. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in virtual meetings, and with that came an increase in technical issues.

In October 2020, former CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin was caught masturbating on a live video feed during an election simulation, according to the American weekly news magazine Newsweek. One month later, he was fired by The New Yorker after approximately 30 years at the magazine.

In August 2022, former Alaska governor and House candidate Sarah Palin, was interrupted by the drawing of a penis during a Native Peoples Action candidate forum broadcast on Zoom.

However, arguably the most infamous webcam footage occurred in the years prior to the pandemic, now known ubiquitously as BBC Dad."

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China has maintained its stance on the UN Security Council reforms, saying there should be more representation for developing countries, especially the small and medium countries, but avoided a direct response to India and other countries call for its expansion and their inclusion.

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met Tareq M A M Albanai and Alexander Marschik, co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reforms, in Beijing on Saturday and outlined Chinas stand on the reorganisation of the top organ of the world body.

China is one of the five veto-wielding members of the 15-member UNSC along with France, Russia, the UK and the US.

The remaining 10 members are elected as non-permanent members for two-year terms and do not have veto powers.

India has been at the forefront of the years-long efforts to reform the Security Council, saying it rightly deserved a place as a permanent member of the United Nations.

In his interactions with the IGN representatives, Wang said in the reform of the Security Council, efforts should be made to uphold fairness and justice, increase the representation and voice of developing countries, give more small and medium-sized countries the opportunity to participate in decision-making and correct historical injustices against Africa in particular.

It is hoped that the co-chairs will guide all parties to remove disturbances and build consensus so that the reform process of the Security Council will be widely recognised by the international community and the results will stand the test of history, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Wang as saying.

On April 25, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj while speaking at the UNSC said India is right in demanding a major course correction of the UNs top body when the worlds largest democracy is kept out of the global decision-making.

Kamboj questioned whether the international community can practise multilateralism effectively in the 21st century through a body that celebrates the principle to the victor belong the spoils privileged more than three generations ago.

How much longer will we keep decorating effective multilateralism with the intent of reforming multilateralism with only words and mere lip service? she asked.

China has been maintaining a vague stand on the UNSC reforms over the years without making any concrete proposals.

The G-4 countries  Brazil, Germany, India and Japan  are supporting each others bids for permanent seats on the 15-member UNSC On calls for broad-basing the UNSC by including India, China in the past called for a packaged solution with a broad consensus.

Indias bid for a permanent seat in the UNSC has received broad support from the US, the UK, France and Russia.

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A ceasefire between Colombias ELN rebel group and the government must be adhered to 100%" if it is to win the confidence of the Colombian people, the head of the ELN delegation said on Monday ahead of fresh talks in Havana.

Colombias leftist President Gustavo Petro restarted peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) last year, but those negotiations were thrown into disarray in March, after the ELN killed nine Colombian soldiers near the border with Venezuela.

Any ceasefire must be achievable and measurable" to win over the Colombian public, ELN chief negotiator Pablo Beltran told reporters shortly after arriving in Havana for a third round of talks since Petros election.

We want  the Colombian people to see a ceasefire is possible, and that we have agreed to comply," Beltran said. This (would be) a preliminary ceasefire, not an end to the conflict, so we are interested in it working 100%, that is, zero errors."

Beltran said the March attack that killed nine soldiers was brought on by an offensive campaign" by Colombias military.

There was a series of attacks. What was our response? To defend ourselves. That was the directive," Beltran said.

The attack by the ELN, Petros government said, damaged Colombians confidence in the groups commitment to peace. But Beltran said the Colombian military had also killed its fighters in combat operations since the talks began.

For now, there is no ceasefire. And operations on both sides continue," Beltran said, reaffirming his groups desire to reach a ceasefire during the Havana talks.

Negotiations with the ELN under previous administrations faltered after dissent flared from within its ranks, but Beltran rejected that would be a problem this time around, saying any such agreement would be abided by all of the ELNs fronts.

Petros government and the ELN concluded a first round of peace talks in Caracas at the end of 2022. A second round of peace talks were held in Mexico this year.

The ELN, founded in 1964 by radical Catholic priests, has some 5,850 members, including 2,900 combatants, and is accused of financing itself through drug trafficking, illegal mining and kidnapping.

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Dutch police arrested a man in connection with a drunk driving incident over the weekend and were surprised to find out that his driving licence named him as Boris Johnson".

The document, made in Ukraine, had an official portrait of the former UK Prime Minister along with his correct date of birth, a report in The Telegraph said.

The fake drivers licence was issued" in 2019 and valid until the end of the year 3000.

Police spokesman Thijs Damstra said that they came across the license while they were investigating an incident shortly after a car crashed into a pole near the Emma Bridge in the northern city of Groningen on Sunday midnight, AFP reported.

The car was abandoned but the police found the driver standing on the bridge. The person could not identify himself and refused to undertake a breathalyser test," Damstra told AFP.

The 35-year-old man, from the small town of Zuidhorn west of Groningen, was arrested and police searched his car.

Inside, police found a fake drivers licence belonging to Boris Johnson," Damstra said.

Unfortunately for this person, we did not fall for his forgery," Groningen police said on its Instagram account.

Police could not say where the forged document was made but public broadcaster NOS journalist and former Russia correspondent Kysia Hekster, in a tweet published by the NOS, said that fake drivers licences could easy be bought in tourist shops in Ukraine.

Damstra added, As far as Im aware, the real Mr Boris Johnson was not in the Netherlands at the time."

(With inputs from AFP)

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Israeli strikes on north Syrias Aleppo province overnight killed four Syrian officers and three Iran-backed fighters, putting the areas international airport out of service, a war monitor reported Tuesday.

During more than a decade of war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli missiles targeted the Aleppo international airport area and the Nayrab military airfield area" nearby late Monday, reporting explosions at both facilities and severe damage".

Strikes completely destroyed" a munitions depot in the Nayrab airfield area, killing four Syrian army officers and three pro-Iran foreign fighters", said the Britain-based monitor, which relies on a vast network of sources on the ground, raising the toll from four dead.

Israeli missiles also slammed into Syrian air force factories in the Safireh area of Aleppo province, causing extensive material damage", it said, adding that the sites were used by pro-Iran fighters.

The Observatory and state media said the strikes knocked out the Aleppo airport.

Officials did not immediately provide further information on when the facility was expected to reopen or the nature of the damage.

At around 11:35 pm (2035 GMT) the Israeli enemy carried out an air attack with several missiles targeting Aleppo international airport and a number of sites in the vicinity of Aleppo," state news agency SANA said, citing a military source.

A soldier was killed and seven people were wounded including two civilians," SANA said, reporting material losses".

Previous Israeli strikes have put both Aleppo and Damascus airports out of service.

While Israel rarely comments on the strikes it carries out on Syria, it has repeatedly said it will not allow its arch-foe Iran to extend its footprint in the war-torn country.

Iran-backed militias have a heavy presence in the Aleppo region after providing key ground support to the army in its recapture of rebel-held districts of the city in 2016.

On March 22, an Israeli missile strike destroyed a suspected arms depot used by Iran-backed militias at Aleppo airport, the Observatory said at the time, with authorities saying that raid put the airport out of service.

On March 7, three people were killed in an Israeli strike on the airport that also brought air traffic to a halt.

On Saturday, three civilians were wounded in Israeli air strikes near the Syrian city of Homs, state media reported, with the Observatory saying a Hezbollah munitions depot at the Dabaa military airport was destroyed.

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China is increasingly barring people from leaving the country, including foreign executives, a jarring message as the authorities say the country is open for business after three years of tight COVID-19 restrictions.

Scores of Chinese and foreigners have been ensnared by exit bans, according to a new report by the rights group Safeguard Defenders, while a Reuters analysis has found an apparent surge of court cases involving such bans in recent years, and foreign business lobbies are voicing concern about the trend.

Since Xi Jinping took power in 2012, China has expanded the legal landscape for exit bans and increasingly used them, sometimes outside legal justification," the Safeguard Defenders report reads.

Between 2018 and July of this year, no less than five new or amended (Chinese) laws provide for the use of exit bans, for a total today of 15 laws," said Laura Harth, the groups campaign director.

The group estimates tens of thousands" of Chinese are banned from exit at any one time. It also cites a 2022 academic paper by Chris Carr and Jack Wroldsen that found 128 cases of foreigners being exit-banned between 1995 and 2019, including 29 Americans and 44 Canadians.

Attention on the exit bans comes as China-US tensions have risen over trade and security disputes. This contrasts with Chinas message that it is opening up to overseas investment and travel, emerging from the isolation of some of the worlds tightest COVID curbs.

The Reuters analysis of records on exit bans, from Chinas Supreme Court database, shows an eight-fold increase in cases mentioning bans between 2016 and 2022.

China last week beefed up its counter-espionage law, allowing exit bans to be imposed on anyone, Chinese or foreign, who is under investigation.

Most of the cases in the database referring to exit bans are civil, not criminal. Reuters did not find any involving foreigners or politically sensitive subversion or national security issues.

By comparison, the US and European Union impose travel bans on some criminal suspects but generally not for civil claims.

DUE DILIGENCE

Chinas Ministry of Public Security did not respond to Reuters requests for comment on exit bans, including inquiries on how many individuals, including foreigners, are subject to them.

One person prevented from leaving China this year is a Singaporean executive at the US due-diligence firm Mintz Group, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The company, the executive and Chinas Public Security Bureau did not respond to requests for comment.

Mintz said in late March the authorities had raided the firms China office and detained five local staff. The foreign ministry said at the time Mintz was suspected of engaging in unlawful business operations. Police visited Bain & Cos office in Shanghai and questioned staff, the US management consultancy said last week.

Because of rising tensions between the US and China, the salience of this (exit ban) risk has risen," said Lester Ross, a veteran lawyer in China who has handled exit ban cases.

Ive seen a rise in companies and entities being concerned about this and asking for our advice on how to prepare and reduce risks" of exit bans, said Ross, the head of the American Chamber of Commerces China policy committee.

UNCERTAINTY IS HUGE

Foreign businesses are concerned about the heightened scrutiny and the vague wording of the counter-espionage legislation, which says exit bans can be imposed on those who cause harm to the national security or significant damage to national interests".

The uncertainty is huge," said Jorg Wuttke, head of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. Can you do due diligence? Clarity has to come."

The EU chamber told Reuters in a statement: At a time when China is proactively trying to restore business confidence to attract foreign investment, the exit bans send a very mixed signal."

People barred from leaving China include regular Chinese embroiled in financial disputes as well as rights defenders, activists and lawyers, and ethnic minorities such as Uyghurs in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region, according to the Safeguard Defenders report.

It cites a Chinese judicial report saying 34,000 people were placed under exit bans between 2016 and 2018 for owing money, a 55% rise from the same period three years earlier.

Some activists say the wider use of exit bans reflects tighter security measures under President Xi.

They can find any reason to stop you from leaving the country," said Xiang Li, a Chinese rights activist who was denied exit for two years before escaping from China in 2017 and later receiving asylum in the United States.

China doesnt have the rule of law," she told Reuters by phone from California. The law is used to serve the purposes of the Chinese Communist Party. Its very effective."

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Pakistan witnessed an increase in the number of terror incidents in April with 48 terrorist attacks. The attacks resulted in 68 deaths and 55 injuries, the Dawn said, citing a report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) on Monday.

Pakistan also witnessed 39 terrorist attacks, leading to 58 deaths and 73 injuries. April witnessed a 23% rise in terrorist attacks and 17% rise in deaths. Deaths among security personnel also rose to 35%.

The PICSS report claimed that the security forces increased their scale of operations against terrorist groups.

Pakistan is witnessing a fresh wave of terrorism, led by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the terrorists have attacked security personnel even in secured locations like police headquarters.

Earlier in April, the Pakistan National Security Council (NSC) led by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to launch a comprehensive operation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms from the country.

However, the report said that 41 terrorists were killed and 40 others arrested.

The security forces, according to the report, mainly focused on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province where at least 30 terrorists were killed and 14 others arrested.

The KP remained the most affected province, with 49% of the total attacks reported during the month. In KP, the militants carried out 33 attacks which led to 45 deaths, including 23 security forces personnel, 17 militants and five civilians. Thirty-two people were injured, including 17 personnel of security forces and 10 civilians. Within KP, 19 militant attacks were reported from the mainland province, while 14 were reported in tribal districts of KP (former Fata), the report said.

The report also said that terrorist attacks in tribal regions of Pakistan rose by 100%. The think tank reported seven attacks in March but the number of attacks rose to 14.

Balochistan witnessed 13 attacks which led to 21 deaths, which included 11 security personnel and nine civilians. At least 23 people were hurt, including 21 civilians and two security forces personnel.

The Punjab and Sindh provinces witnessed only one attack each in April, the report said.

The Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the security forces carried out 70 intelligence-based operations daily and in the first four months of 2023, 1400 suspected terrorists were arrested and 188 terrorists killed.

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Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova on Tuesday expressed regret" after a morphed image of a female figure above blast smoke, sparked massive outrage from people in India for mimicking the Hindu deity Kali.

Emine Dzhaparova said Kyiv regrets" the defence ministrys depiction of goddess Kali in a distorted manner" and the country respects unique Indian culture and highly appreciates support from India".

We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine & its people respect unique #Indian culture&highly appreciate support. The depiction has already been removed. is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect& friendship," Dzhaparova said in a tweet.

We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine &its people respect unique #Indian culture&highly appreciatesupport.The depiction has already been removed.is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect&friendship. Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) May 1, 2023

The controversy erupted after the official Twitter account of Ukraines defence ministry on April 30 posted a photo of a woman in an upskirt pose similar to Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe with the caption, Work of art.

The image triggered an outrage on social media as the users pointed out the resemblance of the image to the depiction of Goddess Kali.

Emine Dzhaparova added the depiction had been removed.

Kanchan Gupta, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, called the image an assault on Hindu sentiments around the world.

Following the tweet, many Indian Twitter users sought External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars intervention.

Please take note of this defamatory post that shows Maa Kali in a bad light, @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar," one user tweeted.

Earlier this month, Ukraines First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova, visited India and said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the eastern Europe country, and New Delhi to be more involved in its conflict with Russia.

She earlier said India is a global leader and can help in addressing key global challenges and promoting peace. She invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modis message to Russian President Vladimir Putin in September last year that todays era is not of war.

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Princess Anne on Tuesday insisted the British monarchy is in rude health and said she does not think a slimmed-down monarchy is a good idea.

Well, I think the slimmed down was said in a day when there were a few more people around. It doesnt sound like a good idea from where Im standing, I would say. Im not quite sure what else we can do, the Royal Princess said when asked about proposals to modernise the monarchy.

In an interview with Canadas CBC News, the Princess spoke in defence of the Royal Family and insisted that it brings long-term stability, continuity and goodness to the UK and Commonwealth.

The statement comes amid King Charles III is reportedly trying to slim down" the monarchy to a team of just seven. The 74-year-old monarch will be formally crowned on Saturday (May 6).

The line of succession on the British Royal Familys website shows the 22 highest-ranking members of the family. However, the king plans to reduce the monarchy to a team of just seven key members, all senior working royals.

Anne, Queen Elizabeth IIs only daughter, is often referred to as the hardest-working royal due to the number of engagements she attends in a year. In 2022, she topped the list with 214, compared with Charless 181.

Anne also said that her brother King Charles was committed" to the monarchy, after years of practice.

I dont think hell change. You know what youre getting, because hes been practicing for a bit," she said.

He is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true, she added.

Princess Annes comment comes as the royal family has gone through a lot of changes in recent years including the deaths of both the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh and the decision taken by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to quit as working royals.

Moreover, Prince Andrew has also stepped down from public life after his disastrous Newsnight interview and furore over his friendship with sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein.

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Details added: first version posted on 11:28

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The Karabakh Revival Fund organized a trip to Azerbaijans liberated Zangilan district with participation of more than 20 donors and partners of the fund, which supported the laying of a forest in the district, as well as public representatives, Trend reports via the fund.

The trip was organized in connection with the restoration of a forest area in Zangilan, consisting of 30,000 trees, and a tree planting campaign on the territory on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev, and supported by the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts of the Eastern Zangazur economic region.

The trip participants were informed about the project to establish the forest area with the financial support of the Karabakh Revival Fund and the organizational support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

Chairman of the Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund Rahman Hajiyev said that during the Armenian occupation huge damage was inflicted to the cities and villages of Azerbaijans Karabakh, including their ecology - forest cover, biodiversity, water resources.

According to Hajiyev, restoring the ecological balance in the territories liberated from the occupation is one of the priorities.

He noted that the Karabakh Revival Fund and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding to eliminate environmental damage in the liberated territories and restore the ecological balance.

The official explained that in accordance with the memorandum, on December 17, 2021, within the framework of the project "From Victory to Revival", a project was launched to establish a forest area in Zangilan.

According to Hajiyev, who emphasized the support of donor companies in the implementation of the project, in accordance with the project, at the entrance to Zangilan city, 30,000 trees, mainly the Eldar pine, evergreen cypress, ash, honey locust and oriental plane tree, meeting local climatic conditions, were planted on an area of 30 hectares.

All work carried out on the territory in order to establish the forest area meet the requirements of reforestation.

Power supply and irrigation systems have been established, and regular monitoring of the territory planted with trees has been ensured. The territory where the forest area is being established was visited, and familiarization with the work carried out within the framework of the project took place.

Then the participants got acquainted with the consequences of the vandalism committed by Armenia, as well as the large-scale restoration and reconstruction work carried out there.

Further, the participants, having familiarized themselves with the Zangilan International Airport, visited Aghali village where they were given detailed information about the conditions created in the village.

After the completion of the project to establish the forest area in Zangilan, the Karabakh Revival Fund will launch projects for planting greenery in other liberated territories, and the relevant information will be further published.
The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, left the Edinburgh castle for the first time in 25 years for the coronation of King Charles III. The royal family perceives the Stone of Scone is a sacred object and it is an ancient symbol of Scottish monarchy.

The Stone of Scone has been used for coronation ceremonies of its kings since the 9th century.

The name also comes from the Scone Palace located in Scotlands Perth.

The former monarch would have their inauguration as kings while sitting on it.

A report by the Conversation says that Scottish kings considered the stone sacred because in absence of crowns and other regalia, the Stone of Destiny became an important symbol of the Scottish royals and was a representative of a solid foundation to the kingdom.

The Stone of Destiny was placed in a section underneath the seat of the Coronation Chair following the Wars of Independence, Edward made the stone part of the chair.

When King Edward I of England seized the stone in 1296, he had built it into a new throne at Westminster. It remained in England until 1996 and then was returned for permanent display in Scotland in 1996.

Scotland and England agreed that the stone would return to Westminster Abbey for any future coronations. It is a 150 kg red sandstone slab, measuring 66cm long, 42cm wide, and 27cm high.

This has been used in the inauguration of 26 kings and queens at Westminster Abbey ever since.

The stone was also stolen from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day in 1950 when four students from Glasgow broke into Westminster Abbey and took it back to Scotland. They were led by Ian Hamilton who wanted to make a statement regarding Scottish independence and self-rule.

Hamilton later told the BBC that the Stone of Destiny is Scotlands icon and accused England of stealing the symbol of Scotland. He said the act was a symbolic gesture.

It returned to Westminster Abbey on April 11, 1951 and was reinstated in the coronation chair when it was used two years later during Queen Elizabeth IIs coronation.

After the coronation of Charles, the stone will return to Edinburgh Castle and then later in 2024 it will be housed in the new Perth Museum.

(with inputs from Reuters, Indian Express and Times of India)

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UN chief Antonio Guterres held a second day of talks with world powers Tuesday on how to deal with Afghanistans Taliban leaders amid warnings from the Kabul administration that the meeting could be counter-productive".

The talks in Doha were arranged by Guterres after the Taliban government banned Afghan women from working for the United Nations, prompting the world body to put its huge relief operations in Afghanistan under review.

Women are also banned from working for other NGOs, and are barred from almost all secondary and university education and most government jobs.

The talks involve envoys from the United States, Russia, China and 20 other countries and organisations, including major European donors and neighbours such as Pakistan, but exclude the Taliban government.

Any meeting without the participation of IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) representatives  the main party to the issue  is unproductive and even sometimes counter-productive," said the head of the Taliban political office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen.

How can a decision taken at such meetings be acceptable or implemented while we are not part of the process? It is discriminatory and unjustified," he said.

Meanwhile, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will lead a delegation to Islamabad at the end of the week for talks with Pakistani and Chinese officials, the ministry said Tuesday.

Muttaqi, who is subject to a UN travel ban, has previously been given exemptions to travel to the neighbouring country for talks.

The UN Security Council last week unanimously condemned the ban on its Afghan women staff, which the world body says has seriously threatened its efforts to aid the population.

Womens groups staged protests on Saturday fearing the Doha meeting could propose steps toward recognition of the Taliban administration that returned to power in August 2021.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday however that is not up for discussion" at the talks, which are being held behind closed doors.

The meeting would discuss human rights, including womens rights, Afghanistans governance and ways to counter terrorism and drug trafficking, Djurric said.

Guterres wants a common understanding with the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues", he added.

The UN review of its Afghanistan operation is due to be completed on Friday. The world body has said it faces an appalling choice" on whether to stay in the country.

Read all the Latest News here
Three days before King Charles IIIs coronation, a man was arrested outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday and a controlled explosion was carried out after he threw suspected shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds.

At around 7:00 pm BST, a man approached the gates of Buckingham Palace and was subsequently arrested by the police on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

As a precautionary measure, a cordon was in the area, which was later removed.

Officers quickly detained a man at around 19:00hrs on Tuesday, 2 May after he approached the gates of Buckingham Palace SW1 and threw a number of items - suspected to be shotgun cartridges - into the Palace grounds, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

A man has been arrested outside Buckingham Palace after he threw a number of items - suspected to be shotgun cartridges - into the Palace grounds.At this time it is not being treated as terror related. Read more: https://t.co/QCsytAdf8C  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 2, 2023

No injuries or shots were reported. At the time of the arrest, the King and Queen Consort were not at Buckingham Palace, according to a report by BBC.

The Metropolitan Police arrested a man on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found.

The man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found. He was not in possession of a firearm, the police said in the statement.

Cordons were in place after the man was also found to be in possession of a suspicious bag. Specialists attended and following an assessment a controlled explosion was conducted as a precaution, police added.

Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald, said: Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody. There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public.

Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing, he added.

This incident comes as the Met Police is undertaking one of its largest policing operations as it prepares for the historic Coronation procession that will leave the palace grounds and head towards the Abbey on May 6.

Thousands of military personnel have been training for the grand spectacle, involving officers on horseback and foot marching as part of the regal procession through the streets of London.

(With agency inputs)

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The UK Home Office will use 10 redundant cruise ships, ferries and barges to keep asylum seekers in ports around the country, the Guardian said in a report. The Home Office directed officials to consider all options to house people stuck in processing delays and are also considering housing them in former military camps and prisons.

The Guardian said that the officials may have to find more hotels to keep people as they failed to find 10,000 spaces in military camps, disused prisons and large vessels as they had predicted earlier.

The report by the news agency citing people familiar with the developments said that a feasibility study is being conducted by a leading maritime company to see if migrants can be housed in redundant oil rigs, despite the idea being rejected in 2020.

The government is caught in a tough situation because members of the ruling party are concerned about the use of hotels in their constituencies to house migrants.

The government recently confirmed plans to house about 400 people in a giant barge in Dorset. The barge will house asylum seeking single men who are the end of their asylum-processing claims and more people are likely to arrive in summer.

Suella Braverman, UK home secretary, is also considering a deal for an 1,800-capacity former cruise ship to house migrants. The ship will be docked in Mersey.

Local politicians have slammed the move and called it a floating prison, according to the Guardian.

The Home Office is facing problems in addressing the asylum backlog with hundreds of migrants still arriving across the Channel every week as official focus on search for suitable vessels to house asylum seekers, and the logistics of where to berth them, the Guardian said.

The UKs Home Office has been instructed to find another 10,000 places not in hotels for the end of this year but they have found only 5,400 places so far.

Currently 400 hotels are being used to house 51,000 asylum seekers, at a reported daily cost of 6.2 million.

The Home Office in an internal report earlier warned that plans to detain people on large vessels offshore could be costly, amounting to 7 million.

Read all the Latest News here
A US climber has died on Mount Everest, his expedition organiser said Tuesday, the first foreign death on the highest mountain in the world this season.

The 69-year-old mountaineer was on an acclimatisation rotation at around 6,400 metres (21,000 feet) when he died on Monday.

He was feeling unwell and passed away at Camp 2. Efforts are underway to bring (back) his body," Pasang Tshering Sherpa of Beyul Adventure told AFP.

Sherpa said bad weather was hampering the recovery efforts.

Beyul Adventure is a local partner of US-based expedition organiser International Mountain Guides.

It is with deep sorrow that IMG reports the death of one of our Everest 2023 team members at Camp 2," IMG chief Eric Simonson said in a statement on the companys website.

We can confirm that this event was not the result of a climbing accident or route condition that would be of potential impact or safety concern to any other teams on the mountain."

The spring Everest climbing season had a tragic start last month with the death of three Nepali climbers.

The trio were crossing the treacherous Khumbu icefall as part of a supply mission when a block of glacial ice fell and swept them into a deep crevasse.

Nepal has issued 466 permits to foreign climbers, and since most will need a guide, more than 900 people will try to summit this season, which runs until early June.

This could result in heavy traffic and bottlenecks en route to the summit, especially if there is a shorter climbing window because of unfavourable weather.

On average, around five climbers die every year on the worlds highest peak.

But in 2019, 11 people died, with four of the deaths blamed on overcrowding that year.

Nepal is home to eight of the worlds 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm.

Last month Northern Irish climber Noel Hanna, 56, died on Annapurna, the worlds 10th highest mountain, which has an even higher death rate than Everest.

The 56-year-old adventurer was returning after a successful summit of the 8,091-metre (26,545-foot) peak when he died at Camp 4.

A day later, record-holding Indian climber Baljeet Kaur, 28, and compatriot Arjun Vajpai, 30, were both rescued after a search lasting hours.

Later, a third Indian climber, Anurag Maloo, 34, was rescued alive after falling 300 metres (985 feet) into a crevasse.

Read all the Latest News here
Vice Media Group is preparing to file for bankruptcy, the New York Times said in a report on Monday, citing people familiar with the developments. Vice Media Group also recently shuttered its Vice News Tonight and Vice World News.

The Vice Media Group was popular for its documentaries and popular media websites such as Vice and Motherboard. The news of Vice Media Groups bankruptcy comes amid news of media layoffs and closures, including the closure of BuzzFeed News.

At least five companies are interested in Vice and it might consider a sale to avoid bankruptcy, the report said. It also said that if it were to go bankrupt then it would happen in the next few weeks and Vices debt holder Fortress Investment Group may end up controlling the company.

The report further added that in the event of bankruptcy the company would still continue to operate normally.

A spokesperson for Vice said that the media group remains engaged in a comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives and planning and that the  board and stakeholders continue to be focused on finding the best path.

Due to an economic downturn and weak advertising market, the journalism industry across the world has been downsizing in the recent months signalling a challenging moment for media and technology firms.

BuzzFeed News said it will shutter its news division. BuzzFeed and Vice News were a hit among millennials because of the offbeat content and informal presentation of news.

However, these two media groups faced challenges as they could not meet the challenges posed by a digital-first business model.

Vice Media informed last week that its popular TV program Vice News Tonight will be cancelled due to a broader restructuring plan and that it would entail job cuts across the digital media firms global news business.

Years of financial difficulties and top-executive departures also was one of the reasons. The reports pointed out that more than 100 employees would be laid off in the restructuring process.

Vice was valued $5.7bn in 2017 and was one of the fast-rising digital media ventures.

Founders Shane Smith, Gavin McInnes and Suroosh Alvi founded the company which was once a small magazine in Canada. McInnes parted ways with Vice and founded the Proud Boys, a far-right group whose leaders face charges for instigating the January 6 Capitol Hill riots.

Read all the Latest Business News, Tax News and Stock Market Updates here
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Five more mine-detecting dogs have been brought into the country over the past few days, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) Vugar Suleymanov told reporters, Trend reports.

"In 2021, a relevant agreement was signed with one of the US institutions, and the last five mine-detecting dogs under this agreement are already in Azerbaijan. Moreover, the delivery of mine-detecting dogs is planned in the future," he said.

Suleymanov noted with regret that a number of mine incidents had occurred in the liberated territories over the past week.

"Despite our educational activities and warning signs posted in these territories, citizens go to dangerous areas. Once again I urge citizens to be careful and follow the established rules," he added.

Previously, the US handed over five more Malinois dogs to ANAMA under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the US Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) for de-mining Azerbaijan's liberated areas.

Following the liberation of its lands from Armenian occupation in the 2020 Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan from Nov. 2020 started carrying out operations on clearing its lands of mines, booby traps, and various weapons left behind by the Armenian troops.

Since the signing of the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, by Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia [following the second Karabakh war] up to date, a total of 299 people, including military personnel and civilians, have become victims of mines as a result of the explosion of mines laid by the Armenian armed forces, 55 of them were killed, and 244 people were injured of varying severity.
UPDATE

May 2, 2023 11:51 AM CDT

The "digging frenzy" is over. A treasure hunt near the Dutch village of Ommeren, prompted by the release of a map that purported to show where Nazi soldiers had buried $20 million worth of loot, has been called off, per Dutch News. A number of digs looking for the treasure all came up empty. The New York Times talks to some of the searchers, who only managed to excavate some iron wire, scrap metal, and a 9mm WWII-era bullet. "The mystery of the treasure will stay intact," says one resident.

Jan 9, 2023 12:49 PM CST

Treasure hunters with shovels and metal detectors descended on a village in the eastern Netherlands following the release of a map showing where Nazi soldiers are believed to have buried a stash of treasure in the final weeks of World War II. The map, with a red X marking where the treasure was supposedly buried in the roots of a poplar tree near the village of Ommeren, was released as part of a research file from the late 1940s when the 75-year period of confidentiality expired, reports Reuters. According to the file, a German soldier identified as Helmut S. said soldiers had buried four ammunition boxes containing diamonds, rubies, gold, silver, and jewelry, worth the equivalent of almost $20 million in today's money, the Observer reports. According to the file, the treasure was looted from a bank in Arnhem in late 1944.

Annet Waalkens of the Netherlands National Archives tells the Observer that authorities found out about the treasure because Helmut S. was "a bit loose-lipped back in Berlin." He gave authorities the map and returned to the Netherlands for one of three unsuccesful searches in 1946 and 1947. Authorities suspect that the soldiers may have returned and moved itor that it was taken by locals who witnessed the Germans burying it as they prepared to retreat. According to the research file, officials also suspected American soldiers. Waalkens says that during the third search, officials encountered two American officers and noted that the soil in the area had been disturbed. According to the file, of the four soldiers involved in burying the treasure, two didn't survive the war and a third one vanished. It's not clear whether the fourth, Helmut S., is still alive.

Treasure hunters turned up in the area last week despite the apparently slim chances of finding anything. "Like a lot of people, the news about the treasure made me go look for myself," a 57-year-old man told Reuters. "The chance of the treasure still being here after 70 years is very small I think, but I want to give it a try." Days after the map was released, local officials warned against digging for treasure in the area, citing the risk of encountering land mines or unexploded bombs from World War II, reports DutchNews.nl. Treasure hunters were warned to stay off private land and officials said digging or using metal detectors could only be done with a permit, per Omroep Gelderland. (Read more buried treasure stories.)
UPDATE

May 3, 2023 12:30 AM CDT

A judge on Tuesday rejected Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr's attempt to be allowed back onto the House floor, CNN reports. Zephyr, who is trans, had sued in an effort to get court intervention after she was censured and barred from the floor last month, and she says she's not done fighting. "Im exploring every avenue available to make sure my constituents, the people who sent me here, have the representation that they have a right to," the Democrat said on CNN. For now, she remains unable to participate in debate on the floor for the rest of the legislative session, though she is still allowed to cast votes remotely. The session is scheduled to end this week.

May 1, 2023 6:35 PM CDT

A trans lawmaker in Montana is suing the state to be allowed back onto the House floor after she was banished from it last month. "The recent actions violate my 1st amendment rights, as well as the rights of my 11,000 constituents to representation," tweeted Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr on Monday, per ABC News. "Montana's State House is the people's House, not Speaker Regier's, and I'm determined to defend the right of the people to have their voices heard."

Zephyr first ran afoul of Republicans in the state legislature on April 18 when she said they have "blood on your hands" if they passed a ban on transgender youth care, per the AP. She was censured from participating in floor debates after that remark, which Republicans said went beyond the bounds of decorum. Days later, she was barred from the floor altogether when she showed support for demonstrators who showed up to support her. Since then, Zephyr has been sitting in the public gallery while the legislature is in session. On Monday afternoon, per the AP, she was casting votes from a statehouse snack bar. Neither state House Speaker Matt Regier nor statehouse Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley Murfitt have commented on the lawsuit. (Read more Zooey Zephyr stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The Azerbaijani 'Babek' ship of the transport fleet of "Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company" (ASCO) has undergone a repair, ASCO told Trend.

The main and auxiliary engines of the tanker and the propeller shaft were repaired, some electrical equipment was replaced during the repair at the Zigh Ship Repair and Construction Yard. At the same time, pipes were installed on the deck and in the engine room.

Moreover, the living ship crew quarters were renovated. The repair workers also carried out three-layer painting of the underwater and surface parts of the ship, the head deck and other ship repair work. After the completion of the repair, the ship was successfully tested and put into operation.

'Babek' ship is 149.9 meters long and 17.3 meters wide and has a total carrying capacity of 13,000 tons.
An art student in South Korea visited a museum in Seoul, took down a banana that had been taped to the wall as a work of art, and ate it. When authorities at the Leeum Museum of Art asked why, the student reportedly told them he was hungry, reports USA Today. However, it now appears the stunt was a planned one, with loftier purposes. The student later told a South Korean broadcaster that "damaging a work of modern art could also be (interpreted as a kind of) artwork, per the Korean Herald. The student did tape the banana's peel back into place when he finished eating.

The museum says it won't take any punitive action over the stunt, which was part of an installation by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. One reason for that might be that the banana gets replaced every few days anyway. Cattelan, often described as a "prankster/artist," has sold previous iterations of the work for six figures, and at least one was then promptly eaten. As for its significance: The taped banana is "meant to evoke everything from Charlie Chaplin's slapstick comedy to the fruit's status as an emblem of global trade," according to NPR. (Read more strange stuff stories.)
Unless Congress does something about the debt ceiling quickly, the federal government could run out of money to pay its bills by June 1, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday. Her estimate adds pressure to lawmakers and President Biden to reach a deal to raise or suspend the debt limit, the New York Times reports. "Given the current projections, it is imperative that Congress act as soon as possible to increase or suspend the debt limit in a way that provides longer-term certainty that the government will continue to make its payments," Yellen said in a letter to Congress. There was a sign that the policymakers heard her.

On Monday afternoon, Biden phoned the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate to invite them to meet May 9 at the White House, per the AP. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had called for Biden to engage in talks, but even earlier in the day, the president had shown no interest. June 1 is earlier than economists had predicted, per CNBC. The most recent estimate from Goldman Sachs was late July, though its economists noted that federal tax revenue could vary; it's been running below expectations. Yellen made the same point in her letter. Not acting, Yellen warned, could cause "severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position, and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests." (Read more debt ceiling stories.)
Clouds of dust kicked up by a windstorm covered a two-mile portion of Interstate 55 in Illinois on Monday, causing fatal collisions involving as many as 90 vehicles. At least six people were killed and more than 30 hospitalized with injuries; the victims ranged in age from 2 to 80. The pileups took place in Montgomery County, 75 miles north of St. Louis, WFLD reports. State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick blamed the crashes on "excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility." The National Weather Service reported winds at the time of 35mph to 45mph.

"The only thing you could hear after we got hit was crash after crash after crash behind us," said Tom Thomas, who was going south to St. Louis, per the AP. Evan Anderson, who was driving south, said: "You couldn't even see. People try to slow down and other people didnt, and I just got plowed into. There were just so many cars and semitrucks with so much momentum behind them." At a press conference, Starrick called the storm a spring version of a "whiteout situation" caused by a winter snowstorm. Officials said that 30 commercial vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved and that two tractor-trailers caught fire.

A meteorologist with the Weather Service noted the area is flat with few trees. "It's been very dry across this area really for the last three weeks," Chuck Schaffer said. "The farmers are out there tilling their fields and planting. The top layer of soil is quite loose." Thirty miles of 55 was closed after the crashes, and Starrick said the stretch wouldn't reopen until late morning or early afternoon Tuesday. (Read more dust storm stories.)
Francisco Oropesa, who is accused of fatally shooting five of his neighbors in a rural Texas neighborhood Friday night and then fleeing, is a Mexican national who has been deported four times, immigration officials said Monday. Authorities are still searching for Oropesa, 38, who police say was shooting in his Cleveland, Texas, yard when Wilson Garcia asked if he could go farther away since his baby was trying to sleep. Oropesa then allegedly killed Garcia's wife, 9-year-old son, and three other people, two of whom were women who died while shielding Garcia's other children, a 6-week-old boy and a 3-year-old girl. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott initially said the victims were "five illegal immigrants" but on Monday a spokesperson corrected that, saying "at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally." The victims were from Honduras.

As for Oropesa, Immigration and Customs Enforcement says a judge ordered ICE to deport him to Mexico in March 2009; it's not clear why, the New York Times reports. He then, ICE says, illegally returned to the US, was caught, and was deported again in September 2009, again in January 2012, and again in July 2016. In the 2012 incident, he was convicted of driving while intoxicated and sentenced to jail. It's not clear when he returned to the US after the 2016 deportation, CNN reports. It's also not known where he got the AR-15 with which he allegedly carried out the murders, and authorities are warning that while he had discarded that weapon, he could have another with him on the run. A reward of $80,000 is being offered for information leading to his capture. Garcia says he moved to the neighborhood three years ago and "never had a problem" with Oropesa until Friday, ABC News reports. (Read more Texas stories.)
The search for two missing teenage girls in Oklahoma came to a horrific end Monday with the discovery of seven bodies. Authorities say the girls, 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, are among the bodies found, but the medical examiner has not yet confirmed identities. "Everybody's dead," Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said in brief comments to the Tulsa World before he needed to get back to the investigation. Police said the girls were believed to be with Jesse McFadden, 39, whose criminal record includes a rape conviction for which he was sentenced to 20 years, the Oklahoman reports. The bodies were found on property belonging to him, and authorities say his body was also among the seven, KTUL reports.

McFadden was also due in court Monday to stand trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and child pornography, but he failed to show. Those alleged crimes are said to have taken place while McFadden was serving the rape sentence; he was accused of having a cell phone in prison and using it to communicate with a 16-year-old girl. He was released from prison in 2020. Webster and Brewer were reportedly spending the weekend with McFadden's family but did not return home Sunday as expected, News9 reports. They were last spotted Monday morning in Henryetta, the town where the bodies were found later that day. According to the Independent, the girls were having a sleepover with McFadden's teenage stepdaughter, and some are speculating that she, her two brothers, and her mother could be the other four people found dead. (Read more Oklahoma stories.)
A presidential candidate agreeing to participate in a network's town hall is not typically news. In this case, however, the candidate is former President Trump and the network is CNN, which he has regularly derided as "fake." Next week's appearance will be his first in seven years, notes Mediaite. Details:

When: Trump's live town hall will begin at 9pm Eastern on May 10 at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, per CNN. The audience will be filled with Republican and independent voters. The host will be anchor Kaitlan Collins, described by Mediaite as a rising star at the network who is "smart and tough as nails."

Reason I: So why is Trump doing this? The AP sees it as a "clear attempt" to contrast himself with presumed rival Ron DeSantis, who eschews the mainstream media. Trump has been talking more often on the campaign trail this year with journalists from mainstream outlets.

So why is Trump doing this? The AP sees it as a "clear attempt" to contrast himself with presumed rival Ron DeSantis, who eschews the mainstream media. Trump has been talking more often on the campaign trail this year with journalists from mainstream outlets. Reason II: Politico also calls Trump's move an "implicit rebuke" of Fox News and further evidence of the rift between them. Last month, after the Republican National Committee announced that Fox would host the first GOP debate, Trump said he wasn't sure he would participate in any debates.

Politico also calls Trump's move an "implicit rebuke" of Fox News and further evidence of the rift between them. Last month, after the Republican National Committee announced that Fox would host the first GOP debate, Trump said he wasn't sure he would participate in any debates. For CNN: It's a potentially big win for CNN, writes Colby Hall at Mediaite, because CEO Chris Licht has been trying to move the network away from the "partisan theatrics" that were the norm under predecessor Jeff Zucker.

(Read more Donald Trump stories.)
It looks like Ted Cruz will have a serious Democratic challenger on his hands next year. Politico and the Dallas Morning News report that Rep. Colin Allred will announce as soon as this week that he intends to run for Cruz's Senate seat in Texas. The 40-year-old is probably best known nationally for his days in the NFL, notes Roll Callhe played linebacker for the Tennessee Titans from 2006 to 2010. But he became a civil rights attorney after that and also worked in the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama administration. In 2018, he upset a big-name Republican, Pete Sessions, to win his congressional seat in suburban Dallas.

"One advantage Allred could haveat least over fellow Democratsis money," writes Patrick Svitek at the Texas Tribune. "He has proven himself to be a strong fundraiser through multiple election cycles, and he ended the first quarter of this year with $2.2 million cash on hand. Cruz had $3.3 million in the bank." Democrats haven't won a statewide race in Texas since 1994, notes the Morning News, though Beto O'Rourke came within 3 points of defeating Cruz in 2018. Allred would give up a safe congressional seat to run against Cruz. But even if he loses, Politico notes that Allred would likely increase his national profile in a big way with a strong race. (Read more Ted Cruz stories.)
A 60-year-old Connecticut woman vanished on a hiking trail in Japan last month, and her family has traveled there to organize a remarkable search effort. But hope is fading because Patricia Wu-Murad has not been seen since April 10. "We're trying to hold out for a miracle but we're heartbroken," husband Kirk Murad tells CT Insider.

Lost: Wu-Murad, an experienced hiker, checked into a guesthouse on April 9 along an ancient pilgrimage trail called the Kumano Kodo in a mountainous region of southern Japan, per the Hartford Courant. She left the following morning but never arrived at the next guesthouse.

Help: Wu-Murad's family in Storr raised more than $170,000 in an online fundraiser so Kirk and adult daughter Murphy could travel to Japan to organize rescue missions, pay for aerial searches, etc. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut asked Japanese authorities to step up the search as well, per NBC Connecticut. Local police initially stopped searching after three days, but they have since resumed.

Wu-Murad's family in Storr raised more than $170,000 in an online fundraiser so Kirk and adult daughter Murphy could travel to Japan to organize rescue missions, pay for aerial searches, etc. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut asked Japanese authorities to step up the search as well, per NBC Connecticut. Local police initially stopped searching after three days, but they have since resumed. Volunteer team: The family also put out pleas for help in the US, and a team of nearly two dozen volunteers from California and Hawaii flew to Japan the third week of April, reports the Washington Post. "Its sort of astonishing that we were contacted in the afternoon, and by the next morning we were all on a flight," says volunteer Molly Williams. The team rappelled down steep terrain but found no sign of Wu-Murad before returning to the US. They did, however, give the family more guidance on where and how to search.

The family also put out pleas for help in the US, and a team of nearly two dozen volunteers from California and Hawaii flew to Japan the third week of April, reports the Washington Post. "Its sort of astonishing that we were contacted in the afternoon, and by the next morning we were all on a flight," says volunteer Molly Williams. The team rappelled down steep terrain but found no sign of Wu-Murad before returning to the US. They did, however, give the family more guidance on where and how to search. Experience: Wu-Murad has hiked abroad previously, sometimes alone, as she was this time. "Unless something came up that was unexpected, this would have never have happened to her," says sister-in-law Julie Murad-Caruso. "I heard there could be mudslides or avalanches out there. There are some animals like a specific snake. Something caught her off-guard maybe."

(Read more missing person stories.)
On Wednesday, Utah's new age-verification law goes into effect, mandating that websites hosting adult content need to confirm users' ages before letting them browse. One company in particular isn't happy about the legislation: Pornhub, which shared a message Monday with anyone who tried to log on from the Beehive State, which was once dubbed America's "online porn capital" and has since declared porn a "public health crisis." Vice reports that, for those users, instead of being greeted by the pornography portal's homepage, they'll instead see a video from porn star Cherie DeVille, filling them in on why they're not gaining entry, due to the new law signed in March by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

"Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah," DeVille says in the clip, adding that "giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users." She notes that, without enforcement of the new rule, some sites will comply and some won't, and users will just end up flocking to sites with fewer guardrails. "We believe that the best and most effective solution for protecting children and adults alike is to identify users by their device and allow access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that identification," DeVille says.

Axios notes that Pornhub owner MindGeek also posted DeVille's message on some of its other adult sites, including Brazzers and YouPorn. Affected companies that don't adhere with Utah's new law can be held liable if a minor accesses their site and a lawsuit is brought. Experts note, however, that, in addition to not offering great protection for kids, age verification also makes adult users who hand over their ID vulnerable to identity theft, extortion, and hacking, per Vice. Pornhub has already started doing age verification in Louisiana; Mississippi, Arkansas, and Virginia have passed similar legislation, per the Salt Lake Tribune. (Read more Pornhub stories.)
Vice, the media company that went from a Montreal punk magazine more than 20 years ago to a juggernaut with a $5.7 billion valuation, is the latest member of the Fourth Estate to be on the brink of going belly up. The New York Times, citing three "people with knowledge" but not authorization to blab publicly, reports the company is currently shopping for a buyer but preparing for bankruptcy in the event that doesn't happen. It's quite a trajectory: Vice dazzled among new media companies, raising huge amounts of funding from the likes of Disney and Fox, and expanding into global bureaus, an HBO show, and even a movie studio.

"Vice Media Group has been engaged in a comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives and planning," Vice said in a statement. "The company, its board and stakeholders continue to be focused on finding the best path." The Times notes that a bankruptcy filing could give control of Vice to its biggest debt-holder, Fortress Investment Group, which holds "senior" debt over Fox and Disneyalso meaning that Fortress is at the front of the line to get paid if Vice should sell. Quartz notes that it's been a rough stretch for media, with BuzzFeed shutting down its news operation last month, and the likes of FiveThirtyEight, Gannett, National Geographic, NPR, the Washington Post, and Vox all rattled by layoffs in the past several months. (Read more Vice magazine stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Visa international payment system sees huge potential in the Azerbaijani market for innovations, Senior Director, Regional Manager of Visa in Azerbaijan Nurlan Hajiyev said in an interview with Trend.

In July 2022, Visa appointed Nurlan Hajiyev as Senior Director  Regional Manager of the company in Azerbaijan. In his new position, he focused on developing the digital payments business in the country, focusing on increasing the value of Visa for banks, businesses, and cardholders.

About financial innovations

Hajiyev noted that Visa, jointly with the International Bank of Azerbaijan, launched tokenization [a process by which a piece of sensitive data, such as a credit card number, is replaced by a surrogate value known as a token] for the first time in the country in 2019, which allowed for purchasing through mobile phones.

"Work is underway to increase the number of banks connected to tokenization. Currently, some 11 banks are connected to it. This introduction has allowed us to implement a large number of projects, including launching Apple Pay in 2021 and Google Pay in 2022. Also, Azerbaijan became the first country in the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) to launch the first B2B Connect," he said.

The regional manager noted that the number of banks supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay increased in 2022.

"Moreover, we witnessed the launch of an innovative TapToPhone solution in Azerbaijan, which allows Android phones, not only to pay but also to accept payments. This project was launched for the first time with our partner bank - Kapital Bank," Hajiyev said.

Hajiyev also noted several other important projects:

- The world's first launch of a joint co-branded card of Bank Respublika, Wolt and Visa. With this card, users will receive five percent cashback on delivery orders;

- Accepting payments in ASAN Centers using QR codes to pay for public services;

- Issuance of Visa digital cards by Azercell mobile operator in pilot mode.

About market leadership

According to Hajiyev, the implementation of creative initiatives that guaranteed the simplicity and security of using cards contributed to the dominance of transactions with Visa bank cards in the Azerbaijani market.

"Safety is one of the foundations of innovation. Visa pays great attention to this, and consequently, speed, simplicity, and security are the drivers that we bring to the Azerbaijani market. By implementing projects for accepting bank card payments not only by POS terminals but also by mobile devices, we are increasing our share in the local market," he said.

Hajiyev also said that Visa also has social responsibility by developing, expanding, and simplifying products for all segments and economic entities.

According to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, Visa's share of the total volume of transactions by the end of 2022 was about 60.5 percent.

About transport solutions

The regional director said that Visa is ready to work with all market participants to launch cashless payments in Azerbaijan's transport.

He mentioned that Visa was the first to launch cashless payments in Azerbaijan's railway transport.

"Currently, validators for accepting non-cash payments have been installed in all 14 stations of the Baku suburban railway. In 2022, we also launched the Mobility & Transit Transaction (MTT) technology for the first time in Azerbaijan. The MTT model allows operators to offer passengers a range of flexible fares, including fixed fares, distance, and time-based fares, multi-modal fares, as well as features such as fare capping, benefits, and delay refunds," Hajiyev added.

About supporting women's entrepreneurship

Visa company has expanded She's Next Empowered by Visa, a global initiative to support women entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan.

According to Hajiyev, over 600 women entrepreneurs took part in the initiative in 2022 and two winners received 10,000 manat ($5 882) and 15,000 manat ($8 823) for business development.

"Visa attaches particular importance to supporting women's entrepreneurship both globally and in Azerbaijan. Inclusiveness is a strategy and one of the main activities of Visa. The implementation of this initiative is aimed at supporting women, bringing them the best experience," he said.

The director pointed out that the company will continue to promote the She's Next Empowered by Visa initiative in the future both in Azerbaijan and in the markets of other countries.

.According to him, according to a Visa study, the biggest problem for women entrepreneurs when starting and running a business is attracting capital (45 percent), and 23 percent of them feel high competition.

About new experience and personal space

Nurlan Hajiyev also spoke about his experience in the new position of senior director and regional manager in Azerbaijan. According to him, the position of a regional manager creates additional responsibility for him, both to colleagues and to all market participants.

"I look at the electronic payments industry quite broadly. Money is also evolving, and as it develops, circulation accelerates, which leads to economic growth," he said.

Hajiyev also noted that it is very important to find a line between personal space and work.

"In the modern world, where everything is dynamically developing, it is necessary to keep up with all innovations and keep up with the times. I think it's very important to find the line between personal space and work. Fortunately, I have found this facet, and I am glad that I can spend my time both with my family and doing work that inspires me. I try to devote a lot of time to the financial literacy of my children. Children love everything new and learn very quickly. For example, my son makes noncash payments using his mobile device, and my daughter, who is younger than him, uses her smartwatch," he said.
Two rival generals in Sudan have been waging war against each other for more than two weeks now, and the UN offered some stats on Tuesday reflecting the brutal impact on citizens:

Refugees: More than 100,000 have fled to neighboring nations already, and the figure is projected to rise to 800,000 by year's end if the fighting doesn't stop, reports the New York Times. In addition to those heading for the border, more than 330,000 have been uprooted from their homes but remain in the country in a new location.

Context: Even before this civil war broke out, roughly one-third of the nation's population of about 45 million required humanitarian assistance, per the Washington Post. With the new fighting, things are turning into a "full-blown catastrophe," says UN aid official Abdou Dieng.

Even before this civil war broke out, roughly one-third of the nation's population of about 45 million required humanitarian assistance, per the Washington Post. With the new fighting, things are turning into a "full-blown catastrophe," says UN aid official Abdou Dieng. Hope? The fighting pits Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, head of Sudan's military, against Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces. The AP reports that the generals have agreed to send representatives to peace talks, possibly in Saudi Arabia. Promised ceasefires have largely fizzled previously, and these talks, if they happen, would be "significant progress" toward a lasting ceasefire, per the AP.

The fighting pits Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, head of Sudan's military, against Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces. The AP reports that the generals have agreed to send representatives to peace talks, possibly in Saudi Arabia. Promised ceasefires have largely fizzled previously, and these talks, if they happen, would be "significant progress" toward a lasting ceasefire, per the AP. Casualties: So far, more than 500 people have been killed and more than 4,000 wounded, reports the BBC. What's more, hospitals have been attacked, with the World Health Organization logging about two dozen attacks on health care facilities in the capital of Khartoum. "Also, you know some of these hospitals are used as military bases and they have thrown the staff, they have thrown patients out of these health-care facilities," says the WHO's Ahmed al-Mandhari. Several aid agencies also have suspended work amid the fighting.

So far, more than 500 people have been killed and more than 4,000 wounded, reports the BBC. What's more, hospitals have been attacked, with the World Health Organization logging about two dozen attacks on health care facilities in the capital of Khartoum. "Also, you know some of these hospitals are used as military bases and they have thrown the staff, they have thrown patients out of these health-care facilities," says the WHO's Ahmed al-Mandhari. Several aid agencies also have suspended work amid the fighting. 7 neighbors: Most foreign nationals have been evacuated by now, though such flights continue. Meanwhile, the Times reports that Sudan's seven neighborsthe Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudanare bracing for a continued influx of Sudanese refugees. Chad in particular has taken in about 30,000 so far, and that's on top of the 400,000 Sudanese refugees who were already there before the fighting broke out.

(Read more Sudan stories.)
A West Virginia school principal had an unexpected encounter with a bear that popped out of a dumpster, reports Fox 5 DC. Principal James Marsh of Zela Elementary spotted a bear on school grounds and went to lock the dumpster to keep it out. Instead, he found himself sprinting away as the bear appeared. The bear, for what it's worth, may have been just as startled as the principal. Superintendent Donna Burge-Tetrick joked that "Principals may need hazard pay in Wild Wonderful West Virginia." Principal Marsh reportedly said, "You put trash in a dumpster, but you don't expect anything to come out! That was an unexpected surprise." Though the encounter is funny in hindsight, it's also a reminder of the importance of being mindful in areas where bears are active.

The American Bear Association 's guidelines for bear and human safety include keeping a clean yard free of smelly things that might attract the creatures. The association encourages storing garbage cans in secure buildings and rinsing empty food containers. Other precautions include bringing in bird feeders at night, storing pet food bowls inside, and cleaning outdoor grills. Removing insect nests is helpful, as is securing aromatic woods and petroleum products. Principal Marsh would likely also note that it is important to stay alert and wear good running shoes.

(Read more bears stories.)
With migrant arrivals expected to surge in the coming weeks, President Biden has ordered 1,500 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border, though the White House says the military personnel will not be "interacting" with migrants. Officials say that as with previous border deployments, including those under the Trump administration, the troops will serve mainly in administrative and transport roles to free up US Customs and Border Protection personnel for other duties, Fox reports. The troops will supplement 2,500 National Guard personnel already deployed to the border to support law enforcement, reports the New York Times.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that the troops will not be performing law enforcement functions or interacting with immigrants, or migrants," the AP reports. She said their duties will include data entry and warehouse support. Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the troops would be deployed for 90 days until CBP "can address these needs through contracted support." The Pentagon says the troops will be armed for self-defense.

The pandemic-era Title 42 public health rule, which allows federal authorities to quickly expel asylum seekers who cross the border without permission, is set to expire on May 11 and administration officials believe there will be a steep rise in attempted crossings, the Times reports. Politico notes that many Democrats protested the Trump administration's deployment of active-duty troops to the border, arguing that the move was politically motivated. (Read more US-Mexico border stories.)
A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd has been convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter, per the AP. Tou Thao, who already had been convicted in federal court of violating Floyds civil rights, was the last of four former officers facing judgment in state court in Floyds killing. He rejected a plea agreement and, instead of going to trial, let Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill decide the verdict based on written filings by each side and evidence presented in previous cases. The judge set sentencing for Aug. 7. Minnesota guidelines recommend four years on the manslaughter count, which Thao would serve concurrently with his 3 1/2-year federal sentence.

"There is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Thao's actions were objectively unreasonable from the perspective of a reasonable police officer, when viewed under the totality of the circumstances," Cahill wrote in a 177-page ruling. Floyd, a Black man, died May 25, 2020, after officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyds neck for 9 1/2 minutes as he pleaded for air. Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in April 2021 and later pleaded guilty in the federal case. Two other officersJ. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lanepleaded guilty to state charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter and were convicted with Thao in their federal case.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution team, said Thao's conviction "brings one more measure of accountability in the tragic death of George Floyd." Unlike the other three former officers, Thao maintained he did nothing wrong. When he rejected a plea deal in state court last August, he said "it would be lying" to plead guilty. Thao testified during his federal trial that he was relying on the other officers to care for Floyds medical needs while he served as "a human traffic cone" to control traffic and a group of bystanders.

(Read more Tou Thao stories.)
Vermont on Tuesday became the first state in the country to change its medically assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to take advantage of it to end their lives. Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill that removes the residency requirement for the decades-old law, the AP reports. Before Vermont removed its residency requirement Tuesday, it had reached a settlement with a Connecticut woman who has terminal cancer to allow her to take advantage of its law, provided she complies with other aspects of it.

"We are grateful to Vermont lawmakers for recognizing that a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony," said Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization, in a statement. "Patients routinely travel to other states to utilize the best healthcare options. There is no rational reason they shouldnt be able to travel to another state to access medical aid in dying if the state they live in doesnt offer it."

Vermont is one of 10 states that allow medically assisted suicide. Critics of such laws say without the residency requirements states risk becoming assisted suicide tourism destinations. In a court settlement last year, Oregon agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement of its law allowing terminally ill people to receive lethal medication. It also agreed to ask the Legislature to remove it from the law.

For Cassandra Johnston, 38, of Clifton Park, New York, the news was "such a relief." She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last year and lives a 40-minute drive from Vermont. "It gives me such a peace of mind to know that if I need that peaceful and compassionate option that it's right next door," Johnston said. "And it's life-changing for someone like me. It really is."

(Read more assisted suicide stories.)
A Maryland appellate court on Tuesday denied a request by Adnan Syed's lawyer to reconsider its recent decision to reinstate his murder conviction. His lawyer said she will appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court. The Appellate Court of Maryland reinstated the conviction in March in a ruling that upheld arguments from the victims family claiming a lower court violated their rights. E. Gregory Wells, the chief judge of the appellate court, signed a brief order saying that the three-judge panel that made the initial ruling denied Syeds motion, "because it is based on an argument not previously raised," the AP reports.

Syeds attorneys claimed the appellate judges broke from the courts own precedent by failing to require the victims family to prove the outcome of the September hearing would have been different if they had received more notice and attended in person. The motion also questions whether the court intends to award crime victims and their representatives "special treatment not even available to criminal defendants." Erica Suter, Syed's attorney, said she would appeal to the state's highest court. "Appellate courts routinely assess whether an error impacted the underlying proceedings," Suter said in a statement. "We are dismayed that the Appellate Court of Maryland opted not to do so here."

Syedwhose long legal case gained international attention in 2014 from the debut season of the hit podcast Serial"regained his freedom last year when Baltimore prosecutors moved to vacate his conviction, saying they reviewed the case and found alternative suspects and unreliable evidence used at trial. But the victims family said they received insufficient notice to attend the September hearing in person, which violated their right to be "treated with dignity and respect," and the state's intermediate appellate court agreed. In a 2-1 decision that was stayed for 60 days, the judges reinstated Syeds conviction and ordered a redo of the hearing in question. Syed has remained free as the case continues.

Syed was 17 when his high school ex-girlfriend and classmate, Hae Min Lee, was found strangled to death and buried in a makeshift grave in 1999. He was arrested weeks later and ultimately convicted of murder. He received life in prison, plus 30 years. (Read more Adnan Syed stories.)
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Azerbaijans Compulsory Insurance Bureau forecasts up to 10 million manat ($5.82 million) of insurance fees from the sale of green cards by Azerbaijani insurance companies for vehicles registered in Georgia and Kazakhstan, by the end of 2023, Executive Director at the bureau Rashad Ahmadov told reporters, Trend reports.

According to Ahmadov, from January through April this year alone, insurance fees from the above activity amounted to 3.1 million manat ($1.8 million).

In 2022, the bureau made payments under the Green Card system in the amount of 910,421 manat ($535,540) in connection with traffic accidents that occurred abroad.

The Green Card international vehicle liability insurance system has been operating since 1951. Its main goal is to settle claims of victims of road accidents committed with the participation of foreign motorists, in accordance with the national legislation of the country where the accident occurred.

According to the agreement "On green card", an insurance policy for motor third-party liability issued in any country participating in the agreement is valid in the territory of another country that is a member of this agreement.

The national bureaus of the Green Card are part of a single organization - the Council of Insurance Bureau headquartered in Brussels, which operates under the auspices of the Working Group on Road Transport of the Inland Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Nicole Russo uses the analogy of baking cookies to describe the manufacturing process for the advanced circuit boards her company Microboard makes in Seymour, which get installed in complex devices like night-vision goggles and roadside bomb jamming systems used by the U.S. military.

But employee Tom Ouellette gets a little more specific on the level of precision required to make those boards  with some components no bigger than a grain of sand having to be fixed in exactly the right spot. Some of those circuit boards must then hold up to grueling military and industrial stresses.

After headaches obtaining key components the past few years from overseas suppliers and renewed tensions with China over Taiwan, U.S. manufacturers are taking another look at domestic circuit board assembly companies. In late March, President Biden issued a directive to expand U.S. production of printed circuit boards and other electronics assemblies under a provision of the National Defense Act, in order to "to avert an industrial resource or critical technology item shortfall that would severely impair national defense capability" in the words of the White House memorandum.

"I could be called on as a customer of Microboard, because in the United States Senate I am on the Armed Services Committee and we buy products that couldn't be made without Microboard," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., speaking at Microboard on Saturday as the company commemorated its 40th year in business.

Craig Hoekenga founded Microboard in Stratford in 1983, with the company's earliest work including producing small circuit boards for talking toys. From the start, Hoekenga devoted excess profits to support schools, infrastructure and other community projects in impoverished communities in Africa and India.

On Saturday, Russo highlighted her father's philanthropic work that the company has committed to maintaining after his death in 2021. Russo's own background is in finance, working for the former GE Capital subsidiary of General Electric in Norwalk before joining Microboard in 2005 and getting elevated to CEO in 2013.

Microboard has just over 150 employees today who live in Seymour, Ansonia, Naugatuck and other nearby towns, with the company currently looking to fill nearly 15 more across engineering and operations. Russo said the business has 15 customers, growing largely through contracts to provide circuit boards for new products those manufacturers are making.

In Connecticut, the atrial defibrillator device designer Defibtech based in Guilford is among Microboard's local customers. But Microboard has expanded well beyond its backyard, with customers including the California defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corp. and Napatech, a Denmark company that makes network interface cards for 5G wireless systems and other telecommunications networks.

"Whether it's industrial gas detectors or satellite circuit boards, our business is very technical," Russo told CT Insider. "Our robotic, pick-and-place machines place 90 percent of components on a board. Those cost about $2.5 million apiece."

Contract manufacturing remains a business with any number of smaller entities competing with big corporations like St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Jabil and Taiwan-based Hon Hai, which operates as Foxconn in the United States.

Taiwan manufacturers exceeded U.S. circuit board production starting in 2006 according to estimates by the Printed Circuit Board Association of America, three years after China had done so. By 2018, China manufacturers accounted for more than half of global circuit board production according to PCBAA.

Coming up short on even one part can push back production runs for a circuit board by a year or more, according to Ouellette, a sourcing specialist with Microboard.

"Proximity is important," said Bryan Brady, Microboard's vice president of business development. "The old adage in contract manufacturing is that the customer wants to be able to go on the roof of their building and see their contract manufacturer. Engineers want to be able to go and rub elbows."

Other Connecticut circuit board manufacturers include Accutron in Windsor, Electronic Specialties of Connecticut in Hamden, Kimchuk in Danbury, Precise Circuit in Shelton, Scott Electrokrafts in Andover, Silicon Integration in Milford and TEK Industries in Vernon.

The Wallingford-based electronic components giant Amphenol makes printed circuit boards at plants in Nashua, N.H. and Mesa, Ariz., as well as Mexico. The company also has other production facilities in China; CEO and Ridgefield resident Adam Norwitt described the struggles those plants have had in the past few years, after a tour of more than 20 facilities in China last month which focus largely on supplying customers in that country.

"I had the opportunity meet some of our factory workers who went into a bubble in Shanghai  for more than six weeks in one case," Norwitt said on a late-April conference call. "Many of our Chinese operations had during that time, for a variety of reasons, the incentive to set up operations outside of China  and doing that while still not being able to travel, going to a place like Vietnam, to India or to Thailand or even Mexico and setting up satellite factories on behalf of their customers who wanted to have 'China plus one' or something like that."
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  A wealthy attorney who came close to being elected governor of Maine in 2010 is expected to plead guilty to possessing videos and images of child sexual abuse and to serve nine months in prison, according to a court document.

Eliot Cutler, 76, is due in an Ellsworth courtroom on Thursday, where he's expected to plead guilty to four counts of possession of sexually explicit material of a child under 12, according to terms of the agreement hammered out with prosecutors. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, but the sentencing memorandum filed Monday by Cutler's attorney calls for him to get a four-year term with all but nine months suspended.

The judge would still need to approve of the deal.

The sentencing memorandum describes Cutler's rise to prominence and subsequent fall because of his addiction to pornography, with Cutler acknowledging that he downloaded hundreds of images and videos at a time  so many that he didn't have time to watch them all.

Cutler takes responsibility for possessing those images and videos, his attorney wrote, noting that Cutler never engaged in inappropriate conduct with children.

Eliot has and will accept total and full responsibility for his crimes for which he feels deeply ashamed, his attorney, Walter McKee, wrote. He recognizes the great harm he caused to those whose images he viewed, as well as the harm to his own family by committing his crimes.

McKee and Hancock County District Attorney Robert Granger declined to discuss the case Tuesday.

Cutler used his personal wealth to bankroll two campaigns for governor as an independent. He lost by less than 2 percentage points to Republican Paul LePage in 2010 and lost again by a wider margin in 2014.

Cutler got a taste of politics as an aide to the late Democratic U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie, of Maine, and later served as former Democratic President Jimmy Carters top adviser for environmental and energy issues.

He went on to serve as an environmental attorney and helped found a law firm in Washington before returning to Maine to run for governor.

Cutler, who remains free on bail, was arrested last year at his waterfront home in Brooklin, a coastal community 130 miles (210 kilometers) from Portland.

___

Follow David Sharp on Twitter @David_Sharp_AP
SAN DIEGO (AP)  President Joe Biden scrapped expedited asylum screenings during his first month in office as part of a gutting of Trump administration border polices that included building a wall with Mexico. Now he is preparing his own version.

Donald Trumps fast-track reviews drew sharp criticism from internal government watchdog agencies as the percentage of people who passed those credible fear interviews plummeted. But the Biden administration has insisted its speedy screening for asylum-seekers is different: Interviews will be done exclusively by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, not by Border Patrol agents, and everyone will have access to legal counsel.

The decision to use fast-track screenings comes as COVID-19 asylum restrictions are set to expire on May 11 and the U.S. government prepares for an expected increase in illegal crossings from Mexico. The Texas border cities of El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville have declared local states of emergency in recent days to prepare for the anticipated influx.

Normally, about three in four migrants pass credible fear interviews, though far fewer eventually win asylum. But during the five months of the Trump-era program, only 23% passed the initial screening, while 69% failed and 9% withdrew, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Those who get past initial screenings are generally freed in the United States to pursue their cases in immigration court, which typically takes four years. Critics say the court backlog encourages more people to seek asylum.

To pass screenings, migrants must convince an asylum officer they have a significant possibility of prevailing before a judge on arguments that they face persecution in their home countries on grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a social group.

Under the Biden administration's fast-track program, those who dont qualify will be deported in a matter of days or just a few weeks, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday.

The expedited screenings will be applied only to single adults, Mayorkas said.

Despite the administrations assurances that people will have access to legal services, some immigrant advocates who were briefed by the administration are doubtful. Katherine Hawkins, senior legal analyst at the Project on Government Oversight, noted that advocates were told attorneys would not be allowed inside holding facilities.

The Trump administration used fast-track reviews from October 2019 until March 2020, when it began using a 1944 public health law known as Title 42 to expel immigrants on the grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The speedy screenings were among Trump-era immigration polices that Biden rolled back in a February 2021 executive order.

Unlike the Trump administration, the Biden administration won't limit migrants to just one phone call. But it's unclear how many calls U.S. authorities can facilitate, especially if there is no answer and attorneys call back, Hawkins said.

Screenings initially will be limited to Spanish-speaking countries to which the U.S. has regular deportation flights, according to Hawkins and others briefed. The administration began limited screening this month in Donna, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, and later expanded to large tents in other border cities, including San Diego; Yuma, Arizona; and El Paso, Texas. Migrants will get a video presentation to explain the interview process.

Mayorkas, a former federal prosecutor, didn't speak in detail about access to legal counsel in remarks Thursday about a broad strategy that, in addition to the screenings, includes processing centers in Guatemala, Colombia and potentially elsewhere for people to come legally to the U.S. through an airport.

We have expanded our holding capacity and set up equipment and procedures so that individuals have the ability to access counsel, Mayorkas said.

The Homeland Security Department's inspector general took issue with lack of legal representation under Trump's expedited screening. There were four cordless phones for migrants to share when screenings began in El Paso. Guards took them to a shack to consult attorneys.

Phone booths were later installed but didn't have handsets for safety reasons, forcing migrants to speak loudly and within earshot of people outside, the inspector general said.

Facilities built under Biden are more spacious with plenty of phone booths, according to people who have visited.

There are rows of cubicles, enclosed," said Paulina Reyes, an attorney at advocacy group ImmDef who visited a San Diego holding facility in March.

The administration has not said how many attorneys have volunteered to represent asylum-seekers. Hawkins said officials told advocates they are reaching out to firms that offer low- or no-cost services to people in immigration detention centers.

Erika Pinheiro, executive director of advocacy group Al Otro Lado, which is active in Southern California and Tijuana, Mexico, said she has not been approached but would decline to represent asylum-seekers in expedited screenings. They arrive exhausted and unfamiliar with asylum law, hindering their abilities to effectively tell their stories.

We know what the conditions are like. We know people are not going to be mentally prepared, she said.

The Biden administration aims to complete screenings within 72 hours, the maximum time Border Patrol is supposed to hold migrants under an agency policy thats routinely ignored.

Its a tall order. It currently takes about four weeks to complete a screening. Under Trumps expedited screenings, about 20% of immigrants were in custody for a week or less, according to the GAO. About 86% were held 20 days or less.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has identified 480 former asylum officers or those with training to assist about 800 on the expedited screenings, said Michael Knowles, a spokesman for the American Federation of Government Employees Council 119, which represents asylum officers. Despite the staffing surge, Knowles said officers worry about the pace of the work, like an assembly line, hurry up, hurry up, when you have lives at stake.

All hands will be on this deck for the foreseeable future, Knowles said. We don't know how long.

___

Associated Press writer Valerie Gonzalez in Brownsville, Texas, contributed.
SpaceX is making water-cooled steel plate for launching and landing the two stages of the SpaceX Super Heavy Starship. The launch and landing pad challenges for the moon and Mars are far less than for the Earth.

For the Moon, NASA has awarded a lunar landing pad contract to ICON.

This contract, which is valued at $57.2 million and runs through 2028, is a continuation of ICONs current Small Business Innovation Research dual-use contract with the U.S. Air Force which is partly funded by NASA. The new contract will support the development of ICONs Olympus construction system that will use local resources on Mars and the moon to build materials.

ICON has previously printed a 1,700-square-foot simulated Martian habitat that will be used during NASAs analog mission starting in 2023.

ICON is also working on 3D printing buildings, bases and other structures on Mars. They have done test construction on Earth.

Changing the Location of Landing Engines for Lunar and Mars Landing

For the moon, SpaceX Lunar Starship has small engines mounted near the top about 100 feet from the base.

Thus it can land and take off without wrecking the regolith. The moons gravity is 1/6th of Earth gravity. This means 1/6th of the thrust for take off and landing. However, we are also only landing the upper stage which is only 25% of the total weight with the booster. First landing is with almost empty fuel tanks. There is 1200 tons of fuel in a 200 ton vehicle and then another 100 tons of payload. It should be landing with about 300 tons of weight. A Lunar Starship would be landing with 1% of the thrust of Earth booster and Starship launch.

After, Lunar Starship lands on the moon then a landing and launch pad needs to be built.

Mars has 38% of Earth Gravity. A rocket needs 38% of the thrust to take off and land versus the same weight on Earth. Starship only is landing. The Super heavy booster is not landing on Mars. Starship has 25% of the mass of the combined two stages and has 7 engines instead of 33. 9.5% of total Earth launch thrust. First Landing would be nearly empty fuel tanks. Land once with about 3% of the thrust and then build the launchpad.

There is talk about adding binder into the exhaust or dropping a deployable temporary landing pad material. This would mitigate debris on the first landing.

I think SpaceX will need to make over-sized landing thrusters for the Mars Starship. Oversized relatively to the Lunar Starship landing thrusters.
Tesla set a new quarterly record in Q1 2023 for battery electric vehicles (422,875 deliveries), while BYD (264,647) and Volkswagen Group (140,852) were lower than in Q4 2022. VW Group was Q1 2023 was also behind Q3 2022.

Overall in Q1 2023 China sales of BEV and Plug in Hybrid were down from Q4 2022.

BEV sales results in Q1 2023:

Tesla: 422,875 (up 36% year-over-year)

BYD (cars): 264,647 (up 85% year-over-year) or 63% of Teslas result

Difference to Tesla: 158,228 (down 5% year-over-year)

Volkswagen Group: 140,852 (up 43% year-over-year) or 33% of Teslas result

Difference to Tesla: 282,023 (up 33% year-over-year)

BEV sales results in Q1-Q4 2022:

Tesla: 1,313,851 (up 40% year-over-year)

BYD (cars): 911,141 (up 184% year-over-year) or 69% of Teslas result

Difference to Tesla: 402,710 (down 35% year-over-year)

Volkswagen Group: 570,737 (up 26% year-over-year) or 43% of Teslas result

Difference to Tesla: 742,123 (up 54% year-over-year)

Li Auto is on track to launch its first pure electric vehicle model, which will be equipped with Qualcomms latest five-nanometer cockpit chip 8295, Li told investors. Nio and Xpeng have both set a delivery target of around 200,000 vehicles this year as Chinas EV market shifts into a lower gear, partly due to the phasing-out of EV purchase subsidies by the central government last December.

Li Auto is striving to establish a model portfolio of one super flagship vehicle, five EREVs, and five HPC BEVs by 2025. The Companys BEV solution includes an 800-volt electric drive system based on the third-generation silicon carbide power module, batteries with 4C charging capabilities, a wide temperature range thermal management system, and a fast charging network.

SOURCES- InsideEV, CNEVPost
HARTFORD Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, with a salary of $184,749 in 2022, couldn't crack the top 30 in municipal compensation in Connecticut's capital city.

Bronin ranked 34th on the list of about 2,100 full- and part-time city employees in terms of overall compensation.

The list, provided by the city following a records request from Hearst Connecticut Media, shows that police and fire personnel dominated the top spots in pay, especially when overtime was factored in.

Hartford Police Capt. Jeffrey Rousseau topped the list of municipal employee pay last year with total compensation of just over $280,000. Rousseau was paid $123,626 in salary and an additional $156,417 in overtime pay.

But Rousseau did not take the top spot in terms of overtime pay. That went to Sgt. Robert Hathaway, who made $162,139 in overtime pay to go with his base salary of $91,482, making him the second highest paid city employee at $253,622.

Police and fire personnel took 32 of the top 34 top spots in terms of overall compensation in 2022. Aside from Bronin, Gary Draghi  listed as a "pension commission employee"  came in at number 30 with a salary $186,489 in 2022.

Of the top 20 highest paid city employees, non-supervisory police officers took eight spots thanks in large part to overtime compensation.

Officer Stephanie Lawlor led the way at number six with $82,446 in salary and $156,401 in overtime pay for a total of $238,848. Officer Katelyn Grissler was the seventh highest paid city employee at $237,185, but topped the list for non-supervisory police officers in overtime with $156,749. Her base salary was $80,346.

Bronin said in a statement Sunday that recruiting and retaining police officers for difficult and dangerous work that is vitally important to the community requires competitive compensation to compete with other cities and more affluent suburbs.

"The demands on the police force combined with a challenging environment for recruitment nationally also means that we have to meet more of our needs with overtime, even as we work constantly to recruit more officers to the HPD," Bronin said.

Hartford Police Lt. and spokesman Aaron Boisvert did not respond to requests for current staffing levels and what is considered full staffing levels at the department.

District Fire Chief Mario Oquendo was the highest paid city firefighter in 2022 with a salary of $123,815 and overtime pay of $110,000. Oquendo, also the department's public information officer, was the eighth highest-paid city employee.

Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody was the city's 82nd highest-paid employee, with a salary of $158,880. Hartford Fire Chief Rodney Barco was the 85th highest-paid city employee at $158,578.

Other notable salaries include Bridget Quinn, the director of Hartford's public libraries, who made $183,463 in 2022, ranking her 37th in compensation and Thea Montanez, the city's chief operating officer, who made $179,712 and ranked 41st in salaries.

The city paid out a total of $134.5 million in compensation to city employees in 2022, including $104,8 million in salaries and $29.6 million in overtime.
EAST HARTFORD  A Danbury man was taken into custody, and later to the hospital, after he fled police from the scene of a suspected burglary and crashed a stolen box truck on Route 2 in East Hartford, according to police.

The man, identified as 47-year-old Lyle Solsbury, is suspected of breaking into two businesses  first in Lisbon and then in Willimantic  early Monday before leading police on the chase. State charges are pending against Solsbury, police said.

Once in custody at Troop H, state police said, Solsbury "began to exhibit signs of medical distress and was transported by ambulance to Hartford Hospital for an evaluation."

As of 2:11 p.m., Solsbury remained at the hospital and state charges are pending, according to state police.

The series of events began around 1 a.m. when troopers responded to an activated commercial alarm at Stilly's Automotive on South Burnham Highway in Lisbon. Troopers learned that someone had broken into the business and took cash and merchandise, according to state police.

Security footage showed the suspect fled the area in a white box truck. A description of the suspect and the vehicle were provided to both state police troop locations and local police departments, state police said.

Then, around four hours later, Willimantic police saw Solsbury allegedly walking out of NAPA Auto Parts on Boston Post Road in Willimantic with items in his hands, Willimantic police Lt. Charles Miller said in a news release.

A concerned citizen had called the police department around 5 a.m., reporting a suspicious person walking out of the store and that the front door of the business appeared to have been smashed in, according to Miller.

Officers say they saw Solsbury enter a box truck parked next to the entrance. The box truck was later discovered to have been reported stolen out of Waterbury, according to Miller.

An officer opened the truck door in an attempt to detain Solsbury, but he got away and sped off, hitting a police cruiser in the process, Miller said. While officers attempted to stop Solsbury, he ignored their signals and left the city.

State police were advised of the incident and tried chasing Solsbury but, in the interest of safety, stopped on Route 66, police said.

A state police sergeant at an entrance ramp to Route 2 west saw the suspect vehicle at 5:32 a.m. The sergeant used stop-sticks, deflating two of the truck's tires, and the truck continued into an active highway work zone.

In East Hartford near Exit 4, police saw the truck "side swipe" a Honda Accord. The occupants of the Honda Accord were not injured, state police said.

Troopers then tried to box the suspect vehicle in, at which point the truck hit three state police vehicles, causing damage, police said.

"Once brought to a stop, the operator (Solsbury) of the box truck failed to comply with verbal directives issued by troopers," state police said. "Troopers were eventually able to gain control of the box truck operator" and took him into custody.

One trooper was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries due to the incident but has since been released, police said.

At the Willimantic auto parts store, local police discovered "numerous items had been stolen, and the business's door and sign were damaged," according to Miller.

"A warrant will be sought for Solsbury and multiple criminal charges are expected stemming from this burglary," Miller said.
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BOISE, Idaho (AP)  A coalition of 30 news organizations launched another effort Monday to get a gag order lifted in the criminal case of a man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death.

The coalition, which includes The Associated Press, had asked the Idaho Supreme Court earlier this year to reject the gag order issued in the criminal case against Bryan Kohberger, contending it violates the First Amendment rights of a free press. The order prohibits attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and others involved in the case from talking to the news media unless they are quoting directly from a court document.

But last week the Idaho Supreme Court unanimously denied the request, saying the news groups should have first asked the lower court to have the order lifted. The Supreme Court justices did not weigh in on whether the gag order violates First Amendment rights.

This Court has long respected the medias role in our constitutional republic, and honored the promises in both the Idaho Constitution and First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Justice Gregory Moeller wrote in the high courts decision, going on to quote a ruling from a federal case that said responsible press coverage, guards against the miscarriage of justice by subjecting the court system and those who are a part of it to public scrutiny.

Still, Moeller wrote, the balancing act between the First Amendment protections afforded to the press and the Sixth Amendment fair trial rights promised to defendants has become increasingly difficult with the advent of the internet and social media.

Now, the media coalition has challenged the gag order at the lower court level.

Kohberger, 28, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in connection with the stabbing deaths in Moscow, Idaho. Prosecutors have yet to reveal if they intend to seek the death penalty.

The bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found on Nov. 13, 2022, at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus. The slayings shocked the rural Idaho community and neighboring Pullman, Washington, where Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University.

The case garnered widespread publicity, and in January Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall issued the sweeping gag order that has barred attorneys, law enforcement agencies and others associated with the case from talking or writing about it.

The coalition of news organizations contends the gag order violates the right to free speech by prohibiting it from happening in the first place.

Kohbergers' attorneys contend the gag order essentially requires the attorneys involved in the case to act ethically to ensure Kohberger gets a fair trial.

Wendy Olson, the attorney representing the news coalition, said the ruling provided a clear road map for the organizations to challenge the gag order at the lower court level.

The Goncalves family has also asked the lower court judge to lift the gag order, saying their attorney should be allowed to speak about the family's opinions on the case on their behalf. A hearing on the Goncalves' request has been set for May 25.

High-publicity cases often present a conundrum for judges, who work to protect the defendants right to a fair trial. Courts sometimes feel that controlling the flow of information around the case  by forbidding those involved from talking about it  is an effective way to limit publicity.

But gag orders can infringe on the First Amendment rights of the public and of the people involved in the case. News organizations that cover the courts serve a watchdog role, keeping the public informed about how the judicial branch operates.

During the investigation into the University of Idaho students slayings, news organizations interviews with investigators and law enforcement officials often worked to quash misinformation spread online by people who styled themselves as sleuths on social media sites.
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Vermont on Tuesday became the first state in the country to change its medically assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to take advantage of it to end their lives.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill that removes the residency requirement for the decades-old law.

Last year in a court settlement, Oregon agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement of its law allowing terminally ill people to receive lethal medication. It also agreed to ask the Legislature to remove it from the law.

Before Vermont removed its residency requirement Tuesday, it had reached a settlement with a Connecticut woman who has terminal cancer to allow her to take advantage of its law, provided she complies with other aspects of it.

We are grateful to Vermont lawmakers for recognizing that a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony, said Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization, in a statement. Patients routinely travel to other states to utilize the best healthcare options. There is no rational reason they shouldnt be able to travel to another state to access medical aid in dying if the state they live in doesnt offer it.

Vermont is one of 10 states that allow medically assisted suicide. Critics of such laws say without the residency requirements states risk becoming assisted suicide tourism destinations.

Mary Hahn Beerworth, executive director of the Vermont Right to Life Committee, testified before a legislative committee in March that the practice was, and remains, a matter of contention.

To be clear, Vermont Right to Life opposed the underlying concept behind assisted suicide and opposes the move to remove the residency requirement as there are still no safeguards that protect vulnerable patients from coercion, said Beerworth, adding she had a number of concerns including what liability Vermont could incur if the drugs failed to end a patients life.

Supporters of Vermonts medically assisted suicide law say it has stringent safeguards, including a requirement that those who seek to use it be capable of making and communicating their health care decision to a physician. Patients are required to make two requests orally to the physician over a certain timeframe and then submit a written request that they signed in the presence of two or more witnesses who arent interested parties. Witnesses must sign and affirm that patients appeared to understand the nature of the document and were free from duress or undue influence at the time.

Lynda Bluestein, 75, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Diana Barnard, a physician from Middlebury, sued Vermont in federal court last summer, claiming its residency requirement violated the Constitutions commerce, equal protection, and privileges and immunities clauses. Barnard specializes in hospice and palliative care and has patients from neighboring New York state, which, like Connecticut, doesnt allow medically assisted suicide.

Bluestein said Tuesday that the change in Vermont means that so many other people in the Northeast can take advantage of the state's law.

"Im thinking even more importantly that this is going to cause other states, the other jurisdictions that have medical aid in dying, to look at their residency requirement, too," she said.

For Cassandra Johnston, 38, of Clifton Park, New York, the news was such a relief." She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last year and lives a 40-minute drive from Vermont.

It gives me such a peace of mind to know that if I need that peaceful and compassionate option that it's right next door, Johnston said. And it's life-changing for someone like me. It really is.

______

Rathke reported from Marshfield, Vt.
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WEST HAVEN  The city's City Council chairman declared he would not show up to any meetings between a state oversight board and the council without members of the oversight board first issuing a letter of apology.

State Office of Policy and Management Secretary Jeffrey Beckham said in April that he would like for the Municipal Accountability Review Board, a panel that has approval power over the budgets of financially distressed municipalities under its charge  which includes West Haven  to meet with the City Council. Beckham said that, as the MARB prepares to share an accounting firm's recommendations with a financial manager to work within West Haven City Hall at the board's behest, he is looking forward to "dialogue" with the council.

Last week, however, City Council Chairman Peter Massaro, D-6, said there could be a discussion only when the MARB says it's sorry.

"For me personally, I haven't really seen them help us out. They did nothing but ridicule us for five years," Massaro said at a budgetary hearing. "Their job was to help us financially, and all I've seen come out of them is ridiculing us, including the council."

Massaro has criticized the MARB in the past, claiming he believes the board's members use West Haven as a scapegoat for political purposes. He said members of the MARB "belittled" members of the council when West Haven first came under MARB's advisement in 2017.

They are not allowed to come to my meeting until I get a letter of an apology, he said.

Massaro told his council colleagues that they can attend a meeting with the MARB if they choose, but that he would not.

A spokesman for OPM declined to comment on whether the MARB would draft a letter of apology to the council, or on the current state of scheduling a meeting between the two bodies.

Some members of the council have said for years that, as the city's legislative body, they wished to have closer discussions with the MARB since its decisions pertain to the city's finances.

The stool does not stand with two legs, it stands with three legs, City Councilman Ron Quagliani, D-At Large, said in 2021.

At the budgetary review meeting last week, Quagliani said he had "consternation" at how some of the MARB's mandates appeared to be contradictory.

When I listen, we get seven or nine different opinions on how the individuals think we should do things," he said. "A lot are great ideas, but sometimes they conflict with one another."

For example, he said some members may advocate for the city to decrease spending to reduce the tax burden on residents, while others say the city should be increasing its hiring of government employees to provide more robust services.

Councilman Robert Bruneau, D-9, told Massaro he would like to have an open dialogue with the MARB. Massaro then recessed the meeting.
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CHICAGO (AP)  Federal jurors on Tuesday convicted all four defendants of bribery conspiracy at their trial in Chicago that provided an inside look at pay-to-play politics in Illinois that prosecutors said involved the states largest electric utility and, at the time, one of its most powerful politicians.

It's a resounding win for U.S. prosecutors in one of the biggest corruption trials in Illinois since former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted in 2011 in the same federal courthouse, including on charges he sought to sell President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat.

During a month and a half of testimony, prosecutors sought to prove two former ComEd executives, a former utility consultant and a longtime government insider arranged contracts, jobs and money for associates of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan  once one of the nations most powerful legislators  to ensure proposed bills boosting ComEd profits became law.

Madigan, 81, has been indicted in the case, though his own trial is scheduled for next year. He wasn't in court during the just-ended trial but featured in much of the key evidence. The across-the-board convictions Tuesday may not bode well for his prospects when he gets to trial.

During closing arguments, prosecutor Amarjeet Bhachu called the four defendants grand masters of corruption, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Defense attorneys argued their clients were engaged in run-of-the-mill lobbying and never crossed lines into illegality.

The defendants were onetime Madigan confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former ComEd consultant Jay Doherty.

Jurors deliberated for several days before returning with the sweeping convictions. Bribery conspiracy, the headline count in the case, carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Bhachu likened the alleged conspiracy to a toll that drivers pay to continue their journey on state highways, and suggested Madigan was the gatekeeper. It was a corruption toll to make sure that Mr. Madigan was not an obstacle to their legislative agenda, said Bhachu, according to the Chicago Tribune. And they paid that toll every month, from 2011 to 2019, when they were caught.

Evidence in the government's case included secret recordings of Madigan and others. Defense lawyers singled out a star government witness, ex-ComEd executive Fidel Marquez, alleging federal agents frightened him into cooperating, which included making secret recordings.

We are here because the government scared Fidel Marquez to death, Hookers lawyer, Jacqueline Jacobson, told jurors in her closing.

Marquez is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to bribery conspiracy.

Madigan was indicted in 2022 on charges that included racketeering and bribery. Hes denied wrongdoing. A year earlier, he resigned from the Legislature as the longest-serving state House speaker in modern U.S. history amid speculation that he was a federal target.

The indictment accused Madigan, among other things, of reaping the benefits of private legal work illegally steered to his law firm.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Azerbaijan and Belgium have reached an agreement on cooperation in the field of wind energy, Trend reports via the tweet of Azerbaijans Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov.

According to the tweet, this agreement was reached during the meeting with Belgiums Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten.

"We agreed to cooperate on the exchange of experience in offshore wind energy during the meeting with Belgiums Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten," the tweet said.

The roadmap of offshore wind energy published by Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) shows that Azerbaijan has the potential to install wind farms at sea with a total capacity of 7GW by 2040. The potential of wind, solar and hydropower on the liberated lands exceeds 10GW. The total potential of Azerbaijan's green energy generation capacity exceeds 200,000 megawatts.
Sit down a minute. I want to tell you a story.

Back when Ronald Reagan was president, I graduated from the University of Maryland, packed up the Pinto and headed back to Missouri, dogged by the sour stench of defeat.

I should have been happy, but I came to school back east specifically to get a job at The Washington Post. I was sure that for all the great journalists there, the Post needed me chasing down ambassadors, fleshing out profiles, and launching the next Watergate-like investigation.

Id done everything to reach that goal. I worked for the campus newspaper, freelanced for a regional paper, and interned at the now-defunct Baltimore Evening Sun. One of my first assignments there was to bear witness as police pulled a rotting body out of a rowhouse chimney. I do not remember how that body came to be stuffed in that chimney. I only remember that the assignment was a test dreamed up by an old school editor who was skeptical of cute-as-a-bug me. I was the new wave of college-educated journalists, dressed for success in a serious blazer and a white shirt with a big bow. I figured that if I refused to go  or befouled the bow by vomiting on it afterward  I would not be taken seriously. I did neither, and on my last day as an intern, that editor brought me a strawberry pie from Haussners.

What he didnt do was hire me. I was in an army of wanna-bes who marched into journalism after Watergate, ready to do battle for democracy. For a few years, news outlets  newspapers in particular  had the pick of the litter, a category to which I did not belong. So I headed west, back to Joplin to write obituaries, which had been my part-time job before I left. The only thing that had changed, as far as I could tell, was now when I called those 40-some funeral homes (with an unceremonious, Hi. Joplin Globe. Ya got any?), I was now doing so as a degreed person.

On that blue highway home, I saw my life roll out. Obits. Club news. The occasional feature. Maybe Id cover fires once the guy whod done so since the Korean War went to his eternal home (and I wrote his obit). In the meantime, Id marry  probably someone who also worked at the paper because who else could stomach a journalists ridiculous hours. We would live in a double-wide south of town. Wed acquire some cattle, and some children, in that order. Maybe Id learn to cook. And then, Id probably get divorced because Dream Husband would grow tired of all the dinners I missed.

I once read on a T-shirt that a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out, and I felt like I was driving to my funeral. I knew I should be happy. I knew I should be proud of myself, but mostly I, with the world-weary wisdom of a 21-year-old, was disappointed at the ordinary life I was about to start.

Does this sound as insufferable to you as it does to me? Of course, there was no Dream Husband, no cattle, no double-wide  and no job at the Post. Instead, there was travel and belly laughs and great colleagues and tight deadlines and challenging interviews and new time zones and so much to know that somewhere along the way I stopped pretending to be smart, and started learning.

Every year around this time, I tell that story  or a version of it  to the students at my college. We end our spring classes this week, and from here, its final projects and papers and grading that feels as if it will never end until it finally does.

More to the point, for seniors it means jumping off the high dive into, well, theyre not sure what yet. Theyve spent most of their lives in school which ostensibly prepared them for this leap. Are they ready? Probably. Are they scared? You bet. One student actually asked in class, After we graduate, do you just  I dont know  kick us out?



Yes. We do. And they? Will be fine. They will be better than fine. Do you know how I know this? Because Ive watched them. They have navigated this impossible pandemic and trouble at home and financial holds and health issues and stupid roommates and though they may have considered quitting, this crop didnt. They will face more hard things, but I remind them that when they were barely an adult, they got through this, all of it.

I cant predict what is ahead for graduating seniors. I can only tell them that Im fairly certain parts of it will be awesome. We have done our best to prepare them, but mostly, I hope weve taught them to stay humble and keep learning. Within the month  maybe the week  some new technology will come rushing at them that will prove vital. If they havent already, they will work next to people who dont share their politics, who have different definitions for things they thought immutable, and that vague life they dreamed will melt away to be replaced by something far more interesting.
A new program is poised to make Niagara Health a national leader for community hospital-based medical research, says Dr. Jennifer Tsang, the local hospital systems physician research lead.

The work that were going to do is going to affect how we look after patients, not just here in Niagara but across the country, she said.

Hospital administration announced the launch of the program Tuesday, called Niagara Health Knowledge Institute, which is being made possible with $4-million donation from McCall MacBain Foundation.

Tsang said the institute will be the academic hub of Niagara Health whereby all academic activities including research, quality improvement and education will flow through.

She said it is the culmination of years of work to enhance medical research at Niagara Health hospitals.

Tsang said she left behind large university hospitals to join the team at Niagara Health about a decade ago, hoping to introduce research programs within local hospitals.

Community hospitals are where most people receive their health care in Canada, and I saw that as an excellent opportunity to make a real difference here, she said.

Since then, she said, local research projects have focused on oncology, critical care, urology, emergency medicine, cardiology and thrombosis, and will soon be expanded to include neurology.

Tsang, who co-founded Canadian Community ICU Research Network in 2019, said local hospitals also focused on COVID-19 research throughout the pandemic, resulting in real-time and practice-changing work that led to many high-impact publications.

As a result of that work, she said, Niagara Healths critical care research program was ranked No. 3 in Canada.

She said future research will focus on seniors care.

We know Niagara region has a greater percentage of older patients, and its also in our strategic plan, so we want to develop a program of research focusing on care for older people, Tsang said.

Niagara Health president and chief executive officer Lynn Guerriero said the $4 million being used for the institute is part of a $5-million donation from McCall MacBain Foundation announced in March, with the remaining $1 million going towards the new hospital in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Health Foundation president and CEO Andrea Scott said she hopes other potential donors will be inspired by the generosity of McCall MacBain Foundation, as well as the institute, as another opportunity to help support local health-care providers.

Scott read a statement from John MacBain regarding the donations that said he is thrilled this gift will support an excellent teaching and learning environment for the next generation of health-care workers, including our local talent.

Chief of staff Dr. Johan Viljoen said the institute will be a hive of activity, adding the research it will provide is going to boggle our minds in years to come.

This will allow us to recognize and grow our research capacity, he said.

Although Niagara Health is already a leader when it comes to medical research, Viljoen said those efforts will be bolstered by the institute.

Executive vice-president Linda Boich said the institute will play a vital role in enhancing patient care.

Research and quality work so seamlessly together because of our common denominators and common commitment to improved care, she said.

Dr. Amanda Bell from the Niagara campus of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine said the institute will also offer a scholarly approach to health professionals education, by engaging in medical education research, development of curriculum, professional development offerings and collaboration with other educational institutions on academic projects.

This will be a site where we can use our curiosity about learning to further our ability to offer excellent opportunities in training and skills development, Bell said.

Tsang said there is currently no physical space for the institute, adding the funding is for people rather than bricks and mortar.

Its the people who will make up the knowledge institute, including the people we serve, she said, adding it will operate similar to research institutes associated with large hospitals such as Toronto General Hospital.

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After several years of working in retail, Shantia Cross had enough.

One day in 2021, she decided to walk off the job and leave what she described as a toxic and thankless workplace. Her mother advised her to either find a new job or go back to school, and that got Cross thinking.

That same night, she stayed up until 3 a.m. searching for a career where she could use the hard skills that she picked up in journalism school  like interviewing and shooting video  and stumbled upon some testimonials about jobs in user experience, or UX, design.

Cross decided on a one-year, intensive post-graduate certificate program at Centennial College in Toronto after searching for programs with a UX design component. Brimming with excitement, she signed up.

Im really glad I stuck with it, said Cross, who is now a content strategist for one of the countrys top banks.

Cross is just one of many Canadians who have returned to school in order to advance their careers, a move that experts say can be beneficial so long as its an informed decision.

Jessica Moorhouse, a financial educator and host of the More Money podcast, said there are many perks to returning to school or taking certification courses to upgrade your skills and make your resume stand out.

There can be a lot of benefits, said Moorhouse, who is currently on her way to becoming a certified financial planner in the hope of earning trust from prospective clients.

It does set yourself apart from others that are trying to do the same thing.

Ian Christie, CEO and chief career strategist of the Vancouver-based Bold Career Project, said pursuing higher education could accelerate a persons career growth or allow them to make a complete career overhaul.

This will give them hopefully some hard skills that they can apply to the job immediately and help them potentially leapfrog to the next level more quickly than through just the work experience, he said. It can also open new doors, he said.

For example, with a master of business administration, you could gain access to higher levels of management and executive positions, as well as a higher salary.

In Canada, the average annual salary for a person with an MBA is $80,000, according to figures compiled by Talent.com, though the figures fluctuated significantly.

However, the return on your investment of time and money for pursuing higher education depends on your field of choice, Moorhouse said. Thats why she suggests doing research, especially by speaking to people in that field, to get a better idea of the salary expectations, work-life balance and overall work culture.

If youre working for an NGO or a non-profit or (doing) social work, youre probably not going to make as much as someone who did an MBA, she said.

Your degree probably was just as difficult and just as costly, but youre not going to reach a certain income level just because of the industry youre working in.

There are several other things people should consider before returning to school.

For one, if you just completed a bachelors degree, Moorhouse said it can be worthwhile to take some time to gain some professional experience before going straight back to school. This can allow you to explore what really interests you, or alternatively, what doesnt.

Its also worth figuring out whether you require a masters degree or PhD to land your dream job or could make do with a certificate or a diploma, she said.

If youre looking for a cost-effective way to pursue higher education, Moorhouse recommended enrolling in either a part-time program or courses at night or on weekends alongside working.

Unless it really matters for your desired profession, you can also choose a school or program that sets you up for success in your chosen field at a lower price point than a similar school or program thats more costly but considered prestigious, Moorhouse said.

If you are in the health field or law or something, those things do kind of matter because theres this weird hierarchy that still exists, but for lots of jobs, people will look at your resume and they will not know that much about that program or that college or whatever; it doesnt matter, she explained.

Christie said its best to pick a program that will equip you with both skills and networking opportunities that will help you land a job in the current job market.

Are you getting job-ready skills that the market values? And what other supports does the program have? Do they have a career centre? Do they have connections with industry, with networking events, or alumni network? he said.

No matter where you decide to study, Christie said you should be willing to put in the time and effort to make sure that youre getting the most out of the program.

(Its) more like, this is a vehicle and I am taking responsibility to leverage the schools resources, but its up to me to find a way to turn this into a really, really positive outcome, he said.

Sometimes the skills required for a position may not require higher education, Christie said, in which case you can go online to places like YouTube and LinkedIn Premium to brush up your skills. LinkedIn is also a good place to check the kinds of skills and experiences others in your desired field have, so that you can follow their example, he added.

Meanwhile, Cross recommends people reassess their skills and what theyre passionate about, and thoroughly explore their options before going back to school.

Quoting Aaliyah, one of her favourite artists, she added, If at first you dont succeed, then dust yourself off and try again.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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It might be known as fashions biggest night out, but that doesnt mean beauty takes a back seat. When it comes to preparing for the Met Gala, no detail is overlooked. There are skin treatments with the most in-demand facialists in the world, trims and colour touch-ups with the top hair pros in the business, lash and brow services, spray tans, mani-pedis and perhaps most importantly, endless discussions between the glam team and attendee about devising the perfect hairstyle and makeup to complement the overall vision.

Judging by the looks on display on those famous Metropolitan Museum of Art steps, all that hard work definitely paid off. Here, we round up the biggest beauty statements of the 2023 Met Gala.

Black ribbons

Hair bows, particularly black ones, are having a moment. We spotted a slew of them at the Oscars back in March, then Hailey Bieber wore one a few days ago in an homage to Audrey Hepburn at a Tiffany event (how fitting) and last night, they were everywhere, from Sydney Sweenys O.T.T. tule version to Priyanka Chopras modern, deconstructed take. The romantic hair accessory did seem quite fitting considering the evenings themeKarl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beautyrecalling classic Chanel.

Micro-bangs

Theres something about an abridged fringe that feels very Paris in the 20s, and thus very Chanel. Emily Ratajkowski teamed hers up with a black bow (double trend points there) while Lizzo contrasted textures, opting for straight bangs and a curly updo. And how darling did Olivia Rodrigo look with her subtly curled fringe?

Pastel lids

Spring-y shades of pink and green made many appearances last night, most notably on the lids of Naomi Campbell, Eva Chen and Suki Waterhouse, the latter of whom sported the prettiest watercolour-esque eye makeup. This is your sign to try a little colour on your lids this season.

Headbands

Black ribbons werent the only trending hair adornment of the night. Headbands were also huge. As demonstrated by red carpet hosts Emma Chamberlain and La La Anthony as well as rapper Cardi B, the accessory is best paired with bold earrings and silky smooth tresses.

Barbie ponytails

The 30-centimetre plastic doll appears to have a choke hold on fashion right now. Not only is pink reigning supreme on runways and in the makeup aisle, but Barbies bouncy pony is also having a moment. Cue Kendall Jenner and Paris Hilton donning ultra-high ponytails last night. (Notice how a strand of hair was used to cover the elastic for a more elegant feel.)

Watermelon lips

Rather than traditional crimson, it was all about pinky reds when it came to lipstick last night. Salma Hayek and models Liu Wren and Irina Shayk all rocked the hue, with Shayk even swiping it on her lids for a monochromatic makeup moment. A little softer and less serious than true red, the shade feels perfect for the warmer months, recalling a juicy slide of watermelon.

Flipped ends

Sixties-style curved ends and a deep side-part give a bob cut a fun, retro twist. Just take it from Ashley Graham, who actually snipped her locks right before the event, and Margaret Qualley, another attendee who gets double trend points thanks to her watermelon pout.

Silver shadow

Icy eyeshadow was seen sparkling up the lids of several guests, including Rihanna, Gigi Hadid and Kim Petras. After the resurgence of Y2K fashion, we should have known it was only a matter of time before the early aughts makeup trend plotted a comeback.

Shock transformations

Head-turning statements are highly encouraged at the Met Gala and what could make a bigger statement than debuting a whole new look on the famous steps? Thats what Florence Pugh, Jessica Chastain and Marion Cotillard chose to do, respectively unveiling a shaved head, bleach-blonde locks and a bubblegum mushroom cut.

French manis

As far as nail art goes, the standout trend of the night was no doubt French tips (the evening did pay homage to a designer who spent most of his life in Paris, after all). Dua Lipa and Karlie Kloss opted for classic white, Jenna Ortega and EmRata went with dramatic black and Gabrielle Union matched her mani to her scarlet dress.

Katherine Lalancette is the beauty and lifestyle director of The Kit. She writes about beauty and trends. Reach her on email at kl@thekit.ca or follow her on Twitter: @kik_tweets

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Azerbaijan is a pan-European gas supplier, EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson wrote on Twitter, Trend reports.

Today, I hosted the EU-Azerbaijan Energy Dialogue with minister Parviz Shahbazov to discuss further our strategic partnership. Azerbaijan is a pan-European gas supplier. But our cooperation goes further than gas, with massive potential in renewable energy, she wrote.

Simson noted that Europe came out of this winter with gas storages half full, more stable gas prices and a positive outlook for the next winter.

We achieved this thanks to actions of EU citizens and our reliable partners like Azerbaijan. We are both very committed to deliver on our Strategic Partnership, added the Commissioner.

Azerbaijan exported 11.4 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe in 2022, showing a 39 percent increase as compared to 2021. The exports to Europe accounted for 51 percent of the total volume of Azerbaijans gas transportation.

The countrys gas exports to Europe from January through March 2023 stood at 2.9 billion.

Azerbaijan started gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor on December 31, 2020. The initial capacity of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the European leg of the Corridor, is 10 billion cubic meters expandable to 20 billion cubic meters. In July 2022, Azerbaijan and EU agreed on doubling the gas supplies by 2027.

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MEXICO CITY (AP)  With Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzman serving a life sentence, his sons steered the family business into fentanyl, establishing a network of labs churning out massive quantities of the cheap, deadly drug that they smuggled into the U.S., prosecutors revealed in a recent indictment.

Although Guzmans trial revolved around cocaine shipments, the case against his sons exposes the inner workings of a cartel undergoing a generational shift as it worked to manufacture the most potent fentanyl and to sell it in the United States at the lowest price, according to the indictment unsealed April 14 in Manhattan.

Synthetic opioids  mostly fentanyl  now kill more Americans every year than died in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined, feeding an argument among some politicians that the cartels should be branded terrorist organizations and prompting once-unthinkable calls for U.S. military intervention across the border.

The problem with fentanyl, as some people at the State Department told me, has to be repositioned. Its not a drug problem; its a poisoning problem, said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico, who died Friday. Very few people go out deliberately looking for fentanyl.

Hope predicted fentanyl would probably become an issue in next years U.S. elections, but he opposed any threat of U.S. intervention, saying I dont think that would be a very good way of addressing a public health issue.

The groundwork for the U.S. fentanyl epidemic was laid more than 20 years ago, with aggressive over-prescribing of the synthetic opioid oxycodone. As U.S. authorities clamped down on its prescription, users moved to heroin, which the Sinaloa cartel happily supplied.

But making its own fentanyl  far more potent and versatile than heroin  in small, easily concealed labs was a game changer. The cartel went from its first makeshift fentanyl lab to a network of labs concentrated in the northern state of Sinaloa in less than a decade.

These are not super labs, because they give people the illusion that theyre like pharmaceutical labs, you know, very sophisticated, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. These are nothing more than metal tubs and they use wooden paddles  even shovels  to mix the chemicals.

A single cartel cook can press fentanyl into 100,000 counterfeit pills every day to fool Americans into thinking theyre taking Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. The pills are smuggled over the border to supply what son Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar said are streets of junkies, the indictment said.

Fentanyl is so cheap to make that the cartel reaps massive profits even wholesaling the drug at 50 cents per pill, prosecutors said.

The drugs potency makes it particularly dangerous. The narcotic dose of fentanyl is so close to the lethal dose that a pill meant to ensure a high for a habituated user can easily kill a less experienced person taking something they didnt know was fentanyl.

Between August 2021 and August of last year, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, most from synthetic opioids. Last year, the DEA seized more than 57 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills, according to the New York indictment.

To protect and expand that business, the Chapitos, as the sons are known, have turned to grotesque violence, prosecutors said.

Enforcers Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are the lead defendants among 23 associates charged in the New York indictment. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, alias the Mouse, who allegedly pushed the cartel into fentanyl, is charged in another indictment in the same district. Mexico arrested him in January and the U.S. government has requested extradition. Joaquin Guzman Lopez is charged in the Northern District of Illinois

According to the Guzman Salazar indictment, the cartel does some lab testing on its product but conducts more grisly human testing on kidnapped rivals or addicts who are injected until they overdose.

The purity of the cartels fentanyl varies greatly depending on the method and skill of the particular manufacturer, prosecutors noted. After a user overdosed on one batch, it was still shipped to the U.S.

When the elder Guzman and Ismael El Mayo Zambada led the Sinaloa cartel, it operated with a certain degree of restraint. But with Guzman serving a life sentence and Zambada believed to be suffering from health issues, the Chapitos moved aggressively to avoid a power vacuum that could fragment the cartel.

What was really a unique advantage of the Sinaloa cartel and El Chapo was the ability to calibrate violence, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at the Brookings Institute.

The wide-ranging New York indictment against the Guzman Salazar brothers details their penchant for feeding enemies to their pet tigers and describes how they tortured two Mexican federal agents, ripping through ones muscles with a corkscrew then stuffing the holes with chile peppers before shooting him.

The indictment also provides context to some recent violence in Mexico.

In August 2022, gunmen shot up Ciudad Juarez across from El Paso, Texas. Two prison inmates and nine civilians in the city were killed. U.S. prosecutors say the Chapitos security arm ordered their local gang associates to commit the violence, targeting a rival cartels businesses.

This is not their fathers Sinaloa cartel, Felbab-Brown said. These guys just operate in very different mindsets than their father.

The Guzman Salazar indictment makes an initial attempt at disrupting the cartels supply chain, naming four people tied to a China-based chemical company and a broker in Guatemala who allegedly helped the cartel get the chemicals and even instructed them on the best recipes for fentanyl.

When they talk about labs and youre trying to focus in on labs, thats not going to have an impact unless you get the finished product or the precursor chemicals, Vigil said.

Mexicos government has stumbled through the mixed messaging of its security forces playing up their decommissioning of labs even while President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has asserted that fentanyl is not being produced in Mexico.

In congressional testimony Thursday, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram was pressed about whether Mexico and China are doing enough to cooperate with U.S.

We want the Mexicans to work with us and we want them to do more, Milgram said, adding that the DEA wouldnt hesitate to go after public officials in Mexico or elsewhere should it find evidence of ties to the cartels.

Experts say Lopez Obrador is one obstacle to slowing the cartels fentanyl production. After U.S. prosecutors announced the concerted effort against the Sinaloa cartel, Lopez Obrador reacted angrily. The president accused the U.S. government of spying and interference, suggesting that the case had been built on information gathered by U.S. agents in Mexico.

The president had already severely reduced Mexicos cooperation with the DEA, experts said.

Hope, the security analyst, said a fundamental problem is that Lopez Obrador doesnt appear to understand fentanyls threat. The president rails against a deterioration of family values in the United States and paints addiction as a moral failing.

Hes trapped in a moral universe from 50 years ago, Hope said.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  A high-profile Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a hunger strike of nearly three months, Israels prison service announced. His death set off protests in the West Bank and a round of cross-border fighting between Gaza militants and the Israeli military.

Late Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had started airstrikes on Gaza targets, in response to earlier rocket salvos from the coastal strip, run by the militant Hamas group. There was no immediate word on casualties or damage. After a brief pause, the aerial bombardment and rocket fire resumed at dawn Wednesday.

The death of Khader Adnan has also drawn attention to the tactic of hunger strikes  used by prisoners around the world yet considered a particularly crucial tool for Palestinians held by Israel with few other means at their disposal.

Adnan, 45, a leader of the militant Islamic Jihad group, helped introduce the practice of protracted hunger strikes by individual prisoners as a form of protest. Palestinian detainees have mostly used hunger strikes to challenge administrative detention, a controversial tactic in which more than 1,000 Palestinians and a handful of Israelis are currently being held without charge or trial.

On Wednesday, two officials from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said a cease-fire has been brokered by Egypt and other regional players. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms of the deal were pending further discussions over when Israel will hand over Khaders body for burial.

Adnan first grabbed international headlines and inspired solidarity protests over a decade ago, when he staged a 66-day hunger strike against his administrative detention. That galvanized hundreds of other prisoners to join the strike, which ended with a deal for his release. He was later arrested again.

Through all levels of Palestinian society  from squalid refugee camps in Gaza to wealthy businesses in the West Bank  Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention are celebrated as national heroes. Israel considers Palestinian prisoners to be terrorists.

Adnan, who was arrested a dozen times and spent nearly a fifth of his life in Israeli prison, became a potent symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israels open-ended occupation, now in its 56th year. His use of hunger strikes as a bargaining chip against Israeli authorities  during two other strikes in 2015 and 2018 that lasted 56 and 58 days, respectively  motivated many other desperate Palestinians in administrative detention to refuse food.

Israels prison service said Adnan had been charged with involvement in terrorist activities following his February arrest. Last week, an Israeli military court denied him bail. A hearing on his appeal was repeatedly postponed.

After the news of his death broke, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired 26 rockets at populated areas in southern Israel, sending shrapnel flying. Three foreign workers were wounded at a construction site in the city of Sderot, Israels rescue service said, without identifying their nationalities. One of the foreigners, a 25-year-old man, was reported to be in serious condition. A few hours later, the military said six mortars shells were fired at Israel, most of them falling short and not reaching Israeli territory.

This is an initial response to this heinous crime, said a coalition of Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups, led by the enclaves militant Hamas rulers. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called it an assassination, accusing Israel of medical neglect.

Early Wednesday, the Israeli military said its aircraft struck military posts, training sites, weapons storage facilities and an underground tunnel belonging to Hamas. Palestinian residents reported several explosions by Israeli air raids in northwestern Gaza City and other parts of the Strip. Hamas had earlier evacuated military and security targets in anticipation of Israeli strikes.

Air raid sirens sounded and Israeli municipal councils opened public bomb shelters. Field fires broke out. Shrapnel punched holes into pavement, shattered windows and charred cars. Four rockets were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome missile defense system, authorities said.

The Israeli military responded with tank fire into Gaza and said it was planning further retaliation. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under regulations, said that the army assessed that Islamic Jihad fired the rockets with Hamas knowledge.

The security establishment will act with determination and force against anyone who tries to harm the citizens of Israel, said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

A general strike was announced across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians flocked to military checkpoints in the occupied territory, slinging stones. Israeli forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. A suspected Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank lightly wounded an Israeli man. Earlier Tuesday, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired another three rockets that landed in empty fields in Israel.

A march commemorating Adnan in the northern city of Jenin, a hotbed of Palestinian militancy, spiraled into violence Tuesday when Palestinian security forces prevented protesters from reaching the Palestinian Authoritys headquarters. As Palestinians fired into the air and chanted against the PA, long derided for its security cooperation with Israel, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas into the crowd.

With violence surging over the past year and the Israeli military launching near-nightly arrest raids in the West Bank, the number of Palestinians in administrative detention has swelled to the highest number in two decades. Israel says the tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons.

Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.

As a result, Palestinian prisoners have turned to hunger strikes  whether in large groups with hundreds refusing food, or individually, for decades. Since the 1967 Mideast war, when Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, Israel has jailed thousands of Palestinians. The strikes are often aimed at protesting prison conditions  including the very fact of open-ended detentions  or winning concessions such as family visits.

Over the years, with starving prisoners shriveled bodies drawing international condemnation, Israeli governments have at times accepted their demands to avoid deaths in custody. The most famous of these deals involved Adnans lengthy hunger strikes and releases from prison in 2012 and 2015.

But the current Israeli government, the most right-wing in the countrys history, has vowed to take a hard-line against the Palestinians. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, has cracked down on security prisoners, shortening shower times to four minutes, closing prison bakeries and restricting exercise time and family visits.

Ben-Gvir demanded Tuesday that prison officials exhibit zero-tolerance and ordered prisoners be confined to their cells.

Rights groups blamed Israel for Adnans death, alleging that authorities ignored warnings about his life-threatening condition. Adnans lawyer said the Israeli prison service retaliated by placing him isolation after he began his hunger strike. He said Adnan had appealed to Israeli authorities to transfer him to a hospital.

We lay the responsibility for his death at the feet of the Israeli authorities, said Dana Moss from Physicians for Human Rights Israel. Hunger strikes are one of the few non-violent tools left to Palestinians as they battle against Israels unfair legal system.

The Israeli prison service said Adnan was in a prison medical facility, but had refused medical treatment until the last moment when his legal proceedings moved ahead. The prison authorities said he was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hundreds gathered at Adnans home in the West Bank town of Arraba, near Jenin, holding posters bearing his image and calling for revenge. In a rare call for de-escalation, Adnans widow, Randa Musa, asked Palestinians not to respond with violence.

We do not want a single drop of blood shed, she told the crowd. We do not want rockets to be fired.

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WASHINGTON - The Biden administration says COVID-19 vaccination requirements for foreign air travellers and at the Canada-U.S. border are being lifted as of May 12.

The day before, May 11, will mark the end of the COVID-19 emergency the U.S. imposed back in 2020 as the world was coming to grips with the scale of the pandemic.

New York Rep. Brian Higgins, a vocal advocate of eased border restrictions, is cheering the news as a victory for families, tourists and long-suffering border communities.

Canada ended its own vaccination requirements for foreign visitors back in October.

The U.S., however, has continued to require federal workers, contractors and most international air travellers to show proof of vaccination.

The White House says deaths from COVID-19 around the world are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic, and 95 per cent lower in the U.S. than they were in January 2021.

We are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of these requirements were put into place, the administration said in a statement.

The restrictions will end at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.

Also expected to end at the same time is Title 42, the controversial measure that gives the U.S. the power to summarily deny entry to asylum seekers on the basis of a public health emergency.

The White House statement left the restrictions on land borders, known as Title 19, to the Department of Homeland Security, which promptly followed up with a statement of its own.

Beginning May 12, 2023, DHS will no longer require non-U.S. travellers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request, it read.

DHS intends to rescind these Title 19 travel restrictions in alignment with the end of the public health emergency and the termination of the presidential proclamation on air travel.

President Joe Biden had already made clear when the emergency measures would expire, but Higgins said it was never certain that the changes would extend to the Canada-U.S. land border.

But now that its clear they will, its time to celebrate, he said.

For over three years now there have been barriers to cross-border travel. It has kept families apart and impeded economic recovery, he said in a release.

While long overdue, this last lifting of pandemic restrictions is certainly welcome news and critically important as we seek opportunities to encourage a robust cross-border exchange that delivers shared prosperity.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2023.

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Paul Hughes says one of the most difficult moments of his life was placing a Canadian flag over the body bag of a soldier from Alberta killed during a bloody battle in eastern Ukraine.

Hughes carefully drove an ambulance carrying the body of Kyle Porter for more than four hours from an area near Bakhmut where the Canadian and another soldier, Cole Zelenco, were killed during fierce fighting last week.

I draped the Canadian flag over him. That hit me as hard as Ive been hit in the 14 months Ive been in Ukraine, Hughes said in a phone interview from Kharkiv after retrieving Porters body Tuesday.

My heart goes out to (their families). The deepest condolences.

Global Affairs said in an emailed statement that the department is aware of reports that two Canadians died in Ukraine. It said its following up with authorities but cannot release more information due to privacy considerations.

Family and aid workers identified the two Canadians.

Zelenco, 21, was from St. Catharines, Ont., and was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, his mother, Lynn Baxter, said in a phone interview from her home.

Baxter said her son first went over to the war-torn country last April and returned to Canada three months later before going on his second tour in October.

He was very passionate about protecting Ukrainians, and just trying to keep their lives as stabilized as possible.

Baxter last spoke with her son two days before his death. The conversation steered away from the attacks that have rocked the eastern Donbas region.

He kept quite a bit hidden from me just so I wouldnt worry, she said.

Baxter doesnt know much about the attack that killed her son but was told he didnt suffer. Im very grateful for that.

An honorary ceremony is taking place in Ukraine, Baxter said, and his body is expected to be back in Canada in two weeks. The family is hoping for a May 19 funeral.

Zelenco was described in an online fundraiser as strong and courageous with a fierce sense of loyalty.

Hughes said he did not know the two Canadian soldiers, but troops in their unit described them as brave heroes.

These two men are heroes and are heroes in this country, Hughes said. They are so highly respected by their comrades.

Hughes is a farmer and community activist from Calgary who has been in Ukraine for more than a year. He runs HUGS Helping Ukraine, a grassroots support agency that partners with local humanitarian agencies, out of Kharkiv.

He received a call from another aid organization that said two Canadians had died in a devastating battle. He knew he had to help his fellow Canadians in whatever way he could.

Hughes drove his organizations ambulance to an area not far from where the two men were killed, which has seen the fiercest and most prolonged fighting of the war. It sounded like hundreds of bombs dropped in the short time he was retrieving the soldiers body, Hughes said.

Hughes said it has been a barbaric and vicious war and where the men were killed is an epicentre.

Its hell on Earth. Its a bad, bad, bad place, Hughes said.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress expressed condolences on social media to the families and friends of the two men.

(They) will be remembered for their bravery and their sacrifice in defence of Ukraines freedom and peace in Europe, the post said.

Baxter said she is heartbroken but proud her son stood up for what he believes in.

Cole, in his short 21 years, did more than a lot of people do in 50 to 60 years.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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OTTAWAPublic Safety Minister Marco Mendicino refused more than a dozen times Tuesday to say when he learned of allegations that the Chinese government targeted members of a Conservative MPs family  prompting outrage and expressions of support for the MP from all sides of the House of Commons.

Mendicino dodged questions from opposition MPs in the House of Commons about the issue, stating in French that it was scandalous to suggest the government would neglect to protect an MPs family.

The Globe and Mail reported Monday that security officials believed in 2021 that Beijing had targeted relatives of WellingtonHalton Hills MP Michael Chong as part of a campaign to influence Canadian politics.

The report prompted Chong to accuse the government of failing to inform him that his relatives in Hong Kong were targeted. And on Tuesday, Chong rose in the House of Commons and said he has confirmed the serious, grave details that a Chinese diplomat in Canada  whom the Conservatives are demanding the government expel  was involved in conducting these intimidation operations.

Chong added that it is now clear Canadians cant rely on the government to discharge its role as a defender of the realm and that it is up to House Speaker Anthony Rota  as the figurehead of the Commons  to send a clear and unambiguous signal that it is unacceptable for China to intimidate MPs and their families.

But while the government has denied it ignored or failed to act upon such information, Mendicino and his office are refusing to say when they first learned Beijing allegedly tried to intimidate Chongs family.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau charged it was irresponsible to suggest that any government might sit on a matter of such seriousness.

Security officials also briefed Chong, on all the information that could be provided, Mendicinos spokesperson Alexander Cohen told the Star.

Chong has not responded to questions and interview requests from the Star this week.

But when the Conservatives  including Chong himself  repeatedly pressed Mendicino to say when the government found out about the allegation, the public safety minister refused to say.

I want to express solidarity to him and to his family, and that we will continue to work with him and all parliamentarians to make sure that he and all parliamentarians get the support that they need, Mendicino said during Question Period Tuesday.

We must all work together to defend the institutions, the communities, and most importantly, the parliamentarians who serve those institutions to protect our democracy.

Mendicinos responses prompted outrage from the opposition benches. What a gutless response, said Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. What if that happened to that ministers family? I have the same question. When did he know?

Other MPs offered support and praise for Chong, with New Democrat MP Heather MacPherson saying the allegations that Beijing targeted his family had shocked the entire House of Commons.

Outside the House, Mendicino told reporters that national security agencies decide what information can be released, and that matters that relate to critical facts cant just be released carelessly or without thought to federal secrecy laws.

I am confident that we are putting in place the measures that are necessary to protect parliamentarians, but candidly speaking, we have to be vigilant that the threat landscape is becoming more complex, he said.

Cohen, Mendicinos spokesperson, later said the government will not comment on the validity of potential leaked classified information.

The exchange in Parliament occurred amid ongoing concerns about allegations of Chinese government interference in Canadian politics. In the face of a slew of media reports  citing spy agency documents and national security sources  that detailed Beijings alleged influence campaigns, the government has argued it takes threats of foreign interference seriously. It also appointed former governor general David Johnston to decide whether to hold a public inquiry into the matter, as all three opposition parties are demanding.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service has publicly declared Chinese state interference a threat to Canadas security. The spy agency has also said that foreign interference is becoming more frequent and sophisticated, and has been detected targeting people in potential positions of influence at all levels of government.

With files from Stephanie Levitz

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A Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit driver, Osibanjo Oluwaseun, who collided with a moving train at Ikeja and allegedly killed six people was, on Tuesday, arraigned before an Ikeja High Court.





The defendant, who was arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala, is facing 16 counts bordering on involuntary manslaughter and previous harm, preferred against him by the state government.





The Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, told the court that the BRT driver negligently killed the victims by ignoring warning signals and ran into an on-coming train.





He said the defendant also negligently inflicted grievous harm on 10 other passengers on the bus.





Details later
Geoffrey Hinton, a scientist regarded as the godfather of artificial intelligence (AI), has quit his job at Google over fears of growing dangers from innovations in the field.

Hinton announced his resignation in a statement shared with the New York Times on Monday, saying he now regrets his work.

In 2012, Hinton and two of his graduate students at the University of Toronto created the technology that became the intellectual foundation for AI systems.

Commenting on recent advancements in the field, Hinton said tech companies are racing toward danger with their aggressive campaign to create products based on generative AI, the technology that powers popular chatbots like ChatGPT.

I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadnt done it, somebody else would have. It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things, the Times quoted the scientist as saying.

In a separate interview with the BBC on Tuesday, Hinton described the situation as a nightmare.

This is just a kind of worst-case scenario, kind of a nightmare scenario. You can imagine, for example, some bad actor like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin decided to give robots the ability to create their own sub-goals, he said.

Ive come to the conclusion that the kind of intelligence were developing is very different from the intelligence we have. Were biological systems and these are digital systems. And the big difference is that with digital systems, you have many copies of the same set of weights, the same model of the world.

And all these copies can learn separately but share their knowledge instantly. So its as if you had 10,000 people and whenever one person learnt something, everybody automatically knew it. And thats how these chatbots can know so much more than any one person.

He expressed fears that AI systems may soon become more intelligent than humans and warned that there was a need to worry

Right now, theyre not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be, he said.

Right now, what were seeing is things like GPT-4 eclipses a person in the amount of general knowledge it has and it eclipses them by a long way. In terms of reasoning, its not as good, but it does already do simple reasoning.

And given the rate of progress, we expect things to get better quite fast. So we need to worry about that.




The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said contrary to viral reports that he was detained at the airport in the United Kingdom, he was merely stopped for a routine immigration check.





Recall that the former Anambra State governor was allegedly detained for hours at Heathrow Airport, London by UK immigration officials.





But in an interview with Arise TV on Monday night, Obi insisted that he was never arrested, stressing that the routine immigration check lasted less than 20 minutes.





He said he was only checked because it appears his identity was duplicated by someone.





He said he was given VIP treatment.





Obi said, I was stopped for a routine immigration check in the UK because it appears that my identity was duplicated by someone. I was never arrested. I was treated with due respect and walked through the VIP process. Everything lasted less than 20 minutes.
Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, says he will be an uncommon transformer if he is made the senate president.

Akpabio spoke on Monday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock villa in Abuja.

The former senate minority leader said when he was governor of Akwa Ibom governor he made significant contributions to infrastructure.

It is well known that Akpabio is a results-driven individual. You will remember that when I was a governor, I made significant contributions to infrastructure, education, social issues, and human empowerment, Akpabio said.

I intend to bring a lot of reforms into the senate, in the ways and manners we do business, to assist the next administration to succeed.

We will be very thorough in doing everything; well bring about loyalty to the constitution.

Akpabio said he would address the challenges through legislation.

The restiveness that we are seeing across the nation, well do our best to make good laws and to assist the administration to bring about policies that will empower the youths of the country, he said.

I made that promise even on the convention day that being a man who used to turn boys into men and who still does, that I will like to work with the incoming president, who has also shown that example in Lagos state as a governor and thereafter as a leader of the APC in Nigeria.

So, the youths are in for a very good time, in terms of empowerment, there will be no time for slacking and well restrict a lot of them from being lured into criminality, into brigandage and all that.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina has disclosed that it is not the responsibility of the government to create jobs for its citizens.

He said this Tuesday morning on Arise News Television programme The Morning Show while speaking on the achievements of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in the last eight years.

Adesida noted that all that the government does is create an enabling environment for creating jobs while the private sector creates jobs.

Responding to the question he was asked on President Buharis promise to create 3 million jobs annually in 2015, Adesina said, Did you say 3 million was the promise? I wouldnt say he put a figure. What I recall was that President Buhari gave the per cent of joblessness in the country. I wouldnt recall that he gave a specific figure for the number of jobs we are creating. For all you know, that may have come from anywhere.

Regard as it may, it is the job and the duty of the government to create an enabling environment for jobs in the country. It is not the government itself that creates jobs. All it does is to create an enabling environment.

Most of the jobs you need in a country would come from the private sector. As long as you have an enabling environment, it is the private sector that will create the jobs.

He, however, noted that Buhari has achieved in all sectors including oil and gas, infrastructure, legislative matters, and security.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Bulgaria is interested in the Green Corridor Project, which involves the transportation of green energy from the Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan) through the Black Sea (Georgia) to Europe, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan told Trend.

Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, during a meeting with Belgian Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten, spoke about ongoing projects for the supply of natural gas and renewable energy sources from Azerbaijan in accordance with the strategic energy partnership with the EU.

The importance of improving the routes of the Southern Gas Corridor and the Solidarity Ring initiative for the transportation of additional capacities was also noted.

An exchange of views took place on the Green Energy Corridor project connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, in which Bulgaria is also interested.

An agreement was reached on cooperation with Belgium and the exchange of experience in the field of offshore wind energy.

Shahbazov invited his counterpart to Azerbaijan to participate in the Baku Energy Forum.

The 28th Baku Energy Forum is scheduled to be held on June 1-2.




Charles Engola, Ugandas state minister for labour, employment and industrial relations, has been shot dead by his bodyguard.

Fred Enanga, police spokesperson, said the minister was shot dead at about 8am local time on Tuesday at his home in Kampala, the countrys capital.

Enanga said it was a murder-suicide case.

He (Engola) was shot at his residence in Kyanja by one of his bodyguards who allegedly fired several shots at close range. He fled from the scene up to the trading centre at Kyanja, Ring road where he entered a salon and also shot himself dead, the police spokesperson said.

The shooter was identified as Wilson Sabiiti, an ex-soldier.

According to East African, a witness said Sabiiti complained that the minister owed him several months of unpaid salary as he shot in the air to warn civilians at Kyanja town, moments before turning the gun at himself.

The guard said he hadnt been paid Ush4 million (about $1,000). He said he had a pregnant woman and his children were not going to school, yet the ministers children were schooling, the eyewitness was quoted to have said.

Police said investigations had commenced and expressed grief at the situation.

The motive of the murder has not yet been established. The investigation is currently in the early stages of review, with CID and forensic experts, already documenting the scene, Enanga said.

The DIGP and a team of directors have visited the scene and extended heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, friends and relatives.

We would like to further extend heartfelt condolences to H.E. the President, all cabinet ministers, the staff at the ministry of labour, gender and social development.

May the soul of Hon. Rtd. Col. Charles Okello Engola rest in eternal peace.
Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde said he honoured agreements he entered into with the political parties ahead of his election in 2019.

His Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, quoted him in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, the capital.

Makinde spoke at the 85th birthday ceremony of ex-Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Micheal Koleosho, in the Akobo area of Ibadan.

The Oyo helmsman noted that those who accused him of breaching the agreement did not have their facts.

Makinde said the claim was made in the build-up to the 2023 general elections by persons with no knowledge of the issue.

The governor described the former SSG as one of the best politicians the state had ever produced.

Makinde thanked Koleosho for supporting his administration, disclosing he was one of the leaders who facilitated the coalition arrangement.

The governor presented a new Toyota Landcruiser SUV to the celebrant and prayed God to grant him more years in good health.

Speaking, Koleosho urged the politicians to shun politics and commended Makinde for his style of leadership.




The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has denied referring to the just concluded presidential election as a religious war.





Recall that Obi in a leaked audio clip, seemed to be urging the founder of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo to encourage Christians in South-West and Kwara state to vote for him, stressing that the presidential election was a religious war.





But in a recent interview with Arise TV, the former Anambra State governor denied calling the presidential election a religious war.





He maintained that the clip was the handiwork of manipulators.





He said he is not an ethnic/religious bigot, stressing that he sponsors many Muslim residents in Onitsha on pilgrimages to Mecca.





He said, I did not say the election was a religious war because it is not. These are manipulators. I am not an ethnic/religious bigot. I celebrated Salah with Muslim residents in Onitsha as I have often done. I have sponsored many to Mecca. I am not the one with a same faith ticket.





And lets not forget, there was only one person that told his supporters to: snatch it! Grab it and run with it during this election season.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended resident electoral commissioner, over his conduct during the governorship election in Adamawa state.

Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, in a statement on Tuesday, said Yunusa-Ari is being grilled by the police.

Barrister Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday 2nd May, 2023, is currently in police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa state, the statement reads.

In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team.

The inspector-general of police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution.

The inspector-general of police has assured the public of the commitment of the force to ensure that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice.

THE ADAMAWA GUBER SAGA

On April 16, Yunusa-Ari caused controversy by declaring Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election  when the collation of the results was yet to be completed.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.

Subsequently, the electoral umpire wrote to the police to prosecute Yunusa-Ari over the electoral infraction.

On April 20, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the suspension of the Adamawa REC pending the completion of the investigation by the police.

Recently, an investigation panel set up on the incident invited the suspended REC.

Earlier on Tuesday, Yunusa-Ari said he does not regret announcing Binani as the winner of the election, adding that he wasnt offered money to make the announcement.
The house of representatives has asked the UK government and parliament to intervene in the sentencing of Ike Ekweremadu and Beatrice, his wife.

The lawmakers want the UK court to temper justice and mercy in the sentencing of the lawmaker.

The legislators also asked the federal government to take diplomatic steps to intervene in the trial of the lawmaker.

The resolution was passed at plenary session on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu.

Following the adoption of the motion, the lawmakers asked the clerk of the lower legislative chamber to convey their resolutions in writing to British Embassy, UK government and the parliament.

Ekweremadu is due to be sentenced on May 5 at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey in the UK.

The former deputy senate president and his wife were found guilty of organ trafficking in March.

The jury found that they conspired to bring a 21-year-old to London to exploit him for his kidney.

Their daughter, Sonia, was however cleared of the charges.

The Ekweremadus were arrested by the London Metropolitan Police in June 2022.

They were alleged to have attempted to convince doctors at the Royal Free Hospital in London to perform an 80,000 transplant on the donor who was presented as Sonias cousin.

However, during the trial, the couple apologised for claiming that the donor was a relative.

Hugh Davies, the prosecutor, told the court the Ekweremadus and Obeta had treated the man and other potential donors as disposable assets  spare parts for reward.

The verdict was the first of its kind under the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.




The deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, Princess Abiodun Oyefusi has called for the zoning of Senate Presidency and Speakership to women.





Oyefusi made the demand while speaking to reporters on the role of women in political participation and the countrys development.





The 10th National Assembly in Nigeria is expected to be inaugurated in the first or second week in June after the swearing-in of President-elect Bola Tinubu.





Oyefusi noted that having women lead the federal legislature would substantiate the reality of running an inclusive government.





On Monday, she said it was important to uphold the provisions of the national gender policy and be intentionally gender inclusive.





The woman advocate asked political leaders to honour the judgment on the implementation of the national gender policy.





The judgement was granted in favour of Nigerian women by Honourable Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court.





I am using this opportunity to call on all elected lawmakers to zone the Speaker and Senate President positions to the female gender.





This will substantiate the reality of running an inclusive government. Such action will be described as a show of peace and understanding, Oyefusi noted.
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The players of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire helped visitors to Historic Smithville travel back to the days of yore and merry olde England last weekend.

The village was transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English Renaissance April 29 and 30 with comedy, tragedy, sword fighting, dance, song, knights, jesters and more.

Visitors, who were urged to dress in period costume, strolled among the wares of the local vendors and traveling merchants sporting historical gifts and finely crafted items.

The wet weather was no deterrent for those who came to entertain and those who came to be entertained.

Just the typical weather of the British Isles this past weekend, and as we are accustomed to such, the liquid sunshine doesnt dampen our spirits at all! In fact, patrons were treated with even more care, attention, and comic relief, for what ended up being a truly memorable experience, said Elizabeth Piston, administrative manager with the New Jersey Renaissance Faire.

Next up for the players? The Burlington County Fairgrounds. Visitors to the fairgrounds May 20 and 21, May 27, 28 and 29 as well as June 10 and 11 will be transported back in time.

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A longstanding New Jersey diner has permanently closed.

Cherry Hill Diner shuttered on Sunday, April 30. It was located at 2341 Route 38 in Cherry Hill, at the corner of Route 38 and Cooper Landing Road.

Myself and the staff of Cherry Hill Diner would like to thank you all for your patronage over the years, an employee wrote in a Facebook post. You have let us share your good times, sad times and everything in between. We will miss seeing you all. Thank you!

The 58-year-old diner had been a local favorite since opening as Windsor Diner in the 1960s.

Now, though, it will be demolished, and Tidal Wave Auto Spa, a self-service car wash, will be built in its place.

The Cherry Hill Planning Board voted earlier this year to tear down the diner for the planned 3,620-square-foot car wash, even though one already exists across the street.

This continues a trend of longstanding diners closing in South Jersey over the last several years.

The Country Club Diner (Voorhees, 2011), Penn Queen Diner (Pennsauken, 2017), Sage Diner (Mount Laurel, 2017) and Marlton Diner (Marlton, 2022) all have shuttered to make way for new businesses.

The former Country Club Diner space currently houses an urgent care facility; Penn Queen Diner is expected to be demolished for a Taco Bell; and Marlton Diner and Sage Diner are expected to become cannabis dispensaries.

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More than 3,000 high school students in eight Monmouth County municipalities will lose school bus service starting in September, district officials said.

The Freehold Regional High School District is eliminating courtesy busing in its 2023-24 budget, the superintendent said. Local officials blamed the cut on decreases in state aid stemming from a 2018 state law that altered the formula for allocating funds for education in New Jersey.

School districts are only required to provide free bus transportation for high school students if they live 2 1/2 miles or more from their schools, according to state law. However, some districts provide free courtesy busing for students who live closer.

Eliminating courtesy busing for Freehold Regionals high school students who live within 2 1/2 miles of their schools will save the district $3.5 million, officials said. The cuts will eliminate buses for approximately one-third of students in the regional districts six high schools.

Freehold Regional serves students in Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro.

Officials said the school district has lost $25 million in state aid since 2018.

Without legislative change to the school finding formula, what were going through tonight is still only the tip of the iceberg, in terms of whats going to happen to this school district, Superintendent Charles B. Sampson said at a school board meeting last week in which officials outlined the $214 million spending plan for next year. The cuts also include 19 job cuts.

The school board approved the budget in an 8-0 vote.

Officials are planning for increased traffic near schools and building principals will be working with police chiefs, Sean Boyce, the districts assistant superintendent for business administration, said at the meeting.

Eliminating courtesy busing will reduce the districts bus routes by approximately 25%, Boyce said.

Theyll be a lot more cars coming in, Boyce said.

District officials did not say if they would consider offering families the option of a paid bus service, as some other school districts do for students who live closer than 2 1/2 miles to a high school.

Because of the distances students live from schools, the elimination of courtesy busing will have the biggest impact on students from Freehold Borough, Boyce said. The least number of students will be impacted in Howell and Colts Neck.

Its all simply a matter of geography, he said.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in the trial of Jovanny Crespo, the Newark police officer accused of firing his weapon three times from three locations during a car chase, that ultimately killed the driver and wounded the passenger who Crespo said pointed a gun at him.

Crespo is charged with fatally shooting Gregory C. Griffin, 46, and wounding Andrew J. Dixon, 35, during a wild chase on the night of Jan. 28, 2019. Dashboard and police body camera video shows Crespo jumping out of his patrol car and firing three times during the high-speed chase, which ended on Irving Turner Boulevard amid the whir of police sirens.

The prosecution contends that Crespos actions that night crossed the line into criminal recklessness, that his response posed a danger to everyone on the street that night, including his fellow officers who joined the pursuit. Hes about to stand trial in Essex County Superior Court on charges of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault, plus two counts each of official misconduct and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Crespo, who was 26 years old with two years on the job at the time of the incident, maintains that he was doing his job to protect the community and only used deadly force when one of the suspects in the fleeing car, Dixon, pointed a gun at him. In transcripts of his grand jury testimony previously provided to NJ Advance Media by his lawyer, Patrick Toscano, Crespo maintained that he feared for his life.

While the car was driving away, I knew he could still kill me, Newark officer Jovanny Crespo said of the passenger, whom he claims pointed a gun at him. He could still kill me. My main thought was getting home to my kids.

The defense plans to argue that Crespos actions are within the Attorney Generals guidelines, which say an officer may use deadly force if there is, imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person. But the prosecution contends that Crespo likely never saw a gun pointed at him, because the windows of the suspects car were tinted.

Toscano has argued it is irrelevant whether the windows were tinted, because Crespo had every right to shoot at the vehicle since the suspects were believed to be armed and dangerous. His case has drawn the support from police officers around the country and a Virginia-based foundation, the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Defense Fund, is picking up the tab for Crespos defense.

Dixon was shot in the face and survived the shooting. Police recovered a .45 handgun in the car and later charged Dixon with illegal possession of a handgun and hollow-point bullets. Crespo, who spent a week in jail following the indictment in May of 2019, has been suspended without pay while awaiting trial.

The incident began around 11:15 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Clinton Avenue and Thomas Street when a Newark officer working alone stopped Griffins vehicle for speeding. Video shows Griffin did not follow orders to turn off his car. After he spotted the gun and back-up arrived, Griffin drove away.

Crespo was a passenger in one of several cruisers that started pursuing Griffins vehicle. The body camera video footage shows Crespo urging his partner, Hector Ortiz, to cut off the vehicle and drive faster before jumping out of the cruiser to fire on the car. He also told his partner someone in the car pointed a gun at him.

Ortiz repeatedly tells Crespo to relax and to stay in the car, later telling him he was worried he would get run over, according to the video.

The AGs office released video of the chase following the Crespos indictment. The video has been viewed more than 4 million tines on YouTube, which is likely to complicate jury selection as it proceeds before Judge Michael L. Ravin.

The judge has issued a gag order barring attorneys from both sides from talking about the case.

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Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The value of Tajikistans import from the EU countries amounted to 56.4 million euro from January through February 2023, the source at the Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, told Trend.

As specified by the European statistics, Tajikistan imported goods from the EU for 31.6 million euro in February this year, and 24.7 million euro in January.

At the same time, the value of Tajikistans export to the EU totaled 27.6 million from January through February 2023. Of this amount, goods for 15.3 million euro were exported in February, and for 12.2 million euro in January.

Overall, the value of trade turnover between Tajikistan and the EU countries exceeded 84 million euro in the first two months of 2023.

According to Eurostat, trade turnover between the EU countries and Tajikistan overcame the mark of 405 million euro in 2022. The figure increased by 1.7 percent over 398.2 million in 2021.

Last year, members of the EU exported to Tajikistan goods for 260.6 million euros, which is 10 percent more than in 2021 (237.8 million euro).

In turn, Tajikistans export to EU decreased by 9.8 percent in 2022  from 160.4 million in 2021 to 144.7 million euro last year.
West New York voters who did not cast their ballots by mail and cant make it to the polls on May 9 for the municipal election of five town commissioners can vote this weekend at two locations in the town, Hudson County election officials said.

Polling places at 5101 Park Ave. and 5800 Jefferson St. will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The election pits one of the current town commissioners, Cosmo Cirillo, and his four running mates, against Albio Sires, a former congressman who also served as West New York mayor from 1996 to 2005, and his four running mates. Sires, who is backed by the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization, was recently endorsed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and Felician University have signed an agreement that will enable HCCC business and accounting students to seamlessly pursue Bachelor of Science in business administration, Bachelor of Science (BS) in accounting, and Master of Business Administration degrees at the Rutherford school.

The agreement was formally signed by HCCC President Christopher Reber, and Felician University Acting President Mildred Mihlon in the HCCC library on April 18.

We are very proud to partner with Felician University and provide our students with this opportunity, Reber said. Felician Universitys School of Business and Information Sciences integrates their academic programs with the corporate world, developing leadership, real-world problem solving, teamwork, and ethical decision-making skills that are all essential to success in business.

Under the terms of the agreement, HCCC students enrolled in the colleges Associate of Science in Business Administration or Accounting degree programs who maintain a 2.0 or higher grade-point-average (GPA), will be guaranteed seamless articulation of credits for their associate degrees when transferring to complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree or Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at Felician University, officials said.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment in business and financial sectors will grow by 7% between now and 2031, with new job growth and opportunities arising from workers leaving their occupations permanently.

The median wage for this group  which includes accountants, auditors, budget and financial analysts, cost estimators, financial examiners, and many others  is approximately $76,570.

Participants from HCCC at the signing ceremony were Vice President for Academic Affairs Darryl Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs Lisa Dougherty and Dean of Academic Affairs and Assessment Heather DeVries, Dean of Business, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management Ara Karakashian, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Yeurys Pujols, Director of Transfer Pathways Jennifer Valcarel and Dean of Student Success Bernadette So.

Mihlon was accompanied by Felician Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Markowitz; Dean of Business and Information Sciences Marilu Marcillo; Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Priscilla Klymenko and others.
Testimony started Monday in the trial of two Trenton police officers charged with violating a suspects federal civil rights during an April 2017 arrest.

Anthony Villanueva and Drew Inman are accused of punching Chanzie Washington several times following a police pursuit, and then submitting falsified reportis on the incident. A federal grand jury indicted them in April 2019.

Villanueva had been terminated from the police department in 2018 for actions from another incident. Inman remains suspended indefinitely without pay.

In their opening statements Monday morning in front of Judge Peter Sheridan at the federal courthouse in Trenton, prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed the 2 a.m. incident on April 9, 2017 started as a routine traffic stop that turned into a pursuit due to Washingtons actions.

They differed greatly on how police reacted to Washington when a group of officers caught him.

Two other police officers had pulled over the vehicle Washington was driving after watching him go through a red light. He initially pulled over, then sped away. He pulled over the vehicle and ran on foot, with another officer in pursuit, and started jumping fences and running through backyards along Spring, Passaic and West Hanover streets.

Washington then jumped into the Delaware & Raritan Canal and swam to the other side. When he emerged, other officers confronted him as he was behind a chain-link fence.

Villanueva and Inman, both 25 at the time, were able to get to the other side of the fence first and tackled the 36-year-old Washington to the ground.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Gribko said a wet, cold and exhausted Washington, with his hands against the fence, had surrendered. It was over.

Villanueva responded with a sucker punch, and he and Inman then jointly added more punches. Theyre not trying to arrest him, theyre punishing him, Gribko said.

They literally took things into their own hands, Gribko said.

After the officers finally get Washington into handcuffs, hed suffered visible facial injuries at the hands of police officers who used excessive force, the attorney said.

Even people who break the law, as Washington did, have rights, Gribko said, after playing one of the police body cameras from that night.

Villanuevas attorney, Jerome Ballarotto and Inmans, Scott Krasny, countered that police that night were unaware of Washingtons intent. Hed fled from a routine traffic stop and ran through yards, hopping fences, and then made the decision to swim across a frigid, dirty canal in the middle of the night.

Now, who does that? Krasny asked. It seems pretty extreme.

Could he have a gun? Was he hiding anything? Officers did not know, Krasny offered.

(No weapons were found on Washington, police said at the time.)

At the fence, the defense attorneys argued, the officers had reason to use force due to Washingtons refusal to submit to the arrest, and his resistance. By this time, Ballarotto said, Washington had committed two felonies, eluding police and resisting arrest.

Krasny said the allegation that his client falsified a form amounted to Inman checking two boxes on a required use of force report indicating Washington was resisting officer control and was a threat to police or others.

Well, he did and he was, Krasny said of Washington.

Krasny told the jury the prosecution might use still photographs, aerial footage of the scene, or slow motion of the numerous body cameras from the incident.

Be wary, Krasny told the jurors, because, Nothing the government will show you will put you in Inmans shoes.

The first witness to testify for the prosecution, Steve Notta, a retired Trenton police lieutenant and Mercer County Prosecutors Office agent, spoke at length of police training on use of force.

Hed worked in training for a good portion of his 36-year career, helping found the Mercer County Police Academy in 2006 and teaching both officers in the county academy, including on use of force, in 2015 and 2016 before retiring the following year.

Notta was not asked to opine on the Washington arrest, nor did he view the police body cameras on the stand.

The defense attorneys, in cross examining Notta, both revisited a finding hed raised on direct examination about a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court case, Graham v. Connor, which found: The reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.

Notta said hed discussed the case in his academy class, and had given trainees an abbreviated printout of the case. He also discussed a variety of other scenarios trainees are taught, including how he imparted on them an old police saying: the eyes cant kill you, the hands can.

The 16-person jury  10 men and six women  ended the day hearing from Bryan Cottrell, the current deputy chief of the Mercer County Prosecutors detectives.

He revealed that authorities learned of the Washington arrest when a news agency asked for Washingtons mugshot and he was the one who retrieved if from a police database for the offices public information officer, a few days after the incident.

Cottrell happened to be assigned to the offices internal affairs unit and when he saw Washingtons facial injuries, he alerted Trenton polices internal affairs lieutenant to see if, everything was OK, with the arrest.

He was then involved in the resulting investigation of the incident. Cottrell resumes his testimony Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors have not said publicly how the case landed eventually with an FBI agent.

Attorneys said Monday that several police officers will be called to testify, as well as Washington.

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A 19-year-old driver died Monday afternoon after he slammed into the back of a truck that was parked on the shoulder of a Woodbridge highway, police said.

The truck was parked on the right shoulder of State Highway 440 north when a Honda Accord being driven by Joey Lopez, of Staten Island, New York, left the road, entered the shoulder area and hit it, according to a release from the New Jersey State Police.

Both vehicles caught fire and Lopez died as a result of the crash, authorities said. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries.

It was unclear what caused Lopez to leave the highway as the crash remained under investigation late Monday night, authorities said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
The getaway driver in the fatal shooting of a man during an apartment robbery has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

David Martinez, of North Bergen, was sentenced Friday following guilty verdicts by a jury in March for murder, armed robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses, prosecutors said.

Martinez, who was 18 at the time, waited in the car on June 29, 2019, while three others entered Duque Sotos apartment on Fourth Street in Fairview with the intention of robbing him of drugs and money, officials said.

The men arrived at Sotos first-floor apartment about 6:40 p.m. and police found his body about 8 p.m., authorities said. The 23-year-old was shot twice and died from his injuries, prosecutors said.

Five people were arrested in Sotos killing with four of the suspects charged with felony homicide: Lexie Burke, Carlos Juan Burgos, Martinez and Raul Alexander Torres.

A fifth person, Dylan Rodriguez, was charged with hindering after a gun was found in his attic, NorthJersey.com reported.

Torres and Burgos, both 23, of Jersey City, admitted in court on April 4 to entering Sotos apartment with loaded handguns and firing at the victim, prosecutors said. They pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and weapons offense, officials said.

Burke, 24, of North Bergen, has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, authorities said.

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A longtime New Jersey political operative with a history of accusations of campaign mischief now faces criminal election fraud charges after authorities say he filed a petition with nearly 2,000 of bogus signatures on behalf of his romantic partner, a frequent candidate for office.

Jim Devine faces third-degree charges of election fraud and records tampering stemming from a petition for Lisa McCormicks failed 2021 bid for governor, according to state Attorney General Matthew Platkins office.

Devine, 61, of Lambertville, and his attorney did not respond to messages seeking comment. In a Twitter post, Devine said he was being politically targeted by New Jerseys political establishment for an honest mistake.
A New Jersey woman who lied to get $3.18 million in small business loans during the coronavirus pandemic has been sentenced to five years in federal prison.

Rhonda Thomas, 38, of Sicklerville will also be subject to five years of supervised release and will have to pay $3.18 million in restitution and forfeit another $1.03 million after she admitted she falsified information on 30 applications, authorities said.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey announced Thomas sentence in a Tuesday morning news release.
There are a lot of kooks out there. And if youre running for president, youd better have a plan for appealing to them.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. certainly does. But when the newly declared candidate for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination tried to air his position on vaccines in an interview on ABC-TV last week, his remarks were edited out.

ABC News Live anchor Linsey Davis gave this explanation: We should note that during our conversation, Kennedy made false claims about the COVID-19 vaccines. Weve used our editorial judgment in not including portions of that exchange in our interview.

That meant a sizable number of the kooks in the electorate didnt get to hear Kennedys kooky contention that COVID vaccines dont work and his even kookier contention that childhood vaccines cause autism.

The story of ABCs cutting out his remarks was met with disapproval on both the left and the right after it went viral on the internet. And theres no vaccine for that sort of virus. ABC just helped it spread by calling more attention to it  and to his candidacy.

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Kennedy is at the moment the only Democrat with significant name recognition who is willing to take on Joe Biden in next years presidential primaries.

The name recognition comes from having the same name as the man who was assassinated in the 1968 primary campaign, his father Robert F. Kennedy.

At the moment it looks like this campaign could end up being cut from the same template as that one.

Back in 1968, Democratic President Lyndon Johnson was expected to easily win his partys nomination for another term. But when it comes to false claims, he made plenty of them on the subject of the Vietnam War but no one edited them out. That included his statement that he wouldnt send American boys to do what Asian boys could do for themselves.

When Johnson sent them anyway, he sparked an antiwar movement in his own party. Student protesters chanted Hey, hey, LBJ: How many kids did you kill today?

That wasnt a good sign. But then as now, most Democratic politicians were afraid to stand up to an incumbent president from their own party.

Not Eugene McCarthy. He began a presidential campaign based on opposition to the war.

The Minnesota Senator barely registered in the polls going into the first primary. But when the polls in New Hampshire closed, he ended up with 42 percent of the vote.

That led Johnson to drop out of the race and RFK to jump in. But after he was shot, the party leaders picked a party hack who had backed the war. Vice President Hubert Humphrey lost the support of the antiwar movement and also the election, which Richard Nixon won.

Theres a lesson in that for both parties. Polls show that both ex-president Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden are among the weakest possible nominees for their party. The party that dumps its current front-runner first would gain a big advantage.

On the Republican side, Trump seems to be doing a good job of highlighting his own weaknesses.

On the Democratic side, RFK Jr. is well-positioned to reprise the role of McCarthy. He might not win the nomination, but he could open the door for someone who can.

A Fox News poll showed that Kennedy registered 19 percent support as soon as he announced.

Thats a healthy kickoff to his campaign. And he could gain a lot more support once the campaign gets going in earnest this summer. That Kennedy name can mean a lot, and no one knows that better than the South Jersey pol who is the only candidate ever to beat a Kennedy in a general election.

Thats U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew of Cape May County. In 2020, he defeated Amy Kennedy in the race for the southernmost Congressional seat in New Jersey.

Amy Kennedy is the wife of Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island. Van Drew recalls that it wasnt easy running against a Kennedy.

It was the money. It was the machine, Van Drew told me. The Democrats wanted to beat me so badly that it was like a No. 1 priority.

The reason they wanted to beat him was that Van Drew had won election as a Democrat in 2018 before switching to Republican in 2020. But the district was switching to Republican as well, and Van Drew defeated Kennedy by five points.

This time around, Van Drew is not selling a Kennedy short. Someones going to mount a meaningful challenge to Biden, he predicted.

This will be a testing ground to see if the Kennedys really have it anymore, said Van Drew. We got em pretty good, but this will really show if the Kennedy mystique still has value.

Well, RFK Jr. certainly has the kook vote locked up.

And in modern-day America, that puts him a long way on the path to victory.

More: Recent Paul Mulshine columns.

Paul Mulshine may be reached at pmulshine@starledger.com.

Follow him on Twitter @Mulshine. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook and on Twitter
By Christina Rozario

Could there be a glimmer of hope of better days to come even in these days of turmoil at Rutgers?

The positive change that I am looking for will come if Rutgers can agree to fair contracts with labor unions that respect the sacrifices and humanity of workers, an ideal that Rutgers leaders often give lip service to but hardly ever practice.

I believe in America and in what an institution of higher learning like Rutgers can still be, especially for an immigrant like me. Rutgers and New Jersey have been my home since I arrived in this country from Bangladesh 13 years ago. I joined Rutgers, earned my masters degree, and have worked here ever since.

But I have experienced others in this hierarchical institution take credit for my work and have been disrespected time and time again. Despite rhetoric about staff welfare, Rutgers is comprised of top-down structures that give power and respect to people based on their position and wages. Those of us at the bottom have been shown disrespect with impunity. The so-called glass ceiling on opportunities is not only real at Rutgers, but it is also impregnable.

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Imagine, for instance, working ten years at the same place without advancement. Then, when you thought you finally had a chance, someone you trained got the job and became your supervisor. I was left feeling completely without agency. I came to realize that I was among many who cowered, went unnoticed and was unappreciated.

This is part of the reason that I decided to become more involved in my union. I felt empowered when I joined the bargaining committee, working to negotiate a fair, equitable contract with Rutgers.

I am a member of HPAE Local 5094, which represents approximately 2,709 health care professionals, 2,060 of whom work for Rutgers in mental health, health care, corrections, child protection and permanency, biomedical research, information technology, and education, among other professionals. HPAE Local 5089 represents an additional 1,569 health care workers, mostly nurses, 632 of whom also work for Rutgers. Members at both HPAE locals have been working on expired contracts since June 30, 2022.

But the disrespect directed at us from Rutgers leaders across the bargaining table is disheartening.

Rather than bargaining with us in good faith, Rutgers has been trying to bust our union by subcontracting bargaining unit work at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey to RWJ Barnabas Health, a private corporation.

After long denying that it has been systematically shifting the union jobs of its public workers over to its private partner, RWJ Barnabas Health, Rutgers finally admitted it is doing just that. Adding insult to injury, Rutgers asked that we just agree to let them continue transferring our jobs out of the public sector.

So, having painted this grim picture, why do I see hope for positive change?

The hope is in the solidarity among the public workers and their labor unions. We stabilized the institution and ensured that it served the public interest during the pandemic. That same dedication will carry us through this trying period.

Our commitment and camaraderie will make us stronger. Of course, we need partners in Rutgers management to help us all achieve stability. Rutgers will have to decide to treat us as members of its beloved community, who form the vertebra of the university and engage us with compassion, not with disdain. A simple calculation will show that such care will be worth so much more.

The hope is Rutgers will contribute to the pursuit of happiness of its people.

Christina Rozario is a member of HPAE Local 5094 and is a Rutgers School of Public Health Program coordinator.

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The United States Secret Service said New Jerseys longest-serving Muslim mayor was denied entry to the White House for a celebration of Muslim Americans on Monday  a move that was condemned by an Islamic advocacy group in the state.

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement that Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah received a call informing him moments before he was set to arrive at the annual Eid al-Fitr event that because he had not received security clearance for entry, his invitation to the celebration was effectively revoked.

The Secret Service confirmed Khairullah, who is also the longest-serving Muslim mayor in the country, was not permitted into the event but did not say why.

While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening, Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, told NJ Advance Media.

Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday morning, Khairullah confirmed CAIRs account, saying he received a call from a White House social events staffer as he entered Washington, D.C., saying the Secret Service determined he could not attend the event yet did not say why.

Asked by the network whether he believed racial profiling was a factor, the mayor said theres no doubt in my mind that at this point, my crime is my race, my religion, and my name.

The big question is: What are we going to do about the targeting of Arabs, Muslims and South Asians by federal agencies that are basically not telling us why we are being harassed at airports and border crossings? Khairullah asked. Now for me to be denied entry into the peoples house is baffling. Why arent there checks and balances on these uncontrolled powers to put us on lists that are not admitted to, are essentially illegal and target Americans of certain backgrounds?

There has to be some checks and balances on how these agencies are adding people to these lists while denying that there are such lists.

Khairullah noted that when he was returning to the U.S. from Turkey in 2019, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York asked him, Did you meet with any terrorists in Turkey?

Neither Khairullah nor the White House immediately responded to NJ Advance Medias requests for comment Monday.

CAIR, which describes its mission as protecting the civil rights of American Muslims, slammed the move denying the mayor admittance to the White House, labeling it as perceived profiling.

That a well-respected Muslim leader would effectively be disinvited from the White House Eid celebration, just hours ahead of time, is wholly unacceptable and insulting, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said in a statement.

Only months ago, Khairullah was praised by elected officials across the state as one of the longest serving Muslim mayors in the country, and the longest in New Jersey. Today, in an affront to the Muslim community and the American public at large, and in what could be perceived as a continued use of the secret watchlist, the Secret Service denied Mayor Khairullah entry, on the basis that he was not cleared by security.

This incident lacks transparency and reeks of government overreach, Maksut said while calling for the Secret Service to apologize to Khairullah.

CAIR has scheduled a press conference in New Jersey at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the matter.

THE LATEST: Muslim mayor condemns Secret Service for barring him from White House Eid al-Fitr celebration

Eid al-Fitr is the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and is celebrated by the decorating of homes, gift-giving and visits from family and friends. The White House has honored the holiday with a live event since former President Bill Clintons administration.

Khairullah, a Democrat who was sworn into his fifth consecutive mayoral term in January, had helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to this years celebration, hosted by President Joe Bidens administration, CAIR said.

We are proud to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the White House again this year to honor inspiring Muslim Americans who are making contributions across our country, Biden, a Democrat, and First Lady Jill Biden said in an April 20 statement about this years event.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy was asked Tuesday if the White House owes Khairullah an apology.

I dont know about that, Murphy told reporters after an unrelated event in Paramus. Were trying to figure out exactly what happened as we speak.

Murphy, also a Democrat, said he spoke to the mayor Monday night and has also reached out to the White House about the incident.

Hes a very close personal friend of mine, Murphy said of Khairullah, adding that the mayor was at an Eid celebration Saturday at Drumthwacket, the governors mansion in Princeton.

Murphy was also asked what this issue says to the Muslim community in New Jersey, the U.S. state with the largest percentage of Muslim residents.

I hope this is a misunderstanding, the governor said. I hope this says nothing to our Muslim community. I assume the White House was full of Muslim leaders from around the country. But hes a great mayor.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Jeff Goldman contributed to this report.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan are planning to conclude an interstate agreement in the field of customs, Trend reports with reference to the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan.

This issue was discussed during the meeting of the Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan Maksat Khudaikulyev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kyrgyzstan to Turkmenistan Azizbek Madmarov.

During the meeting, the parties noted the need to conclude an interstate agreement in the field of customs affairs, which will lay the foundation for the development of cooperation between the customs administrations of the two countries in various areas of activity.

Furthermore, issues of increasing the effectiveness of cooperation were discussed, and issues of information exchange, comparison of statistical data, and use of the transit potential of the two countries in order to increase mutual trade turnover were considered.

During the meeting, the Ambassador was informed about the state program aimed at developing the customs authorities of Turkmenistan for 2022-2028, which involves a full-scale modernization of the country's customs system.

Meanwhile, representatives of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan recently met with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program on the CAREC Advanced Transit System and Information Common Exchange (CATS/ICE) project.
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The cluster of bills  House Bill 1 and House Bill 550, among others  would also do away with some of Edwards proposed higher education increases and remove $52 million he has proposed for early childhood education initiatives.

At the same time, the panel endorsed dozens of local pet projects worth millions of dollars.

Stay updated on this situation in the legislature and more with this email newsletter Sign up for the Inside Louisiana Politics email newsletter to receive bill and session updates in your inbox three times a week.

The package of spending bills now heads to the House floor, marking the first step in what is sure to be a drawn-out fight over how to balance the 2023-2024 state budget  a clash shaped by conservatives desire to spend less, bipartisan eagerness to fund pet projects in an election year and signature goals of a term-limited Edwards, among other political forces.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. The new Constitution of Uzbekistan creates a solid legal basis for preventing discrimination against women, Head of the Limited Referendum Observation Mission of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Albert Jonsson said, Trend reports.

Jonsson made the remark at a press conference of ODIHR, dedicated to the preliminary results of the referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution of Uzbekistan.

According to him, the provisions of the new Constitution will allow Uzbekistan to close the issue of gender inequality.

"For example, according to Article 42, it's prohibited to refuse to hire women, dismiss them from work and reduce their wages for reasons related to pregnancy or the presence of a child. Following the amended Article 58 of the Constitution, equal rights and opportunities for women are ensured and men in managing the affairs of society and the state, as well as in other areas of public and state life," he noted.

Jonsson also noted that Uzbekistan had prepared very carefully for the referendum process, and he also praised the work of the Central Election Commission (CEC).

"The April 30 constitutional referendum was technically well prepared and widely publicized as an intention to improve various rights and freedoms," the official added.

The constitutional law On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted at a referendum on April 30, entered into force on May 1, from the day the results of the referendum were announced by the Central Election Commission.

According to the latest CEC data, turnout at the referendum was 84.5 percent. A total of 90.2 percent (15.04 million) of the citizens voted for and 9.35 percent (1.55 million citizens) against the adoption of the new Constitution.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Uzbekistan created all conditions for disabled persons' attendance at the referendum, Head of the Limited Referendum Observation Mission of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Albert Jonsson said, Trend reports.

Jonsson made the remark at a press conference of ODIHR, dedicated to the preliminary results of the referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution of Uzbekistan.

"For voters from among disabled persons, at each polling station there were ramps for their free movement. For each blind voter, the opportunity to vote using the Braille alphabet was created, and sign language interpretation was provided at the polling stations," he explained.

The official also noted that citizens who were unable to come to the polling station on April 30 for health reasons were also able to take part in the referendum.

"For this category of citizens, all opportunities were created for full participation in the referendum on an equal basis with all other citizens of Uzbekistan. Members of precinct election commissions, having visited these voters, ensured their participation in the referendum. Thus, these citizens were able to fulfill their civic duty," Jonsson added.

The constitutional law On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted at a referendum on April 30, entered into force on May 1, from the day the results of the referendum were announced by the Central Election Commission.

According to the latest CEC data, turnout at the referendum was 84.5 percent. A total of 90.2 percent (15.04 million) of the citizens voted for and 9.35 percent (1.55 million citizens) against the adoption of the new Constitution.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchishvili will sign an agreement of cooperation in tourism with the Israeli Government during his visit to the country this week, Trend reports with reference to Agenda.

The Foreign Ministry said Darchiashvili would be in Israel between today and Wednesday and meet President Isaac Herzog, as well as officials of the countrys executive and legislative authorities.

A declaration on launching a technical and economic study for a free trade deal between the two countries will also be signed as part of Darchiashvilis trip.

The Minister is also scheduled to meet with representatives of the Georgian diaspora in Israel.
A UN Security Council committee on Monday agreed to allow the Taliban administration's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to travel to Pakistan from Afghanistan next week to meet with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China, diplomats said, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya.

Muttaqi has long been subjected to a travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo under Security Council sanctions.

According to a letter to the 15-member Security Council Taliban sanctions committee, Pakistan's UN mission requested an exemption for Muttaqi was to travel between May 6-9 for a meeting with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China.

It did not say what the ministers would discuss. It said Pakistan would cover all costs associated with Muttaqi's trip.

Chinese and Pakistani officials have both said in the past that they would welcome Taliban-led Afghanistan into the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project, part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Greece's Supreme Court has given the green light to a total of 36 parties, coalitions, and independents to run in the forthcoming May 21 general elections, but the far-right National Party-Hellenes (Greeks) was excluded, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Tuesday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The ruling on National Party-Hellenes, founded by jailed former lawmaker Ilias Kasidiaris, was based on a recent law that bans the participation in the electoral process of parties whose leadership has been convicted of crimes carrying a potential sentence of life imprisonment, such as running a criminal organization.

Kasidiaris has been convicted of directing a criminal organization as a leading member of the far- Right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) party.

Golden Dawn was represented in parliament in the period 2012-2019, riding on Greeks' anger over the acute debt crisis in the country. Its leadership and dozens of members were arrested in 2013 after the murder of an anti-fascist musician, and convicted in 2020.

National Party-Hellenes could secure the 3 percent threshold needed to enter the next parliament, according to several recent opinion polls.
GARY  Just blocks away from burned-down husks of houses, dilapidated homes slated for demolition and other scenes of urban blight, a brand new restaurant easily looks like it could be in Chicago or any of its suburbs.

A neon sign set against a trendy backdrop of artificial ivy and flowers in the foyer of the newly constructed J's Breakfast Club greets diners with the expression "love to love to live," making for a ready-made image to share on social media. Big windows stream ample sunlight into a chic, contemporary dining space. Busy servers hurry out orders like salmon croquette breakfasts, shrimp and grits and ribeye steaks.

Owner Joslyn Kelly, who first opened her popular restaurant in Gary eight years ago, built the new J's Breakfast Club at 2601 Broadway just north of the Borman Expressway to greet visitors to Gary with a more positive image of Steel City and change perceptions about it and its potential. She envisions it as a gateway to the city.

Kelly has recently been showered with awards for her investment, vision, community activism and bustling business. The latest is the Community Impact Small Business of the Year she received from the Indiana Small Business Development Center.

"J's Breakfast Club has created a venue for the local community," ISBDC State Director Natasha Jensen-Matta said. "It's bringing all of the people together under one roof under the mission of love. She has a direct impact by hosting events like Small Business Saturdays where she's highlighting small businesses in the community every week and Silver Mondays where they are supporting senior citizens in the community and bringing resources to them here where they don't have to go out and seek out those resources. It has an incredible impact on the community."

J's Breakfast Club opened earlier this year at the new, larger space.

"She does many things in Gary," said Lorri Feldt, regional director of the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center. "It's not just a restaurant. People come here for different events. She's a great connector who's had an impact on the city of Gary."

Kelly said she was honored to win the statewide award.

"For me, it's confirmation that the work being done is worthwhile as people are not only acknowledging it, they've giving awards," she said.

J's Breakfast Club also recently won Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year from the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce and Hoosier Impact from the Indiana Small Business Development Corp. Kelly recently won Woman on the Rise from the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest.

"We're very appreciative of the appreciation. You work hard and push forward. But we live in a thankless world so those thank yous vindicate what you're doing," she said.

She said she's trying to address a problem identified in a recent University of Chicago study that found Gary residents spend $47 million a year on restaurant meals but travel outside the city to spend $44 million of it at restaurants in neighboring communities.

"There is demand. There is money here," she said. "That money is going to other communities because there are no quality dining establishments. We're providing a good and a service to a community that doesn't have ready access to it. It's the reason why this investment at this time makes total sense."

She sees an opportunity for more redevelopment in the city.

"Restaurants are only meeting the demand of $3 million, so the potential is here to substantiate this type of investment," she said. "We meet the community's needs. We provide them with what they want and are asking for. We're giving them something they truly deserve. It amazes me if you open your ears and your mind to everything going on around you, everything aligns perfectly."
Workers in Indiana saw their wages increase by an average of 6.2% last year, according to a new report by ADP Pay Insights.

New York City-based ADP, a payroll, human resources and tax services firm, found in a survey that 75% of workers expect to see their pay increase in 2023 by an expected average of 6.7%. ADP Research Institute's "People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View" found workers have high expectations for pay raises, flexibility and career progression.

The annual survey asked more than 32,000 workers in 17 countries about their attitudes toward work and expectations from workplaces. The report found rising expectations both personally and professionally.

The study found 62% of workers believe they will get a pay raise while 41% believe they will get a bonus at some point in the next 12 months. About 78% said they believe they have the skills needed to advance their careers to the next level within the next three years while about 68% said their employer invests in their skills.

About 60% told ADP they would relocate for better opportunities.

About 40% said career progression was important in a job, up from 23% the previous year. About 61% identified salary as the most important factor, followed by job security at 43%. Only 37% rated enjoyment of their work as the most important factor.

An estimated 48% of workers said they could relocate overseas as digital nomads and continue working for their employer. About 28% believed that within five years it would be the norm in their sector to work anywhere in the world.

An estimated 60% of workers in hybrid work arrangements said they were satisfied with their flexibility of hours, ranking as the most satisfied group of workers.

Workplace dynamics are beginning to solidify after three years of pandemic-driven disruptions, with workers remaining consistent in wanting increased pay, flexibility and a positive workplace culture; however, the interplay among these factors will challenge employers to get creative in order to meet employees needs, said Nela Richardson, chief economist of ADP. Forward-thinking leaders will need to find ways to help safeguard workers financial health, while bolstering their professional development.

The study found that expectations might be higher than reality with 10% of workers expecting a 15% salary bump over the next 12 months when only 3% of workers received such an increase in the past year. Workers averaged eight hours and six minutes of unpaid working down, down slightly from eight hours and 33 minutes the previous years.

About 65% said stress adversely affects their work and 63% of workers said they suffered stress at least once a week. That was down from 68% the previous year.

Reimagining working arrangements helped employers navigate workplace disruptions over the past three years, said Richardson. Going forward, employers that focus on career progression while retaining and advancing a caring and inclusive workplace culture can better meet the needs of their workforce, both now and in the future.

To view the report, visit ADPRI.org.
HAMMOND  The U.S. District trial is underway for two 29-year-old Gary men accused of a six-year-old drug-related murder.

Taquan Clarke and Devontae Martin are pleading not guilty to a charge of killing Kevin Hood, 43, of Gary during an armed robbery July 28, 2017, outside the Shine On car wash near 15th and Massachusetts in Garys Midtown neighborhood.

Jury selection began Monday morning for what is expected to be a two-week trial revolving around allegations of a wide-ranging illicit and violent drug conspiracy.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick, Caitlan Padula and Kimberly Schultz are prepared to lay out their case through the testimony of Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and state, county and Gary police officers.

Court papers indicate government prosecutors anticipate presenting video from surveillance cameras that recorded images of the homicide.

The government also is expected to give jurors an inside view of the criminal enterprise from several men accused of taking part in it, including its leader, Teddia Teddy Caldwell, 47, of Gary.

A federal grand jury first indicted Caldwell, Clarke, Martin and six other individuals five years ago on felony counts alleging they conspired to cocaine and heroin.

The drug sales allegedly took place between 2016 and 2018 across Gary, including a rental house in the 2500 block of Jefferson Street and Caldwells car wash business, Da Wash at 20th Place and Broadway.

The government alleges Caldwell and his co-defendants, armed with semi-automatic firearms, violently protected their turf and expanded their illicit business against competitors.

Caldwell, who pleaded guilty last summer to being the drug operations ringleader, stated in his plea agreement he would testify that he decided in the summer of 2017 to rob Hood.

He said in open court last summer someone told him Hood had large amounts of cocaine and cash at Hoods Shine On car wash.

Caldwell said he, Martin and Clarke went to Hoods business, where he saw Hood struggling with Martin. Just as Hood appeared to be getting the better of the fight, Clarke ran up and fatally shot Hood.

Clarkes defense attorneys are expected to argue Caldwells eyewitness account of Hoods killing cannot be relied upon.

Caldwell previously claimed he wasnt even acquainted with Clarke before the date of the crime.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week More than 1,000 runners, walkers in Hub Run More than 1,000 runners, walkers in Hub Run More than 1,000 runners, walkers in Hub Run More than 1,000 runners, walkers in Hub Run Crossroads YMCA Hammond Destination groundbreaking Crossroads YMCA Hammond Destination groundbreaking Crossroads YMCA Hammond Destination groundbreaking Crossroads YMCA Hammond Destination groundbreaking Crossroads YMCA Hammond Destination groundbreaking Northwest Indiana Food Council panel discussion Public hearing to discuss the train bridge proposed for Hessville Public hearing to discuss the train bridge proposed for Hessville Public hearing to discuss the train bridge proposed for Hessville Public hearing to discuss the train bridge proposed for Hessville Public hearing to discuss the train bridge proposed for Hessville Public hearing to discuss the train bridge proposed for Hessville Public hearing to discuss the train bridge proposed for Hessville Irving Elementary is Hammond's dual-language school Irving Elementary is Hammond's dual-language school Irving Elementary is Hammond's dual-language school Crown Point Library book sale Crown Point Library book sale NextGen Youth Expo in Hammond NextGen Youth Expo in Hammond NextGen Youth Expo in Hammond "We Art Valpo," new mural says Gallery HTML code
ST. JOHN  A bomb threat Monday at Lake Central High School sent students home and prompted the school to bring in an investigative team and bomb-sniffing dog, school officials told The Times.

Lake Central Superintendent Larry Veracco said that the end of third-period classes, a student received an AirDrop message on their phone: "Bombing the school, it will go off soon as the end of the day bell rings. This is not a joke."

After the student reported this message to school administration, the district brought a bomb-sniffing dog around 1:15 p.m. to search in and around the classroom, Veracco said. The dog reportedly "indicated" on the same cabinet two separate times, so students were moved away from the area toward the freshman center. At 1:45, school administration made the decision to dismiss school early and announced it to parents.

At 4 p.m., Veracco told The Times that a second group of investigators was on its way to conduct a follow-up sweep of the building.

This comes amid a growing trend of threats of violence at schools.

In January, three threats of violence were made toward Valparaiso High School, triggering lockdowns and early dismissals, according to previous Times reporting. An Ohio 16-year-old was later arrested in connection with these threats.

Also in January, threats of violence were made toward Portage, Hobart and Wheeler high schools. Bailly STEM Academy in Gary also received a bomb threat in January. None of the threats were found to be credible.
GARY  The city on Monday demolished the former Nobel Elementary School building, which had become an eyesore and magnet for crime since it closed nearly two decades ago.

The school, then part of Gary Community School Corp., closed in 2006 after Gary's plummeting population left the district with too few students to fill it.

"From Day One, weve said public safety and cleaning up our City are two of our top priorities in Gary," Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said in a statement. "Like too many buildings in Gary that once were sites for exceptional learning, the former Nobel School has become an eyesore and haven for illegal activity. Demolishing this building will be a public safety win for all of us."

Nobel Elementary is one of dozens of school buildings that have been vacated by the school district. Demolishing, selling and otherwise dealing with these buildings has been an ongoing challenge for Gary. In January 2020, the school district held a community meeting announcing it would list 24 properties for sale after the body of a missing Portage woman was found in the abandoned Norton Elementary School. Additionally, the city has taken it upon themselves to demolish some of the buildings.

Among those are Lew Wallace High School, which was demolished in April 2022, and Dunbar-Pulaski Academic and Career Academy, which was sold to food processing and packaging company Amazing American Food, according to previous Times reporting.

Gallery: Gary's abandoned schools Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: Horace Mann Gary Schools: Ernie Pyle Gary Schools: Horace Mann Gary Schools: Emerson Gary Schools: Ernie Pyle Gary Schools: Horace Mann Gary Schools: Horace Mann Gary Schools: Emerson Gary Schools: Emerson Gary Schools: George Washington Carver Gary Schools: George Washington Carver Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: Ernie Pyle Gary Schools: Horace Mann Gary Schools: Spaulding Gary Schools: Spaulding Gary Schools: Horace Mann Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: George Washington Carver Gary Schools: Spaulding Gary Schools: Spaulding Gary Schools: George Washington Carver Gary Schools: Horace Mann Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: Ernie Pyle Gary Schools: Edison Gary Schools: George Washington Carver Gary Schools: Horace Mann
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Palestinian radicals from the Gaza strip fired four rockets at Israeli, the press service of the Israeli armed forces said, Trend reports.

"Following the previous reports regarding sirens that sounded in Kibbutz Kissufin, four rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, one was intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array while the rest fell in open areas," the press service said in a statement.
HOBART  Aspiring health care professionals at Hobart High School will be hosting a blood drive next week.

The school's chapter of HOSA Future Health Professionals is behind the drive, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 12 at the school, President Angelina Zepeda said.

HOSA Future Health Professionals is a student-led organization that aims to encourage students to pursue a career as a medical professional.

At Hobart High, the group has participated in the American Cancer Society's Strides Against Cancer Awareness Walk, sent students to HOSA's state leadership conference and hosted blood drives like this one in partnership with the American Red Cross.

PHOTOS: 2021 Florencio Garza Memorial Blood Drive American Red Cross Olivia F. Garza Memorial entrance Raffle baskets Grilling Gift Snack table
MERRILLVILLE  Merrillville appears to be an ideal location to grow a business, and two companies in the AmeriPlex at the Crossroads business park are examples of that.

Quality Pasta Co. and Midwest Truck & Auto Parts moved into space they are leasing in a building at 9401 Georgia St. in AmeriPlex. The facility was developed by Crow Holdings.

They are among the latest companies to locate in AmeriPlex.

Town officials toured both businesses to learn more about their operations as well as ways Merrillville can assist them.

Representatives from Quality Pasta and Midwest Truck & Auto Parts both indicated the town has been a great partner, and there are numerous reasons Merrillville stood out when they were considering where to locate their operations.

Among those factors was tax abatement, which the Town granted for both businesses.

Peter Kroner, CEO at Quality Pasta, said the company was considering sites in several states, and the tax incentive helped encourage them to come to Merrillville.

It allows us to build up this space, Kroner said.

With the abatement in place, the company can devote more resources to increasing production of its array of products, including macaroni & cheese and Muscle Mac. As production grows, it will reduce costs.

By time that happens, the tax incentives will wear off, Kroner said.

Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, a supplier of aftermarket components for heavy, medium, light duty, and performance automotive and truck applications, leases about 125,000 square feet of space in AmeriPlex.

Michael Chudacoff, president of Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, said the company knew moving into the new facility in a thriving business park would be good for growth.

Tax abatement helped bring the company to town, but there were other factors as well. Like Quality Pasta, Midwest Truck & Auto Parts was attracted to Merrillville because of the growing workforce here.

We knew it would be a tremendous opportunity moving forward, Chudacoff said.

In 2021, Quality Pasta announced it was creating the manufacturing plant in Merrillville. The plan called for Quality Pasta to employ about 50 people. The company has surpassed that mark with about 70 people on staff in Merrillville. There is room to grow in its 90,000-square-foot location, which means more jobs could be coming there.

The eye on the future is always what we think of here, Kroner said.

About 35% of Quality Pastas 70 employees are Merrillville residents, and nearly 90% of the total staff live in Lake County.

Midwest Truck & Auto Parts in 2020 announced its plans to move to Merrillville. At that time, the company indicated it would create up to 150 new jobs by the end of 2024. Midwest Truck & Auto Parts is right on pace with that goal with about 140 workers at the Merrillville location.
LONDON  Never, perhaps, has an heir been more ready for the crown.

Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and a man born to be king, acceded to the throne on Thursday after being the designated successor for longer than anyone in the history of the British monarchy. As King Charles III, he will become sovereign of the worlds most important constitutional monarchy, head of the most storied royal family, and a symbol of continuity in a storm-tossed country.

Having aged from an awkward, self-doubting young man into an unhappy middle-aged husband, Charles has become, at 73, a self-assured, gray-haired eminence, steeped in causes like climate change and environmental protection, which were once quirky but now seem peculiarly in sync with the times.

Whether Charles will ever enjoy the respect or affection showered on his mother is another question. Thrust on to the throne at 25, Elizabeth reigned for longer than most Britons have been alive, anchoring her country with stoic dignity as it made a turbulent passage from globe-spanning empire to reluctant member of the European Union to an uncertain future after Brexit.
Sexual assault survivors can be traumatized again when testifying years later, experts say.

On Wednesday, E. Jean Carroll, who told a Manhattan jury that former President Donald J. Trump raped her in a department store, said she was trying to get her life back and grew emotional as she spoke nearly 30 years after the events she described.

It is not unusual for people who are sexually assaulted to not come forward right away.

The victim has to be prepared to be the sole carrier of the information, and they also carry the burden of all the questions, said Veronique Valliere, a psychologist who counsels sexual assault perpetrators and victims.

All the defense has to do really is to attack the decision-making of the victim, she said. All they have to do is to try to diminish the credibility of the victim to introduce doubt.

Often, a victim of a sexual assault must struggle against public perception if they are accusing someone famous or powerful. If the offender happens to have resources, like money or status, immediately people go to thinking there is an alternative motive for fabrication, Dr. Valliere said.
Russia faces growing calls to release Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been jailed for over a month on espionage charges that the United States considers bogus.

President Biden used his speech at the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Saturday in Washington to denounce Mr. Gershkovichs detention, which the United States has declared wrongful, and to stress the importance of press freedom.

Mr. Gershkovichs case is also expected to be a focus this week, when the United Nations celebrates World Press Freedom Day, beginning with a program at the U.N. General Assembly Hall on Tuesday that will include addresses from A.G. Sulzberger, the publisher of The New York Times, and Almar Latour, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal.

The two men and their top editors joined their counterparts at a third major American newspaper to jointly voice support for Mr. Gershkovich in a full-page ad in their print editions last week. The ad, published in The Journal, The Times and The Washington Post on Thursday, said Mr. Gershkovichs arrest is the latest in a disturbing trend where journalists are harassed, arrested or worse for reporting the news.
At least 100,000 Russian fighters have been killed or wounded in Ukraine in just the past five months, the White House said on Monday, offering the latest estimate of the vast human toll of President Vladimir V. Putins invasion.

John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said the figure included 20,000 Russian fighters who had been killed in action. About half of those were mercenaries for the Wagner group, the paramilitary force founded by Yevgeny V. Prigozhin that recruited heavily from Russian prisons to bolster its ranks and carry out a brutal campaign around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. The claims could not be independently verified.

In November, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that 100,000 fighters on each side had been killed or wounded since the war began in February 2022. American officials believe the losses have grown for Russia as it has sent waves of poorly trained recruits and convicts to the front lines in Ukraines east, where months of intense fighting has engulfed the area around Bakhmut, a city that has been central to Mr. Putins goal of seizing the Donbas region.

While both sides have fought bitterly over Bakhmut, military analysts have suggested that control of the city has more symbolic power than strategic importance.
This article is part of our special report on the Art for Tomorrow conference that was held in Florence, Italy.

Awuor Onguru says that if it were not for her continued exposure to arts education as a child, she never would have gotten into Yale University.

Growing up in a lower-middle-class family in Nairobi, Kenya, Ms. Onguru, now a 20-year-old junior majoring in English and French, started taking music lessons at the age of four. By 12, she was playing violin in the string quartet at her primary school, where every student was required to play an instrument. As a high school student on scholarship at the International School of Kenya, she was not only being taught Bach concertos, she also became part of Nairobis music scene, playing first violin in a number of local orchestras.

During her high school summer breaks, Ms. Onguru  who also has a strong interest in creative writing and poetry  went to the United States, attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts creative writing camp, in Michigan, and the Iowa Young Writers Studio. Ms. Onguru, who recently returned to campus after helping organize Yale Glee Clubs spring tour in Kenya, hopes to become a journalist after graduation. She has already made progress toward that goal, serving as the opinion editor for the Yale Daily News, and getting her work published in Teen Vogue and the literary journal Menacing Hedge.

Whether youre in sports, whether you end up in STEM, whether you end up in government, seeing my peers  who had different interests in arts  not everyone wanted to be an artist, she said in a video interview. But they found places to express themselves, found places to be creative, found places to say things that they didnt know how else to say them.
This article is part of our special report on the Art for Tomorrow conference that was held in Florence, Italy.

FLORENCE, Italy  The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte is perched high up in the hilltops of Florence, offering wondrous views of the city. Inside, visitors to its 1,000-year-old crypt can take in a more contemporary scene: a large painting of a pair of pale hands joined in prayer.

Pauls Hands (2015-17) is by the Iranian American, New York-based artist Y.Z. Kami, who has a solo exhibition of 24 works across four Florence sites  including Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall  through Sept. 24. The exhibition is part of a continuing program led by the Museo Novecento, the museum of modern and contemporary art, to show 21st-century art in the citys leading cultural institutions.

Florence, known as the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, was the site of the Art for Tomorrow conference on April 26-28. One topic the conference explored was how Florence could be a place of ancient art and architecture, but also a host for contemporary art.
This article is part of our special report on the Art for Tomorrow conference that was held in Florence, Italy.

Seldom in the history of art have so many masterpieces been vandalized in so little time. In October, major paintings by Van Gogh, Monet and Vermeer were targeted by environmentalist activists as part of a concerted push to raise awareness of the climate emergency and to stop new fossil-fuel projects.

Cans of tomato soup were splattered over Van Goghs Sunflowers at Londons National Gallery by a pair of activists from the Just Stop Oil movement (while a third captured the act on video). What is worth more, art or life? shouted one protester, Phoebe Plummer, 21, as visitors gasped and called for security. Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?

Later that month, a painting in Monets Grainstacks series was smeared with mashed potatoes at the Barberini Museum in Potsdam, Germany. And at a museum in The Hague, a man glued his head to Vermeers Girl With a Pearl Earring while another man, his hand glued to the wall, poured a thick red liquid over him. None of the paintings involved were damaged.

The acts of eco-vandalism seemed aimed at pressuring world leaders to take radical action at the United Nations climate summit the following month. Videos of the attacks were seen by millions of people around the world, including, no doubt, the leaders. Yet the attacks also upset many members of the public concerned about art damage, and led the directors of top world museums to issue a stern statement, raising the question of whether art actually is an effective vehicle for protest.
When the Washington National Opera announced that it would open its coming season with the premiere of Grounded, a new opera exploring the psychological toll of drone warfare, its star composer, Jeanine Tesori, got less attention than its listed sponsor: General Dynamics, the military contractor.

Anger erupted online, with critics accusing Washington National Opera of serving as a mouthpiece for the defense industry. A think tank that advocates military restraint labeled it a killer drone opera. New York magazine gave the opera a despicable rating on its Approval Matrix, describing it as the drone-bombing opera Grounded, sponsored by General Dynamics. RT, a state-owned Russian news outlet, said the work showed the strength of the American military-industrial complex.

The creative team behind Grounded, an adaptation of an acclaimed Off Broadway play, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, which commissioned the opera, grew disturbed by how the new opera was being portrayed. They worked behind the scenes to push the Washington National Opera to make it clear that General Dynamics, which has been a major sponsor of the opera company since 1997, had nothing to do with the creation of the opera.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 3. The Israeli military is striking targets in the Gaza Strip, the press service of the Israeli armed forces said, Trend reports.

"The IDF is currently striking in The Gaza strip, details to follow" the press service said.

On Tuesday evening, the army press office reported that four rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.
Performances on LaScalaTv are available in either ultra high definition or high definition. The most expensive offering, a live program at the highest resolution, costs 11.90 euros (about $13), while a childrens program at the lower resolution costs 2.90. The audio track is uniformly transmitted in AAC, a compression format of a higher grade than MP3.

Mr. Meyer has prioritized a wide view of the stage. It was important to me to respect a certain distance, he said. One doesnt need close-ups that show the sweat on the face of Gilda at the end of Rigoletto.

He also wants to capture dance performances at a healthy distance. If you come too close, it looks like the dancers head is about to hit the top of the screen, he said. A principle of the whole project was that there would not be too many cuts, and that the viewer would have the liberty to focus where he or she pleases.
Still to come, in November, are the cantata Spring and Three Russian Songs, with Clarion at St. Bartholomews Church in New York City, where Fox lives.

Might Fox worry about the appropriateness of celebrating a son of Russia so deeply rooted in its culture as Russia wages war on Ukraine?

I did have misgivings, he said. My main concern was singing liturgical music, given the churchs role in what is happening now. But as I thought more about Rachmaninoffs story, I thought in a way it relates to what many Ukrainians are experiencing. He kind of kept politics at arms length for a long time, but at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution, he said: I have no choice. I have to leave.

In the end, Clarion added a program note for the New Year performances of the Liturgy: There is a terrible war taking place in the part of the world from which this beautiful music comes. As we sing tonight, we pray for peace in the New Year.

And Leonid Roschko, an Orthodox priest and a basso who sang the Deacon in those performances, added a prayer to the Liturgy: That Thou mightest enlighten with the light of Thy divine wisdom the minds of those darkened with hardness of heart, and protect the people of Ukraine from any harm.

On study and work travels to Russia before the invasion, Fox honed another specialty, Baroque music. He founded Musica Antiqua St. Petersburg, which called itself the nations first period-instrument orchestra. He also unearthed what he calls the earliest known Russian symphony, from about 1771, by the Ukraine-born Maksym Berezovsky.
Some members of the British hierarchy wished to keep cameras out of the inner sanctum of Westminster Abbey, where the queen was crowned. The world would have been a happier place if television had never been discovered, the Most Rev. Geoffrey F. Fisher, then the archbishop of Canterbury, who presided over the queens coronation, was quoted as saying.

Even today, King Charles has resolved to follow his mothers example by banning cameras from what is considered the most sacred part of the coronation service, in which he is anointed with what is called the oil of chrism.

But much else has changed. When Elizabeth was crowned, Britain was marked by extreme deference, Vernon Bogdanor, a constitutional expert at Kings College, London, said in a recent interview. The monarchy was thought to be magical and untouchable.

Since then, the royal House of Windsor has changed radically from a magical monarchy to a public service monarchy, Bogdanor said, and is judged by whether it contributes to society, and if it doesnt, people wont have it. King Charles, he added, seems well aware of that.

For the king, a helter-skelter technological revolution has transformed every smartphone owner into a pocket cinematographer, hooked to a multiplex world of apps and platforms, uploads and downloads. Where his mothers crowning bathed the monarchy in uncontested splendor, Charless challenge is to focus a much more diffuse spotlight.

While Elizabeths coronation required only around 20 cameras, Charless crowning is set to be broadcast on the BBCs hi-definition iPlayer streaming service, alongside television coverage. In advance of the coronation, other television offerings  including a soap opera, a sewing program and a show usually devoted to rural life  will be broadcast with coronation-themed episodes to mark history with an unparalleled breadth of programs, said Charlotte Moore, the BBCs chief content officer. Regional affiliates of the BBC, its many radio channels and rival commercial television broadcasters will also have programming on regal matters.
And historical echoes bounce off the most urgent contemporary issues. In a chapter on the environment, the expansive role of nurses in the battle against climate change is addressed: from evacuating babies to researching heat-related kidney failure in agricultural workers to advocating for school policy that mitigates asthma rates. Nurses are not always understood as crucial to climate change response, but they should be, because they are uniquely situated to respond.

In the area of addiction, nurses trailblaze harm reduction clinics where people can safely inject heroin. We meet L. Synn Stern, a registered nurse who runs an overdose prevention center in New York. Here, she trains harm reduction specialists, including Mezon, whose role DiGregorio describes unflinchingly: how to inject, to use a tourniquet, avoid the burn of hitting an artery. And then, in a subtle takedown of the pharmaceutical industry responsible for the legacy of oxycodone, Mezon can also show someone how to use a fentanyl test to make sure the heroin is not cut with the more potent drug.

DiGregorios storytelling is pitch-perfect; narrative and nursing, she understands, come from the same place and both are concerned with a deep understanding of character and plot. We meet Cicely Saunders, who founded St. Christophers Hospice in 1947, as she cares for a 40-year-old man dying of cancer. His pain  physical, existential, emotional  changed the course of Saunderss life and of history, DiGregorio writes. Their intimacy gave her an understanding of what she would come to call total pain, a combination of the physical symptoms, mental distress, social problems and spiritual needs that come with dying.

DiGregorio doesnt explicitly state that we might extend Saunderss term to include the circumstances so rampant in our moment: mental illness, violence, poverty and loneliness. For too many people now, simply living is painful.

Taking Care never shouts. It doesnt need to. But there is quiet anger on every page, especially in the wake of political shifts that render caregiving harder than ever. With Roe now overturned, abortion criminalized in some states, and other privacy-based rights in jeopardy, reproductive care in the United States is more threatened than usual. And nurses and midwives are, again and always, stepping into that breach. We are reminded that advocacy and activism are key functions of modern-day nursing.
Washington is heading for another big fight over whether to raise or suspend the nations debt limit, which caps the amount of money the federal government can borrow to pay its bills.

This year is shaping up to be the messiest fight in at least a decade. Republicans are demanding that an increase in the borrowing limit be accompanied by spending cuts and other cost savings. President Biden has said he will oppose any attempt to tie spending cuts to raising the debt ceiling, increasing the likelihood of a protracted standoff.

The president is set to meet with Republican and Democratic leaders at the White House on May 9 to discuss a path forward. But it is still unclear how quickly lawmakers will act to raise the nations borrowing cap.

Here is what you need to know about the debt limit and what happens if no deal can be reached:

What is the debt limit?

The debt limit is a cap on the total amount of money that the United States is authorized to borrow to fund the government and meet its financial obligations.
It was well before dawn on Monday when federal regulators notified JPMorgan Chase executives that they had beaten out three smaller rivals in their bid to buy the doomed First Republic Bank.

By the time the sun rose, JPMorgans longtime chief executive, Jamie Dimon, was once again illuminated as the industrys savior  and the architect of yet another government-brokered deal to help his gargantuan institution grow even larger.

First Republic was the third institution that Mr. Dimon had agreed to buy in a federally backed transaction, following its takeovers of Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual during the 2008 financial crisis. All three deals have helped defuse panics, but they have also benefited JPMorgan, which, with $3.7 trillion in assets and 14 percent of all deposits in the United States, enjoys unparalleled reach inside the worlds largest economy.

JPMorgans agreement to buy First Republic is expected to boost the banks profits by $500 million this year and will give it access to a stable of wealthy clients.
A CNBC journalist accused Jeff Shell, the former chief executive of NBCUniversal, of pressuring her for sex over a period of years during her career at the business news network, according to a copy of her complaint reviewed by The New York Times.

The complaint, lodged in late March by Hadley Gamble, an anchor and senior international correspondent, kicked off an investigation that led to Mr. Shells dismissal last week, sending shock waves across a far-flung media empire that includes NBC News, the Universal movie studio and DreamWorks Animation.

Less than a page of Ms. Gambles complaint, which is more than a dozen pages, focused on allegations of sexual harassment by Mr. Shell. Much of the complaint raised accusations of bullying and discrimination at CNBC, saying women at the networks international division were harassed by their male colleagues on several different occasions.

Comcast, NBCUniversals parent company, hired the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to investigate the complaint after it was sent to the companys executives in New York and London.
On Tuesday afternoon, NBC issued a statement that the upcoming edition of the The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon would be a repeat from April. Late Night With Seth Meyers canceled a show that was supposed to feature an interview with the actress Rachel Weisz, replacing it with a rerun from February.

New episodes from late-night shows hosted by Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel have also been suspended. Saturday Night Live canceled a new episode scheduled for this weekend with Pete Davidson as host. NBC said it would air repeats until further notice, raising the possibility that the show will not be able to end its 48th season with a finale.

How long late-night talk shows stay off the air is an open question. During the last strike, in 2007, late-night shows gradually came back after about two months, even with their writers still on picket lines. (That strike lasted 100 days.)

Mr. Kimmel, ABCs late-night host, was paying his staff out of pocket during that strike, and he said years later that he had to return to air because he had nearly drained his life savings.
In its decade of doing business, Shein has grown rapidly by winning over shoppers with its tough-to-beat prices and kaleidoscope of new merchandise. Along the way, the e-commerce retailer has also gained vocal critics who have questioned, among other things, its connection to China, accused it of stealing designers works and pointed to how its cheap merchandise contributes to environmental waste.

Shein, for the most part, has been tight-lipped through it all. Now, the company is looking to change the perception of its business and practices ahead of its expected filing for an initial public offering.

It has poured millions of dollars into initiatives that seek to address the longstanding criticisms as a way to earn good will. In the process, Shein is positioning itself as a retail juggernaut with whom industry stalwarts will inevitably have to share space.

Were trying to engage with lots of stakeholders, Peter Day, Sheins head of strategy and corporate affairs, said in an interview. Were an emerging brand, and weve done a lot of things well. There are some things that we still need to learn how to do, and the best way to do it is to talk to the community.
In the latest chapter of the tussle between Disney and the state of Florida, the newly appointed board for a special tax district encompassing Walt Disney World sued the company in Orlando on Monday to try to regain control over expansion at the theme park complex.

The districts complaint involves a pair of contracts that Disney World struck with a prior board that Disney controlled. The agreements  adopted at public forums  lock in a comprehensive plan for growth on Disneys 25,000-acre property near Orlando, including the possible construction of a fifth theme park and 14,000 additional hotel rooms.

These agreements reek of a back room deal, the districts new board said in its 188-page lawsuit filed in state court. Out of haste or ignorance, Disneys deals violate basic principles of Florida constitutional, statutory and common law. As a result, they are null and void  not even worth the paper they were printed on.

Disney declined to comment.

The lawsuit, which had been expected, is the latest volley in a 14-month dispute between Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Disney World, the states largest tax payer and the nations largest single-site employer. Last week, after the new board voted to nullify the development agreements, Disney sued Mr. DeSantis and the new board members, claiming a targeted campaign of government retaliation. Disney filed its lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee.
The Sudanese army announced on Monday that it had managed to reduce the combative capabilities of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by 45-55 percent, Trend reports Al Arabiya.

The army said RSF had mobilized huge forces equipped with armed gear in the capital Khartoum as of April 15, according to an official statement. The army estimated RSF forces to have amounted to 27,135 fighters, 39,490 recruits, 1,950 combat vehicles, 104 armored personnel carriers, and 171 vehicles equipped with machine guns.

The army said that during the past 16 days of fighting, it has managed to cut down the combative capabilities of the RSF by half approximately.

The hostilities erupted on April 15 between Sudans army under the leadership of chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under the leadership of General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.
As a climate journalist, I get asked a perennial question by my fellow Americans: What do I do in the face of a crisis so big and complicated?

The answer I witnessed on a recent reporting trip to East and Southern Africa: everything.

In Malawi, subsistence farmers are resurrecting old crops, planting trees to nourish their soils, sharing manure with their neighbors, experimenting with different sowing techniques, all in an effort to cope with the droughts, floods and cyclones hitting them left and right.

In Uganda, coffee farmers are beginning to switch away from robusta, the coffee species theyve grown and shipped abroad for decades but that is falling prey to droughts and diseases aggravated by climate change. Instead, theyre growing a totally different and tougher coffee called excelsa, a variety of the native species Liberica.

In both countries, I was struck by how aggressively people were adapting. They were creative, they were pragmatic. They put one foot in front of the other and kept going. They were trying to be less poor, because being less poor is the best way to be more resilient to climate shocks.
Weve all heard it before: Why go to a restaurant to eat something you can make at home? But sometimes you order something so incredible, so unforgettable, that you immediately want the recipe to make whenever you feel like it.

Here at The Times, weve been collecting restaurant recipes  which can be found on New York Times Cooking  for decades, from high-end French restaurants to neighborhood spots. Adapting these dishes presents challenges because chefs tend to, well, chef things up. Nevertheless, we persist.

So lets take a look at some recipes weve already collected from restaurants, as well as some that I desperately want for my own kitchen. And Id love to know which New York City restaurant recipes youve always wanted. Email me at wheretoeat@nytimes.com.
The guest list for the first Monday in May, as the Met Gala is also known, serves as a Rorschach test for whom Anna Wintour deems important, circa now. This years attendees included many of the frequent fliers, like Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid and Serena Williams, as well as some new names: the W.N.B.A. star and recent Russian detainee Brittney Griner, the musical artist Doja Cat and  shockingly  Paris Hilton. (How is it possible that shes never gone before? A grotesque oversight!)

Each year the dress code tracks to the theme of the show, which this time around is devoted to the six-and-a-half-decade career of Karl Lagerfeld. Many guests wore black and white or suits and gowns embellished with pearls or flowers  favorite motifs of Mr. Lagerfeld. Bad Bunny went for a full white suit with a stole of fabric flowers that functioned as a train. Janelle Monae gave a performance on the carpet, removing her enormous Thom Browne coat to reveal a sheer hoop skirt. Doja Cat and Jared Leto each paid homage to Choupette, Mr. Lagerfelds feline friend. Kylie Jenner, Gabrielle Union, Salma Hayek Pinault and Pedro Pascal stood out in hot reds, and Lil Nas X stole the show in silver body paint and not much else.

There were many wonderful dresses that paid respect to Mr. Lagerfelds legacy  in fact, there were too many to name. There were also many looks that just looked great (Halle Bailey, Camila Morrone, Naomi Campbell, Keke Palmer and Aurora James just to name a few). So heres a reminder: The looks that follow did the most at the Met Gala  not necessarily the best, not necessarily the worst, just the most. For the many more we dont cite here, be sure to look through our red carpet photos.
Results of a direct comparison of one- and two-dose regimens will not be available until 2025.

At least 24 countries, including Mexico, Tonga and Guyana, have shifted to the one-dose approach, according to the World Health Organization.

The new evidence may convince more countries to adopt the strategy.

What we had predicted was that this would be most interesting for the low- or middle-income countries, said Paul Bloem, a senior adviser on HPV vaccination programs at the W.H.O. But high-income countries like Britain and Australia were among the first to change their policies, he noted.

The W.H.O. estimates that if widely deployed, a single-dose strategy could prevent 60 million cervical cancer cases and 45 million deaths worldwide over the next 100 years.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in women worldwide, with an estimated 604,000 new cases in 2020, according to the W.H.O. The disease killed an estimated 342,000 women in 2020, more than the number who died during pregnancy or childbirth.

This is a real killer of women, said Dr. Seth Berkley, chief executive of Gavi, which funds immunization programs in lower-income nations.
Speaking recently to the citys power brokers at the Real Estate Board of New Yorks annual gala, Mayor Eric Adams tried to make the case that his administration had conquered some of the citys most vexing problems.

He had swept homeless encampments off the street and flooded the subways with police officers. Tourists were returning and the citys bond rating had improved. But there remained one nagging and growing problem that had so far evaded solution: the influx of more than 59,000 migrants since last spring.

Remove the $4.6 billion problem we have in asylum seekers, Mr. Adams said, and you will see one of the best administrations in budgeting taxpayer dollars in the history of this city.

In his 16 months as mayor, Mr. Adams has become known for latching onto a particular issue and using it to propel his agenda. His constant focus on shootings and crime, and even on the citys ubiquitous presence of rats, have become symbols of his fight against disorder.
It also became an antislavery argument, according to the biography, The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley, by David Waldstreicher, who teaches at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. As my colleague Jennifer Schuessler wrote in March, Waldstreicher put Wheatley smack in the middle of the raging debate over the relationship between the American Revolution and slavery.

Wheatleys first name came from the ship that brought her to America when she was 7 years old. She disembarked with no clothes, swaddled in a dirty rug. She was so frail that during the voyage, the captain had worried that she would die before she could be sold, according to a descendant of the family whose surname she took after they had procured her for a trifle.

Remarkably, said Darren Sutherland, a senior specialist in fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams, the Wheatleys gave her an education, and by the time she was a teenager, her poems had been published in several New England newspapers. She had 28 more ready to go when she was 18, and a countess in Britain who supported abolitionist causes did what Susanna Wheatley had not been able to do in the colonies: find a publisher.

The book is important as the nexus of American culture and identity, Sutherland said. It speaks to issues that are relevant to this day, from race to the idea of who control the narrative, who tells the story.

Wheatley was freed in 1773, the same year in which Poems on Various Subjects was published in Britain.
Our Constitution is one of the most difficult in the world to amend. The last truly significant amendment  the 26th, which lowered the voting age to 18  belonged to another era, in 1971, when Richard Nixon was president. But the remoteness of the possibility of formal constitutional change today may be as much a product of constitutional culture as constitutional structure: Several generations of Americans have lost the habit and muscle memory of seeking formal constitutional change, and the push to get Congress to declare the E.R.A. part of the Constitution could lead the way out of this inertia.

The E.R.A. was first introduced in 1923, and in 1972 Congress adopted it by well over the constitutionally required two-thirds supermajorities. It looked to be sailing to ratification, for which the Constitution requires approval by three-quarters of the states. But progress ground to a halt in the late 1970s, just three states short, after a conservative movement led by Phyllis Schlafly ignited fear of an America without patriarchy.

Congress has taken renewed interest in the E.R.A., especially since the Supreme Court ended womens constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs  though it wasnt Dobbs alone. Donald Trumps misogyny helped galvanize a renewed push for the E.R.A., with Nevada ratifying in 2017, Illinois in 2018 and Virginia in 2020, which brought the total to 38  the number necessary to ratify an amendment.

But theres a catch. When Congress passed the E.R.A. in 1972, it included a ratification deadline, providing that the amendment would be part of the Constitution when ratified within seven years  that is, 1979. Congress later extended the time frame, but only until 1982  and some states also voted to rescind their ratifications. So skeptics raise a serious question: How can the recent ratifications be valid when they came decades after even the second deadline? And do the rescissions deprive the E.R.A. of the constitutionally required 38 states?

The debate today is over who decides how to treat both deadlines and rescissions. The Constitutions provisions on amendment are silent on these questions. What Article V of the Constitution does say is that Congress is in charge of proposing amendments that it deems necessary. It also empowers Congress to choose the mode of ratification, a power that is understood, even by the Supreme Court, to include control over time frames. If the deadline power belongs to Congress, shouldnt the power to change any deadlines it imposes  as well as the power to refuse to recognize rescissions  also lie with Congress?
The case involving Mr. Trump and Ms. Carroll is not one involving DNA, and it therefore seems fair to say we will never know the truth of what happened between them. But we do know two things with certainty: 1) the passage of a quarter of a century affects memories, including (even especially) the memories of victims of trauma, and 2) the legal system has historically required parties to bring their legal claims with alacrity both because memories become scrambled and because the passage of time can make it impossible to mount a meaningful defense.

Given his own boisterous and reprehensible statements, effectively bragging about forcing himself sexually on unwelcoming women, Donald Trump is not someone I am eager to defend. But like all those accused of misconduct, he is entitled to a defense, and laws that permit civil actions to be brought decades after the supposed wrongdoing occurred cripple that critical right.

David R. Dow

Houston

The writer is a professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

To the Editor:

I believe E. Jean Carrolls account of being raped by Donald Trump and how it changed her life. After I was attacked, it took me 15 years to get the attack out of my thoughts and stop being afraid of men.

I felt ashamed and didnt want people to know I had been attacked. I also questioned whether people would say it was partly my fault even though I knew it wasnt.

Being sexually attacked is an awful experience.

L. Dawson

Sacramento

Gifted Teachers Inspire Lifelong Learning
Is there a coherent philosophical grounding for these antiwar conservatives? On the surface, no.

From Vietnam to Iraq, the antiwar left (both in the United States and abroad) tended to be united by a kind of instinctive pacifism, a belief that war was almost never the right answer. There has also often been a fair amount of anti-Americanism on the left  the Chomskyite view that Washingtons foreign policy is generally a force for neo-imperialism and rapacious capitalism.

But thats not the case with the antiwar right.

Some of the more dovish conservative voices on Ukraine, who fear that the war could set off a nuclear conflagration with Moscow, are uber-hawks when it comes to China: They argue that the resources we are pouring into Kyiv should be held in reserve for a looming battle with Beijing over Taiwan. They are also the same people who fault Bidens shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan for making America seem weak, without appearing to be the least bit concerned about the signal that an American abandonment of Ukraine might also send.

Some of the Tuckerite conservatives who accuse Zelensky of illiberal policies in Kyiv  such as banning pro-Russian political parties that could be expected to serve as Vladimir Putins puppets in the event of a Russian military victory  go out of their way to celebrate the illiberal policies of the government in Budapest.

Some of the historical revisionists who embrace Putins pretext for invasion  that he was provoked by the West into coming to the defense of ethnic Russians who were stranded in a Nazi Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union  would never accept those arguments in any other context: Theyre the people who believe in the absolute inviolability of Americas southern border when it comes to the invasion of Latin American immigrants.

Much of this incoherence is partly explained via the George Costanza school of modern conservatism: If a Democrat is for it, theyre against it.
Two heavily armed groups, led by sworn enemies, square off in a dense metropolitan area that is home to about as many people as New York City. Hundreds of civilians have died, and thousands have been wounded, though the true toll may be much higher. People are pinned down in their homes by street-to-street fighting and aerial bombardment. They are running out of food and water; hospitals are running out of supplies. International humanitarian workers have packed up their white sport utility vehicles and high-tailed it to safety. Western and regional diplomats have boarded helicopters, buses and planes to get out.

The 45 million people of Sudan have been all but abandoned in the crossfire of a fight to the death between the two men who want to rule them, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the countrys army, and his onetime deputy, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, the leader of a brutal paramilitary force central to the ethnic cleansing in Darfur. The fighting in the capital, Khartoum, has been going on for more than two weeks. There is no end in sight.

Like many people who have spent time in Sudan, I have been watching this crisis unfold with horror and dismay, trying to understand how a disaster of this scale in such a strategically significant part of the world could have happened. Where was the high-level maneuvering that might have found a path to peace and democratic self-rule for the long-suffering Sudanese people?

As I learned more about whats happened in Sudan, my ears were practically singed by the scathing critiques of the bungled diplomacy from current and former diplomats in the region. Strikingly, some diplomats have spoken out publicly about the failure to head off this crisis or even reach a durable cease-fire to allow more people to escape the battle zone or even get basic supplies.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkiye discovered high-quality petroleum with a daily production capacity of 100,000 barrels, as he officially inaugurated what is said to be Europes biggest solar power plant built on a single site and one of the five largest in the world, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

"Turkiye will no longer be a country in need of energy resources, but will rather be a country capable of energy export," the president told the audience attending the inauguration ceremony.

He continued by saying that Turkiye has started oil production in regions where oil wells were shut over claims of no oil, and locations that were forced to be abandoned due to PKK terrorist threats.

Pledging to overcome all obstacles on the way to Turkiye's energy independence, Erdogan said Turkiye will erase terrorism off the country's agenda for good.

Developed by Kalyon Energy, an affiliate of one of Turkiyes top conglomerates, Kalyon Holding, the plant in the central province of Konya boasts an installed capacity of 1,350 megawatts (MW).

Launched with a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kalyon Karapnar Solar Power Plant promises to help Turkiye curb its vast energy imports and back its drive to boost renewable energy production that has already been propelled by large-scale solar and wind power tenders.

More than 3.2 million solar panels at the facility are to generate 3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to provide power to 2 million people and prevent the use of $450 million of fossil fuel equivalent resources.

The $1 billion plant already produces electricity and will prevent 1.5 million tons of carbon emissions annually and increase the share of solar energy in Turkiyes total energy production by 20%.

Kalyon Holding, in August last year, agreed to sell a 50% stake in Kalyon Energy to the Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding Co (IHC) for about $490 million. The transaction included the solar power project in Karapnar, in addition to another one in Gaziantep region and a wind power project in Ankara.

Kalyon Energy developed the plant as part of the country's Renewable Energy Resource Zone (YEKA), a government initiative to establish renewable facilities in areas with a high concentration of at least one renewable energy source, such as wind or solar power.

YEKA projects use investments from local investors and/or consortiums to manufacture equipment and construct large-scale electricity generation facilities.

The facility differs from others listed as large solar parks in that it is funded by a group of investors or consortiums rather than a single investor.

The plant, whose installation was launched in early 2020, covers an area of 20 million square meters and is situated in an area with the highest solar exposure.

The solar panels in the facility come from Turkiyes first integrated solar ingot-wafer-module-cell production factory in Ankara, which was established by Kalyon Solar Energy Technologies Production Company and started production in August 2020.

Inaugurated in August 2020 by Erdogan, the Kalyon Solar Technologies Factory marks the first fully integrated solar panel production center to gather all stages of solar panel production, including research and development (R&D), under a single roof.

Kalyon PV's yearly 1,000 MW production capacity was increased from the initial 500 MW and is planned to be lifted to more than 2,000 MW through a $150 million to $200 million investment.

In recent years, YEKA projects have been the main drivers of growth in renewable energy, both in terms of technology development, equipment manufacture and electricity generation.

Turkiye's current renewable capacity accounts for over half of the country's total installed power capacity, which stood at 104,488 MW by April 7.

After a hydropower capacity of around 31,600 MW, wind is the second-biggest renewable source of electricity at 11,490 MW. Solar power installations reached 9,820 MW in the same period.

At least 1,000 MW of wind and solar energy capacity each is expected to be added to the countrys renewable portfolio in 2023.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Turkiye is forecast to see around 64% growth in its renewable energy capacity to 90 gigawatts (GW) in the next five years, with almost 75% of this addition being solar and wind.

The growth will help it rank fourth in Europe and among the 10 biggest renewable markets in the world.
One day recently, on a table in Jean Ohs lab in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, a robot arm was busy at a canvas. Slowly, as if the air were viscous, it dipped a brush into a pool of light gray paint on a palette, swung around and stroked the canvas, leaving an inch-long mark amid a cluster of other brushstrokes. Then it pulled back and paused, as if to assess its work.

The strokes, mostly different shades of gray, suggested something abstract  an anthill, maybe. Dr. Oh, the head of the roBot Intelligence Group at Carnegie Mellon University, dressed in a sweatshirt bearing the words There Are Artists Among Us, looked on with approval. Her doctoral student, Peter Schaldenbrand, stood alongside.

Dr. Ohs work, which includes robot vision and topics in autonomous aviation, often touches on what is known as the sim-to-real gap: how machines trained in a simulated environment can act in the real world. In recent years, Mr. Schaldenbrand has led an effort to bridge the sim-to-real gap between sophisticated image-generation programs like Stable Diffusion and physical works of art like drawings and paintings. This has mainly been manifest in the project known as FRIDA, the latest iteration of which was rhythmically whirring away in a corner of the lab. (FRIDA is an acronym for Framework and Robotics Initiative for Developing Arts, although the researchers chose the acronym, inspired by Frida Kahlo, before deciding what it stood for.)

The process of moving from language prompts to pixelated images to brushstrokes can be complicated, as the robot must account for the noise of the real world, Dr. Oh said. But she, Mr. Schaldenbrand and Jim McCann, a roboticist at Carnegie Mellon who also helped develop FRIDA, believe that the research is worth pursuing for two reasons: It could improve the interface between humans and machines, and it could, through art, help connect people to one another.
How did we humans get into this fix? The universe as we know it originated in a fiery burst 13.8 billion years ago and has been flying apart ever since. Astronomers argued for decades about whether it would go on expanding forever or someday collapse again into a big crunch.

All that changed in 1998 when astronomers discovered that the cosmic expansion was speeding up, boosted by an anti-gravitational force that is part of the fabric of spacetime. The bigger the universe gets, the harder this dark energy pushes it apart. This new force bears a striking resemblance to the cosmological constant, a cosmic repulsion Einstein had proposed as a fudge factor in his equations as a way of explaining why the universe did not collapse, but later rejected as a blunder.

But the cosmological constant refused to die. And now it threatens to wreck physics and the universe.

In the end, if this dark energy prevails, distant galaxies will eventually be speeding away so fast that we cant see them anymore. The more time goes on, the less we will know about the universe. The stars will die and not be reborn. It will be like living inside an inside-out black hole, sucking matter, energy and information over the horizon, never to return.

Worse, because thinking takes energy, eventually there will not be enough energy in the universe to hold a thought. In the end there will only be subatomic particles dancing intergalactic distances away from each other in a dark silence, trillions upon trillions of years after there was any light or life in the universe. And then, more uncountable trillions of eons to come, until there is finally no way to count the years, as Brian Greene, the popular Columbia University theorist and author, so elegantly and devastatingly described it in his recent book, Until the End of Time.
In October 2021, Google promised to stop placing ads alongside content that denied the existence and causes of climate change, so that purveyors of the false claims could no longer make money on its platforms, including YouTube.

And yet if you recently clicked on a YouTube video titled who is Leonardo DiCaprio, you might have found a ramble of claims that climate change is a hoax and the world is cooling after a Paramount+ ad for the film 80 for Brady, starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Rita Moreno.

Before another video that purported to detail how climate activists distort the evidence, some users saw an ad for Alaska Airlines.

These are not aberrations, according to a coalition of environmental organizations and the Center for Countering Digital Hate. In a report released on Tuesday, researchers from the organizations accused YouTube of continuing to profit from videos that portrayed the changing climate as a hoax or exaggeration.
Robert Patrick, a wildly prolific playwright who rendered gay (and straight) life with caustic wit, an open heart and fizzy camp, and whose 1964 play, The Haunted Host, became a touchstone of early gay theater, died on April 23 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 85.

The cause was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, said Jason Jenn, a friend.

Mr. Patricks story is intertwined with that of Caffe Cino, the West Village coffee shop that was the accidental birthplace of Off Off Broadway theater. One day in 1961, a 24-year-old Mr. Patrick followed a cute boy with long hair into the place, where the playwrights John Guare, Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson and, soon, Mr. Patrick, all got their starts. The cute boy was John P. Dodd, who went on to be a well-known lighting designer and die of AIDS in 1991.

The cafe, run by a former dancer named Joe Cino, was scrappy, original and unpretentious, decorated with tinsel, silver stars and beads that hung from the ceiling. Actors performed among the tables and chairs until they built a small stage. No one was paid, except the cops, because Mr. Cino was not just running an unlicensed cabaret but also a gay hangout, which was illegal in the early 1960s. Its young playwrights, particularly Mr. Patrick, churned out plays, playlets and monologues akin to TikToks, as Don Shewey, the author and theater critic, said in a phone interview.
Not everyone can wake up to good news on Tony nominations morning. Then again, with a panel of voters often un-wowed by celebrity, the roster typically turns up left-field choices and anoints young talent.

So it went Tuesday. Broadway royalty didnt get the royal treatment  nor did the actors playing King Arthur and Guinevere in Camelot. But a 24-year-old Katy Perry-singing Juliet, and a playwright who stepped into the high heels of a whirlwind named Peaches, found themselves in a very welcome spotlight.

Here are some of the snubs, surprises and further observations about the nominations list:

Surprise: Aint No Mo

By commercial measures, Jordan E. Coopers scabrous comedy Aint No Mo was a Broadway failure, closing after 23 previews and only 28 performances. But the Tony committee gave the shows team something to laugh about, lavishing six nominations, including two for Cooper himself: best play and best featured actor in a play. Cooper, who portrayed a saucy airline hostess named Peaches, gave it his all, onstage and off: When the shows sudden closing was first announced, he took to Instagram to rally audiences. Theyve posted an eviction notice, he wrote, but thank God Black people are immune to eviction notices. His urgings led the play to stay open another week  perhaps long enough for more Tony nominators to see it.

Snub: Mr. and Mrs. Brustein

Responding to what they saw as pent-up demand to see The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window after a sellout run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, producers pulled a surprise by adding the revival of Lorraine Hansberrys 1964 play to the Broadway season on the last possible night. Yet Tony voters passed on nominating Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan for their sexy, impassioned portrayals of a fraying couple in 1960s Greenwich Village. Only Miriam Silverman, as Brosnahans starchy sister, got an acting nod in her supporting part.
Charles Hirschkind, the chair of the anthropology department, said that the university had reduced the number of graduate students it accepts into the anthropology since 2004 by a little more than half, reflecting, he said, the departments weaker financial situation and the rise in costs to support graduate students.

When were talking about budgetary restraints, we are also talking about priorities and where one decides to invest, he said. And I think the university feels little incentive to invest in the social sciences and humanities.

Dr. Hirschkind said some faculty members had been pleasantly surprised to see the younger generation fighting for the library after assuming students that grew up in the digital age might have less appreciation for physical books or the pleasures of a library. And the occupation of the library, to some, is reminiscent of an earlier activist era at Berkeley.

There is a strong sense of communitas in the air  it is not at all like identity politics  we need a new word for it, Nancy Scheper-Hughes, an anthropology professor, wrote in an email to Mr. Brown. They want to read. They want to be with open communities of people of very different ideas.

The students, meanwhile, have been living in the library for more than a week, studying for finals, playing board games and eating breakfasts of croissants and granola. Worried that the university is trying to run out the clock until summer break and then dismantle the library, the students say they will stay as long as it takes.

They can give us the library tomorrow, Mr. Molloy said, and well all be happy to go home.
There is perhaps no better symbol of California than the glorious, golden poppy.

The flowers satiny yellow-orange blooms evoke the states abundant sunshine, orange groves and the gold rush that made it famous. Its hard not to be hypnotized by the bobbing beacons of golden light that glisten from roadway medians and that carpet entire valleys each spring, especially during this years super bloom.

Walking through a state park, your eyes immediately go to the poppy, even though there are all these lovely plants, said Char Miller, professor of environmental history at Pomona College. I think its the color, I think its the almost joyousness with which it tosses its head  its seductive.

The golden poppy has been the official state flower for 120 years, the second state symbol California ever adopted. So how did it achieve such esteemed status?

Golden poppies grow wild all over California, with a natural range that stretches across the West from sea level to 6,500 feet in altitude. Native people prized the flowers for food and medicine, boiling the plants to eat them or applying them as treatments for illnesses.
A placid Northern California college town has been rocked by a series of stabbings in which two people have been killed and a third critically wounded in less than a week.

The police in Davis, Calif., a community of about 70,000 people west of Sacramento, have been asking for the publics help since a 50-year-old man was found dead with stab wounds on Thursday in the citys Central Park. Two days later, a University of California, Davis student was stabbed to death in a different park.

The latest attack occurred on Monday night, severely injuring a woman sleeping in a homeless encampment near railroad tracks just east of downtown. In a 911 call shortly before midnight, the woman told dispatchers that she had been stabbed through the wall of her tent. Witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing the scene. The woman was hospitalized and in critical but stable condition on Tuesday.

It remains unclear whether all three attacks were committed by the same person, the police said, but the descriptions provided by witnesses in the most recent two stabbings are similar. The authorities are seeking a thin, curly haired young man, between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall, wearing a dark sweatshirt and black Adidas pants.
In court filings, they indicated that they were seeking a list of his homes over the past 10 years and the cars he had owned or driven for the past five years, the income he had derived from the sale of his paintings and information about money that he had paid to or had received from his uncle James Biden, whose business dealings have also been under scrutiny by House Republicans.

Ms. Robertss lawyers also mentioned in court filings Hunter Bidens work for Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company that became a flashpoint in his fathers race against President Donald J. Trump in 2020 and helped set off the events that led to Mr. Trumps first impeachment. And they mentioned that Mr. Biden has been under federal investigation.

The Justice Department has examined, among other issues, Mr. Bidens international business dealings, his tax filings and whether he lied on a federal form that he filled out to buy a handgun in 2018 when he said he was not using drugs at the time.

A dispute over the Biden name.

Ms. Roberts asked the court in December to change the childs last name to Biden, which her lawyers said was now synonymous with being well educated, successful, financially acute, and politically powerful.

Her lawyers wrote that Hunter Biden; President Biden; Jill Biden, the first lady, and other members of the Biden family remain estranged from the child and that taking the Biden name would make the child known to the world as a member of the prestigious Biden family.
A Minnesota man was arrested and charged with arson after fires at two Minneapolis mosques last week, federal prosecutors announced on Sunday.

The suspect, Jackie Rahm Little, 36, was also accused of a series of acts of vandalism in January, including to a police vehicle assigned to a Somali officer, a shopping center known as the Somali Mall and the Minneapolis district office of a congressional representative, according to an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court in Minnesota.

The name of the representative was redacted from court documents, but on Monday, Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota, said Mr. Little vandalized her office at least once.

Mr. Little, who is also known as Joel Arthur Tueting, and is from Plymouth, Minn., was arrested on Saturday in Mankato, Minn., and taken into federal custody. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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After several successful collaborations in the automotive world, it only made sense for TAG Heuer to broaden its horizons and reconnect with other competitive high-end racing universes. FlyingNikka provided the perfect opportunity for TAG Heuer to not only showcase its commitment to pushing technological boundaries, but also to demonstrate once again its pioneering role within the watch industry.

Ever since Switzerlands very first sailing race in 1888, TAG Heuer has been an official timekeeper for some of the worlds most prestigious sailing events, including the worlds oldest international sporting trophy, the Americas Cup. Over the years, TAG Heuer has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in sailing technology, working closely with sailing outfits, most notably Team Oracle.

This original sailing partnership led to the development of dedicated regatta countdown timers and a digital multiphase sailing computer for Team Oracle. TAG Heuer didnt stop there, also sponsoring around-the-world yacht races and further sailing expeditions. With its new FlyingNikka partnership, TAG Heuer is back in force in the sailing industry, demonstrating its commitment to sailing and its dedication to innovation, performance, and a relentless pioneering spirit.

FlyingNikka is the most complex, innovative, and exciting big yacht of this decade  a pure speed machine, a technological and engineering goliath, and a brave endeavor. Having taken to the water in Valencia on May 12, 2022, it is an evolved offshore version of the long AC75 sailing yacht, which featured in the latest edition of the Americas Cup. This new state-of-the-art yacht challenges the limits of where displacement sailing and foiling technology meet for monohull racing. Designed by renowned naval architect Mark Mills, FlyingNikka boasts cutting-edge design innovations and technology that enable it to achieve unprecedented performance on the water. With a hull made of advanced carbon fiber composites, towering 3D composite sails, and advanced hydrofoils, the yacht is designed to fly over the water, achieving speeds of up to 40 knots. It also features an advanced electronic control system that allows the crew to make quick adjustments in order to optimize operation.

FlyingNikkas lightweight carbon fiber wing sail is designed to generate maximum lift. At the same time, its hydrofoils mean that the craft can rise out of the water, thereby reducing drag and increasing speed. Meanwhile, the yachts electronic control system allows the craft to maintain its balance while maximizing speed.

TAG Heuer CEO Frederic Arnault said of the partnership: We are proud to be back in the sailing universe, partnering with Mills Designs FlyingNikka, a yacht representing the pinnacle of sailing technology.

TAG Heuer is a brand that shares the values of avant-garde spirit, speed, and cutting-edge design with FlyingNikka. We believe that this collaboration will enable us to push our racing boundaries further and to work on additional innovations.

TAG Heuer is the perfect partner for FlyingNikka, noted Roberto Lacorte, owner of FlyingNikka. Its commitment to innovation and precision mirrors our own, and we are excited to work together to further innovate on what we thought was possible in sailing.
This deployment to the border is consistent with other forms of military support to D.H.S. over many years, General Ryder said in a statement, referring to the Department of Homeland Security.

The decision comes less than two weeks before the scheduled court-ordered lifting of Title 42, a public health rule issued during the pandemic that gives U.S. officials unusual powers to quickly expel migrants who cross the border without permission.

The decision to deploy active-duty troops signals rising anxiety within the White House over the political backlash that would come with a surge of illegal crossings after Title 42 ends.

While Mr. Biden came into office promising to establish an orderly and compassionate process for asylum seekers, illegal crossings emerged as a primary political vulnerability for him. His senior aides have deliberated and debated for the past two years over how to drive down illegal crossings and at times relied on policies imposed during the Trump era.

The use of the military also harkens back to the Trump era, when officials sent more than 5,000 active-duty troops and members of the National Guard to secure ports of entry, hold training sessions, provide support at holding facilities and help with border wall construction. The Trump administration also sent Customs and Border Protection crisis teams to the border before court decisions that it feared could prompt large crowds of migrants to seek entry to the United States.
Section 1 of the amendment established that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside and that no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.

Another provision, known as the Disqualification Clause, was more obscure until the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Some have argued that the clause, outlined in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, bars anyone who has engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office.

Now, the standoff over the national debt has renewed debate over Section 4 of the amendment, known as the public debt clause.

What spurred its adoption?

After the Civil War and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, lawmakers sought to set out the terms of the Confederacys surrender and the rebellious states re-entry into the Union.

The 13th Amendments formal abolition of slavery also meant that the size of delegations from former Confederate states would increase, even as the states passed discriminatory Black codes and prevented former slaves from voting. Reconstructionist Republicans in Congress sought to address these issues by passing the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which guaranteed citizenship and equal protection for former slaves.
But behind the scenes, they were simultaneously taking steps to make sure a vehicle was available if needed.

There were no signs on Tuesday of any momentum toward even a temporary resolution. Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, brushed aside the idea of putting off a confrontation by passing a short-term debt limit increase, telling reporters: We should not kick the can down the road.

And Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader, reiterated that he intended to leave the negotiations to Mr. Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, again dashing the private hopes of some Democrats that the veteran Republican would ultimately cut a deal with them to allow the debt ceiling to be lifted, as he has done in the past.

There is no solution in the Senate, Mr. McConnell said.

The White House had no public comment on the discharge effort, according to Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary. Mr. Biden is scheduled next week to host Mr. McCarthy and other congressional leaders at the White House to discuss raising the debt limit. His goal at that meeting, a senior administration official said, will be to stress the importance of averting default and creating a separate negotiation to address other budget issues.

The discharge petition process can be time-consuming and complicated, so House Democrats who devised the strategy started early and carefully crafted their legislative vehicle. Insiders privately refer to the measure as a Swiss Army knife bill  one intended to be referred to every single House committee in order to keep open as many opportunities as possible for forcing it to the floor.

It would create a task force to help grandparents raising grandchildren, create a federal strategy for reducing earthquake risks, change the name of a law that governs stock trading by members of Congress, extend small business loans, protect veterans from the I.R.S., authorize a new Pentagon grant program to protect nonprofit organizations against terrorist attacks and more. The legislation was so broad and eclectic that it was referred to 20 committees, where it has sat idle for months. That was the point.

Mr. DeSaulniers intent was never to pass the elements of the bill, though he favors them all. It was to create what is known on Capitol Hill as a shell of a bill that would ultimately serve as the basis for a discharge petition  and a way out of the debt limit standoff.
WASHINGTON  A prominent conservative former federal judge joined a group of legal experts on Tuesday in calling on Congress to enact new ethical standards for Supreme Court justices, after a series of revelations about the justices undisclosed gifts, luxury travel and property deals.

The statement by Judge J. Michael Luttig, a retired appeals court judge revered by some conservatives, was released hours before the Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Supreme Court ethics. Pressure has mounted among progressives for a stricter code of conduct for the justices, the nations highest judges, who are appointed to lifetime terms and are bound by few disclosure requirements.

Congress indisputably has the power under the Constitution to enact laws prescribing the ethical standards applicable to the nonjudicial conduct and activities of the Supreme Court of the United States, Judge Luttig said in a written statement presented to the Judiciary Committee.

The judge, who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and was close to being nominated for the Supreme Court, was among several legal experts who testified on Tuesday in favor of strengthening ethical rules at the court.
WASHINGTON  In June 1992, less than two weeks before the Supreme Court reaffirmed the constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy sent a colleague some late-night musings.

Roe was, at the least, a very close case, Justice Kennedy wrote in the three-page memorandum, which included reflections on the power of precedent, the courts legitimacy and the best way to address a cutting dissent.

The document is part of an enormous trove of the private papers of Justice John Paul Stevens released on Tuesday by the Library of Congress. They provide a panoramic inside look at the justices at work on thousands of cases, including Bush v. Gore and the 1992 abortion case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

The papers are studded with candid and occasionally caustic remarks, sometimes echoing current concerns about the courts power and authority.
The pornography website Pornhub blocked all internet users in Utah from accessing the explicit content on its pages in protest of an age-verification law that requires providing identification and was set to go into effect on Wednesday.

The law is intended to protect minors from exposure to explicit adult content, its supporters have said, but Pornhub has said that the measure is too restrictive.

Utah users attempting to visit the Pornhub website are now met with a video message from Cherie DeVille, an adult performer and member of the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee. In it, she tells them that until a real solution is offered the website will be inaccessible in the state.

While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users and, in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk, Ms. DeVille says in the video. In addition, mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply.
A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders as other officers restrained George Floyd was found guilty on Monday of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in Mr. Floyds killing.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said in the verdict that the former officer, Tou Thao, who had waived his right to a jury trial, actively encouraged his three colleagues dangerous prone restraint of Floyd. Mr. Thao, 37, was the last of the four officers with unresolved criminal charges in the killing of Mr. Floyd.

Mr. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after one of the officers, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee on his neck for more than nine minutes. Two other officers held Mr. Floyd down while Mr. Thao, who was Mr. Chauvins partner, kept away bystanders who were saying that Mr. Floyd was struggling to breathe and needed help.

The killing of Mr. Floyd, who was Black, was captured in video recorded by bystanders, setting off protests that evolved into a global movement for racial justice.
It might be scary at first, but remember that people are wired to connect, Dr. Murthy added. Sharing honestly, and inviting others to do likewise, can be incredibly powerful, he said.

Minimize distractions.

How often have you caught yourself looking at your phone while someone is speaking with you? What about during meals? Do other people do this when speaking with you? For more satisfying quality time, put the devices down and give your full attention.

Focus on the conversation, he said. Listening is as important as what we say.

While youre at it, scale back on social media. Virtual connection is not a replacement for in-person time with the important people in your life. Despite the ever-increasing opportunities to connect online, Americans report having fewer friends than they did decades ago.

Over thousands of years we evolved to not only understand the content of what someone was saying but also to respond to the tone of their voice, to read their body language and to experience their presence, Dr. Murthy said. And we lose a lot of that when we are communicating electronically.

When people call, pick up the phone.

Imagine your phone ringing. You see its a call from your best friend from college whom you havent caught up with in a long time. But instead of accepting the call, you decide not to answer. You tell yourself youll call back later when you have more time to chat.
The two rival generals fighting in Sudan have agreed to a seven-day truce starting on Thursday and will name representatives to peace talks, according to the foreign ministry of South Sudan, which has been working with other neighboring countries to negotiate an end to a conflict that has sent more than 100,000 refugees pouring across their borders in a few weeks.

There was no immediate public confirmation, however, that an agreement had been reached from either side in the conflict between the Sudanese Army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan. And no date has been set yet for negotiations to begin, South Sudans foreign ministry added in a statement.

The United Nations has also been pressing for peace talks, and a spokesman, Farhan Haq, was cautious about South Sudans statement on Tuesday. Mr. Haq, deputy spokesman for the U.N. secretary general, said at a briefing: We would certainly welcome any lasting meaningful truce. First, of course, we will have to see whether this is accepted by all the parties and whether it is implemented by the forces on the ground.

The fighting has persisted despite previous cease-fires and threatens to undermine regional stability. More than 300,000 people have been internally displaced, in addition to the more than 100,000 who have fled, mostly into Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic, according to figures released by United Nations agencies on Tuesday.
Before becoming president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that if you let the U.S. come in, you make China your enemy.

But as he sat at the White House on Monday, President Biden feted him as a top ally, saying there was no better partner that Washington could have.

Mr. Marcos  in office for not even a year  has emerged as one of the Philippines most transformative foreign policy presidents, switching from a diplomatic tightrope to a forceful pivot toward Washington in the intensifying rivalry with China.

Soon after his inauguration in June, Mr. Marcos welcomed a succession of visits by several top-level American officials. Defense officials began briefing Mr. Marcos about Russias invasion of Ukraine, and the parallels of a potential similar attack by China on Taiwan, which sits across a narrow waterway from the Philippines. Then, in January, Mr. Marcos announced that the United States would gain access to four more military sites in the Philippines. Last month, the Philippines hosted the biggest-ever joint military drills between the two countries.
I want vaping to return to the purpose that we were told it was invented for, that is a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit, Mr. Butler said in a speech at the National Press Club of Australia on Tuesday. We were promised this was a pathway out of smoking, not a pathway into smoking. That is what it has become. That is what it has been sold as so shamelessly and presented as.

In particular, Mr. Butler said, the government wants to stamp out the idea that this is a recreational product at all, but particularly a recreational product for our kids.

Knocking that market out is what I am aiming for, he said.

The Food and Drug Administration in the United States says there is not enough evidence to support claims, reflected in some studies, that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, which coat the lungs in tar. The F.D.A. also said that no e-cigarette has been approved as a cessation device.

The F.D.A. began to crack down on vape makers in recent years as young people got hooked on the fruity flavors of vapes, and many showed symptoms of mysterious and life-threatening vaping-related illnesses.

Mr. Butler said the Australian government had no plans to ban smoking or to phase out smoking by birth year, as New Zealand did recently when it placed a lifetime prohibition on cigarette sales to everyone born after 2008.
Local authorities reported on Tuesday that an explosion derailed a freight train in the Russian region of Bryansk, on the border with Ukraine, the second such incident there in two days.

The regional governor, Aleksandr V. Bogomaz, said in a post on the Telegram messaging app that an explosive device had gone off near the railway station at Snezhetskaya, a town about 60 miles from the Ukraine border, but had not caused any deaths or injuries.

A locomotive and about 20 train cars went off the rails, according to a statement from Russian Railways, the trains operator, which said that a firefighting train had been dispatched to the scene. However, the first videos of the derailed train published online did not show any flames. It was not immediately clear what the train was carrying.

In addition, a village in Bryansk that lies less than five miles from the border with Ukraine was shelled on Tuesday morning, igniting a fire but causing no casualties, Mr. Bogomaz said. He blamed Ukraines military for that attack, but offered no evidence. The claim could not be independently verified.
Russia is ramping up pressure on civilians in occupied parts of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials, whose forces have stepped up their assaults behind enemy lines ahead of a widely expected counteroffensive.

The assault could prove a critical opportunity after 14 months of war, not just for Ukraine to regain territory but also for it to try and persuade its Western allies to send still more weapons and aid. Anticipating the campaign, and still recovering from their costly and stumbling winter offensive, many Russian forces have shifted into defensive positions.

Despite its staggering losses, Russia still controls a large swath of Ukrainian territory. But Ukrainian forces have repeatedly struck Russian positions far from the front, and on Tuesday the Russian authorities reported more shelling and  for the second day in a row  an explosion that derailed a freight train in the Russian border region.

The Russian authorities in occupied territory, wary of strikes by Ukrainian partisans and special forces, have imposed strict new measures on civilians. Most recently, they have reinforced counterintelligence units and are restricting travel between towns and villages, Ukraines military high command said Tuesday.
A.G. Sulzberger, the publisher of The New York Times, warned on Tuesday that when the free press erodes, democratic erosion almost always follows, delivering a call to protect journalists as fatal attacks on reporters have increased  especially in the war in Ukraine.

In remarks at a United Nations event honoring the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, he urged world leaders to protect independent journalism, whether by securing legal protections in their own countries or by punishing attacks on journalists elsewhere.

Journalists worldwide are facing increasing levels of violence. The Committee to Protect Journalists, a watchdog group, reported that at least 67 journalists and media workers were killed in 2022, most during the war in Ukraine or in Latin America. Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, the killings of 14 journalists and media workers have been confirmed there, the committee said.

A record number of journalists have been imprisoned, including the Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, who had previously worked at The New York Times. Mr. Sulzberger said he was in Russian custody for sham charges and should be released.
A.G. Sulzberger, the publisher of The New York Times, warned on Tuesday that when the free press erodes, democratic erosion almost always follows.

He spoke at a United Nations event honoring the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, at a time when fatal attacks on journalists have increased  especially in the war in Ukraine and in Latin America  and a record number have been imprisoned, according to a watchdog group.

The days program, at the U.N. General Assembly Hall, was also scheduled to include an address by Almar Latour, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal. World Press Freedom Day is officially observed on Wednesday.

The Times, The Journal and other news organizations have taken a stand against Russias detention of the American reporter Evan Gershkovich, 31. Previously employed by The Times, Mr. Gershkovich became a Moscow-based correspondent for The Journal in 2022.
How is force-feeding hunger strikers viewed?

The authorities are typically eager to quash any potential fallout from prisoners dying and loathe the spectacle that hunger strikes can create. They sometimes resort to force-feeding, though for more than a century there has been a vigorous debate about the ethics of the practice.

International groups like the United Nations, the International Red Cross and the World Medical Association have long recognized the right of prisoners to refuse food. Force-feeding hunger strikers, usually done by inserting a tube through the nose or mouth and down to the stomach, has been called cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by the United Nations special rapporteur on torture and ill treatment. And it has been labeled a form of torture and is contrary to medical ethics, according to the World Medical Association.

Despite these objections, the U.S. military has force-fed prisoners on hunger strikes at Guantanamo Bay, saying that it had no other choice but to keep them alive, and none have starved. As many as 200 prisoners there  more than a third of the camp  went on hunger strike in 2005 to protest conditions and their prolonged confinement without trial, and many were force-fed.

In 2015, Israels Parliament passed a law allowing the authorities to force-feed prisoners in extreme circumstances  over the protests of the countrys medical association, which has condemned the practice.

In Germany in the 1980s, the government force-fed several imprisoned members of the Red Army Faction, which was responsible for a string of terrorist attacks in the country.
Khader Adnan, a prominent Palestinian prisoner who had been on a hunger strike in an Israeli prison for 87 days to protest his detention, died early Tuesday, according to his lawyer and Palestinian and Israeli officials, amid rising violence in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian leaders and armed groups vowed retaliation, saying Israel was responsible for the death of Mr. Adnan, the first Palestinian prisoner to die on a hunger strike since 1992.

A barrage of more than 20 rockets was launched into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon, seriously injuring a Chinese construction worker in the town of Sderot, according to Israeli media.

A joint statement from armed Palestinian groups in Gaza claimed responsibility for the rockets as a first response to this heinous crime that will trigger responses from our people in all arenas and places of engagement.
Photo illustration by Braulio Amado Talk How Do We Ensure an A.I. Future That Allows for Human Thriving?

When OpenAI released its artificial-intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, to the public at the end of last year, it unleashed a wave of excitement, fear, curiosity and debate that has only grown as rival competitors have accelerated their efforts and members of the public have tested out new A.I.-powered technology. Gary Marcus, an emeritus professor of psychology and neural science at New York University and an A.I. entrepreneur himself, has been one of the most prominent  and critical  voices in these discussions. More specifically, Marcus, a prolific author and writer of the Substack The Road to A.I. We Can Trust, as well as the host of a new podcast, Humans vs. Machines, has positioned himself as a gadfly to A.I. boosters. At a recent TED conference, he even called for the establishment of an international institution to help govern A.I.s development and use. Im not one of these long-term riskers who think the entire planet is going to be taken over by robots, says Marcus, who is 53. But I am worried about what bad actors can do with these things, because there is no control over them. Were not really grappling with what that means or what the scale could be.

It seems as if people are easily able to articulate a whole host of serious social, political and cultural problems that are likely to arise from the widespread use of GPT. But it seems much less easy for people to articulate specific potential benefits on the same scale. Should that be a huge red flag? The question is: Do the benefits outweigh the costs? The intellectually honest answer is that we dont know. Some of us would like to slow this down because we are seeing more costs every day, but I dont think that means that there are no benefits. We know its useful for computer programmers. A lot of this discussion around the so-called Pause Letter is a fear that if we dont build GPT-5, and China builds it first, somehow something magicals going to happen; 5 is going to become an artificial general intelligence that can do anything. We may someday have a technology that revolutionizes science and technology, but I dont think GPT-5 is the ticket for that. GPT-4 is pitched as this universal problem solver and cant even play a decent game of chess! To scale that up in your mind to think that GPT-5 is going to go from cant even play chess to if China gets it first, the United States is going to explode  this is fantasyland. But yeah, Im sure GPT-5 will have some nice use cases. The biggest use case is still writing dodgy prose for search engines.

Do you think the public has been too credulous about ChatGPT? Its not just the public. Some of your friends at your newspaper have been a bit credulous. In my book, Rebooting A.I., we talked about the Eliza effect  we called it the gullibility gap. In the mid-1960s, Joseph Weizenbaum wrote this primitive piece of software called Eliza, and some people started spilling their guts to it. It was set up as a psychotherapist, and it was doing keyword matching. It didnt know what it was talking about, but it wrote text, and people didnt understand that a machine could write text and not know what it was talking about. The same thing is happening right now. It is very easy for human beings to attribute awareness to things that dont have it. The cleverest thing that OpenAI did was to have GPT type its answers out one character at a time  made it look like a person was doing it. That adds to the illusion. It is sucking people in and making them believe that theres a there there that isnt there. Thats dangerous. We saw the Jonathan Turley incident, when it made up sexual harassment charges. You have to remember, these systems dont understand what theyre reading. Theyre collecting statistics about the relations between words. If everybody looked at these systems and said, Its kind of a neat party trick, but haha, its not real, it wouldnt be so disconcerting. But people believe it because its a search engine. Its from Microsoft. We trust Microsoft. Combine that human overattribution with the reality that these systems dont know what theyre talking about and are error-prone, and you have a problem.

So have Sam Altman or Satya Nadella been irresponsible in not speaking more clearly about the actual capabilities  or lack thereof  of their companies technologies? Sam has walked both sides of that fence  at times, I think, inviting the inference that these things are artificial general intelligence. The most egregious example of that in my mind is when DALL-E 2 came out. He posted pictures and a Tweet saying, A.G.I. is gonna be wild. That is inviting the inference that these things are artificial general intelligence, and they are not! He subsequently backed down from that. Also, around that time, he attacked me. He said, Give me the confidence of a mediocre deep-learning skeptic. It was clearly an attack on me. But by December, he started to, I think, realize that he was overselling the stuff. He had a Tweet saying these things have trouble with truth. Thats what I was telling you back when you were making fun of me! So he has played both sides of it and continues to play both sides. They put out this statement about dealing with A.G.I. risk, inviting the inference that what they have has something to do with artificial general intelligence. I think its misleading. And Nadella is certainly not going around being particularly clear about the gap between peoples expectations and the reality of the systems.

And when Sam Altman said that ChatGPT needs to be out there being used by the public so that we can learn what the technology doesnt do well and how it can be misused while the stakes are low  to you that argument didnt hold water? Are the stakes still low if 100 million people have it and bad actors can download their own new trained models from the dark web? We see a real risk here. Every day on Twitter I get people like: Whats the risk? We have roads. People die on roads. But we cant act like the stakes are low. I mean, in other domains, people have said, Yeah, this is scary, and we should think more about it. Germ-line genome editing is something that people have paused on from time to time and said, Lets try to understand the risks. Theres no logical requirement that we simply march forward if something is risky. Theres a lot of money involved, and thats pushing people in a particular direction, but I dont think we should be fatalistic and say, Lets let it rip and see what happens.

Gary Marcus at a TED conference last month. Gilberto Tadday/TED

What do you think the 2024 presidential election looks like in a world of A.I.-generated misinformation and deepfakes? A [expletive] show. A train wreck. You probably saw the Trump arrest photos. And The Guardian had a piece about what their policy is going to be as people make fake Guardian articles, because they know this is going to happen. People are going to make fake New York Times articles, fake CBS News videos. We had already seen hints of that, but the tools have gotten better. So were going to see a lot more of it  also because the cost of misinformation is going to zero.

You can imagine candidates dismissing factual reporting that is troublesome to them as being A.I. fakery. Yeah, if we dont do something, the default is that by the time the election comes around in 2024, nobodys going to believe anything, and anything they dont want to believe theyre going to reject as being A.I.-generated. And the problems we have around civil discourse and polarization are just going to get worse.

So what do we do? Were going to need watermarking for video. For text, its going to be really hard; its hard to make machines that can detect the difference between something generated by a person and something generated by a machine, but we should try to watermark as best we can and track provenance. Thats one. No. 2 is were going to have to have laws that are going to make a lot of people uncomfortable because they sound like theyre in conflict with our First Amendment  and maybe they are. But I think were going to have to penalize people for mass-scale harmful misinformation. I dont think we should go after an individual who posts a silly story on Facebook that wasnt true. But if you have troll farms and they put out a hundred million fake pieces of news in one day about vaccines  I think that should be penalizable. We dont really have laws around that, and we need to in the way that we developed laws around spam and telemarketing. We dont have rules on a single call, but we have rules on telemarketing at scale. We need rules on distributing misinformation at scale.

You have A.I. companies, right? I had one. I sold it to Uber. Then the second one is called RobustAI. Its a robotics company. I co-founded it, but Im not there any longer.

OK, so knowing all we know about the dangers of A.I., what for you is driving the why of developing it? Why do it at all? Rather than lobby to shut it down?

Yeah, because the potential harms feel so profound, and all the positive applications I ever hear about basically have to do with increased efficiency. Efficiency, to me, isnt higher on the list of things to pursue than human flourishing. So what is the why for you? Since I was 8 years old, Ive been interested in questions about how the mind works and how computers work. From the pure, academic intellectual perspective, there are few questions in the world more interesting than: How does the human child manage to take in input, understand how the world works, understand a language, when its so hard for people whove spent billions of dollars working on this problem to build a machine that does the same? Thats one side of it. The other side is, I do think that artificial general intelligence has enormous upside. Imagine a human scientist but a lot faster  solving problems in molecular biology, material science, neuroscience, actually figuring out how the brain works. A.I. could help us with that. There are a lot of applications for a system that could do scientific, causal reasoning at scale, that might actually make the world of abundance that Peter Diamandis imagines. I dont think, however, that the technology we have right now is very good for that  systems that cant even reliably do math problems. Those kinds of systems are not going to reinvent material science and save the climate. But I feel that we are moving into a regime where, exactly, the biggest benefit is efficiency: I dont have to type as much; I can be more productive. These tools might give us tremendous productivity benefits but also destroy the fabric of society. If thats the case, thats not worth it. I feel that the last few months have been a wake-up call about how irresponsible the companies that own this stuff can be. Microsoft had Tay. They released it, and it was so bad that they took it down after 24 hours. I thought, oh, Microsoft has learned its lesson. Now Microsoft is racing, and Nadella is saying he wants to make Sundar Pichai dance! Thats not how we should be thinking about a technology that could radically alter the world.

Presumably an international body governing A.I. would help guide that thinking? What we need is something global, neutral, nonprofit, with governments and companies all part of it. We need to have coordinated efforts around building rules. Like, what happens when you have chatbots that lie a lot? Is that allowed? Whos responsible? If misinformation spreads broadly, what are we going to do about that? Whos going to bear the costs? Do we want the companies to put money into building tools to detect the misinformation that theyre causing? What happens if these systems perpetuate bias and keep underrepresented people from getting jobs? Its not even in the interest of the tech companies to have different policies everywhere. It is in their interest to have a coordinated and global response.

Maybe Im overly skeptical, but look at something like the Paris climate accord: The science is clear, we know the risks, and yet countries are falling well short of meeting their goals. So why would global action on A.I. be feasible? Im not sure this is going to fall neatly on traditional political lines. YouGov ran a poll  its not the most scientific poll  but 69 percent of people supported a pause in A.I. development. That makes it a bipartisan issue. I think, in the U.S., theres a real chance to do something in a bipartisan way. And in Europe, people are like, This violates the G.D.P.R. So Im more optimistic about this than I am about a lot of things. The exact nature is totally up for grabs, but theres a strong desire to do something. Its like many other domains: You have to build infrastructure in order to make sure things are OK, like building codes and the UL standards for electrical wiring and appliances. They may not like the code, but people live with the code. We need to build a code here of whats acceptable and whos responsible. Im moderately optimistic. On the other hand, Im very pessimistic that if we dont, were in trouble.

Theres a belief that A.I. development should be paused until we can know whether it presents undue risks. But given how new and dynamic A.I. is, how could we even know what all the undue risks are? You dont. Its part of the problem. I actually wrote my own pause letter, so to speak, with Michelle Rempel Garner. We called for a pause not on research but on deployment. The notion was that if youre going to deploy it on a wide scale, lets say 100 million people, then you should have to build a safety case for it, the way you do in medicine. OpenAI kind of did a version of this with their system card. They said, Here are 12 risks. But they didnt actually make a case that the benefits of people typing faster and having fun with chatbots outweighed the risks! Sam Altman has acknowledged that theres a risk of misinformation, massive cybercrime. OK, thats nice that you acknowledge it. Now the next step ought to be, before you have widespread release, lets have somebody decide: Do those risks outweigh the benefits? Or how are we even going to decide that? And at the moment, the power to release something is entirely with the companies. It has to change.

Opening illustration: Source photograph by Athena Vouloumanos

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity from two conversations.

David Marchese is a staff writer for the magazine and writes the Talk column. He recently interviewed Emma Chamberlain about leaving YouTube, Walter Mosley about a dumber America and Cal Newport about a new way to work.
Kevin Lamb

While Im perpetually enamored with the creative journey and ideas, Ive always been fascinated by the neurological and cognitive processes that underpin our ability to develop novel solutions.

Sure, who doesnt love celebrating a fantastic, game-changing idea? But theres something about how the human brain divines insights and generates creative concepts that grabs me. Working in healthcare, Im drawn to how the human body works and understanding structure, function and mechanics. Im also on a never-ending quest to hack my brain for creativity, always looking for new information to apply to my creative journey and share with colleagues.

Of course, with good reason. Creativity is a major factor for employers and employees alike in considering their potential fit with one another, with creativity often a highly desirable trait. Potential employees and companies are trying to captivate their candidates with dynamic environments where creativity can truly flourish. In the agency world, creativity is considered among the most important attributes by clients in agency partners and is often cited as a critical factor in agency selection.

Creativity is at the core of why so many of us got into this business. We wanted to be in an environment where our ideas were recognized and rewarded, where wed be encouraged to be curious and explore.

Researchers have even discovered that when some people experience an exhilarating "a-ha" moment, their brains reward system is activated. If you've ever experienced pure joy as a result of creativity, you're far from alone.

Over the past decade, research on creativity has accelerated to the surprise of no one who traffics in ideas. We learn a little more about unlocking great creative thinking in our everyday work with each new finding.

With that in mind, a few recent studies offer some new perspectives on the brain and creativity that may give you something to take into tomorrows brainstorms.

The Value of (One Type of) the Wandering Mind.

Much research has been done on the connection between a wandering mind and creativity. One paper published in 2012, Inspired by Distraction, introduced the contemporary notion that performing an undemanding task enables our brains to unplug and wander, yielding a creative flow and output. Suddenly, the unplugged, unencumbered creative process became the it method. However, in a recent study in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and Arts, researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of Virginia explored this so-called shower effect. They sought to understand the balance between focused, linear thinking that may cap originality, and unfettered, random associations, which may be too far afield to be useful. The researchers found that wandering minds are most creative when engaged in a meaningful task as opposed to wandering minds that were engaged in a tedious task.

The key takeaway: When tackling a creative challenge, moderately engaging tasks that keep your brain active but not wholly focused on the creative output can help free your thinking to come up with ideas.

Sweet dreams.

The connection between sleep and creativity has been bandied about for centuries. Who among us hasnt awakened flush with an idea or an insight only to fumble around in the dark for a notebook or our Notes app before the idea disappeared? Recently, French researchers studying people with narcolepsy have uncovered a point in the sleep cycle that may produce the most valuable creative ideas. Their study pinpointed a sleep stage called N1, approximately the first 10 minutes of sleep, where study subjects were most likely to solve a problem given to them before they dozed off. During N1, one is semi-lucid, which enables ones mind to wander while still having the conscious ability to recognize an idea when it appears and retain the cognitive executive function to evaluate its usefulness.

Key takeaway: While we cant all commit to nodding off in the afternoon, this research supports the general idea that the brain is most creative when relaxed. So, avoid jumping into a brainstorming or creative session fresh from an intense meeting or situation that requires deep concentration.

Affective diversity promotes creativity.

When youre scheduling that brainstorm, there may be a natural predisposition toward selecting positive, optimistic, and bubbly participants. However, recent research out of Rice Universitys Jones School of Business supports the novel concept of team affective diversity and its benefit on team creativity. Researchers found that teams that include people with positive affect (broad, flexible thinking) and people with negative affect (critical and persistent thinking) create affective heterogeneity that is crucial to collective problem-solving.

Key takeaway: Guard against homogenized brainstorms of the same people or types of people and get everyone involved in the creative process.

Encourage empathy to unlock creativity.

The creative journey often includes knowledge immersion, with data and research to define strategic aspects of the challenge. However, knowledge may only take you so far. Emotional intelligence, specifically empathy, may be an essential key to unlocking creativity. The University of Cambridge researchers conducted a year-long study of students at schools in London. The students were challenged to design an asthma treatment pack for children aged six and younger. One group used standard school curriculum paths and lessons, while the second used design thinking tools that engendered empathy. By the end of the study, students using the design tools experienced a nearly seven-fold increase in creativity based on a well-established psychometric test.

Key takeaway: Build empathy about your audiences challenges in your creative journey and brainstorming sessions. It may open up a whole new perspective for the team.

While theres no certainty or predictability for when our creativity will peak, or when the ideas will come, two things are certain. There is no singular path to ideas, and no person or type of person owns creativity. We all can solve problems with unique approaches and bring unique perspectives and experiences to any creative challenge. The goal with creativity is not about the end product but the journey, and the more we understand about how our brain produces creative ideas, the more we can apply those findings to our work each day.

***

Kevin Lamb is senior vice presiden at Coyne PR.
'All participants in the National Dialogue agreed that the dialogue agenda will not include three issues: amending the constitution, Egypt's foreign policy, and national security," explained Diaa Rashwan, general coordinator of the National Dialogue.
You wouldnt think youd find the CEO of a successful PR agency in Manhattan on stage at a dingy underground comedy club working on his improv but thats exactly where Peppercomms Steve Cody put himself.

Ive been to these clubs many times in New York Citys Greenwich Village where theres usually no charge to get in or maybe youre asked to buy a drink so you can listen to amateur comics. Routines are kept short and mercifully so for those who are not exactly hitting it out of the park and can slink off stage before things get too painful.

However, its in those cringeworthy moments when youre just not connecting with the audience that Cody found gold for his work life. That kind of passivity was so extreme that it made going to do a client presentation like a cakewalk, Cody explained during April 27 ODwyers webinar hosted by Researchscapes Tony Cheevers on why humor is such a huge differentiator in attracting and retaining talent and crafting compelling and unexpected stories.

Cody has turned the experience of doing stand-up into practical training to get the best out of his employees by encouraging them to see business as a performance type of interaction. The goal is not developing the ability to tell jokes but learning how to tell stories, Cody stressed.

Interestingly, Cody says introverts tend to excel more at improv, surpassing extroverts who overelaborate and take longer to get to the point. Weve found that some people who we thought would never do well on a business pitch, turn out to be stars after a training session, Cody said.

The training fosters more pointed and unexpected pitches to clients as well as to reporters which improves media results, Cody explained.

Comics are great listeners

Cody insists good stand-up is all about active listening and being able to read your audience and sometimes change direction on the fly and this directly applies to the business world.

Theres a scene in the movie out now called Air where Matt Damons character, Nike exec Sonny Vaccaro, is in a pitch meeting with Michael Jordan and his parents and things are falling as flat as one of Codys stand-up routines (though not all of them I bet, Steve!), so he improvises an impassioned plea for NBA-bound Jordan to wear Nikes new Air Jordan sneaks and the rest is history as we all know.

Cody at NYC's West Side Comey Club

Youll have to see the movie though to see how Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech is ridiculously woven into the plot as inspiration for Damons course correction.

Cody works with clients too on teaching them to harness the power of comedy. Of course, hes well aware of cancel culture and the pitfalls of trying to insert humor into the workplace so the sessions are specifically tailored to each company.

Some warning is given that there will be improv training, but an effort is made not to give too much lead time, Cody explained. Always a deer in the headlights situation at the beginning, but once people get past the fear, they really get it, Cody said. Its almost like a drug.

One exercise is to have teams come up with a hypothetical product, name it, figure out the consumer need and plan a launch. Everyone wants everyone else to succeed so no matter what people talk about they all end up connecting with each other, Cody explained.

That's definitely the vibe at amateur comedy shows where you root for the person on stage to bear their soul a bit and the bond created with the audience is what makes it enjoyable no matter how good or bad the material is.

For Cody, this is the missing ingredient in the workplace that he's hoping to foster.

Too many PR people take themselves too seriously, Cody said. Were great at what we do but youve got to loosen up a little.

Cody's new book, "The ROI of LOL: How laughter breaks down walls, drives compelling storytelling, and creates a healthy workplace" will be published by HarperCollins in mid-September and available in print, audio, and digital versions.

Peppercomm's training takes place at NYCs West Side Comedy Club  or your offices  during lunch. If interested, contact [email protected].

Feel free to reach out to John O'Dwyer at [email protected] if you'd like to suggest a topic, be a panelist or are interested in sponsoring a webinar.

Past webinars:

Using PR as a Creative Engine

Adam Ritchie, Adam Ritchie Brand Direction

Mar. 14, 2023

Leading Through Challenging Times

Jean Serra, V2 Communications CEO

Nov. 15, 2022

To Plan or Not to Plan: Strategic Planning in a Dynamic World

Monique Waters, H2O Strategies Founder

Tina Charpentiar, EVP, Padilla

Oct. 18, 2022

Overcoming Toxic Culture: Everyday Practices That Make a Difference

Dr. Kerry OGrady, Faculty Director and Associate Professor of Practice, Georgetown University

Sep. 20, 2022

Business Development for PR Agencies

Karen Swim, President, Words for Hire

Vanessa Horwell, Chief Strategy Officer, ThinkInk

John Vernon, Sr. Business Development Mgr., PAN Communications

Apr. 21, 2022
A man who kicked, punched and threatened to kill a woman at a wedding in Portlaoise has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Eoin Guiry, 33, of Kiltanna, Knockaderry, Newcastlewest, Limerick attacked his partner at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise on October 15, 2021.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court the lady was very upset following the attack.

He lashed out and he kicked and punched her, said Sgt Kirby. He said, I am going to kill you, you c**t, Sgt Kirby told the court.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said the man owns a construction business and was embarrassed at what had happened. He said the man is in a relationship with the woman and they have children together.

He said the man has since undertaken anger management and engaged in psychotherapy. He acknowledged that such an incident would leave an emotional scar.

Mr Fitzgerald said there was alcohol involved on the day in question. He said his client began counselling soon after the incident and had written a letter of apology to the injured party.

My client effectively does provide finance for the household, he said.

He acknowledged that there was no excusing the unprovoked attack of a male on a female and said the couple has couple counselling.

Judge Andrew Cody described the unprovoked assault as a very, very serious breach of trust but he noted the defendants engagement in counselling.

Judge Cody sentenced the man to three months suspended for three years on condition 1,000 was donated to the Laois Domestic Violence Service.
Something is Missing with Pharrell Williams Something In The Water Festival Kia Turner Kia Turner is a freelance journalist and music historian from

Despite intentions to bring the best to his hometown of Virginia Beach, Pharrell Williams third annual Something In The Water festival fell flat.

From the moment you touch down in Virginia Beach, theres a profound understanding of just how much Pharrell Williams is this citys son. Theres skateboarding parks near the boardwalk, murals adorning surf shops, a restaurant with a drink named The Pharrell, and an assortment of bars and restaurants along the boardwalk that played songs that could easily be added to a playlist of The Neptunes greatest hits. Its the appeal and legacy that Pharrell Williams has crafted for himself, his childhood friends turned peers, and hometown that has brought legions of fans dressed head to toe in BBC gear and N.E.R.D. caps. But Something In The Water 2023 was more than just a celebration of Pharrell. It was about community. Throughout the week, events like A Seat At The Table: An Arts & Culture Experience occurred with panels about Black creatives, educators, and mental health. There were stages along the boardwalk that highlighted local artists, while VA legend and former rapper turned entrepreneur Fam-Lay hosted a free R&B Block Party. There was a heavy emphasis on togetherness throughout the week that seemed to be executed better at the community stages, than at the festivals main Solar and Lunar stages.

Because  and theres really no other way to put it  the third annual three day Something in the Water festival fell flat  offering fans a lackluster experience. The weather didnt help things. There was torrential rain throughout extended periods of the festival. Friday, there was a weather delay; while the final day, Sunday, was canceled with fans missing out on the opportunity to see Grace Jones, the Clipse, Wu-Tang Clan, and more.

Saturday  the day P was closing  was the day most fans were looking forward to, and the day the weather cooperated the most.

Ps rolodex of superstar friends and connections is deep, but theres not much that can really top the first Something In The Water festival, which featured JAY-Z, Teddy Riley, Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, and Timbaland. However, that doesnt mean that his performance for the fest and its overall energy shouldnt evolve either. Per usual, he started off with a few hits from The Neptunes catalog  Clipses Mr. Me Too, Snoop Doggs Beautiful, and the crowd favorite Frontin  but his vocals were flat, and he seemed to want to stay more to the side than in the forefront of the performance. Busta Rhymes hit the stage and his energy exploded onto the stage with a medley including A Tribe Called Quests Scenario remix, Light Ya Ass On Fire, and Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, before bringing out Diddy for Pass the Courvoisier. It was one of the few major highlights of the performance to see the three of them together 20 years later, and was reminiscent of their iconic performance of the song at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards. P also made space for the women in hip-hop, as Coi Leray joined Busta for a Players mash-up, while Lola Brooke took to the stage to perform her Dont Play With It remix with Latto. M.I.A. performed Bad Girls and the iconic Paper Planes, but that didnt make up for her awkward, lackluster energy and winded vocal delivery.

A$AP Rocky brought the energy back up as he performed No I.D. and premiered a new song with Pharrell titled Roddy Piper. Following that, Pharrell gave a passionate introduction to De La Soul, crediting them as one of the acts that heavily influenced him and musical partner Chad Hugo. With Maseo on the 1s and 2s, Pos held it down as MC as they performed Much More, Stakes Is High, A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays, and Me Myself and I. It was sentimental watching Pharrell, a direct musical descendant of the Native Tongues movement, give flowers to the legendary hip-hop group and shout out the groups third member, the late Dave Trugoy. Unfortunately, the energy brought by De La was brought back to an unfulfilled low when Chris Brown took the stage as the nights final phriend, performing Loyal, Look At Me Now, and Under The Influence. As Pharrell ended the night with a performance of Get Lucky  sans Daft Punk and Nile Rodgers  only one thought came to mind while standing in the cold sand  That was it?

Pharrells phriends set felt randomly thrown together: a roster based on who was available instead of being carefully planned and orchestrated. With this year marking the 20th anniversary of The Neptunes Present Clones, it wouldve been great to see P run through songs from the album with Spymob or Nelly. Also, certain inclusions couldve been nixed for better alternatives. Chris Brown couldve easily been replaced with other R&B acts P has worked with, while M.I.A.s underwhelming appearance wouldve been better in the hands of Gwen Stefani, or artists like SZA who was supposed to perform last year but didnt.

Hopefully, with next year and the following years, P and his team will be able to figure out the something thats missing from the festival. But whatever was in the water this past weekend was an underwhelming and fleeting experience.
Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian woman in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said, in what the Israeli army called a "stabbing attack".
Will Google India follow same regime as in Europe with regard to pre-installed apps in Android phones: SC

3,500 loans apps go off Googles Play Store for accessing user data

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Google has removed 3,500 personal loan apps from the Play Store due to non-compliance with policies and regulations. The apps according to Google were illegally accessing user data, which included contacts and photos.

The action came months within the Mumbai cyber police arresting 14 people for their involvement in an online loan app fraud which had used half a dozen shell companies registered across India to open bank accounts and extort money. The accused converted around Rs 350 crore into cryptocurrency before transferring it abroad, the police had found.

Google has now introduced new licensing requirements for personal loan apps to combat fraud in India. The Mumbai police had registered 176 loan fraud cases, which led to the arrest of 70 persons and filing of 12 chargesheets. It was found that the racket even had links in Nepal. Two call centres in Nepal were busted in 2022, following a tip-off by the Mumbai police.

The racket came to light after Gopi Manddi (32) a resident of the western suburbs, was extorted five times more than a loan of Rs 3.4 lakh he had availed from various loan apps between 2021 and 2022.

Google fined Rs 1,337 crore for unfair practices

DCP (Mumbai-Cyber) Dr Balsing Rajput said that the number of such cases declined after the racket had been busted. The Nepal police cooperated in the probe and provided details of shady call centres, which had been outsourced work of threatening victims with objectionable videos. The probe also found that a cash-free loan app aggregator gateway was used to receive around Rs 130 crore by one of the women involved in the loan fraud racket. Liyang Sheng (39), the mastermind of the scan operated from China. He was recently arrested.
Planet will not be the same after COVID-19: PM Modi

Buddha Purnima: Here are 15 powerful quotes to bring change in you

Buddha Purnima 2023: Wishes, Quotes, Messages and WhatsApp to share with your loved ones

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, is an important Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha (usually in April or May). This year, Buddha Purnima falls on May 05, 2023.

As part of the celebrations, Buddhists all over the world offer prayers, meditate, and perform acts of charity. They also exchange greetings and wishes with their loved ones.

Buddha Purnima 2023 date, time, shubh muhurat, significance and other details

And if you are looking for some Buddha Purnima 2023 wishes quotes to send to your friends and family, here are some ideas:

May the teachings of Lord Buddha guide you on the path to enlightenment. Happy Buddha Purnima!

On this auspicious day, let us take a moment to reflect on the wisdom and compassion of Lord Buddha. Happy Vesak!

May the light of Lord Buddha's teachings shine upon you always. Wishing you a blessed Buddha Purnima.

Let us celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha with love, peace, and harmony. Happy Vesak!

May the teachings of Lord Buddha inspire you to be kind, compassionate, and mindful in all your actions. Happy Buddha Purnima!

On this holy day, let us renew our commitment to the path of dharma and cultivate inner peace and happiness. Happy Vesak!

May the blessings of Lord Buddha be with you and your family today and always. Happy Buddha Purnima!

Let us offer our gratitude to Lord Buddha for showing us the way to liberation from suffering. Happy Vesak!

May the spirit of Vesak bring joy, hope, and wisdom to your life. Happy Buddha Purnima!

Let us remember the teachings of Lord Buddha and strive to create a world of peace, harmony, and understanding. Happy Vesak!

By sending wishes quotes to your loved ones, you can share the spirit of this festival and spread positivity and love.
Plea of Bilkis Bano against grant of remission to 11 convicts could not be heard in SC

Bilkis Bano case: Centre, Gujarat agree to produce convicts' remission files before SC

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred to May 9 the hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the remission granted to the 11 convicts last year in the case of gangrape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna was told by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Gujarat government that they are not claiming any privilege and are not filing any plea for review of the March 27 order of the court, which had asked for production of original records, with regard to the remission granted to the convicts. The SG, at the outset, raised preliminary objections with regard to petitions filed in the matter other than by Bano, saying it will have wide ramifications as every now and then third parties will come to the courts in criminal cases.

The bench fixed May 9 for hearing the matter as several counsel for convicts, who have been released in the case, said that they need time to file their replies to the plea by Bano.

''We are only fixing timelines, so that whichever court takes up the matter, it will not have to waste time on these procedural issues. I am retiring during vacation on June 16. My last working day will be on May 19. My sister (Justice Nagarathna) will be going to attend a conference in Singapore till May 25. If all of you agree, then we can sit during vacation and finish hearing this case,'' Justice Joseph said.

The SG, however, urged the court that it may list the matter before the summer vacation.

Advocate Shobha Gupta said that the matter will take a very short time as only the question of law needs to be decided.

Justice Joseph told Gupta, ''It is apparent from the way counsel appearing for convicts that they do not want this hearing to take place. Every time the matter will be called up, one person or the other will come and say that he needs time to file a reply. It is more than obvious''. However, the bench said that the new bench will take up the matter for hearing in the second week of July. Senior advocate Siddharth and advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for the convicts, said what was the "tearing hurry" in hearing the case after counsel for Bano and others requested that the matter be taken up before vacation.

''We have been released and are out for around one year. There should not be any tearing hurry'', Malhotra said.

He added that he wishes to file some preliminary objections to the writ petition filed by Bano against the remission, saying that the Supreme Court rules do not allow the filing of a writ petition after a review against the main judgement has been dismissed.

On April 18, the top court questioned the Gujarat government over the remission granted to the 11 convicts last year, saying the gravity of the offence should have been considered and asked whether there was any application of mind.

Asking for reasons for the premature release of the convicts, the top court had also questioned the parole granted to them during their incarceration period. ''It(remission) is a kind of grace which should be proportional to crime.'' The Centre and the Gujarat government had also told the court they may file a plea seeking a review of its March 27 order asking them to be ready with original files on the grant of remission.

On March 27, terming the Bilkis Bano's gang rape and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots as a ''horrendous'' act, the top court had asked the Gujarat government whether uniform standards, as followed in other cases of murder, were applied while granting remission to the 11 convicts in the case.

It had sought a response from the Centre, Gujarat government and others on the plea filed by Bano, who has challenged the remission of the sentences.

All 11 convicts were granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on August 15 last year.

(with PTI inputs)

The top court is seized of PILs filed by CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, Revati Laul, an independent journalist, Roop Rekha Verma, who is a former vice chancellor of the Lucknow University, and TMC MP Mahua Moitra against the release of the convicts.

Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing from the riots that broke out after the Godhra train burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 18:23 [IST]
Chill in ties: Disengage first, Rajnath tells China after he refuses to shake hands with counterpart

Chinese foreign minister to attend SCO meeting in Goa

India

oi-Deepika S

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is set to visit India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Goa.

At the summit, Qin Gang is expected to exchange views with other SCO member states' foreign ministers on the international and regional situation.

"From May 2 to 5, Chinese state councillor and foreign minister Qin Gang will visit Myanmar and attend the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of SCO in India," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held on May 4 and 5 in Panaji, the capital of Goa, India. At the meeting, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will exchange views with other SCO member states' foreign ministers on the international and regional situation and SCO cooperation in various fields, among other topics, to make full preparation for this year's SCO summit," it added.

During his visit to India, Qin Gang had expressed that India and China should put border disputes in the "proper place" and work together to bring the situation at their borders "under normalised management" at the earliest.

"The two sides should implement the important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, maintain dialogue, settle differences, and promote the improvement of bilateral relations as soon as possible and move forward steadily," Qin stated, as per a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

Qin told Jaishankar that both sides should implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, maintain dialogue and properly resolve disputes, and promote the improvement of bilateral ties and the steady moving forward of the relations, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted an official press release from the Chinese foreign ministry as saying.

In a first since the Galwan clash, Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu attended the defence ministers' meeting last month. But, the chill in the relations was evident as defence minister Rajnath Singh did not shake hands with General Li.

India and China have engaged in a prolonged standoff in Eastern Ladakh since May 2020.

The two sides carried out disengagement from Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings area. However, the stalemate continues in Depsang and Demchok.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 20:01 [IST]
Coastal Karnataka: It is a very different campaign out there this year

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The coast in Karnataka promises to throw up an interesting battle, with no party leaving anything to chance.

The coast has for long been the bastion of the BJP. The 2018 elections were fought on the Hindutva line. The campaign pitch was more about a fight to protect Hindutva. The BJP went all out to blame the Siddaramaiah government which was then in power for not doing much when six Hindu youths were murdered allegedly by members of the now banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The campaign by the BJP this time around is different. The focus is heavily on development and nationalistic pride.

The hijab issue that had dominated this region has not been raked up as yet and parties would like to keep it that way. Experts OneIndia spoke with said that the coast has remained tense for long and all parties want to change that. Hence the push is around development this time.

Karnataka polls: Cong promises to ban Bajrang Dal if comes to power

There are 19 seats up for grabs in coastal Karnataka. This region covers Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi. In 2018, the BJP had won 17 from this region. The Congress managed just two-U T Khader and Shivram Hebbar. However Hebbar jumped ship and joined the BJP, thus making Khader the lone Congress MLA from this region.

While the BJP's pitch is development, the Congress is focusing on the failures of the Basavaraj Bommai led BJP government. The Congress is also focusing on how a vote for the BJP will change the social fabric in the region.

What is interesting is that none of the parties are campaigning on a communal line this time. Issues such as hijab, halal, azaan and boycott of Muslim traders have dominated this region in the past. Both the Congress and BJP want to keep it straight and ensure that the campaign is on issues such a development, corruption and progress.

Karnataka polls: Question mark over fate of Indira Canteens as BJP promises Atal Aahara Kendras

Ticket distribution:

Both the Congress and BJP have been very cautious when it comes to ticket distribution. The BJP denied five of its MLAs tickets. They include Sullia's sitting MLA S Angara, an MLA of six times. The BJP's MLA from Udupi Raghupati Bhat too was denied a ticket. The other MLAs include Lalaji R Mendon, M Sukumar Shetty and Malady Srinivas.

The Congress too has fielded several new faces, which include former Union Minister, Margaret Alva's son, Nivedit. The other new faces are M Dinesh Hegde, G Krishnappa and Rakshit Shivaram.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 11:02 [IST]
Congress locked up Lord Rama, now it wants to lock up those who worship Hanuman: PM Modi

India

oi-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for promising to ban Bajrang Dal in its election manifesto. He called it the party's attempt at trying to lock up those who worship Hanuman.

He claimed that the Congress had earlier locked up Lord Rama and now it wanted to lock up those who chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali' (Hail Hanuman).

Modi's attack on the Congress came within hours of the opposition party releasing its election manifesto for the May 10 Assembly elections.

The Congress manifesto said: "We believe that law and constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations."

BJP slams Congress' Karnataka manifesto for equating Bajrang Dal to PFI

Addressing an election rally here in Vijayanagara district, Modi said: "I have come to the land of Hanuman. I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to pay obeisance to the land of Hanuman but see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanuman's land, at the same time Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman."

Modi said, "First they (Congress) locked up Lord Rama and now they have vowed to lock up those who chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali'."

"It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Lord Rama and now it has difficulty with those who say 'Jai Bajrang Bali'," he added.

The Prime Minister told the crowd that the BJP was committed to making Karnataka the number one state. "I pray for the accomplishment of this vow by bowing my head at the feet of Lord Hanuman."

Karnataka polls: Cong promises to ban Bajrang Dal if comes to power

"BJP will never let anyone damage the honour and culture of Karnataka," Modi vowed.

He said the Vijayanagara dynasty and its history were the pride of India. Invoking the name of the glorious ruler of Vijayanagara dynasty, he said Sri Krishnadevaraya with his resources had immortalised this region. He had strengthened business ties with various countries and had made the culture of Karnataka famous worldwide.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 15:20 [IST]
Karnataka polls: Cong promises to ban Bajrang Dal if comes to power

Congress in Karnataka calls its manifesto, peaceful garden of all communities

Karnataka polls: Congress promises to scrap 'unscientific' NEP if voted to power

Congress' big announcement for Kashmiri Pandits in its manifesto

Congress releases its manifesto for Karnataka polls

India

oi-Prakash KL

The Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the forthcoming Karnataka Assembly polls.

It was released by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge in the presence of former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief DK Shivakumar and other leaders.

The manifesto is called 'Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota' (Peaceful garden of all communities).

Five Major Promises Made by Congress

In the manifesto, Congress has promised 200 units of free electricity under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, 10 kg rice free of cost to every Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, a monthly cash assistance of Rs 2,000 under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme to every woman head of household, Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders every month for two years under the Yuva Nidhi scheme and free travel for women in public buses in Karnataka.

Speaking at the occasion, Kharge said that Congress had fulfilled 158 promises out of 165 in 2013. He said, "I am giving the sixth guarantee that these guarantees will surely be implemented in the first cabinet meeting on the first day of the government formation."

Other Promises

A State Education Policy to reject the National Education Policy (NEP).

Repeal all anti-people laws passed by the BJP government.

Congress will sympathetically consider an extension of OPS to the pensionable government employees who joined service since 2006, to fill unapproved vacancies in all Government Departments within one year.

500 litres of tax-free diesel every year for deep sea fishing and to provide Rs 6,000 to all marine fishermen as a lean period allowance during the fishing holiday also to purchase cow dung at Rs.3 per kg and establish compost/manure centres in villages involving rural women/Youth.

To increase reservations for SC's from 15 per cent to 17 per cent, for ST's 3 per cent to 7 per cent, and restore the minority reservation 4 per cent and increase reservations for Lingayats, VokKaliggas and other communities and to pursue for inclusion in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution.

Organisations that promote enmity will be banned.

To establish Special fast track courts for the trial of terrorism cases and heinous crimes like rape, acid attack on women etc. and create a system.

To repeal the anti-farmer laws enacted by BJP Government and to withdraw all

politically motivated cases against farmers.

Recommended Video

Congress releases Karnataka polls manifesto in Bengaluru | Know the key points | Oneindia News

Check Full List of Promises Made by Congress in Its Manifesto

To demand from the Union Government the rightful share of Karnataka from the total taxes collected from Karnataka and fight against the efforts to dilute the constitutional rights in the federal system.

To come up with a policy framework to stop any kind of voter data theft incidents.

To constitute Bharath Jodo Social Harmony Committees in every grama Panchayats and to provide appropriate grants.

To make use of the cess and surcharge collected for a specific purpose viz. Library Cess, Constructions Cess, Health Cess etc. only for that specific purpose within a time frame.

To make all activities connected with procurements, developmental and infrastructural activities and recruitments transparent and accountable.

To separate the Disaster Management Department from Revenue Department.

To make all-round efforts to expedite the process of land acquisition and payment of compensation to farmers in a transparent and practical manner.

To put in a system issue of automatic receipts to all the tax collections by the Government

To issue permissions to all those who apply through single window agency within 3 months of the application and inform the applicant the status and reasons, if rejected.

To strengthen the SAKALA Act to ensure the timely delivery of services to all citizens of the state within a stipulated time limit.

To give Mandatory Training for updating of functional skills to the Government employees at least once in 3 years before effecting promotions.

To put in place a strict timeline to ensure that all local body elections are held regularly to ensure effective representation.

To launch a Praja Dwani Sabhas to maintain regular contact between elected officials and the public.

To Sympathetically consider to bring a separate schedule for minimum wage

Public Service:

To fill up approved vacancies in all Government Departments within one year.

To Sympathetically consider an extension of OPS to the pensionable government employees who joined the service since 2006

*To effect a scheme for considering the employees of Government Owned Transport Corporations on par with respective categories in the Government Service and other Boards and Corporations in terms of Salary and services under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act and within the budgetary provisions of the respective corporations.

To regularize the services of the presently working in-source employees under Health & Family Welfare Department on the lines of the actions being taken by the Congress Governments of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh

To treat the employees of Government-owned transport corporations on par with government employees and other boards and corporations in terms of salary and services.

Giving due weightage to the contractual and guest faculties by bringing suitable amendments to the recruitment rules.

To give benefits to :

(A) : Increase monthly salary of Anganwadi Workers from to Rs. 11,500 to Rs. 15,000/ - and retirement benefit of Rs. 3 Lakhs on premature death or retirement

(B) : Mini Anganwadi workers from to Rs. 7,500 to Rs.10,000 and retirement benefit of Rs. 2 Lakhs on premature death or retirement

To provide ASHA workers with a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs. 5,000/- to Rs.8,000/-

*To enhance honorarium to Midday Meal Cooks from Rs.3,600 to Rs.6,000/-

Revenue:

To clear pending Padha and Inam land matters as per rules within the time-frame.

To transparently reorganize the Survey Department.

To frame people friendly policies to dispose of the absent revenue records.

To clear all the pending Darkast and Podi issues within a year.

Public Works:

To abolish corruption in public works and to create a transparent tender systems in PWD, Rural Development, Irrigation, Urban Development and Power sector by enacting a special law to punish the perpetrators of corruption.

To ensure that the works begin within 90 days of the issue of the work order, get the work completed within the time specified in the contract and settle the bills of the contractors within the time-frame of contractual agreement.

Police:

To fill all the vacancies in the police department from time to time on priority basis.

To increase recruitment of women in Police Force to 33% of the total strength with at least 1% reservation for Gender Minorities.

To provide special allowance of Rs 5000 per month to police officials on night duty and one month's extra pay per year.

To establish separate Police Welfare Centres at every district to take care of the welfare of the serving and retired police along the lines of Military Welfare Centres.

To provide housing to all the police personnel within five years.

To build new police stations and renovate all existing ones with better facilities and technological Tools.

To remodel existing police stations into child friendly police stations across the state based on the guidelines released by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

To establish fully equipped Cyber Police Station in each district.

To establish a seed fund of Rs.200 crores to create infrastructure in Cyber Crimes and financial investigations.

LAW AND JUSTICE

To setup a dedicated fund of Rs 2000 crore to modernise all the existing courts of the state.

To establish an advanced forensic university in Kanakapura.

To repeal all unjust laws and other anti-people laws passed by the BJP government within one year of coming to power.

To establish Special fast track courts for the trial of terrorism cases and heinous crimes like rape, acid attack on women etc. and create a system.

To frame the policy to strictly control the on-line loan apps, within 100 days.

To reduce registration fee concerning Gift & Will on landed property within the family .

To implement the Right to Information Act in toto.

To enact a Karnataka Whistleblowers Protection Act.

The Congress Party is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste or religion. We believe that law and Constitution is sacrosanct and can not be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority

communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations.

Regional and Rural Development

To set up high-speed WiFihotspots in every Panchayath.

Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Scheme - To invest Rs. 50 thousand crores in five years to improve facilities in villages, to provide clean drinking water, sanitation, basic education, health and all weather roads.

To construct 1 recharge pond for 10 households to ensure efficient rainwater harvesting in rural areas.

To construct 2 biomethanation plants per taluka to treat waste efficiently.

To establish and strengthen the recycling plants in each Panchyath.

To increase the grants to Taluk and Grama Panchayats.

To take up on priority black tapping of the existing jelly Roads and make Mud-

Roads as motorable pukka roads.

To ensure all Talukas are connected to each other through state highways.

Urban Development

To extend Bengaluru's TenderSURE road model to cities with a population more than 10 Lakh.

To take up construction of apartments with all facilities, regularise all slums, provide them title deeds and re name the slums as Shramika Vasathi Samuchhaya

Recycling of water - Water treatment plants in Raja-Kaluves to generate clean water for secondary use, electricity and produce compost.

To prepare a master-plan and implement Garbage Clearance Projects and to recycle it as a resource of energy, manure and other products. [wealth from waste]

To provide 50 per cent subsidy to promote rain harvesting.

To amend Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act, 1972 to provide for conveyance of property and land to group of owners.

To develop an aerotropolis each around Mangalore, Hubli, Belagavi, and Mysore airport.

To frame rules to double the FAR for buildings in II tier cities to enterprises which generate employment.

To simplify the rules of TDR to help the land losers who gave land to Developmental Projects.

To bring suitable amendments to Building Bye-laws.

Agriculture and farming - Farmer friendly programmes

Krishi Sarvodaya Nidhi - To allocate Rs.1.50 lakh crores in five years for modernization of agriculture, subsidy, loan and insurance.

To increase interest-free soft loans to the farmers from Rs. 3 lakhs to 10 lakhs and with minimum interest of 3% upto Rs.15 lakhs and to reimburse the differential interest by Government.

"Krishi Unnathi Nidhi"- Loans to encourage start-ups and innovation in agricultural produce and allied sectors with seed money of Rs.500 crores.

To promote Agro based village industries run by rural women by investing Rs.200 crores.

To increase supply of 3 Phase electricity to the rural formers to 8 hours during the day time.

To establish one food processing park with storage facilities in each Assembly constituency.

To repeal the anti-farmer laws enacted by BJP Government and to withdraw all politically motivated cases against farmers.

To establish one Farmers' Mall each in all districts.

Savayava Saradaara Yojane to promote Organic farming investing Rs.2500 crores in five years.

A new development board "Negila Tuditha" with seed money of Rs.500 crores.

To focus on landless agricultural labourers and tenant farmers.

Jala Chethana Andolana - 100% subsidy to drip and sprinkler irrigation

Toreintroduce subsidy for installation of solar pump-sets with 75% of the cost as subsidy.

To promote Agro based village industries run by rural women by investing Rs.200 crores.

Karnataka State Centre of Excellence in Dry Land farming in Bidar/Kalburgi.

Institute of Research on Minor forest produces in Chamarajanagara.

To ensure proper supply of Agriculture Inputs and Farm Mechanization at every Panchayat Level.

To form self-help group for rural agriculturist women and provide Rs.3 lakhs interest free revolving loan.

To create Prakruthi Vikopa Nidhi - a permanent fund - by creating an initial corpus fund of Rs.5000 crores.

To set up Krishi Kosha centres for Women farmers in Raitha Mitra Kendras for skill development.

To evolve and bring out proper project to solve man-animal conflict in agricultural areas.

To offer reasonable compensation during drought and famine situations for the loss of agricultural produce. To postpone the recovery of distressed loans and waive complete interest

To establish major Agro Based Industry and a Cotton Export, Research and Marketing Centre in Gadag.

To setup a Rice Research Centre at Sindhanuru.

To establish Ethanol Production centres at Bagalkot, Belagavi, Mandya and other sugarcane producing districts.

To strengthen pepper processing units in Kodagu and Chikamagalur districts.

To establish an advanced floriculture research centre in Doddaballapura.

To encourage Bee-keeping by farmers - Allotment of Rs.50 crores.

To resolve the the Sharavathi Backwater rehabilitation issue on priority.

To give special package of Rs.25 crores subsidy for Rubber.

To bring amendment to Forest Act to solve forest dwellers problems.

To provide possession certificates to the famers of Malnad.

To provide Godowns to store farmers' durable produce and give 6 months' mortgage loan.

To establish an Agriculture Price Commission in each revenue division.

Horticulture

To establish Mango Processing Centres in Srinivaspura, Kolar district.

To provide subsidy for wine brewing and export.

To create a brand for Coffee in Karnataka.

To set up Research/Innovation Marketing system to encourage cultivation of Flowers like Mallige, fruits and vegetables unique to the respective regions. Allotment Rs.200 crores.

Sericulture

To Clear all dues and timely payment to cocoon farmers.

To provide Rs 3 lakh interest-free loans to all silk yarn reelers

Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry:

Pashu Bhagya - To give loans upto Rs.3 lakhs at zero interest to dairy farmers to purchase superior Cow/Buffalo breed.

Ksheeradhare- To increase the per litre milk subsidy for all dairy farmers from

Rs.5toRs.7/-.

To establish a Nandini Dairy Technology polytechnics in each division.

Ksheera Kranti Credit Cards - To provide all dairy farmers with Ksheera

Kranthi Credit Cards with a credit limit of Rs.50,000.

Runamuktha Kurigahi Yojane: To waive the Loan upto Rs 1 lakh of all sheep

and goat rearing farmers.

To purchase cow-dung @Rs.3/- per KG and establish compost/manure centers in villages involving rural women/Youth.

To provide interest-free loans to women to buy 2 cows or buffalos.

To frame separate law to prevent the atrocities on nomadic shepherds.

Fisheries Blue Economy.

"Matysa Sarvodaya Nidhi" - To establish a Rs 5000 Crore fund to improve the fishing sector as a whole.

To provide interest-free loans of up to Rs 3 lakhs to fisherwomen.

To Build Country's largest Boat Building Yard in Mangalore

Mathsya Asha Kirana Yojane - To provide Rs 6,000 to all the marine fishermen asalean period allowance during the fishing holiday.

To double the number of existing cold storage units available for fisheries.

Matsya Mahithi Kendra - To establish a state-of-the-art satellite mapping centre

To arrange dredging at the points of anchorages in the jetties/ports or places where the fishing boats are being anchored.

To ensure that existing Minor Ports in Karnataka are managed sustainably.

To maintain the health of natural fishing ports by strengthening an Integrated

Coastal Management Committee.

"Matsya Ashraya Yojane" - Ensure Housing to all economically disadvantaged fishermen.
Delhi liquor policy case: ED names AAP MP Raghav Chadha in chargesheet

India

oi-Prakash KL

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday named Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha in the supplementary chargesheet in the Delhi liquor scam case.

Photo Credit:

However, he has not been named accused or a suspect.

Raghav Chadha has stated that he has not been named as an accused or even a suspect in any of the complaints filed by the ED."There are no allegations whatsoever against me in the said complaints. It appears that in the complaint my name is mentioned as an attendee to some meeting though the basis of making such an allegation is not clear," the AAP MP said.

"I vehemently and unequivocally deny the commission of any alleged offence in any manner, in relation to the said meeting or otherwise. I request the media and publication houses not to cause any incorrect reporting and clarify this issue, lest I will be constrained to take legal action," Chadha added.

News articles/reportage stating that I have been named as an accused in a complaint filed by the enforcement directorate are factually wrong, and incorrect and appear to be part of malicious propaganda to harm my reputation and credibility: AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha



(File pic.twitter.com/Fr053JXsPV  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was named in the supplementary chargesheet filed by the Central Investigation Bureau (CBI), last week. He was taken into custody on February 26.

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The chargesheet mentioned other accused Butchi Babu - auditor of Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K. Kavitha - Arjun Pandey and Amandeep Dhal.

During the investigation, Sisodia's former secretary C Arvind had claimed that a meeting was held at the former Deputy Chief Minister's residence and it had the presence of Chadha as well.

"...at Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence, there was a meeting of Raghav Chadha, ACS Finance of Punjab Govt, Excise Commissioner, Varun Roojam, FCT and officers from Punjab Excise where Vijay Nair was also present," ANI quoted the statement.

It has to be noted that this is the only reference to him in the chargesheet.
Scindia gives details of steps taken to ease congestion at Delhi airport

Govt will help 'unfortunate' Go First, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday expressed his disappointment with the operational issues related to engine supplies, which have adversely impacted the Go First's financial position.

The airline has already filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings, and the minister stated that it would be wise to wait for the judicial process to proceed.

He also said that the government 'has been assisting the airline in every possible manner' and has spoken to stakeholders.

"... unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position. It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course," he said.

Faced with a severe financial crunch, the cash-strapped airline Go First has also decided to cancel flights for May 3 and 4.

''Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines. The Government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved,'' Scindia said in a statement.

DGCA issues show cause notice to Go First for cancelling flights on May 3-4

He noted that it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

''It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course,'' he said.

Further, Scindia said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights.

It is incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for passengers, so that inconvenience is minimal, he added.

Earlier in the day, Go First chief executive officer Kaushik Khona told news agency PTI the cancellation of flights and the insolvency filing were an 'unfortunate decision' and that it 'had to be done to protect the interests of the company'.

"... facing a financial crunch due to non-supply of engines by Pratt & Whitney, which has forced the company to ground 28 planes, over half of its fleet."

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 20:02 [IST]
He must make his statements within limits: Gujarat HC in Rahul Gandhi defamation case

This election is not about you: Rahul Gandhi hits out at PM in poll-bound Karnataka

No relief for Rahul Gandhi in defamation case; verdict only in June

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Gujarat High Court on Tuesday denied interim protection to Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, who has sought to suspend his conviction and jail term in the 'All thieves have Modi surname' remark case.

Photo Credit:

Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the High Court declined to grant any interim protection to Rahul on his plea seeking stay on conviction. The Court reserved its verdict on his plea seeking stay. The Court verdict likely to come after the vacation and it is expected to be in June.

Earlier on April 26, when Gandhi's lawyer P S Champaneri mentioned the case before Justice Gita Gopi, she recused herself from the hearing by saying "Not before me."

The development came a day after Gandhi moved the HC.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

Rahul Gandhi pauses speech upon hearing 'azaan' in Karnataka

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019, was disqualified as a Member of Parliament (MP) under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Gandhi challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat along with an application seeking a stay to the conviction. While granting him bail, the court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction.

Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?' remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

A stay to the conviction could pave the way for Gandhi's reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.
Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN climate change high level champion for Egypt, affirmed the importance of effectively using carbon credits as a key source for climate and development finance.
For Sharad Pawar it is business as usual, a day after he steps down as NCP chief

'I was shocked' when Ajit joined hands with BJP: Sharad Pawar reveals in biography

India

oi-Prakash KL

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down as the chief of the party, has opened up on his nephew Ajit Pawar's decision to join hands with the BJP in 2019 even as he was attempting to bring Shiv Sena and Congress in one fold to form Maha Vikas Aghadi.

In his revised biography 'Lok Majhe Sangti', the senior Pawar has confessed that he was "shocked" when he came to know about Ajit reaching the Raj Bhavan to take oath along with Devendra Fadnavis.

"I was shocked when I got a call on November 23, 2019, around 6.30 am that Ajit and a few NCP MLAs were at Raj Bhavan and Ajit was taking oath with Fadnavis," NDTV quoted Pawar as stating in the second part of the memoir.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar steps down as party chief

The NCP supremo remembered calling Uddhav Thackeray to tell him that what Ajit did was "wrong"

"When I made calls to a few MLAs who were at Raj Bhavan, I got to know that only 10 MLAs have reached there and one of them told me that it is happening because I support this. But this was a plan for the central BJP to fail the plan of MVA (Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi). I called Uddhav Thackeray immediately and told him that whatever Ajit has done is wrong and NCP and I don't support that. My name was used to take NCP MLAs to Raj Bhavan. I asked him to join me in the press conference at 11 am," Pawar said.

Ajith, with the support of a couple of MLAs, had took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. However, he returned to party fold, days later as many MLAs did not rally behind him.

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Of late, there have been rumours of Ajit joining hands with the BJP. From praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stating he was "ready to become Chief Minister" now, his statements have triggered rumours of him breaking away from the NCP.

Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that he was stepping down as the party chief.

What the Sharad Pawar resignation may do: Will it unite the NCP?

"I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," ANI quoted Pawar as stating at an event. However, he is yet to name his successor and will form a committee to pick the next chief.

"I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Hindustan Times quoted him as saying in his address to the party workers.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 14:32 [IST]
Operation Kaveri: Among those rescued from Sudan, one is aged 102

Indian embassy in Khartoum to be temporarily shifted to Port Sudan

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has announced that the Indian embassy in Khartoum will be temporarily relocated to Port Sudan in view of the prevailing security situation in Sudan.

''In view of the prevailing security situation in Sudan, including attacks in Khartoum city, it has been decided that the Indian Embassy in Khartoum will be temporarily relocated to Port Sudan. The situation will be assessed in the light of further developments,''the MEA said in a statement.

''The Embassy may be approached at following numbers: +249 999163790; +249 119592986; +249 915028256 and e-mail: [email protected],'' the MEA said.

India has been carrying out 'Operation Kaveri' to evacuate its citizens from conflict-ridden Sudan and other troubled areas. The evacuation process involves transporting the citizens via buses to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, using Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships.

Operation Kaveri: Among those rescued from Sudan, one is aged 102

The distance between Khartoum and Port Sudan is approximately 850 km, and the bus travel time varies from 12 to 18 hours, depending on the situation and the time of day.

Sudan has been experiencing deadly clashes between the country's army and a paramilitary group, which has reportedly caused the death of around 400 people. As part of the evacuation process, the tenth batch of 231 Indians reached Gujarat's Ahmedabad today from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah.

The operation aims to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones, and the government has been taking all necessary measures to execute it smoothly.
Neither love nor affection, fear is what led to Satyendar Jain getting services in Tihar

AAP loses all three wards in Satyendar Jains constituency: His videos had gone viral

Jailed gangster Tillu Tajpuriya killed in Tihar jail

India

oi-Prakash KL

Delhi's Rohini court shootout accused and jailed gangster Tillu Tajpuriya was killed on Tuesday after he was attacked by rival gang members Yogesh Tunda and others in Tihar jail, ANI reported.

Photo Credit:

He was taken to Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he was declared dead. "Further investigation underway by Police," prison officials told the news agency.

Tillu Tajpuriya, alias Sunil, suffered multiple stab wounds. He was 33.

"Today morning at around 7 am, information was received from DDU Hospital regarding two UTPs who were brought to the hospital from Tihar Jail. One of them, Sunil alias Tilu was brought in an unconscious state. He was later declared brought dead. Another person, Rohit is undergoing treatment and is out of danger," ANI quoted Akshat Kaushal, Additional DCP West District, Delhi Police, in a tweet.

Yogesh Tunda was lodged in Jail No 8 while Tilly was lodged in Jail No 9. They allegedly cut the iron grille installed on the first floor and used sheets to climb down to the ground floor before attacking Tajpuriya with an improvised sharp object, another official said.

According to a report in PTI, gangster Gogi was shot dead by two assailants dressed as lawyers inside the Rohini court complex in September 2021. The assailants were then killed in retaliatory firing by the police.

"Yogesh alias Tunda and Deepak alias Teetar attacked Tillu Tajpuriya by breaking the iron grills of the ward which separated both gangs in the same ward," the official said.
Sale of electoral bonds ahead of Karnataka polls up nine times compared to 2018

We havent said we will ban Bajrang Dal says senior Congress leader Moily

Karnataka polls: Cong promises to ban Bajrang Dal if comes to power

India

oi-Prakash KL

Congress, in its manifesto for Karnataka Assembly polls, has said that it will ban organisations such as Bajrang Dal and PFI that spread enmity between the communities.

"The Congress Party is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste or religion. We believe that law and Constitution is sacrosanct and can not be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations," the manifesto read.

However, it has to be noted that the Centre has already banned the PFI.

Congress releases its manifesto for Karnataka polls

The grand old party has also promised to repeal "all unjust laws and other anti-people laws" passed by the BJP government in the state within 1 year of coming to power.

It has also promised to set up a dedicated fund of Rs 2,000 crore to modernise all the existing courts of the state.

The Congress has also announced that it will establish an advanced forensic university in Kanakapura, Special fast track courts for the trial of terrorism cases and heinous crimes like rape, acid attack on women etc.

In addition to it, the grand old party has promised to frame a policy to strictly control the online loan apps, within 100 days of coming to power.

Check out other major promises that Congress made in its manifesto for the Police Department:

To fill all the vacancies in the police department from time to time on priority basis.

To increase recruitment of women in Police Force to 33 per cent of the total strength with at least 1 per cent reservation for Gender Minorities.

To provide special allowance of Rs 5,000 per month to police officials on night duty and one month's extra pay per year.

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To establish separate Police Welfare Centres at every district to take care of the welfare of the serving and retired police along the lines of Military Welfare Centres.

To provide housing to all police personnel within five years.

To build new police stations and renovate all existing ones with better facilities and technological Tools.

To remodel existing police stations into child-friendly police stations across the state based on the guidelines released by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

To establish a fully equipped Cyber Police Station in each district.

To establish a seed fund of Rs 200 crores to create infrastructure in Cyber Crimes and financial investigations.
Karnataka polls: Question mark over fate of Indira Canteens as BJP promises Atal Aahara Kendras

India

oi-PTI

The BJP's promise in its manifesto that it will set up 'Atal Aahara Kendra' in each ward of every municipal corporation in Karnataka has put a question mark over the fate of the 'Indira Canteens', which the then Siddaramaiah government launched in August 2017.

The BJP national president J P Nadda released on Monday the 'Praja Pranalike' (Citizens' Manifesto) in the run-up to the May 10 Assembly elections. "We will set up an 'Atal Aahara Kendra' in every ward of every municipal corporation in the state to provide affordable, quality and healthy food across the state with special focus for delivery boys, cab, auto drivers and unorganised workers," the party said in its manifesto.

"I don't know about the Indira Canteen 'Yojana' but I know that this (Atal Aahara Kendra) is going to take care of the common man," Nadda said in response to a question on the fate of Indira Canteens.

Congress releases its manifesto for Karnataka polls

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "It is ridiculous that the BJP government is promising to open 'Atal Aahara Kendra' after vindictively shutting down 600 Indira Canteens set up by the Congress across the state during its tenure." In Bengaluru, the Indira Canteens were set up by the then Congress government in about 200 places with an investment of Rs 94 crore, according to Congress leaders. The Congress had earlier repeatedly accused the current BJP government of shutting down Indira Canteens or changing the name and making it redundant.

"Is your tummy so full that you are ignorant about poor man's hunger? Or does your party cater to only elites' appetite? We shall never tolerate any attempt to axe down Indira Canteen," Siddaramaiah had tweeted on August 28, 2019. The Congress stalwart made his fear public a month after BJP's B S Yediyurappa became the Chief Minister for a fourth time. Yediyurappa had then clarified that there were no plans to shut or rename the Indira Canteens. The Congress government launched the Indira Canteen scheme in August 2017 on the lines of 'Amma Canteen' in Tamil Nadu.

"The government had earmarked Rs 94 crore for the Indira Canteen project. We spent Rs 30 lakh on constructing each canteen in each ward of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and Rs 60 lakh on each kitchen," a senior government officer, who was part of the project, told PTI.

Karnataka election 2023: Unemployment, Poverty are major issues, finds survey

The annual recurring cost is about Rs 100 crore, which involves Rs 27 a day on each person having meals in the Indira Canteen, he explained. He said every day about three lakh people avail the food services at these Indira Canteens across Bengaluru.

According to him, the concept of 'Atal Aahara Kendra' is same as the Indira Canteens, where people get breakfast for Rs five and meals twice a day each costing Rs 10.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 10:14 [IST]
LAC row between India-China enters fourth year

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi is no mood to toe the line of the Chinese that everything along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh is normal as the stand-off enters its fourth year.

The border continues to remain unstable with tensions between the two sides high. The border row erupted in the open with a skirmish between the troops at Pinging Lake. Bilateral ties further dipped when a brutal clash took place at the Galwan Valley in which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. China maintains that the casualties on its side as four, although some reports say that the toll was much higher.

There have been several rounds of military talks that had been held since the border row began. But many issues are yet to be resolved. The last round of talks held on April 23 yielded no results.

China on the other hand has sought to build a narrative that the situation in Ladakh is generally stable and both nations should move towards normalisation of ties. During the last meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart, General Li Shangfu, it was made clear that there cannot be normal ties until there is complete disengagement along the LAC.

China however said after the meeting that the border is 'generally stable.' The Chinese defence minister also said that the two sides should place the border issue in an appropriate position and promote the transition of the border situation to the normalised management.

India however holds the position that the ties can never be normal until the border row is resolved. In recent times, China has been also upping the ante at the borders along the northeastern states. The recent clash at Tawang is an example of this.

The last known development along the LAAC was when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) pulled back troops from Patrolling Point-15 in September 2022. This was the fourth disengagement since the border row erupted in May 2020.

There has been disengagement at Galwan Valley, Gogra and Hot Springs and Pangong Lake. Despite this both sides still have over 60,000 troops each and advanced weaponry deployed in Ladakh.

The two sides are still negotiating a pull back at Depsang in Daulet Beg Old sector and Charding Nullah junction. At the last military commanders meeting, two sides only agreed on maintaining security and stability along the LAC, while continuing dialogue through both military and diplomatic channels.

During his meeting with Li, Rajnath Singh had raised the issue and pressed that the violation of the border management agreements has eroded bilateral ties. Singh also said that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in line with bilateral agreements and commitments.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 8:20 [IST]
Nationalist organisation being defamed: VHP on Cong poll manifesto promising to ban Bajrang Dal

India

oi-PTI

The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Tuesday slammed the Congress for promising to ban the Bajrang Dal in Karnataka if voted to power in the state, saying by doing so, the party has defamed a "nationalist" organisation.

Releasing its manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka assembly elections on Tuesday in Bengaluru, the Congress said it is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India (PFI), including banning them, for "spreading hatred" amongst communities on grounds of caste and religion.

In a video message, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) joint general secretary Surendra Jain said the Bajrang Dal will take the Congress' poll promise to ban it as a challenge and give a reply to the party in "democratic ways".

BJP slams Congress' Karnataka manifesto for equating Bajrang Dal to PFI

"While releasing its manifesto for the Karnataka polls, the way the Congress has compared the Bajrang Dal, a nationalist organisation, with the PFI, an infamous anti-national, terrorist and banned organisation, is unfortunate," he said.

The Bajrang Dal is the youth wing of the VHP. Every member of the Bajrang Dal is "dedicated" to serve the country and society while the entire world is aware of the activities of the PFI, Jain said.

"You cannot deceive the people of the country, (senior Congress leader) Sonia Gandhi. The way you have attempted to defame the Bajrang Dal, people of the country will not accept it. Every activist of the Bajrang Dal will take it as a challenge," he said.

"We do not dabble in politics. But you want to drag us into politics. Then, we would like to respond to you in that arena also and we will not let your wrong intentions be fulfilled," the VHP general secretary said. Hitting out at former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he also said that her party's "hidden agenda" has come out in the open with its poll promise.

"You talk about banning the Bajrang Dal and you forgot that you had opposed the ban on SIMI. People like you had staged demonstrations on streets protesting the ban on SIMI. When you are talking about a ban on Bajrang Dal, your hidden agenda has come out in open," Jain charged.

Karnataka polls: Cong promises to ban Bajrang Dal if comes to power

The Bajrang Dal and people of the country accept this challenge and "a reply will be given in all democratic ways", the VHP leader added. Hitting out at the Congress in a series of tweets, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the party which is being rejected all over the country is day dreaming of banning the Bajrang Dal.

"Comparison of PFI with Bajrang Dal...Enough of Congress drama in Karnataka. This manifesto itself will become the factor of the Congress's end," he said in one the tweets.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 15:53 [IST]
NCP battle gets interesting as Supriya Sule looks for bigger role

For Sharad Pawar it is business as usual, a day after he steps down as NCP chief

Whats cooking within the NCP? A role for both Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar on the cards?

Many in NCP with BJP: Saamna editorial explains why Pawar may have resigned

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar steps down as party chief

India

oi-Prakash KL

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that he was stepping down as the party chief.

"I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," ANI quoted Pawar as stating at an event. However, he is yet to name his successor and will form a committee to pick the next chief.

"I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Hindustan Times quoted him as saying in his address to the party workers.

#WATCH | "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," says NCP chief Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/tTiO8aCAcK  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

After he made the announcement, the party workers urged him to withdraw his decision to step down as the party chief.

#WATCH | Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar protest against his announcement to step down as the national president of NCP. pic.twitter.com/LsCV601EYs  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

According to the HT report, the committee will have Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Chhagan Bhujbal and others.

Sharad Pawar has also said that he was not retiring from active politics though he was stepping down as the NCP chief.

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Sharad Pawar resigns as chief of NCP, says he wont contest elections henceforth | Oneindia News

The visuals shared ANI show that NCP leader Jayant Patil broke down after Pawar announced that he will step down as party president.

#WATCH | NCP leader Jayant Patil breaks down after party chief Sharad Pawar announces that he will step down as party president. pic.twitter.com/nDCu9iX2OG  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

This development comes at a time when there have been frequent speculations around his nephew Ajit Pawar joining hands with the BJP.

Also, Sharad Pawar's revised version Marathi autobiography 'Lok Majhe Saangaati' is hitting the stores today.

His daughter and party MP Supriya Sule had recently said a programme on the book relaunch will be held at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in south Mumbai. The revised book includes details about Pawar's life post-2015.

A four-time Maharashtra chief minister, who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar was instrumental in stitching together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Earlier, Pawar also published his autobiography 'On My Terms' in English.
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Punjab gangster Goldy Brar wanted in Moosewala killing named in Canadas fugitive list

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Canada has placed gangster Goldy Brar, who claimed responsibility for the murder of Sidhu Moose Wala at the best of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang on the list of 25-most wanted.

An Interpol notice had been issued against Brar last year. The gangster hails from Punjab's Mukhtar. He is wanted for murder, criminal conspiracy, supply of illegal firearms and attempt to murder in India.

Brar was last year said to have moved to the US even as the Indian agencies are tracking Punjab gangsters based in Canada.

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This development comes in the wake of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the gangster-terror nexus case. The NIA has learnt that this is a well oiled mechanism which specialises in high-profile killings and smuggling of arms and drugs. The gangs have also threatened popular personalities.

The names of Brar and 25 other top criminals were announced at an event marking the fifth anniversary in Toronto, be on the lookout programme. Brar's name was taken from the Interpol red notice. The alert describes him as Satinderjeet Singh also known as Goldy Brar (29). It also says that he was born in Shri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab, is 1.75 metres tall and weighs 100 kilograms. He is one of the two non-Canadians on the list, with the other from US.

Among the crimes listed against him are murder, criminal conspiracy, supply of illegal firearms and attempt to murder.

Life-size cutouts of all 25 fugitives were displayed at the Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto. Their most wanted notices were also shown on video billboards in the same area.

CA$750,000 ( Rs 45,264,612.76) have been offered in total rewards for information leading to their arrests.

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Brar entered Canada in 2017 as a student. He is considered to be an active member of the Bishnoi gang.

Be on the lookout programme director, Max Langlois said that the initiative allows all to stand up against those who are accused of unthinkable acts of violence and are dying the rule of law by avoiding arrest.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 12:12 [IST]
For Sharad Pawar it is business as usual, a day after he steps down as NCP chief

Whats cooking within the NCP? A role for both Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar on the cards?

Many in NCP with BJP: Saamna editorial explains why Pawar may have resigned

Sharad Pawar still head of the family: Ajit Pawar

India

oi-Deepika S

Moments after Sharad Pawar stepped down from his position as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, his nephew, Ajit Pawar said, his uncle will still be the head of the family.

"Sharad Pawar himself insisted on the need for a change in guard a few days back. We all must make a decision according to time. Pawar has made his decision in the light of his age and health and he won't take it back," Ajit Pawar said.

Photo Credit:

"We are a family. Sharad Pawar will abide by the decision of the NCP committee on his resignation. We will form the committee with unanimity. But please, take back your resignation. It's a humble request," he added.

What Sharad Pawars tell-all book says: Check excerpts

"Don't worry, the next chief will be from the NCP family, be it myself or Supriya Sule," he remarked.

Sharad Pawar's decision to step down as NCP chief comes amid reports of rebellion within the party and Ajit Pawar's possible move to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

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The veteran leader made the announcement at the launch of his revised version of the autobiography which was met with protests by party workers and leaders who asked the octogenarian leader to take back his decision.

"I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party," Pawar said.

Reading between the lines: What Sharad Pawars stepping down means

"I am with you, but not as NCP chief," Sharad Pawar told his emotional workers opposing his resignation.
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'Son rise' on the horizon in Shikaripura as Vijayendra makes electoral foray

India

oi-PTI

Will it be "son rise" this time in the BJP bastion of Shikaripura in Shivamogga district?

The Vice-President of the party's state unit B Y Vijayendra is making his entry into electoral politics in the May 10 Assembly elections, from this seat vacated by his father and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

This is the first time in four decades that this high profile constituency will be going to polls without Yediyurappa in the fray.

The Congress has fielded Goni Malatesh, who lost to Yediyurappa in the previous Assembly election (2018) by over 35,000 votes while S P Nagaraja Gowda, a Congress rebel, is contesting as an independent candidate.

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While Yediyurappa secured 86,983 votes in 2018, Malatesh polled 51,586 votes.

Many Congress workers in the segment were expecting Gowda to get the ticket, but it was not to be.

There are some in Shikaripura who believe that Gowda is likely give a good fight to Vijayendra, as anti-Yeddyurappa family votes in the segment, also those upset with Congress, and looking for change, in addition to his own supporters, are bound to solidly rally behind him.

Gowda is also hoping to galvanise the support of 'Sadar Lingayat' community, which has considerable presence in Shikaripura, along with gaining the backing of the Banjara community, who are reportedly upset with the ruling BJP, after it announced internal reservations among SCs, and had even stoned Yediyurappa's Shikaripura residence during a recent protest.

"Despite not being an official candidate from any party, people have shown a lot of love and support to me. Missing the Congress ticket in a way will help me as public sympathy is in my favour and it will help my victory," Gowda said, adding that "people fed up with 40 years of BJP rule in Shikaripura are supporting me."

However, according to a section of Congress workers and those in the BJP, Gowda's presence in the fray will hamper the Congress' prospects and end up helping Vijayendra instead.

Also there was speculation in Shikaripura's political circles that Malatesh was given the Congress ticket once again, as part of "understanding politics" between political leaders of BJP and Congress, to make the road easy for Vijayendra.

Malatesh, however, pointing out that he had got 51,586 votes against BJP's tall leader like Yediyurappa in the 2018 polls, has expressed confidence about a positive result in his favour this time.

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Yediyurappa and Vijayendra, a prominent young face of the BJP in Karnataka and the former's political heir apparent, are upbeat about the prospects of the party retaining the seat.

"Party has given me an opportunity to contest from Shikaripura, I'm campaigning and interacting with people with ease. There is nothing to worry as my father and elder brother B Y Raghavendra (Shivamogga MP) have done lots of developmental work here. Also we have a strong team of 'Karayakartas' here, there is no boundary to their affection. Based on all these I will win," Vijayendra has said.

Stating that that it doesn't mean he is taking his opponents lightly, he said, "It is my first election, and taking it seriously I'm repeatedly touring the constituency and the villages here."

"This election is important for Vijayendra, not just for the sake of winning, but to shape his future as a leader within the BJP in the backdrop of generational shift taking place," a party functionary said.

The Lingayat strongman and four-time Chief Minister Yediyurappa had represented this seat eight times since 1983, and had lost once in 1999.

In 2013, Yediyurappa won as a candidate of Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) which he floated after breaking away from the BJP. He returned to the BJP in 2014.

In July last year, Yediyurappa announced that he will not be contesting the Assembly polls, and will be vacating his Shikaripura seat, where Vijayendra will be the candidate, if the high command agrees.

Though there was speculation that Vijayendra may contest from Varuna against Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the father-son duo finally decided to stick with the traditional seat of Shikaripura.

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Vijayendra was appointed as the party Vice President in July, 2020. He was named as BJP youth wing general secretary, soon after he was denied a party ticket to contest from Varuna in Mysuru district, ahead of the May 2018 Assembly polls, at the last minute.

His stakes increased in the party as he was credited by many to have played a key role in BJP's first ever victory in K R Pet and Sira Assembly segments during the by-polls held in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Ten candidates are in the fray in Shikaripura, which has a total of 1,98,808 electoral population, including 99,781 male voters.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 12:25 [IST]
Go to HC says Supreme Court as it refuses to entertain plea against 'The Kerala Story'

Stay on release of The Kerala Story sought in Kerala High Court

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

A petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court seeking a stay on the release of the film, 'The Kerala Story.'

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain an interlocutory application which sought a stay on the movie.

The movie has generated a lot of buzz and controversy since its trailer was released. The film directed by Sudipto Sen speaks about how girls are allegedly converted and sold off as sex slaves from Kerala. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders have sought a ban on the movie stating that it aims are promoting communal tensions.

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court comprising Justices N Nagaresh and Mohammed Dias said that they shall soon consider the plea. The Bench sought to know if the petitioners had approached anybody else in this regard before approaching the HC. To this the petitioner responded that the movie is set to be released on May 5 and there is no breathing time to approach anybody in this matter. We are taken aback, the petitioner also contended.

Supreme Court says it is disinclined to stop of movie 'The Kerala Story

Earlier a similar plea was mentioned before a Division Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna. The Bench however objected to the manner in which the plea was raised through an interlocutory application. The Bench said that matters cannot be filed as an interim application in an already pending case. This case involves a certification of a movie by a statutory authority, the Central Board of Film Certification, the Bench said."We cannot tag it. Why don't you move the concerned High Court first. See a board has certified it through a process," Justice Joseph said.
Go to HC says Supreme Court as it refuses to entertain plea against 'The Kerala Story'

Supreme Court refuses to stop release of movie The Kerala Story

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed disinclination to consider an interlocutory application challenging the release of the move, 'The Kerala Story.'

A Bench of Justices K M Josh and B V Nagarathna observed that challenging the release of a film through and interlocutory application is not appropriate remedy.

The application was filed in a pending writ petition which was filed seeing action against hate speech crimes. Mentioning the application, Advocate Nizam Pasha said that the movie is the worst instance of hate speech and that it was audio-visual propaganda.

The Bench however asked why the High Court was not moved and every challenge cannot start in the Supreme Court. Later on senior advocate, Kapil Sibal joined the proceedings. He said that the the trailer has already crossed 16 million views and that the movie is slated for release in multiple languages, including Hindi, Malayalam , Tami and Telugu.

Understanding radicalisation in Kerala and how seeds were sown 30 years back

The Bench however expressed its difficulty in considering the challenge made in an interlocutory application. The courts cannot interfere once the Central Board of Film Certification has certified the movie. The courts cannot intervene unless the certification is challenged in a substantiative petition.

Sibal said, " we have challenged in the IA, but it has to be in a substantiative petition. I understand that." He also added that the current recourse was adopted because of the limited time available before the release of the film. He said that he will file a substantiative petition tomorrow and seek an urgent listing by mentioning before the Chief Justice of India. He however pleaded before the Bench to have a look at the IA in the meantime.

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"You can't start everything at the Supreme Court", Justice Nagarathna said. Sibal then told the Bench that the Supreme Court had intervened in the UPSC jihad show of Sudarshan TV.

."We have an idea because we watched it on TV. We also watch TV", Justice Joseph said while questioning the method adopted by the petitioner.

If you have to get relief in a case, where you should get, I don't think this may be the forum...with the IA kind of thing, Justice Joseph said.

Sibal then said, 'yes but that's too late. Friday it is releasing. But we will do what we can.'

What is the fuss around 'The Kerala Story all about

About The Kerala Story:

The Kerala Story is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amritpal Shah. It has already attracted a lot of controversy with many political leaders seeking its ban. It speaks about how nearly 32,000 women from Kerala were converted through deceit into Islam and sold off as sex slaves to the Islamic State. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the opposition Congress in the state have come out against the movie and said that it was aimed at peddling false propaganda to create communal hatred.
The Kerala Story trailer has been tweaked to the story of three girls

The Kerala Story is largely based on the cases of Nimisha and Sonia

Why India is weary of letting the Islamic State returnees back on its soil

Understanding radicalisation in Kerala and how seeds were sown 30 years back

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Kerala Story, a movie slated for release on May 5 has already created a controversy with many leaders demanding a ban on the same.

The movie says that nearly 32,000 girls were converted to Islam and sold off as sex slaves. While there is no official count on the numbers, there are documented cases of several women joining the Islamic State in Afghanistan after being converted.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing a case which relates to 24 from Kerala joining the Islamic State in Afghanistan, which is also known as the Islamic State Afghanistan Khorsan Province.

What is the fuss around 'The Kerala Story all about

In recent years, radicalisation has been an often debated matter, especially in Kerala. The probe that was conducted into the now banned Popular Front of India and also the activities of radical Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik by the central agencies showed the extent of radicalisation that had crept into the society.

The problem of radicalisation began when the Gulf-funded Wahhabi preachers began visiting Kerala. With them came a change in the mindset of many in the state. It would be completely wrong to say that the problem of radicalisation is spread across Kerala, but yes there are pockets where it is immense, a counter-terror and counter-radicalisation expert explains to OneIndia.

To understand how old the problem is, one has to visit the Lal Singh vs State of Gujarat case of 1991.

The case relates to one Basheer a resident of Kerala, who was part of the extremist faction of the Students Islamic Movement of India. He had organised a convention in Mumbai and later on it was found that the same was done to create a liaison between the Khalistan forces and SIMI.

V Balachandran, former officer with the Research and Analysis Wing explains that Lal Singh was brought in by Pakistan, who was part of the Khalistan movement. Pakistan had wanted the SIMI to grow with a particular target on South India. Basheer had even surveyed several targets in South India, including the Madras Stock Exchange with the intention of bombing it. That however did not work out.

Balachandran said that when it comes to Kerala, the two main concerns that the agencies had found was the issue of radicalisation.

Kerala government calls for ban on The Kerala Story, not a good precedent say exhibitors

Going by the Lal Singh case, it appears as though the phenomenon is not new and the seeds of radicalisation had been sown over 30 years back.

The National Investigation Agency is probing the Kerala Islamic State case. The agency noted that all those who had left for Afghanistan are educated. During the probe the agency learnt that the brainwashing was so strong that many who did not subscribe to the view of the Islamic State finally were convinced.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 11:38 [IST]
All entities operating in India must comply with local laws: Jaishankar's curt reply to UK minister on BBC row

VP Dhankhar to attend coronation of King Charles III

India

pti-PTI

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will be visiting the UK on May 5 and 6 to attend the coronation of King Charles III on behalf of the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs announced Tuesday.

India and the UK have historic relationship and share values of democracy, rule of law and many complementarities and convergences, the ministry said in a statement.

The relationship was elevated to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021 with the adoption of Roadmap 2030 for Future Relations.

British PM Rishi Sunak to read from biblical book at King Charles III's Coronation

In 2022, President Droupadi Murmu visited London from September 17 to 19 to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and offered condolences.

In a separate statement, the vice president's office said Dhankhar will visit Assam and Manipur on a one-day tour on May 3. In Assam, he will grace the 21st convocation ceremony of Dibrugarh University as its chief guest and deliver the convocation address. In Manipur, the vice president will visit Dhanamanjuri University and Manipur University in Imphal.
For Sharad Pawar it is business as usual, a day after he steps down as NCP chief

Whats cooking within the NCP? A role for both Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar on the cards?

Many in NCP with BJP: Saamna editorial explains why Pawar may have resigned

'We are sad, disturbed: Praful Patel on Pawars resignation

India

oi-Prakash KL

Hours after NCP Chief Sharad Pawar announced that he was stepping down as the chief of the party, Praful Patel said that the prominent leaders of the party will try to persuade him.

"Even when he made the announcement, I asked him on the stage itself that 'Why didn't you consult us?', to which he replied 'If I had consulted would any of you have said yes?' When he made the announcement, everybody was left shocked," Patel told ANI.

The former Union Minister claimed that they are all "sad and disturbed" over Sharad Pawar's resignation. "But, all the prominent leaders (from the party) will go to him and will try to persuade him. We are hopeful that something positive will come out," he added.

Earlier, NCP chief Sharad Pawar announced that he was stepping down as the party chief.

"After this prolonged period of political career from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Pawar said after the launch of the second edition of his autobiography 'Lok Maze Sangati'.

However, the party workers have demanded Pawar to withdraw his resignation. Some also protested against his decision.

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Later, the NCP supremo's nephew Ajit Pawar assured the protesting workers that the prominent leaders are going to meet Sharad Pawar, and urged the workers to go back home and have some food.

"Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar) will always be the head of the NCP family. Whoever will be the new President will work only under Pawar Saheb's guidance,"

Ajit Pawar appealed to the party workers. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Sharad Pawar's decision to step down as party chief was an internal matter of the NCP.

"It is his personal decision....NCP's internal matter. I do not think it will be appropriate to talk about it at this stage. Sharad Pawar is a senior leader and deliberations are going on in his party. It will be appropriate to comment only after the situation gets clear," the BJP leader said.

with inputs from PTI
What Sharad Pawars tell-all book says: Check excerpts

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Sharad Pawar, the supremo of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) stepped down as the chief of the party after the release of his autobiography "Lok Majhe Saangaati."

In the book there has been a revelation about his nephew Ajit Pawar rebelling against him and taking oath as the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, along with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis in 2019. He also held the Congress responsible for it.

He has detailed the developments post 2019, including the coalition of the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena, which is ideologically opposite. The coalition called the Maha Vikas Aghadi formed the government after the Maharashtra assembly elections were held in 2019.

Reading between the lines: What Sharad Pawars stepping down means

Pawar in the book also shed light on Ajit Pawar in an overnight political coup backed the BJP in November 2019 and took oath as the Deputy CM without the consent of his party.

He said that he was shocked when he came to know about his nephew's decision and also his presence at Raj Bhavan. He went on to say that the BJP conspired in order to ensure that the Maha Vikas Aghadi did not form the government. He also said that he had called Uddhav Thackeray and clarified that he was not involved in this decision.

"I was shocked when I got a call on November 23 that Ajit and few NCP MLAs were at Rajbhavan and Ajit was taking oath with Fadnavis. When I made calls to a few MLAs, who were there, I got to know only 10 had reached there and one of them told me that it is happening because I have the support for this. But this was the plans of the Central BJP. I called Uddhav and told him what Ajit did was wrong and I and the NCP do not support that," Pawar also said in the book.

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Pawar however went on to blame the Congress for Ajit Pawar's decision. He said that the reason for Ajit to take the decision was because the discussions with the Congress had not been so pleasant. Due to that behaviour there were plenty of issues.

'I was shocked' when Ajit joined hands with BJP: Sharad Pawar reveals in biography

"We had taken a very soft stance, but the response by the Congress was not all that welcoming. In one meeting, even I lost my cool and I was of the opinion that there is no point in discussing anything further. It was evident from Ajit's face that he was also upset with this attitude of the Congress. I left the meeting, but I asked my other colleagues to continue with the meeting. Later I called Jayant Patil to inquire about the meeting and he had told me that even Ajit had left the meeting immediately after I did," Pawar also said.

Ajit Pawar when asked about the book said that he had not read it as yet. "I do not know what he has said. Once I read it, I will react," Ajit also said.
What the Sharad Pawar resignation may do: Will it unite the NCP?

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

There is heavy drama in the Nationalist Congress Party with its founder Sharad Pawar deciding to step down as its president. Speaking at the launch of the second edition of his autobiography, Pawar said that he began his career in 1960. "Yesterday we celebrated May Day. After this prolonged political career, one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy," he said.

He further recommended that a committee of senior NCP leaders would decide on the further course of action. The committee he said would comprise, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, P C Chacko, Narhari Zirwal, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujabl, Dilip walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Jaydev Gaikwad and chiefs of party frontal cells."

The move comes amidst reports of Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar trying to move out of the party. A group of his supporters had put up posters projecting him as the next chief minister of Maharashtra. NCP leader Jayant Patil too had said that the next chief minister would be from their party.

The move by the senior Pawar also comes in the wake of Ajit Pawar's supporters putting up hoardings in several cities declaring him as the future CM. Ajit Pawar too had said in a recent interview that he would like to become CM.

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NCP supremo Sharad Pawar steps down as party chief

Analysts say that the fact that the senior Pawar would step down was inevitable. There is a leadership change that it needed in the party. Moreover this could also be a move by Sharad Pawar to prevent any split in the party. Looking at how things have been evolving, it became clear that Ajit Pawar would have broken away from the party as he has larger ambitions and he has displayed that he has a good number of supporters. Sharad Pawar quitting as president, changes the equation and builds up a sympathy factor, the analyst tells OneIndia.

In the aftermath of him stepping down as the president of the party, there are already protests and emotional appeals that are being made for him to reconsider his decision. The analyst cited above also says that the decision could change things for Ajit Pawar and his supporters may return to the senior Pawar's fold. Overall interesting days ahead in Maharashtra and there is plenty of drama left in Maharashtra. To put it in a nutshell, the resignation of Pawar as party president may end up uniting the party. Ajit Pawar on the other hand who was present at the event said that the panel would now decide on who the next chief would be.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 14:25 [IST]
US could run short of cash by June 1; Biden calls meet on debt ceiling

International

oi-Deepika S

United States President Joe Biden has called the top four congressional leaders to a meeting May 9 at the White House to discuss how to avert a debt default, according to a White House official.

The meeting comes after US Secretary of the Treasury Janet L Yellen issued a stark warning that the US government could run out of money to pay its obligations as soon as June 1.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders, Janet Yellen stated "After reviewing recent federal tax receipts, our best estimate is that we will be unable to continue to satisfy all of the government's obligations by early June, and potentially as early as June 1, if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt limit before that time. This estimate is based on currently available data, as federal receipts and outlays are inherently variable, and the actual date that Treasury exhausts extraordinary measures could be a number of weeks later than these estimates."

"It is impossible to predict with certainty the exact date when the Treasury will be unable to pay the government's bills, and I will continue to update Congress in the coming weeks as more information becomes available. Given the current projections, it is imperative that Congress act as soon as possible to increase or suspend the debt limit in a way that provides longer-term certainty that the government will continue to make its payments," the statement said.

"Additionally, Treasury is suspending the issuance of State and Local Government Series (SLGS) Treasury securities. SLGS are special-purpose Treasury securities issued to states and municipalities to help them comply with certain tax rules. When Treasury issues SLGS, they count against the debt limit. Treasury will take this action to manage the risks associated with the debt limit, but it is not without costs, as it will deprive state and local governments of an important tool to manage their finances," it added.

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"We have learned from past debt limit impasses that waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States," the statement further said.

"If Congress fails to increase the debt limit, it would cause severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position, and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests," it added.

Janet Yellen urged Congress to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 17:09 [IST]
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Egypt is running three additional daily trains to transport people fleeing violence in Sudan from Aswan city in the south to the capital, Cairo.

The three trains leave Aswan at 8pm, 10:30pm and 7:25pm and arrive in Cairo at 8:15am, 11:15am and 7:40am respectively, the Ministry of Transport said in a statement.

The ministry is also running two additional train trips from Cairo to Aswan. The first leaves at 9:50pm and arrives at 10:05am, while the second leaves at 10:40pm and arrives at 12:00pm.

This aims to facilitate the transport of the large number of people fleeing Sudan from Upper Egypt to Cairo, the ministry stated.

In the last two weeks, thousands of foreign nationals, including thousands of Sudanese, have crossed the Sudan-Egypt borders fleeing violence in the country.

In tandem, Egypt has been implementing a plan to evacuate Egyptians from the country.

Close to 7,000 Egyptians, out of a total of 10,000 who were in Sudan before the outbreak of violence in the country, have been evacuated from so far.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Egyptians who are still in Sudan to head to the evacuation points at the Egyptian Consulate General in Port Sudan, or the Arqeen or Qustul border crossings.

The ministry also announced on Saturday that they had stopped the evacuation operations from the Wadi Seidna base due to security reasons, urging Egyptians in the base to leave it as soon as possible.

The crisis room at the ministry ministry is receiving calls from citizens at home and abroad around the clock on the following numbers:

01281943533 - 01283176900 - 01281943599 - 01283176913 - 01283176857 - 01283176881 - 01283176903 - 01283176894 - 01281943990 - 01283176866.

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The UK has evacuated 2,197 people to safety from war-torn Sudan, making it the longest and largest airlift by any of the Western nations during the crisis, the Foreign Office has said.
The UN refugee agency warned that bloodshed in Sudan could cause 800,000 people to leave for neighboring countries. Meanwhile, clashes in Khartoum have undermined an extended truce. DW has the latest.
Newsy 02 May 2023

ViewFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Monday that would allow people convicted of raping children under age 12 to..
During a meeting with Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, US President Joe Biden reiterated his support for Manila's security. China has angered the Philippines by harassing its vessels at sea.
Oneindia 30 Apr 2023

As countries wind down mass evacuations of their nationals from war-torn Sudan and the White House warns time is running out, the..
During his trip to Ethiopia and Kenya, the German chancellor will focus on reaffirming strategic alliances in the region. At the..

Deutsche Welle 02 May 2023
During his trip to Ethiopia and Kenya, the German chancellor will focus on reaffirming strategic alliances in the region. At the same time, the Sudan crisis is likely to dominate the talks.
After House Republicans narrowly approved a plan to lift the debt ceiling the ball is definitely in President Biden's court ahead of negotiations happening on May 9th.
Upworthy 04 May 2023

Congress is working against the clock to prevent the catastrophe that would be caused if the U.S. goes into default and cant pay..
Moves to check Beijing's aggressive expansion into the trade routes and strategic islands of the South China Sea will headline talks Monday between President Joe Biden and his Philippines counterpart Ferdinand Marcos at the White House.

Marcos is on a four-day trip that follows last week's state visit to Washington by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and a White House meeting in January between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"It is clear that we're in a deeply consequential period in terms of our Indo-Pacific engagements," a senior US official told reporters ahead of Marcos's arrival.

"It's really the first kind of meeting at this level and intensity between United States and the Philippines in decades," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Alarm bells are ringing for Washington and its Asian allies as China moves ever more confidently to assert claims to sovereignty over almost the whole South China Sea, ignoring an international ruling that this has no legal basis.

The tension, combined with constant saber rattling over Taiwan, the democratically run island that Beijing claims but Washington vows to help defend -- has prompted the Biden administration to rapidly bolster its military capabilities.

The Philippines, which lies close to key sea lanes and Taiwan, is of particular interest.

Marcos signaled as he left for Washington that he is wary of being caught between the superpowers, telling reporters: "We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action."

However, this month, the Philippines identified four military bases, in addition to five existing sites, where US forces will be given access, including one located near the tense Spratly Islands.

The two allies also carried out their largest-ever military maneuvers in recent weeks.

That has alarmed China, which accuses Washington of trying to drive a wedge between Beijing and Manila.

In a reminder of how diplomatic tensions can quickly echo in the real world, a Chinese ship on April 23 narrowly missed colliding with a much smaller Philippine Coast Guard vessel in the Spratly Islands.

The focus of talks between Biden and Yoon last week was on another regional flashpoint: nuclear-armed, communist North Korea.

Expressing disappointment that China has not done more to rein in North Korea, US officials announced that a US nuclear submarine would make a visit to South Korea soon, the first in decades.

During Kishida's visit, Biden also underlined the US treaty commitment to defend Japan. Tokyo is meanwhile on a shopping spree to buy an arsenal of US-made Tomahawk missiles.

The senior official briefing journalists ahead of Marcos's visit said Manila is likewise "looking for reassurance and a strong desire to maintain peace and stability in this complex period."

"Recent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary steps to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between the United States and the Philippines."

Although giving few details, the official said new "bilateral defense guidelines" would see "a series of steps to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization."

In an acknowledgement of Philippine sensitivities about the US troop presence, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that the sites slated to be used by the United States remain part of the Filipino military and "every single step of the way will be done in complete coordination."

"It's about our ability to be better allies to one another and meet our commitments to each other," he said.

The shifting geostrategic situation in the Asia-Pacific region will be a major topic when Biden visits Japan for a G7 meeting later in the month.

The US official said Biden would also meet separately during that trip in a trilateral format with the leaders of Japan and South Korea. He then heads to Australia for a session of the Quad group: Australia, India, Japan and the United States.

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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., are investigating whether various environmental activist groups coordinated with the Biden administration to ban gas stoves.
The U.S. State Department ignored a third subpoena from House Republicans demanding access to documents relating to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
A Republican congressman is spearheading an effort to restrict the Biden administration's ability to contribute billions of dollars to a United Nations' green fund.
Ohio GOP lawmakers are asking voters to raise the threshold for passing future constitutional amendments. Former attorney generals of both parties joined the opposition of the plan.
CIA director William Burns met with Jeffrey Epstein twice in 2014, and President Biden's White house declined to comment on the issue on Tuesday.
Newsy 04 May 2023

ViewThere is broad agreement among lawmakers and experts that the U.S. is about to experience a surge in migrants. Barring a..
Saudi Arabia is in the midst of one of the most significant shifts in regional alliances in decades. Until now, the kingdom maintained close relations with the US and Western nations, while also forging close ties with Sunni states, including, in particular, the Gulf States. Starting in 2011 with the Syrian civil war, the...
A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to local media.

The victim, Charles Engola, served in the government of President Yoweri Museveni as the junior minister in charge of labor. He was a retired army colonel.

The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then shot himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.

The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Police detectives are now at the crime scene.

The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages.

Witnesses claim that the soldier was yelling that he had not been paid for a long time despite working for a minister, the online newspaper NilePost reported.

The incident is likely to send shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years.

In 2021, a former army chief in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala.

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India and China, the worlds two most populous nations with over 1.4 billion people each, are expected to be outranked by sub-Saharan Africa in the 2030s.



A new analysis by the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau (PRB) released last week indicates that while Indias population will soon eclipse Chinas, its...
More than 500 people have been killed and 4,000 injured since fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15.



Groups such as the Sudan Doctors Union are worried the fighting could escalate after the evacuation of foreign nationals. Thousands have already...
Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, who was affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, has died in an Israeli prison after almost three months on hunger strike, Israeli prison officials have said.
The Pope is getting involved in widespread efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. But while the experts agree the time has come for some back-channel diplomacy, any peace talks have to start
ViewThe U.S. Department of Defense is sending 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to support an expected migrant surge as Title 42 comes to an end.



Title 42, which was put forth by former President Donald Trump and continued through the Biden Administration, is set to expire on May 11. It allowed the U.S. to turn...
Rumble 02 May 2023

Australia moves to drastically curtail vaping among teenagers and young people with its new federal budget, due to be released next..
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"Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August, 2018)

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On April 28, 2023 I published my most recent OpEdNews column, "The Current Israeli Constitutional Crisis: What it is Really About." It dealt in part with the definition of "what an Israeli citizen is" that is contained in the Israeli Declaration of Independence. (Israel does not have a constitution.) Shortly thereafter, on a listserv of which I am a member, I received a posting of a column written by the left-of-center Israeli journalist Gershon Baskin. It was published in The Jerusalem Post on April 30, 2023. I found it quite remarkable in that it concerned the formation of a new Israeli political party (and Israel does not lack for political parties[!]) called "All of its Citizens." A significant section of the announcement of the new party quoted below (in italics) focuses on the clause in the Declaration that I had discussed in my previous column. Here is an extensive excerpt from Mr. Baskin's column.

"The success of the public uprising against the so-called judicial reforms [of the present government] cannot be considered complete if Israel simply returns to the status quo prior to the last elections. Israel was not a true democracy [even] before this government was formed and began to dismantle the basic contours of democracy [which are]: The independence of the judiciary; the separation of powers; checks and balances on powers of the government; the ability of the legislature to oversee the government; the freedom of the press; the protection of the rights of minorities; free speech; freedom to organize; and the most fundamental - equality of all of the citizens.

"Israel, before the forming of our current government, had only two independent branches of government - the executive and the judicial. The legislative branch of Israel's government ceased to be independent long ago and unlike the US Congress, the Knesset has no real ability to oversee the work of the executive branch. . . . .

"But, more important than all of the above, Israel, the so-called Jewish democratic state was, in reality - as MK Ahmad Tibi [Member of the Knesset] so aptly defined it - democratic for Jews and Jewish for Arabs. There has never been genuine equality between the Jewish and Arab citizens of the State of Israel and there is no law guaranteeing the equality of all Israelis. . . .

"ISRAEL'S DECLARATION of Independence, which so many people in the protest movements are referring to, can certainly be seen as a declaration of intent and values by the nation's founders. That document clearly stated that they believed the Jewish people deserved to have a Jewish nation-state. But they also made very clear statements about the democratic nature of the state.

"It said [italics added, for this one and the next three paragraphs]: 'The State of Israel will focus on the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants: It will be founded on the foundations of freedom, justice and peace in the light of the vision of the prophets of Israel; maintain full equality of social and political rights for all its citizens without distinction of religion, race and gender; guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; protect the holy places of all religions; and be faithful to the principles of the United Nations Charter. . . .' . . . .

"In its founding document, the new Party says that: '[We make a] Commitment to the enactment of a civil and democratic constitution that will preserve the rights of every citizen, and the rights of every community, regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or any other difference. We commit to an uncompromising fight against violence and against all those who seek to deny or eliminate the rights and freedoms of the other.

" 'We believe that only such a foundation can put an end to the reality of inequality and resulting "Jewish national superiority." Together we will make Israel a country which is a democracy that belongs to all its citizens and to all its communities, a healthy and prosperous society which respects every individual and every community, [with a] commitment to the enactment of a civil and democratic constitution that will preserve the rights of every citizen, and the rights of every community, regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or any other difference. We commit to an uncompromising fight against violence and against all those who seek to deny or eliminate the rights and freedoms of the other.'

"The new party has not made a determination yet on the best solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it does state: 'Uncompromising commitment to ending the occupation, to sustainable peace and for a just political settlement agreed upon by the two national communities. The peace arrangements will be based on human rights, on full equality for every person and every community between the Jordan and the sea.' " [End of the lengthy excerpt from Mr. Baskin's column .]

I think that it is quite remarkable that finally there is a political party that traces its roots and reason-for-being back to that statement in the Declaration. On the 50th Anniversary of Israel's founding, in 1997, I received a copy of the Declaration, in Hebrew, which had been produced by The New Israel Fund, Washington, D.C. I had first been referred to the Declaration some years earlier by my father, Prof. Harold J. Jonas. As it happened, Dad had played a role in the mostly unsuccessful attempted rescues of Jews from Europe in the 1930's. Of course, it was the emigration of the survivors of the Holocaust in Europe to Palestine after the war that was a central factor leading to the founding of the State of Israel.

As it also happens, the 50th Anniv. New Israel Fund printed-in-color reproduction of the Declaration has only one section translated into English. It is the one, quoted above that defines "who is an Israeli." That indeed is how the existence of that clause first came to my notice. The document, in a frame, hangs of the wall of my study. I am just thrilled with the formation of this new Party, grounded as it is in that most important part of the Declaration.

(Article changed on May 02, 2023 at 11:45 AM EDT)

(Article changed on May 02, 2023 at 6:54 PM EDT)


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Over the weekend US railway union (RWU) leader Matthew Weaver was interviewed by independent American journalist Bradley Blankenship whereby Weaver challenged President Joe Biden's boast he's the "most pro-union president in American history". [1]

Now the RWU was about to call for a national strike in December. A strike which would have had a direct impact on supply chain operations throughout the country.

So supply chain shippers lobbied Congress saying a national strike would wreck the economy of America. Thus Congress stepped in at the 11th hour enacted a bill which Biden signed and as Weaver put it, "The bill passed in December basically outlawed the looming strike, dealing a major blow to rail workers".

Considering the impact the strike would have had maybe preventing it was necessary.

But why had the situation gotten to the point where this critical union was about to cause major havoc in supply chain operations all over the country?

That's because union workers concerns had long been ignored. They were required to be on call 24/7, had no paid sick leave, and with mandatory overtime they couldn't make doctor's appointments or take care of their children. Weaver also acknowledged "though two man crews are standard for cross country trains, national regulators have refused to ban one-man crews leaving the decision to individual states and companies".

So the RWU had legitimate grievances which weren't being addressed.

In the last part of the interview Weaver said, "Shippers lobbied Congress "to impose the contract they said would wreck the American economy" yet "it's very frustrating to see the power of money versus people in the American economy".

Weavers frustration finally overflowed with him saying, "It seems like it's profit over people in America, in the rail industry. It's all about the profit margins, dividends and the shareholders and not how the public or rail labor are affected".

It's quite understandable Weaver singled out his rail workers when it comes to "profit over people in America".

But really profit over people is standard operating procedure in just about every significant industry in America.

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Much of the southern half of the world is a nuclear-free zone. But what if you live in the northern half and under a national government that adores militarism and couldn't possibly care less what you think?

Well, you can make your town or county or city a nuclear-free zone.

Tom Charles of Veterans For Peace, Chapter #35, in Spokane, Washington reports:

"On Nov. 7, 2022, our City Council passed an Ordinance that made our city nuclear-free and prevented our city from doing business with the nuclear weapons industry. That Ordinance became official on Dec. 21, 2022. We worked with our City Council members, and this Ordinance was a three-year effort. Our City Council President, a lawyer named Breean Beggs, wrote the Ordinance and it has passed legal muster. We are hoping to share copies of our Ordinance with any other cities or entities, whether here or abroad, interested in similar goals. Our hope is that if enough of us pass similar legislation, it will send a strong message to our federal and state governments that we demand action in the effort to rid our world of nuclear weapons. As a result, we would appreciate advertisement of our Ordinance in any appropriate publications that you have at your disposal."

ORDINANCE SPOKANE NUCLEAR WEAPONS FREE ZONE OCTOBER 24 2022 First Reading

ORDINANCE NO. C-36299

An ordinance establishing the City of Spokane as a zone free of nuclear armaments; enacting a new chapter 18.09 of the Spokane Municipal Code.

WHEREAS, the nuclear arms race has been accelerating for more than three-quarters of a century, draining the world's resources and presenting humanity with the ever-mounting threat of nuclear holocaust; and

WHEREAS, there is no adequate method to protect Spokane residents in the event of nuclear war; and

WHEREAS, nuclear war threatens to destroy most higher life forms on this planet; and

WHEREAS, the use of resources for new nuclear weapons prevents these resources from being used for other human needs, including jobs, housing, education, health care, public transportation and services for youth, the elderly and the disabled; and

WHEREAS, the United States already has a sufficient stockpile of nuclear weapons to defend itself and destroy the world several times over; and

WHEREAS, the United States, as a leading producer of nuclear weapons, should take the lead in the process of global slowdown of the arms race and the negotiated

elimination of the threat of impending holocaust; and

WHEREAS, an emphatic expression of the feelings on the part of private residents and local governments can help initiate such steps by the United States and the other

nuclear weapons powers; and

WHEREAS, Spokane is on record in support of a bilateral nuclear weapons freeze and has expressed its opposition to civil-defense crisis relocation planning for nuclear war; and

WHEREAS, Fairchild Air Force Base no longer utilizes nuclear weapons in its mission of protecting our community; and

WHEREAS, the failure of governments of nuclear nations to adequately reduce or eliminate the risk of ultimately destructive nuclear attack requires that the people

themselves, and their local representatives, take action; and

WHEREAS, the production of nuclear energy creates highly radioactive nuclear waste whose transportation by rail or vehicle through the City can create substantial risk to the public safety and welfare of the City.

NOW THEREFORE, the City of Spokane does ordain:

Section 1. That there is enacted a new chapter 18.09 of the Spokane Municipal Code to read as follows:



Section 18.09.010 Purpose

The purpose of this title is to establish the City of Spokane as a zone free of nuclear weapons, prohibiting work on nuclear weapons and limiting harmful exposure to high-

level nuclear waste within City limits. Residents and representatives are urged to redirect resources previously used for the production of nuclear weapons towards

endeavors which promote and enhance life, including economic development, childcare, housing, schools, health care, emergency services, public transportation, energy

conservation, small business support and jobs.





Section 18.09.040 Investment of City Funds

The City Council shall consider a socially responsible investment policy, specifically addressing any investments the City may have or may plan to have in industries and

institutions which are knowingly and intentionally engaged in the production of nuclear weapons.

Section 18.09.050 Eligibility for City Contracts

A. The City and its officials, employees or agents shall not knowingly or intentionally grant any award, contract, or purchase order, directly or indirectly, to any nuclear

weapons producer.

B. The City and its officials, employees or agents shall not knowingly or intentionally grant any award, contract or purchase order, directly or indirectly, to purchase or

lease products produced by a nuclear weapons producer.

C. The recipient of a City contract, award or purchase order shall certify to the City Clerk by a notarized statement that it is not knowingly or intentionally a nuclear

weapons producer.

D. The City shall phase out the use of any products of a nuclear weapons producer which it owns or possesses. Insofar as nonnuclear alternatives are not available, for the purpose of maintaining a product during its normal useful life and for the purpose of purchasing or leasing replacement parts, supplies and services for such products, subsections (A) and (B) of this section shall not apply.

E. The City shall identify a source annually that maintains a list of nuclear weapons producers to guide the City, its officials, employees and agents in the implementation of subsections (A) through (C) of this section. The list shall not preclude application or enforcement of these provisions to or against any other nuclear weapons producer.

F. Waivers.

1. The provisions of subsections (A) and (B) of this section may be waived by resolution passed by a majority vote of the City Council; provided that:

i. After a diligent good-faith search, it is determined that a necessary good or service cannot reasonably be obtained from any source other than a nuclear weapons producer;

ii. A resolution to consider a waiver be on file with the City Clerk under the normal timing as laid out in Council's Rules and shall not be added by a suspension of those Rules.

2. The reasonableness of an alternative source shall be determined upon the consideration of the following factors:

i. The intent and purpose of this chapter;

ii. Documented evidence establishing that the necessary good or service is vital to the health or safety of the residents or employees of the City, with the understanding that the absence of such evidence shall diminish the necessity for waiver;

iii. The recommendations of the Mayor and/or City Administrator;

iv. The availability of goods or services from a non-nuclear-weapons producer reasonably meeting the specification or requirements of the necessary good or service;

v. Quantifiable substantial additional costs that would result from the use of a good or service of a non-nuclear-weapons producer; provided, that this factor shall not become the sole consideration.

Section 18.09.060 Exclusions

A. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or regulate the research and application of nuclear medicine or the use of fissionable materials for smoke detectors, light-emitting watches and clocks and other applications where the purpose is unrelated to the production of nuclear weapons. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to infringe upon the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution nor upon the power of Congress to provide for the common defense.

B. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted, construed or applied to prevent the City Council, Mayor or the City Administrator or their designee from acting to remedy, ameliorate or prevent an emergency situation presenting a clear and present danger to the public health, safety and general welfare, as defined in Chapter 2.04 of the Spokane Municipal Code; provided, that should any such emergency situation require the purchase of products or services from or entry into a contract with a nuclear weapons producer then the Mayor or City Administrator shall notify the City Council within three working days of the City's actions.

C. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted, construed, or applied to supersede or bypass any procurement regulations, whether those regulations are legislative or administratively promulgated; provided, however, that no procurement regulations pertaining to the granting of any award, contract or purchase order shall alter or abrogate the intent or requirements of this chapter.



Section 18.09.070 Violations and Penalties

A. Any violation of this chapter shall be a Class 1 Civil Infraction.

B. Without limitation or election against any other available remedy, the City or any of its residents may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an injunction enjoining any violation of this chapter. The court shall award attorney's fees and costs to any party who succeeds in obtaining an injunction hereunder.

PASSED by the City Council on ____.

Council President

Attest: Approved as to form:

City Clerk Assistant City Attorney

Mayor Date
The world population is now over 8 billion, about 20 times greater than a thousand years ago and probably inconceivable at the time. In 2022, there were 134 million newborns and 67 million deaths, a ratio of 2 to 1.



Given the substantial advances in medical care particularly in immunization, child mortality has declined but nature hasn't quite caught up. There are all kinds of estimates as to where our population is headed but we certainly do not want it to grow as it did in the past millennium.

One of the consequences of this human population growth is the use of fossil fuels. Bear in mind that at an individual level in rural areas of the developing world (think of India for example) there is no other choice. The subsequent global warming is evidenced by surprising temperatures in many places.

Spain is now hitting 40C (104F) as early as Spring, and most of Europe is bracing itself for a heat wave. Worse, dry weather, high temperatures and a blowing hot wind increases the chances of wildfires. Meteorologists identify the cause of all this as the hot air coming from Africa -- and the hot air from Africa?



That is not all for the suffering Iberian Peninsula. In December 2022, a couple of severe weather events triggered flooding, affecting even the capital cities of Lisbon and Madrid, It destroyed houses and roads, flooded vehicular tunnels and even parts of Lisbon airport. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere recorded 82.3 mm (3.24 inches) in 24 hours on December 7th.

A second storm brought more wind and heavy rain to sections of both Spain and Portugal. The weather station at Tapada da Ajuda in Lisbon recorded 65.6 mm (2.6 inches) of rain in 3 hours early in the morning of December 13th. In Madrid, metro services were suspended after tracks and a number of stations were flooded.

Such severe weather incidents are not limited to Portugal and Spain. Brazil was hit by torrential rain in the third week of February 2023. It devastated coastal areas in southeast Brazil leading to the cancellation of many carnival activities there. Major cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro were impacted. A total of 54 people lost their lives in an event that poured over 600 mm (23.6 inches) of rain over the course of a day.



Another consequence of population growth is what became known in early 20th century Germany as 'lebensraum' or living space. Too many people, and the difficulty in earning enough to survive or growing enough on a plot of land for an expanding family, leads to migration.

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Japanese automotive giant Toyota Tsusho has unveiled its strategy to revive the automotive industry in Africa by establishing two localised factories within the continent, with Egypt as one of the preferred countries to host one factory, said former chairman of the Japanese company Jun Karube on Tuesday.

This came during a meeting between the President of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Hossam Heiba and Karube, who is also the head of the Japanese side of the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council, according to a GAFI statement.

Karube, who currently serves as a senior executive advisor and is the former President and CEO of Toyota Tsusho, spoke on behalf of the company during the meeting, which was attended by several high-ranking officials.

The company will establish two factories within the continent each with a production capacity of 100,000 cars annually, in addition to its factories in several African countries, Karube announced, citing Egypt's availability of automobile feeding factories, qualified manpower, and efficiency of the investment environment as reasons to establish a factory here.

According to the statement, Heiba emphasised Egypt's interest in attracting new Japanese investments and highlighted Japan's distinguished role in sustainable development and the transfer of technology to Egypt's market.

This year will see a focus on the Japanese market, with the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council scheduled for August, and a promotional visit to Japan to attract investment in Egypt to be organised in September, Heiba said in the statement.

In the same month, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will organise a visit to Cairo by a delegation of Japanese businessmen to promote trade and investment between the two countries.

This development follows Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's three-day visit to Cairo, where President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi encouraged Japanese companies to invest more in Egypt.

According to a recent report by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), Japanese investments in Egypt reached $73.7 million (EGP 2,277,433,180) during FY2021/22, up from $37.1 million (EGP 1.146 billion) the previous year, an increase of 98.7 percent.

The two sides discussed the latest developments in the investment environment in Egypt, including the establishment of the Golden License, where the cabinet grants licenses to companies within only 20 days.

They also discussed tax incentives available for new investments and the various investment systems in Egypt, such as the general and special free zones aimed at increasing exports to foreign markets, investment areas aimed at replacing imports in the local market, technological zones, and economic zones such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

Heiba also proposed the idea of a sustainable partnership between Japan and Egypt to penetrate the African market, leveraging Japan's technological, investment, and export capabilities, as well as Egypt's expertise in developing African infrastructure.

In 2022, the National Strategy for the Development of the Automotive Industry was launched and it succeeded in attracting several companies already operating in the automotive component industry, including the Japanese company Sumitomo, which specialises in manufacturing automotive braids.

Late last year, Japanese car braiding giant Sumitomo-Egypt announced the construction of its largest factory in Egypt in 10 Ramadan City, with investments estimated at $100 million (EGP 3,095,040,000).

The new factory aims to export 100 per cent of the production and will begin the export process before the end of 2023.

Additionally, Japanese auto components manufacturer Yazaki Europe Limited announced at the time that it will begin building a factory for the manufacture of electrical systems for cars in the Fayoum governorate on an area of 60,000 square metres, with an initial investment estimated at 20 million euros (EGP 678,060,000).

The production process is expected to start in December 2024.

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This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

I doubt I ever feel older or more passe' than when I'm out in my city "" New York "" and I still put on a mask before stepping onto a bus, going into the subway, or entering a store. Increasingly, I find myself alone in a world of the unmasked with the exception of a few other ancient types like me. Once upon a time, I could look online at the Guardian or the New York Times and I wouldn't be able to avoid the latest devastating numbers on Covid-19. Now, I can read and read and read and never notice a thing.

In fact, the Times did have daily figures until March 23rd when, noting that data on the pandemic from state and local health officials was fast disappearing, it added: "After more than three years of daily reporting of coronavirus data in the United States, the New York Times is ending its Covid-19 data-gathering operation. The Times will continue to publish virus data from the federal government weekly on a new set of tracking pages, but this page will no longer be updated." Still, if you do look at those weekly figures, there were 94,000 weekly cases reported in this country and "" yes "" 1,160 weekly deaths as of the moment I wrote this introduction. It's true that, at least for now, those numbers continue to decline, adding ever fewer Americans to the "" hold your breath for a moment "" 1,123,836 deaths the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported on March 10th of this year when it, too, stopped collecting data.

And yes, there is indeed a new Covid booster (which I plan to get) for older adults and the immunocompromised, but I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that ever fewer Americans are even bothering. Of course, since Donald Trump and crew made the pandemic into a deeply divisive issue, for many of us, including significant numbers who died, not boosting or masking was part of our politics, not our health. Grimmer yet, the figures do show that Republicans died of Covid at a significantly higher rate than Democrats.

So, today, I felt a certain kinship with TomDispatch regular and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign Liz Theoharis when she reminded us of the devastation the pandemic brought our way and the even more devastating urge now to cancel what was done in the midst of its horror to help the poor. One thing should be clear from her piece today: however the Covid crisis ends, our crisis will certainly continue. Tom

The Pandemic Portal View

Lessons for Moral Standard-Bearers in a Sick Society

By Liz Theoharis

"In order to fully recover, we must first recover the society that has made us sick."

I can still hear those prophetic words, now a quarter-century old, echoing through the Church Center of the United Nations. At the podium was David, a leader with New Jerusalem Laura, a residential drug recovery program in North Philadelphia that was free and accessible to people, no matter their insurance and income status. It was June 1998 and hundreds of poor and low-income people had gathered for the culminating event of the "New Freedom Bus Tour: Freedom from Unemployment, Hunger, and Homelessness," a month-long, cross-country organizing event led by welfare rights activists. Two years earlier, President Bill Clinton had signed welfare "reform" into law, gutting life-saving protections and delivering a punishing blow to millions of Americans who depended on them.

That line of David's has stuck with me over all these years. He was acutely aware of how one's own health "" whether from illness, addiction, or the emotional wear and tear of life "" is inextricably connected to larger issues of systemic injustice and inequality. After years on the frontlines of addiction prevention and treatment, he also understood that personal recovery can only happen en masse in a society willing to deal with the deeper malady of poverty and racism. This month, his words have been on my mind again as I've grieved over the death of Reverend Paul Chapman, a friend and mentor who was with me at that gathering in 1998. The issue of "recovery" has, in fact, been much on my mind as the Biden administration prepares to announce the official end of the public-health emergency that accompanied the first three years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For our society, that decision is more than just a psychological turning of the page. Even though new daily cases continue to number in the thousands nationally, free testing will no longer be available for many, and other pandemic-era public-health measures "" including broader access to medication for opioid addiction "" will also soon come to an end. Worse yet, a host of temporary health and nutrition protections are now on the chopping block, too (and given the debate on the debt ceiling in Congress, the need for such programs is particularly dire).

When the pandemic first hit, the federal government temporarily banned any Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cuts, mandating that states offer continuous coverage. As a result, enrollment in both swelled, as many people in need of health insurance found at least some coverage. But that ban just expired and tens of millions of adults and children are now at risk of losing access to those programs over the next year. Many of them also just lost access to critically important Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, as pandemic-era expansions of that program were cut last month.

Of course, the announced "end' of the public-health emergency doesn't mean the pandemic is really over. Thousands of people are still dying from it, while 20% of those who had it are experiencing some form of long Covid and many elderly and immunocompromised Americans continue to feel unsafe. Nor, by the way, does that announcement diminish a longer-term, slow-burning public health crisis in this country.

Early in the pandemic, Reverend William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, warned that the virus was exploiting deeply entrenched fissures in our society. Before the pandemic, there had already been all too many preconditions for a future health calamity: in 2020, for instance, there were 140 million people too poor to afford a $400 emergency, nearly 10 million people homeless or on the brink of homelessness, and 87 million underinsured or uninsured.

Last year, the Poor People's Campaign commissioned a study on the connections between Covid-19, poverty, and race. Sadly, researchers found the fact that all too many Americans refused to be vaccinated did not alone explain why this country had the highest pandemic death toll in the world. The lack of affordable and accessible health care contributed significantly to the mortality rate. The study concluded that, despite early claims that Covid-19 could be a "great equalizer," it's distinctly proven to be a "poor people's pandemic" with two to five times as many inhabitants of poor counties dying of it in 2020 and 2021 as in wealthy ones.

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Seven months have elapsed and poor Afghans are still starving, having little or no food to survive on including during the harsh winter months. This comes at a time when the Afghan government fell to the hands of the Taliban last year at the end of August 2021. According to Melad Ahmadzai said that Afghanistan is facing a humanitarian delay from nonprofit organizations with funding for programmes. Ahmadzai says, "I believe nonprofit 
El Cajon, CA - Living in San Diego means trying to survive the oppressive heat blowing through California. Fortunately, Maximum Comfort Heating & AC Repair is geared up to ensure that a home's air conditioning system is working effectively - and energy bills are permanently kept on low. The family-owned company prides itself in offering solutions fit to meet clients' needs and never overcharge or oversell something that is not 
Exercise equipment company Nautilus said Tuesday that it had sold rights to the Nautilus brand. Its an extreme measure meant to shore up the Vancouver companys cash position.

Nautilus said it used the $13 million it received from selling the Nautilus name and other non-core assets to advance an ongoing effort to shore up its balance sheet and pay down its debts. Nautilus laid off 15% of its staff in February, approximately 80 jobs.

The company said it now has $19 million in cash and $18 million in loans. At the end of last year, Nautilus had just $16 million in cash and $61 million in debt.

Nautilus employs 417, 260 of them assigned to the corporate office in Vancouver. The company also owns three other fitness brands -- Bowflex, Schwinn and JRNY -- and Nautilus announced in 2021 it would focus on those three product lines as part of a new strategic plan.

Its sales soared during the pandemic as gyms closed and people rushed to buy home exercise equipment, purchases often funded by federal stimulus dollars. As gyms reopened, though, and the federal spigot shut off, Nautilus and other companies that thrived during the stay-at-home era have struggled.

Nautilus said Tuesday its sales fell by more than half last year, from $589.5 million to $286.8 million. The company said it lost $107.5 million last year, compared to a loss of $22.2 million the prior year. Nautilus last reported an annual profit in 2020, when it recorded net income of $59.8 million.

With its market position and finances eroding, Nautilus announced last September that it was reviewing strategic alternatives for the business, including a possible sale. Nautilus said Tuesday that its strategic review is continuing.

Nautilus shares, which rose above $30 in 2021, were trading at $1.32 Tuesday morning, up 0.8%. The company has a market value of about $42 million.

The company retained a license to use Nautilus brand and sell remaining inventory as part of Tuesdays deal, according to John Fread, director of marketing and communication. He said Nautilus isnt ready to say whether the corporate name will change, but that it will evaluate options on company branding options.

Update: This article has been updated with additional comment from Nautilus about its corporate name.

-- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | 503-294-7699

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Oregonians will not pay highway tolls until at least 2026 under an order from the governor.

According to a news release from three Clackamas County representatives who have opposed tolling, Gov. Tina Kotek pushed back tolling by at least one year as lawmakers from the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight announced they were creating a new group to review the states major transportation projects.

Koteks staff did not immediately respond to questions.

In a letter to Kotek, members of the joint transportation committee said it was important to understand how ODOT will meet climate and infrastructure goals before jumping into big projects.

A stable, reliable transportation system that aligns with Oregons economic and climate goals is vital to the well-being of Oregon families, wrote the lawmakers. The time to repair and modernize our infrastructure is now. As ODOT takes on this important work, the publics confidence in the states ability to provide clear, consistent and accurate information about the impacts this work will have on our communities is critical.

On Tuesday afternoon, Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler said in a written statement that the agency understands that local communities and elected officials have felt unheard as the agency tried to implement a toll program, and that they look forward to working with lawmakers to better meet environmental and economic goals.

We appreciate the guidance of our elected leadership that our top priority should be to set this program up right, Strickler said.

The new subcommittee was formed shortly after a trio of Clackamas County  Anessa Hartman of Gladstone, Jules Walters of West Linn and Courtney Neron of Wilsonville, all Democrats  introduced a bill to ban tolling for two years and study the impacts of tolling to local communities. House Bill 3614 has sponsors from both parties but has not yet received a hearing.

Hartman said now that the governor has pumped the brakes on tolling, the bill is likely unnecessary. But she said she hopes the new subcommittee, of which shell be a member, will study all types of transportation funding, not just tolling.

I really think tolling is a regressive tax, she said. I want to make sure were setting ourselves up for a larger transportation conversation in 2025.

Neron said she hopes to see more transparency from ODOT in the years to come.

This particular committee will be able to offer a level of oversight and accountability that we currently dont have with ODOT planning, she said. And, she said, the state would have to consider the environmental and financial impacts to her constituents in order to gain her support for tolling.

We cant put a toll in a place where individuals need to pay a toll to get to their own grocery store, post office or local downtown, she said.

Metro Council President Lynn Peterson said in a written statement that she supported taking more time to study tolling impacts on Clackamas County, and said she would not support a plan that could push traffic into surrounding neighborhoods.

ODOT is planning three different tolling projects. Tolls on Interstate 205 in Clackamas County were previously scheduled to start at the end of 2024. Tolls across the Interstate 5 Columbia River bridge and on all lanes of I-205 and I-5 are supposed to follow.

The state agency has said tolls will serve a dual purpose: reducing congestion and raising money for capital projects as the departments gas tax collections dwindle.

But tolling  and ODOTs implementation  has proven unpopular. Climate activists have pushed against the costs of tolls, saying they dont need to be so high to reduce traffic, and that ODOTs projected prices focus more on revenue generation, to fund more road expansion projects.

Residents of Clackamas County object to their region being tolled first, saying theyll pay the brunt and their communities will be most affected by drivers using side streets to avoid the fees.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com
Three men were killed and one woman was injured over the weekend in two different shootings in Portland.

Police have not made any arrests in either shooting as of Monday. Its one of the deadliest weekends this year since three people, including two teenagers, were shot and killed in North Portland near University Park in March.

On Friday, a resident of Northwest Portland, Stephen Caldwell, drove by Northwest 17th Avenue and Irving Street around 11:20 p.m. and saw a man slumped over the steering wheel of a car. Police responded as Caldwell was pulling into his home across the street, he said.

Caldwell said he watched police and paramedics try to help the man, but he died at the scene, police said Saturday.

In the last six months, things have gotten rough out here, Caldwell told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Family members identified the victim as 55-year-old James Rogers Jr. of Portland, as first reported by KGW.

An unidentified woman also was injured in the shooting, but she is expected to survive, police said.

Investigators ask anyone with information on Fridays shooting to contact Detective Erik Kammerer (Erik.Kammerer@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0762) or Detective Mike Schmerber (Michael.Schmerber@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0991) and reference case number 23-110484.

TWO DEAD IN CENTENNIAL NEIGHBORHOOD

Less than 36 hours later, two men were shot and killed early Sunday morning in Southeast Portland.

The first man was found near the 16600 block of Southeast Naegeli Drive around 3:15 a.m. Its unclear where the shooting took place; residents in the area said they did not hear any gunfire near them.

Another body was found about five blocks away at the Township Eastside apartment complex. Residents there told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the person who died lived with his family in the complex.

Township sent an email to residents acknowledging the shooting.

Araceli Reyes, who lives in one of the buildings near where the killing occurred, said she heard people hanging out in the detached garages next door around 11:30 p.m. She said it was normal, and that a group of people often used the space to work on cars.

Reyes said the people were loud through the night, keeping her and her husband up. Around 3 a.m. she heard seven to eight gunshots. The gunfire left one man dead. She said the victim was around 25 years old, but she did not know his name.

Reyes said there are occasional break-ins in the area but that shootings have been rare during her four years in the neighborhood.

Its scary, she said.

If ruled homicides, the three mens deaths over the weekend would mark the 26th, 27th and 28th such killings so far this year, compared with 35 at this time last year.

Investigators ask anyone with information on the shooting to contact Detective Brad Clifton at Brad.Clifton@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0696 or Detective Tony Harris at tony.harris@police.portlandoregon.gov, (503)823-0441 and reference case number 23-111647.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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In the wake of last weeks U.S. Supreme Court ruling denying Oregons petition to reinstate Frank Gables conviction in the 1989 killing of Oregons prison chief, a federal magistrate on Monday ordered the state to decide within 10 days whether to retry Gable.

If the state does not retry Mr. Gable within 10 days of today, you are done with him, U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta told the states lawyer.

Oregon Solicitor General Benjamin Gutman said the Marion County District Attorneys Office doesnt plan to retry or reindict Gable within that deadline but wants to reserve the right to reinvestigate the case and rearrest or reindict him in the future.

I can honestly say that I do not understand how the state thinks they can do both, the judge responded. This wasnt a menu option.

But Acosta invited the state, Gables lawyer and the Marion County district attorney to submit legal briefs to him on whether the state holds any authority to pursue a future prosecution of Gable in the fatal stabbing of 42-year-old Michael Francke in Salem. The judge said he had serious doubts that it does.

Regardless, at the urging of Gables lawyer, the judge ordered the state not to rearrest Gable, now 63, who remains out of custody in Kansas on federal supervision. Gables supervision will continue until a further court order, Acosta said.

He said he was perplexed that the state and the district attorneys office havent made a final decision.

Im at a loss after a full four years, the state doesnt know what its going to do, Acosta said.

He was referring to the four years that have lapsed as appeals have played out since his stunning ruling in April 2019, when he found that no reasonable juror would have convicted Gable in light of another mans multiple confessions to Franckes killing and because nearly all the witnesses in the case have recanted since the trial. The confessions had been excluded from Gables initial trial.

Acosta also found that Gables conviction resulted from improper interrogation of witnesses by investigators and flawed polygraphs that further shaped witness statements to police.

He then ordered Gable to be released or retried within 90 days.

Gable left prison on June 28, 2019, after nearly 30 years. He had been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the killing of Francke. Francke bled to death from stab wounds and was found dead on the north porch of the Dome Building where he worked. The door of his nearby state-issued Pontiac stood open, its dome light found on.

Acosta eventually put his 90-day order to retry Gable on hold while the states appeals were pending.

The state took Acostas ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld it in late September, and then unsuccessfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. The state had argued, in part, that the other mans confession was unreliable because he had changed his account multiple times.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Nell Brown had asked the judge to lift any federal supervision of Gable, dismiss his original indictment in the Francke killing and grant him unconditional release unless the state obtained what she called a constitutional indictment thats not based on false testimony or tainted evidence.

Mr. Gable shouldnt live in fear the state is going to rearrest him, Brown argued.

The idea that he could be snatched by the state and rearrested at any time would be a second miscarriage of justice, she said.

The time Gable has already spent in prison essentially equals the term he could receive if he were to be retried and convicted -- plus he has spent four years on federal supervised release, she said.

Gable has a job, has established himself in the community and enjoys his role as grandfather to his wifes grandchildren, Brown said.

Acosta said he was surprised no one from the district attorneys office attended Mondays status hearing and invited the district attorney to weigh in on the question whether it has any authority to pursue a new indictment against Gable. If the district attorneys office doesnt provide its input, that would be a bit curious and confusing, Acosta said.

Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson, contacted later, declined comment on the case.

The judge also directed Gables lawyer to work with federal prosecutors to resolve outstanding questions about a separate federal conviction against Gable in the case.

Gables lawyers have urged the government to vacate the nearly nine-year federal sentence issued after Gable was convicted in 1991 of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced as a career criminal.

Acosta said Gable likely already fulfilled his obligations in the gun case and that he also had significant doubt that the sentence is valid anymore.

Kevin Francke, Michael Franckes younger brother who has been a staunch defender of Gable and his innocence, attended the latest hearing. He continues to believe that his brother Michael Francke had uncovered corruption in the state prison system and was killed by conspirators to silence him.

After the hearing, Kevin Francke criticized the state for continuing to string Gable along and for not letting him free.

For (expletives) sake, they do not have a case, " he said. They owe Frank an apology.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian https://twitter.com/maxoregonian

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The Oregon House on Tuesday passed a gun control package that proponents described as a common sense initiative that will save lives and reduce mass shootings while preserving personal liberties.

House Bill 2005 would prohibit the possession or sale of homemade, unserialized so-called ghost guns, raise the age to 21 to buy or have guns except for certain hunting rifles and allow cities or counties to bar people licensed to carry a concealed gun from doing so in public buildings and adjacent grounds.

This offers an Oregon solution to an urgent nationwide problem and will make our community safer while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners and giving high regard to Oregons heritage and culture of hunting and recreation, said Rep. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland.

The House voted 35-24 along party lines, with one legislator excused, after lawmakers spent about three hours making impassioned pleas for or against the bill, with some cautioned by the speaker not to impugn the motives of their colleagues. Those opposed yelled out, A constitutional no! as their voice votes were recorded.

Reynolds, a pediatrician active in the volunteer Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, drafted the bill with help from gun owners in the House, including Reps. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, Dacia Grayber, D-Tigard, and Jason Kropf, D-Bend. At least a dozen volunteers from Moms Demand Action watched the House floor debate from the public gallery.

Every single Oregonian has the right to safety in their homes and their schools, at the grocery store and in houses of worship. Turns out more guns do not make us safer, Reynolds said.

Evans, a military veteran who grew up hunting and said he owns many guns, told lawmakers that weapons of war shouldnt be in the hands of young people who arent able to make good decisions.

Gun violence is now the No. 1 cause of death in the United States for children between ages 1 and 18. Since 2018, he said, six of nine of the mass shootings in the nation were planned and executed by people between ages 18 and 20.

The shooters in the May 24, 2022, carnage at the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school, where 19 students and two teachers died, and the May 14, 2022, Tops supermarket shooting in Buffalo, N.Y. , where 10 people were killed, were both 18 when they bought their assault-style weapons. The shooter in the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was 17 when he bought an AR-15 style rifle that was used to kill 17 students and staff members. And the shooter who opened fire in the Safeway in Bend on Aug. 28, 2022, armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun, was 20 when he killed two people and wounded two others.

Many young people are not receiving the care, the help or perhaps the love they need, Evans said. Innocents are paying the price for their angst and anger.

Allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to use certain firearms for hunting was a hard-fought negotiation, he has said.

Under the bill, 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds would be able to use several types of rifles and shotguns for hunting, including a single-shot rifle or double-barreled shotgun. The restriction wouldnt apply to those serving in the military or police officers, whether working full time or in a police reserve program.

Federal law already bans the sale of handguns to people under 21.

Opponents blasted the bill as unconstitutional and an affront to law-abiding gun owners. They promised the bill would draw immediate court challenges if adopted, as similar gun control legislation has in other states, and cost taxpayers to defend it.

I urge a no vote or see you in court, said Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Salem.

The U.S. Supreme Court last summer struck down a New York law that placed strict limits on carrying guns outside the home and directed lower courts to use a new historical evaluation standard when considering challenges to gun regulations. Lower courts are just beginning to grapple with the ramifications of the high court ruling.

Diehl called the bill a misguided attempt to fix a Portland metro area problem. Portland last year recorded a record high 101 homicides, the majority from shootings.

The bill feels good and does nothing, he said, noting that most guns used in crimes are obtained illegally now. What could more anti-gun laws do if the bad guys are already breaking the law to get them?

Other opponents asked why 18-year-olds are old enough to serve in the military and carry firearms yet will be restricted to carry certain guns under this bill. Instead, they called for more money and resources to address the lack of mental health services in the state and urged school resource officers be put back in schools.

Rep. Emily McIntire, R-Klamath Falls, argued that whats needed are more severe consequences for those committing gun crimes to reduce shootings, while Rep. Shelly Boshart, R- Albany, called the bill gun regulation that will strip young women of their right to self-defense.

Make the consequences of gun crimes so severe that the fear of God is put into criminals and they will think twice before blatantly defying the law, McIntire said.

Rep. Boomer Wright, R-Coos Bay, said he fears the bills provision that would allow cities or counties to bar concealed handgun license holders from bringing guns into city halls or public libraries, will expand gun-free zones in the state and embolden criminals instead of protecting the public.

Guns are now banned in public buildings, yet concealed handgun license holders are allowed to carry their guns. House Bill 2005 would allow cities or counties to bar concealed carry gun holders from possessing guns in certain public buildings and adjacent grounds as well.

In 2021, Oregon lawmakers passed a bill that allows local schools, colleges and university boards to prohibit all firearms on their campuses, including those carried by concealed handgun licensees. Around 30 local school boards in Oregon have chosen to do so, including school districts in Tillamook, Klamath Falls and Umatilla, according to Reynolds.

Clearly, local leaders, both rural and urban, have shown that restricting guns in schools is something they in their communities value without forcing the same on communities who dont choose to do that for their schools, she said.

Rep. Travis Nelson, D-Portland, countered that its unacceptable that gun violence is disproportionately claiming the lives of Black people in the country and in his city.

As a nurse, he said hes seen the devastating effects of gun violence, treating gunshot victims whose lives will never be the same, as well as the pain and grief from family and friends of the three young men, ages 17, 19 and 20, who were fatally shot in broad daylight in an unsolved triple homicide in Portland last month not far from his home.

It is too easy to become numb to this and look away, he said. No one is trying to take away guns from law-abiding gun owners, but we need sensible legislation for gun safety and violence prevention. We owe it to the families of the victims in my district, to the parents in Nashville, to the survivors in Louisville and Texas.

Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, a former Deschutes County prosecutor, spoke about last years shooting in his city when a young man carrying an AR-15-style rifle that he lawfully bought opened fire in a Safeway. More than 100 shell casings were recovered at the scene, Kropf said.

I cant believe Im saying this, he said, pausing to contain his emotions, but we were lucky to only have two people murdered that day.

Kropf said the Legislature can both invest in mental health services to help people feel safer and adopt common-sense gun rules. Under House Bill 2005, he said, We do not stop people under the age of 21 from growing up and hunting like I did. We do not take away guns that people already own. And we do not criminalize self-defense.

Reynolds, responding to those who complained the bill ignored the rights of rural Oregonians, cited statistics from the John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, which found that Josephine, Klamath, Curry, Baker and Crook counties recorded the highest rates of gun deaths per 100,000 residents from 2016 through 2020.

The Legislative Fiscal Office put the cost of the bill at $356,816 to cover two additional full-time employees in the state police Firearms Instant Check System unit. They would help conduct criminal background checks required under the bill for anyone who wants to buy a frame of a gun. The money would cover the next four fiscal years, through June 2027.

The state police estimated there would be approximately 1,000 additional background checks annually related to unfinished frame purchases. Currently, state police have a backlog of approximately 29,000 background checks for all gun purchases.

Evans acknowledged the bill is only one step to help reduce shootings.

We cannot do everything but that does not mean we cannot do anything or some things, he said. I believe this bill will take rational, reasonable and responsible steps forward as a community.

The bill now goes to the Senate floor, where its expected to pass. Gov. Tina Kotek, along with Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, have expressed support for it. It would take effect upon passage.

Another major gun bill that mirrors many of the new regulations adopted by voters under Measure 114, Senate Bill 348, is awaiting a hearing before the Joint Ways & Means Committee. One provision in the Senate bill, which would exclude active duty law enforcement officers and military members from having to obtain a permit to obtain a gun, has drawn some opposition because that carve-out was never adopted by voters.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian

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Salem police have publicly identified the man officers shot and injured early Monday morning. The man, Woodburn resident Andrew Erling Kjostad, 34, is suspected of wantonly firing a gun in Marion County multiple times the night before, including spraying bullets in the direction of law enforcement, the department said in a news release.

Officers were on the lookout for a white GMC Envoy with no license plates after it had been linked to at least three shootings Sunday night. Starting at 5 p.m. Sunday in downtown Woodburn, a traffic camera captured shots coming from the SUV on Young Street, police said.

Just after 7:30 p.m., a Marion County sheriffs office car was struck by gunfire while the officer was patrolling near Lancaster Driver in Salem. When the officer got out to check his car, he saw the white GMC Envoy fleeing south, police said.

A minute later, two Salem police officers were driving on Silverton Road Northeast in Salem when they heard multiple popping noises. A witness said he saw a man shoot at least twice from the drivers seat of the SUV, police said.

Police located Kjostade just before 6 a.m. Monday on Fisher Road in Salem. He ran from officers as they tried to arrest him, police said.

Thats when a SWAT officer  Corporal Adam Waite, whos worked for the Salem Police Department for 15 years  shot Kjostad, police said.

The police department did not say whether Kjostad pointed a gun or shot in the direction of officers, but a .45 caliber handgun was allegedly found lying nearby when he was arrested.

Officers and medics performed first aid at the scene and Kjostad was taken to a nearby hospital, where hes still being treated for the gunshot wound, police said Monday night.

No officers were injured in the shooting. Waite was placed on paid administrative leave, per the county and states use-of-deadly-force policy.

The Marion County District Attorneys office and Oregon State Police will investigate the shooting with help from Woodburn and Keizer police.

Court records show Kjostad, a sex offender whos been cited twice for failing to report, has been in and out of Marion county jail in the past 15 years for low-level felony convictions related to theft and burglary, as well as for misdemeanor charges like disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer.

 Savannah Eadens; seadens@oregonian.com; 503-221-6651; @savannaheadens
A Salem police officer on Monday morning shot a man suspected of firing twice at law enforcement officers Sunday, police said.

The man is being treated at Salem Health, the Salem Police Department said in a statement Monday. Police did not describe the extent of his injuries.

Salem police said they would not release the names of the officer or the man at this time, according to the statement.

No officers were injured, police said.

Salem police officers were trying to arrest the man shortly before 6 a.m. when the officer fired.

Fisher Road was closed between Market Street and Sunnyview Road Northeast after the shooting.

A Marion County Sheriffs Office patrol car and a Salem police car were both struck by bullets Sunday night, according to sheriffs and police officials.

The sheriffs patrol car was shot at about 7:40 p.m. Sunday near Lancaster Drive Northeast and Devonshire Court Northeast in Hayesville, an unincorporated area northeast of Salem. No one was injured, the sheriffs office said in a statement Sunday night.

A Salem police car was also struck by gunfire about 20 minutes later less than a mile east, near the intersection of Silverton Road Northeast and Fairhaven Avenue Northeast in Salem.

No law enforcement officials were injured in that shooting, Salem police said.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_

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Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday with Dafallah Haj Ali, envoy of the Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council and Chief of the Armed Forces General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, expressing Cairo's concern over the ongoing situation in Sudan.

The envoy conveyed a message from Al-Burhan to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on developments in Sudan, according to a statement by the ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid.

The foreign minister reiterated Egypt's position on the crisis calling for an immediate ceasefire between all parties to avoid bloodshed.

Shoukry also stressed that Egypt is keen on treating the current crisis in Sudan as an internal matter. During meetings addressing the Sudan crisis in the League of Arab States, the African Union, and the UN Security Council, Egypt has emphasised the importance of respecting Sudan's sovereignty by all international and regional parties and not intervening in the crisis in a way that leads to more bloodshed.

Shoukry reiterated Egypt's commitment to support Sudan in overcoming its challenges based on the shared destiny and history of the Nile Valley peoples, Shoukry said.

"We will spare no effort to help our brothers in Sudan during this difficult time," said the Egyptian top diplomat, according to the statement.

For his part, the Sudanese envoy expressed gratitude to the Egyptian government and people for their warm welcome and hospitality towards Sudanese citizens fleeing the conflict.

As of 27 April, 14,000 Sudanese citizens, along with 2,000 citizens from 50 countries and six international organisations, had crossed into Egypt from Sudan, Abu Zeid clarified last Thursday.

Efforts continue around the clock to receive citizens fleeing military conflict, alleviate their suffering and provide them with necessary humanitarian aid.

The ministry also highlighted its cooperation with the Egyptian Red Crescent, which opened a relief centre last week, through the Arqeen and Qustul border crossings.

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An 18-year-old man who worked at the Target store in Clackamas is accused of trying to take photos on his cellphone of a mother and her 4-year-old son while they were in a bathroom stall of the womens restroom last year.

Connor James Barton of Damascus was charged Monday with two counts each of second-degree invasion of privacy and first-degree attempted invasion of personal privacy, all misdemeanors, according to court records.

Barton was an employee of the Target on Southeast Sunnyside Road at the time and was caught in the restroom on Nov. 30, stretching his hand in front of the occupied bathroom stall and holding his iPhone camera in a small opening just above the lock, according to a civil suit that is pending.

The mother of the boy said she had pulled up her pants and reached to unlock the stall door when she spotted the lens from the phone camera pointed at her and her son.

She said the man, wearing a red target shirt, was frantically swiping up on his phone when she emerged and claimed he didnt do anything. A cleaning cart was outside the restroom, she said.

The woman filed a complaint with a Target manager and asked if the store would call the police. She said she was told shed have to call the police, so she did, as she watched the Target employee nonchalantly return to work, wearing a Santa hat, she said.

A Clackamas County sheriffs deputy arrived, took a statement from the woman in a security office at the store. The deputy then detained Barton and confiscated his cellphone, according to the suit.

Because the deputy didnt find photos of the mother and child on the workers cellphone, no other charges were filed against him, according to lawyers involved in the case.

Even though investigators found other images of alleged crimes on Bartons phone that did not involve the mother and 4-year-old son in Target, they couldnt use those images to pursue criminal charges, the lawyers involved said. Thats largely due to an Oregon Court of Appeals ruling last month in a separate case that suppressed evidence police uncovered on a cell phone during a search of the phone, finding the evidence was incidental and beyond the scope of the reason a warrant for a search was granted, they said.

Last month, Target Corp. denied all the allegations in a court filing signed by its lawyers John R. Barhoum, Jessica M. Lancaster and Amber Pritchard. Its unclear if Target fired Barton, but the company confirmed he no longer works there.

Target spokesman Joe Unger declined to comment on the pending litigation or the arrest.

The suit, seeking $5 million, is continuing against Target.

Barton failed to respond to the civil suit allegations, and a judge, at the plaintiffs request, granted a default judgment against him. Barton could not be reached for comment. A message left on a relatives phone was not immediately returned.

Barton is scheduled to be arraigned on the criminal charges in Clackamas County on May 16.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian

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After the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to reach a deal late Monday, the writers guild has called for a strike. The most immediate effect that viewers will notice is that late-night shows are pausing production, and will instead air reruns.

Affected shows including ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBS The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the NBC shows The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers, along with HBOs Real Time With Bill Maher and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.

The writers union three-year contract expired at midnight Monday. The WGA is asking for, among other things, an increase in compensation and, as the unions website explains, more measures to address the devaluation of writing in all areas of television, news media and features.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that theres been no official word as of yet whether Saturday Night Live will go ahead with the new episode, to be hosted by former SNL cast member Pete Davidson, that is scheduled for May 6.

On their shows Monday night, which were taped prior to the WGA strike being called, both Colbert and Meyers addressed the issue.

Colbert, who said he is also a member of the WGA, did a segment where he spoke in support of writers. While an onscreen photo montage of his staff appeared, Colbert said that without those people, The show would be called The Late Show with a guy rambling about Lord of the Rings and boats for an hour.

He spoke about the importance of unions, and said unions are the reason we have weekends. In case the show had to halt production, Colbert then offered a series of jokes about supposed future events, involving the Disney vs. Ron DeSantis dispute, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, King Charles coronation, and more.

Meyers, as Deadline reports, said he supports the WGAs very reasonable demands. No one is entitled to a job in show business, Meyers said. But for those people who have a job, they are entitled to fair compensation. They are entitled to make a living.

Members of the WGA last went on strike in 2007-2008, a work stoppage that lasted 100 days.

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

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Secretary of State Shemia Fagan acknowledges her poor judgment in accepting a $10,000-a-month consulting contract from two cannabis entrepreneurs  who are also powerhouse Democratic donors  while her office audited regulation of their industry. She apologized in a Monday press conference for the mistake, explaining that she needed the money to supplement her $77,000 state salary and pledged to rebuild trust in her office.

But this is more than one mistake. Fagan appears to have suffered multiple bouts of poor judgment in her dealings with La Mota owners Rosa Cazares and Aaron Mitchell, who contributed $45,000 to Fagans campaign before hiring her last February. Among the lapses: She pressed auditors in her office to involve Cazares in scoping out an audit examining regulation of the cannabis industry, casting a shadow on the independence of that review. She continued to work for the couple even after an exhaustive investigation by Willamette Weeks Sophie Peel revealed that they owe millions in back taxes to the state and federal government and face lawsuits from Oregon contractors. And despite claiming that she wants to rebuild trust, Fagan is refusing to release her tax returns, saying that its not customary for the secretary of state to do so. As if what is customary at this point bears any relevance to the extraordinary situation Fagan has created.

This isnt poor judgment  these are ethical failures from an elected official who feels entitled to put her needs above the publics. While Gov. Tina Kotek has called for investigations into Fagans contract and the audit, Fagan should resign immediately and clear the way for a replacement who can restore the trust that Fagan has undermined. The faith of Oregonians in the secretary of state, who oversees elections, audits public services, enforces campaign finance laws and takes over as governor if necessary, is central for building Oregonians trust in government as a whole.

Silent for days after Willamette Week first revealed Fagans lucrative side job with La Mota affiliate Veriede Holdings LLC, Fagan maintains she did nothing unethical. She points out that she sought information from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission on guidelines for accepting work outside her elected position, although she didnt seek a written opinion as the commission staff had suggested. Instead, she recused herself in February from her offices then-nearly complete audit of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commissions oversight of the cannabis industry. That audit, released last week, echoes Cazares calls for relaxing regulations that she told auditors are holding cannabis businesses back.

Her recusal, however, shouldnt allay concerns. While outside work is not illegal, public officials may not use their office for personal gain. Cazares and Mitchell hired Fagan to research cannabis expansion into other states, even though she has no experience in the cannabis industry and her Oregon State Bar membership has lapsed. Did they hire Fagan because of her connections as an elected official? And did Fagan use her status for her clients? On Monday, Fagan admitted that she contacted the lieutenant governor for Connecticut  her counterpart in that state with whom she networks as part of her role as secretary of state  to inquire about marijuana licensing there. Under the terms of her contract, Fagan would earn an extra $30,000 for each business license outside of Oregon and New Mexico that she delivers.

And then there are the questions that may not violate laws but certainly offend our sense of whats right. Should Fagan be recusing herself from the job that Oregonians elected her to do because of work shes picked up on the side? Additionally, Fagan claimed she did not know of tax liens filed against Cazares and Mitchell until Willamette Weeks story more than a month ago. She should have ended the contract then. Instead she continued to accept payments from people accused of not paying cannabis taxes owed to the state, income taxes owed to the federal government, bills owed to Oregon vendors and wages earned by Oregon workers. That tells Oregonians everything they need to know about where Fagans loyalties lie.

Fagans actions for her own self-interest are devastating for her and the state. Her rise in the state Legislature and election to secretary of state was a testament to her undeniable smarts, compelling backstory and alliances with progressive groups and labor unions who trusted her to fight their fight. While she was not our pick in the 2020 primary for secretary of state, we viewed her as the stronger candidate in the general election and expected she would show the competence and grit that she demonstrated as a legislator. And we agree that the salaries for our statewide elected officials and legislators are far too low and fail to compensate people for the work we expect them to do.

But Fagan knew the salary going into the job, and poor pay is not a justification for poor integrity from our elected officials. The critical importance of having trustworthy officials running our elections  particularly as some nationally seek to weaken voting rights and sow doubt about elections  is central to protecting our democracy. Rescuing the secretary of states office from the scandal engulfing Fagan must be the top priority for Kotek and all Oregons elected leadership.

In her Monday remarks, Fagan noted that the first step to building trust is admitting that I broke it. The next step should be the one she takes out of the office of secretary of state. Democratic leaders who know that Oregons needs must come first should encourage Fagan to take that step now.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
On April 12, I joined over 100 other Oregonians at the Capitol in Salem to participate in Food for All Oregonians Advocacy Day for Senate Bill 610. The turnout was powerful. Speaking with legislators about the bill, and expressing gratitude to those representatives and senators, both Democrats and Republicans, who support it, was deeply inspiring.

Food is a human right, no matter where you were born. SB 610 will ensure that everyone in Oregon has access to the food we need to thrive. It will take important steps toward a future where immigration status no longer drives hunger and poverty in our communities. Senate Bill 610 would allow 62,000 Oregonians, currently and unjustly excluded from access to food security because of their immigration status, to access SNAP. This means food for infants and children and their parents and grandparents. This means increased stability at home and in school. This means good business. This means fundamental justice.

Food for All Oregonians is good for all Oregonians. It is fair to all. I urge readers to let their legislators know of their support for this bill. To learn more and to show your support for this bill, visit: https://www.foodforallor.org.

Carter McKenzie, Dexter

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
A slew of Oregon House Republican delay tactics couldnt stop a near-party-line vote Monday moving forward a bill that would guarantee and expand reproductive and gender-affirming health care.

House Bill 2002, a sprawling measure that would expand access to abortion in rural counties, protect doctors who provide them from prosecution under out-of-state laws and mandate insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, is among Oregon Democrats top priorities this session.

The measure has been presented as a response to the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling last year overturning Roe v. Wade and the growing number of anti-abortion and anti-trans care legislation in conservative states.

Time and again, Oregonians have affirmed their support for making abortion safe and accessible to all, Rep. Andrea Valderrama, D-Portland, said in a statement. Today, House Democrats showed that theyre listening.

The Republican Partys vehement opposition to the bill was on full display Monday as representatives made motion after motion to refer the bill back to committees for further discussion and to delay a vote on the bill altogether. Their concerns included that the bill could accelerate population decline, would include unclear costs, infringe on parental rights and guarantees access to health care procedures with no long-term studies backing up their safety for children.

The arguments often took a decidedly personal and emotional tone.

House Bill 2002 is personally and emotionally egregious to me, said Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo. It goes against absolutely everything in my core being of what and who I am.

After a full bill reading that lasted two hours and after about six hours of debate, the bill passed 36-23, with one Republican joining in favor of the bill and one abstaining. The long day on the House floor likely presages equally contentious deliberations in the Senate.

Since the Supreme Court ruling striking down abortion as a constitutional right, state legislatures have been forging their own paths by either restricting or expanding access. The Reproductive Health and Access to Care Bill represents Oregons biggest legislative step in response to the Supreme Court ruling last year.

Transgender care, meanwhile, has emerged as a fixed political battleground, with multiple Republican-dominated states banning such care while Democratic states like California and Washington seek to protect it.

Oregon has long been at the forefront of transgender and reproductive health care rights. The Republican minority in the Legislature has no hope of changing that, given Democrats consistent dominance in statewide elections. Former Democratic Gov. Kate Brown in 2017 approved legislation that explicitly protected the right to an abortion in the event that the high court overturned Roe v. Wade.

While abortion and gender-affirming care are legal in Oregon, HB 2002 would attempt to address potential threats to Oregon doctors under laws in other states where such health care is illegal.

Idaho recently made performing abortions punishable by up to five years in prison, and a law punishing transgender care with up to 10 years incarceration is set to go into effect next year. Under HB 2002, Idaho prosecutors would be unable to subpoena Oregonians for crimes under those statutes.

Beyond protecting existing rights, the bill would expand access to abortion and gender-affirming care by requiring that health insurance companies cover all medically necessary procedures. It would also create new state-funded programs to make it easier for people in rural areas to get abortions  particularly relevant for Eastern Oregon since Planned Parenthood closed its Boise clinic last year.

Simply stating that Oregonians have the right to abortion and gender affirming care does not mean Oregonians have access to those services, Valderrama said in opening statements Monday.

House Bill 2002 has been among Republicans chief sticking points in Democrats legislative priorities this session. Among other objections, Republicans said the bills provision prohibiting doctors from sharing minors reproductive health care information with their parents is an assault on the child-parent relationship and that the gender-affirming health care the bill guarantees amounts to a grand experiment on an entire generation.

But the minority party has fewer tools to work with this session, given they are no longer able to grind legislative work to a halt by denying Democrats a quorum. The party has previously used that tactic to kill some proposals, but voters have since approved a constitutional amendment that punishes lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences by prohibiting them from serving another term.

Still, Republicans Monday showed they would use whatever tools remained at their disposal in dragging out a vote on a bill they have repeatedly said would cause grievous harm to children.

Before floor debate, representatives are able take a minute to honor guests visiting the statehouse, and several used the time Monday to thank their mothers for choosing to not abort them. Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, admonished representatives for giving courtesies to people who werent physically in the building, then allowed them to resume after a brief deliberation.

It was the only concession Democrats gave that day, as the party went on to shoot down proposal after proposal that forced debate past 7 p.m. The minority party objected to the official bill summary, referencing a law mandating a minimum readability level, made five motions to move the bill to committees and two motions to postpone a vote on the bill.

The motions all failed.

The House could be in for another long day Tuesday, with debate scheduled on a gun bill that, among its many other provisions, would raise the minimum age to own one to 21 and would allow bans on concealed firearms on city or county property.

 Fedor Zarkhin
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned Tuesday less than a week after it came to light that she had taken a lucrative side job consulting for an embattled cannabis company at a time when her office was auditing the states marijuana program.

Fagan announced in a press release that her resignation will take effect May 8, about a week before the May 16 election, which the Secretary of States Office oversees. Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Myers will take over for Fagan until Gov. Tina Kotek appoints a new secretary of state to serve out the remainder of Fagans term, which runs until January 2025.

This is a resilient agency, with strong division leadership and internal systems that can withstand change, Myers said in a statement.

Fagans resignation came a day after she released details of the $10,000 a month contract with Veriede Holdings, an affiliate of pot chain La Mota, announced she had canceled the contract and apologized to Oregonians for undermining their trust.

In a statement, Fagan referenced an ethics investigation already underway into her contract with troubled cannabis dispensary chain affiliate.

While I am confident that the ethics investigation will show that I followed the states legal and ethical guidelines in trying to make ends meet for my family, it is clear that my actions have become a distraction from the important and critical work of the Secretary of States Office, Fagan said. Protecting our states democracy and ensuring faith in our elected leaders  these are the reasons I ran for this office. They are also the reasons I will be submitting my resignation today. I want to thank the incredible staff in the Secretary of States Office for their hard work and Oregonians for the opportunity to serve them. It has been a true honor to serve the people of Oregon.

Oregon ethics laws allow public officials to have private jobs and many lawmakers, who are part-time paid government employees, do so in order to make ends meet. Its extremely rare, however, for a full-time statewide elected official to take outside work. It is illegal for public employees to use their public positions for personal gain.

Fagan, who was the second-highest ranking public official in Oregon, is the second top state official to resign in the last decade after former Gov. John Kitzhaber stepped down in 2015 amid a growing influence-peddling scandal involving him and his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes.

Fagan, a former state lawmaker and lawyer, was elected as secretary of state in 2020. She made $77,000 annually as secretary of state and cited her low pay and the need to support her two children Monday as painful pressure points that prompted her to take the outside gig.

Kotek said in a statement issued immediately after Fagans resignation announcement that she supported the secretary of states call, which Fagan informed Kotek of on Tuesday morning.

I support this decision, Kotek said. It is essential that Oregonians have trust in their government. I believe this is a first step in restoring that trust. During the upcoming appointment process, my office will do everything possible to support the hard working staff in the Secretary of States Office and ensure this will not disrupt the May 16 election.

Oregon Secretary of State resigns

Hours before Fagans resignation was made public, political insiders were lining up her potential successors. Among those under consideration: Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, and Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Happy Valley.

Bynum confirmed she had been approached but declined to elaborate. Tess Seger, a spokesperson for the Senate majority leader, said Lieber is focused on delivering for her constituents and the people of Oregon in the Senate. She hopes that whoever is appointed to this role will rebuild trust with lawmakers and the public.

The news of Fagans consulting contract with Veriede Holding, the La Mota affiliate, emerged hours before auditors in the Secretary of States Office were set to release a review of the states marijuana regulatory system. The audit argued for Oregon marijuana regulators to loosen rules to help the industry. Audit records subsequently revealed that Fagan suggested auditors consult with La Mota co-owner Rosa Cazares and the final audit reflected many of her complaints about pot regulators. Fagan said she recused herself from any involvement with the audit as soon as she took the pot consulting job but drafts of the audit showed that it was already substantially complete by that time.

After avoiding questions for three days about her side job with Veriede Holding, Fagan said Monday that her day-to-day work for the company entailed compiling the vast landscape of FAQs and laws on cannabis in other states and territories for use by La Motas attorneys. She said she worked approximately 15 hours a week on the consulting and was paid for two months of work by the company. The secretary of state said that she met Cazares and Mitchell at a breakfast fundraiser when she was running for secretary of state in 2020. According to campaign finance records, La Mota co-owner Aaron Mitchell has donated $45,000 to Fagans political action committee since fall 2020.

Since then, Fagan has spent time socially with Cazares and Mitchell and the contract came together during a get-together in February, Fagan said. Fagan mentioned that she had just started teaching at Willamette University Law School to supplement her secretary of state income and Cazares said that she and Mitchell were looking for contractors to help them expand into other states.

Before running for secretary of state in 2020, Fagan was an employment lawyer and a state lawmaker. She brushed aside questions from reporters Monday about why Cazares and Mitchell picked her, as opposed to any other person qualified to research pot regulations. It is something Im qualified to do as a person representing businesses, Fagan said, in an apparent reference to her previous business law work.

Oregon has no lieutenant governor so the secretary of state is next in line if the governors office becomes vacant. Fagan embraced the role, as a member of both the National Lieutenant Governors Association and the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. In response to other reporters questions Monday about whether she was expected to talk to government officials in other states to boost Cazares and Mitchells interests, Fagan said she talked with Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who she described as a friend just to ask who, like, would be somebody for a cannabis company to talk to if they wanted to get the lay of the land.

Samantha Taylor, a spokesperson for Bysiewicz, said Fagans contact was a one-time communication by telephone.

Approximately three weeks ago, the Lieutenant Governor received a phone call from Shemia Fagan inquiring about Connecticuts cannabis license process for a client Fagan had as part of her consulting business, Taylor said. The Lieutenant Governor pointed Fagan to public information of the appropriate state agency contact to learn Connecticuts lottery process. There was no further communication beyond the one phone call.

Fagans position quickly grew tenuous after the news of her high-paid marijuana consulting contract came to light. Her chief of staff resigned Monday and former secretaries of state began calling for Fagan to resign.

I appreciate that (Shemia Fagan) has recognized the mistake, said former Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins, who like Fagan is a Democrat, before Fagan resigned Tuesday. However, Atkins said that the damage to the office and the public perception particularly at this moment in history is very concerning.

Emily McLain, Fagans chief of staff, confirmed via text Tuesday that she had resigned in writing on Monday, effective no later than June 30, 2023. McLain said she was reserving the right to leave her post earlier, but that she wanted to be available to support the secretary of states staff during the May election and its aftermath, as well as through the end of the legislative session. Fagan chose to resign effective May 8 to ensure agency stability and continuity of operations during this transition.

After Fagan announced her resignation, former Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat who was vaulted from secretary of state to the governors office after Kitzhaber resigned, said that Fagan made the right decision.

The Secretary of the States Office functions well only when Oregonians have complete faith and trust in the actions of who they chose to hold the office, Brown said in a statement. To achieve this, the secretary must be beyond reproach, lead with integrity, and be as transparent as possible. Unfortunately, Secretary Fagan has failed Oregonians trust.

Brown said that Kotek should pick a secretary of state appointee who will not seek election to the job in 2024 and instead focus on running Oregons elections smoothly during the presidential election cycle. After Brown became governor upon Kitzhabers resignation, she appointed Atkins as secretary of state and Atkins pledged not to seek election. This will be the most consequential election of modern history and any appointee must be solely focused on restoring Americans faith in our electoral system and not on their own election to the secretarys office, Brown said.

Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature said in a statement Tuesday that Fagans decision to resign will allow the state to move on and rebuild trust.

As elected leaders, we know that our work depends solely on our ability to hold the trust of the people we serve and represent, said Senate President Rob Wagner, Lieber, House Speaker Dan Rayfield and House Majority Leader Julie Fahey. Secretary of State Fagans severe lapses of judgment eroded trust with the people of Oregon, including legislators who depend on the work of the Audits Division for vital information on public policy. This breach of trust became too wide for her to bridge.

Republican legislative leaders had called for Fagan to resign last Friday. On Tuesday, Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said in a statement that it is clear that Fagan has broken Oregons trust beyond repair and its time to return integrity to the Secretary of States Office. House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson said Fagans resignation reflects the level of corruption occurring in state government. ... The level of abuse Secretary Fagan flaunted from her official position is just another example (of) the extreme measures of one-party rule in Oregon.

Myers, who will become the acting secretary of state, said in a statement, We are ready to continue the important work of the Secretary of States Office during this transition.

This is an unfortunate situation, but a change of leadership will allow agency staff to continue their good work with less distraction moving forward, Myers said.

Reporters Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, Julia Silverman and Noelle Crombie contributed to this report.

 Hillary Borrud
For the third time in eight years, Oregonians will get a secretary of state appointed by the governor.

The Oregon Constitution gives Gov. Tina Kotek the authority to select the replacement for Shemia Fagan, who announced her resignation Tuesday.

Procedurally, filling the vacancy is straightforward.

Gov. Kotek will have complete discretion in filling the position, said Bob Steringer, a Portland lawyer who specializes in state political and regulatory issues. The only limitation is that the appointee has to be in the same political party as the person theyre replacing.

Oregon Secretary of State resigns

There is no legislative review, no sign-off required from the opposition party or Koteks fellow Democrats.

Fagan will continue in her official duties until Monday, when Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Myers will take on oversight of the agency until Kotek selects a replacement.

Whoever is appointed would take office immediately and serve until voters choose a successor  in this case during the November 2024 general election. The successor would take office in January 2025.

There is one other wrinkle in the process. Although the secretary of state is typically next in Oregons line of succession, the appointee would not be eligible to succeed Kotek as governor if Kotek for some reason left the office early. Rather, Treasurer Tobias Read would fill the post.

The politics of Koteks selection are a whole other matter.

Gov. Kotek is smart, and no doubt shell be thinking not only about who can do the job, but who she can effectively work with, said Peter Bragdon, a chief of staff for former Gov. Ted Kulongoski. And of course she would want someone who can help her build up trust in government.

In 2015, then-Gov. Kate Brown appointed Jeanne Atkins to replace her after Brown ascended to the governors office.

In 2019, Brown appointed Bev Clarno to replace Dennis Richardson after he died of brain cancer while in office. Clarno, like Richardson, is a Republican.

In both cases, Brown opted for a caretaker appointee who agreed not to run for a full term in the next election.

-- Jeff Manning; jmanning@oregonian.com
Tuesday 2 May 2023 10:44am

Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu from the University of Otago has won the 2022 Prime Ministers Science Communication Prize.

It is the first time a Pacific scientist has won the award.



Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu

An Associate Professor of Biomedical and Health Sciences in immunology and Associate Dean (Pacific) at the Universitys Wellington campus, Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu has been a leading voice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a New Zealander of Tongan descent, she has been one of the few Pacific voices qualified to speak in detail on the pandemic, providing regular, clear and helpful explanations through print and broadcast media of the technical aspects of immunology, vaccines, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and infectious diseases.

She was nominated for the award by Professor Parry Guilford, the Director of the University of Otagos Centre for Translational Cancer Research. He says Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu stood out as a sensible and informed commentator during the pandemic.

Her knowledge has always been expressed with grace and empathy for her audience. She is a highly effective communicator who takes her audience with her.

Since the start of the pandemic, Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu has given more than 220 broadcast media interviews and contributed to more than 1,500 online and print media stories. She was also a member of Stuffs expert advisory panel for The Whole Truth: COVID-19 Vaccination project which promoted evidence-based information about the vaccine. Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu was also involved with The Whole Truth: Te Maramatanga series on public health topics prone to misinformation.

She says clear, helpful, evidence-based and timely science communication is vital for countering misinformation and disinformation.

Its important to understand your audience and its needs, provide useful and helpful information and communicate that appropriately.

She has led and hosted outreach events and activities, including Pacific Fono and Talanoa gatherings to support inclusion, engagement and appropriate communication with Pacific communities and with other groups. Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu also regularly presents to international audiences. These efforts collectively have added strength to her research and teaching work.

She says communicating science involves connecting with people and is grateful for opportunities to share her work across research, teaching and cultural settings, as well as publicly. One of the key factors of importance to her involves listening to others to learn how scientists can do better.

The Prime Ministers Science Communication Prize comes with $75,000 in prize money and Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu plans to use the funds to support students and young people in the health, education and research sectors to become the next generation of science communicators. She also plans to continue her work communicating science to the public and Pacific communities.

She attributes her commitment to giving back and contributing to society to her upbringing and her faith.

My parents gave up everything to ensure that my brother and I had opportunities that they never had, so I carry that sense of responsibility to ensure Im doing my part to give back and contribute to society. It is very important for me to be of service to Pacific communities in Aotearoa and the Pacific region.

Otagos Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise, Professor Richard Blaikie, says the University is exceptionally proud of the recognition for Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu, who joins the ranks of some of the best science communicators from Aotearoa and the Pacific.

Her humble, thoughtful and respectful approach to communication means that her messages have been very well received by the communities of interest. It is also an outstanding mark of her character and commitment that she intends to use the funds from this prestigious award to support others.

Associate-Professor Sika-Paotonu has received numerous awards for her research work. She was awarded the New Zealand Association of Scientists ( NZAS ) Cranwell Medal for science communication for 2020, the first Pacific biomedical scientist to receive the award. She is also a Fulbright New Zealand Scholar, providing the opportunity for her to collaborate with colleagues at Harvard University and the University of Oklahoma over her research into acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, conditions which disproportionately affect indigenous peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific region.

The Government introduced the Prime Ministers Science Prizes in 2009 as a way of raising the profile and prestige of science within Aotearoa. They are administered by the Royal Society Te Aparangi.

The Science Communication Prize is awarded to a practising scientist who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication and public engagement, or to someone who has developed expertise in public engagement or communicating complex scientific or technological information to the public or science community.

Professor Michael Baker from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, was the 2020 winner of the Science Communication Prize.

Resources

More information about the Prime Ministers Science Prizes

For more information please contact

Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu

Associate Dean (Pacific)

University of Otago, Wellington

Email dianne.sika-paotonu@otago.ac.nz

Cheryl Norrie

Communications Adviser

University of Otago, Wellington

Mob: +64 21 249 6787

Email: cheryl.norrie@otago.ac.nz
The fighting in Sudan has caused more than 330,000 people to flee their homes within the country, with over 100,000 others escaping over the borders, the United Nations said Tuesday.

UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, is estimating that more than 800,000 people could potentially flee to neighbouring countries as the conflict continues in Sudan between the army and a paramilitary group.

The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said an estimated 334,000 people had been internally displaced by the fighting, which broke out on April 15.

"Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now fled Sudan to neighbouring countries, including Sudanese refugees, South Sudanese returning home prematurely, and others who were themselves refugees in Sudan," UNHCR spokeswoman Olga Sarrado told reporters in Geneva.

The IOM said in a situation report that "the total estimate of displaced individuals across Sudan has reached 334,053".

"About 72 percent, roughly 240,000 of these new internal displacements were reported in West and South Darfur alone," spokesman Paul Dillon told reporters.

The number of people displaced in the last two weeks "exceeds all conflict-related displacement in Sudan in 2022", he added.

Meanwhile the UN said its 2023 aid appeals for Sudan were $1.5 billion short and only 14 percent funded.

"The $1.75 billion joint appeal for Sudan in 2023 is only 14 percent funded. In other words ... (it is) facing a funding gap of $1.5 billion," said Jens Laerke, the UN humanitarian agency's spokesman.

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HENRYETTA, Okla. (AP)  As law enforcement officials went silent while investigating what led to the killing of seven people in rural Oklahoma, family members of those slain recalled the domineering nature of one of the dead, who was a registered sex offender.

Since announcing the bodies were found Monday, authorities have released scant information on who was dead, how they died and who killed them. But grieving relatives working to piece together the horror story that started with two teenagers being reported missing, said law enforcement told them all the victims were shot to death in slayings that have stunned the community of Henryetta.

Janette Mayo was the first to say publicly that her daughter and three teenage grandchildren were among the dead. Her daughter was married to Jesse McFadden, a sex offender who Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said Monday had also been killed and linked to two other teenagers reported missing this week.

McFadden had been controlling, Mayo said, which had concerned her. But she said the family didnt learn about her son-in-law's criminal history until a few months ago.

He lied to my daughter, and he convinced her it was all just a huge mistake, Mayo, of Westville, told The Associated Press. He was very standoffish, generally very quiet, but he kept my daughter and the kids basically under lock and key. He had to know where they were at all times, which sent red flags up.

On Monday, Rice said the bodies were found on the property where McFadden lived near Henryetta, a town of about 6,000 about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Oklahoma City. The dead bodies included two teens who had been reported as missing and in danger  Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 16  and who were last seen with McFadden. Rice said the state medical examiner would have to confirm the victims identities.

Mayo, 59, of Westville, Oklahoma, near the Arkansas border, said the sheriffs office notified her late Monday that the other four victims were her daughter, Holly Guess, 35, and her grandchildren, Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17; Michael James Mayo, 15; and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13. Mayo said Tiffany was close friends with Ivy and Brittany, who were spending the weekend with the family.

While Rice declined to provide details of how they died, Mayo said the sheriffs office told her that her daughter and grandchildren were all found shot to death in various locations on McFaddens property.

Ivys father, Justin Webster, said he filed a missing person report with the local sheriffs office when she didnt return home Sunday night after spending the weekend with McFadden, Guess and her children. Justin Webster said he thought the children went with McFadden to spend some time on a ranch where he was working near McAlester.

He said law enforcement officials also told him that all of the victims suffered gunshot wounds, that some had been lined up and were located across the property.

Webster echoed descriptions of McFadden as controlling and unusual, but said he had no idea about McFadden's criminal background.

I would say he was weird, Webster said. He was always getting into his kids phones and reading all their snap messages and all that. It wasnt in a way of a concerned parent. It was more of keeping tabs on the kids.

The missing endangered person advisory issued early Monday said Webster and Brewer had been seen traveling with McFadden, who was on the states sex offender registry. Oklahoma Department of Corrections prison records show he was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 and released in October 2020.

McFadden had been scheduled to appear in court Monday for the start of a jury trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography. Court records show he was communicating with a then-16-year-old girl using a contraband cellphone while he was incarcerated at a state prison near Muskogee. The teens grandfather reported their communications to prison officials, according to an affidavit from a Department of Corrections investigator.

Webster hopes this whole ordeal leads to harsher criminal penalties for sex offenders, especially those who target children.

The sexual (offender) registry doesnt work, he said. I think there needs to be action taken. There needs to be repercussions, and someone needs to be held accountable. They let a monster out. They did this.

McFaddens attorney in that case has not responded to a phone message left Monday evening.

The grim discovery in Oklahoma keeps the U.S. on a torrid pace for mass killings in 2023 and could push the number of people slain in mass killings past 100 for the year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in a partnership with Northeastern University.

In speaking to reporters Monday, Rice acknowledged another gruesome homicide case last fall in in Oklmulgee County. The bodies of four men were found Oct. 14 in the Deep Fork River in Okmulgee, a small town about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Henryetta. Joseph Kennedy, 68, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

Weve had our share of troubles and woes, but this one is pretty bad, the sheriff said.

Lisa Thomas, who runs Bear Bottom Antiques on Main Street in downtown Henryetta, said the killings sent a shock wave through the tight-knit community.

It is truly like a Mayberry here, she said as she arranged sunflowers in a barrel outside her shop. All the people that come into my shop are just wonderful. We are just in shock, absolute shock.

Brittany Brewer's father told KOTV in Tulsa that one of the bodies discovered was his daughter.

Brittany was an outgoing person. She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta ... coming up in July for this Miss National Miss pageant in Tulsa. And now she ain't gonna make it because she's dead. She's gone, Nathan Brewer said.

At a Monday night vigil, Brewer told hundreds of people: Its just a parents worst nightmare, and Im living it."

He said his daughter had aspired to be a teacher or a veterinarian.

I am just lost, he said.

Ivy Webster's mother, Ashleigh, described her daughter as a great kid who loved animals.

She loved softball. She loved people, animals. She was just a genuine good person. She really was, Ashleigh Webster said.

Mayo described her daughter, Holly Guess, as a doting parent.

She was a fantastic mother. She loved her children beyond belief. She was overprotective, Mayo said. She was supportive if they wanted to do something. Shed go out 100%.

Granddaughter Rylee Allen "had a talent with a paint brush, she said. Rylee wanted to be an artist and wanted to be a doctor so she could help people.

Michael Mayo ran track and cross-country, and when he wanted to play football, his mother went out and bought the family T-shirts and sweatshirts to support the team, Mayo said. Tiffany Guess also ran cross-country, she performed in the choir and had just tried out for the cheerleading squad.

She was the sweetest, most loving girl youd ever met, Mayo said. We called her Tiffasaurus because when shed get mad at you, shed growl.

Henryetta Public Schools said the community is grieving the loss of several students.

Our hearts are hurting, and we have considered what would be best for our students in the coming days, the district said in a message posted online.

___

Associated Press data journalist Larry Fenn and researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.
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The Midland County Internet Connectivity Committee provided a county-wide broadband update to the Midland County Commission on Tuesday, including the work that it has done and what county residents can do to help the process.

The committee was formed by the Midland Business Alliance in 2019 with the mission to provide high-speed internet across Midland County.

Midland Business Alliance President and CEO Tony Stamas and MCIC board members Helen Myers and Scott Noesen presented the update to the commission.

Myers began her part of the presentation by emphasizing the committees goals and vision.

All means all, she said. We want all Midland County households to have affordable, adequate and high-quality internet.

Myers explained that the committees work is not only focused on creating connectivity, but also on having connectivity that everyone can afford and that runs at a high enough speed.

The goals of the committee are:

 Identify and prioritize areas of need

 Work with local Internet Service Providers

 Develop public-private partnerships

 Ensure accessibility and affordability

 Pursue opportunities to increase speeds



Noesen reported to the commission the various accomplishments of the committee. This included its listening tour of all Midland County townships, villages and cities, where the committee members heard from township supervisors, clerks and concerned citizens.

Noesen said the people they spoke to were appreciative of what the committee is trying to do for the people of Midland County.

They need help and they know they need help, and theyre looking for help, he said.

Other accomplishments of the committee include the letters of support it garnered for multiple Internet Service Providers that are vying for the states Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant program and continuing engagement with Connected Nation - an organization working to expand broadband nationwide - and the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office.

Noesen also provided recommendations for next steps for both the county commission and residents of Midland County.

The ROBIN grant recommendations will be posted online in June with a 45-day public comment period to follow. During that period, the committee encourages township supervisors, clerks, commissioners and citizens to provide comments for the ISPs that are recommended for the grant.

Final awarding of the grants will take place in August or September.

Noesen also said township supervisors are looking for a way to better communicate with their constituents, and they feel that broadband could help them with that communication.

This is not just a broadband problem, this is a bigger communication problem, Noesen said. I think you should think about that as well: What can you, as a county, do to help the townships communicate to their constituents?"

The committee also encourages residents to reach out to MCIC for support and with broadband questions and to look at the national broadband map. They ask residents all around the county to download the FCC Test app to determine whether internet service is available in their area and the speed of that service.

The committees upcoming plans include:

 Create a clear call to action

 Engage the planning and zoning commissions

 Establish regular checkpoints with ROBIN grant recipients

 Prepare for the next round of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grants and Digital Equities Act

 Publish maps by township identifying current broadband infrastructure and areas with secured Rural Digital Opportunity Funding

 Identify a second quick hit area to improve access - similar to the North Midland Family Center project

 Enhance communication, including the MBA broadband website and other channels

Myers said the committee has just begun its search for a second quick hit area, which is a project that will take a short amount of time but will have a large impact. She said they are looking for somebody who is really screaming for help.

Commissioner Eric Dorrien suggested that the committee look at areas of the county to the west of the City of Midland.



Other business

Chairman Mark Bone gave a reminder that Tuesday, May 2 is Give Local Midland. The commission also reminds residents to vote on Tuesday, May 2.

May 7-13 was proclaimed Public Service Recognition Week in Midland County.

A deputy county clerk position in Midland County was raised from .8 Full-Time Equivalent to 1.0 FTE (full-time).

Carrie Prosowski was reappointed to the Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board for a term from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.

Jenee Velasquez was reappointed to the City and County Joint Building Authority, with a term ending on February 7, 2025. This appointment is subject to approval by the Midland City Council.
SCOTTVILLE  West Shore Community College will hold a number of commencement ceremonies this week.

Over 145 WSCC students are eligible to receive degrees and certificates at the ceremonies scheduled for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 6 at the college's Center Stage Theater.

Speakers for the event will be Scott Ward, WSCC president; Sherry Wyman, chairperson of the board of trustees; and Athena Dila, student senate president. Dr. Erwin Selimos, professor of sociology, will provide the faculty address.

The graduates will be presented by Dr. Mark Kinney, vice president of academics and student services. Wyman, along with the board of trustees, and Ward will award the degrees.

Following the commencement ceremony, a reception for the graduates and their families will be held in the Schoenherr Campus Center.

The West Shore Community College nursing program will honor 27 graduating nursing students in a symbolic pinning ceremony to be held at 6:30 p.m. May 4 in the Center Stage Theater. Each graduate will receive a pin symbolic of a nurses service to others and their induction into the nursing profession.

WSCCs Law Enforcement Academy cadets are scheduled to be recognized during a ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on May 5 in the Center Stage Theater. The training academy is 16 weeks long and there are over 30 instructors who assist with the academy.

West Shore Community Colleges Emergency Medical Services students are slated to be recognized during a ceremony at 7 p.m. May 5 in the Center Stage Theater. There are nine students receiving their paramedic certification and eight students receiving their Emergency Medical Technician certification.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed. The streams will be accessible via YouTube at youtube.com/channel/UCmv1U_MQRfxb4dwXuEXYBtA or Facebook at facebook.com/westshorecc/events.

For more information, visit westshore.edu.
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP)  Brazils Justice Ministry on Tuesday ordered Google to stop conducting what it called a propaganda campaign against Brazilian legislation aimed at curbing misinformation, or face about $200,000 per hour in fines.

The company later Tuesday took down an article the ministry had labeled propaganda, but it was not immediately clear if the big tech giant was in complete compliance with the agencys order.

The legislation, hotly contested by big tech companies including Google, would establish fines and deadlines for removing misinformation and hate speech from social media and messaging apps, and require tech companies to file reports on transparency.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas government says it is essential to regulate online discourse following a recent spate of fatal school attacks that officials argue was motivated by hate speech and social media forums. The bill was sent to the lower chamber on Friday and may be voted on this week.

On Sunday, Google published a message on its homepage arguing that the bill could increase confusion about what is true or false in Brazil and should be improved. The message redirected to an article written by the search engines public policy department listing arguments against the bill.

Brazil's Justice Ministry accused Google of promoting a disguised editorial position, and ordered the company to promote content which goes against its position. The agency also determined that Google needs to clearly indicate that its position is propaganda and needs to be transparent about any interference in its search engine to links related to the bill.

The agency said the company would be fined 1 million reais, or approximately $200,000, per hour if it failed to comply with the order. Googles message on its homepage, and the article, were removed Tuesday after the order's publication.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes also ordered the heads of Google, Meta, Spotify and Brasil Paralelo  a far-right news and entertainment platform  to give statements to the police on why they authorized what may amount to spreading misinformation about the bill and abuse of economic power.

De Moraes cited a study by the Laboratory of Internet and Social Media Studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), which argued that these companies advertised and ran ads against the bill in an opaque way and bypassing their own terms of use."

Google said in a statement that it was committed to communicating its concerns about the bill in a public and transparent way and denied manually altering search results to favor its position.

Brazilian lawmakers last week had approved a request to speed up the approval process for the bill in the House. Analysts and big tech companies criticized the move and argued there was a need for further discussion.

The bill dates back to 2020 when it was approved by the Senate under Lulas predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, but has since undergone substantial modifications and become much broader. If approved by the House, the bill will return to the Senate for a final vote.

Last week, Telegram was temporarily suspended by a judge after the messaging app refused to send information on profiles which spread Nazi speech. A few days later, another decision canceled the suspension, although the daily fine of 1 million reais was maintained due to failure to comply. Telegrams founder and CEO Pavel Durov said in a statement that the company will appeal and that compliance is technologically impossible.



Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro.
The Arab League on Tuesday held Israel responsible for the death of a Palestinian prisoner after he died of a hunger strike that lasted for 87 days, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Adnan's death is "the result of a policy of deliberate medical negligence, which is systematically practised by the Israeli occupation authorities," Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Saeed Abu Ali said, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Early on Tuesday, Israel Prison Service said Khader Adnan was found unconscious in his prison cell and was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Adnan, 45, from Jenin in the West Bank, started his hunger strike on 5 February after being arrested.

Israel showed a complete disregard for international and humanitarian charters and laws, Abu Ali added, stressing that it was an aggression against the most basic human rights.

By remaining silent the international community and concerned international organisations are encouraging the occupation to continue this criminal approach, he continued, citing the deliberate and systematic medical negligence practiced by the occupation against Palestinian prisoners.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned in a statement the Israeli occupations systematic policy of medical negligence, arbitrary measures, inhumane treatment of Palestinian prisoners and deprivation of their basic rights guaranteed by the relevant international conventions and covenants.

In the same vein, the Palestinian foreign ministry called for an international investigation into the death of Adnan, stressing that it will submit the file of "this crime" to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Adnan, a father of nine, is the first prisoner to die individually in a hunger strike, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) revealed on Tuesday.

He was arrested 12 times during his life and went on strike several times in protest against this detention without any charge.

Adnans death has raised the death toll of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons to 236, WAFA reported, noting that 75 of these deaths were the result of deliberate medical negligence.

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Best Universities compiled Department of Education data to show the most common degrees awarded to students who attend college in each state.
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The Minister of Health and Wellness, Kailesh Jagutpal, said here Tuesday that there was no need for more severe health restrictions, especially with the coming of the winter period
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US on Tuesday commended the Ethiopian government and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) for the significant progress on implementation of the Pretoria peace agreement, which has led to the restoration of essential services and flow of humanitarian aid
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The African Union (AU) has warned that the current clash in the Sudan could develop into a situation akin to what had occurred in Libya, 11 years ago, and could have serious repercussion on the continent
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Former Sudanese Prime Minister, Dr Abdalla Hamdouk, who is still enjoying wide popularity among youth in the Sudan, has warned that the prolongation of the current conflict in the country could burst into a full civil war
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA)  This years commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day should be an opportunity to renew the commitment, within international organisations, to defending journalists and, through them, press freedom, according to Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
Egypt's parliament  the House of Representatives  finally approved on Tuesday government-drafted amendments to the 1976 law regulating the performance of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA).

"The legislation would give tax breaks to Egyptian and foreign contractors alike," said the NPPA's Chairman Amgad El-Wakeel.

He indicated that "While the NPPA resorted to foreign contractors  eg South Korean contractors to construct facilities at El-Dabaa's four-reactor Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) as well as turbine buildings  the authority will also use the legislation to open the door for local contractors to win contracts for the construction of El-Dabaa and other nuclear power projects."

"El-Dabaa's NPP is now proceeding according to schedule after some delays due to COVID-19. The new legislation comes to speed up the implementation of the project by giving the NPPA greater powers and flexibility to remove all obstacles standing in the way of implementing this project as well as granting incentives to foreign and local contractors alike," said El-Wakeel.

El-Wakeel indicated last month that Egypt and Russia are speeding up the construction of the 4.8 GW NPP at El-Dabaa, which is located 135 kilometres west of Alexandria, putting it back on schedule after initial delays due to the war in Ukraine and COVID-19.

"El-Dabaa project is now moving ahead at full speed in accordance with timetables and without further delays," said El-Wakeel.

The actual construction work on the plant, which is scheduled to conclude by the year 2030, kicked off in July 2022. A month earlier, Russias State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom)  contracted in 2015 to build the plant and provide it with fuel  started the production of electrical components for a reactor vessel of the plant at a production site in Saint Petersburg.

"The Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Rosatom will lay the first concrete foundation for the plant's third nuclear reactor in May  and the move will come after the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Authority (ENRRA) grants the necessary construction permit for the reactor and successfully lays the concrete foundation for the plant's first and second reactor last year," said El-Wakeel.

A delegation from Russia's Atomstroyexport Company (the Engineering Division of Rosatom) led by general director Alexander Lokshin paid a visit to the El-Dabaa project two weeks ago to review the final preparations for the first work on the plant's third nuclear reactor.

El-Dabaa is Egypt's first-ever NPP and is designed to generate energy for peaceful purposes in collaboration with Russia's nuclear engineering company Rosatom which will build four nuclear reactors with a capacity of 1.2 GW each.

"The legislation comes to speed up the implementation of Egypt's nuclear power plant at El-Dabaa in terms of fully exempting from taxes all parties involved in building and operating nuclear projects, including contractors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers, and workers," explained MP Hend Rashed, deputy chairman of the House's Energy and Environment Committee.

The three-article legislation would also extend the NPPA's mandate to include the implementation of water desalination projects by use of nuclear power technology.

"Besides, it would allow the NPPA to recruit state employees whose high-calibre scientific experience can contribute to the quick implementation of Egypt's nuclear programme," said Rashad.

MPs said they approve the legislation as a necessary step toward implementing Egypt's first NPP. "But we hope that this step would also help lower electricity prices and bills for citizens in the long run and that the NPPA would take all executive measures necessary to get rid of nuclear waste in a safe way," said MP Jihan El-Bayoumi.

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NORMAL  Two new cannabis dispensaries will be coming to Normal, with renovations on their existing spaces set to start this summer.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved special use permit applications for two adult use cannabis dispensaries: Revolution Dispensary at 1609 Northbrook Drive and High Haven at 106 Mall Drive.

High Haven's application was passed unanimously while Revolution's application was approved despite the "no" votes of trustees Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston. The Normal Zoning Board of Appeals endorsed High Haven's application in April but rejected Revolution's.

The council rejected a previous plan for the High Haven site in February after concerns were raised about traffic congestion and the impact the business would have on families visiting stores nearby. The site is near the Shoppes at College Hills.

The new plan addresses some of those concerns by proposing an increase to the number of on-site private parking spaces, up to 58 spaces, and improvements to the entrance and exit at the intersection of East College Avenue and Mall Drive to make them more clearly one-way drives, according to town documents.

This was Revolution's first time before the council.

Although a majority of residents who spoke during the public comment period took a position against the dispensaries, trustee Kevin McCarthy said the council had received plenty of messages from individuals both for and against the dispensaries.

"It's pretty even from everything I head, and clearly we have passionate feelings on both sides of this issue," McCarthy said. "We do have to apply the rules fairly and evenly to any business and not penalize one business because we like it or don't like their product."

Lorenz added that the traffic situation at the intersections College Avenue on Mall and Landmark drives as well as on Plaza and Baxter drives needs to be addressed by the town as soon as an intersection design study will be complete.

"I want to put a call out for an expedited, accelerated effort on our part following the completion of the (intersection design study) to move forward on whatever project come out of that study to improve the flow (of traffic)," Lorenz said.

High Haven CEO and founder Mahja Sulemanjee said she looks forward to getting the necessary permits to start renovation of the space sometime in the next six to nine weeks.

As for the people who are against or unsure of cannabis, Sulemanjee said she recommends people find others who are well educated in cannabis and to have conversations with people who have differing opinions on the topic.

"Not all of their opinions might be exactly up to date, not just with the laws but also with the movement and progress of society," Sulemanjee said. "I'd love to see more education and really hope that we can end the stigma on cannabis."

As for Revolution Dispensary's application, both Lorenz and Preston said the proposed location was not safe and lacked adequate space for parking, even though it meets the town's code requirements.

"It's just not laid out well and I feel for the applicant because I do know from talking to some of them that they had looked at a dozen or so sites and this was likely the only one that fit a variety of constraints that they were facing plus our own code," Lorenz said. "I know it's not easy but I don't think this is going to cut it for me on the special use permit."

According to town documents, the location for the proposed dispensary would have no impact on the existing businesses nearby, including Gloria Jeans Coffee, Normal Maytag Coin Laundry and the McLean County Area EMS System.

Sean Molina, vice president of business affairs at Revolution Cannabis, said they plan to increase the number of parking spaces from 37 spots to 50 by restriping the lot and that there would be additional parallel spaces at the rear of the parking that would be used by employees.

According to town documents, the dispensary would be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with peak hours anticipated to be 4 to 7 p.m. during the week and 2 to 6 p.m. on weekends. Fridays and Saturdays would be expected to be the busiest days.

The applicant expects to hire about 25 full- and part-time employees and anticipates serving around 250 customers per day, with 100 of those customers during peak hours.

"We do have the capability though our online ordering system to govern how many slots we give in various windows, whether it be 15-minute increments to half hour, hour increments," Molina said. "Obviously those flow in various peak times. Those peak times do not overlap with any of the existing tenants in the building."

Mark Steinmetz of Scottsdale, Arizona, who submitted the application through his Illinois Health & Wellness LLC, said he is glad the council upheld the ordinance and assured that this would help the area overall.

He said having a legal business would discourage people from buying from illegal dealers.

"It's a market-share battle," he said. "If you put a tax on a regulated business in place of an illegal business, crime is going to fall but a lot of people haven't really thought that through and they haven't looked at the facts."

Steinmetz said he plans to start renovation of the space in the next four to six weeks, with hopes to open the dispensary some time in August.

Watch now: Photos from the JJ Swims Water Safety Event Jack and Jill volunteers Landon Caffey, Lashonda Harden, Shomari Caffey, Courtney Marks YMCA staff and volunteers Brad Ruehrdanz, Dani Freeman, Patrick Mainieri, Tessa Mizell, Eric and B.J. Wilken Lifeguards and instructors Leanna Bordner with the ISU Womens Swim Team who volunteered at the Getting a wristband Gionee and LaRon Reed Mateo Miranda Swarnambika Appari, Medhasyi and Nishanth Lutukurthy Samantha Lambros, Jace, Dimitri and Jason Campbell Julie and Callie Letzkus Sansanee Pattapongwat, Gawyn Edel Erica and Audrey Larkin Picking up freebies YMCA director/CEO B.J. Wilken Roxanne Stewart Michael Cobarrubias, YMCA director of aquatics Aerial View Drawing door prize winners Patrick Mainieri thanking the ISU Womens Swim Team volunteers Getting ready to swim Playing games Mateo Miranda on the side of the pool Mateo Miranda floating on his back Micah Thompson and Caleb Robinson help Merrell Robinson Leo Swearingen holds Jirzhiel Jolly as Teliyah Johnson looks on Elle Dejaynes holds Paris Calvert Reeve Thomsen, Reese Harris Instructor Ben McDorman is ready to assist Promise Warmsley and Genevieve Blockman

Even though both applications were approved, Lorenz said the council needs to reevaluate the language and requirements set in the special use permit. City Manager Pam Reece said the council intends to have a work session on the topic in June. In other business, the council swore in newly elected trustee Andy Byars. Byars replaced former town trustee Stan Nord after securing a council seat during April municipal elections, along with incumbents Lorenz and Smith. The council also approved the following: A one-year contract with T2 Systems for $25,988 for parking enforcement software.

A contract with Stark Excavating Inc. for sump pump discharge and storm sewer improvements for $424,750

The purchase of two 2023 Ford F-550 trucks from Bob Ridings Inc. for $109,526

A lease agreement for uptown office space with U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap.

A special use permit for an outdoor kennel at 1824 W. Hovey Ave. The council rejected bids for the 2023 Beech Street pavement replacement project.
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

May 2, 1923: Mrs. E.R. Morgan, J.H. Hudson and Reid Davidson: This trio constitutes the new park board of Bloomington. Appointed by Mayor-elect Frank Shorthose, it is expected that the new park board members will be formally inducted into office at the initial session of the new administration next week.

75 years ago

May 2, 1948: Ann Rosen, who was born in Bloomington and graduated from Bloomington High School in 1926, is now an artist of coming rank in New York. Rosen previously traveled with theater stock companies and did newspaper and radio work in New York. She started painting while recovering after she was the only survivor in one train car in a disastrous Labor Day railroad accident outside of Philadelphia a few years ago.

50 years ago

May 2, 1973: Timmy Kauffman, the 7-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Kauffman, became a naturalized American citizen during a ceremony at the federal district courthouse in Peoria. His first grade classmates at Centennial School took a field trip to witness the event. A native-born Korean, Timmy is the biological son of a Korean woman and American serviceman.

25 years ago

May 2, 1998: Local builders trying to avoid a Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District fee hike obtained scores of building permits this week while criticizing the hike as a "hidden tax" that unfairly targets their industry. The fee to connect to the sewer system is doubling to $700 and will double again to $1,400 in three years; the increases are to pay for a new $44 million sewer plant.

101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup'
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois State Fair will be kicking off the summer season on Saturday with its Fair, Fun and Food Kick Off Party.

The event will run from noon to 6 p.m. at the Village of Cultures on East Sangamon Avenue. Admission and parking at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is free for the event.

Attendees can help themselves to food and drinks from some of the state fair's most popular vendors, including Mr. Ribeye, Coleman Concessions, Wafflelicious and Illinois Wine.

The Springfield Park District's Henson Robinson Zoom and Washington Park Preschool will offer free children's activities. The State Fair Dunk Tank also will be set up to give attendees a chance to drench a local celebrity.

There also will be a performance from After Sunset, a local party band that performs covers of songs across all genres, from 3 to 6 p.m.

The 2023 Illinois State Fair will be from August 10 to 20. Visit statefair.illinois.gov for more details.

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Photo: (Photo : Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

A mother-daughter duo, FedEx pilots Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister, recently made history as the first to co-pilot an international flight.

The two pilots piloted FedEx Flight 5434 from Memphis International Airport to Incheon, South Korea. They departed early Thursday morning and arrived at Incheon International Airport on Friday, making the journey take just over 14 hours.

Mother-Daughter Duo Shares the Same Passion

According to WUSA9, the memorable day for the mother-daughter duo occurred just before Mother's Day and almost nine decades after Amelia Earhart's historic solo flight across the Atlantic.

Eidson, who is a Boeing 777F captain for FedEx, has been working for the airline for 28 years. She began her career as a flight attendant before pursuing a career as a pilot. Her daughter, McCallister, is a 777 first officer and followed in her mom's footsteps.

McCallister joined the US Air Force early in her career and interviewed with FedEx to become a pilot while eight months pregnant with her son. McCallister shared her excitement about being able to experience her career dream with her mom.

Both mother and daughter shared the same passion and drive, which helped them make history as the first mother-daughter team to co-pilot an international flight for FedEx.

Simple Flying reported that Eidson mentioned that she hadn't fully grasped the reality of flying with her daughter before they started their journey. She admitted that the thought of her daughter piloting the plane might not sink in until they were rolling down the runway.

Despite the excitement, they both knew they had to focus on the task at hand and reach their destination. Eidson added that it would be amazing to reflect on this experience later on.

On the other hand, McCallister expressed her excitement about the upcoming trip with her mother, mentioning that she had previously flown with her on a jumpseat.

She felt prepared for the journey due to her career training, and was confident that they would both focus on doing the job well.

McCallister believed that their shared passion for their careers would make for a great trip.

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Inspiring Women in Aviation

Eidson reflected on her career, mentioning that not many women worked at FedEx when she started nearly 30 years ago. However, she explained that she hoped to have helped set up a path for other women as well. She mentioned that her daughter would be someone to inspire other women who aspire to work in the industry.

McCallister agreed, stating that women are able to succeed in their careers because of the support they get. She expressed her gratitude towards FedEx for giving her the chance to share her career passion with her mother, as she reflected on their memorable day. She felt honored to have experienced this special moment with her mother.

FedEx continues to lead the industry in supporting women in aviation, with the airline being the first to sponsor the Women in Aviation International Conference. The conference provides opportunities for women to network and learn about various aviation-related careers.

Eidson and McCallister are the first mother and daughter duo to fly internationally. However, according to People, on July 23, 2022, Captain Holly Petitt and First Officer Keely became the first-ever mother-daughter duo to fly locally from Denver to St. Louis, which marked a significant moment for Southwest Airlines and the aviation industry.

In conclusion, Eidson and McCallister's historic flight is a testament to the progress women have made in the aviation industry. They have shown that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of gender. They hope to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and pave the way for future generations of female pilots.

Related Article: Pennsylvania Passes Bill Requiring Insurers To Cover Breast Cancer Screenings, Genetic Testing Costs
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This is a reply to a guest article on Jonathan MS Pearces atheist blog, by Lex Lata: a sharp and civil atheist commentator (a professor?), with whom I have had some stimulating dialogue now and then. Its entitled, Canaan begat Israel: What the Bible gets wrong about Hebrew origins (4-16-23). His words will be in blue; those of others whom he cites in green.

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Per the title, the article is primarily a series of contentions based on (from where I sit) one false premise: that the Bible supposedly teaches a rapid, altogether violent, and total destruction of Canaanite cities and culture by the conquering Israelites, with no gradualism of either a cultural or military / taking over nature. Here is a collection of those sorts of statements (bear in mind that mere repetition of a falsehood makes it no less of a falsehood):

1) [R]egiments of Hebrews did not swoop in under Joshuas command and take or destroy city after city in the space of a generation. Rather, the evidence converges on a more gradual and less violent process.

2) [T]his planned eradication unfolds more-or-less resoundingly and swiftly in the book of Joshua . . . City after city falls to Joshuas forces.

3) The preponderance of the evidence points to a process not of familial/tribal segregation followed by wholesale, bloody conquest, but of demographic evolution and differentiation, of continuity with change . . .

4) As for the traditional Conquest narrative, on the whole, it does not fare well in the light of modern fieldwork and analysis. Archaeologist William Dever (a careful and caustic academic moderate after my own heart) not long ago surveyed the material alignments and misalignments between the biblical account and the archaeological record at Ai, Arad, Dibon, Hazor, Heshbon, Jericho, and other key sites in his magnum opus about what the Bible gets right and what it gets wrong, Beyond the Texts: An Archaeological Portrait of Ancient Israel and Judah. [2017]

5) [I]n the light of the overwhelming archaeological evidence, there was no large-scale warfare on the thirteenth- and twelfth-century horizon, except that initiated by the Philistines along the coast . . . . The inevitable conclusion is that the book of Joshua is nearly all fictitious, of little or no value to the historian. It is largely a legend celebrating the supposed exploits of a local folk hero. [Dever, ibid., 185-186]

6) [T]here is little that we can salvage from Joshuas stories of the rapid, wholesale destruction of Canaanite cities and the annihilation of the local population. It simply did not happen; the archaeological evidence is indisputable. . . . there simply was no Israelite conquest of most of Canaan . . . . There was no wholesale conquest, no need for it. [Dever, Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come From? (2003), 227-228]

This motif sounds fine and dandy and all wrapped up in a neat little bow, that is, until we discover that the Bible and maximalist archaeologists who take the Bible seriously as a profoundly trustworthy historical document, do not actually believe in this myth, as constructed by anti-theist atheists and biblical minimalists. Did you notice how Lex Lata didnt cite even one individual Bible verse in its entirety? He never got down to Bible specifics and serious analysis of the actual texts involved. I shall correct this serious deficiency presently.

Now, it must be granted that there is a kernel of truth in what Lex states (as in all good grand falsehoods). There are indeed biblical statements that, prima facie, sound as if a sweeping, quick, violent conquest of Canaan took place. For example:

Joshua 10:40-42 (RSV) So Joshua defeated the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings; he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. And Joshua defeated them from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, as far as Gibeon. And Joshua took all these kings and their land at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. [Joshuas southern campaign] Joshua 11:16-18, 23 So Joshua took all that land, the hill country and all the Negeb and all the land of Goshen and the lowland and the Arabah and the hill country of Israel and its lowland from Mount Halak, that rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. And he took all their kings, and smote them, and put them to death. Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. [Joshuas northern campaign] Joshua 21:43-44 Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers; and having taken possession of it, they settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers; not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands.

Seems pretty clear, doesnt it? But its not so simple  and it isnt because its a question of how to interpret biblical language and rhetoric in context. The Bible can be literal and it can be non-literal and poetic, including rhetorical exaggeration. Maximalist Egyptologist and archaeologist Kenneth Kitchen explains:

It is the careless reading of such verses as these, without a careful and close reading of the narratives proper, that has encouraged Old Testament scholars to read into the entire book a whole myth of their own making, to the effect that the book of Joshua presents a sweeping, total conquest and occupation of Canaan by Joshua . . . based on the failure to recognize and understand ancient use of rhetorical summations. The alls are qualified in the Hebrew narrative itself. In 10:20 we learn that Joshua and his forces massively slew their foes until they were finished off . . ., but in the same breath the text states that the remnant that survived got away into the defended towns. . . . Then we have a series of notices which indicate that, already under Joshua, the tribesfolk could not easily take possession of the territories raided; cf. such as 15:63; 16:10; 17:12-13, 18; Joshuas still later critique, 18:3, before the second allotment; 19:47 . . . So there is no total occupation shown to be achieved under Joshua himself . . . The type of rhetoric in question is a regular feature of military reports in the second and first millennia, as others have made very clear. . . . It is in this frame of reference that the Joshua rhetoric must also be understood. (1) The text of Joshua does not imply huge and massive fiery destructions of every site visited (only Jericho, Ai, and Hazor were burned). (2)

Prominent maximalist archaeologist James K. Hoffmeier concurs:

Joshua does not describe a widespread destruction of the land. Rather, as Joshua admits (13:1), there was still much land not in Israelite hands, and the book proceeds to outline those areas (vv. 28). . . . Contrary to a blitzkrieg and whirlwind annihilation conquest . . . as understood by some critical readers of Joshua, quite the opposite is reported. . . . A careful reading of the text of Joshua suggests a far more modest military outcome than those advanced by twentieth-century biblical scholars either supporting or critiquing the conquest model. (3) The idea of a group of tribes coming to Canaan, using some military force, partially taking a number of cities and areas over a period of some years, destroying (burning) just three cities, and coexisting alongside the Canaanites and other ethnic groups for a period of

time before the beginnings of monarchy does not require blind faith. (4) A close look at the terms dealing with warfare in Joshua 10 reveals that they do not support the interpretation that the land of Canaan and its principal cities were demolished and devastated by the Israelites. (5) Since hyperbole . . . was a regular feature of Near Eastern military reporting, the failure of Miller, Dever, Redford, and others to recognize the hyperbolic nature of such statements in Joshua is ironic because the charge usually leveled at maximalist historians is that they take the text too literally. As a consequence of this failure, these historical minimalists have committed the fallacy of misplaced literalism that Fischer defines as the misconstruction of a statement-in-evidence so that it carries a literal meaning when a symbolic or hyperbolic or figurative meaning was intended. (6) (7) The idea that the Israelites would have destroyed and leveled cities indiscriminately, makes little sense for they intended to live in this land. A scorched-earth policy is only logical for a conqueror who has no thought of occupying the devastated land. (8) The Bible portrays a limited conquest of key sites in strategic areas . . . there are regions that the Bible clearly claims were not conquered. These include the territory later taken by the philistines along the southern coast of Canaan, and north to Phoenicia and the Mount Hermon region (Joshua 13:1). Furthermore, there are pockets within north an central Canaan that were not seized. These city-states include Jerusalem (Joshua 15:63), Gezer (Joshua 16:10), Dor, Megiddo, Taanach, Beth Shan and the fertile Jezreel Valley (Joshua 17:11, 16). . . . Clearly the Bible does not claim a maximal conquest and demolition of Canaan as Albright and others believed. (9)

But Lex Lata goes far beyond this error at the level of premise. He cites minimalist archaeologist Dever, absurdly maintaining that the book of Joshua is nearly all fictitious, of little or no value to the historian. It is largely a legend . . . I am the author of the book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press: March 15, 2023). Its doing quite well on Amazon as I write (4-29-23), with Kindle ratings of #9 in Religious Antiquities & Archaeology, #12 in Christian History, and #81 in Christian Historical Theology.

In this book, I massively cite factual archaeological data, with regard to (among many other things) Joshuas conquest, which was quite real and historically substantiated; just not as rapid and total as Lex wrongly believes Christian scholars and maximalist archaeologists think. I devote a 14-page chapter to the topic and an additional related 12-page Appendix.

I painstakingly go over many many individual cities mentioned in the Bible in conjunction with Joshua and warfare or cultural domination, that have now been excavated, showing how archaeology is  despite Devers false presupposition-driven mythmaking  in more or less complete accord with the biblical accounts. But the maximalists and believers in biblical inspiration such as myself, and the Bible, as shown, do not characterize the entire conquest as Lex claims they do. Hes caricaturing and warring with straw men.

Secondly, a sub-theme of this motif of gradualism and process rather than swift and total change is Lexs contention that Hebrew evolved in large part from Canaanite precursors:

1) . . . continuity with changenot only in material culture (such as pottery), but also in language, . . .

2) [T]he Canaanite origins of Israelite language, . . . remain clearly evident in the literary and archaeological remains of ancient Israel and Judah. [Lester L. Grabbe, The Dawn of Israel: A History of Canaan in the Second Millennium BCE (2022), 281]

3) Scholars of ancient Semitic languages tell us archaic Hebrew began as a dialect that branched out from the Northwest Semitic Canaanite tongue. . . . (In fact, the shared linguistic pedigree allowed the Hebrews and other Northwest Semitic ethnolinguistic groups to readily adopt the Phoenician alphabet for their own writings.) Notably, Semitic philologists see no evidence of the sort of abrupt linguistic domination, displacement, or disruption that external conquerors generally precipitate . . .

But Im unaware of any important Christian linguistic scholar or expert on the Ancient Near East or biblical maximalist archaeologist who would deny this. Nor am I aware of anything in the Bible (maybe I missed something) that would imply such a thing. Certainly there is no claim along the lines of Hebrew developed completely separately from Canaanite languages! So its a clear straw man in the article: regarding both biblical claims and supposed beliefs of the relevant Christian scholars. In sum, then, Lex contends that there is strong disagreement here when in fact there is little or none.

For example, as just one of numerous statements of this sort made by Kitchen, here is one I cite in my book (page 86). It clearly shows that this area is not one of disagreement among minimalist and maximalist archaeologists (and Kitchen is widely considered the greatest of the latter class of scholars):

From the fourteenth/thirteenth century onward, the [Canaanite] alphabet could be freely used for any form of communication. The contemporary north Semitic texts found at Ugarit in north Phoenicia illustrate this to perfection. . . . The Amarna evidence [c. 13601332 B.C.] and handful of pottery finds prove clearly that Canaanite was the dominant local tongue and could be readily expressed in alphabetic writing. . . . During the two centuries that followed, circa 12001000, standard Hebrew evolved out of this form of Canaanite, probably being fully formed by Davids time. Copies of older works such as Deuteronomy or Joshua would be recopied, modernizing outdated grammatical forms and spellings. (10)

Thirdly, Lex claims that early Israelite religion was polytheistic, in line with that of most of the surrounding nations:

1) The preponderance of the evidence points to . . . demographic evolution and differentiation, of continuity with change . . . in . . . religious beliefs and practices.

2) [T]he Canaanite origins of Israelite . . . religion remain clearly evident in the literary and archaeological remains of ancient Israel and Judah. [Grabbe, ibid.]

3) [T]he early henotheistic or monolatrous form of Israelite religion was, in many respects, essentially the Northwest Semitic religion shared by Canaanites and others in the region. [Grabbe, ibid., 232; Grabbe, Ancient Israel: What Do We Know and How Do We Know it? (2017), 127; Mark S. Smith, The Early History of God: Yahweh and Other Deities of Ancient Israel (2nd ed., 2002), 28-31]. The Bible itself retains vestiges of the polytheistic Divine Council common to cultures of the Ancient Near East in Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 82, and elsewhere. Relatedly, the God of Abraham is sometimes called El, the name of the chief deity in the older Canaanite pantheon, and scholars of the period are in general agreement that a number of Israelites practiced a folk religion involving both Yahweh and Asherah (Els Canaanite queen/consort goddess) prior to the ascendancy of monotheistic Yahwism.

4) In short, the religion of the Canaanites . . . constituted the background from which Israelite religion largely emerged. [Smith, ibid., 13]

This is false. Indeed, there is a stark differentiation from early on (from Abraham or even earlier). As Ive addressed this claim five times now, there is no need to do it again. See:

Seidensticker Folly #19: Torah & OT Teach Polytheism? [9-18-18]

Seidensticker Folly #20: An Evolving God in the OT? (Gods Omnipotence, Omniscience, & Omnipresence in Early Bible Books & Ancient Jewish Understanding) [9-18-18]

Loftus Atheist Error #8: Ancient Jews, Body of God, & Polytheism [9-10-19]

Do the OT & NT Teach Polytheism or Henotheism? [7-1-20]

Seidensticker Folly #70: Biblical Henotheism [?] Redux [1-31-21]

Atheists who write about these sorts of topics cite  almost exclusively  both archaeological minimalists and theological liberals, who no longer  or never did  adhere to traditional Christian beliefs, and who (generalizing) dont take into account the Bibles cultural milieu and the particularities of Hebrew and Greek idiom and style in their interpretation of the Bible.

Lex writes, current scholarship in archaeology, philology, and history reveals a substantially different account: as if the only legitimate scholarship is minimalist, as if there are no respectable maximalist scholars, too, and as if one monolithic opinion exists in these fields. Later he similarly refers to a few exceptions among researchers committed in some way to scriptural inerrancy, . . .

Convenient, isnt it? Its either radical skepticism or intellectually challenged and stunted blind faith. There is no happy medium or center of a orthodoxy. But such minimalism has its own set of arbitrary dogmatic presuppositions that are altogether challengeable. Kitchen observes about this school of thought:

What had been merely bold theory became fixed dogma, as though set in concrete. A purely theoretical minimalism (lacking any factual verification) was enshrined as dogma in theology and divinity schools and faculties, while the vast worlds of ancient Near Eastern studies slowly began to be unveiled, offering huge additions to factual knowledge. And almost none of it agrees with the dogmas so uncritically perpetuated into the present. Early, middle, and late minimalists alike face the need for some very drastic changes in their fantasy worlds. And that, not from rival brands of philosophy or theology, but in factual terms from the firmly secular disciplines of Assyriology, Egyptology, parallel studies for the rest of the Near East, and the whole of its regional archaeologies (Syro-Palestinian archaeology included). (11)

Dr. Kitchen certainly can speak with authority on the topic, as one of the leading Egyptologists in the world, and co-author of Treaty, Law and Covenant in the Ancient Near East, Part 1-3 (Harrassowitz Verlag: 2012). Volume 1 alone is 1641 pages. The description at Amazon reveals the enormous amount of extraordinary research involved:

This work presents a far-reaching social profile of life in the Ancient Near East, based on its wealth of law-collections, treaties and covenants through three millennia. Volume 1 (The Texts) sets out a uniquely comprehensive corpus of over 100 such documents in 10 languages, mostly displayed in facing-page transliterations and English translations with individual bibliographies. Volume 2 (Text, Notes, and Chromograms) provides essential philological and background commentary to the texts, fully indexes their subject-matter, and concludes with a revolutionary and innovative series of full-colour diagrams of every text, vividly highlighting variations through the centuries. Finally, Volume 3 (Overall Historical Survey) outlines the flowing interplay of political history, changing social norms and varying documentary formats throughout the whole period. Taken together, this tryptich offers a striking and indispensable new overview of its multifaceted world for Ancient Near-Eastern and biblical studies.



Kitchen also authored the magisterial Ramesside Inscriptions: Historical and Biographical (8 Volumes, Oxford: B. H. Blackwell Ltd., 1969-1975). See the table of contents of Volume 1 and Volume 8 at Internet Archive. That is firsthand familiarity with the facts on the ground of Near Eastern history and archaeology. So he is utterly qualified to make the critiques he does of minimalist archaeologists and armchair theorists and fantasy writers.

As far as I know, Lex Lata never responded to my previous lengthy critique of another article of his: Moses Wrote the Torah: 50 External Evidences [12-14-22]. And he was informed of it; or at least I let webmaster Jonathan M. S. Pearce know. If he did reply somewhere, I was never told. Maybe this time it will be different. How nice it would be to have an intelligent debate, and to compare the competing views, point-by-point. Lex is a sharp guy and fun to talk to (what little I have done that). I hope he is willing to engage in a full dialogue. I think it would be challenging and fun, but it takes two . . .

FOOTNOTES

1) Kenneth A. Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2003), 173-174.

2) Ibid., 183.

3) James K. Hoffmeier, Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996), 36.

4) Ibid., 43.

5) Ibid., 34.

6) David Hackett Fischer, Historians Fallacies: Toward a Logic of Historical Thought (New York: Harper & Row, 1970), 58.

7) Hoffmeier, 42

8) Ibid., 43-44.

9) James K. Hoffmeier, The Archaeology of the Bible (Oxford: Lion Book / Lion Hudson, 2008), 67-68.

10) Kitchen, 304-305.

11) Kitchen, 497.

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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: Moses Blesses Joshua Before the High Priest (Numbers 27:22), by James Tissot (1836-1902) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

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Summary: I reply to an atheist regarding Joshuas conquest, and show how in two areas, Bible proponents agree with skeptics, while profoundly disagreeing on a third aspect.
Today, Bishop Stephen D. Parkes issued the statement below in regards to the Carmel in Savannah. Important to note is that the Bishop has no jurisdiction over the property of Carmel. The issue at hand is between the Carmel of Savannah and the Carmelite Order worldwide. This is the case with every religious order that functions in a diocese  the Bishop usually does not own their property, nor can he make internal decisions of the Order. Bishop Parkes has been an advocate for the Sisters, recognizing that they have given their lives to this way of life, and cannot simply be kicked out  however the final decision lies in the Carmelite Order. Those who will benefit from the sale of this Carmel, which has been unfortunately slowly in decline over the past few years, will be the monasteries where the Sisters transfer.

Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Friends in Christ,

In 1957, Bishop Thomas J. McDonough invited a group of Discalced Carmelite Nuns from Philadelphia to make a new foundation in Savannah to pray for Priests and for a deepening of faith in the few and scattered faithful of our Mission Diocese. By the next year, the first generation of Nuns had moved into Our Lady of Confidence Monastery in Savannah where, by their prayers and presence, they have blessed our Diocese for 65 years.

In 2018, the Holy See released the instruction Cor orans, which contained new guidelines for the life and organization of monasteries for contemplative Nuns around the world. The document called for revisions to be implemented in various areas of monastic life, from community autonomy to work habits to formation. Last year, the Discalced Carmelite Order conducted an official visitation of the Carmel of Our Lady of Confidence to determine the sustainability of the community under the norms instituted by Cor orans. The local Sisters are in discussion and discernment with leaders of the Discalced Carmelite Order to determine the future of the community.

I am grateful to these holy women who have made their home among us for so many years. The Sisters are dear to my heart and their Carmelite spirituality has greatly enriched our local Church. I ask that the many supporters of the Carmel of Our Lady of Confidence join me in prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that discussions and decisions by the local Sisters and the Carmelite Order regarding the future of the monastery and the Nuns are carried out with justice and charity.

In Christ,
Sonys AFFIRM Films has released the first look at its upcoming Nativity-themed musical Journey to Bethlehem, which will release to theaters in November 2023. Promising a look at the birth of Jesus Christ like youve never seen, the film stars Fiona Palomo (Outer Banks) and Milo Manheim (Disneys ZOMBIES ) as Mary and Joseph along with Academy Award nominee Antonio Banderas (Puss In Boots), Joel Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY), Moriah, Lecrae, and more.

The preview, which released today, shows the contemporary musical take on the story, with O Come Emanuel framing shots of shepherds, dancing wise men and villagers, Joseph and Mary holding the baby Jesus, and Banderas in all of his Herod costuming giving a menacing look. Lecrae also appears as a pretty modern and compelling Gabriel, delivering the news to Mary. Several key players from the summer camp musical (and one of my personal favorites) A Week Away are on board, including Alan Powell, and Vicky Patel, so I am very intrigued and excited to see the final film.

The official synopsis follows:

A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical celebration for the entire family, weaves classic Christmas melodies into new pop songs in a music-infused retelling of the timeless story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it.

Journey to Bethlehem, directed by Adam Anders, will release Nov. 10 in theaters. Watch the teaser trailer below:
Egypts Minister of Solidarity Nevine El-Qabbaj praised the efforts of the Egyptian Red Crescent in providing more than 20,000 services through its relief centre to those fleeing war in Sudan through the Arqeen and Qustul border crossings, according to a ministry statement on Tuesday.

El-Qabbajs remarks came during a meeting with the Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent Rami El-Nazer to discuss humanitarian relief operations on the Egyptian-Sudanese border, according to the ministrys statement.

The Egyptian Red Crescent teams provided relief and emergency services, including dry food items and personal hygiene kits, according to a report presented by El-Nazir during the meeting.

Moreover, El-Nazir stated that the Egyptian Red Crescent provided psychological support services for adults and children, in addition to facilitating travel procedures and providing telephone and internet communication.

International teams also provided first aid services and transportation that has enabled them to reach their desired destination, in addition to reuniting families.

The Egyptian Red Crescent coordinates with the Egyptian embassy in Sudan to alleviate the suffering and provide necessary services to those affected by the crisis, the statement noted.

Last Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid clarified that, as of 27 April, around 14,000 Sudanese citizens, 2,000 citizens from 50 countries, and six international organisations had crossed into Egypt from Sudan.

Cairo also has evacuated 6,960 Egyptian nationals from Sudan since the outbreak of violence in the country more than two weeks ago, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs late Sunday in a statement.

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Apple and Google are teaming up to fight AirTag and Tile bluetooth tracker stalking by proposing an industry specification. This specification is intended to alert users in the event of suspected unwanted tracking, according to the official press release. Location-tracking devices can be a godsend, especially when you misplace your keys or wallet. However, they can also be used for far more nefarious reasons like stalking and car theft. This proposed specification is meant to squash the misuse of these gadgets.

My colleague used Apple AirTag to track his wife and kids for sciencethese are his takeaways.

So, how will this standard work? Well, it would allow Bluetooth-enabled gadgets to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across both iOS and Android ecosystems. Theyve already got the support of Tile, Samsung, Eufy Security, Pebblebee, Chipolo, and more. Apple and Google submitted this proposed specification to the Internet Engineering Task Force (otherwise known as IETF), which is a standards organization that was established back in 1986. Interested parties are currently being invited to review and comment on the proposal over a period of three months. Once theyve gone over the feedback, theyll release a production implement of the specification, which is expected by the end of 2023.

Since the release of the new AirTags in 2021, Apple has gone ahead and implemented a couple of new anti-stalking features. The device will now producer louder alert sounds when separated from from its owner. Youll also see a warning message when setting up the AirTag for the first time. This new message informs folks that using this item to track people is indeed a criminal offense in most places around the world. While these changes are no doubt important, Google and Apple seem to be taking things a step further. This is great news, as safety should always be a top priority.
The CEO and Founding Member of the Ghana Commodity Exchange, Tucci Ivowi, has charged female staff of the insurance group Hollard Ghana to stay focused to accomplish higher strides.



According to her, women must become experts in their industry to advance to leadership positions. She urged them to deliver results because smart leaders want intelligent individuals on their teams. She believes that to change the narrative, we must embrace equity and seize opportunities to find more fair solutions.



She addressed the Hollard Women High Tea, which was themed "Embrace Equity" to commemorate IWD 2023 at Tribeca, a restaurant in Accra.



In her view, women should always work SMARTER. They ought to develop a work ethic that makes them Sincere, Motivated, Artistic, Resilient, Tough, Empathetic, and Respected. She underlined the need to adopt these professional principles to remain relevant and advance to the next prospect.



In her presentation, Tucci said:



Don't focus on the ladder, or you are likely to fall. Focus on achieving results, and that will elevate you.

Dont let yourself down and blame others for not letting you reach your potential. Failure allows you to grow; embrace it.

Do not take an opportunity and squander it. This act affects women; do not let your gender down.

To remain relevant, never stop developing yourself.

Marry a friend and a partner. Someone supportive of your career advancements.

The speaker, Tucci Ivowi, was complimented by the host, Patience Akyianu, Group CEO of Hollard Ghana, for empowering Hollard women.



Sheila Wristberg, CEO of IRisk Management LTD, a guest, also, introduced Hollard Women to Women Leadership in Insurance Africa'. It is a community for women Sheila founded in the insurance industry that provides support, advice, skills, and mentorship to enable women to excel.



The day ended with great bonding activities like singing and dancing, accompanied by good food and music. Participants also had the opportunity to network with the speaker and guests.



The countrys favorite insurance group is Hollard Ghana, with subsidiaries Hollard Insurance and Hollard Life Assurance. The group combines its deep local knowledge of the market having previously operated in Ghana for 25 years as Metropolitan Insurance with the world-class expertise of an international insurance brand in 18 countries across the world. With feet firmly planted on Ghanaian soil but headquartered in South Africa, Hollard delivers innovative insurance solutions customized to the unique risks Ghanaians face.



Hollard offers various life and general insurance products including funeral, personal accident, motor, business, travel, home, and more; and can be reached via the following means: 0501603967 (Hollard Insurance) and 0501533698 (Hollard Life). Beyond various nationwide office branches andHollard 2U franchise shops, Ghanaians can find Hollard at Shell Fuel Station Welcome Shops, Melcom stores and online at www.hollard.com.gh and www.jumia.com.gh for all their insurance needs.

















Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has revealed government intentions to build a new gold refinery for Ghanas Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM) industry.



He said that the refinery will be built with the help of the London Bullion Marketing Association (LBMA).



The Deputy Minister disclosed this on Thursday, April 27, 2023, during a meeting with the LBMA officials on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains currently underway in Paris, France.



Mr. Duker wrote after the meeting that the LBMA officials were led by the CEO, Ruth Cromwell, and added that the Association had reiterated its support for Ghana to have a clear roadmap in acquiring a certified refinery.



I am very glad to indicate that, LBMA is ready to assist Ghana establish a new refinery for the Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector, he stressed.



He explained that the meeting was to afford Ghana the opportunity to reaffirm the parties willingness in setting up LBMA-certified refineries in Ghana.



The meeting was to affirm Ghanas engagement with LBMA from 2021 on steps to get some local gold refineries LBMA-certified and compete internationally.



Todays meeting centered on responsible sourcing of precious minerals across the world and how Ghana is meeting up to the challenge. UK-Ghanaian responsible mining organisation, Ansong Askew Limited also participated in this important meeting, the Deputy Minister indicated.



Mr. Duker is in Paris to represent his boss, Samuel Abu Jinapor at the 2023 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains.



Mr. Duker explained that traditional authorities, civil society organisations (CSOs), and the private sector can support governments in promoting responsible Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), supporting state-sponsored buying schemes of domestic gold, and creating alternative livelihoods for illegal miners in resource-rich countries during a panel discussion.



The discussions were themed on Exploring Domestic Drivers for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains; the Role of Traditional Authorities, CSOs, and the Private Sector.



I stated that Ghana governments effort in the areas of establishment of community mining schemes, domestic gold buying programme, distribution of mercury-free gold processing equipment, reduction of export tax on ASM gold from 3%  1.5%, while deepening engagements with traditional and local government authorities on supporting governments efforts in developing the full potential of ASGM in Ghana, he wrote.



Fanny Fremont, Executive Director of the Responsible Micah Initiative, chaired the panel discussion that included Dexter Ian Valerio of the Central Bank of the Philippines, Helene Helbig de Balzac of Datastake, and Desire Nikiema of the Alliance for Responsible Mining.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The Neuro Spinal Hospital (NSH), a one-of-a-kind medical facility in Dubai dedicated in the treatment of neurology, spine, and orthopedic conditions and a comprehensive and advanced cancer centre has opened its doors to training medics from Africa.



Chief Operating Officer, Dana Msaddi, explained to representatives of African Media that the state-of-the-art facility is poised to giving out knowledge to physicians in the region because they are on a mission to better healthcare across the world.



Education is a passion for us and rooted in our DNA since we opened our doors two decades ago. Our founder and CEO is building to legacy not to business, and on the mission to raise the standards of care across the region, she said.



Since its establishment in 2002, The Neuro Spinal Hospital (NSH) has evolved into becoming a leading hospital in the UAE for the treatment of neurosurgical and spinal disorders, and now is home to an advanced cancer centre and a destination for many patients across the region.



The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, including an advanced neuroimaging centre that provides the most accurate and precise imaging of the brain and spine, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis and safer procedures.



Currently, it is the only facility with one of the most advanced technologies, the CyberKnife, which is a non-invasive robotic radiosurgery system that delivers high doses of radiation to the targeted tumours with pinpoint accuracy. This allows to the destruction of cancer cells without impacting healthy tissue around it with no anaesthesia, incisions, and no or minimal side effects.



The hospital hosts regular conferences and workshops on the latest advances in spinal surgery, open to all surgeons of the region



For enquiries into this health care facility in Dubai contact Maame Adjoa Cann on 0207733131

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The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has asked the government to convert the National Cathedral project into a hospital.



Addressing the 2023 May Day parade in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, the Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah said converting the national cathedral into a hospital project will better serve Ghanaians than going ahead to build the cathedral.



The TUC also advised the President to reduce the size of government as Ghana was going through economic challenges.



The 2023 May Day parade is on the theme: "Protecting incomes and pensions in an era of economic crisis: Our responsibility"

Source: graphic.com.gh









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A closed-door summit on Afghanistan ended Tuesday in Qatar without any formal acknowledgment of the Taliban-run government there, though the United Nations' chief said they would hold another meeting in the future.

Activists had worried the gathering in Doha could see the international community reach a recognition deal with the Taliban, even as Afghan women remain largely barred from society under their restrictive measures.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the summit, which the world body described as an event where nations and organizations were trying to reach unified stances on human rights, governance, counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts related to Afghanistan.

No recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government had been anticipated to come out of the meeting, though activists in recent days suggested it was a possibility.

The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as US and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

To achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage, Guterres said. And many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons we have learned from the past.

He did not elaborate, though the Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan from 1994 to 2001.

Asked by a journalist if there would be any circumstance under which he'd be wiling to directly meet with the Taliban, Guterres said: When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility, but today is not the right moment to do so.

The Taliban themselves were not invited and did not attend the meeting.

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Talibans political office in Doha, told The Associated Press that the new Afghan government dismissed the talks.

If they are not ready to hear us and know our position regarding the issues, how can they reach a convincing and palatable solution?" Shaheen said. "One-sided decisions couldnt deliver. Afghanistan is an independent country. It has its own voice; we want them to listen to our voice.

Shaheen on Sunday met Andrew McCoubrey, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the United Kingdom's Foreign Office, and Yue Xiaoyong, Chinas special envoy for Afghanistan, in Doha.

As you know, the UN envoy has talks with government officials in Kabul, but when it comes to these sorts of conferences ... we are not invited," Shaheen added. "We think this is not the solution for Afghan issues and its outcome cant be effective.

Afghanistans acting foreign minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, will travel to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, later this week to meet Chinese and Pakistani officials.

In the time since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, deprived of virtually all their basic rights, according to the UN.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade and women are barred from working, studying, traveling without a male companion, and even going to parks or bath houses.

Women must also cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from working at national and international non-governmental organizations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan remains wracked by poverty and hunger, squeezed like other nations by Russia's war on Ukraine.

Guterres offered stinging criticism of the Taliban's treatment of women, saying its ban on allowing them to work in aid groups was unacceptable and puts lives in jeopardy.

Let me be crystal clear: We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls rights, he said. We will always speak out when millions of women and girls are being silenced and erased from sight. This is a grave violation of fundamental human rights.

Meanwhile, concerns remain over Afghanistan again becoming a haven for Islamic extremists wanting to strike out abroad. The US-led 2001 invasion came on the back of al-Qaida's Sept. 11 attack on New York and Washington. Since the Taliban takeover, the US has carried out drone strikes targeting suspected militants.

Those concerns have complicated how nations, particularly the West, deal with Afghanistan today.

The Taliban are a terrorist group whose deeply repressive regime has systematically sought to erase more than half of the population from society, an open letter from the activists read.

Having denied women and girls almost all of their fundamental human rights, the Taliban has become the only regime in the world upholding a system of gender apartheid.

The countries that took part in the Doha summit included China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Qatar, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula which long hosted a political office for the Taliban, hosted the talks.

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Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida is arriving in Ghana on Monday as part of his weeklong visit to some selected four nations in Africa.



This will be the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister to Ghana in 17 years after Junichiro Koizumi, a Japanese politician who was Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party who visited somewhere in 2006.



Kishida was in Egypt before moving to Ghana. He is expected to travel to Kenya and Mozambique, before returning to his homeland with a transit through the South Asian city-state, Singapore.



It is a trip organized in view of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, under the Japanese presidency, to strengthen ties with the global South and gather international solidarity in support of Ukraine



Kishida is scheduled to meet with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kenyan William Ruto and Mozambican Filipe Jacinto Nyusi as well as his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong.



Starting next week, I will be visiting Ghana. It is a great pleasure to be able to visit this country, which plays a pivotal role in West Africa.



I am very delighted to be able to finally return to Ghana as the Prime Minister of Japan, after overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.



The international community is now at a historic turning point. Russias aggression against Ukraine has had a major impact on Africa, including a food crisis and soaring fertiliser prices.



In addition, cooperation among the international community is even more crucial to effectively address various challenges facing the international community, such as climate change, energy, and opaque and unfair development finance.



As both Japan and Ghana currently serve as members of the United Nations Security Council, and as the two countries work together as important partners that share values and principles such as democracy and the rule of law, I look forward to having a frank discussion with President Akufo-Addo, PM Kishida emphasised.



The visit is also to offer the Prime Minister opportunity to further deepen the strong economic relationships between Ghana and Japan as well as further promote business and investments with Ghana, one of the leading economic centres in West Africa.



Based on the belief that quality infrastructure development is the foundation for revitalising economic activities, Japan has been supporting infrastructure such as roads to improve Ghanas connectivity to this date.



Japan has high hopes for Ghana, which hosts the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to play a role as a standard-bearer in promoting regional integration and trade facilitation. We are determined to cooperate more closely with Ghana in the future, he pointed out.



He expressed Japans continuous support for Ghanas infrastructure development in areas of roads and healthcare, acknowledging the contribution of Noguchi Memorial Institute to Ghana.



The development of Ghana-Japan relations cannot be discussed without acknowledging the achievements of Dr Hideyo Noguchi.



The healthcare sector is an important area for both countries, and we are pleased that Japan is contributing to the health and medical fields in Ghana and the West African region through the establishment of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and technical cooperation through the institute.



In particular, the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, which was established following the Prime Minister Koizumis visit to Ghana in 2006, have recognised individuals who have made outstanding achievements in medical research and medical activities in combating infectious diseases and other illnesses in Africa including Ghana.



This prize has contributed to the improvement of health and welfare in Africa as a whole. With a view to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), we will continue to contribute to the improvement in the health sector in Africa and the world.



He expressed the need for nations to uphold the International order based on the rule of law in ensuring peace and stability is the cornerstone of growth

in the face of Russias aggression against Ukraine, which shakes the very foundations of the international order.



He is expected to reaffirm Japans close collaboration with Ghana, which is playing a leading role in maintaining peace and stability in the region through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Accra Initiative.







Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo explained in his 2023 May Day speech why Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia was missing the event for the first time since 2017.



He stated in the beginning of his speech that Bawumia remained in Accra to undertake an equally important task of welcoming a top dignitary in the person of the visiting Japanese Prime Minister.



"The vice President, who has always been present at May Day celebrations since 2017, has asked me to convey his apologies to you for not being able to make it today.



"He is welcoming the Prime Minister of one of Ghanas most important partners, Japan, who is arriving this morning in Accra for a two-day official visit. He is the second Japanese Prime Minister ever to visit our country.



"God willing, next year, the Vice President will be with us again on May Day," the president said.



Bawumia welcomes Fumio Kishida to Ghana



Bawumia on May 1 welcomed the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, to Ghana for a two-day state visit.



The Japanese Prime Minister is expected to hold a bilateral talks with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.



The Asian country seeks to deepen her strong economic ties and further promote business and investment relations in Ghana, being one of the leading economic centres in West Africa.



Japan has been supporting Ghanas infrastructure development, especially roads, to improve the countrys transport connectivity.



The Asian country has high hopes for Ghana, which hosts the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to play a critical role in promoting regional integration and trade facilitation.



The development of the bilateral relations cannot be discussed without acknowledging the achievements of Dr Hideyo Noguchi, a Japanese who had played a vital role in the healthcare sector of both countries.





Source: ghanaweb.com









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The President of the Republic has appointed Dr. Yaw Twerefour as the Registrar and CEO of the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency.



His appointment, which was done in accordance with Article 195(1) of the 1992 Constitution and section 100(1) of the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011(Act 829), will see him managing the licensing, control, and regulation of facilities connected with storage, transportation, and disposal of human remains.



Dr. Twerefour is a medical practitioner with over ten years experience and a Public Health Specialist. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Medical Superintendent of Anyaa Polyclinic and has also held various roles at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region. He has also served as an external consultant to the National Health Insurance Authority and has worked as a resident medical and COVID support doctor at GHACEM and other corporate institutions.



Profile



Dr Yaw Twerefour obtained his Bachelors Degree in Medicine at First Moscow State Medical Academy. He also holds Certificates in Occupational Health Safety ( Nebosh International, United Kingdom) and Global Health Project Management and Leadership Management from the University of Washington in the United States.



Locally, Dr. Twerefour pursued postgraduate certificate courses in Health Administration and Management (HAM), Monitoring and Evaluation, both at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration(GIMPA), Accra. Dr Twerefour holds a Masters in Public Health (MPH). He is a member of the Ghana Medical Association and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra.



Dr. Twerefour has co-authored two Medical Publications in the Lancet Medical Journal and the Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases.



His appointment awaits the advice of the Governing Board of the Agency, in consultation with the Public Services Commission, a letter signed by the Secretary to the President indicates.



He is a proud old student of Mfantsipim School.

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Ambassador Edward Boateng, Director General (DG) of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) and immediate past Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China has donated logistics and aids to disabled persons in the Ashanti Region as part of his annual donation to the disabled community in Ghana. Among the items donated included white canes, walking clutches, walkers and wheel chairs.



The event was held at the Kwadaso Methodist Retreat Centre. Among the dignitaries present were Prof. Kingsley Nyarko (Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency), Hon Richmond Agyenim Boateng (Municipal Chief Executive  Kwadaso Municipal Assembly), Mr. Kwasi Kyei (Former Director of Communications  Ashanti Region NPP)



Ambassador Boateng encouraged all present especially persons with disability (PWD) to be confident, aggressive and aim to make a difference in society irrespective of conditions. He cited great men locally and internationally who made an impact to society irrespective of their challenges. Disability doesnt mean inability. You have inherent talents and skills to unearth, harness and aggressively engage to make a difference.



President Roosevelt who steered America through the Great Depression and World War II achieved despite being affected by polio and needed mobility aids, Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University achieved great scientific feats despite needing mobility aids and losing his speech, Helen Keller became deaf blind at the age of 19 months but became an advocate for labour rights and many social causes globally, Paul Anomah Kordieh of e.tv Ghana is visually impaired but reads live news on TV and decorated as Ghanas first visually impaired news anchor. Chairman B.K. Edusei who championed Kotokos Africa club victory in 1971 also had mobility aids. The list goes on and on and on. With technology these days, you can become anything you yearn for, he said.



Receiving the items on behalf of the group, Mr. Kwasi Kyei thanked Amb. Boateng for his exhibition of genuine love and assured that the group will utilize the logistics in their quest to make life meaningful. He said On behalf of the group, I say thank you. We are grateful and assure you that the beneficiaries are capable of achieving great feats. What they require is the support, technology and enabling policies. Ambassador Boateng also expressed the need to focus on mental health as a nation and called for the effective implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 Act 715.



Ambassador Boateng has consistently supported the disabled community and donated logistics and aids to Ghanas disabled communities. In his previous capacity as Executive Chairman of the Global Media Alliance group; founders of e.tv Ghana, Ambassador Boateng recruited and provided training and logistics to Paul Anomah Kordieh to become Ghanas and arguably West Africas first visually impaired news anchor and commercial television presenter. As the co-founder of the popular Family Fun Run and Corporate 5KM Run events, annual proceeds of both events are donated to the Mercy Social Centre (an orphanage) and the Ghana Blind Union.



When asked why opted to support the disabled community in his annual charity project, Amb. Boateng shared that less attention is given to the disabled community and even though they also have needs, attention is often given to all other groups except them. Why not them? You would be surprised to know that the presentation of a white cane or one wheel chair can transform the life and fortunes of our friends here today. But attention is mostly given to other groups. This is not to belittle the needs of all other groups. Giving to other groups is also valid and important but they disabled in society also deserve our support, care and love, he said.



Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Parliamentary candidate aspirant for Sekyere Afram Plains, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor II has described as fake a campaign poster of himself and former President John Mahama.



A flyer making rounds on social media shows Dr Kwabena Duffuor II, face splashed alongside that of ex-President Mahama in his bid to become the Member of Parliament for Sekyere Afram Plains.



The Economist cum Politician in a statement emphasized that he has not and will not have a poster of his with the picture of any aspiring Flagbearer.



I want to make it clear that I have not authorized or endorsed any poster featuring a picture of myself alongside any aspiring Flagbearer. Any such fake posters in circulation are without my approval or sanction and are not representative of my position or views.



As we approach the Presidential primaries, it is crucial that we all remember that the decision of who to elect as Flagbearer lies with the delegates. While I have confidence in my father, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, as a competent leader for the NDC, it is not for me to make that decision, the statement added,



Dr. Duffuor II, extended his respect to all persons vying to lead the NDC, adding that it is essential that as conduct ourselves with dignity and respect. Let us all work together towards Victory 2024. May God bless us all.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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An attempt by the Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi, to discredit data revealed by the Vice President on the over 2 million jobs created under the Akufo-Addo administration has been met with resistance leaving Sammy Gyamfi utterly ashamed.



Following Dr. Bawumia's revelation, the Vice President provided data on his Facebook page giving details of the jobs created under every Ministry, department and agency.



Speaking to the issues on radio, Sammy Gyamfi attempted to discredit the data provided by the Vice President by limiting his calculations to only workers under the Controller and Accountant General and leaving out the jobs in the government agencies such as NPA, GNPC among others whose workers are not under Controller.



It was this deliberate omission that got the Director of Local Government Services at the Office of the President, Dennis Miracles Aboagye to expose what he described as Sammy Gyamfis dishonesty and deception.



Dennis Miracles slammed Sammy Gyamfi for failing to read the data provided by Dr. Bawumia and referred him to the data which specified the jobs created under public and private sectors including the government agencies which are not under Controller and Accountant General.



Subsequent to the radio programme on Asempa FM, Dennis Miracles took to his Facebook page to further expose Sammy Gyamfi.



Below is Dennis Miracles' full article:



I have seen a feeble attempt by the National Communications officer of the NDC to question the Job creation data published by our Vice President H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia backed by verifiable data



I am only addressing this because of the arrogant manner in which the National communications officer of the NDC is peddling this ignorance and his constant insult at the Vice President and calling the Vice President a liar.



First of all, the Vice President used the phrase Job Creation and not controller and accountant Generals department employment.



What Sammy Gyamfi hasnt realized inspite of all the education I tried to give him yesterday on Asempa 94.7 FM is that, the Budget document Page 230, Appendix 7 which he refers to, covers only public sector Employees who are paid directly from the Consolidated fund and controller & Accountant General and whose compensation have a direct bearing on the account balancing of the finance minister.



There are two categories of Public sector Employees:



CATEGORY 1: Those employed by government and paid directly from the consolidated fund. E.g Teachers, Civil Servants, Nurses, Doctors, Local Government service stuff, security services etc.



CATERGORY 2: Those employed by subvented Public agencies and Public Enterprises who are paid by the institutions themselves and not through central government (controller). Example; GNPC, NPA, NLA, Ghana Gas, Cocobod, PBC , Ghana Water, ECG, VRA, Ghapoha etc.



Now the finance minister in his budget reading, as captured under Appendix 7, Page 230 of the 2023 budget, provides budget ceilings for the category 1 employees, whose compensation affects the finance ministers Wage Bill.



All the other Public sector institutions whose wages are not paid directly by the finance minister are not captured on that table. Of course the finance minister doesnt budget for the salaries of staff recruited by Mr. sammi Awuku at NLA or Dr. Mustapha Hamid of NPA or Mr. Aidoo of Cocobod, so you dont expect the finance minister to capture their staff strength in his budget in an appendix labeled OLGS & RCCs budget ceilings.



Theres no where in the 2023 budget or any of the budgets since 2017 for that matter that has a table of all public sector employees in Ghana. The Appendix 7 Table in the budget indeed, only captures one category of pubic sector employees which is the category 1 public sector employees who are paid directly by the CAGD.



A quick point of proof is the fact that if you look at the same 2023 budget statement, Page 114 Paragraph 548, labeled JOB CREATION IN COCOA, which the finance minister reported jobs of about 147,000 created through the implementation of the various Cocoa sector revitalization programmes. Example, The unemployed youth recruited to handle cocoa Hand Pollination, cocoa Mass Spraying etc.



Sammy GYAMFI should show us, on the Appendix 7 Table, where this 147,000 Cocobod jobs have been reported. Of course they are not reported there Becos, that table is meant for only recruitment of staff being paid directly by the finance minister through controller and these Cocobod employees do not fall under that category. So you will find the Agric extension officers on the appendix 7 table but not find the cocoa Mass Spraying employees there. The Agric extension officers are paid by controller, the cocoa mass spraying employees are paid by Cocobod.



Category 2 employment is not and cannot be captured on the Appendix 7 Table. It will be anomaly.



That notwithstanding, each of these category 2 Public sector institutions have mother ministries and that is why on the Vice Presidents Data sheet, you will realise they are captured under the mother ministry but has another Colours listing the specific agencies covering these numbers.



Reference the Vice President Data sheet, take a look at No. 6, Ministry of Transport, you would realize, 3rd column under Agency, Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority, DVLA, Metro Mass Transport and several other Public entities are captured there under ministry of Transport before the figures year on year are shown.



Appendix 7 of the 2023 Budget referred to by Sammy Gyamfi doesnt capture all these agencies published by Veep and rightly so because their staff wages are not paid by the Finance Minister and do not feature in the finance ministers wage bill budgeting.



I have said and I keep saying, that, Sammy Gyamfis constant attempt to peddle falsehood and untruth which he does mostly through insults and attacks on the Vice President must be checked. And must be checked through only one way, the Facts!



This report by the Vice President is the easiest verifiable report ever if the NDC were a serious political party. Instead of rushing to come write insults at Vice President, visit SSNIT and reconcile the enrollment figures with the figures reported, visit the Institutions and verify the figures reported and then you can take your time to trace and identify the gaps but alas, the usual NDC, incompetent in Government and incompetent in opposition and is only counting on the isolated challenges of the government as an automatic return to government.



The Next time the NDC decides to contend on data and issue based debate with the Vice President, they should be sure to first read wide before any attempt.



When you hear sammy Gyamfi speak, get your books, data and reports, and read for yourself, otherwise he will lead you into a ditch.



Hes a very smart young man but he is very deliberate about ignoring the truth, resisting the facts, embellishing it with insults to achieve political advantage by sparking the emotions and sentiments of his readers and listeners. If you put 100 of the issues he raises to test, he wont have even 10% passing the fact check.



Lets eschew insults, lets just be brutal and confrontational about the debate but only through use of facts and nothing else.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The aspiring flag bearer for National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor is calling on the government to demonstrate genuine commitment in protecting the public purse.



In a statement titled Appreciating Our Labour Day With Greater Commitment to celebrate the Ghanaian worker, Dr. Duffuor stated that actions by managers of the public purse must reflect this years theme Protecting incomes and pensions in the era of economic crisis: Our responsibility.



Worldwide, the efforts and contributions of workers to the growth of economies, is being appreciated and celebrated today. In Ghana, we are celebrating our Day under the theme: Protecting incomes and pensions in the era of economic crisis: Our responsibility.



As apt as the theme is, there must be a genuine desire and commitment from the purse managers and policy makers to breathe life into the theme. Responsible management of our economy is well reflected in the theme: it must not be just rhetoric, Dr. Duffuor stated .



He continued: Indeed, the nation is bedevilled with crisis on many fronts and incomes and pensions are falling apart.



A Better Ghana has been built before and can be built again with the right tools. I wish all workers of Ghana well on this day for the celebration of Labour.



Let us keep hope alive and embrace the future with greater optimism.

Source: Starrfm.com









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An aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has sent a heartfelt message to Ghanaian workers, congratulating them for their hard work and assuring them of his trust in them.



In a statement signed and released in Accra on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in commemoration of this years International Labor Day celebrations, Dr. Afriyie Akoto said, I salute all workers of Ghana for their immense contribution to our nation-building. I believe in the potential of our workers to advance the development of our dear nation.



International Labor Day also known as May Day is celebrated every year across the world on May 1.



It is mainly celebrated in recognition of the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement.



It is also celebrated to raise awareness about the rights and opportunities every labour should get for their welfare and betterment.



Monday, May 1, 2023, which marks May Day has been declared a Statutory Public Holiday in Ghana by the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery.



The Day will be marked at Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region where the President of the Republic of Ghana is expected to address thousands of Ghanaian workers.



To Dr. Afriyie Akoto who is also the immediate past Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ghanaian workers deserve commendation considering their enormous contributions to the economic growth and stability of Ghana.



I congratulate you for your hard work and wish you well in the years ahead of us. Ayekoo, he noted in his statement.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Head of Linguistics at the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum has charged the candidates vying for the flagbearer position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to engage in a clean campaign.



Among the candidates contesting the presidential race of the party are the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, former General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyepong.



These candidates, particularly Alan Kyerematen and Kennedy Agyapong, have begun active campaign to canvass votes from the party's delegates when the primaries is held.



Contributing to Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Professor Kofi Agyekum advised the candidates to pitch their manifestos to the delegates without resorting to tribalism or the use of invectives and badmouthing one another.



He urged them to be decorous while they sell their campaign messages to the delegates and supporters of the party.



"You shouldn't engage in insults and accusations. You should avoid tribalism...This is because when you are done with the race and have elected a candidate, you all will have to unite behind the one person", he said and asked "but if you discredit the person, how will you rally behind him when he is elected?"







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Audio Attachment: Listen to excerpts of the interview with TV3

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Flagbearer Hopeful, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, is of the opinion that it does not lie in his purview to "pass a vote of no confidence" in John Dramani Mahama's competence, but believes Ghanaians can best assess the performance of the former president as a leader, relative to the latter's management of the country's economy.



Dr. Duffuor, who was Finance Minister under the Mills administration between 2009 and 2012, compared the economic indicators under the Mills administration to the Mahama administration, purportedly averring that economic indicators under Mahama as President were terrible.



" . . The records are there. You are a Ghanaian. Look at the records; from 2009 to 2016. You want to have the figures? The figures speak for themselves not me," Dr. Duffuor said in a sarcastic dig at the former President in an interview.



Dr. Duffuor added that it is not for him to pass a vote of no confidence in Mahama but his records are obvious.



"I cannot pass a vote of no confidence in him; the figures will speak for themselves. If the figures are terrible, then the figures are telling you that there was a failure somewhere.



"I'm talking about the figures on the ground. I'm not talking about the personality. Who was in charge? If you are happy with the figures, then you must ask as well, who was in charge? He did a good job? Look at the figures and speak to the figures," Dr. Duffour asserted in an interview with TV3.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Reem Leila reports on the fate of Egyptian school and university students returning from Sudan just a few days before the final exams

Around 5,000 university Egyptian students along with 35 school students are currently being evacuated from Sudan following the ongoing conflict in the neighbouring country. Both ministries of education are working on plans to help the students complete the academic year and sit for the final exams.

Twenty-one of the school students are in their final high school year (Thanaweya Amma).

According to Minister of Education and Technical Education Reda Hegazi, returning Egyptian students must go to the ministrys General Administration for Examinations to facilitate the procedures for their placement in schools and to set up a mechanism for this years final exams. We have decided to postpone the exams of the returnees in the k12 system and technical diplomas until their status is stabilised in Sudan, Hegazi said.

Ministry of Education spokesman Shadi Zalata told Al-Ahram Weekly that the ministry has opened the registration for the 21 Thanaweya Amma students in order to sit for their finals even though registration has closed. Thanaweya Amma students returning from Sudan will be allowed to choose between sitting for their finals at their scheduled time in June or taking them in the second round in August in order to give them enough time to settle down and study, Zalata said.

According to Zalata, the ministry will be responsible for Egyptian students who were studying in Sudan in schools affiliated to the Egyptian mission, not those studying at Sudanese schools. Curriculum being taught at schools in the Egyptian mission is similar to the curriculum being taken here in Egypt. The only difference is in history and geography.

Students grades are usually divided between the first and second semesters. Grades of students returning from Sudan will be calculated only in the second term to enable them to obtain better grades, Zalata said.

He added that the ministry is not responsible for students whether Egyptians or Sudanese who are studying in Sudanese schools. Those students have to contact the Sudanese Embassy in Egypt as well as the ministries of immigration and Egyptian expats and foreign affairs to guide them. Those students were studying Sudanese, not Egyptian, curriculum and, therefore, we cannot help them, Zalata said.

He said students in the Sudanese education system who wish to join the Egyptian system in Egypt must sit for equivalency exams, so must contact the ministrys General Administration for Examinations to know the required steps. They will be enrolled in Egyptian schools the coming academic year after passing the required exams.

Concerning Egyptian university students who were studying in Sudan, the Ministry for Higher Education has asked them to submit identification papers proving which faculties and universities they were enrolled in. This is in addition to documents verifying their grades as well as the details of the topics they were studying to determine their scientific and educational level.

Mahmoud Zaki, a member of the Supreme Council for Universities (SCU), said the total number of Egyptian university students studying in Sudan comes to around only 3,000. The remaining 2,000 are not registered on the Egyptian scientific platform for studying abroad, affiliated to the Ministry of Higher Education.

Egyptian students who were studying at Egyptian universities whether governmental or private will be reintegrated into it. The same procedures adopted for students who returned from Ukraine after the war with Russia broke out will be applied to students returning from Sudan, Zaki said

Zaki pointed out that the SCU held an extended meeting on 2 May to consider all possible alternatives to reintegrate students who were studying at Sudanese universities.

No one knows when this war will end and the SCU intends to employ all its capabilities to help students returning from Sudan, Zaki said.

Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with Sudanese authorities recently evacuated more than 6,500 Egyptians from Sudan.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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A York County man was speeding and texting while driving his work vehicle through a construction zone on Route 15 when he caused a crash that killed a woman earlier this year, police said in court documents.

Arthur R. Mackley, 54, of Brogue, was charged Monday with vehicular homicide in the Jan. 13 crash that killed 32-year-old Leanne Elliott in Latimore Township, Adams County.

Elliott, of Camp Hill, slowed just before 3 p.m. because of a vehicle making a right turn in front of her on Route 15 south at the Bonners Hill Road intersection. Mackley  who was driving a box truck behind Elliott  did not slow and rear-ended the back of Elliotts car, the court documents said.

Elliotts car went off the highway and into a ditch along the right shoulder, the affidavit said. The Adams County Coroners Office pronounced her dead at the scene from multiple traumatic injuries.

Mackley was traveling 63 mph in a 55 mph construction zone at the time of the crash, according to the affidavit. State police said he told them he was refilling his water bottle and did not realize Elliott was slowing until it was too late to brake. The affidavit said Mackley claimed not to know what happened afterward because he hit his head on his steering wheel.

But state police said dash camera footage from inside Mackleys truck did not match his version of events.

The footage showed Mackley texting with his left hand while driving. The drivers side sun visor was pulled down, but state police said Mackleys phone was still visible in the footage.

The weather conditions at the time did not warrant the visor to be placed in the down position indicating that Mackley was purposely trying to hide the fact that he was using his phone from the view of the camera, the affidavit said. He was not paying attention to his surroundings.

In addition to the vehicular homicide charge, Mackley was cited with five summary driving offenses. Court records show he has not been taken into custody as of Tuesday.

Elliotts obituary said she attended Trinity Lutheran College in Washington and was a deacon at Trindle Spring Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg at the time of her death. She is survived by her partner, parents, brother and various other family members.

READ MORE: 69-year-old man killed in central Pa. shooting: police

Police looking for man suspected of assaulting woman at Dauphin County restaurant
A candidate in the race for Huntingdon County Commissioner has been arrested for assaulting her daughter.

Citing a criminal complaint, WTAJ and the Huntingdon Daily News said that Andrea Lynn Speck, 41, had gotten into an argument with her 18-year-old daughter that turned violent.

According to the news sources, Pennsylvania state police responded to a report of a domestic incident along Chester Furnace Road in Cromwell Township at 10 p.m. on April 28.
Aspiring teachers would be eligible for up to $8,000 a year to help cover the cost of their education under legislation that passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The legislation is hoped to address the states teacher shortage by offering an incentive that requires scholarship recipients to work at a public school in Pennsylvania for each year they received a scholarship.

Students attending any public or private university or college in the state would be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $32,000.

We find ourselves in a serious teacher shortage in Pennsylvania and if we dont quickly find solutions, this crisis will only worsen when more teachers leave and they are leaving, said Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks County, the bills sponsor. Educators are among the most qualified and credentialed professionals, they are also the most burdened with loans stemming from higher education.

The legislation passed on a 119-81 vote with 18 Republicans joining the entire Democratic Caucus in supporting the bill. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.

This legislation is one of several efforts being advanced in this legislative session to address the teacher shortage.

On Monday, the House passed a bill that would provide grants to districts to establish grow-your-own programs to cultivate teachers and education support personnel from within their own community.

One idea that is not gaining much traction in the General Assembly is Gov. Josh Shapiros proposal of giving up to $2,500 a year off their state income tax for three years to newly certified teachers, nurses and police officers to address shortages in those professions. Lawmakers as well as the Pennsylvania State Education Association says that idea misses the mark because new hires in those professions would not earn enough almost $82,000  to take full advantage of that incentive, according to an Associated Press report.

Research by Penn State associate professor Ed Fuller found the number of new teachers graduating from college in 2021-22, or 4,220, was the lowest since that kind of data was available in Pennsylvania, a state that a couple of decades ago was a leading exporter of teachers. Just as concerning, the number of teachers with emergency credentials  meaning they are not fully qualified to teach the grades or subjects for which they were hired  working in classrooms is skyrocketing.

Just as concerning, the number of teachers with emergency credentials  meaning they are not fully qualified to teach the grades or subjects for which they were hired  is skyrocketing.

We need to implement an educator accelerator to boost the important deployment pipeline in our commonwealth, he said. While our educators are among the most qualified and credentialed professionals, there are also the most burdened with loans stemming from higher education.

The legislation would create a new program to be administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Rozzi called for using some of the $5 billion in Rainy Day Fund to fund the scholarship program.

For our teachers, its pouring and our educators are drowning, he said. They need our continued support to grow and truly transform the learning landscape. The rest of us politicians, parents, employers must also be willing to rethink our roles in supporting educators to do the essential job of educating our children.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.
The candidates below are in statewide contested races. Because a number of candidates have cross-filed, they are listed in alphabetical order by first name rather than in ballot order. If a race is not listed, it was not contested.

Justice of the Supreme Court (10-year, vote for 1) Carolyn Carluccio

Photo: GK Visual, used with permission

Ticket running on: Republican

Occupation: President Judge, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas

Experience: Im the first female president judge in Montgomery County history. With over 14 years of experience serving on the Montgomery County bench, I know I have the background and qualifications needed for justice of the Supreme Court. Additionally, Im a former federal prosecutor, and I am humbled to be recognized by numerous law enforcement agencies for exemplary service. I also served as the first female chief public defender in Montgomery County, and the first female county chief deputy solicitor and acting director of human resources. I was also the first sitting judge to serve as president of the Montgomery County Bar Association. This summer I will be sworn in as the president of the Pennsylvania State Trial Judges Conference. I have served on numerous non-profit boards involving protecting children and furthering education. I am a wife and proud mother of three grown children. It is this broad range of legal, community, and personal experience combined with my management and leadership skills that set me apart from the other candidates in this race.

Contact: www.judgecarluccio.com | https://www.facebook.com/judgecarluccioforsupremecourt | https://twitter.com/JudgeCarluccio | https://www.instagram.com/judgecarluccioforsupremecourt/

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

I was honored to be recognized for my experience by the Pennsylvania Bar Association with a rating of highly recommended. In the Primary Election, I am the only candidate with that distinction. In addition, I think voters should support me because I am committed to applying the law as it is written. As a Justice, I will be impartial in the rulings and decisions I make. I will apply the law as it is written and uphold the Constitution. In addition to having a strong grasp of the law, this perspective is imperative to ensuring our system of government endures.

What issues are priorities for you?

I am not an activist Judge. I apply the law as written and uphold the sacred tenets of our constitution, the bedrock of our society.

Daniel McCaffery

Ticket running on: Democrat

This candidate did not submit to the 2023 primary election voters guide.

Debbie Kunselman

Photo: Michael Laws, used with permission

Ticket running on: Democrat

Occupation: Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Experience: With over 17 years of judicial experience, I am uniquely qualified to serve on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. As a Superior Court judge for the last 5 years, I have decided over 3,000 appeals. During my time on the Superior Court, I was instrumental in starting in-house continuing legal education courses for the more than 100 lawyers and law clerks who work for the court.

In 2005, I was the first woman elected to the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County. During my 12 years on the trial court, I presided over hundreds of jury and non-jury trials in all areas of law. At various times throughout my tenure, I served as the administrative judge for family law cases, juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, and civil cases. I developed and implemented procedures under Act 53, which allows parents of children who suffer from addiction to petition the court for involuntary placement of their child to receive in-patient drug and alcohol treatment.

As a trial judge, I handled many high-profile cases A few of my trial court cases were cases of first impression and were affirmed by both the Superior Court and the Supreme Court. I served for 6 years on the state-wide judicial education committee, where I organized and presented education courses for judges.

Prior to taking the bench, for 13 years, I practiced family law, personal injury, employment discrimination and municipal law. During that time, I also served for 8 years (part-time) as the chief county solicitor of Beaver County, where I advised the County Commissioners on all legal issues affecting county government,

I am highly recommended by the PA Bar Association. The diversity of my experience as both a judge and a lawyer has prepared me well to take on the role of Supreme Court Justice.

Contact: www.kunselmanforpa.com

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Of all the candidates running for Supreme Court, I have the most judicial experience and the most diverse legal experience. I am the only candidate with significant experience at both the trial court (12 years) and the appellate court (5+ years). My Democratic opponent has only half of the years on the bench that I have; he has 6 years at the trial court and 3+ years on the appellate court. Also, his trial court experience was limited to the criminal division. My trial court experience covered family, criminal, juvenile, and civil cases as well as administrative appeals. I also have the government experience needed to handle appeals from the Commonwealth Court.

There are two Republican candidates: one has no appellate court experience; the other has only minimal trial court experience and only in the family division.

I bring administrative skills that I gained throughout my career. In various leadership roles, I have started new programs and streamlined cases.

If elected, I will collaborate with my colleagues on the Supreme Court to reach a consensus on important legal issues. There are seven justices on the Supreme Court. When setting judicial precedent as the highest court in the state, it is important for a majority of justices to agree on the interpretation of the law. This gives stability and predictability in the law, which helps other judges, lawyers, litigants and the public at large.

In sum, no other candidate brings the depth and breadth of judicial experience that I will bring to this role. At every job I have held, I looked for ways to improve and innovate and I will continue to do so if elected to the Supreme Court. I will also collaborate with my colleagues in deciding the most significant cases facing our Commonwealth.

What issues are priorities for you?

First, I want to ensure the court system is accessible to all, and that it operates efficiently. I would like to see electronic filing for all cases in all counties, with online access to public documents (with personal information redacted or excluded).

Second, I want to see more empathetic treatment of criminal offenders who suffer from mental health disorders or drug addiction. I want to expand the use of specialty courts in these areas and see that resources are available for treatment of these individuals. Sadly, our prisons have become homes for those with serious mental health issues, but our prisons are not equipped to adequately handle or treat mental health issues. The judiciary can collaborate with the other branches of government to segregate these prisoners or hopefully introduce diversion programs to avoid incarceration altogether. The same is true for those who suffer from drug addiction. People who commit crimes, because they are incompetent or suffer from addiction, should not be treated the same as those who voluntarily commit crimes. Treatment and rehabilitation, rather than retribution and deterrence, should be the goal of these offenders.

Additionally, I want to continue juvenile justice reform. Research shows that diversion programs are most effective for first-time juvenile offenders who commit low-level offenses. For most offenses, juveniles can and should remain at home with services in the community. However, there is still a need for detention centers to operate regionally throughout the state. Most importantly, these facilities need to be safe and offer treatment for high-risk, violent offenders. The closing of some centers was necessary to stop abuse of juveniles, but it has left trial judges without adequate resources to house the most violent juvenile offenders. This needs to be addressed by the Supreme Court.

Patricia A. McCullough

Patricia A. McCullough is running for Justice of the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania.Photo: d albert, used with permission

Ticket running on: Republican

Occupation: Judge - Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania - a statewide appellate court

Experience: My experience will enable me to hit the ground running on day one in the PA Supreme Court to continue to uphold our Constitutional rights and liberties.

I have served as a statewide appellate court judge for over 12 years in the Commonwealth Court of PA, ruling on complex and constitutional matters that go directly to the PA Supreme Court. We rule on appeals from trial court decisions and local agencies and our opinions form the basis of review for the PA Supreme Court. We also have original jurisdiction where I preside as a trial judge on statewide matters concerning the governor, senate, house, elections and redistricting and other critical matters affecting PA residents. I am the only candidate who has the extensive appellate court judge experience necessary to be ready on day one to serve on the highest appellate court in PA.

I was appointed by the PA Supreme Court as chair of the PA Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee.

I served as a trial court judge in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas when I was appointed by the governor with the unanimous consent of the state senate in 2005. For 25 years I was also a practicing attorney in the private, corporate and government sectors.

Contact: judgemccullough4supremecourt.com

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Experience, the courage and conviction to uphold the Constitution and the rights of the people, and take a stand for the people

I am the only candidate who has extensive (12+ years) experience as an appellate court judge handling critical matters that then go directly to the PA Supreme Court. This critical experience, combined with having served as a trial court judge and practicing attorney in private, corporate and governmental sectors for 25 years, makes me the only candidate ready to hit the ground running on day one in the PA Supreme Court to uphold the Constitutional rights of the people.

In 2022 alone, I upheld the Second Amendment four times. I ruled in favor of limiting the governors COVID mandates, ruled in favor of declaring the mail-in ballot law unconstitutional, opined health care workers should not lose their unemployment compensation benefits when they are fired for choosing to wear a mask instead of taking the COVID vaccine, as this is not willful misconduct. It also upheld the interest of the employer, similar to allowing those with religious exemptions to wear a mask. I was the trial judge, then appointed master by the Supreme Court, who presided over the Congressional Redistricting case and upheld the right of the legislature to draw a map when the governors expert opined their map was Constitutionally drawn. To protect election integrity, I was the only judge in the country in 2020 to order a governor to stop certifying the congressional/presidential election, due to the unconstitutional issues with the mail-in ballot law.

I have stood for the people by refusing to take the 2005 pay raise. I do not accept campaign donations from lawyers and lobbyists to ensure the only issue before me is the law, the Constitution and the parties seeking justice.

What issues are priorities for you?

Election integrity, protecting the peoples rights by upholding the Constitution and laws as they are written, including the Second Amendment, religious freedom, freedom of speech, and every other Constitutional right and liberty of the people. Judges should not legislate from the bench but should respect the separate and co-equal three branches of government. Judges are public servants and work for the people. It is important to remember this is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. In all we do as a Commonwealth, we are to be governed by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions as written. The role of the judiciary is to interpret the laws, and actions of the government, to ensure they do not violate these Constitutions. The judiciary must be fair and impartial and ensure equal justice for all.

Judge of the Superior Court (10-year, vote for 2) Jill Beck

Photo: Brandy Ringer Photography, used with permission

Ticket running on: Democrat

Occupation: Appellate attorney and commercial litigator

Experience: I have almost 20 years of experience in the areas of law that come before the Superior Court  criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and orphans court matters. I have represented clients in all these areas, trying over 1,400 cases that are within the Superior Courts jurisdiction. I have practiced in the Superior Court and in appellate courts across the country. And I clerked on the Superior and Supreme Courts and drafted over 500 decisions of the very kind I will decide if elected.

My diverse work experience has given me a keen understanding of a Superior Court case from inception to conclusion from every side and position in a matter. I have seen them all firsthand as a litigator, as a clerk, or both. I have a familiarity with the law, and equally as important, I have a profound understanding of the human aspect of the cases that come before the Court.

My litigation work has largely been in fast-paced, high-volume courts, and my clerking experience has been spent drafting decisions on these matters. I know how to work quickly but thoroughly to get to the legally supported result, with a working knowledge of the Superior Court from both sides of the bench.

I also know the importance of treating litigants fairly and equally, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual preference, disability, or wealth. Ensuring a fair and unbiased decision on appeal is an extremely high priority for me. I have spent the great majority of my career as a litigator helping underserved and vulnerable members of our population  victims of child abuse, domestic violence, racial discrimination, wage theft, and illegal gun sales; members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, and generally helping people without money obtain the same rights and protections as people with means.

Contact: www.JillBeck.com | www.Facebook.com/ElectJillBeck | www.Twitter.com/ElectJillBeck | www.Instagram.com/ElectJillBeck

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

I am the only candidate with appellate experience on both sides of the bench. I have been Highly Recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association to be a Superior Court Judge (https://www.pabar.org/site/For-Lawyers/Committees-Commissions/Judicial-Evaluation/Resources/JEC-Ratings/2023/Superior-Court). My broad professional experiences make me uniquely suited to be a Judge of the Superior Court. I have the work ethic and the experience to do the job with a high level of competence, integrity, ethics, and productivity without sacrificing the quality of the decisions. For every case I have litigated, I am prepared, thoroughly researched, and knowledgeable about the facts. For every case I have drafted, I have done so without prejudice or bias, after a careful review of the record and based on the precedential law. I have proven myself time and again to be an extremely hard worker; I do not stop until I find the right answer, even (and especially) when it is not the easy answer. I have the temperament, the skill, the drive, and the ability to do the job of a Superior Court Judge and to do it right.

What issues are priorities for you?

My first priority following my election is to hire diverse staff with different lived experiences. Diversity in chambers improves the depth and richness of a judicial decision.

My second priority is to discuss with the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court annual targeted implicit bias training for judicial and quasi-judicial officers at every level. When I made the decision that I wanted to explore running for judicial office, I took it upon myself to participate in implicit bias training. In my view, it is critical for anyone in a position of making decisions to learn and understand more about it, the role it plays in decision-making, and the tools that can be used to overcome it.

My third priority is to explore the possibility of bringing to Pennsylvania a placement diversion and recidivism reduction program for juveniles adjudicated delinquent. Prior to attending law school, I worked as an AmeriCorps Fellow in one such program. Designed as an alternative to placement, juveniles were sentenced instead to probation and to participate in the program. The program was intended to help the kids become more accountable and responsible for their actions. We were in their schools, their homes, their probation appointments and their doctors appointments. We helped them fulfill community service requirements, provided food for those in need, and exposed them to arts, sports, and other extracurricular interests that they may otherwise not have experienced before. It was incredibly effective and would be an excellent fit in both our urban and rural counties. It would also likely have a great impact on our juvenile recidivism rates and help to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline.

Pat Dugan

Ticket running on: Democrat

This candidate did not submit to the 2023 primary election voters guide.

Timika Lane

Photo: Justin Carson

Ticket running on: Democrat

Occupation: Judge

Experience: Elected in 2013 to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, I have spent the last decade in the courtroom as a judge. I was immediately assigned to one of the busiest trial divisions in Pennsylvania. Having started with the criminal division, I now serve in the Complex Litigation jury trial program in the Civil Division. I have presided over thousands of jury and bench trials and authored over 100 judicial opinions. Prior to my courtroom experience as a judge, I was a public school teacher, public defender, and a certified child advocate attorney. I also served as chief legal counsel for a state senator and the executive director for the Pennsylvania State Senate State Government Committee.

Contact: www.judgelaneforpa.com | www.facebook.com/LaneforSuperiorCourt | www.instagram.com/laneforsuperiorcourt/

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

My almost decade-long service as a presiding judge means that I have the knowledge and experience to serve on the Superior Court. I have presided over thousands of jury and bench trials and authored over 100 judicial opinions.

What issues are priorities for you?

As a Judge, my priority is to ensure that the law is upheld as written, and that all who enter the courtroom are treated fairly and with respect. My judicial philosophy requires that everyone be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their race, gender, orientation, religion, nationality, and beliefs.

Judge of the Commonwealth Court (10-year, vote for 1) Bryan Neft

Photo: Bryan Neft campaign, used with permission

Ticket running on: Democrat

Occupation: Attorney

Experience: I have spent more than 30 years litigating and trying cases, and counseling clients throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and California. I began my career as a clerk for the Pennsylvania Superior Court where I learned the essentials of judicial review. I have practiced before all three state appellate courts, the West Virginia Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. I am admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, California, Ohio and West Virginia. I have practiced in approximately 30 counties across Pennsylvania.

I also served for nearly 15 years in a leadership role with the Allegheny County Bar Associations (ACBA) Board of Governors and as its president (2018-19). In those roles, I championed issues for women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ members of the legal profession. During my tenure on the board, I promoted changes to the rules of professional conduct to prohibit bias and discrimination and chaired the committee responsible for drafting the Bar Associations Code of Professionalism which also prohibits bias and discrimination in the profession of law.

In 2009, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed me as a member, and later as chair, of its charitable arm, the IOLTA Board, which oversees funding of legal aid agencies across the Commonwealth that provide legal services to those who cannot afford them.

My career in the law and my work outside of it has prepared me to be a Commonwealth Court Judge, and the values of hard work, fairness and access to justice continue to guide me every day.

Contact: https://bryanneft.com | https://www.facebook.com/bryanneft | https://twitter.com/BryanNeft

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

I have crisscrossed Pennsylvania for the past two and a half years learning about the kitchen table concerns of Pennsylvanians in every corner of our Commonwealth. My building relationships across the state, coupled with my decades of legal and community service both regionally and throughout PA, is the foundation of our trajectory to win in November. I believe our path to victory runs through every PA county, not just a few - that is why I have visited over 40 PA counties since last summer. This pointed effort at meeting voters, consensus builders and party leaders, combined with a coalition of union and institutional support, will allow us to be successful in friend-raising and fundraising into May and then again in November.

What issues are priorities for you?

The main issues that I am running on are upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights. This is the court that will hear cases on Voting rights abortion, environmental legislation, and labor issues, and if the Dobbs decision from the US Supreme Court means anything these rights will be increasingly heard on the state level.

Josh Prince

Photo: Randy Monceaux

Ticket running on: Republican

Occupation: Attorney at Prince Law Offices, P.C. and Founder, Sole Owner and Chief Counsel at Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C.

Experience: Over the past 13 years, I have handled the gamut of civil and criminal matters, including everything from general civil (including landlord/tenant), to family law, to right-to-know law, to workers compensation and social security disability law, to mental health law, to zoning law, to election law, to administrative law, to constitutional law, to class actions, and the list goes on.

Perhaps more importantly, the majority of my experience is in areas of the law covered by the Commonwealth Court. In relation to the Pennsylvania state appellate courts, Ive litigated over 45 cases. Focusing my experience, solely in relation to Commonwealth Court and just over the past 4 years, you can research to see that I have or am in the process of litigating 10 cases. For a non-government and non-appellate-only attorney, that is an extremely high number of cases to have litigated before any appellate court. Of those 10 cases, I have already been successful in 8; which, statistically, is virtually unheard of for an attorney, especially one, who is frequently representing the Petitioner/Plaintiff or Appellant. And, I would respectfully submit to you, if an attorney has been that successful before the Commonwealth Court, he or she must have the depth and breadth of experience to warrant such results and to sit on that court.

If you review my Amicus brief in Cmwlth v. Hicks, 56 MAP 2017, versus the Public Defenders Brief for Mr. Hicks and the PA Supreme Courts majority opinion, you can compare the arguments I made in the Amicus brief to those not made in Mr. Hicks brief but ultimately included in the PA Supreme Courts decision. I believe this shows I clearly have the depth of legal experience necessary to sit on the Commonwealth Court.

Contact: www.princeforjustice.com | https://twitter.com/PrinceForPA | https://twitter.com/PrinceForPA | https://instagram.com/princeforpa

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

As an experienced litigator, in both the trial and appellate courts in Pennsylvania, who will only ever uphold the law as written and the constitutions as intended and whose arguments have been affirmed on countless occasions by the appellate courts, I have shown that like any decisions I would render as a judge, my arguments are grounded in the law and not in politics.

In this vein, it is imperative that we only elect those judicial candidates who understand and respect the three co-equal branches of government and never seek to legislate from the bench.

Unlike other candidates, I have experience - absent bankruptcy, state tax law, and admiralty law - in almost every area of the law that exists in Pennsylvania, including having handled 4 class actions, of which, I have already been successful in 3 of them and tentative settlement terms were reached on April 11th in relation to the fourth. I respectfully believe that I have handled more areas of law than almost any other attorney seeking a judicial vacancy. My experience also includes federal court litigation, inclusive of general civil rights litigation, which tends to be a niche area of practice.

What issues are priorities for you?

To uphold the law as written and the constitutions as intended without consideration for political views; it is not for the judiciary to usurp the General Assemblys power to enact, modify, amend, or repeal the law or the Peoples right to enact, amend, or repeal constitutional provisions.

As an attorney that has spent my entire career defending our civil rights in the state and federal courts, I am especially sensitive to ensuring the equal application and administration of the law for all. While justice is supposed to be blind, on many occasions, unfortunately, it is not. However, I can assure you that as a judge, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the court treats every person equally, with respect and dignity. And if you want proof of my position, just look to all the cases Ive litigated, defending the right to equal application and administration of the law for all.

Matt Wolf

Ticket running on: Democrat

This candidate did not submit to the 2023 primary election voters guide.

Megan Martin

Photo: Kate Greenawalt, used with permission

Ticket running on: Republican

Occupation: Attorney

Experience: I have dedicated my legal career to public service. Anyone who knows me knows I believe public service is a calling, and that I have been called to serve. I love being part of something that is so much bigger than myself and providing legal service that impacts the people of our great Commonwealth. For decades, I have ardently supported legal careers in government service because it is in doing this special work that I believe attorneys have unparalleled opportunities to perform meaningful legal work that improves the lives of millions of people. I believe it is truly a privilege and a calling to practice law in the context of public service.

My career in service demonstrates how I answered that call to serve. I have spent the last three decades cultivating a deep understanding of and harboring a deep respect for, our government. I am the only attorney I know who has served in all three branches of our state government and as an attorney for our United States Navy. This is a unique and special distinction of which I am tremendously proud.

I am again answering the call to serve, this time by running to serve as a judge on our Commonwealth Court.

I have a nearly 30-year career of service that has given me unique, one-of-a-kind legal experience that I alone will bring to our Commonwealth Court. This is what truly sets me apart from the other candidates. I understand our government, the way it operates and the many complex issues it faces. I know the legal issues, the legislative issues, the regulatory issues, the policy issues, and the operational issues. There are few who possess such comprehensive insight into our Commonwealth, and this makes me especially poised to serve as a judge on our Commonwealth Court.

Contact: https://meganmartinforpa.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/MeganMartinforPA/

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

The depth and breadth of my experience is what makes me the best candidate for Commonwealth Court. I will bring nearly 30 years of unmatched, comprehensive, truly one-of-a-kind experience in government to the Commonwealth Court, which only hears government cases.

I have had a legal career of service unlike any other, which has afforded me the unique opportunity to serve in all three branches of our state government and as an attorney for our US Navy. I have concentrated my legal practice on government  serving it, learning it, and revering it. My service in the administrations of two governors has given me an in-depth understanding of the many, complex legal issues our state government faces. My service to the Navy has given me extensive litigation and transactional experience. My service at the Senate has given me a one-of-a-kind understanding of the legislative process and is a testament to my judicial temperament, given how, for more than a decade, I fairly, impartially and in a non-partisan manner managed the legislative process. I always kept our Constitution, laws, and the rules of the Senate as my north star. I was unanimously elected five times by the Senators, which is a testament to the fair and judicious way in which I acted.

For my vast body of work, I was Recommended by the PA Bar Associations Judicial Evaluation Commission, which concluded the candidates substantial administrative law experience will serve her well as a Commonwealth Court judge, and, therefore, the commission recommends her as a candidate.

Simply stated, I know government. I have spent the last 3 decades learning the intricacies of our government. I have gained this comprehensive knowledge through my very special career of service and this makes me ideally suited to serve as a judge on our unique and special Commonwealth Court.

What issues are priorities for you?

The people of this great Commonwealth deserve to have judges who are fair and impartial, who respect and defend the rule of law, who protect our constitutional rights and freedoms, who apply the law as it was written by the Legislature, and who hold government accountable, because just like you and I, the government must follow the law, too. Our judges hold the public trust, and therefore, they must be exemplary public servants who act in the publics interest, not to further any political agenda or their own personal agenda. Our judges must be independent and make impartial decisions based on the law, not upon outside influences.

I will be that judge.

As a Commonwealth Court Judge, I will be fair and impartial, as demonstrated by my 10-year track record of exhibiting fair and impartial service throughout my tenure as the Parliamentarian of the PA Senate. I will bring to the bench a judicial philosophy the people can trust  I will defend the rule of law, protect constitutional rights and freedoms, hold government accountable, and always act in the publics interest by following the Constitution and the law. I will not act to further personal or political agendas. And, I will not legislate from the bench.

I will serve with integrity and independence because an independent judiciary is a keystone of our republic and safeguards the rule of law for all. I will be a judge for all the people of our great Commonwealth and will approach each case without bias and with an open mind. All who come before me will be heard. I will be fair and compassionate and will make thoughtful and timely decisions. I will always honor my oath and follow the law in deciding the matters that come before me.
Is a shortage of nurses preventing hospitals from hiring enough? Or is there a sufficient supply of nurses, but not enough willing to work in hospitals?

Thats a central question in the debate over a proposed Pennsylvania law that would require hospitals to provide a minimum number of nurses for every patient.

Backers of the law say the latter is true, arguing the problem is that too many Pennsylvania nurses are unwilling to work in hospitals because they fear being stretched too thinly and unable to adequately care for their patients.

Hospitals, meanwhile, argue that even as they dangle generous pay and bonuses in front of nurses, they cant find enough.

The competing claims were aired repeatedly at the state Capitol on Tuesday, which featured a hearing on the proposed staffing law, and the presence of scores of nurses who rallied in support of the law and spoke directly to lawmakers in an effort to persuade them.

Only one other state, California, has a law similar to the one proposed for Pennsylvania, although about 15 have laws intended to ensure sufficient staffing. Meanwhile, the issue has been around for years in Pennsylvania, with previous bills failing as they faced opposition from hospitals.

But supporters have new cause for optimism: The state House version of the law has an unusually high number of sponsors, including about 20 Republicans, who often oppose such mandates.

Thats similar to the number of sponsors of a similar bill discussed last year -- which also had enough sponsors to pass the bill, if only it came up for a vote. But Republicans were in control last year, with state Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, controlling the health committee and unwilling to allow a vote needed for the bill to advance to a vote by the full House.

This time, Democrats control the House, with the new health committee chairman Dan Frankel, a Democrat, one of the backers of the bill.

Rapp has opposed the bill out of fear hospitals in her rural district will find it impossible to hire enough nurses, and be forced to shut down units because of inability to meet the laws staffing requirements.

One of the speakers who tried to shoot down that claim Tuesday was Linda Aiken, a nurse and professor and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Aiken said Pennsylvania has the sixth-highest rate of nurses per resident in the United States. She further said Pennsylvania has 100 nursing schools turning out 9,000 nurses per year.

Aiken cited that as cause to expect there will be enough nurses to meet hospitals increased staffing needs resulting from the law.

She further argued that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a glut of nurses, with some new graduates unable to find jobs. She further argued that hospitals survey-based claims of high percentages of nurses planning to leave their job within a year are exaggerated.

Aiken was among assorted backers of the law who argued the staffing levels required by the law will make more nurses want to work in hospitals, because theyll no longer fear being overworked and unable to sufficiently care for patients.

Andy Carter, the CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, disputed Aikens portrayal of the supply situation.

He said hospitals have worked tirelessly to try to recruit and retain nurses, offering signing and retention bonuses, loan forgiveness and expanded benefits.

Still, hospitals report an average vacancy of 30% for direct care nurses, with research forecasting a statewide shortage of 20,000 nurses within three years, according to Carter.

Regardless of the total population of nurses that may be in Pennsylvania, we are not succeeding despite all these efforts to attract them, he said.

Another opponent of the staffing law, Michele Szkolnicki, the chief nursing officer at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, argued the law would take away the flexibility needed to deal with unique circumstances such as mass casualties.

Nurses in support of the law, however, argued that hospitals are simply unwilling to spend the money to provide sufficient staffing, and history has proven that a law is the only way to make them change.

The day featured assorted horror stories from nurses about being unable to provide safe care for patients because of short-staffing, and others recounting harm to loved ones caused by low staffing.

Aiken attempted to quantify the consequences via research, citing a conservative estimate that 1,155 lives per year would be saved if Pennsylvania imposes the staffing levels contained in the bill.

The bill requires minimum nurse-patient staffing levels that vary based on the needs of patients in a given unit. For example, it would require one nurse per patient giving birth; at least one nurse for every two patients in intensive care; at least one nurse for every three patients in intermediate care; and at least one nurse for every five patients in rehabilitation units.

The prime sponsor is state Rep. Tom Mehaffie, a Republican from Dauphin County, who rallied with nurses on Tuesday.

Im listening to what the nurses are saying, because they are the only ones that can tell you the trials and tribulations of every day, and what an every day problem [staffing] is in some of the hospitals across the state, he said.

A Senate version of the bill was drafted by state Sen. Maria Collett, a Democrat. If a version passes both the House and the Senate, supporters expect Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro will sign it.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled the first name of Maria Collett.

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The president of a university in Pennsylvania is currently under fire for his actions.

Those actions? Liking certain posts on Twitter.
By JUAN A. LOZANO and PAUL J. WEBER, The Associated Press

CLEVELAND, Texas (AP)  The search for a gunman in Texas who killed five neighbors from Honduras dragged into a third day Monday with false alarms and few apparent leads, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faced backlash over drawing attention to the victims immigration status.

An FBI agent on the scene near Houston acknowledged they have little to go on in the widening manhunt for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, who has been deported four times since 2009, but who neighbors say lived on their street for years prior to Friday nights shooting in the rural town of Cleveland.

Twice on Monday, a sheriffs office in a neighboring county alerted the public about possible sightings, but neither turned up Oropeza.

Abbott offered a $50,000 reward over the weekend for any tips that might lead to the gunman, and while doing so, the three-term governor described all the victims as illegal immigrants  a potentially false statement that his office walked back and apologized for Monday. Critics accused Abbott, who has made hard-line immigration measures a signature issue in Texas, of putting politics into the shooting.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement. We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Law enforcement officials work Sunday, April 30, 2023, in the neighborhood where a mass shooting occurred Friday night, in Cleveland, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)AP

More than 250 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, are now part of a growing search that has come up empty despite additional manpower, scent-tracking dogs, drones and a total of $80,000 in reward money on the table. On Monday, a heavy presence of police converged in Montgomery County after a possible sighting, but the sheriffs office later said none of the persons were found to be Oropeza.

I can tell you right now, we have zero leads, James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, said Sunday.

The FBI in Houston said in a tweet on Sunday that it was referring to the suspect as Oropesa, not Oropeza, to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. His family lists their name as Oropeza on a sign outside their yard, as well as in public records.

Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous after fleeing the area Friday night, likely on foot. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities had widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, which occurred after the suspects neighbors asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.

Police recovered the AR-15-style rifle that they said Oropeza used in the shootings. Authorities were not sure if Oropeza was carrying another weapon after others were found in his home.
By Frank Kummer, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

PHILADELPHIA  Swarthmore College apologized Monday after detailing how a professor dug up a Native American burial ground in Chester County in 1899 and displayed its human remains and artifacts on campus  before those remains were lost, presumably forever.

No matter the educational intentions or that these practices may have been commonplace at the time they occurred, these remains should have been treated with dignity and respect and should never have been removed from their burial site, Swarthmore president Valerie Smith said in a statement.

The school will consider renaming a campus building named after the professor, who wrote on racial hierarchy, a belief by some that certain racial groups are superior to others and that was used to justify prejudicial social and health policies. The school also will further investigate a collection of unidentified human bones it houses in its biology department.

Swarthmore isnt the only area institution trying to explain past handling of Indigenous remains. An estimated 110,000 remains continue to be held by major American institutions  including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, the Mutter Museum and others in the Philadelphia region. Seven institutions in Pennsylvania, mostly museums, are among those listed in a recent ProPublica investigation that tracked the remains of Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Natives ancestors.

In some cases, museums have been slow to comply with, or outright resisted, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, which requires the return of remains, funerary objects and cultural items, much of it looted in the 1800s.

Swarthmore learned of the burial ground excavation from an Inquirer story in April 2022 that chronicled the effort of Carol McCloskey to donate a Lenape burial ground on her Newlin Township property to Native Americans, whom she viewed as rightful owners. It is the only officially recognized Native American burial ground in Chester County.

A view of a half-acre plot (the wooded area) owned by Carol McCloskey in the Brandywine Valley in Chester County. The area is known as Indian Knoll and designated by the county as a historical Native American burial site of the Lenape. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS, file)TNS

After a yearslong process, McCloskey found a taker for the half-acre of what was once known as Indian Knoll Farm: the federally recognized Delaware Nation in Anadarko, Okla.

A Native American burial

In the story, the Inquirer mentioned a Lenape burial that took place on an unrecorded date likely in the 18th century atop a peaceful knoll overlooking the west branch of Brandywine Creek. The Lenape dug down 4 feet, 7 inches, and gently laid a mans 6-foot-1 frame on a stone floor. They customarily pointed his head east, placed some copper objects, glass beads, and a cloth inside, and covered the body with dirt.

The body lay undisturbed until 1899, when the Swarthmore professor dug up the skeleton, as well as objects buried alongside it, and moved it all to the college  a practice not uncommon by white people, both professional and amateur. In fact, four graves at the same site in 1878 were exhumed out of 30 found, indicating the property eventually purchased by McCloskey was part of a much larger burial ground.

However, there was no further information on what had happened to the remains or artifacts after being taken to Swarthmore.

In 1909, the burial site, known locally as Indian Knoll, was designated by the county as a historical Native American burial site of the Lenape.

The histories of institutions of higher learning often contain disturbing chapters, Smith said in her statement. Swarthmore College is no exception. I am writing to you today to share an aspect of our history that requires us to reflect on and confront our past. This reckoning will ultimately help us shape a better future.

Smith said that the college had looked into circumstances regarding the Inquirer story. It found that Spencer Trotter, who taught natural history at the college, and Bird T. Baldwin, a member of the Class of 1900, were two men mentioned in the article who had dug up the remains.
Its official.

Several late-night talk shows, including The Late Show with Steph Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, will immediately feel the impact of thousands of writers agreeing to go on strike, according to news sources.

As a result, these shows will shut down production, with networks planning to air reruns, according to People.

Similar shows, such as Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Daily Show, will be affected as well, while weekly shows such as Saturday Night Live, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver are predicted to be similarly impacted, but final decisions on those shows will come later this week, according to Deadline.

The strike began after six weeks of negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (which includes Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony) hit a standstill and the current contract expired at midnight Pacific time, the outlet reported.

The Guild is seeking higher pay overall and demanded a major overhaul in compensation for streaming residuals. It also called for greater protections and a solution to the increase of mini-rooms, where a small group of writers write a number of scripts for a shows potential first season before production even begins.

Both the WGA and the AMPTP agree that writers are bringing in less money overall, but they cannot reach an agreement on how to remedy the issue, according to People.

WGA proposals would gain writers approximately $429 million per year; AMPTPs offer is approximately $86 million per year, 48% of which is from the minimums increase, the guild said, according to Deadline.

Late Night show host Seth Meyers said he is all for writers receiving their rightful pay.

I love writing. I love writing for TV. I love writing this show. I love that we get to come in with an idea for what we want to do every day and we get to work on it all afternoon and then I have the pleasure of coming out here, Meyers said according to Deadline. No one is entitled to a job in show business. But for those people who have a job, they are entitled to fair compensation. They are entitled to make a living. I think its a very reasonable demand thats being set out by the guild. And I support those demands.

Fortunately, several late-night showrunners told Deadline that they plan to stay in touch with each other during the strike and will uphold a unified approach to the situation, which didnt happen during a similar strike that ran from 2007-08.

That strike started in November 2007 and ended on Feb. 12, 2008. Billions of dollars were reportedly lost as a result and it affected people working in areas like costuming, makeup, sets, catering and more.

I have been and will continue to talk to the other shows to see what theyre up to, one showrunner said to the outlet. Weve got to support the writers  our writers are amazing. That said, the rest of the staff is amazing, and I dont want to see anybody lose their jobs or lose a paycheck. Whats the happy medium there? Figuring that out, its not been easy.

Read more via People and Deadline.

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HARRISBURG  Pennsylvanias state Senate on Monday approved legislation to ban so-called safe injection sites, after Philadelphia became the center of a legal battle over opening safe havens where opioid users could legally inject heroin and other drugs under supervision as a way to reduce overdoses.

The bill passed, 41-9, with every Republican in favor of it and nine of 22 Democrats against it.
Egypt has opened its southern gates to Sudanese fleeing the horrors of war. Hager Elhakeem gauges their hopes and fears

The conflict between Sudans Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which broke out on 15 April has already left hundreds dead, thousands injured and tens of thousands homeless.

Many Sudanese escaping the conflict have arrived in neighbouring states such as Egypt. Regardless their political or religious affiliations, Egyptians have opened their homes and arms to their Sudanese brothers.

Sudanese national Atef Abdel-Moeti arrived in Luxor this week via Qastal, an alternative to the Argeen crossing. The 54-year-old taxi driver said he was relieved after reaching the Upper Egyptian city of Luxor.

Some of my neighbours died when their homes were shelled, and the houses are now rubble, he said.

Abdel-Moetis journey to Luxor took three days, and he is now living with an Egyptian friend Khaled, who once lived in Sudan. He packed essential items and took a bus from the Sudanese city of Atbara to the safety of Egypt. He said the route the bus took was secured by the SAF.

Two days after settling in Luxor, Abdel-Moeti still looks exhausted. He was nonetheless appreciative that he did not have to pay to enter Egypt thanks to the Four Freedoms Agreement.

In 2004, Egypt and Sudan signed the agreement granting freedom of movement, residence, work, and property ownership for people in the two countries. Only men between the ages of 16 and 50 are required to pay for visas. Women, children, and the elderly are exempted. The agreement, however, has never been fully implemented on the ground.

Abdel-Moeti says he feels safe and at home in Egypt, though he misses his family and relatives who are still in Sudan. He is trying to arrange for his sister, husband, and children to travel to Egypt though he says he has yet to figure out how to do it.

Abdel-Moeti says he wants neither the SAF nor RSF to take over his country.

A man who worked at Khartoum Airport, who preferred not to give his name, said gunfire could be heard around the clock across Khartoum State, and since the outbreak of the conflict he had had no access to electricity or water.

The 54-year-old official said he had eventually convinced his 70-year-old mother to flee to Egypt. The family  mother, wife, and three children  enetered Egypt via the Argeen crossing, leaving almost everything behind.

The official says he is comfortable in Egypt, which he has visited multiple times. He is worried, however, about the future and does not know when he will next see his relatives who remain in Sudan.

Khaled Fahim, 50, has opened his house in Luxor to receive Sudanese friends and acquaintances.

Fahim has a small, two-floor house which is now home to 12 Sudanese.

Women sleep on the lower floor, men on the upper, he said.

The economic crisis Egypt is facing did not stop Fahim from taking in those fleeing Sudan.

God is bountiful. We are all suffering, but food that was enough for 10 people is now shared by 20, he said.

Fahim says many of his neighbours have followed suit and are supporting Sudanese fleeing the conflict. Many people in Luxor, Esna, and Aswan say they are ready to help.

The Sudanese are our brothers. We almost speak the same language. Many Egyptian families live in Sudan, and vice versa, said Khaled.

In Cairo, Abdine bus station is the arrival point for many Sudanese. Marwa Kamel, an Egyptian journalist and researcher in African affairs, has been coordinating with Sudanese students since 22 April to arrange accommodation for those seeking to cross into Egypt through the Argeen crossing.

Kamel has been offering logistical support in Aswan, including arranging accommodation at discounted prices.

Many Nubians and Egyptians have hosted Sudanese nationals for free, providing a respite until they can figure out their next destination. Kamel herself is hosting three Sudanese families at her house in Cairo. Friends and acquaintances, they travelled to Egypt via Argeen.

Kamel says that a number of political parties and public figures are working to distribute displaced Sudanese in different cities to prevent overcrowding, and that many individuals, including doctors and therapists, are offering their services free of charge. Others have offered employment, furniture, and other items that are needed.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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As Sudans rival military forces continued fighting for the third week, leading to a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, commentators are worried the chaos will encourage Ethiopia to continue to ignore negotiation efforts over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Former deputy foreign minister Mohamed Hegazi argues that Sudans position over the dam does not boil down to either standing with Egypt or against Ethiopia but is a considered response to maintaining its own interests as a downstream state.

Khartoum may be temporarily distracted by recent events but that will not stop it from looking at its geographical priorities and cooperating with Egypt as a fellow downstream state, he told Al-Ahram Weekly.

Other analysts are less optimistic. A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the fighting in Sudan may have devastating effect on Khartoum and contribute to destabilising the already volatile region. I expect that Sudan will be occupied for some time with its domestic problems. Other issues will not be a priority, he said.

He pointed out that Sudans stance on GERD had never been consistent. Khartoum initially opposed the project, but earlier this year Sudanese leader Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan said Khartoum and Addis Ababa were aligned and in agreement vis-a-vis the controversial dam which Egypt views as a threat.

Al-Burhans remarks came during a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who was on a one-day visit to Khartoum, his first since Al-Burhan led a 2021 military coup.

Al-Burhan emphasised... that Sudan and Ethiopia are aligned and in agreement on all issues regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, according to a statement by the Sovereign Council, which Al-Burhan chairs. Yet on the sidelines of the China-Arab Summit held in the Saudi capital Riyadh in December last year, Al-Burhan was insisting on the need to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD, something Addis Ababa has consistently refused to do.

Abbas Sharaki, professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, argues that the latest confrontations in Sudan are likely to silence the already weak voices that are still calling for the resumption of tripartite negotiations. Ethiopia announced in March that construction of the dam was 90 per cent complete. Satellite pictures show that Addis Ababa is preparing for a fourth filling in the absence of any legally binding agreement, and that it had opened one of the dams gates without consulting downstream countries. The opening is to clear water in preparation for raising the height of the middle wall of the dam ahead of the July rainy season.

Addis Ababas announcement that the dam is 90 per cent complete came days after Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri had issued a fresh warning to Ethiopia against unilateral action on the dam.

All options are open, and all alternatives remain available. Egypt has its capabilities, and its foreign relations, said Shoukri.

Over the last three years, Ethiopia has unilaterally implemented three fillings of the dam. The first filling took place in July 2020, involving 4.9 billion m3 of water, the second captured 3 billion m3 while the third, conducted in July last year, took the total of water stored in the reservoir to 17 billion m3. The first two turbines of the dam were also installed last year.

Sharaki fears that, following the heightening of the middle wall, the dams fourth filling may be as much as the previous three together.

Worried that Africas largest dam will reduce its share of Nile water, Cairo has repeatedly called on Addis Ababa to sign an agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. Egypt depends on the Nile for irrigation and drinking water and the Blue Nile accounts for more than 80 per cent of its flow.

Sudan draws two-thirds of its water supplies from the Nile and regularly suffers from massive flooding during the rainy season. In the absence of coordination with Ethiopia, this flooding can have devastating effects on its dams and people.

Ethiopias prime minister has repeatedly stated that GERD will not harm downstream countries. He has refused, however, to give any guarantees that the amount of water reaching Egypt will remain unaffected by the dam.



* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Three teachers chosen by students for the 2023 Outstanding Faculty Award will be honored at a come-and-go reception on Tuesday, May 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Ballroom C of the Overman Student Center.

Students, alumni, colleagues, family, and friends are invited to drop by to celebrate with Professor Barbara Bardie McClaskey (Nursing), Professor Joe Levens (Construction), and Associate Professor Laura Covert-Miller (Health, Human Performance, & Recreation).

President Dan Shipp and Provost Howard Smith will offer informal remarks about the winners at 1:30, and students from Nursing, Construction, and HHPR also will share brief reflections.

Refreshments will be served, and a selfie station will be set up for capturing photos.

The annual award is given by the Student Government Association after a nomination process open to students. This year, there were over 50 nominations and the selection process was difficult, officers said.

Joe Levens

Levens is a two-time Pitt State graduate (BST 77, MET 02). In 2022, he was chosen by the national Associated General Contractors of America organization for the Outstanding Educator Award.

He began his construction career with Martin K. Eby Construction Co., Inc., holding leadership positions in a variety of areas within the company.

In 2010, he joined the faculty in the College of Technology, where he teaches courses in the School of Construction, serves as the faculty advisor for the Associated General Contractors of America student chapter, and is the director of the Kansas Center for Construction Advancement. Hes a graduate of the Leadership Kansas program, and in 2001 was the recipient of Pitt States Outstanding Alumni Award.

Heres what students had to say in their nominations:

When I did not do as well on a test as I had hoped, I went in to review with Joe about what I missed and he ended up explaining it in several different ways, ensuring that I understood it.



He is someone that I know I can talk to about career advice, and he has reviewed job offers for me.



Joe includes us in industry events so that we dont feel too young or out of place when we graduate.



He always has an open door policy for a student to walk in and talk. I have had many conversations about the next step as a young professional and how to set myself apart from others.



If Joe gets to read this, thank you for being you every day and being someone who is the definition of great.



Barbara Bardie McClaskey

McClaskey just completed 31 years as a full-time faculty member in the Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing, where she served six years as a part-time clinical instructor prior to that. She serves as the advisor of the Pitt State chapter of the Kansas Association of Nursing Students, co-advisor of Omicron Delta Kappa, and co-advisor of the Newman Club.

Prior to the pandemic, she took students every year for 20 years on field experiences in nursing care, including 200 to Juarez, Mexico, and nearly 100 to an elder care clinic in New Orleans.

McClaskey also is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and she has helped in the delivery of numerous Pitt State students  one of whom is graduating with a nursing degree this week!

Heres what students had to say in their nominations:

She has definitely taken away a lot of fear I had about college and helped get me on my feet to understand what Im doing.



She sets us up for success when it comes to our future years in college and in life. She explains topics in ways that makes them easier to understand. She is the reason students who were close to dropping out did not do so.



When we lost a peer, she was there for us.



Aside from excelling as a professor, she also has a very kind heart. She has worked with me one on one when I felt down on myself and anxious to take a test in her class. She helped me understand the information and gave me excellent emotional support and encouragement.



She has helped many incoming students seek mental health help, talked and encouraged them on bad days, and checked in when they might have just been going through some minor issues within their transition to Pitt State.





Laura Covert-Miller

Laura Covert-Miller joined the Health, Human Performance, and Recreation Department in 2012. She also is the director of the Ability Lab, which focuses on student-led research and programming for individuals with disabilities and older adults.

In 2018 and 2021, she and the Therapeutic Recreation program were chosen by Special Olympics Kansas for the Southeast Kansas Organization of the Year Award for improving the lives of those with intellectual disabilities. In 2022, she received the Golisano Health Leadership Award from Special Olympics Kansas.

She is the founder of the annual TR-Iffic events at the Plaster Center and the Golden Gorillas senior program at the Pittsburg YMCA.

Heres what students had to say in their nominations:
Lead negotiator for the COP27 Presidency Mohamed Nasr explains how Egypt is encouraging all the parties to agree on the pressing issues of climate change to Doaa El-Bey

Mohamed Nasr, lead negotiator of the UN COP27 Climate Change Conference held last year in Sharm El-Sheikh, is an Egyptian career diplomat and negotiator. He is currently the director of the Climate, Environment, and Sustainable Development Department at the Foreign Ministry. He was part of the COP27 Presidency team leading the negotiations at the Sharm El-Sheikh meeting, and he served as chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2018-2019.

Under the UNFCCC, Nasr has been a lead negotiator on adaptation and climate finance for the AGN since 2009, where he served, among others, as member of the compliance mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol and an advisor to the African board members of the Green Climate Fund. He was also a member of the Egyptian delegation to the UN COP19 and COP20 meetings.

He spoke to Al-Ahram Weekly about how Egypt is following through on the outcomes of the COP27.

The transitional committee of the new Fund for Loss and Damage, set up at the COP27, held its first meeting late in March in Luxor. What were the outcomes of the meeting?

This is a transitional committee that has a plan for a full year, so the outcome of one meeting is not an indication of what will be the final outcome, but it gives a sense of how things are moving. Besides, first meetings are always challenging, but this is where you set the tone, start working on the work plan, and calibrate the expectations of the different members and the different parties.

The importance of the meeting was to build bridges between the 24 members who come from different backgrounds and different countries and have different perspectives on loss and damage, which is a very complicated issue in the negotiations.

In hosting the meeting, we aimed, first, to build confidence, agree on a work plan, and highlight the expected outcomes by the end of the year. We aimed to create or operationalise the committee, a step that was delayed for a couple of months. Secondly, we wanted to agree on a work plan, and thirdly we wanted to agree on the expectations and the possible outcomes from the different work schemes.

What are the obstacles facing the establishment of the fund?

There are different views coming from different groups and countries on where and what will be the value of this creation and whether we are discussing a fund or funding arrangements, which are two different issues. How we can operationalise this fund and how to make it deliver is not an easy question to answer. It is easy to establish a fund, but to have money in the fund and then start dispersing it takes time. We have the experience of the Green Climate Fund that took years to operationalise, for example.

What are the next steps?

The next meeting will be in the third week of May in Europe, possibly in Bonn, Germany, to be followed by two other meetings, with workshops in between, in addition to a lot of virtual meetings. The process also includes holding a ministerial meeting chaired by the Egyptian President of the COP27 Sameh Shoukri and the incoming President of the COP28 Sultan Al-Jaber, to push the work of the transitional committee later in the year before the COP28.

The Copenhagen Climate Ministerial Meeting, the first major climate meeting of 2023, was held last month. It aims to define expectations on how to deliver COP27 promises ahead of the COP28. How far did the meeting manage to meet its goals, and are there more meetings in the pipeline?

The negotiating process on climate change is very complicated: we have many items to look into, and it is very politicised. Relying only on official meetings and one technical meeting in Bonn in the middle of the year and then the technical meeting at the end of the year is not enough to create the momentum needed to have an outcome and take decisions.

So, we tended to opt for more ministerial dialogue. Originally, we had the Petersburg Dialogue, which is a dialogue to be held by Germany before the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) meeting in mid-June.

It has become a trend and tradition to have a ministerial meeting before the COP itself to be held in the same region in order to allow ministers to have a discussion and to give some guidance. The government of Denmark wanted to provide more support for building on what came out of the Glasgow meeting and discussing what would come out of Sharm El-Sheikh, for example, before the COP27 meeting. That was an idea that came up between Alok Sharma, UK president of the COP26, Shoukri, and Denmarks Minister of Energy and Climate Dan Jorgensen.

The first Copenhagen meeting happened last year, and because it was very helpful, it was also thought that we should have one this year, which we did. The aim of the ministerial meetings is to have a frank assessment between the major active parties within the process on the outcome of the COP and on what are the expectations for the rest of the year. Ministers usually give political guidance to the negotiators, so you can get a sense about the challenges and opportunities and how to take things forward.

These meetings work on two levels: one for the current Presidency to explain and promote the outcomes of the COP that has already been concluded, and one for the incoming Presidency to build on what was achieved in the previous COP and assess where the challenges in the negotiations building on the outcomes are.

The negotiations are an ongoing process; we have been at this for 30 years, and it is an incremental process. Of course, there is a need to speed up the process a bit because the scientists are telling us we are facing a major climate challenge, and there is also a need to make this development-sensitive. The climate response should be development-sensitive, and this was one of the messages that came out of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The COP27 Conference brought governments together to accelerate global efforts to confront the climate crisis. However, some critics claim that it did not take steps on the issue of mitigation, nor on the issue of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

If you are engaged in the process, you have people who are very ambitious, activists, and those who are committed to the climate agenda. Then, you have the reality on the ground. Everybody wants to deliver, and we were very focused on delivery at Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Presidency made it clear from the beginning that our COP is about implementation. It is not about making headlines.

We are concerned about limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, but it is not up to us alone; it is up to the involved parties. If these parties do not go on this path, a COP meeting will not change things. During the COP27, we looked at the root causes of why things were delayed. First, we looked at what were the concerns, and we listened to the developing countries, and the African countries in particular, on this. It was very clear that the transition that was envisaged in the Paris Agreement and what was promoted in Glasgow had social and economic components that were overlooked.

A very simple example was the Glasgow package of energy transition in South Africa. When the implementation of this started, they found that there were issues related to mine workers and mines that needed a different package and a different way to deal with it. Creating jobs and shifting employment from one sector to another is much more challenging in developing countries than in many developed countries. They do not have the capacity to provide subsidies like the European countries or the US, where the government can prepare the needed subsidies.

If you do a reality check, the transition that we all agreed to is that by 2050 we should be carbon-neutral on a global scale. But we need finance, not more loans. Do not give more loans because the developing countries are not able to take them out, and do not expect them to pay from their own pockets for adaptation, or loss and damage, at the time when they need to pay for education, healthcare, and other development needs.

That is why the outcome of the Sharm El-Sheikh meeting focused on positive messages. One, for the first time we have a work programme for a just transition, which means that we do the transition in the right way to ensure that employment is not affected and workers in the different sectors are not affected. Two, as we focus on implementation, we included as a goal the phasing out of fossil fuels. But we looked at it from a different perspective. We had in the initial plan an increase in the share of renewable energy, which means a decrease in the other sources of energy including fossil fuels.

Three, we kept the same language that came out of Glasgow, which is requesting the countries to update their Nationally Defined Contributions (NDCs) and the phasing out of coal and of inefficient fossil fuels. For the first time there was a very clear section on energy that was never there before.

COP27 President Shoukri said that the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda represents a significant contribution to enhancing global action on adaptation and resilience. How far did the COP27 meet these goals?

Adaptation has always been a challenge for the developing countries because if you look at the reports coming out from the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), or the flows of investment, it all goes to where the profit is, and they all tend to go to mitigation. Thus, the flows will go to countries that are investment grade, according to the investment-rating agencies.

Many countries in Africa and the small islands are not investment grade, so they will not attract any investment. So, what is happening is that those countries are paying from their own pockets. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is saying that Africa pays between three and five per cent annually to support adaptation.

As it is a very difficult process to create bankable or profit-generating projects on adaptation in Africa, the MDBs and the UN system need to provide that kind of support which we, partially, achieved through that Adaptation Agenda declared by the Egyptian Presidency during the COP27 in partnership with UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt Mahmoud Mohieldin and the UN organisations.

We are working on this to ensure that this agenda moves forward, and then we will report to the COP28 on the progress achieved. Our agenda focuses on agriculture, water, livelihoods, sustainability and stability. The challenges we are facing with adaptation are similar to those we are facing with loss and damage. The developed countries focus mainly on mitigation as it is needed for the future. But we also need to deal with the impacts we are facing now.

Climate finance took centre stage during the COP27. What are the efforts being made to see that the developed countries finally come through on their pledge to provide $100 billion in annual financing?

Anything in the multilateral process is a pledge. There is a commitment to deliver, but there is no mechanism to say that if you do not deliver there are consequences. So, what is happening is that they agreed on $100 billion, as a catalyst for the developed countries to move from a position of no responsibility before 2009 to recognising responsibility as per the Paris Agreement.

The $100 billion was not delivered, even though the pledge came at a time when the same countries could mobilise billions when it came to the Covid-19 pandemic. These countries managed to mobilise up to $30 trillion in a year to meet the challenges of Covid-19. We are also seeing strong mobilisation for funding the geopolitical situation in Europe. Billions are being used almost every week. All this proves that reaching $100 billion is not impossible.

Many developing countries are saying that if the figure of $100 billion is not met, this gives an indication that the commitment from those who should deliver is not there. They say do not expect us to go three steps forward and take more loans and divert money from healthcare and education to the climate when those who are responsible are not taking steps forward themselves. The failure to deliver is, still, an indication of the level of political commitment to climate change.

But now the dilemma is not only the $100 billion, but also the bigger picture that is telling you that developing countries need to implement their NDCs to an amount of $5.6 trillion by 2030. And another trillion is needed for the transition in the energy sector. What is needed to head to carbon neutrality is $4 trillion per year. These are important figures that you need to look at. The $100 billion becomes very small in comparison to such figures. But it has always been the token for trust building and confirming the political commitment of the developed countries.

Besides, the accounting methodologies are different. We are being told that by 2020, almost $90 billion were delivered. But independent civil society organisations like the charity Oxfam have said that it was only $40 billion. This can be ascribed to the use of a different methodology and playing with numbers, as there is no agreed methodology and definition on what climate finance is.

In many cases countries tend to repackage things and account for everything they do as climate finance in order to magnify their contribution. The reality is close to what Oxfam is saying, if we apply a strict methodology.

Moving to the transition away from fossil fuels, during the COP27 a decision to extend the phasing down of all fossil fuels was taken. How do you see the future of that transition?

The reality is that many countries are saying that they want to phase out fossil fuels, but on the ground they are expanding their use of fossil fuels. They claim that this is an emergency because of the Ukraine war and other reasons.

We also must respect the fact that various countries have development needs. What we heard during the year ahead of the COP27 was that many countries were willing to phase down or phase out fossil fuels if they were provided with the needed finance. But this has not been the case, as the $100 billion has not been met and the investment flows are not happening. It does not make sense to rely on the science-based phasing out of fossil fuels until countries are ready to do so.

All countries, for instance, cannot have electric vehicles until they have electric networks. Until then, they will not be able to shift. Countries can also say that they do not need fossil fuels and stop using them, but then what are their revenues? I am not talking about the Gulf states only, but about many countries in Africa and Latin America where their production of fossil fuels represents a substantial amount for their economies. We hope we will all be developed countries eventually, and then we can all make the shift and our governments can fund and subsidise the transitions, but until then it is not easy.

Scientists say that there will be a substantial phasing down of fossil fuels. The understanding was, and still is, that we should start gradually. The first thing will be getting rid of coal because it is the most polluting fossil fuel. Then oil and then gas will be the transition fuels, after which we will move to clean energy. Until this happens, and until we have the right financial and economic packages that allow for it, fossil fuels have to stay, not because people like them, but because it is the only solution we have right now.

Unless you give countries other options, fossil fuels will stay. We all agree there will be phasing out, but how can we manage this through a just and equitable process is the question.

The COP27 was dubbed the African COP due to its location in Egypt, and several African-led initiatives were in the spotlight. How far were these initiatives implemented on the ground?

Some of the initiatives were already there. Others came forward during the COP27, where the focus was on how to ensure affordable energy for Africa.

There were several important projects, including the Decent Life Initiative (Hayah Karima) in Egypt, which was meant to replicate the projects on the domestic level. The initiatives in Africa aimed to enhance the sustainability and resilience of communities.

One of the major things we face in Africa is when climate change hits an area, people leave, causing a displacement problem. We have seen that in many cases, and it places stress on other communities.

One thing that we want to put forward with Hayah Karima is that the initiative simply enhances the resilience of local communities by providing them with the right housing, cheap energy, water and other things. So, when they are hit by climate change, their livelihood is impacted but not to the extent of pushing people out.

The other project was Sustainable Energy forAll in Africa (SE forAll), which guaranteed access to affordable energy for the African countries. There were also projects about nutrition and agricultural resilience designed with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Most of them are being dealt with now in partnership with Mohieldin and his team. The idea is that these should be a process that delivers on the ground. We hope that all these projects deliver, but of course they all need funding as well as focus.

Are you optimistic that the goals for combating climate change will be met, and what do you expect from the COP28?

In this process, you have to be realistic, which means you need to push for ambitions to be as high as possible and also push for implementation and make sure that it happens. And in between, you must not fall into the trap of making the headlines or falling into that of not delivering enough on the ground.

At a certain point in time, which I think we have reached now, all countries and politicians will understand that climate change is a major issue that is already hitting all of us.

Meanwhile, awareness among decision-makers and policy-planners about the strong impacts of this on our lives is still missing, and this is a problem. Up until now, they have not really linked climate change and economic and social impacts. But extreme weather has impacts on agricultural productivity, which in its turn has impacts on livelihoods and consequent economic impacts.

Science is telling us that we can deal with these problems. But we are not dealing with them as fast as is needed or at the stage that is needed. One, because money is limited, and two, because awareness is limited.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Polk Added to Hustler Casino Live $1m Buy-In Poker Game; Apologizes to Carrel

May 02, 2023 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S.

On Doug Polk's podcast Tuesday morning, Nick Vertucci and Ryan Feldman disclosed a few new players who will be competing in the upcoming historic $1 million buy-in game on Hustler Casino Live. The biggest name revealed was none other than Polk himself, who apologized Monday for previously asserting that Charlie Carrel, an admitted victim of pedophilia, empathizes with pedophiles.

Last month, on Joey Ingram's podcast, Feldman announced the first set of players for the seven-figure buy-in no-limit hold'em cash game to be held May 26-29 at Hustler Casino in Los Angeles. Among the initial participants are Ethan "Rampage" Yau, Nikhil "Nik Airball" Arcot, and Eric Persson.

Initially, the game was slated to run May 27-29, but Feldman told Polk that they have decided to bump it up to May 26 and will run the game for 4-5 days leading right into the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP).

"Rampage" Headlines Hustler Casino Live $1M Buy-In Poker Game Lineup

"Wes Side" Wesley in the Mix

"Wes Side" Wesley

Feldman made it clear the lineup following his initial announcement wasn't complete. He threw around some other potential names who were on his list, including Alan Keating, Phil Hellmuth, and Polk, along with non-poker celebs such as MrBeast, who appeared on Hustler Casino Live in May 2022 in what was the live-stream's most watched show ever.

The first new player announced on Tuesday is "Wes Side" Wesley, a polarizing figure on Hustler Casino Live the past year. Handz, another HCL regular, was the second player revealed on Polk's podcast. On Sunday, Handz was bluffed by Bill Perkins, who left in the middle of the hand to catch a flight and still won the pot.

Up next was "Huss," an Australian high-stakes player. Mariano, one of the top vloggers who has become an HCL regular, was then revealed to be added to the $1 million buy-in game lineup.

Doug Polk Joins Historic Poker Game

Doug Polk

The first few players disclosed was all a build up to the biggest name and that is Polk, the host of the podcast. Polk, the Upswing Poker founder, has found himself mixed up in a bit of controversy on social media lately.

In a Twitter Spaces conversation with Will Jaffe and Matt Berkey, the co-owner of The Lodge Card Club in Texas got into a heated argument with Charlie Carrel over Carrel's Twitter post from 2018 in which Polk claims he was "empathizing with pedophiles."

Carrel then informed Polk that as a child he was a victim of pedophilia, but Polk didn't back down from ripping on him. On his YouTube channel, Polk trashed Carrel over the pedophilia discussion, and that video had hundreds of thousands of views, which Carrel said caused him great harm.

The conversation led to some backlash for Polk on poker Twitter for being insensitive to a victim. On Monday night, he issued an apology video and took down old videos that were critical of the poker player he's been criticizing for years, including the highly viewed aforementioned video.

I want to apologize to @Charlie_Carrel https://t.co/WIzcB1i53O  Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids)

As a poker pro, Polk is one of the top heads-up no-limit hold'em players ever and has three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets to go along with nearly $10 million in live tournament cashes, according to Hendon Mob. He appeared in the recent controversial High Stakes Poker live-stream with Berkey and Nik Airball and is a mainstay on the live-stream at The Lodge, the poker room he co-owns.

Sharelines There's a new player added to the @HCLPokerShow $1 million game.
Winfred Yu Wins 2023 Poker Dream Manila Short Deck Super High Roller

May 02, 2023 Christian Zetzsche Live Reporter

The winner of the most expensive tournament during the 2023 Poker Dream Manila live poker stop in the capital of the Philippines has been crowned. None other than Poker Dream founder Winfred Yu defeated Triton Poker co-founder Paul Phua. It was a fiercely fought heads-up duel after which Yu claimed the bragging rights among high-stakes regulars as well as the golden dragon trophy in the PHP1,380,000 ($25,321) "White Horse Club" Short Deck Ante-Only Super High Roller.

Both received the biggest slice of the PHP55,000,000 guarantee ($1,071,273) in a field of 41 entries, which paid the top six spots. Players from two different countries returned for the live-streamed final showdown in the ballroom of the Newport World Resorts Integrated Resort and it was Yu who eventually prevailed to take home a top prize of PHP18,700,000 ($364,233).

Among the finalists was also Hong Kong's WSOP bracelet winner Danny Tang, as well as the three Malaysians Chen Ming Kong, Jun Wah Yap, and Ming Hong Teoh.

Final Result 2023 Poker Dream Manila Short Deck Super High Roller

Place Winner Country Prize (in PHP) Prize ( in USD) 1 Winfred Yu Hong Kong 18,700,000 $364,233 2 Paul Phua Malaysia 12,920,000 $251,652 3 Chen Ming Kong Malaysia 8,250,000 $160,691 4 Danny Tang Hong Kong 6,330,000 $123,294 5 Jun Wah Yap Malaysia 4,950,000 $96,415 6 Ming Hong Teoh Malaysia 3,850,000 $74,989 Prize Pool 55,000,000 $1,071,273

Yu entered the final day with a commanding lead but it wasn't an easy ride to victory by any means, as he dropped back into the middle of the pack. Instead, it was Phua who soared to the top and entered heads-up play with the lead. However, one double-up with ace-king versus ace-queen propelled Yu back into the driver's seat, and the fiercely contested battle ultimately ended in his favour.

The first casualty on the six-handed grand finale occurred rather swiftly as Ming Hong Teoh was ousted by Danny Tang. Having played just two hands actively, Teoh's pocket kings couldn't hold up against ace-king suited, and that spelled the end for the Malaysian. Phua then put a first dent into Yu's lead when he doubled with set versus top pair before taking over the lead.

Jun Wah Yap

Jun Wah Yap had survived several short stack all-ins and got it in ahead with ace-queen suited against the ace-ten suited of Chen Ming Kong, but the latter flopped Broadway for the knockout. Tang's tournament then came to a crashing end when Phua limped pocket aces and snapped off the shove by Tang with pocket queens.

Kong remained very active in three-handed play but never recovered from doubling Yu, as he doubled his short stack only once before his dominated ace came up short against Phua.

Phua and Yu, who had played against each other in numerous other high-stakes competitions already throughout the years, then battled back and forth for more than two hours. Yu gained the upper hand with a superior ace and ultimately remained ahead with jacks versus ace-eight to claim the trophy.

Paul Phua

While this wraps up the PokerNews coverage of the Short Deck Super High Roller Event, the live reporting team will be back the following day to pick up the conclusion of the PHP500,000 Super High Roller before turning the focus on the flagship 2023 Poker Dream Manila Main Event.

Sharelines Read the final table recap from the "White Horse Club" Short Deck Ante-Only Super High Roller.
It was another action-packed day at the 2023 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino as Day 1b of the 5,300 EPT Main Event was the focal point of the day. A total of 700 entries were recorded on the day with only 228 players advancing to Day 2. That brings the total number of entries for this event to 1,063 with at least 332 players returning tomorrow.

Leading the charge after another 10 levels of poker was PokerStars qualifier Samy Boujmala who finished the day with an impressive 339,000 chips. Boujmala qualified for the event through an online promotion and is looking to turn it into a big payday, one of the largest of his career. Outside of the WSOP Main Event, this is one of the Frenchman's largest buy-in events of his career and he will be heading into Day 2 as the overall chip leader.

Right on his heels was Mitchell Hynam who was leading the pack for most of the evening. Hynam peaked earlier at nearly 350,000 but fell back to finish with 316,000 chips. Hynam is in a similar situation as he will be looking to run deep and record the largest score of his short career. The Brit will also be looking to make it two EPT Main Event cashes in a row after finishing 98th in Paris for 14,100.

Top 10 Leaderboard from Day 1b of the Main Event

Rank Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1st Samy Boujmala France 339,000 226 2nd Mitchell Hynam United Kingdom 316,000 211 3rd Jean-Marc Cristiani France 287,000 191 4th Antonio Calabro Italy 255,000 170 5th Jason Wheeler USA 250,000 167 6th Aleksejs Ponakovs Latvia 245,500 164 7th Kenan Taylor United Kingdom 232,000 155 8th Jose Astima France 231,000 154 9th Corel Theuma Malta 219,500 146 10th Artur Martirosian Russia 215,500 144

One of the spotlights of the day focused on world champion chess player Magnus Carlsen who was amongst some of the greatest poker players in the world. While not competing in his optimal game, Carlsen was still able to hold his own en route to bagging up a stack of 38,500 chips, albeit having to use a second bullet to do so. The popular Norwegian was forced to reenter after making the wrong call earlier in the day.

Magnus Carlsen

There were a few PokerStars ambassadors in the field today as well and two of them were able to make it through to Day 2. Parker Talbot led the way with a stack of 136,000 as he quietly went about his business in hopes of finally "winning a tournament". Benjamin Spragg will return to a stack of 96,000 chips and Jen Shahade will be forced to fire another bullet if she wishes to keep her chance of winning still alive.

Some other notables to keep an eye on as the action continues to unfold is Yiannis Liperis who is freshly coming off a victory in the 2,200 FPS High Roller earlier in the day, pocketing over 400,000 for his efforts. Liperis managed to spin up a stack of 183,000 after jumping into the Main Event. And Romain Lewis, the popular Frenchman, was able to cruise after holding an early big stack en route to finishing the day with 156,000 chips.

The cards are scheduled to go back in the air at 12:00 p.m. local time tomorrow for Day 2 with the blinds resuming on level 11 at 1,000/1,500 and a 1,500 big blind ante. The levels will be increased to 90 minutes going forward with a 15-minute break after every level. The current plan is to play five levels on Day 2 without a dinner break with the money bubble expected to burst on Day 3.

As a reminder, late registration is still open until the start of Day 2 for any of those players who have not fired at least two bullets as of yet. The PokerNews live reporting team will be back on the tournament floor to capture all of the big hands throughout the day and bring you all of the exciting action.
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Stephen Colbert had to wait a week, but he finally got to celebrate the Fox News firing of Tucker Carlson.

Video:

Here are some of Colberts best Tucker Carlson jokes:



Fox News fired Tucker Carlson. I finally get to say that on TV I been holding this in for a week I feel like I just had the best pee of my entire life. Like him or not and for the record dont, Carlson was the most watched cable news host so why fire him? Fox did not give a reason in fact Tucker Carlsons exit remains a mystery yes a mystery. You can read all about it in Nancy Drew In The Case Of Why Didnt This Happen Years Ago?



For those who dont know what word Im talking about he called his boss a CU next Tuesday or in this case a CU never Tucker.



Its not just sexism, reportedly some higher-ups at Fox were concerned about what they felt was thinly veiled racism on his show. Thinly veiled? No wonder they were mad Fox likes their racism cut thick like country bacon.



Currently, Tucker is a free agent theres plenty of interest immediately after he was fired Tucker Carlson got an offer from Russia State Media. Thats got to be a tempting offer. Up till now hes been representing Russia pro bono. Tucker also has gotten unofficial offers from One America News Network, conservative news outlet Blaze TV. Mike Lindell offered Tucker Carlson a job yes Lindell wants Tucker to be the pillow.

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Tucker Carlson was a cancer on the American mainstream media and a threat to democracy with his lies and misinformation. Carlson intentionally lied to his audience for ratings. Tucker Carlson even admitted that he lied to his viewers.

Stephen Colbert was off last week, so in his first return, he could not contain his happiness that Tucker Carlson is gone.
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Donald Trump is now telling people close to him that he may skip early Republican primary debates because he doesnt want to boost his opponents.

The New York Times reported:

In private comments to aides and confidants in recent weeks, Mr. Trump has made it clear that he does not want to breathe life into his Republican challengers by sharing the stage with them. Mr. Trump has led his nearest rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, by around 30 percentage points in recent polls. All other contenders are polling in single digits.

Im up by too many points, one associate who spoke with Mr. Trump recalled him saying.

It wasnt enough for Trump to try to destroy democracy after losing the 2020 election. He has moved on to trying to destroy the presidential primary process within the Republican Party.

Trump has a lot of reasons not to want to show up or a Republican primary debate. His current criminal indictment in Manhattan, the E. Jean Carroll civil rape trial, more criminal indictments against him both federally and in Georgia. Trump doesnt want to be challenged on his record.

Donald Trump is currently leading in Republican primary polls, but Ron DeSantis will get a bounce when he enters the race.

Trump is also mad at Fox News and doesnt want to give them any ratings that a full primary debate would provide.

Reading between the lines, it seems like Trump wants the nomination handed to him and doesnt want to have to work for it. If he follows through on his plan to skip debates, the former president will look weak.

Trump is only digging the hole deeper and dragging the Republican Party down with his chaos.
The Snyder Cut of Justice League has ushered in a strange new era of deluxe-edition movies.

Ever since the bloated four-hour behemoth hit streaming services, other directors have started to follow suit and either tease or completely re-package their films. The Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard recently said he had enough footage for a 5-hour cut of the film. Margot Robbie recently revealed that there is a massive 20-hour-cut of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood.

Regardless of whether these extended editions actually have quality, it seems we're living in a time when super-long films are heavily sought after. In that case, here are some of the best director's cuts over the years  where the extended footage actually brought a newfound depth to the film, unlike with Justice League.

Blade Runner Blade Runner There remain seven different cuts of Blade Runner, and while the runtimes don't fluctuate that much, all seven were surprisingly different films. Even the 1992 Director's Cut of the movie didn't get full approval from Scott. But 15 years later, the film's Final Cut was dubbed by Scott as his official, unfettered vision. The rendition not only looks better but expands on the coveted Unicorn dream scene. It's the version everyone should watch, but don't expect much additional clarification regarding the film's big question.

Aliens 3 Aliens 3 While The Special Edition of Aliens deserves a shout-out for its compelling rewrite, Aliens 3 featured the most substantial reworking out of any of the franchise's films. It includes just 37 minutes of extra footage, but those minutes were heavily utilized  in them, Paul McGann's Golic returns to protect the alien and in turn completely changes the deaths of multiple inmates. The scene where Ripley's escape pod is discovered is also entirely different, as the Alien uses an impregnated ox rather than a dog. Overall, the rework adds a good amount of character development that was absent in the theatrical release.

Watchmen Watchmen Zack Snyder's Watchmen had both a Director's Cut and Ultimate Cut, and the latter added an additional 30 minutes to the film, taking the comic's original Tales of the Black Freighter story and sprinkling it throughout. These scenes are animated, and while Snyder said he prefers the Director's Cut, the Ultimate Cut is perfect for die-hard fans of the original comic.

Donnie Darko Donnie Darko Richard Kelly's bizarre sci-fi outing was initially forced to be a two-hour venture for the theaters. But for the Director's Cut of Donnie Darko, Kelly threw in an array of deleted scenes, including one where Dr. Thurman reveals that Donnie's medication is nothing more than sugar pills. Drew Barrymore's character also is seen teaching Watership Down to her class. Overall, this Director's Cut offers more clarification about the film's ambiguous questions.

The Shining The Shining Stanley Kubrick's horror film is a certified masterpiece, but for some reason, the director slashed 25 minutes from the film's European version. In that respect, the American version is superior, as it reveals Jack Torrance at one point broke Danny's arm in a drunk attack. This reveal is massive, as Jack's alcoholism was a heavy focal point in Stephen King's novel. There are also a few more scary scenes, such as one where Wendy encounters a party in a room in the Overlook that is full of skeletons and cobwebs.

Once Upon a Time In America Once Upon a Time In America The intense gangster flick's initial release garnered a massive standing ovation at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. Once Upon a Time in America ran at 269 minutes with one intermission, but in order to get the film approved for a European release, Sergio Leone cut it down to 229 minutes.

The US rollout was cut even more, losing the film's two graphic rape scenes, and it received a tepid critical reception. But in 2012, the Extended Director's Cut added back (most) of what had been lost, bringing it back up to 251 minutes. Subplots were added back in, and the film was given a much-needed narrative boost as a result.

I Am Legend Only three minutes were added to I Am Legend's alternate version, but those three minutes completely changed the ending of the film. While the original theatrical release found Dr. Neville blowing himself up to save humanity and stop the "Darkseekers" from destroying the virus's cure, the alternative version includes a final interaction between Neville and the Darkseeker's leader. He tells Neville that the mutant he is tinkering with is his partner, and Neville realizes these Darkseekers can experience human-like emotions. He also realizes that, to these creatures, he is in fact "the legend" that has been murdering and capturing them, a profound realization that shakes Neville to his coreand also leaves him alive.

The Lord of the Rings The Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson knew while he was filming his magnum-opus trilogy that he to save a ton of footage for the DVD release, thinking that at-home viewers would tolerate a longer film. In total, the Extended Additions added 128 minutes of glorious extra footage, bringing the total runtime to 11 hours and 26 minutes. But those moments were well spent, and they added even more depth to an already fully-realized Middle Earth. Galadriel's gift-giving scene, Theodred's funeral, a deeper backstory for Faramir, Saruman's death, and an epic showdown between Gandalf and the Witch King were all included in the Extended Editions. For those who can stomach The Lord of the Rings's gargantuan run-time, Jackson made sure it was time well spent.

Apocalypse Now Apocalypse Now Francis Ford Coppola was deeply upset with the theatrical version of Apocalypse Now. After investing so much of his personal time, money, and energy into the project, the film was initially deemed a failure upon its release. Since then Coppola has released two new versions of the project: Redux, and The Final Cut, the latter of which hit streaming back in 2019. "Some of the greatest artists of their day, we may have never heard of them," Coppola told Rolling Stone. "But the 'failures' like Van Gogh or Rousseau, who had to take his paintings around in a wheelbarrow  you'd give your eyeteeth now to have those paintings." With all that said, 2019's Final Cut is the superior version of the film. While Redux was a step in the right direction  the edition added some much-needed character development, such as with Brando's Colonel Kurtz  The Final Cut wasn't as scattered and better utilized Redux's narrative arcs to help with the pacing.
One of several Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who had reached a critical condition as a result of their continued hunger strike has died, reports Mohamed Abu Shaar

On Tuesday Khedr Adnan, a Palestinian detained by Israel who had been on hunger strike for three months, died as a result. The health of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike to protest unjust detention, in many cases ongoing without charge or trial, has been deteriorating rapidly. The Palestinian Authoritys Ministry for Detainees and Former Detainees Affairs had warned of the possibility of their death.

Israel detains around 1,000 Palestinians administratively, that is without charging them, out of a total of 4,900 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, according to the ministrys latest statistics. These include 31 women and 160 children under the age of 18. Some 400 prisoners have spent over 20 years in Israeli prisons.

Among the most prominent Palestinian prisoners is Nael Al-Barghouti, who spent 34 years in Israeli jails before his release in 2011 as part of the Egypt-mediated Shalit prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel. In 2014 the Israeli authorities re-arrested Barghouti  who remains in custody.

The ministry has warned that 700 prisoners suffer from various illnesses, and several started an open hunger strike to pressure the Israeli authorities to release them. They include Khedr Adnan, who has been on hunger strike for three months.

Minister of Detainees Qadri Abu Bakr said Sheikh Adnan has been on hunger strike for so long that his health is deteriorating by the day, and his life is in danger. Adnans only request is to be released or charged. Abu Bakr told Al-Ahram Weekly another detainee is Ezzeddin Amarneh, who is blind, and has been on hunger strike for ten days. He too is demanding to be set free and not have another administrative detention order issued against him. The condition of another detainee, Walid Abu Daqa, has deteriorated rapidly. He is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. Essam Al-Rifaie, meanwhile, has cancer and requires treatment.

There are dozens of ill detainees in the prisons of the Israeli occupation whose requests for treatment are being denied by the Israeli Prison Authority, due to a policy of deliberate medical negligence which threatens the lives of all ill detainees, asserted Abu Bakr. We are taking Arab and international action to shine a spotlight on the suffering of Palestinian detainees in the prisons of the occupation, beginning with a conference on detainees at the Arab League in the next few weeks.

The new Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to impose a fait accompli on Palestinian prisoners by adopting a series of restrictive measures. Detainees reacted by threatening to go on a mass hunger strike at the beginning of Ramadan, before an agreement was reached on some arbitrary measures and the strike was called off.

Raafat Hamdouneh, the director of the Detainee Studies Centre, told the Weekly that the circumstances of detainees have been appalling especially since Netanyahu came back to power. That is due to the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, who adopted very dangerous policies that violate international laws on the treatment of detainees. The Israeli occupation continues to abuse detainees, denying them their basic rights that are guaranteed by international law. There are also unfair policies against female Palestinian detainees including denying them treatment. Israel does all this without any deterrent and without fear of international accountability.

He asserted that Israel is violating international law and dealing with Palestinian detainees as prisoners, denying them the legal status guaranteed by international law. Hamdouneh stressed the need to prosecute Israel on the international stage on several issues, especially that of detainees and withholding the corpses of dozens of detainees who died in prison.

Official Palestinian figures show that since the start of 2023, Israel detained some 2,300 Palestinians including 350 children, most of whom are from Jerusalem. Some 40 women and girls were also detained.

Israeli forces carry out raids on towns in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem on an almost daily basis to arrest Palestinians, releasing a few after briefly hold. It also orders the arrest of others for various periods of time.

The Palestinian Detainee Club, a quasi-official institution focused on detainees, stated that Israel attempted to pass racist laws that impact the fate of detainees and their families, such as a draft law for the execution of detainees who carried out attacks that killed Israelis, and a law revoking the citizenship and residency of released prisoners from Jerusalem.

Israeli abuses against Palestinian detainees increased after the escape of several prisoners from Gilboa prison in September 2021. Six prisoners, mostly from the Islamic Jihad, escaped from the maximum security prison before they were recaptured. Although detainees had abandoned a planned mass hunger strike, they are now threatening to go ahead with it in response to Israel escalating policies against them, especially solitary confinement for long periods of time, frequent raids on detainee cells, tampering with their personal possessions, and preventing them from seeing their families.

Armed Palestinian factions, especially the Islamic Jihad, continually threaten to escalate against Israel if it continues abusing Palestinian detainees. Meanwhile, Arab and international parties are trying to contain a potentially explosive situation on the ground.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Tiger Woods wont be at the Wells Fargo Championship, but his former caddie will. Joe LaCava has been on the bag for Woods since 2011 and helped him win his fifth Masters in 2019. LaCava has accepted a full-time caddying role with Patrick Cantlay, the worlds fourth-ranked golfer. It's not clear whether it's an indication that Woods is done for the season after undergoing foot surgery last month. Justin Thomas says he doesn't know whether Woods will play again this year, but adds LaCava would not have returned had he not been given the OK by Woods. Read moreWoods' caddie moves on to Cantlay beginning at Wells Fargo
A new fast casual restaurant has opened its doors and drive through line in North Augusta.

Freddys Frozen Custard and Steakburgers held a grand opening ribbon cutting on May 2 for its 505 E. Martintown Road location. The Kansas-based franchise is the 11th in South Carolina.

They chose this location because they could see the growth that is happening here and the potential versus other places, so we like that, North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams said. They have hired 100 folks for their team from our community to be here. That is really positive and we are excited about that. On behalf of the city of North Augusta, thank you for your business. Thank you for your commitment to North Augusta.

The burger franchise sells a variety of hamburgers and American-style food and are best known for custard  a premium creamy textured dessert that shares similar qualities to ice cream.

Brett Rickert, the franchise owner of the new North Augusta location, is excited to add Freddys to the restaurant choices in the CSRA.

We are excited to be here in North Augusta," Rickert said. "This is my sixth location and it seemed like a great fit.

I've been with Freddy's since the second Columbia location in 2017 and I have really watched it grow in Columbia from just another franchise to like a staple in the community, assistant manager Jordan Lann said. I am excited to see that happen here and we are ready to make North Augusta part of the Freddys family.

Freddys is open seven days a week with indoor and outdoor dining rooms, drive through and service through a mobile app. To learn more about the franchise location, visit its website.
During a phone call with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked Egypt for receiving tens of thousands of Sudanese citizens since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, stressing Washington's readiness to provide necessary support for Cairo in these efforts.

Blinken also expressed during the call his condolences for the death of the assistant administrative attache at the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum who was killed by gunfire in the Sudanese capital in late April, according to a statement released by Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the spokesperson for the foreign ministry.

He also praised the sacrifices made by diplomats in Sudan in light of the current security issues, according to Abu Zeid.

'Guests not refugees'

Since the outbreak of the conflict in sudan in mid-April, more than 14,000 Sudanese citizens have crossed into Egypt.

They join four million Sudanese have been residing in Egypt for decades.

The number of migrants and host community members in Egypt is estimated at 9 million from 133 countries - including four million Sudanese, 1.5 million Syrians, one million Yemenis and one million Libyans, according to 2022 figures by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

In an interview on Monday with the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi described the Sudanese citizens who are living in Egypt as "guests and not refugees."

'A sustainable ceasefire'

The two officials discussed the efforts to reach "a sustainable ceasefire" to the conflict that allows humanitarian aid to reach its intended recipients in Sudan, the spokesperson said.

The US secretary further stressed the efforts made by the United States in cooperation with members of the Tripartite Mechanism (African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development and United Nations) and Quad (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

On his side, the Egyptian foreign minister addressed Egypts efforts within the framework of the Arab League and the African Union as well as through its contacts with regional and international actors to achieve the same goal, Abu Zeid affirmed.

Shoukry stressed the importance of non-interference of external parties in the Sudanese conflict to ensure stability of the ceasefire and spare the lives of civilians, to which the US official expressed agreement.

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Kenny Haisfield left his corporate consulting job in New York City in 2015, moved in with his grandmother in Bali and started making tropical-themed shirts for his friends.

The idea quickly morphed into an online business he called Kenny Flowers, a brand name he found "better flowing" than his surname.

Now living in Mount Pleasant, he and wife Christina are expanding the island-inspired brand from click and order to brick and mortar with their flagship store in the heart of downtown Charleston.

The new retail shop will occupy the two-story 3,400-square-foot space at 345 King St. through a lease handled by Charleston Commercial real estate firm.

Kenny Flowers is taking over the space vacated at the end of April by Kissmet, which consolidated operations at its Market Street location.

Haisfield hopes to open the new shop, with its offerings of women's and men's tropical apparel, by late May or early June.

The bottom floor will serve as the retail space while the top level will be used for an office and private parties or corporate gatherings. Counter space for a bar already exists. An outdoor deck sits off the back of the second floor as well.

"This is perfect for what we want to do," Haisfield said.

As part of the retail store launch, the Haisfields also are introducing a collection geared specifically for Charleston.

"From tunic dresses and button downs to pearl-decorated swimwear and fun for the whole family, our new, yet timeless Charleston print has arrived so you can feel at home in your favorite beach town," according to a spokeswoman.

The shop location is not unfamiliar to Kenny Flowers' offerings. In 2018, Haisfield held trunk shows and pop-up events at the same address when it was The Skinny Dip.

"It's kind of like coming home," he said. "I can't wait to get the place ready over the next few weeks so people can see all that we have to offer."

The company also believes in philanthropy and gives back a small portion of each purchase to support education efforts.

Through a partnership with CEO4Teens, an education foundation started by Haisfield, the company has sponsored GEDs for more than 100 underprivileged Americans and helped to send 150 students to college in Bali, where some of the clothing is made. An all-female factory in Colombia also makes the attire.

As the retail shop becomes more establishd in Charleston, the Haisfields plan to give back to the local community as well.
The long-rumored identity of a luxury resort operator planting its flag in the heart of the downtown Charleston tourist district is no longer speculation.

A property flying the Four Seasons flag will replace the former Days Inn budget motel at 155 Meeting St., the Florida-based developer of the project announced while also submitting more detailed design plans to the city.

Strategic Property Partners LLC has agreed on terms with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the worlds leading luxury hospitality company, to manage the planned hotel and residences at 155 Meeting St. in downtown Charleston, said Brad Cooke, the real estate firm's senior vice president of development.

It will be the first Four Seasons-flagged property in the Palmetto State.

Duane Parrish, a former hotelier who's now director of the S.C. Department of Park Recreation and Tourism, said attracting a global, upscale name of Four Seasons' caliber reflects the health of the industry.

It elevates Charlestons status as a world-class destination and it's indicative of the type of visitor Charleston has been able to attract over the last two decades, Parrish said.

Resorts arent built unless theres a market for it, which weve proven there is, he added.

Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston, which markets the region to visitors, said it's "an honor" that Four Seasons is bringing its well-known brand to the city.

"The Charleston region has garnered a reputation for outstanding hospitality, Hill said. Their global brand is synonymous with outstanding quality and service, and we think Four Seasons will be an amazing addition to the region's travel and hospitality industry."

Strategic Property Partners has proposed three buildings for the 1.9-acre corner site, with heights varying from three to seven or possibly eight stories.

The 150-room hotel had been widely speculated to be a Four Seasons, namely because Strategic Property Partners is partly owned and capitalized by Cascade Investment, which manages the personal wealth of software billionaire Bill Gates and has owned a controlling stake in the high-end accommodations chain since 2007.

The real estate firm also includes backing from Jeff Vinik, a former manager of the Fidelity Magellan mutual fund who now owns the Tampa Bay Lightning and is a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox.

The hotel will be the focal point of the project, which will include 40 residential condominiums as well as commercial and venue space. The development firm has spent about $57 million in real estate for the project.

Last week, Strategic Property Partners was given the OK to raze the former Days Inn structure. A demolition date has not been set.

A majority of City Council has voted in favor of the requested zoning changes. With that and the demolition approvals in hand, the developer submitted new conceptual plans on May 1 to the Board of Architectural Review.

The Four Seasons will join the expanding high-end lodging lineup on the peninsula. It will sit between The Mills House, which completed a top-to-bottom renovation in 2022, and The Charleston Place, which is in the early stages of major multiyear overhaul.

The motel site at the corner of Horlbeck Alley housed a gas station decades ago. The Golden Eagle Motor Inn opened on the property in 1968. Days Inn acquired the property in 1983 and sold it 20 years later for $12.6 million.
COLUMBIA  An accounting and consulting firm will move its headquarters into the BullStreet District.

Elliott Davis will take space in the WestLawn building for its 80 employees starting this fall, according to an announcement by the district.

Our new Columbia location, in one of the most unique office buildings in South Carolina, will feature modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology, allowing us to expand the reach of our services and provide more space for our team to collaborate and innovate," firm CEO Rick Davis said in a statement.

WestLawn is a building built in an innovative massed timber design, with cross-laminated wood instead of only steel in the infrastructure of the building. It's the first office building built in Columbia using the laminated timber design.

Elliott Davis will take more than 19,000 feet into the building, which already has the law firm Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte as an anchor tenant.

Robert Hughes, CEO of Hughes Development which is overseeing the BullStreet project, welcomed the local company's move.

"They're terrific corporate citizens and will be a great addition to the growing list of businesses and organizations in WestLawn," Hughes said.

The firm had been based at 1901 Main St.

Other tenants are headed into the district this year, including Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant, which is looking ahead to a June 1 opening. Residents continue to move into the Babcock building, which is expected to have its dome restored this year.

Construction also continues on Bennet at BullStreet apartments, which lists a fall 2023 completion on its website.

Fly with style

An amenity to make flying easier is coming back to Columbia Metropolitan Airport: valet parking.

The airport has contracted with local company Southern Valet to restore the service, which was shut down in April 2020 amid COVID-19 restrictions and the reduction in air travel at the start of the pandemic.

Customers can stop at a kiosk across from the terminal and have valets park their cars in the airport's lot.

Valet parking is a parking option our passengers have said they would like brought back, said Mike Gula, airport executive director.

Valet parking not the way you roll? Airport customers also can pre-pay for parking and receive a discount rate in the surface or garage lot.

Feel the burn, Irmo

A new way to burn some calories is coming to Irmo.

A gym called Fit Body Boot Camp is coming to 7320 Broad River Road in Irmo.

It features half-hour workouts designed to burn calories but also fit into people's schedules, according to a news release.

Military veteran Randy Swingle owns the gym.

High-intensity workouts are incredibly beneficial and efficient, especially for those people who dont have a ton of free time to squeeze in the workout," Swingle said in a statement.

The gym will open May 8 and offer both early-morning and evening classes to accommodate all schedules.

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COLUMBIA  Mayor Daniel Rickenmann will propose City Council find a different street to honorarily name for the late Councilman Joe Taylor following a backlash over the decision to place Taylor's name on what was once part of a Black business district.

Columbia City Council voted unanimously April 18 to place a brown sign on top of two blocks of Washington Street's green signs marking them Joe E. Taylor Jr. Way to honor the councilman and former state commerce secretary who died unexpectedly in December.

But community members objected to naming a portion of this area for Taylor, a White businessman and political leader. From the early 20th century until the 1970s, throughout the Jim Crow era, parts of Washington Street in Columbia's Vista were home to businesses that served a Black clientele, many of them Black-owned, according to the Richland County library.

While the bulk of the businesses, almost all of which are now gone, were concentrated in the 1000 and 1100 blocks, the nearby 800 and 900 blocks that were set to be honorarily named after Taylor also had homes and businesses that served Black, Jewish and Greek communities.

Taylor had an office near the corner of Washington and Park streets, and that being "the epicenter of all the giving he gave back to all parts of our community" was why the city wanted to honor him there, Rickenmann said.

When the council was considering adding Taylor's name to the street, council members didn't realize just how far down it went, Rickenmann said during a May 1 meeting with community members at Zion Baptist Church.

"We didn't mean to disrespect anybody; that was never the intent, and there were unintended consequences for that," Rickenmann said during the meeting.

To put Taylor's name over a street with roots in Black history would be akin to erasing that history, community members said to a crowd of around 50 at the church. A petition in the lobby had around 50 signatures asking the city to stop the honorary naming.

"Many, many businesses were allowed to survive only in that area because that, during the time of segregation, was one of the areas where Blacks could have successful businesses," Alex Irving Furgess, who helped organize the group, said in an interview April 27. "And (the City Council) completely ignored that."

Instead, Furgess and Calvernetta Williams, a member of Zion Baptist Church, asked that Washington Street receive an honorary name after one of the Black-owned businesses, business owners or activists who lived and worked on what was known as Columbia's Black Wall Street.

Victory Savings Bank, South Carolina's first Black bank; Modjeska Simkins, a prominent Civil Rights activist born in Columbia; and Zion Baptist Church itself, a fixture of Columbia's Civil Rights movement that remains the starting point for the annual King Day at the Dome rally, were a few of the potential names floated.

Rickenmann questioned why no one had spoken up against the decision to him sooner or proposed a different name for the streets. Furgess and Williams said they were not aware of the naming until after it was done and didn't know how to begin the process to propose an honorary name.

From the beginning of the meeting, Rickenmann offered to remove Taylor's name from the 800 block, where the National Register of Historic Places-listed Zion Baptist Church is located, or pivot the honorary naming to instead go down Park Street.

Still, community members objected to the compromise. The problem wasn't Taylor himself; it was that his name would go over an important historical area, they said.

"It is not about the person, per se," Williams said. "It's the name on these sacred grounds."

During the meeting, Councilwoman Tina Herbert suggested the problem wasn't the naming at all but instead a longstanding ignorance of Washington Street's significance and contributions to Columbia.

While Zion Baptist Church is included on Columbia SC 63's tour of important Civil Rights locations, the city could do more to recognize the old Black business district as a whole, she said, pointing to Atlanta's New Black Wall Street as an example.

"I think if we did a whole lot more, this type of oversight wouldn't happen," Herbert said.

By the end of the meeting, after hearing the divisiveness of the conversation, Rickenmann agreed to come back to the City Council with the suggestion of moving Joe E. Taylor Jr. Way to a different Columbia street.

"I thought there was a compromise there that we could keep Mr. Taylor there (on Washington and Park streets), but it is not worth it to create pain to either the history that's here or his family," Rickenmann told those at the church. "So I will find another place, and I will do it again. But I want to be very clear that we have to continue to work together."

It will be up to the community to decide whether to propose a different honorary name for Washington Street and what that might be.

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DARLINGTON  Hagood Coxe stood on farmland along the Pee Dee River that has been in her family for five generations.

Once known as Plumfield Plantation, the lands proximity to the river created the ideal environment for growing Carolina Gold rice, which her father Campbell started doing in 1996.

The familys life revolved around the farm, and Hagood Coxe liked it that way. She rode horses, roamed the woods and assisted with the family business, Carolina Plantation Rice.

At their home, she and her brother would watch Toonami, a television block of anime and cartoons. Anime introduced Coxe to sushi, and when she was of age, sushi segued into sake.

Somewhere along the way, Coxe had the idea to use her fathers heirloom rice to make sake, a fermented rice wine that was first cultivated in Japan more than 2,000 years ago.

In May, Carolina Gold rice sake brewed by Coxe will be on the menu at James Beard Award-winning Savannah, Ga., restaurant The Grey, along with other restaurants and retail stores in Georgia and South Carolina.

Through her business, Caroline Gold Sake, Coxe hopes to further acclimate Southern diners and beverage consumers to sakes subtleties.

I feel that sake is underappreciated, Coxe said. All these other drinks, we pair with all kinds of things but for some reason sake has been sequestered in this corner.

Coxe brewed her first batch when she was 24, around the time her friends coaxed her into joining them on Southern Charm Savannah. On the show, a portion of Coxes storyline focused on her new sake venture.

Southern Charm introduced Coxe to Koji Aoto of Savannah Distributing, a connection that ultimately took her to Japan with 1,000 pounds of her fathers Carolina Gold rice. Haruo Okasorah, the president of 158-year-old Japanese sake brewery Chiyomusubi, welcomed her into the sacred space to learn alongside his brewers.

Traditional sake is made with just four ingredients: rice, water, yeast and koji  rice covered in a mold that is also used to make products like soy sauce and miso.

To make the koji, rice is washed and placed in a kettle for steaming  around 40 to 60 minutes. Koji-kin (aspergillus oryzae) is then mixed into the rice, which will sit for about two days to create the koji.

With all four ingredients in hand, the complex sake brewing process starts with combining the koji with water and rice. Once that sits for a day or two, yeast is added and the mixture is transferred to a large container. Koji and rice are then added in three separate steps, known as Hatsuzoe, Nakazoe and Tomezoe. After a 14- to 30-day fermentation stage known as moromi, the sake is ready to taste.

There have been very few instances in which table rice has been used to craft classic Japanese sake. Making rice wine out of sturdy Carolina Gold required extra effort, Coxe said, comparing the differences between Japanese sake rice and Carolina Gold to the relationship between wine grapes and table grapes. To make the Carolina Gold sake-ready, the rice was milled down, or polished, to 70 percent of its original size.

Coxe described Japanese sake-making as a spiritual endeavor  one that is rooted in connecting people to Japanese culture and religion. The eight Chiyomusubi brewers Coxe collaborated with were excited about the project, planting some Carolina Gold rice of their own to better understand the South Carolina grains.

After several weeks of brewing and training at Chiyomusubi, Coxe left Japan with high hopes for the finished products potential.

The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in her plan to bring the sake back to the United States, with shipping restrictions, port congestion and nationwide lockdowns contributing to a two-year delay.

Just as she started losing hope, 273 bottles arrived in Charleston earlier this year. A Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, Coxe designed the sakes Carolina Gold rice inspired bottle, which stars the bobolink, or rice bird.

It wasn't until rice was brought back into major cultivation in the 1990s that the bobolink returned in force to South Carolina, Carolina Gold Sakes website says. The Bobolink is a reminder of the history and rebirth of Carolina Gold, and we celebrate it by featuring this bird on our bottle.

At 17 percent alcohol by volume, the Junmai sake is a little boozier than when it was first brewed. Coxe said she has received a positive response from those who have tried it.

Sushi-Wa co-owner Chris Schoedler debuted Carolina Gold Sake at a Charleston Wine + Food Festival event and will soon offer it at his restaurant, though supplies will be limited.

Its extremely drinkable and very food-friendly  dry and crisp with a really pleasant acidity, Schoedler said. Its a really fun sake with an even cooler story and Im excited to be able to offer it.

Coxe eventually hopes to open her own microbrewery, but for now, shes focused on brewing her next batch of Carolina Gold Sake.

From March 27 to May 5, she is setting up shop at Islander Sake Brewery in Hawaii to brew with Chiaki Takahashi, one of the top woman brewers in the world.

The batch they are making together in Hawaii should be available to purchase in South Carolina and Georgia by the end of the summer.
JOHNS ISLAND  Mark Connelly pumps a light puff of smoke outside one of his youngest beehives at Kiawah River, a new community located off Betsy Kerrison Parkway. Settling the bees with the aromatic clouds, he removes a frame and peers inside.

Harvestable honey wont come from these specific hives until next year, but the bee community is still buzzing with action.

Each bee has a job.

Female, or worker, bees have many within the colony. Some produce wax, guard the hive and build comb, while others forage for pollen and nectar. The male  or drone  bees role is simple: fertilize the queen, the most essential captain of any beehive.

After inspecting a few frames, Connelly finally spots a queen bee, which can cost hundreds of dollars to purchase outright. With a large back thats more shiny than fuzzy, the queen is hard to ignore once spotted. Shes the biggest, sure, but she also commands the attention of the entire colony. If she were to die or depart the hive, it would only last for a few months.

The queen bees status inside the hive is comparable to the winged insects value on a farm, one reason why beekeepers and farmers have a symbiotic relationship.

Though most automatically associate bees with honey, their greatest agricultural significance isnt related to the hive at all  their true value lies in their work as crop pollinators.

About one-third of the food supply relies on insect pollination, mostly by bees. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration estimates that bee pollination can be credited with $15 billion in added crop value.

The story of bees and their worth hasnt changed  Albert Einstein, after all, once famously said that If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left  but the way we consume their honey has.

U.S. imports of honey have increased by 73 percent in the past 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, growing to 433 million pounds in 2020. That year, imports accounted for 70 percent of total honey available for use in the United States, up 16 percent since 2010.

As imported honey continues to be impacted by economically motivated adulteration  when a valuable ingredient is taken out or substituted to decrease costs  South Carolinians can turn to local beekeepers like Connelly, the owner of Edisto Gold Honey.

Starting small

Growing up in North Carolina, Connelly was surrounded by bees  by choice, for the most part.

His mother, who loved all things related to nature, agreed to take over some hives from an older man who was ready to give them up. Alongside his brother, Connelly started helping out around age 16.

Before you know it, we were working in the bee yard all the time, Connelly said.

The same can be said today, though on a much larger scale.

A 2002 civil engineering graduate of The Citadel, Connelly operates hundreds of hives throughout the state of South Carolina, everywhere from St. George to Bowman, Ravenel and Johns Island.

His operation started with just about 30 on Black Pearl Farms, located in Branchville on the banks of the Edisto River. The goal wasnt necessarily to produce honey  the farms owner wanted Connelly and his hives to help Black Pearl Farms blueberries flourish.

Like others across the country, Connelly didnt get into beekeeping for the honey.

I really wanted to focus more on raising bees and pollination, and I was just going to do a little honey on the side, Connelly said. People just liked our presentation and they like our honey.

Raw honey tastes different based on its surroundings, meaning every bottle of Connellys liquid gold is unique. So is the companys fresh bee pollen, also hand-harvested by Connelly.

The honey is unlike any Ive had before, with a sharp sweetness that awakens your taste buds without making you pucker your lips. The sweetness lingers just long enough, until you want more.

The miniscule pellets of soft bee pollen show physical evidence of the bees pollination of a variety of crops. Some are colored forest green, while others are burnt orange or pale yellow.

The earthy taste isnt why most people sprinkle Edisto Gold bee pollen on a yogurt or salad  its for the health benefits. Bee pollen is said to work as an antioxidant and reduce inflammation, among other studied positive impacts. Its subtly satisfying, too, with Connellys fresh pollen adding more flavor than the more common, intensely sugary dehydrated variety.

Edisto Gold also sells infused, whipped and hot honeys, demonstrating why Connelly needs more hives to meet the growing demand. The state could always use more hives, too, especially at a time when climate change, hive beetles and varroa mites are endangering bees.

Now you have to work really, really hard to be able to keep hives alive, whereas back (when I started) hives just survived, Connelly said.

When Connelly first started beekeeping, he and his brother were a novelty in their community because of their young age. As a person who cares deeply about the future of bee populations, Connelly is optimistic about the number of young men and women showing interest in the craft.

Thats important, Connelly said, because the bees are facing more challenges than ever before.

Scaling up

When he moved into his dormitory, College of Charleston student William Helfgott only received a few confused looks when he brought in boxes of honey alongside his belongings.

Little did they know, the honey came from hives Helfgott was tending to himself.

The sophomore was first exposed to beekeeping when he was 8 years old after his mother won a raffle for a hive. Years later when Helfgott was a teenager, he decided to care for one of his own.

In 2017 at age 15, Helfgott founded River Bluff Honey, a company that has brought in more than $75,000 in sales since its launch. A business administration major with a concentration in Spanish and entrepreneurship, Helfgott doesnt plan on getting into beekeeping after graduation.

Its taught me more than I could ever imagine, Helfgott said. Its crazy how much we depend on them in ways we dont even know.

Scaling up a local honey company means long hours, one of the reasons why Helfgott has brought in a new partner to produce River Bluff Honey, which is available at six Charleston area retailers.

Connelly has four people who help with his business in various ways. Each week, he spends two to three days tending to his hives and another two to three completing the administrative work that comes with owning a small business.

In order to fully meet the demand for Edisto Gold Honey, Connelly says his goal is to increase his bandwidth to 1,000 hives.

For the small business owner, money is always a factor, Connelly said. As you scale up, its definitely a lot of labor and money to do that.

Beekeeping itself is a labor of love. And customers love Edisto Gold Honey.
GREENVILLE  Verdae residents, rejoice. You will soon be able to get your Stoneys roll and your posole close to home.

TakoSushi, which has a location in downtown Greenville, will open a second location at Verdae. This marks growth for the company, Food People Restaurant Group, that now owns the brand. The company will open a second Columbia location this year, as well.

The restaurant group aims to open as many as three more TakoSushi locations around the Upstate in the future and is looking at places from Travelers Rest to Spartanburg.

Were really excited to be part of this community and were really looking forward to engaging with the community, said James Williams, president of Food People Restaurant Group. We hope to be a place people can gather and celebrate and hang out on an afternoon.

We think its a really diverse concept and so were excited to offer it.

The new location at Verdae will be similar in menu and feel to the location downtown. That means the distinct mix of Tex Mex-inspired dishes and creative, fresh sushi will remain identical.

The main difference might be the space. While the location downtown is known for its narrow space, the forthcoming location will boast 2,800 square feet, making the restaurant one of the largest TakoSushi locations. The restaurant will also feature an outdoor patio.

Food People purchased the TakoSushi brand in May 2022. The group also owns the franchise rights to Carolina Ale House in South Carolina and Georgia, and own seven locations in those two states.

Currently, there are five TakoSushi restaurants in Georgia and South Carolina. Food People hopes to take the brand further, eventually opening locations in East Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida and Alabama, but thats a long-range plan, Williams said.

Williams is no stranger to restaurants. His grandfather opened Lizards Thicket in Columbia 45 years ago. Williams father and uncles grew up working in the restaurant.

In TakoSushi he sees great potential. The concept is characterized not by its melding of two disparate cuisines, but by its ability to create dishes that celebrate the flavors of each. At TakoSushi, tamales and chile rellenos are given the same attention as tuna tataki and the volcano roll.

From a brand and concept perspective, we feel it has something for everyone, Williams said. We love the diversity of options on the menu. We felt like its a very affordable price point and approachable for most people.

TakoSushi at Verdae will be located at 325 Rocky Slope Road in Greenville. The restaurant is slated to open in fall 2023. For more information, visit tako-sushi.com and follow @thetakosushi on social media.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported over 1,200 new COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths from April 23-29.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 1,256

Total cases in S.C.: 1,850,662

New deaths reported: 15

Total deaths in S.C.: 19,901

Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 64.88 percent

Percent positive: 7.2 percent

S.C. residents vaccinated

As of May 2 in South Carolina, 62.2 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 54.1 percent of eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

These numbers reflect all eligible residents in South Carolina, including young children. The latest data from DHEC shows 23.7 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose and 5.5 percent among those under age 5.

Hospitalizations

Of the 91 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of May 2, 14 were in the ICU. DHEC no longer reports ventilator usage among hospital patients as of Dec. 20.

What do experts say?

Michael Sweat, director at the Medical University of South Carolina's Center for Global Health, said some reports suggest the variant, XBB.1.16 is associated with conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, a viral infection of the inner eyelids and white part of the eye.

"We are watching this variant closely," Sweat said. "It is likely this will become the predominant variant in the weeks or months ahead. It generally is more transmissible, but other than the concern about pinkeye, not that much more virulent than the current predominant version of COVID-19."
PORT ROYAL  In the heart of downtown, a male snowy egret presents a carefully chosen branch to a potential mate.

Normally he accessorizes with a yellow face mask and golden slippers. But for breeding season, the wading bird dons a reddish mask and bright orange booties. He also sprouts lacy white feathers.

If the girl is impressed, she accepts the guy's branch and the new couple will build a nest.

In that case, the pair will be among the hundreds of birds currently nesting at the Port Royal Cypress Wetlands. They include snowy and great egrets, an assortment of herons, the once-endangered wood stork and the odd anhinga.

Some of the birds are year-round residents.

Others, like the green heron, have traveled from as far as South America just to have their babies in Port Royal.

The birds were not the original intent behind the wetlands. When town officials created the habitat more than 20 years ago they were merely looking for a place to retain the town's stormwater.

The birds were a happy accident, an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

On April 29, around 150 children and their parents converged onto the wetlands for a bird birthday celebration. Although most of the chicks have yet to hatch, the crowd egged them on with a rowdy rendition of "Happy Birthday," followed by a cupcake feast.

From sinkhole to rookery

Once there was a sinkhole, smack in the center of downtown Port Royal. But in 1999, town officials transformed the depression into a wetlands habitat, replacing invasive plants with native trees like tupelo and cypress.

That same year, the Lowcountry was experiencing a drought, causing waters further inland to dry out. A few displaced great egrets found their way to the wetlands to have their babies.

Those first few nesting birds showed the wetlands had more potential than just stormwater retention. After consulting with local ecologists, town officials hired contractors to build islands in hopes of attracting more birds. The islands were surrounded by gator-infested waters, which would keep predators like racoons and rats from getting to the birds' eggs.

Word travels fast in the bird world. Shortly after the islands were constructed, the wetlands became a thriving rookery.

"As a birder, this small area is just awesome. You can see so much in such a small period of time," said Jenn Clementoni, owner of Birding Beaufort, which offers guided tours of birding hotspots around the county.

In 2012, a half-mile wooden boardwalk was constructed around the wetlands. Stand in the viewing area at sunset on a fall or winter evening and it will rain birds, as egrets and ibis fly in to roost.

Scot Clark, president of the Friends of the Port Royal Cypress Wetlands, a nonprofit set up in 2019 to support and advocate for the wetlands, estimates that well over 500 birds come to roost on any given evening.

In the spring and summer, the area serves as a nursery.

"Soon, there's going to be babies everywhere. It will be very noisy," Clementoni said.

Theresa Merchant is an art teacher at Port Royal Elementary, just a few blocks away from the wetlands. For the birthday for the birds event on April 29, her students crafted birds out of cardboard toilet paper rolls.

She encourages all her students to spend time at the wetlands.

"At the end of school, if they're looking for something to do, this is a real science environment," said Merchant, who came to the party wearing a colorful straw hat decorated with felt bird cutouts.

Wood storks

Clementoni has seen 164 species of bird in Beaufort County this year, which makes her the fourth best birder in the area. The top birder is Steven Guy, who has already clocked 218 species.

"Steven is always number one," said a defeated Clementoni.

One of her favorite birds to talk about are wood storks. Due to habitat destruction in Florida, wood storks once faced extinction. But in February the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services announced the birds' numbers were doing so well that the agency recommended removing them from the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

Part of the reason for the successful rebound in the storks' numbers was their ability to expand into new areas for breeding, including human-created wetlands throughout the Southeast, like the one in Port Royal. This year, for the first time, the wetlands are home to a colony of nesting wood storks.

When Clementoni talks to visitors at the wetlands, she does not focus only on the birds. Rather, she talks of the importance of the entire ecosystem, highlighting just how fragile it can be.

"A lot of people are migrating here, excuse the pun. I understand growth. But you lose these trees, you lose these birds," she said.

She applauds town officials who recently passed an ordinance imposing the highest financial penalties in the entire state for cutting down trees.

She is also a booster for the bird birthday because it can get young people excited about nature. Children at the event took part in a scavenger hunt, searching for wetlands wildlife.

When a mother egret stood up, a few lucky kids even caught a glimpse of some tiny balls of fluff.
BLUFFTON  When Sophia Townes took her son, Jack, for his 12-month check-up, the pediatrician expressed concern because he had not yet spoken his first word, nor was he babbling or pointing.

At his 18-month check-up, Jack was still silent. So he began occupational, speech and physical therapy.

At his three-year check-up, he still had no words. Townes was advised to take Jack to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for an autism screening.

"I'll never forget that morning. We're in Bluffton and we had to be in Charleston by 8 a.m., and my husband woke up with a stomach virus. And Jack was even vomiting and I'm like, 'God, shoot me now,'" Townes said.

They walked into MUSC at 7:30 a.m. Eight and a half hours later, they walked out with their son's autism diagnosis.

They had no idea what to do next.

"We were just in this limbo phase," Townes said.

Luckily, she had a friend whose son with autism had benefited from a life-changing therapy called applied behavior analysis.

Thrilled to have a promising lead, Townes searched for a behavior analysis provider within driving distance from Bluffton.

She was surprised to find only one. The provider's waitlist was over a year long. And even if Jack were able to get an appointment, the family's Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C. policy would not cover the therapy.

The only recourse was to get Jack on Medicaid and wait for his name to make it to the top of the waitlist.

But at 3 years old, Jack was already a year beyond what many doctors consider the ideal age for a child to start behavioral therapy. With children on the autism spectrum, early intervention gives them the best chance of reaching their full potential.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reported that, through early intervention, some children will make so much progress they will no longer be on the autism spectrum when they grow up.

But in South Carolina, early intervention is not an option for most parents. Moms and dads are having to wait a year or more just to get their child in for an autism evaluation.

One reason for the bottleneck is an increase in demand. In 2014, when Jack was diagnosed, 1 in 175 children in the United States was diagnosed with autism. Today, that number is up to 1 in 36.

"Overall, people are much more aware about autism. So when they see concerns, they are more likely to send those kids for evaluation, which obviously increases the demand," said Dr. Laura Carpenter, a professor at MUSC who specializes in pediatric development.

Once a parent has a diagnosis, the next step is enrolling the child in Medicaid. The Medicaid enrollment process is so stringent that getting a child coverage can take six months to a year.

Then, with fewer than 70 behavior analysis provider groups in the state that accept Medicaid, the child must wait another year or more to begin receiving services.

All this means, instead of getting their child therapy during her or his crucial early years, parents have to spend their time clawing through government bureaucracy while inching to the tops of yearslong waitlists.

By the time Jack began behavioral therapy, he had already celebrated his fourth birthday.

Low reimbursement rates

Despite his delayed start, after just a few months Jack was speaking.

"We started hearing the words 'I love you' for the first time ever," his mother said.

But a year into Jack's therapy, the provider sent a letter notifying Townes that it was dropping all Medicaid patients. The provider explained that the Medicaid reimbursement rates were so low, if it continued treating Medicaid patients, it would go out of business.

In behavior analysis, a board-certified behavior analyst works with parents to come up with a list of goals for their child.

"We basically try to understand how behavior is affected by the environment. And then we try and change the environment to change the behavior," said Katie Wolfe, president of the S.C. Association for Behavior Analysis.

The analyst creates a therapy plan. Then a registered behavior technician implements the plan. It is the technician who spends the most time with the child.

In 2015, when Jack began behavioral therapy, S.C. Medicaid was reimbursing providers $13.58 an hour for technicians. At the time, it was the lowest reimbursement rate in the country.

Out of that $13.58, the provider had both to pay the technician and to put some money aside to keep the lights on.

Since 2015, the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services has been steadily increasing the reimbursement rate. Today, the reimbursement rate is up to $45 an hour for technicians. But in the neighboring states of North Carolina and Georgia, technicians who work in the child's home are reimbursed over $70 an hour.

As for analysts, the Medicaid reimbursement rate in South Carolina is $85 an hour, while North Carolina reimburses its analysts $112 an hour and Georgia up to $146.

This discrepancy in pay is a major contributor to the lack of providers in the Palmetto State.

Wolfe, who teaches applied behavior analysis at the University of South Carolina, said she struggles to get her students to stay in state after graduation.

"It's hard for them to justify providing services in South Carolina when they can go to a neighboring state and get higher reimbursement rates," Wolfe said.

Some of the big providers are able to operate in South Carolina only because they have a diverse portfolio of payers to support them.

Positive Behavior Supports Corp. has locations throughout the Southeast. Regional coordinator Ashley Belt explained that she is able to offer services in S.C. because she can offset the cost with the higher reimbursement rates she gets in neighboring states.

Bright Light Behavioral provides behavior analysis in the Lowcountry, Greenville and across the border in Georgia.

Three years ago, Bright Light stopped accepting S.C. Medicaid due to poor reimbursement rates. But in 2022, when South Carolina's rate was raised to $45, Bright Light started taking Medicaid again.

In addition to offsetting the cost of doing business in the state with Georgia's reimbursement rates, Bright Light accepts private insurance. However, owner Caitlin Harvey is seeing a troubling trend in which private insurance carriers are taking cues from Medicaid.

"Some commercial payers, like United and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, will try and match the Medicaid rate, or just go a dollar or two higher, which is frustrating," Harvey said.

Back in 2015, when Townes was notified that her son's therapist would no longer be accepting Medicaid, her Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C. plan offered zero coverage for behavior analysis.

But Jack was making such good progress, Townes and her husband decided, in lieu of paying their mortgage, they would go out of pocket to continue his therapy.

Then, in 2016, they had another son, Joseph, who was also diagnosed with autism. Townes estimates they went out of pocket $300,000 for both their sons' autism treatments.

"Never did I ever imagine that we would have to make the choice between paying our mortgage and paying for our sons' therapy. But that's what happened," Townes said.

In 2019, the bank foreclosed on their home.

Waiting on the perfect diagnosis

In addition to enduring long waitlists to get an evaluation, some parents find a medical doctor's diagnosis is not always enough for Medicaid or private insurance companies.

Two weeks before Megan Garcia Baul and her family moved from Maryland to the Columbia suburb of Blythewood, a pediatrician diagnosed her then-4-year-old son with autism.

When she arrived in South Carolina, she followed the pediatrician's recommendation and tried to get her son in for behavior analysis. But her insurance carrier told her that her son's diagnosis was not suitable; therefore, the carrier would not cover any autism-related services.

"Essentially, they told us he wasn't autistic enough," Baul said.

Had Baul's son been under 3 years old, he would have been eligible for a Medicaid program called BabyNet. Unlike traditional Medicaid and private insurance carriers, BabyNet will offer a child coverage after only a provisional autism diagnosis.

"BabyNet is a really great opportunity for families who have children who are showing the signs of autism to start getting those early intervention services," said Belt.

The problem with BabyNet is, at midnight on the child's third birthday, all coverage ceases.

"If they don't have an evaluation, they turn three and that's it, we cannot continue with ABA services," Belt said.

Since Baul's son was too old for even the temporary solution of BabyNet, she was advised to take him to a developmental pediatrician to have his diagnosis amended to suit the insurance carrier.

This was in the summer of 2021. She was able to find only two developmental pediatricians in her area. The earliest appointment she could get was for more than 20 months later, in May of 2023.

So she put her son in the car and drove 500 miles back to the pediatrician in Maryland. The doctor was able to see him right away and modify his diagnosis to meet the insurance carrier's guidelines.

Had she not had a pediatrician in Maryland, she would have had to wait.

"That would've been two years of my son being without any help or any services," Baul said.

Even though Baul's son had a private insurance plan, there were gaps in his coverage, which, ideally, Medicaid would fill.

Baul started the Medicaid enrollment process in June of 2021. It took until early 2022 for her son to be accepted.

"The reason my son has gotten any of the things he's gotten is because I've had to fuss. I've had to argue. I've had to show up in person. I just don't understand why I have to fight so hard for my child," Baul said.

Baul's story is not unique.

Regina Alderman's son was kicked out of multiple day cares in Beaufort. By the second grade, Beaufort County school officials were threatening to expel him for disruptive behavior and an inability to focus.

"I was leaving work every day to go to the school. I was crying. I mean, it was just horrible," Alderman said.

When her son was 10, her pediatrician recommended she take him for an autism evaluation. Faced with long waitlists in South Carolina, Alderman crossed the border into Georgia and paid out of pocket for her son's autism diagnosis.

"Then, in my brain, I thought, I have this diagnosis. I'm going to get all this help. I can get him on Medicaid now," Alderman said.

But the out-of-state diagnosis did not meet Medicaid's standards, so her son was denied coverage.

When Alderman reapplied, she devised a plan where she set a notification to go off every three weeks and, each time it did, she called Medicaid to get an update on the status of her son's application. She called every three weeks for a full year before he was approved.

Her son is now in his sophomore year of high school. He is earning straight A's and plans to go to college to become an orthopedic surgeon.

The search for a solution

Although there is not yet a concrete solution to address all the issues surrounding autism care in the state, officials have acknowledged a lot of work needs to be done.

In 2021, Robert Kerr stepped into the role of director of the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicaid. Within a year, he raised the hourly reimbursement rate for registered behavior technicians from $34.56 to $45.

He recognizes the agency still has a long way to go.

"We are looking at all aspects of this. It's a daunting challenge, honestly," Kerr said.

His agency will have the help of the Palmetto Autism Study Committee, which the state Legislature established for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The committee will work to identify the issues delaying or preventing parents from getting their children the care they need.

"The committee was developed to help stand up some solutions to these issues," Kerr said.

South Carolina Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, sits on the committee. He said that although the committee has yet to reach any conclusions, members are in the process of gathering information to help them determine what the issues are.

The committee includes both providers and parents. They meet monthly and aim to have a report filed by the end of the year.

"We are making progress in understanding the nature of the problems. It's too early for me to say we have a solution. But, hopefully, we will have one and it will be in our report," Hutto said.

Meanwhile, Townes and her family relocated to a farm in Hampton County, where the cost of living is more affordable. She left her job as a teacher and started volunteering for the Lowcountry Autism Foundation. She has since become the director of programs and services.

The foundation has a presence in both Bluffton and Charleston. It provides support and guidance for parents of children with autism and teaches them how to become their child's best advocate.

"Unfortunately, there are some parents who just kind of sit and wait on the sidelines for help. I'm here to say, you've got to get out. You've got to do your part in advocating for your child, because no one else is going to do it for you," Townes said.

Five days a week she drives Jack, now 11 years old, to a Catholic school in Bluffton.

Townes home-schools Joseph, now 6, whose autism is more severe than his brother's, so she can have flexibility to work around his therapy schedules.

She must keep a constant eye on him.

All the doors to their home are latched shut to keep Joseph from fleeing when Townes turns her back. She has a special car seat, which he is not supposed to be able to break out of, that Medicaid helped pay for.

Recently, she was coming home from the grocery store and left Joseph in the car while she unlocked the door to bring the groceries in.

"I have to have a hand on him. I can't just say, 'Walk with Mommy,'" Townes said.

After unlocking the door, she turned around and was startled to see Joseph standing in the driveway. Somehow, he had managed to break out of the car seat.

He ran for the barn. The door had a padlock on it, but he was able to slide through a crack between the bottom of the door and the ground. The crack was too small for Townes to fit through. She raced into the house to find the key for the padlock.

While she was inside scrambling, Joseph began scaling the barn wall. By the time Townes swung the barn door open, he was two stories up, clinging precariously to the wall.

Without thinking, Townes rushed over. She reached up as high as she could, grabbed onto the wall and pulled herself up. One step at a time, she climbed towards her son. For her, there was no other option.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry discussed in a phone call on Tuesday the current developments in Sudan with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, according to Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Abu Zeid.

Related Shoukry discusses efforts to reach permanent ceasefire in Sudan with South Sudanese FM

The phone call addressed efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Sudan to prevent further bloodshed, according to Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Abu Zeid.

The two officials discussed the humanitarian situation in Sudan as well as the ways to support neighbouring countries who are receiving displaced Sudanese citizens, Abu Zeid continued.

The EU representative expressed appreciation for Egypts efforts to reach a ceasefire in Sudan since its very beginning, Abud Zeid added.

Borrell also praised the Egyptian efforts to evacuate Europeans and other foreign nations through its territories in addition to hosting Sudanese citizens in its lands.

Finally, the two officials agreed to maintain communication in order to reach a solution to the crisis.

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The Flowertown Garden Club has been out and about this spring. In the run-up to Easter, members created an array of Easter crosses to sell in a fundraiser that will aid in their beautification missions around town, such as planting flowers and other vegetation to enhance the natural beauty o Read moreMore flowers for Flowertown
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The city of Charleston secured $10 million needed to finish an ongoing drainage project at the frequently flooded corner of King and Huger streets, the storm water department announced May 1.

While the city completed the first phase of the project in early 2022, flooding continues to plague the intersection because the city didn't have the funding necessary to start the second and final phase.

As recently as September, the intersection was inundated during Hurricane Ian.

When it floods, the Charleston Housing Authority's senior living community Enston Homes and the Circle K gas station are separated by ankle- or even waist-deep water.

The first phase of the project, which cost about $7 million, improved the intersections capacity by doubling the diameter of many of the pipes beneath the street.

It also included upgrades to the drains and catch-basins nearby. But during a heavy storm and high tide, that only goes so far.

With the $10 million grant from the South Carolina Infrastructure and Economic Development Fund, the city can now move forward with construction of a pump station, the final phase of the project.

It is expected to go out for bid later this year and be completed by 2025.

When operating, the pump station will be able to move about 70,000 gallons per minute into nearby Newmarket Creek.

The pump station will include a seating area and a park-like atmosphere. It will be located on the northeast side of the intersection on a piece of land given to the city by Enston Homes. The Housing Authority is partnering with the city to complete the project.
Prosecutors in Charleston County have dismissed charges against a registered sex offender following the death of the woman he was accused of raping.

Without the victim's testimony, officials conceded they cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Brandon Christopher Ethridge raped and robbed a 49-year-old woman in the early hours of July 7, 2020, behind a Food Lion at 2144 Savannah Highway.

The woman was treated for visible injuries at a hospital immediately after the assault, and Charleston city police found the suspect in possession of her debit card and two phones she reported stolen, according to court documents.

The 34-year-old man was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree assault and battery, strong armed robbery and resisting arrest.

Ethridge, who was placed on the state's sex offender registry after a 2015 assault conviction, was indicted last summer on all four counts.

He pleaded guilty April 6 to resisting arrest and was sentenced to five years of probation and mental health counseling, court records show. He had been jailed for more than 1,000 days awaiting trial.

The 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office dropped the other charges against him because the victim died outside of South Carolina due to unrelated health issues, Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said.

Wilson said prosecutors could not prove elements of the offenses without the victim's testimony. In cases where intent can be a contestable issue, prosecutors must drop charges if the witnesses are no longer available and there is not independent evidence, she said.

When questioned, Ethridge denied any contact with the victim.

Sexual assault cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute and often end in dismissals. Less than 1 percent of all rapes result in a felony conviction, according to a widely reported study by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

The nonprofit advocacy group estimates that less than a third of rapes are reported to police. Out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, 50 reports lead to an arrest and 28 cases will result in a felony conviction, the study found.

The defendant was represented by the 9th Circuit Public Defender's Office, which did not respond May 2 to a request for comment.

Ethridge was charged in 2014 in Lexington County with 10 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, court records show. The defendant, then-24, was put on the state sex offender registry and sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and battery.
FOLLY BEACH  As family and friends reconcile the loss of a woman just hours after her wedding, details continue to emerge regarding the crash along a Folly Beach road as well as the actions of the woman charged with killing her.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced for Samantha Miller, 34 of Charlotte, who was killed only hours after her wedding April 28. She and her husband and two of his family members were traveling in a low-speed vehicle when it was struck by a car going 60 miles over the posted speed limit.

Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25 of James Island, was behind the wheel of a rented Toyota Camry when the crash happened at 10:15 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue. She has been charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury/death and reckless homicide. Denied bond, she is in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. Her next court appearance is scheduled for June.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe initiative arranged by Miller's mother-in-law continues to receive an outpouring of donations.

As of May 2, there have been more than 12,000 donations totaling nearly $500,000; Contributions have ranged from $10 to multiple $5,000 donations that will go toward services for Miller as well as medical expenses for the injured.

Among those are Aric Hutchinson, 36, of Charleston and Bountiful, Utah. Millers husband of about five hours has had two reconstructive surgeries after suffering broken bones as well as a brain injury in the wreck.

Other efforts are also being developed by those who knew Miller. A group of friends and other members of South Mecklenburg High Schools 2007 class are banding together for their own fund-raising project to assist Millers family. That includes Julie Brown, of Charlotte.

Brown and Miller connected early in middle school, with Browns maiden name Kirsch aligning near the Ms. Brown said they remained close through school, but lost touch somewhat after graduation and only occasionally connected. Still the intentions were there on both sides, she said, to do a better job going forward.

I told my husband last night that in one of my last conversations with Sam she said she was upset that we didnt stay in touch more, Brown said. Even after that conversation we couldnt seem to get it to a point where we were in each others lives more often. Ive definitely had a  its been hard.

You wish you could go back and change how things worked out. Its just an awful situation. And I think a lot of the people Ive grown up with have echoed the same sentiment. She always made an effort to stay in touch with everyone and its hard. Its really, really hard.

According to affidavits, police encountered a grim scene after being called to the site. Three passengers were slipping in and out of consciousness while Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.

While medical care was being provided to the injured, police interviewed Komoroski, who was unharmed. She admitted to driving the car that struck the LSV as well as to having two drinks  a beer and a tequila  about an hour before the crash. When asked by police to rate her level of impairment with one being sober and 10 being completely impaired, Komoroski responded she was at a level eight.

She strongly refused both a field sobriety test as well as to provide breath samples. Komoroski was later transported to MUSC where two vials of blood were extracted and sent to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division in Columbia for testing. Andrew Gilreath, Public Safety Department Director for Folly Beach, said the results of those blood tests should be available in about a month.

Komoroski was then medically cleared and sent to jail in North Charleston where she was placed under suicide watch after telling MUSC staff she wanted to kill herself.

Komoroski faces up to 25 years in prison for each DUI count and up to 10 years in prison if shes found guilty of reckless homicide.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Kenyan President William Ruto agreed in a phone call on Tuesday to continue efforts to attain a sustainable ceasefire, Spokesperson for the Presidency Ahmed Fahmy announced in a statement.

Both leaders also agreed to promote peaceful dialogue to prevent further bloodshed, the spokesperson added.

Additionally, El-Sisi and Ruto concurred that it is crucial to resume Sudans transition to a civilian government to spare its citizens the economic dangers of conflict and achieve a secure and stable future to strengthen development, Abu Zeid clarified.

Furthermore, the two presidents also discussed advancing bilateral relations between Egypt and Kenya in various sectors such as Egyptian investments in Kenya as well as trade exchange, he continued.

Finally, the two presidents agreed to continue consultation on issues of mutual concern particularly in strengthening joint African action taking into account the vital roles both Egypt and Kenya play in the issue.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  An Upstate South Carolina couple pleaded guilty May 2 to misdemeanor charges after entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

William and Joei Gallman, both of Fountain Inn, were arrested Sept. 27 last year in South Carolina on charges of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the the grounds, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capital building.

They were identified from photographs and video gathered after the riot.

The storming of the Capitol followed then-President Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally. Trump and his supporters continuously voiced the false assertions the election was rigged and stolen from him. The date of the rally and subsequent riot, Jan. 6, 2021, was the day members from both chambers in Congress met to certify Joe Biden's 306 to 232 win in the Electoral College.

The counting of the votes was delayed for several hours after Capitol Police evacuated officials and then-Vice President Mike Pence for safety after hundreds of people broke through police lines and breached the Capitol grounds.

A total of 140 police officers were assaulted in the attack, and more than $2.88 million in damage was done, according to the Department of Justice.

As of April 5, some 1,020 people have been charged in connection with the attack.

While more than 300 people have been charged with assaulting officers, and many more with destruction or theft of government property, the majority  931, were charged with the misdemeanor offense of entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds, like the Gallmans, according to the Justice Department.

According to court documents, investigators believe the Gallmans entered the Capitol and remained inside for less than half an hour.

The couple is set for sentencing on Aug. 18, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C.

They are among more than 20 residents of South Carolina who have been charged with federal crimes in the riot.
After reading an 1897 New York Journal piece about his apparent demise, Mark Twain famously wrote a response, printed the next day in the same paper, stating that The report of my death was an exaggeration. As a college president, especially one who leads a university steeped in the libera Read moreHsu: The greatly exaggerated reports of our universities passing
Mac Deford, a Citadel graduate and attorney who spent years in the Coast Guard patrolling and protecting Charleston's waterways, has entered the 2024 race for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

Deford, who lives in Mount Pleasant, shared his plans with The Post and Courier ahead of his May 2 campaign announcement. It will be the Democrat's first run for political office.

"We need elected representatives who have integrity," Deford told the newspaper in a wide-ranging interview. "The Lowcountry deserves a leader that is going to follow through with what they say they're going to do."

Deford, 34, becomes the second Democratic candidate hoping to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace. Last month, Michael B. Moore was the first Democratic challenger to announce a run against Mace.

On the Republican side, federal campaign filings show Mace has so far drawn one GOP challenger: Austin Anderson of Saint Helena Island.

All are seeking to represent the Charleston-anchored U.S. House district that remains at the center of an ongoing legal challenge.

The state's Republican lawmakers have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal court ruling that concluded the 1st Congressional District's political boundaries had been unconstitutionally drawn to dilute Black voting power for partisan gain. The nation's highest court has not yet weighed in on the matter.

Deford said his experience working as an attorney for two coastal communities in the 1st Congressional District  Mount Pleasant and most recently the town of Hilton Head Island  gives him a unique understanding of the issues facing the district.

He cited the need for affordable housing so that people can live where they work and making sure schools receive the federal funding they need to be successful. Deford, who is engaged, said he identifies as being "pro-choice" on abortion.

Pressed for specifics, Deford said he broadly supports the framework in the since-overturned Roe v. Wade decision.

Roe established a framework for governing abortion regulation based on the trimesters of pregnancy. In the first trimester, it allowed almost no regulations. In the second, it allowed regulations to protect womens health. In the third, it allowed states to ban abortions so long as exceptions were made to protect the life and health of the mother.

Deford also pledged to push for what he called "common sense approaches" to gun control, like universal background checks and so-called "red flag" laws that temporarily take guns from people deemed to be dangerous.

Deford, however, stopped short of calling for a ban on military-style weapons.

"Assault weapons are very, very deadly firearms. I was trained on how to use them, and I have a great appreciation for what they're capable of doing. But let's start with what we can attain," he said, adding that he would like to see additional training for people interested in purchasing such firearms.

He also questioned whether Mace had lost sight of the job she was elected to do, saying she "seems to have more of a desire to be on TV" than work on behalf of the 1st District.

Mace, in a statement to The Post and Courier, pointed to her record of accomplishments since being elected in 2020. They included securing federal money for flooding and stormwater projects, local government grants, beach renourishment on Folly Beach and the airport on Hilton Head Island. She also noted how she has worked to solve the impasse on the debt ceiling bill, balance protecting life with protecting womens rights on the abortion debate, and plans to work on policies to ease gun violence by advocating for centralizing criminal data systems and creating an active-shooter alert system.

"Weve worked incredibly hard to put the Lowcountry first," said the congresswoman in her third term. "And were just getting started."

Deford confirmed his congressional bid will include a formal kickoff event later this month, but details are still being ironed out. Deford said he is on administrative leave from his job as general counsel for the town of Hilton Head Island while he runs for congress.

The 1st District seat has long been a reliable seat for Republicans in ruby-red South Carolina.

Though that changed in 2018 when Democrat Joe Cunningham won, flipping the seat out of GOP control for the first time in nearly 40 years.

In 2020, the seat flipped back to Republican hands when Mace won it back for the GOP. She then easily won her 2022 reelection bid by 14 percentage points against Democrat Annie Andrews.
COLUMBIA  Parents of children 5 and younger in South Carolina can fill out a new online application to simultaneously check their eligibility for taxpayer-funded child care assistance, preschool and other government programs.

The May 1 launch of the common application on first5sc.org was celebrated by state agency leaders and early childhood advocates as providing families an easier, quicker way to access services that enable parents to work and children to succeed.

Instead of filling out separate, often lengthy forms  sometimes needing to do so in person during business hours  parents can securely submit information once that will automatically fill out applications across state government.

It's a first-of-its-kind resource nationwide that will "break down the barriers that have historically prevented some families from accessing the services they need to thrive," said Georgia Mjartan, executive director of South Carolina First Steps and the Early Childhood Advisory Council.

"This is a game changer for families," she said, adding that leaders in other states have already invited South Carolina's team to teach them how it's done.

The website first5sc.org initially launched in February 2022 as a single place to learn about early childhood programs and an interactive eligibility screener for 44 programs.

Katie Hagan of Columbia said the website is where she found connections for her 2-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed conclusively with hearing loss at 5 months and is now a "thriving, happy little girl" with hearing aids.

"First 5 was really helpful as one site where I could go through and see what she was eligible for," she said. "That was super helpful and comforting to see I wasn't missing anything."

Still, without the common application, agency forms themselves needed to be handled separately. So far, the application covers 29 programs on the site.

"Our job as the government is to make it easier for the public to access services to make sure they are supported, and this takes it to another level," said Michael Leach, director of the state Department of Social Services.

For example, it's estimated that less than half of pregnant women and new moms in South Carolina eligible for the Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program, known as WIC, are participating, said Beverly Brockington, the assistant WIC director in the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

"Despite known demonstrated benefits, too few of those eligible participate," she said of the program that provides breastfeeding support, immunization screening and money for healthy food. "We will see an increase in participation."

The website offers "a one-stop shop for resources," she continued. "Families are busy. This allows families to maximize their time  and sometimes gas  and connect to all the services available for their children."

Other programs the form will determine eligibility for include Medicaid health insurance, BabyNet for infants with special needs, food benefits, mental health services and various parenting classes.

Jack McBride, founder and CEO of cleaning products supplier Contec, said he intends to promote the website and common application to his employees. Many are probably eligible but either don't know the programs exist or don't have time to fill out multiple applications.

The common online application means employees won't have to miss work to fill out and turn in forms. It will also help the unemployed join the work force, said McBride, who's also on the board of Council for a Strong America, Ready Nation and the Mary Black Foundation.

He noted his Spartanburg company has consistently had more than 30 vacancies for several years.

"If people are spending all their time trying to get these social services, they cant take a job necessarily," he said. The single application is "really a win, win, win, using technology to make things easier on families who are struggling."

Development of the website and common application was funded by a three-year federal grant, which expired last week, Mjartan said.

She has asked legislators for $850,000 through the state budget to expand on the website's capabilities and continue collaborations through the Early Childhood Advisory Council, which was officially created by state law in 2014 but unfunded and defunct.

The budget package passed by the Senate funded the full request. The House put in $700,000. The difference will be part of budget negotiations for the fiscal year starting July 1.
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The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (as in force in the United Kingdom pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domainRelease of 2022 Annual Report and Board ChangesLONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Alpha Growth Plc (LSE:ALGW)(OTCQB:ALPGF), a leading financial services specialist in the growing longevity asset class and insurance linked asset management business, is pleased to announce the release of its Annual Report & Financial Statements for the twelve months ended 31 December 2022 (the '2022 Annual Report'). The 2022 Annual Report is available at www.algwplc.com During this period, the Company closed two asset accretive acquisitions and launched a US registered interval fund. The Company also achieved positive results at its subsidiaries (together, "the Group") for the year ended 31 December 2022. During the period the Group reported a profit of 3,178,578, which includes a gain in the period of 4,106,000 relating to acquisitions undertaken in the period, (sixteen months to 31 December 2021 - restated loss of 1,714,304) and the Group has accordingly reported its first year of profits having seen the investment of resources since inception starting to bear fruit.The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Sutherland as an Executive Director. Jason is moving from being a non-executive director of the Company and in his executive role he will become more involved in the day-to-day operations and growth of the Company. Additionally, the Company welcomes Neil Warrender as the new Non-Executive Director. Neil is currently the Company Secretary and has been instrumental in advising on our back-office activities. Neil's background includes qualifying as a chartered accountant with a "Big 4" firm, a period working with the financial services regulator, and serving as financial controller and compliance officer of a hedge fund manager during a period of significant asset growth, rising from $500m to nearly $10bn.For 2023, we continue with our 2B plan as previously announced - the 2B plan is Alpha Growth's strategy of achieving $2bn of assets under management by 2025. This strategy includes expanding our activities within the life insurance business and continuing with the growth of BlackOak Alpha Growth Fund and the Alpha Alternative Assets Fund.Gobind Sahney, Executive Chairman commented, "I am very proud of what we have achieved in 2022 and look forward to an equally progressive 2023. Closing two asset accretive acquisitions, launching a new fund, and expanding the expertise of our management team, positions Alpha Growth in an industry leading capacity. I am very pleased to welcome Jason full time and look to Neil to continue bringing excellence to our team, furthermore I am excited about the opportunities that Alpha is well positioned to take advantage of in 2023 and beyond." The 2022 Annual Report will in due course be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism For more information, please visit www.algwplc.com ** ENDS **For more information, please visit www.algwplc.com or contact the following:Alpha Growth plc+44 (0) 20 3959 8600Gobind Sahney, Executive Chairmaninfo@ algwplc.com Allenby Capital Limited+44 (0) 20 3328 5656Amrit Nahal (Sales and Corporate Broking)Nick Athanas / Piers Shimwell (Corporate Finance)UK Investor Relations- Mark Treharneir@ algwplc.com About Alpha Growth plcSpecialist in Longevity AssetsAlpha Growth plc is a financial advisory business providing specialist consultancy, advisory, and supplementary services to institutional and qualified investors globally in the multi-billion dollar market of longevity assets. Building on its well-established network, the Alpha Growth group has a unique position in the longevity asset services and investment business, as a listed entity with global reach. The group's strategy is to expand its advisory and business services via acquisitions and joint ventures in the UK and the US to attain commercial scale and provide holistic solutions to alternative asset institutional investors who are in need of specialised skills and unique access to deploy their financial resource in longevity assets.Longevity Assets and Non-correlationAs a longevity asset, it is non-correlated to the real estate, equity capital and commodity markets. Its value is a function of time because as time passes the value gets closer to the face value of the policy. Hence creating a steady increase in the net asset value of the investment. This makes it highly attractive to investors wishing to counteract volatility within an investment portfolio and add yield.Note: The Company only advises on and manages Longevity Assets that originate in the USA where the structured and life settlement market is highly regulated.Forward Looking Statements DisclaimerCertain statements, beliefs and opinions in this document are forward-looking, which reflect the Company's or, as appropriate, the Company's directors' current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Forward-looking statements contained in this document regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Readers should not treat the contents of this document as advice relating to legal, taxation or investment matters, and are to make their own assessments concerning these and other consequences, including the merits of information and the risks. Readers of this announcement are advised to conduct their own due diligence and agree to be bound by the limitations of this disclaimer.Important NoticeThe content of this announcement has not been approved by an authorised per
A high-profile Palestinian occupation prisoner died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after 86 days hunger strike in protest against his detention without charge, Israels prison service announced, at a time of already soaring tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.

Khader Adnan, a leader in the Islamic Jihad militant group in the West Bank is the first Palestinian prisoner to die since Palestinian inmates began staging protracted hunger strikes about a decade ago. His death raises the potential for renewed violence between Israel and Palestinian militant groups as violence surges in the West Bank.

Adnan, 45, from the town of Arraba, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, began his strike shortly after being arrested on 5 February.

He had gone on hunger strikes several times after previous arrests. That included a 55-day strike in 2015 to protest his arrest under so-called administrative detention, in which suspects are held indefinitely without charge or trial.

Shortly after his death was announced, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a volley of rockets into southern Israel. Palestinians called for a general strike in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and protests were expected later in the day.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh accused Israel of deliberately assassinating Adnan.

The Israeli occupation and its prison administration carried out a deliberate assassination against the prisoner Khader Adnan by rejecting his request for his release, neglecting him medically, and keeping him in his cell despite the seriousness of his health condition, said the Prime Minister in a statement.

Prisoner's farewell message

Palestinian groups called for a general strike in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and in cities across the West Bank on Tuesday, with schools and business closing for what organizers called a day of general mourning."

The Israeli military said the missiles fired from Gaza Strip fell in open territory, causing no damage. The Jihad group warned in a statement that Israel will "pay the price for this crime".

"The free hero, Khader Adnan, died as a martyr in a crime committed by the enemy in front of the world," the group said in a statement. Our fight continues and will not stop, the statement added.

In his final message, Adnan said he was "sending you these words as my flesh and fat has melted."

"I pray that God accept me as a faithful martyr," he wrote, in a message published Monday by the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.

A medic from the group Physicians for Human Rights Israel visited Adnan in prison earlier this week and warned that he "faces imminent death", while calling for him to be "urgently transferred to a hospital."

Israeli authorities had refused to move Adnan to hospital, according to the rights group and his wife.

National heroes

Palestinian prisoners are seen as national heroes and any perceived threat to them while in Israeli detention can touch off tensions or violence. They have for years gone on lengthy hunger strikes to protest their detentions and to seek concessions from Israel. The tactic has become a last recourse for resistance against what Palestinians see as unjust incarcerations. The prisoners often become dangerously ill by refusing food but deaths are rare.

Several Palestinians have gone on prolonged hunger strike in recent years to protest being held in administrative detention. In most cases, Israel has eventually released them after their health significantly deteriorated. None have died in custody, but many have suffered irreparable neurological damage.

Israels occupation prison service said Adnan was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Israel is currently holding over 1,000 Palestinian detainees without charge or trial, the highest number since 2003, according to the Israeli human rights group HaMoked.

That figure has grown in the past year as Israel has carried out almost nightly arrest raids in the occupied West Bank in the wake of a string of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israel in early 2022.

Israel says it is not divulging incriminating material for security reasons. Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.

In 1992, some 7,000 prisoners participated in a hunger strike that lasted for 19 days, during which the prisoner Hussein Obeidat died.

*This story has been edited by Ahram Online

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Wedding and event planning franchise primed for expansionOMAHA, NE / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Complete Weddings + Events, the leading one-stop-shop wedding and event planning franchise, signed deals to add three locations in Georgia, Washington, and Ohio."We are excited to welcome three new locations to the Complete Weddings + Events family," said Chief Executive Eric Maas. "Our new franchisees are turning their passion into full-service event planning businesses. We are thrilled they are using their talents and expertise to help us reach new customers." A former DJ signed a franchise agreement to open a Complete Weddings + Events outpost in Seattle. Joseph McKinney III started his DJ business in 1996 and added lighting and photo booth services in 2019. The hip-hop and soul specialist wanted to transform his existing business into a scalable operation. Franchising with Complete Weddings + Events gave him the tools, guidance, and package deals he needed to build his business in the Emerald City."I am a DJ, and I've wanted to create a one-stop shop for couples to reserve all of their wedding vendors as part of a package deal. Being able to franchise with a company that is already successfully doing this was a no-brainer," McKinney said.Robert and Sonia Lopez are relying on his event photography background and her marketing expertise to launch their Complete Weddings + Events location in northern Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee area, a premier wedding destination featuring lakes, rivers, and mountains. Robert began his event planning career as a wedding photographer, including a stint working for a Complete Weddings + Events franchisee in Atlanta. Operating an event planning franchise enables the couple to open a low-overhead business with training, guidance, and ongoing support. The Lopez family also operates a successful dog breeding business on their dairy farm.A third location is on tap for Akron, Ohio. Complete Weddings + Events plans to add roughly a dozen new territories this year.###About Complete Weddings + Events:Complete Weddings + Events has been starting parties, telling unique wedding stories, and bringing people together since 1974. They are the leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, lighting, coordination, DJ services, and photo booth rental in North America. By providing expert photos, high-definition video, and a gorgeous soundtrack with professionals who are passionate about creating things that last, Complete Weddings and Events offers customers quality work at an affordable price. For franchising information, visit https://completewedo.com/franchising/ Media Contact:Abby Mitchellamitchell@919 marketing.com 804-228-4420SOURCE: Complete Weddings + Events
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Wedding and Event Planning Franchise Recognized for Low Startup CostsOMAHA, NE / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Complete Weddings + Events was awarded two top honors from Franchise Business Review (FBR), an independent franchise research firm. The leading one-stop-shop wedding and event planning franchise was identified as a 2023 Top Low-Cost Franchise and a Top Recession-Proof Franchise."Complete Weddings + Events is a low investment, high-reward opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to help people celebrate special occasions," said Chief Executive Eric Maas. "We provide the training, tools, and ongoing support our franchisees need to help customers make lifelong memories. We're honored to be named a Top Low-Cost Franchise and Top Recession-Proof Franchise again this year." As part of the Top Recession-Proof Franchise designation, more than 36,000 franchisees representing over 365 brands participated in a franchisee satisfaction survey. Based on the feedback from its franchise family, Complete Weddings + Events was one of just 100 franchise brands to be listed among Top Recession-Proof Franchise rankings. To receive the Top Low-Cost Franchise nod, Complete Weddings + Events had to have high franchisee satisfaction and an investment of under $100,000 at the time their franchisees participated in FBR's satisfaction survey. The results show franchisees are highly satisfied with their investment."One of the most common myths around buying a franchise is that it's too expensive," said Eric Stites, CEO of FBR. "But what many people don't know is that there are a number of very solid business opportunities out there that can provide the satisfaction and perks of business ownership but don't require a huge financial investment." The awards reflect the motivational culture of Complete Weddings + Events and support its mission of bringing people together to celebrate. Complete Weddings + Events has helped plan more than 300,000 events, including 13,000 per year. The company's support team shares a desire for all of its franchise owners to be enriched by a long and prosperous career.###About Complete Weddings + EventsComplete Weddings + Events has been starting parties, telling unique wedding stories, and bringing people together since 1974. They are the leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, lighting, coordination, DJ services, and photo booth rental in North America. By providing expert photos, high-definition video, and a gorgeous soundtrack with professionals who are passionate about creating things that last, Complete Weddings and Events offers customers quality work at an affordable price. For franchising information, visit https://completewedo.com/franchising/ About Franchise Business ReviewFranchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,200 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com . To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/publications/ Media Contact: Abby Mitchell amitchell@919 marketing.com 804-228-4420SOURCE: Complete Weddings + Events
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NEW ORLEANS, LA ACCESSWIRE / May 1, 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 8, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE: CS), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 18, 2021 and March 20, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Credit Suisse and would like to discuss your legal rights and how these cases 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-cs/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in the class action, you must petition the Court by May 8, 2023.About the LawsuitsCredit Suisse and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On February 9, 2023, the Company disclosed that, contrary to its prior statements, it had continued to experience large customer outflows through yearend 2022, specifically, outflows of 110.5 billion Swiss francs in the final three months of 2022, a figure which far exceeded market expectations. On this news, shares of Credit Suisse fell $0.56 per ADS, or 15.64%, to close at $3.02 on February 9, 2023.Then, on March 15, 2023, news media sources revealed that the Company's "biggest backer," Saudi National Bank, would not buy any more of the Company's shares due to regulatory grounds. On this news, shares of Credit Suisse fell 13.94% to close at $2.16 per ADS.Finally, on March 20, 2023, the Company announced a merger agreement with UBS, stating that it "represents the best available outcomewe are forced to reach a solution today that provides a durable outcome." On this news, shares of Credit Suisse fell 52.99% to close at $0.9450 per ADS on March 20.The first-filed case is Calhoun v. Credit Suisse Group AG, et al., 23-cv-01297. A subsequently-filed case, Turner v. Credit Suisse Group AG, et al., 23-cv-01476, expanded the class period. A third case filed, Linhares v. Credit Suisse Group AG, et al., 23-cv-02246, further expanded the class period.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: 2023-05-03 00:16:00

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS)(OTC PINK:CSGKF) investors who suffered over $500k in losses to submit your losses now.Expanded Class Period: Mar. 10, 2022 - Mar. 20, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 8, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/CS Contact An Attorney Now: CS@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Credit Suisse Group AG (CS, CSGKF) Securities Fraud Class Action:The litigation focuses on Credit Suisse's statements about its liquidity and overall financial condition.On Dec. 1, 2022, the company's Chairman (Axel P. Lehmann) assured investors during an interview with the Financial Times that customer outflows not only "completely flattened out" but also that outflows had "partially reversed." The next day, Lehmann stated in an interview with Bloomberg Television that, as of Nov. 11, 2022, customer outflows had "basically stopped." The complaint alleges that: (1) contrary to statements by Lehmann, the sharp increase in customer outflows Credit Suisse began experiencing in Oct. 2022 remained ongoing; and (2) consequently, the company downplayed the impact of its recent series of quarterly losses and risk and compliance failures on its liquidity and client retention ability.Investors began to learn the truth on Feb. 9, 2023, when Credit Suisse announced its 2022 financial results that revealed large customer outflows continued through year-end 2022.On Feb. 21, 2023, Reuters reported that Swiss regulators are investigating whether remarks by Lehmann about customer outflows having stabilized were potentially misleading.On Mar. 14, 2023 Credit Suisse revealed it failed to maintain an effective assessment process to identify material misstatement risks in its financial statements.On Mar. 15, 2023 Bloomberg reported that Saudi National Bank, Credit Suisse's largest shareholder, would not provide additional liquidity to the company.Most recently, on Mar. 20, 2023, Credit Suisse announced it agreed to merge with UBS and shareholders would receive 1 UBS share for 22.48 Credit Suisse shares.These events have driven the price of Credit Suisse American Depositary Receipts sharply lower."We're focused on investors' losses and proving Credit Suisse lied about the magnitude of customer outflows in an effort to slow an apparent run-on-the-bank," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Credit Suisse and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Credit Suisse should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new 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 Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CS@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-05-02 19:00:25

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This study will provide valuable information about the impact of artificial intelligence on students' learning processes and academic performance.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / The all-in-one website for students has announced that it is looking for students to participate in a study on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) tools on academic performance. In this way, the company seeks to learn more about the impact of AI on the educational process."Technology and innovation are an integral part of our lives. Keeping up with them means running, not walking, because everything is developing rapidly. At EduBirdie, we decided to investigate how solutions such as ChatGPT or other AI-powered tools affect academic performance. We want to study the impact on productivity, focus, mental health, and self-confidence." - Avery Morgan, Chief Communications Officer at EduBirdie.Participants should use only generated content for three weeks in their written assignments and project research. In addition, they should only use the generated content to develop ideas and check spelling and grammar.Once the experiment is complete, the EduBirdie team plans to conduct in-depth interviews with each participant to determine what changes have occurred. To do this, they will assess technology-related factors, such as access to digital resources and educational technology tools, and health factors, including physical and mental health. They will also consider individual factors such as motivation, learning style, self-discipline, and study habits.Interested students are asked to complete the form on the website by May 5, 2023. Once all participants are selected, they will be provided with a list of recommended free AI-based tools that they can use to work on their writing assignments. EduBirdie promises to work closely with each participant to ensure that everyone uses these tools for academic writing during the study period. Each participant will receive a $1,000 credit to their EduBirdie account, which can be used for any service throughout the year.EduBirdie believes that this study will provide valuable information about the impact of artificial intelligence on students' learning processes and academic performance.Contact InformationOlena PolotnianaCommunications Managerolena@ edubirdie.com SOURCE: EduBirdie
PR-Inside.com: 2023-05-02 04:51:04

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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / May 1, 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 securities class action lawsuits against Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS), if they purchased the Company's shares between May 7, 2020 and February 10, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are 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 the cases 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 LawsuitsFidelity 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 first-filed case is Palm Bay Police and Firefighters' Pension Fund v. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., No. 23-cv-252. A subsequent case, Nebraska Investment Council v. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., No. 23-cv-504, expanded the class period.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: 2023-05-02 15:03:59

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BPO services provider will leverage its presence at this premier conference to educate automotive lenders on the benefits of highly skilled staffing servicesBURNABY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Integrated Financial Technologies (IFT), the leading business processing outsource company for savvy lenders, will sponsor a session at the Auto Finance Summit East 2023 conference, taking place at the JW Marriott Nashville from May 10 to 12. The panel, "Finding Success in Fintech Partnerships," will be held on May 11 at 3:45 p.m. and will feature executives from Wells Fargo and Vroom. The event is hosted by Royal Media, publishers of Auto Finance News.IFT is a Vancouver-based business process outsourcing (BPO) provider specializing in the lending industry. The company relies on a deep lending expertise and advanced technology to execute both front-office and back-office services for lenders. This includes activities such as collections, customer service, asset management, and default management, as well as revenue-generating tasks like inside sales and cross-marketing. The company relies on IFT Ignite, its best-in-class, AI-driven platform, which provides agents with powerful and efficient customer experience capabilities.IFT helps satisfy staffing needs by providing proven and reliable services that allow lenders to focus on their core competencies and build their portfolios, without having to invest in additional head count. The company provides AI-driven quality assurance and robust reporting, including granular call analytics such as customer service sentiment ratings. This process allows the lender to analyze performance through comprehensive documentation. IFT's infrastructure can utilize a variety of communications channels, including chat, email, text, and phone, to develop a wide range of engagement plans for lending clients, or to help them elevate their offerings through new methods of interaction."We're happy to support the Auto Finance Summit East event and participate as a sponsor on successful partnerships," said Tod Chisholm, IFT's president. "IFT is always interested in providing services to automobile lenders. Our goal is to ensure that lenders deliver the best possible service, and strengthen their in-house capabilities through top-flight personnel armed with industry leading, AI-powered tools." For more information on IFT's services, visit www.iftsolutions.com About Integrated Financial TechnologiesIntegrated Financial Technologies (IFT) is a market leader in delivering efficient, reliable, and secure back-office solutions to lenders across North America. Based in Vancouver, IFT's unique combination of deep lending expertise and robust technology enables the company to provide a multitude of services in sales, collections, reporting, and customer care. IFT's highly trained North American-based agents are fully trained in all lending and financial services processes, and adhere to strict data privacy and security mandates. IFT's services enable lenders to increase revenue, lower operating costs, and improve customer service-without incurring added overhead. For more information, please visit www.iftsolutions.com # # #PR Contact:Suzanne MattaboniParallel Communications Group, Inc.610-737-2140Twitter: @Parallel_PRsmattaboni@ parallelpr.com SOURCE: IFT
PR-Inside.com: 2023-05-02 12:00:32

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / iMetal Resources, Inc. ( TSX.V:IMR)(OTC PINK:IMRFF)(FRANKFURT:A7V) ("iMetal" or the "Company") announces the completion of drilling at the Company's Carheil project, which lies in the Northern Abitibi Greenstone Belt in Quebec. This phase of drilling included three holes totaling 1,053 metres and was a follow up on the 2016 graphite drilling program which included a highlight intersection of 7.48% Cg over 1.1 meters.Saf Dhillon, President & CEO, stated: "We are pleased with the 2023 Phase I program as we intersected the target horizon in all three holes. Our team is already planning the next phase of drilling and exploration work for the property to both test the target graphite horizon along strike and to evaluate the prospectivity of the remainder of the claim block, in light of the recent Midland/Probe discovery in the neighbourhood. Quebec is one of the most mining friendly jurisdictions in the world and we are excited to continue working there." The Company engaged DIAFOR Inc. of Malartic, Quebec for this phase of drilling at Carheil. Access was limited to winter conditions and a faster than normal melt shortened the program slightly. All three holes drilled successfully intersected the target horizon. All samples have been submitted to ALS Geochemistry in Rouyn-Noranda for assaying.Carheil is an exploration-stage project with multi-metal potential and previous graphite results. The project is about 170 km north of Rouyn-Noranda in the Northern Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The project is under 20 km distance to the west from the past-producing Selbaie Copper-Zinc-Silver-Gold mine (1.1 billion lbs Cu, 2.4 billion lbs Zn, 71 million oz Ag, 1 million oz Au produced from 1981-2004[i]), under 20 km distance to the north from Hecla's Casa Berardi Mine (127.5 Koz Au and 28.2 Koz Ag produced in 2022[ii]), and under 40 km to the southeast from Agnico Eagle's Detour Lake mine (713 Koz Au produced in 2021[iii]). Directly bordering the property to the north is Midland Exploration/Probe Metals' La Peltrie project, which recently intersected a 345.5 m of Cu-Mo-Au-Ag mineralization grading 0.21 CuEq[iv]. iMetal cautions investors the presence of mineralization at Selbaie, Casa Berardi, and Detour Lake is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the Carheil property.About iMetal Resources Inc.iMetal is a Canadian based junior exploration company focused on the exploration and development of its portfolio of resource properties in Ontario and Quebec. One of its Flagship properties Gowganda West, is an exploration-stage gold project that borders the Juby Deposit and is located within the Shining Tree Camp area in the southern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt about 100 km south-southeast of the Timmins Gold Camp. The 665-hectare Kerrs Gold deposit comprises a series of gold-bearing pyritized quartz vein replacement breccias with a 2011 historic resource, 90 kilometres ENE of Timmins. The 220-hectare Ghost Mountain property, 42 kilometres NE of Kirkland Lake, lies 5 kilometres W of Agnico Eagle's Holt and Holloway Mine.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,Saf DhillonPresident & CEOiMetal Resources Inc.info@ imetalresources.ca Tel. (604-484-3031)Suite 550, 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, 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 release.This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. 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 or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include results of exploration, variations in results of mineralization, relationships with local communities, market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.[i] SIGEOM; Ressources naturelles et Forets,  Gouvernement du Quebec, 2023[ii] Casa Berardi|Quebec, Canada|Hecla Mining;  Hecla Mining Company, 2022[iii] Agnico Eagle Mines Limited - Operations - Operations - Detour Lake;  Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, 2023[iv] Midland Exploration news release dated December 6, 2022SOURCE: iMetal Resources, Inc.
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Swedish Chef Hakan Thornstrom Takes Over for a Two-Night Event at Bootleggers Lodge in TomahawkTOMAHAWK, WI / ACCESSWIRE / May 1, 2023 / In a first for Northern Wisconsin, globally recognized Chef Hakan Thornstrom is traveling from Sweden to bring a world-class culinary experience to Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. The two-night special event, in which Thornstrom will serve as guest chef, will take place on Thursday, May 18, and Friday, May 19, at the fine dining restaurant on Lake Nokomis.Chef Hakan ThornstromChef Hakan Thornstrom is set as Guest Chef for a two-night event at Bootleggers Lodge in the Northwoods. Chef Thornstrom was the owner of Thornstrom Kok (Thornstrom Kitchen) in Gothenburg, Sweden, which opened in 1997. The restaurant held a prestigious Michelin Star for 10 years from 2011 to 2021. The chef also founded Thornstroms Private Room and Studio Thornstrom in Gothenberg. Thornstrom has been designated the Nobel Prize Dinner chef, served as chef for the Swedish Royal family, received many awards within Sweden and internationally, and been featured in international competitions, shows and documentaries."We're honored and excited to welcome Chef Thornstrom to Bootleggers Lodge. It's our goal to develop menus and create opportunities that elevate the culinary experience for locals and visitors in the Northwoods, and Chef Thornstrom's visit is an example of what we hope to bring to the community," said Chef Maja Holcomb, Head Chef of Bootleggers Lodge.During Thornstrom's visit, each night will feature a six-course meal of traditional Swedish fare, made with the finest, Wisconsin-sourced ingredients."I'm looking forward to visiting a local community in this part of the Midwestern United States and executing a menu that brings together the best of Nordic traditions with some of Wisconsin's culture imbedded," said Chef Thornstrom. "Above all, food brings people together and we hope to bring a memorable experience to Bootleggers Lodge and to this community." Tickets for the May 18 and May 19 special event with Chef Thornstrom are $150 per guest (plus tax and gratuity), which includes the six-course meal plus Chef-selected wine pairings. Reservations are limited and can be made by calling (715) 453-7971 or emailing reservations@ bootleggers-lodge.com Bootleggers Lodge, which came under new ownership in 2021, is a lakeside log cabin restaurant that boasts a long history in the Northwoods going back to the 1920s. For many years, it thrived as Phil's Northwoods Resort when it became a staple for many Wisconsin families who returned for summer vacations year after year. Later, it was purchased and opened as Bootleggers Supper Club, a beloved local supper club for more than two decades. Today, Bootleggers Lodge offers fine, seasonal American fare in a beautifully reimagined, rustic space that features breathtaking, 180-degree views of Lake Nokomis. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @bootleggerslodgewi.Related ImagesChef Hakan ThornstromChef Hakan Thornstrom is set as Guest Chef for a two-night event at Bootleggers Lodge in the Northwoods.Chef Hakan ThornstromInternationally renowned Chef Hakan Thornstrom will Guest Chef for two nights at Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk.A cozy fireplace at Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, WisconsinBootleggers Lodge offers a warm, rustic chic environment to enjoy a gourmet meal.The bar at Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, WisconsinBootleggers boasts a Brunswick back bar, originally manufactured in Chicago in 1883, which sits center stage under the framing of hand-hewn timbers and reclaimed barnwood - paying respect to the building practice of the time.Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, WisconsinThe historic log cabin that is Bootleggers Lodge on Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk has a long history on the lake that goes back to the 1920s.Contact Information:Victoria RicksCommunicationsinfo@ bootleggers-lodge.com (715) 453-7971SOURCE: Bootleggers Lodge
PR-Inside.com: 2023-05-02 16:45:33

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KYT redefining diabetes by designing an innovative bag range that merges medicine and fashion.WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Diabetics now have their own designer bags to streamline their daily treatment. KYT, which stands for Keeping You Together, has revealed three new contemporary, premium bags purpose-built for the everyday needs of people with diabetes - a chronic condition that the World Health Organization (WHO) says affects 422 million people worldwide.Crafted with the insights of hundreds of diabetics from around the world, the bags have innovative features, smart layouts, premium materials like gold-rated Italian leather and solid brass hardware, and ethical craftsmanship. A contemporary exterior discreetly hides diabetes supplies like a testing kit, pump consumables, and insulin pens. The bags now available for global pre-order are:SideKYT: a contemporary crossbody bag that streamlines users' essential diabetes supplies. The bag splits in two: life essentials up front and diabetes equipment out back. A testing station allows blood glucose levels to be tested straight from the bag.SideKYT+: a larger crossbody built for pump users or those who want to take more equipment or spares.StarterKYT: a compact case that lets users take their supplies on the sly. The size of a sunglasses case, it smartly locks together with magnets, unfolds completely flat to create a testing station, and then folds back together in a snap.KYT is also committed to ethical production and materials, and a donation from every bag sold helps diabetes charities get crucial supplies to those in need.At age 20, Designer & KYT Founder Bridget Scanlan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. As her pancreas stopped producing insulin, she had to learn to manage multiple blood glucose tests and insulin injections every day. Along with all the equipment that came with it."From talking to diabetics around the world, I got universal insights into the daily diabetes struggle," Scanlan says. "It sparked a thought: could smarter design empower people to feel better about dealing with daily treatment? I wanted to redesign diabetes so we could all redefine it." Combining her background in fashion design and entrepreneurship, Scanlan was inspired to channel her chronic condition to help empower other diabetics by creating designer bags specifically for diabetics."Every zip, every angle, every equipment detail has been influenced by the insights gathered from the hundreds of incredible diabetics who have opened up and shared their diabetes stories (and gripes) with me," Scanlan says.According to WHO, globally 8.5% of adults aged 18 and older have diabetes, making it one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide.Stanford University research estimates that people managing diabetes make around 180 extra health-related decisions every day to keep themselves safe.Here is some of the feedback from diabetics using KYT's original Crossbody bag:"I've been waiting 50 years for a bag like this....it is so easy to 'keep me together.' Pick it up and off I go, and no one knows what I am having to carry around." - Joy, New Zealand Diabetic"I am loving my KYT for travel! It's such a great bag, I now take it with me whenever I go away." - Megan, London Diabetic"Cannot be more excited for this amazing bag designed for diabetics. Fully functional & more importantly so stylish!" - Kyoko, Tokyo DiabeticFor more information, please visit https://kytbags.com/ . Photos can be downloaded from KYT's media kit.About KYT Diabetes BagsKYT stands for KEEPING YOU TOGETHER. We're redefining diabetes by redesigning it. With look-good, feel-good, do-good bags designed to help you feel great about doing diabetes on the daily.Contact Information:Bridget ScanlanDesigner & KYT Founderbridget@ kytbags.com JP TwaalfhovenCreative Directorjp@ kytbags.com Related ImagesSOURCE: KYT Bags
Photo: The Canadian Press Relatives of Khader Adnan mourn at his family home, in the West Bank village of Arrabe.

A high-profile Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a hunger strike of nearly three months, Israels prison service announced. His death set off a rocket barrage from the Gaza Strip and raised fears of a further escalation.

Khader Adnan, a leader of the militant Islamic Jihad group, helped introduce the practice of protracted hunger strikes by individual prisoners as a form of protest against Israel's mass detention of Palestinians without charge. On Tuesday, the 45-year-old became the first long-term hunger striker to die in Israeli custody.

In response to his death, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired 22 rockets toward populated areas in southern Israel, seriously wounding a 25-year-old man and moderately wounding two others at a construction site in the city of Sderot, Israel's rescue service said, identifying all three as foreigners. Their nationalities were not immediately clear.

Air raid sirens sounded and Israeli municipal councils opened public bomb shelters. The reverberations and shrapnel punched a hole into the street and charred cars, footage showed. Four rockets were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome missile defense system, authorities said.

"This is an initial response to this heinous crime that will trigger reactions from our people, a coalition of Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups, led by the enclave's Hamas rulers, said.

Palestinians called for a general strike in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and protesters rushed to Israeli military checkpoints in the occupied territory, slinging stones at Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds gathered at the northern entrance to the West Bank city of Ramallah. Early Tuesday, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired another volley of rockets that landed in empty fields in Israel. Islamic Jihad said that its fight continues and will not stop.

Palestinian prisoners are overseen by Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, an ultra-nationalist politician who has tightened restrictions on the Palestinian inmates, including shortening their shower time and closing prison bakeries.

Ben-Gvir said Tuesday that prison officials must exhibit zero-tolerance toward hunger strikes and unrest in security prisons and ordered prisoners be confined to their cells.

As Israeli-Palestinian violence has spiked, the number of administrative detainees has risen to more than 1,000 over the past year, the highest number in two decades.

For administrative detainees, hunger strikes are often the last recourse. Several have staged hunger strikes lasting several months, often becoming dangerously ill. Previous Israeli governments have at times conceded to some of their demands to avoid deaths in custody.

This time, warnings about Adnan's deteriorating health were ignored, said the advocacy group Physicians for Human Rights Israel.

The group and Adnans lawyer said they had asked Israeli authorities to move him from his cell to a hospital where his condition could best be monitored. The rights group said a doctor who visited Adnan several days ago warned that his life was in danger.

We lay the responsibility for his death at the feet of the Israeli authorities," said Dana Moss, from the rights group. Hunger strikes are one of the few nonviolent tools left to Palestinians as they battle against Israels unfair legal system, set within a context of long term occupation and a regime of apartheid."

Dawood Shahab, an Islamic Jihad spokesman, called Adnan's death a full-fledged crime, for which the Israeli occupation bears full and direct responsibility.

In the West Bank, Mohammed Shtayyeh, the prime minister of the Palestinian self-rule government also held Israel responsible. He portrayed Adnan's death as premeditated assassination by refusing his request for his release, neglecting him medically, and keeping him in his cell despite the seriousness of his health condition.

Israels prison service said Adnan had been charged with involvement in terrorist activities. It said he was in a prison medical facility, but had refused medical treatment until the last moment while legal proceedings moved forward. It said he was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Around 200 people gathered outside Adnan's home in the occupied West Bank town of Arraba, holding signs bearing his image and called for revenge. Adnan's widow, Randa Musa, told those gathered outside that we do not want a single drop of bloodshed" in response to his death.

We do not want rockets to be fired, or a following strike on Gaza, she told the crowd.

Palestinian prisoners are seen as national heroes and any perceived threat to them while in Israeli detention can touch off tensions or violence. Israel sees Adnan and other Palestinian prisoners as security threats accused of involvement in deadly attacks or plots.

Over the past decade, Adnan became a household name in the Palestinian territories, as a powerful symbol of resistance to Israels open-ended occupation, now in its 56th year. He staged several lengthy hunger strikes over the years, including a 66-day protest in 2012, and two other strikes in 2015 and 2018 that lasted 56 and 58 days respectively. Israel released Adnan after the 2015 strike.

He is credited with turning hunger strikes into a tool of protests by Palestinian detainees and a useful bargaining chip against Israeli authorities beginning over a decade ago.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, which represents former and current prisoners, Adnan was arrested 12 times and spent about eight years in Israeli prisons, most of that time in administrative detention.

The number of administrative detainees has grown in the past year as Israel has carried out almost nightly arrest raids in the West Bank in the wake of a string of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israel in early 2022.

Israel says the controversial tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons.

Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.

Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank have been locked in a bout of fighting for the past year. About 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and 49 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

On Tuesday, Israeli officials said an Israeli man was lightly wounded in a suspected Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank.
The Israeli military traded fire with Gaza militants Tuesday in a flare-up of violence following the death in Israeli custody of a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike.

The Israeli army said it hit Gaza with "tank fire" in response to rockets from the Palestinian enclave, sparking a renewed volley from Gaza that was witnessed by AFP journalists.

The exchange of fire came hours after 45-year-old prisoner Khader Adnan died, nearly three months after being detained in the occupied West Bank over his ties to the palestinian militant group.

Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh described his death as a "deliberate assassination", charging Israel had killed him "by rejecting his request for his release, neglecting him medically and keeping him in his cell, despite the seriousness of his health condition".

News of his death was initially followed by three rockets fired by militants from Gaza, which "fell in open areas", the Israeli army said.

The army reported sirens blaring near the Gaza border following their retaliatory tank fire and warned Israeli residents to stay near bomb shelters.

A joint statement by militant factions in Gaza, including the territory's rulers Hamas, said the rocket fire was an "initial response" to Adnan's death.

Israel's prison service had announced the death of a detainee who was affiliated to Islamic Jihad, saying in a statement that he was "found early this morning in his cell unconscious".

Adnan was the first Palestinian to die as a direct result of a hunger strike, according to advocacy group the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.

Other Palestinian detainees have died "as a result of attempts to force feed them", said the group's director Qaddura Faris.

Palestinians launched a general strike in West Bank cities in response to Adnan's death.

The Arab League charged that Adnan's death was "the result of a policy of deliberate medical negligence, which is systematically practised by the Israeli occupation authorities".

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said prison officials decided to close cells to "prevent riots".

"The directive to the prisoner service is zero tolerance towards hunger strikes and disturbances in security prisons," he said in a statement.

A senior Israeli official described Adnan as "a hunger striker who refused medical attention, risking his life".

"In recent days, the military appeal court decided against releasing him from detention solely on the merit of his medical condition," said the official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly to the media.

Adnan was described by the official as an "operative" of Islamic Jihad, who was facing charges related to his activities within the militant group.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967 and its forces regularly detain Palestinians, who are subject to Israeli military courts.

Islamic Jihad, which is considered a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States, warned Israel will "pay the price for this crime".

Israel's prison service said Adnan was in jail for the 10th time and his wife, Randa Mousa, previously told AFP her husband had carried out multiple hunger strikes in detention.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mousa said: "We will only receive well-wishers, because this martyrdom is (like) a wedding, a (moment of) pride for us and a crown on our heads."

But she cautioned militants against launching a violent response.

"We don't want a drop of blood to be shed," she told journalists in the family's hometown of Arraba in the northern West Bank.

"We don't want anyone to respond to the martyrdom. We don't want someone to launch rockets and then (Israel) strikes Gaza."

A few dozen Palestinians gathered in Gaza Wednesday in support of Adnan, with banners and placards featuring his portrait.

In his final message, Adnan said he was "sending you these words as my flesh and fat has melted".

"I pray that God accepts me as a faithful martyr," he wrote, in a message published Monday by the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel said its medic visited Adnan and raised his "life-threatening condition and the need for immediate hospital transfer".

Israeli rights group BTselem described his hunger strike as "a form of non-violent protest against his arrest and the injustices of the occupation".

"The fact that a person whose life was in danger remained in prison despite repeated requests to transfer him to a hospital reflects the absolute disregard Israel held for his life," the organisation said.

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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Lebanese politician Omar Harfouch, leader of the Third Republic party and one of the main reformist voices in Lebanon, risks a jail term if he returns to his home country. Harfouch said that the Lebanese political authorities issued an arrest warrant against him after he spoke at a symposium on terrorism at the European Parliament, where some Israeli citizens were allegedly also present. On his social media, Harfouch stated that he could face up to 15 years in prison. He currently resides in France.Lebanese LawsLebanese law prohibits Lebanese nationals from having any contact with Israel and Israeli citizens in any form. Lebanon-Israel relations are addressed in the 1943 Lebanese Criminal Code and the 1955 Lebanese Anti-Israeli Boycott Law."Crimes committed against the external security of the State" is the section of the 1943 Lebanese Criminal Code that deals with treason, espionage, and illicit links with the enemy. The penal code deals with the "enemy" in general, as the State of Israel was not yet in existence.The Lebanese Parliament Boycott Law against Israel, passed June 23, 1955, prohibits citizens from entering into any contract with any organization or person holding Israeli nationality or located in Israel. The law also forbids the importation of goods from Israel, either directly or indirectly, as adopted by the Council of the Arab League in 1951. The penalties for breaking this law are imprisonment or hard labor for three to 10 years."This Must Come To An End"About the arrest warrant, Harfouch said on Lebanon's OTV channel: "Three weeks ago, I participated in a symposium about the war on terror and the financing of terrorism. I was proud that I was invited to this symposium in the European Parliament. Many Lebanese saw my speech, and thanked me for being the first Lebanese with enough courage to accuse the Europeans of their part in financing terrorism... But all of a sudden, someone - I don't know who - decided there had been Israelis in the hall. It turned into an issue, and I was accused of collaborating with Israelis and the Israeli lobby, and they wanted to take me for interrogation as soon as I landed at the airport. I don't care who was in the hall - whether they were from Israel, from New Zealand, or from Australia. I want to deliver the voice of truth and justice to any place possible. I wasn't at a restaurant or a hotel. I was at the heart of the EU and was talking to members of the European Parliament." Harfouch added that it was unreasonable and antisemitic to expect him to inquire whether each person he meets abroad is Jewish or Israeli: "Let me tell you, and I said this in interviews, I will not inquire about any person's nationality. I will not ask anyone whether he is Jewish or Israeli... This falls squarely under the [European] law forbidding antisemitism. I would be antisemitic to the point that I suspected someone because his name or the way he looks indicated that he was Jewish, and I asked him whether he was Jewish in order to find out whether he is an Israeli citizen. For that, I would be put on trial for antisemitism, in France and all over Europe, because my Lebanese country, whose passport I hold, forbids me from meeting with Israelis. We should put an end to this. There are 15 million Lebanese living all over the world, and they cannot ask every person they meet every day whether or not he is Israeli." Now that there are many Israelis in the Gulf States, Harfouch said, the Lebanese boycott of meetings with Israelis has become exceedingly unreasonable. "See the Lebanese living in the Gulf. Today, there are Israelis in the Gulf - in the UAE, in Dubai - what should they do if their boss at work turns out to be an Israeli? Should they resign, abandon their children, and return to Lebanon? This must come to an end." "I Don't Want To Liberate Jerusalem, I Want To Liberate Lebanon"Harfouch had previously expressed his views on Lebanon-Israel relations. During an interview with Lebanon's MTV channel, he said: "The facts are that Lebanon had not recognized Israel and had considered it to be an enemy, but when the [maritime] border demarcation took place, and the line was drawn between Lebanon and Israel, Lebanon de facto recognized the State of Israel." On the status of Jerusalem, he added: "The liberation of Jerusalem is part of Hizbullah's ideology, but I, Omar Harfouch, as a Lebanese - why would I want to liberate Jerusalem? From whom should I liberate Jerusalem? My country is Lebanon... Why am I supposed to outdo the Palestinians, and liberate their country or their capital city for them?"The Palestinians accepted this state of affairs. They recognized Israel, signed a peace agreement with it, and divided the land. Whether [Israel] abides by the agreement or not - that is the Palestinians' problem; I want to solve Lebanon's problems..."Lebanon is important to me. I don't care about praying in Jerusalem. If they want to pray - Lebanon is full of mosques, and they can go on pilgrimage and pray in Mecca. This ideology is foreign to us. We don't want to liberate Jerusalem. I am a Lebanese man who does not want to liberate Jerusalem. I want to liberate Lebanon from this cartel of corruption, and the sectarianism." To view MEMRI TV clips on Harfouch, visit https://www.memri.org/tv To read MEMRI reports on Harfouch, visit https://www.memri.org/ ABOUT MEMRIExploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends.Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is located in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew.MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab MEMRI Twitter: https://twitter.com/memrireports/ MEMRI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59Cpk70K2TwdmApJOTuW9g/videos MEMRI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memrireports/ %0
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ANAHEIM, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Reborn Cabinets, a leading home improvement company specializing in cabinet refacing and one-day bath transformations, is proud to announce its 40th-anniversary celebration, marking four decades of providing exceptional service and quality craftsmanship to customers in California and beyond. To commemorate this milestone, Reborn Cabinets will be hosting a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Anaheim showroom.The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on May 3, 2023, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Reborn Cabinets' flagship showroom located at 2981 E. La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806. The event will be attended by Reborn Cabinets' founders, executives, employees, valued customers, and local dignitaries, and will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, giveaways, and refreshments. A similar ribbon-cutting ceremony will also happen on May 5, 2023, at their Lake Forest Showroom at 23626 El Toro Rd Suite B, Lake Forest, CA 92630. As part of the celebration, Reborn Cabinets will also be offering exclusive discounts and promotions to its customers throughout the anniversary month."We are incredibly proud to be celebrating our 40th anniversary," said Vince Nardo, CEO of Reborn Cabinets. "Since our founding in 1983, we have been committed to providing top-notch craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and innovative home improvement solutions to our clients. This milestone is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and support of our team and customers." Over the past four decades, Reborn Cabinets has been dedicated to transforming outdated kitchens and bathrooms into beautiful, functional spaces that enhance the quality of life for their customers. The company has built a solid reputation for delivering top-quality products and services, while consistently exceeding customer expectations.In addition to its commitment to providing outstanding home improvement solutions, Reborn Cabinets has also been deeply involved in giving back to the community. The company has supported local veterans through its annual Baths for the Brave event, demonstrating a commitment to making a positive impact beyond its business endeavors.As Reborn Cabinets celebrates its 40th anniversary, the company looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Reborn's anniversary sale will continue until the end of the month of May, with additional details available at reborncabinets.com/offers About Reborn Cabinets: Reborn Cabinets, a Renovo Home Partners company, provides its signature cabinet refacing and one-day bathroom remodeling to customers in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. More information can be found on its website at www.reborncabinets.com , or by calling 888-273-2676. Applicants interested in career opportunities are encouraged to apply online at www.rebornjobs.com About Renovo Home Partners: Renovo Home Partners is a direct-to-consumer platform focused on high-volume, quick-turn bath, window, cabinet refacing, siding, roofing and other remodeling services through its acquired network of top home services brands across the United States. For more information, visit the Renovo Home Partner website: www.renovohomepartners.com For questions contact: Allie LaBruna 866-787-5737 alabruna@ reborncabinets.com Contact InformationDiana RamirezDirector of Community Relationsdramirez@ reborncabinets.com (714) 678-2303SOURCE: Reborn Cabinets
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GREENSBORO, NC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / SLT Properties, a top property management firm based in Greensboro, NC, is emphasizing its dedication to maintaining cleanliness before the arrival of new tenants. By ensuring that rental properties are in top-notch condition for new tenants, the company reaffirms its commitment to customer satisfaction and expansion.SLT Properties offers a comprehensive range of property management services tailored to meet the needs of property owners in the Triad area. Their expertise extends to asset management for multi-unit sites and smaller commercial properties, catering to individual owners, partnerships, and trustees.With a strong commitment to providing quality services, SLT Properties ensures rental properties are always prepared for new tenants by diligently keeping up with maintenance tasks, both interior and exterior. They provide recommendations for necessary repairs, helping property owners maintain and increase their investment value. Their proactive marketing strategies effectively promote properties to potential renters, while their meticulous tenant screening process matches qualified tenants with their ideal rental homes.In response to the evolving needs of property owners and tenants, SLT Properties stays informed about industry trends and local market conditions. Their commitment to ongoing education and adaptation enables them to provide up-to-date advice and guidance, ensuring clients make informed decisions about their rental properties.In addition to property maintenance and tenant placement, SLT Properties manages lease paperwork and provides additional support services to property owners. They take pride in handling every aspect of the rental process, delivering worry-free property management experiences.SLT Properties has built a strong reputation for providing superior service with the highest level of integrity. Their mission is to maximize clients' investment potential while allowing them to focus on their core business. Serving the greater Greensboro and High Point areas of North Carolina, the company's team of experts works tirelessly to ensure that both renters and property owners are more than satisfied with the end results.To learn more about SLT Properties and their range of services, readers are encouraged to visit their website home page or contact their team of property management experts at (336) 291-0254.About SLT PropertiesSLT Properties is a property management company specializing in asset management of multi-unit sites and smaller commercial properties in the Triad area of North Carolina. With a focus on maximizing clients' investment potential, they provide quality housing for tenants and worry-free property management services for property owners. Serving the greater Greensboro and High Point areas, their team of experts is committed to delivering superb service with the highest level of integrity.Contact InformationSLT Properties(336) 291-0254.SOURCE: SLT Properties
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Originally published on U.S. Bank company blogNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / U.S. Bank announced it is teaming up with Meta Prosper, Meta's Asian Pacific Islander community support program, to provide financial literacy resources and programming to support Asian small businesses during Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and Small Business Month."U.S. Bank is excited to partner with Meta Prosper to offer additional financial resources to support Asian-owned small businesses," said Carl Jordan, executive vice president, California small business and branch banking for U.S. Bank. "We know that many small businesses face prominent gaps, including access to information, connections, and capital. We are focused on providing our tools and resources to help these Asian small business owners so they can grow and thrive." U.S. Bank is also a member of the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC), which works to open doors and connect businesses to contract, professional and educational opportunities to Asian Americans and their partners in corporations, government, nonprofit organizations and the small minority and diverse-owned business community. USPAACC is an active partner with Meta Prosper."Today's announcement of the partnership between U.S. Bank and Meta Prosper to provide financial resources that will help Asian American-owned businesses grow and succeed is fantastic news, especially as we celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Small Business Month," said USPAACC National President and CEO Susan Au Allen. "Asian American-owned businesses were among the hardest hit during the pandemic, so ensuring that they have expanded access to capital and connections is critical for their future success. USPAACC applauds this collaboration, and we are proud to have U.S. Bank and Meta as our members." This summer, look for U.S. Bank at 626 Night Market in Arcadia (July 7-9) and Pleasanton (July 29-30). At these events, U.S. Bank will highlight small businesses in the area, have small business bankers on-hand to answer questions and provide fun giveaways. Additionally, U.S. Bank will also be working with social influencers and content creators to deliver financial education content and resources via the Meta Platform to Asian small business owners.For more information, visit usbank.com/aapiheritage To learn more about Meta Prosper, visit www.facebook.com/prosperwithus Contact:Susan Beatty, U.S. Bank Public Affairs and CommunicationsAbout U.S. Bancorp:U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 77,000 employees and $682 billion in assets as of March 31, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. Union Bank, consisting primarily of retail banking branches on the West Coast, joined U.S. Bancorp in 2022. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World's Most Ethical Companies. Learn more at usbank.com/about About Meta Prosper:Meta Prosper is Meta's Asian Pacific Islander community support program, dedicated to driving visibility for diverse API voices, building economic opportunity, and creating social equity for the API community. Meta Prosper provides in-language training content, workshops, year-round events and advocacy to support and amplify API small businesses, creators and nonprofits. Follow Meta Prosper on Instagram and Facebook, and visit our website for trainings, news and updates.U.S. Bank today announced it is teaming up with Meta Prosper to provide financial education resources to support Asian small businesses.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
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Onsite geological assessment indicates significantly expanded the area and thickness of the targeted claystone sequences of the Esmeralda Formation at Smokey LithiumThe drill program included 4 holes, with a combined total of 1966.5 feet of drillingThe project area and surrounding lands show strong lithium mineralization with the Esmeralda Formation at surface. When combined with the highly encouraging results from Victory's first round drilling (completed in 2022) the project area is highly prospectiveVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Victory Battery Metals (CSE:VR)(FWB:VR61)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") is excited to announce that the Company's exploration team has completed its 2023 spring drill program, drilling at a total of 1966.5 feet over 4 holes, cores from which have been assembled and sent for assay.Mr. Mark Ireton, Victory President, and CEO noted: "Our team has reviewed the onsite findings and have determined that this drill program moved the project from an early-stage project towards an advanced stage project." Geologic Summary of the 2023 Smokey Lithium Drill ProgramThe culmination of 3 years of geological study, surface sampling and drilling has confirmed that the project is underlain by thick sections of claystone rocks. Assay results from the 2022 drill program clearly show that these claystones are in fact mineralized with lithium. The project has now passed the all the important milestones to date in proving there are the right type of rocks underlying the property, and that these rocks contain robust lithium.The recently completed spring 2023 drill program has significantly expanded the area and thickness of the targeted claystone sequences of the Esmeralda Formation. This program is a significant advance in establishing a deposit at Smokey Lithium and we eagerly await the assay results from this drilling.Hole #Onsite Geological Observations23-01Reached claystone at a depth of 268 ftClaystones are identical to mineralized zone reached in the 2022 drill program at Hole-09Coloration is light gray with calcite veins throughoutClaystone is lithifiedAll claystone reacts with hydrochloric acidClaystone ends at 517 ftTotal claystone thickness = 249 ftTotal hole depth was 540 ftSee Figure 123-02Reached claystone at a depth of 11 ftColoration, when hydrated, is tan, brown, green, and blackThe clay swells when exposed to water from drilling operationsClaystone is moderately lithifiedDrilling terminated at 155 ft due to adverse ground conditions (too much swelling)Total thickness of soft clay = 144 ftTotal hole depth was 155 ftSee Figure 223-03Sandy clay/clay reached at a depth of 175 ftColoration is blue gray to brownStiff clay beds range from medium to thinMain clay zone ends at 319 ftTotal thickness of main clay zone = 144 ftClaystone clasts, similar to those found in 2023-01 were found at 596-605 ftTotal hole depth was 617.5 ftSee Figure 323-05Claystone from surface to hole depth (0-600 ft)Coloration is green gray to gray when hydratedThe clay swells when exposed to water from drilling operationsClay reacts to hydrochloric acid for the entire holeTotal hole depth was 600 ftSee Figure 4As previously noted, drill hole locations have been selected to extend strong lithium mineralization, intersected on initial drill program in 2022 in Hole-09 within the area of interest. The fourth hole on this program was selected specifically in an effort to determine the strength of lithological correlation between holes 22-09. 23-01, 23-02 and 23-03. Victory's Exploration team determined that the most compelling hole location to drill would be hole 23-05, 1km to the west southwest of hole 23-03, in order to gain the most knowledge of the potential deposit.As a result, the claystone intercepts observed in hole 23-05 have clearly shown a significant thickness of terrific looking claystones on the property. The position of the 23-05, as a spatial outlier, suggests further drilling to the southwest will be very promising for discovery of additional intercepts of a classic Clayton Valley style claystone hosted lithium zone.Combining results from field mapping, surface sampling, drilling and Tromino passive seismic studies, the Company has developed proprietary maps showing highly detailed visual cross sections to understand the faulting that would bound the deposit's edges. Victory's 3-hole drill program focuses on a 2-3 km sq. area with lowered risk, having a high likelihood to intersect lithium rich clays via drilling, and may indicate maiden resource potential.About Smokey Lithium, NevadaVictory's Smokey Lithium project is a clay lithium property that lies approximately 20 miles north of Clayton Valley, to the west of American Lithium's flagship lithium project. Smokey Lithium is located northwest of Cypress' Clayton Valley Lithium Project and to the southwest of American Lithium Corporation's Tonopah Lithium Claims Property in southwest Nevada. Esmeralda County Nevada is a prolific region for lithium clay deposits, (Noram, Cypress, American Lithium, Spearmint, Enertopia, and Jindalee).The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Bob Marvin (PGeo), who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.For further information, please contact:Mark Ireton, PresidentTelephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)E-mail: Info@ VictoryBatteryMetals.com About Victory Battery MetalsVICTORY BATTERY METALS (CSE:VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities.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.Forward Looking StatementsCertain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, for
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Integration Will Enhance Energy Management and Conservation SolutionsSARASOTA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Wild Energy, a leading provider of innovative utility sub-metering and management solutions, and RMS North America, a leading provider of cloud-based reservation and property management systems to the outdoor hospitality industry, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership that will bring together their expertise to enhance energy management solutions for the hospitality industry."We are excited to be partnering with RMS, which continues to innovate with their technology offerings. Wild Energy's unique offerings for utility sub-metering bring powerful new services to RMS customers," said Mike Sorensen, President Wild Energy. "Wild Energy is the only sub-metering system with real-time meter readings. This is especially important when billing for short-term or EV charging where accuracy matters. Using the Wild Energy integration with RMS, Newbook, ResNexus, and Staylist, owners and operators can bill utilities for any length of stay. Heavy energy users now pay their fair share for the additional energy used during their stay." Together, Wild Energy Meters and RMS North America will integrate their solutions to provide the outdoor recreation community with a seamless utility management experience. This integration will enable resorts to monitor and control their energy usage from within the RMS Cloud platform, making it easier for staff to access the information they need to make informed decisions about energy usage and bill guests accordingly for their energy consumption. RMS customers will have access to smart, real-time electric meters that eliminate reading errors, reduce labor expenses and reduce overall energy consumption."Partnerships are essential for us in providing scalable, thoughtful business solutions for the outdoor hospitality space," stated Fred Dominioni, Chief Revenue Officer at RMS North America. "We're thrilled to add Wild Energy to our list of over 550 integrated partners. We know their features and offerings will benefit our customers and grant them greater flexibility and control over their businesses." For More Information:Mike SorensenPresident and CEO833-563-6300mike@ wildenergyco.com sales@ wildenergyco.com About Wild EnergyWild Energy was born out of a necessity to solve the problem of rising costs of energy and water resources while addressing the need for utility conservation. It's innovating new energy monitoring and control solutions for the recreational vehicle industry, campgrounds, marinas, industrial, condo associations and more. For more information, visit www.wildenergyco.com About RMS North AmericaRMS offers cloud-based property management solutions to fit the needs of the global hospitality industry, supporting over 6,000 properties worldwide. With more than 40 years of industry experience, their feature-rich technology is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of campgrounds, RV parks, National/State Parks, and marinas. For more information, please visit americas.rmscloud.com Contact InformationMike SorensenPresidentmike@ wildenergyco.com (833) 563-6300SOURCE: Wild Energy
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In August 2020 when President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Companies and Allied Matters bill, conferring regulatory roles on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to monitor activies of religious and charity organisations, it triggered a public debate as to the propriety or otherwise of the new legislation.

Specifically, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejected the law, arguing that the regulatory roles the law gave the registrar of CAC and a supervising minister over churches was unconstitutional.

Subsequently, the Christian body launched a legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to set aside the new legislation.

However, the judge, Inyang Ekwo, dismissed CANs suit on technical grounds.

In the judgement delivered in December 2021, Mr Ekwo held that CANs certificate of incorporation bears Registered Trustees of the Christian Association of Nigeria and not Incorporated Trustees of Christian Association of Nigeria, a name which the suit was filed with.

Eight sections of CAMA struck down

But in another suit filed by Emmanuel Ekpenyong, an Abuja-based human rights and constitutional lawyer, he had urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to strike down some provisions of the CAMA law.

In the case filed on 31 August 2021, Mr Ekpenyong contended that eight sections of CAMA infringed on fundamental rights of Nigerians as they were inconsistent with the Nigerian constitution.

The National Assembly, CAC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were defendants in the suit.

The lawyer in his filings before the judge, James Omotosho, prayed the court to nullify CAMAs sections 839, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, and 848, due to what he described as their violation of Nigerians fundamental rights to freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion as enshrined in section 38 of the constitution.

He further contended that the sections trampled on his right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association as enshrined in section 40 of the constitution.

Another issue Mr Ekpenyong raised before the court was whether the provisions of the Administrative Proceedings Committee in section 851 of CAMA is not in conflict with section 6 (6) (b) and section 36 (1) and 251(1) (e) of the constitution.

According to the lawyer, the Administrative Proceedings Committee as stipulated in CAMA, usurped the powers of the court to adjudicate on disputes that might arise from organisations under the supervisory roles of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The plaintiff prayed the court to compel the National Assembly to expunge the offending sections of the CAMA.

Grouse with CAMA

In swaying the court to strike down the infringing provisions of the law, Mr Ekpenyong argued that the CAMA 2020 violated his rights as a Nigerian citizen.

In his filings, Mr Ekpenyong contended that Section 839 of the new CAMA confers unilateral powers on the CAC to suspend the trustees of an association and appoint an interim manager to manage the affairs of an association where the CAC believes there is any misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of the association without a court order.

He further itemised sections 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847 and 848 of the law which he argued gave the CAC too much control over registered associations, thereby infringing on his rights to freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

The provisions of the contentious law, the lawyer argued trample on his right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association as guaranteed in section 40 of the constitution.

In urging the court to strike down the provisions of the law, the plaintiff said the aforementioned sections would affect his livelihood and survival.

National Assembly, CACs defence

In their separate responses to the suit, the parliament prayed the court to dismiss Mr Ekpenyongs case for being unmeritorious.

In a preliminary objection to the suit, the National Assembly informed the court that Mr Ekpenyongs failure to serve the parliament with a pre-action notice concerning his grouse with some sections of the CAMA, rendered the entire case worthless.

But responding to the objection, Mr Ekpenyong said he needed not to give prior notice to the lawmakers before challenging an infringement to his fundamental rights.

On its part, the CAC contended that the plaintiffs case was frivolous as there is nothing in the Companies and Allied Matters Act that affects his livelihood or infringe on his fundamental rights.

Towing CACs line of argument, the Attorney General of the Federation, argued that Mr Ekpenyong had no right to institute the suit.

The AGF said the plaintiff failed to demonstrate any special grievance or immediate danger or injury he has suffered or will suffer above the general public.

As Nigerias chief law officer, the Attorney-General said the parliament has powers to make, amend, alter and repeal Acts and laws it had enacted.

Judgement

In deciding the suit on 18 April, the judge, James Omotosho, said Mr Ekpenyong had the right to have filed the action.

The judge explained that in interrogating the issue of a plaintiffs capacity to institute a suit, they must show how their rights were infringed upon by the defendant.

The clear implication of the above is that provided the suit is predicated on enforcement of fundamental rights, lack of locus standi will not impede its progress, Mr Omotosho said.

The judge further noted that Mr Ekpenyong is clothed with requisite locus standi to institute and maintain this action.

While the judge overrruled the AGFs preliminary the objection, he upheld the National Assemblys argument over the plaintiffs failure to serve it a pre-action notice.

Mr Omotosho said statutory bodies must be served with a notice of intention to sue them.

Deciding the crux of the suit, the judge held that the provisions of Sections 839 to 848 give too much powers over the affairs of an incorporated trustees.

Citing the the CAMA section which empowered the commission to appoint interim managers over the affairs of an association where there is an issue of mismanagement, the court found the provisions as violation of the tenets of freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

In addition, Mr Omotosho noted that the phrase, in the opinion of the commission is too vague, saying, the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association will invariably be subject to the whims of the commission.

Resolving the issue of usurpation of courts adjudicatory powers, the judge held, This court will not allow the provision of any other statute to oust its jurisdiction conferred on it by the constitution.

Speaking further on the ouster of the courts powers, he said section 851 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 is hereby declared null and void for ousting the jurisdiction of this court.

In striking down the provisions, the judge said, every citizen of Nigeria is guaranteed the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and any law which threatens these rights will be struck down.

Consequently, the said sections are hereby struck down for being inconsistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic ofNigeria.

Struck down sections of CAMA are dead

Lawyers weighing on the courts decision, said the struck down sections of the CAMA are dead.

A constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, said those provisions that were struck down are dead.

Those provisions are now vacuous, hollow. They are inoperative, Mr Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and law professor, said.

Mr Ozekhome pointed out that the CAC must know its limits, and must avoid dabbling into religious matters and incorporated bodies.

In a similar manner Liborous Oshioma, a Lagos-based lawyer, said though the sections struck down by the court still remain in the books, but they have been invalidated.

He explained if the commission decides to enforce those sections, the citizens could resist them.

In the eyes of the law, the sections struck down by the court are dead.

Mr Oshioma, however, added that the struck down sections of the law could only regain their validity if restored by courts of superior jurisdiction.

The spokesperson for the AGF, Umar Gwandu could not be reached for comments on the judgement as of press time.

But the CAC expressed dissatisfaction with the judgement.

Dominic Inyang, the Head Of Public Affairs Unit at CAC told this newspaper on Tuesday that, The commission is not satisfied with the judgement, and has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal.

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted reports making the rounds online that it has banned Indomie Instant Noodles. The regulatory body said this on Monday through its Director-General, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, a pharmacist and professor. She remarked that the products flagged by both Taiwan and Malaysian health authorities for having traces of ethylene oxide are not registered in Nigeria. NAFDAC has said it will conduct tests on noodles produced in Nigeria to ensure that they do not contain ethylene oxide.

According to the Director-General, NAFDAC did not ban Indomie Instant Noodles produced in Nigeria. NAFDAC has registered several local manufacturers and the Indomie noodles have been certified safe for consumption. The Taiwan and Malaysia noodles have nothing to do with our local producers.

The statement offers assurance to consumers who have been exposed to a series of misleading publications that the product was banned by the regulator. The flood of local publications came up after the alleged detection of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing substance found in Indomies special chicken flavour in Taiwan, and Malaysia by health officials in both countries.

Speaking on the issue, the Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Limited, Tope Ashiwaju, said, We would like to assure our valued customers in Nigeria that all packs of Indomie Instant Noodles consumed in Nigeria are produced locally under strict international best manufacturing procedures with ISO certified standards.

Our commitment to international good manufacturing processes is unwavering and the quality in every pack of instant noodles produced in all our factories in Nigeria is non-negotiable.

We adhere strictly to the standard procedures set by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) in all our manufacturing processes. We use only the finest ingredients, sourced from reputable suppliers, and our production facilities are regularly inspected and audited to ensure that they meet the highest standards, he said.

The Indomie Instant Noodles consumed in Nigeria is produced locally by Dufil Prima Foods Limited and had produced Indomie Instant Noodle in Nigeria for almost three decades.

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A corruption-tainted London mansion that the Buhari administration had targeted for confiscation now belongs to Nigerias president-elect Bola Tinubus son through an offshore shell company, which is also linked to the politicians surrogates.

The Tinubu connection with the property  32 Grove End Road, London  as well as its link with a petrodollar fraud investigation in Nigeria was first revealed by PREMIUM TIMES as part of the Pandora Papers investigation. But in a new report on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Seyi Tinubu is a beneficial owner of the property through shell company Aranda Overseas Corporations, citing UK company documents.

Using leaked documents from Pandora Papers, PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that Aranda was incorporated in November 1999 in the British Virgin Islands by Mr Tinubus trusted surrogates  Gboyega Oyetola, former governor of Osun State, and friend Eluyemi Eludoyin. The incorporation was done months after Mr Tinubu assumed power as governor of Nigerias business capital Lagos State.

But Seyi Tinubus connection has only just been revealed by Bloomberg after the UK enacted a new law requiring foreign companies investing in the countrys property market to declare their beneficial owners. Mr Tinubu and his son, Seyi, refused to respond to enquiries by Bloomberg on the matter.

Seyi, who was active in his fathers campaign, is a businessman, known for his interest in advertising.

Bought from a fugitive at 8 million discount

Documents obtained from the UK property register revealed that in July 2013, the property with title number 340992, was bought for 11.95 million by Zavlil Holdings Ltd, a shell company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, a notorious tax haven. Further documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that Zavlil Holdings Limited is owned by Kolawole Aluko, an international fugitive wanted by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria and the United States for money laundering.

Kola Aluko and his associate, Jide Omokore, were indicted in the US and Nigeria for multi-million-dollar fraud and money laundering violations allegedly in collusion with a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

In 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria filed a Mareva injunction at a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking to confiscate a list of properties belonging to Messrs Aluko and Omokore valued at $1.8 billion.

A Mareva injunction is a court order which freezes the assets of a defendant pending the outcome of litigation.

In the suit against Messrs Omokore and Aluko, alongside their companies, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited, the Nigerian government asked the court to grant it seven orders to prevent the accused from disposing of the assets. The government alleged they were acquired through fraudulent means.

The third prayer the government made to the court was to grant it an order restraining the accused from giving any instruction, demanding, accepting, receiving payments and/or transacting, transferring, mortgaging or howsoever dealing in any manner with assets of the Defendants in both houses and land in Abuja and Lagos and others located outside Nigeria.

The government then listed 17 properties in Abuja, Lagos, the U.S., Canada, Dubai, Switzerland, and the UK.

Among the listed properties was Grove End Road, London.

The court granted the government all its prayers. In October 2017, an attempt by the defendants to dismiss the Mareva injunction granted on the properties was subsequently dismissed by Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, the trial judge.

But just around the time (on October 18, 2017) the court dismissed the defendants attempt to dismiss the injunction, documents obtained from the U.K. property register revealed that Mr Aluko sold the house for 9 million to Aranda incorporated by Mr Tinubus surrogates, Messrs Oyetola and Eludoyin.

The huge discount at which the property was sold is curious and raised questions of whether Mr Aluko desperately needed to sell the property even while a court of law had placed a freeze order on it.

The United Kingdom, especially the greater London area, is noted for its rapid increase in the value of properties. According to PREMIUM TIMES calculation of the likely value of the property when it was bought by Aranda Overseas Corporation done on the website of the UKs National Building Society, which is the largest building society in the world, the property should be worth approximately 17 million pounds. Thus, Mr Aluko sold the property at a discount of 8 million.

Mr Tinubu uses the property for his stay in London and photos from there became popular online when the politician was hosting political figures there while convalescing in 2021. President Muhammadu Buhari whose government had sought had targeted the property for confiscation was one of the guests.

Read PREMIUM TIMES original report on the property here.

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says the House will investigate the hard diplomatic stance of the Egyptian authorities in denying access to Nigerians fleeing war-ravaged Sudan.

Mr Gbajabiamila stated this on Tuesday during a meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubair Dada; Director General, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Social Development, Nasir Gwarzo; and other officials of government.

The meeting was held at the National Assembly complex.

While reacting to the situation report on the ongoing evacuation, Mr Gbajabiamila expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of the Egyptians during the evacuation.

It is also heart-warming that borders are now open in Egypt. But we will take it up in parliament to find out why they didnt open the borders in time, especially in a period of crisis like this.

We are happy that all 5,500 Nigerians willing to leave Khartoum have been evacuated and are on their way home to Nigeria, he said.

Mr Gbajabiamila also said the House would revisit the law that made the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) the agency responsible for taking charge of such evacuations for a possible review.

The speaker said this has become necessary due to the lapses observed in the current evacuation operations as seen in the overlapping roles of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Humanitarian, Disaster Management and Social Development; the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM); and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Giving the details of the evacuation operations, Mr Gwarzo stated that though Nigeria responded immediately to the situation by using a multi-sectoral approach involving his ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NiDCOM, the plans faced some initial challenges.

He said the isolation of Sudan as a country from the outside world with loose financial operations made it difficult to move funds easily for emergencies.

Mr Gwarzo added that the initial hitches had been addressed, saying that all Nigerians willing to return home had been evacuated by buses to Port Sudan, from where they would be air-lifted.

Our work is 24 hours on and we are in contact with all student groups.

Some of the videos you see on social media are a bit exaggerated and most of the issues have been well taken care of already, the permanent secretary said.

He added that up to five airlines, including a Sudanese carrier, would be involved in the air-lifting, while another option of travelling by naval vessels within a seven-day duration was also being considered.

NEMA had announced that the first batch of 1,600 Nigerians evacuated were expected to arrive in Abuja last Friday. They were however not allowed to cross Egypts border with Sudan

However, the Nigerian government on Monday said the Egyptian authorities had opened their countrys border for 5,500 Nigerians fleeing Sudan to cross following the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.

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The U.S. Secret Service said Monday it blocked a Muslim mayor from Prospect Park, New Jersey, from attending a White House celebration with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests. He said the White House official did not explain why the Secret Service had blocked his entry.

Khairullah, 47, informed the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after he was told he would not be allowed to attend the event.

The group has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBI's dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals. The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries.

It left me baffled, shocked and disappointed," Khairullah said in a telephone interview as he made his way home to New Jersey on Monday evening. Its not a matter of I didnt get to go to a party. Its why I did not go. And its a list that has targeted me because of my identity. And I dont think the highest office in the United States should be down with such profiling.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but declined to detail why.

Khairullah was elected to a fifth term as the borough's mayor in January.

While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening, Guglielmi said in a statement. Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.

The White House declined to comment.

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of CAIR, called the move wholly unacceptable and insulting.

"If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has? Maksut said.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey where his wife has family.

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governor's mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assad's government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the town's mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.

I am Syrian and you know it was very difficult to see what we saw on TV and and social media, and not respond to help people, he said. I mean we felt very helpless.

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Minna Operation Office, has alerted Kwara residents of an impending flood this year.

The agency advised village and district heads as well as religious leaders, especially those at community levels, to begin the preparations in order to mitigate the effect of the flood.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Head of NEMA Operation in Minna, Zainab Suleiman-Saidu, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Monday.

She said that the alert became necessary following the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released by the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the 2023 seasonal climate prediction by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET).

She added that the two reports are products of scientific research that revealed that the country would suffer the possibility of flood in three categories, including high, moderate and low flood risks.

He said further that the report also identified Kwara as among the high flood-risk states.

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She, therefore, advised the community leaders to urgently lead the people of their various communities in identifying drainages/culverts that are blocked to be cleared.

The agency also urged the community leaders to sensitise people who have built on flood plains and those living along river banks to relocate to safer and higher places.

According to the 2023 AFO, flood is expected to occur in the state from the months of August, September and October.

It is very clear that 2023 flood threatens not only the rural dwellers who reside along river banks because urban flood is also very highly expected in metropolitan towns in Kwara state.

Prevention is not only better but also cheaper, the agency strongly believes that when these warnings are heeded, the lives and properties of people will be saved, she added.

(NAN)

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Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has threatened to cut salaries of workers who fail to go to work on Monday in compliance with the infamous sit-at-home order usually enforced by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Mr Soludo stated this on Monday while addressing the state workers during the 2023 May Day celebration held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, according to a report by the Punch.

The governor said the Monday sit-at-home had become an excuse for workers to stop coming to work on Mondays, insisting that such would not continue under his watch.

Monday sit-at-home has become an excuse for workers to stop coming to work on Mondays. This cannot continue. You cannot be working for just four days a week and earn full salaries.

We must get back to working on Mondays. If we do not go to work, we must not get our full salary. We must be paid proportionally with the number of days we work. If we must continue staying away from work on Mondays, then we will start coming to work on Saturday, he said.

Mr Soludo said he had increased the workers salaries by 10 per cent in December and pleaded with them to start coming to work on Mondays.

Background

IPOB, in August 2021, introduced the sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-east to pressure the Nigerian government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is on trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged terrorism.

The separatist group later suspended the order, in preference for the order to be implemented only on the days Mr Kanu appears in court.

But despite its suspension, residents of the five South-east states  Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra  have been observing the Monday sit-at-home order, mostly out of fear.

Some residents and motorists, including commuters, have been attacked lately by gunmen for stepping out of their homes on Monday and other declared sit-at-home days.

IPOB under the leadership of Mr Kanu has repeatedly disowned the enforcers of the Monday sit-at-home in the region.

It maintained that the Monday sit-at-home remains suspended and described those behind the civil action as criminals attempting to blackmail the secessionist group.

IPOB is leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the south-south Nigeria.

A factional IPOB leader, Simon Ekpa, has been accused of being behind the continued sit-at-home orders in the region.

Mr Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen has repeatedly declared sit-at-home orders across the region.

Aside from the Monday sit-at-home, the IPOB factional leader has been declaring sit-at-home in the region via his social media handles, mainly Twitter.

Mr Soludo, on his part, had made unsuccessful attempts to stop the civil action in Anambra, shortly after being sworn-in as the governor of the state.

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An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday remanded the driver of a Lagos State staff bus, Oluwaseun Osibanjo, for running the vehicle into a moving train, causing grievous harm and involuntary manslaughter to the passengers.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala ordered that Mr Osibanjo be remanded at the appropriate custodial centre, pending the filing and hearing of his bail application.

Mrs Ogala adjourned the case until 26 May for the commencement of trial.

Mr Osibanjo was arraigned on a 16-count charge bordering on involuntary manslaughter and grievous harm.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Babajide Martins, had asked the court for a trial date as well as for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional facility.

Mr Martins told the court that the defendant committed the offences on 9 March at about 7 a.m. on Shogunle Level Crossing, Ikeja.

He submitted that the defendant ignored warning signals and ran into an oncoming train and negligently killed one OreOluwa Aina, as well as Tolulope Emmanuel, Olayinka Rokosu, Ganiyat Salaudeen, Lasisi Isah and Victoria Dada.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant inflicted grievous harm on Bolanle Ogunbunmi, Ayomide Shobowale, Sarah Adeleye, Abiola Olarewaju, Esther Ekundayo, Samuel Fagbola and Ismail Bakare.

Others, he said, were Ayuib Arowoye, Rilwan Abdulazeez and Shiyanbola Murtala.

According to him, the alleged offences contravened the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015

The defence counsel, Lekan Egberongbe, however, prayed the court to remand the defendant in police custody, due to his health reasons.

The defendant was brought from the Federal Medical Centre Ebute-metta this morning my lord. I plead with the court while we await the trial date to allow him to be remanded with the police.

The judge, however, said that the court did not have the medical report of the defendant.

The court does not have the power to remand the defendant in police custody.

If the custodial centre is served with the necessary medical report of the defendant, he should be given proper medical attention, Mrs Ogala said.

(NAN)

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President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of Abike Dabiri-Erewa as the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for a second term in office.

The presidents request was contained in a letter read by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, at the plenary session on Tuesday.

Mr Lawan read the letter after the senators emerged from a closed-door session, which lasted for about one hour.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa is a former member of the House of Representatives where she represented Ikorodu constituency, Lagos State.

She had also served as senior special assistant to the president on foreign affairs and diaspora.

She was the pioneer chairperson of NiDCOM, an agency under the federal ministry of foreign affairs.

In a separate letter read by the Senate President, Mr Buhari also requested the senate to confirm the nomination of six federal commissioners for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The nominees include Ayogu Eze (Enugu State), Peter Opara (Imo State), and Hauwa Aliyu (Jigawa State).

The president, in another letter, also asked the upper legislative chamber to pass the Amended Financial Bill 2022 into law.

The upper chamber resumed on Tuesday after observing a few weeks of recess to participate in the 2023 general elections.

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday inaugurated a N9.5 billion Zuba Housing Estate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The president while inaugurating the 746 housing unit estate, said it would help check multi-dimensional poverty in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N9.5 billion estate which is located on 18.5 hectares of land consists of 16 blocks of 3-bedroom flats in a block of 8 flats.

Others are 32 blocks of 2-bedroom flats in a block of 8 flats; 14 blocks of 1-bedroom flats in a block of 16 flats and 5 blocks of terrace duplexes in 4 rows.

Mr Buhari said the provision of houses was one of the best ways to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop the economy.

He said that the project was part of governments efforts to curb poverty and provide shelter for citizens.

I convey my hearty congratulations to the new homeowners in this estate. Our promise of change has been fulfilled for you.

Housing supply is one of the indices of multi-dimensional poverty that challenges our people and the completion of this estate provides a solution for the beneficiaries.

The new homeowners who benefit from this estate have taken a step up on the ladder of prosperity and away from poverty, he said.

He commending the Chairman, Managing Director, members of the Board and Staff of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) on the successful completion of the Estate.

Mr Buhari said the project was another testament to his administrations commitment to lifting people out of poverty.

One of the measures that we have consciously deployed to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop our economy is the aggressive provision of infrastructure nationwide.

Such investments also lead to creating employment opportunities for artisans and other skilled members of the society.

He urged the management of FHA not to relent in delivering other projects at various stages of construction and development across the states.

The president also charged residents of the estate to consciously work together with the FHA to ensure the maintenance of the property and the safety of the environment.

Also speaking, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said 75 contractors were engaged in the course of the project, while over 13,000 Nigerians were employed both directly and indirectly.

He thanked the president for providing the leadership through his approval of appointments to the leadership of the FHA Board and management.

Instead of abandoned projects, we now have 748 completed housing units for Nigerians and their families to shelter.

Although many of the beneficiaries of this project will never meet the president personally, your policies and programmes have affected their lives, he said.

The Managing Director, FHA, Gbenga Ashafa, described the project as a manifestation of the presidents visionary and deliberate housing policy.

He said the Authority delivered the project at a total cost of N9.5 billion with the subvention of N7.5 billion from the federal government.

Mr Ashafa said that the balance of N2 billion of construction cost came from the Authoritys other projects which was ploughed into it to complete the estate.

(NAN)

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A woman activist has accused the newly elected member of the House of Representatives for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal constituency in Ogun State, Tunji Akinosi, of physically attacking her for intervening after his vehicle knocked down a street hawker.

But Mr Akinosi has denied the allegation, saying the hawker eventually apologised to him for feigning injury after breaking the side mirror of his vehicle.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, the woman activist, Abiodun Thomas, said the incident happened at Onikan in Lagos on Monday.

She said Mr Akinosis black Prado SUV had brushed the hawker and knocked him to the ground.

She alleged that the new lawmaker ignored the hawker who was groaning in pain, until Miss Thomas and other passers-by intervened to demand that he take the hawker to the hospital.

But, according to Miss Thomas, the rep-elect, who is the immediate past Commissioner for Forestry in Ogun State, instead engaged her in a fierce argument.

In a video of the incident seen by this reporter, the rep-elect and the activist exchanged abusive words such as stupid and foolish.

In the short video, Mr Akinosi was seen charging at Thomas who was recording the drama with her phone, saying Madam, if you do that I am going to injure you.

Speaking with our reporter, Miss Thomas alleged that Mr Akinosi then snatched her phone and smashed it on the ground.

When the driver of the Jeep alighted from the car, he was holding a side mirror, which had been detached from the vehicle. Nothing happened to the side mirror, the plastic had been broken. He walked up to the man who was still groaning in pain, and just said sorry, bye bye.

While he was about to leave, I said he could not leave. I insisted he must not be allowed to leave. Myself and about two other comrades went to the Jeep and asked the owner to come down from the vehicle and do the needful, either he apologise to the man or takes care of him.

When he got down from the vehicle, he was justifying the action. He said the guy was pretending so that he would not fix the broken mirror.

His posture got me upset and I started recording with my phone. I told him if nobody could identify him, I know he is a politician in Ogun State and a rep-elect. I said he is already intoxicated with power within a few months after the election.

He called me a stupid woman and I also called him a foolish man.

He told me that he would injure me. He collected my phone from me forcefully and smashed it on the ground. As I am speaking with you, the phone screen is faulty.

Miss Thomas further said she was dragged away from the scene by her colleagues. They were afraid of leaving me there with him.

She said she wanted to take the matter up, but her mother asked her to let go of it.

But Mr Akinosi disputed the narrative of Miss Thomas. There is no iota of truth in it, the lawmaker-elect said to our reporter

He said he neither attacked Miss Thomas nor smashed her phone.

A phone would be smashed, and the owner would not report to the police that is less than 50 metres away (from the scene)?, Mr Akinosi asked.

Earlier on Monday at Onikan, an individual hawking drinks in a bid to outrun his fellow hawkers to sell drinks to people in a bus in front of my vehicle hit the side mirror of my vehicle and the mirror fell down. The guy, coming to realization of what happened, quickly sat on the floor feigning injury.

My driver left the vehicle insisting he must replace the mirror; I was in the car receiving calls.

Suddenly people came hitting the vehicle, shouting your vehicle broke someones leg and you are sitting in the car! I came down from the vehicle to ask them if they really saw what happened?

I told them that as adults, assumptions in situations like that were wrong, I then insisted that we all take the guy to the hospital for verification and if truly he was injured I would take responsibility, otherwise he will pay for the mirror damaged!

At that point the guy confessed he was not injured and some other onlookers crossed over to tell the true story!

At no time was any phone snatched or smashed. A phone would be smashed, and the owner would not report to the police that is less than 50meters away?

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President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with the media on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3 internationally.

This years celebration marks 30 years since the UN General Assemblys decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom, and the president says the landmark is a tribute to media professionals, who risk their lives to keep society informed and educated.

On this years theme, Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights, President Buhari is delighted that the rights of Nigerian journalists have been protected and upheld in the past 8 years.

We have kept the faith. We have ensured that Nigerian journalists have had unfettered freedom to practice their art, and on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we recommit to that resolution, even as we wind down in office, the president says.

He charges media professionals to continue to be patriotic, work for the cohesion of the country, and exercise their freedom with a high deal of responsibility.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

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The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has announced that it will commence a verification exercise for the payment of the agreed 16-month severance benefits to ex-staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The verification will also include certified Next-of-Kin (NOK) of the deceased ex-staff who were in service between July 2012 and October 2013.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the bureau, Amina Tukur, it will collaborate with accredited labour unions of the defunct PHCN, including the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) to commence the verification exercise.

It explained that the schedule of the exercise, as published in three national dailies, will be held in twelve designated centers across the country in four phases.

The designated centers include Abuja, Kaduna, Jos, Kano, Yola, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Benin, Ibadan, Ikeja, Eko, and Maiduguri.

The BPE advises beneficiaries to strictly adhere to the dates and their respective designated centers as indicated in the published schedule.

Requirements

Ex-staff or certified Next-of-Kin are required to come with documents such as the original and photocopy of the letter of first appointment, the original and photocopy of the letter of confirmation of appointment, the original and photocopy of the letter of disengagement, and the original and photocopy of certificate of birth/declaration of age.

They are also expected to present two (2) recent passport photographs, a printout of one-month bank statement and BVN, original and photocopy of any means of identification (NIN Card/Slip, Drivers License, Voter Card, International Passport).

The bureau also said all certified Next-of-Kin (NOK) are to come with the original and photocopy of the beneficiarys death certificate of the ex-staff, original and photocopy of the letter of administration and evidence of estate account, and BVN of the Next of Kin.

In cases where the original documents are not available, all photocopies of documents to be presented must be notarized.

The BPE assured the public of its commitment to ensuring the success of the verification exercise.

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The House of Representatives has asked the federal government to suspend the planned disbursement of the $700 million in the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund to Nigerian shippers.

The House, in a motion moved by Henry Nwawuba (APGA, Imo) on Tuesday during plenary, called for the suspension pending the outcome of House investigation.

The Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund was established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, 2003 to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity by providing financial assistance to Nigerian operators in domestic coastal shipping.

The Cabotage Act provides that two per cent of the contract sum performed by any vessel engaged in Cabotage trade shall be paid into the CVFF for the development of domestic coastal shippers.

In his motion, Mr Nwawuba informed his colleagues that the federal government is planning to disburse $700 million from the funds to Nigerian shippers but that the lawmakers have no details of the total accruals into the fund.

He stated that there has been no reliable data on the inflow into the fund since the Act came into being in 2003.

The lawmaker added that the matrix, procedure and condition of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund are obscure and not transparent, and not wholly in accordance with the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, 2003.

Mr Nwawuba also alleged that the Ministry of Transportation and NIMASA have misappropriated the funds.

The Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has misappropriated the funds designated to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity, and the Act has not achieved its objectives, he said.

Consequently, the House summoned the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, and the Director General of NIMASA, Bashir Jimoh, to appear before its Committee on Local Content.

The House also directed the committee to immediately commence investigations into the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund to determine all monies that have accrued to the Fund since its establishment in the year 2003, and report to the House within 14 days.

In addition, it directed the committee to engage an external auditor to audit all contracts that have been entered into in the Cabotage regime and report to the House within 14 days.

Members voted in support of the motion when it was put to vote by the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

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Obeagu Awkunanaw, a community in Enugu South Local Government of Enugu State, has protested against the state governments plan to demolish houses in the community.

The properties, worth millions of naira, are inside the popular Centenary Estate, otherwise known as the Centenary City and on a large expanse of land, measuring 1,097 hectares.

The land  belonging to Obeagu Awkunanaw and some families in Amechi Uwani, a neigbouring community, was reportedly acquired by Private Estates International West Africa, an estate developer, during the administration of a former governor of the state, Sullivan Chime.

However, the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, in 2020, revoked the Certificate of Occupancy earlier issued to the developer.

The state government, through the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, late April, began an announcement on various radio stations in the state informing owners of the properties of its plan to demolish the properties.

In the announcement, the chairperson of the development agency, Josef Onoh, explained that the decision to demolish the properties was due to alterations by some illegal developers who violated the original master plan of the estate.

Mr Onoh warned owners of the properties to vacate the estate and remove their personal belongings before 4 May or face the consequences, saying that the directive was in response to a judgement of a State High Court in Enugu delivered on 9 February.

This newspaper gathered that during the 9 February ruling, the government obtained a consent judgement with the Private Estates International West Africa to demolish the properties in the estate.

Communitys position

But reacting, Obeagu Awkunanaw Land Committee said the consent judgement was obtained by the government without recourse to the community as customary owners of the properties despite applying to be joined in the matter.

In a statement on Tuesday, Gilbert Agbo, the chairperson of the committee, faulted the planned demolition, stressing that the ownership of the properties was still a subject of different litigations.

We have since filed relevant processes at the Enugu State High Court to set aside the consent judgment on this very pertinent and numerous other grounds, Mr Agbo said.

The chairperson said the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority and other government agencies should know that there was a court order obtained in 2022 against any demolition of the properties and implored them to allow the courts to exhaust their jurisprudence before any other actions are undertaken on the matter.

Also, at a press conference on Tuesday, the traditional ruler of the community, Mike Nnukwu, described the demolition notice by the government as heartbreaking.

Mr Nnukwu said the matter, which he said began in 2009, has resulted in the arrest, imprisonment and murder of some persons in the community.

The monarch expressed hope that Governor Ugwuanyi would intervene in the matter, adding that the governor would not afford to usher the incoming administration of Peter Mbah with parting trojan horse of crisis.

May I also say to my people: I share in your pains but I consider it important to stress that you remain peaceful and law-abiding and that as your leaders, we will continue to do our best to ensure that we preserve our heritage until we hand it over to the next generation as our fathers handed it over to us, Mr Nnukwu said.

I also reiterate my earlier appeal to security agencies. I implore you to decline to be used as tools to arbitrarily arrest our people, as has been the case before now, he added.

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French trade unions said Tuesday they would call new mass demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's bitterly contested pension reforms next month, a day after hundreds of thousands turned out against the law.

The fourteenth day of protests will be held on June 6, the unions said, days before lawmakers debate a bill that would repeal the retirement changes forced through without a vote by Macron's ministers.

Police said almost 800,000 people turned out across France against the pension reform on Monday -- the Labour Day holiday -- while the hard-left CGT union tallied 2.3 million.

The unions said that while they would attend new discussions with cabinet ministers on issues ranging from boosting employment among older people to reforming vocational schools, they would "reiterate their refusal of the pensions reform".

"There is deep defiance and dialogue can only resume if the government shows it is finally willing to take the unions' positions into account," they added.

Nationwide 540 people were arrested during Monday's demonstrations, including 305 in Paris, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

The capital had seen "a level of violence in the vanguard of the march... that far exceeded" previous demonstrations, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told broadcaster France Info, blaming "hooligans".

Darmanin said three officers were "in an extremely difficult situation" although not fighting for their lives.

One policeman was in hospital with burns to his face after being struck by a Molotov cocktail.

While there was no official figure for the number of demonstrators hurt as police used tear gas, riot grenades and other weapons, at least two journalists, including an AFP photographer, reported being hit without serious injuries.

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has described as absurd the demands by medical doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

In an ultimatum issued on Saturday, the association requested tangible steps on the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and payment of all salary arrears owed its members from 2015.

The doctors, amongst other issues, also demanded the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and threatened to embark on an indefinite strike within two weeks if their demands were unmet.

The association also condemned the controversial bill seeking to compel medical and dental practitioners to practise for five years before relocating abroad, noting that such would rather escalate the challenge of brain drain in the health sector.

But Mr Ngige while speaking during the morning show on Arise TV on Monday, criticised the doctor over the ultimatum issued.

He said the resident doctors are suffering from entitlement syndrome, insisting that the federal government has gone to great lengths to give them everything they want.

We have been managing their matter and have given them everything they want, including the residency training programme funds, we are paying them, even when in training, we pay them a full salary, pay them all the allowances and you decided that we have not done enough, he said.

READ ALSO:

As I said before, you have the option to go. It is left for the education and health ministries to fashion out what they can do.

On the new bill, Mr Ngige said So you asked that a bill submitted by a member be removed as a condition not to commence strike? That is absurd, he added.

The entitlements syndrome, the sense of entitlement is too much in this country and as I said earlier, you obey the law you look odd, you apply the law, you look odd or you are a wicked man. I dont have any apologies for whatever I have done in the management of trade disputes, the minister said.

Resident doctors

Resident doctors are doctors undertaking training to become specialists/consultants. They make up the bulk of the doctors in Nigerias tertiary hospitals and when the NARD goes on strike, activities are crippled in such hospitals.

The association had in January issued an ultimatum to the government to resolve issues affecting its members, including the immediate implementation, and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears.

New/Unmet demands

The doctors in a communique issued at the end of their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday and signed by their President, Emeka Innocent, said the government is yet to meet their demands.

Mr Innocent said the body frowns at the deliberate refusal by the government to pay the salary arrears of 2014,2015 and 2016 to its members as well as the arrears of the consequential adjustment of minimum wage.

The NARD President said many state governors are yet to implement the appropriate CONMESS structure, domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) or improve on the hazard allowance paid to NARD members.

In the nine-point resolutions, the doctors demanded an immediate increment in the CONMESS salary structure to the tune of 200 per cent of the current gross salary of doctors in addition to the new allowances included in the letter written by NARD to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, in 2022.

Other demands include: The immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals and the complete abolishment of bureaucratic limitations to the immediate replacement of doctors who leave the system.

Immediate commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed our members by the various state governments, notorious amongst which is the Abia State government.

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Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs and a senator-elect from Akwa Ibom State, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as the father of the nation.

Mr Akpabio, who spoke with reporters on Sunday after a visit to Mr Buhari at the Presidential Villa, said he went to present his certificate of return as a senator-elect for Akwa Ibom North-West District to the president.

The former governor of Akwa Ibom State is one of the contenders for the office of the Senate president for the yet-to-be inaugurated 10th National Assembly.

He said he told Mr Buhari about his aspiration and that the president was happy to hear that.

Mr Akpabio said he was grateful to the president for appointing him minister of the Niger Delta Affairs when he lost his re-election to the Senate in 2019.

He said he would introduce a lot of reforms if he is elected Senate president.

Intend to bring a lot of reforms into the Senate, in the ways and manners we do business, to assist the next administration to succeed. We will be very thorough in doing everything; well bring about loyalty to the Constitution, well bring about loyalty to Nigerians.

We will tackle issues through legislations to empower Nigerians and particularly the youth. The restiveness that we are seeing across the nation, well do our best to make good laws and to assist the administration to bring about policies that will empower the youths of the country, he said.

The reporters asked Mr Akpabio about his consultations with other lawmakers and his party, the All Progressives Congress.

Yes, we have been doing that, weve done a lot of consultations and theyve been very positive and well received. Its almost like a woman who is already eight months pregnant, just a month to deliver, he responded.

Wanted for questioning by EFCC

The senator-elect has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning over corruption investigation.

The EFCC a few days ago wrote to Mr Akpabio, through his lawyer, Umeh Kalu, SAN, requesting him to turn himself in at the commissions headquarters, Abuja, on 9 May.

It is unclear for now if the invitation was in connection with his activities while serving as minister of Niger Delta Affairs or during his tenure as governor of oil-rich Akwa Ibom

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Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, and Central Africa is emerging as a hotspot for these crimes. All four species of pangolin on the continent inhabit the forests of Central Africa and are classified as endangered or vulnerable.

Organised international criminal networks that previously traded mostly with African elephant ivory are turning to pangolins. Huge numbers are being trafficked to Asia, despite a 2017 global trade ban on all eight pangolin species, and domestic legislation in Central African countries to protect and manage endangered wildlife.

The transnational demand for pangolin products drives the continued poaching and illicit trade. The animals meat is considered a delicacy in Asia. Its scales are thought to have magical and curative properties that drive demand for traditional medicine in Africa and Asia. Border porosity, weak law enforcement and corruption on the supply side enable this growing crime in Central Africa.

In 2021, Operation Kuluna, run jointly between the United States (US) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) governments seized 938 kg of ivory and 34 kg of pangolin scales in Kinshasa worth around $3.5 million. The two foreign nationals arrested for trafficking wildlife products had allegedly paid bribes to Kinshasa authorities to ship the commodities.

A senior forestry official from the Republic of the Congo told the ENACT project that elephant and pangolin were the most poached species in the country. The forestry directorate says 20 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized at the port city of Pointe-Noire in 2018 and nine tonnes in 2020. Officials said these pangolins and their scales were smuggled from the port of Matadi in the DRC. Arrested traffickers over the years include Congolese, Malian, Lebanese and Chinese nationals.

According to the Last Great Ape Organisation (LAGA), wildlife crimes in Cameroon have increased in intensity and sophistication since the early 2000s and now include international illicit trade dimensions. LAGA is a non-governmental body that advocates for wildlife law enforcement in the country. Its Deputy Director Tah Eric Kaba told ENACT that pangolins are rapidly becoming extinct there.

At the source, locals form poaching cells to catch pangolins in their natural habitats. Criminal syndicates and buyers from cities such as Yaounde and Douala buy the animals and their products from these cells. The cartels, which include Cameroonians and Nigerians, export the pangolins to Asia through major transit nodes such as Douala (Cameroon) and Lagos ports (Nigeria).

Cameroon has also emerged as a significant transit country for pangolins trafficked from the Central African Republic, says LAGA. Traffickers bribe border and customs officials to secure passage for illegal wildlife products and provide false customs declarations.

The primary destination markets include China, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. A northern route through Chad and Sudan is used to traffic pangolins and other endangered animals to markets in Arab countries.

Pangolins, known as the guardians of the forest, protect local ecosystems from termite destruction. Their burrowing create s breeding habitats and shelter for other animals. Despite this, says Kaba, government officials generally perceive wildlife crime as low-level, resulting in poor responses compared to offences such as financial crime in the public sector.

It is imperative that the protection and conservation of this important mammal in Central Africa is prioritised. Officials in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo told ENACT that immediate solutions were needed in four areas: public awareness; increased funding for wildlife crime investigations; better collaboration among countries law enforcement authorities; and capacity building.

Civil society organisations working in environmental conservation and protection can help ensure policymakers prioritise wildlife crime through advocacy and campaigns. A good example of how to reach wider audiences is a recent documentary , viewable on mobile devices, that shows pangolins as the most trafficked mammal.

Allocating more funds for wildlife crime investigation and capacity building is vital to preventing and disrupting wildlife crime. Despite fiscal constraints, Central African governments budgetary allocations to police, customs, forest guards and prosecution services should reflect their commitment to stopping the trade. Such funding could help them develop wildlife crime prevention strategies and collaborative local, national and cross-border interventions.

International development partners could also provide funding and training to design and implement anti-wildlife trafficking policies. In Malawi, the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs assisted local authorities in improving the capacity of investigators. This helped dismantle some of the continents largest wildlife trafficking networks. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has also collaborated with governments across Central Africa to develop Rapid Reference Guides for investigators and prosecutors of wildlife and forest crime.

Such multi-pronged initiatives can build the international commitment and cooperation required to stop wildlife trafficking. It could also debunk the myths surrounding the animals medicinal properties, which would decrease demand.

Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Organised Crime Observatory Coordinator  Central Africa, ENACT, ISS

ENACT is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Security Studies in partnership with INTERPOL and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime.

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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President Muhammadu Buhari has described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a dedicated and loyal compatriot with a passionate desire for the development of Nigeria.

Mr Buhari was part of other distinguished Nigerians that extolled the qualities of Mr Osinbajo at the public presentation of a book in the vice presidents honour.

The president spoke on Monday at the virtual unveiling of a book titled Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of An Innovative Leader written in honour of the vice president by a team of 25 journalists under the auspices of PYO COLLECTIVE.

Mr Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, applauded Mr Osinbajos dedication to service especially in catering for the interest of the masses.

He thanked Mr Osinbajo for his selflessness and passion for excellence in the execution of tasks assigned to his office, acknowledging all of his visits to the different parts of the country to identify with the common people.

One thing that is admirable about the vice president is his passion for excellence in everything that he is involved with.

Besides all of his official engagements as vice president, we all saw this attribute exhibited by him right from the campaigns, how he ensured that the right things were done, he said.

In his remarks, Mr Osinbajo said he felt honoured to be celebrated in such a manner.

The vice president commended former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, for his belief in a better Nigeria.

Mr Osinbajo commended the elder statesmans impact and influence in major decisions particularly with regards to uniting Nigerians and promoting peace across the country.

READ ALSO: Osinbajo arrives in Nairobi for Mo Ibrahim forum

He also expressed gratitude to state governors and other guests present at the event for their support and cooperation throughout the eight years of his stewardship as vice president.

Other dignitaries who attended the event alongside Mr Gowon, were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

Others were Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, and the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Musa Akabe.

The former CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, former Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, literary icon, Chimamanda Adichie, and renowned broadcaster, Kadaria Ahmed, also attended the event.

(NAN)

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila says interagency disagreements is to be blamed for the challenges that have dogged the evacuation of Nigerians from war-ravaged Sudan.

Mr Gbajabiamila stated this on Tuesday in his speech at the resumption of plenary.

He stated that the challenges with the evacuation are caused by interagency disagreements arising from overlapping mandates and the absence of established operational guidelines for such circumstances.

The House is aware of ongoing difficulties with the evacuation efforts and the federal governments response to the developments in the Republic of Sudan, Mr Gbajabiamila said.

To address the problem, Mr Gbajabiamila mandated the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, officials from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to brief the House.

I have requested the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to invite the honourable minister of Foreign Affairs and officials from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to appear before the House to give an account of the status of evacuation efforts, he said.

He added that the House will review the legal framework establishing the agencies to prevent future occurrences.

We must further revisit the statutory and other frameworks that have left us seemingly unprepared to respond promptly and effectively, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Nigerian government commenced the first phase of the evacuation of its citizens from troubled Sudan on Wednesday with the hiring of 40 buses.

However, the arrival of the first batch of evacuees has been delayed due to logistics and diplomatic issues at the Egyptian border, the head of NiDCOM Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said Thursday.

The Nigerians arrived at the Egyptian border but were not let into Egypt by the authorities there.

On Monday, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa announced that Nigeria had finally secured entrance documents to Egypt for the evacuees after the direct intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.

All the evacuees, over 5,000 people mainly students, are expected to be airlifted from Egypt to Nigeria.

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A magistrates court in Zuba, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned until May 10, the trial of a pastor of the House on the Rock Refuge Church, Uche Aigbe, who was caught on camera welding a gun during a church service.

The police charged Mr Aigbe, alongsude two others  Promise Ukachukwu, and Olakunle Ogunleye  with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, inciting disturbance and criminal intimidation which they pleaded not guilty to.

The court had on 25 April rescheduled the case due to the absence of a defence lawyer, Uche Uzukwu, ad fixed Tuesday for continuation of trial.

But the court had to adjourn the case against on Tuesday due to Mr Uzukwus absence from court.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command had in February arrested Mr Aigbe, after a video clip of him carrying a gun during a Sunday church service went viral on social media platforms.

The images of the pastor showing him welding an AK-47 rifle on the church pulpit caused a stir with many commentators expressing safety concerns about the pastors action.

The police subsequently charged the pastor alongside his two co-defendants, illegal possession of prohibited firearms and related offences. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Tuesdays proceedings

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the resumed trial, the defendants told the court that their lawyer, Mr Uzukwu, embarked on a trip, adding that they were in the process of getting another lawyer.

The magistrate, Abdulaziz Ismail, however, said based on Section 36 subsection 6 of the constitution, a defendant was entitled to a lawyer and had the right to defend himself.

Mr Ismail maintained that his previous order of hearing the matter week by week still stood, adding that the defendants were standing trial on a criminal offence.

The magistrate, however, adjourned the matter until 10 May for definite hearing in the interest of justice and fair hearing.

Earlier the prosecution counsel, James Idachaba, told the court that a new counsel called him over the phone, explaining that he had not yet gotten the case file to take over the case from the former counsel.

The defendants have made no formal application to that effect, until then in obedience to the court that the matter be heard on a weekly basis.

On our part we are ready and our witnesses are in court, Idachaba said.

NAN reports that the police alleged that the defendants, all of House on the Rock Refuge Church, Wuye, Abuja conspired amongst themselves, to illegally possess an AK47 rifle.

The prosecution counsel, said that the defendants got the firearm from Insp. Musa Audu, attached to Wuye Division, posted on guard duty at the said church.

He added that the defendants used the firearm for an illustration while preaching a sermon about faith in the church.

READ ALSO: Court reschedules trial of Abuja pastor arrested for wielding gun during church service

The prosecution counsel said the defendants made inciting and intimidating statements to the Church congregation that could cause alarm and breach of peace.

The offence, he said, was punishable under the Firearms Act 2004 and contravened the Penal Code.

(NAN)

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The House of Representatives has asked the government of the United Kingdom and the court in that country to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Ike Ekweremadu, a Nigerian senator, found guilty in March of organ trafficking.

The resolution was a sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) on Tuesday during plenary.

The House resolved to urge the government of the UK and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Mr Ekweremadu, a former deputy senate president, his wife and their doctor.

It also urged the Nigerian government to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family.

Background

Mr Ekweremadu, the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, was arrested and charged by MET Police last June for conspiracy to traffic a man, whose name was later revealed to David Nwamini (Ukpo), to the UK for the purpose of harvesting his organ to treat his ailing daughter.

He was arraigned alongside his wife, Beatrice and a Nigerian doctor.

The trio had argued that the man willingly agreed to donate one of his kidneys to the sick daughter. But they were found guilty in March by the Westminster Magistrate Court in what has been described as the first verdict of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act. They will be sentenced on 5 May but face up to 10 years in jail.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Nwamini was not a minor, based on the details provided by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and Westminster Magistrate Court last June.

The motion

Moving the motion, Mr Okechukwu, who is a close ally of Mr Ekweremadu, said there is a need for clemency based on public service.

He noted that the House must take Cognizant of the predicaments of Ekweremadus ailing daughter, who needs the financial support and parental love of her parents to scale through her dire health challenge.

Mr Okechukwu added that it is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus.

Speaking in support of the motion, Jide Jimoh (APC, Lagos), said Mr Ekweremadu has served the nation meritoriously, hence, the country should come to his aid.

He has served this country meritoriously with a very good record.

It is only God that is merciful. We are calling on the UK government to be merciful in this situation to ensure the lawmaker is not jailed, he said.

Before ruling on the motion, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the charges against Mr Ekweremadu are a departure from the character of the man he has known for 24 years.

It was a terrible shock. It is a far departure from the character of a man I have known for 24 years, he said.

Mr Gbajabiamila promised to write to the relevant bodies in respect of Mr Ekweremadu.

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The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Monday spoke on the leaked audio where he was discussing with the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, insisting that he did not call the 25 presidential election a religious war.

Mr Obi appeared on Arise Television where the anchor of the show, Charles Aniagolu, asked him about four times to comment on the leaked audio whether to accept or debunk the claims surrounding it but the presidential candidate initially tried to evade the question by picking up other discussions.

A voice recording which many people believed was a conversation between Messrs Obi and Oyedepo surfaced online after the presidential election. In the recording which went viral, Mr Obi was seeking the clergymans help to facilitate votes for him amongst the Christian community. He allegedly said the election was a religious war.

When the question on the leaked recording was first asked by the Arise TV anchor, Mr Obi responded by saying that he is fine with the motives behind circulation of the recording but never mentioned whether he had the religious war discussion with the clergyman.

He only pointed out that he had never been a religious or tribal bigot.

Whatever you call it, whatever anybody wants to make of it, it is fine with me. All I can tell you is that I am not a religious or tribal bigot. I just said it, whatever they are making about this is their business. I have shown you examples, several examples this evening of things that were said about me that are false, from dual citizens, from detention, from treason.so whatever they make it.

Let me tell you, I am not a religious bigot. Go and look in the history of this country and ask yourself how many people have been opportune to serve privately and publicly and surround themselves with Nigerians. I have said it before (that) I was governor of my state for eight years. My ADC, who I mentioned everyday is the closest person to me, is from Kano.

They said I demolished the mosque in Onitsha, I made Muslims to carry ID cards. My police commissioner was from Kano, he was a Muslim. My ADC was from Kano and he was a Muslim and I was asking people to carry ID cards and I was demolishing where they go to worship? Now I went to celebrate Sallah with the people in the mosque in Onitsha and they said it was me who rebuilt the mosque when it was destroyed under another governor. So I built the mosque but I was labelled as the one who demolished it. Where do you start? Mr Obi said.

When pressed further by his interviewer for clarity on the allegation, the LP presidential candidate denied ever saying the election was a religious war. He said he was only begging Mr Oyedepo to help him canvass votes.

For me, let me even assume it happened. Do you think I can just pick a phone and say religious war? No, there must have been a conversation. I was even begging the bishop to help me to ask his people to vote which is what I was doing for six months. Begging. I wasnt saying snatch it, kill it, take it, force it. I was even begging, which shows that I will continue to look for votes by begging.

There are so many things they have tried to do but everything is okay and easy to manipulate. Let me tell you those who have been manipulating people in Nigeria have been doing it but it is coming to an end because even those they are manipulating are now dying of hunger. So they will soon know who is a religious bigot, a trial bigot. I am not one. When I do pilgrimage, I send people to Israel and I send people to Mecca because I believe this is the way to go.

I can never say religious war. It was a conversation. Just like what happened to me in London, even if I was stopped, they can call it I was stopped or even detained. But to go and say you committed a crime the conversation around the election. I have said it that these people are trying to do these but I did not campaign that it is a religious war, what for? I am surrounded by people.

Mr Obi further said his intention to develop the country has nothing to do with being a religious or tribal bigot.

He said, These things like I said yesterday  development doesnt know religion or tribe all these people are saying. Let them show me the road they built. I have never seen a road constructed where only the Muslims are allowed to pass.

Like I said, those who are talking about religion in this country, can they show me where Muslims buy bread cheaper, so we can go there and buy the bread or show me where Christians buy the bread cheaper. They are only using these things people only bring the issue of religion and tribe because they are not competent, because they dont want to serve.

When the audio surfaced online some weeks ago, Mr Obi, in a statement he personally signed, said the audio was fake. He claimed that at no point in his campaign did he refer to the election as religious war.

His media office had also debunked the audio, describing it as false.

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The House of Representatives has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the last minute concession of Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The lower chamber made its position known on Tuesday, following a motion of urgent importance moved by Ali Halims (APC, Kogi) during plenary.

Mr Halims, in his motion, said the planned concession at the eleventh hour of the current administration is self-serving and not in the national interest.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Nigerian government agreed to pay $496 million to settle a multibillion-dollar claim by Global Steel Holdings Limited.

Attorney-General Abubakar Malami had stated that the federal government will pay the company $496 million instead of the $5.258 billion demanded by the firm, to settle the dispute.

The dispute followed the federal governments revocation in 2008 of an agreement that handed control of the steelworks and the National Iron Ore Mining Company to Global Steel Holdings Limited, an Indian firm. In cancelling the deal, the then Umar Yaradua administration said the terms of the concession at the time were not favourable to the country.

Why the last-minute rush?  Halims

Mr Halims questioned the motive behind the rush by the Buhari administration to concession the asset weeks before the end of the administration.

Why now? Why the hurry to concession such strategic national assets within a narrow window of less than six weeks? Why the rush to consummate a concession deal during this transitional period and not leave it for the incoming administration which stands inaugurated on the 29th of May 2023, he said.

He added that there is a need for a robust stakeholder consultation and adoption of proper procurement, due diligence and due process protocols are well adhered to and observed in the said concession deals and in the best national interest.

Following the presentation of the motion, the House resolved to invite the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, to appear before it in a plenary session to explain the details of the concession process.

When the motion was put to question by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, members voted overwhelmingly in support of it.

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Las, las, Alhaji you must apologise for that very dramatic departure. Na so dem dey do am? Haba! And we are not embarrassed to say we all miss you very much on this side of the divide. Almost two-and-a-half years after and its still not easy to accept that indeed you have japa-ed to the other side for good.

Ya A-l-h-a-a-a-j-j-j.!

Sorry, I forgot that for the first time in over 40 years you are not able to respond, as you typically would to me, with M-a-l-l-a-a-m or How na? even if you were half asleep, since the events of that late evening of Friday 11th December 2020 when you chanced us with that very dramatic exit.

Christmas 2020 came and went and you were nowhere to be seen. Then something happened and we went to Gudu cemetery on 28 December, 2020, not sure what we went there to do. We were at Gudu with long faces and tears that could not express our helplessness and surrender.

Then January 2021 came and you still were absent. Would you believe that some of us still thought that you went to Hawaii, your favourite destressing spot and just decided that you would wait till Jan 20th 2021 to witness the inauguration of your friend, Joe?

Then 6th of January 2021 happened and we waited for your creative headlines about the storming of the Capitol and still no news sai shiru kawai!

We thought again that kai it looks like you lost that your favourite pen without which you usually would struggle to write in that your authoritative long hand and be tossing out squeezed papers as if they were groundnut shells.

Then came 1 May, 2021, your 59th birthday, and you still did not show face.

Then we rallied on 11 December, 2021 and when we still did not see you, we began to think that kai maybe this guy is not planning to come back fa! But we said, Haba, Sam cant japa and leave all his immediate most treasured Troupe of Six, together with his immediate larger family, not to mention his Leadership family and friendsba zai iya ba; him no fit.

Alhaji, believe me when I tell you that sometimes I feel sorry for God because I know that you would not let Him and the angels rest, as you would regale them with stories of our national political developments since 1999 and your pivotal role in bringing about change.

Our conspiracy theories continued until some people managed to start talking about you in the past tense and then it began to sink in that e be like say Sam don go fa!

Alhaji, let me tell you, we have been poking fun at you at different times when issues come up trying to second guess what your opinion would be and how you would say it. This is one of the ways we have been trying to cope with your absence.

Some gratifying news. Your most treasured Troupe of Six  Zainab, Josh, Mary, Fatima, David and Esther  are coping as best as they can in the circumstance. But they all miss your noise and harassment.

Your immediate larger family is holding up, only that Mama could not bear your sudden and unexpected departure and she left us a little over a year ago to join the saints triumphant too. I dont know the protocol of things out there in the Heavens but I am sure you are keeping your ears to the ground.

You know another great news, Alhaji? Your LEADERSHIP is holding up superbly! I am sure you would be surprised and very proud at how everybody at LEADERSHIP upped their game and how the paper has maintained its position as Nigerias most influential newspaper, through authoritative news and opinions.

More importantly when we no hear your voice with all the politicking and the interesting and exciting things that started last year 2022 till now in our party, we knew that yes indeed, Alhaji don go true, true.

Alhaji, believe me when I tell you that sometimes I feel sorry for God because I know that you would not let Him and the angels rest, as you would regale them with stories of our national political developments since 1999 and your pivotal role in bringing about change.

I am sure that right now you are also disturbing their ears with, Didnt I tell you that Asiwaju was going to win hands down having won the primaries? This is our government and we are still in charge!

I am envisioning in my mind your Troupe of Six led by Zainab on some stage, whether public or private, collecting a posthumous national award in your name, maybe as a last act in office of your Oga? What joy that will give us and what a recompense that will be for all that advocacy and evangelism!

Ehen, Alhaji, I always forgot to ask you where you got all that gumption, ebullience and zest from. For a guy who never smoked or drank alcohol all his life, you had so much energy! You were always in motion, either physically or mentally, as something was always running around your brain!

I am envisioning in my mind your Troupe of Six led by Zainab on some stage, whether public or private, collecting a posthumous national award in your name, maybe as a last act in office of your Oga? What joy that will give us and what a recompense that will be for all that advocacy and evangelism!

Again, I am sure it is no surprise Alhaji, that we are still struggling with understanding the difference between politics and governance as a people.

And the states are getting away with murder because of the lack of appreciation that their continued emasculation of local government areas, directly impacts negatively on the economy of the states, limits the opportunities of citizens and is the major fuel for insecurity, restlessness and despondency that is gradually becoming second nature for us.

For reasons that I still struggle to understand, everybody is looking to one man in the person of the president to sort out our challenges. They conveniently forget that we have 36 state governors and 774 Local government area chairmen.

Imagine if each of these were focused on creating an enabling environment for their citizens to thrive. Can you imagine what the IGRs can become and the possibilities of the economy, individually and collectively? We remain work-in-progress and continue to wish ourselves the very best!

Las, las, Alhaji you must apologise for that very dramatic departure. Na so dem dey do am? Haba! And we are not embarrassed to say we all miss you very much on this side of the divide. Almost two-and-a-half years after and its still not easy to accept that indeed you have japa-ed to the other side for good.

Happy birthday my dear friend, Sam Nda Isaiah! You live in our hearts and as such no matter how hard you try, you cannot die!!!!

Harry Thomas-Odey is a member of the Advisory Board of LEADERSHIP.

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Nigerians in Sudan want to be rescued from a war situation. Their families at home want them to be safe. If Nigerian officials have nothing intelligent to tell us, the minimum that they can do is to bring our people home, and until they have something concrete to tell us, they should do us the favour of avoiding plainly stupid excuses. It is painful that a country like Somalia is able to rescue its nationals from Sudan and my own country is busy telling moonlight tales.

Sudan, Africas third largest country, is on the brink of disintegration, because two belligerent Generals  Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan of the Sudanese Army and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)  are determined to destroy their own country for selfish reasons. They were allies previously when they worked together to oust Omar al-Bashir, the dictator and butcher of Sudan, but now the two Generals have turned against each other. They are fighting over power and position, backed on both sides by powerful outside interests, whose main target is access to the rich resources of Sudan  gold, oil reserves, and gum Arabic. Sudan is the confluence of the White and Blue Nile, to form the great Nile. Egypt and Ethiopia have serious need of the Nile. About 10% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, around which Sudan is also strategically located. In the international community, there has been a scramble for the rich resources of Africa, since the colonial times, leading to the partition of Africa, slave trade, and the reduction of Africa to a source of raw materials to be exploited at cheap rates by Western and Eastern powers for their own gains.

The international community, for more than 100 years, has talked about a global community of values, the equality and sovereignty of states, globalisation, human rights and the common heritage of mankind but the same people who mouth these ideas the most are the most hypocritical. Africa is their convenient play-ground. Russia is seeking to control more of Sudans gold. It is backing the RSF in Sudan through the Wagner mercenaries. China also has its eyes on Sudan. Egypt is backing al-Burhan. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is pro-RSF. This is part of the drama playing out in Sudan: the hidden hands of hypocrites. But this had been possible before now in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Mali, Cote DIvoire and elsewhere because Africa has an unlucky supply of bad leaders. General Omar al Bashir brought Sudan to its knees, and instigated a civil war in Darfur. He ended up as an international felon and left behind a deluge. His country has not known peace since he was ousted in a coup in 2019. The same people who got him out of power are not better either: Generals Burhan and Dagalo have frustrated Sudans transition programme and now that country is practically in a war situation. Sudan is an apt illustration of the saying that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. Indeed the people of Sudan are suffering. Hundreds of them have been killed, thousands have been displaced, artillery guns are booming on the streets of Khartoum. Normal life is impossible.

As Sudan slips into chaos, and a humanitarian crisis explodes, the international community, apart from urging peace and a ceasefire, has embarked on the evacuation of their nationals in Sudan. Every country has a responsibility to protect and secure the lives of its citizens whenever they are in distress in any part of the world. We have seen that happen during the war in Ukraine, the crisis in Somalia, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing inspires patriotism and nationalism more than the feeling that your country truly considers you important. It is in this sense that we have seen many countries rushing to Sudan and getting their people out of harms way before the imminent blow-out. By Sunday, 30 April, Britain had airlifted about 2,122 people on 23 flights from Sudan through the Wadi Saeedna airfield near Khartoum. Yesterday, Britain further told UK citizens to head towards Port Sudan for an extra flight out of Sudan. Initially, the British government had said that NHS doctors without passports would not be airlifted, and that priorities would be given to British citizens and their families. James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary who had initially complained about complexity has since said that those without passports have now been included in the flight to Cyprus, before the final journey home. The Royal Airforce and the Navy are leading the evacuation exercise. They are going right inside Sudan and getting their people out.

Similarly, the United States has dispatched its special operations forces to Sudan, aerial surveillance assets and unmanned but combat-ready drones. A Naval ship  UNS Brunswick, which is a fast-transport vessel, was deployed by the Pentagon to the Port of Sudan. Two other ships are on the ground  the USS Truxtun, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer and the USS Puller. The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) based in Stuttgart is co-ordinating the evacuation. On Saturday, the US evacuated all its embassy staff out of Khartoum. Other US citizens have been ferried out of Khartoum in buses, guided by drones and other aerial assets. With China and Russia involved in the Sudanese crisis, and given the strategic regional importance of the country, Americas interest in Sudan is understandable. Part of its present mission is to ensure the Red Sea Security. The US is a partner of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Our key point is that the US, like 10 other countries, has moved swiftly to protect its citizens, and chosen to be strongly on standby off the coast of Sudan in case the situation further deteriorates. China has also sent a military vessel to Sudan to evacuate Chinese personnel. India, over the weekend, also dispatched a patrol vessel, INS Sumedha, to the Port of Sudan, with two Indian Air Force aircraft  the C-130J transport aircraft stationed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. India has so far evacuated 3,000 of its nationals from Sudan. Other countries that have acted pro-actively include Germany, Canada, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, France and the Netherlands. It is not an easy operation. On Sunday, a convoy trying to take French embassy staff in Khartoum to safety ran into a hail of gunfire. France has shut down its embassy in Khartoum. There is a race out of Sudan, as a 72-hour negotiated ceasefire and a further extension have failed, and bodies litter the streets, aerial bombardments continue, and Sudan begins to look like a convenient ground for geo-political warfare.

We have seen videos of Nigerians who are stranded in Sudan, most of them students, complaining about how they have been neglected by their government. We have seen families crying out for help. Nigerian youths are so aggrieved they have threatened to attack family members of Nigerian Embassy officials in Sudan. They say our Embassy officials are charging them $250 to be put on the evacuation list. Sudan is charging $8 per person

The foregoing picture leads us inexorably to one question: What is Nigeria doing to rescue its own nationals, about 5,500 of them, and more who are mostly students and who are stranded in Sudan? The figure is probably higher. Data from official sources in Nigeria are never reliable. Nigerians have been going to Sudan since the era of the trans-Saharan Caravan trade, and there may well be millions of us in that place. As the conflict in Sudan enters its third week, it is a crying shame that all that we have been getting from the Federal Government are excuses and such funny explanations that no serious country should offer. We have seen videos of Nigerians who are stranded in Sudan, most of them students, complaining about how they have been neglected by their government. We have seen families crying out for help. Nigerian youths are so aggrieved they have threatened to attack family members of Nigerian Embassy officials in Sudan. They say our Embassy officials are charging them $250 to be put on the evacuation list. Sudan is charging $8 per person, and those who have managed to get to the border of Egypt are being asked to cough out $25. While the Sudanese are fighting, Nigerians are staging a backward drama of their own. Nigerias Ambassador to Sudan, Safiu Olaniyan, has had cause to cry out in a voice note, appealing to Nigerians in Sudan not to attack Embassy officials. He made it clear that they, the Embassy officials, are as vulnerable as other Nigerians in Sudan, and that nobody should attack them. According to him, the responsibility for managing the evacuation of stranded Nigerians is with the Ministry of Disaster and Humanitarian Affairs and the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) back home in Nigeria, but that he and his team would continue to liaise with the Nigerian authorities. Can you imagine a countrys envoy throwing his own home authorities under the bus? It is not just Nigerians who are stranded in Sudan, it is Nigeria itself that is stranded. Compared to what other countries are doing, Nigeria looks like it has no shame.

Last Friday, I asked for explanations on another platform in order to give Abuja the benefit of the doubt. They had promised that the first batch of Nigerians would return from Sudan on Friday. Allen Onyema, chairman and founder of Air Peace Airline publicly offered to use his aircraft to airlift Nigerians out of Sudan, without charging a penny. His aircraft were ready. Since the Nigerian government had promised that Nigerians would be airlifted through Egypt, he went ahead and secured landing rights for Air Peace at his own expense in Egypt. The Aliko Dangote Foundation has also announced that it would partner with Air Peace to do whatever it takes to get Nigerians out of Sudan. Countries benefit from the philanthropy of some of their best citizens who complement governments efforts without expecting anything in return. We saw that during the COVID-19 pandemic when Dangote led a private sector coalition to provide help. We saw that when Allen Onyema went to Ukraine to bring Nigerians out of that country when war broke out. We saw that when, during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Allen Onyema took the risk of helping to evacuate Nigerians. But the Nigerian government always disappoints, and that is precisely what they are doing in Sudan.

Once upon a time, Nigeria had the dream of becoming a world power. We boastfully referred to ourselves as the giant of Africa and our leaders could call the shots across the African continent, and fight for a seat at the United Nations Security Council. When Professor Bolaji Akinyemi was minister of Foreign Affairs, he talked about such ideas as the Concert of Medium Powers, the Black Bomb, and Nigeria as a world power. The situation in Sudan has just exposed how we have lost it. Three weeks after the Sudanese crisis began, Nigeria is talking about how much was spent to hire buses that would evacuate Nigerians. Dr Sani Gwarzo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Disaster and Humanitarian Affairs, has given a press conference where he reportedly affirmed that Nigeria had set aside $1.2 million to engage bus drivers and that so far 26 buses have been engaged, each at a cost of $30,000. N24 million to hire a bus from Khartoum to Port Sudan or Aswan? He said the money was sent through third parties. Dr Gwarzo and the Situation Room on the Evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan, which he chairs, must be told that they have more explanations to offer. He said 40 buses were engaged, but only 26 have been seen. What happened to the $1.2 million then? There was even that ugly incident, as reported, whereby drivers taking Nigerians to Aswan, the Egyptian border, stopped in the middle of the desert and told the distraught Nigerian passengers to pay or be left there in the desert. They were there for five hours! The buses eventually started moving, only for us to be told again, yesterday, that one of the buses conveying 50 Nigerian students, tagged Katsina 1, caught fire. What kind of embarrassment is this? Are we serious at all?

What the hell is happening to African unity? Egypt has provided support for other countries. Sudan has not asked the Americans for money. Somalia took its people out through the Ethiopian border. Sudan is surrounded by seven African countries. Nigeria is being snubbed by Egypt. Cant we arrange to evacuate our people through another country? Or are we so hated diplomatically in Africa that nobody would offer our people easy passage? Why would Egypt ask Nigerians for visas in an emergency rescue operation?

What is worse is that the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), on Saturday, sent a Hercules C-130 to Aswan, Egypt to get Nigerians back home. The NAF crew of 14 left with food supplies, but that crew is stranded at the airport. What was meant to be a swift operation has turned into a nightmare. The NAF is being charged heavily by the Egyptian authorities. The NAF crew is stranded. In Sudan and back home in Nigeria, we are told that the country is having logistics and diplomatic challenges. After three weeks, nobody is sure when Nigeria would airlift its first batch of evacuees. The Nigerian Air Force crew of 14 is suggesting that it is better to use Port Sudan, rather than Egypt, which is insisting on visas and payments.

What the hell is happening to African unity? Egypt has provided support for other countries. Sudan has not asked the Americans for money. Somalia took its people out through the Ethiopian border. Sudan is surrounded by seven African countries. Nigeria is being snubbed by Egypt. Cant we arrange to evacuate our people through another country? Or are we so hated diplomatically in Africa that nobody would offer our people easy passage? Why would Egypt ask Nigerians for visas in an emergency rescue operation? This is clearly a failure of diplomacy. Every African country treats us shabbily, especially the North African countries. The only exception was Muammar Ghaddafi of Libya during his lifetime. He had a grand vision of African unity, but other North African leaders relate with sub-Saharan Africa only when they have something to gain. Please, where is the African Union and the regional economic groups in Africa? What is left of African integration? Has anybody deemed it necessary to summon the Egyptian ambassador in Nigeria? The NAF crew is recommending that Nigeria is better off evacuating our people through Port Sudan. Have we sent an aircraft there? Do we have a functioning naval vessel that can provide transportation from Port Sudan to Nigeria, or do we need to hire navy transportation?

Nigerians in Sudan want to be rescued from a war situation. Their families at home want them to be safe. If Nigerian officials have nothing intelligent to tell us, the minimum that they can do is to bring our people home, and until they have something concrete to tell us, they should do us the favour of avoiding plainly stupid excuses. It is painful that a country like Somalia is able to rescue its nationals from Sudan and my own country is busy telling moonlight tales. If they need help, let them approach the British and the Americans or even the International Red Cross, or perhaps the Chinese, without getting involved in any matter beyond rescue and evacuation. As I write, a story pops up that the Egyptian president has now approved that Nigerians can be airlifted out of Aswan after President Muhammadu Buhari spoke to him, but with stringent conditions. Are we supposed to be excited about that? Did Egypt insist on the same stringent conditions with other countries? For the past four days, over 600 Nigerians have been stranded at the Egyptian border. For two days, our Air Force has been treated shabbily in Aswan. The only thing to say is that when our people are safely evacuated back home, we would believe the endless stories. What a country!

Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos.

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Expectedly there are pressures on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on what to do with the Ministry of Petroleum. He will either follow the footsteps of General Abdusalam Abubakar, President Obasanjo or President Buhari by naming himself the minister of Petroleum. Or he will follow the footsteps of President Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari, General Babangida, Chief Shonekan, General Sani Abacha, President Umaru YarAdua or President Goodluck by naming someone else as the minister of Petroleum. It will be hard choice for the in-coming president.

Of all appointments to be made by the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, none will define his presidency more than the appointment of the minister of Petroleum. There are ministers and there are ministers but the minister of Petroleum in this country is in a class of his own.

He or she holds the key to the nations treasury. We shall know by the appointment the direction of his government. Petroleum subsidy to be or not to be. Our refineries will have a great impact on our future, and these are issues that the next Petroleum minister will have to determine.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has several choices over the appointment. He could appoint himself, like General Abdusalam Abubakar (GCFR), President Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) and President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) all did. After all, he is from the oil industry. He could appoint someone either inside or outside the oil industry. Or he could appoint someone from the South-South region, so as to compensate the people of that region. Afterwards the oil comes from their area. The minister of petroleum is not just an ordinary person in this country or outside it.

I remember Sheikh Zaki Yamani (30 June, 1930-23 February, 2021) who was the embodiment of the ascent of the Arab petroleum power and the face of oil embargo of 1973, who brought the Western world to its knees. I was in the Presidency during the Sani Abacha era and I knew the influence of the then Petroleum minister, Senator Dan Dauzia Loya Etete (78). We still remember the power and the influence of Mrs Diezani K. Agama Alison-Madueke (62) during the Goodluck Jonathan presidency.

Let us take a look at the schedule of the minister of Petroleum. My last check showed that he has more than twenty schedules of responsibilities. They are the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes, supervision of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), crude oil matters, OPEC matters, Nigerian Gas Company, Nigerian Liquefied National Gas, Department of Petroleum Resources, and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company.

Other responsibilities are the supervision of the Integrated Data Services, Eleme Petrochemicals Company, National Engineering and Technical Company, Petroleum Training Institute, Petroleum Equilisation Fund, College of Petroleum Studies, the Ministerial Tenders Board and Postings  where s/he is chairperson, research and development (R&D), Abuja offices and Housing Projects, and African Petroleum Producers Association matters.

The seven agencies under the Minister of Petroleum Resources are Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now known as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, established on 1 April, 1977; Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURC), established on 16 August, 2012; Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), established in 1973; Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), established in 1973; Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), established on 3 August 1999; Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB), established in 2010; and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), established on 16 August, 2021.

The powers of the minister of Petroleum Resources under the Petroleum Act extends to all segments of the industry and spans the policy, regulatory and commercial spheres. For example, in the commercial sphere, the minister is empowered to set the prices of petroleum products; in the policy sphere, the minister sets the policy priorities for the industry through policy pronouncements and directives; and in the regulatory sphere, and arguably most importantly, the minister has extensive powers to make determinations, prescribe anything required and make regulations and policies for the industry.

The minister is the apex regulator of the industry, imbued with wide discretions. The Department of Petroleum Resources carries out the day-to-day regulation of the industry on the ministers behalf.

The culmination of the ministers powers in the commercial sphere and his obvious conflict of interest may be seen in his appointment as chair of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), the national oil company.

To my knowledge, the minister of state for Petroleum or special adviser to the President on Petroleum Matters may carry out any of these schedules, as may be delegated by the Minister of Petroleum. No wonder General Abdusalam Abubakar (80), President Olusegun Obasanjo (86), and President Muhammadu Buhari (80), placed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under their direct supervision.

In 2002, the then House of the Representatives, under the leadership of Alhaji Ghali Umar NaAbba (64), from Tudun Wada Constituency in Kano, queried President Obasanjo for appointing himself as minister of Petroleum. That was when the House of Representatives could bark and bite .

The query then was that, Mr. President has refused to appoint a Minister of Petroleum Resources which action has occasioned the following: (a) that since inception of this Government in 1999 Mr President refused, failed and or neglected to appoint a Minster of Petroleum Resources contrary to the Petroleum Act cap 350, laws of the Federation as amended by the Petroleum (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 1998 and thereby authorising the performance of or performing yourself the functions of the Minister of Petroleum Resources (b) that in breach of Section 9 (1) d III laws of the Federation 1990 appointed the Committee which has increased the prices of petroleum products which function is that of a Minister of Petroleum Resources under the said Act, which Act constitutes a gross misconduct (c) that a process of establishing the refineries through bidding was established and provisional licenses were issued without the approval of the Minister of Petroleum as required by 3 (1) of the Petroleum Act which Action amounts to gross misconduct.

President Olusegun Obasanjos response was that Under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, the Executive powers of the Federation are vested in the President who may exercise same directly or through the Vice President, Ministers or officers in the public service of the Federation. It is apparent from the wordings of this section that it is within my discretion to exercise these powers directly or delegate same to certain functionaries.

In the same vein, Section 147 (1) of the Constitution makes provision for such offices of the Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President. This clearly gives me the discretion over which office of Minister to establish. The Constitution does not specify the Ministries which I have to establish or the powers which I may delegate to Ministers.

It is therefore within my constitutional powers to choose not to establish the office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources and directly exercise executive control over petroleum matters. It is immaterial that the office of Minister of Petroleum Resources is provided for in the Petroleum Act as the provisions of the Constitution take precedence over that of an existing law in the event of a conflict.

President Olusegun Obansanjo (GCFR) gave his reply on 7 September, 2002.

The appointment of a Petroleum minister in this country has always generated controversy.

The pioneer minister of Petroleum was Colonel Muhammadu Buhari in 1977. It was during his tenure that The PUNCH newspaper published an alleged loss of N2.8 billion oil revenue in 1977. Chief Festus Remilekun Ayodele Marinho (30 December, 1934-21 January, 2021), Papal Knight of St. Sylvester, was then the managing director of the NNPC.

In 1977, the military head of state, Lt General Olusegun Obasanjo, set up a crude oil sales tribunal to investigate the operations of the Nigerian National Oil Company (NNOC), which metamorphosed into NNPC the same year. The tribunal found out that in three years, NNOC had failed to collect its equity share of oil produced by Shell, Mobil and Gulf. As a joint venture partner, NNOC was entitled to 182.95 million barrels of oil production. But NNOC did not find buyers for its own share, thereby losing a potential income of $2.8 billion.

The way and manner the press reported the story angered Colonel Muhammadu Buhari.

When he became the head of state on 31 December, 1983, he promulgated Decree 4, which gagged the press. Through the decree, he jailed my friends, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor of The Guardian newspaper. Several journalists including myself and Folu Olamiti were detained.

Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West (26 August, 1936  11 November, 2019) was appointed minister of Petroleum by General Muhammadu Buhari between 1984 and 1985. On 12 September, 1985, General Ibrahim Babangida swore in his first cabinet. Among those appointed ministers at that time were Lt-General Julius Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, Lt-Colonel Tanko Ayuba, Major General Domkat Bali, Professor Jubril Aminu, Rear Admiral Patrick Koshoni, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Major-General Mamman Vatsa, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, Alhaji Lawal Mala, Lt-Colonel Anthony Ukpo, Lt-Colonel John Nanzip Shagaya, Prince Bola Ajibola, Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman, Dr Chu Okongu, Professor Tam David-West, Lt-Colonel Ahmed Abdullahi, Professor Emanuel Emovon, Air-Vice Marshal Ishaya Aboi Shekari, Majoe General Gado Nasko, Brigadier Jeremiah Useni and Air Commodore Hmaza Abdullahi.

General Babangida retained Professor Tam David-West as oil minister.

He was eventually removed as minister and arrested by the Babangida regime for allegedly contributing to the economic adversity of the country. David-West was discharged and acquitted of these charges by Nigerias Special Appeal Court on 8 August 1991.

In 1986, General Babangida appointed Dr Rilwanu Lukman (26 August 1938  21 July 2014) as the minister of Petroleum Resources, holding that position until February 1990. In that role, he was also chairman of the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

In the transitional council appointed in 1993 and headed by Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan (GCFR; 9 May 1936  11 January 2022), a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Chief Phillip Asiodu was made the minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. Alhaji Hassan Hadeja was made minister of state for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

On assuming power, General Sani Abacha appointed Chief Donald Etiebet as minister of Petroleum. Chief Etiebet was a brother to late Senator Donald Duke Etiebet, my very good friend, who was elected the governor of Cross Rivers State in 1983. They were both from Ikot Ekpuk, now in Akwa Ibom state.

In 1995, General Abacha (20 September 1943  8 June 1998) removed Chief Etiebet and replaced him with Senator Dan Etete, who brought a lot of controversy to that Ministry. There was a time he had a quarrel with the then minister of Finance, Chief Etubom Anthony Ani (86), the son of Chief Michael Ani, the former chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO. The quarrel became front page news in most newspapers, with both of them accusing each other and Chief Etete threatening to dance naked on the street over the issue.

After the sudden death of General Sani Abacha on 8 June 1998, General Abdusalam Abubakar took over.

On 22 August, 1998, General Abdusalam swore in his cabinet. This was how The New York Times captured the event the following day. The story was titled Nigerian Strongman Names a Cabinet.

Nigerias ruler, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, released the names of his military and civilian Cabinet today, but no one was appointed to the important position of oil minister.

General Abubakar gave no explanation for the absence of an oil minister in an address to the new Cabinet, in which he told ministers to shun corruption and ignore politics in the months leading up to the restoration of democracy next May 29.

Officials said that a new department would be created to oversee the oil industry, which accounts for at least 90 percent of the countrys export earnings.

Ismaila Usman, a central banker with a reputation for discipline who was demoted for standing up to late dictator, Sani Abacha, in his demands for cash, was named Finance Minister.

Although General Abdusalam did not appoint a Petroleum minister, following pressures from his deputy, the then Chief of General Staff, Admiral Okhai Michael Akhigbe (GCON; 29 September 1946-28 October 2013), General Abdusalam appointed Chief Godwin Aretenakai Adams (27 February, 1938  7 August, 2002) as special adviser on Petroleum Affairs. Chief Adams was from Auchi in Edo State, while Admiral Akhigbe was from Fugar also in Edo State.

Chief Adams was a geo-physicist, reputed to be highly principled, and his tenure as the managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), between November 1985 and April 1990, would be remembered for a very long time to come.

He stood firm against what he considered attempts to undermine standards and plunge the sector into crisis, even at the risk of losing his job as the chief executive of the NNPC, during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

One of such instances was his opposition to the appointment of Alhaji Abba Gana as general manager, marketing of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited.

Although he was subsequently suspended from office by the government on account of his position in 1989 and retired in April 1990, Adams left the NNPC with his head held high and reputation unsoiled.

Following his appointment as special adviser on Petroleum by General Abdusalam, the assumption was that he would discharge his duty as minister of Petroleum. The assumption became grounded when he moved to the office vacated by Chief Dan Etete in the Federal Secretariat. Three weeks after, he realised that government officials in the oil business were not reporting to him but instead were reporting to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Gidado Idris (GCON; 15 March 1935  15 December 2017). Nobody told him that he was not the oil minister. He had audience with Alhaji Gidado Idris but the issue was not resolved. Several times he had meetings with Admiral Akhigbe, yet the issue was not resolved. Sponsored magazine and newspaper publications surfaced portraying Alhaji Gidado Idris in a bad light. I had a tight schedule visiting newspapers and magazines, shuttling between Kaduna, Lagos and Ibadan defending my boss, Alhaji Gidado Idris.

In the midst of the crisis, General Abdusalam named the minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Abiodun Oladosu Gbadamosi (1943-2016), an industrialist, a boardroom guru, and a good friend that I miss daily, to lead the Federal Government delegation to the OPEC meeting in Vienna. The Nigerian delegation to OPEC meetings is the statutory responsibility of the minister of Petroleum or anyone in charge of that Ministry. After the Vienna meeting, it dawned on Chief Adams that the Ministry of Petroleum was in fact under the Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar.

When President Obasanjo came to power in 1999, he did not make any pretence about it, he just named himself minister of Petroleum. He was minister of Petroleum during his eight-year tenure.

President Muhammadu Buhari followed the footsteps of President Obasanjo when he came to power in 2015. For the records, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) is the longest serving minister of Petroleum. Expectedly there are pressures on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on what to do with the Ministry of Petroleum. He will either follow the footsteps of General Abdusalam Abubakar, President Obasanjo or President Buhari by naming himself the minister of Petroleum. Or he will follow the footsteps of President Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari, General Babangida, Chief Shonekan, General Sani Abacha, President Umaru YarAdua or President Goodluck by naming someone else as the minister of Petroleum. It will be hard choice for the in-coming president.

Eric Teniola, a retired director at the Presidency wrote from Lagos.

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..OKOBI can be adopted as a collective empowerment mechanism by politicians and political leaders for the development of community entrepreneurs, fostering community entrepreneurship, enhancing employment, and advancing broader community development. This will constitute a significant shift away from the negative politics of stomach infrastructure to a positive politics of empowerment

The relationship between development and politics or how politics influences development is a critical dimension in understanding the political economy of Nigeria. Our partisan politics of acrimony often trumps inclusive development and marginalises the vulnerable in society. This sort of politics can only exacerbate our developmental struggles with poverty, poor education, insecurity and unemployment, amongst others.

Whilst well-functioning markets are important for economic development, the economy itself reflects peoples worldviews and priorities. As such, it is increasingly evident that the economic frameworks borrowed from Western economies are sometimes completely detached from the real issues facing our people and communities. Thats why they dont often work for us. This has led to calls to rethink the development approach, taking into consideration our peculiarities. Response to this call is at the heart of the One Kindred One Business Initiative (OKOBI) currently championed by the Imo State Government under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzodimma.

To advance inclusive business opportunities in local communities in Imo state, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Imo State Government, Professor Kenneth Amaeshi has articulated a unique local economic development programme, which he christened the Kindred Economic Empowerment Paradigm (KEEP) or Umunnanomics. This programme, which is meant to create and enable businesses, as well as enhance social and economic sustainability, in different communities, informs and shapes the OKOBI.

OKOBI is already gaining momentum with significant interests amongst local people and communities in Imo State. Some kindred businesses so far include farming, livestock, services, and manufacturing. These kindreds have also been empowered to explore access to both local and international markets. This is important, as it will further enhance their viability. It is expected that the OKOBI agenda will also reduce insecurity, as it is seen as a solution to unemployment. These businesses will be able to recruit personnel from their communities as they continue to grow. This will lead to improved employment opportunities in the state.

OKOBI creates a holistic and inclusive socioeconomic development solution for kindred (community) development. So, instead of treating voters as transient transactors, politicians who have the financial resources and social capital can actually help their constituents create community businesses that will ensure no one is left behind, in the true spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

It is obvious that OKOBI is an innovative approach to unlocking informal financial resources, transforming human capital, and building community businesses at the micro level (local communities). As such, it provides politicians and political leaders the opportunity to rethink their approach to community empowerment, which has hitherto remained largely transactional and created different forms of unsustainable and negative dependencies. Paramount amongst the approaches is the so-called stomach infrastructure strategy, where politicians prey on the vulnerability of voters, especially during elections, by offering them food and money for patronage.

The stomach infrastructure paradigm can be very problematic and unsustainable, as it focuses on the now, rather than the future, and thus cannot be regarded as actual empowerment. The stomach infrastructure paradigm also does not focus on the communities and how to create long-lasting socioeconomic outcomes and impact for the sustainable socioeconomic development of constituencies and communities. In essence, the stomach infrastructure paradigm is transient. This does not only undermine our democracy, but it also dehumanises our people and undermines their capabilities to function independently.

On the contrary, OKOBI creates a holistic and inclusive socioeconomic development solution for kindred (community) development. So, instead of treating voters as transient transactors, politicians who have the financial resources and social capital can actually help their constituents create community businesses that will ensure no one is left behind, in the true spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. When politicians and political leaders adopt and implement OKOBI as a socioeconomic empowerment initiative, it portrays their good heartedness and genuine commitment to meeting the needs of our people and progressive community development. This approach to building financial and human capacity, which empowers people and communities to grow socioeconomically, rather than to be fed, is rooted in the sense of service and spirit of politics that underpins political participation. This is absolutely essential.

However, for OKOBI to succeed, certain things need to be done. First, the implementation should be properly structured to enhance the tracking of investments and the performance and progress of the people and businesses supported. This is critical to measuring the impact on the people, constituencies, and communities, where the programmes developed have been deployed. Therefore, the starting point with OKOBI is for political leaders to understand the needs of the people and businesses in their communities. The result of the needs assessment will help with the development of strategic sustainable socioeconomic development pathways and programmes that will help address these needs and spur the human capacity and business acumen required to boost development for local communities.

By supporting informal businesses and local entrepreneurs in their constituencies and communities, politicians will be at the forefront of promoting conscious capitalism  i.e., a socially responsible economic and political philosophy that accounts for all stakeholders, including communities, towards sustainable socioeconomic transformation.

Secondly, for OKOBI to achieve its desired goals in this instance, accountability, transparency, data measurement, and management must be weaved into it. This is because the essence of adopting the OKOBI agenda is to ensure that political leaders are able to ascertain the level of development in their local communities, with the intention of addressing the developmental issues involved.

By supporting informal businesses and local entrepreneurs in their constituencies and communities, politicians will be at the forefront of promoting conscious capitalism  i.e., a socially responsible economic and political philosophy that accounts for all stakeholders, including communities, towards sustainable socioeconomic transformation. In essence, the implementation of OKOBI by politicians will advance the principles of a higher purpose, stakeholder orientation, intentional leadership, and a conscious culture in their communities. These principles, which are fundamental to OKOBI, will, in turn, foster collaboration, partnerships, and community essence, as they promote the sustainable growth and development of local entrepreneurs and the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship for community development.

It is instructive to note that OKOBI is not restricted to Imo State or Igboland. It can be replicated across Nigeria and societies where kindred structures exist and matter.

In sum, OKOBI can be adopted as a collective empowerment mechanism by politicians and political leaders for the development of community entrepreneurs, fostering community entrepreneurship, enhancing employment, and advancing broader community development. This will constitute a significant shift away from the negative politics of stomach infrastructure to a positive politics of empowerment, where politicians and political leaders strategically teach their people how to fish instead of giving them fish. This will be a win-win-win for politicians, voters, all citizens and our democracy.

MacDonald Ebere, an expert in practical political philosophy, writes from Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

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The outgoing governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, on Tuesday, restated his position that Nigerias ruling party, APC, should zone the senate presidency to the south-east region.

Mr Umahi, a member of the APC, stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari to apparently seek the presidents support for his ambition to be the next senate president.

I think that every region clamouring for the presidency of the Senate to be zoned to it is the right of such people, he said. If you look at the true reflection of our society, you will agree with me that the right thing to be done by our leaders without prejudice to their rights and thinking is that the South-east deserves the number three position.

The governor, who was recently elected to the Senate, acknowledged that the South-east did not give President-elect Bola Tinubu the majority of votes from the region but said the new administration needs the cooperation of the minority people to have a holistic nation to govern.

This is very important and I have always said that you can deliver somebody by the reason of the majority votes of particular regions but you also need the cooperation of the minority people to have a holistic nation to govern.

So, for inclusiveness, unity of the country and for everybody to be carried along, the South-east deserves the position and so far, nobody has been able to say this is the reason why the South-East should not be given that position and I am pleading for that.

Mr Umahi said leaders of the ruling party, APC, in the South-east worked hard for the party even before the presidential election; thus, the strides it made in winning other elective positions.

I know what effort we made as a people for the unity of the country. I know the way we were regarded and we understand that we are stronger while we are together and we made vows to our people while we were campaigning for APC, we assured them that we belong to an equitable and fair Nigeria.

Now it has come to a point where that position we took should be put to practice and that is what we are begging for because the chain is as strong as the weakest link and it is time for healing, inclusiveness as well as the time to move this country forward, he said.

The South-east used to be a major bastion of the opposition PDP until some of its governors including Mr Umahi defected to the APC.

However, the presidential candidate of the APC, Mr Tinubu, scored less than 10 per cent of the votes in the region with Peter Obi of the Labour Party scoring about 90 per cent of the votes in some of the five states in the region.

However, the APC won some Senate and Reps seats in the South-east including the seats won by Mr Umahi and ex-Abia governor Orji Kalu, both of whom want to be senate president.

The APC is expected to zone the positions of the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives to different regions but has yet to do so. Apart from Messrs Umahi and Kalu, other senators-elect from different parts of the country have also shown interest in becoming the senate president.

The APC won the majority of seats in the 109-seat Senate but could not win the majority in the 360-member House of Representatives.

The new lawmakers will be inaugurated next month when they will elect their leaders.

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Udaipur : HDFC Bank, Indias leading private sector bank, has introduced a Digital Distribution Platform (DDP)  HDFC Bank Smart Saathi, a state-of-the-art solution which is built on a robust and digitally enabled technology architecture that provides a secure and user-friendly experience to all its users. This launch marks a significant milestone in HDFC Banks mission to provide innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers. This platform will use advanced technology solutions to connect Business Correspondents (BCs) and Business Facilitators (BFs)to the bank. This network of Business Correspondents and Business Facilitators will boost financial inclusion by taking banking products and services to the last mile. The banks deep learning of semi urban and rural ecosystem has been utilised to develop this user-friendly platform.

HDFC Bank Smart Saathi was launched in Delhi by Mr Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, and Ms Smita Bhagat, Group Head, Government and Institutional Business, Alternate Banking Channels and Partnerships, Inclusive Banking Group and Start-Ups, HDFC Bank.

Also present on the occasion were Mr Mukesh Bansal, Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services, and senior executives Mr Dinesh Luthra and Mr Ajay Sharma from HDFC Bank.

Digital Platforms such as these will contribute towards fulfilling Indias vision of a cashless economy and true digital financial inclusion. HDFC Bank Smart Saathi will contribute by making banking products and services available, especially credit for rural customers, which will help in the development of our country. However, there are still behavioural changes that are required across some customer segments like farmers transacting at mandis, to make cashless India a bigger success. The Business Correspondents will help in bringing about this behavioural change, said Mr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services.

Over the next 12 to 18 months we plan to reach two lakh villages through a combination of our branches and agent network. The launch of this platform is an important step towards meeting this objective. The prosperity of rural India, where about 70 per cent of our people live, is integral to realising the vision of $ 5 trillion economy, said Ms Smita Bhagat, Group Head, Government and Institutional Business, Alternate Banking Channels and Partnerships, Inclusive Banking Group and Start-Ups, HDFC Bank.

Business Correspondents have traditionally focused primarily on opening accounts and transactions. HDFC Bank Smart Saathi, as a key differentiator, will enable its agents to offer over 40 banking products and services, including loan products. This will help in enhanced income generation for the agents and also help customers to access easy credit. The platform will also boost capacity building for agents and further financial literacy for customers.

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Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), South Western Air Command (SWAC) at Gandhinagar on 01 May 2023. He succeeds Air Marshal Vikram Singh Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, who retired on 30 Apr 2023.

On arrival, the Air Marshal placed a wreath on the War Memorial and was presented with an impressive Guard of Honour at HO SWAC, Gandhinagar.

The Air Marshal was commissioned in the Fighter Stream on 07 Jun 1986. He is an alumni of the National Defence Academy and passed out as the President Gold Medalist. He has flown over 3600 hours on various types of aircraft. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor as well as an Experimental Test Pilot. The Air Marshal has rich field experience which also includes operational testing of various weapons and systems, primarily on the Mirage-2000. He was actively involved in the operations and took part in many important missions during the Kargil conflict He has also commanded a frontline fighter base in the Rajasthan sector. Thereafter, he served as the Chief Test Pilot of ASTE, the Air Force's premier flight testing establishment. He was Air Attache at Paris from 2013-16. On return from France he commanded Air Force Station Jodhpur. He took over as Project Director (Flight Test) at National Flight Test Centre in Oct 2018, where he was actively involved with the development and operationalisation of Light Combat Aircraft TEJAS.

Prior to assuming charge as the AOC-in-C SWAC, the Air Marshal was Deputy

Chief of the Air Staff at Air HO(VB). F or his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' in 2022.

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Russia's armed forces said on Tuesday they were evacuating more than 200 people from Sudan on four military transport planes.

The defence ministry said in a statement the evacuees included diplomats, military personnel and other Russian nationals as well as citizens of "countries of the former Soviet Union and other friendly countries who asked for help".

The fighting in Sudan has killed more than 500 people, displaced tens of thousands and triggered an exodus of foreigners and international staff.

The conflict is between the forces of army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Moscow and Khartoum have historically good relations.

Russia supplied weapons to Sudan during the three-decade-long rule of former president Omar al-Bashir, especially after the United Nations imposed sanctions on the country in 2005 over the Darfur conflict.

After the fall of al-Bashir in 2019, relations between Sudan and Russia became more distant but strengthened again following a military coup in 2021.

Russia's Wagner paramilitary group has been in Sudan for years and helps guard the country's gold mines.

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Bureau of Land Management and NASA withdraw nearly 23,000 acres in Railroad Valley, NV from new

entry and use for 20 years

Railroad Valley Super-Brine Complex contains over 25 million tons of recoverable lithium (LCE), tripling

the United States' supply of lithium

The brine complex also includes high concentrations of sodium carbonate and strategically critical

minerals, such as boron, tungsten, molybdenum, and rare earth elements

CARSON CITY, Nev., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 3 Proton Lithium Inc. (3PL), a privately-held mining development corporation, today responded to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s withdrawal of 22,684 acres from public use in Railroad Valley, Nevada for twenty years  threatening to impact the company's ability to fully develop the Railroad Valley Super-Brine Complex, one of the world's largest deposits of critical minerals.

"We're surprised and incredibly disappointed in the federal government's decision to ignore 3PL's ongoing development of one of the largest lithium resources in the world, right here in the United States," said Vince Ramirez, CEO of 3PL. "The significance of this project is hard to overstate, tripling the United States lithium resources overnight. Railroad Valley is home to one of the world's largest deposits of critical minerals and could single handedly secure a 'Made in America' supply chain, ending our over- reliance on adversarial nations and bolstering our national and economic security. The mine and NASA could easily co-exist, but they have refused to engage in discussions, let alone find a path forward that would serve the interests of the federal government, the private sector, and national security. 3PL will continue to move through the permitting process and challenge this attempt to hamper our project and defend our valid existing mineral rights."

In its notice in the Federal Register, the BLM approved an April 2021 request by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to withdraw 22,684 acres in Railroad Valley from public use for 20 years to calibrate satellite activity with ground based light reflection studies. About one-half of NASA's acreage withdrawn is within 3PL's current mining claims. The order states, "The purpose of the withdrawal and reservation is to maintain the physical integrity of the surface and subsurface environment to ensure NASA satellite calibration activities are not invalidated or otherwise adversely affected."

The land withdrawal increases the difficulty for the company to continue to explore and develop its mining claims, though it does not foreclose the opportunity to successfully develop the Railroad Valley Super-Brine Complex.

However, NASA has previously stated that it requires only a fraction of the segregated acreage to conduct calibration activities. Because 3PL is developing a safe and environmentally responsible project that will not involve evaporation ponds, open pit mining, or acid leach operations planned by other projects, the company is confident that it will not degrade the playa or disturb the surface in any way

that would alter NASA's ability to conduct its calibration activities. Additionally, there have been hundreds of wells drilled in Railroad Valley, demonstrating that NASA has been able to conduct its calibration while coexisting with low-impact, third party subsurface activity similar to the 3PL project.

The withdrawal significantly impacts 3PL's 36,000 acres in Nye County, which represents the largest claim block in Nevada. 3PL's geologic team has detailed a discovery of layered salt deposits that are 2,000 feet thick and contain an estimated 23 billion barrels of recoverable brine. The mineral and resource composition of the find is unparalleled in that it contains high concentrations of rare earth elements and critical minerals, including high purity boron and over 25 million tons of recoverable lithium  one of the largest lithium deposits in the world and the largest known deposit in North America.

A recently published U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report has reported identified lithium resources in the world to be 98 million tons, with 12 million of those being located in the United States. 3PL's discovery has the potential to triple the United States' lithium resources.

In March of this year, 3PL submitted a Physical Exposure of a Locatable Mineral Memorandum Report (PEMR) to the Bureau of Land Management that details the resource and validates its existence. This PEMR was independently written by a former Chief Mineral Examiner of the BLM. The conclusion of the report is summarized as follows:

"3PL's analyses of new and historic drill cuttings was conducted in a credible manner and show commercial grades of lithium.Physical exposures of a locatable mineral deposit are present affecting 628 of the 629 subject claims as of the April 29, 2021, segregation date. Based on the physical exposures, the analysis results, the geophysical correlations with them, and the brine- saturated hydrologic nature of the enclosed basin, all the placer claims involved in the NASA segregated area are mineral in character."

3PL's findings are substantiated by an extensive set of data compiled from drilling, assays, geophysics, and subsurface correlations. The company has drilled three wells to the basalt strata at 2,500 feet, during which it obtained significant core samples and revealed numerous pay zones totaling over 2,000 feet.

3PL is working in collaboration with a number of other mining companies, in addition to the Nevada Mining Association, the Nye County Board of Commissioners, and others to oppose the federal government's withdrawal of public land from mining activity.

ABOUT 3 PROTON LITHIUM INC.

3 Proton Lithium, Inc. is a privately held mining development corporation founded in 2017 and based in Carson City, Nevada. 3PL is engaged in the exploration and development of lithium brine deposits within the Great Basin. The corporation specifically targets lithium and other strategic minerals.

SOURCE 3PL
Enrollment for the tournament starts May 02 2023, with a total prize pool of $100,000 USD

ABU DHABI, UAE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ADIA Lab , the Abu Dhabi-based institute dedicated to basic and applied research in data and computational sciences, has partnered with CrunchDAO , a research team of data scientists leveraging Web3 and machine learning to produce next-generation financial insights, to launch the ADIA Lab Market Prediction competition with a total prize pool of $100,000 USD.

Participants from across the globe will be able to submit their entries to the tournament at https://www.crunchdao.com/live/adialab from May 16. The competition will take place in two phases. Phase one will run from May 16 to August 16, when CrunchDAO will collect models from participants. In phase two, from August 16 to November 16, the models will be tested and winners will be chosen.

The ADIA Lab Market Prediction competition has a total prize pool of $100,000 USD with the 10 top entries receiving a cash prize and $40,000 USD available for the competition winner. Furthermore, top entries will receive a certificate of achievement issued by ADIA Lab. The tournament has already attracted many Kaggle masters and grandmasters, including four-time Kaggle Grandmaster Sudalai Rajkumar (SRK), among its participants.

ADIA Lab is an independent institution engaged in basic and applied research in data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-performance and quantum computing, across all major fields of study. This includes exploring applications in areas such as climate change and energy transition, blockchain technology, financial inclusion and investing, decision-making, automation, cybersecurity, health sciences, education, telecommunications, and space.

Based in Abu Dhabi, ADIA Lab is an independent, standalone entity supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), a globally-diversified investment institution that invests funds on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Horst Simon , Director of ADIA Lab, said: "ADIA Lab was created to play an active role in the global data science community, and our Market Prediction competition is a great way to reach a broad, diverse group to engage on a challenging problem. We chose CrunchDAO as the partner to host the tournament to leverage the predictive financial insights of the team's 2,000 data scientists and 400 PhDs. We look forward to seeing the creative approaches and ideas the participants bring to the competition."

Arnaud Castillo , CEO & Co-Founder of CrunchDAO, commented: "Abu Dhabi has established itself as an international hub for technology and innovation, with startups encouraged by the success of local tech companies and investors searching for the next disruptive technology. ADIA Lab is playing an active role in activating this ecosystem, and we are pleased to partner with them to launch this exclusive competition, which recognises CrunchDAO's machine learning prowess."

About ADIA Lab

ADIA Lab is an independent institution engaged in basic and applied research in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and High-Performance and Quantum Computing, across all major fields of study. This includes exploring applications in areas such as climate change and energy transition, blockchain technology, financial inclusion and investing, decision-making, automation, cybersecurity, health sciences, education, telecommunications, and space.

Based in Abu Dhabi, ADIA Lab is an independent, standalone entity supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), a globally-diversified investment institution that invests funds on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi. ADIA Lab has its own governance and operational structure and is guided by an Advisory Board of global thought leaders in data and computationally-intensive disciplines, to pursue its research independently.

For more information, please visit www.adialab.ae or contact us at [email protected]

About CrunchDAO

CrunchDAO is a research team of data scientists leveraging the power of collective intelligence and Web3 to produce and sell next-generation predictive financial insights. The community seeks profit from patterns in the stock market, using a democratic reward-driven tournament model to produce and sell trading signals that generate returns, regardless of market conditions, to top-tier investment firms and hedge funds.

The CrunchDAO tournament brings decentralized scientific innovation (DeSci) to the world of finance. Over 2,000 data scientists and 400 PHDs compete to accurately predict the stock market, earning rewards for their predictions based on the performance of live financial data. Follow CrunchDAO on Twitter , LinkedIn and Discord . For more information, visit www.crunchdao.com .

For Media Enquiries

Wachsman

Alissa Karpick

E: [email protected]

P: +353857810560

SOURCE CrunchDAO
Eastern Canada's Maritime Provinces and an enhanced New Zealand itinerary

also join the global travel portfolio

CELEBRATION, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The beauty and storytelling of Colombia, the magnificent coastlines and historical sites in Eastern Canada's Maritime Provinces, plus an enhanced New Zealand itinerary packed with action and adventure welcome guests traveling with Adventures by Disney in 2024.

Adventures by Disney, a leader in guided group travel, offers a brand-new 2024 itinerary to Colombia, the country and cultures that inspired Walt Disney Animation Studios Academy Award-winning film, "Encanto." This family friendly, set-jetting itinerary features visits to locations that inspired the filmmakers. Adventures Guides and local, knowledgeable guides connect elements from the itinerary to the animated film and share the cultures and history of the country. The trip includes activities

Headlining the new destinations is Colombia, whose people and cultures sparked the imaginations of Disney storytellers as they created the Walt Disney Animation Studios' Academy Award-winning film "Encanto." Now, the travel experts at Disney have curated a one-of-a-kind adventure filled with new discoveries and experiences inspired by the film, and families can go "set-jetting" on their dream trip and see the movie come to life.

"At Adventures by Disney we take families to destinations they want to visit around the globe and make it easy to immerse themselves in new places, cultures and experiences," said Nancy Schumacher, senior vice president and general manager of Adventures by Disney. "We are excited to include Colombia in our 2024 lineup, as this country has been an inspiration for Disney stories that are loved the world over. I'm proud of our team for thoughtfully crafting an authentic travel experience that celebrates this incredible destination."

Bookings open to the public on May 12, 2023. More information about Adventures by Disney, including the full line-up of itineraries in 2024, can be found at AdventuresbyDisney.com.

An All-New Adventure to Colombia: Bogota, the Coffee Region, Cocora Valley and Cartagena

On this new adventure, guests will be immersed in the diverse cultures and landscapes, get a true taste of the local cuisine, and discover the unique characteristics and beauty of this destination. The brilliant colors found in neighborhoods and architecture, the lush, green landscapes with towering wax palm trees and a kaleidoscope of butterflies, family recipes, traditional customs and music will surround guests as they embrace the splendor of the second most biodiverse country in the world through access and experiences as only Disney can provide.

From the moment "Encanto" directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush visited Colombia, they felt the immediate connection to the country and its people and knew it would be the home of the Madrigal family.

"Every Disney Animation film begins with research, and the trip we took to Colombia as we were developing 'Encanto' with Lin-Manuel Miranda immediately brought the story of this magical place and our wondrous Madrigal family to life," said Howard and Bush. "Colombia is a crossroads of Latin America, and what we learned about family, tradition, music, food and dance were central to the development of the film. Our hope was always that 'Encanto' could celebrate just some of the many different people and cultures we experienced in Colombia  we are thrilled and touched that so many people have felt seen by the Madrigals' story and now have this opportunity to experience its magic for themselves."

Highlights of this eight-day, seven-night itinerary include:

Visiting the capital city of Bogota , where guests will embark on privately guided tours of the Paloquemao Market and Historic City Center.

, where guests will embark on privately guided tours of the Paloquemao Market and Historic City Center. Enjoying Colombian coffee and visiting a coffee farm in the Coffee Region to see the process for growing and harvesting coffee beans. The nearby town of Salento is part of the inspiration for the setting of "Encanto," and the Cocora Valley features the tall, towering wax palms and butterflies as depicted in the film.

Experiencing a hands-on arepa-making class, a traditional Latin American dish showcased in "Encanto" by Mirabel's mother Julieta.

mother Julieta. Playing the country's national sport of tejo, as seen in the film.

Exploring the city of Cartagena, which inspired the film's colorful architecture and fabrics. Central to "Encanto" is the Afro-Caribbean influence, prominent in this city.

Trekking the dry forest near Proyecto Titi, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the cotton-top tamarins, a project supported by the Disney Conservation Fund. It was Colombia's rich biodiversity that inspired the magical ability of the "Encanto" character Antonio, who has the power to communicate with animals.

rich biodiversity that inspired the magical ability of the "Encanto" character Antonio, who has the power to communicate with animals. Snorkeling among the Rosario Islands, a collection of 27 islands home to more than 1,300 species of marine animals, vibrantly colored fish and plants.

Each travel party booked on the inaugural 2024 Adventures by Disney Colombia season will receive a signed lithograph of never-before-released artwork from Walt Disney Animation Studios. This piece of visual development artwork by "Encanto" Associate Production Designer Lorelay Bove set the early concept for the new door to Casa Madrigal that would be revealed at the end of the film  a symbol of the new miracle that Mirabel and her family create together through honesty and love. Bove's work includes such Walt Disney Animation Studios films as "The Princess and the Frog," "Tangled," "Zootopia," "Big Hero 6" and more.

Adventures by Disney is opening new doors, creating even more ways for families to discover a different kind of magic: the magic of the world around them.

For a complete itinerary and list of activities, visit Colombia Land Adventure.

A New Adventure to Canada's Maritimes of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

With Adventures by Disney, guests will enjoy Canada's Atlantic coast and Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, with an itinerary packed with fun-filled activities. The adventure celebrates the outdoors with experiences to surround families with the region's picturesque rivers, beaches, ocean coasts and gulfs, and enchanting landscapes at every turn. The eight-day, seven-night adventure includes:

Visiting an authentic maple syrup farm in Nova Scotia , learning about tree tapping and the process that brings syrup from tree to table, and sampling the locally tapped product along the way.

, learning about tree tapping and the process that brings syrup from tree to table, and sampling the locally tapped product along the way. Discovering the Wood Island Lighthouse and being at the heart of the Island's maritime heritage. The Lighthouse has served the community for more than 150 years, and here Junior Adventurers will enjoy their own special kite-making and flying activity as the breeze comes off the sea.

Exploring Avonlea Village , the fictitious community central to the Anne of Green Gables stories, and enjoying tea with a descendent of author Lucy Maud Montgomery's family.

, the fictitious community central to the Anne of Green Gables stories, and enjoying tea with a descendent of author family. Learning about the indigenous Mi'kmaq Peoples during a visit to the Millbrook Cultural Heritage Centre and gaining first-hand understanding of their Talking Stick sacred practice.

Enjoying outdoor family activities such as walking on the low-tide ocean floor at the Bay of Fundy, an onboard fisherman's feast, horseback riding, gazing at the stars during a bonfire, biking, canoeing and kayaking.

For a complete itinerary and list of activities, visit Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Land Adventure.

An Enhanced New Zealand Adventure

A visit to the island country of New Zealand is a visual delight on the recently enhanced New Zealand adventure. The stunning scenery, blue waters, snow-capped mountains, volcanic sand beaches and tropical rainforests provide an incredible and diverse travel experience. The 12-day, 11-night itinerary will take guests to both vibrant cities and small towns, with sights and activities that are authentically New Zealand. Slight adjustments were made to the itinerary to offer an even more hassle-free travel experience that fully immerses families in this awe-inspiring adventure. Itinerary highlights include:

Participating in the exciting America's Cup Experience in Auckland , the "City of Sails."

, the "City of Sails." Sharing an authentic Hangi dinner with a local family to experience the indigenous Maori culture.

Marveling at thousands of glow worms illuminating an underground cave among limestone formations.

Touring the National Kiwi Hatchery, a facility renowned for its kiwi bird conservation program.

Gazing at the dramatic geysers which dot the landscape at the Te Puia Geothermal Park, also home to the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere.

Traveling via the TranzAlpine Train upwards into the Southern Alps.

For a complete itinerary and list of activities, visit New Zealand Land Adventure.

Booking Information and Details

For nearly 20 years, guests traveling with Adventures by Disney have explored some of the most sought-after places in the world, and the travel brand's global portfolio has expanded to now offering more than 40 guided-group adventures across all seven continents by land, by river cruise and by expedition voyage. Disney-trained Adventures Guides accompany every trip and bring the magic to life. Their masterful storytelling, in-depth knowledge of the places visited plus their attention to every detail ensures guests enjoy a hassle-free vacation and foster lasting connections with every destination. The authenticity and immersion in the places and cultures visited, plus insider access and activities, are at the heart of every Adventures by Disney vacation.

To learn more about Adventures by Disney or to book a vacation, visit AdventuresbyDisney.com , call 1-833-223-0103 or contact a travel agent.

SOURCE Adventures by Disney
SINGAPORE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talented young minds from universities in China, Spain and Singapore have been hailed as winners of the 2023 Alibaba Global E-commerce Challenge organized by Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group ("AIDC") after a series of rigorous competitions both at the regional and the global levels.

The 2023 Alibaba Global E-commerce Challenge aimed to identify young talent from around the world that can help shape the future of AIDC. Open to university students and recent university graduates worldwide, participants were tasked to develop creative solutions to problems inspired by some of AIDC's real day-to-day businesses scenarios.

Since launching in March, this year's competition has received an overwhelming response with around 3,500 individuals representing 141 renowned universities from 59 countries and regions participating. After the intense regional rounds held in Europe, the Americas, East Asia and Southeast Asia, nine teams were selected to enter the global finals held in Singapore from April 27-28. The finalists vied for the top three spots by pitching live to a judging panel formed by AIDC executives, to present their proposals around market opportunities and strategies for some of the businesses under AIDC, including Alibaba.com, AliExpress and Lazada.

Team "Chunyi Capital," formed by students from Peking University, took first place of the global finals for their innovative approach and teamwork, while Team "Checkout Champs" and Team "Merlion Consulting," formed by students from ESADE Business School and National University of Singapore respectively, earned second and third place. The three winning teams were awarded prizes worth up to RMB50,000. In addition, AIDC will extend internship offers to select participants of the global finals.

"We were impressed by the insightful and innovative proposals by the finalists in the Alibaba Global E-Commerce Challenge. AIDC is committed to nurturing young talent in the international digital commerce space and we are excited to welcome some of the bright minds from the competition as interns with our company. We look forward to seeing their future success," said Lilian Jiang, Chief People Officer of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

"We are humbled and elated to have won the Alibaba Global E-Commerce Challenge. This competition has been an incredible journey, pushing us to our limits and helping us develop a deeper understanding of the digital commerce sector. We look forward to applying the knowledge and skills we have gained to drive positive change in the industry. Thank you to the organizers and judges for this opportunity," said Chunyi from Team Chunyi Capital at Peking University.

Several earlier participants of the competition, including HUA Wen, who placed third in the previous edition of the competition, have joined AIDC and made significant contributions to the team. Sharing her advice with this year's winners, Hua said: "When opportunities arise, don't be afraid to challenge yourself and don't let societal expectations dictate your choices. Life is about experiences, not just fulfilling a purpose."

To enhance the finalists' experience during their time in Singapore, AIDC arranged a tour of its Singapore office for all participants to allow them to gain a deeper understanding of its organization, interact with the AIDC team, and witness its operations in action. The experience provided valuable learning opportunities for the finalists and helped them gain a more comprehensive understanding of the e-commerce sector.

AIDC operates multiple international commerce retail businesses, including Lazada, AliExpress, Trendyol and Daraz, which provide commerce infrastructure and local market insights to support brands and merchants in serving local consumers with a wide product selection and unique customer experiences. The company also operates Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce founded in 1999 that aims to make it easy to do business anywhere.

To find out more about the 2023 Alibaba Global E-commerce Challenge, please visit: https://www.alibabagec.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067563/First_place___Team__Chunyi_Capital___formed_by_students_from_Peking_University.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067564/Group_photo_of_all_participants_of_the_2023_Alibaba_Global_E_commerce_Challenge.jpg

SOURCE Alibaba
AmeriVet Veterinary Partners wins two Stevie Awards for Growth and Community Impact

SAN ANTONIO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AmeriVet Veterinary Partners was named the winner of a Gold Stevie Award in the Fastest Growing Company of the Year in the 2,500 or More Employees category in The 21st Annual American Business Awards. AmeriVet was also named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award in the Company of the Year in the Business & Professional Services category.

AmeriVet Veterinary Partners Honored as Gold and Silver Stevie Award Winners In 2023 American Business Awards

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations  public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.

"We are simply honored to win, not one, but two Stevie Awards," said Thomas Thill, CEO of AmeriVet Veterinary Partners. "These awards reflect the dedication and commitment of our team, and the diligence that leadership has put into growing AmeriVet."

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 13. Tickets are now on sale.

More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year, among others.

"AmeriVet Veterinary Partners has demonstrated impressive growth in recent years. Its commitment to supporting established veterinarians who want to remain invested in their practices sets it apart from other consolidators in the industry," said one of the judges who reviewed AmeriVet's nomination. "The company's focus on culture and philanthropic initiatives also demonstrates its dedication to positively impacting the veterinary community. AmeriVet's significant revenue growth, employee growth, and recognition in various awards programs are all evidence of its success in the industry."

More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners.

"It is very gratifying for us to be able to recognize the achievements of such a wide variety of organizations, teams, and individuals in the 21st ABAs, and we look forward to bringing them together in New York on June 13 to celebrate with them," said Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2023 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

About AmeriVet Veterinary Partners

For veterinarians looking to adapt and grow their practices, AmeriVet Veterinary Partners provides best-in-class resources and operational support  reducing their day-to-day burden, so they can focus on what matters most. A one-size-fits-all approach is not in AmeriVet's DNA; they want their partners to keep what makes them unique and embrace what makes them better. Unlike other consolidators, AmeriVet is the option for vets who want to remain invested in their practices, both emotionally and financially. AmeriVet's goal is to preserve the legacy of hard-working veterinarians who have spent their lives building their practices and caring for their patients. AmeriVet has built an award-winning culture and has been recognized as the 2021 Business of the Year, 2020 Fast Track Award Winner, 2021 Fast Track Award Finalist, one of the Best Places to Work in San Antonio in 2019, 2021 and 2022, one of the Top Workplaces in San Antonio in 2021 and 2022, the 2021 and 2022 ACG Outstanding Growth Award Winner for the Austin and San Antonio region, No. 49 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals Southwest list, and was honored to be included on the Inc. 5000 list for the first time in 2022. They have a broad network of 195 veterinary partners across 35 states nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriVet.com.

Media Contact: Taylor Murray

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 281-692-8700

SOURCE AmeriVet Veterinary Partners
CAMBRIDGE, England, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amphista Therapeutics, a leader in next generation targeted protein degradation (TPD), today announced that Louise Modis, PhD, has joined the company as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Ian Churcher, DPhil, will transition to the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

In his new role, Ian will focus on leading the continued development of the company's proprietary degrader platform alongside Louise who will lead drug discovery to further build the company's portfolio of targeted protein degrader therapeutics.

"Amphista is growing rapidly as we continue to advance our TPD Eclipsys platform and pipeline. In light of this, we are expanding our senior team with the appointment of Louise. I am delighted that Ian has accepted the role of CTO so he can focus on his depth of expertise in TPD technologies whilst Louise brings a great breadth of experience in advancing drug discovery programs from target identification through to clinical proof-of-concept," said CEO, Nicola Thompson.

Louise has more than 20 years' experience in R&D across a range of modalities and therapeutic areas and joins Amphista from the CSO position at Mogrify. Previously, Louise was VP and Discovery Performance Unit head and sponsor of the Immunology Network at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Prior to GSK, Louise held scientific leadership roles at Boehringer Ingelheim and Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Louise received her PhD from EMBL in Heidelberg, Germany.

"Amphista has a truly differentiated approach to TPD and I am thrilled to join the company at such an exciting time," said Louise. "I look forward to working with Ian and the wider team to continue to build the pipeline across different therapy areas."

Ian said, "The rapid scientific progress we have made means it is the right time to broaden our senior team. I am looking forward to working with Louise as we continue to develop our technology platform and in parallel build our pipeline."

About Amphista Therapeutics

Amphista Therapeutics is focused on transforming the lives of patients with severe diseases including cancer. The company is applying its proprietary Amphista degrader platform to advance new approaches in targeted protein degradation (TPD). They aim to address the challenges faced by earlier stage TPD research and to realise the full therapeutic potential of this transformational approach. Founded by Advent Life Sciences, Amphista is a spin-out of TPD expert Professor Alessio Ciulli's labs at the University of Dundee. The company has raised over $60M to date and is funded by leading life science investors including Forbion, Gilde Healthcare, Novartis Venture Fund, Advent Life Sciences, Eli Lilly & Company and The Dementia Discovery Fund.

Amphista, the Amphista logo and Eclipsys are all trademarks of Amphista Therapeutics Limited

Media contacts:

Lynn Granito

Berry & Company Public Relations

[email protected]

+1 212 253 8881

SOURCE Amphista Therapeutics
Ring to Lead One of the Nation's Largest Criminal Justice Reform Efforts

Advocates and Leaders from Across the Political Spectrum Celebrate Hire

WASHINGTON and HOUSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Arnold Ventures (AV) announced Kevin Ring, currently the President of FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), will join AV as the new Vice President of Criminal Justice Advocacy, a role that will help shape criminal justice reform legislative efforts on the Hill and in dozens of states across the country.

Ring, who has led FAMM since 2017, is a nationally known and highly regarded advocate and strategist. He drove multi-million-dollar campaigns to pass sentencing reform legislation in Washington, D.C. and in states such as California, Florida, Oregon, and Tennessee. He has testified before legislative committees at the federal and state levels, and he regularly appears on national television and in major publications in support of measures to reduce incarceration safely, expand second chances, and make our communities safer. Most notably, he was a driving force behind the First Step Act, groundbreaking prison and sentencing reform legislation signed into law in 2018, which provided relief to more than 10,000 people serving unfairly long sentences in federal prison.

"I cannot imagine a more perfect fit for this role than Kevin Ring, who has been on the forefront of almost every major successful criminal justice reform effort for the past decade," said James Williams, Executive Vice President of Advocacy at Arnold Ventures. "As a formerly incarcerated person, Kevin understands how our broken justice system impacts every single American family. As an experienced campaign strategist, he has the vision to bring the right and the left together in support of data-driven legislation to make our justice system fairer and our communities safer. In his new role at Arnold Ventures, Kevin will have the resources and platform to scale-up this work, empower our longtime allies, and bring new voices to the movement."

Ring, who officially joins AV July 10th, will build and resource bipartisan coalitions at the federal and state levels to develop and drive evidence-based criminal justice reform policies and legislation.

"I'm honored to join the talented team at Arnold Ventures, the center of gravity for evidence-based policy solutions in this country," said Ring. "As president of FAMM, an AV grantee, I experienced firsthand their commitment to criminal justice reforms that create safer communities and stronger families. I am so grateful for this opportunity to marry passionate advocacy to smart policy, and identify and support smart, energetic, and creative advocates from across the ideological spectrum. I can't wait to get started."

At AV, Ring will oversee a powerhouse team of dedicated and experienced advocates, including:

Alyson Clements: Director of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former Co-Director of the National Juvenile Justice Network)

John Koufos: Director of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former Executive Director of Taking Action for Good and National Director of Re-entry Initiatives for Right on Crime)

Destiny Carter: Manager of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former policy specialist for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless)

Emily Mooney : Manager of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former Senior Policy Manager at REFORM Alliance and R-Street resident fellow).

As a surprise to Kevin, his friends and allies across the political spectrum, as well as members of Congress and impacted family members, contributed to this video celebrating his announcement and sharing some of their favorite stories of working alongside Kevin to fix our broken justice system. A few messages to Kevin are excerpted below:

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ): "Congratulations on this really important step, not just in your career, but for all of us who believe in issues of justice. This is an exciting and important step forward."

Jeremy Travis, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures: "I have worked for decades in the criminal justice reform movement, and Kevin Ring is one of the finest advocates I have come across. His outstanding leadership at FAMM and his compelling personal story make him the right person for this position, at a time when the movement is facing new challenges and opportunities. I look forward to seeing Kevin's work to create a smarter justice system, and safer communities."

Greg Newburn of Niskanen Center: "I'm certain that Arnold Ventures could not have found a better person, and I know they couldn't have found a better fit."

FAMM's Matthew Charles, who served 21 years in federal prison before his release in 2019 due to passage of the First Step Act: "Kevin has the best interests of others in mind and at heart. I believe it's engrained in his soul and in his spirit."

Rabiah Burks, National Legal Aid and Defender Association: "I appreciate Kevin for his ability to step beyond himself, to see the greater good, and to try something different."

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. It is a team of more than 120 subject-matter experts headquartered in Houston with offices in New York and Washington, D.C. It works in four key issue areas: Criminal Justice , Education , Health , and Public Finance . Its work is guided by Evidence-Based Policy , Research , and Advocacy .

SOURCE Arnold Ventures
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Finding the right senior care community for a loved one is an important decision. Unfortunately, industry statistics show that less than 50% of seniors and their families use a placement agent to help navigate this process.

Assisted Living Locators, a nationwide no-cost senior placement and referral service, is raising awareness about the complexities of the senior care industry and helping families find the perfect home for their loved ones. The company's senior care advisors help find quality, top-rated in-home care, independent retirement options, assisted living communities and memory care.

Assisted Living Locators Founder & Brand President Angela Olea, RN emphasizes the importance of working with a placement agent. "You wouldn't buy a house without a real estate agent," she noted. "Why would you entrust your loved one to a 'home' that hasn't been fully vetted? Our senior care advisors have the knowledge to guide families through this important decision-making process."

Families must deal with understanding costs, community performance, services offered, and care levels that their loved one might require now, and, in the future, said Olea. "Understanding the world of senior care can be a daunting task for families," she explained. "We simplify this process by providing personalized attention and expertise to each family."

Olea gives three reasons why placement agents like Assisted Living Locators can help find the right senior care community:

Expertise: Our expert team has years of experience in the senior care industry. We take the time to understand each family's unique needs and use that information to guide them to the best options for their loved ones.

Cost Savings: Working with a placement agent can actually save families money in the long run. We know about monthly specials and incentives and work with senior care communities to often negotiate better deals for families.

Peace of Mind: Families can feel confident in their decision when working with a placement agent like Assisted Living Locators. We take the time to fully vet each community we recommend ensuring they meet the highest quality of care.

"Finding the right senior care community requires careful consideration," said Olea. "With our guidance, families can trust that their loved ones will receive the best possible care."

For more information on Assisted Living Locators senior placement and referral service, call 800-267-7816 or visit www.assistedlivinglocators.com.

SOURCE Assisted Living Locators
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A latest research report [115+] pages with 360-Degree visibility, titled "Catalyst Carrier Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Type (Carbon-based, Oxides, Zirconia, and Others); By End Use; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032" published by Polaris Market Research in its research repository.

"According to research report, the global catalyst carrier market size/share was valued at USD 443.28 Million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 904.30 Million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period."

What is Catalyst Carrier? How Big is Catalyst Carrier Market Size & Share?

Overview

Catalyst carriers are permeable elemental substances that are utilized in chemical and petrochemical productiion for purifying liquids and gases into interposed and patronized substances. The rapidly rising demand for the catalyst carrier market can be attributed to its revulsion with agitators to configure transitional and at the same time ease the manufacturing of the ultimate reaction product.

The rising demand for catalyst carriers is attributable to many end-use applications, such as refining and chemical manufacturing, and their adminstration in the purifying procedure of liquids and gases. Catalyst carriers are chemical materials used to help the making of catalysts in the course of catalytic procedures. The bulk of these catalysts is solid, pressurizing a massive surface area to assure the catalysts to them. Usually these types of products are ceramics, activated carbons, and metals, amongst other substances.

Request Sample Copy of Catalyst Carrier Market Research Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/catalyst-carrier-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, Table of Contents, Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis and our research methodology.)

Our Sample Report May Includes:

2032 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis.

115+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research).

Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request.

2023 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends.

Includes Updated List of table & figures.

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis.

Key data covered in the market report

The study presents the analytical depiction of the market along with the current trends and market estimations to determine the imminent investment pockets.

The report represents information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities, along with a detailed analysis of the market share.

The current market is quantitatively analysed to highlight the market growth scenario.

The report provides a detailed market analysis depending on competition and how the competition will take shape in the coming years.

The report helps users comprehend the key product segments and their future.

Some of the Top Market Players Are:

Almatis B.V.

C&CS

Cabot Corporation

Calgon Carbon Corporation

CeramTec GmbH

Clariant

CoorsTek Inc.

Devson Catalyst

JGC C&C

NORITAKE CO. LIMITED

Petrogas International

Porocel

Saint Gobain Group

Sasol Limited

SINOCATA

For Additional Information on Key Players, Request to Download Sample Pages Here: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/catalyst-carrier-market/request-for-sample

Key factors driving market growth

Growth of ceramic catalysts on a global scale to push the market

One of the prominent factors pushing the market growth is a rise in demand for ceramic catalysts worldwide. The catalyst carrier market size is expanding due to the growing intake of petroleum derivatives to realize the total demand for energy, together with the growing demand for efficient catalysis covering the whole industrial sector. Additionally, the growing usage of catalysts, comprising enzymes, zeolites, metals and chemicals in industries such as construction, automotive, and oil and gas and development in industrial activity engendered by the worldwide augmentation of several sectors as well influence product demand.

Catalysts carrier's augmenting adaptability and administration have caused novel possibilities in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Catalyst carrier market sales are soaring due to raise in government disbursement in the pharmaceutical and petrochemical sectors. Further, in the petrochemical industries, carriers are delegated as a prominent element in the catalytic procedures to cleanse commodities constitute from crude.

Request for a Discount on this Report Before Purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/catalyst-carrier-market/request-for-discount-pricing

Recent trends influencing the market

Widening consumption of petroleum derivatives to drive the market

Global demand is increasing because of the widening consumption of petroleum derivatives. The requirement for raw resources for their manufacturing has increased due to exploding global demand for gasoline and diesel.

In the chemical and refinery industries, the catalyst is essential. Natural gases, liquids, and intermediates are converted into functional goods such as chemicals, fuels, lubricants, and oil in refineries globally.

Segmentation assessment

The carbon-based segment accounted for the largest revenue share

Based on type, the carbon-based segment accounted for the largest revenue share. Catalyst carrier market demand is on the rise due to the chemical industry growing at a fast pace. This is due to the increasing demand for industrial chemicals in the R&D investment. Activated carbon-based catalyst carrier holds high chemical inertness and maintenance of chemical stability.

The oil and gas segment dominated the market

Based on end use, the oil and gas segment dominated the market. Catalyst carrier market trends include the escalation of crude oil drilling and scrutiny ventures worldwide in countries such as the Russia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, US, and others, where catalyst carriers are broadly utilized for improvising product coherence and automated confrontation of oils.

Inquire more about this report before purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/catalyst-carrier-market/inquire-before-buying

(Inquire a report quote OR available discount offers to the sales team before purchase.)

Catalyst Carrier Market: Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2032 USD 904.30 Million Market size value in 2023 USD 475.24 Million Expected CAGR Growth 7.4% from 2023 - 2032 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023  2032 Top Market Players Almatis B.V., C&CS, Cabot Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, CeramTec GmbH, Clariant, CoorsTek, Inc., Devson Catalyst, JGC C&C, NORITAKE CO., LIMITED, Petrogas International, Porocel, Saint Gobain Group, Sasol Limited, and SINOCATA. Segments Covered By Type, By End Use, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options

Geographic Overview

The region being the largest producer of oil and natural gases has propelled the North American market

North America held the largest catalyst carrier market share due to the US being the biggest manufacturer of oil and natural gases. As per the article issued by US Energy Information Administration, makeshift oil is withdrawn in around 32 US states and nearby coastal waters.

Europe has displayed significant growth during the forecast period due to the presence of oil reserves, massive automobile sectors, and the chemical industry have improved the performance of the overall industry. Additionally, there are several producing manufacturers in the UK, Germany, and alternative nations in Europe that have escalated their manufacturing proportions for the catalyst carrier-based commodities, where it has been broadly utilized in several end-use industries, industrial, automotive, petrochemicals, chemical, oil and gas, and others.

Browse the Detail Report "Catalyst Carrier Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Type (Carbon-based, Oxides, Zirconia, and Others); By End Use; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032" with in-depth TOC: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/catalyst-carrier-market

For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: [email protected]

Recent developments

In July 2023 , BASF SE launched a new catalyst-based product named as PuriCycle. This contemporary commodity includes new catalyst and accumulative solutions. Further it also discards contamination from pyrolysis oil which is arisen from plastic waste. This strategic product launch is projected to enhance market growth.

Polaris Market Research has segmented the catalyst carrier market report based on type, end use, and region:

By Type Outlook

Carbon-based

Oxides

Zirconia

Others

By End Use Outlook

Oil & Gas

Chemical Manufacturing

Automotive

Others

By Region Outlook

North America (U.S., Canada )

(U.S., ) Europe ( France , Germany , UK, Italy , Netherlands , Spain , Russia )

( , , UK, , , , ) Asia Pacific ( Japan , China , India , Malaysia , Indonesia , South Korea )

( , , , , , ) Latin America ( Brazil , Mexico , Argentina )

( , , ) Middle East & Africa ( Saudi Arabia , UAE, Israel , South Africa )

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SOURCE Polaris Market Research
Nearly 500 people arrived Monday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia aboard two vessels, one a US ship and the other Saudi, after fleeing the fighting in Sudan.

The US Navy's USS Brunswick arrived in the Saudi Red Sea port Monday carrying 308 people, according to Al-Ekhbariya TV, which showed images of numerous passengers wearing red shirts inscribed "US Embassy."

There were 105 Americans in total on the vessel, 100 Sudanese and others from 15 countries, officials told AFP, insisting on anonymity.

The Saudi vessel evacuated 171 from Sudan, including 41 Saudis and nationals of other countries, including Britain and the United States, according to SPA, the Saudi state news agency.

They were all part of a broader exodus that has seen more than 5,000 people seek refuge in the Gulf kingdom since fighting broke out in Sudan on April 15.

The United States conducted three overland convoys in as many days to help people flee the Sudanese capital of Khartoum to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, where a number of vessels have helped them flee the fighting.

"These convoys have assisted over 700 individuals," said US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel.

Aside from the three convoys, Patel said US officials have helped nearly 1,000 Americans escape the spreading conflict in Sudan.

He said they are being taken to Jeddah and other cities in the region like Djibouti and Nicosia.

The evacuation took place amid a very tentative cease-fire between two battling factions of the country's armed forces.

"Intensive negotiations by the US with the support of our regional and international partners enabled the security conditions that have allowed the departure of thousands of foreign and US citizens, including through today's operation," Patel said.

"We continue to call on Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces to end the fighting that is endangering all civilians," he said.

As of Monday, Saudi Arabia had received more than 5,400 civilian evacuees from Sudan, including 225 Saudis and foreigners from 102 countries, SPA said.

Millions of Sudanese, unable to leave, are hunkering down amid heavy fighting between the forces of army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The fighting has killed more than 500 people, displaced tens of thousands and triggered an exodus of foreigners and international staff.

Gun battles and explosions again rocked the capital Monday, with warplanes flying sorties and striking northern areas of Khartoum.

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 Crave becomes the Canadian home of content from Warner Bros. Discovery, including HBO Originals, Max Originals, Warner Bros. films, the DC universe, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter 

 Long-term deal includes English and French rights for all HBO and Max Originals on Crave 

TORONTO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Bell Media, Canada's leading media company, announced today a landmark long-term and exclusive licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery that makes Crave the home of programming from the Studio for years to come. The agreement also feeds CTV, CTV.ca, the CTV app, and Bell Media's suite of Specialty channels with Warner Bros. Discovery's iconic content.

The deal ranges across many parts of Warner Bros. Discovery's vast portfolio including HBO and Max Originals; the DC universe; the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; new cable series; library television series; pay and post-pay window rights for Warner Bros. films; and library films.

French-language rights are secured for HBO and Max Originals, Pay 1 films, FRIENDS, the Harry Potter collection of films, and other select content.





"We are thrilled to work with our partners at Warner Bros. Discovery to build upon our already strong relationship with this unprecedented agreement  a true landmark deal for the Canadian media industry," said Karine Moses, Senior Vice-President, Content Development & News, and Vice Chair, Quebec for Bell. "Bell Media is committed to providing Canadians with the most compelling content, and this deal, which secures the biggest titles on screens today, does just that."

"Bell Media is one of our most important and long-standing partners," said David Decker, President of Content Sales at Warner Bros. Discovery. "This new multi-year deal will ensure Canadians have full and easy access to our fan-favorite shows and movies and the spectacular new programming coming from HBO and Max. All of us at WBD are excited to deepen our relationship with Bell Media and look forward to exciting viewers in Canada for years to come."

To view full release, click here.

SOURCE Bell Media
RENO, Nev. and TORONTO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bendito Resources Inc. ("Bendito", the "Company", or "we") is pleased to announce the final results of the 2023 Phase 1 exploration drilling at the Alacran Property. The Phase 1 program was undertaken across the Puerto de Oro and San Simon exploration areas and aimed to demonstrate the southeastward extension of mineralization from the historical resources established at Loma Bonita and Mesa de Plata. The drilling program consisted of 2,031 meters distributed in 18 reverse circulation holes, and the results presented in this news release correspond to the results of the 9 remaining holes.

Table 2. Collar locations and final depths for reported holes. Figure 1. Property map sketch showing the location of the Phase 1 drilling program at Alacran. Figure 2. Longitudinal section, oriented NW and looking NE of the mineralized trend covering the known extensions of the high-sulfidation mineralization.

Highlights include:

BSS-23-011 : intersected 27m @ 1.15 g/t AuEq, starting at 103.5 meters depth,

: intersected @ 1.15 g/t AuEq, starting at 103.5 meters depth, Including 6.0m @ 2.27 g/t AuEq, from 103.5 to 109.5 meters.

@ 2.27 g/t AuEq, from 103.5 to 109.5 meters. BSS-23-015 : intersected 24m @ 0.48 g/t AuEq, starting at 3.0 meters depth,

: intersected @ 0.48 g/t AuEq, starting at 3.0 meters depth, Including 3.0m @ 2.39 g/t AuEq, from 6.0 to 9.0 meters.

And 63m @ 0.44 g/t AuEq, starting at 39.0 meters depth,

@ 2.39 g/t AuEq, from 6.0 to 9.0 meters. And @ 0.44 g/t AuEq, starting at 39.0 meters depth,

Including 15m @ 0.94 g/t AuEq, from 76.5 to 91.5 meters.

@ 0.94 g/t AuEq, from 76.5 to 91.5 meters. BSS-23-016 : intersected 66m @ 0.45 g/t AuEq, starting at 1.5 meters depth,

: intersected @ 0.45 g/t AuEq, starting at 1.5 meters depth, Including 7.5m @ 2.3 g/t AuEq, from 3.0 to 10.5 meters.

@ 2.3 g/t AuEq, from 3.0 to 10.5 meters. BSS-23-018 : intersected 93m @ 0.53 g/t AuEq, starting at 25.5 meters depth,

: intersected @ 0.53 g/t AuEq, starting at 25.5 meters depth, Including 7.5m @ 1.07 g/t AuEq, from 43.5 to 51.0 meters,

@ 1.07 g/t AuEq, from 43.5 to 51.0 meters,

And 15m @ 0.79 g/t AuEq, from 72 to 87 meters.

Mr. John Antwi, President and CEO of Bendito, commented "The drill intercepts at the San Simon target highlight the southeastern extension that we have identified in our Phase 1 drilling. We are potentially encountering a very large near-surface mineralized system, that is oxidized and heap leachable. Our focus will remain on Alacran to add near-term value to shareholders".

Mr. Facundo Cazares, VP Exploration of Bendito, commented "With the addition of strike length to the historical resource estimate, Bendito has completed the testing of the first-priority target extension, and also indicated hints of high-grade mineralization with a structural control that provides emphasis for the upcoming drilling programs".

Details of the Puerto de Oro and San Simon extension

The Puerto de Oro and San Simon target areas represent the southeastward extension of Loma Bonita and Mesa de Plata. The areas are characterized by the presence of NE- and NW-trending sub-vertical hydrothermal and crackle breccias, up to 25 meters in width, that crosscut multiple sub-horizontal layers of early residual and vuggy silica varying from a few meters to 50 meters in thickness. The host rock is a volcanic pile of andesite-dacite composition that exhibits mostly alunite-dickite alteration assemblage. Gold and silver are associated with several stages of silica with the rare occurrence of sulfides. All mineralization intersected has been oxidized.

Historical drilling indicated the presence of a high-sulfidation mineralization style present around Puerto de Oro and San Simon. Bendito planned a systematic exploration drilling program to define the continuity of the gold and silver mineralization. In doing so, the mineralized strike length has been successfully extended by 1.4 kilometers along the NW trend (FIGURE 2). Bendito has also identified an additional sub-parallel trend, located 300m off the main trend, indicated by hole BSS-23-018. It intersected near-surface wide mineralization, indicating that the structural system interpreted to be controlling mineralization still provides upside potential for further discoveries.

Table 1. Significant intercepts in Puerto de Oro and San Simon areas. HOLE No. DEPTH (m) INTERCEPT GRADE FROM TO LENGTH (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AuEq (g/t) BSS-23-006 55.5 84.0 28.5 0.25 12.3 0.40 incl 60.0 63.0 3.0 0.88 3.5 0.93

BSS-23-011 15.0 48.0 33.0 0.13 9.5 0.24 incl 18.0 21.0 3.0 0.26 20.2 0.50

103.5 130.5 27.0 0.89 21.7 1.15 incl 103.5 109.5 6.0 1.89 32.3 2.27 and 120.0 123.0 3.0 1.32 35.6 1.74

BSS-23-012 No significant intercepts

BSS-23-013 15.0 16.5 1.5 0.64 2.2 0.67

BSS-23-014 1.5 24.0 22.5 0.20 16.4 0.39 incl 1.5 7.5 6.0 0.30 25.6 0.60

BSS-23-015 3.0 27.0 24.0 0.45 2.4 0.48 incl 6.0 9.0 3.0 2.37 1.3 2.39

39.0 102.0 63.0 0.27 14.5 0.44 incl 76.5 91.5 15.0 0.49 38.6 0.94

121.5 174.0 52.5 0.11 17.0 0.31 incl 139.5 147.0 7.5 0.21 42.4 0.71

BSS-23-016 1.5 67.5 66.0 0.31 11.5 0.45 incl 3.0 10.5 7.5 2.26 3.7 2.30 incl 4.5 6.0 1.5 8.06 0.8 8.07

78.0 97.5 19.5 0.15 4.1 0.20

103.5 115.5 12.0 0.16 2.2 0.19

BLB-23-017 87.0 102.0 15.0 0.01 8.0 0.11

BSS-23-018 0.0 9.0 9.0 0.16 4.4 0.21

25.5 118.5 93.0 0.08 38.6 0.53 incl 43.5 51.0 7.5 0.08 83.6 1.07 and 72.0 87.0 15.0 0.09 59.4 0.79

Notes:

Gold equivalence is calculated using the following formula: AuEq g/t = Au g/t + Ag g/t / 85.

Significant intercepts are reported for mineralized intercepts of >=10m thickness above a 0.1g/t AuEq cutoff.

The interval from 153 to 154.5 meters in hole BSS-23- 015 recorded no recovery.

True thicknesses are not known.

Assay results are not capped.

About the Alacran Property

The Alacran Property falls within the Cananea porphyry trend, which is well-known for hosting multiple porphyry centers that have developed porphyry-to-epithermal transitions. Within the property boundaries, the porphyry mineralization is partly exposed and surrounded by sub-epithermal veins. The high-sulfidation mineralization lies contiguous to this area and includes the Mesa de Plata, Loma Bonita, Puerto de Oro, San Simon, and Creston areas. Bendito is currently exploring the near-surface oxidized gold and silver mineralization.

Quality assurance and quality control protocols

Sampling of RC chips from drilling was conducted during the drilling, each 1.5 meters drilled collected from the rig mounted cyclone was then split in a 2:1 (2 way) riffle splitter to create two samples ranging in weight from 4 to 6 kg approximately. One sample was retained as a reference sample for future work, the other sample was collected as the laboratory sample. All samples are submitted to Bureau Veritas laboratory, an accredited laboratory with preparation facilities based on Hermosillo, and independent of the Company that undertakes their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. All assays are monitored through a quality assurance / quality control ("QA/QC") protocol including the insertion of standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. QA/QC samples make up 10% of all samples submitted.

About Bendito Resources Inc.

Bendito Resources Inc. is a private mineral resource company formed and led by experienced mining and exploration executives with headquarters in Reno, Nevada, USA and regional offices in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The Company fully-owns a portfolio of diversified mineral projects in Mexico, which includes the Alacran and Oposura projects, both of which have historically reported mineral resources. The Mexican property portfolio comprises the Company's sole mineral interests.

For additional information please visit the Company's website at www.benditoresources.com or contact the Company at the below:

John Antwi Bendito Resources Jeff Stieber President & CEO 6490 S McCarran Blvd Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Building E, Suite 121 [email protected] (775) 340-2719 Reno, NV, USA 89509 (775) 250-0300

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of management concerning, among other things, performance, business, and future events, including the development of the Mexican property portfolio and the expected timing thereof; the growth potential of the Mexican project portfolio; the expected direction of project and exploration capital; anticipated operational and strategic plans pertaining to the projects and the timing thereof; the expected timing and amounts of future financing efforts; the expectations around exploration and drilling activities and mineralization; and timing of a resource estimates and related technical reports with respect to certain project.

Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates, and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE Bendito Resources Inc.
Stevie winners will be presented their awards on June 13 in New York

DALLAS, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BenefitMall Marketplace was named the winner of a Gold Stevie Award in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year/New Product or Service Launch category in the 21st Annual American Business Awards today. BenefitMall also won a Bronze Stevie Award for Content Marketing.

The American Business Awards are one of the premier business awards programs in the U.S. All organizations operating in the U.S. are eligible to submit nominations  public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories.

BenefitMall Marketplace, powered by Ease, offers insurance brokers a completely digital solution that is paperless, secure, and cohesive across every point of client engagement, from new quotes to annual renewals.

"Marketplace levels the playing field for brokers by giving them access to secure technology that would otherwise be too expensive and time-consuming for them to deploy on their own," said BenefitMall president Bob Love. "Marketplace has created a differentiated value proposition for brokers to not just compete  but win  in the current industry landscape."

BenefitMall announced Marketplace, building excitement about free benefits administration with full-service support, through an omni-channel marketing campaign that included product capability videos, mailers, a technology overview brochure, LinkedIn campaigns, Technical Consultant demos and webinars, and sales training and discussion guides. Illustrating the company's "Less of what holds you back and more of what makes you great" theme, broker advertising, email blasts, and social media posts further promoted the product's successful launch.

Commenting on the company's award for Content Marketing, BenefitMall CEO Scott Kirksey said, "We wanted to highlight the breadth of industry and specialty expertise across executive and leadership teams - individuals that most clients were unlikely to encounter in their day-to-day engagement with BenefitMall. Our contributed content campaign of bylined articles showcased a variety of subject matter experts and topics across multiple trade publications throughout the year and established BenefitMall as a dependable source of high-quality material."

In the first two years of the contributed articles program, BenefitMall placed 21 articles in eight different health benefits marketplace media outlets. Six unique subject matter experts authored articles: the CEO, three members of the senior leadership team, one regional leader, and the head of compliance and government affairs. Campaign topics ranged from compliance/legislative highlights to overviews of non-medical benefits to ICHRAs (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) and more.

About BenefitMall

Headquartered in Dallas, BenefitMall is the largest employee benefits general agency, partnering with a network of 20,000 brokers to deliver employee benefits to more than 200,000 small and medium-sized businesses. Founded in 1979, BenefitMall leverages innovative technology backed by human expertise to provide a seamless selling experience for its carriers, brokers, and their clients. BenefitMall is part of CRC Group's Life, Retirement and Benefits Solutions division, a leading national wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com .

SOURCE BenefitMall
With New Seven-Year Contract in Place, Wilson to Continue Building Upon More Than a Decade of Success While Becoming the Fourth-Longest-Tenured President in Morgan History

BALTIMORE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the public session of its May quarterly meeting, Morgan State University's Board of Regents voted unanimously to award University President David K. Wilson with a new seven-year contract, extending his term until 2030. If served in its entirety, the extension would make Wilson the fourth-longest-tenured president in Morgan's history, ensuring steadfast University leadership and organizational stability during a period of unprecedented upheaval in higher education administration nationally. This July will mark Wilson's 13th year as president; the Board last extended his contract in 2018.

"There's a lot more work to be done. We're building a research powerhouse here at Morgan, and the pieces we're putting in place now, along with the work that is being undertaken, will enable the University to continue making a consequential impact on the communities we serve, long after my stewardship has concluded," said President Wilson. "It is a profound honor to serve as president at one of the nation's best and fastest-rising universities. I am humbled by and appreciative of the Board of Regents' continued trust in my capabilities and vision as president. Their support of the direction this University is headed under current leadership is laudable."

Wilson was appointed as the 10th president of Morgan in July 2010. Under his leadership, Morgan's Momentum has skyrocketed, as the University has enjoyed an era of unparalleled success and growth.

"I am happy to announce that Dr. David K. Wilson will remain president of Morgan State University for the next seven years," said Kweisi Mfume, chairman of Morgan's Board of Regents. "The Board of Regents has given its approval today of a new employment agreement that will keep Dr. Wilson at Morgan through 2030. We, the Board, are quite pleased with the sterling and transformative leadership that he continues to display in the arena of higher education on behalf of our students, staff, and alumni. The agreement reached today underscores our belief in that leadership."

To read the full announcement release, click here.

SOURCE Morgan State University
Brandi brings over 20 years of local, state, and federal funding experience to the rapidly expanding TFG Grants Team.

BILOXI, Miss., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The TFG Grants Team is pleased to welcome Brandi H. Clarke as Grants Project Manager. Brandi brings over 20 years of experience as a grant writing consultant and grants administrator for clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the health and mental health, education, housing, disaster preparedness and recovery, homelessness, social services, community development, and the environment fields to the TFG Grants team.

"Brandi's extensive experience in a range of grants services is an asset to our team," said Jennifer Imo, Managing Partner of Client Services. "Brandi has served a pivotal role in a diverse portfolio of disaster preparedness, recovery, and response efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. We are very excited for her to join the team!"

"I'm thrilled to join TFG and support the firm's mission of building stronger communities," said Brandi. "I look forward to collaborating with the team to identify and secure funding opportunities that will enable us to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve."

Before joining TFG, Brandi led her own consulting business and previously served in various leadership roles including CEO of the Mississippi Mental Health Association, Executive Director of the South Mississippi AIDS Task Force, Director of Financial Development and Community Relations for The Salvation Army, and Grants Administrator for the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium.

Following Hurricane Katrina, as CEO of the Mississippi Mental Health Association, Brandi opened and operated the first Center for Community Resilience on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; a partnership between Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and the Israeli Trauma Coalition. Brandi was also appointed to the Harrison County Office of Long-Term Recovery and to the City of Biloxi's Reviving the Renaissance Nongovernmental Planning Committee to assist in the strategic planning and rebuilding process locally and statewide.

Over the years, Brandi has served as a board member for the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce, Gallery 782, South Mississippi VOAD, Lighthouse Business and Professional Women's Organization, and Edgewater Rotary, and has won numerous leadership awards.

Brandi holds a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from William Carey University and is a life-long resident of Biloxi, Mississippi.

For more information about TFG, please visit our website at www.thefergusongroup.com.

Contact: Alexandra Yiannoutsos TFG

1901 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20006

Phone: (202) 717-5755

[email protected]

SOURCE The Ferguson Group, LLC
LONDON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bremont, Britain's largest manufacturer of luxury watches, today announced that it has appointed industry veteran Davide Cerrato as CEO and a member of the Board.

Bolstering Bremont's in-house capabilities, Cerrato brings with him extensive experience in branding, product design and development, supply-chain management, and production. Cerrato has a proven track record, having worked with some of the most notable brands in the watch industry including Tudor, Montblanc and Panerai.

BREMONT NAMES DAVIDE CERRATO CEO

At Tudor, Rolex's sister brand, Cerrato was Head of Marketing, Design & Product Development where he oversaw the re-launch of the brand and the design of its iconic Black Bay watch in 2012. Tudor's Black Bay watch distinguished the brand and went on to be one of the company's most successful and popular collections.

He subsequently was Managing Director of Montblanc's watch division where he created the stunning and unique 1858 Geosphere watch which became the hero product for Montblanc and established the company's watch brand identity. Cerrato most recently served as CEO and Creative Director of HYT.

Bremont Co-Founder Nick English said: "We are thrilled to have recruited a world class CEO to support our ambitious vision for Bremont. Following the 48.4M ($59M) investment by Bill Ackman and Hellcat LP announced in January, Bremont is now well positioned to execute on its future plans for growth."

"Davide has amazing, complementary experience and is a great cultural fit. We are delighted to welcome him to the Bremont family," added Co-Founder Giles English.

Cerrato remarks: "I am incredibly excited to be joining Bremont. I have long admired what Nick and Giles have managed to achieve in a relatively short space of time. The brand has been on an amazing journey and I'm looking forward to working with the entire team to take it to the next level."

"Davide is a proven world class executive who has spent his career leading successful transformations of watch brands and designing some of today's most iconic watches," said Bremont investor Bill Ackman. "I am thrilled to have him join Bremont at this pivotal moment in the Company's evolution. Davide's passion for the industry, wealth of expertise and great vision will help enable Bremont become a global leader in watchmaking."

"We were glad to add to our investment in Bremont last year, and we are excited about the company's extraordinary opportunity over the next decade," a Hellcat spokesman said. "We believe a leader of Davide's caliber at this stage will ensure Bremont's on-going success and place among the pantheon of the world's iconic watchmakers.

www.bremont.com

General Enquiry

08008174281

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067941/BREMONT_CEO.jpg

SOURCE Bremont
Recurring revenues grew 8%; up 9% constant currency

Diluted EPS grew 12% and Adjusted EPS grew 6%

Expecting FY'23 Recurring revenue growth constant currency at higher end of 6-9% guidance range



Reaffirming FY'23 outlook for continued margin expansion and 7-11% Adjusted EPS growth

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2023 of its fiscal year 2023. Results compared with the same period last year were as follows:

Summary Financial Results

Third Quarter

Nine Months

Dollars in millions, except per share data

2023 2022 Change 2023 2022 Change

















Recurring revenues

$1,082 $1,003 8 % $2,728 $2,546 7 % Constant currency growth - Non-GAAP







9 %



9 % Total revenues

$1,646 $1,534 7 % $4,222 $3,986 6 %

















Operating income

$287 $246 17 % $482 $418 15 % Margin



17.4 % 16.0 %

11.4 % 10.5 %



















Adjusted Operating income - Non-GAAP

$345 $313 10 % $668 $631 6 % Margin - Non-GAAP



21.0 % 20.4 %

15.8 % 15.8 %



















Diluted EPS

$1.67 $1.49 12 % $2.58 $2.46 5 % Adjusted EPS - Non-GAAP

$2.05 $1.93 6 % $3.81 $3.81 

















Closed sales

$62 $57 8 % $156 $169 (8 %)

"Broadridge delivered strong third quarter results, with 9% growth in recurring revenue constant currency, continued growth in Adjusted EPS, and increasing free cash flow. We continue to benefit from underlying long-term trends, strong execution, and disciplined expense management" said Tim Gokey, Broadridge CEO.

"Broadridge is poised to deliver another year of consistent growth. We now expect Recurring revenue growth constant currency at the higher end of our 6-9% range and are reaffirming our outlook for 7-11% Adjusted EPS growth. Our continued strong performance positions Broadridge to deliver on its three-year growth objectives for the fourth consecutive cycle, with recurring revenue and Adjusted EPS growth at or above the higher end of our target range."

Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Guidance





FY'23 Guidance Updates / Changes Recurring revenue growth constant currency - Non-GAAP

6 - 9% Higher end Adjusted Operating income margin - Non-GAAP

Increase of ~50 bps No Change Adjusted earnings per share growth - Non-GAAP

7 - 11% No Change Closed sales

$270 - $310M Near low end

Financial Results for Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 compared to Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022

Total revenues increased 7% to $1,646 million from $1,534 million .

increased 7% to from . Recurring revenues increased $79 million , or 8%, to $1,082 million . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 9%, all organic, driven by Net New Business in GTO and ICS and Internal Growth, primarily in our ICS business.

, or 8%, to . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 9%, all organic, driven by Net New Business in GTO and ICS and Internal Growth, primarily in our ICS business.

Event-driven revenues decreased $7 million , or 12%, to $52 million , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

, or 12%, to , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

Distribution revenues increased $40 million , or 8%, to $512 million , primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately $33 million .

, or 8%, to , primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately . Operating income was $287 million , an increase of $41 million , or 17%. Operating income margin increased to 17.4%, compared to 16.0% for the prior year period, due to the growth in Recurring revenues and lower amortization expense from acquired intangible assets, more than offsetting lower event-driven revenues.

was , an increase of , or 17%. Operating income margin increased to 17.4%, compared to 16.0% for the prior year period, due to the growth in Recurring revenues and lower amortization expense from acquired intangible assets, more than offsetting lower event-driven revenues. Adjusted Operating income was $345 million , an increase of $32 million , or 10%. The increase was primarily driven by higher Recurring revenues, partially offset by lower event-driven revenues. Adjusted Operating income margin increased to 21.0% compared to 20.4% for the prior year period. The increase in pass through distribution revenues negatively impacted margins by approximately 18 basis points.

was , an increase of , or 10%. The increase was primarily driven by higher Recurring revenues, partially offset by lower event-driven revenues. Adjusted Operating income margin increased to 21.0% compared to 20.4% for the prior year period. The increase in pass through distribution revenues negatively impacted margins by approximately 18 basis points. Interest expense, net was $39 million , an increase of $19 million , primarily due to an increase in interest expense from higher borrowing costs, partially offset by savings from the Company's cross-currency swap transaction.

The effective tax rate was 20.6% compared to 21.0% in the prior year period. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was favorably impacted by higher discrete tax benefits partially offset by a lower excess tax benefit related to equity compensation, as compared to the prior period.

Net earnings increased 12% to $199 million and Adjusted Net earnings increased 7% to $245 million .

Diluted earnings per share increased 12% to $1.67 , compared to $1.49 in the prior year period, and



Adjusted earnings per share increased 6% to $2.05 , compared to $1.93 in the prior year period.

Segment and Other Results for Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 compared to Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022

Investor Communication Solutions ("ICS")

ICS total revenues were $1,257 million , an increase of $98 million , or 8%.

, an increase of , or 8%. Regulatory rose 8% and 8%, respectively, driven by equity position growth of 10% in the quarter and mutual fund/ETF position growth of 6%;



Data-driven fund solutions rose 13% and 14%, respectively, driven by growth in our mutual fund trade processing business;



Issuer rose 25% and 25%, respectively, driven by growth in our registered shareholder solutions and disclosure solutions; and



Customer communications rose 10% and 10%, respectively, driven by higher print and digital communications.

Recurring revenues increased $65 million or 10%, to $693 million . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 11%, all organic, driven by Internal Growth and Net New Business.

or 10%, to . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 11%, all organic, driven by Internal Growth and Net New Business.

By product line, Recurring revenue growth and Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) were as follows:



Event-driven revenues decreased $7 million , or 12%, to $52 million , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

, or 12%, to , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

Distribution revenues increased $40 million , or 8%, to $512 million primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately $33 million .

, or 8%, to primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately . ICS earnings before income taxes increased by $36 million , or 16%, to $256 million . The earnings benefit from higher Recurring revenue was partially offset by lower event-driven revenue. Operating expenses rose 7%, or $62 million , to $1,002 million . Amortization expense from acquired intangibles decreased by $3 million to $13 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023. Pre-tax margins increased to 20.3% from 19.0%.

Global Technology and Operations ("GTO")

GTO Recurring revenues were $388 million , an increase of $14 million , or 4%. Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 7%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth.

, an increase of , or 4%. Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 7%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth. By product line, Recurring revenue growth and the corresponding Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) were as follows:

Capital markets rose 2% and 5%, respectively, driven primarily by revenue from Net New Business. Internal Growth was flat as the impact of higher Internal Trade Growth was offset by lower license revenue; and



Wealth and Investment management rose 7% and 10%, respectively, driven by revenue from Net New Business and Internal Growth.

GTO earnings before income taxes were $48 million , a decrease of $1 million , or 2%. GTO earnings were impacted by a decline in high margin term license revenue. Pre-tax margins decreased to 12.3% from 13.0%. Amortization expense from acquired intangibles decreased by $5 million to $40 million due to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the completion of the amortization period of certain acquired intangibles.

Other

Other loss before income tax increased to $53 million from $45 million in the prior year period, primarily due to a $19 million increase in net interest expense, partially offset by $5 million in higher net gains on retirement fund investments and lower other compensation related expenses of $4 million .

Financial Results for the Nine Months Fiscal Year 2023 compared to the Nine Months Fiscal Year 2022

Total revenues increased 6% to $4,222 million from $3,986 million .

increased 6% to from . Recurring revenues increased $182 million , or 7%, to $2,728 million . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 9%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth in both ICS and GTO.

, or 7%, to . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 9%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth in both ICS and GTO.

Event-driven revenues decreased $48 million , or 24%, to $152 million , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

, or 24%, to , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

Distribution revenues increased $101 million , or 8%, to $1,342 million , primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately $86 million .

, or 8%, to , primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately . Operating income was $482 million , an increase of $64 million , or 15%. Operating income margin increased to 11.4%, compared to 10.5% for the prior year period, due to growth in Recurring revenues and lower amortization expense from acquired intangible assets more than offsetting lower event-driven revenues, an increase in low-margin distribution revenues, growth investments and other expenses.

was , an increase of , or 15%. Operating income margin increased to 11.4%, compared to 10.5% for the prior year period, due to growth in Recurring revenues and lower amortization expense from acquired intangible assets more than offsetting lower event-driven revenues, an increase in low-margin distribution revenues, growth investments and other expenses. Adjusted Operating income was $668 million , an increase of $37 million , or 6%. The increase was primarily driven by higher Recurring revenues, partially offset by lower event-driven revenues and growth investments and other spending. Adjusted Operating income margin of 15.8% was unchanged compared to the prior year period. The increase in pass through distribution revenues negatively impacted margins by approximately 40 basis points.

was , an increase of , or 6%. The increase was primarily driven by higher Recurring revenues, partially offset by lower event-driven revenues and growth investments and other spending. Adjusted Operating income margin of 15.8% was unchanged compared to the prior year period. The increase in pass through distribution revenues negatively impacted margins by approximately 40 basis points. Interest expense, net was $100 million , an increase of $36 million , primarily due to an increase in interest expense from higher borrowing costs, partially offset by savings from the Company's cross-currency swap transaction.

was , an increase of , primarily due to an increase in interest expense from higher borrowing costs, partially offset by savings from the Company's cross-currency swap transaction. The effective tax rate was 18.8% compared to 17.7% in the prior year period. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 was due to lower discrete tax benefits, attributable to the excess tax benefit related to equity compensation, as compared to the prior period.

was 18.8% compared to 17.7% in the prior year period. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended was due to lower discrete tax benefits, attributable to the excess tax benefit related to equity compensation, as compared to the prior period. Net earnings increased 5% to $306 million and Adjusted Net earnings increased less than 1% to $453 million .

increased 5% to and Adjusted Net earnings increased less than 1% to . Diluted earnings per share increased 5% to $2.58 , compared to $2.46 in the prior year period, and

increased 5% to , compared to in the prior year period, and

Adjusted earnings per share were unchanged at $3.81 , compared to $3.81 in the prior year period.

Segment and Other Results for the Nine Months Fiscal Year 2023 compared to the Nine Months Fiscal Year 2022

Investor Communication Solutions

ICS total revenues were $3,097 million , an increase of $192 million , or 7%.

, an increase of , or 7%. Regulatory rose 7% and 7%, respectively, driven by equity position growth of 10% and mutual fund/ETF position growth of 8%;



Data-driven fund solutions rose 11% and 13%, respectively, driven by growth in our mutual fund trade processing business and continued growth in our data and analytics solutions;



Issuer rose 20% and 20%, respectively, with growth across all product solutions; and



Customer communications rose 10% and 10%, respectively, driven by higher print and digital communications.

Recurring revenues increased $138 million , or 9%, to $1,604 million . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 10%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth.

, or 9%, to . Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 10%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth.

By product line, Recurring revenue growth and Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) were as follows:



Event-driven revenues decreased $48 million , or 24%, to $152 million , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

, or 24%, to , primarily due to the decrease in volume of mutual fund proxy communications.

Distribution revenues increased $101 million , or 8%, to $1,342 million primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately $86 million .

, or 8%, to primarily driven by the impact of the postage rate increase of approximately . ICS earnings before income taxes increased $19 million , or 5% to $380 million . The earnings benefit from higher Recurring revenue was offset by lower event-driven revenue. Operating expenses rose 7%, or $173 million , to $2,717 million . Amortization expense from acquired intangibles decreased by $9 million to $44 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2023. Pre-tax margins decreased to 12.3% from 12.4%.

Global Technology and Operations

GTO Recurring revenues were $1,125 million , an increase of $44 million , or 4%. Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 8%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth.

, an increase of , or 4%. Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) was 8%, all organic, driven by Net New Business and Internal Growth. By product line, Recurring revenue growth and Recurring revenue growth constant currency (Non-GAAP) were as follows:

Capital markets rose 5% and 10%, respectively, driven by the Broadridge Trading and Connectivity Solutions ("BTCS") business, as well as Net New Business and Internal Growth; and



Wealth and Investment management rose 2% and 4%, respectively, driven by revenue from Net New Business.

GTO earnings before income taxes were $132 million , an increase of $31 million , or 30%. The increase was driven primarily by the $44 million growth in Recurring revenues, partially offset by increased labor costs to support onboarding of new business. Pre-tax margins increased to 11.7% from 9.4%. Amortization expense from acquired intangibles decreased by $20 million to $119 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2023 period due to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the completion of the amortization period of certain acquired intangibles.

Other

Loss before income taxes was $135 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 , an increase of $26 million compared to $109 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 . The increased loss before income taxes was primarily due to a $36 million increase in net interest expense, partially offset by lower corporate expenses.

Change in Foreign Exchange Rates

Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company changed reporting for segment revenues, segment earnings (loss) before income taxes, segment amortization of acquired intangibles and purchased intellectual property, and Closed sales to reflect the impact of actual foreign exchange rates applicable to the individual periods presented. The presentation of these metrics for the prior periods has been changed to conform to the current period presentation. Total consolidated revenues and earnings before income taxes were not impacted. For additional information, please see the Company's Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2022.

Earnings Conference Call

An analyst conference call will be held today, May 2, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis. To listen to the live event and access the slide presentation, visit Broadridge's Investor Relations website at www.broadridge-ir.com prior to the start of the webcast. To listen to the call, investors may also dial 1-877-328-2502 within the United States and international callers may dial 1-412-317-5419. A replay of the webcast will be available and can be accessed in the same manner as the live webcast at the Broadridge Investor Relations site. Through May 9, 2023, the recording will also be available by dialing 1-877-344-7529 within the United States or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers, using passcode 9342976 for either dial-in number.

Explanation and Reconciliation of the Company's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company's results in this press release are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP except where otherwise noted. In certain circumstances, results have been presented that are not generally accepted accounting principles measures ("Non-GAAP"). These Non-GAAP measures are Adjusted Operating income, Adjusted Operating income margin, Adjusted Net earnings, Adjusted earnings per share, Free cash flow, and Recurring revenue growth constant currency. These Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the Company's reported results.

The Company believes our Non-GAAP financial measures help investors understand how management plans, measures and evaluates the Company's business performance. Management believes that Non-GAAP measures provide consistency in its financial reporting and facilitates investors' understanding of the Company's operating results and trends by providing an additional basis for comparison. Management uses these Non-GAAP financial measures to, among other things, evaluate our ongoing operations, and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. In addition, and as a consequence of the importance of these Non-GAAP financial measures in managing our business, the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors incorporates Non-GAAP financial measures in the evaluation process for determining management compensation.

Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

These Non-GAAP measures are adjusted to exclude the impact of certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items the exclusion of which management believes provides insight regarding our ongoing operating performance. Depending on the period presented, these adjusted measures exclude the impact of certain of the following items: (i) Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, (ii) Acquisition and Integration Costs, (iii) Real Estate Realignment and Covid-19 Related Expenses, (iv) Investment Gain, and (v) Russia-Related Exit Costs. Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property represents non-cash amortization expenses associated with the Company's acquisition activities. Acquisition and Integration Costs represent certain transaction and integration costs associated with the Company's acquisition activities. Real Estate Realignment and Covid-19 Related Expenses are comprised of two major components: Real Estate Realignment Expenses, and Covid-19 Related Expenses. Real Estate Realignment Expenses are expenses associated with the exit of certain of the Company's leased facilities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which consist of the impairment of certain right of use assets, leasehold improvements and equipment, as well as other related facility exit expenses directly resulting from, and attributable to, the exit of these leased facilities. Covid-19 Related Expenses are direct and incremental expenses incurred by the Company to protect the health and safety of Broadridge associates during the Covid-19 outbreak, including expenses associated with monitoring the temperatures for associates entering our facilities, enhancing the safety of our office environment in preparation for workers to return to Company facilities on a more regular basis, ensuring proper social distancing in our production facilities, personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning measures in our facilities, and other safety related expenses. Investment Gain represents a non-operating, non-cash gain on a privately held investment. Russia-Related Exit Costs are direct and incremental costs associated with the Company's wind down of business activities in Russia in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including relocation-related expenses of impacted associates.

We exclude Acquisition and Integration Costs, Real Estate Realignment and Covid-19 Related Expenses, the Investment Gain, and Russia-Related Exit Costs from our Adjusted Operating income (as applicable) and other adjusted earnings measures because excluding such information provides us with an understanding of the results from the primary operations of our business and enhances comparability across fiscal reporting periods, as these items are not reflective of our underlying operations or performance. We also exclude the impact of Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, as these non-cash amounts are significantly impacted by the timing and size of individual acquisitions and do not factor into the Company's capital allocation decisions, management compensation metrics or multi-year objectives. Furthermore, management believes that this adjustment enables better comparison of our results as Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property will not recur in future periods once such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Although we exclude Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property from our adjusted earnings measures, our management believes that it is important for investors to understand that these intangible assets contribute to revenue generation. Amortization of intangible assets that relate to past acquisitions will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Any future acquisitions may result in the amortization of additional intangible assets.

Free Cash Flow

In addition to the Non-GAAP financial measures discussed above, we provide Free cash flow information because we consider Free cash flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated that could be used for dividends, share repurchases, strategic acquisitions, other investments, as well as debt servicing. Free cash flow is a Non-GAAP financial measure and is defined by the Company as Net cash flows provided by operating activities less Capital expenditures as well as Software purchases and capitalized internal use software.

Recurring revenue growth constant currency



As a multi-national company, we are subject to variability of our reported U.S. dollar results due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The exclusion of the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations from our Recurring revenue growth, or what we refer to as amounts expressed "on a constant currency basis," is a Non-GAAP measure. We believe that excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations from our Recurring revenue growth provides additional information that enables enhanced comparison to prior periods.

Changes in Recurring revenue growth expressed on a constant currency basis are presented excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations. To present this information, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the comparative year, rather than at the actual average exchange rates in effect during the current fiscal year.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and other written or oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Broadridge may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical in nature, and which may be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "assumes," "projects," "anticipates," "estimates," "we believe," "could be," "on track," and other words of similar meaning, are forward-looking statements. In particular, information appearing in the "Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Guidance" section and statements about our three-year objectives are forward-looking statements.

These statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These risks and uncertainties include those risk factors described and discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2022 (the "2022 Annual Report"), as they may be updated in any future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in the 2022 Annual Report.

These risks include:

changes in laws and regulations affecting Broadridge's clients or the services provided by Broadridge;

Broadridge's reliance on a relatively small number of clients, the continued financial health of those clients, and the continued use by such clients of Broadridge's services with favorable pricing terms;

a material security breach or cybersecurity attack affecting the information of Broadridge's clients;

the potential impact and effects of the Covid-19 pandemic ("Covid-19") on the business of Broadridge, Broadridge's results of operations and financial performance, any measures Broadridge has and may take in response to Covid-19 and any expectations Broadridge may have with respect thereto;

declines in participation and activity in the securities markets;

the failure of Broadridge's key service providers to provide the anticipated levels of service;

a disaster or other significant slowdown or failure of Broadridge's systems or error in the performance of Broadridge's services;

overall market, economic and geopolitical conditions and their impact on the securities markets;

the success of Broadridge in retaining and selling additional services to its existing clients and in obtaining new clients;

Broadridge's failure to keep pace with changes in technology and demands of its clients;

competitive conditions;

Broadridge's ability to attract and retain key personnel; and

the impact of new acquisitions and divestitures.

There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. We can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations and financial condition.

Broadridge disclaims any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with over $5 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions to banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. In addition, Broadridge's technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of on average more than U.S. $9 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is a part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries. For more information about Broadridge, please visit www.broadridge.com .

Contact Information

Investors

[email protected]

Media

[email protected]

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

In millions, except per share amounts

Three Months Ended

March 31,

Nine Months Ended

March 31,



2023

2022

2023

2022 Revenues

$ 1,645.7

$ 1,533.7

$ 4,221.9

$ 3,986.2 Operating expenses:















Cost of revenues

1,137.7

1,077.6

3,116.4

2,970.1 Selling, general and administrative expenses

221.2

210.1

623.3

597.9 Total operating expenses

1,358.9

1,287.7

3,739.7

3,568.0 Operating income

286.8

246.0

482.2

418.2 Interest expense, net

(38.5)

(20.0)

(99.5)

(64.0) Other non-operating income (expenses), net

1.8

(2.7)

(5.3)

(0.7) Earnings before income taxes

250.1

223.3

377.4

353.4 Provision for income taxes

51.6

46.8

70.9

62.4 Net earnings

$ 198.5

$ 176.6

$ 306.5

$ 291.0

















Basic earnings per share

$ 1.69

$ 1.51

$ 2.61

$ 2.50 Diluted earnings per share

$ 1.67

$ 1.49

$ 2.58

$ 2.46

















Weighted-average shares outstanding:















Basic

117.7

116.8

117.6

116.5 Diluted

119.1

118.6

118.9

118.5



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

In millions, except per share amounts



March 31,

2023

June 30,

2022 Assets









Current assets:









Cash and cash equivalents



$ 331.6

$ 224.7 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of

$6.9 and $6.8, respectively



1,096.2

946.9 Other current assets



140.4

156.8 Total current assets



1,568.2

1,328.4 Property, plant and equipment, net



138.1

150.9 Goodwill



3,447.2

3,484.9 Intangible assets, net



892.9

1,077.1 Deferred client conversion and start-up costs



1,519.6

1,232.3 Other non-current assets



866.4

895.3 Total assets



$ 8,432.3

$ 8,168.8 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity









Current liabilities:









Payables and accrued expenses



$ 958.8

$ 1,114.9 Contract liabilities



204.2

198.5 Total current liabilities



1,163.0

1,313.4 Long-term debt



4,076.6

3,793.0 Deferred taxes



396.6

446.1 Contract liabilities



314.0

215.8 Other non-current liabilities



483.3

481.5 Total liabilities



6,433.4

6,249.8 Commitments and contingencies









Stockholders' equity:









Preferred stock: Authorized, 25.0 shares; issued and outstanding, none





 Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized, 650.0 shares; issued,

154.5 and 154.5 shares, respectively; outstanding, 117.7 and 117.3

shares, respectively



1.6

1.6 Additional paid-in capital



1,424.0

1,344.7 Retained earnings



2,874.5

2,824.0 Treasury stock, at cost: 36.7 and 37.2 shares, respectively



(2,017.0)

(2,024.8) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)



(284.2)

(226.3) Total stockholders' equity



1,998.9

1,919.1 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity



$ 8,432.3

$ 8,168.8



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

In millions Nine Months Ended March 31,

2023

2022 Cash Flows From Operating Activities





Net earnings $ 306.5

$ 291.0 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows used in operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization 63.7

62.4 Amortization of acquired intangibles and purchased intellectual property 162.8

192.0 Amortization of other assets 95.3

97.6 Write-down of long-lived assets and related charges 2.7

9.5 Stock-based compensation expense 57.4

54.8 Deferred income taxes (49.5)

47.7 Other (16.5)

(17.8) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:





Current assets and liabilities:





Increase in Accounts receivable, net (112.2)

(134.7) (Increase) decrease in Other current assets 15.6

(54.1) Decrease in Payables and accrued expenses (180.2)

(152.7) Increase in Contract liabilities 15.2

36.1 Non-current assets and liabilities:





Increase in Other non-current assets (405.7)

(515.0) Increase in Other non-current liabilities 139.1

69.3 Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities 94.1

(13.9) Cash Flows From Investing Activities





Capital expenditures (21.4)

(21.9) Software purchases and capitalized internal use software (25.4)

(32.5) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired 

(13.3) Other investing activities (2.3)

(13.2) Net cash flows used in investing activities (49.1)

(81.0) Cash Flows From Financing Activities





Debt proceeds 750.0

600.0 Debt repayments (470.0)

(320.5) Dividends paid (245.7)

(215.9) Purchases of Treasury stock (3.7)

(2.1) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 35.1

50.4 Other financing activities (2.5)

(8.2) Net cash flows provided by financing activities 63.3

103.6 Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents (1.4)

(6.0) Net change in Cash and cash equivalents 106.9

2.7 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 224.7

274.5 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 331.6

$ 277.2



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Segment Results (Unaudited)

In millions Three Months Ended March 31, Nine Months Ended March 31,

2023

2022 2023

2022 Revenues



Investor Communication Solutions $ 1,257.2

$ 1,159.4 $ 3,097.2

$ 2,905.5 Global Technology and Operations 388.5

374.3 1,124.6

1,080.7 Total $ 1,645.7

$ 1,533.7 $ 4,221.9

$ 3,986.2





Earnings before Income Taxes



Investor Communication Solutions $ 255.5

$ 220.0 $ 380.4

$ 361.2 Global Technology and Operations 47.6

48.6 131.9

101.1 Other (53.1)

(45.2) (134.9)

(108.8) Total $ 250.1

$ 223.3 $ 377.4

$ 353.4













Pre-tax margins:











Investor Communication Solutions 20.3 %

19.0 % 12.3 %

12.4 % Global Technology and Operations 12.3 %

13.0 % 11.7 %

9.4 %













Amortization of acquired intangibles and purchased intellectual property





Investor Communication Solutions $ 13.3

$ 16.0 $ 43.7

$ 53.0 Global Technology and Operations 39.9

44.8 119.1

139.0 Total $ 53.3

$ 60.8 $ 162.8

$ 192.0

















Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Supplemental Reporting Detail - Additional Product Line Reporting (Unaudited)

In millions Three Months Ended March 31,

Nine Months Ended March 31,

2023

2022

% Change

2023

2022

Change Investor Communication Solutions





















Regulatory $ 345.7

$ 320.9

8 %

$ 697.1

$ 652.6

7 % Data-driven fund solutions 102.0

90.2

13 %

290.9

262.0

11 % Issuer 57.7

46.3

25 %

108.2

90.5

20 % Customer communications 188.0

171.3

10 %

507.3

460.3

10 % Total ICS Recurring revenues 693.5

628.7

10 %

1,603.5

1,465.4

9 %























Equity and other 29.2

25.0

17 %

83.9

77.1

9 % Mutual funds 22.6

33.6

(33 %)

68.2

122.5

(44 %) Total ICS Event-driven revenues 51.8

58.6

(12 %)

152.1

199.6

(24 %)























Distribution revenues 511.9

472.1

8 %

1,341.6

1,240.5

8 %























Total ICS Revenues $ 1,257.2

$ 1,159.4

8 %

$ 3,097.2

$ 2,905.5

7 %























Global Technology and Operations





















Capital markets $ 245.8

$ 241.4

2 %

$ 707.8

$ 671.0

5 % Wealth and investment management 142.7

133.0

7 %

416.9

409.7

2 % Total GTO Recurring revenues 388.5

374.3

4 %

1,124.6

1,080.7

4 %























Total Revenues $ 1,645.7

$ 1,533.7

7 %

$ 4,221.9

$ 3,986.2

6 %























Revenues by Type





















Recurring revenues $ 1,082.0

$ 1,003.0

8 %

$ 2,728.2

$ 2,546.1

7 % Event-driven revenues 51.8

58.6

(12 %)

152.1

199.6

(24 %) Distribution revenues 511.9

472.1

8 %

1,341.6

1,240.5

8 % Total Revenues $ 1,645.7

$ 1,533.7

7 %

$ 4,221.9

$ 3,986.2

6 %



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Select Operating Metrics

(Unaudited)



In millions Three Months Ended

March 31,





Nine Months Ended

March 31,





2023

2022

%

Change

2023

2022

%

Change























Closed sales1 $61.6

$57.0

8 %

$156.0

$169.0

(8) %























Record Growth 2





















Equity positions (Stock records) 10 %

17 %





10 %

21 %



Mutual fund/ETF positions (Interim records) 6 %

10 %





8 %

15 %



























Internal Trade Growth3 1 %

(6) %





4 %

(1) %



























Amounts may not sum due to rounding.













































1Refer to the "Results of Operations" section of Broadridge's Form 10-Q for a description of Closed sales and its calculation.























2Stock record growth (also referred to as "SRG" or "equity position growth") measures the estimated annual change in positions eligible for equity proxy materials. Interim record growth (also referred to as "IRG" or "mutual fund/ETF position growth") measures the estimated change in mutual fund and exchange traded fund positions eligible for interim communications. These metrics are calculated from equity proxy and mutual fund/ETF position data reported to Broadridge for the same issuers or funds in both the current and prior year periods.























3Represents the estimated change in daily average trade volumes for clients whose contracts are linked to trade volumes and who were on Broadridge's trading platforms in both the current and prior year periods.

























Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Measures (Unaudited)

In millions, except per share amounts Three Months Ended March 31,

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022 Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income





Operating income (GAAP) $ 286.8

$ 246.0

$ 482.2

$ 418.2 Adjustments:













Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased

Intellectual Property 53.3

60.8

162.8

192.0 Acquisition and Integration Costs 3.3

3.1

11.0

13.8 Real Estate Realignment and Covid-19 Related Expenses (a) 

3.3



6.8 Russia-Related Exit Costs (c) 1.5



12.0

 Adjusted Operating income (Non-GAAP) $ 344.8

$ 313.3

$ 668.0

$ 630.8 Operating income margin (GAAP) 17.4 %

16.0 %

11.4 %

10.5 % Adjusted Operating income margin (Non-GAAP) 21.0 %

20.4 %

15.8 %

15.8 %















Reconciliation of Adjusted Net earnings





Net earnings (GAAP) $ 198.5

$ 176.6

$ 306.5

$ 291.0 Adjustments:













Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased

Intellectual Property 53.3

60.8

162.8

192.0 Acquisition and Integration Costs 3.3

3.1

11.0

13.8 Real Estate Realignment and Covid-19 Related Expenses (a) 

3.3



6.8 Investment Gain 





(7.5) Russia-Related Exit Costs (c) 1.5



10.8

 Subtotal of adjustments 58.0

67.2

184.6

205.1 Tax impact of adjustments (d) (12.0)

(15.4)

(38.4)

(44.1) Adjusted Net earnings (Non-GAAP) $ 244.5

$ 228.4

$ 452.7

$ 452.0















Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS













Diluted earnings per share (GAAP) $ 1.67

$ 1.49

$ 2.58



$ 2.46 Adjustments:













Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased

Intellectual Property 0.45

0.51

1.37

1.62 Acquisition and Integration Costs 0.03

0.03

0.09

0.12 Real Estate Realignment and Covid-19 Related Expenses (b) 

0.03



0.06 Investment Gain 





(0.06) Russia-Related Exit Costs 0.01



0.09

 Subtotal of adjustments 0.49

0.57

1.55

1.73 Tax impact of adjustments (d) (0.10)

(0.13)

(0.32)

(0.37) Adjusted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) $ 2.05

$ 1.93

$ 3.81

$ 3.81



(a) Real Estate Realignment were $0.7 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. Covid-19 Related Expenses were $2.6 million and $6.3 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively.

(b) Real Estate Realignment Expenses impacted Adjusted earnings per share by $0.01 and less than $0.01 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. Covid-19 Related Expenses impacted Adjusted earnings per share by $0.02 and $0.05 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively.

(c) Total Russia-Related Exit Costs were $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For the nine months ended March 31, 2023, total costs were $10.8 million, comprised of $12.0 million of operating expenses, offset by a gain of $1.2 million in non-operating income.

(d) Calculated using the GAAP effective tax rate, adjusted to exclude $0.3 million and $7.5 million of excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively, and $2.2 million and $13.6 million of excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. For purposes of calculating the Adjusted earnings per share, the same adjustments were made on a per share basis.



Nine Months Ended

March 31,

2023

2022 Reconciliation of Free cash flow

Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities (GAAP) $ 94.1

$ (13.9) Capital expenditures and Software purchases and capitalized internal use software (46.8)

(54.4) Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) $ 47.3

$ (68.4)









Reconciliation of Recurring Revenue Growth Constant Currency





























Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Investor Communication Solutions Regulatory

Data-

Driven

Fund

Solutions

Issuer

Customer

Comms.

Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 8 %

13 %

25 %

10 %

10 % Impact of foreign currency exchange 1 %

1 %

 %

 %

1 % Recurring revenue growth constant

currency (Non-GAAP) 8 %

14 %

25 %

10 %

11 %



Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023 Investor Communication Solutions Regulatory

Data-

Driven

Fund

Solutions

Issuer

Customer

Comms.

Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 7 %

11 %

20 %

10 %

9 % Impact of foreign currency exchange  %

2 %

 %

 %

1 % Recurring revenue growth constant

currency (Non-GAAP) 7 %

13 %

20 %

10 %

10 %



Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Global Technology and Operations Capital Markets

Wealth and

Investment

Management

Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 2 %

7 %

4 % Impact of foreign currency exchange 3 %

2 %

3 % Recurring revenue growth constant

currency (Non-GAAP) 5 %

10 %

7 %



Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023 Global Technology and Operations Capital Markets

Wealth and

Investment

Management

Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 5 %

2 %

4 % Impact of foreign currency exchange 5 %

2 %

4 % Recurring revenue growth constant

currency (Non-GAAP) 10 %

4 %

8 %



Three Months Ended

March 31, 2023

Nine Months Ended

March 31, 2023 Consolidated Total

Total Recurring revenue growth (GAAP) 8 %

7 % Impact of foreign currency exchange 1 %

2 % Recurring revenue growth constant

currency (Non-GAAP) 9 %

9 %



Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

2023 Guidance

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Measures

(Unaudited)



FY23 Recurring revenue growth (a)



Impact of foreign currency exchange

 Recurring revenue growth constant currency - Non-GAAP

6 - 9%





FY23 Adjusted Operating income margin (b)



Operating income margin % - GAAP

Increase of ~ 150 bps Adjusted Operating income margin % - Non-GAAP

Increase of ~ 50 bps





FY23 Adjusted earnings per share growth rate (c)



Diluted earnings per share - GAAP

~13 - 17% growth Adjusted earnings per share - Non-GAAP

7 - 11% growth



(a) The Company is unable to reconcile its forward-looking Recurring revenue growth constant currency fiscal year 2023 guidance without unreasonable efforts because of the uncertainty in the amounts of future foreign currency exchange rates. For the same reason, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

(b) Adjusted Operating income margin guidance (Non-GAAP) is adjusted to exclude the projected $248 million impact of Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, Acquisition and Integration Costs, and Russia-Related Exit Costs.

(c) Adjusted earnings per share growth guidance (Non-GAAP) is adjusted to exclude the projected $1.62 per share impact of Amortization of Acquired Intangibles and Purchased Intellectual Property, Acquisition and Integration Costs, and Russia-Related Exit Costs, and is calculated using diluted shares outstanding.

SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
WHERE BROOKLYN IS THE BRAND

BROOKLYN, N.Y., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brooklyn Chamber's holiday pop-up was so successful that it will soon welcome shoppers year-round.

Brooklyn Made will sell Brooklyn-themed merchandise, including art, apparel, beauty, houseware, jewelry and packaged foods, in the new collaboration with 55 vendors selected through a process that prioritized BIPOC makers, designers and small-business owners across the borough. The 1,200-square-foot retail store will launch May 18 at Innovation Alley in Industry City with a press breakfast and ribbon cutting. On Friday, May 19, the Chamber will host a party featuring DJ Barry Blends, which will be open to the public starting at 5 p.m.

"We are proud to promote our borough's best 'makers' at this retail storefront, which showcases the tenacity and ingenuity of small-business owners across Brooklyn," said Randy Peers, President and CEO of the Chamber. "This retail store recognizes the brightest creators and artisans in a way that helps small, diverse businesses grow. New York City is back, and Brooklyn is leading the way!"

Two of the small businesses participating are husband-and-wife tea sommelier team Brooklyn Tea and apparel from The Collective at IndigoStyle. Both businesses participated in last year's holiday market.

"Brooklyn is the best borough for aspiring entrepreneurs," said Sheryl Roberts, owner of The Collective at IndigoStyle. "I am grateful to the Chamber and its partners for supporting small businesses like mine through Brooklyn Made. Collaborating on this retail store, since its inception as a holiday market, is a dream come true."

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce partnered with Wells Fargo Foundation, Industry City and the Brooklyn Community Foundation on the store, which promotes designers, makers and entrepreneurs, mostly from communities of color, who embody the essence of Brooklyn through their unique products.

"Industry City has always been where creatives, makers and artisans find space to hone their craft, build their business and find community," said Jim Somoza, Managing Director of Industry City. "Working with an upper-floor tenant like the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce on this retail store has been great; it is a prime example of how tenants can use the campus to build new concepts while serving the upstairs business community. We're incredibly proud to have Brooklyn Made at Industry City."

"Small businesses play a vital role in making Brooklyn a vibrant place to live, work, visit and raise families  and they are the key to generating millions of jobs and economic activity here in New York City," said Otis Rolley, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation and head of Philanthropy and Community Impact. "This investment in Brooklyn Made will build on our commitment to support diverse makers, creatives and entrepreneurs and help create opportunities for them to sell their products right here in the community. We thank the Chamber, Brooklyn Community Foundation and Industry City for their collaboration on this project."

One Brooklyn-based business will be featured each month in the "Maker of the Month" spotlight program. The select businesses will be promoted through "Meet the Maker" events, the first of which kicks off at the May 19 launch party.

"Brooklyn Made" can mean many things, but universally it reflects the intricacies of a borough that has been shaped and reshaped by the ever-changing flow of populations and cultures that have found their way to Brooklyn for over 300 years.

"Brooklyn Made is a reflection of what it means to 'spark change,'" said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Community Foundation "The Chamber's commitment to equity in the application process is a reflection of our mission to uplift Brooklynites through social justice. We are proud to support this initiative."

This May, stop by Industry City to shop Brooklyn-themed goods from across the borough, all in one spot. Beginning on Thursday, May 18, visit Brooklyn Made 11 a.m.  7 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m.  9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

SOURCE Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
America's Largest Family-Owned Italian Beef Restaurant Group's Valparaiso, IN.

Location is Earning Over $30k Per Day

VALPARAISO, Ind., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic Chicago restaurant brands, Buona and The Original Rainbow Cone have announced the successful launch of their first out of state dual concept location in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The 4,900 square feet location which operates on less than an acre of land and features a double drive-thru and 80 seats has surpassed all expectations, with an average daily revenue of over $30,000 for the first two weeks of operation.

Large crowd gathered outside of the newly opened Buona/Rainbow Cone restaurant in Valparaiso, Indiana on April 12, 2023.

The dual brand concept offers an expansive menu tailored to everyone in the family, anchored by Buona's Award-Winning Italian Beef, Chicago Style Hotdogs, All-Natural Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches and Signature Chopped Salad, along with Rainbow Cone's world-famous five-flavor "Rainbow Cone."

The high level of guest satisfaction is reflected in social reviews, with the location receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.

"We are thrilled with the success of our first out of market dual brand location," said Joe Buonavolanto Ill, third generation Buona family member and VP of Franchise Operations at the company. "The combination of Buona's Signature Italian beef and Rainbow Cone's beloved ice cream has been a hit with customers. Our team has worked hard to create a welcoming environment for families to enjoy quality food and memorable experiences together, and it's rewarding to see that effort paying off."

The success of Buona and Rainbow Cone's first dual brand location outside of Illinois is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. The prototype location is paving the way for future expansion and growth for both brands.

The next out of market dual concept locations are expected to open in the Nashville, southern Wisconsin, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale metro areas next year. The company also hopes to continue its national expansion into Arizona and Texas.

For more information about Buona and Rainbow Cone's franchise programs, visit https://BuonaFranchise.com or https://rainbowconefranchise.com .

About Buona/The Original Rainbow Cone

Buona/The Original Rainbow Cone bring two Chicago, family-owned traditions together, combining Buona's authentic recipe for Italian beef sandwiches and The Original Rainbow Cone's world-famous 5-flavor "Rainbow Cone." Four decades, three generations and several dozen restaurants ago, Joe and Peggy opened the first Buona restaurant in Berwyn, IL, which specialized in their authentic recipe for Italian beef sandwiches. Today, Buona is driven by multiple 3rd generation Buonavolantos and hard-working, dedicated employees who loyally serve Buona customers and surrounding communities. As a result, Buona is the largest family-owned Italian beef restaurant group and Italian beef producer in the country. Rainbow Cone was founded in 1926 by "Grandpa Joe" Sapp, who was never satisfied with just one ice cream flavor and stacked five delicious flavors on a single cone. The company remains 3rd generation family-owned including its original Southside location. For more information, visit https://buona.com and https://rainbowcone.com

SOURCE Buona; The Original Rainbow Cone
Athian's livestock carbon credit marketplace completes latest round of funding thanks to the investment by California Dairies, Inc. and DSM Venturing

INDIANAPOLIS, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Athian (athian.ai) announces the completion of their seed funding round with investments from two strategic partners: DSM Venturing, the corporate venture arm of Royal DSM, a global, purpose-led company in Health, Nutrition & Bioscience, and California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in California and second largest in the United States. Athian, the world's first carbon marketplace for the livestock sector, advances the global acceptance of its novel transactional carbon credit inset program with this investment from DSM Venturing and CDI, along with previous investors, Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN), Tyson Ventures and Newtrient LLC.

This game-changing innovation provides livestock producers with economic incentives for on-farm sustainability practices, while helping improve global food system sustainability and reducing climate warming. "CDI's membership has been leading the way in sustainable dairy farming investments, and we continue to move as fast as technology and on-farm economics allow," said Simon Vander Woude, chairman of the board at CDI. "This is an opportunity to showcase that hard work while doubling down to drive innovation and further improve our environmental footprint, ensuring that our farms produce some of the most sustainable milk in the world, across all the various pillars of sustainability."

Athian's carbon credit marketplace completes funding round thanks to California Dairies, Inc. and DSM Venturing. Tweet this

"We are excited by CDI and DSM Venturing's enthusiasm for our innovative carbon marketplace platform. The groundswell of support has been tremendous" said Paul Myer, CEO of Athian. "This announcement not only expedites our reach into international markets but also accelerates practical environmental solutions that give farmers new revenue streams and helps companies deliver on their sustainability commitments throughout the value chain."

Athian's carbon credit insetting platform will enable livestock farmers who implement sustainable practices the ability to earn revenue to fund those initiatives. Athian's key mission is to help the beef and dairy value chains capture and claim carbon credits earned through sustainability efforts. Athian aggregates, validates, and certifies, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, and monetizes those reductions through the sale of carbon credits which offer value to the supply chain as important carbon assets related to Scope 3 emissions.

"Global climate change requires all of us working together. And now, Athian can deliver on our goal of connecting the whole value chain," said Myer. "By joining forces with investors like CDI, DSM Venturing and others throughout the livestock industry, we have a unique opportunity, with all the voices at the table, to support sustainability practice changes through carbon incentives. Together we can move the needle on climate change."

In connection with these investments, Scott Horner, Regional Managing Director North America at DSM Venturing, and Darrin Montiero, Vice President of Sustainability at CDI, will join the Athian Board of Directors in an observer capacity.

About Athian

At Athian, we are technology experts with farming in our genes. We enable environmental sustainability for animal agriculture because we believe in being good stewards of the earth's resources for generations to come. We use software to aggregate, certify, and fund greenhouse gas reductions throughout the entire livestock value chain. Athian's platform is an industry-based analytics tool that enables the livestock industry to improve sustainability by providing carbon credits. Athian's carbon credit marketplace provides quality greenhouse gas credits that fund livestock producers' sustainability measures. Athian is a High Alpha Innovation company based in Indianapolis, Ind. Learn how to join us in this effort at www.Athian.ai .

About California Dairies, Inc.

California Dairies, Inc. is the largest member-owned milk marketing and processing cooperative in California, producing approximately 40 percent of California's milk. Co-owned by over 300 dairy producers who ship nearly 17 billion pounds of Real California Milk annually, California Dairies, Inc. is a manufacturer of quality butter, fluid milk products and milk powders. In addition, California Dairies, Inc. is the home of two leading and well-respected brands of butter  Challenge and Danish Creamery. California Dairies, Inc.'s quality dairy products are available in all 50 United States and in more than 50 foreign countries. For additional information on California Dairies, Inc., visit www.CaliforniaDairies.com .

About DSM Venturing

DSM Venturing is the corporate venture arm of Royal DSM a global, purpose-led company in health, nutrition and bioscience, applying science to improve the health of people, animals and the planet. DSM's purpose is to create brighter lives for all. DSM's products and solutions address some of the world's biggest challenges while simultaneously creating economic, environmental, and societal value for all its stakeholders  customers, employees, shareholders, and society at large. The company was founded in 1902 and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

SOURCE Athian
The fighting that erupted in Sudan on April 15 has already sent hundreds of thousands fleeing for their lives, and the United Nations is bracing for many more to follow.

The conflict between the army and a paramilitary group has displaced more than 330,000 people within the country and more than 100,000 others have escaped across into neighbouring countries.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR is planning for the possibility that the conflict could spur more than 800,000 people to flee Sudan as refugees.

Here is an overview:

Within Sudan

The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said an estimated 334,053 people had been internally displaced by the fighting, with figures going up to April 28.

Displacement has been reported from 14 of Sudan's 18 states.

"About 72 percent, roughly 240,000 of these new internal displacements were reported in West and South Darfur alone," spokesman Paul Dillon told reporters in Geneva.

The number of people displaced in the last two weeks "exceeds all conflict-related displacement in Sudan in 2022", he added.

Sudan counted around 3.7 million internally displaced persons before the conflict started, mostly in the volatile Darfur region.

Sudan also hosted 1.13 million refugees before the conflict -- one of the largest refugee populations in Africa.

Of those, 800,000 are South Sudanese, and 136,000 are from Eritrea. There are also 93,000 Syrians, 72,000 Ethiopians and 24,000 from the Central African Republic (CAR).

Fleeing abroad

Sudan shares a border, in order of length, with South Sudan, Chad, the CAR, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Libya.

"Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now fled Sudan to neighbouring countries," UNHCR spokeswoman Olga Sarrado told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.

The agency said the most significant cross border movements so far have been Sudanese refugees arriving in Chad and Egypt, and South Sudanese refugees in Sudan returning to their home country.

UNHCR on Monday said it was working with a planning figure of over 800,000 people possibly fleeing Sudan.

It foresees three scenarios: Sudanese fleeing as refugees into neighbouring countries; refugees hosted by Sudan returning home and refugees hosted by Sudan moving to other neighbouring countries.

"Among the urgent needs are water, food, shelter, health care, relief items, gender-based violence response and prevention, and child protection services," said Sarrado.

Egypt

UNHCR said 40,000 refugees plus a further 2,000 third-country nationals have crossed Sudan's northern border.

Refugees making it to Cairo reported leaving with few belongings, food, water or cash on the treacherous journeys, having paid small fortunes for scarce bus tickets out of the war zone amid crippling fuel shortages.

The IOM said much of the cross-border movement "commences from across locations in Khartoum where clashes have impacted residents".

Chad

UNHCR estimates that 30,000 people have fled westwards into Chad. More than 21,000 have so far been identified for registration.

"Some new arrivals are still staying out in the open or under trees, while others are sleeping in makeshift shelters close to the border," said Sarrado.

UNHCR expects the number to rise to up to 100,000 people in the worst-case scenario.

The looming rainy season will make it harder to reach the border area with aid.

More than 400,000 Sudanese refugees are already hosted across 13 camps and among local communities in eastern Chad.

South Sudan

UNHCR said an estimated 27,275 people had crossed the southern border into South Sudan.

Of these, nearly 21,000 are South Sudanese returnees, nearly 2,700 are refugees from Sudan, with the rest being third-country nationals.

The agency has set up a transit centre for new arrivals.

Ethiopia

Around 8,900 refugees are thought to have crossed into Ethiopia from Sudan, according to UNHCR. Of those, nearly 7,300 are third-country nationals, with the rest either refugees from Sudan or Ethiopian returnees.

Central African Republic

UNHCR said 6,000 people had crossed the border, with 5,600 being refugees from Sudan and the rest CAR returnees.

The IOM said approximately 70 percent were women and 20 percent were children.

"Relocation assessments are under way to move people away from the border to more secure locations," Sarrado said.

Libya and Eritrea

Around 550 people are thought to have crossed into Libya, though UNHCR has not registered any refugees yet.

Neither the IOM or UNHCR had any information on movement into Eritrea.

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Certif-ID plans to use the funds for further development of the technology platform and further expansion into Asia

COLOGNE, Germany and BANGALORE, India, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Certif-ID International GmbH, a blockchain-based 'Future of Work' platform for international skilled professionals, has successfully closed a seed financing of 1.6 million Euro led by NRW-Bank and the angel investors Andreas Weinberger, Malte Pollmann (Supervisory Board Utimaco Group), Jorg Will (Partner at IFP Executive Search) and Michael Bernhorster (Head of Advisory, Schilling Group). With the continued support of TUV Rheinland, Certif-ID plans to use the funds to expand its activities in Asia and Europe and to further develop its technology platform.

Tim Miller (left) and Markus Dohm, Co-Founders of Certif-ID International GmbH, are happy about the great confidence of the investors in their sustainable concept

Tim Miller, Co-Founder and CEO of Certif-ID said, "The demand for skilled manpower across the world has never been stronger. Yet the recruitment, skill verification and visa issuance processes are slow to adapt. The urgent need to automate and digitise these processes is crucial to minimise any adverse economic impact. "

Markus Dohm, Certif-ID's second Co-Founder, added, "We are also thrilled to be supported by NRW-Bank with their relaunched NRW.SeedCap program."

Certif-ID focuses on automating and digitising the recruitment process to verify skills and issue visas for internationally skilled professionals, particularly in healthcare, engineering, and logistics. The company's TalentSure product line has more than 300,000 registered users from 32 countries and offers 16,000 job offers. The platform uses blockchain technology to bring transparency and trust to candidates' application documents.

Certif-ID also offers a second product line, CredSure, which is a SaaS platform that supports companies in digitising credentials and anchoring them to blockchain for instant verification. Education providers issue digital badges to their graduates, which can be used to showcase and verify their newly acquired competencies that match industry demand.

About Certif-ID

Certif-ID is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions that build trust in International technical recruitment. Our technology and service portfolio digitises credentials, builds verifiable talent pipelines, automates skill recognition and minimises cross-border recruitment efforts.

TalentSure by Certif-ID is a platform that connects verified professionals with employers, streamlines recruitment and automates processes.

CredSure by Certif-ID is a SaaS platform that supports companies in digitising their certificates and opening up a modern way of digital communication for graduates via badges.

Certif-ID was founded in 2020 in Cologne and employs 20 people in India and Germany.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067696/Certif_ID.jpg

SOURCE Certif-ID
The integration comes at a crucial time in reserves study law for community association management

DULUTH, Ga. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CINC Systems, the largest SaaS-based solution dedicated to the association management industry, has partnered with SmartProperty to complete an integration like no other in the community management space. Through the partnership, CINC clients will have the opportunity to bring their association reserve studies to life with current financial data.

"This integration is what the industry needs now. States across the country are responding to the tragedy in Surfside, Florida, and imposing new reserve requirements," said Ryan Davis, Chief Executive Officer of CINC Systems. "We're excited to work with SmartProperty to improve the industry by integrating reserve spending with accounting actuals."

On June 24, 2021, the Champlain Towers South collapsed in Surfside, Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed new legislation into law in June 2022 that requires condominiums and cooperatives within the state to impose substantial new structural safety and reserve requirements, including a mandatory reserves study to be completed every ten years. Similar legislation has passed or is expected to pass in several other states including Colorado, Hawaii, Georgia, and Maryland.

Integration Transforms Communication Provided to HOA/COA Boards

By integrating SmartProperty with CINC Systems, clients are able to view the SmartProperty Report, a real-time financial health report, in their monthly financial packages.

"This report transforms the way HOA and COA boards receive communication from their management companies," said Chris Millner, Chief Product Officer at CINC Systems. "The data is synchronized in real time between property information in CINC and SmartProperty. This means every decision that a board makes can be made with the confidence that the information provided to them is accurate and up-to-date."

Data from CINC's 2023 State of the Industry Report indicates that communication and transparency are critical components in measuring board satisfaction. Fragmented data and reporting capabilities within software solutions leave board members frustrated and significantly contribute to decisions boards make to leave their management companies.

"Through the integration with CINC Systems and SmartProperty, boards receive the exact information needed to make the right decisions for the good of their community," Millner said.

Reinventing the Meaning of the Reserves Study

"Static reserve studies are obsolete and provide little utility after the fiscal year starts," says Damian J Esparza, founder of SmartProperty. "Today's boards require tools that empower them to make informed decisions year-round, providing them with greater peace of mind. So far they have been hindered by only being able to look through a rearview mirror instead of looking forward."

With SmartProperty's Living Reserve Study, fueled by financial data from CINC Systems, boards receive greater visibility into component and maintenance histories, custom funding plans that can be updated on the fly, and the ability to compare their community's financial health against similar communities.

"That's a lot more powerful than a static reserve study with outdated information," Esparza said. "Through our program, board members are able to make objective, data-driven decisions that justify fee increases to their communities."

Empowering the Community Can Save Lives in the Future

"At CINC Systems, the company mission is to make living in a professionally managed community a great experience," said CEO Ryan Davis. "Creating systems and processes to empower the HOA/COA boards is extremely critical, and that's why CINC Systems continuously focuses on partnerships that support the boards and homeowners."

"I am incredibly proud of our integration with SmartProperty," Davis said. "SmartProperty has reinvented what a reserves study can do to make a positive impact within a community. It's a transformational innovation that enables board members to make the best decisions for their homeowners and properties. These kinds of software partnerships are critical and in some cases life-saving in community association management, and I'm excited that we are able to provide this to our homeowners."

Resources

Learn more about CINC Systems here

Connect with us on social: LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook

Meet the CINC Systems leadership team here

Learn more about SmartProperty here

About CINC Systems

CINC Systems is the largest provider of SaaS solutions for the community association industry. Founded in 2005, CINC Systems became the industry's first Internet-based integrated accounting and property management system. CINC Systems is backed by founder Bill Blanton, a third-generation banker, and Spectrum Equity. The company serves more than 20,000 homeowners associations and 2 million homes. Learn more at www.cincsystems.com.

About SmartProperty

Founded in 2016, SmartProperty is a first-of-its-kind service provider for the community association management industry. SmartProperty is changing the way HOAs and condo associations plan for the future by introducing the Living Reserve Study. This empowers community associations to take control over the asset management lifecycle and enables boards to make data-backed decisions to extend the life of common area assets and safeguard their community's future. The innovative solution comes from 35 collective years of industry expertise, and over 20,000 completed reserve studies. Learn more today at www.SmartProperty.com.

SOURCE CINC Systems
HOUSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlos Jorda, President and CEO of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, was recently honored by the Department of Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. Jorda, a 1971 graduate of Michigan Tech, was one of six alumni named to the department's Distinguished Academy.

"I was honored to receive this recognition from my alma mater, Michigan Tech," said Jorda. "My background in chemical engineering has proven highly valuable throughout my career in the international oil and gas industry, and I'm proud to join the academy alongside such a distinguished group of fellow inductees."

In addition to Jorda, the 2023 academy inductees included:

Brian Glover , President and CEO, Honeywell UOP

, President and CEO, Honeywell UOP Bruce Janda , retired senior consultant, Fisher International

, retired senior consultant, Fisher International Brad Rick , retired Process Engineer and Product Development, Amway Corporation

, retired Process Engineer and Product Development, Amway Corporation John Smuk (deceased), Manager of Process Engineering, Potlatch Corporation

(deceased), Manager of Process Engineering, Potlatch Corporation Philip Watters , Senior Vice President, Rimkus Consulting Group

This year's inductees rank among the most successful and influential alumni of Michigan Tech's Department of Chemical Engineering. Selection into the academy recognizes excellence and leadership in engineering and civic affairs. Portraits and a brief biography of academy members are prominently displayed on the Distinguished Academy Honor Wall in the hallway outside the main departmental offices to serve as inspirational role models for future chemical engineering students.

With more than 50 years in the international oil and gas industry, Jorda has served as President and CEO of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, since 2019. He started his career with Creole Petroleum in 1971 at the Amuay refinery in Venezuela, and continued working with affiliates of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) through 2002 in the areas of refining operations and corporate planning, international businesses of PDVSA and in the development and financing of the Strategic Associations of the Orinoco Belt joint ventures. Jorda's last position in PDVSA was Chairman of the Board of Directors of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, then based in Tulsa, Okla. From 2003 to 2019, he worked as an independent consultant, primarily through Gaffney, Cline & Associates. Additionally, Jorda served as a Director of publicly traded refining company Delek USA from 2006 through 2019.

Jorda successfully guided CITGO through the COVID-19 pandemic and several severe weather events affecting the Company's Gulf Coast operations. Under his leadership, CITGO achieved record-setting financial and operational performance in 2022 and is well positioned for future success.

Founded in 1885 and located in Houghton, Michigan, Michigan Tech is a flagship public research university with an emphasis on educating students in engineering, sciences and technology.

"I hope my career inspires current and future chemical engineering students at Michigan Tech," said Jorda. "Go Huskies!"

About CITGO :

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, La.; Lemont, Ill.; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 38 active terminals, six pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,300 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 769,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth-largest and is one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products, and supplies a network of approximately 4,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets, all located east of the Rocky Mountains. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc.

SOURCE CITGO Corporation
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Delray Beach's Utilities Department will host a Membrane Water Treatment Plant Design-Build Industry Forum on May 10, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the first-floor training room of the Utilities Department Facility located at 434 S. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444. Contractors, business owners, and residents who would like to learn more about the multi-faceted project are encouraged to attend.

"This is an opportunity for those who are interested in this project to understand the background, learn about the procurement process, project schedule, and budget," said Hassan Hadjimiry, the City of Delray Beach's Utilities Director.

The City's new water treatment plant, estimated to be completed in 2027, will ensure a state-of-the-art water treatment process, advance the City's monitoring, and control systems, improve water pressure, and serve the needs of the community for years to come.

To RSVP to the Membrane Water Treatment Plant Design-Build Industry Forum on May 10, 2023, please email Robert Hunt at [email protected] by May 5, 2023.

About The City of Delray Beach

The City of Delray Beach is a charming, vibrant city of dynamic and diverse communities. Fostering an authentic and inspiring community that celebrates its history while building toward the future, the City was an All-America City Winner in 1993, 2001, and 2017, the first city in Florida to do so. The City was named the 5th best city for small businesses in the U.S. by Verizon Business and Coastal Living Magazine named the City America's Happiest Seaside Town and one of the 10 Best Little Beach Towns in Florida. USA TODAY also named Atlantic Avenue one of America's 10 Great Shopping Streets. For more information, please visit https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/.

CONTACT: Aimee Adler (561) 302-6902 (or) [email protected]

SOURCE City of Delray Beach
Premium skincare brand selects Infor WMS to optimise visibility, traceability and productivity at new distribution centre

LONDON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infor, the industry cloud company, today announced that premium skincare brand Clarins UK has deployed Infor WMS warehouse management system. Supporting a new distribution centre, the cloud solution, powered by AWS (Amazon Web Services), will facilitate a standardised, best-in-class digital backbone for the beauty leader. While delivering increased visibility, improved traceability and inventory accuracy, Infor WMS also will enhance order management and dynamic picking, for optimum productivity.

With a remit to establish a scalable infrastructure for the future, and improve both traceability and accuracy of customer orders, Clarins needed to move away from its previous legacy warehouse management system. Infor's multi-tenant cloud-based WMS was selected with support from Supply Chain Consulting Group. The decision was based on the solution's best-in-class capabilities, and prebuilt processes to enable a fast deployment, as well as scale for the future.

"With the launch of our new distribution centre, we took the opportunity to review our processes and implement a cloud-based, standardised system with best-in-class processes," comments Alison Surridge, business transformation director at Clarins (UK) Ltd. "The project came in ahead of the deadline and under budget, which was crucial as we had a short window to establish everything in order to hit the ground running. We now have a world-class distribution centre, underpinned by the very best digital platform from which to optimise performance and customer service, as well as the flexibility for further expansion.

"Now we have increased visibility of ASNs and shipment order status, and enhanced order management through waves, plus we have significantly improved the traceability and accuracy of our inventory through Infor WMS. The fact that the system is so easy to use means operative onboarding time has reduced, and a more streamlined warehousing operation inevitably means that we can deliver better service to our customers."

"Clarins' new distribution centre represents a perfect example of a major brand embracing the potential of digital to drive greater scale, performance and agility. Our 'engage' workshop drove home confidence that Infor was the right project partner to deliver this transformative technology in the new distribution centre," comments Mike Weeks, solution specialist for distribution industries at Infor. "Automation and integration are key to optimising performance in a modern warehouse, and through instilling the right processes, supported by world-class software capabilities, Clarins is in the best position to build on the success of its brand and adapt its operations as market dynamics evolve in the coming years."

Learn more about Infor WMS: https://www.infor.com/solutions/scm/warehousing/warehouse-management-system

About Clarins

Clarins is a French family-owned company recognised throughout the world for its award-winning skin care formulations, (No 1 premium skin care in Europe  source NPD trends) make-up and spa treatments. Pioneers of plant science, all of its ingredients are carefully sourced with the utmost care for the environment as well as their effectiveness. Unrivalled French laboratory expertise fused with state-of-the-art technology ensures the ingredients are delivered in an optimal formula to achieve maximum results. Driven by an approach that prioritises continuous innovation with a deep commitment to responsible beauty, the brand's success is also underpinned by the close relationship and dialogue it cultivates with its customers. Clarins continues to create many revolutionary industry firsts  problem-solving formulations that deliver impressive results for customers at every stage of their lives. Clarins has made bold innovation its signature with pioneering formulas that are constantly being reinvented, and best-sellers that stand the test of time. Visit https://www.clarins.co.uk/

About Infor

Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. We develop complete solutions for our focus industries. Infor's mission-critical enterprise applications and services are designed to deliver sustainable operational advantages with security and faster time to value. Over 60,000 organizations in more than 175 countries rely on Infor's 17,000 employees to help achieve their business goals. As a Koch company, our financial strength, ownership structure, and long-term view empower us to foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Visit www.infor.com.

Media contact

Richard Moore

Infor

+447976111243

[email protected]

Copyright 2023 Infor. All rights reserved. The word and design marks set forth herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Infor and/or related affiliates and subsidiaries. All other trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective owners. www.infor.com

SOURCE Infor
LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coco Republic, the high-end interior design brand, is excited to announce the launch of their new art concept, "Creative / Perspective". The concept is designed to give exposure to local LA artists by showcasing their art pieces in the flagship store of Coco Republic located in the heart of Culver City. The premiere is set to take place on May 4th, 2023.

Artist Monica Perez

"We are thrilled to offer this platform within HD Buttercup Design Center to local artists. This is also an exciting opportunity for our customers to engage with art in an inspiring environment surrounded by Coco Republic's new spring collection," says Skye Westcott, President of Coco Republic North America.

The "CREATIVE/PERSPECTIVES" exhibition series is kicking off with its first showcase featuring the works of Monica Perez. As a long-term concept, this series will include upcoming exhibitions of diverse artists, with each artist's work being featured on a monthly basis.

Monica Perez, the first artist to be featured in this art series is a renowned immigrant artist from Uruguay, currently residing in Los Angeles. Her art explores the impact of lineage, identity, and land on individuals, families, and cultures. With her collection of 15 paintings spanning multiple years, the vernissage will showcase various recurring themes around loss and life, highlighting the journey of the artist. "I create these pieces to work through personal struggles, and it's liberating to pour myself out, transferring what was inside onto the canvas. Looking now at the pieces on display, it's like reading through specific pages in my journal, and I hope that those who view my work will also relate to the emotional moments that inspired them," said Perez.

This collaboration between Coco Republic and Monica Perez serves to bridge the gap between art and design, making it accessible and open to the public.

For more information about Coco Republic please visit

https://hdbuttercup.com/pages/monica-perez

www.cocorepublic.com

https://monica-perez.com/ https://instagram.com/monicaperezart

When: The exhibition will commence with a private event on May 4th and will run throughout May. Going forward, the exhibition will feature one artist per month

Where: HD Buttercup Design Center x COCO REPUBLIC, 3225 Helms Avenue, Culver City, Los Angeles

Press contact: Lisa Agerman [email protected] phone: 424-389-6608

SOURCE Coco Republic
CHICAGO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Composable Applications industry will have new prospects for innovation and expansion because of the adoption of cutting-edge technology like blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The demand for composable apps will be driven by the increasing demand for quick application development and delivery as well as the requirement for adaptable and scalable solutions. There are several small and mid-sized businesses in the currently fragmented market for composable apps. However, consolidation is anticipated to happen, with major players acquiring smaller firms to broaden their product and customer bases. Composable commerce, which enables companies to pick and combine best-of-breed solutions, is anticipated to keep expanding as companies work to enhance their eCommerce capabilities and compete in the online market. Businesses will continue to realise the value of security.

The Composable Applications Market size is estimated at USD 5.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 11.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 17.5%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Factors such as the increasing need for rapid customization and scalability and increased app development demand drives the market.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Composable Applications Market"

200 - Tables

25 - Figures

250 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=258272507

Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 20172028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast period 20232028 Forecast units Value (USD Million/Billion) Segments covered Offering, Vertical and Region Geographies covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World Major companies covered Salesforce (US), Dell Boomi (US), MuleSoft (US), Informatica (US), and Software AG (Germany)

By offering, the services segment is expected to grow at highest CAGR

The services include integration & implementation, consulting & training, and support & maintenance. Companies offering these services have skilled consultants and solution architects who are specialized professionals supporting proper designing and delivering composable applications architecture. Composable applications services provide services to overcome the most challenging connectivity requirements and integrate applications and APIs anywhere. The growing need for businesses to reduce operational and infrastructural costs is driving the demand for cloud-based applications and subsequent.

By vertical, retail & eCommerce to grow at highest CAGR

eCommerce companies built using a traditional, monolithic approach to software development had a set of challenges, such as reliance on a single vendor. In addition, it was complex and expensive to modify customer behaviour changes or emerging market trends. Hence, many retailers are now transitioning to a composable, cloud-first, and API-first approach to their e-commerce applications. This approach allows them to select best-of-breed software components and combine them into a composable e-commerce solution.

Composable commerce enables retailers to create personalized experiences for each customer, reduce costs, increase operational efficiency, and reduce errors while saving time and money. It encourages innovation by allowing retailers to experiment with new technologies. Moreover, the retail industry can leverage the low-code development platform with the help of analytical tools to understand real-time customers' behavior to improve decision-making skills.

By region, North America to account for the largest share in 2023

North America includes the US and Canada. It is the highest revenue-generating region in the global composable applications market, with the US constituting the highest market share. The region is also settled in terms of its economy and witnesses large-scale investments in IT infrastructure. North America is also the region where major security vendors are settled, giving the region an edge over the rest of the world in terms of innovation and growth. These factors are expected to drive the composable applications market in the region.

Also, owing to the emergence of trending technologies, such as IoT, AI, ML, cloud computing, big data, DevOps, and enterprise mobility, users and enterprises have been urged to adopt much more sophisticated and reliable application platform software and the associated services. This fact is expected to contribute to the overall growth of the composable applications market in North America. North America comprises the US and Canada, which are also witnessing a phenomenal adoption of composable applications. These countries have a major dominance with sustainable and well-established economies, empowering them to strongly invest in R&D activities, thereby contributing to the development of new technologies.

Composable Applications Market Dynamics

Driver:

Enterprises are increasingly challenged to create digital user experiences.

Enables eCommerce teams to choose, construct, and compose best-of-breed solutions to meet their company demands.

Increased uses of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies

Restraint:

In the digital world, quick application delivery is crucial for corporate success.

Software provided by a vendor offers a completely integrated solution that can satisfy unique business needs.

businesses are unaware of the benefits of internal software development.

Opportunities:

Productivity improvement is a key element encouraging organizations to pursue digital transformation.

The traditional business model has been modernized by digital technologies.

Internet services are widely used in the banking and financial industry, to increase online activities.

Challenges:

In COVID-19 pandemic, business adopted digital solutions which needed specialized software and committed developers.

IT teams expanded and became more specialized.

The interest of businesses in hiring expert developers in this field.

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Key Market Players:

Major players operating in the Composable Applications Market are Salesforce (US), Dell Boomi (US), MuleSoft (US), Informatica (US), and Software AG (Germany).

Recent Developments

In August 2022 , the company launched Composable Storefront, a customizable headless storefront that allows users to make changes to eCommerce websites with increased speed and flexibility.

, the company launched Composable Storefront, a customizable headless storefront that allows users to make changes to eCommerce websites with increased speed and flexibility. In April 2021 , Informatica announced a cloud platform that employs microservices and an AI engine to combine data management capabilities and enable data and application programming interface (API) integration. The Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) is a revamped implementation of an Informatica platform that extensively uses an existing AI engine dubbed CLAIRE.

, Informatica announced a cloud platform that employs microservices and an AI engine to combine data management capabilities and enable data and application programming interface (API) integration. The Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) is a revamped implementation of an Informatica platform that extensively uses an existing AI engine dubbed CLAIRE. In April 2021 , Software AG launched innovations of its web Methods platform for APIs, integration, and microservices. With this release, companies can simplify and accelerate their digital transformation initiatives while speeding up their cloud adoption.

Composable Applications Market Advantages

Composable give organisations more flexibility and agility since they can swiftly put together and take apart components to accommodate shifting business needs.

Composable applications make it simple for organisations to customise their software solutions by selecting the precise modules they require and leaving out ones they don't.

Composable applications make it simple to scale up or down as company demands change without having to rewrite their software from the ground up.

Companies can use open-source modules instead of spending a lot of money creating custom software from scratch, composable apps can be economical.

Report Objectives

To describe and forecast the global composable applications market by offering, vertical, and region based on individual growth trends and contributions toward the overall market

To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, opportunities, restraints, and challenges) influencing the growth of the composable applications market

To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the composable applications market

To forecast the size of the market segments with respect to five main regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and the Rest of the World

, , , and the Rest of the World To analyze sub-segments of the market with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the overall market

To profile the key players of the composable applications market and comprehensively analyze their market size and core competencies.

To track and analyze competitive developments, such as product enhancements and product launches, acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations in the composable applications market globally.

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"This year, the year of the Global Stocktake, we have an unprecedented opportunity to turn policies into practical outcomes."

"We need tangible progress, this year, on reform that will unlock far more concessional finance, mitigate risk, and attract more private capital."

"We must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives."

ABU DHABI, UAE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today in a speech at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, the COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, presented his broad ambitions for COP28.

Dr. Al Jaber stated: "We have just passed the seven-year mark since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, with just seven years to go to 2030. Seven years to reduce emissions by 43 percent and keep the ambitions of the Paris Agreement alive."

President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, outlines his broad ambitions for COP28 at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin. COP28 President-Designate calls for climate action that hits 2030 targets, unlocks climate finance, and leaves no one behind Dr. Al Jaber concluded by saying Lets put an end to delays and start delivery. Lets turn passion into pragmatic solutions.

Dr Al Jaber added that, "the most recent IPCC report has already made it crystal clear that we are way off track. This is a moment of clarity that we must face with total honesty. We must unite and seize the moment of the Global Stocktake to put the world on the right track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement." On renewables, Dr Al Jaber called on the world to "triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040."

"In my meetings with climate, finance, and development ministers across the Global South, what I hear time and again is that climate finance is nowhere near available, accessible, or affordable enough. IFIs and MDBs are not keeping pace with the challenges of the 21st century."

"Developing countries are still waiting for the 100 billion dollars promised by developed countries 14 years ago. This is holding up progress, and as part of my outreach, I am requesting donor countries to provide a definitive extraordinary report on the delivery of this commitment by COP28. It is vital to the political credibility of the UNFCCC process, that donors step up to this long overdue obligation ahead of COP28 especially as the real value of this commitment has eroded over time."

Dr Al Jaber warned that "If the world does not come up with effective mechanisms to deliver climate finance to developing and emerging economies, they will have no choice but to choose a carbon intensive development path. That is an outcome we want to avoid simply because it is in nobody's interests."

"In a pragmatic, just and well managed energy transition, we must be laser-focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives. We know that the energies used today will continue to be part of the global energy mix for the foreseeable future. As such, we will work with the world to decarbonize the current energy system while we build a new one, capable of transitioning even the most heavy-emitting industries."

He highlighted that "COP28 must also provide tangible solutions to help people adapt to climate change and manage growing climate impacts. That is why we will be the first COP to dedicate a day to health and the first to host a health and climate ministerial."

"We need to broaden our definition of adaptation to enable global climate resilience, transform food systems, and enhance forestry, land use and water management."

Dr. Al Jaber concluded by saying, "Let's put an end to delays and start delivery. Let's turn passion into pragmatic solutions. Let's end polarization and empower partnership. There are moments in history when humanity comes together to fight a common threat Let's unite in solidarity for the sake of humanity. Let's live up to the responsibility that we have been entrusted with. Let us restore political credibility to the legal agreements that we have not yet fulfilled. Let's work together to deliver an ambitious agenda and a practical action-oriented plan for 2030. Let's unite a divided world for the planet, for our people and for lasting sustainable development. The world demands transformational progress. The world needs transformational action."

For all media enquiries and requests for interviews, please contact [email protected] , to watch the speech live, and for up-to-date COP28 news, follow us on Twitter @COP28_UAE

Notes to Editors:

The Petersberg Climate Dialogue is an annual meeting, hosted by the German Government. It provides a platform between COP27 and COP28 for parties and constituencies to share views on priorities for the next United Nations Climate Conference or Conference of the Parties, more commonly referred to as COP.

and for parties and constituencies to share views on priorities for the next United Nations Climate Conference or Conference of the Parties, more commonly referred to as COP. COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. Since his appointment as President-Designate in January 2022 , Dr. Al Jaber and the COP28 Leadership Team have proactively engaged on a Listening and Engagement Tour, where he has heard many voices from the global south, major economies, Indigenous peoples, NGOs, youth, civil society, and the business community.

SOURCE COP28 UAE
Experts from Microsoft, Comcast, Zoom, and Gensler, among others, to speak at Crestron's two-day, in-person event on trends and opportunities for workplace reinvention.

ROCKLEIGH, N.J., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestron Electronics , a global leader in workplace collaboration technology, announces today the full agenda and details on the livestreamed event for Modern Work Summit 2023. The session, "Crestron Solutions for Modern Work," taking place on May 23, 2023, at 4pm CET/10am ET, is part of the two-day, in-person event which will feature digital enterprise leaders focused on the role of people, workplace, and technology in the future of work. The Modern Work Summit will welcome renowned thought leaders including Ilya Bukshteyn, Microsoft; Peter Sany, Zoom; and Cristina Criddle, Financial Times; as well as spotlight Crestron's latest advancements from the company's leaders.

Crestron announces livestream event for Modern Work Summit 2023

"The Modern Work Summit is a reflection of our commitment to help organizations create intelligent workplaces that increase productivity, enhance collaboration, and optimize resource utilization," stated Brad Hintze, EVP of Global Marketing, Crestron. "We're excited to bring together thought leaders and technology partners to share insights and best practices that will help businesses of all sizes thrive in the new era of work. We have a great lineup."

Featured sessions and panels will include:

Livestream Event: Crestron Solutions for Modern Work featuring Ilya Bukshteyn , Microsoft and Patty Ardinger-Purcell , Comcast, will join Dan Feldstein , Crestron, and additional Crestron representatives, to discuss where they see industry growth, change, and opportunities in 2023 and beyond. Crestron will also unveil new technology that responds to the challenges and opportunities of our constantly evolving world.

featuring and will join and additional Crestron representatives, to discuss where they see industry growth, change, and opportunities in 2023 and beyond. Crestron will also unveil new technology that responds to the challenges and opportunities of our constantly evolving world. Engineering the Technology that Drives Hybrid Work presented by Ilya Bukshteyn , Microsoft and Brad Hintze , Crestron will discuss what drives the creation of a new generation of experiences. They will also explore the depth and breadth of the Microsoft Teams solutions for enhancing engagement, connection, and collaboration.

presented by and will discuss what drives the creation of a new generation of experiences. They will also explore the depth and breadth of the Microsoft Teams solutions for enhancing engagement, connection, and collaboration. Employee Experience: Beyond Hybrid Work where Antonio Cruz Cruz-Conde , Microsoft will highlight Microsoft's approach and technology solutions that focus on the challenges related to hybrid work, employee experience, and space transformation.

where will highlight Microsoft's approach and technology solutions that focus on the challenges related to hybrid work, employee experience, and space transformation. (R)evolution of the Modern Workplace with Peter Sany , Zoom will address what is needed for open, flexible, and easily connected platforms where business processes can be integrated and orchestrated fluidly, securely, and in easy-to-use ways.

with will address what is needed for open, flexible, and easily connected platforms where business processes can be integrated and orchestrated fluidly, securely, and in easy-to-use ways. Digital Transformation  How Technology is Powering the Modern Workplace hosted by Andy Clayton-Smith , Technology Record with panelists from Sony, Eptura, Sennheiser, Shure, and New Wave Workspace will cover trends of the near future, like AI and XR, and how extending Digital Transformation initiatives into physical spaces can meet the expectations of the new workforce.

hosted by with panelists will cover trends of the near future, like AI and XR, and how extending Digital Transformation initiatives into physical spaces can meet the expectations of the new workforce. The Metaverse Workplace  The Future of Work? with Cristina Criddle , Financial Times will describe what the modern workplace might look like in the future when the metaverse is more developed.

Additional thought leaders from Accenture, Allen & Overy, AVIXA, the Futurum Group, Gensler, Intel, Jabra, Steelcase, and UnGroup, among others, will also present use cases, trends, and strategies for workplace reinvention, while panelists from Eptura, Korbyt, Macom, New Wave Workspace, NFS Technology, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, and Technology Record will discuss their experiences and best practices. Attendees will be equipped to stay ahead of the evolving modern workplace trends from people and culture to technology and design.

The Modern Work Summit 2023 will take place in parallel with Crestron Masters at the Madrid Marriot Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center. For more details on the livestream, please visit here and check out www.modernworksummit.com for more event information.

About Crestron

Crestron is a global leader in workplace technologies, engineering, and transforming corporate automation and unified communication (UC) solutions for enterprise organizations across Fortune 500 corporations, campuses, facilities, and more, as well as a premium home automation provider who creates platforms, devices, and systems across residential properties including homes, yachts, MDUs, and hotels.

For over 50 years, Crestron has been designing software and hardware solutions across government, military, lecture halls, and boardrooms, as well as the most discerning residential properties around the globe. As technology has become omnipresent in both work and home lives, Crestron is charting the future of digital transformation for commercial and residential applications by identifying and manufacturing solutions that strengthen collaboration, productivity, and innovation, while reflecting the lifestyles, comforts, and relationships that keep people connected, from anywhere, at any time. Discover Crestron at crestron.com .

All brand names, product names, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Certain trademarks, registered trademarks, and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Crestron disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Crestron is not responsible for errors in typography or photography. 2023 Crestron Electronics, Inc.

Crestron Press Contact

Caster Communications

O: 401-792-7080

[email protected]

SOURCE Crestron Electronics, Inc.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE: CS) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: February 18, 2021 to March 20, 2023

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 8, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in CS:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/credit-suisse-lawsuit-submission-form?id=38623&from=4

Credit Suisse Group AG NEWS - CS NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Credit Suisse Group AG made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) contrary to representations made in December 2022 by Credit Suisse's Chairman, Axel P. Lehmann, the sharp increase in customer outflows Credit Suisse began experiencing in October 2022 remained ongoing; (ii) accordingly, Credit Suisse had downplayed the impact of the Company's recent series of quarterly losses and risk and compliance failures on liquidity and its ability to retain client funds; (iii) as a result, Credit Suisse had overstated the Company's financial position and/or prospects; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Credit Suisse you have until May 8, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Credit Suisse securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the CS lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/credit-suisse-lawsuit-submission-form?id=38623&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Warring generals in Sudan have agreed "in principle" to a seven-day ceasefire, the government of neighbouring South Sudan said Tuesday, after regional envoys denounced repeated violations of previous truces.

Diplomatic efforts have intensified to end more than two weeks of war in Africa's third-largest country as warnings multiply about a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis.

More than 430,000 people have already been forced to flee their homes, the United Nations said.

Hundreds of others have been killed and thousands wounded.

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), "have agreed in principle for a seven-day truce from May 4th to 11th," the South Sudanese foreign ministry in Juba said in a statement.

Multiple truces agreed since fighting began on April 15 have been repeatedly violated, including one announced by South Sudan early in the war.

Witnesses reported renewed air strikes and anti-aircraft fire in Khartoum on Tuesday.

The repeated violations sparked criticism earlier Tuesday at a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of the Extended Mechanism on the Sudan Crisis which brought together African, Arab, UN and other representatives.

The two generals have agreed to truces, the latest one on Sunday, yet "continue fighting and shelling the city", said Ismail Wais, of the northeast African bloc IGAD which includes Sudan and South Sudan.

'No Longer Safe'

"Our priority today is to have the ceasefire prolonged and respected, then to ensure humanitarian assistance," African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said, opening the meeting.

The later agreement of the week-long truce came in a phone conversation South Sudan's President Salva Kiir had with the warring parties as part of IGAD's initiative for a pause in fighting, Juba's foreign ministry said.

"We'll have to see whether this is accepted by all the parties and whether it's implemented by the forces on the ground," said Farhan Haq, the UN chief's deputy spokesman.

Kenyan President William Ruto said earlier that the conflict had reached "catastrophic levels" and finding ways to provide humanitarian relief "with or without a ceasefire" was imperative.

The UN refugee agency said more than 100,000 people were estimated to have fled to Sudan's neighbours.

Despite the dire humanitarian needs, on Tuesday the UN said its 2023 aid appeal for Sudan was $1.5 billion short.

But some relief has been arriving in the country.

After the World Health Organization (WHO) shipped in six containers of medical equipment, including supplies for treating trauma injuries, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Tuesday said it delivered 10 tonnes of supplies to a hospital in Khartoum as teams prepared to "launch emergency response activities."

Only 16 percent of Khartoum's hospitals are now fully functional, according to the UN.

A Sudanese physician, Howida Elhassan, posted a social media video of medical staff struggling to cope with a surge of wounded civilians at a hospital in Khartoum's East Nile neighbourhood.

Blood appeared to stain the floor of the crowded facility where patients, one who seemed to grimace in pain with blood on his shirt, lay or sat on cots.

"On days when there are battles in the area, we receive between 30 to 40 injured people," in addition to regular cases, Elhassan said. "Other medical staff cannot reach us because roads are no longer safe. We are understaffed and lack equipment."

In addition to the more than 500 killed in the fighting, 250 are estimated to be missing, said a spokesman for the Mafqud (Missing) online project.

Munira Edwin turned to the project when her brother Babiker disappeared on the first day of fighting. Mafqud called her back nearly two weeks later.

"He had been found dead with two bullets" in his body, she said, struggling to hold back tears.

It was too late on Monday, as well, for the victim who several men carried into a Khartoum hospital, covered in a grey cloth after a van was riddled with bullets. The back seat was soaked in blood. Luggage rested on the roof, as if the passengers had been trying to flee.

At risk of getting caught in the crossfire, some civilians still venture out. Long queues formed Tuesday at petrol stations offering the scarce commodity, as well as at banks and ATMs.

Ahead of the South Sudanese announcement, UN head of mission Volker Perthes said discussions involving Saudi and US mediators were underway with the rival generals to firm up a truce.

Burhan's envoy, Dafaallah al-Haj, was in Cairo where he met senior Egyptian and Arab League officials.

Haj told a press conference that he hoped the Arab League, African Union, Saudi Arabia and the US could play a role in such talks toward a more lasting truce.

While diplomats try to stop the fighting, foreign governments have scrambled to evacuate their citizens, thousands of whom have been brought to safety by air or sea in operations that are now winding down.

Darfur Exodus

Russia's armed forces said on Tuesday they were evacuating more than 200 people from Sudan on four military transport planes.

Saudi Arabia said it transported another 220 people to Jeddah.

Beyond Khartoum, lawlessness has engulfed the Darfur region from where more than 70 percent of the 330,000 people displaced inside Sudan by the fighting have fled, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Darfur is still scarred by a war that erupted in 2003 when then-strongman Omar al-Bashir unleashed the Janjaweed militia, mainly recruited from Arab pastoralist tribes, against ethnic minority rebels.

The Janjaweed, whose actions led to war crimes charges against Bashir and others, later evolved into the RSF.

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Ninth annual Scoops of Thanks Day features new, one-day-only flavor of frozen custard, benefits local agriculture education groups

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 4, Culver's guests can get a single scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard in exchange for a $1 donation to local FFA chapters and other agricultural education organizations as part of the ninth annual Scoops of Thanks Day fundraiser. To celebrate the occasion with guests, Culver's is making the day even sweeter with an exclusive, one-day-only flavor of Fresh Frozen Custard: How Now Brown Cow!

Culver's is debuting a one-day-only flavor of Fresh Frozen Custard, How Now Brown Cow, for the ninth annual Scoops of Thanks Day (May 4). Guests can receive a single scoop in exchange for a $1 donation benefiting local FFA chapters and other agricultural education organizations.

Scoops of Thanks Day is part of Culver's Thank You Farmers Project, which supports local agricultural efforts in the communities Culver's serves and larger, national projects advancing the industry. The chain's longtime support of FFA and partnership with US Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) allow Culver's to make an impact through the program's three pillars: gratitude, education and sustainability.

Since the creation of the Thank You Farmers Project in 2013, Culver's guests have helped the brand donate over $4 million to support agricultural education efforts.

"At Culver's, supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders is something we've always taken great pride in," said Alison Demmer, Culver's marketing and public relations manager and former Wisconsin FFA president. "By making a donation in exchange for a scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard on May 4, our guests will be helping us further that mission while supporting bright and dedicated students in their area."

Inspired by the Thank You Farmers Project, How Now Brown Cow is a celebration of the farm-fresh dairy that makes Culver's Fresh Frozen Custard beloved by guests. The flavor, which features Chocolate Fresh Frozen Custard infused with Culver's Signature Root Beer swirled with chopped Dove Chocolate and chocolate cake pieces, was created especially for Scoops of Thanks Day. Guests can choose between How Now Brown Cow, Chocolate, or Vanilla for their single scoop in exchange for a $1 donation.

To find the restaurant nearest you to visit on Scoops of Thanks Day, visit Culver's locations page. To learn more about Culver's Thank You Farmers Project, visit https://www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-project.

About Culver's:

For over 38 years, Culver's guests have been treated to cooked-to-order food made with farm-fresh ingredients and served with a smile. The ever-expanding franchise system now numbers over 900 family-owned and operated restaurants in 26 states. The restaurants' nationally recognized customer service is based on small-town, Midwestern values, genuine friendliness and an unwavering commitment to quality. Signature items include the award-winning ButterBurger, made from fresh, never frozen beef, and Fresh Frozen Custard, including the famous Flavor of the Day program. For more information, visit www.culvers.com or connect with Culver's on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

About National FFA Organization:

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

CONTACT

Sam Bowers

608.256.6357

[email protected]

SOURCE Culver's
Combined broad and differentiated portfolio with trusted technologies and commercial and service organizations

Customers will have simpler and greater access to industry-leading expertise, tools, and services

AMERSHAM, United Kingdom, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cytiva and the life sciences business of Pall Corporation have completed their integration and are now united as one business under the Cytiva brand. With nearly 16 000 associates in 40 countries, and more than 300 years' heritage of trusted expertise, the new Cytiva supports customers in solving major biotechnology challenges and plays a critical role in advancing and accelerating therapeutics for the benefit of patients everywhere.

Cytiva President and CEO Emmanuel Ligner discusses the benefits of uniting the Pall life sciences business and Cytiva.

In January 2023, the life sciences business of Pall separated from Pall Corporation. Pall's biotech portfolio is now a product family in Cytiva's bioprocess business. The Pall medical portfolio will remain a market brand and part of Cytiva. Pall Corporation continues to operate as a Danaher operating company serving customers across a wide range of industrial applications.

Emmanuel Ligner, Danaher Group Executive, President and CEO of Cytiva, says: "The biotechnology industry is at the start of a new era. New modalities are emerging, there is greater emphasis on local manufacturing, and we are accelerating the adoption of digital solutions. Our customers need a partner that can meet them at every part of their process. Uniting Cytiva and the life sciences business of Pall gives us the focus, expertise, and talent to help our customers discover, develop, and deliver the next generation of novel therapeutics."

Cytiva's now expanded and differentiated portfolio will better enable customers to accelerate therapeutics from discovery to delivery. The portfolio now includes industry-leading product brands including Allegro, Supor, iCELLis, Kleenpak, and Pegasus, in addition to AKTA, Amersham, Biacore, FlexFactory, HyClone, MabSelect, Sefia, Whatman, Xcellerex, and Xuri*.

Meet Cytiva's leadership team here.

For additional video assets, please contact Cytiva.

*Allegro, Supor, iCELLis, Kleenpak, Pegasus, AKTA, Amersham, Biacore, FlexFactory, HyClone, MabSelect, Sefia, Whatman, Xcellerex, and Xuri are trademarks of Global Life Solutions USA LLC or an affiliate doing business as Cytiva.

About Cytiva

At Cytiva, our mission is to advance and accelerate the development of therapeutics. With nearly 16 000 associates in more than 40 countries, we're driven to use our expertise and talent to achieve better flexibility, capacity, and efficiency for our customers. Our broad and deep portfolio of tools and technologies, global scale, and best-in-class service provides critical support from discovery to delivery, for customers spanning researchers, emerging biotech, large-scale biopharma and contract manufacturers. Learn more at cytiva.com

SOURCE Cytiva
WOBURN, Mass., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cytrellis Biosystems, a pioneer in novel medical aesthetic solutions, announces the appointment of Dr. Shiv Sabesan as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In his new role, Shiv will lead the company's innovation and technology strategy as it continues to advance its proprietary ellacor Micro-Coring Technology and expand indications.

"We are excited to have Shiv Sabesan join Cytrellis' executive leadership team. He brings over 20 years of HealthTech and medical device experience, as well as a proven track record of success," shared Jason Richey, President and CEO of Cytrellis Biosystems. "I am excited about the innovative perspective he brings and how his passion and expertise aligns with our vision of shaping the future of aesthetic possibilities."

"I am honored to be joining the Cytrellis team at an opportune time, as ellacor with Micro-Coring Technology continues to transform the aesthetic industry," said Shiv. "As CTO, I look forward to working with this talented team to drive our novel, disruptive technology forward and build a multi-faceted digital ecosystem to optimize ellacor patient outcomes."

Prior to Cytrellis, Shiv served as a Principal at Mu!ai, a technology and strategic consulting company focused on providing design development and strategic services in the area of HealthTech, SaaS, AI and medical devices.

In addition to Mu!ai, Shiv held global roles in Research and Development and Product Management at multiple health technology companies including Philips Healthcare, Google, Medtronic and LivaNova, as well as innovative startups such as Alto Neuroscience and Movella.

Dr. Sabesan holds his PhD in electrical engineering from Arizona State University and has successfully launched over ten FDA/CE regulated medical devices and software, along with market specific healthcare products for the APAC and Latin American regions.

About the ellacor

In a class of its own, the ellacor System with Micro-Coring Technology was developed to provide a novel solution for the removal of skin associated with aging by addressing moderate and severe wrinkles in the mid to lower face.

The technology works by precisely removing full thickness cores of dermal and epidermal tissue with a 22 gauge (410 micron) hollow needle. This approach requires no thermal energy, and the diameter of the needle ensures the risk of scarring to the patient is negligible.

The ellacor System with Micro-Coring technology is indicated for use by medical professionals for the treatment of moderate and severe wrinkles in the mid to lower face in adults aged 22 years or older with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV.

About Cytrellis Biosystems

Cytrellis is a medical technology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class aesthetic devices. Cytrellis' first product, ellacor with Micro-Coring Technology, is a novel, proprietary system that removes sagging skin to address moderate and severe wrinkles.

Ellacor provides aesthetic practitioners with an unprecedented ability to improve age-related changes in skin and to help restore youthful beauty.

CJ Sander, Marketing Communications Manager

P: (857) 254-1720

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Cytrellis Biosystems
DailyPay's On-Demand Pay Benefit Gives Employees

Choice and Control Over Their Earned Pay

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DailyPay , Inc., a solutions provider in on-demand pay of earned wages and a Workday Access Software Partner, today announced that it has achieved Workday Certified Integration status. With this certification, DailyPay provides customers with a seamless integration that connects with Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) and Workday Payroll .

Workday HCM is a unified system that helps enable organizations to make faster decisions, gain operational visibility, prepare for future talent shifts, and build effective teams.

With the DailyPay and Workday HCM integration, joint customers can flexibly manage payroll processes and off-cycle and on-demand payments with DailyPay without disruptions and additional work for payroll teams. By offering DailyPay to their workers, forward-thinking employers are empowering employees with the ability to instantaneously access their income as they earn it, at the press of a button. This smooth access enables employees to pay bills, save, spend, or invest on their own schedule  not a scheduled payday.

Leading companies leveraging DailyPay's integration with Workday HCM include Reddy Ice, Jiffy Lube, and more.

"DailyPay's integration with Workday HCM is the perfect addition to our financial wellness benefits package as it enables the team members to access their earned wages to pay bills on their own schedule," said TJ Barron, Manager, Benefits & Payroll, Reddy Ice. "The implementation was easy and seamless and we are thrilled to roll this out to our team members."

"Our partnership with Workday plays a critical role in our mission to change pay for good, and help millions of working Americans take control of their finances," said Kevin Coop, CEO, DailyPay. "The partnership also demonstrates our mutual commitment to helping America's leading employers tackle the challenges of recruitment and tenure in a tight job market with this highly sought after financial wellness benefit."

More information on DailyPay's integration can be found on the Workday Marketplace , which provides easy access to solutions built by Workday and its partners.

About DailyPay

DailyPay, Inc., powered by its industry-leading technology platform, is on a mission to build a new financial system for everyone. DailyPay delivers an industry leading on-demand pay solution with modern, insight-driven pay strategies that help America's leading employers to activate their workforce and build stronger relationships with their employees, so they feel more engaged, work harder, and stay longer. DailyPay works to ensure that money is always in the right place at the right time for employers, merchants, and financial institutions. DailyPay is headquartered in New York City, with operations based in Minneapolis and Belfast. For more information, visit www.dailypay.com/press.

Media Contact

David Schwarz

[email protected]

Adriana Ball

[email protected]

SOURCE DailyPay
Company Expands its Automation-as-a-Service Portfolio to Include Collaborative Robotics to Help Improve Worker Productivity and Workplace Efficiency

REDMOND, Wash., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Denali Advanced Integration , a leading services and global technology integrator, today announced a partnership with Universal Robots , the leading manufacturer of collaborative robots. Denali will be Universal Robots largest global Certified Solution Partner (CSP). Since its first collaborative robot (cobot) was launched in 2008, Universal Robots has grown to be a global market leader in cobots with offices in more than 20 countries worldwide. Denali will now be able to offer customers, around the globe, robotic solutions and technologies as part of its Automation-as-a-Service (AaaS) portfolio announced earlier this month.

Justin Long, Denali's VP, Global Automation Universal Robots and Denali Advanced Integration form global partnership.

Denali's AaaS is available now to enterprises worldwide that need a partner to provide end-to-end automation services and solutions to support their Information and Operational Technology (IT/OT) environments, accelerate their business outcomes, and achieve maximum return on their technology investments. As a CSP for Universal Robots, Denali will now include collaborative robotics as part of its automation solutions to help customers in manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare and retail industries manage environments that require interactive multi-modal automation applications. In addition, customers can layer machine learning (ML) with robotics and utilize data and analytics to drive near real-time decision making.

"This partnership combines industry leading technology with industry leading services. The combination of Denali, an experienced IT/OT partner, with Universal Robots, a leader in collaborative robots, allows us to bring the best automation designs to our customers while driving a strong return on their technology investments," said Justin Long, VP Global Automation at Denali. "This announcement, combined with our recent AWS collaboration and the introduction of our AaaS portfolio including software, hardware, services and support, provides everything companies need to quickly realize the benefits of this emerging technology and make it work for their business."

Kim Povlsen, President of Universal Robots said: "Automation is a natural step for companies aiming to improve productivity and overcome labor shortages. Cobot automation in particular has never been more important and appealing to businesses because of its versatility and wide range of applications, supported at Universal Robots by an impressive ecosystem of partners. This exciting partnership with Denali is going to bring cutting-edge collaborative robotics to some of the world's most important companies and will help large businesses successfully automate at scale."

Denali's AaaS solution is available today to Denali customers worldwide. For more information visit: https://www.denaliai.com/en-us/solutions/automation/

Since 1992, Denali Advanced Integration has been delivering Enterprise IT solutions and services that help guide its clients through the most complex IT challenges. In addition to achieving CRN Triple Crown status the last two years - including in the publication's Solution Provider 500, the Fast Growth 150 and the Tech Elite 250 - Denali was named one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine.

Media Contacts:

Kimberly Otzman

Guyer Group for Denali Advanced Integration

[email protected]

Phil LeClare

Guyer Group for Denali Advanced Integration

[email protected]

SOURCE Denali Advanced Integration
Chithrai Mani recognized for management achievements in software and retail sectors

RICHARDSON, Texas, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digit7, a top innovator in frictionless and autonomous retail technology as well as other AI-driven automation products, today announced that CEO Chithrai Mani took home top honors as the recipient of a gold Stevie Award for the Achievement in Management  Computer Software category in the 21st Annual American Business Awards. Mani also received a bronze Stevie in the program's Achievement in Management  Retail category.

As the country's premier business awards program, the American Business Awards are nicknamed the Stevie Award for the Greek word meaning "crowned." More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's award winners. Nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in a wide range of categories.

The accolades in management achievements underscore Mani's leadership surrounding Digit7's technical advancements in the retail industry as well as its fast-paced growth throughout the United States, including the launch of the company's AI-driven innovations that seek to bring new levels of efficiency to numerous additional industries, including hospitality.

"It is very gratifying for us to be able to recognize the achievements of such a wide variety of organizations, teams, and individuals in the 21st ABAs, and we look forward to bringing them together in New York to celebrate with them," said Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards.

The awards are set to be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 13. More information is available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.

About Digit7

Digit7 is a leading innovator that offers a portfolio of advanced retail technology products from frictionless and autonomous technologies as well as advanced AI-driven retail management platforms and warehouse automation systems. By greatly streamlining the overall customer experience and bringing unmatched levels of efficiencies, the company offers a proven ROI and helps solve some of today's most pressing business challenges. Based in Richardson, Texas, Digit7 holds more than 25 patents spanning its DigitSquare, DigitMart, DigitKart, DigitRobo and DigitSnap products. Visit www.digit7.ai.

SOURCE Digit7
Complements existing offerings for biopharma and pharma processing, medical devices and packaging, including DuPont's Liveo silicone solutions and Tyvek  Medical Packaging.

Strengthens DuPont's position in fast-growing, low cyclicality healthcare markets. Following the acquisition, approximately 10% of DuPont's consolidated revenue will come from healthcare.

Adds best-in-class advanced manufacturing capabilities and multi-decade customer relationships with the world's largest medical device OEMs.

Purchase price of $1.75 billion , $1.72 billion net purchase price after tax attributes, subject to customary transaction adjustments.

15.6x multiple on 2023 forecast EBITDA based on net purchase price, 13.2x including expected cost synergies of ~$20 million .

DuPont expects the deal to be immediately accretive to its adjusted EPS and to achieve high single-digit ROIC by year five.

WILMINGTON, Del., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Spectrum Plastics Group ("Spectrum") from AEA Investors. The purchase price will be paid from existing cash balances. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Spectrum is a recognized leader in advanced manufacturing of specialty medical devices and components, serving 22 of the top 26 medical device OEMs with a strategic focus on key fast-growing therapeutic areas such as structural heart, electrophysiology, surgical robotics and cardiovascular.

Spectrum has more than 2,200 employees and has delivered consistent high single-digit growth rates for many years. With its strong financial performance, advanced manufacturing expertise, and customer-centric orientation, Spectrum is fully aligned with DuPont's strategic objective of delivering innovative specialized materials and solutions into attractive end markets with long-term secular growth trends.

"We have been focused on Spectrum for a long time and our team is extremely excited for this opportunity," said Ed Breen, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DuPont. "Spectrum is a compelling strategic complement to our existing healthcare portfolio, which already includes businesses with best-in-class innovation, deep customer relationships and with strong growth and profitability. With this combination, we'll be able to offer customers additional innovation and manufacturing capabilities with a broader and more integrated solution set."

"Spectrum is a best-in-class company for the development and advanced manufacturing of specialty medical devices and components," said Rahul Goyal, a Partner at AEA Investors. "Through investments in the commercial and engineering organizations and expansion of its manufacturing operations, Spectrum has enhanced its capabilities and offerings in medical end markets and achieved significant growth and increased profitability. We are proud to have supported Spectrum's transformation for the past five years and believe DuPont is an excellent partner for Spectrum. The combination is ideally positioned to continue providing excellent customer service and highly-engineered solutions for critical healthcare applications."

Additional information is available in a supplemental deck posted on the Events & Presentations page on DuPont's Investor Relations website.

Advisors

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal advisor to DuPont. Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP served as legal advisor and Piper Sandler Companies served as financial advisor to Spectrum and AEA Investors.

About AEA

AEA Investors LP was founded in 1968 by the Rockefeller, Mellon and Harriman family interests and S.G. Warburg & Co. as a private investment vehicle for a select group of industrial family offices with substantial assets. AEA has an extraordinary global network built over many years which includes leading industrial families, business executives and leaders; many of whom invest with AEA as active individual investors and/or join its portfolio company boards or act in other advisory roles. Today, AEA's approximately 110 investment professionals operate globally with offices in New York, Stamford, San Francisco, London, Munich and Shanghai. The firm manages funds that have approximately $19 billion of invested and committed capital including the leveraged buyouts of middle market companies and small business companies, growth capital and mezzanine and senior debt investments.

About DuPont

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.

DuPont, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with , SM or  are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "target," and similar expressions and variations or negatives of these words.

Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain and subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which that are beyond DuPont's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results. Some of the important factors that could cause DuPont's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that the Company may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the $5 billion share repurchase program announced on November 8, 2022 and that the program may be suspended, discontinued or not completed prior to its termination on June 30, 2024; (ii) ability to achieve anticipated tax treatments in connection with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other portfolio changes actions and impact of changes in relevant tax and other laws; (iii) indemnification of certain legacy liabilities; (iv) risks and costs related to each of the parties respective performance under and the impact of the arrangement to share future eligible PFAS costs by and between DuPont, Corteva and Chemours; (v) failure to timely close on anticipated terms (or at all), realize expected benefits and effectively manage and achieve anticipated synergies and operational efficiencies in connection with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other portfolio changes, including the acquisition of Spectrum; (vi) risks and uncertainties, including increased costs and the ability to obtain raw materials and meet customer needs, related to operational and supply chain impacts or disruptions, which may result from, among other events, pandemics and responsive actions; timing and recovery from demand declines in consumer-facing markets, including in China; and geo-political and weather related events; (vii) ability to offset increases in cost of inputs, including raw materials, energy and logistics; (viii) risks from continuing or expanding trade disputes or restrictions, including on exports to China of U.S.-regulated products and technology impacting the semiconductor business; (ix) risks, including ability to achieve, and costs associated with DuPont's sustainability strategy including the actual conduct of the company's activities and results thereof, and the development, implementation, achievement or continuation of any goal, program, policy or initiative discussed or expected; and (x) other risks to DuPont's business, operations; each as further discussed in DuPont's most recent annual report and subsequent current and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business or supply chain disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on DuPont's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. DuPont assumes no obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

SOURCE DuPont
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it will participate in the BofA Securities 2023 Healthcare Conference being held in Las Vegas May 9-11, 2023.

Encompass Health's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Doug Coltharp will present during a fireside chat on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 8 a.m. PT.

The presentation will be webcast live and available at http://investor.encompasshealth.com.

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.

Media Contact

Casey Winger | 205 970-5912

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact

Mark Miller | 205 970-5860

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
STOCKHOLM, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- No, according to researchers, AI lacks empathy and genuine emotions. A 2019 study predicted that when AI is here, EQ will go from "nice to have" to "must-have".

Investing in EQ has been shown to provide up to 440% ROI in 3 years, i.e. 64% calculated on an annual basis*.

Do not underestimate the power of emotions.

There is no doubt that companies and organizations become more successful by measuring and developing emotional intelligence (EQ) among their leaders and employees. The World Economic Forum lists EQ as one of the most important and in-demand competencies companies will seek. In May 2019, the United Nations held a conference on EQ as a key to conflict resolution. The Human Capital Institute published a study that highlighted the importance of including EQ in leadership training, and further research studies show that EQ is the key to survival as AI takes over and more jobs disappear.

Margareta Sjolund, Ph.D., chief psychologist and founder of EQ Europe and Kandidata Asia.

https://eqeurope.com/blog/eq-the-most-important-and-in-demand-competency-in-the-coming-years

Please contact us if your team, management group, or company is interested in tailored EQ programs or lectures for your kick-off event.

For more information, please contact Jenny Westergard, CEO of Europe, at [email protected] or

+46 (0)70 763 30 11

www.eqeurope.com

*Capgemini, Research Institute

SOURCE EQ Europe
Commercial Lenders Can Now Leverage Enhanced Equifax Differentiated Data Sets - Combining Financial, Non-Financial and Business Owner Credit History - to Help Businesses Access Capital Needed for Growth

ATLANTA, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax  (NYSE: EFX) is helping open up more credit opportunities for small businesses with the launch of its OneScore for Commercial credit score. Harnessing the power of the Equifax Cloud , this new single commercial credit score links financial data on more than 33 million businesses with credit information on the business principal to help businesses  especially start-ups and small businesses  better demonstrate their creditworthiness when approaching lenders for the capital needed to grow operations or address headwinds in an uncertain economic environment.

The OneScore for Commercial credit score can assist lenders by scoring as many as 50 percent more loan applicants. The increased scorable rate and predictive power enable lenders to approve as many as 15 to 20 percent more loans while maintaining the same risk profile, which according to Equifax research could result in 3 to 4 million more small businesses gaining access to credit.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. These powerful economic engines help cities thrive by creating jobs and putting money back into communities," commented Todd Horvath, President, Equifax U.S. Information Solutions (USIS). "At Equifax, we are investing in new data and analytics to further fuel business growth and access to capital. For decades, Equifax has led data and product innovation to expand access to credit; today's announcement builds on our recent launch of the OneScore consumer credit score - further evidence of our commitment to financially inclusive lending."

The U.S. Small Business Administration reported that there are 33 million small businesses that make up 99.9 percent of all U.S businesses - with 14.9 million new business applications filed between 2020 and 2022. This dramatic rise in new business applications reflects the increased need for commercial lenders to quickly process applications to meet the demand for capital.

"In today's commercial credit landscape, lenders want to make more efficient credit decisions without opening themselves up to greater risk," said Bill Phelan, General Manager of the Equifax USIS Commercial business. "By providing a more holistic picture of a business' ability to pay, the OneScore for Commercial credit score delivers greater predictability within a lender's portfolio. Helping to improve scorable rates and score performance for commercial accounts can assist lenders as they qualify and close more accounts  with confidence."

The OneScore for Commercial credit score is designed for use by financial institutions, as well as non-financial institutions, such as telecommunications and utility companies, when conducting business. The model builds on the extensive Equifax Commercial differentiated database, including the Commercial Financial Network , commercial public records and firmographic data, and non-financial business information, such as telecommunications, utility and leasing payment history, with the business owner(s). The solution also uses the Equifax patented NeuroDecision Technology, powered by explainable artificial intelligence (xAI), to deliver a significant increase in performance to deliver highly predictive credit scores in 12 major industries, including retail, manufacturing, real estate, agriculture and healthcare, among others.

The solution can also help save commercial lenders time and money on the application, credit decisioning, and risk model management processes. By improving scorable rates and score performance for commercial accounts, the OneScore for Commercial credit score helps lenders to qualify more accounts with confidence, enabling greater access to credit for more small businesses. OneScore for Commercial is available to lenders and service providers now. Visit the link here to learn more.

ABOUT EQUIFAX INC.

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 14,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com .

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Eric Abercrombie for Equifax

[email protected]

SOURCE Equifax Inc.
The development portfolio between Egypt and Japan has reached a value of $3.9 billion over 18 projects since 2010, according to a report issued by the Ministry of International Cooperation Tuesday, only a few days after several news agreements were signed by the two countries.

Cooperation between Japan and Egypt covers projects in various fields, including health, education, energy, electricity, transportation, civil aviation, tourism and antiquities, irrigation and education, according to the report.

The partnerships with Japan support Egypt's sustainable economic growth, social inclusion, education development, human resource development, regional cooperation and national strategy to combat climate change.

Egypt and Japan hold annual high-level policy dialogues to discuss proposals for future cooperation and technical cooperation, in line with development pillars and Egypt's Vision 2030.

During their annual meetings, both sides exchange views on future cooperation in accordance with development priorities. They also discuss ongoing projects to achieve sustainable development goals and how to overcome obstacles that prevent their implementation.

This years annual meeting is scheduled to be held in June.

In April, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio arrived in Egypt for a three-day visit as part of his four-nation Africa tour. This is his first visit to the region since assuming office in October 2021.

During his visit, Fumio witnessed the signing of several MoUs and agreements between Egypt and Japan in communication and information technology, law and the judiciary.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Sunday that Japan will provide the third tranche of funding, worth 100 billion Japanese yen (around $733 million), to Egypt to finance Cairos fourth metro line.

Japanese investments in Egypt surged by 98.7 percent to $73.7 million in FY2021/2022 from $37.1 million in FY2020/2021.

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Regulatory Submission Management pioneer invests in new way for regulatory affairs and risk management teams to maximize speed and success of their submissions

LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Essenvia, the pioneer in regulatory submission management for the MedTech industry, today announced it closed $4M in Pre Series A financing led by Benhamou Global Ventures and Wavemaker360 with participation from existing investors First Rays, Rebright partners, as well as Pasadena Angels. The company announced the appointment of Wavemaker360 partner Kwame Ulmer and BGV Partner Yashwanth Hemaraj to Essenvia's board of directors.

"Investing in Essenvia was an easy decision," said Kwame Ulmer, Partner at Wavemaker360. "As someone who's spent over 20 years in the industry as well as 12 years at the FDA, I've seen all of the pitfalls medical device manufacturers hit when navigating the complexity and pace of regulatory changes to bring their products to market. This gap has been amplified by a new wave of digital health regulations. Essenvia is the only solution that has actually dealt with every single one of them through its highly effective, easy-to-use platform. It's no wonder their customers have a 100% acceptance rate - nobody else in the industry can claim that."

71% of regulatory submissions are rejected, costing manufacturers $1.8M+ in lost revenue for every 6-8 weeks in delay Tweet this

According to the FDA, 71% of regulatory submissions are rejected, costing manufacturers an estimated $1.8M in lost revenue for every 6-8 weeks in delay - the statistic holds true even for MedTech companies with less than 50 employees. This burden puts regulatory affairs teams squarely in a position to either accelerate or stifle the market potential of new devices.

"Enterprise 4.0 businesses are reshaping the fundamentals of automation-led value creation," explains BGV partner Yashwanth Hemaraj. "Essenvia is leveraging disruptive AI technologies with novel data sets to offer a verticalized solution that supercharges the work of MedTech regulatory professionals. By providing frictionless deployments that are embedded directly into existing workflows, their solution can generate immediate gains for end customers."

Essenvia's fundamentally different approach to regulatory submission management is being rapidly adopted by MedTech organizations worldwide. Unlike conventional Regulatory Information Management (RIM) tools, documents, or spreadsheets, Essenvia has zero technical implementation time and works seamlessly with a regulatory team's existing process. The platform empowers teams to natively collaborate on 510(k), MDR and IVDR submissions directly inside of a submission, error check them, dynamically publish and re-publish them with one click, and instantly submit using the latest agency-specific technical requirements. This saves regulatory professionals dozens of tedious hours wasted on researching information, eliminates submission errors, and radically shortens submission time to market. Essenvia has a 100% acceptance rate across hundreds of different types of complex global submissions including 510(k)s, MDR and IVDR tech files.

"Regulatory affairs professionals are on an unsustainable path of doing more with less, faster, with a significant impact on a MedTech company's commercial goals," said Soumya Mahapatra, Essenvia's Co-founder and CEO. "The only way to keep up is to change the paradigm with a platform that is built for the modern way they work and interact with their cross-functional teams and regulatory agencies. We've built just that - and we're just getting started."

Essenvia is pioneering the regulatory submission management process with:

Market-leading submission editing and collaboration

One-click preview and publishing

Real-time error analysis

Dynamic reference and appendix building

Secure file vault with PDF auto-conversion

Native eStar submission

No technical implementation - get started on day 1

Read more about this announcement on our blog.

To learn more, visit Essenvia.com.

About Essenvia

Essenvia is the pioneer in regulatory submission management for the MedTech industry. Unlike conventional Regulatory Information Management (RIM) tools, documents, or spreadsheets, Essenvia has zero technical implementation time and works seamlessly with a regulatory team's existing process. The platform empowers teams to natively collaborate on 510(k), MDR and IVDR submissions directly inside of a submission, error check them, dynamically publish and re-publish them with one click, and instantly submit using the latest agency-specific technical requirements. This saves regulatory professionals dozens of painfully tedious hours wasted on researching information, eliminates submission errors, and radically shortens submission time to market. Essenvia has a 100% acceptance rate across hundreds of different types of complex global submissions including 510(k)s, MDR and IVDR tech files. Essenvia is backed by leading venture capital firms including Wavemaker360 and Benhamou Global Ventures. Learn more at www.essenvia.com .

About Wavemaker 360

Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health (Wavemaker 360) is the nation's leading seed-stage healthcare pure-play venture fund in the U.S., focused on disruptors in the areas of health-tech, digital health, medical device, telehealth, artificial intelligence, pharma-tech, science and marketplaces. Wavemaker 360 stands apart as one of the few venture funds in the U.S. that discovers, vets and invests solely in healthcare startups at the seed funding stage. The fund connects its portfolio companies to a network of 300 Limited Partners (LPs), comprised of healthcare entities and executives in virtually every area of healthcare. Headquartered in Pasadena, CA, Wavemaker 360 is led by a cross-functional, bi-coastal team of eight visionary partners, with additional guidance from a distinguished Council of Strategic Advisors.

About BGV

BGV is a venture capital firm with deep Silicon Valley roots and an exclusive focus on global Enterprise 4.0 technology innovation. The partnership sources companies from innovation hubs around the world and deploys financial and human capital from seed stage to IPO. With offices in Palo Alto, Tel Aviv, Paris, and Mumbai, BGV has championed a cross-border venture investing model with a portfolio representing businesses in the US, Israel, Europe, and India.

Contacts

Essenvia PR Team

[email protected]

SOURCE Essenvia
Unleashing the power of Cloud-Network Integration across the globe

HONG KONG, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Sixth Edition of Digital China Summit" has successfully held on 30 April in Fuzhou City, Southern China, co-hosted by China Telecom Corporation Limited ("China Telecom"), China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) and China Electronics Corporation (CEC), as well as authorities including the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), and the provincial government of Fujian. Featured with "Accelerating the Building of Digital China and Pushing Forward Chinese Modernisation", the discussion shed light on innovation-driven new changes and digitalisation-led new landscapes in pursuit of the Digital China initiative. eSurfing Cloud, a world's leading cloud service provider, showcased an abundance of core cloud capabilities and resources as the industry-leading cloud solution to nearly thousands of attendees including officials, academics, and leading entrepreneurs both physically and virtually.

Photo of Mr. Ke Ruiwen, Executive Director, Chairman and CEO of China Telecom as one of the main guest speakers in Digital China Summit 2023 Photo of the global launch ceremony of eSurfing Cloud

During the summit, Mr. Ke Ruiwen, Executive Director, Chairman and CEO of China Telecom and Mr. Shao Guanglu, Executive Director, President and COO of China Telecom attended, introducing the latest successes of eSurfing Cloud and how it has helped realise the core values of "Cloudification and Digital Transformation" from China Telecom. Mr Ke Ruiwen, Executive Director, Chairman and CEO of China Telecom expressed, "China Telecom has continued to deepen the development of cloud and network, focusing on 5 key technical areas to achieve more breakthroughs for the customers. Through collaborating with our industry partners across different professional aspects, we have strengthened our foundational infrastructure such as AI technologies, to explore more innovations and expand our cloud ecosystem to the wider business community. As the world's leading cloud service provider and Mainland China's leading hybrid cloud provider, eSurfing Cloud offers full-stack cloud services and integrated technologies which are fully supported by self-developed R&D capabilities. Today, we are striving to enhance our cloud service capabilities and to join hands with our customers in their journey of digital transformation."

During this special occasion, Mr. Tang Ke, Executive Director and EVP of China Telecom and other important business partners participated in the eSurfing Cloud global launching ceremony. At present, eSurfing Cloud has built more than 9 public cloud nodes, 30 self-owned edge cloud nodes, and more than 200 CDN nodes across Asia-Pacific and the globe, serving over 2 million customers. Recently, Gartner has ranked eSurfing Cloud as one of the top ten strategic trends of future digital technology for two consecutive years. We offer a full suite of cloud and DICT products to ensure seamless and synergised delivery of all-rounded and flexible solutions. These include Cloud Container Engines, Cloud Exchange, Cloud Storage, Cloud Server, Cloud Migration, Virtual Private Cloud and more to meet our client's evolving needs and fully unlock their digital competitive advantage.

Key achievements of the innovative service and how respective industries can unleash the advantages of deploying the cloud network resources of eSurfing Cloud under the "9+30+X+N" strategy in China and across the globe have been demonstrated. As an industry-leading cloud service provider in China's public cloud sector, eSurfing Cloud fully understands the demands of enterprise leaders in building digital infrastructure and developing it through the Belt and Road. They are looking to expand across the globe and explore new innovations. To an extent, we are dedicated to providing advanced technologies and take strategic steps to transition infrastructure to a cloud-native environment.

Moving forward, eSurfing Cloud will continue to provide robust and reliable cloud-network infrastructure to different industries, offering competitive advantages to customers through rich global cloud-network resources and diversified technologies. Together, we will build a competitive digital ecosystem and accelerate sustainable development for the whole of society and the economy.

About eSurfing Cloud

As a world's leading cloud service provider, eSurfing Cloud is committed to becoming the major driving force in the digital economy to facilitate the global digital construction and provide users with secure and inclusive cloud services. By virtue of its three advantages of "cloud-network integration, security and trustworthiness, and exclusive customization", it provides customers with Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, Edge Cloud and Full-stack Cloud services to facilitate the digital transformation of government agencies and large, small and medium businesses.

SOURCE eSurfing Cloud
Facemoji Keyboard was recognized for its exceptional ability to inspire users to think outside the box

SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Facemoji Keyboard was named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award in the Best User Experience category in the 21st Annual American Business Awards.

Facemoji Keyboard is the world's first content-creation keyboard with rich in-app resources that allow users to express their most genuine and authentic selves. To date, Facemoji has over 500 million global downloads; it supports 120+ languages and is available to users in 190+ countries and regions for free on Android or iOS.

Facemoji Keyboard Honored as Silver Stevie Award Winner In 2023 American Business Awards

"With Facemoji, users can fully customize their keyboard based on their preferences and create and share unique, expressive designselevating the experience beyond just texting to include popular trends and pop culture references," said Natalia Lin, Product Lead at Facemoji Keyboard. "We are proud to be recognized by the American Business Awards for our exceptional ability to inspire our users to think outside the box."

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations  public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.

More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, and more than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners.

An American Business Awards judge commented, "I was impressed by how Facemoji focused successfully on elevating the experience beyond just texting to include popular trends and pop culture references, so every user can be a trendsetter in content creation."

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 13. Tickets are now on sale.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2023 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

About Facemoji Keyboard

Facemoji Keyboard is the world's first content-creation keyboard that allows users to find, design or invent the trendiest and smartest ways to express themselves. With Facemoji, users can fully customize their keyboard and create and share unique expressive designs, so every user can be a modern trendsetter in content creation.

Sponsors of The 2023 American Business Awards include HCL America, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro.

SOURCE Facemoji Keyboard
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) today reported its first quarter 2023 financial results and filed its first quarter 2023 Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing provides condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The following documents are now available on Fannie Mae's website at www.fanniemae.com.

Fannie Mae has scheduled a conference call to discuss the company's results today at 8:00 a.m., ET. Participants may join the conference call in listen-only mode via the webcast link below.

Listen-only webcast:

https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1608369&tp_key=5244be5eaf

Click on the link above to attend the presentation from your laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Audio will stream through your selected device. If you have difficulty accessing the webcast, please click the "Listen by Phone" button on the webcast player and dial the number provided.

About Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae advances equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and quality, affordable rental housing for millions of people across America. We enable the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and drive responsible innovation to make homebuying and renting easier, fairer, and more accessible. To learn more, visit:

fanniemae.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog

Fannie Mae Newsroom

https://www.fanniemae.com/news

Photo of Fannie Mae

https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif

Fannie Mae Resource Center

1-800-2FANNIE

SOURCE Fannie Mae
Innovative program continues to create new Black-owned businesses by providing tools and resources in historically underserved communities

ATLANTA, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Operation HOPE, the nation's leading non-profit in financial literacy and economic inclusion, today announced that its 1 Million Black Businesses Initiative (1MBB) has been named the winner of Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Award in the Enduring Impact category. The World Changing Ideas awards honor products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are pursuing innovation for good.

Launched in partnership with Shopify, 1MBB helps Black entrepreneurs and existing Black business owners acquire the knowledge, skills and access to resources required to start, scale up and grow a business at no cost. A panel of judges selected the 1MBB for its impact, program design, scalability and ingenuity from a pool of nearly 3,000 applicants. Slated to continue until 2030, 1MBB has supported nearly 200,000 Black businesses to date.

HOPE's 1MBB Initiative named the winner of Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Award in the Enduring Impact category. Tweet this

Through its HOPE Inside network and Coalition of the Willing partners, 1MBB participants are better positioned to thrive in both physical locations and through eCommerce activities. In addition to Shopify, key partners include the U.S. Small Business Administration, Truist, First Horizon, Wells Fargo, the NFL, MasterCard, Comcast, iHeart Radio, Aprio, The Salvation Army, as well as several historically Black colleges and Universities (HBCUs), churches, municipalities and members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, to name a few.

The 1MBB movement is part of Operation HOPE's broader mission to promote financial inclusion and dignity, aimed at empowering underserved Americans. The 1MBB initiative was born following the Black Lives Matter movement.

"Operation HOPE is honored to be recognized by Fast Company for creating an idea that can and will  change the world for the better," said John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO. "Through 1MBB, we are devising new ways to help Black business owners defy the odds, improve their overall financial wellness and ultimately build generational wealth. It's no small task, but the data shows that we are making a true impact."

"At Operation HOPE, our team includes tirelessly persistent problem solvers who are committed to addressing the most urgent challenges in our communities," said Lance Triggs, SVP, Operation HOPE. "We want to make the world more equitable, make access to business resources more accessible and illuminate a path to a better future for those who have historically been underserved."

Despite the negative impacts of the pandemic and recent social unrest, research from the latest HOPE index reveals that Black entrepreneurs remain optimistic. Through the 1MBB initiative, barriers to business success such as mentorship, risk tolerance, lack of technological innovation/digital strategies, and limited access to capital have proven to improve outcomes. For more information about 1MBB, including how to register, click here.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to "silver rights" with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for everyonedisrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communitiesturning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received its eighth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the conversation on social media at @operationHOPE.

About Shopify

Shopify is a leading global commerce company, providing trusted tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business of any size. Shopify makes commerce better for everyone with a platform and services that are engineered for reliability while delivering a better shopping experience for consumers everywhere. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Shopify powers over one million businesses in more than 175 countries and is trusted by brands such as Allbirds, Gymshark, Heinz, Staples, and many more. For more information, visit www.shopify.com.

Contact:

Lalohni Campbell

[email protected]

404-593-7145

SOURCE Operation HOPE, Inc.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE: FIS) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased Fidelity National common stock between February 9, 2021 and February 10, 2023, inclusive.

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 5, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in FIS:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/fidelity-national-information-services-inc-loss-submission-form?id=38621&from=4

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. NEWS - FIS NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the integration of the Company's acquisition, Worldpay, Inc. ("Worldpay"), was not ahead of schedule; (2) the integration of Worldpay was not successfully completed during the class period; (3) the increases in revenue synergies were not driven by the Worldpay integration; and (4) as a result, defendants' positive statements about the Company's financial guidance, business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Fidelity National you have until May 5, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Fidelity National securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the FIS lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/fidelity-national-information-services-inc-loss-submission-form?id=38621&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Offshore wind and regulatory onslaught pose major threats to the viability of the American fishing fleet.

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a group of New England fishermen launched the New England Fisherman Stewardship Association (NEFSA), a non-profit, nonpartisan advocacy group, to fight against needless regulation and offshore wind development threatening the viability of the American fishing fleet.

The fishing industry  not just in New England, but all across the nation  is under attack as new regulations and social catastrophes imposed by woke regulators drive fishermen from their waters in droves. Federal regulators will enforce an 82 percent reduction in haddock landings for commercial fishermen as of May 1, a drastic reduction for a staple seafood product. Moreover, Regulators force American fishermen to use nets with a lower yield than their Canadian competitors. As a result, Canadian boats can land more fish, then come to the U.S. to compete in our market.

Nearly 10 million acres have been designated for siting and development in Georges Bank and the Gulf of Maine alone, a massive swath of ocean encompassing highly productive fishing grounds. Fishermen will either venture farther off the coast into more treacherous waters or stick to inland bays and tidal estuaries. Those near-coast waters are nursery habitats for fish species environmentalists purport to care about.

"I'm pleased that men and women from across the fleet  offshoremen, lobstermen, and scientists  have joined our board of directors to work collaboratively for the first time. No matter our trade, we must band together to fight these common threats on our industry. I encourage all people of goodwillDemocrats and Republicans, trawlers and hook boats, workers, and environmentaliststo join with NEFSA to protect our jobs, the onshore workers who depend on us, and the maritime heritage we fishermen have proudly stewarded since the founding of America," said Jerry Leeman, the group's Executive Director.

NEFSA is the first umbrella organization for New England fishermen. While workers have formed blocs in the past based on the species they pursue or the techniques they use, New England's fishermen have never banded together to advance their common goals. The NEFSA launch is especially urgent because fishermen have no organized lobby or political presence . They are at the mercy of hostile regulators and lawmakers purporting to represent them.

Leeman is a commercial fishing captain with decades of on-the-water experience. NEFSA's board features a cross-section of stakeholders, including scientists, businessmen, and fishermen of various kinds. The board is nonpartisan, featuring committed Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

To learn more about the organization, visit us at our website here.

SOURCE NEFSA
LAKELAND, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Southern College will host its Spring 2023 Commencement exercise starting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Doors will open at noon. This is the 139th Commencement exercise for the College.

The keynote speaker for this year's ceremony will be Mr. John K. Adams '92. Mr. Adams is a Board Member and the Chief Executive Officer of Altus Fire & Life Safety. He is an accomplished executive with 25 years of leadership experience and expertise in generating revenue and financial growth that consistently exceed industry standards in diverse markets such as healthcare, medical/surgical products, and distribution, as well as information technology and consumer services.

The College anticipates approximately 450 students will be awarded their undergraduate degrees, including 264 from the School of Arts and Sciences, 105 from the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise, 68 from the Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and 15 from the School of Education. Graduates represent almost all 50 states and seven countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

Additionally, 44 graduate degrees and seven doctoral degrees will be conferred.

The senior speaker will be Katharine Grace Wall, who will earn her bachelor's degree in chemistry with minors in psychology and biology. She is originally from Jacksonville, Fla.

During the ceremony, Florida Southern will present the President's Scholar Medal for superb academic achievement, which is not revealed before commencement. It is awarded in recognition of a student's academic record and demonstrating great promise for future success.

Previously announced, The Ben and Janice Wade Outstanding Teaching Award was awarded to Dr. Shameka Shelby, Ph.D., department chair and associate professor of chemistry, while the 2023 Honor Walk recipient was bestowed upon Nathalie Vanessa Moreno '23 of Union, N.J.

The ceremony is open to graduates and ticketed guests and will be streamed live at flsouthern.edu/graduation.

About Florida Southern College

Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the state. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 70+ undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is an award-winning national leader in engaged learning, and boasts 30 NCAA Division II National Championships. Florida Southern is ranked at #8 among the "Best Regional Universities in the South" by U.S. News & World Report in its 2022 "Best Colleges" guide and is included in The Princeton Review's 2022 Best 387 Colleges guide and the "Fiske Guide to Colleges 2022." The 2021-2022 Colleges of Distinction guidebook praises Florida Southern's AACSB accredited Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise alongside the College's School of Education and its Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Poets&Quants, U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, and The Princeton Review further laud the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise and the Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences as foremost programs in the nation for business and nursing education. Home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, FSC has appeared on The Princeton Review's top 20 "Most Beautiful Campus" national listing for 12 consecutive years. Connect with Florida Southern College.

SOURCE Florida Southern College
New strategic investors include Woven Capital and NVIDIA

TEL-AVIV, Israel and SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Foretellix, the leading provider of safety-driven verification and validation solutions for Automated Driving Systems and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), announced today it had raised $43 million in the first closing of its Series C funding round led by 83North, bringing its total raised capital to over $93 million. Woven Capital, the growth fund of Toyota, and NVIDIA joined the financing round, along with Artofin VC. All major existing shareholders participated, including MoreTech, Nationwide, Volvo Group VC, and Jump Capital. Foretellix will use the funding to accelerate the development of its expanding product portfolio and fuel expansion across new geographies.

Safety-Driven Verification & Validation for ADAS & ADS

"We are thrilled to have Woven by Toyota and NVIDIA as strategic partners," said Ziv Binyamini, Foretellix CEO and Co-Founder. "Foretellix is addressing the largest barrier for safe large-scale deployment of automated driving systems. The new funding will help us to address the growing demand for our solutions, extend our worldwide reach, and accelerate our vision for achieving safe autonomy."

"At Woven by Toyota, we're on a mission to deliver the world's safest, most intelligent, and human-centric mobility solutions," said George Kellerman, Vice President, Investments and Acquisitions for Woven by Toyota, and Managing Director of Woven Capital. "Verification and validation technology plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and performance of innovative autonomous systems that are accelerating the future of mobility. Foretellix is a leading player in this space, and we are excited to work together to advance automated driving technologies."

Foretellix's Safety-Driven Verification & Validation (SDV) Platform  Foretify is used by Automotive, Trucking, and Mining customers, including Volvo Group, Torc  a Daimler Truck subsidiary, and many others, to accelerate the development and deployment of their Automated Driving Systems. Foretellix established partnerships with major simulation companies, including IPG, NVIDIA, dSPACE, VIRES, AI Motive, and Cognata, providing its customers with a comprehensive verification and validation (V&V) solution.

The Foretify platform is used by engineers at OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and Autonomous Vehicle (AV) stack providers throughout the AV/ADAS development cycle. The platform consists of multiple products:

Foretify Core - Hyperscale virtual test generation and execution engine based on Foretellix's state-of-the-art constrained random test generator, pre-integrated with industry-leading simulators.

Foretify Developer - Scenario and test development and debug tool, including a powerful visualizer that helps engineers to view and debug single-run test results, including KPIs, checks, and coverage.

Foretify Manager - V&V management and big data analytics tool that enables engineers to create and execute metric-based V&V plans, triage, and analyze test results and coverage across virtual simulation and real-world driving.

Foretify LogIQ - Automated drive log analysis tool that identifies scenarios of interest and breaks them down into their sequential building blocks, detects edge cases and anomalies, extracts KPIs and coverage, and provides a powerful log visualization tool.

Foretify V-Suite - Ready-to-use V&V libraries, including scenarios, verification plans, maps, coverage metrics, and KPIs, that help accelerate customers' projects. V-Suites can automatically generate millions of relevant concrete scenarios and easily adapt to customers' ODD and system requirements.

Foretellix led the ASAM OpenSCENARIO 2.0 (OSC2.0) standard development revolutionizing how safety is developed and tested in Automated Driving Systems. Foretellix contributed key syntax and concepts to ASAM, and it continues to lead further enhancements of the standard. The Foretify platform is the industry's first solution offering native OSC2.0 support.

For more information about Foretellix, visit www.foretelllix.com, or email [email protected]

About Foretellix

Foretellix is the leading provider of safety-driven verification and validation solutions for Automated Driving Systems and ADAS. Foretellix's Foretify platform helps automotive, trucking, and mining customers to ensure safety, reduce development costs, and accelerate time-to-market. Foretellix is headquartered in Israel, with offices in the US, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.foretellix.com

Media Contact:

Scott Fosgard

[email protected]

+1 734-272-7440

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1977129/Foretellix_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067789/Foretellix.jpg

SOURCE Foretellix
Fosun for Good, Together for A Better Life

HONG KONG, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fosun International Limited (HKEX stock code: 00656, "Fosun International"), together with its subsidiaries ("Fosun" or the "Group"), today issued the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report 2022 (the "ESG Report"). Facing the increasingly severe challenges of global climate change, Fosun based on the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD") recommendations, disclosed its climate-related financial risks voluntarily and issued its first Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures report (the "TCFD Report"), with a view to striving to build a long-term climate adaptive capacity and drive the transformation towards a low-carbon economy through supporting and implementing the TCFD recommendations.

2022 marked Fosun's 30th anniversary. This year's ESG Report focused on the development of the Group's core businesses and elaborated Fosun's utilization of its "global operations" and "technology innovation" capabilities to gather good for the world at its thirty years of establishment. The ESG Report also focused on the corporate governance and business ethics, customer privacy and data security, customer service and satisfaction, product quality and safety, safety and environmental protection, responsible investment, sustainable supply chain management, employee health and safety, employee benefits and welfare, social welfare, etc. The ESG Report comprehensively demonstrated Fosun International's ESG strategies, practices and achievements in 2022 to stakeholders including shareholders, customers and consumers, employees, governments, partners and the general public.

The ESG Report complied with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) and the Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Guide in Appendix 27 to the Listing Rules of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Report was also audited and assured by SGS, an independent third-party and internationally recognized verification company.

Issued the first TCFD Report to call on all sectors to promote carbon neutrality

In 2022, Fosun ushered in the "second year" of its "Carbon Neutrality Goal". Facing the increasingly severe challenges of global climate change, Fosun took an important step to strengthen Fosun's climate resilience by issuing the first TCFD Report, demonstrating its commitment of climate action to international community, and call on all sectors to work together to promote carbon neutrality.

In 2021, the Group set the carbon reduction target and committed to society - "strive to peak carbon emissions by 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050". Fosun has formulated effective strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation to align with 1.5C temperature control target set in the Paris Agreement. By conducting the analysis and assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities, Fosun has identified key risks and opportunities and mapped out response measures, and further improved the management of metrics and targets accordingly, to ultimately cultivate a capability to address climate issues in the long term and enhance climate resilience.

Established Carbon Neutrality Committee and Working Group to actively advance Fosun's carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets

In order to further push forward the 2050 "Carbon Neutrality Goal" of Fosun, the Group has established a Carbon Neutrality Committee and a Carbon Neutrality Working Group, with carbon neutrality led and progressed by the Environment, Health, Safety & Quality Department. The Carbon Neutrality Committee, composed of directors of Fosun International and directors of member companies, is responsible for supervising and promoting the overall carbon neutrality strategy, and regulating and monitoring climate-related risks and opportunities. Fosun has also added the indicator of "carbon neutrality management" to the ESG management performance appraisal mechanism of responsible persons of each business segment of the Group, with the aim of promoting further implementation and enforcement of carbon-neutral management across the Group.

In addition, to enhance Fosun's leading position in the green and low-carbon market, the Group has stepped up investments in clean technology. At present, the Group has invested in a number of clean technology companies in different sectors. Most investments were made in the clean energy sector (wind, solar, tidal, biomass, etc.) and energy efficiency sector (battery, advanced materials, energy storage, heat & power, smart grid, industrial automation, natural gas combined, etc.), and some were made in the green building sector (certified green property, building insulation, etc.). The Group has also reduced product lifecycle carbon emissions through adopting recyclable raw materials, increasing the use of clean energy and improving energy efficiency. In addition, the Group has stepped up its investment in the green consumer goods sector and is committed to providing consumers with green and low-carbon products and services.

Actively promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction to contribute to the sustainable development of the Earth

The Group has been actively monitoring and recording greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of each member company for continuous improvement. GHG emissions intensity in 2022 was 95.6 (tonnes/RMB million of revenue), decreased by 8.02% from 2021. Energy consumption intensity in 2022 was 239.0 (MWh/RMB million of revenue), decreased by 12.90% from 2021.

The Group and its member companies actively promote energy conservation and carbon reduction and are determined to become carbon reduction pioneers in their industries. The Group's Atlantis Sanya obtained the National Certificate of Three-star Green Building Design and Operation Label, the highest level of Chinese green building certification; obtained the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Building Design and Construction Certification and the "EarthCheck" Silver Certification, the leading environmental certification for the global tourism industry. The Bund Finance Center (BFC), the Group's base in Shanghai and a landmark in Shanghai, was awarded the LEED Platinum certification, which is hailed as the "Oscar Award" in the green building industry, with a score of 97 points to set a new world record.

Became a member company of UN Global Compact to actively promote the sustainable development of the world, while ESG ratings have been highly recognized by the market

After over 30 years of development, Fosun has grown into a global innovation-driven consumer group with a focus on Health, Happiness, Wealth and other business segments in more than 35 countries and regions (based on the enterprise whose annual revenue exceeds RMB100 million). While growing its business operations, Fosun has been also actively undertaking corporate social responsibility. Leveraging Fosun's global industrial ecosystem to achieve "multiplying growth", the Group is dedicated to creating a better world.

As a responsible global citizen, Fosun has continued to strengthen sustainable development management, implement and monitor Fosun's ESG strategies and targets. Fosun joined the UN Global Compact in 2014 and is committed to the global commitment of sustainable development. The Group fully supports the ten principles of the UN Global Compact in the fields of human rights, labor, environment, anti-corruption, etc., continuously promotes their close integration with its own ESG strategies and actively engages its member companies in the implementation of ESG strategies.

In 2022, Fosun's ESG management work was widely recognized. During the Reporting Period, Fosun received an AA MSCI ESG Rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such AA rating, and was selected as a constituent of the MSCI CHINA ESG LEADERS 10-40 Index again. Fosun also received a rating of A in the Hang Seng Sustainability Index and has been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index for two consecutive years and a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index for three consecutive years; it was selected as one of the constituents of FTSE4Good Index Series for the first time; its S&P CSA ESG score has risen significantly, outperformed 91% of its global peers.

Developing business for good and actively contribute to the society

2022 marked the 30th anniversary of Fosun and also marked the 10th anniversary of Fosun Foundation. Fosun Foundation has put forward its public welfare strategy of "Together for A Better Life" and continued to support emergency and disaster relief, rural revitalization, health promotion, community construction, care for children and youth, education, culture and art and other public welfare actions.

Fosun's forward-looking deployment of "vaccine and drug" during the COVID-19 outbreak has contributed to the fight against the pandemic. The Comirnaty (mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) has helped build an immune barrier in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan region. Since its launch to the end of February 2023, more than 31 million doses had been administered in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan region. The Comirnaty BNT162b2 and Comirnaty Bivalent Vaccine have been officially registered as drugs/products in Hong Kong and approved as regular imported vaccines in Macau, fully covering the public and private markets.

Azvudine tablets, China's first small-molecular oral medication for COVID-19 jointly developed by Fosun Pharma and Henan Genuine Biotech, was included in the National Health Commission's Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 in 2022, and was covered by the national medical insurance scheme. As of 6 April 2023, through "A Healthy Winter Action", more than 289,200 bottles of Azvudine tablets were donated to township health centers and village clinics in 258 counties in 29 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. The campaign played an important role in "protecting people's health and preventing severe cases" in rural areas.

Since its launch at the end of 2017, Fosun Foundation's Rural Doctors Program has covered 73 counties in 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, benefited 3 million grassroots families. On 17 February 2023, the Rural Doctors Program was awarded the "Shanghai Charity Award", the highest government prize in the field of philanthropy in Shanghai.

As an official member of Roll Back Malaria, a global cooperative initiative advocated by the WHO, Fosun Pharma had 30 antimalarial pharmaceutical products prequalified for production by the WHO (WHO-PQ), and became an antimalarial product manufacturer which received the most such certification. It has been a significant supplier of antimalarial drugs to the global foundation, the United Nations Children's Fund, WHO and national drug purchase centers in African countries for many years. Fosun Pharma has the Artesun (Artesunate for Injection), a proprietary innovative drug with full intellectual property, which has been recommended by WHO and has now become the international gold standard for the treatment of severe malaria. As of the end of 2022, over 280 million doses of Artesun (Artesunate for Injection) were supplied to the international market, contributing to the recovery of more than 56 million sufferers of severe malaria worldwide.

Top-down and long-term mechanism for ESG improvement to link ESG performance with the performance appraisal of the Board

Since its establishment, Fosun has defined its corporate operating principles and cultural values of "Self-improvement, Teamwork, Performance, and Contribution to Society". It has been closely linking the development and achievement of individuals and enterprise with the improvement of social welfare all along. In order to ensure the smooth and continuous progress of ESG work, Fosun has established a top-down and long-term mechanism for ESG improvement. Fosun includes ESG management performance as an evaluation factor in the Executive Directors' performance assessment and remuneration assessment. With this mechanism, the Group and its member companies can deeply incorporate ESG into the operations and management progressively.

To further improve the ESG management system, Fosun has set up an ESG Board Committee under the Board of Directors (the "Board") to assist the Board in guiding and overseeing the Group's ESG development and implementation. At the management and decision level, Fosun has established an ESG Executive Committee under the management to provide decision support for the implementation of ESG strategies. At the implementation level, the Group has also set up an ESG Management Committee and an ESG Working Group to implement ESG strategies and related actions and ensure the establishment of appropriate and effective ESG risk management and internal control system.

Established for 30 years, continue to uphold its original aspiration of "Contribution to Society"

Standing at a new starting point after thirty years of development, Fosun will continue to uphold its original aspirations of developing business for good and "Contribution to Society", actively shoulder more social responsibilities, implement ESG strategies, constantly create value and give back to the society. Fosun will adhere to its strategic focus, leverage its advantages of "global operations" and "technology innovation", deepen its core businesses with global competitiveness, so as to drive faster and better development of the Group. In addition, Fosun will continue to actively cooperate with its member companies to promote the implementation of ESG strategies, especially in the areas of carbon emissions peak, carbon neutrality, energy conservation and consumption reduction, and actively promote the sustainable development of the Group.

~ End ~

For more information on Fosun's ESG, please refer to Fosun International's ESG Report 2022 posted on:

the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's website (http://www.hkexnews.hk)

or the Company's sustainability webpage (https://en.fosun.com/development/)

The electronic copy of the TCFD Report 2022 is available on the Company's sustainability webpage:

(https://en.fosun.com/development/)

About Fosun

Fosun was founded in 1992. After more than 30 years of development, Fosun has become a global innovation-driven consumer group. Adhering to the mission of creating happier lives for families worldwide, Fosun is committed to creating a global happiness ecosystem fulfilling the needs of one billion families in health, happiness and wealth. In 2007, Fosun International Limited was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00656.HK). As of 31 December 2022, Fosun International's total assets amounted to RMB823.1 billion. Fosun International ranks No.589 on the 2022 Forbes Global 2000 List, with a MSCI ESG rating of AA.

SOURCE Fosun
Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture announced the release of 211,000 tons of corn and soya beans from the country's ports with a value of around $99 million (EGP 3,058,258,500) between 19 and 27 April, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The released amount includes 163,000 tons of corn with a value of about $59 million (EGP 1,822,710,600) and 48,000 tons of soya beans that total around $36 million (EGP 1,112,454,000), the Egyptian Agriculture Minister El-Sayed El-Quseir revealed.

El-Quseir added that about $4 million (EGP 123,606,000) worth of fodder additives was also released.

Between 16 October 2022 and 27 April, Egypt released 4.2 million tons of poultry fodder, including 3.1 million tons of corn and 1.1 million tons of soya beans and fodder additives, with a total value of $2.2 billion (EGP 67,980,660,000), the minister stated.

The release of fodder is being coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Egypt in order to reduce production costs in the countrys poultry industry.

The industry has been negatively affected by foreign currency shortages and the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, which caused crucial inputs like fodder to accumulate in ports.

On 24 April, the Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait announced that Egypt has released $23 billion (EGP 710,725,300,000) worth of imported goods, merchandise, and products from the countrys ports and customs.

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Leading distributed energy provider enables CCAs to meet resource requirements while providing clean, local energy to 3,300 residents

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Renewable America , a leading provider of distributed energy resources in California, announced today that it will provide over 15 MW of solar power coupled with 8 MWh of energy storage to four different Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs). Through these five projects in total, Renewable America is enabling these CCAs to progress further and more quickly toward their state-mandated Resource Adequacy (RA) program in light of the California Independent System Operator's (CAISO) recent marketplace limitations. All five projects are now fully subscribed and will complete construction by Q3 of 2023 or Q1 of 2024. Once operational, these projects will provide more affordable, locally produced clean energy to 3,300 Northern California households, nearly half of which will be located in disadvantaged communities.

4.2 MW solar farm built by Renewable America's CEO, Ardi Arian

"We are excited to be working with Renewable America to help us meet our RA obligation as a Load Serving Entity. This community-scale project is on track to be completed in under two years, unlike larger utility-scale projects that can take many years to develop," said Matthew Marshall, Executive Director of Redwood Coast Energy Authority. "We are excited to work with Renewable Americas to accelerate progress on our goals for locally sourced distributed energy resources. With the extensive development experience needed to move this type of project forward, Renewable America is a key partner in increasing our community's access to clean, resilient energy sources."

Ever since the 2001 California energy crisis, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has required that every load serving entity, including CCAs, are able to allocate enough resource capacity for their load to ensure energy resiliency. Every year, the CAISO opens a new window for applications for cluster studies, which are performed to ensure that system reliability and standards for no adverse impact are met. In March 2021, Cluster Study 14 received an unprecedented three times more applications than in previous years, earning it the nickname "The Super Cluster." However, as a result of the overwhelming response, the study's completion has been delayed by over two years, and CAISO is still in the process of finishing it.

Renewable America has developed a unique approach to deliver RA to CCAs, bypassing the traditional cluster study route for new resources connecting to CAISO. By taking on greater development risk, Renewable America provides a solution for the limitation in the Capacity market. Furthermore, Renewable America is managing everything in-house for all five of these new solar and energy storage projects, including scouting new project sites, interconnection, engineering, permitting and PPAs. Not only will all five of these new projects provide greater energy resiliency for local communities, but two of them are located within disadvantaged communities, ensuring equitable access to clean energy. These projects will not only preserve agricultural land use but will also benefit surrounding land by creating pollinator-friendly habitats within a 5-mile radius. Even after the 35-year project lifetime, the soil quality will continue to improve, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to energy production.

"With the increase of power outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs in California, distributed generation local solar projects are more essential than ever to ensure energy resiliency while also mitigating climate change," said Ardi Arian, CEO of Renewable America. "On top of power outage challenges, CCAs are facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to RA. We are pleased to be able to provide high quality, local solutions in less time for CCAs throughout California who are seeking alternative options to meet capacity needs."

To learn more about Renewable America and its commitment to sustainable energy production, please visit renewam.com, where you can also view the company's pipeline of projects that are "Ready for PPA." Renewable America's projects are located across California and are designed to provide clean, reliable energy to local communities.

About Renewable America

Renewable America is a leading provider of distributed energy resources, serving communities with small utility-scale, locally generated solar plus storage facilities and community microgrids that work in conjunction with the distribution grid. With over 15 years of experience in development, engineering, procurement and construction throughout Europe and North America, Renewable America creates resilience within communities by delivering local power to local load. The company's end-to-end development process maximizes quality and efficiency, while minimizing lasting environmental impact on site. Based in Santa Clara, Renewable America has over 320 megawatts MW of solar and 680 MWh of energy storage projects under development throughout California. Learn more at https://renewam.com/.

Renewable America Media Contact:

Richele Delapaz

[email protected]

(408) 663-6647

SOURCE Renewable America
PITTSBURGH, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- When The 76th Annual Tony Awards air on Sunday, June 11, several excited Tartans from Carnegie Mellon University will be among the black-tie crowd at United Palace in New York City's Washington Heights.

Nominations for the 2023 Tony Awards were announced on CBS Mornings on May 2, and four Carnegie Mellon University alumni have been nominated for seven Tony Awards. This marks 14 consecutive years in which Carnegie Mellon alumni have earned Tony nominations.

Four Carnegie Mellon Alumni Nominated for Seven Tony Awards Tweet this Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee with the cast of SOME LIKE IT HOT.

Actor Christian Borle , 1995 School of Drama alumnus, was nominated for his role as Joe/Josephine in Some Like It Hot (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical).

, 1995 School of Drama alumnus, was nominated for his role as Joe/Josephine in (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical). Actress Nikki Crawford , 1993 School of Drama alumna, was nominated for her role as Tedra in Fat Ham (Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play).

, 1993 School of Drama alumna, was nominated for her role as Tedra in (Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play). Producer Jamie deRoy, a 1967 Carnegie Mellon alumna, received a total of four nominations in four categories: Leopoldstadt (Best Play); New York, New York (Best Musical); August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (Best Revival of a Play); and Parade (Best Revival of a Musical).

alumna, received a total of four nominations in four categories: (Best Play); (Best Musical); (Best Revival of a Play); and (Best Revival of a Musical). Actor Josh Groban , 2003 Carnegie Mellon alumnus, was nominated for his role as Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical).

"Carnegie Mellon congratulates all of the 2023 Tony Award nominees, especially our Tartans, for their tremendous contributions to advancing the art and business of theatre," said CMU President Farnam Jahanian. "Our entire community is proud of our talented alumni's extraordinary creativity and dedication to excellence, and we look forward to celebrating with them during one of theatre's biggest nights of the year."

Carnegie Mellon alumni have won 58 Tony Awards to date. CMU's School of Drama is the first degree-granting drama program in the United States and is recognized as one of the world's best drama schools.

Ariana DeBose Hosts The 76th Annual Tony Awards

Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ariana DeBose will return to host The 76th Annual Tony Awards, from the historic United Palace in New York City's Washington Heights on Sunday, June 11 (8:00-11:00 PM, LIVE ET/5:00-8:00 PM, LIVE PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+.

CBS and Pluto TV will present The Tony Awards: Act One, a pre-show of live, exclusive content leading into the 76th Annual Tony Awards. The celebration commences at 6:30-8:00 PM, ET/3:30-5:00 PM PT, on Pluto TV, the leading free streaming television service (FAST). Viewers can access the show on their smart TV, streaming device, mobile app or online by going to Pluto TV and clicking on the "Pluto TV Celebrity" channel (no payment, registration or sign-in required).

The 76th Tonys celebration will recognize all the award categories and honor the incredible artistry of the 2022-2023 season. The Tony Awards, which honor theatre professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway, is presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and has been broadcast on CBS since 1978.

Tune In for Teachers on Tony Night

During the June 11 ceremony, CMU and the Tony Awards will present the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. One of theatre's unsung heroes  a performing arts teacher from somewhere in the U.S.  will be celebrated, along with the evening's other stars.

In partnership with The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, CMU and the Tonys annually recognize an exemplary K-12 theatre teacher selected from a nationwide search. The Excellence in Theatre Education Award winner's work has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students, while embodying the highest standards of the profession.

Carnegie Mellon is the exclusive higher education partner of the Tony Awards. The annual Excellence in Theatre Education Award was co-created by the Tonys and CMU and has been presented since 2015.

For more information about CMU and The Tony Awards, visit cmu.edu.

SOURCE Carnegie Mellon University
Brand President Cesar Gueikian Appointed as President & Interim Chief Executive Officer, Effective Immediately

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibson Brands, Inc., the world's most iconic guitar brand, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Cesar Gueikian, Gibson's brand president, as president and interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. Gueikian succeeds James "JC" Curleigh, Gibson's president and chief executive officer since November 2018, who will depart the company and step down as a director.

Gueikian joined Gibson as chief merchant officer in 2018 and was appointed as brand president in 2021. In those roles, Gueikian has spearheaded pioneering solutions for brand momentum, product innovation, media evolution and artist relations. He has been instrumental in the resurgence of Gibson, setting a new strategy centered around instruments, sound and an expansion into media. He brings 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, investor and financier, and a lifelong passion for music and guitars.

"We are transitioning to new leadership at a time of strength to ensure the company continues its momentum and is well-positioned to execute on its next phase of growth," said Nat Zilkha, chairman of Gibson's Board of Directors. "Cesar has played a huge role in the company's recent success, including securing critical artist partnerships and overseeing the evolution of many of our most iconic product lines, and the Board has full confidence in his leadership."

"I am honored to take on this important role with a company that means so much to me," said Gueikian. "Gibson has shaped sound for the last 130 years, and we now have the opportunity to drive the future of music and touch people's lives for the next 130 years. We have an obligation to continue innovating across instruments, sound, and media and to continue inspiring fans and artists of all levels to create music. I look forward to working closely with our experienced senior leadership and team of incredible craftspeople to ensure the long-term success of the business."

Zilkha continued, "On behalf of the Board, I want to thank JC for helping to return Gibson to its status as an iconic brand over the last five years. We are grateful for his leadership and contributions to our partners, customers, and the music industry, and we wish him the best in his next chapter."

"It has been a privilege to lead Gibson, and I'm tremendously proud of what we accomplished as a team," said Curleigh. "I am ready for my next challenge and want to thank the Board and the Gibson team for the opportunity to guide this company. I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the future."

About Cesar Gueikian

Cesar Gueikian joined Gibson in 2018 as chief merchant officer, merging his business background with his lifelong passion for music and guitars. As chief merchant officer and subsequently as brand president, he has implemented numerous pioneering solutions to build brand momentum, team development, product innovation, media evolution and direct-to-consumer offerings, as well as drive profitable business growth. Cesar has also been instrumental in the resurgence of Gibson, creating Gibson Media, launching Gibson TV and securing partnerships with Gibson artists to bring their music to the world and keep Gibson culturally engaged and connected to music.

Prior to Gibson, Cesar co-founded Melody Capital Partners, an alternative asset manager focused on private corporate financing, restructuring and investing. Under his leadership, Melody grew from a seed investment of $100 million to more than $1.5 billion in assets under management. Before that, Cesar held leadership roles at UBS and Deutsche Bank in London and New York, respectively.

An accomplished musician, guitarist and songwriter, Cesar has performed with and recorded alongside artists spanning an eclectic range of music genres, such as Mana, Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo (Metallica), Rex Brown (Pantera), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Snake Sabo (Skid Row), Jared James Nichols, Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) and Fito Paez.

Cesar earned a B.A. in Business from Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina and an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago focused on Analytic Finance and Economics.

About Gibson Brands:

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Explore more at Gibson.com, Gibson App, and on Gibson TV, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit us at the Gibson Garage.

Media Contacts:

FGS Global

David Isaacs/Columbia Clancy/Ryan McDougald

[email protected]

PRIME PR GROUP, INC.

Libby Coffey

+1 626-676-4993

[email protected]

SOURCE Gibson Brands
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Facts and Factors study, the global needle-free injection system market size was worth around USD 129.9 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around USD 412.1 million by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 20.12% between 2022 and 2030.

Report Link with All Related Graphs & Charts: https://www.fnfresearch.com/needle-free-injection-system-market

Needle-free Injection System Market: Overview

Needle-free injection systems are a wide array of drug delivery methods that use forces like shock waves, Loretz, and pressure generated from electrophoresis or gas amongst other ways of driving drugs through the skin to the targeted area inside the body. This process practically eliminates the use of needles for drug delivery. The devices used in the process are mostly in reusable form but there may be some equipment that can be reused. The use of needle-free injection systems allows patients to gain freedom from the pain associated with injections and their aftereffects. The most advantageous point of using needle-free systems is that medications in solid forms can also be administered to the patient.

Many researchers have pointed out the promising future of the systems involved in the process as it can help eliminate some of the major concerns in the medical industry related to injection systems. The popularity of needle-free injection systems can be acknowledged from the fact that various government and private healthcare institutes are backing the methods and equipment involved. Some of these organizations include the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, the Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Health Organization.

Get a Free Sample Report with All Related Graphs & Charts (with COVID 19 Impact Analysis): https://www.fnfresearch.com/sample/needle-free-injection-system-market

Key Insights:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global needle-free injection system market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 20.12% over the forecast period (2022-2030)

In terms of revenue, the global battery needle-free injection system market size was valued at around USD 129.9 million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 412.1 million , by 2030.

in 2021 and is projected to reach , by 2030. The market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the growing demand for injection-free methods to deliver a vaccine

Based on usability segmentation, reusable was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021

Based on application segmentation, vaccine delivery was the leading application in 2021

On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2021

Facts and Factors published the latest report titled "Needle-free Injection System Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report By Application (Insulin Delivery, Vaccine Delivery, Oncology, Pain Management, and Others), By Site of Delivery (Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, and Intradermal), By Usability (Disposable and Reusable), By Technology (Laser-Powered, Jet-Based, Spring-Based, and Vibration-Based), and By Region - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022  2030" into their research database.

Industry Dynamics:

Global Needle-free Injection System Market: Growth Drivers

Growing demand for injection-free systems to propel market growth.

The global needle-free injection system market is projected to grow owing to the growing demand for using different methods including needle-free injection systems to deliver vaccines on a large scale. During Covid-19, the vaccine administration programs were carried out in massive numbers.

Some of the patients suffering from various conditions like trypanophobia or allergy to injection needles found it difficult to get the vaccines, which was a necessity at the time. Administering drugs in toddlers or infants with injections has always been a major area of concern among the medical community as many children find the process extremely difficult to deal with. Such problems have resulted in the medical and healthcare industry looking for more pain-free options for drug administration.

For instance, as per a report on the website of Harvard Health Publishing, more than 25% of adults are known to suffer from the fear of injection which was estimated to be a leading cause of around 16% of American citizens wanting to skip taking vaccines.

Global Needle-free Injection System Market: Restraints

High cost to restrict market expansion.

The methods using needle-free injections are still being researched and have not managed to cover the healthcare community as a whole which means that only selective hospitals or medical units use the method and some regions, especially underdeveloped economies are currently left out. The methods deployed in needle-free injection systems are expensive.

The cost is high as compared to needle-based systems because of the extra involvement of labor expenses and high infrastructure costs. Unless the businesses dealing with the segment try to find ways to cater to the needs of low-income groups, the global market will register limited growth.

Directly Purchase a Copy of the Report @ https://www.fnfresearch.com/buynow/su/needle-free-injection-system-market

Needle-free Injection System Market: Opportunities

Growing investments in healthcare to provide growth opportunities.

As healthcare is a basic necessity, the regional ruling bodies have increased budgets allocated to the medical sector to meet the growing demand of the end-consumers which is further propelled by the increasing pressure of international healthcare organizations to provide quality medical care to the general population irrespective of their income status.

For instance, in May 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it will expand its funding base to increase its investment in global health. The agency said that it will be tapping into non-traditional methods of fund generation.

Needle-free Injection System Market: Challenges

Problems with pressure mechanism to challenge market growth.

One of the major drawbacks of needle-free injection systems is the management of pressure mechanisms. As observed, pressure higher than necessary during drug delivery could potentially damage the weak molecules present beneath the skin layer. The risk of such incidences is higher in the case of monoclonal bodies. These problems can be solved by the growing investment to manage the pressure concerns.

Global Needle-free Injection System Market: Segmentation

The global needle-free injection system market is segmented based on application, site of delivery, usability, technology, and region.

Based on application, the global market segments are insulin delivery, vaccine delivery, oncology, pain management, and others. In 2021 the global market registered the highest growth in the vaccine delivery segment due to the massive numbers in which Covid-19 vaccines were administered as a result of the pandemic.

Other factors like higher system use in other medical set-ups also propelled the segmental growth. During the forecast period, the pain management segment is projected to grow significantly since the process is pain-free and many patients would prefer this method. As per a Reuters report, around 1 in every 5 people in the Netherlands is afraid of needles.

Based on usability, the global market divisions are disposable and reusable. Most of the systems used in the needle-free injection ecosystem are reusable devices and one of the major reasons for the investment in the sector is to get rid of the dispensing concerns posed by the use of non-reusable injections. As per the World Health Organization, more than 16 billion injections are used worldwide every year and many nations lack a proper medical waste disposal system.

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List of Key Players in Needle-free Injection System Market:

Medical International Technology Inc.

European Pharma Group

Endo International plc

Bioject Medical Technologies Inc.

PenJet Corporation

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for NEEDLE-FREE INJECTION SYSTEM Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the NEEDLE-FREE INJECTION SYSTEM Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the NEEDLE-FREE INJECTION SYSTEM Market Industry?

What segments does the NEEDLE-FREE INJECTION SYSTEM Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the NEEDLE-FREE INJECTION SYSTEM Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 129.9 Million Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 412.1 Million Growth Rate CAGR of almost 20.12% 2023-2030 Base Year 2021 Historic Years 2016  2020 Forecast Years 2022  2030 Segments Covered By Application, Site of Delivery, Usability, Technology, and Region Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2030 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Medical International Technology Inc., European Pharma Group, Endo International plc, Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., PenJet Corporation, and Others Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.fnfresearch.com/customization/needle-free-injection-system-market

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Regional Dominance:

North America to dominate with the largest market share.

The global needle-free injection system market is projected to register the highest growth in North America. In 2022, the region dominated 43% of the global market share owing to various factors like the presence of some of the biggest names from the industry in the US along with growing knowledge about the systems and a higher adoption rate. The generally high standard of living of the regional population allows them to invest in relatively expensive medical assistance as compared to the population from low-income economies. This is further encouraged due to the access to excellent medical reimbursement policies.

Growth in Europe is projected to be driven by the growing research & development in needle-free injection systems as well as the growing number of patients suffering from chronic diseases. More than 60 million Europeans are known to be affected by diabetes out of which 10.29% are men and 9.65% are women over the age of 25 years. Factors like obesity and physical inactivity are the leading cause of such high numbers.

Global Needle-free Injection System Market is segmented as follows:

Needle-free Injection System Market: By Application Outlook (2023-2030)

Insulin Delivery

Vaccine Delivery

Oncology

Pain Management

Others

Needle-free Injection System Market: By Site of Delivery Outlook (2023-2030)

Subcutaneous

Intramuscular

Intradermal

Needle-free Injection System Market: By Usability Outlook (2023-2030)

Disposable

Reusable

Needle-free Injection System Market: By Technology Outlook (2023-2030)

Laser-Powered

Jet-Based

Spring-Based

Vibration-Based

Needle-free Injection System Market: By Region Outlook (2023-2030)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Press Release: https://www.fnfresearch.com/news/global-needle-free-injection-system-market

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Facts and Factors is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting-edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, and company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the client's needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.

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SOURCE FnF Research
BOSTON and AMSTERDAM and SYDNEY, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zone & Co, the leading provider of scalable, cloud-based finance operations software solutions built on the Oracle NetSuite platform, today announced the appointment of seasoned FinTech leader Thomas Kim as its new Chief Executive Officer. With this, the company is ready to accelerate its growth and rapidly expand its international footprint.

Thomas Kim, CEO, Zone & Co

Kim has an extensive background leading innovative financial technology companies through hyper-growth phases. Most recently he served as CEO of Enfusion, a global leader in investment management SaaS solutions, where he was instrumental in leading the growth of the business and its transition into a public company trading on the NYSE (NYSE:ENFN).

Previously, Kim was CEO at Tassat, a New York-based blockchain bank payments and tokenization firm currently facilitating over $1 trillion in B2B transactions, and was the COO of the Investment Engine Group at Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. He also served in leadership roles across Lehman Brothers and several other financial services software firms, including UNX, TradingScreen, Macgregor, and Merrin Financial/ADP.

Kim succeeds Zone co-founder and CEO Derek Zanga, who led the company through its first ten years of rapid growth and will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

"It's been an honor to lead the company to where it is today and I look forward to this new chapter," shares Zanga. "Thomas' impressive leadership track record and deep industry expertise offer tremendous value to our customers and team and equip us to double down on our global momentum. A true milestone in Zone's evolution, that I'm very proud of and excited about."

"I have seen first-hand how the right mix of software innovation coupled with world-class client engagements designed to solve real business problems can have meaningful impact," said Kim, CEO at Zone. "I am incredibly humbled to have the opportunity to join the team on this unique and exciting journey. To accelerate innovative change at scale and enable simplified finance and accounting operations across industry segments around the globe."

With Kim on board, Zone will hit the ground running by advancing the company's strategy, its partnership program & its growing portfolio of NetSuite enhancing apps - Zone Apps - through innovative product development & strategic acquisitions. To continue to cater to the ever-evolving needs of CFOs, finance professionals, and accountants around the globe.

About Zone & Co

Zone & Co is a leading provider of cloud-native software solutions built on the Oracle NetSuite platform. Developed by and for finance and accounting professionals, its portfolio of apps  Zone Apps  simplifies and automates critical financial data and workflows across business entities. Delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS), it includes solutions for complex billing & revenue recognition, advanced reporting, AP automation, payments, reconciliations, and approvals that help over 1,500+ customers worldwide work smarter, faster, and more securely whilst maximizing platform value.

For more information visit: www.zoneandco.com

Contact:

Dana Baars, [email protected]

SOURCE Zone & Company Software
IRVINE, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GoDocs, the automation leader in commercial loan documentation generation is releasing an updated version of their must-have checklist for evaluating automated document preparation systems. This latest checklist is packed with twice as many list items as previous editions and is totally free to download and use. It is an essential tool that will provide the right guidance to anyone who is considering onboarding an automated loan documentation system.

This latest checklist is packed with twice as many list items as previous editions and is totally free to download and use. It is an essential tool that will provide the right guidance to anyone who is considering onboarding an automated loan documentation system. The checklist is a valuable resource for commercial lenders. All the categories have been extended and expanded for an even more comprehensive checklist of essential factors that lenders need to consider.

The good news is that digital documentation solutions are now a part of the lending landscape. At the same time, businesses are faced with the challenge of choosing a system that will best suit their needs. With so much to consider, vetting systems can feel overwhelming. That is why GoDocs has taken steps to simplify this process and to provide a comprehensive checklist that will help you find the perfect system.

The checklist is a valuable resource for commercial lenders. All the categories have been extended and expanded for an even more comprehensive checklist of essential factors that lenders need to consider, such as:

Product Automation : a detailed list of the essential features that a digital document preparation system should have, such as document automation complexities, loan types, and custom loan components.



Pricing : a detailed breakdown of pricing models and considerations that digital document preparation systems use, such as type of pricing model, pricing flexibility, and setup and maintenance fees.





User Experience : details surrounding the user experience including customer support, customer dashboard, and exporting capabilities.





Compliance and Legal Ecosystem : the compliance/legal section assesses the platform's ability to automate loan documents effectively by evaluating its compliance update mechanism and its provision of comprehensive closing legal services for all 50 states.

"We understand that choosing the right digital document preparation system can be a challenging process for businesses," said GoDocs CEO Stephen Butler. "Ultimately, we want to empower lenders and arm them with the right information so that they can find the best tools and solutions to help them meet their goals. This updated checklist will help lenders do just that so that they can remain agile as the commercial lending space continues to shift and change."

In addition to creating innovative solutions that harness the power of the latest technology, GoDocs is also on a mission to educate lenders, borrowers, and other relevant parties. They continue to release valuable intel that moves the entire industry forward. This new and expanded checklist is a perfect example of these efforts in action. Now, it is easier than ever to evaluate, compare, and choose the best-automated solution.

About GoDocs

GoDocs, the automation leader in commercial loan document generation, offers a next-generation software platform for banks, credit unions, and private lenders that creates a streamlined process for closing commercial loans. The first and only purely SaaS system for automated loan document generation, GoDocs provides lenders with a dynamic digital solution that requires no training to use. The company has the #1 NPS customer satisfaction score in the industry and is trusted by industry-leading banks as well as community banks, Federal and local credit unions, and private lenders of all sizes. GoDocs is proud to back its solutions with 100% onshore support.

Media Contact

Virginia Bush

VP of Marketing

GoDocs

949.274.7907

[email protected]

SOURCE GoDocs
STOCKHOLM, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- H2 Green Steel has signed a 7-year agreement with Italian steel group Marcegaglia. The agreement will cover delivery of green steel from H2 Green Steel's plant in Boden, Sweden, to Marcegaglia's operations in Southern Europe, UK and Poland.

Marcegaglia is a family-owned company and a leading player in the European steel industry. They have 37 steel plants across three continents with core business activities that cover flat and welded pipes insulation, construction, and guardrail divisions, stainless steel long products, flat products, tubes and cold drawn bars and heavy plates.

"H2 Green Steel came in as a challenger in a traditional market a couple of years ago, and have proven with speed, perseverance, and a great team that they are a force to be reckoned with. We believe in the partnership approach in business, and we took this approach from day one with H2 Green Steel as they are a key player for us on our decarbonization journey which is essentially all about future-proofing our business," says Antonio Marcegaglia, Chairman and CEO at Marcegaglia Steel.

Marcegaglia is both an investor in H2 Green Steel and an early off-take customer. The partnership has now developed further, as the off-take agreement is converted into a seven-year supply agreement valued at about 1.79 billion.

"This is a very milestone agreement for us at H2 Green Steel and a real celebration on our journey. Not only for the value of about 1.79 billion, but also because of the quality player that Marcegaglia is in the steel industry. Marcegaglia have been true partners to H2 Green Steel. They challenge us every step of the way, but are incredible supporters of our team and our project," says Henrik Henriksson, CEO at H2 Green Steel.

CONTACT:

Karin Hallstan, Head of Public and Media Relations, phone: +46 76 842 81 04, email: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/20623/3761365/2024668.pdf H2 Green Steel in a1.79 billion green steel deal with Marcegaglia https://news.cision.com/h2-green-steel/i/marcegaglia-ravenna,c3173242 Marcegaglia-Ravenna

SOURCE H2 Green Steel
$1 of each case sold will benefit the families of US Service Members and Veterans

BOSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harpoon Brewery  the maker of New England's Original IPA  announces the release of two new lager beers, American Flyer Light and American Flyer Lager. $1 of each case sold will support military families and those of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. American Flyer Light is a light lager that benefits Folds of Honor. American Flyer Lager is a golden lager and benefits Fisher House Foundation.

"As a company that proudly employs several veterans, we have brewed up something special: two new light and refreshing lagers, American Flyer Light and American Flyer Lager, that help support the families of the American military, service members, veterans, and first responders year-round," said Dan Kenary, CEO and Co-Founder of Mass. Bay Brewing Company. "Folds of Honor and Fisher House Foundation are doing incredible work in support of families of American patriots  we're proud to give back to these nonprofits and amplify their mission."

American Flyer Light is a flavorful yet crushable light lager coming in at 4.2% ABV. American Flyer Light is brewed in partnership with Folds of Honor, which helps provide academic scholarships to families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. With every case sold, $1 will go to Folds of Honor. With just 120 calories per can, this crisp and golden light lager is sold in 12-pack 12oz cans and 6-pack 12oz bottles.

"Harpoon Brewery is now aiding Folds of Honor by donating a generous portion of their new product back towards the organization," said 2019 Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Camille Banks. "Each purchase will generate financial support for Folds of Honor and educational scholarships for so many. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Harpoon Brewery again for their wonderful support."

American Flyer Lager is a bright, crisp and full-flavored golden lager at 5% ABV. $1 from each case equivalent from American Flyer Lager will be donated to Fisher House Foundation to help support the foundation's efforts to provide temporary free lodging for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers across the country. American Flyer Lager will be available in 12-pack 12oz cans.

"Fisher House Foundation appreciates that Harpoon has supported nonprofits for years and are thrilled with this newest effort," said David A. Coker, President of Fisher House Foundation. "Harpoon truly understands that our military and veteran community deserves to be honored and how important it is to provide the resources to help them heal."

Harpoon's American Flyer Light and American Flyer Lager are both available now starting today for $13.99 - $14.99. To find the two new brews near you, check out the Harpoon beer finder: https://www.harpoonbrewery.com/beer-finder/.

About the Harpoon Brewery

The Harpoon Brewery was founded in 1986 by beer lovers who wanted more and better beer options. When the Brewery was founded, Harpoon was issued Brewing Permit #001 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, since it was the first to brew commercially in Boston after a dormant period of about 25 years. Since then, it has expanded to a second brewery in Windsor, VT. Harpoon's line of craft beer features its award-winning IPA and seasonal beers, along with special limited releases. In 2014, Harpoon became an employee-owned company.

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Beginning in 2022, it expanded its mission to include first responders. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master's degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor's degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded about 44,000 scholarships totaling about $200 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.

About Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 94 comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $575 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. For more information visit www.fisherhouse.org.

SOURCE Harpoon
Meiji America Inc. debuts Meiji Hello Panda Chocolate 12-Pack.

YORK, Pa., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you're on the go or packing a lunch for the kids, Meiji America Inc. has your snack solution with the new Meiji Hello Panda Chocolate 12 Pack. The updated packaging has 12 delicious .75oz bags of Meiji's crunchy, chocolate creme-filled cookie.

"We're excited to round out our supermarket Hello Panda resealable pouch assortment with this new Hello Panda 12 Pack." Tweet this The new Meiji Hello Panda Chocolate 12 Pack contains .75oz bags of lively, chocolate creme-filled panda cookies.

With lively and sporty pandas illustrated on each cookie, the portion-controlled bags make for a fun and accessible treat for the whole family. These pandas are also mess free with a crunchy cookie encasing a velvety and delectable chocolate creme. Great for lunches, after-school snacks, and field trips, it provides a tasty, fun option that contains no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or colors.

"We're excited to round out our supermarket Hello Panda resealable pouch assortment with this new Hello Panda 12 Pack," said Ken Vlazny, Sr. VP of Sales & Marketing at Meiji America Inc. "Each bag contains only 110 calories and is peanut free making it perfect for school lunches."

In supermarkets, the 12 Pack joins the company of popular Meiji items like the Meiji Hello Panda 7oz Pouch and the Meiji Hello Panda 2.2oz Bag. Its rectangular design displays all 32 spirited panda characters on the side of the box making it a vibrant and fun addition to the family pantry.

The 12 Pack will roll out at retailers throughout the year.

Learn more about the 12 Pack here: www.meijiamerica.com

ABOUT MEIJI AMERICA INC.

The Meiji Group, founded in Japan in 1916, provides customers of all ages from infants to seniors with a wide range of products to support healthy and fulfilling lives. From delicious confectioneries and wholesome dairy products to body-enhancing nutrition supplements and vital pharmaceuticals, we make people's wellness our main mission.

Meiji America Inc., founded in 2011 as the North American division, manufactures a variety of unique confectioneries and snacks in the U.S. Meiji is best known for its MEIJI HELLO PANDA, YAN YAN and CHOCOROOMS brands in the U.S. and Canada. These fun, interactive snacks can be found in grocery, club, specialty, or convenience stores.

For more information, please follow Meiji America Inc. on Instagram @meijiamerica, Twitter @meijiamerica, Facebook www.facebook.com/meijiamerica, or visit www.meijiamerica.com.

SOURCE Meiji America Inc.
Massage is the Ideal Way to Help Reward Hard Working Nurses

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeel, the leading tech-enabled platform for bringing health and wellness services to the home or office, works with hospitals to reward nurses during Nurse Appreciation Month.

The COVID-19 pandemic required nurses to work long hours, caring for patients throughout a challenging and unprecedented national health crisis. Now, as COVID settles into an endemic state, patients are returning in record numbers to complete procedures delayed during the pandemic.

Zeel offers the benefit of chair massage in the hospital or healthcare setting and/or the gift of an at-home massage to help reward nurses for all the work they do. Massage is one of the best ways to quickly reduce stress, improve mood, alleviate insomnia and address lower back and neck pain.

"Top hospital administrators are looking for novel ways to make sure their nurses feel appreciated," said Zeel CEO Samer Hamadeh. He continued, "We're seeing interest in the programs to show nurses they are deeply valued, not just during Nurses Appreciation Month, but everyday throughout the year."

The proven effects of these wellness programs include pain reduction or stress relief but also the long-term benefits of reduced absenteeism and improved productivity," says Dr. John Gallagher, Zeel Health's Head of MSK.

For Nurses Appreciation Month, [email protected] has launched a new offering, giving hospitals the option to purchase credits for nurses to enjoy therapeutic massage in the comfort of their home with appointments available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, while continuing to offer their enormously popular on-site chair massage programs.

During National Nurses Week, two area hospitals, Phelps and Lenox Hill hospitals, part of New York State's largest health care system, will show their gratitude to their nurses offering them therapeutic chair massages.

[email protected] makes the booking process seamless, providing a custom signup link for nurses, and bringing the massage table or chair and all other necessary supplies. Additionally, nurses can use their employer contributed FSA/HSA dollars to purchase in-home massages from Zeel.

About Zeel

Zeel is a technology platform that delivers high-quality, effective, on-location health and wellness services, including musculoskeletal therapy, diagnostic testing and skilled nursing care. Founded as the first app-based in-home massage booking platform, Zeel has delivered more than 2.5 million appointments to homes, workplaces and healthcare facilities nationwide.

Media Contact: Elizabeth Amorosi

[email protected]

917-208-7489

SOURCE Zeel
Photo: Google StreetView

Another disturbing incident in Richmond in the early hours of Sunday is causing concern among residents.

The Richmond News reported yesterday how hedges were set on fire at around 2 a.m. in front of homes on Steveston Highway, close to No. 3 Road.

But half an hour later a church a few kilometres away on No. 1 Road was also attacked, this time with sickening graffiti.

Ken Pierce, the pastor for the Emmanuel Christian Community on No. 1 Road, just north of Steveston Highway, told the News that someone sprayed satanic graffiti on the building.

Pierce said the culprit also broke some lights, as well as spraying graffiti down the alley and on some street signs.

He said photos of the damage, and of the suspect, have been passed to Richmond RCMP.

However, Richmond RCMP spokesperson, Cpl. Dennis Hwang, said that, at the moment, police have no evidence to suggest that the two incidents are connected.

The News reported yesterday how firefighters had to race to the scene of a blaze in the early hours of Sunday.

Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) got the call at around 2 a.m. of two hedges on fire in the 8000 block of Steveston Highway, close to its intersection with No. 3 Road.

A poster on social media site Reddit took photos of the blaze, noting that fire trucks were on the way and that two front yards seemed to be on fire.

RFRs Acting Deputy Chief, Grant Wyenberg, told the Richmond News that crews responded to this area for a report of two separate hedges on fire.

On arrival, crews quickly extinguished the trees and some slight extension to an adjacent structure. The fire is under investigation at this time.
Egypts border with Sudan is 150km longer than its border with Libya. While Cairo has stepped up precautions along its southern border since the outbreak of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the situation is fuelling growing concern.

One major problem Cairo faces is that the conflict could pave the way for a resurgence of figures from the deposed Omar Al-Bashir regime. Its primary support base was the Muslim Brotherhood, which many Sudanese believe is the third main player in the current conflict.

Egypt struggled for years following the 25 January Revolution in 2011 to restore security and stability to Sinai, which had fallen prey to the worst wave of terrorism and violence in its history. Only relatively recently did the Egyptian Armed Forces succeed in quelling the onslaught which was fed by regional conflict, instability and the chaos on which transnational terrorist groups thrive. Egypts eastern border, once riddled with tunnels, had been instrumental in nourishing the problem in Sinai. Egypts western border was also difficult given the security breakdown in Libya, which facilitated attempts to export violence into Egypt.

According to a military expert, the RSF has been releasing prominent old regime figures from prison, though it has accused the SAF of responsibility in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of its adversary. While RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dalago (Hemedti) has repeatedly claimed that Muslim Brotherhood figures had links with the SAF, it is important to bear in mind that Hemedti was himself associated with the Brotherhood. It was, after all, the Al-Bashir regime that brought Hemedti from Darfour to Khartoum and supported the creation of his paramilitary outfit. Tit-for-tat charges of old regime and Muslim Brotherhood connections hold little water in the current facedown between the commanders of the RSF and SAF.

Egyptian-Sudanese relations were rife with tensions during the Al-Bashir era. Yet Cairo had managed to work out a modus vivendi with the Sudanese regime despite that fact that it was reliant on Muslim Brotherhood figures hostile to Egypt. That said, it will be difficult to deal with the Muslim Brotherhood if they were given the opportunity to reassert their influence in Sudan in any significant way.

Like its counterpart in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan has splintered. It has split into eight organisations. The two most important are the group headed by Seif Al-Din Arbab, which still maintains a presence in Egypts southern neighbour, and the group led by Adel Ala Allah which is currently based abroad. Both are closely connected with the mother organisation in Egypt, although the latter is also related to the London-based international Muslim Brotherhood.

Observers believe that the current conflict is bringing the two together, under a nascent umbrella framework the Broad Islamic Current. While its chances of returning to the fore in the Sudanese political scene are weak, and its agenda is currently focused on the home front, it is doubtful that the organisation poses a significant threat to Egypt.

Following the collapse of the Al-Bashir regime, Egypt took in some Sudanese political forces, including those that had espoused an anti-Egyptian stance during the Sudanese revolution. Sources in Cairo point out that many of these anti-Egyptian political forces have not changed their outlook, so it is important to bear in mind not just how the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates might have had a hand in triggering the current conflict, but how they could disrupt Egyptian-Sudanese relations in the future should they regain influence in Khartoum. The same sources also say it is important to remember how the RSF provoked Cairo at the outset of the conflict by detaining Egyptian air force personnel in Meroe.

Perhaps more important, in the opinion of Egyptian sources, is that all Sudanese stakeholders, regardless of their position towards Cairo, understand that Egypt is committed to dealing with Sudan as a brother. Egypt has always opened its arms to Sudanese refugees. It has never intervened militarily in Sudan and has always offered its mediating services to all parties.

The Egyptian record of diplomacy in the Libyan crisis, despite its opposition to the militia factions in western Libya, is proof of Cairos even-handed approach to its neighbours. Cairo understands that, whether in Libya or in Sudan, the interests of the various factions pale in comparison to the interests of the vast majority of people who look to Egypt as a safe haven and supportive neighbour in times of crisis. Just as Egypt has prioritised resolving the conflict in neighbouring Libya, so too its focus is to stop the war in Sudan.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Human rights attorney Yevgeniy Yavorskiy has released a report alleging that officials in Kazakhstan have denied due process to political prisoner Arman Dzhumageldiev, one of the country's prominent political figures. Dzhumageldiev was arrested during mass protests against the government in 2022, which escalated into violent clashes with the police and resulted in the deaths of over 200 citizens and the arrests of several political prisoners. Yavorskiy's report argues that the denial of due process violates Dzhumageldiev's human rights and the constitution of Kazakhstan. He also expressed concern that the authorities have systematically removed Dzhumageldiev's legal team to weaken his case.

Human rights attorney Yevgeniy Yavorskiy has released a report alleging that officials in Kazakhstan have denied due process to political prisoner Arman Dzhumageldiev.

The report notes that Dzhumageldiev played an active role in providing humanitarian aid during the protests and promoting civil obedience. However, the authorities arrested him on charges of inciting the protests. Since then, he has been detained in a single cell and pressured to confess, which he has refused to do.

The report highlights that Kazakhstan has been listed in the U.S. State Department's 2022 Report on Human Rights Practices for multiple violations of the fundamental human rights of imprisoned persons. The report emphasizes the need for due process for politically persecuted individuals to prevent Kazakhstan from remaining an authoritarian state.

For more information, please visit https://www.yavorskiy.kz/.

SOURCE Law Offices of Yavorskiy and Partners
VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Incogni, a privacy protection company, has filed a complaint and enforcement request with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) against GfK Group, the largest market research company in Germany. The complaint alleges that GfK has consistently ignored data deletion requests from Incogni's clients, including nearly 500 requests from Dutch customers exercising their right to erasure under Article 17 of the GDPR. Incogni's complaint also includes a request for enforcement, which seeks formal appeal to the DPDA to take necessary action to ensure GfK's compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

"Companies placing obstacles in the way of consumers exercising their data protection rights represent a widespread problem. Incogni believes that data privacy is a fundamental aspect of safeguarding individual privacy rights, promoting democratic values and fostering human development in the digital age. We are taking legal action to ensure that data deletion requests are taken seriously by companies that acquire, hold, or trade personal information", says Darius Belejevas , Head of Incogni.

GfK Group is the largest market research company in Germany, providing data and intelligence to the consumer goods industry. The group has been making it unnecessarily difficult for Incogni's clients to have their personal data deleted.

The GDPR grants people in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) with the right to be forgotten. This means that companies are obliged to delete residents' personal information when asked to do so.

Residents of these jurisdictions can exercise this right by submitting appropriate requests to any company that holds their data, including companies like the GfK Group. The GDPR also prohibits such companies from interfering with the exercise of these rights, often punishing infringements with significant fines.

The scope of Incogni's actions extends beyond the current complaint against GfK, as the company considers the effective handling of data deletion requests as the first step in a broader mission to establish a more equitable and privacy-focused digital landscape.

"Companies that process large amounts of user data, particularly data brokers, often make it very difficult for people to have their data removed. Many such companies require sensitive personal information to complete a removal request", concludes Belejevas.

The potential impact of the requested action by the DPA is far-reaching, as companies that manage substantial amounts of user data, particularly data brokers, often place unwarranted and illegal obstacles before individuals seeking to delete their personal information. These obstacles can come in many forms, including companies requiring highly sensitive personal data to process deletion requests. The outcome of these proceedings is likely to be closely monitored by companies operating within the EU and beyond.

Incogni is a personal information removal service that helps customers opt out from data broker databases. With the launch of people search site removals, Incogni is now one of the most comprehensive personal information removal services on the market, covering 180+ data brokers. The company's mission is to empower individuals to take control of their personal information and protect their privacy. With its user-friendly platform and automated removal requests, Incogni makes it easy for customers to opt out of data broker databases, saving them hundreds of hours of tedious work.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067790/4015421/Incogni_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Incogni
The Indiana House and Senate voted to approve the Strategic Development Commission's five-year strategic funding request

FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana legislators voted on a new state budget on Friday that approved $30 million in economic development funds for Northeast Indiana. The funding will be used to implement the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission's (NEISDC) five-year plan, which was released in November 2022.

The plan calls for state funding to be used as a catalyst to support collaborative efforts to grow population, grow wages, and grow the number of area residents who have a degree or credential.

"This act of the General Assembly is key to the transformational work ahead for the Strategic Development Commission. The legislative effort was truly a result of teamwork from the Northeast Indiana delegation," said Senator Travis Holdman.

Other legislation passed will increase the commission by two members who will represent local economic development organizations (LEDO's) from among the 11-counties served by the Commission.

"We are very excited about this investment and the impact it can have on Northeast Indiana," said Ron Turpin, Chair of the NEISDC. "Now we have some work to do! The Commission will be getting down to work in the next few weeks to activate our implementation plan and accelerate the growth momentum of Northeast Indiana."

The Indiana Legislature created the Strategic Development Commission in 2021 to focus on Northeast Indiana's economic priorities. Today's funding approval for what the SDC requested in November shows the state's recognition of Northeast Indiana's promising future.

"We are thankful for the support of our delegation and look forward to working with them in the months ahead as we execute on our regional plan," said Bill Konyha, President of the Northeast Indiana Chamber.

The state, the Commission, and existing regional organizations will continue to work together to implement their respective portions of the five-year plan and address Hoosiers' priorities in Northeast Indiana.

Media Contact:

Jonathan Sackett

[email protected]

630-291-0151

SOURCE The Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission
Nearly 1,500 U.S. PetSmart stores now available for same-day delivery via Instacart

SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced the expansion of its partnership with PetSmart, the leading pet retailer, to offer same-day delivery from the Instacart App and website from nearly 1,500 PetSmart stores across the U.S. The expansion into the U.S. follows the successful launch of the partnership to power same-day delivery from over 150 PetSmart stores in Canada.

Nearly 1,500 U.S. PetSmart stores now available for same-day delivery via Instacart

Customers can now shop for thousands of their favorite PetSmart pet products, including food, treats, toys, accessories, and even large items like dog crates, cat towers, and aquariums, delivered straight to their doorstep in as fast as an hour via Instacart. PetSmart's use of Instacart's innovative Big & Bulky fulfillment solution ensures that even large items can be delivered with ease and convenience for both customers and shoppers.

"At PetSmart, we exceed pet parent needs and expectations by giving them more convenient options to shop with us," said Cherise Ordlock, Senior Vice President of Digital at PetSmart. "By expanding our Instacart partnership into the U.S., we are further enhancing our unrivaled shopping experience, providing even more convenience and accessibility to help pet parents quickly get products and solutions for pets of all species."

"We're thrilled to expand our partnership with PetSmart and offer pet parents across North America access to PetSmart's unparalleled selection of pet essentials," said Chris Rogers, Chief Business Officer at Instacart. "From food and toys to grooming supplies, we're excited to partner with PetSmart to deliver a seamless shopping experience for pet owners across America and make their lives easier and their pets happier with just a few clicks."

To begin shopping from PetSmart for same-day delivery via Instacart, customers can visit https://www.instacart.com/store/petsmart/storefront or select the PetSmart storefront on the Instacart App. For all orders, an Instacart shopper will pick and deliver the order within the customer's chosen delivery time frame.

About Instacart

Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1,100 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 80,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace. Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule. The Instacart Platform offers retailers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services to power their e-commerce experiences, fulfill orders, digitize brick-and-mortar stores, provide advertising services, and glean insights. With Instacart Ads, thousands of CPG brands  from category leaders to emerging brands  partner with the company to connect directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase. With Instacart Health, the company is providing tools to increase nutrition security, make healthy choices easier for consumers, and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes. For more information, visit www.instacart.com/company , and to start shopping, visit www.instacart.com .

About PetSmart

PetSmart LLC is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.

PetSmart operates approximately 1,660 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption.

PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home.

SOURCE Instacart
OMAHA, Neb., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Iowa Environmental Council addresses Berkshire Hathaway's lack of transparency. As shareholders, media, and onlookers descend on Omaha in May for the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, the utopian spectacle hides dark realities. The carnival environment with picnics, vendors, and free swag helps buy public affinity, but it is important that shareholders cut through the noise to ask the real questions about the company's investments and its future.

"It's past time investors put their money where their talking points are," said Kerri Johannsen, Energy Program Director with the Iowa Environmental Council. "Utilities owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy are some of the top coal burners in the country, doubling down on expensive fossil fuels in Iowa and throughout the country, with no plan to quit. That's not just a threat to the future of any number of industries that rely on a stable climate, it's reckless investment."

Here are three things you won't hear at the shareholder meeting:

Berkshire has a coal-heavy energy portfolio: While Berkshire has a Sustainability Leadership Council that supposedly works on "advancing best practices on sustainability and ESG-related areas," it continues to operate some of the largest coal fleets in the country through its subsidiaries. According to the "Benchmarking Air Emissions" report, Berkshire Hathaway Energy had the fourth-highest CO 2 emission (CO 2 MT) among electric power producers in the U.S. while generating the ninth-most electricity. BHE's generation mix is primarily coal-fueled, and in 2022 BHE relied on fossil fuel sources for 58% of its total generation. Often at its shareholder meeting, Berkshire highlights its energy companies like MidAmerican Energy in Iowa for their renewable energy leadership. However, what they're not telling you is that MidAmerican Energy operates one of the largest coal fleets in the country, making its "100% Renewable Energy" vision nothing more than a PR tagline. Berkshire's climate risk is substantial: Climate risk is financial risk. As financial regulators around the world struggle to manage the impact of climate change and the increased risk it presents for financial systems, Berkshire Hathaway has extensive climate-related liabilities. According to Insure Our Future, Berkshire Hathaway's insurance operation is a top provider of insurance coverage to the coal industry. Fossil fuel projects and operations require insurance to initiate and operate and many major insurance companies have backed away from insuring new coal projects due to the risk. However, unlike many of its peers, Berkshire Hathaway has no restrictions on insuring fossil fuel projects. Insurance companies are in a unique position to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy future. It's time for Berkshire Hathaway to invest in renewable energy before it's too late. Berkshire's leadership transition won't move the needle on a coal-free future: Warren Buffett's heir apparent Greg Abel comes from Berkshire Hathaway Energy, one of the biggest energy conglomerates in the country. Shareholders will hear praise for subsidiary MidAmerican Energy and its investment in wind turbines, but in reality, the company continues to operate one of the largest fleets of coal plants in the U.S., including one pumping out pollution less than ten miles from the gathering in Omaha . MidAmerican has not announced a public plan to phase out its coal plants before 2049, which leaves it vulnerable to additional risk and missing out on crucial federal incentives in the near term for a clean energy transition. This short-sighted leadership could have major implications for Berkshire as a whole.

"There was a time when MidAmerican Energy was a national leader on clean energy and climate. We believe that kind of action is possible again, but only if there is a plan in place for the company to move entirely away from coal by 2030," said Katie Rock, Iowa Campaign Representative for Sierra Club Beyond Coal. "Those who call Iowa and Nebraska home deserve clean air and water and a healthy and prosperous future. It's time for Berkshire Hathaway to step up."

"Berkshire Hathaway's coal plants in Iowa, owned and operated by MidAmerican Energy, are polluting both our air and our water, causing immense harm to our surrounding communities and to our relative, the Missouri River," said Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Director at Great Plains Action Society. "Across the country, Indigenous communities and other communities of color often bear a disproportionate impact of pollution."

The Iowa Environmental Council, Great Plains Action Society, and Sierra Club are part of the Clean Up MidAm Coalition, which was launched in 2022 to hold MidAmerican Energy accountable. The coalition includes multiple organizations including the Iowa Environmental Council, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Sierra Club, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa, Iowa Interfaith Power & Light, Moms Clean Air Force, and countless Iowans who care about the future of our state. Visit www.CleanUpMidAm.com for more information.

The Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) is the state's largest and most comprehensive environmental alliance, comprised of diverse organizations and individuals working together to protect Iowa's natural environment. Through education, advocacy and coalition building, the Council raises awareness, generates action, and creates large-scale change. We work on federal, state, and local public policy issues to ensure a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans. Learn more at iaenvironment.org.

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

SOURCE Iowa Environmental Council
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Japan's Ambassador to the U.S. Koji Tomita will speak at a National Press Club Headliners Newsmaker on Tuesday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fourth Estate Room.

Japan's Ambassador to the U.S. Koji Tomita will outline key issues for the upcoming G7 Hiroshima Summit at a Headliners Newsmaker event.

Leaders of the G7 member states of France, the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada and the EU president will meet May 19 to May 21 in Hiroshima. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the 2023 president of G7, said Japan chose Hiroshima, a city which experienced the horrors of nuclear war, as a "fitting location to express its commitment to peace." During a visit to Washington in January, Kishida said the G7 leaders should demonstrate a strong will to uphold international order and rule of law after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ambassador Tomita is on his second diplomatic tour in the US. He served as deputy chief of mission in 2012. He has also held diplomatic posts in Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom, and various posts in the foreign ministry. He also acted as Japan's Sherpa for the G20 Osaka Summit in 2019. As a student, he completed a study abroad program at Davidson College in North Carolina.

This event is open to credentialed media and club members.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C.

PRESS CONTACT:

Cecily Scott Martin

[email protected]

202-662-7525

SOURCE National Press Club
Decade-long case resolved in favor of local mortgage broker

KALISPELL, Mont., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a five-day trial and five hours of deliberation, a Flathead County jury has found that a local law firm acted maliciously and recklessly in pursuing a bank fraud claim against a West Glacier-based mortgage broker. The jury awarded Deanna McAtee a total of $1.499 million in compensatory and punitive damages against the firm of Morrison & Frampton, PLLP for initiating fraudulent accusations against her more than a decade ago.

In that case, Morrison & Frampton represented the Whitefish Credit Union, which alleged that in 2008 Ms. McAtee had defaulted on a $523,000 loan to complete a residential construction project. When Ms. McAtee foreclosed on the original borrowers, as directed by the credit union, and obtained a loan from another source to complete construction, the law firm filed a civil complaint against her in 2011. That lawsuit alleged that Ms. McAtee committed fraud by gaining title to the property as beneficiary when the credit union was actually the beneficiary.

In the verdict issued on the evening of April 28, the jury found that the law firm did not have probable cause to pursue the fraud claims and acted with malice in filing and maintaining those claims, based on the evidence.

"Fighting these allegations for more than 10 years has obviously been a financial and emotional nightmare for Ms. McAtee, but we're very gratified that she has achieved some measure of justice from that ordeal," says her attorney, Ben Snipes of Kovacich Snipes Johnson in Great Falls. "Lawyers must be held to the highest professional standards, and as in this instance, must be held accountable when those standards are breached."

The case is Deanna McAtee v. Morrison & Frampton, Cause No. DV-1017D, heard in the 11th Judicial District Court for Flathead County before Hon. Dan Wilson. Attorneys Mark Kovacich and Ben Snipes have been litigating this case since 2014, after being associated by Butte attorney, Michael McKeon. The issues surrounding this case have been addressed by the Montana Supreme Court on three separate occasions, the last of which resulted in the case being remanded for trial in September of 2021.

About Kovacich Snipes Johnson, P.C.

During the past three decades, the award-winning attorneys of Kovacich Snipes Johnson, P.C. have been aggressive advocates for individuals injured due to the negligence of others throughout the state of Montana. The firm has a reputation for taking on the toughest cases and going up against some of the largest corporations in the nation. For more information, visit https://justicemt.com/

Media Contact:

Barry Pound

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Kovacich Snipes Johnson, P.C.
New Brand to Unite Marketplace Brands and Simplify Customer Experience

CARMEL, Ind., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KAR Auction Services, Inc. d/b/a KAR Global (NYSE: KAR) announces it is rebranding to OPENLANE. The change reflects the company's transformation to a more asset-light, digital marketplace company and signals a new simplified, customer-first approach to used vehicle remarketing. OPENLANE will serve as both the parent company brand and the go-to-market brand for the company's digital marketplaces in the US, Canada and Europe. Consolidating platforms, offerings and operations into OPENLANE will help focus the company's strategy and investments, accelerate innovation and simplify the overall customer experience. The company's corporate name will change to OPENLANE, Inc. effective May 15, 2023. The company's common stock will continue trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KAR."

"Our vision is to build the world's greatest digital marketplace for used vehicles, and we are advancing that vision by bringing together all of our sellers, buyers and vehicles under OPENLANE," said Peter Kelly, CEO. "Over the past decade, we've built and acquired some of the leading digital platforms in our industry. Combining the best features and functionality from this technology and unifying our supporting operations will help us create the fastest, easiest and most active digital marketplace available. With flexible sale formats and thousands of cars offered each dayincluding exclusive, first access to a significant majority of North America's off-lease inventorycustomers will be able to list, bid and buy anytime, anywhere."

In 2022, the company's marketplaces facilitated the sale of approximately 1.3 million vehicles, with a gross merchandise value of over $23 billion, across a network of more than 50,000 franchise and independent dealers, OEMs, financial institutions, rental and recovery companies and fleet operators.

The first OPENLANE branded marketplace will be launched in Canada where the company will combine the existing ADESA and TradeRev platforms beginning in June 2023. In the US, the company successfully integrated CARWAVE into BacklotCars in 2022 and is currently rolling out the new live-auction format on a national scale. Once completed, the company will focus on integrating its US dealer-to-dealer and off-lease platforms into a new, combined marketplace branded OPENLANE. And in Europe, the company has completed its consolidation of the ADESA Europe, ADESA UK and GWListe dealer-to-dealer technology into a single, consolidated marketplace that is expected to also adopt the OPENLANE brand.

"KAR catalyzed the digital transformation of remarketing through our acquisition of OPENLANE in 2011. So it is fitting to anchor the next era of our companyand our industryon the OPENLANE brand," said Kelly. "From CPO-ready off-lease cars to higher-mileage older vehicles, to fleet, rentals, recoveries and everything in between, OPENLANE will have the right car for every lot in every geography. And with thousands of unique users engaging on our marketplaces each day, sellers can have confidence they're receiving the best, most competitive market price available."

Concurrent with this announcement, the company has launched a new corporate website at corporate.openlane.com. The site contains investor information, additional details on the full portfolio of OPENLANE's product and services, and a new employer brand page highlighting life at OPENLANE and more than 150 current job openings.

The new "wheel and key" OPENLANE logo was designed by the company's in-house marketing team and represents a nod to both the company's automotive heritage and the circle of data, technology and people that will power the future of digital remarketing.

Today's brand announcement does not impact AFC, the company's financing company servicing independent dealers across North America.

OPENLANE Contacts: Media Inquiries: Analyst Inquiries: Laurie Dippold Mike Eliason (317) 468-3900 (317) 249-4559 [email protected] [email protected]

About Us

KAR Auction Services, Inc. (to be renamed OPENLANE, Inc.) (NYSE: KAR), provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. The company's unique end-to-end platform supports whole car, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services. Our integrated marketplaces reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for customers around the globe. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, the company has employees across the United States, Canada, Europe, Uruguay and the Philippines. For more information and the latest company news, visit corporate.openlane.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements made that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as "should," "may," "will," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our annual and quarterly periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE KAR
LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UCLA Anderson School of Management announced that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will address the 2023 graduating classes of MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA and Ph.D. students. The graduation ceremony will take place on June 16 at 4:00 p.m. in UCLA's Wilson Plaza. The ceremony will also be livestreamed.

UCLA Anderson announced that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will address the 2023 graduating classes. Tweet this Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles, to Deliver UCLA Anderson 2023 Commencement Address

Karen Bass is the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles and the first woman and second African American to be elected as the city's chief executive. With an agenda described as bringing urgency, accountability and a new direction to Los Angeles, she began her term in December 2022 with a focus on immediately addressing the city's housing crisis and increasing safety and opportunity throughout Los Angeles.

Mayor Bass started her career in public service as a health care provider, serving as a nurse and physician assistant before founding the Community Coalition to organize the predominantly Black and Latino residents of South L.A. against substance abuse, poverty and crime. She pioneered strategies to address the root causes behind the challenges faced by underserved neighborhoods.

She went on to represent Los Angeles in the State Assembly and was elected by her peers to serve as Speaker, making her the first African American woman in U.S. history to lead a state legislative body. Her time in leadership intersected with the recession of 200809, and in 2010 she was honored with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for reaching across party lines and making tough decisions that helped keep California from bankruptcy while protecting vital services. While representing Los Angeles and Culver City in Congress, Mayor Bass helped protect small businesses during the pandemic, created policy to use federal infrastructure funding to increase local jobs and led the passage of what the Los Angeles Times called "the most significant child welfare policy reform in decades."

"We are honored to have Mayor Karen Bass as our 2023 commencement speaker," said UCLA Anderson Dean Tony Bernardo. "As a private citizen and as a public servant, she epitomizes the notion of transformative leadership, with a focus on service, innovation, and inclusivity. Mayor Bass is a living example of the positive impact an individual may have on their community, the type of impact our graduates aspire to themselves."

About UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson School of Management is among the leading business schools in the world, with faculty members globally renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Located in Los Angeles, gateway to the growing economies of Latin America and Asia and a city that exemplifies innovation in a diverse range of endeavors, UCLA Anderson's MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, UCLA-NUS Executive MBA, Master of Financial Engineering, Master of Science in Business Analytics, doctoral and executive education programs embody the school's Think in the Next ethos. Annually, some 1,800 students are trained to be global leaders seeking the business models and community solutions of tomorrow.

Follow Us

@uclaanderson

Media Contacts:

UCLA Anderson

[email protected]

Paul Feinberg

[email protected]

(310) 794-1215

Jonathan Daillak

[email protected]

SOURCE UCLA Anderson School of Management
NORWALK, Conn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - SmartEquip, a leading provider of equipment service and parts procurement solutions, is proud to announce the addition of Kiloutou Germany, a major subsidiary of Europe's third-largest generalist equipment rental company, Kiloutou Group, to its global network.

Kiloutou Group has been a leader in the equipment rental industry for over 40 years, combining economic performance with environmental and human values to deliver the most innovative solutions to a diverse customer base. The group's network spans across seven European countries with 560+ branches, serving over 400,000 customers and offering an extensive equipment range in earthmoving, access, utility vehicles, and tools and light equipment.

"We are thrilled to have Kiloutou Germany join the SmartEquip Network and eagerly anticipate collaborating to generate equipment lifecycle efficiencies for the company," says Alex Schuessler, SmartEquip's founder and president of its international group. "Most of Kiloutou's suppliers in the German market are already part of our Network, and we look forward to welcoming the remaining ones, to generate transactional and operational efficiency gains for all participants."

By joining the SmartEquip Network, Kiloutou Germany will benefit from improved service technician time savings, streamlined spare part procurement processes, and increased equipment uptime. The platform will connect suppliers directly with the parts and service workflow of Kiloutou Germany's locations, providing benefits to both sides. Suppliers will be able to provide real-time, equipment-specific service support at reduced effort and begin to receive electronic orders for parts and other items.

"SmartEquip's platform is a natural fit with Kiloutou Germany's ongoing digital transformation initiatives," says Nils Altrogge, CEO at Kiloutou Germany. "The solution's comprehensive approach to electronic spare parts procurement, digital service technician support, and reducing equipment downtime offers significant opportunities for lifecycle efficiency improvements and enhanced profitability."

With the addition of Kiloutou Germany, SmartEquip continues to strengthen its presence in the European market, supporting the largest construction equipment rental companies worldwide, including United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, Aktio, Loxam, and Herc, alongside approximately 100 rental fleets and over 650 suppliers across North America, Europe, and Japan.

For more information about SmartEquip and its services, visit www.smartequip.com.

About Kiloutou Germany

Kiloutou Germany is a key subsidiary of Kiloutou Group, Europe's third-largest generalist equipment rental company. For over 40 years, Kiloutou Group has provided cutting-edge rental solutions to a diverse range of customers in the construction and civil engineering sector, SMEs, local authorities, and industry. The company operates across six European countries, with 564 branches and the largest equipment range in the market, boasting over 1,000 product references and more than 265,000 pieces of equipment.

About SmartEquip

SmartEquip is the leading technology standard for equipment lifecycle management, service, and procurement support for the construction industry. The platform provides a multi-brand common connection and user experience for fleet owners and distributors of complex equipment.

SmartEquip enhances ROI for all Network participants by increasing equipment uptime, improving both technician wrench time and transaction accuracy, while reducing the total cost of equipment ownership. The SmartEquip Network currently supports more than 650 OEM brands, with over 95,000 users across more than 42,000 equipment locations globally. The Network supports over $1 billion in parts transactions annually and the company is led by veterans of construction, technology and data sciences. Founded in 2000, SmartEquip is positioned to define tomorrow's dynamic and evolving equipment industry.

About Ritchie Bros .:

Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA), together with IAA Inc., is a trusted global marketplace for insights, services, and transaction solutions for commercial assets and vehicles. The company's selling channels include Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest auctioneer of commercial assets and vehicles offering online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options. Ritchie List, a self-serve listing service for North America; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; The Company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC, which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system; SmartEquip, an innovative technology platform that supports customers' management of the equipment lifecycle and integrates parts procurement with both OEMs and dealers; plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. Additionally, leveraging leading-edge technology and focusing on innovation, IAA's unique platform facilitates the marketing and sale of total-loss, damaged and low-value vehicles. IAA serves a global buyer base  located throughout over 170 countries  and a full spectrum of sellers, including insurers, dealerships, fleet lease and rental car companies, and charitable organizations. Buyers have access to multiple digital bidding and buying channels, innovative vehicle merchandising, and efficient evaluation services, enhancing the overall purchasing experience. IAA offers sellers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at maximizing vehicle value, reducing administrative costs, shortening selling cycle time and delivering the highest economic returns. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

SOURCE SmartEquip
McGirr brings nearly 20 years of credit markets experience

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- King Street Capital Management ("King Street" or "the Firm"), a leading global alternative investment firm, today announced that William McGirr has joined the Firm as a Managing Director on the Marketing and Investor Relations team.

In the role, Mr. McGirr will support King Street in enhancing investor relationships across the United States and Canada, reporting to Vincent Dubois-Pelerin, Partner and Global Head of Marketing and Investor Relations.

"Will brings nearly 20 years of experience across credit markets that will serve as a valuable resource as we continue to expand our client relationships across the U.S. and Canada," said Dubois-Pelerin. "We are committed to providing our clients with the investment solutions they need and are excited to have Will join our team to continue these efforts."

A seasoned business development executive, Mr. McGirr has held leadership roles at several alternative investment firms, with experience across equity and credit asset classes. Most recently, he was a Managing Director at Fir Tree Partners, where he sourced and raised new capital and executed strategic fundraising plans across hedge funds and special opportunity funds. Prior to that, he served as a Managing Director at AUA Capital Management and member of the Investment Committee, helping to lead the firm's investment selection process and marketing and business development efforts.

About King Street Capital Management

King Street is a global alternative investment firm founded in 1995 that manages more than $22 billion in assets across public and private markets. The firm marries rigorous fundamental research with tactical trading and differentiated sourcing capabilities to identify misunderstood and complex investment opportunities across asset classes, up and down the capital structure. For more information, please visit www.KingStreet.com.

Follow King Street on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Prosek Partners for King Street

[email protected]

SOURCE King Street Capital Management
Russia's information warfare campaigns, bank hacking strategies from North Korea and the best mitigation tactics covered at KnowBe4's annual user conference

TAMPA BAY, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KnowBe4, the provider of the world's largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today provided highlights of the speaking sessions from its KB4-CON 2023 user conference in Orlando, FL last week.

KB4-CON 2023 attracted over 1,600 attendees from 27 countries around the world. This year's theme was security culture connection, with the definition of security culture centered around the ideas, customs and social behaviors of a group that influences its security. The event focused on peer insights, product updates and best practices, as well as some of the hottest topics in cybersecurity defense, security culture, awareness and more.

Dr. Bilyana Lilly, director of security intelligence and geostrategy, Krebs Stamos Group, covered Russia's information warfare campaign and how Western countries can defend against these malicious tactics. She first described the purpose of information warfare, as defined by Russia, which has both technical and psychological purposes. She conducted research in various European countries by meeting with cybersecurity experts and government officials to develop frameworks to simplify the way that people talk about Russian information warfare campaigns. Dr. Lilly also showed examples of information warfare tactics such as the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, which was impacted by disinformation through social media, impersonation, protests and takeover of U.S. computer infrastructure. These issues continue with the war in Ukraine. Two countermeasures that she recommended to help defend against these threats include patching regularly and training end users.

Rachel Wilson, managing director and head of cybersecurity, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, explained how North Korea is hacking many of the central banking systems throughout the world as part of their national strategy to fund their government. In fact, a United Nations report found that 27 countries claimed that North Korea has come after their banks for a total of $3 billion over the last three years. She also mentioned how children are trained to be bank hackers from a very young age and that is all they do, so they grow up constantly learning new skills and techniques that make it difficult for others to defend against. Wilson also advocated for patching to mitigate vulnerabilities, creating unique and random alphanumeric passwords and spreading security awareness to end users.

"Our sixth annual KB4-CON event had a great turnout with a record number of attendees from countries all over the world," said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4. "This year's speaker agenda was full of some of the most highly respected thought leaders in the cybersecurity industry. Bad actors are everywhere and it was clear after hearing our keynote speakers that we have to remain vigilant to mitigate today's most dangerous threats. These threats have far-reaching implications which can impact not only our society but our way of life."

Save the date for KB4-CON 2024, taking place March 4-6, 2024 in Orlando, FL, U.S. To register your interest for the 2024 event, visit knowbe4.com/kb4con2024 .

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the world's largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 56,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defense.

Media Contact

Amanda Tarantino

Public Relations Officer

KnowBe4

[email protected]

SOURCE KnowBe4
Brian McLemore, CEO of Doggett, says that "Doggett has found that the Ford Motor Company and Doggett are very similar enterprises given the family culture deeply embedded in both. That's somewhat unusual in enterprises our size". McLemore continues, "Doggett is one of Houston's largest family-owned businesses measured by sales volume all achieved by putting the customer first and living the motto that Uptime is Everything for our Customers and technicians are the lifeblood of our business."

Jason Mosley, Vice President and GM of the Doggett Automotive Group says "Doggett is the John Deere Construction Equipment dealer and the Toyota Material Handling dealer for Beaumont (east Texas) and we are confident these five businesses will complement each other providing customers a single world-class supplier for their auto, construction equipment and forklift needs. Doggett expects these Ford, Lincoln and Mazda stores to add over $200 million in sales volume to Doggett's growing enterprise within 18 months all driven by Doggett's customer First Approach providing a wonderful truly different customer experience".

Leslie Doggett Industries ("Doggett") is one of Houston's largest Family-Owned business with annual sales volume exceeding $2 billion from the sale, rental and support services for Industrial Equipment, Automotive & Light Trucks and Highway & Vocation Trucks and Trailers through 47 dealerships/locations throughout Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and parts of northern Mexico founded by Leslie Doggett and Brady Carruth in 1993 with over 3000 full-time employees and acclaimed as North America's largest John Deere Construction & Forestry Dealer.

Doggett Company Profile OEM and Area of Responsibility  Dealership Locations Construction & Forestry Division: John Deere - State of Louisiana, East Texas and South Texas;

LinkBelt Cranes  State of Louisiana Material Handling Division: Toyota  Southern half of Texas and West Texas Auto & Light Truck Division: Ford (Houston and Beaumont), Lincoln (Beaumont),

Mazda (Beaumont), Toyota (Beaumont) Hwy. & Vocational Truck Division: Freightliner and Great Dane  State of Arkansas, South Texas and West Texas

For more information, please visit www.Doggett.com or www.DoggettAutoGroup.com.

CONTACT: Christy Vanzandt, [email protected]

SOURCE Doggett Industries
WILMINGTON, Mass. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. ("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN) (OTCQB: LDDFF) (FRANKFURT: LD2A), a leading technology provider of AI-based next generation detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats, is pleased to provide an update on its sales activities.

Liberty has recently received a purchase order for five HEXWAVE portals for use in the urban security market. The Company is seeing an increased level of demand for the HEXWAVE given its flexibility in various security applications to detect metallic and non-metallic threats efficiently. In addition to recent sales orders, the Company is actively quoting opportunities across all market verticals. As announced, Liberty has also secured letters of intent with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and another major organization for employee screening.

Liberty has signed a distribution agreement with a leading global security company for the urban security market to drive additional sales in the Americas and secure market penetration in key markets including high security facilities, corporate and warehousing facilities, sporting venues, and others. The Company is also in late-stage discussions for specific distribution to the corrections market as well as schools.

"We continue to see intensified interest from the aviation and urban security markets. HEXWAVE is truly a disruptive technology with the enhanced detection it provides for screening metallic and non-metallic items like explosives and 3D printed guns," says Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense. "We are currently involved in advanced sales discussions with leading organizations and airports and expect that this will transition to sales orders in the coming weeks."

Liberty has just completed a successful evaluation with The Port of Oakland demonstrating multiple configurations for effective screening of aviation workers. As announced earlier this week, a trial has started at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for aviation worker screening, where given the number of access points at LAX, the mobility of the HEXWAVE will be extremely valuable for multiple screening locations.

For updates and news, please visit the Company website to subscribe to email alerts or follow Liberty Defense on social channels.

On Behalf of Liberty Defense

Bill Frain

CEO & Director

About Liberty Defense

Liberty Defense ( TSXV: SCAN , OTCQB: LDDFF , FRANKFURT: LD2A ) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty's HEXWAVE product, for which the company has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, provides discrete, modular, and scalable protection to provide layered, stand-off detection capability of metallic and non-metallic weapons. Liberty has also recently licensed the millimeter wave-based, High-Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body scanner and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions. Learn more: LibertyDefense.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable).

Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd.
As the firm's first President, Nesvold will oversee Cresset's strategy, platform offering, and family office services.

CHICAGO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cresset announced today that Liz Nesvold has joined the firm as President. In this newly created role, Nesvold will oversee the firm's strategy and offerings for founders, entrepreneurs, and multi-generational families, firm-wide integration, and Cresset's 100-year vision, alongside Co-Founders Eric Becker and Avy Stein. Her primary focus will be to ensure that Cresset clients continue to receive a deeply personalized, holistic, boutique family office experience.

"I am thrilled to join the Cresset team as its first-ever President," Liz Nesvold. Tweet this Liz Nesvold, President of Cresset

"Liz's role as president is the culmination of her 30 years of advising and building her own successful advisory business  experience that we will benefit from and will help Cresset enhance our fully integrated approach," Stein said. "Liz is one of the most respected and recognized advisors to the wealth management industry and has led the strategy around transformational partnerships and business combinations."

Nesvold shares Cresset's commitment to serving the needs of our clients and creating enduring partnerships. Throughout her career, Nesvold has shown herself to be an accomplished consultant and investment banker, able to provide exceptional advice to her clients across business strategy, succession planning, integration, and growth. Her understanding of, and experience with, a variety of client platforms and business models, in addition to her expertise in M&A and finance, equip her to build upon Cresset's success and help lead the firm into its next chapter.

"An entrepreneur at heart, Liz is a fearless leader who personifies integrity and transparency on behalf of clients, colleagues, and our industry," Becker said. "She embodies Cresset's core values of client first, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit, and will help drive Cresset's commitment to attract, retain, and develop talented, diverse leaders."

Among her many recognitions, Nesvold was honored with the M&A Advisor Leadership Award in 2021 and recognized as a Woman to Watch by InvestmentNews in 2019. She is a founder CEO herself, having launched and built investment bank Silver Lane Advisors with several talented partners, including her husband, Peter Nesvold. Under her leadership, Silver Lane became a widely recognized top RIA M&A firm, which she sold to a Fortune 500 company in 2019. She remained as a Managing Director and Head of Asset and Wealth Management Investment Banking until her recent departure.

"I am thrilled to join the Cresset team as its first-ever President and work alongside two visionary entrepreneurs and founders, Eric Becker and Avy Stein, as well as an incredible team," said Nesvold. "Having worked collaboratively with Cresset to complete three RIA partnerships with clients in the past, I had a first-hand opportunity to see the organization's commitment to its vision and culture, and the deep value it places on its people, innovation, and entrepreneurship. For all of those reasons, Cresset is the perfect fit."

Nesvold has been an active champion and advocate for women in financial services throughout her career and is a member of CHIEF, 100 Women in Finance, and Young Presidents Organization. Additionally, she serves as the independent director on the board of ClientWise, which she recapitalized with Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures Fund. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University and an MBA in Finance from Fordham Gabelli School of Business.

About Cresset

Cresset is an independent, award-winning multi-family office and private investment firm with $30 billion in assets under management (as of 1/30/2023). Cresset serves the unique needs of entrepreneurs, CEO founders, wealth creators, executives, and partners, as well as high-net-worth and multi-generational families. Our goal is to deliver a new paradigm for wealth management, allowing clients to pursue what matters most to them.

Cresset offers access to a comprehensive suite of family office services, deeply personalized wealth management, investment advisory, planning, and other services through Cresset Asset Management LLC. Cresset Partners LLC, Cresset's private investing group, offers clients direct access to institutional-quality real estate, private equity, private credit, and other investment opportunities. Cresset Asset Management LLC and Cresset Partners LLC are SEC registered investment advisors. Please visit https://cressetcapital.com for more information.

Media contact:

Michael Walsh

612-718-8952

[email protected]

SOURCE Cresset
Joint partnership aims to generate 500,000 hours of outdoor activity this May

FREEPORT, Maine, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean has gone "off the grid" for a second consecutive year, pausing all social media channels to prioritize time outside and encouraging followers to join them. On May 1, the company wiped its social media profiles clean, leaving behind expert-informed resources, tips and tools to support people in getting outside for their own mental wellbeing  however, wherever and whenever they can.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean is going off the grid for a second consecutive year, pausing all social media channels to prioritize time outside and encouraging followers to join them.

To encourage participation, L.L.Bean has partnered with social fitness app Strava, inviting users to log their outdoor time in the app as part of the L.L.Bean Feel-Good Challenge, with a goal to spend a combined 500,000 hours outside during the month of May. Participation in the challenge will raise money for Mental Health America, with whom L.L.Bean has engaged in a two-year partnership focused on outdoor mental wellness research and programming.

Studies have shown spending time outdoors  whether in green spaces like parks or forests, blue spaces such as near lakes, rivers and coastlines, or even in urban environments  has significant mental health benefits, including greater creativity, lower levels of stress, increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety.

"My great-grandfather Leon Leonwood Bean believed that nature is the most powerful antidote to the stresses of life, a conviction confirmed by modern research," said Shawn Gorman, L.L.Bean Executive Chairman. "Our priority at L.L.Bean is to support our customers on their outdoor journeys, outfitting them in quality gear and creating greater accessibility to outdoor activities. We're honored to partner with Mental Health America and Strava to encourage as many people as possible to experience the restorative power of time spent outside."

Mental Health America's President and Chief Executive Officer Schroeder Stribling added that time outside is a simple act one can take to prioritize their own wellbeing. "Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can have tremendous benefits for our mental health, helping to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of calmness and relaxation. Being in nature can also improve our cognitive function and creativity, serving as a grounding force among the stressors of our daily lives. Whether it is a walk outside or a visit to a local park, just a few minutes outside can make a meaningful impact and lead to improved mental health."

Through its partnerships with Mental Health America and Strava, as well as ongoing research focused on the benefits of experiencing "awe" in the outdoors, L.L.Bean aims to further inspire and enable people to experience the restorative power of time outside and the proven mental wellness benefits it provides.

For additional information on Mental Health Month and to explore Mental Health America's resources, visit mhanational.org/may. For more information on L.L.Bean's partnership with Mental Health America, visit Inside L.L.Bean.

About L.L. Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In 2022, L.L.Bean donated $5.5 million to outdoor and community-enriching organizations focused on increasing access to and inclusivity in the outdoors. L.L.Bean operates 56 stores in 19 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan and 12 stores in Canada in partnership with Jaytex Group. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.

About Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA's work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal. Learn more at MHAnational.org.

SOURCE L.L.Bean
DENVER, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LOCALACT, the industry-leading local marketing platform for location data management, local SEO, and local advertising, announced the launch of a refreshed brand identity and enhanced core offering. The platform's new features and enhancements are designed to help multi-unit brands and franchise systems optimize their local marketing presence and drive more awareness, customers, and bottom-line revenue growth. The core offering of LOCALACT includes:

Location Data Management Platform (LDMP)

LOCALACT is the premier local marketing platform for businesses. Tweet this

The Location Data Management Platform (LDMP) is the heart of LOCALACT, providing a centralized solution for optimizing, managing, and distributing location data. It ensures that your business location data is accurate, consistent, and up to date across all online directories and search engines. LOCALACT's powerful LDMP synchronizes your data with seamless API integration, saving you valuable time and resources while ensuring your business information is accurate throughout the web wherever customers may find you.

Local SEO

LOCALACT offers a suite of local SEO tools that help franchise brands and multi-unit businesses optimize their online presence for local search. The platform's SEO tools are designed to increase visibility in local search results, improve rankings, and drive more traffic to your website and location pages. With LOCALACT's local SEO tools, you can optimize local search performance, maximize visibility, and attract more customers searching for your brand and the products or services you provide.

Local Ads

LOCALACT's unique Local Media Mix model leverages data, machine learning and campaign automation technology to connect your business with customers at every phase of the buying journey. Local Ads tools allow businesses to target their ideal customers based on location, demographics, interests, behavior and more, creating a more personalized experience for prospective customers. Local Ads will help you drive more awareness, site traffic, leads, phone calls, foot traffic and sales for your business location with ad budgets and creative tailored to every market.

"We understand the challenges that franchise brands and multi-unit businesses face in managing their local presence," said Alex Porter, CEO. "Our enhanced core offering and upcoming feature releases in LOCALACT are designed specifically to help businesses optimize their local presence, attract more customers, and grow their revenue. Our focus is empowering businesses with technology to activate growth, and LOCALACT remains committed to helping all of our customers generate a positive return on their local marketing and advertising."

For more information and to request a free demo, please visit LOCALACT.com.

About LOCALACT

LOCALACT is the premier local marketing platform for businesses. The way you market your business, analyze the data, how you reach your customers and respond to them needs precision from one zip code to the next. That's why we created LOCALACT, the marketing software platform that finds the right channels and audiences to create a powerful marketing tool where everything is local. Our powerful technology features seamless connections to cutting-edge ad tech and APIs, a proprietary Local Media Mix model powered by machine learning and a robust performance dashboard for data analysis.

CONTACT: Joshua Allen, [email protected]

SOURCE LOCALACT
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - MANTARO PRECIOUS METALS CORP. (TSXV: MNTR) (OTCQB: MSLVF) (FSE: 9TZ) (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement to acquire two highly prospective licenses, being the East Trend and Media Sur properties, in the San Ramon Greenstone belt in Bolivia.

Figure 1: Geological map of the San Ramon Greenstone Belt highlighting the East Trend and Medio Sur Property locations in relation to Golden Hill (CNW Group/Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.)

Darren Hazelwood, Chief Executive Officer of the Company states "Although our focus continues to be the exploration and development of the Golden Hill Property, we will continue to target accretive acquisitions in the underexplored Bolivian Shield. Our team has reviewed a number of projects in the region. Given the relative close proximity of these properties to Golden Hill, we can optimize exploration work across our portfolio of gold focused Bolivia properties. We believe these are low cost, high upside assets for future exploration work."

The East Trend property is comprised of a total of 2,650 hectares and is located within the San Ramon gold producing district. The property covers faulted greenstone terrain which forms the eastern extension of the La Cruz Gold trend, a NW-SE striking gold mineralized zone that has been mined via a large number of small open pits by small-scale gold miners over 8 strike kilometres. Recent activity by small scale miners indicates the gold mineralized trend continues to the southeast the East Trend property. The property is located 20 kilometers east from the Puqio Norte historical gold mine and the Company's Golden Hill Property. East Trend is significantly underexplored, despite its highly prospective geological setting, which is analogous to known proximal gold mines and deposits.

The Media Sur property is comprised of a total of 4,750 hectares and is centered on the underexplored southern arm of a highly gold prospective metasedimentary - metavolcanic faulted greenstone belt. The project is situated along the same broad structure as two large orogenic gold systems, Medio Monte and La Lupa. The latter is currently in production and is operated by a local Bolivian company that producing a significant amount of gold using basic gravity circuits. Recent artisanal mining activity suggests that gold mineralization continues to Media Sur.

Under the share purchase agreement with Jacob Garland, the Company will acquire all of the shares of Minera Meranti Ltda ("Merenti"), a Bolivian company that holds title to the East Trend and Media Sur licenses. In consideration of Merenti, the Company has agreed to issue 2,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share for a deemed value of $100,000. The transaction is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified Person

Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ph. D., FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release

About Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.

Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. is a British Columbia company that holds a diversified portfolio of gold and silver focused mineral properties in Bolivia and Peru. The Company holds an option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the advanced Golden Hill orogenic gold property ("Golden Hill"), located in the underexplored Precambrian Shield, Bolivia.

In Peru, the Company has a 100% interest in the high-grade Santas Gloria silver property as well as a 100% interest in each of the La Purisima, Cerro Luque and Huaranay properties.

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 management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Company's limited operating history 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, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Mantaro Precious Metals Corp.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today, Iranian American journalist, author, and women's rights campaigner Masih Alinejad presented a draft resolution condemning transnational repression and the targeting of journalists to U.N. member states during an observance of World Press Freedom Day and called upon the UK to sponsor the resolution. In February, journalists in London at Iran International TV were forced to close their bureau and relocate to Washington after being warned that authorities could no longer protect them from threats originating with Iranian agents.

Related Documents View PDF Draft Resolution on Transnational Repression and The Targeting of Journalists

"The UK government actually asked one of the biggest [broadcasters], Iran International TV, to stop its activities and to move from the UK. It was advice. So, I want to call on you, the UK government  and the General Assembly to pass this [resolution]," Alinejad told delegations in attendance in the General Assembly Hall.

Alinejad, who was forced into exile in 2009, is an outspoken critic of the Islamic Republic, and the founder of a campaign against gender apartheid practices in that country, where women who choose to appear in public without a hijab risk fines, arrest, imprisonment, and death. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice announced conspiracy charges against Iranian agents that sought to kidnap Alinejad from New York and rendition her to the Islamic Republic. Earlier this year, the Justice Department filed charges in a murder-for-hire plot directed against her by the Iranian regime.

Within Iran, the Intelligence Ministry has reportedly ordered journalists and activists to remove posts on social media about chemical attacks perpetrated against schoolgirls, and dozens of journalists have been arrested over the last seven months because they reported on nationwide anti-regime protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly violating the compulsory hijab laws.

Prior to the World Press Freedom Day events, Alinejad said, "The Islamic Republic uses the tools of the state  surveillance, intimidation, violence, and a corrupt judiciary  to browbeat people into submission, but they are failing. Even though being a journalist in Iran can land you in jail, can get you killed, can get you tortured, they are failing. But they cannot be left to fight alone. More than 70 journalists are in prison in Iran, and their weapon is their voice. We have to take strong action."

To request an interview with Alinejad, please email [email protected].

ABOUT MY STEALTHY FREEDOM

My Stealthy Freedom is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to challenging the compulsory hijab laws of the Islamic Republic. Founded by Masih Alinejad in 2014, My Stealthy Freedom supports Iranian women's rights and promotes the cases of women who through acts of civil disobedience to fight discriminatory laws. My Stealthy Freedom informs and educates the public about discriminatory laws in Islamic Republic that punish women and strives to empower Iranians to resist and be a voice for the voiceless in Iran.

SOURCE My Stealthy Freedom
RIVERVIEW, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - For the fifth consecutive year, Mattamy Homes has been named as one of Tampa Bay's Best Places to Work in a competition managed by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Mattamy was recognized as the #4 top place to work in the extra-large company category. Mattamy was one of the smallest companies in this category to make the top 15 Best Places to Work list, and the highest-ranking homebuilder named as a Best Place to Work.

Mattamy Homes team members in Tampa gather for a team-building event. (CNW Group/Mattamy Homes Limited) Mattamy team members from the company's Tampa & Southwest Florida Division prepare donations gathered for Hurricane Ian victims in need. (CNW Group/Mattamy Homes Limited) Team members from Mattamy's Tampa & Southwest Florida Division at the 2022 annual division meeting and celebration, which began the day at the Tampa History Museum and ended with a Yacht cruise. (CNW Group/Mattamy Homes Limited)

The Best Places to Work competition aims to identify the top workplaces in Tampa Bay, based on employee feedback. Nominated organizations are evaluated by their employees through an anonymous survey that measures workplace factors impacting employee satisfaction and engagement. These include benefits, team effectiveness, feeling valued and recognized for their contributions, work engagement, alignment with goals, individual contribution, manager effectiveness, and trust in co-workers and senior leaders.

"At Mattamy, we strive to provide a work environment that is supportive, welcoming and engaging for our employees," said Bob Meyn, President of Mattamy's Tampa and Southwest Florida Division. "Our team members make that happen, and foster a diverse, inclusive, values-driven culture that is so important to the great work we do together. This environment supports our commitment to excellence for our homeowners and communities. Building toward a better world with responsible, sustainable practices is also an important mission for our team."

Mattamy Homes' Tampa and Southwest Florida Division recently collected awards in Parade of Homes events held by 3 different builders' associations on Florida's West Coast from Tampa to Fort Myers. The Tampa Bay Builders Association, the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association and the Lee Building Industry Association awarded Mattamy with honors such as Superior Home Award, Best Floorplan, Best Overall, Best Kitchen and Best Master Suite.

About Mattamy Homes

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with 40-plus years of history across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 8,000 families realize their dream of homeownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 11 markets  Dallas, Charlotte, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando (where its US head office is located), Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida  and in Canada, its communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information.

SOURCE Mattamy Homes Limited
After more than a year of preparations, the National Dialogue proposed by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi was due to hold its opening session on Wednesday, with 1,000 public figures expected to attend.

The dialogues General Coordinator Diaa Rashwan said earlier this week that the 19-member Board of Trustees had decided that political track subcommittees would start meeting on 7 May, economic track subcommittees on 9 May, followed by social track subcommittees on 11 May.

The public has a right to full information about, and transparent access to, the sessions of the National Dialogue and we are keen that media outlets are present to cover the event, said Rashwan.

The crisis in Sudan has underlined the urgent need for the dialogue, with many members of the public increasingly concerned about the impact of the conflict on Egypt.

Rashwan said the Egyptian state is working to find a peaceful solution to the crisis and is sparing no efforts in evacuating Egyptians and other nationals fleeing the conflict.

Concerning procedure, Rashwan said: We will ensure that only those who can contribute to the debate and serve the dialogue participate in sessions, adding that participants should come to the dialogue with meaningful legislative and executive proposals to be presented as final recommendations.

A statement released on Tuesday said participants in the opening session will include the Board of Trustees, the rapporteurs and assistant rapporteurs of the 19 subcommittees, members of the presidential pardon committee, representatives of 85 political parties, intellectuals, clerics, presidents of universities and research centres, MPs and senators.

Journalist and board member Gamal Al-Kishki told Al-Ahram on Tuesday that the board had finalised the agenda and timetables of four weeks of political, economic, and social debates. We have thoroughly prepared for the dialogue and hope the debates will be balanced and effective, he said.

We are keen that representatives of forces from different ideological backgrounds will participate in each of the dialogues sessions and that at least 30 public figures will take the floor during each session, added dialogue Secretary-General Mahmoud Fawzi.

On Monday, the Civil Movement  a bloc including 12 opposition groups  voted in favour of participating in the dialogue.

The vote included 12 political parties and 11 opposition figures, with 13 saying yes and 10 saying no, said a statement issued by the Conservatives Party which hosted the meeting of bloc members.

A statement released on Saturday, after Rashwan met with opposition and media figures, said the holding of an open and transparent National Dialogue must start with settling the issue of political prisoners in Egypt and amending the pre-trial detention law.

On Monday, prosecution authorities released Al-Jazeera journalist Hisham Abdel-Aziz after four years of pre-trial detention. Head of the Press Syndicate Khaled Al-Balshy confirmed to Reuters that Abdel-Aziz had returned home. Abdel-Aziz is the second Al-Jazeera channel journalist to be released in recent months.

Mohamed Anwar Esmat Al-Sadat, chairman of the Reform and Development party, announced in a statement on Tuesday that the party was participating in the dialogue because Egypt needs to develop a democratic framework so elections can be held in a fair and transparent manner.

The party also hopes that the dialogue will result in greater press and media freedom, political reforms, and changes to the political party law and the exercise of political rights law, said Al-Sadat.

During a Ramadan Iftar banquet in April 2022, President Al-Sisi invited political parties, intellectuals, and experts to hold a National Dialogue to draw up a roadmap setting Egypts political and economic priorities to 2030.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Marks Second Acquisition Since Ascend Partners and CareAbout Health Made Equity Investment in MSPB in December 2022

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB), a primary care-focused, multi-specialty physician group practice in South Florida, today announced it has acquired Cohen Medical Associates, a primary care practice with five physicians across two locations in Delray Beach, FL. The acquisition is the second of its kind since Ascend Partners (Ascend) and CareAbout Health (CareAbout) made an equity investment in MSPB in December 2022.

Ascend Capital Partners is a growth-oriented, healthcare-focused private equity partnership whose mission is to build thriving communities by investing in companies and entrepreneurs who are improving healthcare access, affordability, and quality for vulnerable and underserved populations. Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB) is a primary care-focused, multi-specialty physician group practice in South Florida.

"With the acquisition of Cohen Medical Associates, we are delighted to welcome its highly experienced founder, Dr. Robert Cohen, as well as the other physicians, medical professionals and patients to the MSPB family," said Casey Waters, CEO of MSPB. "On behalf of the entire MSPB team, we look forward to working together to continue to provide high quality, accessible care to our patients."

"MSPB and Cohen Medical Associates share a long-standing commitment to delivering comprehensive, quality primary care to the South Florida community," said Carlos Lira, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches. "This acquisition will enable Cohen Medical Associates to become a part of MSPB's highly effective and efficient care coordination network, allowing us to grow MSPB's reach and help even more patients in South Florida."

This acquisition will increase MSPB's primary care provider network by approximately 15% and will support Cohen Medical Associates expansion into value based care with the full support of CareAbout and MSPB.

About Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB)

MSPB, founded in 1995, is a primary care-focused, multi-specialty physician group practice, serving South Florida. MSPB is a value-based care focused, integrated healthcare delivery system, committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality care, with respect and integrity for our patients and the community. MSPB now has more than 95 Providers, spread across 35+ offices in Palm Beach and Broward counties and offers primary care, cardiology, interventional cardiology, neurology, hematology & oncology, gastroenterology, concierge medicine and laboratory services. For more information, please visit: mspbhealth.com.

About Cohen Medical Associates

Cohen Medical Associates provides complete family healthcare including routine visits, laboratory testing needs, and emergency appointments. Combined, the staff has over 100 years of high-quality medical experience, making them one of the most well-respected and highly-regarded regarded in the area.

About Ascend Partners

Ascend Partners is a growth-oriented, healthcare-focused private equity partnership whose mission is to build thriving communities by investing in companies and entrepreneurs who are improving healthcare access, affordability, and quality for vulnerable and underserved populations. Founded in 2019, Ascend is led by co-founders In Seon Hwang, former global head of Healthcare at Warburg Pincus and member of the Executive Management Group, and Dr. Richard Park, founder and former CEO of CityMD, a leading patient-centric healthcare services company in New York and New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.ascendpartners.com.

About CareAbout Health

CareAbout Health provides management, resources, value-add services, technology, and other support to its portfolio of medical groups and healthcare focused companies. CareAbout Health is helping align incentives to create a world where patients, providers, and payers work together in a seamless, coordinated manner toward common goals: higher quality, lower costs, better outcomes, and healthier communities. For more information, please visit www.careabout.com.

SOURCE CareAbout
HOOKSETT, N.H., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Merchants Fleet, the nation's fastest growing fleet management company, is pleased to announce the hire of Brad Burgess as the new senior vice president of fleet sales and strategic solutions.

Brad Burgess, senior vice president of fleet sales and strategic solutions at Merchants Fleet. Merchants Fleet (PRNewsfoto/Merchants Fleet)

"We are excited to welcome Brad to the team. His industry experience, passion for clients and dynamic leadership ensure continued innovation and growth for our teams," said Merchant's Chairman, CEO and President Brendan P. Keegan. "We look forward to working together on strengthening our strategic solutions and market position to keep our clients at the forefront of fleet."

A tenured fleet industry professional, Burgess has more than two decades of experience in selling value-based B2B service solutions to Fortune 500-1000 companies as an individual sales contributor, regional, and national sales leader. Prior to Merchants, Burgess served as vice president of commercial operations, marketing, and global relationships at Element Fleet Management, where his strategic mindset and robust understanding of the rapidly evolving fleet market established him as an industry leader.

"Creating collaborative partnerships has been the cornerstone of my career, and I am thrilled to be joining the Merchants team to explore new ways of driving competitive advantages for our clients, employees, and supplier partners," said Burgess.

Burgess steps into the role at Merchants as the organization plans for the retirement of Senior Vice President of Sales and Strategic Solutions Tom Coffey. "On behalf of the Merchants board, executive leadership team, and the entire Merchants family, we want to thank Tom for his Hall of Fame career, extraordinary leadership, innovation, and friendship over the past decade," said Keegan. "We wish him and his family a very happy and healthy retirement."

About Merchants Fleet

Merchants Fleet is North America's fastest growing fleet management company, enabling the movement of people, goods and services freely and responsibly. From flexible funding, fleet acquisition and fleet management to vehicle remarketing, fleet consulting, fleet electrification, and the power of cloud-based fleet management platform TotalView, Merchants serves as a single source for all fleet and mobility needs across more than 20 unique industries. Merchants is headquartered in New England, has its Innovation Center in the Chicago area, and serves fleet clients of all sizes throughout North America. Learn more at www.MerchantsFleet.com.

SOURCE Merchants Fleet
WALL, N.J., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mid-City Transit, a Student Transportation of America (STA) company, announced today the launch of its Electric Vehicle (EV) program in Middletown, New York. In total, four EV buses have been assigned to the Middletown City School District's fleet and have replaced a handful of higher-emission vehicles. The initiative, which required more than $1 million dollars in upgrades, new buses, and related infrastructure in Middletown, was funded through a combination of company investment and a grant from the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program.

This movement toward EV is part of the STA's ambitious Green Fleet initiative, currently led by Rachel Lane, STA's Vice President of Electrification & Sustainability. The company has committed to adding additional EV vehicles to its nationwide fleet to lessen the organization's impact on the environment.

"I am thrilled to see Mid-City Transit's forward momentum toward zero emissions and of course, the state of New York's continued support for a greener future. The Middletown City School District has been a great partner throughout this project, and we share the same goals when it comes to sustainability and progress," said Lane. "EV buses not only help to reduce harmful pollutants from affecting the environment, but they also bring significant cost savings from operations, maintenance, and fuel perspective. There's a lot of good that comes out of EV adoption, and we're thrilled to see Middletown benefit from that."

"It's definitely an exciting time for our scholars, school community, Mid-City Transit, and the EV industry," said Amy Creeden, Superintendent of the Middletown City School District. "We are all happy to see the EV buses in the fleet's rotation and serving our student routes already. Transportation services are essential in our District and there's something really great about knowing we have seen some early success as a result of the addition of the EV buses. It's only been a few weeks, but the EV buses are proving to be efficient, environmentally friendly, and quieter [than the diesel buses] when driving around our neighborhoods."

The New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program awarded STA, Mid-City Transit's parent company, a grant of $800,000 in late 2022 to purchase four new EV vehicles. Mid-City Transit was selected to receive the vehicles and its maintenance teams have already been trained in EV maintenance. Chargers have also been installed at the terminal.

A regionally based company, Elm Electric, in collaboration with Orange and Rockland Electric Utility, provided Mid-City Transit and the Middletown City School District support with the infrastructure updates, including installing the electric vehicle charging stations at the terminal. Middletown-based Fusco Engineering and Land Surveying provided the survey for the second phase of infrastructure development.

"Over the last year, STA has made steady progress rolling EV buses out into new markets and we are investing in the communities we serve," said Lane. "We're not slowing down either. We're actively identifying new markets, finding District partners that are willing to advocate for EV, and collaborating with our partners like Mid-City Transit to explore grant and funding opportunities that can support infrastructure updates. We're optimistic that Middletown will find success with EV and it's a great milestone to celebrate."

Lane's team will now track battery life, monitor component life, and collect other key data as the electric buses service Middletown's routes. With electric fleets planned for urban, suburban, and rural areas, this information will give the company actionable intelligence into the performance of electric vehicles in distinct operating environments.

To date, STA has steadily rolled out alternative-fuel vehicles, including 20 electric buses and 2,900 propane buses. The company has received a Green Fleet Magazine Sustainability All-Star Award for its leadership in the space. Through the help of grants, incentive projects, strategic partnerships, and investments, STA plans to continue to expand its electric bus initiative into additional markets in the coming months.

About Student Transportation of America

Founded in 1997, Student Transportation of America (STA) is an industry leader in school transportation, safety, and fleet services. STA operates more than 16,000 vehicles, providing customers with the highest level of safe and reliable student transportation, management, logistics, and technology solutions throughout the U.S. and Canada. Services are delivered by drivers, dispatchers, maintenance technicians, managers, information technology professionals, and others, who are caring members of their local communities. For more information, please visit www.rideSTA.com.

SOURCE Student Transportation of America
Virtual Education Helps Meet Needs of Students Across the Country

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller-Motte College (MMC) has included two new online Bachelor of Science Degrees in Cloud Computing and Software Development to address the needs of students. Both degree programs are a part of the school's expanding selection of technology-focused career paths.

"Today, people have more opportunities than ever to customize their educational experience," said Andrea Snow, SVP of Academics & Career Services at Ancora , parent company to Miller-Motte College. "Virtual learning has changed the structure of the classroom and as leaders in this field, we want to provide pathways that work with the modern-day student, not against them. It's the reason why we feel so strongly about offering programs that meet students where they need to be met and developing a timeline that supports the individual as they advance their career."

Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing

Usage of cloud computing technology has become a more common practice among organizations and businesses as it helps support and share on-demand resources. The industry was recently ranked second in Forbes Five Top Industries For Job Seekers In 2023.

Miller Motte's Cloud Computing Bachelor of Science program is designed to help students learn how to effectively manage the various phases of an IT project, assess major cloud computing issues, deploy and configure virtual networking, and troubleshoot real-world hardware and software applications.

Cloud Computing students will receive education and training on relevant skills, including but not limited to:

PC Operating Systems, this course provides an overview of installing, configuring and maintaining operating systems on devices, the basics of networking and security/forensics, properly and safely diagnosing, resolving and documenting common hardware and software issues while applying troubleshooting skills.

Introduction to Programming in Python, where students can delve into how imports, modules, and packages work in Python, how to handle errors to prevent apps from crashing, as well as file manipulation. In addition, students will analyze how data is created, stored, accessed, and how the organization works with data to support organizational needs.

Information Technology Project Management, which introduces students to business strategies for IT investments, digitization and transformation of business and organizational capability, design and implementation of IT architecture and IT governance.

Introduction to Cryptography, exposes students to the concepts of block ciphers and message authentication codes, public key encryption, digital signatures, and key establishment.

Bachelor of Science in Software Development

As businesses become more reliant on software solutions and increased interest in artificial intelligence, tech talent is leading the market. More than 200,000 additional tech jobs were added in October 2022, according to Forrester . With tech roles creating a pipeline in many industries, U.S. News & World Report listed software development as the number one job of 2023.

The Software Development Bachelor of Science program weaves together database management, analytics, computer security fundamentals, and website development and design to create a more holistic approach to becoming proficient in the industry and having the opportunity to pursue entry level careers.

Software Development students will receive education and training on relevant skills, including but not limited to:

Ethical Hacking, this course helps students identify security threats and attack vectors, attack detection and prevention. Students will also complete performance labs related to ethical hacking.

Web Design Essentials, this allows students to focus on the fundamentals of designing websites and web pages using basic HTML code and authoring tools. The course will also help guide students on the use of collaborative web technologies in a web development or research project, and prepare site pages for publication.

Game Development Essentials, this introduces the framework of interactive computer game creation, design process, content research and storyboard creation for developing a gaming program. It also exposes students to program flow modeling, code creation, and result evaluation and modification practices in the field.

Mobile Application Development, allows students to examine the creation of mobile solutions for a variety of platforms, including major mobile operating systems. Some of the areas covered will dive into device architecture, programming languages, software engineering, user interface design, and app distribution.

Earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Cloud Computing or Software Development from Miller-Motte College provides students with flexible online learning. Enrollment is on a rolling basis with classes beginning every 5 to 10 weeks and programs that can be completed within 33 months.

*Miller-Motte College does not guarantee employment or salary. Students located in California cannot enroll in or attend Miller-Motte College.

About Miller-Motte College

Miller-Motte College has convenient locations in Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee offering training programs in Business, Healthcare, Technology, Education, and Skilled Trades (programs vary by location). Miller-Motte College also offers online learning, including Bachelor of Science degree programs in Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources Management, Business Management, Cybersecurity, IT Management, Computer Science, Data Management, Cloud Computing, Network Ops & Security, Software Development, Healthcare Management, and Allied Health Management. The online programs are delivered through the Chattanooga, TN campus. Graduates have access to career assistance including guidance from our Career Services team, resume updates, workshops, and more. Learn more at www.miller-motte.edu .

SOURCE Miller-Motte College
Combining the ultrafast, nationwide T-Mobile network with Mobi's groundbreaking work with WG2, AWS, TNS, and Federated Wireless, Mobi is able to deliver "big wireless provider" innovation across Hawaii and now, even beyond  even as a "small[er] wireless provider."

Mobi is committed to serving local communities with friendly neighborhood stores and their Hawaii-based customer care team, while embracing new digital opportunities with eSIM, the Mobi app for iPhone with Apple Pay, and for Android with Google Pay.

The T-Mobile relationship allows Mobi to utilize the capacity and scale of America's largest and most awarded nationwide 5G network, with Mobi customers free to travel throughout Hawaii and across the mainland  building on T-Mobile's longstanding support for regional carriers and for furthering competition throughout the wireless industry through innovation, partnership, and advocacy.

HONOLULU, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawaii-based wireless carrier Mobi today announced that the company has signed an MVNO agreement with T-Mobile, America's 5G leader, for an exclusive, multiyear relationship that enables Mobi customers to tap into the power of the nationwide T-Mobile network both at home throughout the islands and across the mainland United States. Mobi is combining their welcoming Hawaii stores and friendly customer care team with the industry-leading 5G speeds, consistency, and coverage that T-Mobile has built through their unprecedented investments and expertise in 5G  making it possible for Mobi to deliver an even better experience for their customers.

Hawaii-based wireless carrier Mobi announces agreement to tap into T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network. Tweet this Mobi launched as the regional wireless provider for Hawaii in 2005  becoming the first carrier in the United States to offer affordable, simple, unlimited mobile service at a time when activation charges, overage penalties, and hidden fees were the norm. Anyone can switch to Mobi in just seconds using the Mobi app, Apple Pay, and eSIM, with smart, friendly Mobi customer care geeks ready to help at any time digitally and at Mobi stores in Hawaii. Learn more about mobi.com online. Related Documents View PDF Mobi announces MVNO agreement with T-Mobile to harness the unparalleled capacity of the largest, and most awarded nationwide 5G network  combining the ultrafast, nationwide T-Mobile network with Mobis groundbreaking work with WG2, AWS, TNS, and Federated Wireless, Mobi is able to deliver big wireless provider innovation across Hawaii and now, even beyond  even as a small[er] wireless provider.

The announcement comes as Mobi launches their modern, cloud-native mobile core , built by the trailblazing telecom startup Working Group Two and powered by Amazon Web Services. By bringing together the innovation of WG2 and the scale of AWS with the powerhouse T-Mobile network, Mobi is able to supercharge their first-of-its-kind, app-first digital customer experience.

"T-Mobile has fought passionately to advance competition in the wireless industry. Supporting fellow Competitive Carriers Association wireless providers members like Mobi is important," said Dan Thygesen, Senior Vice President of T-Mobile Wholesale and head of T-Mobile's growing wholesale business. "The team here at T-Mobile is committed to delivering an unbeatable level of network service to the communities we are proud to serve. Extending access to the incredibly fast speeds, vast coverage, high consistency, and incredible performance of our network to Mobi customers is one of the many ways we are able to harness the industry-leading investments we are making in 5G and leverage the capacity of our nationwide network ."

The Un-carrier's 5G network covers 325 million people across 1.9 million square miles  more than any other nationwide carrier. 265 million people across the country are covered by T-Mobile's super-fast Ultra Capacity 5G, and the Un-carrier plans to reach 300 million people with Ultra Capacity this year.

"As a smaller wireless provider, we have seen remarkable progress across wireless over these past two decades, and we were proud to have pioneered a few of those positive changes ourselves here in Hawaii when we launched our no contract, no credit check, affordable unlimited plan way back in 2005," said Justen Burdette, chief executive officer of Mobi. "As the Un-carrier, T-Mobile has proven time and again that they will never settle for the status quo in our industry, and their phenomenal work building out a 5G network that is leading in just about every measure is only the latest example of their commitment to pushing wireless forward. I can tell you that the passion T-Mobile has for innovation is extraordinarily contagious, and while I know both of our teams will always fiercely compete to better serve our customers and our shared communities, all of us here at Mobi are honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Dan and his incredible team at T-Mobile."

Mobi will attend the CCA Mobile Carriers Show in Pittsburgh from May 2 to 4, 2023, with T-Mobile serving as a Pinnacle Sponsor for the conference.

About Mobi

Mobi, Inc. launched as the regional wireless provider for Hawaii in 2005  becoming the first carrier in the United States to offer affordable, simple, unlimited mobile service at a time when activation charges, overage penalties, and hidden fees were the norm. Anyone can switch to Mobi in just seconds using the Mobi app, Apple Pay, and eSIM, with smart, friendly Mobi customer care geeks ready to help at any time digitally and at Mobi stores in Hawaii. All Mobi team members are proudly represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and Mobi is a member of the GSM Association (GSMA), the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), and the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC). Learn more at mobi.com online, or on Facebook , Twitter , Reddit , or LinkedIn .

Media Contact: Bobby Sarkar, (808)-723-2101, [email protected]

SOURCE Mobi, Inc.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE: MPW) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: March 1, 2022 to February 22, 2023

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 12, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in MPW:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/medical-properties-trust-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=38637&from=4

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. NEWS - MPW NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Medical Properties Trust, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. ("Prospect"), which leases and operates 13 of the Company's facilities, was facing significant pressures affecting the profitability of its Pennsylvania properties; (2) as a result, there was a significant risk that Prospect would be unable to meet its rental obligations owed to Medical Properties Trust; (3) "given the elongated timing of the Pennsylvania recovery," the Company was reasonably likely to record an impairment charge to the real estate value of the Pennsylvania properties; (4) and, as a result of the foregoing, defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Medical Properties Trust you have until June 12, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Medical Properties Trust securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the MPW lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/medical-properties-trust-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=38637&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Nonprofits Receiving Funding as Part of $25 Million Investment, with More Planned in Future Funding Rounds

BUFFALO, N.Y. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB), today announced Amplify Fund grant recipients in New England and Metro New York, totaling over $11.8M to 105 non-profit organizations across the former People's United footprint, with some payments committed over a two- or three-year period. Funding was focused on equity and environmental initiatives, mission-driven and capacity-building work, community and tenant organizing, and financial empowerment and education for individuals and small businesses.

First announced in May 2022, the Amplify Fund is a one-time supplemental charitable program to provide further support to communities throughout New England and New York to benefit low- and moderate-income communities and underrepresented populations using a racial equity and justice lens.

Trust for Public Land (TPL), a New England not-for-profit environmental organization, received funding for its "Parks for People in Bridgeport and Boston" from M&T Bank. "Communities across New England are lacking in quality, close-to-home park access. Many residents are at greater risk from challenges brought on by climate change. TPL is committed to addressing this need through our work in Bridgeport and Boston," said Walker Holmes, AVP and Connecticut State Director for Trust for Public Land. "We're grateful for M&T for their support of environmental justice and building healthier communities through connection to the outdoors."

The New England and Metro New York Amplify Fund grants were selected through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Phase one consisted of four RFPs, each available to specific geographic regions across the Amplify Fund footprint. Priority was given to applicants that most clearly articulated the needs to be addressed, the strategies to be employed in response to those needs, and a plan to demonstrate the effectiveness of those strategies.

"The Amplify Fund exemplifies our priorities of investing in underrepresented communities and empowering our neighbors to achieve their dreams," said Dominique Goss, Executive Director of the M&T Charitable Foundation. "It is important to us to approach this initiative through an equitable lens; and M&T is so proud to support the incredible organizations doing critical on-the-ground work that truly makes a difference for so many people."

The areas of focus for the Amplify Fund align with M&T's existing priorities, including community development and innovation, in addition to the previously announced Community Growth Plan and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) eligibility standards.

The Amplify Fund is designed to drive sustainable impact that is equitable, accessible, and responsive to local needs. Regional representatives of the bank will continue to meet with local leaders to help inform the strategic direction for the future of the Fund's giving efforts in 2023 and beyond.

For more information on the Amplify Fund, including the full list of grant recipients in New England and Metro New York, please visit the Amplify Fund website.

About the M&T Charitable Foundation

The M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 1993 and funded by M&T Bank. The M&T Charitable Foundation awards over $40 million in grants per year to thousands of nonprofit organizations focused on improving the quality of life in the areas the bank serves.

About M&T Bank

M&T is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.

Media Contacts:

National Media, Trade Publications and New England:

Maya Dillon

(646)735-1958

[email protected]

New York Metro (NYC, Long Island and New Jersey):

David Samberg

(201) 368-4515

[email protected]

 2023 M&T Bank. Member FDIC

SOURCE M&T Bank Corporation
The growth of the global mycoplasma testing market is driven by factors such as increase in use of mycoplasma testing products due to surge in demand for biologics and biosimilars, rise in technological advancements, and the adoption of advanced mycoplasma testing products.

PORTLAND, Ore., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Mycoplasma Testing Market By Product (Instruments, Kits & Reagents, and Services), By Technology (PCR, ELISA, Microbial Culture Techniques, and Enzymatic Methods), By Application (Cell Line Testing, Virus Testing, End of Production Cells Testing, and Others), By End User (Academic Research Institutes, Cell Banks, Contract Research Organizations, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global mycoplasma testing industry was estimated at $0.7 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to hit $2.2 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 11.7% from 2023 to 2033.

Request Sample Report- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/11631

Prime determinants of growth

The growth of the global mycoplasma testing market is driven by factors such as increase in use of mycoplasma testing products due to surge in demand for biologics and biosimilars, rise in technological advancements, and the adoption of advanced mycoplasma testing products. However, the high cost of mycoplasma testing products and services and lack of skilled laboratory technicians are hampering the mycoplasma testing market growth. On the contrary, technological advancement in mycoplasma testing such as development of ready-to-use culture media and nucleic acid amplification technique, and emergence of biopharmaceutical companies in developing countries such as China and India are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for expansion of the mycoplasma testing market during the forecast period.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $0.7 billion Market Size in 2032 $2.2 billion CAGR 11.7 % No. of Pages in Report 400 Segments covered Product, Technology, Application, End User, and Region. Drivers Surge in demand for mycoplasma testing Increase in incidences of cell culture contamination Opportunities Developing economies offer lucrative opportunities Rise in technological advancements Restraints High cost of mycoplasma testing kits and instruments

Impact of Covid-19 on Mycoplasma Testing Market:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global lockdowns, the mycoplasma testing market faced a downturn.

However, as the global situation started ameliorating, the demand for mycoplasma testing has increased in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries and increase in development of rapid and accurate testing methods further contribute towards the market growth. This, in turn, presented various growth opportunities for companies operating in the mycoplasma testing market.

Procure Complete Report (400 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures)

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/mycoplasma-testing-market

The kits & reagents segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on product, the kits & reagents segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global mycoplasma testing market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This segment is also projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 12.2% from 2023 to 2032, as it is easy to use, provide rapid results as compared to traditional mycoplasma testing methods, and it is available in various technologies such as PCR based kits and reagents and ELISA based kits and reagents.

The PCR segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on technology, the PCR segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global mycoplasma testing market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to adoption of advanced PCR based products in biopharmaceutical industries and contract research organizations, and high success rate for mycoplasma detection. However, the ELISA segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 12.7% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the use of ELISA based mycoplasma testing products in various pharmaceutical industries as it offers accurate and rapid results.

The cell line testing segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on application, the cell line testing segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to nearly half of the global mycoplasma testing market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This segment is also projected to maintain highest CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period, owing to surge in cell line mycoplasma contamination and increase in use of mycoplasma testing products for cell line testing in cell banks, biopharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations.

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North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global mycoplasma testing market revenue and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period, owing to rise in technological advancements, increase in demand for biologics and biosimilars mycoplasma testing. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 13.9% from 2023 to 2032, owing to surge in the adoption of PCR and ELISA based mycoplasma testing products and emergence of biopharmaceuticals companies in this region.

Leading Market Players:

ATCC

Bionique Testing Laboratories LLC

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Charles River Laboratories

Eurofins Scientific

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

InvivoGen

Lonza

Norgen Biotek Corp.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global mycoplasma testing market. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Small and Mid-Size Businesses Face Additional Loans, Layoffs, and Closure Due to IRS Delay

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The ballooning backlog of Employee Retention Credit (ERTC) applications reached a grim milestone last week, despite recent commitments from IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel to double efforts to get small and mid-sized businesses this vital money.

According to the IRS, the backlog of outstanding Forms 941-X the application used by small businesses to claim the ERTC now tops one million, a 641% increase since August. The nearly ten-fold increase reflects a once-modest logjam that has now spiraled out of control.

"This staggering figure indicates the true severity of this crisis," said National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) President and CEO Pat Cleary. "Businesses who did the right thing by keeping staff on payroll during the pandemic are now paying the price for the IRS' inexcusable delay."

The one million figure marks a 33% increase since March, even as Werfel recently told the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee his agency will redeploy staff to double the processing rate to 40,000 applications per week. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) noted this on-the-record testimony, adding that he will hold Werfel accountable to the revised figure.

A sampling of only 15% of NAPEO members found that 13,631 small business PEO clients are waiting for the IRS to approve roughly $3 billion worth of ERTC credits. Some companies have waited more than two years for that needed money to arrive. And as that figure continues to rise, the backbone of our economy continues to languish.

Small and mid-sized businesses across the country have reported taking on new high-interest loans, making personnel cuts, and in some cases, closing their business altogether after waiting for hundreds of thousands of dollars in ERTC money that never came.

To draw attention to this ongoing emergency, NAPEO and its members have sent more than 400 letters to members of Congress, including leaders of the House and Senate Small Business committees. NAPEO, PEOs, and small business PEO clients remain in active communication with lawmakers and regulators to clear this backlog. NAPEO members will be pressing their case on Capitol Hill on May 23.

"We will continue to beat the drum until small and mid-sized companies receive their money and the backlog is zero," Cleary said.

About NAPEO  The Voice of the PEO Industry

NAPEO's 250 PEO members provide payroll, benefits, workers' comp, regulatory compliance assistance, and other HR services to more than 173,000 small and mid-size businesses employing 4 million people. Our members account for more than 90 percent of the industry's $270 billion in revenue. An additional 250 companies that provide services to PEOs are associate members of NAPEO. For more information, please visit www.napeo.org.

SOURCE National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO)
HOUSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has named Emily Nelson its new chief flight director, leading the group that directs human spaceflight missions from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Norm Knight, the agency's director of flight operations, selected Nelson to replace Holly Ridings, who held the position from 2018 to 2022, now helps lead the agency's Gateway Program , an international partnership to establish humanity's first space station orbiting the Moon. Nelson has been the acting chief flight director since Nelson's departure.

"Being a flight director is about accepting great responsibility and exercising excellent leadership and judgment  responsibility for the mission, for your team, and for the astronauts we fly," Knight said. "Emily's tenure leading our flight control teams has proven that she is remarkably knowledgeable on the realities of human spaceflight and eminently composed when facing daunting challenges. She is unequivocally the right person to lead our flight director office as we endeavor to push the boundaries of human spaceflight exploration."

In this role, Nelson manages 31 active flight directors and flight directors-in-training who oversee a variety of human spaceflight missions involving the International Space Station, including integrating American-made commercial crew spacecraft into the fleet of spacecraft servicing the orbiting laboratory, as well as Artemis missions to the Moon.

"We are thrilled to announce Emily as chief fight director as her program and operations experience will continue to ensure the safe and successful completion of every mission as we prepare to transition to a commercialized low Earth orbit where NASA will be a customer of many," said NASA Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche. "Emily's dedication to mission excellence makes her the ideal choice to lead the teams that will send our astronauts around the Moon on Artemis II, and as we prepare for operations on the lunar surface via the Artemis campaign that will land the first woman and person of color on the Moon."

Nelson, born in Okinawa, Japan, and raised in Austin, Texas, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998. She joined NASA in 1998 as a flight controller in the space station's thermal operations group.

She was selected as a flight director in 2007, becoming the 70th flight director in NASA's history. Since then, she has served as the lead flight director for several missions including the station's fourth utilization and logistics flight with the space shuttle, Atlantis, in 2010, a complex series of spacewalks to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer , and five space station long-duration expeditions. She previously served as deputy chief flight director while continuing to support real-time operations from mission control.

SOURCE NASA
Among the TV channels which are covering the so-far three-week armed conflict in Sudan, the performance of the Cairo-based Al-Qahera News has figured prominently. Political analysts and media experts told Al-Ahram Weekly that Al-Qahera News (Cairo News) was up to the challenge, offering from the first moment of the conflict in-depth coverage that depended on both live coverage and in-depth analysis. Just like CNN was highly impressive during the first Gulf war in 1990 and Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera excelled in covering the war in Iraq in 2003, Al-Qahera News has come into prominence during Sudans armed conflict.

In fact, we prepared well because we were in Sudan two months earlier to review the political situation there, expecting that it could explode at any time, said Ahmed Al-Taheri, head of the United Media Services (UMS) Company which owns Al-Qahera News. Two months ago the channel sent prominent TV host Gamal Enayet to conduct interviews with representatives of Sudans major political forces and explore their opinions about the direction of events. As you know, Sudan is very important to Egypt not only because the two countries share the River Nile or because of the old historical ties between them but primarily because Sudan is a southern neighbour whose political and military developments would leave an immediate impact on Egypt, said Al-Taheri, noting that when Al-Qahera News opened last November it was keen to have a correspondent in Sudans capital Khartoum, but we found this was not enough. So we decided to set up an office equipped with an advanced media infrastructure that can cover Sudan minute by minute and give us an edge over all other rival channels.

When the conflict erupted in Sudan, Al-Qahera News was keen from the early beginning to be neutral, deciding to open channels of communication with the two warring parties  the Sudanese national army and the so-called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, Al-Taheri said. He clarified that the decision by Al-Qahera News to use the term militia in describing the RSF does not mean that it is not neutral. The term militia was just a technical term because it was unfair to put the two warring parties on an equal footing as some channels did, affirming that the RSF did not take the term militia as a hostile attitude from us while its leaders were keen to communicate with Al-Qahera News like any other channel.

According to Al-Taheri, Al-Qahera News editorial policy regarding conflicts like the one in Sudan is that you cant put an armed militia like the RSF on an equal footing with the national army. We refused to be like others and portray the conflict as one between two warring factions and for this reason we received very positive feedback from Sudanese citizens who found that we care about their country and that we are very near to them, Al-Taheri said, adding that as a result, Al-Qahera News coverage trended on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter twice over 16 days, with most Sudanese stating that they prefer Al-Qahera News to other channels because it is highly professional and credible while its message has always been we should save Sudan from collapse.

As you know Sudanese are a very proud people and have a high sense of dignity and so it was important for us to let them feel that we respect them and care about their countrys future rather than resort to the cold-blooded coverage Arab viewers feel about TV channels broadcasting from the West or from other Arab capitals which are not so close to Sudan like Egypt.

Al-Taheri added that the all-day reports depending on live coverage and good analysis from our efficient hosts helped Al-Qahera News convey this humanitarian message to Sudanese over 16 days very well.

Al-Taheri also noted that Al-Qahera News was also keen not to fall prey to rumours. When the conflict erupted on 19 April, there was some sort of information chaos and in such a scenario we opted to broadcast news only after they proved to be correct 100 per cent. He argued that it was better for us to come late with correct news rather than come first with half-truths and fake news. As a case in point, we got news from the Associated Press that a UN convoy to Sudan announced that the two parties had agreed to reach a ceasefire and negotiate, but after communicating with our correspondents and checking the information we discovered that the news was fake, said Al-Taheri, indicating that Al-Qahera News has three correspondents in Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, Omdurman, and Port Sudan.

At the same time, we required our correspondents all around the world to hold interviews with Sudanese ambassadors to better understand the conflict and this helped us within a few days to have access to a wide network of sources that could paint a true picture of developments in Sudan.

Al-Taheri said in covering the conflict, we also care about Egyptian viewers as much as Sudanese viewers. Egyptians form the greatest bulk of Arab viewers and so we did our best to let them understand how the conflict in Sudan could affect their country, especially as a lot of Egyptians have strong and long-term commercial and familial connections with the Sudanese people. He indicated that in this respect, we were the first TV channel to broadcast from Qastal and Argeen crossings on the borders between Egypt and Sudan to present live coverage of the first instances of the operation of evacuating Egyptians fleeing the war in Sudan.

Al-Qahera News kicked off on 1 November last year in order to cover the UN COP27 Climate Change Conference at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. The new channel then joined its sister TV news channels owned by UMS Extra News and Extra Live.

Tarek Seida, chairman of Egypts Media Syndicate, told the Weekly that Al-Qahera News coverage of the Sudan conflict was very balanced and neutral. It was not enough for the channel to broadcast statements from the two warring factions. We saw that it has been keen to provide live coverage of the conflict, depending on efficient and professional correspondents who presented valuable information that became a major source of news for many channels and newspapers, said Seida, adding that I was particularly impressed by the live coverage on the conflict in Khartoum and Merowe airports. In fact, the channels correspondent in Khartoum Mohamed Ibrahim scored a scoop when he gave complete details about the conflict and how the two warring factions violated the truce several times, not to mention that he opened channels of communication with the military spokesmen of the two factions to give minute-by-minute field information, Seida said.

Laila Abdel-Meguid, a media professor, said since it was launched six months ago, Al-Qahera News Channel has proved to be up to the challenge. The channel was launched while some Arab and foreign TV channels were dominating the broadcast media scene, and so it seemed at that time that it would be difficult for Al-Qahera News to compete or gain a foothold among competitors, said Abdel-Meguid, but over six months, Al-Qahera News did a very good job covering the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, demonstrations in France and lately the conflict in Sudan. I think the professional coverage of these events was largely due to the fact that Al-Qahera News provided a large network of high-calibre staff of international correspondents who presented integrated and reliable information, said Abdel-Meguid.

Al-Taheri said Al-Qahera News correspondents can be seen presenting from Washington, Moscow, Berlin, Paris, London, Ankara, Marseilles, Brussels, Beirut, Amman, Ramallah, Damascus, Baghdad, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Tunis, Tripoli, Benghazi, Adan, Khartoum, and Nairobi. Al-Qahera News reflects UMS desire to boost the quality of broadcast media content in Egypt and the Arab world in all sectors, particularly in the news, Al-Taheri said.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Celebrating Their Annual "Cinco de Mango" Campaign by Improving Access to Mangos

ORLANDO, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Mango Board has added something extra to this year's "Cinco de Mango" campaign. Upon visiting the "Party with Mango" page on Mango.org, visitors will be greeted with suggested mango recipes to make their Cinco de Mayo fiesta pop and they won't even need to make a grocery list to do it.

The introduction of Chicory, a platform that transforms recipe content into shoppable e-commerce, will automatically add all ingredients needed for a recipe at the retailer of the consumer's choosing. Simply click the "Get Ingredients" button listed on a recipe page, verify your zip code, select your desired retailer, and you will be directed to a cart on that retailer's website containing every ingredient you need for the recipe you were just reading. You'll be able to purchase everything in the cart with a simple click and celebrating with beautiful, delicious mango dishes in no time.

Cinco de Mango is an annual marketing campaign implemented by the National Mango Board to encourage consumers to add mango for their Cinco de Mayo Celebrations. Interesting enough, Mexico is the top exporting country of mango to the United States, so the opportunity to add mango to the May 5th fiesta is a natural fit. Mango is a super versatile superfruit that is the perfect addition to Mexican meals, drinks, and side dishes and will now be easier to include than ever before.

The capability to shop recipes on Mango.org, via Chicory, is currently available for unique, delectable creations for the Mango Muchacho Margarita, Mango Flower, Mango Black Bean, and Caramelized Veggie Burrito, and the Mango Michelada with more to come.

According to Dan Spellman, Director of the National Mango Board, "we are so proud to celebrate this Cinco de Mango campaign with this new website enhancement to provide access to mango. The National Mango Board's focus is continuing to drive awareness and education about the mango fruit, but this website enhancement will give us the opportunity to make mango more available for our visitors to have for the Cinco de Mayo celebration."

About the National Mango Board

The National Mango Board (NMB) is here to inspire and educate U.S. consumers about the culture, flavor, versatility, and nutrition of the world's most exciting super fruit - the mango! We are supported entirely by assessments from domestic and imported mangos, and we don't rely on any taxpayer dollars or government funding. We participate in strategic planning, marketing and communications, research, and industry relations to achieve our vision of bringing the mango party to every U.S. household.

We invite you to keep up with all things mango by following us on our social media channels, @mangoboard or checking out our blog at mango.org/blog. Learn more at mango.org.

Media Contact:

AmyJo Hasselquist

[email protected]

SOURCE National Mango Board
--NC REALTORS Housing Foundation to Fund New Homes and Critical Home Repairs Across the State

RALEIGH, N.C., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NC REALTORS Housing Foundation (NCRHF) announced today a new 100-homes initiative, which will help families across North Carolina attain safe, affordable housing. The organization has pledged to support affordable housing projects in all 100 counties over the next five years.

"The NC Realtors Housing Foundation wants to do more than talk about attainable housing in North Carolina, we want to be part of the solution," explained Michelle Roberts, 2023 NCRHF President. "Our focus is on workforce housing to enable firefighters, nurses, teachers, law enforcement and others--often priced out of the communities they serve--to achieve the dream of homeownership. We will collaborate with housing agencies to help meet needs in their areas."

NCRHF's first partnership is with Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina (HFHNC). The Foundation has contributed approximately $200,000 to build a home, help veterans with physical disabilities, and fund critical home repairs. The first home is currently underway in Alexander County.

"While NC Habitat for Humanity affiliates work tirelessly to address the need for affordable homes, many affiliates struggle to secure funding needed to serve more families in need," said HFHNC Executive Director, Mitch Rhodes. "This commitment from NCRHF will ensure resources are available in every county--rich or poor, urban or rural. We cannot thank NC Realtors enough for their support."

The NC REALTORS Housing Foundation is asking NC REALTOR members to join this partnership to assist in raising funds. NCRHF will also host numerous fundraising events. For additional details on the 100 Homes in 100 Counties initiative, contact Kentia Smith, NCRHF Director at [email protected].

About NC REALTORS Housing Foundation

Founded in 2004 by North Carolina REALTORS, NC REALTORS Housing Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides resources to create, expand and encourage home ownership opportunities for deserving North Carolinians. The foundation promotes awareness of affordable housing issues by educating North Carolinians and their representatives about the barriers to home ownership and the resources needed to increase housing affordability. NC REALTORS Housing Foundation is led by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of REALTORS and housing-related industry professionals. For more information on the foundation or to support disaster relief and affordable housing needs, visit ncrealtorshf.org.

SOURCE NC REALTORS Housing Foundation
Portfolio Managers put Focus on Corporate Governance, Capital Allocation and Board Capabilities

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman, a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager, announced the fourth year of its advance proxy voting disclosure initiative, NB Votes, where the firm discloses its voting intention and rationale in advance of stockholder meetings on a range of key issues across its nine key governance and engagement principles .

Neuberger Berman views voting as an integral part of the investment process. Its NB Votes initiative addresses key meeting proposals which its Portfolio Managers believe are financially material with the potential to influence long-term investment returns. Topics are expected to include Board quality and accountability, succession planning, capital allocation, executive compensation, climate risk management, and human capital management. Companies are navigating a challenging economic environment which makes it particularly important for investors to cast votes with an understanding of the context in which management teams and boards are acting.

Joseph Amato, President and Chief Investment Officer, Equities, said, "In general, we are long-term investors, and our portfolio managers have the understanding and insight to engage on financially material proposals that we expect to impact long-term performance. Proxy voting is just one way we seek to drive material improvements in performance at the companies in which we invest. Last year we held over 4,600 meetings with corporate management teams across equities and credit. We are pleased that many Boards and management teams welcome the transparency that we provide around our expectations."

Detailed rationale for each specific NB Votes item is located on the firm's dedicated NB Votes website. New votes and their rationales are added throughout the proxy season and one can sign up to receive updates here.

Caitlin McSherry, Director of Investment Stewardship, said, "Led by our portfolio managers, our goals with NB Votes are: Encourage companies to improve their governance practices, make the voting process more transparent, and demonstrate how our long-term, active-management approach drives our voting decisions. Meeting those goals often means going against the grain. In 2022, we announced our voting intentions on 63 key votes and decided to vote against management on 54% of them. Our votes may not trigger immediate policy shifts, but we believe our practice of regularly pre-announcing our intentions and explaining our rationale promotes better shareholder engagement and sends a strong signal about the direction we'd like companies to take."

A selection of the 2023 NB Votes announcements:

Cigna: We voted against the executive compensation plan at Cigna Corporation. In our evaluation of compensation plans, we seek to understand how the metrics selected are related to the medium- to long-term business strategy articulated by executives. We believe target performance goals should be rigorous yet reasonable given the company's strategy and circumstances. Here, despite multi-year engagement efforts, we have ongoing concerns with the executive compensation structure and design and believe there is opportunity for improvement to better align pay and performance.

Starbucks Corporation: We voted in opposition to management on a shareholder proposal calling for enhancements to the CEO succession planning policy. We believe CEO succession planning is one of the most important responsibilities of a board and found that the process followed for the recent CEO transition suggests a continued need for formalized vigilance around succession planning.

Daiwa Industries Ltd.: We voted against the re-election of top management to the board for their unresponsiveness to our concerns related to the company's buildup of a significant cash pile and lack of transparency regarding its capital management strategy. Capital allocation decision making and disclosure has been a focus of our engagement efforts with the company in recent years. We believe top management should be held accountable for continuing to maintain an opaque capital management policy that is detrimental to shareholder value creation.

Air Liquide S.A.: We intend to vote for the CEO remuneration policy to signal support for the alignment of capital allocation decisions and incentives with the company's strategy and long-term climate goals. Given the drive for energy efficiency and the energy transition, we believe the company's investments in low-carbon and renewable hydrogen markets will serve as a competitive advantage and help the company capture significant incremental growth via its leading technologies.

While pre-announcement of proxy voting intentions is still not common practice, Neuberger Berman believes active managers, with voting responsibility on behalf of clients, are best positioned to encourage companies to raise their governance standards and disclosure practices and enhance financial performance. For full details on Neuberger Berman stewardship efforts please see our website.

About Neuberger Berman

Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 26 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,700 professionals. For nine consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). Neuberger Berman is a PRI Leader, a designation, since last assessed, that was awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. In the 2021 PRI Assessment, the firm obtained the highest possible scoring for its overarching approach to ESG investment and stewardship, and integration across asset classes. The firm manages $436 billion in client assets as of March 31, 2023. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com.

Media Contacts:





(Americas) Alex Samuelson, 212 476 5392, [email protected]

(Europe) Fiona Kehily, +44 (20) 3214 9087, [email protected]

(Asia) Kay So, 852 3664 8850, [email protected]

(Japan & Korea) Kiyoko Yamaguchi, 8135218196, [email protected]

SOURCE Neuberger Berman
VANCOUVER, BC, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - NEXE Innovations Inc. ("NEXE" or the "Company") (TSXV: NEXE) (Frankfurt: NX5) (OTC: NEXNF), a compostable and innovative materials company, is pleased to announce its financial results for the three-month period ended February 28, 2023 ("Q3 2023").

NEXE end-to-end component manufacturing process (CNW Group/Nexe Innovations Inc.) NEXE finished goods process (CNW Group/Nexe Innovations Inc.)

During the quarter, the Company was focused on setting up its operations at its 54,000 square foot facility in Windsor, Ontario (the "Windsor Facility"). Subsequent to the end of Q3 2023, the Company announced the Windsor Facility had been fully commissioned to produce food-grade components for its proprietary single-serve beverage pods and the final handoff from the vendors and contractors of its end-to-end systems is now complete. The Company is currently in the process of completing and transferring various certifications from its Surrey, British Columbia facility to the Windsor Facility, including Organic, Kosher, and Fair Trade.

The end-to-end manufacturing facility is a key part of NEXE's operating strategy, which is expected to lead to higher margins, protect our intellectual property, reduce supply chain risks, and provide the ability to scale and expand into additional markets faster. The Windsor Facility is equipped for compounding resin, injection molding key components of NEXE's proprietary single-use fully compostable pod, and dosing and sealing the pods for commercialization. NEXE also expects to provide roasting and grinding capabilities in order to provide a fully integrated coffee solution to potential clients.

Key Highlights

Given the significant advancements made with the vertically integrated manufacturing process, NEXE decided not to continue running a parallel production of its current composite pod and started the transition to the new injection molded pod in Windsor ahead of its original second half of 2023 schedule. As a result of this transition, NEXE started to reduce its current composite pods inventories to prepare for the switchover. This resulted in lower revenues in Q3 2023 compared to the previous two quarters.

ahead of its original second half of 2023 schedule. As a result of this transition, NEXE started to reduce its current composite pods inventories to prepare for the switchover. This resulted in lower revenues in Q3 2023 compared to the previous two quarters. NEXE is in the process of acquiring the BPI certification. The BPI certification is a third-party verification of ASTM D6400 and D6868 standards for compostable products. Being awarded the BPI certification means the product has gone through a rigorous testing process that confirms the Company has met the ASTM compostable standards. As part of the process, NEXE submitted the new version of the injection molded pods to an independent third-party (approved by BPI) to conduct testing. The independent third-party has issued a final report confirming the NEXE pod and associated components comply with international standards required for certification as compostable materials, including standards AS 4736 ( Australia ), ASTM D6400 (equivalent to European EN 13432), International standard ISO 17088, and ISO 18606. The results will be submitted by the third-party testing agency directly to BPI for validation and certification. Although the BPI certification is prominent in North America , it is not required to produce or sell our products.

), ASTM D6400 (equivalent to European EN 13432), International standard ISO 17088, and ISO 18606. The results will be submitted by the third-party testing agency directly to BPI for validation and certification. Although the BPI certification is prominent in , it is not required to produce or sell our products. For the calendar year 2023, a key strategic focus is on growing the Company's customer base, focusing on private label and co-manufacturing segments of the market. To date, samples for testing the NEXE single-use coffee pod have been sent to over 50+ potential clients across various channels, including medium sized artisanal/local brands, and large CPG companies. Multiple companies have indicated strong interest after testing and have entered into final sales discussions with NEXE, including conducting on-site due diligence.

"We are engaged in very productive conversations with potential clients," stated Ash Guglani, President, NEXE Innovations, "as clients test and visit the Windsor Facility to conduct due diligence, they are impressed at what we have been able to accomplish to date. This is an exciting time for NEXE."

Financial Position

The Company continues to be very disciplined with deploying capital and keeping expenses at a minimum. The Company is also in the process of consolidating certain operations to Windsor . At the end of Q3 2023, the Company had a working capital of $24.9 million with cash and GICs of $18.1 million that will help weather increased volatility in the financial markets and with executing NEXE's strategy.

NEXE expects there to be a rapid increase in demand for compostable alternatives. Recently it was announced that the EU commission is planning to make single-serve coffee pods mandatorily compostable as part of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). NEXE's expected capacity and end-to-end manufacturing capabilities will strengthen NEXE's position in a large and growing market. The global single-use pod market currently stands at 60+ billion pods per year and is estimated to grow between 7-8% per year.

The Company's Q3 2023 financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis are available on NEXE's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and the Company's website at www.nexeinnovations.com.

*NEXE Innovations Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Keurig. Keurig is a registered trademark of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

**NEXE Innovations Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Nespresso. Nespresso is a registered trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A

About NEXE Innovations Inc.

NEXE Innovations Inc. is a leader in innovative compostable materials technology based in British Columbia, Canada. The first product developed by NEXE Innovations is one of the only patented, fully-compostable, single-serve coffee pods for use in existing major single-serve coffee machines.

For more information about NEXE's compostable materials and how it is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products, visit www.nexeinnovations.com and follow us on social media @nexeinnovations.

On behalf of the Company:

Ash Guglani

President & Director

For investor relations contact:

Kam Mangat

VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy

[email protected]

Office +1-604-359-4725

Mobile +1-604-359-4742

For media relations contact: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements or information, which include, but are not limited to, statements in respect of the Company completing and transferring various certifications, expectations regarding the benefits of end-to-end manufacturing, acquisitions of BPI certifications, growth of the Company's customer base, indications of interest from potential clients, Company's use of working capital, consolidation of operations and the Company's overall business strategy and the Company's long-term growth and development plans. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to execute on its business strategy and those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended February 28, 2023 under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties". Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, receipt of necessary approvals and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Nexe Innovations Inc.
CHICAGO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The NGS-based RNA-sequencing industry is expected to continue its growth trajectory in the near future, driven by the increasing demand for personalized medicine and drug development. RNA-sequencing technology has become more accessible and cost-effective, making it a popular tool in research and clinical settings. Advancements in NGS technologies, such as improvements in sequencing throughput, read length, and accuracy, are expected to further enhance RNA-sequencing workflows. As the field of personalized medicine continues to expand, RNA-sequencing will likely play an important role in identifying gene expression patterns unique to individual patients, which can inform personalized treatment plans. The pharmaceutical industry's investment in RNA-sequencing is also expected to increase, as it can be used to identify potential drug targets and monitor the effects of drugs on gene expression. Overall, the future looks bright for the NGS-based RNA-sequencing industry.

NGS-based RNA-sequencing Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $2.5 billion in 2022 and is poised to reach $5.5 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2022 to 2027 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market is largely driven by the advantages of RNA sequencing over conventional technologies, the decreasing costs of genome sequencing, increasing government funding to support genomics projects, growing research involving RNA sequencing, growing cancer cases, the increasing application of NGS in cancer research, and rapid growth in personalized medicine.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "NGS-based RNA-sequencing Market"

166 - Tables

34 - Figures

208 - Pages

NGS-based RNA-sequencing Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2022 $2.5 billion Estimated Value by 2027 $5.5 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 17.2% Market Size Available for 20202027 Forecast Period 20222027 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product & Service, Technology, End User, and Application Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Adoption of blockchain technology and cloud computing Key Market Drivers Decreasing costs of genome sequencing

RNA sequencing platforms & consumables segment held a major share in the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market in 2021.

Based on product, the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market is segmented into sample preparation products, RNA sequencing platforms and consumables, RNA sequencing services, and data analysis, storage, and management. The RNA sequencing platforms and consumables segment is estimated to be the largest segment in this market. The availability of advanced, efficient, and accurate platforms at a low cost has reduced the cost of sequencing overall, thereby boosting the overall pace of sequencing activity. Continuous technological advancements have also contributed to market growth. The growth of the consumables market is tied to the instruments market and is driven by rising research activity, the need for repeated purchases, and the use of consumables in sequencing. On the other hand, the RNA sequencing services segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the expansions in NGS-based RNA service portfolios, the increasing number of contracts for RNA-sequencing services, and the rising adoption of advanced NGS platforms by service providers.

Expression profiling analysis application segment dominated the global NGS-based RNA-sequencing market in 2021.

Based on application, the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market is segmented into expression profiling analysis, small RNA sequencing, de novo transcriptome assembly, and variant calling & transcriptome epigenetics. In 2021, the expression profiling analysis segment accounted for the largest share of the global NGS-based RNA-sequencing market. Expression profiling analysis is adopted on a large-scale during immunology and stem cell research and neurobiology studies to evaluate cell differentiation and development. Expression profiling analysis is used to analyze patient samples to provide specific treatment options. It also detects complex diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and metabolic disorders. Thus, the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases are expected to propel the demand for expression profiling analysis.

Asia Pacific to witness the highest growth in the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market during the forecast period

Geographically, the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market is segmented into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The market in the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth rate of the APAC region can be attributed to a significant focus on R&D, the decreasing costs of NGS products and services, and the increasing focus of major market players on strengthening their presence in the Asia Pacific.

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NGS-based RNA-sequencing Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Decreasing costs of genome sequencing Advantages of RNA-seq over conventional technologies Increasing government funding to support genomics projects Growing research involving RNA-seq Rising cancer cases and increasing application of NGS in cancer research Rapid growth in personalized medicine adoption

Restraints:

Lack of qualified specialists End-user budget constraints in developing countries Standardization concerns of RNA-seq in diagnostic testing

Opportunities:

Adoption of blockchain technology and cloud computing

Challenges:

Storage and interpretation of sequencing data Analysis of RNA-seq data to detect novel transcripts Ethical issues

Key Market Players:

The prominent players in the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market are Illumina, Inc. (US), QIAGEN N.V. (Netherlands), PerkinElmer, Inc. (US), Eurofins Scientific (UK), and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US). These companies have adopted organic and inorganic growth strategies, such as product and service launches and acquisitions, to maintain their leading positions in the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market.

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Recent Developments:

In July 2022 , Illumina Inc. (US) launched Illumina DRAGEN v4.0, an accurate and comprehensive secondary analysis platform.

, Illumina Inc. (US) launched Illumina DRAGEN v4.0, an accurate and comprehensive secondary analysis platform. In January 2021 , Oxford Nanopore Technologies collaborated with NVIDIA to integrate the NVIDIA DGX Station A100 into Oxford Nanopore's ultra-high-throughput sequencing system, PromethION.

, Oxford Nanopore Technologies collaborated with NVIDIA to integrate the NVIDIA DGX Station A100 into Oxford Nanopore's ultra-high-throughput sequencing system, PromethION. In July 2019 , Oxford Nanopore Technologies (UK) launched GridION for real-time, on-demand, long-read, direct DNA or RNA sequencing.

NGS-based RNA-sequencing Market Advantages:

NGS-based RNA-sequencing allows for the analysis of the entire transcriptome, enabling the identification of novel transcripts and alternative splicing events. This provides a more comprehensive view of gene expression and allows researchers to identify potential disease-associated transcripts that may have been missed using other methods.

RNA-sequencing is highly sensitive and can detect low-abundance transcripts, enabling the identification of rare cell populations or disease-associated biomarkers. This is particularly important in the field of oncology, where the identification of cancer-specific biomarkers can inform diagnosis and treatment decisions.

RNA-sequencing is a flexible technology that can be used for a wide range of applications, from basic research to clinical diagnostics. It can be used to study gene expression in various tissues and cell types, as well as to analyze RNA from various sources, such as blood, saliva, and urine.

NGS-based RNA-sequencing is becoming increasingly cost-effective, making it more accessible to researchers and clinicians. As the cost of sequencing continues to decrease, RNA-sequencing is expected to become a routine tool in clinical settings, enabling the development of personalized medicine approaches.

Overall, the advantages of the NGS-based RNA-sequencing market are driving its growth and adoption in research and clinical settings, with the potential to transform our understanding of gene expression and improve patient care.

NGS-based RNA-sequencing Market - Report Highlights:

New and improved representation of financial information: The new edition of the report provides updated financial information for 2021 for each listed company in a graphical representation in a single diagram (instead of multiple tables). This would help in the easy analysis of the present status of profiled companies in terms of their financial strength, profitability, key revenue-generating region/country, and business segment focus in terms of the highest revenue-generating segment.

Recent market developments: Recent developments are helpful to know the market trends and growth strategies adopted by players in the market.

Latest product/service portfolio: Tracking product/service portfolios helps analyze the NGS-based RNA-sequencing product/service offerings in the market. The new edition of the report provides an updated product/service portfolio of the companies profiled in the report.

Regional level (country-wise) market data has been added wherever applicable for the segments and subsegments of the market.

The current edition of this report provides updated financial information/ portfolios of players and updated developments of profiled players from January 2019 to October 2022 .

to . In the earlier version of the report, 15 companies were profiled. In the updated version, a total of 20 companies have been profiled.

The competitive landscape chapter has been updated with the market evaluation matrix and start-up/SME evaluation matrix. The competitive landscape also includes market share and revenue analysis, updated competitive leadership mapping, and competitive situations and trends.

Related Reports:

NGS Sample Preparation Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Genomics Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Drug Discovery Services Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Bioinformatics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Next Generation Sequencing Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

About MarketsandMarkets:

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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.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
The EVIS X1 endoscopy system offers physicians new ways to view gastrointestinal anatomy for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, and observing GI diseases and disorders

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus, a global technology leader in designing and delivering innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, announced today the FDA clearance of the new EVIS X1 endoscopy system, along with two compatible gastrointestinal endoscopes: the GIF-1100 gastrointestinal videoscope indicated for use within the upper digestive tract including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum; and the CF-HQ1100DL/I colonovideoscope indicated for use within the lower digestive tract including the anus, rectum, sigmoid colon, colon, and ileocecal valve.i

The Olympus EVIS X1 endoscopy system offers physicians new ways to view gastrointestinal anatomy for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, and observing GI diseases and disorders.

Olympus GI endoscopy systems are used by physicians to help them to diagnose, treat, and observe diseases and disorders of the upper and lower GI tract such as acid reflux, ulcers, Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, and colorectal cancer. One of the most common uses of an endoscope is for screening colonoscopy during which a physician examines the lining of the colon and can remove any potentially cancerous growths, known as polyps. The addition of new imaging technologies may assist physicians in visualizing abnormalities.

"We are thrilled that we will soon be able to bring this new endoscopy system to physicians and their patients in the U.S.," said Richard Reynolds, President of the Medical Systems Group for Olympus America, Inc. "As a leading medical technology company, Olympus strives to offer physicians the most advanced technologies for minimally invasive procedures such as GI endoscopy."

The EVIS X1 endoscopy system features three new enhancements designed to assist physicians in visualizing GI bleeds and anatomical structures. The new technologies are enabled by the replacement of the Xenon bulb in the EVIS EXERA III system with five LEDs that can produce other light combinations in addition to white light.i The new technologies include:

RDI (Red Dichromatic Imaging) technology designed for optical-digital observation using red dichromatic narrow band light and green illumination light.

TXI (Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging) technology designed to emphasize tonal changes, patterns, and image outlines. It is also designed to correct the brightness of dark areas.

BAI-MAC (Brightness Adjustment Imaging with Maintenance of Contrast) technology designed to maintain the brightness of the bright part of the endoscopic image and correct the brightness of the dark part of the endoscopic image.

The proven optical-digital technology NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) technology continues to be featured in this next-generation endoscopy system. NBI technology, used to enhance the observation of mucosal tissue, works by filtering white light into specific light wavelengths that are absorbed by hemoglobin and penetrate only the surface of human tissue. As a result, capillaries on the mucosal surface appear brown and veins in the submucosa appear cyan on the monitor. NBI technology is recognized as an important technology by the ASGE (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) for adopting real-time imaging-assisted endoscopic targeted biopsy during endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's esophagusii and real-time endoscopic assessment of the histology of diminutive colorectal polyps.iii

NBI, RDI, TXI and BAI-MAC technologies are not intended to replace histopathological sampling as a means of diagnosis. These are adjunctive tools for endoscopic examination that can be used to supplement Olympus white light imaging.

The EVIS X1 Endoscopy System will be on display and demonstrated in Olympus Booth #3820 at the DDW (Digestive Diseases Week) meeting in Chicago, May 7-9.

Information about the EVIS X1 Endoscopy System will be available here: info.olympusamericamarketing.com/X1.

About Olympus

As a leading medical technology company, Olympus uses innovative capabilities in medical technology, therapeutic intervention, and precision manufacturing to help healthcare professionals deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, and minimally invasive procedures to improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs, and enhance the quality of life for patients and their safety. Olympus' Medical portfolio includes endoscopes, laparoscopes, and video imaging systems, as well as surgical energy devices, system integration solutions, medical services, and a wide range of endotherapy instruments for endoscopic and therapeutic applications. For more information, visit medical.olympusamerica.com.

i Data on file with Olympus as of 16/Apr/2023.

ii https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26874597/ - ASGE Technology Committee et al. "ASGE Technology Committee systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the ASGE Preservation and Incorporation of Valuable Endoscopic Innovations thresholds for adopting real-time imaging-assisted endoscopic targeted biopsy during endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's esophagus." Gastrointestinal endoscopy vol. 83,4 (2016): 684-98.e7. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2016.01.007

iii https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25597420/ - ASGE Technology Committee et al. "ASGE Technology Committee systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the ASGE PIVI thresholds for adopting real-time endoscopic assessment of the histology of diminutive colorectal polyps." Gastrointestinal endoscopy vol. 81,3 (2015): 502.e1-502.e16. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2014.12.022

SOURCE Olympus
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates , May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Optasia, the leading Fintech services provider received one more top recognition, ranking third among the Top 30 Fintech companies in Middle East, by the world acclaimed Forbes Magazine in its Middle East edition.

This accolade came through Forbes Middle East "Top 30 Fintech Companies 2023" article, which is featured in the publication's April 2023 issue. Optasia's optimal place in this highly prestigious list was secured by its continuous upwards trajectory and its peak performance, which were evaluated and acknowledged accordingly by Forbes' team of professionals.

Most importantly, this is the second year in a row that Optasia receives a prestigious recognition from Forbes Middle East, as it was also featured in its "The Middle East's Top 25 Fintech Companies" article, in August 2022.

"For Optasia to be ranked so high by Forbes, after being evaluated by the best experts in the financial field, it's a great accolade" stated Optasia's founder, Bassim Haidar, while CEO Mark Muller added: "This is a true testimony that our vision to provide financial access for the next billion customers is paying dividends."

Forbes Middle East list was compiled by the publication's team of experts after reviewing numerous business entities applying technology to sectors like payments, insurance, digital banking, wealth management and personal financing. Full article can be found on the publication's website on this link.

With the solutions and versatility provided by the company's proprietary AI-led platform, Optasia supports underbanked populations by providing them with previously unavailable access to financing. Optasia currently operates in over 30 countries, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

About Optasia

Optasia, previously Channel VAS, is an advanced AI-led platform that enables instant access to financial solutions for millions of underbanked individuals and SMEs across over 30 countries, mainly in Emerging Markets. Optasia's B2B2X (business-to-business-to-customers and SMEs) model creates value for its partners, such as mobile network operators, mobile money operators, banks, and payment gateways, in the form of additional revenue, enhanced customer experience, and improved retention without the need for additional operating or capital expense. The company's AI-led data engine and proprietary algorithms analyze alternative data from mobile and other environments to provide relevant instant credit decisions to its partners. These capabilities enable micro-lending, airtime, and data advances via mobile wallets, SIM cards, and other digital environments.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2066074/Optasia_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Optasia
With 90% of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations users planning to review contracts due to high satisfaction, Info-Tech has published a new resource to help them get the most out of the ERP tool.

TORONTO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - To execute a digital strategy and remain competitive in a connected world, organizations must continuously optimize their enterprise applications. An enterprise resource planning (ERP) tool is crucial to helping enterprises accomplish their goals. Among the popular options is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365F&O). However, implementing this ERP solution poses several challenges, including high costs that are not always easy to quantify. Additionally, ERP application portfolios can become disorganized, leading to user dissatisfaction due to a lack of end-user training and multiple integration points. To help organizations optimize their Microsoft D365F&O ERP applications, key to a successful and competitive digital strategy, global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published its latest advisory deck, Get the Most Out of Your Microsoft Dynamics Finance and Operations.

A step-by-step guide on how to optimize Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations to achieve better business outcomes, from Info-Tech Research Group's "Get the Most Out of Your Microsoft Dynamics Finance and Operations" advisory deck. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group)

Like other competing solutions, Microsoft's D365F&O is an advanced ERP system that streamlines and automates business processes, freeing up time and resources that would otherwise be spent on manual and repetitive tasks. By integrating with core modules, D365F&O eliminates system fragmentation, ensuring that data is consistent and accessible across the organization. The system also centralizes information from various points in the value chain, allowing for more effective reporting.

Based on data from SoftwareReviews , a division of Info-Tech, 80% of D365F&O users are highly likely to recommend it to others. Furthermore, 78% of users reported being satisfied with the cost in relation to the value received, and a vast majority of 90% are planning to renew their contracts.

"An ERP that is doing its job well is invisible to the business. The challenges come when the tool is no longer invisible; it has become a source of friction in the functioning of the business," says Ricardo de Oliveira , research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Over time technology evolves, organizational goals change, and the health of these systems is often not monitored. This is complicated in today's digital landscape with multiple integration points, siloed data, and competing priorities."

Info-Tech's advisory deck highlights the obstacles organizations can face when implementing D365F&O, including challenges in finding the right balance between optimization and stabilization. Given the complex nature of enterprise applications, this can be a daunting task for D365F&O application leaders. As well, teams often lack a structured framework to effectively justify their optimization efforts to stakeholders, leading to communication barriers that can hinder the successful implementation of D365F&O.

The firm advises that businesses can optimize their use of D365F&O by following these steps:

Evaluate D365F&O applications and their environment and prioritize optimization efforts based on a business-first strategy. Validate the system's capabilities, assess user satisfaction, and identify any issues related to data, vendor management, and costs. Use this information to create a comprehensive roadmap and optimization strategy. Use the roadmap to prioritize optimization efforts and develop a specific plan of action.

"IT leaders need to take a proactive approach to continually monitor and optimize their enterprise applications," explains Oliveira. "Leaders can strategically realign business goals, identify business application capabilities, complete a process assessment, evaluate user satisfaction, measure module satisfaction, and improve vendor relations to create an optimization plan that will drive a cohesive technology strategy that delivers results."

To learn more about best practices and a holistic approach on ERP implementations, download the complete Get the Most Out of Your Microsoft Dynamics Finance and Operations advisory deck.

For more information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access 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 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 firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
ANGELHOLM, Sweden, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Interim Report January - March 2023

First Quarter 2023

Consolidated Net turnover amounted to SEK 32.8 m ( SEK 31.4 m ).

( ). Consolidated Gross Profit amounted to SEK 8.2 m ( SEK 9.0 m ) with a gross margin of 25% (29%).

( ) with a gross margin of 25% (29%). Consolidated EBITDA amounted to SEK -17.3 m ( SEK -12.9 m ).

( ). The consolidated result for the quarter amounted to SEK -27.5 m ( SEK -23.5 m ).

( ). Consolidated EPS and Diluted EPS amounted to SEK -0.09 (SEK -0.10) .

Significant events during the First quarter

OXE Marine presented a new concept outboard OXE hybrid 450, the world's first diesel electric hybrid outboard.

OXE Marine's water jet engine was nominated for innovation of the year at the Miami international boat show.

international boat show. OXE Marine expand their footprint in Asia by appointing Creation Co., Ltd as dealers for Japan .

Significant events after the reporting period

OXE Marine introduced the OXE configurator, that allows the customers to customize their OXE Diesel Outboard.

OXE Marine expands in South America by appointing new distributors in Brazil and Colombia

* Refer to section Definitions of Key Business Ratios, Diluted Earnings Per Share.



A word from the CEO

Grit will pay off

"Following the challenging end of Q4 we move into Q1 with one and only focus  to execute on our plan to be able to produce and deliver new upgraded engines solving the technical challenges experienced in specific geographical areas and in specific applications. This we have now done thanks to excellent work by our team and in close collaboration with our partners."

We can be clear  during the last 12 months and thanks to our company being in much closer contact to our users, we have learned a lot about specific applications where we must improve  "the devil is in the details". This has led to a program where we have made technical upgrades and initiated a program to develop service, support and availability, and these upgrades were all completed during March where at the end of March we delivered fully upgraded engines to the customers requiring these additional features. Basically, all deliveries in Q1 took place during the last two weeks of the quarter  showing the potential in our organization and how we now can perform together with our partners. In retrospect, we learnt from this and how to be faster in implementing enhancements to our products, but we can also conclude that with the extra testing and focus on establishing solid supply chain solutions  it takes time. Our approach to product development has significantly improved, as it is carried out in close collaboration with customers. We see now, with our upgrades, extremely good improvements and performance, and we are carrying out these upgrades now in production and in the field. In addition to this, during the quarter we continued to strengthen our service and support area, improving the Parts & Accessories (P&A) supply chain with clear results and also established ourselves in South East Asia with very experienced colleagues now present locally. This means we will be established with our own companies and teams in USA, Europe and South East Asia, and able to work even closer with customers, providing support and service. This will also create a sustainable "growth platform" as well as support the plans of extending the product range with not only upgrades and enhancements, but also new products and an improved supply chain.

During the quarter we delivered our first water jets as previously promised. The jet is developed to maximize the high torque of OXE outboard engines through a more effective design, delivering 100% of engine horsepower in water jet propulsion. We also continued to execute on the development program to commercialize the world's first high-power diesel electric outboard motor  the OXE Hybrid 450, with technological advancements driven by our patented lower leg design able to manage high torque and power.

Our overall sales performance during the quarter followed the deliveries of the upgraded engines towards the end of the quarter and consolidated sales amounted to SEK 32.8 m, which was a 5% increase relative to the same quarter of the previous year. Our gross margin amounted to 25%. The Company increased its provision for warranties, which had a one-time impact. Excluding the increase in provision, the gross margin would have amounted to 28%. In addition a portion of sales generated in the P&A segment related to industrial sales (see below) at lower margins, which put further downward pressure on the gross margin. We continue to focus our resources carefully in what will grow the business, continue to be active at trade shows as well as increase the awareness of our products through targeted marketing channels. It is very encouraging to see the growth of the OXE brand online with exponential growth in social media views and organic reach.

P&A segment continue to grow, consolidated sales amounted to SEK 13.9 m for the quarter. an increase of 157% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Included in P&A sales was SEK 3.8m in industrial sales during the quarter which have been included in this segment. Industrial sales relate to sales of engine blocks and is to reduce inventory levels of the GM blocks in inventory. Excluding the industrial sales, P&A would have amounted to SEK 10.1 m which still amounts to an 87% increase in P&A compared to the previous year and the best quarter in OXE Marine's history for this segment. We still only see the beginning of this journey.

We continue to be ambitious in our approach, positioning our "transition technology" in the marine industry. We already today probably deliver the world's most environmentally friendly highperformance outboard engine. The interest is growing, and with several innovations in the pipeline, together with the continued focus on our existing product range, we see more and more clearly the path to profitability. We are more committed than ever to delivering technically innovative upgrades to our current product families and carry this out with speed and execution.

As we strive to create the most attractive partner in our industry, we also add dealers and distributors, and during the quarter we had deliveries to several new customers as well as signed up new dealers. All in all, a quarter where we closed the quarter with high focus and speed, and from this point  we will just continue to develop and work hard.

Anders Berg, CEO

This disclosure contains information that OXE Marine AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 02-05-2023 07:00 CET.

CONTACT:

Certified Adviser

FNCA Sweden AB is Certified Adviser for OXE Marine AB (publ). Contact details to FNCA Sweden AB: tel. +46 8 528 00 399, e-mail [email protected].

For further information, please contact:

Anders Berg, CEO, [email protected], +46 70 358 91 55

Jonas Wikstrom, Chair of the board, [email protected], +46 70 753 65 66

OXE Marine AB (publ) (NASDAQ STO: OXE) has, after several years of development, constructed the OXE Diesel, the world's first diesel outboard engine in the high-power segment. The Company's unique patented engine-to-propulsion power transmission solutions have led to high demand for the Company's engines worldwide.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/16067/3761131/2024078.pdf OXE Marine AB - Q1 2023 Interim Report https://news.cision.com/oxe-marine-ab/i/q1-frontpage,c3172982 Q1 Frontpage

SOURCE OXE Marine AB
The luxury lifestyle hotel property is set to open in summer 2023, with Hamilton's to follow shortly thereafter in the fall of 2023

DETROIT, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago-based international real estate and hospitality investment leader Oxford Capital Group, LLC and local partner Detroit-based Hunter Pasteur, in collaboration with Detroit-based Chickpea Hospitality, announces Hamilton's, a ground floor restaurant for The Godfrey Hotel Detroit, which will open shortly after the hotel's projected opening in summer 2023.

Rendering of The Godfrey Hotel Detroit Exterior

Hamilton's is a vibrant neighborhood tavern focused on providing the community with an approachable, yet refined dining experience. Hamilton's will accommodate 93 guests in its dining room and bar, and 38 on its outdoor terrace on Michigan Avenue, allowing guests to enjoy the modern, urban aesthetic. Hamilton's food and beverage offerings highlight local and seasonal ingredients along with a thoughtful beverage program while staying focused on classic American fare. Hamilton's will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a bustling, inviting environment.

"Corktown is already a popular destination for food and drink in Downtown Detroit. We are excited to add to its offerings by introducing Hamilton's to the neighborhood for guests and locals alike," said Matthew Kalt, senior vice president and principal of Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC.

"We are honored to be collaborating on this luxury lifestyle project in the historical Corktown neighborhood," shares Samy Eid, co-owner of Chickpea Hospitality Group. "It has been an exciting experience working closely with the Hunter Pasteur and Oxford Capital teams to curate a dining experience for all to enjoy."

"Our development team is excited to partner with the Phoenicia Group at the Godfrey Hotel. The Eid Family has a distinguished track record of success and a well-earned reputation in the restaurant industry as best in class operators," says Seth Herkowitz, chief operating officer of Hunter Pasteur

The 227-room luxury lifestyle hotel will feature the brand's indoor-outdoor I|O Rooftop lounge with expansive views of downtown Detroit and Corktown serving craft cocktails and bites, a 6,000 square foot ballroom that will accommodate events of more than 350 guests, a welcoming hotel lobby bar for guests and locals, and a fitness center. The site is located just a few blocks from the Michigan Central Train Station, which Ford Motor is developing into a new $1B+ campus and will bring more than 5,000 new jobs to Corktown.

Oxford Capital Group and Hunter Pasteur, along with The Forbes Company, are also developing Perennial Corktown, a seven-story apartment community of 188 units that include a combination of studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units; Perennial Corktown Townhomes, made up of seven townhouses at 10th and Church Street; and a three-story parking garage at 1501 Church St., adjacent to The Godfrey Hotel; with additional residential phases being finalized.

In addition to the above, Oxford Capital Group's recent projects in downtown Detroit include the December 2021 acquisition of The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Hotel. The 453-room property is currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation, which includes a comprehensive refresh of the guest rooms, public spaces, meeting rooms, and ballrooms, as well as new tenants in the two ground floor retail spaces including recently signed, Sullivan's Steakhouse, which is set to open in 2023.

Additionally, Hunter Pasteur Homes is developing City Modern, a development located at the intersection of Downtown & Midtown in the heart of Brush Park. City Modern includes Townhomes, Carriage Homes, The Duplettes, Historic Homes, and the Flats (apartments)  creating a total of 410 contemporary residential units. The buildings will be constructed to sustainable standards using high-quality, lasting materials, and the community features The Mews, thoughtfully designed and landscaped pocket parks throughout the development.

About Oxford Capital Group, LLC

Chicago based Oxford Capital Group, LLC is an award-winning international real estate investment, development, and management firm that focuses on large-scale acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, and operationally intensive real estate. Oxford, its affiliates, and principals have been involved in over $3 billion of real estate and private equity investments, with a primary focus on hospitality (16,000+ hotel rooms); hospitality anchored mixed use projects including multi-family (2,000+ units); senior housing (3,000+ units); urban retail; and parking. Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC is its wholly owned hotel management affiliate, which specializes in operating, managing, and branding distinctive, high design luxury lifestyle hotels, and food & beverage venues. Oxford Living, LLC is its senior housing investment and management platform. Oxford Residential, LLC is its multi-family development affiliate.

About Hunter Pasteur

Founded in 1999, Hunter Pasteur (HP) has grown to become one of Southeast Michigan's largest and most respected developers. Over the past two decades, HP has built and developed over 2,000 luxury single family homes and multifamily condominiums throughout Metro Detroit, including thriving communities in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Commerce Township, Detroit, Lake Orion, Novi, Northville, South Lyon, West Bloomfield and many more. HP and The Forbes Company also have over 2,000 luxury multi-family units currently under development, valued at over $1 Billion in costs. A passionate advocate for the critical role housing plays in economic and community development, Hunter Pasteur has been honored as "Multifamily Construction Builder of the Year" by the Home Builders Association of Southeast Michigan. To learn more, visit https://www.hunterpasteur.com/

About Chickpea Hospitality

Established in 2019 by Samy Eid, Chickpea Hospitality owns and operates Leila Detroit, The Phoenicia, and Forest Restaurants. Alongside Samy, Matthew Hollander and Nicholas Janutol manage and run all day-to-day operations. Chickpea Hospitality is passionate about offering our guests a unique and thoughtful dining experience. We are highly focused on building a team of service professionals with passion for the industry. Our incredible team and the guests we serve are our number one priority. Chickpea Hospitality also owns and operates several highly successful restaurants in Detroit and the Metro Detroit area including Leila Detroit, The Phoenicia, and Forest Restaurants.

SOURCE Oxford Capital Group, LLC
Sudanese refugees in Egypt tell how they escaped from the violence in Sudan to Haitham Nouri

Sudanese people have been fleeing the capital Khartoum, the main battlefield of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), since it broke out on 15 April.

The last thing Khartoum residents, estimated at 10 million, needed was war. They had already been suffering from severe shortages of fuel, medicine, and food, and their economic conditions had already deteriorated a long time ago.

As the SAF seems to be gaining ground on the battlefield, the RSF has been invading homes, engaging in street fights with the SAF, or looting food and money. The drums of war have not grown softer despite the five ceasefire agreements to which the two parties did not commit except for a short time.

As a result, thousands of Sudanese and their families have fled Khartoum in all directions in search of a safe haven. Agricultural regions and villages are generally much calmer than the capital.

REFUGE IN THE COUNTRY: Ali Babakr, a retired engineering professor at Khartoum University for Science and Technology, said that I took my family out of our house in Omdurman to Al-Hasaheisa south of the capital. It is safe here, and the police and army are in full control.

Due to the high demand, the prices of bus tickets have soared from 9,000 Sudanese pounds ($15) to 90,000 Sudanese pounds ($150). However, they are still cheaper than the tickets to the north and to Egypt, he added.

Most of my relatives have returned to villages in the Gezira State or cities such as Al-Kamlin. The upside is that our villages are in close proximity to Khartoum, so the tickets are relatively cheap. We also get to remain in Sudan in a safe place without clashes.

FROM SUDAN TO EGYPT: Residents of northern Sudan have nowhere to go except to Egypt. But this is normal. Egypt has always been a favoured destination for the Sudanese when it comes to studying, shopping, receiving medical treatment, and vacationing, said Abdallah Al-Sheikh, a professor of mediaeval history at Omdurman Ahlia University.

Egypt is a travel destination that many middle-class Sudanese can afford. This is visible in [the Cairo districts of] Ataba, Abdine, Dokki, and Ain Shams. Now, there are also Sudanese groups in new cities such as 6 October, Obour, and Badr, he added.

Many years ago, Sudans middle classes began to buy property in Egypt because they often come to the country.

According to the UN International Organisation for Migration, there are four million Sudanese residing in Egypt, of whom 111,000 are refugees. A few of these depend on aid, but most of them work.

Fifty-six per cent of Sudanese residing in Egypt live in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Daqahliya, and Damietta, with an average age of 35. They are 50 per cent male.

UNAFFORDABLE TICKETS: We live in Al-Kalakla south of Khartoum and far from the centre of the capital and vital facilities such as the airport, the General Command of the Army, the State Radio, and camps, said Roaa Al-Nour, a Sudanese physiotherapist.

We started hearing the intermittent sound of gunfire. I could not sleep, neither could my [two] children or my mother who lives with us. My husband said the gunfire would not last long, and it did go quiet for two days. But then when I returned from my clinic, a neighbour in a house nearby told me that the RSF had stormed a house and expelled its residents to use it as a base.

Al-Nour and her husband Abdel-Rahman Negmeddin, an engineer with the Sudanese Electricity Authority, contacted their neighbours and his Nubian family in northern Sudan near the border with Egypt.

My relative Seif Abdel-Dayem, a graduate of the Al-Qasr Al-Aini Medical School in Cairo and a consultant in internal medicine, told me he was considering leaving Khartoum. By the end of the day, I had eight families who wanted to leave the capital for their villages in northern Sudan, Negmeddin said.

Together with Maamoun, the owner of a grocery store, Negmeddin began to search for a minibus. It was not an easy task, but with some effort they found Hashem, a bus driver, who was ready to make the trip.

The family was shocked to find that the bus to Wadi Halfa on the border with Egypt would cost $30,000, or 19 million Sudanese pounds, Al-Nour said. Before the war broke out, a ticket cost $33, or 20,000 Sudanese pounds, in a bus of 30 seats in a country suffering from fuel shortages and price surges.

Negmeddin said this is a golden opportunity for drivers. Fuel prices have also increased eight- or 10-fold, and the bus will make its way back with empty seats.

The prices were unaffordable, but the family left Khartoum on the first day of the Eid Al-Fitr, Al-Nour said as Negmeddin cracked a soothing smile.

LITTLE MONEY: I could not leave Khartoum because the banks are closed and the teller machines have been looted or have stopped working because the Internet has been cut off, said Mohamed Hatem Tag Al-Sir, a well-to-do trader, over the telephone from Khartoum.

My large family, my children, my mother, my father, my mother-in-law, and my sister were spending the Eid with me, added Tag Al-Sir, the heir to his familys business. His father and grandfather were grain merchants.

Tag Al-Sirs money is locked in the bank, and he is unable to access it. I need a bus to take my family to the Egyptian border. I was offered one for $35,000. But this is an amount I cannot currently afford.

He added that he had found solace in the news that a relative of his had travelled with his grandmother, who had remained immobile for many years.

GRANDMAS HEALTH: On the last day of Ramadan, the Mekki family  three brothers with their wives, parents, and grandmother  got on a bus from Khartoum heading to Aswan. The trip was arduous, said Mohamed Mekki. My niece had a fever, and her mother was anxious because we didnt have any medicine.

The villages in the north of Sudan suffer from extreme poverty. Despite a breath of fresh air provided by the Merowe Dam to generate electricity, the economic and social conditions in this region remain poor.

In addition, Sudan has suffered greatly from a lack of medicine, fuel, and wheat following the secession of oil-rich South Sudan.

After standing in long customs queues in Wadi Halfa and Aswan, we began another journey to find a plane to take us to Cairo. We could not even find a seat for my sick grandmother. We resorted to booking sleeper train tickets, Mekki added.

Arriving in Cairo, my grandmothers condition was getting worse. We should not have moved her, but there was no one to take care of her in Khartoum. It was a very difficult choice to make.

She is now being hospitalised. We are praying for her health.

ON THE BORDER: Along the border between Egypt and Sudan, hundreds of families stand with their children in the scorching sun in long customs queues. Without a chair or a shady area to rest in, many Sudanese stand for hours to cross to the other side.

But the people on both sides of the border in Wadi Halfa and Aswan are very generous, distributing water and snacks to the people waiting to cross, said Al-Nour. A pharmacist who gave me medicine for my son Salah refused to take any money, she added gratefully.

The people in Wadi Halfa received us in their homes. I entered one such home, the womens quarters, bathed, ate, and slept for two hours, she continued. A relative of mine who made it to Aswan recounted a similar story, Al-Nour told the present writer in her apartment in Cairos Faisal district.

OBSCURE FUTURE: I have no money left. I spent all the cash I had getting here. All the banks were closed, said Abdallah Al-Khatem, who arrived in Cairo on the third day of the Eid Al-Fitr.

Maha Youssef, his wife and a professor of translation at the Islamic University in Omdurman, said that I brought my gold jewelry and some clothes for the children with me.

If calm is restored in Sudan, I will travel back immediately. My whole life is in Sudan, but more importantly can we find safety there, she asked, looking away as if wanting to end the conversation.

RENTING IN CAIRO: In Cairos Nasr City, many Sudanese can be spotted looking for apartments to rent.

I lived in this building two years ago when I brought my father to Cairo for medical treatment. At that time, I paid LE1,000 for rent, but today the landlord is asking for LE3,000, Modather Abdel-Rehim, a mathematics teacher at the Al-Sahafa District High School in Khartoum, said.

I studied at the Zagazig Universitys Faculty of Education in 1987. Later on, I spent my honeymoon here. I have been visiting Egypt frequently since. I am thinking about buying an apartment here, he added.

But my life is in Khartoum. I have a good career there, and my students are waiting for me. If it were not for my fear for my wife and children, I would not have left Khartoum.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, Abdel-Rehim said, walking away to continue his negotiations with the landlord.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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MCLEAN, Va., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVURC) and Pangiam, a leading trade a travel technology company, announced a new partnership to conduct research and develop new, cutting-edge artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision technologies for commercial and government applications.

Pangiam's leading technologists will work alongside West Virginia University faculty and students from the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering to develop new technologies for government and commercial use cases. Through this partnership, Pangiam will strengthen West Virginia's academic undergraduate and graduate programs by providing real-world experience in developing artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision driven solutions, ultimately training the next generation of technologists. "The Pangiam West Virginia University partnership will contribute to national security, using cutting edge research from WVU, and help build our state's economic base, as West Virginia continues to grow as a tech, cyber and biometric hub. We are excited to partner with a company of Pangiam 's caliber and capabilities," said General James Hoyer (R), WVU Vice President for Economic Innovation.

"Our partnership with West Virginia University will allow Pangiam to support the next generation of technology leaders and provides us with a foothold to grow in the state of West Virginia. We are proud to support West Virginia University and look forward to a productive relationship," said Patrick Flanagan, Chief Operating Officer at Pangiam.

Pangiam and WVURC will work together to launch Pangiam Bridge, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence driven solution for customs authorities worldwide. Pangiam Bridge will allow customs officials to automate portions of the customs inspection process for baggage and cargo. Jim McLaughlin, Pangiam Chief Technology Officer, said, "we are excited to grow Pangiam's artificial intelligence work in partnership with West Virginia University and continued development of Pangiam Bridge for customs authorities."

About Pangiam



We are security experts, technologists, innovators and problem solvers.

Founded by a team of customs and security professionals with decades of collective senior level executive experience, Pangiam has a deep understanding of the security, facilitation, and operational challenges facing businesses and governments todayand how they affect the customer experience, revenues, and brand loyalty. Since our founding, Pangiam has acquired industry leading technology companies in the identity verification and access control space, including veriScan, Linkware, and Trueface. Today, we operate under the Pangiam name, as a single enterprise offering comprehensive solutions, expertise and capabilities.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Pangiam
New Capabilities Showcased at STAREAST to Help DevOps Teams Drive Software Quality

News Highlights

Streamline complex microservices testing processes with AI-powered API test automation, resulting in fast, efficient, and accurate testing.

Capture code coverage for multiple distributed backend microservices as end-to-end tests are executed.

Explore new 2023.1 releases of Parasoft SOAtest, Virtualize, and CTP, which are available for users starting May 9, 2023 .

. Visit Parasoft at STAREAST in Orlando on May 3 and 4.

MONROVIA, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Parasoft, a global leader in automated software testing solutions announces the latest release of its AI-powered API testing solution with the innovative addition of unified code coverage reporting, which improves the visibility of application coverage across distributed systems for users of Parasoft SOAtest, Virtualize, and CTP Version 2023.1.

Parasoft SOAtest collects code coverage data for multiple microservices for end-to-end testing. The coverage results can be aggregated into Parasoft DTP reports, which improves the visibility of application coverage across distributed systems.

With enhancements to measure and analyze software code coverage, DevOps teams can expect fast, efficient, and accurate verification workflows with a software testing platform that leverages artificial intelligence. The release will be generally available on May 9, 2023.

Visit Parasoft at the STAREAST event in Orlando on May 3 and 4. The company will be showcasing the new release and how DevOps teams can streamline their complex microservices testing processes with AI-powered API test automation. More new capabilities in this release include:

Simplified workflows and unified reports for code coverage so QA testers can measure code coverage without needing access to source code

Collection and reporting of code coverage for distributed microservices in end-to-end test case scenarios

Creation of audit trails for modified test files and virtual assets

File-based correlation of requests and responses for virtual services

By harnessing artificial intelligence integrated into its software testing solutions, Parasoft provides a more productive way for software developers and testers to identify and remediate code issues before they can be released to production.

Chief Product Officer of Parasoft Igor Kirilenko states, "Parasoft has already successfully applied artificial intelligence and machine learning to multiple aspects of software testing to optimize test creation, execution, and maintenance, for which we have been recognized as a Continuous Testing Leader in five consecutive Forrester Wave reports. In response to customer feedback, we continue to invest in our Continuous Quality Platform to improve usability and increase visibility of code coverage and test reporting in complex end-to-end verification scenarios."

Contact Parasoft today for a briefing and/or demo of the new product releases for API testing.

About Parasoft

Parasoft helps organizations continuously deliver quality software with its market-proven, integrated suite of automated software testing tools. Supporting the embedded, enterprise, and IoT markets, Parasoft's technologies reduce the time, effort, and cost of delivering secure, reliable, and compliant software by integrating everything from deep code analysis and unit testing to web UI and API testing, plus service virtualization and complete code coverage, into the delivery pipeline. Bringing all this together, Parasoft's award winning reporting and analytics dashboard delivers a centralized view of quality enabling organizations to deliver with confidence and succeed in today's most strategic ecosystems and development initiatives  security, safety-critical, Agile, DevOps, and continuous testing.

SOURCE Parasoft
Successful Leader at Fortune 50 Financial Institution Brings Decades of Experience to PenFed's Leadership Team

TYSONS, Va., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PenFed Credit Union, the nation's second largest federal credit union, is pleased to welcome Sarah Heintzman as Chief Finance Officer and Executive Vice President. Heintzman joins the executive management team and is responsible for leading comprehensive financial programs and initiatives across all businesses and products at an enterprise level.

PenFed Credit Union Welcomes Sarah Heintzman as Chief Finance Officer, Executive Vice President

"PenFed is proud to welcome Sarah as part of our top-level executive team to lead finance. I was committed to searching the country for the best and brightest leader with extensive financial expertise to best support PenFed's mission and serve our 2.9 million members," said PenFed President and CEO James Schenck. "Sarah brings a wealth of experience in strategic finance leadership roles and will have a positive impact at all levels of our firm."

Heintzman is a successful leader with decades of experience in financial management, commercial lending and credit risk management at Fortune 100 financial institutions. Prior to joining PenFed, Heintzman held several CFO roles spanning the card, commercial and retail businesses of Capital One. She previously held positions at CapitalSource Bank and Goldman Sachs.

"I am thrilled to be joining the PenFed family given the company's proven commitment to its mission, members, and employees. As a long-time credit union member, I know the value that comes from being part of this community and I look forward to helping PenFed achieve its financial goals," said Heintzman.

Heintzman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and earned a bachelor's degree in commerce from Queen's University in Ontario, Canada.

About PenFed Credit Union



Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 2.9 million members worldwide with $35.3 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members' interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org , like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter . Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn . We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

SOURCE PenFed Credit Union
Leaders from The John A. Hartford Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, SCAN Health Plan and AARP to share health care delivery strategies

OAKLAND, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders from The John A. Hartford Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan, and AARP will discuss how health care organizations can prepare to care for the rapidly-expanding population of older adults during a May 15, 2023, Permanente Live webinar, "Meeting the Health Needs of an Aging Population."

This complimentary virtual panel featuring renowned health and aging leaders will explore strategies for caring for Baby Boomers, the generation that's revolutionizing healthy aging while at the same time living longer with more complex health and social needs. Older adults are the fastest-growing population in the United States  by 2040, people older than 65 will comprise more than 22% of the population, up from17% in 2020. To ensure that the needs of this population are met requires a health care delivery system that promotes aging with dignity, independence and choice.

What: Attendees will learn about the importance of prevention, the role of family caregivers, and innovations in health care delivery and community-based services. They will also gain insight into the role of primary care, recruiting and workforce retention, and policy recommendations to help promote needed change.

Join this webinar to learn about:

How industry leaders are creating innovative programs to care for a growing population of older adults.

The importance of primary care and the role of geriatricians in guiding care teams to offer "anticipatory guidance" to prepare patients for aging gracefully and healthfully.

Ways health and community organizations can provide more resources and support for family caregivers.

Questions that policy makers and government agencies must answer to address the care needs of an aging population.

When: Monday, May 15, 2023, 10 a.m. PT/noon CT/1 p.m. ET

Where: Register to attend this virtual one-hour event.

Who:

Panelists include:

Terry Fulmer , PhD, RN, FAAN, president, The John A. Hartford Foundation

president, The John A. Hartford Foundation Wendolyn S. Gozansky , MD, MPH, vice president and chief quality officer, Colorado Permanente Medical Group at Kaiser Permanente

vice president and chief quality officer, Colorado Permanente Medical Group at Kaiser Permanente Sachin H. Jain , MD, MBA, FACP, CEO, SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan

CEO, SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan Susan Reinhard , PhD, RN, FAAN, senior vice president and director, AARP Public Policy Institute, and chief strategist, Center to Champion Nursing in America and Family Caregiving Initiatives

senior vice president and director, AARP Public Policy Institute, and chief strategist, Center to Champion Nursing in America and Family Caregiving Initiatives Stephen Parodi , MD (moderator), executive vice president, The Permanente Federation, and associate executive director, The Permanente Medical Group at Kaiser Permanente

You can follow the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #PermLiveAging.

To learn more about The Permanente Federation, visit permanente.org/the-permanente-federation.

About Permanente Medical Groups

The Permanente Medical Groups are self-governed, physician-led, prepaid, multispecialty medical groups composed of more than 23,000 physicians. We are dedicated to the mission of improving the health of our patients and communities. Together with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, we are Kaiser Permanente  an award-winning health care system that delivers Permanente Medicine, care that is person- and family-centered, compassionate, evidence-based, technology-enabled, culturally responsive, team-delivered, and physician-led, to 12.6 million Kaiser Permanente members. We work collaboratively, enabled by state-of-the art facilities and technology, to provide world-class preventive and complex care centered in eight states  from Hawaii to Maryland  and the District of Columbia.

About The Permanente Federation

The Permanente Federation LLC is the national leadership and consulting organization for the 8 Permanente Medical Groups, which, together with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, comprise Kaiser Permanente. The Federation works on behalf of the Permanente Medical Groups to optimize care delivery and spread Permanente Medicine  care that is person- and family-centered, compassionate, evidence-based, technology-enabled, culturally responsive, team-delivered, and physician-led. The Federation, based in Oakland, California, fosters an open learning environment and accelerates research, innovation, and performance improvements across the Permanente Medical Groups to expand the reach of Kaiser Permanente's integrated care delivery model and to lead the nation in transforming health care delivery.

SOURCE The Permanente Federation
Petco Love and Blue Buffalo continue 14-year commitment to annual May Pet Cancer Campaign with more than $19 million invested in the fight against pet cancer



SAN ANTONIO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco Love knows pets are love. Today the national nonprofit, in partnership with Blue Buffalo, is returning the love by continuing to raise awareness about pet cancer and supporting pets fighting the disease. Pet cancer impacts millions of pets every year as the number one disease-related cause of death for dogs and cats in the U.S., afflicting one in four dogs and one in five cats.

Thanks to the Petco Love Canine Cancer Fund through the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, retired disaster search dog Blake received cancer treatment and made a full recovery.

Petco Love and Blue Buffalo are partnering for the 14th annual May Pet Cancer Campaign and recognizing the $19 million impact made together in the fight against pet cancer, furthering pet cancer research, and supporting treatment for pets in need.

"This was a difficult situation, and I was heartbroken for Blake," recalled Mike, whose retired disaster search dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his leg which required amputation, then chemotherapy. Thanks to the Petco Love Canine Cancer Fund through the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, the Chocolate Labrador made a full recovery. "The Petco Love Canine Cancer Grant alleviated a lot of stress and let me focus on my partner's health instead of the hospital bill," said Mike. The fund helps working canines, active or retired, who are diagnosed with various types of cancer.

"We know pets are family, and too many pet parents are facing the challenges a cancer diagnosis brings," said Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love. "We are proud to support treatment for pets with cancer and pet cancer research to save pets lives and to further Petco Love's mission of making pet families closer, stronger, and healthier."

Petco Love works with 12 university veterinary oncology partners. Funded partners include Colorado State University Foundation; Cornell Veterinary College; LSU Foundation (Louisiana State University  LSU); North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation; The Ohio State University Foundation; Texas A&M Foundation; University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; University of Florida Foundation; University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine; University of Tennessee Foundation; University of Wisconsin Foundation; and, the Virginia Tech Foundation.

Jubal, who is also featured in this year's campaign, was treated for thymoma thanks to the Petco Love and Blue Buffalo Pet Cancer Treatment Fund through the University of Wisconsin Foundation. The fund supported Jubal's surgery and now the cat is back to feeling like his healthy self again.

Throughout May, Petco Love and Blue Buffalo are driving awareness of pet cancer and the need for early detection, including sharing the ten warning signs of cancer in dogs and cats. Pet parents facing the challenges of pet cancer and struggling to cover the costs of veterinary treatment can also find resources here.

"Raising awareness for pet cancer and helping to fight this terrible disease is central to Blue Buffalo's mission," said Haley Perry, senior manager of consumer activation at Blue Buffalo. "We celebrate the treatment advances made to date, brought to life in the stories of Blake and Jubal, while working towards a day when cancer will no longer devastate the lives of our furry family members."

From May 1, 2023, through May 28, 2023, Blue Buffalo is making a $1 donation to Petco Love for every purchase of Blue Buffalo dry food for dogs or cats made on petco.com, up to $75,000. Anyone can also join the fight against pet cancer with Petco Love and help improve access to pet cancer treatment for pets and their families by donating at petcolove.org/pca.

About Petco Love

Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, we've empowered animal welfare organizations by investing $350 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We've helped find loving homes for more than 6.7 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide.

Our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us. Join us. Visit petcolove.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we lead every day.

About Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo, the country's #1 wholesome natural pet food, started with a promise made to a lovable Airedale named Blue who struggled with cancer, the leading cause of death in dogs. His family, the Bishops, wanted to feed him the best food possible, so they searched for food with high-quality ingredients, but decided to create something even better  natural pet food for dogs and cats with nutritious ingredients, real meat first, and some of the highest standards in the industry. Since Day 1, BLUE's team of veterinarians and animal nutritionists have carefully selected high-quality, natural ingredients and upheld its True Promise to dog and cat pet parents  real meat as the first ingredient with NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, NO corn, wheat or soy, and NO artificial flavors or preservatives. The result is a portfolio of high-quality, natural food and treats that both dogs and cats love. This simple idea: "Love them like family. Feed them like family." lives on today in every Blue Buffalo recipe.

Media Contact:

Crystal Bugary, Petco Love, [email protected]

SOURCE Petco Love
The Brooklyn home service company says that jobs in their industry are in abundance and compensation

is good

BROOKLYN, N.Y., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, a family-owned home service company serving Brooklyn and Manhattan since 1906, is celebrating National Skilled Trades Day on May 3 by encouraging young people to consider the home service, manufacturing and construction industries as a career choice.

Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning is celebrating National Skilled Trades Day on May 3 by encouraging young people to consider a career in the skilled trades industry.

"For years, we've told students that they need to go to college if they want to have an exciting and well-paid career, and that's not always true," said Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning. "But the truth is that college isn't for everyone. Some people simply want to go into a profession where they can start earning money, find steady work and good pay without having to put themselves in debt to get a degree. And, now, with Baby Boomers retiring in record numbers, there are more jobs opening in the skilled trades industry than can be filled."

According to a State of Home Services study, 52% of home service recruiters have had difficulty hiring compared to 30% of recruiters in other professions.

Petri said that the industry needs to recruit more at the middle and high school levels to let teenagers know that they can attend trade school after high school for much less than the cost of a typical four-year college.

"Trade school is usually less expensive, and you can start earning money in a shorter amount of time than you can by graduating from a typical university," he said. "And, on top of that, most skilled trades workers earn more at their first jobs than college graduates. Sending your kids to trade school can result in less student debt and higher earnings."

Petri said that parents, educators and government officials should push to introduce more young people to the skilled trades industry.

"Whether it's working in the HVAC or plumbing industries, building homes or cutting hair, these are jobs that can't be outsourced," he said. "These are the people we call to fix our homes, our cars and our appliances. These are the industries that hold our country together, and we should encourage more people to enter their ranks."

For more information about Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, visit

https://www.petriplumbing.com/.

About Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning

Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning is a family owned and operated business serving Brooklyn and the New York City area. Founded in 1906, the company offers a 100 percent guarantee on all services, upfront pricing, and friendly and knowledgeable Service Experts for all kinds of home and business plumbing and heating needs. Services offered include water and gas pipe leak repair and installation, fixture installations, inspections, boiler repair, water heater installation, complete bathroom, kitchen, laundry & utility room remodeling and more. Petri is also licensed and certified by Green Plumbers USA, the first in New York City to receive this designation. For more information, please visit www.petriplumbing.com or call (718) 717-1089.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
PetSmart welcomes people and pets to show their Pride with the You Are Loved collection

PHOENIX, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PetSmart is celebrating Pride Month with the all-new 2023 You Are Loved collection of Pride themed clothing, toys and accessories for pets of multiple species. First launched in 2019, the proprietary collection was created in partnership with the associate resource group, PetSmart PRIDE AT WORK, and is a representation of the company's commitment to supporting associates and community members of all orientations, gender identities and expressions.

View the You Are Loved collection at www.petsmart.com/featured-shops/pride-shop

PetSmart associate and their dog display a bandana from the You Are Loved collection, created in partnership with PetSmarts PRIDE AT WORK associate resource group

Furthering its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, PetSmart has donated $200,000 to GLSEN, a leading organization dedicated to ending violence, harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth in K-12 schools. This marks the fourth consecutive year PetSmart has donated to GLSEN, with contributions totaling $600,000 to date.

"PetSmart is proud to elevate the voices and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community  from our associates and the pet parents we serve, to members of the community and allies," said Kristin Shane, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer at PetSmart and executive sponsor of Petsmart PRIDE AT WORK. "Our You Are Loved collection was initiated and inspired by our associate resource group team members to help pet parents and their pets celebrate the spirit of Pride and share our values of inclusion and unconditional love."

For pet parents looking to show their Pride, PetSmart's You Are Loved collection offers a variety of clothing, toys and accessories for cat, dog, aquatic and small pet friends to enjoy, including:

For more information on the You Are Loved collection, including ways to shop, visit www.PetSmart.com. And for more information about how PetSmart supports Belonging all year long, visit www.LifeatPetSmart.com.

About PetSmart

PetSmart LLC is the leading pet retailer offering products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so together they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.

PetSmart operates approximately 1,660 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities. We provide a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption.

PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home.

Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated over 10 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization.

SOURCE PetSmart
During its research, Privacy4Cars found that it would take general consumers two and a half hours to read through all material(s) necessary to understand the privacy policies and terms of the average automaker: far longer than for most "big tech" companies. Further concerning, when Privacy4Cars sent consumers to "mystery shop" at over 150 dealerships between 2020-2023, it found that less than 5% of salespeople correctly represented that cars collect PI and that manufacturers have the rights to share and sell this PI. And no dealership was able to explain the data differences between two different vehicles mystery shoppers were test driving. From this, the idea for its Vehicle Privacy Report tool was born.

Each Vehicle Privacy Report includes two key pieces of information: the Vehicle Privacy Label, which is a set of ten standardized clickable icons that synthesize the data collection, sharing, and selling practices of vehicle manufacturers, per their public documents, and the Vehicle Privacy History, which lists known actions businesses have taken to protect the privacy of their customers.

Generating a Vehicle Privacy Report is easy and free*. Visit vehicleprivacyreport.com and input the vehicle's VIN in the search bar. Within seconds, a report will be generated outlining what personal information the vehicle manufacturer discloses it collects, including identifiers, biometric data, geolocation, data from synched phones, and user profiles. It also outlines their disclosures on who they share that information with and/or sell it to, including affiliates, service providers, insurance companies, government agencies, and data brokers. There will also be a log of the recorded deletion of personal information on the vehicle. It also sources and cites the materials the manufacturer publishes, alongside the number of minutes it would take a general consumer to read through all related privacy policies and terms themselves and the level of education needed to proficiently read those documents.

For auto dealers, the Vehicle Privacy Report tool can be embedded into their sales sites to help fairly communicate the data practices of auto companies for each specific vehicle on their lot. Those "Privacy Care" dealerships will be able to automatically populate VIN-specific badges and information on their websites' Vehicle Detail Pages, offering dealerships a new avenue to increase VDP engagement, build consumer trust, and limit risk of Unfair and Deceptive Practices accusations.

"Privacy is the new safety," continued Amico. "Our hope is that Privacy4Cars' Vehicle Privacy Report will make privacy tangible and valuable for consumers, through use of our transparent disclosures preventing market distortions and incentivizing companies to improve their practices and distinguish themselves from the competition when they build, sell, buy, rent, loan, finance, and insure vehicles. We're confident that our new Vehicle Privacy Report is a move in the right direction for the rapidly digitizing auto industry."

For more information about Privacy4Cars' Vehicle Privacy Report, please visit vehicleprivacyreport.com.

* Privacy4Cars plans to always offer its Vehicle Privacy Report for free to consumers. Until the burden no longer falls primarily on consumers to proactively delete their personal information from vehicles, the brand will continue to give complimentary use of its tool. Businesses looking to utilize the service for their own vehicles will receive a free 30-day trial during the launch period.

ABOUT PRIVACY4CARS

Privacy4Cars is the first and only technology company focused on identifying and resolving data privacy issues across the automotive ecosystem. Our mission, Driving Privacy, means offering a suite of services to expand protections for individuals and companies alike, by focusing on privacy, safety, security, and compliance. Privacy4Cars' patented solution helps users quickly and confidently clear vehicle users' personal information (phone numbers, call logs, location history, garage door codes, and more) while building compliance records. Its Vehicle Privacy Report tool is a first-of-its-kind privacy search feature for all vehicles on the road today. For more information, please visit: https://privacy4cars.com/.

SOURCE Privacy4Cars
LAS VEGAS, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quattro Development is excited to announce its 16th consecutive participation in the ICSC Las Vegas event, taking place May 20-30 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As the premier gathering for the Marketplaces Industry, ICSC Las Vegas brings together key players who are redefining how people shop, play, work, dine and gather. The event attracts hundreds of exhibitors offering a platform for tenants, brokers, landlords and engineers to connect and explore mutually beneficial opportunities.

"The ICSC Conference in Vegas is the Super Bowl event for our industry. It's a great opportunity to connect with the most active tenants, brokers, and developers in retail real estate. As always, we're excited to be going," says Mike Liyeos, co-founder of Quattro Development.

For more information about Quattro Development, visit: https://quattrodevelopment.com/

At this year's event, Quattro Development will be represented by its largest delegation yet, with five members of its leadership team in attendance: Mike Liyeos, Rob Walters, Owen England, Grant Barrett and Matt Liburd, the latter two attending for the first time. Commenting on the expanded representation, co-founder Rob Walters says, "ICSC Vegas provides a great platform to start new relationships. Over the years we've met many real estate professionals who have become friends who we look forward to catching up with every May. We feel that it's important for our next generation of Quattro leaders to participate in this event so that they can create their own relationships which they can cultivate as their careers progress."

Throughout the conference, the Quattro Development team will hold meetings with clients, prospective clients, brokers, and other service providers, strengthening existing relationships and forging new ones in order to create and facilitate new commercial development opportunities. Building on the success of last year's ICSC Las Vegas, Quattro Development will also hold its second annual client dinner on Monday, May 22.

The evening, co-sponsored by Ice Miller law firm, will welcome 20 and 30 guests as an opportunity for Quattro Development to express appreciation to the team's loyal clientele base. Liyeos remarks, "Our clients are the lifeblood of our business so we do our best to accommodate their needs. Getting the chance to break bread with them and talk about more than just business in a fun place like Vegas is a great opportunity to mix business with pleasure."

About Quattro Development

Since 2008, Quattro Development has been helping commercial retail clients get to their "Main and Main" by thoroughly researching markets for proposed new locations, and providing data driven by first-hand, boots-on-the-ground observations. By presenting a current and complete market picture in the conference room, Quattro has successfully completed more than 130 on-time and on-budget projects for 65 plus clients nationwide, including Arby's, the United States Postal Service, Starbucks, AT&T, Buffalo Wild Wings and many more.

About ICSC

Since 1957, ICSC, or the International Council of Shopping Centers, has served as the primary trade association for the global Marketplaces Industry. Today, the association counts more than 68,000 members in more than 100 countries, representing all key industry stakeholders, from brokers and retailers to shopping center owners, managers, developers, marketing specialists, investors, academics and public officials. ICSC Las Vegas is the trade association's preeminent annual event, held in May, and designed to bring together deal-makers and special experts to level up the Marketplaces Industry.

Media Contact

William Mastin

Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Quattro Development
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: April 26, 2018 to March 13, 2023

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 19, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in RAD:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/rite-aid-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=38628&from=4

Rite Aid Corporation NEWS - RAD NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Rite Aid Corporation made 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.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Rite Aid you have until May 19, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Rite Aid securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the RAD lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/rite-aid-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=38628&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
There are growing concerns that the global powers will meddle further in the conflict in Sudan in order to serve their own geopolitical and economic interests, writes Ahmad Askar

The urgent international attention being paid to the unfolding events in Sudan speaks of the importance the regional and international powers attach to the country in relation to strategic regions in the continent, especially the Horn of Africa and Central and West Africa.

The fact that it also sits atop large reserves of natural and mineral wealth, such as gold, oil and uranium, has intensified the regional and international competition to gain a strategic foothold in the country in order to expand spheres of influence in the continent.

As a result, many are becoming increasingly worried that the global powers will begin to meddle in the conflict to serve their own particular aims.

Sudans location in north-eastern Africa has attracted many major powers, which see it as a strategic bridge to Sub-Saharan Africa from the direction of the Red Sea and between the northern and southern portions of the continent.

Sudan borders Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic. It is close to and influences strategic regions that are the focus of international and regional concern such as the Middle East, the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and the Eastern Mediterranean. Sudan is also part of two vital strategic regions, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and it is an extension of the Sahel and Sahara.

In addition to serving as a potential gateway to the Horn of Africa, central to regional geopolitical equations, Sudan, the third-largest country in Africa since the secession of South Sudan, overlooks the Red Sea, one the worlds most important maritime links.

This 720 km sea connects the Mediterranean to the Gulf and the Indian Ocean via the Bab Al-Mandab at its southern entrance and the Suez Canal at its north. About $700 billion in international trade passes through the Red Sea, making it vital to international trade and the global economic infrastructure.

Sudan also has a port on the Red Sea in the shape of Port Sudan, an important logistical and commercial hub including a trade zone and a major oil refinery through which South Sudans oil is transported overseas.

Port Sudan is Sudans only sea port and is thus vital to the countrys foreign trade. It has a capacity of about 1.3 million containers a year. Situated at the midpoint of the western littoral of the Red Sea, Port Sudan is thus half way between two chokepoints in international maritime traffic: the Suez Canal and Bab Al-Mandab.

Its importance will increase exponentially with the potential launch of a transcontinental railway line from Port Sudan to Dakar, Senegal, which will also give four landlocked countries access to the sea.

Rich in mineral wealth, Sudan has the worlds third-largest reserves of uranium and over the past five years it has ranked as the third-largest gold producer in Africa and the 13th largest in the world, with an annual production of an estimated 100 to 250 tons.

In addition, it has 200 million acres, or about 45 per cent of the arable land in the Arab world, and over 108 million head of livestock. With its huge potential for agricultural expansion and other assets, Sudan has the potential to become a regional, if not global, food basket and a key to regional and international food security.

The global powers growing interest in Sudan is driven by both geopolitical and geostrategic and economic motives.

In the short term, the international community wants to restore calm, set the transitional process back on track towards general elections, contain disputes among Sudanese stakeholders, and prevent Islamist organisations from returning to power. It also seeks to forestall waves of violence and chaos, especially in eastern Sudan, for fear of possible spillovers eastward into the Sahel and West Africa and westward towards the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.

The Western powers are determined to safeguard maritime routes in the Red Sea. But they also have their sights set on maximising their economic and military interests in Sudan as a promising market in its own right and as a gateway to other African markets. Sudans natural and mineral wealth are another lure.

The international community and the Western powers are eager to contain the threat of terrorism, especially given how the upheaval and poor border security could facilitate the infiltration of the Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist groups into the country.

They also want to keep Sudanese territory from being exploited as a transit route for illegal migration into Libya and from there to Europe and for arms smuggling to Gaza, Egypt and other destinations. The security of Port Sudan is critical for these reasons, but also because it can serve as a keystone in the maritime security network in the Red Sea.

Some of the global powers have an interest in influencing the geopolitical map and the balance of power in the vicinity of the Horn of Africa and Red Sea. Russia is keen to secure a foothold on the Red Sea in Port Sudan, in order to strengthen its political and military/security influence in the area.

A naval facility on the Red Sea would better enable Russia to secure its maritime interests and give it more rapid access to other locations along the so-called arc of crisis and instability that stretches from the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean to the Horn of Africa, Indian Ocean, and the Gulf.

The global powers are thus alarmed by the ongoing crisis in Sudan, which threatens their strategic interests in the country and the region as a whole.

The US is worried that the potential collapse of the political transition process could cast Sudan back into widespread unrest and a potentially expanding cycle of violence and anarchy. The impacts this would have on the Red Sea region would pose a direct threat to US interests in terms of maritime navigation and trade and security in the Horn of Africa and Middle East.

Washington is also concerned by the growth of Chinese and Russian influence in Sudan, especially in the light of rumours that the Russian Wagner Group might get involved in the Sudanese conflict if it escalates.

Russia wants to strengthen its influence in Sudan as part of efforts to expand its presence in Africa in order to counter the US and Western influence there. According to US reports, it has begun to use the Wagner Group towards this end through collaboration with the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Russias interest in Sudan is linked to two main Sudanese assets: gold, which it hopes to access with the help of the Wagner Group, and Port Sudan, where it plans to construct a naval base in accordance with an agreement signed with Khartoum in 2020. This Red Sea base, which would host 300 troops and four military vessels, is central to Moscows plans to expand its influence in the Red Sea region and other strategic regions in Africa.

For Beijing, the escalating crisis in Sudan is a source of grave concern as it jeopardises Chinas vast investments in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere in East Africa. China is also concerned by a possible interruption in the flow of South Sudanese oil to Port Sudan, as it has obtained around five per cent of its oil imports from Africa in recent years.

Like other regional and world powers, China is worried by the possible spread of the conflict to the Red Sea and the threat that this would pose to international maritime trade. An estimated $1 billion worth of Chinese trade passes through the Red Sea daily.

The longer the armed conflict in Sudan continues, the more the international stakeholders will be tempted to get involved in it, aggravating and further militarising the Sudanese crisis. Sharpening domestic political and regional rifts, especially if fuelled by outside meddling, could spiral out of control into a full-scale civil war with unpredictable consequences, not just for Sudan, but also for the region as a whole.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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IMSE's professional development will help literacy non-profit certify more elementary teachers in the Science of Reading, and increase access to high-quality tutoring for low-income, at-risk students struggling with reading

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. and HIGHLAND PARK, N.J., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IMSE , an education pioneer and the leading provider of Structured Literacy Professional Development and Classroom Programs, today announced a strategic partnership with Raising Hands Tutoring to certify elementary school teachers in Orton-Gillingham, a long-standing, evidence-based multisensory instructional approach to teaching reading that is backed by research from the Science of Reading. IMSE has partnered with the non-profit, located just outside the New York City metropolitan area, to certify local K-3 teachers in the literacy approach at no cost. In return, Raising Hands Tutoring will provide free tutoring services to low-income, at-risk students who are in need of reading intervention.

IMSE is the leading provider of Structured Literacy solutions that leverage the best of Orton-Gillingham and the Science of Learning to empower teachers from day one. IMSE Impact Structured Literacy Programs provide educators with a direct, explicit, sequential, and systematic approach to teaching reading to students, delivering measurable growth for all students and enabling equity in literacy learning.

Raising Hands Tutoring is an educational non-profit targeting low income and at risk struggling readers at the elementary level. On a mission to decrease the achievement gap, the Highland Park-NJ based organization offers teachers access to certification in a nationally recognized, evidence based reading program. Once certified, teachers are equipped to apply the program in their classes and provide free individualized after school tutoring to at-risk, struggling readers who require a more intensive intervention experience. Currently, the organization serves 105 kids, between its one-on-one tutoring and school partnership program.

Raising Hands has had three cohorts of teachers already complete IMSE's certification process to date. Becoming IMSE certified is a deeper dive in OG training requiring not just the 30 hr OG Comprehension course, but also requires teachers to complete a 50-hour practicum working with a student while receiving ongoing support and training from an IMSE practicum supervisor  an important step to ensure fidelity of instruction when working with students. This year, 25 additional teachers will complete the process, bringing the total to 43 trained tutors by next year.

Holly Turner, M.Ed., founder and director of Raising Hands Tutoring, started the organization to fill the void of access to affordable reading intervention for students.

"We are passionate about strengthening the program at Raising Hands, and using the most modern, evidence-based training to provide the best possible tutoring experience for children," said Turner. "I fell in love with IMSE when I went through its training program, and wanted to offer teachers a deeper knowledge of literacy that increases fidelity and consistency in the classroom. IMSE is helping us get this certification into the hands of more teachers, and allowing us to reach more children who need reading intervention, but can't afford tutoring otherwise."

IMSE and Turner are also bringing this program to higher education. This year, IMSE and Turner will team up with Rutgers University to identify 10 student teachers to go through IMSE Orton-Gillingham training. This is an exciting pilot program that could pave the way for future partnerships with teacher preparation programs around the country.

"The answer to our nation's literacy challenges is about giving more  giving more training and tools to teachers to do their jobs well, and more resources to kids who need reading intervention the most," said Jeanne Jeup, co-founder and CEO, IMSE. "With systematic, explicit instruction, we can help every student learn how to read. I'm so excited to work with Holly and her team to ensure more students receive effective reading instruction and look forward to expanding our partnership to make a major impact on classroom instruction."

For more information on IMSE, visit https://imse.com/ .

For questions about Raising Hands Tutoring, or requests to participate in its School Partnership or Individual Teacher Certification Program, visit https://www.raisinghandstutoring.org/contact .

About IMSE

IMSE is an education pioneer and the leading provider of Structured Literacy solutions that leverage the best of Orton-Gillingham and the Science of Learning to empower teachers from day one. Since 1996, IMSE has pioneered the use of Orton-Gillingham and Structured Literacy in general education, and remains at the forefront of research-based reading programs that are personalized, yet applicable to classroom teaching. IMSE's unmatched training and classroom programs deliver measurable growth for all students, enabling equity in literacy learning. And, as educators, the IMSE team understands the needs of teachers, schools, and districts, delivering a practical approach to teaching reading and empowering teachers that has helped millions of students across the country. For more information on IMSE, visit https://imse.com/ .

About Raising Hands

Raising Hands Tutoring is an educational non-profit targeting low income and at risk struggling readers at the elementary level. We are on a mission to decrease the achievement gap that exists for our underserved children by providing high quality reading instruction in the classroom and free tutoring outside of the classroom to our neediest students. For more information, visit https://www.raisinghandstutoring.org/ .

SOURCE The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education
commercetools users will now have access to enhanced headless checkout with Rally to integrate directly with their preferred tech stack

PORTLAND, Ore., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rally, the leading customizable, checkout software for profitable mid-market to enterprise merchants, announces its newest integration with commercetools . Commercetools customers will now have access to the Rally platform, with headless checkout features, a dedicated network of shoppers, numerous payment integrations, and checkout enhancements such as post-purchase upsells and fraud protection.

"This new integration is a testament to Rally's continued growth and traction with new brands, and a commitment to building our community of merchants," said Jordan Gal, co-founder and CEO of Rally . "We are continuing to expand our ecommerce ecosystem for the future through integrations such as this one that gives power back to merchants and developers."

Both Rally and commercetools are leading vendors for merchants seeking composable commerce solutions that help customize their online store and better control the customer journey. Composable ecommerce has many benefits and allows for faster load times, improved user experience, and seamless integration across multiple channels, which can lead to higher conversion rates, lower fees, and increased revenue.

"We're excited to be partnering with Rally to help our merchants scale their business without sacrificing the freedom to customize and build solutions specific to their needs," said Christopher Holley, commercetools Global Director of Partnerships.



Rally's technology equips merchants with a fully functional customizable checkout, with the freedom to design and implement a bespoke solution that works best for their team and customers. Using Rally, merchants of all sizes can reap the benefits of a fully customized checkout solution like post-purchase upsells and 1-click checkout that reduce friction for customers, boost conversions, and increase AOV.

About Rally

Rally Commerce Inc, is a leading composable checkout platform that helps businesses of all sizes optimize their checkout process. Founded in 2020 in Portland, OR, Rally has quickly established itself as a go-to platform for merchants and app developers who seek a modern solution to streamline their checkout process.

With Rally's one-click checkout, post-purchase offers, and ability to customize their checkout, merchants can create a seamless, tailored checkout experience for their customers. The platform-agnostic solution empowers merchants to design and implement bespoke checkouts, regardless of industry or size.

Rally secured $6M in seed funding in 2021, and recently announced a $12M Series A funding round in 2023. For more information, visit www.rallyon.com or follow the company on Twitter or LinkedIn .

Contact:

Olivia Ludington

5517955950

[email protected]

SOURCE Rally
New data from the Capital One Insights Center uncovers a new understanding of the conditions required for business ownership to serve as a vehicle of personal wealth creation

McLEAN, Va., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Capital One Insights Center has released new research that sheds light on how business ownership can drive personal wealth creation for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs and their communities  and ultimately close the racial wealth gap.

"For many Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, owning a business can be a tremendous opportunity to build wealth and narrow the racial wealth gap," said Shena Ashley, President, Capital One Insights Center and Vice President, Community Impact and Investment. "In Richmond, about 35% of Black and Hispanic business owners saw at least $188,000 in personal wealth growth over the course of their business ownership, the same as the median wealth for white U.S. households. With the support of a coordinated business ecosystem, sustained funding, and educational resources, these businesses were able to make a real difference in closing the racial wealth gap for themselves."

The study, conducted in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), surveyed more than 1,000 business owners and residents in Richmond, Virginia, along with 21 interviews with community organizations, and found unlocking wealth is possible  but under the right conditions.

The report's key findings include:

Successful businesses have shown that it is possible to unlock wealth under the right conditions. Approximately one-third of Black and Hispanic business owners in Richmond experienced personal wealth growth of at least $188,000 over the course of their business ownership.

Approximately one-third of Black and Hispanic business owners in experienced personal wealth growth of at least over the course of their business ownership. Wealth growth is not a guarantee. Wealth growth by Black and Hispanic business owners was roughly half of non-business owners from 2017/18 to 2022.

Wealth growth by Black and Hispanic business owners was roughly half of non-business owners from 2017/18 to 2022. Size and scale matter for long-term personal wealth and business success. Businesses that survive the initial start-up years or grow to greater than $500,000 in annual revenue generate greater wealth.

Businesses that survive the initial start-up years or grow to greater than in annual revenue generate greater wealth. Business success depends on three critical conditions. Access to and acumen around initial and growth funding, right-sized skills and capabilities, and a supportive business ecosystem are key variables to business success and personal wealth generation.

Based on these findings, the research highlights potential levers that could help entrepreneurs, financial institutions, business and community organizations, and policymakers close the racial wealth gap.

"Working to level the playing field for all small businesses in Richmond requires a multi-faceted and long-term strategy that consists of dedicated investments, available resources, and policy," said Andy Navarette, Executive Vice President, Head of External Affairs, Capital One. "Public, private, nonprofit, and government sectors must come together to explore innovative ways to increase Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs' access to capital and make concerted, harmonized efforts to level the playing field for diverse business owners, in Richmond and around the country."

In order to unlock personal wealth creation for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs at scale, the report recommends 1) continued exploration of innovative ways to increase capital; 2) public, private, and nonprofit support; 3) financial management and digital tools; 4) collaboration among organizations within the business ecosystem; and 5) trust-building between funders and communities of color.

"Being a small business owner in any community is a challenge. When it comes to minority small business owners and closing the staggering racial wealth gap, challenges such as unequal access to capital and business support systems often make their journey even tougher," said Kedra Newsom Reeves, Managing Director and Partner at BCG and Co-Lead for The Center for Inclusion and Equity. "This research makes clear that while wealth growth through business ownership is achievable, public and private organizations play an integral role in supporting underserved communities and the budding entrepreneurs within them."

Methodology:

From August to October 2022, we surveyed 1,015 current and former business owners and residents of Richmond, Virginia, and conducted interviews with 21 community organizations that provide support to local business owners. We focused on businesses in Richmond, Virginia, using wealth creation rather than longevity as a measure of success.

Our survey covered current and past business owners from Black or Hispanic backgrounds, against the general population in Richmond. Responses include active businesses started between 1970 and 2021; former businesses started between 1974 and 2022; businesses up to $10 million in annual revenue, with a sample average revenue of $2.9M; and businesses from service, retail, and manufacturing industries. Nearly all the owners surveyed launched their business before 2020, meaning they survived the economic impact of the pandemic.

About Capital One Insights Center

The Capital One Insights Center combines Capital One research and partnerships to produce insights that advance equity and inclusion. As a nascent platform for data and dialogue, the Center strives to help changemakers create an inclusive society, build thriving communities and develop financial tools that enrich lives. The Center draws on Capital One's deep market expertise and legacy of revolutionizing the credit system through the application of data, information and technology.

Learn more about the Insights Center here .

About Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

The North America Center for Inclusion and Equity (CIE) works with organizations to help build inclusive cultures, deliver social impact, create business value, and drive measurable change for all underserved groups. We serve as the home for diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leadership, partnerships, and engagements for BCG's North America region. The CIE brings together more than 250 DEI experts covering the full range of industries and across all core business functions. We support companies to eliminate systemic bias, spark broader social transformations, and generate a competitive advantage.

SOURCE Capital One
WALLDORF, Germany and ARMONK, N.Y., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that IBM Watson technology will be embedded into SAP solutions to provide new AI-driven insights and automation to help accelerate innovation and create more efficient and effective user experiences across the SAP application portfolio.

SAP will use IBM Watson capabilities to power its digital assistant in SAP Start, which provides a unified entry point for cloud solutions from SAP. With SAP Start, users can search for, launch and interactively engage with apps provided in cloud solutions from SAP and SAP S/4HANA Cloud. New AI capabilities in SAP Start will be designed to help users boost productivity with both natural language capabilities and predictive insights using IBM Watson AI solutions built on IBM's trust and transparency and data privacy principles.

"This milestone collaboration with IBM aims to provide SAP customers a better user experience, faster decision-making and greater insights to help transform their business processes," said Christian Klein, CEO and Member of the Executive Board of SAP SE. "Working together to incorporate additional AI, machine learning and other intelligent technologies into SAP solutions can lead to better business outcomes for our joint customers. Today's news, along with the recent news of our expanded use of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, is a prime example of how the rich, 50-year partnership between our companies continues to grow stronger and move the industry forward."

New digital assistant capabilities in SAP Start will be extended across SAP solutions to help answer diverse questions for managers and employees. By automating and speeding up common tasks, the capabilities are designed to help unlock employee productivity to focus on more strategic work. SAP Start will allow customers to benefit from intelligence at the point of decision-making with the ability to use AI and machine learning to extract information from a variety of data sources and answer user questions across lines of business. Today, IBM technology currently available in the TripIt mobile app from SAP Concur is helping nearly 13 million users easily access AI-derived weather insights to make more sustainable travel choices before and during their trips.

IBM delivers market-leading AI capabilities with Watson products deployed by more than 100 million users across 20 industries. In addition, SAP and IBM Consulting are currently supporting customers with 25 joint intelligent industry solutions that use IBM Watson capabilities underpinned by SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). These industry solutions help customers across industries such as retail, manufacturing and utilities accelerate their business transformation and use data to make more informed decisions.

"IBM and SAP are joining forces to give businesses new and exciting ways to harness the transformative power of AI and use it as a source of competitive advantage," said Arvind Krishna, IBM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "With this announcement, we are infusing IBM Watson's powerful, enterprise-grade AI capabilities into SAP's leading ERP platform to help businesses reimagine customer experiences, boost productivity and fuel growth."

In addition to natively embedding IBM Watson AI capabilities into SAP solutions, SAP and IBM are collaborating on generative AI and large language models aimed to deliver consistent continuous learning and automation based on SAP's mission-critical application suite.

Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @SAPNews.

About SAP

SAP's strategy is to help every business run as an intelligent, sustainable enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: SAP customers generate 87% of total global commerce. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers' businesses into intelligent enterprises. SAP helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want  without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people's lives. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

About IBM

IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,800 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. For more information, visit www.ibm.com.

Statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice and represent goals and objectives only.

This document contains forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to materially differ. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors section of SAP's 2021 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 2023 SAP SE. All rights reserved.

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products:

Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24

United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727)

Please consider our privacy policy. If you received this press release in your e-mail and you wish to unsubscribe to our mailing list please contact [email protected] and write Unsubscribe in the subject line.

SOURCE SAP SE
Company's unique expertise in "food" drives growth at each stage of the value supply chain

ValueAct Capital's (ValueAct) short-sighted demand would fragment food ecosystem and damage competitive position

Clear intention by ValueAct to conduct quick spin-off, as stated in shareholder letter as well as in recent presentation dated April 2, 2023 based on plans that "the spin-off of 7-Eleven is executed on the last day of the fiscal year ended February 2024 ," only ten months away

based on plans that "the spin-off of 7-Eleven is executed on the last day of the fiscal year ended ," only ten months away Board and management open to change and committed to maximizing long-term shareholder value through portfolio optimization initiatives undertaken in the right way and at the right time

Urges shareholders to vote for Company's slate of Board nominees

TOKYO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven & i Holdings' Board of Directors today issued the following letter to shareholders outlining the competitive advantages of its "food-focused" strategy and investments in its convenience store business ("CVS"). It also reiterated its commitment to capital re-allocation and ongoing portfolio optimization undertaken in the right way and at the right time.

Shareholders are urged to vote for the Company's slate of Board nominees in connection with its Annual General Meeting on May 25, 2023.

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.

Dear Seven & i Shareholders,

Your company is in the midst of a significant business transformation designed to build on its unique competitive strengths, led by a committed and newly strengthened and aligned Board and management and overseen by a Strategy Committee comprised solely of independent outside directors. Most importantly, we have successfully transformed ourselves into a CVS-centric company, with more changes to come.

Today, our CVS business, which includes our domestic Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. ("SEJ"), North American 7-Eleven, Inc. ("SEI") and other overseas 7-Eleven International LLC ("7IN") businesses, contributes over 80% of the Company's revenue and profit. We have achieved this through carefully planned strategic investments in CVS and divestitures of non-core assets. We are leveraging the food expertise of SEJ, including its private brand, product development and procurement networks, and delivery model, to expand private label food offerings throughout our global CVS business, including SEI, to enhance sales and margin expansion.

These initiatives are driving our strong performance, prompting us to raise our medium-term targets. It's important to understand that key to this successful strategy is a deep understanding of the role that our strength in "food" plays as a growth and profitability driver as we expand our global CVS business.

ValueAct's demands  forcing a change in governance, removing our President , and conducting a near-term spin-off of 7-Eleven  would hurt long-term value by disrupting our transformation , which has already begun to benefit our shareholders: We have achieved 88% total shareholder return since we announced our acquisition of Speedway in August 2020 and a total return of 9% since our Board refresh in May 2022, greatly exceeding our peers' performance. We are confident that once our transformation is further along, we will be in a better position to consider further portfolio optimization.

The Seven "Food Ecosystem" Is Our Core Competitive Advantage

SEJ's competitive advantage in "food" is a result of collaboration with our group companies at each stage of the product development and procurement process. This network is difficult for peers to duplicate, and they afford our business competitive advantages:

Our Company structure allows our CVS business to leverage the food procurement capabilities of our group company supplier network, which is approximately double the size of that of our CVS business.

Additionally, over 70% of our Company's integrated private brand product development team belongs to our group companies excluding the CVS business, and their expertise has enabled SEJ to offer over 1.7x more private brand food products compared to competitors. The increasing roll-out of these high-margin proprietary products will continue to drive performance across the CVS business.

Given that there are 15,000 food-related items across the entire Company, we have a significant opportunity to leverage this network to continue growing the 2,000 food-related items currently offered by CVS.

Our food ecosystem makes essential contributions to the development of SEJ's food offerings, empowering SEJ's network of over 21,000 stores to produce half of the Company's food-related sales from SEJ.

Our Food Expertise is the Core Driver of Global CVS and SEI Growth

By leveraging our Company's extensive product development and supply network, our global CVS business can provide the highest-quality food offerings compared to our competitors  a true differentiator in the industry. In Japan, this has already resulted in SEJ's average daily sales per store being approximately 30% higher and gross margins generally 100200bps higher than domestic competitors.

Fresh food* offerings are particularly important, as there is a direct correlation between global CVS stores' sales composition of fresh foods and average daily customers per store . For example, the sales composition of fresh food in SEJ stores is 42%, with approximately 900 average daily customers per store, while the sales composition of fresh food in the other countries we serve is approximately 25%, with 550 average daily customers per store.

SEJ's competitive strength in food is currently being leveraged across our global CVS business . We are installing SEJ's private brand product development and food production processes at SEI and the other countries we serve through valuable business partnerships. For 7IN, further growth will also be pursued in East Asian countries achieving economic growth, with the benefit from our differentiated fresh food offerings.

ValueAct's demand to conduct a hasty spin-off of CVS would disrupt these critical product development efforts, fragment our food ecosystem in the supply chain network, and damage our competitive position before we are ready to embark on further portfolio optimization, risking the potential for long-term value creation .

*Fresh food includes ready-to-eat meals, milk, eggs and other daily food essentials.

What Is ValueAct's True Agenda?

In its letter dated April 27, 2023, ValueAct denies the notion of pushing for a "hasty spin-off of the CVS business." ValueAct's own statements demonstrate their real intentions despite their repeated denials to the contrary :

In its presentation to shareholders dated April 2, 2023 , they clearly asserted their assumption in the "Methodology & Key Assumptions" section on page 37 that "the spin-off of 7-Eleven is executed on the last day of the fiscal year ended February 2024 ," a date less than 10 months away.

, they clearly asserted their assumption in the "Methodology & Key Assumptions" section on page 37 that "the spin-off of 7-Eleven is executed on the last day of the fiscal year ended ," a date less than 10 months away. Additionally, in its letter to Seven & i shareholders dated January 19, 2023  issued privately but shared with media ValueAct states that the Company could execute a spin-off of 7-Eleven "about 12 months from now" and based its analysis and estimates included in an attached presentation for a spin-off executed in February 2024 .

ValueAct's proposal to replace four experienced directors and remove our President is simply a means to force through this ill-conceived and disruptive plan to achieve a short-term payout .

In contrast, our Medium-Term Management Plan, unanimously endorsed by our majority-independent Board, outlines a carefully crafted strategy and our goal to increase the gross profit composition of merchandise products in SEI from 61.8% in FY22 to 67.1% in 2025, driving an increase in the average daily sales per store by 12%. We are committed to simultaneously raising our SEI merchandise margin 100bps by 2025.

We Have Best-In-Class Governance That Will Empower Additional Change and Value Creation

While our Board has concluded that now is not the right time to pursue a spin-off of our CVS business, we have NEVER said never to any strategic options that could create value for our shareholders, including a separation, spin-off, or IPO. We have simply said that, in view of the critical role that food currently plays in our business success, now is not the right time to pursue any of those options .

. On the contrary, the Board is reviewing optimal corporate structure and strategic alternatives comprehensively and objectively through the Strategy Committee , as repeatedly stated in public both by our President as well as by all eight independent outside directors.

, as repeatedly stated in public both by our President as well as by all eight independent outside directors. Our sole strategic objective is to build a world-class retail group with a competitive strength in our food offerings; our Board as well as the Strategy Committee  made up solely of independent outside directors  are committed to further transformation and continuous corporate structure optimization to achieve this objective .

. Different from ValueAct, which possesses very limited investment experience in the retail sector and little appreciation for the strategic role that food plays in our success, our Board is made up of inside and outside experts with highly relevant experience and retail expertise with a deep appreciation of our strategy . The input of our deeply knowledgeable directors ensures a thoughtful decision-making process to secure long-term value creation.

We are united as a Board in our strategic objectives and path, including our newest independent outside directors who were added to the Board with input from our shareholders, including ValueAct. We speak with one voice even as we use different channels to communicate our strategy to our shareholders. We are all aligned on continuing our transformation  in the right way and at the right time.

Despite their determination to appear constructive, ValueAct is not interested in realizing long-term value creation, and instead is pursuing a narrow agenda to achieve a short-term payout .

Our entire Board, including the majority independent outside directors, stands behind our business plan. We thank you once again for your support and urge you to endorse our growth and transformation efforts by voting for the Company's slate of Board nominees.

Sincerely,

Seven & i Board of Directors

Note: For reference, Seven & i's April 25, 2023 letter to shareholders is available here, and its April 18, 2023 presentation on ValueAct's shareholder proposal is available here.

Media Contacts

Kekst CNC

Ruth Pachman / Nathan Riggs

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.
CHICAGO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the sexual lubricant market will grow at a CAGR of 8.74% during 2022-2028.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3792

Sexual Lubricant Market

Browse In-Depth TOC on the Sexual Lubricant Market

50 - Tables

116 - Charts

316  Pages

Sexual lubricants have a growing consumer base and increasing sales is boosting the market. In developed countries, most of the sales come from the retail network. However, the same is not valid in developing countries. Vendors must focus on social and digital media to promote their products. For instance, Durex Play and K-Y Jelly/lubricants by Reckitt Benckiser can be purchased through various online websites, such as Amazon.com, Wallsgreen.com, CVS.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com, Drugstore.com, Annsummers.com, and Lovehoney.com.

Furthermore, the company has its online store, Durex.com, for direct-to-consumer purchases. Durex has over 79 websites worldwide to sell its products in different countries. Other vendors have also promoted their products on social media. Arizton believes that promoting sexual lubricants online will complement the marketing of these products in the future by creating awareness about the product among end-users. Hence, this is expected to drive down the demand for sexual lubricants during the forecast period.

Sexual Lubricant Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 2.22 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 1.34 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 8.74 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Product, Gender, Distribution Method, and Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Fastest Market APAC Market Dynamics The Increasing Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction

A Surge in Demand from Baby Boomers

Easier Accessibility to Sexual Lubricants

Evolving Gender-Neutral Tone

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The global sexual wellness industry has long remained male-dominated and required a glance by vendors to refocus their growth strategies. Women have largely remained objectified in advertisements, campaigns, promotional gimmicks, and packaging strategies. Over the years, several women's groups have advocated for higher investments in and distribution of female sexual wellness products based on gender equality.

The global sexual wellness industry has witnessed significant growth in focus on women customers. Promoting the product remains a key to growth for any brand in the market, and the same applies to lubricants used by females. Some countries with a successful female sexual wellness product promotion history include Brazil, Papua New Guinea, India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, among others. The surge in online sales channels has further raised the stakes for vendors competing in the market. With enhanced and much-improvised ways of connecting and communicating with women customers today, vendors in the sexual lubricants market possess a key to growth.

The U.S. Sexual Lubricant to Create More than $722.52 Million by 2028

The US sexual lubricants market is highly competitive across the US. Online sales grow rapidly due to the convenience and privacy they offer. Many established brands launched direct-to-consumer channels, allowing them to establish stronger relationships with customers. The demand for sexual lubricants from online channels is rising across the US. The increased presence of online retailers, such as Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay, in developing countries would push for robust growth in the future.

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Purchasing sexual lubricants through e-commerce platforms assures safe and discreet delivery. This gives e-commerce platforms a competitive advantage over drug stores, retail chains, and grocery stores. Adult stores and specialty shops offer a wider range of products and cater to specific niches, such as bondage discipline, domination-submission, sadism, and & masochism (BDSM) or vegan-friendly lubricants. Drugstores and mass merchandisers, such as Walmart and CVS, also stock a range of sexual lubricants, often located in the family planning section. However, the distribution landscape of the US sexual lubricants market evolves and expands as the market continues to grow and cater to diverse consumer needs.

Market Trends & Opportunities

Growing Popularity of Private-Label Brands

Private label brands are products that retailers sell under their label rather than the original manufacturer's label. Introducing private label brands in the U.S. sexual lubricant market has allowed retailers to offer their customers a wider range of products at a competitive price. This has increased competition in the market and given consumers more options to choose from. Private label brands typically offer similar quality to established brands at a lower cost, making them a popular choice among cost-conscious consumers.

Nevertheless, private-label brands constitute a significant chunk of the market share in the U.S., with retail sales worth over USD 50 million (about 15% of the U.S. market share). Further, Trojan by Church & Dwight is the largest condom brand in the country. Although Trojan lubricants have not made significant progress in sales and acceptance among U.S. customers, brand awareness and a loyal Trojan condom user base are expected to fuel the growth of Trojan lubricants during the forecast period.

Increase in Festivals, Tradeshows, Expos

The U.S. sexual lubricant market has witnessed rising demand over the last couple of years due to increased festivals, trade shows, and expos related to sexual wellness. People in the U.S. are adopting enhanced and direct routes toward sexual wellness. With time, systematic efforts to relate sexual wellness with the daily routine are being emphasized. Brands are constantly striving to reduce the misconception created between obscenity and the sexual wellness of individuals. The increase in the number of brands catering to the needs of women as a part of sexual wellness is further pushing opportunities for growth in the future. Such factors paved the way for sexual wellness festivals, adult trade shows, and expos over the past few years.

At the beginning of 2023, one of the sexual wellnesses B2B trade shows, "STIMULATE," is starting in Nashville, US. The tradeshow is created to connect industry suppliers, retailers, online sellers, and vendors. The tradeshow will offer complimentary retail education to the attendees. Several brands will participate in the tradeshow with an opportunity to highlight their key innovative product offerings and explore a new method of reaching out to the audience. Institutional investors also watch such occasions to capitalize on suitable revenue-generating opportunities.

Key Company Profiles

LifeStyles

Church & Dwight

Karex Berhad

Reckitt Benckiser Group

BioFilm

Aytu BioPharma

BILLY BOY (MAPA)

Bodywise

CalExotics

CC Wellness

Cupid Limited

Elbow Grease

Empowered Products

Good Clean Love

Guy & O'Neill

Hathor Professional Skincare

HLL Lifecare Ltd

ID Lubricants

Japan Long-Tie ( China )

) Kaamastra

Live Well Brands

Lovehoney Group

M.D. Science Lab

Mayor Laboratories

Nulatex

PHE

PJUR Group

Ritex

SASMAR PHARMACEUTICALS

Sensuous Beauty

SHUNGA

Sliquid

The Yes Yes Company

Tenga

Trigg Laboratories

Thai Nippon Rubber Industry (TNR)

Topco Sales

Taiwan Fuji Latex

XR Brands

Market Segmentation

Product

Water-Based

Silicone-Based

Oil-Based

Hybrid

Gender

Male

Female

Distribution Channel

Offline

Online

Geography

North America

The US

Canada

APAC

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Singapore

New Zealand

Indonesia

Malaysia

Thailand

Europe

Germany

The UK

France

Italy

Russia

Spain

Poland

Sweden

Denmark

Norway

Latin America

Mexico

Brazil

Argentina

Peru

Chile

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia

The UAE

South Africa

Table of Content

1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

3 RESEARCH PROCESS

4 SCOPE & COVERAGE

4.1 MARKET DEFINITION

4.1.1 INCLUSIONS

4.1.2 EXCLUSIONS

4.1.3 MARKET ESTIMATION CAVEATS

4.2 BASE YEAR

4.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

4.3.1 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

4.3.2 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY GENDER

4.3.3 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

4.3.4 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY GEOGRAPHY

5 REPORT ASSUMPTIONS & CAVEATS

5.1 KEY CAVEATS

5.2 CURRENCY CONVERSION

5.3 MARKET DERIVATION

6 PREMIUM INSIGHTS

6.1 MARKET DEFINITION

6.2 REPORT OVERVIEW

6.3 RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT

6.4 BRANDING STRATEGIES

6.5 OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGE ANALYSIS

6.6 SEGMENT ANALYSIS

6.7 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

7 MARKET AT A GLANCE

8 INTRODUCTION

8.1 OVERVIEW

8.1.1 GOVERNMENT POLICIES & REGULATIONS

8.1.2 RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT

8.1.3 MANUFACTURERS

8.1.4 DISTRIBUTION LANDSCAPE

8.2 GLOBAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

8.3 MICRO & MACRO ECONOMIC FACTORS

8.4 KEY OBSERVATIONS

8.5 SWOT ANALYSIS

8.6 BRANDING STRATEGIES

8.7 ADVERTISING & MARKETING STRATEGIES

8.8 PROMOTIONAL STRATEGIES

8.9 PRICING ANALYSIS

8.10 VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

8.10.1 RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS

8.10.2 MANUFACTURERS

8.10.3 DISTRIBUTORS / DEALERS

8.10.4 RETAILERS

8.10.5 END-USERS

9 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES & TRENDS

9.1 INCREASING INFLUENCE OF INTERNET IN DRIVING PURCHASES

9.2 GROWING POPULARITY OF PRIVATE-LABEL BRANDS

9.3 RISING FOCUS ON PROMOTIONAL & MARKETING ACTIVITIES

9.4 INCREASING USE OF DATING APPS IN APAC

9.5 INCREASE IN FESTIVALS, EXPOS, AND TRADESHOWS

9.6 SHIFT TOWARD FEMALE-CENTRIC SEXUAL WELLNESS PRODUCTS

10 MARKET GROWTH ENABLERS

10.1 INCREASING PREVALENCE OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

10.2 SURGE IN DEMAND FROM BABY BOOMERS

10.3 EASIER ACCESSIBILITY TO SEXUAL LUBRICANTS

10.4 EVOLVING GENDER-NEUTRAL TONE

11 MARKET RESTRAINTS

11.1 STRINGENT REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

11.2 INCREASING CONCERNS OVER SIDE-EFFECTS

11.3 LACK OF AWARENESS AMONG CONSUMERS IN DEVELOPING REGIONS

11.4 LOW CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS IN POTENTIAL STARTUPS

12 MARKET LANDSCAPE

12.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.1.1 KEY INSIGHTS

12.1.2 DEMAND INSIGHTS

12.1.3 SUPPLY INSIGHTS

12.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.3 VENDOR ANALYSIS

12.4 DEMOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

12.5 CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR & AWARENESS

12.6 FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

12.6.1 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS

12.6.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS

12.6.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS

12.6.4 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY

12.6.5 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES

13 PRODUCT

13.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

13.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

13.3 WATER-BASED

13.3.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.3.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

13.4 SILICONE-BASED

13.4.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.4.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

13.5 OIL-BASED

13.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.5.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

13.6 HYBRID

13.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.6.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

14 GENDER

14.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

14.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

14.3 MALE

14.3.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

14.3.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

14.4 FEMALE

14.4.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

14.4.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

15 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

15.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

15.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

15.2.1 MANUFACTURER, PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION

15.2.2 DISTRIBUTION THROUGH RETAIL STORES

15.2.3 DISTRIBUTION THROUGH ONLINE WEBSITES

16 GEOGRAPHY

16.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

16.2 GEOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW

17 NORTH AMERICA

17.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

17.2 PEST ANALYSIS

17.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

17.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

17.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

17.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

17.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

17.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.5 PRODUCT

17.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.6 GENDER

17.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

17.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.8 KEY COUNTRIES

17.8.1 US: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.8.2 CANADA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18 APAC

18.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

18.2 PEST ANALYSIS

18.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

18.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

18.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

18.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

18.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

18.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.5 PRODUCT

18.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.6 GENDER

18.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

18.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8 KEY COUNTRIES

18.8.1 CHINA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.2 JAPAN: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.3 INDIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.4 SOUTH KOREA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.5 AUSTRALIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.6 SINGAPORE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.7 NEW ZEALAND: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.8 INDONESIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.9 MALAYSIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.10 THAILAND: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19 EUROPE

19.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

19.2 PEST ANALYSIS

19.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

19.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

19.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

19.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

19.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

19.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.5 PRODUCT

19.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.6 GENDER

19.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

19.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8 KEY COUNTRIES

19.8.1 UK: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.2 GERMANY: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.3 FRANCE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.4 ITALY: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.5 RUSSIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.6 SPAIN: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.7 POLAND: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.8 SWEDEN: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.9 DENMARK: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.10 NORWAY: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20 LATIN AMERICA

20.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

20.2 PEST ANALYSIS

20.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

20.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

20.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

20.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

20.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

20.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.5 PRODUCT

20.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.6 GENDER

20.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

20.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8 KEY COUNTRIES

20.8.1 BRAZIL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.2 MEXICO: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.3 ARGENTINA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.4 PERU: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.5 CHILE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

21.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

21.2 PEST ANALYSIS

21.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

21.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

21.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

21.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

21.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

21.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.5 PRODUCT

21.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.6 GENDER

21.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

21.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.8 KEY COUNTRIES

21.8.1 SAUDI ARABIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.8.2 UAE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.8.3 SOUTH AFRICA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

22 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

22.1 COMPETITION OVERVIEW

22.2 VENDORS RANKING

23 KEY COMPANY PROFILES

23.1 BIOFILM

23.1.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

23.1.2 BIOFILM IN GLOBAL SEXUAL LUBRICANTS MARKET

23.1.3 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

23.1.4 KEY STRATEGIES

23.1.5 KEY STRENGTHS

23.1.6 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

23.2 CHURCH & DWIGHT

23.2.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

23.2.2 BUSINESS SEGMENTS

23.2.3 CHURCH & DWIGHT IN GLOBAL SEXUAL LUBRICANTS MARKET

23.3 KAREX BERHAD

23.4 LIFESTYLES

23.5 RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP

24 OTHER PROMINENT VENDORS

24.1 AYTU BIOPHARMA

24.1.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

24.2 BILLY BOY (MAPA)

24.3 BODYWISE

24.4 CALEXOTICS

24.5 CC WELLNESS

24.6 CUPID LIMITED

24.7 ELBOW GREASE

24.8 EMPOWERED PRODUCTS

24.9 GOOD CLEAN LOVE

24.1 GUY & O'NEILL

24.11 HATHOR PROFESSIONAL SKINCARE

24.12 HLL LIFECARE LIMITED

24.13 ID LUBRICANTS

24.14 JAPAN LONG-TIE (CHINA)

24.15 KAAMASTRA

24.16 LIVE WELL BRANDS

24.17 LOVEHONEY GROUP

24.18 MAYER LABORATORIES

24.19 M. D. SCIENCE LAB

24.2 NULATEX

24.21 PHE

24.22 PJUR GROUP

24.23 RITEX

24.24 SASMAR PHARMACEUTICALS

24.25 SENSUOUS BEAUTY

24.26 SHUNGA

24.27 SLIQUID

24.28 TAIWAN FUJI LATEX

24.29 THE YES YES COMPANY

24.3 TENGA

24.31 TRIGG LABORATORIES

24.32 THAI NIPPON RUBBER INDUSTRY

24.33 TOPCO SALES

24.34 XR BRANDS

25 REPORT SUMMARY

25.1 KEY TAKEAWAYS

25.2 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

26 QUANTITATIVE SUMMARY

26.1 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

26.2 MARKET BY PRODUCT

26.3 MARKET BY GENDER

26.4 MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

26.5 NORTH AMERICA

26.5.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.5.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.5.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.6 APAC

26.6.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.6.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.6.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.7 EUROPE

26.7.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.7.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.7.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.8 LATIN AMERICA

26.8.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.8.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.8.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.9 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

26.9.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.9.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.9.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

27 APPENDIX

27.1 ABBREVIATIONS

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
CATANIA, Italy, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SIFI, a leading pharmaceutical company in the development of innovative solutions for the treatment of eye diseases, presented a series of scientific posters regarding preclinical and clinical research on its innovative product pipeline, during the ARVO annual meeting in New Orleans.

Presentations included results from preclinical and clinical studies on XanterDES, a novel lubricating ophthalmic solution, intended to alleviate ocular discomfort in dry eye patients.

"Dry eye still represents a challenge, afflicting millions of people worldwide. SIFI is fully committed to finding innovative solutions towards treating and managing this disease." stated Maria Cristina Curatolo, SIFI Innovation and Medical Science Director. "XanterDES represents an important innovation in treating dry eye due to its unique formulation and we are pleased to have presented preclinical and clinical posters on this novel eye drop."

Following is a list of titles and authors:

XanterDES "New eyedrops formulation based on desonide and xanthan gum: preclinical studies" (Zappulla C., La Rosa L.R., De Pasquale G., Santonocito M., Spina D., Abbate I., Curatolo M.C., Mazzone M.G., Viola S.)

Presentation Number - Posterboard Number: 672 - B0343

Session Title: Dry eye

XanterDES "Multicentric clinical investigation on the use of preservative-free single-dose ophthalmic solution based on 0.2% xanthan gum and 0.025% desonide sodium phosphate in the treatment of ocular discomfort in patients with dry eye" (Giannaccare G., Gagliano C., Civiale C., Aragona P.)

Presentation Number - Posterboard Number: 3957 - B0274

Session Title: Dry eye (clinical)

XanterDES "Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Ophthalmic Solution Containing 0.2% Xanthan Gum and 0.025% Desonide Sodium Phosphate for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease" (Rossi C., Bifezzi L., Carnovale Scalzo G., Scorcia V., Giannaccare G.)

Session Title: Dry eye (clinical)

XanterDES is a lubricating ophthalmic solution, intended to relieve discomfort and eye irritation due to environmental factors such as dust, heat, smoke, wind, air conditioning and allergens and is part of SIFI's well-known dry eye disease therapeutic portfolio. XanterDES is already available in Italy and in Romania and will be soon available in other markets as well.

SIFI is a leading international ophthalmic company, headquartered in Italy, focusing on eye care since 1935. SIFI develops, manufactures, and markets innovative therapeutic solutions for patients with ophthalmic conditions. SIFI is fully committed through its R&D to improving the quality of life of patients, exporting treatments to more than 40 countries worldwide with a direct presence in Italy, Spain, France, Romania, Mexico, and Turkey.

Contact: [email protected], +39 3336999669

SOURCE SIFI S.p.A.
TSX: SIL | NYSE American: SILV

VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - SilverCrest Metals Inc. ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") announces that it will release its financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2023 on Thursday, May 11, 2023 after market close. On Friday, May 12, 2023 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time (8 a.m. Pacific Time) SilverCrest will hold a conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results.

Conference Call and Webcast

Conference Call Dial-In Numbers:

Toronto: +1-416-764-8624

North America Toll Free: 1-888-259-6580

Conference ID: 36026049

Webcast:

https://silvercrestmetals.com/investors/events/

ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC.

SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals producer headquartered in Vancouver, BC, with an ongoing initiative to increase its asset base by expanding current resources and reserves, acquiring, discovering and developing high value precious metals projects and ultimately operating multiple silver-gold mines in the Americas. The Company's principal focus is operating its Las Chispas Mine in Sonora, Mexico. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production.

N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng

Chief Executive Officer

SilverCrest Metals Inc.

SOURCE SilverCrest Metals Inc.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge Assessment International Education, part of the University of Cambridge and the world's largest provider of international education programs, today announced that six students from the US have received the highest marks in the world for their performance on Cambridge exams in the June 2022 series.

Students across the country performed exceptionally well in the June 2022 Cambridge exams, including several Top in the World results from students in Arizona, North Carolina and Washington across subjects like English Language, Media Studies, Spanish Literature, Global Perspectives & Research, and Environmental Management. Further, over 4,000 more students from the United States will be recognized for their exceptional achievement on Cambridge examinations.

Each year, nearly 1 million students participate in Cambridge International programs worldwide, making more than 1.75 million exam entries. Over the past two years, the number of U.S. students participating in the Cambridge program has increased by 15-16% annually. The largest growth has occurred at the high school level where the number of schools offering Cambridge International AS and A Level exams has grown by 220%. Many colleges and universities across the US give credit for Cambridge exams. Cambridge Advanced has also been found to prepare students well for higher education.

Mark Cavone, Cambridge International Regional Director, North America said: "It is a great pleasure to honor students and teachers across the U.S. for their phenomenal work in Cambridge courses and examinations. These results are a testament to the impressive talent of students and teachers across the country and it is a delight to celebrate their success. I speak for all of us at Cambridge International as I wish them every success in the coming year."

The Cambridge International program for K-12, first introduced in the US in 1995, has grown rapidly in popularity, partnering with schools across the U.S. Demand for Cambridge International across schools and districts in the country has been driven by the program's alignment to state and local equity priorities. The program offers routes for learners with a wide range of abilities  including those whose first language is not English  so that every learner has the opportunity to succeed.

The Cambridge Pathway for K-12 brings together a globally recognized instructional approach that aligns curriculum, teaching, and learning with meaningful assessments that measure mastery. Alongside in-depth understanding of a variety of subjects, students master a broader range of critical skills that will equip them for a world that is changing, both technologically and economically, at an unprecedented pace. The curriculum is designed to develop learners who are confident in working with information and ideas, equipped for new and future challenges, and engaged intellectually and socially.

More than 900 U.S. colleges and universities recognize the Cambridge program, including all members of the Ivy League, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Duke University, New York University, and University of Virginia. Further public institutions in the following states give college credit for qualifying grades on the Cambridge exams: AZ, FL, KS, KY, IN, MD, MS, NC, PA, SC, VA, and WA. Outside the U.S., Cambridge programs are offered at more than 10,000 schools in over 160 countries.

About Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of the University of Cambridge.

Our Cambridge Pathway gives students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. Schools can shape its curriculum around how they want students to learn  with a wide range of subjects and flexible ways to offer them. It helps students discover new abilities and a wider world, and gives them the transferable skills they need for life, so they can achieve at school, university, and work.

Cambridge International is the short name for Cambridge Assessment International Education.

Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org

SOURCE Cambridge International
NEW YORK, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the smart shoes market and it is poised to grow by USD 549.45 million from 2022 to 2027, progressing at a CAGR of 21.7% during the forecast period. The growth of the market will be driven by increasing product innovation leads to increasing premiumization, growing awareness of healthy lifestyles and smart fitness products, and increased adoption in medical applications. Download a Sample Report!

Smart shoes market Vendor Analysis:

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Smart Shoes Market 2023-2027

The global smart shoes market is subject to rapidly changing industry demands and preferences. Changing consumer consumption patterns may affect vendor performance in the global smart shoe market. It may also be affected by global and regional economic conditions and other demographic trends.

Technavio has extensively analyzed 15 major vendors, including Adidas AG, Alegria Shoes, ASICS Corp., Digitsole, Ducere Technologies Inc., ELTEN GmbH, FeetMe, Groupe Artemis, Li Ning Co. Ltd., Nike Inc., Powerlace Technology Inc., ReTiSense Inc., SALTED Co. Ltd., Sensoria Inc., Sole PowerTech, Under Armour Inc., UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH and Co. KG, Vivobarefoot Ltd., W. L. Gore and Associates Inc., and Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd.

Get a holistic overview of the endoscopic closure devices market by industry experts to evaluate and develop growth strategies. Download the Sample

Vendor Offerings -

Adidas AG - The company offers smart shoes called as Smart Ride 1.

The company offers smart shoes called as Smart Ride 1. Alegria Shoes - The company offers smart shoes under the brand name of TRAQ.

The company offers smart shoes under the brand name of TRAQ. Digitsole - The company offers smart shoes solutions such as Podosmart.

Charts & data tables about market and segment sizes for a historic period (2017-2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) have been covered in this report. Download The Sample Report

Key Benefits for Industry Players & Stakeholders 

The report offers information on the criticality of vendor inputs, including R&D, CAPEX, and technology.

It also provides detailed analyses of the market's competitive landscape and vendors' product offerings.

The report also provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Get requisite details for further business expansion, ask for a custom report.

Market Segmentation:

This smart shoes market report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (offline and online), end-user (adults, senior citizens, users with disability, and kids), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market share growth by the offline segment will be significant for overall market growth during the forecast period. Brick-and-mortar stores that sell goods in person are a part of the offline distribution channel. Different brands of smart shoes are offered in specialty stores and multi-branded stores and brand-specific stores are the two major categories of specialty stores. Because of their wide selection of goods, customers tend to favor such stores. Hence, offline distribution channel is expected to witness considrable growth, during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics:

Key DRIVERS:

The increased adoption of smart shoes in medical applications is a major driver for the smart shoes market during the forecast period.

Smart wearables have recently experienced a surge in popularity among patients with illnesses. The patients who require external help to perform their day-to-day activities are increasingly using these products.

They include patients with weak bone density, such as elderly people who can trip over a small obstruction, and Alzheimer's patients who need ongoing care.

But due to their hectic schedules, it is challenging to monitor the activities of these patients. This results in people being forced to use technology to help them.

Moreover, companies that sell smart fitness equipment, like smart shoes, are constantly working to create products that can effectively carry out these functions.

Hence, such factors drive the market growth during the forecast period.

Major Trends:

Strategic partnerships are an emerging trend in the smart shoes market during the forecast period.

To create smart shoes with features other than those that are currently popular in the market, vendors in the global market are forming strategic alliances with tech giants.

In order to advance innovation and the release of smart shoes with a variety of features, smart shoe vendors and various tech giants entered into a number of strategic partnerships in 2021. This is due to the introduction of such cutting-edge features.

The market is witnessing strategic partnerships between smart shoe manufacturers and companies in other sectors, such as technology and personal care.

This will boost innovation and lead to the introduction of more standout products.

Hence, such trends fuel the market growth during the forecast period.

Key Challenges:

Low penetration in developing countries is a major challenge hindering the growth of the smart shoes market during the forecast period.

Smart shoes are not widely used in developing nations like India , Singapore , China , Indonesia , and the Philippines .

, , , , and . This is majorly due to consumers in developing nations are not aware of the advantages that are associated with wearing smart shoes.

Moreover, these smart shoes' average selling price, which ranges from USD 100 to USD 500 , is extremely high and prevents their widespread use in these nations.

to , is extremely high and prevents their widespread use in these nations. Hence, such challenges may impede the market growth of smart shoes during the forecast period.

To get a comprehensive analysis of the inclusions and exclusions, buy the report

What are the key data covered in this Smart Shoes Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the smart shoes market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the smart shoes 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 smart shoes market across North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , APAC, , 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 the smart shoes market vendors

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Related Reports:

The shoe care products market size is expected to increase by USD 580.19 million from 2021 to 2026 at a CAGR of 2.37%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers shoe care products market segmentation by distribution channel (offline and online) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). One of the key factors driving the global shoe care products market growth is the product innovation and product line extension leading to product premiumization.

The electric shoe polisher market size is expected to increase to USD 36.68 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.61%. The report extensively covers electric shoe polisher market segmentations by distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The rising adoption at offices, hotels, and airports is notably driving the electric shoe polisher market growth.

Smart Shoes Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 21.7% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 549.45 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 20.16 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 40% Key countries US, China, UK, France, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Adidas AG, Alegria Shoes, ASICS Corp., Digitsole, Ducere Technologies Inc., ELTEN GmbH, FeetMe, Groupe Artemis, Li Ning Co. Ltd., Nike Inc., Powerlace Technology Inc., ReTiSense Inc., SALTED Co. Ltd., Sensoria Inc., Sole PowerTech, Under Armour Inc., UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH and Co. KG, Vivobarefoot Ltd., W. L. Gore and Associates Inc., and Xiaomi Communications 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, 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 Consumer Discretionary Market Reports

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



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 smart shoes market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global smart shoes market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Distribution channel 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 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 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ 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 Adults - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 48: Chart on Adults - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Adults - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 50: Chart on Adults - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Adults - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Senior citizens - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 52: Chart on Senior citizens - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Senior citizens - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 54: Chart on Senior citizens - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Senior citizens - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Users with disability - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 56: Chart on Users with disability - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Users with disability - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 58: Chart on Users with disability - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Users with disability - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Kids - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 60: Chart on Kids - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Kids - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 62: Chart on Kids - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Kids - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.7 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 64: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 66: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 67: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 69: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 70: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 74: 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 75: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 77: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 81: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 82: 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 83: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 86: 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 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 95: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 96: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

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 (%)

9.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 105: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 109: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 110: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 111: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)



Exhibit 112: 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 113: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 114: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 115: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 116: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 117: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 118: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Adidas AG

Exhibit 119: Adidas AG - Overview



Exhibit 120: Adidas AG - Business segments



Exhibit 121: Adidas AG - Key news



Exhibit 122: Adidas AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Adidas AG - Segment focus

12.4 Alegria Shoes

Exhibit 124: Alegria Shoes - Overview



Exhibit 125: Alegria Shoes - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Alegria Shoes - Key offerings

12.5 Digitsole

Exhibit 127: Digitsole - Overview



Exhibit 128: Digitsole - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: Digitsole - Key offerings

12.6 Ducere Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 130: Ducere Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 131: Ducere Technologies Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: Ducere Technologies Inc. - Key offerings

12.7 FeetMe

Exhibit 133: FeetMe - Overview



Exhibit 134: FeetMe - Product / Service



Exhibit 135: FeetMe - Key offerings

12.8 Groupe Artemis

Exhibit 136: Groupe Artemis - Overview



Exhibit 137: Groupe Artemis - Product / Service



Exhibit 138: Groupe Artemis - Key offerings

12.9 Nike Inc.

Exhibit 139: Nike Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 140: Nike Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 141: Nike Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 142: Nike Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 143: Nike Inc. - Segment focus

12.10 Powerlace Technology Inc.

Exhibit 144: Powerlace Technology Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 145: Powerlace Technology Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 146: Powerlace Technology Inc. - Key offerings

12.11 ReTiSense Inc.

Exhibit 147: ReTiSense Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 148: ReTiSense Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 149: ReTiSense Inc. - Key offerings

12.12 SALTED Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 150: SALTED Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 151: SALTED Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 152: SALTED Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.13 Sole PowerTech

PowerTech Exhibit 153: Sole PowerTech - Overview



Exhibit 154: Sole PowerTech - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: Sole PowerTech - Key offerings

12.14 Under Armour Inc.

Exhibit 156: Under Armour Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 157: Under Armour Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 158: Under Armour Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 159: Under Armour Inc. - Segment focus

12.15 UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH and Co. KG

Exhibit 160: UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH and Co. KG - Overview



Exhibit 161: UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH and Co. KG - Product / Service



Exhibit 162: UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH and Co. KG - Key offerings

12.16 Vivobarefoot Ltd.

Exhibit 163: Vivobarefoot Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 164: Vivobarefoot Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 165: Vivobarefoot Ltd. - Key offerings

12.17 Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 166: Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 167: Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 168: Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 169: Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 170: Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 171: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 172: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 173: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 174: Research methodology



Exhibit 175: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 176: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 177: 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.

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Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the Rapid Support Forces seem ready to return to the negotiating table to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Sudan, writes Asmaa El-Husseini

Three weeks of war and destruction have not been enough to settle the current conflict in Sudan militarily. Yet, neither side  the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)  appears ready to embrace a peaceful solution to the conflict and accept the invitations by regional and international parities to come to the negotiating table.

The longer the crisis continues, the greater its disastrous repercussions in Sudan and abroad. Fighting has broken out in Darfur and has already claimed 100 dead in the town of Al-Janeina alone, adding to the more than 500 dead and thousands of wounded so far.

This is not to mention the more than 10,000 displaced persons and refugees and the widespread destruction due to the use of heavy weapons, war planes, tanks and various types of missiles in and around Khartoum and other cities across the country.

Millions of Sudanese lack the minimum necessities for life and are unable to access food, water, and medicine. Most hospitals are overwhelmed, and the electricity has been cut off in several areas.

Tens of thousands of refugees are fleeing the country to neighbouring countries such as Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Egypt has been the primary destination for many who have managed to flee amidst the chaos enveloping large tracts of the country.

Once across the border, these refugees have had to gird themselves to pick up their lives again as they struggle to absorb the shock of what is happening to their country and to others left behind.

There have been suspicions about the involvement of other parties in the conflict. Reports last week said that Ahmed Haroun, minister of state under former Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir, had been released from prison in Khartoum, along with several other officials from the former regime.

Haroun, one of several Sudanese men wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, has announced that he supports the SAF, sparking fears that Islamists from the old regime are plotting to return to power in Sudan.

Soon after the conflict erupted on 15 April, fingers pointed to the Islamists, accusing them of fuelling the tensions between the commanders of the SAF and RSF who were on the threshold of finalising a new political agreement before the fighting broke out.

The agreement threatened the Islamists interests as it calls for the disempowerment of the deposed Al-Bashir regime. RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) had stipulated that the SAF had to be purged of Islamist officers before the RSF was integrated into it.

Hardliners on both sides are refusing to respond seriously to regional and international appeals for calm and offers to mediate, believing that such initiatives will hamper their aims of crushing their adversary and eliminating it from the political scene.

In the opinion of many observers, the belligerents formal welcome of ceasefires and offers to mediate is meant to improve their image abroad. As the ceasefire frays, they hasten to blame the other for being the first to break it.

There have been many attempts at mediation, but none have solidified into a clear framework, and the complexities of the situation in Sudan and the many stakeholders are hampering international and regional efforts.

The rush of the international and regional powers to evacuate their citizens from Sudan also sent the ominous message to the Sudanese people that the crisis in the country will drag on and that the international community is not prepared to take the necessary steps to save this large Arab and African country from a worsening catastrophe.

Many regional and international powers could put pressure either on one or both of the main belligerents, and more pressure could go a long way towards halting the escalatory dynamics and preventing any spill-over into neighbouring countries and other parts of the Arab world and Africa.

A US-Saudi initiative has taken the form of an appeal for a humanitarian truce. Another has come from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which was about to send three heads of its member states (South Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya) to Khartoum when the conflict started. South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has announced that he has invited the two sides to send representatives to Juba for talks. Among other offers to mediate, one has come from Israel and another from the Russian Wagner Group.

The longer the conflict lasts, the greater the risks that regional and international players will get involved, with Sudan witnessing the intersection of competing interests, alliances, and tensions between the regional and international powers. Fears of outside meddling have been compounded by worries of how this could affect Sudans neighbours, which are contending with their own problems.

There is little to prevent the troubles from spreading from Sudan to Libya, Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, given porous borders, demographic overlaps and tribal links, and other ties that could easily be invoked to call for help from across the border.

Many tribal militias, extremist groups, and armed organised crime gangs thrive in the border regions in the Sahel where the arm of central government is weak. Such conditions pose a major threat to Sudan as well as other states in the Horn of Africa, the Nile Basin up to the African Great Lakes, across the Red Sea into the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, and North Africa.

Sudanese voices are crying out for an end to the hostilities and a return to the democratic transition. A large civilian front opposing the conflict has come together, consisting of political parties, trade unions, resistance committees and other civil society organisations, as well as public figures.

Muezz Hadra, a lawyer and one of the fronts founders, told Al-Ahram Weekly that its participants would use whatever means are available to them to bring an end to the conflict and restore democracy in Sudan. This would include peaceful protests and demonstrations calling for an end to the conflict, as well as drives to help bring humanitarian relief to areas without medical services, access to clean water, and other urgent needs.

Were trying to bring the transition to civil and democratic governance back on track and to completely end the involvement of the military establishment in politics and the economy, Hadra said.

The front is promoting security and military reform under the auspices of a democratic and civilian-led transitional authority to create a unified and professional army. It is fighting the plans of the former regime to derail the democratisation process and return to power and is simultaneously fighting extremist propaganda and hate speech and working to counter all types of discourse that foster bias and partisanship along ethnic, tribal, regional and religious lines.

Hadra said that the front opposes all forms of foreign intervention, apart from international efforts to provide humanitarian relief and stop the fighting, to prevent the return of the Islamists to power, and to bring a just and comprehensive peace.

The front is trying to contain the disastrous impacts of the war, said Abdel-Baki Jabara, a journalist and front cofounder. It is the product of an enlightened group of patriotic groups and individuals whose primary aim is to unite Sudanese public opinion and to use their available resources in the media or personal contacts with local and international organisations to rally support behind a basic aim, which is to stop this war and build internal cohesion towards the realisation of the lofty goals of the Sudanese Revolution after it ends, he said.

He added that the front, still in the process of formation, needs more time to become effective. All our actions in the meantime will be through the media and will aim at broadcasting the voice of the Sudanese people who are opposed to his war and support intervention to stop the daily humanitarian disaster, Jabara said.

Representatives from Sudanese political parties, social forces, and militia movements have also raced to stop the fighting and offer to mediate. Governor of the Darfur region Minni Arko Minawi told the Weekly that he and other Sudanese leaders were in contact with both sides within the framework of intensive efforts to restore calm and promote a ceasefire.

He said that the mediation drive included political and social forces that supported the earlier Framework Agreement and others that opposed it. This is because the nation and its future are now at stake. This is bigger than internal Sudanese disputes, he said.

He said that he would work with all Sudanese to resolve a crisis that has afflicted the whole country and that he would contact all regional and international parties to urge them to help stop the conflict and bring the disputants back to dialogue.

He said that the situation had calmed down a little since the last ceasefire and that there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. However, the humanitarian crisis continues to be grave. The fighting has to stop, and both sides have to commit to the ceasefire in order to save peoples lives, preserve the unity of Sudan, safeguard the dignity of the Sudanese people, evacuate stranded families and deliver humanitarian aid, Minawi said.

Asked whether some Sudanese militia movements could get involved in the conflict, Minawi, also the leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), said that what I can say for sure is that our movement [the SLM] will not intervene. We are impartial and do not favour either side. We remain committed to the Juba Peace Agreement and a comprehensive ceasefire.

But he said he could not speak for other militia movements, some of which include members of the warring parties. All I can say is that the situation is extremely difficult and precarious, he said, adding that in Darfur the situation is very dangerous, even if it is better than the situation in Khartoum.

This is the type of climate that invites interventions. I have long cautioned against the dangers of circumstances like these. Anything could happen if the crisis continues. Even if it doesnt escalate into a civil war, the conflict could drag on. However, there can be no military solution to the war, he said.

These Islamists never went far away to begin with, Minawi said when asked whether they could return to power. They were always around after the fall of the regime in the Sudanese Revolution in 2019. What is new is that they have now come out into the open. I think they are one of the factors that triggered this conflict, but not all of them.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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The additional funding supports Sourcepass' strategic objectives, including the acquisition of Proxios which expands their physical presence in the mid-Atlantic states, while broadening their client base in the healthcare, legal, and non-profit sectors.

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sourcepass, an industry-leading IT Services and Cybersecurity provider, recently raised an additional $65 million in funding, bringing their total funding to $135 million. This significant investment will be used to further advance their groundbreaking strategic initiatives. Among their top drives for 2023 is the launch of Quest, an innovative consumption platform powered by AI, designed as a total digital transformation for their clients. Additionally, Sourcepass plans to continue their expansion with a series of strategic acquisitions throughout the year, aimed at increasing their vertical markets and bolstering their portfolio of services and talent resources. With their unwavering commitment to the client experience, Sourcepass is poised to disrupt the industry and solidify their position as a leading provider of IT services and cybersecurity solutions in North America.

Sourcepass has raised funds through institutional capital sources and angel investments from accomplished entrepreneurs in the IT and cyber security industries. Metropolitan Partners Group, a private investment firm based in NYC, has been a key player in Sourcepass' past two funding cycles. With a mission to provide growth capital for their portfolio companies to build lasting value and growth, Metropolitan has invested over $2 billion across more than 150 investments to date. Richard Lin, Managing Director at Metropolitan Partners Group, said "We are pleased to continue supporting the Sourcepass team. Their customer centric approach and innovative solutions to the unique IT challenges of small and medium sized businesses position it for robust success. Their forward-thinking vision and a dedication to becoming agile operators and entrepreneurs make them a team we are excited to stand behind."

"We are doubling down on our investments in our clients," said Chuck Canton, CEO and Founder of Sourcepass. "Our progress as a company starts with delivering an experience that clients love, is supported by continued investments in our team, and accelerated by selectively adding integration partners that help to multiply our efforts."

Sourcepass is thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of Proxios, a leading Virginia-based technology and solution provider, which marks their seventh acquisition within the last twelve months. This acquisition represents a significant milestone in Sourcepass' growth strategy, enabling them to expand their physical presence in the mid-Atlantic states while deepening their portfolio of clients in the healthcare, legal, and non-profit sectors. The addition of over fifty talented and experienced employees further strengthens the Sourcepass cloud and network management service bench.

"After many conversations, it became evident that there was a strong value alignment between our two organizations," said Chuck Canton. "In Proxios, we found a partner who further enhances our capabilities and is as committed to providing a high-quality experience to clients as Sourcepass."

"In addition to many shared values, there were some exciting complementary service offerings between Sourcepass and Proxios," said Patrick Butler, CEO of Proxios. "Our clients will now have significantly more resources to leverage and a broader set of services from which to choose. Given these benefits, we knew joining Sourcepass was in the best interests of both our employees and clients."

Sourcepass' M&A strategy and execution mechanism is a key differentiator that sets them apart from their competitors. Their mission is to deliver an exceptional integration experience, guided by their overarching "service quality rules all" approach. Sourcepass places a strong emphasis on communication and strategic timing to ensure the success of their integration process. The goal is to improve the experience for the acquired company's clients and employees while creating an opportunity for Sourcepass to enhance their own operations.

What makes the Sourcepass approach truly unique is their custom-designed integration plan, tailored to meet the specific needs of the acquisition and its clients. The success of Sourcepass' integration methods is evidenced by the positive feedback they have received from their clients.

"Our relationship with Sourcepass began when our IT service provider was integrated into Sourcepass" said Benjamin Wax, Vice President of Finance and Operations at 18 Degrees in Pittsfield, MA "Sourcepass began providing our Agency with quarterly technology reviews and we have bi-weekly calls where Sourcepass addresses our current IT needs. As a result of this communication, they have provided invaluable reports that we are using for our upcoming budgets, both from a capital and operating perspective."

Sourcepass is rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing IT and cybersecurity organizations in the nation, with a team of over five hundred highly skilled employees. They are focused on expanding their presence in the Southern and Western regions of the US, through a number of strategic acquisitions. With a commitment to client experience and innovation, Sourcepass is well-positioned to continue its rapid growth trajectory. In addition to their growth strategy, they are dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture, which has contributed to their success thus far. As they continue to expand, Sourcepass remains committed to providing cutting-edge solutions to their clients and disruption of the stale IT services industry.

About Sourcepass

Sourcepass is positively disrupting the way businesses consume IT, putting you in control of your digital universe so you have the power to transform your business. For more information on how Sourcepass is revolutionizing the IT space through M&A and innovative client service delivery, please visit www.sourcepass.com.

SOURCE Sourcepass, Inc.
BOSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- South Watch, LLC ("South Watch" or the "The Company"), a provider of comprehensive outsourced fund administration services, today announced a strategic investment by Everlane Equity Partners ("Everlane"), a Boston-based private equity firm focused on partnerships with growing service companies.

Headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, South Watch currently oversees 50+ funds and $3 billion in assets. The Company provides full third-party fund administration and middle-office services, including fund setup, accounting, tax preparation and operational support to alternative asset managers nationwide. Fund managers working with South Watch receive the custom, high-touch service they would aim to achieve with an in-house team, while avoiding the costs and difficulties of building and managing a team of experts internally.

"Today's announcement enables South Watch to strengthen our market position and orients us for significant long-term growth. With Everlane as a strategic and financial partner, we are well positioned for the next phase of growth," said Paul Timmins, Founder and Co-Managing Partner of South Watch. Kirby Richards, Co-Managing Partner added, "The partnership with Everlane feels like a natural fit as their team shares our core values of best-in-class service paired with a genuine commitment to customer success." Their third Partner, David Loescher, further commented, "This investment demonstrates our commitment to scaling our business and continuing to build out additional services to benefit our clients." The Company will continue to be led by Timmins, Richards, and Loescher and clients will enjoy the same outstanding service they've come to know.

"We are pleased to announce our partnership with the South Watch team," said Evan Horton, Managing Partner at Everlane. "This is an opportunity for us to back proven leaders with a track-record of success in the fund administration space. As second-time founders, they possess a clear vision for the future of the company  one that we're excited to support to fruition." Harry Banks, Operating Partner at Everlane commented on what attracted the team to a strategy in outsourced fund administration saying, "strong tailwinds in the larger industry, in addition to increasing scrutiny from both regulators and investors, has driven a need for outsourced support in these areas that are essential to the success of funds but ultimately distract managers from focusing on investment strategy and fundraising." Daniel Vetrano, Principal at Everlane emphasized, "South Watch represents a scalable model that delivers tremendous knowledge and value to their clients and will serve as a strong foundation for the future growth of this platform. We are optimistic about the opportunity for inorganic growth through the addition of ancillary services that will ultimately streamline operations and provide value to fund managers and their investors."

About South Watch

Since its founding in 2016, South Watch has built a reputation for white glove service, transparent and client-focused communications, and expertise in hedge fund administration. South Watch uses cutting-edge technology to augment an array of services which includes fund administration, tax preparation, and outsourced CFO services. For more information, please visit www.southwatchllc.com.

About Everlane Equity Partners

Everlane Equity Partners is a Boston-based private capital provider focused on equity investments in high quality companies that are well-positioned for future growth. Everlane uses its fully committed capital base and experience investing in small capitalization and middle market companies to accelerate value creation alongside management teams that have meaningful go-forward financial participation in their businesses. Everlane is flexible in its approach, structuring both majority and minority partnerships across services industries such as business, financial, healthcare, industrial, and Information Technology. For more information, please visit www.everlaneequity.com.

SOURCE Everlane Equity Partners I, LP
CHICAGO, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Owners of historic buildings in Southern Illinois commercial areas are encouraged to apply for funding through the Landmarks Illinois Banterra Bank Preserve Southern Illinois Grant Program. Grant applications for the next round of funding through the program are due July 1 and can be submitted online.

Landmarks Illinois and Banterra Bank representatives will present Jamie and Shannon Green with their grant check on Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m. in front of their commercial building at 1330 Walnut St. in Murphysboro. The Greens are restoring the historic property with funding from the Landmarks Illinois Banterra Bank Preserve Southern Illinois Grant Program.

The grant program provides monetary assistance to commercial property owners, nonprofit organizations or governmental bodies working to preserve or rehabilitate historic structures in downtowns and other commercial corridors of Southern Illinois to support economic development. Projects should be located in the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development Southern Region, which contains the Illinois counties of Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson.

Grants through the program are awarded on a matching basis and range from $500 to $2,500, each based on project need. Visit our website to learn more about the grant program, to read detailed grant guidelines and to submit an application.

Past grant recipients & upcoming check presentation events

Since launching in 2022, the Landmarks Illinois Banterra Bank Preserve Southern Illinois Grant Program has helped fund preservation projects in Elizabethtown, Golconda, Murphysboro and Sesser.

Representatives from Landmarks Illinois and Banterra Bank will be in Murphysboro and Golconda Friday, May 5 for grant check presentation events. Jamie and Shannon Green, owners of a commercial property at 1330 Walnut St. in Murphysboro, will be presented with their check at 1 pm at their historic building, which is home to local businesses White House Salon and Yoga on the Block.

Anthony and Beth Eckert, who own the Riverview Mansion Hotel in Golconda, will be presented with their check at 3:30 p.m. at their historic property, an 1894 Victorian-style home that was converted into a hotel in the 1920s.

Members of the public and press are welcome to attend the grant check presentations. Learn more about past grant recipients at our website here.

About Banterra Bank

Banterra Bank began as a single bank in Ridgway, Illinois in July of 1975. Today, Banterra has $3 billion in assets and is ranked in the Top Ten Percent of U.S. Charter Banks and Top Five Percent for Illinois Charter Banks by asset size. Banterra has more than 40 locations in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Utah, as well as a specialty lending division that serves customers nationwide. For more information, call 866-BANTERRA (226-8377) or go to www.banterra.bank.

About Landmarks Illinois

We are People Saving Places for People. Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based historic preservation nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. We inspire and empower stakeholders to save places that matter to them by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships. For more information, visit www.Landmarks.org.

Media Contact:

Kaitlyn McAvoy

Director of Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Landmarks Illinois
Stock Market Symbols

GIB (NYSE)

GIB.A (TSX)

www.cgi.com/newsroom

State continues 25-year collaboration with CGI, opts for technology platform designed for unique needs of state and local governments

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) today announced the award of a contract by the State of Iowa to modernize the state's financial management systems using CGI Advantage, a cloud-based solution that integrates financial and performance data, automates budget collection, and captures system performance metrics in a unified platform.

In her announcement of the award, Governor Kim Reynolds said the selection of CGI for the initiative would "ensure the state has the right tools to support our operations, save money over the long term, and improve service to Iowans."

The contract builds on a 25-year collaboration between CGI and the State of Iowa for financial management and enterprise resource planning (ERP), during which CGI has provided a cost-effective, industry-leading ERP solution that has evolved to meet the State's requirements.

CGI Advantage is a built-for-government software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that provides a mobile-first, intuitive and responsive user experience. Hosted on the CGI Advantage Cloud, the platform provides an adaptive role-based experience that will meet the state's complex public-sector requirements and provide greater ease of configuration helping drive increased efficiency and effectiveness.

"CGI's Advantage ERP solution reflects best practices from four decades of experience in implementing enterprise-level, mission-critical systems supporting thousands of public sector users," said John Manta, Senior Vice-President of CGI's U.S. Midwest operations. "Iowa will benefit from a solution that is designed specifically for state and local governments and provides a unified platform with the flexibility to meet the unique needs of the state's leaders, government professionals and citizens."

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 91,000 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2022 reported revenue is $12.87 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

SOURCE CGI Inc.
CHICAGO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Storyhorse was named a Gold Winner in the 2023 Hermes Creative Awards competition in the Strategic Campaigns category announced yesterday.

The Hermes Creative Awards is an international awards competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional and emerging media. Hermes Creative Awards recognizes outstanding work in the industry while promoting the philanthropic nature of marketing and communication professionals.

HERMES CREATIVE AWARDS ANNOUNCES WINNERS FOR 2023

Winners were selected from over 6,000 entries across 200 categories grouped under advertising, publications, marketing/branding, integrated marketing, public relations/communications, electronic media and pro bono. Storyhorse was nominated in the Strategic Campaigns category within the Interactive Brand Experience subcategory for the visual identity and brand work created for "Chicago Food Stop," the World Business Chicago's pop-up experience.

The Hermes Creative Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, media production, and freelance professionals. AMCP oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges, and rewards outstanding achievement and service to the profession.

A list of Platinum and Gold Winners can be found on the Hermes Creative Awards website at www.hermesawards.com.

About Storyhorse

We're Storyhorse. A branding house of spirited storytellers with serious power. We've got the strategic know-how and creative muscle to build purpose-driven brands that last. We partner with innovators, dreamers and creative thinkers to deliver brands rich in character and backed by power. Our services span inception to implementation, including research and strategy, naming, messaging and visual identities, style guides, and rollout tactics. Based in Chicago, we're a division of EA Collective, a group of connection experts who create brand identities (Storyhorse), content (Studio Sage) and experiences (Agency EA).

To learn more, visit: https://storyhorsebranding.com/

Contact:

Lauren Vissat, VP of Marketing, EA Collective

Phone: 847.682.4278

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Storyhorse
SucceedSmart's trailblazing platform wins seven Stevie Awards as it continues to deliver a digital approach to executive search while prioritizing diversity in leadership

LOS ALTOS, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Started in 2002, The Stevie Awards offered a way to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments and contributions made by organizations and professionals across the United States. Since their debut, these coveted awards have quickly become among the most desired prizes in the business world. With eight distinct Stevie Awards programs, each tailored to a specific focus, category range, and schedule, the awards cater to a diverse set of achievements. The American Business Awards, one of eight Stevie Awards programs, welcome participation from all organizations operating within the United States. This inclusive program boasts an extensive array of categories that aim to celebrate accomplishments across every aspect of the professional landscape. The esteemed panel of Stevie Awards judges comprises a remarkable lineup of executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and business educators from around the globe. Annually, each awards program benefits from the expertise and discernment of over 200 esteemed judges, ensuring a thorough and insightful evaluation process.

Winners for the The 2023 American Business Awards program were publicly announced on April 27, 2023, earning SucceedSmart recognition across the following 7 categories:

SucceedSmart's Disruptive Executive Search Platform Wins Industry Recognition and Awards Tweet this

Most Innovative Company of the Year - Up to 100 Employees (Silver Stevie)

Startup of the Year - Business Services Industries (Silver Stevie)

Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year - Up to 100 Employees (Bronze Stevie)

Leading Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Solution (Bronze Stevie)

Tech Startup of the Year-Services (Bronze Stevie)

Emerging Technology (Bronze Stevie)

Best Entrepreneur - Computer Software - Up to 500 Employees (Bronze Stevie)

SucceedSmart continues to disrupt the $7B 'traditional' executive search space, an industry over 90% offline and lacking innovation or an infusion of technology across the last 50 years. The current model is priced exorbitantly versus the value provided and it's transactional, exclusionary/clubby and lacks a focus on diversity. SucceedSmart provides an AI-driven executive talent platform that takes a modern and democratized approach to executive search. Our platform is faster, better, affordable and unbiased, which naturally lends itself to promote diversity candidates. Our adept combination of tech and touch leverages our proprietary AI platform and a human-in-the-loop, to provide Fortune 500 and startup clients unparalleled support as we place best-fit executives into roles.

SucceedSmart's unique double-sided platform encourages and empowers hiring managers and executives by employing a proprietary algorithm that leverages the time-tested approach of many dating platforms  it's effectively the "Bumble" for executive search. Committed to diversity, SucceedSmart prioritizes privacy and gives executives complete control over which organizations can view their profile with its single-blind approach. Unlike traditional job boards and outdated recruiting methods, SucceedSmart removes inefficiencies and inflated costs while offering a lifelong professional network that embraces transparency and diversity.

In fact, SucceedSmart fills leadership roles 3x faster and 3x more affordably compared to traditional executive search, while our 'single-blind' approach to candidate selection eliminates bias from the hiring process.

About SucceedSmart

SucceedSmart's unique double-sided platform encourages and empowers hiring managers and executives by employing a proprietary algorithm that leverages the time-tested approach of many dating platforms  it's effectively the "Bumble" for executive search. Committed to diversity, SucceedSmart prioritizes privacy and gives executives complete control over which organizations can view their profile with its single-blind approach. Unlike traditional job boards and outdated recruiting methods, SucceedSmart removes inefficiencies and inflated costs while offering a lifelong professional network that embraces transparency and diversity. To learn more about SucceedSmart, visit www.succeedsmart.com.

Contact: Jeff Schwartz, 917-847-6329, [email protected]

SOURCE SucceedSmart
SuperMoney celebrates its 10th anniversary with major milestones.

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SuperMoney, a leading financial services comparison marketplace, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with some major milestones: $10 billion in loan requests processed and nearly 1 million registered members.

Originally founded in 2013, SuperMoney launched its multi-lender loan offer engine in 2017, which now includes dozens of direct lending partner integrations. These lending partners include financial brands such as LendingClub, America's largest marketplace lender, and Pentagon Federal Credit Union, America's second-largest credit union.

$10 billion in loan requests processed and nearly 1 million registered members. Tweet this

Over the last decade, the SuperMoney ecosystem has expanded beyond lending to help consumers compare products in over 50 financial services verticals to become a leader in comparison shopping for checking , savings , mortgage , debt consolidation , and more.

SuperMoney achieved all of this without raising venture capital. Instead, the team bootstrapped the company from the ground up, building a profitable and sustainable business.

Because of its strong foundation, SuperMoney has managed to grow exponentially during some of the most challenging times in history. SuperMoney was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for 2021 and 2022 and Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 list of fastest-growing technology companies in North America for 2022.

"We're proud to have reached this major milestone of $10 billion in loan requests and to have been serving consumers for 10 years," said SuperMoney's founder and CEO, Miron Lulic. "We're on a long-term mission to relieve financial stress for consumers."

About SuperMoney

Founded in 2013, SuperMoney is a leading platform for financial decision-making. Through its financial services marketplace and embedded finance solutions, SuperMoney provides a one-stop platform for consumers to discover, compare, and transact with leading financial service providers such as Chase, Citi, PNC Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, and Penfed Credit Union. SuperMoney's marketplace is built to reach every American consumer in a way that gives them more choices, greater transparency, and the chance to build long-term financial health. SuperMoney was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for 2021 and 2022 and Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 list of fastest-growing technology companies in North America for 2022. SuperMoney is SOC2/Type II certified for data security by the AICPA. Learn more at http://www.supermoney.com .

Media Contact

Media Contact, SuperMoney, 1 800-524-5175, [email protected]

SOURCE SuperMoney
SANTA FE, N.M., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), is pleased to announce this year's Indigenous Fashion Show lineup:

Jason Baerg, Himikalas Pam Baker, Rebecca Baker-Grenier, Orlando Dugi, Lauren Good Day, Jontay KAHM, Dusty LeGrande of Mobilize, Elias Not Afraid, Qaulluq Clara McConnell and Jamie Okuma, who is the first Indigenous designer to become a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CDFA), April 2023.

Quannah Chasinghorse wearing Lauren Good Day on the SWAIA runway. Photo Tira Howard Photography for SWAIA

The Gala Fashion Show takes place Saturday, August 19, followed by the Indigenous Fashion Show, Sunday, August 20 both at the Santa Fe Convention Center. VIP, regular seating and standing room tickets sell out quickly and will be available for purchase at swaia.org on May 15, 2023.

All participating designers are creating new collections to debut on SWAIA's runway. With modern takes on traditional clothing, SWAIA Fashion will feature dynamically emerging designers, fresh faces to the runway, and our distinguished leaders in Indigenous Couture. Another exciting development is the partnership between SWAIA Fashion and the Ford/Robert Black Modeling Agency.

SWAIA Fashion and Ford/ Robert Black modeling agency, are conducting a MODEL SEARCH at the Cottonwood Mall, Albuquerque, N.M., on June 3, 2023, from 10-1pm. For more information about model auditions, email [email protected]

About SWAIA Fashion :

SWAIA Native Fashion /Indigenous Couture makes space for underrepresented histories and current narratives in fashion and design by Native North Americans. Contemporary Native American fashion is a vibrant and diverse field that reflects the ongoing creativity and innovation of Indigenous knowledge expressed through material culture. SWAIA Fashion, with the support of the City of Santa Fe, will produce Santa Fe's first Native Fashion | Indigenous Couture Week in May 2024. https://swaia.org/fashion/

SOURCE Southwestern Association for Indian Arts
Sylvia joins founders Stephanie Valencia and Jessica Morales Rocketto in scaling one of the largest, Latina owned multi-platform audio & media companies serving the Latino market in the US

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Latino Media Network announced that Sylvia Banderas Coffinet has been named CEO. Sylvia joins founders Stephanie Valencia and Jessica Morales Rocketto in scaling one of the largest Latina owned multi-platform audio & media companies to serve the Hispanic market in the U.S. today.

Sylvia will oversee finance, operations, corporate strategy, and development to drive market growth and profitability for LMN. She will be based in New York City.

We see diversity within diversity and are looking forward to celebrating and serving it. - Sylvia Banderas Coffinet Tweet this Sylvia Banderas Coffinet Named CEO of Latino Media Network - Sylvia joins founders Stephanie Valencia and Jessica Morales Rocketto in scaling one of the largest, Latina owned multi-platform audio & media companies serving the Latino market in the US.

"We are ecstatic about having Sylvia join LMN as CEO," said Valencia and Rocketto. "Latinos are the 'X factor' in the US today  driving population growth and the cultural trajectory of the country. At a moment like this, there should be more Latino owned media platforms to provide culturally relevant content for our community. With Sylvia's deep experience and leadership, we will build a cutting edge multi-platform media company that will be able to serve this critical demographic in the country."

"I am thrilled to join LMN at this exciting time of growth for the company and Latino serving and Spanish language media markets," said Banderas Coffinet. "Hispanics are the engine for economic growth in today's America and I could not be more optimistic about the commercial and cultural potential of this moment. It is exciting to be part of a team that is Latina owned and operated, building media for us, by us."

Sylvia is recognized as a long-standing champion and revenue leader in the Latinx media marketplace. Over the course of her nearly 20-year career, she has helped launch some of the most significant content franchises and brand efforts for Latino media, including POPSUGAR's Juntos x Target, Hola! USA's Latina Powerhouse x Estee Lauder Companies, People en Espanol's Chica x Maybelline. She has monetized brand launches that have served Latino consumers with countless blue chip brand partners like Ford, Delta, Estee Lauder Companies, L'Oreal USA, Procter & Gamble, Macy's, Ulta Beauty, Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Toyota and many more  adding up to more than half a billion dollars in revenue.

Most recently, Sylvia served as General Manager, Marketing Equity & Inclusion Partnerships for Vox Media. Her background also includes Chief Revenue Officer & Publisher at HELLO & HOLA! Media Inc., National Advertising Director at PEOPLE en Espanol, and Beauty Director roles at Conde Nast's Glamour, and Latina Media Ventures's Latina Magazine.

Among her accolades, Forbes has recognized her as a "Trailblazing Latina Executive in Media," and in 2020 she was named one of "Top 10 Lideres" in Hispanic Executive.

Sylvia received her undergraduate degree in Latino Studies and Spanish Literature from Columbia University. She completed the Publishing School for Professionals program at Stanford University as an MPA Fellow and most recently has obtained Cornell University's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certification. Sylvia is based in New York City.

LMN recently closed on its acquisition of 17 radio stations in ten cities from Univision, which was the largest radio deal of the past three years.

Latino Media Network is a media company serving the Latino community by helping us make sense of the world and their place in it. We will inspire, inform and celebrate Latinos through an audio focused multimedia network, owned and operated by members of our community. We will focus on content creation across a variety of culturally relevant subjects and help our community navigate the ocean of information that exists in our society. The network will create cultural pride by telling our stories, addressing our concerns and talking about opportunities for a better future.

Media Contact:

Sonia Diaz

[email protected]

SOURCE Latino Media Network
Union Vows to Fight to Ensure Pay Increases Made Permanent

JOLIET, Ill. and NILES, Ill., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A 13-day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike led by Teamsters Local 777 members at two Rise Cannabis dispensaries in Joliet, Ill. and one in Niles, Ill. has forced the parent company, Green Thumb Industries (GTI), to raise wages by 50 percent during the strike. The workers are now returning to their jobs and demanding that the wage increases be made permanent.

"GTI broke the law, and we will hold them accountable legally to make sure they pay," said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Food Processing Division Director. "Whether it's direct action, or a legal battle, the 1.3 million members of the Teamsters Union will continue to stand with cannabis workers in this historic fight."

Federal labor law suggests if an employer makes a unilateral wage increase during collective bargaining, those wage increases are precedent-setting. The company also committed additional ULPs during the ULP strike, including unlawful surveillance and the promise of promotions for those who crossed the picket line.

"This is just the beginning," said Jim Glimco, President of Local 777. "These brave men and women just undertook the longest strike in the history of the cannabis industry because they're not afraid of taking a stand. We're showing the whole industry that if you don't play by the rules, we will pull your card."

"We're looking forward to seeing these raises in writing and also getting back to our customers and patients," said Heather Alvarado, a cannabis worker at the Rise Niles location. "A lot of them suffered as a result of the company causing this to happen, and we're glad that the strike is over. We would like to thank all of the elected officials, customers, and community allies who have shown their support and continue to stick with us as this fight for better wages, retirement security, and fair treatment continues."

Founded in 1937, Teamsters Local 777 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout the Chicago area. For more information, go to teamsters777.org/.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 777
According to the website Africa Intelligence this week, Paris is to hold a security summit on Libya in the next few days  to include military and security leaders  in the hope of restoring Frances eroded security influence in Libya and Africa. The summit should also jumpstart stalled security negotiations between rival parties in Libya, hopefully culminating in of a joint force as the precursor for unifying military and security agencies that have been debilitated by war over the past ten years.

Talks on the military-security track under UN auspices have seen progress since last month. The 5+5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) met with the leaders of militia groups in Libya as well as Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN Special Envoy and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The meetings took place in Tripoli and Benghazi in late March and early April.

The last two meetings of JMC saw expanded participation by security and military leaders of the rival eastern and western parts of the country, including the commanders of key brigades and militias across the country, who reciprocated visits to Tripoli and Benghazi for the first time since 2014, more than two and a half years after signing a UN-sponsored ceasefire in October 2020.

France, which chairs the security working group of the International Follow-up Committee of the Berlin Process on Libya, wants to take advantage of that momentum on the military-security track to lead Western efforts to restore Paris eroding influence, especially in western Libya and to assert Frances diplomatic prowess in Libya which has dimmed over the past three years.

Africa Intelligence, which has contacts with intelligence circles in Paris, reported that Paul Soler, the French presidents adviser and special envoy to Libya, is working with other French diplomats to host a meeting of the JMC which will be attended by Bathily (from Senegal), the Presidential Council, and the chiefs of staff from East and West Libya: Abdel-Razek Al-Nadouri and Mohamed Al-Haddad, respectively.

France is hoping to capitalise not only on recent progress made in Tunis, Benghazi and Tripoli but also on talks that have taken place since 2017 in Cairo under Egyptian auspices  to push towards creating a joint force as stated in the 2020 ceasefire agreement.

According to the French website, the upcoming summit on Libya will discuss ways to form a joint force, which should contribute to stability before elections are held within the year according to the UN plan. It will also discuss ways to assist in the exit of foreign forces and end smuggling across the southern border.

A Libyan official in Tripoli said the anticipated meeting will also discuss the proposed framework of the joint force, candidates to lead it and locations for deployment. The source said parties have agreed that this force should begin deployment in the southwestern regions of Ubari and Ghat, in order to counter the potential security vacuum as combatants leave for Sudan, especially those belonging to groups from Darfur in western Sudan, where violent clashes began between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April.

France hopes for a breakthrough in the positions of Libyan players regarding a joint force, which has been under discussion since the ceasefire agreement though no progress has been made due to conflicting Libyan and international agendas and visions of the role of this force and where it will be deployed.

The ceasefire agreement states that the joint force should act as a buffer between the warring Libyan sides and be stationed on the frontlines between forces backed by the government in Tripoli in the West, and its rivals led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the East. However, this plan broke down due to political developments and fractures within the government, as well as attempts by influential local actors to rearrange the political and security scene outside the UN process.

Since tensions between the US and Russia escalated at the start of the Ukraine war in late February 2022, resulting in growing pressure by Western powers, especially Washington and London, to remove paramilitary combatants of the Russian Wagner Group, the JMC has once again been discussing the formation of a military force but with a different agenda from the one stated in the ceasefire agreement.

The US is putting pressure on Libyans to form a joint force to secure southern Libya as an alternative to Russians deployed in south central Libya. It is more pressing to create this force now in the light of the war in Sudan, which is expected to draw in more than 10,000 foreign fighters.

Meanwhile, France is eager to take advantage and benefit from the services of the proposed joint force in Libya to preserve its weakening influence in the African Sahel, caused by intense geopolitical competition between Russia, the US and China. These are the powers whose intervention directly contributed to undermining Frances historical influence in Africa, even though France retains influence in Chad and Niger, which border Libya to the south.

Despite the great hurdles facing the implementation of this proposal on the ground, Western powers believe there is potential to push Libyan parties to bring it about. However, as the agendas of these powers continue to clash, it is more likely that the current constraints will remain in place.

By leading diplomatic efforts on the security track of Libyan dialogue, France hopes to return to leading Western efforts as part of its undeclared competition with the US and Britain, which had previously dominated managing the Libyan crisis.

In recent months, France assumed responsibility for Libyan issues at the UN, succeeding Britain which was the pointman on the Libyan crisis at the Security Council. This is a shift that President Emmanuel Macrons administration is trying to use to its advantage to rebuild relations with Libya, especially the main players in Tripoli, from which it has grown distant since Haftars military campaign to take control of the capital in April 2019.

Recently, Paris said it is willing to support the interim government of national unity in Tripoli, despite its efforts and commitment to replace this very government and form a new one before elections  which are much further down the road.

In order to garner support for his endeavours and avoid opposition from Libyas national unity government to Frances moves, Soler held a meeting on April 28 with the new Libyan Ambassador to Paris Khaled Al-Kagigi to discuss developments in Libyas political process and ways to boost cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting that took place at the Libyan Embassy in Paris, the French envoy said that France will play a positive role in Libyas stability until a political agreement and solution are reached  embedded in holding parliamentary and presidential elections based on a consensual constitutional framework.

Solers pledge was made at a time when France has been critical of closer ties between Libyas national unity government and Turkey, which erased French influence in western Libya, especially on security and economic matters.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's initiative recognizes 10 third graders as "Little Literacy Leaders" based on their ability to overcome challenges as they learn to read

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) announces Tenn Under 10, powered by PNC, an initiative to celebrate and incentivize Tennessee's youngest learners who have overcome challenges to their literacy development.

GELF is awarding 10 Tennessee children under age 10 with a $1,500 post-secondary education scholarship through a TNStars 529 account. Last month Gov. Bill Lee introduced the inaugural Tenn Under 10 class at GELF's annual Literacy Alliance dinner.

(Top row, l to r) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee; Chelsea Peterson, Vice President, Tennessee Director of Client and Community Relations, PNC Bank; James Pond, President, GELF; and Mike Johnson, Regional President & Head of Corporate Banking, PNC Bank with the winners of the Tenn Under 10 scholarships for literacy.

Tennessee public school districts and elementary schools nominated a student for Tenn Under 10 by submitting an online application on their behalf. The Tenn Under 10 "Little Literacy Leaders" are third grade students from communities across the state who have faced and overcome an obstacle impeding their literacy development, such as lack of access to learning resources, low-income, transitional family environments, language barriers and visual impairments.

Educators from 37 counties, 42 school districts and 90 schools from across the state submitted 143 applications. The final 10 honorees were selected based on criteria evaluating how they exhibit the four values of Tenn Under 10: tenaciously driven, eager to read, noticeably growing and nonstop learner. In addition to the post-secondary education scholarship, each honoree will receive books and resources to support their reading journey as well as recognition as one of GELF's "Little Literacy Leaders" in their local community. To celebrate locally, representatives from GELF and PNC Bank plan to visit each child's school this month.

"We are honored to introduce Tenn Under 10 and announce the inaugural class of Little Literacy Leaders," said James Pond, GELF president. "These children represent what being a Tennessean means. Their stories inspire, motivate, and remind us how important it is to support Tennessee's youngest learners on their journey from cradle to career, from a third grader to a future teacher, police officer, artist, author or business leader. Our mission to strengthen early literacy is more than books. It's the future of Tennessee, and we are privileged to celebrate the next generation through the Tenn Under 10 initiative."

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission reports only 52% of Tennessee's high school graduates are pursuing postsecondary education upon graduation, a 17% decline since 2017. However, nearly 70% of high school graduates report that they want to attend college or a technical college.

Research shows students with college savings are approximately six times more likely to pursue post-secondary education, three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate than those without any college savings.

"As a national main street bank, PNC is committed to the communities we serve," said Mike D. Johnson, PNC regional president for Tennessee. "We know that supporting Governor's Early Literacy Foundation helps students overcome obstacles to gain access to rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and math. It's part of our promise to help everyone move forward financially. We are excited to collaborate with GELF to celebrate the success of our little literacy leaders to help build strong, vibrant communities."

Tenn Under 10 celebrates resilient students from diverse communities, ethnicities and backgrounds across Tennessee. Click here to meet the 2023 Tenn Under 10 literacy leaders.

"I'm proud of myself for learning to read, and I hope all kids will learn to read, because I love books, and I think they will, too," said Shanna Hopland, a 2023 Tenn Under 10 Little Literacy Leader from Elizabethton, Tenn.

"I have never gotten a scholarship before and it is good to learn new things by reading and to keep getting better at reading," said Lyam Tyson, a 2023 Tenn Under 10 Little Literacy Leader from Chattanooga, Tenn.

"Getting this scholarship means that I am working hard in school. It will help me go to college," said Juan Pablo Mendez, a 2023 Tenn Under 10 Little Literacy Leader from Franklin, Tenn.

Monica Robbins, a Dyer County educator, talked about the positive effect the scholarship has had on Alli, one of her students. "After being introduced and celebrated at GELF's special event, Alli came back to school eager to share her adventures with her 19 other classmates, but more importantly she came back with a message for them: 'You can do it too! Never give up, just keep trying like I did!' Because of this wonderful program and the scholarship provided, Alli will have the opportunity to attend college and continue to be the tenaciously driven, noticeably growing, and nonstop learner she is today."

Tenn Under 10 is presented by PNC Bank. This will be an annual initiative with nomination applications opening each fall. To learn more or donate to this cause, visit GovernorsFoundation.org.

About PNC Bank

PNC Bank is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com

About GELF

Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) equips Tennessee's children with books and innovative literacy tools that encourage lifelong learning for a brighter future. GELF is a nonpartisan 501c3 driven by a mission to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee by acting as a thought leader, advisor, and catalyst for programs across the state. These programs include Birth-5 Book Delivery through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, K-3 Home Library, Caregiver Engagement, Book Buses, and Storybook Trails. For more information, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org .

Contact: Claire Jones

[email protected]gov

(318) 286-0933

SOURCE Governors Early Literacy Foundation
TEL AVIV, Israel , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TeraSky, a global multi-cloud, cloud-native and modern IT innovative technology solutions provider, announced it has begun the process of becoming a VMware Cross-Cloud Managed Services Provider. TeraSky is already acting as a design partner for VMware Cross-Cloud managed services and is working toward achieving the Managed Services Specialization and earning the VMware Cross-Cloud managed services badge. Through becoming VMware Cross-Cloud Managed Services Provider and building a broad Validated Service Offering, the company will help customers maximize their investments in VMware technology.

TeraSky plans to build a Validated Service Offering within the specialization, including all five VMware prescriptive offers: Cross-Cloud Managed Services for Private and Managed Provider Clouds, Public Cloud, Centralized Governance, Cost Optimization, and Cloud Native App Delivery. From improving operational intelligence services across multi-cloud environments, to better controlling rogue costs through adopting FinOps services to automating modern DevSecOps platform operations across multiple clouds, VMware Cross-Cloud Managed Services delivered through TeraSky will make consuming managed services easier for customers.

A VMware Partner since 2010, TeraSky has won multiple accolades as a VMware Partner, including the 2021 VMware Partner of the Year Award (worldwide), 2022 VMware Social Impact Award winner (EMEA region), and 2023 VMware Partner Value Award winner (EMEA region). The company is one of only a few VMware partners globally to have achieved seven Master Service Competencies (MSCs) that prove mastery in a specific VMware solution area. The company recently achieved the VMware Partner-Led Customer Success Specialization, and earlier this year, 14 TeraSky engineers were recognized as VMware vExperts.

"TeraSky helps organizations tackle the complexity of new technologies so they can transform with confidence. VMware Cross-Cloud managed services are perfectly aligned to this mission," said Ofir Abekasis, CEO, TeraSky. "Becoming a VMware Cross-Cloud Managed Service Provider will signal to our joint customers that TeraSky is a trusted authority on VMware solutions and can help them meet their technical, operational, and financial targets, and address their IT skills gaps."

"Customers want more choice in where and how they modernize their apps and infrastructure. With VMware Cross-Cloud managed services, customers will have access to a prescriptive set of partner-managed services to meet these objectives," said Zia Yusuf, senior vice president, strategic ecosystem and industry solutions, VMware. "TeraSky is a proven expert in both cloud-native applications and cloud infrastructure, with a deep understanding of customers' modernization initiatives. This will ultimately help customers adopt Cross-Cloud managed services to become cloud smart by matching their applications to the best cloud environment."

About TeraSky

TeraSky, a global provider of multi-cloud, cloud-native, and modern IT innovative technology solutions, helps companies across all industries overcome top complexities and business challenges through careful study and understanding of business needs and goals. TeraSky solutions are value-driven and combine enterprise-grade maturity and cloud-native agility to deliver the most valuable outcomes of reliability, efficiency, compliance, speed, adaptability, and fast time-to-market. Our engineering team's knowledge, top-tier certifications, and uncompromising commitment to excellence are key enablers in delivering desired results for on-prem, multi-cloud, application infrastructure, platform engineering, and digital workspace needs. TeraSky's managed services organization helps our customers operate more efficiently and creates significant and sustainable business impacts.

Media Contacts:

Orly Garini-Dil

VP of Marketing

[email protected]

www.terasky.com

SOURCE TeraSky
Employer-Worker Disconnects in Need of Attention

"Employers have an opportunity to increase their understanding of employees' needs," said Collinson. "By comparing and contrasting employers' offerings with workers' perspectives, our research reveals glaring gaps."

Based on the research findings, employers could address disconnects by:

Encouraging work-life balance. More than nine in 10 employers (96%) believe they are helpful in supporting their employees' work-life balance, but only 75% of workers feel their employers are helpful in this way.

More than nine in 10 employers (96%) believe they are helpful in supporting their employees' work-life balance, but only 75% of workers feel their employers are helpful in this way. Emphasizing professional development. While 88% of employers feel responsible for helping their employees keep their job skills up-to-date, only 17% place a great deal of emphasis on professional development among employees of all ages, including those age 50 and older. At the same time, only 49% of workers indicate they are keeping their job skills-up-to date so they can work as long as they want and need.

While 88% of employers feel responsible for helping their employees keep their job skills up-to-date, only 17% place a great deal of emphasis on professional development among employees of all ages, including those age 50 and older. At the same time, only 49% of workers indicate they are keeping their job skills-up-to date so they can work as long as they want and need. Expanding health and welfare benefit offerings. There is currently a mismatch between the percentage of workers who value these benefits compared with employers' offering them. For example, 95% of workers value health insurance as an important benefit, but only 63% of employers offer it to their employees.

There is currently a mismatch between the percentage of workers who value these benefits compared with employers' offering them. For example, 95% of workers value health insurance as an important benefit, but only 63% of employers offer it to their employees. Promoting physical health and workplace wellness. Eighty-six percent of employers are concerned about their employees' physical health, a well-founded concern because 69% of workers are concerned about their physical well-being. In contrast to their concern, only 34% of employers offer a workplace wellness program to support their employees' health and well-being.

Eighty-six percent of employers are concerned about their employees' physical health, a well-founded concern because 69% of workers are concerned about their physical well-being. In contrast to their concern, only 34% of employers offer a workplace wellness program to support their employees' health and well-being. Supporting mental health. Most employers (85%) are concerned about their employees' mental health. These concerns are well-founded as the majority of workers (61%) are concerned about their own mental health. Forty-three percent of workers indicate they often feel anxious and depressed. Yet only one-third of employers (33%) offer an employee assistance program (EAP).

Most employers (85%) are concerned about their employees' mental health. These concerns are well-founded as the majority of workers (61%) are concerned about their own mental health. Forty-three percent of workers indicate they often feel anxious and depressed. Yet only one-third of employers (33%) offer an employee assistance program (EAP). Cultivating an age-friendly work environment. Amid today's multigenerational workforce, an "age-friendly" employer offers opportunities, work arrangements, and training and tools for employees of all ages to be successful. Eighty-three percent of employers consider themselves to be age-friendly, compared with just 67% of workers who feel that way about their employers.

"Larger companies have more comprehensive benefit offerings than small companies, but companies of all sizes have room for improvement, especially considering today's multigenerational workforce," said Collinson.

Employer Support for Workers' Retirement Security

"Employer-sponsored retirement plans, including 401(k)s and similar plans, are the most effective way to promote long-term savings among workers. Yet millions of workers do not have access to these benefits, especially those working for small companies," said Collinson. "Thankfully, the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 makes it easier and more affordable for employers to establish new plans. It also provides new ways for employers to enhance their plans and for workers to increase their retirement savings."

The survey findings outline employers' retirement benefit offerings prior to the passage of SECURE 2.0:

Retirement plan sponsorship rates are lower among small companies. Fifty-eight percent of employers offer a 401(k) or similar plan to their employees. Most large and medium companies offer them, compared with small companies where the need to expand coverage is greatest (92%, 84%, 51%, respectively).

Fifty-eight percent of employers offer a 401(k) or similar plan to their employees. Most large and medium companies offer them, compared with small companies where the need to expand coverage is greatest (92%, 84%, 51%, respectively). More employers may offer a retirement plan in the near future. Among employers that do not offer a 401(k) or similar plan, 42% say they are likely to begin doing so in the next two years, and 54% say they would consider joining a pooled plan arrangement such as a multiple employer plan (MEP), pooled employer plan (PEP), or group of plans (GoP).

Among employers that do not offer a 401(k) or similar plan, 42% say they are likely to begin doing so in the next two years, and 54% say they would consider joining a pooled plan arrangement such as a multiple employer plan (MEP), pooled employer plan (PEP), or group of plans (GoP). Automatic enrollment can make it more convenient for workers to save because it eliminates the upfront paperwork and action steps for employees to enroll in and start contributing to the plan. Instead, it automatically enrolls employees with the ability for them to opt out and stop contributing. Fifteen percent of plan sponsors have adopted automatic enrollment.

because it eliminates the upfront paperwork and action steps for employees to enroll in and start contributing to the plan. Instead, it automatically enrolls employees with the ability for them to opt out and stop contributing. Fifteen percent of plan sponsors have adopted automatic enrollment. Plan sponsors could do more to help workers financially transition to retirement. Pre-retirees face complex financial decisions. Relatively few plan sponsors provide educational resources (38%), education about transitioning into retirement (36%), and seminars about transitioning into retirement (35%).

The survey findings illuminate a large gap in retirement savings among workers by company size, which helps show the impact of having access to workplace retirement benefits. Workers of large companies have saved $115,000 in total household retirement accounts and those of medium companies have saved $69,000, while small-company workers have saved only $36,000 (estimated medians).

"Employers play a vital societal role by providing employment, employee benefits, supportive business practices, and the ability for workers to save and invest for retirement. By stepping up and seeking out beneficial ways to further support their employees, employers could improve outcomes for current and future members of the workforce. By doing so, they could also improve outcomes for themselves in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in the marketplace," said Collinson.

Stepping Into the Future: Employers, Workers, and the Multigenerational Workforce report includes detailed findings about health and welfare benefits, workplace wellness programs, and retirement benefits, as well as recommendations for employers and workers. Transamerica Institute has done extensive work on age-friendly workplaces and workplace wellness programs. Listen to our weekly podcast ClearPath  Your Roadmap to Health & WealthSM. Visit www.transamericainstitute.org. Follow on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

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About Transamerica Institute

Transamerica Institute is a nonprofit, private foundation dedicated to identifying, researching, and educating the public about retirement security and the intersections of health and financial well-being. It is the parent organization of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS) which conducts one of the largest and longest-running annual retirement surveys of its kind. Transamerica Institute is funded by contributions from Transamerica Life Insurance Company and its affiliates. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as insurance, securities, ERISA, tax, investment, legal, medical, or financial advice or guidance. Please consult independent professionals for answers to your specific questions. www.transamericainstitute.org

About the Surveys

The analysis contained in Stepping Into the Future: Employers, Workers, and the Multigenerational Workforce was prepared internally by the research team at Transamerica Institute. Employer Survey: A 20-minute online survey was conducted within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of Transamerica Institute and TCRS between November 22 and December 9, 2022 among a nationally representative sample of 1,879 employed adults age 18+ who are decision makers for employee benefits at their for-profit company and employ one or more employees across all locations ("employers"). Data was weighted where necessary by the number of employees, revenue, industry, and state to bring them in line with actual proportions in the population. Respondents were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured using a Bayesian credible interval and the employer sample data is accurate within +3.4 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent. Worker Survey: A 22-minute online survey was conducted within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of Transamerica Institute and TCRS between November 8 and December 13, 2022 among a nationally representative sample of 5,725 U.S. adults age 18+, who work full- or part-time in a for-profit company employing one or more employees ("workers"). Data was weighted where necessary for age by gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income and propensity to be online to being them in line with their actual proportions in the population. Respondents were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval and the worker sample data is accurate to within +1.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.

Media Contact: Morgan Karbowski

[email protected]

SOURCE Transamerica Institute
New investments provide additional support to West Coast disaster response operations

ATLANTA, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Depot Foundation is expanding nationwide disaster preparedness, response and long-term recovery efforts through $4.4 million in grants to disaster response nonprofit partners. The investments take the Foundation's 2023 disaster response financial commitment to more than $4.8 million and will help several partners bolster west coast operations.

Record rainfall has brought deadly flooding to California this year, adding to a growing list of west coast climate concerns. As a result, Foundation partners Convoy of Hope and ToolBank USA are working to open new warehouses near Sacramento to provide faster response times in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. To continue to support communities in the west, World Central Kitchen has further built out its relief team to include more regionally-based team members so they can ensure they reach crises around the world even quicker than before.

"As Convoy of Hope looks to serve more people across the globe in bigger and better ways, establishing a new West Coast Regional Distribution Center coupled with our partnership with The Home Depot Foundation will play a vital role in accomplishing that goal," said Stacy Lamb, Convoy of Hope's vice president of disaster services. "We are excited about how both will position us to meet the needs of hurting people in the years to come."

The funding also includes $1.2 million for long-term recovery efforts nationwide, with a focus on fortified and sustainable rebuilding practices. The Foundation will be working with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates in several states to continue rebuilding efforts from Hurricanes Ida, Michael and Florence. Additional grants to Team Rubicon will extend hurricane and tornado recovery operations in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Kentucky.

"Every day, across the country, people are living with the effects of a natural disaster. Our dedication to those people and their communities extends long past the initial response phase," said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. "With the help of our nonprofit partners, we are helping communities rebuild stronger and more sustainably so they can withstand future storms."

Additional funds from these grants will support ongoing preparedness efforts with Operation Blessing, American Red Cross and Inspiritus, which includes stocking warehouses with relief supplies, building disaster relief kits, packing emergency meal kits, purchasing new response trailers and more.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation, the nonprofit arm of The Home Depot (NYSE: HD), works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, support communities impacted by natural disasters and train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $475 million in veteran causes and improved more than 55,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest half of a billion dollars in veteran causes by 2025 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program. To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.

SOURCE The Home Depot Foundation
The charitable arm of McBride Sisters Wine Company will focus its 2023 efforts on supporting women in the wine industry, and applications officially open today, May 2.

OAKLAND, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund today announces its continued commitment to invest in professional women on their journey to learn and master the business of wine. Specifically, it will focus its efforts on supporting women pursuing professional advancement within at least one key area of the wine industry including Sommelier Certification, WSET Certification or Business of Wine Education course completion.

McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund - McBride Sisters Wine Company (PRNewsfoto/McBride Sisters Collection)

Established in 2019, the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund has invested to date more than $3 million in the professional advancement and career growth of high-potential, professional women working in male-dominated industries, with a particular focus on women of color. Via monetary grants, advertising credits, scholarship funding and mentorship programs, the SHE CAN Fund has received support from corporate partners such as Facebook (Meta), Morgan Stanley, and Brand Now, plus industry organizations including the Wine Institute and The Court of Master Sommeliers, as well as individual seed impact investors.

This year, women who are currently working in and seeking leadership positions in the wine and spirits industry, as well as entrepreneurs in related fields, are encouraged to apply to the 2023 McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund. Grantees can apply for one of three scholarships, from courses and exams issued through either (1) Court of Master Sommeliers or (2) Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), or (3) Business of Wine Education online course work focusing on areas such as Supply Chain Value, Sales & Marketing, Viticulture, Mass Wine Production, Winery Operations, Point of Purchase, and Importing & Exporting.

"I'm very excited to announce this year's Fund focus on the business of wine," says Robin McBride, Co-Founder of McBride Sisters Wine Company and The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund. "This area is where my sister Andrea and I can lend most of our personal expertise to professional women and students entering the wine industry. Our experience building our business from the ground up and touching every aspect of the wine business hands-on gives us the ability to showcase how broad the wine industry is and how to lead from within it."

In addition to scholarships, the 2023 SHE CAN Fund will award 30 women  #SHECANTHRIVE 2020 initiative grantees  membership to 510media's Hope Academy , an organization providing mentorship, training and community. 510media's Hope Academy was founded to address the resource gaps in Black entrepreneurial and creative endeavors, and is committed to helping facilitate solutions that address Black economic challenges.

Since its inception, the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund has provided over thirty wine education scholarships and has built a national membership database of over 6,000 women. Additionally, it has donated $100,000 to Southern University's College of Agriculture as part of its initiative and academic scholarship program for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), supporting the next generation of diverse wine industry talent.

"I am particularly excited about 510media Hope Foundation's involvement with our #SHECANTHRIVE 2020 sisters," states Agnes Uboma, Chief Social Impact Officer at McBride Sisters Wine Company. "Both Nana Kofi Nti and Courtney Smith helped me to better understand and account for culture-specific psychological challenges and behavioral economics African American entrepreneurs traverse in addition to the daily grind that all entrepreneurs must surmount to be successful. I am confident that 510media Hope Foundation's classes and workshops will guide the #SHECANTHRIVE 2020 sisters in creating bespoke mental models tailored to their business needs."

Eligible applicants can learn more and apply for submission beginning today at www.mcbridesistersfund.org . Grant recipients will be announced in the fall.

About the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund:

At its inception, The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund was created by the McBride Sisters Wine Company founders Robin McBride and Andrea McBride John to promote the professional advancement of women in the wine industry in a concerted effort to help close the gender and race gap. In its first year, the fund awarded scholarships of nearly $40,000 to empower women to strive for change and to create opportunities for themselves and others, where there had not been before. Today, the Fund is rapidly growing, and runs three programs:

#YESSHECAN is dedicated to the professional advancement of women in male-dominated fields. Each year, the Fund shifts its focus to support different communities of professional women via monetary business grants, scholarships for professional training and certifications, and mentorship opportunities to aid in career advancement.

is dedicated to the professional advancement of women in male-dominated fields. Each year, the Fund shifts its focus to support different communities of professional women via monetary business grants, scholarships for professional training and certifications, and mentorship opportunities to aid in career advancement. A subset of #YESSHECAN, the Fund's #SHECANTHRIVE program provides programming, resources, and grants for Black women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The SHE CAN Fund launched the program in 2020 with rapid relief grants and support services in response to the international COVID-19 pandemic, during which Black-owned businesses were disproportionately hit the hardest. Since the launch, 77 Black women entrepreneurs have received grants and services totaling more than $2.5 million from impact investors.

program provides programming, resources, and grants for Black women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The SHE CAN Fund launched the program in 2020 with rapid relief grants and support services in response to the international COVID-19 pandemic, during which Black-owned businesses were disproportionately hit the hardest. Since the launch, 77 Black women entrepreneurs have received grants and services totaling more than from impact investors. Launched in 2021, #SHECANGreaux is The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund's first-ever initiative and academic scholarship program directed towards Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), created in partnership with Southern University's College of Agricultural Family and Consumer Sciences (SU Ag). A play on words inspired by the uniquely French heritage of Black Creole history in Louisiana , as well as SU Ag's rally "Geaux Jags," #SHECANGreaux was created with the goal of generating a pipeline of HBCU students to lead the wine industry's future of diverse professionals.

Please find more information at https://www.mcbridesistersfund.org/ .

About the McBride Sisters Wine Company:

McBride Sisters Wine Company was founded by sisters, Robin McBride and Andrea McBride John, who believe wine companies should be accessible, sustainable, socially conscious and culturally aware. We are the largest Black-owned and largest all women-founded wine company in the United States. Our mission is to transform the industry, lead by example and cultivate community, one delicious glass at a time. We produce wine across two hemispheres, from premier coastal winemaking regions which are at the root of our story  where Andrea and Robin each grew up  in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Central Coast of California. We offer a unique portfolio of leading brands; McBride Sisters Collection, Black Girl Magic Wines, and SHE CAN Wines and spritzers. We are Wine for the New World. For more information, please visit mcbridesisters.com or follow along on Instagram at @mcbridesisters, @mcbridesisterscollection, @blackgirlmagicwines and @shecanwines.

Enjoy Responsibly.  2023 McBride Sisters Wine Company, San Luis Obispo, CA

SOURCE McBride Sisters Collection
The HERDEZ Brand, the no. 1 selling salsa brand in Mexico and one of the fastest growing guacamole brands in the U.S.1, leans into its roots to highlight the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine

ORANGE, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Cinco de Mayo, the makers of the HERDEZ brand are transporting home chefs' and fans' tastebuds to Mexico by highlighting authentic Mexican recipes from popular, Mexican-American home chefs. Whether you're gathering with friends to indulge in your favorite Mexican-inspired meal, celebrating Mexican culture with family or commemorating Cinco De Mayo, the makers of the HERDEZ brand are honored to partner with these creators to inspire others with their own authentic recipes and traditions.

"We are committed to celebrating and sharing the authentic flavors of Mexico," said Giselle Olson, HERDEZ brand manager. "We're excited to partner with talented home chefs to showcase their culinary expertise and cultural heritage, and inspire others to experience the vibrant flavors of Mexico in their own homes."

Here's how four popular chefs commemorate their Mexican heritage on the annual day:

This Cinco de Mayo, Jerlynn Torres , a Mexican-American chef whose family grew up in Guerrero and Jalisco, Mexico , will bring out her original Mexican Talavera pottery plates and kick off the day by making her family an authentic Mexican breakfast, Chilaquiles Divorciados . Torres plans to use the holiday to educate her children on the significance behind Cinco de Mayo .

, a Mexican-American chef whose family grew up in and , will bring out her original Mexican Talavera pottery plates and kick off the day by making her family an authentic Mexican breakfast, . Torres plans to use the holiday to educate her children on the significance behind . Fabrizio Villalpando , a New York -based foodie and content creator, believes Cinco de Mayo is all about gathering with family and friends with platters of food, drinks and Mexican music to celebrate. This year, he plans to blend the old with new traditions and will experiment with a new Michelada recipe that features HERDEZ Traditional Salsa, which he'll pair with bottomless tortilla chips and HERDEZ Traditional Guacamole, made with real Hass avocados that follows an authentic Mexican recipe.

, a -based foodie and content creator, believes is all about gathering with family and friends with platters of food, drinks and Mexican music to celebrate. This year, he plans to blend the old with new traditions and will experiment with a new that features HERDEZ Traditional Salsa, which he'll pair with bottomless tortilla chips and HERDEZ Traditional Guacamole, made with real Hass avocados that follows an authentic Mexican recipe. Recipe developer and home cook, Alfredo Garcia , says he finds joy in passing along his own culinary traditions and helping his fans cook simple, approachable Mexican recipes. His choice for this Cinco de Mayo : Easy Beefy Chipotle Empanadas topped with a creamy flavorful Chipotle Salsa Cremosa, which features the smoky, spicy flavor of chipotle and is inspired by Mexican cuisine from the ages. It is also a great complement to chicken, pork or seafood, and may be enjoyed in shrimp tostadas or chipotle chicken taquitos, according to the HERDEZ product website.

, says he finds joy in passing along his own culinary traditions and helping his fans cook simple, approachable Mexican recipes. His choice for this : topped with a creamy flavorful Chipotle Salsa Cremosa, which features the smoky, spicy flavor of chipotle and is inspired by Mexican cuisine from the ages. It is also a great complement to chicken, pork or seafood, and may be enjoyed in shrimp tostadas or chipotle chicken taquitos, according to the HERDEZ product website. Leonor "Lilo" Vargas , an Instagram-famous Mexican American known for sharing easy and authentic home cooked meals, is looking forward to celebrating Cinco de Mayo with her family, all of whom are from Durango, Mexico , at her mom's house cooking a family recipe. This year's favorite? Spicy Steak Fajitas with HERDEZ Traditional Salsa and Guacamole, Vargas explains, while listening to her dad's ranchero music.

Olson added, "We celebrate the Mexican heritage and values of the HERDEZ brand with great pride throughout the year and want people to know how easy it is to 'level up' any meal with our authentic flavors."

HERDEZ Traditional Refrigerated Salsa, HERDEZ Traditional Refrigerated Guacamole, HERDEZ Salsa Cremosas, HERDEZ TAQUERIA STREET SAUCE, HERDEZ Avocado Hot Sauce and more can be found at select retailers nationwide.

For more information on the HERDEZ brand, including recipes, nutritional information, where to buy and more, please visit www.herdeztraditions.com , or follow the brand on social media on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest and Twitter .

ABOUT THE HERDEZ BRAND

The HERDEZ brand allows consumers to experience the real flavor and culture of Mexico at home with authentic salsas and cooking sauce. The HERDEZ brand is the No. 1 selling brand of salsa in Mexico and the leading authentic Mexican salsa brand in homes across the U.S. Best known for products such as HERDEZ Salsa Verde, Salsa Casera and the original Guacamole Salsa, the HERDEZ brand is founded on authenticity in flavor and quality you can trust. Innovation authentic flavor experiences is at the forefront of their success. The HERDEZ brand is part of MegaMex Foods, one of the fastest growing Mexican food companies in the US focused on reimagining Mexican flavor. For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.herdeztraditions.com or follow the HERDEZ brand on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest and Twitter .

ABOUT MEGAMEX FOODS, LLC.

MegaMex Foods, one of the fastest growing Mexican food companies in the US, is focused on reimagining Mexican flavor in restaurants and home kitchens across the country. MegaMex Foods is proudly committed to authentic ingredients and providing a real solution for achieving true Mexican flavors with trusted products including WHOLLY, LA VICTORIA, HERDEZ, EMBASA, DONA MARIA, BUFALO and DON MIGUEL brands. Founded by Herdez del Fuerte and Hormel Foods, MegaMex Foods is headquartered in Orange, California, with facilities in Texas and Mexico. MegaMex Foods has two operating plants, numerous manufacturing partners and over 4,000 employees. For more information, visit www.megamexfoods.com and www.mmxfoodservice.com .

____________________________ 1 Source: IRI Consumption Data, Latest 52 WE 3/26/23 MULO Absolute Sales $ change

SOURCE HERDEZ Brand
PHOENIX, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Forty-three students from Arizona have received prestigious awards from Cambridge Assessment International Education, part of the University of Cambridge, acknowledging their outstanding examination performance. These awards, including Top in the Country and Scholar Awards, celebrate students' exemplary achievement in the Cambridge Advanced (International AS & A Level) college-level assessments and Pre-Advanced (IGCSE) exams in June 2022, which are internationally benchmarked and taken by students in over 160 countries around the world.

Students across the state from districts including Kingman USD, Dysart USD, and Santa Cruz Valley USD, received honors this year for their performance in International AS Level and IGCSE exams. Cambridge is excited to honor three Arizona students who earned Top in the Country Awards for achieving the highest standard mark in the United States in subjects including First Language English, Mathematics, and History. Arizona had three of the 55 students in the US who received an award for Top in the Country.

In addition to demonstrating their hard work, knowledge, and skills, these exam results are important to Arizona students and families because they provide excellent opportunities for college credit, recognition, and scholarships. Arizona students can earn the Grand Canyon Diploma, equivalent to a high school diploma, with qualifying grades on Cambridge exams. This enables students to move on when ready  providing an admission ticket to Arizona's public colleges including Arizona State University (ASU) and The University of Arizona.

"It is a great pleasure to honor students and teachers in Arizona for their phenomenal work in Cambridge courses and examinations," said Mark Cavone, Cambridge International Regional Director, North America. "These results are a testament to the impressive talent of students and teachers in the state and it is a delight to celebrate their success. I speak for all of us at Cambridge International as I wish them every success."

While schools in Arizona can use the Cambridge curriculum alongside other curriculum programs, the Cambridge program is increasingly chosen for the K-12 pathway because the curriculum empowers teachers to reach all students, from a variety of backgrounds across a range of ability levels. Further, the Cambridge approach to teaching and learning is designed to instill key life skills in students: confidence, reflection, innovation, collaboration, and engagement. From rural districts like Kingman to urban districts like Dysart, and everything in between, educators have found Cambridge creates a lifelong passion for learning and engaging students of all ages and ability levels.

High-achieving students are challenged with some of the most rigorous college-level coursework available in the U.S. and the world when they participate in the Cambridge Pathway. Based on a 2021 study in partnership with ASU, students who participated in the Cambridge International program and enrolled at ASU showed strong performance in many academic metrics, including high school GPA and SAT and ACT scores.

Each year, nearly 1 million students participate in Cambridge International programs worldwide, making more than 1.75 million exam entries. Over the past two years, the number of U.S. students participating in the Cambridge program has increased by 15-16% annually. The largest growth has occurred at the high school level where the number of schools offering Cambridge International AS and A Level exams has grown by 220%. More than 900 U.S. colleges and universities recognize the Cambridge program. Along with AZ, public higher education institutions in FL, KS, KY, IN, MD, MS, NC, PA, SC, VA, and WA provide college credit to students with qualifying grades on Cambridge International AS & A Level exams.

About Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning.

Cambridge Pathway promises students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. Schools can shape its curriculum around how they want students to learn  with a wide range of subjects and flexible ways to offer them. Students discover new abilities and a wider world, giving them the transferable skills they need for life, in order to achieve at school, university and work.

Learn more! Visit www.cambridgeinternational.org/usa

SOURCE Cambridge International
RACINE, Wis., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tidewater Equipment, a CASE Construction Equipment dealer with locations in southern Georgia, Enterprise, Alabama, and portions of the Florida panhandle, has donated equipment and support for Team Rubicon's recent tornado disaster response and recovery efforts in Selma, Alabama.

Team Rubicon members at work in Selma Team Rubicon with equipment from Tidewater Equipment in Selma

On January 12, 2023, multiple tornadoes hit the Southeastern United States. One of which was a category F3 tornado that touched down in Selma, Alabama  a city that was still recovering from Hurricane Zeta, and the tornadoes of 2021. The storm hit the city hard, leaving vehicles overturned in the streets, homes destroyed, and lives lost. Team Rubicon, a veteran-led volunteer humanitarian organization, having already deployed to Selma in recent years on a multi-year rebuilding program, knew that it was time for action.

Tidewater Equipment provided three CASE TV370 compact track loaders, equipped with buckets and root grapple attachments to help Team Rubicon with the intense cleanup operation that took place between January 23 and March 10, 2023. The machines and attachments were generously extended by Tidewater Equipment to ensure that Team Rubicon had the support needed to complete their mission.

"As a company with locations and customers throughout the southeastern Unites States, we understand the realities that catastrophic weather can bring," said Kevin Pittman, manager of Construction Equipment & Equipment Rental Divisions at Tidewater Equipment. "We recognize the noble work of Team Rubicon and the relief they bring to help rebuild communities when disaster strikes. Tidewater Equipment was honored to provide machines to make their tough work just a little bit easier."

Tidewater Equipment has been a trusted equipment dealer for over 70 years, with a commitment to providing quality equipment and service to their customers. The company's newest location in Enterprise, Alabama  which opened less than a year ago  donated the equipment for this Team Rubicon operation and to support their local community.

"Our partnership with CASE allows us to provide the best equipment to our customers, and to those in need during disaster relief efforts. We appreciate the opportunity to support Team Rubicon and their efforts to rebuild communities impacted by this terrible storm system," said Pittman.

CASE also appreciates Tidewater Equipment's partnership and the support they have given to help provide equipment to disaster relief efforts during hurricane season. With the recent extreme weather and tornadoes that have impacted the South, it is vital to have strong partnerships like the one between Tidewater Equipment and CASE to help support those in need.

"Our dealers are critical partners in helping us provide equipment to those who need it most," said Terry Dolan, vice president  North America, CASE Construction Equipment. "We are proud to work with Team Rubicon, Tidewater Equipment and our other dealers to support disaster relief efforts and to provide the best equipment to help rebuild communities impacted by natural disasters."

Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed across the United States and around the world to provide immediate relief to vulnerable communities who have been impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes, COVID-19 and more.

CASE first partnered with Team Rubicon in 2015 to develop a heavy equipment training program for its volunteers for the safe and effective use of construction equipment in disaster operations. For more information on the partnership between CASE and Team Rubicon to support communities in response to natural disasters, visit CaseCE.com/TeamRubicon.

CASE Construction Equipment is a global full-line manufacturer of construction equipment that combines generations of manufacturing expertise with practical innovation. CASE is dedicated to improving productivity, simplifying operation and maintenance while achieving lower total cost of ownership for fleets around the world. The CASE dealer network sells and supports this world-class equipment, by offering customized aftermarket support packages, hundreds of attachments, genuine parts and fluids as well as industry-leading warranties and flexible financing. More than a manufacturer, CASE is committed to giving back by dedicating time, resources and equipment to building communities. This includes supporting disaster response, infrastructure investment, and non-profit organizations that provide housing and resources for those in need.

CASE Construction Equipment is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a World leader in Capital Goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of the Borsa Italiana (MI: CNHI). More information about CNH Industrial can be found online at http://www.cnhindustrial.com/.

SOURCE CASE Construction Equipment
The coffee-flavored gummy line is created with new proprietary microencapsulation technology

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum, Ltd. launches Gummiccino, its new line of high-dosage delicious caffeine gummies. The product marks the first use of TopGum's new proprietary microencapsulation technology designed to enhance flavor and boost absorption. The functional gummies are infused with an extract of robusta coffee beans (Coffea robusta) that perfectly captures the genuine aroma, flavor, and color of coffee.

TopGum Launches High Caffeine Cappuccino Gummies at Vitafoods

"Until now, coffee-flavored caffeine gummies have had a limited market presence due to tendencies to develop a bitter flavor," explains Amichai Bar-Nir, CEO of TopGum. "Thanks to our novel TopCaps technology, busy coffee lovers can finally experience the rich flavor of coffee in gummy form, with zero bitterness."

"The product line represents the culmination of a lengthy and complex development process," says Eli Edri, TopGum's COO and VP of strategic partnerships. "Over the last couple of years, we worked on the development of a state-of-the-art microencapsulation technology  called TopCaps  that is uniquely tailored for gummies. This innovative technology allows consumers to savor the flavor and aroma of coffee-on-the-go, while energizing themselves with a single chewy treat."

The gummy delivery system has been capturing the nutraceutical market, with research showing that the gummy is fast becoming Americans' favorite way to take supplements. According to Innova Market Insights, gummy supplement launches grew by 54% in the five-year period from 2017-2022 globally. This marks it as one of the fastest-growing supplement segments.

For its new coffee line, TopGum offers a choice of three popular, out-of-the-box flavors: espresso, cappuccino, and mocha. TopGum's global customer base, which includes major food and supplement companies, can customize the Gummiccino matrix by adjusting dosage, flavor, color, shape, and size.

In addition to providing the full coffee sensory experience, TopGum's gummies deliver a true functional dose of caffeine: Each serving of two coffee gummies contains 40 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to a standard espresso shot. This makes it an appealing and convenient alternative for the 74% of Americans who drink coffee daily1. It also appeals to consumers who simply need a quick energy boost.

According to the International Coffee Organization2, between June 2020 and June 2021, Europeans consumed 242 million kilograms of coffee. Including the UK (21.8 million kgs) and Switzerland (9.3 million kgs) into that figure, a staggering total of 273 million kgs of coffee were consumed.

"The new line represents a breakthrough in the caffeine gummy space," adds Edri, "Our TopCaps microencapsulation system allows the body to effectively absorb the caffeine by coating the caffeine particles with a natural substance that breaks down in the stomach, not the mouth. TopCaps technology will allow additional functionalities, which will be presented next year."

The company plans to leverage its TopCaps technology to formulate more innovative gummy-based products that cater to specific consumer needs. These projects will be led by the recently appointed head of R&D, Evgenia Lozinsky, who previously served as the CEO of PharmItBe. TopGum is establishing a specialized microencapsulation plant in Israel to bring its cutting-edge technology to the global market on a large scale.

The Gummiccino will be available for public tasting at the May 9-11, 2023 Vitafoods trade show in Geneva. "We look forward to connecting with new and old friends at Vitafoods, and having them experience the delicious gummies for themselves," adds Bar-Nir. "Plus, we have some surprises in store for our booth visitors, so please stop by." Last year at Vitafoods, TopGum was awarded Best-Tasting New Functional Food for its high-dosage vitamin C gummy.

The new line joins TopGum's catalog of nutraceutical-enriched gummies that are being commercialized on a private-label basis. The company also offers custom formulations to brands formulating gummies with their own ingredients. Using TopGum's service, brands can take advantage of the growing gummy market faster than if they had to reinvent the technology on their own.

Visit us at Vitafoods Europe, May 9-11, Geneva, booth #N230

For more information, contact:

1 https://www.driveresearch.com/market-research-company-blog/coffee-survey/

2 The 10 European Countries That Drink the Most Coffee - N26

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067734/TopGum.jpg

SOURCE TopGum, Ltd.
TopMark's Q1Transaction Increase Attributed to Growing Senior Finance Professionals and Focused Leadership Team

ROSEVILLE, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TopMark Funding, a premier funding destination for commercial vehicles, opens 2023 with strong originations in the first quarter. The company set its all-time record for funded transactions in March 2023. This contributed to a 22% increase in funded transactions in Q1 FY23 when compared to Q1 FY22.

TopMark Funding, LLC is a premier funding partner for dealerships.

The increase in funded transactions is both the result of last year's focus on growing valuable relationships with dealers by offering attractive solutions for their wide range of client needs and growing the salesforce through the addition of Senior Finance Professionals. TopMark continues to build by investing in technology and senior commercial vehicle specialists to fund more transactions. The company is working to do it more efficiently than others serving the space. In fact, TopMark's investment has decreased the average approval-to-funding time by more than 20% year over year.

"TopMark has spent the first eight years building its reputation as the premier funding resource for small to mid-size fleet owners and dealerships serving those clients," said Managing Director and Co-Founder Evan Lang. "As we look ahead at what the company's goals are for the future, we see an opportunity to serve an expanded audience within the total commercial vehicle space which includes expanding beyond over the road class 8's into additional types of commercial vehicles."

In Q1 2023, TopMark Funding opened its second West Coast office. Located in Long Beach, California, the new office will be a hub for additional finance and technology team members. The Southern California office is part of the company's ongoing investment in building platforms and processes that make funding transactions more seamless and efficient for dealers and customers.

About TopMark Funding

TopMark Funding, LLC, is a premier funding partner for dealerships specializing in financing commercial vehicles and can effectively and efficiently handle dealer transactions. Founded in 2015, the company has a proven track record of helping transportation companies expand by offering strategic funding solutions for growing small and mid-sized fleets. With a laser focus on speed, accuracy, and unmatched customer service, TopMark Funding and its dedicated team actively assist dealers in financing more than $12 million of commercial vehicles each month.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Haley

[email protected]

818.635.6809

SOURCE TopMark Funding, LLC
Will the much anticipated Ukrainian spring offensive have started by the time this goes to print, or has the meaning of the term changed? Are journalists and observers chasing a ghost that will not appear? In an article entitled Ukraine and Russia Need a Great-Power Peace Plan appearing in Foreign Policy on 18 April 2023, the American political scientist and Harvard international relations professor Stephen Walt urged his government to adopt a Plan B for Ukraine. He pointed out that according to recently revealed information, the Ukrainian forces are too under-equipped and under-trained for a spring offensive and would be unlikely to make far-reaching gains against Russian defences. The administrations bold promises of an eventual Ukrainian triumph will probably not be borne out, and Ukraine will suffer additional damage in the meantime. What Ukraine needs is peace, not a protracted war of attrition against a more populous adversary whose leader does not much care about how many lives are sacrificed in the maelstrom.

The term spring offensive, which has been gaining currency since the war in Ukraine entered its second year, derives from memories of World War II  when winters bitter cold and sludge made roads and fields impassable for tanks and other heavy military machinery.

That was long before climate change made winters warm, springs hot, and summers drag on into late autumn. This year, spring arrived on 22 March after an unseasonably warm winter. In the weeks after that, the front remained much the same as it had stood since the end of last year and certainly since the one-year anniversary of the start of the war. At the start of the year, there was much speculation in the Western press about an impending spring offensive to be launched by Russia. At the time, Russia had just completed a partial military mobilisation and training of called-up reserves. With the addition of large numbers of troops, Russian forces would succeed where they had previously failed in scoring sought-after gains in Ukraine, Western analysts held. Then their tone changed and it was now Ukraine that would launch the offensive to liberate occupied territory using tanks, ammunition and other equipment pledged by the US and its allies. The most frequently posed questions then became whether the Ukrainian offensive would include Crimea and whether the Ukrainian leaders maximalist stance or overzealous ambitions had put them in the thrall of illusory goals.

Despite all the preparations, the threats and insinuations, and the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the lines of contact generally remain still except for armed turmoil in places such as Bakhmut, which cannot be called a definitive battlefront. From the stability of the front, it appears that the two sides have resigned themselves to the lines of contact as they have stood since the start of the year, and that they are now waiting for a miracle solution. Perhaps that would entail an acceptance of the status quo similar to that which has remained in place since the fighting between North and South Korea stopped around seven decades ago. In all events, China has presented an initiative to end the fighting in Ukraine. While Beijing claims its cooperation with Russia is now unlimited, this has stopped short of military support. French President Emmanuel Macron has attempted to lend impetus to the initiative, and now the US strategist Stephen Walt proposes a joint US-Russian-Chinese initiative to end the conflict.

To me it seems that it is in the interest of all three powers to end the war. The drain of money, arms and ammunition and the influx of Ukrainian refugees have severely strained Washington and its European allies. US President Biden, too, is under great pressure, especially now that he has announced his bid for reelection and needs to claim a victory in a war that has prevented Russia from swallowing up Ukraine and a victory in peace settlement not just with Russia but also, and more importantly, with China. China has gained considerably as a result of that war. Above all, it now has access to Russian oil and gas at reduced prices and its relationship with Russia, now officially described as unlimited cooperation, is closer than ever. Such gains will strengthen Beijings call for a revision of the international order when the time for reconstruction begins. Beijing also wants to avert a war over Taiwan and to ensure continued support for the One China policy. Meanwhile, China has won a diplomatic notch in its belt, having brokered the Iranian-Saudi agreement to restore relations. It has also offered to mediate between the Palestinians and the Israelis. It would put the jewel in its crown as a great power that seeks world peace and prosperity if it participates in the peacemaking drive in Ukraine.

Russia, for its part, seems to have achieved some of its basic goals in the war, one of which was to gain international recognition, if only in the form of silent assent, of its annexation of Crimea and the Donbas. This will clip Ukraines wings and achieve its main goal, which is to keep Ukraine from joining NATO.

Ukraine is the main obstacle to the scenario of a consensus among superpowers. The ambitions of the Ukrainian leaders and the drumming up of the Ukrainian publics zealotry behind maximalist aims hampers the ability to achieve a rational settlement. Washington will be needed here in order to convince Ukraine that it has achieved a major victory by surviving as an independent state that can still obtain full membership in the EU, look forward to reconstruction and reap the glory of having withstood Russia during the war.

Stephen Walt, in his article, cited historical examples of successful cooperation between superpowers even at the height of Cold War tensions. For example, the US and the USSR jointly supported the UN Security Council resolutions ending the Arab-Israeli War in June 1967 and establishing a ceasefire during the October War in 1973. What Walt did not mention was that the first resolution was informed by circumstances related to the war in Vietnam and the US subsequent desire to reconcile with the Soviet Union and China, leading to president Nixons famous visit to Beijing and to the nuclear arms control agreement between the US and the Soviet Union.

Cooperation in the framework of the Madrid peace conference in the 1990s took place against the backdrop of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the US rise as the sole global hegemonic power. Such a situation is not appropriate to the realities surrounding the Ukraine war in which a ceasefire would be complicated and cast a shadow of defeat over the leaders of both sides in the eyes of their respective citizens. Ukraine stands to lose a lot of territory while Russias huge losses in combat and as the result of sanctions cannot be compensated with a settlement that does not result in a change of regime in Ukraine, leaving NATO even larger.

The world has changed a lot. Historical analyses may help make some things clearer, but they can also obfuscate the facts about this particular war.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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BALTIMORE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Transamerica has appointed Oriana Freidenberg to a new position as Head of Customer Experience and Marketing for the company's Individual Solutions division, which provides life insurance and annuities to customers throughout the U.S. She will report to Jamie Ohl, President of Individual Solutions.

At Transamerica, Ms. Freidenberg will lead the teams responsible for designing and implementing customer experience strategy, covering all touchpoints including the agent and advisor experience. She will direct Transamerica's vision for the customer journey and an enhanced customer-centric experience. Using market research developed by Transamerica's proprietary Voice-of-the-Customer data, Ms. Freidenberg will augment an integrated approach to how Transamerica serves customers and their financial professionals.

"Oriana's new role is a result of Transamerica's expanded focus on enhancing the experience of our customers, agents, and advisors using innovative, data-driven solutions," said Jamie Ohl. "She is passionate about delivering world-class customer service, including a seamless online navigation experience backed by our digital solutions and support team. Oriana has a strong omnichannel mindset when considering the customer journey, and she will lead our strategy to strengthen our customers' and their financial professionals' ability to engage with us in a way that works best for them."

Ms. Freidenberg joins Transamerica with a robust background in innovative customer experience, marketing strategy, and digital transformations. She is adept in driving growth and promoting customer and agent satisfaction. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Ms. Freidenberg has built successful sales and marketing campaigns that enhance a company's capabilities through traditional and eCommerce channels.

Most recently, Ms. Freidenberg served as the Vice President of Go-to-Market for Global Atlantic Financial Group, where she oversaw the company's Individual Markets marketing organization including brand, content strategy, digital marketing, and demand generation. Throughout her career she has served in customer experience and marketing leadership positions in financial services.

Oriana Freidenberg holds Series 6 and 26 securities registrations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. She will be based in Connecticut.

About Transamerica

With a history that dates back more than 100 years, Transamerica is a leading provider of life insurance, retirement, and investment solutions, serving millions of customers throughout the United States. Transamerica's dedicated professionals focus on helping people live their best lives through saving, investing, and protecting their loved ones. Transamerica serves nearly every customer segment, providing a broad range of quality individual life insurance policies, workplace supplemental insurance benefits, workplace retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and investment products including mutual funds, annuities, stable value solutions, as well as investment management services.

In 2022, Transamerica fulfilled its promises to customers, paying more than $46 billion in insurance, retirement, and annuity claims and benefits, including return of annuity premiums paid by the customer. Transamerica's head office is in Baltimore, Maryland, with other major operations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Denver, Colorado. Transamerica is part of the Aegon group of companies. Each company of the Aegon group of companies is solely responsible for its own financial conditions and contractual obligations. Based in the Netherlands, Aegon is a diversified, international financial services group offering investment, protection, and retirement solutions. For the full year of 2022, Aegon managed over $797 billion in revenue generating investments. For more information, visit www.transamerica.com.

Media inquiries:

[email protected]

Erin Yang

(303) 383-5295

Julie Quinlan

(303) 383-5923

SOURCE Transamerica
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect, the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business, today announced that its TransPerfect Gaming division has been named Best QA & Localization Service Provider by the 2023 Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards. This is the second consecutive year TransPerfect has won this award.

The award ceremony, held at the prestigious British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) in central London and hosted by Pocket Gamer, recognizes excellence in the mobile gaming industry.

The Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards are decided by Pocket Gamer's People's Choicean open vote from peers in the gaming industry. Hundreds of companies were evaluated across multiple criteria, and according to Pocket Gamer, the win is "awarded to the best company to have supported mobile games over the previous year in the areas of quality assurance and localization, ensuring that both new releases and updates go live with as few hiccups as possible and are localized appropriately for target markets."

TransPerfect Gaming is TransPerfect's division dedicated to the gaming industry and offers a multitude of services ranging from localization, quality assurance, art production, and audio services to player support, community management, and more.

TransPerfect Vice President Joel Brandon-Bravo and TransPerfect Gaming's UK Lead Jordan Kettle received the award at the ceremony. Brandon-Bravo said, "When we won this award last year, we were blown away. To win a second time truly highlights the passion for gaming and the quality of all of our linguists and testers globally. We are grateful to the clients who entrust us with their titles to help them reach and engage with players all over the world."

TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe stated, "I'd like to thank our gaming team for making this award possible. It is the result of hard work and dedication to our clients."

About TransPerfect Gaming

TransPerfect Gaming is the division of TransPerfect that specializes in video game globalization solutions for international storytelling. From localization, audio services, and art design to quality assurance, testing, and more, TransPerfect Gaming offers a multitude of services. Leveraging a worldwide network of production centers, testing facilities, and studios, this division services many of the world's most renowned games and gaming brands. To find out more, visit: www.transperfect.com/gaming.

About TransPerfect

TransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. From offices in more than 100 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 200+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 6,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink technology to simplify the management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.

SOURCE TransPerfect
Program highlights New Orleans as an incubator of teacher education rooted in the city's history of educational reform.

NEW ORLEANS and NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The School of Professional Advancement (SoPA) at Tulane University (TU) is currently accepting applications for its new online Master of Education (M.Ed) degree program with classes beginning this fall. The program was developed in partnership with Noodle, the country's fastest growing online learning network.

"Tulane SoPA is excited to offer this new master's degree, bringing our expertise, and a New Orleans perspective" Tweet this Signage for the School of Professional Advancement in Richardson Hall. Shot for Tulane Today. May 2021

"Tulane SoPA is excited to offer this new master's degree, bringing our expertise, and a New Orleans perspective, to key areas of educational leadership and educational technology," said Suri Duitch, Ph.D, Dean and Vice President for Academic Innovation at the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement.

Designed to help future education leaders improve the equitability and inclusivity of teaching practices within their communities, this program embraces New Orleans as a learning laboratory of different approaches and outcomes. This program offers bespoke real-world relevant courses and applied learning opportunities. The modality of the M.Ed program empowers students who are currently teaching or working in other capacities to earn their degrees while remaining in the workforce.

"The addition of the Master of Education degree to the university's catalog delivers on Tulane SoPA's long-held promise to work in service with and for our larger community," said Kelly McClure, Ed.D, Director of PreK-12 Education Programs and Professor of Practice. "Our education programs now extend beyond classrooms to school, district, state, private, and non-profit organizations that are dedicated to ensuring accessibility, quality, and life-changing results for all learners."

"The M.Ed program intentionally seeks applicants with unconventional backgrounds, by removing barriers to entry such as GRE/GMAT, TESOL, and professional prerequisites. The school is committed to this approach by offering scholarships and financial aid," said Robin Forman, Ph.D, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

The online M.Ed expands upon TU's existing portfolio of online degrees offered in collaboration with Noodle. This portfolio includes the Doctor of Public Health in Leadership, Advocacy and Equity, the Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences, the Master of Health Administration, the Master of Public Health in Disaster Management, the Master of Science in Public Health in Industrial Hygiene, the Master of Science in Computer Science, the Master of Social Work and the Doctorate of Social Work.

"We are excited to support the School of Professional Advancement at Tulane University in adding a unique online Master of Education degree to their growing online portfolio," said Noodle Chief Program Officer Stephen Green. "New Orleans' history as an incubator for educational reform and innovation is the heart and foundation of the Master's degree and we are honored to be a part of bringing it to the world."

Learn more about the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement online M.Ed degree program. The program is currently accepting applications for its inaugural Spring 2024 cohort.

About the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement

Tulane University School of Professional Advancement (Tulane SoPA) has extended the resources of Tulane University to working adults for more than 130 years. Tulane SoPA currently offers undergraduate and master's degrees and certificate programs in applied fields including Information Technology, PreK-12 Education, Business & Leadership Studies, Media + Design, Emergency & Security Studies, General Legal Studies, Humanities & Social Sciences, Kinesiology, and Public Administration.

About Noodle

Noodle was founded to make education more accessible and affordable by offering an alternative to the traditional online program management (OPM) model. A certified B corporation, Noodle partners with great universities to launch and scale online and hybrid degree programs that are high quality, accessible and affordable. In 2022, the company launched an employer partnerships service to help companies find, retain and maximize the performance of great employees, as well as the Noodle Learn Platform, which allows students to discover the best pathways for their career aspirations, and then upskill in a socially-engaging, expert-supported way. In 2023, Noodle acquired the South African Learning Design firm Hubble Studios, marking Noodle's entry into the international market and underscoring its commitment to building the highest quality online learning design and experience. Follow Noodle on LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .

Media Contacts:

Alicia Jasmin

Tulane University School of Professional Advancement

504-247-1467

[email protected]

Allen Shapard

Noodle

216-225-1222

[email protected]

SOURCE Noodle
SAN LOUIS OBISPO, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A modern U-Haul retail, moving and self-storage facility is coming to San Luis Obispo thanks to the Company's recent land acquisition of 4.03 acres at 1109 Kendall Road.

U-Haul Moving & Storage of San Luis Obispo is scheduled for completion in 2025. Preliminary plans call for the creation of a multi-story self-storage building including at least 700 indoor, ADA-accessible units with climate-control options and high-tech security features at affordable price points. U-Haul also plans to build a separate warehouse for portable moving containers.

"Expanding our self-storage footprint along the Central Coast of California is important to us," said Firoz Bari, U-Haul Company of Van Nuys and San Luis Obispo president. "Being located halfway between the Bay Area and Los Angeles, communities like SLO are attracting residents and we need to grow our services to follow demand."

U-Haul Moving & Storage of San Luis Obispo will feature a sprawling retail showroom and mobility services like trailer and truck rentals, boxes and moving supplies, towing equipment and more. Professional hitch installation and propane will also be available on-site.

Bari intends to hire at least 15 Team Members to staff the new store. U-Haul will look to hire locally to promote job growth within the San Louis Obispo community. U-Haul, honored as a Best for Vets leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com.

"Bringing quality jobs to SLO is one of our top priorities," Bari added. "U-Haul is thankful for this opportunity to be part of the city's development and long-term future."

Reserve equipment at uhaul.com or contact Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL.

U-Haul dealers in and around San Louis Obispo continue to be available to serve DIY movers. U-Haul has partnered with independent dealers to provide communities with accessible mobility since 1945. During these challenging times, more than 21,000 small businesses across the U.S. and Canada are generating supplemental income by partnering with U-Haul. When customers rent from their local U-Haul dealers, they are directly supporting small businesses in their community. Because there is no financial investment from dealers, they are not U-Haul franchises. They are simply small businesses with enough lot space to park U-Haul equipment and enough time to welcome more customers while meeting the mobility needs of their neighbors. Learn how to partner with U-Haul at uhaul.com/dealer.

About U-HAUL

Founded in 1945, U-Haul is the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 186,000 trucks, 128,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul is the third largest self-storage operator in North America and offers 913,000 rentable storage units and 78.1 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading "Best for Vets" employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America.

Contact:

Andrea Batchelor

Jeff Lockridge

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 602-263-6194

Website: uhaul.com

SOURCE U-Haul
To date, Uqora has served more than 400,000 people and now can potentially help millions more with its expansion

SAN DIEGO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Uqora , the cutting-edge urinary tract health brand, announces its expansion nationwide today. This is the first time that products from the digitally native brand are available in stores. A disruptor in the women's health category, Uqora is revolutionizing the urinary care aisle with its innovative line of proactive urinary tract health supplements and UTI symptom relief products. Uqora kicks off its omnichannel debut in over 4,700 CVS stores nationally and online at CVS.com.

Uqora is best known for its 3-part proactive urinary tract health supplement regimen (also known as the Complete Regimen) containing: Uqora Flush, Uqora Defend and Uqora Promote. A new holistic way of promoting better urinary health, these products work together to support your urinary health from multiple angles. In addition to offering its proactive supplements in CVS stores, Uqora will also have its UTI Emergency Kit available which includes everything you need to manage the symptoms of a UTI until you can see a doctor in a new, convenient 3-in-1 bundle.

"When you're experiencing a UTI, the last thing you want to do is piece together a plan for what products are going to best serve you. Uqora is here to offer consumers an easier, modernized offering with our simple yet effective urinary care products. Our team is committed to improving the lives of women and all those seeking better urinary health solutions," said Vivian Rhoads, Uqora President.

For too long, women and UTI-sufferers have been given few options when it comes to taking control of their urinary health. Founded by a chronic UTI-sufferer, Uqora understands this experience and recognizes this sector of women's health has been significantly underserved, until now. Uqora is committed to changing the urinary health landscape with UTI education, product innovation and building a community of people who share their journeys and provide each other support when it comes to urinary health.

With more than 25,000 5-star brand reviews, Uqora customers have called the brand a "game-changer" and "life-changing" with its range of proactive urinary tract health supplements and UTI symptom relief products. Since its inception in 2017, Uqora has experienced accelerated growth with its digital-first approach serving more than 400,000 customers. The decision to expand into retail stores will only accelerate the brand's mission of helping as many people as possible that need urinary tract health support.

To support its customers and progress women's health beyond its products, Uqora also offers UTI education resources and a private customer support group to remind you, you are not alone on your journey to better urinary heath.

About Uqora

Uqora, a Pharmavite company, is a San Diego-based healthcare company specializing in urinary tract health. Uqora's roots lie in proactive urinary tract care and research, leading the way in the development of next-generation health products. Uqora continues to expand high-quality research in the world of urinary health in cutting-edge, effective ways. With Uqora, consumers can address every aspect of their urinary tract health, from proactive care to diagnostics and UTI symptom management. Visit www.uqora.com to learn more.

About Pharmavite

Pharmavite is a pioneer in the health and wellness industry, earning the trust of consumers, health care professionals and retailers by developing innovative vitamin and supplement solutions backed by science that adhere to strict manufacturing practices. Through its Nature Made, EQUELLE, MegaFood, Nurish by Nature Made and Uqora brands, Pharmavite is dedicated to helping people live healthier, more vital lives. Based in California, Pharmavite is a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Visit www.Pharmavite.com and follow on LinkedIn for the latest news and information about Pharmavite and its brands.

SOURCE Pharmavite LLC
Total Roughrider Project resources are 27.8 million lbs. U 3 O 8 in 389,000 tonnes grading 3.25% U 3 O 8 in the Indicated category and 36.0 million lbs. U 3 O 8 in 359,000 tonnes grading 4.55% U 3 O 8 in the Inferred category (Table 1).

O in 389,000 tonnes grading 3.25% U O in the Indicated category and 36.0 million lbs. U O in 359,000 tonnes grading 4.55% U O in the Inferred category (Table 1). Following the acquisition of the Roughrider Project in 2012, Rio Tinto completed additional delineation and geotechnical drilling during 2012 through 2016, further delineating the Far East Zone and increasing the confidence level of the resources. This new TRS resource is based on 665 diamond drillholes completed to date by Hathor Exploration Limited ("Hathor") and Rio Tinto for a total of approximately 228,180 meters of drilling on the Project.

For consistency in approach and to leverage existing technical knowledge of the Project, UEC has completed this TRS resource report with the team at SRK Consulting, building on their excellent technical knowledge and experience with the Project. Most of the gain in indicated resources comes from the Far East Zone that was not previously disclosed by Hathor.

The next steps for the Project by UEC will be to commission an Initial Assessment economic study and complete further delineation drilling to upgrade the current inferred resources to indicated.

The Project has access to all-weather roads and power infrastructure. There is an airport accessible to the public at Points North Landing 6 km from the deposit area.

UEC's attributed resources now total 226.2 million pounds U 3 O 8 in the Measured and Indicated Categories and 102.7 million pounds U 3 O 8 in the Inferred category across all its projects (1), cementing UEC's status as one of the largest diversified North American focused uranium companies.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC), the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to announce that it has filed a Technical Report Summary ("TRS") on EDGAR disclosing updated mineral resources for the Company's 100% owned Roughrider Project (the "Project" or "Roughrider").

Figure 1 - UEC Athabasca Projects (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) Figure 2 - UEC Roughrider and East Athabasca Hub of Projects (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp)

Amir Adnani, CEO and President stated: "Our vision is to develop UEC as the leading Western supplier of secure,100% unhedged uranium, combining a platform of U.S. and Canadian assets. The new Roughrider resource is an exciting catalyst for UEC in Eastern Athabasca and anchors our Canadian high-grade conventional pipeline. From here, we're gearing-up to 1) complete an Initial Assessment economic study at Roughrider and 2) conduct additional drilling to enhance and grow this latest resource. Our future development plans will substantially benefit from the tier one ESG, geotechnical and permitting work completed by Rio Tinto to advance the Roughrider Project towards production."

Background:

As a U.S. domestic and domiciled company, UEC is now reporting all mineral resources in accordance with Item 1302 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"),

S-K 1300 was adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to modernize mineral property disclosure requirements for mining registrants and to align U.S. disclosure requirements more closely for mineral properties with current industry and global regulatory standards; and

The mineral resource estimate set forth in this TRS for the Roughrider Project has not previously been reported under the S-K 1300 format.

The TRS was prepared in accordance with S-K 1300 and was filed on May 1, 2023 with the SEC through EDGAR on Form 8-K and is also available on SEDAR as a "Material Document" filed on May 1, 2023. The TRS was prepared on behalf of the Company by SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd. ("SRK").

About the Roughrider Uranium Project

The Roughrider Project is a conventional uranium project located in the eastern Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan, Canada; one of the world's premier uranium mining jurisdictions. The Project is located approximately 13 km west of Orano's McClean Lake Mill, in close proximity to UEC's existing Athabasca Basin properties. The depth to mineralization at the Project is approximately 200 metres and hosted primarily in the basement rocks below the unconformity.

Resource Disclosure

The mineral resource estimate in the TRS was completed for UEC by SRK. Guy Dishaw, P.Geo, with SRK, is the qualified person ("QP") who authored the TRS in accordance with Item 1302 of S-K 1300. The Roughrider Project mineral resource estimate was determined using a cut-off grade of 0.45% U 3 O 8 for Long Hole Open Stope ("LHOS") mining of basement-hosted ore and 0.52% U 3 O 8 for Cut and Fill ("C&F") mining in the basement and near the unconformity with the sandstone. A total of 389,000 tonnes containing 27.8 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at an average grade of 3.25% U 3 O 8 have been estimated in the Indicated mineral resource category for the Roughrider deposit. A total of 359,000 tonnes containing 36.0 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at an average grade of 4.55% U 3 O 8 have been estimated in the Inferred mineral resource category for the Roughrider deposit.

Table 1  Roughrider Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate

Mining

Scenario Deposit Classification Tonnage (Kt) Grade U3O8

(%) Contained U3O8 Metal Tonnes M lbs C&F RRW Indicated 40 3.38 1,345 3.0 Inferred 11 3.64 384 0.8 LHOS RRW Indicated 160 4.62 7,368 16.2 Inferred 68 6.06 4,140 9.1 RRE Indicated - - - - Inferred 232 4.41 10,257 22.6 RRFE Indicated 189 2.07 3,917 8.6 Inferred 48 3.26 1,567 3.5 Combined RRW, RRE, and RRFE Total Indicated 389 3.25 12,629 27.8 Inferred 359 4.55 16,349 36.0

Notes: 1) Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. 2) Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves. There are no mineral reserves for the Project. 3) Mineral resources are reported on a 100% ownership basis. 4) Mineral resources are reported diluted within the Mine Stope Optimization ("MSO") shapes based on a U 3 O 8 price of US$56/lb of U 3 O 8 and metallurgical recovery of 97%. C&F and LHOS scenario cut-off grades are 0.52% and 0.45% U 3 O 8, respectively. Inferred and Indicated mineral resources as defined in 17 CFR  229.1300 of S-K 1300. 5) Mineral resources are reported as of January 1, 2023. 6) The mineral resources were estimated by SRK, a third-party QP under the definitions set forth in S-K 1300.The tonnage, grade, and contained metal have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimates.

The Mineral Resource model for the Roughrider Project, prepared by SRK, considers 665 diamond drill holes drilled from surface from 2007 to 2016. The Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") presented therein was prepared by the QP, Guy Dishaw, P.Geo., and has an effective date of January 1, 2023. The QP used the structural framework to guide the development of local mineralized surfaces as the uranium is characterized by discrete high-grade structurally controlled zones of semi-massive to massive uraninite and lower grade, disseminated and fracture filling zones of uraninite within clay altered gneiss. The QP has modelled discrete 'vein' models representing high-grade, structurally controlled zones of U 3 O 8 mineralization based on sharp contacts into high grade zones. A parent block size of 4x4x2 m, sub-blocked to 0.5 x 0.25 x 0.25 m, was chosen for the model and the estimate was performed by Ordinary Kriging. Restriction of high-grade samples was performed by modelling the structural intersections that control the distribution of the high-grade mineralization within the deposit.

The MRE primarily utilized uranium geochemical analyses from the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories ("SRC") in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Samples for assay were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy ("ICP-OES") for samples collected by Rio Tinto or SRC accredited fluorimetry for samples collected by Hathor. Non-mineralized samples were analysed by either ICP-OES and/or Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Duplicate and independent check analyses were performed on approximately 10% of the mineralized assay database.

Summary capital and operating cost estimates are not included with the TRS since the Company is reporting the results of an initial assessment.

The TRS has been prepared and the technical information in this news release respecting the TRS has been reviewed by Mr. Guy Dishaw of SRK, a QP under Item 1302 of S-K 1300.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Chris Hamel, P.Geo., UEC Vice President Exploration, Canada who is considered to be a QP as defined by S-K 1300.

(1) The measured, indicated and inferred resources are the combined totals from the TRSs that are available on the Company's website and on EDGAR for each of the following: (a) The Roughrider Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada, effective date April 25, 2023 (as filed today on Form 8-K); (b) Wyoming Assets ISR Hub and Spoke Project, WY, USA, dated March 31, 2022 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774922008227/ex_354591.htm); (c) Reno Creek Project, Campbell County, WY, effective date December 31, 2021 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774922002755/ex_333172.htm); (d) Texas Hub and Spoke ISR Project, TX, USA, dated March 9, 2023 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774923009111/ex_495573.htm); (e) Wyoming ISR Hub and Spoke Project, WY, USA, dated March 9, 2023 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774923009111/ex_495574.htm); (f) Shea Creek Project, Saskatchewan, effective date October 31, 2022 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774923000881/ex_462410.htm); ; (g) Horseshoe-Raven Project, Saskatchewan, effective date October 31, 2022 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774923001598/ex_465792.htm); (h) Anderson Uranium Project Initial Assessment, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA, dated March 9, 2023 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774923009111/ex_495571.htm); (i) Workman Creek Project, Gila County, Arizona, USA, effective date February 14, 2023 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774923006474/ex_487471.htm); and (j) Yuty Uranium Project Initial Assessment, Paraguay, SA, dated March 9, 2023 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1334933/000143774923009111/ex_495572.htm)

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is the fastest growing supplier of the fuel for the green energy transition to a low carbon future. UEC is the largest, diversified North American focused uranium company, advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming. These two production platforms are anchored by fully operational central processing plants and served by seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all their major permits in place. Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of U.S. warehoused U 3 O 8 ; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American: UEC

Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol: U6Z

WKN: AJDRR

ISN: US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp
U.S. LawShield Offers Situational Awareness Tips for Public and Members

HOUSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. LawShield and law enforcement agencies across the United States are warning residents to be aware of their surroundings as incidents of jugging, the stalking and robbery of customers exiting the bank, are on the rise. U.S. LawShield, America's premier Legal Defense for Self Defense organization, knows that distractions are part of modern life and can lead to unwanted encounters.

Jugging is a form of theft that includes robbery and occurs when a person follows an unsuspecting victim from a bank or retail store to their next location. Generally, the victim is distracted with a phone or car keys in a parking lot or even at their own home. Senior adults are the most common target, according to crime statistics. Police agencies across the country have issued warnings about jugging, including the police department in Austin, Texas, which reported around 130 incidents last year that totaled more than $1.3 million.

"Jugging and other crimes such as purse snatching in parking lots and at gas stations are on the rise, and some of these incidents can be prevented by being aware of your surroundings at all times," said Kirk Evans, president of U.S. LawShield. "We continually educate our members on ways to stay aware and how to avoid these altercations altogether. From educational materials to in-person seminars and workshops led by experienced attorneys, firearms instructors and industry professionals, U.S. LawShield educates, prepares and protects its members."

U.S LawShield recommends the following tips to keep yourself safe:

Keys ready and eyes alert, not on your cell phone. Always have your keys ready and put the cell phone away while you're walking to your car at any shopping complex, bank or business. Focus on getting to your car quickly and deliberately without stopping to do something else.

Always have your keys ready and put the cell phone away while you're walking to your car at any shopping complex, bank or business. Focus on getting to your car quickly and deliberately without stopping to do something else. Know your surroundings and when to pay closer attention . Parking lots, stop lights, gas stations, and even our own driveways are part of getting to the places we frequent the most. Criminals know that these transitional spaces are where people are most likely to be distracted. They may seem harmless, but they're places where people are most likely to be randomly victimized.

. Parking lots, stop lights, gas stations, and even our own driveways are part of getting to the places we frequent the most. Criminals know that these transitional spaces are where people are most likely to be distracted. They may seem harmless, but they're places where people are most likely to be randomly victimized. Be on the lookout for loitering people . Pay attention to individuals who move directly towards you, change direction to intercept you or begin moving once they see you're a potential victim. While these signs aren't guarantees that someone is going to assault you, they can indicate that you're likely to have an encounter with that person.

. Pay attention to individuals who move directly towards you, change direction to intercept you or begin moving once they see you're a potential victim. While these signs aren't guarantees that someone is going to assault you, they can indicate that you're likely to have an encounter with that person. Engage in active avoidance. Most criminals are opportunistic. The criminals who strike at random rely on misdirection and surprise in order to close distance with and overwhelm their victims. Given the choice, most criminals will target someone completely unaware rather than someone paying close attention to their environment. The simple act of paying attention, coupled with knowing what to look for, can protect you and your family from harm.

For more information about U.S. LawShield, or to become a member, visit uslawshield.com.

About U.S. LawShield

Founded in 2009, U.S. LawShield, America's premier Legal Defense for Self-Defense organization, offers coverage in 46 states and has served more than 2 million members. A network of 200+ Independent Program Attorneys is readily available, plus access to a 24/7/365 hotline and protection for members throughout the legal process after acts of self-defense.

Educate. Prepare. Protect. U.S. LawShield is committed to informing and updating you on self-defense laws, providing comprehensive instruction and training, and defending you in your greatest time of need. For more information on U.S. LawShield and its Legal Defense for Self-Defense program, visit uslawshield.com.

SOURCE U.S. LawShield, LLC
Funds to support the protection and resettlement of refugees and stateless people in Australia

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage, an award-winning multi-asset broker for Contracts for Difference (CFDs), has today announced a donation of $100,000 USD to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support their protection and resettlement of refugees and stateless people in Australia. Currently, Australia hosts almost 55,000 refugees and 90,000 asylum seekers (mainly from the Middle East or Asia), in which 8,000 are stateless.

Jack Kelly (Head of Sales Australia, Vantage) met Nai Jit Lam, Deputy Representative for UNHCR Australia at UNHCRs Canberra office.

Nai Jit Lam, Deputy Representative for UNHCR Australia thanked Vantage for their contribution, saying, "We are grateful for Vantage's continuous support, which will help us facilitate solutions for refugees who have been in limbo and in need of a long-lasting solution for many years."

The donation will be allocated towards several UNHCR's strategic priority areas, including the identification of refugees in need of resettlement, the provision of counselling and information sessions for refugees, registration and data management, resettlement interviews, and ensuring streamlined resettlement processing from identification to case referral.

The primary objectives of the "Supporting Refugees in Australia" programme focus on securing durable solutions for eligible refugees who have been subject to Australia's offshore processing arrangements, advocating with the government to improve refugee and stateless protection in Australia, and providing direct counselling support for refugees.

Jack Kelly, Head of Sales, Vantage, expressed his enthusiasm for the company's partnership with UNHCR: "We're honoured to be supporting the UNHCR's efforts  the team is doing incredibly important work and we're proud to be part of their journey."

"We recognise that, as a business, we're in a strong position to give back to our local communities and a key principle that guides us in our corporate ESG journey is striving to ensure no one gets left behind, including refugees who are seeking assistance," Kelly added.

The donation is a significant step towards providing support and protection to refugees in Australia and follows a series of commitments made in line with Vantage's corporate ESG initiative which was formally launched in July 2022 and has become a staple of the company's purpose.

Since the inception of its ESG journey, Vantage has collaborated with popular influencer Supercar Blondie in an initiative to restore vital seagrass ecosystems and to raise awareness on climate change, as well as women empowerment during the week of the Extreme E race in Sardinia, Italy. Later that year, the company announced a partnership with UNESCO to help improve access to quality education for disadvantaged people.

Photo caption: Jack Kelly (Head of Sales Australia, Vantage) met Nai Jit Lam, Deputy Representative for UNHCR Australia at UNHCR's Canberra office.

About Vantage

Vantage (or Vantage Markets) is a multi-asset broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading CFD on Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs and Bonds.

With more than 13 years of market experience, Vantage entities now have over 1,000 employees across more than 30 global offices.

Vantage is more than a broker. It provides a trusted trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a user- friendly trading platform that enables clients to take advantage of trading opportunities. Download the Vantage App on App Store or Google Play.

trade smarter @vantage.

About UNHCR

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.

We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

We deliver life-saving assistance, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.

We work in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

SOURCE Vantage
FISHERS, Ind., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Verista, a leading business and technology company that provides systems, compliance, validation and quality solutions to life sciences clients, will be presenting at the ISPE Delaware Valley Chapter Symposium & Exhibition on May 16. The annual Symposium is a one-day biopharmaceutical show and will be held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr Ram Arthanari, Senior Delivery Manager at Verista, will be leading the discussion titled AmplifyBio Achieves Compliance and Advances Their Digital Strategy: One Step Closer to Realizing Pharma 4.0. The presentation covers how Verista assisted AmplifyBio, a gene therapy company, in their journey to go paperless by incorporating industry best practices and tools to achieve real results and outcomes by adopting a Pharma 4.0 and digital transformation methodology at their company.

"AmplifyBio sought to implement Blue Mountain software, a regulatory asset management solution to harmonize and streamline these activities, enabling them to meet 21 CFR Part 11 compliance requirements, and mitigate quality and data integrity risks." said Dr. Arthanari. "Verista had the deep validation and process expertise in the areas they needed."

"This project was a win-win-win for Verista, Blue Mountain and AmplifyBio," said Dev Dutta, Director of Quality IT at AmplifyBio. "Throughout this project we all became subject matter experts, combining business process and validation expertise from AmplifyBio, software best- practice from Blue Mountain, and project management expertise from Verista. We're excited to be collaborating with Verista on our digital transformation journey as we roll out multiple system implementations."

Joining Dr. Arthanari and Mr. Dutta on the panel will be David Rode, CEO of Blue Mountain.

ABOUT VERISTA

Verista is a leading business, technology and compliance company that enables clients to improve health and improve lives. We help clients solve their most critical and complex challenges across the GxP lifecycle, from clinical to commercialization, manufacturing and distribution. This experience brings together decades of knowledge, the most advanced engagement platforms, as well as transformative technologies. This allows clients to benefit from the ease, efficiency, and trust that results from working with one partner who excels across specialties. Verista's clients trust the company's 700+ experts to deliver consistent, safe, and high-quality results across the product development lifecycle in the areas of enterprise and lab solutions, technology solutions, manufacturing solutions, and regulatory compliance and product management.

SOURCE Verista
DUBLIN, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Vietnam Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Vietnam data center market size is expected to grow $1,037 million by 2028 from $561 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 10.68% from 2022 to 2028

This report analyses the Vietnam 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.



With the implementation of the data localization law in Vietnam, data center investments are increasing on a YoY basis. The country is witnessing investments from new entrants such as Data Center First, Edge Centres, Infracrowd Capital, and Worldwide DC Solutions. Existing operators are expanding their presence in the country by investing in the new facility and expanding the existing facility.

Regarding network connectivity, the country has five existing submarine cables connecting to APAC & EMEA countries and the US. Asia Direct Cable (ADC) and Southeast Asia-Japan Cable 2 (SJC2) are the two upcoming submarine cables expected to be operational by 2023/2024.

The Government has launched the digitalization initiative known as Digital Transformation Program 2025 aims to transfer around 50% of the business to digital platforms by 2025. In the country, the 5G network connectivity increase drives the demand for edge data center deployment and offers last-mile connectivity and lower latency services.

In August 2022, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of edge data centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In February 2022, the Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam announced its research plans for developing 6G technology to meet the demand from the fastest-growing technology sectors.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the major locations in the Vietnam data center market, with 24 existing third-party data centers. Hanoi is the major location in Vietnam, with around 11 existing facilities.

Some key investors in the Vietnam data center market are Viettel IDC, NTT Global Data Centers, FTP Telecom, CMC Telecom, HTC Telecom International (ECODC), VNPT, and VNTT.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and Vietnam colocation market revenue.

colocation market revenue. An assessment of the data center investment in v 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 Vietnam data center industry landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about industry size during the forecast period.

data center industry 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 Vietnam

a) Facilities Covered (Existing): 24



b) Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 07



c) Coverage: 4 Cities



d) Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)



e) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data center colocation market in Vietnam

a) Market Revenue & Forecast (2022-2028)



b) Retail Colocation Pricing

Vietnam market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

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.

Key Attributes:

IT Infrastructure Providers

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

Hitachi Vantara

IBM

Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ)

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

NEC Corporation

Oracle

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

Aurecon

Archetype Group

AWP Architects

Apave

Delta Group

GreenViet

Sato Kogyo

Universal Smart Data Center Technology

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Cyber Power Systems

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Fuji Electric

HITEC Power Protection

KOHLER Power

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Panduit

Rittal

Schneider Electric

Siemens

STULZ

Trane ( Ingersoll Rand )

) Vertiv

Data Center Investors

CMC Telecom

FPT Telecom

HTC Telecom International (ECODC)

NTT Global Data Centers

Telehouse

VNTT

Viettel IDC

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT)

VNG Cloud

New Entrants

Data Center First

Edge Centres

Infracrowd Capital

Worldwide DC Solutions

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City

Other Cities ( Da Nang , and Binh Duong Province )

, and ) List of Upcoming Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

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

Racks

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

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1kf5yc

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.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
The recent visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to Washington was a reminder of the escalation on the Korean Peninsula and the growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, writes Hussein Haridy

The South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol paid a state visit to the US last month that lasted six days.

He met US President Joe Biden at the White House on 26 April and addressed a joint session of Congress, during which he brought up the memory of the Korean War (1950-1953) and paid tribute to the US-South Korean alliance in defence of liberty and democracy. The visit also came in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the alliance.

Yoon Suk-yeols meeting with Biden was the fifth meeting between the two men since the formers election last year as South Koreas president. Their first meeting was in May 2022 during Bidens first tour of Asia after his election in 2020, during which he also visited Japan. Their summit in Seoul in 2022 and the US-Japanese summit in Tokyo that immediately followed it strengthened the US-South Korean-Japanese Trilateral Alliance.

From a strategic point of view, the state visit of the South Korean president to Washington took place in the framework of the US Indo-Pacific strategy, in which the South Koreans, after the election of Yoon Suk-yeol, have become an active member in a way that is incompatible with their long-term national interests of peaceful relations with China and Russia.

The visit by the South Korean president to Washington reaffirmed the strong security and defence relations between Seoul and Washington in the context of their joint strategy of extended deterrence against what they call North Koreas nuclear escalation and threats. It also reassured South Korea of the protection of the US nuclear umbrella against any potential North Korean nuclear attack. The two Presidents set up a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) with Washington, promising to give South Korea an important role in the strategic planning of a nuclear response strategy in case of a military conflict between the two Koreas.

The Washington Declaration released on 27 April reaffirmed the commitment of South Korea to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in return for the regular visibility of US strategic assets, for example, a scheduled visit of a US nuclear submarine to South Korea armed with ballistic nuclear missiles.

The declaration contained a US promise to increase South Koreas involvement in carrying out extended deterrence through mutual consultation, information-sharing, and simulations combined with defence exercises and the visibility of US strategic assets. In his joint press conference with the South Korean president in Washington, Biden stressed that a nuclear attack by North Korea against the US or its allies would result in the end of whatever regime.

The Washington Declaration covered the whole spectrum of US-South Korean cooperation in the fields of defence and global security cooperation, economic, commercial, and environmental cooperation, and technological, digital, and space cooperation.

At the same time, and unsurprisingly, the two presidents also declared that they were joining the international community in condemning Russias war of aggression against Ukraine. They emphasised that we are continuing to support Ukraine through the vital provision of political, security, humanitarian, and economic assistance, including by increasing the capacities of the Ukrainians in power generation and transmission and rebuilding critical infrastructure.

There was no reference, however, to the South Koreans exporting ammunition and weapons directly to Ukraine, at least not in the public pronouncements of the two presidents. The idea is to export these to Poland. By law, the South Korean government is prohibited from exporting armaments to countries that are at war.

The US-South Korean summit reiterated a commitment to diplomacy with North Korea as the only viable means of achieving lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and called on the North to resume negotiations, a reference to denuclearisation talks. However, it may be doubted whether Pyongyang, given the doctrine of extended deterrence and the visibility of US strategic assets  meaning nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines as well as joint exercises by the South Korean and US Air Forces like the ones held from 13 to 23 March  will be interested in restarting such negotiations, particularly when the two presidents at their Washington meeting condemned nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes by the North and called for a halt to their development.

They both reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, though how this squares with the visibility of US strategic assets in the South is difficult to understand. As a reminder, the nuclear-powered USS Nimitz docked in Busan in South Korea on 27 March as part of a show of US power intended to demonstrate how the extended deterrence concept works. The Nimitz and Carrier Strike Group 11 anchored in Busan after it had taken part in naval exercises with the South Korean Navy.

Six months ago, another US nuclear-powered carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, docked in the same port city. The two allies also held a joint amphibious landing exercise from the end of March to the beginning of April. How all these exercises on land, in the air, and at sea will help to convince the North Koreans of the peaceful intentions of the US-South Korean security and military alliance towards Pyongyang is difficult to imagine.

Seen in this light, why on earth would the North ever accept denuclearisation? They consider their nuclear and ballistic missiles capabilities to be an insurance policy against not only the alliance between Washington and Seoul, but also as a potent deterrent against the US-South Korean-Japanese Trilateral Alliance in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US and South Korean presidents strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific, they said, including through what they termed unlawful maritime claims, the militarisation of reclaimed natural features, and coercive activities. You have probably guessed whom they were talking about without singling the country out by name, though the name of that country is of course China.

The commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the alliance between South Korea and the US is another reminder of the growing security tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and the increasing polarisation in the Asia-Pacific as a whole.

Within South Korea itself, many will doubt that the deep involvement of their country in the fierce competition between the US and China will serve the national and security interests of their country in the medium and longer term. Nor would it facilitate the resumption of diplomatic talks between Seoul and Pyongyang.

The diplomatic engagement between the two Koreas during the presidency of Moon Jae-in belongs, regrettably, in the past.

Security, stability, and peace on the Korean Peninsula seem as distant as ever.

* The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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NEW YORK, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The size of the wall decor market in US is estimated to increase by USD 9,796.77 million from 2022 to 2027, with a CAGR of 8.02%, according to a recent market study by Technavio. This report also offers a 5-year historical (2017-2021) data projection of market size, segmentation, and region. Discover some key insights on market size before buying the full report - Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled US Wall Decor Market 2023-2027

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. The bargaining power of buyers & suppliers and the threat of new entrants, rivalry, and substitutes have also been analyzed and rated between LOW-HIGH to provide a holistic view of market favorability.

Find Technavio's exclusive analysis of price sensitivity, adoption lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase Criteria

One of the core components of the customer landscape is price sensitivity , an analysis of which will help companies refine marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage .

, an analysis of which will help companies refine . Another key aspect is price sensitivity drivers (purchases are undifferentiated, the purchase is a key cost to buyers, and quality is not important) , which is LOW.

, which is Furthermore, market adoption rates for all regions have been covered.

The market report also offers information on the criticality of inputs, R&D, CAPEX, technology, and products of 15 vendors listed Below -

Amazon.com Inc.

Bed Bath and Beyond Inc.

Brewster Home Fashions

Costco Wholesale Corp.

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

F. Schumacher and Co.

Franchise Concepts Inc.

Haverty Furniture Companies Inc.

Kimball International Inc.

Kirklands Inc.

Kohls Corp.

Lowes Co. Inc.

Macys Inc.

Penney OpCo LLC

Pier 1 Imports Online Inc.

Restoration Hardware Inc.

The Home Depot Inc.

Transform Holdco LLC

Walmart Inc.

Wayfair Inc.

Williams Sonoma Inc.

Download a sample

Chart & data table on 5-year historic (2017-2021) market size, comparative analysis of Segments, and Y-O-Y growth of wall decor market in US

The market is segmented by distribution channel (offline and online) and product (wall art, picture frames, wall clocks, and other decorative accents)

The offline segment will account for a significant share of market growth during the forecast period. Offline stores enable customers to physically examine the products before purchasing. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the most popular distribution channels. The growth of supermarkets and hypermarkets is attributed to the growth of the organized retail sector in the US. Retail outlets offer a wide range of products under a single roof. Manufacturers of wall decor also sell their products through specialty stores and other retail formats. These factors will drive the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

To procure the data - Buy the report!

Market dynamics

Driver - The improved standard of living and the introduction of premium products are driving market growth. Changes in lifestyles and rising disposable income have increased the popularity of home renovation in the US. The demand for home renovations is also fueled by the growing demand for designer home decor products such as wall decor items and the penetration of the Internet and social media. Major players are expanding their portfolio by offering specialized products to meet the varied demands of consumers. These factors will fuel the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Trend - The increasing demand for interior designing is a key trend in the market. The strengthening US economy over the last five years has led to higher spending on home improvement and decor products. The demand for designer wall decor, such as wall art, wall clocks, and picture frames, is increasing. Therefore, interior designers and designing companies are introducing homeowners to invest in interior design. Increasing awareness has further increased the demand for designer wall decor. The rising number of working women and their participation in household decision-making has also fueled the demand for interior design. Such factors will support market growth during the forecast period.

Challenge - The rising competition is challenging market growth. Manufacturers compete on aspects such as product portfolio, premiumization, differentiation, and pricing. The entry of new players and private-label brands will intensify the competition further during the forecast period. This will lead to price wars, which, in turn, will further degrade the quality of products. Multichannel retailers have a lower cost structure, which also intensifies completion in the market. Therefore, the changing competitive landscape can affect the profit margins of players, which will hinder market growth during the forecast period.

For the key insights on the market dynamics & segmentations, view a PDF sample!

Related Reports:

The wallcovering market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 5,493.96 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (wall panel, tiles, and metallic wall covering), end-user (residential and commercial), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The size of the wallcovering market in the US is expected to increase by USD 9.21 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.44%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers segmentation by end-user (residential and commercial) and product type (wall panel, tiles, and metallic wall covering).

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What are the key data covered in this report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the wall decor market in US between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the wall decor market in US and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the wall decor market in US

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of wall decor market vendors in US

Wall Decor Market Scope in US Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.02% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 9,796.77 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.8 Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled Amazon.com Inc., Bed Bath and Beyond Inc., Brewster Home Fashions, Costco Wholesale Corp., Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., F. Schumacher and Co., Franchise Concepts Inc., Haverty Furniture Companies Inc., Kimball International Inc., Kirklands Inc., Kohls Corp., Lowes Co. Inc., Macys Inc., Penney OpCo LLC, Pier 1 Imports Online Inc., Restoration Hardware Inc., The Home Depot Inc., Transform Holdco LLC, Walmart Inc., Wayfair Inc., and Williams Sonoma 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.

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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 Distribution Channel



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



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 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 12: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 13: Chart on US: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on US: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Wall decor market in US 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 15: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Wall decor market in US 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Distribution Channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 16: Historic Market Size  Distribution Channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 17: Historic Market Size  Product 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 Distribution Channel

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

6.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 29: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 33: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Product

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 38: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 40: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Comparison by Product

7.3 Wall art - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Wall art - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Wall art - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Wall art - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Wall art - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Picture frames - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Picture frames - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Picture frames - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Picture frames - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Picture frames - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Wall clock - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 50: Chart on Wall clock - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Wall clock - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Chart on Wall clock - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Wall clock - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Other decorative accents - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 54: Chart on Other decorative accents - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Other decorative accents - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on Other decorative accents - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Other decorative accents - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 58: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 59: 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 60: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 61: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 62: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 63: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 64: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 65: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 Amazon.com Inc.

Exhibit 66: Amazon.com Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 67: Amazon.com Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 68: Amazon.com Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 69: Amazon.com Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 70: Amazon.com Inc. - Segment focus

11.4 Bed Bath and Beyond Inc.

Exhibit 71: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 72: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 73: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 74: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Key offerings

11.5 Costco Wholesale Corp.

Exhibit 75: Costco Wholesale Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 76: Costco Wholesale Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 77: Costco Wholesale Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 78: Costco Wholesale Corp. - Segment focus

11.6 Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

Exhibit 79: Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 80: Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 81: Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 82: Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. - Segment focus

11.7 Franchise Concepts Inc.

Exhibit 83: Franchise Concepts Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 84: Franchise Concepts Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 85: Franchise Concepts Inc. - Key offerings

11.8 Haverty Furniture Companies Inc.

Exhibit 86: Haverty Furniture Companies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 87: Haverty Furniture Companies Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 88: Haverty Furniture Companies Inc. - Key offerings

11.9 Kimball International Inc.

Exhibit 89: Kimball International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 90: Kimball International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 91: Kimball International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 92: Kimball International Inc. - Segment focus

11.10 Kirklands Inc.

Exhibit 93: Kirklands Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 94: Kirklands Inc. - Key offerings

11.11 Kohls Corp.

Exhibit 95: Kohls Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 96: Kohls Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 97: Kohls Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 98: Kohls Corp. - Segment focus

11.12 Lowes Co. Inc.

Exhibit 99: Lowes Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 100: Lowes Co. Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 101: Lowes Co. Inc. - Key offerings

11.13 Macys Inc.

Exhibit 102: Macys Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 103: Macys Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 104: Macys Inc. - Key offerings

11.14 Penney OpCo LLC

Exhibit 105: Penney OpCo LLC - Overview



Exhibit 106: Penney OpCo LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 107: Penney OpCo LLC - Key offerings

11.15 The Home Depot Inc.

Exhibit 108: The Home Depot Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 109: The Home Depot Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 110: The Home Depot Inc. - Key offerings

11.16 Walmart Inc.

Exhibit 111: Walmart Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 112: Walmart Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 113: Walmart Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 114: Walmart Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 115: Walmart Inc. - Segment focus

11.17 Wayfair Inc.

Exhibit 116: Wayfair Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 117: Wayfair Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 118: Wayfair Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 119: Wayfair Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 120: Wayfair Inc. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 121: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 122: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 123: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 124: Research methodology



Exhibit 125: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 126: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 127: 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

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
A year after its California-wide launch, the popular nonprofit app expands its coverage throughout the Western U.S. to deliver a more timely and trustworthy way to convey critical information about wildfires as they develop.

HEALDSBURG, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Watch Duty, the only app that provides real-time wildfire information, today announced that it is expanding its coverage areas throughout the Western United States. Any interested individual can download the app for free on the App Store, Google Play or at watchduty.org.

Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.

Already live across the State of California, Watch Duty provides real-time alerts and continued expert reporting for local residents in areas impacted by fast-moving and unpredictable wildfires. Watch Duty delivers these critical updates, all of which are fully vetted by an expert team of current and former firefighters and first responders, retired dispatchers and reporters, faster than any other available channel or forum. This allows impacted residents to make informed decisions during stressful and uncertain times, when official notices often take exponentially longer, if they appear at all.

"Wildfires don't wait for bureaucracy: the majority of fatalities occur within the first hour of a fire, meaning every second counts," said John Mills, co-founder and CEO at Watch Duty. "We built Watch Duty to give people who live in wildfire-prone areas a more timely and trustworthy option for receiving critical updates as quickly as possible. When there's a wildfire in or near your area, you'll receive an update directly to your phone, within minutes, and without having to mine through various community groups on Facebook, Twitter or other mass forums, which often contain dated and/or dubious information."

Watch Duty is already installed on more than one in every three phones in many wildfire-prone California regions including Napa and Lake Counties, and has already been downloaded by nearly one million California residents. Over the past year, it has added dedicated reporters in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch Duty's services are now live in these states, along with California, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

"When a wildfire occurs, panic and confusion are often the first emotions to set in  an especially dangerous reality when you factor in just how unpredictable and fast-moving many fires are," said Jeff Lemelin, Volunteer Battalion Chief for Sonoma County (CA) Fire District. "Watch Duty is providing a vital public service by providing a simple and highly trustworthy option for receiving the key information around wildfire movements, containment status and, especially, evacuation notices, that people need, delivered when they most need it."

Interested individuals with experience listening to emergency communications and reporting disasters on forums like Facebook and Twitter can apply to be a Watch Duty reporter at https://www.watchduty.org/volunteer .

ABOUT WATCH DUTY

Watch Duty, 501(c)3 nonprofit, provides real-time wildfire information for making informed decisions when seconds count. Our service is powered by real people  firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders  who diligently monitor radio scanners and collaborate 24/7 to send up-to-the-minute information to your phone. It's free to download on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more at watchduty.org .

SOURCE Watch Duty
Asian Americans are the least understood minority in the U.S. Take a quiz to find out how much you know about this very diverse group at www.BeyondTheBambooCurtain.com

SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Soon Lee, Ph.D., is the author of the upcoming book, "Beyond the Bamboo Curtain: Understanding America's Invisible Minority". In his book, he explains his journey to acceptance and success in America along with some little-known facts about Asians and their 150-year-old history in the United States.

May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month and it's more important than ever for people to understand this growing but misunderstood group. In Michael's book, he uncovers many of the myths about Asians including:

Michael Soon Lee, Ph.D. Book Cover

Why Asians in America have the highest level of academic achievement yet are the least likely to be promoted at work.

How the myth of the successful minority negatively impacts Asian Pacific Americans.

Why are Asians in the U.S. granted privileges that most other minorities don't have?

Stereotypes that are the cause of the growing violence against Asian Pacific Americans.

Why the epidemic of "quiet quitting" started in Asia and how it affects the U.S. workplace.

You can take the quiz at: www.BeyondTheBambooCurtain.com

About Michael Soon Lee

Dr. Lee is a professional speaker on diversity, equity, and inclusion and the author of nine books including "Cross-Cultural Selling for Dummies" and "Black Belt Negotiating". He was the first Asian American to earn the Certified Speaking Professional designation in the history of the National Speakers Association and has spoken over 1,000 times around the world to companies like Coca-Cola, Chevron, Boeing, and General Motors. His career includes being a motion picture producer and actor, dean of a university business school, chairman of the board of a credit union, award-winning real estate broker, and more. Email: [email protected] Phone: (925) 864-8848 Website: www.BeyondTheBambooCurtain.com

SOURCE Michael Soon Lee, Ph.D.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennessee high school students can now learn essential soft skills to boost their chances for career success, thanks to WIN Learning and Jobs for America's Graduates Tennessee (JAGTN).

WIN Learning is a national leading developer of career readiness solutions, and it is partnering with JAGTN, a non-profit organization helping students graduate, to strengthen the future workforce with soft skills training.

WIN Essential Soft Skills Courseware for students success, provides future employers with workplace-ready candidates. Tweet this Students will work through the WIN Essential Soft Skills courseware, which comprises blended online and offline solutions helping learners develop and demonstrate attitudinal and behavioral skills essential to success in the workplace and school. The WIN Essential Soft Skills Courseware consists of four modules: Communicating Effectively, Conveying Professionalism, Promoting Teamwork and Collaboration, and Thinking Critically and Solving Problems.

WIN Learning is proud to partner with JAGTN to offer students in the 2022-2023 school year the opportunity to earn the National Work Readiness Essential Soft Skills Credential. JAGTN is classified as a College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) course through the Tennessee Department of Education.

"WIN's mission has always been to ensure that learners have the necessary skills to succeed in life and in their careers," said founder and CEO Teresa Chasteen-Dunn. "We are excited about this opportunity to help Tennessee students build their soft skills and set themselves up for future success."

Students will work through the WIN Essential Soft Skills courseware, which comprises blended online and offline solutions helping learners develop and demonstrate attitudinal and behavioral skills essential to success in the workplace and school. The WIN Essential Soft Skills Courseware consists of four modules: Communicating Effectively, Conveying Professionalism, Promoting Teamwork and Collaboration, and Thinking Critically and Solving Problems. These competencies are a key component of WIN's comprehensive approach to preparing students for success and providing future employers with workplace-ready candidates.

At the end of the class, students will take WIN Learning's National Work Readiness Essential Soft Skills Assessment, a career-contextualized assessment that goes beyond the concept knowledge evaluated by the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests and other academic end-of-course and college entrance exams. The WIN assessment measures students' ability to apply the foundational workplace skills required across all occupations and industries. The National Work Readiness Essential Soft Skills Credential correlates to the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET Content Model Framework, the nation's leading source of occupational data, and is endorsed by the National Work Ready Council, a national nonprofit workforce development, training, and advocacy organization.

To interview founder and CEO Teresa Chasteen-Dunn, please contact Steve Fain at [email protected] .

About WIN Learning

Since 1996, WIN has become the leading provider of career readiness solutions to help business, industry, workforce and districts prepare pathways for students' and job seekers' futures, whether they are college, trade school, military or workplace bound. WIN's e-learning solutions include academic and employability skills courseware, assessments, and nationally recognized credentials endorsed by the National Work Readiness Council ( www.nwrc.org ). To date, more than 10 million students worldwide have participated in the specialized career-driven courseware and education intervention initiatives as well as career readiness certification programs. For more information, go to www.winlearning.com or call 888-717-9461.

About JAGTN

Since 1981, JAGTN's mission is to identify students who face barriers to graduation, guiding each one toward post-secondary education, a meaningful career, and a productive adulthood, with a purpose to improve young lives forever. JAGTN serves 31 schools across 20 Tennessee counties. For more information, go to www.jobsfortngrads.org .

Contact: Steve Fain, executive vice president

Phone: 888-717-9461

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE WIN Learning
PITTSFIELD, Mass., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HiBrid is new to the marijuana industry and is already breaking records. The operations of the cannabis dispensary are run and led by Aman Kaur, CEO and Harvinder Singh, President, with a vision to expand in Massachusetts. The family based business has other essential roles that make it a successful venture including Anmoljit Singh handling daily operations, Karan Singh as inventory specialist, and Raman Singh with a backend passion in marketing. This cannabis group is changing industry standards and providing a fresh perspective to the industry. Currently, white men make up 70% of top executives in cannabis companies, according to a study done by insider.com. The study found that out of 75 of the top leaders in the industry, only 5-7% were minority.

"Society needs to embrace the ability of cannabis to bring people together," says Raman Singh, CMO at HiBrid, "HiBrid is seeking to change the public perspective to further expand the legal status of the plant to become federally legal by promoting culture and positivity surrounding cannabis."

As a family-run business, they want to emphasize how it has the potential to bring people together. HiBrid's mission is to help to end a history of stigma against cannabis in the United States. Their position is focused on that a dispensary is a place that helps unite people. HiBrid is currently involved in local events in the Berkshire community. Some past events include the Upstreet Arts Festival at the Berkshire Museum and the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival. Being included in local events that bring people together helps highlight the same potential in the product of cannabis.

The Singh family is here to change the industry. With Gen Z soon becoming a new target for dispensaries, having a younger and fresh outlook in the industry is extremely important. HiBrid is at the forefront of this change by educating consumers, and pursuing its mission to bring people together through the culture and "hybrid nature" of cannabis.

HiBrid is now open seven days a week in Pittsfield, Massachusetts for Recreational users. Aman Kaur is available for interview or any further questions at the contact listed below.

Join the HiBrid family today to be the first to know about all events and specials here.

Learn about the HiBrid team here.

Contact:

Raman Singh

845-420-9449

[email protected]

HiBrid Co.

[email protected]

413-344-4020

1317 East St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hibridco/

Website: https://hibridco.com/

SOURCE HiBridco
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The shareholders in Zinzino AB (publ.) are hereby invited to the annual general meeting on Wednesday, 31 May 2023, at 1.30 pm on the company's premises at Hulda Mellgrens gata 5 in Gothenburg. Registration begins at 13.15.

It is the company's ambition to webcast the meeting in order to be able to take part in the meeting remotely.

RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GENERAL MEETING

Shareholders who wish to participate in the annual general meeting shall.

i. partly be entered in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as of Tuesday, 23 May 2023, and

ii. and, on the other hand, by Tuesday, 30 May 2023 at the latest, have notified their intention to participate in the annual general meeting according to the persregulations below.

Shareholders who have had their shares registered by trustees must in order to have the right to participate in the annual general meeting to temporarily register the shares in its own name in that of Euroclear Sweden AB keep the share register. Such registration, which normally takes a few days, must be completed no later than Tuesday, 23 May 2023. The administrator should therefore be notified well in advance of this time.

THIS IS HOW YOU REGISTER

Registration for participation in the meeting can be done in the following way:

by post to Zinzino AB, Hulda Mellgrens gata 5, 421 32 Vastra Frolunda, or

by e-mail to [email protected]

When reporting, the shareholder must state:

Name

Personal/organisation number

Address and phone number during the day

Where applicable, name and number (maximum two) of assistants who must accompany the shareholder at the meeting.

Shareholders who wish to be represented by a representative must issue a written and dated power of attorney for the representative. Power of attorney forms can be obtained through the company and will also be available on the company's website, www.zinzino.com. If participation takes place through an agent or deputy, a power of attorney, certificate of registration or other authorization documents should be submitted to the company in good time before the general meeting.

SUGGESTED AGENDA

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Election of chairman at the meeting.

3. Establishment and approval of voter register.

4. Decision to broadcast a video recording of the meeting via the Internet

5. Election of one or two adjusters to adjust the minutes together with the chairman.

6. Approval of the agenda.

7. Examination of whether the meeting has been duly convened.

8. Address by the CEO.

9. Presentation of submitted annual report and audit report as well as consolidated accounts and consolidated audit report.

10. Decision

a. on determining the income statement and balance sheet as well as consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet for 2022

b. on dispositions regarding the company's profit or loss according to the established balance sheet

c. discharge of liability for board members and managing director.

11. Determining the number of board members, deputies and auditors to be elected by the meeting.

12. Decision on fees to the board members and auditor.

13. Election of board members and the chairman of the board and auditor.

14. Decision on establishing principles for the election committee.

15. Decision on issue of warrants - incentive program for external distributors.

16. Decision on issue of warrants - incentive program for employees and others.

17. Decision on directed new issue of shares with payment by offsetting the claim to Kenneth Koh.

18. Decision on directed new issue of shares with payment by offsetting the claim to Enhanzz AG.

19. Decision on issue authorization for preferential issues.

20. Decision on issue authorization for targeted issues.

21. Presentation of the board's remuneration report for approval.

22. Decision on adjustment authorization.

23. Closure of the meeting.

ELECTION COMMITTEE

In accordance with the decision of the 2022 Annual General Meeting, a nomination committee has been established. The nomination committee consists of Magnus Gotenfelt (representing Saele Invest AS and the Saele family), Cecilia Halldner (representing Cashflow Holding ApS, Peter Sorensen) and Hans Jacobsson (Chairman of Zinzino AB). The chairman of the nomination committee is Magnus Gotenfelt.

PROPOSED DECISION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE

Item 2. Election of chairman at the meeting

The nomination committee proposes that Hans Jacobsson or, if he is prevented, the person nominated by the nomination committee instead be elected chairman of the meeting.

Item 11. Determination of the number of board members, deputies and auditors to be elected by the meeting

The nomination committee proposes that the board should consist of five board members and zero deputy board members and that the number of auditors should be one.

Item 12. Decision on fees to the board members and auditor

The nomination committee proposes that the board fee be increased by 7% for the chairman and 6% for the other members compared to the previous year and be paid out with a total of SEK 1,095,000, of which SEK 300,000 to the chairman, SEK 170,000 to each of the other board members, SEK 50,000 to the chairman of the audit committee and 25,000 kroner to a member of the audit committee and 20,000 kroner to the chairman of the remuneration committee and 15,000 to a member of the remuneration committee.

The nomination committee proposes that the auditor's fee be paid according to an invoice approved by the company.

Item 13. Election of board members and chairman of the board and auditor

The nomination committee proposes, for the time until the end of the next annual general meeting, the re-election of members Hans Jacobsson, Staffan Hillberg, Pierre Martensson, Ingela Nordenhav and Anna Frick.

The nomination committee proposes, for the time until the end of the next annual general meeting, the registered auditing company BDO Goteborg AB (BDO) to be the company's auditor. BDO has announced that, on condition that the nomination committee's proposal is accepted by the annual general meeting, the authorized accountant Katarina Eklund will be appointed as principal auditor.

Item 14. Decision on establishing principles for the election committee.

The nomination committee proposes that the meeting should continue to have a nomination committee to be appointed and operate according to the principles below. The principles correspond to the previous year's principles for the election committee.

By the end of October 2023 at the latest, the chairman of the board must contact the two largest shareholders or ownership groups based on ownership statistics from Euroclear Sweden AB as of the last banking day in September before the annual general meeting and ask them to appoint one member each to be part of the election committee. If one of the two largest shareholders or ownership groups in terms of votes refrains from appointing a member of the nomination committee, the next shareholder in terms of ownership stake is contacted with the task of appointing a member of the nomination committee. The mandate period shall run until a new election committee has been appointed. The composition of the nomination committee must be announced no later than six months before the company's annual general meeting. If a member leaves the nomination committee before its work is completed, the shareholder who appointed the member shall have the right to appoint a new member. The nomination committee's mandate includes submitting proposals for (i) the chairman of the annual general meeting, (ii) the number of board members, (iii) fees to the board members and other remuneration for committee work, (iv) selection of and decision on fees for the auditor, (v) before the 2024 annual general meeting. ) election of board members and the chairman of the board, as well as (vi) principles for the election committee.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS' PROPOSAL

Item 10 (b)  Decision on dispositions regarding the company's profit according to the established balance sheet

The board proposes that a dividend of SEK 1.75 per share be paid. The board proposes Friday, June 2, 2023, as the record date for receiving the dividend. If the meeting decides in accordance with the proposal, payment of the dividend is expected to take place on Thursday, June 8, 2023, through Euroclear Sweden AB. The remaining part of the balanced profits is proposed to be transferred into a new account.

Item 15 - Decision on issue of warrants - incentive program for key personnel in the external sales organization

The board proposes that the meeting decides on a directed issue of a maximum of 500,000 warrants of series 2023/2028:1, which means an increase in the share capital upon full utilization by a maximum of SEK 50,000. The following conditions shall otherwise apply to the decision:

The right to subscribe for the warrants accrues, with deviation from the shareholders' preemptive right, to the subsidiary Zinzino Operations AB, reg.no. 556655-2658 ("Subsidiary"), with the right and obligation to transfer the warrants to distributors in the external sales organization as described below. Oversubscription cannot take place.

The reason for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential right is to stimulate share ownership in the company through an incentive program whereby people in the external distributor organization can take part in and work for a positive development in the value of the share in the company during the period covered by the proposed program, and that the company must be able to retain and recruit competent and committed staff.

The warrants must be issued free of charge. Subscription of the warrants must take place within two weeks from the date of the issuance decision on a separate subscription list. The board has the right to extend the subscription period.

Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for (1) B share in the company. New subscriptions for shares with the support of the warrants can take place during the period from and including the Swedish Companies Registration Office's registration of the warrants up to and including 31 May 2028. The subscription price per share must amount to an amount determined on the day of the general meeting according to the following principles: the closing price of the company's share on the day of the general meeting, multiplied by a multiple of 1.7. The final price must be determined by the actor independent of the company who is tasked with valuing the warrants in accordance with the Black & Scholes valuation model and rounded so that the price is even 5 ore. The new shares that may be issued upon new subscription are not covered by any reservations.

Shares issued after subscription in accordance with these conditions carry the right to a dividend for the first time on the record date for the dividend that falls closest after the shares have been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and entered in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB. Warrants held by the Subsidiary and not transferred as described below may be canceled by the company following a decision by the board of the company with the consent of the board of the Subsidiary. Any cancellation must be notified to the Swedish Companies Registration Office for registration.

The board, or whoever the board appoints, is authorized to make the minor adjustments and clarifications required for the decision's registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB.

Other conditions for the warrants appear in the full warrant conditions, which are provided in accordance with what is stated under the heading " Provision of documents" below.

Approval of transfer of warrants

The board proposes that the general meeting approve the Subsidiary's transfers of warrants on the following terms. The right to acquire warrants from the Subsidiary shall be added to the following category:

Category Maximum number of options/person Maximum number of options in total Key people in the external sales organization

(maximum 20 people) 100,000 500,000

The right to acquire warrants from the Subsidiary shall only accrue to persons who, at the end of the notification period, have not terminated their contracts or been terminated from them.

Transfer to participants presupposes that acquisition of the warrants can legally take place, and that, according to the board's assessment, it can take place with reasonable administrative and financial efforts.

Registration and allocation

If warrants remain after all notifications have been satisfied, the remaining number must be able to be allocated further within the external sales organization. The board must determine the distribution based on performance, achieved title level and notified number of warrants.

Price and payment etc

The warrants must be transferred on market terms at a price (premium) determined based on a calculated market value for the warrants using the Black & Scholes valuation model calculated by an independent valuation institute. For acquisitions made by new employees after the end of the initial notification period, the new market price must be determined accordingly. A preliminary calculation of the warrants' market value, taking current circumstances into account, shows a market value per warrant of SEK 3.00.

Key individuals in the external sales organization will acquire the warrants at the market value determined. Payment must be made in cash.

More information about the warrant program

Dilution

In the case of full new subscription with the support of all warrants, 500,000 new shares can be issued, which corresponds to a dilution of approximately 1.5 percent of the total number of shares in the company, subject, however, to possible recalculation according to the warrant conditions and taking into account already outstanding warrants.

Impact on key figures and costs for the company, etc

The company's profit per share is not affected when the warrants are issued, as the present value of the warrants' exercise price will exceed the current market value of the share at the time of the transfer to employees.

The warrant program will only entail certain limited costs in the form of external consulting fees and administration regarding the warrant program.

Preparation of the case

The principles for the option program have been developed by the company's board. The board has subsequently decided to present this proposal to the general meeting. Apart from the officials who prepared the question according to instructions from the board, no employee who may be covered by the program has participated in the design of the terms and conditions.

Instruction to the board

The board proposes that the meeting instructs the board of the company to implement the decision as above and to ensure that the board of the Subsidiary carries out transfers of warrants as above.

For decisions according to the above, assistance is required from shareholders who represent at least 9/10 of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting.

Item 16 - Decision on issue of warrants - incentive program for employees and others

The board proposes that the meeting decide on a directed issue of a maximum of 500,000 warrants of series 2023/2026:1, which means an increase in the share capital upon full utilization by a maximum of SEK 50,000. The following conditions shall otherwise apply to the decision:

The right to subscribe for the warrants accrues, with deviation from the shareholders' preemptive right, to the subsidiary Zinzino Operations AB, registration no. 556655-2658 ("Subsidiary"), with the right and obligation to transfer the warrants to employees etc. as below. Oversubscription cannot take place.

The reason for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential right is to stimulate share ownership in the company through an incentive program whereby the company's management and employees can take part in and work for a positive development in the value of the company's share during the period covered by the proposed program, and that the company must be able to retain and recruit competent and committed personnel.

The warrants must be issued free of charge. Subscription of the warrants must take place within two weeks from the date of the issuance decision on a separate subscription list. The board has the right to extend the subscription period.

Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for (1) B share in the company. New subscriptions for shares supported by the warrants can take place during the period from and including the Swedish Companies Registration Office's registration of the warrants up to and including 31 May 2026. The subscription price per share must amount to an amount determined on the day of the general meeting according to the following principles: the closing price of the company's share on the day of the general meeting, multiplied by a multiple of 1.4. The final price must be determined by the actor independent of the company who is tasked with valuing the warrants in accordance with the Black & Scholes valuation model and rounded so that the price is even 5 ore. The part of the subscription price that exceeds the quota value must be transferred to the free share premium fund. The new shares that may be issued upon new subscription are not covered by any reservations.

Shares issued after subscription in accordance with these conditions carry the right to a dividend for the first time on the record date for the dividend that falls closest after the shares have been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and entered in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB. Warrants held by the Subsidiary and not transferred as described below may be canceled by the company following a decision by the board of the company with the consent of the board of the Subsidiary. Any cancellation must be notified to the Swedish Companies Registration Office for registration.

The board, or whoever the board appoints, is authorized to make the minor adjustments and clarifications required for the decision's registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB.

Other conditions for the warrants appear in the full warrant conditions, which are provided in accordance with what is stated under the heading " Provision of documents" below.

Approval of transfer of warrants

The board proposes that the general meeting approve the Subsidiary's transfers of warrants on the following terms. The right to acquire warrants from the Subsidiary shall accrue to the following categories:

Category Maximum number of options/person Maximum number of options/category Group management and sales management(maximum 15 people) 100,000 350,000 Key employees

(maximum 20 people) 10,000 150,000



The right to acquire warrants from the Subsidiary shall only accrue to those persons who, at the end of the notification period, have not resigned or been dismissed.

Options must also be offered to future new employees, i.a. in connection with the possible introduction of new positions/positions in the company. These new employees shall not be included in the maximum amounts stated under each position category, however, the maximum number of options per category shall not be affected. For such acquisitions, the conditions must be the same or equivalent to what is stated in this decision. This means, among other things, that acquisitions must take place at the current market value.

Transfer to participants presupposes that acquisition of the warrants can legally take place, and that, according to the board's assessment, it can take place with reasonable administrative and financial efforts.

Registration and allocation

If warrants within a certain category remain after all notifications within the category have been satisfied, the remaining number must be able to be allocated to participants in another category, whereby the board must determine the distribution based on category affiliation, staff category and notified number of warrants. However, such distribution may at most mean that the maximum number of warrants per person within a certain category is exceeded by 50 percent.

The company's board decides on the final allocation.

Price and payment etc

The warrants must be transferred on market terms at a price (premium) determined based on a calculated market value for the warrants using the Black & Scholes valuation model calculated by an independent valuation institute. For acquisitions made by new employees after the end of the initial notification period, the new market price must be determined accordingly. A preliminary calculation of the warrants' market value, taking current circumstances into account, shows a market value per warrant of SEK 2.55.

The employees will acquire the warrants at the market value determined. Payment must be made in cash.

More information about the warrant program

Dilution

In the case of a full new subscription with the support of all warrants, 500,000 new shares can be issued, which corresponds to a dilution of approximately 1.5 percent of the total number of shares and votes in the company, subject, however, to possible recalculation according to the warrant conditions and taking into account already outstanding warrants.

Impact on key figures and costs for the company, etc

The company's profit per share is not affected when the warrants are issued, as the present value of the warrants' exercise price will exceed the current market value of the share at the time of the transfer to employees.

The warrant program will only entail certain limited costs in the form of external consulting fees and administration regarding the warrant program.

Preparation of the case

The principles for the option program have been developed by the company's board. The board has subsequently decided to present this proposal to the general meeting. Apart from the officials who prepared the question according to instructions from the board, no employee who may be covered by the program has participated in the design of the terms and conditions.

Instruction to the board

The board proposes that the meeting instructs the board of the company to implement the decision as above and to ensure that the board of the Subsidiary carries out transfers of warrants as above.

For decisions as above, assistance is required from shareholders who represent at least 9/10 of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting

Other share-related incentive programs etc. (common information for items 15 and 16)

In addition to the now proposed incentive programs, there are currently four outstanding option programs. All programs are mostly aimed at the external distributor organization in the group, but also with some allocation to employees at the company.

The first option program includes 800,000 warrants at an exercise price of SEK 18 per B share which expires on 2024-05-31, of which 50,000 were subscribed by the management team in the group. Other warrants in the program have been subscribed by the company's external distributors. As of the date of this call, 469,100 warrants have already been exercised for share subscription within the framework of this warrant program.

The second option program includes 1,000,000 warrants at an exercise price of SEK 45 per B share which expires on 2025-05-31, of which 220,000 were subscribed by the management team in the group, 51,000 by key employees and 22,100 by other personnel in the group. Other warrants in the program have been subscribed by the company's external distributors. As of the date of this notice, 36,033 warrants have already been exercised for share subscription within the framework of this warrant program

Two new option programs were decided at the company's annual general meeting on 05/31/2022. The first includes 900,000

warrants at an exercise price of SEK 56 per B share expiring on 2027-05-31, of which 200,000 were signed by key people in the external sales organization, 90,000 were signed by the management team, and 165,000 by key employees in the company.

The second option program comprises 120,000 warrants at an exercise price of SEK 56 per B share which expires on 31/05/2027. The program is aimed solely at the board of Zinzino AB and as of the reporting date, 100,000 warrants have been subscribed, of which 40,000 by the chairman of the board and 20,000 by the board's other members, fully in accordance with the general meeting's decision.

If all outstanding warrants as above are used for new subscriptions, a total of 2,314,867 B shares will be issued, which corresponds to a total dilution of the share capital amounting to a total of approximately 6.5%.

Item 17 - Decision on directed new issue with payment by offsetting the claim to Kenneth Koh.

The board proposes to the meeting to decide to increase the share capital by SEK 2,018.8 by issuing 20,188 new B shares. New B shares carry the right to a profit distribution for the first time on the dividend record date that falls closest after the new issue has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and the share entered in the share register at Euroclear Sweden AB. The right to subscribe for the 20,188 B shares belongs only to Kenneth Peow Swee Koh. Subscription for new shares must take place on a separate subscription list no later than June 15, 2023, but the board shall have the right to extend the subscription period. Payment of the liquid for the shares takes place by offsetting Kenneth Peow Swee Koh's claim on Zinzino AB amounting to SEK 521,855. The subscription price for each newly subscribed share amounts to SEK 25.85. The part of the subscription price that exceeds the quota value must be transferred to the free share premium fund.

The reason for deviating from the shareholders' preferential right is to enable the acquisition from which the current set-off claim is derived. The possibility of carrying out strategically important acquisitions for the company through targeted new issues is of great operational importance for the company. According to the board, this speaks in total and with sufficient strength that it is in the interests of the company and the shareholders to make an issue with a deviation from the shareholders' preferential right. The current subscription price follows the principles stated in the current share transfer agreement, which in turn was determined after extensive negotiations with the subscriber. The subscription price is thus considered by the board to be market-based.

For decisions according to the above, assistance is required from shareholders who represent at least 9/10 of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting.

Item 18 - Decision on directed new issue with payment by offsetting the claim to Enhanzz AG.

The board proposes to the meeting to decide to increase the share capital by SEK 5,759.5 by issuing 57,595 new B shares. New B shares carry the right to a profit distribution for the first time on the dividend record date that falls closest after the new issue has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and the share entered in the share register at Euroclear Sweden AB. The right to subscribe for the 57,595 class B shares belongs only to Enhanzz AG. Subscription for new shares must take place on a separate subscription list no later than June 15, 2023, but the board shall have the right to extend the subscription period. Payment of the cash for the shares takes place by offsetting Enhanzz AG's claim on Zinzino AB amounting to SEK 1,935,200. The subscription price for each newly subscribed share amounts to SEK 33.60. The part of the subscription price that exceeds the quota value must be transferred to the free share premium fund.

The reason for deviating from the shareholders' preferential right is to enable the acquisition from which the current set-off claim is derived. The possibility of carrying out strategically important acquisitions for the company through targeted new issues is of great operational importance for the company. According to the board, this speaks in total and with sufficient strength that it is in the interests of the company and the shareholders to make an issue with a deviation from the shareholders' preferential right. The current subscription price follows the principles stated in the current share transfer agreement, which in turn was determined after extensive negotiations with the subscriber. The subscription price is thus considered by the board to be market-based.

For decisions according to the above, assistance is required from shareholders who represent at least 9/10 of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting.

Item 19 - Decision on issue authorization for preferential issues

The board proposes that the general meeting authorizes the board to, on one or more occasions during the period until the next annual general meeting, decide on a new issue of B shares and/or warrants and/or convertibles against cash payment and/or with provision for in-kind or set-off or otherwise with conditions taking into account the shareholders' pre-emptive rights. Any warrants or the convertible issued under this authorization shall entitle the holder to subscribe for B shares.

The issues must take place at a market subscription rate determined by the board. The number of B shares that can be issued and the number of B shares that can be subscribed for with the support of an option right to subscribe for new shares, respectively the number of B shares that convertibles must entitle conversion to, must in total amount to such a number as can be accommodated within the limits of the articles of association regarding the number of shares and share capital.

The purpose of the authorization and the reasons for any deviation from the shareholders' preferential right is that issues should be able to take place for financing the company's operations, commercialization and development of the company's products and markets and/or acquisition of operations, companies or parts of companies, and/or to enable a broadening of the owner base in the company.

Item 20 - Decision on issue authorization for targeted issues

The board proposes that the general meeting authorizes the board to, on one or more occasions during the period until the next annual general meeting, decide on a new issue of B shares and/or warrants and/or convertibles against cash payment and/or with provision for in-kind or set-off or otherwise with conditions and thereby being able to deviate from the shareholders' preferential right. Any warrants or the convertible issued under this authorization shall entitle the holder to subscribe for B shares.

The issues must take place at a market subscription rate determined by the board. The number of B shares that can be issued and the number of B shares that can be subscribed for with the support of warrants to subscribe for new shares and the number of B shares that convertibles must entitle conversion to must total 3,000,000 B shares.

The purpose of the authorization and the reasons for any deviation from the shareholders' preferential right is that issues should be able to take place for financing the company's operations, commercialization and development of the company's products and markets and/or acquisition of operations, companies or parts of companies, and/or to enable a broadening of the owner base in the company.

For decisions according to the above, assistance is required from shareholders who represent at least 2/3 of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting.

NUMBER OF SHARES AND VOTES

The total number of shares in the company amounts to 33,860,563, of which 5,113,392 shares of series A and 28,747,171 shares of series B. The total number of votes in the company amounts to 7,988,109.10. The company does not hold any own shares.

RIGHT OF SHAREHOLDERS TO REQUEST INFORMATION

The board and the managing director must, if a shareholder requests it and the board considers that it can be done without significant damage to the company, provide information about conditions that may affect the assessment of a matter on the agenda, and conditions that may affect the assessment of the company's financial situation. The disclosure obligation also refers to the company's relationship with other group companies and the consolidated accounts, as well as such relationships regarding group companies referred to above.

SUPPLY OF DEEDS

Accounting documents, auditor's report and other documents to be processed at the meeting will be kept available at the company's office with address Hulda Mellgrens Gata 5, 421 32 Vastra Frolunda, as well as on its website, www.zinzino.com, no later than three weeks before the meeting. The documents are also sent free of charge to shareholders who request it and who state their postal address.

PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

For information on how your personal data is processed, see https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Integritetspolicy-bolagsstammor-svenska.pdf

Gothenburg in April 2023

Zinzino AB

The board

For more information:

Dag Bergheim Pettersen CEO Zinzino +47 (0) 932 25 700, zinzino.com

Pictures for publication free of charge:

[email protected]

Certified Adviser: Erik Penser Bank Aktiebolag, +46 (0) 8 463 83 00, email: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/10976/3761119/2022798.pdf Pressrelease_Notice of General Meeting of Zinzino AB

SOURCE Zinzino
Photo: The Canadian Press Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly speaks with reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons about the situation in Sudan, Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Ottawa. Joly is wrapping up a visit to Kenya where she heard from Canadians evacuated from Sudan and asked leaders from across East Africa how Canada can help bring about peace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canadians evacuated from Sudan told her they "went through hell," and she says Ottawa will do everything possible to help the country find peace.

"This is an urban war that has no mercy whatsoever for civilians," Joly said in an interview Tuesday from Nairobi with The Canadian Press.

Joly was wrapping up a visit to Kenya, where she heard from people who escaped raging violence in Sudan, and met with leaders from across East Africa to discuss how Canada can help bring about peace.

"They faced a situation that was, actually, extremely dangerous  facing death themselves, or, potential threats to their loved ones and families," she said.

"Through their stories, I could see how much they have dealt with fear, and still are dealing with trauma."

Joly said it was an emotional experience hearing from those who helped with evacuations, including the Khartoum embassy team, who gave a two-hour briefing on how it all took place.

"People went through hell, and were fearing for their lives. But at the same time, people are still dealing with the trauma of having to leave their home and their loved ones."

Sudan has been ruled by military chiefs for most of its recent history, and negotiations to again attempt civilian rule collapsed last month as two unpopular generals fight for influence.

"This is a war for power; this is a war for control, and this is war for the sake of war," Joly said.

The Sudanese Armed Forces and Sudan's paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces started brazen clashes in Khartoum, a capital city of five million people, on April 15.

Since then, Canada and other foreign countries have scrambled to evacuate their citizens through airlifts on damaged military-base runways and 30-hour convoys through treacherous checkpoints to the Port of Sudan.

Canadian evacuation flights started days later than many allies, including those stationed in East Asia, although Ottawa insists it has reacted as quickly as possible given logistical and security challenges.

Joly said evacuees in Kenya were grateful that Canadians staff and allied countries helped bring them to safety. But she couldn't shake an eerie feeling, with the Sudan evacuees reminding her of people she met in Poland just days after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in winter 2022.

Joly made a point of Canada evacuating some of its Khartoum embassy staff who aren't citizens of Canada, known as locally engaged staff.

Diplomats have often urged Global Affairs Canada to ensure their foreign colleagues are included in airlifts, and Ottawa faced accusations of not adequately protecting local staff in its Kyiv embassy amid warnings ahead of Russia's full-scale invasion that it would targeting Ukrainians working for western governments.

"My preoccupation right now is that there's a real risk of spillover, of the Sudan crisis to the broader region," Joly said in a call from the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, in between meetings with diplomatic staff and regional officials.

Canada's diplomatic mission in Nairobi is its best-staffed on the continent, and Kenya is trying to co-ordinate how countries that neighbour Sudan can best respond through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a group focused on peace and prosperity in East African countries.

"It showed me how much Kenya (is) and could be playing an even greater leadership role in this crisis. And we need there to be there to support them, because it's the best way to get to an African-led solution," she said.

Joly echoed remarks by UN aid chief Martin Griffiths, also in Nairobi, who said the warring factions must agree to allow safe access for humanitarian workers to come save lives.

She said Canada can help by advocating for aid access, putting up its own dollars and elevating the voices of civil society.

"Sudanese people themselves need to be able to have a voice in the diplomatic efforts, and that's what Canada can do also, by helping provide a way for that these voices to be expressed," she said.

She said that was the advice of former Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, the country's only civilian leader in recent decades, who was deposed in a 2021 coup.

"We're seen as a credible and trusted partner by many countries in the region," she said, adding that Ottawa "will have more to say in the coming days" about humanitarian aid for Sudanese people.

Joly also met with Kenyan President William Ruto as well as multiple Kenyan cabinet ministers, both about the situation in Sudan and broader collaboration between Canada and Kenya.

She said the talks surrounded everything from collaboration on an upcoming environment summit to possibly working with Kenyan post-secondary institutions to make it easier for graduates to work in Canada.
The recent dispute about the ethnicity of the ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra highlights the importance of historical truth and scientific validity in our perceptions of the past. The misrepresentation of historical facts about Cleopatra is equal to the theft of Egyptian and Greek history.

Netflixs series Queen Cleopatra, set to premiere on 10 May, is classified on the companys website as a docudrama and not a work of fiction. It presents a Sub-Saharan Cleopatra as a historical fact, not as a work of fiction, and that is the root of the problem. The series is a clear case of historical revisionism that is equal to falsification, cultural appropriation, and scientific fallacy.

The presentation of Cleopatra in the series has caused intense protests in both Egypt and Greece. Many Egyptians and Greeks have decried it as falsifying history. Secretary-General of Egypts Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Mustafa Waziri has explained that presenting Cleopatra as a woman of Sub-Saharan origin is a falsification of Egyptian history.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has issued a lengthy statement on social media accompanied by images of Cleopatra in statues and on coins. Former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass has described the Netflix film as falsifying the facts and presenting a completely fake image of the past. Commentators in Greece have also highlighted its unscientific claims.

What are the historical facts about Cleopatra? Queen Cleopatra VII (69-30 BCE), the last ruler of the ancient kingdom of Egypt, was undoubtedly of Greek origin and descended from Ptolemy I Soter, a Macedonian Greek general and companion of Alexander the Great. Cleopatra was Greek, as all historical data from ancient sources, such as the ancient writers Plutarch and Dio Cassius, and her representations on ancient coins and statues show.

The Ptolemies performed marriages among themselves for dynastic reasons, so their bloodline was exclusively Greek. The ancient Egyptian civilisation that preceded Cleopatras Greek dynasty was also not of Sub-Saharan origin but had its own distinct features according to historical, archaeological, and anthropological studies. Much like modern Egypt, ancient Egypt had a character of its own.

How have the historical inaccuracies contained in the Netflix series come about, and why do they matter? Afrocentric ancient history is in essence a political agenda imposed upon the past, an agenda of identity politics disconnected from factual reality and historical methodology. Afrocentrist ideas came to the forefront in the late 1980s with the pseudo-historical work Black Athena (1988) by US writer Martin Bernal. Bernals unfounded ideas were discredited by the work of distinguished US Wellesley College classicist Mary Lefkowitz in her books Not out of Africa (1996) and in the collection of academic essays Black Athena Revisited (1996).

However, Afrocentrist notions continued to influence media perceptions of the past, as the recent case of Netflixs production demonstrates.

Using political arguments as supposed facts, Afrocentrism is an ideologically driven movement that has become an excuse to teach myth as history and distorted narratives as realities. The past is thus distorted and adjusted to create a sense of self-entitlement. While identity awareness is an admirable goal, this should not be done at the expense of the real history of other nations and cultures, in our case at the expense of Egyptian and Greek history and culture.

Each nation and culture deserve respect for its own historical trajectory. If we encourage students and viewers to accept unfounded claims as facts, we are not helping them to feel better about themselves; instead, we are encouraging them to deny the principles of academic research and deductive reasoning.

Historical objectivity should be the guiding principle of research and media representations of historical events, not arbitrary reinterpretations that in the case of Cleopatra are equal to the theft of Egyptian and Greek history.

* The writer is a lecturer in geopolitics at the University of Athens in Greece.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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It may be too early to draw conclusions from the destructive war currently taking place in Sudan. Nevertheless, there is a non-urgent lesson that can be derived from it. This is one found in the past developments that led to the current situation.

Three decades of military rule in Sudan backed by the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood have damaged the state to the point of making central government almost irrelevant. One of the main pillars of the state, the national army, became infested with elements of either the Muslim Brotherhood or those sympathetic to them during this period.

The weakening of the state was compounded by ousted former Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashirs legalisation of the Janjaweed militia that his Muslim Brotherhood government used to destroy the Sudanese region of Darfur. This militia has now morphed into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who is fighting army leader Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan for power in Sudan.

Both groups, the Brotherhood and RSF, are by nature anti-state and have a cult-like or militia mentality. Both see national armies as their antagonists. The regular army is built on discipline and a national doctrine of protecting the state and defending its borders. The Muslim Brotherhood, on the other hand, from which many terrorist offshoots have emerged like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group or IS, has a rigid organisational structure built on the notion of taea (obedience), and the RSF is in essence tribal in its structure. The first notion is the more dangerous as it bestows a divine illusion on the groups internal order, while the second mainly revolves around a leader who guarantees satisfying the groups greed.

Since the collapse of the worlds major ideologies at the end of the Cold War in the 1980s, some anticipated the next century to be a century of religion. As such notions coincided with the rise of the so-called Islamist groups in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, they became the subject-matter of academic studies and talks at conferences and in commentary in the media.

The idea of religion replacing political ideology did not primarily tie into that, but instead connected to a broader meaning that included cults, activist groups, fringe groups and a radical left or extreme right at opposite ends of the political spectrum. This started to dilute the nation-state as we had come to know it over the past century.

Such groups started to gain clout, to the extent that major countries acknowledged their impact and dealt with them as a power to be considered even if not officially recognised. The rise of polarising organisations also dominated the 1980s and 1990s, varying from NGOs to militant and terrorist groups that were armed and looking to wreak havoc. While is true that people tend to group similar phenomena together, and groups and collectives have always existed, previously they had always been part of a system or under the control of the state and had not acted as rivals to it.

Changes in the previously Communist countries and adverse developments in the Western democracies also played a role in weakening state systems at the end of the 20th century. However, the main rising danger was from various non-state groups.

The Taliban in Afghanistan might be considered a terrorist movement, for example, but they hold similar ideas to those of the White Supremacists or Neo-Nazi groups in the US or Europe. Militia-like groups emerged as key players in countries that had lost their governing structure, for example in Iraq to Libya through to Syria and Yemen.

In these countries, various groups were encouraged by the weakening of the state, and in some cases they even went as far as to actively demolish or overthrow it, either by military invasion (like in the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq) or through civil wars.

Sudan was a particular example, as various groups already dominated the state and had for years behaved in a parasite-like fashion, sucking its blood and in the process rendering it a terminally ill patient. As a result, when the Sudanese army ousted Al-Bashir, it was not in a healthy condition to sustain what remained of the state.

The groups that had leeched off the previous regime grew to find themselves in a position where they could put a strong foot forward to rule the ailing nation.

The rise of groups vs states was a narrative that was almost inevitable given the global infrastructure of the present era. Towards the end of last century, the US and the West, enjoying victory in the Cold War, wanted to reshape the world in their image.

A New World Order was to be imposed by the rapid growth of advanced military forces, and in the process the idea of sovereign states needed to be reconsidered. Pre-emptive interventionism was the solution, and it found some so-called theorists who were willing to produce the literature to support it. Even late UN secretary-general Kofi Anan wrote an article for the UK magazine the Economist in September 1999 calling for redefining the sovereignty of nation states. Fortunately, his contribution did not go further than its pages.

The irony today is that the warring factions in Sudan claim to be standing up against the Muslim Brotherhood and for civilian rule in the country. In fact, both are actively destroying what remains of the state. Both claim to be inclusive and not after any opportunistic benefits. But the reality seems to be that their final goal, whether intentional or by default, is to take over what remains of the primary institution that is still holding the state together: the national army.

Once this happens, it makes no difference whoever wins power, whether the RSF or the Muslim Brotherhood. The state would have gone beyond reconstruction, and an armed group would have won control of the state.

We are seeing a great deal of analysis and rhetoric about the root causes and conflicts  domestic and foreign  that have led to another state in the region becoming a failed state. But the seeds for this were sowed decades ago, when the world tolerated the rise of groups that weakened the authority and continuity of the state.

* The writer is a London-based seasoned journalist.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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New York, May 2 : The US snooping on India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has been revealed in the leak of a Washington document on talks between him and Russia's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

It was not clear from The Washington Post report on the leak that if the intercept was made in India or in Russia.

Reporting on the leaked document on Sunday, the newspaper wrote, "It says that Doval assured Patrushev of India's support for Russia in multilateral venues and that New Delhi was working to ensure the war did not come up during a Group of 20 (G20) meeting chaired by India, despite 'considerable pressure' to do so." According to the Post, the document said that Doval asserted that India was resisting "pressures" to support West-backed resolutions at the United Nations on Ukraine.

Citing the document, the Post said that India "would not deviate from the principled position it had taken in the past".

It was not clear from the Post story if the conversation was at an in-person meeting between between them or a phone call leaving open how the US got the information.

If it was based on a direct recording of an in-person conversation, it would appear to have taken place in Moscow.

If so, there is a difference between the date of the meeting cited by the Post and when a possible meeting could have taken place.

According to the newspaper the conversation is said to have taken place on February 22, a week before the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bengaluru on March 1.

But a public record could not be found of a conversation between Doval and Patrushev on that date.

The likely date for an in-person meeting between them is February 9, when, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, they met in Moscow and "discussed issues, including bilateral relations, regional and international developments".

Doval was in the Russian capital from February 7 to 9 when he also met Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

It is possible that the document was dated February 22 and the newspaper assumed that it was the day of the meeting - unless there was a phone conversation on that date.

On February 20, Doval received a phone call from Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asking India to support a UN General Assembly resolution on February 23 condemning Russia's invasion.

It is possible that Patrushev called on the eve of the Assembly meeting and the leaked report was based on it.

India abstained on the resolution.

The provenance of the conversation reported in the leaked document was not clear in the Post story and it could also have been based on internal reports of the meeting rather than a direct recording.

The document on the Doval-Patrushev conversation was one of a trove of documents leaked on Discord, a messaging platform.

Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, has been charged with leaking scores of classified documents, many that offer insights into US surveillance operations.

There is no independent verification of the authenticity of individual documents beyond the filing of spying charges against Texeira collectively over the leaks.

The G20 foreign ministers' meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov of Russia and Qin Gang of China.

It obviously could not reach a consensus and it was noted at the top of the outcome document presented by India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that not all foreign ministers agreed to the two paragraphs on Ukraine.

Those paragraphs said that "most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine" and that "it is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability".

They ended with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oft-quoted statement, "Today's era must not be of war".

India has stayed neutral on resolutions at the UN on Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the UN, while offering carefully couched criticism of Moscow.

Jaishankar said at the UN General Assembly last year, "India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there", but added, "We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles".

According to the Post, the leaked documents also showed that the US was able to access Pakistani internal government documents.

It reported that in an internal memo quoted in a leaked document "Pakistan's Difficult Choices", Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said that Islamabad "no longer try to maintain a middle ground between China and the United States".

The Post said that according to the document, she wrote that preserving Pakistan's partnership with the US would sacrifice full benefits from the "real strategic" partnership with China.

The newspaper said that another document from February 17 showed that an aide to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advised him that backing a West-backed resolution on Ukraine under pressure from the West would signal a shift in Pakistan's position and jeopardise Pakistan's ability to negotiate trade and energy deals with Russia.

The Post said that the documents showed the extent of snooping on South Africa, Brazil and Egypt.
Tehran, May 2 : The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has said that three Iranian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia have resumed operations.

Nasser Kanaani made the remarks on Monday at a weekly press conference when asked to comment on the progress by Iran and Saudi Arabia to reopen their diplomatic missions following an agreement that was reached between the two countries in March on the normalisation of their bilateral ties, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a report by Mehr news agency.

The three diplomatic missions are Iran's embassy in Riyadh, a consulate general in Jeddah and a representative office to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Kanaani was quoted as saying.

Kanaani stressed that the two countries are in the early stages of resuming their bilateral relations and reopening their embassies, adding that Iran's technical team is currently based in Saudi Arabia and laying the groundwork.

He said he is optimistic that the two countries' embassies will start their full operations as planned in accordance with their agreement.

The two countries had carried out good coordination in a humanitarian issue in their first steps toward the resumption of the bilateral diplomatic activities, said Kanaani, adding that the evacuation of 65 Iranian nationals from Sudan and their transfer to Iran via the Saudi port city of Jeddah was a positive development.

Regarding an upcoming visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Saudi Arabia, Kanaani said Tehran has received an official invitation from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and has responded to it officially.

At a press conference held in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Friday, Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian confirmed that he and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud have also invited each other for official visits.

Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a deal in March to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions in the two countries within two months.

On April 6, the two countries announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Colombo, May 2 : Visiting Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force (IAF) will meet Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Defence Minister and other top military officials during his four-day official stay in Sri Lanka, the 'priority one' partner of India.

The IAF chief arrived here on Monday on the invitation of Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.

He will lay the foundation stone for India-Sri Lanka Friendship Auditorium at Sri Lanka Air Force Academy in Trincomalee under 250 Million LKR grant assistance by Government of India (GoI), in line with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

The visit symbolises strong ties and close cooperation between the two friendly neighbours, with Sri Lanka being accorded the status of 'Priority One' partner by India, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement.

As part of GoI's commitment towards capacity building of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Chaudhari would present AN-32 propellers to ensure high operational readiness of the aircraft held with the Sri Lanka Air Force. He would also be interacting with students at the National Defence College, Sri Lanka and the Air Force Academy, China Bay, wherein training aids for the students would be gifted.

The IAF has been working closely with Sri Lanka and has helped whenever India's southern neighbour required assistance.

In February 2021, on the invitation of the Commander, Sri Lanka Air Force, a contingent of 22 IAF aircraft participated in the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Indian Air Force has also been the first responder by deploying its assets expeditiously for providing 12T medical supplies in May 2020 and 100T nano fertilisers in November 2021.

"The visit of Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force would strengthen the existing relations between the two countries and facilitate discussions on common security challenges and enhancing capacity and capability building initiatives towards ensuring Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), as propounded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the Indian High Commission stated.

Sri Lanka's Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force and Deputy High Commissioner of India, Vinod K. Jacob welcomed Chaudhari on his arrival.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Kiev, May 2 : The projected "all-for-all" prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia will take place in several stages, Ukraine's Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has said.

"If we manage to agree on an 'all-for-all' exchange, it will obviously be carried out in several stages," the agency said in a statement.

The release of all captives held by the parties involves certain risks so all the steps to implement the swap deal will be "prudent and well-considered", Xinhua news agency reported, citing the statement.

Earlier this month, Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, said Ukraine is in talks with Russia over an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange.

According to the Ukrainian authorities, Ukraine and Russia have carried out more than 40 prisoner swaps since the first exchange in March 2022.
Ankara, May 2 : Turkey will be one of the five countries to produce the 5th-generation warplanes, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced after the combat aircraft made its debut.

Named KAAN, a historic title used by the rulers of Turkic and Mongolian states, the warplane is "one of the great achievements of the defence industry", Erdogan was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying on Monday.

According to Erdogan, Turkey will complete all the tests and deliver KAAN to air forces within a couple of years The national combat aircraft will make its maiden flight in 2025, he said.

Hurjet, a trainer and light combat aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, will also join the inventory of Turkish air forces, and "partially replace" Turkey's F-16s warplanes, the President said.

He noted that Turkey will soon sell the first aircraft of Hurjet to Niger and Chad.

The Turkish Anka-3 reactive strike unmanned aerial vehicle will also make its maiden flight in the upcoming days, Erdogan said.
Shahjahanpur, May 2 : A young farmer was electrocuted when he came in contact with a high-voltage electric fence at a farmland in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district.

The fence was laid around the field in Mirzapur area to prevent stray cattle from damaging crops by the victim Vijay Kumar's elder brother, Budhpal.

Budhpal said: "The fence was set up quite close to an electric pole and it got charged by an accident and my brother got electrocuted. I tried saving my brother but despite all efforts, he died on the spot." Man Bahadur, SHO of Mirzapur police station, said: "The body has been sent for an autopsy. However, no complaint has been lodged by anyone so far. We are investigating the matter." In a similar case in January, a 40-year-old man was killed in the Mohammadi area of neighbouring Kheri district.

The state government has banned the use of electrified fences but farmers continue to put them up to save their crops from stray cattle.
Kanpur, May 2 : Prominent Muslim clerics in Kanpur have strongly opposed the FIRs registered against hundreds of people for offering prayers on roads on the last Friday of Ramzan and Eid.

Terming the police action 'unjustifiable', the clerics, who demanded that the cases be withdrawn, asked if the government or the district administration had decided that no religious event be held in public.

Citing their displeasure, the clerics, who met the Kanpur police commissioner, said in a memorandum: "All of us are guilty of the crime. Arrest not only the 1,700 people booked, but thousands of others also for the crimes mentioned in the FIRs." The delegation that met the police chief included Shahr Qazi (Bareli) Mushtaq Mushahidi, Shahr Qazi (Deobandi) Qari Mamoor Ahmed and a dozen other clerics under the banner of Ulema Ahle Sunnat Mushwarati Board.

Last week, the Kanpur police had lodged three FIRs in Bajaria, Jajmau and Babupurwa against over 1,700 people for offering prayers on roads and defying the IPC section 144 that was in force.

The charges were IPC sections 186 (obstructing a public servant in discharging duties), 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 283 (causing danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way), 341 (wrongful restraint, and 353 (criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty).

"Such an incident has never happened during festivals that are observed with peace and harmony. The FIRs are aimed at tearing apart the social fabric. Either they be withdrawn or thousands of us who prayed that day will offer their arrest," Mushahidi said.

The Kanpur police, however, did not respond to the demands put forth by the clerics before the police commissioner.
Functioning as both prequel and sequel to her other novels, Reem Bassiouneys latest book  set in the years 1019-1167  is woven around three nation builders of titanic import in Egyptian history: one Sicilian, one Armenian, and one a Kurd. Whether or not they are well known, none is of Egyptian origin but all three make a lasting impact on life in their adopted country during years rocked with foreign invasions, internal schisms, and insurrections. The one-volume trilogy is the story of Jawhar Al-Sakelli, Badr Al-Gammali and Youssef Ibn Ayoub, the latter better known as Saladin. The characters, their battles and achievements are historically verifiable, but events are knotted in an aura of breathless whispers. They impart the matchless joy of myths and secrets unlocked, filled with the magic of past chronicles. Mystical allusions, facts and legends combine to dispel the fog of history.

The historical is cushioned by a medley of fictitious characters and at times is sidetracked by long discourses about the quest for God, for love or meaning. Even the most innocuous facts are fraught with questions expressed with lyrical ambiguity and aphoristic power, all contributing to a sense of timelessness in a time-rooted narrative.

Stone is the main legacy. While Cairo is built in order to replace Fustat as the capital, Al-Azhar Mosque is constructed in a bid to salute the Shia sect of the incoming North African invader. Conversely, the subsequent restoration and building of Sunni mosques is a clever attempt to reconcile and restore balance between the two Islamic sects. Unfortunately, however, the atmosphere of construction is also one of destruction. Torching, burning, plague and famine run parallel to the new structures going up. Greed, political whims and sectarian hostilities determine the fate of ordinary characters in a precarious world full of unmitigated betrayal and court intrigues. The facts are full of incongruity: gruesome public flayings and slayings, severed heads and decomposing bodies take up the same space as romantic longings and whiffs of paradise.

Stone may create an enduring monument, but it divulges a trajectory of human dreams, ambitions, sighs and groans, both factual and imaginary. The stories are of their time: abducted boys metamorphose into monstrous warlords, slavegirls turn into the most cherished of wives. The ever-present swordplay can suddenly and unflinchingly turn living, breathing men into gruesome streams of blood. Ruthlessness and brutality are the norm. So are the coffers of acquired wealth, which resound with dirhams and dinars in the thousands and glitter with emeralds and rubies.

Al-Halawani (or The Confectioner) is a title with a pointed reference to the Fatimid era, for Egyptians owe their fancy confections to the Fatimids: fritters, qateyef and konafa dripping with syrup, breathtakingly beautiful sugar dolls and horsemen bursting with colour made for childrens delight during the moulid or the Prophet Mohameds anniversary, and many other sweets stuffed with exotic nuts and herbs date back to that time. (This culinary addition to indigenous culture is saluted with a glossary, deliciously provided at the end of the book). Beyond offering joys of the palette, the confections are the thread and motif which organically cements together this three-part narrative. Confections even take on a life of their own, becoming characters and animated players, at times impacting lives and events, miraculously transcending their fragile and crumbly life span, and surprisingly acquiring an existential dimension. Sugar dolls and horsemen are transformed not only into a passion, a survival ploy, but also eventually become the ethos, the soul of Egypt.

The historical confectioner is the grandson and namesake of the Sicilian but in the deft fingers of the author, he becomes a ubiquitous avatar, a myth, smoothly vanishing and reappearing from one era to the next and from one venue to the next.

And yet love conquers all. Each one of the three knots of events is eventually humanised by a fabulous romance, at the centre of which is a heroine representing indomitable womanhood. If men win through courage, military prowess and indefatigable will, they are never beyond being disarmed by the patience of the self-sacrificing and fairy-like devotion of a female. Women come in all shades. They may be saintly and self-denying or shrewish, conniving, and aggressive, but they share the melodies of a uniquely poetic literacy. Incredibly but repeatedly, reversals happen, the most ruthless of fighters become the gentlest of lovers, and the deformed body becomes the most sought after source of nuptial ecstasy.

Being about dynasties and time, the book has many converging and diverging threads. An overlap of past and present emerges as memories and realities phase into each other. At times the prose is high-flown, even hallucinatory, blurring time and space.

A joyride for the time-traveller that is nonetheless dense and at times even baffling, this narrative is not only a testimony to the richness and diversity of Egyptian history and culture, but also to its complexity, its admixture of races  from Africa, Asia and Europe  and its conflated beliefs and doctrines, its folklore from pagan sorcery, to indigenous Coptic to its mainstream Sunni and Shia doctrines.

Beyond fact and fiction, this is a spin that celebrates storytelling as a timeless and functional human activity worth undertaking for its own sake. Words weave together stories. Like confections, words are sweet  they melt in the mouth.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 May, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Ayodhya : , May 2 (IANS) A priest of a temple in Ayodhya was found hanging in his room, police said on Tuesday.

The body was found on Monday afternoon. A video later emerged on social media where the priest, identified as Ram Shankar Das of Ayodhya's Narasimha temple, alleged that he was driven to suicide due to harassment by local police.

Das was booked a few days ago by local police in a case related to the disappearance of an elderly mahant of the same temple who went missing a few months ago.

Ayodhya Kotwali SHO Manoj Sharma said, "The priest was addicted to drugs and ended his life under the influence of drugs. The allegations he made against the police are totally false. We are investigating the matter." The post-mortem report is awaited.
Canberra, May 2 : As part of a major crackdown, the Australian government has decided to ban recreational vaping and introduce minimum quality standards, while restricting the sale of vapes only to pharmacies, the media reported on Tuesday.

Nicotine vapes already require a prescription in Australia, but the industry is poorly regulated and a black market is thriving, the BBC reported.

According to Health Minister Mark Butler, the products are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.

Also known as e-cigarettes, vapes heat a liquid -- usually containing nicotine -- turning it into a vapour that users inhale.

They are widely seen as a product to help smokers quit.

But in Australia, vapes have become a recreational product targeted at kids and "sold alongside lollies and chocolate bars" in retail stores, the BBC quoted Butler as saying.

"Just like they did with smoking, 'Big Tobacco' has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging and added flavours to create a new generation of nicotine addicts," he will say in a speech unveiling the reform on Tuesday.

Research suggests one in six Australians aged 14-17 years old has vaped, and one in four people aged 18-24.

"By contrast, only 1 in 70 people my age has vaped," Butler, who is 52, will say.

The new measures he will announce include a ban on all disposable vapes and on the import of non-prescription products.

Prescriptions will be necessary for the vaping products that remain legal, and they will be required to have pharmaceutical-like packaging.

Restrictions on flavours, colours, nicotine concentrations and other ingredients will also be introduced.

A handful of other countries, like Singapore and Thailand, have also banned vaping and Australia's medicines regulator -- the Therapeutic Goods Administration -- has been recommending reform.
Mysuru : , May 2 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will campaign in the Varuna constituency on Tuesday, where the battle is between Congress strongman, Siddaramaiah and senior BJP leader and state minister V. Somanna.

The constituency is witnessing a tight contest, and campaigning has turned bitter. Violent incidents have also been reported. What seemed to be a cake-walk for Siddaramaiah has changed now, and with Shah campaigning the fight could be cut-throat.

Amit Shah is addressing a public rally in the Hosakote village of the constituency. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, MP and veteran leader V. Srinivasparasad, who is a prominent Dalit leader in the region, are participating in the programme.

The Home Minister wants to send a strong signal to the voters that fielding of Somanna against Siddaramaiah was a serious and calculated move of the party. The programme will also put an end to the rumours in the political circles that Somanna is being made a sacrificial goat by the party.

However, souces said that the BJP had planned to confine Siddaramaiah to Varuna constituency and plans to not allow him to take up statewide tours and campaign for Congress.

Siddaramaiah is considered to be the leader of oppressed classes and he often takes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and RSS chief. BJP has been strategizing for his downfall in the state politics for a long time.

However, the contest for him this time is proving to be a cliffhanger as the Lingayat community comprises the largest group of voters in the constituency. By roping in veteran Dalit leader Srinivasprasad, the BJP wants to consolidate the equally biggest chunk of votes of SC/ST and OBCs in the seat.

It was rumoured that Yediyurappa and Somanna had locked horns and there would be division of Lingayat votes. However, Amit Shah is ensuring Yediyurappa is present and pledges his support for Somanna. In fact, Yediyurappa had already stated that he would ensure the defeat of Siddaramaiah.

Siddaramaiah, who stated he would not even bother to visit the constituency and his victory is ensured, had to rush and conduct day-long campaigning recently. The BJP and Congress workers are in confrontation mode and the situation is volatile as polling day is getting closer. Siddaramaiah is vying for the post of Chief Minister if the Congress is voted to power. BJP has promised a big role for Somanna if he defeats Siddaramaiah.
Amman, May 2 : Foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and Syria met to discuss a political solution to Syria's humanitarian, security and political crises.

After a consultative meeting in Jordan's capital Amman, the Ministers stressed the priority of ending the Syrian crisis through a political solution that preserves Syria's unity, cohesion and sovereignty, reports Xinhua news agency.

The political solution, they said, should contribute to the voluntary and safe return of refugees, the departure of illegal foreign forces from Syria, and the restoration of the country's security and stability, according to a statement issued by Jordan's Foreign Ministry.

A series of meetings will be held to follow up on talks aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis, in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the Ministry said.

The top diplomats also agreed to intensify work with the international community and the UN to accelerate the implementation of early-recovery projects, including providing improved infrastructure and decent living conditions to refugees who expect to return.

They also agreed to support Syria in its legitimate control over territories, imposing the rule of law, ending the presence of armed and terrorist groups, and stopping foreign interventions in the country's internal affairs.

Since the conflict erupted in March 2011, Syria has witnessed unprecedented devastation and displacement.

More than 6 million Syrians have fled the country and 6.7 million are internally displaced, according to the UN.

With more than 14 million people continuing to be in need of assistance, the conflict has caused untold suffering for Syrian men, women and children.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chennai, May 2 : The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) will appoint coordinators in all the Assembly constituencies that fall under the nine Lok Sabha seats the party is likely to contest in the 2024 general elections.

Sources in the state Congress told IANS that a high power meeting of the party has decided to appoint coordinators in all the Assembly constituencies that fall under the Lok Sabha constituencies that the party had contested as part of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) led by the DMK.

It may be noted that the Congress had won eight out of the nine seats it contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as part of the alliance. The only seat which the party lost was Theni where the former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, E.V.K.S. Elangovan lost to P. Raveendranathan, son of former Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam (OPS), incidentally the only seat which AIADMK won.

Thiruvallur, Krishnagiri, Arani, Karur, Tiruchirapalli, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Kanniyakumari and Theni were the seats contested by the Congress in the 2019 general elections.

According to a senior leader of the Congress, it will be appointing coordinators in each of the Assembly constituencies that fall under these Lok Sabha seats.

The coordinator will further appoint booth level coordinators who will be responsible for addition and removal of voters in the electoral list, the basic election work.

The state Congress is expecting each coordinator to conduct a proper analysis of each booth and the pluses and minuses of the party and the people's representatives in each of these booths.

Sources in the Congress told IANS that the party state president, K.S. Alagiri, who is most likely to continue till the 2024 general elections, is keen that the party retains all the seats it had won as well as to wrest the Theni seat. The Congress is also planning to ask for more seats from the DMK, but the possibilities of further seats appear remote.
Koppala : , May 2 (IANS) An elderly woman and her 20-day old granddaughter were killed when their house in Jeerala village here collapsed due to incessant rains on Tuesday.

According to police, the deceased have been identified as 60-year-old Fakeeramma and her granddaughter.

While Kanakamma -- the infant's mother-- suffered major injuries in the incident, the father escaped unhurt.

The locals said that the incident took place due to incessant rains in the region for the past two days.

Kanakamma is undergoing treatment at the Gangavathi government hospital.

More details are awaited.

Heavy rains have been lashing north Karnataka region since last week.

Due to heavy rain and hailstorm, Rahul Gandhi's public rally had to be cancelled last week in Kalaburagi.

Amit Shah also had to cancel his roadshow recently in Devanahalli, in the outskirts of Bengaluru owing to the same reason.
Chennai, May 2 : The ruling DMK will conduct rallies across Tamil Nadu from May 7 as part of the state government's second anniversary celebrations.

The party leadership has decided to conduct the rallies to highlight the achievements of the government as well as to counter recent controversies over the Factories Amendment Act, the corruption charges raised by BJP state president K. Annamalai, the announcement of liquor licence at convention halls where parties are to be conducted and incompetence of some ministers.

The rallies would be held in all the 72 party districts for three days from May 7 onwards, the second anniversary of the state government.

It may be noted that even the allies of the DMK government came out against the government on the Factories Act amendment leading to 12 working hours in select industries. Chief Minister Stalin on May 1 (International Labour Day) cancelled the amendment and retained the old system of eight working hours.

However, the DMK has realised that the amendment in the Bill has led to severe backlash from the public, including its allies. The prominent Dalit political party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI(M) and the CPI had come out against the amendment.

The Congress, which is also an ally of the DMK in Tamil Nadu had walked out of the legislative Assembly when the Bill was moved.

The order announcing liquor to be served in convention halls during functions taking temporary licenses has also led to a major opposition to the move. Several political parties and social organisations have come out against the government decision leading to its hastily retreating.

DMK organising secretary and senior leader and minister, S. Duraimurugan will be in-charge of the campaign across the state. Party leaders told IANS that the speakers and district-level coordinators will be announced in a couple of days' time.

The DMK is gearing up for this massive exercise to boost the morale of the party rank and file and to enthuse its hardcore cadres during the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
Hyderabad, May 2 : Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit Hyderabad on May 8 to address a public meeting on the problems of unemployed in Telangana.

The party sources said she would arrive here from Karnataka where she is campaigning for the May 10 Assembly elections.

The public meeting will be held at Saroornagar grounds. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has started making arrangements for the meeting.

With Assembly elections in Telangana scheduled later this year, the Congress party is gearing up for the battle. The meeting by Priyanka Gandhi is seen as part of the party's efforts to get into the poll mode.

The meeting is expected to strengthen the Congress party's ongoing statewide movement over the problems of unemployed in the wake of Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) exam paper leak.

As part of the activities undertaken by the state Congress on unemployment and the TSPSC paper leak issues, protests were held in Nalgonda, Khammam, Adilabad and other places.

At the May 8 public meeting, Priyanka Gandhi would join the state Congress leaders in highlighting the failures of KCR-led BRS government in the state.

State Congress president and MP A. Revanth Reddy said they will also explain what his party is going to do for the youth after coming to power at the Centre and in the state.

The Congress chief alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao have failed to provide jobs and employment opportunities to the youth in the country and Telangana.

The Congress party has been demanding the TSPSC question paper leak case should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The special investigation team (SIT) of Telangana Police is currently probing the case.
San Francisco, May 2 : Apple's new high-yield savings account has drawn nearly $1 billion in deposits in just four days of its launch, the media reported, amid a cascade of US bank failures, the latest being First Republic Bank.

On launch day alone, the Apple savings account, which gives 4.15 per cent annual return, drew nearly $400 million deposits, reports Forbes.

"By the end of launch week, roughly 240,000 accounts had been opened," the report said, citing sources.

The Apple savings account is offered through a partnership with Goldman Sachs.

Apple and Goldman Sachs, however, declined to comment on deposits and account numbers.

The tech giant last month launched a new high-yield savings account for Apple Card users that comes with a 4.15 annual percentage yield (APY).

"Apple Card users can choose to grow their Daily Cash rewards with a Savings account from Goldman Sachs, which offers a high-yield APY of 4.15 per cent -- a rate that's more than 10 times the national average," said the company.

With no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements, users can easily set up and manage their Savings account directly from Apple Card in Wallet.

"Savings helps our users get even more value out of their favorite Apple Card benefit 'Daily Cash' while providing them with an easy way to save money every day," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

Users can also withdraw funds at any time through the Savings dashboard by transferring them to a linked bank account or to their Apple Cash card, with no fees.
Kolkata, May 2 : Family of Mrityunjay Burman, the 33-year-old BJP activist killed in Kaliaganj police firing on April 27, is insisting on a CBI probe as it has no faith in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal police.

CID took over the probe on Monday when already two petitions had been filed in the Calcutta High Court, the first demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and the second seeking a thorough inquiry into the role of police in the matter.

According to Bishnu Burman, the elder brother of the deceased, they have faith only in the probe by any central agency like CBI. "We have no faith in a probe by CID or any other state agency. We have already submitted a written complaint to the district police superintendent of North Dinajpur against the police officers of Kaliaganj police station responsible for the tragedy," he added.

His contention is how they can expect CID, being a part of the state police, to investigate without bias when their own colleagues were behind the killing.

Meanwhile, the family decided not to cooperate with the CID and forensic department teams who went to their residence on Monday for investigation.

The probe teams recovered a blood-soaked cloak of the deceased's wife, Gouri Burman and a shell of the cartridge from the spot of occurrence. However, the members of the victim's family refused to sign the seizure- list.

However, the CID officials are maintaining total silence in the matter. "We are unable to divulge any information to the media," an investigating official said.
Private universities in Korea often struggle to integrate students from China and other countries who do not speak the language.

Sogang University has set up two new classes for Chinese students in the new semester in March. Taught by Chinese professors, they are only open to students from China who have trouble following Korean lectures.

Hyun Dae-won, a professor at the university, said, "We hired two Chinese lecturers and opened two new classes for students from China. We hope that they'll serve as mentors for the students."

Some students have welcomed the new classes, relieved that classmates who cannot speak Korean no longer slow things down. But opponents say students who come here should learn Korean and that the money would be better spent on more classes for all students.

Foreign students are a vital source of income for some private universities in Korea. They pay higher fees and can be picked independently of the government quota for Korean students. And now the coronavirus pandemic is over they are coming back.

According to the Korean Educational Development Institute, the number of foreign students at Korean universities rose from 142,205 in 2018 to 166,892 last year. The proportion of Chinese students fell from 48.2 percent to 40.4 percent over the period, but they still account for the biggest share of foreign students. For example, 69.2 percent of Kyunghee University's 4,439 foreign students are Chinese.

But universities that need the money often admit foreign students who are unprepared to study here, causing complaints from Korean classmates and professors. One 23-year-old junior at Inha University said a Chinese classmate "couldn't even speak basic Korean and had to use a translation app for everything."

The Education Ministry has urged universities to admit only foreign students with a certain level of Korean proficiency. But the head of the international department at one private university in Seoul said, "It is difficult to reject foreign students based on their language proficiency when they are the main source of our income."

Instead, some look for other solutions. Dankook University plans to expand tutoring, while Pukyong National University limited foreign students to general studies since last year, letting them pick their specific majors only when they have passed basic classes to help them adjust to university life.

Chung Ick-joong at Ewha Womans University said, "We intend to offer foreign students additional classes to help them understand parts of the lessons taught in Korean that they may have missed."
New Delhi, May 2 : In today's society, where technology is rapidly advancing, it is crucial to ensure that the youth are equipped with the tools and 'Dare to leap' attitude they need to succeed.

Keeping this in mind, realme said on Friday it aims to shape the future of technology and make it accessible to everyone, and inspire their creativity with technology, regardless of their background or financial situation.

realme said it understands that young people today need access to technology that can help them stay connected, learn, and express themselves creatively. With this in mind, realme designs its products to cater specifically to the needs of the youth.

realme's aims to revitalise youth aspirations and evolve along with its users. realme's products are designed to cater to the needs of the youth, with a focus on performance, design, and cutting-edge technology. In the spirit of empowering the youth in the last few years, realme put through efforts and launched multiple initiatives.

Recently, realme launched a College Ambassador Programme for students to provide them with platforms to showcase their talents and skills. The programme aims to offer a great opportunity for young minds across the country to be a part of the tech revolution that realme aims to bring about in the coming years while contributing to it as well. realme, with its unwavering dedication to a shared ethos, has joined hands with Pearl Academy to launch a novel campaign called 'Curve in Design'.

This is aimed at inspiring and promoting the imaginative and artistic potential of the younger generation. realme is wholeheartedly committed to nurturing and supporting the inventive and enterprising minds of students, thereby establishing a dynamic relationship of growth.

realme has previously collaborated with well-known brands to provide state-of-the-art technology and innovative design to its youthful clientele. The collaboration with Coca-Cola resulted in the release of the remarkable realme 10 Pro Coca-Cola Edition.

In 2022, realme collaborated with Naruto to launch realme GT Neo3 Naruto Edition. These collaborations have attracted tremendous attention from the young demographic, propelling realme to pursue and continue its efforts in the future Over the past 5 years, realme has expanded its user base to over 160 million worldwide, of which 70 million are in India alone. At present, realme's community boasts a staggering 6.5 million members and many more users joining the community each day. realme has been a brand of many firsts; realme was the first brand in India to introduce a 5G-enabled smartphone.

In addition to this, realme has made its way by introducing groundbreaking processors, such as the cutting-edge MediaTek Dimensity 800U chipset featured in our exquisite realme X7 5G, and the MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G processor embodied in our remarkable realme 9 Pro+ 5G, among other notable examples.

Since 2018, realme has been a technology democratizer at the core, forging ahead with an aim to create an innovative TechLife ecosystem, in-line with their consumers' needs. Among many recognitions, realme has received immense amounts of love from its users and has won several awards in the Tech industry.

realme said it promises to offer leap-forward technologies and will lead the segment with its unparalleled tech upgrades in four key areas: camera, storage, charging, and design. realme is committed to providing higher megapixel cameras, large storage capacity, faster charging capabilities, and premium designs to enhance the overall user experience.

realme's approach to innovation is centered around creating products that are not only technologically advanced but also reasonable and accessible to a wider audience.

To achieve this, realme has invested heavily in research and development (R&D) through its dedicated R&D center called the realme Global Institute of Leap-forward Technology which reflects its strategy and commitment to accelerate advancements in future product development, aligning with its mission of driving leap-forward innovations. realme has been at the forefront of technological advancements in the smartphone industry, and their latest devices reflect this.

realme introduced cutting-edge features such as high-refresh-rate displays, powerful processors, 5G connectivity, and advanced camera systems. The recently launched C-series smartphone, realme C55 was equipped with Android's first 'Mini-Capsule' which is one such example of innovation.

Completing five years as a brand, realme has entered the second stage of growth as a company, and is more focused on targeted and sustainable growth. realme has ambitious plans for the future, with a focus on expanding its product lineup and increasing its global presence, and will continue its efforts to equip young consumers with leap-forward technology.
Tehran, May 2 : Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will embark on a visit to Syria on Wednesday, marking the first such trip by an Iranian leader to Damscus in 13 years.

During the two-day visit, talks will be held between senior officials of the two countries aimed at furthering diplomatic relations and strengthening economic and trade cooperation, Xinhua news agency reported citing local media.

According to state media reports, Raisi will also attend meetings with Iranian and Syrian traders as well as Iranian nationals living in the conflict-hit Arab nation.

At a weekly press conference on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani described Tehran and Damscus as two "important and influential" countries in West Asia that have had strategic cooperation with each other, particularly in the field of fighting terrorism.

The spokesman said Iran is ready to stand by Syria and play an effective and determining role in the reconstruction of Syria after the devastating war, noting that Iran is always a friend of Syria in tough times.
Mumbai, May 2 : Actress-producer Priyanka Chopra, who is receiving good response to her streaming show 'Citadel', and known for putting her best fashion foot forward for Met Gala, didn't disappoint her fans at the recent edition of the fashion mega event which was held recently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The actress was seen on the Met gala red carpet along with her husband Nick Jonas. She wore a sexy black gown with thigh-high slit from ace designer Valentino. Interestingly, Priyanka's entry in the bold gown received the loudest cheers at the Met gala.

The couple chose the theme of black and white to pay tribute to the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, on whom this year's Met Gala theme is based on. Nick sported a white shirt paired with a black leather blazer.

Interestingly, Priyanka and Nick's love story started on the Met Gala carpet back in 2017 when the two were seen in Ralph Lauren couture.
Seoul, May 2 : South Korea and Japan agreed to resume their long-stalled Finance Ministers' meeting "at an appropriate time this year" as the two countries gear up to normalise economic ties after several years of trade tensions.

Officials from Japan will visit South Korea next month to work out details of the meeting, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between South Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Incheon.

"Japan and South Korea share common values, such as freedom and human rights," Choo said ahead of the meeting.

"(As the two countries) consider the free trade and market system to be the key of their economic management, there are many areas in which the two governments and the private sectors can join forces." The Finance Minister said it is significant that South Korea and Japan have resumed shuttle diplomacy, or regular visits to each other's countries by their leaders.

President Yoon Suk Yeol was the first South Korean president in 12 years to make a bilateral visit to Japan in March.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make a two-day visit to South Korea on May 7, according to Japanese media reports.

Seoul and Tokyo also agreed to make joint efforts to address international and regional issues, and vowed to expand cooperation in global platforms, such as the Group of 20 and the ASEAN+3.

South Korea and Japan recently have been making efforts to revitalize their bilateral exchanges, after the two countries agreed to reinstate each other to their respective "white list" of trusted trading partners.

In 2019, South Korea took Japan off its white list following Tokyo's removal of Seoul from its own list in apparent retaliation against the South Korean Supreme Court rulings the previous year that ordered two Japanese companies to pay compensation to Korean forced labour victims during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

In yet another sign of a slow thaw in bilateral ties, Japan invited South Korea to take part in the upcoming G7 ministerial meeting that will kick off in Tokyo on May 11.

It marked South Korea's first invitation to the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting since 2008.
Tripoli, May 2 : The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 484 migrants, including women and children, have been rescued and returned to Libya during the past week.

"In the period of April 23-29, 484 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya," Xinhua news agency quoted the IOM as saying in a statement.

"So far this year, a total of 4,819 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya," ot said, adding that 505 illegal migrants died and 319 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the central Mediterranean route in 2023.

In 2022, a total of 24,684 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, 525 migrants died and 848 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the central Mediterranean route, the UN agency revealed in the statement.

Due to the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya.
Kolkata, May 2 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed to have tracked property worth over Rs one crore owned by Iman Gangopadhyay, the daughter of a former bureaucrat and the friend of Abhishek Sil, the son of private real estate promoter arrested in connection with the alleged multi-crore recruitment scam in West Bengal.

ED sleuths while conducting raid and search operations at the residence of Ayan Sil last month in connection with the agency's probe in the alleged scam in recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools, secured incriminating documents suggesting similar scam in recruitments in several municipalities in the state.

Now Iman Gangopadhyay's father before his retirement recently was in the rank of joint director with the state municipal affairs & urban development department, the nodal department for all urban civic bodies in the state, including the municipal corporations and municipalities.

Sources said that the central agency sleuths are trying to join the dots on whether the former bureaucrat had any role to play in the scam.

Recently, the ED sleuths questioned Iman, for hours at the its office in Salt Lake and in face of interrogation she has given the sleuths the details of assets and property in her name, the total value of which is to the tune of Rs one crore.

ED sleuths learnt that she also jointly owns a company christened 'Fossils' with Abhishek Sil, son of Ayan Sil. The office is located at the posh Bondel Road area in South Kolkata.

Last month, ED claimed that their sleuths had been able to track Rs 40 crore collected by Sil from these municipalities' recruitment irregularities scam alone. The central agency sleuths, however, suspect that the amount could be much higher in the coming days.

ED sources said that while this is the collection amount only from the municipalities' recruitment irregularities, the central agency sleuths are yet to reach the final calculation of proceeds collected by the arrested real estate promoter from the scam relating to the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools.

As per initial estimates done by ED, the collection made by Sil from the two scams combined will be well over Rs 100 crore.
Mumbai, May 2 : In a major development, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar announced that he is stepping down from his post soon, here on Tuesday.

He made the announcement of his retirement during the release of his autobiography, "Lok Majhe Sangaayi - Political Autobiography".

"I know when to stop... I have set up a committee of senior NCP leaders who will decide on the next president," said Pawar, 82, flanked by his wife Pratibha.

However, the Rajya Sabha member with three more years to go, assured that he would remain active in public life through social-politics, as in the past over 55 years.

His announcement was greeted with shock, many bursting into tears and raising slogans in his support with many party activists appealing to Pawar to take back his decision as the country needs him.
New Delhi, May 2: India has introduced a holistic approach to push military exports to Africa, combining pitch for weapon sales with finance, training, infra development and soft-power.

The new initiative also calls for synergy between India's development efforts and strategic outreach through Line of Credit (LoC) in 42 African Union countries. India would be assisting in building IT & technical training institutes, schools, health centres, roads, railways and ports, etc., paving the way for supplying Made-in-India armaments.

India has already messaged African Union members that its locally built armaments are far superior in quality and durability compared with Chinese armaments and much cheaper than Western defence systems.

To endorse India's development and strategic outreach efforts External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar visited Uganda and the Republic of Mozambique from April 10-15. He also made a brief stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on April 13.

The visit witnessed the opening of the India-assisted National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Jinja, Uganda, the first imitative of its kind in Africa. The EAM also reviewed development projects related to railways, roads and bridge infrastructure projects and a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Mozambique.

The high-mobility military vehicles were also gifted to the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces.

Peacekeeping has been a vital element of the India-Africa partnership since 1960. Over 6,000 Indians currently serve in peacekeeping operations in African countries. India's decision to open 18 new diplomatic missions in Africa in the next few years, which will take the total number to 47, reflects its new Afro-centric approach.

To enhance defence exports and capacity-building efforts, India hosted top military commanders and service chiefs from 31 member countries of the African Union to participate in the first India-Africa Army Chiefs' Conclave on 28 March in Pune. The Ministry of Defence said: "The Conclave focussed on joint training and defence cooperation amongst the nations to evolve an institutionalised framework to enhance collaboration in the fields of joint military training, execution of peacekeeping operations; besides promoting Indian defence industries." Additionally, the 2nd Africa-India Joint Exercise 'AFINDEX' was also held at Foreign Training Node, Aundh in Pune from March 16 to 29, 2023 with 124 participants from 25 African countries including Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. On the sidelines of the exercise an 'Equipment Display' was organised in which 75 indigenous defence products from 32 domestic companies were showcased.

Currently, several African Union member countries regularly buy 'Made in India' armaments. The main buyers are Botswana, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Somalia, and South Africa. In some cases, India has even gifted armaments and military equipment to Mauritius and Seychelles.

Several defence public undertakings regularly export defence equipment to Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The government has also nominated a few Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) as export promotion agencies for selected African Union member countries to promote defence exports. "Subject to strategic considerations, domestically manufactured defence products will be promoted through Government-to-Government agreements and Lines of Credit/Funding," MoD adds.

India is offering its key home-built weapons and platforms including Tejas fighters, light combat & utility helicopters, Akash missile batteries, artillery guns, Pinaka rockets launchers, besides, armoured vehicles, mobility vehicles, drones, loitering munitions, small arms, offshore patrol vessels, interceptor crafts, communication and surveillance equipment, etc for export to key African Union member allies.

India has set an armaments exports target of $5 billion by 2025 to achieve self-reliance in developing and building weapons & platforms. While India achieved $1.75 billion in defence exports in 2022 and is targeting $2.37 billion in 2023. The majority of armament exports will be executed by private defence companies.

One of the key MEA policy initiatives is to engage India Exim Bank to extend soft Lines of Credit (LoC) to Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles for the export of India-built weapons & platforms. The Exim Bank branches spread across Africa are exploring facilitating need-based LoC for the export of aerospace, defence, and maritime equipment with other African countries as well. India plans to export armaments and provide medical training to the armies of Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Interestingly, Nigeria will be the first country to buy unspecified numbers of indigenously built Light Combat Helicopters from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd through soft credit. Six officers from the Nigerian Army have already completed training on Chetak and Dhruv light helicopters at HAL's Rotary Wing Academy in Bangalore.

Besides promoting defence exports, India is also focusing on capability building in agriculture and agro-processing, health and pharmaceuticals and disaster management and disaster management.

Indian private companies mainly work in Africa under the Indian LoC projects through the Exim Bank of India. However, very few private companies want to invest their own money in Africa and instead, they want to pursue projects through grants only. For Indian private companies, Africa has not fully emerged as a favourable destination.

(Vivek Raghuvanshi specialises in Indian and global military industry. He had been the India Bureau Chief of Defense News, a US weekly publication from 1995-2018) (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, May 2 : The Progressive Artists' Group (PAG) was formed in Bombay in 1947 by a group of young artists who aimed to break away from the academic tradition and establish a modern Indian art movement.

Their works reflected a synthesis of Indian and Western influences and focused on social realism and contemporary issues. The PAG played a crucial role in shaping the identity of modern Indian art by introducing new techniques, styles, and themes.

Their work challenged traditional art forms and paved the way for future generations of Indian artists to explore their individual identities while embracing global influences. T The group was initially formed by artists such as F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, M.F. Husain, K.H. Ara, H.A. Gade, and S.K. Bakre, and was later joined by more artists including, Tyeb Mehta, Ram Kumar, and Krishen Khanna among others.

In its upcoming Masters Legacy Auction, AstaGuru will present unique works by each of these artists.

It is not a common affair for the works of these such important artists to be showcased together on a platform, which makes this auction an exciting opportunity for art collectors.

Here is a glimpse into some of the important works by these artists in the upcoming auction.

Landscape by F.N. Souza The beautiful landscape work by F.N. Souza was executed in 1962 when the artist was living in London.

Although the artist was not inclined towards abstraction, he seldom did create landscapes which were executed with spontaneity and dynamism. In this work, one can trace the sporadic brushwork painted with dark outlines and cross-hatch, the basis on which the architectural structures were composed. Hereby establishing the image purely based on the colour and textural contexts.

F N Souza's paintings express defiance and impatience with a well-defined aura of artistic conviction, as he shunned the banality of societal norms. His works periodically reflected the influence of various schools of art: the folk art of his native Goa, the full-blooded paintings of the Renaissance period, the religious fervour of the Catholic Church, the landscapes of the 18th and 19th-century European art and the path-breaking paintings of the moderns.

Le Village by S.H Raza Executed in 1956, this work by Raza showcases a row of houses depicted with an eschewed approach.

The rooftops of the structure collide with each other, imparting a certain degree of pictorial conflict. The artist had painstakingly achieved the feat of infusing his inner vision on the canvas. The year of the painting's creation was of great importance, considering S. H. Raza had won the 'Prix de la Critique d'Art award the very same year.

This validation indeed proved his mettle as an Indian artist who had attained a modern creative temperament. Soon thereafter, he gained a reputation in Paris, having been written about by Rudy von Leyden and the future Director of the Museum of Modern Art of Paris, Jacques Lassaigne.

The latter hailed him for not bringing and transferring his Indian exotic inferences; his strange unaccounted works were unconnected to any traditional form of art. Among the people to patronise his creations during the period were Jacques Lassaigne, Jean Bhownagary, Madame Rothschild, and celebrated writer Andre Maurois, amongst others.

Untitled by M.F. Husain This work is a rendition of his famous horses, for which Husain was known across the globe. It was executed in 1990 with an acrylic on canvas palette dominated by the colour blue.

Husain was taken by the imagery of horses very early on in life, witnessing the tazias taken out during Muharram processions. Later, he travelled around the world seeing various horse iconography in different cultures including horse pottery by the Song dynasty in China and European artists such as Marino Marini.

This would lead to him rendering powerful galloping horses. These horses served as symbols of grace and freedom and expressed both personal and universal emotions.

Untitled by K. H. Ara The exploration of the nude form by K. H. Ara served as a path-breaking juncture in the idiom of modern art in India at the time. The presented lot is considered to be one of K H Ara's most important paintings.

At the time of its creation, the artist had mastered his subject and had attained fluid control over his craft, which is evident in this artwork. It depicts a centrally positioned nude figure on a bed.

The soft curves of the woman's body are contrasted with an architectural background, executed with hatched strokes in tones of black and brown. The painting is also a glorious testimony to K H Ara's masterly virtuoso over the delicate medium of paper.

Darjeeling Sun by H.A. Gade This is a beautiful work by artist H.A Gade executed with oil on canvas in the year 1982. In 2014, the work was also published in the Retrospective Catalogue by Dhoomimal Gallery titled 'H A Gade - Founder Member: Progressive Artists Group.' Gade started his career with watercolours, eventually experimenting with different mediums, mainly oil on canvas. One of the most talented Indian artists, Hari Ambadas Gade, chose abstract expressionism as his artistic language.

Dancing Girl by Krishen Khanna Executed in 1966 after his return to India, the presented lot titled 'Dancing Girl' is a striking and captivating work that commands attention with its bold lines and sweeping curves.

Measuring almost six feet long, the oil on canvas work is executed in thick, confident strokes of different shades of brown against a sepia background. The gestural composition captures the fluid movements of a dancing figure, with the curves and lines evocative of the dancer's body as it moves through space.

Despite its fragmented form, the painting conveys a sense of narrative and emotion, capturing the joy and passion of dance in a way that is both visceral and cerebral.

These works will be offered at AstaGuru's upcoming 'Masters Legacy' auction, alongside several other rare and unseen works of art. Slated to be held on April 29-30, 2023, the auction presents a stellar selection featuring works by India's most celebrated modernists, including Nicholas Roerich, M.V. Dhurandhar, M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, F.N. Souza, Tyeb Mehta, H.A Gade, Ganesh Pyne, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna, K.G. Subramanyan, K.K. Hebbar, Prabhakar Barwe, A. Ramachandran, Himmat Shah, Rameshwar Broota, B. Prabha, and T. Vaikuntam.

(Sneha Gautam, is the Senior Vice President, and Client Relations, of AstaGuru Auction House) (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Bengaluru, May 2 : The richest candidates -- both from BJP and Congress -- who declared assets worth thousands of crores are facing stiff competition from opponents in their respective constituencies in Karnataka.

Earlier, they had a cakewalk at their home turf.

Minister for Small Scale Industries and Municipal Administration M.T.B. Nagaraj is the richest candidate in the fray with the declaration of property worth Rs 1,614.5 crore in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission.

For 2018 Assembly elections, Nagaraj had declared assets worth Rs 1,060 crore. The total value of the assets by Nagaraj and his wife is pegged at Rs 2,607 crore.

Nagaraj is facing stiff competition from Congress candidate Sharath Bachche Gowda. Sharath Bachche Gowda had defeated Nagaraj in bypolls of 2019 as an independent candidate. Now, there is a straight fight between them.

Nagaraj has shown a total income of Rs 96.84 crore as total income in the year 2021-22. He has Rs 29.12 crore in his savings bank account and Rs 33.08 crore fixed deposit. He has shown a capital investment of Rs 196.54 crore in MTB estates and properties. He also revealed that his wife M. Shanthakumar has a capital investment of Rs 127.32 crore in the same company.

Besides, he has movable assets worth Rs 372.42 crore in his name while his wife has Rs 163.78 crore. The current value of immovable properties in his name is Rs 798.38 crore and that of his wife is Rs 274.97 crore.

Nagaraj owns Land Rover Defender worth Rs 1.65 crore. His wife owns Porsche worth Rs 1.04 crore. Nagaraj, who dropped out of school in ninth standard, was one of the prominent Congress leaders who defected to BJP in 2019.

State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar who is contesting from Kanakapura constituency is considered as one of the richest candidates. He has declared Rs 1,214 crore worth of movable and immovable properties.

Shivakumar is facing competition from BJP Minister for Revenue R. Ashoka this time on his home turf. Ashoka has declared property worth Rs 75.73 crore. It has been a cake walk for Shivakumar in all earlier elections. BJP is putting all its might to stop him in this election.

Ashoka has shown income of Rs 14.24 crore for the year 2021-22. The movable assets in his name are worth Rs 244.93 crore and immovable assets are worth Rs 142.27 crore.

The approximate current market price of immovable property is shown as Rs 970.01 crore.

He has shown 44 per cent increase in the assets from 2018. Back in 2018, he had declared Rs 840 crore. Shivakumar has stated that he had inherited property worth Rs 28.75 crore. He has a Rolex watch worth Rs 9 lakh and Hublot watch worth Rs 23.90 lakh.

He owns eight apartments in Purva Midtown, four flats in Salarpuria Sattva, and three properties in New Delhi. Shivakumar was arrested in September 2019 in a money laundering case and released in October 2019. He was given an unprecedented grand welcome after the release and the Congress elevated him to the post of KPCC President. Now, the party is projecting him as one of the CM candidates.

Priyakrishna, a Congress contestant from Govindarajanagar and former MLA has declared Rs 1,156.83 crore movable and immovable assets in the affidavit. In 2018, Priyakrishna had declared assets worth Rs 1,020 crore. He has movable assets worth Rs 935 crore and immovable assets of Rs 221.83 crore.

He has inherited assets worth Rs 183 crore. BJP has fielded Umesh Shetty, a corporator and new face in the constituency. Amit Shah had held a roadshow in the constituency to ensure victory. Earlier, the seat was represented by Minister for Housing V. Somanna.

Bhyrathi Suresh, a Congress candidate from Hebbal has declared assets worth Rs 648.12 crore. He had declared Rs 416.7 crore in 2018. His movable assets are worth Rs 57 crore and immovable assets are worth Rs 561 crore.

He is facing Katta Jagadish of BJP party, who is fighting his first MLA election. Katta Jagadish is the son of Katta Subramanya Naidu, a senior BJP leader.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is visiting Seoul next week.

During a visit to Ghana, Kishida said Monday he "is arranging my schedule to make a two-day trip to Korea on May 7 and 8 to meet with President Yoon Suk-yeol."

It will be the first visit by a Japanese prime minister in five years and comes just 50 days after Kishida and Yoon met in Tokyo in an atmosphere of friendly rapprochement. The trip signals the resumption of regular "shuttle diplomacy."

Yoon, Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden also meet for a trilateral summit in a few weeks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
New Delhi, May 2 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is currently on a four-day visit to South Korea, had a bilateral meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Masatsugu Asakawa in Incheon on Tuesday, during which she emphasised that India continues to be the most significant country for the lending agency's sovereign and non-sovereign operations.

The Union Minister, who arrived in Incheon earlier in the day to attend the annual general meeting of ADB, met Asakawa on the sidelines of the event, official sources said.

Sitharaman also expressed support to ADB for innovative financing mechanisms to enhance the lending capacity of the bank.

She advised ADB to introspect and assess how the bank can effectively support developing member countries.

Sitharaman urged Asakawa to support India with more concessional climate finance, as the country's economic and developmental progress can have huge positive impact regionally and globally.

Asakawa reiterated ADB's commitment of providing $100 billion climate finance to its member countries and also thanked India for support to the lender's innovative finance facility for climate in Asia and the Pacific.
Kathmandu, May 2 : Nepal secured the Asia Cup 2023 spot after beating UAE by seven wickets in the ACC Premier Cup final here at Tribhuvan University ground on Tuesday.

After a win over UAE, Nepal will take the last spot in Group A, alongside India and Pakistan, with the Asia Cup slated to take place in September.

The top three finishes of Nepal, UAE, and Oman at the Premier Cup mean they will also feature in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in July, where they will take on 'A' Teams of five Full Members in the region.

Batting first, UAE managed to post 117 on the board. Asif Khan was the top scorer for the side with his 46 off 54 balls including seven boundaries and a maximum.

For Nepal, Lalit Rajbanshi was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures 4/14 in. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane claimed 2/34 at the other end, moving to a 33-ODI match streak of wicket-taking outings.

In reply, Gulshan Jha's promotion to No.3 in the batting order proved a masterstroke. He first to negotiate Aayan Khan's left-arm orthodox, before countering with an array of shots.

The 17-year-old made an unbeaten 67 and stitched a 96-run partnership with Bhim Sharki (36) and helped his side to chase down the target in 30 overs, ensuring Nepal's qualification for the Asia Cup 2023.

For UAE, Rohan Mustafa was the most economical bowler with figures of 2/13.

There is uncertainty regarding the Asia Cup as India has previously expressed their reluctance to participate in matches held in Pakistan, which is the designated host nation.
Bhopal, May 2 : A day after senior BJP leader and former Minister Deepak Joshi made it clear that he was ending his association with the saffron party and would shift to the Congress soon, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said the party was with him.

On Tuesday, responding on the issue, Narottam Mishra, who has been given the task to convince rebels to remain in the party ahead of the elections, said, "Deepak Joshi has been my cabinet colleague. He is a very able leader. He is a senior party leader and we all are with him." Mishra said he has learned politics from Joshi's father late Kailash Chandra Joshi, who served as the Chief Minister (1977-1978) of Madhya Pradesh. After the former CM died in 2019, his son Deepak Joshi was elected as an MLA from Bagli (2003), the constituency his father represented for years.

Later, Bagli seat was reserved for Scheduled Caste (ST) and Joshi contested three elections from neighbouring Assembly constituency, Hatpipliya and won twice in 2008 and 2013. Joshi lost the Assembly election 2018 and since then he was sidelined from the party, as he claimed.

Sources said after Joshi had made his decision to shift to the Congress, a section of senior BJP leaders were planning to reach out to him soon. Sources also said the BJP leaders would try to convince him to change his mind and to remain with the party.

If the BJP leader, a three-time MLA Deepak Joshi joins the Congress, it would be seen as a major setback to the ruling outfit in the state, where Assembly polls are due by the year-end.

Talking to IANS on Monday, Joshi said that he will meet the Congress president, Kamal Nath on May 6. "The legacy of my father was honesty. I had flagged various issues related to corruption in development of the Bagli Assembly constituency (once represented by him), but no action was taken on those matters." "I will take forward the legacy of my father, who was known for his honesty," Joshi told IANS.
Washington, May 2 : Major Republican donors gathered in Nashville to pick and fund a candidate worthy of competing with incumbent President Joe Biden who is also seeking a second term in office. Although former President Donlad Trump got top billing, he was nowhere near the dream of achieving the Republican coronation.

Just 24 hours before the Nashville event on Saturday, the Republican National Committee (RNC), which releases funds for the party candidate, gave an opportunity for the loudest of Trump's critics to have their say, media reports said.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who refused to swing with Trump during his interference in the state elections to declare it null and void in 2020, told the donors: "Not months and months of debate over whether the 2020 election was stolen." Without mentioning Trump's name, Kemp pinned blame on the former President's election loss grievances and warned that "not a single swing voter" will vote for a Republican nominee making such claims, calling 2020 "ancient history".

Kemp was singled out for ire by Trump like he did with his former deputy Mike Pence, for not reversing the 2020 verdict, but they actually represent a sizable section of the Republican Party seeking to resist Trump's stranglehold over the party.

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is also refusing to toe Trump's line and so does former Pence.

While Trump held his own private meetings out of sight--- all three were given prime speaking slots, media outlet Politico reported.

It's interesting to note that while the party recognises the former President as a frontrunner against Biden in 2024, it still invited Trump dissenters and even prospective rivals for next year's race.

This trend evidences the feelings of the party about Trump, still a heavy weight within the Republicans, has first place in the polls, but still many months of fighting are still ahead of him.

His potential nomination is unlikely to come as a coronation, political strategists from across the aisle on both sides feel as Trump carries a whole lot of legal baggage though most Republicans support him against the odds.

However, the scenario is quite different with the potential -- the party's donors as they are still weighing their options on if there is a more powerful alternative to Trump capable of defeating Biden at the polls. There is still no consensus emerging on Trump or a powerful alternative (Florida Governor Ron DeSantis), reports said.

Governor Sununu talking in the foyer of the Four Seasons Hotel in Nashville said of Trump: "I don't think he can win in 2024. You don't have to be angry about it. You don't have to be negative about it. I think you just have to be willing to talk about it and bring real solutions to the table." Meanwhile Trump spokesman Steven Cheung referenced a POLITICO report of Trump's robust first-quarter fundraising and said, "Poll after poll (shows) former President Trump crushing the competition, there is no doubt whoever stands in his way will get eviscerated".

Governor Kemp told the donors the Republican nominee "must" be able to win Georgia's 16 electoral college votes in order to win the White House.

Kemp said the party has to win a general election. He referenced not just to Trump and his legal baggage but also to defeat this fall of Trump-backed and scandal-plagued candidates like Herschel Walker, who lost his race, even as Kemp defeated a well-funded Democratic challenger by nearly 8 points.

Most Republican donors and supporters felt that the solution to stopping Trump has proved elusive to donors and operatives who have claimed for years they were trying to do just that, reports said.

Other likely primary opponents of Trump, including DeSantis, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, were also invited to the RNC gathering, but they declined due to prior commitments.

An ardent Trump critic demanding his dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, former Arkansas Governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson, and sunglasses-clad Perry Johnson, a Michigan businessman running for president, also received invitations.

Both Hutchinson and Johnson moved and lobbied around the venue but did not have speaking slots.
New Delhi, May 2 : Once again, the Met Gala brings together the most prominent fashion figures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for its annual celebration of the opening of its new costume institute exhibition.

The theme for Met Gala 2023 is "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," in remembrance of the life and career of the late fashion designer. Along with creating clothing for his own label, Lagerfeld worked on projects for fashion labels including Chanel, Fendi, Balmain, and Chloe throughout his career.

Here are some of the best Met Gala 2023 outfits we've curated from the red carpet: Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz, who was dressed in vintage Chanel bridal, revealed to Vogue that she first met Lagerfeld in 1999 and that they grew close after he made her a company ambassador. She said, "I loved him so much." Doja Cat

Doja Cat went all out for her first Met Gala, showing up in a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown and complete cat prosthetics.

Jenna Ortega Jenna Ortega wore a corset dress, small tulle pannier, cropped tweed jacket, and long coat in her deconstructed high-low Thom Browne ensemble.

Bad Bunny Bad Bunny is sporting a rose-patterned stole and a backless cream suit.

Cardi B Cardi B rocked two iconic couture outfits, including this one with a corset, gloves, and tie a la Lagerfeld.

Gigi Hadid Gigi Hadid arrived at the red carpet wearing a sensual Givenchy gown that was corseted, sheer, and fitted.

Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner Kim Kardashian is wearing Schiaparelli, Kendall Jenner is wearing Marc Jacobs, and Kylie Jenner is wearing Haider Ackermann.

Rihanna In keeping with the Chanel brides who concluded Lagerfeld's couture presentations, Rihanna's white Valentino gown, which she paired with a white floral hooded coat, looked great on her.

Jeremy Pope A Balmain Cape with the visage of Lagerfeld was actor Jeremy Pope's obvious and imposing tribute to the fashion designer.

Alia Bhatt This year, Alia Bhatt attended her first Met Gala. The actress, who will soon make her Hollywood debut in Gal Gadot's Heart of Stone, was dressed in Prabal Gurung clothing for the momentous occasion. She was stunning in a floor-length white gown.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas In a black off-the-shoulder gown with a thigh-high slit, Priyanka looked stunning. She also donned a cape with frills. She accessorised with a diamond necklace and earring sets. Priyanka made a bun out of her hair. Nick praised her stylish black outfit.

Glenn Close In a specially designed Erdem gown created as an homage to Lagerfeld, Glenn Close added drama.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
NCP activists protests in Thane against Sharad Pawar decision, demand he must continue as party chief. Image Source: IANS News

NCP activists protests in Thane against Sharad Pawar decision, demand he must continue as party chief. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, May 2 : Dazed after a lightning bolt in the form of Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar's abrupt move to step down, scores of party workers laid siege at the Y.B. Chavan Auditorium, blocking the 82-year-old leader and his wife Pratibha Pawar from leaving till he withdrew his decision.

As the shellshocked top NCP leadership and hundreds of workers heard Pawar's speech and decision to sign off as the party charioteer after 24 years, many were seen breaking down, some unabashedly weeping, and most with moist eyes, unable to believe their ears.

Many top leaders like state President Jayant Patil, senior leaders Praful Patel, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Fauzia Khan, Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Narhari Zirwal, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Sunil Tatkare, Vidya Chavan, Dhananjay Munde, and others made fervent appeals, some 'begged' with folded hands, urging Pawar to reconsider and retract.

For nearly two hours, the agitated workers kept up a chant of slogans like "Take back your decision", "Sharad Pawar zindabad", "We need you, the country needs you", "We are orphaned", et al.

They were in no mood to listen to Ajit Pawar or Patel, Sule or Deshmukh who pleaded that Pawar Saheb was in the auditorium since 11 a.m. and needed to go home.

"He has to have his meals at specified hours in view of his health needs...Please permit him to leave now... A delegation of senior leaders will meet him today itself and convey your sentiments afresh," appealed both Ajit Pawar and Patel separately.

Unimpressed, many of the workers threatened to "quit from all their posts right now", some warned of "an indefinite sit-in", others gave an ultimatum of "indefinite hunger strike" till Pawar withdrew his decision.

The drama continued for almost two hours as Pawar and Pratibha sat and watched helplessly, without a sip of water or anything to eat, surrounded by emotional party leaders and workers from all over.

Reports came in of strong reactions by NCP workers from Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Ahmednagar and other parts of the state, with hundreds of activists clamouring for Pawar to take back his decision.

Both Ajit Pawar and Patel took pains to convince the protesting workers to at least let the senior Pawar couple go home, eat and take rest, but they were in no mood to relent.

Finally, with the help of senior leaders and his security personnel, the Pawar couple was guided out of the auditorium, as the workers let off thunderous roars of protests.

Outside the venue, scores of NCP workers, women and youth activists squatted or lay sprawled on the floor with a relay chant on an indefinite sit-in, and asking Pawar to continue as NCP chief, and when Sule tried to intervene, they barely allowed her to speak or listened to her pleas with folded hands.

Earlier at noon, Pawar, 82, dropped a political bomb when he suddenly decided to quit as party supremo, at a critical juncture for the organisation, the state and national politics.

The occasion was the release of Pawar's autobiography, 'Lok Majhe Sangati - Political Autobiography', coming exactly 63 years after he joined politics way back on May 1, 1960, and has been an elected representative for 56 years of his political career.

While Ajit Pawar supported his uncle's decision, almost the entire party stood against him, creating a piquant situation for the Pawar clan and giving anxious moments to the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, along with Aditya Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut are likely to meet Pawar Sr. later this evening, according to party circles.

As the political scenario shifted to Pawar's home Silver Oaks, the Mumbai Police tightened security in and around, as top leaders from the NCP and other parties started trooping in to meet the reluctant Maratha political warhorse.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Bhopal : , May 2 (IANS/ 101Reporters) For Lalla Bai of Chhatarpur district, cultivating rabi crop is a game of life and death. She sows wheat on five acres every November, and immediately starts worrying about how to irrigate the fields.

She has two wells on her farm in Mathani Khera village of Bada Malhera town, but no power connection to run motor pumps. "We have to apply for a temporary connection and draw power lines to our fields to get electricity for agricultural purposes. It is an extra expense added to the already pricey input costs," Bai's sons Balram and Rakesh tell 101Reporters.

The rabi crop requires about four months of continuous irrigation before it is ready for harvest. Hence, two HP pumps installed at Bai's farm run for seven hours each daily.

For both motor pumps, Bai had to apply for separate temporary connections, which cost her Rs 7,200 each and expired by March end. From a distance, one can only see the precariously standing makeshift electric poles on the way to the fields with a criss-cross mesh of wires.

"To bring electricity to our farm, we had to draw a line from an electricity pole located about 3 km away... A 9 km wire is required to draw a 3 km line (three wires for three phases). The special plastic encased wire costs around Rs 40,000 and has to be replaced every two years," they say.

One acre can produce about 20 to 22 quintals of wheat. On the other hand, one quintal of wheat is sold at Rs 2,100, which translates into a potential earning of Rs 2.10-2.30 lakh from five acres. At the same time, Lalla Bai's family had to spend Rs 54,400 just to irrigate the fields! A threat to life

Since the connection is temporary, it is not very safe. During storms, there is a fear of wires snapping and falling into the irrigated fields. The live wire lying out in the open is a death trap. Nearly five years ago, villager Ramesh Yadav's three buffaloes were found dead in the field in a suspected case of electrocution from open wires.

"On March 20, there was a hailstorm during which many wires of multiple temporary connections snapped. The community got together and decided to remove them from the farmland immediately. Good sense saved lives this time," Balram continues.

There are over 200 houses in Mathani Khera with a total population of 700. Of these, 148 families are into farming. Wheat is the main rabi crop of this village, where water from electricity-run private tubewells is used for irrigation.

Villagers Ganesha Ahirwar, Raju Adivasi, Prakash Yadav and Chintaman Pal, all have one- to three-km-long temporary connections drawn to their fields. "There is no alternative to this risky mode of operation," they say in unison.

It is relatively easy to get a temporary connection. Farmers just have to visit the nearest discom and verbally inform the staff concerned about their water needs. If the case is approved, they will get a receipt. The onus of setting up the line and keeping it secure from thefts lies with the farmer.

The power supplied for agricultural purposes is unmetered and is not available on a per unit basis. The rate is decided based on the horsepower of the water pump and the duration of the connection.

As per the data released by the Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited, one of the three discoms in the state, one lakh applications for temporary connections were received this rabi season from Bhopal and eight nearby districts.

High generation, poor supply Madhya Pradesh declared itself a surplus state in power generation in January. Though the government claims to provide 10 hours of uninterrupted supply to farmers, Mathani Khera and nearby villages of Kandwa, Kabian, Kundaliya, Bann and Madi Khera face the issue of lack of supply every day.

Villagers say they get about six to eight hours of electricity, that too mostly in two phases, with which they can manage their household chores and run a fan and a couple of bulbs. For operating irrigation pumps, three-phase power is necessary.

However, for the most part of the day, only two phases get supply. As three-phase power is available late at night, farmers are forced to step out in the dark to switch on the pump, which is too dangerous.

Balram says the state Cabinet approved the Chief Minister's Permanent Pump Connection Scheme in 2016 to provide permanent electric farm pump connections and to convert existing temporary connections into permanent ones. There was a subsidy provision on the total expenditure incurred to bring electricity to the fields, which was later stopped. Though there is no information from the authorities on when it was withdrawn, farmers claim they stopped getting its benefit much before the Covid-19 lockdown.

"We did not have information about the scheme at that time, so we could not get the connection. The discom officials knew that electricity had not reached the farms in Mathani Khera and nearby villages, but they did not bother to inform us," he claims.

In a writing published over three months ago, Madhya Pradesh Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar says that Madhya Pradesh has a power generation capacity of 22,730 MW. "In the current rabi season, as on December 30, 2022, the maximum power demand of 17,065 MW was successfully met, which is the highest in the history of the state," he writes.

According to Madhya Pradesh Energy Department, the normal power consumption in the state is 12,000 MW. It rises to 15,000-16,000 MW in the rabi season. Though the state has a maximum generation capacity of 25,000 MW, it is possible only when there is adequate storage of coal and water to run coal and hydropower plants, respectively.

Wind and solar power plants are also operational. Overall, Madhya Pradesh has moved ahead in terms of power generation. It is the power supply where the results are not satisfactory.

"In most villages of Hardol Patti panchayat in Bada Malhera tehsil, permanent farm connections are not present. We approached the government on behalf of the panchayat, but our efforts did not succeed," says Hardol Patti deputy sarpanch Bhupendra Singh Bundela.

"We also spoke to the discom officials, who told us that setting up dedicated poles along the farmlands and a transformer will cost lakhs of rupees, which our village will not be able to afford. The financial condition of farmers is also not good enough that they can afford to set up temporary connections all the time. We need a permanent solution," he says.

Energy Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Dubey did not respond to the email queries sent in this regard. However, Shriram Pandey, Superintending Engineer, Madhya Pradesh East Zone Electricity Distribution Company, Chhatarpur, told 101Reporters that 66,000 farmers in the district have permanent connections, whereas 14 take temporary connections in the rabi season every year.

"Farmers earlier got financial assistance for permanent connections in the least possible time under the Mukhyamantri Krishi Sthai Sinchai Pump Yojana. As the scheme is not functional now, a farmer has to pay the full cost of the poles, wires, transformer and labour if they want a permanent farm connection. If the farmers of Bada Malhara are ready to bear the expenses, they will also get access to permanent connections," he adds.

(Pooja Yadav is a Bhopal-based journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters, where this article was originally published.)
Mumbai, May 2 : Actor Arjun Rampal, who has suffered back injury, is on his way to recovery post which he will resume shooting for the film 'Crakk- Jeetega toh Jiyega', starring Vidyut Jammwal.

A source informed that Arjun suffered the back injury recently while working out at the gym.

"And being the dedicated actor that he is, Arjun tried his best so that the shoot does not get stalled," the source added. However, the shoot got affected due to Arjun's health condition.

The source said: "Everyone has been applauding Arjun's zeal for this film. He was performing all his stunts really well. Sadly, he suffered an injury while working out at the gym. And since it is something untoward, Arjun will have to rest it out for a few days." "Arjun is very dedicated, even after being injured, he has been insisting to keep his stunts on hold as he would like to perform it and not have a body double do it," the source added.
Kolkata, May 2 : Tension continued to grip Moyna in East Midnapore on Tuesday after a local BJP booth president was murdered in the area.

Leader of Opposition (LoP)in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the deceased party booth president Bijoy Krishna Bhunia was picked up by goons close to former Trinamool Congress legislator Sangram Dolui on Monday evening and hacked.

Dolui, however, rejected the allegations by Adhikari and claimed that the murder was a result of a fight between two groups.

Since Tuesday morning, tension mounted in Moyna, as the local BJP supporters protested by blocking roads and burning tyres. Soon the LoP reached the spot.

"In the recent past, a number of people in this area who were earlier with Trinamool Congress have joined BJP. This has made the ruling party jittery ahead of the forthcoming panchayat elections. So, the ruling party-backed goons are trying to create fresh tension in the area and Bijoy Krishna Bhunia became a victim of it. I promise you to see it through to the end," Adhikari told the agitating party supporters.

Later, speaking to the media persons, he said that their demand is a central agency probe in the matter. "Since the murder was conducted by the local Trinamool Congress goons in association with some local police personnel, we have no faith in a probe by state police. Our demand is also that the post-mortem be conducted in any central government-run hospital in the state and not in any state-run hospital." Meanwhile, the victim's family has already approached the Calcutta High Court regarding the same. In the petition, it has also been alleged that the local police while registering the FIR refused to incorporate the points mentioned by the victim's family members.

BJP has called for a 12-hour strike at Moyna on Wednesday as a protest against the killing.
New Delhi, May 2 : Keeping user benefits in mind, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has allowed residents to verify their mobile numbers and email IDs seeded with their Aadhaar.

It had come to the notice of the UIDAI that in some instances, residents were not aware or sure about which of their mobile numbers is seeded to their Aadhaar.

Hence residents were worried that Aadhaar OTP might be going to some other mobile number.

Now, with this facility, the residents can check these quite easily, IT ministry sources said.

The facility can be availed under aVerify email/mobile Number' feature on the official website (https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/) or through mAadhaar App.

It has been developed for the residents to verify that their own email or mobile number is seeded with respective Aadhaar.

This feature gives confirmation to residents that email or mobile number under his or her knowledge is only seeded to respective Aadhaar, sources informed further.

It also notifies the resident in case a particular mobile number is not linked, and informs residents to take necessary steps to update the mobile number, if they wish so.

In case the mobile number is already verified residents will see a message like, the mobile number you have entered is already verified with our records', displayed on their screen.

In case a resident does not remember the mobile number, she or he has given during enrolment she or he can check the last three digits of the mobile on Verify Aadhaar feature on My Aadhaar portal or mAadhaar App.

If a resident wants to link an email or mobile number with Aadhaar or wants to update her or his email or mobile number, she or he may visit a nearest Aadhaar centre.
Korea is the most expensive country in the world to raise kids, which may go some way toward accounting for the record low birthrate.

The South China Morning Post cited a study by Beijing-based YuWa Population Research Institute, which suggests it costs 7.79 times more than per capita GDP to raise a child in Korea until the age of 18.

Korea's per capita GDP stood at US$35,000 in 2021, so it costs around W365 million to raise one child here (US$1=W1,338).

In China it costs 6.9 times per capita GDP to raise a child or around W93 million, compared to just 3.64 times in Germany and 2.08 times in Australia.

Korea's total fertility rate, or the number of babies a woman gives birth to over a life time, remains below one and is the lowest in the OECD.

As of February this year it stood at just 0.78, according to Statistics Korea.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to immediately hear a plea seeking a stay on the release of the controversial movie 'The Kerala Story'.

A bench comprising Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna observed that the censor board has already cleared the movie and the petitioners should rather challenge the film's certification before an appropriate authority. This bench is currently hearing matters in connection with hate speeches. The bench said that the exhibition of films entails a different process, therefore the plea seeking a stay on the release of the movie cannot be clubbed with the hate speech matters.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha urged the bench to hear their plea saying that the movie will release on Friday.

During the hearing, the bench said, "This has gone through certification. We cannot make it a part of the hate speech case".

Pasha, on his part, submitted that the YouTube trailer of the movie already had 16 million views so far and this is the worst instance of hate speech and this is audio-visual propaganda.

The bench told the counsel, "You should move the high court or any other appropriate forum, but this cannot be here." Pasha pressed that they do not have time for any other remedy. However, the bench declined to entertain the plea against the movie.

Emphasizing that it cannot tag the plea with hate speech case, the bench orally observed that there is a difference between this and "other matters you brought to our notice. Why don't you move the concerned high court first?" Sibal urged the bench to look at the transcript of the YouTube trailer during the lunch recess and then take a call and added that they will also file a petition by Wednesday.

Declining to entertain the plea, the bench said, "This has gone through a process of certification. Unless you challenge the certification, we can't do anything...you should go to the jurisdictional high court. You cannot start everything here at the Supreme Court..." The bench told Sibal, "This may not be the forum where you will get your relief." The film starring Adah Sharma, slated to release on May 5 created a major controversy when it claimed that 32,000 women have left the state.

As soon as the teaser of the film was released, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left and the UDF demanded that the film should not be screened.

The Kerala State Committee of Muslim Youth League announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for the individual who proves the "allegations" levelled in the movie. A right-wing activist and founder of the Hindu Seva Kendra Pratheesh Viswanath also offered Rs 10 crore to prove the opposite -- that no one from Kerala has gone to Syria to join IS.

The film is directed by Sudipto Sen. It traces the journey of four female college students in Kerala who become part of Islamic State.

The film also stars Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani. It is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.
New Delhi, May 2 : Microsoft India on Tuesday announced two new initiatives to support Indian SMBs and enable their digital transformation journey, namely an SMB-focused website and a dedicated helpline.

According to the company, the SMB-focused website -- Microsoft for Small and Medium Businesses, aims at bringing together business owners and entrepreneurs in India to network with peers, enhance their skills and achieve holistic growth.

However, the Digital Transformation helpline aims to offer dedicated support to help SMBs navigate their technology adoption and deployment journey.

"Microsoft has been committed to digitally transforming the SMB ecosystem in India with trusted technology, resources and extensive partner ecosystem. These new initiatives are aimed at further supporting these organisations and working closely with them so they can do more with less," Samik Roy, Executive Director - Corporate Medium and Small Business, Microsoft India, said in a statement.

Moreover, the company said the Microsoft for Small and Medium Businesses website is a rich repository of skills, resources and tools to cater to every requirement of a business.

It offers an SMB Academy to gain valuable digital skills and improve workforce productivity with access to Microsoft's top curated business and technology courses, as well as inspiring stories of businesses from around the country.

Additionally, the website offers a wide range of Microsoft solutions addressing the needs of organisations, as well as an easy access point to Microsoft's vast network of over 17,000 partners in the country.

We're committed to digitally transform the #SMB ecosystem in India with trusted technology, resources, and extensive partner ecosystem. Here are two resources to help SMBs adopt technology and do more with less with #MicrosoftCloud. https://t.co/l8IhEvpIpJ pic.twitter.com/Nvj3CGCxfI  Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) May 2, 2023

Further, the tech giant stated that the Digital Transformation Helpline, which is available at 1800-102-1147, offers SMBs dedicated support when navigating their digital transformation journey.

The helpline provides expert guidance and assistance in leveraging technology solutions that best address their business challenges, improve operations, increase efficiency and drive growth.

-- Syndicated from IANS
New Delhi, May 2 : Two members of the notorious Mewati gang were arrested for stealing money from ATM dispensers by installing an instrument in the cash withdrawal slot, a senior Delhi Police official said on Tuesday.

The accused were identified as Nazim Hussain, who was previously involved in two cases of murder and snatching, and Mubarik, both residents of District Palwal, Haryana.

The police also recovered one country-made pistol, three live cartridges, six ATM cards, and a specially designed instrument for withdrawing cash from ATM machines from their possession. Additionally, a Swift car used in the commission of the crime was seized.

According to police, the duo used to install a specially designed instrument in the cash withdrawal slot of an ATM machine. When a customer tried to withdraw cash, the cash would not come out from the machine. As soon as the customer left the ATM booth, the accused would collect the cash with the help of the instrument.

"On April 29, specific inputs were received regarding the movement of Mewati gang members-- Najim and Mubarik-- carrying illegal firearms and ammunition and they would come near Radha Swami Satsang Vyas, Deenpur, Chhawla area in a Swift car in order to install a specially designed instrument in cash withdrawal slot of ATM machine," said M Harsha Vardhan, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka).

Subsequently, a police team was formed, which reached the Chhawla area and a trap was laid. "Nazim and Mubarik were apprehended," said the DCP.
Jalandhar, May 2 : The Mahila Kisan Union, a member of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, on Tuesday announced to boycott the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP during the by-election in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency as they failed to safeguard the interests of farmers and labourers.

The union said they have cheated the peasants at every step and did not implement the demands of the farmers even after agreeing to them. "Both the political parties should be taught a lesson by giving them a crushing defeat in this election." Mahila Kisan Union president Rajwinder Kaur Raju said the world is aware of oppressive policies of the BJP and its leaders during the farmers' protest against implementation of "black agricultural laws". Even after accepting written demands of the farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet implemented them and not given any relief to about 750 farmers, who died during the year-long agitation.

The entire farming community and farm labourers were opposing the pro-corporate party.

Taking a dig at the ruling party in Punjab, the woman farmer leader said this novice outfit "is using the name of martyr Bhagat Singh but it is far away from the ideology of Shaheed-e-Azam".

She said despite giving assurances in dozens of meetings with farmer organizations during the last one year, various ministers, including the Chief Minister, have not fulfilled any major demand till date.

The farmer leader declared that the Mahila Kisan Union would boycott the AAP and the BJP during the by-election and appeal to all voters to vote for any other party so that both these parties should be taught a lesson.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Centre and Gujarat government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that they would not claim privilege over the documents in connection with the remission of sentence of convicts in Bilkis Bano gang-rape and murder of her family members case during Gujarat riots, and agreed to share the documents with the apex court for its perusal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Gujarat government, submitted before a bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph that they do not claim privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.

Mehta submitted that the Centre and state government will also not seek review of the apex court's earlier order directing them to bring on record documents in connection with the remission of the convicts.

The top court recorded Mehta's statement that Centre and Gujarat government are not seeking review of the order with the direction of production of records.

The apex court is likely to take up the matter later in May to ascertain the completion of service of documents and the case may come up for hearing in July.

On April 18, the Centre and Gujarat government, before the Supreme Court, claimed privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. The Centre's counsel had said the government is likely to seek review of the court's March 27 order, asking them to be ready with the original files on remission granted to the convicts.

In the previous hearing, the top court had noted that a pregnant woman, Bilkis Bano, was gang-raped and several people were killed and the case cannot be compared with a standard Section 302 (murder) cases, and while stressing on the gravity of the offence and on the remission granted to 11 convicts, said: "Unequals cannot be treated equally." The 11 men convicted in the case were released on August 15 last year, after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. The convicts had completed 15 years in jail.

A batch of the petitions have been filed against the release of 11 convicts, including the one filed by Bano. The other petitions were filed by CPI-M leader Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, National Federation of Indian Women, Meeran Chadha Borwankar and others, Asma Shafique Shaikh and others.

The top court had issued notice on all the pleas filed in the matter.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 2 : Kerala CPI-M secretary M.V. Govindan on Tuesday filed a defamation suit against the prime accused in the sensational gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh.

Govindan appeared in person before a local court near his home town at Taliparambu in Kannur district to file the case.

In his petition, he says that there was a conspiracy behind her (Swapna Suresh) statement which was meant to defame him.

It all began when Govindan last month sent a Rs 1 crore defamation notice to Swapna. She immediately reacted by saying she will not apologise to Govindan and is awaiting he deposit Rs 10 lakh and start the legal proceedings.

Responding to her statement, Govindan then made it clear that he will go forward with his case as what she did was not right.

Govindan has filed the case against Swapna Suresh for her alleged defamatory remarks in which she claimed that a middleman Vijesh Pillai met and threatened her stating that Govindan has said he will eliminate her, if she does not withdraw all the allegations levelled against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family by accepting Rs 30 crore and then they will help her to move away to Malaysia.

With Govindan now deciding to go forward, all eyes are on Swapna as she has said she will fight the case.
Chennai, May 2 : With nearly 50 per cent of its A320neo fleet grounded, India's third largest airline Go Airlines (India) Limited on Tuesday approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for resolution under Section 10 of the Insolvency Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

The airline said that it has approached the NCLT "due to the ever-increasing number of failing engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney's International Aero Engines, which has resulted in Go First (airline brand) having to ground 25 aircraft (equivalent to approximately 50 per cent of its Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet) as of May 1, 2023." "The percentage of grounded aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney's faulty engines has grown from 7 per cent in December 2019 to 31 per cent in December 2020 to 50 per cent in December 2022. This is despite Pratt & Whitney making several ongoing assurances over the years, which it has repeatedly failed to meet," Go Airlines said.

According to Go Airlines, it has been forced to apply to the NCLT after Pratt & Whitney, the exclusive engine supplier for its Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet, refused to comply with an award issued by an emergency arbitrator appointed in accordance with the 2016 Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC).

"That order directed Pratt & Whitney to take all the reasonable steps to release and dispatch without delay to Go First at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by April 27, 2023 and a further 10 spare leased engines per month until December 2023, with the objective of Go First returning to full operations and achieving its financial rehabilitation and survival," the airline added.

Continuing further, Go Airlines said that even if Pratt & Whitney complied with the arbitration award, it would be able to resume full operations by August/September 2023.

"Despite the emergency arbitrator's order, however, at the date of this press release, Pratt & Whitney has failed to provide any further serviceable spare leased engines at all, and has stated that there are no further spare leased engines available for it to comply with the emergency arbitrator's award," Go Airlines said.

The airline said it has resorted to approach NCLT despite the infusion of Rs 3,200 crore by the promoters into the airline in the last three years of which Rs 2,400 crore was injected in the last 24 months, and Rs 290 crore in April 2023 alone.

Thus, the total promoter investment in the airline since its inception is approximately Rs 6,500 crore.

The airline has also received significant support from the Government of India's exceptional Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, the company said.

The grounding of close to 50 per cent of its A320neo fleet due to the serial failure of Pratt & Whitney's engines, while it continued to incur 100 per cent of its operational costs, has set the airline by Rs 10,800 crore in lost revenues and additional expenses.

Moreover, the airline has paid Rs 5,657 crore to the lessors in the last two years of which approximately Rs 1,600 crore was paid towards lease rent for non-operational grounded aircraft from the funds infused by the promoters and the Government of India's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme.

In order to recover these (and other) losses, Go Airlines sought compensation of approximately Rs 8,000 crore in the SIAC arbitration.

According to the airline, it has been facing recurring and persistent issues with the GTF (geared turbofan) engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney, coupled with Pratt & Whitney's failure to repair those engines and/or provide sufficient spare leased engines as it was required to do pursuant to its obligations under the relevant agreements.

As a result of Pratt & Whitney's failure to comply with the emergency arbitrator's award, Go Airline is being driven to take steps to enforce the award in the US and other international jurisdictions, the company said.

The additional consequence of Pratt & Whitney's actions has also driven some lessors to repossess aircraft, draw down letters of credit and notify further withdrawal of aircraft.

That would result in a severe depletion in the number of aircraft available for Go Airlines to operate going forward, thereby making it further unfeasible to continue its operation and meet its financial obligations.

Prior to the acute issues caused by the serial failure of Pratt & Whitney's engines, Go First enjoyed a market share of 10.8 per cent in FY20, and was consistently profitable from 2010-2020.
Ahmedabad, May 2 : The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday reserved its orders in the revision plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with his conviction in a defamation case that subsequently led to his disqualification as Member of Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi had appealed to the Gujarat High Court for an interim stay of his conviction until the court pronounced its order on his petition.

However, the single judge hearing the case, Justice Hemant Prachchhak, has postponed his decision until after the summer vacation, which ends on June 4.

On April 29, Rahul Gandhi's lawyer -- Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also a Congress leader, argued in the court that his client had not committed any heinous crime or an offence involving moral turpitude, which are the two tests for denying suspension of conviction.

The case stems from a 2019 rally in Kolar, Karnataka, where Rahul Gandhi had said: "Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How come all the thieves have 'Modi' as a common surname?" This remark led to a criminal defamation case being filed against him by Surat BJP legislator, Purnesh Modi.

Gandhi had been sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat court, leading to his disqualification as a Member of Parliament.

During the previous hearing, Justice Prachchhak had emphasised that Rahul Gandhi, being an elected representative of the people, should have been more cautious while making statements.

Singhvi had argued that the maximum punishment for a bailable, non-cognizable offence of two years could result in his disqualification, leading to a "very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents".

Earlier this year, the Sessions Court in Surat had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the Magistrate court, stating that his disqualification would not result in an irreversible loss to him.
Madrid : , May 2 (IANS) Karen Khachanov kept his cool and beat Andrey Rublev 7-6(8), 6-4 in the fourth-round clash to seal a quarterfinal berth at the Madrid Open, here on Tuesday.

The 10th-seeded Khachanov took control of a closely fought encounter by rallying from 4/6 to claim the first-set tie-break and he carried that momentum to a one-hour, 42-minute victory on Manolo Santana Stadium.

"It's always tricky to play against each other because on one side we know each other's games perfectly because we've been training together for so many years," Khachanov was quoted as saying by ATP Tour.

"At the same time, we know what to expect, but also of course a bit nervous to play against each other. We are good friends, but on the court we are rivals. It was all a matter of keeping the serve, and if you have any chances on the return, go for it. That's what I did," he added.

Khachanov saved the only break point he faced and won 80 per cent (35/44) of points behind first serves to take a 3-2 lead in his ATP head-to-head series with Rublev.

The pair also met in Monte Carlo three weeks ago, when Rublev prevailed en route to lifting his maiden Masters 1000 crown.

With his Madrid win, Khachanov moved to 19-0 in matches when he won the first set in 2023. The 26-year-old will take on defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or 13th seed Alexander Zverev next at the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 as he attempts to reach his third tour-level semi-final of the year.

Despite his Madrid campaign coming to an end, the World No. 6 Rublev is still in the hunt for a trophy at the Caja Magica. He and Khachanov are set to take on Jamie Murray and Michael Venus in the quarterfinals of the doubles.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Tihar Jail in Delhi, one of the largest and most secure prisons in South Asia, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Gang wars have been reported from inside the prison walls, raising questions about the involvement of prison officials and the effectiveness of the security apparatus.

In the latest incident, the notorious gangster Tillu Tajpuriya, also known as Sunil Maan, was stabbed to death by a 'sua' (weapon) by fellow inmates on Tuesday morning, marking the second such gang-related incident in the past 15 days.

Previously, on April 14, another infamous gangster, Prince Tewatia, was killed by fellow prisoners with a self-made sharp edged weapon in the same Tihar Jail. Tewatia was involved in 16 criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, and a recent carjacking case in southwest Delhi.

With Tihar overcrowding with the inmates, especially gang leaders and their members, fights for dominance have also become frequent, according to the sources.

On September 10, 2021, an inmate was injured during a clash. An undertrial prisoner, Sumit Dutt, lodged in ward number 2 of central jail 3, was assaulted with sharp weapons by two other inmates identified as Brijesh and Bilauta.

According to police, the reason behind the clash was dominance inside the jail.

In August 2021, a 29-year-old gangster, Ankit Gujjar, was killed inside his cell. A deputy superintendent of jail number 3 was booked for his murder.

However, an official said that the gang leaders and members are transferred to other jails, Rohini or Mandoli jails, to avoid any untoward incidents.

But, Tihar has has been facing widespread humiliation for more than last one year.

On November 17, 2022, at least 28 prison officials posted in jail number 7 were transferred for allegedly giving favours to prisoners. Among those transferred were two deputy superintendents, three assistant superintendents, seven head warders and 16 warders.

These transfers came after the suspension of Ajit Kumar, the superintendent of jail number 7, for allegedly circumventing rules to give special facilities to jailed AAP leader Satyendar Jain.

In 2021, over 40 jail officials were booked by various law enforcement agencies for extending benefits to prisoners.

Since then, three new mobile towers, or jammers, were installed inside the jail premises in an effort to prevent the use of electronic gadgets by the inmates.

Apart from these towers, over 7,000 CCTV cameras were installed in all the jails to keep a close eye on the inmates.

But despite all the stringent measures in place, the Gogi gang members were able to kill Tajpuriya inside the prison. These instances leave only questions in mind... till when will these activities go on?
Makoto Shinkai's "Suzume" has become the 3rd highest-grossing anime of all time in Korea.

According to the Korea Film Council on Monday, "Suzume" has drawn 5.12 million viewers since its release on March 8 to beat "Kung Fu Panda 2" (5.06 million). It now ranks third after "Frozen 2" (13.76 million) and "Frozen" (10.31 million) as the highest-grossing animation here.

It already became the most-viewed Japanese film in Korea.

"Suzume" revolves around a high school girl who encounters a mysterious young man and teams up with him to try to prevent disasters.

A Korean-dubbed version released on May 17 is likely to extend its success.
Jaipur, May 2 : Two Pakistani intruders, who were crossing the barricade on the Barmer-Munabav International Border on Monday night, were shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. The jawans first warned both, when they did not stop, they killed them, confirmed officials on Tuesday.

According to the information, both the suspects had crossed the barricade and entered India with a consignment of about 3 kg of heroin. As soon as the information was received, BSF officers and police reached the spot.

Police officials said that information about infiltrators was received at Munabao India-Pakistan border of Gadrarod police station area at 9 p.m. on Monday night.

The smugglers crossing the barricade had entered inside India with a consignment of heroin. After the encounter, the jawans informed the top officials about the incident.

At the same time, along with searching for the intruders, investigation is being done. Police are investigating which place were they going in the border area and where the drugs were going to be supplied. Police and security force personnel are also conducting search operations in villages near the Rajasthan border.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), along with an assault landing craft to Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) on Tuesday, another gift from New Delhi to enhance the capacity of defence and security forces of the archipelago.

Singh, who began Tuesday by calling on the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, also inaugurated the development project of the MNDF Coast Guard Harbour and repair facility at Sifavaru.

The India-developed project would assist the MNDF in exercising jurisdiction and undertaking maritime surveillance of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and atolls.

It is one of the 10 areas for cooperation outlined in the 'Action Plan on Defence Cooperation between Maldives and India', signed during former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayoom's visit to India in April 2016.

For several years, the MNDF Coast Guard had been in dire need of an indigenous dockyard and harbour to ensure maritime safety in a nation whose territory is 99.7 per cent water.

Thanking India, Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi has stated the "extreme necessity" to have a vessel repair and maintenance facility at home as having Coast Guard ships berthed and moored in high civilian traffic areas and inadequate berthing facilities not only led to extra costs but also posed security and safety risks.

Also, sending vessels like India-gifted CGS Huravee to Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam or any other place for major repairs and refitting left them non-operational for a long period.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, the highly manoeuvrable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli, which will be recommissioned as CGS Huravee during the ceremony today, will mark another significant milestone in the defence ties between the two countries.

"I'm thoroughly impressed by the vessel's equipment and capacity. This OPV will undoubtedly help President Ibu Solih achieve his goal of strengthening the Armed Forces' capabilities," tweeted Mariya Didi after boarding the ship last Thursday.

It has been for a long time that the Indian Navy has been assisting friendly Indian Ocean Region (IOR) littoral nations - including Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius - in maritime surveillance by deploying its ships and aircraft for joint EEZ surveillance.

Spotlighting the special relationship with India, Didi broke protocol and personally received the Singh upon his arrival at the Velana International Airport. Also accompanying the Defence Minister was the Maldives' Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdhulla Shamaal.

Later, during their bilateral meeting, both ministers discussed a wide range of regional and global security issues of mutual concern and agreed to further strengthen the cooperation in the defence and security domains.

"Both Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region, and recognized the need to work together to address common security challenges. They underscored the importance of respecting international law and the rules-based international order, and expressed their commitment to upholding these principles," said the Maldivian Defence Ministry in a statement.

Singh then called on Maldives' Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid, with both ministers acknowledging and reviewing the significant milestones achieved through robust defence cooperation between the two countries.

Shahid specifically mentioned the prominent role India continues to play in enhancing the capacities of the defence and security forces of Maldives.

Male has repeatedly stated how the partnership with India has made a real difference in the lives of people in the island nation.

A key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region, Maldives continues to occupy an important place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The India-Maldives partnership is not only working in the interest of the citizens of both the countries but is also becoming a source of peace, stability and prosperity for the region," Prime Minister Modi stated during Solih's landmark visit in August 2022.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, May 2 : A 31-year-old gangster and member of infamous Kala Jathedi gang, who was wanted in seven criminal cases, was arrested from village Mungeshpur in Delhi, an official said on Tuesday.

The accused identified as Ravinder alias Lappu, a resident of village Katewra, was earlier also associated with Neetu Daboda and Ashok Pradhan gang.

According to police, there was information that Ravinder has been visiting Mungeshpur quite frequently for the last few days.

"Hence, a team was deputed to gather more information about him and surveillance was mounted on his activities. On April 29, specific input was received that Ravinder would visit near the crematorium in Mungeshpur between 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. to meet one of his associates," said Alok Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell).

A trap was laid by the police team. "At around 3.20 p.m, Ravinder was spotted coming towards the crematorium. However, when the police team surrounded him, he whipped out his pistol and threatened to open fire," said the DCP.

But, he was overpowered by the police team. "One pistol of .32 bore with four bullets was recovered from his possession," said the official.

Ravinder had been committing heinous crimes in Delhi-NCR for last eight years.

"The accused has also divulged that earlier he has worked with Neetu Daboda-Ashok Pradhan gang. The accused is a habitual offender and is involved in 10 criminal cases," said the DCP.

Ravinder has a long history of criminal activities that landed him in jail multiple times.

According to official records, Ravinder was first arrested in 2009 in West Delhi on charges of attempted murder. In 2014, he and his associates abducted and robbed an occupant of a Swift car in Kanjhawala. The court has issued a non-bailable warrant against him in this case.

In 2017, Ravinder and his associate Shekhu fired upon Pradeep Kumar of Village Ladrawan in Delhi to settle personal scores.

"Shekhu is an active member of the Ashok Pradhan gang," said the official. That same year, Ravinder and his associates severely beat up a person in Narela Industrial Area.

Ravinder was arrested again in 2019 for demanding protection money from a businessman in Kanjhawala. He had demanded Rs 15 lakh as protection money from a businessman in Narela the same year.

In 2021, Ravinder and his associates robbed Rs 18 lakh from an undisclosed location in Kanjhawala.

"Ravinder's criminal activities put him on the radar of law enforcement agencies, and his continued involvement in unlawful activities resulted in repeated arrests and warrants against him," the official added.
Srinagar, May 2 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against conman Kiran Patel, who used to pose as 'PMO official', in the court of chief judicial magistrate here.

Patel is currently lodged in Central Jail, Srinagar. Belonging to Gujarat, he posed as a senior official of the PMO and was provided security by the police during his visits to the Kashmir Valley.

His luck ran out during the 4th visit.

He was arrested from a 5-star hotel in Srinagar by police personnel belonging to Nishat police station in March this year.

He reportedly met some senior civil and police officers during his visits to Kashmir.
Bhubaneswar, May 2 : The Odisha State Agricultural Marketing Board (OSAM) under the cooperation department of Odisha government on Tuesday signed an agreement with International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, to facilitate the development of agri marketing network in the state.

The agri marketing network will link all the 66 regulated market committees (RMCs) of the state, 43 krushak bazars, 76 municipal markets, including 800 farmers produce organisations (FPOs) and women SHGs.

The MoU was signed between the two organisations in the presence of Cooperation Secretary Sanjeeb Kumar Chadha.

Chadha said that the fruits and vegetables sector in Odisha encounters many challenges which impact almost all the stakeholders linked to the value chain from production at the level of farmers to marketing at the level of end consumers.

High variation in quality of products, lack of structured and scientific processing infrastructure, lack of systematic and updated supply chain infrastructure and exploitative role by middlemen are some of the major challenges which need immediate intervention, he said.

"So, a sustainable solution is needed to bring the critical value chain players to a single platform addressing the major issues at each level through technological interventions to benefit the small farmers. To address these issues, the agreement was signed," Chadha said.

He also informed that the project aims at transforming agri-marketing through operationalising RMCs, developing market linkages and empowering farmers through supply chain management in Odisha.

The objectives of the MoA include study for developing entity level integration and development of implementation plan, handholding and mentoring for effectively operationalising primary processing centres/pack houses in RMC areas, establishing market linkages for women led SHGs and development of market information system/MIS dashboard platform, he added.

The agreement will remain in force for three years. On successful completion of the project, the board has aimed to bring in transformative changes in the sector of fruits and vegetables, ultimately empowering the primary producers especially, small and marginal farmers which in turn will serve the target of doubling farmers income in a foreseeable future, the secretary informed.
Lahore, May 2 : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan informed the Lahore High Court on Tuesday that a "third assassination attempt" has been hatched against him, as per media reports.

During the proceedings, the PTI chief took to the rostrum and informed the court that he had earlier revealed that there will be an assassination attempt on him and everyone saw what happened in Wazirabad, The Express Tribune reported.

He claimed that a second attack was to be carried out against him in the Islamabad judicial complex, but luckily he remained safe.

He brought to the notice of the court that a fresh assassination plan has been hatched against him.

Khan claimed that while he wanted to appear before the courts, he was not provided adequate security nor was he allowed to appear by police officials - referring to the riots outside Islamabad's Judicial Complex during an earlier court appearance, The Express Tribune reported.

He alsoc alleged that a top intelligence officer was "behind the whole game", the report said.

Khan had filed a plea seeking direction to the quarters concerned to declare that the "unprecedented, repeated abuse and misuse of criminal law machinery of the state" to register criminal cases against him amounts to a violation of Section 154 of the CrPC 1898, "causing grave unlawful and illegal violation of the petitioner's fundamental rights under several articles of the Constitution of Pakistan".

The former premier appeared before the high court's larger bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi. The court directed Khan to join the investigation in the cases registered against him after deliberating with concerned quarters to decide whether he would appear before the investigating team or if the team would visit his Zaman Park residence.

The high court also rejected Khan's plea for interim relief and refused to restrain the authorities from registering new FIRs against him, The Express Tribune reported.
Maharashtra Congress delegation met Governor RAMESH BAIS and submitted a memorandum demanding a special legislative session to discuss various urgent issues confronting the state. Image Source: IANS News

Maharashtra Congress delegation met Governor RAMESH BAIS and submitted a memorandum demanding a special legislative session to discuss various urgent issues confronting the state. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, May 2 : The Maharashtra Congress leaders here on Tuesday demanded a special session of the legislature to discuss major issues confronting the state including the proposed Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. project, the agro-crises owing to unseasonal rains and the quotas for Marathas.

A delegation led by state Congress president Nana Patole, Ashok Chavan, AICC Secretary Ashish Dua, Naseem Khan, Devanand Pawar, Hussain Dalwai, Anis Ahmed, Raju Waghmare, Amar Rajurkar, and others called on Governor Ramesh Bais and submitted a memorandum.

They reiterated the demand to appoint a probe headed by a high court judge into the Navi Mumbai tragedy of April 16 which claimed at least 14 lives due to heatstroke, terming it as 'state-sponsored murder' and holding the state government responsible for it.

The delegation pointed out how the proposed RRPL project, coming up with Arab help, is being pushed through on the people of Barsu despite strong opposition from the local villagers.

Another issue raised was the sufferings of the farmers after the recent spell of unseasonal rains and hailstorms that lashed large parts of the state, leading to large scale destruction of farmland.

"The farmers have been devastated by the climate change effects, they are not getting timely help and the government's policies are fuelling the farmers' suicides in Maharashtra," said Patole.

They also called for relaxation of the CIBIL score clause which has deprived many farmers from availing agricultural loans.

Chavan brought up the issue of increasing the reservation ceiling beyond 50 percent to enable implement the Maratha quotas, and cited the example of Chhattisgarh.

"In order to discuss all these urgent issues, we have requested the Governor to convene a special legislature session at the earliest," said Patole after the Raj Bhavan meeting.
Shimla, May 2 : Braving rainfall, nearly 60 per cent of the 93,920 electorates cast their votes on Tuesday for the Shimla Municipal Corporation, one of India's oldest civic bodies, for its 34 wards with 102 candidates in the fray for the contest that is mainly between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.

The ballots will be counted on Thursday.

Electors could be seen reaching polling stations even before voting started at 8 a.m.

An election official told IANS there has been no report of any delay in starting the poll process.

Two-time councillor from Shimla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu cast his vote along with two daughters and wife.

Senior BJP leader and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur alleged irregularities in the election process and said he had raised the issue with the state Election Commission.

However, Chief Minister Sukhu termed the BJP's allegation ridiculous.

Over 43 per cent polling was recorded till 2 p.m. A total of 93,920 voters, comprising 44,161 women, were entitled to exercise their franchise. Half of the wards have been reserved for women.

The BJP has fielded women candidates from 23 wards, while the Congress from 18. Both parties were contesting from all 34 wards.

The AAP and CPI-M have fielded candidates from 21 and four seats, respectively.

While the Congress has promised to introduce policies for a uniform tax regime for both old and merged areas, the BJP promised to provide 40,000 litres of free water to every household a month, besides a 50 per cent garbage bill waiver.

The five-year term of the Municipal Corporation ended in June 2022 but the election could not be held due to a court case which challenged delimitation of wards.

The previous BJP government had increased the number of wards from 34 to 41.

After coming to power, the Congress government in January abolished the seven new wards.

In the 2017 elections, the BJP wrested the civic body from the Congress for the first time in 32 years, winning 17 wards. The Congress won 12 wards, the CPI-M one and Independents four.
Washington, May 2 : The approval of US leadership in the second year of President Joe Biden's term shot up by double digits in India in 2022 -- the year the Indian government came under considerable pressure from the US and Europe to toe their line on condemning and isolating Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

The US leadership's popularity in India should have cratered instead. But it went up by 11 percentage points over 2021 to 49 per cent in 2022, in a poll of 137 countries by Gallup, which polled the world on the leadership of the US, Germany, Russia and China..

India was only 11 of the countries where the Biden administration saw an approval boost. The others included Poland (up by 30 points), Ukraine (by 29 points) and Israel (15 points up).

Everywhere else, the Biden administration scored poorly, and even dismally, especially in closely allied countries such as Greece (down by 31 points), Brazil (by 22 points), Canada (by 22 points) and the Netherlands (21 points). In fact, Biden's global popularity median fell from 49 per cent in 2021 to 41 per cent.

Biden's growing popularity in India will surprise those who once saw Indians root for his predecessor, President Donald Trump. A Chennai man had taken to worshipping a statue of Trump and he is reported to have died of cardiac arrest when Trump was hospitalised with Covid-19.

And in a diplomatically hazardous move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a second term for Trump at a rally the two leaders addressed jointly in Houston, Texas. Modi had sought to insert himself into US politics and it was noted by Democrats, many of whom remain leery of the Indian leader.

Gallup offered very little by way of explanation for these numbers. The jump in the numbers in India, for instance, was attributed to the Biden administration's efforts to draw India closer amid its growing tensions with Russia and China.

That's only partly true if at all. US efforts to prise India away from its historical ties with Russia and, more importantly, dependence on Russian arms, had quite the opposite effect.

New Delhi reasserted its need for strategic autonomy and pundits bristled at the temerity of a country that had sent its navy against India in the 1971 war against Pakistan to ask India to abandon Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) that had stood with India then.

The two sides, however, also insulated the rest of the relationship from these tensions, and took significant strides on other fronts, both bilateral and multilateral.

The year 2021 was different. In the first half of Biden's presidency, American leadership rebounded in popularity with respondents around the world.

He brought the US back into the Paris Accord on climate and other world bodies abandoned by the US under President Donald Trump.

The honeymoon ended in the second half of the year because of the shoddy American pullout of Afghanistan.

India was openly critical of it and during a visit to the US during the weeks leading to the actual pullout August-end, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar slammed the decision as driven by "political expediency".

While acknowledging the US desire to leave Afghanistan some day, India wanted to see it leave behind a residual force as a check against the return of Pakistan's influence through its proxies, the Taliban.
Toronto, May 2 : A 62-year-old Indo-Canadian homeopathic doctor has been arrested and charged for alleged sexual assault of a young patient who had come to his clinic in Brampton, the police said.

Sunil Anand has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference following an investigation by the Peel Regional Police Special Victims Unit.

On April 23, the police received information that a young person had visited a clinic in Brampton to see a homeopathic doctor. During the medical examination, it is alleged that the young person was sexually assaulted, the Peel Regional Police said.

Anand was held for a bail hearing and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. The police said Anand also works at a homeopathic clinic in the Toronto area.

Investigators have appealed to those with information to come forward and contact officers in the Special Victims Unit of the Peel Regional Police.
In the wake of the Oscar-winning new German adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front comes the French film Father and Soldier, another movie about World War I  a conflict that has been the inspiration for numerous critically acclaimed films, such as The Grand Illusion, Paths of Glory and Captain Conan. Recently screened at the BCN Film Fest in Barcelona, Father and Soldier tells the story of a Senegalese cowherd, Bakary Diallo, who enlists in the French colonial army to protect his son Thierno, who has been forcibly enlisted. Both are sent to fight the Germans in France as part of the famous Senegalese rifle corps (les tirailleurs senegalais), which was the main element of the French armys Black force. Father and son experience the horror of trench warfare together, while the father tries his best not to let his son die in a conflict in which 30,000 of the 180,000-strong mobilized corps (one in six soldiers) perished. Diallo is played by Omar Sy, the actor with Senegalese roots famous for his roles in The Intouchables and the French series Lupin. Sy visited Barcelona for the festival and received one of the events honorary awards, as well as the award for best actor, since Father and Soldier had been nominated in the competition.

What was it like to be a Senegalese rifleman in World War I? It was just as the film shows, Sy replies. They were very isolated, first because of the language. Most of them didnt speak French but Peul, which is what Bakary and his son speak [and is the language of Sys own parents], Wolof, or other dialects, so they didnt understand what was going on. And then there was that horrible war that was beyond the comprehension of anyone in Senegal: They didnt know who they were fighting, or why. Added to that the climatic conditions of winter at the front: the Africans died of cold, they were not adapted to this hostile world. Not to mention that, as the film shows, many Senegalese had been recruited using the methods of the slave trade, by kidnapping them.

Sy, who regrets not having seen All Quiet on the Western Front yet, reflects that to be a Black man in the Great War, when the inhabitants of Senegal did not have the status of French citizens, was simply to be a colonial tool and nothing more. Interestingly, Father and Soldier shows no instances of racism. On the contrary, the white lieutenant Chambreau exhibits a surprising lack of prejudice (although it is also true that for suicide missions color did not matter much), there is even a suggestion of an interracial love story, and the fact that Black non-commissioned officers could go to military brothels is mentioned. The brotherhood of the front prevailed, the actor points out. They were in a war, and they were fighting together. In a way, all French soldiers were brothers in arms. Everyone felt the same vulnerability when faced with the slaughter at the front.

Omar Sy, with his on-screen son, in 'Father and Soldier.'

In the U.S. Army, Black soldiers fought separately. America is another story, which deserves another movie. The story we are talking about is the story of the French colonial troops. In the U.S., slavery was still a recent phenomenon. The actor says that the struggles for integration faced by the Buffalo Soldiers (the Black soldiers who fought in the campaigns against the Native Americans) or the Tuskegee Airmen (the Black airmen of World War II) do not particularly appeal to him. I really like history in general, though, he says. He admits, however, that his own military experience is nil. Well, not anymore. The actor laughs heartily. He notes that playing a soldier was not difficult for him, especially because Bakary was a soldier by force, and never bought into the military mindset, unlike his son, who became a sergeant. I actually like the father side of the role better than the soldier side, he says.

Putting on a Senegalese riflemans uniform made a big impression on him. Seeing myself in the uniform made a big impression. I did several tests and thought a lot about how to wear it before we started filming. I was worried about how to wear it because many men died wearing that uniform, and I felt a responsibility [to them]. Then the weight of all that was less than I thought, probably because I had already internalized it. The actor is aware of the problems that former colonial combatants and their families had in receiving pensions. They were forced to spend six months in France to qualify for the pension, which was terribly unfair, he says.

There are many very emotional scenes, as well as moments of tension and conflict between father and son. The film also shows the process of becoming an adult and the need to metaphorically kill the father to become a man. Omar Sy finds it very interesting that the film draws a parallel between the father-son relationship of the protagonists and the one between the French lieutenant and his father, a military general.

Diallos son Thierno is played by Alassane Diong, who happens to be Sys nephew. That was both very good and very difficult. We had to forget the relationship to create the roles, but we had a great time and Alassane is a great actor. Coincidentally, another actor in the cast, the Senegalese Alassane Sy, despite having the same surname as Omar, is not related to him.

Of the criticism that has been made of Father and Soldier due to its ambiguity between anti-war sentiment and patriotism, Sy believes that the first thing was to pay tribute to those soldiers and remember them and their role in the First World War. Then, let everyone interpret the story as they wish.

Senegalese soldier in France during World War I. GETTY IMAGES

Praise has been lavished on the actor for his comedic skill , but in this film there is no room to show his talent for the genre. Theres certainly zero comedy. In a war story like this, there cant be. Of The Intouchables he says that he owes many things to that film, among them being here. Essentially my entire career so far is a consequence of that film. Omar Sy is surprised to hear about his success with the female audience. I didnt know that, and I certainly dont consider myself a sex symbol, he says with a wide grin. Are trenches worse than velociraptors? Sy, who played Barry Sembene, who takes care of the dangerous theropod dinosaurs in Jurassic World, laughs at the comparison. The trenches are undoubtedly worse, because they were real. He has also made several superhero movies. I like diversity. They are different ways of telling stories. I see my career as a path where each project leads me to the next.

He is very happy with the tribute from the Barcelona festival and a little surprised because he considers that he is still rather young for an honorary award, and his career up to now, he says, has been short. It seems inevitable to ask him what he thinks about the situation in France and the riots over the governments pension reforms. What is happening in France is confirmation of the freedom that exists in the country, he stresses. When he gets up at the end of the interview, it seems like the striped sweater he is wearing has become the muddy cloak of Bakary, the devoted rifleman father. He leaves the room wrapped in the verses of Leopold Sedar Senghors homage to those troops, who suffered so much and yet distinguished themselves: Vous, mes freres obscurs, personne ne vous nomme / dans ces jours de peur sans memoire / recevez le salut de vos camarades noirs, Tirailleurs Senegalais. [You, my dark brothers, nobody mentions you by name/in these days of fear without memory/receive the salute from your Black comrades, Senegalese Riflemen.]
New Delhi, May 2 : The Centre and the Gujarat government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that they would not claim privilege over the documents in connection with the remission of sentence of convicts in Bilkis Bano gang-rape and murder of her family members' case during the Gujarat riots, and agreed to share the documents with the apex court for its perusal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Gujarat government, submitted before a bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph and comprising justice B V Nagarathna that they do not claim privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.

Mehta submitted that the Centre and the state government will also not seek review of the apex court's earlier order directing them to bring on record documents in connection with the remission of the convicts. Raising objection to the petitions filed in the matter other than by Bano, Mehta said it will have wide ramifications and third parties will come to the courts in criminal cases.

The top court recorded Mehta's statement that Centre and Gujarat government are not seeking review of the order regarding the direction of production of records.

The bench said it will hear the matter on May 9, as counsel for convicts said that they need time to file their replies to the plea by Bano.

On April 18, the Centre and the Gujarat government, before the Supreme Court, claimed privilege over files in connection with the grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.

The Centre's counsel had said the government is likely to seek review of the court's March 27 order, asking them to be ready with the original files on remission granted to the convicts.

During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice Joseph said the court is only fixing timelines, so that the new bench which hears the matter should not have to waste time on these procedural issues.

"I am retiring during vacation on June 16. My last working day will be on May 19. My sister (Justice Nagarathna) will be going to attend a conference in Singapore till May 25. If all of you agree, then we can sit during the vacation and finish the hearing," Justice Joseph said.

Advocate Shobha Gupta, representing Bano, submitted that only the question of law needs to be decided and the matter will not take a long time and counsel for other petitioners also requested the court to take up the matter before vacation.

Advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for a convict, said what was the "tearing hurry" in hearing the case, as the respondents have been released and are out for around one year.

Mehta contended that the bench may list the matter for hearing before court's summer vacation.

Justice Joseph told Gupta: "It is apparent from the way counsel appearing for convicts that they do not want this hearing to take place. It is more than obvious".

Justice Joseph said every time when the matter is listed for hearing, someone would come saying that he needed time to file a reply.

After hearing submissions, the top court said a new bench would take up the matter for a hearing in the second week of July.

In the previous hearing, the top court had noted that a pregnant woman, Bilkis Bano, was gang-raped and several people were killed and the case cannot be compared with a standard Section 302 (murder) cases, and while stressing on the gravity of the offence and on the remission granted to 11 convicts, said: "Unequals cannot be treated equally." The 11 men convicted in the case were released on August 15 last year, after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. The convicts had completed 15 years in jail.

A batch of petitions have been filed against the release of 11 convicts, including the one filed by Bano.

The other petitions were filed by CPI-M leader Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, National Federation of Indian Women, Meeran Chadha Borwankar and others, Asma Shafique Shaikh and others.

The top court had issued notice on all the pleas filed in the matter.
Kolkata, May 2 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday gave a call to all non-BJP forces in the country to unite in order to bring about a change in the central regime in the Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year.

On competition of the second year of her third term as Chief Minister, Banerjee released a video message in which she said that there is an urgent necessity for unity of all opposition forces in order to make the 2024 polls an "election for change".

"The next Lok Sabha polls will be for change. If all the opposition parties unite, the defeat of BJP will be inevitable. The country needs a change. Let the 2024 polls bring that change," she said in the video message.

However, she did not make it clear whether Congress features in the blueprint of Trinamool Congress' united opposition alliance.

In the video message, she also launched a scathing attack against the Centre on the twin issues of demonetisation and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"Does such a government deserve any further support? No power is absolute and bigger than the common people who will have the final word. This time we will not lose. We will win," the Chief Minister said.

However, both the Congress and the CPI(M) ridiculed Banerjee over her call for unity of opposition forces against BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

According to state Congress President and veteran Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, such comments are meaningless especially when Trinamool was responsible for consolidating the strength of the BJP in West Bengal.

"I doubt whether Trinamool Congress at all enjoys any credibility in national politics. It has already lost its national party status. Probably, the Chief Minister has realised that she will lose her grip in West Bengal in the coming days and hence she is calling for opposition unity now," Chowdhury said.

CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty almost echoed Chowdhury's views when he said that such call for opposition unity does not suit the Chief Minister after she indirectly helped the BJP in the polls to elect the Vice President of India as well in the Assembly polls in Goa and Meghalaya.

"Trinamool Congress lacks credibility," he said.
New Delhi, May 2 : In a unique collaboration to safeguard the misuse of location-tracking devices, Apple and Google on Tuesday said they have jointly submitted an industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking.

The first-of-its-kind specification will allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorised tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms.

Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed support for the draft specification, which offers best practices and instructions for manufacturers.

"Apple launched AirTag to give users the peace of mind knowing where to find their most important items," said Ron Huang, Apple's vice president of Sensing and Connectivity.

"This new industry specification builds upon the AirTag protections, and through collaboration with Google results in a critical step forward to help combat unwanted tracking across iOS and Android," Huang added.

The specification has been submitted via theAInternet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a leading standards development organisation for review and comment over the next three months.A "Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve," said Dave Burke, Google's vice president of Engineering for Android.

"Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users, and will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with the industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices," he added.

In addition to incorporating feedback from device manufacturers, input from various safety and advocacy groups has been integrated into the development of the specification, said Apple and Google.
New Delhi, May 2 : Government has launched the 'Vivad Se Vishwas I - Relief to MSMEs' scheme, which it had announced in the Union Budget for 2023-24, to provide relief to small and medium enterprises for the Covid-19 period.

The scheme commenced from April 17 and the last date for submission of claims under it is June 30, 2023.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while announcing the scheme during her budget speech on February 1, 2023, had said that in cases of failure by MSMEs to execute contracts during the Covid period, 95 per cent of the forfeited amount relating to bid or performance security will be returned to them by government and government undertakings.

This will provide relief to MSMEs, she had said.

Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on economy, especially MSMEs and under the scheme, the relief being provided to such enterprises is aimed at promoting and sustaining the sector, official sources said.

Under the scheme, ministries have been asked to refund performance security, bid security and liquidated damages forfeited or deducted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Certain relief has also been provided to MSMEs debarred for default in execution of contracts during the Covid-19 period.

The finance ministry through this scheme has decided to give certain additional benefits to eligible MSMEs, affected during the Covid-19 period like refunding 95 per cent of the performance security forfeited earlier during the pandemic.

Also it would refund 95 per cent of the liquidated damages deducted earlier, while 95 per cent of risk purchase amount realised shall also be refunded.

In case any firm has been debarred only due to default in execution of such contracts, such debarment shall also be revoked, by issuing an appropriate order by the procuring entity.

However, in case a firm has been ignored for placement of any contract due to debarment in the interim period (i.e. date of debarment and the date of revocation under this order), then no claim shall be entertained. Also, no interest shall be paid on such refunded amount.

Also, relief will be provided in all contracts for procurement of goods and services, entered into by any ministry or department attached with MSMEs.

The relief though would be provided only if these entities are registered as a medium, small or micro enterprise as per relevant scheme of the MSME ministry on the date of claim by supplier or contractor.
Toronto, May 2 : Police have arrested a suspect after an Indian driver was verbally abused and attacked for taking a wrong turn in Canada, sparking renewed calls for protection of gig and app-based workers in the country.

Aman Sood, who came to Canada in 2019, was injured and extremely shaken due to the suspect's violent actions, the Abbotsford Police said.

On April 18 at 6:47 a.m. (local time), patrol officers responded to an assault on an Uber driver on McCallum Road, the police said, adding that the suspect fled the scene on foot prior to their arrival.

The assault captured on a dashcam video shows the passenger verbally abusing Sood after he took a wrong turn.

According to Daily Hive, Sood offered to switch routes, but the passenger said it was too late and that he didn't want to talk to a "f****** Uber driver."When Sood stopped the car and asked the man to leave because he didn't feel safe, the latter screamed and punched the victim in the head, as captured on video.

After the altercation, both parties exit the vehicle, and the passenger is heard saying, "I'll kill you" before the video cuts off.

Sood's injuries included nerve damage to his neck and shoulders and a sprained wrist.

On April 27 at 7 p.m., police officers located and arrested 38-year-old William Tickle without incident.

The British Columbia Prosecution Service has approved charges of assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats, the Abbotsford Police Department stated in a release.

"Abbotsford is not immune to random violent attacks. However, thanks to the timely and full cooperation from Mr Sood and Uber, we swiftly arrested this violent offender," said Inspector Kevin Murray from Abbotsford Police Department.

"Incidents like these remain a top priority for AbbyPD in bringing these offenders before the court to be accountable for their actions," Inspector Murray added.

Sood had asked his wife and child to join him next month in Canada. However, after the attack, he's told them not to come.

"I just want to leave Canada as soon as possible. Better to live than die," he told Daily Hive.

An Uber spokesperson said the company has banned the rider's account and is working with police on the investigation.
New Delhi, May 2 : With Go First airline announcing suspension of its flights on May 3 and May 4 owing to financial crunch, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday described the development as unfortunate.

"Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to its engines. The government has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved. Yet, it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position," Scindia said while reacting to the development.

He added that the government is aware that the airline has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

"It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights. It's incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for the passengers so that the inconvenience is minimal," the minister said.

Earlier in the day, DGCA had issued a show cause notice to Go First after the airline abruptly cancelled fresh bookings for May 3 to 4.

An official said that the DGCA recently became aware that Go First has cancelled all its scheduled flights on May 3and 4 without providing any prior notification to the regulatory authority.

This act of sudden cancellation by the airline is considered to be a violation of the conditions of approval for scheduling, according to the aviation watchdog.

While the carrier has suspended flights for May 3 and 4, it has also stopped taking bookings for the next two days.
New Delhi, May 2 : Incarcerated gangster Tillu Tajpuria, who was killed by four inmates -- said to be members of the notorious Jitender Gogi gang, on early Tuesday morning inside Delhi's Tihar Jail, was stabbed around 50 times by his assailants, an official said.

The attackers are reportedly members of the notorious Jitender Gogi gang.

Sunil a.k.a. Tillu Tajpuria (33), a resident of Tajpur Kalan on the outskirts of Delhi, who had a history of criminal activities, was lodged in Tihar Jail under tight security measures.

Gangster Satinder Singh Brar, also known as Goldy Brar -- believed to be in hiding in Canada, has claimed responsibility for the attack on Tajpuria, citing revenge, according to an unverified social media post.

"Hello everyone, our brothers Yogesh Tunda and Deepak Titar are responsible for the murder of Tillu Tajpuria in Tihar Jail on Tuesday. Tajpuria took responsibility for the loss of Gogi Maan bhai and had been an enemy of our brothers since the beginning. We will soon take care of others involved," the Facebook post read.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Akshat Kaushal said that information was received in Hari Nagar police station from Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) hospital that an undertrial prisoner was admitted to the hospital from Tihar Jail.

He was later declared brought dead in the DDU hospital.

During the enquiry, it was revealed that another undertrial prisoner, Rohit, was also injured in this incident and he was under treatment in DDU hospital.

"The prison staff revealed that Deepak a.k.a. Titar (31), Yogesh a.k.a. Gainda (30), Rajesh a.k.a. Tunda (42), and Riyaz Khan (39) had attacked Sunil@Tillu Tajpuriya with improvised knives and brutally stabbed him. When Rohit tried to intervene he was also attacked and injured," said Kaushal.

"The autopsy of the deceased has been conducted, a report of which is awaited. However, prima facie, it was found that the deceased had multiple stab wounds all over the body. Improvised knives used in the offence have been recovered from the accused," said the official.

Police have also registered a case under section 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

As per prison officials, around 6.15 a.m., the attackers, Deepak, Yogesh, Rajesh, and Riyaz Khan, used bedsheets to climb down from the first floor to Tajpuriya's ground-floor ward when the cells were opened for the head-count of the inmates.

The prison officials suspect that the assailants had cut the two grilles installed on the first floor and placed them there to avoid suspicion.

Before the attack, they only had to remove the grilles and climb down using bedsheets.

Tillu Tajpuria, an accused in the 2021 Rohini court shootout in which gangster Jitender Gogi was killed, who was lodged on the ground-floor in highly secured jail number 8, upon seeing the attackers, attempted to flee to the cell of a fellow inmate, Rohit.

Rohit tried to shield himself by closing the cell gate but it could not be locked from inside, and the assailants barged in, injuring Rohit in the process.

"The entire attack took place within two minutes, and the staff and security personnel immediately caught the four attackers," said the prison official.

According to sources, an internal investigation has been initiated by the prison authorities.

"We are also looking into preventive measures to avoid such incidents in future. We have planned to shift the four assailants to a different jail, and an investigation has been launched into the incident," a source said.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of high-profile prisoners in Tihar Jail.
Hyderabad, May 2 : Amid the continuing row over Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan's absence during the inauguration of the newly-constructed state Secretariat, the Raj Bhavan clarified on Tuesday that she was not invited.

According to Raj Bhavan, no invitation was sent to the Governor for the event held on Sunday.

The Governor's office also denied allegations levelled by a state minister that the Soundararajan did not attend the inaugural programme despite an invitation sent to her on this count.

Raj Bhavan said in a statement that the Governor didn't attend the programme because there was no invitation, adding that there was no other reason.

On Sunday, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao inaugurated the Secretariat in the presence of ministers, MPs, state legislators, BRS leaders and top officials.

The clarification from Raj Bhavan came a day after Energy Minister G. Jagadish Reddy lashed out at the Governor for skipping the inauguration ceremony. He also slammed Opposition leaders for not attending the event even after the state government had extended invitations to them.

The minister went on to allege that they (Opposition leaders) skipped the event because they were unable to digest the development of Telangana.

Stating that the inauguration ceremony was an official programme conducted by the state government, he claimed that the government followed the protocol and extended invitations to the Governor, MPs, MLAs and MLCs of all parties in the state.

Stating that the Secretariat building is a symbol of Telangana's pride and self-respect, he said Chief Minister KCR, who built the architectural marvel, will be remembered in history forever.

The state government had earlier snubbed the Governor by not inviting her for the unveiling of the 125-feet statue of B.R. Ambedkar near the Secretariat on April 14.

Soundararajan had then told news channels that she felt bad about it.

"It was a big event, but there was no invitation for me. Had I got the invitation, I would have participated in the inauguration of the statue of our honourable Ambedkar ji," she had said.

The Governor and the KCR government have been at loggerheads since 2021, when she did not accept the recommendation of the state Cabinet to nominate BRS leader P. Kaushik Reddy as a member of Telangana Legislative Council under Governor quota.

Soundararajan had repeatedly targeted the KCR government for not following the protocols and not respecting the Constitutional office of the Governor.

Ministers and leaders of the ruling BRS had hit back at her, saying she was acting like a BJP leader.

The relations between the Governor and the state government soured further last year when the government conducted the Budget session of the Assembly without the customary address of the Governor.

Earlier, she had alleged that the government forced her to unfurl the national flag at Raj Bhavan on Republic Day citing Covid-19 restrictions, though the celebrations in other states were held at public places.

The rift reached the Telangana High Court earlier this year after the state government filed a petition seeking direction to the Governor to approve the Budget. On the court's suggestion, they amicably sorted out the issue.

While the Governor agreed to approve the Budget, the government softened its stand to begin the Assembly session with her speech.

However, the ties between Raj Bhavan and Pragati Bhavan (CM's official residence) hit an all-time low when the state government approached the Supreme Court seeking direction to her to take a decision on the Bills passed by the state Assembly but were pending with the Raj Bhavan.

The Governor subsequently approved a couple of Bills, sent back some to the government and also forwarded a few to the President of India.
New Delhi, May 2 : Carl Icahn, a legend of Wall Street, has made a classic mistake of taking on too much leverage in the face of sustained losses: a combination that rarely ends well, Hindenburg Research said in a new research.

Icahn has been using money taken in from new investors to pay out dividends to old investors. Such ponzi-like economic structures are sustainable only to the extent that new money is willing to risk being the last one "holding the bag", Hindenburg Research said.

Supporting this structure is Jefferies, the only large investment bank with research coverage on Icahn Enterprises (IEP), the research said.

It has continuously placed a "buy" rating on IEP units.

In one of the worst cases of sell-side research malpractice we've seen, Jefferies' research assumes in all cases, even in its bear case, that IEP's dividend will be safe "into perpetuity", despite providing no support for that assumption, the research said.

Since 2019, one bank has run all of IEP's $1.7 billion in ATM offerings: Jefferies. In essence, Jefferies is luring in retail investors through its research arm under the guise of IEP's 'safe' dividend, while also selling billions in IEP units through its investment banking arm to support the very same dividend, the research said.

Icahn Enterprises (IEP) is an $18 billion market cap holding company run by corporate raider and activist investor Carl Icahn, who, along with his son Brett, own approximately 85 per cent of the company.

Given limited financial flexibility and worsening liquidity, we expect Icahn Enterprises will eventually cut or eliminate its dividend entirely, barring a miracle turnaround in investment performance, the report said.

Carl Icahn's relationship with Jefferies & Co (Jefferies) goes back to the corporate raider leveraged buy-out days of the 1980's.

Several articles from the time noted Icahn's ties to the founder of Jefferies, Boyd Jefferies, who eventually pleaded guilty to two felony counts of securities fraud and resigned from the firm he founded.

Jefferies current CEO, Richard Handler, has maintained a close relationship with Carl Icahn over the years.

A 2014 article reported that Icahn helped bail out Jefferies during the global financial crisis. Jefferies now appears to be returning the favour (and collecting fees along the way through its ATM unit sales), Hindenburg Research said.
Hyderabad, May 2 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday decided to introduce an insurance scheme for toddy tappers in the state.

'Geetha Karmikula Bhima' (Insurance for toddy tappers) will be on the lines of Rythu Bhima, an insurance scheme for farmers which is already being implemented in the state.

KCR said that the insurance money of Rs 5 lakh will be deposited directly in the bank account of the family members in case a toddy tapper dies accidentally while collecting toddy from palm trees in the fields.

The CM instructed Telangana Finance Minister T. Harish Rao and Excise and Prohibition Minister V. Srinivas Goud to prepare guidelines for the new insurance scheme.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting in this regard at B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Tuesday.

Speaking on this occasion, KCR expressed his concern that there are unfortunate incidents of toddy tappers losing their lives due to accidental fall from the trees.

The CM said that it is the responsibility of the government to support the families of toddy tappers who died in such unfortunate incidents.

KCR said that the government is already providing ex-gratia to the victims' families but there is a big delay.

Considering the plight of toddy tapper families, the government decided to extend insurance coverage and disburse the amount within a week to the bereaved families like the farmers' families availing Rythu Bhima benefit.

CM KCR issued orders to the ministers and the Chief Secretary to take action in this direction.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets the new head of logistics for the Russian army, Alexey Kuzmenkov, in a photo released by the Kremlin.

The Kremlin has named a successor to Mikhail Mizintsev, known to the Ukrainian military as the Butcher of Mariupol, at the head of Russian army logistics. As of last week, Colonel-General Alexey Kuzmenkov has been tasked with overseeing one of Moscows biggest challenges in its ongoing war: guaranteeing supplies at the front. Kuzmenkov represents a continuation appointment in his position of deputy minister of defense for logistics, the department responsible for sustaining the Kremlins entire military machine. Having previously served as deputy director of the National Guard, Kuzmenkov was appointed at the end of last week by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, following the unexpected dismissal of Mizintsev after eight months in his post.

Born in Donetsk, one of the regions in Ukraine illegally annexed by Russia last year, Kuzmenkov has extensive experience in the military rearguard. His appointment is the Kremlins answer to one of the most pressing problems facing the Russian army in Ukraine: supplies of ammunition. Even Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the issue and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the mercenary Wagner Group that is heavily involved in front-line operations in Ukraine, periodically complains of a lack of supplies and equipment.

Pro-Kremlin media were quick to link Kuzmenkovs appointment to the provision of arms to front line troops. In the course of the military operation, serious problems in material and technical support for the troops have become apparent, which a highly professional manager in this area should solve, said one of Russias oldest newspapers, Komsomolskaya Pravda, upon learning of the Kremlins choice as its new chief of logistics.

Mikhail Mizintzev, the former deputy minister of defense for logistics. Sefa Karacan (Anadolu Agency / Getty)

Among Kuzmenkovs achievements noted by Russian media was his participation in the plan to swiftly provide armaments and necessary supplies to Russian units deployed in the Syrian civil war, in which the Kremlin began to actively engage in 2015. A graduate of the Volsk Higher Military School of Logistics, Kuzmenkov began his career as an officer in the Russian Ground Forces and continued to rise through the ranks, being appointed Deputy Head of the Resource Support Department in 2011 and Chief of the Logistics Staff of the Russian Armed Forces in 2014.

He was promoted again in 2018 to Deputy Commander of the Forces of the Southern Military District for Material and Technical Supply and a year later was named deputy director of the National Guard, an independent force that answers directly to Putin.

Kuzmenkov was added to the European Union list of sanctioned Russian officials and businessmen in July 2022 following Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Among the reasons for his inclusion was that as deputy director of the National Guard, which is responsible for internal security, he was allegedly behind the order to suppress protests against the Russian occupation in Kherson  which has since been liberated  Henichesk, Berdiansk and Mariupol.

He is also suspected of involvement in the alleged killings, rapes and torture of civilians in Bucha at the beginning of the Russian invasion in March 2022, and is accused of ordering the National Guard to arrest Ukrainian citizens and setting up military administrations in the occupied territories, which the EU stated makes Kuzmenkov responsible for supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

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Srinagar, May 2 : Australian Ambassador Barry O'Farrell and Second Secretary Jack Taylor met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to discuss a range of issues, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed development in J&K and investment opportunities in the Union Territory particularly in horticulture and food processing sector.

"Discussions also focused on areas of interest, including technology, renewable energy, and tourism," the statement said.

"The Lt Governor highlighted the importance of the upcoming G-20 summit in Srinagar as an opportunity to showcase the region's economic potential and ongoing efforts to enhance international investment." The discussions also touched upon bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Chennai, May 2 : The Celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswar was held at Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai on Tuesday.

According to Hindu religious belief, the marriage of the Lord and Goddess is held on the 10th day of Chithirai festival.

Now, the Chithirai temple car festival will be held on Wednesday.

The celestial wedding or Thirukalyanam was held on a stage set at the junction of the North-West Aadi street within the temple premises.

The ceremonies commenced at 4 a.m. on Tuesday with singing of 'Thirumurai' and Vedic hymns. The celestial wedding was held between 8.35 a.m. and 8.59 a.m. in Midhuna lagna with priests and chanting hymns.

As per tradition, Lord Pavala Kanivai Perumal and Lord Subramanaya Swamy (Lord Murugan) from Tiruparagundram arrived at the Tirukalyanam Mandapam and then Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar were brought to the decorated wedding stage.

Married women who were present in large numbers at the temple premises changed their Mangalasutra during the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.

Lakhs of devotees, who were waiting outside the temple premises, had a glimpse of the deities who were decorated and kept after the celestial wedding on big screens set up there.

High police security has been provided for the celestial wedding on Tuesday and the car temple festival to be held on Wednesday.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday was informed by Shahrukh Pathan that there is no role attributed to him and that the "entire case is a farce" in a matter related to rioting and causing injuries to police personnel, including one Rohit Shukla, by an armed mob during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma was hearing Pathan's bail plea. Simultaneously, Pathan is facing charges in another case in connection with pointing a pistol at a policeman.

A trial court had rejected Pathan's bail plea in December 2021.

It is to be noted that the charges have already been framed against Pathan in the matter, and he had moved the high court in January last year seeking bail.

Even though there are four more accused in the case, the petitioner is the only one not named in the FIR or identified by anyone and yet he is behind bars whereas others have been released on bail, Pathan's counsel Khalid Akhtar told the court.

"The bail application and arguments on the charges were heard together. Bail was rejected on the ground that he [Pathan] is accused in another case, that he could be a flight risk and that there were contradictions in his statements which are the subject matter of trial. There are total five accused persons in the FIR. I am the only person who is neither named nor identified while all others were named and identified. Their addresses were also disclosed by the victim and yet all of them have been granted bail and I am the only one behind bars. This entire case is a farce," Akhtar submitted on behalf of his client.

Akhtar also apprised the court that the bail application has been pending for 15 months now, and that his client is lodged in jail for three years and one month.

"No role is attributed to me. It is not their case that I shot the victim. Examination of the main victim is complete. That is full of contradiction. There is nothing," he submitted.

Justice Sharma then directed the special public prosecutor for Delhi Police to file a chart indicating the role of the accused persons, including Pathan, and the evidence attributed against them.

The court then listed the matter for further hearing on July 24.

Earlier in February, Pathan had informed the high court that the conclusion of the trial has been delayed for a long and that for more than a year now, only two witnesses have been examined out of 40.

Akhtar had earlier submitted: "There is a huge delay in the conclusion of the trial. Only two witnesses have been examined so far out of about 40. I have been attacked in jail too."
Bhubaneswar, May 2 : Holding the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government responsible for the violence in Sambalpur last month, a four-member probe team constituted by the BJP on Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into the clash between two communities during Hanuman Jayanti processions.

The probe panel comprising four BJP MPs -- Brij Lal from Uttar Pradesh, Samir Oraon from Jharkhand and Aditya Sahu and Jyotirmay Singh Mahato from West Bengal -- visited Sambalpur city, and held discussion with several stakeholders including some victims.

The team will submit its report to BJP president J.P. Nadda.

Addressing the media in Sambalpur, Brij Lal alleged that law and order has completely collapsed in the state and the Sambalpur violence is an example of this. "The untoward incident took place due to the state government's failure," he said.

"Hanuman Jayanti has been celebrated traditionally in Sambalpur town for many years. The violence occurred in a sensitive area and such disturbances were reported in earlier years also," he said.

"Besides, the special branch or intelligence wing of the Odisha government had informed the Sambalpur administration about the possibility of such communal tension in the city. Still, the administration has failed to act properly and provide adequate security measures during the Hanuman Jayanti processions," the BJP leader added.

Claiming it was 'pre-planned' violence, he said, "I hold the BJD government fully responsible for the violence." "The local people are in fear as illegal activities are rampant here. Dalits and tribals are not getting their rights and justice in the state. Not a single slaughterhouse has been given a license. Beef and narcotics are being illegally transported to West Bengal from Sambalpur," Brij Lal said.

Anti-national slogans raised during the violence is disturbing not only for Sambalpur but also for Odisha and the country, the BJP leader said.

The Rajya Sabha MP further urged the Odisha government to send its officials to Uttar Pradesh "to learn how to maintain law and order in a state".

"The rioters have been given free hands to commit the violence. While the perpetrators are roaming scot-free, innocent people are being trapped and falsely prosecuted to please their political bosses," Brij Lal alleged.

On his visit to a deceased, Mirdha's residence, he said: "The youth's family was not present in the house. It is suspected that the family has been kept outside the village forcibly by the ruling BJD." The MP further said that cases registered by police in the incident show that the investigation was not conducted in a free and fair manner.

"So, the case should be handed over to the CBI. I appeal to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to personally recommend a CBI investigation into the incident," Brij Lal said.
Srinagar, May 2 : Jammu and Kashmir Police along with security forces have arrested a terrorist associate of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba in Shopian district and recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunition from his possession, an official said on Tuesday.

The arrested individual has been identified as Tanveer Ahmad Wani, a resident of Daramdora in Shopian.

"Based on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint team of police along with and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation," a police officer said.
Ahmedabad, May 2 : Seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami's sensational four-fer (4-11) helped Gujarat Titans restrict Delhi Capitals to 130/8 despite a fighting fifty from Aman Hakim Khan (51 off 44) in Match No. 44 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium, here on Tuesday.

Apart from Shami, Mohit Sharma (2-33) and Rashid Khan (1-28) were the other wicket-takers for Titans while Axar Patel (27 off 30) and Ripal Patel (23 off 13) were the other main contributors with the bat after Aman.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Delhi Capitals were off to a horrific start, losing five wickets inside the Power-play. The horror show started in the very first ball of the innings when Phil Salt toe-ended a swinging delivery bowled by Shami to cover, where David Miller took a simple catch.

Thereafter, a confusion between Priyam Garg and David Warner resulted in the Delhi Capitals skipper getting run out with Rashid Khan dislodging the bails at the non-striker's end, on a no-ball. Rilee Rossow, who came into the playing XI for Mitchell Marsh, also couldn't do much as a classic swing delivery from Shami dismissed the South African batter.

Continuing his sensational show, Shami bowled another beauty to Manish Pandey to remove him with Wriddhiman Saha taking a stunning catch behind the wicket. In the last delivery of the same over, the duo once again combined to dismiss Priyam Garg, who failed to negotiate the slightly late movement, leaving Delhi Capitals struggling at 23-5 at the end of 5 overs.

Shami, who was extracting the juice available in the pitch due to wet weather around, had the chance of getting the fifer but Axar Patel and Aman Hakim Khan, negotiated his last over well. However, Shami, who bowled all his four overs on the trot, single-handedly had Delhi on the mat by the end of the seventh over.

From there on, Axar and Aman rebuilt the Delhi innings as they rotated the strike nicely and got the odd boundary and six against the Gujarat bowlers. The pair added a sedate fifty-run stand for the sixth wicket but Mohit Sharma was once again incisive in the middle overs and ended that partnership, by taking the huge wicket of Axar.

Delhi were 73-6 after 14 overs when Axar got out and they needed something miraculous from their lower-order batter to post a competitive total. The likes of Aman Khan and Ripal Patel showed some intent and hit Mohit Sharma and Josh Little for a few timely boundaries and sixes, giving some impetus to the Capitals' innings.

Aman smashed Mohit for a six to complete his half-century in 41 balls as Delhi looked to get the desired finish. In the penultimate over of the innings, Ripal welcomed Rashid Khan by a six but the leg-spinner removed Aman Khan later in the over with Abhinav Manohar taking a good catch at the deep.

Mohit Sharma dismissed Ripal Patel to get his 100th IPL wicket and bowled an excellent last over to keep Delhi Capitals to 130-8 in 20 overs.

Brief scores: Delhi Capitals 130/8 in 20 overs (Aman Hakim Khan 51, Axar Patel 27; Md Shami 4-11, Mohit Sharma 2-33) vs Gujarat Titans.

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Bhopal, May 2 : At least four people died after a crane lost control on a busy road in Indore and ran over two bikes on Tuesday evening. An injured person has been rushed to the hospital where his condition is stated to be critical, officials said.

The tragic incident occurred in Badhganga area when a crane lost control and crushed the commuters travelling on two motorcycles.

Indore SDM Ajay Dev said, "Four people were dead and one person was injured in the incident. Preliminary inquiry suggests that the driver lost control of the crane, which resulted in the accident. However, the police are trying to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap." Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that he has directed the police and the district administration for quick action in the matter.

"A sad news has been received about the loss of precious lives in Indore. I have inquired about the incident from the local administration and have given instructions to provide all possible help to the affected families. I pay my humble tribute to the people who lost their lives and pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured person," Mishra tweeted.
Bengaluru, May 2 : Criticising the manifesto released by the Congress in Karnataka for the May 10 Assembly elections in the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the party's manifesto has been prepared under pressure from the banned organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI).

Interacting with the mediapersons at the BJP headquarters here, Sarma questioned "why the Congress, which is promising to ban Bajrang Dal, did not impose a ban on PFI?" "The Congress manifesto is similar to the manifesto of organisations like the PFI and other fundamental groups. The party had withdrawn cases of PFI which was involved in terrorist activities and released 1,700 PFI workers," Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister said that the declaration of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to bring the Uniform Civil Code is a historical decision.

"This will put pressure on bringing the legislation throughout the country. The NRC is also an emergency need in contemporary times," Sarma said, adding that "Aadhaar is not the proof of citizenship".

"Even after 75 years of Independence, NRC has not been implemented. The Congress which ruled for the longest period has not bothered to discuss the matter," he said.

He further said that the Congress "which is harping on 40 per cent commission charges against the BJP should know how huge the Bofors scam was".

Talking about guarantee schemes by the Congress, the Assam CM questioned "who is Rahul Gandhi to announce these schemes in Karnataka?" "Rahul Gandhi is not a member of parliament. He does not have any guarantees for himself. If his guarantee was to be true, Amethi should have been developed. There must have been peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The Babri Masjid dispute should have been settled," Sarma said.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea to strike down a provision of the Companies Act, 2013, according to which workers' dues will not get preferential payment when a company undergoes liquidation as per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016.

The top court said for the revival and rehabilitation of the companies, certain sacrifices are required from all quarters, including the workers.

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and Sanjiv Khanna said the guiding principle for the IBC in setting the priority of payments in liquidation is to bring the practices in India in line with global practices.

The bench said that in the waterfall mechanism, after the costs of the insolvency resolution process and liquidation, secured creditors share the highest priority along with a defined period of dues of the workers.

"The unpaid dues of the workmen are adequately and significantly protected in line with the objectives sought to be achieved by the code (IBC) and in terms of the waterfall mechanism prescribed by Section 53 of the code. In either case of relinquishment or non-relinquishment of the security by the secured creditor, the interests of workmen are protected under the code," it said.

The bench said the secured creditors are taking significant hair-cut and workmen are being compensated on an equitable basis in a just and proper manner as per Section 53 of the IBC.

"The code balances the rights of the secured creditors, who are financial institutions in which the general public has invested money, and also ensures that the economic activity and revival of a viable company is not hindered because it has suffered or fallen into a financial crisis. The code focuses on bringing additional gains to both the economy and the exchequer through efficiency enhancement and consequent greater value capture," the bench noted.

The top court made these observations while dismissing a batch of petitions filed by Moser Baer Karamchari Union and others to quash Section 327(7) of the Companies Act, 2013 as arbitrary and violative of Article 21 of the Constitution.

The bench said the waterfall mechanism is based on a structured mathematical formula, and the hierarchy is created in terms of payment of debts in order of priority with several qualifications, and striking down any one of the provisions or rearranging the hierarchy in the waterfall mechanism may lead to several trips and disrupt the working of the equilibrium as a whole and stasis, resulting in instability.

"Every change in the waterfall mechanism is bound to lead to cascading effects on the balance of rights and interests of the secured creditors, operational creditors and even the Central and state governments," said the bench.

The workers' union, along with others, asked the court to leave statutory claims of the workmen's dues out of the purview of the waterfall mechanism under Section 53 of the IBC. The petitioners also sought other directions, which included enabling them to get their dues of 24 months released without any further delay.

The bench stressed that IBC recognises the financial impact on secured creditors or financial institutions dealing with public money, as their economic health is equally important for the general public as well as the national economy.

Justice Shah, who authored the 74-page judgment on behalf of the bench, said: "These are all complex economic matters wherein various conflicting interests have to be balanced, and a holistic rather than a one-sided approach is to be taken." Justice Shah said, "Each opinion may have merit, but the court can hardly substitute its own wisdom or view for that of the legislature, especially when the enactment is the outcome of a thought-out and ruminated review on complex fiscal and commercial challenges facing the economy." The bench said for the revival and rehabilitation of the companies, certain sacrifices are required from all quarters, including the workmen and in case of insolvent companies, for the sake of survival and regeneration, everyone, including the secured creditors and the Central and state governments, are required to make sacrifices.

"The workmen also have a stake and benefit from the revival of the company, and therefore unless it is found that the sacrifices envisaged for the workmen, which certainly form a separate class, are onerous and burdensome so as to be manifestly unjust and arbitrary, we will not set aside the legislation, solely on the ground that some or marginal sacrifice is to be made by the workers," said the bench.

The bench added: "We would also reject the argument that to find out whether there was a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India or whether the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India was infringed, we must word by word examine the waterfall mechanism envisaged under the Companies Act, 2013, where the company is wound up in terms of grounds (a) to (e) of Section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013."
New Delhi, May 2 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Tuesday that it has attached 12 immovable properties, located in Nagpur, Pune, Ratnagiri and Goa, worth Rs 12.80 crore in the money laundering investigation against bank loan fraud by the Varron Group of Industries.

The ED initiated the money laundering investigation on the basis of three FIRs registered by the CBI against the Varron Group and its promoter, late S.P. Sawaikar, in a loan fraud case amounting to more than Rs 3,000 crore.

The ED investigation revealed that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by S.P. Sawaikar with bank officials to fraudulently discount 246 forged bills backed by the letter of credit (LC) of Rs 300 crore opened by Canara Bank, Deccan Gymkhana Branch, Pune, on behalf of Varron Aluminium Pvt Ltd (VAPL).

"However, there was no real movement of the goods and the amounts were diverted to pay off older loans and the LCs were devolved later causing loss to the Bank of India. The earlier loan accounts were not serviced regularly and the loan proceeds were diverted for other than the stated purposes and amounts were utilised to create landed assets in the name of the promoters and also to create benami assets," said the ED.

Earlier, the ED had attached proceeds of crime worth Rs 166.47 crore in the same matter. On February 6, the ED had also filed a prosecution complaint before a PMLA court in Mumbai.

The total attachment in this fraud has reached Rs 179.27 crore.
A TikTok user recently uploaded a video in which he uses a gas pump at a filling station as a drum kit. The joke has garnered thousands of likes but it has become a topic of serious conversation in recent days in Venezuela. Over the last few months, the problems being caused by the poor quality of the fuel produced by the state-owned energy company PDVSA have worsened. Videos of cars on fire and interviews with mechanics talking about an epidemic of broken gas pumps have proliferated while PDVSA is mired in a corruption scandal, leading the government of Nicolas Maduro to carry out a purge of high-ranking company officials.

The Minister of Petroleum and Maduro protege Tareck El Aissami was forced to resign and according to the latest report from Attorney General Tarek William Saab, a vast anti-corruption operation launched by Venezuelan authorities has seized more than a thousand assets, including mansions, yachts, airplanes and luxury vehicles, while 80 PDVSA officials have been arrested in 172 raids.

In the western oil-producing state of Zulia at least 26 vehicles have caught fire so far this year, according to the emergency services, including one belonging to the international NGO Caritas, which distributes humanitarian aid. Cases have also been reported in the east of the country and in Caracas. Meanwhile, fuel shortages are once again causing lines stretching for miles at filling stations. There are also concerns that the gasoline being distributed is dirty, that the octane rating is not correct, or that it contains too much sulfur.

In an attempt to quell growing fears over the quality of gas, PDVSA released a video in which officials are seen giving citizens in the city of Maracaibo a sniff of fuel extracted from a tanker truck into a plastic bottle. The campaign has been incendiary and has unleashed a raft of memes and jokes about gasoline sommeliers. The oil company also stated on its official television channel that the issue of burning cars is due to either to leaks in their tanks, the use of defective spare parts or incorrect handling when refueling.

Oswaldo Rivas has been a mechanic for 20 years and has been amazed by the condition of the pistons in the vehicles being brought to his shop. Gasoline is causing a lot of piston-knocking and that eventually damages the engine, says Rivas, who specializes in European cars. There are bad fuel pumps everywhere. They burn out, you change them, then they get damaged again and its difficult to start the cars first thing in the morning. You change the fuel filters and after a month they are the same again: water and mud come out of them.

Failing fuel tank gauges, which show either more or less gas than the tank contains, are also a common source of conversation. The sale of additives and different types of fuel, and even gallons of imported fuel such as ethanol to increase the octane level, has become widespread at gas stations. Oswaldo, for example, adds one designed for racing cars to his own vehicle: I prefer to spend money on that and take care of my engine.

In Venezuela, gasoline is part of everyday life in a way that other countries can scarcely imagine: at one time, it was distributed as a gift or paid for with candy because there was no currency. It has been taboo to increase the price of gas after the social protests of 1989. For several decades, Venezuelans paid the equivalent of a few U.S. cents per liter at subsidized gas stations, which have been gradually disappearing. Today, filling up at a dollarized station can cost $20 and customers spend hours in line to do so  and then drive away under the fear their vehicle will be the next one to catch fire. In some states, fuel rationing and distribution schedules according to license plate numbers have been put in place.

The current shortages are the culmination of a lengthy crisis at PDVSA caused by years of mismanagement and corruption, which have brought the once exemplary state-owned entity to its knees. Venezuelas oil industry has also been hampered by U.S. sanctions, which have been making the countrys commercialization of crude oil difficult since 2019. The Maduro administration has turned to Iran for help to alleviate the crisis. Between 2020 and 2021, Iranian fuel ships and technicians arrived to repair refineries and increase oil production, which had fallen to historic lows. However, the industry is still struggling to match its historic production levels and it has taken almost two years to engineer an increase from just under 400,000 to 700,000 barrels per day, the amount Venezuela currently produces.

The gasoline we are producing is out of specification, says Ivan Freites, general secretary of the union of professionals and technicians of the Federation of Petroleum Workers, who went into exile two years ago when he was persecuted for publicly denouncing the industrys shortcomings. The gasoline being produced in the catalytic plant does not exceed an octane level of 82 and has a high sulfur content. The soda it drags in during catalysis and the high volatility causes pressure in the combustion system and causes it to ignite. Hence the damage to pumps and vehicle fires, he says.

Furthermore, Freites says, naphtha and olefins are being added instead of the extra components that should be in the formula. The poor quality of gasoline is also due to poor operating standards and the use of unqualified personnel. Freites also states that the sediments accumulated in the storage tanks, after inventories are depleted, are being removed and integrated to the gasoline that is distributed.

The union leader estimates that Venezuela currently produces around 80,000 barrels of gasoline per day, although domestic demand exceeds 110,000 barrels. Even though the oil industry has been reduced to 20% of the capacity it had a decade ago, discount supply agreements with allies of Caracas are still in place and a large part of the countrys fuel production is supplied to Cuba while, according to Freites, still providing the smuggling mafias with means to run their operations.

As such, Cuba is also experiencing huge shortages that forced President Miguel Diaz-Canel to cancel the countrys Workers Day parade on Monday. The Cuban president said a few days ago that the country is only receiving two-thirds of the fuel it requires from Venezuela, pointing to the problems being experienced by Caracas as the reason the Maduro government cannot meet its commitment to keep the island stocked up.

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Kochi, May 2 : The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking a halt of the newly-launched Vande Bharat train at Tirur railway station in Malappuram district.

Dismissing the plea, the division bench said that halting points of a train are determined by the Railways and no one has a vested right to demand which station a particular train should stop at.

"Moreover, like the petitioner, if every individual or public-spirited person in every district starts clamoring or demanding a stop to be provided at a railway station of his/her choice, the purpose of setting up high-speed trains would itself be lost. Railway stops are not to be provided on demands based on personal or vested interests, especially for high-speed express trains like Vande Bharat.

"We find no reason to entertain this writ petition and the same is dismissed," said the court, adding that the courts cannot interfere in the matter of providing stops for trains, as that is a matter purely within the discretion and jurisdiction of the Railways.

The petitioner pointed out that the failure to allot a stop at Tirur is an injustice to the people of Malappuram, causing great prejudice by ignoring their requests and demands.

However, the court dismissed the plea stating that it cannot interfere in the matter of providing stops for trains.

Incidentally, when the Kasargod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat train was passing through Tirur, it was pelted with sones. The matter is being probed by the railway police.
Jaipur, May 2 : Rajasthan Police's CID Crime Branch seized 450 grams of heroin smuggled from Pakistan using drone in Sriganganagar district on Tuesday and arrested two smugglers.

Additional Director General of Police, Crime Dinesh M.N. said that Buta Singh, a most wanted smuggler of heroin, has also been arrested.

A team of CID Crime Branch Jaipur was keeping an eye on these smugglers for about two months. On receiving a tip-off, a team was sent to Ganganagar, Bikaner and Hanumangarh for intelligence collection.

Later, another team was sent to Bikaner to gather more information about the activities of the smugglers. On Monday, after getting reliable information, teams were formed by the headquarters and sent to the vicinity of Bikaner.

Based on the intelligence gathered, Khet Singh and Sunil Kumar were arrested with 450 grams of heroin from Suratgarh Police Station area of Sriganganagar district.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Crime, Rahul Prakash said that during the campaign, Crime Branch also arrested the main supplier of heroin Buta Singh who smuggled heroin worth Rs 35 crore on Pak border of Jaisalmer on April 10.

It is noteworthy that on April 10, the Crime Branch had seized heroin worth about Rs 35 crores brought from Pakistan through drones at Pak border with Jaisalmer. Four smugglers were arrested at that time. But the main kingpin Buta Singh was absconding.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that while undertaking the exercise to ascertain whether the convict has fair chance of acquittal, what is to be looked into is something palpable - the appellate court should not reappreciate the evidence and try to pick up few lacunas or loopholes here or there in the case of the prosecution.

A bench comprising justices M.R. Shah and J.B. Pardiwala said the endeavour on the part of the court should be to see as to whether the case presented by the prosecution and accepted by the trial court can be said to be a case in which ultimately the convict stands fair chances of acquittal.

Justice Pardiwala, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said if the answer to the above question is to be in the affirmative, as a necessary corollary, "we shall have to say that, if ultimately the convict appears to be entitled to have an acquittal at the hands of this court, he should not be kept behind bars for a pretty long time till the conclusion of the appeal, which usually takes very long for decision and disposal".

The bench, however, said that while undertaking the exercise to ascertain whether the convict has fair chance of acquittal, what is to be looked into is something palpable.

"To put it in other words, something which is very apparent or gross on the face of the record, on the basis of which the court can arrive at a prima facie satisfaction that the conviction may not be sustainable. The appellate court should not reappreciate the evidence at the stage of Section 389 of the CrPC and try to pick up few lacunas or loopholes here or there in the case of the prosecution. Such would not be a correct approach," said Justice Pardiwala.

The bench noted that in the case on hand, what the high court has done is something impermissible and it has gone into the issues like political rivalry, delay in lodging the FIR, some over-writings in the FIR etc.

"All these aspects will have to be looked into at the time of the final hearing of the appeals filed by the convicts," the bench noted.

The top court made these observations while setting aside a Patna High Court order, which suspended the substantive order of sentence of life imprisonment imposed by the trial court on three accused in a murder case and ordered their release on bail pending the final disposal of the two criminal appeals. The brother of the deceased had moved the apex court against the high court order.

The top court said that upon cursory scanning of the evidence on record, "we are unable to agree with the contentions coming from the learned senior counsel for the convicts that, either there is absolutely no case against the convicts or that the evidence against them is so weak and feeble in nature, that, ultimately in all probabilities the proceedings would terminate in their favour." Justice Pardiwala said: "In the overall view of the matter, we are convinced that the high court committed a serious error in suspending the substantive order of sentence of the convicts and their release on bail pending the final disposal of their criminal appeals." The bench said, "In fact, it was expected of the state as the prosecuting agency to challenge the order passed by the high court, but for some reason or the other, the state thought fit not to do anything further. Ultimately, it is the original first informant (brother of the deceased) who had to come before this court." Justice Pardiwala said the order passed by the high court is set aside and the convicts are ordered to surrender before the trial court within a period of three days from Tuesday.
Guwahati, May 2 : The leader of a regional outfit in Assam facing extortion charges was arrested by the police on Tuesday. However, he was released on bail later.

Srinkhal Chaliha, who is a top office-bearer of Veer Lachit Sena which claims to work for safeguarding the interests of Assamese people, was accused of extortion in the name of donation to organise some socio-cultural event.

It has been alleged that Chaliha attacked a businessman in Sivasagar district, and spit on his face when he refused to pay donation demanded by the Veer Lachit Sena office-bearer.

A complaint was lodged against Chaliha in Sivasagar district based on which the police took action against him.

Previously, Chaliha was accused in similar extortion demands on behalf of Veer Lachit Sena, and the police were criticised for not taking any action against him.

Assam DGP G.P. Singh said that the action against Chaliha was taken as per the law. The forceful demand of money for organising any socio-cultural event is prohibited according to the government.

Chaliha and a few of his aides reportedly demanded money from a businessman in Sivasagar district last week. When Chaliha attacked the businessman, the entire incident was recorded on the store's CCTV camera and has since been making the rounds on social media.

The victim reportedly said that he had previously paid his share through a traders' association, but Chaliha and his men were not ready to listen to that.

Chaliha was detained as a result of a police complaint lodged by the businessman.

Notably, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had already given orders to the police to take strong action against anyone or any outfit asking for donations in the name of social or cultural events in the state.
United Nations, May 2 : United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday that the international community is concerned about the presence of terrorists in Afghanistan, which has repercussions for the region and beyond.

After a meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan that he convened in Doha, Guterres said that the participants were worried about the stability of that country and expressed serious concerns about "the persistent presence of terrorist organisations -- a risk for the country, the region, and further afield".

Drug trafficking is another area of serious concern about Afghanistan, he said.

India was one of the 21 countries as well as the European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation that participated in the meeting.

Guterres said that the meeting was not about recognising the Taliban regime and as for meeting with them, he said that this "is not the right moment to do so".

The meeting was "about developing a common international approach" to Afghanistan and the "participants agreed on the need for not only a strategy of engagement that allows for the stabilisation of Afghanistan, but also allows for addressing important concerns", he said.

He added, "While different countries placed different priorities on these concerns, according to their own situation, there is a general recognition that they are intertwined." Guterres also condemned the "grave violation of human rights" under the Taliban, in particular, the restrictions on women.

"Let me be crystal clear: We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls' rights," he declared.

Guterres described the situation in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as "the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today" with six million Afghans "one step away from famine-like conditions", while 28 million "will need humanitarian assistance this year to survive".

There was a serious shortfall in the $4.6 billion appeal for the Humanitarian Response Plan, having received only $294 million, he said.

The restrictions on women working outside their homes are impacting the humanitarian operation of the UN because women Afghan employees of the UN are being prevented from providing relief, Guterres said.

In protest, the UN asked all its employees -- about 2,700 Afghan men and 600 international workers, including 200 women who are exempt from the ban -- to stay home till the end of this week.

In a rare show of immunity, the UN Security Council last week demanded that the Taliban "swiftly reverse" the restrictions placed on them.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
New Delhi, May 2 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted raids at 12 locations in Jammu and Kashmir in the Pakistan-backed terror conspiracy case, an official said.

The NIA conducted raids at eight places in Pulwama district, one each in Kulgam, Anantnag and Budgam districts, and one location in Poonch district.

The case related to the hatching of a conspiracy, both physical and in cyberspace, and plans by proscribed terrorist organisations to execute violent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms.

The plans are part of a larger conspiracy by the terrorist groups to commit terror acts in association with local youth/overground workers in order to create communal disharmony in Jammu and Kashmir.

The terrorist outfits involved in the conspiracy were identified as Laskhar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, besides others.

Searches were also carried out in the premises of cadres and hybrid overground workers linked with the affiliates and offshoots of these organisations, operating under pseudo names such as "The Resistance Front (TRF)", "United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (UL J&K)", "Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH)", "Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF)", Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and others.

Initial investigations by the NIA indicated that these workers and cadres were involved in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs or magnetic bombs, IEDs, cash, narcotics and small weapons.

These weapons, bombs, narcotics etc were being pushed on to Indian soil by Pakistan-based handlers and commanders of proscribed terrorist organisations using drones.

The NIA had registered a case on June 21, 2022 about the terror conspiracy.
New Delhi, May 2 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested one more accused in the PFI Phulwarisharif Patna case related to the unlawful and anti-national activities of the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI), an official said.

The accused was identified as Anwar Rashid.

"His arrest followed detailed examination and analysis by the NIA of the various incriminating documents, digital devices and letters seized earlier during a search at his house on April 25," said the official.

With his arrest, the total number of arrests in the case has gone to 14.

The case was initially registered on July 12, 2022 at PS Phulwarisharif, District Patna, Bihar and re-registered by the NIA on July 22, 2022. The NIA has also filed a chargesheet against four accused on January 7, 2023.

"Investigations have revealed that Anwar is a former member of the banned organisation SIMI and is currently associated with several PFI members of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, including one Athar Parvez who was named in the FIR and arrested on July 12 last year," said the official.

The NIA said that Anwar was instrumental in preparing a secret group of ex-SIMI members to work for PFI, according to the NIA investigations. The prime agenda, under the banner of PFI, was to establish Islamic Rule in India as envisioned in the outfit's 'India 2047 Document'.
New Delhi, May 2 : A Special PMLA Court in Bhopal has handed three year's rigorous imprisonment to one Harishankar Gurjar, Ranger in Forest Department in Khandwa, and his wife Seema Gurjar for the offence committed under section 3 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an official said on Tuesday.

The court, while awarding them sentences, also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each for committing the offence.

The court also ordered confiscation of six properties worth Rs 38.16 lakh which were attached by the ED.

In this case, the FIR was registered by Likuta Police, Madhya Pradesh under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Indian Penal Code.

Harishankar Gurjar, by misusing his official position and criminal misconduct, earned income disproportionate to his known source of income which he could not satisfactorily account for, an official said.

The disproportionate assets so earned have been utilised by him for acquiring properties in his/family members name and the same were projected as untainted properties.

The court, after conducting the trial, held them guilty.
Patna, May 3 : A 17-year-old boy was killed during a celebratory firing in Bihar's Bhojpur district, an official said on Tuesday.

The deceased, Aryan Kumar (17) was a son of a CRPF personnel.

He was watching a dance programme held during a marriage function where one Karia Yadav, under the influence of alcohol, fired several rounds. One of the bullets hit Aryan's neck.

He was declared dead on arrival at Sadar Hospital, Arrah, around 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

As per an eyewitness, some female dancers were performing on the stage. Karia Yadav got on to the stage, and started firing with a country-made pistol.

"We have identified the accused. He has been booked under the charge of murder. Raids are on to nab him," Saurav Kumar, the SHO of Chandi police station, said.
Real I.S. AG has acquired a newly-built local retail centre, located in the German town of Peissenberg, for the Real I.S. Regionalfonds Suddeutschland, the companys regional investment fund for southern Germany. Seller is the Kublbock group of companies. The parties have agreed not to disclose the price of the deal.

[]
Vietnamese veterans in Russia recall glorious national history

The Vietnamese Veterans Association in Russia held a ceremony in Moscow on April 30 marking the 48th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification and the 137th anniversary of International May Day (May 1).



Speaking at the event, Vietnamese defence attache in Russia Vuong Dac Thang affirmed that Vietnam always remembers the contributions of war veteran soldiers, including Russian experts who dedicated themselves to Vietnams independence and freedom.

At the event (Photo: VNA)





The young Vietnamese generations will continue upholding the heroic traditions of their forefathers and carry on the mission of protecting and building the nation, he said.



Participants at the event recalled the glorious historical periods of the nation, remarkable milestones in their lives, and sang high praises for the homeland.



The same day, the Vietnamese Association in St. Petersburg city held a gathering marking the anniversaries and honouring former Soviet Union experts who stood side by side with the Vietnamese people during difficult times.



Speeches at the event praised the victory of Vietnam, the indomitable and courageous spirit of the Vietnamese people, the contributions of Soviet Union military experts, and wished for the relationship between Vietnam and Russia to become increasingly strong and durable./.
Photo: Province of BC/Flickr. Fraud is rampant across some of B.C.'s biggest public bodies, according to a report from the Office of the Auditor General

Fraud is rampant across some of B.C.s biggest public bodies, according to a report from the Office of the Auditor General.



But so is secrecy about the rampant fraud, due to a loophole in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.



In March, Auditor General Michael Pickup released the results of a summer 2022 poll of 23 Crown corporations, agencies, health authorities, universities and school boards. Pickup and his team found 61 per cent of these public organizations said they were affected by fraud in the previous 12 months, including theft of physical assets (43 per cent), misappropriation of company funds (22 per cent) and information theft, regulatory or compliance breach, and internal financial fraud (17 per cent each).



Fraud is a lot more than stealing money or cash out of the drawer, Pickup told reporters on March 7. Theres many facets to what constitutes fraud. So, we have to think of fraud in that broader context.



But the report called Fraud Risk and Financial Statements: B.C. Public Sector, Part 1 did not name names. So a reporter asked each of the 23 organizations Pickup polled, from BC Housing to Vancouver Island Health Authority, to release copies of their completed questionnaires under the freedom of information law. Fifteen refused outright because they relied on the clause in section 3 of the act that calls a record created by or for an office of the Legislature (such as the Office of the Auditor General) out of scope.



Two of the organizations have yet to respond, one referred the request to the Auditor General and another delayed response until June, in order to consult a third party. The University of British Columbia (UBC) missed the legislated deadline, blamed a significant backlog and suggested it might reply by end of May.



Only three of the 23  B.C. Pavilion Corp., Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Vancouver Coastal Health  released copies of their questionnaires.



SFU went one step further and included topical chapters from its policy manual and the July 28, 2022 email from Pickup to the universitys president Joy Johnson.



We plan to publish a report of the results of our fraud risk assessment, including information obtained through the questionnaire or directly from you or your designate, said Pickups letter. Our report will include a summary of results and any significant matters. This may include entity-specific information.



In the report, Pickup did not name any specific entity. He encouraged reporters involved in the March 7 news conference to contact each of the public bodies directly for more information.



In an interview, assistant auditor general Stuart Newton, who is the former comptroller general, called the questionnaire results an unaudited initial step in the summary financial statements process.



It's a high-level indicator, an aggregate of roughly where things might be at, but it is still subject to some follow up work, Newton said.



During the same interview, Pickup said it is not for him to tell the government what its policies should be for public reporting about fraud incidents.



The elected folks, how they choose to use this report and how they hold government accountable is really their mandate and not mine, Pickup said.



The executive director of the B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association said he understands why the loophole exists, due to the auditor generals investigative functions. But Jason Woywada said both public bodies and the auditor general should use it sparingly when it comes to such an important issue that demands sunlight.

One would expect that the government and the auditor general would be transparent about the steps they're taking to monitor, prevent and dissuade public employees from defrauding the taxpayer. And if not, then that leads to other questions, Woywada said.



If the public interest is paramount, this is information that should be released, and if it's not paramount, there has to be some pretty good reasons for the auditor general not to release that and/or for other people not to release it.



The second part of Pickups fraud risk survey, which focuses on government ministries, is scheduled to be released this afternoon.



What public organizations said



B.C. Pavilion Corp. (PavCo) answered no to the question about having a formal fraud risk management policy. Instead, the Crown corporation that operates BC Place Stadium and the Vancouver Convention Centre claimed the concepts of fraud detection, prevention, mitigation, investigation, education and reporting are embedded within many of our policies, procedures and governance frameworks.



PavCo reported that it had no fraud hotline. While it had established policies and procedures when potential incidents of fraud are identified, it answered no to the question about if, when and how police are to be called. PavCo also did not release its answers to the nine types of fraud.



SFU answered no to whether it had been affected in the previous 12 months by: Physical assets theft, procurement fraud, information theft, regulator or compliance breach, corruption and bribery, internal financial fraud, misappropriation of company funds, money laundering and IP theft.



It self-described as being low vulnerability to most types of fraud, but moderate vulnerability to information theft.



Vancouver Coastal Health answered yes to being affected by physical assets theft and misappropriation of company funds. It self-reported high vulnerability to information theft, but low vulnerability to most types of fraud, except for moderate vulnerability to IP theft.



Honourable mention: University of Victoria refused to show its questionnaire, but provided its correspondence with the auditor generals office and relevant policy manual documents.



FOI responses by the numbers


Sudanese and foreigners arrive in Port Sudan, the country's main seaport, as they wait to be evacuated out of Sudan, Saturday April 29, 2023.

Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners joined growing crowds at Sudans main seaport Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation. After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital of Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table. The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a weeklong cease-fire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks. The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Burhan and Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt. Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the countrys Red Sea coast. The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday. He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now, everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat. Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air. Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later Tuesday, Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late Monday. They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt. Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting. He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies, he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighboring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to U.N. agencies. Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said at a news briefing Tuesday in Geneva. At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said. Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky cease-fire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate. Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 wounded since the fighting began, according to figures provided Tuesday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. The Sudanese Health Ministry said it counted at least 550 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with more than 4,900 wounded as of Monday.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there has been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting cease-fire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudans former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and Western diplomats in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately, he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in Oct. 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo, then allies, removed Hamdoks Western-backed transitional government in a coup.

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BOLD 2 is a power bank boasting a first-of-its-kind 290 watts combined output, capable of charging up to six devices simultaneously.

Today UZE (pronounced use)the smart charging tech and wearable startup from Miamilaunched a crowdfunding campaign for Bold 2. Its a power bank boasting a first-of-its-kind 290 watts combined output, capable of charging up to six devices simultaneously. The rise of remote work has brought about a new era of workplace flexibility and efficiency, but it has also presented new challenges, such as the need for powerful and versatile charging solutions. UZE has recognized this growing demand and has responded by developing the worlds fastest power bank, beating their own record set by BOLD 1 in August 2021. BOLD 2 is specifically designed for today's tech-savvy remote workers and tech enthusiasts alike. It is available for $159 USD on Indiegogo (44% discount vs RRP).

With the adoption of "buy your own device" (BYOD) policies by companies, professionals are now using personal devices for work purposes, leading to heavier battery usage. Additionally, the rise of social media, live streaming, and gaming has placed an unprecedented strain on device batteries, making reliable and powerful charging solutions more critical than ever. Carolina Gutierrez, founder of UZE, has emphasized the importance of advanced charging solutions in the context of remote work.

"As professionals continue to embrace the remote work revolution, it's imperative that they have access to charging solutions that can keep up with their dynamic, multi-device lifestyles, Gutierrez stated. Our BOLD power banks are designed to meet these challenges head-on, ensuring that remote workers can stay connected and productive, no matter where they work from."

The BOLD 2 Power Bank is designed to provide a superior portable charging experience, with state-of-the-art features and unparalleled power. Its 4x USB-C ports and 2x wireless charging pads can charge up to six devices simultaneously, including a 140-watt output port for the MacBook Pro M2 16. With its American aircraft-grade anodized aluminum body, BOLD 2 offers excellent heat dissipation and shock protection. It is equipped with the latest charging protocol PD3.2 and programmable power supply (PPS) ensuring each device is charged at its optimal speed. The upgraded chips provide over-current, voltage/temperature, and short-circuit protection. BOLD offers pass-through charging, and the ability to function as a hub, allowing users to charge 5 devices, while charging BOLD.

The lithium polymer graphene cells have 2,000 battery life cycles, making them 4x more durable than traditional lithium cells and BOLD a reliable and long-lasting solution for remote work and leisure use alike. BOLD can wirelessly charge iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods with its MagSafe compatible and Qi certified charging pads boasting upgraded magnets, ensuring versatility and user-friendliness. The upgraded OLED screen allows users to monitor charging progress and status.

As remote work continues to expand across the globe, UZE's BOLD 2 offers a compelling solution for professionals seeking to stay connected and charged, no matter where their work takes them. The company's commitment to providing versatile, powerful, and reliable charging solutions has placed them at the forefront of the remote work revolution since 2020.The estimated delivery date of BOLD 2 is December 2023. Media wishing to interview UZE personnel should contact PR agent Borjana Slipicevic.

About UZE

UZE has been on a mission to enhance lifestyles through smart charging solutions since its founding in May 2020. Their product line includes high-quality power banks, heated jackets, ultra-durable cables, and lightning-fast GaN chargers. The success of their first iteration, the BOLD power bank, raised over $630,000 in a Kickstarter campaign and shipped to thousands of backers in over 50 countries. With the upcoming launch of the BOLD 2 Power Bank, UZE is poised to become the go-to brand for smart charging technology.Media Contact

Borjana Slipicevic

Proper Propaganda

borjana@properpropaganda.net
Dr. Hunaldo Villalobos of the Central Florida Neurosurgery Institute at facilities in the Orlando, FL, area. "A fast, accurate, and inexpensive spine navigation system makes the equipment installation at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) very feasible.

Captiva Spine, a spinal technology organization dedicated to providing clinical and economical solutions in spine care, announced the completion of the first U.S. case series using their new state-of-the-art WatchTower Spine Navigation System. The surgeries were performed by Dr. Hunaldo Villalobos of the Central Florida Neurosurgery Institute at facilities in the Orlando, FL, area.

The WatchTower Spine Navigation and Robotics Systems streamline the surgical workflow by merging a pre-operative CT scan with 2D imaging using a sophisticated algorithm to provide real-time 3D images of the patient's spine during surgery. This allows the surgeon to navigate the spine with enhanced accuracy and precision, intended to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications. Additionally, the system eliminates the need for intraoperative 3D imaging for registration, minimizing operative time and radiation exposure for patients and staff and enhancing the safety and efficiency of spine surgeries.

"Captiva Spines WatchTower will be a game-changer for facilities doing spine surgery, said Dr. Hundaldo Villalobos. The system's ability to register without relying on intraoperative CT scans or surface mapping through an open exposure makes it highly efficient and able to transform procedural workflow. Dr. Villalobos further mentioned, Speed of workflow was very impressive, including a decrease of set up time and implementation for the entire staff. A fast, accurate, and inexpensive spine navigation system makes the equipment installation at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) very feasible.

Dale Mitchell, President of Captiva Spine, expressed excitement over the first US cases using WatchTower Spine Navigation System, stating, "We are thrilled to see our technology making a real impact in the operating room. Our team has worked tirelessly to bring this system to market and ensure its sophisticated technology is still practical and easy to use. This milestone reinforces our vision of providing clinical and economical solutions to the market.

WatchTower Spine Navigation System US placements will be available by the end of 2Q23. For more information about the Captiva Spine WatchTower Spine Navigation and Robotics System and our other spinal fusion solutions, please visit http://www.captivaspine.com/spine-navigation

About Captiva Spine

Captiva Spine, founded in 2007, is a privately held medical device company that brings healthcare providers, distribution professionals, and surgical facilities together with innovative spinal care solutions. With a focus on quality, Captiva Spine strives to create reliable systems that provide clinical and economical solutions to the spine market.

Captiva Spine  Navigating Today.
Virtual 5k for 5p- 2023 logo So much has changed in the past 60 years. The biggest change is the prognosis of an individual with 5p- syndrome."

May 1-15, 2023: International Chromosome 5p Deletion Syndrome Week(s)

May 5: 5p Deletion Syndrome Day.

The 5p- Society of North America, along with families and support organizations from over 95 countries, are bringing awareness of 5p Deletion Syndrome also known as 5p Minus (5p-) Syndrome. Sixty (60) years ago, Dr. Jerome Lejeune discovered this genetic condition by noticing a similar characteristic in several patients that he had been observing of a high-pitched cat-like sound vocalization. After doing genetic testing on these patients, he realized the connection is caused by a permanent deletion on the p arm of the 5th chromosome. The 2023 awareness campaign celebrates these unique individuals by raising awareness around the world through education and community events, such as the 60 facts of 5p- syndrome, the Faces of 5p-campaign, as well as a Virtual 5K for 5p- event.

The 5p- Societys mission is to maximize the quality of life of individuals with 5p- and their families. One way to improve the lives of individuals with the syndrome is by creating more programs that bring families together. The 5p- Society encourages families to focus on what the individual with the syndrome CAN DO; SEE the PERSON, not the disability; and to PAY FORWARD and educate others on what they have learned about the syndrome and their loved one. Mini Family Meetups have been very successful where families from various states were able to meet, network, establish new friendships, but most importantly know they are not alone in this journey of raising an individual with the syndrome.

One of our older individuals with the syndrome is a 64-year-old female (fourteen years before the syndrome was discovered). The parents waited until she was seven before getting the formal diagnosis. Although both parents are now gone, they were instrumental in working on many of the laws we know today that help our community of differently abled individuals, as well as thousands of others throughout the United States. Says Laura Castillo, Executive Director of the 5p- Society. So much has changed in the past 60 years. The biggest change is the prognosis of an individual with 5p- syndrome. The narrative has changed from your child will not live past his/her first year of life to your child will create their own growth and development path, its your job as the parent to nurture and provide the opportunities for that growth and development. Laura continues, As the saying goes, It Takes a Village. Families, friends, teachers, and doctors are all instrumental in supporting and guiding our loved ones.

I encourage you to create and/or take part in a Virtual 5K, post educational posts on social media, and wear your striped socks and your 5p- gear. Says Nick Wallace, President of the 5p- Society. The only way to stop people from being given antiquated information and for families to not be left unconnected is for us to make our voices heard. So much has changed over the past 60 years and it is time that our medical professionals stop giving information from the 1970s when so much new data exists. If they will not, it is time for us to. Nick encourages families to be bold, reach out and connect families to one another, especially through social media, and to give each other strength and most of all hope for the future.

In an ongoing effort to raise awareness, members, and supporters are encouraged to participate in events throughout the week.



Stripy Sock Campaign: Wear striped socks, one long, one short, representing the whole and deleted fifth chromosomes, especially on May 5th. #stripysocks

Face of 5p- Campaign  We will soon be flooding our Social Media pages with pictures and bios of our children and adults with 5p- during awareness week and beyond. Learn a little more about each of our kiddos and how truly awesome they are.

Virtual 5k for 5p-, to raise awareness and money for programs that benefit the 5p Deletion Syndrome community. A Virtual Walk can be anything you want it to be, a walk, a run, a STAY HOME picnic, or any type of event. Over 50 Teams have been created all over the world. #5pminus5k.

Where in the World is C5? In an effort to encourage worldwide participation, we are asking families to pose for a picture with C5, the mascot of International 5p Deletion Syndrome Awareness Week (named C5 for Chromosome 5), and share their picture on social media using the #SeeC5 and #criduchatawareness. Looking forward to seeing pictures from around the world and maybe even with a celebrity or two!

State Proclamations have been applied for and received from several state Governors around the USA.

For more event ideas, please visit https://fivepminus.org/event/awareness-week-events/

About 5p Deletion Syndrome: Identified in 1963 by Jerome Lejuene, a French physician, 2023 marks the 60th year since its discovery. Each year, approximately 50-60 children are born with 5p- Syndrome worldwide. It is often characterized at birth by a high-pitched, cat-like cry caused by an underdeveloped larynx and weak breath support. For this reason, it was previously called Cri du Chat or Cry of Cat Syndrome. We have since learned that the syndrome may be misdiagnosed early on due to the absence of this characteristic; hence our emphasis on the more medically accurate name of 5p Deletion or 5p- Syndrome.

Other characteristics include low birth weight, poor muscle tone, microcephaly and potential medical complications. The severity of the disorder varies among individuals and can be considered a spectrum disorder. Symptoms go from mild and unnoticed, which causes a delay in diagnosis, to severe where the individual requires to be cared for 24/7 and will require ongoing support from a team of parents, therapists, medical professionals, educational professionals and extended family members to help the individual achieve his or her maximum potential.

About the 5p- Society: The 5p- Society was founded in 1986. It is a non-profit organization that works to empower families with knowledge about the syndrome, facilitate connections, support research, advocate for improved prognosis and to enrich the lives of individuals affected by 5p- Syndrome and their families.

Visit us on the web at http://www.fivepminus.org, @5pminus, #stripysocks #5pawareness #5pminus5k #5pminus #SeeC5 #groovy5kfor5p #Facesof5p #thatshowweroll5kfor5p
Red Rivers long history in Louisiana will allow us to provide a more focused service offering in the Gulf Coast region, stated Bryson Raver

Red River Sanitors (Red River) was founded in 1963 and have been a leader in the facility maintenance and janitorial industry in Louisiana for over 60 years. Mike Young, President of Red River, was searching for an industry partner that would continue the generational legacy that has separated Red River from their competition for the last 60 years. Partnering with The Facilities Group is a phenomenal opportunity for us to continue our expansion throughout Louisiana and surrounding states, while maintaining the unique culture our team has built over the past six decades, Young stated.

The Facilities Group, with 25 offices, services more than 28,000 locations across the country. We are excited to welcome Red River to The Facilities Group family. In addition to continued expansion with the support of The Facilities group resources, Red Rivers long history in Louisiana will allow us to provide a more focused service offering in the Gulf Coast region, stated Bryson Raver, Chief Executive Officer of The Facilities Group.

Adding Red River to The Facilities Group family marks the sixteenth company to join The Facilities Group since inception. Three Sixty Seven Advisors represented The Facilities Group during the transaction. Red River joins one of the fastest growing national providers of facilities maintenance and janitorial services in the United States, with additional acquisitions expected in 2023.

The Facilities Group  The Facilities Group partners with premier local, regional, and national facility maintenance providers, while maintaining brand legacy and driving high powered technology to provide the best-in-class service experience. For more information, please visit http://www.thefacilitiesgroup.com

Revolent Capital Solutions is a Tampa-based private investment enterprise founded and capitalized by entrepreneurs. We seek family and founder owned businesses looking for liquidity, while providing ownership opportunities for management teams and an ecosystem designed to foster organic and acquisitive growth.

Revolent is distinct because we intentionally built our enterprise to be the catalyst for long-term advancement of companies and its stakeholders driven by our experience, capital, and professional network. We combine a long-term hold period, with a flexible approach to investing, tailored to meet the needs of both entrepreneurs and senior management teams. For more information, please visit http://www.revolentcapitalsolutions.com

Three Sixty Seven Advisors is a middle-market Mergers and Acquisitions advisory firm that leverages its industry experience and depth of relationships to assist their clients in helping realize the best outcome in every transaction. For more information, please visit http://www.threesixtyseven.com
For over 20 years, ReadSpeaker has been giving a human-like synthetic voice to more than 10,000 education and industry applications in 70 countries. Moodle Workplace offers best-in-class learning tools for the corporate workplace and ReadSpeaker is proud to be the selected text-to-speech integration for their learning management system.

ReadSpeaker, the most trusted, independent and worldwide digital voice and text-to-speech provider announced that it is now a Certified Integration Partner for Moodle Workplace, a learning management system for corporations and other organizations. With this partnership, employees going through training provided by their employer can listen to content directly within the Moodle Workplace LMS anywhere, any time, and on any device, and they can select from hundreds of different voices in nearly 70 languages.

Moodle is the worlds leading learning platform with more than 360 million users in education and enterprise learning management. Moodle Workplace, which is specifically designed for corporate training, has a long and successful history of being the platform of choice for employee onboarding, compliance training, and other forms of employee training.

ReadSpeaker is equally respected as a TTS technology that makes learning content more engaging and accessible. ReadSpeaker voice technology resources let learners select from a variety of voices, languages, and dialects. They can personalize the reading speed, select highlighting, font, text size and color of their preference, and also use features to help them concentrate more easily, such as page masking.

In many industries, it is especially important to have TTS and multiple language offerings. In the hospitality industry for example, seventy percent of workers primary language is not English. Workers in all industries and from all levels of employment need continuous training and certification. Having ReadSpeaker embedded in their training platform makes it much easier for them to be successful in their training programs.

All learners including those who need accommodations and those who dont benefit from the customizable features, multiple languages, and the voice technology ReadSpeaker provides, said Roy Lindemann, Chief Marketing Officer for ReadSpeaker. Moodle Workplace offers best-in-class learning tools for the corporate workplace and ReadSpeaker is proud to be the selected text-to-speech integration for their learning management system.

As a global LMS platform, Moodle recognizes the growing need for enhanced textual support across all aspects of education and training, said Carles Aguilo-Collado, Technology Partner Manager at Moodle. ReadSpeaker's text-to-speech and additional tools add to Moodle Workplaces functionality and play a vital role in fostering effective communication during the training process. They ensure that learners remain engaged and comprehend the intended message, allowing all subsequent activities and training efforts to build upon a solid foundation of understanding.

NOTE: Learn about ReadSpeaker in stand N70-E at the Learning Technologies conference May 3-4, 2023 in London, or attend a ReadSpeaker session on using TTS to improve accessibility and engagement on May 4 at 16:05 BST in the Bitesize Learning Zone 3.

About ReadSpeaker

For over 20 years, ReadSpeaker has been giving a human-like synthetic voice to more than 10,000 education and industry applications in 70 countries. ReadSpeaker creates custom digital voices and offers more than 200 expressive off-the-shelf voices in nearly 70 languages to enhance the User Experience through engaging voice interactions. At colleges and universities, K-12 schools, and businesses, ReadSpeaker brings voice to websites and learning content. Learn more at ReadSpeaker.com or on LinkedIn and Twitter (@ReadSpeaker).

About Moodle

Moodle is the worlds most customisable and trusted online learning solution. The heart of the ecosystem is Moodle LMS, the open source, feature-rich, secure and scalable learning management system that integrates seamlessly with other platforms and can be customised for any teaching or training method in over 100 languages. With fresh and intuitive interfaces, Moodle has solutions suitable for K-12, higher education, vocational training, corporates, and all types of enterprise learning. From improving teaching and student outcomes to streamlining training, onboarding, and compliance management, Moodle provides more active and engaging online learning spaces.

When you choose Moodle, you become part of a global community of people who love our online learning platform and our values. You can get support from our active community forums, access Moodle's certified integrations, and explore over 2000 open source plugins. We also deliver expert advice and end-to-end support and service through our service organisations and network of Moodle Certified Partners.

At Moodle, we celebrate our hundreds of millions of learners around the globe and the educators and trainers who facilitate their lifelong learning.

Collectively, we empower educators to improve our world with open source LMS software. Learn more about Moodle.
I am very excited about the acquisition of George Coleman Ford, and glad I trusted George and Courtney again to help complete another deal. I look forward to working together in the future!

Performance Brokerage Services, North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of George Coleman Ford in Travelers Rest, South Carolina from Gregg Coleman to John Smith Jr. of Smith Automotive Group.

George Coleman Ford has been owned and operated by the Coleman family for 93 years. The dealership has been a local fixture in the community of Travelers Rest, South Carolina since it was established in 1930 by George Coleman Sr., who served as the towns first mayor. When George Coleman Sr. passed away, he was the second oldest owner of a Ford dealership in the United States.

George Coleman Jr. took over his fathers business in the mid 1940s at the age of 20 and managed George Coleman Ford until 1981 when his son Gregg took over. Gregg Coleman has operated the dealership for the past 42 years, with his son Jake joining the business in 2013.

Following the sale, Gregg Coleman commented, I recently sold my Ford dealership with the assistance of Courtney Bernhard of Performance Brokerage Services. There were many requirements needed to make this transaction happen, especially since the store has been in business for 93 years under ownership of our family. Courtney was patient and engaged throughout the entire process. She brought me a buyer, John Smith Jr. from Smith Automotive Group, who was a perfect fit. My entire team is staying onboard, and I think that George Coleman Ford will be even more successful under Johns leadership. Congratulations to John and thank you to Courtney for making this deal a true success.

Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 300 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. In 2022, the company consummated 92 transactions, marking a record-breaking year. This transaction was exclusively facilitated by Performance Brokerage Services Southeast Office, managed by George C. Chaconas, Senior Partner, and Courtney A. Bernhard, Partner.

Courtney commented, When I first connected with Gregg Coleman, he had no intention of selling. But being the gentleman that he is, he made time to meet with me when I was traveling to the area. Gregg gave me a tour of the dealership and told me all about the Coleman familys 93-year history of running the dealership. Gregg made it clear that he had very specific requirements in order to sell his familys dealership. I knew after our visit that John Smith Jr., President of Smith Automotive Group was the right buyer. John and his team were diligent in their efforts to meet Greggs expectations. They went above and beyond to help make this a smooth transition for the employees who are staying at the dealership, including Greggs son, Jake. I look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of the new team and wish Gregg and his wife a happy retirement.

Smith Automotive Group was established in 1938, and John Smith Jr., President, joined the family business at a young age. In 2021, George C. Chaconas represented Smith Automotive Group in their acquisition of Acura of Athens and Volvo of Athens in Georgia. With the addition of George Coleman Ford, Smith Automotive Group currently operates five dealerships in the Southeast.

Chaconas added, It was truly a pleasure for my Partner Courtney and I to help John Smith Jr. acquire George Coleman Ford in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. I have worked with John for years through previous buy-sell transactions and we were very excited to represent him again. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be of service with another strategic acquisition in the Southeast and look forward to assisting Smith Automotive Group with their growth in the future.

Following the sale, Smith commented, I engaged George Chaconas and Courtney Bernhard of Performance Brokerage Services to help me identify opportunities to acquire auto dealerships that were not yet listed on the open market. Within a short time, they found me the perfect opportunity. I am very excited about the acquisition of George Coleman Ford, and glad I trusted George and Courtney again to help complete another deal. I look forward to working together in the future!

The dealership will remain at its current location at 47 Plaza Drive in Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

John Smith Jr. was represented by Logan Parker and Greg May of Bass Sox Mercer in Tallahassee, Florida.

Gregg Coleman was represented by Stanley McLeod from Brown, Massey, Evans, McLeod & Hayworth, LLC in Greenville, South Carolina.

About Performance Brokerage Services

Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, RV, commercial truck, powersports, and equipment dealerships.

With over 25 years of experience, 700 dealerships sold, and a 90% closing rate, the companys reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity.

The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees or retainer, no reimbursement of costs, and paid a success fee only after the transaction closes.

Headquartered in Irvine, California, and supported by 9 regional offices in Utah, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Alberta and Ontario, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation.

As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with various vehicle manufacturers.

For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com.
Healthcare organizations need a strong cybersecurity and compliance partner now more than ever, We are proud to serve the industry as that partner, a firm that the entire ecosystem can rely on to help them minimize risk while responding to a rapidly changing landscape of new threats and regulations.

Clearwater, a leading provider of cybersecurity and compliance solutions for healthcare organizations, announced today the launch of a new company website and brand identity that reflects continued growth and evolution as it has come together with previously acquired companies TECH LOCK and CynergisTek to serve the needs of the healthcare industry. The three companies, now operating as one under the Clearwater name and brand, are united by the common mission of helping organizations across the healthcare ecosystem move to a more secure, compliant, and resilient state so they can achieve the mission.

Customers are recognizing the value of the companies joining forces to serve their needs.

Clearwater and CynergisTek are the same now, commented a CISO-level client to KLAS researchers in an April 2023 interview. They have done a lot of good work for us. The firm has been very receptive to our challenges, and they are addressing them very proactively.

The combined company provides a deep pool of experts across a broad range of cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance domains, purpose-built software that enables efficient identification and management of cybersecurity and compliance risks, and a tech-enabled, 24x7x365 Security Operations Center with managed threat detection and response capabilities. These products and services are delivered through teams that are dedicated to supporting different segments of the healthcare industry, including hospitals and health systems, physician practice management groups, digital health companies, and medical device manufacturers.

Clearwater knows who we are, said a CIO-level client in another April 2023 KLAS interview. They dont just tell us what the industry says we should do; they know what we do. They know what acquisitions we do and who we are connected with. The firm brings in outside information and gives us road maps and things like that.

With strong expertise and capabilities in HIPAA, HITRUST, PCI, DEA-EPCS, and CMMC, compliance-related concerns remain a central component of the companys products and services. To reflect the companys leadership in security, Clearwater has adopted the new website URL of clearwatersecurity.com and also changed the legal name of the company to Clearwater Security & Compliance LLC.

This past year, Clearwater was recognized by Black Book Market Research as healthcares top-rated Security Advisors and Consultants, and the company also appeared as #75 in MSSP Alerts list of the Top 250 MSSPs globally. More recently, Clearwater won 2023 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards for Best Cybersecurity Solutions Consolidator and Best Security Risk Management for Healthcare.

Clearwater has helped reduce our security risk quite a bit, a Director-level client told KLAS researchers this past month. We have had a lot of findings. Our cybersecurity insurance has provided more coverage because our security controls and governance are in such a better place.

Healthcare organizations need a strong cybersecurity and compliance partner now more than ever, said Clearwater CEO Steve Cagle. We are proud to serve the industry as that partner, a firm that the entire ecosystem can rely on to help them minimize risk while responding to a rapidly changing landscape of new threats and regulations.

Clearwater takes every measure to protect the organizations and companies that are providing care to patients and advancing healthcare innovation through new technologies and services, he continued. We are adaptive, approachable, and proactive in ensuring our clients are secure, compliant, and resilient.

About Clearwater

Clearwater helps organizations across the healthcare ecosystem move to a more secure, compliant, and resilient state so they can achieve their missions. The company provides a deep pool of experts across a broad range of cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance domains, purpose-built software that enables efficient identification and management of cybersecurity and compliance risks, and a tech-enabled, 24x7x365 Security Operations Center with managed threat detection and response capabilities. To learn more, please visit http://www.clearwatersecurity.com.
The United States and Japan are committed to maintaining a rigorous and consistent regulatory environment for all energy sources, and endeavor to be responsive to all stakeholders, including enabling private sector investments.

Climate Transition Development Corporation (CTD) announced the launch of its Green Snow project in Japan in cooperation with its development partners, Santa Monica, California based green infrastructure and technology firm, TerraScale Inc. and Japanese company, Global Family. This groundbreaking initiative in geothermal energy development comes shortly after TerraScales recent press release announcing the acquisition of 113 acres of land in Northern Japan for the Green Snow project.

CTD is functioning as program manager of Green Snow and owner-operator of the land. Through this project, CTD and its partners seek to be leaders in Japan-United States cooperation towards geothermal development in Japan.

As announced on April 15, 2023, Japan and the United States agreed to cooperate on developing geothermal energy in Japan during a meeting of the Group of Seven energy and environment ministers in Hokkaido. A memorandum of commitment was signed by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura. The pact recognizes geothermal energy as a renewable energy technology that both countries can work together to advance.

The agreement calls for collaboration in research and development, exchange of information, and pursuit of geothermal projects in the US, Japan, and other countries. The cooperation aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions contributing to climate change.

According to a January 9, 2023 joint statement between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the United States Department of Energy on Cooperation toward Energy Security and Clean Energy Transitions, The United States and Japan are committed to maintaining a rigorous and consistent regulatory environment for all energy sources, and endeavor to be responsive to all stakeholders, including enabling private sector investments.

The Green Snow project will commence with a pilot geothermal project in Northern Japan. CTD partnered with sustainable developers TerraScale Inc. and Global Family to complete the project pre-development work and were solely responsible for the securing of the land acquisition.

The development of the Green Snow project is an important step towards Japan realizing its 2030 Climate Plan, which seeks to triple the countrys geothermal capacity by 2030. Currently, Japan's geothermal capacity is underutilized, with small power plants accounting for less than 1% of its total power-generating capacity. Increased geothermal power production could enable Japan to provide 90% of its power generation from renewable sources, leading to a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

About Climate Transition Development Corporation (CTD):

Climate Transition Development Corporation is leading the innovative Geothermal Project in Northern Japan, a renewable energy venture. CTD has successfully secured 113 acres of land in Japan in cooperation with its development partners, California company, TerraScale Inc., and Japanese company, Global Family.
It all starts with finding the right people. Thats a top priority each time we open a new branch. So we can continue providing our customers with what theyre used tounmatched, personalized service," said Co-Chief Operating Officer John Gray.

The United States Construction Market is growing in key sectors, including commercial, industrial, and residential, and is projected to achieve an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of more than 3% from this year through 2026. City Electric Supply (CES) is proud to continue supporting the ongoing growth in the industry. In the first three months of 2023, the electrical wholesale distributor opened 13 new branches across the United States in the first quarter of 2023, including a second island location on the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

Were excited to be expanding our footprint in Puerto Rico just two years after opening our first location on the island, said Co-Chief Operating Officer John Gray. It all starts with finding the right people. Thats a top priority each time we open a new branch. So we can continue providing our customers with what theyre used tounmatched, personalized service.

In February, the current administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced an infrastructure law to deliver more than $1.14 billion to repair roads and bridges in Puerto Rico and four additional territories. The second CES Puerto Rico location is in Arecibo, on State Road Two, one of the islands major roads. On the northwest part of the island, the new branch is west of the companys first location by about 45 minutes.

From start to finish, it took us about eight months to get everything set up for this Arecibo location, said Senior Regional Manager Mike Bertone. Right off of the main road in a stand-alone building, this location has plenty of parking and additional storage in the front and back to meet the needs of CES customers.

Its exciting to be opening another CES location here on the island of Puerto Rico, said CES Arecibo Branch Manager Jose Rodriguez. My team and I have been trusted with a big responsibility, and its a dream come true to bring this to life and service this local market.

City Electric Supply has a large presence in the southeastern region of the United States. Heading into 2023, the company expanded in other states to grow its national footprint. CES opened 13 new locations in nine states through March of 2023. CES opened three branches in Texas, two in Tennessee, and continued to add branches up north. CES Fenton opened and is now the companys 10th location in Michigan. CES Avon opened as the companys 13th location in Indiana. Opening more locations across states like Texas, CES is growing to service customers across major cities like Houston.

We are trying to expand our web of branches here in Michigan, and we wanted to put a new CES location in Fenton, said Michigan East District Manager Brad Jenks. This CES location will help connect some dots between our existing branches, such as Brighton, Waterford, and Lansing, to help support our existing business and help new customers with their needs as well.

Opening CES Houston Westchase will help us connect some existing branches in areas nearby. CES Rosenburg is on the west side of Houston, and CES has stores in places like Katy and Stafford. CES Katy is about 40 minutes from the Stafford location. This Westchase location is going to plug a hole right in the middle of that route, Houston South District Manager Daren Thode explained.

As CES continues to grow, in 2023, customers can expect continued quality service at over 550 locations across the United States.

About

City Electric Supply (CES) is a family-owned electrical wholesale distributor headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company was founded in 1951 by Tom Mackie in the United Kingdom and expanded to the United States in 1983. Today, CES employs more than 3,000 people in over 550 branches across the U.S.

CES is dedicated to providing personalized service and support for customers in the residential, commercial, and industrial marketplace. While CES is a large company, it prides itself on keeping its founding principle of empowering people to make local business decisions by providing customers with tailored services for all their electric supply needs.

###

Media Contact:

Emily Davis

Public Relations Specialist

City Electric Supply

Emily.Davis@cityelectricsupply.com
The Tualatin swim school marks Emlers third location in the Portland area and its 42nd location nationwide.

Emler Swim School, the nations fastest-growing learn to swim school, has announced a special Grand Opening event for its newest location in Tualatin, Oregon.

Located at 19449 SW Martinazzi Ave., the Tualatin swim school marks Emlers third location in the Portland area and its 42nd location nationwide.

"Oregon has really embraced our approach to swim lessons, said Lester Ruiz, Emler Swim School Director of Operations in Oregon. We believe every baby, toddler and child has the ability to swim, and we follow proven child development best practices to help them reach their potential.

Known for its proven curriculum and dedicated staff who are passionate about water safety, Emler Swim School has a history of making swim lessons fun and safe for infants and children.

The company believes in its classes so much that it offers a 100 percent swimming guarantee. The organization employs a proven semester-based, year-round approach. Its students have consistent opportunities to apply their skills and receive positive reinforcement to encourage accomplishment.

Parents can enroll children as young as 2-months old in Emlers Bathtime Babies classes. These parent and child classes introduce infants to water and build comfort for developing swimming skills.

Portland is such a dynamic city filled with young, active families said Greg Laird, CEO, Emler Swim School. We are excited to be a part of the community and look forward to executing on our core mission which is the eradication of childhood drowning.

Children at all ages can enroll at Emler Swim School and find a class that fits their skills. The company even offers a 15-minute, one-on-one swim skills evaluation to accurately place children in one of their 20 class levels.

The Tualatin Grand Opening event will feature these complementary swim skill evaluations, along with food and fun activities for the entire family.

About Emler Swim School

In 1975, Emler Swim School was founded on two principles, that every child should experience a fun lesson that causes him or her to fall in love with the water, and that every parent should receive a guarantee that his or her child will learn to swim.

Emler utilizes a proven, ever-evolving curriculum, a quality staff that undergoes thorough training and  above all  a passion to nurture children in a healthy, safe and fun environment.

With more than 20 different classes and levels, the award-winning swim school is proud to meet the need of every swimmer with the same Emler Sure, 100 percent guarantee.

For more information on each location, visit https://emlerswimschool.com. Follow Emler Swim School: Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter.
Friday, April 28, 2:06 p.m. Four Astral crewmembers unload a corpse under the watchful eyes of an undertaker, a forensic medical examiner and the Italian Coast Guard. The Astral, the rescue vessel of a Spanish non-governmental organization (NGO) called Open Arms, is moored at the entrance to the harbor on the Italian island of Lampedusa. No one speaks as the corpse is placed in a wooden coffin. The medical examiner unzips the body bag and breaks the silence. Unrecognizable, she states. The Astral had the corpse on board for 24 hours. The ships cook, Chrys Basso, was the first to spot it in the blue expanse of the central Mediterranean. It didnt look like the jerrycans and inner tubes that often litter the sea around boat rescues, so Basso picked up his walkie-talkie and asked his shipmates in the Zodiac to look. The answer came back within minutes: Confirmed. Its the body of a man.

Migrants are flooding into Italy in numbers not seen since 2017. Lampedusas emergency radio channel is busy 24 hours a day and the Coast Guard is struggling to keep up. Over 46,000 people migrating from North Africa have been rescued this year; 36,000 of them made it to the Italian coast. The upsurge prompted Giorgia Melonis right-wing government to approve a state of migratory emergency in early April that enables it to circumvent parliamentary votes and expedite deportations. The decree was necessary because [Infrastructure and Transport Minister] Matteo Salvini dismantled the Coast Guard and the migrant intake system, says Open Arms founder Oscar Camps.

NGOs claim that national regulations bypassing international law are making it impossible for them to work, and that the new Italian government has declared war on them. Since 2015, our operations were overseen with no problem by [Italys] Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (CCRM). We were rescuing up to 4,000 people in one day and no one ever complained. Then it all ended. Now theyre like headless chickens, says Camps.

As soon as the body was spotted, the Astral crew tried to get a government authority to claim the corpse. They first tried Malta, since the ship was sailing in their waters  no response. Then they tried Italy. They told us they were busy aiding other boats, so we had to wait, said the Astrals chief of mission Esther Camps, after contacting the CCRM. The deceased adult male was wearing an orange coat and an inner tube for flotation. The body was bent forward with its head under water. Because of the bodys advanced state of decomposition, the death must have occurred at least 48 hours earlier. According to the International Organization for Migration, 300 people have died or disappeared in the central Mediterranean Sea in the last 10 days. The body spotted by the Astral adds one more to the grim statistic.

The work of human rights defenders engaged in sea-rescue missions got even harder on January 2 when Italys new decree went into effect, drawing criticism from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. One of the decrees measures assigns distant disembarkation ports for people rescued in the Mediterranean. We asked to go to Lampedusa, as it was the closest port. But the CCRM assigned us Taranto, 61 hours away. We had to evacuate two people on the way because they were in critical condition, says Axel Steier, a spokesperson for Mission Lifeline, an NGO that operates the Ocean Viking rescue vessel. SOS Humanitys Humanity 1 had the same experience when it was ordered to unload its rescues in Ravenna, over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away. Both organizations and Sea-Eye, a German NGO, have initiated legal action against Italy for the systematic and illegitimate assignment of distant ports, says their representative, Wasil Schauseil.

57 legal proceedings against NGOs

SOS Humanitys records (since December 2022) show that they and other organizations were refused permission to take their rescues to Lampedusa or other Sicilian ports closest to the search and rescue zone between Italy, Malta, Tunisia and Libya. This practice minimizes the time we can be operational, doing the work that these governments have abandoned, says Juan Matias Gil, the chief of mission for Geo Barents, the rescue ship operated by Doctors Without Borders.

Doctors Without Borders and other humanitarian organizations have denounced the practice of selective disembarkation, which led to a critical situation in November 2022 when Italian authorities only admitted 357 of the 572 people rescued by the Geo Barents. The port blockade policy  a campaign promise of the Italian far-right  was also in effect, forcing three other NGOs to wait several days for permission to disembark passengers. The four NGOs had picked up 1,080 people at sea. When a similar situation occurred in 2019, Open Arms sued Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, accusing him of kidnapping the migrants they had pulled out of the water. The legal proceedings are still ongoing.

Another controversial aspect of the new Italian regulation is that it orders ships to go to port immediately after each rescue. This effectively delays rescue operations, since the ships typically conduct more than one rescue over several days. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has documented 57 legal actions against NGOs engaged in search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean from 2016 to June 2022, including detention of staff, administrative sanctions, fines and inspections. Of these cases, 34 ended in acquittal; three resulted in convictions; and 18 are pending. Most were heard in Italian courts, but there are also open cases in Spain, Malta, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands. These practices violate international maritime law and hamper the provision of humanitarian assistance, says Gil.

Some say the work of these NGOs attracts even more migrants, but Matteo Vila of the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) recently published data showing that the organizations only rescued about 8% of the migrants at sea, which was down from 21% the previous year.

The skipper of the 'Astral', Maitane Carnero, and the captain, Savvas Kourepinis, approach the spot where the lifeless body of a man is floating in order to transport it to the vessel. Alvaro Garcia

Paradoxically, all the new restrictions have forced the CCRM to ask NGOs for help for the first time in five years. Most recently, the Astral was asked by the authorities to aid a shipwrecked skiff with 47 people aboard. On April 9, the Italian Coast Guard asked the Nadir, a rescue vessel operated by Resqship, to help them look for a boat. There were too many calls for help for them to handle, says Resqship spokesperson Andrea Finker. They saved 22 people and recovered two bodies, but the survivors claimed that 20 more had drowned during the wait. On April 26 and 28, Doctors Without Borders received alerts to help with two more shipwrecks.

Juan Matias Gil believes Italian authorities dont want any more tragic scenes on their shores, like the 90 people who died when their boat sank off the southern coast of Crotone in February. Its very clear that it happened because of negligence, because no one went to rescue them, says Gil.

A dead body on deck

It took a lot of work for someone to take responsibility for the body recovered by the Astral. The body remained in the water for hours after it was spotted. The CCRM urged Astrals Captain Savvas Kourepinis to wait because there was much more work to be done rescuing the living. Since it would be hard to monitor the corpses location in the dark, the Astral finally got the go-ahead to take it aboard. The recovery operation was difficult, and the body was carefully wrapped and placed on the foredeck.

A few hours later, they received word that an Italian Coast Guard boat was approaching to pick up the body and 21 young Tunisian men rescued by the Astral. But when the Coast Guard arrived in the middle of the night, they refused to take the body and left. Kourepinis again asked for instructions and was ordered to remain in place and locate more boats. The body of the anonymous man spent the night on deck. The next morning, as the radio crackled with unanswered mayday calls, the Astral finally got permission to sail to Lampedusa and deliver the body.

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Dr. Paul Alexander brings expertise and experience working in health care and health insurance to NJCC. Dr. Alexanders expertise and experience working in health care and health insurance adds an invaluable perspective to our board. Hes committed to improving the quality of care and service delivered to underserved communities," said Bernel Hall, President and CEO of NJCC

New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), the states largest community development financial institution (CDFI), is pleased to welcome Dr. Paul Alexander to the organizations board of directors. Dr. Alexander is currently Executive Vice President, Chief Health Equity and Transformation Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, where he is responsible for the health systems social mission developing strategies to promote the health and wellness of the communities served, including employees. He was recently recognized as a Black healthcare leader to know by Beckers Hospital Review.

Were thrilled Dr. Alexander has joined our board. His knowledge and understanding of community health will greatly support the work NJCC is leading in the community and industry, said Bernel Hall, President and CEO of NJCC. Dr. Alexanders expertise and experience working in health care and health insurance adds an invaluable perspective to our board. Hes committed to improving the quality of care and service delivered to underserved communities.

Dr. Alexander joins eight existing board members, including executives from JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock Alternative Investors, Wells Fargo, Hudson County Economic Development Corp., St. Josephs Carpenter Society of Camden and Rutgers Business School.

Im very pleased to become a member of New Jersey Community Capitals board of directors to support the organizations mission and contribute to disadvantaged and underserved communities, Dr. Alexander said. The connection between financial status and health is a primary factor in improving BIPOC communities. The absence of funding leads to poor health, which reduces the ability to get an education and to work, in turn, hindering the ability to be a community contributor. By joining NJCC, we can now better prepare underrepresented communities for the future by listening to them and addressing their needs through a holistic approach.

Prior to joining RWJBH, Dr. Alexander was Chief Medical Officer for Government Programs at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and was instrumental in the advancement of quality of care and service delivered to New Jersey residents enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare or dual-eligible programs. He has held leadership positions at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, UnitedHealthcare, Health Partners of Philadelphia and Independence Blue Cross. Dr. Alexander completed his undergraduate premedical studies and holds a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University. He is a Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine graduate, a former Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania and a Fellow of the Leonard Davis Institute at the Wharton School.

About New Jersey Community Capital

New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides an innovative toolkit of financial products, programs and services to advance equity and opportunity in underserved communities. NJCC supports the preservation and development of affordable housing and sustainable community development ventures that increase jobs, improve access to education and strengthen neighborhoods to ensure communities can thrive. To learn more, visit NewJerseyCommunityCapital.org, Twitter: @NJCommCapital, and LinkedIn: @new-jersey-community-capital.


"The data speaks for itself: our students are developing a love for learning and building a strong academic foundation that will serve them well for years to come," said Jessica Bobo, Head of Product at Frog Street Press and a former Texas early childhood educator and leader.

Frog Street, an early childhood education company designed around the latest science in early brain development, has announced the results of a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins School of Education evaluating the efficacy of the Frog Street Pre-K curriculum with students in Texas. The study found that using Frog Street Pre-K curriculum was associated with positive gains in critical early learning domains and increased kindergarten readiness. Frog Street provides a bilingual pre-K curriculum organized into five subjects, five skill-content areas and supports for social-emotional development.

"Ensuring that children are prepared for kindergarten is crucial for their future academic success," emphasized Jessica Bobo, Head of Product at Frog Street Press and a former Texas early childhood educator and leader. "The data speaks for itself: our students are developing a love for learning and building a strong academic foundation that will serve them well for years to come."

The study analyzed approximately 78,000 Pre-K students from 316 school districts in Texas who were instructed using Frog Street Pre-K curriculum as their primary curriculum during the 2021-2022 academic year, compared to students who used a different Pre-K curriculum. The researchers assessed the performance of both sets of students in areas like reading, writing, language, health, and mathematics domains using the CIRCLE assessment from fall 2021 to spring 2022. Key findings include:



Frog Street Pre-K Students Experience Positive Learning Gains. Frog Street's Pre-K curriculum produced significant learning gains in most subjects for English and Spanish-speaking students, especially in reading, compared to those using another curriculum.

Frog Street Establishes a Foundation for Kindergarten Readiness. The study found that the Frog Street curriculum established a strong foundation for kindergarten readiness, with most students meeting the CIRCLE assessment benchmarks across various critical early learning domains.

Access to Frog Street Curriculum Impacts Learning Gains for Spanish-Speaking Students. Spanish-speaking Pre-K students who used the Frog Street curriculum showed remarkable improvements in all domains, including reading, demonstrating the positive impact of the curriculum's inclusive, multilingual approach to instruction.

"Transitioning to kindergarten is not simply a series of activities, but a comprehensive process that helps children and families build the knowledge, skills, and relationships necessary for success in a new educational environment," said Lee Ramsayer, Chief Executive Officer at Frog Street. "The recent Johns Hopkins study demonstrates that the Frog Street curriculum effectively prepares English- and Spanish-speaking students for kindergarten. As a global leader in early childhood education, we will use these findings to continue to equip teachers across the nation with the resources they need to ensure every child sees success."

Frog Street is used in over 40% of Texas public pre-K classrooms.

For additional insights into the Johns Hopkins study findings, download the full report here.

To learn more about the research basis behind Frog Street curricula, visit https://www.frogstreet.com/research/.

About Frog Street

Founded by early childhood educators and experts in 1989, Frog Street provides comprehensive early childhood education solutions to public schools, Head Start programs and early child-care centers. Frog Streets curriculum programs for children from birth to age 5 are based on early brain research and provide intentional age-appropriate instruction that is aligned to both federal and state standards. The company also develops engaging and interactive professional development programs, including product training, conferences, continuing education, and quality assessment tools to measure students progress. Frog Street exists to empower connected learning communities and instill confidence and kindness in all children. To learn more, please visit http://www.frogstreet.com.
If you are in the market to acquire a Harley-Davidson dealership, I would look no further than the team at Performance Brokerage Services to help you in your search.

Performance Brokerage Services, North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Boneyard Harley-Davidson in Winterville, North Carolina from Marc Ingwersen and Jerry Carrillo to Steven Towers and Bobbie Krull.

Boneyard Harley-Davidson in Winterville, North Carolina has been co-owned by Marc Ingwersen and Jerry Carrillo since 2019. Ingwersen and Carrillo also own two dealerships in Ohio: Buckeye Harley-Davidson and CinCity Harley-Davidson. Current General Manager, Bobbie Krull will be stepping in as Partner alongside Steven Towers.

Ingwersen commented, Jerry and I had great success in Winterville, NC but felt it was the right time to focus on our Ohio dealerships. We decided to hire the industry experts and professionals, George Chaconas and Juan Pardo of Performance Brokerage Services, to help find the right buyer who would continue the great success we had. Making sure our GM and staff were matched up with the right buyer was something these guys were sensitive to, and they brought the right buyer to the table.

Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 300 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. In 2022, the company consummated 92 transactions, marking a record-breaking year. This transaction was exclusively facilitated by George C. Chaconas, Senior Partner, and Juan C. Pardo, Partner of the Harley-Davidson & Powersports Division for Performance Brokerage Services.

Chaconas commented, Ive known Marc since my early days selling Harley-Davidson dealerships. We stayed in touch and discussed the possible sale of Boneyard Harley-Davidson to focus on his Ohio dealerships and future acquisitions. I want to thank Marc and Jerry for trusting my partner Juan and I in helping facilitate the sale of Boneyard Harley-Davidson and finding a passionate and qualified first-time buyer, Steven Towers, who will be partnering with the current GM, Bobbie Krull. We wish Steven and Bobbie great success and look forward to working with Marc and Jerry in the future.

Steven Towers has over a decade of experience as a franchisee for automotive-related retail giants. From 2013 to 2022, Towers managed a network of over 20 retail locations for Midas International. In 2022, he divested his stores to Legacy Auto Group of Texas. Towers Joined Big O Tires as a franchisee in 2021 and has since acquired 9 Big O Tires locations across the Midwest. Towers, a long-time Harley-Davidson rider, has always been passionate about the brand and has aspired to own a dealership.

Towers remarked, Juan Pardo at Performance Brokerage Services introduced me to several Harley-Davidson dealership opportunities, but Boneyard Harley-Davidson was the right fit to be my first acquisition. Juan was instrumental not only in working with Marc and Jerry, but also with Harley-Davidson Motor Company in getting the deal done. Although I had acquired businesses in the past, the unique process involved in getting approved as a Harley-Davidson dealer was something I couldnt have done or been prepared for without the help of Juan and George. I am excited to be partnering with the current GM, Bobbie Krull, as we continue the dealerships great success. If you are in the market to acquire a Harley-Davidson dealership, I would look no further than the team at Performance Brokerage Services to help you in your search.

The dealership will remain at its current location at 2300 Elaines Way in Winterville, North Carolina.

Marc Ingwersen and Jerry Carrillo were represented by Phil Rooney of Rooney & Ranzau Law Firm in Findlay, Ohio.

Steven Towers was represented by Logan Parker at Bass Sox Mercer in Tallahassee, Florida.

About Performance Brokerage Services

Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, RV, commercial truck, powersports, and equipment dealerships.

With over 25 years of experience, 700 dealerships sold, and a 90% closing rate, the companys reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity.

The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees or retainer, no reimbursement of costs, and paid a success fee only after the transaction closes.

Headquartered in Irvine, California, and supported by 9 regional offices in Utah, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Alberta and Ontario, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation.

As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with various vehicle manufacturers.

For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com.


I'm honored to be included among the channel leaders in the 2023 Channel Futures' Circle of Excellence

Granite Telecommunications, a $1.85 billion provider of communications and technology solutions to multilocation businesses and government agencies, today announced that Channel Futures has selected Charlie Pagliazzo, Vice President of Channels, as a winner of the 2023 Circle of Excellence Awards.

Pagliazzo, a 29-year telecom veteran, heads up sales, support and program management for Granite Channels. Over the past 20 years, Pagliazzo has established Granite Channels' nationwide presence and grown the partner program to more than $500 million in annual revenue.

Channel Futures recognized Pagliazzo's leadership in advocating for indirect sales at Granite and contributing to the company's philanthropic initiatives. Previously, Pagliazzo was named to the 2020 Channel Futures Top Gun 51 and 2016 Channel Partners Circle of Excellence lists.

"I'm honored to be included among the channel leaders in the 2023 Channel Futures' Circle of Excellence," said Pagliazzo. "I'm fortunate to lead a tenured and growing team of channel professionals who work diligently every day to support our partners in delivering transformational technology services to their business customers nationwide.

Since 2014, the Channel Futures Circle of Excellence program has recognized leaders in the communications and IT channel who inspire their partners to drive digital transformation for customers. These executives are honored for their vision, innovation and advocacy of the indirect channel during a time of transition and convergence.

"The last decade has seen profound changes in the way the world  and by extension, the channel  does business," said Kelly Danziger, General Manager and Vice President of Channel at Informa Tech. "The last three years have presented unprecedented challenges, and the channel has been instrumental in keeping companies and their employees connected, collaborating and providing top-notch service to their customers.

"Much of the credit for that goes to leaders like the ones we are honoring in the Circle of Excellence. Their vision, strategy and inspiration were key in helping the channel navigate those challenges and emerge even stronger. The Channel Futures team extends congratulations and thanks for their service to our community."

Channel Futures Circle of Excellence winners will be honored during an awards ceremony on May 3 at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. These winners will be included on the Circle of Excellence Immersion Center on the Channel Futures website.

About Granite

Granite delivers advanced communications and technology solutions to businesses and government agencies throughout the United States and Canada. The $1.85 billion company serves more than two-thirds of Fortune 100 companies and has 1.75 million voice and data lines under management, supporting more than 650,000 locations. Founded in 2002, Granite has grown to be one of the largest competitive telecommunications carriers in the U.S. by simplifying sourcing and management of voice, data and cellular service with a single point of contact and consolidated invoicing for all locations nationwide. Today, Granite supports customers with a wide range of services, including access, UCaaS, mobile voice and data, and MSP solutions for SD-WAN, monitoring and network management. Granite employs more than 2,250 people at its headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts and 11 regional offices nationwide.

For more information, visit http://www.granitenet.com.

About Channel Futures

Channel Futures is a media and events destination for the information and communication technologies (ICT) channel community. We provide information, perspective and connection for the entire channel ecosystem, including solution providers (SPs), managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), cloud service providers (CSPs), value-added resellers (VARs) and distributors, technology solutions brokerages, subagents and agents, as well as leading technology vendor partners and communication providers.

Our properties include many awards programs such as the Channel Futures MSP 501, a list of the most influential and fastest-growing providers of managed services in the technology industry; Channel Partners events, which delivers unparalleled in-person events, including Channel Partners Conference & Expo, Channel Partners Leadership Summit, Women's Leadership Summit, the MSP Summit and Channel Partners Europe; and a DEI Community Group, our initiative to educate, support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the ICT channel industry. Channel Futures is where the world meets the channel; we are leading Channel Partners forward. More information is available at channelfutures.com.

Channel Futures is part of Informa Tech, a market-leading B2B information provider with depth and specialization in the ICT sector. Every year, we welcome 14,000+ subscribers to our research, more than 4 million unique monthly visitors to our digital communities, 18,200+ students to our training programs and 225,000 delegates to our events.
Were pleased to be bringing a new, state-of-the-art medical office building to one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

Hammes, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare development, broke ground on a new 48,000-square-foot, multi-tenant medical office building in Buckeye, Arizona on May 1.

Conveniently located at the southeast corner of Watson Road and Sundance Parkway, the new Buckeye Medical Plaza will be visible from Watson Road with prominent signage. It will be within minutes of the planned Abrazo Medical Hospital and Banner Buckeye Hospital.

Planned services to be offered through building tenants include physical therapy, internal medicine, primary and multispecialty care, imaging, obstetrics and gynecology, specialized pediatric services, and lab.

The Buckeye Medical Plaza will provide a huge benefit to our residents, said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. Providing quality medical care, in the heart of the city, will meet the demands of our growing community.

Were pleased to be bringing a new, state-of-the-art medical office building to one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, said Steve Buckeridge, Senior Vice President of Hammes Partners. The Buckeye Medical Plaza will be an ideal location for healthcare providers seeking to relocate to or expand their footprint in Buckeye.

The project is expected to be completed in early 2024. For leasing information, please contact Melynn Wakeman with Integrity CRE at Melynn@IntegrityRealty4U.com.

About Hammes

Founded in 1991, Hammes is a vertically integrated real estate solutions platform specializing in healthcare real estate strategy and planning, project management, development, investment, and property management. As a testament to our deep healthcare industry experience, Hammes has been recognized as one of the nations leading healthcare developers by Modern Healthcares Construction & Design Survey for 24 consecutive yearsincluding 19 years as No. 1 and by Revistas Outpatient Healthcare Real Estate Development Report. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hammes provides services through a network of regional offices strategically located across the United States. http://www.hammes.com


Newport News Shipyard Livestream Invitation InSync strongly endorses the Committee's mission to provide sustainable support to the crews & families of the submarine. And we'll be in the company of such an accomplished sponsor, Ms. Sheryl Sandberg, who continues to inspire women and lead in the tech industry. - Jennifer Hofmann, Founder

InSync Training, a leading provider of virtual training and development services, is proud to announce their attendance at the christening of the USS MASSACHUSETTS in Newport News. The event will take place on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, at 11:00am ET.

The christening ceremony marks an important milestone in the life of the submarine as it officially enters service with the United States Navy. The ceremony is an opportunity for friends and family of those who have served, or are currently serving, in the military to come together to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country.

Newport News Shipbuilding invites the public to watch the live webcast of the christening of the submarine on Saturday May 6, 2023, at 11am ET. The live webcast will be available on HIIs Facebook and YouTube social media channels, as well as the event website: http://hii.com/SSN798.

"It is an honor to be attending the christening ceremony of USS MASSACHUSETTS alongside our Technical Director, Dr. Charles Dye, the Secretary and Government Liaison of the Commissioning Committee. At InSync Training, we strongly support the USS MASSACHUSETTS Commissioning Committee's mission to provide sustainable support to the crews and families of the Commonwealths namesake submarine. As a donor, we are proud to contribute to this important cause and to stand with Massachusetts residents and friends of the USS MASSACHUSETTS. We are also excited to be in the company of such an accomplished sponsor, Ms. Sheryl Sandberg, who continues to inspire women and lead in the tech industry." - Jennifer Hofmann, Founder of InSync Training.

Upon commissioning, the submarine will be the ninth ship of the name in service to the United States, representing a legacy of service going back to the earliest days of the Continental Navy. USS MASSACHUSETTS (SSN 798) is a Virginia class fast attack nuclear submarine capable of a variety of missions vital to national security, and following commissioning is planned to be homeported in Groton, CT.

During the christening ceremony there will be a traditional breaking of champagne against the bow by Ship Sponsor Ms. Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta Technologies and founder of LeanIn.org which is dedicated to helping women achieve their ambitions and work to create an equal world.

InSync Training is proud to be part of this historic event and looks forward to honoring our brave servicemen and women for their dedication and sacrifice for our countrys freedom.

About The USS MASSACHUSETTS (SSN 798) Commissioning Committee (http://ussmassachusetts.org)

The committee is a non-profit public charity organized under 26 U.S.C.  501(c)(3) and is working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Bay Council of the Navy League and the Battleship Cove Foundation in Fall River. While the U.S. Navy funds the actual formal ceremony, planning for the other events as part of the commissioning celebration is the responsibility of the Commissioning Committee from the host community and is funded through charitable donations from corporations that contributed toward the construction of the ship as well as members of the host city.

About InSync Training (http://www.insynctraining.com)

Founded in 2000, InSync has 20+ years experience supporting a variety of enterprise-wide virtual training programs for Fortune 50, 100 and 500 clients and have certified over 25,000 L&D professionals with its best-of-class approach. With a global team of 120 expert Instructional designers, researchers, and professional facilitators support clients' corporate training needs, including programmatic management and logistical support, traditional "train-the-trainer" services, blended learning, instructional design/development services, and virtual facilitation/production services.

InSync Training is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training. (http://www.iacet.org)

InSync regularly supports 6000+ hours of live, online, virtual, blended, and remote instruction per month in Zoom, MS Teams, Webex, Adobe Connect, Kaltura, and others.

Visit InSync Training (http://www.insynctraining.com) for more on InSync Trainings industry-recognized public certifications or corporate virtual training service solutions.
Adventure, excitement and thrill await readers in James Milton Roberts latest novel titled Captain Drake Strader's Dream: The Civil War One Hundred Sixty-Three Years Later (published by Trafford Publishing).

This book tells the story of a pirate captain, Drake Strader, whose dream is to find a refuge for him and his men. With the kings of England, France and Spain finally united to capture all pirates, Strader's time is running out. He hears about a remote area called Goshen Swamp in North Carolina. There, they led a full prosperous life and their children lived on until the Civil War. Some also fought with the South.

It shows people's true nature in life, the author describes. People can survive this old worldly system, and have their dreams come true, but it doesn't happen by sitting around waiting for it to happen.

Captain Drake Strader's Dream will appeal to those who are interested in a historical fiction that includes pirates, adventure, action, mysteries, wild animals, Sasquatch, family linage covering 163 years, and Civil War battles. To purchase a copy, visit https://www.trafford.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/840601-captain-drake-straders-dream.

Captain Drake Strader's Dream: The Civil War One Hundred Sixty-Three Years Later

By James Milton Roberts

Hardcover | 8.5 x 11in | 216 pages | ISBN 9781698712253

Softcover | 8.5 x 11in | 216 pages | ISBN 9781698712246

E-Book | 216 pages | ISBN 9781698712239

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

James Milton Roberts is a 75-year-old Vietnam Veteran. He served in the Marine Corp as a field radio operator with the 1st Recon Division, long range patrols with five members. He is 100 % totally disabled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is married and has four children, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roberts lives in Archdale, North Carolina. He had, at one time, everything a man would desire: family, beautiful home, timbered land, lived close to Baden Lake. Had two businesses  one in High Point, North Carolina, and the other in Toledo, Ohio. Roberts had amnesia from Vietnam for 25 years, found a friend shot dead, and a week later found a 16-year-old hit by train. This brought back the two ambushes his mind had blocked out for 25 years. He thought he had lost his mind, ended up at Salusbury VA Hospital, North Carolina., going back and forth being admitted until 2O21. In 1991, he filed for bankruptcy after losing everything he had. When he lost the home, his wife and children moved out, and he lived in the woods on 10 acres for over five years. Today, Roberts lives in Archdale, North Carolina. He raised Birmingham Roller pigeons as a hobby, is one of Jehovahs Witnesses, has remarried and is now living the good life. His is also the author of My three Shadows, a biogeography.

Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC, author services imprint, was the first publisher in the world to offer an on-demand publishing service, and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. Trafford was also one of the earliest publishers to utilize the Internet for selling books. More than 10,000 authors from over 120 countries have utilized Traffords experience for self publishing their books. For more information about Trafford Publishing, or to publish your book today, call 844-688-6899 or visit trafford.com.
Tedone & Morton award two students with scholarships for the Spring 2023 semester

Tedone & Morton, P.C., is excited to announce the winners of its Cancer Survivorship Scholarship. Drake A. Allegrini, the first place winner, was awarded $1,000 and Marina Coronado Fernandez, our runner up, was awarded $500. Both wining students may use the put the funds toward educational expenses. Allegrinis mother survived cancer, while Fernandez herself is a cancer survivor. Both have overcome cancers effects on their lives and begun attending college.

The firm launched this scholarship to help students and families who have been impacted by cancer. The attorneys were inspired by the strength of cancer survivors and their family members. Attorneys Cosmo Tedone and Barbara Morton both have personal experience with the impact of cancer on not only the sick person, but their families as well. This scholarship is a way for them to help others who have experienced this hardship and is one of many ways the firm seeks to serve its community.

Applicants were asked to submit an essay responding to one of two prompts. The first option was, During your or your loved ones battle with cancer, have you discovered unexpected courage in yourself that you did not know you had? Has someone else in your life inspired you with their courage? How has this affected how you expect to approach adversity in your life? The other prompt option was, How has a battle against cancer (either your own or a loved ones) affected your life and future goals? How has this experience led you to reassess what matters most to you?

Each winners essay revealed immense personal strength in the face of serious hardship. To read Allegrinis essay, please visit: https://www.tedonemortonlaw.com/scholarship-spring-2022-winner-drake-a-allegrini

To read Fernandezs essay, please visit: https://www.tedonemortonlaw.com/scholarship-spring-2022-winner-marina-coronado-fernandez

About Tedone & Morton, P.C.

Tedone & Morton, P.C. is an Illinois law firm with locations in Joliet and Plainfield. The firm has multiple practice areas, including criminal defense, divorce, estate planning, and civil litigation.

To learn more about Tedone & Morton, P.C., or to contact the attorneys, please visit: https://www.tedonemortonlaw.com/
Kendall Capital CEO Clark Kendall The integrity of financial professionals is crucial to Americans ability to achieve their financial goals. Im proud to be part of NAPFAs efforts to maintain the highest professional standards and influence policy in ways that benefit financial consumers. -- Clark Kendall, CEO, Kendall Capital

Clark Kendall, President & CEO of Marylands Kendall Capital, has joined the Public Policy Committee of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the foremost professional association advancing the interests of fiduciary, fee-only financial planners and their clients.

The 10-member Public Policy Committee formulates NAPFAs positions on legislative and regulatory issues of importance to the fee-only financial planning community and communicates them to members, the media, policymakers and consumers.

The integrity of financial professionals is crucial to Americans ability to achieve their financial goals and build wealth, Kendall says. Im proud to be part of NAPFAs efforts to maintain the highest professional standards and influence policy in ways that benefit financial consumers.

Kendall has more than 30 years of investment management and wealth management experience. He has a distinguished combination of academic knowledge obtained from the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) programs.

He is a former equity seat holder on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and a member of the Washington Society of Chartered Financial Analysts. Prior to founding Kendall Capital in 2005, he was the chief investment officer at Potomac Asset Management (1999-2004). Earlier, he served as Vice President, Investment Committee member and Portfolio Manager for Pell Rudman Trust Company, an international investment firm. Kendall also served as a global private banker at the Royal Bank of Canada.

Kendall has authored two books outlining strategies for building and enjoying wealth  Middle-Class Millionaire and, with Carol Petrov, Middle-Class Millionaire Women. He is a respected commentator on financial and economic issues who is frequently quoted in news outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, USA Today, Fortune and CNBC. He also offers financial insights on local television news segments in Washington, DC.

Kendall is a graduate of James Madison University and holds a BBA in Finance and Economics. He resides in Sandy Spring, Maryland with his wife Diane.


The quality of the real estate is exceptional, and we feel that our capital improvement plan should further enhance the viability of the lease up opportunities

Lamar Companies, in conjunction with Real Capital Solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Village at Cambridge Crossing, a shopping center in Mount Laurel, NJ.

The property totals approximately 128,000 square feet and is ideally positioned less than one-half mile from I-295 with excellent frontage along Route 38 and daily traffic counts exceeding 50,000 cars per day.

The coveted center is anchored by LA Fitness with the remaining space comprised of a complementary mix of retail categories including casual dining, beauty, medical, and service based. Highly trafficked tenants include Pancheros Mexican Grill, European Wax Center, AAA Car Care and Ruby Tuesday. Elite Salons & Suites is expected to open later this year. The center can accommodate a range of prospective users including grocery concepts.

Cambridge Crossing is an ideal value-add acquisition opportunity for Lamar. The quality of the real estate is exceptional, and we feel that our capital improvement plan should further enhance the viability of the lease up opportunities, said Frank Maresca with Lamar Companies.

We are excited to add this property to our portfolio and build upon the strong momentum that we have developed in the market through our acquisition of Shops at Valley Square in nearby Warrington, PA last year, continued Frank Maresca with Lamar Companies.

If you are a broker or tenant interested in joining an exciting tenant line-up at Village at Cambridge Crossing, please get in touch with Lamar Companies through the contact information listed below. For questions related to the acquisition, please reach out to Frank Maresca.

Frank Maresca

frankm@lamarco.com

973-867-0612

Website: http://www.lamarco.com

About Lamar Companies

Lamar Companies is a full-service, privately held, real estate investment company headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey. Since its founding in 1972, the Company has routinely been ranked in the top 100 largest owners of retail shopping centers in the US according to National Real Estate Investors rankings. Lamar primarily focuses on opportunities created by real estate economic cycles and underperforming assets across the United States and is a principal investor in projects for its own account and in partnership with major institutions. Throughout the years the firm has maintained its entrepreneurial roots as a hands-on operating partner with a deep expertise in retail space, and a unique ability to drive value for its investors.


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. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors 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

When it comes to managing migration in the Americas, it is time to follow President Dwight D. Eisenhowers advice of how to tackle a problem seemingly too hard to solve  make it bigger.

With human mobility at historic levels around the world, including throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, the sense that migration cannot be brought under control is pervasive. That sense is fueling increasingly drastic attempts to solve migration at the U.S.-Mexico border with quick fixes and policy band-aids.

The impulse to do so is driven by thinking of migration narrowly as a phenomena that can be addressed in one place with one set of tools  at the border with enforcement  as the United States has repeatedly done to little lasting avail during the past three decades.

If instead, we take President Eisenhowers advice and pull back to see the entirety of the challenge  in this case that individuals and families come to the U.S.-Mexico border for myriad reasons as part of a complex system  solutions begin to come into focus. Solution sets outlined in last years Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection championed by the Biden administration and agreed to by 22 countries at Junes Summit of the Americas and in a plan put forward by Senator Bob Menendez last week.

The Los Angeles Declaration and Menendez Plan both embrace the core concept of shared responsibility and recognize that to effectively maximize the benefits and mitigate the risks of migration requires multiple, bold, scaled responses  at the border, in the Americas, and in the United States. There is no one place, nor one policy that will bring about safe, legal, and orderly migration in isolation.

Consider, for example, what it will take to solve the one door, one place paradox overwhelming U.S. agencies charged with managing border arrivals. For far too many would be migrants across the Americas, the only avenue into the United States is an asylum claim at the U.S. border. Asylum is a vital protection mechanism that must be protected, but it is not a catch-all. Today, the system has a backlog of nearly 1.6 million cases with denials exceeding 70% of cases.

This hurts bona fide asylum seekers fleeing persecution who must wait years for a ruling. Forcing so many resources into asylum adjudication when most people wont qualify creates deep operational inefficiencies and perverse incentives  leveraged and advertised by smugglers  for people to make ever more dangerous journeys to reach and cross the U.S.-Mexico border without detection.

The asylum system needs reform, as the Menendez Plan calls for, but it also needs pressure relief. Relief that will only come from expanding flexible, legal pathways for migrants and asylum seekers. Establishing more opportunities for legal migration to the U.S. and to countries throughout the Americas, as called for in the Los Angeles Declaration, through work visas, temporary protection mechanisms, educational exchanges, and family reunification programs, will help displace irregular migration and diminish pressure on the asylum system and the border. Creating multiple doors for people to enter  as the Los Angeles Declaration and the Menendez Plan envision  advances the interests of migrants and receiving communities.

Alternative pathways are necessary, but insufficient. Effective migration management also demands fostering stable and resilient communities through investment in economic development, education, and social programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. To achieve needed scale, we must expand the circle of those who see migration as part of their jobs within the U.S. government to include, among others, the Department of the Treasury and the Development Finance Corporation. As noted in the Menendez Plan, development financing is a critical source of leverage; innovative mechanisms need to be created to crowd-in private investment to activate economic recovery in cities hosting millions of migrants across Latin America and the Caribbean.

At home, the United States must also innovate to better support communities stepping up to host migrants and refugees. The embrace of Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans through the Biden administrations innovative parole programs clearly demonstrates the desire average Americans have to help. Experiences from across Latin America demonstrate that efforts to include migrants by, among other things, quickly authorizing their ability to work, has positive effects for host communities, as well as for the migrants themselves.

To find durable, effective solutions, we must go big and grapple with the true dimensions of the migration challenge and resist the siren song of narrow, simplistic approaches bound to fail. The time has come for the Biden administration  and those in Congress serious about managing migration and not just playing politics  to fully embrace and implement the Los Angeles Declaration and the Menendez Plan as the way forward.

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Dave Marcolla, a veteran Realtor in the Newtown area with more than 20 years of sales, marketing and financial services experience, held the grand opening of his new real estate brokerage, Marcolla Realty at 444 South State Street on April 29.

Dozens of guests were in attendance, including members of the public and distinguished guests from the local government and first responder community. Attendees joined Marcolla for the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new brokerage, followed by refreshments provided by Calm Waters Coffee, Mamie Colette's Bakery & Playa Bowls, raffles, prizes, tours, and a special check presentation to the gathered first responders.

Marcolla also unveiled details of a new program designed specifically to assist homebuyers who help the local community by serving as first responders.

Any first responder, whether theyre an EMT, police officers, firefighters, or volunteers with any of these organizations, will qualify for up to $3,000 in savings on their closing costs, said Marcolla. My uncle was a volunteer fire chief. I have seen firsthand how much these brave men and women sacrifice for our community. I proudly support our first responders, and as thanks for their tireless work in protecting our homes, I want to help them with theirs.

Marcolla has lived in  and restored  homes in Bucks County, PA, and Central New Jersey for more than 20 years. During his first year in real estate, Marcolla generated nearly $3 million in sales. By the close of 2022, Marcolla and the real estate group he led closed $78 million in property transactions in and around the Newtown, Bucks County area.

Joining Marcolla at his brokerage are Realtors Melissa Watson, Justin Grevious and Peter Vogel. The brokerage is also currently hiring for additional sales roles. To learn more, visit http://www.marcollarealty.com.

About Marcolla Realty

Marcolla Realty offers a high touch, best-in-class and experienced advisory approach to the buying and selling of distinctive residential properties in Bucks and Mercer counties. Built on principles refined by Founder Dave Marcolla over nearly two decades in marketing with Fortune 50 firms, Marcolla Realty is committed to providing an exceptional level of attention to detail and first-class, concierge-level service on every transaction. To learn more, visit http://www.marcollarealty.com.
Navarrow Wright "The Mirror Digital team have been pioneers in connecting diverse content creators with leading brands for more than 10 years and I look forward to helping lead the companys next level of innovation." -- Navarrow Wright

Mirror Digital, the leading digital media company connecting global brands to diverse audiences, has announced Navarrow Wright as its first-ever Chief Operating and Technology Officer (COO/CTO).

Wright brings three decades of executive experience as a holistic technology and digital media strategist with a multicultural lens to drive innovations while developing and growing efficient teams and scalable tech-based products and platforms.

The appointment is part of Mirror Digitals executive leadership expansion efforts to strengthen its operations model as it continues to drive business growth and revenue equity for multicultural creators. Wright will work closely with founder/CEO Sheila Marmon to elevate the companys internal and external development, as well as accelerate technological innovation.

"Navarrow is a seasoned industry veteran with deep experience in advertising technology, multicultural audiences, and media operations, said Marmon. We are thrilled at the impact that he will have across the organization as we continue to grow and evolve our organization and industry impact.

I am beyond excited to reenter the multicultural media space with Mirror Digital, said Wright. Sheila and the Mirror Digital team have been pioneers in connecting diverse content creators with leading brands for more than 10 years and I look forward to helping lead the companys next level of innovation.

Prior to joining Mirror Digital, Wright established himself as a highly sought-after executive and thought leader. Most recently, he worked at Meta as senior director of product marketing for the Facebook app, where he led the global launch of Reels and its $1B content creator ecosystem. He previously held CTO positions at BET Interactive, influencer platform Reelio, and Interactive One. He was also co-president and CEO of Global Grind.com which he co-founded with Russell Simmons.

Being able to bring my experience which has helped grow some of the largest brands in the space, coupled with my recent experience launching products for billions on the Facebook platform marks a turning point for both myself and Mirror Digital as we look to change how digital advertising platforms connect, educate, and elevate multicultural publishers and creators, added Wright.

For more information on Mirror Digital, visit mirrordigital.com.


Mission Cloud Evolution will play an integral role in expanding our talent pipeline, bridging the overall talent gap, and developing new and diverse talent within the cloud industry. Now is the time to lay the foundation for the future of cloud.

Mission Cloud, a cloud-managed services provider and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Premier Tier Services Partner, today launched Mission Cloud Evolution, a new program committed to cloud literacy and talent development. The initiative features robust full-time apprenticeship opportunities and partnerships with schools and community organizations.

While an increasing number of companies are growing in the cloud, students are not gaining the necessary training in their higher education courses to be successful in the cloud computing industry. Mission Cloud Evolution aims to bridge the talent skills gap by providing relevant training to current engineers and students alike. Additionally, Mission Cloud is seeking to promote inclusivity within the cloud industry to ensure that cloud computing does not follow the path of other technology sectors where people from diverse backgrounds have been locked out due to a lack of education and opportunity in these areas.

The importance of cloud literacy cannot be understated given the emergence of remote and hybrid work and education environments, said Karoline Saffi, Chief People Officer, Mission Cloud. Empowering people now with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the cloud will provide endless opportunities within the industry and for innovation. We see this as part of our duty as one of the nations leading cloud providers to help solve the talent void and with help from AWS, we do this at no cost to students. In fact, we pay them to enter our program.

The seeds of Mission Cloud Evolution were planted three years ago with a job rotation program to help Mission Cloud team members develop technical skills. This eventually led to a part-time, paid internship in several departments before the company hired a Technical Training Program Manager to create a unique internship program.

Spearheaded by Keri Barnett-Howell, Director of Talent Development at Mission Cloud, and supported by the companys expertise, with 76% of employees holding an AWS certification, the program offers the following to current and prospective cloud industry workers:

Certification Sponsorship  Connecting with people, primarily students, interested in the cloud to provide paid study and AWS certification exam materials to help them get started.

Apprenticeships  A 6-month paid apprenticeship program, with benefits including healthcare, that develops students and career changers into cloud and DevOps engineers. At the conclusion of the program, apprentices are fully integrated into the company. In the future, Mission Cloud plans to expand the program to include application development and data, analytics, and machine learning apprenticeships.

Career Development  All Mission Cloud team members are provided access to a broad array of programs and activities to grow in their careers, including education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

Technical Skill Expansion  Customized training and incentives for team members to improve their technical expertise.

At Mission Cloud we pride ourselves on creating an environment where our current and future team members have all the tools necessary to grow within their careers and achieve their goals, said Barnett-Howell. Mission Cloud Evolution will play an integral role in expanding our talent pipeline, bridging the overall talent gap, and developing new and diverse talent within the cloud industry. Now is the time to lay the foundation for the future of cloud.

Mission Cloud has partnered with several schools and organizations, including Santa Monica College, El Camino College, Los Angeles Mission College, Grand Canyon University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Rio Hondo College, California State University Channel Islands, and LA-Tech.org to promote cloud literacy under the Mission Cloud program. Through these partnerships, students are connected with engineering mentors and given the opportunity to participate in AWS cloud hackathons.

In addition to these existing partnerships, Mission Cloud will expand its network of potential apprentices by targeting organizations such as the VA, HBCUs, and community colleges to grow its veteran presence and reach more diverse students.

To learn more about Mission Cloud please visit https://www.missioncloud.com.



About Mission Cloud - Mission empowers businesses to invent a greater future in the cloud by leveraging the leading cloud platform. Our dedicated team of cloud experts matches businesses with the personalized services and software they need to migrate, manage, modernize, and optimize their cloud environments with confidence.
The Spirit of Humanity is about who we are as a people and a species, Sproule said. Humanity is at a time of change, when we can grow, or, in contrast, continue the descent into greed and destruction as we are now.

Author Leon Sproule delves deep into the human psyche in his new book, The Spirit of Humanity: Finding the Future, a spiritual read following the authors collection of stories and experiences, to help readers see their peers in a positive light and live a better life in peace.

Using his life story, Sproule hopes to share his view on the ways to live in harmony and peace. He believes humans can grow in understanding and become responsible, decent individuals who share and care about people on the planet.

The Spirit of Humanity is about who we are as a people and a species, Sproule said. Humanity is at a time of change, when we can grow, or, in contrast, continue the descent into greed and destruction as we are now.

Additionally, Sproule shares his passion for his claim that the world is in an environmental crisis that threatens human existence. Instead of allowing world leaders to profit from destruction, he encourages his readers to unite and work to alleviate the environmental damage that profit-takers have unleashed.

I believe humans are created to nurture world peace and harmony, Sproule said. At the end of the day, the earth is what we all have in common, and its crucial to preserve it, not destroy it for the benefit of our wallets.

The Spirit of Humanity: Finding the Future

By Leon Sproule

ISBN: 9798765236994 (softcover); 9798765236994 (hardcover); 9798765236994 (electronic)

Available at Balboa Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Leon Sproule has experience in many fields and has volunteered for many causes. By using his spiritual powers, he's solved engineering problems and furthered his spiritual growth. His wideranging experience gives him a perspective shared by few others. While rebuilding a generator at Guri Dam in Venezuela in 1973, he fell in love with South America. Since then, hes taken multiple trips to Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. He greatly admires the natives who have mastered living in harmony with nature in a wide range of environments. Now retired, he devotes his time to healing and focusing on spiritual work. To learn more, please visit https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/848858-the-spirit-of-humanity

General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

Taylor Moralez

tmoralez@lavidge.com
There are many interesting stories of people in all walks of life, be it personal, professional, or just about their lives. For Peter Marosszeky, the good fortune throughout his life has been manifested by many serendipitous event. Now, he shares the story on how his world developed from an early age with the release of An Aviation Journey: And a Love Affair with the Boeing 747 (published by Xlibris AU).

This book provides readers an insight into the life of an aviator/engineer and how his career evolved from a migrant refugee into an Australian citizen and became an engineer in one of the most demanding and exacting industries  aviation. It reflects a period of 60 years that Marosszeky has experienced in that time, the changes in technology and the way they have adapted to these changes is inspiring resulting in a world where the yoke of distance and time has been harnessed.

My journey is almost an adventure and the various experiences are quite unique. It is different and offers an insight into a refugee family and aviation. It is also, about how one man handled the changes in technology and developed the ambition to make these happen, Marosszeky says. He adds, The defining moment of my life was the introduction into service of the Boeing 747 series aircraft in 1969, with Pan American World Airways Inc. This was the start of a 51-year experience with this magnificent aircraft, which continues today, and gave my life a special meaning and, I daresay, a privilege to be part of its history.

When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, Marosszeky answered, The greatest challenges that now face the aviation world is the ability to teach and understand the new and in some cases the old technologies to the young aviators. Airlines and aircraft operators are faced with a constant challenge of not only obtaining the right people for the myriad of tasks but also to provide them with the appropriate levels of training regulatory compliance. However, by sharing my story, I hope these young aviators will be inspired to follow their dreams. As long as they are willing to work hard and continue to have faith in God and themselves, they can achieve their goals and be successful. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.xlibris.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/844047-an-aviation-journey

An Aviation Journey: And a Love Affair with the Boeing 747

By Peter Marosszeky, FRAeS

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 432 pages | ISBN 9798369490440

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 432 pages | ISBN 9798369490433

E-Book | 432 pages | ISBN 9798369490426

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Peter Marosszekys love of aviation came late in his youth. Despite his father introducing him to flight, he started when he was 12 years old. His dad taught him to handle and fly a DH82 Tiger Moth. His dad was never too keen on encouraging him for a career in flying as his own experience showed how temporary it could be. In fact, when Marosszeky joined Pan Am, one of the esteemed engineers told him it is the best temporary job I will ever have! As young, ultra-keen engineer, it did not faze him too much. As to how he suddenly became interested was his encounter with a partially disassembled Douglas DC3 with cables and wires hanging everywhere. It intrigued him as to how could this thing fly. No to mention the genius that went into the construction and design of aircraft. From that moment, he looked up in newspapers and old magazines anything that would enhance his curiosity, in particular wartime magazines from England, Aircraft Spotter. His dad could see that his interest was intense, and so he opened up on his experiences as a test pilot and his war experiences and the rest is history.

Xlibris Publishing Australia, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider dedicated to serving Australian authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibrispublishing.com.au or call 1-800-844-927 to receive a free publishing guide.
A recent report from the Manhattan Institute presents results of a survey of U.S. adults aged 18-20 to determine the extent to which eight concepts the report equates with what it calls critical social justice (CSJ) theorywhich the report frowns uponare taught in schools. The first of the eight concepts, for instance, is, America is a systemically racist society.

The report finds the concepts to be pervasive. Faulty assumptions and methodology cast doubt on the reports conclusions, however, according to Christine Sleeter of California State University Monterey Bay and David Garcia of Arizona State University, who reviewed School Choice Is Not Enough: The Impact of Critical Social Justice Ideology in American Education.

The report finds that the eight concepts are widely taught, even in private schools and homeschooling. Because these CSJ concepts are being taught beyond public schools, the report argues that school choice is an ineffective option for shielding children from this presumed peril.

Further, Sleeter and Garcia note, the report puts forward several conclusions that do not find support from the survey: (a) teachers rather than others outside the classroom are the primary source of exposure, (b) CSJ concepts are being indoctrinated as truth, and (c) policy attitudes and political party affiliation are influenced by exposure to CSJ concepts.

Given that the methods do not adequately isolate exposure in school from the many other sources in which young people encounter these eight concepts, and given that no causal relationships are established, Sleeter and Garcia conclude that there is no support for the reports highly intrusive policy recommendationseven setting aside the underlying ideological assumptions.

Find the review, by Christine Sleeter and David R. Garcia, at:

https://nepc.colorado.edu/review/csj

Find School Choice Is Not Enough: The Impact of Critical Social Justice Ideology in American Education, written by Zach Goldberg and Eric Kaufmann and published by the Manhattan Institute, at:

https://manhattan.institute/article/school-choice-is-not-enough-the-impact-of-critical-social-justice-ideology-in-american-education

NEPC Reviews (https://nepc.colorado.edu/reviews) provide the public, policymakers, and the press with timely, academically sound reviews of selected publications. NEPC Reviews are made possible in part by support provided by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice: http://www.greatlakescenter.org

The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), a university research center housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, sponsors research, produces policy briefs, and publishes expert third-party reviews of think tank reports. NEPC publications are written in accessible language and are intended for a broad audience that includes academic experts, policymakers, the media, and the general public. Our mission is to provide high-quality information in support of democratic deliberation about education policy. We are guided by the belief that the democratic governance of public education is strengthened when policies are based on sound evidence and support a multiracial society that is inclusive, kind, and just.

Visit us at: http://nepc.colorado.edu
We are confident we have a repeatable and reliable process, and the right production partner, to provide quality powder for the highly critical needs of our space and hypersonic customers.

In response to sourcing challenges in the advanced manufacturing industry, KBM Advanced Materials, LLC (KBM) is announcing the availability of NASA standard GRCop-42 copper-alloy. This unique alloy, made from copper, niobium and chromium is perfectly suited for space and hypersonic applications due to its high heat transfer and increased strength versus pure copper.

As a distributor of metal powders for the 3D printing and advanced manufacturing industry, KBM sources specialty powders for customers from multiple suppliers. Noticing the significant challenge to source GRCop-42, the company took on the task to develop its own reliable powder supply. KBM has formed a unique technical and production partnership through which a new, stable, repeatable process was developed for this specialty alloy. Taking over 9 months to perfect, this process and production relationship ensures customers will have reliable access to GRCop-42 for their own production needs.

KBM CEO Kevin Kemper is confident RocketPowder will fill a need in the marketplace, Our customers were continually asking for GRCop-42, to the point that we said if we cant source it, well find a partner and invest in developing a production process ourselves. This wasnt an easy task as meeting specifications was a challenge, but we are confident we have a repeatable and reliable process, and the right production partner, to provide quality powder for the highly critical needs of our space and hypersonic customers.

The company expects to deliver multiple tons of RocketPowder per month, which will be processed, tested and packaged in Ohio, providing easy distribution for customers across the U.S. By taking final processing in-house, KBM is creating a traceable, domestic, supply chain of GRCop-42. This alloy has already been shipped to a major advanced manufacturing OEM who is currently qualifying the powder.

RocketPowder will officially launch at RAPID in Chicago. Visit KBM at Booth 3593 to learn how to order this highly sought after product.

About KBM Advanced Materials:

KBM Advanced Materials specializes in financing, selling, and distributing metal powder for additive manufacturing, metal injection molding (MIM), and other advanced manufacturing markets. KBM has a first-of-its-kind e-commerce marketplace that bridges the inventory gap between a dispersed customer base and larger metal powder producers. This business model offers a simpler and more efficient solution to the metal powder supply chain.
At Sun Mar Healthcare, we believe our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to recognizing their hard work and dedication.

Sun Mar Healthcare, a long-term care advisory and services organization with skilled nursing facilities across California, has awarded brand-new cars to three of its top employees in an annual giveaway as tokens of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

The company surprised Estela Urbina, a long-tenured licensed vocational nurse at Mission Care Center, with keys to her brand-new Hyundai Elantra. Elizabeth Sewah, another long-time employee at Diamond Ridge Healthcare Center, was also surprised with a brand-new Hyundai. Belinda Pagsisihan, an employee at both Del Mar Convalescent Hospital and Monterey Park Convalescent who has been with Sun Mar for 18 years, was the third employee to receive a brand-new car from the company during the giveaway.

At Sun Mar Healthcare, we believe our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to recognizing their hard work and dedication, said Mike Oxford, COO of Sun Mar Healthcare. We are thrilled to reward Estela, Elizabeth and Belinda with brand-new cars as a token of our appreciation for their contributions to our organization. We are proud to have such fantastic employees, and we will continue to invest in their success and well-being.

The annual safety car giveaway is just one of many events Sun Mar holds in recognition of its employees. While they can become finalists in the car giveaway as a result of their outstanding levels of commitment and care, all of Sun Mars employees are regularly celebrated with activities such as parking lot cookouts catered by the likes of In-N-Out Burger, Marie Callender pies, Little Caesars pizza and Rich Farm ice cream.

For more information, contact Nicole Rios at NRios@sunmarhealthcare.com.


Ultimately, employees want to feel heard. For employers, it is really important to understand what your team needs.

Mediaplanet announces the release of its Future of Work campaign. This campaign will emphasize the importance of building a better workforce by investing in the wellbeing of employees. It also focuses on the advancement of niche industries and how the overall wellbeing of employees would contribute to its further development.

With recent trends of silent quitting, strikes happening in multiple industries, employees demanding better pay and benefits  now is the time to provide employers with the resources to retain their employees and increase productivity. These benefits would further incentivize the overall productivity of the workplace and ensure a thriving work culture.

Salary transparency influencer, Hannah Williams, shared her insight on what employees are currently seeking in a job, and why being transparent about salaries should not be faux pas as it once was. Ultimately, employees want to feel heard. For employers, it is really important to understand what your team needs.

The print component of the Future of Work campaign is distributed within todays edition of USA Today with a circulation of approximately 145,000 copies and an estimated readership of 450,000. The digital campaign is distributed through partner sharing, social platforms, and on top news sites. To explore the digital version of the campaign, visit: https://www.futureofbusinessandtech.com/campaign/future-of-work/

This campaign was brought to life through the collaboration of the Integrated Benefits Institute, Humana Inc., Insight Sourcing Group, Broadcom and Hannah Williams.

About Mediaplanet

Mediaplanet specializes in the creation of content marketing campaigns covering a variety of industries. We tell meaningful stories that educate our audience and position our clients as solution providers. Our unique ability to pair the right leaders with the right readers, through the right platforms, has made Mediaplanet a global content marketing powerhouse. Our award-winning stories have won the hearts of countless readers while serving as a valuable platform for brands and their missions. Just call us storytellers with a purpose. Please visit http://www.mediaplanet.com for more on who we are and what we do.

Press Contact:

Jodyann Buchanan

Jodyann.buchanan@mediaplanet.com

646-619-3119


The Prosecco DOC Consortium reports with satisfaction the EUs position on new rules for EU geographical indications to protect quality agricultural products. On April 20th, MEPs on the Agriculture Committee adopted a report on the reform of EU rules for registering and protecting geographical indications (GIs) for wine, spirits and agricultural products, and quality schemes for agricultural products.

Important topics regarding the protection and valorization of GIs were discussed, including the enhancement of GIs online protection, simpler and faster registration procedures, the implementation of GIs sustainabilitys valorization through reports available to consumers, highlighting the producers commitment to social and environmental sustainability, as well as additional responsibilities and financial contributions recognized to EU designated producer groups, representing specific GIs.

The report will now be subjected to vote by Parliaments Plenary and, if adopted, talks with the EU government will begin.

Stefano Zanette, president of the Prosecco DOC Consortium, comments: "I am pleased to publicly share the words of praise coming from many parts for the report approved today by the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament. I hope this will facilitate the path of final approval of the reform, an initiative that, until yesterday, saw too many objections.

I must admit that our country has been able to move substantially united in seizing the many advantages introduced by this reform. We expect the favorable orientation of our Government to come loud and clear through the Council and I personally would like to thank the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament as well as the Hon. Paolo De Castro, to whom we recognize the great merit of having succeeded in bringing this result into fruition, not without great efforts. Finally, my heartfelt thank you to all those trade associations, representative bodies, consultants, university institutes and parliamentary assistants, who have collaborated with our Consortium in making proposals to promote the consensus necessary for today's approval."

The importance of the project must be recognized in strengthening the role of protection Consortia, like Prosecco DOC, for the increased protection of GIs with relation to "traditional mentions", in the simplification of procedures and in the introduction of the issue of sustainability, not only considering the environmental aspect, but also that of the supply chains.

About Prosecco DOC

Prosecco DOC wines come in Spumante (sparkling), Frizzante (semi-sparkling) and Tranquillo (still) varieties. The wines are made from mainly the Glera grape, native to North East Italy for thousands of years, and can be combined with a maximum of 15% of the following grapes: Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera lunga, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Nero. Prosecco Frizzante and Spumante varieties get their famous bubbles using the Secondary Fermentation production method, bottled under high pressure after fermentation in bulk tanks called autoclaves, as opposed to the traditional method, which bypasses the autoclaves and is used for other sparkling wine varieties. The end result is a brilliant straw yellow wine with fine, persistent perlage and aromas of white flowers, apple and pear. It is fresh and elegant on the palate with moderate alcoholic strength.

Since August 11, 2020, the competent bodies (Italian Ministry of Agriculture) have allowed the production of Prosecco DOC Rose, made from at least 85% Glera and 10-15% Pinot Nero only in the Spumante (sparkling) version and with the drier styles (from Brut Nature to Extra Dry). Prosecco DOC Rose undergoes a longer second fermentation in the autoclaves (60 days as opposed to 30 days for Prosecco DOC), has a pale pink color and a fine and persistent perlage, and features aromas of white flowers, notes of apple and citrus, and scents of strawberry and raspberry.

For more information regarding Prosecco DOC and Prosecco DOC Rose, visit http://www.casaprosecco.com.
Three subjects were made to listen to a podcast from the New York Times and monologues from Moth Radio Hour program while having their brains scanned. U.S. researchers then used a decoder they had designed to convert the brain scans not only into complete sentences, but into texts that closely reproduced what the subjects had heard. According to the results, published Monday in the scientific journal Nature Neuroscience, this so-called semantic decoder was also able to verbalize what the subjects were thinking and, whats more, it could even understand what was going through their heads while they were watching a silent movie.

Since the beginning of the century, and particularly in the last decade, great advances have been made in the design of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Most research has been geared towards improving communication for people who are unable to speak or move their muscles. But most of these systems involve opening up a persons skull and placing an array of electrodes directly into the brain. Another less invasive approach relies on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Here, the interface is not in the brain, but in a cap filled with electrodes that is placed on the head. This cap does not record direct neuronal activity, but rather the changes in the level of oxygen in the blood that neural activity causes. This, however, poses challenges when it comes to the resolution of the brain images. Firstly, because the interface is on the outside, and secondly, because changes at that level occur at intervals of up to 10 seconds  a period in which many words can be said.

To solve these problems, a group of researchers from the University of Texas in the United States have turned to the artificial intelligence system GPT  the same on which the popular ChatGPT bot is based. This language model, developed by the OpenAI artificial intelligence lab, uses deep learning to generate text. In this investigation, researchers trained GPT with fMRI images of the brains of three people who were played 16 hours of audio from the New York Times podcast and the Moth Radio Hour program. In this way, they were able to match what they saw with the representation in their heads. The idea being that when the system heard other text again, it could anticipate what it was based on the patterns of what it had already learned.

This is the original GPT, not like the new one [ChatGPT is supported by the latest version of GPT, version 4]. We collected a ton of data and then built this model, which predicts brain responses to stories, Alexander Huth, a neuroscientist at the University of Texas, said in a webcast last week. With this method, the decoder proposes sequences of words and for each of those words that we think might come next, we can measure how well that new sequence sounds and, in the end, see if it matches the brain activity that we observe, explained Huth.

This decoder has been called semantic, and rightly so. Previous interfaces recorded brain activity in motor areas that control the mechanical basis of speech, that is, the movements of the mouth, larynx and tongue. What they can decode is how the person is trying to move their mouth to say something. Our system works on a very different level. Instead of looking at the low-level motor domain, it works at the level of ideas, of semantics, of meaning. That is why it does not record the exact words that someone heard or pronounced, but rather their meaning, said Huth. The resonances recorded the activity of various brain areas, but to achieve this feat, researchers focused more on those related to hearing and language.

Jerry Tang prepares one of the subjects for the experiments. Nolan Zunk/Universidad de Texas en Austin

Once the model was trained, the scientists tested it with half a dozen people who had to listen to different texts to the ones used to train the system. The machine decoded the fMRI images and closely approximated the stories that were told. To confirm that the device was operating on the semantic level and not the low-level motor domain, the scientists repeated the experiments, but this time asked the participants to imagine a story in their mind and then write it down. The researchers found there was a close correspondence between what was decoded by the machine and what was written by the participants. In a third round of experiments, the scientists went further and had subjects watch scenes from silent movies. Although in this case, the semantic decoder failed more with specific words, it still captured the meaning of the scenes.

Neuroscientist Christian Herff leads research into brain-computer interfaces at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands, and almost a decade ago he created an ICB that allowed brain waves to be converted into text, letter by letter. Herff, who did not participate in the study, says he was impressed by the incorporation of the GPT language predictor. This is really amazing, since the GPT inputs contain the semantics of speech, not the articulatory or acoustic properties, as was done in previous ICBs, he said. They show that the model trained on what is heard can decode the semantics of silent films and also in imagined speech. Herff added that he is absolutely convinced that semantic information will be used in brain-machine interfaces for speech in the future.

Arnau Espinosa, a neurotechnologist at the Wyss Center Foundation in Switzerland, published a paper last year on an ICB that allowed an ALS patient to communicate, following a completely different approach. With respect to the new research from the University of Texas, Espinosa said: Its results are not applicable today to a patient, you need magnetic resonance equipment that is worth millions and occupies a hospital room; but what they have achieved has not been achieved by anyone before. The interface in Espinosas study was different. We were going for a signal with less spatial resolution, but a lot of temporal resolution. We were able to know in each microsecond which neurons were activated and then we were able to go to phonemes and determine how to create a word, he added. For Espinosa, in the future, ICBs will need to combine several systems and take in different signals. Theoretically, it would be possible; much more complicated, but possible.

Rafael Yuste, a Spanish neurobiologist at Columbia University in New York, has been warning about the dangers posed by advances in his discipline for some time. This research and the Facebook study [on a mind-reading device] demonstrate the possibility of decoding speech using non-invasive neurotechnology. It is no longer science fiction, he said in an email. These methods will have huge scientific, clinical and commercial applications, but, at the same time, they highlight the possibility of deciphering mental processes, since inner speech is often used to think. This is one more argument for why mental privacy must be urgently protected as a fundamental human right.

Anticipating these fears, the researchers from the University of Texas wanted to see if they could use their system to read the minds of other subjects. Fortunately, they found that the model trained with one person was not able to decipher what another person heard or saw. To be sure, they ran one last series of tests. This time they asked the participants to count by sevens, think and name animals and make up a story in their head while listening to the podcasts. In this experiment, the GPT-based interface  despite all the technology that goes into an MRI machine and the data handled by the AI system  failed miserably. For the researchers, this shows that cooperation is needed to read a persons mind. But they also warn that their research was based on the patterns of half a dozen people. Perhaps with the data of tens or hundreds of people, they admit, there could be a real danger.

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The University of La Verne will celebrate the graduates of 2023 from the five colleges during the annual commencement ceremonies held Friday, May 26, and Saturday, May 27 on the central campus in the City of La Verne. This is the first commencement for the College of Health and Community Well-Being.

This year, the following distinguished keynote speakers will address graduates from one of the five colleges: United States Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal; California State Senator Susan Rubio; President of the American Council on Education Ted Mitchell; San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Lisa Rogan; and President-elect of the Society of Neurological Surgeons and University of La Verne Board of Trustees Member Kim Burchiel.

The events will take place at Ortmayer Stadium on the La Verne central campus and will also be broadcast live online. See below for more information on speakers and ceremonies:

Friday, May 26 Noon- 2 p.m. | College of Law

Speaker: Lisa Rogan was appointed to the San Bernardino Superior Court in 2013. She is currently the supervising judge of the Rancho Cucamonga District. Prior to her appointment, Rogan served as a deputy district attorney for the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office. She served in law enforcement for 15 years and graduated as Top Female Cadet for the Los Angeles County Sherriffs Department and was appointed first female sergeant for the City of Pomona Police Department. After serving, she enrolled in the University of La Verne College of Law and graduated in 2001 as Valedictorian.

Friday, May 26 6-8 p.m. | College of Arts and Sciences

Speaker: Ted Mitchell is the president of the American Council on Education (ACE), the chief organizing body for all U.S. higher education institutions. Since 2017, Mitchell and his team have worked closely with Congress, the executive branch, and the private sector to develop policies and innovative practices that serve the countrys postsecondary learners. Previously, he served as Under Secretary of Education in the Obama administration, responsible for all higher education policy and White House initiatives focused on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority serving institutions and federal student aid.

Saturday, May 27 9-11 a.m. | College of Health and Community Well-Being

Speaker: Kim Burchiel will be the inaugural commencement speaker for the College of Health and Community Well-Being ceremony. He is the John Raaf Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Oregon Health Sciences University. He is also the president-elect of the Society of Neurological Surgeons. Burchiel joined the Board of Trustees at the University of La Verne in 2012. His expertise is in neurosurgery with an emphasis in Parkinson's Disease, neuropathic pains, and movement disorders.

Saturday, May 27 1-3 p.m. | LaFetra College of Education

Speaker: James Kvaal was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Under Secretary of Education in 2021 and leads the departments work on higher education, student financial aid, and career and adult education. He works to build an inclusive higher education system that helps all students graduate and go on to a better life. His work has led to millions of borrowers receiving student loan forgiveness, more affordable repayment plans for future students, and stronger safeguards against future unaffordable loans.

Saturday, May 27 6-8:30 p.m. | College of Business and Public Management

Speaker: Susan Rubio was first elected to the California State Senate in 2018 and represents nearly 1 million residents in Senate District 22, covering both Los Angeles County and parts of San Bernardino County. She is the first Latina chair of the Senate Insurance Committee and is Senate Assistant Majority Whip. She is a member of various committees including those on energy, utilities, communications, health, transportation, governmental organization, and rules. Previously, she was a public school teacher for 17 years at Baldwin Park and Monrovia school districts and was an elected official for 13 years in the City of Baldwin Park.

Additional information about commencement is available at laverne.edu/commencement.
The parcel, previously owned by the American River Flood Control District, has been the site of a controversy-laden homeless encampment for more than three years. For the past several years, we have pressed local officials to take a more active role in addressing a variety of dangerous and illegal activities along Lathrop Way which have endangered our business tenants and the people living in the encampment.

CMS Lathrop Way, LLC, managed by DCCO, has completed the purchase of excess land along the levee on Lathrop Way. The parcel, which was recently declared as surplus property by the American River Flood Control District, runs adjacent to the Johnston Business Park and has been the subject of repeated pleas with city and state officials to intervene since late 2019. As the property owner and manager of a five-building asset within the business park, DCCO has been one of several parties involved in discussions with the City of Sacramento, Sacramento Police Department and other officials to collaborate on a long-term solution that would ease the safety concerns of its small business tenants, including some that offer vital health services and programs to the local community.

For the past several years, we have pressed local officials to take a more active role in addressing a variety of dangerous and illegal activities along Lathrop Way which have endangered our business tenants and the people living in the encampment, said property owner Phil Rolla. As we continue to await an authoritative response from the City of Sacramento, purchasing this land parcel has proven to be one of our teams most constructive steps toward establishing a greater sense of safety and security in the area.

TWEET THIS: "After years of dangerous activity along Lathrop Way, a local property manager has purchased excess land to enhance safety by cleaning up part of a controversy-laden homeless encampment."

Following a three-week notification process to prompt inhabitants of the encampment to vacate the land parcel, DCCO commenced with a planned cleanup project on March 3, 2023. Officers from the Sacramento Police Department were present to help enforce the relocation of people and possessions, and a team from Sacramento-based Forensiclean assisted with the disposal of potentially hazardous materials.

Years of Dangerous Activity Along Lathrop Way:

Since it first took shape in November 2019, the encampment has been the site of various illicit, illegal and dangerous activities that caused business owners and their clients to fear for their safety. Some examples include:



More than 150 cars, RVs and other vehicles, including at least one boat, have been parked along a congested roadway, many for months at a time

At least four trailers and one propane tank have caught fire and/or exploded since 2021

At least four dead bodies have been found in and around the encampment since 2020

Observed illegal drug use and solicitation from sex workers and other individuals living in the encampment

Potential structural damage to the American River levees in the area due to campfires and individuals camping directly on the levees themselves

Along with other business owners in the Johnston Business Park, the property management team at DCCO continues to seek assistance from City of Sacramento officials.

About Dan Caputo Co.

Founded in 1931, Dan Caputo Co. (DCC) is a family-owned, privately held real estate investment and management firm with offices in Silicon Valley and Sacramento that acquires, owns and operates opportunistic assets. DCCO currently manages approximately 2.7 million square feet of commercial property in various markets across the Western United States. For additional information, please visit DCCO.net.
It is an honor to be on staff at the MAC conference. We are passionate about improving patient care and advancing our field, with the goal of creating the very best educational opportunity for all participants, says Dr. Jacob Sedgh.

Hundreds of the medical industrys most forward-thinking and experienced professionals in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, dermatology and oculoplastic surgery will converge at this years 2nd annual Multispecialty Aesthetic Conference (MAC) in San Diego, California, in August. The theme of Where Art Meets Science promises to deliver an outstanding experience for all attendees. Prominent LA facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jacob Sedgh, will be joining fellow leaders in the world of aesthetic surgery to share new techniques, emerging trends and insight. The MAC, which is being organized by the Multispecialty Foundation, will feature four concurrent meeting tracks that will include a less invasive track, a surgical track, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and a practice management and marketing track, as well as a very vibrant exhibit hall with live demonstrations and seminars. A true leader in the world of aesthetic surgery, Dr. Sedgh has excellent credentials and a superior level of training. At the conference, he will be sharing his expertise in rhinoplasty by presenting on the topic of "Performing Open Rhinoplasty, Upper Lip Lift, Alar Base, And Sill Reduction With An All Via Novel Single Incision Design and sharing his approach to Tip Definition In Thick Skin Rhinoplasty on August 5th. Dr. Sedgh will also be a session moderator for other topics and discussions at the conference.

Link to event - https://www.maconference.org

Thursday, August 3, 2023

4:25 PM  6:00 PM

Room: SALON 3_4

SESSION MODERATOR

Moderator: Jacob Sedgh, MD

Moderator: John Vartanian, MD

Saturday, August 5, 2023

7:25 AM  9:45 AM

Room: SALON 3_4

SESSION MODERATOR

Moderator: Jacob Sedgh, MD

Moderator: Brian Wong, MD

Saturday, August 5, 2023

8:06 AM  8:18 AM

Room: SALON 3_4

Performing Open Rhinoplasty, Upper Lip Lift, Alar Base, And Sill Reduction With An All Via Novel Single Incision Design

Speaker: Jacob Sedgh, MD

Saturday, August 5, 2023

5:15 PM  5:30 PM

Room: SALON 3_4

My Approach To Tip Definition In Thick Skin Rhinoplasty

Speaker: Jacob Sedgh, MD

It is an honor to be on staff at the MAC conference. We are passionate about improving patient care and advancing our field, with the goal of creating the very best educational opportunity for all participants, says Dr. Jacob Sedgh.

More About Dr. Jacob Sedgh:

With the benefit of two decades of medical training and practical experience at top medical institutions in the United States, Dr. Jacob Sedgh combines mastery of medical knowledge and surgical skills with the attention and perfection of a sculptor, delivering highly-personalized patient care. Dr. Sedgh attended the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, receiving honors and recognition signifying his achievements as a top-tier graduate and completed a surgical internship at the University of California, San Francisco. He concluded his residency in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at the prestigious University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Sedgh then completed a fellowship at Penn State Hershey Medical Center focusing on facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Whether it is the finesse of rhinoplasty to achieve a refined nose or the extensive reconstructive work on cancer patients to optimally restore form and function, board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Sedgh creates beautiful, natural results at his clinic located at 9201 Sunset Blvd, Suite 404 in West Hollywood, CA. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 310-888-2884 or visit http://www.sedghplasticsurgery.com.
We are thrilled to welcome these newest clients onboard and to be able to provide them with our best in class online auction services and platform and to send back proceeds to the local communities our clients serve. - Aaron Thompson, CEO, PropertyRoom.com

PropertyRoom.com is excited to share that twenty-six (26) new Police Departments and Municipalities signed on to auction off their unclaimed stolen, seized, or surplus assets and goods on their online auction site during the first quarter of 2023.

Law enforcement agencies and municipalities are often required to auction items in their property and evidence rooms after the item has gone through the required legal process. These items can range from jewelry to smartphones to vehicles  and much more. PropertyRoom.com is an online auction site that assists these agencies in auctioning these items, making them available to bidders nationwide with most auctions starting at just $1.

The new clients are from states varying from California to Vermont:

California - Azusa Pacific University, Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office

Colorado - Lake County Sheriffs Office

District of Columbia - United States Capitol Police Department

Florida - Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office

Georgia - City of Marietta, City of Thomasville

Idaho - Kootenai County Transit

Illinois - Wheaton College Public Safety

Louisiana - City of Bossier City / Police Department

Massachusetts - Simmons University, Town of Hingham, Town of North Attleboro, Uxbridge Police Department

Maine - Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office, Farmington Police Department

Minnesota - City of Rogers

Ohio - City of Blue Ash, Clark County Commissioners

South Carolina - Jasper County Sheriffs Office

Texas - City of Carrolton / Information Technology, City of Murphy, City of Tye Police Department, Llano County Sheriffs Office, Rhome Police Department

Vermont - The Woodstock Police Department

PropertyRoom.com assists in auctioning a wide variety of items for their clients. Ranging from jewelry, watches, collectible coins, smartphones, handbags, vehicles, with more in between, the online auction site provides auction services for their clients, while providing an auction site for the public. The website also regularly auctions surplus municipal cars, trucks, and heavy equipment as well as seized vehicles, with all assets open to public bidding nationwide.

We are thrilled to welcome these newest clients onboard and to be able to provide them with our best in class online auction services and platform and to send back proceeds to the local communities our clients serve, says Aaron Thompson, CEO of PropertyRoom.com In addition, we look forward to continuing to provide items for auction to the public giving them access to a wide variety of inventory with most auction starting at just $1.

About PropertyRoom.com

PropertyRoom.com makes it remarkably easy for our 4400+ clients to manage and sell surplus assets. We streamline the entire auction process on a clients behalf and deliver to the winning bidder. There is always a unique deal to be found, with hundreds of new auction listings added daily. Top categories include jewelry, watches, collectible coins, and consumer electronics along with cars, trucks, heavy equipment, and firearms through a partner website, eGunner.com. Working with law enforcement agencies, municipal surplus departments, state/county fleet programs, airports and even museums, PropertyRoom.com has generated and distributed millions of dollars to local communities nationwide
"Many students are looking to earn high school credit for World Language courses, and VHS Learnings complete online Chinese course series is a great option for students looking for more flexibility," President & CEO of VHS Learning Carol DeFuria said.

Knowledge of Chinese has become increasingly important in many sectors, including international business, politics, technology, and diplomacy. Over a billion people worldwide are native Chinese speakers. VHS Learnings new Chinese Language and Culture introductory course, available both as a paced semester-long course and a Flexible self-paced course, will enable high school students to develop cultural awareness and vocabulary skills as a foundation for success in our increasingly global society.

Students who take Chinese Language and Culture will explore practices and perspectives of Chinese culture, including familiar topics such as celebrations, family and school life, and foods. They will also learn how to express feelings, likes, dislikes, and ideas through brief discussions. Activities will include interpreting text and audio from resources such as videos, podcasts, and articles.

Both the standard paced, and Flexible self-paced versions of the high school course consist of thematic units:



Unit 1: Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture

Unit 2: Ancient Chinese History

Unit 3: Everyday Life

Unit 4: Culture

Unit 5: Experiences and Connections

Registration for the semester-long standard course will open in May, and the courses will be offered in the 15-week fall and spring semesters of the 2023-24 academic year. Registration for the Flexible self-paced course will open July 1, and after that, students will be able to enroll on a rolling basis year-round. Flexible coursework will be available immediately after registering, and students will have up to 20 weeks to complete the self-paced course. These fully online courses can be used by high schools to supplement their local course offerings, and students may also enroll in the courses directly with VHS Learning if they choose.

Chinese Language and Culture is just the latest in a series of Chinese courses offered by VHS Learning. During the most recent semester, 46 students registered for the language course Chinese 1, with more advanced students enrolling in the Chinese 2 and Chinese 3 courses. VHS Learning also offers an Advanced Placement version of Chinese Language and Culture; the initial offering of the course ran in the fall 2022 semester.

Many students are looking to earn high school credit for World Language courses, and VHS Learnings complete online Chinese course series is a great option for students looking for more flexibility, said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. Our new Chinese Language and Culture course helps students discover how ancient Chinese traditions impact modern society and is a great introduction to possible future study of the Chinese language.

About VHS Learning

VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with almost three decades of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. More than 600 schools around the world take advantage of VHS Learnings 300+ online high school courses  including 29 AP courses, credit recovery, and enrichment courses  to expand their programs of study. VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Accrediting Commission for Schools, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow on Twitter at @VHSLearning.
Visit Temecula Valley awarded several hospitality employees with the Spotlight on Service Award at its recent Xenia Awards ceremony. Were grateful for the commitment of over 7,000 employees in the tourism sector who provide exceptional service every day and help us promote our beautiful destination, said Scott A. Wilson, President/CEO of Visit Temecula Valley.

Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) recently announced the winners of the 12th annual Xenia Hospitality Awards, honoring outstanding employees and local businesses that contribute to the growth of tourism in Temecula. One of the most highly anticipated hospitality industry events of the year, the Xenia Awards ceremony was held at Pechanga Resort Casino with over 300 guests in attendance including government officials, local businesses, and hospitality workers.

Were grateful for the commitment of over 7,000 employees in the tourism sector who provide exceptional service every day and help us promote our beautiful destination, said Scott A. Wilson, President/CEO of Visit Temecula Valley.

The awards program is inspired by the Greek word Xenia, which is defined as the concept of hospitality or generosity shown to those who are far from home. The Xenia Awards include Spotlight on Service, Xenia Hospitality Award, and the Welty Award.

Tourism is one of Temeculas leading industries, and its important to honor the outstanding employees and businesses that inspire our guests to want to return, said Michael Feeley, Chairman of the Board, Visit Temecula Valley. On behalf of the VTV Board, Id like to congratulate all of the winners.

The Spotlight on Service Award identifies and honors front-line hospitality employees who are spotted providing exceptional service to Temecula Valley visitors. Nominations are submitted by Visit Temecula Valley board members.

2022 Spotlight on Service Award Winners

Angela Vredenburg: Goat & Vine Restaurant

Arian Kemp: 1882 cantina at Pechanga Resort Casino

Aspen Snider: Crush & Brew

Brittany Russell: Be Good Restaurant & Experience

Cathy Hitz: Wilson Creek Winery

Hanna Mill: Staples 79 South

Jake Cruz: The Customer Service Experts (Promenade Express train)

Jeff Beck: Be Good Restaurant & Experience

Kalie Sauceda: Lazy Dog Cafe

Lester Sunga: Crush & Brew

Kandi Kramer: Public House

Ramon Ascencio: Journey's End Restaurant at Pechanga Resort Casino

Selena Flint: Small Barn Restaurant

Sharon Bonham: A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure

Zachary Laufer: Bolero at Europa

The Xenia Awards are divided into six categories: Social Media, Culinary, Ambassador, Brewery, Hospitality, and Cilurzo Winery of the Year.

2022 Xenia Award Winners

Social Media Award: Temecula Life Magazine

Champion Culinary Award: Matt Steffen of Cork | Fire Kitchen

Ambassador Award: John Kelliher

Golden Tap Brewery of the Year Award: Ironfire Brewing Company

Xenia Hospitality Award: Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival

Cilurzo Award for Winery of the Year: Bottaia Winery

2022 Welty Award Winners

The 2022 Welty Award for tourism professional of the year was initially presented last month to John and Kim Kelliher, owners of Grapeline Wine Tours, during the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerces annual Gala. It was highlighted once again during the Xenia Awards program.

More information on the Xenia Awards can be found at: https://www.visittemeculavalley.com/xenia-awards/

About Visit Temecula Valley

Visit Temecula Valley is the regions official destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism. The organization partners with local businesses including wineries, restaurants, breweries, retail and specialty boutiques, hotels, short-term rentals, and more. For more information, go to http://www.visittemeculavalley.com
The millions of microbes that live in our bodies usually coexist with us peacefully and in a sensible balance for the common good. This harmony is what we call health. However, the entente cordiale between the good and the bad is sometimes broken by external interference  such as taking antibiotics, the appearance of other pathogens or deregulation of the internal ecosystem known as microbiota  and health problems arise. One of the strategies used to restore this microbiota is to take probiotics, live microorganisms that confer a health benefit when administered in the correct amounts. Some of these products are used, according to scientists, to treat diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics, and a recent scientific review indicates that they could also be used to prevent colds. But the scientific evidence on their potential is still very limited and their alleged benefits are running faster on the street than science is advancing to prove them. Probiotics are not good for everything, experts warn.

They have always been with us. For example, breast milk contains probiotic bacteria with beneficial effects in promoting the maturation of the babys immune system. And in yogurts, explained Francisco Guarner, gastroenterologist and member of the International Human Microbiome Consortiums scientific committee, there are also recognized probiotic bacteria, such as Streptococcus thermophilus, which helps digest the lactose in milk. The bacteria in lactic acid, and bifidobacteria are, in fact, the most commonly used microorganisms.

This strategy, of using live microorganisms to improve health, has been refined and its potential for action has expanded to the point where the shelves of pharmacies and drugstores are filled with combinations of microbes. The vast majority are sold not as drugs, but as food supplements that are presumed to have health benefits. But all that glitters is not gold: Probiotics are useful, but not all of them are good for everything and some are good for nothing, said Guarner. According to health consultancy IQVIA, Spaniards spent around 75 million ($82.1 million) on probiotics in pharmacies in 2022.

For a microorganism to be considered a probiotic it has to meet various criteria: It has to have special characteristics, be held in an international culture collection, and there have to be randomized trials demonstrating its benefit to health. That is why kefir, kombucha and yogurts in general cannot be considered probiotics in the strict sense: Traditional ferments are considered beneficial, but they are not probiotics if you have not done a study of the benefits, said Guarner.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) maintains that much evidence to support the use of probiotics to treat digestive diseases is lacking, and identifies only three feasible scenarios: they may serve to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in low-birth-weight premature infants; they may help prevent C. difficile infection in adults and children taking antibiotics; and for the management of pouchitis, a complication of ulcerative colitis.

The AGA, however, does not recommend their use in children with gastroenteritis to treat diarrhea, a position not shared by the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO). Guarner, who has participated in the organisations latest clinical guidelines, argues that certain types shorten diarrhea in children by at least one day: The AGA guidelines give advice to their doctors, but there are half a million children in the world who die each year from acute diarrhea. If it reduces the severity and duration of diarrhea, it does make sense, he argued.

Probiotics in the doctors office

The WGO notes that there is evidence of efficacy of some probiotics in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in adults or children and, in line with the AGA, also in preventing C. difficile infection in people taking antibiotics and in preventing pouchitis. Probiotics have not been found to be useful for Crohns disease or for the prevention of systemic infections. The international scientific society also adds that in colorectal cancer, although an improvement in some tumor-associated biomarkers has been seen in animal models, in humans the data is limited.

With irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, the AGA rejects the use of probiotics (except in clinical trials) and even suggests patients with these ailments stop taking them as there are associated costs and not enough evidence to suggest lack of harm. The WGO points out, however, that in irritable bowel syndrome, certain strains can alleviate pain.

Manolo Romero, a gastroenterologist at the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville, Spain, does not usually recommend probiotics in his practice. I need things to be demonstrated and evidence-based. They are assumed to be safe, but what worries me is proving that they are good for something, he said. And he admits the difficulties in quantifying and monitoring the changes that these products can potentially produce.

I need things to be demonstrated and evidence-based Manolo Romero, Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville, Spain

There are many variables at play. The effect or influence on a gut microbiota is not the same as on a vaginal or respiratory microbiota, with very different compositions and ecosystems. And the impact on adults, with a mature microbiota, is also not the same as that which probiotics can cause in neonates, for example, with an undeveloped microbial ecosystem.

Several Cochrane reviews (an independent network of researchers that analyzes scientific evidence) conclude that there is low or insufficient evidence to support the benefits of probiotics for urinary tract infections, infant colic, gestational diabetes or eczema. Recent research suggests that consumption of probiotics taken with yogurt or dairy products or in food supplements, possibly helps prevent colds and other acute upper respiratory infections, although Romero calls the evidence weak. For childhood otitis, the Cochrane investigators did see a slight benefit in children who are not prone to this condition. In antibiotic-associated childhood diarrhea, the authors see a moderate protective effect of probiotics for prevention.

Guarner defends their use, stating that the problem with probiotics is that they are not all good for the same thing. It depends on the species, the strains and even the dosage. It also depends on the baseline situation of each individual. The physician pointed out that Cochrane reviews, although they are very careful, analyze studies with different preparations. You cant lump everything into the same category. Not all of them are good for everything and most of the products on the market do not meet the scientific criteria to be a probiotic, he said.

Lack of sound scientific basis

In the absence of robust scientific evidence on where, how, and why a probiotic works, the role of the placebo effect becomes relevant, as advocated by researcher Martin J. Blaser in his book Missing Microbes: The theory behind probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics is appealing, but the current ways they are used smacks of placebo effects [...] . When you go to a health-food store looking for probiotics, the very act of walking in suggests you are seeking something to make you feel better. By buying the product, you are ready to be helped, and the placebo effect kicks in. The scientist clarifies that he does not reject probiotics, but we wont know if these products are doing any more good than placebos until we conduct blinded clinical trials, he claims.

Refining the actual goodness of probiotics is no simple task. In addition to the great heterogeneity of the preparations, there is the difficulty in measuring some parameters within the microbiota and other variables that are difficult to determine at the outset (such as the course of a disease) which vary according to the patient. The fundamental problem is that gut bacteria are in continuous interaction, talking to each other. And we have no guarantee that that bacterium that we encapsulate and give to the patient is going to have the same effect everywhere in the world. The bacteria will also depend on their environment, the microbiome, and intestinal permeability [to allow nutrients to pass through]: if it is high, everything will pass through with no problem and our bacteria will be accompanied by other things that can change their effect, said Romero.

Rocio Puig, an endocrinologist at Hospital Sant Pau in Barcelona, also stresses the difficulty of finding the perfect combination of microbes or strains for a given pathology. In obesity, for example, we dont give probiotics. No combination of microorganisms has been found to work, he admitted.

Research is progressing slower than expected. Weve been researching probiotics for 30 years and the studies are below expectations. It was thought that the dose was not important, but it is. And it has not been possible to see what aspects of the microbiota influence [probiotics] to respond better. Ecology is more difficult than pharmacology. There are a lot of interactions that we dont control, admitted Guarner. And another limitation, he added, is that there are a lot of [marketed] products that are possibly useless, and that muddies the water.

The scientific community, however, is expectant. Both with probiotics and prebiotics  compounds that serve as food for the bacteria in the intestine and generate a health benefit  and synbiotics (a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics). But also with psychobiotics, which are probiotics whose mental health benefits have been conferred through interacting with the gut microbiota.

The fact that not all the potential benefits of probiotics have been demonstrated so far does not mean that they do not have them. Guarner points out that a new generation of probiotics, the so-called live biotherapeutics, with curative potential, is already under way. That is, microorganisms selected for a specific application, almost a la carte to treat a specific ailment. A study published in the journal Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology also points out that new microbes susceptible to becoming probiotics will increase, although in that field, they admit, the precision, accuracy and repeatability of microbial composition measurements, leading to genuine and not misleading interpretations, need to be improved.

For the time being, experts call for patients to exercise caution and to seek information from doctors and pharmacists before consuming any products. At the moment, many commercial probiotics or psychobiotics are more of a marketing strategy than a real therapeutic agent: an Actimel [drink] is not going to activate your defenses or make you happier, summarizes microbiologist Ignacio Lopez-Goni in his book Microbiota: los microbios de tu organismo [Microbiota: your bodys microbes] (Almuzara, 2018). Romero assumes, however, that these products will be fine tuned and will find their place: They wont be useful for everything, but they are gaining ground. After all, there are more bacteria in the gut than there are cells in our body.




Klaus Esser, 48, is a teacher and member of the management team at El Til.ler School in Bellaterrra (Barcelona). It is one of the more than 2,000 schools worldwide that follow the Waldorf method, an educational system that grants a lot of freedom to students so they will learn to live and think for themselves, as the school motto maintains. The Waldorf method has been contested and even been considered suspect, but the reality is that it is taught without trouble; some parents are happy and others dissatisfied, just like those whose children go to conventional schools, and students go on to higher education just like their peers in other schools.

Esser, a native of Hamburg in Germany who studied at a Waldorf school (his mother was a teacher at one), became a music teacher, learned theater (which is part of the Waldorf curriculum), traveled to South America and worked on educational projects with troubled kids. He arrived in Barcelona in 2000, and in 2005 he joined the Bellaterra center project. He seems like a kind, sensible man who doesnt get upset by awkward questions and speaks passionately about his profession.

Question: What is the Waldorf method?

Answer. A methodology that aspires for each child to discover and cultivate their own talent. And at the same time learn to work as part of a team, to be an individual within a group. Its about giving value to art, which is a great ally to create criteria, but also to science.

Q. Waldorf sounds like a hotel and a movie theater.

A. It is derived from the Waldorf Astoria company, a Stuttgart cigarette factory whose owner, Emil Molt, wanted to create a school for the children of his employees. For this he enlisted the philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Today there are Waldorf schools in 60 countries.

Q. Steiner was also the founder of anthroposophy, a school of thought that has been dismissed as pseudoscientific and associated with esoteric beliefs. Its a bit scary.

A. What interests us today about Steiner is his idea of free education, albeit free with a structure, obviously; this is an idea that was revolutionary in its time. That and his idea that the teachers most important task is to develop students enthusiasm for learning. There is nothing weird or sinister about our school. Waldorf schools are independent, there is no central body, no orthodoxy. Ours is a mixed cooperative of teachers and parents. At present, the Waldorf method has the specific aim of promoting creativity across all subjects.

Q. It seems that the schools did not do well under the Nazis.

A. Schools were banned, and some teachers ended up in concentration camps. They seemed dangerous to them because they gave students too much autonomy and encouraged them to think for themselves. The opposite of what the Hitler regime wanted. In Germany, these schools only began to revive after the war. The fact that the Nazis didnt like them is good propaganda.

Q. Do Waldorf students have integration problems after finishing school?

A. No. It is true that in the last cycle before university examinations we accelerate the pace, but our students pass the exams in the same proportion as the others. What they do tell us at the universities is that ours are very motivated students who show great criteria.

Q. Waldorf schools have been accused of being elitist.

A. Unfortunately, there has been a trend in that direction, especially considering its origins as a school for children of factory workers; in Spain we are 100% private, while in other countries the schools are publicly subsidized. But we try to make sure that nobody who wants to study with us is left out, there are formulas. In fact, when we started out we were the least elitist private school in Catalonia, tuition used to cost much less than the others.

Q. What do you think about todays renewed appreciation for learning by heart? It sounds like going back to the old ways.

A. The difficulty lies in achieving a balance, in not going to extremes. Freedom in learning does not mean that anything goes.

Q. What do you think of the use of technology in schools?

A. Cellphones cannot be used in our school. And everything has to be age-appropriate. Early contact with screens can detract more than they can contribute to childrens abilities. Technology is fantastic and we use it, it is a powerful working tool for teenagers, but it must be introduced gradually so that concentration and performance do not diminish, and creativity and fantasy do not suffer.

Q. The emphasis on nature is reminiscent of Henry David Thoreau.

A. There is no direct relationship, but like him, we make the most of contact with the natural environment. Nature is full of wisdom.

Q. Do we have to talk to children about everything, in matters of sex, for example?

A. They should not be forced to reflect on things about which they have no criteria. We should be there to provide guidance when doubts arise from them.

Q. On a personal level, what do you like about your job?

A. Its amazing! To watch abilities and talent grow before your eyes, and how teenagers have the courage to do what they set out to do. It is unique.
On the Freedom to Learn movements National Day of Action, May 3, Candlewick Press will discount the ebook editions of Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrator Yas Imamuras picture book Love in the Library and married pair Frederick Joseph and Porsche Josephs YA collection, Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World.

Love in the Library tells the story of Tokuda-Halls Japanese American grandparents, who met in Idahos Minidoka incarceration camp during World War II. Better Than We Found It offers perspectives on social justice action from more than 20 activists, celebrities, and political thinkers. Readers can download the ebooks for 99 cents apiece on May 3 only.

Both books provide anti-racist and equity-oriented information to young readers, reinforcing the goals of the Freedom to Learn National Day of Action. Freedom to Learn was launched by the African American Policy Forum, whose co-founder and executive director is Columbia Law School professor Kimberle Crenshaw, who coined the terms intersectionality and critical race theory. AAPF and Freedom to Learn aim to gather a coalition to resist book bans and other threats to inclusive education.

In an open letter, Freedom to Learn opposed the attacks being waged on educational curricula in the United States and elsewhere against intersectionality, critical race theory, Black feminism, queer theory, and other frameworks that address structural inequality. In particular, they called out the College Boards watering down of its Advanced Placement African American Studies curriculum.

As AAPF and Freedom to Learn organized for May 3, Tokuda-Hall faced her own curriculum-related challenge related to Love in the Library. In mid-April, she wrote on her blog that Scholastic had invited her to publish Love in the Library as part of a Rising Voices Libraries school materials collection, Amplifying AANHPI, on the condition that she remove a paragraph about racism from her authors note. Tokuda-Hall refused, her blog post went viral, and hundreds of authors signed an online anti-censorship petition to support her. Scholastic soon apologized, and CEO Peter Warwick expressed a sincere hope that we can start this conversation over and still be able to share this important story with the authors note unchanged. (Tokuda-Hall still has not decided whether to accept Scholastics offer.)

After the controversy arose, AAPF reached out to Tokuda-Hall. I was really honored, Tokuda-Hall said. AAPF doesnt mince words about what theyre fighting for and against, something I find both absolutely necessary and deeply refreshing. Theres no call from them to cede ground to those whod demand we rewrite or erase history, no neutrality about the rise of fascism. The organizations firm stance, she said, encompasses why I stood up publicly to Scholastic. Their visiona multiracial democracyis my dearest hope.

Tokuda-Hall informed Candlewick about the impending Day of Action, suggesting it could be a great opportunity to popularize their invaluable work. Candlewick president and publisher Karen Lotz was listening. We have been in close conversation with Maggie for the past several weeks about how best to amplify her message and her powerful indictment of the historic and present reach of racism, especially during Mays AAPI Heritage Month, Lotz said. It made perfect sense to plan the promotion for May 3, and to add Better Than We Found It, another title that encourages us to interrogate the failures of the past and present and to pursue a more equitable future.

Candlewick already works with organizations including the National Coalition Against Censorship, Unite Against Book Bans, and PEN America. In addition to these channels, were always looking for new and creative ways to ensure that readers can access challenged books, Lotz said.

The flurry around Tokuda-Halls afterword also sent Love in the Library back to press. Weve been thrilled to see increased demand for this book, and have expedited a reprint, Lotz said. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our production department, we were able to rush domestic printing and anticipate well have more stock available in just a few weeks. In the meantime, the book is still available from some retailers, and we hope many people will use this opportunity to read the ebook and to preorder the reprint. Although learning isnt entirely free in this case, its a bit more affordable, and the promotion uplifts the Freedom to Learn project.
Just as a room full of distinguished publishing and media executives was settling into cocktail hour at the Literacy Partners' Evening of Readings Gala at Cipriani South Street in New York on May 1, the Movement of Rank and File Educators showed up to deliver a message to New York Mayor Eric Adams amid recent cuts to public resources. Adams was in attendance to be honored with a Champion of Literacy Award from Literacy Partners.

"Mayor Adams, you can't hide, we can see your greedy side," the union group chanted as they circled outside and cars began blowing their horns in support. The message could be heard from the venue's balcony, and many gala guests came out to try and make sense of the commotion.

Despite New York City's $2.2 billion surplus, Adams shocked many public resource advocacy groups when he announced plans to make cuts to public education, libraries, parks, and others resources that affect New Yorks residents, including librarians, students, and teachers. Last week, Adams announced that he would reverse some of the planned cuts to New York City's libraries, but a $36 million deficit still remains, and it will result in reduced services, Gothamist reported.

"These budget cuts have got to go," the education union group chanted while blasting Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have My Money" on a portable stereo speaker.

The protests outside were not mentioned during the gala's programming, but guests took notice. Also being honored during the evening were Macmillan Publishers US CEO Jon Yaged and TelevisaUnivision CEO Wade Davis. NBC News investigative correspondent Cynthia McFadden was MC for the evening, which also featured author Ayana Mathis reading from her forthcoming novel, actor Minka Kelly reading from her new memoir, and actor Holland Taylor speaking about literacy. The evening also included personal readings from adults who were helped by Literacy Partners' programs.

In accepting his award, Adams recounted his own struggles with literacy and moments where he felt "rejected by society" and school growing up. "Because I just didn't believe in school anymore, I decided, why not just go to the streets?" he said, explaining that it is a choice many children grapple with today as they face a future of uncertainty.

"At the moment in January 2022 when I got elected Mayor, people who were in these places of uncertainty, they saw someone go from being dyslexic, arrested, rejected, now I am elected to be the mayor of the city of New York. It's a powerful thing," he said. "We are looking at, how do we take our people and tell them you don't have to shrink in a chair when it's time for you to read. We are going to give you the tools so that your end of story is not Rikers Island."

He added: "We need to mobilize and energize ourselves to save our babies. You're doing it with literacy."
With Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzman serving a life sentence, his sons steered the family business into fentanyl, establishing a network of labs churning out massive quantities of the cheap, deadly drug that they smuggled into the U.S., prosecutors revealed in a recent indictment.

Although Guzmans trial revolved around cocaine shipments, the case against his sons exposes the inner workings of a cartel undergoing a generational shift as it worked to manufacture the most potent fentanyl and to sell it in the United States at the lowest price, according to the indictment unsealed April 14 in Manhattan.

Synthetic opioids  mostly fentanyl  now kill more Americans every year than died in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined, feeding an argument among some politicians that the cartels should be branded terrorist organizations and prompting once-unthinkable calls for U.S. military intervention across the border.

The problem with fentanyl, as some people at the State Department told me, has to be repositioned. Its not a drug problem; its a poisoning problem, said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico, who died Friday. Very few people go out deliberately looking for fentanyl.

Hope predicted fentanyl would probably become an issue in next years U.S. elections, but he opposed any threat of U.S. intervention, saying I dont think that would be a very good way of addressing a public health issue.

The groundwork for the U.S. fentanyl epidemic was laid more than 20 years ago, with aggressive over-prescribing of the synthetic opioid oxycodone. As U.S. authorities clamped down on its prescription, users moved to heroin, which the Sinaloa cartel happily supplied.

But making its own fentanyl  far more potent and versatile than heroin  in small, easily concealed labs was a game changer. The cartel went from its first makeshift fentanyl lab to a network of labs concentrated in the northern state of Sinaloa in less than a decade.

These are not super labs, because they give people the illusion that theyre like pharmaceutical labs, you know, very sophisticated, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. These are nothing more than metal tubs and they use wooden paddles  even shovels  to mix the chemicals.

A single cartel cook can press fentanyl into 100,000 counterfeit pills every day to fool Americans into thinking theyre taking Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. The pills are smuggled over the border to supply what son Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar said are streets of junkies, the indictment said.

Fentanyl is so cheap to make that the cartel reaps massive profits even wholesaling the drug at 50 cents per pill, prosecutors said.

The drugs potency makes it particularly dangerous. The narcotic dose of fentanyl is so close to the lethal dose that a pill meant to ensure a high for a habituated user can easily kill a less experienced person taking something they didnt know was fentanyl.

Between August 2021 and August of last year, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, most from synthetic opioids. Last year, the DEA seized more than 57 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills, according to the New York indictment.

To protect and expand that business, the Chapitos, as the sons are known, have turned to grotesque violence, prosecutors said.

Enforcers Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are the lead defendants among 23 associates charged in the New York indictment. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, alias the Mouse, who allegedly pushed the cartel into fentanyl, is charged in another indictment in the same district. Mexico arrested him in January and the U.S. government has requested extradition. Joaquin Guzman Lopez is charged in the Northern District of Illinois

According to the Guzman Salazar indictment, the cartel does some lab testing on its product but conducts more grisly human testing on kidnapped rivals or addicts who are injected until they overdose.

The purity of the cartels fentanyl varies greatly depending on the method and skill of the particular manufacturer, prosecutors noted. After a user overdosed on one batch, it was still shipped to the U.S.

When the elder Guzman and Ismael El Mayo Zambada led the Sinaloa cartel, it operated with a certain degree of restraint. But with Guzman serving a life sentence and Zambada believed to be suffering from health issues, the Chapitos moved aggressively to avoid a power vacuum that could fragment the cartel.

What was really a unique advantage of the Sinaloa cartel and El Chapo was the ability to calibrate violence, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at the Brookings Institute.

The wide-ranging New York indictment against the Guzman Salazar brothers details their penchant for feeding enemies to their pet tigers and describes how they tortured two Mexican federal agents, ripping through ones muscles with a corkscrew then stuffing the holes with chile peppers before shooting him.

The indictment also provides context to some recent violence in Mexico.

In August 2022, gunmen shot up Ciudad Juarez across from El Paso, Texas. Two prison inmates and nine civilians in the city were killed. U.S. prosecutors say the Chapitos security arm ordered their local gang associates to commit the violence, targeting a rival cartels businesses.

This is not their fathers Sinaloa cartel, Felbab-Brown said. These guys just operate in very different mindsets than their father.

The Guzman Salazar indictment makes an initial attempt at disrupting the cartels supply chain, naming four people tied to a China-based chemical company and a broker in Guatemala who allegedly helped the cartel get the chemicals and even instructed them on the best recipes for fentanyl.

When they talk about labs and youre trying to focus in on labs, thats not going to have an impact unless you get the finished product or the precursor chemicals, Vigil said.

Mexicos government has stumbled through the mixed messaging of its security forces playing up their decommissioning of labs even while President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has asserted that fentanyl is not being produced in Mexico.

In congressional testimony Thursday, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram was pressed about whether Mexico and China are doing enough to cooperate with U.S.

We want the Mexicans to work with us and we want them to do more, Milgram said, adding that the DEA wouldnt hesitate to go after public officials in Mexico or elsewhere should it find evidence of ties to the cartels.

Experts say Lopez Obrador is one obstacle to slowing the cartels fentanyl production. After U.S. prosecutors announced the concerted effort against the Sinaloa cartel, Lopez Obrador reacted angrily. The president accused the U.S. government of spying and interference, suggesting that the case had been built on information gathered by U.S. agents in Mexico.

The president had already severely reduced Mexicos cooperation with the DEA, experts said.

Hope, the security analyst, said a fundamental problem is that Lopez Obrador doesnt appear to understand fentanyls threat. The president rails against a deterioration of family values in the United States and paints addiction as a moral failing.

Hes trapped in a moral universe from 50 years ago, Hope said.

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The Pardee RAND Graduate School (PardeeRAND.edu) is home to the only Ph.D. and M.Phil. programs offered at an independent public policy research organizationthe RAND Corporation.
Deployed as-a-service, Synamedia Clarissa currently analyses data from over 1 million devices running GigaTV, including RDK and Android TV set-top boxes (STBs). It also provides insights to support Vodafone Deutschlands use of the Synamedia Iris Tool for addressable advertising.Vodafone and its partner AdScanner are using event data from Clarissa to measure advertising viewership, while taking into account how viewers interactions with the GigaTV service affects the efficacy of an advert. Providing a holistic view across all video and TV data while complying with all GDPR and local advertising standards, Clarissas gives Vodafone Deutschland granularity about which viewers are watching a video stream at any given second. This new level of insight further is said to allow Vodafone and its partners to identify new audience segments of interest to advertisers and agencies.Vodafone Deutschland is also using Clarissa to inform data-driven decisions such as the development of STB features and how to update services to increase consumption. In one example, by ingesting data across all devices and sources including third-party data, Clarissa took under 24 hours to uncover how many concurrent recording streams Giga TV viewers were accessing, helping to inform decisions about which new capabilities to include in its next generation of STBs.What felt like mission impossible became mission possible thanks to Clarissa. Clarissa gives us a ton of information on the usage of the service from our customers, so we could actually make really data-driven decisions, remarked Wolfgang Zeller, head of TV architecture and development at Vodafone Group (pictured) . And, as a managed service which supports our other business insight systems, Clarissas integration with our existing infrastructure and third party solutions was seamless and painless, with minimal disruption.Following a multi-year contract announced in April 2020, Vodafone Deutschland also uses additional elements from Synamedias portfolio to manage its cloud based GigaTV platform, including set-top box software and security products.
Peru is in peril. A misguided court ruling may well lead to a resurgence of terrorism in the region.

Late last week, three magistrates voted unanimously to absolve an accused Hezbollah operative in Peru of terrorism charges. The 35-year-old Lebanese national, Muhamad Ghaleb Hamdar, suspected of being a member of Hezbollahs secretive External Security Organization, is now free.

With this ruling, Peru bungled its chance to become the first country in Latin America to successfully convict a Hezbollah operative for terrorism.

Hezbollah is infamous not only for carrying out terrorist attacks, such as the 1994 AMIA attack in Argentina, but for getting away with them. Rarely is a Hezbollah operative arrested in the planning and preparation of a potential terrorist action.

In Peru, they caught Hamdar at a time when several Hezbollah operatives were active in South America. For instance, in 2016 Bolivian police thwarted a terrorist act next door in La Paz, when they raided a Hezbollah-affiliated warehouse containing enough explosive materials to produce a two-and-a-half ton bomb.

There is no doubt that Hamdar is part of that same Hezbollah network. We know because he confessed as much in his initial deposition.

In October 2014, the Peruvian counterterrorism police (DIRCOTE) Hamdar was arrested Hamdar in Lima for allegedly casing targets, manipulating explosive chemical substances, and entering the country with a fraudulent identity and false documents.

Days later, he made an important confession. He admitted to being a member of Hezbollah and said the terrorist organization had given him the false documents to build his cover legend in Africa and Latin America. He also admitted that Hezbollah deployed operatives like him around the world to conduct intelligence missions.

So why was this not enough to convict Hamdar of terrorism-related charges? Its because Perus legal system is lacking the knowledge necessary to prosecute this type of case.

In the first trial in 2016-2017, the Peruvian magistrates who initially absolved Hamdar of the terrorism charges had no idea what Hezbollah was. The court was inundated with Hezbollah propaganda in a misinformation campaign that left the magistrates confused about the fact that Hezbollah is officially recognized as a terrorist organization by more than 60 countries worldwide, including five countries in Latin America.

Thanks to the persistence of the Peruvian prosecution team, the countrys Supreme Court ordered the case to be retried. The retrial began in 2019, while Hamdar served a six-year sentence for identity fraud.

The retrial concluded on April 11, with another not-guilty verdict by a Peruvian superior court. This time, the court recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist group, but wasnt sure that Hamdar works on their behalf. His earlier deposition was disqualified, based on the defenses claim that he was psychologically tortured into a confession.

The tortured argument was first introduced as part of Hamdars defense in the 2017 trial. The initial claim was physical torture, but this was quickly rejected because medical examinations found no signs of physical torture. The defense then shifted to psychological torture.

The claim, however, does not add up to the facts of the case.

Careful examination of Hamdars deposition shows him joking with the translator and being jovial with the police officers. It shows no signs or effects of psychological torture. Rather, it shows a trained Hezbollah operative trying to trick the Peruvian police by admitting to only a fraction of what he was truly doing in the Andean nation.

And it worked. Hamdar served six years in a Peruvian prison for identity fraud but was absolved of all terrorism charges, twice. It seems he admitted just enough to get the Peruvian authorities attention, but not enough to secure a terrorism convictionunless the prosecution is able to use all the evidence at its disposal to win its final appeal.

Thus far, Hamdar has played the Peruvian legal system quite effectively. The not-guilty verdict has sent a signal to all international terrorist groups that, even if they get caught in Peru, they wont be convicted.

Peru was once a bastion against terrorism. It prevailed against Shining Path and other major terrorist groups operating in the countryside, Peru, today, is at risk of being overrun by terroristsboth home-grown and foreign. The acquittal of an accused Hezbollah terrorist weakens Perus counterterrorism legacy and jeopardizes the legitimacy of its judiciary.

Joseph M. Humire is the executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society (SFS) and a visiting fellow of The Heritage Foundations Allison Center for Foreign Policy. Humire served as an expert witness on behalf of the Peruvian Antiterrorism Public Prosecutors Office during the Hamdar trial. The views expressed are the author's own.
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Netflix announced Monday that it has renewed The Diplomat for Season 2. The show premiered April 20.

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Keri Russell plays Kate Wyler, an American suddenly reassigned from a Kabul position to be the U.S. Ambassador in England. The President ( Michael McKean ) is also considering Kate to replace the vice president when a looming scandal breaks.

"I am thrilled to be headed back for another round of this smart screwball show," Russell, also an executive producer, said in a statement. "Dare I say it's fun? Thank you Netflix for giving us another shot."

Debora Cahn created The Diplomat, which brings Russell back to political drama, and back to present day, after her role on The Americans. On The Americans, Russell played a Russian spy living in America in the '80s.

Russell noted the parallels to The Americans in an interview with UPI for her recent movie, Cocaine Bear.

"She's a fish-out-of-water there and has this bombastic husband, who is sometimes a liability," Russell told UPI in February. "It's, again, marriage-based in the diplomatic world."

The cast of The Diplomat also includes Rufus Sewell as Kate's husband Hal, Ato Essandoh as the deputy chief of mission evaluating Kate's performance for the White House, Nana Mensah as the White House chief of staff and Rory Kinnear as the prime minister.

David Gyasi, who plays British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison, told UPI that his character was not originally written as Black.

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"What was interesting to me was to be a person of color in a Tory government as foreign secretary," Gyasi told UPI.

Netflix has yet to announce a start of production or release date. So far, The Diplomat has accrued 57.4 million hours of streaming and debuted as the No. 1 English language series on the service.
By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2023 - 09:34 | World, All

U.S. President Joe Biden agreed Monday with his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to establish "trilateral modes of cooperation" with Japan, against the backdrop of China's aggressive military actions around Taiwan and other parts of the Indo-Pacific.

As the United States steps up efforts to deter China from expanding its influence in the region, the presidents agreed on new bilateral defense guidelines aimed at improving the interoperability of their forces in the domains of land, sea, airspace and cyberspace, following a meeting in Washington, according to the White House.

Biden told Marcos that the United States "remains ironclad" in its commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, where China has made sweeping territorial claims, and will continue to support the modernization of the Southeast Asian country's military.

The White House announced plans to transfer three C-130 transport planes and additional patrol vessels to the Philippines to help it upgrade its maritime and tactical airlift capabilities.

During the portion of the meeting that was open to the press, Marcos said the Philippines is possibly facing "the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now" due to new challenges.

Marcos said that "it is only natural" for Manila to seek to strengthen the relationship with Washington, its sole security treaty partner, citing continuing tensions in the South China Sea.

According to Philippine officials earlier this year, the idea of security talks involving the U.S., Japanese and Philippine national security advisers has been put on the table.

Among other points, a joint statement released after the summit in the Oval Office said the two leaders "affirm the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity."

It also said Biden and Marcos agreed that their countries will also seek three-way cooperation with Australia.

But the statement made no mention of China and many agreements lacked specifics, with the Philippine government apparently trying to prevent security issues from completely stealing the spotlight in the summit.

There was also no joint press conference, even though Marcos is the first Philippine president in over a decade to come to Washington.

Before holding talks with Biden, he made it clear that the Philippines does not want to be dragged into the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.

"We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action," Marcos told the press on Sunday aboard a plane en route to Washington.

The Philippines is situated near Taiwan and strategically important sea lanes. The Biden administration views the alliance with Manila as indispensable to boosting deterrence efforts against China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought under its control, by force if necessary.

But Marcos' office on Monday instead highlighted progress on economic cooperation, welcoming Biden's plan to dispatch a trade and investment mission to the Philippines.

The Biden administration, which regards the United States as in strategic competition with China, has been working more closely with its allies, including Japan and South Korea, in recent months.

Marcos' administration is continuing its pursuit of a different approach from former leader Rodrigo Duterte, who repeatedly threatened to sever Manila's longtime security alliance with Washington and sought closer ties with Beijing and Moscow.

The latest meeting between Biden and Marcos, who previously met in New York in September, was held after the two allies on Friday wrapped up their largest-ever annual military exercises in the Philippines and its nearby waters.

Last month, the United States and the Philippines held the first meeting of their defense and foreign secretaries since 2016. In February, Marcos granted the U.S. access to four more military bases, increasing the number that American soldiers can use to nine.

Related coverage:

Philippines won't be "staging post" for military action: Marcos

U.S., Japan, South Korea to hold 3-way summit in Hiroshima
In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, Capt. Brian Drechsler, commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWCEN), speaks during a change of command ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, on July 23, 2021. U.S. officials say Dreschler, who was reprimanded in connection with the death in 2022 of a Navy SEAL candidate, has been pulled out of his job about two months early.
Rather than a blind reproduction of the government template, a more productive way of enforcing affirmative action in the private sector could be to emulate an American model, suggests Kanika Datta.

With India in permanent election mode this year, expect an exponential growth in the demands for higher quotas in government jobs and educational institutions as more communities suddenly discover their backwardness.

Some years ago, it was Patels, Marathas and Jats.

This time, with Karnataka polls looming, Vokkaligas and Lingayats, the two dominant castes in the state, were gifted higher percentages by the state cabinet.

Down in West Bengal recently, Kurmis blocked railway lines to add muscle to their petition for Scheduled Tribe status.

When growth in the job market is all but non-existent and many communities find themselves increasingly excluded or once prosperous communities struggle to adjust to structural shifts in India's economy, these demands are understandable.

That political parties acquiesce to such importuning so readily is, however, risible.

Since the government has been shrinking, the pool of jobs open to any Indian, let alone a citizen hailing from one of the many special categories, is narrowing too.

That also goes for seats in educational institutions, where the government has steadily abdicated its responsibilities to the private sector.

So, really, it's easy to promise what you can't provide.

One unanticipated but almost inevitable corollary to this reality is that, sooner or later, the private sector is likely to get caught in the undertow of the reservations wave.

The trend is visible in several states that require private companies to reserve jobs based not on caste but domiciliary status -- Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh.

Some of these intentions are still in the realm of announcements and others have been challenged in various courts, but it is possible to see a future where the private sector will have to confront the issue, regardless of which party or politician is in power.

Inasmuch as he can be considered as speaking for the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi recently dusted down from the shelves a 2014 election manifesto that promised to pass legislation for job reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in private companies based on a certain investment criterion and in private schools and educational institutions.

This got some additional heft in 2016 when the National Commission for Backward Classes recommended that 27 per cent of OBC reservation must also be extended to the private sector.

Since then, several prominent non-ruling party politicians have recognised the reality that government jobs are drying up and pointed to the need to allow OBSs to participate in private sector prosperity.

In fact, when it comes to the notion of co-opting the private sector to achieve the government's developmental goals, the Congress has a jumpstart on other parties.

In 2013, it introduced the Corporate Social Responsibility mandate stipulating that companies with a specified turnover, net worth or net profit must spend 2 per cent worth of their average net profit of the preceding three years in areas that the government designated.

These issues cover the same ones that conventionally fall within the government's purviews: Poverty, hunger, malnutrition, drinking water, education, protecting the environment and national heritage and so on.

Under the Manmohan Singh government this mandate was somewhat lightly monitored under a spend-or-explain approach.

Despite the pro-business image that the Narendra Modi government has cultivated, it did not scrap this mandate.

Instead, it doubled down, imposing a fairly steep penalty on companies and their officers that did not comply with the CSR mandate, this being a dilution from the original plan to treat CSR violations as criminal offences.

No matter that India's human development indicators haven't moved appreciably despite all this assiduous attention to CSR.

The CSR mandate, though irksome, does no real harm. Caste- and class-based reservation will be a far more tricky issue for India Inc to negotiate.

Honchos who are paid-up members of the old-boys' club and family businesses that make up India Inc see no contradiction in arguing for the sanctity of merit-based systems in business.

Much of their objections centre on the fact that those seeking job reservation tend to be under-educated.

That provides a good argument for introducing reservations at elementary school level, but until the government amends its own policy of universal education, it would be unfair to exact private schools to move in this direction.

Though the private sector is loath to think about the prospect of job quotas, it may be a matter of time before the government turns its attention to this policy in some form or other.

Certainly, the electoral compulsions for doing so are high, though the prospect of alienating big business donors is a risk.

Rather than a blind reproduction of the government template, a more productive way of enforcing affirmative action in the private sector could be to emulate an American model.

Under this, private companies awarded government contracts were required to have proven affirmative action policies in place.

Given the huge number of infrastructure contracts at the Government of India's command right now such a policy could bridge the gap between the demands for affirmative action and the imperative for commercial profit.

Together with progressive civil rights legislation in the US, this policy has seen the emergence of an African-American middle class whereas India can scarcely make the same boast despite almost seven decades of affirmative action.
One reason why volumes have not increased in the retail segment is that users are not aware of merchants who accept digital currency.

The Reserve Bank of India, which is conducting a pilot to test the central bank digital currency (CBDC) in retail and wholesale segment, might extend the testing period by another year as volumes are yet to pick up, sources in the participating banks said.

Volumes need to rise to a level that can comfort the regulator for a full-fledged launch, the sources said.

The pilot for the CBDC-wholesale was started on November 1, 2022 while the pilot for the retail segment was launched on December 1, 2022.

Nine banks were identified for the wholesale pilot, while eight started the retail pilot, and another four joined later.

The RBI had issued Rs 1.71 crore (Rs 17.1 million) to four participating banks based on their indents at the start of the CBDC-retail pilot.

One of the reasons why volumes have not increased in the retail segment is that users are not aware of the merchants who are accepting the digital currency.

There are about 10,000-12,000 merchants in the retail pilot and around 100,000 customers.

According to sources, online transactions could not be tested because the aggregator -- for example a restaurant aggregator -- needs to pay a portion of the payment to the restaurant in digital currency.

"There is an issue around liquidating the currency here as the restaurant may not accept the digital currency since they cannot use it," said a source.

One of the biggest challenges is that most customers feel they are comfortable with the united payment interface (UPI) and do not want to experiment with another digital payment interface.

Another issue is the QR code.

"For CBDC, there needs to be a separate QR code. Many merchants are not willing to add another QR code, they already have one or two. If the same QR code for both UPI and CBDC is permitted then the efficacy of the UPI may be hampered," the source said.

The RBI is exploring the possibility of having different rails for CBDC and UPI within the same QR code.

"They need to see if technology allows that," the source said.

The retail CBDC is in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender.

It is being issued in the same denominations as the paper currency and coins and distributed through financial intermediaries, that is, the banks.

Transactions can be both person to person (P2P) and person to merchant (P2M).

During the retail pilot phase, access to the digital currency app is given to select retail customers of selected banks -- who will be a part of the closed user group.

The digital rupee wallet will be like a physical wallet, but in digital form that will be available for download on smartphones with an Android OS.

There liquidity challenges are there on the wholesale side also.

For example, banks have to go for immediate settlement for any CBDC transaction.

This means, if bank A buys government securities from bank B, then A has to pay B immediately in CBDC.

Typically, financial transactions are settled on a net basis as banks often buy securities when they know some funds will come at the later part of the day, and settlement happens at the end of the trading hour.

For gross settlement the liquidity requirement is much higher.

Going ahead, the priorities will be checking the robustness of the technology, sources said.

"There is a need to increase the number of customers and merchants to ensure that sufficient evidence is generated before the full launch. Various other use cases of the digital currency also need to be tested," said another source.
The Income-Tax (I-T) department has issued around 8,000 notices to salaried employees, self-employed individuals, and companies who made significant donations to charitable trusts.

The department suspects potential tax evasion, as records of these donations do not correspond with the income and expenses of those making them.

Sandeep Bajaj, managing partner, PSL Advocates & Solicitors, says, Notices were issued for donations made during the assessment years of 2017-18 through 2020-21.

Section 80G of the I-T Act allows deductions from income for donations made to certain funds and charitable institutions.

Bajaj warns that some taxpayers take advantage of this provision by making substantial donations to charitable trusts to lower their taxable income and ultimately reduce the amount of tax they owe.

Modus operandi

One tell-tale sign of attempted fraud is that donations are for exactly the amount required to lower the tax slab or get a full exemption.

Pallav Pradyumn Narang, partner, CNK, says, The donor pays in cash and gets a receipt.

"The party receiving the money deducts a commission and returns the balance to the donor.

A variant of this works as follows.

Keshav Singhania, co-leader, Singhania & Co. LLP, explains: The assessee makes the bogus donations through cheque/RTGS/NEFT.

"This amount is re-routed back in cash (directly or indirectly) net of commission charged by intermediaries.

"The recipient issues a donation receipt, which serves as the basis for claiming the deduction.

Narang adds that when a salaried person pays an exceptionally high amount to tax professionals, that acts as a red flag for tax authorities.

Suresh Surana, founder, RSM India, informs that fraudulent donors often claim a 100 per cent deduction under Sections 80G, 80GGB, and 80GGC in their I-T returns (ITRs) and may save up to 30 per cent on tax, depending on their slab rates.

However, regulations are becoming tighter now. Charitable trusts must upload a list of their donors, including their permanent account number (PAN) and donation amounts.

Ankit Jain, partner, Ved Jain & Associates, says, Taxpayers are also required to provide donation-wise details, including PAN of the charitable trust. Mismatches between these details can lead to the issuance of notices.

Beware penalties

Taxpayers found guilty of tax evasion may face a penalty equal to the amount of tax evaded, along with interest.

They could also face prosecution and imprisonment of up to seven years.

How to respond to a notice

To avoid penalties or legal issues, Bajaj advises individuals to respond to a notice with all the documents that support their claim of having donated to a charitable trust.

If the individual chooses to pursue litigation, Singhania recommends prepaying the contested tax amount and interest to halt the accumulation of further interest under Section 234.

Surana suggests that the individual can alternatively file an updated ITR within 24 months, following the end of the relevant assessment year, along with additional tax.

However, an updated return cannot be filed if search proceedings have been initiated, a survey has been conducted, or specific notices have been issued.

The individual can request copies of documents obtained during a search operation and evidence collected from charitable organisations that led to the notice being issued and respond to these findings.

Points to remember

Donate only to organisations that qualify for tax benefits.

Narang advises individuals to maintain proper documentation, mentioning the donation amount, date, and other details.

Make donations through banking channels only.

Jain explains that donations greater than Rs 2,000 should be made via bank transfer, and a copy of the bank statement reflecting the transfer, the donation receipt, and the certificate in Form 10BE should be retained.

Finally, file your ITR on time and disclose donations in the relevant sections of the ITR form.

Singhania points out that under the new tax regime, deductions for such charitable deductions are not allowed.
Indias unabated tryst with Russian crude oil is slowly coming to an end.

Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

The time has come for Indian refiners to navigate, creatively, the choppy waters of the post-honeymoon period, and for Indian policymakers to take cognisance of the broader impact on India from the spillover of the Russian crisis  after Washington's warning to transgressors last week.

Shipments from Russia to India have averaged over 1.8 million barrels a day since February, according to data from Paris-based market analytics firm Kpler. But much of the crude shipped to India was non-sanctioned because it traded below a price cap set by the US led G-7 nations in December.

Shipping, insurance and payments were less of an issue.

The $60 a barrel cap has now been breached for Urals, a medium, sour grade that accounts for a majority of Russian oil shipments, rendering Indias entire supplies vulnerable.

Given the 45-60 days time period taken to contract and deliver Russian oil, the real impact from the breach will be visible from June.

New Delhi faces issues at both the micro and macro levels.

The first relates to the physical part of transporting the oil; the second involves energy security, expanding the rupees reach, and managing relations with Western powers.

The nitty-gritty of buying 2 million barrels of oil every day is posing increasing difficulties.

Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said in a speech last week at a Russian industry event that the bilateral oil trade presents issues over payments, logistics and certification.

The latest flashpoint is an increasing oversight of the G-7 mandated price cap. In December, the US-led G7 had barred exports of Russian oil priced over $60 a barrel at the loading point.

But lax enforcement by the US and EU resulted in several trades taking place above the cap, industry officials said, with China and India enjoying the spillovers.

Now, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), for the first time, warned last week of a possible evasion of the price cap on crude oil originating from the Russian Federation.

OFAC said transporters and financial institutions must retain records and attestations by oil market players that Russian oil was bought below the cap to avoid penalties.

It also called for itemisation of the oil cost because shipping, freight, and insurance costs are not included in the price caps  but a failure to itemise such costs can be used to hide purchases of Russian oil above the cap.

Issues have also crept up over paying in dirhams into Russian bank accounts in Dubai, a payment mode for Indian refiners this year.

This newspaper said in an article last week that UAE officials have told Indian counterparts that their banks or currency cannot be used to pay for Russian oil priced over the cap.

Washington and London have intensified pressure on the emirate, prompting officials to scrutinise operations of Russian companies and banks based out of Dubai, and refuse licences in some cases.

Local banks are equally concerned by Washingtons warning even though Indian institutions are not sanctioned.

The breakup of Russian crude costs required in the invoices may need to be attested or certified to process payments though its unclear which entity should certify these invoices, a banking official said.

State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda are among those fearing reprisals from Washington, banking officials said.

But what has queered the pitch for Indians is that caution applies to Urals grades also, which now trade above the cap. Such trades complicate logistics.

Nearly 60 per cent of the Russian oil trade is still carried on Western tankers as Urals, Russias biggest export grade, until last month, traded well below the cap.

Non-availability of Western carriers poses serious problems for deliveries to India.

Mumbai-based Gatik Ship Management, a significant shipper of Russian oil to India since Moscows invasion of Ukraine, has lost protection and indemnity insurance from the American Club, which belongs to the International Group of P&I Clubs that insures most of the global tanker fleet, Energy Intelligence reported.

Gatik deploys over 40 tankers, and its exit from the insurance body coincided with Urals trading above the cap.

Transporters cannot afford to ship oil without insurance.

China and India lift 80-90 per cent of Russias seaborne crude.

But China has pulled off its purchases on the back of its heft as the worlds biggest user of oil and a manufacturing powerhouse.

That is coupled with its long experience in silently buying sanctioned oil.

In March, China bought a combined 2 million barrels a day of oil from Iran and Venezuela via Malaysia and Oman, Energy Intelligence said in a separate report.

India refrains from such stealth trades.

By expanding its basket of discounted, sanctioned oil trades China is less dependent on Russian crudes compared to India.

Russian oil accounted for around 18 per cent of Chinas total imports and 13 per cent of its consumption this year.

By contrast, Russian oil meets 44 per cent of our domestic fuel needs, a level of dependence that India has not placed earlier on any of its traditional Gulf suppliers, let alone on a nation whose future depends on the actions of US and the EU.

China has also leveraged Russias sanctioned status to expand trade in yuan, enabling Chinese banks to process payments for Russian oil without fear of US sanctions, which India is unable to do.

Successful internationalisation of a currency, even in a limited way, has to do with the value central banks place in holding a currency as reserve.

Last year, Chinese exports to Russia were around $76 billion or 40 per cent of the $190-billion bilateral trade.

Indo-Russian trade totals around $35 billion, with Indias exports less than 10 per cent of the total trade.

Such a yawning gap trade deficit has prompted Moscow to demand dollars or dirhams as payment for oil supplies instead of a rupee arrangement, industry officials said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in an interview to Bloomberg in Washington, has called for constantly refiguring strategies to continue buying discounted Russian oil as affordability of crude was key for India.

But the question is in the process of creatively sourcing Russian crude, for how long can New Delhi keep Washington at bay and deal with increasing policing by Western powers.

Slippery ground
The government is close to approving a proposal by Micron Technology to set up an assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) facility in the country involving an investment of about $1 billion.

Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

The worlds fifth largest semiconductor company, based in Idaho, USA, will use the facility to process some of its own wafers, manufactured across the globe.

Yes, we are close to approving the proposal, a top government official told Business Standard, confirming that the planned investment figure was indeed around $1 billion.

Micron did not respond to an email from Business Standard seeking comments.

The $30.8 billion Micron is one of the worlds largest players in memory and storage technologies, with 11 manufacturing sites spread across the US, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and China.

Headed by Sanjay Mehrotra, who is of Indian origin and studied at BITS Pilani, Micron has been scouting around the globe for more than a year for a place to set up a semiconductor packaging facility.

Indias flagship $10 billion semiconductor scheme offers financial incentives to set up fab plants, ATMPs, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) units, and chip design facilities.

OSATs provide packaging and testing services for multiple customers; ATMPs are captive packaging and testing centres for a company.

The government offers 50 per cent fiscal support for the capital expenditure to eligible companies setting up ATMPs or OSATs.

The global OSAT-ATMP market is projected to grow to $42 billion by 2026.

ATMP players are a key link in the value chain of chip making.

It is easier to set up an ATMP facility than a fab plant.

Unlike a foundry or a fab plant, which requires a fabless design company such as Qualcomm or Mediatek to give them orders, ATMP players, since they make their own wafers, can sell directly to customers.

Getting a global major to start operating in India will raise the countrys standing in the global semiconductor sweepstakes.

The space has already attracted large business groups, such as the Tatas, which have shown interest.

Others, such as HCL, Syrma Technology, SPEL Semiconductor and Valenkani Electronics, have also shown keen interest in their interactions with the government.

However, global OSAT companies, among them Taiwans ASE Technology, Powertech, and Siliconware Precision Industries, and US-based Amkor, have kept away from this space in India.
Wadia group-owned Go First has decided to cancel all its flights for three days starting from Wednesday, extending the suspension of operations by one more day, according to a communication.

The budget carrier has also filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Delhi.

Speaking to PTI, Khona said the airline has grounded 28 planes, more than half of its fleet, due to non-supply of engines by Pratt & Whitney (P&W). This has resulted in a fund crunch.

"It is an unfortunate decision (filing for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings) but it had to be done to protect the interests of the company," he said.

The airline has informed the government about the developments and will also be submitting a detailed report to aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Once the NCLT admits the application, then the flights will be restarted, Khona said.

Amid uncertainties over its future course, Go First said it would provide a full refund of tickets.

Go First has more than 5,000 employees.

Go First said it has been forced to seek voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings due to "serial failure" of Pratt & Whitney engines resulting in grounding of 50 per cent of the fleet and is no longer in a position to continue to meet its financial obligations.

The latest move by the Wadia group-owned carrier, which has been flying for more than 17 years, came after arbitration proceedings in Singapore and a suit filed in a US court seeking enforcement of the arbitration award last month.

In a detailed statement shared with PTI, Go First said it has been forced to apply to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) because of the recurring and persistent issues with the GTF (Geared Turbofan) engines supplied by P&W.

Also, Pratt & Whitney has failed to repair those engines and/or provide sufficient spare leased engines as it was required to do pursuant to its obligations under the relevant agreements between them.

Promoters have infused funds worth Rs 3,200 crore into the airline in the last three years and out of the total amount, Rs 2,400 crore was injected in the last 24 months. An amount of Rs 290 crore was pumped in April this year.

"This brings the total investment in the airline since its inception to approximately Rs 6,500 crore," the statement said.

Further, Go First said it has received significant support from the government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).

"Even this collective and significant support has not been adequate to prevent the enormous damage caused by Pratt & Whitney's defective engines.

"The grounding of close to 50 per cent of its fleet due to the serial failure of Pratt & Whitney's engines, while incurring 100% of its operational costs has set Go First back by Rs 10,800 crore in lost revenues and additional expenses," it said.

According to the airline, it is no longer in a position to continue to meet its financial obligations and has taken the step to approach the NCLT "to protect the interests of all stakeholders".

Go Airlines (India) Ltd, which operates under brand Go First, has applied to the NCLT for resolution and protection under Section 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code "due to the ever-increasing failure of the Pratt & Whitney engines that power its fleet", the statement said.

The airline, which has been grappling with engine issues since January 2020, said it has been forced to move the NCLT as P&W refused to comply with an order issued by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), an emergency arbitrator.

The arbitrator had ordered P&W to take all reasonable steps to release and dispatch without delay to the airline at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by April 27 and another 10 spare leased engines per month until December 2023, as per the statement.

"If Pratt & Whitney had followed the directions laid down in the award, Go First would have been able to return to full operations by August/September 2023 leading to Go First's financial rehabilitation and survival.

"Pratt & Whitney has failed to provide any further serviceable spare leased engines at all at the date of this press release and has stated that there are no further spare leased engines available," the statement said.

The airline also said that it regrets the disruption and inconvenience that the latest move will cause to its customers, travel partners, creditors, and suppliers and, in particular, to its own employees.

Meanwhile, aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to Go First after the airline decided to cancel flights for two days amid a severe financial crunch.

The crisis-hit airline has cancelled all their scheduled flights for May 3 and 4 "without any prior intimation", the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement.

"Since Go First has failed to adhere to the approved schedule leading to passenger inconvenience, this is non-compliance with the condition for approval of the schedule.

"The airline has been called upon to show cause as to why suitable action should not be initiated against the airline for the aforesaid violation," it said.

Go First has been asked to submit its response to the DGCA within 24 hours.

Further, the watchdog has directed the carrier to submit the details of the steps taken to mitigate the inconvenience caused to the passengers booked on flights for May 3 and 4.

The airline also has to submit its plan of action to operate flights as per the approved schedule from May 5.

Go First has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
'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.'

Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters

Telcos are pushing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation 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 aircraft's instruments.

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 last month.

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.

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.

At present the replacements are being undertaken on a first-come-first-served basis.

The aircraft companies have said 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 antennae, 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."

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.

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 metres from the central line of the runway.

Also, base stations beyond this zone, in a radius of 540 metres, 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 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.

The directive by the DGCA comes amid global concerns that the 5G band could interfere with aircraft radio altimeters, especially when many aircraft are of old vintage.

Radio altimeters measure altitude above the terrain to determine the path of the aircraft, along with GPS.

They also help them gauge highrises, mountains, and other obstacles in low visibility.

But telcos argue that the band used by altimeters is 4.2 GHz, and not 3.3-3.67 GHz, which has been auctioned for 5G services in the country.

So there is a gap of 500 MHz and, hence, there is no real chance of any interference, they said.

Telcos said they had requested the DGCA to test if there was any interference as was done in some European countries, but the request was denied.
KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2023 - 19:03 | All, Japan

A major part of the wreckage of a Japanese Self-Defense Forces helicopter that went missing in early April was hauled from the seabed Tuesday by a salvage company.

The UH-60JA helicopter disappeared with 10 aboard on April 6 in waters off the southern prefecture of Okinawa. The operation brought the wreckage up from 106 meters below the surface north of Irabu Island.

To ascertain the cause of the incident, the Ground Self-Defense Force is examining the helicopter's flight recorder as well as the section recovered, which is so extensively damaged as to be almost unrecognizable, a government source said.

The piece of wreckage was hauled up after being wrapped in a net by a remotely-operated underwater vehicle.

On Friday, vessels reached the area where the helicopter was found, with the investigation of the chopper and seabed starting the next day. The operation was subsequently delayed due to high seas, with preparations recommencing Monday.

Six bodies have been recovered from the site of the aircraft including that of Lt. Gen. Yuichi Sakamoto, 55, commander of the GSDF's 8th Division based in Kumamoto Prefecture.

The latest person to be recovered was brought to the surface on Monday. While it is not yet known if it is the same individual who was found and left on the seabed in April, the SDF is working to identify the person and the cause of death.

Related coverage:

Missing GSDF division commander confirmed dead in helicopter crash

Japan SDF chopper with 10 members aboard goes missing near Okinawa
'In 1984, Pyongyang just had one hotel and one could not move out without an official escort.'

'India was the only country with an embassy, apart from the socialist countries.'

IMAGE: A man cycles past portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il hanging from the Hamhung grand theatre in Hamhung, North Korea, February 3, 2019. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images

"Till my last trip there you couldn't take your mobile phones into the country and the only two offices that had e-mail facility were the UNDP office and the Indian embassy," recalls Ravi Sawhney, a former Indian Administrative Service officer who served in Punjab during a tumultuous period of conflict in the 1980s and spent nearly two decades as an international civil servant which included working at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok for 18 years.

Mr Sawhney has written an engaging memoir Living a Life which provides an interesting account of his 40-year career with vignettes of his personal life.

In the concluding part of his interview with Rediff.com's Archana Masih, Mr Sawhney talks about the fascinating countries his work took him to.

IMAGE: Ravi Sawhney with Prince Charles during the future king's visit to Punjab in 1980. All Photographs: Kind courtesy Ravi Sawhney

Your career as an international civil servant gave you the opportunity to travel to places like North Korea, Central Asian countries, Gobi Desert in Mongolia...

All the visits have been amazing experiences.

The Mongolians asked me to come in winter and I said that it would be minus 40 degrees, so they told me to visit in the spring, not realising that spring was minus 25 and one evening I was caught in a blizzard!

The level of isolation in North Korea was amazing. I first went there when I was in the commerce ministry in 1984. Pyongyang just had one hotel and one could not move out of the hotel without an official escort.

Meeting locals was out of the question.

India was the only country with an embassy, apart from the socialist countries. The Japanese had a one man office in the hotel. His work was to decipher all the speeches being made by the Great Leader and send them to his government.

IMAGE: Madhu and Ravi Sawhney at their home in Bangkok. Mrs Sawhney's late father was former foreign secretary Romesh Bhandari, who also served as Uttar Pradesh governor.

Indian diplomats lived in total isolation. The socialist club used by all the socialist countries wasn't open to them and some Indian diplomats had to be repatriated because of the alienation.

It was the most difficult posting for Indian diplomats.

My last trip to North Korea was as a consultant to review a sensitive remote sensing project funded by the Japanese government.

The atmosphere had changed at a bit and one could walk into a hotel without being escorted. The local market was overcrowded with buyers and sellers. There was a corner selling refrigerators etc.

I opened one and it was rusted inside because the Chinese government had been dumping second hand products that were being sold to the locals.

I was amazed at the country's isolation. It has no communication with the outside world. North Korea continues to thrive because of Chinese and Russian support and test missiles while its people are starving.

IMAGE: Ravi Sawhney with Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

Till my last trip there you couldn't take your mobile phones into the country and the only two offices that had e-mail facility was the UNDP office and the Indian embassy.
As many as 231 Indians, including 208 Gujarat residents, who were evacuated from strife-torn African nation Sudan under the Centre's Operation Kaveri', landed at Ahmedabad airport on Tuesday, said a state government official.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, who handles Non-Resident Gujarati (NRG) division of the state government, welcomed these Indians at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport upon their arrival here from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on a special flight, said the official.

Talking to reporters at the airport, Sanghavi said these 231 Indians included 208 Gujarat residents, 13 from Punjab and 10 from Rajasthan. He said the state government has made transport arrangements to send the citizens to their respective destinations from the airport.

Nearly 360 Gujarat residents, who have settled in Sudan, have so far returned under Operation Kaveri', said Sanghavi.

Rajkot residents will be taken to their destination in five Volvo buses from the airport. Medical teams were also deployed at the airport for 10 sick elderly citizens arriving today from Sudan. To speed up the immigration process, authorities had opened 15 counters at the airport, said Sanghavi.

After landing in Ahmedabad, Gujarat residents thanked the state as well as the central government for bringing them back.

The situation in Sudan is worsening and we were living in constant fear. We heard bomb blasts every day. While civilians were not harmed by Sudan's army or the rebels, those who had fled from the prisons were looting houses and shops. We were left with no option but to shift here till the situation improves, said a Rajkot resident having a business in the African nation.

Under Operation Kaveri', India has been taking its citizens on buses from the conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships.

From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home on either commercial flights or IAF's aircraft.

India has set up separate control rooms in Jeddah, Port Sudan and the India embassy in Khartoum has been coordinating with them besides being in touch with the ministry of external affairs' headquarters in Delhi.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group that has reportedly left around 400 people dead.
All the current political upheavals in Maharashtra are with the 2024 elections in mind and there is a degree of white-knuckle tension in all parties, reports Aditi Phadnis.

IMAGE: Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar in discussion with his nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar after announcing his resignation as party chief, Mumbai, May 2, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

"It is a ploy to break the Maha Vikas Aghadi," said a former chief minister of Maharashtra from the Congress, baldly after a two-hour meeting between Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar and Gautam Adani, head of the Adani Group, in Mumbai last month.

While no one except those present knows exactly what transpired at the meeting, it gave rise to speculation, especially as it took place after Pawar had asserted in an interview that Adani group had been singled out for attack, in the process, distancing himself from the rest of the Opposition.

The Congress and other parties have been seeking a joint parliamentary committee probe into the allegations levelled by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research. Doubts about Pawar and the NCP's intentions deepened amid signals by former deputy CM Ajit Pawar that he might be considering jumping ship and joining up with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

For the record, the Congress said it was not particularly worried about Sharad Pawar's intentions.

"(Sharad) Pawar and Adani have known each other personally for long. We have no reason to hazard any guesses about politics," former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan said. "There is no ambiguity. We are firm on JPC on Adani," he underlined.

But Ajit Pawar's recent moves suggest a Plan B is in place. And everything hinges on the outcome of a Supreme Court case about the disqualification of current CM Eknath Shinde who helped the BJP form a government in Maharashtra with 40 members of the legislative assembly from the Shiv Sena.

If those MLAs are disqualified by the Supreme Court, in an order expected in days rather than weeks (it is reserved but Justice M R Shah, who is among those who have written the order, is due to retire on May 15), Ajit Pawar does not want to be caught napping.

That Ajit Pawar would be welcomed by the party was emphasised by the BJP's senior leadership.

"The BJP's doors are always open. It is part of our expansion plan provided they accept our party and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi... we are on an expansion spree across 97,000 booths," said state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, adding, "We don't see anything wrong in the Sharad Pawar-Adani meeting. We have no reason to comment."

But Shinde, the man who broke the Shiv Sena and led a faction to form a coalition with the BJP, thus helping it form a government, can also sense that the sands are shifting.

The BJP and its allies have 113 MLAs. The halfway mark for a majority is 145 in the 288-member assembly. The balance was made up by breakaway Sena MLAs. If they are disqualified, the government falls.

Shinde has said clearly that if the NCP joins the Maharashtra government in any shape, he will resign.

"Our policy is clear. The NCP is a party that betrays. We will not be with the NCP even in power. Maharashtra will not like it. We decided to move out (of the earlier undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray) because people didn't like us going with the Congress and NCP," said Shiv Sena Spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat.

On the other hand, if MLAs from the Shinde faction are disqualified, the faction's unease at a truck with NCP becomes irrelevant.

Enter Ajit Pawar.

For the record, the four-time deputy CM of the state has said repeatedly that he will not leave the NCP. However, leaders from the Shiv Sena say this is only a negotiating stance.

"He (Ajit Pawar) has always had an eye on the CM's position. He will not accept anything less," said a Sena leader.

But that is only part of the package.

With Lok Sabha elections barely a year away, Maharashtra with 48 seats is crucial for the BJP if the party has to better its 303 tally in the Lower House. This can only happen if it has a credible partner in Maharashtra.

In the last Lok Sabha elections, the Shiv Sena and the BJP contested in alliance. The BJP won 23, the Sena 18. Today, the Sena is badly divided, but still commands some loyalty among voters.

The BJP has to replace its alliance partner and needs to decide who will be most successful in breaking the Sena strongholds while seeking the fewest seats.

All the current political upheavals in Maharashtra are with the 2024 elections in mind and there is a degree of white-knuckle tension in all parties.

What happens in Maharashtra will have a fallout on national politics in 2024, and everyone knows this.
A day after the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) sought a ban on staging of the Malayalam play Kakkukali, its director Job Madathil on Tuesday accused the critics of having an agenda behind their charges and urged them to watch the drama first.

Image used for representational purpose only.

Photograph: PTI Photo

A play based on a story by Malayalam writer Francis Noronha, Kakkukali revolves around a young nun and the struggles and challenges which she comes across in a convent.

The KCBC has been critical of it for some time, alleging that it defamed Christian asceticism.

Reacting to the raging controversy, Madathil said the play has been staged in the state for the past one year and has already been performed at 17 venues.

Neythal Nataka Sangham in Alappuzha district had given a stage adaptation to Noronha's story under the direction of Madathil.

"The drama discusses the issues in connection with a young woman joining a Christian convent. It speaks against the patriarchal clergy," he told a TV channel.

Accusing those coming out against the play of having an agenda, Madathil urged them to watch the play first before criticising it and understand what it is trying to convey.

He also urged them to point out the provocative portions of the play.

Meanwhile, political parties in the state on Tuesday continued to come out supporting and opposing the play.

Coming down heavily on the play and its makers, KPCC chief K Sudhakaran said the Christian community has played a significant role in the educational and socio-cultural development of Kerala, and the drama Kakkukali which humiliates the Christian community, is a matter of concern.

In a Facebook post, he said the makers of the play should understand that this is a time when fake propaganda is being spread like wildfire through social media.

When such creative works, keeping the entire priest community in bad light, are made in the name of freedom of expression, it actually results in triggering animosity in society, Sudhakaran said.

Criticising the Left government in the state, he said it was a dangerous tendency for it to "propagate" the drama when the Christian community expressed its anxiety against it.

He further charged the drama "degrades" the Christian community that has made countless contributions to society and "hails" the Communist movement.

Kakkukali is not suitable for a period that witnesses the Sangh Parivar forces and the Left movements jointly injecting hatred and communalism in the minds of people, he alleged.

"We express our concern over the humiliation suffered by the Christian community and the clergy in connection with the play," the KPCC chief added.

Meanwhile, CPI-M state secretary M V Govindan said if there is any issue with regard to the play, it should be examined.

The Marxist party has never taken a stand criticising any religion or its beliefs openly, he told reporters in Kannur.

He said he watched the play Kakkukali earlier, and each person is seeing it from their own individual perspective.

Govindan had earlier rejected the demand for banning the drama and said those who oppose it have the right to criticise its content.

In a statement, KCBC president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis claimed on Monday that Kakkukali created a misunderstanding about asceticism in Christianity among other religious groups.

He criticised the stand of certain mainstream political parties on the matter.

The cardinal said asceticism was the most beautiful expression of the Christian faith and alleged that there was a "secret agenda" behind the "invalidation" of the contributions of Christian congregations for centuries in the fields of education, charity, social service and patient care and the creation of misleading stories about them.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will travel to India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting being held in Goa on May 4 and 5, the foreign ministry in Beijing announced on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters

Qin will attend the upcoming SCO foreign ministers' meeting in Panaji, the announcement said.

The SCO consists of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India holds the presidency of the grouping for this year.

At the SCO foreign ministers meeting, Qin will exchange views with other counterparts on the international and regional situation and cooperation among the member states in various fields, besides other topics, to make full preparation for this year's SCO summit, the statement said.

This will be Qin's second visit to India after he took charge as the foreign minister.

In early March, he visited India to take part in the G20 foreign ministers meeting during which he also held talks with External Affairs Minister SJaishankar on the current round of India-China tensions over the Chinese military actions in eastern Ladakh in May 2020, leading to a four-year standoff.

In his meeting with Qin, Jaishankar had said the state of India-China ties is "abnormal" and there are real problems in the bilateral ties which needed to be open and candid dialogue.

"It's our first meeting after he took over as foreign minister. We spent maybe about 45 minutes talking to each other and the bulk of our conversation, understandably, was about the current state of our relationship, which many of you have heard me describe as abnormal," Jaishankar told reporters after he met with Qin on March 2.

"And those were among the adjectives that I used in that meeting. There are real problems in that relationship that need to be looked at, that need to be discussed very openly and candidly between us," he had said.

After that, the two sides held the 18th round of corps commanders level talks to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff.

Qin's visit to India was followed by Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu's visit to New Delhi to attend the SCO ministers meeting on April 27 during which he held talks with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh.

In his meeting with Li, Singh said that China's violation of border agreements "eroded" the entire basis of ties between the two countries and that all issues relating to the frontier must be resolved in accordance with the existing pacts.

For his part, Gen Li maintained that the situation at the India-China border is generally stable and both sides should put the frontier issue in an appropriate position and promote its transition to normalised management.

Before travelling to India, Qin visited Myanmar starting Tuesday.

The visit to Myanmar is aimed to further follow through on the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's visit to the country in January 2020, deepen practical cooperation in such fields as economy and livelihood, and support Myanmar's efforts to maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve people's lives, and realise sustainable development, an official statement in Beijing said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for promising to ban Bajrang Dal in its election manifesto saying it wants to lock up those who worship Lord Hanuman.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during a public meeting ahead of Karnataka assembly elections, in Chitradurga, Karnataka on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

He said the Congress had earlier locked up Lord Rama and now it wants to lock up those who chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali' (Hail Hanuman).

Modi's attack on the Congress came within hours of the Mallikarjun Kharge-led outfit releasing its election manifesto for the May 10 Assembly elections.

The Congress manifesto said: "We believe that law and constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations".

Addressing an election rally Hospet in Karnataka's Vijayanagara district, Modi said: "I have come to the land of Hanuman. I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to pay my obeisance to the land of Hanuman but see the misfortune that when I have come to pay my respect to Hanuman's land, at the same time, Congress in its manifesto has decided to lock up Lord Hanuman."

"Initially, they locked up Prabhu Shri Ram (Lord Ram). And now they want to lock up people who say Jai Bajrang Bali'," the Prime Minister remarked.

"It is the misfortune of the country that the Congress had a problem with Prabhu Shri Ram and now it has a problem with the people who say 'Jai Bajrang Bali'," he added.

The Vijayanagara empire of mighty ruler Sri Krishnadeva Raya is considered by some historians as the 'Kishkindha Kshetra', the monkey kingdom of Vaali and Sugreeva of Treta Yuga or Ramayana era.

Right next to Hampi is Anjanadri, the Anjana Hill at Gangavathi in Koppal district, which is believed by many to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The BJP has decided to build a grand Hanuman temple at Anjanadri hill and develop the region.

Accusing the Congress of widening the "rift" between urban and rural areas, Modi said everywhere people have rejected Congress, which once boasted of ruling the country from panchayat to Parliament.

"Congress today is reduced to just three states where it is in majority. Its greed for corruption is never ending in these three states and now it has set its eyes on the income of people of Karnataka and make the state an ATM of its loot," he alleged. The Congress is governing the states of Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Ridiculing the 'guarantee' schemes of the Congress, he charged that the party, which has lost the trust of people and whose existence itself is in danger, can only lie in the name of guarantees.

Congress does not have the track record of fulfilling the guarantees but to loot the poor, Modi alleged.

"Congress had given the guarantee to wipe out poverty. The poverty did not reduce during the Congress rule but the Congress leaders became millionaires and billionaires," the Prime Minister alleged.

He also said the Congress is an "85 per cent commission government".

According to him, the whole world is looking at India to play a major role as the country became the globe's fifth largest economy and is aiming to break into the top three.

In this journey, Karnataka has to play the role of a leader and hence, this state has to be made number one. The Prime Minister told the crowd that the BJP is committed to make Karnataka a number one state and "I pray for the accomplishment of this vow by bowing by head at the feet of Lord Hanuman".

"BJP will never let anyone damage the honour and culture of Karnataka," Modi vowed to the crowd.

He said the Vijayanagara dynasty and its history are the pride of India. Invoking the name of the glorious ruler of Vijayanagara dynasty, he said Sri Krishnadeva Raya with his resources immortalised this region and had strengthened business ties with various countries and had made the culture of Karnataka famous worldwide.

Modi said the Government of India is inspired by the Vijayanagara dynasty and is moving ahead in the path shown by Sri Krishnadeva Raya.

"The entire world is proud of Hampi but the Congress with its mindset filled with slavery never ever showed its pride towards the history and legacy of India, due to which the places like Hampi had to bear the loss," Modi claimed.

He added that the BJP government at the Centre published the picture of stone-made chariot of Hampi in the new Rs 50 currency notes.
Mahatma Gandhi's grandson and social activist Arun Manilal Gandhi died on Tuesday in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra following a brief illness.

IMAGE: Mahatma Gandhi's grandson and social activist Arun Manilal Gandhi. Photograph: Courtesy arungandhi.net

The funeral of the 89-year-old journalist and writer was held at Kolhapur late in the evening, his son Tushar Gandhi told PTI.

Arun Gandhi was born on April 14, 1934 at Durban in South Africa to Sushila Mashruwala and Manilal Gandhi, second of the four sons of Mahatma Gandhi.

He spent his last days at the campus of Avani, an organisation he was associated with for three decades. Avani works towards the empowerment of the marginalized children, child labourers, migrant brickyard and sugar cane workers and the women in the labour force.

A note from the organization said, At the age of 12, Arunbhai came to India to live with Mahatma Gandhi at Sevagram Ashram. In 1948 he returned to South Africa and was active in various social movements.

Avani founder Arun Chavan said, "Arunbhai has contributed immensely to Avani's cause and has been a father figure for us. In February this year, when Arunbhai was visiting Avani, his health deteriorated and he could not return. He had been staying with us at Hanbarwadi campus since then."

Arun Gandhi married Sunanda in 1957. Shortly after their marriage, they were informed that the South African government would not allow her to accompany him there. Sunanda and Arun decided to live in India, and Arun worked for 30 years as a journalist for The Times of India.

In 1987, the couple came to the US and in 1991 they started the M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence at the Christian Brothers University in Memphis Tennessee.

In 1982, when Columbia Pictures released the feature film, Gandhi, based on his grandfather's life, Arun Gandhi wrote an article criticizing the Indian government for subsidizing the film with USD 25 million, arguing that there were more important things to spend money on.

After attending a special screening of the film, he concluded that it accurately conveyed his grandfather's philosophy and legacy, despite historical inaccuracies. He wrote another article retracting the first one.
The Gujarat high court on Tuesday refused to grant interim relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on his plea for stay of conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark, saying no protection can be granted to him at this stage and it will pass a final order post-summer vacation which ends in early June.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waves at supporters during a roadshow ahead of assembly elections, in Chikmagalur on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

Counsel for Gandhi (52), Abhishek Manu Singhvi, cited "extreme urgency" to request the HC for interim relief or a final order and during final submissions maintained there was hardly any instance in criminal defamation where an accused was sentenced to more than 3 to 6 months in jail, and that his client was a first-time offender.

The complainant's lawyer opposed Singhvi's prayer for interim relief to Gandhi, sentenced to two years in jail by the trial court in Surat, and said if the disqualified MP cannot apologise for his defamatory utterances, then he should also not approach the HC for stay of conviction.

After final arguments from both sides concluded during the day, the court of Justice Hemant Prachchhak said no interim protection can be granted to the applicant at this stage in the defamation case stemming from his "Modi surname" remark made four years ago.

The former Congress president had prayed in the HC for stay of conviction, which if granted, will pave the way for his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.

Justice Prachchhak said he will pass a final order only after going through the records and proceedings, and posted the matter for verdict after reopening of the HC post- summer vacation, which will be from May 8 to June 3.

Advocate Nirupam Nanavati, who appeared for Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Purnesh Modi, the original complainant in the case, opposed Singhvi's prayer for interim relief to the Opposition politician who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019.

Being a leader of a national political party, which has ruled the country for over 40 years, Gandhi must "learn a lesson" that using abusive language for his political opponents cannot be tolerated, the counsel for Purnesh Modi said.

If Gandhi cannot apologise for his defamatory utterances, then he should also not approach the court with prayer for relief for stay of conviction, Nanavati said.

Nanavati said even after the pronouncement of conviction and his subsequent disqualification as an MP, Gandhi continued to stand by his statement and refused to apologise, and cited a newspaper report in which the Congress leader had said he will not apologise as he is a "Gandhi and not Veer Savarkar.

"His public stand, and his stand in the courtroom are different. If this is your public stand, then whatever the matter -- disqualification, sentence or conviction -- you motor mouth and speak whatever, then don't come (to the court) with a prayer. You are well within your right not to apologise, nobody will compel you to apologise," he said.

"Either you stick to your stand -- which is your public stand -- or say that I spoke but I never meant that, I never intended that, never wanted to defame anyone," Nanavati said.

Nanavati said Gandhi neither apologised before the commencement of the trial in Surat nor said sorry or expressed regret and offered no explanation even during hearing on sentencing.

"Coincidentally, the surname of the Prime Minister of the country is also Modi. What message are you giving by this utterance to the world -- that an Opposition leader of India brands the PM as a thief in a public rally attended by thousands of people? Is this the language?" he asked during his submission.

Nanavati said Gandhi is facing 12 criminal defamation cases for his remarks in different courts across the country.

He said it is Parliament which made the law regarding disqualification of an MP.

"Parliament says it (his crime) is serious, and it involves moral turpitude. And the application of such an offender cannot be considered for stay of conviction," he said.

Nanavati said, "Seriousness of offence is considered by Parliament (for disqualification). Disqualification is because of the operation of law and not judgment. The court's function has ended but it is a law enacted by Parliament which deals with disqualification."

In his final arguments, Gandhi's lawyer Singhvi said per se, the category for defamation makes it the simplest offence, and CrPC section 389 (for stay of conviction) will not find "a simpler conviction to suspend than defamation which is non-cognizable, which is simple imprisonment, bailable and not anti-society."

"If there is a classic offence which is the mildest form of offence which must lead to section 389 suspension then it is this," said the senior counsel.

Singhvi said a parliamentarian has a greater "irreversible prejudice" than a non-MP convict, because the former happens to lose his seat due to two-year imprisonment, "and that is a point in my favour and not against me for relief under section 389 (of CrPC)."

"It is wrong to think that the moment you are convicted, Parliament becomes a barred area for you. Under a controlled condition, you are entitled to be in Parliament, and that controlled condition now is suspension," Singhvi said.

As far as the original complainant, a former Gujarat minister, is concerned, he was offended by a remark in which he was not mentioned, he said and added politicians must develop a thicker skin.

"Thick skin is a great attribute and a great virtue in public life...This whole approach that he being an ex-minister involved in public life should be more protected, just the opposite is true. As they say, if you go into public life, you are submitting yourself to the brickbats of public life and be more thick skinned," Singhvi said.

He said there was hardly any instance in criminal defamation where an accused was convicted, and none sentenced to more than 3-6 months in jail.

"To say that maximum punishment is desirable -- what is it desirable for? He (Gandhi) is a first-time offender, how is maximum punishment desirable to him? And how many defamation cases have you found where two years (sentence) is imposed?" Singhvi asked.

The HC heard Gandhi's appeal against the Surat sessions court's order last month refusing to stay his conviction in the case after the trial court on March 23 sentenced him to two years in jail under IPC sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation), leading to his disqualification as an MP.

BJP MLA Modi had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?' remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.
Emotions ran high after Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday suddenly announced his decision to quit the top post as stunned workers protested -- one of them even threatened to kill himself -- while leaders broke down amid chorus that the octogenarian leader must revisit his move.

IMAGE: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar surrounded by leaders after he announces resignation as the chief of the NCP. Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI Photo

Pawar sprang a surprise by announcing his decision to quit as president of the party he founded and headed since 1999 when he left the Congress to chart his own political course.

The former Union minister made the announcement during the launch of a revised version of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan in south Mumbai. The announcement was instantly greeted with emotion-filled protests by party workers and leaders who asked the veteran parliamentarian to rescind the decision.

I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party, Pawar said.

Maharashtra NCP president Jayant Patil and his colleague Jitendra Awhad broke down after Pawar made those remarks, while party leaders Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal beseeched him and requested their chief not to relinquish the top post.

Patel, a former Union minister, revealed Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before announcing his resignation.

Patil, Patel, Bhujbal, Awhad and their colleague Dilip Walse Patil in one voice said they will not accept Pawar's decision. A few party functionaries even tendered their resignations on the spot to put pressure on the 82-year-old politician, while some workers suggested that a working president be appointed.

As the pressure mounted on Pawar with almost everyone pleading before him to reconsider his decision, he sat quietly next to his wife Pratibha and listened to what party workers were saying.

His MP-daughter Supriya Sule, who was on the podium during the book launch event, sat with workers on one of the chairs in the audience, while the veteran leader's nephew and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar sat next to Pratibha on the podium.

IMAGE: NCP workers react after Sharad Pawar announces his resignation as party president. Photograph: ANI Photo

Pawar told his emotional workers opposing his resignation, "I am with you, but not as NCP chief."

Workers threatened not to leave the venue till the time Pawar reconsidered his decision and one of them even went to the extent of warning of killing himself if the resignation was not withdrawn. Some NCP activists also threatened to go on a hunger strike.

Daughters of jailed NCP leader Nawab Malik joined the chorus and made an emotional appeal to Pawar not to resign.

In Buldhana in the Vidarbha region, office-bearers and workers of the NCP's local unit decided to submit resignation from primary membership and other posts of the party.

Buldhana district NCP president Nazir Quazi tendered his resignation from the post to state party chief Jayant Patil.

Quazi, speaking to a news channel, said all office-bearers and workers of the NCP's Buldhana unit will be submitting their resignation from primary membership and other posts of the party under the leadership of local MLA Rajendra Shingne.

He requested Pawar to take back his resignation in the interest of the country and the party.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar supported his uncle Sharad Pawar's decision to step down from the party president's post.

IMAGE: NCP leader Ajit Pawar addresses as party president Sharad Pawar resigns from the party post at Y B Chawan Auditorium in Mumbai on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Pawar saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in the guard a few days ago. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar saheb has taken a decision and he won't take it back," Ajit Pawar said.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar recommended a committee of senior NCP leaders to decide on the future course of action.

The committee will include Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, P C Chacko, Narhari Zirwal, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Jaydev Gaikwad and chiefs of party frontal cells, Pawar said.

After his announcement, several NCP leaders and workers were seen chanting slogans asking Pawar to take back his decision.

Recalling his political career, the NCP supremo said, "Since the formation of the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999, I have had the privilege of being elected as its president, which today is in its 24th year. This entire journey of being in public life, which began on May 1, 1960, has continued unabated for the past 63 years, having served Maharashtra and India in various capacities during this period.

"I have three years tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections henceforth. In these three years, I will concentrate more on issues concerning to state and the country. I will not take any additional responsibilities. I started my political career on May 1, 1960.

"Yesterday, we celebrated May Day. After this prolonged political career, one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy. I will never take the position of sticking to a post after so many years. Therefore, you might feel uneasy. But I have decided to retire from the post of the NCP chief," Pawar further said.

The four-time chief minister of Maharashtra has previously served as the minister of defence in the cabinet of P V Narsimha Rao and as minister of agriculture in the cabinet of Manmohan Singh.

He was the first and former president of the NCP, which was founded in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress.

Speaking after the release of his autobiography, Pawar said that it was time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take.

The NCP leader, however said that he would not take retirement from public life even after resigning from the party post.

"Even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life. Constant travel has become an integral part of my life. I will continue attending public events, and meetings. Whether in Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Delhi or any other part of India, I will be available to all of you as usual. I will continue to work round the clock to solve the people's problems," he said.

Pawar's decision came as a surprise for many of his partymen.

Party MP Praful Patel said, "We have requested Sharad Pawar ji with folded hand to withdraw the decision. I request him to withdraw the decision on behalf of all. The state and the country need his leadership."

In an attempt to pacify agitated party workers, Patel said, "Repeating the same thing won't solve any purpose and its meaningless. We senior leaders will talk to Pawar Saheb."
KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2023 - 14:18 | All, World

Japan and South Korea agreed Tuesday to resume dialogue between their finance authorities, in the latest sign of improving bilateral relations frayed over wartime history.

The agreement came during a meeting between Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and his counterpart Choo Kyung Ho in Incheon, northwestern South Korea. The two countries held their first formal finance ministerial talks in seven years.

"The two nations are engaged in summit-level dialogue proactively so it's important that finance-track talks also proceed," Suzuki told reporters, adding that the finance authorities will meet "at an appropriate time."

Masato Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, will visit South Korea to work out details in June, according to Suzuki.

The finance dialogue is a framework for senior officials from the two nations to discuss economic and financial issues and was previously held in 2016.

In March, South Korea made a proposal to resolve the issue of Japan's compensation for wartime Korean laborers, helping improve ties that had hit their lowest point in years over the labor issue and others related to Japan's 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula.

Choo welcomed the recent improvement in mood between the two nations, which share universal values and promote free trade.

"We need to strengthen cooperation between financial authorities on the recent emergence of geopolitical risks and supply chain instability," Choo said at the outset of the meeting with Suzuki.

The meeting was held on the fringes of gatherings related to the Asian Development Bank this week.

In a separate meeting, the finance ministers and central bank governors of Japan, China and South Korea agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure economic growth following the coronavirus pandemic, minimize its lasting negative effects and prepare for future shocks.

Related coverage:

Japan PM Kishida says he plans to pay 2-day visit to South Korea from May 7
In Baramati town of Pune district, the home turf of Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar and a place synonymous with his politically powerful family, the news of his resignation as party president on Tuesday came as a bolt from the blue for its residents who want him to continue heading the outfit he founded more than two decades ago.

IMAGE: NCP Party President Sharad Pawar resigns from the party post at an event in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo

Dropping a bombshell, Pawar (82) said he is stepping down as chief of the political outfit he founded and helmed since 1999 after exiting the Congress. The former Union minister made the announcement at an event in Mumbai organised to release the updated version of his Marathi autobiography, Lok Majhe Sangati.

As the news travelled to Baramati in western Maharashtra, located around 250km from the financial capital, its residents rubbed their eyes in disbelief and struggled to come to terms with the development.

"Pawar saheb should not resign. The party is there because of him, and he should not relinquish the reins. He should not think of stepping down and be at the helm of the affairs as long as possible for him," said Jawahar Shah, who runs educational institutes in Baramati.

Shah said before going public, Pawar may have discussed the dramatic move with his ambitious nephew Ajit Pawar, who has been at the centre of intense political speculation over the last few weeks.

"It is highly possible that they had a discussion before this announcement. Pawar saheb would not take this kind of decision alone," he said.

Shah said the people in Baramati, represented in the Lok Sabha for long by the Maratha politician, want him to continue heading the party, which was a constituent of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra till June last year.

"It is everyone's desire and demand that Pawar saheb remains the NCP chief. The party's base has expanded because of his efforts," he said.

Yogesh Jagtap, who is associated with the NCP, said Pawar's decision has come as a shock not only to the people of Baramati, but the entire state of Maharashtra.

"In the current volatile political situation, Pawar saheb's leadership is much needed. He is a fatherly figure and the state today needs Pawar saheb's leadership...he should remain active in politics," he said.

"The way Balasaheb Thackeray can not be replaced in the Shiv Sena (founded by him) by anyone, in the same way Pawar saheb can not be replaced in the NCP. Till the last moment, he should remain the party chief, and while controlling the reins of the party, saheb should develop a team and create the next level of leadership. Ajit Pawar is already ready, as everyone knows the functioning of Ajit Pawar," said Jagtap.

There is no doubt that Ajit Pawar is an able administrator, but the NCP patriarch's leadership is required by the party, he said.

"I am sure saheb will have to take his decision back as common party workers and the people of Baramati would not accept his decision," Jagtap said.

He said there was an attempt by some people to make Ajit Pawar a "villain" in the entire episode but whenever any important decision is taken in the party, it is first discussed in the family.

Another local resident Madan Devkate said he has been watching Pawar's political life for more than 35 years.

"As per information I have, Pawar saheb took this decision in consultation with Supriya tai (his daughter Supriya Sule, the current MP of Baramati) and Ajit dada and we will accept whatever decision the family takes," he said.

He said Pawar's guidance is needed by the party.

"Though his decision is a shock for everyone as Lok Sabha elections are around the corner, it is also true that whenever he takes any decision, it is well thought out one," Devkate stated.

Imtiyaz Shikilkar, who owns an industrial unit in the town, said the resignation announcement was a big shock for him. "Everyone is stunned... no one is able to come to terms with the fact that he has taken such a decision," he said.

Prashant Kate, another resident of Baramati, said it is difficult for local people to digest the news.

"Everyone is of the opinion that Pawar saheb should not have taken such a decision," he said.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred to May 9 the hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the remission granted to the 11 convicts last year in the case of gangrape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

IMAGE: Bilkis Bano.



A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna was told by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Gujarat government, that they are not claiming any privilege and are not filing any plea for review of the March 27 order of the court, which had asked for production of original records, with regard to the remission granted to the convicts.

The SG, at the outset, raised preliminary objections with regard to petitions filed in the matter other than by Bano, saying it will have wide ramifications as every now and then third parties will come to the courts in criminal cases.

The bench fixed May 9 for hearing the matter as several counsel for convicts, who have been released in the case, said that they need time to file their replies to the plea by Bano.

"We are only fixing timelines, so that whichever court takes up the matter, it will not have to waste time on these procedural issues. I am retiring during vacation on June 16. My last working day will be on May 19. My sister (Justice Nagarathna) will be going to attend a conference in Singapore till May 25. If all of you agree, then we can sit during vacation and finish hearing this case," Justice Joseph said.

The SG, however, urged the court that it may list the matter before the summer vacation.

Advocate Shobha Gupta said that the matter will take a very short time as only the question of law needs to be decided.

Justice Joseph told Gupta, "It is apparent from the way counsel appearing for convicts that they do not want this hearing to take place. Every time the matter will be called up, one person or the other will come and say that he needs time to file a reply. It is more than obvious."

However, the bench said that the new bench will take up the matter for hearing in the second week of July.

Senior advocate Siddharth and advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for the convicts, said what was the tearing hurry in hearing the case after counsel for Bano and others requested that the matter be taken up before vacation.

"We have been released and are out for around one year. There should not be any tearing hurry," Malhotra said.

He added that he wishes to file some preliminary objections to the writ petition filed by Bano against the remission, saying that the Supreme Court rules do not allow the filing of a writ petition after a review against the main judgment has been dismissed.

On April 18, the top court questioned the Gujarat government over the remission granted to the 11 convicts last year, saying the gravity of the offence should have been considered and asked whether there was any application of mind.

Asking for reasons for the premature release of the convicts, the top court had also questioned the parole granted to them during their incarceration period. "It (remission) is a kind of grace which should be proportional to crime."

The Centre and the Gujarat government had also told the court they may file a plea seeking a review of its March 27 order asking them to be ready with original files on the grant of remission.

On March 27, terming the Bilkis Bano's gang rape and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots as a "horrendous" act, the top court had asked the Gujarat government whether uniform standards, as followed in other cases of murder, were applied while granting remission to the 11 convicts in the case.

It had sought a response from the Centre, Gujarat government and others on the plea filed by Bano, who has challenged the remission of the sentences.

All 11 convicts were granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on August 15 last year.

The top court is seized of PILs filed by Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Subhashini Ali, Revati Laul, an independent journalist, Roop Rekha Verma, who is a former vice chancellor of the Lucknow University, and Trinamool Congress member of Parliament Mahua Moitra against the release of the convicts.

Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing from the riots that broke out after the Godhra train burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots.
Seeking to pacify party workers protesting against his announcement to step down as Nationalist Congress Party chief, Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he will need two to three days to "think over" his decision.

IMAGE: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar with his wife Pratibha and nephew Ajit Pawar during a book launch event, in Mumbai on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Pawar on Tuesday said he is stepping down as the chief of NCP. Photograph: ANI Photo

Conveying his message to protesting party workers, his nephew Ajit Pawar also requested NCP functionaries not to resign from their posts in protest against Pawar senior's surprise decision.

"He (Sharad Pawar) has said he has made his decision, but he will need two-three days to think it over on account of your insistence. But he will think it over only when all workers go home," Ajit told party workers at the premises of the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan in Mumbai.

Scores of Nationalist Congress Party workers refused to leave the venue, where Pawar earlier in the day announced his decision during the launch of his revised autobiography.

They stayed put even after Pawar left for his residence.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on release of the movie The Kerala Story on grounds that its a "worst kind of hate speech and an audio-visual propaganda.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna was told by senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha that the trailer of the movie, which is scheduled to be released on Friday, has garnered 16 million views.

Pasha said, "This movie is the worst kind of hate speech. It is a completely audio-visual propaganda."

The bench said, There are varieties of hate speeches. This film has got certification and has been cleared by the board. It's not like a person getting on the podium and starts giving uncontrolled speech. If you want to challenge the release of the movie, you should challenge the certification and through appropriate forum.

Sibal then said that he will do whatever necessary.

Justice Nagarathna said the petitioner should first approach the high court. Pasha said there was no time left as the movie is scheduled to release on Friday.

This is not a ground. Otherwise everyone will start coming to the Supreme Court, the bench said.

Pasha said that is why he has filed an intervention application in the hate speech matter.

Justice Joseph said though he may not be advising the petitioner but for seeking appropriate remedy a substantial writ petition needs to be filed.

The Hindi film is based on the theme of religious conversion.
Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova, who recently visited India, on Tuesday expressed 'regrets' over the depiction of Goddess Kali in a 'distorted manner' by the defence ministry and apologised for the act, saying her country and its people respect 'unique Indian culture'.

IMAGE: Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova. Photograph: ANI Photo

Dzhaparova visited India on April 9, the first official visit from the eastern European country since the Russian invasion began in February last year.

'We regret @DefenceU depicting Hindu goddess Kali in a distorted manner. Ukraine & its people respect unique Indian culture & highly appreciate (India's) support. The depiction has already been removed. (Ukraine) is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect & friendship,' she tweeted following a massive outrage among netizens over the incident.

The Ukraine defence ministry's tweet, which has now been deleted, was captioned 'Work of art' with an image of Goddess Kali superimposed over a blast fume.

The image, which was tweeted on April 30, triggered outrage on the social media platform pointing out the resemblance of the image with Goddess Kali.

'Recently Ukraine Dy Foreign Minister was in Delhi soliciting support from India Behind that fakery lurks the real face of Ukraine Govt. Indian goddess Ma Kali has been caricatured on a propaganda poster. This is an assault on Hindu sentiments around the world. @UkrembInd,' Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, tweeted on April 30 while sharing the tweet by Ukraine's Ministry of Defence.

Gupta also said Ukraine has mocked 'Goddess Kali in a manner no foreign government or country has ever done'.

He also branded the Ukraine ministry's actions as 'brazen hate speech'.

Some Twitter users even sought External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's intervention.

'Please take note of this defamatory post that shows Maa Kali in a bad light,' a user said tagging Jaishankar.

'Absolutely disgraceful behaviour from @DefenceU (Defense of Ukraine) with their distasteful depiction mocking Maa Kali. India has given aid to Ukraine and this is how they repay them. Hindus demand an apology NOW,' another Twitter user wrote.

'Shocking! The official handle of the Ukraine Defence Ministry portrays Maa Kali in a demeaning pose. This is not a work of art. Our faith is not a matter of joke. Take it down and apologise @DefenceU,' another user tweeted.

Since the Ukraine conflict began in February last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy several times.

In a phone conversation with Zelenskyy on October 4 last year, Modi said that there can be 'no military solution' and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts.

India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has maintained that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's decision to step down as party chief was the Nationalist Congress Party's internal matter.

Photograph: ANI Photo

He was replying to a reporter's question here about Pawar's surprise announcement earlier in the day.

"It is his personal decision....NCP's internal matter. I do not think it will be appropriate to talk about it at this stage. Sharad Pawar is a senior leader and deliberations are going on in his party. It will be appropriate to comment only after the situation gets clear," the BJP leader said.

Asked about Pawar's statement during the launch of a revised version of his autobiography that he had no inkling about his nephew Ajit Pawar's decision to form a government by joining hands with the BJP in 2019,

Fadnavis said, "I have not read Pawar's book, hence I would not speak on it now.

"But I also want to write a book, which I will write at the right time. You will know the truth when I write it," he said.

Fadnavis had taken oath as chief minister with Ajit Pawar as his deputy following the 2019 Assembly elections though the government fell in a few days as it could not muster the numbers.
Photo: The Canadian Press Conservative MP Michael Chong

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service on Tuesday confirmed to Conservative MP Michael Chong that he and his family were targeted by the Chinese government after he sponsored a Parliamentary motion condemning Beijings conduct in Xinjiang as genocide, the MP says.

He said CSIS also confirmed that Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat in Canada, was involved.

The Globe and Mail first reported the situation on Monday, citing a top secret CSIS intelligence assessment prepared in July 2021. The briefing provided to Mr. Chong took place Tuesday in Ottawa.

Mr. Chong declined to identify the senior CSIS official who briefed him but said the official told him he was authorized to read to him from the CSIS report quoted by the Globe because because it relates to a threat to you and your family.

The Canadian government told Mr. Chong Tuesday it was investigating why he was not alerted of this.

Mr. Chong said the failure to notify him of this targeting represents either a breakdown of the machinery of government or a political failure by the Liberal government.

He is also asking Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to find the Peoples Republic of China in contempt of Parliament for efforts to intimidate an MP.

The Globe and Mails report on the July, 2021, intelligence assessment by CSIS found Chinas intelligence service, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), has taken specific actions to target Canadian MPs linked to the February, 2021, parliamentary motion condemning Beijings oppression of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities.

That motion, which passed, declared that Chinas conduct amounts to genocide.

The spy agency said an MSS officer sought information on an unnamed Canadian MPs relatives who may be located in the PRC, for further potential sanctions.

This effort, the CSIS report said, is almost certainly meant to make an example of this MP and deter others from taking anti-PRC positions.

In February, the Globe reported that a national-security source described Mr. Zhao as a suspected intelligence actor.

The Globe reported Monday that according to the top-secret intelligence assessment from CSIS, China sees Canada as a high-priority target and employs incentives and punishment as part of a vast influence network directed at legislators, business executives and diaspora communities.

The report warned that Beijing is the foremost perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada. Its agents are unconcerned about repercussions, the report says, because of the lack of obstacles such as a foreign-influence registry.

Its not known whether elected officials in Canada gained access to the report, which was produced by the agencys Intelligence Assessment Branch and dated July 20, 2021, several weeks before the federal election campaign got under way.

The assessment is presented as a baseline for understanding the intent, motives and scope of Beijings foreign interference in Canada.

The nine-page document, seen by The Globe and Mail, is the latest example of the warnings published by Canadas security service in recent years. Its marked top secret and for Canadian eyes only.

It said Canada needs to erect more obstacles to foreign interference. Absent real disincentives, such as a foreign-influence registry and indictments of foreign-interference actors, Chinese targeting of Canada is expected to continue and increase over time.

Threat actors almost certainly perceive their activities in Canada to be low-risk and high reward, the assessment said.
According to the Immigration Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, Hong Kong recorded around 407,000 inbound visitors on April 30, of which 156,000 were from the mainland.

HONG KONG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Outside the Peak Tram ticket office at Central in downtown Hong Kong, was a stream of tourists queuing for tickets to the Peak, one of Hong Kong's top attractions.

A Peak Tram staff member said that visitors spent at least two hours queuing for tram tickets.

Since the mainland's five-day holiday began Saturday, Hong Kong has been embracing a large number of mainland tourists.

According to the Immigration Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, Hong Kong recorded around 407,000 inbound visitors on April 30, of which 156,000 were from the mainland.

Tourists visit the Golden Bauhinia Square in south China's Hong Kong on April 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Crowds were seen in many tourist spots with new landmarks having become especially popular. For instance, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) recorded nearly 7,300 visitors on April 30, a record high since its opening in July last year.

To meet the needs of tourists during the holiday, many attractions have adjusted their business hours. Ngong Ping Cable Car which connects downtown Tung Chung and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island extended its operating hours to as early as 9 a.m., while HKPM and M+ Museum remain open on May 1 and 2.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, one hour before Hong Kong Disneyland opened for business, the entrance to the park was already crowded with visitors including Mr. Nie and his family from Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province.

"Last time I came to Hong Kong Disneyland was three years ago. I hope I can experience more rides this time." Nie said, adding that his family of three are all fans of Disneyland.

Tourists visit Tsim Sha Tsui in south China's Hong Kong on April 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

The traveling habits of tourists have been changing recently. Besides shopping and eating, they also hoped to explore and learn more about a place.

Paul Chan, CEO & co-founder of Walk in Hong Kong, a local cultural enterprise that organizes in-depth tours, said that tourists tend to have in-depth cultural exchanges when traveling, hoping to see the other side of Hong Kong.

"I want to slow down my pace and get a better sense of Hong Kong's cultural heritage." Miss Tian, a tourist from Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province, said.

This time in Hong Kong, Tian said, she chose to follow the route of Hong Kong trams, a time-honored means of transportation that runs on Hong Kong Island, and look for classic scenes from Hong Kong films.

Tourists play on the beach of the Lamma Island in south China's Hong Kong on May 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

During the holiday, various departments of the HKSAR government worked together to ensure better experience for tourists, such as monitoring the situation at land control points and taking appropriate diversion measures when necessary.

Hong Kong's Travel Industry Authority has also introduced special measures, including inspecting popular attractions, shops and restaurants, and providing assistance to tourists, to protect tourists' rights.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 39F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 39F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Its time for the Senate to follow the Houses lead in supporting our workforce and ensuring that Vermonters can take care of their families a
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

Rich Holschuh (of Brattleboro), Chief Don Stevens and Vera Sheehan are representatives of the Abenaki Alliance. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
SHIJIAZHUANG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- North China's Hebei Province saw its foreign trade at 143.08 billion yuan (about 20.7 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2023, up 17 percent year on year, according to the customs authority in Shijiazhuang, the province's capital.

Over the period, Hebei's exports rose 22.3 percent year on year to 87.91 billion yuan, while its imports grew 9.5 percent to 55.17 billion yuan, data from Shijiazhuang customs showed.

The province's trade with its major trading partners, the United States, ASEAN, the European Union and the Republic of Korea, stood at 19.11 billion yuan, 18.54 billion yuan, 14.72 billion yuan and 6.09 billion yuan, respectively.

Hebei's trade with countries along the Belt and Road increased by 25.3 percent year on year to 52.44 billion yuan, accounting for 36.7 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume.

Its exports of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products maintained strong growth momentum in the first quarter. 
Andrew Harnik/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  A bipartisan group of two dozen lawmakers is asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to put the brakes on an initial public offering by Chinese fast fashion retailer Shein until it verifies it does not use forced labor from the countrys predominantly Muslim Uyghur population.

Shein hasnt said whether it plans to go public this year, but some news outlets have reported in the past few months that the company is raising money in anticipation of a U.S. listing in the second half of this year.
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EAST HARTFORD  The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Monday unveiled a new air quality monitoring vehicle that will focus on hyper-local testing for pollutants, particularly in communities with high minority populations that have been most affected by toxic air.

The 2019 Ford Explorer hybrid is a $300,000 platform with equipment that measures toxic vapors, particulate matter and greenhouse gases, DEEP officials said at a news conference at a stationary air monitoring site across from Anna Norris Elementary School.

DEEP's 14 stationary air testing sites are spread throughout the state. The vehicle, two-thirds of which was paid for through a federal grant, is meant to fill in the gaps. It can be parked, for instance, outside a manufacturing business to check compliance with state and federal emissions standards, DEEP officials said.

The vehicle will allow DEEP to identify new or previously unknown sources of air pollution and to prioritize inspections of air pollution sources based on environmental risk, an agency news release said. Mobile testing will focus first on Hartford and East Hartford, officials said.

Communities of color host more power plants and businesses that emit pollutants, and more Black and Brown people live near highways and other heavily traveled corridors with high vehicle emissions. DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said the agency is committed to innovations such as the air quality vehicle to decrease illness and high healthcare costs borne especially by residents of Hartford, New Haven and other urban centers.

Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor at George Mason University in Virginia and co-chairperson of the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Council, said he and other environmental health advocates have been waiting for a mobile testing platform to help ensure emissions compliance in places that bear the highest burden of bad air.

As an African American environmental health physician in Hartford, I see the effects of this disproportionate exposure to pollution and air toxins on a daily basis," Mitchell, the city's former health director, said.

David Cash, regional administrator for the federal Environmental Protection Agency, said Black children suffer twice as much as white kids from asthma, and 73% of fossil fuel power plants are located in communities of color. Cash said Connecticut has been on the cutting edge of investments for a cleaner environment.

The custom-built Ford, called a Geospatial Measurement of Air Pollution (GMAP) vehicle, is equipped with air pollution analyzers and instruments that can detect and record concentrations of 16 different air pollutants.The data is to be plotted over satellite imagery to chart pollutant levels in different areas.

DEEP staff will talk to community groups to better understand residents' air quality concerns, and when enough data is gathered for a given area, air quality experts will share results with residents, officials said.
Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade 2022/ Contributed photo

You oughta know that the Alanis Morissette Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill is coming to the Bushnell.

The show is based on Morissettes 1995 album, Jagged Little Pill, which features the chart-topping hits You Oughta Know, "Ironic" and "Hand in My Pocket." The jukebox musical follows a mother whose annual family newsletter at Christmastime depicts a family in the throes of unbridled happiness, knocking off milestone after milestone. For instance, one offspring got an early admission to Harvard, while her husband has just gotten a promotion at work and so on. While those achievements might be true, Mary Jane (the mother), only offers up the most polished anecdotes and leaves out the details about addiction and relationship drama unfolding within the family.
Two southern Connecticut restaurants have earned recent honors from Gambero Rosso, described as an authority on Italian food, wine and travel.

In March, Strega Restaurant in Milford and Bianca Restaurant & Bar in Greenwich were touted among several Northeastern Italian restaurants for their authentic cuisine, and honored in a ceremony in New York City. Each eatery earned a "due forchette" designation: two out of three forks, similar to Michelin's star ratings.

"Gambero Rosso is one of, if not the most prestigious food and wine [guides] in Italy. Its such an honor for us at Bianca to be awarded with 'two forks' in their world wide guide of 2023 TOP ITALIAN RESTAURANT - a guide that values authenticity, quality and freshness of ingredients along with wine pairing for Italian Restaurant Abroad," Bianca's owners wrote in a Facebook post. "We are very proud to be [one] of the very few Italian restaurants in the world to be included in this list."

Rosario Procino and Raffaele Ronca, both born and raised in Naples, describe their Greenwich Avenue restaurant as "a modern Italian menu with a twist  and an emphasis on the cuisine of the Campania region and Naples, Italy." Procino's Manhattan restaurant, Ribalta, also earned a three-fork distinction from Gambero Rosso.

Bianca's menu features housemade pastas like cacio e pepe, gnocchi sorrentina, fettuccine Bolognese and tagliatelle with mushrooms and shaved black truffles, along with entrees like branzino and veal Milanese and select pizzas, like a margherita, caprese and rustica with prosciutto de parma and pickled eggplants.

Winter Caplanson

Strega first earned a Gambero Rosso distinction in 2019 while the restaurant was in its original location in Branford. It was the first time any Connecticut restaurant had received the honor, owner Danilo Mongillo told Hearst Connecticut that year.

Mongillo opted to close the Branford location and move Strega to Milford in 2021, where he welcomed a mix of loyal Branford customers and new visitors curious about Strega's "wholesome Italian cooking" using imported authentic products  tomatoes, meats, cheeses, balsamic vinegar. The menu features antipasto, salads, assorted gnocchi dishes and entrees like slow-cooked lamb shank and cannelloni al forno, but Strega's specialty is Neapolitan pizza, "handcrafted and served with authenticity and excellence in mind," its website describes.

"It is possible to have a delectable pizza even in Connecticut," Gambero Rosso notes on its website. "Located in Milford, the credit for one of the most authentic restaurants in the United States goes to Samnite Danilo Mongillo, who moved here for love. His high-quality pizza is the result of a proper balance of flavors and a very soft and airy dough; the other courses are just as good. The raw materials are imported with uncommon rigor and passion. The location is sleek and the service very attentive. It is definitely worth the detour."
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CLEVELAND, Texas (AP)  The search for a gunman in Texas who killed five neighbors from Honduras dragged into a third day Monday with false alarms and few apparent leads, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faced backlash over drawing attention to the victims immigration status.

An FBI agent on the scene near Houston acknowledged they have little to go on in the widening manhunt for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, who has been deported four times since 2009, but who neighbors say lived on their street for years prior to Friday night's shooting in the rural town of Cleveland.

Twice on Monday, a sheriff's office in a neighboring county alerted the public about possible sightings, but neither turned up Oropeza.

Abbott offered a $50,000 reward over the weekend for any tips that might lead to the gunman, and while doing so, the three-term governor described all the victims as illegal immigrants"  a potentially false statement that his office walked back and apologized for Monday. Critics accused Abbott, who has made hard-line immigration measures a signature issue in Texas, of putting politics into the shooting.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement. We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Eze said information provided by federal officials after the shooting had indicated that the suspect and victims were in the country illegally. Her statement did not address why Abbott mentioned their status and she did not immediately respond to questions about the criticism.

More than 250 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, are now part of a growing search that has come up empty despite additional manpower, scent-tracking dogs, drones and a total of $80,000 in reward money on the table. On Monday, a heavy presence of police converged in Montgomery County after a possible sighting, but the sheriff's office later said none of the persons were found to be Oropeza.

A few hours later, the department reported another possible sighting, tweeting that several schools had secured their campuses and again asked residents to avoid the area. But that search, too, turned up nothing.

Both were among the first times since the shooting that authorities had announced a possible sighting.

"I can tell you right now, we have zero leads, James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, said Sunday.

The FBI in Houston said in a tweet on Sunday that it was referring to the suspect as Oropesa, not Oropeza, to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. His family lists their name as Oropeza on a sign outside their yard, as well as in public records.

Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous after fleeing the area Friday night, likely on foot. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities had widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, which occurred after the suspects neighbors asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.

At a Sunday vigil in Cleveland, Wilson Garcia, the father of the 1-month-old, described the terrifying efforts inside his home by friends and family that night to escape, hide and shield themselves and children after Oropeza walked up to the home and began firing, killing his wife first at the front door.

Police recovered the AR-15-style rifle that they said Oropeza used in the shootings. Authorities were not sure if Oropeza was carrying another weapon after others were found in his home.

The alleged shooter is a Mexican national who has been deported four times, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because public disclosure was not authorized.

The official said the gunman was first deported in March 2009 and last in July 2016. He was also deported in September 2009 and January 2012.

Law enforcement on the scene have not confirmed the citizenship status of the victims. By describing them as illegal immigrants on Sunday in his first public statement about the shooting  and perhaps incorrectly  Abbott came under criticism from immigrant rights groups and Democrats.

It is indefensible to any right-hearted Texan to use divisive language to smear innocent victims," said Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The victims were identified as Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9.

Capers said he hoped the reward money would motivate people to provide information and that there were plans to put up billboards in Spanish to spread the word.

Veronica Pineda, who lives across the street from the suspects home, said authorities had stopped by her house over the weekend to ask if they could search her property to see if the gunman might be hiding there. She said she was fearful that the gunman had not yet been captured.

___

Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.
For Dan Arthur, as poignant as was the long line of people who showed up Monday afternoon to honor his late cousin Stew Leonard Sr., equally affecting was his encounter with a Connecticut native he had met only a few days before on the other side of the country, who broke into tears upon learning about the passing of the founder of the Stew Leonard's chain of grocery stores.

"She started crying on a sidewalk in California, in Coronado," Arthur said. "Everybody says what a great entrepreneur and businessman he was, but I'll tell you as someone who knew him my whole life, he was a better person than he was a businessman. And that's saying a lot  he did so much for so many people."

The Leonard family held a public wake Monday afternoon at St. Matthew's Church in Norwalk for patriarch Stew Leonard Sr., who died Wednesday, April 26, after what the family described as a short illness. He was 93.

Not far from the historic Clover Farms Dairy where it all got started, members of the public turned out on an overcast day  with rays of light occasionally peeking through the clouds  to celebrate the life of Stew Leonard Sr., whose namesake grocery chain occupies a unique perch in the industry with its barnyard schtick and kitsch for kids like animatronic singing characters.

Stew Leonard Sr. opened the original dairy store that would grow into the Stew Leonard's chain of grocery stores in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, along with liquor stores bearing the Stew Leonard's name. Over the years, CEO Stew Leonard Jr. has imprinted his own jocular style as the face of the company, with grandchildren of Stew Leonard now coming into senior roles.

Stew Leonard Jr. told CT Insider on Monday afternoon that his father had regarded the regional expansion with caution.

"His thing was, 'put all your eggs in one basket  and then watch the basket,'" Stew Leonard Jr. recollected. "But you know, he was always supportive of everything we did. We ventured into the wine business, and he was supportive of it; we're going into the swim school business, and he was supportive of it. We wanted to go open a new food store, he was supportive of it. He was just a supportive guy who was positive all the time."

Leonard Jr. added that support extended to any number of Stew Leonard's employees over the years.

"He helped everybody," Leonard Jr. said. "One guy here who is a chef in Norwalk, he said to me, 'When I came here I was out sweeping in the parking lot  I could barely speak English. I learned to speak English at Stew Leonard's.' He said, 'I was promoted, I grew  today I own my own house, and my daughter's an attorney for the Department of Justice.'"

On Monday at St. Matthew's Church on Scribner Avenue, Gov. Ned Lamont reflected on Stew Leonard Sr., his children who carried the business through a major expansion, and his own shopping experiences there.

"I was a single guy living in Norwalk and that's where I'd go to get my stuff," Lamont said Monday at St. Matthew's Church. "Stew Leonard Sr.  and Jr.  have the most positive energy of any folks I've known, and you felt that everywhere you went in the store. He made shopping an experience  he made it fun."

Along with Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Danbury Mayor Dan Esposito was on hand Monday, saying he had never met Stew Leonard Sr. but was appreciative of his legacy at the store in Danbury.

"They're always willing to help out, donate and do things with the community, Esposito told CT Insider. "The Danbury store  we'd go in and bring the children because they had all the machinery and live animals out in the parking lot. It is really cool  it's just a big asset for the city."

The line was out the door at the start of the 3 p.m. visitation hours with more people arriving throughout the afternoon, Inside, pictures of Stew Leonard Sr. ran the length of the church, capturing him in any number of moments from a simple pose with a carton of milk, to a shot of he and spouse Marianne alongside President Reagan.

In past video interview excerpts on a big-screen TV at the church entrance, Leonard recounted vignettes from over the years in his own words, to include the story of his first dissatisfied customer who complained over a carton of egg nog, prompting him to fish a dollar out of his pocket for a refund on the spot. At the entrances to Stew Leonard's stores today, "The customer is always right" motto is now engraved in boulders, as the company's bedrock principle beyond the bells and whistles in the winding corridors inside, along with the food and friendly smiles from staff.

In the video, Leonard credited Marianne with helping him keep his spirits up in the early struggles with a new shop, as the milk delivery era faded into history in the 1960s with Clover Farms Dairy eventually making way for the Route 7 highway spur that bisects Norwalk today.

"All of a sudden the sun came up and down the stairs came my wife Marianne  she said, 'what's the matter Stew?'" Leonard recounted in one video interview segment. "And I said everyone said I'm crazy and that I'm not going to make it. She said, 'Don't listen to them  they're the ones that are crazy.' It was that belief and confidence in you that made it possible."
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration will continue to allow tens of thousands of Afghans who fled Taliban control more than two years ago to stay and work in the U.S., as congressional efforts have stalled that were meant to permanently resolve their immigration status, according to two people familiar with the plan.

As soon as this summer, eligible refugees will be able to renew temporary work permits and protections from deportation for another two years, according to two administration officials, who spoke to The Associated Press condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss plans that havent yet been released. The protections were initially given in 2021, and renewed last year.

The effort is a temporary fix for more than 76,000 Afghans who arrived in the U.S. following the military's chaotic and deadly withdrawal of U.S. troops, some of the darkest moments of Biden's presidency. Many of those who arrived in the country have worked with U.S. officials, some for many years, as translators, interpreters and other partners.

Details of the renewal were first reported by CBS News. An official announcement is expected by the Department of Homeland Security later this week.

Immigrant advocate groups and veterans who have been working alongside the government trying to find a more permanent pathway for Afghans called the move a bandaid  but better than nothing.

 Afghans have been languishing on our shores awaiting a long-term answer and Congress continues to play games with their future, said Shawn Van Diver, a Navy veteran and head of #AfghanEvac, a coalition supporting Afghan resettlement efforts. But he said he was happy the Biden administration would allow them to stay as Congress can't find a solution.

The U.S. government admitted the refugees temporarily as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the largest resettlement effort in the country in decades, with the promise of a path to life in the U.S. for their service.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress had hoped to resolve their immigration status as part of a year-end government funding package in December. The proposal would have enabled them to apply for U.S. citizenship come August, when their temporary status was set to expire, as was done for other refugees from other nations in the past, including those from Cuba, Vietnam and Iraq.

But that effort failed over some Republican opposition, most notably Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who argued last year the bill went too far by including evacuees beyond those who were our partners over the last 20 years, and providing a road to residency without the proper screening required.

Some lawmakers are hopeful that with advanced screening measures added to the bill, it can gain the support needed to pass a Republican-controlled House and a slim Democratic majority in the Senate.

"It cuts to the core question of whether the U.S. keeps its promise of protection to its allies, said Helal Massomi, an evacuee from Afghanistan and Afghan policy advisor at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, in a statement Monday. Congress needs to keep our nations promise and make it clear to Afghans that this country is more than their temporary safe haven  its their home.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan apologized Monday for taking a job as a consultant for a marijuana company  part of an industry that her office just audited  that paid far more than her state salary.

After previously refusing to disclose the terms of her contract, Fagan had her office email reporters a copy on Monday. It showed the consultancy paid $10,000 per month, with bonuses three times that amount if she helped the company get licensed in other states.

Fagan, a Democrat who is the states second-highest ranking official, indicated she aims to hold onto her elected position despite Republican calls for her to resign. Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, requested investigations by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and the Oregon Department of Justice into the matter Friday.

I am sorry for harming the trust that I and so many others have worked so hard to build with you over the last few years, Fagan said during a Zoom conference she held Monday. I will begin working to build that trust back today.

The matter came to a head after Fagan's office released an audit Friday that called for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to reform some rules for marijuana businesses, saying they are burdens when combined with federal restrictions on interstate commerce, banking and taxation.

Fagan recused herself from the audit of Oregons marijuana regulatory agency because she is a paid consultant of an affiliate of marijuana retail chain La Mota, her spokesperson, Ben Morris, said at a virtual news conference timed with the audits release.

Fagan noted Monday that ethics guidelines allow outside employment. She said the consultancy didn't represent a conflict of interest because any action taken as a result of the audit would be by the governor, Legislature or cannabis commission; and because a wide range of businesses would be affected by any regulation changes, not just her client.

La Motas co-owner has hosted fundraisers for top Democratic Oregon politicians, including Fagan, while the co-owner, her partner and their business allegedly owed $1.7 million in unpaid bills and more in state and federal taxes, according to Willamette Week, a Portland newspaper.

Fagan told reporters Monday she contacted Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz as part of her consulting gig, just to ask who would be somebody for a cannabis company to talk to if they wanted to get the lay of the land.

Bysiewicz spokesperson Samantha Taylor said in a statement that Fagan called about three weeks ago, asking about Connecticuts cannabis license process for a client Fagan had as part of her consulting business.

After learning of Fagan's outside work, minority Republicans in the Legislature called for her resignation.

This appears to be an ethics violation and if it isnt then Oregons ethics laws are broken, Senate Republican leader Tim Knopp and House Republican leader Vikki Breese-Iverson said in a joint statement Friday.

The governor underscored her own concerns as she called for the probes, saying: Its critical that Oregonians trust their government.

Fagan announced Monday she was terminating her contract with Veriede Holdings, the La Mota affiliate. She also provided a copy of the contract, signed Feb. 24, which paid $10,000 per month plus a bonus of $30,000 if she helped the company acquire marijuana licenses in any state other than Oregon or New Mexico. A total of 21 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational use of marijuana.

Fagan's annual salary as secretary of state, a job that is responsible for running elections in Oregon and overseeing state audits, is $77,000. Fagan told reporters she is divorced with two young children and has student loans and other bills that she says her secretary of state's salary is not enough to cover.

She said her consultant job had nothing to do with her elected position. Reporters, though, were skeptical. They asked why she would be hired as a pot consultant unless La Mota wanted her to leverage her position to expand their business in other states, especially when there are numerous bona fide marijuana business experts in Oregon.

Fagan responded that she has experience advising and representing, as a lawyer, Oregon businesses and contended that her work for La Mota didn't require her to be a marijuana expert.

At Monday's news conference, Fagan fought back tears as she said she is deeply honored to serve as Oregon Secretary of state, regardless of the compensation.

I owe the people of Oregon an apology," Fagan said. I exercised poor judgment by contracting with a company that is owned by my significant political donors and is regulated by an agency that was under audit by my audits division.

Fagan said she was donating all money in her political action committee to the Oregon Humane Society.

___

Associated Press reporter Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.
JERUSALEM, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Militants in Gaza fired three rockets at southern Israel on Tuesday morning after a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad member died in Israeli custody after almost three months of hunger strike, Israeli sources said.

The rockets triggered sirens in the community of Kibbutz Sa'ad in the Gaza vicinity. An Israeli military spokesperson later said in a statement that the rockets "fell in open areas." No injuries or damage have been reported.

State-owned Kan TV news reported that Israel is preparing for an escalation following the death of Khader Adnan. This comes in the wake of a warning issued by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which vowed in a statement that Israel's "crimes will not go unanswered."

"A security detainee, who was charged with terror offenses and had been on a hunger strike since Feb. 5, died this morning," the Israeli Prison Service said in a statement.

Adnan went on a hunger strike shortly after his arrest and refused medical treatment, according to the Prison Service.

Adnan, a 45-year-old from Jenin city in the northern occupied West Bank, has had five hunger strikes during his previous arrests and survived them all. 
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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden sought Monday to ease a debt limit standoff by inviting the four Congressional leaders to the White House on May 9  signaling the growing fears of a default as the federal government might be unable to pay its bills as soon as June 1.

Administration and congressional officials confirmed the individual calls to lawmakers and the meeting date, insisting on anonymity to discuss the plans. Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he spoke with Biden and expects to speak with him again, though he did not say whether he will attend the meeting.

Biden plans to stress that Congress must take action to avoid default without conditions and will discuss the urgency of preventing default, as well as how to begin a separate process for passing a separate fiscal 2024 budget. But if even the lawmakers talk, there is no guarantee of progress on an issue that has revealed a gulf in how Democrats and Republicans think the country should be governed.

Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., are at an impasse on lifting the government's borrowing authority. The president has called for a clean increase to the $31.4 trillion cap, while McCarthy and GOP lawmakers are demanding spending cuts in return and passed a bill with $4.8 trillion in deficit savings over 10 years last week.

McCarthy has called on Biden to engage in talks. But as recently as shortly after noon on Monday, the president said in a speech that the GOP congressional leader needed to first make a commitment that the U.S. government would not default. House Republicans passed a bill last week that would cleave discretionary spending over the next decade in return for increasing the debt limit by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, 2024, possibly setting up another showdown going into that year's presidential election.

The stalemate started to breakdown Monday afternoon after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned in a letter that we will be unable to continue to satisfy all of the governments obligations by early June, and potentially as early as June 1, if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt limit before that time.

Economists have sounded the alarm about a financial catastrophe if the government of the world's largest economy is unable to pay its bills. A default could plunge the U.S. and other nations into severe recessions, all while cracking America's financial credibility in ways that could make a recovery difficult.

McCarthy made no reference to the outreach from Biden, but insisted Monday after Treasurys update that the clock is ticking.

"House Republicans did their job and passed a responsible bill that raises the debt ceiling, avoids default, and tackles reckless spending, McCarthy said in a statement. The Senate and the President need to get to work  and soon.

It's still unclear how the president and Congress can resolve the matter, yet Democratic leaders want to decouple the debt limit from the budget process.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., quickly seized on Yellen's letter as a reason to address the debt cap and settle differences over spending as part of our annual budget process, which is currently underway,"

Its time to put aside partisan interests and do what is right and necessary for the American people to avoid a first-ever U.S. government default that crashes the stock market, raises costs on families and jeopardizes retirement savings, the lawmakers said in a statement.

Late Monday, Schumer began the Senate process for consideration of both a clean debt ceiling bill, which would suspend the limit for two years, as well as the House Republican package that his office said could be used for future budget negotiations.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said that, like it or not, the precedent for negotiating a debt ceiling increase was set during the Obama presidency, noting that when we have a divided government, thats what happens, so sit down, get a deal done and dont scare the pants off the people of America."

In a White House speech celebrating small businesses before the Yellen letter, Biden portrayed the House Republicans' plan as an attempt to extort spending cuts from the administration by putting the federal government at risk of default. He portrayed some of the backers of the bill as unreasonable extremists who are loyal to the Make America Great Again movement started by former President Donald Trump.

We pay our bills and we should do so without reckless hostage-taking from some of the MAGA Republicans in Congress, Biden said.

White House officials calculate that the House GOP bill would force a 22% slash to non-defense discretionary spending, putting housing vouchers, food aid and basic medical care at risk for millions of U.S. households. Biden on Monday cited a Moody's Analytics report that there would be 780,000 fewer jobs next year if the bill became law.

But the House passed a bill with spending caps that avoids making specific cuts. Instead, it would place strict limits on how much the federal government could spend over the next decade and leave lawmakers to sort out the details.

In return for raising the debt limit by $1.5 trillion into 2024, House Republicans voted by a narrow margin to claw back unspent COVID-19 funds, put work requirements on government aid, cancel Biden's plans to forgive student debt, put spending levels back at 2022 levels and place a 1% cap on growth going forward.

Republicans insist defense and veterans accounts will be spared, though the bill does not explicitly spell out the actual reductions. Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said he was very, very frustrated with the Biden administrations suggestion that services would be cut. No veteran will lose benefits, Bost promised on a weekend conference call.

Speaking from Jerusalem on Monday, McCarthy said the need for talks to begin was reasonable and Biden's resistance to doing so was the problem. The House speaker suggested that kids who watched the educational cartoon Schoolhouse Rock know that laws only result from Congress and the president cooperating.

'Schoolhouse Rock'  they never told you not to negotiate," McCarthy said. "They told you to work together.

The speaker has said an agreement depends on a commitment to limit the debt, which already totals more than $31.4 trillion. But both Biden and McCarthy have pledged to protect Social Security and Medicare, which will be the primary drivers of the debt in the coming decades, according to economists and the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

McCarthy said he looked forward to Biden changing his mind and negotiating with us.

Before the day ended, a meeting was on the calendar.

___

White House correspondent Zeke Miller and AP reporter Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
BEIRUT, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon appreciates the pivotal role of Saudi Arabia in supporting ceasefire and prisoner swaps in Yemen, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement noted that Lebanon appreciates the continuous assistance from Saudi Arabia in reaching a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the Yemeni crisis which would preserve the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Yemen, free Yemeni people from suffering and insecurity, and fulfill Yemen's aspiration for development, prosperity, and peace.

Last month, Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi militia held direct talks aimed at reviving a ceasefire in the war-torn nation.

Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the conflict in support of the Yemeni government in 2015. 
Participating forces in the Indo-Greek joint exercise INIOCHOS undertook a formation flight with the azure Mediterranean Sea in the backdrop. The exercise is being conducted in Greeces capital city Athens. The City of Athens is considered a symbol of glorious civilization.

This formation was part of the Indo-Greek joint exercise which is conducted by the air forces of India and Greece. This shows the close military relations between India and Greece. It is being conducted at the Andravida Airbase in Greece.

About the Joint exercise ExINIOCHOS

It is a multinational air exercise hosted by the air force of Greece. This exercise involves realistic combat scenarios involving many assets of both the air forces. It will be conducted at the Andravida air base.

Both countries will fly each other's aircraft and will share skills as well as combat techniques which are beneficial for both countries. The Greek-led exercises have also seen participation from the NATO countries. Apart from the Greek air force, the air forces of the US, France, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are also a part of the exercise.

With the azure mediterranean sea in the backdrop, the participating forces of #ExINIOCHOS undertook a formation flight over the famous #Acropolis of Athens & its surrounding mounuments, considered a symbol of glorious human civilisation.#DiplomatsInFlightSuits@HAFspokesperson pic.twitter.com/k1HfbOS7ie  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 2, 2023

The goal of this exercise is to improve the air forces participation, global coordination, synergy and interoperability. The exercise is being conducted using a variety of air and surface weapons in realistic combat situations. Additionally, it allows participating contingents to communicate professionally allowing them to learn each others skills and best practices.

The Greek air force is participating with American-made Boeing F16s and India is also understanding the functioning of this American-made fighter jet. This has allowed India to learn about the American fighter jet. This jet is also part of the air force of Indias arch-rivals Pakistan.

The F16 aircraft used by the Greek air force is slightly better technologically as compared to the F16s used by the PAF. This exercise is also seeing participation from the US, France, Jordan, Greece, India and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi air force is displaying its F15 Eagle fighter jets. The exercise began on April 24 2023 and will end on May 4 2023. The Indian air force is also showcasing its C17 Globemaster and four Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.
As the Exercise INIOCHOS-23 is being held in Greece, the participating forces in it undertook a formation flight over the famous Acropolis of Athens and its surrounding monuments.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also participating in the multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force with two C-17 and four Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft. The exercise began at the Andravida Air Base in Greece on April 24, 2023 and will end on May 4, 2023.

Exercise for global coordination of Air Force

The exercise aims to improve air force participation's global coordination, synergy, and interoperability.

The official Twitter handle of the Indian Air Force wrote, "With the azure mediterranean sea in the backdrop, the participating forces of Exercise INIOCHOS undertook a formation flight over the famous Acropolis of Athens and its surrounding monuments, considered a symbol of glorious human civilisation.

With the azure mediterranean sea in the backdrop, the participating forces of #ExINIOCHOS undertook a formation flight over the famous #Acropolis of Athens & its surrounding mounuments, considered a symbol of glorious human civilisation.#DiplomatsInFlightSuits@HAFspokesperson pic.twitter.com/k1HfbOS7ie  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 2, 2023

The exercise is being conducted in a realistic scenario involving multiple types of air and surface assets. The participating contingents are also engaging in professional interactions, giving useful information about each other's best practices.

The IAF and the Greece Air Force are also exchanging skills as well as combat techniques. The exercise also involves participation from NATO countries. The Air Force of various countries such as the USA, France, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are taking part in it.

Notably, the exercise is helping the Air Forces of the said countries as they are getting the chance to test their fighters against India's Russian-made Sukhoi-Su 30 MKI fighters.

About Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft

Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is a twin-engine, twin-seat fighter aircraft of the IAF. It is one of the most advanced aircraft with the IAF, it is also capable of carrying and dropping nuclear attacks on the designated target. Its top speed is 2,120 km/hr and has a range of 3,000 km. It weighs 18,400 kgs and uses a Saturn AL-31 engine. It is manufactured by HAL and Sukhoi.
Indian mountaineer Anurag Maloo's health condition has shown some signs of improvements, but he is not out of danger, his brother said on Tuesday, nearly a fortnight after he was found alive by rescuers on Nepal's Mount Annapurna.

Anurag, 34, a resident of Kishangarh in Rajasthan, went missing in mid-April after he fell from around 6,000 meters while descending from Camp III. Mount Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world.

He was found alive in a deep crevasse at some 5800-metre altitude on April 20 after three days of continuous search by a team of rescuers.

He was rushed to Manipal Hospital in Pokhara and then airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment.

"Anurags health condition is gradually improving, but he is not out of danger, his brother Ashish Maloo told PTI, quoting doctors involved in the treatment.

He is currently undergoing treatment at the Medicity Hospital in Lalitpur near Kathmandu.

Anurag is undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, Ashish said.

Anurag has slightly moved his body, he said, without much elaborating.

He is on a mission to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres and the seven highest points in all seven continents to create awareness and drive action towards achieving the UN Global Goals.

He has been awarded REX Karam -- Veer Chakra and became the 2041 Antarctic Youth Ambassador from India.
Under Operation Kaveri, India on Monday successfully evacuated 231 passengers stranded in violence-hit Sudan. Informing about the same, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that this was the 10th outbound flight carrying Indian evacuees from Jeddah and the passengers are enroute to Gujarats Ahmedabad.

Taking to Twitter, Bagchi wrote, 10th outbound flight carrying Indian evacuees from Jeddah. 231 passengers are en route to Ahmedabad.

#OperationKaveri



10th outbound flight carrying Indian evacuees from Jeddah.



231 passengers are en route to Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/gIIPZ0K50v  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 2, 2023

Notably, Operation Kaveri started last week in order to bring back Indians stuck in war-hit Sudan. Since the start of the operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) alone has efficiently brought back around 1,400 Indian citizens. Sharing the pictures of the operation, the air force informed that two C-130 J aircraft have evacuated 260 personnel including elders above 90 years of age.

#OperationKaveri Update.



With almost 1400 Indians evacuated in IAF aircraft over the past few days, two C-130 J aircraft have evacuated 260 personnel including elders who were above 90 years of age & one above 102 years of age.#HarKaamDeshKeNaam pic.twitter.com/Chuo1DBCtu  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 1, 2023

On April 30, India brought back around 186 people, while 594 people were evacuated a day before on April 29. According to the reports, around 3,000 Indian-origin people were stuck in the violence-hit Sudan. The website of the Indian Embassy in Khartoum said that there were around 2,800 Indian nationals in Sudan.

What is Operation Kaveri?

In order to save the lives of thousands of citizens stuck under unbearable conditions in Sudan, Operation Kaveri was launched to evacuate the citizens from the crisis-affected areas of the violence-hit country. The Indians were brought back home from the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah where India set up a transit camp for the evacuees.

Sudan is currently witnessing a massive fight between the country's army and a paramilitary group that has claimed at least 400 lives. Following this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the launch of 'Operation Kaveri' to evacuate and bring back the Indians stranded in the war-hit country.
India's border with Nepal will be sealed on Tuesday, 48 hours before urban local body polls here, to prevent anti-social elements from crossing the boundary and vitiating the election atmosphere, officials here said on Monday.

The movement at transit points will be stopped on Tuesday evening and remain shut till Thursday evening, they said.

Urban local body elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in two phases -- on Thursday (May 4) and May 11. The votes will be counted on May 13. Maharajganj will go to the polls during the first phase of elections on Thursday.

"The Sashastra Seema Bal will enforce the sealing. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed across during this period," District Electoral Officer Satendra Kumar told reporters.

The decision to seal the border was taken during a recent meeting of officials of both countries, he said.

Kumar said traffic movement was banned on the Indo-Nepal border and security personnel were maintaining round-the-clock vigil.

Paramilitary, civil police and intelligence personnel are also keeping a close watch on activities along the border, the official said.

District Election Officer/District Magistrate of Bahraich Dinesh Chandra Singh on Monday said to conduct the urban body elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner, it has been decided (in the meeting held with Sashastra Seema Bal) that the Indo-Nepal border will be sealed 48 hours before the polling on May 4.

During this, only emergency services like ambulances and vehicles carrying essential commodities will be allowed to move after a comprehensive check, he added.

Uttar Pradesh shares an 84-kilometre-long open International Border with Nepal.
Albanian law enforcement authorities on Tuesday charged an Albanian man with supporting terror attacks in Western Europe on social media. A statement from the special prosecutors office against corruption and organized crime accused Bledar Zeneli of promoting and urging terror attacks, falsifying documents and weapon possession.

If convicted, he faces up to 17 years in prison. Using a false profile on Facebook Zeneli and other people, who have yet to be identified, supported terror attacks in Nice, France, and Vienna in October and November 2020 and other terror attacks and radical actions from extremist persons, according to prosecutors. About two-thirds of Albanias 2.8 million people are Muslims. A decade ago hundreds of them joined radical groups in Syria and Iraq, although the mainstream religious leaders urged believers not to become members. No Albanians have joined extremist groups in Syria and Iraq in the last seven to eight years, authorities say.
The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo meet in Brussels on Tuesday to continue talks on the implementation of a European Union-backed 11-point plan to normalise ties between the two, but tensions continue to simmer.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will convene the high-level meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. They are expected to endorse a declaration on missing persons and also discuss the first draft statute on the creation of an association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo  two delicate issues for the former war foes.

The meeting follows one in February when both leaders gave tacit approval to the EU-sponsored plan to end months of political crises, and a March summit in North Macedonia where Belgrade and Pristina tentatively agreed on how to implement the plan.

Miroslav Lajcak, Borrell's envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations, said Tuesday's meeting is a crucial step forward and its important to avoid any actions that could worsen the atmosphere.

Few of the agreements reached between the two countries in the 12-year-long EU-facilitated negotiations have been applied. Brussels and the United States often intervene to calm down tense situations between Belgrade and Pristina, more so in the past year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Belgrade insists Pristina must implement a 2013 agreement to establish an association of the municipalities in the north of Kosovo that have a Serb-majority population. It would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level. Kosovos Constitutional Court later declared the plan unconstitutional, ruling it wasnt inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers.

Serbia says no progress is possible in the talks before the association is tackled. Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said Kosovo will try to avoid any movement on the topic.

We heard the same 10 years ago. Everyone was thrilled that it was a historic act. Ten years passed and the association of Serb municipalities did not happen, said Dacic.

Local elections were held last month in Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives had left their posts last year. The vote was overwhelmingly boycotted by ethnic Serbs.

Vucic praised the vote boycott and sharply criticized Western officials, calling them liars and frauds. He said the Serb minority in the former Serbian province will no longer tolerate foreign occupation.

The talks will also tackle the issue of the more than 1,600 people still officially missing since the 1998-99 war. Kosovo accuses Serbia of hiding their locations.

The EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, or EULEX, says it is difficult to find the bodies as many were buried in small, unmarked graves or even in cemeteries, in an effort by the perpetrators to make the search for the missing more difficult and to hide evidence. Most of the missing are ethnic Albanians, while a few are Serbs.

The international community will pressure both Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic to continue with a constructive approach, because that is the only way forward, said Kosovar analyst Artan Muhaxheri.

Kosovo is a former Serbian province. The 1998-1999 war in Kosovo with a majority ethnic Albanian erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people died, mostly ethnic Albanians. In 1999 a NATO military intervention forced Serbia to pull out of the territory. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which is not recognised by Serbia.
Zhang Zhizhen of China in action against Cameron Norrie of Britain in the third round of men's singles at the Madrid Open, May 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

China's Zhang Zhizhen makes history as he upset 11th seed Cameron Norrie at the Madrid Open.

MADRID, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Zhizhen continued to make history as he became the first player from the Chinese mainland to reach the last 16 of the ATP 1000 tournament after defeating Britain's 11th seed Cameron Norrie at the Madrid Open on Monday.



The 26-year-old Zhang, who stunned Canadian player Denis Shapovalov in the second round, pulled off an even bigger upset against world No. 13 Norrie, rallying from one set down to win the match 2-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2).

"I'm so happy, I didn't expect it before the match," Zhang said. "Especially since I was able to grit my teeth in the second and third sets after losing the first 6-2 so quickly."

Zhang finished the intense match with 32 winners and only 21 unforced errors, while Norrie had 32 unforced errors.

Zhang Zhizhen celebrates after beating Cameron Norrie to reach the last 16.

In the deciding set, Zhang took no break points but dominated in the tiebreak. The Madrid crowd cheered for Zhang in their newly learned Chinese and gave him a standing ovation after the history-making victory.

"Thanks very much to the fans, their cheering was great and made me feel like I was on home court," Zhang commented.

After the win, Zhang's live ranking has risen to No. 89 and might reach No. 65 if he wins the next match against America's Taylor Fritz, who knocked out Cristian Garin 6-1, 7-6 (4).

"Again, a top player for sure, a tough match. I will try my best to fight," said Zhang.
A Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody early Tuesday after a hunger strike of nearly three months, Israels prison service announced.

Khader Adnan began his strike shortly after being arrested on February 5.

Adnan, a member of the Islamic Jihad militant group, had gone on hunger strike several times after previous arrests. That included a 55-day strike in 2015 to protest his arrest under so-called administrative detention, in which suspects are held indefinitely without charge or trial.

Israels prison service said Adnan had been charged this time with involvement in terrorist activities but had refused medical treatment while legal proceedings moved forward. It said he was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Israel is currently holding over 1,000 Palestinian detainees without charge or trial, the highest number since 2003, according to the Israeli human rights group HaMoked.

Israel says the controversial tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons. Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that a third assassination attempt has been hatched against him and sought to quash all political cases against him, saying regular court appearances will endanger his life. Khan has filed a petition in the LHC requesting it to quash all 121 cases registered against him in different cities of the country on various charges like treason, blasphemy, committing and inciting violence and terrorism.

According to the petition, the cases have been instituted on political grounds. Khan, 71, appeared before the LHC amid high security. During the case hearing he requested the court to allow him to speak. The court acceded to his request. Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chairman told the court that his life is in danger.

"Regular appearances in courts will expose my life to danger. I survived two assassination attempts on my life -- one in Wazirabad, Punjab, and the other at Islamabad Judicial Complex Islamabad where the ISI had taken charge of the building," a court official told PTI quoting Khan as saying.

"They (a reference to powers that be) want to kill me and a third assassination attempt is in the offing," Khan told the court.

He said in 70 years of his life, there was not a single case against him and all these cases were filed after he was ousted as prime minister in April last year. The official said the five-member bench of LHC headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi directed Khan to join police investigations into these cases on May 5. "The court did not entertain the request of Khan to appear before the police investigation through a video link. However, the court will resume its hearing on May 8," the official said. Earlier, Khan claimed that he had identified a total of 'six persons' in the country in a video who wanted to kill him.

"Among the six, three are those whom I had named in the FIR after an assassination attempt on my life in Punjab in November last year," Khan said on Thursday. After the November 3 gun attack on his rally in the Wazirabad area (some 150kms from Lahore) in which he suffered bullets injuries to his leg, Khan blamed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and ISI's top officer Major General Faisal Naseer for hatching a plot to assassinate him.

"Interior minister (Sanaullah) says my life is under threat from foreign agencies. Let me make it clear to the entire country that the only threat to my life is from the 3 people I named after the Wazirabad assassination attempt. Same 3, + 3 more I have identified in a video statement, tried to eliminate me on March 18 in ICT Judicial Complex," Khan said in a series of tweets.

"If any attempt is made now on my life, these same people will be responsible. Just as they tried to pin the blame for the Wazirabad attack on a religious extremist - a mere smokescreen - they are now trying to create another deception of foreign agencies," he said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday he will obviously not refuse the possibility of meeting the Afghan de-facto authority, the Taliban, when it is the right moment to do so.

Guterres arrived in Doha Monday to host a two-day meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan to reach points of commonality on key issues, such as human rights, in particular womens and girls rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking.

The meeting is intended to achieve a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues.

When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility. Today, is not the right moment to do so, Guterres said in Doha at a press conference.

He was responding to a question on whether there are any circumstances under which he would meet the Taliban.

India is among the countries and organsations who participated in the Doha meeting.

The meeting was about developing a common international approach, not about recognition of the de facto Taliban authorities, Guterres said.

The other participants in the meeting are from China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Guterres added that it is difficult to overestimate the gravity of the situation in Afghanistan, describing it as the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today.

He noted that 97 per cent of Afghans live in poverty, two-thirds of the population  28 million  will need humanitarian assistance this year to survive and six million Afghan children, women, and men are one step away from famine-like conditions.

He also voiced concerns that "funding is evaporating and said the UN Humanitarian Response Plan, seeking USD 4.6 billion, has received a mere USD 294 million  6.4 per cent of the total funding required.

Guterres added that the current ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations and national and international NGOs is unacceptable and puts lives in jeopardy. He asserted that the UN will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls rights.

"We will always speak out when millions of women and girls are being silenced and erased from sight. This is a grave violation of fundamental human rights, he said.

He added that it violates Afghanistans obligations under international law, namely, human rights law, and infringes on the principle of non-discrimination, which is a core tenet underpinning the United Nations Charter.

And it deliberately undermines the development of a country that desperately needs the contributions of all, in order to achieve sustainable peace and contribute to regional stability. The Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021 and have restricted Afghan women and girls from participating in most areas of public and daily life.

Afghan women have been barred from working with the UN in a country where nearly 29 million people depend on humanitarian assistance.

Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned a decision by the Taliban to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, calling on the de facto authorities to swiftly reverse policies and practices that restrict women and girls from exercising their human rights.

The resolution also called for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in Afghanistan.

It also calls upon the Taliban to swiftly reverse the policies and practices that restrict the enjoyment by women and girls of their human rights and fundamental freedoms including related to their access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and womens full, equal and meaningful participation in public life.
Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), has urged for greater utilisation of the rial and rupee currencies when conducting trade with India, Tehran-based Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

During a meeting held on Monday in Tehran with Ajit Doval, the national security adviser of India, Ali Shamkhani emphasised that the use of their respective national currencies in bilateral trade between Iran and India would facilitate the achievement of their shared economic goals.

Shamkhani and Doval held talks during the meeting, covering a range of topics such as economic, political, and security matters pertaining to both Iran and India, as well as key regional and global developments, IRNA reported.

Ali Shamkhani highlighted that enhancing Iran-India relations was not intended to be detrimental to any other nation and cannot be influenced by the preferences of external parties. He stated that favorable global and regional circumstances have paved the way for the advancement of cooperation between Iran and India in several areas such as energy, transportation, transit, technology, and banking.

IRNA reported that Ali Shamkhani expressed his appreciation for India's contribution to regional and global affairs and emphasised that Iran regards India's involvement in political, economic, and security initiatives with the participation of Central Asian and Persian Gulf countries as vital and beneficial.

Deep influence of Iranian culture in India: Doval

Ajit Doval, on his part, acknowledged that the profound influence of Iranian culture on the daily lives of Indians is indicative of the strong bonds between the two countries.

Furthermore, Doval stated that the recent accord between Iran and Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations would have significant regional implications and could potentially lead to changes in international relations.

IRNA reported that Ajit Doval highlighted the importance of collaboration between Iran and India in promoting stability in Afghanistan. He emphasised that the two nations must join forces to eliminate Takfiri terrorism within the country. Doval further expressed that India views Chabahar port, located in southeastern Iran, as a gateway to expand cooperation between the two countries.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who convened a meeting on Afghanistan in Doha that was attended by India, Tuesday said that participating nations have expressed "serious concerns" over persistent presence of terrorist groups in the war-torn country that pose a risk for the region and beyond.

Guterres arrived in the Qatari capital on Monday to host the two-day meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan to reach points of commonality on key issues, such as human rights, in particular women's and girls' rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking.

The meeting is intended to achieve a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues.

India is among the countries and organisations participating in the meeting, according to a note issued by Guterres' office here.

"The meeting was about developing a common international approach, not about recognition of the de facto Taliban authorities," Guterres said in Doha at a press encounter.

The UN chief said that participants in the meeting are "worried" about the stability of Afghanistan and have expressed those serious concerns.

"They relate to the persistent presence of terrorist organizations  a risk for the country, the region, and further afield, he added.

The other participants in the meeting are from China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Guterres stressed that it was important that we all understand each others concerns and limitations, but agreed that it was in everyones interest, foremost the Afghans, to work together." The participants agreed on the need for a strategy of engagement that allows for the stabilization of Afghanistan but also allows for addressing important concerns.

He noted that concerns were also raised over the lack of inclusivity, which importantly includes human rights, in particular those of women and girls, severely undermined by recent Taliban decisions and the spread of drug trafficking with all its dramatic consequences.

"While different countries placed different priorities on these concerns, according to their own situation, there is a general recognition that they are intertwined. That prioritizing one issue was not to ignore the importance of the others, which allows for an overall shared approach," he said.

Guterres underlined that "to achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage and said many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons which we have learned from the past.

"The UN will continue to use its convening power to advance a forward leaning approach, which puts the Afghan people first, and in a manner that is complementary to existing regional platforms and initiatives, he said.

Guterres said he has agreed to convene another meeting in the near future, where "we will be able to use this platform as a platform where so many different initiatives are coming together." Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned decision by the Taliban to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, calling on the de-facto authorities to swiftly reverse policies and practices that restrict women and girls from exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms including related to their access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and womens full, equal and meaningful participation in public life.

The resolution also called for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
This photo taken on May 2, 2023 shows a closed shop during a general strike following the announcement of the death of Khader Adnan in the West Bank city of Hebron. Khader Adnan, a prominent leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ), on Tuesday died in an Israeli prison after he went on a hunger strike for 86 days, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

CAIRO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) on Tuesday condemned Israel for the death of Khader Adnan, a prominent leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in an Israeli prison after almost three months of hunger strike.

"The Palestinian hunger striker died due to deliberate medical negligence policies that were practiced systematically by the Israeli occupation authority," said Saeed Abu Ali, AL assistant secretary-general for Palestine affairs and occupied Arab territories, in a statement.

"Israel continues deliberate slow murder of Palestinian prisoners, hitting all the international humanitarian laws," said Abu Ali, adding that the dead prisoner suffered severe health conditions from hunger strikes protesting his administrative detention.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club Association, Adnan's death brings the number of Palestinian prisoners who died in Israeli prisons to 237 since 1967, including 75 fatalities due to medical negligence. 
A former lieutenant colonel says the army lacks the stomach for war, as anti-war comments circulate online.

Soldiers of People's Liberation Army march past Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, Oct. 1, 2019.

China has upgraded its military recruitment rules to focus on "preparations for war" and the short-notice enlistment of qualified personnel, a move analysts said was due to Beijing's need for soldiers ready to fight a high-tech regional war.

The People's Liberation Army's newly amended recruitment guidelines, which took effect from May 1, says conscription should "focus on preparations for war," and on recruiting highly skilled personnel, including former soldiers.

Former People's Liberation Army Lt. Col. Yao Cheng said Beijing needs more recruits capable of operating high-tech weaponry, and is hoping to re-enlist former military personnel to cut training time and costs.

"Veterans will be allowed to return to combat positions if they re-enlist," U.S.-based Yao said in an interview with Radio Free Asia. "This is a radical and effective measure, particularly for the navy, air force, rocket corps and other special units."

President Xi Jinping has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan, which has never been ruled by Beijing and whose 23 million people have no wish to give up their democratic way of life.

The amended rules require the recruitment of "high-quality soldiers" in a "lawful, precise and efficient manner."

There is scope for wider mobilization of the population in the event of war, including the recruitment of women to active service if numbers require it, as well as previously demobilized soldiers, who may return to their old posts and rank "if they meet the requirements."

There is also provision for qualified recruits to join as sergeants, the rules say.

"During wartime, the State Council and the Central Military Commission may adjust the requirements and methods used to enlist citizens to active service," according to Article 64 of the rules as published by state news agency Xinhua.

2 million strong

The rules seem aimed at attracting reservists with previous training and experience, as well as fresh graduates, to join the People's Liberation Army's existing 2 million active personnel, said Kung Hsiang-sheng, associate researcher at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

He said war in the Taiwan Strait, which could follow if Beijing tries to annex the democratic island, wouldn't just be fought against the island's armed forces.

Female students holding fake knives take part in a military training for freshmen at a university in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, Sept. 18, 2018. Credit: Reuters





"If there's a war in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan isn't the only enemy they are thinking about," Kung said. "They include the United States and Japan, South Korea and any other allies that could join in."

"They will also need some troops to maintain [domestic] stability," Kung said.

According to Yao, the 1 million-strong People's Armed Police adds to China's current standing army, while there are some 8 million professional reserves under the age of 45 who have already served.

Adding a potential reservoir of 10 million students and regional reserves, national mobilization could produce an army of around 30 million in varying states of training and readiness, with some 10 million ready for combat in a relatively short time, he said.

"A war in the Taiwan Strait would mostly involve the navy, air force, rocket corps and involve high-tech combat," Yao said. "But Taiwan is so small, so it wouldn't need that many soldiers."

"The Central Military Commission has determined that 500,000 troops would be enough from across all of the services including the marines," he said.

No stomach for war

But he said many in the People's Liberation Army don't want to fight.

"People in China are generally anti-war and are unwilling to fight," Yao said. "I personally think that no one is going to give their all for the Communist Party. They are mostly waiting and watching."

He said there is scant esprit de corps in the People's Liberation Army, where the lower ranks are subjected to constant brainwashing, while the officers are typically motivated by the desire for promotion rather than for victory.

First responders in Taiwan carry a man pretending to be injured out of a car, while taking part in the annual Minan civilian defense drill, which this year focuses on the response from various agencies and volunteer groups if under attack by China, outside a power plant in Nangan island, April 20, 2023. Credit: Reuters





According to Yao, this is in stark contrast to democratic Taiwan, where ordinary citizens are likely to be highly motivated to defend their way of life from invasion and suppression by the Chinese Communist Party.

"The generals don't believe that they can win a war in the Taiwan Strait, and are unwilling to fight one," he said, drawing parallels with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

His comments came after an anti-war post circulated widely on Chinese social media last month, in which the writer vowed not to take part in any invasion of Taiwan.

"I won't go, and I won't let my children go, either," the post said. "I am at the lowest level of society ... where nobody remembers us when we're in trouble  they only think of us when they're in trouble."

The post garnered more than 3.27 million views and more than 10,000 comments, according to a report by Taiwan's Central News Agency.

"Anyone starting a war or advocating for war is a national criminal," read one comment on the article, while another said: "If it's about fighting so the rich can hold onto their assets, then forget it!"

Another commented: "Why should I let them cut me down like a leek, shed my blood and my life for these high-ranking officials, whose wives and kids have all left for the United States?"

"Send the children of top officials -- they all have good, red genes," quipped another, while one comment said: "I will be first in line to fight for the enemy."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Meanwhile, authorities put pressure on two rights lawyers and their families to leave.

Citizen journalist Fang Bin disappeared for three years after filming from hospitals and funeral homes early in the COVID-19 pandemic from the city of Wuhan.

Beijing authorities have refused to accept Wuhan-based citizen journalist Fang Bin for relocation after he was bundled onto a high-speed train for the capital shortly after his release from a three-year jail term on Sunday.

Fang was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at a secret trial on orders from Beijing after filming from hospitals and funeral homes early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Radio Free Asia reported last week.

After his release, he was turned around and sent right back again by Beijing police as the authorities stepped up "stability maintenance" measures aimed at getting rid of other politically sensitive figures who have made their homes in the capital.

The Wuhan authorities had believed they were relocating Fang to live with his son, but his son was himself under huge political pressure from the authorities not to have Fang Bin live with him, according to a person familiar with the matter.

"His son was apparently under pressure, and that made his father unwilling to stay in Beijing, so the son took Fang Bin out to eat, bought him some clothes, then Beijing police bought Fang Bin a high-speed train ticket and sent him back to Wuhan on the train that same evening," said the person, who asked to remain anonymous.

Fang was scheduled to arrive in Wuchang, one of the cities in the Wuhan conurbation, at around 9.00 a.m. on Monday, where he was reportedly met by relatives, according to another person who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.

However, repeated attempts to contact him were unsuccessful on Monday.

"The police told Fang Bin that he's not allowed to give any interviews or post videos online," the person said.

"He went to the traditional Chinese clothing store that he used to run in Hankou North this afternoon, but found that everything in it had been taken away," the person said. "I heard that Fang Bin lost a tooth in prison, but I don't know exactly how."

His release comes amid reports that Fang's sister is unwilling to have him living with her, according to someone familiar with the matter who gave only the surname Liu.

"Fang Bin's sister is likely under pressure [from the authorities], and doesn't want Fang Bin living with her," Liu said. "He will stay with his sister [Monday] night, then will find somewhere else to live in Wuhan later."

"But the Wuhan police don't want Fang Bin to stay in Wuhan either," Liu added.

Cut off water, power and gas

Meanwhile, Beijing police are putting further pressure on a prominent human rights lawyer and his family to leave the city where they have made their home, and where their son attends school.

Li Wenzu, wife of Beijing-based rights attorney Wang Quanzhang, has moved out of the family home with the couple's son after the authorities cut off water, gas and electricity supplies to their apartment, they said.

Li Wenzou, the wife of Beijing-based rights attorney Wang Quanzhang, has been staying at a B&B with the couple's son since Saturday. "Now it's surrounded by people [police and officials] who follow us everywhere, she says. Credit: RFA screenshot from Twitter





"There was no water, electricity or gas in the place we used to live," Wang said in an interview on Monday. "It was impossible to carry on living there."

"Now it's surrounded by people [police and officials] who follow us everywhere, and stop us from finding a new place," he said.

A nationwide police operation under the administration of President Xi Jinping has targeted more than 300 lawyers, law firms, and related activists for questioning, detention, imprisonment, debarring, and travel bans since it launched in July 2015.

Li, who has been staying at a bed-and-breakfast with the couple's son since Saturday, said state security police are now putting huge pressure on the family to go and live in the eastern province of Shandong, effectively kicking them out of the capital.

"Whenever we go anywhere, we are followed by a lot of people, who ask us what we're doing, and talk about how great Shandong is," Li said. "I think their intention this time is to drive us out of Beijing."

"This is how they treat people they don't like."

Li said the family are unlikely to be allowed to leave the country, however.

"They won't let me and Quanzhang apply for passports," she said, adding that she fears for the impact of the eviction on her son Quanquan.

"He is a little irritable and emotional but ... suppresses it when talking to me, because he says his parents have to deal with so many people," she said. "He feels like he has to be good because it's not easy for us."

"We sent him to a friend's house ... but they live far away, and his journey to school would take several hours from there, so this is a temporary arrangement," she said.

Break up and isolate

Wang Qiaoling, wife of fellow rights attorney Li Heping, said she was also followed when she visited Li Wenzu at the B&B, by people implementing China's "stability maintenance" system targeting dissidents and others deemed potential troublemakers by the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

"Stability maintenance has been upgraded, and the use of forced eviction is now more common than before," Wang told Radio Free Asia. "The means they use to relocate people are also worse than they used to be."

Wang Qiaoling [left], the wife of rights lawyer Li Heping, walks with Li Wenzu [center] and Lin Ermin, the wife of rights activist Zhai Yanmin on the outskirts of Beijing on April 5, 2018. Wang says she also was followed when she visited Li at the B&B. Credit: AFP





She said Li Wenzu and Qianqian had gone to stay with her, but then the landlord of the apartment she and Li Heping rented had said they would evict them in two weeks' time.

Li Wenzu and Wang Qiaoling were also targeted for eviction in 2021 after they declared they would stand as candidates in local elections in a public challenge to the ruling party while their husbands were still in prison.

Current affairs commentator Li Fatian said the authorities in Beijing are looking to disperse "politically sensitive" activists and dissidents from the city.

"They want to break up these people ... and isolate them," Li said. "The authorities feel they are being successful if they can maintain stability."

He said similar moves have been afoot in other major cities in recent weeks, including the southern city of Guangzhou and the eastern city of Hangzhou.

Wang Quanzhang was released from Shandong's Linyi Prison at the end of a four-and-a-half year jail term handed down on Jan. 28, 2019, by the Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court, after being held in pretrial detention for more than three years with no access to a lawyer or family visits.

He was initially held in his hometown in Shandong before traveling to Beijing to be reunited with his family.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Taiwan has diplomatic ties with only 13 countries as China tries to isolate island

Paraguayan presidential candidate Santiago Pena, center of ruling Colorado Party gestures next to his wife Leticia Ocampos at the party headquarters as he and his running mate Pedro Alliana won Paraguay's presidential race in Asuncion, Paraguay April 30, 2023.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday called for "furthering" friendship with Paraguay after Santiago Pena, a candidate who favors continuing ties with Taiwan rather than Beijing, declared victory in his country's presidential elections.

"Congratulations to @SantiPenap on his landslide election victory, making him the next president of Paraguay," Tsai said via her Twitter account.

"I look forward to furthering our countries long standing relationship & to seeing the government & people of #Paraguay prosper under your leadership," she tweeted.

Pena, a former finance minister who has pledged not to break with six decades of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, garnered 43% of the vote, compared with the 27% won by his center-left opponent Efrain Alegre, who had backed switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

Taiwan now has formal relations with only 13 countries, including Belize, Nauru and the Vatican, after Kiribati and the Solomon Islands broke off diplomatic ties with Taipei in 2021.

Beijing has been stepping up its campaign to isolate Taiwan diplomatically since President Tsai Ing-wen, whose growing ties with U.S. officials has prompted military saber-rattling from China, was elected in 2016.

Honduras announced it would switch ties last month as Tsai began a trip to Latin America that ended with a meeting with the U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.

Pena's victory came amid fears that Paraguay would switch allegiance to Beijing.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, right, uses binoculars to watch a drill as Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez, left looks on during a military drill in Taoyuan on October 9, 2018. Credit: Sam Yeh/AFP





Taiwan's foreign ministry said the island, which split with the mainland amid civil war in 1949 and has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, is "resolved to further deepen and cement its relations with Paraguay," the island's Central News Agency reported.

"Based on the shared values of democracy, freedom and traditional ties between the two sides, Taipei will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges with the new Paraguayan government to create maximum benefits for the people of the two countries," it quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

Important ally

Ambassador to Paraguay Jose Han immediately relayed the congratulatory messages of President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te to Pena, shortly after the candidate of Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party was declared the country's new president-elect in Sunday's presidential race, the agency said.

Taiwan's presidential spokesperson Olivia Lin said Paraguay remains an important ally of Taiwan's in Latin America, with ongoing cooperation and exchanges in the areas of women's empowerment, agriculture and fisheries, public health and medicine, education, and cultural affairs.

Beijing insists that its diplomatic partners accept its claim on Taiwan, which it calls the "one China" policy, effectively forcing them to cut ties with the democratic island.

But Taiwan's 23 million people have repeatedly shown through public opinion polls that they have no wish to give up their sovereignty or democratic way of life to be ruled by the Chinese Communist Party.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
U.S. Ambassador to China nominee Nicholas Burns speaks during a hearing to examine his nomination before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 20, 2021.

Washington is ready to talk to Beijing, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said Tuesday, calling on Beijing to meet us halfway to stabilize the relationship after years of tension.

Our view is we need better channels between the two governments and deeper channels, and we are ready to talk, and its particularly important to do that, of course, when youve got big problems, Burns said at an online event at the Stimson Center.

Weve never been shy of talking, and we hope the Chinese will meet us halfway on this.

Diplomatic communication has significantly dwindled amid the deterioration of relations between Washington and Beijing under two consecutive U.S. administrations over disputes about trade, technology, human rights, and Taiwan. A visit to the self-governing island that China claims as its own by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in August further strained ties.

Burns said that access for all of us in the U.S. government to Chinese counterparts, including members of President Joe Bidens cabinet has really ebbed and flowed over the last year.

Beijing shut down eight different channels of contact with the U.S. immediately after Pelosi departed from Taipei, including three of our most important military channels and the Chinese wouldnt talk to us, Burns told the online meeting.

However, after the Chinese Communist Partys National Congress in October, Burns said he had good meetings with top Chinese foreign affairs officials Qin Gang and Wang Yi.

In November, Biden met with his counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Bali, Indonesia, ahead of the G20 summit, which Burns called a very good, productive exchange.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set for a long-anticipated Beijing visit on Feb. 5 to further repair the relationship. However, he postponed it two days before the trip after a giant Chinese surveillance balloon flew over the U.S. before it was shot down by a fighter jet.

Burns did not say when Blinkens trip to China would be rescheduled, except that it would occur when conditions are appropriate for his visit.

What we really need is a more broad-based engagement at the cabinet level and its hard for me to predict at this point when this kind of reengagement will reoccur, but we have never supported an icing of this relationship, Burns told the meeting virtually from Beijing.

The U.S. and China are also at odds over Beijing's support for Russia in Ukraine as well as Chinese military incursions near Taiwan and in the South China Sea.

Climate talks continue

Burns said environment-related talks between John Kerry, Bidens special envoy for climate issue, and Xie Zhenhua, the Chinese climate negotiator, have been ongoing, and they work together very effectively.

It doesnt mean they always see eye to eye. But I think both governments want to work to see if we can achieve the UN target of limiting the average global increase to 1.5 degrees Centigrade, Burns added.

China is the largest carbon emitter in the world, responsible for about 30% of global emissions, while the U.S. is second with about 10%. Burns said the two governments have a vested interest in working on the climate issue together.

Burns agreed the U.S.-China relationship has always been complicated.

Its very competitive, and its one that matters a lot to the United States for obvious reasons, Burns said. He said his tenure that began 14 months earlier has seen a continuation of all that - a difficult relationship where were trying to stabilize ties between us, deepen the channels between us.

In recent weeks, Burns said, theres been a consistent communication between myself and senior officials in the foreign ministry, my colleagues in the U.S. mission, and their counterparts in the foreign ministry here.

The U.S. would also like to see China push Russia to end its war in Ukraine, Burns said, adding that the recent phone call between Xi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a good first step.

It would be helpful if China pushed Russia to cease bombing Ukrainian schools, and Ukrainian hospitals, and Ukrainian apartment buildings.
'Anti-socialist crime' can lead to up to two years in labor camp

A man climbs down from a blossom tree during a wedding photo shoot for a bride and groom at the Moran hill park in Pyongyang on April 17, 2019.

North Korea is sending unwed couples who are living together to serve time in labor camps, saying they are poisoning the countrys socialist society, sources there told Radio Free Asia.

If the couples were living in a common-law marriage for less than one year, the punishment will be three months imprisonment in a labor training camp, a source from Chongju, in the northwestern province of North Pyongan, told RFAs Korean Service on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

If it exceeds three years, they will spend at least two years in the labor camp, the source said.

Unwed couples, or those who didnt register their marriages with authorities, fall under the umbrella term 8.3 couples, a slang term that refers to any couple that for some reason lacks legitimacy.

The term gets its name from a government directive issued back on August 3, 1984, that encouraged factories to earn extra money beyond their state-set profit quotas by reusing waste materials. It can also refer to people having extramarital affairs.

The crackdown on 8.3 couples is part of a larger effort by the government to eliminate "capitalist" or "anti-socialist" culture from infiltrating society, with increasingly harsh consequences for activities that the government deems to be unbecoming of a loyal citizen.

The government announced it would start to investigate common-law marriages on February 22, when the Ministry of Social Security listed the practice among other anti-party and counter revolutionary social crimes, the North Pyongan resident said.

The list also included robbery, rape, child abduction, violence against Party or government officials and their families, writing anonymous complaint letters, and graffiti, and said the crimes would be mercilessly punished, she said.

Immediately after they announced the proclamation, judicial authorities took measures for residents to voluntarily surrender who had committed the many different crimes which threaten the socialist system, the source said. Couples in common-law marriages, whose marriages are not legally registered, were told to surrender within one month.

Neighborhood watch units

Most people in common-law marriages, however, have not surrendered, she said.

As a result, the judicial authorities have been directly investigating 8.3 couples since the beginning of April.

Neighborhood watch unit leaders in the city of Tokchon visited each household in their jurisdiction to figure out which residents were living in common-law marriages, another source in South Pyongan province, North of the capital Pyongyang, told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

[They] went house to house to confirm each couples citizenship cards in the beginning of April and prepared a list of all the common-law couples who did not register their marriages, he said. They will hand that list over to the Ministry of Safety and Security.

The source said common-law marriages are more common in the cities and vary from region to region..

I live in the Hungdok neighborhood, and there are 25 households in my watch unit. Of these, four were listed as 8.3 couples, he said. The larger the city, the more cases are being discovered.

Common-law marriages saw a rapid increase following the 1994-1998 famine, as women began to find that being legally bound to a man was a hindrance rather than an asset, according to a North Korean escapee who left in 2017 and resettled in the South, and identified himself to RFA by the pseudonym Kim Chang-jin.

Because of the collapse of the national rationing system, most women had to leave the home to run businesses to support their families, leading them to greater independence from men, thereby giving them less incentive to get legally married.

Yoon Bo Young, a researcher at Dongguk University in Seoul, told RFA that 8.3 couples started becoming more common because of North Koreas patriarchal culture, which is disadvantageous to women in legal marriages.

In North Korea, the state interferes with many facets of a womans life including by issuing instructions on how women should style their hair and how they should wear their clothes, she said.

It is difficult for residents to live and to eat. When the entire nation suffers, that misery is not shared by the entire population, but it is exceptionally harsher on the weak and the women. This is why there is an increase of 8.3 couples.

She said that during tough times, the men can take out their anger on their wives, but married women have nowhere to go find relief. North Korean authorities tend to ignore domestic violence cases between a legally married husband and wife, but if a couple is not legally married, the abuser is usually punished.

Yoon said that North Koreas strong demands for socialist moral norms and ethics is driving the increase in the level of punishment against social problems, but she said that North Koreas social order cannot be stabilized if the residents lives are not stabilized first.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
Dry weather, poor firefighting equipment have made it difficult to contain the blazes.

Villagers in northern Laos build a fire break to protect against an approaching wildfire [right], April 2023.

Forest fires in northern Laos have burned up to half of forested land in some areas as wildfires spread in parched, hard-to-reach hilly areas due to a lack of modern firefighting equipment, authorities said.

Fires fanned by drier-than-usual weather in Luang Prabang, Xayabury and Oudomxay provinces have been burning for weeks, causing respiratory problems and some of the regions worst smog in years.

Many of the fires began as controlled burns started by farmers using slash-and-burn agriculture techniques to clear land for the beginning of planting season in May.

Some villagers are tying together tree leaves and branches to make a broom to try to keep fires from spreading, a fireman from Luang Prabang province told RFA.

Theyre using sticks to fight fires, he said.

Hundreds of wildfires on a single day  April 18, 2023  in northern Laos are represented by red dots in this satellite image. Credit: NASA FIRMS

Some places, theres no water

Most firefighters in Laos have out-of-date equipment and are underfunded, a rescue official in Oudomxay province told Radio Free Asia. Laos government doesnt use airplanes or drones to monitor or extinguish fires like they do in other countries, he said.

If the place of wildfire is steep and hilly and a firetruck cant reach it, villagers use the tree branches, he said. Some places, theres no water and a fire truck cant do anything.

Other fires have started in forests and then spread to nearby farms, according to an official in Luang Prabang provinces Vieng Kham district.

At the farms, the fires are burning things left over after the harvest, like corn cobs and dry trash, including decayed fences and old water hoses, the official told RFA last week.

In Oudomxay provinces Xay district, between 45% and 50% of forest has recently been destroyed by wildfires, a local official said. Villagers and firefighters worked together to contain the fires, preventing damage to homes, farms and cattle, he said.

More than 320,000 hectares were destroyed by wildfire between 2014 and 2022, according to the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture. Most of the damage was due to the annual slash-and-burn fires that spread elsewhere, the ministry found.

Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Myanmar junta leader Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing meets with visiting Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Naypyidaw on May 2, 2023.

Chinas foreign minister arrived in Myanmars capital on Tuesday for meetings with military junta leaders, the latest visit by a top Chinese official to the embattled nation in recent months.

The three-day trip by Foreign Minister Qin Gang follows a meeting held in Beijing on Monday with Noeleen Heyzer, the United Nations special envoy on Myanmar, where a possible resolution to the countrys internal conflict was discussed.

China has been Myanmars staunchest ally since the February 2021 military coup detat. Investment and trade have continued even as most Western nations have shunned the junta and despite international sanctions.

Qin Gang arrived in Naypyidaw at about 2 p.m. and immediately met with junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, a source close to the military council confirmed to Radio Free Asia.

The foreign minister remarked that Myanmars internal conflict is complicated and wont be easy to resolve, adding that China is interested in promoting stability in Myanmar because it shares a border, according to Chinas state media CGTN news agency.

Earlier on Tuesday, the foreign minister visited the China-Myanmar border, according to Chinese and Hong Kong-based news media.

Eye on the U.S.

Qin Gang was also scheduled to meet with former military leader, Than Shwe, who ruled Myanmar from 1992 to 2011. The foreign minister was scheduled to have dinner with Min Aung Hlaing Tuesday evening, the source said.

The visit could be partly linked to Beijings desire to counter U.S. influence in Myanmar. In December, President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included assistance to Myanmars democratic forces.

Among the provisions in the act are programs designed to provide technology and non-lethal assistance to those fighting the better-equipped military  including the countrys shadow National Unity Government, anti-junta Peoples Defense Force paramilitary groups and various ethnic armies.

Last month, the director of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, Peng Xiubin, suddenly arrived in Naypyidaw and met with Than Shwe and Thein Sein, the president of the countrys quasi-civilian government from 2011 to 2016.

Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun, visited Naypyidaw twice in February and March and held talks with Min Aung Hlaing. He also met with several ethnic armies from northern Myanmar  across the border from Chinas Yunnan province  in December 2022 and again in February.

Political stability, economic interests

Peace and stability in Myanmar is their key interest and they have been involved in this regard for a long time, said China-based Burmese analyst Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw.

The number one thing is they want to prevent the Myanmar issue from becoming a sparking point amid U.S. and Chinese tensions, she said. Second is economic interests.

China would eventually like to oversee a supply-chain market out of the 10 Southeast Asian and five East Asian countries, Hla Kyaw Zaw said.

Myanmar is part of this process as well, she said.

Zin Mar Aung, minister of foreign affairs for National Unity Government, told RFA that her initial comment on Qin Gangs visit is that the international community  including our neighbors  shouldnt give legitimacy to the military junta.

But we cautiously keep an eye on the visit and the impact of it. We hope the approach would not alienate the desire and wishes of the people of Myanmar, she said.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
A local Peoples Defense Force says 2 of its troops also died in a battle.

Residents of Sagaing township, Sagaing region, flee ahead of junta raids on their villages in a photograph taken on April 21, 2023.

Junta troops are continuing brutal raids on a township in Myanmars northern Sagaing region, arresting and killing three villagers this week, locals told RFA.

A column of around 100 troops began raiding villages in Sagaing township again on April 30, according to residents speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

They said the column swept up the Mu River, fighting local Peoples Defense Forces along the way.

They arrested civilians in three villages and killed them this week, one resident told RFA Tuesday.

A shepherd boy who was arrested in Maung Htaung village was shot dead this morning in Ma Au Pin village. It seems that he was being held hostage, the local said.

Two civilians from Htein Kone and Let Pan Thar villages were shot dead yesterday.

Last month troops beheaded a man, and burned down more than 50 homes and a Buddhist hall in Sagaing townships Ta Pa Yin Kwe, the second raid on the village this year.

Thousands of residents have fled their villages in the township over the past month, adding to Sagaing regions growing humanitarian crisis.

More than half a million people in Sagaing region have fled due to fighting, junta arson attacks and general insecurity since the February 2021 coup, according to independent research group Data for Myanmar.

RFA called the junta spokesperson for Sagaing region, Aye Hlaing, seeking comment on the arrest and killing of civilians in Sagaing township but no one answered.

Troops left Ma Au Pin village Tuesday morning, heading towards Myinmu township according to the villager who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity.

Sagaing District Battalion 8 Commander De Wa told RFA two of his soldiers were killed in a two-day battle this week.

He said junta forces raided a PDF camp on Tuesday morning, taking weapons and ammunition.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Members of Australia's special forces conduct an exercise during the Australian International Airshow in Melbourne March 2, 2011.

The Australian military has conducted top-secret war-gaming exercises, with such scenarios as China setting up a military base in a South Pacific nation, while examining its defense posture, Australias media reported.

The exercises, described in a classified version of the Australian governments defense strategy review, found that the countrys army would struggle to respond to certain plausible and specific scenarios, according to the Sydney Morning Herald and Channel 9 News.

Among the scenarios that were analyzed in detail by security experts are a war between the United States and China over Taiwan, and Beijing establishing a military base in the Solomon Islands, neighboring Australia.

In the latter scenario, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLA) would be within just 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles) of the Australian mainland.

In a recent series of interviews conducted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, four leading Australian defense experts warned that a war between the U.S. and China over Taiwan would "probably be the biggest and most disruptive war the world has seen since 1945" as it would swiftly escalate into a full-scale regional maritime war.

The defense review found that the Australian Defence Force is not fully fit for purpose and called for a major strategy and forces overhaul to deal with radically different strategic circumstances and the return of major power strategic competition.

An AH-1Z Viper conducts flight operations with Royal Australian Navy Canberra-class landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific July 31, 2022. Credit: Australian Defense Force via AP

The Australian government released last week a de-classified version of the Defence Strategic Review 2023 before announcing that it will host, for the first time, a Quad leaders summit on May 24 in Sydney.

The Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, comprises Australia, India, Japan and the United States. The last Quad leaders summit was held in Tokyo in May 2022.

Beijing has repeatedly accused Quad countries of building small cliques and stoking bloc confrontation.

Facing Chinas threats

Analysts say that there has been a remarkable shift in Australia's approach to defense, mainly stemming from concerns about Chinas increased military power and ambitions.

The review said Chinas military build-up is the largest and most ambitious of any country since the end of World War II.

The new strategy will shift the Australian military from a balanced to a focused force, which will concentrate on long-range power projection and 'impactful projection' capabilities, said Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

Those capabilities include long-range strike for deterrence, particularly in regards to the growing challenge of China's military, Davis told RFA.

The review noted that the Australian Navy needs enhanced lethality to deal with the PLA new capabilities.

Of particular concern is Beijing's rapid build-up of nuclear weapons capabilities, with a shift from about 350 warheads to 1,500 warheads by 2035, and the establishment of the world's largest navy, along with advanced long-range precision strike capabilities, the Canberra-based analyst said.

These capabilities and China's actions have dramatically reduced the warning time for a major power war, he added.

As a result, the review is now emphasizing the rapid acquisition of military capabilities needed for littoral operations in northern Australia and maritime spaces, as well as long-range strike capabilities.

The Australian militarys range for firing projectile munitions will increase from 40 to 300 kilometers (25 to 186 miles), and with the acquisition of the precision strike missile, over 500 kilometers (311 miles).

Australia will develop indigenous long-range missile manufacturing, according to the defense ministry, with options to be provided by the second quarter of next year.

Beijings reaction

The Australian government said it has accepted the reviews recommendation for an inaugural National Defence Strategy in 2024, which will be updated biennially.

The total to be spent on implementing the review is AUD$19 billion (U.S.$12.7 billion) over four years, including the AUD$9 billion (U.S.$6 billion) spent on purchasing up to eight nuclear-powered submarines via a tripartite deal with the U.S. and the U.K. (AUKUS)

To start, Australia on Tuesday announced that it will offer service members bonuses of up to AUD$50,000 (U.S.$33,500) at the end of their initial period of service if they commit to a further three years in the military.

Beijing quickly condemned the Australian governments defense strategy review, with a spokesperson saying that China hopes certain countries will not use China as an excuse for military build-up and will refrain from hyping up the China threat narrative.

China pursues a defensive national defense policy and stays committed to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and the wider world. We do not pose a challenge to any country, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

Australias perception of a Chinese threat is most definitely not hype, said Malcolm Davis from ASPI, adding that China has been building up its military with virtually no transparency on its intentions.

Edited by Mike Firn.
The U.S. and Philippines, two longtime allies, look to build on 'historic momentum' in bilateral ties.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden walk up the West Wing colonnade on their way to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, May 1, 2023.

The U.S.and Philippines presidents praised a rapid warming of bilateral ties, as they met at the White House on Monday on the heels of expanded joint military exercises and Washington criticizing Beijings harassment of Filipino boats in the South China Sea.

The meeting marked the first official visit by a Philippine president to Washington in more than a decade  although President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had met with U.S. leader Joe Biden on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York last September.

President Biden and President Marcos welcome the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine relations, and resolve to continue expanding engagement and cooperation on all issues of common concern, according to a joint statement issued by the White House late Monday that called the two countries the closest of allies," BenarNews, an affiliate of Radio Free Asia, reported.

Marcos immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, cultivated warmer relations with Beijing and did not visit Washington during his time in office.

During remarks alongside Biden before the two presidents sat down to talk, Marcos said it was only natural  for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions.

There exist geopolitical issues that have made the region where the Philippines is possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in  in the world right now, Marcos told reporters.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of Filipinos gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila to protest against a deal between the two governments to give American forces access to more military bases in the Philippines. Two of the bases included in the agreement face Taiwan, which is under increased threats from its much larger neighbor, China.

The identification of four new bases under an expanded defense pact will strengthen Philippine security and support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization goals, the joint statement from the White House said.

Before embarking on his trip to the U.S. capital, Marcos said that the Philippines continuously works for peace and that the country would not be used as a staging post for any military action amid tensions in the region.

The visit with Biden was essential to advancing our national interests and strengthening that very important alliance, Marcos said, adding that he planned to reaffirm the alliance as an instrument of peace.

All we are worried about is the peace and the safety of our people, here and abroad. And thats the main consideration. So in my view, thats the role, he said, according to a statement posted on the website of the Philippine presidential communications office.

The expanded agreement on the Philippine bases has riled Beijing. Biden Administration officials, meanwhile, have refused to say whether the bases would be used in a potential war between the U.S. and China over Taiwan.

Other topics for discussion between Biden and Marcos included food security, agricultural productivity development, digital economy, energy security, climate change and cybersecurity.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, May 1, 2023. [Brendan Smialowski/AFP]

Ahead of the meeting between the two presidents, senior U.S. administration officials discussed the nations long partnership with the Philippines, as they briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

[R]ecent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary step to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between the United States and the Philippines, the senior officials said during the briefing on Sunday.

In terms of specific outcomes for this  for the meetings, were looking forward to announcing a new set of bilateral defense guidelines that will deepen our alliance cooperation and interoperability across operational domains, including land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.

When a reporter asked the officials about the recent announcement on the U.S. being granted access to the four more military bases in the Philippines, they declined to say whether Manila would allow American troops to use them during times of war.

According to a U.S.-based security expert on Southeast Asia, Zachary Abuza, the two nations are not in total agreement over the military bases.

Despite the fanfare about the enhanced EDCA agreement, there are still differences between the two sides. The Philippines is still looking for more definitive tripwires that would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty, while the United States, obviously, wants more wiggle room, said Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

From an American perspective, the defense of Taiwan is extremely difficult without being able to access and forward deploy equipment and munitions in the Philippines, he told BenarNews.

Philippine protesters carry a large banner rejecting U.S. presence on military bases during a May Day rally in Manila, May 1, 2023. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews]

The joint statement from the White House touched on a range of issues of bilateral concern, including saying that leaders underscore the importance of strong democratic institutions, rule of law, and respect for human rights, including freedom of expression, press, and association.

This was noteworthy because President Biden was welcoming to the executive mansion the son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, a staunch ally of the U.S. during the Cold War who was accused of committing massive human rights abuses during 14 years of rule by martial law. In fact, during their remarks to reporters, Biden mentioned that Marcos Jr. had accompanied his father during a visit to the White House, when Ronald Reagan was the U.S. president.

As the younger Marcos visited the White House on Monday, two leading senators from Bidens Democratic Party, Richard Durbin of Illinois and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, called on President Marcos to release a prisoner of conscience and their former Philippine counterpart, Leila de Lima, from jail.

[W]e must not forget the troubling human rights situation he presides over back home in the Philippines, Durbin and Markey said of Marcos in a joint statement.

The two senators also expressed the hope that the Marcos administration can turn the page on the abuses of the previous administration, and that his leadership brings with it a broader shift in U.S.-Philippines relations, in which both sides uphold shared democratic values amid deepening cooperation.

Joint military drills

Marcos visit to the U.S. follows Balikatan, the largest joint training exercise between the partners in the Philippines, which included training on Patriot, Avenger and Stinger systems. The exercise featured a mock attack to sink an enemy ship.

More recently, Washington joined with Manila on Saturday in calling on Beijing to stop harassing Philippine ships after the coast guard reported a near-collision with a Chinese ship near the Manila-occupied Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a U.S. State Department statement.

Hours before Biden welcomed Marcos to the White House, a large crowd of Filipinos gathered near the U.S. Embassy in Manila during a May Day rally to protest the governments decision to allow American troops to have expanded access to military bases on Philippine soil.

Marcos Jr. is set to have a bilateral meeting with Biden on Labor Day to possibly discuss furthering PH-U.S. military pacts in a time of heightening tensions between U.S. and China in the Asia Pacific region, said Mimi Doringo, secretary general of the leftist group Kadamay. Philippine subservience to either imperialist states the U.S. and China will not lead to progress, especially to the poor working class.

The Philippines is one of many nations that mark International Workers Day on May 1.

The leftist political group Anakbayan also slammed the presidents four-day trip to Washington, calling it a win-win for Marcos while the entire nation loses.

This updated defense guideline being worked on will only tighten the geopolitical and economic grasp of the U.S. to the Philippines, said Jeann Miranda, the political groups national chairwoman.

Froilan Gallardo and Richel V. Umel in Manila contributed to this report.

BenarNews is an online news outlet affiliated with Radio Free Asia.
Mohamed A. Salama, head of the International Tourism Offices Sector at the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, is interviewed with Xinhua in Cairo, Egypt, on April 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

by Mahmoud Fouly, Yao Bing

CAIRO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- In front of the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt's capital Cairo, several groups of Chinese tourists are taking photos and selfies, enjoying their trip to the historic site.

Abbas Sayed, a 38-year-old Egyptian tour guide of one of the tourist groups, said after the sightseeing in the capital, he would take his group to Aswan province in southern Egypt to visit the historic Abu Simbel temple complex.

Sayed said the number of Chinese tourists coming to Egypt has been surging since the beginning of this year, which not only boosts his income but also the country's tourism and other related business as well.

"The strong return of Chinese tourists to Egypt doesn't only make a difference to Chinese-speaking Egyptian tour guides but to all those working in the tourism sector in Egypt," Sayed told Xinhua.

The favorite destinations for Chinese tourists in Egypt, according to Sayed, are the capital Cairo where they could visit the pyramids and museums, the southern provinces of Luxor and Aswan where they can tour the massive ancient temples, and the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada.

"Coming from a country with an ancient civilization too, the Chinese tour the Egyptian historic sites with deep respect and reverence," Sayed said.

Chen Yixin, a tourist from southern China's Guangzhou city, said he arrived in Egypt early Monday morning and would stay for nine days.

"I've watched lots of documentaries and got really interested in Egypt's culture and scenic spots," he said, adding that "the plane he took on his way to Egypt was packed with Chinese tourists."

Tourism is one of the pillar industries of Egypt, accounting for around 12 percent of the GDP.

Official data shows the tourist number in Egypt dropped from over 13 million in 2019 to around 3.7 million in 2020 due to the pandemic. It gradually recovered to about 8 million in 2021 and further rebounded throughout 2022 to a nearing pre-pandemic level.

Ahmed Fawzy, owner and CEO of a Cairo-based tour company, said the Egyptian travel agencies accommodating Chinese tourists all reported good performance in January.

Expecting tourist spots and market alleyways to be bustled with Chinese tourists again, governments and businesses are gearing up for their arrival.

"Once we learned that the travel of Chinese tourists to Egypt will be resumed, we started our preparations and our promotion work to attract more Chinese tourists," Mohamed A. Salama, head of the International Tourism Offices Sector at the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, the promotion arm of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, told Xinhua.

Salama stressed that Egypt is working on increasing its share of China's outbound travel market, saying, "We hope that Egypt will be on top of the destinations of Chinese tourists." 

Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on May 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Chinese tourists pose for photos with a camel as they visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on April 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

An Egyptian tour guide is interviewed at the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on May 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on May 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on May 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Chinese tourists pose for photos as they visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on April 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Salvador Caro Cabrera, a member of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, displays a Tibetan national flag during a visit to the Mexican Congress by Chinas new ambassador to Mexico, April 26, 2023.

Shouting Free Tibet and Free the Uyghurs a group of Mexican legislators interrupted a congressional session last week at which Chinas new ambassador was being introduced to the assembly.

The lawmakers stood and shouted soon after Ambassador Zhang Run was welcomed by Santiago Creel, president of the lower house, on April 26 in Mexico City.

Deputies Salvador Caro Cabrera and Ines Parra Juarez of the Friends of Tibet group rose from their seats and displayed the Tibetan national flag while shouting Free Tibet for about 20 minutes.

Video footage also showed Caro yelling, Free the Uyghurs! Cancel the concentration camps!  referring to the detainment of the mostly Muslim Uyghurs in re-education camps where they have been subjected to severe rights abuses.

The lawmakers were protesting Chinas tight grip on Tibet and Xinjiang, where authorities have restricted the movement of residents and tried to suppress their cultural and religious identities.

Beijing has said that the Uyghur re-education camps were vocational training centers whose purpose was to prevent religious extremism and terrorism in China's restive Xinjiang region.

Belt and Road

After attending the parliamentary session, Zhang met members of the Mexico-China Friendship Group of the Chamber of Deputies and stressed the importance of the One China principle as the political foundation for bilateral relations, according to a Chinese Embassy statement.

He also welcomed Mexico to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and other development and security programs.

The Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhists spiritual leader, and the Tibetan government in exile in India do not seek separation from China but believe that the Tibet region can coexist with China under genuine autonomy.

Caro and Parra founded Friends of Tibet, now comprising 19 legislators from five political parties in the Chamber of Deputies, in November 2022. Its purpose is to support the cause of Tibet by defending Tibetans human rights, recognizing their autonomy, defending the environment in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and ensuring freedom of belief and religion.

A day after the groups formation, diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Mexico met with Creel to object to the pro-Tibet group and demanded that Chinas national flag be waved in the chamber.

In March, several Mexican legislators, including Caro and Parra, traveled to Dharamsala in northern India, headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government-in-exile.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership.

Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Incident report does not explain why he was prevented from boarding flight to Thailand

The grounding of Vietnamese scholar Nguyen Quang A is one of many documented instances of the government preventing activists, dissidents and others from leaving the country.

Ticket in hand, Vietnamese scholar Nguyen Quang A stepped up to the immigration counter at Hanois Noi Bai International Airport.

He planned to catch a flight to Thailand, and continue onward to the European Union, where he had planned to tour several countries.

But he was stopped by police and prevented from boarding the plane.

I told them that it was no problem and asked them to create a record about the incident, explaining why I was banned from traveling abroad, the former director of the now-dissolved Institute of Development Studies told Radio Free Asia.

As grounding is one of hundreds of documented cases of the Vietnamese government preventing social activists, political dissidents or religious freedom activists from leaving the country.

The incident report did not explain exactly why A was stopped at the airport, only saying it was on the request of the Ministry of Public Securitys Immigration Department and related to security issues, per Clause 9, Article 36 of Vietnams 2019 Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens.

The report said he could inquire with the department for more information.

Prior to receiving the incident report, A had been approached by two police officers from the Ministry of Public Security, he said.

[They] told me that the Hanoi police summoned me in late 2021 and that issue hasnt been resolved, said A. I told them that I had no idea about [any summons], and that they should know more about it because they are from the same ministry. I never received any notices or summons.

A also said he was not aware that he was in any legal trouble prior to trying to leave the country.

The police later returned his passport and gave him a copy of the record, but they tore his boarding pass, making it impossible to request a refund from Vietnam Airlines.

The police returned his passport and gave him a copy of the incident record. However, they tore his boarding pass, making it impossible for him to request Vietnam Airlines for a refund.

I dont understand why they did that, he said. I could ask for a refund if it was still intact. In fact, I wasnt even in the boarding area yet.

A said he would consider asking the Immigration Department to clearly explain the reason his exit was denied, but said an inquiry might be in vain, because the laws are so vague that they could say whatever they want.

RFA attempted to contact the Immigration Department for an explanation but telephone calls and emails went unanswered.

Targeting scholars, lawyers and activists

A said he was deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Vietnam because several scholars like himself have been arrested, and the attorneys representing them have been harassed.

In 2022, the Vietnamese government arrested two senior scholars: Hoang Ngoc Giao, the director of the Institute for Policies, Law and Development under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations for tax evasion, and Nguyen Son, former director of the SENA Institute of Technology Research and Development for abusing democratic freedoms.

Over the past few months, the police summoned the five attorneys defending Peng Lei Buddhist Church members for alleged violations of Article 331 of the Penal Code  an article widely criticized by international communities as being vague and used to stifle dissenting voices.

In October 2018, A participated in a human rights hearing at the EU Parliament, just before the regional bloc ratified the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. At the hearing, he requested the EU to pressure Vietnam to sign three international labor conventions, including Convention 87 which gives workers the freedom of association and to organize into independent trade unions.

Mondays incident was not the first time he had been stopped at Noi Bai Airport.

On Sept. 1, 2015, police at the airport took him into temporary custody after a trip to the United States, where he had participated in talks about the role of civil society in the democratization of Vietnam. He had also taken part in a summer conference in Berlin with other Vietnamese intellectuals that year.

According to a February 2022 report by New York-based Human Rights Watch, Vietnamese authorities systematically prevented more than 170 activists, bloggers, dissidents, and their families from traveling within Vietnam or overseas. Their tactics included stopping them at airports or border gates, rejecting their applications for a passport or other travel papers.

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking Chinas resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. To subscribe, click here.

Im RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and heres what Im following right now.

Beijing, Moscow, And Leaked Documents

Along with my colleagues at Systema, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, we obtained never before reported documents and recordings from closed-door meetings in 2017 and 2019 between Chinese and Russian officials where they share methods and tactics for monitoring dissent and controlling the Internet.

Finding Perspective: China and Russias growing ties are no secret, but the documents provide a unique window into the practical level of cooperation under way between China and Russia when it comes to monitoring and restricting their respective Internets.

Among some of the key findings, Russian officials are seen asking for advice and practical know-how from their Chinese counterparts on a range of topics, including disrupting circumvention tools like VPNs and Tor, cracking encrypted Internet traffic, and seeking tips from China's experience in regulating messaging platforms.

LISTEN: Beijing and Moscows deepening ties are no secret, but what do recently leaked Pentagon documents tell us about where their burgeoning military partnership is headed? Dennis Wilder, former Asia adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush, joins host Reid Standish.

In another instance, in July 2017, Aleksandr Zharov, who served as the head of Roskomnadzor until 2020, asks a Chinese delegation to help arrange a visit for Russian specialists to China, where they could study the operations of the Golden Shield Project -- the all-encompassing Internet censorship and surveillance system that helps make up what is colloquially known as Chinas Great Firewall.

In turn, Chinese officials sought Russian expertise on regulating media and dealing with popular dissent, including monitoring protests led by opposition figure Aleksei Navalny.

In another 2019 exchange, officials from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) also made requests to Roskomnadzor to block a variety of China-related links to news articles and interviews that they had deemed to be of a dangerous nature and harmful to the public interest.

Why It Matters: Beijing and Moscow have been deepening their ties for the past decade and controlling the flow of information online has been a focal point of that cooperation since Chinese leader Xi Jinpings first trip to Russia as leader in 2013.

The documents shed new light on a pivotal time inside Russia and point to how Russia has sought to emulate China in exerting control over its people in the social media age.

For years, the Russian government has been putting in place new measures to smother freedom of speech online, but many have stumbled in practice. But in 2019, those efforts reached a zenith when a controversial sovereign Internet law went into force that allowed Moscow to tighten control over the countrys Internet by routing web traffic through state-controlled infrastructure and creating a national system of domain names.

While many of Russia's measures are still a far cry from those inside China, they have continued to be more technologically advanced and restrictive, a process that has accelerated since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Expert Corner: Who Speaks For Europe?

Readers asked: French President Emmanuel Macron got into hot water over his comments about Taiwan. Weve also recently seen various other -- sometimes contradictory -- comments coming from European Union and European officials. Why does this seem to happen when it comes to China?

To find out more, I asked Rikard Jozwiak, RFE/RLs Europe editor:

It happens because there really isnt a coherent policy toward China. It is sometimes a rival, notably when it comes to geopolitics, and sometimes a partner in areas such as climate change mitigation. And then, of course, there is economic dependence on Beijing that leads to some EU member states not wanting to be too harsh on China. EU foreign policy is made up via the lowest common denominator as all the 27 EU capitals need to green-light any move. For China, this means that you have a mishmash of interests, ideas, and fears that makes outsiders unsure about what Europes China policy really is.

I also think that the EU has failed to formulate a coherent Taiwan policy and this adds to the mixed messages coming out from Europe. Macron said that Europe should not get caught up in a conflict over the island, but have he and fellow European leaders drawn up any plans on what Brussels will do if China were to attack? Its still unclear what Europes red lines would be and how it would react.

Do you have a question about Chinas growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and Ill get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. The Pentagon Leaks

China approved the provision of lethal aid to Russia for its war in Ukraine but wanted any shipments to remain a secret, according to leaked U.S. government documents.

What You Need To Know: The recently leaked trove of classified Pentagon documents that contain assessments and reports from Americas intelligence agencies shows that Beijing had approved the incremental provision of weapons to Moscow, which it would disguise as civilian items.

That comes from a February 23 top-secret intelligence summary that The Washington Post reported was gathered by U.S. agents eavesdropping on discussions by Russias secret service. The Russians said Chinas central military commission wanted the shipments to remain secret.

Among other revelations, a separate file in the trove of leaked documents said Beijing would consider a significant Ukrainian strike with American or NATO weapons on Russian territory as an escalation of the conflict that would merit sending arms to Russia.

The timing is notable. A public U.S.-led campaign over a potential Chinese arms transfer accelerated in late February, and shortly after that document circulated within the U.S. government NBC News reported that the U.S. information about the plan to obtain lethal aid from China was gleaned from Russian officials.

Whats less clear is if the transfers are taking place or if the public pressure on China has worked.

Reports based on trade data show private sales of small-scale weapons from China to Russia, and senior Ukrainian officials have said their forces are finding a growing number of components from China in Russian weapons on the battlefield.

Whether Chinese covert efforts are under way or not, defense cooperation between China and Russia is set to grow. A large portion of the Chinese delegation for Xis Moscow summit in March were defense officials, and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu was in Russia on April 16 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

2. Lula's 'Peace Club'

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrapped up a state visit to China, where he sought to position himself as a peace broker in the ongoing war in Ukraine while attempting to elevate Brazil's global status and boost economic ties with Beijing.

The Details: As I reported here, a key piece of Lula's outreach is courting political backing for his proposal that Brazil and other developing countries, including China, form a peace club to broker a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

Analysts, however, remain skeptical about the chances of Lula's peace proposal, which is unlikely to gain support from Kyiv and its backers given China's close ties with Russia and past comments from the Brazilian leader that Ukraine should cede Crimea -- which was forcibly annexed by Moscow in 2014 -- as a means to reach a deal.

Beyond the diplomacy push from Lula, the visit allowed him to shore up Brazils economic and political ties with China, as he left Beijing with a slew of new agreements.

But as Carlos Solar, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, told me, Lula is still hedging his bets, having already made a trip to Washington to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and made moves to position Brazil to be a regional power in Latin America.

[Lula] needs this frenzy of deals in China and talks with Xi in part to show his public that he's still an influential guy around the world, Solar said. But when you look more closely, you can see that he is putting his eggs in different baskets.

3. Frustrated By The Taliban, Interested In Afghanistan

Frustrated by the Talibans reluctance to take action against an array of militants, including a strengthening Islamic State group, Afghanistan's neighbors have resolved to come up with a joint strategy to counter security threats emanating from the country.

What It Means: Top diplomats from Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan attended an April 13 conference that focused on ensuring regional security in light of the situation in Afghanistan.

Russia and China are among the few countries that have kept their diplomatic missions in Kabul since the Taliban retook power, but lingering frustrations with the group as a partner have been boiling up.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was ready to work more closely with Afghanistans neighbors and the international community, and Beijing also expressed hope that the Taliban would continue working actively to meet Afghans' interests and the international communitys expectations for an open and inclusive political structure.

China has a growing interest in the countrys resources -- having secured rights for mining and oil and gas exploration -- but security concerns have kept those projects mostly on paper for the time being.

Still, the cash-strapped Taliban is hoping that it can draw in more Chinese interest, recently floating progress on a potential $10 billion investment from the China Petroleum Economics and Information Research Center (CPEIC) in Afghanistans lithium deposits.

Few details beyond a Taliban press release were offered, but even if something is inked, realizing the project -- and others with China -- is still a distant prospect due to the countrys tough security situation.

Across The Supercontinent

A New Case In Pakistan: A Chinese man has been arrested in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province after an angry mob accused him of blasphemy and tried to enter a camp near the construction site of the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, which involves both Chinese and Pakistani workers.

Police filed a blasphemy charge against the Chinese man, RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal reported.

Internal Review: Hikvisions human rights investigator admits the company's Chinese police contracts in Xinjiang explicitly target Uyghurs as a group.

The Chinese surveillance giant has repeatedly denied reports that the company is complicit in human rights abuses targeting Uyghurs, but documents obtained by technology trade publication IPVM show otherwise.

Brussels To Beijing: The EU lodged a protest with China after police detained veteran rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his activist wife, Xu Yan, ahead of an April 13 meeting with its diplomats in China, Radio Free Asia reports.

Macron In China: Looking to catch up on Macrons trip to China earlier this month? Listen to the last episode of Talking China In Eurasia, where guest Rikard Jozwiak explained why the French president thinks he can split China and Russia and where he fits among Europes large groups of actors looking to engage and pressure Beijing.

One Thing To Watch

Chinas economic growth is exceeding expectations. GDP grew 4.5 percent year on year in the first quarter. Strong growth in exports and infrastructure investment, as well as a rebound in retail consumption and property prices, are said to be driving the recovery.

That momentum looks set to continue, but economists have warned that consumption and the property sector might struggle to maintain strong growth, while exports could be threatened by weaker demand in developed economies.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every other Wednesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a speech at the International War Crimes Tribunal (ICC) in The Hague, has called for the creation of a special court to try Russian war crimes in Ukraine and for the prosecution of President Vladimir Putin for his "criminal actions."

Zelenskiy made the comments on May 4 in The Hague in a speech at the International War Crimes Tribunal (ICC) during a rare trip outside of Ukraine as it fights to repel invading Russian forces.



"We all want to see a different Vladimir here in The Hague, the one who deserves to be sanctioned for his criminal actions here, in the capital of international law. I am sure this will happen when we win," Zelenskiy said.



The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin on March 17, accusing Putin of responsibility in the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine, which constitutes a war crime, since he launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelenskiy said the special court should be modelled on the Nuremberg tribunal implemented by the Allies at the end of World War II to try Nazi war crimes.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Zelenskiy said later at a press conference that the tribunal would "show that these people are not untouchables," and stressed that the invasion itself should be seen as the "primary offense" committed by Moscow.

He also told the news conference that Ukraine wants assurances that it will be admitted into NATO once the war is over.

Zelenskiy's surprise visit to the Netherlands came amid an escalation of Russia's deadly strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets.

Russia overnight launched another wave of drone attacks across Ukraine. Most of the incoming drones were shot down by the Ukrainian air defenses, the military said on May 4, a day after more than 20 civilians were killed by Iranian-made Shaheds.

Ukrainian defenders downed 18 out of 24 drones across Ukraine, the Air Force Command said, adding that the attack was again launched from two directions -- from the western Russian region of Bryansk to the north and from the Sea of Azov to the southeast.

Kyiv was targeted by drones for a fourth time in four days late on May 4. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said an explosion was heard in the Solomyansk district of the Ukrainian capital and a fire broke out. He said this was probably due to the impact of a drone.



Later, he added that rescuers were battling a fire in a four-story building. Klitschko said there had been no reports of people seeking medical aid. Local authorities declared an alert for both the capital and the surrounding area and antiaircraft units went into operation.



All drones aimed at the city the night before were destroyed, the city's military administration said. No casualties were reported, however debris from the falling drones damaged vehicles and roads in parts of the capital.

The attacks came on the heels of deadly drone strikes on May 3 that killed at least 25 people -- 23 of them in the southern city of Kherson -- in attacks that Zelenskiy said hit a residential building and civilian commercial areas.



Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians since the start of its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, despite air attacks often hitting hospitals, residential buildings, schools, and other civilian infrastructure.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, accused the United States on May 4 of being the mastermind of an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin intended to kill Putin.



The Kremlin on May 3 claimed Ukraine attempted to hit Putin's residence with two drones that it said were destroyed "as a result of timely action by the military and special services."



"Decisions on such attacks are not made in Kyiv, but in Washington," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 4, without providing any evidence to support the claim.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in response that Peskov was "just lying" and that the United States neither encouraged nor enabled Ukraine to strike outside its borders.



Ukraine denied any involvement in the alleged attack, suggesting Moscow staged it ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Russian forces continued to launch wave of unsuccessful assaults on the city of Bakhmut, in the eastern region of Donetsk, the Ukrainian military said in its daily update on May 4.



Russia's main efforts remain focused on attacks on the Bakhmut-Maryinka-Avdiyivka front line, where the fiercest combat and incessant Russian shelling is under way, Ukraine's General Staff said, adding that its forces repelled 40 attacks over the 24-hour period ending early on May 4.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa
With some 136,000 members, the This Is Homel, Baby! group on the social-media site VK is the most popular online community serving the southwestern Belarusian city, about 40 kilometers from the border with Ukraine and 110 kilometers north of the major Ukrainian city of Chernihiv.

During the national wave of unrest that followed the disputed 2020 presidential election and prompted an often-brutal crackdown by the government of strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka, This Is Homel, Baby! published material backing the protesters and criticizing the police and the state.

After the protests died down and opposition leaders were either driven from the country or imprisoned, the Homel group took on a more neutral tone, focusing on local issues like the poor condition of the roads and broken streetlights. Occasionally, a pro-government post appeared as well.

But in the middle of March, subscribers logged on to discover that the page had been rebranded as Homel -- The Main Thing!

The Crisis In Belarus Read our ongoing coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election, widely seen as fraudulent.

"The page had an owner and he sold it," a former administrator of the group told RFE/RL's Belarus Service on condition of anonymity. "The new owner fired all the editors and administrators. Now he is either doing everything himself or has brought in his own people."

Similar stories have been developing in many of Belarus's largest cities. Popular local-news groups in Vitsebsk, Mahilyou, Zhlobin, Orsha, and other cities have similarly been relaunched under the banner of The Main Thing! Their online histories show they were created in various years dating back to 2012, but all of them took their new names around the middle of March.

Russia-based VK, the third-most-visited site in Belarus, does not publicly release information about the owners of the groups it hosts, and RFE/RL has been unable to determine who the new owner or owners might be or even whether the new groups share common ownership.

However, some in Belarus see Russia's hand in the takeover of their local social-media communities. In 2021, a VK group called Moscow -- The Main Thing! was created, and it has since accumulated more than 550,000 subscribers. In January, a popular community in St. Petersburg was rebranded as St. Petersburg -- The Main Thing! as well.

Warsaw-based media analyst Paulyuk Bykouski says the takeover of such groups could be a stealthy way of shaping public opinion in Belarus.

"Certain narratives are better promoted through social networks than through traditional media," Bykouski said. "If a certain task is set, it can be easier to do the necessary 'seeding' on the platforms of active communities and bloggers."

Typically, he adds, the initial changes to such communities are small and seem innocuous. "Little by little, administrators and bloggers add what they want into the conversation," Bykouski explained. "This is a common tactic in marketing, both commercial and political."

In addition, he says, it's relatively easy to control and manipulate such groups without attracting much attention.

'Have A Conscience'

All of the new The Main Thing! pages in Belarus follow the pattern that has been mapped out by their doppelgangers in Russia. Every morning a post appears reading, "Good morning, Homel!" or "Good morning, Orsha!" It then presents a handful of interesting facts about that date, such as that on April 25, 1901, the first automobile license plate was issued in New York, or that April 25 was World Penguin Day.

Other posts throughout the day focus on local news, with occasional posts from state-controlled national media reporting, for instance, that Lukashenka attended Easter Mass.

An April 25 post on the Vitsebsk page gave interesting "facts" about Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's supposedly prodigious memory. "He easily read two or three books a day and could reproduce their contents years later," the advertisement claims before trying to sell a self-proclaimed memory-training course.

On the Zhlobin page, an April 4 post about recent flooding received an accusation of plagiarism from the local newspaper Novy dzen: "Guys, if you take a text from the site of Novy dzen, at least say where you got it from. Have a conscience."

The paper also commented that the photograph accompanying the post didn't even show Zhlobin (see below).

Other commentators on the page were dismayed by the large quantities of reports from other cities, particularly Homel.

"Don't you have anything else to write about?" one disgruntled subscriber wrote.

'A Serious Player Has Entered Our Midst'

An administrator of a rival local-news page on VK in Homel told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity he believes a "serious player" has entered the Belarusian media space.

"It is interesting that the new owners have removed all the content that previously appeared on the pages," the source said. "[In Homel], it dates back to 2012. It gives the impression this is a whole new group, but it really isn't."

"The VK rules don't make it easy to legally change the names of groups," he added. "In this case, it is clear a serious player has entered our midst. And his actions were likely assisted by VK. Usually, violations of their rules are harshly punished."

The source also said the price of a community-oriented VK page is normally about $1,000 per 20,000 subscribers, while a community of 50,000 subscribers can earn around $500 a month in advertising.

"That is why it is surprising for me that the owners of these pages all sold them," he said. "I think that maybe they didn't sell willingly. Maybe they were just pushed away."

He says investors are usually wary of such pages because of the possible consequences of political missteps. "If you write something 'extremist,' [the authorities] come immediately," he said. "So why bother?"

In February, the administrator of a VK community called For A Single State Language In Belarus, Uladzimer Butskavets, was sentenced by a Homel court to three years in prison after his group was deemed "extremist" by the government.

'Intentional, Coordinated Work'

Media analyst Bykouski says Russia has a history of suspected manipulation in Belarus's social-media communities.

"In 2019 and early 2020, when relations between Minsk and Moscow were relatively bad, we counted about 40 websites in Minsk and other cities that could have connections to the Russian Embassy or Rossotrudnichestvo," he said, referring to Russia's state agency for international aid and humanitarian cooperation, which has long been dogged by accusations of meddling and espionage. "It was a whole network run from one location."

"Groups and communities on social networks are more difficult to track," he continued. "But when you examine what is expressed in some groups or by some bloggers, it appears to be not just their opinions but some intentional, coordinated work. The pro-Russian presence in Belarus is now working on the ideological justification of Russia's war against Ukraine."

VK was founded as VKontakte in 2006 by entrepreneur Pavel Durov. In April 2014, amid conflict with the Russian government over his refusal to disclose private information about pro-democracy protesters in Ukraine or to block the activity of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, Durov quit the company, claiming publicly it had come under the control of people connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Durov left Russia, and VK came under the control of Mail.ru.

Earlier this year, at the request of the Belarusian government, VK blocked the pages of RFE/RL's Belarus Service and a number of other independent Belarusian media outlets, human rights organizations, and public initiatives on the territory of Belarus.

Adapted by Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service
Former Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca is among eight people charged on May 2 in a corruption case over a concession that gave control of the country's main airport to a company associated with businessman and politician Ilan Shor, who fled Moldova in 2019 after the election of pro-Western President Maia Sandu.

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office announced the abuse-of-power charge against Leanca, saying former Economy Minister Valeriu Lazar, former director of the Public Property Agency (APP) Tudor Copaci, and five other former officials face similar charges in the criminal case.

All the accused pleaded not guilty, said Veronica Dragalin, head of Moldova's Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, at a news conference in Chisinau. They face between four and eight years in prison if convicted.

The 2013 concession handed control of Chisinau International Airport for a 49-year term to a company associated with Shor, who has lived abroad since he left the country in 2019 following fraud and money-laundering convictions.

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office said damages to the state were more than 392 million lei ($21.8 million).

Other defendants are the interim general director of the airport, Petru Jardan; the former deputy director of APP, Angela Susanu; another official within the APP, Maria Sendila; the former financial director of the airport, Alexandru Ciutac; and head of the economic analysis service of airport, Alla Tubari.

The prosecutor's office said in a statement that the accused issued the concession in 2013 in the interest of a "criminal group" and "criminal organization."

Prosecutors say Leanca was to receive money from Shor and would have benefited from flights with private planes paid for by Shor.

Leanca, 59, has held several high-level political positions representing the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM). He was deputy prime minister and foreign minister from 2009-13 before becoming prime minister in 2013 and serving through 2015.

After leaving the PLDM, he created a new "political project" and ran unsuccessfully in the European Parliament elections on the list of a Romanian party.

As part of the investigation, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the Agency for the Recovery of Criminal Assets seized the assets and capital of Avia Invest, the former company granted the concession to run the airport. Defendants' assets, including those from abroad, also were seized.

Chisinau International Airport returned to state ownership on March 27 based on a decision of the Chisinau Court of Appeal. Avia Invest had been accused of not making the promised investments in the development of the airport.

Avia Invest has said it would sue the government over the transfer of the airport to state management.

The return of the airport to the state management was welcomed by Sandu and other Moldovan leaders as an important result in the fight against corruption.

With reporting by Reuters
National Clean Air Day was not a cause for celebration this year in Tehran, where many residents were shuttered in their homes for their own safety to avoid exposure to the Iranian capital's infamous and deadly smog.

In the run-up to January 19, the day Iran dedicates to promoting air quality, students were prevented from attending universities and schools in the city of nearly 9 million people, the standard procedure when air pollution levels exceed safe levels.

Local officials decried the fact that there had only been two days of clean air recorded over the previous 10 months and called for more to be done to address the crisis.

And amid the criticism, which targeted the authorities' use of dirty mazut fuel oil to provide heat and power during a brutal cold snap, the national government presented a draft budget that would cut expenditures for combating air pollution by half.

Conflicting Approaches

The government's response highlighted the conflicting approaches and decades of misguided environmental policies that have contributed to Iran's air-pollution crisis, rendering toothless strict regulations passed in 2017 with the aim of tackling the issue.

As debates raged over government inaction, the Interior Ministry and Education Ministry backed the idea of lowering the air pollution index threshold that keeps students out of school.

Parliament passed the new budget in February, cutting funding for implementing the country's Clean Air Act from a mere $8 million to $4 million while emphasizing economic growth.

And answering calls for the Clean Air Act's strict standards to be enforced, the Tehran Prosecutor's Office pressed criminal charges against five unidentified bureaucrats who were in step with the government's pursuit of increased development and industrial production.

The management-level personnel, who work for various ministries that oversee Iran's environmental protection efforts and lucrative petroleum sector, stand accused of failing to adhere to standards set in the country's Clean Air Act on vehicle emissions and gasoline quality, and for failing to limit pollution from mazut-fueled industrial plants.

'Denying People A Breath'

Tehran and other major Iranian cities have long been among the world's worst when it comes to air pollution. Iran overall ranks sixth in the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Global Carbon Atlas, having more than doubled CO2 emissions in the past two decades.

"Tehran is one of the most polluted cities in the world, and air pollution is estimated to contribute to thousands of premature deaths each year" across the country, Iran environmental expert Shirin Hakim told RFE/RL in written comments. "Air pollution has led to the closing of businesses and schools, impacting economic productivity, and has contributed to a variety of health conditions, including respiratory conditions and cancers."

Iranian media and officials have decried the steadily rising levels of deadly sulfur dioxide recorded over Tehran in recent years, while experts at the air pollution research center at Tehran University have estimated that 40,000 premature deaths per year can be attributed to the smog and dust that fouls Iran's air.

Lawmaker Mohammad Reza Sabaghian put it simply in comments ahead of Clean Air Day, saying: "We are denying the people a breath."

Outdated cars and motorcycles burning low-quality fuels are frequently singled out as the major reasons for the air pollution that has plagued Tehran and other major cities, but they are far from the only ones.

"The overexploitation of water resources and climate change are contributing to the desertification of farmland and the drying up of bodies of water, which has contributed to dust and sandstorms that also diminish air quality," said Hakim, senior fellow at the Berlin-based Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG) and fellow at the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center.

Accelerated development and industrial activity outside urban centers have also contributed to increased emissions, Hakim said, as well as the rising migration of people to cities, which adds to the use of vehicles, dirty fuels, and acid rain and other pollutants.

Clean Air On Paper

The Clean Air Act, introduced in 2017 under then-President Hassan Rohani, was supposed to be the road map for solving Iran's environmental problems.

Among other things, the law targeted the use of mazut by greatly lowering the limits of sulfur allowed in fuel oil. It also called for the country's aging transportation network to be overhauled and required the Oil Ministry to produce higher standard and cleaner-burning "Euro 4" gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products.

Punishments and fines were set for industries and individuals that violated the regulations. But when natural gas shortages hit during the hard winter months this year, the Clean Air Act

was cast aside.

Faced with public anger over natural gas shortages that left many homes without heat and factories without power, officials gave the green light to burning more mazut to fuel thermal stations and industrial plants. The move sent plumes of noxious smoke into the air in Isfahan and other major cities, as well as in Tehran, despite official insistence that mazut was not used.

Officials in Isfahan demanded details of the government's decision, according to state news agency IRNA, declaring the burning of mazut a "serious danger" to human health. United Nations special rapporteur on human rights and the environment David Boyd called on Iran to halt the practice, declaring it a human rights violation.

Official Oil Ministry reports viewed by RFE/RL's Radio Farda showed that the country intensified its use of mazut in December to 38.5 million liters per day, a 22 percent increase, and 42 million liters per day in January. The report also showed that the production of mazut with a sulfur content of 3.5 percent -- up to seven times higher than the level allowed under the Clean Air Act -- rose significantly, and that only one-third of the gasoline produced in the country was of the required Euro 4 standard.

In response to the outcry, Iranian officials said the air pollution problem would be alleviated in the future by the increased production of natural gas and improvements to infrastructure, which have been stymied by international sanctions that have denied Iran access to foreign technologies.

Ali Salajegheh, the head of Irans Department of Environment, also remained bullish about the Clean Air Act, telling IRNA in January that the implementation of the legislation would be accelerated by the increase of "green tax" allocations separate from the state budget. Salajagheh did not provide a specific figure, only saying that 20 percent of the green taxes would be earmarked. Green taxes are those levied on activities that are deemed harmful to the environment.

The environment was seen as one of the biggest challenges faced by President Ebrahim Raisi when he took office in 2021. During his campaign, Raisi presented an "environmental charter" promising sustainable development and environmentally friendly policies as key components to Iranians' right to a "healthy environment, clean climate, and pollution free life."

But such promises have fallen short. Iran has increasingly turned to oil and gas production to pull it out of its extended economic crises. In addition to the increased production of mazut and other dirty fuels, Tehran has exempted some automotive manufacturers from installing air filters until international sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear program are lifted.

Raisi's presidency has been marked by protests in areas of the country hit hard by drought and the scarcity of water needed to sustain agriculture, despite the continued and contentious construction of new dam projects.

Failed water governance has fueled such unrest in the past, according to Hakim, and "is contributing to desertification and the drying up of rivers and lakes that have contributed to economic and social ramifications."

The government has also failed to submit a carbon-cutting plan related to the Paris Agreement on climate change since 2015. Officials have said that Iran will not ratify the accord until international sanctions are lifted, arguing that access to modern foreign technology is key to reducing emissions.

Raisi stated that the goal of the governments new budget was economic growth, reducing unemployment, and lowering skyrocketing inflation. The budget, 40 percent bigger than the last, is dependent on the export of 1.4 million barrels of oil per day despite international sanctions that hamper the country's ability to trade.

The cuts to expenditures on fighting air pollution "may have been driven by heightened social and economic tensions in the country," said Hakim. "The Islamic republic has routinely prioritized economic gains over social and environmental concerns."
Iranian artist Parastou Forouhar visits her homeland every year to mark the day that her parents were killed in 1998. She opens her family home in Tehran to dissidents and catches up on the latest developments. Now back in her studio in Germany, she reveals her latest works and tells RFE/RL how her most recent trip to Iran revealed a society going through profound change that the regime is increasingly unable to control.
UNITED NATIONS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations relief chief and aid partners are doing their best to reboot the humanitarian response to the catastrophic Sudan crisis, a UN spokesman said on Monday.

Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the UN chief dispatched Undersecretary-General Martin Griffiths, the emergency relief coordinator, "to the region to explore how we can bring immediate relief to millions of people whose lives have been turned upside down by the ongoing fighting in Sudan."

Dujarric said Griffiths is in Nairobi where he met Kenyan President William Ruto, the visiting Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and others to discuss what the relief chief called the "catastrophic" situation in Sudan.

When asked what happens next with Griffiths in the region, the spokesman replied, "Martin's remit is on ensuring the proper coordination of humanitarian aid, on ensuring that we see scaling up of humanitarian aid that arises, and he will do whatever he can to do that. But the situation is rather volatile. I don't want to predict what will happen."

Dujarric does expect onward travel for Griffiths, but he first had to overcome several logistical issues.

"We very much hope that the two (opposing Sudanese) generals will find a way forward to stop the fighting immediately for the sake of the Sudanese people and to halt the deteriorating humanitarian situation, which is quickly unraveling."

One of the first steps was the UN World Food Programme (WFP) resuming operations in Sudan. The spokesman recalled operations were suspended when three WFP workers were killed on April 15, the first day the two military factions began fighting each other.

"Where the security situation allows it, including in Eastern Sudan, our partners are continuing their operations, mainly in health and nutrition services," the spokesman said.

The World Health Organization said it distributed fuel to some hospitals in Sudan and is also working to offload six containers of medical supplies that arrived by ship in Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Included are supplies for treating traumatic injuries and severe acute malnutrition.

The UN Population Fund supports partners on the ground with life-saving health care and supplies for safe births.

The UN Refugee Agency, in consultation with the governments involved and relief partners, is planning for over 800,000 people who may flee fighting in Sudan to neighboring countries, Dujarric said. "Without a quick resolution of the crisis, we will continue to see more people forced to flee in search of safety and humanitarian assistance."

He said the latest figures show that 73,000 people are in neighboring countries. 
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Actions carried out by Kyrgyz and Tajik forces during a four-day conflict along the Central Asian countries contested border that left more than 100 civilians and soldiers dead in September included serious violations of the laws of war by both sides, Human Rights Watch said.

The report, released on May 2, is the first by a major rights watchdog since the most lethal incident yet in a conflict that has its roots in border disagreements originating from when both countries were part of the Soviet Union.

HRW said many of the actions by the countries likely amount to war crimes, in what was at the time the second large-scale conflict between the two neighbors in 18 months.

Incidents highlighted in the report included attacks on civilian vehicles and ambulances, the indiscriminate use of explosives, extrajudicial killings by military forces, and arson attacks on homes and civilian infrastructure.

In a series of recommendations, the group called on both governments to hold perpetrators to account for serious violations of international humanitarian law and train their armed forces personnel on the application of international humanitarian law in conflict situations.

The group also said that any agreement reached in ongoing border demarcation talks should acknowledge the rights of local populations to education, adequate housing, and water in the fertile but densely populated and water-stressed region.

HRWs 89-page report drew on 86 interviews, including 69 with eyewitnesses, victims, or relatives of victims; 10 days of onsite investigations in October and November 2022; a review of medical records and other documents; an analysis of satellite imagery; the verification of 12 videos showing attacks and their aftermath; and 3D modeling to analyze the impact of a laser-guided bomb attack and attacks on medical vehicles.

The focus of the report was the conflicts impact on civilians rather than military personnel.

HRW documented 37 civilian deaths, five of them children, and injuries to 36 others on both sides. But considering media reports and official victim lists, the full number could reach 51 civilians killed and 121 injured, HRW said, not including casualties among military personnel.

WATCH: There are burned-out shops, destroyed homes, and many stories of death and destruction on both sides of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border following clashes between the two countries that have claimed around 100 lives. (Published on September 19, 2022)

Well over 100,000 people were displaced in Kyrgyzstan during the conflict. Tajikistan has not released a figure for the number of people displaced in the conflict.

Prior to April 2021, when dozens died in brutal clashes, conflicts tended not to spread or to result in full-scale military mobilizations along the frontier.

The report does not draw a conclusion as to who started the September conflict.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly just days after the conflict, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said that Tajikistan attacked Kyrgyzstan.

The Tajik Foreign Ministry accused Kyrgyzstan of "an attack on the territory of Tajikistan along the entire line of the border with Kyrgyzstan."

In an interview with RFE/RL ahead of the reports release, HRWs Senior Crisis and Conflict Researcher Jean-Baptiste Gallopin said that international humanitarian law applies equally to all parties of a conflict.

Whether an army is attacking or defending, it has the same duty not to violate the laws of war, Gallopin said. "That means in particular the principle of distinction between military and civilian targets and the principle of proportionality in the use of force."

HRW said that the third day of the conflict -- September 16 -- was particularly packed with violations.

At around 5 p.m. that day, the evidence indicated that Kyrgyz forces used a Bayraktar TB-2 drone to deliver a laser-guided bomb near Tajik forces minutes after they arrived in the central square in Ovchi Kalacha, a Tajik town on the border, HRW wrote.

The explosive hit at a time when local civilians were gathering next to a mosque after a funeral, killing 10 and wounding 13 others, HRW said, describing the strike as a disproportionate and apparently indiscriminate attack.

WATCH: Fresh clashes erupted at the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on September 16, with both sides accusing each other of using heavy weaponry in fighting that has killed at least three people and wounded dozens over three days. (Published on September 16, 2022)

On the same day, Tajik soldiers repeatedly fired on cars carrying Kyrgyz civilians fleeing the fighting, the report stated.

One Kyrgyz woman interviewed said that her family crawled out of their car to avoid being killed in it if it exploded after Tajik soldiers shot at them, injuring her husband and son.

The family lay still for some time, but Tajik soldiers opened fire again when they moved, she said.

The report also said Kyrgyz combatants likely fired at ambulances, which enjoy special protection under humanitarian law.

One attack on two "clearly marked" ambulances and a private car carrying civilians on a bridge near the Tajik village of Chorbog in Tajikistan left 10 people dead, including four children and two medical workers.

HRW used 3D modeling to reconstruct the attack and judged that the fire had come from the Kyrgyz village of Dostuk, some 110 meters away.

The group noted that to intentionally direct attacks against [the ambulances] when they are clearly marked is recognized as a war crime in an international armed conflict, under the statute of the International Criminal Court.

HRWs report documented that Tajik forces occupied Kyrgyz villages during the conflict, leaving several virtually destroyed.

On September 16, Tajik forces overran Kyrgyz forces and, accompanied by Tajik-speaking people in civilian clothes, entered Kyrgyz villages on the border. During this brief occupation, Tajik forces killed at least six civilian men, including three while they were apparently fleeing, and two in apparent extrajudicial executions, HRW said.

The brief seizure saw wide-scale looting by Tajiks in plainclothes under the watch of Tajik forces, with hundreds of homes as well as kindergartens, schools, medical facilities, and administrative buildings burned in an apparent attempt to clear the area of its population, the group added.

Human Rights Watch issued a separate recommendation to Tajikistan to investigate these events.

Almost half of the 970-kilometer Kyrgyz-Tajik border has yet to be demarcated, and Kyrgyz President Japarov said on April 17 that progress on border demarcation had slowed, and blamed Tajikistans commitment to a map from 1924 as the reason for the lack of progress.

In the past year, I said that we will finish everything by May, because the parties were agreed and work was moving quickly. Unfortunately, nothing has been completed yet, he said.

Tajikistan has not commented on the progress of the talks.

HRWs Gallopin said that Tajiks and Kyrgyz living at the border were weary and hungry for peace after having their lives turned upside down by conflicts in successive years.

Our interviews with people on both sides of the border showed that local populations are tired of these terrifying conflicts and are really yearning for peace, Gallopin told RFE/RL.
British Army Colonel Hamish Stephen de Bretton-Gordon is a military analyst who formerly commanded NATO and U.K. chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear reaction troops.

He is a regular commentator for Britain's The Telegraph and elsewhere on Russia's 14-month-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

He spoke recently with RFE/RL's Georgian Service about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats have "backfired," a devastating mobilization that targets Russia's most vulnerable communities, and argues that Russia's "irrelevance" is inevitable once the Ukraine war is over.

RFE/RL: In a recent piece in The Telegraph, you argued that Putin "knows his only hope of victory...is the total militarization of Russia." Before we discuss such a military dictatorship, can we define what "a Russian victory" would look like in that context? What's "victory" on Putin's terms and is it achievable?

Hamish Stephen de Bretton-Gordon: I don't even know what a "Russian victory" would look like. I assume the "special military operation" that was started in February last year, where Putin said it was to prevent the expansion of NATO, of NATO moving further eastwards, and also to reclaim Ukraine for Russia. If that is what Putin is still trying to achieve, then he has no chance of victory.

On the expansion of NATO, his actions have had exactly the opposite effect. Only two weeks ago, Finland joined NATO, the most powerful army in Europe, and also gave Putin another 832 miles (1,339 kilometers) of borders to worry about. He galvanized the whole of NATO, if not the Western world, to support Ukraine to throw the Russians out of Ukraine. So, I don't think there is any chance of Putin gaining victory from what he was trying to achieve in February last year.

RFE/RL: Let me rephrase it a bit, then: What could Putin perceivably sell as a "victory"?

De Bretton-Gordon: I'm not very sure what victory he can claim. Because his army has been decimated [and] it will take him years and years to rebuild it. For example, allegedly, he's lost 2,000 tanks; that is a massive force. It's difficult to get the actual casualty rates. But the British government and the U.S. government, who I tend to believe, say the casualties are over 220,000 dead or wounded young, Russian, predominantly men. This is a huge, huge cost.

Some commentators seem to think that maybe the Ukrainians will come to the negotiation table and maybe negotiate Crimea. I don't think so at all. I think [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskiy has been very clear that for him victory is Russian troops pushed out to the boundaries back from 2014, which would mean out of the Donbas and out of Crimea. What Putin can claim as victory, I just don't know.

RFE/RL: Putin too probably realizes all of this? Why go on, then?

De Bretton-Gordon: In the history of warfare, commanders, when they have set out so clearly an objective for victory and have already spilt so much of their young people's blood -- now it would be an almost worse defeat. So, I think Putin and his generals are in the vain hope that they can eke out some sort of victory.

There is also the nuclear question here, which I've written about in The Telegraph and elsewhere. I think Putin's nuclear threats have backfired, because the idea of the threatening nuclear attack, which really started at the very beginning of the conflict, was to keep NATO out. And clearly that has not happened, quite the opposite.

So, the nuclear threat to me is completely hollow. In fact, I don't believe that he can use even his tactical nuclear weapons, because they're either out of range or I'm pretty certain that NATO would prevent them being fired, with some of the sophisticated weaponry that NATO has at its disposal. My greatest concern at the moment, actually, is the nuclear power stations in Ukraine, which could be attacked to create a nuclear accident and a contamination hazard across Europe far worse than we saw with Chernobyl back in 1986.

The Russian psyche and the sort of Western psyche are completely different. I don't think NATO's commanders and leaders in the U.K. and France, or certainly the U.K. and the U.S., they absolutely can't bow down to further bullying, if you like, from Russia. The populations won't allow it.... It seems to me a lot of Putin's threats are more for the audience in Russia rather than in Europe, to show that he's still this strongman and all the rest of it. Outside of Russia he's seen as a gangster and a tyrant.

RFE/RL: You also write that the only way he can win in Ukraine, whatever that victory might look like, is to prolong it. And the only way to prolong it is to continue feeding the "meat grinder" until actually, as grotesque as it sounds, Ukrainians run out of bullets. So, he is betting that he won't run out of cannon fodder. But then again, if Bakhmut is anything to go by, it might not net Russia anything but a Pyrrhic victory in its poorest sense, if even that.

De Bretton-Gordon: I agree with your assessment that the longer this goes on, Putin probably feels better. Because next year there are elections in the U.S. and also the U.K. and other Western countries, and our politicians are very sensitive about how much this is costing, and they're more interested in getting reelected in their own countries. So, if the war is still going on in 12 months' time and there's been no progress, then you could see that some countries might start to waver. And perhaps that's what Putin is hoping for.

The meat grinder is almost medieval, it's certainly World War I, the amount of manpower that Russia is throwing into it. I've had credible information that the Russians are identifying lots of young men who they think will not be noticed if they're lost, because they are either homeless or of low intelligence, or they might be suffering drug problems. And throwing those into the front, as you say. In Bakhmut, the casualty rates are unbelievable, astronomically high.

I find it amazing that the mothers of Russia are not causing more of a stir. I get the feeling that I expect most of these young men are not from the elites in Moscow or St. Petersburg; they're probably from far in the east where people are less in communication with social media to be able to complain about these things. And of course, we know in Russia, if anybody complains, they tend to get put down. We just saw Vladimir Kara-Murza being sentenced to 25 years in jail for being a dissident, and of course Aleksei Navalny is in jail, the main opposition leader, and unlikely to ever come out.

RFE/RL: This [potential] ragtag army of recruited "souls" that you write about, it's not just about Moscow elites; there is a creeping suspicion that it would also heavily "favor" not Russians but the myriad of ethnic minorities that Russia has. What does it spell for those people or, to use an example closer to my home in Georgia, from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which have been under pressure to send fighters to fight Russia's war there?

De Bretton-Gordon: Absolutely. It's shocking that those people have even lesser a voice in Russia. Ethnic minorities are being used as cannon fodder. I think I called it an "own goal," an "own genocide" that Russia is creating. But not [against] the...elite Russians -- I expect predominantly white -- but at the cost of people from the Far East who have less of a vote in Russia, probably less educated, and certainly less of a voice, that Russia is using to try to prolong this war almost to use up Ukrainian bullets until they run out. And it is a shocking state, which is why I and all sorts of others are calling on NATO to do everything it can to ensure that Ukraine prevails as quickly as possible so we can get to a peace, and to stop the bloodshed on absolutely unbelievable scales.

RFE/RL: What can [this mass mobilization] actually translate into on the battlefield?

De Bretton-Gordon: Well, sadly, I think it will just turn into more dead bodies, the "meat grinder" as we call it. An infantry soldier with a rifle is no match for the modern Western weaponry that Ukraine has at [its] disposal -- the tanks, the armored vehicles, etc. Human flesh, it just cannot survive.

And I think one of the interesting factors -- having only just heard that Russia is claiming to put its newest, most modern tank, the T-14, on the battlefield in very small numbers, for example. There's the difference between a Russian tank and a Western tank: a lot of it is in the protection that they have. So, having spent many years in Challenger tanks in the British Army, I know these tanks are very strongly armored and could take many, many hits from a T-72 or even a T-80. Whereas a T-80 or even a T-14, because they're lightly armored, will be taken out very easily by the Leopard tanks and the Challenger 2 tanks, but they can't take out the Western tank.

So going back to your question about this manpower, I think it is just suicide, it is a genocide. Because there is no way that these young men are going to be able to survive. It's almost like a circus shooting gallery. It is unimaginable that it is allowed to happen. (Editor's note: de Bretton-Gordon has written elsewhere about the atrocities and other war crimes allegedly committed on a massive scale by Russian troops against Ukrainian civilians and others.)

RFE/RL: What would be a role model of military dictatorship for Putin? We have seen many, ranging all the way back from the Roman Empire, which he allegedly finds fascinating, to the more recent Soviet mold, embodied by Josef Stalin.

De Bretton-Gordon: From what we read and learn, he sees himself very much as a Peter the Great of the modern era, being able to expand Russian influence across the rest of Europe. And undoubtedly, he's been focused on how Stalin ruled Russia in World War II, with an absolute iron grip. And those people around him seem to be of a similar type of stance and idea. But it is this sort of totalitarian, autocratic rulership, which is to rule with a rod of iron and fear....

Putin's rule is an autocratic dictatorship and maybe born out of his time in the KGB, where you could get away with anything as long as it's successful. He is now 70 -- whether he's ill or not, who knows -- but he's in the last part of his life and probably feels he must achieve something like the great Russian leaders. And at the moment, it's all going the wrong way. So, he will presumably try to do everything he can to eke out some sort of victory. But I'm not quite sure how you can do that. He's operated very much like [Adolf] Hitler in World War II and he may well have a similar end.

RFE/RL: One of the trademark signs of military dictatorship is brutal quashing of any dissent, and also, if you take the Soviet example, it was at every level of society. Should we expect any sort of mass purges?

De Bretton-Gordon: It's very difficult to see. I think the purges of the dissidents and the elites is happening anyway. If we turn back a few years, we see the dissidents outside of Russia, [Aleksandr] Litvinenko in London, Sergei Skripal and others who've opposed the regime, being taken out.

The Tavberidze Interviews Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service has been interviewing diplomats, military experts, and academics who hold a wide spectrum of opinions about the war's course, causes, and effects. To read all of his interviews, click here.

As far as the purges within Russia, I think at the moment things are working out just as Putin would see fit. I'm sure if there is any widespread dissension in Russia, and people start refusing to go to the front in any great numbers, then one would expect widespread purges. When there was a big conscription six to nine months ago, we saw a lot of young men leaving Russia at a rapid rate. That seems to have dried up. And perhaps by recruiting people from the east, it's not so noticeable. But I don't think anything is off the cards to keep Putin and the elite where they are. I just hope their time is limited.

RFE/RL: And last question: What does Russia as a military dictatorship spell for the rest of the world?

De Bretton-Gordon: I think at the moment, it is a real concern, because there are so many resources being used up to help Ukraine defeat the Russians. Interestingly enough, you will have seen the evacuations in Sudan from the war there.

Now I think Britain and other countries have sort of sleepwalked into this; they've been so focused on Ukraine that they haven't noticed what else is going on in the world. I'm sure we could talk about China for several hours.

But I think once this conflict is over, Russia is going to become more irrelevant. And I say that because economically, apart from their fuel, they are of no great interest. I think Putin has destroyed their military in the Ukraine fight, and now that NATO has been strengthened with Finland, probably Sweden fairly soon, and probably Ukraine too, the threat of Russia is minimized. And again, I don't think the nuclear issue is a huge issue. I don't see the nuclear [issue] becoming a problem. I'm more worried about North Korea's nuclear weapons than I am about Russia's nuclear weapons.

I think, actually, as soon as this war is over, Russia will become more and more irrelevant. The world will want its gas and oil, but we are rapidly weaning ourselves off that. It's a huge worry at the moment, which is why people like myself want this over as soon as possible, so that we can concentrate and get back to more savory things.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
With Moscow deeply embroiled in a costly invasion of neighboring Ukraine that has no clear resolution in sight, Victory Day on May 9 will look starkly different in Russia this year.

Across the country, parades and public gatherings to honor the Soviet contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II have been cancelled, with the authorities citing security concerns.

The national Immortal Regiment spectacle -- in which hundreds of thousands of Russians across the country have joined President Vladimir Putin and other officials in marching with photographs of their relatives who gave their lives or otherwise contributed to the Soviet war effort in World War II -- has been called off.

The glorification of Soviet -- particularly, Russian -- sacrifices in defeating Germany has been a cornerstone of Russia's nationalist resurgence during Putin's decades in power. But now, many observers say, the Kremlin's efforts to inflate Russian military might have run up against its need to conceal the enormous costs in lives and equipment that Russia has paid since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

"What if someone comes out carrying portraits of relatives who were killed in the war against Ukraine?" asked historian Maksim Kuzakhmetov. "What if hundreds of people do? That would be a shock."

"The Kremlin is trying to foster a sense that 'we will win', with a smile and laughter, as well as a sense of 'all for the front,'" he told Current Time, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. "And in this regard, the Immortal Regiment can only cause ideological harm."

'All Too Mortal'

In many cities, officials have urged residents to mark the occasion by displaying the portraits in their cars.

"Not only residents can participate in this demonstration, but entire entities," a press statement by the government of Nizhny Novgorod stated. "Public transportation, city vehicles, fire brigades, ambulance services, and others."

Officials in Kazan, the capital of the central Tatarstan region, have called on residents to display the portraits on badges on their clothing or on their cars. People have also been encouraged to post statements on the official Victory Day website or to create memorial bulletin boards in their workplaces.

In Moscow, the world-famous parade of military equipment on Red Square will be strictly closed off to the public, although the proceedings will be given wall-to-wall coverage on state television channels.

Historian Kuzakhmetov is skeptical about the Kremlin's reasoning for closing the Red Square parade, noting that ordinary Russians had little chance to witness the event even during normal times. Instead, he attributes the closure to Putin's "paranoia," saying the Russian president likely remembers the 1981 assassination of Egypt's Anwar Sadat by his own officers during a military parade.

"What if something like that happened?" he said. "What if one of the armored vehicles had a live round? Putin sees betrayal everywhere. He is afraid."

Regarding the Immortal Regiment march, Moscow political activist Elvira Vikhareva is not the only commentator who notes the Kremlin was not afraid of a "terrorist" attack when it gathered tens of thousands of people for a pro-war rally in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium in March.

"People would come out not bearing the portraits of their great-grandfathers," she wrote in a Facebook post on April 18. "People would come out with portraits of their fathers, sons, brothers. The regiment would turn out not to be immortal at all but all too mortal. The scale would be evident -- the 'special military operation' is not being conducted without cost. That is why they canceled it."

The Russian government calls its war on Ukraine a "special military operation," and citizens who publicly call it a war can be prosecuted under legislation Putin signed shortly after he launched the large-scale invasion in February 2022.

"Trillions of rubles have been spent on security, which, it turns out, they can't ensure," actor and blogger Alisa Kovalyova wrote on Telegram. "Or do they fear large crowds?"

Fear Of Crowds

"There is a fear that people will carry portraits of people who have been killed in Ukraine and the real casualty figures -- not the ones presented by the Defense Ministry -- will be visible," historian Ivan Kurilla told RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities. "That is the most likely reason. But more generally, the authorities are afraid of any mass demonstration by the people in public. The authorities are obviously afraid."

During the 2022 Victory Day events, 125 people were detained for anti-war protests, many of them during the Immortal Regiment events.

The Russian government has not provided reliable information on the country's losses in Ukraine. On September 21, 2022, the military reported 5,937 soldiers killed since the invasion seven months earlier, a figure that has not been updated since. Western experts estimate the total number of Russian killed and wounded at over 200,000.

At the same time, the authorities have ramped up their crackdown on anti-war dissent, handing down long prison terms and opening an unprecedented number of "treason" cases in recent weeks.

The Immortal Regiment commemoration began in the Siberian city of Tomsk in 2011 as a genuine grassroots movement that stemmed from a group of friends solemnly paying their respects at the city's Eternal Flame memorial, as a way to honor the sacrifices of the Soviet people -- including their own relatives -- and to connect the current generation with the events of a rapidly receding past.

"We wanted to return the holiday to the main hero -- to the person who experienced the war and to whom we are ultimately grateful for the fact that we are alive," co-founder and journalist Sergei Lapenkov told RFE/RL in 2017.

Within a couple of years, the idea had been co-opted by Putin's government -- which, according to Lapenkov, turned it into "a completely artificial organization."

One Russian commentator on social media speculated on what would happen if Russians ignored the Kremlin's cancelation of the official Immortal Regiment and filed out into the streets anyway.

"Imagine this picture," the commentator wrote on Telegram. "People come out for an unsanctioned Immortal Regiment and the riot police smash them and the portraits of their great-grandfathers. Madness."

Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting by Current Time and RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities
RFE/RL producer Vira Hyrych is among the numerous journalists killed in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. A year after she was killed, her son says those responsible must be held accountable. Schemes, an RFE/RL investigative unit, confronted key figures in the Russian chain of command.
LVIV, Ukraine -- Olena Kozlova's father was in the Soviet army, so the family moved around constantly before eventually settling in Lviv, in the far west of what would become, when she was 17 years old, an independent Ukraine. There she stayed, ultimately founding a software company as the city's IT industry began to blossom in the early 2000s.

Thanks to growing up near military bases, Kozlova recognized the sound of distant explosions before her train reached Kharkiv on February 24, 2022 -- the day Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, sending troops in from three sides and bombarding targets nationwide with rockets and artillery before dawn.

A university town with a similarly thriving IT industry, Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, sits near the Russian border at the opposite end of the country from Lviv. Kozlova was headed there to open an office for the 10-odd workers for her company, PLVision, who called the city home.

"They didn't want to relocate. I asked them several times. I warned them. But they didn't want to move and I wanted to support them," Kozlova said.

That morning, she stopped in Poltava and called the employees left in Kharkiv, asking each of them, "Are you driving to Lviv?"

She herself headed home. Many people seeking to escape the Russian onslaught followed the same route. In the past 14 months, Lviv has likely taken in more Ukrainians than any other city in the world, with Mayor Andriy Sadoviy estimating that 150,000 who fled areas further east remained as of February.

Senior test engineer Dmytro Zazvonniy had worked at Sigma's Kharkiv office for seven years before coming to Lviv. Originally from Kramatorsk, a heavy industry hub in the Donbas, he'd gone to Kharkiv for university. His family followed him from their hometown when war broke out in the Donbas in 2014, so the outset of the full-scale invasion was, for him, laden with deja vu.

The day of the invasion, he recalls waking up at 5 a.m. to light flooding into his apartment from windows that face the Russian border. "We realized everything quite quickly -- that it's just the same as it was in Kramatorsk," he said of the conversation in February 2022, when he and his brother decided to move everyone to Lviv.

Russia's full-scale invasion drew the world's eyes to many aspects of Ukrainian society. The massive and ultra-migratory IT industry that Ukraine had built up since the late '90s emerged as an unlikely hero, continuing to bring money into the country as bombings and blackouts roiled the country.

A lifeline to Western companies and their relatively massive budgets, IT outsourcing is a core financial artery linking Ukraine with the rest of the world. In 2022, those services accounted for $7.3 billion in exports -- recently surpassing metals and now behind only agriculture in terms of dollar amounts.

Overall exports dipped by 35 percent over the first year following the February 2022 invasion, while IT services rose. IT workers have proved much tougher for Russia to blockade than grain ships at port -- though the National Bank of Ukraine's latest data show a dip in the value of IT exports to just under $500 million per month following winter strikes on electrical infrastructure.

The industry and the tech talent that it produces have become a pillar of Ukraine's blueprints for economic recovery in a postwar world.

A Hitchhiker's Guide

These ambitions revolve around long-standing hubs, including Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa. However, no city has taken in more of the digital migrants than Lviv. Ukraine's seventh-largest city before the invasion, it has assumed the second spot, behind the much larger Kyiv, in most metrics of the tech industry.

A city where locals remind visitors that they were under the Hapsburgs and never the Romanovs, Lviv has been a haven from Russian influence and something of a wellspring of Ukrainian-language culture since the days of the tsars. The financial and cultural impact of the IT industry -- and its money -- are visible throughout the heart of Lviv, which resembles Vienna more than Moscow.

Tech giant offices and newfangled coworking facilities dot the city of 700,000, penetrating the rings of Soviet-built apartment blocks that still provide cheaper housing on the outskirts of the city.

By virtue of concentration, conditions approximating peace, and the traditional dominance of the Ukrainian language, Lviv is set up as an ideal test bed for the country's postwar ambitions.

Post-Soviet Poster Child

"Me and my friends were the first in this generation that started to work just as the Soviet Union collapsed and PC computers just started to be popular in Ukraine," Yaroslav Lyubinets said.

Lyubinets and his fellow postgrads at Lviv Polytechnic Institute started SoftServe in the mid-1990s, working with 10 people in a makeshift office crammed into a two-room apartment, guided by a General Electric executive who'd come to Lviv to teach the fundamentals of Western business.

Today, Lyubinets is chairman of the board and SoftServe is the biggest IT outsourcer in Lviv, employing some 11,000 people throughout Ukraine and internationally.

Founded by SoftServe and fellow outsourcers ELEKS and N-IX between 2009 and 2011, Lviv IT Cluster is a major nexus in the web of local firms, universities and politicians. ELEKS founder Oleksiy Skrypnyk, for example, would eventually leave the firm to become a member of Ukraine's parliament in 2014.

Lviv Polytechnic University and neighboring Ukrainian Catholic University are core educational links, providing a pipeline of students like those Lyubinets recruited in SoftServe's early years.

New tech firms join the universities congregated around Striyskiy Park in the south of the city.

"Lviv IT Cluster is the strongest [of its kind] in Ukraine by far. The most active one -- I mean, one that really does things," said Ivan Petrenko, who runs a local venture fund.

The problem, Petrenko says, is the cluster's enduring focus on outsourcing. It provides steady income but will not produce the next Grammarly or GitLab. The two Ukrainian-origin firms have become hometown heroes after "unicorning" -- getting investment valuing them at over $1 billion -- following moves to San Francisco.

"We always considered that we want to raise money outside, because for sure you can get more money if you're not a Ukrainian company. Especially if you are an American company," said Ross Khanas, a Lvivan who runs a team of seven writing software for managing coworking spaces. His firm, andcards, is one of the startlingly few in Lviv coding their own product, he says.

It's a widely acknowledged problem that remains the standard in Lviv, but it's one that many are trying to change.

"We are trying to evolve some and develop new projects and therefore, I think that we will be a hub and Silicon Valley for startups because until that period, we were just doing the work for somebody else." said Oleh Chuchman, who runs an outsourcing-staffing company called Ukrany.

New Money

More Lvivans are looking to channel investments into startups.

Petrenko, for example, runs Angel One Venture Fund, which launched in October with money from the Ukrainian Catholic University Fund aiming at early-stage startups, especially those connected to the university. The fund just made its first investment, to a $1 million seed round for Zeely, a mobile webpage-designer app.

A graduate of Lviv Polytechnic and a longtime ELEKS employee, Ivan Dmytrasevych is similarly trying to convert the IT world's money into proper local capital. While he runs UNameIT, an outsourcing company, he also built a coworking and startup accelerator facility in Lviv's north and manages Lviv Tech Angels, a fund that targets brand-new firms for which small investments make a big difference, but that are also relatively likely to go broke without paying any returns.

Lviv Tech Angels, however, has made no new investments since 2021, and is largely on hold. "Unfortunately, most [members] don't have plans to invest till the end of the year," Dmytrasevich wrote in a message.

SoftServe, Lyubinets said, was on the threshold of launching its own venture fund at the beginning of 2022. Similarly, the government's Ukrainian Startup Fund, which was a go-to source of seed investment for small firms, cut off almost all of its investments outside of military technology once Russia launched the invasion.

A physical manifestation of this freeze is Lviv Tech.City, a massive planned coworking campus in the same milieu as many of the universities and offices, looking out on Striyskiy Park. Only one building has opened, while the rest of construction remains frozen in time.

At the same time, a number of foreign investors like FF.VC's Blue & Yellow Heritage Fund and Ukrainian Phoenix Tech Fund have emerged, explicitly aiming to send money into Ukraine amid the risks of wartime. They have yet to make their first investments.

In this and in basically every other area, it is vividly apparent how tightly coiled the whole system is in anticipation of the end of the war -- which shows few signs of ending any time soon, as heavy fighting continues in the Donbas and Ukraine gears up for what could be a major counteroffensive this spring.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made numerous public calls for investment in the IT sector. War is not the only thing standing in the way.

The nature of outsourcing is that products and potential rewards slip across borders into the hands of the contracting companies. This has primed the outsourcing companies to operate borderlessly.

Borders And Blockage

Sigma, for example, advertises itself as "a Swedish company of Ukrainian origin." The Swedish office has "maybe up to 10" employees, said Oksana Nazarkevych, head of Sigma's Lviv office. "Sweden is a very expensive country, so it's difficult to hire people that are, like, developers or something."

SoftServe's LinkedIn page puts its location as Austin, Texas. Kyiv-based EPAM, likely the largest IT outsourcer in the country, is part of a low-tax regulatory "sandbox" for tech in Belarus, whose government supports Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian companies serving foreign clients typically need to set up foreign entities to get bank accounts and maybe, one day, go public, while Ukraine's stock market remains anemic. Foreign entities also give clients the assurances of, say, U.S. courts.

"We know we're still one of the most corrupt countries in the world. We are just not talking about it too much because there's war," Petrenko said. "We try to balance it. Like, we know, OK, we have a problem. We have a bigger problem right now that we have to deal with."

An investigation publicized in February into major app maker MacPaw over recent property acquisitions had CEO Oleksandr Kosovan warning of "bureaucrats looking for a pretext, an occasion, and a means of squeezing Ukrainian business."

Particularly when it comes to transferring intellectual property -- which is ultimately what code is -- Ukraine's legal system is hapless.

Scattered registrations and international bank accounts also quickly open up various routes of tax avoidance. Keen to encourage the development of the IT industry, the Ukrainian government has spent the past 25 years turning a blind eye to the endemic business practice of registering IT employees as contractors rather than full-time employees. This lowers the required income tax from upwards of 40 percent to closer to 5 percent.

"If we're talking about a private company, I would say that 90 percent or 95 percent are contractors," Chuchman said.

Carrot And Stick

Post-Soviet economies are full of ad-hoc systems, but networks of undeclared workers and opaque banking scare Western investors off, as they make it harder to verify what a company is up to. Moreover, the war has the government hunting for untapped tax bases. And, as Ukraine's economy develops and integrates with the West, things are changing. But slowly.

Looking to clamp down, the Ukrainian employment service increased its fines for undeclared employees to 201,000 hryvnyas, or about $5,500, in March. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Transformation launched Diia.City -- not an actual city but a new regime promising lower taxes and specialized legal protection for tech companies -- on February 15, nine days before the invasion.

Diia.City, which has brought in more than 500 member companies, seeks both to corral rogue local companies and woo foreign firms. The initiative splits the difference between the tax brackets for "contractors" and "employees" with a new category for gig workers. It also provides a publicly searchable register of "residents." Another selling point, for the time being: Protection from mobilization to fight on the front lines.

"A lot of people move companies to Diia.City, and people are shifting from private intrapreneurs to employees, so they can prevent them from going to the army," said Oleksandr "Alex" Bornyakov, deputy minister for digital finance and the manager of the Diia.City initiative.

With the hope for a new surge in investment both foreign and domestic, Lviv is positioning itself to be at the forefront of a new generation of tech-powered boomtowns.

According to the National Bank's most recent data, Lviv took in $2 billion in foreign direct investment in the last quarter of 2022, putting it third among Ukraine's cities, behind Kyiv and fossil-fuel-heavy Poltava.

The city is praying the situation is the countdown to a liftoff, despite the war and the global bear market in tech stocks. Fueling that prospective surge is more than a touch of defiance.

"Ukraine is booming, and will boom with you or without you, because we don't have another choice," Kozlova said.
Representatives from Saudi Aramco, China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (Baosteel) and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) attend a signing ceremony in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on May 1, 2023. Saudi Aramco, China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (Baosteel), and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) on Monday signed a shareholders' agreement to establish an integrated steel plate manufacturing complex in Saudi Arabia. (Aramco/Handout via Xinhua)

RIYADH, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Aramco, China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (Baosteel), and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) on Monday signed a shareholders' agreement to establish an integrated steel plate manufacturing complex in Saudi Arabia.

The joint venture complex is expected to settle in Ras Al Khair Industrial City, one of the four new Special Economic Zones recently announced by the Kingdom, Saudi Aramco said in a statement.

The complex would take advantage of Aramco's unrivaled energy and industrial services ecosystem, Baosteel's advanced steel plate industry capability, and PIF's strong financial capabilities and investment expertise.

The complex is expected to advance the regional steel industry ecosystem with an estimated annual production capacity of up to 1.5 million tons.

Amin H. Nasser, the Aramco president and CEO, said the facility is also expected to improve the localization of the steel supply chain in Saudi Arabia.

Hailing the project an active practice by Baosteel to explore lower-carbon paths for the steel industry and a major achievement in promoting the international development strategy of Baosteel, Zou Jixin, chairman of the steel company, said the project will contribute to job creation and economic prosperity in Saudi Arabia. 

Amin H. Nasser, the Aramco president and CEO, speaks during a signing ceremony in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on May 1, 2023. Saudi Aramco, China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (Baosteel), and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) on Monday signed a shareholders' agreement to establish an integrated steel plate manufacturing complex in Saudi Arabia. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit Myanmar and travel to India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting from May 2 to 5, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announced Tuesday. 
A SICK sexual abuser who repeatedly raped two children and showed absolutely no remorse has been jailed for 12 years.



Thomas Brookes (30) raped his two victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, on multiple occasions while they were both under the age of 13.



Det Con Emma Parsons from Rotherham said: Throughout our investigation and this legal process, Brookes has shown absolutely no remorse and has refused to accept responsibility for the sick sexual abuse he inflicted upon his victims.



Both victims have shown tremendous courage, not only in coming forward to report what happened, but also throughout the investigation and trial.

Because Brookes would not admit his guilt, both have had to face the court and relive the traumatic sexual crimes they suffered when they were very young children.



Brookes custodial sentence will not undo the damage he has caused to his victims, and we know that sexual abuse at any age can have an incredibly harmful impact.

However, it is my sincere wish that knowing he is now behind bars for his awful crimes means that they feel they can begin to process what has happened and take a step forward into their futures.



Brookes, formerly of Cambridge Crescent, East Dene, was found guilty of nine counts of rape of a child under 13 following a four-day trial at Sheffield Crown Court earlier this year.

He appeared before the same court last Friday and was sentenced to 12 years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. He has also been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
THE regions police commissioner Alan Billings warned of the dangers of thinking grooming is all about Asian gangs  as figures show most CSE is now online.

Earlier this month, the government announced a new taskforce to stamp out sexual exploitation of youngsters  singling out British Pakistani men as regular perpetrators.

PM Rishi Sunak also suggested police forces were still scared of persuing some suspects for fear of being accused of racism or bigotry.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshires police commissioner, said it was time to lay that one to rest.

He told Mondays police and crime panel meeting: As far as South Yorkshire is concerned, that is absolutely untrue  the idea that the police here were somehow inhibited or prevented from doing their work because of sensitivities around ethinicity or being politically correct.

The Jay report said it was true in 2014. We have moved a long way since then.

Another reason why we must not get trapped into thinking grooming is all about Asian gangs is because it narrows your field of vision.

If you are not careful, you stop looking around at other examples of CSE, where its happening and who is perpetrating it.

A quarterly report which went before the panel on Tuesday (25) said exploitation offending had continued to evolve, with online CSE now being recorded as the most prolific offending method in the region.

It added: This is reflective of the national picture around a development from a predominantly community-based contextual risk of CSE to that of a digital threat.

Dr Billings said: So much of the grooming is moving online rather than being on the streets.

When you go online, you see offenders can be male or female, of any age, any ethnicitiy or race and any social class.

This is one of the best forces in the country now for understanding CSE and being abreast of the changes in the nature of grooming and child abuse.

In Rotherham in particular, co-location of the local authority workers and police has made a huge difference. We are not where we were in 2014 or 2015.
Photo: The Canadian Press The B.C. Securities Commission says a now-defunct cryptocurrency platform based in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island committed a multimillion-dollar securities fraud involving various digital currencies. An advertisement for bitcoin, one of the cryptocurrencies, is displayed on a building in Hong Kong, on Nov. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kin Cheung

The B.C. Securities Commission alleges a now-defunct cryptocurrency platform based in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island committed a multimillion-dollar securities fraud by diverting customer assets to online cryptocurrency gambling sites.

In a notice of hearing issued last month, the commission says David Smillie and his numbered company, which did business as ezBtc, lied to customers about its crypto asset trading platform.

The commission alleges Smillie and the company diverted about $13 million worth of bitcoin and ether, another cryptocurrency, to two online gambling sites without authorization from customers.

The regulator says the company was dissolved in October 2022, but between 2016 and 2019 customers transferred 2,300 bitcoin and 600 ether tokens into wallets hosted by the platform.

Smillie and the firm allegedly told customers their digital assets were mostly held off-line in so-called "cold storage," but they never truly maintained enough to cover users' assets.

Smillie and ezBtc were never registered under B.C.'s Securities Act, and the commission claims agreements with customers amounted to futures contracts, which fall under the commission's jurisdiction.

Online court records searches show the company and Smillie face a number of lawsuits in British Columbia dating back several years, and the B.C. Securities Commission's director of enforcement Doug Muir said the hearing notice comes after a lengthy probe into the firm.

"In this case, like in all of our cases, we need time to investigate, so we need to be able to gather evidence that we are satisfied," Muir said Tuesday. "So, that takes time to gather. Our investigations are often time consuming and complex and this one is an example of that."

Muir said the matter is administrative rather than criminal in nature, meaning the firm and Smillie won't face jail time, but may face monetary penalties or even banishment from public markets should the commission succeed in proving its case.

Const. Gary O'Brien with the Nanaimo RCMP said the detachment's investigation into the company in 2019 didn't find enough evidence to lay criminal charges.

"All I can say is that the matter was investigated and there was insufficient evidence gathered by the primary investigator to pursue criminal matters, so they decided it would probably be best to go from a civil angle," O'Brien said Tuesday. "That's the only information that I could provide at this point."

O'Brien said the file could be reopened should any victims or the securities commission reach out to investigators with new information.

Sergei Goshko, an Ontario-based software engineer, said he used the ezBtc platform for cryptocurrency trading until it stopped allowing him access to his funds before its website "disappeared completely."

Goshko filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court in 2021 through a numbered company, and he said he was out between $70,000 and $80,000.

His lawyers, though, weren't able to find Smillie and he was unaware the B.C. Securities Commission was taking action against ezBtc and its founder.

"I guess it's a good thing, so maybe there'll be some progress," Goshko said Tuesday. "Maybe they will finally find him."

Smillie could not be reached for comment.

The commission says Smillie and his company must attend its offices in downtown Vancouver on June 27 to fix a date for a hearing into the regulator's allegations.
BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit Myanmar and travel to India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting from May 2 to 5, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said Tuesday.

Qin's visit to Myanmar is aimed to further follow through on the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Myanmar in January 2020, deepen practical cooperation in such fields as economy and livelihood, and support Myanmar's efforts to maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve people's lives, and realize sustainable development, according to foreign ministry spokesperson's remarks in a statement.

The upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held on May 4 and 5 in Panaji, the capital of Goa, India. At the meeting, Qin will exchange views with other SCO member states' foreign ministers on the international and regional situation and SCO cooperation in various fields, among other topics, to make full preparation for this year's SCO summit, the statement said. 
THE LEADER of a right-wing party made a surprise visit to the Dearne Valley ahead of next months council elections.

Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK prior to Nigel Farages resignation, was in Hoyland on Tuesday to support candidates looking to win a seat in Barnsley Council on May 4.

Reform candidates Brian Gregory and Michael Davies will stand for the Rockingham ward and Hoyland Milton respectively next month.

Mr Tice, a former chairman of the party, has called to make Britain great again  very similar to ex-US president Donald Trumps pledge in his 2016 election campaign  by doing Brexit properly.

Notable members of the party include ex-government minister and one-time Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecombe.

Rockingham ward councillor Cllr Dave White, who defected from the Conservatives to join Reform in December, said he was pleased to welcome Mr Tice to the town.

He has heard a lot about Barnsley from myself and wanted to take a look, he said.

I showed him the Glassworks, the new bridge construction and the industrial developments around Hoyland.

Suffice to say, he had some very strong views, having much personal experience in these sectors.

Richard met our candidates Brian Gregory and Michael Davies, who discussed our shiny new market place, The Rockingham Centre and the proposed Lidl site.

We are raising awareness at the highest level.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari cuts the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of a China-built electric-powered light rail project in Lagos, Nigeria, Jan. 24, 2023. (Photo by Tope Ayoku/Xinhua)

"As a government, Nigeria is very keen on following very closely the Chinese model of development," Garba Shehu, a senior spokesman for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

ABUJA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government is showing keen interest in studying the Chinese modernization which has been transforming the Asian country into a global economic powerhouse, a Nigerian official has said.

"As a government, Nigeria is very keen on following very closely the Chinese model of development," Garba Shehu, a senior spokesman for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Nigeria, Shehu said, has recognized the potential benefits of adopting a similar approach as China, as the Asian country had witnessed rapid economic growth and become one of the world's leading economies by focusing on modernization and infrastructural development.

"It used to be assumed wrongly that countries of that size could not achieve national development and modernization," he said.

Aerial photo taken on Nov. 19, 2021 shows the Lekki Deep Sea Port under construction in Lagos, Nigeria. (China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)

The Nigerian official hailed the Communist Party of China as "a driver of change," bringing about transformation.

The official noted that the expansion of trade and investment, transfer of technology from the Chinese side had largely helped to transform the most populous country in Africa.

"We are happy with it. We continue to encourage it," he said.

The Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari had witnessed rapid and progressive development of relations with China over the past years, the spokesman said, adding Nigeria has benefited from their win-win cooperation, which involves major projects on railway modernization, airports expansion, hydroelectric power and agricultural modernization.

"We could not have achieved all of these things without Chinese support and cooperation," Shehu said.
Ola Electric to refund Rs 130 crore to customers for overcharging on charging accessories/offboard chargers

Ola Electric has announced that it will refund Rs 130 crore to customers who purchased charging accessories/ offboard chargers for their vehicles. This decision comes after an investigation initiated by the FAME found that the accessories were being sold at an additional price, in violation of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme guidelines.

Under the FAME scheme guidelines, integral parts such as chargers and proprietary software are not supposed to be sold as accessories above the price of the vehicle. This is to ensure that vehicle prices remain within a limit and to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Violations of these guidelines can result in subsidies being withheld from the companies.

Ola Electric faces consequences for violating FAME guidelines on charging accessory prices

Ola Electric sold off-board chargers as accessories for its S1Pro scooter at a price ranging from Rs 9,000 to Rs 19,000, which resulted in an overcharge of Rs 130 crore to customers.

Ola Electric accepted the findings of the investigation and agreed to refund the overcharged amount to customers. The reimbursement applies to billings generated from FY 2019-20 until March 30, 2023.

Ola Electrics refund: a victory for electric scooter customers

The decision to refund Rs 130 crore to customers who purchased charging accessories for their Ola S1Pro scooter is a significant win for them. Customers who were overcharged will receive their money back, and this move will help to increase the adoption of electric vehicles in the country. It also sets a precedent for other companies who have violated FAME guidelines to follow suit and refund their customers.

A lesson for companies to follow FAME pricing and accessory guidelines

Ola Electrics decision to refund its customers is a step in the right direction towards encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles in India. It also sends a clear message to other companies that violations of FAME guidelines will not be tolerated, and they will be held accountable for their actions. Going forward, it is essential that all companies adhere to the guidelines set by the government to ensure that the transition to electric vehicles is smooth and successful.

In conclusion, the refund of Rs 130 crore by Ola Electric to its customers who purchased charging accessories for their vehicles is a welcome move. It not only benefits customers but also sends a clear message to other companies that FAME guidelines must be followed. This decision will go a long way in encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles in the country, and it is hoped that other companies will follow suit.

Source
DAMASCUS, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli missiles hit the international airport and several military sites in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo on Monday night, killing one soldier and wounding seven others, the Syrian army said in a statement.

The attack was carried out before midnight, hitting the airport and a number of military positions in the countryside of Aleppo, it said, adding that two civilians were among the wounded.

The international airport of Aleppo as well as that of the capital Damascus had been attacked earlier by Israel and went out of service for days.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a number of explosions in the area of the Aleppo international airport and the al-Nayrab air base in Aleppo province.

The Britain-based watchdog stopped short of giving more details but said the attack is the 16th of its kind since the beginning of 2023. 
Mother-and-son lighted clothing design team Rachel Merrill and Devon Merrill at her Carmel Valley home and studio. Shes wearing their Lightning dress and standing next to their Light Dance project, while hes in their Wearlight vest.

What do you get when you combine a mom with a passion for fashion design with a son whos a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at UC San Diego?

In the case of family entrepreneurs Rachel Merrill and Devon Merrill of San Diego, you get Lighted Clothing, a new company that is pushing boundaries in the field of illuminated fashion.

Since they started their collaboration about 18 months ago, the Merrills have co-created five fashion pieces that incorporate LED lights, fiber optics, hidden batteries and tiny computers that create streaks of lightning on a dress, moving bands of color and pictures on a vest and waves of glowing light on a skirt that grow brighter whenever its wearer moves.

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Last month, the Merrills won a national Textiles in Technology award in the Surface Design Associations Future Fabrication: Exhibition in Print 2017. They were among seven winners chosen from a field of 250 entries by jurors Richard Elliott, a textiles expert and professor at the California College of the Arts in Oakland, and Kathryn Hall, from the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

Elliott said the concept of illuminated clothing has been around for at least five years, but the Merrills have taken the technology up a notch in a visually striking way.

Their work really exemplifies the optimal combination of sheer fabric to diffuse the light, so its not so gaudy and bright, and the element of motion that mimics the movements of the wearer, Elliott said. Whats fascinating about their collaboration is that its cross-generational. I havent seen that before and their abilities are so compatible with one another.

Rachel Merrill  a retired biotechnology acquisitions attorney who lives with her husband, Lex, in Carmel Valley  said shes enjoyed finding a new way to express her creativity. But shes most happy about collaborating with her 29-year-old son.

I feel like its a gift, she said. Not many parents have an opportunity to do something with their grown children thats so creative and that draws so completely on their different interests and skills. Its precious time.

Rachel and Devon Merrill both come from crafty backgrounds, but illuminated fashion wasnt on either of their radars until 2016.

Rachel taught her self to sew in her mid-20s by bringing home Vogue patterns and learning to make clothes by trial and error. Devon developed a love for tinkering from his dad, Lex, whose hobby is rebuilding antique radios. By the time he was at Torrey Pines High School, Devon was soldering his own home electronics and writing computer code.

One hobby the family shares is hiking. When Rachel retired in 2012, she spent four months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, eventually logging more than 2,000 miles. But injuries forced her to give up the sport three years ago and she went looking for a more sedentary hobby. She found it when she signed up for a fashion design class at San Diego Mesa College in spring 2016.

One of her first fashion ideas was Starlight, a hand-dyed blue silk dress with a mesh liner interwoven with 700 strands of illuminated superfine filament. There was just one problem. She had no idea how to work with fiber optics, electronic circuits or computer code.

So she asked Devon  who lives in the UTC area with his girlfriend Enjoli Gomez  to teach her about lights, soldering and building circuits. After she finished weaving the fiber liner for Starlight, he built the computerized controller and wrote the code that creates subtly moving waves of white light.

This sounds easier than it is. The reason illuminated clothes arent on every store shelf is the danger factor. A miswired circuit could mean a very real risk of fire.

Ive burned myself a few times, he said, but I havent had a model spontaneously combust yet.

Rachel Merrill dressed in Lightning, a dress with four channels of light inside that create moving patterns of a lightning storm. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune )

After Starlight won best of show in Mesas 2016 Golden Scissors Fashion Show, the colleges department chair, Susan Lazear, invited Devon to begin teaching a seminar class every semester on wearable technology.

During the first seminar session, the Merrills co-created their next project, Wearlight. Rachel designed the black cotton/polyester zip-up vest and Devon implanted it with 96 hidden fully programmable LED 2-inch pixels that can create millions of colors, patterns and pictures. It won two awards at Mesas next fashion show.

Last spring, they created Lightning, a lavender sheath dress implanted with four branched channels of light that create the illusion of a moving lightning storm.

Their biggest project to date was Light Dance, a haute-couture dress built for last falls Women & Science fashion gala at the Salk Institute. Rachel was tasked with creating a dress inspired by the work of now-former Salk researcher Hermina Nedelescu, who studies the neural pathways in the cerebellum.

Microscopic photos of cells and neurons in the cerebellum were printed on the dress bodice and decorated with pearls and fine silver chain. The skirt was made with undulating layers of fabric that resembled the folds of the brain.

Devon designed the computer controller which was hidden in a cerebellum-shaped plastic headpiece he created on a 3D printer. It was connected to the dress via a cable that ran down the models spine, the same way the cerebellum sends neural signals to the body. The movement-sensitive cerebellum controller caused the dress lights to glow brighter whenever the model turned her head or walked.

Devon Merrill displays a battery pack that powers his Wearlight vest. Its concealed in an inside pocket. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Their most recent project is Illumination, a denim vest with a quilted fabric panel designed by Rachels sister. Its computer controller shifts the light around to different sections of the artwork in a pattern.

Devon said working over the past 18 months on these projects has been illuminating in more ways than one. Besides teaching at Mesa, he also teaches the wearable fashion technology to freshman computer students at UCSD. He sees vast differences between the students educational and socio-economic backgrounds and their abilities to learn the technology.

To help close that learning gap, he recently launched the Gadgetron Robot Factory (robots.gadgetron.build), a drag-and-drop website where people can learn how to build circuits and electronics without any fiery mistakes.

Through their website (lightedclothing.com) the Merrills hope to attract some commissions so they can work together again soon.

Were both taking it in the directions we want to, she said, and somehow were doing it together.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Does law enforcements quest for safety infringe on peoples civil liberties?

Thats the question privacy advocates are asking as technology continues to make it easier for police agencies to monitor citizens.

From radar devices that can see through walls to a network of microphones that reports shootings to officers, here are eight ways the police can keep an eye on you, and why some groups find them alarming.

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1. Range-R

What it is: The Range-R looks like a high-tech stud-finder, but it pinpoints people. The radar device uses radio waves to see through walls to locate people inside a structure. It can pick up on movements as slight as human breathing to detect the location of a person up to 50 feet away, but it doesnt provide an image of whats inside. The device was devised for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and its been used by U.S. law enforcement agencies since at least 2012. A unit costs about $6,000.

Why youll care: Privacy advocates have concerns about use of the device without a search warrant. A Kansas federal appeals court brought the issue to light in December. A deputy U.S. Marshal  who had a warrant for a parolees arrest but no search warrant  used the Range-R to determine if anyone was inside a Wichita home where authorities suspected the felon lived. The parolees defense attorney tried to get a charge thrown out because of the radars use. While the charges were upheld, the courts ruling said the governments warrantless use of such a powerful tool to search inside homes poses grave Fourth Amendment questions.

2. Stingray

What it is: The Stingray masquerades as a cellphone tower, forcing all nearby cellphones to connect to it. Its usually mounted in a law enforcement vehicle. Coupled with an antenna, police can use the Stingray to determine where a mobile phone is in real time. Phones also stream data to the device, including the phone and identification numbers, which can be used to get past call and text data and any dialed numbers. The technology was initially developed for military and spy agencies and can cost as much as $400,000.

Why youll care: Law enforcement agencies, including local ones, have been extremely secretive about whether and how they use Stingray technology. A civil-rights group is suing the San Diego Police Department for its refusal to turn over information about the device. Police in other parts of the country have admitted using the technology without a warrant, which advocacy organizations argue is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Civil groups are also concerned that many cellphones, not just the cellphone being targeted, connect to the device, and want to know what safeguards are in place to protect information gathered from innocent citizens.

3. Body Cameras

What it is: Police departments have rolled out a variety of body cameras that attach to an officers chest, shoulder or sunglasses. Police officers are responsible for turning the cameras on during interactions with the public. Many believe they de-escalate conflict between police and the public, and increase law enforcement transparency. A study done several months ago by the San Diego Police Department showed officers have used less force and members of the public have complained about officers less since the department rolled out the cameras.

Why youll care: Lawmakers, police departments and civil advocacy organizations generally agree body cameras are a useful tool, but there is much debate on the policies that govern how theyre used. Where will body camera videos be stored and for how long? Who has the ability to view footage? Should officers record all encounters? Recently, controversy erupted when a San Diego officer didnt turn on his camera before fatally shooting a man in the Midway District. The department revised its body camera policy following the shooting, but it sparked renewed debate about the effectiveness of the devices.

Related: Shooting raises cop camera questions

4. Facial Recognition Software

What it is: Facial recognition software analyzes aspects of a persons face  the space between someones eyes or how long a persons nose is  and creates a template. That template is then compared to a database of photographs, which could include images from surveillance video or mug shots, to identify a person. Recently, the FBI launched the Next Generation Identification system, which will house more than 50 million photographs that law enforcement can access to verify someones identity.

Why youll care: Several organizations argue facial recognition software simply doesnt work. The system can be fooled by facial hair, weight loss, aging  even a big smile. But there are privacy concerns as well. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has sued the government for more information about the FBIs system and argued the software is among the most alarming new developments, because Americans cannot easily take precautions against the covert, remote, and mass capture of their images.

5. License plate readers

What it is: A license plate reader scans a vehicles license plate and stores the plate number and the time, date and GPS location from when it was photographed. Data may be stored for days, months or years depending on the jurisdiction. Scanned license plate numbers can be checked against a list of vehicles that are stolen or wanted. The technology wasnt widely used until the 90s, when software became more affordable and more capable. License plate readers are used to enforce road rules and can be found on roadways, atop streetlights and attached to law enforcement vehicles.

Why youll care: While license plate information can help criminal investigations, civil liberties groups argue those instances account for a very small portion of the plates that are cataloged. Most often, license plate information belongs to innocent people, and privacy advocates argue storing such information is very invasive. Several organizations that have requested information associated with license plate scans were able to ascertain where members of the public spent much of their time, including their homes and workplaces. There are also concerns that private companies use license plate readers with little to no oversight.

6. Drones

What it is: Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, come in many sizes and can be self guided or controlled remotely by a human. Predator B drones, which were used for a time by Customs and Border Protection, have a wingspan of about 65 feet. Others are much smaller, like the Nano Hummingbird, which weighs less than a AA battery. Drones can be outfitted with a variety of gadgets, from weapons to surveillance technology. Common uses include law enforcement, firefighting, border patrol, disaster relief, search and rescue, military training, and other government operational missions. Drone legislation had been introduced in about three dozen states as of 2014.

Why youll care: Police departments are becoming increasingly interested in drone technology as the technology becomes more affordable and easier to use. While many groups agree there are positive uses, privacy advocates and law makers are calling for clear regulations to protect privacy. If drones are used for surveillance work, for example, a warrant should be required. Civil rights organizations have also argued that images taken by drones shouldnt be stored, unless they pertain to an ongoing investigation.

Related: Police chiefs group offers drone-use policy

In this file photo taken July 16, 2008, workers are seen at the construction of a cellular telephone antenna tower in Lakewood, N.J.. A Long Island township has imposed restrictions on the placement of new cell towers that are among the toughest in the country, and one phone company said, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, it effectively bans new construction. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) ( / AP)

7. Cellphone tower dumps

What it is: A cellphone tower dump is when a law enforcement agency requests information sent from cellphones to a cellphone tower during a given period. Cellphone towers, equipped with antennas and electrical equipment, enable GPS and allow phones to make calls and send texts. Phones are constantly searching for a tower to connect to, and they send over information even when they arent in use. That data, saved by phone companies for months or years, can include location information, call history, sent texts, even search terms typed into phone browsers. Law enforcement agencies can request cellphone companies to fork over some of that information to further an investigation.

Why youll care: Hundreds of millions of people use cellphones, creating digital trails of calls, texts and website visits that cellphone carriers store for a variety of reasons. Law agencies can use tower dumps to zero in on bad guys, but a lot of innocent peoples data are swept up in the process. Privacy advocates want a clearer understanding of where that data goes, how long its stored and who has access to it. Also, investigators dont always need a warrant to initiate a cellphone tower dump, which a number of organizations object to. Additionally, the Supreme Court has ruled that some information sent from cellphone users to cellphone providers, like numbers dialed, is not protected by the Fourth Amendment. Civil rights groups and lawyers have argued privacy considerations surrounding digital data should be revisited.

8. Shotspotter

What it is: Shotspotter is a system that uses audio sensors to determine when and where shootings take place. The location is then sent to police departments so officers can investigate. Once the sensors triangulate where the gunfire came from, the sound is sent to a review center where a person determines if it was really gunshots. If it is, the information is forwarded to police. Officers get a map of where the shots were fired, the time of the shooting, how many shots were fired, and if the shooter was moving, in what direction they were headed.

Why youll care: Many agree the ability to better figure out where and when shootings happen is a good thing, but the technology might have unintended and invasive side effects. The sensors constantly pick up on sound, but only noise 2 seconds before gunshots and 4 seconds after is sent over for review. Still, there have been instances where conversations immediately following shootings have been used in court. In one case, a victims dying words were used as evidence against a man suspected of shooting the Oakland resident to death. Microphones placed close to private property are also raising concerns.
Wang Xuemin (1st L), an expert in Green Agriculture West Africa Ltd., demonstrates the green super rice variety GAWAL R1 to African trainees at a farm in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, April 25, 2022. (CAAS Institute of Crop Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- In a laboratory at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in northern Beijing, researchers are busy tagging and editing genes in rice, a key component of the complex breeding process of green super rice (GSR).

As its name suggests, this variety of rice boasts high yields while remaining environmentally friendly.

"We apply the method of genetic screening to put the quality or the traits that we need in the rice," said Xu Jianlong, a professor at the Laboratory for Molecular Rice Breeding under the Institute of Crop Sciences, CAAS.

Since 2008, under the support of Chinese government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the laboratory began to develop GSR varieties to boost the agricultural development in resource-poor areas in Africa and Asia.

"We have been breeding different GSR varieties that are able to adapt to different ecological environments in different countries. In Africa, for example, we breed varieties that are more resilient to drought and high temperature, while in Southeast Asia where typhoons are common, we produce rice that is resilient to collapse and diseases such as bacterial blight," Xu explained.

According to the expert, when super typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, all crops of local rice varieties at the island of Leyte were wiped out. "However, the GSR8 variety we trialed planting there showed better tolerance to flooding, drought and salt damage, with a harvest of 1.2 tons per hectare."

The Philippine government then decided to promote the use of GSR8 seeds, resulting in the rapid expansion of GSR variety to cover 430,000 hectares in 2014. As of 2018, the GSR varieties have been promoted in the Philippines for a total of 1.09 million hectares, accounting for 22.64 percent of the country's rice acreage. By 2021, the cumulative area of GSR varieties reached 10.8 million hectares in the Philippines.

Successful stories were also found in other Asian countries. The NIBGE-GSR1, which was promoted in Pakistan, has an average yield of about 9.5 tons per hectare, compared to 7 tons for the local variety. Currently, six GSR varieties, including NIBGE-GSR1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and NIAB GSR39, have been certified by the Pakistani authorities, according to CAAS.

For the CAAS experts, the roll-out of the GSR in Africa has been quite challenging, since the agricultural infrastructure there is relatively poor.

With the technical support of CAAS, Green Agriculture West Africa Ltd., attached to Chinese construction company CGCOC Group, has developed the GSR variety GAWAL R1 to help increase rice production. Validated in Nigeria in 2017, GAWAL R1 yielded about 30 percent more than the local variety Faro 44. With its popularization, the average rice yield across Nigeria rose from 1.98 tons per hectare in 2019 to 2.5 tons per hectare in 2022.

"We will make more efforts to help West African countries establish rice seed industry systems and ease their tight food demand," Xu said.

According to CAAS, over the past decade, 78 GSR varieties developed by the GSR project group have been tested, certified, and promoted in 18 countries and regions in Africa and Asia, with a cumulative planting area of over 6 million hectares, benefiting over 1.6 million farmers.

China's experience in rice cultivation and production has made a significant contribution to the food security of Asian and African countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which launched nearly 10 years ago, Xu said.

As for their future plans, the expert believes that it is very important to "teach them how to breed rice" instead of just "giving them rice."

Currently, 58 postgraduate students from 15 countries are pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in Chinese research institutes.

"Also, we have provided advanced training in GSR breeding techniques to nearly 943 scientists and technicians from 15 countries, and there will be more training in the days to come," Xu said.

The expert believes that using Chinese technology to ensure food security in developing countries is of great importance to the BRI construction and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

"Our ultimate goal is to help farmers in those countries become self-sufficient in rice production," Xu added. 

Xu Jianlong (2nd R), a professor at the Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, explains how to conduct seed selection of green super rice at a farm in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, Nov. 13, 2022. (CAAS Institute of Crop Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)
As part of the commission's World Heritage Day events which were recently held at the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre in Riyadh, the Heritage Commission set a record in the Guinness Book of Records.

Read More: Riyadh Season Breaks 5 Guinness World Records

Read More: Riyadh Calendar Breaks Records with 15 Million Visitors

The new world record was for having the longest phrase written on a piece of artwork made up of 6,088 Saudi Khawlani coffee beans. The phrase written was Heritage Commission.

Guinness World Records approved the artwork as having a record length, and it was on display at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh where the commission's representatives received their official certificate.

One of the most widely recognized coffee varieties is the Saudi Khawlani, which has been linked to the poetry, folk music, habits, and economy of those who live there. It is the eighth item to be added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) representative list of intangible cultural heritage.

One of the largest worldwide consumers of coffee, Saudi Arabia has set as one of its goals for Saudi Vision 2030 to become self-sufficient in coffee production.
Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 5,280,000 amphetamine pills into Jeddah.

Read More: Saudi and Qatar Successfully Cease the Supply of 4m Drugs in Riyadh

The official spokesperson of GDNC, Major Marwan Al-Hazmi, said that this huge quantity of amphetamine pills was found hidden in a shipment of stones and building supplies passing through Jeddah Islamic Port.

The seizure operation was carried out in cooperation with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA).

Al-Hazmi said that the security services monitoring drug dealers and smuggling networks resulted in the pills' seizure.

He added that the six individuals who were involved in the crime got arrested, including a Syrian citizen with a visitor's visa, a resident holding Sudanese nationality, and a Saudi citizen.

Al-Hazmi confirmed that the accused were referred to the Public Prosecution.

Image source: @Mokafha_SA Twitter account.
A worker works at a construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia, April 30, 2023. The high-speed line, a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, connects Indonesia's capital Jakarta and another major city Bandung.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the railway will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Li Peiyang/Xinhua)

Workers work at a construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia, May 1, 2023. The high-speed line, a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, connects Indonesia's capital Jakarta and another major city Bandung.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the railway will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Ren Weiyun/Xinhua)

This aerial photo shows workers working at a construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia, May 1, 2023.

The high-speed line, a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, connects Indonesia's capital Jakarta and another major city Bandung.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the railway will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Ren Weiyun/Xinhua)

Workers work at a construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia, May 1, 2023. The high-speed line, a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, connects Indonesia's capital Jakarta and another major city Bandung.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the railway will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Ren Weiyun/Xinhua)

Workers work at a construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia, May 1, 2023. The high-speed line, a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, connects Indonesia's capital Jakarta and another major city Bandung.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the railway will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Ren Weiyun/Xinhua)

A worker works at a construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia, April 30, 2023. The high-speed line, a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, connects Indonesia's capital Jakarta and another major city Bandung.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the railway will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Li Peiyang/Xinhua)
By connecting small self-propelling toys in a chain, researchers at the UvA Institute of Physics have found the key to studying the movement of microscopic organisms and molecular motors inside our cells.

'Hexbug Nano v2' microbots use vibrations to propel themselves forward. By connecting several of these toys with an elastic silicon rubber chain, the resulting structure is 'elastoactive'. This means that it will return to its original shape after being deformed, while the self-propelling, active constituents that it is comprised of constantly try to push the structure in a certain direction.

Depending on the size of the chain links and whether the chains were fixed at one or both ends, the elastoactive chains showed a range of movement types, including self-oscillatory, self-synchronising and self-snapping.

"By experimenting with these elastoactive chains, we discovered that there is an interplay between activity and elasticity: when activity dominates, the chains self-oscillate and synchronize," says Corentin Coulais, head of the Machine Materials Laboratory at the University of Amsterdam.

He continues: "Mechanical self-oscillation and synchronization are a key feature of biological machines, features that are useful for making new types of autonomous robots. These active chains really allow us to single out the nature of these nonlinear phenomena."

Self-oscillation, self-synchronisation and self-snapping

When a structure self-oscillates, this means that it bends back and forth by itself. In the chains, the microbots might start by bending the chain to the left. However, because the chain is pinned at one end, the elastic links resist this movement, reorienting the bots in such a way that they start pushing and bending the chain to the right. This movement will again be resisted by the elastic chain, until the bots start moving to the left again.

Synchronisation happens when two elastoactive chains are connected at one end by a stiff enough rod. By wriggling around, the two connected chains automatically start oscillating with the same frequency, like sea grasses moved by the same waves.

Finally, taking a single elastoactive chain and pinning both of its ends, it shows 'self-snapping' behaviour. When you bend a playing card with your fingers, you can make it 'snap' to bending the other way by pushing hard enough from the side. The elastoactive chains do this by themselves, repeatedly snapping from bending to the left to bending to the right.

Instructive play

"We started this research by just playing around with the microbot toys. But more generally, the idea was to explore materials out of equilibrium. In soft matter, active fluids have been studied extensively in the last 25 years, but their solid counterparts were investigated much less," says Coulais.

Next on the menu is exploring elastoactive behaviour at smaller scales, for instance in so-called colloidal systems, consisting of small particles suspended in a fluid. Even though these are still model systems, they are closer to the biological system due to similar length scales and the presence of the fluid. At any scale, it would also be interesting to use smart design to embed multiple self-oscillations within a single structure to obtain more complex movement patterns. With a better understanding of self-oscillations, the hope is that it becomes possible to create new types of autonomous robots.
Feces from fish that are typically thought to promote healthy reefs can damage and, in some cases, kill corals, according to a recent study by Rice University marine biologists.

Until recently, fish that consume algae and detritus -- grazers -- were thought to keep reefs healthy, and fish that eat coral -- corallivores -- were thought to weaken reef structures. The researchers found high levels of coral pathogens in grazer feces and high levels of beneficial bacteria in corallivore feces, which they say could act like a "coral probiotic."

"Corallivorous fish are generally regarded as harmful because they bite the corals," said Carsten Grupstra, a former graduate student at Rice and lead author of the open-access study in Frontiers in Marine Science. "But it turns out that this doesn't tell the whole story."

Grupstra received his doctorate in 2022, and is now a postdoctoral researcher at Boston University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. In 2021, he, his doctoral adviser, Adrienne Correa, and others from her Rice research group discovered that feces of coral predators are packed with living symbiotic algae that corals depend upon.

The new study builds on that with data and evidence compiled from two years of field research and laboratory experiments at Rice and theMoorea Coral Reef Long-term Ecological Research station on the South Pacific island of Moorea, French Polynesia. The research showed corallivore feces contained many bacteria that are found in healthy corals under normal conditions. Grazer feces were both found to contain pathogenic bacteria and shown to damage or kill living coral fragments in controlled laboratory experiments.

To understand why corals might benefit from their predators' feces, Grupstra said it is important to consider that coral-eating fish do not devour their prey. Ever wary of being eaten themselves, they spend their days repeating a simple two-step process: grab a mouthful, swim to a new location. Because they relieve themselves as they go, they naturally disperse poop -- and any beneficial organisms it contains -- over a wide area.

Grupstra said the new study suggests corallivore feces could be an important source of beneficial microbes for corals.

"It's analogous to fecal microbiota transplantation therapy in humans," Grupstra said.

The study examined bacteria from both corallivore and grazer feces, and compared their effects on live corals. The researchers began by collecting fresh feces from corallivores and grazers during research dives. They both assayed bacteria in the samples and conducted controlled experiments to see how each type of feces affected coral.

They placed pieces of coral in jars with microbe-free seawater. To some jars, they added fresh feces from either corallivores or grazers. To determine whether the physical characteristics of the feces alone might harm the coral, they sterilized some fecal samples and added them to other jars. To the final group of jars, an experimental control, nothing was added. At the end of the experiment, coral fragments from all jars were examined and categorized as apparently healthy, containing lesions or dead.

The experiments showed that some feces could kill or smother corals. In most cases, the effect was localized, producing lesions on the coral fragment. In others, the entire fragment died. Feces from grazers caused lesions or death in all jars. Corallivore feces produced fewer and smaller lesions and rarely led to fragment death, and sterilized feces produced comparable damage.

"The bacterial assays from our field samples helped explain the results from the laboratory experiments," said Correa, an assistant professor of biosciences. "We found coral pathogens were more abundant in grazer feces, and beneficial microbes were more abundant in corallivore feces."

Grupstra said researchers need to further test how fish feces affect corals in the ocean. For example, damaging or beneficial effects could be limited if fecal pellets disintegrate or are eaten or removed by another organism. Better understanding the drivers of fecal effects could allow reef managers to implement treatments that promote beneficial effects or minimize negative impacts.

"Together, these findings result in a more nuanced understanding of the roles of fish on coral reefs and may help us better understand the interactions that are happening on reefs around the world," he said. "Both corallivores and grazers have important ecological roles and understanding those roles can help us better manage and conserve these important ecosystems."

The research was supported by the National Science Foundation (2145472 and 1635798), Rice University startup funds and fellowships awarded by the Wagoner Foreign Study Scholarship Program and the Kirk W. Dotson Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
The first building blocks of life on Earth may have formed thanks to eruptions from our Sun, a new study finds.

A series of chemical experiments show how solar particles, colliding with gases in Earth's early atmosphere, can form amino acids and carboxylic acids, the basic building blocks of proteins and organic life. The findings were published in the journal Life.

To understand the origins of life, many scientists try to explain how amino acids, the raw materials from which proteins and all cellular life, were formed. The best-known proposal originated in the late 1800s as scientists speculated that life might have begun in a "warm little pond": A soup of chemicals, energized by lightning, heat, and other energy sources, that could mix together in concentrated amounts to form organic molecules.

In 1953, Stanley Miller of the University of Chicago tried to recreate these primordial conditions in the lab. Miller filled a closed chamber with methane, ammonia, water, and molecular hydrogen -- gases thought to be prevalent in Earth's early atmosphere -- and repeatedly ignited an electrical spark to simulate lightning. A week later, Miller and his graduate advisor Harold Urey analyzed the chamber's contents and found that 20 different amino acids had formed.

"That was a big revelation," said Vladimir Airapetian, a stellar astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and coauthor of the new paper. "From the basic components of early Earth's atmosphere, you can synthesize these complex organic molecules."

But the last 70 years have complicated this interpretation. Scientists now believe ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4) were far less abundant; instead, Earth's air was filled with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and molecular nitrogen (N2), which require more energy to break down. These gases can still yield amino acids, but in greatly reduced quantities.

Seeking alternative energy sources, some scientists pointed to shockwaves from incoming meteors. Others cited solar ultraviolet radiation. Airapatian, using data from NASA's Kepler mission, pointed to a new idea: energetic particles from our Sun.

Kepler observed far-off stars at different stages in their lifecycle, but its data provides hints about our Sun's past. In 2016, Airapetian published a study suggesting that during Earth's first 100 million years, the Sun was about 30% dimmer. But solar "superflares" -- powerful eruptions we only see once every 100 years or so today -- would have erupted once every 3-10 days. These superflares launch near-light speed particles that would regularly collide with our atmosphere, kickstarting chemical reactions.

"As soon as I published that paper, the team from the Yokohama National University from Japan contacted me," Airapetian said.

Dr. Kobayashi, a professor of chemistry there, had spent the last 30 years studying prebiotic chemistry. He was trying to understand how galactic cosmic rays -- incoming particles from outside our solar system -- could have affected early Earth's atmosphere. "Most investigators ignore galactic cosmic rays because they require specialized equipment, like particle accelerators," Kobayashi said. "I was fortunate enough to have access to several of them near our facilities." Minor tweaks to Kobayashi's experimental setup could put Airapatian's ideas to the test.

Airapetian, Kobayashi, and their collaborators created a mixture of gases matching early Earth's atmosphere as we understand it today. They combined carbon dioxide, molecular nitrogen, water, and a variable amount of methane. (The methane proportion in Earth's early atmosphere is uncertain but thought to be low.) They shot the gas mixtures with protons (simulating solar particles) or ignited them with spark discharges (simulating lightning), replicating the Miller-Urey experiment for comparison.

As long as the methane proportion was over 0.5%, the mixtures shot by protons (solar particles) produced detectable amounts of amino acids and carboxylic acids. But the spark discharges (lightning) required about a 15% methane concentration before any amino acids formed at all.

"And even at 15% methane, the production rate of the amino acids by lightning is a million times less than by protons," Airapetian added. Protons also tended to produce more carboxylic acids (a precursor of amino acids) than those ignited by spark discharges.

All else being equal, solar particles appear to be a more efficient energy source than lightning. But all else likely wasn't equal, Airapetian suggested. Miller and Urey assumed that lightning was just as common at the time of the "warm little pond" as it is today. But lightning, which comes from thunderclouds formed by rising warm air, would have been rarer under a 30% dimmer Sun.

"During cold conditions you never have lightning, and early Earth was under a pretty faint Sun," Airapetian said. "That's not saying that it couldn't have come from lightning, but lightning seems less likely now, and solar particles seems more likely."

These experiments suggest our active young Sun could have catalyzed the precursors of life more easily, and perhaps earlier, than previously assumed.
UNITED NATIONS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the UN Secretariat to strengthen the comprehensive peacekeeping budgetary performance.

"The Secretariat should continue to strengthen the comprehensive budgetary performance and improve internal control, so as to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations," Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the second part of the resumed session of the Fifth Committee of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

"As the largest single budget of this organization, the budget for peacekeeping operations runs into billions of dollars. China always supports the Fifth Committee's efforts to review the budget under the science-based and prudent principle, and to provide necessary resources for peacekeeping operations to fulfill their mandates," he said.

"We note the relatively large increase in the peacekeeping budget proposed by the secretary-general for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, which may raise financial burdens for member states, many of which have concerns over," said the envoy.

"It is a shared view that the peacekeeping budget should be reviewed carefully and comprehensively. China supports the Board of Auditors in fully playing its role as an external audit body to provide valuable recommendations on improving budgetary management. We support the UN to reimburse troop/police contributing countries in a timely manner," he added.

On China's contributions, Dai said that ever since the first time China dispatched its formed military unit of Blue Helmets to UN peacekeeping operations, "we have sent more than 50,000 peacekeepers to peacekeeping operations over the past 30 years, and have set up an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force. China takes practical actions to actively fulfill the obligations and shoulder the responsibilities to maintain international peace and security."

The ambassador further noted that peacekeeping missions "should use resources effectively to implement core mandates," adding that at present, peacekeepers are facing increasing challenges and threats to their safety and security with instabilities rising in different regions.

Dai noted that as the largest troop contributor among the five permanent members of the Security Council, and the second largest financial contributor for UN peacekeeping operations, "China expresses its serious concern in this regard."

"We hope that the UN will strictly implement the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, allocate adequate resources, and accurately assess and effectively remove all risks threatening the life of peacekeepers, so as to achieve further progress of the peacekeepers security agenda," he said.

"The agenda item of Investing in Prevention and Peacebuilding has been deferred three times since the discussion began last year," he said. "China attaches great importance to peacebuilding and we have been actively engaged in and proposed a constructive solution that complies with the current UN budgetary and financial regulations and rules."

"We are of the view that the regulations and traditions in UN management areas should be fully respected. The historical responsibility of developed countries as major donors to peacebuilding financing cannot and should not be changed," he said.

"When using assessed contributions for peacebuilding, it is imperative to respect the supervisory rights of member states accordingly. This is a shared concern of many member states including China, and should be treated with due regard and addressed prudently," said the ambassador. 
DAMASCUS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a fresh missile attack at military sites in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo, according to the state-owned Syrian TV on Monday.

The Syrian air defenses intercepted many of the missiles, said the report.

It added that several explosions were heard in Aleppo following the attack.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported several explosions heard in Aleppo after Israeli missiles hit the military sites.

It is not known yet if there were any casualties. 
A man holds a portrait of Khader Adnan during a protest in the West Bank city of Nablus, on May 2, 2023. Khader Adnan, a prominent leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ), on Tuesday died in an Israeli prison after he went on a hunger strike for 86 days, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH/GAZA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- A prominent leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) on Tuesday died in an Israeli prison after he went on a hunger strike for 86 days, Palestinian and Israeli sources said.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club Association, a non-governmental organization, said in a press statement that Khader Adnan died after a hunger strike for 86 days.

It is Adnan's sixth hunger strike in Israeli prisons, where he had previously survived five to protest his arrest and administrative detention without trial.

His last hunger strike began on Feb. 5 after an Israeli army force stormed his house in Arraba, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and arrested him for the sixth time.

The Israeli Prison Service said in a statement that Adnan, 45 years old, "was found unconscious in his cell in Nitzan prison."

"A medical staff tried to resuscitate his heart before he was transferred to Assaf Harofeh Hospital, where his death was confirmed," said the statement.

It added, "Adnan refused to undergo medical examinations and receive treatment during his hunger strike."

Meanwhile, a member of the PIJ Political Bureau in Gaza, Muhammad Al-Hindi, said that his movement mourned Adnan and condemned his death in Israeli prisons.

"We hold the enemy responsible for the crime of assassinating Sheikh Khader Adnan, and the enemy will pay the price for this crime," said Al-Hindi.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club Association, Adnan's death brings the number of Palestinian prisoners who died in Israeli prisons to 237 since 1967, including 75 fatalities due to medical negligence. 

(230502) -- JENIN, May 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A relative of Khader Adnan mourns in the West Bank city of Jenin, on May 2, 2023. Khader Adnan, a prominent leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ), on Tuesday died in an Israeli prison after he went on a hunger strike for 86 days, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
KIEV, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The projected "all-for-all" prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia will take place in several stages, Ukraine's Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Monday.

"If we manage to agree on an 'all-for-all' exchange, it will obviously be carried out in several stages," the agency said in a statement.

The release of all captives held by the parties involves certain risks so all the steps to implement the swap deal will be "prudent and well-considered," it said.

Earlier this month, Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, said Ukraine is in talks with Russia over an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange.

According to the Ukrainian authorities, Ukraine and Russia have carried out more than 40 prisoner swaps since the first exchange in March 2022. 
The takeover of First Republic Bank early this week meant that, overnight, customers of the failed San Francisco lender became clients of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. announced early Monday it had closed First Republic, a week after the bank lost more than $70 billion in deposits.

Federal regulators said in a news release that the bank is being acquired by JPMorgan Chase, which will assume all of the deposits and substantially all of the assets of First Republic Bank.

Heres what the purchase means for First Republic Bank customers:

Will I lose my money?

No. The FDIC says all deposits, regardless of the amount, were transferred to JPMorgan Chase Bank. No one lost any money on deposit as a result of the closure of this bank, the FDIC said.

In a welcome message to First Republic customers posted on its website, JPMorgan Chase said, You and your assets are now backed by the fortress balance sheet of JPMorgan Chase, and all of your deposits are protected.

How can I access my account?

Service for First Republic customers will be uninterrupted, JPMorgan Chase said. They can still use the First Republic website and mobile app to manage their accounts and make transactions.

Customers can also continue to use their First Republic ATM and debit cards, as well as the same checks, according to the FDIC. Account and routing numbers will stay the same until customers are notified otherwise in writing by JPMorgan Chase Bank.

If you have direct deposits, automatic payments or bill pay set up through your account, federal regulators say these services will also continue as usual.

I also have an account at JPMorgan Chase Bank. What now?

If you have accounts at both First Republic Bank and JPMorgan Chase, the FDIC says they will be insured separately for at least six months after the acquisition, allowing customers to restructure their accounts if necessary.

What happens to my loan from First Republic Bank?

Customers with loans from First Republic should continue to make their usual payments, including escrow payments, the FDIC says. The terms of the loan will not change.

The FDIC says customers can continue to send their payments to the same payment address with checks made payable to First Republic Bank. Customers will be notified of any changes via a letter.

Those with loans in process and those with lines of credit should contact their loan officer, the FDIC says. Those making escrow payments who receive notification that any part of their taxes or insurances was not paid should also contact their loan officer.

You can contact an FDIC loan representative with more questions at FDIC_Loans@fdic.gov.

What happens with my brokered deposits?

JPMorgan Chase Bank has assumed all brokered deposits, except the Cede & Co. deposits, according to the FDIC. Customers who have a First Republic Bank deposit through a broker are advised to contact their broker with any additional questions.

Will First Republic Bank branches close?

According to the FDIC, First Republic Banks 84 offices in eight states reopened as branches of JPMorgan Chase Bank on Monday. First Republics website shows the states are California, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Florida, Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut.

First Republic customers can continue using those branches, JPMorgan Chase said. However, it added that over time you will have access to JPMorgan Chases extensive branch network, the largest in the country, which includes more than 4,700 Chase branches across all lower 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Representatives from JPMorgan Chase Bank did not immediately respond to requests for comment and more information.
The newly formed union at a Trader Joes in Oakland has been certified by the National Labor Relations Board, after employees at the store last month became the first in the chain to unionize in California.

The NLRB certified the union at the store on College Avenue in Oaklands Rockridge neighborhood on Friday. Workers there voted 73-53 in favor of unionizing on April 20, according to a news release.

The store became the first Trader Joes to unionize in California, where the chain was founded, and joined three others around the U.S. that form the independent Trader Joes United union.

Representatives from the union and Trader Joes did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Workers at the store said they decided to unionize to address long-standing concerns, including employees physical safety, wages and benefits and pay discrepancies.

I am incredibly proud to be part of this courageous crew. Because of them we have a seat at the bargaining table and our voices can finally be heard by Trader Joes Corporate, said Dominique Bernardo, an employee organizer at the Oakland location, in a news release.

A Trader Joes in Hadley, Mass., became the chains first store to unionize in July 2022, according to Trader Joes United. Stores in Minneapolis and Louisville, Ky., followed suit.

The company filed objections to the Kentucky election results with the NLRB, and a final ruling is pending, the union said.

The Rockridge store will now join the other three locations in contract negotiations with Trader Joes, the union said.

Founded in Pasadena in 1967, Trader Joes was sold in 1979 to the Albrecht family of Germany, owner of the Aldis discount grocery chain, according to Forbes. Headquartered in Monrovia (Los Angeles County), the company has more than 450 stores throughout the U.S.
At a time when San Franciscos flaws are the focus of intense and intensively negative attention, historic preservationists and cultural activists are striking a much different tone  making the case that this city deserves World Heritage status.

Details so far are vague, including what parts of the 49-square-mile metropolis might be part of a bid for international certification. But as they begin to discuss the idea, proponents say such an effort could remind skeptics that theres more to San Francisco than the struggles of the here and now.

We have so many wonderful resources that should be recognized as having value, said Karalyn Monteil, executive director of San Francisco Heritage, an advocacy group founded in 1971. Amid all the bad press that San Francisco gets, its important to recognize how exceptional it is.

Monteil knows the World Heritage process well: She spent more than 20 years working for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known as UNESCO. That group runs the program, which since 1978 has designated 1,157 sites as places that are so exceptional as to rise above local or national interest or value, in Monteils words.

The 24 located in the United States primarily are natural settings, such as Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks. Others are tied to Indigenous cultures  Taos Pueblo in New Mexico  or are historic icons like Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

Theres no credible way of gauging what economic benefit might result, such as increased tourism; the Golden Gate Bridge and other local attractions already have worldwide renown. Even so, the idea of exploring such a campaign drew roughly 40 people to a morning-long session on April 22 at Heritage offices in the Haas-Lilienthal mansion from 1887.

Relative to the current moment, perhaps this (effort) could reinvigorate us and the brand, suggested Aaron Peskin, president of the Board of Supervisors. He attended the Saturday get-together, as did several officials of the citys planning department.

Salgu Wismath/The Chronicle 2022

City involvement is key because whatever locals might think of a places underlying value  and San Franciscans are nothing if not parochial  the pursuit of a World Heritage designation is laborious. Any nomination must come with detailed documentation showing how it fits one of 10 categories for inclusion, from masterpiece of human creative genius to areas of exceptional natural beauty, and pass muster with reviewers at the national level before it is sent to UNESCO as a candidate.

For Monteil, the organizational core of such an effort could be the citys importance from an LGBTQ perspective, and the emergence of gay cultures here beginning in the 1960s.

Other participants at the Saturday meeting talked of a broader perspective  the constellation of cultural districts that have been created in San Francisco during the past five years, not just places like Japantown or Chinatown but also recognizing the presence of populations and histories before the occupation of the peninsula by the Spanish Empire in the 1700s.

We have something really unique in San Francisco that we could do better at highlighting, and thats the depth of cultural resources, said Sharaya Souza, executive director of the American Indian Cultural District, which was established in 2020.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

A different perspective came from the outsider at the meeting: Francesco Bandarin, whose career at UNESCO included 10 years as director of the World Heritage Centre. He talked of how Rio de Janeiro won World Heritage status in 2012 for a string of landscapes that tied together shorelines and mountains to show how the Brazilian citys appeal is shaped by a creative fusion between nature and culture.

San Francisco could take a similar approach by starting with Golden Gate Park and adding in such locations as Lands End, the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge, Bandarin suggested. It would couple natural splendor with structural achievements and historical layers.

You have here one of the most significant urban parks in the United States, if not the world, Bandarin said in a Facebook conversation recorded earlier in the week. At the same time, it cant just be monuments. You have to create a narrative that makes sense.

Thats not the only hurdle to overcome.

Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle

Unlike other countries, the United States spells out that World Heritage sites cant include private property unless the owners sign off. This could be a stumbling block in a city where owners already complain about layers of regulation and public scrutiny. By contrast, Bandarins idea would link government-owned parks and infrastructure. Some people at the meeting floated the concept of a nomination using Market Street to connect spots such as Harvey Milk Plaza, Civic Center and the Ferry Building.

Nor is it enough simply for local boosters to insist that international recognition is warranted. The manual spelling out how to prepare a nomination  a 138-page document in itself  cautions that at least two years of preparation work is required.

The outstanding universal value measure is a very high bar, said Julianne Polanco, state historic preservation officer for the California Office of Historic Preservation, referring to one of the requirements for World Heritage status. Its not a problem, necessarily, but its something to think about.

Because of the time and expense that would be involved, several advocates argue that City Hall would need to take the lead in making a serious bid move forward. Others, though, say any bid should reflect a grasp of San Franciscos character that isnt just tied to spots with tourist appeal.

There has to be a really meaningful approach  to elevate all aspects of the city, Souza said. We would need to honor that starting point.

For some of the attendees on April 22, the session was a chance to learn about what could be done, rather than sign on to the cause. This includes Peskin, who was active in North Beach preservation battles before first being elected in 2000 to the Board of Supervisors.

Its a conversation worth having, Peskin said. But he cautioned that a strong push would need to begin outside City Hall  because with issues ranging from the fentanyl scourge to a sagging downtown, we have a lot on our plate right now.
Doctors at San Francisco General Hospital worked for nearly four hours to try to save Cash App founder Bob Lee from stab wounds, one of which pierced his heart, before he died on the operating table, according to the San Francisco medical examiners autopsy report released Monday.

The 18-page report paints a grim last few hours for the 43-year-old tech mogul as police, paramedics and doctors scrambled to save Lee, as he lost blood, his heart stopped and he gasped for breath. Lees cause of death was multiple stab wounds, according to pathologist Ellen Moffatt, San Franciscos assistant medical examiner.

His death last month sent shock waves across the Bay Area tech community and roiled critics of San Franciscos downtown turmoil. Days later, police arrested Nima Momeni, and prosecutors charged him with murder, alleging he stabbed Lee three times with a kitchen knife at roughly 2:30 a.m. April 4 on a street near the west end of the Bay Bridge.

The killing, prosecutors said, happened after Momeni confronted Lee about his relationship with the suspects sister and whether she had done drugs with Lee. The nature of that relationship has not been disclosed.

A toxicology report in the autopsy report found Lee had alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time of his death.

It was an indicative of recent use, but not definitive evidence of impairment, said Dr. Bruce Goldberger, University of Florida College of Medicine professor and chief of the forensic medicine division who reviewed the report for The Chronicle.

Momeni, 38, of Emeryville, remained in custody and has not pleaded to the charges. He is scheduled to appear in San Francisco County Superior Court on Tuesday.

According to the autopsy report, police officers arrived at the scene on the 300 block of Main Street and started CPR on Lee. By the time paramedics arrived, Lee was unconscious, pulseless and gasping for air, according to the report. The responders found two injuries to his left upper chest and a third to his right hip. The second stab wound to his left chest penetrated only 2-3 inches, but pierced his heart, according to the report.

Paramedics placed a breathing tube down Lees trachea and took him to San Francisco General. He arrived around 3 a.m., still with no pulse, and doctors began a huge transfusion protocol where they rapidly tried to replace his blood loss, the report showed.

Doctors cut into his chest and found two injuries to his heart that they closed with staples, as they tried to restart his heart, according to the report. He was taken from the emergency department to the operating room, and doctors diagnosed the injury to the apex of the right ventricle, the autopsy report said.

Doctors were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead on the operating table at 6:49 a.m.
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San Francisco prosecutors declined to file charges against a security guard who was arrested on suspicion of shooting and killing a 24-year-old man near a Walgreens on Market Street last week.

On Monday, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement, The evidence clearly shows that the suspect believed he was in mortal danger and acted in self-defense.

Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony was released Monday afternoon. Anthony shot Banko Brown on the 800 block of Market Street on Thursday, authorities said.

We reviewed witness statements, statements from the suspect, and video footage of the incident and it does not meet the Peoples burden to be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury that the suspect is guilty of a crime. We cannot bring forward charges when there is credible evidence of reasonable self-defense, Jenkins said in a statement. Doing so would be unethical and create false hope for a successful prosecution.

In the incident that led to Browns killing, both threats of force and physical force were used, she told The Chronicle, declining to divulge further details, including whether Brown was allegedly armed. She said prosecutors werent convinced they could prove murder charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Its never easy to have to come to that conclusion, Jenkins said, but, my personal feelings cannot be what governs my decision. It has to be the law.

The news came just hours after a crowd of mourners gathered outside Walgreens on Monday.



Browns stepmother, Barbra Brown, struggled for words Monday afternoon, gesturing wordlessly as tears trickled down her face.



She then squared her shoulders and addressed the throng, saying her stepson had not deserved to die.

This was a senseless death, she said.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said Friday that the shooting was a shoplift that went bad. The person that was shot was allegedly shoplifting, and it was a confrontation and the shooting happened from there.



At Mondays rally, Barbra Brown and hundreds of others crowded the narrow sidewalk outside the closed Walgreens. They recalled Brown as a kind and dedicated member of San Franciscos transgender community, whod worked extensively with the Young Womens Freedom Center, which works to reduce the incarceration of young women and transgender youth.

Brown was a connector, said Julia Arroyo, the centers executive director.

He was constantly doing outreach, bringing people into YWFC, she said. Brown struggled with housing, often feeling unsafe in city shelters or other programs, she said, and often said he wanted to be housed with other transgender San Franciscans.

He checked in every morning, she said. Sometimes hed tell her hed had to sleep on a BART train and asked to come into the center for shelter.

She and others Monday called on Walgreens to be held accountable for Browns death and called on Mayor London Breed to make good on campaign promises to eradicate homelessness among the citys transgender youth population.

He had the most beautiful smile, said Jessica Nowlan, the centers president and former executive director. He was passionate about the work. And he was clear about what he needed  housing without barriers, which the city didnt provide.

Browns shooting comes amid a raging debate in San Francisco about public safety and complaints over the citys property crime rate. That debate was stirred up again in recent weeks after a local Whole Foods store downtown shut its doors less than a year after it opened.

But while Scott said Browns killing occurred after a shoplift that went bad, mourners and protesters Monday placed the blame on city leadership, saying that his death was a symptom of a city that has become unaffordable for legions of residents, leaving its poorest homeless and hungry.

We have basic human rights not being met, said BART board member Lateefah Simon, who was once executive director of the Young Womens Freedom Center.

According to state records, Anthony has an active license to carry a firearm as a private guard.

In an email, Walgreens officials said they were offering condolences to Browns family during this difficult time, and said they were working with authorities.

In a written statement, Breed spokesperson Jeff Cretan said the city is deeply committed to its transgender residents and said that in the last two years, the city has created 400 new housing and shelter placements dedicated to youth experiencing homelessness, as well as expanding problem-solving and rental assistance.

Through this work, San Francisco strives to be a national leader in supporting trans communities and helping people on the path to housing and stability in a country where too often the basic rights and safety of trans people are under attack, he wrote.

For hours Monday, protesters chanted Browns name, called for justice and consoled each other.

Among them was Xavier Davenport, one of Browns mentors. The two met during the pandemic, he said. Brown often attended a support group Davenport ran for transgender men. He said Brown went out of his way to help children.

Why is property more important than a human life? asked Geoffrea Morris, a community activist and attorney.



On Tuesday, a couple dozen protesters flooded the Board of Supervisors chamber in City Hall during public comment chanting Justice for Banko Brown, with some holding signs that read Hold DA Jenkins accountable.

The supervisors are not responsible for Jenkins decision to drop charges, but their weekly meeting provides a public forum for residents to voice their complaints.

Emily Ramirez, a student at UC Berkeleys School of Public Policy, told supervisors, There is no reason a security guard should be shooting someone who was trying to get a basic necessity.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey said in a text to The Chronicle that last Thursdays homicide was a terribly painful loss to a community that loved him very much, but added that in this case, D.A. Jenkins and her office found insufficient evidence to pursue murder charges against the suspect.

Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin said during the meeting that he was deeply concerned based on my conversations with law enforcement by the district attorneys decision not to charge at least manslaughter.

He said he would introduce formal action to urge the district attorney to reconsider the charging decision, although he conceded it was very rare that the legislative branch wades into individual case decisions by the district attorney. Supervisor Shamann Walton said he stood by Peskins stance.

In her interview with The Chronicle, Jenkins noted a recent incident in which a shoplifter, according to police, shot and killed an employee of a Home Depot in Pleasanton who tried to prevent that theft.

We are going to have to engage in very intense discussion about what we believe should be done by these stores, she said. What we believe is appropriate, what is fair.

Mallory Moench contributed to this report.
Early spring saw the arrival of notable new Peninsula and South Bay restaurants as well as several bakeries and coffee shops.

The South Bay got its first location of Marugame Udon, the hit fresh noodle chain. Sweet tooths, meanwhile, have an abundance of new dessert options: The Penny Ice Creamery, a popular Santa Cruz-founded shop, opened in Palo Alto and Los Altos; Binka Bites, which specializes in Filipino baked goods, expanded to Millbrae; and a new South Bay spot is melding French baking traditions with Korean flavors. And at a sleek, minimalist San Mateo cafe, customers can sip on lattes flavored with nutty black sesame and vibrant ube.

Read on for more on nine openings of note in the region.

Udon keeps on coming

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Marugame Udon fans no longer have to drive to San Francisco or Berkeley for their fix. The global Japanese chain, known for its chewy, fresh noodles, is already drawing long lines at its new location at the Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara. Head there for made-to-order noodle bowls, like the curry Nikutama with Japanese curry and beef or a vegan miso udon, and customize with your own toppings. The noodle favorite is continuing to expand in the Bay Area, with a Cupertino location on the way.

2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., #2172, Santa Clara. marugameudon.com

Coastal ice cream favorite arrives

The Penny Ice Creamery

The Penny Ice Creamery, a beloved Santa Cruz ice cream shop, has made its way onto the Peninsula with not one but two new locations. The shop is now scooping at Town & Country Village in Palo Alto (in the former Tin Pot Creamery space, next to Boba Guys) and State Street Market in downtown Los Altos (also in what used to be a Tin Pot Creamery outpost, on the food halls State Street side). The Penny Ice Creamery is known for its made-from-scratch flavors that use local produce, from fresh mint chip to Meyer lemon poppy seed  all of which can be topped with the shops signature toasted marshmallow fluff, bruleed with a torch.

170 State St., #102, Los Altos; 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. thepennyicecreamery.com

Popular Filipino bakery grows

Binka Bites, a South San Francisco bakery known for its Filipino sweets, has opened a second location in downtown Millbrae. Binkas most popular item is a take on the Filipino bibingka: mini coconut and rice flour cakes in flavors like salted egg-cheese, matcha custard and ube flan. The bakery also sells doughnuts and cookies, and has plenty of seating where customers can sip drinks like dulce de leche milk tea. Binka Bites joins a thriving food scene in Millbrae, which has seen a recent wave of new food businesses.

979 Broadway, Unit 106, Millbrae. binkabites.com

An Asian-inspired coffee shop

Kaizen & Coffee

Dont let the matcha-mango or other specialty drinks fool you: Kaizen & Coffee takes its coffee seriously. The new San Mateo cafe has been drawing customers for its black sesame latte and single-origin pour-overs paired with fresh pastries and cookies from Japans Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory (which are also sold, along with Kit-Kats, in a vending machine inside the minimalist cafe).

2337 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo. kaizenandcoffee.com

New bakery combines Korean and French sweets

Tucked into a South Bay strip mall, Gu-eum Cake & Bakery specializes in a unique mashup of Korean and French sweets, like a financier made with the flavors of yakgwa, a sticky-sweet fried cookie dipped in honey-ginger syrup. Injeolmi, chewy rice cakes dusted with nutty soybean powder, get translated into a layered cake here; and there is of course a Dalgona latte, the cult favorite Korean drink made with honeycomb. You can also find cream-filled madeleines, Basque cheesecake and other sweets.

18566 Prospect Road, Saratoga. instagram.com/gu_eum_bakery

Eat fresh sushi from Japan

The South Bays newest sushi spot is Sushi Adachi in Milpitas, where fish is flown in fresh from Tokyos famed Tsukiji fish market. The restaurants namesake chef, Adachi Keiichi, works in Tokyo and picks out fish to be sent to the Bay Area. Expect bluefin, scallop and kurodai nigiri as well as rolls and seafood don (rice bowls topped with several kinds of fresh, glistening fish).

668 Barber Lane, Milpitas. sushi-adachi.square.site

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Peninsula cafe is reborn

If you missed downtown Redwood Citys Cyclismo Cafe, which closed last year, good news: The coffee shop is back in a tiny new location. Now called Mini Cafe, its open in a shipping container nearby on Main Street with drinks including espresso, iced cafe de olla and matcha lattes. For food, theres breakfast fare like zaatar toast, bagel sandwiches and a sweet potato frittata.

1180 Main St. Redwood City, instagram.com/minicaferwc

Where to get acai bowls and smoothies

Courtesy Palmetto Superfoods

The newest outpost of Palmetto Superfoods, a popular Bay Area mini chain known for its acai bowls and smoothies, is in upscale Palo Alto shopping center Town & Country Village (located in the back of the mall, between Sushi House and Roost & Roast). Expect acai bowls topped with granola and fruit (or build your own) and fruit smoothies. Palmetto has been growing steadily since first opening in San Francisco in 2019, with five Bay Area locations and more planned for this year. The Palo Alto outpost also follows a recent spate of buzzy openings at Town & Country, including the popular Boichik Bagels, the plant-based Wildseed and bakery hit Manresa Bread.

855 El Camino Real, #160, Palo Alto. palmettosuperfoods.com

New Spanish option debuts

Chico Marx, a modern Spanish-inspired restaurant, is now serving patatas bravas, pan con tomate and Tempranillo-braised short ribs in South San Francisco. Its open all day, plus happy hour, but only on weekdays  likely to cater to the many offices and airport hotels in the surrounding area.

Reach Elena Kadvany: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
The state sued the city of Elk Grove on Monday for rejecting plans for 66 units of affordable apartment housing, accusing the Sacramento County community of violating laws that seek to reduce homelessness in California.

A 2017 law, SB35 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, requires cities to quickly approve any low-income housing proposal that is consistent with neighborhood zoning if a city has fallen short of the states standards for low-income housing.

In denying streamlined approval last July of the proposed Oak Rose Apartments in Elk Groves Old Town area, city officials said it conflicted with their zoning rules that required ground-floor space to be reserved for commercial uses such as restaurants and retail stores. But lawyers for the state said those zoning standards were discretionary and had been ignored by the city when it approved the market-rate Railroad Courtyards project, which had residential units on the ground floor.

California has critically important laws designed to combat housing discrimination and increase affordable housing opportunities, Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement accompanying the suit, which was filed in Sacramento County Superior Court. He said the suit sends a strong message to local governments: If you violate fair housing laws, we will hold you to account.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that when local governments repeatedly fail to uphold their obligations and blatantly look for ways to skirt state law, we will use every tool available, including legal actions to ensure that Californians have access to needed housing.

Elk Grove officials denied violating the law and said they had not reached a final decision on Oak Rose, but only rejected rapid approval under SB35 because of zoning standards. They said more than 1,100 affordable-housing units are under construction in the city of 180,000 south of Sacramento.

Elk Grove has a strong track record for supporting affordable housing projects and continues to engage in good faith discussions with the Oak Rose Apartments applicant in hopes of reaching a mutually agreeable solution, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said in a statement.

In March, the state sued the Orange County community of Huntington Beach over the City Councils refusal to allow homeowners to build new units on their property. In 2019 Newsoms administration accused Huntington Beach of violating state law on approval of needed low-income housing, a suit the city settled by revising its housing plan.

Bontas office described the Oak Rose Apartments as a supportive housing project that would provide permanent housing for individuals and families who previously experienced homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness, as well as off- or on-site services to assist the residents in maintaining housing, improving their health status, and maximizing their ability to live and work in the community.

State housing officials first notified Elk Grove last July that its denial of streamlined approval violated SB35, and the city responded by citing its zoning standards, Bontas office said.

But Mondays lawsuit said Elk Grove had acted with discriminatory intent, since it was willing to waive the same zoning standards for market-rate housing.

Due to decades of local failure to permit new housing opportunities, like the Citys denial here, state lawyers wrote, California is suffering from a crisis-level housing shortage,
Gun advocates are challenging Californias 10-day waiting period for acquiring new firearms, saying it endangers law-abiding purchasers who may need the weapons immediately for self-defense.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in San Diego, is one of a series of cases contesting the states gun control laws since the Supreme Courts ruling last year that narrowed the governments authority to restrict possessing or carrying firearms. Other laws under attack include a limit of one gun purchase per month, a ban on semiautomatic rifles that the state classifies as assault weapons and a requirement that new handgun models micro-stamp bullet cartridges so that police can trace them at crime scenes.

California first required a one-day waiting period for handgun purchases in 1923, increased it over the years and has mandated a 10-day wait for all firearms purchases since 2011. The delay is intended to give gun dealers adequate time to check the buyers legal eligibility to own the weapon while allowing the buyer to reflect on the purchase and perhaps reconsider it.

But the lawsuit said the wait is both unnecessary and a violation of individual rights now that a buyers background can be checked electronically, often within minutes.

The State may not prevent a law-abiding person from taking possession of an arm after it confirms, using readily available electronic databases, that the person is not prohibited from possessing firearms, said lawyers for the Firearms Policy Coalition, representing other advocacy groups and four law-abiding, responsible gun owner(s).

Arbitrarily delaying access of lifesaving and constitutionally protected tools to peaceable people is immoral and unsupported by the text, history and tradition of the Second Amendment, said Bill Sack, a Firearms Policy Coalition attorney.

State Attorney General Rob Bontas office said it was reviewing the case and noted that the waiting period had been upheld by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2016. In that ruling, Judge Mary Schroeder said the wait provides time not only for background checks, but for the purchaser to reflect on what he or she is doing, and, perhaps, for second thoughts that might prevent gun violence.

The Supreme Court denied an appeal of that ruling with an angry dissent from Justice Clarence Thomas, who said the court had turned the Second Amendment right to bear arms into a constitutional orphan. Last June, the court, in a 6-3 ruling written by Thomas, said Americans have a constitutional right to carry concealed firearms in public  striking down restrictions in New York, California and other states  and said limits on gun possession could be upheld only if they were consistent with this nations historical tradition of firearms regulation.

That ruling has revived challenges to several California gun laws, and Mondays lawsuit contended the states 10-day waiting period does not meet the historical tradition standard.

The suit also said the law is discriminatory because the waiting period is not required for guns loaned to television and movie producers, to use as props in their shows, while Plaintiffs and the law-abiding general public are sidelined with delays and burdens.

On the other side of the issue, Kelly Drane, research director at the San Francisco-based Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said Tuesday that these laws help to prevent impulsive acts of gun violence. She said studies have found that waiting periods reduce gun suicides by 7% to 11% and gun homicides by 17%.
KUNMING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday called for efforts to maintain stability in the China-Myanmar border area and promote friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Qin made the remarks during an inspection tour in the China-Myanmar border area in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Yunnan is situated at the forefront of Myanmar-related affairs, and therefore plays a unique role in advancing China-Myanmar relations, Qin said.

He urged efforts to maintain the clarity of the boundary line and stability of the border area, as well as taking strict action against cross-border crimes.

Calling for coordination between frontier management, cross-border trade and bilateral relations, Qin stressed the need to promote regular cross-border trade and people-to-people exchanges, keep as many ports of entry open as possible, and advance the building of the cross-border economic cooperation zone and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.

Qin also called on Yunnan to leverage its unique advantage to effectively handle work concerning foreign affairs at the subnational level, in a bid to uphold peace and tranquility in the border area and the overall situation of China-Myanmar friendship. 
Economists advising Californias task force on reparations have, at long last, released an estimate of the damage caused by the states history of slavery and its many vestiges of white supremacy: up to $1.2 million per Black resident over a lifetime.

The payment estimates are described as a rough, partial estimate of what it would cost the state to compensate Black people for that legacy of harm, according to a draft of the task forces final report. But the report states that those calculations are not a final recommendation on the total amount of reparations needed.

California reparations: What to know about effort to pay Black residents

Rather, it is an economically conservative initial assessment of what losses, at a minimum, the State of California caused or could have prevented, but did not, the report states. (T)he Legislature would then have to decide how to translate loss-estimates into proposed reparations amounts.

Still, the numbers are the first dollar estimate that the task force has released outlining the level of restitution that the panel could recommend. The panel is preparing its final report to send to the Legislature, which will include a recommendation on the amount and form of cash payments.

Task force members are expected to vote Saturday at Mills College in Oakland on whether to adopt the draft report, the capstone of its work after two years of tense meetings and in-depth research.

But the vote is likely just the start of a broader debate about how California will handle the reparations question. Whatever the task force decides, the Legislature and Newsom will have the final say. If reparations are approved, state officials would have to figure out how to pay for the program.

An economist for the reparations panel has said the plan could cost California more than $800 billion; the state has a roughly $297 billion annual budget.

But that total cost is a rough estimate, at best. The report states that not all instances of harm were included, and the panel has not gathered enough precise data to calculate who would be eligible for compensation.

The task force previously voted to limit compensation to those who can directly trace their lineage to chattel slavery in the United States or those whose ancestors immigrated before 1900, excluding Black people who might have immigrated later. Other eligibility criteria, such as how long someone must be a California resident, has not been determined.

A representative for the task force said the panel is working on releasing a statement about the economists estimate, though it was not ready Tuesday afternoon. Task force Chair Kamilah Moore declined to comment.

The proposal, if forwarded to the Legislature, would likely draw fierce opposition from some Republican lawmakers, as well as some moderate Democrats whove expressed skepticism about cash reparations.

Lawmakers and Newsom created the task force in 2020 and directed its members to study the history of slavery in California and its enduring inequities for Black people. While the Golden State was admitted to the Union as a free state in 1850, historians say slavery continued to be openly practiced for years by white Southerners, who brought enslaved people to the state and forced them to work in gold mines and on plantations.

The nine-member task force began meeting in June 2021, and has spent the better part of the last two years studying the way that Californias legacy of slavery and racial discrimination has harmed Black residents. It has until July 1 to deliver a final report, and a recommendation on cash payments, to legislators.

Its draft report outlines estimates for restitution to repair harm in three areas:

Mass incarceration and overpolicing in Black communities: $115,260 per person in 2020 dollars, or $2,352 for each year of residency in California from 1971 (the first year of the war on drugs) to 2020.

Discrimination in housing, such as redlining that denied home loans to Black families late into the 20th century: $148,099 per person, or $3,366 for each year between 1933 and 1977, when redlining occurred.

Health harm, including unequal access to health care, greater exposure to environmental pollution and discrimination from medical workers: $13,619 per person for each year spent in California, or $966,921 with an average life expectancy of 71 years for Black people in the state.

All told, a Black person who has lived in the state for their whole life, until at least age 71, could theoretically receive more than $1.2 million in lifetime restitution, though its unclear how the state would pay out potential compensation.

The task forces draft report states that it wasnt able to calculate harm in some other areas, such as the unjust taking of property through eminent domain, due to a lack of data.

Its report suggests the Legislature should make a substantial initial down payment on reparations that could be added to as new evidence becomes available. The task forces draft report also includes a recommendation that payments to elderly Black people be prioritized.

Delay of reparations is in itself an injustice that causes more suffering and may ultimately deny justice, especially to the elderly among the harmed, the report states.
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Little seemed changed on San Franciscos streets Monday during the first scheduled day of the states deployment of the National Guard and California Highway Patrol to crack down on drug dealing.

The quiet start to the week followed a Friday news conference where top law enforcement brass announced that state police would bolster San Franciscos efforts to tamp down the citys open-air fentanyl markets. Mayor London Breed said then she looked forward to a real change, though elected officials didnt promise an overnight transformation  and few residents expected it. Residents in beleaguered neighborhoods said Monday they felt a mix of hope and skepticism as deployment kicked off.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin said Monday he was informed that six CHP units were assigned to the Tenderloin and SoMa, but he couldnt confirm whether more than one officer was in each unit. Its also unclear what time of day or night CHP will be deployed.

CHP declined Monday to verify the numbers but said the deployment will fluctuate. CHP has 75 officers assigned to San Francisco and the new deployment consists of volunteers from that unit, CHPs commissioner said Friday.

The Chronicle spotted no patrols on a three-hour morning walk through the two neighborhoods where officials said officers would be deployed Monday. Half a dozen officials and people who live or work in the area said they didnt hear or see any CHP officers in the afternoon.

In the late afternoon, Del Seymour, a neighborhood business owner and nonprofit leader, said he saw a couple of officers on motorbikes, and around 6:30 p.m. he snapped a picture of two patrol cars stopped at a red light at Eddy and Taylor streets. He didnt see any officers get off or out of their vehicles to conduct enforcement.

State officers are also training local police in drug investigations and intelligence gathering to build cases against cartels across jurisdictions  work thats not visible on the streets and doesnt happen in a day. The California National Guard, which assigned 14 officers to the operation, confirmed Monday its team of criminal case analysts was working to analyze drug trafficking operations in San Francisco.

Local leaders, residents and business owners had a range of reactions Monday to the still opaque and relatively small-scale intervention. Some celebrated the push, while others condemned it. Several were skeptical it would make a difference: Seymour said he talked Monday night to a couple of people involved in the drug trade who were not worried by the additional law enforcement presence.

The states move followed desperate pleas from community members frustrated by drug dealing, open-air use and an uncontrolled fentanyl overdose epidemic that has played out on city streets, killing thousands in the past few years.

I am hopeful that more law enforcement personnel can only make the situation better, Peskin said. It is a humanitarian disaster.

Elected officials including Breed, Peskin and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi have been pushing for help.

Pelosi and Breed met last month with Ismail Ramsey, the new U.S. attorney for Northern California, according to an April 27 letter Pelosi sent to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. In it, Pelosi asked that San Francisco be included in Operation Overdrive, an initiative to combat drug dealing violence that has already been rolled out in some communities, including Oakland.

Ramsey said in a statement that his office is looking forward to doing all we can to assist our local and state partners in this must-win situation.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who represents SoMa and welcomes state intervention, said he was told law enforcement would ramp up and expected to see more patrols this week. Dorsey, who was formerly addicted to drugs, said the most important metric for success was a sustained drop in fatal overdoses.

Seymour, who is also in recovery, predicted that if the intervention succeeded in getting drugs off the streets, it would leave people in greater withdrawal and increase the need for health services. Other more critical officials, including Supervisor Dean Preston, who represents the Tenderloin, agree that overdose deaths are a top-priority crisis, but they argue that turning to law enforcement will not fix a public health issue.

I urge the Governor to stop the publicity stunts, stop scaring our residents, and start working collaboratively with the community to support things that will actually improve the quality of life in the Tenderloin, like overdose prevention sites, street outreach, treatment on demand, public space activations, and permanent supportive housing, Preston said in a statement.

Last year, local officials criticized Newsom for vetoing a state law that would have allowed San Francisco to authorize supervised drug consumption sites, citing unintended consequences.

The governors office offered no response to Prestons criticism Monday. In a statement last week, the office highlighted budget commitments to treatment and overdose prevention.

Questions remained Monday about how CHP would operate in the city. When asked whether state police would comply with a new San Francisco Police Department policy that limits pretextual stops, where police pull drivers over for minor infractions to search for other criminal activity, a spokesman said in an email that patrol operations will be conducted within CHP policy and officers will enforce laws in a fair and professional manner.

When asked whether CHP would follow San Franciscos sanctuary city policy, the spokesman said officers do not arrest foreign nationals for alleged immigration violations and cannot prolong detention to work with immigration officials.

Police commissioner Max Carter-Oberstone, who authored the pretextual stops policy, said the commission will discuss the deployment Wednesday.

Were certainly understaffed, so having more law enforcement resources is welcomed, but I think the commission will exercise its power of inquiry to get more details on what this will actually look like, Carter-Oberstone said.

The Tenderloin and SoMa appeared a bit quieter on Monday, which was to be expected on the first day of the month, when some residents receive benefits and may get a hotel room.

Some usual hotspots for drug dealing and use, such as outside the San Francisco Federal Building on Seventh Street, were empty. Julian Moor, who is unhoused and sleeps on a nearby corner, said that was the result of local police activity during the past couple of weeks.

Moor, who said while coughing he was diagnosed with lung disease and congenital heart failure, said city workers cleaning the street recently threw away his tent. He is waiting on a medical review to get prioritized for housing through the city.

All theyre doing is moving people around, he said. Whats CHP going to do? SFPD is not doing anything.  They could crack down here if they wanted to.

Moor, who uses drugs, said police usually just tell people to not use in front of them and the city needs mass rehab to make a difference. If police tried to stop street dealing, its not going to happen overnight, he said.

In the Tenderloin, the same streets that are usually cleared by community ambassadors remained quiet, while a couple of blocks were clogged with people camping or exchanging drugs for money. Residents said they welcomed more action against dealing  although they didnt seem hopeful about lasting results.

I see police cars, but drug dealers are still here, said Aishah Sade on Larkin Street, where she lives. The people are here (using) because the drug dealers are here, and they cant control the dealers.

The neighborhood is not safe, she said, especially for women like her who wear a hijab. Her three kids see people shooting up every day. She is desperate to get out of the neighborhood but hasnt had success finding another affordable apartment.

Brian Whitten, who lives on Ellis Street and was buying his morning lottery ticket in a corner store Monday, said the situation has only worsened in his nearly 18 years in the neighborhood, with teenagers dying of overdoses on the street.

When police show up, dealers just run around the corner or, if they get taken by law enforcement, are replaced. He said they should double the enforcement.

Dan Williams, a leader of the Tenderloin Business Coalition, which got police and Breed to put more police officers in the neighborhood after complaints, welcomed more resources. On Monday he was cleaning out his event venue, Piano Fight, on Taylor Street after permanently shuttering it and a second location in Oakland. He said in addition to the pandemic, drug dealing and negative perceptions scared customers away from San Francisco.

To make the difference that everybody wants, from the governor to the mayor to the chief of police, its got to be sustained, he said of the recent push. It has to last for a long time.
Ethan Swope/The Chronicle

San Francisco police arrested a Texas man during the weekend at San Francisco International Airport after the man allegedly attacked a United Airlines employee while boarding a flight bound for Houston, according to authorities.

Officers assigned to SFPDs Airport Bureau responded around 11:59 p.m. Sunday to reports of a fight aboard a plane in Terminal 3 and arrested Cody Benjamin Lovins, 42, of Montgomery, Texas, San Francisco police said. He was cited for the incident and released.
A winter-like low-pressure system is setting its sights on Northern California.

This low will be the force behind Tuesdays turbulent weather conditions  showers, thunderstorms and below-average temperatures are on the docket. Bursts of wind and small hail are possible as the system carries the risk of severe weather across the Bay Area, even as San Franciscos famed spring fog tries to reassert itself.

Live storm map: See where snow and rain are hitting California and Bay Area

Unusual May weather setup

This weekend was a great example of the typical weather conditions the Bay Area experiences at the beginning of May, with moist marine air parking cloudy skies over San Francisco while inland residents saw more sunshine.

But thats not how Tuesdays weather pattern will play out. Instead, a low-pressure system over the Pacific Northwest that was cut off from the atmospheres main circulation of westerly winds will bring about this weeks big shift.

Baron/Lynx

Meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center are raising a general threat of severe weather for Tuesday across the Bay Area, Central Coast, Sacramento Valley and Tahoe region. The low-pressure systems cold air will support rain showers capable of evolving into thunderstorms. At the local level, this means cities across the Bay Area have a 15% to 25% chance of hearing thunder over the course of the day.

Like a game of darts with a tiny bulls-eye, its hard to pinpoint which towns and cities could see the most thunderstorms. Those area that do land in the bulls-eye can expect intermittent rounds of gusty winds, small hail and flashes of lightning embedded in some of Tuesdays showers. This general threat of severe weather will be driven by elevated levels of atmospheric energy.

Baron/Lynx

Weather models like the North American and Canadian forecast that the air hovering over the Northern California coast, Sierra Nevada and most of the Central Valley could see widespread levels of 200 to 400 joules per kilogram of atmospheric energy  including the Sacramento Valley expected to briefly have over 500 joules per kilogram. For context, at points during some of the intense winter storms, energy levels hovered near these levels.

This raises another potential severe weather threat: brief tornadoes.

If youre in the Central Valley, in particular, during these setups there always seems to be one or two rogue thunderstorm cells that become stronger or even severe, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA and the Nature Conservancy during an online presentation Monday. I wouldnt be too surprised if there were a couple of reports of larger hail or a brief tornadic spin-up somewhere in the Sacramento or San Joaquin (valleys) either Tuesday or Wednesday.

If enough atmospheric energy bubbles up over the Sacramento Valley, then the atmosphere will produce severe thunderstorms capable of short-lived tornadoes Tuesday afternoon.

All in all, its shaping up to be an active Tuesday of severe weather  not unlike other severe weather Tuesdays that California has already experienced the past few months.

Tuesday breakdown

San Francisco: San Franciscans can expect a gloomy Tuesday as intermittent showers stream into the west side and spread into all corners of the city. Some of these showers are likely to evolve into isolated thunderstorms, meaning residents in parts of the Sunset, Richmond, Lake Merced and Stonestown could hear a rumble of thunder or two in the morning.

The chances for thunderstorms will continue into the afternoon as more showers arrive. Look for anywhere from a quarter of an inch to a quarter of an inch of rain east of Sutro Tower and anywhere from a third of an inch to half an inch of rain on the west side and along Twin Peaks, Diamond Heights and Mount Davidson. All the cloud cover and rain overhead will help keep daytime temperatures in the upper 50s, with a few lower 60s possible around downtown and SoMa.

Rain chances will drop after sunset, though isolated showers on the coast and drizzle and mist by the bayside cant be ruled out into Wednesday morning. Expect nighttime temperatures in the lower 50s.

Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Rounds of high fog mixed with light showers are on tap for most of the Peninsula on Tuesday, with weather models suggesting a chance for some rumbles of thunder along Highway 1 between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay.

The bulk of the heaviest rainfall is set to stay on the immediate coast, with rainfall totals reaching half an inch by the end of the day. Isolated thunderstorms could roll onto the Peninsula on Tuesday afternoon, reeling in small hail and brief gusts up to 35 mph.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-50s by the coast and upper 50s to lower 60s across the rest of the Peninsula, including bayside cities like Millbrae and Menlo Park. Shower activity is likely to continue overnight, leading to nighttime temperatures in the lower 50s.

North Bay: Dark skies and intermittent rounds of showers are on tap for Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties on Tuesday. There is a slight chance for some of these showers becoming thunderstorms between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., raising a risk for small hail and winds gusting to 35 mph.

Rainfall totals are set to run between a quarter of an inch to a third of an inch of rain in cities like Santa Rosa and Vallejo while some of the highlands north of Healdsburg and St. Helena could see totals closer to three quarters of an inch by the end of the day.

Expect daytime temperatures to reach the upper 50s by San Pablo Bay, the Banana Belt between Sausalito and San Rafael and the delta region  including Benicia and American Canyon. Lower 60s will be possible north of Novato, including the Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Napa valleys. After sunset, cloud cover and isolated showers will help to keep nighttime temperatures from falling below 50 degrees.

East Bay: Residents in the Oakland and Berkeley hills will likely hear a rumble of thunder or two over the course of the day as intermittent showers and isolated thunderstorms dot Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Most of these showers will be light, raising anywhere from a quarter to a third of an inch or rain on the bayside  including Richmond, Hayward, Alameda and Fremont. Tuesdays rainfall totals are set to be closer to a couple of tenths of an inch as you head east of the Caldecott Tunnel into Walnut Creek, Dublin and Plesanton.

Any thunderstorms are forecast to be brief, with the delta region  including Concord and Pittsburg  and the San Ramon and Livermore valleys most likely to experience small hail and winds gusting to 35 mph. That said, the sporadic nature of these showers means most of the East Bay can expect some form of unsettled weather Tuesday.

Cloudy skies overhead will keep daytime highs in the upper 50s across the region. As showers continue into the night, clouds will act like a blanket over Alameda and Contra Costa counties, meaning temperatures will likely stay above 50 degrees.

South Bay and Santa Cruz: A low-pressure system off the coast will usher in showers over the course of the day toward Monterey Bay, leading to slippery roadways. This includes Highway 1 between Moss Landing and Santa Cruz along with Highway 152 between Watsonville and Gilroy, the 101 corridor between Gilroy and Morgan Hill and Highway 17 between Pasatiempo and Los Gatos.

The showery conditions will be met with intermittent thunderstorms in parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains, though most of these will be short-lived. Spotty showers are on tap for the rest of the day across the Santa Clara Valley and most of Santa Cruz County, with daytime temperatures between the mid-50s to lower 60s. Rainfall totals are looking to run between a tenth of an inch in the valleys to a quarter of an inch up in the mountains.

Cloud cover and brief rounds of showers will continue into the evening, keeping nighttime lows in the lower 50s in the valleys and upper 40s everywhere else.
The San Francisco Medical Examiners Office said Monday that tech executive Bob Lee had drugs, including alcohol, cocaine and ketamine, in his system when he was fatally stabbed in San Francisco on April 4. IT consultant Nima Momeni has been arrested on suspicion of killing Lee.

The medical examiner also said Lee, 43, was gasping for breath and without a pulse when first responders found him with three stab wounds; the Cash App founder underwent more than three hours of medical treatments before he was pronounced dead.

Lee, who moved from the Bay Area to Miami last year, was visiting San Francisco on the morning Momeni allegedly stabbed him three times with a kitchen knife in SFs Rincon Hill neighborhood. Lee called 911 at 2:36 a.m. and said he was stabbed, according to the report. Medics arrived on scene at 2:40 a.m. and began CPR; Lee was noted to be unconscious, pulseless, with agonal breathing, the report said. After being intubated, Lee was reportedly rushed to San Francisco General Hospital. Arriving in the emergency room at 3 a.m., Lee was still pulseless and given a massive blood transfusion before undergoing an emergency thoracotomy, according to the medical examiner.

The thoracotomy revealed two injuries to the heart that were closed with staples, the report said. The aorta was cross clamped and intracardiac massage was started, as well as intracardiac epinephrine.

Further treatments were provided before Lee was pronounced dead at 6:49 a.m., the medical examiner said.

Momeni was arrested at his Emeryville residence April 13 and faces murder charges with a special enhancement because a knife was reportedly used in the crime. Hes expected to appear for an arraignment at the Hall of Justice on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.; his lawyer, Paula Canny, has said that he will plead not guilty.

Prosecutors said that Lee, Momeni and Momenis sister, Khazar Elyassnia, were out with friends and partying the day before the stabbing. Lee and Momeni had an argument over the sister, with Momeni pressing Lee on whether Elyassnia was doing drugs or anything inappropriate, according to charging papers.

This breaking news story has been updated.
Screenshot via Google

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said she will not file murder charges against a private security guard accused of fatally shooting an alleged shoplifter in front of a Walgreens store April 27.

Jenkins said evidence shows that Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, 33, felt he was in mortal danger and was acting in self-defense when he shot San Francisco man Banko Brown, a statement from the DA said.
LATEST May 2, 6 p.m. UC Davis has announced that in-person night classes will be put on hold, after a third stabbing Monday night left a woman in critical condition, and a community on edge.

Over the past week, two Davis residents were killed in stabbing attacks, including UC Davis computer science student Karim Abou Najm.

"I want to take a moment to address the tragic events that have shaken our community over the past week," Chancellor Gary S. May said in a lengthy statement issued on Tuesday evening. "... I assure you the safety of our campus community is our top priority as we deal with the rash of violent stabbings in Davis."

The college will pivot from night classes to remote learning, and also be providing extra security on campus, drawing on the Davis Police Department for additional personnel, May said.

A male suspect with light skin and curly hair seen fleeing on Monday night is still at large.

May 2, 11 a.m.

A stabbing left a woman in critical condition Monday night and put the normally sleepy college town of Davis in Northern California on edge. It is the third stabbing in a week, and two people have died.

A massive downtown search was underway Tuesday morning for a light-skinned man with curly hair, after the woman was stabbed through her tent in a homeless encampment near Second and L streets. The suspect was last seen running west on 3rd Street from L Street and is still at large, police said.

At about 1 a.m. Tuesday, UC Davis students and residents were asked to shelter in place until further notice. The overnight order was lifted Tuesday morning at about 6 a.m., as the small city of about 68,000 residents was deluged with law enforcement.

The third stabbing in five days occurred late Monday night, when Davis police received a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a homeless camp near 2nd Street. Officers immediately responded and located the female victim who reported that the suspect stabbed her more than one time through the tent, police said in a statement. The victim is being treated at UC Davis Medical Center and remains in critical condition, police say.

Screenshot via google/Illustration by SFGATE

The first killing likely happened Thursday morning. A passerby called in a report of an unresponsive man on a bench in Central Park, less than half a mile from Mondays stabbing. First responders discovered the deceased man had been stabbed repeatedly.

The coroner identified the man as David Henry Breaux, 50, a well-known community member and  a regular fixture in the downtown area and at Central Park for at least the last decade, the city of Davis said in a statement. The Stanford graduate was known for asking people for their definitions of compassion and writing down their responses.

The second killing occurred Saturday evening, when a resident reported a scuffle in Sycamore Park, about 2.5 miles from Mondays stabbing. First responders were unable to resuscitate the man who had suffered multiple stab wounds and died at the scene. This victim was identified by police as Karim Abou Najm, 20, a senior computer science major at UC Davis. His father is a professor at UCD, and Najm reportedly grew up in town.

UC Davis police Chief Joseph Farrow told KCRA on Tuesday that the three attacks may be connected, as a similar suspect description was given in the second and third stabbings, but the link has not been determined yet. There were no witnesses in the first stabbing. Theres still a lot of evidence being gathered, Farrow said.

The city of Davis saw zero homicides in 2016, one in 2017, two in 2018 and three in 2019, the most recent year for which the police department provides data. The Davis Enterprise reported there were no homicides in the past three years.

Officers were heavily patrolling downtown Davis on Tuesday and advising residents to be on the lookout. If you must be out at night, consider traveling in groups, and report suspicious activity to the Davis Police Department, police said Tuesday. Numerous law enforcement agencies are in the city conducting searches using drones and canine units, including yard-to-yard searches, police said.

The suspect seen running from Mondays incident is described as as a light-skinned man with curly hair, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9, thin build wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black-and-white striped Adidas pants, black shoes and a brown backpack.

Residents are asked to report any information or share any suspicious security camera footage by calling 530-747-5400 or emailing policeweb@cityofdavis.org. Anonymous tips can be called in at 530-747-5460.

SFGATE managing editor Katie Dowd contributed to this report.
Floor supervisor Sarah Lemley, right, works the dining room at Split-Rail on April 20, 2023, in Chicago. The restaurant charges a 20% service fee for every dine-in check order to cover operational costs and provide better wages for the staff. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Jose Gonzalez has worked at Topolobampo, a Mexican fine-dining restaurant owned by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, for a decade.

Before the pandemic, Gonzalezs take-home pay included tips and an hourly wage that was less than the standard minimum wage, a practice allowed in Illinois and most U.S. states.

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But being paid in tips was challenging. Gonzalez said his earnings werent predictable, and he made less in the winter than he did in the summer. Applying for apartments or credit cards was difficult because his full earnings from the River North restaurant werent documented on his paychecks.

Then the pandemic hit. In summer 2020, as Bayless scrambled to figure out how to keep his restaurants open, he decided to try something new. He did away with most tipping at his Chicago restaurants Frontera Grill, Bar Sotano, Xoco and Topolobampo. Bayless instead implemented service fees and started paying staff higher base wages.

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Now, diners at Topolobampo pay a 20% service fee in lieu of a traditional tip. (Customers are permitted to leave something extra on top of the fee if they want to, and some do, Bayless said.) Servers wages generally start at $24 an hour; dishwashers start at $19 an hour.

Ive always been a person where Ive needed two jobs to just balance out between one restaurant being slow and the other one being busy, said Gonzalez, who works as a server and expediter, a liaison between the kitchen and service staff. The new pay structure at Topolobampo has allowed him to focus on just the one job, he said.

Bayless was not the only Chicago restaurateur who moved away from tipping during the industrywide disruption caused by the pandemic.

Sarah Lemley, center left, talks with diners at Split-Rail on April 20, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The practice of tipping, uncommon throughout most of the rest of the world, is deeply ingrained in the American dining experience. But critics of tipping, including Chicago restaurant owners who have moved away from the practice, say it causes significant disparities in pay between servers and kitchen staff; opens the door to harassment of the staff by customers; and is unfair to employees, who are never sure how much money theyll take home at the end of their shift.

Change is afoot in U.S. dining rooms, said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, an organization that campaigns against the subminimum wage, which is the lower wage paid to tipped workers. When staff returned to work after restaurants gradually began to reopen in 2020, workers saw their tips decrease at the same time harassment from customers increased, Jayaraman said.

Were seeing massive, historic, transformational change in the restaurant industry, she said.

Seven states already require tipped workers to be paid the standard minimum wage. D.C. residents voted last year to phase out the subminimum wage, and a legal battle over the issue is ongoing in Michigan courts. In nine U.S. states  including Illinois  and Puerto Rico, bills have been introduced during current legislative sessions to phase out the subminimum wage, Jayaraman said.

In Chicago, the standard minimum wage is $15.40 per hour and the subminimum wage is $9.24. The subminimum wage is $7.80 in Illinois and $2.13 on the federal level.

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Some restaurant owners cited business reasons for reducing their reliance on tipping. The service fee model helps Daisies, a Logan Square pasta restaurant with a 25% fee, retain employees at a time when restaurant workers have left the industry in droves, said Joe Frillman, chef and owner. According to a February report from One Fair Wage, more than 1 in 7 Illinois restaurant workers who lost their jobs at the start of the pandemic have not returned to the industry.

Servers and bartenders who rely on tips are also working in part for the customer rather than the establishment itself, which can create conflicts of interest, restaurant owners said.

If youre trying to get tips, then youre gonna say to the bartender, Im not gonna ring that drink in, but I need an extra margarita for table six, Bayless said. Now, everybodys working for the same team.

Zoe Schor, chef and owner of Split-Rail, a new American restaurant in Ukrainian Village, was another restaurant owner who took the leap after the pandemic.

Split-Rail now has a 20% service fee, which goes toward paying employees higher base wages  the lowest-paid employees at the restaurant make $18 an hour  and benefits including health care for full-time employees and paid vacation time. The restaurant also offers a 401(k) program with a match for employees who have worked there for at least a year.

Split-Rail chef and owner Zoe Schor at her Ukrainian Village restaurant which has eliminated tipping. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Schor came up working in kitchens in Los Angeles, where she experienced firsthand the discrepancy between what servers earn and what the kitchen staff earns.

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I would work 12, 15, 18, 20-hour days, half of it off-the-clock making $11 an hour, while the servers who worked with me would work six-hour shifts and make $500. And Id walk with $90, Schor said.

Thats what were trying to rectify as much as anything else, she said. As well as try to professionalize and legitimize any career within this industry, which is to say, if youre a server that doesnt mean you cant go to the dentist, or if youre a cook it doesnt mean if you fall down and hurt yourself, you cant go to the doctor.

The service fee system is not for everyone, Schor tells prospective candidates interviewing for front-of-house positions. People who thrive in competitive, sales-oriented environments might want a job at a restaurant where they work for tips, she said.

Its really challenging because people in many restaurants who are making below the minimum wage make far more with tips than they would at a restaurant like ours, Schor said. The flip side of it is, (at) many of the restaurants where servers are making huge amounts of money, the kitchen is making a fraction of that.

Going against the tide is challenging, restaurant owners said.

One hurdle for restaurants using service fees are taxes: Service fees are counted as revenue when restaurants pay their taxes, whereas tips arent.

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In order for more people to do a service fee model, there would need to be some changes in the way that payroll tax, tips, service fees, et cetera, are understood from an accounting, taxation, financial standpoint, said Jason Hammel, chef and owner at Lula Cafe, which has a 20% service fee.

Because of the restaurants fee, it pays more for things such as payroll tax and workers compensation insurance than it would if those portions of workers earnings were coming from tips, Hammel said.

Lulas margins are lower than they were before the pandemic for a host of reasons, including the labor model, he said.

We chose this to provide a steady and fair income for employees, Hammel said. And if thats a value that you know you want to center, youre willing to pay the price.

Another challenge is opposition from diners, who are used to tipping at their own discretion.

Many of the restaurant owners who have moved to service fee models said they hadnt received significant pushback from diners since they implemented the fees. At the beginning, I would have people confused about it, not necessarily complaining, said Gonzalez, about fielding questions from diners at Topolobampo.

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But Paul Fehribach, chef and owner at Big Jones in Andersonville, said negative online attention led him to go back to tipping after trying out a fee model.

Fehribach moved away from tipping when his restaurant reopened after its pandemic closure. He dislikes the practice, citing research by One Fair Wage that has shown that Black servers are tipped less than white servers.

To me its absurd to the point of actually being infuriating that my employees might be compensated based on their skin color or perceived gender identity or perceived sexual orientation. But thats the reality of tipping, Fehribach said.

After moving to a service fee model, Big Jones received negative reviews online that Fehribach worried would affect business  though they had not yet begun to, he said.

You would not believe how toxic they were, he said. People would just literally be hysterical that we wouldnt let them decide how much to pay our employees.

So last year, two years after implementing the service fee, Fehribach went back to tipping. He said he felt as if the restaurant had been forced back into the practice because it had tried to go against the grain.

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He still dislikes tipping, and hed like to see the elimination of the tipped minimum wage.

If they eliminate the tipped minimum wage, it would give us the impetus to explain it to our guests in a way that would make sense to them, he said.

Legislation sponsored in Springfield by state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, who was recently named Mayor-elect Brandon Johnsons deputy chief of staff, would phase out the subminimum wage in Illinois by 2025. Jayaraman does not expect the Illinois legislation to move forward before the spring legislative sessions ends this month, she said. A similar bill introduced in the state House last year was never assigned to a committee for consideration.

Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said it should be left to restaurant owners to decide what system works for their businesses. Its up to the individual restaurants to determine what works for them and how to bring more diners into seats, he said, adding that neighborhood restaurants might find it more challenging than restaurants downtown to move away from paying the tipped minimum wage.

I think what is going on in the West Loop or in River North might be different than what restaurants are doing in Little Village and Jefferson Park, he said.

Lead line cook Ryan Henderson, from left, line cook May Lee, chef de cuisine Julia Weeman and line cook Jermaine Dickson prepare dishes at Split-Rail. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Toia said he didnt believe that the subminimum wage should be as low as $2.13, as it is in some states. But I think the $15 and $9 equation works well, he said.

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In 2019, Chicago aldermen considered legislation phasing out the citys subminimum wage, but the measure was removed after heavy restaurant industry lobbying.

Aldermen Michael Rodriguez, 22nd, and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa 35th, both spoke at a news conference hosted by One Fair Wage at City Hall last week. Rodriguez said he expected legislation to eliminate or phase out the subminimum wage to be introduced soon in City Council; Ramirez-Rosa said conversations would take place within the Progressive Caucus and with the new mayoral administration in the coming months, but that concrete plans for legislation were not in place yet.

For Gonzalez, the shift to a service fee and higher wages at Topolobampo hasnt dramatically changed his earnings. He estimates that he takes home slightly more money than he used to, while working slightly less.

But now, he said, he lives with less stress about his finances.

When hes at the restaurant, he can give his work his best. And when Im not scheduled and its my day off, it allows me to enjoy the rest of my life without having to worry about certain money issues, he said.
KUWAIT CITY, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait's parliament, which was reinstated in March, was dissolved by royal decree on Monday, according to the Kuwait News Agency.

Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah said the move is to safeguard Kuwait's interests and independence amid regional and international economic developments and to attain prosperity and progress for the citizens.

The crown prince said last month the legislature would be dissolved and that parliamentary elections would be held in the coming months.

The parliament, first elected in 2020, was only reinstated in March following a Constitutional Court ruling after a previous dissolution. 
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. (AP)  LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. (AP)  Zebra Technologies Corp. (ZBRA) on Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $150 million.

On a per-share basis, the Lincolnshire, Illinois-based company said it had net income of $2.90. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and stock option expense, were $3.94 per share.

The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $3.92 per share.

The producer of printers for bar codes, plastic cards and, radio-frequency identification tags posted revenue of $1.41 billion in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.39 billion.

For the current quarter ending in June, Zebra expects its per-share earnings to range from $3.20 to $3.40.

_____

This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ZBRA at https://www.zacks.com/ap/ZBRA
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Museums in Austria and Greece are discussing the potential return to Athens of two ancient Greek sculptures, a move which could have a knock-on effect for the world's thorniest cultural heritage dispute: the fate of the British Museum's Parthenon Sculptures.

The talks announced by Austria's foreign minister on Tuesday concern two small pieces of the 2,500-year-old marble works from the Acropolis. The sculptures are now held in Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum.

If a deal for their return is struck, it would be Greece's third in a few months with the handful of European museums that own little bits of the Parthenon Sculptures.

That could increase pressure on the British Museum to return its own, much larger collection, among the global debate on cultural restitution.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg discussed the issue with his visiting Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, in Vienna, the foreign ministry said.

Schallenberg said that technical talks are currently under way between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Acropolis Museum in Athens about the possibility of a loan, according to Austrian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Antonia Praun.

Sounding optimistic, Dendias voiced deep satisfaction at the development, but didn't provide any details on the terms being discussed. The two museums didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

This will add to a series of highly symbolic gestures that may create a positive momentum for the return of the sculptures from the British Museum, Dendias said after meeting with Schallenberg.

In January, the Vatican Museums  in a donation from Pope Francis  returned their three small parts of the sculptures, shortly after a museum in Palermo, Sicily, sent back its one piece.

So, (Vienna's) will be the third one, Dendias said. And this, for us, is of huge importance.

In February, the chair of the British Museum said the U.K. and Greece were working on a deal that would see his institutions Parthenon Marbles displayed in both London and Athens. Nothing has been announced since.

The two relief sculptures in Vienna measure 26 by 29 centimeters (10 by 11 inches) and 36 by 35 centimeters. The one depicts two bearded men, and the other two young riders and the head of a horse. They were part of the 160-meter-long (520-foot) frieze that ran around the outer walls of the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom.

Carved between 447-432 BC, the frieze and other sculptures remained largely intact until the temple  used by the Turkish garrison as a gunpowder store  was blown up during a siege in 1687. About half the surviving works were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, while Athens was still under Ottoman Turkish rule. Since 1816 they have been a key part of the British Museum's collections.

Greece claims they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation. British officials have rebuffed repeated demands for their return to Athens.

Most of the other works are in the Acropolis Museum, with scattered fragments in Paris, Copenhagen, Munich and Wuerzburg in Germany, and Vienna.

___

Grieshaber reported from Berlin.
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Claus Guth was pleased with initial reaction to his outer space version of Puccinis La Boheme at a special pre-premiere show limited to people under age 28.

They were extremely euphoric, he said. It was an amazing performance with standing ovations.

Three nights later at the official opening of the Paris Operas first new Boheme in 22 years, a high-profile occasion featuring conductor Gustavo Dudamels formal company debut, the response was far different.

The real premiere was bizarre because some people freaked out so early that Dudamel had to stop conducting once because there was just too much booing, Guth recalled.

That uproar on Dec. 1, 2017, weighed on the German directors mind when he arrived at the Bastille Opera last week to supervise the first revival of his staging, which opens Tuesday night for a run of 12 performances through June 4.

Soprano Ailyn Perez takes over as the terminally ill seamstress Mimi, tenor Joshua Guerrero is the poet Rodolfo and Michele Mariotti will be in the pit. Posters of the moonscape set used in the final two acts have been plastered throughout the Paris Metro for months.

Puccini set the first and fourth acts in a Parisian garret, the second at the Latin Quarters Cafe Momus and the third at Paris Barriere dEnfe, beginning the drama on Christmas Eve 1837 and ending it months later.

Guth envisions the action unfolding across an unspecified future, perhaps 50 years from now or possibly 1,000.

Set designer Etienne Pluss, taking inspiration from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey,  created a doomed spaceship on a raked stage for the first two acts and a bleak planet for the final two  substituting ashes for snow in Act 3. He estimated nearly 200 LED and neon lights were used. This was his first project with Guth.

When I thought two times about this and I listened once again to the opera, I really thought it was what Puccini could have dreamed to imagine, because hes speaking already about this in his music, Pluss said.

Indelible images of inconsolable isolation were created by Pluss, Eva Dessecker (costumes), Fabrice Kebour (lighting), Teresa Rotemberg (choreography) and Arian Andiel (video). Men in space suits amble in low-gravity gaits and nap in sleep pods, mixed in among a hallucinatory spectacle: a boy with large red balloon, an illuminated yellow Chinese dragon, acrobats, juggling waiters and a stiltwalker.

Mimi wears a red dress and Musetta emerges from a shiny curtain to sing her waltz while hugging a stripper pole, twirling a feather boa and peeling off a dressing gown and long gloves, as if in a Paris nightclub. A body double dancer hangs outside a window in an extravehicular repair mission.

Supertitles tell the audience they are viewing Day 126 of a mission: Expedition in danger  off course  engines inoperative  life-support resources almost exhausted. The landlord, Benoit, is dead before the opening note and his lines reassigned. By Day 159, the musician Schaunard and philosopher Colline have expired, too. There are doppelgangers and an invented white-faced mime Rodolfo imagines, sort of a herald of death.

These are all apparitions of Rodolfos distant youth. As he approaches his end, Mimis spirit lives.

I think for the newcomer this will be tricky to figure out, Perez said. Hes outlining the solitude, the despondency of being alone  really, really alone. It kind of allows the audience to see physically something happening beyond the music. And it leads an audience to sort of go with the story and use their own imagination.

Stephane Lissner, preparing to start his term as Paris Opera director, hired Guth for the project about a decade ago.

I told Lissner I love this piece, but I hate this stupid cliches about artists, which were probably never true and are not true now, Guth said. The realistic story is just an occasion Puccini uses to create this music.

He read the 1851 book Scenes de la vie de boheme (Scenes of Bohemian Life) by Henri Murger, much originally published in the magazine Le Corsaire and adapted into a play, La Vie de la boheme by Murger and Theodore Barriere. With librettists Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, Puccini turned the story into an opera that premiered in 1896.

It is actually the story of two old men sitting in the countryside at the end of their lives and looking back at their crazy, wild lives in Paris a long time ago. And so this combination gave me the idea, OK, lets go one step further: Where could this longing or this remembering better times  how to get that more extreme? Guth said.

And so it entered at some point in combination of this storyline and the music this idea to say maybe Paris or the Earth doesnt exist anymore because we ruined it and now I have people somewhere out in space that on a realistic level have a problem on their ship and are close to dying. So what do you do when your time is limited? You try to think of the precious moments.

His production, preserved in a video recording of the Dec. 12, 2017, performance, is among the boldest reconceptions since Dorris Dorries 2005 staging of Verdis Rigoletto at Munich's Bavarian State Opera was set on the Planet of the Apes.

Sonya Yoncheva retains vivid memories after singing Mimi at Guths production premiere.

This was such a nightmare, she said last winter, laughing, but many people are still talking about it.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  In Louisiana, dubbed by some as Hollywood South, lawmakers advanced a bill that would extend a motion picture tax credit program, which attracts movie producers and film companies to the state, by another decade.

But opponents say that it is time for the incentive program to expire, slamming it for returning only pennies on the dollar to the state treasury. Critics say the money to fund the film tax breaks would be better spent in financially struggling sectors of the state budget, including education, infrastructure and law enforcement positions.

At the end of the day, we have much more significant things that we can spend our money on, Republican Rep. Richard Nelson said during debate on the House floor Monday. I invite you to tell me which of these movies (filmed in Louisiana) is worth more than the bridge in your district, the school in your district or paying your police.

Lawmakers in the state House passed a bill, which proposes extending the motion picture tax credit program that is set to expire in two years, until 2035. The legislation, which was voted in favor of 74-24 and advances to the Senate next, would allocate $150 million a year to film tax breaks.

Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, who sponsored the bill, applauded the program for its role in the state's dramatic film industry growth that he says has brought money and jobs to the state.

Its helping a lot of local people, and its helping our state as a whole, Schexnayder said.

But opponents repeatedly questioned the return on investment, citing a report by the Louisiana Economic Development agency, that found for every dollar spent on the tax credit program Louisiana recoups about 23 cents back.

It is a terrible, terrible, return, said Nelson, who is running for governor this year.

Democratic New Orleans Rep. Mandie Landry, whose city is the epicenter of Louisiana's film industry, said that citing the one study is cherry-picking to spin a narrative. She pointed out that the study does not account for other benefits of the industry, money spent in the state for supplies to create sets or locals employed for jobs  such as caterers  while filming occurs.

In addition, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser put out a study that shows that 53% of visitors said something they saw about Louisiana in movies or on TV motivated their trip to the state.

Over the last decade, the film tax break has drawn controversy, especially in years when Louisiana grappled with repeated budget shortfalls and cut spending in areas like health care and education. A similar bill to extend the program was filed in 2021, but it failed in the House.
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TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  Swedens King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia began a three-day state visit to Estonia Tuesday  their first official visit to the Baltic country in more than 30 years.

Estonian President Alar Karis and his wife welcomed the Swedish king and queen at Tallinns central Freedom Square with full military honors, and an enthusiastic crowd of adults and children alike waved the Estonian and Swedish flags.

The presidents office said the visit, to both Tallinn and the second city of Tartu, underscores the close friendship between Estonia and Sweden, all the more so given that it is taking place during the 50th anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustafs accession to the throne.

The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  all former Soviet republics that are members of the European Union and NATO  are Swedens neighbors across the Baltic Sea and have close business and political ties with Stockholm. Estonia also has historical links to Sweden, as the small nation of 1.3 million was a province of the Swedish Empire in the 17th and early 18th centuries.

The last time King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia paid a state visit to Estonia was in 1992, a year after the nation regained in its independence after nearly 50 years of Soviet rule.

The royal visit will focus on boosting cooperation between the two countries in the security and defense sectors, economy and in the field of education, research and innovation, the Estonian presidents office said.

King Carl XVI Gustaf ascended the throne on Sept. 15, 1973, and is Sweden's longest reigning monarch. In early June, the king will mark his 50 years on the throne with extensive celebrations.
Nordstrom is the latest retailer to depart downtown San Francisco, announcing plans to close both of its stores in the coming months, a spokesperson for the company told SFGATE Tuesday morning.

The 40,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack on 901 Market St. is set to shutter July 1, while the 312,000-square-foot Nordstrom at Westfield San Francisco Centre, one of the malls flagship stores, will follow suit and close for good by the end of August, the spokesperson said.

Decisions like this are never easy, and this one has been especially difficult, read a statement from Chief Stores Officer Jamie Nordstrom. Weve spent more than 35 years serving customers in downtown San Francisco, building relationships with them and investing in the local community. But as many of you know, the dynamics of the downtown San Francisco market have changed dramatically over the past several years, impacting customer foot traffic to our stores and our ability to operate successfully.

The company did not immediately reply to SFGATE's request for further specificity regarding the city's changing dynamics. A spokesperson for Westfield, however, told SFGATE the closure of Nordstrom "underscores the deteriorating situation in downtown San Francisco."

"A growing number of retailers and businesses are leaving the area due to the unsafe conditions for customers, retailers, and employees, coupled with the fact that these significant issues are preventing an economic recovery of the area," the statement from Westfield and its owner, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, continued. "URW has actively engaged with City leaders for many years to express our serious concerns, which are shared by our customers and retailers. We have urged the City to find solutions to the key issues and lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity. The current environment is not sustainable for the community, or businesses, and we are hopeful the City will implement the changes that are so urgently needed."

Fiona Lee/SFGATE

Nordstrom said that with both leases set to expire at the end of the year, the company believes it can better serve its customers by focusing on its 16 nearby Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack locations throughout the Bay Area, including stores in Daly City, San Mateo and Emeryville. While the company said it plans to open 20 new Nordstrom Rack stores this year, with more to come in 2024, including a store at Bridgepointe Shopping Center in San Mateo, this means the brand will no longer have a retail presence in San Francisco. (The company shuttered its Nordstrom Rack location at 555 Ninth St. in 2021.)

Its a major development in downtown retail following recent news that Saks Off 5th, which shared a location at 901 Market St. with Nordstrom Rack, will be closing permanently later this fall. Ross Dress for Less taking over the space just a block away from one of its existing stores at 799 Market St. appears to be even more of a possibility than before.

Fiona Lee/SFGATE

Other recently announced closures in San Franciscos downtown corridor include the Anthropologie in Union Square and the Office Depot on 33 Third Street, as well as CB2, Bed Bath & Beyond and the Container Store.

Its not immediately clear how many employees will be affected by the closure, but the statement from Nordstrom said the company is working with each staff member to support them through this transition and find new roles within the company wherever possible.

This breaking news story has been updated.
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Laura E. Alexander, University of Nebraska Omaha

(THE CONVERSATION) Every year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) releases a report on religious oppression around the world, recommending that the State Department designate specific countries as especially severe violators. In this years report, released May 1, 2023, Iran came in for particular criticism after months of protests and arrests sparked by headscarf laws. Sri Lanka, Cuba and Nicaragua were also singled out as areas of concern; Nicaragua is specifically accused of persecution against Catholics.

Created through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the commission exemplifies how the right to freedom of religious expression has come to play a significant role in U.S. discussions about human rights  and not just abroad. Legislation and recent Supreme Court rulings have created a new legal landscape in which religious freedom claims have become more likely to prevail at home, including well-known court cases like the Hobby Lobby ruling on contraception.

Underlying many debates about how courts and policies treat religion is an often-unspoken question: Is any human right  religious freedom in particular  more important than another? And what happens when human rights claims come into conflict?

As a scholar of human rights and religion, I believe its important to unpack those questions  and to unpack the difference they make in the lives of people affected by U.S. policies around the world.

For one, for all

For the last several decades, the United Nations has been careful to describe all human rightsas interdependent. In this view, protecting any human right requires protecting all human rights.

As an example, think of two distinct rights recognized in the Declaration of Human Rights: the right to adequate food and the right to protest. A person who doesnt have enough food to live on is unlikely to have the health and energy to protest, and someone deprived of food because of government policies may find it necessary to protest in order to claim their right to food.

The U.N. and many human rights advocates have also argued that all rights are equal: No human right outweighs another.

According to this view, the only permissible reason one right could ever be temporarily suspended is to protect some other right. Even then, restricting the first right should be a last resort, and it should be restored as soon as possible.

For instance, a person with active tuberculosis or some other contagious disease might be ordered to quarantine for a period. Forced quarantine restricts the individuals right to freedom of movement, but it is considered more urgent to protect other peoples rights to life and health.

In other words, rights might sometimes conflict, but they all depend on each other and are of equal importance in principle. No human right can be ignored or downplayed.

Picking and choosing?

International discussion of human rights has not always reflected this view.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948, after the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II. It captured a general international consensus that rights protection should shape international humanitarian policy. However, when the U.N. General Assembly attempted to make the rights in the declaration enforceable in international law, disagreements about the importance of different types of rights led to not one but two treaties: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Some countries have not ratified the first, including China and Saudi Arabia; others have not ratified the second, including the United States.

Today, too, many political leaders do not view all rights as equally weighty. For example, the Chinese government is known to regularly invade citizens privacy and has brutally repressed minority groups. Chinese leaders and state-owned media have insisted that advancing peoples social and economic rights, such as peace and the right to basic subsistence, takes priority over pursuing civil and political rights.

In the United States, the opposite is true. U.S. leaders and influential thinkers have often argued that civil and political rights, like the right to vote or to a fair trial, are more fundamental than economic and social rights, that they are more practical to uphold, or that they fit more neatly into the countrys history of political thought. For example, some Republican politicians, such as Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, have argued that health care is a privilege, not a right.

Two-tier rights?

Questions about how U.S. foreign policy should balance protections for different kinds of rights came under a spotlight in 2019, when then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo created the Commission on Unalienable Rights. This commissions stated goal was to advise the U.S. government on human rights, drawing on both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the founding documents of the United States.

USCIRF was not involved in the Commission on Unalienable Rights, but put out a statement in support of its work. At the time, USCIRFs president was Tony Perkins, best known for his leadership of the evangelical nonprofit Family Research Council. In the statement, Perkins referred to religious freedom as the most foundational fundamental right.

The commissions report received both praise and criticism from advocates and scholars for its attempt to distinguish unalienable rights, which all individuals have by nature, from positive rights, which are based in custom and written law. The report contends that, from the founders point of view, property rights and religious liberty are most essential, and governments should promote economic rights only insofar as those rights do not infringe on property and religious liberty rights.

The report also describes a few types of rights claims as matters of debate rather than settled law, such as the right to same-sex marriage, which it calls one of several divisive social and political controversies where it is common for both sides to couch their claims in terms of basic rights. Two sentences later, the writers argue that an increase in rights claims, in some ways overdue and just, has given rise to excesses of its own.

In short, the commission prioritized property rights and religious freedom claims. Pompeos State Department acted in line with these priorities, holding two summits on religious freedom with civic and religious leaders from around the world. The State Department also created an International Religious Freedom Alliance with more than two dozen nations, without similar initiatives around other human rights.

The course ahead

Under the administration of President Joe Biden, the Commission on Unalienable Rights was shelved. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has argued that all human rights are co-equal and has criticized the commissions report for seeming to create a hierarchy of rights.

The State Department under Biden has expressed its intent to advance rights claims of LGBTQ+ individuals. Recently, it threatened sanctions on Uganda over a new bill that would impose punishments as severe as death for same-sex relationships.

The latest International Religious Freedom report demonstrates that the right to religious freedom is threatened in many places. The entire world has a long way to go in ensuring it is meaningfully protected. At the same time, debates remain heated over whether protecting this right should ever mean violating others.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content.
BLOOMFIELD  Sharron Howe is claiming discrimination after not receiving a pay increase when she began serving as acting town manager last month, according to an email obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

"I know none of you would accept this inequity from your employer; why do you think its okay to treat me this way?" Howe wrote in the email dated April 28 to the town council.

In the email, she alleged it's a "discriminatory" and "retaliatory" practice.

Howe served as assistant town manager under former Town Manager Stanley Hawthorne. Howe took over as acting town manager on April 3 after Hawthorne resigned for a job in Georgia.

The town council tabled a motion last week to approve a new compensation package for Howe following a private session where the panel could not decide on a fair salary.

Howe's salary is $123,000 per year. The previous acting town manager, Philip Schenck, made $160,000 when he served in the role in 2019. The highest paid director in Bloomfield is the police chief who earns $154,000 each year.

"In my regular role as assistant town manager, I am in the lower tier of compensation for senior management level employees," Howe wrote in her April 28 email. "As assistant town manager and even as assistant to the town manager over many years, I was periodically asked to oversee full town operations during the absence of the town manager  responsible to supervise department directors and other senior staff; most of their salaries exceeded mine and in some cases by tens of thousands of dollars."

The decision to table Howe's salary discussion was intended to give the town council "more time" to consider an appropriate compensation, according to Councilor Shamar Mahon.

"We just couldn't find a consensus on the number or the way to move forward," Mahon said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media. "There's a number of happenings, I guess, especially on the financial end of things."

Deputy Mayor Greg Davis said he was "frustrated" the council was unable to agree on a new salary. Davis was appointed to oversee the situation after Mayor Danielle Wong recused herself because she is Howe's niece.

Davis said he believes Howe's salary should be in the range of the highest-paid director, the police chief. Davis said the council's delay is not about the amount of money Howe should receive, but because some members feel other options should be considered to fill the acting position.

"I don't believe that is the issue as it relates to our inability to reach a number," Davis said. "There were some of my colleagues who were concerned about the process, and they wanted to see if there was interest and being the interim town manager by other senior members of our staff. They decided that they could not or would not vote on this compensation package until we had exhausted the process."

Bloomfield's charter states the town council has the authority to designate anyone who isn't a member of the council to act as town manager when there is a vacancy. However, a town ordinance states the assistant town manager should serve as acting town manager in this scenario until there is a permanent replacement.

The conflicting ordinance and charter is why Mahon said he believes the council needs more time to decide.

"What we decided Wednesday after deliberation was that we are going to take a look at different prospects within the town and weigh everyone evenly and see who could possibly, if not Sharon, and then who are the other candidates," Mahon said.

To Councilor Kenneth McClary, the "bad actors" who he believes drove Hawthorne out of Bloomfield, are once again to blame for the delay in paying Howe an equal amount to Schenck or similar employees. He called Howe a "dedicated and competent leader."

"We cannot allow discrimination to go unchecked in our community," McClary said in a statement. "Together, we can make a difference and create a more just and equitable and safe place for our employees."

Davis seemed to believe there was no question that Howe was the person to serve as acting town manager.

"They're looking for a reason not to have her there," Davis said. "And the charter is unambiguous as it relates to her."

In her email to council, Howe reminded them she had been serving in the role since April 3 while also carrying out her duties as assistant town manager.

"I must ask, is it because Im an older Black female that I continue not to be valued as highly as my past colleagues who have served in this role?" Howe wrote. "An examination of compensation for former interim town managers over the last decade(s) reveal that my white male counterparts were promptly and timely awarded compensation levels befitting to their roles serving as acting/interim town manager."

Howe's title and compensation have come into question in the past when Hawthorne conducted a diversity, equity and inclusion assessment revealing she was given the wrong title for 12 years.

Of the 30 management employees, the only one who didnt match their job title  it wasnt an issue of a promotion  was Sharron Howe, Hawthorne said. And we corrected it. The documentation is there. The title was supposed to be assistant town manager. It had not been. That is an example of inequity. A Black female. We corrected it. She has been in that role for 12 years and with the town for 17 years.

Bloomfield is in the process of hiring a search firm to find the next town manager. But of the seven firms the town contacted, only one replied, officials said. Howe, who says she is not interested in the permanent role, could serve as acting town manager indefinitely until a replacement is hired.

McClary said the "discrimination" will undermine the town's ability to attract a strong candidate.

"How in the hell are we going to be able to attract a qualified manager with experience to the job if we cannot come together to pay a Black female equal pay?" McClary said in the statement.
Tourists visit Puyuan Fashion Resort in Puyuan Town of Tongxiang City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 2, 2023. Puyuan Fashion Resort receives nearly 20,000 tourists every day during this year's May Day holiday. The resort opened to the public on March 1. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists visit Puyuan Fashion Resort in Puyuan Town of Tongxiang City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 2, 2023. Puyuan Fashion Resort receives nearly 20,000 tourists every day during this year's May Day holiday. The resort opened to the public on March 1. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists visit Puyuan Fashion Resort in Puyuan Town of Tongxiang City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 2, 2023. Puyuan Fashion Resort receives nearly 20,000 tourists every day during this year's May Day holiday. The resort opened to the public on March 1. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists get on a boat at Puyuan Fashion Resort in Puyuan Town of Tongxiang City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 2, 2023. Puyuan Fashion Resort receives nearly 20,000 tourists every day during this year's May Day holiday. The resort opened to the public on March 1. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists visit Puyuan Fashion Resort in Puyuan Town of Tongxiang City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 2, 2023. Puyuan Fashion Resort receives nearly 20,000 tourists every day during this year's May Day holiday. The resort opened to the public on March 1. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists take a rest at Puyuan Fashion Resort in Puyuan Town of Tongxiang City, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 2, 2023. Puyuan Fashion Resort receives nearly 20,000 tourists every day during this year's May Day holiday. The resort opened to the public on March 1. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A man who escaped from a Mississippi jail on April 22 has been found dead at a truck stop in New Orleans, authorities announced Tuesday.

A security guard patrolling the truck stop Sunday morning found Casey Grayson, 34, unresponsive in a white pickup more than a week after he and three other inmates escaped from the Raymond Detention Center near Jackson, Mississippis capital, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said.

Grayson is the third escaped prisoner to be found in a multi-agency hunt. Dylan Arrington died after barricading himself in a central Mississippi home and setting it on fire during an armed standoff with deputies on April 26. He is suspected of killing 61-year-old Anthony Watts and stealing his truck after the escape. Jerry Raynes was arrested on April 27 after allegedly stealing a public works vehicle and fleeing to Texas.

Investigators recovered drug paraphernalia in the truck where Grayson was found. But his cause of death will not be determined until results from an autopsy report are returned. Investigators have not found any signs of foul play, Jones said.

Jones said a family member may have given Grayson access to the pickup truck after the man escaped from jail. He had been incarcerated for grand larceny, possession and sale of a controlled substance and illegal possession of a firearm, according to WLBT-TV.

Investigators are still searching for Corey Harrison, 22, the lone escapee who has not died or been arrested.

Raynes has been extradited to Mississippi, but he had not arrived as of Tuesday afternoon. He will be rebooked at the Raymond Detention Center, but it is unclear whether he will stay at the facility for the remainder of his sentence. He will face additional charges for escape and auto theft, Jones said.

In July, U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ordered a rare takeover of the Raymond jail after he said deficiencies in supervision and staffing led to a stunning array of assaults, as well as deaths. But before the appointed receiver was scheduled to assume control over the jail on Jan. 1, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the lower courts order until it ruled on the countys motion for reconsideration.

As it relates to the uproar this has caused in the community, I understand the people's concern regarding the facility," Jones said. "We have taken all of the measurements necessary to prevent this from happening again.

___

Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mikergoldberg.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  The mother of one of the three soldiers killed last week when two U.S. Army helicopters collided in a remote part of Alaska said her son loved his country and his family and lifted others up.

Family was everything to him, Stacie Weaver told The Associated Press Monday of her son, Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, of North Logan, Utah, who leaves behind a wife, Kiara, and three young children.

Wayment had a positive outlook and cared about others, Weaver said. He enjoyed the outdoors and was excited to be stationed in Alaska, to fly over rugged landscapes and see the northern lights and wildlife.

Two helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks, collided Thursday about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Healy when they were returning from training, the Army has said. Healy is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) southwest of Fairbanks.

An investigative team from Fort Novosel, Alabama, arrived in Alaska over the weekend and flew to the crash site Monday, said John Pennell, a U.S. Army Alaska spokesperson.

The Army has identified the soldiers who died as Wayment, 32; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Robert Eramo, 39, of Oneonta, New York; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle D. McKenna, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A fourth soldier was injured. That soldier's name has not been released.

Pennell has said that there were no weather or visual constraints known of at the time of the collision.

The Army on Friday grounded aviation units for training after the crash, which occurred a month after nine soldiers were killed when two Army Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters crashed during a nighttime training exercise in Kentucky.

Units are grounded until they complete the training, Lt. Col. Terence Kelley, an Army spokesperson has said. For active-duty units, the training is to take place this week, between Monday and Friday. Army National Guard and Reserve units will have until May 31 to complete the training.

A commander at the level of a two-star general can authorize an exception, he said.

The safety of our aviators is our top priority, and this stand down is an important step to make certain we are doing everything possible to prevent accidents and protect our personnel, Army Chief of Staff James McConville said of the decision to ground flight units for training.

New York U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Monday sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting a review of helicopter crashes within all military branches that were fatal or that involved the loss of aircraft. She requested information on such accidents within the last five years.

She cited a 2021 New York Army National Guard crash that killed three soldiers during training. Since then, we have only lost more service members to catastrophic incidents involving rotary wing aircraft, she wrote.

The Army on Friday said that while both the Alaska and Kentucky crashes are under investigation, there is no indication of any pattern between the two mishaps.
HARTFORD  The chalkboards at the abandoned John C. Clark Elementary School still have the words written on them from the last day of class before the building closed permanently eight years ago.

"To my beloved Clark School, today I say farewell," reads a message on one chalkboard from a former special education teacher. "Thank you for being so wonderful to me for 31 years."

The city of Hartford closed the school in January 2015 after discovering PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, in the building. PCBs are known to cause cancer as well as other health problems when inhaled, ingested or contacted with skin. Unlike lead and asbestos, school districts are not required to test for PCBs, but the materials were used in school buildings in the 1950s through the 1970s.

Alumni of Hartford Public Schools across the city are now wondering if their cancer diagnoses could be linked to the school they attended.

The district notified parents of Clark's closure in 2015 and the potential for PCB exposure. The district also filed a lawsuit that year against Monsanto, a manufacturing company that produced PCBs used in products installed during the construction of the school. The lawsuit cited "dangerous" levels of PCBs in the building when the school closed, court documents show.

"In 2015, Hartford Public Schools communicated to all families that students and staff at Clark Elementary School would be relocated while testing was conducted," a spokesperson for Hartford Public Schools said in a statement. "In that communication and others, the district provided resources as well as contact information for personnel at the Connecticut Department of Public Health so families could ask questions about PCBs. Furthermore, the district also hosted a family meeting so concerned members of the community could meet with the former superintendent and her staff."

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the city, remains pending in court. Monsanto filed a motion for summary judgement against the city more than three years ago that remains pending before the Federal District Court in Connecticut.

"We believe the claims against the company are without merit as the evidence in this case demonstrates that multiple federal, state and local government agencies found that the levels of PCBs detected at the Clark School did not present a health risk," according to a statement from Bayer, the company that acquired Monsanto in 2018. "As the plaintiffs own experts have admitted, there are no scientific studies demonstrating that PCBs volatilize from caulk at levels capable of causing human disease or that PCB levels in the Clark School were unsafe."

In a similar 2017 decision involving the town of Westport, a different court ruled in Monsanto's favor.

While Clark is at the center of the lawsuit, it is not the only Hartford school where officials say students and staff may have been exposed to toxins.

PCB concerns grow

Hartford renovated several school buildings built between 1950 and 1979 with materials "potentially containing" PCBs, officials said. These buildings are Annie Fisher, Classical Magnet, Global Communications Academy, Hartford Public High School, Environmental Science Magnet at Mary Hooker, Kinsella Magnet (Van Block) and Weaver High School.

While the district notified current students about the PCBs and the renovations, not everyone was informed of the toxins. Among those in the dark were students who attended Clark and other potential exposure sites dating back to when the doors first opened.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, which is like an aggressive form," said Latoya Coombs, a former Annie Fisher student. "All of a sudden, I noticed like a bunch of my classmates were being diagnosed with cancer as well."

Coombs attended Annie Fisher from 1989 to 1996 and worked at Clark School from 2013 until the doors closed in 2015. She said no one contacted her to suggest additional cancer screening after her time in the schools. In fact, she didn't begin to consider a link between her health conditions and the schools until this year when she saw posts on social media about the situation.

The group BLM860 has brought new attention to PCBs and their effects in Hartford.

"We found out about the PCBs because someone's funeral is occurring," said Ivelisse Correa-Ojeda, a Hartford resident and one of the leaders of BLM860, referring to her son's father, who died of cancer.

"We linked it to a whole bunch of people that he went to elementary school with. And we saw that the city of Hartford has been well aware of this for years and didn't do any outreach. So we did it ourselves."

Correa-Ojeda has been combing through obituaries and GoFundMe pages of former Hartford students to learn more about the ailments they face in hopes she can notify them about the potential PCB exposure.

"Everyone who went to those schools, everyone who worked in those schools deserves to know and deserved to know before this," Correa-Ojeda said.

In the Clay Arsenal neighborhood where Clark is located, the life expectancy is 74.8 years, almost five years less than the life expectancy in Hartford overall.

While it is unclear what levels of PCBs existed, if any, at the schools that were renovated, advocates and former students want more transparency.

The city declined to comment about the status of testing at schools other than Clark, the subject of the 2015 lawsuit. The city alleges Monsanto knew about the dangers of PCBs dating back to the 1930s.

While BLM860 has brought the situation back into the spotlight, Arien Wilkerson, who was born and raised in Hartford's North End, has been fighting for justice at the Clark school for years. Wilkerson founded the Vault Project, which intended to create a plan for the abandoned Clark school.

"Toys, chairs  just imagine, you're like living in a war country and you have to go and you can't take anything," Wilkerson said. "They left the school like that and it has been sitting there for about eight years."

In recent years, Wilkerson has toured the site where he says people have been living since it is a large building with many warm places to sleep.

"The weeds are growing," Wilkerson said. "What they do is they keep fencing and fencing and fencing, and they keep putting these tiny, tiny little yellow signs that say 'PCB contamination: stay away,' but no information. Nothing has been given to any of these communities."

The future of the Clark School, testing and the health of former students and teachers is uncertain. Correa-Ojeda is circulating a survey asking residents to share their cancer experiences after attending Clark and Annie Fisher.

Wilkerson hopes the city will commit funding to test all Hartford schools for PCBs as well as remediation of Clark, a mission of the Vault Project.

"There's been a lack of transparency about whether or not schools have had already tested for PCBs or are planning on doing so," Wilkerson said. "Once the school has tested air quality, there's no efficient manner for conveying the test results to the families they serve."

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect Monsanto was a manufacturing company that produced PCBs used in products installed during the construction of Clark Elementary School.
Maryland U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin will not seek re-election next year, his office told our sister station in Baltimore, WBAL, Monday morning.

"I think it's best making decisions when I am in control of making decisions. That's why I decided this is the right time, and allow someone else serve in the U.S. Senate," Cardin said.

Before succeeding Sen. Paul Sarbanes in 2006, the 79-year-old Democrat represented the 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House for 20 years. During that tenure, he served as Senior Democratic Whip and was a member of key committees, including Ways and Means.

Cardin later released a statement thanking the people of Maryland, saying, in part: "I love Maryland. I love the people of Maryland and I love everything about our state from the beaches to the mountains, the cities and neighborhoods in between, and the rich history of the iconic Chesapeake Bay. It's been the honor of my life to represent the people of Maryland in the General Assembly, as Speaker of the House of Delegates, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and now in the United States Senate.

"I am proud of all I have done for Maryland. I have given my heart and soul to our great state, and I thank Marylanders for trusting me as your representative for all these years. I thank my family for their support and counsel, and recognize the many sacrifices they have endured as we traveled this path together. My profound thanks also to the most dedicated staff in all of Congress, many of whom have spent all or most of their career serving alongside me.

I have run my last election and will not be on the ballot in 2024, but there is still much work to be done. During the next two years, I will continue to travel around the state, listening to Marylanders and responding to their needs."

Cardin later added that their are certain accomplishments he is especially proud of.

"I am proud on international human rights, which is now the international standard on personal sanctions against human rights violators. And I am proud the U.S. has a policy to cover their children for oral health care. I'm also proud Medicare covers preventative health care. (I'm) proud of what we've done with the Chesapeake Bay," he said.

In the Senate, Cardin is a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Finance and Environment and Public Works committees.

Late last month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recommended Cardin to temporarily replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, on the Senate Judiciary Committee amid Feinstein's medical leave, but that vote failed.



Cardin championed many issues based on his broad expertise on national security, human rights, health care, retirement security and taxes, small businesses issues, transportation alternatives and the Chesapeake Bay.

Fellow Marylander, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, released a statement, saying, in part: "I salute my friend and our state's senior senator, Ben Cardin, on his extraordinary public service to Maryland and our country. It is a privilege to serve alongside him and in partnership every day for the people of our great state. Sen. Cardin is driven by an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Marylanders, advancing social justice, protecting our environment and promoting human rights at home and abroad.

"Sen. Cardin has made it his life's work to champion the rights of Marylanders and open the doors of opportunity to more Americans. From increased funding for our schools to bringing more resources to the Chesapeake Bay to expanding health care services and empowering minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses -- Sen. Cardin has never backed down from a challenge or taking on special interests. We all witnessed this last week on the Senate floor as he led the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment because, as he said, 'There is no time limit on equality.'"

Cardin served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 19 years, seven years of which he was House speaker.

U.S. Rep. David Trone said it will be hard to fill Cardin's shoes.

"No one is going to replace Ben. He's just going to go down in history as one of those guys who stepped up time and time again," Trone said.

The Baltimore-born attorney attended City College, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Maryland School of Law.
A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to the army and local media.

The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then turned the gun on himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.

The victim, Charles Engola, served in the government of President Yoweri Museveni as the junior minister in charge of labor. He was a retired army colonel.

Army spokesman Brig. Felix Kulayigye said in a short statement that an unfortunate incident led to the killing of Engola. We shall inform the public the details as we jointly investigate the matter, Kulayigye said on Twitter.

The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Police detectives are now at the scene.

The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages.

Witnesses claim that the soldier was yelling that he had not been paid for a long time despite working for a minister, the online newspaper NilePost reported.

The incident is likely to create shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years.

In 2021, a former army chief in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala.
MIDDLETOWN  State police identified the pedestrian killed on Route 9 early Sunday as a 22-year-old Willimantic man.

The incident occurred around 3:45 a.m. Sunday just before Exit 19 in Middletown. A 29-year-old Higganum woman was driving her 2010 Toyota Corolla south in the right lane when she struck the pedestrian, Connecticut State Police said in an incident report Monday.

The woman then evaded the scene, according to state police.

The pedestrian, later identified as Carlos Morales-Torres Jr., was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, state police said.

State police are actively investigating the incident. No arrests have been made in connection with this crash.
A New York appeals court has ruled in favor of a Connecticut man suing the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club over past sexual abuse.

The man sued the Greenwich club in October 2020 claiming that a lack of oversight and supervision during a club-sponsored field trip to Rye Playland in New York in the 1970s allowed another club member to sexually abuse him, court documents show. In court documents, the man also claimed he was sexually abused on club property in Greenwich. The lawsuit had originally been filed in Connecticut but was withdrawn due to statute of limitations.

The lawsuit was re-filed under the Child Victims Act in New York, which allowed past sexual abuse cases to be heard during a temporary lookback window.

The Greenwich Club sought to dismiss the New York case, arguing a lack of jurisdiction since the club operates solely in Connecticut. The New York Supreme Court on April 19 ruled that any alleged abuse happening during a field trip to its state would, in fact, fall under its jurisdiction and the lawsuit can proceed.

In September 2021, the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club paid an undisclosed settlement to six men claiming childhood sexual abuse at the club. An attorney for the six victims had sought damages of $19 million to be split between the men, who are all now in their 50s.

Another six men have spoken out about the abuse they suffered at the club, but their claims could not be pursued due to Connecticuts statute of limitations, their attorney said.

In statements, the club has said it remains committed to protecting children and serving the needs of the community. It also said it respects those who have come forward with abuse allegations.

The safety of our members is of paramount importance to the club, said Laura Dianis, director of external relations.

The lawsuits against the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club, the first of which was filed in 2017, spurred a lengthy Hearst Connecticut Media investigation into sexual abuse tied to Boys & Girls Club affiliates across the country. The investigation resulted in the first known national database cataloging the alleged abuse.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the national organization overseeing 4,300 affiliate clubs, instituted mandatory background checks in 2005 and has enhanced its policies to prevent abuse over the years. After Hearsts investigation, the organization conducted a third-party review to strengthen our culture of safety and increase the physical and emotional safety of our members.

Our commitment to young people, their safety, and well-being is unyielding, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America said in a statement. We must ensure that every child is heard, and that it is clear that there is no place in our organization for those that would want to harm them.
STAMFORD  A state prosecutor dismissed multiple felony charges against a Bridgeport man convicted of attempted murder in Norwalk following a Connecticut Supreme Court decision last year that overturned multiple convictions in the case.

Supervisory States Attorney Michelle Manning said on Tuesday that the state has decided not pursue a new trial against 25-year-old Onaje Smith after a key witness in the case stated he would not testify.

I have had Norwalk police reach out to the victim of that robbery who was shot and injured in that case. He has met with police and has indicated he does not wish to appear and testify again, Manning said.

In August 2022, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned convictions on charges of accessory to third-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, accessory to first-degree robbery, accessory to first-degree assault, accessory to second-degree arson and conspiracy to commit second-degree arson on the grounds that the trial court had improperly denied a motion to suppress evidence that police obtained via a search warrant that was not supported by probable cause, the court wrote in its opinion.

The courts reversal, along with the states decision to dismiss the outstanding charges, means that Smiths effective prison sentence was lowered from 35 years to 26 years, Manning said during Tuesdays disposition hearing at the state Superior Court in Stamford.

Smiths convictions on two counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and two separate charges of accessory to first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery still stand.

Manning said Tuesday that the victim had told Norwalk police that he was content knowing Smith will still serve 26 years for those convictions.

Smith and his codefendant Tyreik Gantt, 25, were convicted of numerous felony charges connected to an extended crime spree in Norwalk and Stamford in 2017, which included alleged armed robberies, attempted murder and arson.

Police said the duo robbed two Chinese food delivery drivers in Norwalk in January 2017, shooting one in the leg and arm and stealing his car. Minutes after one of those robberies, Gantt was seen on a surveillance camera at a Stamford gas station pumping gasoline into the back seat of the stolen car, which moments later was found engulfed in flames on Oakwood Place in Stamford.

The two also shot at a rival gang member during a drive-by that same month, Manning said, and both were involved in following that same man into a West Main Street convenience store in Stamford and shooting him in the left temple and abdomen. The man survived.

Days before their scheduled trial in 2019, Gantt accepted an offer from the state and pleaded guilty to all the charges Smith was originally convicted of. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

While Smiths outstanding charges in the Stamford assault were dropped Tuesday, Manning pointed out that the 25-year-old is also still facing several felony charges in Bridgeport that are tied to the 2016 killing of Stamford resident Shane Slinsky.

Smith was arrested by Bridgeport police in February 2018 on charges of murder, felony murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree larceny and carrying a pistol without a permit.

Smith is still awaiting trial on those charges in Bridgeport, according to the states judicial website.
Tourists pose for photos at the Auckland International Airport in Auckland, New Zealand, May 2, 2023. The direct flights between Beijing and Auckland in New Zealand officially resumed on Tuesday as an Air China aircraft carrying over 200 Chinese tourists landed at the Auckland International Airport. (Xinhua/Lu Huaiqian)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The direct flights between Beijing and Auckland in New Zealand officially resumed on Tuesday as an Air China aircraft carrying over 200 Chinese tourists landed at the Auckland International Airport.

The services had been suspended for more than three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.

The Chinese tourists were welcome by a special ceremony featured with traditional Maori dance and singing at the airport on Tuesday afternoon.

The restart of Beijing-Auckland flights was a "big happy event" for both countries, said Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong, who was present at the ceremony, adding that New Zealand was one of the top destinations for Chinese students and tourists before the pandemic.

The resumption of flights has provided more convenience for the exchange of people and goods between the two countries and will inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations, he said.

"It inspires me tremendously that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, our cooperation remains robust and dynamic. China is by far New Zealand's biggest trading partner and our bilateral trade hit a record high of 40 billion New Zealand dollars (248 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022," he said.

Scott Tasker, Chief Customer Officer of Auckland International Airport, said that the people-to-people connection is an important part of China-New Zealand relations, and the resumption of air routes will strengthen the connection between the two countries.

Currently, direct flights are conducted between Beijing and Auckland four times every week, according to Air China.

Xue Jun, general manager of Air China's Asia-Pacific headquarters, said that "I believe that with the continued support of our travel partners, passenger traffic between New Zealand and China will rebound and the air transportation bridge between our two countries will be even stronger."

Liu Yang, chairman of a travel agency in Beijing who was on board the Air China flight, said that the resumption of flights is very convenient for tourists in China, and many of his customers are looking forward to visiting New Zealand.

Dave Smith, a tourism practitioner in Auckland, also welcomed the resumption of direct flights between China's capital and Auckland.

The move will facilitate personnel exchanges, bring more tourists, and promote the recovery of New Zealand's tourism industry and economy, he said. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a welcoming ceremony featured with traditional Maori dance and singing at the Auckland International Airport in Auckland, New Zealand, May 2, 2023. The direct flights between Beijing and Auckland in New Zealand officially resumed on Tuesday as an Air China aircraft carrying over 200 Chinese tourists landed at the Auckland International Airport. (Xinhua/Lu Huaiqian)
Authorities in Davis, California, are searching for a suspect after two men were stabbed to death and a woman critically injured in recent days, something the police chief said has been unprecedented in the small university town.

Police are searching for a young man in connection with witness descriptions of the attacker in two of the cases, though officials have not officially linked the three stabbings.

The city sent out an alert to residents around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday calling for a shelter in place. That shelter-in-place has since been lifted and police are calling for people to remain vigilant.

The startling advice for students not to venture out following Monday's stabbing, which left a woman in critical condition. That attack was preceded by the killings Saturday evening of a UC Davis senior and Thursday of a 50-year-old man at different parks near campus. About 40,000 students are enrolled at the public university in Davis, a city of some 68,000 people about a 20-minute drive west of the state capital, Sacramento.

Video above: Witnesses say their friend was stabbed by Davis attacker

The city sent out an alert to residents around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday calling for a shelter in place. That shelter-in-place has since been lifted but police have yet to find the suspect, whose description now matches the assailant in two of the recent stabbings.

Heres everything we know about the stabbings right now:

Who was killed?

On April 27, David Breaux was identified as the man who was stabbed to death in Davis Central Park.

Breaux was a well-known community member and a positive presence around town, often referred to as the "Compassion Guy" for asking others about their definition of "compassion."

A message from the Davis mayor, police chief and other city officials said that Breaux was a Stanford graduate who was "instrumental" in the addition of a "Compassion Bench" at the corner of 3rd and C Streets in 2013.

Two days later, Karim Abou Najm, a 20-year-old UC Davis student , was stabbed and killed at Davis Sycamore Park while going home from an undergraduate awards ceremony.

The student was studying computer science and was set to graduate in six weeks, according to his father, Majdi Abou Najm, who also said his son already had two jobs lined up for after graduation.

"We moved from Lebanon in 2018 when the situation in Lebanon was a little bit starting to go in not the right direction," Abou Najm said. "We came here hoping for safety."

UC Davis officials said they would confer a posthumous degree on Abou Najm and launch a memorial fund in his name to support undergraduates pursuing research.

Who was hurt?

A 64-year-old woman who has not been identified was stabbed the night of May 1 at a homeless encampment in Davis on 2nd and L streets.



Video above: Chief of police at UC Davis speaks out on deadly stabbings

The woman was found after a 911 call, and she told authorities she had been stabbed more than once through a tent.

She was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition and has undergone surgery.

Witness Christine Barrios said that their friend was the woman who was stabbed and that the victim had thought at first that she had been punched.

Witnesses in 3rd stabbing describe interaction with the suspect

Witness Christine Barrios said that their friend was the woman who was stabbed and that the victim had thought at first that she had been punched.

Her husband, Isaac Cheessman told KCRA 3 on Tuesday morning that he believes he spoke to the possible suspect.

So we're sitting in front of the tent, and I said, Babe, this isnt feeling right, and I seen a dude run across the way and started running, but he would stop along every tree to blend in with the tree because it's dark. I noticed that because thats something you would do if youre scoping something out, he said.

"I said, Hey bro, and he starts walking normal, and then I said, You look like the dude theyve been describing thats been stabbing people.' He takes off and I started to take off after him and my wife is like, Dont leave me here," Cheessman said.



Where did the stabbings happen?



Breaux was stabbed and killed at Davis Central Park. Najm was stabbed and killed at Davis Sycamore Park. The third person, an unidentified woman, was stabbed in the area of 2nd and L streets.

Are the incidents related? Is this a serial killer?

Police said it is possible the stabbings are connected. In the second and third stabbings, a description of the suspect was similar.

The first two stabbings, Davis' police chief said, were "particularly violent in nature." Authorities said the stabbing Monday night had "far fewer knife wounds."

Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said his department was in contact with the FBI to get help from a "profiler" to make the determination about a "serial killer."

At Tuesday's city council meeting, Pytel said it "seems reasonable" that all three attacks were done by the same person, but police are still exploring the possibility that they might not be connected.

Do authorities have any leads on a suspect?

Authorities are looking for a man with a light complexion, curly hair, 5 feet and 6 inches to 5 feet and 9 inches tall, and a thin build. He is believed to be wearing a black or blue sweatshirt, black Adidas pants with stripes and carrying a brown backpack.

A similar description was issued for the suspect in the stabbing death of Abou Najm.

Who is investigating the stabbings?

The FBI has been called in to help with the investigation into stabbings .

"We're a small agency and we're working around the clock with the personnel that we have now. I have detectives sleeping under their desks for a couple of hours, staying away from their families," Dan Beckwith with Davis police said on Monday.

UC Davis police, the Yolo County and Sacramento County sheriff's offices, Sacramento police and Elk Grove police are also among the agencies providing assistance.

Are there any increased safety protocols for UC Davis students?

As an added precaution, the university said it is increasing escort availability for its Safe Ride program for students.

Video above: UC Davis students concerned for safety following deadly stabbings

Those rides from campus into the city will now be available from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily, according to the university.

The chief of UC Davis police said that security efforts are being doubled on campus. The university has hired private security and brought in officers from UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, Chief Joseph Farrow said.

UC Davis' chancellor said that every class that ends after 6 p.m. will be conducted remotely for the time being.

Chancellor Gary S. May urged people not to be by themselves at night and encouraged extracurricular activities to be held virtually, if possible.

What is being done to help the unhoused community in Davis?

Two of the people stabbed so far were living on the streets. Davis' police chief said officers are making outreach to the unhoused community and they are also trying to determine if anyone else had an encounter with the suspect.

During Tuesday's city council meeting, Dana Bailey of Davis Social Services and Housing said shelter capacity expanded while there is still a threat to the public.

The City of Davis announced Tuesday that it is partnering with Davis Community Meals and Housing and other local providers to provide emergency shelter for those who need it. This plan includes two dozen emergency beds and meals.

The Daytime Respite Center is also increasing staffing during daytime hours to let unhoused individuals know about resources available. This includes a mobile mental health team.

CNN contributed to this report.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin legislators decided Tuesday to accept the states share of a settlement stemming from another multistate lawsuit accusing drug manufacturers and distributors of contributing to the nations opioid crisis.

A coalition of states and local governments secured settlements in November and December with opioid manufacturers Teva and Allergan as well as with pharmaceutical chains Walmart, Walgreens and CVS totaling $19.2 billion.
By Robert Eliason

San Jose Spotlight

There are few things as joyful as a pinata, and Dulceria Mi Carnaval in San Jose can design them to resemble anything that makes you happy.

In a small room adjacent to their shop on East Santa Clara Street, Jose Velasquez and his wife, Cynthia, are surrounded by shelves filled with cardboard templates where the couple has been handcrafting about 15 to 20 pinatas a week since they bought the business in 1991.

"My sister-in-law started it in 1986," Cynthia told San Jose Spotlight. "Jose had just gotten out of the army when she decided to sell it, and he decided, 'Well, I'll try it out.' We started making custom pinatas because people were always asking for something we did not have in stock. It was a natural part of what we were doing."

Jose said people send him photos of what they want. He figures out how to create it.

"I love making them and get really excited when it's really hard to figure out, like this one," he told San Jose Spotlight, referring to a four-foot-tall pinata of a margarita glass, rescaling it based on a customer's tiny cell phone photo.

Looking at the shop's calendar offers a glimpse at the couple's creative range: a four-foot-tall cow, an alebrije from the film "Coco," a 30-inch long crayon, Lightning McQueen, a bee hive, a strawberry, a campfire and a troll head are among the completed or pending tasks for the month.

The couple also makes more substantial pinatas designed for display rather than destruction, including for customers such as the San Jose Earthquakes and the San Francisco Art Institute.

After Jose adds the final details to the framework, the pinata goes to Cynthia for dressing and decorating. Rather than looking like something made to be broken, it's remarkably solid. Cynthia said customers don't want them to break easily--they want the pinata to last.

"I've had kids scream because they are so happy and excited with the pinata they choose," she said. "And the parent will come back sometimes and buy another one because their child does not want to break it, so they can have one to hang up in their room or the garage."

Customer Adam Lopez is only slightly taller than the John Cena-wrestling-themed, star-shaped pinata he chose for his sixth birthday.

"We come here because of the huge variety of themes for all age groups," said Eduardo Lopez, Adam's father. "For me, pinatas are a way to celebrate kids and bring the family together."

Indeed, Cynthia's favorite pinata to make is a simple design: the number one.

"Customers are so excited to celebrate their child's first birthday," she said. "We do them in many different styles. It's fun to do their first pinata and then watch them come back every year for their next birthday."

Growing up in Tijuana, Jose remembers having only one pinata as a child: a scarecrow his mother made for his sixth birthday. He said she was overwhelmed by all the kids who showed up from all over the neighborhood--kids he didn't even know.

"Everyone was very poor, and kids came from all of the houses around us just to line up to try to break it," Jose said. "It was a big thing."

Jose said when he makes pinatas, he thinks about the children who are going to having that same kind of experience he had.

"That makes me feel good," he said. "And I'm happy their parents are getting them a really nice pinata, not some little thing from a supermarket."

Once a pinata is finished, customers can take them as-is--or they can fill them at the shop from the wide variety of candies imported from Mexico. Dulceria Mi Carnaval also stocks balloons, noisemakers, toys and other party goods. But whether for use or display, the pinatas contain the love and good wishes of the couple who makes them.

"Sometimes I think, 'Well, I worked on that for so long, and they're just going to hit it and break it,'" Cynthia said. "But we know the excitement it brings them, a memory that will last a lifetime. We have the photos we take of our work. So, you know, I think we're okay with it."

Copyright  2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2023 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
PHOENIX (AP)  PHOENIX (AP)  Grand Canyon Education Inc. (LOPE) on Tuesday reported net income of $59.6 million in its first quarter.

On a per-share basis, the Phoenix-based company said it had net income of $1.94. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $2 per share.
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LAS VEGAS (AP)  Jim Marchant, a Nevada Republican who led a movement of candidates who promoted Donald Trump's lies of a stolen 2020 election, announced Tuesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen in the swing state.

The entrance of Marchant, who lost last year's race for Nevada secretary of state, may be another headache for national Republicans who are trying to prevent a repeat of the midterms. Voters in Nevada and other battleground states rejected candidates who ran on election conspiracies, allowing Democrats to increase their hold on the Senate.

Democrats face an even tougher environment to keep their slim majority in 2024. Nevada is likely to be one of the nation's most competitive Senate races after hosting the closest contest of 2022. Democratic incumbent Catherine Cortez Masto eked out a narrow victory over another high-profile election denier, Adam Laxalt.

Marchant, 66, has been a fierce supporter of Trump and his Make America Great Again movement and describes himself as a MAGA conservative." He's the first major Republican to challenge Rosen, a first-term moderate.

Theres nothing more precious than our freedom and personal liberty, Marchant told about 200 invited guests at a suburban Las Vegas church. And Im running for United States Senate to protect Nevadans from the overbearing government, from Silicon Valley, from big media, from labor unions, from the radical gender change advocates.

Marchant, a former one-term state Assembly member who also lost a bid for Congress three years ago, raised his national profile last year as the organizer of a coalition of 17 GOP candidates who falsely purported that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. All but one of those candidates lost, including Marchant.

Rosen, 65, was president of a prominent Jewish synagogue before defeating GOP Sen. Dean Heller in 2018. She has not drawn a party challenger since announcing last month that she would seek reelection in the perennial battleground state. Two unknown and nearly unfunded Republicans, Rhonda Kennedy and Stephanie Phillips, and an independent, Bradley Scott Wing, have submitted their names to the Federal Election Commission.

While far-right candidates like Jim Marchant spread baseless conspiracy theories that undermine our democracy, Ive always focused on bringing both sides together to solve problems and stand up for hardworking Nevadans, Rosen said in a statement.

Federal campaign financial reports for the filing period ending March 31 showed Rosen raised more than $10 million for the race and had $6 million to spend. Marchant was not yet listed by the FEC on Tuesday. State election reports showed he spent almost $550,000 on his secretary of state bid.

For the 2024 race, national Republicans are recruiting Sam Brown, a retired Army captain who finished second in last years GOP Senate primary, according to a GOP strategist who works on Senate races. The strategist, who was not authorized to discuss the effort publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Republicans in Washington like Browns ability to raise money from the partys grassroots and his profile as a war hero. Browns face was badly burned in a 2008 explosion in Afghanistan.

Marchant appeared most often during his campaign for secretary of state at remote public places and on far-right media outlets including Steve Bannons War Room podcast, where he endorsed false election claims, including that all Nevada elected officials since 2006 had been installed by the deep-state cabal.

In a brief interview following his Tuesday announcement, with campaign adviser Dick Morris at his side, Marchant did not walk away from his prior claims that the 2020 election was stolen, but said he was now focused on the future.

I have serious doubts, Marchant told The Associated Press. Ive been on record for a long time trying to prove how the election, I believe, was not up-and-up. I think it was probably stolen. There were a lot of ways they were able to figure out how to manipulate the system.

All I want to do is go forward and make sure none of the other ones are stolen, he said.

Marchant also toured rural Nevada counties last year to encourage local lawmakers to get rid of voting machines and adopt paper ballots. He was the architect of a hand-count in rural Nye County, which became one of the first jurisdictions nationwide to attempt the slower, less reliable method of counting votes.

The Nye County effort was ultimately conducted alongside machines due to state regulations, a string of lawsuits and concerns from the Republican Nevada secretary of state, who was censured by the party for pushing back against false claims of widespread election fraud.

Democrat Francisco Cisco Aguilar defeated Marchant in November, running on a platform of repairing trust in elections and protecting poll workers.

Marchant and Laxalt, a former Nevada state attorney general, both lost their midterm races, even as Republican Joe Lombardo won the race for governor. Lombardo distanced himself from Trump at times during his campaign and never offered an endorsement of unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen due to widespread fraud.

Marchants defeat marked a pattern among election conspiracy theorists who sought to gain control of elections in competitive states. Among his coalition of 17 like-minded Republican candidates, only one was elected: Diego Morales, now secretary of state in Indiana. Election deniers lost all top races in swing states.

I will be a commonsense, America-first, for-the-people senator," Marchant told the AP. "Thats all that they want. ___

Cooper reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writer Gabe Stern contributed from Reno, Nevada. Stern is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter: @gabestern326.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP)  Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill that strengthens state laws against hazing.

The Sam Martinez Stop Hazing Law, was signed Monday, The Seattle Times reported. The Legislature unanimously passed the measure.

The law makes hazing a gross misdemeanor instead of a misdemeanor and if it results in substantial bodily harm, it rises to a felony.

Inslee said at the signing Monday that the bill recognizes the death of a Washington State University student and reflects the inherent danger of hazing rituals that can pressure students to consume large amounts of alcohol.

This will improve accountability for those who organize hazing rituals at fraternities and sororities and establish a new and much needed culture where students understand that hazing is absolutely unacceptable, Inslee said.

Sam Martinez died after attending an Alpha Tau Omega fraternity chapter event at the university in Pullman in 2019. The Whitman County Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident by alcohol poisoning.

His parents have been advocating for changes ever since.

Nobody sends their child to college to be hazed, Jolayne Houtz, Martinezs mother, told a legislative committee earlier this year.

More than a dozen people were charged in Martinezs death, most with furnishing alcohol to a minor. The statute of limitations on the states hazing law had expired by the time a prosecutor was ready to charge those involved.

The new law also extends the statute of limitations from one year to two years.

The one who gave Sam a half-gallon bottle of rum and told him to drink the family drink, Houtz said earlier this year, he served just 19 days in jail. One day for each year of Sams life.

The new legislation follows the passage of Sams Law in 2021, which updated the definition of hazing and required universities and colleges, as well as fraternity and sorority chapters, to make hazing investigation records public.

Since the passing of Sams Law, WSU has required all first-year students and staff to complete anti-hazing training. The university suspended the fraternity until 2026.
CHICAGO (AP)  Prison officials this week moved a former drug dealer convicted of killing a 16-year-old Texas girl off federal death row to serve a life sentence in another prison amid criticism he should have been moved years ago after a judge deemed him intellectually disabled and vacated his death sentence.

The transfer comes two weeks after The Associated Press first highlighted Bruce Webster's case, reporting that chronic bureaucracy and jurisdictional obstacles left him stuck in solitary confinement on death row at a U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, since the judge's 2019 ruling.

Webster, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, was in a solitary, 12-by-7-foot cell, 23 hours a day, while on death row, but has been transferred to a less restrictive U.S. prison in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, according to his lawyers, who say the prison informed them Tuesday that Webster had been transferred overnight.

Obviously, we are delighted he is off death row. That should have happened a long time ago, one of Webster's lawyers, Minneapolis-based Steven Wells, said Tuesday.

Wells was still seeking details but hoped Webster would be placed in a program at Allenwood that helps former inmates held for years in solitary confinement transfer to general prison population.

The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday declined comment.

In his 2019 ruling, the federal judge in Indiana, William Lawrence, cited tests putting Websters IQ between 50 and 65, below the benchmark score for severe intellectual disability of 70. The average is 100.

Webster was sentenced to death in 1996 for the kidnapping, rape and killing of Lisa Rene. He and three accomplices kidnapped the sister of a rival drug trafficker, kicking their way into an Arlington, Texas, apartment as Rene frantically dialed 911. They raped her over two days, then stripped her, bludgeoned her with a shovel and buried her alive.

Before the transfer, another of Webster's lawyers, Monica Foster, said she was baffled and frustrated by inaction of the Justice Department and its subordinate agency, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to move her client despite the ruling tossing his death sentence.

She added that the Biden administration should have seen moving Webster as an uncontroversial, if modest, step toward fulfilling President Joe Bidens campaign pledge to stop federal executions for good.

This case is a no-brainer, the Indianapolis-based federal defender said.

As part of regular inspections of U.S. prisons, Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters recently visited Terre Haute, stopping by the death row section where Webster was at the time. She has said she's committed to reforms.

With his death sentence vacated, the only available sentence for Webster is life in prison. But because of jurisdictional disputes, formal resentencing hasn't yet taken place.

When his lawyers and the Justice Department asked in a joint 2021 motion for the judge in Texas where Webster was tried in 1996 to resentence him, he refused, saying he lacked jurisdiction. Judge Terry Means also chided his Indiana counterpart for tossing Websters death sentence.

The Justice Department executed 13 U.S. death row inmates, some of them Webster's friends, in the last months of Donald Trump's presidency. While Biden's Justice Department paused the executions and reversed decisions to seek death sentences in some cases, it continues to seek them in others.

Judge Lawrence based his Webster ruling on Atkins v. Virginia, a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2002 ruling that executing those with intellectual disabilities violated Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

During arguments, prosecutors accused Webster of playing dumb and intentionally answering IQ questions incorrectly to avoid the death penalty. They said proof of his aptitude included how, during a jail stint, he figured out how to pick locks on a food chute to slip into a womens section.

The decisive evidence, however, were newly obtained Social Security records from before the killing indicating Websters IQ was within the intellectually disabled range. That evidence, despite requests for it, wasn't made available at his trial.

___

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at @mtarm.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. is sending Ukraine about $300 million in additional military aid, including an enormous amount of artillery rounds, howitzers, air-to-ground rockets and ammunition as the launch of a spring offensive against Russian forces approaches, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The new package includes Hydra-70 rockets, which are unguided rockets that are fired from aircraft. It also includes an undisclosed number of rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, mortars, howitzer rounds, missiles and Carl Gustaf antitank rifles. The weapons will all be pulled from Pentagon stocks, so they can go quickly to the front lines.

The latest shipment comes as Ukrainian officials say they are readying a counteroffensive  with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov declaring they are in the home stretch, when we can say: Yes everything is ready. Ukrainian officials have said they are stockpiling ammunition to stow it along potentially long supply lines.

Reznikov said Monday that the key things for the assaults success would be the availability of weapons; prepared, trained people; our defenders and defenders who know their plan at their level, as well as providing this offensive with all the necessary things  shells, ammunition, fuel, protection, etc.

The U.S. in recent months has declined to say exactly how much materiel will be sent to Ukraine, but the latest package resembles other previous deliveries. It includes trucks, trailers, spare parts and other maintenance assistance.

This is the 37th package of Pentagon stocks to go to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022, and it brings the total U.S. military aid to about $36 billion.

Officials have said the weapons and other equipment will help as Ukraine prepares to shift from what has been a long and bloody winter stalemate, focused on heavy fighting in Ukraines east, particularly around the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk province.

The General Staff of Ukraines armed forces said Russia was continuing to concentrate its efforts on offensive operations in Ukraines industrial east, focusing attacks around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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PARIS (AP)  Opponents of a law that would raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64 are making last-ditch plans to prevent the change that is set to take effect in September.

The country's main labor unions on Tuesday called for another round of nationwide demonstrations and strikes on June 6. May Day protests across France on Monday drew either 800,000 people  that's according to French authorities  or 2.3 million people, which was the estimate given by organizers.

Frances top constitutional body is expected to rule Wednesday on a request from opposition lawmakers to start a lengthy process that could ultimately lead to a bill or a referendum to restore the minimum retirement age of 62.

With President Emmanuel Macron having demonstrated his determination to press on with the unpopular pension reform, here's a look at the next steps for his government and the plan's opponents.

A LONG SHOT AT A REFERENDUM

The Constitutional Council's role is to assess whether the opposition's request over bringing the retirement age back to 62 meets the legal conditions for a potential referendum. If so, supporters would have nine months to collect signatures from at least 4.8 million, or 10%, of voters.

Macrons government would then be able to choose between sending the opposition's text to parliament for debate and eventually a vote, or waiting for six months to put the measure before voters in a referendum in six months. The proposal would only go to a national referendum if it were not debated by lawmakers.

However, the Constitutional Council rejected a similar proposal in April. The authors have revised the measure to add language stating that a change in the financing of France's pension system is needed.

Regardless of what the council decides Wednesday, its ruling would not suspend the law that Macron's government pushed through by using a special constitutional authority to raise the retirement age without a final parliamentary vote.

MACRON WANTS TO MOVE ON

In a televised speech last month, the French leader made clear his intention to move on to other topics now that his pension law was enacted.

Macron said he heard peoples anger but insisted that the law was needed to keep the pension system afloat as the population ages.

He announced negotiations to start this month on key issues such as improving employee wages, career progressions and working conditions, including for older workers, in the hope these would persuade some unions to get back to the negotiating table.

Last week, Macron's government presented its road map for the coming months, with the aim of getting greater support for future bills. Parliament is set to debate a major military bill by the end of the month.

Legislators will then examine a government proposal on profit-sharing by companies with more than 11 employees. The proposal is intended to turn into law an agreement that unions and employers organizations signed in February.

OPPONENTS' NEXT STEPS

Unions argue the higher retirement age erodes hard-won rights for workers. The date they chose for the next nationwide protests is two days before the lower house of France's Parliament plans to debate a legislative proposal to bring back the retirement age back to 62.

A group of opposition lawmakers has championed the proposal, which is separate from the one before the Constitutional Council, in the hope that most members from the left and the right would vote in favor. Macrons centrist alliance lost its majority in the National Assembly last year.

Yet theres no guarantee such move will succeed, because some opposition lawmakers from the conservative party are in favor of the change.

In a statement Tuesday, unions said they would work together to issue common proposals to address employee concerns over wages, working conditions, health at work, social democracy, gender equality and the environment.

There's deep mistrust, and dialogue can only be restored if the government proves its intention to finally take into account unions' proposals, they wrote.

Opponents are also expected to stage more casserolades, or scattered protest actions in which they bang pots and pans to make noise near sites Macron and his government members are visiting.

"We will not turn over a new leaf as long as the pension reform is not withdrawn, the head of the hard-left CGT union, Sophie Binet, warned Monday.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the French government at https://apnews.com/hub/france-government
Zhang Zhenfang (L), Yang Jing (C) and Tan Qinglun perform with traditional Chinese musical instruments in St. Gallen, Switzerland, April 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

by Wang Qibing and Lian Yi

St. GALLEN, Switzerland, May 2 (Xinhua) -- As night fell in northeastern ancient Swiss city of St. Gallen, local residents flocked to the 114-year-old St. Gallen Concert Hall to attend a Chinese classical music concert.

Performed with traditional Chinese musical instruments, "A Moonlit Night on the Spring River," as the concert's opening piece, captivated the audience with its understated and elegant melody. Ahead of the performance, Yang Jing, the traditional Chinese instrument pipa player, introduced this classical Chinese music piece, whose title originated from a long poem written by Chinese poet Zhang Ruoxu of the Tang Dynasty.

"Traditional Chinese music has a long history. Since China is rich in languages and geographical diversification, its music also varies," Yang wrote on the concert brochure. "We thank the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra for its invitation of our traditional Chinese musical instrument performance."

"Music has no boundary," said Florian Scheiber, the concert director of the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra and the organizer and producer of this project. "I hope people here not only listen to European and American music, but also all kinds of music."

Scheiber told Xinhua that he always had an idea of "organizing musicians around the world to play their own music in St. Gallen, including those from China, Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and other countries," which in the end gave rise to this concert -- "Classical Music from China."

"I want more people to appreciate different types of music and understand different cultures," he said. "It is a great honor for us to have different styles of music from around the world, especially Chinese classical music. We really appreciate it."

Performed on stage by the Chinese traditional music trio composed of Yang Jing, Zhang Zhenfang, and Tan Qinglun were a total of 14 Chinese classical music pieces, including "Fisherman's Song at Dusk," "Shadows of Apricot Blossoms," "Ambush from Ten Sides," "Moon Reflected on Erquan," "Kucha Dance," and "Su San Searches Solution."

Yang's pipa solo "Ambush from Ten Sides" brought the concert to a climax with furious and passionate rhythm. In the second half of the concert, "Su San Searches Solution," a piece especially arranged and rehearsed for the concert by the trio, integrating traditional Chinese musical instruments, Peking Opera and rap music elements, evoked an enthusiastic response among the audience. A well-known Swiss folk song was played as the concert's encore, winning a roar of prolonged applause.

"In the pipa solo 'Ambush From Ten Sides,' I could hear horses and two groups fighting each other," said Regula Koenig, an instrumentalist in St. Gallen. "The musicians are really professional. And we are amazed and touched because the music is so old, with such a long history."

Describing Chinese music and Chinese traditional musicians as quite interesting, local resident Monika Amann said, "Each country has a different culture, and I guess you have to listen more to get to know the Chinese culture."

"It's very exciting to hear familiar music in this place. I could tell that the local residents are very fascinated by Chinese classical music, as they watch the whole performance so attentively," said a Chinese woman in the audience.

"I think the history of each country and nationality may be different, but the music is universal. Civilizations of all kinds can learn from each other, and different cultures can also communicate," she said. 

Yang Jing (L) and Tan Qinglun perform with traditional Chinese musical instruments in St. Gallen, Switzerland, April 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Tan Qinglun plays traditional Chinese musical instrument Xiao, a vertical bamboo flute, in St. Gallen, Switzerland, April 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Taiwan intends to fight for itself in any armed conflict with China and is unclear as to what countries might stand beside it, the self-governing island's foreign minister said.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary, and concerns are rising about a possible armed conflict.

In an interview last Friday with Sky News Australia, Joseph Wu said Taiwan, with a population of 23 million compared to China's 1.4 billion, has to defend itself and is not asking other countries to fight for it.

However, asked who might fight alongside Taiwan in the event of a war with China, Wu answered, This is a very good question.

A lot of people are debating strategic ambiguity or strategic clarity, but to us, we know our own responsibility, Wu told the news channel from Taipei.

Taiwan has to defend itself, the people have to defend Taiwan, this country, and we are determined to defend ourselves and we are not asking other countries to fight for Taiwan, Wu added.

President Joe Biden has repeatedly said American forces would help defend Taiwan, although U.S. official policy remains ambiguous over whether forces would be dispatched.

In comments Tuesday evening, American Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said Washington has been consistent in its approach toward Taiwan and insists that "any resolution of the (cross-Taiwan Strait) differences has to be peaceful."

We hope that the government here in China will commit itself to a peaceful resolution of the dispute, Burns said in an online discussion with the Washington-based Stimson Center think tank.

The U.S. has the obligation as well as the interest to make sure that we can provide defensive arms to Taiwan so that the Taiwan authorities can have a proper defense and we can help them build up a deterrence, he said.

If Taiwan has a sufficient deterrence in place, and if other countries around the world are supporting a peaceful resolution, one would hope that that would lead the Chinese to understand the consequences of the use of force in the Taiwan Strait, Burns said.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said in March that his country had made no promise to support the United States in any future conflict over Taiwan as part of an agreement to obtain American nuclear-powered submarines.

Biden and the leaders of Australia and the United Kingdom have announced that Australia will purchase nuclear-powered attack submarines from the U.S. to modernize its fleet, amid growing concern about Chinas influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Australian critics of the deal argue that the United States would not hand over as many as five of its Virginia-class submarines without assurances that they would be made available in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.

Asked if Taiwan was destined for war, Wu replied, I certainly hope not.

The reason is very clear: War means devastation, not just for the one who got attacked but possibly also for other countries as well, Wu said.

And therefore, at this moment, even though we see that the tension has been rising and the conflict seems to be more likely and peace is less likely to maintain, but we need to do everything to prevent war from happening," he said.

Wu said Taiwan is working to maintain the status quo  essentially de facto independence without a formal declaration. A Japanese colony until the end of World War II, Taiwan split from mainland China four years later after Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government fled to the island ahead of the seizure of power by Mao Zedong's Communists.

Taiwan has never been part of the People's Republic of China and, while increasingly isolated diplomatically and threatened militarily by Beijing, has maintained an international presence separate from the mainland.

The U.S. remains Taiwans closest military and political ally, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between them. American defense officials have warned of the potential of conflict in coming years and U.S. forces have been bolstering their presence in Asia, most recently in the Philippines, to respond to such a contingency.

On Friday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said Chinas military flew 38 fighter jets and other warplanes near Taiwan as part of a campaign of harassment and intimidation.

That was the biggest such flight display since a large military exercise in which it simulated sealing off the island after a meeting on April 5 between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China opposes any exchanges at the official level between Taiwan and other governments.

In addition to purchasing military hardware from the U.S.  with an estimated $19 billion of items on backorder  Taiwan has been revitalizing its domestic defense industries, overhauling training and extending compulsory national service for all men from four months to one year. While China's vast military dominates Taiwan's in almost every category, part of the island's strategy is to hold off Chinese forces long enough for outside help to arrive.

"Were trying to prevent war from happening, and I think a lot of responsible members of the international community, especially the like-minded partners of Taiwan, like the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and etc., we are all doing everything we can to prevent the war from taking place, Wu said.

___

See more of APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin Republicans voted Tuesday to kill proposals to legalize marijuana, pay for renovations at the Milwaukee Brewers' stadium and create a paid family leave program, moves that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers derided as foolish.

The Legislature's Republican-controlled budget committee killed more than 500 proposals from Evers with a single vote.

Evers had proposed tapping the states record-high $7 billion budget surplus to pay for a wide array of spending priorities that Republicans ultimately rejected.

These arent fringe ideas, controversial concepts, or Republican or Democratic prioritiestheyre about doing the right thing, Evers said on Twitter after listing more than a dozen items being killed. With a historic surplus comes historic responsibility, and today, when we can afford to do more, this vote is foolish and a wasted opportunity.

The move comes as no surprise after Republicans, who control the state Legislature with large majorities, did the same with Evers' past two budgets and said they would do again this year. The vote kicks off the committee's work reshaping the nearly $104 billion two-year budget that Evers submitted in February.

Republican co-chairs of the committee said they were optimistic the final spending plan would find bipartisan support and be signed by Evers.

Well build a budget thats a good budget for Wisconsin that hell want to sign when we send it to him because of all the good things in it, said Rep. Mark Born ahead of the committees vote.

Democrats accused Republicans of acting against the wishes of voters on issues like Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization that polls show have broad support.

This is a popular budget, said Democratic Rep. Evan Goyke, a member of the budget committee, at a news conference prior to the vote. People like the policies in the governors budget. They support the policies he proposed.

Starting Tuesday, and likely continuing into June, the Joint Finance Committee will take a series of votes to build its own two-year spending plan which will then go to the Senate and Assembly for approval. Once passed, Evers can make changes through his powerful veto, which is what he did with the past two budgets he signed that included both Republican and Democratic priorities.

Evers proposals stripped from the budget on Tuesday include: a 10% income tax cut targeting middle- and low-income earners; $270 million to add more mental health providers in schools; and freezing enrollment in the state's private school voucher program.

Republicans have been working on their own plans to cut income taxes, increase mental health services in schools and expand funding for the school voucher program.

Other Evers proposals that Republicans have long opposed, and also killed, included accepting federal Medicaid expansion, raising the minimum wage, implementing automatic voter registration and repealing the state's right to work law.

Evers won reelection last November, while Republicans increased their majorities in the Legislature  taking advantage of maps they drew that strengthened their hold on legislative districts.

Evers, citing broad support as measured by public polls, called for legalizing both recreational and medical marijuana. Republicans have long resisted legalizing recreational marijuana, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said last month he hopes to bring a medical marijuana bill to a vote this fall.

Evers' paid leave plan would have created a program for both public and private sector workers giving them 12 weeks of family and medical leave starting in 2025.

Evers also called for spending $290 million to repair American Family Field in Milwaukee, where the Brewers play. Vos said in March that the plan would not pass and that Republicans were working on their own alternative to extend the team's lease, which is scheduled to expire in 2030. Evers' proposal would have extended it by 13 years, through 2043. The Republican stadium plan is expected to be debated outside of the budget.

Other big aspects of Evers' budget remain, for now, but will almost certainly be changed by Republicans.

That includes Evers' plan to increase special education funding by $1 billion and allow schools to spend $350 more per student in the 2023-24 school year and $650 more the following year, increasing state-imposed revenue limits. There was no increase in the revenue limit the past two years, which is the maximum amount school districts can bring in through property taxes and state aid. Currently, schools get $742 per student.

Born said Evers proposals not removed Tuesday were still being negotiated.
TIRANA, Albania (AP)  Albanian law enforcement authorities on Tuesday charged an Albanian man with supporting terror attacks in Western Europe on social media.

A statement from the special prosecutors office against corruption and organized crime accused Bledar Zeneli of promoting and urging terror attacks, falsifying documents and weapon possession.

If convicted, he faces up to 17 years in prison.

Using a false profile on Facebook Zeneli and other people, who have yet to be identified, supported terror attacks in Nice, France, and Vienna in October and November 2020 and other terror attacks and radical actions from extremist persons, according to prosecutors.

About two-thirds of Albanias 2.8 million people are Muslims. A decade ago hundreds of them joined radical groups in Syria and Iraq, although the mainstream religious leaders urged believers not to become members.

No Albanians have joined extremist groups in Syria and Iraq in the last seven to eight years, authorities say.
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP)  Bolivias Jesuit congregation apologized Tuesday and announced an investigation into a late Spanish priest who allegedly abused several minors in Bolivia dating back to the 1980s.

We apologize for the pain this has caused, said the Rev. Bernardo Mercado, head of the Catholic religious order known as La Compania de Jesus. He said the congregation has launched a probe that seeks to bring justice for the victims and called the situation an embarrassment."

The case of Jesuit priest Alfonso Pedrajas Moreno came to light over the weekend in a report by the Spanish newspaper El Pais. It published excerpts of the priest's dairy, where he allegedly admitted to having abused at least 85 children while he was a teacher in Bolivia until 2009 when he died.

Bolivian officials have not released the number of victims nor the dates in which the alleged abuse took place. But earlier this week Bolivia's top prosecutor Wilfredo Chavez said on Twitter that he would seek information from the Spanish consulate on the case, so it can be investigated in Bolivia.

The congregation is investigating two cases, one which concluded in April and determined the veracity of that allegation, and a second one which is ongoing.

Audalia Zurita, a lawyer for the Jesuit congregation, said Tuesday at a press conference that they have asked El Pais for a copy of Pedrajas Moreno's dairy, and that all information gathered in their probe will be shared with the Attorney Generals Office.

This is not the first complaint against priests for abusing minors in Bolivia, but few cases have been thoroughly investigated and brought to justice.

In 2015, a rural priest was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the abuse of 12 minors. A short time later he committed suicide in jail. In 2009 a priest was sentenced to 22 years in prison for similar crimes.
OTTAWA, Canada (AP)  The Canadian government is proposing a ban on assault-style firearms that would apply once legislation now before Parliament comes into force.

Under the scheme announced Monday, the government would make regulations through the Firearms Act to ensure that guns are classified correctly before entering the Canadian market.

I want to make it clear that our government is not targeting hunters and law-abiding gun owners, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told a news conference. What were doing is protecting families, protecting our children, protection our communities.

The government also plans to recreate a firearms advisory committee that will make recommendations on the classification of guns now on the market.

Mendicino said the committee will include rural and northern residents, Indigenous people, industry leaders, law enforcement and gun control advocates.

Guided by the committees recommendation we will increase the classifications of firearms for ban, he said. This committee will be convened quickly and asked to provide its advice to the government as soon as this summer.

Mendicino said measures are being taken so future governments will have a very difficult time making assault-tyle firearms legal again.

The Liberals withdrew a gun bill amendment in February that would have spelled out in law the various models to fall under an assault-style firearm ban.

They had touted the definition as a measure that would cement in legislation a May 2020 regulatory ban of some 1,500 firearm models and variants, as well as 482 others flagged subsequently.

The government pulled the measure after weeks of criticism from Conservative MPs and some firearm advocates who said the definition would prohibit many commonly used hunting rifles and shotguns.

Gun-control advocates said the effort was clouded by confusing language and misleading or erroneous claims from opponents.

Prominent gun-control group PolySeSouvient swiftly denounced the new plan, accusing the government of proposing a watered-down definition that would apply only to future models and could be easily circumvented.

It also expressed dismay that the government is dropping its plan to ban the additional 482 assault-style models identified last year, leaving them in circulation and available for purchase.
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YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP)  Osamu Furukawa has driven lots of Japanese cars for his business converting classic gasoline-powered models to electric. But his favorite ride is an import: A battery-powered SUV from Chinas BYD Auto.

BYD Auto is part of a wave of Chinese electric car exporters that are starting to compete with Western and Japanese brands in their home markets. They bring fast-developing technology and low prices that Tesla Inc.'s chief financial officer says are scary.

Furukawa said he ordered an ATTO 3 when it went on sale Jan. 31, for its user-friendly features and appealing price of 4.4 million yen ($33,000)  or about one-quarter less than a Tesla.

Its perfect, Furukawa said in his office in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo.

Other ambitious Chinese EV exporters include NIO, Geely Groups Zeekr and Ora, a unit of SUV maker Great Wall Motors.

Some compete on price. Others emphasize performance and features, putting pressure on Western and Japanese premium brands.

NIO Inc., which has persuaded buyers in China to pay Tesla-level sticker prices of up to 555,000 yuan ($80,000), says its latest SUV goes on sale this year in Europe. The ES6 boasts voice-activated controls and a range of 610 kilometers (380 miles) on a charge.

We are very confident the ES6 will compete in this premium SUV market, NIOs founder and CEO, William Li, said in an interview at the Shanghai auto show.

Sales of battery-powered vehicles and gasoline-electric hybrids in China almost doubled last year to 6.9 million vehicles, or half the global total.

That was supported by multibillion-dollar subsidies from the ruling Communist Party, which is trying to make China a creator of clean energy and other technologies. That rattles U.S. and European leaders who see China as a strategic and industrial competitor.

Chinese brands are serious competition, according to David Leah, an analyst for GlobalData.

They have more competitive battery technology and can achieve greater economies of scale, Leah said in an email.

BYD Auto, owned by battery maker BYD Co., edged ahead of Tesla in total 2022 sales at 1.9 million vehicles. Half were gasoline-electric hybrids, while Teslas fleet is pure electric.

We have a lot of respect for the car companies in China, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a Jan. 25 conference call with financial analysts. They work the hardest and they work the smartest.

Chinese brands are developing EVs to compete without subsidies as Beijing shifts the burden to the industry by requiring them to earn credits for selling electrics. Prices start as low as 100,000 yuan ($14,500) for a compact SUV with a 400-kilometer (250-mile) range on one charge.

The Chinese are scary, Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn said on the analyst call.

Chinese EV brands mix research and design centers in the United States and Europe with factories in China.

Geelys Zeekr plans to launch an all-electric sedan and an SUV this year in the Netherlands and Sweden. Its mini-United Nations of Chinese and European designers is in Gothenberg, Sweden, adjacent to Volvo Cars, another Geely brand, while its factories are in China.

Our ambition is to be a key player in electrified mobility in Europe within this decade, said Zeekr CEO Spiros Fotinos, a Toyota and Lexus veteran. With a clear global ambition, he said, "were looking at the opportunities and right timing for other markets.

CEO Carlos Tavares of Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Peugeot and FIAT, warned in January that Europe needs a strategy to compete with China's lower prices. European-made electrics cost 40% more than Chinese models, according to Tavares.

Its a very bleak scenario, Tavares told German magazine Automobilwoche. But it doesnt have to go that way.

BYD Autos exports quadrupled last year to 55,916 sedans, SUVs and hatchbacks. Most went to India, Thailand, Brazil and other developing markets. BYD announced a 1,000-vehicle sale last year to Mexico's VEMO for the biggest EV taxi fleet outside China.

State-owned BAIC, headquartered in Beijing, said a dealer in Jordan ordered 1,000 units of its compact EU5 sedan in January. The company said it plans to launch two to three more electric vehicles in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Europe.

What about the United States, the biggest, richest market?

Chinese EV brands are skittish about a sprawling country that demands big investments in dealerships and charging networks, especially while Washington and Beijing are feuding over security, technology and human rights.

This is not an easy task," said NIO's Li. Our products and services need to be prepared."

BYD Auto has been in the U.S. market for a decade selling battery-powered transit buses assembled at a factory northeast of Los Angeles. It is still in the process of deciding whether to sell SUVs and sedans to Americans, the company said in a written response to questions.

Political tensions make it difficult for a Chinese company to launch, EV or otherwise, in the United States, Leah said.

In Europe, Great Wall's Ora sells its 03 model starting at 140,000 yuan ($20,000). Ora tries to stand out among dozens of fledgling brands by marketing its cars as being designed for women, their body sizes and daily needs.

This is a second or third car for a household. It can be used by a wife or daughter to commute to work, to go out with friends or to go shopping, said Ora's deputy general manager, Tan Jian.

In Europe, BYD Auto has partnerships with dealership chains in Britain, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. The company says it also has delivered cars in Belgium, Denmark and Austria. It has a deal with European rental company SIXT that BYD says will lead to sales of up to 100,000 vehicles over the next six years.

In Japan, BYD Auto plans to have 100 showrooms by the end of 2025. Its Dolphin hatchback and Seal sedan are due to hit the Japanese market this year. The company says it also has exported some 4,000 ATTO 3s to Australia.

Furukawa's OZ Co. converts Volkswagen Beetles and other classic models by replacing gasoline engines with batteries and electric motors. Furukawa said he drives his ATTO 3 every day and has gone as far as Osaka, 400 kilometers (250 miles) away.

BYD Autos Yokohama showroom, which opened Feb. 2, is surrounded by dealerships for established brands including Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen and Chevrolet.

A married father of one said he looked at Japanese models but bought an ATTO 3 for its roominess and price.

I like the ride, and its easy to drive, said the buyer, who asked to be identified only by his surname, Ohta. There are so many good features.

Ohtas father had a negative reaction about BYD being from China, which has a history of strained relations with Japan. But Ohta said his job in the electronic games industry has taught him to respect Chinese innovation.

They are coming out with excellent products, Ohta said. I have respect for the nation.

___

McDonald reported from Shanghai.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexicans living abroad sent home a total of almost $14 billion in the first three months of 2023, an 11.4% increase over the same period of 2022, the country's central bank said Tuesday.

While still considerable, the rate of growth in remittances appears to be slowing, after large pandemic-era increases in 2022 and 2021. In March, remittances for the month were actually down 1.2% compared to the same month last year.

That may be related to the Feb. 28 decision by the government to stop accepting remittances through the government-owned Bienestar bank.

The government said the decision was made to avoid duplicating the functions of another government transfer office. But some experts said it was a reaction to signs that drug cartels may have been using remittances through the Bienestar bank to launder money.

The Bienestar bank has not yet responded to questions about reports that there had been a surge in remittances sent through the bank to the cartel-dominated state of Sinaloa.

Remittances grew by 13.4% in 2022, totaling about $58.5 billion for the year as a whole. In 2021, remittances grew by an astounding 27.1%, totaling about $51.6 billion for the year.

Remittances now surpass almost all other sources of the countrys foreign income, including tourism, oil exports and most manufacturing exports.

Mexico receives more money from remittances than any other country except India. Indian migrants send home about $100 billion each year.

Still, no one is getting rich in Mexico from remittances; the average amount each migrant sent was $391, according to the Bank of Mexico.

Remittances as a percentage of Mexicos GDP have almost doubled over the previous decade, growing from 2% of GDP in 2010 to 3.8% in 2020, according to the government. Between 2010 and 2020, the percentage of households in Mexico receiving remittances rose from 3.6% to 5.1%.
Google Street View

One of Berkeleys biggest traffic headaches should soon be gone. Unfortunately, it will take an even bigger, albeit temporary, headache to fix it.

A weekslong closure near Interstate 80s Gilman Street exit will go into effect starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2. The highway exit itself will not be affected, but Gilman Street will be closed between 2nd Street and 4th Street. The closure is expected to last until late June. No exact date has been given for its reopening.
People visit the 133rd session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

by Xinhua writer Hong Zehua

GUANGZHOU, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Having finished his light lunch, Babak Amin, an Iranian purchaser attending the Canton Fair in south China's Guangzhou, gathered his stack of brochures and walked briskly into an exhibition hall. He was heading for yet another round of meetings with business partners, continuing a decade of profitable interactions through the fair.

The second phase of this year's event, also known as the 133rd China Import and Export Fair, concluded last week. International buyers from all over the world, including Amin, participated in the fully resumed on-site activities.

Data shows that the second phase, featuring light industrial products including daily consumer goods, gifts and home decor, attracted about 12,000 participating companies. The exhibition center received some 815,000 visits, with export deals exceeding 4.5 billion U.S. dollars.

Having attended the Canton Fair for over 10 years, Amin said it displays China's ability to provide suitable manufactured goods in response to customer requests.

"I obtain customized requirements from customers and then communicate the details to Chinese companies for production. Both sides have grown in this process," he said.

With companies from various industries setting up booths at the fair, Amin said the event is very large in scale. He has already signed four new cooperation orders with Chinese suppliers at this year's fair.

Also attending the fair this year is an Italian buyer who gave his name as Marco, whose focus is on horticultural products. He visited the booth of Guangzhou Light Holdings Ltd. and talked with the company's manager about the products on offer.

"Everyone knows that China can offer quality products at a lower price," he said. "In Italy, consumers are very happy to hear that the products they're buying come from China."

Many of the goods showcased in the second phase of the fair used to be classified as labor-intensive products. However, exhibitors have been accelerating the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries through innovative ideas, optimized designs and improved technology.

At the booth of Guangdong Xin Yu Technology Industrial Co., Ltd., a drummer is playing along with the music without physically striking the drums. The product, invented and manufactured by the company, features a gyroscope built into the electric drumstick that allows players to produce drum beats with waves of the stick.

On the other side of the exhibition hall, Ye Weilun, general manager of Guangzhou Megos Tech G.Z. Co., Ltd., said the company has focused on intellectual property rights to develop international markets.

During the second phase of the Canton Fair, Ye has already had discussions with dozens of domestic and foreign clients and has secured several intended orders.

"Our brand has always been global-oriented and we have to enhance the core competitiveness of our company," said Ye. 
Romaine Welds almost died on the way to Mount Everest.

First, the Bay Area man, who works as a ground agent at SFO, survived the flight to Lukla, Nepal  said to be the worlds most dangerous airport. Then Welds outfitted himself with warm clothes, hand warmers and everything else he thought hed need to endure a winter week in the Himalayas. From there, he began trudging up the mountain with a fellow traveler.

Welds wasnt planning to summit Everest; he just wanted to do the weeklong trek to base camp.

He soon realized the heavy load was making him sweat, and in turn, the sweat was making him cold. And it wasnt just hypothermia; he was also suffering from altitude sickness.

I was losing my grip, he said. After spotting a place where he could warm himself up, Welds knew he couldnt do it alone, so he hired a porter to help him with his gear. Together, they reached the Mount Everest base camp. Theres a photo of Welds surrounded by multicolored prayer flags with a smile as bright white as the snow on the surrounding peaks.

Courtesy of Romaine Welds

That hike pushed my body to the limit, Welds said. But the Nepalese adventure was just one of the numerous quests he undertook while working toward his goal of visiting every country in the world  all while working full time at the airport.

In September 2022, Welds landed in Antigua and Barbuda, the last country on his list of 195. More people have been to space than have been to every country in the world, he beamed. Moreover, Welds has reason to believe that he is the first Jamaican and first Caribbean person to achieve the feat.

This achievement may place Welds in a league of his own, but he remains approachable. In fact, if you've flown out of SFO, you may have spotted him.

Courtesy of Romaine Welds

Welds works as a lead ramp service technician for United Airlines. Hes the guy who takes your bag from the jetway when it won't fit on the plane or the guy you see waving lighted wands to guide airplanes around the tarmac. He even lives close to the airport, just 10 minutes away in San Bruno.

Welds, now 37, didn't take his first airplane ride until he was 21, when he immigrated to the United States from his native Jamaica. While Welds was waiting at the airport in Jamaica for his inaugural flight, the pilot announced that engine trouble would delay their route to Miami.

Engine trouble is not fun to talk about on your first flight, said Welds, recalling how his then-wife laughed at his fears. But Welds has had the last laugh.

Thanks to his status as a United employee, he pays nothing for flights originating within the United States and just the tax for international flights. For other airlines, he pays a heavily discounted fare. I can jump on any flight as long as there is a seat available, he said. His bags are perpetually packed.

Welds didnt start his travels with the idea of seeing every country in the world. His life changed after joining a friend on a trip to Machu Picchu.

He taught me the ropes of traveling on a budget, said Welds, who learned how to find cheap food and hostel accommodations. On the way home, Welds read an article about Easter Island in the in-flight magazine and decided he wanted to see that, too.

Courtesy of Romaine Welds

To build his confidence, he started traveling around the United States, visiting iconic spots like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls. Then he branched out internationally, working his way through various checklists: the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries, the seven wonder cities of the world, the seven natural wonders, and finally, every country in the world.

Of course, not every country Welds has visited is safe to visit. Take Afghanistan, which Welds visited shortly before the Taliban takeover in 2021.

At any moment, you could be kidnapped and executed, he said. You had to keep a low profile. For Welds, that meant looking down rather than straight out a vehicle window so passersby wouldnt see his face. It also meant donning local garb as a way of blending in. He used that same tactic in Iraq, with amusing results. When I dressed in local dress, they thought I was a rich sheikh, he laughed.

Courtesy of Romaine Welds Courtesy of Romaine Welds Welds wearing traditional garb while visiting Iraq; Welds during a trip to Burkina Faso in West Africa with a crocodile at the lakeside village Bazoule. (Courtesy of Romaine Welds)

How did Welds manage to balance a full-time job and the grueling pace of hitting 195 countries in just 16 years? His secret is working double shifts so that he can accumulate the number of hours he needs to work in a month in half the time.

He worked almost nonstop and then found himself hunting with pygmies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or taking a polar plunge in Antarctica.

Having both a U.S. passport and a Jamaican passport helps with logistics. For one, he can travel on one passport while the other passport is at an embassy awaiting a visa  for more than a year in the case of Eritrea. And each passport has its political advantages: His Jamaican passport allowed him to visit North Korea, now off-limits to travelers with American passports, while his American passport has gotten him into places that make it difficult or more expensive for Jamaicans to visit.

Now that Welds has achieved his goal of setting foot in every country, he might work his way through the list of 30 or so U.S. states he has left to visit. He also hopes to slow down and focus on festivals and tribal life like his role model, the British photographer Jimmy Nelson. Hes living my dream, says Welds, who documents his own travels on his Instagram account @travelingtheworldwithromaine.

Courtesy of Romaine Welds

Welds is also eager to revisit many of the places he has already seen  Africa, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, Tahiti, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea, whose linguistic diversity he found mind-blowing.

In fact, Welds wouldnt mind going back to just about anywhere. He has found only two countries not worth returning to  Nauru and Paraguay, which he found dull. That said, nowhere has tempted him enough to keep him still.

I still like to roam, Welds said. Staying in one place seems a bit boring.
WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, May 2, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Midland has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northern Ector County in western Texas...

South central Andrews County in western Texas...

East central Winkler County in western Texas...

* Until 615 PM CDT.

* At 519 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Goldsmith,

or 14 miles northwest of Odessa, moving northeast at 15 mph. A

second storm was located approximately 5 miles south of Notrees.

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...

Odessa, Goldsmith, West Odessa, Notrees and Odessa Schlemeyer

Field.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WEST HARTFORD  For the second time in five years, a local man has ownership in a horse running in the Kentucky Derby.

Mike Gualtieri, a West Hartford resident and the owner of ProCourier in town, is part of the stable group Dont Tell My Wife that owns Confidence Game, one of 20 horses running in this Saturday's race at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Horse racing wasn't on Gualtieri's radar until 2010, when he visited a racetrack while in New Orleans on a business trip, he said.

"It was a casual meeting after a long day of board meetings," said Gualtieri, a Waterbury native, recalling the day where he and a group of others would start the stable.

At the track, they had met Keith Desormeaux, a trainer they still work with today. Desormeaux's brother, Kent Desormeaux, is a decorated jockey who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

"He proposed the idea to buy a horse," Gualtieri said. "I wasnt much of a horse guy at the time. We all kind of ponied up a small amount of money and bought one horse. One thing led to another."

The stable got its name after the snap decision to buy their first horse, when Gualtieri said to the rest of the group: "Ill write you out a check, just dont tell me my wife immediately. Ive got to come up with a story."

Initially, they were running horses in what Gualtieri said are "claim" races, where horses that run can be bought by others immediately. Through it all, the group was having fun, which Gualtieri said was entirely the reason for starting the stable.

"We just wanted to do it for fun," he said. "For the first several years, it was just kind of enjoying ourselves, paying the bills. We werent spending a lot of money. We werent losing a lot of money."

Things began to evolve, Gualtieri said, as they opened investor opportunities to more people. But the real secret to success, he said, was Desormeaux.

"He knew we operated on a limited budget, so in 2018 and this years Derby, he selected horses with good pedigree and for the money, he thought there were good values," Gualtieri said.

In 2018, the group ran My Boy Jack, which finished fifth in the race. This year, Confidence Game  a horse with 30-1 odds at winning  will take its shot.

The horse, which Gualtieri said cost $25,000 to buy, will be going up against some horses worth millions. It qualified for the race after winning the Rebel Stakes in Arkansas in February, the last time it's been on a racetrack.

"He wasnt supposed to win," Gualtieri said about that race. "He was a long shot at 18-1, he wasnt expected to do well at all. He came out of nowhere for that. But he won convincingly and earned 50 points. Once he won the Rebel, we knew he was in. He was an early qualifier."

Confidence Game hasn't raced since the Rebel Stakes, meaning there will be about three months in between action for the horse, which Gualtieri said has some speculators concerned. Their group, though, isn't worried.

"He hasnt raced in awhile, and thats what the big chat is," Gualtieri said. "Keith was looking for the right spot for him and not racing him again was always an option. The experts think it's not good to have gone for so long without racing, but hes been trained hard with breaks in between."

Gualtieri said his group's confidence is high in Confidence Game, considering the track record the horse has.

"Hes probably the most well-bred horse that weve ever owned in terms of his lineage," he said. "That together with his recent workouts and what hes accomplished, I think puts him in the hunt."

Gualtieri said he's grateful for the opportunity to experience the Kentucky Derby as an owner again and realizes his horse is up against 19 of the best racing horses in the world.

"We could win very easily and we could also finish in the back of the pack," Gualtieri said.

Being included in that group of esteemed horses, owners, trainers and jockeys for the second time is gratifying, Gualtieri said.

"Its remarkable," Gualtieri said. "It takes a little bit of skill, which is Keith's, and a lot of luck. We were so fortunate and happy to be in it five years ago and could never have predicted this. Were tremendously grateful as a group. We started the stable to have fun. We dont want to lose sight of that. It still is an awful lot of fun. We never thought wed get to race like this, nevermind twice."

Gualtieri and family leave Thursday for the race, excited to watch Confidence Game run, but the race is actually taking a back seat to something else happening in his life this week: the arrival of his first grandchild.

"Who would think having a Kentucky Derby horse would be the second most exciting thing this week," Gualtieri said. "It would be the highlight of most years."
The man often touted as the godfather of AI has quit Google, citing concerns over the flood of fake information, videos and photos online and the possibility for AI to upend the job market. Dr Geoffrey Hinton, who with two of his students at the University of Toronto built a neural net in 2012, quit Google this week, the New York Times reported. Hinton, 75, said he quit to speak freely about the dangers of AI, and in part regrets his contribution to the field. He was brought on by Google a decade ago to help develop the companys AI technology.  Guardian

The US government could default on its debt obligations by June unless Congress increases how much it can borrow, Janet Yellen has warned. The US Treasury Secretary said on Monday that President Joe Bidens administration would run out of cash to pay all of its debts as early as June 1 unless the borrowing limit was lifted or suspended.  Telegraph

The chief executive of JP Morgan Chase has claimed the immediate US banking crisis is over as he stepped in to rescue its third victim in two months, the Californian lender First Republic. Jamie Dimon  who led JP Morgan through the 2008 financial crisis  said there was a limit to the number of banks that would collapse under the forces that have felled First Republic, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and the latest failure pretty much resolves them all.  Telegraph

GSK, one of Britains biggest drugs companies, has received a subpoena from the United States authorities seeking documents relating to its electronic health record programs. The order has been made by the US Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia, which is working with the US Department of Justices civil division. The subpoena comes after investigations by the justice department into alleged fraud and kickbacks in the electronic health records market in the US, which have led to a series of multimillion-dollar fines.  The Times

One of the countrys biggest housebuilders is taking Michael Gove to court over his decision to block one of its developments because he did not like the look of the homes. Berkeley Homes has written to the housing secretary informing him that it intends to challenge his irrational decision to overrule planning inspectors and refuse permission for the 165-home development in Kent. It wants him to agree to the immediate quashing of [his] decision.- The Times
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema speaks during the Labour Day parade in Lusaka, Zambia, May 1, 2023. Zambia on Monday commemorated the Labour Day with a grand ceremony held in the country's capital. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

Workers from the Ministry of Tourism take part in the Labour Day parade in Lusaka, Zambia, May 1, 2023. Zambia on Monday commemorated the Labour Day with a grand ceremony held in the country's capital. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

Workers from the University Teaching Hospitals take part in the Labour Day parade in Lusaka, Zambia, May 1, 2023. Zambia on Monday commemorated the Labour Day with a grand ceremony held in the country's capital. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

Girls take part in the Labour Day parade in Lusaka, Zambia, May 1, 2023. Zambia on Monday commemorated the Labour Day with a grand ceremony held in the country's capital. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

Boys take part in the Labour Day parade in Lusaka, Zambia, May 1, 2023. Zambia on Monday commemorated the Labour Day with a grand ceremony held in the country's capital. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)
Networking, systems and software company Ciena said it has appointed Amit Malik as Vice President and Sales Leader for India, as it helps drive network transformation to support service providers' 5G plans and growing bandwidth demands.

Malik is responsible for driving the sales strategy in India, a key growth market for Ciena. He reports to Jamie Jefferies, who leads Ciena's international business.

"India is an important market for Ciena driven by significant growth in bandwidth demand on our customers' networks as well as our large Research & Development (R&D) centre in the country," said Jamie Jefferies, Ciena's Vice President and General Manager of International Sales.

"Amit's deep expertise and proven track record in the telecommunications sector will be instrumental in building on our success in India as we support the country's digital transformation journey and adoption of transformative technologies like 5G," he added.

Malik joins Ciena from Cisco Systems, where he held various leadership roles.

He was previously Co-chair of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) (IT committee) and Vice Chair for the American Chamber.

Ciena has been actively involved in India for more than 15 years with a growing customer base, including all the local Tier 1 service providers. India is also home to one of the company's largest R&D centres of excellence.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is currently on a four-day visit to South Korea, had a bilateral meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Masatsugu Asakawa in Incheon , during which she emphasized that India continues to be the most significant country for the lending agency's sovereign and non-sovereign operations.

The Union Minister, who arrived in Incheon earlier in the day to attend the annual general meeting of ADB, met Asakawa on the sidelines of the event, official sources said. Sitharaman also expressed support to ADB for innovative financing mechanisms to enhance the lending capacity of the bank.

She advised ADB to introspect and assess how the bank can effectively support developing member countries. Sitharaman urged Asakawa to support India with more concessional climate finance, as the country's economic and developmental progress can have huge positive impact regionally and globally.

Asakawa reiterated ADB's commitment of providing $100 billion climate finance to its member countries and also thanked India for support to the lender's innovative finance facility for climate in Asia and the Pacific.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Notre Dame Academy High School Principal Jann Amato will take on a new role as the superintendent of Staten Island Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York.

Superintendent of Schools Michael J. Deegan announced the appointment of Amato as the new regional superintendent of Staten Island, effective in August  taking on the role from Zoilita Herrera, who will retire after 44 years of service to the Archdiocese.

Amato has more than 23 years of experience in the Archdiocese, and has served as principal of Notre Dame Academy High School in Grymes Hill since 2019.

She holds a New York State certification in school building leadership, a master of education in school counseling, and New York State certification as a permanent school counselor. Before she became principal of Notre Dame Academy High School, she served as a teacher, school counselor, academic dean and assistant principal.

In her new role as regional superintendent of Staten Island, she will assume a broad range of responsibilities, primarily the strengthening of solid Catholic faith communities, the monitoring and assessing of the academic achievements of the schools, the oversight of the regional office staff and the promotion of student recruitment and marketing strategies to all schools in her region, according to Deegan.

In a letter obtained by the Advance/SILive.com, Notre Dame Academy President Kathryn Jaenicke announced Amatos resignation, effective June 30.

Like many of you, I have admired Ms. Amatos energy, creativity, and commitment for the past five years. These qualities are what guided the High School community through the past several years, said Jaenicke in the letter to the school community. This is a pivotal moment in the history of Notre Dame Academy as we prepare to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the founding of Notre Dame Academy of Staten Island. As an inspiring Principal and exemplary educator, Ms. Amato has been a role model for students, faculty, and staff as she implemented positive changes while honoring the heritage and traditions of Notre Dame.

According to the letter, a search committee has been formed to conduct interviews of candidates for the position of high school principal.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  More parents will be eligible for the Empire State Child Credit following Gov. Kathy Hochuls announcement that parents with children under the age of 4 will now qualify.

Previously, the Empire State Child Credit was only available for parents with children between the ages of 4 and 17.

But having a child isnt enough to make you eligible -- heres what else you need to know about the Empire State Child Credit and how much you can expect to receive.

RESIDENCY QUALIFICATIONS

One of the eligibility requirements for the Empire State Child Credit is at least one parent must be a resident of New York state for at least one year or married to a full-year resident.

TAX CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

The Empire State Child Credit qualifications require that the parents have a federal child tax credit, additional child tax credit, or credit for other dependents (claimed on federal Form 1040 or Form 1040NR).

INCOME REQUIREMENTS

For single, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse tax filers, your New York recomputed federal adjusted gross income must be $75,000 or less.

If youre married and filing a joint tax return, your recomputed federal adjusted gross income must be $110,000 or less. If married and filing separate tax returns, your income must be $55,000 or less.

HOW MUCH IS THE EMPIRE STATE CHILD CREDIT?

According to Hochuls office, if you claimed the federal child tax credit, the amount of the Empire State Child Credit is the greater of:

33% of the portion of the federal child tax credit and federal additional child tax credit;

$100 multiplied by the number of qualifying children.

OTHER CHILD CARE BUDGET ITEMS

Other child care items in Hochuls budget deal include implementing new comprehensive programs to ensure high-quality, affordable child care, including $500 million for a Workforce Retention Grant Program and $25 million to support the Employer Child Care Tax Credit.

According to the state, you qualify for the Employer Child Care Tax Credit if you or your business is allowed the federal credit for employer-provided childcare facilities and services for:

qualified expenditures of a qualified childcare facility located in New York;

or qualified childcare resource and referral expenses for employees working in New York.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Mayor Adams and several Staten Island elected officials are pushing for New York State policy to be amended to unlock U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding that New York City could use to upgrade its essential water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

The EPA announced in February that New York State will be receiving $256,106,000 in funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to help underserved communities improve their water infrastructure. This capital, in the form of grants and principal forgiveness loans, is in addition to the $207 million that New York received in October 2022, also through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

The states current funding distribution policies hinder New York Citys eligibility to apply for grant funding through the States Clean Water State Revolving Water Fund (SRF) made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the officials said in a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday.

Under current state policy, New York City is limited to only receiving a small fraction of total funding distributed from either grant despite it being home to 44% of New York States population and 59% of its disadvantaged communities (DACS). The hardship policy used by EFC [(Environmental Facilities Corporation)] and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) prevents New York City from qualifying for nearly all grant funding by arbitrarily excluding municipalities with a population greater than 300,000, the officials said.

The Staten Island elected officials, led by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), wrote to Mayor Adams in March requesting he apply for the EPA funding. Adams responded explaining, as stated above, how the states funding distribution practices work against New York City and encouraged them to continue advocating. The mayor has since joined the Staten Island officials in pushing for the citys fair share of funding for much needed upgrades to the citys stormwater infrastructure, signing onto the letter to Hochul.

The officials highlighted the citys particular need for the funding to improve its storm and flooding resilience systems, noting extensive damage that the city has endured in recent years as a result of outdated infrastructure.

Hurricane Sandy showed our infrastructure is inadequate, and expansion is necessary to protect our constituents and their properties. With every storm following Sandy, such as Hurricane Ida, Staten Island continues to experience widespread flooding. Our city stands united with a shared goal to fully recover from these storms, and even with the progress weve seen in recent years, our citys aging sewer infrastructure needs upgrading to ensure resilience against the storms that continue to cripple neighborhoods, causing severe property damage and even death, they said.

The officials are specifically asking Hochul to direct the Environmental Facilities Corporation and State Health Department to amend their hardship policy to eliminate the current population requirement and per-municipality caps to ensure grant distribution is equitable for municipalities throughout New York State.

We look forward to receiving your response and partnering with your administration as more projects come to fruition, they concluded.

The officials who signed the letter led by Malliotakis include: Mayor Eric Adams, Borough President Vito J. Fossella, State Assembly Assistant Majority Leader Charles Fall (D-North Shore); Assemblymembers Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn), Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid Island) and Michael Reilly (R-South Shore); City Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) and Councilmembers David Carr (R-Mid Island) and Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore).

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Islands spotted lanternfly population will be larger this year, but just how much larger remains a mystery, a top New York agriculture expert recently told members of the media.

Staten Island has had the red-and-black colored plant-hopper longer than any other New York county, since the invasive pest was confirmed here in 2020.
TRIPOLI, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that 484 migrants, including women and children, have been rescued and returned to Libya during the past week.

"In the period of April 23-29, 2023, 484 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya," IOM said in a statement.

"So far this year, a total of 4,819 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya," IOM said, adding that 505 illegal migrants died and 319 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the central Mediterranean route in 2023.

In 2022, a total of 24,684 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, 525 migrants died and 848 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the central Mediterranean route, the IOM revealed in the statement.

Due to the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya. 
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Adidas is facing a class-action lawsuit from investors who allege the company knew about offensive remarks and harmful behaviour from Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, years before ending its partnership with him.

The German sportsbrand cut ties with its star collaborator in late October, following Yes antisemitic comments on social media and in interviews.

Kanye West wears a White Lives Matter T-shirt alongside Candace Owens at Paris Fashion Week. Credit: TWITTER / @REALCANDACEO

At the time, Adidas said the company does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech and called Yes remarks and actions unacceptable, hateful and dangerous.

Weeks before the decision, at Paris Fashion Week, Ye also wore a shirt with a White Lives Matter slogan  which the Anti-Defamation League categorises a white supremacist phrase that originated as a racist response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Cute koalas once symbolised the warm experience promised by Qantas. There were kangaroos, too, and high-profile Australians such as Hugh Jackman, Ash Barty and Adam Goodes. But, for many of us, the abrasive and sometimes divisive Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce came to replace the marsupials and celebrities as the airlines public face.

His controversial leadership regularly prompted conjecture about how much longer he could last. Amid profit and loss, his contracts kept being renewed until Qantas ended months of speculation on Tuesday and announced Joyce would officially step down in November. He will be replaced by his chief financial officer, Vanessa Hudson, described as a Qantas lifer.

Dublin-born Joyce joined Aer Lingus in 1988 as the Irish airline struggled with new cut-price competitor Ryanair. Eight years later he jumped to the now defunct Ansett Australia before joining Qantas in 2000. He was appointed chief executive of the Qantas cut-price subsidiary, Jetstar Airways in 2003. Five years on, he was running the parent company and, given the cultural change that occurred under his watch, some of his cut-price philosophy rubbed off on our national carrier.

Joyces extraordinarily long tenure as Qantas boss can be seen as a hostile takeover. He inherited 37,000 Qantas employees but pared this down to 29,400 when COVID struck. The headcount is now about 23,500. The outsourcing of 1700 ground handling jobs was later ruled illegal and is being challenged in the High Court this week.

However, the reduced cost base was a major contributor to making Qantas shareholders money in the good years. It also made Joyce extraordinarily wealthy. He reportedly was paid nearly $80 million over the past 11 years despite the airlines fluctuating fortunes with his take-home pay last financial year of $2.27 million, up from $1.98 million the previous year. There was also a bonus 698,000 share issue that will be worth more than $4.5 million.
Is Alan Joyce, the outgoing Qantas chief executive, really worth $363 million?

Qantas market capitalisation fell by that much on Tuesday, which in percentage terms was almost 3 per cent, following the long-awaited announcement of his departure, and who his successor would be. Its Vanessa Hudson, Qantass chief financial officer, who will be the airlines fourth chief executive, since it became a listed company following the federal governments full privatisation of it in 1995.

Alan Joyce is leaving Qantas in November, after serving as the airlines chief executive for 15 years. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Shareholders were clearly disappointed with the news that Joyce will finally leave the airline in November after 15 years in the top job. However, many customers of Australias national flag carrier are not. Joyces legacy, if you like, is a tale of two stakeholders.

Qantas shareholders and peers see him as a brilliant, ruthless manager. In the decade and a half he has captained the airline, he has consistently cut costs while restructuring the company. His work has earned him the reputation as one of the best airline chief executives globally, if not the best, and thats reflected in a share price that has nearly tripled since he took over. His predecessor, Geoff Dixon, describes Joyce as having done a superb job.
They dont just let anyone into Westminster Abbey for a royal coronation. So while our nations state governors and a gang of illustrious Australians are joining Anthony Albanese at King Charles IIIs big day this weekend, its a strictly no-plus-one policy. All spouses are staying home.

But were told NSW Governor Margaret Beazley is taking a two-person entourage, featuring official secretary Michael Miller and an aide. A brief side trip to Dubai is planned for the way back home.

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But fear not, Beazleys glorious gothic revival mansion on Sydney Harbour will still be featuring in the pomp and circumstance. Sources told CBD it would be hosting a special reception for the coronation on Saturday for those more monarchically minded.

This was news to Australian Monarchist League boss Philip Benwell, who told us hed been blacklisted from events at Government House since around the beginning of Beazleys tenure, he believes because of his support for the Crown.
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald have won more than half of the awards on offer at the National Press Clubs Excellence in Health Journalism Awards in Canberra.

Investigative journalist Adele Ferguson was named Health Journalist of the Year alongside the ABCs Chris Gillett for this mastheads joint investigation with ABCs 7.30 into Medicare fraud. She also took home the health policy award.

Investigative journalist Adele Ferguson has been named Australian Health Journalist of the Year. Credit: Janie Barrett

Liam Mannix, this mastheads national science writer, won the COVID-19 prize for his detailed reporting on long COVID and those still at-risk from the disease.

With two category wins and one overall prize, this masthead won three of the five health journalism awards handed out. The two other category prizes were for health innovation and cancer reporting.
MANDERA, Kenya, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Six Kenyan paramilitary police officers were wounded Monday evening in a roadside blast in northeastern Mandera County, the police confirmed Tuesday.

The police said the officers were driving in an official vehicle headed for Mandera town when they ran over a set improvised explosive device (IED) that was planted along the road.

"An IED exploded on the left side of the road which fortunately missed the vehicle. The same was reinforced with sporadic gunshots," the police said in a security report.

Witnesses and police said two of the officers were critically injured and were rushed to a local hospital amid plans for evacuation to Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

It is believed the bomb was set up by al-Shabab militants or their sympathizers who are operating in the area.

Response teams that arrived there minutes later did not find those behind the incident.

Police said they are investigating the attack which is new after a long lull. The lull was a culmination of the Ramadan period during which almost zero incidents of attack were reported.

The area is near the Kenya-Somalia border which is usually breached by terrorists who attack and escape. The border region has borne the brunt of repeated attacks from the militants who are at times aided by locals.

The police have deployed more security forces in the area in an effort to tame cross-border attacks. 
Public interest journalism is a key democratic pillar, serving as a critical safeguard of our human rights. But press freedom is all too often fragile. This is why, 30 years ago, the United Nations first declared World Press Freedom Day, which is marked today.

Australia likes to present itself as a bastion of media freedom, and an exemplar to other nations in our region. Yet the past decade has seen a sustained assault on press freedom in this country. Raids on the ABC and News Corp, the prosecution of journalists sources, the introduction of Draconian secrecy laws, heightened state surveillance powers and inaction on transparency and accountability reform  collectively, these measures saw us plummet down world press freedom rankings. Previously unimaginable intrusions on press freedom have become shockingly commonplace.

David McBride (left), who went to the ABC to expose alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, and Richard Boyle (right) who blew the whistle about wrongdoing at the Tax Office. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen/Joe Armao

Since taking office almost a year ago, the Albanese government has taken positive steps to reverse the tide. The Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, KC, has dropped the prosecution of whistleblower Bernard Collaery, committed to overhauling whistleblowing and secrecy laws and, in February, convened a press freedom summit. These moves should be commended.

But there is one area of glaring inaction. Two whistleblowers remain on trial: Richard Boyle, who blew the whistle to the ABC and this masthead about wrongdoing at the Tax Office; and David McBride, who went to the ABC to expose alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
Kathleen Folbiggs legal team has urged the NSW attorney-general to take steps to secure her early release from prison on parole, pending the final report of a landmark inquiry into her convictions over the deaths of her four children.

The head of the inquiry, former NSW chief justice Tom Bathurst, KC, has yet to deliver his report to the governor, but the inquiry has already heard the Director of Public Prosecutions accepts that new evidence has given rise to a reasonable doubt about Folbiggs guilt.

A younger Kathleen Folbigg and her children (clockwise): Patrick, Sarah, Caleb and Laura. Credit: AAP, supplied

A team of counsel assisting the inquiry, led by Sophie Callan, SC, concluded that it was open to Bathurst to find reasonable doubt about Folbiggs convictions.

Counsel assisting said in written submissions that the weight of the evidence tends to suggest that Ms Folbigg was in general, a loving and caring mother towards her children.
Sydney serial rapist Balesh Dhankhar tried to keep his name suppressed, fearing his high profile political connections exposed him and his family to extrajudicial torture and murder in India and Australia.

His four-year campaign of secrecy can be revealed as his native country grapples with the news of his crimes.

Balesh Dhankhar was convicted of multiple rapes last month. He fought to keep his name out of the press, a newly released court ruling reveals. Credit: James Brickwood

Dhankhar, 43, was found guilty last month in Sydneys Downing Centre District Court of a campaign of sexual attacks against five young Korean women.

He lured the women to false job interviews and pestered them into dinner and wine before drugging and sexually assaulting them. He filmed his crimes on a hidden camera and stored his crimes in a meticulous archive.
A woman has told a jury she found out about the death of her de facto partner, who was allegedly bashed to death near a gay beat in Sydneys eastern suburbs, after she saw it on the news.

Diane Smart gave evidence in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday at the trial of Stanley Bruce Early, 77, who has denied murdering Raymond Keam in Alison Park in Randwick on January 13, 1987.

A file image of Raymond Keam; Diane Smart leaves the NSW Supreme Court in Darlinghurst.

The Crown alleges Early, who was known at the time as Stanley Sutton with the nickname Spider, had a tendency to assault and use physical force against people in the park who he believed were homosexual, particularly at night, and did so with other persons.

In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Ken McKay, SC, said the case against Early is that he either did the act or acts causing Keams death by himself or with others, and that he intended to kill or inflict grievous bodily harm.
She was one of those sorts of people that would walk into a station and people would be attracted to her, both from her knowledge and her generosity of spirit.

That was how firefighter Izabella Nash was remembered after the 46-year-old died in hospital from injuries she had suffered fighting a blaze at a factory south of Brisbane.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner John Cawcutt said Nashs crew were really broken up over her death, given she was a valued firefighter and a great friend.

She was one of two firefighters rushed to hospital after the fire in Slacks Creek early on Tuesday, prompting a crime scene to be declared.
The Queensland government considered building a new state school above the Woolloongabba train station for the students and staff displaced by the $2.7 billion Gabba redevelopment.

But while members of the East Brisbane State School community insist they should have priority, given that they will be forced out in December 2025, the Cross River Rail site will likely remain vacant until after the 2032 Olympic Games.

An artists impression of the new train station at Woolloongabba, part of the Cross River Rail project. The surrounding area could remain undeveloped until after the 2032 Olympics. Credit: Cross River Rail Delivery Authority

On Tuesday, Education Minister Grace Grace revealed the government considered building a replacement school above the underground station, but it proved unviable.

This was due to the development timeline for the completion of the station and a new school, she said.
Paris: Frances largest May Day marches in decades descended into violence as clashes caused one protester to lose a hand while an officer suffered serious burns after being hit by a Molotov cocktail.

Some 782,000 people protested across the country in a fresh display of fury against President Emmanuel Macrons pension reform, including 112,000 in Paris alone, the Interior Ministry said.

Riot police take cover during protests against French pension reform. Credit: Bloomberg

The CGT union put the figure at 2.3 million protesters across the country, including 550,000 in the capital. The turnout was up to 10 times higher than on May Day in 2022, but smaller than the biggest protests seen against the pension reform this year so far.

Still, it was a significant show of strength from unions who had joined forces for Labour Day for the first time since 2009. Laurent Berger, head of the CFDT, the largest union, called it historic, the biggest in 30 years, and proof that this was no swan song for their three-month-long protest movement.
Delphi, Greece: Germanys former defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer says Olaf Scholzs government should block Chinese investment in one of Europes largest ports and called on her country to learn from its failures on Russia.

AKK, as she is commonly known, served as defence minister between 2019 and 2021. She succeeded Angela Merkel as leader of the Christian Democrat Party (CDU) and was widely viewed as Merkels protege, but did not run for the top job and quit politics altogether after polling badly.

Former German defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer at the Delphi Economic Forum, Greece. Credit: Latika Bourke

On the sidelines of the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, Kramp-Karrenbauer told this masthead Merkels legacy had been overshadowed by Russias invasion of Ukraine, which exposed Germanys reliance on Russian gas and led to the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that would have deepened the countrys dependence.

I think in the time to come, Im sure there will be a little bit more objectivity and then I think then is the time to have an open view about her legacy, she said. Theres more to this legacy than just our relationship with Russia.
Since last year, many have speculated about the next Ukrainian offensives. After the successful Kharkiv and Kherson operations, it was natural to look for the next potential Ukrainian campaign to recapture its territory from the invading Russians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with NATO leadership in April. Credit: Getty Images

For some time, Ukrainian military planners have been preparing for these offensives. In a December interview with The Economist, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Valery Zaluzhny, described how we have made all the calculations  how many tanks, artillery we need and so on May the soldiers in the trenches forgive me, its more important to focus on the accumulation of resources now for the heavier battles that may begin next year.

It appears that time is close at hand. Over winter and into the new year, Ukrainian training institutions have been preparing soldiers and leaders. Combat units have been undertaking collective training. Huge quantities of new equipment have been accepted, absorbed into the Ukrainian military and issued to units. New brigades have been formed, and logistics stockpiling has been taking place.

Recent articles have discussed the political importance of the coming Ukrainian offensives. The focus has often been about the consequences of failure. A recent article in The New York Times argued, Without a decisive victory, Western support for Ukraine could weaken, and Kyiv could come under increasing pressure to enter serious negotiations to end or freeze the conflict. But what might such a decisive victory look like?
Washington: The US has given the Philippines an ironclad commitment to defend the country as growing territorial disputes in the South China Sea highlight what the Biden administration says is a deeply consequential period for its Indo-Pacific allies, including Australia.

Three weeks before he arrives in Sydney for a meeting of the Quad alliance with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the leaders of Japan and India, President Joe Biden held high-level talks on Monday (US time) with another key regional partner: Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos jr.

President Joe Biden shakes hands with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos jr as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House. Credit: Carolyn Kaster

Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is the first Filipino president to visit Washington in more than 10 years, marking a notable shift from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who moved closer to China during his term while waging a brutal war on drugs at home, which included thousands of extrajudicial killings.

The talks come days after a Chinese coastguard ship blocked a Philippine patrol vessel from entering the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, causing a near-collision off the Spratly Islands, which both countries claim as their own.
JOHANNESBURG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are expected to discuss measures to relax some trade hindrances, increase trade among member states and promote post-pandemic economic recovery, said Ayanda Ntsaluba, an official from the South African Chapter of BRICS Business Council, Tuesday.

Ntsaluba told Xinhua in an interview that they have been engaging with business councils from other BRICS countries on the ideas, and have invited leaders from regional economic communities to meet with the BRICS leaders to discuss business.

"We will be looking at how best we can give momentum to the shared commitment that trade should be more balanced, and should be exploiting areas of comparative advantage like agriculture. We have identified some areas (in) which we find obstacles that limit our ability across a variety of goods and services," said Ntsaluba.

Bilateral trade between South Africa and China as well as that between South Africa and India have shown impressive growth, he noted, adding that they would like to further strengthen relatively low trade with Russia and Brazil.

Ntsaluba said they would like to explore how to increase the export of South African beef, grapes and wines to China and other BRICS countries.

South Africa will host the BRICS summit on Aug. 22-24, according to Ntsaluba, who expected that the whole African continent will be benefited by the event.

"We will explore ways to find synergy between BRICS and African Continental Free Trade Area, and to explore ways to enhance skills exchange among the countries," Ntsaluba said.

Expecting to receive more tourists from other BRICS countries, Ntsaluba said they would like to work with neighboring countries to have a combo where tourists from BRICS countries can visit South Africa and other countries in the region.

"We will also explore how we can partner (with) BRICS countries to help us to skill our youths with critical skills to be more prepared for opportunities of the global economic craft," he said.

South Africa assumed the BRICS presidency on Jan. 1, 2023, taking over from China. 
Gold Terra Starts Deep Hole Drilling Program to Target Very High-Grade Zone Extensions Below Historic Mine Workings on its Con Mine Option Property, NWT

Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V: YGT; Frankfurt: TX0; OTCQX: YGTFF) (aGold Terraa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gold-terra-resource-corp/ ) is pleased to announce that the deep drilling program began on Monday, April 17, 2023 to test the potential extension of high-grade gold mineralization below the Con Mine deposit (1938-2003), which produced 5 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 16 g/t. The deposit remains open at depth and geological modeling indicates high potential for finding additional ounces.A The Con Mine Option (aCMOa) 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 Property agreement, as reported in the Company\-s news release dated November 22, 2021.A

Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, \Since the option was signed in November 2021, we always thought that one of the best high-grade gold targets on the CMO Property is below the existing underground workings of the Con Mine. With the existence of the Robertson shaft to a depth of 1,900 metres, it makes this deep target below the core of the Con Mine deposit a priority. We are very excited to have commenced drilling a master hole to a depth of 2,300 metres below surface from which we will use wedges and a high torque Navi-Drill to explore the down-plunge extension of this world-class gold deposit.a

Deep Drilling Program

The former Con Mine is a world-class gold deposit and part of the prolific Yellowknife mining camp where 6.1 M ounces of high-grade gold were recovered from the underground operation from both the Con Shear and Campbell Shear. The Con Mine was shut down in 2003 following multiple years of low gold prices. The Con deposit may still hold great potential at depth below the underground workings as exploration drilling stopped there.

The Companya?s geological modeling of the Con Mine workings show that the extensions of high-grade mineralized zones continue at depth and were never tested below 2,000 metres depth.A With access to an extensive geological and historic assay database, Gold Terra has done detailed modeling of the Con gold deposit to understand the orientation, target size, shape and plunge of high-grade zones that were not tested below the current mine workings.A Modeling of the Con deposit and 2023 drilling targets is shown in an interactive 3D model link below.

Interactive VRIFY 3D Model: Visit https://vrify.com/decks/13133 to view an interactive 3D model highlighting the deep drilling target area.

The deep drill hole program is designed to target high-grade gold zones below the northern end of the lowest mined levels of the historical Con Mine. Historical underground drill holes that were drilled below the lowest workings had intersected various high-grade gold zones in this area and very high-grade assays exist in many historical holes immediately above the target area. The objective is to expand these high-grade zones at depth.A

The initial hole is aiming to intersect the Campbell Shear 300 metres below the lowest working, or approximately 2,080 metres below surface. The opportunity will exist to wedge off the initial hole and target other high-grade zones in the area.A The target area is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 a Con Mine Deep Drilling Target

The focus of the 2023 drilling program is to expand the September 2022 initial Mineral Resource Estimate (aMREa) (see September 7, 2022, press release) of 109,000 Indicated ounces of contained gold and 432,000 Inferred ounces of contained gold between surface and to a depth of 400 metres below surface along a 2-kilometre corridor of the Campbell Shear. Please see the A 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 atA https://www.goldterracorp.comA and on SEDAR atA 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

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

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 aMeasured Mineral Resources,a aIndicated Mineral Resources,a or aInferred Mineral Resourcesa 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 Companya?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.
Gold Royalty Corp. publishes inaugural Sustainability Report&Asset Handbook and announces Investor Day on May 16, 2023

Gold Royalty Corp. (aGold Royaltya or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gold-royalty-corp/ ) (NYSE American: GROY) is pleased to announce the publication of its inaugural Sustainability Report and Asset Handbook. The Company will also be hosting an in-person Investor Day on the morning of May 16, 2023 in Toronto to provide a strategic update of Gold Royaltya?s business and an overview of its royalty portfolio. A webcast of the Investor Day will also be available.

David Garofalo, Chairman and CEO of Gold Royalty, commented, \The publication of our inaugural Sustainability Report and Asset Handbook marks a significant milestone for Gold Royalty. In the 24 months since our IPO we have made rapid progress, from a portfolio of 18 royalties, to over 200 royalties with 75 partners today. The Company is now at an inflection point as our key royalty assets begin to enter production. Our objective of these reports is to assist stakeholders in understanding the fundamental value of our assets and our commitment to building a sustainable long-term business.\

2023 Asset Handbook

The 2023 Asset Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of our diverse royalty portfolio and the key assets fueling our growth. In just over two years, Gold Royalty has built a portfolio of over 200 royalties anchored in the best mining jurisdictions in the world on Tier 1, long-life assets that are operated by the largest and best capitalized mining companies in the industry. Gold Royaltya?s operating partners continue to add value through exploration with over 700,000 meters of drilling across the portfolio in 2022, unlocking significant upside through new discoveries, reserve and resource additions and mine life extensions and expansions, all at no cost to the Company.

2022 Sustainability Report

Gold Royalty is proud of its numerous sustainability accomplishments in 2022, with a variety of initiatives that have supported business growth, enhanced corporate governance, and boosted our ESG performance. These include:

Launched sustainability program and appointed a VP, ESG and Sustainability.

Approved updated ESG and Sustainability Policy, Anti-Corruption Policy, Insider Trading Policy, and Code of Conduct for Partners and Suppliers.

Contributed to diverse community causes, including arts, culture and mental health.

Developed agreement with property manager to measure Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions from the Companya?s corporate office in 2023.

Reviewed 100% of new royalty and streaming agreements and opportunities with enhanced ESG due diligence, screening out approximately 11% of opportunities due to ESG-related risk or performance concerns.

Became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact.

The 2023 Asset Handbook and 2022 Sustainability Report are available on Gold Royaltya?s website: www.goldroyalty.com

Investor Day

Gold Royaltya?s management team will host an in-person Investor Day on May 16, 2023 from 9:00 am ET to 12:00 pm ET in Toronto to provide a strategic update of Gold Royaltya?s business, a review of its assets and to review the Companya?s inaugural Sustainability Report and Asset Handbook. A webcast of the presentation will also be available.

Interested investors and analysts are invited to participate as follows:

In-Person (space limited): Please contact Jennifer Choi at jchoi@irinc.com or Peter Behncke at pbehncke@goldroyalty.com to confirm your interest in attending in person and for additional details on the event.

Virtual Webcast: Register for the event here: https://www.bigmarker.com/vid-conferences/GOLD-ROYALTY-INVESTOR-DAY

A replay of the event will be available on the Gold Royalty website following the presentation.

Q1 2023 Results Release Date

Gold Royalty will release its quarterly financial and operating results for the three months ending March 31, 2023 on Thursday, May 11, 2023, after market close. The Company intends to discuss these results as part of its Investor Day on May 16, 2023.

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty Corp. is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to invest in high-quality, sustainable, and responsible mining operations to build a diversified portfolio of precious metals royalty and streaming interests that generate superior long-term returns for our shareholders. Gold Royalty\-s diversified portfolio currently consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas.

Gold Royalty Corp. Contact

Peter Behncke

Manager, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Telephone: (833) 396-3066

Email: info@goldroyalty.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes \-forward-looking information\- and aforward-looking statementsa? within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (\forward-looking statements\), including but not limited toA statements regarding: expectations regarding the development of the projects underlying the Company\-s royalty interests; expectations regarding the Company\-s growth and statements regarding the Company\-s plans and strategies. Such statements can be generally identified by the use of terms such as \may\, \will\, \expect\, \intend\, \believe\, \plans\, \anticipate\ or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and other important factors, including assumptions of management regarding the accuracy of the disclosure of the operators of the projects underlying the Company\-s royalty interests, their ability to achieve disclosed plans and targets, macroeconomic conditions, commodity prices, and the Company\-s ability to finance future growth and acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of 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 including, among others, any inability to any inability of the operators of the properties underlying the Companya?s royalty interests to execute proposed plans for such properties or to achieved planned development and production estimates and goals, risks related to the operators of the projects in which the Company holds interests, including the successful continuation of operations at such projects by those operators, risks related to exploration, development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any such projects, the influence of macroeconomic developments,A the ability of the Company to carry out its growth plans and other factors set forth in the Company\-s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2022 and its other publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. Although the Company 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. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Chesapeake Gold announces appointment of Interim Chief Financial Officer

Chesapeake Gold Corp. (aChesapeakea or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/chesapeake-gold-corp/ ) (TSXV:CKG, OTCQX:CHPGF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Navin Sandhu as Interim Chief Financial Officer effective May 1st, 2023.

The Board of Directors has granted 20,000 incentive stock options (aOptionsa) to Mr. Sandhu at an exercise price of $2.70 per share. The Options are exercisable for a term of five years and will vest as to 25% annually on each anniversary of the date of the grant.

Mr. Sandhu, CPA, has 5 years of accounting, auditing and advisory experience through servicing a wide variety of clients. Mr. Sandhu is President and founder of Nava Financial Inc., a public practice accounting firm that specializes in providing CFO and controller services to Canadian publicly listed companies.

Previously, Mr. Sandhu was an Audit Manager at DMCL LLP, a Vancouver based public practice firm, where he worked with numerous public and private companies in the junior mining, cannabis, technology, and life science space.

Mr. Alan Pangbourne, Chief Executive Officer, states, \The Company is very pleased with the appointment of Mr. Sandhu to the executive team.A Navina?s expertise will help support the Company\-s efforts to continue with the development of the Metates deposit in Mexico.\

About Chesapeake

Chesapeake Gold Corp. is focused on the discovery, acquisition and development of major gold-silver deposits in North and South America. Chesapeakea?s flagship asset is the Metates project (aMetatesa) located in Durango State, Mexico. Metates hosts one of the largest undeveloped gold-silver-zinc deposits in the Americas with over 18 million ounces of gold and over 500 million ounces of silver.

For Further Information:

For more information on Chesapeake and its Metates Project, please visit our website at www.chesapeakegold.com or contact Alan Pangbourne at invest@chesapeakegold.com or phone +1 604-731-1094.

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

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.
White gold and conventional gold

Technical innovations are changing the demand for raw materials.

In addition to the electrification of vehicles, work is also being done on the electrification of aircraft and ships. With higher energy densities, more areas of application can be covered. For example, in addition to increasing safety, research is also focusing on increasing the density of lithium-ion batteries. For example, a new battery technology outside of e-vehicles was recently unveiled at the Shanghai auto show. It should be able to be used in passenger cars and also in aircraft and ships. For the batteries of e-vehicles and portable devices, lithium is a necessary component in lithium-ion batteries.

Thus, this raw material is also in an enormous triumphal procession, lithium is in great demand, is also called the white gold. Various companies are working on lithium, but Targa Exploration seems to be particularly promising. In Quebec, the company has acquired three lithium projects in addition to the existing ones.

In addition, Targa Exploration  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/targa-exploration-corp/  owns a gold-silver project in the Yukon region, which is currently scoring with encouraging assay results.

Electrification also includes raw materials such as copper, zinc or silver. The unanimous opinion is that copper demand in particular should rise sharply. Since lithium is expensive, researchers are working on water-based zinc batteries, for example. However, lithium-ion batteries are still the ultimate.

One company that owns projects in Chile with copper, silver, zinc and lead, in addition to gold in projects in Guinea and Burkina Faso, is Golden Rim Resources  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/golden-rim-resources-ltd/ -. The Kada gold project in Guinea contains a 930,000-ounce resource with plans to expand. Diamond drilling is underway.

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.

Bildquelle: Stock.adobe.com

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/
Impact of Digitalization on Corporate Responsibility and ESG

Comprehensive Whitepaper: \ESG & Corporate Responsibility  Sustainability in Companies and the Impact of Digitalization\

Arvato Systems and LAnendonk provide overview of various dimensions of corporate responsibility and ESG

What role do IT and digitalization play in the implementation of sustainability strategies? What are key drivers for greater sustainability? What challenges do companies face and how do they address them? In their white paper, IT specialist Arvato Systems and B2B analysts from LAnendonk & Hossenfelder discuss various aspects of \Environmental, Social and Governance,\ provide background information and show how companies in different industries are currently positioned.

Sustainability, corporate (social) responsibility and ESG  topics that are increasingly becoming the focus of companies. Information technology and digitization play a dual role in this context: On the one hand, the operation of data centers requires large amounts of energy, and hardware production also generates CO2 emissions. On the other hand, digital technologies offer a wide range of opportunities to enable greater efficiency and save resources.

In addition to environmental and climate aspects, the topic of corporate responsibility also involves social factors and fundamental behavioral guidelines. This is as much about a modern corporate culture, diversity and equality as it is about the wider social impact of corporate activity.

However, the fact that all these topics are becoming increasingly important for companies is also due to external drivers. Corporate responsibility in practice is increasingly becoming an important selection criterion for talent. And new regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) or the German Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz (Supply Chain Sourcing Obligations Act, LkSG) are setting concrete requirements for companies and thus increasing the pressure to take concrete action, also by law.

\At Arvato Systems, CR and ESG issues have been playing an important role for a long time. That is why we have supported this white paper intensively from the very beginning,\ says Jochen Fuchs, Chief Human Resources Officer & Group General Counsel at Arvato Systems. \In our company, we are currently focusing on three areas in particular: Climate and Environment, Diversity, and AI and Ethics. We are convinced that, for example, by improving our CO? footprint, reviewing our approach to AI on the basis of clear guidelines, and specifically promoting diversity, this will make us more productive as a company and create an environment in which our employees can grow. The above-mentioned focus topics are embedded in a comprehensive CR strategy that includes many other topics. We are very aware of our social and environmental responsibility at Arvato Systems and are actively shaping this together with our employees  for a successful, joint future.\

In the new whitepaper \ESG & Corporate Responsibility  Sustainability in Companies and the Impact of Digitalization\, LAnendonk & Hossenfelder and Arvato Systems provide an overview of the various dimensions of corporate responsibility and show what influence digitalization has on corporate sustainability. Specific topics covered include:

* ESG and sustainability at the top of the CXO agenda

* Drivers for greater sustainability

* Impact of digitization on environmental footprint and climate protection

* Status quo on environmental sustainability in enterprises and IT departments

* Challenges in implementing sustainability goals

* Role of IT service providers in achieving sustainability goals

The complete white paper can be downloaded free of charge from the Arvato Systems website at arvato-systems.de/CR (German language).

Global IT specialist Arvato Systems supports major companies in Digital Transformation. About 3,300 staff in over 25 locations stand for in-depth technology expertise, industry knowledge, and focus on customer requirements. Working as a team, we develop innovative IT solutions, transition our clients into the Cloud, integrate digital processes, and take on IT systems operation and support. As a part of the Bertelsmann-owned Arvato network, we have the unique capability to work across the entire value chain. Through our strong strategic partner network with global top players such as AWS, Google, Microsoft, and SAP, we continuously strengthen our know-how and leverage the most advanced technology. We Empower Digital Leaders. www.arvato-systems.com
MOGADISHU, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Somalia and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday launched a joint operational roadmap setting the path for a renewed focused engagement for the next two years.

The joint roadmap represents a concrete plan of action along the areas of focus as agreed between the Somali government and the EU for the upcoming 24 months.

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre lauded the joint roadmap, acknowledging the significance of these efforts to deepen the partnership between Somalia and the EU.

"The operational framework launched today setting the path for a renewed focused engagement is a testament to our dedication to utilizing our partnerships to deliver tangible benefits that touch the lives and livelihoods of ordinary citizens," Abdi said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. "The EU has been a reliable friend and a close partner, and I am certain that this joint operational roadmap will enable more progress in the critical areas of state-building, peace and security, economic development, and service delivery."

The joint roadmap is the culmination of extensive high-level and technical exchanges between Mogadishu and Brussels throughout the past months, including the Somalia-EU political dialogue held on March 6. It is centered on inclusive politics and democratization, security and stabilization, and socioeconomic growth.

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles said the EU and Somalia are long-term partners, and this truly inclusive process in defining joint priorities is an example of a successful partnership.

Borrell commended the government's serious efforts and progress in building peace and development in Somalia benefitting the Somali population.

He noted that the strategy and successful ongoing operations to fight al-Shabaab are remarkable. "Together, the EU and Somalia are promoting sustainable peace, security, and development along the principles of the international rules-based order," Borrell said. 
An image of Uranus and several moons of the ice giant, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.

The seventh planet from the sun and the coldest planet in the solar system, Uranus has 27 known moons.

These bodies are extraordinary in the solar system because they share the axial tilt of 98 degrees possessed by their parent planet.

Just as Uranus orbits the sun on its side making it the only solar system planet whose equator is nearly at a right angle to its orbit, the moons orbit across the planet's tilted equator perpendicular to the planet's motion around the sun. This indicates that the moons of Uranus formed after a massive collision , possibly with an Earth-sized planet, that knocked the ice giant on its side. In 2017 astronomers suggested that this impact may have actually birthed the moons of Uranus themselves.

Related: The 10 weirdest moons in the solar system

An alternative explanation for the tilt of Uranus, the third largest planet in the solar system after Jupiter and Saturn , published in 2022 , suggests it might be the result of a now-lost moon, that has wandered away from the ice giant.

The moons of Uranus also have unique names in the solar system, Whereas the normal naming convention is for celestial objects to share monikers with mythical figures, instead, most of Uranus' moons are named are characters created by William Shakespeare, with only a couple taking their names from the works of Alexander Pope.

The first moons of Uranus to be discovered (opens in new tab), Oberon and Titania, were found by German-born astronomer William Herschel in 1787. Herschel had discovered Uranus itself six years earlier in March 1781 (opens in new tab). The next two moons of Uranus (opens in new tab) to be discovered, Ariel and Umbriel, were spotted by English astronomer William Lassell in 1851. The next Uranus moon was not discovered until almost a century later when Dutch astronomer Gerard Kuiper found the fifth moon, Miranda, in 1948. (opens in new tab)

In 1986 the slow period of Uranian moon discoveries would be offset by a burst of discoveries. Making its flyby of the Uranian system Voyager 2 tripled the number of known moons all with diameters of between 16 and 96 miles (26 and 154 kilometers) according to NASA (opens in new tab). These moons were Juliet, Puck, Cordelia, Ophelia, Bianca, Desdemona, Portia, Rosalind, Cressida, and Belinda.

Since then the task of discovering Uranus' moons has fallen to the Hubble Space Telescope and improved ground-based telescopes. This is no mean feat as these bodies are extremely dark, "blacker than asphalt" according to NASA, are located 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion km) away from the sun, and also have diameters as small as 8 to 10 miles (12 to 16 km).

These instruments have spotted moons that were too small and dark even for Voyager 2 to see on its flyby mission and have raised the total of known Uranian moons to 27.

These are with their discoverer and year of discovery according to NASA's official catalog :

Ariel  William Lassell (1851)

Belinda  Voyager 2 (1986)

Bianca  Voyager 2 (1986)

Caliban  Palomar Observatory (1997)

Cordelia  Voyager 2 (1986)

Cressida  Voyager 2 (1986)

Cupid  Hubble Space Telescope (2003)

Desdemona  Voyager 2 (1986)

Ferdinand  Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (2001)

Francisco  Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (2001)

Juliet  Voyager 2 (1986)

Mab  Hubble Space Telescope (2003)

Margaret  Mauna Kea Observatory (2003)

Miranda  Gerard P. Kuiper at McDonald Observatory (1948)

(1948) Oberon  William Herschel (1787)

Ophelia  Voyager 2 (1986)

Perdita  Voyager 2 (1986)

Portia  Voyager 2 (1986)

Prospero  Mauna Kea Observatory (1999)

Puck  Voyager 2 (Dec. 1985)

Rosalind  Voyager 2 (1986)

Setebos  Mauna Kea Observatory (1999)

Stephano  Mauna Kea Observatory (1999)

Sycorax  Palomar Observatory (1997)

Titania  William Herschel (1787)

Trinculo  Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (2001)

Umbriel  William Lassell (1851)

View of Uranus and six of its moons captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. (Image credit: SCIENCE: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI IMAGE PROCESSING: Joseph DePasquale (STScI))

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Uranus' moons FAQs answered by an expert

We asked Ravit Helled, a planetary scientist specializing in planet formation, planet interiors, planetary evolution, and solar system physics a few commonly asked questions about the moons of Uranus.

Ravit Helled Social Links Navigation Planetary Scientist Ravit Helled is a Professor at the Institute for Computational Science, Center for Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology, University of Zurich, who specializes in planet formation, planet interiors, planetary evolution, and solar system physics.

How many moons does Uranus have? And how did they form? Uranus has 27 detected satellites. These moons are divided into three groups: 13 inner moons, 5 major moons, and 9 irregular moons. The irregular moons have retrograde orbits, while the others are prograde (i.e., they orbit in the same direction as Uranus). The mass of the Uranian satellite system is mostly concentrated in the largest five members with prograde and nearly circular orbits: Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon, from the closest to farthest. The 5 major and regular moons are in Uranus' equatorial plane and are the only moons of Uranus that are large enough to be spherical. All of the regular moons show impact craters and tectonic features such as canyons and cliffs. The most accepted theory for the formation of these moons that are titled together with Uranus (which is titled by around 98 degrees), is that they formed as a result of a giant impact that tilted Uranus, and formed a disk around the young planet from which the regular moons formed. Because the regular moons are also tilted it means that they have extreme seasonal cycles, just like Uranus.

Could Uranus have any undiscovered moons? Certainly. The irregular moons are on more elliptical, inclined, or retrograde orbits and are probably captured small objects that were captured by Uranus' gravity field. They are small and hard to detect, so in principle, there is no reason to believe that we discovered all of them.



What is Uranus' most interesting moon? To me, all the regular moons are extremely interesting since they can reveal information on Uranus' origin and early evolution. The surfaces of Uranus's five mid-sized moons exhibit extreme geologic diversity, demonstrating a complex and varied history. Most of the major Uranian moons could host a residual ocean a few tens of kilometers thick at present, except for Miranda - so we really need to explore them. The heat source for the planets comes from tidal interactions with the planet (like with the regular moons of Jupiter and Saturn) which probably played a key role in the evolution of the Uranian satellite system. Intense tidal heating during sporadic passages through resonances could have induced internal melting in some of the icy moons.



What are Uranus' moons made of? We don't really know. This is where having a dedicated mission to investigate Uranus and its moons would be a game changer. We think that the regular moons consist of mostly rock and ices, about 50%-50%, with the innermost satellite Miranda being the most icy one. But the data are not that great, so there is a large uncertainty in this estimate.

The inner moons are expected to have a similar composition to the ring particles, so probably mostly dust. The composition of the moons beyond Oberon's orbit is unknown, but they are likely captured asteroids, so probably rocky in composition, but possibly also ice and other elements.



Is there anything unique about the moons of Uranus? The most unique feature is that the regular moons are tilted together with Uranus. The tilt of Uranus is peculiar in the solar system, and the fact that the moons are also tilted imply that they formed after Uranus got tilted. Also, the regular Uranian satellite system has a positive trend in the mass-distance distribution and possibly also in the bulk density  this also hints that they formed from a disk. Exploring Uranus' moons can reveal how ocean worlds may form and remain active, defining the extent of the habitable zone in the solar system. As a result, a future mission to explore Uranus and its moons is highly desirable (and a Uranus Flagship mission is indeed recommended by the U.S. planetary decadal survey).

Uranus' largest moons and its "Frankenstein's Monster"

Uranus and its moons and rings as seen by Hubble on July 28, 1997. (Image credit: NASA/JPL/STScI)

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Titania is the largest moon of Uranus, with a diameter of around (opens in new tab) 1,000 miles (1,609 km), which still makes it under half as wide as Earth's moon which has a diameter of around 2,200 miles (3,500 km). It is also the eighth most massive moon (opens in new tab) in the solar system.

Taking its name from the queen of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Titania is gray in color and features highly reflective patches that astronomers believe are frost. Titania is considered (opens in new tab)to be composed of a slushy ice mantle over a solid rocky core, with its mass equally divided between ice and rock. This is something it has in common with all of the inner Uranian moons.

The next largest moon of Uranus is Oberon (opens in new tab), which takes its name from the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This moon has a diameter of around 946 miles (1,500 km) (opens in new tab). As well as being a similar size to its celestial "wife" Titania, Oberon has a similar half-ice/half-rock composition. Oberon is distinct from Titania and the other large moons of Uranus because its surface is much more heavily cratered than the surfaces of the other Uranian moons.

Umbriel and Ariel are the third and fourth largest moons (opens in new tab) of the Uranian system with diameters of 726 miles (1,168 km) and 718 miles (1,156 km) respectively.

Umbriel, named for a malevolent spirit in Alexander Pope's 18th-century poem "Rape of the Lock," is the darkest of Uranus' largest moons (opens in new tab). According to NASA, it reflects only 16% of the light that falls on its surface. Quite how the surface of Umbriel became so dark is a mystery.

Another mystery surrounding this dark moon takes the form of a bright ring about 90 miles (140 km) in diameter on its surface. Scientists believe that this could be the result of frost deposits gathering around an impact crater.

Ariel is a stark contrast to Umbriel, as the brightest of Uranus' large moons (opens in new tab), reflecting over a third of the light that strikes its surface. It takes its name from Pope's poem and also from a character in Shakespeare's "The Tempest." Ariel appears to have a surface that is the youngest of the moons of Uranus. This is because, according to NASA, it has just a few small craters indicating recent low-impact collisions that have "wiped out" the large craters left by much earlier and larger impacts.

The innermost of the large Uranian moons is Miranda with a diameter of around 292 miles (470 km) which NASA describes (opens in new tab) as appearing as if it is composed of parts from different bodies, almost like a celestial Frankenstein's monster.

This strange landscape is punctuated by three large features known as "coronae" not seen on any other known solar system objects. These coronae are lightly cratered collections of ridges and valleys that are walled off from older and more heavily crated regions of Miranda, for the daughter of Prospero in the Shakespeare play, "The Tempest," by sharp boundaries.

Miranda also possesses giant canyons that NASA says are up to 12 times as deep as the Grand Canyon. Quite what has caused the disparity in features across Miranda is hotly debated, with one suggestion being Miranda was once smashed apart by a massive collision and then haphazardly reassembled.

All these large Uranian moons are tidally locked to their parent ice giant meaning, as is the case with Earth's moon, one face of these moons constantly points at the planet.

Shepherd moons

One of Uranus' most interesting features is its ring system and the ice giant's moons play an important role in shaping these rings. Uranus has 13 inner moons and also 13 faint rings and the two are intimately connected.

In particular, Cordelia, which is the closest moon to the ice giant's surface, and Ophelia are known as "shepherd moons." As such Cordelia, with a diameter of 9 miles (15 km), and the 13-mile (21-km) wide Ophelia act to keep the particles (opens in new tab) that form the thin blue-colored outer ring, epsilon, together.

Between Cordelia and Ophelia and Miranda are at least eight small satellites which make this region extremely crowded. Not only is this band around Uranus like nothing else seen in the solar system, but NASA says scientists haven't yet discovered how these tiny moons avoid crashing into each other.

Just as Cordelia and Ophelia act as shepherds for the outermost ring, these small Uranian moons may hold the particles that comprise the ten innermost red-hued rings (opens in new tab) of the ice giant, Zeta, 6, 5, 4, Alpha, Beta, Eta, Gamma, Delta, Lambda, together.

While the composition of the inner Uranian moons is roughly half ice, and half rock, the composition of the smaller outer moons is mostly unknown. NASA suggests (opens in new tab) they are probably asteroids captured by the massive gravitational influence of the solar system's third-largest planet.

Can we see Uranus' moons?

While the planet Uranus is fairly easy to spot from Earth , even its largest moons are tough to observe according to the British Astronomical Association (opens in new tab). Four of the Uranian moons, Titania, Oberon, Umbriel, and Ariel, can be seen with medium to large telescopes and some care. The latter two moons are a more challenging observational target due to their proximity to the bright glow of Uranus.

In good viewing conditions and with larger telescopes it is also possible to see some of the fainter and smaller Uranian moons from Earth. For instance, in Sept. 2020, British astronomer Paul Leyland (opens in new tab) was able to catch an image of the small moon Sycorax , which has a diameter of about 93 miles (150 km).

In April 2023, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured a stunning image of Uranus showing the ice giant in incredible detail. In addition to featuring the planet's ring system, some including the faintest rings Nu, and Mu which haven't been seen since Voyager 2 visited the Uranian system in 1986, the image featured the largest five moons of Uranus and also Puck, which has a diameter of around 90 miles (150 km).

Additional resources

Only one spacecraft has ever visited Uranus and its moons, NASA's Voyager 2 mission which eventually became the second spacecraft to leave the solar system and reach interstellar space . Read about it here in these resources from NASA (opens in new tab). The outer solar system is ruled by the ice giants Uranus and its twin planet Neptune . Amy Simon explains the realm of the ice giants on the Planetary Society website (opens in new tab)

Bibliography

Uranus moons, NASA, accessed 04/18/23, solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/uranus-moons/overview/ (opens in new tab)



Moons of Uranus, Exploring the Planets, National Air and Space Museum, accessed 04/18/23, https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/exploring-the-planets/online/solar-system/uranus/moons.cfm (opens in new tab)

Planetary Satellite Physical Parameters, NASA JPL, accessed 04/18/23, https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sats/phys_par/ (opens in new tab)


Rihanna attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023 in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

The 2023 Met Gala is underway in Manhattan.

The gowns are flowing. The cameras are clicking. And the press is shouting from behind the fence at the Mark, the 5-star hotel where celebrities prep and strut before heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art blocks away.

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Heres a look at whats happening at fashions biggest night.

Gisele Bundchen arrives for the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023, in New York. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian attend the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023, in New York City. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

New York Citys mayor, Eric Adams, is a no-show, choosing to head to the Hotel Association of New York City Foundations Red Carpet Hospitality Gala at the Pierre Hotel, about 20 blocks south. But City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams arrived in a luminous black sequined gown. (She is not related to the mayor.)

Ben Platt, the Tony Award winner who is currently starring in a revival of Parade, wore a white Wiederhoeft suit and David Yurman jewelry as he arrived at the gala.

Ben Platt attends the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023, in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
LUSAKA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday urged African countries to guard against extremism and terrorism as they have the capacity to hinder development.

The Zambian president said the two vices create fear and instability and could hinder Africa's desire to accelerate economic development.

"Our fundamental role as a government is to ensure the continuation of peace and stability so that our economic agenda of providing livelihoods to our citizens is not disrupted. We have always maintained that instability anywhere is instability everywhere," he said in remarks delivered at the start of a conference organized by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in the Zambian capital of Lusaka.

The conference has attracted participants from 16 African countries to discuss, among other things, how to manage peace and stability and how these factors relate and are critical to the economic sustainability of African countries.

The Zambian president urged the delegates to explore ways to enhance intelligence capabilities and information sharing to manage the security challenges facing the continent, adding that it is important for countries to work together to ensure peace on the continent.

He, however, said strong political leadership is required to improve the security situation in Africa and called on countries to support military and security services to enable them to attain their objectives.

He further called on security agencies to curb the growing problem of illegal immigrants in Africa.

He said there is a need to develop technologically advanced means of detecting illegal movements of people before they cross borders, adding that there are a lot of illegalities happening within and across borders that require strategic security measures to protect citizens. 
COP28 chair urges tripling of renewables capacity by 2030



Berlin, May 2 (AFP) May 02, 2023



The president of upcoming UN climate talks Sultan Al Jaber on Tuesday called on participants to drastically ramp up their use of renewable energy ahead of the key summit in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

The meeting in November needs "ambitious, transparent and accountable commitments from countries and businesses", Al Jaber said in a speech at the opening of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, a meeting of climate diplomats in Berlin.

"We will accelerate delivery in sectors like renewables that must triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040," he added.

The summit chief's call echoes a key target laid out by the International Energy Agency.

Al Jaber had already raised the potential target at a closed-door meeting with G7 leaders in Japan last month.

While setting out a goal for faster renewables expansion, Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, did not call for a complete end to the use of fossil fuels.

Rather, the future COP28 chair said the focus must be on removing the emissions such fuels produce.

"We must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero-carbon alternatives," said Al Jaber.

Climate activists have criticised the decision to hold COP28 in the oil-rich UAE and the choice as COP president of Al Jaber, who also serves as the Gulf state's minister of industry and advanced technology.



- Climate fund -



Al Jaber also used his speech to call on developed countries to deliver a long promised $100-billion climate package for developing countries.

"This is holding up progress. And as part of my outreach, I am requesting donor countries to provide a definitive assessment on the delivery of this commitment before COP28," Al Jaber said.

In 2009, the chaotic UN climate summit in Copenhagen saw rich nations promise $100 billion a year by 2020 to the Global South, but last year the OECD said the amount delivered was still $17 billion short.

At the same time, the funding needed for developing countries to stop burning planet-heating fossil fuels and prepare for future climate disasters has already far outstripped that sum.

Campaigners are pushing for a redesign of the global financial architecture to help countries cope, as many emerging nations grapple with rising costs, soaring debts and extreme weather events.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is hosting the Petersberg dialogue, however, reported that the pledged sum may finally be close.

"The good news is we are on the way to finally reaching this $100-billion sum this year," she said.



- Protest group -



Earlier this year, the UN's climate expert panel said the world risks crossing the key 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit in about a decade, urging a drastic reduction in planet-heating emissions.

While solar and wind power are already increasing dramatically, the UN report said that existing fossil fuel infrastructure will be enough to push the world beyond 1.5C, without the effective use of costly and emerging technology to capture and store the carbon pollution.

The meeting in Berlin came as the German capital was roiled by days of climate protests, with the action continuing Tuesday.

Campaigners from the Last Generation group have caused widespread disruption in the city by sticking themselves to the road surface to stop traffic and agitate for more climate protection.

Among other measures, Last Generation has called for the government to provide a "detailed plan" to meet the goal of a 1.5C-limit and introduce a general speed limit.

Representatives from the group met Germany's Transport Minister Volker Wissing on Tuesday.

Wissing said on radio Deutschlandfunk that he was surprised the activists "make so few sensible suggestions for climate protection and at the same time act so radically".

burs-sea/hmn/kjm
SUVA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Save the Children Fiji, the country's peak child rights organization, urges the public to protect their children from sexual abuse.

The organization's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shairana Ali said that they are horrified by recent reports of sexual abuse of children in Fiji, adding that sexual abuse of children must stop immediately.

According to Tuesday's Fijivillage news website, Ali said child sexual abuse is a serious violation of children's rights, and robs a child of the opportunity to enjoy their childhood while impacting them emotionally, psychologically, and physically in the long term.

She said it is appalling, distressing, and distasteful to learn of reports of children these past few months who are as young as three and four years old becoming victims of heinous sexual crimes.

This is as the Fiji Police highlighted a case of a 12-year-old child who was allegedly raped by her 37-year-old uncle and a 16-year-old girl allegedly raped by three men.

She added equally concerning was the report released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) that shows that of the 29 victims of sexual crimes, 18 were under the age of 18 years.

The DPP's January statistics of this year showed there were 26 victims of sexual crimes of which 22 were under the age of 18.

These statistics are an indication of a huge problem that exists in society and one that demands concerted efforts and collaboration of government and stakeholders to address, according to Ali.

Save the Children Fiji is urging the public to closely supervise their children and talk to children about sexual abuse and how to get help if they have been sexually abused.

They are specifically concerned to hear that the majority of the perpetrators who have committed such crimes are known to the children, they are trusted and in positions of power and authority and are from within the family unit. 




In this episode, we finally get confirmation of the official rekindling of Burzek, and get to see Adam in full Dadam mode, along with some incredible team work and innovative on the spot thinking to try to move forward the Intelligence team investigation.





To recap this episode, we open to Burzek in bed after their passionate night. They discuss that they do not want this to be the same as it has been in the past, and that this time it feels different. Adam shares with Kim his frustration with what is going on with the Beck case as they snuggle and his undercover phone goes off. As he goes to leave he says goodbye to Makayla and she says OK dad, and the expression on both their faces is priceless. This has been a long awaited moment for the Burzek family fandom and the response from Kim and Adam did not disappoint.They flip back and forth showing Adam with Makayla and Kim and with Callum and Samantha. Callum comes out and tells Adam about shooting his grandfathers gun, and Samantha gets a text to go help Dale out. Adam says he will go in her place and Dale is angry and says he does not need a baby sitter watching him. Dale burns some bags of bloody clothing and Adam reports back to the team, but they cannot figure out what the crime was. They do not want to blow Ruzeks cover so they decide not to bring in Dale right now.Adam goes to see Dale and Richard is there and he is angry. They go for a drink and the team takes Dales car to examine it, but it was professionally cleaned. Trudy comes to the team with some information about where his car was spotted the night before, and they go to search and find several people killed in a Chinese restaurant. The deceased are the owners, and the team comes in to investigate. There is a Nazi saying on the wall in their blood. Voight wants them to make the case on Dale for these murders and then flip him on Richard Beck.They find a potential witness and he is hiding, terrified. He asks if they got the man, and they take him to the station and he tells them what he saw, and the crime appears to be racially motivated. Adam offers to go get Makayla for Kim, but Samantha shows up unexpectedly at the restaurant and he has to quickly text Kim to get her. Samantha says they have to go quickly, and her dad said to come get him.She asks him if he has his gun and he says no and she says to open the glove box and there is a gun inside. She says Dale is getting reckless and they have to handle it. She says it is a test of loyalty and if they dont do it, Richard will kill them. She says they are supposed to take Dale to a house and kill him, and Adam says he will take care of it for her, but she says she has to do it. Adam talks to Voight and fills him in on what he knows. Voight says Torres and Atwater will be there soon to back him up.Atwater and Torres listen in to the conversation in the car from Adams phone and get to the address first and wait in the basement. Adam takes Dale down to the basement and they tape his mouth and Adam shoots into the wall and Sam starts to freak out but he tells her to call her dad and tell him it is done, and to think of Callum. Torres and Atwater go to take him in and Dale fights back, but they restrain him and take him to the hospital. Dale says he will not work with them and that the cause is bigger than both of them. He says they will hear about the cause soon enough.Atwater and Torres update Voight that Dale is not going to flip and Voight says they need to find hard evidence that he killed the Chinese restaurant owners. They track Dales car from the murder site and it goes an unexpected way, and Ruzek says he recognizes the area as an abandoned factory where the Becks used to own and work. Ruzek and Burgess check it out and find shell casings and the knife used in the murders. Suddenly Beck arrives with Callum and they begin shooting guns and Ruzek and Burgess sneak out the back.The lab matches DNA on the knife to both Dale and the victims, but when they get to the hospital, Dale has ripped open his wounds and he dies before giving them any information. Ruzek goes to talk to Voight and he says to get Dale logged as a John Doe at the morgue and say he was found at that house. This will mean they can get him to gain Richards trust.Ruzek is having dinner with Sam, Callum and Richard and Callum starts talking about hollow point bullets. Ruzek tells Richard he needs to talk to him. He says he is sick of playing babysitter to Samantha and Callum and says he wants in for real. Richard asks him if he was at the Mill yesterday and he says yes because Dale hid his knife there because he is an idiot and he got rid of it. Richard says he is sure Sam has told him the plan and there will be multiple targets and many casualties and their message will be sent, and that Adam will be in charge of deliveries and he will tell him of what on the day. Richard says until then, he has to keep Sam on the path because she is losing faith, and they are going to make a better world.There were several key themes in this episode, the most important being the revival of Burzek. Not only did we see the happy family he and Kim and Makayla have, but he was finally affirmed by Makayla as the dad in her life. In addition, we are able to see that there is no awkwardness after Kim and Adam spent the night together, and they are strong partners in the field and at home. Burzek nation has been waiting for this day, it seems that perhaps the Wolf writing team has decided to bring them back together for the long haul. After the turmoil over the last 10 years, it would be so wonderful to see them together permanently, and explore them as parents and a true family.Another theme was seeing the way that Adam seems to care about Callum and Samantha. Perhaps it is the dad in him, although we always know Adam has had a soft spot for kids, but seeing him try to protect them and keep Samantha from doing anything she does not want to can only serve to help him gain her trust during the case also. He is such a noble guy, and really wears his heart on his sleeve. The way that this character is written makes him so endearing and you just want to reach through the screen and give him a hug, so kudos to the PD writers for creating such human characters that the fandom can invest in and want to see every week. They really are more than a team in Intelligence, and really shows what a "work family" could and should be, where everyone has everyone elses back. So it seems natural I suppose that those protective instincts would flow over into their cases too.A few other noteworthy items:- It was so great to see Trudy again  we always need more Trudy Platt in these episodes, and Amy Morton adds so much to every scene and episode  what a talent!- How can we not love this new Torres/Atwater partnership  they make such a fabulous team, and seem to work extremely well together and Kevin is such a perfect mentor for Dante.- Voight will always be Voighteyes on the endgame and who cares how we get there, bending the rules and the truth at ever turn  lets just hope this attitude will not end up ultimately putting Adam in harms way.- Why is Hailey still the only detective in the unit? After 10 years, you would think Atwater, Ruzek or Burgess would have passed the exam and moved up the chain. Who do you think will promote first?
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NORWALK  In recent months, police have arrested nine juveniles for vandalism, assaults and threats at West Rocks and Nathan Hale middle schools connected with the loosely organized "504" group of students, officials said.

Norwalk Police Chief James Walsh said his department conducted 18 investigations involving vandalism and other crimes believed to have been committed by the "loosely organized group" of mostly middle school students that identify themselves as "504."

The number is the calling code for Honduras, he said Monday. The investigations included district and school administrators and school resource officers from West Rocks and Nathan Hale middle schools. Some of the incidents took place on school property while others occurred off school grounds, he said.

The investigations resulted in nine juvenile arrests, he said.

But parents at West Rocks Middle School and a community leader say some students are being unfairly targeted for arrests while other incidents are not being adequately addressed.

Walsh confirmed his department conducted an investigation into an April 19 incident between a West Rocks Middle School student and a paraprofessional. The investigation resulted in the arrest of the student, who witnesses said assaulted the teacher, Walsh said.

The local chapter of the NAACP and at least one parent of another student are questioning the outcome of the investigation since the same student has been arrested other times, even as they contend he was the victim in some of the incidents.

"What I find really disturbing is that police have said all of the statements were the same, alleging that the boy was the aggressor," Norwalk NAACP President Brenda Penn-Williams said. "But I have in my possession a copy of a statement that says the paraprofessional was the aggressor."

Police agreed to speak to the witness again after concerns were raised by a "community stakeholder," but the witness' statement and the outcome of the investigation remained the same, Walsh said.

"After concerns were brought to our attention last week by a community stakeholder regarding the arrest, we interviewed the witness a second time, who provided a handwritten sworn statement," he said. "This version was identical as given during the previous interview."

West Rocks parent Angel Jenkins said her 13-year-old daughter was attacked by another female student in front of a teacher, but the other child and educator did not face serious discipline.

"They promised me they would get to the bottom of this, but no one ever got back to me," Jenkins said. "It was just swept under the rug."

On Saturday, Norwalk Public Schools posted a vague statement on its Facebook page, claiming officials handled an unspecified incident appropriately and that police were investigating. The statement did not provide information about the incident and raised questions and drew criticism from some people who commented on the post.

"In light of recent allegations posted on various social media channels that make reference to a situation involving Norwalk Public Schools, the district is reiterating that these claims of improper response hold no merit and that NPS has followed well-established protocols and proper procedures when responding to the situation," the statement said. "We also must reiterate that this matter is being investigated by local authorities. The well-being of our entire NPS community is our number-one priority, and Norwalk Public Schools is aiding the Norwalk Police Department by providing full transparency so that they may carry out their investigation."

According to Walsh, the investigation into the incident at West Rocks was already closed.

The school system reissued the same statement Monday and declined to comment further.
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DAVIS, Calif. (AP)  Residents of a Northern California university town are frightened and on edge after three people were stabbed within a week  two fatally  with the most recent attempt when a homeless woman reported being knifed several times through her tent.

Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said he could not say whether officials are searching for one or multiple suspects. He also said he could not recall any incidents like these in his four decades on the Davis police force and neither could officers who go back longer. Two of the victims were homeless and the third was a college student, he said.

This is different and the attacks were particularly violent and brazen, Pytel said at a Tuesday press conference, adding that in the most recent two attacks, the suspect didnt seem to care there were several witnesses" who could identify him.

Davis is a small city known for its laid-back vibe, bicycle-friendly infrastructure and the University of California, Davis. There are roughly 67,000 residents in the city in addition to more than 13,000 students who live on campus. The city is about 70 miles (112 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco and 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Sacramento, California.

People are scared, said Davis Mayor Will Arnold at Tuesday's news conference.

Police issued a shelter-in-place order shortly after the stabbing of the woman was reported at 11:45 p.m. Monday. It was lifted hours later after police said they had not caught the suspect, who is described as a male with long curly hair, a thin build and carrying a brown backpack.

Radhika Gawde, president of the Associated Students of the University of California, Davis, said students stayed up Monday night monitoring police scanner activity and sharing information on social media.

I think I speak for the whole community here when I say were devastated by the loss of our peer," she said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. Our sense of safety has been completely shattered.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 80% of 4,200 students who responded to a student government survey sent out in the morning said they don't even feel safe attending classes during the day, she said. Gawde and her housemates, who live near campus, won't go out alone and their parents have asked them to come home.

The first death was reported Thursday before noon when officers found an unresponsive male in downtown's Central Park, hunched over a bench where he often sat or slept, Pytel said.

The victim, David Henry Breaux, 50, was well known in the area for more than a decade as the Compassion Guy," said the mayor and city council members in a statement. Breaux often greeted people and asked for their views on compassion.

The second stabbing occurred Saturday around 9:15 p.m. when a resident heard a disturbance and went outside to find a young man at Sycamore Park with multiple stab wounds. Authorities identified the victim as Karim Abou Najm, 20, a student at the university and a graduate of Davis High School.

In Monday's stabbing, the suspect was spotted by several people at a homeless encampment before stabbing the woman several times through her tent, the police chief said. The woman, whom police have not identified, is hospitalized and in critical condition. She is in her 60s, said Davis Lt. Dan Beckwith.

The description given of the suspect in Monday's stabbing was substantially similar to descriptions of the suspect from the second homicide, Pytel said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Davis Police Department, as are other law enforcement agencies.

Pytel said he believes all the attacks occurred at night and urged residents to be vigilant of their surroundings and to look out for one another. He said the department is scouring through hundreds of tips and searching for DNA evidence.
A former commander of the state police SWAT team has won a $260,000 civil rights settlement in federal court over allegations that he was demoted for refusing to join a powerful law enforcement union.

Sgt. Joseph Mercer claimed in a 2016 federal lawsuit that state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection violated his rights the previous year when he was demoted from the SWAT unit and assigned an administrative position with little overtime opportunity.

Mercer claimed the reassignment came because several years earlier he had resigned from the Connecticut State Police Union, citing his First Amendment right to abstain from union membership and its political activities. After he was named SWAT commander in 2015, then-state police union President Andrew Matthews filed a grievance claiming the appropriate selection process had not been used to fill the position.

The lawsuit also alleged that complaints by Matthews and others that Mercer mismanaged a deadly shooting at an Old Saybrook hotel factored into a "conspiracy" that resulted in his demotion.

The state and the union denied Mercers allegations and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation provided Mercer with legal services. The case was recently dismissed with prejudice by the federal court and the DESPP and the state police union were ordered to pay him $260,500, according to a statement released by the right to work foundation.

We at the foundation are proud to have defended Sergeant Mercers rights and secured him a settlement that vindicates his free association, commented Foundation President Mark Mix.

Its disgraceful that CSPU union officials targeted Mercer, a dedicated public safety officer, with such a vicious retribution scheme in the first place, Mix said. Public servants should not have to endure multi-year lawsuits just so they can refrain from supporting union politics they oppose.

The state police union took issue with the legal defense foundations portrayal of the settlement, saying the union did not retaliate against him nor had any role in changing his position within the state police emergency services unit [ESU].

NRTW falsely reports that Mercers union status was a predicate for his removal from the ESU position and that the CSPU retaliated against him, the union said in a statement.

It also inaccurately reported that CSPUs then President, Andrew Matthews, filed grievances with the Agency due to Mercers non-union member status, the union noted. Again, this is blatantly false. No grievance was filed having anything to do with Mercers union membership status. All grievances filed related to ESU were based on the selection process that the agency used in placing Troopers in the role of ESU Operations Sergeant, which is required per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The CSPU added that it offered five hundred dollars  a nuisance value - and Mr. Mercer accepted this nominal amount. The settlement has nothing to do with NRTWs proclamation that the settlement vindicates his free association.

Richard Funaro, a spokesman for Attorney General William Tong, said the state will not appeal the settlement. The Office of the Attorney General is pleased that the parties involved were able to resolve this matter, Funaro said.

The state police referred the matter to Tong's office.

Mercer in 2017 retired from the state police and records show that in 2022 he collected a $89,089 pension.

Long legal battle

The federal lawsuit filed by Mercer in 2016 claimed that Matthews and then DESPP Commissioner Dora Schriro worked together to replace him as operations sergeant of the Emergency Services Unit, which includes SWAT, with a union member. Mercer quit the union in November 2014 and was appointed commander of the SWAT team in May 2015, a move the lawsuit said prompted the grievance from Matthews and the union.

Connecticut State Trooper Joseph Mercer has won a settlement in his federal civil rights lawsuit against the Connecticut State Police Union and Department of Emergency Services officials, in which he charged them with illegally demoting him for opposing union membership and politics, said Len Comello, a spokesman for the right to work foundation, in a statement.

The state police union disagreed with the foundations assessment.

The NRTWs reporting of events is misleading and distorted. To begin, the CSPU has no authority and plays no role in the determination of what position a Trooper is assigned, the union said. NRTW claims that Mr. Mercer was demoted which is factually untrue  he was simply reassigned within the Emergency Services Unit (ESU), which the employer had the right to do as with any appointed position.

In addition, the lawsuit alleged that Mercers removal from the post was related to an October 2015 shooting at an Old Saybrook hotel. The state police SWAT team was called to assist local police with a man who had fired shots and was barricaded in a hotel room.

During the encounter, a SWAT team member shot and killed Richard Love, the man barricaded himself in the room. Love had pointed a gun at the trooper who then shot him; Mercer and another commander was in charge of the scene. The lawsuit claimed that questions about Mercers oversight of the incident formed the basis of another grievance filed by Matthews and the union.

State police officials had never expressed dissatisfaction with how Mercer handled the situation, the right to work foundation noted.

The state and union in 2018 tried to have the case dismissed but the federal court allowed it to proceed. In 2022, the court ordered the state to turn over additional information.

Mix said the groundwork for the lawsuit and settlement was laid by a federal court ruling that determined the first amendment established that employees cannot be fired or punished if they decline union membership.

As was obvious in Mercers case, unelected public sector union bosses often wield their enormous clout over government to serve the unions private interests over the public interest, Mix said. Thats why its vital that public employees can exercise their First Amendment right to cut off all financial support of union bosses who are contorting government in this way.
PHNOM PENH, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen was bestowed on Tuesday with an honorary doctorate in humanities from Indonesia's Universitas Negeri Padang.

President of Universitas Negeri Padang Sufyarma Marsidin, along with West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah, presented the degree upon the Cambodian leader at a ceremony in the capital Phnom Penh, attended by his family members and hundreds of high-profile figures.

"The conferment of this honorary doctorate upon me today is a great honor for me and all Cambodian people," Hun Sen said at the event.

Marsidin said the degree was awarded to the 70-year-old Cambodian prime minister for leading the country from a war-torn nation to a peaceful and stable one.

"Samdech Techo Hun Sen has made significant contributions in the fields of humanities and solidarity," he said. "He has brought peace, national reconciliation, transformative growth and continuous development for Cambodia, and has put Cambodia back on the global stage equally."

Marsidin said under Hun Sen's leadership, "Cambodia is known not only as an island of peace of the Mekong, but has also been named a small country with a big heart."

Hun Sen has served as the prime minister of Cambodia since 1985. 
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Two Connecticut firefighters who died last year will be honored during the 42nd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Maryland next week, according to the organization hosting the event.

The firefighters  Chief William Bill Halstead of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company and Matthias Matt Wirtz Jr. of the North Haven Fire Department  will have their names inscribed on a bronze plaque, becoming a permanent part of the National Memorial in honor of their sacrifices, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation said in a news release Tuesday.

The memorial weekend is in Emmitsburg, Md., and will honor 144 firefighters. Two events are open to the public: a candlelight service on May 6 and a memorial service on May 7. Both will be livestreamed on the foundations website at www.FireHero.org.

Halstead, 73, had been a member of the Sandy Hook fire company for more than 57 years, according to his biography with the foundation. He joined the department at age 16 in January 1965 and served as the chief of the department for 44 years after being elected in 1978.

On July 8, 2022, Halstead responded to multiple calls, including a crash and an automatic alarm. After the calls, he arrived home and became ill. He later died that same day from a heart attack.

Wirtz, 46, joined the North Haven Fire Department as a volunteer in 1996. He began his professional career in 2000 and served in different positions within the department over his 22 years. He also supported local units in New York after the 9/11 attacks and taught the fire program at Gateway Community College.

Wirtz died on Dec. 26, 2022, after battling a blaze at a multifamily home.

Although he was already hurting, he did not leave his operator position at the engine, knowing that his firefighter brothers were inside the house searching for residents, his biography with the foundation reads. Matt collapsed at the scene and died from a major heart attack.

The public can pay tribute to Halstead, Wirtz and the 142 other fallen firefighters being honored that weekend by lighting their homes, businesses and landmarks with red lights as part of the Light The Night For Fallen Firefighters event from May 4 to 7, or by signing the Virtual Remembrance Banner.

To find other ways to honor these firefighters from home or learn more about the memorial weekend, visit https://Weekend.FireHero.org.
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NEW HAVEN  In the wake of recent shootings in the city, officials said theyre seeing a number of incidents that are hard to prevent and are related to the number of guns on the streets.

Police Chief Karl Jacobson and Mayor Justin Elicker echoed that message as they spoke about the arrests of a Clinton man charged in a fatal shooting at a car dealership and two suspects in a shooting near John C. Daniels School, both of which took place last Thursday.

The city so far this year has seen 10 homicides and 35 shootings, compared to 4 homicides and 34 shootings during the same period last year.

Jacobson said from talking to witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage, police were able to track down the license plates of the suspects in last week's shooting near the school playground. Tasheem Scott and Denzel Caldwell have been arrested but havent been directly charged with anything related to the incident, Jacobson said, because one of the guns allegedly found was tested and came back not to the shooting near the school but to another incident in the area the day before.

Both were arrested after a pursuit that involved a minor crash," police said. The pair was found with two handguns, police said: one of them a so-called ghost gun, and 280 grams of fentanyl.

They both are facing firearm and narcotic charges; Scott currently is on probation and was held in lieu of $1 million bail. Caldwell was held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Jacobson said the incident near the school remains under investigation but the Police Department believes the two men are the people of interest.

In the case of the shooting at the car dealership, police announced last week they had arrested Charles Brown Jr. of Clinton, who is charged with murder, criminal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit. He was held in lieu of $2 million bail.

To the family of the victim, 39-year-old Juan Carlos Colon, Mayor Justin Elicker said he couldnt imagine the pain Colons mother and wife are going through, expressing his condolences.

By standing next to him at a press conference Monday, Elicker said the family, who didnt want to speak with the press, was sending a statement that gun violence has to stop in our community.

Jacobson said these types of incidents are hard to predict and are ones the Police Department couldnt directly prevent as they were minor disputes ending up in gunplay where people were killed and its unfortunate.

The police chief said every single cop in this building was out there working hard putting their life on the line last Thursday with multiple incidents happening in a short timeframe.

That one day, you had a homicide, you had this chase, you had two carjackings and another recovered stolen car with a bunch of juveniles, all taking place within a three-hour window, Jacobson said.

The mayor said the incident near the elementary school demonstrated how technology could be helpful to a police investigation, referring to cameras that can identify license plates and people who are involved in violent crimes.

Elicker agreed that minor disputes that ultimately escalate to fatal shootings are difficult to identify and said its a nationwide trend. He said Connecticut has a legislation (H.B. 6667) that would further gun violence prevention that he hopes will pass, but we cant do this alone.

We need to see movement by other states in our nation and the federal government to restrict guns to ensure that we don't have this kind of escalating incidents, Elicker said, pointing that many guns found in Connecticut were brought in from the South and gun shows from other states.

As advice to the public, Jacobson said not to get involved in an incident, such as a car crash or a dispute, and just call the police because you dont know what theyve got," referring to weapons including guns.
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WATERBURY  One of two state employees charged with cruelty and failure to report abuse last month following an investigation into the treatment of a patient at the Southbury Training School has pleaded not guilty.

Howard Hawk, 52, of Waterbury, entered the pleas Monday at state Superior Court in Waterbury, where he has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for June 14.

Hawk and another direct care provider, 27-year-old Torrington resident David Benson, were arrested last month after a 79-year-old man and resident of the Southbury Training School was admitted to Danbury Hospital with bruising on his chest, according to police.

An aid saw the bruising on the man, who has an intellectual disability and is non-verbal, while attempting to shower him the morning of Jan. 12, according to police.

At the hospital, the man was found to have a broken bone in his upper arm, and the Southbury Training School reported no record of him sustaining any injuries, falls or any kind of trauma prior to that morning, according to a police warrant affidavit.

An investigation into how he sustained the injuries resulted in the arrests of Hawk and Benson, who were each charged with intentional cruelty to persons and failure to report abuse. Cruelty to persons is a class D felony, while failure to report abuse is a violation.

Hawk turned himself in to state police April 6, while Benson was taken into custody April 4.

In an April 17 email, Connecticut Department of Developmental Services communication director Kevin Bronson declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation, but confirmed that Hawk and Benson are employed by DDS/State of CT.

The physicians assistant who reported the incident to police noted that the patient is unable to walk or talk on his own, and said she believed the injuries were the result of unreported trauma, according to the warrant.

A unit director at the Southbury Training School told Trooper Dennis Keane that Hawk recently returned to work following a 30-day suspension for neglect and was assigned to care for the victim the shift before the aid noticed bruising on his chest, according to the warrant.

Keane said he spoke to Southbury Training Schools doctor, who estimated the trauma occurred during the second shift  2:30 to 10:30 p.m. Jan. 11  or third shift from 10:30 p.m. Jan. 11 to 6:30 a.m. Jan. 12, according to the warrant.

Hawk was on duty both shifts, Benson worked the third shift and both men were assigned to the cottage where the victim resides, police state in the warrant.

The warrant states that supervisors, in charge during the second and third shifts, told police they did not receive any notification about any injuries or incidents involving the victim that night.

During a March 24 interview at Troop A headquarters, Hawk stated at no time on second or third shift did he observe physical injuries (on the victim) or how (the victim) suffered the injuries, according to the warrant.

He also claimed to have no recollection of putting the victim in bed and said another staff member might have done it, according to police, who said the other staff member reported having no contact with the victim on Jan. 11.

Hawk and Benson were each held on $15,000 bond prior to their arraignments at state Superior Court in Waterbury, after which they were released on promises to appear, according to court documents.

Benson, who has not yet pleaded to the charges, is next scheduled to appear in court May 16.
Bjoern Wylezich / TNS

WATERBURY  DNA linked a stolen handgun to a local man later charged with a firearms offense, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut.

Cornelius Coney, also known as C Nizzy, 35, of Waterbury, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release Friday, the U.S. attorney's office said. Coney previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the office said.
PHNOM PENH, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith will pay a state visit to Cambodia on May 4-6, where he will also attend the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, said a Cambodian foreign ministry's press statement on Tuesday.

His visit will be made at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, the statement said.

The visit "will further consolidate the existing excellent relations, good neighborliness, fraternal tie, and the Comprehensive and Long-Lasting Strategic Partnership for the mutual benefits of the two peoples", the statement said.

In Phnom Penh, Thongloun will call on Sihamoni in a royal audience at the Royal Palace, and will also receive courtesy calls by Cambodian Senate President Samdech Say Chhum and National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin, it added.

The Lao president will also hold a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen to discuss bilateral cooperation along with some regional and international issues of common concerns, the statement said.

Thongloun will attend the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games at the Morodok Techo National Stadium on May 5, it said.

Cambodia will host the 32nd SEA Games for the first time in 64 years from May 5 to May 17. 
E ven though celebrities only walk the Met Galared carpet for mere minutes, months of preparation go into their look. After all, this is the Oscars of fashion, with those topping the best dressed lists going down in style history.

Of course, not all of that time is spent purely on the outfit, with any party veteran knowing that ample attention must go towards hair, make up and, of course, skincare.

In fact, according to Kate Kerr, aesthetic facialist and Director of Kate Kerr London Clinic, skincare prep needs starts up to six months ahead of a big event. If someones skin is not functioning well and theyre not looking after it, but theyve decided they want to treat their skin before a red carpet, then we always say to prepare at least 4-6 months ahead, she explains. This is because we dont know how long it will take to break the skin out, repair any damage or if youll get any adverse effects in the beginning that you need to work through. Youll want to work at least 4 or 5 cycles ahead on the skin.

ES

However its likely many of the A-listers who attended last night are on top of their skincare regimen, and would only need a few facials - Id say on an average of two skin cycles before, continues Kerr.

One of the most popular treatments that Met Gala A-listers sought in this two week run up was Face Gym. Pegged as a workout, not a facial, their signature sessions target the 40 muscles in the face to achieve a sculpted and glowing face, and were highly requested by the likes of Florence Pugh, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Kelsey Asbille, Grace Elizabeth, Tom Sturridge, Ivy Getty and Ariana DeBose.

ES

With the price of a ticket being raised from $30,000 to $50,000, attendees were also treated to an assortment of pre-Met Gala skincare freebies. This year Anna Wintours personal facialist Joanna Czech hosted an official pre-red-carpet treatment using the LYMA laser, with the likes of Camila Morrone, Amber Valletta, Cara Delevingne and Lily Collins trying her bespoke, custom facial. It featured a sculpting and lifting manual massage, exfoliation, targeted serums and finally, of course, the LYMA Laser - which is used to improve skin elasticity, reduce pigmentation, brighten, and push products more deeply into the skin.

Another popular trend that dominated Met Gala skincare routines was infra red masks, with Lea Michelle a huge advocate for the anti-aging technology.

Getty Images

Prep is key! It sets the stage for makeup application, says Michelles make up artist Carolina Gonzalez . After applying skin care, I had Lea Michele wear the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask for 10 minutes to really brighten and have her skin glowing. As if it couldnt get better, I followed that by having her wear the CurrentBody Skin LED Eye Perfector to further firm, plump, and brighten the eye area.

Met Gala 2023: Best Dressed 1 / 88 Met Gala 2023: Best Dressed A$AP Rocky and Rihanna in Gucci and Valentino Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Cara Delevingne in Karl Lagerfeld AFP via Getty Images Dua Lipa in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Elle Fanning in Vivienne Westwood Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Pete Davidson in Fendi Getty Images Mindy Kaling in Jonathan Simkhai Getty Images Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham both in Valentino Getty Images Lila Moss and Kate Moss both in Fendi Getty Images Kylie Jenner in Jean Paul Gaultier Getty Images Lil Nas X in Pat McGrath makeup Getty Images Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Sienna Miller and Emily Blunt Miller in Gucci, Blunt in Michael Kors Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne Getty Images Serena Williams in Gucci Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Idris Elba in Gucci Getty Images Florence Pugh in Valentino Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Michelle Yeoh in Karl Lagerfeld Getty Images Manu Rios in Karl Lagerfeld Getty Images Kendall Jenner in Marc Jacobs Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Jodie Comer in Burberry Getty Images Jared Leto Getty Images Anne Hathaway in Versace Getty Images Lizzo in Chanel Getty Images Lea Michele in Michael Kors Getty Images Glenn Close in Erdem Getty Images Jeremy Strong in Prada Getty Images Lily Collins in Vera Wang Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Salma Hayek in Gucci Getty Images Precious Lee in Fendi Getty Images Amber Valletta in Karl Lagerfeld Getty Images Billie Eilish in Simone Rocha Getty Images Jack Harlow in Tommy Hilfiger Getty Images FKA Twigs in Maison Margiela Getty Images Kerry Washington in Michael Kors Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Emily Blunt in Michael Kors Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Alexa Chung in Roisin Pierce Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Letitia Wright in Prada Getty Images Sienna Miller in Gucci Getty Images Jeremy Pope in Balmain AFP via Getty Images Doja Cat in Oscar De La Renta Getty Images Margot Robbie in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Daisy Edgar-Jones in Gucci Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Halle Bailey in Gucci Getty Images Julia Garner in Gucci Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Tom Ford in Tom Ford Getty Images Suki Waterhouse in Fendi Getty Images Ashley Graham in Harris Reed Getty Images Gwendoline Christie in Fendi Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Amanda Seyfried in Oscar De La Renta Getty Images Karlie Kloss in Loewe Getty Images Anok Yai in Prabal Gurung Getty Images Rami Malek Getty Images Maya Hawke in Prada Getty Images Gisele Bundchen in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Naomi Campbell in Chanel Getty Images Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli Getty Images Ariana DeBose and Joseph Altuzarra in Altuzarra Getty Images Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann Getty Images Emily Ratajkowski in Tory Burch Getty Images Taika Waititi and Rita Ora in Prabal Gurung Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Emma Chamberlain in Miu Miu Getty Images Penelope Cruz in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy in Chanel Getty Images Chloe Fineman in Wiederhoeft Getty Images La La Anthony in Sergio Hudson Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Scroll the gallery above for the Met Gala 2023 best looks.
B P reported more blockbuster profits today, but was not on course to break last years earnings record and slowed the pace at which it is returning cash to investors.

The UK oil giants key earnings measure for the first quarter hit was 4 billion, down by almost 1 billion from the same part of a record-breaking 2022, but more than City experts had forecast.

It left the company braced for further calls for deeper windfall taxes after Russias invasion of Ukraine left high energy prices as a hot-button political issue. BP slowed the pace at which it is returning cash to investors.

That knocked its stock, which fell 28p to 507p, a loss of around 5% and the biggest fall on the FTSE 100.

BPs key earnings figure for the first quarter  underlying replacement cost profit  came in at $5 billion, down from $6.2 billion in the same period a year ago, but up from the $4.8 billion in the preceding quarter. It was also more than the $4.3 billion forecast.

The slower pace of capital return means it will buy back stock worth $1.75 billion in the next three months, down from $2.75 billion in the preceding quarter. That also comes with oil prices are off their peaks of around $130 a barrel, now trading around $80. Its shrebuyback targets are based on oil prices at around $60 a barrel.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell pointed out that much of BPs revenue is beyond the reach of the UK tax man.

The issue for those who see the headline numbers and think the UKs cost of energy problem could be solved at a stroke is that the lions share of its profit and cash flow is being generated outside the UK, he said.

Nonetheless, the sheer scale of profits in the sector is likely to energise calls for deeper taxes, not least via the governments Energy Price Levy which was part of the way it paid for price caps on soaring domestic energy pills.

BP faced criticism at the time of its record $28 billion annual earnings in February for also scaling back its plans to cut fossil fuel production in its move toward renewable energy.
M ore than a million NHS workers in England are to be given a 5% pay rise this year and a cash sum for last year after ministers and unions agreed a new pay deal.

The majority of unions representing staff on the Agenda for Change contract  which includes all NHS workers apart from doctors, dentists and senior managers  voted in favour of the offer.

The 14 unions representing staff on the contract have balloted hundreds of thousands members over the last few weeks.

Unison, GMB, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and the Royal College of Midwives were among those who voted to accept the offer while Royal College of Nursing and Unite voted against it.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he intends to implement the deal, with unions urging the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure staff see the money in their pay packets as soon as possible.

The ballot results were reported at a NHS Staff Council meeting on Tuesday where unions reported the results of their individual ballots then voted on whether the Government should implement the offer.

The majority voted in favour of accepting the governments pay offer.

This paved way for the Department of Health and Social Care to impose the 5% pay rise for this year and a cash sum for last year.

Mr Barclay said: Im pleased the NHS Staff Council has voted to accept our pay offer, demonstrating that a majority of NHS staff agree this is a fair and reasonable deal.

It is now my intention to implement this for all staff on the Agenda for Change contract and where some unions may choose to remain in dispute, we hope their members, many of whom voted to accept this offer, will recognise this as a fair outcome that carries the support of their colleagues and decide it is time to bring industrial action to an end.

We will continue to engage constructively with unions on workforce changes to ensure the NHS is the best place to work for staff, patients and taxpayers.
S hell made nearly 1.4 billion more in profit than expected in the first three months of the year.

The oil giant joined rival BP in making more money than experts had predicted.

BP and Shells profits have sparked calls for the Government to be tougher on oil companies.

But why is this happening at a time when people are struggling to pay for their energy, what is the Government doing, and what do campaigners and politicians want to happen?

Why are oil companies making record profits?

BPs 4 billion profit was announced Tuesday, May 2, and covers the time period of January to March for this year.

Both companies also announced massive record profits last year. BP announced they had made 23 billion while Shell recorded profits of 33 billion.

The sector has benefitted from the surge in oil and gas prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine, which resulted, in turn, with companies putting up household bills to cover the surge in costs.

Simply put, their profits are high because they were able to massively put up prices on the oil and gas they sell. The same has applied to other oil and gas companies in much of the world.

The price of gas in the UK hit an all-time high of around 8.50 per therm last August, compared to around 50p in the early part of 2021.

Oil prices also soared, to around $107 (86) per barrel in early June last year, from around $64 (52) a year earlier.

Much of this was down to Russias full-scale attack on Ukraine, which was launched nearly a year ago.

How are energy prices at the moment?

Both oil and gas prices have eased back from their recent highs. Oil now costs around $82 (66) per barrel, not an unusual level historically.

Gas prices have also dropped significantly from last years peaks. But, at around 1.50 per therm, they are still around three times higher than they had been through much of the 2010s.

What will happen to my energy bills?

Most households will see their energy bills soar again.

This might seem paradoxical but this is because of the impact of Government support.

At the moment, the average annual bill is 2,500 under the Governments support scheme for households. From April, that support becomes less generous and the average bill will rise to 3,000.

Without this support, the average bill would likely have fallen to 3,338, according to the latest forecast from Cornwall Insight.

What is happening to oil company shareholders?

Shareholders are being handed massive payouts by the companies they own because of the profits.

Last year, BP shareholders received 24.08 US cents (19p) for every share in the company they owned, a total payout of around $4.4 billion (3.5 bn), which was 11 per cent higher than the year before. The company will also buy back $2.8 billion (2.26 bn) in shares from its investors. It depends on what happens for the rest of 2023 as to whether this will happen again.

What has the Government done?

Ministers previously hit Shell and BP and other companies that operate in the North Sea with a 35 per cent extra windfall tax amid their massive profits.

However, this is limited to the companies North Sea operations. The Government does not tax profits that these companies make abroad.

They are also helping households with their energy bills. At the moment, people pay 34p per unit of electricity and 10.3p per unit of gas that they use, a lot lower than would have been the case if the Government had not stepped in.

The Government has also offered an additional 400 energy discount to every household in the country and is supporting businesses with their bills.

What are others calling for the Government to do?

Labour has called for stricter measures on the windfall tax that energy companies pay on profit.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer appeared on BBC Breakfast, where he called for a proper windfall tax on energy companies profits, saying the current system has too many loopholes that are being routinely exploited.

He said: Of course, we want BP and others to make profits so they can invest but these are profits that they didnt expect to make, these are profits that are over and above because the world price of energy is so high.

The opposition group has historically called for these loopholes to be closed, which means that, at present, companies can avoid a lot of the windfall tax if they use their profits to invest in oil and gas in the North Sea.

Labour also wants the tax backdated and says that oil and gas profits should be taxed as much in the UK as they are in Norway. Together, this would raise an extra 13 billion, the party says.

The Liberal Democrats have also demanded a proper windfall tax and Friends of the Earth have called for the mega earnings to be fairly taxed.

Campaigners at Greenpeace have called on oil giants to pay into global funds to help with the fallout from the effects of climate change.

Will energy and fuel prices return to pre-Covid levels?

Gas prices are unlikely to drop back to what we used to consider normal prices.

The dispute between Russia and Europe is now so advanced that it seems unlikely that the gas will start flowing as it used to, even in the unlikely event that hostilities cease in Ukraine.

That will leave Europe reliant on liquid natural gas imports for years to come  until it can replace gas with renewable energy.

To make it liquid so it can be transported by ship, natural gas is cooled to -160C. This is an expensive process in its own right, so adds to the price that people have to pay for LNG, compared to gas transported by pipeline.

Therefore, as long as Europe is more reliant on LNG than it has been in the past, gas bills are likely to remain higher.

As for the price of fuel, diesel and petrol prices are falling, according to data from the RAC, although they still have some way to go before coming back to more normal levels.
I s the Elizabeth line effect already starting to pay off for Oxford Street?

The West Ends world famous boulevard of consumerism has had some pretty tough publicity over recent months with the council sounding off about the spiralling number of tacky candy stores and only last week M&S boss Stuart Machin using these pages to describe it as a national embarrassment.

Footfall is still down on pre-pandemic levels, but the gap is slowly closing as what is already Britains busiest railway brings millions more tourists and workers back to central London.

And a flurry of new store announcements in recent days suggests that reports of Oxford Streets demise may, as they say, be exaggerated. First it was HMV, which is set to return to its flagship site at number 363 some four years after its closure left a huge hole for an American sweet shop to move into.

Then this morning trainer and streetwear retailer Footasylum announced that it is to open a 20,000 sq ft flagship over two floors at 73-89 Oxford Street later this year. Meanwhile Ikea is well advanced in its preparation for the launch of its new city centre store in the former Topshop building on Oxford Circus after investing 378 million.

There are still challenges ahead. It will be a huge blow if M&S closes its Marble Arch store as it has threatened if it does not get the go ahead for demolition and redevelopment of the site.

Nevertheless there are encouraging signs that Londons high street is finally getting its mojo back after a grim decade of decline.
Simon Nixon

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Having quit Nottingham University because he found his accountancy degree boring, Mr Nixon did not seem the likeliest of candidates for a career in finance.

However, even as a student the now 55-year-old was clear in what he wanted and from his dormitory launched a service alongside finance friend Duncan Cameron to provide mortgage information to financial advisors. It was called Mortgage 2000 but found more success when it moved online and was renamed MoneySupermarket.com

The business has since developed to also provide advice on personal loan and credit card deals. Mr Nixon became a billionaire but has remained close to his roots in Chester despite complaining the British weather can be bloody awful.

But when he does want a getaway, he needs look no further than one of his side businesses Simon Escapes - which offers luxury homes in five of his favourite locations.

View the full rich list here.

View the rich list methodology here.
L ast week took me to Kenya, where I attended The Ibrahim Governance Weekend, the flagship event of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which is held every year in a different African country.

In Nairobi delegates spoke about Global Africa  what it is, what it was and what it could be. That theme might seem like an oxymoron to many in this country or even those on this side of the world who know very little about Africa, but its not. Watching William Ruto, Kenyas new president, taking the leadership role was powerful.

Several things struck me about the conversations on stage and around the conference at the weekend  there was a very notable absence of discussion about the war in Ukraine. I was taken aback. I have seen nothing but that conflict lead the news for the last year or so here in the UK.

People werent speaking Ukraine not because Africans dont care about it. In fact Africa, even though it has the least to do with the conflict, still bears one of the greatest brunts of it all. Minds were focused elsewhere. Kenya is essentially leading on bringing peace to another neighbouring country.

Sudan, which was once the African continents largest country, is on the brink of civil war. Aside from extracting their diplomats and citizens, it feels like the international community at large is ignoring the chaos, just as it did with Ethiopia last year. Watching African business and institutional leaders, as well as presidents, gather over tables to see how they could end the fighting in Sudan showed me that things have changed on the world stage. A few years ago, as soon as trouble started in a major country like Sudan, the UN would have called a high-level meeting. Now those given the duty to keep peace are at war with each other things have changed. Africa is coming together and addressing its own issues  something which it had to do also when Covid hit and it was forgotten.

For years African leaders have been invited to attend summits as the people being talked at.

But now African leaders are owning their shortcomings and addressing them upfront.

As one speaker told the conference: We are seeking to find the common thread to stitch back the torn but vibrant fabric of Africa. That was a powerful line that stood out for me because as an African who had to leave her birthplace due to war there is nothing more I wish for the people of Africa than for us all to live in peace and connect together as the beautiful and powerful continent we are.

The conflict in Sudan is scary but for the first time, because Africa is being allowed to lead, it means peace might be found around a table of African leaders who are ready to meet the expectations, rights and aspirations of their people.

History has proved that Africans have what it takes and more to lead in our continent, because for centuries Africa was where peace prevailed.

I dont buy the Karl Lagerfeld hype

Karl Lagerfelds cat, Choupette, is not just wealthier than most people I know, it seems she is also more successful. Choupette is worth millions of dollars and has plenty of modelling jobs and businesses behind her  she even inherited part of Lagerfelds fortune when he died in 2019, though legal wrangling means she hasnt seen the money yet.

I speak of the mans cat because I think thats the most inoffensive thing about him. As the designer was honoured last night at the Met Gala several people took the theme of the cat, with Jared Leto dressing up as one.

There has been backlash at the Met Gala honouring Lagerfeld due to the fact that he had made several hateful comments during his career, but the truth is that many of those attending the Gala buy into this ridiculous hype of an event where women are dressed so uncomfortably that I am shocked no one passes out, let alone sits around and has dinner.

Are these icons so incredible that we cant demand they behave like civil human beings?
C at-themed outfits featured heavily at this years Met Gala, in apparent nods to late fashion designer Karl Lagerfelds beloved pet, Choupette.

Famous faces including Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and Jared Leto arrived for the high-profile fashion event in New York, wearing feline-inspired garments  some more extreme than others.

Lagerfeld doted on the blue-eyed cat, who was reportedly invited to the 2023 Met Gala, but did not make an appearance on the night.

Doja Cat donned yet another eye-catching, full-body outfit for the event, which was her first ever Met Gala.

AFP via Getty Images

The rapper wore cat-inspired prosthetics on her face, cat-eye make-up and a diamond hanging on her forehead.

With a silver skintight gown by Oscar de la Renta, the outfit had a feathered train, backless design and a built-in head covering with cat ears.

Another of the nights more experimental looks was delivered by fellow rapper Lil Nas X, who wore a metallic thong and sparkling silver paint covering his entire body.

AFP via Getty Images

Crystals and pearls studded his body, and he topped off the look with a heavily embellished face mask that featured feline elements.

Slightly less subtle was the outfit donned by Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto, who arrived at the Met Gala in a giant white fluffy cat costume.

After posing for photos Leto removed his head in the events main hall, hoisting it aloft and waving, before changing into another outfit.

Getty Images

Kim Kardashian, whose Met Gala outfits are always highly anticipated, did not opt for a cat-inspired costume on the night, but paid tribute to Choupette on the carpet.

It comes after the reality star recently met the cat in Paris and posted a picture with her fellow social media giant (Choupette has 176k followers on Instagram).

Had a date with @choupetteofficiel in Paris. We then spent some time at @karllagerfelds office to get a little inspiration for the Met, she captioned a photo, which showed the animal looking somewhat unimpressed.

Speaking to Vogue on the carpet, Kardashian recalled the meeting as a little scary.

It takes a little while to warm up to her, (but) she wrote me a sweet note and left it in my room. We spent some time together before this trip, she said.

Choupette also appeared to get a nod from Vogue editor-in-chief and Met Gala organiser, Dame Anna Wintour, who wore a coat that seemed to have small cat motifs embroidered on it.
D ont like the songs on this weeks music charts? Blame it on the weather.

Scientists have found that weather conditions as well as seasonal patterns can play a role in shaping a listeners song preferences, which in turn, may have an impact on its success in the UK music charts.

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that dance songs which evoked positive emotions of joy and happiness performed better in the charts when the weather was warm and sunny, when compared with cold and rainy months.

They also found that popular songs had a stronger association with the weather, compared with less popular ones.

The researchers said their findings, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, challenge the view that success in the music industry is solely based on the quality of the music.

Our study suggests that favourable environmental conditions, such as warm and sunny weather, induce positive emotional states in listeners, which in turn, leads them to choose to listen to energetic and positive music, potentially to match their current mood

Dr Manuel Anglada-Tort, a lecturer in the Faculty of Music and head of the Music, Culture, and Cognition Lab at Oxford University, said: Our study suggests that favourable environmental conditions, such as warm and sunny weather, induce positive emotional states in listeners, which in turn, leads them to choose to listen to energetic and positive music, potentially to match their current mood.

He added: Thus, it highlights the importance of considering broad environmental factors when analysing the success of songs in the music market, and provides insight into how music choices are influenced by external factors beyond the music itself.

Dr Anglada-Tort and his colleagues analysed more than 23,000 songs that reached the weekly charts in the UK in the last 70 years, gathering historical data from the Met Office as well as Official Charts.

They measured three different weather conditions: daily temperature, daily hours of sunshine, and days of rain.

The UK presents a compelling case study to investigate the impact of weather on behaviour due to its well-known climate patterns, with lots of rain and notable changes in weather

Dr Anglada-Tort said: The UK presents a compelling case study to investigate the impact of weather on behaviour due to its well-known climate patterns, with lots of rain and notable changes in weather.

Using machine learning techniques, the researchers were able to determine each songs musical features such as melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, dynamics, and tempo.

The team found that songs which were energetic, danceable, and evoked positive emotions  such as Temperature by Sean Paul (2005)  performed better during warm and sunny weather when compared with rainy and cold months.

They also found that hyper-popular songs in the top 10 of the charts showed the strongest associations with weather fluctuations.

Negative emotional states may be more influenced by individual situational factors rather than general environmental conditions

Meanwhile, songs that were of low intensity and had negative emotions of sadness  such as Never Gonna Fall In Love Again by Dana (1976)  did not appear to be influenced by the weather.

Dr Anglada-Tort said: This suggests that negative emotional states may be more influenced by individual situational factors rather than general environmental conditions.

The researchers said their work only shows a link between music success in the charts and the weather conditions so the results must be interpreted with caution.

Dr Anglada-Tort said: Using our methods, we cannot establish any causal effect between weather and music preferences.

Moreover, alternative explanations may account for our results, such as the role of industry gatekeepers or recommender systems that decide which music is available to consumers.
P atrick Doyle vividly remembers the very first time that he met King Charles III  and to be fair, it might be difficult to forget an incident this hilariously mortifying in a hurry, with or without a future monarch being present.

Back in 1988, the Scottish composers opening night nerves suddenly deepened when he learned that the then-Prince of Wales was to attend the premiere of 12th Night at West Londons Riverside Studios. It was directed by Shakespeare veteran Kenneth Branagh, and starring Frances Barber and the late Richard Briers as Viola and Malvolio; Doyle had composed the music.

I was playing the piano, and conducting a small orchestra on stage as part of the production, the composer recounts. There was a light on top of the piano which lit my music, he continues, with rising horror, and as the [house] lights came down I started to play the piano. It was a veryrobust piece. Halfway through, I couldnt believe my eyes; I saw the lamp, slowly coming towards me. It fell off the piano! It pulled off all the music, it was all over me.

Amid a deathly silence, Doyle jokes that he saw his entire life flash before his eyes as he frantically scrambled to re-order the hopelessly jumbled sheets. In desperation I shouted, really loudly, has anybody seen Page 1? As the place erupted, Doyle spotted the now-King in fits of laughter.

I thought, Oh, my God, Ive survived, he laughs. Afterwards he came up to me backstage, and he was still laughing.

A couple of years later, the King personally wrote to Doyle to express his admiration for the composers film score for Henry V. He also asked him to write a bespoke new operatic piece, The Thistle and The Rose, to mark the Queen Mothers 90th Birthday.

Michael Carlo

His Majesty later invited him to Highgrove to discuss The Thistle and The Rose, in the days before sat-nav. Doyles wife Lesley kindly offered to accompany so that she could map-read from the passenger seat, and then quietly waited behind while the pair met. When the King discovered Mrs Doyle was waiting in the car, he was adamant that she join them.

So she comes in, and we have another cup of tea, Doyle smiles. He really showed a very generous, honest and open personality.

When Doyle received word that he had been invited to compose a coronation march for the Kings official ascension to the throne, he was humbled.

It was completely thrilling, he says. An unbelievable honour. It was also quite terrifying and intimidating, he admits. Its the first coronation march in 70 years. This legacy of great composers who have gone before me  Elgar, Purcell, Walton  was very daunting. I just had to get my head down, and get on with it!

Though he admits its usually a struggle to get going on his biggest pieces, the coronation march hit like a rare bolt of creative lightning. While lying sleeplessly in bed, mostly worrying about what the heck he was going to do, two trumpet melodies suddenly struck, seemingly from nowhere.

Every note I had in my head then is in the piece, he says. It doesnt always happen that way, and a lot of it comes from hard slog. When these mythical moments do occur, hes eternally grateful. In similar fashion, one of his more crazy marches for the score of the film Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire was inspired by a roaming five-piece band that stormed into the French restaurant Doyle was dining at for a brief performance.

Doyle composed the score for Bridget Jones Diary, among other hit films / Paramount Pictures

Once the outline for the coronation march was in place, he adds that his own personal impressions of the King also influenced and shaped his approach. It was written to commemorate his life, and is what I would call an overture march. Its in four sections, and theyre very identifiable, he says. Beginning with ceremonial pageantry, Doyle explains that the piece will shift towards a strong Celtic influence before moving into a fun, joyful third section. Finally: the final section is very romantic, because I think he has a great love of the arts. The approximately four-minute composition culminates in a triumphant finale, and will play during the entrance of the Commonwealth procession.

Doyle is perhaps best known for his film scores, including now-iconic compositions for classics like Bridget Jones Diary, Sense & Sensibility, Nanny McPhee, and Goblet of Fire. Though the coronation represents a slightly different challenge, itll still have plenty of cinematic qualities  and the meticulously choreographed event will be watched by millions.

In any case, Doyle points out that many of his greatest scores also unfold within fairly tight time constraints. Im accustomed to writing within a timeline, he reasons. Theres a time limit, but it doesnt sound squeezed, and it has a life of its own. In a filmic sense, that was a connection.

In just a few weeks, he will have the privilege of witnessing his own march being performed live at the coronation itself  Doyle has been invited to the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Ill be in the morning suit, he says.

Itll be incredible to hear my music up in the organ loft, with the wonderful acoustics of that incredible ancient building, he says.

Im in a very privileged position to be asked to do this. Its a great honour.

The Coronation of King Charles III takes place on May 6
PARIS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Some 782,000 people participated in this year's International Workers' Day protests across France, the country's Interior Ministry said Monday.

The protests took place amid social tensions caused by the government forcing passage of a controversial pension reform bill; last year, only 116,500 people took to the streets on May 1.

Like recent nationwide mobilizations against the pension reforms, Monday's protests turned violent in major cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

According to French interior minister Gerald Darmanin, at least 108 police and gendarmes were injured during the protests. One police officer suffered burns to the face and arms when a Molotov cocktail was launched by a protestor in Paris.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne condemned the violence against security forces. "The scenes of violence on the sidelines of the marches are unacceptable," she said on social media.

On April 14, France's Constitutional Council ruled that the legal retirement age would be gradually raised from 62 to 64 by 2030.

Borne had first presented details of the pension reform plan in January. Along with raising the retirement age, the reform also introduces a guaranteed minimum pension, and from 2027 onwards at least 43 years of work would be required to be eligible for a full pension. 
H omes close to high performing schools in London come at a hefty premium.

According to one recent study by property portal Zoopla, parents who want to be close to an Ofsted-outstanding school need to pay more than 200,000 extra for a home within its catchment area.

With three young children to consider, Emma and Phil Coldrey had begun to get increasingly concerned about their options in the run-up to the pandemic.

The couple had a four bedroom 1930s semi in Bush Hill Park, north London, and loved the neighbourhood. But the local senior schools had bad reputations and they wanted better for their three children, now aged nine, seven, and four.

The family mapped their options for locations with good schools and fast train links into London / Handout

We couldnt afford to move into the catchment area for one of the very good schools nearby, said Emma. It was a worry. We were very set up in Bush Hill Park  we had lots of friends  but we just couldnt find anything to buy nearby within budget.

As well as good schools Emma, 44, a news director at the BBC, and Phil, 42, a cameraman, need to live within reasonable commuting distance of London. So they began mapping their options for locations with both good schools and fast, regular train links back into town.

At this stage the plan was very much a desktop study, but the pandemic provided a final push. To be honest I didnt think wed ever really leave, said Emma. But after lockdown we thought: Weve managed without seeing our friends for this long, we can manage without them if we move, said Emma.

They decided their perfect location was Horsell, a village a mile from the centre of Woking. It has plentiful open space in the form of the 900 acre Horsell Common, and its own high street with pubs, restaurants, and shops. And the schools are great. We actually use the car less here than we used to in London because everything is within walking distance, said Emma.

The move was a logistical minefield. The couple sold their house, for 650,000, in November 2021, before theyd found a place to buy.

With school places waiting for the older children they decided to rent, only to find that they needed to bid over the asking price (and sign a two year contract) to secure a temporary home in Horsell. The small, three-bedroom house they found cost 1,850pcm, which was more than their mortgage.

Meanwhile, with the pandemic in full swing, prices continued rising around them. Eventually, in July 2022, they had to considerably up the size of their mortgage to buy their new home, a detached, four-bedroom 1930s house.

Luckily for them their landlord agreed to free them from their contract early so they didnt end up paying rent and a mortgage simultaneously.

Beyond those early teething troubles the move has worked out perfectly. The children are happily settled at their respective school and nursery and Emma and Phil are making school-gates friendships.

They are all loving the outdoor space they now have on the doorstep and the commute  whilst slightly slower and more expensive than when they were in London  is entirely do-able.

Everyone has settled in much better than we expected  we are just absolutely delighted, said Emma. Is there anything I would have done differently? I would probably have done it a bit sooner, but that is it.
The naked dress had a moment this party season, but last night Lil Nas X took the popular trend to a whole next level.

As an ode to late Karl Lagerfelds pet cat Choupette, the rapper took to the red carpet wearing nothing but a metallic Dior thong, silver body paint and head-to-toe bejewelled Swarovski crystals and pearls - complete with a matching mask, fangs, platform boots and a claw-like manicure.

Met Gala 2023 | Lil Nas X 1 / 13 Met Gala 2023 | Lil Nas X AFP via Getty Images Evan Agostini/Invision/AP AFP via Getty Images REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Getty Images

Its really taken to new, three-dimensional crystal and pearl levels, makeup artist and creator of the feline look Pat McGrath told Vogue. She also added that the nine-hour-long creation required people to fly all over the globe to find all of the pieces, including couture lace from 25 years ago and crystals from Austria.

REUTERS

His last Met Gala was in 2023 where he sported a three-in-one look designed by Donatella Versarce. Composed of a dramatic gold cape, a glimmering golden suit of armour and - unearth all that - a completely bedazzled gold sequin bodysuit, it appears the 24-year-old musician has a fondness for sparkles. As does McGarth, who created a similar red head-to-toe bejewelled look for Doja Cat at the Schiaparelli F/W 2023 Haute Couture earlier this year.

Doja Cat wears feline-inspired prosthetics to first ever Met Gala (Evan Agostini/PA) / AP

It wasnt the only homage to Choupette of the night, with Jared Leto donning a scarily lifelike cat suit and Doja Cat channelling the blue cream Birman via a silvery hooded Oscar de la Renta gown complete with feline facial prosthetics, cat ears and talon nails.

Met Gala 2023 | Red Carpet 1 / 68 Met Gala 2023 | Red Carpet Rihanna AFP via Getty Images Kim Kardashian AFP via Getty Images Cara Delevingne AFP via Getty Images Emily Ratajkowski Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Lily James Getty Images Gisele Bundchen Getty Images florencepughmetgala23 Florence Pugh AFP via Getty Images Halle Bailey Getty Images Lil Nas X Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Stormzy Getty Images Kim Kardashian Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Gigi Hadid Getty Images Lila Moss and Kate Moss Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Kendall Jenner Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Kylie Jenner Getty Images Margot Robbie Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Naomi Campbell AFP via Getty Images Rita Ora Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Dua Lipa Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Jenna Ortega Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Michaela Coel Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Cardi B Getty Images Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Jared Leto honours Karl Lagerfelds cat AP Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld A$AP Rocky and Rihanna Getty Images Doja Cat Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Daisy Edgar-Jones AFP via Getty Images Anne Hathaway Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Lizzo AFP via Getty Images Irina Shayk AFP via Getty Images Gisele Bundchen Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Jodie Comer Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Julia Garner Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Janelle Monae AFP via Getty Images Taika Waititi and Rita Ora Getty Images Barry Keoghan Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Billie Eilish Getty Images Sienna Miller AFP via Getty Images Jessica Chastain Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Pedro Pascal Getty Images Miranda Kerr Getty Images Emily Blunt Getty Images Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jona Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Joshua Kushner and Karlie Kloss Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Lily James Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Cara Delevingne Getty Images Elle Fanning Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Rihanna Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy AFP via Getty Images Ice Spice Getty Images

Scroll the gallery above the see more of The Met Gala 2023s best looks.
A woman stabbed to death in the street was ambushed at random as she returned home after buying a gift for her mothers birthday.

Neighbours said the 31-year-old was on the phone to her grandmother who heard a terrible scream during the brutal daylight attack near Brixtons O2 Academy on Bank Holiday Monday.

Scotland Yard launched a manhunt and said she is not believed to have known the knifeman. Police said it is believed the woman was walking along the street when she was approached from behind by a man who attacked her.

The force said a random attack is one possibility.

Police said on Tuesday a 33-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.

Several relatives were seen praying at the scene hours after her death at around 4.04pm on Stockwell Park Walk, Lambeth, south London.

A resident said the victim, believed to be of Ghanaian descent, had been on her way to the flat she shares with her mother, father, brother and sister for a birthday celebration.

The mother-of-two, 52, told the Standard: I was with her dad at the crime scene.

He said his daughter had gone to buy a present for her mother and was on her way home.

A blue tent at the murder scene in Stockwell Park Walk, Brixton / John Dunne

She was on the phone to her grandmother when she was attacked. The grandmother heard a terrible scream and then the phone dropped. The grandmother phoned the dad who then tried to call his daughters number but got no answer.

She added: The dad was broken and his family devastated. They have no idea why anyone would do this to her. They are a lovely family.

The victim lived at home in a very close, loving family. They cant believe what has happened.

This area has got safer recently. Affluent people who work in central London have moved in.

If it is random, its terrifying. Its a brazen attack in the open in daylight.

Roads remain closed on Tuesday morning s forensic officers and Metropolitan Police murder detectives trawl for clues.

A blue tent was situated in an alley, near to St Helens Catholic Primary School.

On Monday afternoon, police were called and an air ambulance attended but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Four people, including the victims father, were seen praying at the police cordon beside Rumsey Road, which runs parallel to Stockwell Park Walk at 9pm.

One woman in the group, who did not want to be identified, said: Its still so raw.

Family are on their way here now and we still need to tell them whats happened. Its just so raw.

Natasha Jordan, who works at the Live True London hair salon on Brixton Road, said: There were loads of police cars and ambulances that came.

Loads of police were walking up and down the road because theres a police station right near here.

No one actually came in and said anything though, and Ive been in here all day.

Police on Stockwell Park Walk in Lambeth (PA) / PA Wire

The victim lived on an estate just 200 yards away.

A mother-of-three, who lives in the same building, said: They are a lovely family and she was a beautiful person. We cannot comprehend how this can have happened.

Another neighbour added: They are such friendly people and the lady who died was wonderful. Its a tragedy. Ive been away and come back to this news. Im gutted.

Neighbours said police had been at the family home to offer support and security after the attack.

A resident told reporters: The first I knew was the police being at their door. She was a lovely family woman. To think there is a knife killer on the loose is terrifying.

Florence Eshalomi, the Labour & Co-op MP for Vauxhall, expressed her condolences on Twitter, adding: Very sad to hear of a tragic stabbing of a woman near Stockwell Park Walk.

There is a crime scene in place and investigations are at an early stage.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Lambeth, said: This is a shocking attack and my thoughts are with the womans family and friends as they come to terms with this awful news. We will do everything we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time.

"I recognise the considerable concern this incident has caused and Id like to reassure you that a dedicated team of detectives are carrying out a number of enquiries and have made an arrest.

"Despite this, we have additional officers in the area to respond to any concerns from members of the community and I would ask people to report any suspicious activity to us.

Police urged anyone with information to call 101, quoting CAD 4278/01 May or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
P olice are appealing for witnesses after a Just Stop Oil protesters foot appeared to have been run over by a driver amid a slow march in north London on Tuesday morning.

The group marched through Parliament Square and several other locations including Borough and Islington, in a second week of consecutive demonstrations that have blocked traffic.

Just Stop Oil posted a video online showing a grey Renault Megane seemingly being driven through a group of demonstrators on Holloway Road in Islington around 10am.

One person appeared to be pushed to the side and another thrown to the ground as a car made its way through a small group of activists wearing high-vis jackets and holding a banner.

It appeared the car had travelled over an activists foot.

It has gone over her foot, one person was heard saying in the video, while consoling the injured protester.

Just Stop Oil wrote on Twitter: After weeks of inflammatory language from politicians and right-wing media personalities, a car has finally rammed into a peaceful protest.

Metropolitan Police said they were alerted to the incident after seeing the video circulate online.

The force is appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage after the person was involved in a collision while engaged in a protest.

Just Stop Oil has vowed to march from Parliament Square, by the Palace of Westminster, every weekday and Saturday until the Government abandons its dangerous attempt to licence over 100 new fossil fuel projects.

The series of demonstrations began on Monday April 24.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has introduced new legislation allowing police to inervene and stop the slow walking tactic adopted by Just Stop Oil.

The Government said this will give police the clarity they have asked for on when they can use existing powers to break up the selfish, guerrilla slow-marching tactics used to halt traffic across the UK.

The Public Order Bill creates a new criminal offence of interfering with key national infrastructure such as roads, airports and railways, with perpetrators facing 12 months behind bars.

Just Stop Oil said if the bill passes in the House of Lords on Wednesday, it will grant police the power to stop people from exercising their legimitate right to protest.

A number of supporters have been issued with Public Order Act (S12) notices by the Met in order to move them off roads and onto pavements.

If you were the person or have any information about the incident please report by calling 101, tweeting @MetCC or online at www.met.police.uk/
T wo university students charged with murdering a 19-year-old marketing student have been told they will face trial in October.

Ogechi Eke and Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, both aged 19 and from London, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday charged with murdering Kwabena Osei-Poku, who was stabbed near the University of Northamptons campus on April 23.

The university has confirmed both defendants and two other people charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice have been suspended from their courses pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Mr Osei-Poku, originally from Peterborough, was studying on an advertising and digital marketing course.

Police said he died at the scene after being stabbed in New South Bridge Road, Northampton, following an incident which started on the university campus.

Eke and Lebaga-Idubor spoke only to confirm their names during a five-minute appearance before Judge Rupert Mayo.

Adjourning the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing, Judge Mayo told the men: Your trial will take place in October but before then there needs to be another formal hearing at this court, which will take place on the 12th of June, when you will both attend.

In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.

Lebaga-Idubor, of Ice House Court, Abbey Road, Barking, and Eke, of Brimsdown Avenue, Enfield, are charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

They were told their trial will begin on October 2 and is expected to last for around ten days.

In a statement issued last Friday, University of Northampton vice chancellor Anne-Marie Kilday extended her gratitude to our community and neighbours for their resilience during such an unprecedented, difficult time.

Following the charges brought against these individuals we will continue to closely support staff and students while assisting officers with their inquiries, she added.
A man needed eye surgery after being attacked at an Underground station in west London for asking which way a Tube was going.

The victim was at Earls Court Underground Station at roughly 5pm on January 14, when he asked a fellow male passenger if a train was travelling to Notting Hill.

The other passenger then allegedly assaulted the victim, leaving him with facial injuries to his eye which needed surgery.

Do you recognise this man? / British Transport Police

British Transport Police on Tuesday released CCTV images of a man they want to trace and speak to in connection with the incident.

Anyone who knows him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. In both cases, quote reference number 420 of 14/01/23.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
N HS unions will hold a crunch meeting on Tuesday over whether to accept a pay deal offered by the Government, paving the way for an end to long-running strike action.

Representatives from 14 health unions will meet through the NHS staff council to consider the offer, which consists of a 5 per cent pay rise along with a one-off lump sum.

The offer has already been accepted by members of Unison, GMB and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

But members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Unite have already rejected the deal, with both unions warning of further strikes irrespective of the decision of the NHS staff council.

It is expected that the majority of unions will vote in favour of the deal despite opposition from Unite and the RCN.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has indicated that he will implement the pay rise to all health workers covered by the agreement if it is accepted.

Pat Cullen, General Secretary of the RCN, on Monday night confirmed the union would press ahead with a fresh ballot for industrial action for the next six months. The ballot will cover all of Englands hospitals, in contrast to the previous vote which was held in individual NHS trusts.

She said: Different unions and different professions came to different, but respectable, conclusions on this pay offer.

The deal being accepted by others does not alter the clear fact that nursing staff, as the largest part of the NHS workforce, remain in dispute with the government over unfair pay and unsafe staffing.

Ms Cullen added: The hundreds of nurses I met at five different hospitals had the energy and determination for the months ahead.

The government must not underestimate their resolve. The majority of our members voted to reject the deal and to keep campaigning for something better.

Mr Barclay accused the RCN of being disrespectful to other health unions by staging further strike action, adding: I think the RCN should have waited. Theyre a member of the Staff Council. They were part of the negotiations.

Meanwhile, members of the RCN returned to work on Tuesday morning after their latest strike in protest at the pay offer.

Londons Chief Nurse, Jane Clegg, said that staffing in the capitals hospitals had been exceptionally low during the strike.

Beyond these days of action there is also an ongoing impact  as more pressure is put on NHS staff and some Londoners experience delays in their care.

And Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS England medical director for national transformation, said there had been disruption to cancer services.

Separately, staff at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will strike on Tuesday in another long-running dispute over pay.
T he majority of NHS unions have voted to accept the Governments pay offer, it has been announced.

In a statement, the NHS staff council confirmed that a majority of its 14 members had backed the deal - despite opposition from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Unite.

The move could pave the way for an end to strikes in the NHS, which began in December last year.

However, the RCN has indicated that it will reballot its members for a further six months of industrial action, raising the prospect that nursing strikes could last until Christmas.

A separate pay dispute with junior doctor members of the British Medical Association (BMA) is also ongoing.

Health and Social Secretary Steve Barclay said he would implement the deal for all staff on the NHS staff council.

He added: Where some unions may choose to remain in dispute, we hope their members  many of whom voted to accept this offer  will recognise this as a fair outcome that carries the support of their colleagues and decide it is time to bring industrial action to an end.

UNISON head of health Sara Gorton, who also chairs the union group on the NHS staff council, said ministers and employers must ensure health workers get their money as soon as possible.

She said: NHS workers will now want the pay rise they've voted to accept. The hope is that the one-off payment and salary increase will be in June's pay packets.

But health staff shouldnt have needed to take action in the first place. Unions made clear to ministers last summer that 1,400 wasn't enough to stop staff leaving the NHS, nor prevent strikes. But the government wouldn't listen.

Proper pay talks last autumn could have stopped health workers missing out on money they could ill afford to lose. The NHS and patients would also have been spared months of disruption.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, urged ministers to release the money for NHS staff as soon as possible and to ensure that local NHS leaders do not have to cover the increased cost from their existing budgets.

Failure to do this would have an extremely negative impact on patient care at a time when there are still millions of people on waiting lists.

The government promised previously that there will be no impact on frontline services or to the quality of care as a result of the offer, which must be reflected in the additional funding that now emerges.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said the decision was very positive.

With four unions having rejected the pay deal individually for their members, we await confirmation of their plans.

However, all unions, whether they have voted to accept the deal or not, as well as NHS leaders themselves, remain concerned about the impact of the cost of living on their members and colleagues, in addition to feeling worried about the present difficulties facing their patients and communities.

The impending NHS workforce plan is an opportunity for the government to make clear its commitment to invest in staff numbers and development, and for employers to redouble their efforts to improve workplaces across the NHS.

Meanwhile, members of the RCN returned to work on Tuesday morning after their latest strike in protest at the pay offer.

Londons Chief Nurse, Jane Clegg, said that staffing in the capitals hospitals had been exceptionally low during the strike.

Beyond these days of action there is also an ongoing impact  as more pressure is put on NHS staff and some Londoners experience delays in their care.

And Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS England medical director for national transformation, said there had been disruption to cancer services.
O n the surface, the decision by a majority of unions in the NHS Staff Council to back the Governments pay offer feels like the beginning of the end of strike action in the health service.

If only things were that simple. Despite securing the backing of large unions such as Unison and GMB, the deal was firmly rejected by Unite and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

Both unions have signalled their intention to carry on striking, arguing that the offer of a 5 per cent pay rise and one-off lump sum is insufficient to shield their members from the cost of living crisis.

The Standard looks at how the strikes could play out in the coming months - and whether they could come to an end.

What is the NHS Staff Council?

The NHS Staff Council is responsible for the Agenda for Change pay contract, which covers more than a million workers from nurses to paramedics to physiotherapists.

It is tasked with maintaining the pay system and negotiating changes in core conditions for staff, according to NHS Employers.

Its executives include senior officials from each major health union, who meet regularly to discuss pay and working conditions.

NHS workers take part in a march from St Thomas' Hospital to Trafalgar Square / PA

What could happen next?

The future of the dispute rest on the results of the RCNs ballot for a further six months of industrial action.

RCN members are expected to vote in the coming weeks, with a final result due in June.

While the unions previous strike ballot was disaggregated by individual NHS Trust, the upcoming ballot will apply nationally.

This means that nurses would walk out of every hospital in England during a potential strike, which would be significantly more disruptive.

However, it is far from guaranteed that the threshold for industrial action will be met.

Ministers hope that, once the new pay offer appears in nurses bank accounts, the appetite for further strikes will wane.

Just over half (54 per cent) of RCN members voted against the Governments pay deal on a 61 per cent turnout. The RCN know that, to secure a fresh mandate, they will need to rally their members once again and convince them that a better deal is possible.

If the RCN secures a mandate for another six months of strikes, it would effectively leave the union and the Government deadlocked.

Mr Barclay has insisted this is the final offer he will make to NHS staff - but the prospect of mass walkouts leading right up to election season may force him reluctantly back to the table.

NHS staff stand on the picket line outside St Thomas Hospital in London (File picture) / PA Wire

Will this affect the junior doctors strike?

Practically, the decision of the NHS Staff Council will have no impact on the junior doctors dispute as they are covered by separate payment contracts.

The British Medical Association (BMA) remain in dispute with the Government, though the union has not called any further strikes for over a fortnight.

Both sides remain deadlocked despite the BMAs call to allow Acas, the independent conciliation service, to broker talks.

The BMA have demanded a 35 per cent pay rise to combat years of erosion to junior doctors wages.

As such, it is highly unlikely they would accept a deal similar to that offered to Agenda for Change staff.

The BMA also has an incredibly strong mandate for action - with 98 per cent of junior doctor members backing strike action on a 77 per cent turnout.

Strikes could last into the summer and beyond, imperilling Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks pledge to cut NHS waiting lists by next year.
A PR boss is suing his neighbour over claims she is a dance music-loving grandmother who has made his life a living hell with a decade-long campaign of noise nuisance and harassment.

Dominic Hyde, 57, says next-door neighbour Heather Akinwunmi uses bass-heavy 90s dance music as a weapon to punish him and his family.

He told Central London county court the noise has driven him out of his bedroom, and he now sleeps on a mattress in the living room of his 750,000 home in Brixton, south London.

Mr Hyde, a father-of-two, blames Ms Akinwunmi for long periods of sleep deprivation, and claims he and his wife have also been kept awake by their neighbour using her washing machine at night and deliberately dropping heavy items on the floorboards.

Ms Akinwunmi, however, is fighting the harassment and nuisance accusations, denying the pounding dance music is hers as she enjoys only gentler music on radio stations Capital, Choice and Heart.

She accuses the Hydes of being overly sensitive to the noise of everyday life in a Victorian building with poor sound insulation, saying she cant do anything without them complaining.

In his evidence, Mr Hyde said they had initially been on good terms with their upstairs neighbour, but over time things changed when she blamed them for unpleasant smells entering her flat.

Champion News

He said their life had become a nightmare and a living hell thanks to alleged behaviour stretching over more than ten years.

The court was played more than a dozen video clips taken by Mr Hyde as examples of the noise he says the family have to cope with.

He claimed Ms Akinwunmi once put on dance music at 2am before going outside and sitting on a wall opposite with her dog. In the ensuing row, she blamed him for smells and allegedly said: If Im not going to sleep, youre not going to sleep.

Mr Hyde claimed on another occasion in 2017 she put on music before going out, and did not return for two days.

The businessman said his family has resorted to tip-toeing around their flat and living like monks to avoid triggering a response from their neighbour.

It has destroyed us. Thats how we live. We live in silence, he said, adding: We want to be left alone and have a quiet life.

The Hydes are seeking a court order banning Ms Akinwunmi from causing them noise nuisance, plus 30,000 in damages.

Champion News

Giving evidence, Ms Akinwunmi blamed noise transmission on woeful sound insulation from the local councils conversion of the flats in the 1970s.

The homes are separated only by floorboards, joists and a single sheet of plasterboard ceiling, and experts agree the sound insulation is terrible with one describing it as like living in a drum.

Ms Akinwunmi accused her neighbours are being overly sensitive to noise, and added: I cant do anything without them complaining.

Facing with one of Mr Hydes videos featuring thumping dance music, she denied being to blame.

I dont play that sort of music, she said. I dont listen to songs like that. I listen to Capital, Choice and Heart FM.

Her barrister, Elizabeth Fisher, accepted there was clear animosity between the neighbours and suggested Ms Akinwunmi had felt intimidated at times by Mr Hyde.

Whatever noise is heard, Mr and Mrs Hyde will immediately look to blame her, rather than looking at the matter objectively, she said.

A judge will deliver his ruling on the case at a later date.
VILNIUS, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda discussed regional security issues with visiting Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki here on Tuesday.

The two sides pledged to contribute to multilateral reconstruction initiatives for Ukraine, noting both countries have expertise and experience in this field.

Nauseda said that speeding up the synchronization of Lithuania's electricity network with that of continental Europe is a priority issue for his country since in early 2024 it aims to decouple from the BRELL power grid circuit which it shares with Belarus and Russia.

The two leaders also talked about the preparations for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit that Lithuania will host on July 11-12.

Late on Tuesday, Lithuania's Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte and Morawiecki attended the opening of the extension of the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius. 
C onservatives at City Hall have chosen a new leader and deputy for their party in the London Assembly.

At their AGM on Tuesday, May 2, the Assemblys nine-strong Tory group selected Neil Garratt as their new leader, who stood uncontested.

Mr Garratt has represented the boroughs of Croydon and Sutton on the Assembly since 2021. He replaces Susan Hall, who had led the group since December 2019.

Mr Garratt said he was honoured to take up the post, and paid tribute to Ms Halls leadership, crediting her with having transformed the party group into the capable and effective organisation it is today.

He added that he was excited to work with my colleagues and Londoners to address the serious challenges London is currently facing under our current Mayor, and set out our vision for how we can achieve a brighter future for our city.

Mr Garratt, who grew up on a council estate in the Midlands before moving to Sutton more than 20 years ago, also serves as a Sutton councillor.

In a tweet, Ms Hall said she had stepped down as Leader to focus on other ways to hold this soft-on-crime Mayor to account.

She said that it had been a huge privilege to lead the group and that she was proud of the progress her party had made in holding the Mayor to account and representing the interests of all Londoners.

Susan Hall, Conservative London Assembly Member / London Assembly

Ms Hall remains on the Assembly and also serves as a councillor in Harrow, where she was council leader for a period in 2013-14.

As Conservative group leader, Mr Garratt will serve effectively as Leader of the Opposition on the London Assembly - a body of 25 elected members which scutinises the Mayor of London.

The Assembly comprises 11 Labour members, nine Conservatives, three Greens and two Liberal Democrats.

Mr Garratts election does not mean he will be the Tory candidate for Mayor at the next mayoral election in 2024. He has not publicly expressed an interest in running for that post, though two of his colleagues on the Assembly - Andrew Boff and Nick Rogers - have said that they will be putting their names forward.

Former No. 10 advisor Samuel Kasumu is also running for the Mayoral candidacy, as is ex-councillor Duwayne Brooks, while Minister for London Paul Scully MP has said he is considering whether to run.

The party is aiming to have a candidate in place for that role by the end of July. They will be up against Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has said he will be running for a third term in office.

Emma Best AM / London Assembly

At the City Hall Conservatives AGM on Tuesday, Emma Best was elected uncontested as the groups deputy leader, taking over from Peter Fortune. Ms Best, who was elected to the Assembly in 2021, also serves as leader of the Tory opposition on Waltham Forest Council.

Tony Devenish has meanwhile taken over, again uncontested, as the groups secretary and party whip - succeeding Mr Garratt in the role.
U krainian children in London are excited and honoured to be in the capital for the Coronation and are using it as a distraction from the war in their home country, teachers said.

Pupils at Londons largest Ukrainian school have been given lessons about the royal family and British values, headteacher Inna Hryhorovych said.

St Marys Ukrainian School in Holland Park will throw a Coronation street party this weekend with bunting and a cake-decorating competition, while pupils have already created portraits of the King, learned a Coronation dance, made their own crowns and taken part in a Coronation-themed holiday camp.

Ms Hryhorovych said: They feel honoured to be part of such a historically significant event that positively distracts from other sad thoughts.

She added: Ukrainian people have felt the strong foundations of all the British values at once. These children are safe today thanks to the courage of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the deep values of the British nation.

St Marys was originally a Saturday school for British-born children of Ukrainians in London. But since the war broke out it has expanded hugely, becoming a lifeline for refugees and running classes for Ukrainian children.

The theme of the schools Easter holiday camp was coronation, and pupils were presented with crowns on the final day. Ms Hryhorovych said: All children felt like Queens and Kings for a day. The atmosphere was magical.
H ighgate Station has just reopened after firefighters tackled a huge fire by the north London Tube stop.

Plumes of smoke can be seen billowing out for miles away after the blaze broke out at roughly 3pm on Tuesday.

London Fire Brigade said that a derelict outbuilding had caught fire.

There were no reports of any injuries.

A neighbour told the Standard: I heard a dull thud. I was walking back to my flat when I saw smoke billowing into the sky.

As I got closer the flames took hold. Someone said an outbuilding had been set on fire.

Theres been lots of talk recently about teenagers hanging out in that area of Queens Wood near the station.

An LFB spokesman added: Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters are tackling a fire at a building on Archway Road in Hornsey.

Half of the first floor of the derelict building is alight.

The Brigade was called at 3.01pm and the crews are fighting to bring the fire under control. Fire crews from Hornsey, Kentish Town, Holloway, West Hampstead and Finchley are attending the scene.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

@ItsAhrickJe

Scotland Yard said they were in the early stages of an investigation and were assisting firefighters at the scene.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: Officers were called to Highgate Underground station at 3pm today following reports of a fire.

Officers are on scene supporting the London Fire Brigade as they work to extinguish the fire and establish the circumstances of how it started. The station is closed and passengers are advised to avoid the area.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We have sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a medic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team (HART).

The incident is ongoing and we are working with our emergency service colleagues.
C limate activists from group Just Stop Oil have vowed to march from Londons Parliament Square every morning in the run-up to the Kings Coronation.

Protesters carried out a slow march from the site early on Tuesday - just a stones throw from Westminster Abbey, where the coronations of the King and Queen Consort are to be held on Saturday.

They were joined by the Met Police, which tweeted at 7.45am that officers were engaging with protesters and will intervene if required to ensure minimal disruption to Londoners.

The group has vowed to march from Parliament Square, by the Palace of Westminster, every weekday and Saturday until the government abandons its dangerous attempt to licence over 100 new fossil fuel projects.

Rachael Burford/ES

Tuesdays action comes after 91 Just Stop Oil supporters marched from four different locations in Lambeth and Westminster on Bank Holiday Monday, kicking off a second week of daily slow marches that brought disruption to the capital last week.

Previous days marches, which have concentrated on key roads in Westminster and Lambeth, prompted police to issue Public Order Act (S12) notices to remove supporters from the roads.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman is issuing new legislation aimed at cracking down on such protests.

On her Public Order Bill, which will pass into law if approved by the House of Lords on Wednesday, Ms Braverman said: Selfish, disruptive protesters are wreaking havoc in peoples everyday lives across the country and this must be brought to a stop.

Not only will the Public Order Bill introduce new criminal offences for causing serious disruption, this new legislation permits the police to clear the roads of slow-marching protesters who are hell-bent on causing chaos across the UK.

But Just Stop Oil say they will not be stopped by the new legislation. A spokesperson said: People marching to protect their rights, lives and livelihoods is a time honoured method of resistance. We are doing what the Suffragettes did and what the Civil Rights movements did.

We wont be deterred by changes to protest laws or how strongly the police enforce those laws.
I s Hollywood tiring of Harry and Meghan? Leading U.S. gossip columnist Perez Hilton has declared the couple should return to the UK.

They need to give up and move back, Hilton told Page Six. The only thing that makes them interesting is the family in the UK and all of that drama, he says, adding they are boring on their own.

Hilton says the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not royals to us in America, only celebrities. While they are in their honeymoon period, a return is inevitable.

Hilton sees hypocrisy in the pairs attitude to royalty. Theyre still calling themselves the Duke and Duchess but they hate the institution, he says. Theyre calling their daughter and son Princess and Prince.

The Duke of Sussex is set to attend the coronation on Saturday, but Meghan will stay at home in California.

The couple of have had had some success in America: his book was a best-seller, and their Netflix show made headlines around the world.

Pledge of allegiance has popular history

The Kings offer to the public to pledge allegiance to him at the Coronation this weekend has been called outdated. But its not a new idea. Before the 1953 crowning of Elizabeth II, a group of Labour MPs led by Clement Attlee suggested a similar oath by the common man as well as one by the aristocracy. It was considered too forward-thinking. Seventy years on its old-fashioned. How times change.

Back to Southwark for City Hall?

PA Archive/PA Images

Could City Hall return to central London? In 2021, the Mayors office moved out of its purpose-built home near Tower Bridge for the Docklands in the East because the rent in the Kuwait-owned building was too high. Now Samuel Kasumu, a leading Tory hopeful to be candidate for mayor (and who The Londoner tipped early on) wants to bring it back. He is costing the idea and hopes to cash by cutting back on staff and culling London & Partners, an investment arm set up by Boris Johnson.

Kasumu tells us he has also recently declared long-serving GLA member Keith Prince as his running mate. Prince is a vocal opponent of the ULEZ expansion, and Kasumu is calling for a referendum on the controversial measure.

Floella could tame politicians as Beeb chair

Baroness Floella Benjamin attending the National Film and Television Schools Gala annual fundraiser at Old Billingsgate, London (Anthony Devlin/PA) / PA Archive

Childrens TV legend Floella Benjamin is being tipped as a possible BBC chair to follow Richard Sharp, who quit last week. She may well be able to influence ministers, as many saw her on Play School as children. She tells The House magazine her first words to Michael Gove were: Im so pleased... youre one of my Play School babies. Now, this is what I want you to do.

Holmes and Scott out for Diva awards while Williamson pulls pints

Londoners Diary 2nd April 23 1 / 6 Londoners Diary 2nd April 23 DIVA Awards 2023 - Winners Room Dame Kelly Holmes DBE OLY, winner of the CITI Media Personality of the Year Award at the DIVA Awards 2023 at 8 Northumberland Avenue on April 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) Getty Images DIVA Awards 2023 - Winners Room Alex Scott wins the LSEG Media Moment of the Year Award at the DIVA Awards 2023 at 8 Northumberland Avenue on April 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) Getty Images The Wicker Man 50th anniversary celebration Britt Ekland attending the 50th anniversary celebration for the film, The Wicker Man at the Picturehouse Central Cinema, London. Picture date: Monday May 1, 2023. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire PA DIVA Awards 2023 - Show Emeli Sande performs onstage during the DIVA Awards 2023 at 8 Northumberland Avenue on April 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) Getty Images Leah Williamson Leah Williamson pours pints Leah Williamson The Tollington

Ex-Olympic athlete Dame Kelly Holmes and presenter Alex Scott went to the DIVA Awards near Trafalgar Square on Friday, where Emeli Sande sang. At Picturehouse Central last night, Britt Ekland was at the 50th anniversary screening of The Wicker Man, which she starred in. And at The Tollington pub in Holloway, Leah Williamson bought and poured pints for fans, despite a Champions League defeat for her team Arsenal.
T he new homage of the people, which the Archbishop of Canterbury will ask the public to recite at the Kings coronation on Saturday, has been branded tone deaf, offensive and outdated by some. But its not a new idea.

Seventy years ago, before the coronation of Elizabeth II, former prime minister Clement Attlee had a strikingly similar scheme.

At a meeting of the coronation council on 16 February 1953, Attlee proposed that an oath to the monarch on behalf of the common man be read at the coronation. It was intended to reflect a changing social order in Britain, where the power of the aristocracy was fading fast.

In the busy running order of the coronation ceremony, Attlee recommended this new oath should come after the traditional homage oath my by the peers. This year, the homage of the people will replace the homage of peers entirely. Many hereditary peers have not been invited to Saturdays ceremony.

Clement Attlee

While this weekend members of the public will be asked to read along, in 1953 Attlee suggested the Speaker of the House of Commons take the oath on behalf of the public.

His proposal was dismissed by the council with the rather unconvincing excuse that there wasnt enough time to consult all the Commonwealth governments about introducing a new oath.

Really Attlees idea was too forward thinking 70 years ago. Now some describe this weekends more extreme version as outdated. How times change.
M any British nationals arriving on evacuation flights from Sudan have had their lives turned upside down by the conflict in the African nation, a charity has said.

More evacuees arrived at Birmingham Airport at 4.58pm on Tuesday, on what had been thought to be the last Government-arranged flight.

The Government later said more flights would leave Port Sudan on Wednesday.

Some 2,341 people have been evacuated by the Government from Sudan on 28 flights since fighting began three weeks ago.

Many are returning home from a holiday after Ramadan or staying with family but there are also people whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict and have nowhere to go

Madeline Farrar, emergency response operations manager at the British Red Cross who was at Birmingham Airport to greet evacuees on Tuesday evening, said: The people weve been greeting in Birmingham are genuinely relieved and happy to be here.

Many are returning home from a holiday after Ramadan or staying with family but there are also people whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict and have nowhere to go.

Our trained volunteers have been on the ground providing practical and emotional support for peoples immediate needs as soon as flights land, including checking if people need something to eat or drink or a friendly listening ear to talk about any worries they may have.

Our dedicated team are also helping with practical things like making phone calls and connecting people online, getting hold of advice, medication and offering short-term cash support.

We have been working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, RE:Act, Islamic relief and St John Ambulance as part of a multi-agency response, delivering crucial support to people in crisis.

The flight, organised by the RAF, was one of nearly 30 which have carried more than 2,000 people out of the war-torn country, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), many of which have landed at London Stansted Airport.

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: Birmingham Airport is supporting Sudanese evacuation flights arranged by the UK Government.

Together with local partner agencies, we will be offering support to passengers who need it.

The RAF has also helped more than 1,000 nationals from over 20 other countries, including the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Norway, with the UKs evacuation effort being the longest and largest of any western nation, according to the FCDO.

Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told GB News that the conflict in Sudan was not over yet and there would still be a UK military and Government presence in the country to assist British nationals, with warship HMS Lancaster off the coast.

He said: There is still an ongoing humanitarian situation, we still have a presence at Port Sudan, both a military presence and a number of other Government officials, to help British nationals and their dependants leave the country.

We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals, because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile, and it is still dangerous.
A nyone voting in Thursdays local elections in England is being reminded to take their photo ID with them.

It is the first time that voters in England will be required to present photographic identification before casting their ballot, but only certain types will be accepted.

A passport, driving licence photocard, blue badge, Totum student discount card, and older persons bus pass are all valid, as well as a voter authority certificate.

All accepted forms of ID are listed on gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: If youre planning to vote in person at your local elections, you must remember to bring accepted photo identification with you to the polling station.

These changes will prevent electoral fraud and ensure elections remain free and fair.

You can use a wide range of photo identification such as a driving licence, but make sure you check eligibility before heading out to vote.

The requirement has been described as expensive and unnecessary by Labour and sparked concern among electoral reform campaigners, who say it could lead to people being unable to vote.

The Electoral Commission has confirmed that we simply wont know how many people will have been turned away in a queue outside a polling station because they do not have the requisite ID

The Electoral Commission has estimated that about 4% of Britains population are unlikely to have a valid form of photo ID to vote  the equivalent of just over two million people.

A senior Labour MP on Tuesday said that the Government simply wont know how many people have been turned away from polling stations on Thursday because they lack ID.

Clive Betts, who chairs the Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, was speaking after receiving a letter from the Electoral Commission that said data from greeters standing outside polling stations would not allow it to accurately quantify the wider impact of the policy.

He said: It appears that the Government has designed a system which denies the prospect of sensible and co-ordinated information collection and makes it almost impossible to judge the true impact of the introduction of voter ID.

The Electoral Commission intends to record the number of people who are refused a ballot paper by polling station staff because they lack ID, but not if they are turned away after speaking to the greeters that will be deployed outside some polling stations.

In a letter to Mr Betts, Electoral Commission chairman John Pullinger said using data from greeters would be inherently unreliable as some people may turn around before speaking to anyone and others may not be recognised if they later return with the correct ID.

Instead, the Electoral Commission will carry out opinion polling to gain evidence on the fullest impact of the ID requirement.

More than 8,000 council seats in England are up for grabs on May 4 across 230 local authorities, ranging from small rural areas to some of the largest towns and cities.

Elections are also taking place to choose mayors in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.
J ames Cleverly said he expects to meet Chinas vice-president when he visits the UK for the Kings coronation.

Han Zheng, who has been blamed for overseeing a crackdown on freedom in Hong Kong, was recently appointed as president Xi Jinpings deputy and is set to represent China at the event.

The Foreign Secretary indicated he will raise issues including Hong Kong and human rights abuses in Xinjiang province and stressed that engagement does not mean agreement with China.

He said it would be counterproductive for the UK to gag itself by refusing to talk to Beijings representatives.

With the relationship with China, it is incredibly important that we continue to have conversations. To basically gag ourselves, to limit our own ability to exert influence, would be counterproductive

Asked if he will meet the Chinese vice-president, Mr Cleverly said: I suspect that I will. And when I do, I will discuss a whole range of things just as I do when I meet other Chinese officials, including those areas where we have points of criticism.

When officials from the UK and China engage, Mr Cleverly said he always takes the opportunity to ensure the Chinese government understand our views on a range of issues, including those issues where we feel strongly their behaviour is inappropriate, like, for example, their failure to abide by the commitments in Hong Kong or by the treatment of the Uighur minority in Xinjiang and others.

The coronation is expected to see large numbers of world leaders and other senior figures gather in London, providing an opportunity for diplomatic networking by Mr Cleverly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and officials.

But senior Tories including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith have strongly criticised the invitation for Mr Han.

Sir Iain said it was outrageous to invite the man responsible for trashing the international treaty on Hong Kong.

Defending the Governments approach, Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4s Today: I think people need to understand that engagement doesnt mean agreement.

Because the simple fact is countries all around the world have got to have conversations with other countries. Sometimes those conversations are very collaborative, with our close friends and allies, sometimes they are much more about what we disagree on.

With the relationship with China, it is incredibly important that we continue to have conversations.

To basically gag ourselves, to limit our own ability to exert influence, would be counterproductive.

Mr Han led Hong Kong affairs for Beijing between 2018 and March this year, during which time it imposed the national security law after mass protests in the city, stifling opposition and criminalising dissent.

The move strained relations with the UK and led to the creation of a visa scheme allowing Hong Kongers to come to Britain.

Beijing was represented by Mr Hans predecessor, Wang Qishan, at the Queens funeral.

The UK says China remains in breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, under which it has a duty to uphold Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.

Hong Kong was handed over from the UK to China in 1997 with a promise by Beijing to keep western-style liberties under a one country, two systems framework.

Downing Street acknowledged there were strong feelings from MPs about the Beijing government but the Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters in Westminster: As the Foreign Secretary has said, we need to be clear-eyed about how we approach China, it would be wrong to exclude them completely given their significance to the global economy and on things like tackling climate change.

Preparations are being stepped up across Whitehall for the coronation and the diplomatic opportunities it presents.

The Prime Ministers spokesman said: The public would expect, whilst a significant number of world leaders are in the UK, it is right to ensure that we are meeting with them to further the UKs interests.

At Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said the coronation would be a wonderful occasion for the nation, which would balance pageantry, history and the role of the King at the centre of the United Kingdom, according to a Downing Street summary.
LOS ANGELES, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed in a mass shooting in a small desert community in California, local media reported Monday, citing police.

The shooting happened late Sunday night at a home in Mojave, a community of some 4,000 residents about 104 km east of Bakersfield, the county seat of Kern County in the southern Central Valley of the state, reported KGET-TV, a television station in Bakersfield.

The fatal victims included three women and a man, said the report, citing the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Earlier reports said the victims were men in their 20s or 30s.

The sheriff's Lt. Daniel Perez was quoted as saying that deputies located "four victims suffering from traumatic assault injuries."

Two women and a man were pronounced dead at the scene. The third woman was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital where she was later pronounced dead, the report added.

There was no immediate arrest, suspect information, or possible motive. Detectives were on the scene gathering evidence, and details were unclear Monday morning, it said.

According to the news outlet's Homicide Tracker, the deaths marked the 32nd, 33rd, 34th and 35th homicides of 2023, it added. 
T he Conservatives are overseeing a car theft epidemic, the Liberal Democrats have warned, as the party claimed that around four in five car thefts went unsolved last year.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said that criminals are being allowed to act with impunity, as he hit out at the Governments crime record just a day before the local elections.

The party said that an analysis of the latest Home Office figures shows that 100,258 car theft cases across England and Wales were closed in 2022 without a suspect being identified.

The Lib Dems also said that police had failed to attend three in four car thefts last year.

This Conservative Government has decimated community policing, leaving victims of crime to fend for themselves

According to its analysis, the Metropolitan Police, West Midlands, South Yorkshire and Essex forces all reported more than 80% of car thefts as unsolved.

The Met figure for unsolved car thefts was 87.2%.

Sir Ed said: There is a car theft epidemic across the country, which Conservative ministers are totally failing to tackle.

Criminal gangs are being allowed to act with impunity while victims are denied justice. The Government is effectively decriminalising car theft by letting these gangs get away with it.

People just want to know that if their car is stolen or house broken into, the police will turn up and properly investigate it. But this Conservative Government has decimated community policing, leaving victims of crime to fend for themselves.

The Liberal Democrats want to see a return to proper community policing, making our streets safer and ending this free-for-all for criminals.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Car theft is a truly distressing crime and we are closely working with the automotive industry and police to ensure our response is as strong as it can be.

Recent figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show vehicle crime is down 22% since December 2019.

We expect police to take vehicle crime seriously and investigate thoroughly to ensure perpetrators are charged and brought to justice.

Last month we delivered our pledge to put 20,000 more police officers on our streets, and we are supporting police by providing more funding for crime prevention measures, including better street lighting and CCTV.
K ing Charles IIIs coronation is happening this Saturday.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who will anoint and crown Charles at Westminster Abbey, described the service as foremost an act of Christian worship but said new elements reflected the diversity of our contemporary society, in an interview with Sky News.

But plans to ask the public to pledge allegiance to the King during the coronation have been branded offensive, tone deaf, and a gesture that holds the people in contempt by a pressure group.

Heres everything you need to know.

Coronation rehearsal for HM King Charles III | Wednesday 3rd May 2023 1 / 32 Coronation rehearsal for HM King Charles III | Wednesday 3rd May 2023 PA Wire PA PA AP PA PA PA AP AP PA PA PA PA PA PA REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS AP AP REUTERS

What is the coronation oath?

Charless coronation will include the first Homage of the People  a modern addition to the ancient ceremony that will see people across the UK and overseas realms invited to swear an oath of allegiance to Charles.

The Homage of the People replaces the traditional Homage of Peers, in which a long line of hereditary peers knelt and made a pledge to the monarch in person.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will call upon all persons of goodwill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other realms and the territories, to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.

The Coronation oath in full reads: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.

It will be followed by the playing of a fanfare.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will then proclaim God Save The King, with all asked to respond: God Save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever.

A Lambeth Palace spokesman said the homage is very much an invitation rather than an expectation or request.

HM King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort - In pictures 1 / 57 HM King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort - In pictures 2022 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2005 Getty Images 2015 Getty Images 2016 Getty 2023 Hugo Burnand 2000 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2005 AFP via Getty Images 2005 Getty Images 2005 Getty Images 2006 Getty Images 2007 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2012 Getty Images 2012 Getty Images 2012 Getty Images 2013 Getty Images 2013 Getty Images 2013 Getty Images 2013 Getty Images 2013 Getty Images 2014 Getty Images 2014 Getty Images 2014 Getty Images 2015 PA Archive 2017 Getty Images 2018 AFP/Getty Images 2020 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2020 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2020 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2021 Getty Images 2021 Getty Images 2022 Getty Images 2022 AFP via Getty Images 2022 Getty Images 2022 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2022 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2022 Getty Images 2022 Getty Images 2022 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2022 Getty Images 2022 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2023 AFP via Getty Images 2023 POOL/AFP via Getty Images 2023 Getty Images

What is the history of the oath?

An important part of the coronation ceremony is the taking of the coronation oath which is required by the Coronation Oath Act of 1689.

According to the act, the monarch makes a declaration to maintain the established Anglican Protestant Church during his or her coronation ceremony.

Under this Act, Queen Elizabeth swore a coronation oath in 1953.

What was the original coronation order of service?

The Queens Coronation service fell into six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which includes the crowning), the enthronement, and the homage.

For King Charles III, there will be similar main elements at Westminster Abbey: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture and crowning; and the enthronement and homage, as well as the Queen Consorts coronation.

Preparations for Coronation of HM King Charles 1 / 37 Preparations for Coronation of HM King Charles King Charles III and the Queen Consort Hugo Burnand The first glimpses of the Coronation have been revealed as rehearsals took place in central London in the early hours of Wednesday morning (James Manning/PA) PA Wire Princess Anne, Princess Royal (front row 4R), in her role as Colonel of The Blues and Royals, sits for a group photo with Officers and senior Non-Commissioned Officers of The Household Division, during her visit to Wellington Barracks POOL/AFP via Getty Images Invitation to the May 6 Coronation of King Charles III, which will be issued in due course to over 2,000 guests who will form the congregation in Westminster Abbey. The invitation has been designed by Andrew Jamieson, a heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator, and a Brother of the Art Workers Guild, of which the King is an Honorary Member. The original artwork was hand-painted in watercolour and gouache, and the design, which recalls the Coronation Emblem, will be reproduced and printed on recycled card, with gold foil detailing PA The Gold State Coach on display at the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of King Charles IIIs Coronation The band of the Welsh Guards march down the High Street towards Victoria barracks in Windsor after a changing of the guards ceremony PA Procession route PA Images Kings Bodyguards for Scotland and members of Royal Company of Archers Alex Baillie-Hamilton (L) and Paul Harkness (R) stand guard by the Stone of Destiny Westminster Abbey during a welcome ceremony Getty Images A view of Oxford Street as it is decorated with 247 Union flags to celebrate King Charles IIIs Coronation PA The anointing screen which will be used in the coronation of King Charles III, is blessed in front of a small congregation in the Chapel Royal at St Jamess Palace in London PA Sovereigns Parade ay Sandhurst PA Wire The Coronation Chair is seen inside Westminster Abbey in London, ahead of the coronation of King Charles III. Westminster Abbey has been used as the coronation church since William the Conqueror in 1066, with the exception of kings Edward V and Edward VIII, who were not crowned. King Charles III will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned there during a ceremony on May 6 PA Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, model their new uniforms with King Charles IIIs insignia outside the Tower of London in London, REUTERS Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, holding the Coronation Bible for King Charles III in the chapel at Lambeth Palace, London. The Archbishop of Canterbury has received the specially commissioned Coronation Bible which will be used by the King in his crowning ceremony The Sovereigns Orb which will feature during the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey PA King Charles III and the Queen Consort taken by Hugo Burnand in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, London. The portrait has been released to mark their Coronation on May 6 Hugo Burnand Members of the military in Westminster, central London, during a night time rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III PA Members of the military in Westminster, central London, during a night time rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III PA Wire Covent Garden welcomes a pair of King Charles Spaniels Ziggy and Bertie as it hangs over 4,000 flags to celebrate the upcoming Coronation Paul Grover A Coronation spread on a street in East Sheen, south-west London, where Celebrity TV Chef Ainsley Harriott is taking part in the Big Knock. He is joining Coronation Big Lunch organisers knocking on doors, to invite the community to come together at street party on May 7 PA General views inside Westminster Abbey in London, ahead of the coronation of King Charles II PA Seating surrounds Horse Guards Parade, London, where preparations are underway for the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consor PA A range of hand-finished fine bone china commemorating the upcoming coronation of the King and Queen Consort has gone on sale (Richard Vernalls/PA) Members of the military in Westminster, central London, during a night time rehearsal for the coronation of King Charles III PA Hummingbird Bakery cake for the Coronation of King Charles Press handout Members of the military on Whitehall, central London, during a night -time rehearsal for the Kings coronation (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire King Charles III and coronation merchandise on display in a shop window near to Windsor Castle PA The first struck 5 Coronation coin, which has been presented to King Charles III by the Royal Mint at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. A crowned portrait of the King will for the first time feature on a new range of commemorative coins created to celebrate the upcoming coronation. The collection, which includes a 50p and 5 coin, will be released later this month ahead of the historic May 6 celebratio PA

Why is the coronation oath attracting controversy?

Graham Smith, a spokesman for Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy and its replacement with a directly elected head of state, said: In a democracy. it is the head of state who should be swearing allegiance to the people, not the other way around.

This kind of nonsense should have died with Elizabeth I, not outlived Elizabeth II.

In swearing allegiance to Charles and his heirs and successors, people are being asked to swear allegiance to Prince Andrew. too.

This is clearly beyond the pale, Mr Smith added.

The Labour MP Clive Lewis said of the proposed oath: The Church of England exhorts lots of things. Some of them on compassion in politics and wider society and others on the dangers of inequality and greed. These statements I agree with. I can also see how they connect with the broader teachings of Christian teaching. But this is the high church making this pronouncement and I think its one that will either be unwelcome or ignored by many.

As Jesus is said to have said: Give unto Caesar what is his. And this aint it.

HM King Charles III waxwork unveiled in Paris 1 / 16 HM King Charles III waxwork unveiled in Paris REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS

Lambeth Palace said it was hoped the significant change to the historic service will result in a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King from those watching on television, online, or gathered in the open air at big screens.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper and Labours national campaign co-ordinator Shabana Mahmood both told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that they would make the pledge, while Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay suggested he would opt out.

Mr Harper told the programme: When His Majesty became King, most Members of Parliament actually retook the oaths that we take to His Majesty and I am very happy to do that again.

I think the coronation is going to be a fantastic moment for the country, to bring the country together to unite around the Crown and I think a fantastic advertisement for our nation across the entire world with hundreds of dignitaries coming to the country.

It is a big opportunity for Britain.

Ms Mahmood, an MP, added: I think it is a lovely idea to involve the people and instead of a homage of the peers, as it used to be, it is now a homage of the people.

Like all Members of Parliament, I have already sworn my allegiance to the King.

I am a practising Muslim, I did that on my holy book. I was very proud to do so and I will be joining in at the weekend as well.

Mr Ramsay said: I will watch it because I think it is a key time for the nation but I think that the idea of a pledge is possibly somewhat outdated.

Where can I watch the coronation?

The coronation will be broadcast live on TV across the world.

Channels across the BBC network (BBC One, Two, and iPlayer) will broadcast live from the ceremony.

Sky News and ITV1 will also provide extensive coverage of the ceremony and its processions, and viewers can also stream the event on ITVX or the Sky News YouTube channel.

Radio coverage will also happen on Radio 2, Radio 4, 5 Live, Radio 3, World Service, and BBC Sounds.

If youre in the capital, theres several places where you can watch the event along with other festivities.
F ood charities came together with food writer Jack Monroe to call for more volunteers to join millions of others taking part in the Big Help Out for the Kings Coronation.

Devised to pay tribute to Charles many decades of public service, the national day of volunteering on Bank Holiday Monday, May 8, aims to inspire people across the country to try volunteering for the first time.

Thousands of volunteering opportunities are available the length and breadth of the nation.

Food charities are hoping to recruit the next generation of foodbank, surplus food and community kitchen volunteers.

The Felix Project, FareShare, City Harvest, and London Community Kitchen launched their community food push on Friday.

Boot Strap Cook Monroe, an anti-poverty campaigner famous for her low-budget and store cupboard dishes, who unveiled an adapted economy Coronation quiche recipe , said: We often talk about donations but its volunteers that really power our countrys community kitchens and foodbanks -they simply couldnt function without them. And they need you.

Felix Project

Thats the point of the Big Help Out - to create a lasting legacy from the Coronation that does real and lasting good by inspiring the next generation of volunteers. So now is the time to get involved - just put your postcode in the app, and find opportunities to get involved in near you.

Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of The Felix Project, that rescues high-quality surplus food from farms, food manufacturers and supermarkets before distributing it to around community groups and schools across London, said: Quite simply The Felix Project could not do what we do without our incredibly dedicated army of volunteers. Everyday people come to our depots and give their time, they sort the food, drive the vans and they work in our kitchen preparing and cooking the meals.

Without them thousands more people in London would go hungry and so much more good food would go to waste. We are delighted to be part of this event celebrating the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and hope being part of The Big Help Out will enable us to inspire a new set to step up and get involved.

Marcus Roberts, relationship manager at the charity, added: During the Coronavirus pandemic a massive 12.4 million people volunteered. Just when the world was at a crisis point, people all over the nation got involved with various charities and community organisations and did what they could to help out.

4.6 million of them volunteered for the very first time, of that 3.8 million said that they wanted to carry on volunteering and keep giving back to their local communities.

This is very inspiring and highlights the depth of passion there is amongst the public to get involved and support good causes, and The Big Help Out  is hoping to galvanise a new generation of volunteers.

Lindsay Boswell, CEO of FareShare, the UKs national network of charitable food redistributors, said: We are delighted to be part of the Big Help Out alongside The Felix Project and other community food providers. Volunteers play an enormously important role in the work we do across the UK, and this is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate those who already give their time so generously, at the same time as inspiring new ones too.

Matt Hyde, CEO of the Scouts who helped organise the Big Help Out, said: The Big Help Out aims to create an unprecedented mobilisation of volunteers across the country marking a moment of national significance and celebrating the central role volunteering plays in our national story. By inspiring people to lend a hand we aim to create a lasting legacy for the coronation  a new generation of volunteers.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: Im immensely proud that more than 500 Team London volunteers will be alongside volunteers from the Scouts and many other charities helping Londoners and visitors to our capital during the Coronation weekend.

King Charles has devoted his life to public service and I cant think of a better way to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort than by volunteering. By joining together to help others now and in the future, we can build a better, fairer London for everyone.

The Felix Project was the partner charity of the Standards Food for London Now appeal that helped set up its social kitchen Felixs Kitchen, where chefs take surplus food ingredients from the charitys depot and turn them into meals.

The charity is also a beneficiary of our recent On the Breadline cost of living appeal that raised more than 4 million to help the most disadvantaged people across Britain.

For more information on volunteering visit thebighelpout.org.uk
A female prison worker has been suspended for allegedly kissing the man who killed Zara Aleena, according to reports.

The woman was reportedly arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations that she formed a romantic relationship with murderer Jordan McSweeney at HMP Belmarsh.

McSweeney, 29, is serving a life sentence after he was jailed for at least 38 years for sexually assaulting and murdering Ms Aleena in Ilford, east London, last June.

He is said to have grown close to the female officer during his time at the South East London prison.

A source told The Sun: She was seen behaving intimately with McSweeney, who is one the most dangerous prisoners. Just look at his record.

How you could go anywhere near a man like that romantically is beyond me.

A UK Ministry of Justice source said: There is zero tolerance of inappropriate relationships with prisoners. Those found guilty can end up in prison themselves.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: It would be inappropriate to comment on a live police investigation.

McSweeney, 29, attacked 35-year-old law graduate Ms Aleena last June - just days after he was released from prison on licence.

Ms Aleena had been walking home from a night out with friends when McSweeney leapt out and attacked her.

He dragged her into a driveway in Ilford to sexually assault her before fleeing with her handbag, mobile phone and keys at 2.44am, leaving her fatally injured. She died hours later in hospital.
T he Chief Rabbi has conveyed the Jewish communitys very best wishes and blessings to the King ahead of his coronation.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, posted a message to Charles on social media on Tuesday, ahead of Saturdays ceremony in central London.

In the video, the Chief Rabbi gestures towards a framed copy of a prayer for the Royal family which hangs in his office.

He explains its history and says it serves as a reminder that the Jewish community have always prayed for the monarch, before sending Charles well-wishes ahead of the Westminster Abbey coronation.

Sir Ephraim was installed in his role in September 2013 during a ceremony attended by Charles when he was prince of Wales, the first time a member of the royal family was present.

He is only the 11th chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth since the office was introduced in 1704.

Here in my office hangs a most wonderful prayer, its the prayer for the Royal family, Sir Ephraim says in the clip.

This is the oldest one which actually stands in any one of our synagogues.

The original is in the Plymouth Synagogue, dating to 1762.

Prayer for the Royal family.

And actually, on this one, every time there was a new sovereign they changed the name and Ive got this copy here as a reminder of the extent to which we the Jewish community have always prayed for the monarch.

And in that context we send our very best wishes and blessings to King Charles III on the occasion of his coronation.

For the first time representatives from the nations faith communities will play an active role in the coronation of a monarch, and they will be visible from the initial moments until the end of the ceremony.

At the end of the coronation, the King will receive a greeting in unison from leaders and representatives from Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist communities, with Sir Ephraim set to be among this group.

They will tell the newly crowned King: Your Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service.

We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good.

Charles will acknowledges the greeting.
A n update on a review into partygate investigator Sue Grays departure from the civil service to join the Labour Party is due to be presented to MPs on Tuesday (May 2).

Ms Gray, the formidable civil servant who became a household name after she led a probe into Downing Street parties, was appointed as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff in March.

A Cabinet Office minister will deliver a written statement to the House of Commons containing an update into the circumstances leading to the resignation of a senior civil servant, according to Parliaments order paper.

It is understood that the statement will shed more light on how Ms Gray switched from her high-ranking Whitehall position to take the Labour job.

Some reports have suggested Ms Gray could be found to have breached the Civil Service Code.

Sir Keir has said he is confident Ms Gray hasnt broken any of the rules.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Labour leader said: Whenever a senior civil servant leaves the Civil Service there is always a process that they have to go through, that is the process she is going through, quite rightly.

The Government is trying to resurrect a story about Sue Gray, maybe because they dont want to talk about the cost of living crisis, which actually is the thing that most people are most concerned about.

Who is Sue Gray?

Ms Gray was born in north London and is the daughter of Irish immigrants. She has two sons with her husband Bill Conlon, including Liam, who is the chair of the Labour Party Irish Society.

Ms Gray joined the civil service straight from school and worked her way up to the Cabinet Office. She led the Governments propriety and ethics team, which provides advice to Government departments on standards issues, for six years.

One MP once described her as deputy God owing to her rise to become a top civil servant.

She oversaw the so-called plebgate inquiry in 2012 after former chief whip Andrew Mitchell was accused of calling a policeman a pleb.

Ms Gray, who is said to be a cat lover, is no stranger to a standards investigation. She led two previous reviews into the behaviour of Cabinet ministers.

Her investigation into former prime minister Theresa Mays deputy, Damian Green, in 2017, led to his resignation. She found that he had lied about pornography on his Commons computer.

Former Tory MP and Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin is reported to have said of her: It took me precisely two years before I realised who it is that runs Britain.

Our great United Kingdom is actually entirely run by a lady called Sue Gray, the head of ethics or something in the Cabinet Office. Unless she agrees, things just dont happen.

Before her Labour switch, she was part of the panel deciding who will be next chair of the media regulator Ofcom.

BBC Newsnights former policy editor Chris Cook once described Ms Gray as the most powerful person youve never heard of.

Tory MP Richard Holden in December 2021 described her to Newsnight as formidable and said she was not a pushover.

From 2018 to 2021, she served as the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance at the Northern Ireland Executive.

Ms Gray returned to London in April 2021 as Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office with responsibility for the union. She moved with Michael Gove to his new Department for Levelling Up after a September 2021 reshuffle.

How Sue Gray brought down a prime minster

However, what Ms Gray is most known for is her role as head investigator concerning at least six alleged gatherings at Downing Street and across Whitehall in 2020. She succeeded Simon Case after he quit following reports a gathering had been held in his own office.

Ms Grays damning inquiry surrounding lockdown parties triggered several resignations. It also eventually led to then-prime minister Boris Johnsons resignation in July 2022.

Tory outrage over Sue Gray

Conservative MPs criticised her Labour job appointment when it was announced in March, with Mr Johnson seeking to block it.

Conservative MP for North East Somerset Jacob Rees-Mogg said of Gray that she was a bureaucrat, who now turns out to be backing the Socialist Party.

Mr Rees-Mogg previously told Sky News that Ms Gray was apparently being rewarded for her lockdown report. He added: So much for an independent civil service.
A n artificial intelligence luminary, known as the godfather of AI, has quit his job at Google and warned of the threat of things more intelligent than us taking control.

Dr Geoffrey Hinton, a British cognitive psychologist and computer scientist living in San Francisco, along with his students, are behind the creation of an AI system bought by Google in 2012 that has led to current chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Bard.

ChatGPT was launched late last year and it has become an online sensation due to its ability to hold natural conversations but also to generate text like speeches, songs and essays.

But Mr Hinton, 75, said developments that AI technology is now making, with larger amounts of data, is scary.

His resignation was announced in an interview with the New York Times on Monday.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Hinton explained: Right now, theyre not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be."

He warned that now computer scientists have discovered [AI] works better than we expected a few years ago that society must be aware of long-term risks of things more intelligent than us taking control.

Its as if you had 10,000 people and whenever one person learnt something, everybody automatically knew it. Thats how these chats can know so much more than any one person, he explained.

Mr Hinton told the New York Times he feared of bad actors who would use the technology for bad things.

One example he gave was authoritarian leaders using AI to manipulate people.

Mr Hinton said he is not criticising Google, who had been very responsible with the technology, but wanted to talk freely after resigning from the tech giant after more than a decade.

Googles chief scientist Jeff Dean told the BBC: "We remain committed to a responsible approach to AI. Were continually learning to understand emerging risks while also innovating boldly."

Mr Hintons warnings come just months after technology experts including Elon Musk signed a letter urging scientists to pause developing AI to ensure it does not pose a risk to humanity.

Tech chiefs including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn have signed an open letter demanding all labs stop training AI systems for at least six months.

The prevalence of AI has increased massively in recent years, with systems such as chatbot ChatGPT quickly becoming part of everyday life.

The letter said: Recent months have seen AI labs locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no-one  not even their creators  can understand, predict or reliably control.
A Dutch man pulled over by officers after reportedly crashing his car into a pole was carrying a fake Boris Johnson drivers licence, police in the Netherlands have said.

The licence depicted the name and photo of Britains former Prime Minister, with an issue date of July 24, 2019 - the day Mr Johnson began leading the nation.

The licence had an expiry date of December 12, 3000 and had a Ukrainian flag in the right-hand corner.

Dutch police said the fake licence was found after searching the 35-year-olds car.

We met a person who drove under the influence of alcohol, a statement posted to Instagram said, alongside a photo of the fake licence.

Unfortunately for the person, we did not fall for this counterfeit.

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT GRONINGEN CENT

Police received reports that a car had crashed into a pole in the northern city of Groningen on Sunday just before 1am.

The driver was standing near the place of the incident at the time. We approached the person and asked him for his ID. He said he didnt have it with him, a police statement said.

We demanded that the driver participate in a breathalyser test. He refused to cooperate.

The suspect was then arrested and transferred to the police station. His car has been seized.

He was carrying a fake drivers license from Boris Johnson. We found this during a search in the car.

Groningen Police said its unknown how the man obtained the fake drivers licence, but reports online indicate that Boris Johnson licences can be bought from street markets in Ukraines capital Kyiv or the city of Lviv.

Kysia Hekster, a former Russia correspondent for the public broadcaster NOS, said in a tweet that fake driving licences could easily be bought in tourist shops in Ukraine.

I have them from Merkel and Zelensky, among others, she wrote.
T he Met Gala honoured late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld last night, with the theme Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.

However, a group of models has criticised the tribute to Lagerfeld, who died in 2019.

Model Alliance, an advocacy organisation for models in the fashion industry, headed to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art a day before the gala to protest the theme.

And its founder, Sara Ziff, has been outspoken about her criticism of the German designer.

Met Gala 2023: Best Dressed 1 / 88 Met Gala 2023: Best Dressed A$AP Rocky and Rihanna in Gucci and Valentino Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Cara Delevingne in Karl Lagerfeld AFP via Getty Images Dua Lipa in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Elle Fanning in Vivienne Westwood Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Pete Davidson in Fendi Getty Images Mindy Kaling in Jonathan Simkhai Getty Images Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham both in Valentino Getty Images Lila Moss and Kate Moss both in Fendi Getty Images Kylie Jenner in Jean Paul Gaultier Getty Images Lil Nas X in Pat McGrath makeup Getty Images Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Sienna Miller and Emily Blunt Miller in Gucci, Blunt in Michael Kors Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne Getty Images Serena Williams in Gucci Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Idris Elba in Gucci Getty Images Florence Pugh in Valentino Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Michelle Yeoh in Karl Lagerfeld Getty Images Manu Rios in Karl Lagerfeld Getty Images Kendall Jenner in Marc Jacobs Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Jodie Comer in Burberry Getty Images Jared Leto Getty Images Anne Hathaway in Versace Getty Images Lizzo in Chanel Getty Images Lea Michele in Michael Kors Getty Images Glenn Close in Erdem Getty Images Jeremy Strong in Prada Getty Images Lily Collins in Vera Wang Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Salma Hayek in Gucci Getty Images Precious Lee in Fendi Getty Images Amber Valletta in Karl Lagerfeld Getty Images Billie Eilish in Simone Rocha Getty Images Jack Harlow in Tommy Hilfiger Getty Images FKA Twigs in Maison Margiela Getty Images Kerry Washington in Michael Kors Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Emily Blunt in Michael Kors Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Alexa Chung in Roisin Pierce Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Letitia Wright in Prada Getty Images Sienna Miller in Gucci Getty Images Jeremy Pope in Balmain AFP via Getty Images Doja Cat in Oscar De La Renta Getty Images Margot Robbie in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Daisy Edgar-Jones in Gucci Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Halle Bailey in Gucci Getty Images Julia Garner in Gucci Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Tom Ford in Tom Ford Getty Images Suki Waterhouse in Fendi Getty Images Ashley Graham in Harris Reed Getty Images Gwendoline Christie in Fendi Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Amanda Seyfried in Oscar De La Renta Getty Images Karlie Kloss in Loewe Getty Images Anok Yai in Prabal Gurung Getty Images Rami Malek Getty Images Maya Hawke in Prada Getty Images Gisele Bundchen in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Naomi Campbell in Chanel Getty Images Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli Getty Images Ariana DeBose and Joseph Altuzarra in Altuzarra Getty Images Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann Getty Images Emily Ratajkowski in Tory Burch Getty Images Taika Waititi and Rita Ora in Prabal Gurung Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Emma Chamberlain in Miu Miu Getty Images Penelope Cruz in Chanel Getty Images for The Met Museum/ Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy in Chanel Getty Images Chloe Fineman in Wiederhoeft Getty Images La La Anthony in Sergio Hudson Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Why did models protest the Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala theme?

The Model Alliance protested the Met Gala theme over Lagerfelds problematic attitudes toward women and regressive views. The group was also rallying for the Fashion Workers Act, which would regulate predatory management agencies in New York.

Ziff told the New York Post : What will undoubtedly be left unsaid about Lagerfeld, who I worked with regularly as a model, is any mention of his problematic attitudes toward women who did not fit his harmful and outdated standards.

She also told Jezebel : The choice to honour Lagerfeld embodies the dissonance of an industry that claims to be progressive, that celebrates body positivity and survivors on the one hand, and then reveres figures like [Lagerfeld] without even acknowledging their regressive views.

The Model Alliance is not the only group to have boycotted the Met Gala.

The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party 2023 1 / 37 The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party 2023 Aubrey Plaza, Stella McCartney, Baz Luhrmann and Kate Hudson at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Lily James, Baz Luhrmann and Cara Delevingne at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Irina Shayk, Edward Enninful and Karlie Kloss at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Guest and James Corden at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Penelope Cruz, Stella McCartney, Roger and Mirka Federer at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Cara Delevigne and Gisele Bundchen at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Olivia Wilde at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Bee Carrozzini, Francesco Carrozzini and guests at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Jennifer Lopez and Stella McCartney at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Gigi Hadid, Kate Hudson and Stella McCartney at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Jared Leto and Stella McCartney at Stella McCartney and Baz Luhrmanns After Party Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com Teyana Taylor at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Alexandra Daddario Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld A guest pays homage to Choupette at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Ke Huy Quan at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Nicky Hilton Rothschild at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Lukas Gage and Chris Appleton at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld James Corden at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Isabelle Chaput and Nelson Tiberghien at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Bella Ramsey at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Caroline Daur at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Amanda Lepore at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Tanner Reese and Alexander Roth at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Parker Kit Hill, Kemio and guests at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Coco Rocha at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Georgia Fowler at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld Esteban Martinez and Amanda Lepore at The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld The Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala After Party at The Mark Hotel Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld

Twitter account @HFMetGala, which typically leads an annual discussion about the Met Gala on social media, said it would not be covering this years event.

The account tweeted: As we approach the first Monday of May, the hf twitter met gala team would like to announce that we will not be celebrating this years met gala as our values dont align with the selection of Karl Lagerfeld as the theme.

We hope to celebrate with our community again soon.

One of its founders, Chloe Iris Kennedy, told the New York Post that they couldnt separate the art from the artists: I dont think thats like a very honest analysis of Karl.

Its not something that can be fragmented. Its not, like, oh, all of this happened and then at the very, very end he was problematic. Its woven into his legacy.
U krainian forces have ousted Russian troops from some positions in Bakhmut amid fierce battles, says a top general.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukrainian commander of ground forces, made the claim as the White House estimated that more than 20,000 Russian fighters have been killed in Ukraine since December as Vladimir Putin seeks to seize the eastern mining town.

The situation (in Bakhmut) is quite difficult, Col Gen Syrskyi said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

At the same time, in certain parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions in recent days, he said.

The 10-month-long battle for the town has taken on a symbolic importance for both sides. It has become the fulcrum of a war that has seen little shift in front lines since late 2022, leaving both sides looking for a breakthrough.

The Institute for The Study of War said Russian soldiers were still making gains in some parts of Bakhmut but that their advances were reported to have slowed.

Russian forces have continued to make gains in Bakhmut as of May 1; however, Ukrainian officials indicated that Wagner Group fighters and other Russian forces are struggling to maintain their pace of offensive operations in Bakhmut, it tweeted.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Putins Wagner group private army, said on Telegram that his fighters needed some 300 tonnes of artillery shells a day for the assault on Bakhmut, but were receiving only a third of that amount.

Three hundred tonnes a day is 10 cargo containers - not a lot at all, said Prigozhin, who has often clashed with Russias defence establishment over its conduct of the war in Ukraine.

In a separate posting on Monday evening, Prigozhin said his troops had advanced some 120 metres (400 feet) into Bakhmut at the loss of 86 of his fighters.

Col Gen Syrskyi said that new Russian units are being constantly thrown into battle for Bakhmut despite taking heavy losses, adding: But the enemy is unable to take control of the (town).

Russian forces have steadily made incremental gains in Bakhmut, but Ukraine said on Sunday that it was still possible to supply the defenders with food, ammunition and medicine.

Kyiv is widely expected soon to launch a counter-offensive to retake swathes of territory in the east and south that were occupied by Russian forces following the invasion 15 months ago

In London, the Ministry of Defence highlighted reported problems in Putins war machine, though Ukrainian forces are also said to be struggling to get enough munitions for their weapons.

In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said: On 27 April 2023, Russian military-linked social media claimed that Russias Deputy Defence Minister, Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, had been dismissed. Mizintsev held the military logistics portfolio, and had only been in post for eight months.

Mizintsevs sacking was not immediately confirmed, but speculation about his future highlights how logistics problems remain at the heart of Russias struggling campaign in Ukraine. Russia does not have enough munitions to achieve success on the offensive.

The briefing added: Paucity of ammunition drives internal divisions, most notably between Russias Ministry of Defence and Wagner Group.

Russia continues to give the highest priority to mobilising its defence industry, but it is still failing to meet war time demands. While Russias political leaders persist in demanding success on the battlefield, Russias logistics professionals are stuck in the middle.

On Monday, Russia unleashed a fresh volley of missiles on Ukraine overnight that killed two people in the east, set off huge blazes and damaged dozens of homes and other buildings.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces shelled a village in the Russian Bryansk region bordering Ukraine early on Tuesday, the local governor said in a social media post, a day after an explosion derailed a freight train in the region.

In the morning, the Armed Forces of Ukraine shelled the village of Kurkovichi in the Starodubsky municipal district. Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz said in a post on his Telegram channel.

There were no casualties. As a result of the shelling, a fire broke out in one of the households. All emergency services are on site.
CHICAGO, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A dust storm caused pileups from vehicle crashes on a highway in U.S. Midwest state of Illinois on Monday, according to local authorities.

More than 30 people have been sent to hospital for injuries, and the number of fatalities has not been confirmed.

State police troopers responded to numerous crashes about 11 a.m. Monday on both directions of I-55 in Montgomery County, south of Springfield, capital of Illinois, the Chicago Tribune quoted the police as saying Monday.

About 20 commercial motor vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved in the crashes, including two tractor-trailers that caught fire.

The crashes were caused by "excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility," police said. I-55 is currently shut down in both directions.

State police are investigating. 
W hen you have oily skin, loading up on lotions and potions may feel contradicting.

We get it: you dont want to add to the shine with a greasy cream or loading up on heavy textures that will exacerbate sebum production, but oily skin types are actually one of the most prone to dehydration so formulas that are bursting with moisture are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion.

To achieve this, youll need a hard-working moisturiser. Part of the staple skincare trio with cleanser and SPF, moisturiser acts as the finishing touch to your active-ingredient packed products to be followed only by sun protection. Its the seal to encourage any treatments and serums to stay put, while preventing dryness, soothing sensitivies and provides plumping with a dose of hydration. The right mattifying product should also encourage makeup to sit more smoothly onto the skin and encourage better lasting power.

What texture should you look for in a moisturiser if you have oily skin?

Dr Alexis Granite, consultant dermatologist at Cerave explains, Light, oil-free products are best suited for those with oily skin. Gels and gel creams are great textures for this skin type, providing effective hydration without causing congestion.

What are the best ingredients in a moisturiser for oily skin?

Moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin are all well suited to oily skin, she reveals. Other actives to consider include retinol, salicylic acid and niacinamide, all of which are especially good if you are prone to breakouts in addition to oily skin. The main category to avoid when it comes to oily skin types is occlusives, including petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil and paraffin.

Is moisturising important for oily skin?

Dr Granite stresses that Moisturising is definitely an essential part of anyones skincare routine, even those with oily skin. Skin oil (sebum) and skin hydration are two separate things and just because the skin is oily does not mean it is well hydrated. In fact, over drying your skin can actually cause the oil glands to produce more sebum.

With this in mind, we have rounded up the best moisturisers for oily skin below.
K im Kardashian and Florence Pugh were among celebrities championing the Karl Lagerfeld-inspired dress code at this years Met Gala.

The theme of the New York event was In honour of Karl, with stars encouraged to take inspiration from his designs and personal aesthetic.

The German-born designer helmed some of the biggest houses in fashion  including Chanel and Fendi  and died in 2019.

Many of Lagerfelds signature touches were present on the carpet  including pearls, black and white monochromatic colour palettes, a crisp white shirt and his favourite flower, the camellia.

Kardashian paid homage to Lagerfelds love of pearls in an ensemble made up of multiple ropes of real pearls for the bodice and skirt, with a skin-coloured corset underneath and a white stole trailing to the floor.

The outfit was by Schiaparelli, with Kardashian telling Vogue: What is more Karl than the iconic Chanel pearls?

She said the night felt particularly special because Lagerfeld shot her first fashion shoot.

Midsommar star Pugh debuted a fresh buzzcut for her first outing at a Met Gala.

The new look is for her upcoming film We Live In Time and she told US outlets on the events carpet: Im very happy to have it here with this look, it makes everything perfect.

Recently announced as the newest ambassador for Italian fashion house Valentino, Pugh wore a dramatic white gown by the brand with a long train trailing across the carpet.

Her ensemble played off Lagerfelds love of a monochromatic colour palette with the white dress complemented by a black bow and a towering black feathered headpiece.

Wearing designer Chen Peng, on the carpet Cardi B told Vogue her outfit was half representing Chanel and half Lagerfeld himself.

The skirt echoed some of Chanels most famous symbols with the Boy Bags iconic stitched diamond pattern and 3D flowers studded across.

And the top half of her look reflected Lagerfelds personal aesthetic, with a white sleeveless shirt and tie topped off with silver hair.

Im representing the house of Chanel and Karl at the same time, she said of her second outfit of the night.

Cara Delevingne frequently modelled for Chanel, memorably in the brands supermarket-themed fashion show in 2014.

Her outfit was a nod to Lagerfelds love of a crisp white shirt. Her outfit featured tuxedo shirt-style lapels, a cape and a miniskirt.

Its a wonderful thing to be able to do this for such an incredible person, not only in fashion, but personally as a friend, she told Vogue.

I owe him so much. And its an amazing way to remember him.

She added: He lives on, hes influenced so much not only in fashion.

Elle Fanning wore an ensemble designed by Vivienne Westwoods creative director Andreas Kronthaler.

On the carpet, Fanning explained the look reflected an outfit she wore to model for Lagerfeld when she was 13.

After attending the 2011 autumn Chanel couture show, Lagerfeld selected Fanning to be photographed in a black jacket  which he then styled with the white dress she was wearing and a daisy crown.

In a nod to that look, The Great actor wore a bridal-inspired white gown with a black cropped tuxedo jacket and a daisy crown with black bows.

Wearing Marc Jacobs, The Kardashians reality star Kendall Jenner  who closed Chanels 2015 couture show as the bride  paid tribute to Lagerfelds personal aesthetic with collar detailing on her black sparkling bodysuit.

Kendall Jenner told Vogue: I owe a lot to him and what he did for me, it was such a pivotal point in my career.

I started working with him when I was really young and he really embraced me, so Im honoured to be here. Im honoured to celebrate him.

Wearing a surrealist design by Schiaparelli, writer and actor Michaela Coels brown dress was heavily embellished with plenty of nods to Lagerfeld hidden among the design  which featured 130,000 crystals.

Wearing Versace  a brand she models for  The Devil Wears Prada actor Anne Hathaway reflected Lagerfelds love of tweed and pearls in her white strapless gown.

Every part of her look was carefully considered with Hathaway even wearing a camellia in her hair.

In one of the more literal interpretations of the theme, One Night In Miami actor Jeremy Pope debuted a massive black and white cape by Balmain at the Met Gala  emblazoned with Lagerfelds iconic image, featuring his signature sunglasses, low ponytail and high-necked shirt.
F 1 legend Fernando Alonso has yet again fuelled rumours he is dating Taylor Swift by making reference to the pop superstar in a new TikTok video.

Rumours have been circluating for a few weeks that the pop star has moved on, following her split from British actor Joe Alwyn, with the Spanish racing driver.

And Alonso is doing nothing to pour water onto the flames of speculation.

In a tongue-in-cheek post, Alonsos new video shows the racing legend lifting a 22 kilogram dumbbell while Swifts song 22 plays in the background.

He captioned the clip: Im lifting 22s in reference to the songs lyrics Im feeling 22.

The driver first referenced Swift in his social media posts only days ago  with a post that saw the star scrolling on his phone with Swifts track Karma playing in the background.

Last week, the racing driver was asked about the romance reports during an interview with Sky Sports.

Its been an interesting few weeks for you during this break, I knew you were trouble! the interviewer said to Alonso, referring to a song on Swifts Red album.

When asked about his newfound online fame as a result of the dating rumours, the racing star responded: Im just focused on Baku and racing.

Rumours about the pair were sparked two weeks ago when DeuxMoi, a celebrity gossip account, shared an anonymous email claiming to know the inside line on the pair.

A couple of Spanish magazines have been posting about TS and Spanish F1 driver Fernando Alonso, it read.

According to them, the couple have been seeing each other for a week now. Nothing serious though, since they are both recently single.

Earlier this month, Alonso shared a joint statement from him and his ex girlfriend, Andrea Schlager, to announce their split.

We wanted to tell you that our relationship as a couple ended. We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection, he wrote.

As you have probably seen, we have continued working on and off track on various projects together also during this time, and we will keep doing so with deep love and respect for each other.

According to the Daily Mail, Swift and Alywn split earlier this year as the formers career surpassed the actors.

Taylor Swift and ex Joe Alwyn / PA

A source close to Swift said: The bottom line for the difficulties in their relationship was that Taylors career took priority over Joes  which can be awkward for a couple when its not balanced.

This drove them apart and ultimately, they both realised they were not on the same page any more.

The insider added: Its been hard for Joe trying to make it in Hollywood and not quite becoming leading man material while dating one of the most famous women in the world over the last six years.

It was easier during the pandemic when it was just the two of them, but once things returned to normal, Taylor Swift the superstar emerged and their differences were even more apparent.

They really made a go of it and tried everything they could, but ultimately were unable to save the relationship, the source concluded.
S hares in US-listed education firm Chegg and London-listed textbook publisher Pearson tumbled today - each seeing roughly $1 billion (803 million) knocked off its market cap - after the former warned that students were using ChatGPT instead of its services.

Chegg - which offers services including homework help, digital and physical textbook rentals, textbooks and online tutoring - published a trading update after markets in the US closed yesterday.

It said that while first-quarter results were mostly unaffected by the rise of generative AI, that has changed in the last two months.

Since March we saw a significant spike in student interest in ChatGPT, Chegg said. We now believe its having an impact on our new customer growth rate.

While the firm made numerous references in its update to plans to embrace AI, the warning - among the first of its kind from a large listed business - spooked investors. It was hit by heavy selling in after-hours sessions, and when markets opened today on Wall Street its shares fell to $9.54, just over half of Mondays close with Cheggs market cap falling by almost exactly $1 billion.

In London, textbooks giant Pearson was not hit quite as hard, but its shares were still down 13.4% to 772.6p.

On Friday, Pearson said that pushes by workers to learn new skills had helped the company beat its financial expectations in the first months of the financial year.
W hile whisky with a splash of water may be a popular order at the bar, scientists say they have figured out just how big this splash should be.

Adding a little water is thought to open up the flavour of the drink, but a new study suggests there is a point at which it becomes too much  about 20%.

At this point, too much water can make whiskies in the same group taste the same, it found.

However, the most discerning palates may still be able to tell a single malt Scotch and an American bourbon apart.

If you want to enjoy a specific whisky, this suggests that you don't want to dilute it by more than about 20%

According to the researchers, the findings may also help explain why larger ice cubes, or balls, have become so popular, as they allow the drink to be enjoyed before it gets too diluted.

Tom Collins, a Washington State University assistant professor and senior author on the study, said: If you want to enjoy a specific whisky, this suggests that you dont want to dilute it by more than about 20%.

By the time you get to 60/40 whisky to water, the whiskies are not differentiated by the panellists  they begin to smell the same, and thats not really what youre looking for.

He added: This study helps to understand why those large, square ice cubes have become so popular because you can actually enjoy the whisky before it gets diluted to the point that its not the same whisky.

For the study, researchers chemically analysed how volatile compounds in a set of 25 whiskies responded to the addition of water, including bourbons, ryes, Irish whiskeys and both single malt and blended Scotches.

They also had a trained panel of 20 experts assess six of those whiskies, three Scotches and three bourbons.

Both tests found that adding a little water could change how the whiskies smelled, and after 20%, they may start to have the same aroma.

The scientists say that since smell and taste are often closely linked, this likely affected the spirits flavour as well.

Working with Elizabeth Tomasino at Oregon State University to run the sensory panel, the researchers found that at 100% whiskey, the panellists could easily tell all the whiskies apart from each other.

They could still differentiate whiskies within each group at 80/20 whisky to water, but after more water was added, that changed.

The study found that while within each style of whisky the aromas became more similar, the larger grouping of Scotches, both single malts and blended, remained distinct from the American bourbons and ryes.

Chemical analysis revealed similar results showing the changes in volatile compounds that entered the area above the liquid (headspace), when water was added.

Whisky is a mix of compounds that run the scale from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, in other words, ones that are attracted to water and others that are repelled by it.

Adding water sends the whiskys hydrophobic compounds into that space and leaves the hydrophilic ones behind, changing the aroma of the liquid, experts say.

The chemical analysis matched the impressions of the panel, the study found.

For instance, many of the Scotch whiskies started out with a smoky, peat aroma, but as they were diluted, they moved towards a fruitier aroma known as pome.

Adding a few drops  usually no more than three  can make the unique flavours of a whisky all the more rewarding

Mr Collins explained: This happens because of the way dilution affects whats in the headspace.

The compounds that are associated with smoky aromas dissipate, and they were replaced by compounds that are associated with fruity aromas.

At first American bourbons were mostly associated with vanilla and oak scents, but as more water was added, they took on more aromas of the corn and grains used to make them.

Researchers suggest the findings, published in the Foods journal, can help whisky makers better understand how their customers will experience the drink if they chose to add water or have it on the rocks.

Mark Reynier, CEO and founder of Waterford Whisky  an Irish distillery that follows the French winemaking philosophy of terroir, said: There is often a certain fear, within whisky circles, of adding water to whisky  as though diluting somehow breaks a kind of unwritten purity law.

That can be the case if too much is added. But adding a few drops  usually no more than three  can make the unique flavours of a whisky all the more rewarding.

When drops of water are added, viscimetric whorls form  these are those mesmerising spirals you can see in the glass.

They allow the spirit to breathe: the whisky literally opens up as compounds unclench, and complex aromatic potential  derived from different barley flavour sources  can be fully realised.
S cientists are on the hunt for super memorisers to take part in a new study about people with exceptional memories.

Academics from the University of Cambridge are trying to uncover why some people are much better at remembering than others.

Anyone who believes they have an exceptional memory is being urged to take an online survey and memory test.

Were looking for anyone who thinks they might be a super memoriser to try out our memory tests

Based on their performance, some will be invited to Cambridge to have a brain scan so researchers can examine the images in detail to assess whether there are any differences in structure or function.

Memory is one of the best understood psychological processes in terms of brain networks and yet we still dont really know why some people have exceptional memories. Thats why were inviting people to take part in our study, said Professor Jon Simons from the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge.

The researchers are also aiming to discover whether people who are autistic or neurodiverse are more likely to have an exceptional memory.

The team have previously worked with writer Daniel Tammet, who is autistic and has synaesthesia and can recall the number pi to 22,514 digits.

Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University and lead investigator of the study, said: You dont need to have won any competitions to take part or to consider yourself neurodiverse  and you certainly dont need to be able to recite pi to 22,000 digits.

Were looking for anyone who thinks they might be a super memoriser to try out our memory tests.

Dr Carrie Allison, also from the Autism Research Centre, added: We hope that people will enjoy taking part in this study and in the process contribute to helping us understand more about memory and whether exceptional memory is related to autism.

For decades, autism research has focused on disability, but this study is a wonderful opportunity to focus on strengths.

 People aged 16 to 60 who wish to take part in the online memory tests  such as memorising a phone number or patterns on a chess board  can visit: https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eFYFJCUtGpbc3RA
HOUSTON, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were found dead inside a rural home on Monday during a search for two missing teenage girls in south central U.S. state of Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Local media reported that among the dead were the two girls, aged 14 and 16 respectively, and Jesse McFadden, a convicted sex offender, near the town of Henryetta, some 50 miles south of Tulsa.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesman Gerald Davidson told reporters the state medical examiner would have to identify the victims.

The two girls were reportedly last seen traveling with McFadden over the weekend and never returned home.

McFadden, aged 39, had been given a 20-year sentence for a 2004 first-degree rape charge, local media reported. He was released from prison four years early in 2020 and failed to appear in court on Monday for a jury trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor by use of technology and possession of child pornography.

An investigation is under way. Details about the deaths and possible identities of the other four victims are not immediately available. 
LOS ANGELES, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Four crew members aboard the International Space Station will relocate their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft's docking port this weekend, to make way for the arrival of an upcoming cargo spacecraft, according to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 crew members, who are NASA astronauts Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg, United Arab Emirates astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will undock from the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module at 7:10 a.m. EDT Saturday.

The spacecraft will dock again at the station's forward Harmony port at 7:53 a.m. EDT.

The relocation will free up Harmony's space-facing port for the docking of the next Dragon cargo spacecraft set to launch in June, according to NASA.

Crew-6, targeted to return in August, is the sixth rotational crew mission from NASA and SpaceX as a part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program. 
The Starkville Rotary Clubs youth exchange student Otta Gorla of Italy spoke to the club about her experience here in Mississippi compared to her home.
Niagara-on-the-Lake town council and staff need to work diligently to respond to a demolition request received for the former Parliament Oak school.

The demolition request was dated Feb. 10, kicking off a 60-day timeline.

The owners, Two Sisters Resorts Corp., had proposed a 129-room boutique hotel for the site.

The towns municipal heritage committee advised council that a heritage impact assessment will be prepared by Stantec Consulting that assesses development alternatives or mitigative measures for the direct impacts to the 1948 school building as a result of demolition.

A commemoration plan for interpretation of the history and heritage value of the property will also need to be prepared by a qualified member of Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP).

Clare Cameron, a former town councillor appeared as a delegate before council on behalf of the Niagara Foundation to discuss the committees recommendations to council.

Cameron spoke about how the school, which operated from 1948 to 2015, had valuable heritage attributes.

She urged preservation, telling council the school was one of the first public schools built in Ontario following the Second World War.

Cameron noted the commemoration plan had considered historical aspects of the site, such as its relation to the first parliament, but said nothing was included to commemorate the school itself.

She mentioned that former schools across Niagara had been developed into other uses such as Bench Brewing in Lincoln.

Heritage planner Denise Horne explained more about the timeline. She said the information the heritage committee asked for will return to them for review and then back to council.

She said the town had received Planning Act applications including an official zoning bylaw amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment and deemed them complete on March 3, 2023.

Under the new rules of the Heritage Act, said Horne, council has 90 days from that date to serve a notice of intent to designate. If not received within 90 days, a notice of intent must wait until the application is complete.

That means council has until June 1 to take action or not.

Kirsten McCauley, director of community and development services for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, told council the intent to demolish is separate from the planning applications and they are under different acts.

They dont have to go at the same time, she noted.

Coun. Wendy Cheropita noted they didnt have a lot of time to get everything complete. She asked staff if it was achievable to get everything finished.

McCauley said if council provided additional direction to go down the path of designation, staff would need to have something before the municipal heritage committee meeting for May 3. It would then need to come back before council to issue that intent to designate at the May council meeting.

In response to a question, Horne told council there were two previous times when the municipal heritage committee indicated they were not interested in pursuing Part 4 designation at that time. She said those decisions happened in 2019 and January 2022.

Coun. Sandra OConnor put forward a motion to include the recommendations sought by Cameron and the Niagara Foundation.

The motion, which was approved unanimously, included the wording requested to ensure heritage assessment includes preservation of the 1948 structure in whole or part in its original location.

Attached to the motion were a number of specific heritage attributes related to the school that would be assessed as well such as acknowledging the 67 years use as a public school, salvaging original building materials including slate chalkboards, brick and hardware.

Horne said she considered the amendments requested to be considered friendly and they were able to be included.

Her comments addressed concerns from council that they would not be able to complete everything needed within the designated timeline.

Horne said they dont know when the applications will be submitted. June 1 is the deadline for considering designation.

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St. Catharines city council is taking the next step towards a bylaw that would ban flyers with graphic images of aborted fetuses from being delivered to homes without warning.

Council met behind closed doors with the city solicitor Monday night for a report on the legal implications of implementing a bylaw prohibiting the delivery of unsolicited mail to residents that includes graphic content or hate speech.

St. Georges Coun. Kevin Townsend, who asked for the report in February, made a motion afterwards in open session that directed staff to prepare a bylaw similar to one enacted in London, Ont.

The London bylaw adopted by its city council in May 2022 prohibits images or photographs showing or purporting to show a fetus or any part of a fetus being delivered to a home unless the images are fully concealed in an envelope or package marked with a warning label.

The flyers must state the name and address of the sender.

Londons bylaw comes with a maximum $5,000 fine and doesnt apply to mail delivered by Canada Post or requested by the resident.

The bylaw does not cover people holding graphic signs on a public street.

Merritton Coun. Greg Miller made an amendment requesting the city ask the federal and provincial governments to consider enacting legislation dealing with advertising and communication to prevent the use of graphic, gruesome and disturbing images of aborted fetuses as part of any anti-abortion or pro-life campaign.

The motion and amendment passed unanimously.

The issue of unsolicited graphic mail is on the provinces radar.

St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens co-sponsored a bill with three London MPPs in March that would prohibit images of fetuses from being distributed to homes across Ontario, unless the images are in an envelope with a description of the contents on the outside. The proposed penalty would be $100 per image.

The bill, the Viewer Discretion Act, went through the first reading on March 20.

Some municipalities have gone even further when it comes to unwanted mail.

Winnipeg has a bylaw that allows people to put up no flyers signs on their homes and have their request enforced with penalties. No specific content is specified.

Miller asked city staff later in the meeting for a report on creating a similar bylaw to that in Winnipeg. The report will come back at a future meeting.

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Shealin Murray calls herself lucky to have received prestigious provincial and federal scholarships in her field of behavioural neuroscience. And yet, for the Brock University PhD student, the funding is not enough to cover her basic needs  tuition and school and living expenses.

It leaves many graduate and post-doctorate students like herself in a position to require jobs outside of school, despite already working 60 hours a week in a research lab. And it is not always allowed, as grants often come with an expectation students dont work outside their research.

In her case, Murray, whose research examines how social development changes on a neurological level between adolescent males and females, works as a teaching assistant but her hours are capped per year.

Any hours beyond 520  about 10 hours a week  may lead to forfeiting her scholarship. In total, Murray said she made just less than $20,000 last year, which is why she found herself standing outside St. Catharines MP Chris Bittles office amongst a dozen of her peers and colleagues.

Many graduate students and post-doctorate researchers find themselves in similar situations, living on earnings near the poverty line, according to Support our Science. With funding for graduate students stagnant since 2004, the grassroots group orchestrated Mondays national student walkout in the hopes of grabbing attention from the federal government.

The lack of funding is leading not only to a loss of researches but diversity within the research field, limiting who can do science.

You have to be someone who has significant savings or family support or some other kind of external source supporting you to get you through this, said Murray. Its really disheartening to see that the federal government hasnt prioritized changing the situation at all.

Last year the government commissioned an advisory panel on the federal research support system, led by Frederic Bouchard, dean of arts and science at University of Montreal. A report released publicly in March called for an increase to federal grants for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as well as a steady increase in the budget of the three national research-granting councils.

So far there has been no response to the report leading to Mondays walkout. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada did not respond to The Standards request for comment.

PhD student Alex Wilder, who organized the Brock walkout, said part of the problem is using student, rather than what they are  apprentices and highly skilled employees. Wilder, whose doctoral research at Brock focuses on the impact of human care on singling in temperate penguin species, wants to see them compensated as such.

I dont say that Im getting up and going to school in the morning. I say that Im getting up and going to work, she said. It does consume your entire life and its not uncommon for students, especially in my field, to work 80-plus hours a week.

What is frustrating is the work graduate students do begets more grants for the university, as well as creating the programs that draw students from other countries. Wilder said if Canada wants to continue to be a world leader in research, it needs to do better.

The government is wanting more but not investing in the people that are going to give them those results, she said. Particularly on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, weve had so much research go into drug development and wastewater treatment analysis and all of that is done on the backs of graduate students.

Compared to the United States  the salary for a PhD student is about $53,000 (U.S.)  and European Union  ranging from $21,000 to $85,000  federal scholarships in Canada are about $17,500 for masters students, $21,000 or $35,000 for a doctoral student and about $45,000 for a postdoctoral student.

Canadas advisory panel report recommended a 10 per cent increase per year over five years in the budgets for the three agencies that award more than $2 billion annually in grants. While Wilder said those are not small increases, its a combination of all the small increases that should have been happening all along.

If they want full-time graduate students, we need full-time pay and it would be nice to be paid more than a minimum wage, she said, adding the situation is worse for international students who pay higher fees than domestic students.

Biology professor Miriam Richards showed her support Monday, recalling being a graduate student in Toronto in the 1990s and having enough money to live comfortably while also raising a daughter. That is no longer an option for graduate students.

There is no science without grad students, she said.

People just dont really get it, and that includes a lot of politicians. It means that were getting behind on recruiting new scientists. It means that people trained in Canada leave and go to the States or Australia or some place and many dont come back.

Its an uphill battle trying to get anybody to listen.

Wilder knew Bittle would not be in Niagara, but asked whether hed be in support of a bill that increased funding and whether he believes they deserve a non-livable wage.

Weve invested our lives into these career paths and so to not have any support in that investment, when we have a government who wants to say how wonderful we are as a country for research its not being backed up, she said.

Bittle was unavailable to respond.

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After hundreds of graduate and postdoctoral students, professors and supporters walked out of post-secondary institutions across the country, citing need for increased funding supports, the federal government acknowledged the calls by the research community but did not say whether it will increase scholarship funding.

Organized by the grassroots organization Support Our Science, walkouts were held by Brock University students in St. Catharines Monday, and at cities across Canada including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, in the hopes of getting attention from decision-makers in Ottawa.

Scholarships and fellowships funding  used to pay tuition, student fees and living expenses  has remained unchanged for the past 20 years. It has left many students near the poverty line, said Support Our Science, as well as a fear researchers will seek better options outside Canada.

Prior to the walkout, it penned an open letter to the government asking it to increase student trainee and doctoral student funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

In a statement to The Standard, Sean Benmor, a spokesperson for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, said the government recognizes that graduate students and trainees face financial pressures that can be a barrier to their studies, adding federal scholarships and fellowships are vital to the career progression of Canadas top talent.

The government remains committed to investing in Canadian research and is focused on how it can continue to support Canadas world-class researchers, scientists and students, he said.

Benmor highlighted investments made by the government, including increasing the number of masters level scholarships and three-year doctoral scholarships in the 2019 budget.

In the most recent budget, Benmor said, the government proposed to increase Canada Student Grants by 40 per cent  about $4,200 for full-time students  to support post-secondary students and make life more affordable.

But even though the number of scholarships has increased, funding has remained the same  and thats the problem, said Alex Wilder, a PhD student and organizer of Brock walkout.

Wilder, whose doctorate research at Brock focuses on the impact of human care on singling in temperate penguin species, said funding is low across the board, with a masters grant about $17,500 per year, and doctoral about $21,000.

Researchers can spend anywhere from 60 to 80 hours a week in labs, and scholarships and grants often come with work limitations, in some cases allowing students to work 10 hours a week outside the program. That leaves many  particularly international students who pay three to four times more than a domestic student  struggling to pay tuition and school and living expenses.

For herself, it helped living at home while completing her masters degree at University of Windsor, but not every student has that same family or financial support system.

RELATED STORIES Niagara Region Brock University research students protest poor funding

Brock has a program called Food First that is working really, really hard to fight food insecurity and graduate students, specifically, use it a lot more than undergraduates do. Even though were about a tenth of the size of the undergrad population, said Wilder. We definitely have more demand and our resources are a lot more finite.

Last year, Ottawa commissioned an advisory panel on the federal research support system led by the dean of arts and sciences at University of Montreal, Frederic Bouchard. An ensuing report recommended a 10 per cent increase per year over five years in the budgets for the three agencies that award more than $2 billion annually in grants.

Wilder said that is what Support Our Science wants, an increase in funding in accordance with the Bouchard report, bringing them up to the amount that we should have been paid all along.

The government said it is carefully considering the recommendations in the report as it seeks to ensure that the research support system is best positioned to support the evolving nature of research and address the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow.

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The only public figure in these parts who was demonstrably enthusiastic when U.S. President Joe Biden announced his candidacy for re-election was not an American. It was Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Obviously I think its great news that President Biden has confirmed that hes going to continue, Trudeau told reporters. This is a leader that is needed, not just by the United States, but by the world, and Im looking forward to continuing to work with him for many years.

Compare that to the pallid response in Bidens own country where, according to a new NBC survey, 70 per cent per cent of all Americans  including 51 per cent of Bidens own Democrats  believe he should not run for a second term.

Canadian leaders normally keep their noses out of American campaigns, but a new normal is emerging in the Canada-U.S. relationship. Circumstances and personalities are pulling the two neighbours closer together. Biden and Trudeau are on the same wavelength. Their agendas are strikingly similar on the environment, a green economy and job creation through North American integration in industries geared to the future.

They bonded personally during Bidens March visit to Ottawa. They took to describing their two nations as family. The president is a politician who wears his heart on his sleeve, and there was genuine emotion in his voice as proposed a dinner toast to Trudeau: I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Were more than neighbours. Were more than partners. Were more than friends. And you alluded to it today just a moment ago, Mr. Prime Minister, were more like family. Were more like family.

As I wrote at the time, they presented themselves as the leaders of two nations sharing one vision and the leadership of the worlds liberal democracies in their struggle against aggressive authoritarian regimes.

However, I suspect that Trudeaus endorsement of Bidens re-election might not have been so emphatic had it not been for a third personality  the despicable Donald Trump whose contempt for democracy threatens the values and goals that my friend Joe and my pal Justin proclaim.

The threat is real.

Unless Trumps many transgressions finally catch up to him, he will complete his demolition of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and become the GOP nominee for the third time. He is already out for revenge against Biden, whom he claims stole the 2020 election. He greeted Bidens announcement last week with these words of welcome: You could take the five worst presidents in American history, and put them together, and they would not have done the damage Joe Biden has done to our nation in just a few short years. Not even close.

Lack of enthusiasm for Biden south of the border is partly because of his age. Already the oldest president in U.S. history, he would be 82 at the start of a second term. Its partly because of his approval ratings after three tough years in the White House; they are under water in every recent poll. And, among Democrats, there is fear that Biden will find it even harder to defeat Trump in 2024 than he did in 2020.

Biden bested Trump in popular vote by 4.4 percentage points in 2020. Current surveys have him ahead by just 1.4 points. And DeSantis is actually outpolling him, though by less than a point.

It is a long road to November 2024. No one in Canada will be watching that road more intently than Justin Trudeau.

geoffstevens40@gmail.com. Cambridge resident Geoffrey Stevens is an author and former Ottawa columnist and managing editor of the Globe and Mail and Macleans. He welcomes comments at

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Changing times

Re: Loss of downtown bank branches a loss for Niagara communities, Editorial, April 28

Your comments, with which I agree, coincided with our return from a two-week vacation in the Netherlands.

We had not been in Europe since before the COVID-19 pandemic and knew we would be a little surprised with elements of life there.

One change we noticed immediately was a response to our question, Please, direct us to a bank.

Answer, There are no bank branches in this country (population of 20 million) and why do you need a bank?

Our answer was for some walking around cash.

You dont need cash as its all electronic now, he said. Also mentioned was that there are a small number of ATMs around and should a customer have a banking question, its answered online or by phone.

Sounds like even more of the missing personal contact you cite will be at a Tims.

Terry Gain

St. Catharines

Queens coronation remembered

Re: Crowds begin to gather in London ahead of the coronation of King Charles, May 1

Seventy years ago, I was a 16-year-old Queens scout from St. Catharines, selected to represent my country at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Her successor King Charles III will be crowned May 6, my 86th birthday. I have lost track of the other 32 boys who were part of our delegation along with the three scout masters who shared the privilege of representing our country.

Having lost track of them over the years, how many are still alive is not known to me, but their boyish faces are still in my memory banks along with the highlights of our trip.

We were received by many dignitaries including the Duke of Gloucester and, most thrilling of all, Lady Baden Powell, the widow of our founder. I got to visit my cousin Irene Kerr and her husband Gerry, who was a Canadian flight lieutenant and fighter pilot stationed near North Luffenham. Sadly, Gerry died in a crash while flying as a member of the famous Golden Hawks in 1959.

I do not want to write a lengthy history of our delegations activities, but do want to pay tribute to my scout master Jeff Alexander, who was a senior engineer at General Motors and a former Olympic diver representing England. Jeffs influence and guidance has helped me all my life. Also, assistant scouter Denis Lewis had a hand in shaping me into the man I became.

Scouting was great fun and a useful pastime and I am very proud to have been a part of it. I am curious as to whether Canada is sending a contingent of Kings scouts to the coronation.

Gerry Michaud

Thorold

Letters welcome

We welcome letters from our readers. Send them to letters@niagaradailies.com or mail to PO Box 5031 Stn Main, St. Catharines, Ont., L2R 7T4. Letters should be 250 words or less, and may be edited for length and clarity. Please include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes.

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The following article is the first of four parts in a series. It was originally published Sept. 17, 2011.

Even in daylight the house seems hidden, set well back from the country road called Indian Trail, the property cloistered among towering trees and next to a small cemetery.

It is a long drive down the laneway, between two murky ponds. In the late day sun it is dead silent but for rustling leaves and the buzz of insects. Flies swarm as though protecting their territory.

Her home sits on the outskirts of the hamlet of Lynden, between Ancaster and Brantford, the nearest gas station 15 kilometres away.

The house seems too big and too remote for anyone to live there alone. But Audrey Gleave lived there by herself for 37 years.

It has an A-frame design, popular when Audrey and her ex-husband built it 40 years ago on 45 acres, with 17-foot vaulted ceilings to allow for a library balcony.

In recent years she still enjoyed reading, but seemed to spend most of her time in front of the TVs or computer.

Audrey was 73, a retired high school teacher and, many years ago, a masters student in nuclear physics at McMaster University.

She had always kept details of her past hidden. For years she met for coffee every Wednesday with retired teacher friends from Westdale Secondary School. They had no idea that Audrey had herself attended Westdale.

Even to those who knew her she was enigmatic, and a paradox: a quiet recluse who delighted in revving up her shiny white Camaro for drives to the library in Lynden.

The morning broke sunny and cold on Monday, Dec. 27, 2010.

Audrey had not been feeling well.

She sent an email to Phil Kinsman, a 22-year-old McMaster University engineering graduate student who did small jobs for her around the house and property. Phil had recently erected a new mailbox at the end of the driveway. Someone had knocked down the last one.

Pictures of Audrey Gleave's new mailbox, and an older mailbox that was knocked down. The Hamilton Spectator file photo

Phil was a rare acquaintance she welcomed inside her house. They would sit on the sofa and chat. He called her Aud.

That familiarity had been a mixed blessing when it came to Audreys dogs, though  two German shepherds who were so protective they would circle her as though forming a wall, barking and nipping at Phil no matter how many times he visited.

Later that morning, at 10:46 a.m., she sent a second email to Phil. The subject line said report.

Audrey wrote: By Sunday the weakness was disappearing but still there. And would you believe that this morning I got a secondary infection; runny nose, runny eyes, sneezing. But at least I dont feel weak so dont think Ive a fever. Im just annoyed with it. Hope it gets better because I intend to have coffee Wed. come hell or high water. Ive got cabin fever. Lynne is coming over with soup in a few minutes.

She signed the email Bary, short for Baryon.

In her 60s, Audrey had taken computer studies at Mohawk College. A fellow mature student in her class, a man named John Hartig, noticed that she signed her assignments with that name. Unusual, he thought.

Computers had become Audreys latest enthusiasm and she plunged into it, as always driven by a natural curiosity and competitiveness.She often stayed after class to soak up additional learning from instructors.

Most of the students were much younger; she was brainy and picked up points faster than all of them. She became a computer whiz, even ultimately asking a friend to email her viruses so she could study them, break them down.

She received a grade of 99 per cent in one computer course. Then she asked the instructor what her one mistake had been. The instructor couldnt point to one specifically, but observed that nobody knows the material perfectly, so there had to be an error somewhere.

Audrey took the complaint to the head of the department and got her 100 per cent.

She mostly kept to herself in the class. Hartig noted how she seemed to be in pain when she walked, he wondered if it was because she struggled with her weight and her knees were hurting.

One day, he decided to ask her about the name: why Baryon?

She answered him with a question.

Do you know what Baryon means? she said.

Its a subatomic particle, he said.

Correct. He figured she was impressed by that, even though it was not the full definition, which Audrey would have known in its entirety. (Baryon: a subatomic particle with a mass greater than or equal to that of the proton, and is composed of three quarks; from the Greek barus, meaning heavy.)

Following that exchange, Audrey emailed Hartig, and sent him articles, and also cartoons from the comic strip Crabby Road that featured a character named Maxine, who was a wisecracking, curmudgeonly elderly woman.

Hartig was a wedding photographer. He asked Audrey for scripting tips when creating his website and credited her on the site when it was complete. He liked and respected her. He got the impression that, while she no doubt had a big heart, she chose her friends judiciously, and had little patience for those who were lazy or disingenuous, and that she believed there was no shortage of such people.

He was one of several people on her email contact list. She emailed each person separately, never as a group. It was a privacy thing. Audrey insisted that anyone emailing refer to her as Baryon, or Bary.

She made it clear if you wrote her real first name, at any time, you would be cut off.

After Christmas, Hartig returned home from a vacation. Thats when he saw it on the TV news.

An elderly woman who lived alone in the country with two dogs had been stabbed, murdered in her home. The victims name appeared on the screen.

My goodness, said John to his wife, feeling his heart drop. Thats Baryon.

***

Horrendous...savage, said the plainclothes staff sergeant.

Steve Hrab had recently turned 59, nearing the end of a high-profile and sometimes controversial career with Hamilton Police.

Hrab had helped put killers in jail. Sometimes his investigative techniques and aggressive approach had also landed him in hot water with supervisors and judges.

He had seen it all, investigating homicide cases for 25 years, longer than any active Hamilton police officer.

Hamilton Police Staff Sergeant Steve Hrab is grim as he speaks to the media in early January 2011 at the grisly scene of Audrey Gleaves murder Scott Gardner, The Hamilton Spectator

He spoke to the media with special gravity about the murder of the 73-year-old woman on Indian Trail. He said it was the worst thing he had ever seen.

And the attack had a sexual component, he said.

Homicide investigators typically speak to the media about an open case in the interest of public safety  he urged residents in the area to be vigilant since a killer was at large  and in the hopes of encouraging tips, and, on occasion, to spark a reaction from the perpetrator. Audrey Gleaves body was found in her garage mid-morning on Thursday, Dec. 30.

Hrab said they suspected a random attack by a stranger. Police did not reveal the exact time of death, if they were aware of it. The last time she was known to be alive was the early evening of Dec. 27.

The garage was attached to the house. Audreys two German shepherds had been inside, apparently unable to save her.

Hrab revealed little else. Additional pieces of the picture were details only the killer would know, what investigators call hold-back evidence.

He spoke of a vicious stabbing but did not talk about other weapons  at least one other had been used  or the nature of the sexual component (it had included a perverse act that went beyond a conventional assault; the killer had taken something from the victim as though making off with a souvenir.)

Hrab stood in a topcoat against a cold wind, addressing reporters on Indian Trail, yellow crime scene tape hanging from Audreys new mailbox.

Have you been in contact with a man neighbours say has been doing odd jobs for Ms. Gleave? asked a reporter from CHCH News.

The reporter was talking about Audreys friend, Phil Kinsman. He lived in West Hamilton, about a 20-minute drive away. Neighbours called him her handyman.

Yes, we have spoken with that individual, Hrab said. He is actually the individual that discovered her. He has been ruled out as a suspect in this, absolutely.

Neighbours say they have seen a homeless man in an abandoned barn down the road, the reporter continued, sometimes with his shirt off carrying an axe, and that hes been arrested and is in Brantford. What can you confirm about those reports?

I am aware of a homeless man that has taken residence up there, Hrab said. We are aware he has been arrested in Brantford on a totally unrelated matter. On a weapons charge, I believe.

Hamilton police executed search warrants on Audreys home, as well as the barn six kilometres away.

Scenic view of the Gleave house. Gary Yokoyama/The Hamilton Spectator file photo

The sexual assault and murder of an older woman in her home was a story that received media coverage across the country.

Soon after the news broke, the phone rang at the home of David Gleave in British Columbia. It was his brother, Allan, on the line.

Allan Gleave was Audreys ex-husband. To David, Allan did not sound upset, the voice was matter-of-fact. But then, Allan had not been in touch with her for many years.

Did you hear the news about Audrey? Allan asked.

Allan had not been contacted by Hamilton detectives about the murder, and they would not do so until five months into the investigation.

Instead, Allan had heard the news when a Hamilton Spectator reporter called him.

Unlike his brother, David had been in touch with Audrey in recent years. He remembered something she once told him.

Audrey had said she feared she would one day be raped and murdered in her home.

***

When Audreys life began, she was Otte Wilma Doveika, born in Hamilton on Feb. 6, 1937. Her parents were from the Baltics, Latvia and Lithuania; their anglicized names in Canada became Antanas (Tony) and Marie Doveika.



Tony Doveika worked in Hamilton as an engineer for Greening Wire Co. He lived on Oxford Street near Barton and Locke streets, before marrying Marie and moving to 179 Locke Street N., and then to 19 Mulberry Street downtown.

Otte changed her name to Audrey as a teenager. She did not get along with her mother; they barely talked.

Audrey Gleave, seen as a young woman. The Hamilton Spectator

By 1960, Tony had moved the family to 11 Beulah Avenue, off Aberdeen Avenue near Dundurn Street. At 23, Audrey worked as a clerk at Bell, and in 1964 was enrolled in science at McMaster University.

In first year at McMaster she met Allan Gleave, who was six years her junior and studying engineering. Allan had attended Hill Park Secondary School, his father was a purchasing agent for Firestone, and his uncle, also named Allan, was a Hamilton police officer.

Allan found Audrey attractive. He thought she was full-figured and in good shape, with long hair she usually coloured red. Most appealingly, she was fun and smart and had a sharp wit.

He noted how she read only two magazines: one was Scientific American and the other MAD Magazine.

She was also a private woman who volunteered little about her past. Maybe that was because she was older than her peers, or perhaps something had happened to her as a young woman that inspired such caution.

Whatever it was that led Audrey to form a protective shell around herself, it would remain for the rest of her life.

One day, Allan spotted an old elementary school science textbook of Audreys. He opened the front cover. There it was, handwritten: Otte Wilma. She had never told him her original name.

He made a mental note about that textbook. It had been an old book, all right, had to be, he reflected, because the element tungsten was still referred to by its old name, wolfram.

They seemed a good match, Allan and Audrey.

They decided to get married, but Allan was Anglican and his church would not perform the service. The reason? His fiancee had been married twice before.

Audrey confirmed two previous marriages, but would tell Allan little about them. Allan never asked her much about it. He knew better than to try, she was too private.

She did not tell him she had been just 16 when she first married. That one had not lasted long. The second, in her 20s, was to Larry Blake, who worked at Stelco. They lived on Fairleigh Avenue South.

Even with the secrecy, Allan loved being with Audrey. They were married in 1969 in the Salvation Army chapel on James Street North. Only a couple of people attended, and Allans mom, Marjorie, threw a party for them afterward.

They lived for a time with Allans parents. Marjorie got along well with Audrey, although she dreaded family gatherings with Audreys parents. Tony Doveika liked his booze, especially when socializing, and insisted on getting Marjories husband drunk every time they got together.

Before getting married, Audrey had been on track for a career in nuclear physics  an uncommon vocation for a woman in the 1960s. She graduated with a bachelor of science in 1966 from McMaster and began work on a masters degree in physics.

She worked two summers for Atomic Energy of Canada at the nuclear laboratories in Chalk River, 180 kilometres west of Ottawa. A densely academic article published in 1967 lists A. Doveika as one of the authors. The title: Compendium of Thermal Neutron Capture Ray Measurements.

In August 1967, she was featured in a Hamilton Spectator article headlined Colour TV Set Easy To Build. It was in the early days of colour television when a new one cost a small fortune: $1,200, or about $8,000 in 2011 dollars. Audrey had sent away for parts and put it together over the course of a month, following a manual.

She was described in the article as a cheerful blonde brandishing her soldering iron  glibly reeling off technical terms as her Siamese cat, Ming, watched. She was quoted saying anyone could put a TV together: Anyone who has the courage to pick up a screwdriver. Thats the beauty of it. Just read the instructions.

She added that she had a practical reason for building her own TV: Now I can make my own repairs.

A photo with the story showed Audrey working on her invention, wearing a striped dress and a wedding ring. She wore the ring but was not married at the time. Sometimes it was a gold snake ring. Why she did that, Allan was never sure.

Her career as a nuclear physicist did not pan out, either by choice or necessity. One family member said she was denied a permanent job at Chalk River because of concerns about the consequences of working in a nuclear energy environment if she were to become pregnant.

She did not complete her masters program. Instead, one day she announced to Allan that she would teach high school science.

Her first school was Hill Park, later Barton Secondary and then Westdale.

Her parents moved to 93 South Oval in Westdale. Audrey continued to be estranged from her mother, even as she worked just around the corner from her parents house.

Early in their marriage, Allan and Audrey lived on Alma Lane in Ancaster, then built a big home on Indian Trail, which Allan designed.

They enjoyed good times together, including several trips. Allans brother, David, was a pilot and flew the two of them up north into the bush to camp for a week. They travelled to Europe for three weeks.

Audrey talked about having kids, but never did. In 1974, when Allan was 31 and Audrey 38, the marriage started to fall apart. Allan had met a younger woman at his karate class.

Allans mother, Marjorie, who is 95 and lives in a Hamilton nursing home, lamented the end of the marriage, and added: Men dont like women who are smarter than they are.

Allan left Audrey but, on occasion, dropped by Indian Trail to help with things. She started referring to him in conversation as Fartface, a nickname that would have resonated with Maxine, the crusty cartoon character she came to admire.

Allan moved 400 kilometres away with the woman he had met in karate class and married. They settled up north and he worked in chemical engineering for a paper company in Sturgeon Falls. He never had kids and retired in 2001.

In the divorce settlement, Allan signed the house over to Audrey. The house was important to both of them and he didnt want anyone else to live there.

Ill never sell it, she told him.

Audrey remained on Indian Trail, alone.

Allan made trips back to Hamilton each year to visit his parents. In 1976, when his father died, Audrey attended the funeral and chatted briefly with Allan.

It was the last time they ever spoke.

***

Staff Sergeant Steve Hrab addressed reporters on Thursday, Feb. 10. It was a big day.

To put together a case, there are two ingredients, he said. There are witnesses and there are forensic pieces of evidence. In combining those two, we do our best to identify an individual, and turn him from a suspect into a person that we believe we have the necessary legal requirements, namely the grounds to arrest and successfully prosecute. We were able to do that yesterday.

Just over a month had passed since Audrey Gleave was killed. Hrab, case manager of the investigation, was announcing an arrest. Detectives Paul Johnson and Angela Abrams were also working on the case.

Illustration showing the location of Audrey Gleave's home where her body was found (A on the map) and the site of a police investigation on Lynden Road in Brant County (B on the map). Ron Scheffler/The Hamilton Spectator file photo

Earlier that day, Hamilton police officers arrested David Scott at a laundromat in Brantford. He was charged with first-degree murder. The charge meant the crime was planned and/or involved a sexual assault.

He had been targeted as a person of interest early in the investigation. Described as a 50-year-old homeless man who squatted in a barn near the victims home, Scott had been charged for breaching probation by carrying a hunting knife in Brantford on Dec. 29  the day before the body was found with stab wounds.

Hrab said witnesses had seen him in the area of Audreys home.

During the breached probation matter, a Brantford judge opined in court that he believed David Scott was not violent but could be intimidating because he frequently yelled in public places.

The Brantford Expositor reported he had been previously convicted for assault and cruelty to animals, and that he was schizophrenic.

The day after his release from a Brantford jail on the previous offence, Hamilton police packed him off to Barton Street jail.

Meanwhile, investigators waited for evidence collected in Audreys garage, house, and the barn to be tested at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto.

Police would not describe the nature of the forensics. Fingerprints? DNA? A footwear impression at the scene or on the victim?

When homicide detectives search for a killer, they sometimes request a profile be developed by the Ontario Provincial Police Behavioural Sciences Section. Steve Hrab had taken courses in criminal profiling, the science of studying behaviour to paint a portrait of the perpetrator that can assist in identifying a suspect. He placed stock in its use as an investigative tool.

Perhaps a profile seemed unnecessary because David Scott appeared to be a slam-dunk suspect: previous arrests; known for unpredictable behaviour; seen carrying a large knife and spotted near the victims home.

A behavioural profile of the killer in the Audrey Gleave case likely would have suggested the perpetrator was a younger male, in his 20s or early 30s, and someone who had known Audrey, or known of her, which was not the case with David Scott.

(The killer) has knowledge that an elderly female lives there by herself, said Mark Safarik, a retired FBI profiler with expertise in violent crime against the elderly.

Safarik said those who kill the elderly are not opportunistic offenders. They are not breaking into a place and stumbling upon the victim. He knows shes there, know shes by herself, and he goes there with intent to sexually assault and murder her. This is different than prior research suggesting women were opportunistic victims of non-violent offenders who become violent at the scene.

He said such offenders are typically angry young men with pent-up rage toward women, and likely have lived with a female authority figure. They are socially incompetent and perceive they hae little control in their lives; undereducated, with substance abuse problems and are unemployed or in a menial job.

For these guys, there is not a lot of planning, and they dont stay at the scene long. They leave evidence, dont clean up. They dont think that far ahead.

And they use far more violence than necessary to kill.

Overkill is indicative of their anger. This had been the case on Indian Trail.

They attack elderly women because they are easy targets; even a child does not present as ready a victim because he is seen as having guardianship, whereas an elderly woman on her own has none. These killers also tend to live relatively close to their victim.

But a homeless guy in his 40s or 50s? Safarik asked rhetorically when considering the Gleave case. My advice is look young and look close.

Steve Hrab neared the end of his news conference in which he had announced that police had the evidence to send David Scott to prison for life. Then he added: I would hope that if the public has any information about Mr. Scott, please call us.

Someone from the public did call. Her name was Debbie and she lived in Brantford. She was David Scotts sister.

Youve got the wrong guy, she said.

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TORONTO - Osisko Mining Inc. has signed a deal to form a 50-50 joint venture with South African company Gold Fields Ltd. to develop the Windfall gold project in Quebec.

Under the agreement, Gold Fields will make a $300-million initial cash payment to Osisko plus an additional payment of $300 million on issuance of the applicable permits authorizing the construction, operation and mining of the project.

Gold Fields will also fund spending for regional exploration up to a maximum of $75 million, after which regional exploration programs would be proportionately funded by each company.

In addition, Gold Fields will make two additional payments of $17 million for reimbursement of money already spent by Osisko on pre-construction expenses.

Osisko chairman and chief executive John Burzynski says the partnership strengthens the companys balance sheet, allows it to significantly de-risk Windfall and brings the company a step closer to realizing its objective of becoming a leading Canadian gold producer.

The Windfall project is located between Val-dOr and Chibougamau in the Abitibi region of Quebec.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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EdmontonIt was a ruling that was always going to cast a shadow over UCP Leader Danielle Smith.

On the second day of the Alberta election campaign, a judge ruled that a Calgary street pastor who tried to have the Alberta premier intervene in his criminal proceedings was guilty of mischief in relation to a COVID blockade.

As news of the conviction emerged on Tuesday, Smith was not taking any questions from media about the case many believe had thrust her into an unwanted ethics review on the eve of the election campaign.

Pastor Artur Pawlowski was at the Coutts, Alta., border blockade last year to support protesters decrying COVID-19 public health measures. Judge Gordon Krinke also found him guilty Tuesday of breaching a release order.

Crown prosecutors had argued that a speech Pawlowski gave to protesters incited them to continue disrupting the border. Pawlowski had pleaded not guilty.

His case was thrust into the public spotlight after a phone call between him and Smith was publicized by the Alberta NDP in March. Just weeks before his criminal trial began, Smith, sitting as premier, talked to him on the phone for 11 minutes and said shed make inquiries about his case.

Albertas ethics commissioner is investigating whether Smith interfered with the administration of justice.

The ruling comes as the province enters the second day of an election that polls have pegged so far as a neck-and-neck battle between Rachel Notleys NDP and Smiths UCP, with all eyes on the close race in Calgary. The campaign on Tuesday was light on new policies being rolled out by either party, but the Pawlowski ruling potentially throws a wrench into the UCPs election campaign.

Smith was not made available to the media on Tuesday. She instead toured Calgary speaking to voters and volunteers.

Notley, meanwhile, attended two events, one in Calgary and one in Red Deer, where she spoke about health-care issues and took questions from reporters.

She was asked if Smith should publicly address the Pawlowski ruling, which had not come down when she gave her response.

Danielle Smith is on video very clearly announcing that she plans to interfere with the administration of justice on behalf of somebody whose actions cost our economy hundreds of millions of dollars, said Notley.

I dont care if its today, if it was a month ago when she claimed she was going to sue people (the CBC and NDP were threatened with lawsuits after publicizing the phone call), or two weeks from now. Quite frankly, Albertans are very, very nervous about the extreme nature of Mr. Pawlowskis views.

Danielle Smith clearly, clearly aligns herself with him  up to and including being prepared to interfere with the administration of justice on his behalf, so she needs to answer for that.

Smith has been criticized for her stance during her partys leadership race pledging to grant clemency to people hit with charges during the pandemic  something thats not in her power to do as premier.

Pawlowski saw a helping hand in Smith as she ascended to the premiers office through winning the UCP leadership race in October.

The pastor was also hit with a charge under the Alberta Critical Infrastructure Defence Act of wilfully damaging or destroying essential infrastructure. A ruling on that charge was put off. Penalties on the other charges could range up to jail time.

He received the guilty verdicts a day after publicly launching his own political campaign.

On Monday, Pawlowski posted a video to his Twitter account of him and former Conservative MP Rob Anders, who was wearing a black hoodie with a maple leaf and the words arrest Trudeau next to it.

The video was posted as a way for him to launch a party and ask for candidates to run. Anders said vote for the new party if you dont believe in 15-minute cities and you want to free truckers and free pastors. He made a remark about the LGBTQ community and then said people should throw their support behind them to end jabs.

While Smith was not available to the media Tuesday, the UCP has decided to do a nightly broadcast on Facebook Live, the first of which she appeared on Monday night. Smith has also put in place a policy of not taking follow-up questions from reporters when she is available.

The host of the UCP war-room broadcast, Bruce McAllister, said on a Facebook livestream Monday night that the partisan show will talk about platform news from the NDP and UCP because the media has a tendency to report things one way from time to time.

We will make sure that we are fact-checking what is reported and bring you the straight goods, said the former Wildrose party MLA who served in the legislature from 2012 to 2015, including when the party was led by Smith.

Christine Myatt, a senior consultant with New West Public Affairs and former director of communications for premier Jason Kenney, said the risk of not having Smith up in front of the media is that the UCP cedes ground to attacks from the NDP.

I think its unfortunate that theyve made this choice because I think they have a really strong message and its one that Albertans need to hear, she said.

As for what effect the Pawlowski ruling may have on the campaign, Myatt said it will likely be muted.

I think that the NDP and to some extent the media are going to want to make this an issue, she said. The vast majority of Albertans are not on Twitter, and theyre not glued to social media 24/7, which is where a lot of this plays out.

While it may generate a day or two of negative media coverage, overall, I dont think this is going to be a huge election issue.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Rihanna attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023 in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Karlie Kloss debuted a baby bump at the Met Gala.

On a night when most people were asked who theyre wearing, the 30-year-old model was asked who she was carrying. Kloss and her husband Joshua Kushner, 37, welcomed their first baby in March 2021.

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I got a plus one, dont tell anybody, beamed during Vogues red carpet coverage. This is the first time Im actually on a red carpet pregnant.

Karlie Kloss arrives for the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023, in New York. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Its unclear when Kloss is due, but seeing a baby before years end seems likely. That baby will have a 2-year-old brother, Levi Joseph, waiting to greet him or her.

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Kloss dropped no hints of the red carpet surprise she had in store leading up to the big night.

Doing my Met glam trial right now, she tweeted Sunday. Which of my past looks was your favorite??

[ Met Gala 2023: Best and worst red carpet looks during fashion's biggest night ]

She went with a black, form-fitting, floor-length black gown by Loewe for the Met Galas Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty event.
Maldives: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a 3-day visit to Maldives, met the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed today, May 2 and discussed a wide range of issues to further strengthen ties between the two nations.

Taking to Twitter, Defense Misnter Rajnath Singh tweeted: "Excellent meeting with HEP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President's Office in Male. We discussed a wide range of issues to further boost the relations between India and Maldives"

It was on Monday that Rajnath Singh reached the Maldives on a three-day official visit. He attended a dinner hosted by his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi. At the dinner, a cultural programme was organised, emblematic of the close cultural ties between India and Maldives.

From his part, Maldives Defence Ministry tweeted: "H.E. MariyaDidi hosted a dinner to honour her visiting Indian counterpart H.E. Rajnathsingh. Min Didi reiterated that tonight's dinner was an opportunity to celebrate the

achievements of partnership and to renew their commitment to strengthen cooperation and collaboration,"

Rajnath Singh also met the archipelago's Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on Monday. His twwitter posts read: "Happy to have met with Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid in Male today," .

Earlier, Singh, who is accompanied by Mariya Didi, paid tribute to fallen heroes at the '3rd November Memorial' flag mounting ceremony.

Rajnath Singh will present one Fast Patrol Vessel ship and a Landing Craft to the Maldives National Defence Forces in keeping with India's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of friendly nations and partners in the region. The Defence Minister will visit the nation's active construction sites while he is there and engage with the Indian Diaspora.

In order to successfully manage common issues like marine security, terrorism, radicalization, piracy, trafficking, organised crime, and natural catastrophes, India and the Maldives are collaborating closely.

The Indian Ocean Region's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, "Neighbourhood First" strategy, and "India First" policy of the Maldives all aim to cooperate in the development of regional capabilities.

Rajnath Singh calls on SCO to band together to fight terrorism

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs SCO meeting

Rajnath Singh calls on SCO to band together to fight terrorism
FREDERICTON - After a delay called unacceptable by the provinces racism commissioner, the New Brunswick government has announced its first steps to rid the provincial map of places named with a slur against Indigenous women.

Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace said in a statement this week that the government is launching a 28-day consultation seeking proposals to rename a mountain in northern New Brunswick. The mountain, along with a nearby community and a protected natural area, is named with a derogatory term for an Indigenous woman.

There has been a lot of discussion with respect to the derogatory names in the province and why it has taken so long to have new names considered, Scott-Wallace said. Provincial officials said Tuesday the initiative deals with two of the eight locations named with the slur that are under provincial jurisdiction, and separate processes will follow for the remaining six.

An islet in the province named with the derogatory term is under federal jurisdiction, they added.

A report in December from systemic racism commissioner Manju Varma said New Brunswick has more places named with the derogatory term than any other province or territory. She said it saddened her that she had to call for their removal nearly two years after a request to the government was first made.

While name changes are not simple, this length of time is unacceptable, she wrote. She criticized the government for failing to address evident racism and said its approach had relied on a heavily bureaucratic process that is neither Indigenous-led nor co-managed and ignores critical Indigenous knowledge of the land and this territory.

Chief Ross Perley of Tobique First Nation said the slow response to the place names reflects the governments lack of commitment to reconciliation with the Indigenous population.

Weve submitted numerous requests verbally, in letters from the Wolastoqey Nation ... asking the provincial government to change these names, he said in an interview.

I cant speak for their decision-making process but theres a long history  especially with this particular provincial government  of not making reconciliation changes with Indigenous people, and names of places is one of them.

Names chosen to replace the slur should be Indigenous, Perley added. I would consult with elders in our communities, whether its in Mikmaq or Wolastoqey territory, for proper names of those places.

Scott-Wallace said her department circulated a request to First Nations in the province several months ago for name change submissions for a specific community in the province but did not receive any submissions.

The Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick disputed that, saying in a statement it had responded to the provinces proposed toponymy process with a five-page letter that had feedback, comments and suggestions. It refrained from responding to a request for input on a name change in Mikmaq territory, it added.

Lauren Beck, Canada Research Chair in intercultural encounter at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., said the Tourism Department launched a name change proposal form on its website two years ago.

This was one of the first  probably the most significant  steps it took toward dealing with problematic names relative to the publics desire to have a say in what happens next, she said in an interview Tuesday. They promised to come up with a framework, including objectives for name changes and resources, but thats not yet been released, so far as I know.

Beck said place names that include the derogatory term for an Indigenous woman were given mostly by uneducated men in the 19th century, and many people today may not even understand how offensive the term is. Its just a reproduction of those sorts of hateful names that all of us women have had to deal with, she said.

While most can agree on names that do not belong on the map, finding a replacement is not always easy. Its crucial to involve Indigenous people in the renaming process, Beck said, but they should be compensated for their time.

Its also intellectual labour, she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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REGINA - Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the province may not go along with an incoming federal emission policy that he believes would make it difficult to keep the lights on.

Moe did not provide details Tuesday on what he might do to potentially block Ottawas clean electricity standards, but said more information is to be shared in the coming weeks.

Were going to continue to chart Saskatchewans path, he told reporters after speaking at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Regina. It may not necessarily be Canadas path, and well have more details on that in the coming weeks,.

Moe said Saskatchewan cant meet potential requirements that may be set out through the federal governments clean electricity standards.

The standards say emissions from electrical generation should be net-zero by 2035 and that conventional coal be phased out by 2030.

The premier said hes concerned these changes could result in Saskatchewan being forced to close natural gas electrical plants in the province by 2035, leaving many ratepayers in the dark and causing utility bills to spike.

Hes also worried the provinces only coal plant that captures carbon would have to close.

If you think about where the city of Saskatoon receives their power, Jan. 1, 2035, is a very cold morning in Saskatoon because the lights wont come on and the furnace fans wont work, Moe said.

Saskatchewan relies heavily on natural gas and coal for its electrical grid, and the province has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in building new natural gas plants.

Moe said SaskPower, the Crown utility responsible for electricity in the province, is prepared to meet net-zero emissions by 2050.

He said Saskatchewan can use nuclear, natural gas, solar and wind energy in the future to lower the provinces overall emissions and meet targets.

Its about whats affordable and about whats possible versus some ideological policy that may come from another level of government, he said. Were going to (green our power grid) in a way that ensures that we have sustainable supply and in a way that continues our plan to net zero by 2050.

The federal government was not immediately available for comment.

The clean electricity standards are currently under development as Ottawa looks to reduce Canadas emissions to fight climate change and create jobs through the green-energy sector.

A discussion paper on the standards states natural gas plants could be considered low-emitters if they capture carbon. Non-emitters include renewables such as solar, wind and nuclear.

The federal government has said it has been consulting with provinces about potential changes.

NDP energy critic Aleana Young agreed the federal government is moving too fast with the clean electrical standards, saying 2035 isnt realistic.

However, she said Moes rhetoric over power plants being forced to close is unhelpful.

I dont quite know what to make of it other than fear mongering, she said. If the plan was to turn off all natural gas plants in seven years, I would have serious questions for this government about why they just invested three quarters of $1 billion in more natural gas plants.

Moe said plans to potentially not go along with the clean electricity standards arent meant to be a fight.

He argued Ottawa is making the same decisions that were made in Europe, which is now struggling for reliable and stable sources of power since Russia invaded Ukraine.

(Thats) not going to happen in Saskatchewan. Were going to be using every tool that we have as a province to ensure that yes, were reducing emissions, but were also making sure that we have a sustainable power supply, he said.

Young said the province has been slow to act on adding more renewables to the grid and has been relying on more electrical imports.

She said theres huge untapped opportunities for homeowners, farms, businesses and communities to create power-generation co-ops.

That would reduce the demand for electricity, empower people and also ensure that, come what may with federal standards, were able to meet the challenge in the best position that we can, she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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Two Canadian volunteer soldiers have been killed in the eastern Ukrainian battleground of Bakhmut while serving with the countrys International Legion.

Cole Zelenco, of St. Catharines, and Kyle Porter, of Calgary, were reportedly killed late last week.

Zelenco was a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who was released from service so that he could fight in Ukraine, according to a GoFundMe page seeking donations to help his family repatriate his body.

He performed two tours in Ukraine in 2022 and 2023. While protecting the city of Bakhmut, he passed away on April 26, 2023, reads a message on the site, which has helped raise more than $36,000.

A fellow Canadian who wrote on Facebook that he served with Zelenco in Ukraine said that he died in an artillery strike.

Cole was an incredible young man. I had the immense privilege to serve with him from the start of the war, from the very beginning of the operations on Ukrainian soil, said the Canadian volunteer, writing in French. Funny, endearing, professional and always positive, even in absolutely terrible situations.

Zelencos grandmother wrote on the GoFundMe page: I am so proud of what you accomplished in Ukraine even though we tried very hard to get you to come home. You always replied, Ill be home soon. Dont worry!

Porter, a former Canadian Army medic, was among a team of search-and-rescue operators with the Canadian International Rescue Organization who travelled to Kyiv last year, in the first weeks of the Russian invasion.

He told CTV after his first trip to Ukraine that he was moved to volunteer after seeing scenes of the Russian invasion on television.

I saw that footage and I thought, thats not fair. I have equipment, I have training, I have experience, and the fact that I get to sit here and enjoy the benefits of where I live compared to these people and their families, I knew I needed to do what I could to get some cosmic level of justice.

Porter was attached to Ukraines 92nd Mechanized Brigade, which is fighting to defend the town of Bakhmut, which is the site of one of the most intense, grinding battles along the eastern Ukrainian front-line.

Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have been expending tremendous energy and suffering high casualties for months.

Another Canadian volunteer, Gregory Tsekhmistrenko, a combat medic, was also killed in Bakhmut earlier this year. He is believed to have been the third Canadian killed while fighting in Ukraine.

Allan Woods is a Montreal-based staff reporter for the Star. He covers global and national affairs. Follow him on Twitter: @WoodsAllan

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The United States Department of Defense is tracking another mysterious balloon, initially spotted in the airspace over Hawaii, officials said.

Ownership of the balloon is unknown, but there is no indication that it was manoeuvring or being controlled by a foreign or adversarial actor, a spokesperson told the Honolulu Star Advertiser. The balloon did not transit directly over defence critical infrastructure or other U.S. Government sensitive sites, nor did it pose a military or physical threat to people on the ground.

The unmanned, high-altitude object was first detected by the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday, floating along the coast of Hawaii at about 36,000 feet. Its not clear if its a weather balloon or something else, sources told NBC News, adding that the U.S. could still shoot it down if it approaches land.

The object is currently nearing Mexico.

The spotting comes after the Air Force in February shot down a large Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina. It travelled over several key military bases before it was downed by an F-22 jet. The United States said at the time intelligence officials confirmed it was a spy balloon, a claim that was later rejected by Beijing.

U.S. officials have said the device was able to gather intelligence from several sensitive American military sites, despite the Biden administrations efforts to prevent it from doing so.

The U.S. and Canadian militaries shot down several more unidentified flying objects over Alaska and Canada in the following weeks. The White House has since said they were either likely small weather balloons or objects sent into the air by hobbyists.

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The Alberta election is now officially underway  voting day is May 29  although political parties have been feverishly campaigning for weeks.

No wonder; theres a lot at stake for the main contenders: Danielle Smiths UCP and Rachel Notleys NDP. Both leaders are practised, lively campaigners who perform well in front of crowds and have politics running in their veins.

Notley, the daughter of former Alberta New Democratic Party leader Grant Notley, was premier from 2015 to 2019 when she was ousted by Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party, a party born of the merger of Alberta Progressive Conservatives and the more right-wing Wildrose Party.

Smith, a former leader of the official opposition (Wildrose Party), has been premier since October when she won the UCP leadership race after Kenney lost the confidence of party members and was forced to resign.

So, we have two experienced premiers going up against each other in a close race. But the differences between their priorities couldnt be starker. Whoever emerges as the winner is bound to change Albertas relationship with other provinces and the federal government.

Smith wants to build walls around the province and permit entry to the federal government only when it suits her government. That was made clear when she introduced her first piece of legislation in November  The Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act. Like Kenney, her predecessor, she is quick to accuse the current federal government of actively working against Albertas interests, especially when it comes to energy and environmental issues.

Notley is much more inclined to work with the federal government, although when she was premier she certainly had some serious clashes with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over stalled oil pipelines.

For Smith, the oil and gas industry still holds all the cards when it comes to Albertas economic future, even though the market for petroleum products is waning. Shes not keen to talk about a transition to a different economic strategy. Instead, she offers financial incentives to the petroleum industry, such as billions of dollars for cleaning up old, polluting oil well-sites that by law the companies should be paying for themselves.

When Notley was premier she worked with major oil companies, environmentalists and First Nations to devise a climate change strategy that included a provincial carbon tax and financial incentives for renewable energy producers. She also lobbied hard for oil pipelines.

When it comes to health care, a major election issue, Smith has in the recent past publicly advocated for a system in which patients pay up front for visits to a family doctor. She has since promised to uphold publicly funded health care, but given her antipathy to the federal government it seems likely that if elected she will challenge the Canada Health Act.

For Notley and the NDP, Albertans anxieties about the beleaguered health care system are a gift. They brought out a plan months ago that would increase the number of family doctors and supplemental health care workers in all parts of the province. And according to opinion polls, the NDP is seen as the most reliable when it comes to alleviating the health care crisis.

Albertans pensions are also an election issue. Smith wants Alberta to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan so the province can set up its own plan. Not surprisingly, thats a no-go for Notley and the NDP.

And then theres the matter of who voters trust the most.

Smith has racked up several serious indiscretions since she became premier; such as promising in a recorded phone call with a freedom convoy supporter, who had been charged with inciting violence, that she would have a chat with prosecutors about the case. She often has to spend days backtracking or defending offside statements and comments.

In Calgary, traditionally a conservative stronghold, Notley has higher approval ratings than Smith. Whether that translates into trust in a province where many people seem genetically predisposed to vote conservative will soon become apparent.

GS Gillian Steward is a Calgary-based writer and freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @GillianSteward

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Theres a coronation this weekend in London, Im told. And in Canada the festivities wouldnt be complete without yet another round of calls from the pundit class to ditch the monarchy.

Charles is not my king! goes the cry, and a new poll showing support for King Charles III has dipped below 50 per cent among Canadians is brandished as evidence for abolishing the institution.

The only thing lacking in this time-worn debate is evidence that doing away with the Crown would help to solve any actual problem Canadians are facing. But never mind, were told. Monarchy by its very nature is undemocratic, colonialist, racist, and so on.

The sticky point for anti-monarchists, however, is that this ancient, creaky system, as its been adapted to the demands of the 21st century, usually works remarkably well. There are many reasons for this, and no need to rehearse them all again. But theres one fact that doesnt often get mentioned because it seems so counterintuitive: as a general rule, monarchies in todays world are, to a remarkable extent, more prosperous, more equal, and even more democratic than the alternatives.

Take a look at those lists of best countries in the world to live in. Invariably theyre dominated by monarchies. A widely cited one produced by U.S. News & World Report features seven monarchies among the 10 best countries for quality of life. The top three are Sweden, Denmark and Canada. The Netherlands and Australia are also on the list.

This is all the more remarkable because, depending on how you figure it, only about 20 per cent of the countries in the world are monarchies. But its clear that, on average, they punch far above their weight.

To be clear, I am not  repeat not  arguing that countries like Sweden and Denmark are prosperous, stable and fair because they are monarchies. Correlation, lets agree, does not equal causation. But the pattern is so strong that it calls for some kind of explanation.

Its also not just a phenomenon limited to northern Europe and the Commonwealth. In Asia theres Japan, an ancient monarchy, but also Thailand, a monarchy considerably more prosperous and democratic than its neighbours Myanmar (a brutal military dictatorship) and Cambodia (which reverted to monarchy after a tragic chapter of genocidal Maoist rule). Plus Bhutan, a Himalayan monarchy renowned for measuring its success via gross national happiness. Shangri-La, indeed.

All this suggests one obvious fact, and one possible hypothesis.

The obvious fact is that having a monarchy, as such, does not hold a country back. Canada became one of the very best countries to live in on Earth with its current system. Nothing about that system prevents us from becoming even better.

My own hypothesis is that most of the countries where monarchies managed to survive into the 21st century figured out something very important: how to combine tradition with change, how to adapt what they have to the demands of modernity. Rather than inflict the trauma of a radical break with the past on their societies, they chose to evolve toward constitutional monarchy.

Mauro Guillen, a professor at the Wharton School of Business, wrote a fascinating essay in 2021 exploring why modern monarchies have generally delivered such high standards of living. The trick, he thinks, is that constitutional monarchy works as a mechanism preserving what deserves to remain while incorporating what the circumstances call for. He calls constitutional monarchy a beautiful solution to a wide array of governance problems.

Finally, lets be clear: if you were starting right now with a blank sheet of paper and were asked to design a country on the northern half of North America (call it Canada), you wouldnt make it a monarchy. You certainly wouldnt install a monarch from another country.

But the point is were not starting with a blank sheet of paper. Were dealing with centuries of history, practice and experience  a heritage that has led to remarkable success. If weve learned anything, surely its to build on that success rather than breaking the system that allowed it to flourish.

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OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canadians evacuated from Sudan told her they went through hell, and she says Ottawa will do everything possible to help the country find peace.

This is an urban war that has no mercy whatsoever for civilians, Joly said in an interview Tuesday from Nairobi with The Canadian Press.

Joly was wrapping up a visit to Kenya, where she heard from people who escaped raging violence in Sudan, and met with leaders from across East Africa to discuss how Canada can help bring about peace.

They faced a situation that was, actually, extremely dangerous  facing death themselves, or, potential threats to their loved ones and families, she said.

Through their stories, I could see how much they have dealt with fear, and still are dealing with trauma.

Joly said it was an emotional experience hearing from those who helped with evacuations, including the Khartoum embassy team, who gave a two-hour briefing on how it all took place.

People went through hell, and were fearing for their lives. But at the same time, people are still dealing with the trauma of having to leave their home and their loved ones.

Sudan has been ruled by military chiefs for most of its recent history, and negotiations to again attempt civilian rule collapsed last month as two unpopular generals fight for influence.

This is a war for power; this is a war for control, and this is war for the sake of war, Joly said.

The Sudanese Armed Forces and Sudans paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces started brazen clashes in Khartoum, a capital city of five million people, on April 15.

Since then, Canada and other foreign countries have scrambled to evacuate their citizens through airlifts on damaged military-base runways and 30-hour convoys through treacherous checkpoints to the Port of Sudan.

Canadian evacuation flights started days later than many allies, including those stationed in East Asia, although Ottawa insists it has reacted as quickly as possible given logistical and security challenges.

Joly said evacuees in Kenya were grateful that Canadians staff and allied countries helped bring them to safety. But she couldnt shake an eerie feeling, with the Sudan evacuees reminding her of people she met in Poland just days after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in winter 2022.

Joly made a point of Canada evacuating some of its Khartoum embassy staff who arent citizens of Canada, known as locally engaged staff.

Diplomats have often urged Global Affairs Canada to ensure their foreign colleagues are included in airlifts, and Ottawa faced accusations of not adequately protecting local staff in its Kyiv embassy amid warnings ahead of Russias full-scale invasion that it would targeting Ukrainians working for western governments.

My preoccupation right now is that theres a real risk of spillover, of the Sudan crisis to the broader region, Joly said in a call from the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, in between meetings with diplomatic staff and regional officials.

Canadas diplomatic mission in Nairobi is its best-staffed on the continent, and Kenya is trying to co-ordinate how countries that neighbour Sudan can best respond through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a group focused on peace and prosperity in East African countries.

It showed me how much Kenya (is) and could be playing an even greater leadership role in this crisis. And we need there to be there to support them, because its the best way to get to an African-led solution, she said.

Joly echoed remarks by UN aid chief Martin Griffiths, also in Nairobi, who said the warring factions must agree to allow safe access for humanitarian workers to come save lives.

She said Canada can help by advocating for aid access, putting up its own dollars and elevating the voices of civil society.

Sudanese people themselves need to be able to have a voice in the diplomatic efforts, and thats what Canada can do also, by helping provide a way for that these voices to be expressed, she said.

She said that was the advice of former Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, the countrys only civilian leader in recent decades, who was deposed in a 2021 coup.

Were seen as a credible and trusted partner by many countries in the region, she said, adding that Ottawa will have more to say in the coming days about humanitarian aid for Sudanese people.

Joly also met with Kenyan President William Ruto as well as multiple Kenyan cabinet ministers, both about the situation in Sudan and broader collaboration between Canada and Kenya.

She said the talks surrounded everything from collaboration on an upcoming environment summit to possibly working with Kenyan post-secondary institutions to make it easier for graduates to work in Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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A British citizen and a Slovak citizen were detected by police on Sunday at a festival in the southeastern seaside resort of Mamaia, while allegedly offering for sale risk and high-risk drugs, subsequently being taken into a 24-hour custody, the Romanian Police informs.

"Police officers of the Constanta Organized Crime Brigade, together with Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) prosecutors - Constanta Territorial Service, documented the criminal activity of two people, investigated under the aspect of high-risk and high-risk drug trafficking crimes. Thus, during today, On May 1, police officers from the Constanta Organized Crime Brigade detected, in the premises of a festival in the Mamaia resort, two men (one of British nationality and one of Slovak nationality), while they were allegedly offering drugs of risk and high risk for sale. On them, various amounts of ketamine, cocaine, as well as MDMA (ecstasy) tablets were discovered," the source states.

The prosecutors of DIICOT - Constanta Territorial Service ordered the detention of the two, for 24 hours, and they were introduced to the Detention and Preventive Arrest Center of the Constanta County Police Inspectorate.

Later, they were presented to the rights and freedoms judge of the Constanta Court, with a proposal for 30-day arrest, which was accepted, the Police adds.AGERPRES
The minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, is paying an official visit to the Republic of Moldova on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he will meet with president Maia Sandu and prime minister Dorin Recean, a press release from the MApN sent to AGERPRES, reads.

The agenda of the first day of the visit of the Defense minister includes meetings with president Maia Sandu, at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova, with premier Dorin Recean, at the Government House, and with Igor Grosu, the president of the Parliament of the Republic Moldova, at the institution's headquarters, Agerpres informs.The official talks between ministers Angel Tilvar and Anatolie Nosatii are scheduled for Tuesday morning, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense in Chisinau, the source added.The schedule of the MApN delegation for Wednesday includes a visit to the headquarters of the 1st Motorized Infantry Brigade in the municipality of Balti.
Ankara: Abu Hussain Al Qureshi, the leader of the dreaded terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS), has been killed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has given this information. He has told that his intelligence agencies have entered Syria and killed him. Erdogan told TRT during an interview that intelligence agencies had been following ISIS chief Abu Hussein for a long time. Al Qureshi has been killed in an operation in Syria.

Erdogan told TRT Turk that this Islamic State terrorist was killed in an operation by the Turkish MIT intelligence agency on the night of 29 April. However, till now no response has been given by the terrorist organization Islamic State on this claim of Turkey. The President of Turkey says that we are going to continue the crackdown on terrorist organizations without any discrimination. Turkey has been fighting the Islamic State by entering inside Syria for a long time. Turkey aims to create a buffer zone between its country's border and Syria, where Syrian refugees can be settled.

According to media reports, the place where this operation was carried out in Syria is very close to the Turkish border. It is expected that the terrorist has been killed by being surrounded from all sides. However, apart from the death of the ISIS chief, no other information has been officially given so far.

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National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar met in Chisinau with his counterpart Anatolie Nosatii, within the official visit he is paying on Thursday and Wednesday to the Republic of Moldova.

According to a press release of the National Defence Ministry (MApN), the two ministers discussed about the bilateral cooperation in the defence area, but also about topics associated to the cooperation in regional context, NATO and the EU.

"We must continue to get involved, at international level, for the strong support of the Republic of Moldova, a state exposed to hybrid threats of the Russian Federation, accentuated by the disinformation and propaganda campaigns. I want to congratulate the authorities in Chisinau for the manner in which they managed these challenges," minister Tilvar stated, as quoted in the release.

Within the meeting it was highlighted the recent visit to Bucharest of the Moldovan Defence Minister for his participation in the first edition of the Black Security Conference, under the aegis of the Crimea International Platform, co-organized in Bucharest by Romania and Ukraine, on 13 April, as well as the trilateral meeting Romania-the Republic of Moldova- Ukraine, carried out at the level of Foreign Affairs and Defence ministers, on he sidelines of the same event, the quoted source mentions.

Moreover, the two officials underscored the very good cooperation in the area of military education and joint training.

"In respect to the cooperation in the defence area, I want to highlight the excellent level of our relations, as well as the openness of specialists with the National Defence Ministry to respond to the support requests. For us, the Republic of Moldova represents a strategic priority," the Romanian Defence minister stated.

Furthermore, it was reiterated Romania's full support for the advancement of the Republic of Moldova on an European route.

"Our country is constantly advocating for increasing the EU support for enhancing the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, strengthening the defence capabilities and counteracting hybrid threats. Taking into account the persistent destabilization attempts which the Republic of Moldova is confronted with, as part of the hybrid actions of the Russian Federation, this support is essential," Tilvar stated.

The Romanian dignitary pointed out that the EU's support for the Republic of Moldova materializes including through assistance measures by European Peace Facility, which has an important role in strengthening the defence capabilities of the Republic of Moldova.

In his turn, minister Nosatii highlighted the support which Romania grants to the Republic of Moldova on the dimension of strengthening its defence capabilities.

"Romania's Government and the National Defence Ministry offers us a significant aid in this regard, including through various forms of teaching, training carried out jointly, but also the expertise and consultancy provided for the modernization of the national defence system," Anatolie Nosatii stated, according to the mentioned release.

The schedule of National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar's visit to Chinisau includes meetings with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova, with Prime Minister Dorin Recean at the Government House, and with Igor Grosu, the President of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, at the headquarters of the institution and a visit to the headquarters of the 1st Motorized Infantry Brigade, in Balti.
Two thirds of the EU citizens say they do not have enough information on the history of the Jews, their practices and traditions, the Vice-President of the European Commission for the promotion of the European way of life, Margaritis Schinas, stated on Tuesday.

While in Bucharest for the 4th meeting of the Working Group for the implementation of the EU Strategy to combat anti-Semitism and promote the Jewish way of life, an event organized by the Romanian Government in cooperation with the European Commission and with the support of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, Schinas informed that a campaign is going to be launched in 2024 to increase the level of awareness on antisemitism.Margaritis Schinas was confident that the discussions in Bucharest will boost the development of national strategies by other member states too. He added that, until now, 14 member states have developed national strategies and expressed his hope that by the end of the year all EU member states will do the same. The EC Vice-President emphasized that efforts to combat anti-Semitism should not stop at the EU's borders."As Europeans, we have made a conscious choice to highlight the international dimension of this phenomenon as part of our strategy. And I think the most recent developments have proved us right. In January, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov accused the West that - and I quote here - is 'seeking a final solution for Russia,' thus taking the Kremlin's rhetoric of distorting the memory of the Holocaust to a new level. At the EU level, we have strongly condemned such statements. No parallel can be drawn between the Nazi regime's crimes and the international aid provided to Ukraine in order to defend its own territory and the Ukrainian people against unjustified aggression. This is a lie that we must reject," he said.Also, the EC vice-president stated that it is "important" for the working group to carry out its work in the member states as well, because the fight against anti-Semitism cannot be won only from Brussels. According to Margaritis Schinas, during the last year and a half, the working group has become the "cornerstone and epicenter of capacity" to transform EU policies into tangible actions. Margaritis Schinas welcomed Romania's proposal that representatives of the communities from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova participate in the work of the working group in Bucharest.He also thanked the Romanian authorities for their "excellent collaboration," noting that this proves our country's commitment to "being a champion of the fight" against antisemitism."During the Romanian Presidency of the International Alliance for the Remembrance of the Holocaust, in 2016, a decision on antisemitism was indeed adopted by consensus. And Romania played an important role in this field, of combating anti-Semitism, when Romania held the Presidency of the EU Council in 2019. Two years ago, in May 2021, Romania adopted a national strategy on combating discrimination, hate speech and antisemitism," said Schinas.He reminded that, in December 2022, three calls for projects were launched that aim to finance initiatives in the following areas: combating racism and antisemitism (deadline June 23), commemorating the Holocaust (June 30) and promoting European values, by combating hate speech
The National Liberal Party (PNL) does not have a "preset scenario" for holding the 2024 elections simultaneously, and discussions on this subject are "open" since there is no "dominant option," interim Senate chair Alina Gorghiu of PNL said on Tuesday.

"Therefore, there is no dominant option, if the local elections overlap the general one or the presidential one. It is important to have as a starting point all the arguments favourable to the idea of simultaneous elections, so that later on we can see which scenario is the best in order to offer Romania the year it needs, without blockage, without chaos, without stagnation," said Gorghiu.She made this statement as she was asked to comment on PSD national leader Marcel Ciolacu having publicly said that he does not support holding all the 2024 elections at the same time, Agerpres informs.Gorghiu added that PNL wants as few electoral campaigns as possible next year in order to focus more on the economy and predictability and not on stymying the year 2024, adding that it all depends on the decision of the ruling coalition partners, also mentioning a series of polls by PNL revealing a majority of Romanians opting for overlapping elections."We will see what the partners' decision will be. What I can tell you is that from the opinion polls that the PNL conducted, two-thirds of Romanians want the elections to overlap. (...). After the issue of the government deficit and expenses that must be justified by the government is exhausted, so that we do not overshoot the official deficit target, the subject of overlapping the elections will surely be discussed in the coalition," said Gorghiu.
Labour Minister Marius Budai on Wednesday, May 10, will participate in a Government Question Time to be held by the Senate as part of a plenary sitting, on a request by the Save Romania Union (USR) floor group.

"On this day I had the confirmation that next week Mr Budai will be present at a 'Government Question Time', as he has to explain to us how he will renegotiate the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) in Brussels, as he has been bragging that he will do that for more than a year, but in fact it is not even able to close a clear subject, such as that of special pensions. Because of that subject, Romania loses so much money from PNRR," USR Senate floor leader Radu Mihail said on Tuesday, Agerpres informs.Budai had announced that he would be present in the Senate's plenary sitting on April 26, but he cancelled his participation as a result of a government meeting that took place that very day.Mihail voiced displeasure with Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca having requested a postponement of his presence in the Senate on May 8, also at the request of the USR senatorial group.A note to the Senate on Tuesday issued by senior official Nini Sapunaru reads that "previous government commitments" prevent Ciuca from participating in the debate on May 8. A future date will be established by mutual agreement.
National Youth Day

1848 - Heads of the Romanian Revolution in Transylvania meet in the Cathedral of Blaj to prepare the Grand National Assembly of 3 - 5 May; Simion Barnutiu delivers a speech stating that the freedom of a people is firstly national, stressing the Romanians' will to unite

1859 - Austria recognizes de facto the dual election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as ruling prince of both Moldova and Wallachia and resumes diplomatic relations with the Romanian Principalities

1864 - Coup d'etat by Ruling Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, who dissolves by decree the Elective Assembly of Romania

1877 - A meeting in Ploiesti between Ruling Prince Carol I and the Great Duke Nicholas; the latter asks the participation of the Romanian Army in military operations against the Ottoman Empire. Future King Carol I states that the Romanian Army, as an independent military force, will get into battle as soon as its conditions of cooperation with the Russian Army are agreed

1881 - Foundation of the National Unitary Party of Romanians of Transylvania, Banat and Hungary, by merger of the National Party of Romanians of Banat and Hungary with the National Party of Romanians of Transylvania

1888 - Birth of historian, archaeologist Ioan Andriesescu, corresponding member of the Romanian Academy (d. 17 December 1944)

1939 - Death of engineer, geologist Matei Draghiceanu, honorary member of the Romanian Academy (b. 15 May 1844)

1940 - Birth of Ion Lotreanu, poet, prose writer, essayist (d. 22 May 1985)

1946 - Birth of Octavian Andronic (Ando), publicist, illustrator, sketcher (d. December 2020)

1981 - Birth of actress Maria Dinulescu

1995 - The Parliament adopts a decision according to which the day of Ascension of the Lord is declared the "Heroes' Day", which pays homage to the sacrifice of those who have fallen in the fight, for the freedom and independence of the Romanian people

1997 - Romania ratifies, in Strasbourg, the European Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism

2007 - The Parliament approves the request of the interim President Nicolae Vacaroiu regarding the entry and stationing of U.S. forces on the territory of Romania

2012 - Constantin Brancusi's "Prometheus" sculpture was sold for 12.6 million dollars at an auction held at Sotheby's headquarters in New York

2019 - Ministers responsible for the economy, industry, internal market and SMEs from the 28 EU member states, as well as from the two member states of the European Free Trade Association (Switzerland, Norway), meet in Bucharest, at the Palace of Parliament, in the context of Romania exercising the EU Council Presidency

2019 - Death of actress Ilinca Tomoroveanu (b. 21 August 1941).AGERPRES
The National Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday the launch of an extensive recruitment and selection campaign for enlisted personnel to fill 4,159 positions with the Romanian Forces, the Ministry said in a release.

Thus, between May 2 and June 16, the candidates who opt for becoming a professional soldier can apply for registration in the zonal, county or sector military centers (as the case may be) under whose jurisdiction they are domiciled, Agerpres informs.Enlisted personnel constitute the largest body of military personnel and perform execution tasks specific to fighters and military specialists, within microstructures such as teams, crews, combat stations or groups. Enlisted personnel and warrant officers can also perform command functions within these microstructures, the Defence Ministry said, adding that enlisted personnel directly participate in the process of individual and joint training, ensure the proper operation and maintenance of equipment and weaponry and of the training infrastructure, and can perform security missions at military capacities."Along with the other troops, the enlisted personnel have the noble mission of preserving the integrity and sovereignty of the state, of defending the country's citizens. They are also called upon in any situation that affects normal life (calamities, natural or technological disasters etc.)," the release reads.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana will pay an official visit to the US between 3 and 14 May, his communication office informed on Tuesday.

On this occasion, Geoana will hold meetings with senior government officials and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives in Washington DC, researchers at Stanford University and Virginia Tech, with members of Google leadership, with tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, as well as with representatives of the Romanian communities from several cities in the US.

On Wednesday, 3 May, the Deputy Secretary General will attend the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, CA, and will speak at the panel From European Dream to Reality.'

On 09 May, Mr. Geoana will give a speech on Security, Freedom and Prosperity in Eastern Europe at the Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity Center.

On Thursday, 11 May, a meeting with representatives of the Romanian diaspora in the US is scheduled, in a hybrid debate on the theme 'Romania-US Strategic Partnership: Perspectives, Ambitions, Horizon 2030'. The debate is organized by the Romania 2030 Project and the New Economy Trust (NET), in partnership with 'Romanians of DC' and the Federation of Romanian-American Organizations (FORA).

On Sunday, 14 May, the NATO Deputy Secretary General will speak at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony of Virginia Tech, in Washington DC, the quoted source also mentions.
According to Giurgiu Border Police, over 8,600 trucks, 8,200 cars and 42,000 people transited Giurgiu Border Checkpoint during the mini-holiday on May 1, according to a press release issued by Giurgiu Border Police on Tuesday.

According to the cited source, trucks leaving the country through Giurgiu Border Checkpoint have to wait 50 minutes and cars, 20 minutes.

"Between April 28 and May 2, 2023, border formalities were carried out at the border with Bulgaria through Giurgiu Border Checkpoint, in the direction of entry into the country, for approximately 4,500 trucks, 4,650 cars and 22,610 people, and in the direction of exit from the country, for approximately 4,100 trucks, 3,620 cars and 19,720 people. Traffic through Giurgiu Border Checkpoint during the mentioned period took place under normal conditions both on the way of entering the country and on the way of leaving the country, without registering long waiting times", inform Giurgiu Border Police.Currently, the traffic through Giurgiu Border Checkpoint for tourists takes place on four control lanes in the direction of entry into the country and on three control arteries in the direction of exit from the country, and they have to wait 30 minutes upon entering Romania and 20 minutes at the exit.For trucks, traffic through Giurgiu Border Checkpoint takes place on five control arteries in the direction of entry into the country and on four control arteries in the direction of exit from the country, the waiting times being 50 minutes in the direction of exit from the country and 40 of minutes in the direction of entry.The Territorial Inspectorate of the Giurgiu Border Police has ordered all the measures within its competence to reduce waiting times and ensure effective control, the release states.
The Government's objective was and remains the inclusion of young people and their priorities in national and European public policies, prime minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Tuesday in a message addressed on the occasion of the National Youth Day.

"You are the ones who bring change, promote innovation and overwhelm us with your enthusiasm. Getting involved and oriented towards practical solutions, you bring added value to any project you are part of, whether we are talking about education, health, administration or any other sector. Your entrepreneurial ideas are among the most creative and appropriate, managing to cover both already known areas and niche segments. You discover opportunities in any crisis situation, in no matter how difficult times. You prove empathy, humanity and solidarity in volunteer activities. You have offered your help to Ukrainian citizens who needed a home in our country, but also to all those who sought support during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Nicolae Ciuca, Agerpres informs.The prime minister also emphasized the performances achieved by young Romanians at international competitions."We have taken significant steps, but we need to continue them in order to offer all young people equal chances and opportunities that value your creativity, skills, openness to new things and, above all, your hope, which is also ours, that you will have a future at home, in Romania, as you wish. Happy birthday, dear young people!" the head of the Executive also said.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca met on Tuesday, at the Victoria Palace, with the chairman of the Japan-Romania Parliamentary Friendship League, Ichiro Aisawa, whom he discussed with about the concrete ways to collaborate at bilateral level in areas such as energy, infrastructure, research-development.

According to a press release of the Government, the prime minister showed the economic importance of the relations between the two countries, in the context in which Japan is the most important Asian investor in Romania, Agerpres informs.Within the dialogue there have been analyzed the effects of the Russian military aggression in Ukraine and the need to manage the security situation in the region without affecting the economic developments.Prime Minister Ciuca presented the support granted to Ukraine, alongside the international community, especially to the refugees of the neighboring country and for the transit of exported products. Romania is coordinating its endeavors in this context, both within the European Union and NATO, but especially with the strategic partners, the release underscores."One of the main topics tackled was aimed at the unfolding of Japanese projects, including in view of completing the bridge in Braila, which has a special relevance for the connectivity in the region, but also for strengthening the cooperation between Japan and the European Union in future projects. Among the areas of interest for the Romanian-Japanese collaboration there are (..) nuclear energy, infrastructure and research. Japan's involvement in supporting the Tree Seas Initiative is among the cooperation opportunities,especially in the context in which Romania is to host, this autumn, in Bucharest, the Initiative Forum," the release also shows.Ichiro Aisawa conveyed appreciations for the aid which Romania gave to the Ukrainian refugees, both in terms of children education and jobs offered to them."The Japanese guest underscored the confidence and friendship with which Romania is regarded and thanked for the unfolding of projects with Japan, including for the the construction of the M6 subway line, Bucharest - Otopeni. Furthermore, the interest for collaboration in the management of the projects of small modular nuclear reactors for the production of energy was conveyed," the Government release conveys.The Executive head mentioned the importance of the collaboration between the Nuclear Physics Institute in Bucharest and scientists from Japan, which will be able to bring significant progress in the research and development of the laser industry, having a strategic relevance."A new cooperation opportunity will be the organization in our country, in June, of the first Romanian-Japanese innovation forum, in Cluj-Napoca, providing the opportunity to promote projects in the area of robotics, digitization and artificial intelligence. From the perspective of cultural relations, the decision of our country to have a Romanian cultural institute in Tokyo was mentioned, which will contribute to the development of bilateral relations and to a better knowledge of our country by the Japanese public," the quoted source mentions.The prime minister also thanked for the support granted by Japan in view of Romania's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Top Ukrainian commander makes necessary decisions amid visit to Bakhmut area 2 May, 11:10 AM Oleksandr Syrskyi (Photo:/Telegram)

Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, visited war-torn Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast early on May 2 to meet with the Ukrainian military and make the necessary decisions with the commanders.

Syrskyi said the decisions were aimed at ensuring effective defense and inflicting maximum losses on Russian troops, he said.

Read also: Irish volunteer fighter killed near Bakhmut

We continue, despite all advice and forecasts, to hold Bakhmut, destroy Wagner (mercenaries, and) destroy more of Russias most combat-capable army units, he said.

Were preparing for further actions.

Video of day

Syrskyi also spoke with the military and presented the soldiers with awards.

No one should be left behind, because it is thanks to their dedication and professionalism that Bakhmut is holding on.

Earlier, the general said that the situation in Bakhmut was quite difficult, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces had managed to counterattack and oust the invaders in some areas.

According to Ukraines Operational Command East spokesman, Serhiy Cherevatyi, fighting in urban areas and positional warfare continue in Bakhmut.

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The issue of special pensions must be solved, considering that it is a milestone assumed in the National Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR), and I will not accept the loss of money from this programme, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday night for the private TV broadcaster Antena 3.

Marcel Ciolacu added that special pensions and the accumulation of the pension with the state salary are different things and, in the case of special pensions, in order not to risk rejection at the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR), several options will be used.

"First of all, Romania must make certain reforms, reforms assumed in PNRR. As I said a few days ago, we have a plague of special pensions which, slowly, slowly, is an inequity, slowly, slowly leads to a social crisis, thing which we have to solve punctually. I will not accept that Romania loses a single euro from the PNRR, because it has not reached any milestone, especially the milestone regarding special pensions, but, over the years, we have given a lot of laws that were returned from the Constitutional Court. The most important is the fact that the milestone with special pensions must be resolved. (...) Slowly, slowly, it became a very big pressure, it is an injustice and from here, I repeat, we can even reach a social crisis because of some things that happened in these 30 years. (...) It's a very serious matter," Marcel Ciolacu declared.

Asked if the pensions already in payment would also be affected, Ciolacu said that "fair taxation" can be used for special in payment pensions.

"You can resort to taxation, to a fair taxation, on certain thresholds, if you do not exceed the income you had in the activity, if you had additional income, you were also employed by the state during this period. This must be corrected. You cannot overtax the private sector while you, the Romanian state, have not done your duty, as regards the collection, the digitization of the National Tax Administration Agency (ANAF), combating tax evasion. First, the state should do its job and finally we will talk about progressive taxation," Ciolacu assessed.

The PSD leader added that state employment should be stopped, less so in Health and Education, and can be resumed whenever necessary.

Marcel Ciolacu emphasized that there will be no cuts in pensions or salaries, and a new salary law will be a priority for the coalition, in order to eliminate the exceptions. At the same time, by the future salary law, the increments, which should be included in the body of the salary, would be eliminated.

The PSD leader said that he discussed with the other leaders in the coalition, UDMR's Kelemen Hunor and PNL's Nicolae Ciuca, in order to have an analysis regarding the secretaries of state, in the conditions where "maybe there are too many in the offices of dignitaries".AGERPRES
Romania will receive almost 30 million euros from the European Commission to support farmers affected by cheap grain imports from Ukraine, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Petre Daea, announced on Tuesday.

"Today I received the draft regulation of the European Union. It's the first time that I get my hands on a document that says the exact figure. I told you at the beginning, when you and all of us kept interpreting, what was the decision of the European Union regarding the amounts given to Romania, that the amount, in the first phase, is a small amount and we requested to change the calculation formula. Today we have the communication that we are the beneficiaries of 29.73 million euros, a much more important amount and I say correct from the point of view from the point of view of the calculations," Petre Daea told Digi 24.Regarding the first funds allocated to Romania by the European Commission, of only 10.05 million euros, to compensate the economic losses due to the increase in imports of cereals and oilseeds from Ukraine and limiting the impact of market imbalances, Daea specified that until the date of May 11, all requests from farmers requesting support are registered, Agerprfes informs."First of all, we still have a few days to register all requests from farmers requesting support for the first tranche of wheat, knowing that we have the normative act and here we are in full swing until May 11, when we will know who are the applicants and how much is due to them for each ton of product. We have money in our account. From this point of view, things are on the right track", emphasized the minister of agriculture.Minister Daea specified that he is waiting for the amount decided by the EC for Romania to appear in the Official Journal, after which he will release the normative act so that the money reaches the farmers as quickly as possible.On April 26, the minister of agriculture stated that within the AgriFish Council in Luxembourg it was decided that Romania would be protected by the European Commission's decision to ban wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower imports from Ukraine, and that it would receive the due amount to be granted to the affected farmers.Also, Minister Daea argued that Romania will not receive the smallest amount of the 100 million euros, funds that the EC announced that it will grant to the countries most affected by grain imports from Ukraine, because the calculation formula " changed for the better".From the first funds allocated by the EC for this purpose, of 56.3 million euros, Romania received the smallest amount, namely 10.05 million euros.The extremely small funds allocated to Romania brought dissatisfaction among Romanian farmers who requested a real support mechanism for farmers, following the transit of grain from Ukraine, which brought them hundreds of millions of euros in damage.
ST. LOUIS  The labor contract for a group of St. Louis-area construction workers expired this week, after their union and an association of contractors failed to reach a new agreement in time.

The contract between the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513 and the Associated General Contractors of Missouri expired Monday, according to the union's website.

Len Toenjes, president of the AGC of Missouri, said the groups have been working on a contract for weeks.

"We are hopeful," Toenjes said. "The good news is that we are continuing to meet. We are continuing to talk."

Toenjes said AGC has been notifying its members for the past week or so about the situation. He said he didn't know the number of workers affected, and it is "too early to tell" how many projects or companies are now facing work stoppages.

"To my knowledge it hasnt been extreme yet," Toenjes said. "I think people were prepared for it, to some extent."

Local 513's website lists over 100 St. Louis contractors under AGC. The work at certain projects  like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and MLS Stadium  will not be affected, because they are under project labor agreements.

On its website, the Local 513 cited job protection and wages as key issues in negotiations.

Local 513 is committed to fighting for the rights and interests of its members, which includes fair wages, benefits, and dignity on the jobsite. Our union of 4,200 members will continue to do so until a fair agreement is reached. Local 513 welcomes community support in its fight for fair compensation, justice, and family supporting jobs, Local 513 President and Business Manager Brian Graff said in a statement.

Pat White, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council, said that for some job sites, the absence of these workers could stop construction.

"It's got the potential of slowing things down considerably," White said.
When the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra canceled its March 2020 performance of Berliozs The Damnation of Faust  its first concert to fall victim to the pandemic shutdown  it was an unhappy occurrence on a number of counts.

I was sad for the orchestra and chorus because we were ready, recalls SLSO music director Stephane Deneve. If it was just a few days earlier, we would have been able to do it, but the country closed activities just on that day, and we had to conform.

Berliozs Faust, based on Goethes famous closet drama, is a piece that falls somewhere between an opera and an oratorio. The composer called it a legende dramatique. The SLSO performance was to feature the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and Childrens Choirs as well as an all-star cast: mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as Marguerite, tenor Michael Spyres as Faust and bass John Relyea as Mephistopheles.

It also would have been among the final handful of performances in the career of longtime chorus director Amy Kaiser, who planned to retire at the end of the following season. Because of the pandemic, Kaiser pushed her retirement to the end of the 2021-22 season.

Faust, along with several other works that she had never performed before, would have been the dream-of-a-lifetime finale, Kaiser said last year.

But it was not to be. Patrick Quigley, guest director of the chorus, prepared the group for Faust.

The featured cast, Deneve says, was perfect. When the performances were canceled, he remembers thinking, Those people are so successful, so famous, so important, to have the three of them in the same week will never happen again.

But somehow the stars aligned, and the SLSO was able to reschedule all three for the performances of Faust that will close the 2022-23 season this weekend.

All this was done, mind you, without having to strike a Faustian bargain.

How do you know? Maybe I lost my soul, Deneve says with a laugh. And I can say that, in a hedonistic way, there will be a lot of pleasure for the senses with this cast.

Faust is one of Deneves favorite works. Its an incredibly rich piece on so many levels, he says. Its an incredible story, and I think its very relevant today to continue to ask ourselves how much we pay for pleasures in life. All the topics of this piece are relevant today: religion versus science, unfaithfulness, abuse. So I think it can connect with everybody.

Its a piece that is so innovative with the orchestra. There are so many amazing sounds, amazing effects. Im still in awe of what (Berlioz) does at the end, basically inventing the horror movie  making these effects with people screaming and the trombone making sounds that nobody used before, that sound like monsters. You really visit hell in the most psychedelic movie ever written.

This weekends concerts  save for the Powell Hall Playlist program and an accompaniment of the Marvel film Black Panther  will mark the SLSOs final performances in Powell Hall until its extensive expansion and renovation is complete in 2025. Until then, performances will take place at Stifel Theatre and the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

SLSOs new season will take place in two temporary homes as Powell is renovated Concerts will be split between Stifel Theatre downtown and the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

It will be very emotional because Im in love with Powell, and I will miss it tremendously, Deneve says. Were very lucky to have all the great venues, which have fabulous acoustics as well. I will miss Powell, but its for a good cause. We just have to be patient, which is not my best quality.

Last month, Deneve made his debut performance as artistic director of Miamis New World Symphony, a position to which he was named in September.

Some have wondered aloud if this new position means that Deneve is leaving the SLSO. He most emphatically is not.

After all, in August, Deneve moved his family to St. Louis from his previous home in Brussels. Also, his current contract runs through the 2025-26 season.

I want to be sure that people understand, he says. No, I am not leaving.

The New World Symphony, he points out, is not a regular orchestra  its an orchestral academy. They do symphony concerts, but its a laboratory. Its an educational environment for young people that are only there for three years maximum.

Several current members of the SLSO are New World Symphony alumni. So if anything, Deneves new appointment complements his role as SLSO music director, at least in terms of developing and scouting potential new members of the orchestra.

Finally, Deneve has a few words about the orchestras recent European tour.

After years of planning, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra embarks on European tour Months and even years went into planning the tour that goes to Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain.

It was a big deal because it was a major tour in major places, he says.

The maestro was curious to see how the orchestra members would adjust to the various venues on the tour  including the Vienna Konzerthaus, Brussels Centre for Fine Arts and Madrids Audiotorio Nacional de Musica  and further, how they would withstand the heavy schedule, jet lag and the nervousness of performing in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar audiences.

They exceeded expectations on every level, Deneve says.

In his former home of Brussels, he says, the hall was full of love. But he also met with friends who were still baffled as to why he would leave there to work and live in the middle of the United States.

And now I could really say, Now you know why I moved to St. Louis, he says. You heard this incredible orchestra.

What The Damnation of Faust  When 7:30 p.m. May 5, 8 p.m May 6  Where Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard  How much $15-$93  More info 314-534-1700; slso.org
Q  The Brussels salad at Kings Oak at Modern Brewery sounds fantastic. Id love that recipe.  Laurie Klein, St. Louis

A  The Brussels salad at Kings Oak kitchen located inside the Modern Brewery combines the crunch of shaved sprouts with goat cheese, salty bits of bacon, candied walnuts and pickled red onions dressed in a lemon-honey vinaigrette.

RECIPE HERE: Kings Oak Brussels Salad Kings Oak Brussels Salad

Theres nothing premade at Kings Oak thanks to the impeccable training executive chef Chuck Hess received early on. He learned from-scratch cooking early and still practices it, even in a high-volume restaurant like Kings Oak. He started small, with a mighty instructor, at home.

My Aunt Mary is the big reason why I started cooking, he says. She was always making something from scratch. I was at her house a lot when I was a little kid, watching her in the kitchen. She made the best chicken and dumplings Ive ever had. Thats the reason I started cooking.

A chef in a first-class brewery carries with it an unspoken obligation. I give people good, good food. Were at a brewery, so I what I make goes great with drinking beer.

You dont have to be a beer drinker to enjoy the bright atmosphere, the beautiful patio and the good food at Kings Oak. Like the Brussels salads, each of chef Chucks creations has unique twists.

For example, the Crush Puppies  crab cakes and hush puppies combined in wonderfully tasty bites to share. The porchetta pastrami sandwich on house-made focaccia takes a standard thats good and turns it on its head to great.

Dont miss the solid red beans and rice, the gumbo, or the Cajun arancini with gumbo gravy. Just be sure to get the wording close to right. The funniest thing that happened since weve opened  one guest ordered the jumbo which was a little perplexing for the server. He wanted the gumbo, Hess says.

Kings Oak at the Modern Brewery 5200 Oakland Avenue 314-788-0900; modernbrewery.com

To request a recipe Would you like to request a recipe from a restaurant that is still open in the St. Louis area? Send your request along with your full name and the city you live in to reciperequest@post-dispatch.com.
TUESDAY, May 2, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Near-death experiences  seeing a bright light, floating outside your body, watching your life flash past, communicating with lost loved ones  could well be part of a dying brains final fight-or-flight response, a new report suggests.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) readings of dying intensive care unit patients found that some experienced a surge of brain activity in regions associated with consciousness and perception of vision and sound.

The patients in which this brain surge occurred also showed signs of a fight-or-flight response in their dying moments, with heart racing and lungs gasping for breath, said senior researcher Jimo Borjigin, an associate professor of neurology and molecular & integrative physiology with the University of Michigan Medical School.

This struggle might trigger the alert system of the brain, which then leads somehow to realer-than-real consciousness processing, Borjigin said. Theyre not breathing. Theyre not moving. But internally, their brain is on fire.

These human studies follow years of animal studies in which researchers monitored the brains of lab rats as they died from cardiac arrest, Borjigin noted.

A human brain is far more complex than an animals, Borjigin said. We wanted to see whether theres any possibility that we could get brain activity that somehow correlates with neural signatures of consciousness.

The researchers took EEG readings from four patients who passed away due to cardiac arrest. All four were comatose and unresponsive and, with their families permission, were removed from life support.

Upon removal of ventilator support, two of the four patients showed an increase in heart rate along with a surge in gamma wave activity, which are considered the fastest brain waves and are associated with consciousness.

Further, the gamma wave surge occurred in the so-called hot zone of consciousness, the junction that connects the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes in the back of the brain.

Prior brain studies have associated these temporo-parieto-occipital (TPO) junctions with dreaming, visual hallucinations during epileptic seizures, and altered states of consciousness, the researchers noted.

Stimulation of the temporo-parietal junction can produce out-of-body experiences, Borjigin said, while other parts of the junctions are important for auditory perception and visual consciousness.

But this brain surge only happened in the two patients who responded to ventilator withdrawal with physical signs of a fight-or-flight struggle prompted by the sympathetic nervous system.

What's surprising is the two patients who had this response had an appropriate sympathetic nervous response to ventilator withdrawal, whereas the other two patients didn't have increased heart rate when the ventilator was removed, Borjigin said.

The two dying patients who experienced this gamma wave surge also had prior experience with seizures, Borjigin said. They werent seizing in the hour before they died, but their earlier experience might have primed their brain to undergo this response at the end of their lives.

I believe that we now have a pretty good handle for potentially explaining why you see a very bright light, why something is realer than real, why it is possible that somebody could be having an out-of-body experience, why somebody could see or think they saw their relatives but it's coming from their own memory, Borjigin said. They are able to dig into their memory stores and recall life events.

The findings were published May 1 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

This study jibes with exploration of covert consciousness, a field of research examining brain activity in people who appear to be in a vegetative or minimally conscious state, said Dr. Joao Gomes, section head of the Neurointensive Care Section at the Cleveland Clinics Neurological Institute in Ohio.

They have actually found out that there is some level of consciousness in these patients that previously were thought to be unconscious, trapped in a coma, Gomes said. The subject is a bit controversial, but the scientific understanding of consciousness is evolving as the technology used to gauge brain activity improves, Gomes noted.

At the same time, records of dying brain activity date back centuries, Gomes noted.

Back in the reign of terror in France, when they were guillotining a lot of people and there were a lot of decapitations, there was this physician who would take the heads and examine them, Gomes said. And he actually reported that many of them had brain reflexes that were intact. He claimed some of these people actually would follow commands, minutes after decapitation.

Still, many questions remain about the phenomenon, including why the brain would have this response in its dying moments.

Why would a brain build a mechanism like that? Is there any survival advantage? Borjigin said. Clearly, we know autonomic system activation is for survival. But beyond that, to have the visual activation, the auditory activation, to have an out-of-body experience, what is the physiological significance of that? Why would the brain want to activate that kind of system? That's something we don't know.

Theres also one serious drawback to the new research  the patients who experienced the surge in brain activity didnt survive to describe what they experienced, Borjigin said.

She hopes that EEG readings can one day be taken of people suffering cardiac arrest who survive their ordeal, so researchers can ask them what they saw or felt. Those personal experiences could then be compared back to the persons brain activity.

Borjigin said this research is driven by more than morbid curiosity, and could help save people who are near death.

People have this idea that if you're looking at the last moment of somebody's life, what's the medical relevance of that? Why is that important to study? Borjigin said. We've been arguing if you don't know how exactly individuals die, how can you save them? It really does have relevance to cardiac arrest, and potentially the role of the brain in cardiac arrest.

More information

The Cleveland Clinic has more about the fight-or-flight response.

SOURCES: Jimo Borjigin, PhD, associate professor, neurology and molecular & integrative physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor; Joao Gomes, MD, section head, neurointensive care section, Cleveland Clinics Neurological Institute, Ohio; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, May 1, 2023
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Dozens of transgender North Carolinians and their supporters spoke out against state lawmakers Tuesday as a House committee advanced legislation banning gender-affirming surgeries for minors without allowing members of the public to testify.

The audience erupted in chants of Let us speak and Blood on your hands as the Republican-controlled House Health Committee passed a proposal prohibiting health care providers from performing surgeries on minors to remove or alter features typical of the patient's sex assigned at birth. If the bill becomes law, North Carolina physicians would also be unable to refer a minor to another provider to receive such procedures.

While doctors sometimes provide medications for puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to young patients who are experiencing gender dysphoria, they rarely perform irreversible procedures such as genital surgery or mastectomies on minors.

The bill, which was filed last month but not taken up by the chamber until two days before a parliamentary deadline, also bans using state funds to support gender transition procedures that are surgical for people younger than 18. It's among a flood of bills the General Assembly is fast-tracking this week with little to no time for public comment. Bills that are unrelated to taxes, spending or elections that havent passed one chamber by Thursday are unlikely to be considered for the rest of the biennial session.

Rep. Hugh Blackwell, a Burke County Republican and a primary sponsor of the bill, said children and teenagers need to be protected from nonemergency surgeries until they are old enough to make those decisions themselves.

In North Carolina, you cannot get a tattoo at all, even with your parents' consent. You can't get a body piercing other than for earrings without parent consent," he said. "But we allow these surgical procedures that, in many instances maybe are irreversible and life-changing, for children who have not arrived at 18 years of age.

Testimonies from Blackwell and another sponsor filled the allotted time to debate the bill, angering residents who traveled from across the state to share their stories. For Kirstin Cassell, a therapist and mother of a trans teenager in Greensboro, the experience was devastating and heartbreaking.

Cassell, 44, criticized the bill sponsors for grandstanding in front of those most impacted by the policy and said that parents and doctors, rather than lawmakers, should be able to make informed health care decisions for their kids.

When someone isn't able to live in their body in a way that feels comfortable, you experience anxiety, you experience depression, she said. And having to live under transphobia for a long time  that's complex trauma.

Rae Bandy, a transgender 22-year-old who lives in Raleigh, said they did not have access to gender-affirming treatments while growing up in Texas and seriously considered suicide because they were unable to physically transition. Bandy said they had intended to tell lawmakers about their experience being hospitalized for depression to warn them that their legislation could endanger the lives of trans youth.

I just could not stop crying, they said after the committee meeting. I was a trans kid who is now a trans adult, and I made it by the skin of my teeth because I was able to get gender-affirming care when I needed it.

The proposal must pass through another committee before it reaches the House floor for a vote. In both legislative chambers, Republicans hold a veto-proof supermajority.

At least 16 states have now enacted similar laws restricting or banning gender-affirming procedures for minors. Federal judges have blocked enforcement of laws in Alabama and Arkansas, and nearly two dozen other states are considering bills this year to restrict or ban transgender surgeries or hormone treatments.

Three states  Florida, Missouri and Texas  have banned or restricted the treatments via regulation or administrative order, but Missouri is the only state that also limits adults' access to treatments. A judge has blocked Missouris restrictions through May 15.

Hannah Schoenbaum is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Description

Great Neck Library Author Event: The Jews of Long Island 1705-1918 by Brad Kolodny

Come celebrate Jewish-American Heritage Month at the Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Avenue, on Tuesday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. with Brad Kolodny and discover how Jewish communities were established and developed east of New York City, from Great Neck to Greenport and Cedarhurst to Sag Harbor. Author Brad Kolodny spent six years researching how, when, and why Jewish families settled and thrived there.

Brad Kolodny has photographed more than 600 synagogues in 13 countries over the last 30+ years, including every synagogue building from Great Neck to Montauk. He worked for The New York Times since 1996, is president of the Jewish Historical Society of Long Island, and an active member at Midway Jewish Center in Syosset, NY. Brad's second book, The Jews of Long Island 1705-1918 published by SUNY Press, was released March 2022. He has archival material, including census records, newspaper accounts, never-before-published photos, and personal family histories that illuminate Jewish life and experiences during these formative years. With over 4,400 names of people who lived in Nassau and Suffolk counties prior to the end of World War I, The Jews of Long Island is a fascinating history of those who laid the foundation for what has become the fourth largest Jewish community in the United States today.

Brad Kolodny is the president and founder of the Jewish Historical Society of Long Island, and the author of Seeking Sanctuary: 125 Years of Synagogues on Long Island. Learn more about him at https://synagogueslongisland.wixsite.com/synagoguesofli

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Registration is required. Great Neck Library members and residents have priority seating. Non-residents are welcome as walk-ins, as space allows. For more information, please contact the Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.




DIVERNON, Ill.  A windstorm kicked up dangerous clouds of blinding dust off farm fields Monday, causing numerous crashes and killing at least six people on Interstate 55 in south-central Illinois, police said.

The late morning crashes involved involving 72 vehicles, two of which caught fire, authorities said.

Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wis., was identified Monday night as one of the people who died, and state police said the Montgomery County Coroners Office was working to identify the other five and notify their families.

State police said 37 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening from the crashes in both the southbound and northbound lanes. Their ages ranged from 2 to 80 years old, state police said.

Police said one of the people killed was Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wis. Efforts to identify the five others continued.

The highway was shut down in both directions in Montgomery County, 75 miles north of St. Louis. It reopened Tuesday morning.

The only thing you could hear after we got hit was crash after crash after crash behind us, Tom Thomas, 43, said. Thomas was traveling south to St. Louis at the time.

Evan Anderson, 25, who was returning home to St. Louis from Chicago, said a tractor-trailer turned before striking his vehicle, sparing him from even more damage. You couldnt even see, Anderson said. People tried to slow down and other people didnt, and I just got plowed into. There was just so many cars and semi-trucks with so much momentum behind them.

Dairon Socarras Quintero, 32, who was driving to St. Louis to make deliveries for his custom frame company based in Elk Grove Village, said that after his truck hit the vehicle in front of him, he exited and moved to the side of the road, then returned after the chain reaction of crashes ended behind him.

Socarras Quintero said the dust continued to blow ferociously as he checked on other motorists and emergency crews arrived. He held up his backpack, caked with dust even though it was inside a closed truck cab.

Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick told reporters that it was a spring version of a whiteout situation typically seen in winter snowstorms.

The cause of the crashes is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility, he said.

Winds at the time were gusting between 35 mph and 45 mph, the National Weather Service said.

Its very flat, very few trees, meteorologist Chuck Schaffer said. Its been very dry across this area really for the last three weeks. The farmers are out there tilling their fields and planting. The top layer of soil is quite loose.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker described the scene as horrific in a statement Monday afternoon.

Our first responders and emergency management teams are working diligently to clear the road, provide medical care to those in need, and collaborate with local officials to provide support to everyone affected by this tragic accident, Pritzker said in the statement.

Kevin Schott, director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, said it had been an emotional day, but no first responders had reported injuries, despite their eyes being full of dust.

This is a difficult scene, something that is very hard to train for, something that we havent experienced locally before, he said, adding that they were very lucky to have the quality of first responders that were on scene keeping each other safe.

Schott said the most difficult part was trying to get to the victims in a rapid manner. Multiple vehicles were involved, some were on fire and responders had to search every vehicle to check for injuries.

Theyve found those who were involved in the crash have been upset, visibly so and understandably so, he added.

Fire engines remained on scene late Monday afternoon in case of hot spots and reignited fires, Schott said.

Other agencies like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army also responded to offer assistance and support.

Starrick also said multiple helicopters responded to the scene and at least one person was airlifted.

My heart goes out to the families; my heart goes out to anybody that found themselves in this situation, Starrick said.

The state police said the crashes occurred around 11 a.m. north of the Farmersville area, one on northbound I-55 and numerous others on southbound I-55.

The Auburn Travel Center, a gas station in Divernon, was established as a reunification spot for travelers.

The Illinois Department of Transportation said around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday that the highway had been reopened in both directions.

Updated at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday with interstate reopening in both directions

I-55 is shut down both south and northbound I-55 from milepost 63 to 80 at this time due to a large crash. Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. Motorists are urged to take an alternative routes.  IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) May 1, 2023

Massive pileup on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois has closed the interstate for nearly 30 miles. Blowing dust off freshly plowed fields led to very low visibility#ilwx

: Nathan Cormier pic.twitter.com/im7QLE8BTp  Nick Hausen (@NickHausenWx) May 1, 2023
DIVERNON, Ill.  The death toll in a multi-vehicle pileup on Interstate 55 caused by a dust storm in Illinois increased on Tuesday to seven.

The toll was initially announced as six, but Illinois State Police said the remains of what was initially believed to be one person turned out to be two.

A windstorm kicked up clouds of blinding dust from farm fields Monday morning, leading to a series of crashes involving 72 vehicles in Montgomery County. The crashes, shortly before 11 a.m., were along a 2-mile stretch of I-55 from roughly milepost 76 to milepost 78, north of Farmersville, Illinois. The scene is about 75 miles northeast of St. Louis.

The highway was closed in both directions overnight Monday for the crash investigation but reopened around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Police said earlier Tuesday they were having trouble identifying two of the people who died in the crash. All investigators know about them are that they are adults, and one of their remains was found in a blue Chrysler 300, and the other was in a Hyundai, said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.

Police havent been able to pull identifying details from the vehicles, including the color of the second vehicle, because they were badly damaged in the fiery crash.

Much of the same stretch of highway was then closed again around 3 p.m. Tuesday out of an abundance of caution, ISP said. South and Northbound I-55 were closed until winds died down between mileposts 63 and 82 due to high winds and low visibility. No crashes had been reported at the time of the closing.

Police have tentatively identified three other victims in Mondays crash, but Montgomery County Coroner Randy Leetham told the Post-Dispatch in an interview that he cant even verify the ages or genders of those three.

Well have to use DNA, he said. And thats gonna be a process.

Leetham said some relatives have called the office asking about the dead, and investigators also have gotten leads off some commercial vehicles and rental car companies.

Only one of the seven people who died has been identified publicly. She was Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin.

Police have little to go on for the two remaining victims. Kelly urged anyone who knows someone driving in the area Monday in a Chrysler 300 or a Hyundai to call police at 618-346-3653.

Two tractor-trailers caught fire in the crash, and 37 people were taken to hospitals. The injured ranged in age from 2 to 80 and have injuries from minor to life-threatening.

At a news conference Tuesday in Divernon, Illinois, Kelly called it a terrible series of converging circumstances. He said investigators were looking at the surrounding area to find out where the dust was coming from. Lt. Col. Chris Owen with the Illinois State Police said the police and other emergency responders were very brave and could not see beyond the dust storm when they first arrived.

Winds at the time were gusting between 35 mph and 45 mph, the National Weather Service said. Meteorologists explained that the area is flat with few trees, and has been dry for the last three weeks.

Kelly said several factors contributed to the dust storm, including dry conditions and farmers tilling the soil.

Were going to try to connect as many dots and see if theres anything we can learn from that, he added.
Joe Holleman Joe Holleman is a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Joe Holleman 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

After being stopped by police Monday night in Jefferson City, state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis, was arrested because of an outstanding warrant against her for failing to appear in court.

Bosley, however, said Wednesday that a clerical error in Perry County is the reason she was taken to jail and required to post bond before being released.

As first reported March 2 in the Post-Dispatch, Bosley has been wanted in several Missouri counties for failure to appear in court on traffic violations. At that time, Bosley said she was clearing up the warrants situation.

But on Monday, a Jefferson City officer stopped Bosley for speeding at about 10:15 p.m. She received only a warning for the speeding, but a standard background check discovered that there still was an active warrant against her, Jefferson City police Lt. David Williams said.

After that, Bosley was arrested and taken to the Cole County Jail, where she was released after posting a $300 bond, said Capt. Kevin Woodson of the Cole County Sheriffs Department.

Bosley told the Post-Dispatch she was completely shocked to find out she still had a warrant against her, and thought that the situation had been resolved.

On Wednesday, Bosley said that confusion about the specific case number in Perry County allowed the warrant to remain outstanding.

We had filed what needed to be filed to have the warrant recalled, but there was a clerical error in Perry County, she said.

When the original story was first published, Bosley said that she had a lawyer file recall requests on two outstanding warrants. Her attorney is former St. Louis Mayor Freeman R. Bosley Jr., who is her half-brother.

The Perry County Circuit Clerks office said Wednesday that court records show that Bosley Jr. had filed officially on March 2 as his half-sisters attorney, but that the recall of the warrant was not requested until May 2.

In a statement, Bosley said she was making sure all matters related to this situation are settled to the satisfaction of the relevant legal authorities.

Among her state legislative committee assignments, Bosley is a member of the Crime Prevention and Public Safety committee and the Special Committee on Government Accountability.

Her father is former St. Louis Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr. Former Alderman Brandon Bosley is her brother.

After her arrest Monday night, there were some changes in two of her pending traffic cases, including the one from Perry County:

That situation arose in March 2022, when Bosley was cited for speeding by more than 15 mph above the limit. After failing twice to appear in court, an arrest warrant was issued in May 2022 and bond was set at $300.

Two other cases involving traffic violations by Bosley also are reflected on Casenet.

 On a warrant issued in 2021 by Boone County, Casenet showed on Tuesday that a court appearance for Bosley has been set for May 10 in Columbia Municipal Court. That case involves an incident in July 2021, when Bosley was cited by Columbia police for operating an unlicensed motor vehicle. After being granted two continuances, and failing to appear on both dates, a warrant was issued in September 2021. Bond has been set at $125.

The oldest of the outstanding warrants against Bosley dates back more than six years. That warrant stems from an incident in November 2016, when Bosley was cited by Pine Lawn police for speeding by more than 15 mph.

After she failed to appear in municipal court on the charge, a warrant was issued in February 2017 and bond is set at $100. No action on the case has been taken since then, Casenet shows.
Missouri court officials say theyre taking steps to restrict the availability of public records on the states Casenet website that include sensitive private information.

The move follows the discovery by the Post-Dispatch that thousands of records, filed over a roughly four-year period by a state agency, included unredacted Social Security numbers  information accessible to anyone using Casenet.

On Friday, a day after the newspaper published its findings online, members of the State Judicial Records Committee voted unanimously to direct the Office of the State Courts Administrator to identify and elevate the security levels of thousands of problematic documents filed by the state agency.

The Post-Dispatch is not naming the state agency or describing the records in detail because they remain publicly available.

OSCA will be taking action as quickly as these cases can be identified and programming prepared to raise the document security level to prevent access, either remotely or via the public access terminals, Judge Jeffrey Bates, a committee member, told the Post-Dispatch by email on Monday. The effort was being started, he wrote, but he didnt know how long it would take to implement.

The committee, which consists of 10 judges, also discussed recommending that the Missouri Supreme Court revise parts of Court Operating Rule 2 to disallow electronic access to any documents filed before July 1. The committee will take an e-vote on the proposed recommendation later this week.

For years, the Supreme Courts rules have allowed the public to view only a few categories of open court documents at home using Casenet, such as liens on real estate, final civil judgments and some probate orders and decrees. To see other kinds of public documents that are more likely to contain sensitive private information, such as criminal complaints or divorces, requires the use of a special terminal in person at the courthouse.

But thats all set to change this summer. In a win for the public and advocates of transparency, the court announced last year that beginning July 1 it would phase in a broad expansion of electronic access to open court records, coupled with more rigorous requirements for redacting those records. All public records available for viewing at the courthouse will become available to view from home  but only if they are filed on or after July 1.

While the court is only broadening remote access to new records, it had intended to keep online the few categories of older documents that have long been available on Casenet.

But the Post-Dispatchs discoveries brought to light the hazards of that practice, Bates said Friday. The committee is concerned there may be other caches of old public documents among those categories that similarly slipped through without being redacted, he said.

If the committee approves the recommendation, and if the Supreme Court follows it, then July 1 may become more of a total reboot on remote access to open records, with only new records being accessible from home. The old ones would still be available at the courthouse.

Bates and Judge Kenneth Garrett III, the committee chair, made a point of thanking a Post-Dispatch reporter during the meeting.

We would never have known to take any action if you hadnt uncovered this, Bates said.

Inherently complicated

The Casenet website has been a point of pride for the judiciary since its creation in the late 1990s. Today, the public can use the website for free to search nearly 26 million records from local and state courts across Missouri. Users can review basic case information, such as docket entries, charges and judgments.

Last week, the Post-Dispatch reported it had discovered two different situations in which private information was exposed on Casenet, after a reader learned his Social Security number was publicly visible on Casenet and alerted the newspaper.

The Post-Dispatch reported the vulnerabilities to state and local court officials, as well as to a state agency that had filed thousands of unredacted documents. The newspaper delayed publishing its story for three weeks to give officials time to address the issues.

The challenge of balancing access to public information with the protection of personal information  while ensuring the overall security and reliability of our underlying case management system and preventing any adverse impact on court systems or operations  is inherently complicated, Supreme Court spokesperson Beth Riggert wrote in a statement to the Post-Dispatch on April 19.

The Office of the State Courts Administrator has already patched a technical vulnerability in Casenet to address the newspapers report that remote users could see documents with elevated security levels by changing the web address.

The records committees actions Friday were the states first steps toward tackling the second issue reported by the newspaper: a specific type of civil judgment documents, which have been available for remote access on Casenet for more than a decade, contained Social Security numbers that were never redacted by the state agency that filed the documents nor by local courts.

In its statement to the Post-Dispatch on April 19, the Supreme Court said that people who file court records are responsible for redacting sensitive information, not court personnel.

A spokesperson for the state department that oversees the agency told the paper last week that it was actively researching documents from the relevant years and that it will work with OSCA to protect sensitive data.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with ESOP's statement and two officers' department employment status.

ST. LOUIS  A judge on Tuesday dismissed a discrimination lawsuit against the city filed in 2017 by three Black St. Louis police sergeants and a group that represents Black city officers.

The three sergeants claimed their department gave preference to white colleagues for promotions to lieutenant in 2014. The lawsuit claims they were excluded from 16 promotions in July 2014, and that only one of the 16 officers promoted was Black.

The lawsuit was filed by the Ethical Society of Police, which represents Black officers, along with Sgts. Reginald Davis, Ja-Mes Davis and Heather Taylor.

Judge Michael Stelzer wrote in his judgment Tuesday that the sergeants and ESOP cannot claim unintentional discrimination under the Missouri Human Rights Act, but the claim can be made in federal court.

At the time of the suit, Reginald Davis was a 27-year veteran of the department and Ja-Mes Davis had 16 years of service. A police spokesperson confirmed Reginald Davis is still with the department, and noted Ja-Mes Davis left the department in June 2020.

Taylor, who retired from the police department in 2020 and now serves as deputy director for the citys department of public safety, also sued the city in 2017 for race discrimination and a hostile work environment. In March, a jury sided with Taylor in that lawsuit and awarded her $300,000.

ESOP in a statement said the organization was disappointed in the ruling and said it believes the "promotions process is marked by a lack of transparency that leaves it vulnerable to imbalance.""

"We are in support of these officers should they decide to continue this fight," the statement read. "We cannot ignore the impact of polices that facilitate bias, unintentional or intentional."

The citys attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

Also in March, a circuit court judge threw out a lawsuit filed by ESOP and two other police unions against St. Louis police over a civilian oversight bill supported by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  After a clerical error led St. Louis County to overpay as much as $7 million in sales tax proceeds to Brentwood and shortchange dozens of other cities, County Executive Sam Pages administration wants to automate the monthly tax disbursement.

Pages office has requested County Council approval for $449,000 to build a computer application that calculates sales tax disbursement to 88 municipalities instead of having workers manually enter that data into a formula. The formula, established by state law, requires some municipalities pool most of their sales tax revenue and split it based on population.

Last year, Brentwood discovered it received as much as $7 million in overpayments from the county. The discovery prompted a shuffle as the county recovered $5.4 million from the city and paid $2.7 million in missed proceeds to dozens of other municipalities. The payments ranged from as much as $532,720 to Fenton to as little as $4 to Woodson Terrace.

Brentwood and the county are still in dispute over $1.6 million of the sales tax proceeds. The county says the city owes that money. Brentwood Mayor David Dimmitt and City Administrator Bola Akande could not be reached for comment Monday.

The Municipal League of Metro St. Louis  which includes Brentwood and most cities in St. Louis County  is still waiting for the county to provide a detailed explanation of accounting for the figure and what went wrong in the first place, Executive Director Pat Kelly said.

Weve had no definitive answer as to how it actually happened, Kelly said.

But the league is supportive of automation that prevents future errors.

If theres any processes they can put in place to ensure we dont have issues like last year, were in favor of that, Kelly said.

Wildwood Mayor Jim Bowlin said the same in an interview: Certainly anything that would make the process more accurate and less prone to error would be a good move, he said.

The county paid $299,496 to Wildwood in November for missed sales tax proceeds.

In Chesterfield, which received about $349,856 in missed payments, City manager Mike Geisel said he was all for anything that streamlines the process and makes it more accountable.

The countys 88 municipalities receive revenue every month from a 1% county sales tax. Pool cities, which include cities as large as Chesterfield, University City and Wildwood, split the revenue based on population. Retailers collect the cash and send it to the Missouri Department of Revenue, then the state sends it to the county. The county calculates how much to send to cities each month.

Brentwood first contacted the county last June to alert them of the suspected overpayment, but the county continued overpaying the city, and it didnt stop until mid-October. Administration Director Karen Aroesty, who oversees the treasurers office, told the Post-Dispatch each municipality in the data system, managed by a St. Louis-based government agency called REJIS, is identified by a unique code, and Brentwoods code was overwritten. At a County Council hearing in November, County Treasurer Jody Patterson said the error may have been made by an employee who retired two months prior.

Aroesty declined Monday to discuss the error in more detail.

I dont have anything more to offer than what was talked about, Aroesty said. Were looking forward. There is a lot of concern because of what happened last October, and there is more effort to make sure we can reconcile numbers to the penny. We want the municipalities to know were working hard to do it properly.

Asked about the dispute with Brentwood, Aroesty said the county wants to build the new automated system and make sure we have all the numbers in place before seeking a resolution.

The new automated system, Aroesty said, needs to be built from scratch to meet the countys unique sales tax pool formula. The state law, worded in a way that pertains only to counties that have a first-class charter and at least 900,000 residents, applies only to St. Louis County. Aroesty said she was unaware of other counties outside Missouri with a similar sales tax-sharing obligation.

In a letter to Page, Aroesty and Chuck Henderson, chief information officer for the county, said their departments had started working with Pattersons office on the project, which requires writing an extraordinarily complex calculation into computer code. But they cant finish by the end of this year without delaying other ongoing automation projects, and they requested the $449,000 to hire more manpower.

Page, in a letter to the council requesting the funds, said the project is a priority, as it will save staff time that manual monthly processes consume. It will also help with accuracy and transparency in sales tax distribution, thus increasing trust and engagement with municipal representatives.
JEFFERSON CITY  The Missouri House gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a plan aimed at torpedoing a change in how state and local elections work.

Under legislation sponsored by Republican Rep. Ben Baker of Neosho, voters would be asked to ban ranked choice voting and approval voting, two different electoral systems that allow people to select more than one candidate for a public office.

It comes as a group is planning to introduce a ballot question for 2024 to usher in approval voting in Missouri.

The organization, Missouri Agrees, backs a system in which, if there are several candidates on the ballot, instead of having to vote for one of them, voters would get to vote for all the candidates they support.

In the end, the candidate with the most votes would win.

Baker opposes that method, which is designed to eliminate extremists and highlight moderates, resulting in more cooperation and compromise in government.

Voters are picking people that they like  and not really choosing a single candidate they want to win, Baker said.

In addition, Baker said such a process could result in longer waits for winners to be announced.

(Voters) dont want slower results, Baker said. It takes a lot longer to tabulate the ballots.

Democrats said the proposed referendum was not needed.

I guess I have a little more faith in voters, said Rep. Robert Sauls, D-Kansas City.

Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, said it would be a mistake to ignore the possibility of bringing more moderate politicians into the election system.

She said the current system has bred political extremism as Republicans have tried to run to the right of their opponents.

It gives people a choice, Aune said.

Under questioning, Baker said the proposal would affect local elections. St. Louis, for example, first began using a similar system in the 2021 city elections, with the two top candidates in the race for mayor  now-Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Alderman Cara Spencer  advancing to a runoff election.

In 2021, the Pew Research Center identified 261 jurisdictions in the U.S.  ranging from the state of California to a Texas school district  that have adopted some voting method other than the standard single-winner, plurality system most American voters know.

The Missouri Agrees campaign follows a failed effort last year to place a ballot question for ranked-choice voting on the 2022 ballot.

The measure needs one more vote in the House before moving to the Senate for further debate.

The legislation is House Joint Resolution 66.
ST. LOUIS  Five years after he had to fight to keep the longstanding state vehicle license office at City Hall, St. Louis Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly is voluntarily giving up the contract. The office will close May 19.

Daly said since the start of the pandemic, he has found it increasingly difficult to attract enough people to work in the state office, which provides motor vehicle plates, drivers license renewals and other items, and his regular city office as well.

I guess we probably have nine vacancies out of about 85 job slots overall, Daly said in an interview.

Over the years Daly had touted the convenience of having the fee office in the same building as the assessors office, where vehicle owners can get paperwork proving they paid personal property tax on their vehicle. Proof of tax payment is required before the state will renew license plates.

A state Revenue Department spokeswoman said Monday that a new round of bidding will now be held for a new downtown location.

Daly said when the City Hall fee office shuts down its eight workers will move into other positions in the collectors office. Various other city agencies also have had problems filling vacancies in recent years.

The fee office was set up in 2000 under Dalys predecessor, the late Ronald Leggett. Every few years, the city has had to bid to keep the office.

In late 2017, Daly was surprised to find out that the Missouri Department of Revenue had decided to shift the contract for the downtown area to License Office Services, a private firm that operates license offices for the state in 16 locations.

The state picks independent contractors around Missouri to run the offices, which are allowed to tack on a fee to the amount going to the state for vehicle transactions.

Daly filed an appeal and pointed to a state law giving local governments priority in the competitive bidding process.

The mayor at the time, Lyda Krewson, also urged the state to reconsider, saying the convenience of the one-stop shop location was important to residents who are elderly, disabled or who dont have internet service, bank accounts or transportation.

In the end, Daly kept the state office when the winning company withdrew its bid.

The collectors office, like other county-type offices in St. Louis government, isnt part of the citys civil service system and traditionally has had employees with connections to Democratic ward organizations.

However, Daly said, I cant even remember the last time a political person contacted me about trying to get a job for someone.

Until a new contractor is picked, the state Revenue Department suggested that city residents go to two other fee offices in the city, at 4041 Lindell Boulevard and 4628 South Kingshighway, and two in nearby suburbs, 3238 Laclede Station Road in Maplewood and 141 North Meramec Avenue in Clayton.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Josh Hawley on Tuesday denounced efforts by Senate Democrats to force the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt stricter ethics laws, saying he felt it is an attempt by the majority party to intimidate the countrys highest court.

Speaking to a panel of ethics experts testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Missouri Republican referenced a March letter led by Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and signed by 14 other Democratic senators. Hawley alleged the group wanted to withhold security funding from the Supreme Court unless the court adopted new rules.

We have constant threats and danger to their children, we had radicals post publicly the school location of one of the justices children, Hawley said. And in that context to say that we will deny them millions of dollars in security funding unless they do what this body wants I think is the height of irresponsibility.

The letter does not reference security funding. Instead, it suggests that the Senate withhold $10 million from the courts budget in fiscal year 2024 unless the court adopts more stringent ethics standards.

Hawley, using the Supreme Courts budget request, pieced together two budget increases requested by the judicial branch  $4 million for police pay in response to increased threats and $5.8 million to expand security by the Supreme Court Police.

Whitehouses office did not immediately respond to a question asking how the lawmakers had settled on $10 million. The overall budget request by the court was $130 million, not including expenses for the building and grounds. That would be a $17.6 million increase from fiscal year 2023.

The Supreme Court has the tools and authority it needs to develop and implement these changes, including adopting a code of conduct, creating fairer and more transparent recusal rules, and setting up procedures  based on longstanding procedures in the lower courts  to receive and investigate complaints of judicial misconduct, Whitehouse wrote in the March letter. The only obstacle keeping the Court from adopting these reforms is the Courts own unwillingness to see them through.

The argument over Supreme Court ethics comes as public trust in the institution has fallen in recent years. A September Gallup poll found that people who said they had a great deal or fair amount of trust in the court had dropped by 29% between 2020 and 2022.

The drop came as conservatives cemented a 6-3 majority on the court and dropped even farther after it overturned the constitutional right to an abortion last summer, setting off a domino effect as Missouri and other Republican-led states moved to ban the procedure.

Whitehouses letter was sent to two Senate chairman in charge of judicial appropriations on March 31 and referenced Justice Clarence Thomas decision not to recuse himself from a case that involved his wifes political activities and allegations that anti-abortion activists spent $30 million lobbying justices.

Less than a week after the letter, ProPublica published an article detailing how Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury trips from conservative billionaire Harlan Crow that did not appear on his financial disclosure form.

The article prompted renewed calls from Senate Democrats for tougher ethics laws by the court  a call that has been met with resistance from Senate Republicans who have claimed Democrats are at risk of violating the separation of powers.

I dont care what trips the justices take, Ill leave that to them, Hawley said, when asked how he felt about Thomas trips. They ought to comply with the ethics rules, but if the Democrats want them to have to disclose that stuff, then they should urge the Judicial Conference to change their rules.

The Judicial Conference is a group made up of judges that serves as the policymaking body for the courts.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, said he believes the court should decide whether it should implement stricter ethics laws. He said he believes the push by Democrats to enact legislation overseeing the court is a precursor to efforts to add more justices to the court  an idea called stacking the court that was brought up during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.

I just think its a real threat to the Republic, Schmitt said. Ultimately to me, this is them laying the foundation for wanting to pack the Supreme Court and delegitimize the court.

President Joe Biden established a commission to study the court, including whether to add additional judges, in 2021.

While there is disagreement between Republicans and Democrats about whether Congress should step in, there appears to be bipartisan support for the court to adopt more transparent ethics measures.

In a letter to the Judiciary Committee, former federal appeals court Judge Michael Luttig  who was friends with Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away in 2016, and helped guide Thomas through his contentious Supreme Court nomination  wrote that Congress shouldnt have to step in because the Court should be holding itself to the highest standards.

The nation should never have reason to question the ethical conduct of the Supreme Court, Luttig wrote. It is the responsibility of the Supreme Court, and of each Justice who serves on the Court, to ensure that there never even be such a question raised.
Alpine sporting boss Alan Permane says he has never endured a race weekend as "frantic and fraught" as the one suffered by the French outfit in Baku.

From Friday to Sunday, from free practice to the final lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, it was a drama-filled three days for Alpine.

The Enstone squad's issues started at the outset when Pierre Gasly's practice session on Friday was cut short by a hydraulic leak that led to an engine fire, which left the A523 stranded out on the track.

Gasly then crashed at the start of qualifying ensuring a back row start for himself in Sunday's race.

On the other side of the Alpine garage, Esteban Ocon's running in FP1 was also limited due to a gearbox issues, which in turn heavily impacted set-up work, to the point where Alpine was forced to pull Ocon's car out of parc ferme to adjust its suspension to avoid excessive wear of the car's floor plank, a move that led to a pitlane start for the Frenchman.

"I can't compare this weekend to any other," admitted Permane, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"Honestly, it's been so frantic and fraught and difficult. It doesn't feel like any other weekend.

"You need to start off well prepared, and just have a smooth weekend. We had that with neither car in FP1. And it snowballed out of control from there."

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In Alpine's post-race comments, team boss Otmar Szafnauer made clear that the French outfit's calamitous weekend must remain a one-off.

"Its been a bitterly disappointing weekend for the team in Baku and we must not repeat this type of performance again," said Szafnauer.

"We very much started on the backfoot on Friday and since then we were not able to make any kind of recovery in any of the sessions.

"We must limit these problems going forward and begin all Grand Prix weekends on the front-foot to make sure we give ourselves the best possible chance on Saturday and Sunday to score points."

Permane highlighted and praised Alpine's crews for their unwavering efforts as they battled the team's succession of setbacks in Baku.

"They've worked so hard this weekend," commented Permane. "They've had a hell of a job with Pierre's engine change. And that has knock-on effects that you guys don't see.

"They arrive here on a Wednesday and build the cars, but we also build our spares up: spare gearbox, spare engines and stuff like that.

"When you use all those on Friday, they have got to stay late Friday night, as there's no curfew on Friday night on a sprint weekend, because the cars are in parc ferme.

"So, they were here until 10 or 11 o'clock, replenishing that spare that they just used, and making sure we've got an engine and gearbox ready to go if we do the next one.

"So, it's a real double whammy for them. They had a really grueling Friday."

And for good measure, everyone embarked on a flight to Miami on Monday to be up and running on Tuesday morning in Florida, ready to do it all over again.

"How you recover from it, it's not easy, especially going straight into another race," noted Permane. "But we'll make the best of it.

"Some people will have a day off on Tuesday and will no doubt enjoy some sunshine and relax. We'll do what we can for those people that have worked long hours here [in Baku] and have to work Tuesday.

"We'll [try to] get them away on Wednesday and Thursday."

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JEFFERSON CITY  Republicans in the Missouri Senate on Tuesday pushed for a state takeover of St. Louis police department and a special prosecutor for the city as Democrats railed against the states relaxed gun laws.

The debate in the upper chamber had been a long time coming after House legislators approved the special prosecutor plan in February and state takeover in March.

On Tuesday, Republican senators unveiled their own legislation that includes a special prosecutor plan as well as the state takeover, which would occur on Aug. 28.

Senate Republicans paused debate on the measure shortly after 8:45 p.m. Tuesday without taking action.

Proponents have said they are trying to address violent crime in the city of St. Louis, but opponents say Republicans are ignoring the states relaxed gun laws.

Recently Forbes released its list of the most dangerous cities in the United States. For the second consecutive year, the city of St. Louis was listed No. 1, said Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville.

There can be no doubt that a significant contributing factor is the utter failure of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner to bring violent criminals to justice, he said.

The plan for a special prosecutor has been viewed as a lighter lift than the state takeover, especially as Republican megadonor Rex Sinquefield works to kill the latter.

Lobbyists for the Sinquefield-backed group Missouri Future are against the state takeover.

If we dont take back state control, there will be no Missouri future, said Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance.

Sen. Steven Roberts Jr., D-St. Louis, said if state control worked, Kansas City, which is still under state control, wouldnt have any crime.

To truly make our streets safer, weve got to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of children and dangerous people, Roberts said. This debate over city of St. Louis, local control of our police department, is a distraction and an excuse.

Roberts proposed an amendment to outlaw possession of a handgun by minors in certain situations. He said the measure mirrors federal law, which already prohibits handgun possession by individuals under 18.

Republicans killed the amendment.

The GOP went on to kill another amendment, by Sen. Doug Beck, D-south St. Louis County, that would bar guns from individuals if they appear on the Terrorist Screening Centers No Fly List, or if the person is a member of a group that engages in or has a subgroup that engages in international or domestic terrorism.

Under the Senate plan, the governor would be able to name a special prosecutor who would have concurrent jurisdiction over various violent felony cases, including first- and-second degree murders, assaults and robberies, as well as vehicle hijacking and armed criminal action.

A separate plan moving in the Legislature would bar Gardner from running for circuit attorney again if she is removed from office due to a lawsuit lodged against her by Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

The legislation is House Bill 301.

To hear floor debate on the measure, go to chamber.senate.mo.gov/chamber
CLEVELAND, Texas  Authorities on Monday still had not captured a gunman in Texas who killed five neighbors from Honduras. As the search dragged through a third day with false alarms and few apparent leads, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faced backlash over drawing attention to the victims' immigration status.

An FBI agent on the scene near Houston acknowledged they have little to go on in the widening manhunt for Francisco Oropeza, 38, who was deported four times since 2009, but who neighbors say lived on their street for years prior to Friday night's shooting in the rural town of Cleveland.

Twice on Monday, a sheriff's office in a neighboring county alerted the public about possible sightings, but neither turned up Oropeza.

Abbott offered a $50,000 reward over the weekend for tips that might lead to the gunman, and while doing so, the three-term governor described all the victims as "illegal immigrants"  a potentially false statement that his office walked back and apologized for Monday.

Critics accused Abbott, who has made hard-line immigration measures a signature issue in Texas, of putting politics into the shooting.

More than 250 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, are now part of a growing search that has come up empty despite additional manpower, scent-tracking dogs and a total of $80,000 in reward money on the table.

On Monday, a heavy presence of police converged in Montgomery County after a possible sighting, but the sheriff's office later said none of the persons were found to be Oropeza.

A few hours later, the department reported another possible sighting, tweeting that several schools "secured their campuses" and again asked residents to avoid the area. That search, too, turned up nothing.

Both were among the first times since the shooting that authorities announced a possible sighting.

"I can tell you right now, we have zero leads," James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, said Sunday.

The FBI in Houston said in a tweet on Sunday that it was referring to the suspect as Oropesa, not Oropeza, to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. His family lists their name as Oropeza on a sign outside their yard, as well as in public records.

Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous after fleeing the area Friday night, likely on foot. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, which occurred after the suspect's neighbors asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.

At a Sunday vigil in Cleveland, Wilson Garcia, the father of the 1-month-old, described the terrifying efforts inside his home by friends and family that night to escape, hide and shield themselves and children after Oropeza walked up to the home and began firing, killing his wife first at the front door.

Police recovered the AR-15-style rifle that they said Oropeza used in the shootings. Authorities were not sure if Oropeza was carrying another weapon after others were found in his home.

The alleged shooter is a Mexican national who has been deported four times, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official said the gunman was first deported in March 2009 and last in July 2016. He was also deported in September 2009 and January 2012.

Law enforcement on the scene have not confirmed the citizenship status of the victims. By describing them as "illegal immigrants" on Sunday in his first public statement about the shooting  and perhaps incorrectly  Abbott came under criticism from immigrant rights groups and Democrats.

"It is indefensible to any right-hearted Texan to use divisive language to smear innocent victims," said Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The victims were identified as Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9.

Capers said he hoped the reward money would motivate people to provide information and that there were plans to put up billboards in Spanish to spread the word.

Veronica Pineda, 34, who lives across the street from the suspect's home, said authorities had stopped by her house over the weekend to ask if they could search her property to see if the gunman might be hiding there. She said she was fearful that the gunman had not yet been captured.

Photos: Scenes following Texas mass shooting that killed 5
News that Bud Light sales are in freefall with its stumble into the culture wars is of particular interest to St. Louis, as the home of Anheuser-Busch. But what the brouhaha (brew-haha?) says more broadly about Americas deeply divided political landscape today is instructive. And disturbing.

It began on April 1 when Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender activist and social-media influencer, took to Instagram to show off a Bud Light can with her face on it that the company had sent to her. Big companies often pay internet stars to hawk products to their followers on their own social-media accounts to target younger niche audiences.

But this time the promo jumped out of its niche. The resulting national controversy was very much manufactured, and not by Anheuser-Busch  the monogrammed can wasnt even for sale anywhere, and Mulvaney wasnt in any company advertising. Its right-wing politicians and activists who have promoted Mulvaneys post by way of condemning it. Kid Rock shot up beer cases. Several female Republican governors made a shoddy attempt at humor with a video promoting real women of politics. Fox News treated the whole thing like Watergate.

Calls for boycotting Bud ricocheted around the right-wing mediasphere. Such campaigns usually go flat quickly, but this one apparently is still fizzing. As the Post-Dispatchs Daniel Neman reports, Bud Light sales have not only been plummeting but plummeting by wider margins each week since the controversy began. In the week that ended April 22, in-store sales were down a sobering 26%.

Consumers have the right to buy or not buy whatever beer brands they want, of course, and any company that misreads its customer base as badly as Anheuser-Busch clearly did perhaps deserves whatever it gets. That a company so often associated with conservative-themed ad campaigns  flags waving, country music playing, horses trotting  would think it can suddenly just, well, transition over to woo young progressives and face no market repercussions indicates how badly it misread todays political terrain as well.

All of that said, the anti-trans vitriol underlying much of the anti-Bud backlash is another disturbing example of the success of an especially insidious project of the political right: to convince those who are uncomfortable with the entire concept of transgender Americans  estimated at maybe 0.5% of U.S. adults  that the culture is being overrun and somehow threatened by this small sliver of the population. In red-state governments around the country, including Missouris, Republican politicians who steadfastly ignore genuine threats like rampant gun violence have prioritized measures with no discernible value but to harass the tiny minority of transgender citizens.

The often-heard conservative complaint that transgender issues are being thrown in their faces is a particularly neat trick of the right, because  as with the Bud Light debate  its the far-right that keeps splashing it there.
The Republican governor of Texas has found a ghastly new way to avoid talking about the anti-family, anti-child, anti-freedom and anti-life consequences of all the firearms he has helped unleash on his state. Gov. Greg Abbott suggests a mass shooting Friday near Houston in which five people died, including a 9-year-old, deserved less attention because all involved were illegal immigrants.

Its unclear why Abbott issued a press release attaching the illegal-immigrant label to the victims and the gunman, who remained at large Tuesday. The effect, however, was to divert attention from the fact that Texas is the venue for yet another mass shooting involving a gunman who never should have had access to the firearm he used  regardless of his or the victims immigration status.

The gunman, identified as Francisco Oropesa, reportedly has been deported multiple times. Witnesses said he had been repeatedly discharging his rifle from his property as if shooting off fireworks. Next door, an infant child was unable to sleep because of the noise. Adult family members asked Oropesa to stop. He refused, then reportedly walked over to their house and unleashed his rampage. Oropesa and the victims are Hondurans, but an acquaintance posted an ID card of at least one victim showing she had a legal immigration status.

Abbotts office later stated, We regret if the [immigration] information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Abbotts remark also detracted from the elephant in the room: far-too easy access to guns  access that enables people to shoot and kill in a crazed fit of rage when they might otherwise resolve their problems with, perhaps, an angry exchange of words or maybe a fist fight.

Instead, Abbott uses trigger words like illegal immigrants, which actually help incite violence, exactly as they did in 2019 when a white gunman, echoing anti-immigrant words from then-President Donald Trump, traveled to El Paso and targeted people he deemed immigrants at a Walmart, killing 23.

Abbott has been an enthusiastic champion of unbridled gun rights, even to the point of lamenting in 2015 that Texas ranked behind California as the top state for gun purchases. He urged Texans to buy more guns to reach No. 1 status. His previous way of detracting from the horror of a mass shooting at a Uvalde, Texas, elementary school was to blame lax security and mental health  not the guns.

The chances of innocent people being caught up in gun violence increase astronomically when the state leader prioritizes bullets over life. The freedom of insane people to own guns, in Abbotts mind, trumps the right of others not to live in constant fear. And yet Abbott has the gall, just like his counterpart in Missouri, to tout himself as pro-life, pro-family, pro-children and pro-freedom. What they both are, indisputably, is pro-hypocrisy.
Landis+Gyr Group AG / Key word(s): Annual Results

Landis+Gyr Announces FY 2022 Financial Results and Changes to the Board of Directors



02-May-2023 / 06:50 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Cham, Switzerland  May 2, 2023  Landis+Gyr (SIX: LAND) today announced unaudited financial results for financial year 2022 (April 1, 2022  March 31, 2023). Key highlights included: Continued strong order intake of USD 1,925.8 million corresponding to a book-to-bill ratio of 1.15

Record committed backlog of USD 3,748.6 million, an increase of 10.6% year-over-year (YoY)

FY 2022 net revenues increased 20.8% YoY in constant currency to USD 1,681.4 million, driven by a strong recovery in H2

Adjusted EBITDA* of USD 139.9 million, equivalent to a margin of 8.3%, negatively impacted by significant supply chain related costs

Net income of USD 207.9 million or USD 7.32 per share (diluted) includes a one-off gain from divestment of minority stake in Intellihub of USD 160.6 million

Strategic investments in inventory to convert backlog lead to negative Free Cash Flow (excl. M&A) of USD (22.0) million; Free Cash Flow including the divestment effect was positive USD 160.0 million

Net debt further reduced to USD 65.6 million resulting in strong balance sheet position with net debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.47x as per financial year-end

Distribution from statutory capital reserves of CHF 2.20 per share will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting in line with progressive dividend policy

Guidance for FY 2023 confirmed with expected low double-digit net revenue growth, Adjusted EBITDA margin between 9% to 11%, and FCF between USD 60 million to USD 90 million

Large installed base of around 130 million connected intelligent devices helped avoid more than 9.5 million tons of CO 2 emissions

emissions Peter Bason and Audrey Zibelman proposed as new members of the Board of Directors while Sren Thorup Srensen will not stand for re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting As a leading provider of energy efficiency solutions, we are very pleased with our revenue growth of over 20% and especially our record backlog of almost USD 3.8 billion, which highlights the trust our customers have in our longstanding partnerships and technological leadership. In light of the ongoing supply chain challenges, we were able to deliver a solid margin, while cash was temporarily impacted due to strategic investments in inventory to convert our record backlog, said Werner Lieberherr, Chief Executive Officer of Landis+Gyr. As part of our strategic transformation, we are further expanding our reach in Grid Edge Intelligence and Smart Infrastructure, empowering our customers and end consumers with software, services and solutions that enable the energy transition. In addition, integrating our EV solutions offering with analytics, we are uniquely positioned to drive flexibility solutions needed now more than ever as the energy situation continues to pose challenges for consumers around the world. As part of our expansive ESG efforts, we are proud to have enabled the avoidance of over nine million tons of CO 2 through our technology and to further drive positive impact as part of our commitment to the Science Based Target initiative, Lieberherr concluded. Sustainability Update With leading energy efficiency solutions, Landis+Gyr is enabling the energy transition and actively contributes to global sustainable development, not just through technologies empowering utilities and consumers, but also by actively driving green initiatives in its own operations. Ingrained in the Company's DNA, sustainability is a key driver and motivator for employees, manifested in 20% of short-term incentives for all bonus eligible employees being tied to ESG targets. In FY 2022, Landis+Gyr signed up to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), committing to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and carbon net zero by 2050 for scope 1, 2 and 3. Through its state-of-the-art solutions, the Company was able to help avoid more than 9.5 million tons of CO 2 in 2022 and strives to further increase its positive impact on the environment through consistently high investments in innovative technologies and solutions. Order Intake and Committed Backlog Group order intake for FY 2022 was USD 1,925.8 million, corresponding to a book-to-bill ratio of 1.15 and a decrease of 27.8% when compared to the extraordinarily strong FY 2021. The continued strong order intake was driven by major contract wins in the Americas and EMEA regions. Committed backlog was up by 10.6%, reaching a new record level of USD 3,748.6 million. The Americas region recorded an order intake of USD 1,163.1 million (book-to-bill of 1.31) and the committed backlog rose by 17.5% to USD 2,860.9 million. In EMEA, orders of USD 623.3 million (book-to-bill of 1.03) were booked, resulting in a 0.9% lower committed backlog of USD 773.9 million due to unfavorable FX developments. In Asia Pacific, order intake amounted to USD 139.4 million (book-to-bill of 0.73), leading to a 34.0% lower committed backlog of USD 113.8 million. Net Revenues In FY 2022, net revenue rose by 20.8% in constant currency to USD 1,681.4 million from reported USD 1,464.0 million in FY 2021. The second half of the financial year was the strongest half year in the Companys history with USD 952.7 million in net revenues as the availability of components improved. Net revenue per segment was as follows (in USD million, except where indicated): Segment FY 2022

Net revenue FY 2021

Net revenue Percentage change Percentage change in

constant currencies Americas 887.9 706.7 25.7% 26.1% EMEA 602.3 590.1 2.1% 13.8% Asia Pacific 191.2 167.2 14.4% 20.8% Group 1,681.4 1,464.0 14.8% 20.8% The Americas region delivered strong net revenue growth of 26.1% in constant currency to USD 887.9 million. Growth was driven by the conversion of the strong backlog and the performance in North America, Japan and Brazil. The business in the EMEA region also grew significantly compared to the prior year with net revenue up 13.8% in constant currency to USD 602.3 million. While unfavorable FX impacts remained significant, the businesses acquired in 2021 contributed in constant currency approximately USD 53 million year-over-year to EMEAs overall result. Net revenue in the Asia Pacific region was up by 20.8% in constant currency to USD 191.2 million, driven by strong demand in Australia and New Zealand. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted and Reported EBITDA* The Adjusted EBITDA by segment was as follows (in USD million, except where indicated): Segment FY 2022

Adjusted EBITDA FY 2022

Percentage of

net revenue FY 2021

Adjusted EBITDA FY 2021

Percentage of

net revenue Americas 119.0 13.4% 109.4 15.5% EMEA (14.1) (2.3%) 25.7 4.4% Asia Pacific 13.3 6.9% 7.8 4.7% Corporate unallocated 21.7 4.1 Group 139.9 8.3% 147.0 10.0% Adjusted gross profit increased by 4.0% to USD 514.6 million while the corresponding margin declined by 320 basis points to a margin of 30.6%. Favorability from higher volume was more than offset by increased supply chain costs. Transactional FX pressure due to the strong US Dollar was partially mitigated through natural hedges and external hedging activities. Adjusted operating expenses in FY 2022 increased by USD 26.8 million or 7.7% year-over-year to USD 374.7 million. This increase is mainly attributable to ramp-up investments to support current and future backlog conversion in Americas, impact from prior year acquisitions in EMEA and strategic initiatives like global smart ultrasonic gas and water. Adjusted R&D expenses of USD 172.9 million (up 10.5%) equal to 10.3% of net revenues in FY 2022. Overall, the Adjusted EBITDA in FY 2022 was USD 139.9 million (down 4.8%) and the Adjusted EBITDA margin was 8.3% compared to 10.0% in FY 2021. Adjusted EBITDA decreased due to significantly higher supply chain costs of approximately USD 56 million year-over-year and higher adjusted operating expenses, partially mitigated by stronger volumes. In FY 2022, operating income was USD 51.0 million, a decrease of 42.6% compared to USD 88.8 million in FY 2021. Reported EBITDA in the period under review was USD 133.2 million versus USD 170.3 million in the same period in FY 2021, a decline of 21.8%. The adjustments to bridge between reported EBITDA in the Groups financial statements and Adjusted EBITDA are as follows (in USD million): FY 2022 FY 2021 Reported EBITDA 133.2 170.3 Adjustments Restructuring charges 11.8 2.9 Warranty normalization adjustments (5.1) (13.8) Timing difference on FX derivatives 0.0 (12.4) Adjusted EBITDA 139.9 147.0 In FY 2022, adjustments were made in three categories. Firstly, with respect to restructuring charges, the USD 11.8 million related mostly to the discontinuation of manufacturing activities in India. Secondly, the warranty normalization adjustments of USD (5.1) million represent the amount of warranty provisions made relative to the average actual warranty utilization for the last three years. This means warranty provisions in FY 2022 were again below historical levels. Thirdly, the effect from the timing difference on FX derivatives was neutral. Net Income and EPS Net income attributable to Landis+Gyr Group shareholders for the financial year 2022 was USD 207.9 million compared to USD 79.4 million in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) amounted to USD 7.32 compared to USD 2.59 in FY 2021. Net income includes a gain on the sale of the minority stake in Intellihub of USD 229.7 million pre-tax and USD 160.6 million after current and deferred taxes. Cash Flow and Net Debt Considering the shortage of critical components, Landis+Gyr made strategic inventory investments to be able to fulfill customer orders of recently won large contracts and support growth trajectory. The inventory build-up, in large part temporary, of USD 139 million led to a significantly higher operating working capital, which in turn had a negative impact on Cash Flow. Free Cash Flow (excl. M&A) was USD (22.0) million compared to USD 89.0 million in FY 2021, mainly as a result of significantly higher operating working capital. When including the net proceeds from the Intellihub divestment, Free Cash Flow was USD 160.0 million in FY 2022. Cash provided by operating activities was USD (45.8) million in FY 2022, including a USD (52.8) million tax payment related to the Intellihub divestment, compared to USD 115.8 million in the previous year. In FY 2022, capital expenditure amounted to USD 28.3 million, an increase of 4.5% versus FY 2021, which was mainly driven by capacity expansion at manufacturing sites. As of March 31, 2023, the ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 0.47 times, with net debt of USD 65.6 million after the divestment of the Intellihub minority stake and the dividend payment in June 2022. Distributions to Shareholders Given the strong balance sheet position and the significant gain from the Intellihub divestment, the Board of Directors proposes a distribution of CHF 2.20 per share to the Annual General Meeting on June 22, 2023. The proposal represents an increase of 5 cents compared to last years distribution of CHF 2.15 per share and is in line with Landis+Gyrs progressive dividend policy. If approved, the distribution will be paid out entirely from statutory capital reserves and is exempt from Swiss withholding tax. Outlook for FY 2023 As already communicated on January 25, 2023, and at the recent Capital Markets Day, Landis+Gyr expects a continuation of the strong net revenue trend in FY 2023 resulting in a low double-digit growth compared to FY 2022. With an anticipated gradual improvement of the supply chain cost situation, an Adjusted EBITDA margin in the range between 9% and 11% is expected for FY 2023. Free Cash Flow (excl. M&A) is forecasted to be between USD 60 million to USD 90 million as the elevated inventory situation is expected to partially normalize but will remain above historical averages to fulfill customer orders of large contracts won. The progressive dividend policy is confirmed. Changes to the Board of Directors For the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, Sren Thorup Srensen, representative of the Company's largest shareholder KIRKBI Invest A/S, has informed the Board of Directors that he will not stand for re-election. As the new representative of KIRKBI Invest A/S, the Board of Directors proposes the election of Peter Christopher Vestermark Bason as the new director. Peter Bason has been Head of Long-Term Equity at KIRKBI since 2020 with prior experience at Altor Equity Partners and at McKinsey & Company. In addition, the Board of Directors proposes the election of Audrey Zibelman as a new independent director. During her long career she most recently served at Alphabet's moonshot factory X, was CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator and CEO of the New York Public Services Commission. Andreas Umbach, Chair of Landis+Gyr Group, said: On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to thank Sren for his great dedication and valuable contribution to Landis+Gyr over the last four years. We look forward to working with Peter on our Board and are grateful for the long-term support of our anchor shareholder KIRKBI. Audrey brings a wealth of experience in grid operations, power markets, and public service and will further strengthen our Board of Directors. The FY 2022 earnings presentation, which forms part of this ad hoc announcement, is available on the Companys website at www.landisgyr.com/investors/results-center/. Investor Webcast and Telephone Conference The management of Landis+Gyr will host an investor/Analyst call and webcast to discuss the Companys FY 2022 results. Date and time May 2, 2023, at 14:00 CET Speakers Werner Lieberherr (Chief Executive Officer) Elodie Cingari (Chief Financial Officer) Audio webcast www.landisgyr.com/investors/results-center Telephone Europe: +41 (0) 58 310 5000 UK: +44 (0) 207 107 0613 US: +1 (1) 631 570 5613 Media Contact Eva Borowski SVP Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Phone +41 41 935 6396 Eva.Borowski@landisgyr.com Investors Contact Christian Waelti Head of Investor Relations Phone +41 41 935 6331 Christian.Waelti@landisgyr.com Key Dates Publication of Annual Report 2022 and Invitation to AGM 2023 May 26, 2023 Annual General Meeting 2023 June 22, 2023 Ex-Dividend Date June 26, 2023 Dividend Payment Date June 28, 2023 Publication of Half Year Results 2023 October 25, 2023 Release of Results for Financial Year 2023 May 8, 2024 About Landis+Gyr Landis+Gyr is a leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions. We measure and analyze energy utilization to generate empowering analytics for smart grid and infrastructure management, enabling utilities and consumers to reduce energy consumption. Our innovative and proven portfolio of software, services and intelligent sensor technology is a key driver to decarbonize the grid. Having avoided more than 9.5 million tons of CO2 in FY 2022, Landis+Gyr manages energy better  since 1896. With sales of USD 1.7 billion in FY 2022, Landis+Gyr employs around 7,800 talented people across five continents. For more information, please visit our website www.landisgyr.com. Disclaimer This ad hoc announcement and information referred to herein contains (a) preliminary, unaudited numbers that may be subject to change and (b) information regarding alternative performance measures or non USGAAP measures, such as Reported EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Research and Development, Adjusted Sales, General and Administrative, and Adjusted Operating Expenses. Definitions of these measures and reconciliations between such measures and their USGAAP counterparts if not defined in this announcement may be found on pages 28 to 30 of the Landis+Gyr Half Year Financial Report Fiscal Year 2022 on our website at www.landisgyr.com/investors. Forward-looking Information This ad hoc announcement includes forward-looking information and statements, including statements concerning the outlook for Landis+Gyr Group AGs businesses. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the factors that may affect the Companys future performance, including global economic conditions, and the economic conditions of the regions and industries that are major markets for Landis+Gyr. These expectations, estimates and projections are generally identifiable by statements containing words such as expects, believes, estimates, targets, plans, outlook, guidance or similar expressions. There are numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Landis+Gyrs control, that could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information and statements made in this announcement and which could affect the Companys ability to achieve its stated targets. The important factors that could cause such differences include, among others: the duration, severity, geographic spread and potential after effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, government actions to address or mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy, any of the Companys operations and those of its customers and suppliers; global shortage of energy or supplied components as well as increased freight rates, business risks associated with the volatile global economic environment and political conditions, including wars or military actions; costs associated with compliance activities; market acceptance of new products and services; changes in governmental regulations and currency exchange rates; estimates of future warranty claims and expenses and sufficiency of accruals; and other such factors as may be discussed from time to time in Landis+Gyr Group AG filings with the SIX Swiss Exchange. Although Landis+Gyr Group AG believes that its expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statement are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved. * For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures, see chapter Supplemental Reconciliations and Definitions (unaudited) in this ad hoc announcement.

End of Inside Information
Greece is spending about $400 million on a unique Israeli combat system. The new system uses Orbiter 3 UAVs to seek out targets and automatically cause a Spike NLOS missile to be launched from an aircraft, ground vehicle or ship to hit the target. Israel developed this system over several decades and now it is widely used in the Israeli military as Fire Weaver.

The Orbiter 3 UAV is a 32 kg (70 pound) fixed wing UAV with endurance of at least six hours, a top speed of 125 kilometers an hour and max range (from ground controller) of 50 kilometers. The guided missile is Spike (Non-Line-Of- Sight) NLOS, which weighs 71 kg (156 pounds) in its storage/launch container and has a max range of 50 kilometers. Fire Weaver takes data from existing sensors on tanks and other armored vehicles as well as artillery, UAVs and warplanes and rapidly (within five seconds) lets vehicles, warplanes and artillery know which available target each combat system should fire at. This eliminates a common battlefield situation where too many weapons fire on some targets while other targets are not initially fired on at all. Currently, tank crews and artillery spotters (troops who call back to tell artillery which targets to hit) have manual procedures for picking which targets they should fire at. That often works quite well, especially during a situation where a tank unit encountering the enemy has an opportunity to fire first. Fire Weaver automates these decisions and makes more effective choices more quickly. The troops and pilots can override the Fire Weaver selected target but tests have shown that Fire Weaver is usually quite effective in selecting the best targets for each tank, artillery unit or aircraft.

For the Greek system the principal weapon is the Spike NLOS missile. The current version is the sixth major upgrade for Spike NLOS and adds some major new features, including longer range (to 50 kilometers), salvo fire and improved use of networks. That means four Spike NLOS missiles can be launched by a helicopter and control of one or more of these missiles can be instantly transferred to another helicopter. The new version of Spike NLOS is also more reliable and effective when facing jamming or other forms of interference.

Spike NLOS was first developed in the 1970s as Tamuz and entered service in 1981 with a range of ten kilometers and used a trained human operator to hit the distant target. By the 1990s, advances in electronics, software and design made it possible to add fire and forget and other operator friendly features to most new ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles). Rafael, the Israeli firm that developed and built Tamuz, transferred some of the Tamuz tech to its Spike family of ATGMs, which first entered service in 1997. Rafael noticed that upgrades to Tamuz tech were converging with what the Spike family of ATGMs, and competing foreign systems, were using. Eventually it made sense to call the latest version of Tamuz what it really was, a longer range of the Spike missile, which became known as Spike NLOS. Meanwhile, Israel had pioneered the development of reconnaissance and surveillance UAVs as well as ever-more-powerful fire control systems.

Israel successfully used Spike NLOS during the 2006 war with Hezbollah in south Lebanon and the 2014 war with Hamas in Gaza. Now that most of the details of what Spike NLOS is, where it came from and what it has been through, have been published, it is an increasingly popular, if expensive, export item. But that is mainly because various versions of this missile, first as Tamuz then as Spike NLOS, had been in service since 1981, were battle tested and known to be very dependable and effective no matter what tech they used.
How to Serve Your Digital Audience Better in Hybrid Events

What are some optimal approaches to fully including online/digital audiences in hybrid events rather than sidelining them in favor of the in-person attendees? Chris Pfaff, CEO, Chris Pfaff Tech Media, Producers Guild of America (PGA), VR AR Association (VRARA) discusses this topic with Alex Lindsay, Head of Operations, 090 Media, and John Porterfield, Webcast Producer, Social180Group, in this clip from Streaming Media Connect 2023.

Lindsay breaks down the three major types of events: digital-first, hybrid, and physical in-person. He says that 090 Media takes as much of an inclusive approach as possible with their digital-first events. The digital audience is as least as important as the physical audience, he says. When we do that, we take the speakers off the stage when we put them on either a screen or an LED wall, because now the speakers can be present with all of the audiences they have. We can put eight screens in front of them. We can have, This is Cape Town, this is L.A., this is New York. We can also bring other speakers in from anywhere in the world. And they're all on an even footing with the current speakers, so they all look equal. We can still have return cameras, we can still talk to the people in the main plenary, but that main plenary can be in eight cities and all of them have a front row experience.

Thats a great production decision, Pfaff says. He says to John Porterfield, You were talking about what you do in breakout rooms. What's your experience there? Because I tend to agree with Alex about multiple rooms and events. But that's from a producer's point of view. I think [with] breakout rooms and the level of interactivityI'll be honest, I think that most people haven't evolved to a point where they're really comfortable interacting digitally. But tell us what you've experienced with that.

Porterfield says, So I kind of come at it from two different fronts. [When] I was in the house of worship, the technologies progressed where we did a major broadcast [where] everybody was connecting through different broker devices, [such as] Apple TV, and things. The way of connecting that and having some kind of local eventit's one direction. I think the challenge to everybody we're talking about here ishow do you get them to engage and communicate? And I think that goes back to like trying to look at ways to create unique value.

Porterfield mentions current projects hes working on that take a build-out approach from physical events to digital. That approach, he says, Builds some momentum a bit. And then you build out the framework by which [you] produce the event and maybe want to bring some other elements in that make it unique and tell the story for a nonprofit that has a very unique message to their audience, but at the same time, they want to build awareness. So I think the challenge is getting them to engage in that one. And I think on the corporate event side in breakout rooms, that's still a bit of a challenge. How do we create the right message or value that gains interest?

He mentions the way that these events have evolved. If I went to an AWS event years ago, or one of the Summit Events, and I sat in the main platform, there were three different venues, and each one had different headphones for different presentations that were occurring. That's great if you're physically there. But how do we take that? And I think that's one of the things we need to work on, really trying to help make sure that we support the clients in doing that. We need to really understand the value because the technology, from my perspective, is there. It's a matter of planning and doing itwe have to really make sure that it brings the right value.

Learn more about hybrid events at Streaming Media East 2023.

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Advertisers Servicing Specific Geographic Locales are Wasting Their Ad Spend on DMA-Level Impressions

There is a mild but active scandal in progress that television media buyers and the TV advertising industry at large have no idea is taking place. Television is wasting ad impressions for Tier II media buyers focused on driving traffic to specific, local businesses and no one is talking about it.

The Breakdown: Tier I and Tier II

Tier I television media buys typically focus on raising awareness. A classic example is McDonalds running national campaigns to drive awareness and consideration of their latest pop-culturally inspired burger combo, the Cardi B and Offset Meal. No one really needs to be told where to go to grab a Big Mac. Just like the restroom in our house, we tend to know where the nearest McDonald's is, so brand-level advertising is effective, raising the boats of any franchisee within the geographic reach of the TV ad buy.

Then there are Tier II advertisers; they are businesses serving a specific locale that buy TV advertising with two primary goals. First, to raise awareness of their product or service, and second, to make people aware of how to contact them for purchase or inquiries. These ads arent just focused on raising awareness, but also require potential customers to understand where, when, and how to purchase or engage their service.

Designated Marketing Areas (DMAs) and Why They Matter

Historically, television is purchased and measured by designated market areas or DMAs. DMAs tend to be very large. Theyre so large that, as of now, there are only 210 representing the geographic coverage of the entire U.S. The largest DMA, New York Tri-State, actually includes New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, a rather counterintuitive grouping, to say the least.

When Tier Is buy ad space for a general brand lift across DMAs, it usually makes pretty good sense. Nearly everyone eats at McDonalds from time to time, so its logical to spread a media buy across the DMAs that have been targeted. In the case of the Cardi B and Offset Meal, you can then gauge the relative rise in purchase activity of the meal to understand the high-level impact of the campaign.

But this same approach doesnt work if youre a Tier II advertiser. Tier II media buyers tend to have several things in common. They are smaller, with comparatively limited budgets and a focus on driving engagement to specific outposts of the business. Lets use Bill the Plumber as an example.

Bill the Plumber of Newark, New Jersey, has set aside a budget of $200,000 to advertise its services across its service areas in Newark. But Bill the Plumbers media buyer is buying DMA-level impressions, meaning Bill's advertising will actually be spread across the entire Tri-State region. The problem is obvious. Bill only services zip codes in and around Newark.

Bill the Plumber isnt interested in advertising in Brooklyn. But because of legacy media buying conventions, the company is forced to buy impressions in areas they dont service. Bill himself would be incredulous to learn that a large percentage of his companys ad buy is, quite literally, going to waste.

The Solution: Zip Code Analysis

Technology now exists to understand the frequency and location of ad creative at the zip code level. Whether broadcast, cable or streaming, advertisers can gain insight into where their ads ran, how many times it ran and in the specific zip codes. Measuring ad creative instances at the zip code level accomplishes a number of tasks.

First, it provides a more granular understanding of impression data. Legacy measurement systems like Nielsen only count the number of ads that run inside of a DMA, which then corresponds to the total number of impressions delivered by a campaign flight. But when you measure via zip code, impression data increases by several multiples by counting each instance an ad ran, in each zip code where it appears. This means that DMA-level data is (1) incomplete and (2) not representative of the full value of the media spend.

Second, zip code level analysis can also double as a competitive intelligence tool, telling you where your competition is spending and at what levels. If Bill the Plumbers biggest competitor is Newarks Rosey the Riveter, Bill can also track ad instances for Rosies ad creative and make adjustments to their own media buys based on that intelligence.

DMA media buying is fine for big brands, with big budgets who can afford to spray and pray. But agencies and practitioners serving relatively smaller operations are wasting big bucks if they follow the same playbook as the McDonalds of the world. Those five-digit combinations alone can take your budget and the business youre servicing a long way.

[Editor's note: This is a contributed article from AdImpact. Streaming Media accepts vendor bylines based solely on their value to our readers.]

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Atomic Minerals Corporation ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the "Company") (TSX.V:ATOM) is pleased to announce it has entered into a binding letter agreement with Kraken Energy Corp. (CSE:UUSA) ("Kraken") dated May 2nd, 2023 (the "Agreement") which provides Kraken option to acquire up to 75% of the Harts Point Uranium Property (Figures 1 and 2) located in San Juan County, southeast Utah ("Harts Point" or the "Property"), within the uranium rich Colorado Plateau. Harts Point consists of 324 lode mining claims located on land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"), covering an area of 2,622 hectares (6,480 acres) and located 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of the White Mesa Uranium Mill.

Harts Point is located in the Colorado Plateau, a world class uranium jurisdiction with a production history of 328 million pounds U 3 O 8 at 0.2% to 0.4% U 3 O 8 since the 1950's1. Approximately 80 million of these pounds came from the Lisbon Valley Anticline between 1948 and 1988 at a grade of 0.34% U 3 O 8 2, from Triassic Chinle Formation tabular sandstone-hosted uranium deposits ranging from 2 to 13 m (7 to 43 ft) in thickness, 100 to 3,048 m (328 to 10,000 ft) in length, and 31 to 427 m (100 to 1,400 ft) in width3. Lisbon Valley lies 30.6 km (19 miles) northeast of Harts Point.

Harts Point Property Highlights:

Historic Exploration: Three wide-spaced historic oil and gas wells on the Property (Figure 2) along the east flank of the Harts Point Anticline show off-scale' radioactivity within the basal section of favourable Chinle Formation host rock.

Permitted to Drill: The Harts Point Property is permitted for up to 25 exploration drill holes pending the posting of a US$58,000 bond to the BLM.

Excellent Infrastructure: located approximately 64 km (40 miles) north of the White Mesa uranium processing facility. There is excellent access throughout the Property, which is situated 45 km (28 miles) from the town of Monticello, Utah.

Atomic Minerals' technical team has spent the last number of years reviewing the gamma logs and geology logs from the Utah and Colorado historic oil and gas drill holes throughout the Plateau, looking for gamma kicks near the base of the favourable Chinle formation in areas of increased thickness, ideally located along the nose of the salt anticlines. Their thorough search identified Harts Point where three historic drill holes spaced approximately 4.5 km (2.8 miles) apart carried basal Chinle gamma spikes.

These three holes located the prospective Chinle Formation between 1,200 feet to 1,400 feet below surface. Gamma ray logs from each of the three holes showed spikes within the Moss Back Member which forms the basal section of the Chinle and is the primary location for uranium mineralization in this formation throughout the area. The Upper Indian District located 11 km (7 miles) west of the Harts Point Property (Figure 2) produced approximately 280,000 pounds U3O8 at 0.3% U3O8 from the favourable Chinle Formation host rock4, indicating the Chinle is prospective for uranium both to the northeast and west of Harts Point.

Atomic Minerals President & CEO Clive Massey commented, "We are happy to work with Kraken's top notch technical team to validate our geological model for Harts Point as a Lisbon Valley analog. Off-scale radioactivity from three widely spaced historic oil and gas wells within the favouable Chinle Formation along the Harts Point anticline strongly supports our model and we eagerly await the results of the imminent drill program on our fully permitted Harts Point property."

Kraken Energy CEO Garrett Ainsworth commented: "Since Kraken's inception in mid-2022 we have been reviewing numerous uranium properties in the western US to acquire or option, which has led us to selecting the Harts Point Uranium Property based on it's potential to host another Lisbon Valley uranium deposit trend. Harts Point has been de-risked from an exploration standpoint given that there are three widely-spaced historic oil and gas wells that encountered intervals of off-scale radioactivity within the favourable Chinle Formation host rock. Historic uranium mining has taken place 11 km west of the Property where the Chinle Formation outcrops, which confirms that significant uranium mineralization is associated with the flanks of the Harts Point anticline feature."

Terms of the Agreement:

Under the terms of the Agreement, Kraken may acquire up to 75% of the Harts Point Property by meeting the following requirements:

Kraken will be the operator and must incur US$1.5 million of eligible expenditures within 18 months from the closing of the proposed transaction to earn 65%.

Kraken has the option to increase its interest in the Property from 65% to 75%, by incurring an additional US$2.0 million of eligible expenditureswithin 30 months from the closing of the proposed transaction,

Kraken will issue 2.0 million common shares to Atomic.

Kraken will grant Atomic a 2.0% net smelter royalty (subject to a buy down to 1.0% for US$5.0 million).

After the initial option (Kraken 65%: Atomic 35%) or the extended option (Kraken 75%: Atomic 25%), a definitive Joint Venture Agreement will be formed with each party funding their respective amounts.

Figure 1 : Harts Point Location Map within Colorado Plateau

Figure 2 : Harts Point Property with Regional Uranium Occurrences

References

1 Holger Albrethsen, Jr. and Frank E. McGinley (1982). Summary History of Domestic Procurement Under U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Contracts, September 1982.

2 Chenoweth, W.L. (1990). Lisbon Valley, Utah's Premier Uranium Area, a Summary of Exploration and Ore Production. Utah Geological Survey Open File Report 188, July 1990.

3 Gordon W. Weir and Willard P. Puffett (1981). Incomplete manuscript on stratigraphy and structural geology and uranium-vanadium and copper deposits of the Lisbon Valley area, Utah-Colorado. Open-File Report 81-39. Pages 153 to 163. United States Department of the Interior

Geological Survey.

4 Chenoweth, W.L. (1993): The geology and Production History of the Uranium deposits in the White Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, Utah Geological Survey Miscellaneous Publication 93-3.

About the Company

Atomic Minerals is a Vancouver based publicly listed uranium exploration company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, with current assets in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin and the Four Corners region of the southwest United States. The Company is led by a highly skilled management and technical team with numerous previous successes in the junior mining sector.

For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.atomicminerals.ca

Qualified Persons

Mr. R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is responsible for the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Clive Massey"

Clive H. Massey

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Dave Langlais

(778) 316-5105

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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 Atomic Minerals Corporation 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 forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Atomic Minerals Corporation management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Atomic Minerals Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE: Atomic Minerals Corporation

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:BLLG)(FSE:7BL)(OTCQB: BLAGF) is pleased to announce final results from the 2022 Phase II drilling program on its year-round, road accessible, Dome Mountain Gold Project, located a short 50-minute drive from Smithers, British Columbia.

Drilling in this area was designed to follow-up the high-grade vein intersection cut in drill hole DM-21-224. This hole, collared from the Chance Structural Area, was drilled back toward the Boulder East zone. (Figure 1). Drill hole DM-21-224 intersected two significant gold-silver veins:

14.80 g/t Au and 68.6 g/t Ag over 7.31 metres (381.20-388.51 metres), including 62.60 g/t Au and 302.0 g/t Ag over 1.10 metres

26.90 g/t Au and 157.0 g/t Ag over 1.04 metres (443.52-444.56 metres).

Drilling in 2022 set up on a new drill pad, closer to the vein structure (Figure 1). The first hole (DM-22-232) was planned to target very close to the DM-21-224 intercept. Subsequent holes (-234) tested down-dip of hole -224, while, drill holes DM-22-235, and -238 tested along-strike by approximately 50 metres in each direction. (Drill hole DM-22-237 was abandoned due to technical issues and redrilled as hole DM-22-238).

Table 1: Drill hole collar specifications, Boulder East Hole ID Location (UTM Zone 9 North) Total Depth (m) Orientation Tenure/ Lease Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip DM-22-232 653742.113 6069035.291 1256.965 353.00 180 -52 238538 DM-22-234 653742.106 6069035.548 1256.957 566.00 180 -60 238538 DM-22-235 653743.047 6069035.263 1256.805 400.00 166 -52 238538 DM-22-237

(abandoned) 653740.211 6069034.630 1256.819 53.07 195 -52 238538 DM-22-238 653740.211 6069034.630 1256.819 347.38 195 -52 238538 TOTAL 1719.45

Figure 1: Boulder East Drill Plan

Observations and Results

Drilling this area intersected the typical lithologies comprised of a surface screen of mixed argillites, underlain by lithic tuffs. Both are overprinted by moderate clay +/- pyrite-quartz and chlorite and extensively fractured and faulted. These are underlain by a thick package of dominantly of feldspar-phyric crystal tuffs with interbedded lithic/lapilli tuffs.

The targeted quartz-carbonate-sulphide mineralization was intersected in DM-22-232. The vein zone occurs from 284.75 to 293.20 metres, consisting of sheared quartz-carbonate-sulphide veins with approximately 10% pyrite and minor chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite concentrated in patchy blebs within the veins and disseminated pyrite within the altered tuffaceous host wall rock.

DM-22-234 was planned to test up-dip of the -224 and -232 intersections, while DM-22-235 and -238 targeted to test 50 metres along strike to the east and west, respectively.

DM-22-234 did not intersect any comparable mineralization at the anticipated depth. Several small (

In DM-22-235 strong mineralized intercepts were found at depths of 160.50-170 as faulted and blocky core bearing pyrite, from 293 to 301 metres as moderately fractured core bearing disseminated pyrite, and from 316 to 324 metres as frequent alteration surrounding 1cm veinlets bearing weak to moderate mineralization. The lowest mineralization likely represents the eastern strike extension of the mineralization, although grades are lower here (0.84 g/t Au over 0.50 metres). The best grades in this hole come from a 25 cm pyrite-dominant vein at approximately 246 metres depth, returning 26.90 g/t Au and 99.0 g/t Ag over 0.68 metres.

DM-22-238 intersected two zones of precious metal bearing veins. Both may be related to the Boulder East structure even though they are separated over 40 metres of core length. Faulting within the structure, as well as a sinuous vein within the host structure may have resulted in multiple intersections. Alternatively, the upper mineralization could be related to the Boulder East footwall structure. The upper intersection, from 265.00 to 268.00 grades 4.03 g/t Au and 68.3 g/t Ag over 3.00 metres. The lower intersection, from 316.12 to 316.65 grades 7.57 g/t Au and 22.0 g/t Ag over 0.53 metres.

Table 2: Selected significant intersections, Boulder East

Hole Interval (m) Grade (g/t) From To Length Au Ag DM-22-232 201.75 202.42 0.67 1.71 0.50 285.50 289.07 3.57 13.42 59.50 291.20 292.30 1.10 38.62 85.30 DM-22-234 144.00 145.40 1.40 5.24 14.10 206.00 206.50 0.50 1.12 1.20 207.00 207.50 0.50 5.95 1.40 225.60 226.60 1.00 1.25 1.60 284.70 285.50 0.80 2.68 3.40 421.60 422.60 1.00 1.27 0.30 498.81 500.00 1.19 0.98 2.10 DM-22-235 186.35 187.15 0.80 1.06 0.60 230.00 231.50 1.50 2.78 6.00 245.77 246.45 0.68 26.90 99.00 DM-22-238 217.25 217.50 0.25 3.85 4.90 265.00 268.00 3.00 4.03 68.30 316.12 316.65 0.53 7.57 22.00

Additional drilling will be needed to properly characterize the vein in this area. It may be that there is a steeply raking ore shoot within the complex structural environment. Drilling should be carried out from the south to north to afford a better intercept angle on the vein and hosting structures.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL

Core selected for sampling was cut in half with a core saw or split with a hydraulic splitter with one half bagged for shipping. Strict chain of custody storing, and shipping protocol was maintained. All core preparation and analyses were completed by Activation Laboratories Ltd. located in Kamloops, BC. Core was crushed, split, and pulverized with 250 grams passing 200 mesh. Each sample was analyzed for gold by fire assay with ICP-OES finish (Act Labs Code 1A2-ICP) and for multi-elements by 4-acid total digestion ICP with OES finish.(Act Labs Code 1F2) Any gold overlimits (>30 ppm Au) were analyzed by gravimetric fire assay. Standards and blanks were inserted by Company staff. The drilling and sampling program was undertaken by Company personnel and under the direction of Ted Vanderwart, P.Geo.

The scientific and technical disclosure in this news release was approved by William Cronk, P.Geo, a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and a consultant to the Company.

For further information, please contact:

Rana Vig

President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: 604-218-4766

Email: [email protected]

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (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 results of exploration activities may not show quality and quantity necessary for further exploration or future exploitation of minerals deposits, volatility of gold and silver prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, permitting and other approvals, 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.

SOURCE: Blue Lagoon Resources Inc.

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In this article, we take a look at the 15 biggest companies in Pakistan by market cap. You can skip our detailed analysis and go directly to the 5 Biggest Companies in Pakistan by Market Cap.

Pakistan is facing significant economic difficulties that stem from ongoing structural issues. Although the country made progress in reducing poverty between 2001 and 2018 by creating new job opportunities and receiving more remittances, this success did not necessarily lead to improved living conditions due to poor human capital development, such as high levels of stunted growth and learning poverty.

The situation was aggravated by various factors like the flooding in 2022, rising global commodity prices, tightened global financing, and government policies that hindered access to international capital markets. The floods in Pakistan caused damage equivalent to about 4.8 percent of GDP. The delay in implementing the IMF-EFF program also worsened the country's economic situation.

According to information from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan has a foreign debt of $126 billion, with $30 billion owed to China. The amount owed to China is more than three times the country's debt to the IMF of $7.8 billion and exceeds their borrowings from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank combined. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has approved the extension of a $1.3 billion loan to Pakistan, making a total of $700 billion previously lent to the country.

In a recent report published by the ADO, Pakistan's economic, environmental, and social progress is significantly threatened by climate change. As stated by the Global Climate Risk Index, over the last 20 years, Pakistan has been listed as one of the top 10 countries which face the highest risk worldwide. Due to severe weather conditions caused by climate change, there have been many deaths along with substantial damages to agriculture, the economy, and infrastructure.

Story continues

Devastating floods and lack of quality fertilizers and feed have resulted in decreased output and reduced job opportunities for workers associated with the agriculture sector. The service sectors have also been affected by the dwindling foreign reserves, import restrictions, high fuel costs and policy ambiguity. Furthermore, the floods destroyed critical infrastructure, making it difficult for people to access medical facilities, particularly in rural areas, negatively impacting health and education outcomes.

Expectations are that economic growth will slow down and remain below potential over the next few years. Real GDP growth is projected to decrease sharply to 0.4% by FY23 due to various factors such as tighter fiscal policies, flood damage, inflation, high energy costs, and import controls. Agriculture is anticipated to shrink for the first time in two decades as a result of the floods, while industry output is likely to decline too, given supply chain disruptions, higher borrowing costs and energy prices, and heightened uncertainty.

This slowdown is expected to affect the wholesale and transportation services sectors, thereby affecting services output growth. If the IMF program is successfully completed, output growth is expected to improve gradually over FY24 and FY25, still below potential due to insufficient foreign reserves and import controls. Without increased social spending, the poverty rate for middle-income households will likely rise to 37.2% in FY23, which could harm those dependent on agriculture.

Despite these economic challenges, one of the key drivers of Pakistan's economic growth is its equity market. These companies, both private and public, are major contributors to the country's GDP and are crucial in driving economic development.

In this article, we will explore the top 15 public companies in Pakistan based on their market capitalization. This list will provide insight into the diversity and size of Pakistan's leading public equity companies to provide a better understanding of the country's economic landscape.

15 Biggest Companies in Pakistan by Market Cap

Photo by Robin Sommer on Unsplash

Our Methodology

To determine the top 15 Pakistani public companies, we utilized their market capitalization as our primary metric. Our data was obtained from Standard Capital Securities (SCS). Furthermore, we gathered information about Pakistan's leading companies from different sources, such as ADO, the World Bank, Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited and SECP.

Here are the 15 biggest public companies in Pakistan:

15. Pakistan Oilfields Limited

Current Market Cap: $418.2 million

Pakistan Oilfields Limited is among the largest companies engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and gas in the country. Its activities encompass drilling, exploration, and production, resulting in the production of crude oil, natural gas, and LPG that are marketed under POLGAS and its subsidiary, CAPGAS Private Limited. The company's market capitalization was $418.2 million as of 2023.

14. Systems Limited

Current Market Cap: $460 million

Systems Limited, a prominent technology consultancy and software development firm based in Pakistan, provides a diverse array of software services and solutions, such as customer relationship management, business intelligence, and digital transformation. Its customer base lies across multiple sectors including finance, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. The company's market capitalization is $460 million as of 2023.

13. Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited

Current Market Cap: $460 million

Unilever Pakistan Foods Ltd. is a company that produces and sells food products for both consumers and businesses. They sell their products under several brand names, including Rafhan, Knorr, Energile, Glaxose-D, and Food Solutions. In addition to food, they also offer personal care and home care products. The company was established in 1946 and is based in Karachi, Pakistan. Its market cap, as of 2023, is $460 million.

12. Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited

Current Market Cap: $460 million

Fauji Fertilizer Co Ltd is primarily engaged in the production of fertilizer. The company's market capitalization is $460 million as of 2023 and has a P/E ratio of 3.68.

11. Lucky Cement Limited

Current Market Cap: $490 million

Lucky Cement's contribution to the construction industry and the national economy has been significant, and it continues to play a key role in the development of infrastructure in Pakistan and abroad. The company's market cap is $490 million as of 2023.

10. MCB Bank Limited

Current Market Cap: $500 million

MCB Bank is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and has a strong financial performance, reflecting its sound business strategy and operational excellence. The bank's contribution to the national economy has been significant, and it continues to play a key role in the development of the financial sector in Pakistan. The company's market capitalization is $0.5 billion as of 2023.

9. Engro Corporation Limited

Current Market Cap: $550 million

Engro Corp. Ltd. is involved in various industries such as fertilizers, PVC resin production and marketing, food, energy, and chemical terminal and storage. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan. It has a market cap of $550 million as of 2023.

8. United Bank Limited

Current Market Cap: USD 550 million

UBL is a subsidiary of Bestway Group, a British company. It is headquartered in Karachi and considered one of the biggest private banks in Pakistan, boasting more than 1,390 branches in the country and having 18 branches abroad. It serves over 4 million customers. The company's market capitalization was $550 million as of 2023.

7. Colgate-Palmolive Company

Current Market Cap: $590 million

Colgate-Palmolive Pakistan Limited has a market cap of $590 million as of 2023. It is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive Company, a global consumer goods company. It maintains a prominent position in Pakistan with a broad distribution structure that caters to the rural and urban regions. The company generates substantial income through taxes and duties for the Pakistani government.

6. Meezan Bank

Current Market Cap: $620 million

Meezan's main office is located at Meezan House in Karachi, and it has a vast network of more than 900 branches in over 250 cities. The bank obtained the Pakistan operations of Societe Generale. Meezan's market capitalization was $620 million as of 2023.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Biggest Companies in Pakistan by Market Cap. Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: none. 15 Biggest Companies in Pakistan by Market Cap is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Strategic Guidance Leads to Successful Transaction in Residential and Commercial Services, Solidifying Boxwood Partners' Expertise in Franchising

JUPITER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Boxwood Partners is pleased to announce the merging of Koala Insulation and Wallaby Windows ("the company"), with Empower Brands. Boxwood Partners' expertise in the Residential and Commercial Services sector has been further reinforced, cementing their status as the premier advisor in franchising. This marks Boxwood's 21st transaction in the Residential and Commercial Services sector.

Boxwood Partners, a leading boutique middle-market investment bank based in Jupiter, FL, acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Koala Insulation and Wallaby Windows on the transaction. The transaction was led by J. Patrick Galleher, (Managing Partner), Brian Alas (Managing Director), and Dan Martinson (Vice President). The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2020 by Scott Marr, Koala Insulation is a nationally established franchise based in Melbourne, Florida that provides high-quality insulation services. Since its launch, the company has expanded to over 100 franchisees serving 400 territories nationwide and received major recognitions and accolades, including Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and 2023 Fastest Growing Franchise lists. Marr's second franchise business, Wallaby Windows, was launched in early 2022 as an emerging brand specializing in replacement windows and doors.

"Koala Insulation and Wallaby Windows have already experienced exceptional growth, and the support and resources under Empower Brands will allow us to expand even further," said Scott Marr, founder and CEO of Koala Insulation and Wallaby Windows. "I am pleased with Boxwood's counsel, and their attention to detail played a pivotal role in ensuring the execution of this transaction."

Empower Brands is a multi-brand franchisor of premium commercial and residential services. This marks Empower Brands' first additions to its portfolio since rebranding late last year. The addition of these industry leading brands brings Empower to nine total brands under its umbrella and will add 115 franchisees to its ever-growing network.

"As successful emerging franchise brands with cultures akin to Empower Brands, Koala Insulation and Wallaby Windows make the perfect addition to our growing family of brands," said Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. "We are grateful to Boxwood Partners for their expertise to push this transaction over the finish line. With a focus on championing the success of our franchisees, Empower Brands will help position Koala Insulation and Wallaby Windows for continued rapid growth and strengthen the training and support provided to the franchisees."

"Koala Insulation has risen to the forefront of the insulation services industry, impressively solidifying their position as a leader with their rapid growth and commitment to excellence," said J. Patrick Galleher. "With the recent addition of Wallaby Windows, their expansion has captured national attention and shows no signs of slowing down, serving as a testament to Koala Insulation's remarkable achievements thus far."

About Boxwood Partners

Boxwood Partners, LLC is a boutique investment bank based in Jupiter, Florida with offices in Richmond, Virginia. Boxwood Partners combines a unique blend of senior-level transaction advisory, business operating experience, and proven process execution skills to give its clients a distinct advantage in the market. The firm's extensive relationships within the global capital and buyer communities (including U.S. and international private equity groups, corporations, and lenders) and other important transaction-related service providers such as consultants, attorneys, and accountants, ensure that the firm's clients receive the attention, service, and results they deserve. For more information about Boxwood Partners, please visit www.boxwoodpartners.com.

About Empower Brands

Empower Brands was founded in 2022 as a product of the integration of Lynx Franchising and Outdoor Living Brands. Empower encompasses seven industry-leading brands across commercial and residential services: JAN-PRO, Intelligent Office, FRSTeam, Archadeck Outdoor Living, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives (OLP), Conserva Irrigation and Superior Fence & Rail. Empower is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality products and services in the commercial and home services industries while simultaneously delivering its franchise owners committed personal support, tools and empowerment to pursue their own success. Empower Brands is a portfolio company of MidOcean Partners, a leading private equity firm with an excellent track record investing in successful, growth-focused franchise businesses. For more about Empower Brands, visit the company's website at EmpowerFranchising.com.

About MidOcean Partners

MidOcean Partners is a premier, New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments. Since its inception in 2003, MidOcean Private Equity has targeted investments in high-quality middle-market companies in the consumer and business services sectors. MidOcean Credit Partners was launched in 2009 and manages a series of alternative credit strategies, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and customized separately managed accounts. For more information, please visit: midoceanpartners.com.

CONTACT:

Lizzy Young

[email protected]

+18479451300

SOURCE: Boxwood Partners

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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Empath, Inc., a global leader in skills intelligence, has announced it has received SOC 2 certification, confirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data security and privacy.

"SOC 2 certification provides our customers with the assurance that their data is protected by stringent controls and procedures," said former Chairman and CEO of Kellogg's and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Co-Founder and CEO of Empath. "With Empath, you can trust that your data is secure and that we take the privacy of your information seriously."

Empath received its SOC 2 certification after undergoing an extensive third-party audit of the company's systems and processes, including its data center infrastructure, access controls, software development life cycle, and incident response procedures.

About Empath

Empath's suite of AI-enabled products leverages the company's advanced machine learning capabilities and deep skills expertise. Empath offers a range of products to help customers build and maintain future-proof, skills-based organizations, including its Skills Taxonomy Manager (STM), the Empath Proficiency Library (EPL), Skills Inventory Snapshot, and its flagship Skills Intelligence Platform (SIP).

Visit empath.net to learn more.

Contact Information

Carlos M. Gutierrez

Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

202-455-0395

SOURCE: Empath, Inc.

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-Sales of $273.8 Million-

-Operating Income of $17.8 Million; Operating Margin of 6.5%-

-Board Declares $0.20 Dividend-

PORT WASHINGTON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Global Industrial Company (NYSE: GIC) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Performance Summary*

(U.S. dollars in millions, except per share data)

Highlights Quarter Ended March 31, 2023 2022 Net sales $ 273.8 $ 288.6 Gross profit $ 98.4 $ 107.8 Gross margin 35.9 % 37.4 % Operating income from continuing operations $ 17.8 $ 29.5 Operating margin 6.5 % 10.2 % Net income from continuing operations $ 13.3 $ 21.8 Net income per diluted share from continuing operations $ 0.35 $ 0.57 Net (loss) income from discontinued operations $ (0.1 ) $ 0.2 Net (loss) income per diluted share from discontinued operations $ 0.00 $ 0.01

*Global Industrial Company manages its business and reports using a 52-53 week fiscal year that ends at midnight on the Saturday closest to December 31. For clarity of presentation, fiscal years and quarters are described as if they ended on the last day of the respective calendar month. The actual fiscal quarters ended April 1, 2023 and April 2, 2022, respectively, and the first quarters of both 2023 and 2022 each included 13 weeks.

Average daily sales is calculated based upon the number of selling days in each period, with Canadian sales converted to US dollars using the current year's average exchange rate. In the first quarter of 2023, there were 64 selling days in the U.S. and 63 selling days in Canada compared to 65 selling days in the U.S. and 64 selling days in Canada in the first quarter of 2022.

First Quarter 2023 Financial Summary:

Consolidated sales decreased 5.1% to $273.8 million compared to $288.6 million last year. Sales decreased 3.7% on an average daily sales basis.

Consolidated gross margin declined to 35.9% compared to 37.4% last year.

Consolidated operating income from continuing operations decreased 39.7% to $17.8 million compared to $29.5 million last year.

Net income per diluted share from continuing operations decreased 38.6% to $0.35 compared to $0.57 last year.

Barry Litwin, Chief Executive Officer, said, "First quarter performance reflects a continuation of the recent demand environment. We recorded strong growth from our largest accounts in the quarter, and customer retention continued to be healthy, however our core small and medium business customer base remained cautious with their purchasing behavior. We were very pleased with gross margin performance of 35.9%, and product margin trends improved as we moved through the quarter benefiting from lower total landing costs."

"Our focus on the customer continues to drive our strategy and we made further progress on operational excellence and digital transformation initiatives. Within our new web platform, we have identified a number of user experience changes that impacted navigation and recent performance. We have completed enhancements on the product experience to improve shop-ability and additional optimization efforts are ongoing. Looking ahead, we believe we have the tools and resources to navigate the current market conditions. Our ability to leverage Global Industrial Exclusive BrandsTM offering, strong national brand assortment and pricing analytics are allowing us to provide significant value to customers, while managing our gross margin profile. We are investing in key growth initiatives to drive long-term success and continue to proactively manage our cost structure. With an exceptional balance sheet, we remain well positioned to execute on our strategy, explore organic and strategic opportunities, and build long-term value for our stakeholders."

At March 31, 2023, the Company had total working capital of $179.6 million, cash and cash equivalents of $48.2 million, excess availability under its credit facility of approximately $116.6 million and no outstanding debt. Operating cash flow provided by continuing operations in the quarter was $28.5 million. The Company's Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share to common stock shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2023, payable on May 22, 2023.

Earnings Conference Call Details

Global Industrial Company will host a conference call and question and answer session on its first quarter 2023 results today, May 2, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of the remarks will be available on the Company's website at https://investors.globalindustrial.comin the events section. The webcast will also be archived on the website for approximately 90 days.

About Global Industrial Company

Global Industrial Company (NYSE: GIC), through its operating subsidiaries, is a value-added distributor. For more than 70 years Global Industrial has gone the extra mile for its customers and offers more than a million industrial and MRO products, including its own Global Industrial Exclusive BrandsTM. With extensive product knowledge and a solutions-based approach, Global Industrial helps customers solve problems and be more successful. At Global Industrial, "We Can Supply That".

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise. Any such statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. When used in this release, the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," and "plans" and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this report are based on the Company's beliefs and expectations as of the date of this report and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may have a significant impact on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Important risk factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition are detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unexpected events, except as may be required by applicable law.

Investor/Media Contacts:

Mike Smargiassi

The Plunkett Group

212-739-6729

[email protected]

GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited

(In millions, except per share amounts)

Quarter Ended March 31, 2023 2022 Net sales $ 273.8 $ 288.6 Cost of sales 175.4 180.8 Gross profit 98.4 107.8 Gross margin 35.9 % 37.4 % Selling, distribution and administrative expenses 80.6 78.3 Operating income from continuing operations 17.8 29.5 Operating margin 6.5 % 10.2 % Interest and other expense, net 0.2 0.4 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 17.6 29.1 Provision for income taxes 4.3 7.3 Net income from continuing operations 13.3 21.8 Net (loss) income from discontinued operations (0.1 ) 0.2 Net income $ 13.2 $ 22.0 Net income per common share from continuing operations: Basic $ 0.35 $ 0.57 Diluted $ 0.35 $ 0.57 Net (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations: Basic $ 0.00 $ 0.01 Diluted $ 0.00 $ 0.01 Net income per common share: Basic $ 0.35 $ 0.58 Diluted $ 0.35 $ 0.58 Weighted average common and common equivalent shares: Basic 38.1 37.9 Diluted 38.2 38.1

GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited

(In millions)

March 31, December 31, 2023 2022 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 48.2 $ 28.5 Accounts receivable, net 113.7 108.0 Inventories 166.1 179.4 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7.4 9.8 Total current assets 335.4 325.7 Property, plant and equipment, net 20.8 21.0 Operating lease right-of-use assets 87.3 90.3 Goodwill, intangibles and other assets 18.1 18.2 Total assets $ 461.6 $ 455.2

Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 143.6 $ 140.1 Short-term debt 0.0 0.6 Operating lease liabilities 12.2 12.4 Total current liabilities 155.8 153.1 Operating lease liabilities 86.2 89.1 Other liabilities 2.6 2.6 Shareholders' equity 217.0 210.4 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 461.6 $ 455.2

GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Unaudited

(In millions)

Quarter Ended March 31, 2023 2022 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income from continuing operations $ 13.3 $ 21.8 Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1.1 0.9 Stock-based compensation 0.6 1.0 Provision for deferred taxes 0.1 0.0 Change in working capital 12.9 (38.2 ) Other, net 0.5 0.5 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations 28.5 (14.0 ) Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations (0.2 ) (0.1 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 28.3 (14.1 ) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (0.7 ) (1.1 ) Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations (0.7 ) (1.1 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net (repayments) proceeds of short-term borrowings (0.6 ) 20.5 Dividends paid (7.7 ) (7.0 ) Stock-based compensation share issuances, net 0.4 0.9 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations (7.9 ) 14.4 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 0.0 0.0 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 19.7 (0.8 ) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD 28.5 15.4 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $ 48.2 $ 14.6

SOURCE: Global Industrial Company

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Ericsson



Image source: Unsplash

Originally published by Ericsson

Can technology improve access to quality education for children and youth around the world? Below, we explore the impact of Ericsson's Connect To Learn project in the Philippines, where virtual reality training will empower teachers with new digital skills.

As someone who was born and raised in Manila, I still sometimes get surprised that it's a place of striking contrasts: high-rise, high-tech skyscrapers built right next to lower-income communities; the sprawling campuses of international schools that sit within a stone's throw of more humble public schools.

At Ericsson, we see the same contrast when it comes to access to digital connectivity, tools, and skills. It is easy to assume that most people have internet access. But the reality is that, according to the ITU's latest State of Broadband report, an estimated 2.7 billion of us do not have access to that connectivity.

We kept this in mind when we were thinking about creating a virtual reality-based teacher training project for selected public-school teachers in Manila, as well as for teachers-in-training who are studying at the Philippine Normal University.

A part of Ericsson's Connect To Learn initiative, the upskilling of teachers using VR is carried out alongside collaborators Qualcomm Wireless Reach" and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), as well as the Philippine Normal University and Muntinlupa Department of Education.

Though it is a priority in government education policy, training and upskilling opportunities for teachers became limited during the pandemic, when schools were closed, and the school system had to refocus on how to reach students at home so they could continue learning. Much of the training for teachers is normally done as face-to-face sessions, sometimes in a centralized location. For teachers-in-training, the school closures left them with no chance to practice their teaching skills in real-life classrooms, which they would normally undertake in the last two years of their studies.

We are working to help overcome this by instead providing them with a virtual world where they can practice their teaching skills, wherever they might be, and whenever it would be convenient. By putting on a VR headset, the teachers will be transported to a virtual classroom with virtual students. They can then practice their classroom management skills, as well as how to integrate ICT into the lessons in order to make them more student-focused.

For example, they will be asked within the training module to physically arrange the classroom to create what they think will be a more conducive learning space, and to select ICT-based tools such as online videos, quizzes, or games to help illustrate the key concepts of the lessons that they will practice delivering. The training modules are designed to give the teachers feedback on how effective their choices were. VR for teacher training has been used in a Connect To Learn initiative previously, but this is the first time it will be deployed in the Philippines.

"No education system could exceed the quality of its teachers," Dr. Bert Tuga, the President of the Philippine Normal University shared when we met him and the other project partners in September. "There's a huge need to integrate ICT in teaching, and we see great potential to use VR as a tool for developing competencies that teachers might not otherwise be able to develop in a traditional classroom."

We are hopeful that VR will readily be embraced by the teachers as a training tool: when we showed a demo unit to one of the professors at the Philippine Normal University, she breezed through it and used the headset and controllers with ease. She thought it was quite interesting and easy to master. But we knew this question wouldn't be far behind: "How can the students use it too, in the public schools? They're going to be so thrilled to use something like this."

This deep care for students was evident as we made our way to the two public high schools for a quick visit the day after our meeting with the project collaborators. It was a big school, with modern outdoor facilities and a good number of classrooms. The principal explained that they saw a surge in enrolment during the pandemic, as smaller private schools closed, and parents' livelihoods were impacted.

"From initially having 4,500 students for our four senior high school levels, now we have 9,000," he shared. "We don't have enough teachers, although hiring is ongoing. We have enough classrooms, but we want to make sure our students are comfortable, so we're trying to get some more furniture as well."

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 69 million teachers need to be recruited worldwide in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, Quality education', which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Connect To Learn supports this ambition by using technology to accelerate access to quality education. As a cross-discipline public and private sector collaboration, it also reflects the importance of partnerships for making progress towards the SDGs, as outlined by SDG 17.

While recruiting enough teachers to manage the expanding number of students remains a challenge, the school we visited has managed to improve the tools at their disposal. The principal was happy with improvements they have made to their computer laboratory that was recently furnished with laptops. "We teach students basic computer skills - they're working on building sample webpages at the moment." He motioned to the old, tower-type desktops that they had recently replaced. "Can you imagine that we were still using those until recently? They were still working, but were so slow - these days, students need to learn on more modern devices. Having ICT skills is almost considered to be a basic life skill, and we want to make sure our students have these skills."

In the next school we visited, it was another story of contrasts: While they were smaller than the first school, had fewer students and not as many facilities, they did boast a modern robotics lab, and a student team that had recently won local robotics competitions. "We're a science high school, so we select students based on merit," the principal explained. "We're fortunate to have had the support from the government to build a robotics lab, which is open to students who have the interest and the aptitude for robotics." He said that their students mastered robotics quite quickly. "They were already invited to other countries to compete - it's an experience that they will likely remember forever." Before we left, two teachers had already volunteered to help design and test the VR teacher training modules, as they were keen to see how it would work.

We stopped to briefly observe some students enjoying dance practice at their school gym, and our customer partner for the project, Smart, commented on how it was so good to see the students back on campus. "We have been helping schools to adapt to the pandemic through our crisis resilient education programs that support distance learning, and it was so sad to see the schools deserted," Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management, shared. "Now that they're back, we hope that our joint project will inspire the teachers to use more ICT tools to engage their students and ensure that no learner is left behind."

We know we'll be back in the next few months with the VR units to start training the teachers, and we're very interested to see how this could make a difference for both the teachers and the students.

However different these two schools might be in terms of facilities and size, their principals were aligned on one thing: ICT has great potential to improve the students' learning experiences, and ultimately, change their lives for the better.

Read more

Ericsson, Qualcomm, Dept of Education Muntinlupa and the Philippine Normal University partner to train teachers to use technology in classrooms

Learn more about VR and immersive technology

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

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Strengthening Its Position as the Leading IAM Consultancy and System Integrator in the U.S.

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / iC Consult Americas, a subsidiary of iC Consult Group, the world's leading Identity and Access Management (IAM) consultancy and system integrator, and managed services provider for IAM, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Edwards as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Jonathan Edwards succeeds Brad Kirkpatrick in the role.





Jonathan Edwards

Under Jonathan's leadership, iC Consult Americas will focus on further growth in North America and expanding the IAM Managed Services, Implementation, and Advisory portfolio.





Jonathan Edwards brings with him an impressive track record in consulting, delivery, and strategy. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Professional Services at iC Consult and as Vice President of Strategy and Consulting at SecureITsource, a company acquired by iC Consult in 2021.

Under Jonathan's leadership, iC Consult Americas will focus on further growth in North America and expanding the IAM Managed Services, Implementation, and Advisory portfolio. This strategic direction aligns with the company's commitment to providing customers with the most advanced and secure IAM solutions.

Commenting on the appointment, Jrgen Biermann, CEO of iC Consult Group, said, "I am confident in Jonathan's ability to lead iC Consult Americas to new heights. His extensive experience and deep understanding of our industry make him the ideal choice for this role. We're proud to have a homegrown talent like Jonathan take the helm of our U.S. operations."

Jonathan Edwards added, "I am honored to be appointed as the new CEO of iC Consult Americas. I look forward to working with our talented team to expand our reach, deliver exceptional value to our customers, and reinforce our position as the market leader in IAM solutions."

Background: iC Consult's Growth Strategy

iC Consult is one of the world's leading service and consulting companies specializing in IAM. Serving as a trusted advisor in all aspects of IAM, iC Consult offers a broad portfolio of solutions with deep technical expertise. The Managed Services offerings ensure that clients can maximize their investment in IAM solutions. The company, which has been held by The Carlyle Group as a majority owner since 2021, employs more than 800 people across 12 countries worldwide and is currently rapidly driving the internationalization of its business, to support its wider global growth objective.

Interested readers can find further information at https://www.ic-consult.com/en/.

About iC Consult

iC Consult is the world's leading independent consultancy, systems integrator, and managed services provider for Identity & Access Management with more than 800 employees worldwide. We are committed to excellence and innovation, and with the best-in-class technology in the IAM space, we provide our customers with next-level cybersecurity solutions. Our service portfolio covers Managed Services for IAM, including advisory, architecture, implementation, integration, support, and operations. iC Consult is headquartered in Germany with offices in Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, Spain, Bulgaria, the UK, the U.S., Canada, India, and China. The world's largest brands trust in our expertise, to secure and manage their most valuable assets: their identities.

Contact Information:

Ulli Rottmuller

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

Related Files

230502_iC Consult Americas_Jonathan Edwards.pdf

SOURCE: iC Consult Group

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Swedish Chef Hkan Thornstrom Takes Over for a Two-Night Event at Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk

TOMAHAWK, WI / ACCESSWIRE / May 1, 2023 / In a first for Northern Wisconsin, globally recognized Chef Hakan Thornstrom is traveling from Sweden to bring a world-class culinary experience to Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. The two-night special event, in which Thornstrom will serve as guest chef, will take place on Thursday, May 18, and Friday, May 19, at the fine dining restaurant on Lake Nokomis.

Chef Hakan Thornstrom

Chef Hakan Thornstrom is set as Guest Chef for a two-night event at Bootleggers Lodge in the Northwoods.

Chef Thornstrom was the owner of Thornstrom Kok (Thornstrom Kitchen) in Gothenburg, Sweden, which opened in 1997. The restaurant held a prestigious Michelin Star for 10 years from 2011 to 2021. The chef also founded Thornstroms Private Room and Studio Thornstrom in Gothenberg. Thornstrom has been designated the Nobel Prize Dinner chef, served as chef for the Swedish Royal family, received many awards within Sweden and internationally, and been featured in international competitions, shows and documentaries.

"We're honored and excited to welcome Chef Thornstrom to Bootleggers Lodge. It's our goal to develop menus and create opportunities that elevate the culinary experience for locals and visitors in the Northwoods, and Chef Thornstrom's visit is an example of what we hope to bring to the community," said Chef Maja Holcomb, Head Chef of Bootleggers Lodge.

During Thornstrom's visit, each night will feature a six-course meal of traditional Swedish fare, made with the finest, Wisconsin-sourced ingredients.

"I'm looking forward to visiting a local community in this part of the Midwestern United States and executing a menu that brings together the best of Nordic traditions with some of Wisconsin's culture imbedded," said Chef Thornstrom. "Above all, food brings people together and we hope to bring a memorable experience to Bootleggers Lodge and to this community."

Tickets for the May 18 and May 19 special event with Chef Thornstrom are $150 per guest (plus tax and gratuity), which includes the six-course meal plus Chef-selected wine pairings. Reservations are limited and can be made by calling (715) 453-7971 or emailing [email protected].

Bootleggers Lodge, which came under new ownership in 2021, is a lakeside log cabin restaurant that boasts a long history in the Northwoods going back to the 1920s. For many years, it thrived as Phil's Northwoods Resort when it became a staple for many Wisconsin families who returned for summer vacations year after year. Later, it was purchased and opened as Bootleggers Supper Club, a beloved local supper club for more than two decades. Today, Bootleggers Lodge offers fine, seasonal American fare in a beautifully reimagined, rustic space that features breathtaking, 180-degree views of Lake Nokomis. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @bootleggerslodgewi.

Related Images

Chef Hakan Thornstrom

Chef Hakan Thornstrom is set as Guest Chef for a two-night event at Bootleggers Lodge in the Northwoods. Chef Hakan Thornstrom

Internationally renowned Chef Hakan Thornstrom will Guest Chef for two nights at Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk. A cozy fireplace at Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Bootleggers Lodge offers a warm, rustic chic environment to enjoy a gourmet meal. The bar at Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Bootleggers boasts a Brunswick back bar, originally manufactured in Chicago in 1883, which sits center stage under the framing of hand-hewn timbers and reclaimed barnwood - paying respect to the building practice of the time. Bootleggers Lodge in Tomahawk, Wisconsin

The historic log cabin that is Bootleggers Lodge on Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk has a long history on the lake that goes back to the 1920s.

Contact Information:

Victoria Ricks

Communications

[email protected]

(715) 453-7971

SOURCE: Bootleggers Lodge

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB: XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") announces that it has received its Environment Permit for its Kenville Gold Mine project in southeastern BC.

The Company has received the Final Environmental Permit for discharge under the Environmental Management Act issued to the Company for the Kenville Mine Project by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. This permit authorizes:

Discharge of effluent to ground and surface water from the underground operation.

Associated works including the New Mine Access Portal, Waste Rock Storage Facility, sumps, effluent storage tanks, pipelines, mine contact water collection system, and flow measuring devices.

Photo of rock truck and Longtom to be deployed at Kenville Gold Mine.

Kenville Site: Photo of CEO Christopher Anderson at drink water directly from Discharge Channel

"The Kenville Gold Mine, established in 1888, was one of the first underground gold mines in British Columbia. We have worked tirelessly on obtaining the necessary permits for this specific site, and now we are proud to announce that the Kenville Gold Mine is well on its way to becoming one of the greenest and most sustainable gold mines in Southern British Columbia," says Christopher Anderson, CEO of Ximen Mining.

"With high expectations and a strong sense of commitment, we are working hard to achieve the next phase of milestones, which will ultimately bring the Kenville Gold Mine to fruition. As we move forward, we anticipate providing a steady flow of updates to keep everyone informed," adds Anderson.

The permit includes the following conditions:

Provide surface water runoff control works for all areas of the site where runoff is generated. (Completed & being Review)

Implement the Site-wide Water Management Plan (WMP) and ensure the WMP is kept up-to date. (Completed)

Implement the Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) and review the NMP annually. (Completed)

Conduct a discharge monitoring program (three specified sites) - (Completed)

Conduct a surface water monitoring program (seven sites) - (Completed)

Within 45 days of commencement of discharge, submit a summary report for the water quality results of the discharge from the underground mine. (Completed ready for submission)

The Company is extremely pleased to have received this all-important environmental permit. The required documentation is now being prepared and once approved the authorized works will be constructed and the underground mine development will kick-off.

Technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations:

Sophy Cesar,

604-488-3900,

[email protected]

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen`s two Gold projects, The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under an option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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 to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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: Ximen Mining Corp.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Lotus Ventures Inc. (CSE:J)(OTC PINK:LTTSF) ("Lotus" or the "Company") a North Okanagan based licensed cannabis producer and the owner of Lotus Cannabis Co.", a premium-craft consumer brand in Canada announced the financial and operating results for the six-month period ending February 28, 2023.

The second fiscal quarter marked a significant milestone in the business evolution of Lotus, as the company proudly launched its own Lotus Cannabis Co. " branded flower in the province of British Columbia. Specifically, the Keylime Kush strain was introduced in a variety of formats including a 3.5 gram and a 14 gram flower option, as well as a 3 x 0.5 gram pre-roll option. In light of this development, the following outlines the Company's activities and outcomes achieved during the First Half of Fiscal Year 2023.

Figure 1: The Lotus Keylime Kush Flower and Pre-Roll Lineup

Q1 2023 SALES AND MARKETING OVERVIEW

On January 23rd, 2023, the Company announced the launch of its first official Lotus Cannabis Co. " branded Keylime Kush flower, now available in British Columbia. This latest addition to the product portfolio embodies the Company's commitment to bringing novel cannabis genetics to the legalized Canadian market. The Lotus Keylime Kush is now obtainable in over 115 retail outlets in British Columbia. Its distribution covers a broad area spanning the Okanagan, Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Northern B.C., marking a significant milestone in the Company's sales evolution.

branded Keylime Kush flower, now available in British Columbia. This latest addition to the product portfolio embodies the Company's commitment to bringing novel cannabis genetics to the legalized Canadian market. The Lotus Keylime Kush is now obtainable in over 115 retail outlets in British Columbia. Its distribution covers a broad area spanning the Okanagan, Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Northern B.C., marking a significant milestone in the Company's sales evolution. On February 10th, 2023, Lotus launched the Keylime Kush 3 x 0.5 gram pre-rolls in British Columbia, which have since experienced a strong sell-through and remain highly sought after. The British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) placed an initial order for the pre-rolls that was three times the anticipated size, indicating a significant level of demand from consumers. The first three rounds of pre-rolls sold rapidly in retailers across British Columbia, prompting the BCLDB to place a fourth order to meet consumer demand. As of the current date, the BCCS has sold through six rounds of the Keylime Kush pre-rolls, demonstrating the product's popularity.

On March 10th, 2023, Lotus announced the receipt of approval for the 14 gram Keylime Kush flower SKU which is now available in British Columbia. The introduction of the Keylime Kush 14 gram will complement the existing range of products in BC, which includes the 3.5 gram flower and 3 x 0.5 gram pre-roll SKUs. This expansion in the product lineup will provide consumers with greater flexibility in their purchasing choices while allowing Lotus to capture a larger market share in British Columbia.

The Keylime Kush recently secured approval by the Ontario Cannabis Store for the 2023 Spring Product Call. The initial Keylime Kush LOT has been made available on the Flow Through program for retailers to purchase in Ontario. The first shipments of the Lotus Cannabis Co. branded flower were made in April, marking a noteworthy milestone in the Company's ongoing sales diversification and growth strategy.

During the quarter, Lotus started participating in the ARCannabis Cup, which is a highly anticipated tournament consisting of 128 licensed producers and brands in Canada. ARCannabis is also one of Vancouver's largest cannabis retail chains. As of today, the tournament has concluded with Lotus finishing in 3rd place out of the 128 producers.

Q2 2023 OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Lotus recently completed its 115th production harvest since commencing operations, underscoring the Company's commitment to excellence and quality in its cultivation practices. As part of its ongoing efforts to innovate and introduce new, high-quality cultivars, Lotus has been actively engaged in the cultivation and propagation of new strains. The Company is now in the process of searching for its next cultivars, building upon its rich legacy of introducing innovative and highly sought-after cannabis genetics to the Canadian market. In addition to this, Lotus has completed seven successful harvests of its signature Keylime Kush, a testament to the Company's expertise in cultivating premium cannabis products.

Lotus has maintained its focus on the production and development of its highly coveted Keylime Kush and Black Blossom cannabis cultivars, both of which are available for sale in British Columbia. As pioneers of first-to-market cultivars in the legal Canadian market, Lotus has garnered trust for its ability to consistently produce strains that are both potent and rich in THC and terpene content. The Keylime Kush, for example, has tested as high as 37% in THC content and 3.1% in terpene content, while the Black Blossom has tested up to 30% in THC content and 3.4% in terpene content.

Q2 2023 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

During the three months ended February 28, 2023, the Company recorded revenue of $589,172, or an increase of 307% over the previous quarter. During the quarter, the Company commenced selling its own Lotus branded Keylime Kush cultivar in the British Columbia recreational market.

During the three months ended February 28, 2023 the Company increased its accounts receivable to $413,120 compared to $161,198 compared to the prior quarter.

During the three months ended February 28, 2023 the Company recorded a net loss of $131,035, compared to a net loss of $765,102 in the previous quarter.

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Company had net loss of $896,237 (2022 - $241,420 net income). The financial results of the Company for the eight most recent quarters are summarized below:

Description Three months ended Feb 28, 2023 Three months ended Nov 30, 2022 Three months ended Aug 31, 2022 Three months ended May 31, 2022 Revenues $589,172 $144,603 $449,574 $459,090 Net income (loss) ($131,035) ($765,102) ($4,930,606) ($103,573) Income (loss) per share, basic and diluted $0.00 $0.00 ($0.05) $0.00 EBITDA 86,672 ($570,107) ($4,633,554) $122,671 Total assets $13,959,942 $13,564,565 $13,471,193 $17,640,121 Total long-term liabilities $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil Cash dividends / share $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil

Description Three months ended Feb 28, 2022 Three months ended Nov 30, 2021 Three months ended Aug 31, 2021 Three months ended May 31, 2021 Revenues $370,551 $410,568 $1,235,937 $1,437,763 Net income (loss) $176,127 $65,293 $42,625 $208,893 Income (loss) per share, basic and diluted $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 EBITDA $399,757 $279,830 $264,876 $433,488 Total assets $17,678,148 $17,172,703 $16,907,742 $16,845,615 Total long-term liabilities $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil Cash dividends / share $Nil $Nil $Nil $Nil

For further information regarding the financial statements for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2023, please refer to sedar.com.

ON BEHALF OF LOTUS VENTURES INC:

Lotus Ventures Inc.

"Dale McClanaghan"

Dale McClanaghan, President and CEO

About Lotus Ventures Inc.

Lotus Ventures Inc. is a licensed producer of cannabis based in British Columbia, Canada. The company owns and operates the Lotus Cannabis Co." brand, which has successfully marketed its cannabis through wholesale partners across all provinces in Canada. Lotus is a highly experienced cultivator on a mission to produce the purest and most consistent premium cannabis products in the country. Situated in the North Okanagan region of British Columbia, Lotus Cannabis boasts a talented team that has launched several popular cultivars, including the Keylime Kush, Black Blossom, Tranquil Elephantizer, and Kalifornia. Currently, Lotus' cannabis flower is available for purchase in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

To invest in the Company, Lotus Ventures Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:J), on the OTC Markets (OTC:LTTSF) and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA:LV9).

For More Information:

President & CEO

Dale McClanaghan

(604) - 644 - 9844

Investor Relations

Daniel McRobert

[email protected]

(604) - 842 - 4625

General Information

[email protected]

(604) - 842 - 4625

To learn more, visit lotuscannabis.ca and follow the Lotus Cannabis Co." brand on social media.

Instagram: @lotuscannabisco

Twitter: @lotuscannabisco

LinkedIn: @lotuscannabisco

Facebook: @lotuscanna

Forward-Looking Information:

This document includes certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts but are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, our future operating results, our expectations regarding the market for medical and recreational cannabis products, our expectations regarding the continued growth of the medical and recreational cannabis market, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions, or beliefs about future events. Users are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties have not been documented or mentioned in this document nor other communications made by the company. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "targets," "optimistic," "intend," "aim," "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Lotus Ventures Inc.

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Metalite Resources Inc. (CSE:METL)(OTC PINK:JNCCF)(Frankfurt:5VHA) ("Metalite" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its new exploration strategy after completion of its recent acquisition of Next Generation Resources ("NextGen"). The NextGen acquisition provides Metalite with immediate access to an extensive portfolio of properties covering 3,233 square kilometres which are prospective for lithium, and other rare earth elements (REEs) in Liberia, West Africa. In addition, Metalite has acquired NextGen's team of professionals with over 15 years' experience in Liberia and access to a fully functional base of operations in Monrovia including geological, logistical, financial and administrative teams to support the Company's exploration programs. The geological team has the capacity and capability to complete cost-effective evaluations and acquire additional licenses with demonstrated potential.

Mr. Dave Melling, Metalite's CEO commented "The acquisition of NextGen is an important step in building shareholder value. In one transaction the Company has acquired 7 reconnaissance licences prospective for battery metals, as well as the personnel and infrastructure to complete the exploration work. The global demand for lithium is steadily increasing and pushing the price of lithium carbonate to new highs. Lithium consumption is expected to rise exponentially over the coming decade, largely driven by consumer demand for electric vehicles, and the growing shift towards renewable sources of energy."

Dave Melling and Efdal Olcer Metalite's VP Exploration have just completed 3-weeks of reconnaissance field work covering all 7 of the Company's mineral licences in Liberia. The primary goal of this work was to develop an exploration plan and budget for the remainder of 2023. The envisaged exploration program will include up to 15,000 soils samples and 1,000 stream sediment samples in concert with geologic mapping, prospecting, and rock sampling. A key element of the program will be mapping all artisanal mining sites with emphasis placed on Coltan, a niobium-tantalum mineral commonly associated with LCT Pegmatites and gold. The sampling programs will be initiated in June and should be completed by December 2023. The results of this work will define targets for follow up work which will include trenching and drilling programs in 2023.

The information in this news release was compiled and reviewed by David Melling, P.Geo who acts as Metalite's Qualified Person, under National Instrument 43-101 rules for mineral deposit disclosure. Mr. Melling is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo) and a registered member of the Engineer and Geoscientists of British Columbia (no. 18999) a Recognized Professional Organization. Mr. Melling is Metalite's CEO and has sufficient experience relevant to the crystallization of lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) type pegmatite deposits under evaluation.

About Metalite Resources Inc.

Metalite Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior mineral exploration issuer uniquely positioned to generate incremental shareholder value through its vast battery metals focused license portfolio in Liberia, West Africa and an extensive precious metals focused project portfolio in NSW, Australia. The Company has 6 Australian projects covering over 600 sq km's in NSW and includes 67 historical mines and prospects focused on Gold and Silver, along with various indicator minerals that occur along with these precious metals.With the recent acquisition of Next Generation Resources with over 3,200 sq. km of land position in Liberia, the Company has amassed a set of 7 highly prospective licenses that show evidence of high-potential mineralization containing various lucrative metals, including Lithium, REEs, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Aluminium and Gold.

For further information please contact:

Ryan Bilodeau

(416) 910-1440

[email protected]

To learn more, please visit https://www.metaliteresources.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historic fact, that address activities, events or developments that Metalite believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate, "expect," and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "can," "should," "could," or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of Metalite based on information currently available to Metalite. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of Metalite to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on Metalite. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, failure to successfully complete financings, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, production rates varying from estimates, changes in world mineral commodity markets, changes in equity markets, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, imprecision in resource estimates, success of future development initiatives, competition, operating performance of facilities, environmental and safety risks, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain tenure to properties and/or necessary permits and approvals, and other development and operating risks. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Metalite disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although Metalite believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

SOURCE: Metalite Resources Inc.

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QUEBEC, QC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTC PINK:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), announced today that it will not be in a position to file its audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related officer certifications for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (collectively the "Annual Filings") on or before the filing deadline of May 1, 2023, as required under applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company has been delayed in meeting the deadline for its Annual Filings due to delays associated with the auditing of the Company's new subsidiaries in Africa and Mauritius which are required to be audited in connection with the closing of the Company's proposed loan agreements with European Investment Bank and Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd. As a result, the Company applied for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). An MCTO has been granted by the Company's principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC").

The MCTO restricts trading in securities of the Company by management of the Company until such time as the Annual Filings have been filed by the Company and the MCTO is no longer in effect. The MCTO does not affect the ability of shareholders to trade their securities and the general investing public will continue to be able to trade in the Company's common shares. However, the Company's CEO and CFO will not be able to trade the Company's common shares until such time as the Annual Filings have been filed and all continuous disclosure requirements have been satisfied by the Company, and the MCTO has been revoked by the BCSC.

The Company is working diligently with its auditors and the Company expects to have the audit of the Annual Filings completed no later than May 12, 2023. The Company will issue a news release once the Annual Filings have been filed. The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of section 4.4 of NP 12-203 and issue bi-weekly default status reports for so long as the Company remains in default of the financial statement filing requirement. Such report will disclose any material changes to the information in this release; all actions taken by the Company to remedy the default; particulars of any failure by the Company to fulfill these provisions; any subsequent defaults of the Company requiring a default announcement; and any other material information concerning the affairs of the Company not previously disclosed. The Company is not be subject to any insolvency proceedings nor is there in other material information concerning the affairs of the Issuer that has not been generally disclosed.

About NuRAN Wireless:

NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time."

Additional Information:

For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com

Francis Ltourneau,

Director and CEO

[email protected]

Tel: (418) 264-1337

Frank Candido

Investor relations

[email protected]

Tel: (514) 969-5530

Cautionary Statement: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. 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 such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as the uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and measures to prevent its spread, risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NAAS service contracts; the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to deal with global supply shortages for telecommunication equipment and its ability to find alternate suppliers; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NAAS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company's expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing the Company's non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: NuRAN Wireless Inc.

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The government of Quebec and 6 individual investors enter the capital of Pharma in silica

QUEBEC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Quebec - Pharma in silica inc. announces today the closing of a $ 2,000,000 funding to continue the development of OpPacli, an original nanomedicine developed to provide patients suffering from certain solid cancers with a well-tolerated and more efficient chemotherapy.

Pharma in Silica Logo (CNW Group/Pharma in Silica)

The round was led by Mr. Alexandre Grenier, a businessman and specialist in the marketing of pharmaceuticals. He joined the venture because "the oncological arsenal will remain incomplete as long as patients undergo degrading side effects and the perfectible efficiency of chemotherapy." Six new individual shareholders brought $ 750,000; two of the historic shareholders and the co -founders of the company, SiliCycle and Francois Arcand, also participated in the round.

The Quebec government has invested $ 1,000,000 in the company via its program Impulsion PME, for which Investissement Quebec acts as an agent.

"Through this investment, our government contributes to the development of a novel treatment for cancer patients, in addition to stimulating the development of the biopharmaceutical sector in the national capital and the whole of Quebec. With its new component devoted to this sector, the Impulsion PME program will support more promising young companies like Pharma in silica," said the deputy for Vanier - Les Rivieres and parliamentary assistant to the minister of Higher Education, Mr. Mario Asselin.

"Investissement Quebec is proud to support promising young companies such as Pharma in silica, which are in key sectors of our economy and which help strengthen Quebec's expertise.", underlines Guy Leblanc, chairman and CEO of Investissement Quebec

The funds will be devoted to the preclinical study of OpPacli (optimized paclitaxel) and to the requests for authorization of a multicenter Canada/United States clinical study (patients suffering from advanced non-small cells lung carcinoma (NSCLC)). The work is carried out by a multidisciplinary team of 10 scientists, university collaborators and seasoned consultants.

Story continues

For Francois Arcand, the president of the company, "this investment propels OpPacli towards our ultimate goal: to improve the lives of patients."

About Pharma in silica inc.

Laboratoires Pharma in silica inc. is a preclinical stage pharmaceutical development company established in the Quebec Parc Technologique s. Since 2019, it is developing the OpPacli nanocarrier under the leadership of Francois Arcand, an experienced life-sciences entrepreneur (Medicago, Plant-made pharmaceutical Conferences, ERA Biotech). The OpPacli nanocarrier is a nanometric-scale silica sphere designed to increase the efficiency and reduce the toxicity of the paclitaxel, a cytotoxic molecule used to treat several cancers. Certain solid tumors (lung, breast, then ovary, pancreas, liver) are the first targets of OpPacli. Pharma in silica has established strategic collaborations, namely with Silicycle (material chemistry) and CHU de Quebec/ Universiite Laval (cellular and murine studies, imaging).

SOURCE Pharma in Silica

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2023/02/c8587.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Quest Diagnostics

On Thursday, April 13, Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) collaborated with the Health Coalition of Passaic County (HCPC)'s Women's Health Task Force to host a community walk to raise awareness of health disparities among Black women.

In honor of Black Women's Maternal Health Week, the event, which was held at East Side Park in Paterson, NJ, was Q4HE's second community event supporting the HCPC and Black Women's Maternal Health Week. Volunteers and members of the HCPC's Task Force walked alongside community members and provided educational materials and resources to support the community.

In addition, Q4HE provided educational resources from other grantees, including Sesame Workshop, the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and March of Dimes.

HCPC's Healthy Women Task Force teamed up with Q4HE and several other community collaborators including the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ, Passaic County Department of Health Services, North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Oasis-A Haven for Women and Children, New Destiny Family Success Centers, Passaic County Community College, Heart of Hannah Women's Center, and St. Mary's General Hospital.

"Working with the HCPC perfectly aligns with our new Purpose of creating a healthier world, one life at a time," said Bonnie Reyna, Director, Q4HE at Quest Diagnostics. "We are proud to work with and support important organizations like HCPC's Healthy Women Task Force to help close gaps in health disparities and raise awareness of the health issues that affect so many."

To learn more about HCPC's work in Passaic County, New Jersey, click here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Quest Diagnostics on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Quest Diagnostics

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/quest-diagnostics

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Revolve Renewable Power Corp. (TSXV:REVV) ("Revolve" or the "Company") an owner, operator and developer of renewable energy projects is pleased to announce that it plans to release its Q3, 2023 financial statements on May 30, 2023 before the markets open at 8am Eastern Time.

The Company will publish its Q3 financial statements along with supplementary information providing an update on the business.

About Revolve

Revolve was formed in 2012 to capitalize on the growing global demand for renewable power. Revolve develops utility-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects in the US and Mexico with a portfolio of approx. 2,350MW under development. The Company has a second division, Revolve Renewable Business Solutions which installs and operates sub 20MW "behind the meter" distributed generation (or "DG") assets. Revolve Renewable Business Solutions currently has an operating portfolio of 2.85MW with an additional 6.2MW under construction phase and 71.8MW under development.

Revolve has an accomplished management team with a demonstrated track record of taking projects from "greenfield" through to "ready to build" (or "RTB") status and successfully concluding project sales to large operators of utility-scale renewable energy projects. To-date, Revolve has developed and sold over 1,550MW of projects.

Going forward, Revolve is targeting 5,000MW of utility-scale projects under development in the US and Mexico, and in parallel is rapidly growing its portfolio of revenue-generating DG (distributed generation) assets.

For further information contact:

Steve Dalton, CEO

[email protected]

Or

Sunita Prasad

VP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Phone: +1 778-885-5550

[email protected]

Forward Looking Information

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to the Company's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to the extent of regulations pertaining to the Company's projects and Revolve's ability to continue as going concern. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information, including but not limited to: the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises, including COVID-19; labour availability; disruptions to the Company's supply chains; changes to regulatory environment, including interpretation of production tax credits; armed hostilities and geopolitical conflicts; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; risks related to the development and potential development of the Company's projects; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the availability of tax incentives in connection with the development of renewable energy projects and the sale of electrical energy; as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings on SEDAR. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Revolve. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Revolve as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Revolve does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Revolve Renewable Power Corp.

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VANCOUVER, BC and HONG KONG, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Reyna Silver Corp. (TSXV:RSLV)(OTCQX:RSNVF)(FRA:4ZC) ("Reyna'' or the "Company") is pleased to announce an update on its 2023 exploration programs at Batopilas, Medicine Springs and Guigui. Results from the previous drilling programs at each project triggered further studies as part of the reiterative process implicit in advancing strategic district-scale targeting. The work on all three projects has resulted in new targets for drilling this year.

"We look forward to advancing exploration on all three projects in the coming season, starting with drilling at Batopilas based on detailed geophysics, pioneering sampling and detailed structural studies. Then we'll be following up our 2022 reconnaissance drilling at Medicine Springs with airborne geophysics to help define drill targets for this summer," said Jorge Ramiro Monroy, CEO of Reyna Silver. "At Guigui, we are excitedly awaiting results from our recent geophysical surveys and to begin our collaboration with the University of British Columbia's MDRU Carbonate Footprints Research study alongside MAG Silver, Eldorado Gold, Anglo-American, and Rio Tinto. We are fully permitted and expect to drill at Guigui in the Fall."

Batopilas

The 1,850 ha Batopilas Project encompasses Mexico's historically highest-grade Silver District, which produced 300 Moz at average grades of 1,500 g/t Ag with Native Silver as the main ore mineral. The project seeks significant undiscovered portions of the mineralized system, including previously unrecognized gold-rich mineralization.

Initial exploration focused on tracing known structures to the northeast of the historic mining area. Trenching along these structures revealed Silver mineralization grading 305 g/t to 42,302 g/t Ag, as well as, significant gold mineralization with assays as high as 21.4 g/t Au (see Press Release from February 4, 2021). This was the first time significant gold was found in the district.

Follow-up drilling at Hole BA21-30, intercepted 3.2 m (core length) grading 703 g/t Ag and 3.03 g/t Au and the discovery of the NE-trending Cobriza vein (see Press Release from September 8, 2021).

Continuing along this northeast trend, Hole BA21-34 intersected 0.25m grading 36.1 g/t Au, verified by Metallic Screen Assaying (see Press Release from April 12, 2022).

Hole BA21-42A in the Orochi area cut 3.65m of 8.1 g/t Au at 180m downhole.

These results made it apparent that gold was a new significant element to the Batopilas district. Understanding how it fits within the district's overall framework is now critical to exploring this famous Native Silver district. The gold mineralization appears to originate from a different mineralizing event that utilized the same structures as the silver mineralization, but the gold mineralization is hosted in quartz veins, unlike the calcite, which hosts the native silver mineralization of the famous Batopilas ore shoots. The spatial overlap provides an exploration opportunity to leverage the gold mineralization to better understand the silver mineralization.

Work conducted since the discovery of mineable widths and grades of gold in Batopilas includes:

A detailed selective sampling program involving over 2,600 samples collected from old mine workings along previously underexplored structures and outcrops. The first 1,500 samples revealed: additional gold mineralization southeast of the historic district; additional structures carrying a combination of gold and silver mineralization; and recognition of surface expressions of mineralized structures (See Press Release from September 13, 2022)

Detailed AMT geophysics to outline major structures and features that may control vein orientation and location of mineralization.

Underground and surface structural studies conducted by expert ore deposits geologists to understand the historic ore shoots' geometry and the mineralization surface expressions- including the newly identified gold-bearing structures.

The Reyna Silver team looks forward to drilling again once the final combining of the historical data, drill results, and detailed follow-up work is complete. The preliminary plan is to drill a minimum of 3,000m; logistical preparations are underway and drilling should commence in the coming weeks.

Medicine Springs

An early-stage Carbonate Replacement Deposit (CRD) project, Medicine Springs has the potential to hold the full CRD-Porphyry continuum. Reconnaissance drilling in 2022 successfully determined that critical elements necessary to form a large, high-grade CRD existed within the 4,831 ha project in Elko Co, Nevada. The project now shows 11 of the 13 key features associated with large, high-grade CRDs; subsequent work continues to affirm Medicine Springs has potential as a major CRD district. Results include:

Systematic selective sampling of jasperoids (see Press Release of January 10, 2022) that outlined a 3.5x5 kilometre zone of anomalous Silver, Lead-Zinc, and Copper indicative of a large, long-lived, multi-phase system at depth. Jasperoids (siliceous replacements of carbonates) are typically seen in the most distal portions of CRD fluid pathways. Silver values in the jasperoids graded as high as 400 - 1,200 g/t Ag suggesting richly-endowed mineralizing fluids.

Phase 1 drilling design incorporated testing those jasperoid-hosted geochemical Hole MS-22-001 intersected 2.4 metres grading 1,021 g/t Ag (29.7 Oz/t).



anomalies to trace mineralization pathways to depth (see Press Release of January 17th, 2023).

Hole MS-22-002, drilled 1.75km southwest of 22-001 cut 7.4m grading 186 g/t Ag including 4.7m grading 274 g/t Ag (8.5 Oz/t).

A critical early-stage CRD exploration focus is to determine that there is sufficient thickness of carbonates to host a significant replacement deposit. Holes in Phase 1 drilling at Medicine Springs were allowed to run deep for that express purpose and all four holes were dominated by thick sections of carbonate host rocks. Hole MS-22-001 was drilled in the Golden Pipe target area and cut carbonates for most of its 787 metres length (see Press Release of January 17th, 2023).

Hole MS-22-002, 1.75 kilometres farther to the southwest, also cut carbonate throughout most of its 457 m length.

The results from the reconnaissance drilling highlighted that Medicine Springs has the potential for scalable, high-grade mineralization and deserves ongoing expanded exploration. Considering the positive results from the widely spaced initial drilling, the exploration team determined that an airborne geophysical survey will help map important aspects of the system framework at depth. That survey will be flown soon to aid in refining the drill targets for the minimum 3,000m 2023 Drilling program, expected to begin this summer.

Guigui

The Guigui project covers 4,750 ha in the middle of the world-class Santa Eulalia CRD District - 500 Moz of silver, 4.2 Mt Pb, and 3.6 Mt Zn from 50 MT of ore. That historic production came from the "distal" portion of the Carbonate Replacement Deposit Continuum, but the source and proximal skarn have yet to be discovered. Previous in-depth work in the district suggests the source lies in the Guigui area, which is historically under-explored due to pre-mineral volcanic cover.

Phases 1 and 2 of drilling at Guigui revealed critical components of an important CRD system:

Identifying a new intrusive unit - a quartz-eye rhyolite - an advanced, fluid-rich, multi-phase intrusive style commonly associated with large, high-grade CRD deposits. While it is not the source of the system, it is probably close and the skarn mineralization along the base of the intrusive indicates proximity to the source intrusive.

Multi-stage skarn mineralization - notably intersected for almost 55 metres in Hole GG21-28 - signaling the passage of multiple packets of hot, acid fluids moving through the area.

The bottom 15.8m of that skarn was sulphide-rich ,with separate Silver, Lead-Zinc, Copper, and Zinc stages - indicative of multiple stages and higher temperature - again suggesting proximity to the source.

Follow-up drilling identified a 0.5 sq. km skarn footprint that remains open in all directions.

In addition, drilling cut sub-vertical silver-bearing sulphide veins within the 1200m thick limestone section. Known as "feeder-bleeder" structures, these are commonly found in CRDs and can often be traced into massive sulphide mineralization. Drilling later this year will target several of these.

Following these significant findings, the exploration team used this new information to ground-truth existing data, especially mapping and geophysics. They determined that a more detailed geophysical study was needed, so an NSAMT survey (Natural Source Audio MagnetoTellurics) was recently executed. The team awaits the final interpretations to integrate into the developing drill-target model for the Phase 3 Drilling Program this year. In addition, Reyna Silver is pleased to be participating in the University of British Columbia's, MDRU "Carbonate Footprints Research Study". This project focuses on identifying important exploration vectors in Carbonate-hosted deposits and has already been used to make or enhance discoveries. The Reyna team looks forward to collaborating with researchers alongside MAG Silver, Eldorado Gold, Anglo-American, and Rio Tinto.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Dr. Peter Megaw, Ph.D., C.P.G., the Company's Chief Exploration Advisor and Qualified Person, reviewed the technical aspects of the exploration projects described herein and is responsible for the design and conduct of the exploration program and the verification and quality assurance of analytical results. Dr. Megaw is not independent as he and/or companies with which he is affiliated hold Net Smelter Royalties on the Guigui and Batopilas Projects that predate Reyna Silver acquiring them.

ABOUT REYNA SILVER

Reyna Silver Corp. (TSXV: RSLV) is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company focused on exploring for high-grade, district-scale silver deposits in Mexico and USA.

Reyna's principal properties are the Guigui and Batopilas Properties in Chihuahua, Mexico. Guigui covers the interpreted source area for the Santa Eulalia Carbonate Replacement District (CRD) and Batopilas covers most of Mexico's historically highest-grade silver system. The Company also has an option to acquire 100% of the Medicine Springs property in Nevada, USA, as well as the early-stage La Durazno and Matilde and La Reyna mineral properties in Mexico.

Cautionary Statements

This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. All statements other than statements of historical fact herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding exploration results and plans, and our other future plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, our estimates of exploration investment, the scope of our exploration programs, and our expectations of ongoing administrative costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and future events and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time via SEDAR with the Canadian regulatory agencies to whose policies we are bound. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should conditions or our estimates or opinions change, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks associated with mineral exploration, price volatility in the mineral commodities we seek, and operational and political risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Reyna Silver Corp.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Strategic Resources, Rush Rare Metals, ARway Corp, SPC Nickel, Liberty Defense Holdings, Adamera Minerals and Candente Copper 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.

Strategic Resources (TSXV:SR), a new critical metals player with big backers

For the full interview with Sean Cleary and to learn about Strategic Resources, click here.

Rush Announces Expansion of Claim Area at Boxi Property in Quebec

RUSH RARE METALS CORP. is pleased to announce that it has expanded the claim area around its wholly owned Boxi Property located 70 km north of Mont Laurier, Quebec, in a district well known for rare earth and lithium prospects.

For the full interview with Pete Smith and to learn about Rush Rare Metals, click here.

ARway.ai Announces Magic Leap AR Glasses Integration

ARway Corporation is disrupting the Augmented Reality Wayfinding market with a no-code, no beacon augmented reality experience platform enabled by visual marker tracking. ARway is pleased to announce it has begun integration development and expects to complete the integration in the next 60-days for one of the most widely used AR Glasses; Magic Leap Glasses.

For the full interview with Evan Gappelberg and to learn about ARway, click here.

SPC Nickel (TSXV:SPC) reports positive new assay results from West Graham Nickel and Copper Project in Sudbury, Ontario

SPC Nickel Corp., is pleased to announce new assay results from its Phase 1 drilling campaign, including the complete assay results from hole WG-23-026, at the recently consolidated West Graham and Crean Hill 3 properties located in the world-class Nickel-Copper mining district of Sudbury, Ontario.

For the full interview with Grant Mourre and to learn about SPC Nickel Corp, click here.

Liberty Provides an Update on its Recent Sales Activity

Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. , a leading technology provider of AI-based next generation detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats, is pleased to provide an update on its sales activities.

For the full interview with Bill Frain and to learn about Liberty Defense Holdings, click here.

Adamera Identifies New Gold Targets on South Hedley Property

Adamera Minerals Corp. has identified two extensive gold in soil targets on the South Hedley Property, 5 kilometres south of the Mascot and Nickel Plate gold mines near Hedley, British Columbia.

For the full interview with Mark Kolebaba and to learn about Adamera Minerals, click here.

Candente Copper Outlines Plans for 2023

Candente Copper Corp. is very pleased to provide an update and plans for 2023 as it advances its 100% owned Caariaco Copper Project located in Northern Peru.

For the full interview with Joanne Freeze and to learn about Candente Copper, 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 visita The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Tinka Resources Limited ("Tinka" or the "Company") (TSXV & BVL:TK)(OTCQB:TKRFF) is pleased to announce results for four drill holes from the ongoing resource expansion and exploration drill program at the Company's Ayawilca project in Peru. Highlights include a new intersection of high-grade silver mineralization from the "Silver Zone" in hole A23-220 located on the edge of the massive sulphide "Zinc Zone" at South Ayawilca. The Silver Zone has been reinterpreted with data from current and previous drill holes to have been emplaced along a northeast-trending sub-vertical fault bordering the massive sulphides. High-grade, structurally controlled, silver mineralization is confirmed along a strike length of approximately 250 metres, open along-strike in both directions and at depth.

Key Highlights:

New "Silver Zone" drill hole intercepts:

Hole A23-220

29.5 metres at 182 g/t silver, 2.4% zinc & 0.8% lead from 289.65 metres depth, including 7.1 metres at 604 g/t silver, 2.7% zinc & 1.6% lead from 310.9 metres depth, including 0.65 metres at 2,565 g/t silver, 4.2% zinc & 5.7% lead from 313.7 metres depth.

The Silver Zone is interpreted as a northeast-trending structure on the edge of the Zinc Zone sulphides along a strike length of approximately 250 metres.

A follow-up drill hole targeting a 100-metre extension of the Silver Zone is in progress.

Mineralization is associated with a low abundance of sulphide minerals including ruby silvers' with sphalerite and galena in a carbonate-rich vein matrix.

Hole A17-095

8.7 metres at 135g/t Ag, 1.1% Zn & 0.6% Pb from 307.3 metres depth.

Silver Zone intercepts previously released:

Hole A17-072

11.5 metres at 781 g/t silver, 2.9% zinc & 2.3% lead from 294.5 metres depth, including 2.0 metres at 3,167 g/t silver, 5.6% zinc & 5.5% lead from 302.0 metres depth.



Hole A19-167

29.6 metres at 152 g/t silver, 3.1% zinc & 0.4% lead from 412.7 metres depth in hole A19-167, including 7.3 metres at 366 g/t silver, 4.9% zinc & 0.5% lead from 412.7 metres depth, including 1.7 metres at 1,130 g/t silver, 14.5% zinc & 0.3% lead from 412.7 metres depth.



True thicknesses of the intercepts in the Silver Zone are estimated to be 65-75% of the downhole thicknesses.

Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, stated: "The Silver Zone intersection in hole A23-220 is important for the Ayawilca project as it highlights the potential for high-grade structurally-controlled silver mineralization hosted within a steeply-dipping northeast-trending fault on the edge of the massive sulphides at South Ayawilca that has seen limited past drilling. So far, silver mineralization is defined over 250 metres of the structure and remains open in both directions to the east and west. A follow-up drill hole is in progress, targeting a further 100 metre strike extension of the Silver Zone to the east as well as additional Zinc Zone mineralization."

Dr. Carman continued: "Seven infill drill holes targeting high-grade Zinc Zone mineralization predominantly at West Ayawilca remain to be reported. The drill hole information is currently being compiled and we expect to have final results reported in May."

A total of 11,350 metres have now been drilled for 33 drill holes in the 2022-23 resource definition drill program at Ayawilca, mostly at the West and South Ayawilca areas. Two holes at Central were drilled for the dual purposes of exploration and hydrological studies. A drill hole map showing all holes in the 2022-23 drill program is shown in Figure 1. A map focussing on the Silver Zone intersection drill holes only is shown in Figure 2.

Geological discussion of the "Silver Zone"

The new high-grade drill intercept in A23-220 has led to a reinterpretation of silver-rich intersections in several other holes at Ayawilca which have a low sulphur content with relatively minor sphalerite and galena but contain visible silver sulphides (including pyrargyrite also known as ruby silver') and abundant hydrothermal carbonate. Following a detailed review of past drill holes, this style of mineralization is believed to be structurally controlled and emplaced along a northeast-trending fault zone (the "060 Fault") on the northern flank of the massive sulphide mineralization at South Ayawilca. Four drill holes are interpreted to have intersected the Silver Zone along the 060 Fault within the favourable Pucara limestone host. These Silver Zone drill intersections include:

Hole A23-220: 29.5 metres at 182 g/t Ag, 2.4% Zn & 0.8% Pb from 289.65 metres (including 7.1 m at 604 g/t Ag 2.7% Zn & 1.6% Pb from 310.9 metres (new drill hole);

from 310.9 metres (new drill hole); Hole A17-095: 8.7 metres at 135 g/t Ag, 1.1% Zn & 0.6% Pb from 307.3 metres (new intercept in past hole);

Hole 17-072: 11.5 metres at 781 g/t Ag, 2.9% Zn & 2.3% Pb from 294.5 metres (including 2.0 m at 3,167 g/t Ag, 5.6% Zn and 5.5% Pb from 302 metres); See previous news release dated July 17, 2017

from 302 metres); See previous news release dated July 17, 2017 Hole A19-167: 29.6 metres at 152 g/t Ag, 3.1% Zn & 0.4% Pb from 412.7 metres (including 7.3 m at 366 g/t Ag, 4.9% Zn & 0.5% Pb from 412.7 metres). See previous news release dated October 8, 2019

True thicknesses of the Silver Zone intercepts are estimated to between 65-75% of the downhole thicknesses.

The Silver Zone mineralization has so far been identified along a 250 metres strike length of the northeast-trending structure. A follow-up hole to A23-220 is in progress to test a further 100 m strike extension of the silver mineralization in hole A23-223. A cross section of the Silver Zone mineralization intersected in hole A23-220 is shown in Figure 3. A longitudinal section along the 060 Fault highlights the along-strike potential of the Silver Zone in Figure 4.

The Silver Zone mineralization is interpreted to have occurred late-stage in the mineralization history at Ayawilca (i.e., post main-stage zinc). The silver-rich mineralization is relatively low in total sulphide content (Figure 5.

Other new Zinc Zone drill results from South Ayawilca include:

Hole A23-218: 66.85 metres at 6.4% zinc from 229.0 metres depth, including 11.9 metres at 11.4% zinc from 231.4 metres depth; and 7.1 metres at 14.8% zinc from 272.9 metres depth.

Hole A23-220: 10.55 metres at 9.6% zinc from 269.45 metres depth.

Hole A23-221: 13.8 metres at 6.8% zinc from 290.0 metres depth.

True thicknesses of the mineralized intercepts are estimated to be between 65-75% of the downhole thicknesses.

Table 1. Summary of new drill hole results in this news release (all from South Ayawilca)

Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Zn % Pb % Ag g/t In ppm Comment A23-218 229.05 295.90 66.85 6.41 0.04 11 199 Zinc Zone incl 231.40 243.30 11.90 11.42 0.05 16 295 and 272.90 280.00 7.10 14.79 0.08 27 795 A23-220 269.45 280.00 10.55 9.55 0.07 15 248 Zinc Zone and 289.65 319.12 29.50 2.37 0.82 182 9 Silver Zone incl 310.90 318.00 7.10 2.74 1.61 604 6 incl 313.70 314.35 0.65 4.16 5.72 2565 - A23-221 143.25 144.25 1.00 13.58 0.17 29 66 and 290.20 304.00 13.80 6.77 0.03 11 119 Zinc Zone A17-095 307.30 316.00 8.70 1.10 0.60 135 - Silver Zone

Note on sampling and assaying

Drill holes are diamond HQ size core holes with recoveries generally above 80% and often close to 100%. The drill core is marked up, logged, and photographed on site. The cores are cut in half at the Company's core storage facility, with half-cores stored as a future reference. Half-core was bagged on average over 1 to 2 metre composite intervals and sent to SGS laboratory in Lima for assay in batches. Standards and blanks were inserted by Tinka into each batch prior to departure from the core storage facilities. At the laboratory samples are dried, crushed to 100% passing 2mm, then 500 grams pulverized for multi-element analysis by ICPMS using multi-acid digestion. Samples assaying over 1% zinc, lead, or copper and over 100 g/t silver were re-assayed using precise ore-grade AAS techniques. Samples within massive sulphide zones were also assayed for tin using fusion and AAS finish.

The Qualified Person, Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has reviewed and verified the technical contents of this release.

Readers are encouraged to read the NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled "Ayawilca Polymetallic Project, Central Peru, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment" available for download on Tinka's website at www.tinkaresources.com. The Technical Report was prepared by Mining Plus Peru S.A.C. ("Mining Plus") as principal consultant, Transmin Metallurgical Consultants ("Transmin"), Envis E.I.R.L ("Envis"), and SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd ("SLR").

Figure 1. Drill hole map of all 2022-2023 holes at Ayawilca highlighting 2021 Indicated Zinc Zone Resources

Figure 2. Drill hole map of South Ayawilca highlighting Silver Zone intersection holes only

Figure 3. Cross section highlighting recent drill hole A23-220 (looking northeast)

Figure 4. Longitudinal section of the Silver Zone along the 060 Fault (looking northwest)

Figure 5. Silver Zone sulphide mineralization (sphalerite, galena, pyrargyrite) and textures in cores from A23-220 and A17-072

Table 2. Drill hole details for 2022-2023 drill program including drill collar coordinate information

Drill hole Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth m Area Comment A22-190 333281 8845755 4167 180 -50 498.95 Central Results reported A22-191 333169 8845799 4182 180 -55 478.80 Central Results reported A22-192 333345 8845195 4208 232 -74 385.90 South Results reported A22-193 332766 8845659 4237 68 -65 365.40 West Results reported A22-194 333143 8845231 4226 135 -73 380.20 South Results reported A22-195 333149 8845353 4221 148 -65 426.90 South Results reported A22-196 333035 8845307 4235 174 -45 382.10 South Results reported A22-197 332912 8845693 4220 264 -55 412.60 West Results reported A22-198 332900 8845768 4222 265 -53 451.10 West Results reported A22-199 333046 8845067 4195 303 -66 344.10 South Results reported A22-200 332821 8845889 4246 260 -58 352.00 West Results reported A22-201 333342 8845195 4208 310 -73 58.90 South (deepen-ing of A17-066) Results reported A22-202 333046 8845066 4197 283 -52 270.15 South Results reported A22-203 332839 8845685 4228 264 -60 350.00 West Results reported A22-204 333090 8845061 4196 307 -60 334.30 South Results reported A22-205 332839 8845685 4227 244 -72 352.70 West Results reported A22-206 333044 8845064 4197 270 -58 217.30 South Results reported A22-207 332710 8845883 4252 254 -74 332.00 West Results reported A22-208 333044 8845064 4197 270 -70 282.55 South Results reported A22-209 332738 8845927 4251 257 -68 314.15 West Results reported A22-210 333047 8845065 4197 297 -48 259.80 South Results reported A22-211 332785 8845707 4236 260 -75 295.00 West Results pending A23-212 333047 8845065 4197 228 -79 324.30 South Results reported A23-213 332853 8845650 4225 258 -65 316.00 West Results pending A23-214 332710 8845883 4252 255 -67 287.10 West Results pending A23-215 333047 8845065 4197 180 -80 295.10 South Results reported A23-216 332710 8845883 4252 220 -73 310.00 West Results pending A23-217 332853 8845650 4225 240 -78 300.00 West Results pending A23-218 333109 8845020 4190 330 -75 323.70 South Results HERE A23-219 333219 8845582 4182 180 -85 336.80 Central Results pending A23-220 333047 8845065 4197 308 -62 328.10 South Results HERE A23-221 333118 8845102 4207 332 -69 400.60 South Results HERE A23-222 333653 8845721 4119 180 -90 349.90 Central Hydrology hole A23-223 333118 8845102 4207 335 -62 230.00 South In progress TOTAL 11,346.50

Notes: Datum for coordinates is WGS84 Zone 18S. Azimuth is true azimuth

On behalf of the Board, "Graham Carman" Dr. Graham Carman, President & CEO Further Information:

www.tinkaresources.com Mariana Bermudez 1.604.685.9316

[email protected] Stay up to date by subscribing for news alerts at Contact Tinka and by following Tinka on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Tinka Resources Limited

Tinka is an exploration and development company with its flagship property being the 100%-owned Ayawilca zinc-silver-tin project in central Peru. The Zinc Zone deposit has an estimated Indicated Mineral Resource of 19.0 Mt @ 7.15% Zn, 16.8 g/t Ag & 0.2% Pb and Inferred Mineral Resource of 47.9 Mt @ 5.4% Zn, 20.0 g/t Ag & 0.4% Pb (dated August 30, 2021). The Ayawilca Tin Zone has an estimated Inferred Mineral Resource of 8.4 Mt grading 1.0% Sn. Tinka is currently completing an 11,500 metre resource definition drill program at West Ayawilca and South Ayawilca Zinc Zone.

Forward Looking Statements: Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of Tinka as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Tinka's management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations: timing of planned work programs and results varying from expectations; delay in obtaining results; changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions; imprecision in resource estimates or metal recoveries; success of future development initiatives; competition and operating performance; environmental and safety risks; the Company's expectations regarding the Ayawilca Project PEA; the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from local authorities; community agreements and relations; and, other development and operating risks. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Although Tinka believes that assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Tinka disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release

SOURCE: Tinka Resources Ltd.

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Smartphones have become an integral component of the growth of hotel productivity and ensure employee safety and engagement.

ARCADIA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / WrkSpot's CEO and Founder, Raja Epsilon, and his team have produced an employee mobile app that transforms hotel operations by saving time, empowering employees, and providing a better guest experience.





"When employees are happy with their work, they give better customer service," Epsilon said. "Historically, there has been a lack of employee engagement in the hotel industry. That's why providing employees with a mobile app geared for them and their workflow fixes this problem and results in a better guest experience."

According to PhoneSuite, the hospitality industry is being pressured to evolve because customers are expecting faster service. "If you look at hotel operations, we see that the guest experience is at the top of the funnel," Epsilon said. "Everyone talks about the guest experience, and what we tend to forget is the people who drive that experience are the hosts, which are the hoteliers."

WrkSpot's app incorporates hotel productivity and operational efficiency while providing advantages for employees, including hotel safety.

"Say, for example, that a high-stress situation is occurring, and the WrkSpot app shows that an employee in Room 303 has not moved at all for 10 minutes," Epsilon said. "We may not know if this employee is ill or unconscious; however, the app will be able to pinpoint this employee's exact location, allowing the hotel to send vital aid to them."

Additionally, the WrkSpot app allows hotel employees to quickly and efficiently take pictures, videos, and voice recordings as they do their job, providing them the ability to rapidly flag and take care of any mishaps. With this technology, hoteliers can identify potential issues as well as the exact location of any occurrence that requires immediate attention.

With the cost of smartphones decreasing every year, a budget smartphone starting at $120, for example, can be an effective investment for hotel labor management. "A hotel operator can pay off a budget smartphone of $120 at as little as $5 per month for two years. For those $5, the employee is now empowered with a variety of tools that make it easier to complete their jobs and also provides an equal playing field between the host and the guests," Epsilon said.

Current Utility and the Future of Smartphones

Smartphones have become the Swiss knife of everyday life. Starting from staying connected with near and dear ones, to managing daily health activities, banking with biometric authentication, scheduling, flashlight, QR code scanning of a digital menu, digital ticketing and much more - without a smartphone, it's impossible to stay current and efficient in this digitally connected world. Depriving a housekeeper access to smartphones in the USA while the rest of the world has been much more progressive is a major setback - especially with the USA being such an advanced nation. The future of smartphones is rapidly evolving and modern technology will soon invade the hotel backoffice operations. In a matter of months, 5G connectivity of gigabit speed will be the norm. In a decade, 6G speed of terabyte will be the new norm. Battery usage issues in phones will soon be revolutionized where wireless charging will be the norm and smart applications will empower hotel employees to match the smart guest. It is time hotel owners take a bold step and give hotel employees smartphones to carry the power of technology in their pockets and not on spreadsheets and manual paper.

WrkSpot's app can also make employees more efficient by signing a policy on the phone instead of having to walk back to the office to deal with hotel compliance issues. "If you need an important document to be signed, you can have the employee sign within a few minutes using their phone, and you can be immediately compliant," Epsilon said. "A smartphone is such a powerful tool that carries end-to-end workflows, whether it's documents, training, or managing their timecard."

About WrkSpot

Founded in 2017, WrkSpot is the developer of a revolutionary software suite for hotel portfolio management that integrates HRIS, operations management, and communication in a single app. By managing and engaging staff, controlling costs, streamlining operations, and improving compliance and safety, WrkSpot allows hotel managers to avoid being bogged down by the unavoidable details of hotel operations.

To learn more about WrkSpot, please visit https://www.wrkspot.com.

Contact Information:

Maria Penaloza

[email protected]

SOURCE: WrkSpot

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT) today announced that it will host a conference call and live webcast on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. EDT to report financial results for the first quarter 2023 and provide business updates.

To access the conference call, please register here. Registrants will receive the dial-in number and unique PIN. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes before the event, though you may pre-register at any time. A live webcast of the call will be available under Events and Presentations in the Investors section of the ADC Therapeutics website at ir.adctherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available for 30 days following the call.

About ADC Therapeutics

ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The Company is advancing its proprietary ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

ADC Therapeutics CD19-directed ADC ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) received accelerated approval by the FDA and conditional approval from the European Commission for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. ZYNLONTA is also in development in combination with other agents and in earlier lines of therapy. In addition to ZYNLONTA, ADC Therapeutics has multiple ADCs in ongoing clinical and preclinical development.

ADC Therapeutics is based in Lausanne (Biopole), Switzerland and has operations in London, the San Francisco Bay Area and New Jersey. For more information, please visit https://adctherapeutics.com/ and follow the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

ZYNLONTA is a registered trademark of ADC Therapeutics SA.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Companys ability to achieve the 2023 net product sales guidance for ZYNLONTA and the decrease in total operating expenses for 2023 and 2024, the expected cash runway into the middle of 2025, the Companys ability to continue to commercialize ZYNLONTA in the United States and future revenue from the same; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) ability to successfully commercialize ZYNLONTA in the European Economic Area and market acceptance, adequate reimbursement coverage, and future revenue from the same; our strategic partners, including Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and Overland Pharmaceuticals, ability to obtain regulatory approval for ZYNLONTA in foreign jurisdictions, and the timing and amount of future revenue and payments to us from such partnerships; the Companys ability to market its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; the Companys expectations regarding the impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; the timing and results of the Companys or its partners research projects or clinical trials including LOTIS 2, 5 and 9, ADCT 901, 601 and 212, the timing and outcome of regulatory submissions and actions by the FDA or other regulatory agencies with respect to the Companys products or product candidates; projected revenue and expenses; the Companys indebtedness, including Healthcare Royalty Management and Blue Owl and Oaktree facilities, and the restrictions imposed on the Companys activities by such indebtedness, the ability to repay such indebtedness and the significant cash required to service such indebtedness; the Companys ability to obtain financial and other resources for its research, development, clinical, and commercial activities and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, and involve predictions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, achievements or prospects to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or prospects expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will, should, would, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, seem, seek, future, continue, or appear or the negative of these terms or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and in the Company's other periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005198/en/

Investors

Eugenia Litz

ADC Therapeutics

[email protected]

Tel.: +44 7879 627205

Amanda Loshbaugh

[email protected]

Tel.: +1 917 288 7023

Media

Mary Ann Ondish

ADC Therapeutics

[email protected]

Tel.: +1 914-552-4625

Source: ADC Therapeutics SA
Improving total enrollment trends

Strategic transformation momentum

Narrows guidance for fiscal year 2023

Third quarter highlights

Revenue $369.1 million, up 1.3% year-over-year

Total student enrollment 79,586, down 3.1% year-over-year, a quarterly sequential improvement of 100 basis points

Chamberlain University strong demand in pre-licensure BSN and post-licensure MSN programs

Diluted earnings per share $1.00 from $7.04 in the prior year; adjusted earnings per share $1.13, up 34.5% versus prior year

Fiscal year 2023 guidance

Revenue $1,400 million to $1,450 million

Adjusted earnings per share $4.05 to $4.20

Repurchased $48 million of shares in the third quarter against $300 million Board authorized share repurchase program

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE), a national leader in post-secondary education and a leading provider of professional talent to the healthcare industry, today reported academic, operating and financial results for its third quarter fiscal 2023 ended March 31, 2023.

Our third quarter results showcase our unwavering commitment to provide access to high-quality, post-secondary and graduate level programs to nearly 80,000 diverse students and working adults. We continue to make steady progress in strengthening our operational excellence, supporting our portfolio of programs and solutions in ways that benefit all our stakeholders, especially our students. One testament to these benefits are the first time residency attainment rates for American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine students attaining 2023/24 residency positions which, at 97%, are among the highest-ever for these institutions, said Steve Beard, president and CEO of Adtalem Global Education.

Beard continued, With market leading scale and a commitment to broad access and quality outcomes, we are addressing critical talent shortages in healthcare for the benefit of communities nationwide. Our strategic vision, disciplined execution, results, and improving industry outlook positions Adtalem to drive long-term sustainable growth.

Financial Highlights

Selected financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

Revenue of $369.1 million increased 1.3% compared with the prior year.

Operating income was $59.4 million, compared with $32.9 million in the prior year; adjusted operating income was $73.0 million, a decrease of 4.3% compared with $76.2 million in the prior year. Operating margin was 16.1% compared with 9.0% in the prior year, and adjusted operating margin was 19.8% compared with 20.9% in the prior year.

Net income was $45.9 million, compared with $347.7 million in the prior year; adjusted net income was $51.6 million, an increase of 24.7% compared with $41.4 million in the prior year.

Diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.00 from $7.04 in the prior year; adjusted earnings per share increased to $1.13, up 34.5% compared with $0.84 in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $85.9 million, a decrease of 6.8% compared with $92.2 million in the prior year; adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.3% compared with 25.3% in the prior year.

Selected financial data for the nine months ended March 31, 2023:

Revenue of $1,086.2 million increased 6.4% compared with the prior year.

Operating income was $128.6 million, compared with $30.8 million in the prior year; adjusted operating income was $217.6 million, an increase of 22.2% compared with $178.0 million in the prior year. Operating margin improved to 11.8% from 3.0% and adjusted operating margin increased to 20.0% from 17.4% in the prior year.

Net income was $71.1 million, compared with $304.2 million in the prior year; adjusted net income was $146.9 million, an increase of 57.3% compared with $93.4 million in the prior year.

Diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.54 from $6.15 in the prior year; adjusted earnings per share increased to $3.19, up 70.6% compared with $1.87 in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $260.2 million, an increase of 16.2% compared with $223.9 million in the prior year; adjusted EBITDA margin was 24.0% compared with 21.9% in the prior year.

Business Highlights

Chamberlain Universitys pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The online option now has over 500 enrollees spread across 22 states in just 2.5 years since launch.

First-time residency attainment rates for American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine are at 97% for students attaining 2023/24 residency positions, among the highest-ever rates for the institutions, with 66% of those residents going into the all-important primary care specialty.

More than 875 students and graduates from Ross University School of Medicine and American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine will enter U.S. residency programs in 2023, representing 29 specialties deployed across 45 states. 26% of the students and graduates entering residency are from underrepresented minorities.

Walden Universitys Master of Healthcare Administration program achieved Candidate Status from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

Chamberlain University and Ochsner Health, the largest healthcare system and private employer in the state of Louisiana, partnered to launch the new Heart of Healthcare Program which awards up to three years of partial tuition coverage to eligible new students enrolled in the three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Chamberlain University College of Nursing at Ochsner Health campus in New Orleans.

Segment Highlights

Chamberlain

Revenue in the third quarter increased 5.0% to $149.7 million from $142.6 million in the prior year.

Segment operating income increased 7.1% to $39.6 million from $37.0 million in the prior year. Adjusted segment operating income increased 1.7% to $39.6 million from $38.9 million in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 1.3% to $44.9 million compared with $45.5 million in the prior year.

Total student enrollment increased 2.0% compared with the prior year, driven by growth in pre-licensure and post-licensure nursing programs as well as higher persistence across the segment.

Walden

Revenue in the third quarter decreased 4.5% to $132.9 million from $139.1 million in the prior year.

Segment operating income increased to $10.3 million compared with segment operating loss of $3.2 million in the prior year. Adjusted segment operating income decreased 4.7% to $24.6 million compared with $25.8 million in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4.9% to $27.8 million compared with $29.3 million in the prior year.

Total student enrollment decreased 7.9% compared with the prior year, primarily attributable to declines in non-healthcare programs and to a lesser extent to healthcare programs partially offset by higher persistence across the segment. Elimination of off-cycle start dates adversely impacted year-over-year total enrollment growth by 2.2%.

Medical and Veterinary

Revenue in the third quarter increased 4.6% to $86.5 million from $82.7 million in the prior year.

Segment operating income increased by 21.4% to $16.5 million from $13.6 million in the prior year. Adjusted segment operating income decreased 6.9% to $16.9 million compared with $18.1 million in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 8.4% to $20.7 million compared with $22.6 million in the prior year.

Total student enrollment increased 1.6% compared with the prior year, driven by growth in both medical and veterinary programs.

Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook

Adtalem narrowed its guidance for fiscal year 2023 revenue to a range of $1,400 million to $1,450 million from a range of $1,380 million to $1,450 million, and adjusted earnings per share to a range of $4.05 to $4.20 from a range of $3.95 to $4.20.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Adtalem will hold a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2023 third quarter results today at 4:30 p.m. CDT (5:30 p.m. EDT).

The call can be accessed by dialing +1 877-407-6184 (U.S. participants) or +1 201-389-0877 (international participants) stating Adtalem earnings call or use conference ID: 13737030. The call will be simulcast through the Adtalem investor relations website at: https://investors.adtalem.com.

Adtalem will archive a replay of the call for 30 days. To access the replay, dial +1 877-660-6853 (U.S.) or +1 201-612-7415 (international), conference ID: 13737030, or visit the Adtalem investor relations website at: https://investors.adtalem.com.

Investor Day

Adtalem will host an Investor Day on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. CDT at Adtalems Chamberlain University Chicago campus. Advanced registration will be required to attend the event in-person. To register, please visit Adtalems Investor Day website.

During the investor event, Adtalems executive leadership team will discuss the Companys strategic priorities, growth strategy, and financial outlook. Investors and analysts will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session. In-person participants are invited to join the leadership team to tour the campus.

About Adtalem Global Education

Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE) is a national leader in post-secondary education and leading provider of professional talent to the healthcare industry. With a dedicated focus on driving strong outcomes that increase workforce preparedness, Adtalem empowers a diverse learner population to achieve their goals and make inspiring contributions to their communities. Adtalem is the parent organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University. Adtalems family of institutions has more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 employees. Adtalem was named one of Americas Most Responsible Companies in 2021 and 2023 by Newsweek and Statista, and one of Americas Best Employers for Diversity in 2021 and 2022 by Forbes and Statista. Visit Adtalem.com for more information and follow on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact, which includes statements regarding Adtalems future growth, the future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the expected synergies from the Walden acquisition. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as future, believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, plan, intend, may, will, would, could, can, continue, preliminary, range, and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These risk and uncertainties include the risk factors described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and our other filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date any such statements are made, and Adtalem assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized, except as required by law.

Q3 2023 Q3 2022 % Change Adtalem Global Education Student Enrollments Total students(1) 79,586 5 82,174 -3.1% Chamberlain University Total students 34,847 34,158 2.0% Walden University(3) Walden University Total students 39,427 42,788 -7.9% Walden University(3) Medical & Veterinary Total students 5,312 5,228 1.6% (1) Represents total students attending sessions during each institutions most recent enrollment period in Q3 FY 2023 and Q3 FY 2022

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (in thousands, except par value) March 31, June 30, March 31, 2023 2022 2022 Assets: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 315,373 $ 346,973 $ 788,729 Restricted cash 1,804 964 1,266 Accounts receivable, net 113,284 81,635 96,064 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 102,573 127,532 124,968 Current assets held for sale   1,432 Total current assets 533,034 557,104 1,012,459 Noncurrent assets: Property and equipment, net 252,797 289,926 294,538 Operating lease assets 173,271 177,995 186,968 Deferred income taxes 54,494 51,093 47,574 Intangible assets, net 824,641 873,577 896,884 Goodwill 961,262 961,262 961,262 Other assets, net 67,618 119,283 120,145 Noncurrent assets held for sale   93 Total noncurrent assets 2,334,083 2,473,136 2,507,464 Total assets $ 2,867,117 $ 3,030,240 $ 3,519,923 Liabilities and shareholders' equity: Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 73,307 $ 57,140 $ 67,252 Accrued payroll and benefits 56,023 67,792 57,510 Accrued liabilities 86,691 98,124 176,921 Deferred revenue 175,488 149,810 171,937 Current operating lease liabilities 46,411 50,781 51,335 Current liabilities held for sale   1,417 Total current liabilities 437,920 423,647 526,372 Noncurrent liabilities: Long-term debt 694,429 838,908 1,225,360 Long-term operating lease liabilities 164,185 177,045 188,955 Deferred income taxes 27,237 25,554 25,862 Other liabilities 32,961 73,700 74,380 Noncurrent liabilities held for sale   41 Total noncurrent liabilities 918,812 1,115,207 1,514,598 Total liabilities 1,356,732 1,538,854 2,040,970 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity: Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 200,000 shares authorized; 44,232, 45,177, and 45,138 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2023, June 30, 2022, and March 31, 2022, respectively 822 818 818 Additional paid-in capital 564,363 521,848 517,431 Retained earnings 2,381,506 2,310,396 2,303,650 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,227 ) (2,227 ) (3,417 ) Treasury stock, at cost, 37,939, 36,619, and 36,621 shares as of March 31, 2023, June 30, 2022, and March 31, 2022, respectively (1,434,079 ) (1,339,449 ) (1,339,529 ) Total shareholders' equity 1,510,385 1,491,386 1,478,953 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,867,117 $ 3,030,240 $ 3,519,923

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenue $ 369,082 $ 364,281 $ 1,086,185 $ 1,021,195 Operating cost and expense: Cost of educational services 165,820 166,027 484,768 498,497 Student services and administrative expense 144,526 148,863 432,713 433,379 Restructuring expense 1,278 10,518 17,706 16,999 Business acquisition and integration expense 11,346 5,924 35,702 41,537 Gain on sale of assets (13,317 )  (13,317 )  Total operating cost and expense 309,653 331,332 957,572 990,412 Operating income 59,429 32,949 128,613 30,783 Interest expense (14,457 ) (36,585 ) (47,806 ) (109,907 ) Other income (expense), net 3,980 (327 ) 3,301 2,435 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 48,952 (3,963 ) 84,108 (76,689 ) (Provision for) benefit from income taxes (389 ) 8,363 (5,906 ) 39,597 Income (loss) from continuing operations 48,563 4,400 78,202 (37,092 ) Discontinued operations: (Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (3,993 ) 3,426 (6,734 ) 1,535 (Loss) gain on disposal of discontinued operations before income taxes (402 ) 474,003 (3,576 ) 474,003 Benefit from (provision for) income taxes 1,701 (134,089 ) 3,222 (134,201 ) (Loss) income from discontinued operations (2,694 ) 343,340 (7,088 ) 341,337 Net income $ 45,869 $ 347,740 $ 71,114 $ 304,245 Earnings (loss) per share: Basic: Continuing operations $ 1.08 $ 0.09 $ 1.73 $ (0.75 ) Discontinued operations $ (0.06 ) $ 7.02 $ (0.16 ) $ 6.90 Total basic earnings per share $ 1.02 $ 7.11 $ 1.57 $ 6.15 Diluted: Continuing operations $ 1.06 $ 0.09 $ 1.70 $ (0.75 ) Discontinued operations $ (0.06 ) $ 6.95 $ (0.15 ) $ 6.90 Total diluted earnings per share $ 1.00 $ 7.04 $ 1.54 $ 6.15 Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic shares 45,125 48,925 45,276 49,459 Diluted shares 45,801 49,377 46,089 49,459

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (in thousands) Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023 2022 Operating activities: Net income $ 71,114 $ 304,245 Loss (income) from discontinued operations 7,088 (341,337 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations 78,202 (37,092 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 10,908 18,604 Amortization and impairments to operating lease assets 37,928 35,251 Depreciation 31,618 33,471 Amortization of intangible assets 48,936 73,967 Amortization and write-off of debt discount and issuance costs 7,974 34,481 Provision for bad debts 23,391 19,552 Deferred income taxes (1,718 ) 3,425 Loss on disposals, accelerated depreciation, and impairments to property and equipment 3,999 2,274 Gain on extinguishment of debt (71 )  Loss on investments 4,122 807 Gain on sale of assets (13,317 )  Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (43,345 ) (40,520 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,034 2,398 Accounts payable 12,286 (5,737 ) Accrued payroll and benefits (11,719 ) (22,416 ) Accrued liabilities (20,275 ) (92,528 ) Deferred revenue 26,038 92,507 Operating lease liabilities (37,758 ) (36,159 ) Other assets and liabilities (14,412 ) (23,514 ) Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations 149,821 58,771 Net cash used in operating activities-discontinued operations (404 ) (6,915 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 149,417 51,856 Investing activities: Capital expenditures (19,056 ) (22,249 ) Proceeds from sale of marketable securities 7,635 941 Purchases of marketable securities (1,508 ) (1,315 ) Proceeds from note receivable related to property sold 46,800  Payment for purchase of business, net of cash and restricted cash acquired  (1,488,054 ) Cash received on DeVry University loan  10,000 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities-continuing operations 33,871 (1,500,677 ) Net cash used in investing activities-discontinued operations  (3,287 ) Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash transferred  962,652 Payment for working capital adjustment for sale of business (3,174 )  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 30,697 (541,312 ) Financing activities: Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,622 8,433 Employee taxes paid on withholding shares (4,214 ) (2,727 ) Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague Stock Purchase Plan 451 400 Repurchases of common stock for treasury (44,710 ) (120,000 ) Payment on equity forward contract (13,162 ) (30,000 ) Proceeds from long-term debt  850,000 Repayments of long-term debt (150,861 ) (687,667 ) Payment of debt discount and issuance costs  (49,553 ) Payment for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest of subsidiary  (1,790 ) Net cash used in financing activities (210,874 ) (32,904 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  12 Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (30,760 ) (522,348 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 347,937 1,313,616 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 317,177 791,268 Less: cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of discontinued operations at end of period  1,273 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations at end of period $ 317,177 $ 789,995 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Accrued capital expenditures $ 10,474 $ 5,408 Accrued liability for repurchases of common stock $ 2,699 $  Accrued excise tax on share repurchases $ 361 $  Settlement of financing liability with assets $ 38,606 $ 

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Segment Information (unaudited) (in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, March 31, Increase/(Decrease) Increase/(Decrease) 2023 2022 $ % 2023 2022 $ % Revenue: Chamberlain $ 149,737 $ 142,550 $ 7,187 5.0 % $ 426,538 $ 417,310 $ 9,228 2.2 % Walden 132,874 139,081 (6,207 ) (4.5 ) % 395,715 348,325 47,390 13.6 % Medical and Veterinary 86,471 82,650 3,821 4.6 % 263,932 255,560 8,372 3.3 % Total consolidated revenue $ 369,082 $ 364,281 $ 4,801 1.3 % $ 1,086,185 $ 1,021,195 $ 64,990 6.4 % Operating income (loss): Chamberlain $ 39,589 $ 36,979 $ 2,610 7.1 % $ 99,002 $ 83,290 $ 15,712 18.9 % Walden 10,343 (3,199 ) 13,542 NM 26,071 (17,748 ) 43,819 NM Medical and Veterinary 16,472 13,571 2,901 21.4 % 49,172 45,400 3,772 8.3 % Home Office and Other (6,975 ) (14,402 ) 7,427 51.6 % (45,632 ) (80,159 ) 34,527 43.1 % Total consolidated operating income $ 59,429 $ 32,949 $ 26,480 80.4 % $ 128,613 $ 30,783 $ 97,830 317.8 %

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations

We believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful supplemental information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Adtalems ongoing operations as seen through the eyes of management and are useful for period-over-period comparisons. We use these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally in our assessment of performance and budgeting process. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following are non-GAAP financial measures used in the subsequent GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation tables:

Adjusted net income (most comparable GAAP measure: net income)  Measure of Adtalems net income adjusted for deferred revenue adjustment, CEO transition costs, restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, intangible amortization expense, gain on sale of assets, pre-acquisition interest expense, write-off of debt discount and issuance costs, gain on extinguishment of debt, investment impairment, net tax benefit related to a valuation allowance release, and net loss (income) from discontinued operations.

Adjusted earnings per share (most comparable GAAP measure: earnings per share)  Measure of Adtalems diluted earnings per share adjusted for deferred revenue adjustment, CEO transition costs, restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, intangible amortization expense, gain on sale of assets, pre-acquisition interest expense, write-off of debt discount and issuance costs, gain on extinguishment of debt, investment impairment, net tax benefit related to a valuation allowance release, and net loss (income) from discontinued operations.

Adjusted operating income (most comparable GAAP measure: operating income)  Measure of Adtalems operating income adjusted for deferred revenue adjustment, CEO transition costs, restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, intangible amortization expense, and gain on sale of assets. This measure is applied on a consolidated and segment basis, depending on the context of the discussion.

Adjusted EBITDA (most comparable GAAP measure: net income)  Measure of Adtalems net income adjusted for net loss (income) from discontinued operations, interest expense, other (income) expense, net, provision for (benefit from) income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred revenue adjustment, CEO transition costs, restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, and gain on sale of assets. This measure is applied on a consolidated and segment basis, depending on the context of the discussion. Income taxes, interest expense, and other (income) expense, net is not recorded at the reportable segments, and therefore, the segment adjusted EBITDA reconciliations begin with operating income (loss).

Free cash flow (most comparable GAAP measure: net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations)  Defined as net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations less capital expenditures.

Net debt  Defined as long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents.

Net leverage  Defined as net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA.

A description of special items in our non-GAAP financial measures described above are as follows:

Deferred revenue adjustment related to a revenue purchase accounting adjustment to record Waldens deferred revenue at fair value.

CEO transition costs related to acceleration of stock-based compensation expense.

Restructuring expense primarily related to plans to achieve synergies with the Walden acquisition and real estate consolidations at Walden, Medical and Veterinary, and Adtalems home office. We do not include normal, recurring, cash operating expenses in our restructuring expense.

Business acquisition and integration expense include expenses related to the Walden acquisition and certain costs related to growth transformation initiatives. We do not include normal, recurring, cash operating expenses in our business acquisition and integration expense.

Intangible amortization expense on acquired intangible assets.

Gain on sale of Adtalems Chicago, Illinois, campus facility.

Pre-acquisition interest expense related to financing arrangements in connection with the Walden acquisition, write-off of debt discount and issuance costs and gain on extinguishment of debt related to prepayments of debt, and impairment of an equity investment.

Net tax benefit related to a valuation allowance release.

Net loss (income) from discontinued operations includes the operations of ACAMS, Becker, OCL, including the after-tax gain on the sale of these businesses, and EduPristine operations, in addition to costs related to DeVry University.

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Non-GAAP Operating Income by Segment (unaudited) (in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, March 31, Increase/(Decrease) Increase/(Decrease) 2023 2022 $ % 2023 2022 $ % Chamberlain: Operating income (GAAP) $ 39,589 $ 36,979 $ 2,610 7.1 % $ 99,002 $ 83,290 $ 15,712 18.9 % Restructuring expense  1,931 (1,931 ) 818 2,266 (1,448 ) Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) $ 39,589 $ 38,910 $ 679 1.7 % $ 99,820 $ 85,556 $ 14,264 16.7 % Operating margin (GAAP) 26.4 % 25.9 % 23.2 % 20.0 % Operating margin (non-GAAP) 26.4 % 27.3 % 23.4 % 20.5 % Walden: Operating income (loss) (GAAP) $ 10,343 $ (3,199 ) $ 13,542 NM $ 26,071 $ (17,748 ) $ 43,819 NM Deferred revenue adjustment     8,561 (8,561 ) Restructuring expense 53 2,225 (2,172 ) 3,174 4,016 (842 ) Intangible amortization expense 14,232 26,817 (12,585 ) 48,936 73,967 (25,031 ) Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) $ 24,628 $ 25,843 $ (1,215 ) (4.7 ) % $ 78,181 $ 68,796 $ 9,385 13.6 % Operating margin (GAAP) 7.8 % (2.3 ) % 6.6 % (5.1 ) % Operating margin (non-GAAP) 18.5 % 18.6 % 19.8 % 19.8 % Medical and Veterinary: Operating income (GAAP) $ 16,472 $ 13,571 $ 2,901 21.4 % $ 49,172 $ 45,400 $ 3,772 8.3 % Restructuring expense 421 4,569 (4,148 ) 7,334 4,757 2,577 Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) $ 16,893 $ 18,140 $ (1,247 ) (6.9 ) % $ 56,506 $ 50,157 $ 6,349 12.7 % Operating margin (GAAP) 19.0 % 16.4 % 18.6 % 17.8 % Operating margin (non-GAAP) 19.5 % 21.9 % 21.4 % 19.6 % Home Office and Other: Operating loss (GAAP) $ (6,975 ) $ (14,402 ) $ 7,427 51.6 % $ (45,632 ) $ (80,159 ) $ 34,527 43.1 % CEO transition costs     6,195 (6,195 ) Restructuring expense 804 1,793 (989 ) 6,380 5,960 420 Business acquisition and integration expense 11,346 5,924 5,422 35,702 41,537 (5,835 ) Gain on sale of assets (13,317 )  (13,317 ) (13,317 )  (13,317 ) Adjusted operating loss (non-GAAP) $ (8,142 ) $ (6,685 ) $ (1,457 ) (21.8 ) % $ (16,867 ) $ (26,467 ) $ 9,600 36.3 % Adtalem Global Education: Operating income (GAAP) $ 59,429 $ 32,949 $ 26,480 80.4 % $ 128,613 $ 30,783 $ 97,830 317.8 % Deferred revenue adjustment     8,561 (8,561 ) CEO transition costs     6,195 (6,195 ) Restructuring expense 1,278 10,518 (9,240 ) 17,706 16,999 707 Business acquisition and integration expense 11,346 5,924 5,422 35,702 41,537 (5,835 ) Intangible amortization expense 14,232 26,817 (12,585 ) 48,936 73,967 (25,031 ) Gain on sale of assets (13,317 )  (13,317 ) (13,317 )  (13,317 ) Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) $ 72,968 $ 76,208 $ (3,240 ) (4.3 ) % $ 217,640 $ 178,042 $ 39,598 22.2 % Operating margin (GAAP) 16.1 % 9.0 % 11.8 % 3.0 % Operating margin (non-GAAP) 19.8 % 20.9 % 20.0 % 17.4 %

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA by Segment (unaudited) (in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, March 31, Increase/(Decrease) Increase/(Decrease) 2023 2022 $ % 2023 2022 $ % Chamberlain: Operating income (GAAP) $ 39,589 $ 36,979 $ 2,610 7.1 % $ 99,002 $ 83,290 $ 15,712 18.9 % Restructuring expense  1,931 (1,931 ) 818 2,266 (1,448 ) Depreciation 4,405 4,738 (333 ) 12,985 14,048 (1,063 ) Stock-based compensation 923 1,869 (946 ) 3,600 5,104 (1,504 ) Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 44,917 $ 45,517 $ (600 ) (1.3 ) % $ 116,405 $ 104,708 $ 11,697 11.2 % Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) 30.0 % 31.9 % 27.3 % 25.1 % Walden: Operating income (loss) (GAAP) $ 10,343 $ (3,199 ) $ 13,542 NM $ 26,071 $ (17,748 ) $ 43,819 NM Deferred revenue adjustment     8,561 (8,561 ) Restructuring expense 53 2,225 (2,172 ) 3,174 4,016 (842 ) Intangible amortization expense 14,232 26,817 (12,585 ) 48,936 73,967 (25,031 ) Depreciation 2,439 2,573 (134 ) 7,303 6,801 502 Stock-based compensation 754 841 (87 ) 2,945 2,308 637 Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 27,821 $ 29,257 $ (1,436 ) (4.9 ) % $ 88,429 $ 77,905 $ 10,524 13.5 % Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) 20.9 % 21.0 % 22.3 % 22.4 % Medical and Veterinary: Operating income (GAAP) $ 16,472 $ 13,571 $ 2,901 21.4 % $ 49,172 $ 45,400 $ 3,772 8.3 % Restructuring expense 421 4,569 (4,148 ) 7,334 4,757 2,577 Depreciation 3,231 3,397 (166 ) 9,367 10,497 (1,130 ) Stock-based compensation 587 1,075 (488 ) 2,291 2,974 (683 ) Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 20,711 $ 22,612 $ (1,901 ) (8.4 ) % $ 68,164 $ 63,628 $ 4,536 7.1 % Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) 24.0 % 27.4 % 25.8 % 24.9 % Home Office and Other: Operating loss (GAAP) $ (6,975 ) $ (14,402 ) $ 7,427 51.6 % $ (45,632 ) $ (80,159 ) $ 34,527 43.1 % CEO transition costs     6,195 (6,195 ) Restructuring expense 804 1,793 (989 ) 6,380 5,960 420 Business acquisition and integration expense 11,346 5,924 5,422 35,702 41,537 (5,835 ) Gain on sale of assets (13,317 )  (13,317 ) (13,317 )  (13,317 ) Depreciation 82 633 (551 ) 1,963 2,125 (162 ) Stock-based compensation 531 888 (357 ) 2,072 2,023 49 Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ (7,529 ) $ (5,164 ) $ (2,365 ) (45.8 ) % $ (12,832 ) $ (22,319 ) $ 9,487 42.5 % Adtalem Global Education: Net income (GAAP) $ 45,869 $ 347,740 $ (301,871 ) (86.8 ) % $ 71,114 $ 304,245 $ (233,131 ) (76.6 ) % Net loss (income) from discontinued operations 2,694 (343,340 ) 346,034 7,088 (341,337 ) 348,425 Interest expense 14,457 36,585 (22,128 ) 47,806 109,907 (62,101 ) Other (income) expense, net (3,980 ) 327 (4,307 ) (3,301 ) (2,435 ) (866 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 389 (8,363 ) 8,752 5,906 (39,597 ) 45,503 Operating income (GAAP) 59,429 32,949 26,480 128,613 30,783 97,830 Depreciation and amortization 24,389 38,158 (13,769 ) 80,554 107,438 (26,884 ) Stock-based compensation 2,795 4,673 (1,878 ) 10,908 12,409 (1,501 ) Deferred revenue adjustment     8,561 (8,561 ) CEO transition costs     6,195 (6,195 ) Restructuring expense 1,278 10,518 (9,240 ) 17,706 16,999 707 Business acquisition and integration expense 11,346 5,924 5,422 35,702 41,537 (5,835 ) Gain on sale of assets (13,317 )  (13,317 ) (13,317 )  (13,317 ) Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 85,920 $ 92,222 $ (6,302 ) (6.8 ) % $ 260,166 $ 223,922 $ 36,244 16.2 % Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) 23.3 % 25.3 % 24.0 % 21.9 %

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Non-GAAP Earnings Disclosure (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income (GAAP) $ 45,869 $ 347,740 $ 71,114 $ 304,245 Deferred revenue adjustment    8,561 CEO transition costs    6,195 Restructuring expense 1,278 10,518 17,706 16,999 Business acquisition and integration expense 11,346 5,924 35,702 41,537 Intangible amortization expense 14,232 26,817 48,936 73,967 Gain on sale of assets (13,317 )  (13,317 )  Pre-acquisition interest expense, write-off of debt discount and issuance costs, gain on extinguishment of debt, and investment impairment  12,471 9,226 44,105 Net tax benefit related to a valuation allowance release (6,184 )  (6,184 )  Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments (1) (4,359 ) (18,769 ) (23,341 ) (60,871 ) Net loss (income) from discontinued operations 2,694 (343,340 ) 7,088 (341,337 ) Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) $ 51,559 $ 41,361 $ 146,930 $ 93,401 (1) Represents the income tax impact of non-GAAP continuing operations adjustments that is recognized in our GAAP financial statements.

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Earnings per share, diluted (GAAP) $ 1.00 $ 7.04 $ 1.54 $ 6.15 Effect on diluted earnings per share: Deferred revenue adjustment - - - 0.17 CEO transition costs - - - 0.12 Restructuring expense 0.03 0.21 0.38 0.34 Business acquisition and integration expense 0.25 0.12 0.77 0.83 Intangible amortization expense 0.31 0.54 1.06 1.48 Gain on sale of assets (0.29 ) - (0.29 ) - Pre-acquisition interest expense, write-off of debt discount and issuance costs, gain on extinguishment of debt, and investment impairment - 0.25 0.20 0.88 Net tax benefit related to a valuation allowance release (0.14 ) - (0.13 ) - Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments (1) (0.10 ) (0.38 ) (0.51 ) (1.22 ) Net loss (income) from discontinued operations 0.06 (6.95 ) 0.15 (6.90 ) Adjusted earnings per share, diluted (non-GAAP) $ 1.13 $ 0.84 $ 3.19 $ 1.87 Diluted shares used in non-GAAP EPS calculation 45,801 49,377 46,089 49,872 Note: May not sum due to rounding. (1) Represents the income tax impact of non-GAAP continuing operations adjustments that is recognized in our GAAP financial statements.

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow Disclosure (unaudited) (in thousands) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended FY23 FY22 FY23 FY23 FY23 FY22 FY22 Q3 Q3 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations (GAAP) $ 107,544 $ 77,739 $ 255,052 $ 225,247 $ 225,972 $ 164,002 $ 101,855 Capital expenditures (9,309 ) (7,477 ) (27,861 ) (26,029 ) (29,914 ) (31,054 ) (33,539 ) Free cash flow (non-GAAP) $ 98,235 $ 70,262 $ 227,191 $ 199,218 $ 196,058 $ 132,948 $ 68,316

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Non-GAAP Outlook Disclosure (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data) Year Ended June 30, 2023 Expected earnings per share, diluted (GAAP) $ 2.14 to 2.29 Expected effects on diluted earnings per share: Restructuring expense 0.38 Integration costs 0.77 Estimated incremental integration costs 0.15 Estimated intangible amortization 1.33 Gain on sale of assets (0.29) Write-off of debt discount and issuance costs, gain on extinguishment of debt, and investment impairment 0.20 Net tax benefit related to a valuation allowance release (0.13) Estimated income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments(1) (0.65) Net loss from discontinued operations 0.15 Expected adjusted earnings per share, diluted (non-GAAP)(2) $ 4.05 to 4.20 Diluted shares used in EPS calculation 46,089 (1) Represents the estimated income tax impact of non-GAAP continuing operations adjustments that is recognized in our GAAP financial statements. (2) The outlook provided above does not reflect the potential impact of any business or asset acquisitions or dispositions that may occur during the remainder of fiscal year 2023. The expected effects on diluted earnings per share (EPS) of (1) the estimated intangible amortization and (2) the estimated incremental integration costs are estimates related to the Walden University acquisition and certain costs related to growth transformation initiatives. The effects on diluted EPS of restructuring expense, integration costs, gain on sale of assets, write-off of debt discount and issuance costs, gain on extinguishment of debt, investment impairment, net tax benefit related to a valuation allowance release, and loss from discontinued operations includes the results realized through March 31, 2023. We are not able to further estimate certain special items for the full fiscal year. Additional charges to these special items, or additional special items not currently identified, which may occur during the remainder of fiscal year 2023, would impact the GAAP expected EPS provided above.

Adtalem Global Education Inc. Non-GAAP Net Leverage Disclosure (unaudited) (in thousands) Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2023 Adtalem Global Education: Net income (GAAP) $ 77,860 Net income from discontinued operations 1,479 Interest expense 67,247 Other income, net (1,974) Provision for income taxes 29,964 Depreciation and amortization 114,964 Stock-based compensation 14,915 Restructuring expense 26,335 Business acquisition and integration expense 47,363 Gain on sale of assets (13,317) Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 364,836 March 31, 2023 Long-term debt $ 708,283 Less: Cash and cash equivalents (315,373) Net debt (non-GAAP) $ 392,910 Net leverage (non-GAAP) 1.1 x

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005553/en/

Investor Contact

Jay Spitzer and Chandrika Nigam

[email protected]

+1 312-906-6600

Media Contact

Jacquelyn Manetakis

[email protected]

+1 630-303-4438

Source: Adtalem Global Education Inc.
After COVID-19 delays, stratospheric research glider aims for 90,000-foot world record

Nonprofit team collects climate science and aerospace engineering data en route to edge of space

#PerlanProject #Perlan2 #WorldRecord #STEM #Climate

WASHINGTON & MINDEN, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Airbus Perlan Mission II, the worlds first initiative to pilot an engineless aircraft to the edge of space, has successfully completed a flight test campaign in the U.S., clearing the way for an attempt later this year to set a new aviation world altitude record for manned, level flight.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005975/en/

After COVID-19 delays, Airbus Perlan Mission II stratospheric research glider returns to the skies to set 90,000-foot world altitude record. The Nevada-based nonprofit The Perlan Project will collect climate science and aerospace engineering data en route to the edge of space above El Calafate, Argentina. (Photo: Business Wire)

Over the past decade, we have been on a thrilling adventure to inspire, educate and explore in the stratosphere, and Airbus has been a great partner on that journey as together weve attempted  and achieved  the seemingly impossible, said Ed Warnock, CEO of The Perlan Project.

The pressurized Perlan 2 glider, which set the subsonic world altitude record at over 76,000 feet in 2018, set sail yesterday from the U.S. for the long journey to El Calafate, Argentina. Above the Patagonian Andes where atmospheric conditions are optimal, expert pilots and engineers from the nonprofit The Perlan Project will attempt to soar the experimental glider to its service ceiling of 90,000 feet.

If a glider, which is a truly zero-emission aircraft, can become the highest-flying aircraft of all time, it sends a powerful message that decarbonization of aviation is no impediment to achievement, and can even be an enabler, said C. Jeffrey Knittel, Airbus Americas Chairman and CEO.

As a research platform that emits no exhaust, Perlan 2 is ideally suited to the high-altitude atmospheric research the team will conduct to inform more accurate climate-change models. The aircraft will soar to altitudes where the air density is similar to the atmosphere on Mars, providing unique opportunities for aerodynamic studies related to turbulence, extreme weather and future space exploration.

The aircraft will also carry aloft experiments designed by school students through The Perlan Projects STEM partnership with Teachers in Space.

Airbus began its title sponsorship of The Perlan Project in 2014, facilitating the completion of Perlan 2s construction. The glider, described by Warnock as a space capsule with wings, is equipped with sophisticated life support systems and instrumentation to ensure pilot safety.

The aircraft is able to soar without an engine to its record altitudes thanks to very rare air currents known as stratospheric mountain waves, which form when mountain winds are strengthened by the polar vortex.

The Airbus Perlan Mission II team, made up of some of the aviation industrys most celebrated test pilots and world-renowned climate scientists, will conduct its 2023 flying campaign from late July through mid-September, when stratospheric mountain waves are most likely to occur in the Southern Hemisphere. After setting multiple successive records in prior years, the team took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Images/Video: bitly.com/perlanpress

About Airbus Perlan Mission II

Airbus Perlan Mission II is an initiative to fly an engineless glider to the edge of space, higher than any other winged aircraft has operated in manned, level flight, to open up a world of discoveries related to high-altitude flight, weather and climate change. This historic endeavor is the culmination of decades of research and engineering innovation, and the work of a tireless international team of aviators and scientists who volunteer their time and expertise for the nonprofit The Perlan Project. The initiative, based in Minden, Nevada, is supported by Airbus and a group of other sponsors that includes Dennis Tito, Weather Extreme Ltd., Raytheon (United Technologies), BRS Aerospace and Thales.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005975/en/

James Darcy

Airbus Americas

+1 571 214 1722

[email protected]

Kristina Messner

The Perlan Project

+1 703 716 3818

[email protected]

Source: Airbus Perlan Mission II
Sold 100% Via Channel Partners Throughout Europe, BullWall Blocks Ransomware Attacks in

VEJLE, Denmark & WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BullWall, global leaders in ransomware containment, today introduced its North American Channel Partner Program in support of its fully automated last line of defense against ransomware now used in many European mission critical enterprises. BullWall also today announced its launch in the North American Market and announced new executive appointments.

Chris Byrne, Sales Director at Avoira, said: Weve seen time and again that ransomware breaks through endpoint and AV defenses, and directly targets file share resources. Once it breaks through, every second counts and the network is often seized within mere minutes. BullWall shuts down ransomware attacks in under ten seconds  remarkable, but true!

BullWall, which has enjoyed strong success in Europe since 2016 and launched today in the North American market, thwarts file encryption and data exfiltration attempts in seconds, before damage can be done. It continuously monitors file shares, application servers and database servers in the cloud and in the data center. It automatically activates an isolation and containment protocol for compromised users and devices that initiate abnormal encryption  typically in under ten seconds.

BullWall will sell 100% through sales channel partners and integrators in the North American market, and the channel program introduced today features:

Education and support that equip its partners to share BullWalls unmatched ransomware kill switch capabilities with customers;

Free customer assessments for environments with 250 Active Directory users or more, as well as support for smaller customer environments;

On-site pre-sale support from BullWalls sales engineers, including demos and ransomware assessments or pentests;

Superb post-sales customer service and support; and

Industry-leading revenue sharing, reflecting and fueling BullWalls commitment to grow with and through its expert partners.

Fully 77% of our clients who have taken a ransomware assessment have learned that theyre far more vulnerable to ransomware lockdowns and extortions than theyd believed, and become customers within 90 days. Moreover, BullWalls dedication to selling exclusively through channels and integrators such as Avoira is reflected in their superb pre- and post-sales support. They have proven to be an exceptional solutions partner for us, said Byrne.

"Securing the organization against ransomware and its data thefts, exfiltrations, extortions and reputational damage is one of the most important steps that organizations can take, as the last eighteen months have demonstrated, said Steve Hahn, EVP Americas, BullWall. Integrators are the front line defenders that user organizations depend upon to strengthen their defenses, and avoid the existential crises that ransomware causes.

Our channel partners are invaluable allies in advancing customer security and in helping drive growth, Hahn said. Our European markets have seen tremendous growth and customer loyalty with BullWall. They have also confirmed time and again that whenever ransomware gets in  and sooner or later, it always does  BullWall shuts it down within seconds. With our North American launch today, we are actively seeking partners to join us in protecting the North American user community.

Regardless of ransomwares entry point, BullWall reacts immediately when ransomware indicators of compromise (IoCs) are evident, halting the active attack. BullWall seamlessly integrates with all major SIEM and Network Access Control (NAC) solutions through JSON or a full featured REST API and pre-configured scripts. Most integrations are complete in under an hour.

About BullWall:

BullWall is a cybersecurity solution provider with a dedicated focus on protecting data and critical IT infrastructure during active ransomware attacks. We are able to contain both known and zero day ransomware variants in seconds, preventing both data encryption and exfiltration. BullWall is the last line of defense for active attacks. For more information, visit https://bullwall.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005559/en/

Dan Chmielewski

Madison Alexander PR, Inc.

949-231-2965

[email protected]

Source: BullWall
Aequus Pharmaceuticals

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) (Aequus or the Company), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on bringing healthcare solutions to Canadians through licensing and partnerships, today reports financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022 (Fiscal 2022) and associated Company developments. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are in Canadian currency.



We are excited to have begun a new chapter in our business built around ZIMED. We hold a strong vision of how we want to grow into the future. The end of Fiscal 2022 concludes our promotional agreement with Sandoz and makes 2023 a pivotal year for Aequus as we focus on our own prescription product with a team that has extensive expertise in Ophthalmology. Years ago, we listened to the unmet need from Canadian Ophthalmologists and patients, and now we are thrilled to be providing an exceptional product to the community we serve, commented Mr. Janzen, CEO. I continue to believe in the potential of Aequus and look forward to launching ZIMED in the next 3 months.

Mr. Larsen, Chief Commercial Officer of the Company, added that he is grateful for Mr. Janzens support and faith in the team. His recent loan of $500,000 has brought his total loans in the last year to $2.5 million. Aequus has used the past several months of reduced sales activity to retool our sales team, and enhance our marketing capabilities. Reformatting CRM databases, digital sales training, validating HCP and KOL outreach capabilities are just some of the resource upgrades and prelaunch activities that Aequus has invested in and executed since Q4 2022. We are near ready for the ZIMED launch and expect to begin commercial sales in June.

Financial Highlights

The Company reported an operating loss before other income and expenses of $2,712,044 for Fiscal 2022, an increase of 49% from the loss before other income of $1,822,294 in Fiscal 2021. The higher loss was primarily due lower revenue in Fiscal 2022 relative to Fiscal 2021. The loss was offset by reduction in general, administration and development expense. The Company also impaired its $566,756 investment in reVision, which impacted the net loss after other income and expense resulting in a net loss of $3,210,044 in Fiscal 2022 compared to a $1,809,592 in Fiscal 2021.

Story continues

Aequus experienced an increase in revenue related to Evolve sales of $138,860, but a decrease in overall revenue of $1,334,926, or 49%, in revenue in 2022 compared to 2021, which was driven by changes in contractual terms with Sandoz Canada Inc., which is now completed.

Sales and marketing costs in Fiscal 2022 were $2,226,181 when compared to $2,173,592 in Fiscal 2021, a change of 2% or $52,589. The majority of the increase related to an increase in travel and staffing expenses within the sales team.

Research and development included product development expenses in Fiscal 2022 of $168,714 compared to $296,848 in Fiscal 2021, a decrease of 43% or $128,134. The majority of the decrease was attributable to an expected recovery of $150,000 from Medicom Healthcare Ltd. for costs associated with the successful drug submission application to Health Canada for preservative-free bimatoprost 0.03% eye drops termed ZIMED PF in December 2022.

General and administration expenses in Fiscal 2022 were $,1,593,362 compared to $2,023,773 in Fiscal 2021, a decrease of 21% or $430,411. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Companys debt related costs were reduced with more favorable loan terms being achieved.





Fiscal 2022

$ Fiscal 2021

$ Total revenue 1,379,772 2,714,698 Net loss for the fiscal year (3,210,044 ) (1,809,592 ) Loss per share, basic and fully diluted (0.02 ) (0.01 ) Total assets 1,691,466 4,348,115 Total current liabilities (2,377,726 ) (2,457,068 ) Total non-current liabilities (693,778 ) (101,982 )





ABOUT AEQUUS PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS , OTCQB: AQSZF ) is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. Aequus has grown its sales and marketing efforts to include several commercial products in ophthalmology and transplant. Aequus plans to build on its Canadian commercial platform through the launch of additional products that are either created internally or brought in through an acquisition or license; remaining focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas. For further information, please visit www.aequuspharma.ca .

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER

This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words believe, may, plan, will, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, expect, potential and similar expressions. Forward- looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to: our ability to continue to grow revenues and add new products; the current loans allowing us to bridge Q1 revenue decreases given the expiry of the Sandoz contract; the expectation that Q1 2023 and Q2 2023 is a transition period as we look to add to our product offerings; the implementation of our business model and strategic plans; revenue growth trends into the future; expected timing for product launches; the Companys expected revenues; and the regulatory approval of its products. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Aequus, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In making the forward looking statements included in this release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including, but not limited to: obtaining regulatory approvals; general business and economic conditions; the Companys ability to successfully out license or sell its current products and in-license and develop new products; the assumption that the Companys current good relationships with third parties will be maintained; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Companys ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and technology offered by the Companys competitors; the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Companys operations; and the Companys ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. In evaluating forward looking statements, current and prospective shareholders should specifically consider various factors set out herein and under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form dated May 1, 2023, a copy of which is available on Aequus profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, and as otherwise disclosed from time to time on Aequus SEDAR profile. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or a risk that is not currently known to us materialize, or should assumptions underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward looking statements.

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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Aequus Investor Relations

Email: investors@aequuspharma.ca

Phone: 604-336-7906




New internship program at three sites signals Carenets dedication to deepening its presence in the Philippines

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Carenet Health, a leading provider of 24/7 and on-demand patient engagement solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Far Eastern University (FEU) Alabang, FEU Diliman, and FEU Institute of Technology, all private universities in Manila, Philippines, to establish a robust internship program to create opportunities for their students, particularly those with specializations in business, web and mobile application, data science, and business analytics. The data labeling internship program will allow participating students to foster beneficial career and life skills while providing a valuable service to Carenets CX Analytics Group, which works to identify points of friction in the healthcare consumer service journey experience.

Carenet Healths work with these three programs at Far Eastern University is demonstrative of our deepening presence in the Philippines and our dedication to developing key relationships there, as we are currently growing our number of Filipino employees based out of the country in addition to our interns, said Christopher Rogers, Carenets chief operating officer.

The primary objective of the data-labeling internship is for students to work on projects that aid in the improvement of key industry performance indicators such as consumer satisfaction, process and policy compliance, and machine learning capabilities. The interns are specializing in business analytics or web/mobile applications as part of Carenet Healths CX Analytics Group, which aims to deliver clear visibility into engagement touchpoints before, during, and after customer service interactions. The current cohorts are comprised of five interns, which can generate over 100,000 data labels during their 10-week internship. Thus far, the program has had 10 interns and plans to scale the programs cohorts to between 30 and 50 interns.

As a preferred partner, Carenet Health has given our students invaluable access to an internship program where they can learn skills that will allow them to succeed in the workforce upon graduation, said Carmencita C. Suarez, director of the Industry Academe, Linkage, Alumni, and Placement (IALAP) at FEU Institute of Technology. Students gain important experience working for an American company, a critical professional advantage as they develop their skills and enter the workforce.

Once student cohorts are selected, Carenet provides interns with the necessary equipment to work from home, headsets, and laptops. Interns receive training in Microsoft Excel, crucial communication and presentation skills, and the fundamentals of data analysis. Carenet also helps students develop career skills such as networking by requiring them to create LinkedIn pages, attend workshops for writing effective cover letters, and practice job interview skills.

Working with Carenet Health in their data-labeling internship program has opened my eyes to the world of healthcare and consumer engagement," said Gregorio I. Manio V, a current data labeling intern for Carenets CX Analytics group. "I'm learning integral skills in the field of business analytics while gaining strong workforce experience.

About Carenet Health

Carenet Health is the industrys leading healthcare consumer engagement company, providing member and patient engagement, clinical support, virtual care, online scheduling, and advocacy solutions for providers, payers, and partners. One in three Americans has access to Carenets services. The global company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, please visit carenethealth.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005102/en/

Skip Dampier

[email protected]

(210) 595-2016

Jill Gross for Matter Health

[email protected]

(978) 518-4528

Source: Carenet Health
MARKHAM, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading defence and military magazine, Canadian Defence Review, has just released its annual Survey & Ranking of Canadas Top 100 Defence Companies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005302/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

For 2023, CDR has named Irving Shipbuilding its Top Defence Company and its the second time round for the company at the #1 spot in the 19 years the survey has been published.

Back in 2012, when Irving last won the top spot, the company was just coming off its big NSS win. Under that program it was tasked with delivering on the combatant side of the program. In other words, Irving would be building Canadas next generation of warships.

Now, over a decade later, the company has selected a design for CSC, the Type 26, Global Combat Ship from BAE and has partnered with leading naval contractor, Lockheed Martin Canada, to provide the mission systems for the ship.

On this years #1 selection, CDR Editor-in-Chief, Peter Kitchen, commented, Todays Irving Shipbuilding still embodies the entrepreneurial spirit exemplified by patriarch, K.C. Irving when he founded the parent company back in the 1920s.

He added, For its ongoing support of the Halifax class, for its construction of the AOPS ships and for its commitment to build the RCNs next generation of warships, we think the time is certainly right to shine the spotlight once again on Irving Shipbuilding as Canadas # 1 Defence Company.

In commenting on the #1 ranking, Irving CEO, Dirk Lesko, said This is an honour that shows how NSS is delivering capability coast-to-coast-to coast for Canada.

He added, At Irving Shipbuilding were grateful for the opportunity to expand the capability of our facilities, grow and develop our workforce, renew Canadas federal fleet, and support a sustainable marine sector.

This year, CDR has added thirteen new companies to the survey demonstrating the continued growth in Canadas defence industry. And also, illustrating the diversity of this industry, the Top 100 now boasts two indigenous-owned companies (Nasittuq and Race Rocks).

This years Top 100 proves that the industry has come all the way back from the vicissitudes of Covid. As always, with the publication of its annual Top 100 Defence Companies Survey & Ranking, CDRs goal is to showcase Canadas defence industry and all that it has to offer.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005302/en/

For further information:

Peter A. Kitchen, Editor-in-Chief

Telephone: (905) 554-4586

Email: [email protected]

www.CanadianDefenceReview.com

Source: Canadian Defence Review
Now leasing  beautiful single-family home neighborhood convenient to Highway 316

STATHAM, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Individuals and families in search of space and convenience at an attractive price will find what they are looking for at The Lakes at Statham. This new community is now leasing as the first single-family for rent community by D.R. Horton in the Barrow County area.

The Lakes at Statham is in a pastoral setting featuring a serene community lake. Residents will also enjoy future planned amenities including a pool, cabana, volleyball court and walking trails.

These inviting homes feature open concept designs built for the way you live ranging from 1,634 to 2,511 square feet with introductory base rents currently starting as low as $2,244 per month. These appealing plans include three, four and five bedrooms, two and a half to three baths, chef-inspired kitchens, stainless steel appliances and a two-car garage. Each homesite also includes full landscaping and a fenced backyard.

D.R. Horton invites all interested renters, future homeowners and real estate agents assisting future homebuyers to visit The Lakes at Statham. The community offers an ideal living situation for both individuals and families who are not quite ready to purchase a new home, those who prefer the low-maintenance lifestyle of renting or anyone who desires the look and feel of a new home community without a long-term commitment.

The communitys location in Statham is an ideal spot convenient to Highway 316, close to Athens and offers easy access to I-85. Shop and dine locally off Railroad Street or make the quick trip to Barrow Crossing featuring Publix, Target, AMC Theater, Home Depot and more. The model home and leasing office are open daily and located at 17 Coastal Dr, Statham, GA 30666.

To claim your spot in this emerging new community, contact Community Director, Tina Parker, at 770.456.5687, or email [email protected]. For additional information about the community, please visit www.lakesatstatham.com.

D.R. Horton, Americas Builder, has been building families beautiful homes in desirable locations for 45 years. Trusted by more families than any other homebuilder, D.R. Horton builds homes for both homebuyers and renters with quality, functionality, value and style in mind. Home and community information including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities are subject to change at any time without notice or obligation. Square footage dimensions are approximate. D.R. Horton is an equal housing opportunity builder.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230428005635/en/

Organization

Tina Parker

Community Director

770.456.5687

[email protected]



Media Contact

D.R. Horton Media Relations

(817) 390-8200

[email protected]

Source: D.R. Horton, Inc.
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Electra, a clean iron company with a solution to decarbonize iron and steelmaking, has appointed Simon Wandke as its Chief Commercial Officer. With over 40 years of experience developing and executing multi-country commercial strategies at major global mining companies, Wandke brings a deep understanding of the mine-to-metal value chain to Electra.

Most recently, Wandke served as the CEO of ArcelorMittal Mining until late 2021, and prior to that held senior executive roles at Ferrexpo, Destra, and BHP where he was responsible for leading strategy, marketing, business development, and sales teams across various countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, UK, Canada, and the USA. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Swinburne University, and the University of Melbourne.

Despite steels critical role in sustainable infrastructure, the steelmaking process continues to be one of the largest industrial producers of carbon dioxide. To address this issue, the industry needs low-carbon technology that eliminates emissions from ironmaking  which accounts for the majority of emissions in steel production, said Simon Wandke, Chief Commercial Officer of Electra. Electras innovative solution has the potential to eliminate 3.7 gigatonnes or 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions from global steel production producing clean iron for high quality steel. I am thrilled to be part of this initiative pushing forward a cleaner era of steelmaking.

"All that Electra has accomplished to date is to the credit of its amazing team," said Sandeep Nijhawan, CEO and co-founder of Electra. "Simon has been the chair of our commercial advisory board since 2022, and we couldn't be more thrilled to name him as Chief Commercial Officer as we advance our low-temperature clean iron production solution."

This announcement follows a significant year for Electra, during which the company announced it secured $85 million in funding from prominent investors led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and will have a clean-iron pilot plant by the end of 2023. The company also collaborated with Nucor Corporation, the largest steel producer in the United States.

Electra is excited to welcome Simon Wandke as its Chief Commercial Officer and looks forward to his contributions to the company's continued success.

About Electra

Electra, a clean iron company, is bending the trajectory of climate change by electrifying iron refining. Our products  pure green iron and other green feedstocks  remove gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions from steel production and other hard-to-abate industries, accelerating a return to a healthy carbon balance on earth. The company is headquartered in Boulder, CO with a development facility in Boston, MA. To learn more about Electra's mission, visit: www.electra.earth.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005797/en/

Press Contact: [email protected]

Source: Electra
CS620, the Latest Cobot Model of the Company, Featuring a 20 kg Payload, a First-of-its-kind 5A Output Source, and a Leading 1800 mm Radius, Makes Its Global Debut at the 2023 Edition of EASTEC, Massachusetts, on May 16-18.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Elite Robots, a leading supplier of collaborative robots, will unveil CS620, its new 20 kg payload model, at the upcoming EASTEC trade show, to be held May 16-18 in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230430005044/en/

Elite Robots CS620 lifts a 20 kg weight-block during an in-house test at the company's plant. (Photo: Business Wire)

CS620 is going to enrich Elite Robots' next generation of collaborative robots, the CS series. Released in 2022, this cutting-edge cobot range has joined the EC series and stands out for its remarkable ease of use, safety, and expandability.

The CS series is based on an advanced software infrastructure, with an intuitive and modular graphical user interface that supports the Python scripting language and self-developed plug-ins, offering a high level of customization for programmers. With 24 digital I/O (8 configurable) and 4 configurable tool I/O, and extensive connectivity options, it provides the highest expandability, while safety is ensured by compliance with ISO 10218-1 and ISO 13849-1 standards.

For more information on Elite Robots CS Series, click here.

The CS series currently includes models with payloads of 3, 6, and 12 kg, and CS620 further expands its already wide range of applications with a 20 kg payload and 1800 mm reach. Combined with an industry-leading speed of up to 3.9 m/s (that exceeds counterparts by up to 35%), it is perfect for effectively performing medium-to-high payload tasks such as handling heavy parts or palletizing, and meets the needs left unfulfilled by industrial robots.

Equipped with a dual tool connector (8-pin and 4-pin), the CS620 is the world's first cobot to supply end effectors through a 5A tool I/O. This ensures that the cobot always has enough power to perform demanding tasks, such as machine maintenance and welding, and to handle multiple devices simultaneously.

The smooth handling of welding processes is also ensured by the CS620's high trajectory accuracy and wide reach, which allows large components to be welded without using an external axis.

Like all other models in the CS series, the CS620 robotic arm features an IP65 degree of protection, upgradeable to IP68. The ISO class 5 cleanrooms also make the CS Series suitable for industries that require the highest level of hygiene, such as pharmaceutical and electronics.

For more information on Elite Robots CS620, click here.

Elite Robots will premiere the CS620 in the United States at the upcoming EASTEC Tradeshow on May 16-18 (Building 1, Booth No. 1648). The company will also participate in the AUTOMATE show in Detroit the following week, May 22-25, at booth 6735.

About Elite Robots

Elite Robots is a global automation solutions provider specializing in collaborative robots. With over 10,000 units deployed across more than 30 countries, the company has quickly gained a growing reputation in the robotic industry thanks to the reliability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness of its cobots. Businesses of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies, have placed their trust in Elite Robots. For more information, visit eliterobots.com, and follow Elite Robots on Linkedin.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230430005044/en/

Denis Baldoni

Marketing, PR, and Business Development

0086-1580055-3869

[email protected]

Source: Elite Robots
A portion of proceeds from the Peanut Butter MacroBar benefits farm animal advocacy annually during the month of May.

VIOLA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GoMacro, known for its organic, plant-based nutrition bars, is excited to partner with Farm Sanctuary for the seventh year in a row. As the founding farm animal sanctuary in the United States, Farm Sanctuary fights the disastrous effects of factory farming on animals, the environment, social justice, and public health through rescue, education, and advocacy. Each year, during the month of May, a percentage of net proceeds from GoMacros Protein Replenishment MacroBar is donated to the non-profit organization in support of their mission and efforts.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006109/en/

GoMacro Continues Annual Partnership Benefiting Farm Sanctuary's Animal Advocacy Efforts for the Seventh Consecutive Year (Credit: GoMacro)

Give Back is one of Our 5 Principles, and our ongoing partnership with Farm Sanctuary is one way we live out our values, says Jola Sonkin, Co-Founder and CEO of GoMacro. Farm Sanctuarys commitment to fostering just and compassionate vegan living is aligned with our own passion for sharing the power of a balanced, plant-based lifestyle.

Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of animal agriculture, advocate for institutional reforms, and encourage a new awareness and understanding of farm animals and plant-based living. The over 600 rescued farm animals living at their sanctuaries in New York and California serve as ambassadors, helping to educate millions of people on the negative impacts of factory farming on health, the planet, and social justice.

The original MacroBar recipe was created on our family farm in Wisconsin. We call the farm Posilippo, which is Greek for pause from pain, and its still our family's favorite place to get together, relax and enjoy the beautiful views, says Sonkin. By supporting Farm Sanctuary, were grateful to help rescued farm animals live out their own lives peacefully while raising awareness for an important cause.

In addition to the Protein Replenishment MacroBar, GoMacro offers three other Give Back Bars Everlasting Joy, Smooth Sanctuary, and Sunny Uplift benefiting nonprofits Feeding San Diego, Solutions for Change, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and The Keep a Breast Foundation throughout the year.

During the month of May, the Peanut Butter Give Back Bar is available for purchase at retailers nationwide, Amazon, and at gomacro.com.

About GoMacro

GoMacro is the transformative leader in healthy and delicious plant-based protein and nutrition bars. Mother-daughter owned and based in a small rural community, their goal is to inspire others to have a healthy body, sharp mind, and bold spirit with products that make a positive impact on the world. All GoMacro MacroBars are sustainably sourced and are Certified Organic, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Non-GMO, C.L.E.A.N., and Soy-Free. Follow @gomacro on social and learn more at www.gomacro.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006109/en/

[email protected]

Source: GoMacro
SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- I Squared Capital, a leading global infrastructure investment manager, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement, through its ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund III, to acquire Rentco, a leading transport equipment leasing company in Australia providing flexible equipment rental options. I Squared has committed a further AUS $300 million to promote Rentcos growth across the country and pursue new trailer leasing opportunities. I Squared has both the resources and expertise to help Rentcos next stage of growth, and Rentco is poised to benefit from closer relationships with I Squareds global leasing platforms including FlexiVan, TIP Trailer Services, and Star Leasing. Following the transaction, I Squared Capitals global transport and logistics portfolio will have over 264,000 trailers or chassis and 14,423 workshops with 3,700 employees in over 20 countries.

With depots in all mainland states of Australia, Rentco has a wide reach and established relationships with Tier-1 transport and logistics providers. The company also has a diverse customer base across groceries, durable goods, agriculture, and mining that mitigates sector-specific cyclicality while benefiting from growth in other sectors such as e-commerce. Rentcos leadership team, which will remain with the company, has a strong track record of expanding the business and plans to focus on supporting clients asset-light models and vehicle electrification to capture demand from the trend towards more sustainable and cost-effective transportation solutions. The capital commitment from I Squared Capital will help Rentco take advantage of these opportunities in addition to pursuing inorganic growth.

Rentco is part of I Squared Capitals strategy of expanding its presence in Australia and complements its other portfolio companies: Clean Energy Fuels Australia, a West Australia-based industrial decarbonization platform supporting off-grid miners and remote communities in reducing their carbon footprints, and Soilco, an organic waste processor generating high quality soil health products and supporting the circular economy along Australias east coast.

About Rentco

Rentco provides solutions for its customers transportation challenges with quality equipment on a short-, medium-, or long-term basis. The company combines Australias largest range of heavy-duty transport rental equipment with industry-leading service from highly skilled personnel to support its customers, no matter where they operate in the country. https://www.rentco.com.au/

About I Squared Capital

I Squared Capital is an independent global infrastructure manager with over $37 billion in assets under management focused on investing in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Headquartered in Miami, the firm has more than 215 professionals across its offices in Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Taipei, and Sydney. I Squared Capital has invested in a diverse portfolio of 72 companies in 59 countries with over 27,000 employees across the utilities, energy, digital infrastructure, transport, environmental infrastructure, and social infrastructure sectors providing essential services to millions of people around the world.

No discussion with respect to specific companies should be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular investment. The companies discussed do not represent all past investments. It should not be assumed that any of the investments discussed were or will be profitable, or that recommendations or decisions made in the future will be profitable.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005752/en/

Media Contacts

Brunswick Group

Australia

Rory MacPherson / Gabriel Yue

+61 420 972 358

Global

Alex Yankus / Clare Pickett

+1 (347) 477 7475

[email protected]

Source: I Squared Capital
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jensen Investment Management (Jensen), a 100% employee-owned active equity investment management firm, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Crista DesRochers, CIPM, as its new Client Services Director. She joins from ACA Group where she was a partner, providing Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) consulting and verification services to investment managers across the globe. She brings more than 17 years of investment management consulting experience, as well as expertise in ESG-assurance-related services. She got her start in the business at Charles Schwab & Co.

"We are delighted to welcome Crista to the firm," said Eric H. Schoenstein, managing director, Jensen Investment Management. "Jensen continues to differentiate itself as a firm dedicated to providing long-term value creation for its investors, and our client services team is essential in delivering on this responsibility. Crista has built an impressive track record of earned trust and enduring investor relationships. We have no doubt she will be an asset to both our clients and our organization.

With more than 20 years of investment and management experience, DesRochers is well positioned to work with Jensen's senior leadership and investment teams to build on the firm's strong history of client engagement and commitment to quality investing. As director DesRochers will be responsible for managing Client Services as the firm continues to grow its institutional client base both domestically and overseas.

"I am very pleased to be joining the Jensen Investment Management team. I look forward to deepening Jensens existing relationships and fostering the growth of new ones," said DesRochers.

Currently, DesRochers is a member of the GIPS Standards Technical Committee and the ESG Verification Sub-Committee, and a former member of the United States Investment Performance Committee (USIPC). She is also a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society New York. She holds a BA in business administration from Washington State University.

About Jensen Investment Management

Jensen Investment Management is a high-conviction, active equity manager with an unwavering commitment to quality. The firm focuses on companies derived from a select universe of businesses that have produced a long-term record of persistently high returns on shareholder equity. For more information, please visit www.jenseninvestment.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005554/en/

Media:

Claudine Cornelis

MJ Hudson

[email protected]

+1 845.424.6342

Source: Jensen Investment Management
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KBRA UK (KBRA) releases a report that examines the different strategies adopted by collateralised loan obligation (CLO) managers.

CLO managers are often evaluated on a tiering of their portfolio based on various metrics. But this evaluation method can sometimes produce counterintuitive results and does not always consider a managers style and objectives. For example, should CLO managers be penalised for pursuing a more opportunistic strategy that produces a high weighted average spread, or viewed favourably if their portfolios are managed according to their objectives? As part of KBRAs series examining European CLO manager styles, this report examines cross-metric comparisons that could offer insight on potential strategies employed across the market. In this report, an update to our January analysis, we continue to focus on some of the differences between CLO managers when evaluated across different cross-metric comparisons and highlight changes since our prior publication.

Key Takeaways

The most opportunistically leaning managers remain largely unchanged, with eight managers remaining in the top 10 from January. Two entrants have returned to the top 10 from KBRAs inaugural June 2022 analysis: BlueBay and Black Diamond. Some have experienced a modest migration within the top 10, but the top two managers have remained in this position since January: CBAM and PGIM.

There is some turnover among the most conservatively leaning managers, with one-half of the managers remaining in the top 10 versus January. The five steadily conservative managers include Redding Ridge, Alcentra, Brigade, Ostrum, and CVC Credit Partners. Three of these managers have stayed on the most conservative list since KBRAs first CLO manager comparison: Redding Ridge, Alcentra, and CVC Credit Partners.

Opportunistic managers remain less convincingly opportunistic than conservative managers are convincingly conservative. Of the top opportunistic managers, only two have seven or more cross-metric comparisons firmly in the opportunistic quadrant. Comparatively, five of the most conservative managers have seven or more cross-metric comparisons in the conservative quadrant.

Click here to view the report.

Related Publications

About KBRA

KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU, and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRAs ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005660/en/

Gordon Kerr, Head of European Research

+44 20 8148 1020

[email protected]

Yee Cent Wong, Co-Head of Europe

+353 1 588 1260

[email protected]

Gabrielle Gramazio, European Ratings

+44 20 8148 1001

[email protected]

Business Development Contacts

Mauricio Noe, Co-Head of Europe

+44 20 8148 1010

[email protected]

Miten Amin, Managing Director

+44 20 8148 1002

[email protected]

Source: KBRA UK
Investment to Support Companys Growth as Demand for Energy-Efficient Data Center Cooling Grows

CALGARY, Alberta & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KKR, a leading global investment firm, and CoolIT Systems (CoolIT or the Company), a leading provider of scalable liquid cooling solutions for the worlds most demanding computing environments, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which KKR will acquire CoolIT. The investment will support the Companys ability to scale and serve its global customers across the data center market, including the enterprise, high-performance computing, and cloud service provider segments as well as in desktop computing.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006157/en/

Founded in 2001, CoolIT designs, engineers and manufactures advanced liquid cooling solutions for the data center and desktop markets. CoolITs patented Split-Flow Direct Liquid Cooling technology is designed to improve equipment reliability and lifespan, decrease operating cost, lower energy demand and carbon emissions, reduce water consumption and allow for higher server density than legacy air-cooling methods.

Our business has evolved tremendously over the past few years and today we are proud to be one of the most trusted providers of liquid cooling solutions to the global data center market, said Steve Walton, Chief Executive Officer of CoolIT. KKR shares our perspective on the significant opportunity ahead for liquid cooling. Having access to KKRs expertise, capital and resources will put us in an even better position to keep scaling, innovating and delivering for our customers.

Kyle Matter, Managing Director and Head of KKRs Global Impact team in North America, said, Increasing data and computing needs are on a collision course with sustainability considerations  the data center industry is expected to consume 8% of the worlds energy by 2030.1 As a firm, we have committed more than $17 billion to digital infrastructure since 2011 and deeply appreciate the mission critical role that it plays in enabling our economy. We also recognize that as a society, we are grappling with the enormous energy usage and related environmental impacts that are only expected to accelerate with the rise of AI and other high performance applications. We believe that liquid cooling has a critical role to play in helping to reduce the emissions footprint of our digital economy and we are thrilled to back CoolIT, a leader in this space.

Evan Kaufman, Director at KKR, added, By combining our manufacturing and decarbonization expertise with CoolITs track record of product innovation, we expect to further scale its best-in-class direct liquid cooling solution to meet the anticipated demand for higher density, more energy efficient data centers. Importantly, we look forward to working with Steve and the entire CoolIT management team to invest additional capital and resources into expanding its cooling solutions across new applications, customers and end markets.

As part of this transaction, CoolIT will expand its equity ownership program to make all employees owners of the Company. This strategy is based on the belief that employee engagement is a key driver in building stronger companies. Since 2011, KKR portfolio companies have awarded billions of dollars of total equity value to over 50,000 non-management employees across nearly 30 companies.

KKR is investing in CoolIT through its Global Impact strategy, which is focused on identifying and investing behind opportunities where financial performance and societal impact are intrinsically aligned. Specifically, the strategy focuses on investing in companies that contribute measurable progress toward one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CoolIT directly supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and 13 (Climate Action).

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

About CoolIT Systems

CoolIT Systems specializes in scalable liquid cooling solutions for the worlds most demanding computing environments. In the enterprise data center and high performance computing markets, CoolIT partners with global leaders in OEM server design to develop efficient and reliable liquid cooling solutions for their own leading-edge products. In the desktop enthusiast market, CoolIT provides unparalleled performance for a range of gaming systems. Through its modular, Direct Liquid Cooling technology, Rack DLC, CoolIT enables dramatic increases in rack densities, component performance and power efficiencies. Together, CoolIT and its partners are leading the way for widespread adoption of advanced cooling technology. For additional information on CoolIT Systems, please visit CoolITs website at www.coolitsystems.com and on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/coolit-systems-inc-.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKRs insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKRs investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKRs website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

________________________________

1 On Global Electricity Usage of Communication Technology: Trends to 2030, Challenges, 2015.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006157/en/

Media:

For CoolIT:

Brandon Peterson, SVP Product and Caroline Penrose, Director, Business Development

403-235-4895

[email protected]



For KKR:

Julia Kosygina and Emily Cummings

212-750-8300

[email protected]

Source: KKR
Fortune Business Insights

Key companies covered in agricultural inoculants market are Bayer AG (Leverkusen, Germany), BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany), Corteva (Delaware, United States), Isagro S.p.a. (Milan Italy), Lallemand Inc. (Ontario, Canada), Rizobacter (Pergamino, Argentina), Stoller Group (Texas, United States), Verdesian Life Sciences (North Carolina, United States), KALO (Kansas, United States), Advanced Biological Marketing Inc. (Ohio, United States) and more players profiled.

Pune, India, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global agricultural inoculants market size is set to grow at an impressive rate owing to the rising concerns regarding the overuse of chemical pesticides, observes Fortune Business Insights in its report, titled,  Agricultural Inoculants Market Size , Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, Regional Forecast, 20202027. The market size was USD 867.6 million in 2019 and is anticipated to reach USD 1,939.9 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period.

Reduced Production amid COVID-19 to Decrease the Demand for Inoculants

Some industries have had a direct impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and agriculture is one such industry. As a result, all the supporting industries around the former are stumbling upon low production. This has significantly reduced the demand for inoculants. Top-order enterprises are looking at alternative measures to survive the crisis. At Fortune Business Insights, we are consistently providing fruitful insights by conducting a detailed analysis of the market.

Get a Free Sample Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/agricultural-inoculants-market-101615

A List of Key Manufacturers Operating in the Market:

Bayer AG (Leverkusen, Germany)

BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany)

Corteva (Delaware, United States)

Isagro S.p.a. (Milan Italy)

Lallemand Inc. (Ontario, Canada)

Rizobacter (Pergamino, Argentina)

Stoller Group (Texas, United States)

Verdesian Life Sciences (North Carolina, United States)

KALO (Kansas, United States)

Advanced Biological Marketing Inc. (Ohio, United States)

Others

Story continues

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Attribute Details Forecast Period 2020-2027 Forecast CAGR 10.6% 2027 Value Projection USD 1,939.9 million Market Size in 2020 USD 956.7 million Historical Data 2016-2018 No. of Pages 200 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Crop Type

By Microbe

By Application Method

By Region Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa Agricultural Inoculants Market Growth Drivers Rising Concern Regarding the Use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides to Spur Demand Increasing Popularity of Organic Farming to Drive Growth





Highlights of the Report:

Agricultural inoculants are products that contain beneficial microorganisms that are added to soil or plant surfaces to improve plant growth and health. These microorganisms can be bacteria, fungi, or other types of microbes that interact with plants in positive ways.

Agricultural inoculants can be applied to seeds, roots, or as a foliar spray. They can help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and can contribute to more sustainable farming practices.

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/agricultural-inoculants-market-101615

Drivers & Restraints-

Rising Concerns regarding Soil Damage Due to Chemical Pesticides to Drive Growth

Growers use chemical pesticides in order to protect their crops against insects and harmful weeds. However, prolonged use of chemicals could damage the quality of the soil. The growing concerns regarding the over-use of chemical pesticides are estimated to drive the agricultural inoculants market growth in the forecast timeline. For example, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in 2018, the total amount of pesticides utilized by growers worldwide was 4.1 million. However, limited awareness regarding the product as well as its low shelf life is anticipated to limit the growth of agricultural inoculants.

Regional Insights-

Market in North America to Bolster owing to the Adoption of Advanced Crop Production Technologies

North America is projected to dominate the global market with USD 294.2 million share in 2019. High cultivation of crops that consume high amounts of inoculant, such as soybean, canola, and corn, in major countries including the U.S. and Canada is one of the major factors driving the growth in the region. In addition, faster adoption of the latest technology in the region to improve crop productivity is set to further strengthen the demand.

The market in South America is set to grow at the fastest CAGR in the forecast timeframe. Large application of inoculants in major countries including Brazil and Argentina is the key factor responsible for significant agricultural inoculants market share in the region. In addition, the presence of key players is forecast to further propel the demand. For instance, the expansion of Rizobacter, the third-largest inoculant company, is based in Argentina.

Competitive Landscape-

Key Players Planning to Invest in R&D Activities to Launch Innovative Products

Key players operating in the global agricultural inoculants market are embarking on product innovation. Most of them are investing extensively on research and development in order to offer better inoculants. For instance, in August 2020, Lallemand Plant Care Canada launched LALFIX PROYIELD LIQUID SOYBEAN, a new inoculant that combines two unique strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Get a Quote Now:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/get-a-quote/agricultural-inoculants-market-101615

Industry Developments-

In August 2020, Stoller Argentina S.A., a subsidiary of Stoller Group, launched a package with three integrated solutions, an inoculant, a fungicide and a biostimulant.

In April 2019, Bayer introduced biological soybean inoculants in Brazil. The new inoculant, CTS 500 was made available for the 2019/2020 harvest.

Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends

Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Regulatory Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, New Product Launches, and Mergers & Acquisitions Impact of COVID-19

Global Agricultural Inoculants Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Microbe (Value) Fungal Bacterial Others By Crop Type (Value) Cereals Oilseeds & pulses Fruits & vegetables Other crop types By Application Method (Value) Seed treatment Soil Treatment Others By Region (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa



TOC Continued...!

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Read Related Insights:

Biopesticides Market Size, Share & Analysis and Regional Forecast 2022-2029

Biofertilizers Market Size, Share and Regional Forecast 2022-2029

Agricultural Microbials Market Size, Share and Forecast 2022-2029

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ModalAI today unveiled the powerful new VOXL 2 Mini, ushering in a new era for smaller, smarter, and safer drone autopilots. The newly designed VOXL 2 Mini features autonomy, communications, and power management, providing a 30% reduction in area compared to VOXL 2, to only 42mm x 42mm. At only 11g, VOXL 2 Mini fits all the technology of the Blue UAS Framework 2.0 VOXL 2 into a delightfully compact size while still delivering an impressively large repository of autonomous AI and computing capabilities with the VOXL SDK. VOXL 2 Mini also features an industry-standard 30.5mm x 30.5mm frame mount, offering autonomy to any drone. The new VOXL 2 Mini is available to order beginning today starting from $1,169.99 at www.modalai.com/voxl-2-mini

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005109/en/

VOXL 2 Mini: 11g Blue UAS Framework autopilot powered by QRB5165 with all-new 30.5mm x 30.5mm industry-standard mount. (Photo: Business Wire)

The response to VOXL 2 has been incredible, and we are thrilled for customers to experience the same powerful computing in an even smaller design, said Chad Sweet, CEO and co-founder of ModalAI, Inc. Weight is the dominant factor when designing a drone as they need to fight gravity in flight. VOXL 2 Mini is only 11 grams and delivers the same performance as its VOXL 2 predecessor in a smaller form factor, ideal for the next generation of smaller, smarter, and safer drones.

VOXL 2 Mini is a breakthrough in autonomous UAS components

VOXL 2 Mini is powered by the same technology as VOXL 2, and features the powerful Qualcomm QRB5165 with 8 cores up to 3.091GHz, four MIPI-CSI image sensor inputs, pre-configured accessories for WiFi, 4G/5G, and Microhard connectivity. This computing-dense autonomous stack is as small as an Oreo cookie and includes a new 5.8g VOXL ESC Mini with integrated power management system (APM) and closed or open loop RPM control with feedback. VOXL 2 Mini leverages the same image sensors as VOXL 2 for state of the art computer vision performance. All together, the power from VOXL 2, coupled with extensive perception sensors and new power management system, delivers obstacle avoidance, obstacle detection, and GPS-denied navigation.

VOXL SDK brings powerful performance to VOXL 2 Mini

VOXL SDK enables developers looking to create, validate, test, and integrate their autonomous flight software into their small UAV solutions. VOXL 2 Minis open software and compatibility with popular development tools such as PX4, ROS 2, Open CV, Open CL, and TensorFlow Lite, make it the ideal development platform for industry problem solvers.

The combination of developer-friendly, open software and VOXL 2 Minis hardware design with 30.5mm x 30.5mm industry standard mount, make it easy to upgrade the smallest UAV designs.

About ModalAI, Inc.

ModalAI accelerates development of smaller, smarter and safer drones and robots with SWAP-optimized Blue UAS Framework autopilots built in the U.S.A. From home and business security to retail and government applications, the companys highly-integrated AI-powered modules empower a variety of industries to utilize aerial and ground autonomous navigation systems that communicate on 4G and 5G cellular networks.

Based in San Diego, California, ModalAI was formed by former Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. R&D leadership in 2018 and builds on their prior research and development in the drone and robotic markets. ModalAIs VOXL product line helps manufacturers and independent builders get to market quickly and affordably. For more information, visit www.modalai.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005109/en/

Lauren Young

[email protected]

Source: ModalAI, Inc.
President George W. Bush and Ken Hersh address the North Texas Chapter of NACD

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NACD North Texas Chapter:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006191/en/

President Bush Addresses the NACD North Texas (Photo: Business Wire)

A VIP Evening with President George W. Bush at the George W. Bush Institute was a success for the NACD North Texas Chapter. President Bush along with Ken Hersh, President, and CEO of The Bush Center, addressed the Chapter and special guests on the current issues facing leadership in Corporate American and how to be successful. If you have the right priorities in life and business, you can be successful, said President Bush.

The evening began with a VIP Meet and Greet with President Bush and corporate directors from DFW. Margot Carter, Chair of the NACD North Texas Board, said, We are honored to have had President Bush join us last night at the National Association Corporate Directors VIP event at the George W. Bush Institute. President Bush led with unwavering courage helping to heal and unite a grieving nation from the 9/11 attacks, one of the most tragic periods of our lifetime. His strong leadership demonstrated to the world the power of freedom and the remarkable resolve and resilience of the American people.

About NACD North Texas

NACD North Texas provides a forum for NACD members to exchange knowledge and discuss leading boardroom practices in the Dallas and Fort Worth area. NACD's 20+ chapters enhance the value of NACD membership by providing directors with a forum to address governance challenges to elevate their boards performance. Members enjoy peer-to-peer dialogue about critical boardroom issues such as cyber risk, CEO succession planning, activism, and leadership. To learn more about NACD North Texas, please visit https://northtexas.nacdonline.org/ or email [email protected].

ABOUT NACD

For more than 40 years, NACD has been on the leading edge of corporate governance, setting standards of excellence. NACD arms todays directors with insights and education that drive their mission forward, while preparing a new generation of boardroom leaders to meet tomorrows biggest challenges. NACD is a community of more than 22,000 directors driven by a common purpose: to be trusted catalysts of economic opportunity and positive changein businesses and in the communities they serve. To learn more about NACD, visit www.nacdonline.org.

To become an NACD member, please contact us at [email protected] or 571-367-3708. If you are already a member, contact your NACD Membership Advisor at [email protected] to ensure that you are receiving the best value from your membership.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006191/en/

For Press Inquiries:

NACD North Texas Chapter

Margaret Jackson

[email protected]

Source: NACD North Texas Chapter
STRASBOURG, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Odimma Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specialized in personalized cancer immunotherapy announces a seed fundraising of 2 million in order to secure the preparation on its First-in-Man clinical trial with ODI-2001, an innovative first-in-class personalized immunotherapy against cancer.

This financing round is supported by Capital Grand Est, Alsace Business Angels, Angels Sante, historical founders and associates, several new Business Angels and BpiFrance.

In recent months, Odimma Therapeutics has completed the proof of activity experiments of its lead product ODI-2001 in several hard-to-treat preclinical cancer models. In parallel, the company has secured the pharmaceutical process for the production of ODI-2001. This relies on pharmaceutical partnerships with world-class players in the field as earlier communicated: myNEO (Ghent, Belgium) for neoepitope prediction by artificial intelligence, Touchlight Genetics (Hampton, UK) for the production of synthetic DNA and ABL Europe (Illkirch, France) for the production of the viral component of ODI-2001.

The current activities are focused on the preparation of the Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. These activities include regulatory interactions, toxicology and clinical operations. R&D activities are strengthened to continue generating additional data and intellectual property.

Jean-Sebastien Schmitt, representative of Alsace Business Angels said: Fighting cancer with a technological disruption which is personalized, more efficient and quickly available for the patient was very attractive for our members. We are delighted to support Odimmas team in their ambition and, as a first step, provide them with the best conditions for their clinical trial.

We are delighted about the success of this new refinancing round, and are very pleased to contribute to the development of this promising technology. We are confident the innovative personalized immunotherapy platform developed by Odimma Therapeutics will give the best chances of success to immunotherapy in oncology, said Patrick Squiban M.D. member and ambassador, Angels Sante Business Angels Network.

Jean-Marc Limacher, M.D., Chairman of the company said: The renewed support of historical shareholders and the engagement of new investors is a mark of trust which acknowledges the advancements made by the company and its collaborators. This new investment will allow Odimma Therapeutics to bring ODI-2001, in the clinical stage of its development.

In relation with the preparation of its first clinical trial the company is actively working on the next financing round.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005360/en/

Pascale Balducchi

Chief Business Officer

[email protected]

Source: Odimma Therapeutics
MAUMEE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ohios largest online public charter school, Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) is proud to announce it has received the prestigious Ohio Purple Star Designation from the Ohio Department of Education. This is the second time OHVA has been recognized, and the Purple Star designation will remain in place until 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005217/en/

A trusted online learning partner for more than 20 years, OHVA is the only all-virtual school to receive this honor in Ohio. The award is part of the Ohio DOEs Each Child, Our Future program, the states strategic plan for education, which recognizes schools that meet important criteria for serving military-connected students and families.

OHVA is proud to support Ohio military families and understands the unique challenges they face with relocation and the social-emotional toll that can occur for students during key developmental years, said Dr. Kristin Stewart, Executive Director. Our staff and our school are committed to doing all we can to support Ohio families who give so much to our country, and we are honored to receive this distinction.

The full-time online public-school currently serves 400 active, reserve and retired military families.

Ohios military-connected youth require holistic support to ensure that their unique social, emotional and academic needs are met. Schools that receive this designation have met specific criteria such as having a dedicated point of contact for military students and families who serves as the primary liaison between them and the school, keeping teachers informed of the military-connected students in their classrooms and, optionally, providing staff training on special considerations to provide for military students and families.

Students choose online school for a variety of reasons including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment and the ability to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. For military families especially, OHVAs online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style.

For more information on this award and to learn more about how OHVA supports Ohio military families, please visit the OHVA website.

About Ohio Virtual Academy

Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) is an accredited, full-time online public charter school authorized by the Ohio Council of Community Schools (OCCS) that serves students in grades K through 12. As part of the Ohio public school system, OHVA is tuition-free and provides families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build skills for their future. For more information about OHVA, visit ohva.k12.com and follow on Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005217/en/

Ken Schwartz

Stride, Inc.

Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Source: Stride, Inc.
The Chicago-based firm, which invests in family-owned, middle-market supply chain and logistics companies, closes fund oversubscribed.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Red Arts Capital, a leading black-led investment firm in the supply chain and logistics sector, raised $270M to continue its investment strategy supporting middle-market supply chain companies with significant growth potential. The firms fund closed oversubscribed and above its target of $225M and is backed by notable private equity investors and LPs including Prudential Financial, Inc., The University of Chicagos Office of Investments, and certain funds managed by Neuberger Berman.

The strong support from our investment partners will energize our efforts to help grow durable businesses in the supply chain sector, said Co-Founder and Managing Partner Chad Strader.

We continue to see significant opportunity in the fragmented sector in which we invest and are grateful for the confidence our investors continue to place in our partnership, added Co-Founder and Managing Partner Nicholas Antoine.

The firm's latest fundraising caps a lucrative year that began with a $150M sale of Midwest Motors Express to North American trucking titan, Knight-Swift Transportation (NYSE: KNX).* The Chicago-based company continued to stay busy in 2022, orchestrating several acquisitions across various supply chain industry sub-sectors, including Coregistics (packaging), Partners Warehouse and Flex Logistics (warehousing), Sunset Pacific Transportation (freight consolidation), and Radius Logistics (third-party logistics). As of Q1 2023, Red Arts Capital Opportunity Fund I has already completed mergers and acquisitions valued at nearly $200M across two of the funds portfolio companies.

At the University of Chicago, we believe in building enduring partnerships that stand the test of time. That's why we seek strong alignment, commitment, and a partnership mindset when choosing new partners. Red Arts Capital ticked all the boxes with their determination, grit, and investment success." said Joanna Rupp.

Red Arts has seen tremendous expansion in the companys ranks, with diversity being a key pillar of growth. In the last year, the firm has hired over 12 top investment and operations executives. A standout within the private equity industry, women represent ~50% of the firm.

We have been thoroughly impressed with the Red Arts team, as well as the extensive network and group of advisors they have assembled to focus on niche supply chain and logistics investments, said Patricia Zollar, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman.

Founded in 2015 by Nick Antoine and Chad Strader, Red Art's mission to create a more diverse supply chain sector has been ingrained in the firm. The firm, which is 100% Black-owned, believes that increased diversity within the supply chain industry isnt just the right thing to do but also good for businessaddressing labor shortages and making companies more competitive.

Looking forward to 2023, Red Arts Capital anticipates expanding its investments into the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries to further support supply chains across the U.S. economy.

* Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results or similar.

Acalyx Advisors acted as exclusive fundraising advisor, while Greenberg Traurig, LLP served as legal counsel.

About Red Arts Capital

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Red Arts Capital is a leading investment firm focused on supply chain and logistics-related businesses. Red Arts Capital seeks to partner with and invest in privately-owned, primarily family-owned, and multi-generational businesses with solid business fundamentals and a strong track record and reputation. With sector expertise and a commitment to stewardship and excellence, Red Arts Capitals approach earns the firm a trusted seat at the table with portfolio companies, investors, and partners. For more information about Red Arts Capital, please visit www.redartscapital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005259/en/

Media Contact

Alyssa Lyles

Bevel

[email protected]

Source: Red Arts Capital
Conference Call Scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Revance Therapeutics, Inc. (RVNC), today announced that the company will release first quarter 2023 financial results on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, after the close of market. Revance will host a corresponding conference call and a live webcast at 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. ET on the same day to discuss the results and provide a corporate update.

Individuals interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing (800) 715-9871 for domestic callers or (646) 307-1963 for international callers and reference conference ID: 7745325, or from the webcast link in the investor relations section of the company's website at: www.revance.com.

A replay of the call will be available beginning May 9, 2023, at 4.30 p.m. PT / 7.30 p.m. ET to August 9, 2023 at 4.30 p.m. PT / 7.30 p.m. ET. To access the replay, dial (800) 770-2030 for domestic callers or (609) 800-9909 for international callers and reference conference ID: 7745325. The webcast will be available in the investor relations section on the company's website for 90 days following the completion of the call.

About Revance

Revance is a biotechnology company setting the new standard in healthcare with innovative aesthetic and therapeutic offerings that elevate patient and physician experiences. Revances aesthetics portfolio of expertly created products and services, including DAXXIFY (DaxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) for injection, the RHA Collection of dermal fillers, and OPUL, the first-of-its-kind Relational Commerce platform for aesthetic practices, deliver a differentiated and exclusive offering for the companys elite practice partners and their consumers. Revance has also partnered with Viatris Inc. to develop a biosimilar to onabotulinumtoxinA for injection, which will compete in the existing short-acting neuromodulator marketplace. Revances therapeutics pipeline is currently focused on muscle movement disorders including evaluating DAXXIFY in two debilitating conditions, cervical dystonia and upper limb spasticity.

Revance is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with additional office locations in Newark, Pleasanton and Irvine, California. Learn more at www.Revance.com, www.RevanceAesthetics.com, www.DAXXIFY.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Revance and the Revance logo, DAXXIFY, and OPUL are registered trademarks of Revance Therapeutics, Inc.

Resilient Hyaluronic Acid and RHA are trademarks of TEOXANE SA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005555/en/

Investors

Revance Therapeutics, Inc.:

Jessica Serra, 510-279-6886

[email protected]

or

Gilmartin Group, LLC.:

Laurence Watts, 619-916-7620

[email protected]

Media

Revance Therapeutics, Inc.:

Sara J. Fahy, 949-887-4476

[email protected]

Source: Revance Therapeutics, Inc.
Announces Successful Completion of Financial Restructuring Process

Exits Chapter 11 with Significantly Simplified Capital Structure that Will Support Companys Next Phase of Growth

Highlights Strong Preliminary Financial Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2023

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Revlon, Inc. (Revlon or the Company) today announced that it has successfully completed the financial restructuring process and has emerged from Chapter 11 positioned for future success and growth. The newly reorganized company is named "Revlon Group Holdings LLC.

With approximately $236 million of liquidity, funded through an equity rights offering, a new money senior secured credit facility, and new asset-based loans, Revlon is emerging from Chapter 11 as a private company on strong financial footing. The Company has significantly simplified its capital structure by eliminating more than $2.7 billion in debt from its balance sheet, leaving it with approximately $1.5 billion of debt outstanding. The majority of the Companys reorganized equity is now owned by its former lenders, including affiliates of Glendon Capital Management LP, King Street Capital Management, L.P., Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P., Antara Capital LP, Nut Tree Capital Management, LP, Oak Hill Advisors, L.P., and Cyrus Capital Partners, LP, among others.

Debra Perelman, Revlons President and Chief Executive Officer, said: Today marks an important moment in Revlons history and evolution. Less than a year after beginning the financial restructuring process, Im proud to say that we are emerging today as a stronger company that is well positioned for long-term growth. With a simplified capital structure, significantly reduced debt, and a new, highly experienced and committed Board of Directors, we look forward to unlocking the full potential of our globally recognized brands and continuing to offer our customers the iconic products they have loved for decades.

As previously announced, in connection with its emergence from bankruptcy, Revlon has formed a new Board of Directors for the reorganized company comprised of senior executives with deep knowledge of the global consumer, retail, and beauty industries, including Executive Chair Elizabeth (Liz) A. Smith, former Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bloomin Brands, Inc. and former Chair of the Federal Reserve of Atlanta; Martin Brok, former Global President and Chief Executive Officer of Sephora; Timothy McLevish, former Chief Financial Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.; Hans Melotte, former President of Starbucks Global Channel Development; and Paul Pressler, Chairman of the Board of Directors of eBay, Inc.

Liz Smith said: I am confident that todays milestone is only the beginning of Revlons bright future. While honoring the Companys legacy, I look forward to working alongside the management team and my director colleagues to usher in a new era, execute against the significant opportunities ahead, and deliver enduring value to all Revlons stakeholders.

Noah Charney, Managing Director at King Street Capital Management, L.P., said: On behalf of Revlons new shareholder group, we are proud to serve as stewards of this storied American business and support the Company as it embarks on its path to sustainable, profitable growth.

Additional information, including court filings and other documents related to the court-supervised process, is available on the Companys restructuring website at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/Revlon, by emailing [email protected] or by calling (855) 631-5341 (toll free) or (646) 795-6968 (international).

PJT Partners acted as financial advisor to Revlon and Alvarez & Marsal acted as restructuring advisor. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as legal advisor to the Company.

Centerview Partners LLC acted as financial advisor and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as legal advisor to the Companys lenders.

Financial Results

The Company also reported estimated preliminary financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 25, 2023.

Highlights of the Companys preliminary first quarter 2023 results include:

Net sales for the quarter were $490 million versus $483 million forecasted in the Companys business plan set forth in the Companys Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 19, 2022 (the Business Plan).

Operating income was $51 million versus $19 million forecasted in the Business Plan.

Recurring EBITDA was $77 million, representing a 15.8% margin, versus $50 million, or a 10.4% margin, forecasted in the Business Plan.

About Revlon

Revlon has developed a long-standing reputation as a color authority and beauty trendsetter in the world of color cosmetics and hair care. Since its breakthrough launch of the first opaque nail enamel in 1932, Revlon has provided consumers with high quality product innovation, performance and sophisticated glamour. In 2016, Revlon acquired the iconic Elizabeth Arden company and its portfolio of brands, including its leading designer, heritage and celebrity fragrances. Today, Revlon's diversified portfolio of brands is sold in approximately 150 countries around the world in most retail distribution channels, including prestige, salon, mass, and online. Revlon is among the leading global beauty companies, with some of the worlds most iconic and desired brands and product offerings in color cosmetics, skin care, hair color, hair care and fragrances under brands such as Revlon, Revlon Professional, Elizabeth Arden, Almay, Mitchum, CND, American Crew, Creme of Nature, Cutex, Juicy Couture, Elizabeth Taylor, Britney Spears, Curve, John Varvatos and Christina Aguilera.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes, targets or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The Companys actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and other factors. The Company therefore cautions readers against relying on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on the Companys behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Financial Disclosure Disclaimer

The Companys preliminary estimates of certain financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 contained in this press release are based on currently available information. The Company has not yet finalized its results for this quarterly period, and its consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not currently available. The Companys actual results remain subject to the completion of the quarter-end closing process. While carrying out such procedures, the Company may identify items that require it to make adjustments to the preliminary estimates of its results set forth in this press release. As a result, the Companys actual results could be different from those set forth in the press release and the differences could be material. Additionally, the Companys estimates are forward-looking statements based solely on information currently available to it and may differ from actual results and such differences may be material. Therefore, undo reliance should not be placed on these preliminary estimates of the Companys results. The preliminary estimates of the Companys results included in this press release have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the Companys management. The Companys independent auditors have not audited, reviewed or compiled such preliminary estimates of the Companys results. Accordingly, KPMG LLP expresses no opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The preliminary estimates of certain financial results presented in this press release should not be considered a substitute for the final results.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release includes Recurring EBITDA which is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company uses to supplement its results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Recurring EBITDA is GAAP operating income for the Company, adjusted for (1) non-operating items which primarily include restructuring and related charges; acquisition, integration, and divestiture costs; gain (loss) on divested assets; and impairment charges and (2) depreciation and amortization expense and non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The Company uses Recurring EBITDA as a performance measure. Recurring EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for its most directly comparable as reported measure prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the Companys financial statements and related footnotes. Other companies may define such non-GAAP financial measures such as Recurring EBITDA differently.

The table below reconciles Recurring EBITDA to operating income.

At 23 Budget FX Rates Q1 23 Prelim. Act ($ in millions) Business Plan ($ in

millions) GROSS SALES $ 608 $ 603 Returns, Discounts, Allowances (119 ) (120 ) Net Sales $ 490 $ 483 % Gross to Net 19.5 % 19.9 % Cost of Goods Sold (191 ) (180 ) Gross Profit $ 299 $ 302 % Gross Profit Margin 61.0 % 62.6 % Distribution (28 ) (30 ) Gross Contribution $ 270 $ 272 SG&A (220 ) (254 ) Operating Income $ 51 $ 19 D&A Addback 24 27 Stock Based Compensation 2 5 Recurring EBITDA $ 77 $ 50 % Recurring EBITDA Margin 15.8 % 10.4 %

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Claims Agent:

Kroll

https://cases.ra.kroll.com/Revlon

[email protected]

(855) 631-5341 (toll free)

(646) 795-6968 (international)

Media:

Longacre Square Partners

Dan Zacchei

[email protected]

Source: Revlon, Inc.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jordan Estes has joined Kramer Levins New York office as a partner in the firms White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice. Ms. Estes most recently served as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), where she was co-chief of the General Crimes Unit and a senior member of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005819/en/

Jordan Estes has joined Kramer Levins New York office as a partner in the firms White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice. (Photo: Business Wire)

Ms. Estes served as lead or co-lead prosecutor on 13 criminal trials during her eight years with the Department of Justice, including trials involving securities fraud, insider trading, bank fraud, health care fraud and racketeering offenses. She also supervised more than a dozen trials and hundreds of cases related to financial crimes.

Our White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice has long been recognized as one of the premier practices in the nation, and we are very pleased to add such a stellar new member to our team, said Kramer Levin co-managing partners Paul H. Schoeman and Howard T. Spilko.

Barry H. Berke, chair of the firms Litigation department, said, We could not be more excited that Jordan is joining us. We are trial lawyers here at Kramer Levin. With her extensive courtroom experience and outstanding record of success, Jordan will fit in well and provide the highest-quality representation to our clients.

Dani James, co-chair of the White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice and also a former federal prosecutor in the SDNY, said, Jordan has compiled an outstanding track record as a prosecutor and trial lawyer and is a perfect addition to our group, which handles some of the nations most challenging white collar matters.

Ms. Estes arrival continues the growth of the firms litigation practice. In April 2022, the firm combined with the prominent Washington, DC, litigation boutique Robbins Russell, which prompted the opening of Kramer Levins DC office and was soon followed by the launch of the firms Congressional Investigations and Crisis Management practices. The expanded investigations team is already securing numerous representations, particularly in connection with Securities and Exchange Commission investigations into the banking crisis.

I chose Kramer Levin in large part because of the firms extensive work on major trials and investigations, Ms. Estes said. Thats what I look forward to focusing on as I return to private practice, and Kramer Levin stands out as among the very best firms in these areas.

Prior to serving with the SDNY, Ms. Estes worked as a litigation associate with Hogan Lovells LLP. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi.

Ms. Estes is the seventh lateral partner Kramer Levin has added so far this year, including Zachary Jacobs, a partner in the Private Equity practice; Scott Welkis, a partner in the Corporate department and chair of the firms Special Situations practice; fund formation partners Yasho Lahiri and Robert Bendiner Weiss in the Investment Management practice; Terry D. Novetsky, a partner in the Securitization and Structured Finance practice; and Alexander Woolverton, a partner in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring group.

About Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Kramer Levin provides its clients proactive, creative and pragmatic solutions that address todays most challenging legal issues. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Silicon Valley, Washington, DC, and Paris and fosters a strong culture of involvement in public and community service. For more information, visit www.kramerlevin.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005819/en/

Jennifer Manton

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

212.715.7612

[email protected]

Source: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Slice Labs Inc. (Slice), a technology company providing insurance products to protect small businesses, announced today the partnership with Security Underwriting Managers (SUM), an insurance agency based in Miami, Florida.

The partnership will bring Slices on-demand small business insurance to SUMs 800+ agents. Agents can quote and bind Artisan Contractors General Liability Insurance for 65+ class codes in under five minutes. This product has proved very popular for hard to place businesses like Tree Trimmers, Roofers and Remodelers, as many other carriers have stopped offering coverage for these classes.

We at SUM are extremely excited to partner with a leader in the insurance industry. The ease of use of the Slice platform and the quality of the product offered by Slice will be a huge benefit for the 800+ retail agent partners, said Marcos A. Alvarez, CEO of SUM. Also, this partnership is key to our expansion plans to other states.

We are confident in delivering a delightful agent customer experience to Security Underwriting Managers agents, said Tim Attia, co-founder and CEO of Slice. We know our fast and on-demand quote to bind process will help grow their business.

About Slice Labs:

Slice Labs, Inc. is building the future of insurance by providing intelligent and intuitive, on-demand digital insurance products to protect small businesses. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York City, Slice is backed by leading global insurers and reinsurers, and distributes their on-demand insurance products through the largest distribution platforms. Slice has been consistently recognized as an insurance and technology leader by industry publications, awards, and Tier 1 publications. To learn more, visit https://slice.is. Follow Slice on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Security Underwriting Managers (SUM):

Security Underwriting Managers (SUM) is a General Insurance Agency headquartered in Miami, FL. SUM is dedicated to providing insurance products that provide quality protection with value pricing while addressing the needs of our Agent Partners. We strive to establish a successful partnership with our agents and the insurance companies we represent. We make every effort to respect the interests and goals of each party.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005388/en/

Slice Contact:

Emily Mertz

VP, Marketing

Slice Labs

[email protected]

212-380-1849



SUM Contact:

Marcos A. Alvarez

CEO

Security Underwriting Managers

[email protected]

305-263-6650

Source: Slice Labs Inc.
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Kemper Foundation announced today it has awarded grants to 20 bilingual literacy schoolteachers in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties in Florida. This is the first round of grants awarded in the Miami area through the Foundations Read Conmigo program to advance education by supporting bilingual classrooms.

Read Conmigo grants are focused on strengthening bilingual literacy skills and improving learning opportunities for Latino and Hispanic students. Teachers in public and charter elementary Spanish-English bilingual classrooms are eligible to apply for the grants of $3,000, which can be used for educational resources, tools and materials, and professional development.

Recipients were selected based on their submitted applications and proposals by a panel of The Kemper Foundation principals and Foundation partners including the Florida Association for Bilingual Education. Originally launched in the greater Los Angeles area in 2022, the program expanded to Dallas and Miami in late 2022 and will annually award up to 100 grants of $3,000 in two grant cycles.

Were very pleased to award Read Conmigo grants to well-deserving teachers in Miami-area communities and ultimately help more students gain the educational, social and financial benefits of bilingualism, said Barbara Ciesemier, President of The Kemper Foundation. Our goal is to provide critical support to bilingual classroom teachers and to make a lasting positive impact in the lives of Hispanic and Latino students, their families and their communities.

To learn more about The Kemper Foundation and Read Conmigo, visit The Kemper Foundation website.

About The Kemper Foundation

The Kemper Foundation is the philanthropic partner of Kemper Corporation and focuses on support for charitable causes and organizations in education, health and community development. Through our owned-programs, key partnerships, financial donations, and employee volunteerism, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the communities where we live and work.

About Kemper

The Kemper (NYSE: KMPR) family of companies is one of the nations leading specialized insurers. With approximately $13 billion in assets, Kemper is improving the world of insurance by providing affordable and easy-to-use personalized solutions to individuals, families and businesses through its Auto, Personal Insurance, and Life brands. Kemper serves over 5.3 million policies, is represented by approximately 29,000 agents and brokers, and has approximately 9,500 associates dedicated to meeting the ever-changing needs of its customers. Learn more about Kemper.

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News Media: Barbara Ciesemier, 312.661.4521, [email protected]

Investors: Karen Guerra, 312.661.4930, [email protected]

Source: Kemper
FILE PHOTO: Qantas begins preparing and equipping planes for return of international flights in Sydney

By Praveen Menon

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's flagship carrier, Qantas Airways Ltd, said on Tuesday that long-serving CEO Alan Joyce would step aside in November, and named Vanessa Hudson as its next chief executive officer.

Below is a timeline of key events in Joyce's 15-year career as one of the longest-serving CEOs of a major Australian company.

* November 2008 - Irish-born Alan Joyce is appointed as Qantas chief executive.

* April 2009 - Joyce cuts 1,750 jobs, the first major cull under his leadership, as the airline feels the full impact of the global financial crisis.

* November 2010 - The airline temporarily grounds its Airbus A380 fleet after one of the planes was forced to land in Singapore with engine trouble. It was one of the most serious incidents for an airline with one of the industry's best safety records.

* June 2011 - Joyce announces major restructuring plans, prompting the first industrial action by trade unions in 45 years, leading to an unprecedented grounding of its fleet.

* December 2013 - Qantas calls for government support after warning investors of losses amid a bruising market share battle against domestic rival Virgin Australia.

* August 2014 - The airline reports a shocking full-year loss of $2.8 billion  one of the biggest single-year losses in Australian corporate history  and unveils a "transformation plan" to get the operation back on track.

* October 2016 - Joyce orchestrates a turnaround and delivers record profits and the first dividend to shareholders since 2009.

* May 2019 - Joyce renews his contract for a further three years.

* June 2020 - After the coronavirus pandemic hits, Qantas axes 8,500 jobs, or nearly 30% of its pre-COVID workforce, grounds most of its aircraft and retires its remaining Boeing 747 fleet.

* May 2022 - Joyce announces a multi-billion dollar Airbus plane order and says Qantas would fly non-stop from Sydney to London starting in 2025 in the world's longest direct commercial flight.

Story continues

* August 2022 - Qantas offers vouchers, loyalty status extensions and lounge passes to frequent flyers to apologise for a rise in delays, cancellations, lost baggage and staffing issues since travel demand rebounded.

* February 2023 - The airline swings to a record first-half profit on a strong demand recovery and high ticket prices.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon; editing by Gerry Doyle)
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The LGL Group, Inc.:

(a) Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm

On April 26, 2023, the Audit Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc. (the Company) dismissed RSM US LLP (RSM) as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately in anticipation of the appointment of PKF OConnor Davies, LLP (PKF) as the Companys new independent registered public accounting firm as discussed below. The decision to change the Companys independent registered public accounting firm from RSM to PKF was unanimously approved by the Committee.

The reports of RSM on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) between the Company and RSM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to RSMs satisfaction, would have caused RSM to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such years. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and the subsequent interim period through April 26, 2023, there were no reportable events of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

In accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Company provided RSM with a copy of the disclosures contained in Item 4.01 of the Form 8-K to be filed and requested that RSM furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements contained herein. A copy of RSMs letter, dated April 28, 2023, will be filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Form 8-K.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, Marc Gabelli, expressed his appreciation for the professionalism provided by RSM during the past many years. Marc Gabelli also welcomed PKF and thanked them for taking on the audit responsibility for LGL.

(b) Appointment of independent registered public accounting firm

As discussed above, the Committee appointed PKF as the Companys new independent registered public accounting firm effective as of April 26, 2023.

During the Companys two most recent years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted PKF regarding either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Companys financial statements, and neither a written report was provided to the Company nor oral advice was provided to the Company that PKF concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or reportable event as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v), respectively. The Audit Committee has authorized RSM to respond fully to all inquiries of PKF.

ABOUT THE LGL GROUP, INC.

The LGL Group operates its manufacturing business through our subsidiary, Precise Time and Frequency, LLC ("PTF"), a globally positioned producer of industrial Electronic Instruments and commercial products and services. Founded in 2002, PTF operates from our design and manufacturing facility in Wakefield, Massachusetts. In addition, we operated an Electronic Components segment, M-tron Industries, Inc., until its Spin-off to all shareholders on October 7, 2022 when MtronPTI became an independent, publicly traded company trading on the NYSE American under the stock symbol MPTI. The Separation was achieved through LGLs distribution (the Distribution) of 100% of the shares of MtronPTI's common stock to holders of LGL's common stock as of the close of business on the record date of September 30, 2022. LGL's stockholders of record received one-half share of MtronPTI's common stock for every share of LGL's common stock.

The LGL investment business is comprised of various investment vehicles in which LGL is either shareholder, partner, or has general partner interests, and through which LGL invests its capital. The Company seeks to invest available cash and cash equivalents in liquid investments with a view to enhancing returns as we continue to assess further acquisitions of, or investments in, operating businesses broadly. LGL may provide consulting, advisory, and certain administrative and back-office services to the investment vehicles in which LGL is invested. LGL core strengths include identifying and acquiring undervalued assets and businesses, often through the purchase of securities, increasing value through management, financial or other operational changes, and managing complex legal, regulatory or financial issues, which may include technical, engineering, environmental, zoning, permitting and licensing issues among others.

As of December 31, 2022, LGL had investments (currently classified as Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable securities) with a fair value of approximately $38.1 million. The Company accounts for its Marketable securities under ASC 321 and as such, its Marketable securities are reported at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets.

Business Strategy

Across all of our businesses, our success is based on a simple formula: we seek to find undervalued companies in the Graham & Dodd tradition, a methodology for valuing companies that primarily looks for deeply depressed prices. Today, we are a diversified holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in manufacturing and investments. Several of our operating businesses started out as investment positions in debt or equity securities, held directly by us. Those positions ultimately resulted in control or complete ownership of the target company. For example, in 2004, we acquired a controlling interest in PTI which started out as an investment position and ultimately became an operating subsidiary before the Spin-off. The acquisition of PTI, like our other operating subsidiaries, reflects our opportunistic approach to value creation, through which returns may be obtained by, among other things, promoting change through minority positions at targeted companies in our Investment segment or by acquiring control of those target companies that we believe we could run more profitably ourselves.

In appropriate circumstances, we or our subsidiaries may become the buyer of target companies, adding them to our portfolio of operating subsidiaries, thereby expanding our operations through such opportunistic acquisitions.

It is our belief that our strategy will continue to produce strong results into the future.

Our manufacturing business, PTF, employs a market-based approach of designing and offering new products to our customers through both organic research and development, and through strategic partnerships, joint ventures, acquisitions or mergers. We seek to leverage our core strength as an engineering leader to expand client access, add new capabilities and continue to diversify our product offerings. Our focus is on investments that will differentiate us, broaden our portfolio and lead toward higher levels of integration organically and through joint venture, merger and acquisition opportunities. We believe that successful execution of this strategy will lead to a transformation of our product portfolio towards multi-component integrated offerings, longer product life cycles, better margins and improved competitive position.

A key driver of value is the direct investing business which utilizes various structures and vehicles to build shareholder value, including certain Special Purpose Vehicles which may be syndicated for investment, and involve certain fee generating activities. The company could act as the financial and management sponsor, raise capital from external nonaffiliated investors, and may receive management fees and success-based incentives in accordance with market practice.

General

The LGL Group, Inc. (the "Company," "LGL," "we," "us," or "our") is a holding company engaged in services, investment and manufacturing business activities. Since 1985, the Company has acquired 32 businesses, sold 11, and spun off 3, culminating with the spin-off of M-tron Industries, Inc. (MtronPTI) in 2022.

The Company was incorporated in 1928 under the laws of the State of Indiana, and in 2007, the Company was reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware as The LGL Group, Inc. We maintain our executive offices at 2525 Shader Road, Orlando, Florida 32804. Our telephone number is (407) 298-2000. Our Internet address is www.lglgroup.com. Our common stock and warrants are traded on the NYSE American (NYSE) under the symbols "LGL" and LGL WS, respectively.

LGLs business strategy is primarily focused on growth through expanding new and existing operations across diversified industries. The LGL Group Inc.'s engineering and design origins date back to the early part of the last century. In 1917, Lynch Glass Machinery Company, the predecessor of LGL, was formed, and emerged in the late twenties as a successful manufacturer of glass-forming machinery. The company was then renamed Lynch Corporation and was incorporated in 1928 under the laws of the State of Indiana. In 1946, Lynch was listed on the New York Curb Exchange, the predecessor to the NYSE American. The company has had a long history of owning and operating various businesses in the precision engineering, manufacturing and services sectors.

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as may, will, expect, project, estimate, anticipate, plan, believe, potential, should, continue or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and our current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans, anticipated actions and our future financial condition and results. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005923/en/

The LGL Group, Inc.

James Tivy

(407) 298-2000

Source: The LGL Group, Inc.
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tourists visiting Japan can download convenient apps and local information apps while traveling. The service has started on April 20, 2023.

You can download not only from this website but also from Digital Signage Vending Machines installed in sightseeing spots.

The content that can be enjoyed in Japan will be released one after another.

The Japanese government has great expectations for the acquisition of 60 million tourists in 2030.

URL.

daikichi-one.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230430005040/en/

Your Staff Co., Ltd.

2044-10 Omaru, Inagi City, Tokyo, Japan

http://www.your-staff.co.jp/

TEL: +81-42-370-6600

FAX: +81-42-370-6601

Mail: [email protected]

CEO: Saiki Kensuke

Source: Your Staff Co., Ltd.
American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG) and American International Group (NYSE: AIG) today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby AFG will purchase Crop Risk Services (CRS) from AIG. CRS is a primary crop insurance general agent based in Decatur, Illinois, with 2022 gross written premiums of approximately $1.2 billion and is the seventh largest provider of multi-peril crop insurance in the United States, based on 2022 premiums.

Under the terms of the transaction, AFG will pay AIG $240 million in cash at closing, subject to certain closing adjustments. AFG expects to use cash on hand to fund the acquisition and the parties anticipate the closing to take place during the third quarter of 2023, subject to obtaining required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Carl H. Lindner III, Co-Chief Executive Officer of AFG, commented, We are very pleased to welcome CRS and its approximately 450 employees to AFGs Great American Insurance Group. This business is a great strategic fit with our existing crop insurance operations and will provide the opportunity to continue to benefit from economies of scale. Following the transaction, Great American will remain the #5 ranked writer of U.S. crop insurance and the largest U.S.-owned participant in the United States multi-peril crop insurance program.

S. Craig Lindner, Co-Chief Executive Officer of AFG added, This is a wonderful example of our ability to execute a transaction quickly and deploy excess capital into AFGs core businesses as we identify potential to expand our specialty niche businesses through acquisitions that meet our target return thresholds. Following the transaction, AFG expects to have significant excess capital available for additional share repurchases or special dividends.

Peter Zaffino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AIG commented, AIG acquired CRS as part of its acquisition of Validus Holdings, Ltd. Since that time, CRS has grown substantially under the leadership of a talented and experienced management team. AFG will be an excellent partner for CRS and the business will benefit from the scale this transaction provides. We look forward to a seamless transition through the closing and wish AFG and the entire CRS team every success in the future.

American Financial Groups Great American Insurance Group has been providing crop-hail coverage since 1915 and began writing multi-peril crop insurance in 1980 after Congress authorized the program. Great Americans Crop Division generated gross written premiums of approximately $1.8 billion in 2022 and is the fifth largest provider of multi-peril crop insurance in the United States. As part of the AFG organization, CRS will continue to do business in all 37 states in which it currently operates.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as legal counsel for AFG. Evercore Group L.L.C. and Sidley Austin LLP acted as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, for AIG.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM) reports that a small group of union employees, representing 15 percent of the mine and plant workforce, have illegally blockaded access to the San Jose Mine. As a result, operations at the mine have been temporarily halted.

The illegal blockade arose after this group of workers did not agree with the estimated amount the Company is to distribute among the workforce as part of the worker's profit sharing entitlement. Profit sharing is a transparent calculation and is payable in accordance with Mexican legislation. The blockaders demand the Company increases profit sharing participation beyond what is stipulated by law.

The Company is engaged in dialogue with the union leadership in an open and constructive manner to have employees return to work and for operations to resume as soon as possible.

For over a decade, the San Jose Mine has been the single largest employer in the region of Valles Centrales and provides direct quality employment to over 1,200 people.
WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT) (WisdomTree or the Company), a global financial innovator, today issued a letter to its stockholders urging them to vote for WisdomTrees highly qualified director nominees at WisdomTrees 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (2023 Annual Meeting), which is scheduled to be held on June 16, 2023.

May 2, 2023

Fellow WisdomTree stockholders:

You have an important choice to make at the upcoming 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (2023 Annual Meeting) of WisdomTree, Inc. (WisdomTree or the Company), which will take place on June 16, 2023. A dissident stockholder, ETFS Capital Limited (ETFS Capital), seeks to elect three representatives, including its chairman, Graham Tuckwell, to the WisdomTree Board of Directors. We believe that Mr. Tuckwells continued crusade against WisdomTree is driven purely by his personal agenda and ego, rather than by any consideration of what is best for the Company and its stockholders. We urge you NOT to sign or return any proxy card or voting instruction form that may be sent to you by ETFS Capital, and to WITHHOLD your vote from all three ETFS Capital nominees.

Stockholders can protect their investment in WisdomTree and put a stop to Mr. Tuckwells self-serving plans by voting the WHITE proxy card FOR ALL SIX of WisdomTrees highly qualified director nominees, who are featured below. Each of our director nominees possesses significant and extensive experience relevant to WisdomTrees business strategy, including global financial, accounting, compliance, technology and digital expertise, and many years in senior leadership positions in the investment management and financial services industries.

Lynn S. Blake Extensive leadership experience in asset management industry Provides expertise in investment management, including experience with ESG investment strategies Managed more than 1,400 portfolios and ETFs with assets over $2.3 trillion while CIO

of Global Equity Beta Solutions at State Street

Daniela Mielke Deep financial and transaction experience as executive, founder, board member and advisor Provides decades of expertise in driving growth strategies, and public company board experience Led PayPals growth and strategy during a time of major digital disruption in payments industry

Shamla Naidoo Experienced executive and public company board director with specialization in digital and technology transformation and innovation Has executive experience leading digital strategies for several public companies Led IBMs innovation and growth strategy in cybersecurity as Global Chief Information Security Officer

Win Neuger Decades of experience in senior management positions in asset management industry Holds deep understanding of WisdomTrees business model and expertise in ETFs, accounting and financial reporting Led the management of AIGs global investment portfolio with $753 billion in assets

Frank Salerno Extensive knowledge of ETF industry with senior management experience at large asset managers Provides strategic insight into asset management industry and competitive landscape Served as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Merrill Lynch Investment Advisors  Americas Institutional Division

Jonathan Steinberg Visionary leader who founded WisdomTree in 1988, continuously looking ahead for next generation of innovative digital assets and financial products (e.g., blockchain) Provides extensive knowledge of our business and is the developer of WisdomTrees proprietary index methodology Provides essential insight and guidance to our Board from a management perspective



WISDOMTREE HAS THE RIGHT STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS AND THE RESULTS PROVE IT

Proven Success in our Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) Business

ETFS Capital has made false claims about the growth WisdomTree has achieved across its ETP portfolio. Our recent first quarter results tell the real story:

Record quarter-end assets under management (AUM) of $90.7 billion as of March 31, 2023;

Net inflows of $6.3 billion, the third best quarter in our history;

Ten consecutive quarters of net inflows; and

Annualized inflow growth rate of 31% across all products.

WisdomTree has achieved meaningful organic growth across its ETP portfolio, as shown by our annualized inflow growth rate of 31% as of March 31, 2023, following a 16% annualized inflow growth rate during the year ended December 31, 2022. This best-in-class organic growth, as compared to our Traditional Asset Management Peer Group, stems from over $18.5 billion of inflows during the past 15 months. In his misguided attacks on our performance, Mr. Tuckwell references U.S. ETF market growth, which is largely driven by beta exposures, a segment of the market in which we have chosen not to compete  in fact, we have a broad and diversified array of ETPs available to take advantage of market rotations.

The strength of our franchise is showcased by the fact that net inflows over 10 consecutive quarters have been bolstered by robust growth in many different products and asset categories  as well as fund inflow leadership positions switching five different times over that timeframe  with lower reliance on any one product than at any other time in our Companys history.

Our ETP business has never been stronger. We remain justifiably proud of the success of our U.S. Floating Rate fund (USFR), which grew in AUM from ~$2 billion at the end of 2021 to over $15 billion today; however, it is important to note that USFR is only a piece of the mosaic, and not the entire picture. In fact, while USFR brought in $11 billion of net inflows in 2022, WisdomTree experienced organic growth in seven of its eight major product categories, including a 14% growth rate ($3.3 billion of net inflows) in our U.S. Equity product suite. In addition, our Commodity product suite generated over $2 billion of net inflows during the first quarter of 2023.

Recent financial performance is outshining our peers. Our successful organic growth strategy has translated into outperformance versus our peers. In fact, relative to the eight publicly traded U.S. traditional asset manager peers who have reported earnings as of the timing of this letter, our year-over-year revenue growth has beaten the peer median by 16.5 percentage points. And, while our operating margins declined year-over-year, we outperformed the peer median decline by 2.5 percentage points. Our strategy is working, and we expect ongoing flows and AUM growth to translate into even more margin expansion and outperformance going forward, with our recent investments in digital assets creating additional value for all stockholders in the long run.

Share Price Performance Compared to our Peers

Stockholders should not be misled by the figures ETFS Capital used to compare our share price performance to peers, or by Mr. Tuckwells bizarre attempts to assert that only he and ETFS Capital can positively impact our stock price. We believe our share price performance should be benchmarked over a 3-year time horizon, past the phase when outflows from WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (HEDJ) and WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ) masked our underlying organic growth. From April 2020 to 2023, we generated approximately $24 billion of net inflows. The attached charts illustrate our share price performance and total shareholder return (TSR) in relation to our peers:



As of April 28, 2023, WisdomTree has been the second best performing stock out of 13 publicly traded U.S. traditional asset managers since January 2022. Our success in 2023 is built from the momentum we have established over the last three years. This remains consistent with our historical performance on a trailing 1-, 2- and 3-year time horizon, during which our stock price performance has been strong relative to our peer group and the market overall. Our recent first quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS)1 of $0.07 beat average consensus estimates by 40%, furthering our position as one of the best performing publicly traded U.S. traditional asset managers.

Contrary to what Mr. Tuckwell has stated, ETFS Capitals Schedule 13D filing on January 24, 2022 had no positive impact to our stock price in the weeks that followed, and changes in our stock price in the weeks following the expiration of the 2022 Cooperation Agreement, discussed later in this letter, were muted. Increases in our stock price on or about April 11, 2023 coincided with an analyst upgrade in our stock, rather than any action by Mr. Tuckwell.

We believe investors are keenly aware that organic AUM growth is the key driver of an asset managers stock performance and that our share price performance over the time horizons illustrated above align with our streak of accelerating net inflows, contrary to the narrative proposed by ETFS Capital. Of note, the recent analyst upgrade of our stock to Buy from Neutral was based on the firms effective product diversification and consistently strong net inflows, and we currently have the third highest number of Buy ratings among the nine publicly traded U.S. traditional asset managers with a sub-$5 billion market cap included in our Traditional Asset Manager Peer Group.

Setting the Table for Margin Expansion while Investing in Future Success

The margin profile of our ETP and models franchise remains strong. We are making important investments in future growth initiatives including digital assets and blockchain-enabled finance. We consider the cumulative ~$40 million of spend on these initiatives over the past four years as a small amount compared to what we have achieved and the sizeable opportunity ahead of us. Rather than ignoring the disruptive power of new technologies (like many companies in American history, such as Kodak and Xerox), we have made investments to remain at the forefront of this secular shift, avoid disruption and thrive in the future.

By making these investments, we are well positioned for margin expansion. As we begin to book revenues resulting from our digital assets efforts, we expect the year-over-year impact on operating income will continue to decline before ultimately becoming a large contributor of earnings power. With incremental margins well above 50%, compounding AUM and revenue growth will translate into meaningful margin expansion in future years.

WisdomTree is currently the only publicly traded asset manager that (1) has a top line growth story driven by strong net inflows and (2) is well-positioned for an extended period of sustainable margin expansion, while (3) having a market-leading position in digital assets and blockchain-enabled finance.

Mr. Tuckwell has stated that WisdomTree should focus only on its ETP business rather than explore a complementary digital assets strategy, but he could not be more wrong. A recent report by Citi suggested that tokenized securities could be a $5 trillion market by 2030. Industry peers like Franklin Resources, BlackRock, KKR, Schroders and traditional asset management stalwarts T. Rowe Price, Wellington and Cumberland have all made their own moves into tokenized securities. Over the past four years, we have created a process to bring regulated funds onto the blockchain with multi-chain interoperability  no other firm has been able to do so or has embraced that opportunity better than WisdomTree.

The initial launch of our WisdomTree Prime platform later in the second quarter will allow users to access our suite of products that include nine blockchain-enabled funds, gold and U.S. dollar tokens, as well as bitcoin and ether. A secular shift toward tokenization and blockchain-enabled finance is coming  and we are currently the market leader. ETFS Capital would have us act like the Kodaks and Xeroxes of old, while our vision is to be as adaptive as Netflix and embrace disruptive technology early and quickly in order to capture a large slice of this massive opportunity.

We are entering a new chapter, one that extends and leverages core competencies, stays true to our mission, vision and values  and is marked by a focus on strengthening and evolving our business, capitalizing on our existing momentum and adding more fuel for future growth. We believe that there is significant value to be unlocked as WisdomTree continues to grow and scale.

None of Mr. Tuckwells nominees possesses a digital and technology skillset to help guide WisdomTrees continued growth at this pivotal juncture.

FOLLOWING A THOROUGH REVIEW BY THE INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE, WISDOMTREES BOARD UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED THE COMPANYS STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

Last year, WisdomTree formed an Operations and Strategy Committee of the Board composed of four independent directors, including two directors proposed by ETFS Capital and its then-partner Lion Point Capital (Lion Point) (together, the stockholder group). The Committee had the opportunity to examine our procedures, policies and strategic assumptions  and worked closely with the full Board and WisdomTrees management team to ensure that its review was informed by a comprehensive and transparent understanding of every aspect of our Company. The Committee met numerous times as a group, with management and with the Board, including 16 management presentations from 41 presenters spanning over 40 hours, and in doing so conducted a thorough, independent review of our operations and efficiency, M&A and digital assets strategies, capital deployment, budget process, global sales, models, product development and compensation and culture.

Once the Committee completed its review and presented its findings and recommendations to the full Board, the Board (including the two directors proposed by the stockholder group) voted unanimously to endorse that WisdomTrees current strategy is the right path forward for stockholder value creation and that we have the appropriate management team to execute on this strategy. It is difficult to understand how Mr. Tuckwell can find issues with WisdomTrees strategy and management when his own 2022 directors, after a forensic review, endorsed both!

THE WISDOMTREE BOARD HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED ITS COMMITMENT TO STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, BOARD REFRESHMENT AND ENHANCED CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Mr. Tuckwell has been a stockholder of WisdomTree since 2018, when the company he founded, ETF Securities Limited (now ETFS Capital), sold its European asset management business to WisdomTree (the ETFS Acquisition). At that time, Mr. Tuckwell agreed to be a passive stockholder of WisdomTree. Out of concern regarding Mr. Tuckwells character, conduct and conflicts of interest, we negotiated limits on his ability to control WisdomTree, capping his voting power at 10% and stipulating that he had no contractual right to Board representation. Despite agreeing to those limitations at that time, over the last five years, Mr. Tuckwell has demanded on numerous occasions to be added to WisdomTrees Board, in the apparent (and mistaken) belief that only he can guide your company forward. In accordance with our fiduciary duties, the Board has considered his request multiple times, and in every instance concluded that he would not be a suitable addition to the Board, as he lacks the temperament and public company board experience to enhance our Board, and has conflicts of interest that compromise his independence and put him at odds with the interests of other stockholders.

Refusing to take no for an answer last year, Mr. Tuckwell formed a group with Lion Point, a professional activist investor, to pursue a proxy contest at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We met with this group 13 times over the course of two months, striving in good faith to reach a mutually acceptable resolution to avert a costly, distracting and unnecessary proxy fight to the detriment of stockholders. Despite Mr. Tuckwells intransigence and erratic behavior during the negotiation process, including an 11th hour attempt to derail reaching an agreement, we eventually entered into a cooperation agreement with the stockholder group in May 2022, which included appointing two new directors proposed by the stockholder group, seeking stockholder approval to declassify WisdomTrees Board, and creating the Operations and Strategy Committee that included the two directors proposed by the stockholder group. We felt so strongly about the terms of that agreement regarding WisdomTrees corporate governance and composition of the Board that we committed publicly to implement most of its provisions prior to reaching an agreement with the stockholder group, and regardless of the vote at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

As a result of the Boards continuing efforts to enhance corporate governance, during the past year WisdomTree adopted proxy access by-law provisions, revised our insider trading policy to prohibit hedging and pledging, initiated the de-classification of our Board and adopted a compensation clawback policy. In addition, we also amended our Nominating and Governance Committee Charter to empower this Committee to review and provide oversight on initiatives and policies concerning corporate social responsibility (e.g., ESG matters), and revised our corporate governance guidelines to ensure that the Committee considers diverse candidates inclusive of gender, race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation in the pool of candidates for election to the Board.

We have completed significant Board refreshment over the past few years, having added five new directors since January 2021, all of them female and/or diverse, and these new directors constitute a majority of the Board. We continue to identify outstanding Board candidates, without Mr. Tuckwells assistance, including our newest candidate, digital technology expert Shamla Naidoo.

Contrary to Mr. Tuckwells assertions  which are both misleading and hypocritical  WisdomTrees Board is both inclusive and diverse, with women constituting 44% of the Board and women and persons of color together constituting 55%. In an April 24 press release, he criticized the Board for the departure of two female directors over the past ten months, conveniently omitting the fact that the Board has added two other female directors in the same timeframe and nominated a third woman for election this year. Indeed, his proxy materials are conspicuously silent regarding Lynn S. Blake, a director he proposed last year, who was seated by the Board, elected overwhelmingly by stockholders at last years annual meeting, and nominated by the Board for re-election this year based on her expertise and contributions during the past year. Mr. Tuckwell would like to posture as an advocate for Board diversity, but in reality he has named a slate of two men and one woman and explicitly challenged the qualifications of a woman of color, Ms. Naidoo.

YOUR BOARD HAS WORKED IN GOOD FAITH TO AVOID GRAHAM TUCKWELLS PERSONALLY MOTIVATED, UNNECESSARY AND UNWARRANTED PROXY CONTEST

Lion Point dissolved its partnership with ETFS Capital in December 2022, suggesting that Lion Point saw no value in continuing to support Mr. Tuckwells ego-driven crusade against WisdomTree. In the months since, Mr. Tuckwell has evidently been unable to convince any other professional activist investor to join him in the place of Lion Point, perhaps because they do not see a case for change at WisdomTree. Unfortunately, even without allies, Mr. Tuckwell is once again waging another needless proxy contest that puts the Companys future and your investment at risk. Your Board has once again been willing to engage in good faith with Mr. Tuckwell, having communicated and met with him and his representatives seven times in the month prior to ETFS Capital formally initiating this proxy contest.

During our discussions in 2023, Mr. Tuckwell persistently demanded that the Board agree to replace four incumbent directors with three new directors of his choosing and one director mutually agreed upon. We repeatedly asked him to identify the director nominees he had in mind, showing our willingness to review and consider the potential new directors suitability and ability to add value to the Board. He refused to do so unless we first agreed to the self-serving framework he proposed, asking in effect for a blank check to change the composition of the Board to suit his own preferences, something we could not possibly grant given our fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of all WisdomTree stockholders. Given WisdomTrees strong operating results and stock performance, we view Mr. Tuckwells demands for Board changes as unjustified and unwarranted for our stockholders.

Instead of giving us the opportunity to evaluate his candidates prior to entering a proxy contest, Mr. Tuckwell made us aware of his nominees  Tonia Pankopf, Bruce E. Aust and himself  only in a public communication, squandering an opportunity to achieve a negotiated resolution prior to his engaging in a proxy contest against the Company. After reviewing their qualifications, we do not believe that Mr. Aust or Ms. Pankopf would add any skills or competencies to the Board that the current Board members collectively do not already possess.

GRAHAM TUCKWELL IS CONFLICTED, UNQUALIFIED AND LACKS THE REQUISITE TEMPERAMENT TO LEAD ANY PUBLIC COMPANY BOARD, ESPECIALLY WISDOMTREES BOARD

The ETFS Acquisition in 2018 was an exciting opportunity to meaningfully expand and enhance our presence and capabilities in the European market. We saw a chance to develop the business Mr. Tuckwell had created into something scalable and sustainable for the long-term. Of note, this past quarter was the best quarter of inflows and revenues since the European business was acquired back in 2018. We have injected life and diversity into the European UCITS product suite, growing the franchise from $0 to over $4 billion of AUM in the past 5 years. The products that WisdomTree has launched in the European market account for substantially all the cumulative net inflows across the entirety of the European business. Simply stated, the European business is broader and more robust with greater profitability and lower risk than what we inherited from the transaction. If Mr. Tuckwell were the best steward for the future of that business, he would still be running it, rather than having decided to break it up.

We knew at the time of the acquisition that Mr. Tuckwell did not have the requisite leadership capabilities or experience to grow and sustain the original business, and he certainly does not have the appropriate qualifications to grow the business as part of WisdomTree. Mr. Tuckwell is particularly ill-suited to comment on WisdomTrees natural extension of our business related to our digital assets strategy, an area he never showed any interest in pursuing. That said, we note that Mr. Tuckwell also has recently invested in digital assets competitors, which shows that even he sees value in this current shift.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT IN WISDOMTREE. REJECT GRAHAM TUCKWELL AND HIS NOMINEES AND VOTE THE WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY FOR ALL SIX OF WISDOMTREES NOMINEES, AND WITHHOLD ON THE ETFS CAPITAL NOMINEES

The record reflects that your Board has at every turn attempted to avoid an expensive and distracting proxy contest. Our strategy is clear, and our performance speaks for itself. Even the directors proposed by the stockholder group last year have endorsed our current strategy and management team as part of a unanimous Board vote. There is no case for change at WisdomTree, and even if there were, Mr. Tuckwell and his nominees would be the wrong people to effect that change.

We expect that over the coming weeks, you will receive copious materials from ETFS Capital, in which Mr. Tuckwell will surely claim to be concerned about the Companys performance, its strategy and our corporate governance, but these are all just a smoke screen. Please do not be tricked by his antics  Mr. Tuckwell has nothing new to say about our strategy and operations, and we have absolutely no reason to think that he would act in the best interests of all our stockholders either as a member of the Board or as an advisor to his director nominees if he is able to force them onto our Board.

By voting for all six of our nominees, you will ensure that the WisdomTree Board has the right directors and mix of expertise to oversee the development and execution of our strategic objectives and the continued implementation of our strategic plans. Your vote will enable the Board to do so uninterrupted.

We are committed to acting in your best interests, and we appreciate your continued support as we work to strengthen and evolve our business. Thank you for your investment in WisdomTree.

Sincerely,

Frank Salerno

Independent Chair of the WisdomTree Board

Your vote is important, no matter how many or how few shares you own.

If you have questions about how to vote your shares, or need additional assistance, please contact the firm assisting us in the voting process:

Innisfree M&A Incorporated

Stockholders call toll-free: (877) 750-5836

Banks and brokers call collect: (212) 750-5833

IMPORTANT

We urge you NOT to sign any proxy card or voting instruction form from Graham Tuckwell or ETFS Capital Limited.

If you have already done so, you have every legal right to change your vote TODAY using the WHITE proxy card  by telephone, by internet or by signing, dating and returning the WHITE proxy card in the postage-page envelope provided in the mailing  or the WHITE voting instruction form.

VOTE FOR:

Lynn S. Blake

Daniela Mielke

Shamla Naidoo

Win Neuger

Frank Salerno

Jonathan Steinberg

WITHHOLD VOTE ON:

Bruce E. Aust

Tonia Pankopf

Graham Tuckwell

Advisors

BofA Securities is serving as financial advisor, and Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal counsel to WisdomTree. Innisfree M&A is serving as proxy solicitor and H/Advisors Abernathy is serving as strategic communications advisor.

About WisdomTree

WisdomTree is a global financial innovator, offering a well-diversified suite of exchange-traded products (ETPs), models and solutions. We empower investors to shape their future and support financial professionals to better serve their clients and grow their businesses. WisdomTree is leveraging the latest financial infrastructure to create products that provide access, transparency and an enhanced user experience. Building on our heritage of innovation, we are also developing next-generation digital products and structures, including digital funds and tokenized assets, as well as our blockchain-native digital wallet, WisdomTree Prime.

WisdomTree currently has approximately $91.5 billion in assets under management globally.

WisdomTree is the marketing name for WisdomTree, Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this letter that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are identified by use of the words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, plans, predicts, projects, should, views, and similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated, including, but not limited to, the impact and contributions of the slate of director nominees WisdomTree has nominated, and WisdomTrees ability to achieve its financial and business plans, goals and objectives and drive stockholder value, including with respect to its ability to successfully implement its strategy relating to WisdomTree Prime, and other risk factors discussed from time to time in WisdomTrees filings with the SEC, including those factors discussed under the caption Risk Factors in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. WisdomTree assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law, to reflect events or circumstances occurring after todays date.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

WisdomTree filed a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying WHITE proxy card and other relevant documents with the SEC in connection with such solicitation of proxies from WisdomTree stockholders for WisdomTrees 2023 Annual Meeting. WISDOMTREE STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ WISDOMTREES DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD, AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and stockholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement, an accompanying WHITE proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the definitive proxy statement and other documents that WisdomTree files with the SEC at no charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge on WisdomTrees Investor Relations website at https://ir.wisdomtree.com/sec-filings or by contacting Jeremy Campbell, Head of Investor Relations, at [email protected], as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Disclaimer

WisdomTree has neither sought nor obtained the consent from any third party to use any statements or information contained in this letter that have been obtained or derived from statements made or published by such third parties. Any such statements or information should not be viewed as indicating the support of such third parties for the views expressed herein.

Category: Business Update

1 Adjusted diluted earnings-per-share is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a description of this measure and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, diluted earnings per share, please see Exhibit 99.1 to our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2023.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005825/en/

Investor Relations



WisdomTree, Inc.



Jeremy Campbell



+1.646.522.2602



[email protected]



or



Innisfree M&A Incorporated



Jonathan Salzberger / Scott Winter



+1.212.750.5833



[email protected] / [email protected]







Media Relations



WisdomTree, Inc.



Jessica Zaloom



+1.917.267.3735



[email protected] / [email protected]



or



H/Advisors Abernathy



Jeremy Jacobs / Dana Gorman



+1.202.774.5600 / +1.212.371.5999



[email protected] / [email protected]

Source: WisdomTree, Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A trader works at the post where First Republic Bank stock is traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) - The New York Stock Exchange said on Tuesday it will delist shares of First Republic Bank, the lender that was seized by regulators before JPMorgan Chase & Co acquired most of its assets.

Apart from the company's common stock, seven different types of its preferred stock will also be delisted. Trading in all the shares will be suspended immediately, the exchange said.

First Republic was acquired by Merrill Lynch in 2007. But it was listed on the stock market again in 2010 after being sold by Merrill's new owner Bank of America Corp, following the 2008 financial crisis.

At its peak, in November 2021, the bank was valued at over $40 billion.

California regulators on Monday seized First Republic and put it into Federal Deposit Insurance Corp receivership, marking the third major U.S. bank failure in two months and the largest since Washington Mutual in 2008.

JPMorgan took control of most of the San Francisco-based bank's assets and all of its deposits.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
FILE PHOTO: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

By Niket Nishant and Chibuike Oguh

(Reuters) -Shares of U.S. regional banks PacWest Bancorp and Western Alliance Bank plunged on Tuesday as the demise of First Republic Bank triggered investor concerns about the financial health of other mid-sized lenders.

JPMorgan Chase agreed on Monday to acquire a majority of First Republic's assets in a $10.6 billion deal after regulators seized the lender, which became the largest U.S. bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis.

Investors fear the latest turmoil, which began with the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March, could spread to other regional banks.

The KBW Regional Banking Index fell 5.52%, hitting its lowest since December 2020.

"If a 'confidence crisis' can happen to First Republic, it can happen to any bank in this country," said Jake Dollarhide, CEO of Longbow Asset Management.

"This is potentially a big deal, which hopefully won't materialize to anything significant," he added.

Los Angeles-based PacWest tumbled by more than 27%. It is ranked 53rd among U.S. lenders with $41.2 billion in assets as of the end of last year, according to Federal Reserve data.

Phoenix, Arizona-based lender Western Alliance, the No. 40 U.S. bank with $68 billion in assets, sank 15% while Cleveland, Ohio-based KeyCorp, the 20th largest bank with $188 billion in assets, fell 9%.

Comerica, a Dallas, Texas-based bank ranked 37th among U.S. lenders with $86 billion in assets, shed 12%. Columbus, Georgia-based Synovus Financial Corp, with $60 billion in assets and ranked the 42nd U.S. biggest bank, lost nearly 7%.

Valley National Bankcorp, which owns Valley National Bank based in Passaic, New Jersey and is the 43rd largest lender with $57 billion in assets, closed 3% lower after shedding more than 20% on Monday.

"Historically, once you see a resolution of one institution, the market tends to go after who they view as the next weakest link," said Goldman Sachs regional banks analyst Ryan Nash.

The exposure of regional banks to the commercial real estate sector, particularly office buildings that currently have high vacancy rates, has further heightened investor concerns that loan losses could pile up and exacerbate the current crisis amid rising interest rates.

Regional banks with up to $250 billion in assets held about $1.1 trillion of commercial real estate loans with maturities through 2027 as of the end of last year, according to real estate data analytics firm Trepp Inc.

"There could be some haircuts on office loans and that's a market where regional banks have a lot of exposure," Nash said.

JPMorgan Chase's deal for First Republic's assets has ended risks of a contagion, some analysts said. But others noted the deal makes the biggest U.S. bank even bigger, raising the risk of a heightened "too-big-to-fail" problem that regulators have been trying to solve for years.

"While we think this deal underscores all of JPM's key strengths, we can't help but try to read into what it means if our biggest bank is the government's first line of defense," analysts at Evercore ISI wrote in a note.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to comment on the regional bank crisis at the end of its Federal Open Markets Committee meeting on Wednesday, with markets expecting a 25 basis point hike.

The selloff was driven by the threat of higher interest rates making the situation worse, said Phil Blancato, CEO of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant, Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat, Ankika Biswas, Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Nupur Anand, Matt Tracy and Chibuike Oguh in New York; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, Deepa Babington and Jamie Freed)
The Calypso trial is expected to be the largest Phase 3 trial to date conducted in hypoparathyroidism with topline data expected by end of 2024

In addition to serum calcium control and elimination of standard of care, the study will also assess normalization of urinary calcium as a key secondary efficacy endpoint

The effect of eneboparatide on bone quantity and quality will also be evaluated

Calypso design builds on the findings from the Phase 2a trial in relation to control of serum calcium, discontinuation of oral supplements, normalization of hypercalciuria and induction of a balanced bone turnover.

LYON, France and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amolyt Pharma, a global company specialized in developing therapeutic peptides for rare endocrine and related diseases, today announced that it will initiate its Phase 3 clinical trial of eneboparatide, a long-acting parathyroid hormone 1 (PTH1) receptor agonist, in patients with hypoparathyroidism following the receipt of End-of-Phase 2 guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

We appreciate the constructive discussions with the FDA during the End-of-Phase 2 meeting and have designed our trial in line with the Agencys guidance. We believe the Calypso study will be the largest prospective randomized clinical trial in hypoparathyroidism to date, representing a major milestone for the patient community as well as for Amolyt Pharma, said Thierry Abribat, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of Amolyt Pharma. We look forward to further evaluating the clinical potential of eneboparatide to uniquely address key treatment goals in hypoparathyroidism. On the heels of our recently announced $138M Series C financing, we look forward to diligently executing this trial with the aim to announce topline data by the end of 2024.

Mark Sumeray, M.D., chief medical officer of Amolyt Pharma, added, Standard of care, which is high doses of oral calcium and vitamin D supplements, often fails to normalize serum calcium levels and exacerbates hypercalciuria, leading to progressive kidney dysfunction and failure from calcium deposition and kidney stones. In this Phase 3 trial, we will evaluate the efficacy of eneboparatide with respect to control of serum calcium, elimination of standard of care and improvement of symptoms. In addition, we have specified normalization of urinary calcium excretion in hypercalciuric patients as the first key secondary efficacy endpoint. We have also included exploratory endpoints assessing bone quantity and quality, since many patients with hypoparathyroidism have or are at risk of developing osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Calypso is a Phase 3 multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eneboparatide in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism. Approximately 165 patients treated with standard of care will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive eneboparatide or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of patients that achieve albumin-adjusted serum calcium within the normal range and independence from standard of care after 24 weeks of treatment. The secondary efficacy endpoints include normalization of 24-hour urinary calcium in patients with hypercalciuria at baseline and assessment of patient-reported outcomes that reflect symptoms associated with physical and cognitive function and impact on quality of life. Additional exploratory endpoints assess bone quantity and quality using DXA scanning and high resolution peripheral quantitative CT scanning. After the initial 24-week placebo-controlled period, all patients will be treated with eneboparatide in an open-label extension phase for an additional 28 weeks.

The Calypso trial aims to build on the findings of our Phase 2a trial, which demonstrated that eneboparatide maintained mean serum calcium within the target range, allowing discontinuation of oral supplements in 93% of patients; induced a balanced increase in bone biomarkers that was consistent with restoration of more physiologic bone turnover; and rapidly normalized 24-hour urinary calcium excretion in all but one patient.

The Calypso trial will be conducted in more than 50 centers in the United States, Europe, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

About HypoparathyroidismHypoparathyroidism is defined by a deficiency of parathyroid hormone (PTH) that results in decreased calcium and elevated phosphorus levels in the blood. Approximately 80% of the estimated 80,000 people in the U.S. and 110,000 in the European Union with hypoparathyroidism are women. Despite available treatments, patients experience persistent, life-altering symptoms and often develop complications and comorbidities that diminish quality of life and create segments of the patient population with specific clinical needs. Clinical manifestations of hypoparathyroidism impact many tissues and organ systems, in particular the kidneys and bone.

17% of patients with hypoparathyroidism have osteopenia or osteoporosis and 53% are peri- or postmenopausal women with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Approximately 26% of patients with hypoparathyroidism have chronic kidney disease or failure, highlighting the importance of reducing urinary calcium excretion as a key treatment goal.

About EneboparatideEneboparatide is an investigational therapeutic peptide designed to target a specific conformation of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor to safely produce sustained and stable levels of calcium in the blood and thereby manage the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism, and to limit urine calcium excretion by restoring calcium reabsorption by the kidney, with the goal of consequently preventing chronic kidney disease. In addition to its unique receptor profile, eneboparatide is also designed to have a short half-life to potentially preserve bone integrity, an important benefit, since the majority of patients are peri- and postmenopausal women with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

About Amolyt Pharma Amolyt Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, is building on its teams established expertise to deliver life-changing treatments to patients suffering from rare endocrine and related diseases. Its development portfolio includes eneboparatide (AZP-3601), a long-acting PTH1 receptor agonist as a potential treatment for hypoparathyroidism, and AZP-3813, a peptide growth hormone receptor antagonist for the potential treatment of acromegaly. Amolyt Pharma aims to further expand and develop its portfolio by leveraging its global network in the field of endocrinology and with support from a strong syndicate of international investors. To learn more, visit https://amolytpharma.com/ or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Inquiries: Jordyn TemperatoLifeSci Communications [email protected]

Investors Inquiries:Ashley RobinsonLifeSci Advisors, LLC[email protected]+1.617.430.7577

Source: Amolyt Pharma
2 May 2023, 15:15 CET

The Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting (General Meetings) of shareholders of ArcelorMittal (the Company) held today in Luxembourg approved all resolutions by a strong majority.

Over 75% of the voting rights were represented at the General Meetings. The detailed results of the votes will be posted shortly on www.arcelormittal.com under Investors > Equity Investors > Shareholders meetings > General Meetings of shareholders, 2 May 2023 where the full documentation regarding the General Meetings is available.

In particular, the shareholders:

Approved the distribution of a dividend of US$0.44 per share;

Re-elected Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, Mr. Aditya Mittal, Mr. Etienne Schneider and elected Mrs. Patricia Barbizet as directors of ArcelorMittal, for a term of three years each;

Approved the decision to cancel shares and to consequently reduce the issued share capital following the cancellation of shares repurchased under its share buyback program as required.

ENDS

About ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel company, with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking facilities in 16 countries. In 2022, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $79.8 billion and crude steel production of 59 million metric tonnes, while iron ore production reached 50.9 million metric tonnes.

Our purpose is to produce ever smarter steels that have a positive benefit for people and planet. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. This is what we believe it takes to be the steel company of the future.

ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).

For more information about ArcelorMittal please visit: http://corporate.arcelormittal.com/

Contact information ArcelorMittal Investor Relations General +44 20 7543 1128 Retail +44 20 3214 2893 SRI +44 20 3214 2801 Bonds/CreditE-mail +33 171 921 026 [email protected] Contact information ArcelorMittal Corporate Communications Paul WeighTel:E-mail: +44 20 3214 2419 [email protected]

Source: ArcelorMittal S.A.
VICTOR, N.Y., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BERNINA dealer, Aurora Sewing Center, is opening a brand-new location in Victor, NY. The new location will be the stores third brick and mortar in the New York area.

To celebrate the opening, Aurora Sewing Center will be hosting a four-day event to introduce the store to locals starting May 3, 2023 at 11 Framark Dr. Victor, NY 14564. From multiple demos to BERNINA Clever Quilting Longarm events, the BERNINA dealer will even be welcoming all to the ribbon cutting on May 6th with the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce, Town of Victor and BERNINA President, Paul Ashworth, as well as BERNINA District Sales Manager, Therese Canfield.

The family-owned and operated business provides over 40 years of experience as well as a variety of machines, like BERNINA, for sewing, embroidery, serger, multi-needle and longarm quilting needs. Outside of the selling space, Aurora Sewing Center offers an on-site certified Technician team to service and repair machines.

While Aurora Sewing Center focuses on sales and repair, patrons can take advantage of their robust class schedule that cater to both beginner and seasoned sewists.

For more information on the grand opening events for Victor, visit https://www.aurorasewingcenter.com/ or call (585) 742-2680.

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: 773-208-7707EMAIL: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4729d18b-19de-4683-a5c3-d88a1134ba4c.

Aurora Sewing Center 11 Framark Dr. Victor, NY 14564

Source: BERNINA of America
Rick Tramonto is now the food and beverage director and executive chef for Parker Hospitality. (Parker Hospitality)

One of the most acclaimed chefs in Chicago history is back.

Rick Tramonto, who led Tru to national prominence in the late 1990s and aughts, surprised many when, in 2010, he decided to open Restaurant Revolution in New Orleans with Louisiana chef John Folse.

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But after 13 years, hes ready to return to the Windy City.

Instead of a new project, Tramonto is now the food and beverage director and executive chef for Parker Hospitality, Brad Parkers booming restaurant group.

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He told me, Man, I could really use some help, Tramonto said. They are growing at such a rapid pace, with new Hampton Socials going into different markets all over the country. Parker Hospitality also runs The Bassment.

Tramonto isnt kidding about Hampton Social, which first opened in Streeterville back in 2015. The restaurant now has five outlets in Illinois, one in Tennessee and three in Florida, with another in Miami opening soon. Tramonto said locations are already in the works for Atlanta, Dallas and Denver.

Of course, Hampton Socials catchphrase of rose all day might seem like an odd fit for Tramonto, but he said he feels invigorated. I met the team, and I liked the energy and youthfulness of it, Tramonto said. Im old-school coming into this new-school environment. Plus, hes hoping to grow with the company. Im going to implement systems into Hampton Social and continue training and mentorship, Tramonto said. Theres a lot of room for me to help them, like with an Italian project or a steakhouse.

Tramonto certainly has experience launching projects. For more than 20 years, Tramonto was one of Chicagos most visible chefs. With his former wife Gale Gand, he opened Trio in Evanston and then Brasserie T in Northfield. In 1999, he and Gand partnered with Richard Melman, of Lettuce Entertain You, to open Tru.

The stylish French-influenced project became one of Chicagos most popular high-end restaurants, picking up four stars from Phil Vettel, two Michelin stars and two James Beard awards. While still at Tru, Tramonto continued to open new restaurants, including Tramontos Steak & Seafood and RT Sushi Bar in Wheeling.

His exit from Chicago in 2010 surprised many in the dining scene, but hed been developing a strong friendship with John Folse in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, I called up John Folse and asked him how I could help, Tramonto said. He asked if I could come down. What was supposed to be four weeks turned into six, as Tramonto helped cook massive amounts of food for people in the disaster zone. I just wanted to help, to pray with them and feed them, Tramonto said.

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Tramonto said that a few years later, he and Folse were offered a blank canvas to run a restaurant at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans, a hotel in the French Quarter. That eventually became Restaurant Revolution. We cut a 10-year deal, Tramonto said. We had a great run. Im very proud of the work we did there.

Over the past 13 years, he did consider opening another restaurant in Chicago. He even announced hed bring an outlet of Restaurant Revolution to Chicago back in 2016, but those plans fell through. We could never make it work from a financial standpoint, Tramonto said. It just wasnt in the cards.

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While this marks Tramontos public return to Chicago, hes honest that hes been here more than most people realize. I never left Chicago, Tramonto said. My kids are here. Ive been going back to Chicago every four to six weeks.

Tramonto has mostly been consulting for the past two years. That includes a stint with Rock & Brews, co-owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from the rock band Kiss.

But after so many years of needing to travel for his job, hes ready to have a home base again. I wanted to be off the road, Tramonto said. Ive been doing this for 40 years, so now Im thinking about the next generation. When youve been blessed with Beard awards and books, this is exactly where I need to be to have some impact. Theres a lot of energy and growth. If I can help, its a win.

nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

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FACT.MR

Anhydrite Market Analysis By Type (Natural, Synthetic), By Application (Soil Treatment, Plasters, Industrial, Drying Agents, Construction, Others) and By Regions  Global Insights 2023 to 2033

Rockville, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per this latest study by Fact.MR, a provider of market research and competitive intelligence, the global anhydrite market is expected to reach US$ 400 billion by 2033, increasing at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2023 to 2033.



Anhydrite is a member of the CaSO4 family of minerals. It is an anhydrous compound, unlike other minerals such as gypsum (CaSO4,2H2O), which does contain water in its crystal structure. This characteristic, along with its distinct crystalline structure, makes anhydrite a special substance with exceptional qualities, allowing it to be used in numerous industrial applications.

It happens in the basins of sediments during massive layered deposits, where vast amounts of seawater are evaporated. An extensive layering of anhydrite, which is anhydrous calcium sulfate, can be found in sedimentary basins. Anhydrite is the main component of halite, gypsum, and limestone evaporite deposits.

For more insights into the Market, Request a Sample of this Report:

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=8549

Anhydrite is utilized in a variety of processes, including drying agents, construction, and soil treatment. Due to its increased solubility and calcium content, which is very helpful for maintaining soil fertility, soil treatment applications are driving global market growth. The shortage of arable land and increasing need for soil treatment for farming and cultivation are projected to drive market expansion.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

The global anhydrite market amounted to US$ 266.8 billion in 2023.

Worldwide demand for anhydrite is projected to increase at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period (2023 to 2033).

The global market is estimated to touch US$ 400 billion by the end of 2033.

Soil treatment accounts for a market share of more than 35%.

The market in China is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 7%.



Story continues

The market is primarily being driven by growing demand from the agricultural sector because of a scarcity of cultivated land and growing need for soil treatment for farming and cultivation activities, says a Fact.MR analyst.

Market Stratagems

Manufacturers of anhydrite are focusing on producing high-quality products to fulfil the growing demand from several end-use industries such as construction, food & beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

They are also using sustainable production methods to reduce their impact on the environment and comply with regulations. Companies are also broadening their global reach through strategic partnerships and acquisitions to access new markets and increase their market share.

CGC Inc., an affiliate of USG Corporation with its headquarters in Alberta, started producing wallboards in Wheatland County in July 2022. This investment could help CGC better serve its dedicated clients in Alberta and the West, and it also shows the company's dedication to the Canadian market.



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Competitive Landscape

To remain competitive, anhydrite market manufacturers are focusing on innovation, product differentiation, and strategic partnerships and collaborations. Many companies are investing in R&D to develop new anhydrite-based products and solutions that offer unique benefits and address specific customer needs. Additionally, strategic partnerships and collaborations with other companies in the value chain are helping companies to expand their product offerings and reach new markets.

There are also several small-scale players in the market who specialize in specific applications or regions. These players focus on niche markets and offer specialized products or services to cater to specific customer needs.

In October 2020, the Brazilian mining company Vale announced plans to invest US$2 billion in a project to produce anhydrite from waste generated by its nickel mining operations. The project is expected to produce up to US$ 1.5 million tonnes of anhydrite per year, which will be used as a fertilizer and soil conditioner.



Companies Profiled

Bisley & Company Pvt. Ltd.

USG Corporation

Saint-Gobain SA

ANHYDRITEC

Solvay

Knauf Gips KG

Mineralis Lucentum

Quzhou Zunlong

NATIONAL GYPSUM PROPERTIES

Vanich Gypsum CO. Ltd

Key Segments of Anhydrite Industry Research

By Type : Natural Synthetic

By Application : Soil Treatment Plasters Industrial Drying Agents Construction Others

By Region : North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa



For in-depth competitive analysis, Buy Now:

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More Valuable Insights on Offer

Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global anhydrite market, presenting historical demand data (2018 to 2022) and forecast statistics for the period (2023 to 2033).

The study divulges essential insights on the market based on type (natural, synthetic) and application (soil treatment, plasters, industrial, drying agents, construction, others), across five major regions of the world.

Key Questions Covered in the Anhydrite Market Report

What will be the estimated size of the Market in 2023?

At what rate will the global Anhydrite sales grow until 2033?

Which are the factors hampering the Anhydrite demand?

Which region will spearhead the growth in the global industry during 2023-2033?

Which are the factors driving sales in the Anhydrite Market during the forecast period?



Check out more related studies published by Fact.MR Research:

Synthetic Gypsum Market Share: The global synthetic gypsum market stands at US$ 1.56 Bn in 2022, and is forecast to climb to a valuation of US$ 2.17 Bn by 2032, registering a CAGR of 3.4% from 2022 to 2032.

Calcium Market Growth: Construction industrys growth coupled with governmental investments in the infrastructural developments has provided an impetus to the demand for calcium. Thereby, recent trends of increasing industrialization are expected to play an important role in growth of the calcium market in the upcoming years.

Calcium Sulphite Market Demand: Calcium sulphite is used as a water treatment chemical to remove impurities, such as chlorine and other contaminants. As more and more countries focus on improving their water treatment infrastructure, the demand for Calcium Sulphite Market is expected to increase.

Calcium Nitrate Market Size: The global calcium nitrate market size stands at a value of US$ 12.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to surpass a US$ 20.7 billion sales valuation by the end of 2032.

Gypsum-free Cement Market Manufacturers: Gypsum-free cement market manufacturers expected to observe higher penetration opportunities in developing regions, such as China, India, Middle Eastern countries, and Northern African economies.

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Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide detailed information about each aircrafts environmental footprint across its life cycle

Bombardiers unique Product Sustainability and Strategy team analyzed environmental incidence of over 140K aircraft parts per program to create holistic and transparent public reports

Long-range Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft join Global 7500 and Challenger 3500 as worlds only business jets carrying an EPD

Global 5500 and Global 6500 EPDs contribute to Bombardiers long-term view EcoJet research platform

MONTREAL, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier today announced that it has completed a thorough analysis of the Global 5500 and Global 6500 in order to publish Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for two of its large aircraft. They join the Global 7500 aircraft and the Challenger 3500 aircraft as business aviations only EPD-designated jets.

For over a decade, Bombardier dedicated a full-time internal team of experts to the development of standardizable key metrics, data gathering, validation and analysis. Bringing together industry players and 45 tier-1 suppliers, Bombardier assessed 200K aircraft parts over the development of the Global 7500 aircraft program, gaining valuable insights on the environmental impact of this business jet and leading to a third-party verified public report.

The industry-leading, high-performance Global 7500 aircraft became the first business aircraft to receive an EPD designation for this report in 2020 and was followed by the Challenger 3500 EPD in 2022. The holistic methodology was replicated in analyzing the Global 5500 and Global 6500 programs, where 280K parts were assessed.

The publication of the Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft EPDs are the results of years of scientific effort, said Michel Ouellette, Executive Vice President, Engineering and Product Development, Bombardier. These declarations are more than brochures: they are tools for the aviation industry to drive sustainable innovations across its activities spectrum. They are also the outcome of the thoroughness, mindfulness and ingenuity of a uniquely skilled internal team of experts. As a company, we are immeasurably proud that the reputation of our products and exciting opportunities attract the best minds in the world.

Thanks to the colossal groundwork done by Bombardiers dedicated team in establishing environmental requirements at the design phase of future programs, the Global 5500 and Global 6500 business jets possess strong sustainability elements. From a design perspective, they feature up to 13% better fuel efficiency than their predecessors with redesigned wings and new purpose-built Rolls-Royce Pearl engines. The high-speed transonic wing on these aircraft also cuts down on drag, reducing fuel burn, and lowering emissions, offering a smooth ride, excellent short-field and high-speed performance. Bombardier also currently offers sustainable cabin material options for the interior of all aircraft.

Bombardier has the influence and expertise to change the future of aviation, said Michel Ouellette, We made the decision over 10 years ago to tackle the industrys most urgent challenge in the long run with our EcoJet research platform; in the short run by encouraging the increased use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF); and in the medium run by adopting a sustainability mindset when designing all our aircraft; before the first piece of sheet metal is cut. With our business jets EPDs, we have equipped ourselves with a comprehensive and replicable methodology to ensure environmental risks and impacts across our value chain are identified now, and effectively managed through our continuous innovation and improvement approach.

The extensive data gleaned in the development of Bombardiers product life cycle analysis, which is available for the industry and the public to consult, help key players reevaluate how current aircraft are designed and built. Bombardiers sustainable cabin interiors materials offering is one example of how this life cycle analysis led to tangible product improvement. Meanwhile, in working towards inventing the future of sustainable aviation with its long-term view EcoJet research platform, these EPDs are already influencing decisions at the supply chain level, by mapping a clear strategy for sustainable sourcing and product development processes.

Bombardiers overall environmental, social and governance (ESG) plan also supports the industry-wide aspiration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, by actively advocating for the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels, enhancing aircraft recoverability and sustainable sourcing, improving energy efficiency in its operations, optimizing carbon offsets, and more.

About Bombardier

Bombardier (BBD-B.TO) is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing, and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardiers Challenger and Global aircraft families are renowned for their cutting-edge innovation, cabin design, performance, and reliability. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. Bombardier aircraft are also trusted around the world in government and military special-mission roles leveraging Bombardier Defenses proven expertise.

Headquartered in Greater Montreal, Quebec, Bombardier operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The companys robust customer support network services the Learjet, Challenger and Global families of aircraft, and includes facilities in strategic locations in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, the UAE, Singapore, China and Australia.

For corporate news and information, including Bombardiers Environmental, Social and Governance report, as well as the companys plans to cover all its flight operations with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) utilizing the Book and Claim system visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardiers industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Bombardier, Challenger, Challenger 3500, Global, Global 5500, Global 6500 and Global 7500 are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

For InformationMarie-Andree CharronBombardier +1 514-441-2598[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f8246dc-ff6c-4ed2-99bf-e5e429d82aa8

Bombardier Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) Bombardier Leads Industry-Wide Sustainability Efforts with Landmark Environmental Product Declarations for Global 5500 and Global 6500 Aircraft

Source: Bombardier Inc.
LONDON, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Milltrust Ventures, the university venturing arm of the award winning investment organisation, Milltrust International, focused on sustainable prosperity across its many investments, welcomes the news that UK biodegradable plastic company, Polymateria, has completed a successful Series B funding round, led by Singapore-based Temasek affiliate, ABC Impact, and sustainable chemical company, Indorama Ventures. This round saw Polymateria raise an additional 20 million in capital to help enter new markets and accelerate the commercialisation of its ground-breaking technology at scale.

First invested into by Milltrust and its clients, as part of Green Earth Ventures, a silo of British Innovation Fund II, Polymateria is a pioneering biotech company whose technology was first developed by scientists from Imperial College London in 2016. Polymateria provides a patented time controlled biological additive for incorporation into conventional plastic manufacturing processes to create biodegradable plastic packaging - a genuine world first. This technology has significant potential to efficiently reduce the most common sources of plastic pollution including plastic bags, trays and cups, which account for 50% of all plastics used in Europe.

Mr Hopkins, CEO, Milltrust International said: Polymateria is yet another example of Milltrusts solid investment process and rich track record in identifying and supporting winners amongst hundreds of companies evaluated annually, the key being dynamic management, cutting edge IP and unique growth potential. Milltrust was especially pleased to be able to help secure this additional funding for Polymateria through introducing the company to potential investors in Asia from our offices in Singapore, where Polymateria is now co-located.

In combination with other successful investments such Roslin Technologies, Pragmatic Semiconductor and Vaccitech, Polymateria furthers Milltrusts credentials as one of the leading investors in the fields of healthcare, Smart Proteins, and responsible stewardship. Through the creation of British Innovation Fund II, Milltrust continues to identify winning companies originating out of UK universities, providing its expertise to assist the roll out of impactful solutions which benefit humankind.

About Milltrust International GroupUnder a single mantra of Sustainable Prosperity, Milltrust is a specialist, award-winning investment organisation co-headquartered in London and Singapore offering a range of life-changing investment solutions seeking to address some of the greatest themes of our generation including the development of emerging economies, rising food demand, the technological revolutions and its impact on healthcare, food systems and climate change. Clients include pension funds, sovereign entities, family offices, entrepreneurs and HNWIs. The firm operates in a regulated capacity across multiple jurisdictions including the UK, Singapore, Ireland, and Cayman and has a partnership with WWF, the worlds leading independent conservation organisation. www.milltrust.com

Further Information:Simon Hopkins, CEO Milltrust International Group, [email protected], www.milltrust.com

Source: Milltrust International Group
ORANGE, Calif., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CalOptima Health today announced the implementation of recommendations made by the California State Auditor in a recently released report. The comprehensive audit reviewed an eight-year lookback period from January 2014, when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was implemented, through June 2022.

CalOptima Health is the county organized health system providing publicly funded Medi-Cal coverage for more than 978,000 members, representing nearly 1 in 3 Orange County residents. The health plans annual budget is $4 billion. Over the past year and a half, CalOptima Health has undertaken an organization-wide effort to strengthen its core mission and launch several groundbreaking initiatives that advance care for our members. The findings and recommendations outlined in this report will support our efforts to do even more.

Notably, many of the recommended reform measures have been implemented by CalOptima Health since June 2022, or are currently underway. The report verifies that CalOptima Health hired a consulting firm in 2018 to conduct a compensation survey which found that salary levels at CalOptima Health were below market median. There were no recommendations related to salaries. In addition, there were no recommendations regarding timely access or quality of care for members. CalOptima Health is a top Medi-Cal plan in California, receiving a rating of 4 out of 5 from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for eight years in a row.

Further, in light of the State of Californias expected budget deficit of at least $22 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 202324, CalOptima Healths strong fiscal health will allow the health plan to sustain high-quality care and implement its current five-year strategic plan that includes capital investments, expanding access and a $100 million investment toward Information Technology transformation. As a public agency, CalOptima Health is committed to ensuring prudent use of taxpayer dollars.

Michael Hunn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CalOptima Health, offered the following statement in response to the report:

As the largest health insurer in Orange County serving our most vulnerable populations, opportunities to increase transparency and improve services provide a major benefit to CalOptima Health and the patients we serve. CalOptima Health would like to thank the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, as well as Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, and the California State Auditors office for working with CalOptima Health while performing a comprehensive audit covering January 2014 through June 2022. We were pleased to learn that there were very few findings in the Auditors report. Actions are already underway to implement all recommendations.

Beyond the implementation of practical reforms that began when I became interim CEO in November 2021 and was made permanent CEO in March 2022, CalOptima Health is leading the way in providing innovative health care solutions to our community, including pioneering Orange Countys first street medicine program, launching the largest cancer prevention program in CalOptima Healths history, and allocating more than $300 million from the reserve fund to housing, member engagement, health care, navigation services, and more. CalOptima Health is also seeking approval to build a health center that would combine recuperative care services and a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) under one roof  a groundbreaking approach that could end up serving as a nationwide model for delivering care to vulnerable seniors.

Clayton M. Corwin, Chair of the CalOptima Health Board of Directors (Board), offered the following statement in response to the report:

CalOptima Healths financials remain strong, with 93.0% of the budget spent directly on health care services and only 4.4% on overhead, which is one of the lowest overhead rates for any health care provider in California. As CalOptima Health continues to improve, expand, and innovate services, quality of care and transparency will remain top priorities, and common-sense reforms will continue to be embraced.

CalOptima Health offered an official audit response to the California State Auditor that highlights the extensive changes that have been made since June 2022 and in which the health plan concurred or partially concurred with all findings and recommendations. Below are the findings and excerpts from CalOptima Healths response.

Implementation of Key Audit Recommendations

Finding #1: CalOptima Has Accumulated Surplus Funds It Should Have Used to Improve Services Acknowledgment #1: CalOptima Health partially concurs with the findings.

Finding #2: CalOptima Retained a Larger Share of Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) Funds Than Other Managed Care Plans Acknowledgment #2: CalOptima Health concurs with the findings.

As affirmed by the report, in August 2022, CalOptima Health reduced its percentage of retained IGT grant funds from 50% to 2%, or less, of federal matching funds received by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Also, CalOptima Health has successfully allocated all remaining IGT funds it had previously retained, as of December 2022.

Since launching its Homeless Health Initiatives (HHI) in 2019, CalOptima Health has been an innovator in exploring how a health plan can take a more proactive, voluntary role in addressing homelessness. To further support best practices, CalOptima Health is incorporating additional trackable goals and metrics into all current and future homeless health initiatives. The Board is expected to approve this Grant Management policy at its regular meeting on May 4, 2023.

Finding #3: CalOptima Did Not Follow Best Practices When Hiring for Some Executive Positions Acknowledgment #3: CalOptima Health concurs with the findings.

As recommended in the report, CalOptima Health will adopt a new hiring policy to complement its current, prescriptive hiring process. This will ensure greater consistency and incorporate additional best practices during recruitment. The Board is expected to approve this Recruitment, Selection, and Hiring policy at its regular meeting on May 4, 2023.

CalOptima Health already has established minimum position requirements and a systematic approach to compensation developed from the findings of a third-party compensation survey conducted in 2018 and expects to conduct a new survey in 2024.

Most importantly, the recent alignment of compensation with current market rates has, by design, decreased our year-to-date turnover rates to 10.0% for executives and 10.3% for all employees, despite a highly competitive job market.

CalOptima Health acknowledges that, in April 2020, its then-Board may have failed to observe provisions in Government Code section 1090 by appointing a sitting Board member as its interim CEO, as a result of previous in-house legal counsel concurring with the action and the Board relying on such concurrence. That CEO and legal counsel are not currently employed by CalOptima Health, and no then-Board members serve on the current Board. The California State Auditor has referred this matter to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

The current Board recently reiterated the requirements of Government Code section 1090 into its bylaws, as recommended in the report, at its regular meeting on April 6, 2023.

Finding #4: Efforts to Investigate Reports of Misconduct and Ensure an Atmosphere Free From Retaliation Acknowledgment #4: CalOptima Health partially concurs with the findings.

Every allegation of misconduct and fraud, waste and abuse (FWA) received by CalOptima Health is taken seriously and reviewed in detail.

CalOptima Health has not identified any patterns of retaliation, and in the limited cases when allegations have been received, swift action was taken.

In addition to information on the CalOptima Health website about our several reporting channels, we are providing the CalOptima Health Compliance and Ethics Hotline number here for anyone who wishes to make a report: 1-855-507-1805 (TTY 711). Issues can be reported 24/7/365 and can be done anonymously at the preference of the caller.

As there is always opportunity to improve understanding of current policies, CalOptima Health launched an employee survey on March 31, 2023, as recommended in the report.

CalOptima Health will also update its written policy to clarify all current processes.

Finding #5: Actions to Improve Timely Access to Care for CalOptima Members Acknowledgment #5: CalOptima Health concurs with the findings.

As confirmed in the report, there are no recommendations to implement. CalOptima Health works closely with all contracted providers to advance timely access to care for our members.

Finding #6: Accessibility of Financial Information on CalOptimas Website Acknowledgment #6: CalOptima Health concurs with the findings.

As confirmed in the report, there are no recommendations to implement. Detailed financial information, including operating and capital budgets, audited financial statements, and monthly financial summaries, are linked to the home page of the CalOptima Health website.

NOTE: The CalOptima Health Board of Directors meets the first Thursday of every month. The next CalOptima Health Board meeting is on May 4, 2023, at 2 p.m. and live streamed at caloptima.org. For questions about CalOptima Health or Medi-Cal eligibility, visit caloptima.org or BenefitsCal.com.

About CalOptima HealthA county organized health system, CalOptima Health provides publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima Healths mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. CalOptima Health serves more than 978,000 members with a network of nearly 9,600 primary care doctors and specialists and 45 acute and rehab hospitals.

CONTACT:Deanne ThompsonExecutive Director, Marketing and Communications[email protected]714-954-2141

Source: CalOptima Health
The competition recognizes students for highlighting different aspects of Japanese culture, connecting to personal experience

Melville, NY, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Demonstrating its commitment to empowering students and supporting education, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, proudly sponsored and participated in the 18th Annual Japan Center Essay Competition Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 29th, at Stony Brook University.

The essay competition, organized by the Japan Center at Stony Brook, honors students for work that demonstrates their awareness and understanding of the Japanese culture. The program encourages students to think creatively and critically about their lives in relating experiences to aspects of Japanese culture to help broaden horizons and promote global citizenship through the thought-provoking essays.

"The essay competition provides students with an opportunity to develop a better understanding of cultural activities related to Japan, and we are proud to partner with Canon U.S.A. on this endeavor," said Dr. Iwao Ojima, the President of Japan Center at Stony Brook University. The students wrote powerful compositions and we congratulate them for their great work."

Two hundred and six high school and college students submitted essays for the competition. Contestants were asked to write about one or more aspects of Japan including art, culture, tradition, values, philosophy, history, society, politics, business, and technology in relation to their personal views, experiences, and/or future goals. A panel of Stony Brook faculty judges selected four winners, who received awards including a Canon camera.

High School Division Best Essay Award

1st Place Best Essay Award and Consul General of Japan Special Award

Japan: Unlikely Gateway to My Educational Future by Aidan Sargent (West Hempstead High School)

2nd Place Best Essay Award

Hope Takes Flight by Keya Annam (Stuyvesant High School)

3rd Place Best Essay Award

Sakura: The Essence of Immortality by Nicola Hsu (Millennium High School)

Uchida Memorial Award

Memoirs of a Bento Box by Kaytie Tanoue (Stony Brook University)

Canon U.S.A., Inc. and the Japan Center at Stony Brook University have a longstanding partnership, which began in 2005 with former president and chief executive officer of Canon U.S.A., Inc., the late Mr. Kinya Uchida. This was the annual events first in-person ceremony since 2019, having been held virtually for the past 3 years. Attendees included the award-winning students, and representatives from the Japan Center at Stony Brook, Canon U.S.A., Inc., and Consulate General of Japan in New York. Each winner took to the stage and read their essay to the audience. Junichi Furuyama, senior vice president and general manager, Finance and Accounting, Canon U.S.A., Inc., spoke at the awards ceremony and congratulated the winners.

As I read each essay, I was very impressed by the students work, said Furuyama. It is important for all of us to understand and appreciate the differences in the various cultures around the world. Developing a mutual understanding is not always easy, but it is worth the effort. That is why this essay contest is so valuable.

For a list of winners, finalists, and semifinalists, you can visit the Japan Centers website. Award-winning essays will be posted in early May.



About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $30.3 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), as of 2022 has ranked in the top-five overall in U.S. patents granted for 37 consecutive years. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To learn more about Canon, visit us at www.usa.canon.com and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA.

# # #

Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Attachments
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the new development, ChatCrypto set to disrupt the cryptocurrency market with 400,000 signs up leading to their seed round. The platform focuses on providing a space for AI enthusiasts to connect, share ideas and learn from each other and quickly develop a hub for those who are looking for the latest advancement in the AI community.

With a focus on creating an inclusive community, ChatCrypto enables users to learn complex and new skills in blockchain development and cryptocurrency trading by utilizing the ChatCrypto AI tools. The platform emphasizes fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among members. The platform offers a variety of tools and resources designed to facilitate communication and exchange of ideas. By providing a space for individuals to connect, ChatCrypto strives to bring innovation and new development to the AI industry.

In addition to its community-focused approach, ChatCrypto gives transparency and ethical AI practices. It also provides data privacy by taking proactive steps to ensure the users that the ChatCrypto platform is secure. Ti includes strong data protection measures, as well as working to promote diversity and inclusivity within the community.

In addition, ChatCrypto AI offers a variety of exceptional services such as asset management, supply chain traceability, smart contracts, voting, taxation, and land registration as well. The innovative platform continues to grow and evolve and offers multiple features and services being added to the ChatCrypto ecosystem.

Furthermore, with its impressive growth, ChatCrypto is poised to make a significant impact in the AI industry. The platform moves forward with its seeds round and will constantly innovate and utilize the latest technology and will be more secure.

About the Company - ChatCrypto:

ChatCrypto is a blockchain company that focuses on developing innovative solutions that integrate AI with the cryptocurrency market. The platform aims to revolutionize the cryptocurrency market by introducing cutting-edge technology and the latest innovations. The company intends to make the crypto market more accessible by providing an intuitive and user-friendly platform.

Website | Telegram | Twitter Disclaimer: The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency

Salmon James CHATCRYPTO pr at chatcrypto.ai

Source: ChatCrypto
AUSTIN, Texas, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClearDATA, the first comprehensive provider of healthcare-specific managed cloud, compliance and defense services, today announced it has appointed Jim Ducharme as its new Chief Technology Officer. An industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in product strategy and enterprise securitywith a focus on governance, risk and complianceDucharme brings a wealth of expertise to the ClearDATA leadership team. As CTO, he will head ClearDATAs product, engineering and IT teams, with a mission to provide the best technology offerings to solve its customers' most pressing pain points in migrating healthcare workloads to the cloud.

"Were thrilled to have Jim join us as our new CTO," said Rick Froehlich, CEO at ClearDATA. "Jim's extensive experience in the security space and proven track record of building products and leading teams make him an ideal fit for ClearDATA. We look forward to the valuable contributions he will make to our team as we continue to deliver the best cloud solutions for our customers and accelerate cloud migration in healthcare.

Ducharme most recently served as chief operating officer at Outseer, an RSA company focused on fighting financial fraud. Prior to Outseer, Ducharme held several senior roles at RSA, including general manager of the companys anti-fraud business unit and vice president of identity, fraud and risk intelligence products, where he was responsible for RSA's identity strategy and product portfolio. Throughout his career, Ducharme has been part of multiple executive management teams executing successful acquisitionsmost recently at Aveksa, an enterprise access governance company, which was acquired by RSA.

"At a time when the healthcare industry is undergoing significant digital transformation, theres an acute demand for ClearDATAs solutions to ensure healthcare companies can operate safely and securely in the cloud, said Ducharme. I believe the cloud is an essential technology for healthcare organizations to advance how they detect illness and improve patient care, ultimately leading to happier, healthier lives. ClearDATAs mission aligns with my passion for making a positive impact, and I look forward to playing my part in this important work."

About ClearDATACloud Catalyst. Healthcare Protector.ClearDATA is the first comprehensive provider of healthcare-specific managed cloud, compliance and defense services, enabled by the powerful CyberHealth Platform. ClearDATAs solutions enforce continuous cloud compliance, defend health innovation with healthcare-centric threat intelligence and security technology, and protect health data across all cloud environments from design time through run time. To learn more about how ClearDATA helps market-leading organizations modernize and protect healthcare with secure, highly accessible data in the cloud, visit cleardata.com.

Contact:BOCA Communications for ClearDATA[email protected]

Source: ClearDATA
Naples, Fla., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New information has come to light in the case of Robert Garon, a Naples resident falsely accused in the death of his beloved puppy, Buzz Lightyear, in August 2022. Following depositions with key witnesses, Garons counsel has released new details about the incident, which expose flaws in law enforcements procedures at the scene, along with indicators suggesting who the real culprits are  Garons roommate, Daniel Valente, and his long-time friend from New Jersey, Jacob Miller, who has a criminal record.

Counsel is unable to reveal all the details at this time - showing the roommate and his friend not only committed this act of animal cruelty but then purposely pointed the finger at Garon to avoid responsibility - but counsel is releasing these alarming facts.

 According to counsel, Miller has multiple felony convictions for burglary and theft.

 According to counsel, the arresting officer, Megan Noel, lied in her police report stating that Garons girlfriend gave a sworn statement to her. This never happened. Additionally, counsel says, in her report, the arresting officer wrote that all witnesses stated that this is the second dog the suspect killed in the last five months. However, in depositions, the officer confessed, as did roommate Valente and pal Miller, that there was no evidence to support this false claim.

 According to counsel, Police also failed to speak with two other key witnesses that spent time with roommate Daniel Valente and his friend, Jacob Miller that evening. Those witnesses also reportedly interacted with Garon that night.

 According to counsel, Miller stated in his deposition that he is an animal lover, yet neither he nor Valente called the police or attempted to aid Buzz that night, even though they claimed that Bobby was beating Buzz to death. Instead, they went out to dinner and drinks with friends, as if it was any other night.

Garon entered a not-guilty plea on September 6, 2022. He passed an independent polygraph test administered by John Hisler, who has 30 years of experience in law enforcement and works as an independent polygraph examiner. Garons trial is set for July 17, 2023. Hisler was quoted as saying: I am confident that Robert Garon had absolutely nothing to do with the death of his dog Buzz.

According to Day, on the night of the incident, Garon left Buzz home for just two hours, and when he returned, Buzz was in distress. Valente and Miller were home with Buzz in the apartment while Garon was gone. Garon rushed Buzz to the emergency vet, but it was too late to save him. Garon and his girlfriend were devastated by the loss of their beloved Buzz, whom they referred to as their son.

Robert and his family are lifelong animal owners who have always treated their animals with an abundance of love, attention, and care, proven by years of documented veterinary visits, said Garons attorney. Garon, a true animal lover, has also volunteered for The Humane Society. We are looking forward to clearing Roberts name.

My son not only lost his puppy, but his whole life has been destroyed by these false allegations. Its a nightmare that just never stops, said Suzi Garon. I am just so grateful the truth is starting to emerge.

Source: The Law Office of Donald P. Day
HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For over 100 years, Bermuda has been touted as the best kept secret on the travel circuit and has quietly welcomed international fine artists and musicians such as Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keeffe, John Lennon, David Bowie, and more, who have experienced the Island as a place of creative expression and spiritual connection.



Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is continuing this legacy by welcoming internationally renowned artist William Wegman for a major exhibition. WILLIAM WEGMAN Around Bermuda opens to the public Saturday, May 13, 2023. It features postcard paintings made by the artist over twenty years and reflects his ongoing engagement with Bermuda, one of his self-professed favourite subjects.

Wegmans history with Bermuda dates to 2000, when he first visited the Island and began to create works on paper inspired by vintage Bermuda postcards. Around Bermuda will include a number of these works and also marks the unveiling in Bermuda of Masterworks Museums significant acquisition of Wegmans monumental painting, Around Bermuda (2018), which acts as the focal point of the multifaceted exhibition.

Especially for Masterworks Museum, Wegman has also created four new paintings and an artists book, also entitled Around Bermuda (2023), in celebration of the exhibition. As a unique opportunity for visitors, Masterworks will be hosting a book signing with Wegman on May 24, 2023. Copies of Around Bermuda will be available for purchase throughout the exhibition in Masterworks Arrowroot Shop.

Risa Hunter, Masterworks Executive Director, states: It is exceptionally exciting for Masterworks to be able to highlight the artwork of such a prominent contemporary American artist and to unveil his seminal piece acquired by the Museum, titled Around Bermuda. Central to Wegman's practice is the notion of expanding narratives, and I have no doubt that this exhibition will continue the legacy at Masterworks of unearthing new perspectives and interpretations of the Island.

Around Bermuda was conceptualised by Julie Sylvester and Mandy Cawthorn Argenio and is organised and curated by Julie Sylvester. Julie Sylvester is an internationally recognised curator and the author of John Chamberlain: A Catalogue Raisonne of the Sculpture 1954-1985, and Black Mountain Chamberlain, John Chamberlains Writings at Black Mountain College, 1955. She is the former Curator of Contemporary Art at the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, where she curated the first contemporary exhibitions in the institutions history: Louise Bourgeois; Cy Twombly and Willem de Kooning. Her concentration in the past years has been on exhibitions and writing on Cy Twombly, notably Cy Twombly Paradise at Ca Pesaro, Galleria Internationale dArte Moderna in Venice and the Hermitage exhibition, Cy Twombly Fifty Years of Works on Paper, which traveled to several museums around the world and culminated in the first exhibition of Twomblys work in Japan in 2015.

Around Bermuda is generously funded by Sue Judah through the RDJ Foundation. The exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, May 13 through November 25, 2023. Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. For more information on the Museum or the exhibition, please visit www.masterworksbermuda.org.

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art

+1-441-299-4000

[email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/399cf5ce-a778-4ba0-a76a-87b043585f02

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dfabc6af-bcdd-41b6-8484-91f01ff4d704 (This photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.)

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2f3171f-2c99-479a-9b52-a1a5c3684b7f
WASHINGTON, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Frontier Data, the leader in actionable cannabis data and business intelligence, releases Cannabis Consumers in America 2023: Part 1. The report details the motivating factors of intentional cannabis use, demographics, product preferences, purchase sources and attitudes on cannabis consumption.

Cannabis consumers are diverse with users spread across age groups, genders, economic brackets and political affiliations, said Gary Allen, New Frontier Data CEO. With 42% of U.S. adults having used cannabis and likely to do so again, and another 15% expressing interest in trying cannabis in the future, acceptance and receptiveness continues to grow, creating massive opportunities in both new and emerging markets.

Key findings from the report include:

42% of U.S. adults say they have used cannabis and will likely use it again; 37% of U.S. adults are current consumers  those who use at least annually and plan to use cannabis again in the future.

Cannabis use frequency among current consumers does not vary significantly by home state market type (adult use, medical, illicit).

Among current consumers, 37% increased cannabis consumption in the last year.

70% of current consumers say their cannabis use helps them achieve a specific objective.

53% of current consumers describe their cannabis use as both medical and recreational.

51% of self-identified medical consumers say they have replaced at least some of their prescription medications with cannabis.

Download a complimentary copy of Cannabis Consumers in America 2023: Part 1: https://info.newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-consumers-in-america-2023-part-1

About New Frontier DataNew Frontier Data is the premier data, analytics and technology firm specializing in the global cannabis industry, delivering solutions that enable investors, operators, advertisers, brands, researchers and policy makers to assess, understand, engage and transact with the cannabis industry and its consumers.

Our mission is to inform policy and commercial activity for the global legal cannabis industry. We maintain a neutral position on the merits of cannabis legalization through comprehensive and transparent data analysis and projections that shape industry trends, dynamics, demand and opportunity drivers. Founded in 2014, New Frontier Data is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with a presence in Europe, Latin America and Africa. For more information about New Frontier Data, please visit us at https//www.NewFrontierData.com.

Media Contact:Emily WatkinsNew Frontier Data+1 844-420-3882 ext. 3[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ea2e0a1-db9e-4ee3-b8c9-ed6e19b4225c

Cannabis Consumers in America 2023: Part 1 New Frontier Data's Cannabis Consumers in America 2023: Part 1

Source: New Frontier Data
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE: OCN) (Ocwen or the Company), a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator, today issued the following statement in response to rulings entered on May 2, 2023 by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in the Companys pending litigation with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In those rulings, the district court granted in full Ocwens motion for summary judgment on the CFPBs remaining claims, entered final judgment in the Companys favor, and closed the case.

We are pleased that the district court has ruled in our favor, acknowledging that the CFPB cannot unilaterally ignore the provisions of a prior settlement agreement. Throughout this litigation we have remained steadfast in our belief that the CFPBs claims regarding Ocwens past servicing practices were without merit. Should the CFPB decide to file an appeal, Ocwen will continue to vigorously defend itself, as we have done throughout the course of this litigation.

About Ocwen Financial Corporation

Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE: OCN) is a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator providing solutions through its primary brands, PHH Mortgage and Liberty Reverse Mortgage. PHH Mortgage is one of the largest servicers in the country, focused on delivering a variety of servicing and lending programs. Liberty is one of the nations largest reverse mortgage lenders dedicated to education and providing loans that help customers meet their personal and financial needs. We are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices and operations in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, India and the Philippines, and have been serving our customers since 1988. For additional information, please visit our website (www.ocwen.com).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by a reference to a future period or by the use of forward-looking terminology. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as expect, believe, foresee, anticipate, intend, estimate, goal, strategy, plan target and project or conditional verbs such as will, may, should, could or would or the negative of these terms, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Readers should bear these factors in mind when considering such statements and should not place undue reliance on such statements.

Forward-looking statements involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. In the past, actual results have differed from those suggested by forward looking statements and this may happen again. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, further appeals by the CFPB relating to this matter, the outcome of any such appeals, including continued litigation and the ultimate resolution of such litigation whether by negotiated settlement or otherwise, the timing of such ultimate resolution, the impact of such resolution on our operations and financial condition, and the reaction of investors, contractual counterparties, and regulators, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed in Ocwens reports and filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and current and quarterly reports since such date. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, Ocwen disclaims any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For Further Information Contact:

Dico Akseraylian, SVP, Corporate Communications(856) 917-0066[email protected]

Source: Ocwen Financial Corp.
Allied Market Research

The growth of the antacids market is attributed to several factors, including the rise in the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the easy availability of over the counter (OTC) antacids, and an increase in antacid demand among the geriatric population. By distribution channel, the drug stores and retail pharmacies segment held the highest share in 2022. By region, North America accounted for a major antacids market share in 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period.

Portland, OR, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global antacids market generated $6.7 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $9.1 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 3.1% from 2023 to 2032. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscape, and competitive scenario. The report is a helpful source of information for leading market players, new entrants, investors, and stakeholders in devising strategies for the future and taking steps to strengthen their position in the market.

Request Sample Report- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/10646

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details



Forecast Period 2023-2032



Base Year 2022



Market Size in 2022 $6.7 Billion



Market Size in 2032 $9.1 Billion



CAGR 3.1%



No. of Pages in Report 249



Segments Covered Mechanism of Action, Formulation Type, Distribution Channel, and Region



Drivers Rise in the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Easy availability of over the counter (OTC) antacids The surge in demand for antacids among the geriatric population



Opportunities







Rapid changes in global population lifestyle



Restraints Restrictions on the use of antacids The emergence of newer and more effective alternative treatments for acid-related conditions

Impact of COVID-19 on Antacids Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed effect on the antacid industry. The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, including heartburn and acid reflux, increased significantly during the pandemic, leading to a surge in demand for antacids. However, disruptions in supply chains and distribution systems due to lockdowns and trade restrictions caused delays and shortages in some areas, affecting the availability of antacids.

Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, several nations implemented strategies to stabilize the supply chain for medicines and medical equipment, including antacids. As the world is gradually recovering from the pandemic, the antacid market has seen rapid growth in recent times.

Story continues

Procure Complete Report (249 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures)

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/antacids-market

The report comprehensively analyzes the global antacids market covering its various segments such as the mechanism of action, formulation type, distribution channel, and region. The report provides an analysis of each segment and sub-segment with the help of tables and figures. This analysis helps market players, investors, and new entrants in determining the sub-segments to be tapped into to achieve growth in the coming years.

By mechanism of action, the non-systemic antacids segment held the major share in 2022, garnering more than three-fifths of the global antacids market revenue, and is projected to maintain its dominance by 2032. The same segment, on the other hand, would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period. The systemic antacids segment is also studied in the report.

By formulation type, the tablets segment held the largest share in 2022, contributing to nearly half of the global antacids market revenue, and is projected to rule the roost by 2032. Furthermore, the liquids segment would display the fastest CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. The others segment is also analyzed in the report.

For Purchase Inquiry- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/10646

By distribution channel, the drug stores and retail pharmacies segment held the largest share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global antacids market revenue, and is expected to lead the trail from 2023 to 2032. However, the online providers segment is likely to achieve the fastest CAGR of 5.0% by 2032. The hospital pharmacies segment is also discussed in the report.

By region, the market in North America was the largest in 2022, garnering around two-fifths of the global antacids market revenue. However, the market in Asia-Pacific is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 3.9% throughout the forecast period. The other provinces studied in the report include Europe and LAMEA.

The key players of the global antacids market analyzed in the research include WellSpring Pharmaceutical Corporation, Bayer AG, Cipla Ltd, Pfizer Inc., Alkem Laboratories Ltd., Abbott Laboratories, Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, In first Healthcare Inc., Haleon plc, and Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry.

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AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research:

AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports.

Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access

We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market.

About Allied Market Research:

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 domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences , Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Proceeds to be used to reimburse 220 million term loan

Aalst, Belgium, May 2, 2023  Ontex Group NV (Euronext: Ontex), a leading international supplier of personal care products, announces that it has completed the divestment of its Mexican business activities to Softys S.A. a personal hygiene company with operations across Latin America and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empresas CMPC S.A., headquartered in Chile.

The transaction includes Ontexs manufacturing facility in Puebla, Mexico, its branded business in Mexico as well as related exports to certain regional markets. The business employs around 1,000 blue-collar employees and 350 white-collar employees. Ontexs manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico, will remain with Ontex and will form an integral part of Ontexs North American operations and supply chain footprint.

Gustavo Calvo Paz, CEO of Ontex, said: With this transaction, we make a significant step in the implementation of our strategy and in strengthening our balance sheet. While there is more to accomplish, reaching this milestone allows us to focus further on our partner brands and healthcare business in the Core Markets of Europe and North America, where we have significant growth drivers for the future.

Aggregate net cash proceeds received at closing, after the impact of taxes, transaction expenses and balance sheet adjustments are approximately 225 million. This amount is subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The proceeds will be used to repay Ontexs 220 million term loan. In addition, the parties have agreed to a deferred payment with a value of approximately 40 million, payable to Ontex over a maximum of five years.

***

Contact information

Investors Geoffroy Raskin +32 53 33 37 30 [email protected]

Media Maarten Verbanck +32 492 72 42 67 [email protected]

About Ontex

Ontex is a leading international provider of personal hygiene solutions, with expertise in baby care, feminine care and adult care. Ontexs innovative products are distributed in around 100 countries through leading retailer brands, lifestyle brands and Ontex brands. Employing some 7,500 people all over the world, Ontex has a presence in 21 countries, with its headquarters in Aalst, Belgium. Ontex is listed on Euronext Brussels and is part of the Bel Mid. To keep up with the latest news, visit ontex.com or follow Ontex on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .

Attachment
Toronto, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pizza Nova, Southern Ontarios premium pizza brand, launches its 24th annual fundraising campaign in support of Variety  the Childrens Charity of Ontario. Throughout the month of May, the company invites customers to add a dip to their order and 50 cents will be donated to Variety Ontario.

Every child has unique gifts, talents and abilities, says Domenic Primucci, president of Pizza Nova. As longstanding partners of Variety, our customers know were committed to the organization, the important work they do and, most importantly, to the children who benefit from their programs. I know they appreciate the awareness and the added financial support this brings.

Pizza Nova launched Thats Amore Pizza for Kids 24 years ago, but with the arrival of COVID-19, the organization had to come up with a new way of campaigning that would support the initiative and keep customers safe.

The campaign used to be one day only and focused on an in-store pizza promotion, says Primucci. In 2021, we launched this new monthly format featuring dips and the results have greatly exceeded our expectations. Our dips are delicious year-round but, in May, its the time to do even more dipping and sampling to benefit the good cause.The 2021 campaign raised some $200,000 for Variety and the 2022 edition even more with $203,000. In total, the Pizza Nova annual campaign for Variety has raised more than $2 million.

Pizza Nova is one of our largest and most committed corporate donors, said Karen Stintz, president and CEO of Variety. At around this time each year, we feel their deep passion for our work and the children who benefit from our programs and facilities. But the truth is theyre present and supportive all year. We cannot thank them enough and invite all Ontarians who can to get into the dipping-giving action.

For more than 70 years, the programs at Variety have helped thousands of children with physical and mental disabilities by providing an accessible facility at Variety Village, specialized programs, dedicated staff, and a community in which everyone is equal and welcome.

Last year, Variety  the Childrens Charity of Ontario, honoured Pizza Nova with the reveal of its newly renovated Primucci Pavilion, the main lobby to the landmark facility located at the intersection of Danforth Ave and Kingston Road. Part of the renovation includes a 22-foot-wide by 10-foot-high mural depicting children at play against the Toronto skyline with the words, Share the love.

To learn more about the fundraiser or to place your order for pizzas and a dozen dips, visit pizzanova.com.

- 30 -

About Variety  the Childrens Charity Ontario

For 74 years Variety  the Children's Charity of Ontario has made a significant impact on the lives of children and youth with disabilities and their families in the greater Toronto area at Variety Village and throughout the province. Varietys specialized programs and services have supported its promise to improve the quality of life and integration into society of all children, regardless of ability. Varietys kids are breaking down societal barriers every single day by showcasing their abilities at Variety Village and in their own communities. Visit varietyontario.ca

About Pizza Nova

Founded in 1963, Pizza Nova is a family-operated business that is committed to sharing the rich taste of Italy with Canadians. Pizza Nova has more than 150 stores and concession locations in Southern Ontario and inspired by family values such as trust, integrity, and authenticity. They are known for fresh toppings, high-quality ingredients and a wide range of authentic Italian menu items including lasagna, panzerotti, Italian sandwiches, chicken wings, arancini and FOCACCIA BARESE. They also have a line of Primucci branded products featuring Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Homestyle Tomato Sauce, Italian Hot Peppers, Spicy Green Olives, and Sundried Black Olives. Taste the Difference or Learn more at pizzanova.com.

Attachment

Dalia Esposito Torchia Communications 5146542635 [email protected]

Source: Pizza Nova
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Mining Corp. (Prime or the Company) (TSX-V: PRYM, OTCQX: PRMNF, Frankfurt: 04V3) is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its Los Reyes gold-silver project, located in Sinaloa State, Mexico.

Resource Highlights:

The addition of 100,000 metres (m) of Prime drilling has doubled the current MRE compared to the April 2020 resource, with a discovery cost of approximately $US 25 per gold equivalent1 (AuEq) ounce (oz).

At the resource gold cut-off grade of 0.22 gpt, Primes updated open pit MRE contains: 1.47 million Indicated AuEq ounces at a 1.68 grams per tonne (gpt) average grade. This represents a 73% increase in Measured and Indicated AuEq ounces, and 26% increase in AuEq grade. This is 1.0 million ounces of gold at 1.16 gpt and 35 million ounces of silver at 40.4 gpt. 0.73 million Inferred AuEq ounces at a 1.26 gpt average grade. This represents a 175% increase in AuEq ounces and 8% increase in AuEq grade. This is 0.5 million ounces of gold at 0.85 gpt and 18.4 million ounces of silver at 31.5 gpt.

Using a higher 1.0 gpt gold cut-off grade, the MRE highlights a robust, extremely high-grade open pit resource that contains in excess of 1.0 million AuEq Indicated ounces at an average AuEq grade of 3.70 gpt (see Table 2 for more details).

The MRE has a high-grade open pit mill resource and a lower grade heap leach portion.

The MRE includes drilling completed before December 31, 2022 from only the three main zones at Los Reyes: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central.

This MRE does not include positive results from: Mariposa, Las Primas and Fresnillo; highly prospective exploration targets outlined in Primes February 27th news release; over 20,000 m drilled to-date during 2023.



Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Kunz commented, Congratulations to our exploration team for doubling the known gold-silver resource at Los Reyes while simultaneously increasing the average grade and improving the quality and confidence in the mineral resource estimate. Included in the open pit resource tonnes and grade is a notable high-grade mill feed component. The key elements of our on-going discoveries made over the past two years are the size and scale of the high-grade mineralization. On-going metallurgical testwork is confirming the relatively simple, high-recovery nature of the resources. With the additional proceeds from the early warrant exercise, we will have the flexibility to increase the drill program as we maintain our success-based approach to exploration.

Scott Smith, Executive Vice President of Exploration, added: We remain hard at work drilling known extensions to the resource and new generative exploration areas highlighted earlier this year. We are targeting yet another doubling of our mineral resource. Since the MRE year-end drilling cut-off, we have already drilled an additional 20,000 metres at Los Reyes that are not included in todays mineral resource estimate. In the majority of the mineral envelopes, our resource pits pull right to the extent of our drilling - these represent immediate expansion opportunities with our ongoing 2023 drilling. Prime has already increased its 2023 drill program to 45,000 m, and the team is already planning for an expanded fall drill program.

With ongoing drilling success, the Company believes there is significant potential to expand the MRE.

Table 1  2023 Resource Estimate at 0.22 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2

ProcessStream AssuranceCategory Ore Tonnes AverageGoldGrade ContainedGold AverageSilverGrade ContainedSilver Average AuEq ContainedAuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) Mill Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 M+I 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 Inferred 10.8 1.18 411 47.2 16,390 1.79 623 Heap Measured (M) - - - - - - - Leach Indicated (I) 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 M+I 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 Inferred 7.3 0.37 86 8.3 1,944 0.47 111 TOTAL Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 M+I 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 Inferred 18.1 0.85 497 31.5 18,334 1.26 734

Resource Description

The Los Reyes resource is composed of three main areas: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central (see Figure 1  Resource Area Map). Resources were estimated assuming a gold price of $1700 and silver price of $22, and various processing, operating cost and other economic parameters as described in Note 2 below. Resources are reported from blocks within an economically constrained pit, containing gold grades greater than 0.22 gpt. The resource areas remain open along strike and at depth (see Figure 2  Resource Area 3D view).

The majority of the Los Reyes resource is contained within a high-grade envelope (see Figure 3  Guadalupe East cross-section). For example, at a 1.0 gpt gold cut-off, the Los Reyes MRE contains in excess of 1 million gold equivalent ounces at an average grade of 3.70 gpt AuEq in the Indicated category and 374,000 ounces at a grade of 3.07 gpt AuEq in the Inferred category (see Table 2).

Table 2  2023 Resource Sensitivity Estimate at 1.0 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2

AssuranceCategory Ore Tonnes AverageGoldGrade ContainedGold AverageSilverGrade ContainedSilver Average AuEq ContainedAuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) 1.00 g/T Measured (M) - - - - - - - Cutoff Indicated (I) 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 M+I 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 Inferred 3.8 2.30 281 59.2 7,208 3.07 374

For the purposes of this MRE, all resources are assumed to be mined using conventional open pit methods (see Note 2 for further assumptions).

The MRE was estimated using a drilling cut-off date of December 31, 2022. It is based on a resource block model developed from almost 50,000 metres (m) of drilling completed by previous property owners, and over 100,000 m of drilling completed by Prime, of which more than 90% is diamond drill core.

This MRE was completed under the supervision of John Sims, a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists since 2004, an Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 guidelines, with over 35 years of related experience. Prime will file a NI 43-101 compliant updated Technical Report in support of this resource update within 45 days of this release. The following information is available on our website, including the full drill hole table up to December 31, 2022:

Link 1  PDF FiguresLink 2  PDF Drill Hole Table

Figure 1 Resource Area Pits, and Generative Target Locations

Figure 2 Northeast View of Resource Area Indicating Expansion Potential

Figure 3 Cross-section of Guadalupe East Indicating Continuous High-Grade Envelope

Next Steps

With the resource areas remaining open along strike and at depth, Prime will complete an increased 45,000m exploration drilling program at Los Reyes in 2023. Overall, Primes discovery cost over the past three years is less than $US25 per AuEq ounce. Supported by a strong treasury bolstered by the recently announced warrant acceleration (see Primes April 11, 2023 news release), Prime will continue to drill the highly prospective Guadalupe, Z-T and Central Zones in order to expand known resources and further explore newly developing resource areas. Work will also continue on other technical areas including metallurgical test work, geotechnical assessments, mine and processing stream optimization and trade-offs, environmental studies and social contributions.

Notes

Gold equivalent grades are calculated as in-situ contained grades, applying the assumed ratio of gold to silver prices using the following formula: AuEq grade (gpt) = Gold grade (gpt) + Silver grade (gpt) x ($22 / $1700). Relative recoveries are not considered in the in-situ contained grade estimate but are stated below and utilized in the resource shell economic pit constraints. All dollar values are in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Resource estimate is based on economically constrained pits using the following optimization parameters (all dollar values are in US dollars): $1700/ounce gold price and $22/ounce silver price

Mill recoveries of 93% and 83% for gold and silver, respectively

Heap leach recoveries of 73% and 25% for gold and silver, respectively

45-degree pit slopes, with an assumed 5% ore loss and 5% dilution factor applied to the 5x5x5m resource block model

Mining costs of $2.00 per tonne of waste mined and $2.50 per tonne of ore mined

Milling costs of $15 per tonne processed and heap leaching costs of $4 per tonne processed

G&A of $1.60 per tonne processed

3% royalty costs and 1% selling costs were also applied

Unless otherwise noted, an overall 0.22 g/T gold cut-off was applied to all ore blocks

QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures

Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled in predominately HQ size (63.5 millimetre mm), reducing to NQ or BQ size ranges (47.6 mm and 36.5 mm respectively) when required. Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m long along the core axis with allowance for shorter or longer intervals if required to suit geological constraints. After logging intervals are identified to be sampled and split, and one half is submitted for assay. RC drilling returns rock chips and fines from a 133.35 mm diameter tricone bit. The returns are homogenized and split into two halves, with one half submitted for analysis and the other half stored.

Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified reference materials and blanks as well as preparation duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up approximately 8% of the samples submitted to the laboratory for each drill hole.

Samples are picked up from the Project by the laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango or Hermosillo Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay, including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element analysis completed in North Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250-gram split to at least 85% passing 75 microns.

Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with detection by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a full suite of elements.

Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an upper detection limit of 10 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21.

Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC accredited assay laboratories. Drill core assay results range from below detection to 200.0 gpt gold and 4,955.0 gpt silver.

Qualified Person

Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of Exploration, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release.

Additional Notes

Primes mineral resource estimate as of May 2, 2023 are classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the CIM Definition Standards) in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver Project

Los Reyes is a rapidly evolving high-grade, low sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. Historic operating results indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Primes acquisition, recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies. The Project remains underexplored and holds potential for additional discovery and resource expansion.

Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent approximately US$30 million on direct exploration activities and has completed two phases of comprehensive drilling totaling over 100,000 metres. Results to date suggest the three known main deposit areas, Guadalupe, Central and Z-T, are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries outside of the currently defined resource areas.

About Prime Mining

Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the Los Reyes Project. The company has a well-planned capital structure with a strong management team and insider ownership.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel KunzChief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Daniel KunzChief Executive Officer and DirectorPrime Mining Corp.1307 S. Colorado Ave.Boise, Idaho 83706Telephone: +1 (208) 926-6379 officeemail: [email protected]

Scott HicksExecutive Vice PresidentPrime Mining Corp.710  1030 West Georgia StreetVancouver, BC, V6E 2Y3Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128 officeemail: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the perceived merit of the Companys properties, including additional exploration potential of Los Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the Companys exploration and development plans in Mexico. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates, including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions, variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license, changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters, delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Companys objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated April 22, 2022, available on www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/47c31c0c-f60d-4021-a00e-a06d5de93c93https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76f2d31a-8c45-426b-a34e-3aea34bad223https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf35ebb1-663c-4ff0-a0a7-66725eb43e18

Figure 1 Resource Area Pits, and Generative Target Locations Figure 2 Northeast View of Resource Area Indicating Expansion Potential Figure 3 Cross-section of Guadalupe East Indicating Continuous High-Grade Envelope

Source: Prime Mining Corp.
ISTANBUL, Turkey, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sisecams Chairman and Executive Member of the Board Cavaliere Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman has been honored for his long-term valuable contributions to the glass industry and elected The Glass Person of the year 2023 by the Phoenix Award Committee. Outstanding personalities in the glass industry have been awarded with the Phoenix since 1971.

Prof. Dr. Kirman: Serving the glass industry is a way of serving humanityGlass is a miraculous material that has no substitute. With a history of 5000 years, glass has always been the most valuable material for civilizations. From this perspective serving the glass industry is a great way of serving humanity. It is the most sustainable solution for mitigating risks, and it promises a brighter future. I am very honored to be awarded one of the most prestigious awards of the glass industry, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman said.

Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown explained that It is the purpose of the Phoenix Award Committee to select, each year, a person now living, who has been active in and has made significant and major contributions to the glass industry. This may be in the field of science, production or education relating to glass, and shall include glass containers, fiberglass, scientific glass, flat glass, tableware, art glass and electronic glass. Chairman Brown further explained that Prof. Dr. Kirman had been elected for his relentless engagement not only for Sisecam but furthermore for the International Committee of Glass (ICG) together with Prof. Alicia Duran, another strong contributor for the International Year of Glass 2022 by the United Nations.

The award-giving ceremony will be held in ItalyEarly April the Chairman of the Phoenix Award Committee Mr. Lincoln Brown personally visited Sisecam Headquarters to announce that Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman had been unanimously elected by the Phoenix Award Committee to be the Glass Person of the Year 2023. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman thanked Committee Chairman Brown for his personal coming and Dr. Diane Nicklas who takes care of the organization of this honorable ceremony. The award-giving ceremony will take place in Italy on 29 September 2023.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, who has been serving the glass industry since 2006 was recognized for his contributions many times. In recognition of his outstanding lifetime contributions to the glass science and technology, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and promotion of domestic and international glass community, Prof. Dr. Kirman was honored with the Presidents Award by the International Commission on Glass (ICG) in 2019. ICG is the most reputable and recognized worldwide organization in the field of glass with representatives from thirty-three countries.

Prof. Dr. Kirman has been awarded with the honor of Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italy, nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, for his contributions to the strengthening of economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Kirman has also been honored by the President of Tatarstan with the Medal of Valorous Labor in recognition of his valuable contributions to the development of investments and economic cooperation with Tatarstan. He has been honored with the Medal of Appreciation for his contributions to the economic development of the Targovishte Region in Bulgaria. He was also awarded the Chairman of the Year at the Le Fonti Awards, the award platform of one of the leading economics media organizations in Italy.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72107f1f-be3a-43d4-a226-c40ad1886a91

Prof Dr Ahmet Kirman Cavaliere Prof Dr Ahmet Kirman - Sisecam's Chairman and Executive Member of the Board

Source: Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalar
Cavaliere Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, Sisecam Chairman and Executive Member of the Board is elected The Glass Person of the Year 2023 by the Phoenix Award Committee for his long-term, significant and valuable contributions to the glass industry.

ISTANBUL, Turkey, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sisecams Chairman and Executive Member of the Board Cavaliere Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman has been honored for his long-term valuable contributions to the glass industry and elected The Glass Person of the year 2023 by the Phoenix Award Committee. Outstanding personalities in the glass industry have been awarded with the Phoenix since 1971.



Prof. Dr. Kirman: Serving the glass industry is a way of serving humanity

Glass is a miraculous material that has no substitute. With a history of 5000 years, glass has always been the most valuable material for civilizations. From this perspective serving the glass industry is a great way of serving humanity. It is the most sustainable solution for mitigating risks, and it promises a brighter future. I am very honored to be awarded one of the most prestigious awards of the glass industry, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman said.

Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown explained that It is the purpose of the Phoenix Award Committee to select, each year, a person now living, who has been active in and has made significant and major contributions to the glass industry. This may be in the field of science, production or education relating to glass, and shall include glass containers, fiberglass, scientific glass, flat glass, tableware, art glass and electronic glass. Chairman Brown further explained that Prof. Dr. Kirman had been elected for his relentless engagement not only for Sisecam but furthermore for the International Committee of Glass (ICG) together with Prof. Alicia Duran, another strong contributor for the International Year of Glass 2022 by the United Nations.

The award-giving ceremony will be held in Italy

Early April the Chairman of the Phoenix Award Committee Mr. Lincoln Brown personally visited Sisecam Headquarters to announce that Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman had been unanimously elected by the Phoenix Award Committee to be the Glass Person of the Year 2023. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman thanked Committee Chairman Brown for his personal coming and Dr. Diane Nicklas who takes care of the organization of this honorable ceremony. The award-giving ceremony will take place in Italy on 29 September 2023.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, who has been serving the glass industry since 2006 was recognized for his contributions many times. In recognition of his outstanding lifetime contributions to the glass science and technology, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and promotion of domestic and international glass community, Prof. Dr. Kirman was honored with the Presidents Award by the International Commission on Glass (ICG) in 2019. ICG is the most reputable and recognized worldwide organization in the field of glass with representatives from thirty-three countries.

Prof. Dr. Kirman has been awarded with the honor of Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italy, nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, for his contributions to the strengthening of economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Kirman has also been honored by the President of Tatarstan with the Medal of Valorous Labor in recognition of his valuable contributions to the development of investments and economic cooperation with Tatarstan. He has been honored with the Medal of Appreciation for his contributions to the economic development of the Targovishte Region in Bulgaria. He was also awarded the Chairman of the Year at the Le Fonti Awards, the award platform of one of the leading economics media organizations in Italy.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72107f1f-be3a-43d4-a226-c40ad1886a91
IRVINE, Calif., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talonvest Capital, Inc., a boutique self-storage and commercial real estate advisory firm, is thrilled to announce the closing of a $65,000,000 non-recourse bridge loan for a seven-asset self storage portfolio located in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. The loan, secured on behalf of a joint venture between Andover Properties and Angelo Gordon, was funded by a global real estate investment management firm.

The portfolio has five physically stabilized properties and two lease-up assets and included several nuances, including recently completed and to-be-completed expansions. The properties are in high-visibility locations within growing markets and total over 597,000 square feet across 3,963 units.

Brian Cohen, CEO of Andover Properties, commented, We consider Talonvest to be a trusted and integral partner in our business. Their track record of successfully securing favorable terms for our deals, regardless of complexity, is invaluable, and their dedication to the process makes working with their team seamless and collaborative.

The Talonvest team members responsible for this transaction included Kim Bishop, Jim Davies, Tom Sherlock, Mason Brusseau, and Lauren Maehler.

About Talonvest Capital, Inc.:Talonvest Capital, Inc. is a boutique real estate firm providing advisory services to commercial and self storage real estate investors, owners, and developers throughout the United States. The firm utilizes a unique collaborative team approach and four decades of institutional knowledge and expertise from the team members to deliver better capital solutions for its clients.

About Andover Properties:Andover Properties is an investment firm that owns, operates, and develops commercial property throughout the United States, with a focus on alternative real estate asset classes such as self storage, manufactured housing, RV parks, and car washes. Andover is one of the largest private owner-operators of self storage facilities in the United States, with a current portfolio that totals over 12 million square feet across 156 facilities in 18 states operating under its Storage King USA brand. www.storagekingusa.com.

About Angelo Gordon:Angelo Gordon is a privately-held alternative investment firm founded in November 1988. The firm currently manages approximately $53 billion with a primary focus on credit and real estate strategies. Angelo Gordon has over 650 employees, including more than 200 investment professionals, and is headquartered in New York, with associated offices elsewhere in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.angelogordon.com.

Seguin, Texas - A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6159b1ca-19f3-4b97-9048-5139422fcdc0

Margate, Florida - A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d30f272b-ce18-4778-8e5d-fc2a76df5913

Andover Properties 7 Property Portfolio A storage facility in Seguin, Texas. Andover Properties 7 Property Portfolio A storage facility in Margate, Florida.

Source: Talonvest Capital, Inc.
(All amounts expressed in US. Dollars unless otherwise stated)

TORONTO, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the Company or Torex) (TSX: TXG) provides the second quarterly update on the development of its Media Luna Project (Media Luna). Unless otherwise stated, progress and milestones referenced in this press release are as of March 31, 2023.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated:

With a full year of execution now behind us and 21 months remaining, the Media Luna Project continues to track to overall schedule and budget. At quarter-end, the project was 24% complete across engineering, procurement, underground development, and surface construction. With no major changes to the project execution plan, first concentrate production remains on track for late 2024, with commercial production still anticipated in early 2025. At quarter end, 34% of upfront project expenditures had been committed, including 22% incurred. The level of spending on the project is expected to increase throughout the remainder of the year, with total project expenditures of $390 million to $440 million guided in 2023.

Detailed engineering and procurement activities increased significantly during the quarter, with several key purchase orders awarded, the most significant being the order for the primary mine production fleet. The fleet consists of 35 pieces of equipment including 15 battery electric and 20 diesel powered machines. First deliveries under the purchase order are expected later this year, in line with the project schedule. Post quarter end, the contract for the mobile production support equipment was signed. Contracts for the personnel transportation vehicles, underground construction, and underground vertical development are expected to be finalized shortly.

Surface and underground development continue on pace. The schedule critical Guajes Tunnel has exceeded the 4-kilometre mark, with 18 active headings opened up within the deposit, and civil works for future infrastructure on both sides of the Balsas River in various stages of progress. With strong available liquidity and robust forecast cash flow from El Limon Guajes through the end of 2024, we are well-positioned to not only fund the development of Media Luna, but to continue to advance additional value-enhancing initiatives with a view to continuing to extend mine life and optimize economics at our flagship Morelos Property.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Total upfront expenditures related to the development of Media Luna are tracking to the initial estimate of $874.5 million. As at quarter-end, Torex had incurred $191.1 million of project period expenditures (22% to date) and $298.9 million of expenditures committed and incurred (34% to date).

Table 1: Media Luna Project  Project Expenditures (April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023)

Millions of U.S. dollars Project To DateQ1 2023 Project expenditures per 2022 Technical Report $ 848.4 Adjustment for underspend in Q1 2022 $ 26.1 Total project expenditures $ 874.5 Total project expenditures incurred to date ($ 191.1 ) Remaining project expenditures $ 683.4 Committed expenditures (inclusive of total project expenditures incurred to date) $ 298.9 Uncommitted expenditures $ 575.6

1) Project period commenced on April 1, 2022; excludes capital expenditures incurred prior to Board approval on March 31, 2022.2) Project period is defined as April 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.3) Excludes borrowing costs capitalized.The Company expects to incur $390 to $440 million of capital expenditures related to the development of the Media Luna Project in 2023 ($66.4 million accrued during the first quarter), which is forecasted to be the peak year of investment. Quarterly expenditures are expected to increase into H2 2023, and remain relatively consistent through H1 2024, before declining as development activities wind down ahead of commercial production, which is anticipated in early 2025.

More detail on the Media Luna Project, including the feasibility study results, can be found in the Companys most recent Technical Report dated effective March 16, 2022, filed on March 31, 2022 (Technical Report).

PROJECT COMPLETION

As at quarter-end, development of Media Luna was tracking to overall schedule, with the project 24% complete, up from the 15% complete status at the end of 2022. Detailed engineering is nearing the 50% completion mark, while procurement is almost 40% complete, with a majority of the schedule critical purchase orders either awarded, or soon to be awarded. Based on the current schedule, first concentrate production remains on track for late 2024.

Table 2: Media Luna Project  Project Completion (April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023)

Project To DateQ1 2023 Procurement 36 % Engineering 47 % Underground development/construction 23 % Surface construction 15 % Total Project 24 %

Notes to Table1) Physical progress measured starting as of April 1, 2022; excludes progress made prior to Board approval on March 31, 2022.2) Project period is defined as April 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.

3) Total Project is weighted average based on activity levels.ProcurementDuring the quarter, the Company executed several key purchase orders, including those for the filter presses and positive displacement pump for the paste plant, filter presses for the copper concentrate circuit, the gravity concentrator, the reverse osmosis unit for the water treatment plant, and fixed equipment for the underground operation (conveyors, belt magnets, and vibratory feeders).

The major procurement achievement in the quarter was awarding the purchase order for the primary production fleet to Sandvik, an order worth approximately $63 million with deliveries scheduled to begin in Q3 2023. The order includes 35 vehicles in total, including 15 battery electric vehicles which, according to Sandvik, is the companys third-largest battery electric vehicle fleet order to date.

The process for technical and commercial evaluation of bids for the underground construction vertical development contracts is nearing completion, with contract awards anticipated shortly. Mobilization of the successful underground construction contractor is anticipated during Q2 2023.

EngineeringThe pace of detailed engineering increased during the first quarter and continues to track well with procurement activities. Key engineering packages that advanced during the quarter included equipment specifications for soliciting pricing from vendors, finalization of deliverables ahead of surface construction activities, final orientation of ore and waste handling infrastructure, and initial simulations with charging of batteries for the electric vehicle fleet.

Underground Development and ConstructionSteady progress was made in advancing the Guajes Tunnel and South Portal Lower. Breakthrough of the Guajes Tunnel on the south side of the Balsas River remains on track for Q1 2024, if not earlier. The thousand plus conveyor tables to be installed in the tunnel have now been ordered from a Mexican supplier and delivery is expected to commence mid-year.

As at the end of April, the Guajes Tunnel had advanced 4,080 metres, with daily advance rates averaging 7.0 metres over the last three months, including a record average daily rate of 7.4 metres in February. At South Portal Lower, development rates have increased throughout 2023 with a 3-month average daily advance rate of 4.3 metres through April (including 5.1 metres per day in April), compared with an average rate of 3.8 metres over the last twelve months. The increased rates reflect improved ground conditions now that tunnelling has moved into the competent granodiorite lithology from the less competent shale and limestone lithologies encountered last year. With the lower access tunnel completed on the south side, development of the main lower spiral ramp is underway and is on track for completion by the end of June.

Figure 1: Breakthrough of Guajes Tunnel on schedule for early Q1 2024 (advance rates as at end of April)

Steady progress was also made on ventilation and in-mine development during the quarter. The Guajes Tunnel ventilation raise was completed and the pilot hole for the first ventilation raise within the Media Luna underground commenced. As at the end of March, there were 18 active headings, including 6 in Media Luna Lower and 12 in Media Luna Upper. Development across all headings continues to advance well, with high monthly development rates achieved as ground conditions have improved and intermittent water inflows are less frequent and well managed. Vertical development was initiated with the start of raise-boring in Media Luna Upper.

Surface ConstructionNew work fronts were started on the north side of the Balsas River during the quarter, including civil development for the water treatment plant as well as rough grading for the 230 kV substation. Expansion of the additional laydown area in Atzcala also commenced, which included mobilization of additional camp modules to house project staff. Installation of new buried power conduits around the flotation plant began in anticipation of starting civil works later this year.

On the south side of the Balsas River, expansion of the construction camp pad continued ahead of the receipt of additional camp modules by the end of June. Slope remediation of the South Portal access road neared completion which, once complete, will allow for civil works to continue at a more rapid pace on the sediment and decant ponds. During the quarter, final blasts related to the paste plant excavation were completed, with pouring of the concrete generator pad to commence shortly.

Operational ReadinessIn parallel with development and construction activities, the surface and underground operational readiness planning is progressing to plan. Operational readiness teams are accountable for ensuring that processes and systems for all new work areas are established and ready in advance of the handover from the project team to operations. This includes workforce transition planning and training (hiring for roles has commenced with initial job-specific training expected to start shortly), developing the operating strategy (including all standard operating procedures), maintenance plans for all fixed and mobile equipment, blend and feed strategies, detailed commissioning plans, first fills, concentrate shipment logistics, and all other requirements to ensure a smooth ramp up to commercial production in Q1 2025.

PROJECT EXECUTION PLAN

Based on progress made during Q1 2023, the project execution plan is unchanged compared to the prior plan outlined within the inaugural Media Luna update press release published on February 9, 2023.

Figure 2: Project execution plan for the Media Luna Project

The current project plan relative to the Technical Report reflects the Companys estimates for the completion of key project deliverables. These updated deliverables have not impacted the overall project schedule given the original plan had assumed the potential for schedule adjustments and the possibility for supply chain disruptions.

ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Companys principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes (ELG) Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torexs key strategic objectives are to optimize and extend production from the ELG Mine Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing exploration across the entire Morelos Property.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Jody Kuzenko President and CEODirect: (647) 725-9982 [email protected] Dan RollinsSenior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor RelationsDirect: (647) 260-1503 [email protected]

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical and scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Stefanuto, P. Eng, Executive Vice President, Technical Services and Capital Projects of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements that: the Media Luna Project continues to track to overall schedule and budget; first concentrate production remains on track for late 2024, with commercial production still anticipated in early 2025; the level of spending on the project is expected to increase throughout the remainder of the year, with total project expenditures of $390 million to $440 million guided for 2023; the expected first deliveries under the Sandvik purchase order in Q3 2023, in line with the project schedule; the expected finalization of the contracts for the personnel transportation vehicles, underground construction, and underground vertical development; the Companys position to not only fund the development of Media Luna, but to continue to advance additional value-enhancing initiatives with a view to continuing to extend mine life and optimize economics at our flagship Morelos Property; expected capital expenditures of $390 to $440 million related to the development of the Media Luna Project in 2023 ($66.4 million accrued during the first quarter), which is forecasted to be the peak year of investment; expectation that quarterly expenditures to increase into H2 2023, and remain relatively consistent through H1 2024, before declining as development activities wind down ahead of commercial production, which is anticipated in early 2025; contract awards anticipated shortly for the underground construction vertical development; the mobilization of the successful underground construction contractor is anticipated during Q2 2023; breakthrough of the Guajes Tunnel on the south side of the Balsas River remains on track for Q1 2024, if not earlier; expected commencement mid year of the delivery of conveyor tables; completion of the slope remediation of the South Portal access road allowing for civil works to continue at a more rapid pace on the sediment and decant ponds; the operation readiness planning, including workforce transition planning and training, developing the operating strategy, maintenance plans for all fixed and mobile equipment, blend and feed strategies, detailed commissioning plans, first fills, concentrate shipment logistics, and all other requirements to ensure a smooth ramp up to commercial production in Q1 2025; the Project execution plan; and the Companys key strategic objectives are to optimize and extend production from the ELG Mining Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing exploration across the entire Morelos Property. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expect, plan, strategy, schedule, anticipate, guide, continue, forecast, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur or are on track to occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties identified in the technical report (Technical Report) titled ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study, with an effective date of March 16, 2022, and a filing date of March 31, 2022 and in the Companys annual information form (AIF) and managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments as set out in the Technical Report, AIF and MD&A, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/287cb9f8-a012-4bdf-ad8e-5eb9d94c846f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2fa856f1-dc79-49c2-be18-ebe6d80fc70f

Figure 1 Breakthrough of Guajes Tunnel on schedule for early Q1 2024 (advance rates as at end of April) Figure 2 Project execution plan for the Media Luna Project

Source: Torex Gold Resources Inc.
NORTH VANCOUVER and WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Nations -- This afternoon, the Government of British Columbia, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of North and West Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) are kicking off Mental Health Week (May 1-7) with the launch of Recovery College YVR (RC YVR), a community learning centre offering free courses to address transitional gaps across the mental health and substance use system.

The BC provincial government has invested $421,000 to support the development of Recovery College YVR. RC offers various virtual and in-person workshops, groups, webinars, educational events, and community connection points to enhance mental health literacy, provide peer-to-peer support and aid in developing meaningful personal goals.

Our government is building a continuum of care for mental health and addictions services from the ground up, said Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. With Recovery College in Vancouver, more people will have access to support and information to educate and empower practitioners, everyday people, and those struggling with mental health. Programs like this go a long way in ensuring people can access the services they need where and when they need them.

Many acute mental health services focus only on people with complex clinical presentations. As a result, 20 percent of Canadians with mild to moderate mental health and/or substance use problems cannot access appropriate resources and support. This service gap leads to many residents of British Columbia waiting until they reach a state of crisis before seeking treatment, resulting in an estimated annual cost of $6.6 billion to the economy.

Julia Kaisla, Executive Director of CMHA North and West Vancouver Branch, explains: Offering options with minimal barriers to entry like the Recovery College approach is vital to fill the voids in mental health and recovery systems. Following the success of sixteen Recovery Colleges in other Canadian provinces, were pleased to launch the first in Greater Vancouver to provide individuals grappling with mental health issues access to free courses and social support groups without any referral or diagnosis needed. This program empowers people to develop resourcefulness and support their social, spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental wellness.

Recovery College YVR, a partnership between CMHA North and West Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), is based on a thriving community mental health model from the United Kingdom that emphasizes personal recovery in mental health and well-being. Recovery Colleges (RCs) provide a unique approach to learning that differs from traditional methods. They are self-directed, free, and readily available, emphasizing non-clinical advice from service providers and peer mentors who have personal experience with recovery. RCs aim to establish a secure environment where people can explore their mental health and develop meaningful connections while feeling empowered throughout their recovery. Course and group categories include art therapy, pet therapy, guided meditation, self-discovery, self-management for addiction and social connection. Some courses are available in Farsi as well as English.

Andrew MacFarlane, Regional Director, Mental Health and Substance Use, Vancouver Coastal Health, said: We are thrilled to partner with CMHA on the creation of Recovery College YVR to fill a gap in mental health service provision between in-patient care and outpatient recovery within the community. We will continue working closely with healthcare experts, people with lived experience and their families to ensure that those facing mental health and substance challenges can easily access these important resources to support their or a loved ones recovery.

To mark the launch, CMHA North and West Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) hosted a media lunch event at the Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre to spotlight the significant collaboration and partnership behind the new initiative. Speakers included: Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; Julia Kaisla, the Executive Director of CMHA North and West Vancouver Branch; Andrew MacFarlane, Regional Director, Mental Health and Substance Use, and MJ Moore, a Recovery College YVR Peer Support Worker with lived experience.

MJ Moore, Recovery College YVR Peer Support Worker, said: Ensuring that individuals facing mental health or substance use challenges have access to meaningful support and tools to aid their recovery journey is crucial. As a person with lived experience, I think back to my recovery journey and cant help but wonder how much better I would have felt knowing I was not alone and had these amazing people and resources to call on. The peers I have the honour of working alongside bring so much wisdom and insight into this work and this project. I am so proud of Recovery College YVR and the brilliant minds that made it happen.

If you are over 18 years old, learn, connect and grow by signing up for a Recovery College course here.

About Recovery College YVR  A Community Wellness Hub. In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, North & West Vancouver Branch and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), the YVR Recovery College is the 17th location in Canada. The college offers various educational courses, including art therapy for wellness, chronic pain management, and SMART Recovery  Self Management for Addiction. Additionally, several social support groups are available, such as self-discovery, wellness, training, and social connection groups, including the Circle of Hope  Farsi Speaking Women's group and the Men Lets Talk peer-guided mental health space.

Our vision is for RC YVR to address significant service and transitional gaps across the mental health and substance use system through a community-based delivery. RC YVR effectively reaches people in settings where access to mental health and substance use services is limited by offering in-person, virtual courses and social support groups.  Recovery College YVR.

Click here to find out more about Recovery College YVR.

About Canadian Mental Health Association, North and West VancouverCMHA North and West Vancouver is a branch of Canadas most established mental health charity. CMHA helps people access resources to maintain and improve mental health. Each year in BC, CMHA serves more than 100,000 people. For mental health and addiction information and resources, visit www.northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca.

About Vancouver Coastal HealthVCH is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.2 million people, including the First Nations, Metis and Inuit in our region, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shishalh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa. VCH is British Columbias hub of healthcare innovation, research and academic excellence, providing specialized care to patients throughout the province. Learn more at vch.ca.

MEDIA KIT: here

Contact:For more information, contact:Alicia Collyear[email protected]604-558-1656

VCH Public Affairs[email protected] 604-202-2012 (after-hours)

_________________________________ CMHA Barrier Report 2019, p 7: https://vancouver-fraser.cmha.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cmha_barrierreport2019_onlineissn_final_SINGLE.pdf CMHA North and West Vancouver Branch, Facts and Figures: https://northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/facts-and-figures/

Source: CMHA North & West Vancouver Branch
TWIN CITIES, Minn., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Strategic Education, Inc. will host a Mark Cuban Foundation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamp for high school students for a 2nd time in the fall of 2023 at the Capella Tower in Minneapolis. The no-cost AI bootcamp will introduce underserved high school students (9th-12th grade) to basic AI concepts and skills with curriculum provided by the Mark Cuban Foundation.

Strategic Education, Inc. is one of 28+ host companies selected to host camps across the U.S. in fall 2023.

The bootcamp will be held over four consecutive Saturdays starting on October 14th and ending on November 4th from 1-5pm CT. If accepted, participants must commit to attending all four sessions.

The student and parent applications are now open at markcubanai.org/strategiceducationpr. Students do not need any prior experience with computer science, programming, or robotics to apply and attend.

Throughout the bootcamp, students will learn what artificial intelligence is and is not, where they already interact with AI in their own lives, and the ethical implications of AI systems, including, but not limited to, TikTok recommendations, smart home assistants, facial recognition, and self-driving cars, to name a few. Participants will also learn about Large Language Models like ChatGPT, a program that answers questions, tells original stories, and even writes computer code.

Students will benefit from Mark Cuban livestreamed presentations and volunteer corporate mentor instructors, who are knowledgeable about the curriculum and are able to help students understand material normally taught at a collegiate level. As part of the 4-hour curriculum, students will work with open source tools each day to build their own AI applications related to Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Generative AI.

The Mark Cuban Foundation provides the bootcamps curriculum materials, trains corporate volunteer mentors, and recruits and selects local students to attend the bootcamp. In addition, the Mark Cuban Foundation and Strategic Education, Inc. work together to provide food, information about transportation options, and access to laptops for students to use during the bootcamp.

It was a lot of fun, I learned things I didn't even know were possible with AI and their real-world applications showed me just how much it will change our world." - Brandon B., 10th Grade, 2022 AI Bootcamp Participant

Founded by Mark Cuban in 2019, the AI bootcamp initiative has hosted no-cost AI bootcamps for students across several U.S. cities, including Dallas, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Atlantic City, to name a few. The Mark Cuban Foundation has impacted 900+ students to date and has a goal to increase that number year over year.

Students interested in applying to the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp should do so before Friday, September 8th, 2023 at markcubanai.org/strategiceducationpr. To see our 2023 camp locations and to learn more about the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamps, please visit markcubanai.org/faq .

Contact: Carli Lidiak, Mark Cuban Foundation

Phone: 309-840-0348

Email: [email protected]

Source: Mark Cuban Foundation
Peace Summit 2023: Toward A World Culture of Peace

Washington, DC, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Peace Summit 2023: Toward A World Culture of Peace



Universal Peace Federation Assembles Global Leaders To Develop New Model for Leadership, Action





Global leaders are gathering in South Korea to discuss contemporary challenges to global well-being and ways to advance toward a world culture of peace, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) has announced.



The UPF Peace Summit 2023 will be held May 2-6, with events in Seoul and nearby areas. Delegations from more than 150 countries, including heads of state, first ladies, and government leaders, will join parliamentarians, religious leaders, media professionals, business leaders and academicians to explore prospects for greater regional cooperation and increased efforts toward peacebuilding. We stand at a critical juncture in history, with rising threats to peace emerging across the globe; our awareness of this unstable context underscores the importance of our work during Peace Summit 2023, said Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Chairman of UPF International.



The events will be live-streamed from South Korea, beginning at 9:30 a.m. KST on May 3, and will be accessible simultaneously in time zones around the world and in different languages. In the United States, the Opening Plenary will begin on May 2 at 8:30 p.m. EDT and 5:30 p.m. PDT and can be viewed here: https://media.peacelink.live/



A highlight of this years Summit is the inauguration of a new initiative called the International Elders Roundtable. This global project is designed to capture the wisdom and experience of elders to establish peace and stability in the society and the nation.



Youth and adults have vision and enthusiasm, but elders provide a path by their experience and knowledge. Hence, for there to be eternal peace and prosperity, there must be cooperation between elders, adults, and youth in our society, said H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, former president of Sri Lanka, who was at planning meetings for the Elders initiative.



Peace Summit 2023 regional sessions will focus on peacebuilding in North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe and the Middle East. There is a track for youth and students, as well as breakout sessions around UPFs seven primary associations. Laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize will speak at a special luncheon in their honor.



A major UPF project, Think Tank 2022, focuses on bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula, East Asia and the Indo-Pacific Rim Region. On May 4, at 9:00 a.m. KST, a session featuring Dr. Michael Pillsbury, former senior fellow and director for Chinese strategy at the Hudson Institute, will be among those to address the topic of peace in the Indo-Pacific. In the United States, this event will be on May 3 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, 5:00 p.m. PDT at this link: https://media.peacelink.live/



Additional highlights are celebrations around the 80th birthday of UPF Co-Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon on Friday May 5. As part of that celebration, Dr. Moon will officiate a Culture of Peace Dedication Ceremony at the new Cheon Won Gung building. This huge multimedia exhibit hall and temple is intended to be a homeland for the world and hometown of the heart for all people, UPFs late Co-Founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon said in 1997.



Peace Summit 2023 is part of UPFs ongoing series of peacebuilding activities, which are held under the theme of mutual prosperity, interdependence, and shared universal values. UPF, an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is known for its Rally of Hope series, the International Leadership Conference series, and, since early 2021, the Forum series of Think Tank 2022. The latter project was created to engage more than 2,000 global thought leaders on how to achieve a breakthrough for peace on the Korean Peninsula. (Details about Think Tank 2022 Forums can be found at UPF.org.)



As part of Peace Summit 2023, organizers will convene several high-level sessions around the work of UPFs peacebuilding associations. These include:



 International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) and the International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP)

 International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP)

 Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD)

 International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED)

 International Media Association for Peace (IMAP)

 International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP)

 International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP)



Media Contacts:

AFRICA: Mamadou Gaye [email protected]

ASIA PACIFIC: Robert Kittel [email protected]

CANADA: Pierre Beauregard [email protected]

EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST: Peter Zoehrer [email protected]

CENTRAL AMERICA and THE CARIBBEAN: Mario Salinas [email protected]

SOUTH AMERICA: Simao Ferabolli [email protected]

UNITED STATES: William Selig [email protected]
Ring to Lead One of the Nation's Largest Criminal Justice Reform Efforts

Advocates and Leaders from Across the Political Spectrum Celebrate Hire

WASHINGTON and HOUSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Arnold Ventures (AV) announced Kevin Ring, currently the President of FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), will join AV as the new Vice President of Criminal Justice Advocacy, a role that will help shape criminal justice reform legislative efforts on the Hill and in dozens of states across the country.

Arnold Ventures

Ring, who has led FAMM since 2017, is a nationally known and highly regarded advocate and strategist. He drove multi-million-dollar campaigns to pass sentencing reform legislation in Washington, D.C. and in states such as California, Florida, Oregon, and Tennessee. He has testified before legislative committees at the federal and state levels, and he regularly appears on national television and in major publications in support of measures to reduce incarceration safely, expand second chances, and make our communities safer. Most notably, he was a driving force behind the First Step Act, groundbreaking prison and sentencing reform legislation signed into law in 2018, which provided relief to more than 10,000 people serving unfairly long sentences in federal prison.

"I cannot imagine a more perfect fit for this role than Kevin Ring, who has been on the forefront of almost every major successful criminal justice reform effort for the past decade," said James Williams, Executive Vice President of Advocacy at Arnold Ventures. "As a formerly incarcerated person, Kevin understands how our broken justice system impacts every single American family. As an experienced campaign strategist, he has the vision to bring the right and the left together in support of data-driven legislation to make our justice system fairer and our communities safer. In his new role at Arnold Ventures, Kevin will have the resources and platform to scale-up this work, empower our longtime allies, and bring new voices to the movement."

Story continues

Ring, who officially joins AV July 10th, will build and resource bipartisan coalitions at the federal and state levels to develop and drive evidence-based criminal justice reform policies and legislation.

"I'm honored to join the talented team at Arnold Ventures, the center of gravity for evidence-based policy solutions in this country," said Ring. "As president of FAMM, an AV grantee, I experienced firsthand their commitment to criminal justice reforms that create safer communities and stronger families. I am so grateful for this opportunity to marry passionate advocacy to smart policy, and identify and support smart, energetic, and creative advocates from across the ideological spectrum. I can't wait to get started."

At AV, Ring will oversee a powerhouse team of dedicated and experienced advocates, including:

Alyson Clements: Director of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former Co-Director of the National Juvenile Justice Network)

John Koufos: Director of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former Executive Director of Taking Action for Good and National Director of Re-entry Initiatives for Right on Crime)

Destiny Carter: Manager of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former policy specialist for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless)

Emily Mooney : Manager of Criminal Justice Advocacy (former Senior Policy Manager at REFORM Alliance and R-Street resident fellow).

As a surprise to Kevin, his friends and allies across the political spectrum, as well as members of Congress and impacted family members, contributed to this video celebrating his announcement and sharing some of their favorite stories of working alongside Kevin to fix our broken justice system. A few messages to Kevin are excerpted below:

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ): "Congratulations on this really important step, not just in your career, but for all of us who believe in issues of justice. This is an exciting and important step forward."

Jeremy Travis, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures: "I have worked for decades in the criminal justice reform movement, and Kevin Ring is one of the finest advocates I have come across. His outstanding leadership at FAMM and his compelling personal story make him the right person for this position, at a time when the movement is facing new challenges and opportunities. I look forward to seeing Kevin's work to create a smarter justice system, and safer communities."

Greg Newburn of Niskanen Center: "I'm certain that Arnold Ventures could not have found a better person, and I know they couldn't have found a better fit."

FAMM's Matthew Charles, who served 21 years in federal prison before his release in 2019 due to passage of the First Step Act: "Kevin has the best interests of others in mind and at heart. I believe it's engrained in his soul and in his spirit."

Rabiah Burks, National Legal Aid and Defender Association: "I appreciate Kevin for his ability to step beyond himself, to see the greater good, and to try something different."

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. It is a team of more than 120 subject-matter experts headquartered in Houston with offices in New York and Washington, D.C. It works in four key issue areas: Criminal Justice , Education , Health , and Public Finance . Its work is guided by Evidence-Based Policy , Research , and Advocacy .

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arnold-ventures-announces-kevin-ring-of-famm-as-new-vice-president-of-criminal-justice-advocacy-301813406.html

SOURCE Arnold Ventures
A coalition made up of more than 80 groups recently penned a letter to President Joseph Biden asking that he put an end to the federal prohibition of cannabis. In the letter, the coalition stated that too many lives had been affected by the countrys failed approach to marijuana and urged that the administration support comprehensive cannabis reform bills in Congress.

This includes measures such as the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. which deschedules cannabis, establishes a regulatory framework for

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the companys newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

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FILE PHOTO: The Apple Inc logo is seen at the entrance to the Apple store in Brussels, Belgium November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

By Sam Tobin

LONDON (Reuters) - Apple Inc urged a London tribunal on Tuesday to block a $2 billion mass lawsuit accusing it of hiding defective batteries in millions of iPhones by "throttling" them with software updates.

The tech giant is facing a lawsuit worth up to 1.6 billion pounds plus interest, brought by consumer champion Justin Gutmann on behalf of iPhone users in the United Kingdom.

Gutmann's lawyers argued in court filings that Apple concealed issues with batteries in certain phone models and "surreptitiously" installed a power management tool which limited performance.

Apple said in written arguments that the lawsuit is "baseless" and strongly denies its iPhones' batteries were defective, apart from in a small number of iPhone 6s models for which it offered free battery replacements.

The company also says its power management update  introduced in 2017 to manage demands on older batteries or with a low level of charge  only reduced an iPhone 6's performance by an average of 10%.

Gutmann on Tuesday asked London's Competition Appeal Tribunal to certify the case and allow it to proceed towards a trial.

His lawyer Philip Moser referred to Apple's 2020 agreements to settle a U.S. class action and regulatory action by U.S. states over iPhone battery issues as showing Apple was not "saying this never happened".

Apple had also committed to be "clearer and more upfront" with iPhone users about battery health to Britain's competition watchdog in 2019, Moser said.

The company denies misleading its customers about iPhone battery issues and points to a public apology it issued in 2017, offering cheaper battery replacements to affected customers.

Apple's lawyer David Wolfson said in court filings that the lawsuit effectively alleges that "not all batteries could deliver the peak power demanded in all circumstances at all times", which was common to all battery-powered devices.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
FILE PHOTO: The Goldman Sachs company logo is on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Anirban Sen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Goldman Sachs Group Inc has promoted Troy Broderick to be the new chief operating officer of its global mergers and acquisitions business, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Broderick, who currently leads Goldman's global M&A capital markets business, will continue to hold his current position in addition to his new responsibilities, according to the memo sent by the bank's co-heads of global M&A, Stephan Feldgoise and Mark Sorrell.

Broderick, who joined Goldman in 2010 as an analyst in UK Equity Capital Markets, has worked on deals in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors within the bank's investment banking division.

He was on the Goldman team that advised on megadeals including Fox Corp's $71 billion sale of 21st Century Fox to Walt Disney Co, and AT&T Inc's $43 billion sale of WarnerMedia to Discovery Inc.

Goldman's previous COO of the M&A franchise, Russ Hutchinson, left the bank in March to join online banking company Ally Financial Inc as its chief financial officer.

(Reporting by Anirban Sen in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Altan Rio Minerals Limited (TSXV: AMO) ("Altan Rio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares"), consisting of the issuance of 20,000,000 Common Shares at a price of A$0.065 per share for proceeds of A$1.3 million. The Company previously closed an initial tranche raising A$200,000 on January 6, 2023.

The Offering was made to Mostia Dion Nominees Pty Ltd ("Mostia"), an Australian group of companies involved in the mining services industry.

Proceeds from the Offering will be used to support Altan Rio in executing on its strategy of moving from an explorer to producer.

Graeme Sloan, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO of the Company, said,

"Closing this placement is a significant milestone for Altan Rio, having locked away a new significant shareholder, the company is in a strong position to continue on its pathway of consolidating the Northern end of the Southern Cross Green Stone Belt."

The Common Shares issued to Mostia pursuant to the final tranche will be subject to a fourth month statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

About Altan Rio Minerals Limited

Altan Rio is a Canadian-listed, West Australian-focused gold exploration company primarily focused on the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, a prolific gold producing region responsible for well in excess of 12 million ounces.

The Company is focused on applying world-class exploration technologies and experience to proven mineralised tenure to generate shareholder wealth through discovery and production.

On behalf of Altan Rio Minerals Limited

For more information contact:

Graeme Sloan

Executive Chairman / Interim CEO

Email: [email protected]

+61 9322 1788

John L C Jones AM

Director

Email: [email protected]

+61 9322 1788

Media

David Tasker

Chapter One Advisors

Email: [email protected]

+61 433 112 936

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Altan Rio to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, and Altan Rio undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164549
10,000 metres diamond drilling includes 7,500 metres dedicated to delineation and expansion at ACKIO, and 2,500 metres dedicated to exploring for new zones of mineralization

Drilling anticipated to start in June

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Baselode Energy Corp. (TSXV: FIND) (OTCQB: BSENF) ("Baselode" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update for the diamond drilling program (the "Program") scheduled to start in June for the ACKIO high-grade uranium zone ("ACKIO") and the Hook project ("Hook" or the "Project").

A total of 10,000 metres of diamond drilling are planned for Hook this summer. The breakdown includes 7,500 metres allocated to delineation and expansion diamond drilling on ACKIO, and 2,500 metres partitioned in three to five areas for reconnaissance exploration aimed at discovering the next uranium zone on Hook. The ACKIO delineation and expansion part of the Program will first focus on the shallowest and/or the highest-grade uranium intersections defined in last years successful 22,500 metre drill campaign. Drill collars have been planned to optimize the allocated metres by intersecting multiple zones of mineralization from the same setups, and by limiting drill holes to specific stopping depths. The drill program is anticipated to start in June, with logistical planning and site preparation visits already being organized.

"We are excited to get back to ACKIO and Hook in the coming weeks. ACKIO is an amazing uranium discovery with significant shallow mineralization growth potential, and we believe the structural system hosting mineralization is underexplored in multiple directions. We've planned for a significant delineation and expansion program to deliver the best results from ACKIO, as well as providing upside potential with another uranium discovery in one of our many target areas. The shallow nature of ACKIO has allowed us to drill quickly with few metres into the ground, providing us the ability to fast-track advancing the project while maintaining an exploration focus, too. Our geophysical surveys suggest the ACKIO structural system continues south of current mineralization, and our geochemical analysis of ACKIO suggests the potential for shallow unconformity sandstone-hosted mineralization exists to the southeast of current drilling extents. This is an exciting time for the Company and our shareholders. We will provide further details as our exploration planning advances," said James Sykes, CEO, President and Director of Baselode.

About Baselode Energy Corp.

Baselode controls 100% of approximately 255,730 hectares for exploration in the Athabasca Basin area, northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The land package is free of any option agreements or underlying royalties.

The Company discovered the ACKIO near-surface, high-grade uranium deposit in September 2021. ACKIO measures greater than 375 m along strike, greater than 150 m wide, comprised of at least 5 separate zones, with mineralization starting as shallow as 28 m beneath the surface and down to approximately 300 m depth beneath the surface with the bulk of mineralization occurring in the upper 120 m. ACKIO remains open to the west, south, and along the Athabasca sandstone unconformity to the east and south.

Baselode's Athabasca 2.0 exploration thesis focuses on discovering near-surface, basement-hosted, high-grade uranium orebodies outside the Athabasca Basin. The exploration thesis is further complemented by the Company's preferred use of innovative and well-understood geophysical methods to map deep structural controls to identify shallow targets for diamond drilling.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cameron MacKay, P.Geo., Vice-President, Exploration & Development for Baselode Energy Corp., who is considered to be a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

For further information, please contact:

Baselode Energy Corp.

FIND on the TSXV

[email protected]

www.baselode.com

James Sykes, CEO, President and Director

[email protected]

306-221-8717

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Baselode Energy Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Baselode Energy Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under Baselode Energy Corp. profile at www.sedar.com.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164485
Columbus, Ohio--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Better For You Wellness, Inc. (OTCQB: BFYW) ("Better For You Wellness" or the "Company"), an Ohio-based company focused on the rapidly-growing $1.5T wellness industry, is pleased to announce that Stephen Letourneau, Chief Branding Officer and Director of Better For You Wellness, will be participating in a panel discussion at the upcoming LUXE PACK New York 2023 20th Anniversary Event taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.

As a thought leader in luxe skincare and wellness, Letourneau has spoken at intimate gatherings for the press, financial institutions, and C-Suite panels to discuss the global skincare and wellness trends and how the different international markets will embrace and amplify the space.

The 2023 edition marks LUXE PACK New York's industry inauguration 20 editions ago. The trade show platform is a sought-after B2B event for the largest U.S. luxury brands within all sectors, including cosmetics, fragrance, wine & spirits, fine food, and technology, to explore and source new packaging suppliers, materials, and products.

Stephen Letourneau will participate in a panel discussion titled "Converting Sales with a Luxury Buyer" on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 2:00 PM ET to 2:50 PM EST, alongside Sheri Koetting, Co-Founder and Chief Strategist of MSLK, Alicia Grande - Founder and CEO of Grande Cosmetics, and Danielle Raynor, Founder and CEO of Lavanila.

The panel discussion will uncover three critical areas of content and storytelling consumers must feel confident purchasing from a luxury brand for the first time. Additionally, panelists will review today's best practices to address these motivators.

"I look forward to representing Better For You Wellness at the upcoming LUXE PACK event in New York City alongside such esteemed industry peers to discuss the global skincare and wellness trends and how the different international markets will embrace and amplify the space," commented Mr. Letourneau. "The event will be a great opportunity to learn and share industry insights and define the luxe space over the next five years that traverse the broader consumer market over the next decade. Luxe PACK is a tremendous opportunity for networking and business development."

About Better For You Wellness, Inc.

Better For You Wellness, Inc. (OTCQB: BFYW) is a Columbus, Ohio-based Company pursuing a dual buy-and-build model within the wellness industry. Better For You Wellness, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, builds and operates digitally native, mission-driven brands within the clean beauty sector, including Mango Moi. Learn more at https://BFYW.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results may vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions, or other future performance suggested in this press release. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed with SEC (https://www.sec.gov/).

Contact:

Better For You Wellness, Inc.

Ian James, CEO

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164529
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building bolder futures

Maitland, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Dr. Moby Kazmi, Co-Founder and President of COPILOT Provider Support Services was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award finalist. Now in its 37th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive business awards for transformative entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who are building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all.

EY Announces Dr. Moby Kazmi of COPILOT Provider Support Services as an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Florida Award Finalist

Dr. Kazmi was selected by an independent panel of judges. Entrepreneurs were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

COPILOT Provider Support Services LLC is a leading HUB specialty patient support services portfolio company of QHP Capital, LP, a life science focused private equity firm. Dr. Kazmi helped create the company back in 2010 and in the last two years, relocated the its headquarters from New York to South Florida.

"I'm elated to be recognized by EY as part of a strong, talented group of Florida leaders," said Dr. Kazmi. "COPILOT was built to provide better healthcare experiences and outcomes for patients and physicians. This recognition is a wonderful form of validation as we continue to create impact in the lives of those we serve every day."

Regional award winners will be announced on June 8, during a special celebration. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year" Award in June 2024.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 entrepreneurs throughout the US since its inception in 1986, and it has grown to recognize business leaders across 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In Florida, sponsors also include - regional Platinum sponsors, Cresa, and DLA Piper.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform the world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year" title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy .

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious", EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing the world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about the organization, please visit ey.com.

About COPILOT Provider Support Services

COPILOT is dedicated to providing HUB and reimbursement case management services, proprietary technology benefit verification solutions, and real-time actionable data to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical device manufacturers to assist healthcare providers, and patients access medications. COPILOT is headquartered in Maitland FL and is a portfolio company of QHP Capital LP, a life science focused private equity firm.

To learn more, visit www.cmccopilot.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact:

Meghan McPhee

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164527
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - First Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: FHYD) (OTC Pink: FHYDF) (FSE: FIT) ("FIRST HYDROGEN" or the "Company") announces the handover of its hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle (FCEV) after the successful completion of safety and mileage accumulation tests. The Company's FCEV has now been delivered to Rivus' Support Centre in Birmingham, UK. First Hydrogen's engineers joined the Rivus team for driver training on April 27th and 28th. For the next month, the FCEV will be driven on selected routes and over varied terrain around the Birmingham and South Yorkshire. It will carry payloads of various sizes to measure vehicle performance on real-world conditions. Rivus supports some of the UK's largest and most critical fleets and manages approximately 120,000 vehicles, including approximately 85,000 LCVs.

Onboard instruments will collect valuable data on fuel consumption, mileage and vehicle efficiency. This information will help First Hydrogen to optimise vehicle configuration and enhance Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) data. Furthermore, Rivus will be able to directly compare First Hydrogen's FCEV with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles when driving the same routes and under the same driving conditions. From its findings, Rivus will produce its own independent analysis of the performance of First Hydrogen's hydrogen-powered vehicle. The results are intended to provide Rivus customers and fleet managers with insight into the benefits and practicality of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

First Hydrogen has also installed GPS and safety technology using a cloud-based system enabling its engineers to access information on the vehicle's use, location, and status in real-time. This will ensure the safety and security of drivers as well as optimal vehicle performance in a range of driving conditions.

The vehicle trials have been co-ordinated with the UK Aggregated Hydrogen Freight Consortium (AHFC), an initial 16 major fleet operators from industries including grocery, delivery, utilities, and healthcare have already registered an interest in taking part in the 12-18-month vehicle evaluation.

Steve Gill, CEO Automotive at First Hydrogen, comments: "We hope that the team at Rivus will enjoy putting our vehicle through its paces and experiencing first-hand how zero emission technology can perform in vehicles of this size. Rivus is experienced in working with fleet vehicles and supporting fleet managers every day. We trust that their feedback will help us to make improvements and help us to create a zero-emission mobility solution that meets fleet managers' demands."

Thomas Maerz, Chief Development Officer at Rivus, says: "Our Alternative Fuel team are eager to see how the fuel cell LCV performs. We have designed several routes and duty cycles, which will test how vehicles run under different driving conditions; First Hydrogen's LCV will be undertaking the same exercises we have completed with BEV and ICE vehicles allowing us to deliver accurate assessments on performance to our customers. We can't wait to get started."

Balraj Mann, First Hydrogen Group CEO, added, "Over the past weeks and months, we went through and accomplished a very positive development phase. Our dedicated team and partners worked hard to bring us to where we are today. We are a step closer to a more sustainable future in transportation."





First Hydrogen's Allan Rushforth and Rivus team.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8330/164427_69465a7884afeab0_001full.jpg

About First Hydrogen Corp. (FirstHydrogen.com)

First Hydrogen Corp. is a Vancouver and London UK-based company focused on zero-emission vehicles, green hydrogen production and distribution and supercritical carbon dioxide extractor systems. The Company has designed and built hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial demonstrator vehicles ("LCV") under two agreements with AVL Powertrain and Ballard Power Systems Inc. The LCV will have a range of 400+ kilometres. These vehicles are currently being trialed with an initial 16 fleet operators in the United Kingdom. At the same time, the company has launched its bespoke vehicle design phase which will develop its fleet of proprietary zero-emission vehicles. First Hydrogen is also developing refueling capability working with FEV Consulting GmbH, the automotive consultancy of FEV Group of Aachen Germany. The Company is also pursuing opportunities in green hydrogen production and distribution in the UK, EU and North America.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

FIRST HYDROGEN CORP.

"Balraj Mann"

Chairman & Group CEO

Contact:

Balraj Mann

First Hydrogen Corp.

604-601-2018

[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains information or statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking information may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, milestones, strategies and outlook of First Hydrogen, and includes statements about, among other things, future developments and the future operations, strengths and strategies of First Hydrogen. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results.

The forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on management's assumptions and analysis and other factors that may be drawn upon by management to form conclusions and make forecasts or projections, including management's experience and assessments of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Although management believes that these assumptions, analyses and assessments are reasonable at the time the statements contained in this news release are made, actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Examples of risks and factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements may include: the timing and unpredictability of regulatory actions; regulatory, legislative, legal or other developments with respect to its operations or business; limited marketing and sales capabilities; early stage of the industry and product development; limited products; reliance on third parties; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; general economic conditions and financial markets; the impact of increasing competition; the loss of key management personnel; capital requirements and liquidity; access to capital; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the impact of COVID-19; shifts in the demand for First Hydrogen's products and the size of the market; patent law reform; patent litigation and intellectual property; conflicts of interest; and general market and economic conditions.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of First Hydrogen as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. First Hydrogen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164427
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc.(TSXV: MOS) ("Mobi724" or the "Company"), a fintech enabler of AI-powered payment card-linked solutions, announces today that it will miss its filing deadlines of April 30, 2023 to file the annual audited financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certificates for the period ended December 31, 2022 (collectively, the "Annual Filings") as required under applicable Canadian securities laws.

In connection with the Company's inability to file the Annual Filings on time, the Company has applied for a Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO") under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203") and is waiting for L'Autorit des Marches Financiers" ("AMF") approval.

The Company is applying for a MCTO as a result of the Company's former auditor not renewing its mandate and due to the long process of finding a replacement. The Company is currently undergoing the internal administrative acceptance procedure with a successor auditor and once complete, the successor auditor will confirm the mandate and allocate the necessary resources to coordinate with the Company the collection of required data and documentation to complete the review of the Company, during the period ended December 31, 2022. Accordingly, once the successor auditor's internal acceptance process is complete, the Company shall announce same as required under applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company expects to file the Annual Filings as soon as they are available, but in any event no later than June 30, 2023, and will issue a news release once the Annual Filings have been filed. Until the Company files the Annual Filings, it will comply with the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203. The guidelines, among other things, require the Company to issue bi-weekly default status reports, in the form of news releases, for so long as the Annual Filings have not been filed.

During the MCTO, the general investing public will continue to be able to trade in the Company's Common Shares listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. However, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer and all the directors will not be able to trade in the Company's shares, nor will the Company be able to, directly or indirectly, issue securities to or acquire securities from an insider or employee of the Company except in accordance with legally binding obligations to do so existing as of April 30, 2022, being the date of the Company's continuous disclosure default.

Company Update

The Company continues to make progress on its sales pipeline from previously announced backlog of contracts estimated value over $7.4 M for the next 36 months in Q4 2022, all these projects are at different integration stages that have codependency on third party delivery dates. The Company continues to execute proof of concepts with prospects which has been successful in the past 12 months to close deals.

To improve balance sheet

the Company concluded shares for debt agreements to convert an amount of approximately $650K of debt owed to related parties in late Q4 and has concluded concessions from certain vendors and is seeking concessions from lenders to facilitate new inflows from new investment prospects.

The company concluded a new funding in Q1 of 700k.

Financial Performance

Although, Key resources will be added to the business development focused on Mexico this quarter, the Company has reduced its net operations costs by more than 500k this past quarter and will continue this path until it reaches its goal of becoming cash flow positive.

Subject to overcoming funding constraints, the Company is aiming to become EBITDA positive in Q4 of 2023 and or early fiscal 2024.

Marcel Vienneau, CEO of Mobi724 Global said: "Although the past 9 months have been the best yet in our history from a business development perspective, it is our focus to reach agreements with strategic investors, lenders, and others so we can focus on executing our business plan. This will enable the management to focus on executing its business plan. It is a very challenging period and at the same time the outlook for growth is confirmed."

About Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc.

Every Transaction is An Opportunity

Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc. (TSXV: MOS) is an AI powered fintech company which provides a platform, that enables banks and merchants to offer their customers real-time payment card-linked incentives, in a white-label format. Mobi724's objective is to add a layer of AI-driven actionable intelligence to every payment transaction, creating engaging consumer experiences & generating incremental commercial opportunities to its clients. Learn more at mobi724.com.

Legal Disclaimer

Mobi724 cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by Mobi724 are subject to risks and uncertainties, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 'Risk Factors and Uncertainties' in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis, available on SEDAR. Any forward-looking statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Mobi724 cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Mobi724's control. 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, Mobi724 undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION TO BUY OR SELL ANY SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

Investor Relations:

For further information, please visit www.MOBI724.com or contact:

Marcel Vienneau, CEO

Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc.

T: 514-394-5200 [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164515
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Newpath Resources Inc. (CSE: PATH) (FSE: 0MZ) (OTC PINK: RDYFF) ("Newpath" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an overview of its property acquisition strategy, exploration initiatives, and corporate activities in 2023. Newpath's recently consolidated Alpha/Bravo Project covers 66,597 Ha (approx. 666 sq. km) in northern Ontario (the "Project"). The Project is the largest known land package amongst junior exploration companies exploring for lithium and other battery metals in the province of Ontario. The land package is to the southwest of Rock Tech Lithium's Georgia Lake Project in the Nipigon Lithium District.

Management Commentary

Alex McAulay, CEO, states, "We are currently uncovering historical geological data that continues to support the lithium potential of the Alpha/Bravo Project and will guide our summer exploration program. Given the size of our land package and initial indications of lithium present at the Project, we will seek to gain a more regional perspective of the lithium mineralization and then further narrow our scope to determine the highest priority areas of the property for more focused exploration activities. I look forward to sharing some exciting developments in the coming months, and I look forward to further informing the market of the developments relating to this unique lithium opportunity we have assembled."

Alpha/Bravo Project Highlights

Clusters of lake sediment samples with highly anomalous Lithium, Cesium and Rare Earth Elements have been identified from government surveys 1 (See Figures 1 and 2). Many of these samples have returned higher lithium analyses, in some cases nearly double the highest concentrations returned from lake sediment samples collected from the Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field, 65km east of the Project. Rock Teck Lithium's Georgia Lake Project in the comparable area recently completed a prefeasibility study based on an indicated mineral resource of 10.6MT grading 0.88% Li 2 O and Inferred mineral resource of 4.22MT grading 1.0% Li 2 O.





(See Figures 1 and 2). Many of these samples have returned higher lithium analyses, in some cases nearly double the highest concentrations returned from lake sediment samples collected from the Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field, 65km east of the Project. Rock Teck Lithium's Georgia Lake Project in the comparable area recently completed a prefeasibility study based on an indicated mineral resource of 10.6MT grading 0.88% Li O and Inferred mineral resource of 4.22MT grading 1.0% Li O. To date at least 170 historically mapped pegmatite occurrences in outcrop have been identified on the Project (See Figure 1). The current objective is to determine the lithium bearing potential of these pegmatites and the extent of the fertile granites that have produced these pegmatites.





Excellent paved road access to the project and an extensive forestry access road network on the project allows for efficient cost effective exploration.





The Quetico Subprovince continues to be an important geological setting for lithium bearing pegmatites in Canada with many junior exploration companies advancing their projects. Notable companies in this area include RockTech Lithium, Lithium One Metals, Tearlach Resources, Brunswick Exploration, Imagine Lithium and Vital Battery Metals.

Lake Sediment Comparable & Pegmatite Occurrences

The initial thesis behind staking this project comes from an investigation of historical information from government and assessment work. A significant indicator of a potential bedrock source for lithium was the high concentration of lithium, cesium and other rare earth elements in lake sediment samples that typically accompany mineralization in Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, as also observed in the Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field (See Figures 1 and 2).

Based on a compilation of available historical data, the Company has identified more than 170 pegmatite occurrences from government mapping and detailed assessment maps from companies exploring for base metals. Many of these pegmatite occurrences are immediately adjacent to and within mapped muscovite-bearing granitic rocks, which are thought to be the source of lithium-enriched pegmatites. Some of the pegmatite occurrences are also proximal to anomalous lithium and cesium in lake sediment samples (See Figure 1).

Project Accessibility

The project has excellent paved and gravel road access and is located 50km northeast of Thunder Bay, a major exploration and mining hub for north and Northwest Ontario. As a result of the recent boom in critical mineral exploration and development activity in the region, Thunder Bay is quickly being recognized as an important transportation link in the battery metal supply chain, prompting a proposal to build a lithium refinery that has capacity to service a number of deposits currently being developed in Northern Ontario. Avalon Advanced Metals Inc. continues to work towards establishing its lithium refinery in Thunder Bay with an estimated construction completion date of 2025. According to Avalon "the refinery being planned would be adaptable and would also be expandable to increase output and accept concentrates from other aspiring producers of lithium minerals including petalite, lepidolite and spodumene, from the many pegmatite deposits that occur in Northwest Ontario"(Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. MD&A, as at November 30, 2022).

Excellent road access to our Alpha/Bravo Project and close proximity to Thunder Bay translates into more efficient and cost effective exploration compared to more remote projects. We do not anticipate having to operate from remote field camps and project staff will be able to commute either from Thunder Bay or a number of other cost effective lodging options along the Trans-Canada Highway south of the project. An extensive logging access road network covers most of the Alpha/Bravo Project, allowing for efficient vehicle access to most of the property area, which is key during the early phases of prospecting and mapping. Ultimately, any exploration success by Newpath at Alpha/Bravo will immediately benefit from the excellent access to land-air-water transportation, hydro, natural gas, experienced mining and exploration work force and close proximity to the full service city of Thunder Bay.

Figure 1 - Newpath Resources Inc.'s Alpha/Bravo Project



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7393/164509_a485416fd458a892_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Comparison of Li in Lake Sediments Alpha/Bravo versus Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7393/164509_a485416fd458a892_002full.jpg

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Douglas S. Turnbull, P.Geo., the Company's COO and a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Consulting Engagement

The Company has signed an agreement with GOLDINVEST Consulting GmbH for a period of six months at a value of EUR 15,000 for news distribution through its German portal, GOLDINVEST.de.

Acknowledgment of First Nations

Newpath Resources Inc. is committed to fostering lasting, transparent, trust-based relationships with the Indigenous communities where we operate. We respectfully acknowledge that we conduct business on the traditional territories of many Nations including Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Fort William First Nation, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, Red Rock Indian Band, Pays Plat First Nation, the Mtis Nation of Ontario and Red Sky Metis Independent Nation.

Newpath Resources recognizes the great privilege of conducting work on these lands and recognizes the accountability and commitment we owe to the communities who have resided here since time immemorial. Newpath shares a common interest in ensuring that the lands and waters will continue to provide cultural, environmental, and economic wellbeing for Indigenous communities for generations to come.

About Newpath Resources Inc.

Newpath Resources Inc. is a Canadian exploration company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under symbol PATH. The Company wholly-owns the Northshore Gold Project located in the Schreiber- Hemlo Greenstone Belt and its Orefield Project, which is comprised of three claim groups (Alpha/Bravo, Charlie and Delta) totaling 3,140 claim units covering 66,597 Ha* (approximately 666 square kilometres*) west and southwest of Lake Nipigon in Northern Ontario.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

NEWPATH RESOURCES INC.

"Alexander McAulay"

Chief Executive Officer

Email: [email protected]

CEO Direct Line: +1 (604) 365-0425

www.newpathresource.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notes

* All project areas expressed as Hectares (Ha) or square kilometres (Km2) in this news release represent the area the Company has the right to explore.

References

1 - Ontario Geological Survey 2020. Lake Geochemistry of Ontario-2019; Ontario Geological Survey, Lake Geochemistry of Ontario-2019, online database.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information included in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the largest know land assembly package; lithium bearing potential of the pegmatites and the extent of the fertile granites; and the ability to have land claims be perspective and the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development. Forward-looking information is based upon the assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management of the Company as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.

Risks that may cause the forward-looking information contained herein to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the largest know land assembly package; lithium bearing potential of the pegmatites and the extent of the fertile granites; and the ability to have land claims be perspective. The Company cautions readers that the Project is an early stage, green fields exploration project and does not necessarily indicate that any mineral resources may be discovered on the Project, or if discovered, that such resources would be economically recoverable. Any statement containing forward looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164509
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Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia Pacific MNO Directory 2023-2024" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Asia Pacific MNO Directory 2023-2024 will help telecom service providers interested in doing business with mobile network operators throughout Asia Pacific (including Australia & New Zealand). The latest Asia Pacific Directory features 185+ operators from over 53 countries.

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The 2023 special edition offers a new design and almost 3 times the number of management contacts as compared to the older edition. Over the past 15 years, Directories by the analyst have paved way for telecom vendor businesses to connect with mobile operators/service providers and enabled thousands of business connections and collaborations to flourish.

Asia Pacific MNO Directory carved out as a niche product that specifically helps 'service providers to mobile operators' obtain and gain new business. Featuring important operator business info to contacts of key executives holding influential roles,

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CXO/Management/Decision-Makers/Influencer contacts

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Available in PDF & Excel: New user friendly PDF & campaign friendly XLS design

First time with detailed Executive Summary & Questions Answered: Giving a clear and precise understanding of the Asia Pacific telecom market to corporates.

1-Update free of cost (subject to availability)

Story continues

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Those looking to do business with MNOs or MVNOs e.g. Network Enablers, Hubbing Partners, Interconnection usage providers, Roaming partners, Handset manufacturers, Infra service providers, Chipset Providers, Core Solutions, Digitalisation Experts, Consultants, 4G/5G specialists and Other telecom service providers.

For more information about this directory visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ciezu4

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




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Playgon Games Inc. (TSXV: DEAL) (OTC Pink: PLGNF) (FSE: 7CR)("Playgon" or the "Company"), a propriety SaaS technology company delivering mobile first live dealer technology to online gaming operators globally, announces its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022. For complete details, please refer to the Financial Statements and associated Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or the Company's website (www.Playgon.com). All amounts are in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise indicated.

2022 Financial Highlights:

The Company generated revenues of $957,745 (December 31, 2021 - $159,705) for the year ended December 31, 2022, from its Live Dealer platform, which represented an increase of 500% over the previous year.

The net loss for the year was $16,823,347 (December 31, 2021 - $14,843,831) for the year ending December 31,2022, which represented an increase of 13% over the previous year. The Company continues its investment in its Live Dealer platform by increasing its development team and Las Vegas studio casino staff costs to $8,274,272 (December 31, 2021 - $6,164,333).

The total wagering turnover for the year ended December 31, 2022, was $926.75 million, compared to $222.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of 300%.

Total wager activity (betspots) for the year ended December 31, 2022, were 27.1 million bets, compared to 4.4 million bets during the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of 500%.

The average daily turnover for the year ended December 31, 2022, was $2.54 million compared to $906,800 during the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of 180%.

Average monthly player activity for the year ended December 31, 2022, was 17,820 compared to 7,200 during the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of 150%.

2022 Operational Highlights:

On May 4, 2022, the Company announced that it has applied for a Gaming Related Supplier - Manufactures License with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (the "AGCO"). The License will enable the Company to supply AGCO approved operators with its Live Dealer Product in Ontario, which is one of the top five iGaming jurisdictions in North America. As of the date of this MD&A the Company has submitted all required documents to the AGCO and is awaiting final approval from the AGCO. This is expected to be received sometime during Q2 2023. Upon receipt of approval from the AGCO, the Company will commence the process of going live with certain operators.

On June 9, 2022, the Company signed a software licensing and distribution agreement with Markor Technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Markor will add and market Playgon's proprietary mobile first live dealer and E-table game offerings to its content library for availability and distribution to all Markor's global client base. On September 28, 2022, the Company announced that its proprietary live dealer games are live with Markor Technology.

On August 11, 2022, the Company announced that it has successfully received certification for live dealer studio in accordance with GLI-19 , Isle of Man, and Ontario technical requirements, thus better positioning the Company for pending commercial agreements licensed in those jurisdictions.

, Isle of Man, and Ontario technical requirements, thus better positioning the Company for pending commercial agreements licensed in those jurisdictions. On September 7, 2022, the Company announced that it has signed a multi-jurisdictional software license and distribution agreement with global iGaming aggregator Pariplay Limited. Under the terms of the agreement, Pariplay will add and market Playgon's proprietary mobile first live dealer and E-table offerings to its content library for availability and distribution to all of Pariplay's global client base.

On December 9, 2022, the Company announced that it has signed a multi-jurisdictional software license and distribution agreement with EveryMatrix Software Ltd. (EveryMatrix). Under the terms of the agreement, EveryMatrix will add and market Playgon's proprietary mobile first live dealer and E-table offerings to its content library for availability and distribution to all of EveryMatrix's global client base.

Update On Financing

On January 19, 2023 and March 25, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of unsecured convertible debentures for gross proceeds of $2,095,000. The debentures mature over 24 months and bear simple interest at 10% per annum and are convertible into common shares of the Company at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price of $0.10.

On March 27, 2023, the Company announced, a proposed brokered financing with Pollitt & Company Inc. (the "Lead Agent") to act as lead agent, on its own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of a syndicate of agents (together with the Lead Agent, the "Agents"), on a commercially reasonable efforts basis, in connection with a new proposed private placement offering of unsecured convertible debentures ("New Debentures") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000 or other such amount as the Company and Lead Agent may mutually agree. The terms of the New Debentures will be substantially identical to those governing the previously closed unsecured convertible debentures.

In addition, the Company also announced that Ms. Kathleen Crook, a current shareholder and related party, intends to invest an additional $6,000,000 ("Anchor Investment") by way of the purchase of additional unsecured convertible debentures, with such debentures to be issued up on substantially the same terms and conditions as those governing the existing convertible debentures and the New Debentures. Additional details of the proposed financing are available in the Company's news release, dated March 27, 2023, and filed on SEDAR.

The New Debentures and Anchor Investment are scheduled to close contemporaneously on May 3rd, 2023 and the Company will provide a further update upon closing.

About Playgon Games Inc.

Playgon Games Inc. (TSXV: DEAL) (OTC Pink: PLGNF) (FSE: 7CR) is a SaaS technology company focused on developing and licensing digital content for the growing iGaming market. The Company provides a multi-tenant gateway that allows online operators the ability to offer their customers innovative iGaming software solutions. Its current software platform includes Live Dealer Casino, E-Table games and Daily Fantasy Sports, which, through a seamless integration at the operator level, allows customer access without having to share or compromise any sensitive customer data. As a true business-to-business digital content provider, the Company's products are ideal turn-key solutions for online casinos, sportsbook operators, land-based operators, media groups, and big database companies.

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.playgon.com.

For further information, contact:

Mike Marrandino, Director

Tel: (604) 722-5225

Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, without limitation, may contain the words believes, expects, anticipates, estimates, intends, plans, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing of future performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except for historical facts, the statements in this news release, as well as oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by Playgon, are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. In the context of any forward-looking information please refer to risk factors detailed in, as well as other information contained in the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 and Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other filings with Canadian securities regulators ( www.sedar.com ). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represents Playgon's current expectations. Playgon disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except if required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164500
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) will be participating in the Deutsche Goldmesse, which will take place on May 5th and 6th at The Westin Grand Frankfurt.

Members of the Ridgeline Minerals Corp. management will be taking meetings throughout the day, and also present at 2:15 pm CET on May 6th to an audience of European investors.

An online registration form is available, and Investors can register to attend at: https://deutschegoldmesse.online/investor-registration/

Kai Hoffmann, Managing Director of Soar Financial Partners, remarked, Following two virtual, and three in-person events, Deutsche Goldmesse has established itself as Germany's premier investment conference in the resource space. Being from Germany myself and working solely in the junior mining space for the last 12 years, I understand what German and European investors are looking for. This is why I have focused on bringing together a selective group of impressive and diverse companies, keynote speakers, mining influencers, HNW investors, asset & fund managers, media partners and more. I am excited to offer this boutique event once again, exclusive to the junior mining sector.

The Deutsche Goldmesse website is updated regularly with attending companies, keynote speakers, schedule, and other important details:www.deutschegoldmesse.com

About Ridgeline Minerals Corp.

Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) (OTCQB: RDGMF) (FSE: 0CG0) is a discovery focused precious and base metal explorer with a proven management team and board of directors credited with numerous gold discoveries in North America. The Company controls a 192 km exploration portfolio across six projects in Nevada and Idaho, USA. More information about Ridgeline can be found at www.RidgelineMinerals.com.

About Deutsche Goldmesse

Deutsche Goldmesse is Germany's premier mining investment conference, based out of Frankfurt- one of Europe's most important financial capitals. We bring together leading minds in the industry to foster new business opportunities and facilitate valuable relationships. The exclusive two-day event showcases industry-leading keynote speakers and up to 35 carefully considered companies in a range of commodities and stages from explorers to producers.

Hosted by Soar Financial Partners, we provide a platform where top company management can connect with a vast network of European institutional and HNW investors, retail investors, analysts, influencers, newsletter writers, media, and other local partners.

For further information:

Ridgeline Minerals Corp.

Chad Peters

President, CEO & Director

775-304-9773

[email protected]

www.RidgelineMinerals.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road" or the "Company"), announces that it has granted employee incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate of 10,650,000 ordinary shares of the Company pursuant to the Company's stock option plan. The options are exercisable until May 02, 2026, at a price of $0.17, which is 30% above the volume weighted average price for Royal Road shares calculated over the previous 6-months. The stock options shall vest as to 30% of the options, 90 days from the grant date; as to a further 30% of the options, 180 days from the grant date; and as to the remainder of the options, 360 days from the grant date.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary statement:

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") describing the Company's future plans and the expectations of its management that a stated result or condition will occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company's business or in the mineral resources industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about, among other things, future economic conditions and courses of action, and assumptions related to government approvals, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The words "plans", "prospective", "expect", "intend", "intends to" and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to the Company's exploration plans.

The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. There is no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the Company's business plans or operations will be achieved. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, anticipated costs and expenditures, government approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators or other applicable regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements included herein are based on the current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions of the Company management and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change.



For further information please contact:

Tim Coughlin

+44 (0)1534 887166

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164516
Shenzhen, China--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2023) - On the morning of April 27, the opening ceremony of 2023 Shenzhen Design Week & Global UNESCO "City of Design" Summit was held at the Bay Opera of Shenzhen, and celebrated the 15th anniversary of Shenzhen as the UNESCO "City of Design."





Figure 1

With the theme of "Global Design, Shenzhen Momentum," 2023 Shenzhen Design Week is hosted by Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and International Council of Design (ICoD), organized by Shenzhen Innovation and Creative Design Development Office, co-organized by Guangdong Bureau and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Headquarters of China Media Group. The event has been widely supported by UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), international design organizations, and the organizing committees of world-renowned Design Weeks. The event runs through Apr. 27 to May 6. It focuses on four dimensions such as "Empower Industrial Innovation and Development," "Lead Fashion Consumption Trends," "Create Urban Brand Marketing" and "Solve Urban Governance Problems," and plans to build an event system featuring "8+21+N" (8 theme events, 21 key events and N branch venues and exquisite venues). Shenzhen Design Week combined global vision with Shenzhen characteristics, focusing on the frontier of design, highlighting the integration of science and technology, strengthening industrial empowerment and reflecting the city's charisma.

This year coincides with the 15th anniversary of Shenzhen as a "City of Design," the title awarded by the UCCN. 15 years later, "Shenzhen Design" has achieved progress and become an important engine for high-quality development. At present, Shenzhen is home to over 33,000 legal entities on creative design services, 30-plus listed design enterprises, and more than 220,000 designers, and leads the country in such areas as graphic design, industrial design, clothing design, furniture design and jewelry design. At the same time, the local design ecosystem continues to improve, evidenced by more than 70 cultural and creative parks, 19 design industry associations, 13 national-level industrial design centers, and 114 provincial industrial design centers. Various international design events such as Shenzhen Design Week, Global Design Award, Shenzhen Creative Design Award for Young Talent, China Design Fair, Shenzhen International Industrial Design Fair, and Hong Kong - Shenzhen Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism Architecture have gained increasing global visibility, representing important global pioneers in the field of design.

Denise Bax, Secretary of the UCCN, gave high recognition to Shenzhen's creative design vitality in a speech, saying that Shenzhen is a successful model for the construction of a "City of Design". It was the first time that Shenzhen Design Week was held jointly with international design organizations. In Johnathon Strebly's speech, the former President of ICoD, said that high-quality design, and booming innovation and technology provide strong momentum for Shenzhen design that contributes its part to globalization.





Figure 2

The opening ceremony premiered the film of Shenzhen as a "City of Design" - "Be Bold and Creative" to show the fearless spirit of Shenzhen, a "spaceship" daring to explore the infinity of the vast unknown universe with the help of sci-fi skills and digital visual technologies. The opening ceremony also presented a short video featuring a natural Shenzhen - a city where mountains meet seas, durin g which the audience was immersed in the charm of the local natural ecosystem shaped by "one ridge, one belt and twenty corridors". The ecology of Shenzhen creates a recreational network linking the city with mountains and seas, making it an eco-city design model of harmonious coexistence between human and nature.

At the Global UNESCO "City of Design" Summit, David Grossman, Former President of ICoD, Zhong Xiangping, Vice President of Tencent, Wolfgang Josef Egger, BYD Global Design Director, and Zhao Huizhou, Founder and Chief Designer of EACHWAY Fashion Group delivered speeches on the theme of "Global Design, Shenzhen Momentum" and gave wonderful interpretations on the cutting-edge concepts of design, fashion, and industry. They presented the strong development momentum of Shenzhen's "20+8" industrial clusters and the leading advantages of its design in industrial and fashion fields such as automobile, garment, jewelry, watch, glasses and home furnishing.

As an important agenda of the Global UNESCO "City of Design" Summit, the Roundtable gathered representatives from Montreal, Istanbul, Nagoya, Kobe, Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen and other relevant cities to share their experiences and unique features of building "City of Design". That said, Shenzhen joined other important conveners to promote exchanges and cooperation among Global Cities of Design.

On behalf of Shenzhen Design Week and Global Design Awards Organizing Committee, Academician Meng Jianmin of the Chinese Academy of Engineering released the "Shenzhen Initiative for Global Cities of Design," which advocates "grand design" to empower industrial innovation and development, solve urban governance problems, shape city branding and cohesion, lead fashion consumption trends, as well as promote the deep integration of design and digitalization. It adheres to the openness of design and intellectual property protection while strengthening exchanges and cooperation among UNESCO cities of design, and promotes sustainable development.

Company: Shenzhen Innovation and Creative Design Development Office

Contact Person: Feng Xiaolin

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sz.design

Telephone: 86-0755- 88133817

City: Shenzhen, China

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164380
FILE PHOTO: Migrants camp between the two border fences as they wait for authorities to request asylum in San Ysidro, California, U.S., as seen from Tijuana, Mexico April 30, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Duenes

By Idrees Ali and Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden's administration will temporarily send 1,500 additional troops to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, in preparation for a possible rise in illegal immigration when COVID-19 border restrictions lift later this month.

The 90-day deployment of active-duty troops will supplement the work of the U.S. Border Patrol but not carry out law enforcement duties, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement. They will conduct ground-based monitoring, data entry and warehouse support to free up border agents and "fill critical capability gaps," Ryder said.

The force will be in addition to an ongoing deployment of about 2,500 National Guard troops.

The so-called Title 42 restrictions, set to end on May 11, allow U.S. authorities to rapidly expel non-Mexican migrants to Mexico without the chance to seek asylum.

Biden, a Democrat running for reelection in 2024, has grappled with record numbers of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since he took office in 2021.

Republicans have criticized Biden for rolling back the hardline policies of Republican former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for his party's nomination. Some Democrats and immigration activists also have lambasted Biden for gradually toughening his approach to border security.

Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Biden's decision to send troops was unacceptable.

"Trying to score political points or intimidate migrants by sending the military to the border caters to the Republican Partys xenophobic attacks on our asylum system," Menendez said in a statement.

The 1,500 troops could arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border by May 10, Ryder said during a briefing. The Pentagon is looking at ways to replace the active-duty personnel with those from the reserve force, he said.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, when asked about the troop deployment in a news conference, said the U.S. is a sovereign nation and that Mexico respects its decisions.

U.S. military troops have been used to help secure the border during previous presidential administrations, including Republican George W. Bush, Democrat Barack Obama and Trump, who deployed thousands of active-duty and National Guard troops.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called such deployments "a common practice."

Pentagon leaders have long been frustrated about military deployments to the border, privately arguing that the mundane tasks are better suited for law enforcement agencies and can affect military readiness.

Immigration advocates have criticized previous efforts to send troops to the border.

"People seeking asylum should be met with humanitarian professionals, welcoming volunteers, and medical and mental health professionals. Not soldiers," tweeted Bilal Askaryar, interim campaign manager of the #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Ted Hesson; Additional by Phil Stewart, Jasper Ward and Andrea Shalal in Washington and the Mexico City Newsroom; Editing by Mark Porter, Richard Chang and Jonathan Oatis)
UPIA India announces a conference on Advances in Urogynecology 2023 (AIUG 2023 Sphincter Summit)



UPIA India (Urogynecology Pelvic floor dysfunction and Incontinence Association) has announced a conference on Advances in Urogynecology 2023 (AIUG 2023 Sphincter Summit)- Comprehensive Urogyn Conference with Latest Updates happening on October 13-15, 2023 at KIMS Hospitals, Hyderabad. The UPIA India is committed to breaking the silence in the silent suffering of women over 40 with incontinence and invites everyone to join this Noble journey. This conference promises to be a virtual feast of knowledge featuring world-class leaders in the field of Urogynecology who are passionate about teaching.

Urogynecology is a new field. The awareness about Urogyn problems like Prolapse, Incontinence and repeated urine infections is low in society. These problems are common in older women who have no voice. They mistakenly think these problems are incurable and may be due to age. We intend to educate the gynecologists that these problems are treatable by the right doctors. The doctors who come to this conference can carry over this knowledge and be able to treat their patients to the patient.

The conference is designed to bring the latest updates on Urogynecological problems women commonly suffer, including data-based updates on prolapse surgery, incontinence, and other Urogyn problems. One highlight of the conference is the pre-recorded talk on Pelvic Anatomy and Prolapse by Dr. John O. De Lancey, along with international faculty members such as Dr. Michael D. Moen, Dr. Holly Elizabeth Richter, and Dr. Peter L. Rosenblatt as faculty members. They are experts in their fields and will present the latest updates and insights on urogyn problems.

The second highlight is the Cadaver Session. Junior doctors can revisit the pelvic anatomy, which is crucial for a good surgeon. This workshop will help participants understand the anatomical structures of the pelvis and how they relate to urogyn problems. There is also a possibility of demonstrating complex Urogynecological Surgeries on Cadavers, which will be an incredible opportunity for participants to learn and engage. The conference will also feature panel discussions, lectures, debates, and interactive sessions, allowing participants to engage with the faculty members and their peers. This will be a great opportunity for participants to learn from others experiences, ask questions, and share their knowledge.

The conference organizers have invited a very enthusiastic and committed team of top-notch national faculty who will be available to talk to participants and clear their doubts. This will be a great opportunity for participants to interact with the faculty members and get answers to their questions. This conference enables the Gynecologists and urologists to gain confidence in doing the procedures and hence is a great opportunity not to be missed. Armed with the latest updates, at the end of the conference, participants can apply these techniques more confidently, making the better-informed doctors. Exposure to the latest updates in their practice helps them see things from a global perspective and not be frogs in a pond. They also can provide better care to their patients.

The List of International Faculty Include: Peter L. Rosenblatt, M.D. Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Holly Elizabeth Richter, M.D. Ph.D, FACOG, FACS(USA)  Obstetrics & Gynecology, Urology, Marlene Corton, M.D. Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Michael D Moen, M.D. Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

The conference also offers a much-reduced price for PGs in OBGYN, making it accessible for young professionals starting their careers. The organizers feel strongly that the young doctors who are our future can learn from an early stage about the progress in medicine.

The List of National Faculty Include: Dr.Anuradha Koduri, Dr.Nirmala Papalkar, Dr.Tanvir Singh, Dr.Bindu Priya,Dr.Sanjay Panday,Dr.Amita Jain, Dr.Srikala Prasad, Dr.Meera Raghavan, Dr.Tamilselvi , Dr.Fahmida Banu, Dr.Balamba, Dr.Deeksha Panday, Dr.Aruna Suman, Dr.Aparajitha, Dr.Malathi Ponnuru, Dr.Gopichand, Dr.Francis Sridhar, Dr.J.B. Sharma, Dr.Neena Desai ,Dr.Anuradha Panda, Dr.Aashee, Dr.Ramya, Dr.Manjula Rao, Dr.Lakshmi Rathn,a Dr.Aparna Hegde ,Dr.Ashok Kiran.

In conclusion, the Advances in Urogynecology 2023 (AIUG 2023)  Comprehensive Urogyn Conference with the latest updates is an excellent opportunity for urologists and gynecologists to learn from the best in the field and apply the latest updates in their practice.. The Cadaver Workshop is an incredible opportunity for participants to learn and engage, and the national faculty members will be available to talk to participants and clear their doubts. The conference promises to be a phenomenal learning experience, and the organizers are committed to delivering the highest quality of education to the participants. Register now at www.aiug.in and upskill yourself with advanced industry trends in Urogynecology.

To acquire knowledge, one must study: but to acquire Wisdom, one must observe.

About UPIA

UPIA was formed in the year 2012 by Dr Anuradha Koduri, MD, FACOG, FPMRS(USA), with the encouragement, enthusiasm and active support of Dr P. Balamba, MBBS, MD, DGO, Prof Emeritus NTR University of Health Sciences, Retired Superintendent GMH Osmania and Dr. Evita Fernandez, MBBS, FRCOG, Managing Director, Fernandez Hospitals, Hyderabad.



The society was accepted as an affiliate of International Association of Urogynecology (IUGA) in February 2013. Our members also include Neurologists, Urologists, and physical therapists who will bring their own expertise in these matters to the table. India has been blessed with a very dynamic OBGyn community who have taken Obstetrics, Infertility and Minimally Invasive surgery to new heights.

Contact Info:

Name: Dr Anuradha Koduri

Email: Send Email

Organization: AIUG by UPIA

Website: https://aiug.in/



Release ID: 89096429

If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.
TOKYO, May 2, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce the launch of Marunouchi Climate Tech Growth Fund L.P. (the Fund), which is managed by Marunouchi Innovation Partners Co., Ltd. (MIP), a company jointly established by MC, MUFG Bank Ltd. (MUBK) and Pavilion Private Equity Co., Ltd. (PPE). The Fund will invest primarily in companies dedicated to decarbonization through the development of climate tech. As of its initial closing, the Fund (including the related investment vehicles for overseas Investors) has raised 400 million USD of capital commitment from investors. MIP plans to raise new investment through additional rounds of funding and increase the size of the Fund to 800 million ~ one billion USD by its final closing.

In October 2021, MC unveiled its "Roadmap to a Carbon Neutral Society" and its aim to be a net-zero greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions company by the year 2050. It has also committed to a new growth strategy under its latest management plan, "Midterm Corporate Strategy 2024 - Creating MC Shared Value," the main objective of which is to build a brighter future by jointly promoting energy (EX) and digital (DX) transformations. Through these initiatives, MC remains dedicated to addressing the challenges facing modern society and industry.

The field of climate tech has raised expectations with respect to accelerated development and application of a wide range of cutting-edge, net-zero technologies and solutions. With more funding crucial to meeting those expectations, the demand for climate tech investments is likely to grow over the medium to long term.

With the Fund prioritizing investments aimed at spurring growth in companies dedicated to climate tech solutions, MC and MIP shall leverage this opportunity to help commercialize, scale up and rollout those entities' cutting-edge technologies. As a result, the Fund should not only help to boost those entities' corporate value, but also support decarbonization and the realization of a carbon-neutral society. Furthermore, with the MC Group serving as its main sponsor, the Fund will take advantage of the group's broad industry expertise, business network and collective capabilities, and play an important role in connecting all of its strategic investors. MC and MIP are excited about the Fund's potential in securing blue-chip investment opportunities and supporting the growth of its portfolio companies.

For more information, visit www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2023/html/0000051198.html.

Inquiry Recipient:

Mitsubishi Corporation

Telephone:+81-3-3210-2171

Facsimile:+81-3-5252-7705

Copyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. , May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Achronix Semiconductor Corporation, a leader in high-performance field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP, today announced that President and CEO, Robert Blake , and CFO, Mahesh Karanth , will participate at the Oppenheimer 8th Annual Emerging Growth Conference on May 11, 2023 , which will be held as a virtual event. Management will be available throughout the day to meet with investors attending the conference.

Portfolio managers and analysts who would like to request a meeting with management should contact their Oppenheimer representative.

About Achronix Semiconductor Corporation

Achronix Semiconductor Corporation is a fabless semiconductor corporation based in Santa Clara, California , offering high-end FPGA-based data acceleration solutions, designed to address high-performance, compute-intensive and real-time processing applications. Achronix is the only supplier to have both high-performance and high-density standalone FPGAs and licensed eFPGA IP solutions. Achronix Speedster7t FPGA and Speedcore eFPGA IP offerings are further enhanced by ready-to-use VectorPath accelerator cards targeting AI, machine learning, networking and data center applications. All Achronix products are fully supported by the Achronix Tool Suite which enables customers to quickly develop their own custom applications. Achronix has a global footprint, with sales and design teams across the U.S. , Europe and Asia . For more information, please visit www.achronix.com.

Follow Achronix

Website: www.achronix.com

The Achronix Blog: /blogs/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Achronixcorp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/57668/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AchronixCorp

Contact

Joel Achramowicz , Managing Director

Shelton Group

T: 415-845-9964

[email protected]

Achronix, Speedster and VectorPath are registered trademarks, and Speedcore and Speedchip are trademarks of Achronix Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Achronix
(All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)

TORONTO , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) ("Agnico Eagle") announced today that further to its news release dated April 27, 2023 , it has received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") of Agnico Eagle's notice of intention to renew its normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB").

Under the NCIB, Agnico Eagle may purchase for cancellation, on the open market at its discretion, during the period commencing on May 4, 2023 and ending on the earlier of May 3, 2024 and the completion of purchases under the NCIB, up to the lesser of: (i) 24,718,919 common shares of Agnico Eagle ("Common Shares"), which is 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares; and (ii) that number of Common Shares that can be purchased by Agnico Eagle under the NCIB for an aggregate purchase price, excluding commissions, of not more than $500,000,000 , subject to the normal terms and limitations of such bids. Based on the closing share price of $56.59 on April 27, 2023 , 8,835,483 Common Shares would be purchasable under the NCIB, representing approximately 1.79% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of April 27, 2023 . As of April 27, 2023 , Agnico Eagle had 494,378,388 issued and outstanding Common Shares.

Daily purchases on the TSX under the NCIB will be limited to 443,490 Common Shares, other than purchases made pursuant to the block purchase exception, which represents 25% of the average daily trading volume of 1,773,960 on the TSX for six months ending March 31, 2023 . The actual number of Common Shares which may be purchased under the NCIB and the timing of any such purchases will be determined by the management of Agnico Eagle, subject to applicable law and the rules of the TSX. Purchases under the NCIB are expected to be made through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange and alternative trading systems in Canada or the United States , at prevailing market prices. The NCIB will be funded using Agnico Eagle's existing cash resources, and any Common Shares repurchased by Agnico Eagle under the NCIB will be cancelled.

Agnico Eagle believes that the NCIB will provide a flexible tool as part of Agnico Eagle's overall capital allocation program and objectives, while generating value for shareholders. Decisions regarding any future repurchases will depend on certain factors, such as market conditions, share price and other opportunities to invest capital for growth. Agnico Eagle may elect to suspend or discontinue share repurchases at any time, in accordance with applicable laws.

Agnico Eagle has established an automatic share purchase plan in connection with its NCIB to facilitate the purchase of Common Shares during times when Agnico Eagle would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase Common Shares due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed black-out periods. Before entering a black-out period, Agnico Eagle may, but is not required to, instruct the broker to make purchases under the NCIB based on parameters set by Agnico Eagle in accordance with the share purchase plan, TSX rules and applicable securities laws. The plan has been pre-cleared by the TSX and will be implemented effective May 8, 2023 .

Under Agnico Eagle's prior NCIB, which commenced on May 4, 2022 and ends on May 3, 2023 , Agnico Eagle obtained approval to purchase up to a total of 22,785,308 Common Shares, of which 1,669,620 Common Shares were purchased through the facilities of the TSX and the New York Stock Exchange at a weighted-average price of approximately $44.70 (excluding commissions) per Common Share.

About Agnico Eagle

Agnico Eagle is a senior Canadian gold mining company, producing precious metals from operations in Canada , Australia , Finland and Mexico . It has a pipeline of high-quality exploration and development projects in these countries as well as in the United States . Agnico Eagle is a partner of choice within the mining industry, recognized globally for its leading environmental, social and governance practices. The Company was founded in 1957 and has consistently created value for its shareholders, declaring a cash dividend every year since 1983.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release has been prepared as at May 2, 2023 . Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms. In particular, such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Agnico Eagle's intention to commence the NCIB and the timing, methods and quantity of any purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB, the availability of cash for repurchases of Common Shares under the NCIB, compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the NCIB, Agnico Eagle's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Agnico Eagle as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the following assumptions made as at the date of this news release: that governments, Agnico Eagle or others do not take additional measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise that, individually or in the aggregate, materially affect Agnico Eagle's ability to operate its business; that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations; that production, permitting, development, expansion and the ramp up of operations at each of Agnico Eagle's properties proceeds on a basis consistent with current expectations and plans; that the relevant metal prices, foreign exchange rates and prices for key mining and construction supplies will be consistent with Agnico Eagle's expectations; the availability and sources of capital; operating costs, ongoing utilization and future expansions, the ability to reach required commercial agreements, and the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals; and that there are no material variations in the current tax and regulatory environment.

Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements included in this news release. These risks include, but are not limited to: the extent and manner to which COVID-19, and measures taken by governments, Agnico Eagle or others to attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19, may affect Agnico Eagle, whether directly or indirectly; the volatility of prices of gold and other metals; uncertainty of future production, project development, capital expenditures and other costs; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; financing of additional capital requirements; mining risks; community protests, including by First Nations groups; governmental and environmental regulation; the behavior of the financial markets, including the volatility of Agnico Eagle's stock price; and certain other risks set out in Agnico Eagle's public disclosure documents. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that may affect Agnico Eagle's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, see Agnico Eagle's Annual Information Form and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 , each filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and included in the Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 , which is filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, as well as Agnico Eagle's other filings with the Canadian securities regulators and the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on a forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Other than as required by law, Agnico Eagle does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agnico-eagle-announces-renewal-of-normal-course-issuer-bid-301813015.html

SOURCE Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
* Mark Pundt , M.D. former President of ConvenientMD, joins as CEO

JUNO BEACH, Fla. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beach House Behavioral Health, Inc. ("Beach House" or the "Company"), a portfolio company of BelHealth Investment Partners, LLC ("BelHealth"), a Fort Lauderdale -based healthcare private equity firm, announced the appointment of Mark Pundt , M.D., as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO").

Mark Pundt , M.D. former President of ConvenientMD, joins as CEO of Beach House

For over 30 years, Dr. Pundt has had the responsibilities of leading, operating, managing, consulting, and working as a clinician for medical practices and businesses. He has led six medical companies as the CEO and/or President with reporting responsibilities to the Board of Directors. He has also led the medical team and providers as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) with the responsibility of managing the medical providers and ensuring that the highest level of medical care was provided to his patients. He has been directly involved in managing the operations of the businesses including managing the clinical team members and providers, overseeing the Human Resources team, sales team and medical and business compliance.

Dr. Pundt stated "I am excited to step into the CEO role at Beach House and be part of the team to advance our strategy and deliver shareholder value. In my previous roles I have successfully blended my clinical background with business initiatives. Behavioral health and addiction treatment protocols must be customized for each individual and Beach House has created the necessary clinical and medical infrastructure to address these needs. I am looking forward to working closely with the team and BelHealth to drive growth and profitability."

Inder Tallur , Managing Partner of BelHealth and Board Member of Beach House, added "We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Beach House leadership team. His extensive experience in healthcare leadership and strong strategic vision will serve Beach House well. The board of directors looks forward to working closely with him."

About Beach House

Founded in 2014, Beach House Center for Recovery is a nationally recognized drug and alcohol treatment provider, offering a full continuum of medically and clinically integrated care to people with substance use and co-occurring disorders. The state-of-the-art treatment facility is located on a beautiful, self-contained, five-acre recovery campus in the coastal town of Juno Beach . With client outcomes that outperform the industry average, Beach House is known as a trusted provider of evidence-based, outcome-informed addiction treatment and a center for clinical excellence.

About BelHealth Investment Partners

BelHealth Investment Partners, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , is a healthcare private equity firm focused on lower middle market companies. BelHealth has a unique combination of investing, executive management, and entrepreneurial experience. BelHealth acquires majority positions in entrepreneur-owned companies that it believes will benefit from its extensive operating and private equity investment expertise.

For further information, please visit:

BelHealth Investment Partners: www.belhealth.com

Beach House Center for Recovery: www.beachhouserehabcenter.com

Contact:

Inder Tallur (917) 975-6604

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SOURCE BelHealth Investment Partners
SYDNEY, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Australia's leading climate action organisation for parents, carers, and families, Australian Parents for Climate Action (AP4CA) is celebrating expansion of the schools solar program that was born out of its campaign and petition for State and Federal funding to introduce solar and batteries into all Australian schools and early childhood centers.

Australian Parents For Climate Action CEO Nic Seton

The NSW Smart Energy School Pilot Project (part of $71m awarded across TAS, WA and NSW) came into existence after a two-year AP4CA campaign attracted 12,000 signatories, pledges from 135 federal election candidates (including 23 elected representatives from all major parties and the crossbench), and strong support from the City of Sydney and NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell.

The AP4CA campaign also achieved public support from Mike Cannon-Brookes, actress Georgina Haig, TV presenter Osher Gunsberg, and The Chaser writer and comedian Craig Reucassel.

The project will now provide solar and battery energy systems to an additional 18 public schools across NSW, coming to 79 schools in total that will be equipped with around 4,600 solar panels and 3,200 kilowatt hours of battery energy storage capacity.

The expansion comes amidst growing support for AP4CA's solutions-focussed, relationship-building approach targeting the millions of climate-concerned parents in Australia, and forward-thinking state and federal politicians across the political spectrum, with the non-profit growing rapidly to 17,000 active members and surpassing $1 million in funding raised in just a few short years since inception.

This rapid growth and support for its cause has driven AP4CA to make a series of recent board appointments to become better equipped to scale its funding and impact even further, including the appointment of several non-executive directors (NED) and a new chair.

Dr Harriet Fesq has joined as NED and Chair, alongside her role as co-founder of B Corp certified social innovation consultancy Rethinkable and member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.

Story continues

Joining as NED is former Australia President of G20 Young Entrepreneurs, climate and tech investor, and Executive Director of impact tech and finance PR firm Third Hemisphere, Jeremy Liddle.

Jeremy has served on multiple boards and global governance committees over the past 20 years including RioLife, CP Ventures (CapitalPitch), Phoria, and the G20YEA, and will be joined as NED by Edwina Munns, Head of Internal Communications at Canva, who brings experience in change management, communications, and fundraising.

The newly-expanded board will be tasked with generating additional funding, exposure, support, and climate policy change strategy, while leveraging pre-existing support from a series of high-profile climate advocates and business leaders.

These include an advisory board composed of the likes of Daisy Turnbull, Dr. Rebecca Huntley, Charlie Wood, and Genevieve Smart, as well as support from the likes of the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, members of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network, and Groundswell Giving.

Nic Seton , CEO of Australian Parents For Climate Action, said: "NSW has made another smart investment by increasing the number of NSW schools set to receive cost-saving solar and battery systems. As energy costs continue to climb, clean energy upgrades will lower costs for schools, stabilize local energy supply, and provide cheaper energy for NSW. All state governments should take note and follow the lead of NSW, Tasmania and WA. This really is a no-brainer policy with widespread public support."

Dr. Rebecca Huntley , chair of the Australian Parents For Climate Action advisory board, said: "Parents are a powerful force for climate action, especially by engaging more parents to talk about how it affects their children. There are millions of Australian parents concerned about climate change with the potential to participate in more ways than before. Australian Parents for Climate Action is helping to shift politics by building connections on the issue of climate change, not as politicians or climate scientists, but as parents, with their own voices, connecting with their communities. And this has the potential to move the nation."

Dr Harriet Fesq , incoming Australian Parents For Climate Action Chair and NED, said: "It's an honour to join the Australian Parents for Climate Action Board as NED and incoming Chair - an organisation I have long admired for their parent-led, effective climate action. I am excited to support and steer Australian Parents for Climate Action to educate and empower the millions of climate-concerned parents across Australia to address climate change and amplify their voices to decision-makers."

Australian Parents for Climate Action (www.ap4ca.org), is Australia's leading climate action organisation for parents, carers, families, and all who care about a safe future for kids. It educates and empowers supporters to make the climate safer for every child. Founded in 2019 by six regional, rural, and urban mums in four states and territories, it has grown rapidly to fill a critical gap in the climate movement. It is a parent organisation run by parents for parents.

Cision

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SOURCE Australian Parents For Climate Action
WHERE BROOKLYN IS THE BRAND

BROOKLYN, N.Y. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brooklyn Chamber's holiday pop-up was so successful that it will soon welcome shoppers year-round.

Brooklyn Made will sell Brooklyn-themed merchandise, including art, apparel, beauty, houseware, jewelry and packaged foods, in the new collaboration with 55 vendors selected through a process that prioritized BIPOC makers, designers and small-business owners across the borough. The 1,200-square-foot retail store will launch May 18 at Innovation Alley in Industry City with a press breakfast and ribbon cutting. On Friday, May 19 , the Chamber will host a party featuring DJ Barry Blends, which will be open to the public starting at 5 p.m.

"We are proud to promote our borough's best 'makers' at this retail storefront, which showcases the tenacity and ingenuity of small-business owners across Brooklyn," said Randy Peers , President and CEO of the Chamber. "This retail store recognizes the brightest creators and artisans in a way that helps small, diverse businesses grow. New York City is back, and Brooklyn is leading the way!"

Two of the small businesses participating are husband-and-wife tea sommelier team Brooklyn Tea and apparel from The Collective at IndigoStyle. Both businesses participated in last year's holiday market.

"Brooklyn is the best borough for aspiring entrepreneurs," said Sheryl Roberts , owner of The Collective at IndigoStyle. "I am grateful to the Chamber and its partners for supporting small businesses like mine through Brooklyn Made . Collaborating on this retail store, since its inception as a holiday market, is a dream come true."

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce partnered with Wells Fargo Foundation, Industry City and the Brooklyn Community Foundation on the store, which promotes designers, makers and entrepreneurs, mostly from communities of color, who embody the essence of Brooklyn through their unique products.

"Industry City has always been where creatives, makers and artisans find space to hone their craft, build their business and find community," said Jim Somoza , Managing Director of Industry City. "Working with an upper-floor tenant like the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce on this retail store has been great; it is a prime example of how tenants can use the campus to build new concepts while serving the upstairs business community. We're incredibly proud to have Brooklyn Made at Industry City."

"Small businesses play a vital role in making Brooklyn a vibrant place to live, work, visit and raise families  and they are the key to generating millions of jobs and economic activity here in New York City ," said Otis Rolley , president of the Wells Fargo Foundation and head of Philanthropy and Community Impact. "This investment in Brooklyn Made will build on our commitment to support diverse makers, creatives and entrepreneurs and help create opportunities for them to sell their products right here in the community. We thank the Chamber, Brooklyn Community Foundation and Industry City for their collaboration on this project."

One Brooklyn-based business will be featured each month in the "Maker of the Month" spotlight program. The select businesses will be promoted through "Meet the Maker" events, the first of which kicks off at the May 19 launch party.

" Brooklyn Made " can mean many things, but universally it reflects the intricacies of a borough that has been shaped and reshaped by the ever-changing flow of populations and cultures that have found their way to Brooklyn for over 300 years.

" Brooklyn Made is a reflection of what it means to 'spark change,'" said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey , President and CEO of the Brooklyn Community Foundation "The Chamber's commitment to equity in the application process is a reflection of our mission to uplift Brooklynites through social justice. We are proud to support this initiative."

This May, stop by Industry City to shop Brooklyn-themed goods from across the borough, all in one spot. Beginning on Thursday, May 18 , visit Brooklyn Made 11 a.m.  7 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m.  9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brooklyn-made-store-to-launch-at-industry-city-301813818.html

SOURCE Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
HOUSTON , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlos Jorda, President and CEO of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, was recently honored by the Department of Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. Jorda, a 1971 graduate of Michigan Tech, was one of six alumni named to the department's Distinguished Academy.

"I was honored to receive this recognition from my alma mater, Michigan Tech," said Jorda. "My background in chemical engineering has proven highly valuable throughout my career in the international oil and gas industry, and I'm proud to join the academy alongside such a distinguished group of fellow inductees."

In addition to Jorda, the 2023 academy inductees included:

Brian Glover , President and CEO, Honeywell UOP

, President and CEO, Bruce Janda , retired senior consultant, Fisher International

, retired senior consultant, Brad Rick , retired Process Engineer and Product Development, Amway Corporation

, retired Process Engineer and Product Development, John Smuk (deceased), Manager of Process Engineering, Potlatch Corporation

(deceased), Manager of Process Engineering, Philip Watters , Senior Vice President, Rimkus Consulting Group

This year's inductees rank among the most successful and influential alumni of Michigan Tech's Department of Chemical Engineering. Selection into the academy recognizes excellence and leadership in engineering and civic affairs. Portraits and a brief biography of academy members are prominently displayed on the Distinguished Academy Honor Wall in the hallway outside the main departmental offices to serve as inspirational role models for future chemical engineering students.

With more than 50 years in the international oil and gas industry, Jorda has served as President and CEO of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, based in Houston, Texas , since 2019. He started his career with Creole Petroleum in 1971 at the Amuay refinery in Venezuela , and continued working with affiliates of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) through 2002 in the areas of refining operations and corporate planning, international businesses of PDVSA and in the development and financing of the Strategic Associations of the Orinoco Belt joint ventures. Jorda's last position in PDVSA was Chairman of the Board of Directors of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, then based in Tulsa, Okla. From 2003 to 2019, he worked as an independent consultant, primarily through Gaffney, Cline & Associates. Additionally, Jorda served as a Director of publicly traded refining company Delek USA from 2006 through 2019.

Jorda successfully guided CITGO through the COVID-19 pandemic and several severe weather events affecting the Company's Gulf Coast operations. Under his leadership, CITGO achieved record-setting financial and operational performance in 2022 and is well positioned for future success.

Founded in 1885 and located in Houghton, Michigan , Michigan Tech is a flagship public research university with an emphasis on educating students in engineering, sciences and technology.

"I hope my career inspires current and future chemical engineering students at Michigan Tech," said Jorda. "Go Huskies!"

About CITGO :

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, La.; Lemont, Ill.; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 38 active terminals, six pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,300 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 769,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth-largest and is one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products, and supplies a network of approximately 4,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets, all located east of the Rocky Mountains . CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc.

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SOURCE CITGO Corporation
"This year, the year of the Global Stocktake, we have an unprecedented opportunity to turn policies into practical outcomes."

"We need tangible progress, this year, on reform that will unlock far more concessional finance, mitigate risk, and attract more private capital."

"We must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives."

ABU DHABI , UAE , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today in a speech at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin , the COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber , presented his broad ambitions for COP28 .

Dr. Al Jaber stated: "We have just passed the seven-year mark since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, with just seven years to go to 2030. Seven years to reduce emissions by 43 percent and keep the ambitions of the Paris Agreement alive."

Dr Al Jaber added that, "the most recent IPCC report has already made it crystal clear that we are way off track. This is a moment of clarity that we must face with total honesty. We must unite and seize the moment of the Global Stocktake to put the world on the right track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement." On renewables, Dr Al Jaber called on the world to "triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040."

"In my meetings with climate, finance, and development ministers across the Global South, what I hear time and again is that climate finance is nowhere near available, accessible, or affordable enough. IFIs and MDBs are not keeping pace with the challenges of the 21st century."

"Developing countries are still waiting for the 100 billion dollars promised by developed countries 14 years ago. This is holding up progress, and as part of my outreach, I am requesting donor countries to provide a definitive extraordinary report on the delivery of this commitment by COP28 . It is vital to the political credibility of the UNFCCC process, that donors step up to this long overdue obligation ahead of COP28 especially as the real value of this commitment has eroded over time."

Dr Al Jaber warned that "If the world does not come up with effective mechanisms to deliver climate finance to developing and emerging economies, they will have no choice but to choose a carbon intensive development path. That is an outcome we want to avoid simply because it is in nobody's interests."

"In a pragmatic, just and well managed energy transition, we must be laser-focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives. We know that the energies used today will continue to be part of the global energy mix for the foreseeable future. As such, we will work with the world to decarbonize the current energy system while we build a new one, capable of transitioning even the most heavy-emitting industries."

He highlighted that " COP28 must also provide tangible solutions to help people adapt to climate change and manage growing climate impacts. That is why we will be the first COP to dedicate a day to health and the first to host a health and climate ministerial."

"We need to broaden our definition of adaptation to enable global climate resilience, transform food systems, and enhance forestry, land use and water management."

Dr. Al Jaber concluded by saying, "Let's put an end to delays and start delivery. Let's turn passion into pragmatic solutions. Let's end polarization and empower partnership. There are moments in history when humanity comes together to fight a common threat Let's unite in solidarity for the sake of humanity. Let's live up to the responsibility that we have been entrusted with. Let us restore political credibility to the legal agreements that we have not yet fulfilled. Let's work together to deliver an ambitious agenda and a practical action-oriented plan for 2030. Let's unite a divided world for the planet, for our people and for lasting sustainable development. The world demands transformational progress. The world needs transformational action."

For all media enquiries and requests for interviews, please contact [email protected] , to watch the speech live, and for up-to-date COP28 news, follow us on Twitter @COP28_UAE

Notes to Editors:

The Petersberg Climate Dialogue is an annual meeting, hosted by the German Government. It provides a platform between COP27 and COP28 for parties and constituencies to share views on priorities for the next United Nations Climate Conference or Conference of the Parties, more commonly referred to as COP.

and for parties and constituencies to share views on priorities for the next or Conference of the Parties, more commonly referred to as COP. COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

will take place at Expo City Dubai from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. Since his appointment as President-Designate in January 2022 , Dr. Al Jaber and the COP28 Leadership Team have proactively engaged on a Listening and Engagement Tour, where he has heard many voices from the global south, major economies, Indigenous peoples, NGOs, youth, civil society, and the business community.

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crowley will launch an end-to-end, integrated ocean and rail service between Mexico and the U.S. Midwest region and into Canada . Featuring Crowley's new Mexico - U.S. ocean route in the Gulf, the service will leverage the highly efficient inland rail network of Canadian National Railway Company and its U.S. rail subsidiaries (CN). The companies' combined network provides broad reach across the Midwest and into Canada to increase solutions for global customers in North American markets.

"With this collaboration with Canadian National, Crowley has further expanded market reach for our customers and the communities they serve with the fast, reliable transport of goods across the entirety of North America ," said Brett Bennett , senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics. "Leveraging each side's unmatched supply chain capabilities and commitment to customers long-term, we are creating even more efficiencies to advance the power of today's innovative and demanding global supply chain."

In addition to a new ocean shipping route from Tuxpan, Mexico , to Mobile, Alabama , which avoids inland transportation congestion at the U.S. - Mexico border, the linkage to CN best-in-class rail service from Mobile to the Midwest and into Canada will offer customers the fastest, most environmentally efficient transit times versus emissions from trucks with five to six times less fuel used per ton transported. Ships making a roundtrip between Tuxpan and Mobile weekly in September will carry up to 1,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) containers and more than 200 refrigerated containers.

After transiting on Crowley's vessel from Mexico to the Port of Mobile , containers will be loaded onto daily CN trains traveling through the Midwest into Canada , offering some of the fastest rail service connecting Mobile and Chicago ; Detroit ; Minneapolis ; Memphis ; and Canadian cities such as Toronto , and Montreal , among others.

"We are pleased to be joining Crowley with our extensive inland rail network for this innovative service. We share similar values about providing solutions for complex supply chain needs and we are excited to support their first venture via the Port of Mobile into the U.S. and Canada ," said Doug MacDonald , Chief Marketing Officer of CN. "We can better serve our customers in Mexico , the U.S. , and Canada by assisting Crowley in providing a reliable, and seamless door-to-door customer experience. The new service will enable more efficient supply chain corridors and increased market access throughout North America ."

About Crowley

Crowley is a privately held, U.S. -owned and -operated maritime, energy and logistics solutions company serving commercial and government sectors with $3.4 billion in annual revenues, over 170 vessels mostly in the Jones Act fleet and approximately 7,000 employees around the world  employing more U.S. mariners than any other company. The Crowley enterprise has invested more than $3.2 billion in maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade and the global economy. As a global ship owner-operator and services provider with more than 130 years of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, the company serves customers in 36 nations and island territories through five business units: Crowley Logistics, Crowley Shipping, Crowley Solutions, Crowley Wind Services and Crowley Fuels. Additional information about Crowley, its business units and subsidiaries can be found at www.crowley.com.

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SOURCE Crowley
Epson Spotlights Independent Teacher and Offers Discount Pricing Across Select EcoTank Cartridge-Free Supertank Printers

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Classrooms today have once again evolved beyond a traditional space on a physical campus, with the home slowly growing as the environment of choice for both learning and teaching. However, one thing remains constant regardless of education location  the importance for teachers to ensure students understand and retain information wherever learning happens. According to a Bay View Analytics survey, 59% of teachers said students learn better from print materials. In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week beginning on May 8 , Epson is spotlighting an independent teacher who finds printed materials invaluable in educating students. Epson is also offering discount pricing across select EcoTank Cartridge-Free Supertank Printers through the end of May at select retail locations.1

Epson is spotlighting a teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week and offering promos across select EcoTank printers.

Long-time educator Hitomi Bland is a full-time private language instructor teaching Japanese reading, writing, and speaking to people of all ages. Before becoming a language instructor, she taught middle school aged children and worked at preparatory education schools in Japan . Years later, after starting a family of her own and relocating to Florida with her husband, Ken, she decided to homeschool all three of her children while they traveled the world together.

"I went through enormous amounts of printer paper and toner, generating study documents and homework assignments and musical sheets. My sons were trained in the old-school method of printing out their papers, proof-reading aloud, red lining and marking up papers," shares Bland.

Relying on printed media to teach students and underscoring the value of printed materials, Bland began using the Epson EcoTank ET-4850, provided at no charge by Epson, and was ecstatic with the results. She teaches a multitude of students remotely across the U.S. and prints every one of their submissions to mark up and give feedback on. "The Epson printer is fast, and now I can print in color!" Bland previously used various laser and inkjet printers to handle her scanning and printing workloads. Needing to run around to separate rooms of her house was making it difficult for her to organize efficiently. Ever since receiving the ET-4850, she can easily print and scan at her desk, can accomplish all her work in one room in a timely manner.

Bland stresses the importance of printed materials in education as she witnesses students struggle when they rely on a screen to accomplish their work. "They learn slower than someone who prints out my character templates and practices writing the Japanese hiragana and katakana letters." She finds that students who create their own binder of worksheets have a better understanding of the language. The EcoTank ET-4850 handles pages with ease, according to Bland, providing her with the ideal tool to help support student learning. "EcoTank gives me so many more options for printing and makes my life easier, which is the most important thing."

"Epson is dedicated to supporting teachers, whether working from a traditional classroom or out of their homes, knowing that the technology solutions we offer  printing, scanning and projection  can make teaching and learning easier for everyone," said Mike Isgrig , vice president, North American Consumer Sales and Marketing, Epson America. "All teachers are admirable as they continuously adapt to their ever-changing circumstances while delivering a best-in-class education to students and we honor them this week."

Epson Teacher Appreciation Promos

Epson is offering discount pricing across select EcoTank Cartridge-Free Supertank Printers through the end of May at select retail locations1:

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan -based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion . global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif. , is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S. , Canada , and Latin America . To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

1 Prices are subject to change. See individual retailer for details.

EPSON and EcoTank are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2023 Epson America, Inc.

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SOURCE Epson America, Inc.
Facemoji Keyboard was recognized for its exceptional ability to inspire users to think outside the box

SAN FRANCISCO , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Facemoji Keyboard was named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award in the Best User Experience category in the 21st Annual American Business Awards.

Facemoji Keyboard is the world's first content-creation keyboard with rich in-app resources that allow users to express their most genuine and authentic selves. To date, Facemoji has over 500 million global downloads; it supports 120+ languages and is available to users in 190+ countries and regions for free on Android or iOS.

"With Facemoji, users can fully customize their keyboard based on their preferences and create and share unique, expressive designselevating the experience beyond just texting to include popular trends and pop culture references," said Natalia Lin , Product Lead at Facemoji Keyboard. "We are proud to be recognized by the American Business Awards for our exceptional ability to inspire our users to think outside the box."

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations  public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.

More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, and more than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners.

An American Business Awards judge commented, "I was impressed by how Facemoji focused successfully on elevating the experience beyond just texting to include popular trends and pop culture references, so every user can be a trendsetter in content creation."

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 13 . Tickets are now on sale.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2023 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

About Facemoji Keyboard

Facemoji Keyboard is the world's first content-creation keyboard that allows users to find, design or invent the trendiest and smartest ways to express themselves. With Facemoji, users can fully customize their keyboard and create and share unique expressive designs, so every user can be a modern trendsetter in content creation.

Sponsors of The 2023 American Business Awards include HCL America, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro.

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SOURCE Facemoji Keyboard
Fosun for Good, Together for A Better Life

HONG KONG , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fosun International Limited (HKEX stock code: 00656, "Fosun International"), together with its subsidiaries ("Fosun" or the "Group"), today issued the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report 2022 (the "ESG Report"). Facing the increasingly severe challenges of global climate change, Fosun based on the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD") recommendations, disclosed its climate-related financial risks voluntarily and issued its first Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures report (the "TCFD Report"), with a view to striving to build a long-term climate adaptive capacity and drive the transformation towards a low-carbon economy through supporting and implementing the TCFD recommendations.

2022 marked Fosun's 30th anniversary. This year's ESG Report focused on the development of the Group's core businesses and elaborated Fosun's utilization of its "global operations" and "technology innovation" capabilities to gather good for the world at its thirty years of establishment. The ESG Report also focused on the corporate governance and business ethics, customer privacy and data security, customer service and satisfaction, product quality and safety, safety and environmental protection, responsible investment, sustainable supply chain management, employee health and safety, employee benefits and welfare, social welfare, etc. The ESG Report comprehensively demonstrated Fosun International's ESG strategies, practices and achievements in 2022 to stakeholders including shareholders, customers and consumers, employees, governments, partners and the general public.

The ESG Report complied with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) and the Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Guide in Appendix 27 to the Listing Rules of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Report was also audited and assured by SGS, an independent third-party and internationally recognized verification company.

Issued the first TCFD Report to call on all sectors to promote carbon neutrality

In 2022, Fosun ushered in the "second year" of its "Carbon Neutrality Goal". Facing the increasingly severe challenges of global climate change, Fosun took an important step to strengthen Fosun's climate resilience by issuing the first TCFD Report, demonstrating its commitment of climate action to international community, and call on all sectors to work together to promote carbon neutrality.

In 2021, the Group set the carbon reduction target and committed to society - "strive to peak carbon emissions by 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050". Fosun has formulated effective strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation to align with 1.5C temperature control target set in the Paris Agreement. By conducting the analysis and assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities, Fosun has identified key risks and opportunities and mapped out response measures, and further improved the management of metrics and targets accordingly, to ultimately cultivate a capability to address climate issues in the long term and enhance climate resilience.

Established Carbon Neutrality Committee and Working Group to actively advance Fosun's carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets

In order to further push forward the 2050 "Carbon Neutrality Goal" of Fosun, the Group has established a Carbon Neutrality Committee and a Carbon Neutrality Working Group, with carbon neutrality led and progressed by the Environment, Health, Safety & Quality Department. The Carbon Neutrality Committee, composed of directors of Fosun International and directors of member companies, is responsible for supervising and promoting the overall carbon neutrality strategy, and regulating and monitoring climate-related risks and opportunities. Fosun has also added the indicator of "carbon neutrality management" to the ESG management performance appraisal mechanism of responsible persons of each business segment of the Group, with the aim of promoting further implementation and enforcement of carbon-neutral management across the Group.

In addition, to enhance Fosun's leading position in the green and low-carbon market, the Group has stepped up investments in clean technology. At present, the Group has invested in a number of clean technology companies in different sectors. Most investments were made in the clean energy sector (wind, solar, tidal, biomass, etc.) and energy efficiency sector (battery, advanced materials, energy storage, heat & power, smart grid, industrial automation, natural gas combined, etc.), and some were made in the green building sector (certified green property, building insulation, etc.). The Group has also reduced product lifecycle carbon emissions through adopting recyclable raw materials, increasing the use of clean energy and improving energy efficiency. In addition, the Group has stepped up its investment in the green consumer goods sector and is committed to providing consumers with green and low-carbon products and services.

Actively promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction to contribute to the sustainable development of the Earth

The Group has been actively monitoring and recording greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of each member company for continuous improvement. GHG emissions intensity in 2022 was 95.6 (tonnes/RMB million of revenue), decreased by 8.02% from 2021. Energy consumption intensity in 2022 was 239.0 (MWh/RMB million of revenue), decreased by 12.90% from 2021.

The Group and its member companies actively promote energy conservation and carbon reduction and are determined to become carbon reduction pioneers in their industries. The Group's Atlantis Sanya obtained the National Certificate of Three-star Green Building Design and Operation Label, the highest level of Chinese green building certification; obtained the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Building Design and Construction Certification and the "EarthCheck" Silver Certification, the leading environmental certification for the global tourism industry. The Bund Finance Center (BFC), the Group's base in Shanghai and a landmark in Shanghai , was awarded the LEED Platinum certification, which is hailed as the "Oscar Award" in the green building industry, with a score of 97 points to set a new world record.

Became a member company of UN Global Compact to actively promote the sustainable development of the world, while ESG ratings have been highly recognized by the market

After over 30 years of development, Fosun has grown into a global innovation-driven consumer group with a focus on Health, Happiness, Wealth and other business segments in more than 35 countries and regions (based on the enterprise whose annual revenue exceeds RMB100 million ). While growing its business operations, Fosun has been also actively undertaking corporate social responsibility. Leveraging Fosun's global industrial ecosystem to achieve "multiplying growth", the Group is dedicated to creating a better world.

As a responsible global citizen, Fosun has continued to strengthen sustainable development management, implement and monitor Fosun's ESG strategies and targets. Fosun joined the UN Global Compact in 2014 and is committed to the global commitment of sustainable development. The Group fully supports the ten principles of the UN Global Compact in the fields of human rights, labor, environment, anti-corruption, etc., continuously promotes their close integration with its own ESG strategies and actively engages its member companies in the implementation of ESG strategies.

In 2022, Fosun's ESG management work was widely recognized. During the Reporting Period, Fosun received an AA MSCI ESG Rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such AA rating, and was selected as a constituent of the MSCI CHINA ESG LEADERS 10-40 Index again. Fosun also received a rating of A in the Hang Seng Sustainability Index and has been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index for two consecutive years and a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index for three consecutive years; it was selected as one of the constituents of FTSE4Good Index Series for the first time; its S&P CSA ESG score has risen significantly, outperformed 91% of its global peers.

Developing business for good and actively contribute to the society

2022 marked the 30th anniversary of Fosun and also marked the 10th anniversary of Fosun Foundation. Fosun Foundation has put forward its public welfare strategy of "Together for A Better Life" and continued to support emergency and disaster relief, rural revitalization, health promotion, community construction, care for children and youth, education, culture and art and other public welfare actions.

Fosun's forward-looking deployment of "vaccine and drug" during the COVID-19 outbreak has contributed to the fight against the pandemic. The Comirnaty (mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) has helped build an immune barrier in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan region. Since its launch to the end of February 2023 , more than 31 million doses had been administered in Hong Kong , Macau and Taiwan region. The Comirnaty BNT162b2 and Comirnaty Bivalent Vaccine have been officially registered as drugs/products in Hong Kong and approved as regular imported vaccines in Macau , fully covering the public and private markets.

Azvudine tablets, China's first small-molecular oral medication for COVID-19 jointly developed by Fosun Pharma and Henan Genuine Biotech, was included in the National Health Commission's Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 in 2022, and was covered by the national medical insurance scheme. As of 6 April 2023 , through "A Healthy Winter Action ", more than 289,200 bottles of Azvudine tablets were donated to township health centers and village clinics in 258 counties in 29 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. The campaign played an important role in "protecting people's health and preventing severe cases" in rural areas.

Since its launch at the end of 2017, Fosun Foundation's Rural Doctors Program has covered 73 counties in 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, benefited 3 million grassroots families. On 17 February 2023 , the Rural Doctors Program was awarded the "Shanghai Charity Award", the highest government prize in the field of philanthropy in Shanghai .

As an official member of Roll Back Malaria, a global cooperative initiative advocated by the WHO, Fosun Pharma had 30 antimalarial pharmaceutical products prequalified for production by the WHO (WHO-PQ), and became an antimalarial product manufacturer which received the most such certification. It has been a significant supplier of antimalarial drugs to the global foundation, the United Nations Children's Fund, WHO and national drug purchase centers in African countries for many years. Fosun Pharma has the Artesun (Artesunate for Injection), a proprietary innovative drug with full intellectual property, which has been recommended by WHO and has now become the international gold standard for the treatment of severe malaria. As of the end of 2022, over 280 million doses of Artesun (Artesunate for Injection) were supplied to the international market, contributing to the recovery of more than 56 million sufferers of severe malaria worldwide.

Top-down and long-term mechanism for ESG improvement to link ESG performance with the performance appraisal of the Board

Since its establishment, Fosun has defined its corporate operating principles and cultural values of "Self-improvement, Teamwork, Performance, and Contribution to Society". It has been closely linking the development and achievement of individuals and enterprise with the improvement of social welfare all along. In order to ensure the smooth and continuous progress of ESG work, Fosun has established a top-down and long-term mechanism for ESG improvement. Fosun includes ESG management performance as an evaluation factor in the Executive Directors' performance assessment and remuneration assessment. With this mechanism, the Group and its member companies can deeply incorporate ESG into the operations and management progressively.

To further improve the ESG management system, Fosun has set up an ESG Board Committee under the Board of Directors (the "Board") to assist the Board in guiding and overseeing the Group's ESG development and implementation. At the management and decision level, Fosun has established an ESG Executive Committee under the management to provide decision support for the implementation of ESG strategies. At the implementation level, the Group has also set up an ESG Management Committee and an ESG Working Group to implement ESG strategies and related actions and ensure the establishment of appropriate and effective ESG risk management and internal control system.

Established for 30 years, continue to uphold its original aspiration of "Contribution to Society"

Standing at a new starting point after thirty years of development, Fosun will continue to uphold its original aspirations of developing business for good and "Contribution to Society", actively shoulder more social responsibilities, implement ESG strategies, constantly create value and give back to the society. Fosun will adhere to its strategic focus, leverage its advantages of "global operations" and "technology innovation", deepen its core businesses with global competitiveness, so as to drive faster and better development of the Group. In addition, Fosun will continue to actively cooperate with its member companies to promote the implementation of ESG strategies, especially in the areas of carbon emissions peak, carbon neutrality, energy conservation and consumption reduction, and actively promote the sustainable development of the Group.

~ End ~

For more information on Fosun's ESG, please refer to Fosun International's ESG Report 2022 posted on:

the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's website (http://www.hkexnews.hk)

or the Company's sustainability webpage (https://en.fosun.com/development/)

The electronic copy of the TCFD Report 2022 is available on the Company's sustainability webpage:

(https://en.fosun.com/development/)

About Fosun

Fosun was founded in 1992. After more than 30 years of development, Fosun has become a global innovation-driven consumer group. Adhering to the mission of creating happier lives for families worldwide, Fosun is committed to creating a global happiness ecosystem fulfilling the needs of one billion families in health, happiness and wealth. In 2007, Fosun International Limited was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00656.HK). As of 31 December 2022 , Fosun International's total assets amounted to RMB823.1 billion . Fosun International ranks No.589 on the 2022 Forbes Global 2000 List, with a MSCI ESG rating of AA.

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SOURCE Fosun
VANCOUVER, BC , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Generative AI Solutions Corp. ("GenAI" or the "Company") (CSE: AICO) (FSE: 99L.F) (OTC: AICOF) is pleased to announce that it today has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire, and has completed the acquisition of, all of the outstanding securities of Global AI Billing Corp. ("Global AI Billing") for 7.5 million common shares of GenAI (" GenAI Shares ") and the assumption by GenAI of US$1.25 million in existing liabilities of Global AI Billing (the "Transaction"), based on the terms of the previously announced non-binding letter of intent that was signed on April 24, 2023 and announced on April 25, 2023 . Global AI Billing's primary assets include the ownership of 10% in Remitz, Inc, ("Remitz"), a medical billing provider that has developed proprietary artificial intelligence technology ("AI Billing") to efficiently collect outstanding receivables on behalf of medical organizations in the United States . To date the AI Billing system used in Remitz has billed over US$100 million at an estimated 40% Gross Margin and has serviced providers in respect of more than one million patients.

Ryan Selby , CEO of GenAI, comments "The completion of this acquisition gives us a stake hold position in a company that has utilized AI technologies to assist collections in the medical industry in the United States . This acquisition is consistent with our goal is to develop and acquire strategic artificial intelligence assets that are used, among other things, to streamline operations for increased efficiencies and reduced costs. We are well equipped to not only assist such strategic acquisitions with additional development resources, but also develop artificial intelligence technologies internally using our team of AI experts."

The Completed Transaction

The Transaction was completed substantively in a manner and subject to the terms set out in the previously announced non-binding Letter of Intent which was signed on April 24, 2023 and announced on April 25, 2023 . Consistent with the non-binding Letter of Intent, GenAI acquired all of the securities of Global AI Billing in exchange for an aggregate of 7,500,000 GenAI Shares at a value of CDN$0.72 per share and the assumption of US$1.25 million in existing liabilities of Global AI Billing, of which US$500,000 was reorganized as a convertible debenture of GenAI (the "Convertible Debenture") on Closing.

The Convertible Debenture bears 5% interest per year and is convertible into GenAI Shares at an exercise price of CDN$0.72 (the "Conversion Price"). Subject to applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, in the event a financing is completed by GenAI within 6 months of the Closing and the purchase price of securities in such financing is lower than the Conversion Price, the Conversion Price will be reduced to such purchase price. The Debenture has a term of 12 months and is secured against Global AI Billing's ownership interest in Remitz. The Company may also elect to satisfy the Convertible Debenture in full without payment by transferring from Global AI Billing 6.7% of the shares of Remitz of the 10% position it holds, to the holder of the Debenture.

No finder's fee or other commission was paid to any person in respect of the Transaction.

Marketing Agreement

GenAI has engaged Gold Standard Media LLC and its affiliates (Future Money Trends LLC, Wealth Research Group LLC & Portfolio Wealth Global LLC) ("Gold Standard") to provide certain marketing services to the Company (the "Marketing Agreement"). The services include online marketing and advertising through Google Ads, social media, and emails. The Marketing Agreement has a twenty-four (24) month term, which commences on May 4, 2023 . A fee of US$500,000 is payable to Gold Standard within 60 days following the commencement of the term.

Gold Standard is owned and operated by Kenneth Ameduri and is arm's length to the Company. None of the Company nor its officers are involved, directly, with the creation of the materials distributed by Gold Standard. The Company will provide Gold Standard with publicly available source information for their disclosure and the Company will be involved in reviewing the materials for accuracy prior to their dissemination.

Gold Standard Media LLC

723 West University Avenue

Georgetown, Texas , 78626, USA

On Behalf of the Board,

Ryan Selby

CEO, Director, and Chairman of the Board

Generative AI Solutions Corp.

Toll-free North America: +1-833-879-7632

Outside North America: +1-406-879-7632

[email protected]

www.genai-solutions.com

ABOUT GENERATIVE AI SOLUTIONS CORP.

GenAI is a pioneering artificial intelligence company focused on developing transformative AI-powered tools for businesses and consumers across multiple industries. At GenAI, our mission is to harness the power of artificial intelligence to create transformative tools that benefit businesses and consumers across various industries. Our team of talented AI professionals and engineers are dedicated to developing state-of-the-art AI-based solutions that have broad applicability and can be seamlessly integrated into diverse workflows. By leveraging our expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics, we build versatile, high-performance tools that redefine efficiency, productivity, and user experience.

For more information on GenAI, please visit www.genai-solutions.com.

For more information on Remitz, please visit www.remitz.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, information with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such as: the Company's ability to close other strategic acquisitions; the Company's ability to produce artificial intelligence tools and solutions; the ability of the Company to drive growth and profitability for consumers and businesses; and the opportunities for artificial intelligence in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and logistics industries. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," or "believes" 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. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risk 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 risks include risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, regulatory risks, financing, risks related to the regulation and oversight of artificial intelligence, capitalization and liquidity risks. 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 such information 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 information. The Company undertakes no obligation, except as otherwise required by law, to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors change.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

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SOURCE GENERATIVE AI SOLUTIONS CORP.
CALGARY, AB , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Gibson Energy Inc. announced today the voting results for the election of directors at the Company's hybrid annual general meeting of shareholders that was held on May 2, 2023 .

Voting Results

Name of Nominee Votes For (%) For Votes Withheld (%) Withheld James M. Estey 95,063,093 95.514 % 4,465,220 4.486 % Douglas P. Bloom 98,853,385 99.322 % 674,928 0.678 % James J. Cleary 98,626,636 99.094 % 901,677 0.906 % Judy E. Cotte 99,296,245 99.767 % 232,068 0.233 % Heidi L. Dutton 99,428,208 99.899 % 100,105 0.101 % John L. Festival 99,314,309 99.785 % 214,004 0.215 % Diane A. Kazarian 99,317,133 99.788 % 211,180 0.212 % Margaret C. Montana 98,731,960 99.200 % 796,353 0.800 % Steven R. Spaulding 99,433,779 99.905 % 94,534 0.095 %



For complete voting results, please see the Report of Voting Results available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Gibson

Gibson Energy Inc. ("Gibson" or the "Company") (TSX: GEI), is a Canadian-based liquids infrastructure company with its principal businesses consisting of the storage, optimization, processing, and gathering of liquids and refined products. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta , the Company's operations are focused around its core terminal assets located at Hardisty and Edmonton, Alberta , and include the Moose Jaw Facility and an infrastructure position in the U.S.

Gibson shares trade under the symbol GEI and are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.gibsonenergy.com.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Chyc-Cies

Vice President, Strategy, Planning & Investor Relations

Phone: (403) 776-3146

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Gibson Energy Inc.
Meiji America Inc. debuts Meiji Hello Panda Chocolate 12-Pack.

YORK, Pa. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you're on the go or packing a lunch for the kids, Meiji America Inc. has your snack solution with the new Meiji Hello Panda Chocolate 12 Pack. The updated packaging has 12 delicious .75oz bags of Meiji's crunchy, chocolate creme-filled cookie.

"We're excited to round out our supermarket Hello Panda resealable pouch assortment with this new Hello Panda 12 Pack."

With lively and sporty pandas illustrated on each cookie, the portion-controlled bags make for a fun and accessible treat for the whole family. These pandas are also mess free with a crunchy cookie encasing a velvety and delectable chocolate creme. Great for lunches, after-school snacks, and field trips, it provides a tasty, fun option that contains no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or colors.

"We're excited to round out our supermarket Hello Panda resealable pouch assortment with this new Hello Panda 12 Pack," said Ken Vlazny , Sr. VP of Sales & Marketing at Meiji America Inc. "Each bag contains only 110 calories and is peanut free making it perfect for school lunches."

In supermarkets, the 12 Pack joins the company of popular Meiji items like the Meiji Hello Panda 7oz Pouch and the Meiji Hello Panda 2.2oz Bag. Its rectangular design displays all 32 spirited panda characters on the side of the box making it a vibrant and fun addition to the family pantry.

The 12 Pack will roll out at retailers throughout the year.

Learn more about the 12 Pack here: www.meijiamerica.com

ABOUT MEIJI AMERICA INC.

The Meiji Group, founded in Japan in 1916, provides customers of all ages from infants to seniors with a wide range of products to support healthy and fulfilling lives. From delicious confectioneries and wholesome dairy products to body-enhancing nutrition supplements and vital pharmaceuticals, we make people's wellness our main mission.

Meiji America Inc., founded in 2011 as the North American division, manufactures a variety of unique confectioneries and snacks in the U.S. Meiji is best known for its MEIJI HELLO PANDA, YAN YAN and CHOCOROOMS brands in the U.S. and Canada . These fun, interactive snacks can be found in grocery, club, specialty, or convenience stores.

For more information, please follow Meiji America Inc. on Instagram @meijiamerica, Twitter @meijiamerica, Facebook www.facebook.com/meijiamerica, or visit www.meijiamerica.com.

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SOURCE Meiji America Inc.
Lower Mainland strengthens to eleven dealerships

EDMONTON, AB, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Go Auto, a family-owned and operated Canadian company, has acquired Richmond Chrysler in Richmond, B.C., bringing the company's dealership count to 11 in the Lower Mainland. Go Auto currently owns 61 dealerships across Canada and the United States and represents 28 new-vehicle brands. This strategic acquisition aligns with Go Auto's commitment to expanding its dealer network in the Lower Mainland and strengthens its partnership with OEM partner, Stellantis.

Go Auto Logo (CNW Group/Go Auto)

Phil Abram, President of Go Auto, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition saying, "We are excited to build on the success of Richmond Chrysler while expanding the Go Auto brand presence in British Columbia."

Go Auto takes pride in maintaining high standards of service through the transition that Abram assures will be seamless for customers, and without interruption in existing appointments, sales or any business.

That commitment to quality is echoed in the expression of gratitude to customers by Mike Gignac, General Manager of Richmond Chrysler: "I would like to thank every Richmond Chrysler customer for their loyalty and support, and I am confident Go Auto will continue this legacy."

Richmond Chrysler joins the other members of the Go Auto family located in Richmond, B.C., including: Audi Richmond; Columbia Chrysler; Volkswagen of Richmond; and Jaguar Land Rover Richmond.

About Go Auto

Go Auto is a Deloitte Best Managed company recognized for its customer-focused approach, ethical leadership, and industry-leading corporate culture. The company represents 61 dealerships and 28 new vehicle brands across Canada and the United States. With headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Go Auto is one of Canada's largest dealer networks and operates in Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Northwest Territories, and Washington State. A one-stop shop, Go Auto dealerships offer sales, service, finance, insurance, and collision repair for automobiles and RVs. Go Auto is committed to providing a great work environment to over 3,330 employees and operating as a devoted community-minded organization with multiple charitable giving programs and community partnerships. More information about Go Auto group can be found at GoAuto.ca or by following @GoAuto on LinkedIn.

Story continues

SOURCE Go Auto

Cision

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The New "Family Menu" Provides Approachable, Delicious Recipes Everyone Can Enjoy

CHICAGO , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Chef, the leading meal solutions brand available online and in stores, is launching its new Family Menu , a one-of-a-kind meal kit plan designed specifically for families. The new family-friendly service provides a stress-free cooking routine with convenient, easy-to-make recipes and approachable flavors that everyone at the table will enjoy.

"We heard from parents who were craving even more ease at mealtime, so our Family Menu is a direct response to that home cook feedback," said Shira Schwarz , vice president of brand marketing for Home Chef. "As a mom of three, I know how challenging it can be to deliver a quick, quality dinner that doesn't call for short-order cooking, and Home Chef's Family Menu provides meals that both kids and adults will love."

Whether families need to get dinner on the table quickly due to busy schedules or simply want to gather around a home-cooked meal even the pickiest eaters will "yum" about, Home Chef's Family Menu makes dinner easy and delicious. And families can rely on the new service to deliver high-quality ingredients at a good value  the more meals families order, the more they save, with meals ranging from $6.99 per serving to $8.99 per serving.

The Family Menu offers 10+ weekly rotating recipes, including flavorful meals such as:

One-Pan Chicken Cutlets and Orzo with tomato, garlic, and tzatziki

with tomato, garlic, and tzatziki One-Pan BBQ Al Pastor Chicken Tacos with pineapple salsa

with pineapple salsa Lasagna-Style Bolognese Gemelli with spinach and ricotta

with spinach and ricotta Tex-Mex Style Guacamole Beef Burgers with pico de gallo and pepperjack

with pico de gallo and pepperjack Pulled Pork Enchiladas with peppers and onions

"Making mealtime easier for home cooks is one of the main reasons Home Chef exists," said Erik Jensen , Home Chef CEO. "Our new Family Menu will allow us to deliver on that promise of convenient, quality meals to even more households."

Recipes on Home Chef's Family Menu come in four-serving increments and include formats like classic Meal Kits, Express meals that come together in 30 minutes or less, Oven-Ready recipes for less cleanup, and Fast & Fresh meals with little prep and easy cooking in an oven or microwave. Home Chef's Family Menu also offers a variety of larger-format Extras for the family, such as beverages, snacks, sides, salads, desserts, and more.

Families can start ordering meals from Home Chef's Family Menu now by signing up at cook.homechef.com/family-menu .

About Home Chef

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. The meal delivery service is available via www.homechef.com and in retail at more than 2,400 stores in the Kroger Family of Companies. Home Chef is committed to bringing ease and convenience to home cooking through simple, delicious meals, so home cooks can enjoy their time at home, both in and out of the kitchen. The Chicago -based meal kit company was ranked #1 in Customer Service among Meal Kits by Newsweek. Home Chef is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR). Find out more and get cooking at homechef.com . Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates and inspiration.

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SOURCE Home Chef
Hyundai Palisade SUV Awarded for a Second Time for Best Interior and UX

Ten Winners Landed a Spot on the 2023 Wards Best Interiors and UX List

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hyundai Palisade has been named a Wards 10 Best Interiors and UX winner for a second time. The award evaluates the user-friendliness of the driver-assist technologies, the ease of access to information without distraction as well as interior design, and materials. Palisade was awarded for its easy-to-navigate menus, stress-free phone pairing and performance of its voice-recognition system, along with its overall impressive interior design features.

The Wards Best Interiors and UX list features ten winners from across multiple categories including sedans, minivans, crossover SUVs, trucks and more. The awards ceremony will be part of Wards, AutoTech: Detroit event, held June 7-8 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI.

"We are proud to have the Hyundai Palisade included once again as one of Wards 10 Best Interiors and UX for 2023," said Ricky Lao , director, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. "At Hyundai, we put a lot of effort into creating user-friendly interiors with a design elegance that consumers desire. We appreciate the recognition by Wards."

According to Wards Editor and Wards 10 Best Interiors and UX judge, Drew Winter , "The Hyundai Palisade's interior and user-experience stands out, even when compared with products costing thousands more. Wards judges loved the CUV's opulent materials, beige-on-beige color scheme, user-centric ergonomics and overall creative design. The display screen graphics, massaging driver's seat and heated, ventilated and power seats galore impressed us, too."

About WardsAuto

WardsAuto is a world-leading provider of automotive editorial, insights, and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 90 years. A Southfield, MI -based Informa Tech business, WardsAuto provides a forward-looking perspective on all aspects of the automotive business, from the tech center to the plant floor to the showroom. As a part of our parent organization, Informa Tech, our mission is to bring together the entire ecosystem of those in technology and automotive to accelerate the future of our industries. Subscribe to WardsAuto by visiting http://www.wardsauto.com .

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
ATLANTA , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Invisors was named on the University of Florida's 2023 Gator100 during a ceremony on April 21 in the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on UF's campus.

This is the second year Invisors has been recognized, earning spot #42 on the 2023 list and #9 on the 2022 list.

Each year, the Gator100 recognizes the world's fastest-growing Gator businesses owned or led by UF alumni. Ernst & Young, independent accounting firm of the Gator100 since the program began in 2015, verifies financial information submitted by each company and calculates the rankings based on compound annual growth rate over the past three years.

This is the second year Invisors has been recognized as a fastest-growing Gator business, earning spot #42 on the 2023 list and #9 on the 2022 list. In addition to its recognition on the Gator100, Invisors has strong ties to the University of Florida through its college recruiting program. This past academic year, Invisors recruited 38% of its college hires from the University of Florida and employs over 70 University of Florida alumni.

"The University of Florida instilled the skills and drive that has taken me on my entrepreneurial path for the last 30 years," says Keith Diego , Invisors Co-Founder and Gator Alumnus, May 1990 . "My time at the University of Florida didn't stop after I graduated. Throughout the years I've turned to its alumni network to connect and learn. I've also enjoyed visiting the campus career fairs to find passionate UF graduates to join us at Invisors. Being recognized on the Gator100 is just another way I continue to be connected to the university and I'm proud to receive this recognition two years in a row."

The 2023 Gator100 celebrated companies from over 18 industries. Of the 100 businesses, 77 were Florida companies with other top state headquarters including Georgia , South Carolina , and California .

"These UF alumni-owned or -led companies create jobs, add value to our communities, and make an impact around the world," said Brian K. Danforth , Assistant Vice President of Development and Executive Director of the UF Alumni Association. "These 2023 honorees represent the very best of our Gator entrepreneurs and business leaders. They shine a bright light on the University of Florida and the graduates it produces  people with vision, drive and determination."

To view the full list of 2023 Gator100 honorees, visit https://gator100.ufl.edu/2023-honorees.

About Invisors

As a certified Workday Services Partner, Invisors helps customers utilize their organizational data to make better-informed business decisions through the deployment of Workday. We believe the most important measure of our team's success is our client's ability to achieve their big-picture vision. From initial deployments to ongoing projects, we are focused on elevating perspectives + transforming results. Learn more by visiting invisors.com.

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SOURCE Invisors
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Jeep Beach draws more than 230,000 attendees

The Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 EV Concept, 1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept, and 2024 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4xe and Wrangler 392 led the annual Jeep Beach Parade on Daytona Beach

Since 2012, Jeep Beach has donated more than $2 million to local charities through the event's weeklong fundraising efforts

has donated more than to local charities through the event's weeklong fundraising efforts The Jeep Beach event covers 6.5 acres of the infield of Daytona International Speedway

event covers 6.5 acres of the infield of Daytona International Speedway The annual Jeep Beach event took place April 23-April 30

The Jeep brand celebrated the 20th anniversary of Jeep Beach in Daytona Beach this past weekend. The event drew more than 230,000 attendees and 30,000-plus Jeep SUVs at the highly anticipated annual event.

Making an appearance on the beach was the Jeep brand's new 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and 392, as well as the Wrangler Magneto 3.0 EV Concept and the 1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept, which led the Jeep Beach Parade on Sunday, April 30 , with Jim Morrison , senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America , at the wheel of the Magneto.

"The Jeep community is as strong as I've ever seen it," said Morrison. "Our fans have always demonstrated an unparalleled love for the brand and are incredibly passionate about their Jeep vehicles. We saw well over 230,000 Jeep brand enthusiasts throughout the week, and with over 30,000 Jeep 4x4 SUVs on site, I don't think I saw any two the same."

While at the event, fans were also able to ride the Jeep SUV obstacle course with a professional driver in 2023 Jeep vehicles, including the electrified Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe.

Jeep Beach 2023 Instagram video.

Fans could also explore the new 2023 Compass Trailhawk with the standard 200-horsepower 2.0-liter engine, Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve, Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve 4x4, Wrangler Rubicon, Wrangler 4xe, Gladiator Rubicon and the Wrangler Jeep Beach 20th Anniversary Edition.

Additionally, attendees could check out the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Pace Jeep, Gladiator Sport Light Show Edition, Gladiator Sport 1st Responder Edition, Wrangler Sport Salute to America Edition and Willys Daytona's Jeep Beach Edition from the Daytona Garage.

Jeep Beach 2023 helped raise funds for local and national charities. Since 2012, Jeep Beach has donated more than $2 million to local charities through the event's weeklong fundraising efforts. All proceeds raised are distributed to charities throughout central Florida counties.

Jeep Brand

Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand that brings capability, craftsmanship and versatility to people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad portfolio of vehicles that continues to provide owners with a sense of safety and security to handle any journey with confidence. The Jeep vehicle range consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, new three-row Grand Cherokee L, Grand Cherokee 4xe, Renegade and Wrangler and Wrangler 4xe. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep 4x4 lineup, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep brand owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support. The legendary Jeep brand's off-road capability is enhanced by a global electrification initiative that is transforming 4xe into new 4x4 in pursuit of the brand's vision of accomplishing Zero Emission Freedom. All Jeep brand vehicles will offer an electrified variant by 2025.

Follow Jeep and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Jeep brand: www.jeep.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jeep

YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

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SOURCE Stellantis
NORWALK, Conn. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - SmartEquip, a leading provider of equipment service and parts procurement solutions, is proud to announce the addition of Kiloutou Germany, a major subsidiary of Europe 's third-largest generalist equipment rental company, Kiloutou Group, to its global network.

Kiloutou Group has been a leader in the equipment rental industry for over 40 years, combining economic performance with environmental and human values to deliver the most innovative solutions to a diverse customer base. The group's network spans across seven European countries with 560+ branches, serving over 400,000 customers and offering an extensive equipment range in earthmoving, access, utility vehicles, and tools and light equipment.

"We are thrilled to have Kiloutou Germany join the SmartEquip Network and eagerly anticipate collaborating to generate equipment lifecycle efficiencies for the company," says Alex Schuessler , SmartEquip's founder and president of its international group. "Most of Kiloutou's suppliers in the German market are already part of our Network, and we look forward to welcoming the remaining ones, to generate transactional and operational efficiency gains for all participants."

By joining the SmartEquip Network, Kiloutou Germany will benefit from improved service technician time savings, streamlined spare part procurement processes, and increased equipment uptime. The platform will connect suppliers directly with the parts and service workflow of Kiloutou Germany's locations, providing benefits to both sides. Suppliers will be able to provide real-time, equipment-specific service support at reduced effort and begin to receive electronic orders for parts and other items.

"SmartEquip's platform is a natural fit with Kiloutou Germany's ongoing digital transformation initiatives," says Nils Altrogge , CEO at Kiloutou Germany. "The solution's comprehensive approach to electronic spare parts procurement, digital service technician support, and reducing equipment downtime offers significant opportunities for lifecycle efficiency improvements and enhanced profitability."

With the addition of Kiloutou Germany, SmartEquip continues to strengthen its presence in the European market, supporting the largest construction equipment rental companies worldwide, including United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, Aktio, Loxam, and Herc, alongside approximately 100 rental fleets and over 650 suppliers across North America , Europe , and Japan .

For more information about SmartEquip and its services, visit www.smartequip.com.

About Kiloutou Germany

Kiloutou Germany is a key subsidiary of Kiloutou Group, Europe 's third-largest generalist equipment rental company. For over 40 years, Kiloutou Group has provided cutting-edge rental solutions to a diverse range of customers in the construction and civil engineering sector, SMEs, local authorities, and industry. The company operates across six European countries, with 564 branches and the largest equipment range in the market, boasting over 1,000 product references and more than 265,000 pieces of equipment.

About SmartEquip

SmartEquip is the leading technology standard for equipment lifecycle management, service, and procurement support for the construction industry. The platform provides a multi-brand common connection and user experience for fleet owners and distributors of complex equipment.

SmartEquip enhances ROI for all Network participants by increasing equipment uptime, improving both technician wrench time and transaction accuracy, while reducing the total cost of equipment ownership. The SmartEquip Network currently supports more than 650 OEM brands, with over 95,000 users across more than 42,000 equipment locations globally. The Network supports over $1 billion in parts transactions annually and the company is led by veterans of construction, technology and data sciences. Founded in 2000, SmartEquip is positioned to define tomorrow's dynamic and evolving equipment industry.

About Ritchie Bros .:

Ritchie Bros . (NYSE and TSX: RBA), together with IAA Inc., is a trusted global marketplace for insights, services, and transaction solutions for commercial assets and vehicles. The company's selling channels include Ritchie Bros . Auctioneers, the world's largest auctioneer of commercial assets and vehicles offering online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options. Ritchie List , a self-serve listing service for North America; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; The Company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros . Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC, which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system; SmartEquip, an innovative technology platform that supports customers' management of the equipment lifecycle and integrates parts procurement with both OEMs and dealers; plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros . Financial Services. Additionally, leveraging leading-edge technology and focusing on innovation, IAA's unique platform facilitates the marketing and sale of total-loss, damaged and low-value vehicles. IAA serves a global buyer base  located throughout over 170 countries  and a full spectrum of sellers, including insurers, dealerships, fleet lease and rental car companies, and charitable organizations. Buyers have access to multiple digital bidding and buying channels, innovative vehicle merchandising, and efficient evaluation services, enhancing the overall purchasing experience. IAA offers sellers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at maximizing vehicle value, reducing administrative costs, shortening selling cycle time and delivering the highest economic returns. For more information about Ritchie Bros ., visit RitchieBros.com.

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SOURCE SmartEquip
PROVIDENCE, R.I. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ELJ Editions is proud to announce the publication of "Wolfsong" by Kathryn Silver-Hajo , a stunning collection of thirty-four interconnected narratives that draw readers into the experiences of the women and girls who insist on taking up space in a world that denies it to them.

The stories of "Wolfsong" form a compelling arc from the innocent explorations of childhood, through budding growth, maturation, and the sometimes-fraught journeys women undertake as they forge their unique places in the world. "These are themes with nearly-universal appeal and a broad audience, especially among women, but with everyone, really," says Silver-Hajo.

"'Wolfsong' is an inspiring journey every reader should take."

 Pamela Painter , author of Fabrications: New and Selected Stories

Silver-Hajo's characters uncover lifelong secrets and mysteries, face danger and uncertainty, celebrate what they've achieved, and mourn what is lost. They love, yearn, cope with hardship, and discover how to take up space in the world. The women of Silver-Hajo's "Wolfsong" will remain with readers long after the last page of this inspiring and mesmerizing collection is turned.

Silver-Hajo is a 2023 Pushcart Prize, Best Small Fictions, and Best American Food Writing nominee who writes short and long fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, mostly about life and relationships in the U.S. and Lebanon . Her novel "Roots of the Banyan Tree" is forthcoming from Juventud Press (fall 2023). She lives in Providence, Rhode Island .

Silver-Hajo has a degree in Middle Eastern studies and speaks Arabic fluently. After graduating, she moved to Beirut from Boston with her husband and lived there for several years during times of war and conflict, but also of joy and inspiration. She continues to have a robust family and social network in the Middle East .

If you are interested in interviewing Kathryn about her work and travels, or would like to otherwise feature "Wolfsong," please contact her publicity team at Mindbuck Media, [email protected] .

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SOURCE ELJ Editions
Competitive Edge in the AR Market with real-time spatial scanning and device expansion

SEOUL, South Korea , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MAXST Co., Ltd. (KRX: 377030), a company specialized in metaverse platforms, releases the MAXST AR SDK 6.0 version on May 3rd with the enhanced performance and features. In the newly updated version, 'Space Tracker', which recognizes and tracks space in real time, has been added. Space Tracker is expected to play a key role in realizing the metaverse by creating maps with environment scanning and by constructing reality-based data.

Recognized as a world-class AR development platform, MAXST AR SDK added a new Tracker through the update, and greatly improved performance such as recognition rate and recognition speed. With the newly added 'Space Tracker' feature, space can be recognized and tracked in real time using devices with LiDAR-embedded camera. It is expected that it will contribute to raising the level of AR technology to the next level in that the scope of technology has been expanded from 3D object-based AR to space-based AR and will serve as an opportunity for a technological leap forward to build a reality-based metaverse service.

In addition, the 'Space Tracker' feature will be installed in 'MAXSCAN', a space map creating tool, and will be released on May 3rd simultaneously with MAXST AR SDK 6.0, so that users can experience the newly updated features for free. MAXSCAN is a spatial map creator application that enables fast and sophisticated spatial map creation, content placement, and AR contents augmentation. Since usability has been greatly enhanced in MAXSCAN, even non-developers can easily scan and create their own spaces. Up to 20m x 20m large.

This 6.0 update version has great significance in that it has expanded the range of supported devices such as AR glasses by strengthening multi-device and platform responsiveness. As the only AR SDK that supports PCs, smartphones, as well as RealWear and Nreal AR glasses, it plans to continuously strengthen development cooperation with domestic and foreign partners to expand and discover AR technology application cases.

MAXST has been intensively focusing on R&D of augmented reality and is the only company in Korea that has commercialized AR source technology. MAXST AR SDK, a world-class AR development platform, is used by more than 10,000 developers in more than 140 countries around the world, and more than 8,500 AR applications have been developed through it.

Kyu-Sung Cho , the vice-president of MAXST, said, "We hope that this 6.0 update will publicize the excellence of MAXST's AR source technology and have a positive impact on the development of the AR market." "We will continue to advance MAXST's AR technology to create a metaverse service that anyone can enjoy," he said.

MAXST AR SDK 6.0 : https://developer.maxst.com/

About MAXST

MAXST(KRX: 377030) is a metaverse leading company that has unrivaled technologies such as commericalization of global top-level AR source technology, Sensor Fusion SLAM and 3D Reconstruction technology. Maxst is currently a public trust company listed on the Korean KOSDAQ market providing globally renowned AR SDK, industrial AR solution MAXWORK and Reality-based metaverse platform MAXVERSE.

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SOURCE MAXST
Investment from Sovereign Tech Fund, underwritten by the German government, points to trend in government support for open source software and aims to improve infrastructure and security for critical projects

SAN FRANCISCO , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The OpenJS Foundation, providing vendor-neutral support for sustained growth within the open source JavaScript community, is announcing today that the Sovereign Tech Fund, financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, is contracting EUR 875,000 ( USD 902,000 ) in government funding to strengthen open source infrastructure and security.

This is the largest one-time government support investment ever to a Linux Foundation project.

"Governments, private sector and individuals all rely on JavaScript. At OpenJS, we take this responsibility seriously as people need to trust the web technologies they use," said Robin Bender Ginn , OpenJS Foundation Executive Director. "It's encouraging to see the German government leading the way to improve the lives of citizens they serve by investing in the critical open source infrastructure that powers the web. It's exciting to see government leaders work together with our open source communities to make this security commitment a reality. Support from the Sovereign Tech Fund will help improve and build a JavaScript ecosystem that will continue to flourish not only in Germany , but around the globe."

The OpenJS Foundation is receiving support from the Sovereign Tech Fund to help OpenJS Foundation projects move to more secure and modern technologies and policies. This will be accomplished by: 1) Delivering infrastructure updates across OpenJS Foundation projects through a single-scalable solution while implementing a responsible sunset program for inactive projects; and 2) Developing and delivering security and maintenance policies and practices customized for the JavaScript ecosystem.

"Open source software is the foundation of modern communications and business and governments have grown to understand that proper investment is critical. This investment in the OpenJS Foundation demonstrates that governments like Germany are committed to strengthening the digital infrastructure for society through open source development," said Jim Zemlin , executive director of the Linux Foundation. "Governments should look at open source and JavaScript as critical infrastructure. It requires long-term commitment and budgetary support. The OpenJS Foundation is a neutral home to support the healthy growth of JavaScript and related web technologies."

The Sovereign Tech Fund invests in the development, improvement and maintenance of open digital base technologies worldwide.

"Strengthening digital sovereignty is key to ensuring economic growth, self-determination and for protecting our values in a digital world. The sustainability of the open source ecosystem is crucial, and we must understand the support of our digital infrastructure as a public task. Supporting the OpenJS Foundation, a vendor-neutral organization with deep expertise working in these areas, will help infrastructure and security issues on a large scale," said Adriana Groh , co-founder, Sovereign Tech Fund. "We are very excited to be supporting the work of the OpenJS Foundation."

"The goal of digital sovereignty, i.e. the self-determined use and design of digital technologies and systems by individuals, private organizations and the state, cannot be achieved without a robust open source ecosystem," elaborated Fiona Krakenburger, co-founder, Sovereign Tech Fund. "By supporting a long-term resilient and sustainable open source ecosystem, the development and maintenance of relevant software components can be improved, thus strengthening competitiveness and innovation as well as efficient governance and an empowered civil society."

OpenJS Foundation has also recently received funding from OpenSSF to improve security for Node.js and to reduce potential security incidents for jQuery . To find out more about the OpenJS Foundation and its commitment to infrastructure and security improvements for the open source community, see https://openjsf.org/

OpenJS Resources

To learn more about how you could be a part of the OpenJS Foundation, click here .

The OpenJS Foundation is committed to supporting the healthy growth of the JavaScript ecosystem and web technologies by providing a neutral organization to host and sustain projects, as well as collaboratively fund activities for the benefit of the community at large. The OpenJS Foundation is made up of 41 open source JavaScript projects including Appium, Dojo, Jest, jQuery, Node.js, and webpack and is supported by 30 corporate and end-user members, including GoDaddy, Google, IBM, Joyent, Netflix, Meta, and Microsoft. These members recognize the interconnected nature of the JavaScript ecosystem and the importance of providing a central home for projects which represent significant shared value.

About Sovereign Tech Fund

The Sovereign Tech Fund started its support for the development, improvement and maintenance of open digital infrastructures in 2022 with public funds from the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The goal is the long-term strengthening of digital sovereignty, i.e. the self-determined use of digital technologies and systems by individuals, companies and governments. Its focus lies on security, resilience, technological diversity, and the people behind the code. The projects of the Sovereign Tech Fund are regularly selected according to the proposal of the 2021 feasibility study (available at www.sovereigntechfund.de/en ).

About Linux Foundation

Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation and its projects are supported by more than 2,950 members. The Linux Foundation is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, hardware, standards, and data. Linux Foundation projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, ONAP, Hyperledger, RISC-V, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users, and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org.

Media Contact

[email protected]

415-730-2793

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SOURCE OpenJS Foundation
OSLO, Norway , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces that results from the Nordic Registry demonstrating benefits of Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC) were presented at the AUA 2023 Conference: the American Urological Association Annual Congress 2023 which was held April 28 - May 1, 2023 in Chicago, IL , USA. The study highlighted that BLC in surveillance of NMIBC* improves the detection of malignant lesions, enhances physicians' confidence, and may reduce patients' tumor burden through immediate fulguration. In addition, Photocure sponsored an educational CME session entitled "How The Experts Treat NMIBC During a BCG Shortage - Integrating Recent Approvals and Investigational Therapies."

On Friday, April 28 th, 2023, Consultant Urologist Karsten Zieger , MD, PhD, Lilleblt Hospital, Department of Urology, Vejle, Denmark , presented results from a Real-World Evidence study during a moderated poster session. This Nordic Registry study, which is supported by Photocure, included data from 319 patients and 436 Blue Light Flexible Cystoscopies performed in the surveillance of NMIBC. The study results showed that flexible blue light cystoscopy with Hexvix/Cysview, as an adjunct to white light cystoscopy for surveillance of NMIBC, improves the detection of malignant lesions. In the study, biopsies were taken from 452 lesions, showing malignancy in 126/409 (31%) lesions positive for blue light. In 86 of the cystoscopies (20%), lesions were identified only by blue light. Furthermore, it improves surgeons' confidence in identifying clinically important lesions with physicians reporting benefit of BLC in 367/436 (84%) of the cystoscopies. The combination of BLC with immediate fulguration of tumors in an outpatient setting may positively affect the patients' burden in NMIBC. The impact on patients' overall outcome is the target of future evaluations.

Read the abstract here: https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/JU.0000000000003223.15

The Photocure-sponsored CME event "How the Experts Treat NMIBC During a BCG Shortage  Integrating Recent Approvals and Investigational Therapies" on April 28 th, 2023 covered insights on novel treatment strategies and diagnostics, including a segment on Blue Light Cystoscopy with Hexvix/Cysview. During this satellite symposium, Dr. Joshua Meeks MD, PhD Associate Professor of Urology and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University ( Chicago IL ) presented information on the use of BLC technology as a useful tool to find patients for these new interventional treatments, especially in a post-BCG setting.

The CME program attracted 150+ attendees joining in person or via live webinar. A webcast is available at: bit.ly/AUA_NMIBC-archive

"We analyze and track the presence of BLC scientific discussions and clinical presentations at major urology conferences. Both at EAU and AUA, presentations highlighted the value BLC provides in detection and in supporting a complete resection; while other sessions explained clinical benefits of BLC in a real-world settings, related to TURBTs and surveillance.", said Anders Neijber, Chief Medical Officer, Global Medical Affairs and Clinical Development and R&D at Photocure "Additionally the EAU guidelines have been updated in 2023 to reflect current data, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) like the 2021 Cochrane Review. Overall, we observe an increased interest and attention in BLC at domestic and international medical conferences and within peer-reviewed publications, underscoring the value of BLC in bladder cancer care."

In addition to the scientific program, BLC received a lot of attention at the Photocure and Karl Storz booths. The continued collaboration on commercializing Karl Storz's high-definition rigid BLC system Saphira at AUA allowed uro-oncologists to get hands-on experience with the new blue light device. Geoff Coy , Vice President & General Manager North America at Photocure commented: "Visitors were highly engaged in discussions about the role of BLC with Cysview in their practice. Since launch in late 2022, new orders for Saphira and total tower placements continue to be strong, reflecting the commitment among hospitals and medical centers to incorporate the upgraded rigid BLC system into practice. Physicians have told us that the new system provides reliable performance and better image quality which, in turn, allows them to do more for their patients in the first and follow-up TURBT**. We are pleased with the high engagement of the medical and scientific community at AUA and are excited about the change that we can make collectively to improve the lives of patients with bladder cancer."

About the Nordic Registry

The Nordic Registry is a prospective, observational multicenter study which includes patients undergoing flexible Blue Light Cystoscopy for suspicion or surveillance of NMIBC in an outpatient setting. The registry collects data on patient demographics, bladder cancer history, findings under blue light and white light, patient preference, discomfort and treatment.

The American Urological Association (AUA) meeting is one of largest international meetings in the urology calendar. The yearly event includes an innovative, evidence-based, quality program for urologists and urologic health care professionals worldwide. Therefore, Photocure was pleased to sponsor this AUA CME program within NMIBC with an unrestricted educational grant to meet the scientific needs of a broad healthcare audience. Photocure remains committed to supporting the educational needs of uro-oncologists and the broader urology community.

*NMIBC: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

**TURBT: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor

Note to editors:

All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA.

About Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer ranks as the 8th most common cancer worldwide  the 5th most common in men  with 1 720 000 prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate)1a, 573 000 new cases and more than 200 000 deaths in 2020.1b

Approx. 75% of all bladder cancer cases occur in men.1 It has a high recurrence rate with up to 61% in year one and up to 78% over five years.2 Bladder cancer has the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of all cancers.3

Bladder cancer is a costly, potentially progressive disease for which patients have to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to the high risk of recurrence. There is an urgent need to improve both the diagnosis and the management of bladder cancer for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems alike.

Bladder cancer is classified into two types, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), depending on the depth of invasion in the bladder wall. NMIBC remains in the inner layer of cells lining the bladder. These cancers are the most common (75%) of all BC cases and include the subtypes Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS) and T1 lesions. In MIBC the cancer has grown into deeper layers of the bladder wall. These cancers, including subtypes T2, T3 and T4, are more likely to spread and are harder to treat.4

1 Globocan. a) 5-year prevalence / b) incidence/mortality by population. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed [ January 2022 ].

2 Babjuk M, et al. Eur Urol. 2019; 76(5): 639-657

3 Sievert KD et al. World J Urol 2009;27:295300

4 Bladder Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer.html

About Hexvix/Cysview (hexaminolevulinate HCl)

Hexvix/Cysview is a drug that preferentially accumulates in cancer cells in the bladder, making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC). BLC with Hexvix/Cysview, compared to standard white light cystoscopy alone, improves the detection of tumors and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual tumors, and better management decisions.

Cysview is the tradename in the U.S. and Canada , Hexvix is the tradename in all other markets. Photocure is commercializing Cysview/Hexvix directly in the U.S. and Europe and has strategic partnerships for the commercialization of Hexvix/Cysview in China , Chile , Australia , New Zealand and Israel . Please refer to https://photocure.com/partners/our-partners for further information on our commercial partners.

About Photocure ASA

Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com

For further information, please contact:

Dan Schneider

President and CEO

Photocure ASA

Email: [email protected]

Erik Dahl

CFO

Photocure ASA

Tel: +4745055000

Email: [email protected]

David Moskowitz

Vice President, Investor Relations

Photocure ASA

Tel: +1 202 280 0888

Email: [email protected]

Media and IR enquiries:

Geir Bjrlo

Corporate Communications ( Norway )

Tel: +47 91540000

Email: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

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SOURCE Photocure
Publishers can monetize valuable audience segments while advertisers gain a privacy-conscious personalization solution

SAN MATEO, Calif. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Advertising has launched Audience Enginea groundbreaking technology that compensates publishers based on the purchasing power of their most valuable audience segments while offering advertisers innovative personalization features. Debuting at Rakuten Advertising's annual DealMaker event, Audience Engine empowers publishers to utilize first-party data to establish tailored commission rates that leverage audiences with the highest potential value for advertisers. Publishers can then deliver personalized messages and offers to incentivize those audiences.

This collaboration between publishers and advertisers results in custom campaigns that ensure optimum performance and fair incentives for publishers.

"Audience Engine turns the traditional affiliate commission structure on its head by prioritizing audience value over clicks," says Nick Stamos , CEO at Rakuten Advertising. "Typically, advertisers set commission rates based on campaign goals like promoting a new product or pushing for new-to-file customers. Now, publishers can put a price tag on the strength of their audience and set unique commission rates on the segments most likely to be valuable to a specific advertiser."

"We were excited when Rakuten came to us with the Audience Engine opportunity," said Rose Blackmore , Global VP of Partnerships at DealMoon. "DealMoon was already starting to tackle audience segmentation for more precise targeting and the potential to track results via Audience Engine was icing on the cake. By combining our technologies, advertisers now have a clear path to elevate their programs to new heights."

Audience Engine is a welcome and timely addition to advertiser toolkits as the industry shifts away from decades of reliance on third-party cookies. As first-party data takes center stage, brands and publishers are looking for new ways to collaborate on personalized privacy-conscious customer experiences.

In addition, advertisers will be able to enhance affiliate campaign personalization by incorporating their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) data in Audience Engine. CRM and publisher first-party data will be used to set distinctive commission structures at the sweet spot of the intersection between the purchasing power of a publisher's audience and a brand's own customer base.

"The innovation of Rakuten's Audience Engine grants advertisers the ability to reach defined segments of [SlickDeals'] savvy community and thereby lift core metrics with more compelling and relevant offers," said Joe Coyle , Director of Partnerships at SlickDeals, an established shopping destination for over 12 million deal enthusiasts.

"Audience Engine brings powerful, entirely new capabilities to the affiliate channel. Publishers can activate and monetize proprietary audience segments, and advertisers gain the ability to personalize affiliate campaigns in a privacy-conscious environment," said Stamos. "Until now, it wasn't possible to personalize in this way through the affiliate channel, and the only workaround was to run ad-hoc campaigns that offered little visibility into performance by audience segment. Now brands can deliver tailored, optimized messaging to customers throughout the entire customer lifecycle."

To learn more about Rakuten Advertising's Audience Engine capability, contact [email protected].

About Rakuten Advertising

Rakuten Advertising delivers performance-driven, brand-driven, and people-driven ad solutions that help the world's top brands connect with unique, highly engaged audiences  from first impression to final sale. Backed by industry-leading technology, global media properties, and the largest, high-quality partner network, Rakuten Advertising taps into data and experience to develop the strategies and ad experiences that will drive engagement, sales, loyalty, and beyond.

A leader in the industry since its beginnings, Rakuten Advertising is a division of Rakuten Group, Inc. (4755: TOKYO ), one of the world's leading internet service companies. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, California , with offices throughout EMEA, APAC, LATAM, and North America . Learn more at RakutenAdvertising.com.

Media Contact:

Steven Shaw

[email protected]

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SOURCE Rakuten Advertising
Recreational vehicle network grows with Manitoba expansion

EDMONTON, AB, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Canadian owned dealership group, Go Auto, announced today that it has acquired GNR Camping World of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The acquisition increases the number of RV dealerships owned by the group to four and its total dealership count to 61 across Canada and the United States.

Go Auto Logo (CNW Group/Go Auto)

"We welcome GNR Camping World to the Go Auto family as an exciting acquisition that extends the Go RV network across Canada." said Phil Abram, President of Go Auto Group.

GNR Camping World is known for its exceptional customer service and grassroots ties to the community, which made it a natural fit for Go Auto. Committed to buying successful dealerships with a high standard of operating excellence, Abram says "GNR Camping World customers can expect business as usual during this transition, without interruptions to existing appointments or ongoing sales. We look forward to providing continued excellence in customer service."

GNR Camping World joins Go Auto's two existing Manitoba dealerships, Porsche Centre Winnipeg and Go Auto Haus Volkswagen Winnipeg.

Extending gratitude to his customers, Kevin Betzold, General Manager of GNR Camping World said, "I would like to express my appreciation to our customers for their support over the years. I am confident they will continue to receive the same level of exemplary service they have been accustomed to, going forward."

About Go Auto

Go Auto is a Best Managed Company by Deloitte, recognized for its customer-focused approach, ethical leadership, and industry-leading corporate culture. The company represents 61 dealerships and 28 new vehicle brands across Canada and the United States. With headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Go Auto is one of Canada's largest dealer networks and operates in Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Northwest Territories, and Washington State. A one-stop shop, Go Auto dealerships offer sales, service, finance, insurance, and collision repair for automobiles and RVs. Go Auto is committed to providing a great work environment to over 3,330 employees and operating as a devoted community-minded organization with multiple charitable giving programs and community partnerships. More information about Go Auto group can be found at GoAuto.ca or by following @GoAuto on LinkedIn.

Story continues

SOURCE Go Auto

Cision

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Islamorada and Sinca Vanities and Linen Cabinets Join Robern Coordinated Bathroom Suites

BRISTOL, Penn. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Robern has announced the unveiling of Islamorada and Sinca vanities and complementing linen cabinets to its highly acclaimed Robern Craft Series of in-house designed vanities, linen cabinets, medicine cabinets, and decorative mirrors. Drawing inspiration from earlier, celebrated eras of design and emerging new trends, the Robern Craft Series brings a curated assortment of statement-making products to transform bathrooms into luxury spaces of distinction.

Islamorada and Sinca join the earlier traditional and modern vignettes that comprise Robern Craft Series. Functional works of art, each are based upon the principles of Modern design, the forms reflecting the simple beauty of fine materials, balanced symmetry, and appropriate scale. Meticulously designed to Robern's exacting standards, Islamorada and Sinca vanities and linen cabinets are fitted with Blum soft close hinges that offer 110-degree and 92-degree opening capacity respectively for optimized performance and minimized wear. The designs can be fitted in a choice of five engineered stone tops: White Zeus Extreme, Quartz White, Lyra, Stone Gray, and Lava Black.

Islamorada

Inspired by the elegance of the Modern era designs that emerged with the Art Deco movement, the Islamorada Vanity and Linen Cabinet bring rich painted finish options and Aged Brass handle and leg hardware featuring eye-catching stepped detailing. When opened, one interior adjustable shelf is exposed. The vanity stands on four round legs capped in stainless steel and adjustable leveling feet. The vanity is available in 24", 30", 36" and 48" width vanities. The matching 80" high Islamorada Linen Cabinet imparts the same simplicity of form, engaging finishes, and Aged Brass pulls and capped feet. The linen cabinet also provides additional storage with its three open upper shelves and for more discreet needs, two enclosed lower shelves. The designs are available in the new Robern matte lacquers: the jewel-toned Nori, a deep jade of remarkable depth, and sophisticated Sand, a sumptuous, warm and layered finish.

Sinca

Balancing form and function, the Sinca Vanity and Linen Cabinet combine classic midcentury elements such as louvered doors and tapered legs with modern comforts including ample storage and slow-close hinges. The distinctive vertical louvered door front detail and rich wood finishes add warmth, texture, and the timeless appeal of midcentury design. The vanity and linen cabinet are raised on tapered, self-leveling Oak legs finished in Oak veneers and met on each side by a single wood stretcher in a simple decorative detail. When opened, Sinca exposes a roomy interior with one adjustable shelf and is available in 24", 30", 36", 48", and 60" width vanities. The Sinca Linen Cabinet is also crafted from Oak and stands an impressive 80 inches in height. The artful design also offers plenty of storage with its four open shelves and two enclosed lower shelves that feature the same vertical louvre design. Sinca is available in Walnut and White Oak finishes.

THE CRAFT SERIES  THE COLLECTIONS

Branching out beyond the more modern aesthetic represented within the Robern brand portfolio, The Craft Series was introduced in 2021, with additions in 2022, and broadens Robern's product scope with forms that reference 19th and 20th traditional and contemporary design. Organic textural elements and intriguing decorative touches to surprise and delight, the solution-based Craft Series is a compelling catalog of bathroom couture designed to reflect the lifestyles of today's sophisticated consumer.

Bergman

Taking its cues from the glamour of 1950s Hollywood , Bergman (shown above) creates a sense of high style by juxtaposing deep wood stains against contrasting metal finishes. The solid Oak and Oak veneer Bergman vanity is shown with the Robern Rounded Corner Metal Mirror.

Bodo

Reflecting the organic beauty and nature-inspired surroundings that are part and parcel to the Aspen and Vail lifestyle, Bodo strips away undue ornamentation to allow the figured Oak and straightforward character of this prominent design take centerstage. Bodo presents a certain rustic appeal with an open, truss beam vanity and shown with the Robern Thin Wood Frame Mirror.

Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill is inspired by the vintage furnishings of storied New England homes, the beauty of well-crafted form, and the sense of familiarity and acquired sophistication of early American design that still plays a prominent role in the interiors of today. Chestnut Hill is also a versatile option with three vanity sizes and is shown with the Robern Wood Mirror with Metal Inlay.

Helden

Helden has an air of casual refinement, its natural honeyed tones and soft rounded corners drawing attention to the organic beauty of the materials selected and the craft employed to create Helden's approachable form. The Oak floating vanity is matched with the new Robern Pill Wood Mirror.

Mackey

Inspired by the raw, edgy appeal of unfinished industrial furnishings and fixtures, Mackey reflects that same forgiving style allowing the metal ground the designs while incorporating textural elements to accentuate the forms' natural beauty and strength of line. The Mackey vanity and enclosed linen cabinet are expertly crafted from stainless steel and is shown with the Mixed Metal Mirror.

Sendai

Blending industrial design elements with the understated sophistication of Japanese form, the Sendai vanity and accompanying linen cabinet and Robern Thin Frame Mirror are pared down forms simply dressed in rich wood finishes with contrasting mixed metals and decorative touches.

Skaarsgard

Based on the clean, understated forms of Nordic design, Skaarsgard draws its strength from natural wood and burnished metals for a look that is warm and inviting. Appropriately scaled with purity of line and minimal decoration, the Skaarsgard Oak vanity and linen cabinet is joined by the Robern Thin Frame Wood Mirror.

Medicine Cabinets

In 2022, Robern introduced three new medicine cabinets, a first for the series. The new Medicine Cabinets feature clean, minimalist styles in a choice of sizes and a variety of rich singular and mixed metal finishes to coordinate and complement surroundings. The medicine cabinets can be recessed or surface mounted and offered with an optional Electric Upgrade package to assist with tasks, enhance storage capabilities, and keep essentials charged and within reach.

Mirrors

Long renowned for its mirror designs, Robern took another fashionable turn in this arena with 11 handcrafted, decorative mirrors that offer tasteful traditional and contemporary bathroom options. Drawing inspiration from motifs and sophisticated details found throughout the series, the elegant mirrors include an industrial inspired form introduced in 2022, which joined the earlier scalloped and inverted contour mirrors, oversized round and pill-shaped designs, a series of wood and metal rectangular frames, and a commanding mirror in classic Triptych style all featured in the original 2021 launch.

Additional images

About ROBERN

Founded in 1968 in Bristol, Pennsylvania , Robern, along with sister brands, Kallista plumbing and Ann Sacks Tile & Stone, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohler Co., offering the finest in sophisticated cabinetry, vanities, mirrors and lighting to the trade and consumers. For additional information on Robern products, customers may call 1 (800) 877-2376 or visit www.robern.com.

CONTACT: Robin L. Richter

Kohler Co. Public Relations

+ (920) 457-4441, X. 72340

[email protected]

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SOURCE ROBERN
KANSAS CITY, Mo. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingram's has selected Shook Partner Mike Cappo among its class of 40 Under Forty for 2023. Cappo was chosen for his commitment to client service, legal acumen and passion for bettering the community which includes serving as a board member of Visit KC and part of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City's 44th Kansas City Tomorrow Class. This year is notable as the 25th anniversary of the 40 Under Forty leadership program in the bi-state region.

"We're elated that others recognize what we see every day at Shook in Mike's performance helping clients and our attorneys," said Shook General Liability Litigation Co-Chairs Rob Adams and Paul Williams . "He's an inspiration not only as a member of the next generation of leaders in Kansas City but for those up and coming individuals who will follow his path."

Cappo serves as national counsel for large companies to help them mitigate risk. His nationwide practice includes defending clients sued for product liability, tort, negligence, consumer protection, fraud, business litigation, and premises liability.

In 2022, Cappo earned the John F. Murphy Compass Award for Leadership to recognize his work integrating associates into Shook, both professionally and socially. A member of the firm's Associates Committee, Cappo continually sets a positive and welcoming example for attorneys at the firm.

Diversity and inclusive prosperity is important to Cappo at Shook and in the community. He serves as the diversity advocate for Shook Kansas City, and is a faculty member for the Shook Scholars Institute, a diversity and inclusion-focused development program for law students.

"It's an honor to be included in this prestigious cohort," said Cappo. "I look forward to meeting my fellow honorees and hope to develop lifelong relationships that better Kansas City ."

Cappo earned his law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law and his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University. Cappo is active with Nkongsamba Children, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping students in Nkongsamba, Cameroon realize their dreams though access to education.

Ingram's will hold a celebration honoring the 40 honorees at an event in May.

About Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 18 offices in the United States and London , with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security, and regulatory counseling.

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SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sniffer Robotics, a leading environmental technology enabled services firm, today announced first and substantial close of a $2 million seed funding round, led by the Michigan Angel Fund. Other investors include Michigan Rise, Naruhisa Nakagawa (founder of Caygan Capital), and Abhishek Desai of Desai Ventures ( London ).

The start-up, founded in late 2016, developed a patented, drone-based solution to detect methane leak sources at ground level. Its Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), the SnifferDRONE, is a comprehensive system to automate a hazardous and labor-intensive methane emission monitoring method where technicians walk miles to manually inspect landfills, natural gas pipelines, and similar land-based applications. In December, 2022, the US EPA recognized the benefits of Sniffer's technology with the first and only approval of their automated tool for compliance. This system is used throughout the United States assisting sites to more accurately account for methane leaks, enhances gas collection, and reduce odors, for a triple benefit - operations, community, and the environment.

In a short period, Sniffer has become a top solution and service provider for ground based emissions monitoring. This capital raise provides funds for continued product development and expansion.

Skip Simms of the Michigan Angel Fund stated "We were happy to lead this Seed round for Sniffer Robotics. SR has a product and service that falls under the category of 'why hasn't someone already thought of this'. They now have first mover advantage in a huge market. The EPA has recognized their value for the environment and waste industry by approving them as a qualified vendor for reporting. Customers repeatedly confirm the value proposition with the savings they provide. And they have the IP to protect their launch. This capital gives them the fuel for acceleration."

"I'm very grateful to the investors who see the value we offer our customers and the environment and look to harness the momentum from our US EPA approval and successful capital raise to drive the scale we all envision for this business" said Arthur Mohr , Jr, CEO.

Bodman PLC assisted Sniffer Robotics as legal counsel in the Series Seed financing.

Sniffer Robotics is a leading environmental technology enabled services firm serving waste, natural gas, biogas, and related industries. Sniffer's technologies and services improve emission detection and measurement, odor leak identification, and revenue generation from increased gas capture for conversion to energy. To date, Sniffer has completed projects in 28 states on 150+ sites, identifying 16,500+ methane leak sources for remediation. Improving operations and our environment, Sniffer provides aerial (drone-based) and field services, automation tools, and comprehensive software analytics and reporting solutions.

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SOURCE Sniffer Robotics, LLC
SANTA FE, N.M. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), is pleased to announce this year's Indigenous Fashion Show lineup:

Jason Baerg , Himikalas Pam Baker, Rebecca Baker-Grenier , Orlando Dugi , Lauren Good Day , Jontay KAHM, Dusty LeGrande of Mobilize, Elias Not Afraid , Qaulluq Clara McConnell and Jamie Okuma , who is the first Indigenous designer to become a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CDFA), April 2023 .

The Gala Fashion Show takes place Saturday, August 19 , followed by the Indigenous Fashion Show, Sunday, August 20 both at the Santa Fe Convention Center . VIP, regular seating and standing room tickets sell out quickly and will be available for purchase at swaia.org on May 15, 2023 .

All participating designers are creating new collections to debut on SWAIA's runway. With modern takes on traditional clothing, SWAIA Fashion will feature dynamically emerging designers, fresh faces to the runway, and our distinguished leaders in Indigenous Couture. Another exciting development is the partnership between SWAIA Fashion and the Ford/Robert Black Modeling Agency.

SWAIA Fashion and Ford/ Robert Black modeling agency, are conducting a MODEL SEARCH at the Cottonwood Mall , Albuquerque, N.M. , on June 3, 2023 , from 10-1pm . For more information about model auditions, email [email protected]

About SWAIA Fashion :

SWAIA Native Fashion /Indigenous Couture makes space for underrepresented histories and current narratives in fashion and design by Native North Americans. Contemporary Native American fashion is a vibrant and diverse field that reflects the ongoing creativity and innovation of Indigenous knowledge expressed through material culture. SWAIA Fashion, with the support of the City of Santa Fe , will produce Santa Fe's first Native Fashion | Indigenous Couture Week in May 2024 . https://swaia.org/fashion/

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SOURCE Southwestern Association for Indian Arts
The collaboration will establish a $2 million partnership to conserve natural resources and to reduce the climate impact of one of the quick service brand's beloved ingredients

IRVINE, Calif. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With bold ambitions to operate 10,000 restaurants in the coming years, Taco Bell acknowledges its responsibility to balance global expansion with intentional impact. In pursuit of parent company Yum! Brands' broader climate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% by 2030, Taco Bell is taking bigger steps to improve the environmental effects of its supply chain, especially for one of its top-selling ingredients. Taco Bell is now partnering with its long-time supplier Cargill and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to implement conservation and regenerative agriculture practices across cattle grazing lands.

Taco Bell's innovative approach to shaking up the status quo reaches beyond just its menu, extending even into its supply chain. Leveraging the expertise of NFWF, this partnership will support beef producers with technical and financial tools to expand their regenerative ranching practices, from conserving grassland ecosystems to improving river water quality and biodiversity. The commitment from Cargill and Taco Bell will allocate $2 million and will leverage up to $2 million in federal funds for a combined total of $4 million in new grants over the next four years.

"We're all about democratizing access to quality, flavorful meals at an affordable price," said Missy Schaaphok , Director of Global Nutrition & Sustainability at Taco Bell. "What people don't see directly on our menu is how we also prioritize sustainability just as much as craveability."

While the grasslands where beef cattle live might look vast and bountiful, the land is under threat from climate change, invasive species, limited water and residential developments. This partnership is estimated to conserve and restore tens of thousands of acres and benefit the inhabiting wildlife, from elk to songbirds, all while giving cattle abundant grazing land. These efforts are expected to sequester up to 44,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year in 2030.

Organizations supporting ranchers as they seek to implement regenerative agricultural practices across the Intermountain West can submit applications starting May 4 until August 3 , with projects to start in 2024. The program will impact a vast region stretching from the Colorado Rockies to the Great Basin , including local organizations and communities across portions of seven states: Colorado , Idaho , Montana , Nevada , Oregon , Utah and Wyoming .

"Through the voluntary implementation of managed grazing practices, benefits to both rancher operations and wildlife are realized," said Jeff Trandahl , executive director and CEO of NFWF. "Taco Bell, in partnership with Cargill, will help organizations working directly with ranchers in the Intermountain West to implement important changes, providing better habitat for wildlife, increasing carbon sequestration, and creating a more resilient ecosystem for people and for the species that depend on these rangelands for their very survival."

"At Cargill, we pride ourselves on connecting our customers to partners such as NFWF that can help drive sustainability efforts starting with nature and the rancher," said Jeffrey Fitzpatrick , BeefUp Sustainability Program Lead at Cargill. "As beef is a beloved ingredient at Taco Bell, it's our job as their trusted supplier to encourage and support efforts that increase the sustainability of the supply chain through investment and collaboration."

With purchased food in Yum! Brands' supply chain producing more than two-thirds of its emissions, this program will be valuable in helping to sustain America's natural resources while still feeding the taco nation.

"Collaboration with ranchers and other supply chain partners is needed now more than ever, especially with food and farming being critical avenues for positive climate solutions," said Jon Hixson , Chief Sustainability Officer at Yum! Brands. "We're proud to have partners in the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Cargill that acknowledge the great responsibility we carry to both Taco Bell fans and the environment."

Taco Bell continues to prioritize other commitments and collaborative efforts to improve sourcing efforts, including membership in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and ongoing initiatives to improve the sustainability of its packaging suite.

About Taco Bell Corp.

For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com, our Newsroom at www.TacoBell.com/news or www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

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 160,000 team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as we work to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainable way.

From 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 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,000 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of $8.1 billion . Learn more at nfwf.org.

Chad Hoffmann  Taco Bell Corp.

[email protected]

Danielle Karnbach  Edelman

[email protected]

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SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.
Functional Foods Innovator Accepting Investment to Support Rapid Growth

DENVER , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Functional Chocolate Company  today announced the launch of its first public round of funding on Mainvest , the leading small business crowdfunding platform. The company intends to raise funds to meet rapidly growing retailer demand for its products.

The Functional Chocolate Company offers naturally vegan and gluten free dark chocolate paired with a blend of condition-specific nutraceuticals - vitamins, minerals, botanicals and amino acids, to help address a variety of everyday health realities - from sleep to energy, stress to focus and much more.

While analysts expect that the Functional Foods market overall will approximately double in the coming years, The Functional Chocolate Company has gone from zero to more than 1000 contracted points of distribution in less than two years. On target to continue to exceed its projections, the company is opening up a small window of opportunity through Mainvest for customers and supporters to become a part of the functional foods movement.

"We've always valued crafting products that help make everyday a little sweeter for our customers," said Nicole Smith , CEO, The Functional Chocolate Company. "We're excited to work with Mainvest to fund this evolution of the way we eat and treat our health. This is a unique opportunity for our supporters to invest in us and our mission of helping others."

Products from The Functional Chocolate include:

About Mainvest

Mainvest is a community investment marketplace that connects small businesses with investors in their local communities. Our platform empowers entrepreneurs to raise capital directly from their supporters, enabling them to grow and thrive in their neighborhoods. Through our online platform, Mainvest provides access to capital for small businesses, while giving investors the opportunity to support local businesses and build a stronger community.

Mainvest was founded in 2018 by Nick Mathews , with a mission to empower small businesses and entrepreneurs to achieve their goals while creating more vibrant, connected communities. Mainvest is a Regulation Crowdfunding (RegCF) portal regulated by FINRA.

Learn more at - https://mainvest.com/in/the-functional-chocolate-company

About The Functional Chocolate Company

Chocolate can do more than just taste great! Functional Chocolate helps make every day a little better with condition specific blends of powerful botanicals and clinically researched ingredients paired with ethically sourced decadent dark chocolate. Our naturally vegan and gluten free chocolate bars address some of the most common health realities; from sleep to energy, focus and stress, to women's health concerns including PMS, menopause and low libido. Now your favorite superfood is supercharged. Experience the Sweet Taste of Health

Find Functional Chocolate at funcho.co and popular retail locations .

For wholesale inquiries, please contact [email protected] , visit sharefuncho.com or find us on RangeMe , Faire & Abound .

Supporting Resources:

Learn more about the science of Functional Chocolate on our blog -- https://funcho.co/blogs/articles

-- Follow @FunctionalChoc on:

on: Tik Tok -- https://www.tiktok.com/@functionalchoc

-- Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalChoc

Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/functionalchoc/

Pinterest -- https://www.pinterest.com/FunctionalChoc

Twitter -- https://twitter.com/FunctionalChoc

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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SOURCE The Functional Chocolate Company
Willow Scientific to Offer New , Tiered Consulting Services to Help Cannabis Businesses Identify and Mitigate Contamination at the Source



DENVER , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Willow Industries , ("Willow" or "The Company") the leader in cannabis kill-step and decontamination technology, announced the launch of Willow Scientific , a new tiered suite of microbial consulting services that offers a proactive approach for long-term success by addressing and solving contamination at the source.

Leveraging its team of cannabis microbiology experts, Willow Scientific consists of three tiers of stand-alone consulting services, including: in-person consultation with respect to facility assessments; microbial management plans; and customized best practices such as good manufacturing practices, standard operating procedures, sanitation standard operating procedures and other solutions to improve overall operational efficiencies and cleanliness. The new services are an expansion of the microbial support that businesses leasing WillowPure technology currently receive. With offerings now available to all licensed cultivators  including those who are not yet utilizing WillowPure  and businesses who want to work on improving internal processes and elevate their quality assurance to a higher standard are able to leverage Willow Scientific consulting services.

"The launch of Willow Scientific significantly expands our microbial assessment services, and takes another meaningful step forward in opening up these services to the industry at large," said Jill Ellsworth , founder and CEO of Willow Industries. "Our mission at Willow Industries is to standardize quality in the cannabis industry and empower cultivators to provide clean, safe cannabis and hemp products for all. Utilizing these services can help protect businesses from costly testing failures and recalls, and more importantly, help protect consumer safety. Our goal is not only to educate the industry on the importance of a proactive kill-step approach, but to also provide operators and cultivators with the tools to understand and, ultimately, mitigate contamination at the source."

Willow Scientific services include:

Standard : Offers a one-month program, currently included across all Willow lease partnerships. The Standard tier includes: an on-site visit to investigate and identify contamination sources in your facility; environmental testing of facility as well as cultivation inputs (i.e. air, water, soil, etc.); a one-time assessment toolkit, including swabs, settle plates, etc.; and a comprehensive assessment outlining contamination sources and recommended actions, along with an in-depth review of the assessment with Willow's science team.

: Offers a one-month program, currently included across all Willow lease partnerships. The Standard tier includes: an on-site visit to investigate and identify contamination sources in your facility; environmental testing of facility as well as cultivation inputs (i.e. air, water, soil, etc.); a one-time assessment toolkit, including swabs, settle plates, etc.; and a comprehensive assessment outlining contamination sources and recommended actions, along with an in-depth review of the assessment with Willow's science team. Premium: Offers a four-month program, which includes all Standard services as well as: staff education on the fundamentals of microbial challenges; staff training on aseptic techniques and sampling; additional instruction to identify, track and prevent contamination in-house; a monthly assessment toolkit; general standard operating procedures ("SOPs") and guidelines outlined in a comprehensive list; collaboration with labs to understand their testing methods and results; and monthly reviews of assessment results and certifications of analysis ("COAs").

Offers a four-month program, which includes all Standard services as well as: staff education on the fundamentals of microbial challenges; staff training on aseptic techniques and sampling; additional instruction to identify, track and prevent contamination in-house; a monthly assessment toolkit; general standard operating procedures ("SOPs") and guidelines outlined in a comprehensive list; collaboration with labs to understand their testing methods and results; and monthly reviews of assessment results and certifications of analysis ("COAs"). Pro+: Offers a 10-month program, which includes all Standard and Premium services as well as: customized development of in-house surveillance and quality management program; customized training materials and best practices; customized practices including good manufacturing practice ("GMP") SOPs and sanitation standard operating procedures ("SSOPs"); customized plans for microbial prevention, management, and corrective actions; quarterly on-site audits to track and manage GMP certification benchmarks; and overall GMP preparation including audit simulations.

To learn more about Willow Scientific, visit willowindustries.com/consulting-services/ .

About Willow Industries:

Willow Industries is the industry leader in cannabis kill step and post-harvest microbial decontamination technology. Founded in 2015 by CEO Jill Ellsworth , the company is built on one simple principle: cultivators should be equipped with resources to provide patients and consumers with consistently safe cannabis. Based in Denver, CO , Willow's services are currently available to all licensed cultivators in the United States and across the globe, where they implement an innovative and accessible leasing model that employs a holistic, turnkey approach for their partners. Their patented WillowPure systems use organic, ozone-based technology that is scientifically proven to reduce or eliminate contaminants such as yeast, mold and bacteria from cannabis, while protecting the medicinal properties of the plant. Willow's modern technology and in-house team of microbiology experts ensure cultivators employ best practices and quality control from start to finish. Willow Industries has been named one of Inc. 5000's Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America two years in a row and was recognized in the top 50 on the 2022 Financial Times' list of The Americas' Fastest-Growing Companies. For more information, visit WillowIndustries.com and follow on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and YouTube .

Media Contact:

Ellen Mellody

570-209-2947

[email protected]

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SOURCE Willow Industries
Company's seventh sustainability report highlights progress in product quality & safety, environmental impact improvements and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

WARSAW, Ind. , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZBH), a global medical technology leader, today announced that it published its 2022 Sustainability Report. The report provides an overview of the company's environmental, social, governance program, progress and accomplishments. Further, the report outlines the company's new commitment to achieve carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions at all manufacturing sites by 2050, discloses Zimmer Biomet EEO-1 data and aligns with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework.

Keri P. Mattox , Chief Communications and Administration Officer, Zimmer Biomet commented, "We are proud to release our Sustainability Report, which features our progress in developing a more sustainable business globally and our commitment to ever-higher standards of patient safety and quality in our products and services, and to world-class integrity and ethical business practices. The report showcases Zimmer Biomet's commitment to deliver on our mission  to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for people around the world."

The report highlights Zimmer Biomet's accomplishments, including:

Achieved our 2022 milestones towards Zimmer Biomet's 2026 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion representation goals for women globally, and people of color in the U.S. at the director-level and above, while also publicly disclosing EEO-1 data for the first time

2026 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion representation goals for women globally, and people of color in the at the director-level and above, while also publicly disclosing EEO-1 data for the first time Launched our Best & Preferred Place to Work strategy focused on shared purpose, deeper connections, holistic well-being and professional and personal growth

to Work strategy focused on shared purpose, deeper connections, holistic well-being and professional and personal growth Continued progress on our quality management programs and performance, demonstrating a 10-fold decrease in product recalls since 2016 and again maintaining fewer than 10 product recalls in 2022

Earned a Leadership Level grade of A- from the Carbon Disclosure Project

Continued progress on our Science Based Target initiative-approved goal to reduce our operational (Scope 1 + 2) emissions 50% and purchased goods and services (Scope 3) emissions 15% by 2030

Upgraded to 'AA' ESG rating by MSCI in February 2023

Find the full report on https://investor.zimmerbiomet.com/corporate-governance/sustainability-report



About the Company

Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. We seamlessly transform the patient experience through our innovative products and suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence.

With 90+ years of trusted leadership and proven expertise, Zimmer Biomet is positioned to deliver the highest quality solutions to patients and providers. Our legacy continues to come to life today through our progressive culture of evolution and innovation.

For more information about our product portfolio, our operations in 25+ countries and sales in 100+ countries or about joining our team, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or follow Zimmer Biomet on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zimmerbiomet.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning Zimmer Biomet's expectations, plans, prospects, and product and service offerings, including new product launches and potential clinical successes. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. For a list and description of some of such risks and uncertainties, see Zimmer Biomet's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in Zimmer Biomet's filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Zimmer Biomet disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers of this news release are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, since there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

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SOURCE Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces, in the town of Izium, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region,Ukraine September 14, 2022. Ukrainian Presidential

By Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's military vowed on Tuesday not to give up the pulverised eastern city of Bakhmut as it prepares to launch a long-promised counteroffensive against Russian forces.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of ground forces, underlined the importance Kyiv attaches to holding Bakhmut as preparations continue for a counterattack which it hopes will change the dynamic of the war.

The battle has symbolic importance for both sides, with Ukraine still holding on to some parts of the city after months of fierce fighting against regular Russian troops and the Wagner mercenary force.

"Together with the commanders, we have made a number of necessary decisions aimed at ensuring the effective defence and inflicting maximum losses on the enemy," Syrskyi said in remarks released after a visit to troops in Bakhmut.

"We will continue, despite all the forecasts and advice, to hold Bakhmut, destroying Wagner and other most combat-capable units of the Russian army," he said.

Syrskyi said on Monday Ukrainian units had ousted Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut.

Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said control of some parts of Bakhmut was changing hands.

"There are positions lost, and positions we are driving the enemy out of. Fierce fighting continues - as of now, the city is controlled by our armed forces," she told the WeUkraine television channel.

Wagner units advanced up to 160 metres (yards) in some directions on Tuesday, founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on the Telegram messaging app, repeating claims that Ukrainian forces now control less than three sq km (1.2 sq miles) of Bakhmut.

Prigozhin also repeated his complaints that Moscow was not supplying his forces with enough ammunition.

Reuters was unable to verify the battlefield situation.

Russia sees Bakhmut, once home to 70,000 people, as a stepping stone to attacking other Ukrainian cities.

The White House said on Monday Russia had exhausted its military stockpiles and armed forces, with some 100,000 Russian troops killed or wounded in Ukraine in the past five months, based on U.S. intelligence estimates.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the White House figures.

(Additional reporting by Nick Starkov, David Ljunggren and Lidia Kelly; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Grant McCool)
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during an event marking National Small Business Week, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis

By Andrea Shalal and Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden will not negotiate over the debt ceiling during his meeting with four top congressional leaders on May 9, but he will discuss starting "a separate budget process" to talk about spending priorities, the White House said on Tuesday.

Biden on Monday summoned the four Senate and House of Representatives leaders -- two fellow Democrats and two Republicans -- to the White House next week, after the U.S. Treasury warned the government could run short of cash to pay its bills as soon as June 1.

"He is not going to negotiate on the debt ceiling," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. But the president "is willing to have a separate conversation about their spending, what they want to do with the budget."

The debt limit was increased three times under Republican former President Donald Trump without an issue, she added.

The White House and Biden have previously asked Republicans for a clean debt ceiling hike and offered to discuss spending once the risk of default is off the table. Biden's position to discuss spending reflects a subtle shift in the White House's position to have discussions even as the risk of default looms.

Treasury's June 1 estimate raised the risk that the United States could be headed into an unprecedented default that would shake the global economy, adding urgency to political calculations in Washington, where Democrats and Republicans were girding for a months-long standoff.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a letter to Congress that the agency will be unlikely to meet all U.S. government payment obligations "potentially as early as June 1" without action by Congress.

The White House knew Yellen's letter would be released on Monday, Jean-Pierre said. The president thought it was a "good opportunity to remind Congressional leaders that we must not default," she said.

Biden called Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Jerusalem, where he is on a diplomatic trip, to invite him to the May 9 White House meeting. The two leaders haven't sat down to discuss the issue since February.

Jean-Pierre said "it is time for the speaker and the MAGA Republicans to stop the brinksmanship and act to prevent default."

Biden also made calls to the minority leaders in the Senate and House, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, and to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler and Jonathan Oatis)
ReportLinker

Forecasts by Offering (Hardware, Software), by Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs)), by Component (Camera Unit, LiDAR, Radar, Ultrasonic Sensor), by Level of Autonomy (Autonomy-L1, Autonomy-L2, Autonomy-L3, Autonomy-L4, Autonomy-L5), by Type (Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Other) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Pattern Analysis.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market Report 2023-2033" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454842/?utm_source=GNW





The Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market Report 2023-2033: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.





Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market Is Witnessing Significant Growth Due to the Rising Demand for Safety Features in Vehicles



The automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market is witnessing significant growth due to the rising demand for safety features in vehicles, increasing adoption of autonomous vehicles, and government regulations mandating the installation of ADAS in vehicles. The market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by the development of new technologies and the increasing awareness of the benefits of ADAS among consumers.





However, the market is not without its challenges, such as the high cost of advanced ADAS technologies and the need for standardized regulations to ensure safety and interoperability. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the market, with supply chain disruptions and a decrease in demand due to economic uncertainty.





Story continues

Nevertheless, the market is highly competitive, with established players such as Bosch, Continental, and Aptiv competing with newer entrants such as Tesla and Waymo. The market is also characterized by partnerships and collaborations between players to leverage each others strengths and capabilities.





What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report?



 How is the automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market evolving?



 What is driving and restraining the automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market?



 How will each automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033?



 How will the market shares for each automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) submarket develop from 2023 to 2033?



 What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033?



 Will leading automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?



 How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033?



 Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?



 What are the automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) projects for these leading companies?



 How will the industry evolve during the period between 2023 and 2033? What are the implications of automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?



 Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market?



 Where is the automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?



 What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?



 What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?





You need to discover how this will impact the automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market today, and over the next 10 years:



 Our 363-page report provides 128 tables and 204 charts/graphs exclusively to you.



 The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them  NOW.



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This report tells you TODAY how the automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market will develop in the next 10 years, and in line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years.





Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects



 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.



 You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.



 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) prices and recent developments.





This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report.





Segments Covered in the Report





Market Segment by Offering



 Hardware



 Software





Market Segment by Vehicle Type



 Passenger Cars



 Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)



 Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs)





Market Segment by Component



 Camera Unit



 LiDAR



 Radar



 Ultrasonic Sensor





Market Segment by Level of Autonomy



 Autonomy-L1



 Autonomy-L2



 Autonomy-L3



 Autonomy-L4



 Autonomy-L5





Market Segment by Type



 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)



 Lane Departure Warning (LDW)



 Blind Spot Detection (BSD)



 Forward Collision Warning (FCW)



 Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)



 Other Type





In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets:





North America



 U.S.



 Canada





Europe



 Germany



 Spain



 United Kingdom



 France



 Italy



 Rest of Europe





Asia Pacific



 China



 Japan



 India



 Australia



 South Korea



 Rest of Asia Pacific





Latin America



 Brazil



 Mexico



 Rest of Latin America





Middle East and Africa



 GCC



 South Africa



 Rest of Middle East and Africa





The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations.





Leading companies and the potential for market growth



 Autoliv Inc.



 Continental AG



 Intel Corporation



 Magna International Inc.



 Microsemi Corporation



 Nvidia Corporation



 NXP Semiconductors N.V.



 Panasonic Holdings Corporation



 Renesas Electronics Corporation



 Robert Bosch GmbH



 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.



 Texas Instruments Incorporated



 Valeo S.A.



 Xilinx, Inc.



 ZF Friedrichshafen AG





Overall world revenue for Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market, 2023 to 2033 in terms of value the market will surpass US$28.08 billion in 2023, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2033. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.





How will the Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market, 2023 to 2033 report help you?



In summary, our 360+ page report provides you with the following knowledge:





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for offering, vehicle type, component, level of autonomy, and type, each forecast at a global and regional level  discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues.





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for four regional and 20 key national markets  See forecasts for the Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies.





 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market  including company profiles for 15 of the major companies involved in the Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market, 2023 to 2033.







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454842/?utm_source=GNW



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ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and Governor of the Bank of Japan Kazuo Ueda attend the 26th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting in Incheon, South Korea, May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

By Leika Kihara

INCHEON, South Korea (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Tuesday the downside risks to Asia's economy were smaller than those to other parts of the world, partly due to the region's resilience to U.S. and European banking sector woes.

His remarks underscore optimism over the outlook for Asia's economy, which has a big influence on Japan's fragile recovery due to its proximity and huge market size.

"The risks Asia faces are smaller than those for other regions," Ueda told a briefing after attending a meeting of finance leaders from the ASEAN+3 - which comprises the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan, China and South Korea.

While Asian policymakers must be vigilant to the potential fallout from U.S. and European banking sector woes, the region's financial institutions have sufficient capital buffers and have little exposure to the problematic banks, he said.

"But policymakers must guard against possible spillovers from uncertainties over U.S. and European economies," he said.

Global recession risks are among key factors that will likely determine how soon the BOJ phases out its massive stimulus programme.

Asia has been among few bright spots in the global economy as China's rebound, thanks to the end to COVID-19 lockdowns, underpin the region's consumption and exports.

The ASEAN+3 economies grew by 3.2% in 2022 and is expected to expand by 4.6% in 2023, led by robust domestic demand, the group's joint statement said on Tuesday.

But Ueda said the group's finance leaders also discussed risks associated with China's outlook.

"China's economy is in good shape now due to the re-opening. But from a somewhat medium- to long-term perspective, there's a chance geo-political risks could hurt growth and have negative effects on the region's economy," Ueda said.

(Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Toby Chopra)
Members of Avaaz, a global web movement, protest in front of National Congress using backpacks to represent victims of school massacres lost due to lack of laws in the virtual world, in Brasilia, Brazil May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's government and judiciary objected on Tuesday to big tech firms campaigning against an internet regulation bill aimed at cracking down on fake news, alleging undue interference in the debate in Congress.

Bill 2630, also known as the Fake News Law, puts the onus on the internet companies, search engines and social messaging services to find and report illegal material, instead of leaving it to the courts, charging hefty fines for failures to do so.

Tech firms have been campaigning against the bill, including Google LLC which had added a link on its search engine in Brazil connecting to blogs against the bill and asking users to lobby their representatives.

Justice Minister Flavio Dino ordered Google to change the link on Tuesday, saying the company had two hours after notification or would face fines of one million reais ($198,000) per hour if it did not.

"What is this? An editorial? This is not a media or an advertising company," the minister told a news conference, calling Google's link disguised and misleading advertising for the company's stance against the law.

The U.S. company promptly pulled the link, though Google defended its right to communicate its concerns through "marketing campaigns" on its platforms and denied altering search results to favor material contrary to the bill.

"We support discussions on measures to combat the phenomenon of misinformation. All Brazilians have the right to be part of this conversation, and as such, we are committed to communicating our concerns about Bill 2630 publicly and transparently," it said in a statement.

The proposed law to penalize firms for not reporting fake news was due to be voted on in the lower house of Congress on Tuesday but it is facing opposition from conservative and Evangelical lawmakers. Later on Tuesday, Speaker Arthur Lira postponed the vote to allow for more debate.

Its critics say the bill needs wider debate because it was too hastily drawn up, allows censorship and will have the opposite result of rewarding those who post disinformation since the bill proposes that companies would have to pay content providers and copyrights on material posted on their sites.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the chief executives in Brazil for Google, Meta and Spotify to testify within five days explaining their conduct regarding the bill.

"Such conduct could configure, in theory, abuse of economic power on the eve of voting on the bill by trying to illegally and immorally impact public opinion and the vote in Congress," Justice Alexandre de Moraes said in his decision.

Brazil's antitrust regulator Cade said it would investigate Google and Meta's campaigns against the bill.

The Brazilian proposal is shaping up to be one of the world's strongest legislations on social media, comparable to the European Union's Digital Services Act enacted last year.

One of the bill's authors who will report on it to Congress, Representative Orlando Silva of the Communist Party of Brazil, said the law is needed to curb fake news that has poisoned Brazilian politics and impacted elections.

"Fake news led to the storming of government buildings on January 8 and has caused an environment of violence in our schools," he told Reuters.

The bill was fast tracked in the lower house after a series of fatal attacks in schools which social media allegedly encouraged, and new articles added to the bill have not been debated in Congressional committees before going to the vote.

Silva said the original draft of the bill included the creation of a state agency to watch out for illegal content, but this was dropped due to resistance in Congress.

($1 = 5.0416 reais)

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle, Ricardo Brito and Maria Carolina Marcello; Editing by Josie Kao, Conor Humphries and Lincoln Feast.)
FILE PHOTO: A representation of the cryptocurrency is seen in front of Coinbase logo in this illustration taken, March 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo

(Reuters) - Coinbase Global Inc launched an international exchange for cryptocurrency derivatives on Tuesday, as the company looks to expand its global footprint amid escalating tensions between the crypto sector and regulators in the United States.

The exchange will let institutional users in eligible jurisdictions outside the U.S. to trade in perpetual futures, Coinbase said.

The digital assets industry is recovering from several blow-ups last year, including the bankruptcy of Sam Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange FTX.

Last month, Coinbase Chief Executive Brian Armstrong had warned that crypto firms would develop in "offshore havens", unless the U.S. and Britain make their rules for the industry much clearer.

Coinbase, engaged in a tussle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said on Tuesday that countries around the world were developing themselves as crypto hubs due to a responsible regulatory framework.

"We would like to see the U.S. take a similar approach instead of regulation by enforcement, which has led to a disappointing trend for crypto development in the U.S.," the crypto exchange said.

Separately, another crypto exchange Gemini on Tuesday launched a derivatives platform for trading perpetual futures, outside the U.S. jurisdiction.

(Reporting by Siddarth S in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
FILE PHOTO: A general view of Infineon Technologies, a semiconductor producer, before a ceremony for Infineon's Smart Power Fab, in Dresden, Germany, May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Matthias Rietschel

DRESDEN, Germany (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday hailed the construction of a new factory by Germany's Infineon a milestone in mass chip production as Europe tries to capture a larger slice of the strategic industry.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of Infineon's factory in the German city of Dresden, von der Leyen said it was a step in Europe's goal of doubling its share of global chip production to 20% by 2030 by quadrupling its current capacity.

But she warned that Europe was still too dependent for raw materials on individual suppliers, citing in particular that China has a 76% share of producing the silicon metals needed in chip production.

The European Union wants to catch up with Asia and the United States and reduce its reliance on Asia at a time of heightened tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

The bloc last month agreed a 43-billion-euro ($47 billion) chip subsidies plan in a bid to secure supplies of critical components after COVID-19 lockdowns caused shortages that hurt output of everything from phones to cars and refrigerators.

"We are all experiencing how drastically geopolitical risks have grown. This is why it is vital that we in Europe strengthen the supply chains of our most important goods and technologies," von der Leyen said in a speech.

"This also means broadening our position when it comes to chips and having more of our own capacity available. For semiconductors, which are so vital, we need more mass production here in Europe."

Infineon expects production at the 5-billion-euro semiconductor plant, the largest investment in the company's history, to start in 2026.

Other chip manufacturers are also currently investing in Germany. The U.S. group Wolfspeed is building a plant in Saarland, investing 2.75 billion euros. Intel is building a large factory in Magdeburg.

($1 = 0.9127 euros)

(Reporting by Christina Amann and Matthias Williams; Editing by Susan Fenton)
By Orhan Coskun, Ahmed Rasheed and Timour Azhari

ANKARA/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - ISIS leader Abu Hussein al-Qurashi's six-month rule ended when he detonated a suicide vest during a Turkish special forces raid in northwest Syria on Saturday after refusing to surrender, a senior Turkish security official said.

The third ISIS leader to die by detonating an explosive vest during a raid since 2019, Qurashi leaves behind an organization that once ruled millions of people via its control of a third of Iraq and Syria but has now been forced underground.

The four-hour raid, led by Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), saw special forces blast their way through a perimeter fence, back door and walls of his hideout in a two-storey building near the town of Jandaris, the security official said.

Two Syrian security sources said Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups set a perimeter around the area while Turkish special forces, who one source said earlier entered Syria in armoured vehicles, raided the house.

The MIT declined to comment for this report. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday Qurashi "was neutralized" as part of the intelligence forces' operation.

Images of the site provided by the security official showed a red-roofed building with most of the walls on its ground floor blown out.

Metal and cinderblock debris lay scattered on a paved patio with a small fountain, and on the brick-red soil of an adjacent field planted with olive trees.

The MIT, which the Turkish source said had been following Qurashi for a long time, conducted the covert operation after determining he would soon relocate, the official said, adding that Qurashi detonated his suicide vest when he realised he would be captured.

There were calls for Qurashi to surrender but no response, the source said.

Like his predecessor, Qurashi never made a public address, a marker of how far the group's reach has fallen since former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi climbed the pulpit of a crowded mosque in Iraq in 2014 to declare his self-styled caliphate.

'LAST SAFE HAVEN'

Qurashi was the latest in a series of senior ISIS members to be either captured or killed in Syria's northwest, a sliver of territory held by rival militias, including hardline armed groups and jihadist factions backed by Turkey.

The area has become the most significant ISIS safe haven in the region after the group was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, with members and supporters slipping across the remote 600-km (370-mile) Iraqi-Syrian border.

Navvar Shaban, of the Omran Center for Strategic Studies, said: "There are a lot of sleeper cells in these areas that can facilitate more ISIS officials coming into these zones, and plenty of checkpoints at which they can pay money to get through easily."

An Iraqi intelligence official said: "The only safe haven for the senior Daesh (ISIS) leaders is in Syria, and specifically in areas bordering Turkey."

Iraqi intelligence cooperation with Turkey played a major role in recent operations targeting senior ISIS members, according to the source and a second Iraqi intelligence official focused on key IS leaders' activities in Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

The cooperation helped Turkey determine the approximate whereabouts of Qurashi in Syria

They said Turkey facilitated the entry of Iraqi agents into northwestern Syria, who then lured senior ISIS leader Khaled al-Jabouri from Turkey to Syria where he was killed in a U.S. drone strike last month.

In the process of that operation, Turkish-backed armed groups detained two ISIS members, based in Afrin and a village near Jandaris, who had aimed to provide Jabouri with a message from Qurashi, the sources said.

"This was a red flag that Qurashi was highly likely hiding in this area," one of the sources said.

The U.S. had also helped with the provision of intelligence obtained by advanced systems that could intercept ISIS communications in Syria, the source said.

A spokesperson for the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition said they do not comment on the military operations of other nations. A Turkish security official declined to comment on any Iraqi intelligence involvement in the operation.

SUCCESSION

With Qurashi gone, analysts expect ISIS to eventually announce a new leader.

He would become the fourth in as many years, presiding over a group that has seen a significant reduction in activities across the areas it operates, chiefly the Middle East and Africa.

The Iraqi intelligence officials said ISIS's new leader would likely be an Iraqi, like his predecessors, but there were only a handful of leaders left who were eligible to take over the role, three of whom were known to Iraqi intelligence.

Hassan Hassan, the author of a book on ISIS and editor of New Lines magazine which publishes work on the group, said ISIS previously built up leadership profiles to prepare followers for succession but had not been able to do so in recent years.

"ISIS no longer has the type of credible leaders it can advertise, at least internally, and the security situation has also become too complicated for it to prioritise that aspect," he told Reuters.

"The last leader was the hardest for even Iraqi and American intelligence to guess, and this applies even more to the coming one," he said.

ISIS has not confirmed or commented on the killing of its leader.

ISIS militants continue to wage insurgent attacks and a U.N. report published in February said ISIS is estimated to have 5,000 to 7,000 members and supporters spread between Syria and Iraq, roughly half of them fighters.

(Reporting by Orhan Coskun in Ankara, Ahmed Rasheed and Timour Azhari in Baghdad, Maya Gebeily in Beirut, and Khalil Ashawi in Istanbul; Writing by Timour Azhari; Editing by Nick Macfie)
FILE PHOTO: Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic appears before the Appeals Chamber of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals ("Mechanism") ruling on a appeal of his 40 year sentence for war crimes in The Hague, Netherlands, Ma

By Andrew Goudsward

(Reuters) - Family members of former Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic, who was convicted of war crimes for his role in the 1990s Balkan conflict, sued the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday over their continued inclusion on a U.S. sanctions list.

Karadzics wife Ljiljana, son Aleksandar and daughter Sonja said in a complaint in Washington, D.C., federal court that the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers U.S. sanctions, has unreasonably delayed its decision on whether to lift sanctions against them.

A Treasury Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The trio was sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2003 after being suspected of helping Karadzic evade authorities as he faced indictment by a United Nations tribunal on charges connected to the genocide of Muslims in Bosnia.

The family claimed in the lawsuit that they did not help Karadzic avoid arrest.

Karadzic was arrested in 2008 and later sentenced to life in prison for his role in the July 1995 Srebrenica massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces.

His family said they began petitioning the Treasury Department in 2020 to be removed from a list of sanctioned individuals known as the "Specially Designated Nationals" list. Inclusion on the list cost them employment opportunities, prevented them from opening bank accounts and unfairly attached a stigma, according to the lawsuit.

Despite three years of conversations between OFAC and the familys attorney, the department has yet to make a decision on any of the three requests, according to the complaint.

Its unfair for somebody to have to wait so long before getting a decision, said the familys attorney, Peter Robinson.

The lawsuit asked the court to order OFAC to decide on their requests within 30 days and seeks attorney fees.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Washington; Editing by David Bario and Matthew Lewis)
ALMATY (Reuters) -A fire broke out on Monday at a gas processing plant on the Zhanazhol gas condensate field in Kazakhstan, local authorities and the company developing the field said on Tuesday.

Four workers have been hospitalised with heavy burns at the facility run by Kazakh-Chinese joint venture CNPC Aktobemunaigas, the Aktobe regional government said, adding that firefighters were still working on putting out the fire.

However, the company said in a statement that the fire, which broke out during repair works at an internal gas pipeline, has already been extinguished, and production at the plant has resumed.

The Zhanazhol plant located in northwestern Kazakhstan is the country's biggest producer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is widely used as a car fuel and for heating and cooking.

(Reporting by Vladimir SOldatkin and Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Alison Williams and Louise Heavens)
FILE PHOTO: Former Florida State Attorney Andrew Warren, who Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had suspended from his duties for neglecting to enforce a proposed 15-week abortion ban and gender transition treatments for minors, gives a statement after learnin

By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - A lawyer for a Florida prosecutor on Tuesday urged a federal appeals court to reinstate his client after the state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, indefinitely suspended him over his pledge not to prosecute people seeking or providing abortions.

"This governor punishes dissenting voices," David A. O'Neil, a lawyer for suspended prosecutor Andrew Warren, told a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "It's what he does."

O'Neil said suspending Warren, a Democrat who was elected head of the state attorney's office in Tampa, violated his right to free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and subverted the will of the voters who elected him.

Henry Whitaker, a lawyer in the Florida Attorney General's office representing DeSantis, said Warren was suspended for his conduct of refusing to enforce the law, not for his speech.

Whitaker urged the court to uphold a January ruling in favor of DeSantis by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. The judge found that the suspension violated Florida state law, but that as a federal judge he did not have the power to overrule it.

Circuit Judge Kevin Newsom, an appointee of former Republican President Donald Trump, appeared the most skeptical of Warren's case, at one point saying outright that he did not see a First Amendment violation.

Circuit Judge Jill Pryor, who was appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, and U.S. District Judge Anne Conway, who normally sits in federal court in Orlando and was appointed by former Republican President George H.W. Bush, also sat on the panel. They did not clearly signal how they would rule.

Warren, who won re-election in 2020 as the Hillsborough County state attorney, sued DeSantis last August. He said the governor illegally retaliated against him after he joined prosecutors around the country in signing a statement vowing not to use their offices to criminalize reproductive health decisions. He signed on June 24, the day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion.

Florida at the time banned abortion after 15 weeks. Last month, DeSantis signed a bill banning it after six weeks.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and David Gregorio)
(Reuters) - Tesla Inc was the biggest loser among top companies by market capitalisation in April, hit by disappointing quarterly earnings after it posted the lowest quarterly gross margin in two years.

Tesla's market cap dropped to $520.7 billion at the end of April from $657.5 billion in March, a 20.8% decline, pushing it to 9th in the rankings from 7th in January.

Graphic: Change in market cap in April https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GLOBAL-MARKETS/zgvobykokpd/chart.png

It was followed by China's Tencent Holdings <0700.HK,>, whose market cap fell 10.7% to $419.9 billion last month, amid heavy selling by technology investment firm Prosus.

On the other hand, Apple Inc and Microsoft Corp saw their market values jump after robust first-quarter earnings.

Saudi Aramco, the world's third-most valuable company, saw its market capitalisation jump to $2.2 trillion in April, a 12.5% increase over March.

(Reporting by Patturaja Murugaboopathy and Gaurav Dogra in Bengaluru; Editing by Mark Potter)
FILE PHOTO: The logo for Google LLC is seen at their office in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

(Reuters) -Alphabet Inc-owned Google and Apple Inc said on Tuesday they were working together to curb unwanted tracking of people by Bluetooth devices such as AirTags used for finding lost items.

The companies together have submitted a draft with specifications that will require all Bluetooth location-tracking devices to alert users of any unauthorized tracking on both iOS and Android devices.

Feedback from device manufacturers as well as various safety and advocacy groups has been integrated into the specifications, the companies said, adding that have support from companies such as Samsung Electronics and consumer electronics company Tile.

Since the launch of AirTags, privacy experts and law enforcement have said some people use it for criminal or malicious purposes.

AirTags are intended to be slipped into or attached to keys, wallets, backpacks and other items so people can find them when they are lost.

In an effort to boost privacy, Apple in 2021 had launched an Android detector app to help users scan nearby AirTags or other similar item trackers that might be traveling with them without their knowledge.

Earlier in 2020, Apple and Google also said they would ban the use of location tracking in apps that use a contact tracing system meant to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

(Reporting by Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
Avricore Health Inc.

The Company will host an investor update call on May 3rd with CEO Hector Bremner to share the Companys outlook and take questions

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AVRICORE HEALTH INC. (TSXV: AVCR) (the "Company" or AVCR) today is pleased to announce its audited final results for 2022.



The Company achieved record revenues of over $1.75 million while it also continues to narrow the gap to net profitability, clearly demonstrating stellar fiscal management during a time of exceptional growth.

We are extremely pleased by these results and thank everyone involved in both the success of the year and the effort that continues to keep progressing towards our objective to be the global leader for testing and data in pharmacy. said Hector Bremner, CEO of Avricore Health Inc. We are seeing the powerful impacts on patient outcomes with HealthTab in the hands of pharmacists and believe the era of better care has finally arrived.

The Company previously advised of unaudited earnings being slightly higher than the final audited numbers, as the Company took a prudent step in deferring revenue from a sale in Q4 that was delayed in transit and did not reach the customer warehouse before year end. The transaction was booked as deferred revenue and has since been taken into Q1 2023 revenue.

The Company also is pleased to host those interested in an investor update call with Q&A where CEO Hector Bremner will share more on the Companys plans and outlook.

Call Details:



May 3, 2023 @ 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET via Zoom

Register here to receive login details: Investor@avricorehealth.com

Visit www.sedar.com and search AVCR to review the consolidated financials for the Company.

HEALTHTAB  KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Key developments have included:

The Company recognized revenue of $1,768,374 and deferred revenue of $252,000, which was delayed in transit and delivered after the year end. A total of $2,020,374 in sales was invoiced in 2022.

The Company has significantly expanded the number of Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies offering its HealthTab point-of-care testing platform under a renewed Master Service Agreement (MSA) to 532 locations nation-wide. In addition to Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies, this new MSA and corresponding Statement of Work (SOW) provides for affiliated locations under the Loblaws family of brands, to utilize HealthTab upon request.

In 100 of these locations, the Company is deploying Abbotts ID Now, either in combination with the Afinion 2 or standalone, to support virus detection and assess the demand and effectiveness of infectious disease screening in community pharmacies.

416 HealthTab systems were operating in Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw family stores including pharmacist walk-in clinics as of December 31, 2022, 378 in Ontario and 23 in British Columbia, 6 in Nova Scotia, 5 in Alberta and 4 in New Brunswick. The Company was honoured to have HealthTab placed in the first pharmacist-led primary healthcare clinic located in Lethbridge, Alberta. Not only was this the first clinic, it was also the first system placed in a Real Canadian Superstore, as well as its first Alberta location.

As of the date of this report 532 participating Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies and Loblaw family stores are offering screening tests to patients via HealthTab systems. This innovative practice in healthcare delivery is expected to expand, as provinces struggle to recruit more family physicians. The programs primary focus is to screen patients at-risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In-store signage and print material will let customers know they are able to request HealthTab tests, and existing patients will be made aware through direct outreach from their Shoppers Drug Mart or Real Canadian Superstore pharmacist based on their health profile.

On March 28 th , 2023 the Government of Canada tabled is budget for the year ahead, including a 10-year funding agreement with the Nations provinces to increase healthcare funding. This new funding approach is novel for the fact that each province will have specific agreements, opposed to the more traditional generalized formula. This approach is expected to bring substantial innovations related to healthcare data and new healthcare service delivery, as the provinces agreed to make changes to rules and practices which have limited data-flow optimization and healthcare access.

The Canadian Medical Association expressed support for many of the initiatives on March 30 th , 2023 in relation to the healthcare agreement and encouraged government to institute recommendations from the Addressing Canadas Health Workforce Crisis report from the Standing Committee on Health. One of the key items they pointed to was optimizing scopes of practice for health professionals.

Most provinces have already begun expanding the scope of practice of their pharmacists, with 7 provinces allowing these healthcare professionals to prescribe for minor ailments and 8 provinces either allowing or will soon allow them to order and interpret lab results.

As of July 1st, 2022, the Government of Ontario brought into effect an expanded scope of practice for community pharmacists in the province, joining Alberta in this growing and popular approach. This includes limited prescribing for minor ailments, as well as the ability to perform certain point-of-care tests to assist patients with managing chronic disease. Approved tests include glucose, HbA1c and lipids, all of which HealthTab currently offers with the Abbott Afinion 2. Also announced as part of this plan in Ontario, is a second stage of scope modifications, which will begin on January 1, 2023. This stage allows for limited prescribing for minor ailments and certain prescription renewals, further enhancing the value of community pharmacy.

Story continues

The Company has begun discussions with several additional HealthTab clients and is currently working through the data security and other reviews required before any deployments.



These changes, and increasing demand, means Canadian pharmacy business is rapidly changing before our eyes, from being product focused to service focused. At $51.4 billion, the industry already represents a significant impact on healthcare, and the anticipated increase in funding and new service offerings, including point-of-care testing, will mean this practice will play an even more impactful role going forward.

ANNUAL FINANCIAL RESULTS

The following financial data for the three years is derived from the Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2022 2021 2020 Total revenue $ 1,768,374 $ 122,808 $ 33,030 Loss from operations $ 818,228 $ 1,708,132 $ 1,173,966 Loss per share  basic and diluted $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ 0.02 Total assets $ 2,568,983 $ 2,281,393 $ 440,090 Total current liabilities(1) $ 604,893 $ 84,477 $ 1,154,131 Total non-current financial liabilities Nil Nil Nil

(1) 2022 Current liabilities include deferred revenue of $252,000 for which the Company completed delivery in Q1 2023.





QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table highlights selected unaudited consolidated financial data for each of the eight most recent quarters that, in management's opinion, have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. These results are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period, and you should not rely on these results to predict future performance.

Quarter Ended Dec

2022 Sep

2022 Jun

2022 Mar

2022 Dec

2021 Sep

2021 Jun

2021 Mar

2021 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Revenue 997,235 572,228 176,175 42,736 35,190 75,104 4,939 7,575 Gross profit (loss) 168,845 215,961 56,874 15,113 9,317 20,555 (998) 1,647 Share-based

compensation 243,000 58,354 9,069 21,099 9,169 74,722 24,965 386,935 Comprehensive income (loss) (244,789) (180,398) (207,363) (185,678) (208,895) (439,311) (344,620) (715,306) Net income (loss)/share (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.01) Total Assets 2,568,983 2,128,017 1,985,085 2,122,816 2,281,393 2,517,569 2,541,099 2,740,053

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

The Company incurred comprehensive loss of $818,228 for the year ended December 31, 2022 (2021 - $1,708,132). Significant changes are as follows:

Revenue increased to $1,768,374 (2021 - $122,808) with $252,000 deferred to Q1 2023 as the test products sold did not reach their destination in time to be recognized as Q4 2022 revenues. This increase was due to the significant expansion of HealthTab systems deployed and tests sold. Gross profit amounted to $456,793 (2021  $30,521).





Expenses decreased to $1,274,738 (2021  $1,776,263) a decrease of 28%, primarily due to a decrease in consulting, marketing and communication and share-based compensation expenses.





Consulting fees of $197,860 (2021 - $355,350) decreased due to lower corporate finance and government relations consultant engagements.





Shareholder communications expense decreased to $173,035 (2021 - $329,342) mainly due to completion of shareholder communication and awareness programs in 2021.





Share-based compensation of $331,522 (2021 - $495,791) was recognized for stock options granted, vested, and repriced during the year.





Amortization expenses increased to $183,047 (2021: $17,984) due to significant investments in equipment and intangible assets in the current year.



About Avricore Health Inc.

Avricore Health Inc. (TSXV: AVCR) is a pharmacy service innovator focused on acquiring and developing early-stage technologies aimed at moving pharmacy forward. Through its flagship offering HealthTab, a wholly owned subsidiary, the Companys mission is to make actionable health information more accessible to everyone by creating the worlds largest network of rapid testing devices in community pharmacies.

About HealthTab

HealthTab is a turnkey point-of-care testing solution that combines best-in-class point-of-care technologies with a secure, cloud-based platform for tackling pressing global health issues. With just a few drops of blood from a finger prick, the system generates lab-accurate results on the spot and data is reported in real time. The test menu includes up to 23 key biomarkers for screening and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease (e.g., HbA1c, Lipid Profile, eGFR). HealthTab has also recently added capabilities for bacterial and viral tests, such as strep and COVID-19.

The HealthTab network model is unlike anything in pharmacy today. It gives knowledgeable and trusted pharmacists a greater role in primary care delivery, while empowering patients to take more control of their health. It also reduces costs and waiting times and provides many potential revenue streams including equipment leasing & consumables, direct access testing, disease prevention & management programs, sponsored health programs, decentralized clinical trials, real world data (RWD) sets, and third-party app integration through API.



HealthTab Market Fast Facts

Point of Care Testing Market to reach $93.21 Billion USD in 2030 (Source)

Nearly 13.6 Million Canadians expected to be diabetic or prediabetic by 2030, with many undiagnosed (Source)

Over 1 in 3 Americans, approximately 88 million people, have pre-diabetes (Source)

Close to 160,000 Canadians 20 years and older are diagnosed with heart disease each year, often its only after a heart attack they are diagnosed. (Source)

There are more that 10,000 pharmacies in Canada, 88,000 pharmacies in the US, nearly 12,000 in the UK.



Contact:

Avricore Health Inc.

Hector Bremner, CEO 604-773-8943

info@avricorehealth.com

www.avricorehealth.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information in this press release that involves Avricore Health's expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Avricore Health generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," "future," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming," and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. In this press release, forward-looking statements include statements regarding: the completion of the placement and the expected timing thereof and the Company's expected use of proceeds from the placement; the unique features that the HealthTab platform offers to pharmacists and patients. Forward-looking statements reflect the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts of Avricore Health's management. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to Avricore Health as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Avricore Health and are subject to a few risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, including without limitation: failure to meet regulatory requirements; changes in the market; potential downturns in economic conditions; and other risk factors described in Avricore's public filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.




By Julia Payne

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A group of 19 European Union member states are pushing for measures to reduce the bloc's dependency on Chinese imports of pharmaceutical ingredients, a paper dated May 2 showed.

The move comes a week after the European Commission proposed an overhaul of the legislation governing its 136 billion euro ($148 billion) pharmaceuticals industry.

The Commission's proposed bill aims to revive investment, reduce shortages and boost access to affordable drugs at a time when health budgets have been drained by the costs of treating COVID-19.

However, the countries backing the paper - including Belgium, France, Spain and Germany - want the EU to take more "drastic steps" to shore up Europe's security of supply for vital drug ingredients with a Critical Medicines Act.

The countries are concerned about the global reliance on China for key ingredients and a handful of manufacturers. Less than five sites manufacture more than 50% of the ingredients that meet European standards.

"The EU is becoming increasingly dependent on imports from a few manufacturers and regions...In 2019, globally more than 40% of APIs (Active pharmaceutical ingredients) were sourced from China," the paper said.

"Furthermore, almost all API producers depend on China for intermediate inputs."

The Commission is aiming to put a list of critical medicines that will require more monitoring to ensure shortages are avoided across the bloc.

"For these medicines, the supply must be monitored, the global value chains must be mapped and (potential) suppliers and vulnerabilities identified," the paper said.

The list should start with those medications that have repeatedly been in short supply, it said.

The countries would also like to see measures that allow EU member states to rely on each other in "extreme cases where no alternative suppliers or medicines can be found".

(Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
A Go First airline, formerly known as GoAir, Airbus A320-271N passenger aircraft prepares to take off from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas

By Chris Thomas, Dhanya Skariachan and Tanvi Mehta

BENGALURU (Reuters) -Cash-strapped Indian airline Go First filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, blaming "faulty" Pratt & Whitney engines for the grounding of about half its fleet.

The move marks the first major airline collapse in India since Jet Airways filed for bankruptcy in 2019, and underscores the fierce competition in a sector dominated by IndiGo and the recent merger of Air India and Vistara under the Tata conglomerate.

Go First's total debt to financial creditors was 65.21 billion rupees as of April 28, it said in a bankruptcy filing with the National Company Law Tribunal.

The company had not defaulted on any of those dues as of April 30, but had defaulted on payments to operational creditors, including 12.02 billion rupees to vendors and 26.60 billion rupees to aircraft lessors, it said in the filing.

In a statement, Go First said its filing followed a refusal by Pratt & Whitney, the exclusive engine supplier for the airline's Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet, to comply with an arbitration order to release spare leased engines that would have allowed the airline to return to full operations.

Grounded aircraft "due to Pratt & Whitney's faulty engines" ballooned from 7% of its fleet in December 2019 to 50% in December 2022, the airline said, costing it 108 billion rupees ($1.32 billion) in lost revenues and additional expenses.

Pratt & Whitney said in a statement to Reuters that it was "committed to the success of our airline customers, and we continue to prioritize delivery schedules for all customers."

"P&W is complying with the March 2023 arbitration ruling related to Go First. As this is now a matter of litigation, we will not comment further," it added.

In February, the boss of Raytheon Technologies, which owns Pratt & Whitney, acknowledged that its GTF engines had had reliability issues.

Pratt & Whitney has also been quoted in Indian media as saying it was affected by industry-wide supply chain pressures and that it expects those to ease later this year, which would support increased output of new and overhauled engines.

Analysts have said bigger rival IndiGo has been able to withstand the impact better, thanks to its larger fleet and a deeper pocket.

Go First, owned by the Wadia Group and formerly known as GoAir, said on its website that it had cancelled flights scheduled for May 3 to May 5 due to "operational reasons".

"The government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner," India's Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a statement. "The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved."

The collapse could boost rival airlines as the industry tries to meet a surge in post-pandemic air travel.

"The sudden disruption in operations is likely to benefit other players and increase airfares due to supply constraint," wrote Jinesh Joshi, a research analyst with Prabhudas Lilladher.

SURPRISE MOVE

The move took Go First's lenders by surprise, two bankers aware of the matter told Reuters.

The lenders met Go First's management a few weeks ago, but no intimation was given, one of the bankers said. Lenders will meet soon to assess the situation and decide on a future course of action, they said.

"I am a little stunned to hear of them file for bankruptcy," said Mark Martin, CEO at aviation consulting firm Martin Consulting LLC. "I still feel that this might not be the end of Go First. This must be a vehicle and a means for somebody new to take over."

Go First's problems, which forced it to delay its planned $440 million IPO in 2021, led to an erosion in its market share to 6.9% in March from 8.4% in January, latest data from the Indian aviation regulator showed.

The Wadia Group had been reported to be in talks to either sell its majority stake or completely exit its shareholding. Wadia Group did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Go First said the groundings had driven some lessors to "repossess aircraft, draw down letters of credit and notify further withdrawal of aircraft."

Employees were caught unaware as they heard about the halt in daily operations first from local media, according to three pilots who did not want to be named. They have been receiving their salaries with a delay for the past few months, the pilots added.

"We understand that this news is likely to be distressing, and we remain committed to offer our support to all of you during this difficult time," Go First later said in a email to employees.

($1 = 81.7420 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan, Chris Thomas and Varun Vyas in Bengaluru, Tanvi Mehta and Arpan Chaturvedi in New Delhi, Siddhi Nayak in Mumbai. Additional reporting by Abhijith GanapavaramEditing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty, Mark Potter and Rosalba O'Brien)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Germany's involvement in the Ukraine conflict was growing by the day, and that Berlin had no way of ensuring that weapons it had provided to Ukraine would not be used against Russian territory.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said German-supplied weapons were already being used in the Donbas region, which Russia has declared its own, a step Ukraine and the West have dismissed as illegal.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that Germany had insisted, like other NATO member countries, that the weapons it is supplying to Ukraine must not be used against Russian territory.

But Peskov told reporters: "First, Germany doesn't have a way to check. Second, the weapons supplied by Germany to the Kyiv regime are already firing at Russian territory, because the Donbas is a Russian region."

He said Germany's "direct and indirect involvement" in the conflict was increasing, adding: "The German chancellor should take that as his starting point."

The two regions of eastern Ukraine collectively known as the Donbas have been the focus of fighting between Ukraine and Russian or Russian-backed forces since 2014.

Russia unilaterally annexed them last year, along with two other Ukrainian regions, despite not fully controlling them.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
FILE PHOTO: A sign is displayed on the Morgan Stanley building in New York U.S., July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo

(Reuters) - Morgan Stanley is looking to resolve more than a year long investigation by U.S. regulators into its block trading practices, the Wall Street bank said in a filing on Tuesday.

The company is engaged in discussions with the enforcement division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the regulatory filing said.

Block trading tends to increase during times of volatility as institutional investors rebalance their portfolios.

Broker-dealers frequently buy and sell blocks of shares, either on behalf of clients or as part of a hedging strategy, which are large enough to move a company's share price.

Still, the filing cautioned that there is no assurance that the investigations into the Wall Street firm's blocks business and sales and trading practices will be resolved.

The company disclosed in February that it was cooperating with U.S. regulators over those investigations.

Reuters reported last year that the SEC was probing whether financial executives may have broken the rules by tipping off hedge funds ahead of such trades.

(Reporting by Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
FILE PHOTO: Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy speaks outside a courtroom where five former Memphis police officers who have been charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols appeared during an arraignment hearing at Shelby County courth

By Tyler Clifford

(Reuters) -One of the former Memphis police officers involved in the attempted arrest of Tyre Nichols will not face criminal charges and is expected to testify against five others accused of brutalizing the Black motorist to death, a prosecutor said on Tuesday.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said his office declined to charge the 26-year-old officer, Preston Hemphill, because he was not at the scene where five other officers battered Nichols, a 29-year-old Black father.

"We're not endorsing what happened, but we do not believe that criminal charges are appropriate," Mulroy told reporters. "He had to make his decisions based on what he knew or what he thought was happening and following the lead and in support of the other officers."

Hemphill, who is white, could be seen on bodycam video arriving at the initial traffic stop and deploying a Taser on Nichols next to his vehicle. While Hemphill was not involved in the pursuit of Nichols, his bodycam recorded him saying, "I hope they stomp his ass."

The five former officers charged with second-degree murder are all Black.

An autopsy will be available soon and is expected to confirm that Nichols died of injuries from the beating, Mulroy added.

Police video of the incident showed officers kicking, punching and beating Nichols with a baton on Jan. 7. Nichols died of his injuries three days later.

The beating came after the car Nichols was driving was pulled over and officers tried to arrest him. He ran to a second site where the beating took place.

Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for the Nichols family, said in a statement that they understood Hemphill will continue to assist in investigations.

"In light of this, we are supportive of no charges for this individual," the statement said.

Hemphill, along with those accused of murder and a seventh officer, were relieved of their duties by the Memphis Police Department.

In firing Hemphill, the department said he was not truthful and violated multiple department policies, including Taser use. Hemphill possessed "personally owned" handcuffs and lied that he saw Nichols driving recklessly and putting up a fight with officers.

Prosecutors will not charge any other officer who arrived after the beating but are still investigating fire department staff, Mulroy said.

Three members of the Memphis Fire Department were fired and one was suspended.

(Reporting by Tyler Clifford in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Lisa Shumaker)
Supporters of presidential candidate Paraguayo Cubas try to stop a car outside Paraguay's Superior Court of Electoral Justice to demand a recount of votes, in Asuncion, Paraguay May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

(Reuters) - The Organization of American States (OAS) said on Tuesday that its electoral observation mission saw no reason to put into doubt Paraguay's election results, following protests by supporters of a right-wing candidate who came in third.

The statement follows clashes on Monday between police and supporters of Paraguayo Cubas amid complaints of fraud in a vote that the ruling Colorado Party won comfortably.

President-elect Santiago Pena won 43% of the vote on Sunday compared with 27% for runner-up Efrain Alegre. Cubas, who surprised observers by winning nearly 23%, called in a post on Instagram for a recount and asked his supporters to protest.

(Reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Sarah Morland)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Sirens warning of incoming rockets sounded in Israeli areas near Gaza, the Israeli military said on Tuesday, in the second salvo since the death of a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike earlier.

Shortly before the rockets were fired, a Hamas radio station said an Israeli tank shelled a Hamas security position near the border but there was no immediate Israeli confirmation.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Henriette Chacar; Editing by James McKenzie)
FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz looks on during a visit to a Red Cross emergency point in Koblenz, Germany May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz aims to discuss the conflict in Sudan, signal his support for the peace process in Ethiopia and explore cooperation on green hydrogen with Kenya during his trip to East Africa this week, officials said on Tuesday.

Scholz's three-day stay in Ethiopia and Kenya, which will include a business delegation, is his second official visit to Africa as chancellor as the West increasingly vies for influence and trade worldwide with other powers, notably China.

In Ethiopia, he will meet on Thursday with the prime minister and the interim leader of the Tigray region to discuss progress in ensuring peace after a two-year war that killed tens of thousands of people, the German government officials told a briefing.

He will also meet with the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to discuss the latest developments in Sudan, economic cooperation and global challenges such as climate change.

On Friday, he will meet the president of Kenya, East Africa's biggest economy, to discuss trade and other issues.

Asked if Scholz would address the Ukraine war, the officials said he always sought to explain the West's point of view and address the global implications such as rising food insecurity and energy prices.

On Saturday, Scholz will visit Africa's biggest geothermal plant, at Lake Naivasha, in the geologically active Great Rift Valley, which is key to Kenya's plans for producing green hydrogen.

The German officials played down the possibility of any imminent deal on cooperation on green hydrogen.

Instead, the German development agency GIZ would hold a forum on the topic during the visit within the framework of Germany's long-standing energy partnership which derives 90% of its power from renewable energy sources.

"Kenya is a leader on the African continent on climate protection and renewables and has enormous convening power, so the chancellor's visit also aims to strengthen that," one official said.

Kenya was interested in producing green hydrogen to use in fertilizer production but could potentially export to Germany in future if supply was extensive, the officials said.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh, editing by Ed Osmond)
FILE PHOTO: Fatma Dahab Ousman, a Sudanese refugee who fled the violence in her country, sells tea and porridge to other refugees near the border between Sudan and Chad, in Koufroun, Chad May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Mahamat Ramadane REFILE - CORRECTING SPELLING

By Mohamed Noureldin

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's warring military factions agreed to a new and longer seven-day ceasefire from Thursday, neighbour and mediator South Sudan said, even as more air strikes and shooting in the Khartoum capital region undercut their latest supposed truce.

Previous ceasefire pledges have ranged from 24 to 72 hours but there have been constant truce violations in the conflict that erupted in mid-April between the army and a paramilitary force.

South Sudan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that mediation championed by its president, Salva Kiir, had led both sides to agree a weeklong truce from Thursday to May 11 and to name envoys for peace talks. The current ceasefire was due to expire on Wednesday.

It was unclear, however, how army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and paramilitary Rapid Support forces (RSF) leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo would proceed.

On Tuesday, witnesses reported more air strikes in the cities of Omdurman and in Bahri, both on the opposite bank of the Nile River from Khartoum.

Al Jazeera television said Sudanese army warplanes were targeting RSF positions, and anti-aircraft fire could be heard from Khartoum.

India's embassy in Khartoum was stormed and looted, Sudan's army said in a statement, citing a report from the ambassador. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said early on Wednesday that the building in Khartoum that houses its cultural mission was similarly vandalised and looted by an armed group. No casualties were reported.

Army jets have been bombing RSF units dug into residential districts of the capital region. Conflict has also spread to Sudan's western Darfur region where the RSF emerged from tribal militias that fought alongside government forces to crush rebels in a brutal civil war dating back 20 years.

The commanders of the army and RSF, who had shared power as part of an internationally backed transition towards free elections and civilian government, have shown no sign of backing down, yet neither seems able to secure a quick victory.

REGION AT RISK

Prolonged conflict could draw in outside powers.

Fighting now in its third week has engulfed Khartoum - one of Africa's largest cities - and killed hundreds of people. Sudan's Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that 550 people have died and 4,926 injured.

Foreign governments were winding down evacuation operations that sent thousands of their citizens home. Britain said its last flight would depart Port Sudan on the Red Sea on Wednesday and urged any remaining Britons wanting to leave to make their way there.

The conflict has also created a humanitarian crisis, with around 100,000 people forced to flee with little food or water to neighbouring countries, the United Nations said.

Aid deliveries have been held up in a nation where about one-third of people already relied on humanitarian assistance. A broader disaster could be in the making as Sudan's impoverished neighbours grapple with a refugee influx.

"The entire region could be affected," Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said in a Japanese newspaper interview on Tuesday as a Burhan envoy met Egyptian officials in Cairo.

The U.N. World Food Programme said on Monday it was resuming work in the safer parts of Sudan after a pause earlier in the conflict, in which some of its staff were killed.

Graphic: Sudan's conflict: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/SUDAN-POLITICS/gdvzqjmwrpw/chart.png

'THE SITUATION IS A CALAMITY'

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it had delivered some aid to the capital from Port Sudan, a road journey of about 800 km (500 miles).

Some 330,000 Sudanese have also been displaced inside Sudan's borders by the war, the U.N. migration agency said.

"The situation is a calamity," Hassan Mohamed Ali, a 55-year-old state employee, said during a stopover in Atbara, 350 km (220 miles) northeast of Khartoum, en route to the Egyptian frontier.

"We suffer from power and water cuts, our children have stopped school. What's happening in Khartoum is hell."

Displaced Sudanese families have also made their way, sometimes on foot under scorching desert sun, hundreds of kilometres (miles) to Chad and South Sudan.

About 800,000 people could eventually leave, according to the U.N.

More than 40,000 people have crossed the border into Egypt over the past two weeks but only after days of delays. Most migrants have had to pay hundreds of dollars to make the 1,000-km (620-mile) journey north from Khartoum.

It took Aisha Ibrahim Dawood and her relatives five days in a rented car to get from Khartoum to the northern town of Wadi Halfa, where the women and children crammed into a back of a truck that brought them to a queue at the Egyptian border.

"Our suffering is unprecedented," she said.

(Reporting by Mohamed Noureldin; Additional reporting by Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo, Emma Farge and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva, Duncan Miriri in Nairobi and Ayenat Mersie in Dollow, Somalia; writing by Angus McDowall, Mark Heinrich and Cynthia Osterman; editing by Nick Macfie, Andrew Cawthorne and Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: Civilians wait at sea port to be evacuated by Saudi Arabia from Sudan to escape the conflicts, in Port Sudan, Sudan, April 30, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour

By Yazan Kalach and Orhan Qereman

CAIRO/QAMISHLI, Syria (Reuters) - Radwan Hisham Wahba fled Syria in 2012 for Sudan, hoping to build a new life after being shot when his country collapsed into civil war. Now, as violence engulfs his adopted home, he and many other Syrians living there are on the move once more.

Days after escaping the bloodshed in Khartoum as military factions turned on each other in a new war, Wahba is camping in the streets of Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast waiting for passage to safety and another fresh start.

"Let's just say that wherever the Syrian goes he will live through war," said Wahba, from Zamalka near Damascus.

"You can't imagine what it was like for civilians and foreigners alike. Everyone was under indiscriminate bombardment. Rockets were fired and you didn't know where they would land," he said of the war in Khartoum.

More than 66,000 Syrians ended up in Sudan after their homeland was torn apart by the conflict since 2011, according to U.N. figures, drawn by easy entry requirements.

Many now seek to join the flood of foreigners who have left Sudan in past days, including in evacuations organised by their governments. Fearing a return to their shattered homeland, some Syrians are now stranded between two conflicts.

"We were very afraid because of the shelling and clashes, and the lack of electricity and water," said Sham al-Darzi, 45, explaining how she and her two sons and pregnant daughter had sheltered at home for a week before fleeing.

The Syrian conflict drove a wave of migration as hundreds of thousands of people were killed and the economy collapsed, with more than half the pre-war population leaving their homes and millions seeking a new life overseas.

"When we came to Sudan we expected there to be psychological comfort. That we could at least work and establish a new life. But the war that happened here was a great shock," said Mahmoud Suweidan, 33, who left Syria only last year looking for work.

He was shocked by the intensity of the fighting. "We lived through 12 years of war. In Khartoum 12 days feels like 12 years," he said.

FEARS

Major warfare in Syria has mostly stopped, though the country is still divided between government, rebel and Kurdish-controlled zones, but Darzi, along with some other Syrians Reuters spoke to, is unwilling to go back.

She fears her sons will be conscripted for use in further bouts of warfare, having left Syria in 2013. Many Syrians also fear reprisals for supporting the wrong side.

With people flooding to Port Sudan from Khartoum, prices have risen rapidly and few can afford the $83 a night that Darzi said landlords were demanding for an apartment. Like Wahba, she and her family are living in the street.

"All countries evacuate their nationals except the Syrians. No one cares about us," said Darzi, who is from al-Kiswah south of Damascus.

Saudi Arabian state media has reported that Syrian nationals were among those evacuated to Jeddah by the Saudi navy last week, and Syria's Chams airline said it was running two flights from Port Sudan to Syria on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But most have so far remained stuck in Port Sudan.

Their disappointment at being unable to join an evacuation and their temporary stay in uncomfortable conditions in Port Sudan follow a hard and dangerous journey.

"It took us four and a half hours from Khartoum just to reach Madani (a town not far from the capital) because of the different checkpoints, the damaged roads and the burning tanks each side of the road," said Suweidan.

It took him a total of 36 hours to make the full 800km (500 mile) drive. He said he had heard of a Syrian being killed at a checkpoint after an argument with the men manning it.

(Reporting by Yazan Kalach in Cairo and Orhan Qereman in Qamishli, Syria; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Aztec Minerals Corp. (TSX-V:AZT)(OTCQB:AZZTF) and Dragoon Resources LLC ("Tombstone JV Partner") announce the acquisition of one patented claim (private property rights) amounting to 7.82 hectares (19.33 acres), increasing the overall Tombstone Joint Venture (75% Aztec) land package to 452.02 hectares (1,116.94 acres).

Aztec and Dragoon have acquired the Westside patented claim from a third-party for cash consideration of US$65,000. The claim immediately adjoins the Tombstone property core patented claims to the northwest, expanding opportunities to explore new targets in the historic Tombstone Silver District in Southeastern Arizona. The patented claim was purchased outright and has no underlying royalties or work commitments.

Aztec Mineral CEO Simon Dyakowski stated "Aztec and our partners have again advanced the consolidation of the historic Tombstone district with the acquisition of a fifth patented claim since recommencing exploration activities at the project in 2020. We are excited to explore targets toward and including the historic Westside Mine which is notable in the district for hosting some of the highest silver and gold grades of the late 1800s mining era. The opportunity to add private land holdings in the mining friendly jurisdiction of Arizona highlights the attractiveness of our expanding land position at the Tombstone Project."

The Westside patented claim covers several historic mine shafts, and prospects. Its main shaft had adjacent exploitation by underground workings with a vertical extent over 240 meters in depth. The West Side claim has the majority of the northeast striking Westside fissure-vein system. The claim covers on strike the Westside fissure for 450 meters with its oxidized, mesothermal quartz-gossan silver-gold mineralization. The Westside claim also has oxidized CRD replacement style, silver-lead-gold-copper mineralization hosted in the Westside roll (anticline) which continues into the Tombstone project for a total of a 650 meter long, southeasterly trend. The Westside roll (B.S. Butler, et.al., 1933) is reported to host multiple horizons of oxidized to mixed-supergene mineralization hosted in Mesozoic Bisbee Group clastic sediments, Paleozoic limestones, and Tertiary quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes.

Story continues

The Westside claim was staked in October 1881 by the Girard Gold and Silver Mining Company (incorporated in 1879), patented in 1901, mostly operated from the 1880's to the early 1900's and was recognized for having high grades of gold as well as silver. Historic production during the period from 1888 to 1894 as reported by Eng. W. F. Staunton was 5,157t of 67.42 opt Ag, 1.273 opt Au, and 9.79% Pb.

View updated Tombstone Property claim map here:

Aztec Minerals Corp., Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Link to: Updated Tombstone Property Claim Map

Tombstone Project Highlights

Well located property on patented (33) and unpatented (42) claims (452.02 hectares/1,116.94 acres), covers much of the historic Tombstone silver mining district, great infrastructure, local town, road access, full services, water, power

Historic silver district produced 32 million oz silver from 1878-1939, in high grade, oxidized, silver-gold-lead-zinc-copper vein and CRD deposits, and small open pit heap leach production in late 1980's

Drilling by Aztec in 2020-21 has demonstrated that the Contention Pit target has significant Au-Ag mineralization which is open in all directions

Multiple other prospective target s in Cretaceous and Paleozoic rocks related to major NW and NNE trending structures hosting porphyritic intrusions crosscutting a possible caldera ring structure

A very important target is a potential bulk-tonnage carbonate replacement deposit in Paleozoic limestones similar to the Taylor discovery (100+ million tonnes of 10% Zinc Equivalent) located 60 km southwest of Tombstone (mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization hosted on the Company's property) whose presence is suggested by historic deep drilling intercepts for CRD mineralization returned multiple intersections grading up to 32 gpt silver, 0.61% copper, 6.5% lead and 2.6% zinc over 7.2m core length

Distinct magnetic and AMT anomalies confirm multiple target areas, Contention pit hosts dikes along strongest district structure, excellent potential for CRD deposits with similar geology to the "Taylor" deposit

Aztec high-grade surface rock samples from the Contention Pit, grade up to 3,178 gpt silver and 23.5 gpt gold, epithermal stockwork mineralization open along strike. Out of 94 samples collected from within the pit, silver ranges between <0.1 and 3,178 gpt (114.5 gpt average) and gold ranges <0.005 and 23.5 gpt (1.60 gpt average)

Historic shallow mining at Contention pit for heap leachable Au-Ag mineralization, historic drilling by USMX around the pit returned multiple intersections including 1.61 gpt Au, 91.2 gpt Ag over 44.2m (see the Company's news release dated September 18, 2018 "Aztec Minerals Acquires Late 1980's-Early 1990's Drilling and Trenching Data for the Tombstone Project, Arizona" for further disclosure on USMX drilling)

Allen David Heyl, B.Sc., CPG., VP Exploration, is the Qualified Person overseeing the Tombstone exploration program. Mr. Heyl reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release

"Simon Dyakowski"

Simon Dyakowski, Chief Executive Officer

Aztec Minerals Corp.

About Aztec Minerals - Aztec is a mineral exploration company focused on two emerging discoveries in North America. The Cervantes project is an emerging porphyry gold-copper discovery in Sonora, Mexico. The Tombstone project is an emerging gold-silver discovery with high grade CRD silver-lead-zinc potential in southern Arizona. Aztec's shares trade on the TSX-V stock exchange (symbol AZT) and on the OTCQB (symbol AZZTF).

Contact Information - For more information, please contact:

Simon Dyakowski, President & CEO, Director

Tel: (604) 619-7469

Fax: (604) 685-9744

Email: simon@aztecminerals.com

Website: www.aztecminerals.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Aztec Minerals Corp.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/752343/Aztec-Expands-Tombstone-JV-Patented-Land-Position-in-Arizona-by-Acquiring-the-Historic-High-Grade-Silver-Gold-Westside-Mine




FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addresses the U.S. Senate on the floor of the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 9, 2021. U.S. Senate TV/Handout via Reuters/File Photo

By David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. Senate Republicans on Tuesday called on President Joe Biden to accept their party's debt-ceiling package or make a counter-offer, while a top Democrat said the Senate might try to advance a "clean" debt-ceiling hike next week.

With barely a month to go before a possible catastrophic U.S. default, leaders of both parties hardened their standoff over the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. Republicans in the Senate said Democrats needed to take seriously Speaker Kevin McCarthy's legislation that passed the House of Representatives along party lines last week.

"You've got a choice between accepting the House bill or entering a discussion," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told reporters.

Senator John Thune, McConnell's top lieutenant, told reporters that there is strong support for the House legislation. "Everybody wants to see us succeed, and that means getting some legitimate, meaningful reforms as part of this process," he said.

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer leads a 51-49 majority, but would need the support of at least nine Republicans to pass a bill lifting the debt ceiling without conditions.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Tuesday said his caucus was preparing a possible way to maneuver around Republican opposition, but that tactic could work only if the Senate passed a bill of its own.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen informed Congress on Monday that the U.S. government will be unable to meet all its obligations "potentially as early as June 1" unless lawmakers act on the debt ceiling.

Soon afterward, Biden invited McCarthy, Schumer, McConnell and Jeffries to a White House meeting on May 9.

(Graphic: 'X-Date' pain - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-DEBT/TREASURY/jnpwykamnpw/chart_eikon.jpg)

Schumer then began navigating a bill that would suspend the debt ceiling until December 2024 without conditions through the Senate, while the White House said Biden would "stress that Congress must take action to avoid default without conditions."

McConnell dismissed the idea of a Senate debt ceiling bill, saying a resolution would have to come from McCarthy and Biden. "There is no solution in the Senate," he said.

Schumer told reporters that he would wait until next week's White House meeting before deciding how to move forward.

"We have to stand firm," the top Senate Democrat said. "I look forward to the president explaining in the meeting to the speaker directly the harm that he proposes to cause and I hope it'll cause cooler heads to prevail."

The failure of Congress to act on the debt ceiling would result in a catastrophic first-ever U.S. default that could cripple the nation's economy and unsettle world global financial markets.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan, David Morgan and Katharine Jackson in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Lewis)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is on track to open a new embassy in Tonga this month, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday, part of efforts to step up its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China.

Daniel Kritenbrink told a subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the United States was also continuing to engage with Vanuatu and Kiribati about opening proposed new embassies in those countries.

The State Department said in March it plans to open an embassy in Vanuatu. The United States has diplomatic relations with the South Pacific island nation, but these are currently handled by U.S. diplomats based in Papua New Guinea.

The United States reopened its embassy in the Solomon Islands this year after a 30-year absence.

Despite the diplomatic push, the Solomon Islands announced in March it had awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to a Chinese state company to upgrade an international port in Honiara.

The United States and regional allies Australia and New Zealand have had concerns that China has ambitions to build a naval base in the region since the Solomon Islands struck a security pact with Beijing last year.

Washington has also been working to renew agreements with the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia under which it retains responsibility for the islands' defense and gains exclusive access to huge swaths of the Pacific.

The Biden administration is seeking $7.1 billion from Congress over the next two decades for economic assistance to the three countries, funds seen as key to insulating them from growing Chinese influence.

The United States is also planning a possible Biden stop in Papua New Guinea on May 22 as part of stepped-up engagement with the Pacific-island region, according to officials familiar with the matter.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jamie Freed)
FILE PHOTO: A logo is pictured on the headquarters of the World Health Orgnaization (WHO) ahead of a meeting of the Emergency Committee on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Geneva, Switzerland, January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Tuesday it had found after a risk assessment that there was a "moderate risk" related to the seizure of a public health laboratory in Sudan's capital Khartoum by one of the warring parties.

"The situation and the risk are being seen as moderate," WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.

"This is because the lab cannot provide its main function, that is to provide the analysis and the diagnostics because of the lack of fuel and lack of trained staff."

WHO's representative in Sudan said last week there was a "high risk of biological hazard" in Sudan's capital Khartoum after one of the warring parties seized the laboratory holding cholera pathogens and other hazardous materials.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Emma Farge; editing by Matthias Williams)
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

Commission File Number 000-18730

DARKPULSE, INC.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

Delaware 87-0472109 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

815 Walker Street, Suite 1155, Houston , TX 77002

(Address of principal executive offices)

800 - 436-1436

(Issuers telephone number)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Not applicable.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 1, 2023, Dennis OLeary, the Chief Executive Officer of DarkPulse, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), hosted a Twitter Space which provided general business discussion and updates. The Twitter Space can be found at the following link and is incorporated herein by reference:

https://t.co/kLw8EflP48 https://twitter.com/dennismoleary/status/1653187717436686341?s=51&t=FBJbwwGbZDNV9q97sJ0I2A

The furnishing of the Twitter Space is not an admission as to the materiality of any information therein. The information contained in the Twitter Space is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of more complete information included in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and other public announcements that the Company has made and may make from time to time by press release or otherwise. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update or revise the information contained in this report, although it may do so from time to time as its management believes is appropriate. Any such updating may be made through the filing of other reports or documents with the SEC, through press releases or through other public disclosures.

The information in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and the Twitter Space shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The information contained in this Item 7.01 and in the Twitter Space shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the SEC made by the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

2

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

DarkPulse, Inc. Date: May 2, 2023 By: /s/ Dennis OLeary Dennis OLeary, Chief Executive Officer

3

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):

THE LGL GROUP, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 001-00106 38-1799862 (State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation) (Commission

File Number) (IRS Employer

Identification No.) 2525 Shader Road , Orlando , FL 32804 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code: ( 407 ) 298-2000

(Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $0.01 LGL NYSE American Warrants to Purchase Common Stock, par value $0.01 LGL WS NYSE American

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 4.01.Change in Registrants Certifying Accountant.

(a) Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm

On April 26, 2023, the Audit Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc. (the Company) dismissed RSM US LLP (RSM) as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately in anticipation of the appointment of PKF OConnor Davies, LLP (PKF) as the Companys new independent registered public accounting firm as discussed below. The decision to change the Companys independent registered public accounting firm from RSM to PKF was unanimously approved by the Committee.

The reports of RSM on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) between the Company and RSM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to RSMs satisfaction, would have caused RSM to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such years. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and the subsequent interim period through April 26, 2023, there were no reportable events of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

In accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Company provided RSM with a copy of the disclosures contained in this Item 4.01 of this Form 8-K and requested that RSM furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements contained herein. A copy of RSMs letter, dated April 28, 2023, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.

(b) Appointment of independent registered public accounting firm

As discussed above, the Committee appointed PKF as the Companys new independent registered public accounting firm effective as of April 26, 2023.

During the Companys two most recent years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted PKF regarding either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Companys financial statements, and neither a written report was provided to the Company nor oral advice was provided to the Company that PKF concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or reportable event as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v), respectively. The Audit Committee has authorized RSM to respond fully to all inquiries of PKF.

Item 8.01.Other Events.

On May 2, 2023, the Company issued a press release (the Auditor Press Release) related to its change in auditors. A copy of the Auditor Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

May 2, 2023 THE LGL GROUP, INC. By: /s/ James W. Tivy Name: James W. Tivy Title: Chief Accounting Officer

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EX-16.1

EX-99.1

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FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The Air Force recently scrambled three F-22 fighter jets near the island of Hawaii to assess what turned out to be a high-altitude balloon, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Monday.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command responded to an unidentified radar signature Friday in the vicinity of the island of Hawaii, the Honolulu-based combatant command said in the statement. Pacific Air Forces launched three F-22s to assess the situation and visually identified a spherical object.

The Raptors monitored the balloon and concluded it posed no threat, the statement said.

The sighting follows the highly publicized flight of a Chinese reconnaissance balloon across the American mainland this winter. An F-22 shot that balloon down on Feb. 4 a few miles off the coast of South Carolina.

On Friday, the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration detected a balloon at about 36,000 feet, the Defense Department said in a separate statement Monday.

Ownership of the balloon is unknown, but there is no indication that it was maneuvering or being controlled by a foreign or adversarial actor, the statement said.

It did not float directly over critical defense infrastructure or other sensitive government sites, according to the statement.

It was flying at an altitude used in civil aviation, but it posed no threat to aircraft over Hawaii, the statement said.

Based on these observations, [Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin] concurred with the recommendation of his military commanders that no action need be taken against the balloon, the statement said.

The balloon is no longer in Hawaiis airspace or over territorial waters, the statement said.

Citing an unnamed Defense Department source, Fox News reported Monday that the balloon was moving toward Mexico.

The balloon earlier this year entered U.S. airspace in Alaska on Jan. 28 and moved into Canada two days later.

It reentered the U.S. over northern Idaho on Jan. 31 and was first spotted by the public over Montana.

Austin said President Joe Biden had authorized it to be shot down as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue risk to American lives under the balloons path.
WASHINGTON  A review of a Montana nuclear missile base where an unusual number of troops have been diagnosed with blood cancer has found no current risk factors that could explain it, the Air Force says.

The service has been investigating the issue since reports surfaced in January of at least nine missileers who had served at Malmstrom Air Force Base who were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In the months since, more than 30 cancer cases at Malmstrom and the nation's other nuclear missile facilities, including F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California have come to light.

But the medical review found that "overall, there were no factors identified that would be considered immediate concerns for acute cancer risks," the Air Force's 711th Human Performance Wing said in a report obtained by the Associated Press.

"Additionally, there was nothing specifically noted at Malmstrom's main base or operational missile sites that would indicate a specific reason for increased cancer," the report said.

The findings by the Air Force  which do not mean it will stop investigating the issue  are bringing both frustration and renewed grief to the families whose service members are fighting cancer, or have already died.

But some also hope a spotlight on the issue will at least result in the Air Force carrying out a full cancer study of all the men and women who have worked with the nation's nuclear warheads, and hopefully an easier path to medical care.

Rhonda Wesolowski's son Air Force Capt. Jason Jenness was a senior missile launch officer in the 1990s with the now-deactivated 564th missile squadron at Malmstrom. He died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2001 at the age of 31.

Even back then, his mother says, she was concerned his cancer had to do with his service, "and his friends were concerned, because there were rumors." But when she reached out to the Air Force, "I got a form letter," she said. To her, the letter left her feeling that the cancers were "being swept under the rug."

Her son, Jason Jenness, died five months after his diagnosis.

"I knew it was too big. Too big a fight," she said of trying to push the Air Force to figure out why her son and other missileers were getting sick. "I still think its too big a fight. I'm very happy that there's some spotlight being put on it, because then it will make people more aware, and kids who are going into the service may ask more questions, and it may help in that regard."

Jeff Fawcett Jr.'s father also served with 564th missile squadron at Malmstrom, from 1988 to 1992. He died in 2016 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, both types of blood cancers. He was 56.

Jeff Fawcett Sr. served for 25 years  and if he was alive now, "would never be able to bring himself to the conclusion" that his missileer service might have been connected to his cancer, his son said. "He loved the military," Fawcett Jr. said.

But the son is hoping the Air Force will do more to look for possible causes. Because the elder Fawcett served a 20-year military career, he received lifetime military medical care. Walter Reed doctors said his six-month battle could have cost more than $1 million if the family had to go through a private hospital and insurance, Fawcett Jr. said.

"His care didn't bankrupt my family," the son said. "But what if you're a young lieutenant who did four years and got out, and 15 years later you have an awful blood cancer and you are paying God knows how much?"

Missileers are young military officers who monitor, operate and stand ready to fire the nation's nuclear warheads  sitting alert in underground launch control centers for shifts that can last from 24 to 48 hours.

But both the launch control centers and the missile silos they oversee were built more than 60 years ago. In the decades since, as the facilities have aged, former and current missileers have worried about asbestos in the hardened facilities, about ventilation of the air they have breathed from old duct systems while underground, about the water they have drunk and emissions from equipment they used.

The review did make recommendations to address some of those concerns, including that the Air Force consider a deep clean of each launch control center, that it clearly mark safe boundaries for radio frequency sources, and to cease the practice of burning classified documents while locked inside the launch control center.

The Air Force is committed to continuing to investigate the issue and will conduct an epidemiological study of cancers within the missile community, the service said.

To conduct the initial review, the Air Force sent medical teams to Malmstrom, to F.E. Warren and to Minot from Feb. 27 to March 7 to talk to crews and assess each facility.

Dean Shockley was a young enlisted man at Malmstrom serving in the base's 341st maintenance group, where he worked on the missile silos from 1987 to 1989  the same time frame that Fawcett Sr. was an officer there. In 2022, also at the age of 56, Shockley was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma, a brain tumor.

Shockley, like most enlisted members, did not serve a full 20-year military career. He left after five years of military service.

It took his wife Garlanda Shockley "a month of constant calls daily, several times a day" to get the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover some of the medical costs, she said. Their insurance to date has covered most of the rest. But the potential that the coverage could stop, and the costs that would create, weighs on her.

"I have so much to worry about, I would like to know that he is cared for," Garlanda Shockley said.
The Armys top officer expects all the services helicopters to return to flying in the coming days after he ordered an Army-wide aviation stand down Friday following two recent crashes that killed 12 soldiers.

Gen. James McConville, the Army chief of staff, told Senate appropriators Tuesday that he had directed aviation units to pause all operations for at least 24 hours this week to go over all procedures, from maintenance and safety protocols to training plans and basic flight mechanics. McConville, a career aviation officer who has flown most of the helicopters in the Armys inventory, said he had instructed top commanders to use a crawl, walk, run mentality to tackle the stand down this week.

Realize that this is a very dangerous business and unlike maybe operating a vehicle close to a curb, with aviation if you make a mistake or something happens it can be very catastrophic, and we need to bring that safety philosophy  back into the cockpits and make sure we're able to do that, he told the Senate Appropriations Committees defense subpanel during a hearing on the Armys proposed $185.5 billion fiscal 2024 budget. I think it's going to be over in the next couple of days  and we're expecting immediate results.

McConville ordered the grounding in the aftermath of a crash Thursday near Healy, Alaska, in which two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters collided in midair during a training mission. That crash  the second fatal collision of Army helicopters in about a month  killed Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Robert Eramo, 39, of Oneonta, N.Y.; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle McKenna, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, 32, of North Logan, Utah. A fourth soldier, whose name has not been publicly released, was injured in the crash.

The prior crash on March 29 killed nine 101st Airborne Division soldiers when a pair of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters collided during a night training mission near their home station at Fort Campbell, Ky. A third fatal helicopter crash this year occurred Feb. 15 near Huntsville, Ala. Two pilots with the Tennessee Army National Guard were killed in that Black Hawk crash.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., also sent a letter Tuesday to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calling for a Pentagon-wide probe of aviation mishaps in recent years. Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote the Defense Department and Congress owe it to service members to ensure they can safely fly in helicopters.

She asked Austin to provide a response by Aug. 1 with any information the Pentagon has found identifying risks with specific helicopters or trends that could lead to improved safety.

I take the responsibility we bear our service members very seriously, she wrote in the letter. Each year, we authorize funds for military budgets that prioritize certain aircraft over others. If we have known issues with certain helicopters, we need to know so we can resource your department in a manner that protects the lives of our brave women and men in uniform.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, who testified alongside McConville, said she asked the general to issue the stand down order shortly after learning of the crash Thursday. She instructed him to ensure Army aviators would find lessons learned from these recent incidents.

Both recent crashes remain under investigation, Army officials have said.

Some senators on Tuesday questioned the readiness of the Army aviation community given the recent incidents.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told the Army leaders that she hoped the stand down was not just a messaging tool, but that it resulted in real safety improvements for the force.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., chairman of the subpanel, noted aviation crashes since 2020 had cost the Army some $600 million in aircraft.

Wormuth told the senators that the 2024 budget proposal would fully fund pilot flight hours, as did the budgets passed during the last two fiscal years.

But she said Army aviation has faced other issues, including parts shortages and maintenance problems that can lead to grounding aircraft needed by units for training flights.

I think one of the things that we need to look at is: Are our pilots actually getting enough flying hours? Wormuth said. To do that, we've got to make sure that the aircraft are ready to fly. And so there's sort of a lot of pieces that fit together in that, but we are definitely investing fully in that, in my view.
(Tribune News Service)  After the Army grounded all its aviators Friday, Fort Carson said Monday it expected regular operations and training would resume Wednesday following required safety reviews.

Soldiers with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division are completing the training as part of the grounding, a Fort Carson statement said.

Training will cover aviation safety, mission planning and risk management, training management, multi-ship operations, and aviation maintenance, an Army official said. Commanders may add topics as well, the official said.

"This standdown is an important step to make certain commanders and leaders at all levels are doing everything possible to prevent accidents and protect our personnel," the official said in a written statement.

Army Chief of Staff James McConville ordered the grounding after 12 soldiers died in recent helicopter crashes, according to an Army news release. The most recent crash on Thursday killed three soldiers, including Kyle D. McKenna, 28, of Colorado Springs. A fourth person was hospitalized after two AH-64 Apache helicopters collided near Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

In March, nine soldiers died when two HH-60 Black Hawks crashed into each other during a night training flight near Fort Campbell, Ky.

The Army said that while Thursday's crash and the one in Kentucky remain under investigation, "there is no indication of any pattern between the two mishaps," the Associated Press reported.

The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade has trained with Apache and Black Hawk helicopters as well.

Friday's order grounded all Army aviators except those flying critical missions. Active duty aviators have until Friday to complete the training. Reserve units have until May 31.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(c)2023 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

Visit at www.gazette.com

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Army Special Operations Commands latest appointment puts a woman in the role of senior enlisted leader for the first time.

Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann stepped into the job at a ceremony Monday at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The command oversees the Armys various special operations forces. As sergeant major, Naumann will advise the units commander and be responsible for addressing issues that arise among soldiers.

Before assuming the role, the New Jersey native had already earned the distinction of being the first woman promoted to a command team position in special operations history.

Naumann most recently served as the senior enlisted adviser for U.S. Special Operations Command-Korea.

After joining the Army as an Arabic linguist in 1996, she began working with special operations forces over two decades ago and completed 14 deployments throughout U.S. Central and Africa commands.

Her assignments have included stints as senior enlisted adviser for Joint Special Operations Command, command sergeant major for the 15th Military Intelligence Battalion and command sergeant major for the Joint Special Operations Command Intelligence Brigade.

Shes been awarded a Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and three Army Commendation Medals.

When I came into the (special operations forces) community in 2002, there were very few women, Naumann said in an Army interview released last year, adding that it was challenging at times because some people werent sure how to react.

Her advice to those looking to follow in her footsteps: Make somebody else tell you no; dont tell yourself no.

Naumann took over from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer at Mondays ceremony. A Green Beret throughout his career, Weimer is set to become the next sergeant major of the Army, replacing Michael Grinston, who is scheduled to retire Aug. 3.

Army Special Operations Command oversees some 30,000 soldiers and civilians, including those assigned to 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne), the 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Jazmin Rhodes, of Chicago, performs a monologue as Ruby from the play "King Hedley II" at Goodman Theatre in Chicago during finals of the August Wilson New Voices national competition on May 1, 2023. Rhodes took first place for her performance. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

For an hour Monday night, in the Goodman Theatres Albert Theatre, high school students performed monologues from August Wilsons 10-play Century Cycle. The only sounds made were thunderous applause, shouts at the end of each performance and the occasional mmmhmmm in agreement with the emotional cadence when Wilsons words were spoken.

Eight students (three from Boston, two from Pittsburgh  new cities in the August Wilson New Voices competition  and three from Chicago) took the stage to perform in front of competition alumni, contest administration, local theater notables and friends and family.

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Jazmin Rhodes, 17, a junior from Homewood-Flossmoor, took home the winning prize of $3,000 and a certificate for her portrayal of Ruby in King Hedley II. She said she connected to that particular monologue because she recently lost a close friend.

In Rubys monologue, shes speaking about her experience with grief with her boyfriend that she lost a while back, she said. I felt like it was something that needed to be done to honor her.

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As part of her win, Rhodes will get to perform for the next class of competitors and serve as spokesperson for the upcoming competition season.

Jazmin Rhodes, center right, of Chicago, is congratulated by contestant Christopher Russell for winning first place in the finals of the August Wilson New Voices national competition at Goodman Theatre in Chicago on May 1, 2023. Rhodes performed a monologue as Ruby from the play "King Hedley II." At rear, from left, are contestants Juan Popoca, Javian Ortega Rodriguez and Sophia Leverett. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

The annual August Wilson New Voices program, previously the August Wilson Monologue Competition, is in its 13th year. The national competition typically takes place at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway, but given the events rebranding, contest administration thought it would be perfect to launch locally at the Goodman  the first theater to produce all 10 plays in Wilsons Century Cycle.

The competition gives students an opportunity to explore Wilsons works while simultaneously incorporating his plays into high school curricula. The purpose: To reach out to students and try to increase the literary knowledge of August Wilson.

The local monologue competition this year began with 200 students citywide and was narrowed down to three local finalists. For 10 weeks, student participants at Chicago schools are taught Wilsons repertoire that chronicles the African American experience in the 20th century. Students learn how to perform two-to-three-minute monologues of their choosing from one of Wilsons 10 plays, thanks to Chicago-area actors and teaching artists like Charles Gardner.

During the pandemic, Wilsons estate and contest administration retooled the competition, according to August Wilson New Voices national director Derrick Sanders, including by adding a design competition.

We took some time to analyze what weve done and in what ways the Wilson estate wanted to improve it. We wanted to concentrate the competition more about learning Augusts literature and investment in his worlds, Sanders said. This is the pilot year with Boston and Pittsburgh joining us, and an added design component.

While the monologue finalists hone their performances to reflect characterization and emotional connectedness (things theyre judged on), the design finalists were charged with reading Wilsons work and creating an art piece that embodied the world of the play they chose.

Were more concentrating on the striking point of design from literature to imagination to creation  whats the impulse of art and how does art inspire you and what are the elements of the time? Sanders said. What colors did they use, how do they use depth of field, how are you using lines and curves to express the ideas in the monologue.

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Mia Ruiz, of Chicago, reacts as she wins first place in the finals of the August Wilson New Voices national design competition at Goodman Theatre in Chicago on May 1, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

The design finalists works were displayed in the Goodman lobby. Mia Ruiz took home the top prize in the design component of the competition.

I was super surprised, said Ruiz, a freshman at ASPIRA Early College High School. It was life-changing. I feel like Ive been a part of a lot of things with the community, but I never got an award for it.

The Oak Park resident chose Rose Maxson from Fences.

We had to write about how we connect our work to the character through principles of design, elements of design, and just talk about why we chose to put what we put in our pieces, she said. Ruiz connected with the character of Rose on a familial level. Just as Rose stays with men who have hurt her, Ruiz said her mother did the same thing when Ruiz was younger.

Ruiz said shes looking forward to participating in the competition next school year. So does Rhodes. A first for them this time around, both said August Wilson is in their lives now.

This program has changed the way I see everything now, Ruiz said. Things like this are more for the experience, not for what you get. Each finalist received bound copies of Wilsons body of work, which Ruiz said she is going to read more in-depth.

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Rhodes said she didnt know much about August Wilson prior to the contest  she had only seen him on Black History Month posters. Now she is all about recommending other youths join in on the competition next year.

I would definitely recommend taking a chance on yourself and putting yourself out there and doing this program, Rhodes said. At our school, at least in my English classes, I really havent learned much about August Wilson. Doing this competition has given me so much appreciation for his work and his legacy and just getting to learn about who he was as a person and what he stood for. It just gives me so much inspiration for future Black playwrights and getting to meet other Black people in theater has been so inspirational.

Goodman Theatres CEO and executive director Roche Edward Schulfer said he started working with Wilson in 1986 and had a wonderful experience with him, so he considers hosting the New Voices competition as a way to promote and continue his legacy, a gift. Wilsons Joe Turners Come and Gone will be on stage at the Albert Theatre at the Goodman in 2024.

August Wilson is Americas greatest playwright, Schulfer said. And with all due respect to other great American playwrights, theres no body of work like his 10 plays.

drockett@chicagotribune.com
(CSPAN)

Former president Barack Obama and former vice president Al Gore condemned the Republican majority in the Tennessee state legislature for expelling two Black lawmakers who joined public protests at the state capitol to advocate for gun safety after a mass shooting at a school in Nashville killed six people.

The state legislature voted to expel state Reps Justin Jones and Justin Pearson after they stood on the floor of the state House of Representatives, gave speeches and joined chants with protesters last Thursday during demonstrations at the state capitol.

Both men are Black. But a vote to expel Rep Gloria Johnson, who is white and joined Mr Jones and Mr Pearson in the demonstrations, failed.

Mr Gore, who served as Senator from Tennessee as did his father Al Gore Sr, criticised the expulson.

Today's GOP-led vote in the TN House disenfranchised nearly 150,000 voters whose representatives rightfully pushed to reform TNs insanely dangerous gun laws after the horrific mass murder at The Covenant School last week. What a historically sad day for democracy in Tennessee.  Al Gore (@algore) April 7, 2023

Today's GOP-led vote in the TN House disenfranchised nearly 150,000 voters whose representatives rightfully pushed to reform TNs insanely dangerous gun laws after the horrific mass murder at The Covenant School last week, he said. What a historically sad day for democracy in Tennessee.

Mr Obama also criticised the expulsion in two tweets, saying that peaceful protest is a hallmark of democracy.

What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms. Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it wont lead to progress.  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 7, 2023

No elected official should lose their job simply for raising their voice  especially when theyre doing it on behalf of our children, he said. What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms. Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it wont lead to progress.

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A mass shooter opened fire and killed six people at the Covenant School, a private school in Nashville. That prompted a trove of students to descend on the state capitol to protest for action to curb gun violence, which the three state representatives joined.

President Joe Biden condemned the expulsions as well.

Three kids and three officials gunned down in yet another mass shooting. And what are GOP officials focused on? Punishing lawmakers who joined thousands of peaceful protesters calling for action, he tweeted on Thursday. Its shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.

-Josh Marcus contributed reporting
STUTTGART, Germany  Karin Eichstaedt was among the hundreds if not thousands of residents who poured into a U.S. Army-hosted party on the May Day holiday, allowing attendees to indulge their curiosity about American neighbors who are a mystery to many, despite a nearly 80-year mission.

For the Army garrison in Stuttgart, Mondays festival was part of an effort to improve a relationship that had grown more distant over the years, a condition exacerbated by the security apparatus put in place following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But with Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, theres newfound solace in having American soldiers so close by, Eichstaedt said.

I think all the people are interested to come, since for a long time we couldnt come inside. And also the war in Ukraine, said Eichstaedt, 80, at a garrison festival held in a recently refurbished fire hall. I feel proud since the Army is here.

The festival proved to be a surprise attraction. The outpouring of visitors clogged the roads around the garrison with cars and foot traffic.

I would characterize this as a catastrophic success, said Col. Matt Ziglar, who was amazed by the turnout.

Garrison officials estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 people attended the event, which was held on Germanys version of Labor Day. The holiday timing was likely one reason for the strong showing.

Festivities included displays of military vehicles, grilled hot dogs and American beer for sale.

Ziglar said he aims to recapture the kind of community connection that existed between the Army and area residents during the pre-Sept. 11 era.

In those days, many bases had open access, enabling Americans and Germans to socialize in places such as on-base clubs.

The past demonstrated a manner in which we were absolutely ingrained in this community and society, and we ventured away from that, Ziglar said. But its events like this that show we can do these things, and people are excited for it.

In the suburban Stuttgart town of Boeblingen, where the garrison has its headquarters, relations between the Army and the community have been tense at times.

A shooting range has been a point of contention in recent years, with residents complaining about the constant crackle of gunfire.

Ziglar said sound mitigation efforts by the Army have improved the situation, though complaints still come up. Improved relationships in general can go along way toward smoothing out differences, he said.

When you have that partnership and you build that friendship, people understand inherently a little bit better whats going on, he said.

But for Eichstaedt, who lives nearby, the value of the festival and the Army in Stuttgart was intertwined with current events.

We hope (more) war in Europe isnt coming, she said.
WASHINGTON  The USNS Brunswick evacuated 300 people including at least some American citizens to Saudi Arabia from Sudan, where warring military factions continue a bloody struggle for control of the country, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

The Brunswick has returned to Port Sudan to be available to transport any additional citizens, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesperson, told reporters.

The Brunswick, a fast-transport ship, is one of three Navy ships off the Sudanese coast positioned to evacuate Americans from Sudan across the Red Sea to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Also stationed off the coast are the USS Truxtun, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and USS Lewis B. Puller, a mobile-base ship. Ryder said all three vessels are there to provide us with options, should we need that capability.

The Pentagon has been working with the State Department for weeks to identify American citizens who are still in the battle-scarred northeastern African country and want to leave.

Military officials said last week that there were only a relatively small number of Americans in Sudan who were still trying to get out. The Pentagon also said the U.S. is focused on establishing multiple evacuation routes  mainly over land  to transportation hubs such as airports in Khartoum and ships in Port Sudan.

The Pentagon has not specified how many of the 300 evacuees aboard the Brunswick were American citizens or whether all were Americans. The journey from Port Sudan to Jeddah is close to 200 miles.

The fighting in Sudan has been ongoing since the middle of April and is part of a bloody dispute between the countrys armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The two sides cooperated in 2021 to overthrow Sudans democratic transitional government, but are now involved in a power struggle. The United Nations estimates that several hundred people have been killed in the fighting so far.

U.S. Africa Command and the State Department are still working to find Americans who are still in the country and want to leave. Ryder said the group of citizens who were evacuated across the Red Sea were also aided from the capital city of Khartoum to the coast so they could board the Brunswick  a distance of more than 400 miles.

Additionally, the United States is still conducting surveillance and reconnaissance efforts over Sudan for constant updates about new and existing evacuation routes, the Pentagon said.

As long as there are American citizens in Sudan who are seeking our assistance in leaving Sudan, we will continue to do this, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday. We have been working very hard to make sure that our embassy personnel were able to get to safety and that American citizens with whom we were in contact and asked for assistance were also able to get to safety.

The government of South Sudan said Tuesday that both sides have agreed to a new, longer cease-fire agreement that will last from Thursday to May 11. However, neither the Sudanese armed forces nor the Rapid Support Forces had acknowledged the reported cease-fire by Tuesday afternoon.

Negotiations during previous cease-fires have failed to stop all the fighting in Sudan. The Sudanese military mostly controls areas in northeastern Sudan and the RSF has control of most areas in the southwest, according to news reports. The U.N. Refugee Agency has said as many as 800,000 people might flee Sudan for other countries.
He arrived at the coal mines, textile mills and industrial factories dressed in a three-piece suit. He wooed those in charge, asking to be let in. He was just a humble Bible salesman, he claimed, who wanted to spread the good word to the laborers inside.

What Lewis Hine actually wanted was to take photos of those laborers  and show the world what it looked like when children were put to work.

Around the turn of the 20th century, at least 18 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 15 were employed. Hine's searing images of those children remade the public perception of child labor and inspired the laws to ban it.

Now, conservative lawmakers in a handful of states are seeking to relax child labor protections, amid what activists say is a surge in child labor, mostly by undocumented immigrant children, at meatpacking plants, auto factories and other dangerous job sites.

The Library of Congress maintains a collection of more than 5,000 of Hine's photographs, including the thousands he took for the National Child Labor Committee, known as the NCLC.

"It was Lewis Hine who made sure that millions of children are not working today," Jeffrey Newman, a former president of the New York-based nonprofit, said in 2018.

A century ago, NCLC's mission wasn't about showing the public that children were being used for financial gain  that was already a well-known fact. At the time, many believed the practice had substantial benefits. Youths could learn the value of hard work. Businesses could increase their productivity and decrease the hourly pay. Parents could depend on their children to support the family, meaning the adults could work less or not at all.

As one mother remarked to the NCLC in 1907: "I am really tired of seeing so many big children 10 years old playing in the streets."

Hine's photos showed the price: unsafe working conditions, dangerous machinery and business owners who refused to educate the children or limit their working hours.

Though there had been investigations that attempted to expose these circumstances in the past, "The industry simply dismissed those reports as  the term they would use today is  'fake news,' " said Hugh Hindman, a historian of child labor. "When Hine comes along and supplements the investigations with pictures, it creates a set of facts that can't be denied anymore."

Taken with a heavy Graflex camera, Hine's photos were paired with captions and stories from his interviews with the children, who would tell him their ages, backgrounds and working conditions.

If they didn't know their own age, Hine would estimate it by measuring them. As a Bible salesman or in one of his other disguises  he posed as a postcard salesman and a machinery photographer  Hine could hardly be seen whipping out a measuring tape. That's why he wore a three-piece suit. He could measure the children against the buttons on his vest.

Hine's affinity for telling the stories of the downtrodden probably came from his own start in life. At 18, he began working at a Wisconsin furniture factory after the death of his father. It was up to Hine to keep his family financially afloat.

According to the International Photography Hall of Fame, Hine worked 13 hours a day, six days a week, until he could move on to a seemingly better job  as a janitor in a bank. He began taking college courses on the side to become a teacher.

One of Hine's mentors encouraged him to move to Manhattan and begin his teaching career in one of the city's private schools. It was there that Hine picked up photography. In the hope of teaching his students to respect the new wave of immigrants coming into the city, he began visiting Ellis Island and photographing the new arrivals.

Hine's work attracted the attention of the NCLC, which had been founded in 1904 with the mission of ending child labor. The organization had a particular project in mind for Hine.

Today, the use of photography as a tool to expose wrongdoing is hardly revolutionary. But in Hine's time, when newspapers were just beginning to incorporate photos into their daily product, it was nearly unheard of. Hine is credited with inventing the term "photo story" and for popularizing a style of portraiture in which the subject looks straight into the camera.

His images demand that the viewers look into the children's eyes. In many, the children are looking right back.

The National Child Labor Committee published Hine's photos in its publicity material, trying to influence lawmakers and power players to address the injustice being done. Exhibits, newspapers and progressive media outlets picked up his outrage-inspiring work, ensuring it was seen across the country.

But there was no such thing as going viral in the early 1900s. The spread of Hine's photos and the reform that they inspired was extremely slow.

The Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal law that would prohibit most employment of minors, wasn't passed until 1938. Hine died two years later  long before his work would be recognized for the impact it had. Now Hine's photos appear in museum exhibitions, are sold at auctions for upward of $5,000 apiece and are credited with influencing generations of documentary photographers.

In the NCLC's final years, the threat of child labor didn't have the fundraising power it once did. In a rare instance in which an organization dedicated to a social ill had worked itself out of a job, the NCLC board decided in 2017 to "declare victory and just move out," Newman said the next year.

But, he predicted, "there may well come a time when the NCLC may need to be reinvented and started up again."

You can explore the archive of Hine's photos on the Library of Congress digital archive.

A version of this story first published on Sept. 3, 2018, with the headline "The searing photos that helped end child labor in America."
I do not remember the invasion of Iraq. I dont remember the fall of Baghdad, the declaration of Mission Accomplished, or the capture of Saddam Hussein. I turned 3 years old two weeks before the 2003 invasion; developments in international relations were beyond me. I, like millions of other Americans, have only memories from after America entered into a global war on terror and the Second Gulf War.

The evolution of these forever wars brought feelings of instability and grief to my community, feelings that cannot abate until we address their legacy.

I grew up a mile outside of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, an Army/Air Force base in Washington state. Despite the barbed wire fence separating my town from the base, the local community and military were closely intertwined. Many of my neighbors were active or retired military and roughly half of my friends had at least one parent who was serving. Inevitably what their parents service meant to them, and what it meant for our community, would be something we talked about as we grew up in the shadow of Americas forever wars.

What did my friends take away from their familys time in the military? Many view their experience through the lens of civic pride and personal sacrifice, two things essential to the mission of the military. They also took away lessons that the military would prefer they hadnt. The military meant instability. When a parent or sibling could be ordered abroad at the drop of a hat, to a place youve vaguely heard of and could never find on a map, precarious hardly covers the feelings a child is left with. Why did their parent have to go? How long would they be gone? Would they be OK when they came home?

One of my first concrete memories of the Iraq War was reading about its supposed end. In the fifth grade we were given a subscription to Time magazine to be read for 20 minutes in class each week. The only article I remember reading was on President Barack Obamas announcement of the end of the Iraq War. It was a strange thing to read, that the war would end. Would we still send care packages with Pop-Tarts and other snacks to the troops? I was confused.

Even now Im sometimes confused, because despite the supposed end of this and many other military operations, the legal architecture of the war remains in place. Whats more, its scope has been increasingly twisted, keeping it available for use by enterprising presidents, despite the wars end.

The law that authorized the Iraq War, the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, has never been repealed by Congress. It, like other pieces of legislation passed in the wake of 9/11, has been used to justify military operations well outside its original parameters. Originally passed to defend the United States against Saddam Husseins regime, it has been used to justify operations against Islamic State and even the targeted killing of an Iranian general, bringing us to the brink of another deadly war in the Middle East.

If the executive branch believes it needs the power to carry out sustained military operations, then that needs to be debated and voted on by Congress. If the executive branch is allowed to simply reinterpret decades-old war authorizations to justify entirely unrelated new actions, it will sideline Congress and corrode critical constitutional guardrails against abuse.

Is it fair to tell our troops to fight in a war that our Congress has not authorized? Does that seem like a foreign policy informed by a democratic mandate? It does not.

There is a solution to this status quo of constitutional malpractice. And it begins with repealing the 2002 Iraq AUMF. In late March, by a large, bipartisan margin, the Senate did just that. It was the first time since the Vietnam War they voted to end a war.

President Joe Biden has signaled his support. With the success of the Senate vote, it's imperative the House follows suit. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has signaled he is inclined to do so. The House has voted to repeal the 2002 AUMF several times before. The votes are there to end one of Americas forever wars.

Repealing the 2002 Iraq AUMF would bring an official end to a conflict my generation grew up alongside. And perhaps, more importantly, it will end the decade and counting of mission creep that allows more conflict in the area to spread unchecked and unfettered. If Congress gets this done, it will send a message that military operations should be based on transparent debate, not a presidents whim. It will begin the important process of untangling the confusing mess of Americas forever wars and prove to a generation that there is a world beyond never-ending conflict.

Kevin Snow is the Militarism and Human Rights Program Assistant at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Before joining FCNL, he completed a Fulbright research grant in Tallinn, Estonia.
The Defense Department is planning to install a 360-degree missile system on Guam to defend the strategic military waypoint in the Western Pacific against attacks, Guams acting governor said Tuesday.

The 360-degree Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System is a response to perceived threats from potential adversaries like China and North Korea, including ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles.

The 360-degree system is expected to combine Army and Navy defensive missile systems with improved radar, Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director of the Missile Defense Agency, said during a press briefing on March 14.

Joint Region Marianas, the installation management command on Guam, notified the island government Tuesday of its plan to erect the system on the island, Guam Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio said in a news release.

A notice of intent, published by the Missile Defense Agency, opens a 30-day window for public comments on the projects environmental impact statement, a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act. Public comment is open from Wednesday through June 2.

Installation of a 360-degree, persistent, air and missile defense system is the most important action we can take to increase the joint forces lethality, now retired Adm. Philip Davidson, the former head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2021.

This system is critical for defending the homeland, including our most important American operating location in the Western Pacific, he said, according to a transcript.

The 360-degree system is a collaboration between several Defense Department agencies, including the Missile Defense Agency, the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The project is expected to include a new version of the AN/TPY-2 radar system, the AN/TPY-6, alongside the Armys Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System, or IBCS, and a command suite, Hill said in March.

So, it really is a combined, at the simple level, Aegis and IBCS working together on the island, he said, according to a transcript, referring to the Aegis Combat System commonly deployed on Navy guided-missile destroyers.

The notice of intent will also begin the scoping process, in which the missile agency and Guam residents can define the range of issues and potential alternatives addressed in the environmental impact statement.

The scoping meetings are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the University of Guam Fieldhouse on June 14, Okkodo High School on June 15 and Southern High School on June 16.

Our administration will closely examine their plans as soon as they are made available, and the relevant government agencies will provide the appropriate responses, Tenorio said in the release. We also encourage the public to participate in the upcoming scoping process and provide public input.

Representatives of Guams Governors Office and Joint Region Marianas did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday afternoon.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Japans Ministry of Defense has passed the final hurdle for stationing tiltrotor aircraft permanently on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, after local landowners agreed to sell 80 acres to facilitate the move.

The unnamed landowners association agreed Monday by a two-thirds vote to sell a tract of farmland along the western fence line of Kyushu Saga International Airport, a spokesman for Saga citys base countermeasures division said by phone Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not immediately available. A spokesman for the Kyushu Defense Bureau declined to comment Tuesday. Some government spokespeople in Japan speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The Defense Ministry hopes to have a new base for the Ground Self-Defense Force built there by July 2025, when the V-22 Ospreys temporary deployment ends at Camp Kisarazu, east of Tokyo in Chiba prefecture, the city spokesman said.

Japan has received 11 of the 17 tiltrotor aircraft it ordered from Bell Boeing in 2015. Plans for the new base accommodate all 17 Ospreys, along with 50 helicopters from Camp Metabaru, 15 miles north of Saga city, and around 750 personnel.

The facility plans call for offices, an aircraft parking apron, hangars, fuel tanks, ammunition storage facilities and two runway access roads.

The idea of basing Ospreys on Kyushu dates to discussions in 2013 with then-Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima on reducing the military presence in Okinawa prefecture. Saga was attractive due to its proximity to Japans Amphibious Rapid Mobile Deployment Brigade at Camp Ainoura in Sasebo, 45 miles to the west.

Discussions picked up steam in 2015 and were agreed upon by Saga prefecture Gov. Yoshinori Yamaguchi three years later.
The Chinese military went on high alert Friday as a U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft flew through international airspace in the Taiwan Strait, according to statements from both countries.

A P-8A Poseidon flew southwest through the 110-mile-wide channel that separates mainland China from Taiwan as it transited from the East China Sea to the South China Sea, U.S. 7th Fleet spokesman Lt. j.g. Luka Bakic told Stars and Stripes by email Tuesday.

The Navy described the transit as a demonstration of the United States commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to a news release Friday.

China, however, viewed the flight as proof that the United States is a disruptor of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and a creator of security risks, Senior Col. Shi Yi, spokesman for Chinas Eastern Theater Command, said in a news release Saturday.

Beijing views self-ruling Taiwan, which split from China in 1949, as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland.

China also scrambled fighter jets to follow and monitor the Poseidon, the defense ministry said.

Chinas response didnt affect the operation, Bakic said, and all interactions with foreign military forces during the transit were consistent with international norms.

He described the trip as a routine transit on a route that Navy ships and aircraft have consistently used for many years.

The Navy regularly sends warships through the strait as a means of upholding the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. Navy flyovers of the strait, while less common, are intended to deliver the same message, according to 7th Fleets news release.

Beijing, in return, typically condemns the transits as provocative.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Milius passed through the strait on April 16, less than a week after China concluded a three-day exercise in the region to protest meetings between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. politicians on April 6 and April 8.

A Navy P-8A aircraft made the same trip on Feb. 27, prompting a similar response from Chinas military. Shi Yi, at the time, issued similar criticism and said the flight deliberately disrupted the regional situation.
CANBERRA, Australia  Taiwan intends to fight for itself in any armed conflict with China and is unclear as to what countries might stand beside it, the self-governing island's foreign minister said.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary, and concerns are rising about a possible armed conflict.

In an interview last Friday with Sky News Australia, Joseph Wu said Taiwan, with a population of 23 million compared to China's 1.4 billion, has to defend itself and is not asking other countries to fight for it.

However, asked who might fight alongside Taiwan in the event of a war with China, Wu answered, "This is a very good question."

"A lot of people are debating strategic ambiguity or strategic clarity, but to us, we know our own responsibility," Wu told the news channel from Taipei.

"Taiwan has to defend itself, the people have to defend Taiwan, this country, and we are determined to defend ourselves and we are not asking other countries to fight for Taiwan," Wu added.

U.S. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said American forces would help defend Taiwan, although U.S. official policy remains ambiguous over whether forces would be dispatched.

In comments Tuesday evening, American Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said Washington has been consistent in its approach toward Taiwan and insists that "any resolution of the (cross-Taiwan Strait) differences has to be peaceful."

"We hope that the government here in China will commit itself to a peaceful resolution of the dispute," Burns said in an online discussion with the Washington-based Stimson Center think tank.

The U.S. "has the obligation as well as the interest to make sure that we can provide defensive arms to Taiwan so that the Taiwan authorities can have a proper defense and we can help them build up a deterrence," he said.

"If Taiwan has a sufficient deterrence in place, and if other countries around the world are supporting a peaceful resolution, one would hope that that would lead the Chinese to understand the consequences of the use of force in the Taiwan Strait," Burns said.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said in March that his country had made no promise to support the United States in any future conflict over Taiwan as part of an agreement to obtain American nuclear-powered submarines.

Biden and the leaders of Australia and the United Kingdom have announced that Australia will purchase nuclear-powered attack submarines from the U.S. to modernize its fleet, amid growing concern about China's influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Australian critics of the deal argue that the United States would not hand over as many as five of its Virginia-class submarines without assurances that they would be made available in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.

Asked if Taiwan was destined for war, Wu replied, "I certainly hope not."

"The reason is very clear: War means devastation, not just for the one who got attacked but possibly also for other countries as well," Wu said.

"And therefore, at this moment, even though we see that the tension has been rising and the conflict seems to be more likely and peace is less likely to maintain, but we need to do everything to prevent war from happening," he said.

Wu said Taiwan is working to maintain the status quo  essentially de facto independence without a formal declaration. A Japanese colony until the end of World War II, Taiwan split from mainland China four years later after Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government fled to the island ahead of the seizure of power by Mao Zedong's Communists.

Taiwan has never been part of the People's Republic of China and, while increasingly isolated diplomatically and threatened militarily by Beijing, has maintained an international presence separate from the mainland.

The U.S. remains Taiwan's closest military and political ally, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between them. American defense officials have warned of the potential of conflict in coming years and U.S. forces have been bolstering their presence in Asia, most recently in the Philippines, to respond to such a contingency.

On Friday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said China's military flew 38 fighter jets and other warplanes near Taiwan as part of a campaign of harassment and intimidation.

That was the biggest such flight display since a large military exercise in which it simulated sealing off the island after a meeting on April 5 between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China opposes any exchanges at the official level between Taiwan and other governments.

In addition to purchasing military hardware from the U.S.  with an estimated $19 billion of items on backorder  Taiwan has been revitalizing its domestic defense industries, overhauling training and extending compulsory national service for all men from four months to one year. While China's vast military dominates Taiwan's in almost every category, part of the island's strategy is to hold off Chinese forces long enough for outside help to arrive.

"We're trying to prevent war from happening, and I think a lot of responsible members of the international community, especially the like-minded partners of Taiwan, like the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and etc., we are all doing everything we can to prevent the war from taking place," Wu said.

See more of AP's Asia-Pacific coverage
CLEVLEAND, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  A Cleveland man who was fighting against the Russian military in Ukraine has been killed during the fighting, according to a statement from a group of journalists in the country.

Cooper Harris Andrews, 26, died while helping evacuees in Bakhmut, the Popular Front said in a statement on Twitter. Andrews mother, Willow Andrews, tells CNN that her son was killed just over a week ago by a mortar.

She tells CNN that her sons body has not been recovered because of the ongoing fighting near Bakhmut.

Jake Hanrahan, a journalist working in the Ukraine, reports Andrews, a former Marine, was a member of a group called Resistance Committee.

He was funny, not too serious, but deeply dedicated to what he believed in, Hanrahan wrote on Twitter. We didnt know he was out there and are shocked by the news. Condolences from all of us go out to his family and friends.

A statement from the Popular Front says Andrews was in the Marines for two years, achieving the rank of sergeant. He worked on community housing projects in Cleveland, and was a volunteer firefighter during wildfires in Texas, Colorado and Idaho, the statement says.

CNN reports he left Cleveland in November to join the fighting in Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department released a statement confirming a U.S. citizen had been killed in Ukraine but it did not release an identity, Fox News reports.

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Visit cleveland.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
KYIV, Ukraine  Russia's defense chief on Tuesday urged a state company to double its missile output, as a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive looms and both sides in the 14-month war reportedly experience an ammunition crunch.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking at a meeting with top military brass, said the state-owned Tactical Missiles Corporation had been fulfilling its contracts in a timely manner.

But, Shoigu added, "right now it is necessary to double the production of high-precision weapons in the shortest possible time."

Analysts have been trying to figure out whether Russia is running low on high-precision ammunition, as its missile barrages against Ukraine have become less frequent and smaller in scale.

The U.K. Defense Ministry noted in a Tuesday assessment that "logistics problems remain at the heart of Russia's struggling campaign in Ukraine."

"Russia does not have enough munitions to achieve success on the offensive," it said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday described Washington's latest estimate of Russia's losses in Ukraine as "spun out of thin air."

The White House said Monday it now estimated that Russia had suffered 100,000 casualties just since December, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. estimate was based on newly declassified American intelligence. He did not explain how the intelligence community derived the number.

"Washington doesn't have the opportunity to give any correct numbers. They don't have such data," Peskov said.

Later Tuesday, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces launched 30 airstrikes, three missile strikes and eight attacks from multiple rocket launchers, resulting in casualties among the civilian population and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said Russia was continuing to concentrate its efforts on offensive operations in Ukraine's industrial east, focusing attacks around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka in the country's Donetsk province.

The prosecutor's office in Ukraine's southern Kherson province reported that Russian shelling in the regional capital, also called Kherson, and several villages killed three people and wounded five.

Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, say they are readying their own counteroffensive  and stockpiling ammunition to sustain it along potentially long supply lines.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Monday that the "key things" for the assault's success were "the availability of weapons, prepared, trained people, our defenders and defenders who know their plan at their level, as well as providing this offensive with all the necessary things  shells, ammunition, fuel, protection, etc."

"As of today, we are entering the home stretch, when we can say: 'Yes, everything is ready,'" Reznikov said in televised comments.

In Russia's Bryansk region, which borders northern Ukraine, an "unidentified explosive device" derailed a freight train, Gov. Alexander Bogomaz said Tuesday evening.

Russian Railways confirmed that "illegal interference" caused 20 cars of the freight train to derail. No casualties were reported.

An explosive device also derailed a freight train in Bryansk on Monday.

There were no immediate indications who set off the explosives, but Bryansk has received sporadic cross-border shelling during the war. In March, two people were reported killed in what regional officials described as an incursion by Ukrainian saboteurs.

In recent months, amid winter weather, the conflict has become bogged down in a war of attrition that has depleted ammunition stocks.

The Kremlin's forces took aim at Ukraine's critical infrastructure with long-range strikes, while Kyiv zeroed in on Russian targets with precision artillery provided by its Western allies.

In February, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that Ukraine was using up ammunition far faster than its allies could provide it.

According to some estimates, Ukraine was at that time firing up to 6,000-7,000 artillery shells each day, around a third of the daily amount that Russia was using almost one year into the war.

Sporadic nighttime Russian shelling continued to hit Ukrainian areas early Tuesday, officials said. At least seven civilians were wounded, authorities said.

As Ukraine's military prepares for a counteroffensive to take back Russian-occupied territory, Denmark said Tuesday that it was donating 1.7 billion kroner ($251 million) in aid to Ukraine, including mine clearance vehicles, munition, field bridges and money for air defenses.

"We know that the Russians have entrenched themselves in the occupied territories of Ukraine with trenches, minefields and other obstacles to stop a Ukrainian offensive," acting Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

"The material in the donation package is important to pave the way for Ukrainian tanks and the armored infantry in the front line."

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine
* Mark Pundt, M.D. former President of ConvenientMD, joins as CEO

JUNO BEACH, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beach House Behavioral Health, Inc. ("Beach House" or the "Company"), a portfolio company of BelHealth Investment Partners, LLC ("BelHealth"), a Fort Lauderdale-based healthcare private equity firm, announced the appointment of Mark Pundt, M.D., as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO").

(PRNewsfoto/BelHealth Investment Partners)

For over 30 years, Dr. Pundt has had the responsibilities of leading, operating, managing, consulting, and working as a clinician for medical practices and businesses. He has led six medical companies as the CEO and/or President with reporting responsibilities to the Board of Directors. He has also led the medical team and providers as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) with the responsibility of managing the medical providers and ensuring that the highest level of medical care was provided to his patients. He has been directly involved in managing the operations of the businesses including managing the clinical team members and providers, overseeing the Human Resources team, sales team and medical and business compliance.

Dr. Pundt stated "I am excited to step into the CEO role at Beach House and be part of the team to advance our strategy and deliver shareholder value. In my previous roles I have successfully blended my clinical background with business initiatives. Behavioral health and addiction treatment protocols must be customized for each individual and Beach House has created the necessary clinical and medical infrastructure to address these needs. I am looking forward to working closely with the team and BelHealth to drive growth and profitability."

Inder Tallur, Managing Partner of BelHealth and Board Member of Beach House, added "We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Beach House leadership team. His extensive experience in healthcare leadership and strong strategic vision will serve Beach House well. The board of directors looks forward to working closely with him."

Story continues

About Beach House

Founded in 2014, Beach House Center for Recovery is a nationally recognized drug and alcohol treatment provider, offering a full continuum of medically and clinically integrated care to people with substance use and co-occurring disorders. The state-of-the-art treatment facility is located on a beautiful, self-contained, five-acre recovery campus in the coastal town of Juno Beach. With client outcomes that outperform the industry average, Beach House is known as a trusted provider of evidence-based, outcome-informed addiction treatment and a center for clinical excellence.

About BelHealth Investment Partners

BelHealth Investment Partners, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a healthcare private equity firm focused on lower middle market companies. BelHealth has a unique combination of investing, executive management, and entrepreneurial experience. BelHealth acquires majority positions in entrepreneur-owned companies that it believes will benefit from its extensive operating and private equity investment expertise.

For further information, please visit:

BelHealth Investment Partners: www.belhealth.com

Beach House Center for Recovery: www.beachhouserehabcenter.com

Contact:

Inder Tallur (917) 975-6604

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SOURCE BelHealth Investment Partners
PRISTINA, Kosovo  The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo met in Brussels on Tuesday for talks to implement a European Union-backed plan to normalize ties, and agreed to cooperate on resolving cases of missing persons.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell convened the meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo. Their agenda included endorsing a declaration on people who remain missing from the 1998-99 war in Kosovo, which was a Serbian province with an armed pro-independence movement at the time.

A statement issued not long after the start of the meeting described the missing persons issue "as a humanitarian one" and noted "the urgent need for additional efforts to alleviate the human suffering of the families" craving closure after so many years.

"Resolving the issue of missing persons is not only a humanitarian obligation. It is also a crucial enabler for reconciliation and trust between people," Borrell said in a statement.

The governments of Kosovo and Serbia agreed to create a joint commission, monitored by the EU, "to resolve the fate of the remaining missing persons." The agreement sets outs details on identifying search locations, exchanging documentation and other procedures.

Kurti and Vucic also discussed a draft on the establishment of an association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo, which is another delicate issue.

Their views were "quite apart on the nature of the association," said Borrell, adding that the parties agreed to start negotiations "in the near future."

Vucic was "very worried" with no solution in sight, complaining that "Pristina does not want to fulfil its obligation from ten years ago."

Kurti said the draft was incompatible with Kosovo's constitution and also with he European values of minorities' rights.

The two leaders met in February, when they gave tacit approval to the EU's 11-point plan, and during a March summit in North Macedonia, where both leaders tentatively agreed on how to implement the plan.

Borrell urged Belgrade and Pristina "to continue using this framework to push this process forward. And this is directly linked to the European future of both Serbia and Kosovo."

Kurti complained that Serbia had violated eight out of 11 points of the EU-backed plan since it was agreed on in February.

"The international community will pressure both Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic to continue with a constructive approach, because that is the only way forward," Kosovar analyst Artan Muhaxheri said.

The EU has spent 12 years facilitating negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize its statehood.

Miroslav Lajcak, Borrell's envoy to the negotiations, said Tuesday's meeting was "a crucial step forward and it's important to avoid any actions that could worsen the atmosphere."

Brussels and the United States often intervene to calm down tensions between Belgrade and Pristina, more so in the past year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The war in Kosovo erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbia's rule, and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people died, mostly ethnic Albanians. NATO's military intervention eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory.

Earlier Tuesday, Kurti posted on social media a call for justice for the deaths of 116 Albanian civilians executed by Serb forces in May 2, 1999 in Studime, a village, 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the capital, Pristina. Kurti demanded "punishment for war crimes and justice for the victims."

Kosovo also accuses Serbia of hiding the locations where the bodies of 1,621 people still listed as officially missing are buried.

The EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, or EULEX, says it is difficult to find the bodies of as many were buried in small, unmarked graves or even in cemeteries, in an effort by the perpetrators to make the search for the missing more difficult and to hide evidence. Most of the missing are ethnic Albanians, while a few are Serbs.

To move forward normalizing ties, Serbia insists Kosovo must implement a 2013 agreement to establish an association of the municipalities in northern Kosovo with Serb-majority populations. The association would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level.

Kosovo's Constitutional Court later declared the plan unconstitutional, ruling it wasn't inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers.

Serbia says no progress is possible in the talks before the association is tackled.

Local elections were held last month in Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives left their posts last year. Ethnic Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted the vote.

Borrel expressed "grave concern" that "with the very low turnout ... this election does not offer a long-term political solution."

"They have the potential to lead to escalation and to undermine the implementation of the agreement," he said. "It is not what we want to happen. I hope nobody wants it to happen, but it is a big risk and therefore I have urged both parties to find a solution that enables Kosovo Serbs to strengthen and return to the institutions they left in November last year. "

___

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration will continue to allow tens of thousands of Afghans who fled Taliban control more than two years ago to stay and work in the U.S., as congressional efforts have stalled that were meant to permanently resolve their immigration status, according to two people familiar with the plan.

As soon as this summer, eligible refugees will be able to renew temporary work permits and protections from deportation for another two years, according to two administration officials, who spoke to The Associated Press condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss plans that haven't yet been released. The protections were initially given in 2021, and renewed last year.

The effort is a temporary fix for more than 76,000 Afghans who arrived in the U.S. following the military's chaotic and deadly withdrawal of U.S. troops, some of the darkest moments of Biden's presidency. Many of those who arrived in the country have worked with U.S. officials, some for many years, as translators, interpreters and other partners.

Details of the renewal were first reported by CBS News. An official announcement is expected by the Department of Homeland Security later this week.

Immigrant advocate groups and veterans who have been working alongside the government trying to find a more permanent pathway for Afghans called the move a bandaid  but better than nothing.

" Afghans have been languishing on our shores awaiting a long-term answer and Congress continues to play games with their future," said Shawn Van Diver, a Navy veteran and head of #AfghanEvac, a coalition supporting Afghan resettlement efforts. But he said he was happy the Biden administration would allow them to stay as Congress can't find a solution.

The U.S. government admitted the refugees temporarily as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the largest resettlement effort in the country in decades, with the promise of a path to life in the U.S. for their service.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress had hoped to resolve their immigration status as part of a year-end government funding package in December. The proposal would have enabled them to apply for U.S. citizenship come August, when their temporary status was set to expire, as was done for other refugees from other nations in the past, including those from Cuba, Vietnam and Iraq.

But that effort failed over some Republican opposition, most notably Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who argued last year the bill went too far by including evacuees beyond those "who were our partners over the last 20 years," and providing a road to residency without the proper screening required.

Some lawmakers are hopeful that with advanced screening measures added to the bill, it can gain the support needed to pass a Republican-controlled House and a slim Democratic majority in the Senate.

"It cuts to the core question of whether the U.S. keeps its promise of protection to its allies," said Helal Massomi, an evacuee from Afghanistan and Afghan policy advisor at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, in a statement Monday. "Congress needs to keep our nation's promise and make it clear to Afghans that this country is more than their temporary safe haven  it's their home."
JERUSALEM  A high-profile Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a hunger strike of nearly three months, Israel's prison service announced. His death set off protests in the West Bank and a round of cross-border fighting between Gaza militants and the Israeli military.

Late Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had started airstrikes on Gaza targets, in response to earlier rocket salvos from the coastal strip, run by the militant Hamas group. There was no immediate word on casualties or damage. After a brief pause, the aerial bombardment and rocket fire resumed at dawn Wednesday.

The death of Khader Adnan has also drawn attention to the tactic of hunger strikes  used by prisoners around the world yet considered a particularly crucial tool for Palestinians held by Israel with few other means at their disposal.

Adnan, 45, a leader of the militant Islamic Jihad group, helped introduce the practice of protracted hunger strikes by individual prisoners as a form of protest. Palestinian detainees have mostly used hunger strikes to challenge administrative detention, a controversial tactic in which more than 1,000 Palestinians and a handful of Israelis are currently being held without charge or trial.

On Wednesday, two officials from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said a cease-fire has been brokered by Egypt and other regional players. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms of the deal were pending further discussions over when Israel will hand over Khader's body for burial.

Adnan first grabbed international headlines and inspired solidarity protests over a decade ago, when he staged a 66-day hunger strike against his administrative detention. That galvanized hundreds of other prisoners to join the strike, which ended with a deal for his release. He was later arrested again.

Through all levels of Palestinian society  from squalid refugee camps in Gaza to wealthy businesses in the West Bank  Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention are celebrated as national heroes. Israel considers Palestinian prisoners to be terrorists.

Adnan, who was arrested a dozen times and spent nearly a fifth of his life in Israeli prison, became a potent symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israel's open-ended occupation, now in its 56th year. His use of hunger strikes as a bargaining chip against Israeli authorities  during two other strikes in 2015 and 2018 that lasted 56 and 58 days, respectively  motivated many other desperate Palestinians in administrative detention to refuse food.

Israel's prison service said Adnan had been charged with "involvement in terrorist activities" following his February arrest. Last week, an Israeli military court denied him bail. A hearing on his appeal was repeatedly postponed.

After the news of his death broke, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired 26 rockets at populated areas in southern Israel, sending shrapnel flying. Three foreign workers were wounded at a construction site in the city of Sderot, Israel's rescue service said, without identifying their nationalities. One of the foreigners, a 25-year-old man, was reported to be in serious condition. A few hours later, the military said six mortars shells were fired at Israel, most of them falling short and not reaching Israeli territory.

"This is an initial response to this heinous crime," said a coalition of Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups, led by the enclave's militant Hamas rulers. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called it an "assassination," accusing Israel of medical neglect.

Early Wednesday, the Israeli military said its aircraft struck military posts, training sites, weapons storage facilities and an underground tunnel belonging to Hamas. Palestinian residents reported several explosions by Israeli air raids in northwestern Gaza City and other parts of the Strip. Hamas had earlier evacuated military and security targets in anticipation of Israeli strikes.

Air raid sirens sounded and Israeli municipal councils opened public bomb shelters. Field fires broke out. Shrapnel punched holes into pavement, shattered windows and charred cars. Four rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, authorities said.

The Israeli military responded with tank fire into Gaza and said it was planning further retaliation. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under regulations, said that the army assessed that Islamic Jihad fired the rockets with Hamas' knowledge.

"The security establishment will act with determination and force against anyone who tries to harm the citizens of Israel," said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

A general strike was announced across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians flocked to military checkpoints in the occupied territory, slinging stones. Israeli forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. A suspected Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank lightly wounded an Israeli man. Earlier Tuesday, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired another three rockets that landed in empty fields in Israel.

A march commemorating Adnan in the northern city of Jenin, a hotbed of Palestinian militancy, spiraled into violence Tuesday when Palestinian security forces prevented protesters from reaching the Palestinian Authority's headquarters. As Palestinians fired into the air and chanted against the PA, long derided for its security cooperation with Israel, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas into the crowd.

With violence surging over the past year and the Israeli military launching near-nightly arrest raids in the West Bank, the number of Palestinians in administrative detention has swelled to the highest number in two decades. Israel says the tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons.

Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.

As a result, Palestinian prisoners have turned to hunger strikes  whether in large groups with hundreds refusing food, or individually, for decades. Since the 1967 Mideast war, when Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, Israel has jailed thousands of Palestinians. The strikes are often aimed at protesting prison conditions  including the very fact of open-ended detentions  or winning concessions such as family visits.

Over the years, with starving prisoners' shriveled bodies drawing international condemnation, Israeli governments have at times accepted their demands to avoid deaths in custody. The most famous of these deals involved Adnan's lengthy hunger strikes and releases from prison in 2012 and 2015.

But the current Israeli government, the most right-wing in the country's history, has vowed to take a hard-line against the Palestinians. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, has cracked down on security prisoners, shortening shower times to four minutes, closing prison bakeries and restricting exercise time and family visits.

Ben-Gvir demanded Tuesday that prison officials exhibit "zero-tolerance" and ordered prisoners be confined to their cells.

Rights groups blamed Israel for Adnan's death, alleging that authorities ignored warnings about his life-threatening condition. Adnan's lawyer said the Israeli prison service retaliated by placing him isolation after he began his hunger strike. He said Adnan had appealed to Israeli authorities to transfer him to a hospital.

"We lay the responsibility for his death at the feet of the Israeli authorities," said Dana Moss from Physicians for Human Rights Israel. "Hunger strikes are one of the few non-violent tools left to Palestinians as they battle against Israel's unfair legal system."

The Israeli prison service said Adnan was in a prison medical facility, but had refused medical treatment "until the last moment" when his legal proceedings moved ahead. The prison authorities said he was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hundreds gathered at Adnan's home in the West Bank town of Arraba, near Jenin, holding posters bearing his image and calling for revenge. In a rare call for de-escalation, Adnan's widow, Randa Musa, asked Palestinians not to respond with violence.

"We do not want a single drop of blood shed," she told the crowd. "We do not want rockets to be fired."
DOHA, Qatar  A closed-door summit on Afghanistan ended Tuesday in Qatar without any formal acknowledgment of the Taliban-run government there, though the United Nations' chief said they would hold another meeting in the future.

Activists had worried the gathering in Doha could see the international community reach a recognition deal with the Taliban, even as Afghan women remain largely barred from society under their restrictive measures.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the summit, which the world body described as an event where nations and organizations were trying to reach unified stances on human rights, governance, counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts related to Afghanistan.

No recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government had been anticipated to come out of the meeting, though activists in recent days suggested it was a possibility. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

"To achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage," Guterres said. "And many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons we have learned from the past."

He did not elaborate, though the Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan from 1994 to 2001.

Asked by a journalist if there would be any circumstance under which he'd be wiling to directly meet with the Taliban, Guterres said: "When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility  but today is not the right moment to do so."

The Taliban themselves were not invited and did not attend the meeting.

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's political office in Doha, told The Associated Press that the new Afghan government dismissed the talks.

"If they are not ready to hear us and know our position regarding the issues, how can they reach a convincing and palatable solution?" Shaheen said. "One-sided decisions couldn't deliver. Afghanistan is an independent country. It has its own voice; we want them to listen to our voice."

Shaheen on Sunday met Andrew McCoubrey, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the United Kingdom's Foreign Office, and Yue Xiaoyong, China's special envoy for Afghanistan, in Doha.

"As you know, the U.N. envoy has talks with government officials in Kabul, but when it comes to these sorts of conferences ... we are not invited," Shaheen added. "We think this is not the solution for Afghan issues and its outcome can't be effective."

Afghanistan's acting foreign minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, will travel to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, later this week to meet Chinese and Pakistani officials.

In the time since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, deprived of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade and women are barred from working, studying, traveling without a male companion, and even going to parks or bath houses. Women must also cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from working at national and international non-governmental organizations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan remains wracked by poverty and hunger, squeezed like other nations by Russia's war on Ukraine.

Guterres offered stinging criticism of the Taliban's treatment of women, saying its ban on allowing them to work in aid groups was "unacceptable and puts lives in jeopardy."

"Let me be crystal clear: We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls' rights," he said. "We will always speak out when millions of women and girls are being silenced and erased from sight. This is a grave violation of fundamental human rights."

Meanwhile, concerns remain over Afghanistan again becoming a haven for Islamic extremists wanting to strike out abroad. The U.S.-led 2001 invasion came on the back of al-Qaida's Sept. 11 attack on New York and Washington. Since the Taliban takeover, the U.S. has carried out drone strikes targeting suspected militants.

Those concerns have complicated how nations, particularly the West, deal with Afghanistan today.

The Taliban are "a terrorist group whose deeply repressive regime has systematically sought to erase more than half of the population from society," an open letter from the activists read. "Having denied women and girls almost all of their fundamental human rights, the Taliban has become the only regime in the world upholding a system of gender apartheid."

The countries that took part in the Doha summit included China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Qatar, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula which long hosted a political office for the Taliban, hosted the talks.

Associated Press writers Riazat Butt in Islamabad, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
CLEVELAND, Texas  Authorities on Monday still had not captured a gunman in Texas who killed five neighbors from Honduras, and as the search dragged through a third day with false alarms and few apparent leads, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faced backlash over drawing attention to the victims' immigration status.

An FBI agent on the scene near Houston acknowledged they have little to go on in the widening manhunt for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, who has been deported four times since 2009, but who neighbors say lived on their street for years prior to Friday night's shooting in the rural town of Cleveland.

Twice on Monday, a sheriff's office in a neighboring county alerted the public about possible sightings, but neither turned up Oropeza.

Abbott offered a $50,000 reward over the weekend for any tips that might lead to the gunman, and while doing so, the three-term governor described all the victims as "illegal immigrants"  a potentially false statement that his office walked back and apologized for Monday. Critics accused Abbott, who has made hardline immigration measures a signature issue in Texas, of putting politics into the shooting.

"We've since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally," Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze said in a statement. "We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal."

Eze said information provided by federal officials after the shooting had indicated that the suspect and victims were in the country illegally. Her statement did not address why Abbott mentioned their status and she did not immediately respond to questions about the criticism.

More than 250 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, are now part of a growing search that has come up empty despite additional manpower, scent-tracking dogs, drones and a total of $80,000 in reward money on the table. On Monday, a heavy presence of police converged in Montgomery County after a possible sighting, but the sheriff's office later said none of the persons were found to be Oropeza.

A few hours later, the department reported another possible sighting, tweeting that several schools had "secured their campuses" and again asked residents to avoid the area. But that search, too, turned up nothing.

Both were among the first times since the shooting that authorities had announced a possible sighting.

"I can tell you right now, we have zero leads," James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, said Sunday.

Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous after fleeing the area Friday night, likely on foot. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities had widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, which occurred after the suspect's neighbors asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.

At a Sunday vigil in Cleveland, Wilson Garcia, the father of the 1-month-old, described the terrifying efforts inside his home by friends and family that night to escape, hide and shield themselves and children after Oropeza walked up to the home and began firing, killing his wife first at the front door.

Police recovered the AR-15-style rifle that they said Oropeza used in the shootings. Authorities were not sure if Oropeza was carrying another weapon after others were found in his home.

The alleged shooter is a Mexican national who has been deported four times, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because public disclosure was not authorized.

The official said the gunman was first deported in March 2009 and last in July 2016. He was also deported in September 2009 and January 2012.

Law enforcement on the scene have not confirmed the citizenship status of the victims. By describing them as "illegal immigrants" on Sunday in his first public statement about the shooting  and perhaps incorrectly  Abbott came under criticism from immigrant rights groups and Democrats.

"It is indefensible to any right-hearted Texan to use divisive language to smear innocent victims," said Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The victims were identified as Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9.

Capers said he hoped the reward money would motivate people to provide information and that there were plans to put up billboards in Spanish to spread the word.

Veronica Pineda, 34, who lives across the street from the suspect's home, said authorities had stopped by her house over the weekend to ask if they could search her property to see if the gunman might be hiding there. She said she was fearful that the gunman had not yet been captured.

Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.
AUSTIN, Texas  An additional 1,500 military troops are deploying to the southern border with Mexico as the U.S. prepares for an expected surge of migrants next week when a pandemic-era policy that allows for swift deportation is lifted, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

The troops will join about 2,400 National Guard members authorized to serve at the border with U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of a support mission that began in 2018. The mission has been primarily staffed with National Guard members on federal orders but has at times included active-duty troops.

More troops were requested by the Department of Homeland Security and were authorized by the Defense Department for 90 days, said Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman. The troops will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support, until CBP can address these needs through contracted support, he said.

They will not do law enforcement work, Ryder said.

The request is part of the federal government's preparations for the lifting of a public health policy on May 11 enacted during the coronavirus pandemic. Known as Title 42, the policy allowed U.S. border officials to quickly turn away migrants crossing the border from Mexico for fear that they would spread the coronavirus.

President Joe Biden has made changes to how migrants can seek asylum in hopes of decreasing the number of people expected to surge to the border. He also signed an order Thursday to allow the activation of reserve troops to address international drug trafficking.

Separately, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has about 5,000 Texas National Guard troops deployed to the border with Mexico to help the state Department of Public Safety patrol the areas between the legal ports-of-entry, including drug trafficking.

The troops have helped seize millions of lethal doses of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has led to an increase in overdose deaths in the U.S., Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, commander of the Texas National Guard, told state lawmakers in March. State troops have also helped arrest more than 351,000 migrants who crossed the border illegally, he said.

Abbotts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether he plans to increase his use of state troops next week.

In west Texas, El Paso declared an emergency over the weekend to allow for shelters to open and meet the expected increase of migrants crossing into the border city. El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said he expects up to 12,000 people to enter the city on May 11 and 12.

Speaking in a news conference Sunday, he said his concern is people preparing to cross think they will be able to do so without documentation.

They believe that they will be in the U.S. and wont need any further documents because Title 42 is lifted. Thats a big difference than what reality is, Leeser said. Being out there where they could be exploited with their families and their kids is not healthy. Its our responsibility  to make sure that we help them.
A scammer who fooled victims by pretending to be a U.S. soldier deployed to Afghanistan will go to prison and must pay more than $400,000 in restitution, a federal judge ordered this week.

Ganiyu Abayomi Jimoh, a 30-year-old Houston man, received a three-year prison sentence Monday for being found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas said in a statement.

Jimoh used counterfeit passports to open bank accounts under false names and then devised various pretexts to persuade people to send him money, the statement said.

One victim told police that Jimoh pretended to be her online boyfriend, a soldier deployed to Afghanistan named David Miller, a criminal complaint filed in 2019 said.

She said she sent him $65,000 and thought the money was a down payment for real estate she and Miller would purchase upon his return from deployment.

Another victim told police that as part of a purported real estate deal, she sent $26,800 to a bank account associated with one of Jimohs fake passports.

Jimoh was videotaped withdrawing money from the accounts linked to the fake passports, investigators said in a 2019 criminal complaint.

Another victim, an 84-year-old man, told the court at a recent hearing that Jimoh stole $13,500 from him by pretending to be his online girlfriend, Mondays statement said.

Jimoh pleaded guilty to the felony fraud charge on Aug. 1, 2022, but he faces another prosecution stemming from a different scheme.

A federal grand jury in Mississippi indicted him Nov. 2, 2021, on 15 felony counts of charges that he bilked the government out of thousands of dollars in pandemic relief funds, court documents said.

Jimoh is accused of committing the scams in Mississippi shortly after being released on bond for his fraud case in Texas, court documents said.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Secret Service said Monday it blocked a Muslim mayor from Prospect Park, New Jersey, from attending a White House celebration with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests. He said the White House official did not explain why the Secret Service had blocked his entry.

Khairullah, 47, informed the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after he was told he would not be allowed to attend the event.

The group has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBI's dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals. The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. He also has travelled to Bangladesh and Syria to do humanitarian work with the Syrian American Medical Society and the Watan Foundation.

"It left me baffled, shocked and disappointed," Khairullah said in a telephone interview as he made his way home to New Jersey on Monday evening. "It's not a matter of I didn't get to go to a party. It's why I did not go. And it's a list that has targeted me because of my identity. And I don't think the highest office in the United States should be down with such profiling."

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but declined to detail why. Khairullah was elected to a fifth term as the borough's mayor in January.

"While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening," Guglielmi said in a statement. "Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House."

The White House declined to comment.

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of CAIR, called the move "wholly unacceptable and insulting."

"If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has?" Maksut said.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey where his wife has family.

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governor's mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assad's government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the town's mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.

"I am Syrian and you know it was very difficult to see what we saw on TV and and social media, and not respond to help people," he said. "I mean we felt very helpless."
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  A senior Democratic lawmaker who backed legislation last year asking intelligence agencies to examine and report on the ties between the United Arab Emirates and China says he is alarmed at what he has learned since then.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., is one of several lawmakers with intelligence access sounding alarms about Chinas activity in the Middle East. Krishnamoorthi said he couldnt discuss details of classified briefings.

What I can say is that its only increased my concerns about CCPs influence in the Middle East, in the UAE and in other countries of interest to us, he said in an interview, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

When you have a nation such as the UAE hosting both, you know, important bases for the United States, but also potential installations for the CCP we just have to be extremely candid with our partners in the UAE, as well as careful from a security standpoint [about] what could happen with that close proximity to CCP installations, said Krishnamoorthi, who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and ranking member of the select committee on competition with China.

Krishnamoorthi backed legislation included in the omnibus spending bill for fiscal 2022 that required the director of national intelligence to give the House and Senate Intelligence committees detailed reports on the ties between the two countries in defense, security, technology, and other strategically sensitive matters that implicate U.S. national security interests.

Lawmakers said the intelligence agencies have yet to formally report on their findings.

Krishnamoorthi said Beijing has offered to upgrade UAEs telecom infrastructure with 5G equipment made by Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

Alarm bells go off because we know that Huawei infrastructure gives the CCP a back door into accessing important data about users on the network. It gives them a surveillance capability that they dont necessarily have with Nokia or Ericsson infrastructure, he said.

Krishnamoorthi pushed for the intelligence reports after The Wall Street Journal in late 2021 reported on satellite imagery that showed significant construction at Abu Dhabis Khalifa Port by the Chinese firm Cosco. The report said concerns that the construction could be a military installation had led White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to travel to the UAE and urge a halt to the port construction.

The UAE had promised to do so, but intelligence services detected construction at the site one year after work was supposed to be stopped, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing classified intelligence information allegedly leaked on the online Discord platform by Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Teixeira has been arrested and charged with unauthorized retention of classified material.

The UAE hosts a U.S. Air Force base in Al Dhafra, south of Abu Dhabi, where about 3,500 U.S. personnel are stationed, according to the State Department. The UAE also provides logistical support to U.S. Navy ships and collectively hosts more Navy ships than any other port outside the United States, according to the department.

Neither the UAE nor the Chinese embassies responded to requests for comment.

We must assure our friends

Other lawmakers with access to intelligence information also expressed concerns about Chinas presence in the Middle East.

We know that China has been aggressively courting allies in the Middle East, hoping to plant a perception that the U.S. is pulling back from our partners in the region, said Senate Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va. The UAE is a longtime friend of the United States, and we must assure our friends that nothing could be further from the truth.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, speaking broadly, what you are seeing in the UAE is similar to what youre seeing a lot of developing countries around the world, which is theyre hedging their bets.

They see this shift in global order and theyre trying to get the best deals for themselves, Rubio said.

The UAEs relationship with China already has complicated U.S. efforts to sell advanced F-35 jet fighters and drones to the Middle Eastern ally.

An attempt to block the Trump administrations plans to export the advanced aircraft to the UAE in late 2020 was narrowly rejected in the Senate. But the Biden administration put the deal on hold, and its future remains unclear.

Lawmakers said they had concerns about the F-35 deal if it were to be revived, particularly over worries that U.S. defense technologies could leak to Beijing.

I think that our friends in the Gulf have to decide particularly on the security questions who they want to turn to, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said in an interview. If its China, then I think thats a huge problem. Theres a difference between trading issues and all of these other issues. At some point, theyll have to decide which way they want to go. You cant have it every which way.

Menendez said he would support sales of U.S. military gear to the UAE, and would be supportive of their efforts for security, but not at the risk of giving it to the Chinese.

Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., who chairs the Foreign Relations subcommittee focused on the Middle East, said in an interview that theres a real reason to be worried about the extent of UAEs integration with Chinese security services.

Murphy said such concerns are behind lawmakers support for pausing the transfer of the F-35 and the MQ-9s [Reaper drones]. If the administration pushes to resume the sales of the military equipment, Ill argue for us to cancel those purchases, Murphy said.

We cant be in business with countries that have deep mil-to-mil relationships with China that would compromise our systems and our proprietary technology, Murphy said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in an interview he wasnt sure how much of the public reporting on the UAE-China relations was fact or fiction.

I do know this: that Middle Eastern countries are engaging at their own peril with China on the security front. China is an adversary to the United States. They steal intellectual property. Theyre not part of the solution, Graham said.

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(Tribune News Service)  The administrator of the estate of a Marine veteran who died of bacterial meningitis is claiming in a lawsuit that Suffield Medical Associates mishandled his care, partly by seeing him only in a telemedicine visit.

Jennifer Rossi is suing on behalf of Michael A. Rossi III, a Suffield native who, her attorney argues, should have been given antibiotics and sent to a hospital because he didnt have a spleen.

A high fever is especially dangerous for people who have had their spleen removed, said John Houlihan of RisCassi & Davis of Hartford, who emphasized the alleged maltreatment of Michael Rossi rather than the remote visit.

I dont think it was necessarily the fact that they evaluated him with a telehealth visit, and they just dropped the ball, and maybe if he was in person it might have been different. I dont know yet, Houlihan said.

But he had a history of having a spleen removed years and years ago, and patients without a spleen are at great risk for catastrophes if they have a fever and theyre not treated right away, he said.

Houlihan said either the physician assistant who saw Rossi didnt know about his lack of a spleen or that it wasnt recorded properly in Rossis chart. Either way, its an unforgivable mistake, Houlihan said.

He said he didnt know which mistake the physician assistant allegedly made because he hasnt taken her deposition yet. Diaz is also a defendant in the lawsuit.

I would like to think that if it was in person, they would have had a better chance to see that, but we wont know that till we get into depositions. But it certainly was a big mistake, he said.

According to the complaint, Michael Rossi contacted Suffield Medical Associates on June 23, 2022, complaining of a 104-degree fever, muscle pain, fatigue and a cough. The physician assistant saw him the same day in a telemedicine visit and diagnosed him with a fever and cough and told him to hydrate and to reassess in 3 to 4 days if no improvement, according to the lawsuit.

Two days later, on June 25, 2022, Rossi was taken by ambulance to Hartford Hospital in respiratory distress, where he died the same day from bacterial meningitis, the suit states.

The complaint states Suffield Medical Associates and the physician assistant failed to evaluate Rossi in person in light of the serious risks for a person without a spleen reporting a 104-degree fever, and that they failed to have him be seen in person after the telemedicine visit.

Also, the suit claims the physician assistant failed to prescribe antibiotics and that the defendants failed to maintain proper patient records.

Houlihan said while many people believe losing a spleen is not a major event, your immune system is altered, and it just puts you at risk of bad consequences, especially when there is a high fever.

Its well known. This is not a pie-in-the-sky kind of thing, he said. Your spleen does play a big role in your ability to fight off certain infections.

Houlihan said he has expert testimony that taking antibiotics would have saved Rossis life.

Rossi was the father of a son. After graduating from college, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000 to 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and a Stabilization Mission in Haiti, according to his obituary. He had been working for 14 years as a correctional officer with the Connecticut Department of Correction at the MacDougal Walker Correctional Institution and a member of the DOC Special Operations Group, the obituary said.

Donna Zito of Danaher Lagnese, who is representing the defendants, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

estannard@courant.com

2023 Hartford Courant.

Visit courant.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Inside Creative House / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The age-old debate over what is the best age to take Social Security seems like it will never end.

Social Security: 20% Cuts to Your Payments May Come Sooner Than Expected

Find Out: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement

Part of the reason is that there is no black-and-white answer. Like many financial computations, your own personal situation will determine what the right age for you is, even if its different from your friends, family members or those in the financial press.

The bottom line is there are pros and cons to taking Social Security at any age, and youll have to weigh what makes the most sense for you in terms of your financial security. Heres a look at three common times retirees take Social Security, along with the reasons they may or may not be the best choice for you.

Age 62 (Early Retirement)

Perhaps not surprisingly, age 62 is a popular age for retirees to claim Social Security, with more than 25% opting for this choice. After all, theres definitely some appeal to getting what feels like free money from the government as soon as possible. And, for some retirees, this is the best choice.

If you have few other sources of income, for example, and Social Security will put food on the table, then you might have little choice than to claim early. Others choose age 62 because they want to get checks for as long as possible. And still others take the opportunity to live overseas in a low-cost country, where the size of a Social Security check, even at age 62, can be plenty to live on.

Be aware that the biggest drawback of drawing Social Security at age 62 is that you are permanently reducing the amount of your check, to the tune of about 30% less than you would receive if you waited until age 67.

Take Our Poll: Are You Concerned About the Safety of Your Money in Your Bank Accounts?

Age 67 (Full Retirement)

For those born in 1960 or later, full retirement, as designated by the Social Security Administration, begins at age 67.

Story continues

As the life expectancy for Americans has lengthened significantly since Social Security was introduced in the 1930s, more and more are not only living longer but also working longer. Whereas retirement used to mean a gold watch and a pink slip at age 65, many Americans now work until 67 and beyond. This is at least part of the reason the percentage of Americans taking Social Security at age 62 has been dropping this century  down from around 50% in the mid-2000s.

The bottom line is that if you plan to work until at least full retirement, there may be no need to take Social Security early. By waiting until age 67, a $1,400 monthly benefit at age 67 will grow to about $2,000  and this pay raise is permanent, for the rest of your life.

Age 70 (Late Retirement)

If you can wait until age 70 to claim your Social Security benefits, youre in rare company. Only about 5% of men and 7% of women file at age 70, according to the Social Security Administration.

The reasons for this are numerous. First, many retirees simply cant afford to wait eight years after age 62 to start receiving benefits. Second, Americans in poor health may fear not even surviving until age 70 or being in a condition where theyre unable to enjoy their benefits.

But, if you dont need the money  perhaps you plan to continue working or you have another source of retirement income  or if youre in excellent health, waiting until 70 comes with a huge payout. If you were born in 1943 or later, for each year that you delay claiming Social Security after age 67, your checks will rise by 8% annually. Thats just shy of the average annual return of the stock market, one of the best performing asset classes, without any of the risk. That means a $2,600 monthly benefit at age 67 could grow to about $3,300 at age 70.

What Is the Breakeven Point?

Social Security has a breakeven point at which youll have drawn the same amount of benefits regardless of when you started. For example, imagine you have the option to draw $1,500 monthly at age 62 vs. $2,100 at age 67. If you start at age 62, youll have drawn $90,000 by the time you hit age 67. Since youd be earning an additional $600 per month if you had waited until age 67, it will take you 150 months, or 12.5 years, to reach your breakeven point. In this case, once you reach age 79.5, youll have earned the same amount of money whether you started at age 62 or waited until age 67.

If youre looking to maximize your total benefits, youll have to make a guess as to whether you expect to live beyond the breakeven point. Of course, no one can know with certainty how long they will live, but you can factor in variables such as life expectancy tables and your own general health and well-being to make an estimate. If youre a healthy individual who comes from a long-lived family, for example, youll likely earn the most by waiting until age 70 to begin drawing benefits.

The Bottom Line

There is no definitive answer as to when you should take your Social Security benefits. Factors ranging from your health, your current retirement savings, your life goals and your future retirement date all play a role in helping determine when the best age is to maximize your benefits.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Is the Best Age To Take Social Security? This might surprise you.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday announced that the evacuation process in war-torn Sudan has been completed, and over 1000 stranded Pakistanis have been safely evacuated from the country.

However, while its operations in Sudan had ended, evacuations through Jeddah would continue until all Pakistanis are brought back safely, the FO stated in a brief statement.

In the statement, the ministry thanked China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their assistance in the evacuation process.

By Allahs grace and tireless efforts of our embassy in Khartoum led by Amb Regi, supported by ?? and ?? and our teams in Jeddah and Islamabad, we have successfully & safely evacuated over 1000 Pakistanis out of Sudan. With this our evacuation operations out of Sudan have ended.  Spokesperson ?? MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) May 2, 2023

"By Allahs grace and tireless efforts of our embassy in Khartoum led by Amb Regi, supported by Saudi Arab and China and our teams in Jeddah and Islamabad, we have successfully [and] safely evacuated over 1,000 Pakistanis out of Sudan. With this, our evacuation operations out of Sudan have ended," the FO tweeted.

Yesterday, the ministry shared that nearly all 1,000 Pakistanis would be evacuated from the conflict-hit country within the next 24 to 48 hours.

The FO has been working to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in the war zone ever since the conflict began earlier this month.

The Pakistanis in Sudan are first evacuated to Port Sudan and then transferred to Jeddah where the PAF is bringing them back home.

Yesterday, the foreign ministry also took to Twitter to thank Saudi Arabia for their support and assistance to distressed Pakistanis in a difficult time.

Fighting broke out in Sudan on April 15 between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

More than 500 people have been killed in the clashes so far.

The two generals seized power in a 2021 coup, but later fell out in a bitter power struggle, most recently centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army.
In a hard-hitting speech, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said that the judiciary should be made accountable for former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's case and disqualifying two ex-chief executives  Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani  from holding public office.

He blasted the judiciary while addressing the National Assembly session amid fears of contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the backdrop of ongoing tension between the government and judiciary over multiple issues  including the date of holding the election.

Asif's statement came hours after Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the political parties wanted to pick and choose" the bench for "desired judgements".

The top judge passed the remarks as the Supreme Court resumed hearing the petitions challenging the law clipping his office's powers.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif stepped down as the prime minister in July 2017 after being disqualified from holding public office by the top court in a landmark decision on the infamous Panama Papers case.

Announcing its historic verdict, the five-member bench unanimously disqualified the three-time prime minister for failing to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from UAE-based Capital FZE in his nominations papers for the 2013 General Election, stating that this meant he was not honest and truthful, as per the Constitution.

Similarly, the apex court, in June 2012, had disqualified Pakistan Peoples Partys Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani as the prime minister in the NA Speaker ruling case.

"Yousuf Raza Gilani is disqualified from membership of parliament from April 26, the date of his conviction. He has also ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan," said then-chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reading the order.

"We are holding dialogue with our opponents but it does not come in the precinct of the court to dictate us for negotiations," Khawaja Asif said.

A house committee, he further added, should also be constituted to examine the cases decided by the judiciary in the past. He said the facts should come before the masses.

The defence minister went on to say that the government respects the top court but it should operate within its constitutional domain. He added that parliament is the supreme institution and being a defender of the Constitution will not allow any extra-constitutional step.

The senior leader of the PML-N said that parliament will not surrender its authority. We should get united for the sanctity and dignity of the house by rising above our differences.

The elected representatives come to parliament with the mandate of the people, he said, adding that the foundation of their career is based on public service.

Speaking on the occasion, the federal minister also asserted that the tradition of sacrificing prime ministers on the altar of justice should come to an end. We should protect our [every] prime minister irrespective of his political affiliation, he added.

We confess our crimes but what will the Supreme Court do to clear its past, asked the defence minister.
Gujrat Police raided the residence of former Chief Minister of Punjab and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in Gujrat at 1:00am late night.

According to details, police officers entered Kunjah House by jumping over the walls. They searched all the rooms of the residence and questioned the employees.

They also kept asking about Parvez Elahi who was not found at home, therefore after some time the officials went back.

It is also reported that over 20 employees were detained from Kunjah House.

Apart from this, police also raided the residence of former CMs brother Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain in Gujrat.

Moonis Elahison of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi issued a statement on social media that Punjab police again at Kunjah House in Gujrat to conduct another raid.

Punjab police again at Kunjah House in Gujrat to conduct another raid. I have told them to give them access although they still dont have a search warrant. pic.twitter.com/ZlEKT5CVoS  Moonis Elahi (@MoonisElahi6) May 1, 2023

He wrote: I have told them to give them access although they still dont have a search warrant.

On the other hand, the anti-corruption police said that they have nothing to do with the raid in Kunjah House, it is done by police.
The PSNI this week said they have arrested 88 alleged stalkers and charged 47 in the 12 months since the legislation was introduced.

Richard McFarland 45, from Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, has been charged with stalking a high profile female personality

This is the County Tyrone farmer who is the first person to be charged under new stalking laws in Northern Ireland.

Richard McFarland is accused of stalking a well-known female public figure.

However, the media are not allowed to name the alleged victim because of a reporting ban imposed by the court.

McFarland, 46, was charged under new legislation introduced last year.

The PSNI this week said they have arrested 88 alleged stalkers and charged 47 in the 12 months since the legislation was introduced.

McFarland is accused of engaging in a course of conduct amounting to stalking the woman which caused her to suffer fear, alarm or substantial distress over several months in 2022.

It is further alleged during the same time he breached a restraining order by contacting her.

He first appeared in court in July 2022.

An investigating PSNI officer told the court the alleged injured party contacted police to report McFarland had been sending her messages through a Facebook account.

She said she recognised his profile image due to ongoing alleged harassment stretching back over a year, for which she had obtained a restraining order against him.

Despite this, the woman reported receiving further messages, none of which she answered.

She also reported McFarland attending her home address uninvited. He was spoken to by police and warned not to contact her again.

However, the court was told he continued to contact her.

The officer said the woman became very insecure in her own home, investing in CCTV and additional security measures.

When she declined to engage with the messages, McFarland began contacting her family, including her mother, causing further distress.

After being arrested, McFarland denied the allegations but when shown screenshots of the messages, he admitted creating the account but continued to deny sending anything to the injured party.

A defence barrister said his client had sought help from his GP and was to start counselling sessions.

At the initial court hearing, a bail application was refused and McFarland was remanded in custody.

However, he was released on bail a few weeks later and warned to adhere to a number of conditions.

These included a ban on him possessing or accessing any internet-capable device and he is also not allowed to access or create social media accounts.

McFarland was warned not to contact the alleged victim by any means.

When the Sunday World called out to McFarlands home near the village of Plumbridge this week, he declined to comment on the stalking allegations against him.

Meanwhile, at a further court hearing last week at Strabane Magistrates Court, a magistrate questioned why a reporting restriction had been imposed in relation to the case.

The restriction, which was put in place at the initial hearing on July 8, 2022, stated that no details pertaining to the identification of the complainant be published in any publication of any sort.

At last weeks hearing, the magistrate, who was not involved in the initial hearing, asked for clarification on why the reporting ban was put in place.

The case is due before Strabane court for a further update next month.

The legislation under which McFarland has been charged was introduced in April 2022.

To mark the first anniversary of the introduction of the new laws, the PSNI this week revealed almost 50 people have been charged with stalking offences in the last 12 months.

Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher, from the PSNIs Public Protection Branch, urged victims or their loved ones to come forward with information about stalkers.

We are asking the public to not ignore the red flags, she said.

If someones behaviour towards you is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated, this is stalking.

I think many people when they hear the word stalking will think of someone lurking in the shadows.

Stalking can actually take many forms and can be online as well as in person and could be someone known to you or a complete stranger.

It is an insidious crime that takes over and destroys lives. Statistics show that people will suffer up to 100 incidents before reporting to police.

It often results in fear, trauma and a reduction in the victims quality of life, in some tragic cases it has resulted in murder.

We dont want victims to suffer in silence. Stalking is a crime, which will not be tolerated or accepted within our communities.

Over 4,500 officers and staff have now been trained to recognise and respond to these crimes and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to bring offenders to justice.

Sarah Mason, chief executive officer of Womens Aid Federation NI, said there are clear links between domestic abuse and stalking.

Many of the women we support would often experience stalking behaviours from their perpetrator as they try to break free from the abusive relationship, she said.

Now that stalking is a specific offence in Northern Ireland, we expect to see many more perpetrators charged under this new offence as the knowledge of the law change becomes more common amongst the public.

Practical advice and information for anyone who is currently or previously has been affected by harassment or stalking is also available on the National Stalking Helpline at 0808 8020300.
The PPS offered no evidence against them

Three Dublin men accused of the gang rape of a woman in a Belfast hotel room were today acquitted of all charges after the PPS offered no evidence against them.

Sitting side by side in the dock of Craigavon Crown Court, Conor Lawlor, Jake OSullivan and Cameron Kynes all confirmed they were ready for their trial and accordingly, 12 jurors were sworn.

Prosecuting KC Philip Mateer told them however that he had taken instructions not to offer any evidence against any of the accused in relation to any of the charges against them.

The three defendants are:

Conor Lawlor (20) from the Bannow Road;

Jake OSullivan (18), from Barnamore Grove and

Cameron Kynes (18), from St. Jarlath Road.

Lawlor and Kynes had been charged of vaginal rape, sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration arising from an incident at the Balmoral Hotel on 2 April last year while OSullivan was charged with oral rape and the sexual assault offences.

Previous courts have heard how the trio were arrested shortly after the night porter at the Balmoral Hotel made a 999 call just after 3am on 2 April when the complainant alleged she had been raped.

According to the complainant, she had met the defendants in a bar in Belfast and liked one of them so went back to his hotel but then she passed out and awoke to find them pulling her dress off, claimed a police officer during an earlier hearing.

According to the police case, all three assaulted her with their fingers and while OSullivan is alleged to have forced her to perform a sex act, the other two are alleged to have had full sexual intercourse without her consent.

The court also heard allegations the defendants had been recording the incident on mobile phones with police in possession of some of that footage.

In court today, Judge Patrick Lynch KC explained to the jury that having been brought to court to face charges, the defendants were legally entitled to have formal not guilty verdicts recorded against their names.

Their oath was to come to verdicts according to the evidence but as no evidence had been offered, the jury had to enter verdicts of not guilty by direction.

With their names cleared, Judge Lynch told the defendants they were free to leave the dock.
Ive absolutely no regrets about calling the cops on Kyle. Hes a scumbag and he deserves to be behind bars

A brave uncle has revealed how he shopped his own thug nephew to cops after recognising his mugshot on a PSNI appeal for a serial housebreaker.

Christian Orr told the Sunday World he has absolutely no regrets after he told police his sticky-fingered nephew, Kyle Donaghy, was the suspect they wanted for a spate of serious crimes which took place in 2021.

Donaghy, and his mum Audrey, are no strangers to theSunday Worldafter we revealed last year how Audrey bit a prison guard at Maghaberry Prison after shed been caught trying to smuggle drugs into the jail to Kyle during a visit.

At the time Kyle, whos now 26 years old, was inside for his part in a frenzied attack where a man was stabbed ten times in east Belfast following a drink and drugs bender.

Sources contacted the Sunday World to tip us off that Kyle had been involved in serious crime again and had pleaded guilty to a raft of offences connected to house break-ins.

They told us that Kyle and his mum are known round the streets of Sandy Row as Bonnie and Kyle after the notorious US couple Bonnie and Clyde.

And they revealed hed only been caught after his uncle, Christian, dobbed him in.

Kyles uncle Christian

Kyle Donaghy was due to be sentenced on Thursday for charges of aggravated taking of a vehicle, receiving stolen goods and driving without insurance, while a charge of burglary was left on the books.

However, the remorseless housebreaker failed to turn up to face the music and a bench warrant for his arrest was issued instead.

We tracked down Christian to his home in east Belfast and the taxi driver said he was happy to explain to us why hed called the cops on his own close relative.

The 51-year-old said he had seen the image of 26-year-old career criminal Kyle appear on social media after an elderly womans home had been broken into and her car stolen.

But he says his anger exploded when he says Kyle posted a picture of the PSNI appeal on his own social media page as some kind of badge of honour.

He was bragging about it for goodness sake, he posted the CCTV picture the cops had put out on his own Facebook page, basically glorifying robbing some poor old womans house, Christian told the Sunday Worldthis week.

The cops posted the faces of two criminals wanted for the crime spree. I didnt recognise the second one but I knew straight away the other one was Kyle.

Hes been in trouble all his life  actually I couldnt believe the police didnt know who he was because theyve nicked him enough times.

I couldnt believe what I was seeing so I called my sister Audrey  thats Kyles mum  and told her she need to hand him in because hed been breaking into pensioners houses and stealing all their stuff.

He needed to be stopped.

I did it thinking of the elderly friends of mine Mina and Archie, who I help out. I thought of them and of other elderly people I know, going through what Kyles victims had gone through and I knew it was right to shop him.

Ive absolutely no regrets about calling the cops on Kyle. Hes a scumbag and he deserves to be behind bars.

Christian says his sister is not happy with him for exposing her sons criminal exploits.

Audrey is obviously not too happy I shopped Kyle, he said.

Shes given me dogs abuse for doing it but I dont care.

Kyles mum Audrey

Christian says police were extremely grateful for the tip-off and told him when they raided Kyles house they found a bag of swag filled with stolen watches, sunglasses and gold jewellery.

He showed us Facebook messages where Kyle was advertising stolen goods including what he described as womens old watches, an antique bracelet and a TV which he was looking 150 for.

Last year Audrey Donaghy narrowly avoided going to prison after she pleaded guilty to biting a prison officer who had caught her trying to pass a stash of cannabis to Kyle while visiting him in Maghaberry Prison in January 2019.

Incredibly, just a week after being caught smuggling drugs, Audrey came to theSunday World with a sob story about her banged-up son.

She said Kyle had been severely beaten by three prison guards but failed to mention shed just been caught trying to smuggle him drugs.

She claimed the then 21-year-old was left without food and water for days and then attacked, leaving him with a broken nose and other injuries.

And she alleged the Prison Service failed to make her aware and then lied about anything happening.

Speaking to us just days after shed sunk her teeth into the arm of the prison officer, she told us shed fight tooth and nail for her son!

Hes in jail, I know hes done wrong but hes only 21, hes extremely vulnerable and he deserves to be treated like a human she told us in January 2019.

Kyle Donaghy is a notorious criminal who is wanted by police

I dont trust the Prison Service to look after him properly so while he has no voice on the inside  I will be his voice on the outside.

She told us about her sons drug problems and she even contacted the PSNI and called on them to investigate what she described as a cover-up of abuse.

But two years later her prison shame was revealed when at Craigavon Crown Court the judge was told by a prosecuting lawyer: She accepts that she brought the cannabis into prison and supplied it to her son.

The lawyer explained: The visit was interrupted by prison staff and a female prison officer grabbed his arm and Kyle Donaghy immediately put the package in his mouth, adding that Kyles mother bit another officer on the lower arm breaking the skin.

While Audrey Donaghy was taken away to be arrested and interviewed, her son was put into a cell where staff waited for nature to take its course and eventually the package was retrieved from between his buttocks.

Kyle also entered guilty pleas to possessing cannabis and assaulting the prison officer.

He was on remand for a serious assault where Donaghy and two Belfast brothers stabbed their victim ten times, puncturing his lung in the attack on Laganbank Road on August 22, 2018.

All three were later sentenced to 26 months behind bars with half of that time to be served on licence.

Its not clear when Donaghy will appear in court again to be sentenced for his most recent crimes.
South_agency / Getty Images

The average Social Security benefit for retired workers is $1,827 per month in 2023. That comes out to $21,924 in annual benefits for a single person, or $43,848 per year for a couple. For some people, that's their only monthly income.

Social Security: No Matter Your Age, Do Not Claim Benefits Until You Reach This Milestone

Find: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement

Living on a fixed income basically means you're solely or almost entirely dependent on funds such as Social Security, pensions and inheritance, with little to no flexibility in the amount you're paid each month. Unstable costs, such as a volatile housing market, can be especially challenging to deal with on a fixed income.

If you rely mostly -- or solely -- on a fixed income, click through to see the best places to live in your state.

Jay Yuan / Shutterstock.com

25. Troy, New York

Nestled along the Hudson River, Troy saw housing prices rise 7.16% from January 2022 to January 2023. Rent prices grew about the same to a median of $1,329 per month. But by New York standards. Troy is fairly affordable for those on a fixed income. The median home value of $235, 955 fell well below the national average of $328,111, and prices are slowing down, rising only 0.07% in the interval from October 2022 to January 2023.

Social Security: 20% Cuts to Your Payments May Come Sooner Than Expected

Good Question: What Is the Average Social Security Benefit at Every Age?

peeterv / Getty Images/iStockphoto

24. Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

Coraopolis is a western suburb of Pittsburgh, near the airport if you expect visits from out-of-state relatives and friends. Rent prices increased 3.46% year over year, but at $1,398, they're still well below the national average of $1,970. Median home prices went up 5.41% in the past year but less than 1% over the past quarter to $270,816.

Social Security: 20% Cuts to Your Payments May Come Sooner Than Expected

Pictured: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

23. Marion, Iowa

If you're thinking of renting instead of buying a home, consider Marion, a suburb of Cedar Rapids. The median rent of $809 is the lowest of the 25 cities in the GOBankingRates study, although it did rise 6.78% over the past year. That's almost identical to the increase in home prices, which rose to $253,157 in the past year but went up only about $300 in the past quarter.

Story continues

Pictured: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto

22. Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Rent prices in Saint Cloud went up by 9.20% over the past year, one of the highest increases in the study. However, the price grew to $1,219, which still is more than $700 a month less than the national average. The median home value went up just 0.01% over the last quarter to $224,822 in Saint Cloud, which is a little more than an hour northwest of the Twin Cities.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

21. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Wauwatosa sits on the shores of Lake Michigan, about 100 miles north of Chicago. It's other distinction? With a median home value of $322,992, Wauwatosa is the most expensive place to buy a home in the GOBankingRates study. But the prices didn't skyrocket over the past year, going up 5.96%. Rents didn't go up quite as much, rising just over 5% a median of $1,538 per month. While it's one of the higher rental prices in the study, it's still $400 less than the national average.

Pictured: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

peeterv / Getty Images

20. Yukon, Oklahoma

In the Oklahoma City suburb of Yukon, housing prices skyrocketed in the first three quarters of 2022, then barely moved a trickle in the final quarter. Median home values went up 10.03% from January 2022 to January 2023, making it the highest jump in the study, with the price settling at $242,829. Maybe the rush to buy accounted for an increase in rental costs of less than 2% to $1,507.

Social Security: Women Get $354 Per Month Less Than Men -- Here's Why

Pictured: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

David Harmantas / Shutterstock.com

19. Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City is the second Iowa locale on the list, but it's costlier than its suburb of Marion. The median home price in Iowa City is just under $300,000, making it the fourth most expensive place to buy a house in the study. The value went up 5.27% year over year, a half-percentage point higher than the increase in rent. A rental in Iowa City is $1,218 per month, well under the national average.

Brian Plunkett / Flickr.com

18. Wheeling, Illinois

Real estate prices in Wheeling, which is about 30 miles northwest of Chicago, increased just 3.25% year over year to $268,919. Rent prices had more than triple of an increase, however, going up 10.99% to $1,766 per month - one of the two highest rents in the study.

Pictured: Buffalo Grove, Illinois

MWaits / Shutterstock.com

17. Stillwater, Oklahoma

Stillwater's median home value of $216,714 put in the bottom third of prices in the study. The year-over-year increase in housing prices was far less than then 8.66% increase in rental prices to $1,283.

benkrut / Getty Images/iStockphoto

16. Dover, Delaware

Home values in Dover went up 9.32% year over year, with a median home value of $$292,334. The increase in rental prices over the same time span, however, was a scant 1.24% to an average of $1,507 per month.

Housing Market 2023: Is a Double-Digit Drop in Prices Coming?

mandritoiu / Shutterstock.com

15. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Home prices in Pittsburgh were flat over the span from October to January, rising only 0.19% to $212,105. The year-over-year housing prices rose 5.35%, however, less than the 6.06% hike in rent prices to an average of $1,403 per month.

colind123 / Shutterstock.com

14. Lakewood, Ohio

Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland near Lake Erie, is an affordable option. Zillow puts the median home price at $262,198. That's up only 2.75% year over year. The average rent is $1,262 a month, up 4.93% year over year.

Shutterstock.com

13. Albany, New York

New York's state capital sits on the west side of the Hudson River, and you'll pay more to live there than in Troy, on the east side. Albany's home values went north by 4.52% over the past year to $261,619, but that is still about $40,000 less than the national median. Rents went up nearly 7% to $1,475 per month.

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

12. Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids is the third Iowa city on the list - and it has the least expensive home prices of the Iowa locales. The median home value in Cedar Rapids went up 6.64% to $191,262, one of the six cities on the list with housing prices less than $200,000. The average rent also is affordable at $952, despite going up 5.25% year over year.

More: I'm a Financial Advisor Who Knows What Retirees Actually Do With Their Savings (It Might Surprise You)

11. Parkville, Maryland

The three Iowa cities seemed like a lot for this study, but apparently Maryland is the best state to live on a fixed income. Parkville, a northeastern suburb of Baltimore, has median home values of just less than $250,000, which rose almost 4% over the past year. Rental prices grew 4.78% to $1,464 per month.

Shutterstock.com

10. Huber Heights, Ohio

Huber Heights, on the western side of the state, is a good place for homeowners on a fixed income, with Zillow reporting median home prices of $167,425. That represents a 6.43% hike year over year, but costs were flat in the last quarter. Rental costs went up less - 4.80% -- to $1,251 per month.

Pictured: Dayton, Ohio

ChrisBoswell / Getty Images/iStockphoto

9. Euclid, Ohio

If you thought living in Huber Heights offered affordability on a fixed income, look at Euclid in the Cleveland area. Home values in Euclid are the lowest in the GOBankingRates study at $129,550, which even includes a 5.87% increase year over year. Rents only went up 2.90%, but they are far from the cheapest on the list at a median of $1,229.

Pictured: Cleveland, Ohio

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

8. Bossier City, Louisiana

The median home value in Bossier City is just a few hundred dollars below $200,000, making it one of the best places to live on a fixed income. Still, housing prices jumped by 7.05% in the last year. The 2.15% increase in rent, to $1,287 per month, was minuscule by comparison.

wellesenterprises / Getty Images

7. Manhattan, Kansas

In Manhattan, the location of Kansas State University, the median home value is $242,257, up 4.52% year over year. The average rent had a lesser increase, up 2.89% to $1,220.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

6. San Angelo, Texas

Homebuyers on a fixed income can benefit from San Angelo's relatively stable housing market: Home values increased only 2.14% year over year to $189,987. Rent rose 5.66% to an average of $1,302.

Majestic_Aerials / Getty Images

5. Nottingham, Maryland

The median home value in West Springfield is $275,707. Although this is nearly $12,000 below the national median value, it's much less than the median home price in the state of Massachusetts as a whole, which is $508,232, according to Zillow.Home values in the city increased about 10.81% year over year.

Pictured: Baltimore, Maryland

Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

4. Beaumont, Texas

Home and rent prices are both well below the national median in Beaumont. The median home value in the city is $146,934 and rent is $1,331. The home values rose by just 1.94%, and rents went up 2.97% year over year.

sborisov / Getty Images/iStockphoto

3. Middle River, Maryland

Here comes the run on Maryland cities to close out the study, and all three share a common fact. Rent prices went down from January 2022 to 2023. In Middle River, rents fell 0.58% to $1,591. The median home price, however, rose 4.56% to $287,493.

Pictured: Baltimore, Maryland

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Windsor Mill, Maryland

Housing costs in Windsor Mill are about $50,000 below the U.S. median at $279,100. Home values showed nearly a 4.74% growth year over year, while rents fell by 0.77 to $1,505.

Pictured: Baltimore, Maryland

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

1. Randallstown, Maryland

Randallstown, 20 miles from Baltimore, is a study in contrasts. While its housing prices are second highest in the study at $322,342 and went up 3.53 percent year over year, rental prices dropped 3.3% in the same time span. Median rents now are $1,427 - more than $500 below the national average.

Pictured: Baltimore, Maryland

More From GOBankingRates

Jami Farkas and Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: To find the best places in the United States to live on a fixed income, GOBankingRates first looked at every city with Zillow home value data for January 2022, October 2022, and January 2023 available as well as the city's rent for both January 2022 and 2023 as sourced from Zillow. With all these data points sourced GOBankingRates then pared the list to only include cities that met the following criteria: a home value of less than the national average of $328,111 and also a ranking as one of the 5,000 largest housing markets, according to Zillow

For these qualified cities, GOBankingRates found: (1) the quarter-over-quarter percent change in home value; (2) the year-over-year percent change in home value; and (3) the year-over-year percent change in rent. Those cities with negative values for factors (1) or (2) were then eliminated. With the remaining cities, GOBankingRates scored and combined all three factors with the lowest score being best. These factors were chosen because changes in home values serve as a proxy for measuring the volatility of a housing market, with large increases posing a threat to those living on fixed incomes, while a negative change in value means money is being lost in depreciating house values. However, decreasing rental prices benefit a household on a fixed income.

All data was collected on and up to date as of March 1, 2023.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only and may represent the nearest large metropolitan area.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 25 Best Places in the US To Live on a Fixed Income
Nicholas Rossi tried to fake his own death and is wanted in four US states for fraud, sexual assault and rape

It was December 2021 and Arthur Knight was on a ventilator in the Covid-19 ward of Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The illness was another gruelling chapter in the incredible life story of the Irish orphan who had escaped a Dublin institution when he was 14 and fled to the UK on a ferry.

Since then, the survivor had managed to be the architect of a good and decent life for himself: marrying his wife Miranda in 2020, and now working as an academic at the University of Glasgow.

He was known locally as a friendly eccentric who wore dapper clothes and drank expensive whiskey while he bantered with barmen about British politics.

Knight couldnt have known, lying in his hospital bed one Monday, that the intricate cover he had fabricated was so close to collapsing, with each and every step the Scottish police officer took towards his ward.

Because Knight is a sham. The man lying in that hospital bed on Ward 7A was actually Nicholas Rossi  an American fugitive who had tried to fake his own death and is wanted in four US states for fraud, sexual assault and rape.

Rossi, who is accused of using 16 different aliases to evade capture, has since become a media sensation as he fights extradition from Scotland  all the while insisting that he is Knight, an innocent Irish orphan who is being framed. Wheeling himself into court wearing three-piece suits and panama hats, he claims to require a wheelchair and an oxygen mask due to long-Covid.

Last year, a Scottish court ruled that Rossi and Knight were one and the same. But Rossi kept finding ways to deny the undeniable.

He claimed the Interpol warrant issued for him was Photoshopped, and that the tattoos found on him which matched Rossis had been done while he was unconscious.

He is a colourful character who has been more than happy to court media attention, but his quick temper and refusal to answer basic questions have strained his relations with the press.

His false Irish identity is just the latest outlandish claim by an all-American con artist.

Rossi, who also goes by the name Nicholas Alahverdian, is from Rhode Island. He spent a lot of his youth in care, and would later use this as a springboard for a political and advocacy career where he agitated to improve state services for children.

Rossi, who talked his way into a legislative page at the State House when he was 14, became known as a rent-a-quote by local press and his profile grew.

But in 2020, the campaigner announced the sorry news that he was suffering from terminal illness at the age of 32. A couple of weeks later, a grand and verbose obituary would appear, praising the now deceased Rossi for leading a warriors life a fighter in spirit, but a peacemaker in practice. Around the same time that he was writing tributes to himself, he was getting married in Bristol under the alias Arthur Knight.

Investigations have shown that Rossi passed through Dublin on his way to the UK in 2017. He is also understood to possess an Irish driving licence under the name Nicholas Brown.

During hearings in Edinburgh last year, his cut-glass British accent would sometimes swing erratically to the other side of the Irish Sea, his Queens English being peppered with the occasional aye and grand.

In her excellent podcast on the incredible affair, I Am Not Nicholas, Northern Irish journalist Jane Macsorley tried to pin Rossi down on his alleged Irish orphan backstory. Where in Ireland did he come from, exactly? All over. But North or South?

After some protracted answers, Rossi conjured memories of the Dublin of his youth. It was a place where people spoke to each other on the street corners, not like now when everyone is on their phone. And he recalled memories of the Moore street.

The market? Macsorley asked. Aye, he said, he remembered all of the fruits and the aul lady screamin.

This is a man who is in his 30s. Yet listening to him, you would think he had grown up in Molly Malones Dublin.

The Irish backstory that he created for himself was conveniently vague. He claimed to be an orphan who grew up in an institution in Dublin. Which one, though? The Sacred Heart, he said, under pressure. St Marys. All institutions with very generic names, he explained. Yes,very generic.

With his gossamer thin cover story, and his penchant for showing up to court wearing satin pyjamas and jaunty little hats, its tempting to dismiss Rossi as a ridiculous figure. But between the audacious twists and turns of this story, it is important to remember that he is accused of extremely serious sexual violence. And since 2008, he has been on the sex offenders register in the US after he attacked a woman at a college.

After being found guilty of public indecency and sexual imposition in 2008, Rossis sympathy seemed to only be for himself.

After unsuccessfully agitating for a retrial, after apparently fabricating a false confession that suggested that the encounter was consensual, Rossi tried to drag his victim through the courts by suing her for mental distress and defamation.

In 2014, he compared being prosecuted for the assault to the September 11 attacks.

In an essay, My Personal 9/11, Rossi claimed his victim coming forward was tantamount to flying planes into my twin pillars of personal success and public service. My goals and aspirations crumbled to the earth, amassing a huge heap of rubble.

Around the same time, he tried to make himself a darling of the mens rights activism movements of the internet.

A former partner has since come forward to make serious allegations of coercive control and domestic abuse against him.

The DNA taken from him for this 2008 case would later link him with a rape kit sent for testing at the Utah State Crime Lab in 2017. In 2018, the results would return and be found to match Rossis.

Rossis depthless compassion for himself has endured throughout his extradition battle.

Since his arrest in 2021, he has lost a number of lawyers.

Earlier this year, he claimed he was being bullied in prison by cellmates who mocked his extradition battle by singing the John Denver song Leaving On A Jet Plane at him.

After organising a press conference to promote his plight against the authorities, he lost his temper after arriving to find it was sparsely attended.

He phoned a BBC journalist to berate them for their lack of interest in his case.

Most recently, he has gone viral after giving an interview to US current affairs show Dateline  where he frequently hyperventilates and gasps with tears, trying with all of his might to convince us that he is Arthur Knight, but likely only convincing himself.

The Indo Daily podcast features the story of Nicholas Rossi in an episode going online on Tuesday, May 2
Gheorghita Ilie (22) is facing trial after a judge decided the case was too serious to be heard at district court level

A young man went home following a street dispute and returned with a realistic imitation handgun, it is alleged.

Gheorghita Ilie (22) is facing trial after a judge decided the case was too serious to be heard at district court level.

Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case at Dublin District Court. Mr Ilie, of Belvedere Place, Dublin 1, is charged with possession of a realistic imitation firearm.

The incident is alleged to have happened at Belvedere Place on June 5, 2021.

A garda said the DPP consented to the case being dealt with at district court level, subject to the judge considering the issue of jurisdiction.

The garda said it would be alleged Mr Ilie was in a disagreement with another person at 2.30pm on the day.

In the course of that dispute, it was alleged Mr Ilie went to his home and returned with a black imitation handgun that was visible to members of the public. Photos of the gun and a ballistics report were handed in to court.

Judge Smyth said he was refusing jurisdiction based on the alleged facts.

Defence solicitor Matthew de Courcy said there was consent to an adjournment.

The accused was remanded on continuing bail to a date later this month for the consent of the DPP to be given for the case to be returned for trial to the circuit court.

There will then be a further adjournment for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Mr Ilie, who was assisted by an interpreter in court, has not yet entered a plea to the charge.
It was the cruellest thing Id ever come across during a lifetime in business. said Murtagh.

Const. Darren Bradshaw, 24, was murdered by INLA. He was socialising with friends around 10:00pm in the Parliament Bar, Belfast.

Businessman Jim Murtagh says the Gay Revolution is the best thing that ever happened to Belfast.

In an interview with the Sunday World, the former owner of the popular Parliament Bar, tells of his decision to become a co-sponsor of the citys first Gay Pride parade.

He witnessed the Rev. Ian Paisley and his Free Presbyterian supporters haranguing participants and branding them Perverts and Sodomites as they boarded an open-top bus outside his bar.

Murtagh (67) also recalls how his wife and son were forced to flee for their lives - along with hundreds of gay customers - when the IRA built a bomb inside his bar.

And he insists the saddest day of his life was when he was told RUC officer Darren Bradshaw had been shot dead by the INLA, as he danced the night away in his pub.

Const. Darren Bradshaw, 24, was murdered by INLA. He was socialising with friends around 10:00pm in the Parliament Bar, Belfast.

It was the cruellest thing Id ever come across during a lifetime in business. said Murtagh.

And he added: But I knew the war was really over the day I watched Gerry Kelly and other Sinn Fein leaders on TV with the Rainbow colours painted on their faces!

Jim Murtagh says he was reminded of the dark days from Belfasts past after listening to a BBC true crime podcast series broadcast this week.

Blood on the Dance Floor investigated the 1997 slaying of off-duty Police Constable Darren Bradshaw, who was gunned down in Murtaghs pub. He was just 24.

The RUC officer - who was from Antrim - was shot three times in the back and the murder was claimed by the republican terror group the INLA.

Ill never forget that night as long as I live. At the time, I was under threat from both republican and loyalist paramilitaries for refusing to pay protection money and the police had advised me to stay away from the bar.

But as soon as I heard a young police officer had been shot dead in my pub, I went straight round to the Parliament.

The place was in turmoil. Our gay customers viewed Darrens murder as an attack on the gay community and as far as I and my staff were concerned, they were right. he said.

Murtagh said the Parliament was the latest version of his pub, having been previously known as the Dunbar Link and then the Waterfront, after the Marlon Brando film On the Waterfront.

Said Murtagh:Our gay customers were brilliant. Id been in London and Dublin and Id seen gay bars working well. For a start everyone was happy.

The Gay Pride parade in Belfast

We had managed to get back open for business for business after the IRA bombed the place.

My wife and son had been forced to flee out the rear entrance as the Provos built a bomb in the front bar. And an RUC jeep arrived at the scene with the bombers still inside.

The IRA men set the bomb and raced to their red Toyota getaway car and the driver manoeuvred his way around the police jeep as they made off. The bomb exploded.

We bounced back again and we openly declared we were all-in for the Pink Pound. The Parliament was a gay bar and it was the best thing we ever did. Our takings shot up from around 1,000 per week to 35,000! Suddenly, everyone wanted to buy my bar.

The gay scene had arrived in Belfast and the Parliament was the epicentre of it. At the time there was nowhere else. Gay customers travelled from as far away as Derry, Donegal, Limavady and Strabane.

They booked into small hotels and guesthouses in Belfast and made their way to the Parliament. It was just a brilliant atmosphere.

Everyone was on a learning curve. In the Parliament, we catered for everyone. The straight community was learning how to treat the gay community with respect.

And the gay community - while enjoying their new-found freedom - was learning how to co-exist with the straight community.

There was a sea change in Belfast and it worked. explained Jim Murtagh, who at the time owned a number of other bars in Belfast city centre.

One of the first things I did was to ask our bouncers to lighten up. I told them to ditch the bow ties and smile at our new gay customers. I ordered them to extend the hand of friendship, because they didnt know how to welcome gay people.

One bouncer wasnt happy with the new direction, but a few weeks later, I saw him on the dance floor with a gay partner!

And Murtagh added: I wont name names, but Ill tell you one thing, there was a number of loyalist and republican paramilitary figures who were very much at home in the Parliament.

Jim Murtagh said the BBC podcast Blood on the Dance Floor broadcast this week, brought the full horror of PC Darren Bradshaws murder back to him.

It was horrific. Darren was a valued customer and he was probably betrayed by another customer.

The murder took place on a Friday night. And after the police left the following morning, we were still cleaning up when I looked up and saw a woman standing in the bar.

One of the staff told her we werent open, but I sensed something wasnt right. I asked her if she was ok and she said, I just wanted to see where I lost my son. I realised she was Darrens mum.

We sat her down and made her tea and we chatted until she was ready to leave. It was such a sad moment for everyone. said Mr. Murtagh.

The gay revolution had definitely changed Northern Ireland for the batter, but Darrens murder finished me with the bar business. he explained.

And added a word of caution: Yes, things have come a long way - but as the shooting of PSNI Inspector John Caldwell a few weeks ago shows - it still had some way to go.

PC Darren Bradshaw was murdered on May 9 1997. Three days later, GAA officer Sean Brown was shot as he closed the gates of the Wolfe Tone GAA club at Bellaghy.

His killers drove him to Randalstown, Co. Antrim, before dumping his body beside his burning car. Police believed Mr. Brown was killed by the Loyalist Volunteer Force, in direct retaliation for Constable Bradshaws death.
Senior sources say that gardai are in the closing stages of their lengthy investigation into the murder of Gary Carey

The scene of the shooting in Kilmainham last June. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Associates of gang boss Derek Dee Dee ODriscoll have emerged as the only suspects in the unsolved murder of a notorious criminal who died six weeks after being shot multiple times in an underground car park in Kilmainham, south Dublin.

Senior sources say that gardai are in the closing stages of their lengthy investigation into the murder of Gary Carey (41) who was discovered in a serious condition in the underground car park of the Hilton Hotel in Kilmainham by staff before being rushed to hospital last June 24.

Carey died from his injuries at St Jamess Hospital on August 5 and the case has been the subject of a major investigation.

Detectives have also identified the alleged gunman in the case  a convicted armed robber aged in his early 30s who is from the Ballyfermot area and is currently on bail awaiting trial for serious offences.

The suspected shooter is a well-known criminal who has previously served multiple jail sentences and is considered a key member of the Dee Dee crime organisation.

While it was originally suspected that three separate organised crime gangs had clubbed together for the hit, sources say that the main focus of the detailed investigation is now on the Dee Dee ODriscoll crime organisation.

A car involved in the murder was seen at a property linked to the veteran gangster who has been involved in organised crime for over three decades.

Dee Dee ODriscoll is one of the most notorious criminals in Irish gangland history and has multiple previous convictions including for bribing a garda

This Ballyfermot-based criminal, who is suspected of being the hitman, is expected to be arrested in the coming weeks and officers have established he is an associate of Dee Dee.

Detectives have also established a motive for the gun murder  a bitter turf war row over cash and drugs in west Dublin.

Investigations have also established that a silver Audi A4 car that was used in the murder was observed in the Blessington area before and after the fatal shooting. This vehicle was spotted on CCTV.

The car was found burnt out near the Co Wicklow town in the aftermath of the murder.

It has emerged the vehicle was bought legitimately for cash in the weeks before the planned assassination, with gardai receiving information that the buyer of the car was very keen to make the purchase and make off with the Audi very quickly which was also observed on CCTV in the Tallaght area a number of times before the murder.

Derek 'Dee Dee' O'Driscoll

Dee Dee ODriscoll is one of the most notorious criminals in Irish gangland history and has multiple previous convictions including for bribing a garda, violent disorder and perverting the course of justice.

The 49-year-old convicted criminal was previously at the centre of a lengthy garda investigation into an extortion campaign in which council workers and contractors were targeted in a spate of violent crimes.

Bank accounts to the value of more than 250,000 controlled by ODriscoll and his close associate, David Reilly, were frozen by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) after the High Court was told in October 2019 that the money was raised through extortion and running protection rackets.

It is understood that Gary Carey had only arrived back in Dublin from Spain on the day he was shot, and was not wearing a bulletproof vest as he usually does after working out in the hotels gym. He was chased around the Hilton car park by at least one gunman.

The grave was attacked by vandals last October who smashed up the marble gravestone and used a screwdriver to prise off a family photo

It is understood that he had received reassurances about his safety from the gang who killed him before he arrived back in Dublin. He had been based in Spain for a number of months before that and was shot in the shoulder, arm, chest and leg by the gunman.

Witnesses reported hearing up to eight shots close to 11.30am before Carey, who was from the nearby Islandbridge area of the capital, was discovered critically injured.

His younger brother, Darren Carey (20), was one of two men murdered in the gruesome Canal Murders in 2000, carried out by now-deceased criminal Mark Desmond.

Gary Carey, who was a father of three, is buried alongside his brother Darren in Palmerstown Cemetery. However, the grave was attacked by vandals last October who smashed up the marble gravestone and used a screwdriver to prise off a family photo.

Last Junes fatal shooting was the third time Gary Carey had been shot at in the space of 15 months. A man has been charged in court in relation to one of these shootings.

Patrick Fitzgerald (46), of Glenties Park, Finglas, Dublin, was charged last October with the attempted murder of Gary Carey, who survived after being shot a number of times at Ballyfermot Crescent on November 17, 2021.

Carey was sitting in a car in the front drive of a house when a gunman allegedly fired nine bullets through the front windscreen.

The investigation by Ballyfermot gardai into the attempted murder is a separate probe to the one being led by Kilmainham officers into his murder.

The previous March, gardai also received reports that Carey was shot at in Ballyfermot but escaped serious injury. He only received graze injuries in that attack and drove himself to hospital.

He also did not make any complaint to gardai, but detectives believe a criminal aged in his late 20s from Ballyfermot was involved in that attack.

Carey had been questioned a number of times by detectives in relation to seizures of drugs, firearms and cash.
Steven Fidler is wanted by several police forces across Britain and was the focus of a BBC Crimewatch appeal

An alleged cowboy builder with an Irish accent has been named on a UK 'most wanted' list after customers were fleeced out of thousands of pounds over a three-year period.

Steven Fidler who is described as speaking with a Midlands accent, sometimes Irish and is wanted by several police forces across Britain was the focus of a BBC Crimewatch appeal.

The 35-year-old who had been operating in Warwickshire and the West Midlands has also been named on the Crimestoppers Most Wanted list

Last year, Warwickshire Police issued an appeal to the public for their help to find Fidler following an incident in the county.

He is now wanted by several police forces across the UK, including West Midlands, Cheshire and Warwickshire.

Crimestoppers say that Fidler has used a host of fake names, and is wanted over allegations of fraud by false representation and other frauds.

Between November 2019 to January 2022 Fidler used online bidding sites to win jobs under several pseudonyms including Steve Donohue; Steven and Riley Doherty; and Paddy, Billy, Riley and Simey McGuinley.

Stephen Fidler is wanted by several UK police forces

Company names he has used reportedly include Doherty Master Plastering and Building Solutions, Doherty Building Solutions, Elite Roofing and Building Services, Master Build and Fortitude Painting & Decorating Solutions.

According to Crimestoppers, various people who advertised building or decoration projects on online bidding sites were "contacted by Fidler using various unregistered company names".

Others, they say, have had him recommended to them.

"Fidler has quoted for the building work for each of the complainants and this has been accepted, with contracts being drawn up either verbally or, in lots of cases, written," Crimestoppers said.

"Fidler has asked for a large portion of the costs upfront and the complainants have paid thousands of pounds in bank transfers and cash.

"He has then started the work for each complainant, often recommending further work they need doing, and asking for more money. His attendance has been sporadic, frequently making excuses as to non-attendance.

"For the majority of the complainants Fidler has done work to demolish or strip back parts of each house, and has then stopped attending."

Anyone who knows of his whereabouts should call Crimestoppers, which is free to contact from a landline and anonymous, on 0800 555 111. Their crime reference is CS2303-18955.

Other details relating to Fidler included tattoos on his right arm, a large full sleeve tattoo detailing figures and birds and on his right hand a flower (rose)

On his left leg is Royal Marines Commando with an emblem while on his right leg is a dagger.

He also has a three-inch horizontal scar on the ankle of his right leg/foot and a scar on his left thumb.
People dont believe its real. They think its photoshopped and all that, said photographer Ken Pretty.

A Canadian photographer has snapped a gigantic iceberg floating off the coast of Newfoundland in the shape of a penis.

Ken Pretty, a shift engineer at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and keen photographer, hails from the town of Dildo.

Dildo is a small town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, located on the south-eastern Dildo Arm of Trinity Bay.

South Dildo is a neighbouring community of 200 residents, just beside where photographer Ken lives.

It was a calm day over the freezing waters last week when budding photographer, Ken, spotted the distinct looking ( to say the least ) iceberg, so he began reconnaissance.

'Dick Berg' Photo: Ken Pretty

Looking from the land, it wasnt quite clear. But once I got the drone out there, it was unreal how much it looked like  well, you know, Ken told local reporters.

People dont believe its real. They think its photoshopped and all that. I can tell you - its real, he said.

Its all good fun. Everyone worried about the cost of living these days, but if this berg can put a smile on peoples faces, its worth it, Mr Pretty said.

Pretty admits that the name of his hometown added to the joke. The Toronto Star headlined their story: Dildo man captures phallic iceberg in Conception Bay.

"The day after I took the picture, the shape of interest collapsed, so I probably have the last erect picture of it," Petty added.

Meme

Thousands of people have been reacting with humour to the images on Kens social media.

"I thought cold water made them shrink," said one woman.

I need a stiff drink after that, wrote another.

Takes the word cold c*ck to a whole new level, said one man.

The uniquely shaped iceberg. Photo: Ken Pretty

I know we arent friends, but this has been the only topic of conversation at my work today, wrote another.

Is that where baby icebergs come from? added another.

The premature end of the iceberg prompted one person to create a memorial video, complete with doves.

Gone, but not forgotten. Forever in our hearts, read the caption.

The iceberg itself was estimated to have between 30-50 feet tall. Scientists who assess the planet's health have reported evidence that earth has been getting warmer, in some cases rapidly.

Most believe that human activity, in particular the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, have influenced this warming trend.

In the past decade scientists have documented record-high average annual surface temperatures and have been observing other signs of change all over the planet; in the distribution of ice, and in the salinity, levels, and temperatures of the oceans.
Andy Heasman is a well-known far-right activist who was most recently pictured at an anti-immigration protest in Mullingar

Far-right agitator Andy Heasman has jumped on the book-banning bandwagon by encouraging people to go into Easons on Dublins OConnell Street and remove books from the shelves.

Heasman has shared a video clip online where he complains that the a book written by author Juno Dawson - and others - are pornographic and should not be displayed for children.

In the clip, Heason narrates over video footage of the shop and images of the covers and inside pages of books including The Puberty Book, Lets Talk About Sex, No Sex, No Sleep, and Raising the Transgender Child

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

After introducing himself, Heasman intones: As you see I've just been sent some videos of Easons in O'Connell Street Dublin and he's after going inside and taking all these pictures of the books that are being (sic) on display in the children's section, in the Harry Potter section, in Easons, Dublin.

They are displaying the Juno Dawson books that are supposed to be for adults. These are not for children, they're displaying adult content and they break the Children First Act 2015.

He then encourages anyone in the Dublin area who can go into this shop and take these books off the shelf and call the guards and report this as a crime against the Children First Act 2015.

The Act he is referring to is defined as national guidance for the protection and welfare of children that sets out steps which should be taken to ensure that the child or young person is protected from harm.

Continuing his tirade, Heason adds: These books are not for children.

"These books should not be on display for children for any reason whatsoever.

"It does not promote sex education, they promote porn. And us, as parents, we have to stand up and put a stop to this before it gets worse and our children (sic).

He then signs off: Erin go Brah. Thank you, before adding, take a look here at the small video clip that has been sent to me from inside of Easons.

The shorter clip shows a man rummaging through the shelves of a book shop while exclaiming, For the record, This Book is Gay, holding up a copy of the book, Queer upIts fu**ing disgraceful, it is. Its in the Harry Potter section, were in the Harry Potter section.

It follows protests last month that were staged by various groups outside Swords Library.

One group, who claimed to be from the Natural Womens Council, Irish Education Alliance, Parents Rights Alliance and LFJI gathered to object to some books available in Fingal Libraries, including Juno Dawson's This Book is Gay.

A counter-protest by People Before Profit, was organised "in support of the LGBTQ+ community".

The groups objected to six titles including Dawson's book which has since been removed from the Childrens Books Ireland Pride Reading Guide.

Protests have taken place at Irish libraries

It was just the latest in a series of protests and incidents within public libraries across the country.

Through February and March a group of protesters arrived at the City Library in Cork, for five weeks in a row, demanding that Dawson's book be taken off the shelves.

A similar incident in Ashbourne Library in Meath recently saw a protestor ask a staff member who was the librarian responsible for bringing these books to the library.

In a video posted to Instagram, Juno Dawson, author of This Book is Gay, responded to the protests, including those at libraries in Ireland.

I felt as a former teacher, that sex education for LGBTQ teenagers wasnt very good, the author explained.

They werent learning anything they needed to keep them safe and healthy when in adult relationships so I wanted to address that with This Book is Gay.

Along with This Book is Gay, Dawson is also the author of Whats The T?, Margot & Me and The Gender Games, some of which also faced a backlash.

The Sunday World has requested a comment from Easons.

Andy Heasman is a well-known far-right activist who was most recently pictured at an anti-immigration protest in Mullingar.

Last month, Irish-flag waving protestors, some of them hooded to hide their faces, blocked a bus carrying international protection applicants at Columb Barracks.

Heasman appeared in one clip standing outside the barracks claiming that protestors had been threatened by both gardai and asylum seekers.

In March, Heasman was charged under public order legislation following a stand-off with gardai on St. Patricks Day.

He was one of approximately 50 anti-immigrant activists who were prevented by gardai from engaging in a planned demonstration at the parade.

Video subsequently shared by the groups own activists show how, after the groups movements were curtailed, Heasman ran up and down past members of the Public Order Unit shouting profanities at officers.

Cheered on by his group, Heasman continued to shout obscenities and goad officers until he was pursued on foot and attempted to flee.

Heasman was then arrested and led away as his supporters chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

Heasman is well known among those active in Irelands dwindling far right movement.

He previously served a two-month sentence in Castlerea Prison for refusing to wear a mask on a Bus Eireann bus during covid restrictions.

In July of 2020, he was on a bus in Ballyhaunis where he wore his mask like a hat and ignored requests to wear it properly.

Heasman pleaded not guilty to two charges under the Public Order Act on the same date when he refused to give his name and address to a garda.

He represented himself in court, but was accompanied by a 'McKenzie friend', former newspaper columnist John Waters.

Judge Lydon sentenced him to two months in prison for failing to provide his name and address and took the other charge into consideration.

Heasman was also a member of a group that repeatedly targeted the then Tanaiste Leo Varadkars home in widely condemned anti-vaccination protests.

After the Covid restrictions were lifted, Heasman shifted the focus of his activities to protesting the arrivals of immigrants here.
We figured the Ukrainians needed it more than we did. We donated it to help the people and it was subsequently driven over.

Ukrainian soldiers fire near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (Libkos/AP)   Libkos

Ukrainian soldiers have been photographed using an Irish companys pick-up truck on the battlefield in the warzone.

Southeast Contractors (SEC) are driveway restoration specialists who typically cover the Wicklow, Kildare, Kilkenny and Wexford areas.

However, this week one of their trucks was snapped far from Irelands sunny south-east.

The photograph of the vehicle was posted online with armed Ukrainian soldiers standing beside it in the ruins of a destroyed village.

An SEC spokesperson told the Sunday World they donated the vehicle after observing the humanitarian catastrophe taking place in the Ukraine.

We had been observing events over in the Ukraine and seeing the horrific loss of life. We decided to make a charitable donation of our truck, the representative said.

Somebody showed us that image this morning actually. It was our Ford Ranger truck, which we had great use of, its a reliable vehicle.

We figured the Ukrainians needed it more than we did. We donated it to help the people and it was subsequently driven over.

We werent sure where it would end up, we just wanted it to be put to good use. I understand the truck is with the army now, the spokesperson said.

The charitable company boss also mentioned the humanitarian cost which the Ukrainian people are suffering as a result of Russian aggression.

The figures would turn your stomach. We were very happy to donate and we hope to see an end to the suffering, he said.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights verified a total of 8,574 civilian deaths as of April 24, 2023.

A total of 14,441 people were reported to have been injured. However, OHCHR specified that the real numbers could be higher. Many Ukrainian cities have been reduced to rubble due to the Russian armys constant artillery.

There are currently around 73,000 refugees from Ukraine currently seeking shelter in Ireland.

Ukrainian soldiers fire near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (Libkos/AP)   Libkos

As a comparison, the number of people receiving temporary protection in Czech Republic is 485,775 and in France, the figure is 118,994.

Up to two million Irish were accommodated by the United States during the Great Famine on approximately 5,000 boats which crossed the Atlantic.

SEC Contractors are based in Wicklow, Kilkenny, Kildare and Wexford.

They are experts in exterior renewal - painting, power washing, roof services,  including repointing, cleaning and gutter maintenance.

The team look after driveway cleaning, repairs and resealing as well as new driveways and patio installation -tarmacadam, gravel, paving etc.

SEC never expected any kind of publicity from this whatsoever, the spokesperson added.
The protest was the second demonstration to take place outside a politician's home in recent days

Protesters who gathered outside Taoiseach Leo Varadkars home over the weekend have vowed to target other politicians houses.

The protest was the second demonstration to take place outside a politician's home in recent days.

The demonstration by a group calling themselves 'ICT' or 'Irish Communities Together' featured a flag carried by some members that included the phrase "concerned communities families and parents."

A photograph posted on social media showed a small group of protesters, including a number of children, gathered outside the home the Taoiseach shares with partner Matt Barrett over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

There were references to we represent the 90% while a caption accompanying a TikTok clip read: "ICT paid a visit to one of Leos houses [sic] today. Question is, which TD is next for a visit."

Comments on the video from other people called for other politicians' homes to be targeted while several prominent TDs were mentioned. A second video posted on the TikTok page showed three flags placed on the fence outside the Taoiseachs home.

The caption on that video read: "A day out at Leos gaff." ICT has posted a number of videos on their page created at anti-refugee protests.

A spokesman for the Taoiseach said that they do not comment on these matters while a spokesperson for the Garda Press Office told media that it had received no reports or complaints about the protest.

Several anti-vaccine groups picketed the then-Tanaistes home in September and October 2021. This latest demonstration comes just days after protesters gathered outside the home that People Before Profit Paul Murphy shares with his partner and 10-week-old child.

This has led to calls for legislation to stop protests outside public representatives' homes.

Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins condemned the protests and was quoted as saying they are organised to "intimidate" people. She suggested that legislation needs to be put in place to stop protesters gathering outside public figures' homes.

She said: "I do actually believe that it should be illegal. It's about balancing the right to protest with people's right to privacy.

"I do think that somebody's family home should be a safe space. If this is the second protest outside a politicians home in a week, then it is getting worse.

"It changes the course of your day. If you have plans, you now decided to stay in the house rather than cross the picket line.
Having to crawl along the floor in front of some people who were watching me. It was humiliating

A disabled Wicklow man has said he highlighted the humiliating experience of having to drag himself off a Ryanair flight in an effort to highlight the reality of what happens to people in wheelchairs.

Adrian Keogh took to social media over the weekend to reveal how he had to crawl down the metal steps of the Ryanair flight when it landed at Landvetter airport in Sweden on Saturday night at 11pm.

Keogh, who has a spinal injury after a construction accident in 2015, said all he wanted to do was travel with dignity.

Instead, the 37-year-old was subjected to a humiliating experience as cabin crew watched him struggle down the steps.

Keogh, who went to Sweden to visit his daughter for her 14th birthday was told when he landed in Sweden that the lift that would allow him to be taken off the plane in his wheelchair would take at least an hour to arrive.

So, he decided to crawl off the plane because he was in pain and didn't want to have to wait until midnight to leave.

Taking to Instagram, Mr Keogh posted a picture alongside an account of what happened.

Please excuse the bad picture but this is a photo of myself having to crawl of a Ryanair flight which landed in Landvetter Airport tonight at 11pm, he wrote.

I am, as some may know, a full time wheelchair user and paid extra for special assistance to be lifted off the plane down to my wheelchair.

"It's unacceptable to expect me to crawl down the steep metal steps but on arrival I was informed that it would be at least one hour before they would have the lift available to help me off the plane so what option had I but to crawl off the plane?

The Landvetter authorities blamed Ryanair and Ryanair blamed Landvetter. They especially didn't want us taking the picture, he added.

Keogh later told MailOnline: I feel terrible about it. How could this happen in 2023? I felt so humiliated being told that I had to wait at least an hour.

And then having to crawl along the floor in front of some people who were watching me. It was humiliating. I just can't believe something like this happened.

He claimed Ryanair and the airport had not provided him with the special assistance he had paid for.

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It's shocking that the service is not there for me. It's a total lack of respect, Keogh said. It was unacceptable to expect me to crawl down the steep metal stairs.

I am not looking for anything, only the service I paid for and to be able to travel with dignity. I want to highlight the struggle wheelchair bound people have to deal with.

People don't realise what things are like when you're in a wheelchair.

Keogh said both the airline and airport must be more responsible for their actions, after the authorities at Landvetter airport blamed Ryanair and Ryanair blamed the airport.

'When youre going in a wheelchair you dont cut any corners. Im just looking for people to be professional and for all people with disabilities to be treated fairly. Were all equal and deserve to get to A to B safely. Hopefully Im the last person this happens to.

Im not doing this for publicity, I want to highlight the reality of what happens to people in wheelchairs. Its what we have to deal with.

Campaign group, Access for All Ireland, shared Mr Keoghs story on their social media account. They said: This is not how we expect to be treated.

Whats the excuse this time? Why wasnt assistance and the accessible disembarking procedures in place?

In a social media post Landvetter Airport apologised for the incident and blamed busy flight traffic and a medical emergency for the delay.

According to MailOnline, Ryanair, while looking into the incident, said that special assistance at the airport was provided by a third party.
A mural of President Joe Biden adorns the side of a shop in Ballina, Co Mayo (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

When US television networks finally declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 election, the BBC broadcast a compilation of clips from Mr Bidens long political career, including his aborted presidential runs in 1987 and 2008, and his eight years as vice president during the Obama administration.

Of that pastiche of videos spanning multiple decades, one short clip set the internet ablaze: a years-old exchange with Nick Bryant, one of the British broadcasters New York-based correspondents.

When Bryant asked Mr Biden if he could offer a quick word for the BBC, Mr Biden quickly replied: The BBC? No thanks  Im Irish!

The 46th President is not the first Irishman to hold Americas highest office. Hes not even the first Irish-Catholic to do so. But in the 21st century, when the white ethnic enclaves and rivalries that once played a huge role in Americas political and civic life have largely gone dormant in favour of a far more homogenised culture, he remains intensely proud of his ancestral roots in the Republic of Ireland and has made references to his heritage a touchstone of his rhetorical style.

In his 2017 memoir, Promise Me, Dad, Mr Biden recounted an anecdote he often uses on the stump, in which he recalls his grandfather urging him to keep the faith.

In his public remarks, he often recalls his grandmothers reply, in which she counters that he should spread the faith as well. But in his book, Mr Biden noted that his grandfather also told him: Remember the best drop of blood in you is Irish.

Mr Bidens Irish roots run deep

According to Irish Family History Centre director Fiona Fitzsimmons, theres far more than a drop of Irish blood flowing through Mr Bidens veins.

She told USA Today that of Mr Bidens 16 great-grandparents, 10 of them were from Ireland. And while multiple US presidents  including Andrew Jackson, John F Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama  have traced at least some of their roots to the same island, the genealogist called the 46th US chief executive, whose family roots hail from County Derry and County Louth on the islands east coast, probably  the most Irish of all the presidents.

Story continues

This week, that most Irish American president is set to make his first pilgrimage to his familys homeland since assuming office in 2021, with a planned four-day visit to Northern Ireland and Ireland. He last visited Ireland in 2017, a year after he made an official visit as Vice President during the Obama administration.

US Vice President Joe Biden receives a hurl as welcome gift from Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny during a welcome ceremony at the Government Buildings in Dublin, Ireland on June 21, 2016 (AFP via Getty Images)

Hell depart the White House on Tuesday morning and will land in Belfast that evening. On Wednesday, he and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Hell then cross the border into Ireland for a three-day stay, including trips to the areas where his ancestors lived before emigrating to the US.

Because the Democratic Unionist Partys boycott of the power-sharing government established under the Good Friday agreement remains in effect due to the ongoing dispute over customs checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, Mr Biden will not be able to address that devolved legislature.

Instead, he will deliver remarks to mark the quarter-century anniversary of the peace accords at Ulster University.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday that the presidents speech in Belfast would mark the tremendous progress since the signing of the Belfast Good Friday agreement 25 years ago and  underscore the readiness of the United States to preserve those gains and support Northern Ireland's vast economic potential to the benefit of all communities.

Mr Kirby said the president will also address a joint session of the Irish parliament in Dublin, where he will speak about US-Irish cooperation to advance democracy, peace, security and prosperity and the shared deep history between the United States and Ireland.

Today, one in 10 Americans claim Irish ancestry and Irish Americans are proudly represented in every facet of American life. Ireland is a key economic partner of the United States and the United States and Ireland are working closely together to make the global economy more fair, he said.

He added that Ireland has also been a key partner for 21st century challenges including through providing support for Ukraine, such as vital nonlethal assistance including medical supplies, body armor, and support for Ukraine's electric grid, as well as their agriculture and welcoming nearly 80,000 Ukrainian refugees since Russia invaded last year.

Mr Bidens visit also comes just days after the Belfast Telegraph reported that the Northern Ireland police services foiled a plot by the New Irish Republican Army  a republican paramilitary group that considers itself the successor of the infamous group that disarmed after the 1998 peace accords  to set off a bomb in Derry during the presidents visit there.

Mr Kirby also said the president will attend a banquet at Dublin Castle and will make stops in County Mayo, including a visit to the North Mayo heritage and genealogical centres family history research unit, as well as a speech at St Murdochs Cathedral, where Mr Kirby noted that the presidents great-great-great grandfather sold 27,000 bricks for its constuction in 1827  a transaction that would help pay for passage for him and his family to America more than two decades later.

The President is very much looking forward to that trip ... and to celebrating the deep historic ties that our two countries and our two peoples continue to share, he said.

A president who wears Ireland on his sleeve

Mr Bidens constant touting of his Irish roots has been a constantly recurring theme in his political oratory dating back to his decades-long career as a US Senator from Delaware.

On the campaign trail and since becoming president, he often speaks of his great-great-great grandfather, Edward Blewitt, who left Ireland for the US in the 19th century during the Irish potato famine and later settled in Mr Bidens birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He also invokes his great-great grandfather, Owen Finnegan, who emigrated to the US from Ireland during the same period.

The president peppers his public remarks, both prepared and off-the-cuff, with invocations of his Irish heritage, and sometimes alludes to negative stereotypes in a humorous way.

During one question-and-answer session with reporters, he responded to a query about tensions between the White House and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin over Mr Bidens Build Back Better domestic programme by claiming that some people think hes not Irish because he didnt hold a grudge against the conservative Democrat for stalling the legislation.

At a St Paticks Day event last month alongside a fellow Irish-American, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the president quipped that his Irish heritage may be in question because he doesnt have relatives in jail and is a teetotaler.

Im the only Irishman you ever met, though, thats never had a drink, so Im OK. Im really not Irish, he said.

Biden with Enda Kenny at the Government Buildings in Dublin, Ireland on June 21, 2016 (AFP via Getty Images)

The president is also quite fond of quoting Irish poets  including a favourite, the late Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney  and has used references to his ancestry when addressing political matters and various conflicts both at home and abroad.

In January, he referenced his familys emigration from Ireland to the US during remarks alongside Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as the two leaders discussed strategies for controlling irregular migration along the US-Mexico border.

"All of you know all of us in the United States are immigrants. And mine go all the way back to the Irish famine," he said.

During a speech in Jerusalem last year, the president compared the plight of the Irish under British rule to the Palestinians.

"My family is Irish American, and we have a long history  not fundamentally unlike the Palestinian people with Great Britain and their attitude toward Irish-Catholics over the years, for 400 years, he said.

And world leaders have in turn recognised Mr Bidens affinity for his ancestral home, with one  Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar  describing him as unmistakably a son of Ireland during his traditional St Patricks Day visit to the White House last month.

"President Biden, in your life story we see reflected the story of Ireland," he said.
Authorities had been searching for Ivy Webster (14) and Brittany Brewer (16) after an Amber alert was issued on Monday.

A missing poster was released for 14-year-old Ivy Webster, left, 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, centre, and Jesse McFadden (Oklahoma Highway Patrol via AP)   Uncredited

The bodies of seven people, including two missing teenagers and a convicted sex offender, have been discovered at a property in rural Oklahoma.

Authorities had been searching for Ivy Webster (14) and Brittany Brewer (16) after an Amber alert was issued on Monday.

Okmulgee county sheriff Eddy Rice said that they believe the bodies found included Ivy and Brittany as well as registered sex offender Jesse Lee McFadden, whom the two girls had been seen travelling with.

He added that members of McFaddens family are also thought to be among the deceased, but the county medical examiner had not yet formally identified the bodies.

Weve had our share of troubles and woes, but this one is pretty bad, Rice told reporters.

Our hearts go out to the families and friends, schoolmates and everyone else.

He added that authorities were no longer searching for the missing teens or McFadden.

The bodies were found on a property near Henryetta, a small town less than two hours away from Oklahoma City.

McFadden (39) lived at the address where the bodies were found, according to the Oklahoma Sex Offender registry.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections prison records state that he was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 and was released from prison in October 2020.

He was due to go on trial on Monday on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.

Brittanys father Nathan Brewer told Tulsa television station KOTV that one of the bodies discovered was his daughter.

"Brittany was an outgoing person," he said.

"She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta coming up in July for the National Miss Pageant in Tulsa, and now she ain't gonna make it because she's dead. She's gone."
The three of them are over the moon that they are being given such a long run with a brand new series

Donncha, Doireann and Carl will be on telly later this year

A trio of 2FM presenters have got the green light for a new TV series after they scored a ratings success at Christmas with their hidden camera prank show.

Doireann Garrihy, Donncha OCallaghan and Carl Mullan have been given the go-ahead by RTE bosses for a lengthy series of The Full Irish.

Its due to be filmed over several weeks throughout the summer and screened in the late autumn/early winter, reveals an insider.

The three of them are over the moon that they are being given such a long run with a brand new series.

The show that was screened on Christmas Eve was seen as a pilot but went down so well with viewers and bosses it has been commissioned for a major series.

Carl (33), who has just announced he and his wife Aisling are to become proud parents to a second child, is celebrating a bumper year, as in March he was crowned winner of Dancing With The Stars.

Doireann (30) also has lots to celebrate this year. In January she replaced Nicky Byrne to co-present Dancing With The Stars with Jennifer Zamparelli.

She is also going steady since late last year with comedian Mark Meighan, whom she met in 2FM through his cousin.

Talented Doireann also hosts her own podcast series and last month hosted live shows around the country.

Donncha (44) won a Grand Slam rugby title with Ireland and the father-of-four is also a mentor on Irelands Fittest Family.

The trio have been hosting the 2FM Breakfast Show since May 2021 and have become firm friends.

In one sketch in their debut hidden camera prank show last Christmas, Doireann was a shopkeeper while Carl was dressed as an old woman.

The pair rewarded Carl as the one millionth customer with a cheque for 500,000 and an accompanying marching band.

In another sketch, Carl posed as a postman but also doubled up as a wedding photographer when Donncha came out with a coffin from the wrong building.

Their antics met with online acclaim from viewers.

Can we make this a regular show? My fiance and I have had an absolute SCREAM watching #TheFullIrish  warmly welcomed laughs during a tough Christmas. Bravo DDC, you played a blinder, wrote Kelly.

Donncha recently told RSVP magazine the trio had some problems blending in.

Being recognised was half the problem and people recognised our voices as well, he said.

Even if we were wearing disguises, they knew what we sounded like. It was certainly a lot of fun though.

I was nervous though because I had a horrible feeling that the days of people being wound up or being embarrassed in front of people were gone.

But there is something in the Irish nature that loves people being wound up and, more importantly, being wound up themselves.

Comedian PJ Gallagher previously scored major success in a prank show for RTE with his Naked Camera series from 2005 to 2007.
Ashmawy has bin busy filming his new series Faithless

Baz is cleaned up after his tussle with the wheelie bin

Baz Ashmawy looks like hes having a rubbish day if our exclusive pictures are anything to go by.

The TV presenter  best known for 50 Ways To Kill Your Mammy, DIY shows and bank commercials  is snapped here starring in his first acting role.

The Emmy award winning Dubliner is filming a new six-part series called Faithless, which is partly inspired by his own mixed-race upbringing.

The series is co-written by and stars Baz (48) and follows Irish-Egyptian dad, Sam, who is presented with the life altering responsibility of raising his three young daughters alone.

Baz is cleaned up after his tussle with the wheelie bin

That is until his irresponsible younger brother moves in to help  but never leaves.

Our pictures show Bazs character upending a wheelie bin of rubbish over his head in scenes for the upcoming Virgin Media series.

A younger man in a dressing gown who hears the commotion comes out eating a bowl of cereal and asks Bazs character Are you OK?

Other scenes show an older woman, wearing a hijab, talking to a teenage girl dressed in school uniform.

Baz, who in an another scene is spotted dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie, also seemed to be involved in directing the series currently being filmed in Bray, Co Wicklow.

Baz and the bin

The Sunday World can reveal that the man eating the cereal is Amir El-Masry, who is a British-Egyptian actor who won a Scottish BAFTA for his performance in the 2020 film Limbo. He has also starred in The Crown and Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker.

Commenting, Baz Ashmawy said: Im hugely excited. Its my baby. So I love it. Its been a long time coming. Seeing it come together is strange but very rewarding. Its weird to put something down on paper and see these actors bring it to life. Its great!

Bray is where all the filming happens. Nice locations, and everybody has been very accommodating to us. Its been great.

The TV production company behind Faithless, Avoca based Grand Pictures, was granted 500,000 in funding under the Broadcasting Authority of Irelands Sound & Vision 4 Broadcasting Funding Scheme.

Baz Ashmawy stars in Faithless

The role of an Irish-Egyptian dad will have a special poignancy for Baz, who has spoken of his regret that he was estranged from his own father when he passed away suddenly in his fifties from a heart attack.

We had an argument for some reason, and we hadnt spoken in a year. I was 20, living in London, and leading my own life, Baz once said.

I wanted to take a break from listening to him. I cant even remember what the argument was about, just me getting a pain in my face.

Baz was spotted getting involved in directing

It was just a silly row which my dad, being in Egypt and me in London, was exaggerated by distance. A month went by without us talking, then it was a year and then he died from a heart attack. I regretted that it happened without me having spoken to him.

But he denies his own life story is reflected in the new show.

Faithless isnt about my life. Its a black comedy, it isnt biographical. Its just a comedy and all fiction, he said.
Lieutenant Kate Heynes never imagined that just three months after returning from maternity leave to her job as an accountant, she would embark on a new career as a Learning Development Officer - LDO - in the New Zealand Army.

Thames-raised Lieutenant Heynes had been working as an accountant for her father, but when the family business was sold it created an opportunity for her to move in a new direction.

She was familiar with military life as her husband Lieutenant Seth Heynes serves as a psychologist based at Linton Military Camp.

But she had never considered a career in the NZ Army.

I didnt think I was fit enough, or young enough, to become a soldier. But my husband explained theres far more to the Army and encouraged me to take a closer look,says Lieutenant Heynes.

I could see my skills and experience could translate well to the Learning Development Officer position, so I decided to take the plunge.

Lieutenant Kate Heynes recently graduated from the Specialist Officer Induction Course in Waiouru. Photo: Supplied.

Lieutenant Heynes applied to enrol on the Specialist Officer Induction Course, a 12-week programme designed to introduce potential officers to the standards and discipline required to be an effective member of the NZ Army.

In January, she reported to Waiouru Military Camp to begin training, while Lieutenant Seth Heynes cared for their 18-month-old daughter Theodora.

Switching from being a full-time parent to an officer-in-training was a bit of a shock initially, she said.

Army life was a dramatically new environment for me.

My husband talks about the shock of capture, a psychological term where when you go into an environment thats vastly different to what youre used to. Before you can adapt and adjust to this new way, you go into shock.

That was definitely me, says Lieutenant Heynes.

But once that initial jolt wore off, she soon adjusted.

The support from my Physical Training Instructor Corporal Codie Christensen was amazing.

Seths one-up, Lieutenant Commander Matt Banks, and the directorate of psychology were amazing too. Supporting Seth to work flexibly meant I could attend the course.

Corporal Christensen tailored bespoke physical exercises for Lieutenant Heynes to support her post-pregnancy transition to military physical fitness, proving that the NZ Army isnt restricted to a one size fits all approach.

Now Ive graduated, Im really excited to get stuck into the role and make a difference using the skills Ive been taught, says Lieutenant Heynes.

Reflecting on their new life with two family members in the military, Lieutenant Seth Heynes says hes incredibly proud of what his wife has accomplished.

We laughed at the idea of us both working for the same organisation but I knew Kate would excel as a Learning Development Officer.

I saw the impact that Kates pregnancy had on her physically so it was a proud moment to see her graduate, knowing how hard she worked to pass the fitness requirements.

Lieutenant Heynes graduated in April and has been posted to the New Zealand Defence Colleges Hokowhitu campus in Palmerston North, in a junior LDO position.

In her new role she will revise existing syllabuses and create new ones to enable the development of fit-for-purpose training courses, as well as interacting with staff at Linton and Waiouru to ensure training needs are being met.
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Thirteen years of an iconic Tauranga car boot sale is drawing to a close.

Originally based at Greerton Village School and now at Tauranga Racecourse, the Tauranga South Community Patrol  TSCP - has made the decision to end their monthly fundraising event.

We are very grateful for the support of our vendors that have turned up to sell their goods each month for many years, says TSCP chair Maureen Kathan.

Two months ago we made the hard decision that all good things must come to an end and so the May 20 car boot sale will be our final one.

She says as a fundraiser for the patrol, the sale has been very successful.

Not only as a money maker but also to meet the public and raise awareness of our work with the Police and in the community.

Tauranga South Community Patrol are dependent on raising funds in order to provide a patrol service each day and most nights.

Tauranga South Community Patrol with their new vehicle at Greerton Police Station in 2021. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Although their office and patrol car are based at the Greerton Police Station, they are not funded by Police; the patrol is run by volunteers who fundraise to cover the operating costs.

They also have received funding in the past from local businesses, individuals and organisations.

The last day of the Tauranga South Community Patrol Car Boot Sale will be Saturday May 20 at Tauranga Racecourse. Photo: Supplied.

The monthly market has been their main regular source of funds.

Our patrollers have done a sterling job arriving, sometimes on cold, dark and damp mornings at 6.30am and staying until the last vendor has packed up five hours later.

We would like to recognise the work of each and every one of our team members who supported our fund raising initiative. This was volunteerism at its best.

Keith and Shirley Carter, along with Maureen and her husband Fridolin Kathan, have been organising and running this car boot sale from the very beginning.

We were based at the Greerton School and this became a favourite place for many vendors to bring their goodies along and make some money.

"Locals and visitors alike made it a regular place to come to on a Saturday morning to browse, chat with locals, buy a sausage and perhaps even a coffee from the patrollers who managed the stand.

While at the school it was a great opportunity for any foot traffic to pop in on the spur of the moment hoping to find some treasure be it a plant, book, toy, fresh veges or fruit etc.

Tauranga South Community Patrol and Car Boot Sale volunteers Keith and Shirley Carter. Photo: John Borren.

Maureen says two years ago the school informed them that they would need to find a new location for the car boot sale, as the school planned to do some work on their grounds.

We were fortunate and grateful to be offered a new home at the Tauranga Racecourse and so we moved up there and tried to attract buyers with a lot of signage and local advertising. The racecourse were wonderful giving us power and the use of their toilets.

Unfortunately, along came Covid and then a spate of bad weather.

These two combined really set us back. We were not as visible to the public even though the venue was somewhat better as far as parking and shelter was concerned.

Tauranga South Community Patrol

The role of the community patrol is to assist police with crime prevention by being the eyes and ears for both the police and community.

They do this by patrolling the streets in a designated patrol vehicle covering residential, business and industrial areas from Gate Pa to Greerton, Tauriko business park, Ohauiti and Windermere.

This is done during the day and late at night. They also are out doing foot patrols at local shopping centres at Gate Pa, Greerton Village and Tauriko, often interacting with local business owners.

Tauranga South Community Patrol chair Maureen Kathan. Photo: John Borren.

Suspicious or potentially criminal activity is reported directly to Police Comms by radio or phone.

Patrol members undertake surveillance and observation, intelligence gathering and recording information, watch out for stolen vehicles, and assist police in other ways such as traffic control at vehicle crashes and manning police cordons.

By participating at local community events and fundraising to keep operational, the patrol is able to raise awareness around crime prevention and community safety. They also run safer plates screw days, providing a unique, anti-theft plate fixing system for cars, supported by police.

Wrapping up the car boot sale

Patrol stalwarts Shirley and Keith Carter, now in their 80s, have been at the helm of the monthly sale, using Keiths van which Fridolin repurposed for the car boot sale. They are soon shifting house to live at Carmel Country in Ohauiti.

A local church that had their van stolen are going to buy the van, says Maureen.

Its a big ask for patrollers to run the sale from 6.30am to noon. Our patrollers have been absolutely wonderful and new patrollers have come in and stepped up to the mark. Its been a really good team effort.

We have met many wonderful people through this regular event and found new members as well.

Future fundraising efforts for the patrol may include sausage sizzles and helping with parking at the Tauranga Farmers Market.

We may go for local funding, get this behind us and move onto different avenues of funding.

Tauranga South Community Patrol would like to thank the general public and vendors for their support over the past 13 years as well as express thanks to Greerton Village School and the Tauranga Race Course.

The very last Tauranga South Community Patrol Car Boot Sale is being held on Saturday May 20 at Tauranga Racecourse with set up time 6.30am. A single site is $10 and a double site $20.

Anyone interested in joining the Tauranga South Community Patrol please email Maureen Kathan on taurangasouth@cpnz.org.nz
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Schools in Andalucia able to activate high temperature protocols earlier than usual The Junta will start updating schools and staff with the changes next week as the region continues to grapple with unseasonal temperatures

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High temperature protocols at Andalusian schools will be activated on 15 May instead of 1 June as extreme heat continues to blast the region.

The Junta de Andalucia is finalising updates to its high temperature protocols, which it set out in 2017, following a week of warm weather. The unseasonal wave of heat broke records for the month of April in the provinces of Cordoba and Seville.

Related article Cordoba touches 39C degrees and sets new April temperature record for Spain Jose Antonio Guerrero

From next week all schools will start to receive instructions about the protocols which will be activated on 15 May and last until 30 September.

A series of training courses will also be set up so school staff were familiar with any changes to the protocols.

"Among the decisions that schools will be able to take within the framework of protocols for high temperatures will be flexibility of the timetable depending on the hours of heat, regional minister for Education Patricia del Pozo said.

When we are in an amber alert situation for high temperatures, we could activate the school dismissal, with the prior consent of the parents.

It comes after the CDIF trade union called on the Ministry of Education to implement the plan it announced in August 2022 to deal with the climate emergency, and to fulfill its budget commitment to adapt schools to the changing weather.

The union also demanded that the respective regional governments apply measures in classrooms to combat heat, such as changing timetables to correspond with milder temperatures in the Community of Madrid, Andalucia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Aragon or La Rioja.

They also called for improvements to air conditioning facilities and the installation of more shaded areas.
Workers demand higher wages during lively May Day rally in Malaga According to the National Police force there were 1,500 people at the event, but the organisers put the figure at 10,000

The head of the demonstration, as it passed through the Alameda Principal.

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Hundreds of workers marched through Malaga city on Monday, 1 May, to demand higher wages and lower prices.

The traditional Labour Day demonstration called by the two main trade unions was supported by left-wing parties - with banners of the PSOE, Podemos, Izquierda Unida and the Communist Party - and other movements, such as the Platform for the Defence of Public Pensions and trade unions.

The provincial secretaries of the CC OO and UGT, Fernando Cubillo and Soledad Ruiz addressed the rally and started their speeches with a tribute to the Moroccan worker who died on Monday morning in a bus accident in Almonte in Huelva. Cubillo went on to call for a pact with employers and public administrations to talk about the distribution of benefits, taxation and wages.

Cubillo also called on employers to get involved in the signing of a fifth national collective bargaining agreement, an "income pact" that "facilitates agreements in companies from below".

"More than 535 companies are in labour disputes in Malaga over their collective agreements", he said and reminded the employers' association that they will exert "all the pressure necessary" to achieve substantial increases in wages to compensate for the loss of purchasing power of the working class.

"Concentration, mobilisation and strike if necessary. Without pressure, there are no agreements," Ruiz said.

Minimum wages and pensions

Cubillo went further, arguing that if the employers did not agree to an agreement, the government "can and should legislate so that business profits reach the population as a whole".

PSOE, IU and Podemos, played up the measures put in by the coalition government, which were raising the minimum wage, raising pensions in line with the CPI and labour reform.

"It is a day to make demands and also to recognise that the progressive left government is responding to the needs of the workers", socialist candidate for mayor of Malaga Dani Perez said.

According to the National Police force there were 1,500 people at the protest, but the organisers put this figure at 10,000. There were no major incidents reported.
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Canandaigua, N.Y.  Police shot a man who pointed a gun at them as the man tried to run away at a 7-Eleven gas station in the Finger Lakes, about an hour west of Syracuse, state police said.

Canandaigua police responded to a report of a suspicious person at 1:29 p.m. Monday at the 7-Eleven, 484 S. Main St. in the city of Canandaigua. When they arrived, officers said they encountered an uncooperative man with a firearm.

The man ignored officers commands so officers used a Taser on him, state police said. The man tried to run away and pointed his gun at police, troopers said. Thats when Canandaigua police shot the man, state police said in a news release.

The man was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, the release said.

No officers were injured during the incident.

This is the second time in two months that Canandaigua police were involved in a shooting. Brandon Zurkan, 31, of Pennsylvania, died Feb. 28 after two Ontario County Sheriffs Office deputies and two Canandaigua police officers fired their guns at him.

State police say they are investigating Mondays shooting, along with the Ontario County District Attorneys office, the state Attorney Generals Office, the Ontario County Sheriffs Office and the Canandaigua Police Department.

Large law enforcement investigation in Canandaigua near Main St. and Parrish St. pic.twitter.com/hKaUITaB5C  Carla Rogner (@CarlaRogner) May 1, 2023

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BIGG Digital Assets Inc.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIGG Digital Assets Inc. ("BIGG" or the "Company")(CSE: BIGG; OTCQX: BBKCF; WKN: A2PS9W), owner of Netcoins ( Netcoins.ca and Netcoins.com ) (Netcoins), the online cryptocurrency brokerage that makes it easy for North Americans to buy, sell, and understand cryptocurrency, and Blockchain Intelligence Group ( blockchaingroup.io ) (BIG), a leading developer of blockchain technology search, risk-scoring and data analytics solutions, is pleased to report its fiscal 2022 financial results. All figures are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) unless otherwise stated.



2022 Highlights:

Gross operating revenue of $7.47M, comprising $5.44M for Netcoins and $2.03M for Blockchain Intelligence Group

Portoflio company TerraZero achieved an additional $940k in 2022 revenue

Netcoins customer accounts grew 6% in Q4, Quarter-over-Quarter (QoQ) Customer fiat deposits exceeded $44M in the quarter.

BIGs 2022 revenue represents a 27% increase over the prior year, with gross margins at 82%

As of December 31, 2021, BIGGs cash and crypto holdings were ~$13.8M million

The Company has no debt



Further Highlights:

BIGG currently owns ~200 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $7.6M

BIGGs current treasury of fiat and crypto assets is valued at over $15M

Netcoins currently has customer Assets Under Custody of approximately ~$61M

Netcoins registered users now exceeds 200,000

Blockchain Intelligence Groups compliance suite (QLUE and BitRank) now supports 14 blockchains, including 425,849 ERC-20 tokens and 108,450 NFT collections.



Selected financial and operating information should be read in conjunction with BIGG's audited consolidated financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, available at www.sedar.com.

All financial information in this press release is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Story continues

BIGG CEO, Mark Binns, commented:

2022 was a challenging year in the global crypto industry, and despite reduced trading activity sector wide, BIGG continued to advance the products and offerings of our portfolio companies. Netcoins launched 25 new coins in 2022, and began expansion into the USA in December with a mobile first app launch. Blockchain Intelligence Group grew revenue by 27% and expanded product offerings including launching the world's first NFT Explorer along with its portal, NFTmapping.com. BIG also expanded its compliance suite (QLUE and BitRank) to support 14 blockchains, including 425,849 ERC-20 tokens and 108,450 NFT collections.

Portfolio company TerraZero announced plans to go public in 2023, which we anticipate will occur over the course of the next 3 months. TerraZero has cultivated an impressive list of industry-leading clients for Metaverse activations including Estee Lauder, Fidelity International, PwC and Warner Records. TerraZero generated an impressive $940k in revenue in 2022, given its early stage of growth.

As we look forward, BIGG believes the need for compliant and regulation focused trading and forensic tools is greater than ever. We have great companies that continue to advance, and believe we are very well positioned for the next bull market in crypto. BIGG will continue to develop its primary businesses and invest in new emerging businesses and opportunities. We look forward to sharing further updates on our progress in the near future.

On behalf of the Board

Mark Binns

CEO

ir@biggdigitalassets.com

Investor Relations



Victoria Rutherford

Victoria@adcap.ca

T: 1.480.625.5772

About BIGG Digital Assets Inc.

BIGG Digital Assets Inc. (BIGG) believes the future of crypto is a safe, compliant, and regulated environment. BIGG invests in products and companies to support this vision. BIGG has three portfolio companies: Netcoins (netcoins.ca), Blockchain Intelligence Group (blockchaingroup.io), and TerraZero (terrazero.com).

Blockchain Intelligence Group builds technology to power compliance and intelligence for the crypto future. Banks and crypto companies depend on our technology to monitor risk from crypto transactions. Investigators and law enforcement quickly identify and track illicit activity. Blockchain Intelligence Group is trusted globally by banks, crypto companies, law enforcement, fintechs, regtechs and governments.

Netcoins offers safe and secure crypto trading in Canada and the USA, with a mission to make cryptocurrency easily accessible to the mass consumer and investor with a focus on compliance and safety. Netcoins has a robust product offering with Crypto Trading (US and CA), Netcoins Pay (CA) and Netcoins Staking (CA). Netcoins utilizes BitRank Verified software at the heart of its platform and facilitates crypto trading via its cutting-edge Mobile and Web applications.

TerraZero is a vertically integrated Metaverse development group and leading Web 3.0 technology company specializing in the Metaverse space. The Companys Metaverse agnostic vision is to develop, acquire, and finance the Metaverses most promising companies, entrepreneurs, and developers. TerraZero also owns digital real estate and provides offices and services to those interested in the Metaverse. BIGG owns ~30% of TerraZero.

For more information and to register for BIGGs mailing list, please visit our website at https://www.biggdigitalassets.com . Or visit SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

Forward-Looking Statements:

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The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, BIGG disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, BIGG undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

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Syracuse, N.Y.  Part of a $9 million unsolicited gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott will be used to address rural health problems in Central New York such as food insecurity, drug addiction, poverty and healthcare worker shortages.

The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York announced today it is awarding $450,000 in grants to six rural health organizations in its territory.

Each of the organizations will get $75,000. In addition, the foundation will use $50,000 to do a report on community health needs in Central New York and fund a public awareness campaign about rural health disparities.

Central New York groups getting grants include the Cayuga Community Health Network in Cayuga County, the Seven Valleys Health Coalition in Cortland County and the Madison County Rural Health Council.

The grants are being awarded with on a no strings attached basis. The recipients will determine how to use the money.

The $500,000 targeted for rural health comes from a $9 million gift the foundation received last year from Scott.

Scott is a novelist and the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

She has made a series of large donations in recent years to groups around the world working to advance racial equity and address unmet health needs.

As part of her 2019 divorce from Bezos, she received a 25% stake in Amazon. She has pledged to give away at least half of her money.

Since July 2020, Scott has given away about $12.7 billion to more than 1,200 nonprofits, according to Forbes magazine. Forbes estimates her net worth at $29 billion.

Scott previously donated $1 million to the Syracuse YWCA and $10 million to Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.

James T. Mulder covers health. Have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com
NY Cannabis Insider is hosting a full-day conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany on May 18. Buy tickets here.

The Cannabis Workforce Initiative celebrated a major milestone on April 20, when it released its first partially in-person certificate program in partnership with Lehman College.

Earlier this year, the Cornell University School of Industrial & Labor Relations and the Workforce Development Institute launched a collaboration, CWI, to teach students the information they would need to be successful in the cannabis industry. The curriculum covers everything from bud cultivation to the legal aspect of the business to how to be an ethical manager when selling consumers products.

This 10-week program is not much different in terms of content  but it does offer an in-person component. Forty-five of the 450 program participants are taking the class in-person at CUNY on the Concourse, which Program Manager David Serrano says is extremely beneficial when learning material, such as analyzing terpenes by smell. The in-person learning experience brings about different takeaways from the students.



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Its quite different. There was a lot of engagement  they can raise their hands in the class and ask clarifying questions, Serrano said after the first session. We were able to respond to their questions immediately and engage with them. Folks are saying that theyve learned a lot from these courses and that they feel better prepared.

Offering the course completely online did have some advantages, such as allowing guests to sign into video lectures from remote locations. But Lehman Colleges program also draws in people from all over, including 54 clients from the Department of Probations NeOn program.

Jane MacKillop, the dean of Lehman College, explained that implementing the program in-person at the school also brings benefits to New York Citys marketplace as a whole  such as fostering relationships among other academic institutions in the area. One example is the Borough of Manhattan Community Colleges security guard, production, and retail program, in which participants are trained to work these roles for small businesses. The BMCC administrators are aware of the CWIs workplace development program, and MacKillop hopes for a future collaboration between the two when approaching New Yorks growing cannabis market.

When CWI first approached Lehman College for a partnership, MacKillop said that the president and provost were extremely enthusiastic. It fits with the social justice mission of the college. Our goal is to make it easy and available, as well as trying to turn back the clock on the injustice of the mass incarceration of the 1990s.

So far, students have found the program to be fruitful, whether theyre new or more experienced in the cannabis industry.

Alberto Ortiz, a participant in the new program, was also a student in the 10-week-course taught at Cornell. But prior to taking CWI lessons, Ortiz had been in the cannabis industry since he was a teenager, and both his parents were consumers of cannabis when he was a child, he said.

Despite his more experienced background, Ortiz was really drawn to the in-person aspect of this program, causing him to re-enroll.

The class is 10 minutes from where I live in the Bronx on the Grand Concourse. And the Zoom thing was great, but I really love to connect with people in person and have those interpersonal conversations, he said.

Ortiz hopes to work at or own a dispensary in the future, but his ultimate goal is to own a vertically integrated cannabis business, which is difficult to do in New York without a microbusiness license.

Nonetheless, he believes that the classes taught by CWI will help him get there.

I just want to garner as much knowledge and information and resources to have the opportunity to work in a dispensary in New York State or to open a cannabis business in New York City, said Ortiz.

Correction: The story has been updated to include WDIs role in CWI.
Editors note: A man who says he the owns the lounge contacted syracuse.com after this story posted and denied hes doing anything illegal. His comments are included below.

Syracuse, N.Y.  Its called Friends of Ours Lounge, and one sign says its a private club. A smaller sign describes it as a cannabis lounge. Another warns you must be 21 to enter. A security camera scans the entrance.

The storefront at 103 Nichols Ave. in Eastwood is a few steps down the street from the Paine Branch public library, directly across from the Eastwood American Legion Post and within a block or so of two churches.

Some neighbors say people, including kids, have been seen going in and out of the space smoking or vaping weed. They suspect people are using, and perhaps buying, marijuana inside. Theyve raised their concerns with city officials.

Im very worried about this business, neighborhood resident Alissa Mossow wrote in an email to syracuse.com. ... They have nonstop traffic ... kids in and out of there ... cannabis and alcohol ... cannabis oils ... vapes.

The Eastwood storefront is among several potentially illegal businesses across Syracuse that city officials are aware of and investigating. And although the Common Council adopted a new ordinance to help crack down on illegal cannabis businesses in December, it has yet to take any of those cases to court.

If the Eastwood lounge is selling marijuana, or providing it as a gift with other purchases, or operating as an unlicensed consumption space, it is possibly violating state and local law.

But Michael Lannie, who says he owns the lounge, denies selling marijuana there and believes nothing illegal is happening.

We dont sell alcohol we dont sell anything we watch baseball and smoke weed together, he wrote in an email and a Facebook message to syracuse.com. What is the difference between us and (a) bar?

Syracuse.com tried on several occasion to enter by knocking on the door but got no answer.

Although recreational marijuana use by adults has been legal in the state since April 2021, there are currently no licensed marijuana businesses in the city, or anywhere in Onondaga County.

Across the state, there are just eight state-licensed shops. That has has created an environment for the illegal gray market weed business to thrive. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers have been wrestling with the steps they can take to crack down on illicit sales. Hochul has endorsed a public service campaign urging New Yorkers not to buy illegal weed.

There remains a great deal of uncertainty over what authorities can or cannot do to stop them. That includes a disagreement on whether the law actually prohibits it.

In December, the Syracuse Common Council approved a new local ordinance that officials said would empower them to investigate illegally operating marijuana businesses and seek court orders to shut them down.

There are perhaps dozens of illegal weed businesses in the city, officials have said. Some are pop-up operations that have no licenses or permits of any kind. Others are licensed and permitted business that are selling pot illegally on the side.

Since the Syracuse ordinance was approved, the city codes office has put several suspected illegal marijuana locations under investigation, said Brooke Schneider, Senior Public Information Officer for Mayor Ben Walsh. None of those cases has yet triggered the new law.

Officials from the Syracuse city codes enforcement department, which is investigating these businesses, are aware of 103 Nichols Ave. and are investigating the location, Schneider said. Code Enforcement Director Jake Dishaw declined to elaborate to syracuse.com.

Despite some neighbors concerns, representatives of both the Paine Branch Library and the Eastwood American Legion have told syracuse.com they have not heard from their patrons about any issues with the lounge.

This sign on the storefront at 103 Nichols Ave. in Syracuse's Eastwood neighborhood identifies it as a 'cannabis lounge.' (Don Cazentre | dcazentre@syracuse.com)

Syracuse Common Councilor Jimmy Monto, whose district includes this section of Eastwood, is aware that some of his constituents are worried about the storefront on Nichols Avenue.

Monto said he supports legal marijuana and licensed weed businesses, but noted that unlicensed operations are still illegal.

Theres mixed reactions to these kind of operations, Monto said. Some people say if theyre minding their own business then leave them alone. But if youre selling cannabis without a license to that, that is not allowed in the city of Syracuse. And with these unlicensed places, you dont really know what theyre selling, and thats a problem.

He said he knows the citys enforcement may be moving slow, but they are at least working on it.

Im not aware that this (the Nichols Avenue space) is acute at this point, he said. But it is a concern.

Neighbors who contacted syracuse.com are hoping something happens soon.

Im really worried about this and ruining our Eastwood community, Mossow wrote in her email. ... They have not won a license for this establishment, they do not pay taxes.

Mary Chung, another Eastwood resident included in the email thread, wrote: I dont want my children to be sub(ject) to this type of thing. ... (Our) community has been very safe for (a) long time and we like to keep it this way.

NY state-licensed dispensaries

These are the eight state-licensed recreational marijuana shop in New York. (There are others operating on Indian nation territories across the state).

Housing Works Cannabis, LLC, 750 Broadway, Manhattan.

Smacked Village, 144 Bleecker St., Manhattan.

Just Breathe, 75 Court St., Binghamton

Union Square Travel Agency, 62 E. 13th St. Manhattan

William Jane Corporation, 119-121 E. State St. Ithaca

Good Grades, LLC, 162-03 Jamaica Ave., Queens

Upstate Canna Co., 1613 Union St., Schenectady

Dazed, 33 Union Square W., Manhattan

More coverage of cannabis in Central New York

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
By Kathleen Moore | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  The powerful statewide teachers union is seeking to organize libraries and private schools to bring dozens of new groups into its 700,000-member organization.

New York State United Teachers elected Melinda Person of Guilderland as their new president Saturday night after President Andy Pallotta retired. Person is hoping to expand the union significantly over the next three years.

This is something NYSUT hasnt done in quite a while on a big scale, she said.

Typically, the organization adds four or five new units a year, she said. Persons goal: 10 to 13 a year for the next three years.

NYSUT had already moved into charter schools, unionizing many of them, an effort she plans to continue. Now it is expanding into private schools, with Parker School in North Greenbush recently joining.

Private school teachers generally make far less than their public school counterparts, although they also benefit from not having to get a public school teachers license.

Libraries are another natural group to unionize, Person said.

Library employees havent cited concerns about censorship or limits on programs, though they are concerned about what they see happening along those lines in other states, she said. So far in New York, she said, interest in unions is about wages and benefits.

People are looking for a union so they can band together with their coworkers and ask for fair wages, health insurance, parental leave, she said.

Unions are enjoying a resurgence, Person believes. Private companies and nonprofits are seeing more organizing efforts nationwide from Starbucks to Trader Joes.

NYSUT is also joining a national effort that is dear to the hearts of many public school teachers: amending the federal rules requiring testing.

Currently, schools must test students in third through eighth grades on English and math.

NYSUT is throwing its support behind a proposed act dubbed More Teaching Less Testing.

This would enable states to move away from the annual requirement to have three through eight testing and states could design their own system, Person said. We believe this is the direction we should be going.

The state tests are too long and require too much prep time, she said. Person would prefer adaptive testing: computerized tests that offer a series of easier or harder questions based on the students previous answers. Usually such tests can pinpoint a students academic level quickly.

There are ways testing can be done so the state and the federal government can get the data they need. It doesnt have to be this way, she said.

Persons also not convinced the data is useful.

Theres this insistence we should gather all this comparison data. But weve been gathering this data for more than a decade and where has it gotten us? When people try to convince us they say, Well, we want to find the achievement gaps and help close them. But they havent done that.

Now we just have more data. And in the process of focusing so much on data weve lost out focus on the whole child, she said.

Person was elected to a three-year term. Since 2019, she has been NYSUTs executive director and political director. She also holds a New York state teaching certification for grades 1-6. She and her wife, Kelly, have four children.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration has requested 1,500 troops for the U.S.-Mexico border amid an expected migrant surge following the end of pandemic-era restrictions, according to three administration officials.

The troops would be sent down to focus on administrative tasks so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can work in the field, two of the officials said. They would not do law enforcement work. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly about the request because it had not yet been approved and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The COVID-19 restrictions allowed U.S. officials to turn away tens of thousands of migrants crossing the southern border. Those restrictions, authorized under Title 42 of a broader 1944 law covering public health, will lift May 11. The Biden administration has already made major changes to tighten the border ahead of time.
Marc Rowan, Apollo co-founder. Reuters

The bank crisis is only part over, and part two will be fueled by real estate, Apollo's Marc Rowan said.

Rowan said bank failures will further tighten credit conditions.

Small- to mid-sized lenders finance most commercial real estate debt, spelling trouble for the sector.

The banking crisis is only partly over, and the next wave could soon come from the commercial real estate market, according to Apollo co-founder Marc Rowan.

In an interview with Bloomberg on Monday, the billionaire private equity executive noted to the failure and rescue of First Republic Bank, the latest lender to collapse after the fall of Silicon Valley Bank last month sparked a wave of chaos in the banking sector.

But the tumult isn't over, Rowan warned, as banks are expected to pull back on lending, leading to a crunch in credit conditions. While that's unlikely to lead to a systemic financial crisis, in Rowan's view, it could spell trouble in "concentrated" areas of the market  particularly the commercial real estate market, where small- to mid-sized regional lenders finance 80% of all the industry's debt.

"I think part one of the banking crisis is over," Rowan said. "The interesting thing to me is not whether these banks failed, it's what's the business of regional banking going forward?  Can you lend money, or is your business model going to need to change, going to need to evolve? I think that's what's interesting, and I think we're going to have a second wave in commercial real estate," he added.

Other commentators have warned of a coming crash in commercial real estate, given the pullback in credit conditions and the $1.5 trillion in commercial mortgages set to mature by 2025, at which point they will likely have to be refinanced at higher rates and tighter terms.

That could lead to a 2008-sized crash in the commercial real estate sector, one exec said last month, and Morgan Stanley has predicted a 40% drop in commercial property prices from their peak.

Meanwhile, big players in the industry are already struggling against higher rates and tougher conditions. Blackstone, the largest owner of commercial real estate in the world, saw profits from the sale of assets drop sharply in the last year, while Brookfield Corporation, another giant commercial real estate owner, defaulted on mortgages backed by a handful of high-profile properties this year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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A man widely seen as the godfather of artificial intelligence (AI) has quit his job, warning about the growing dangers from developments in the field. Geoffrey Hinton, 75, announced his resignation from Google in a statement to the New York Times, saying he now regretted his work. He told the BBC some of the dangers of AI chatbots were quite scary. Right now, theyre not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be. Dr Hinton also accepted that his age had played into his decision. BBC

An AI-based decoder that can translate brain activity into a continuous stream of text has been developed, in a breakthrough that allows a persons thoughts to be read non-invasively for the first time. The decoder could reconstruct speech with uncanny accuracy while people listened to a story  or even silently imagined one  using only fMRI scan data. Previous language decoding systems have required surgical implants, and the latest advance raises the prospect of new ways to restore speech in patients struggling to communicate due to a stroke or motor neurone disease. The Guardian

Sony is unveiling the Xperia 1 Mk V in ten days. The device was teased over two months ago with a similar design to its predecessors, but now we have a confirmation of its looks. The new flagship appeared on a billboard in Hong Kong, revealing the triple rear camera vertical alignment with a more prominent oval island and larger lenses. A photo of the billboard appeared on Reddit, revealing the new Xperia 1s tagline will be one for all lights and will have the next-gen double low-noise camera sensor. GSM Arena



Tesla has inexplicably decided to stop taking orders for the Model S and Model X orders in several of right-hand drive markets. Over the last few days, Tesla has shut down the online configurator for the Model S and Model X in Australia, Thailand, Singapore, and New Zealand. These markets have in common that they are all right-hand-drive markets..Tesla has kept orders open in the UK, but it still only displays US specs for the two flagship vehicles. Elektrek

Microsoft has announced the end of Windows 10, the worlds most popular operating system. And the decision will leave millions of users with a financial headache. Microsoft broke the news through an updated product roadmap, announcing that the current version of Windows 10, 22H2, released in October 2022, is the final feature update. The company also stated that all support for Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise and Education, including security updates, will end for mainstream users on October 14, 2025. Forbes

In a wide-ranging talk on Saturday night, SpaceX founder Elon Musk reviewed the debut launch of the Starship rocket on April 20. The bottom line, he said, is that the vehicles flight slightly exceeded his expectations and that damage to the launch site was not all that extensive. He expects Starship to fly again in as few as two or three months. Basically the outcome was roughly sort of what I expected and maybe slightly exceeded my expectations, he said. And Im glad to report that the pad damage is actually quite small, and it looks like it can be repaired quite quickly. Ars Technica

BT challenger Zzoomm is laying off hundreds of engineers as smaller broadband firms grapple with a funding crisis. The Oxfordshire-based company, which is rolling out full-fibre internet connections across the UK, will start outsourcing its network build in a bid to conserve cash. Around 300 employees in its construction team, including engineers and office roles, will be made redundant  equivalent to more than 50pc of the companys workforce. Telegraph

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Fuchsia, Googles mysterious new OS, is making its way to more and more Nest devices, and if you happen to own the Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max, your display might already be running on Fuchsia, even if you dont know it.

Back in May 2021, we got word that Google was rolling out Fuchsia to first-generation Nest Hub displays enrolled in Googles Preview Program, and within three months, the Fuchsia OS had begun to arrive on non-Preview Program original Nest Hubs, too.

Later, Fuchsia rolled out to all Nest Hub Max displays, with 9to5Google reporting that the Fuchsia OS is widely available on the 10-inch Nest Hub display as of August, 2022.

Now were finally getting word that Fuchsia is arriving on the second-gen Nest Hub. The rollout will be gradual, with the Fuchsia update first coming to those signed up for Googles Preview Program.

So, can you tell that your Nest Hub is running on Fuchsia just by looking at it? Not really.

The Nest Hub interface looks the same when powered by Fuchsia as it does when running on the Nest Hubs older, Linux-based OS (which, incidentally, is called Cast OS). 9to5Google even ran a series of tests on a Fuchsia-powered Nest Hub and found that the updated display performed more or less the same as the original.

That said, Fuchsia-enabled Nest Hubs do get their own Bluetooth menus, allowing users can pair external Bluetooth speakers with their displays without needing to firing up the Google Home app.

Whats so special about Fuchsia? Its an open-source, long-in-development operating system thats been percolating in Googles development lab for years.

Crucially, Fuschia isnt based on the Linux kernel, as are Googles two other big OSes, Android and Chrome. Instead, its based on Zircon (formerly Magenta), which (as PCWorld detailed back in 2016) is a combination microkernel and a set of user-space services and hardware drivers. Magenta also packs Escher, a physically based renderer that allows the OS to generate graphical user interfaces.

Fuchsia has long been an object of fascination for Google watchers, namely because little is known about its purpose. There has been speculation that Google is teeing up Fuchsia as an eventual, unified, and non-Linux based replacement for Android and Chrome OS, although Google is staying mum on that point.

Also, the Fuchsia update wont arrive with any flourishes, nor will you need to do anything to initiate the update. Instead, your first-gen Nest Hub willat some point, if it hasnt alreadydownload the update silently, then reboot itself to install it.

All that said, there is an easy way to find out whether your Nest Hub is now running on Fuchsia: Just dig into its settings.

How to find out if your Google Nest Hub display is running on Fuchsia

At a glance Time to complete: 5 minutes

Tools required: None

Materials required: Google Nest Hub (1st gen) or Nest Hub Max

Cost: $0 1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen Ben Patterson/Foundry Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, then tap the Settings button (its the one that looks like a gear). 2. Tap Device information Ben Patterson/Foundry Next, tap Device information 3. Tap Technical information Ben Patterson/Foundry Now, tap the Technical information setting. 4. Look for Fuchsia Version heading Ben Patterson/Foundry Now, check the details on the Technical information screen. Is there a Fuchsia Version heading? If so, congratsyour Nest Hub is running Fuchsia. If not, sit tight. The update should roll out to your display eventually, with no action needed on your part.

Mentioned in this article Google Nest Hub Max Read our review Best Prices Today:

Updated on May 2, 2023 with revised instructions and the news that Fuchsia is rolling out to second-gen Nest Hub devices.
Milltrust International Group

LONDON, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Milltrust Ventures, the university venturing arm of the award winning investment organisation, Milltrust International, focused on sustainable prosperity across its many investments, welcomes the news that UK biodegradable plastic company, Polymateria, has completed a successful Series B funding round, led by Singapore-based Temasek affiliate, ABC Impact, and sustainable chemical company, Indorama Ventures. This round saw Polymateria raise an additional 20 million in capital to help enter new markets and accelerate the commercialisation of its ground-breaking technology at scale.



First invested into by Milltrust and its clients, as part of Green Earth Ventures, a silo of British Innovation Fund II, Polymateria is a pioneering biotech company whose technology was first developed by scientists from Imperial College London in 2016. Polymateria provides a patented time controlled biological additive for incorporation into conventional plastic manufacturing processes to create biodegradable plastic packaging - a genuine world first. This technology has significant potential to efficiently reduce the most common sources of plastic pollution including plastic bags, trays and cups, which account for 50% of all plastics used in Europe.

Mr Hopkins, CEO, Milltrust International said: Polymateria is yet another example of Milltrusts solid investment process and rich track record in identifying and supporting winners amongst hundreds of companies evaluated annually, the key being dynamic management, cutting edge IP and unique growth potential. Milltrust was especially pleased to be able to help secure this additional funding for Polymateria through introducing the company to potential investors in Asia from our offices in Singapore, where Polymateria is now co-located.

Story continues

In combination with other successful investments such Roslin Technologies, Pragmatic Semiconductor and Vaccitech, Polymateria furthers Milltrusts credentials as one of the leading investors in the fields of healthcare, Smart Proteins, and responsible stewardship. Through the creation of British Innovation Fund II, Milltrust continues to identify winning companies originating out of UK universities, providing its expertise to assist the roll out of impactful solutions which benefit humankind.

About Milltrust International Group

Under a single mantra of Sustainable Prosperity, Milltrust is a specialist, award-winning investment organisation co-headquartered in London and Singapore offering a range of life-changing investment solutions seeking to address some of the greatest themes of our generation including the development of emerging economies, rising food demand, the technological revolutions and its impact on healthcare, food systems and climate change. Clients include pension funds, sovereign entities, family offices, entrepreneurs and HNWIs. The firm operates in a regulated capacity across multiple jurisdictions including the UK, Singapore, Ireland, and Cayman and has a partnership with WWF, the worlds leading independent conservation organisation. www.milltrust.com

Further Information:

Simon Hopkins, CEO Milltrust International Group, info@milltrust.com, www.milltrust.com








The big picture: Ransomware attacks against companies and government agencies are on the rise despite efforts by cybersecurity experts to prevent such incidences. Since the start of the pandemic, hundreds of U.S. businesses have reported being ransomware victims, with the largest known attack being the Kaseya hack in 2021.

More recently, the U.S. government has also faced a string of cybersecurity incidents, with the FBI, the Department of Defense, and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) all confirming multiple data leaks and targeted attacks this year. Just last week, the USMS announced that cybercriminals had targeted its systems with a ransomware attack, exposing a large amount of data, including personally identifiable information (PII) of employees. Thankfully, the incident did not expose the witness protection program database, meaning no witnesses are in danger.

The incident happened on February 17, but even after 10 weeks, the system is still not fully operational despite efforts by officials to get it back up and running. The affected network is operated by the Marshals' Technical Operations Group (TOG) to track suspects through their phones, emails, and internet usage, but with the system remaining out of commission, the agency is having to devise 'other ways' to track down suspects.

According to The Washington Post, the system has remained down for so long because the USMS decided not to pay any ransom to unlock the network. Instead, officials moved to shut down the entire system, which included remotely wiping the cellphones of all employees who worked in the department. The sudden move, which was implemented without any prior warning, cleared out all their files, contacts and emails, inconveniencing many.

However, despite the apparent roadblock, the USMS remains adamant that the shutdown isn't affecting its ability to conduct investigations. In a statement this week, Marshals spokesperson Drew Wade said that most of the critical investigative tools have already been restored, and the agency is planning to soon deploy "a fully reconstituted system with improved IT security countermeasures" for the future.

As noted by the report, the Marshals' Technical Operations Group has been credited with tracking down many notorious suspects over the years, none more so than the infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, who was arrested in Mexico City in 2014. Known for its sophisticated tracking techniques, the TOG is said to collect more cellphone tracking data than the FBI and DEA combined, leading to an average of 1,000 arrests in a typical 10-week period.

Since the attack, the Marshals task forces have continued to make arrests, but the agency is hoping to get the full system up and running sooner rather than later to avoid a long-term impact on its investigations.
For over 43 years, the Voyager 2 spacecraft has been exploring outer space, far exceeding its original mission expectations. Now, NASA has created a way to continue its mission.

A New Power Strategy Helps NASA's Voyager 2 to Reach Unprecedented Milestones

According to the story by The Hill, this remarkable feat is all thanks to NASA's engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory coming up with a new power strategy, tapping into a backup reservoir of energy to operate until at least 2026.

Since its launch in 1977, Voyager 2 has seen its fair share of milestones and is about to reach another one. The spacecraft is set to continue its operations for years longer than expected due to a new power strategy developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) scientists.

This new plan could mean that Voyager 2 will continue to orbit around the outskirts of our solar system sending back invaluable data that could still hold many mysteries and unanswered questions.

Uncovering the Unknowns: Exploring the Heliosphere With Voyager 2

Voyager 2 is currently 12 billion miles from Earth and is the only spacecraft out of the Earth's heliosphere, or bubble of particles generated by the Sun around itself and its planets.

This area of the solar system is difficult to explore and has many unknowns left to discover, making the data that traveler sends back invaluable. As the spacecraft's power source was running low, NASA's JPL developed a solution to use the backup reservoir of power that would keep Voyager 2 in space until at least 2026.

The team also looked into shutting down one of the five instruments on Voyager 2 to save energy but instead opted to try tapping into the backup power supply to keep all five instruments active.

Unprecedented Use of Reserve Power Extends Voyager 2 Mission

The idea was successful, and NASA didn't need a safety net to keep the systems running at the same voltage. Recently, it was reported that the Voyager 2 science mission would be extended another three years, per Earth Sky.

Considering the team at NASA's remarkable feat of keeping Voyager 2 in space despite its age, this power strategy may also be applied to Voyager 1. Currently, Voyager 1 only has four instruments, and using the reserve may allow the extension to continue this long-running mission.

Read Also: US Defense Dept. Develops Wearable with Real-Time Infection Prediction

The Expansion of the Voyager 2 Mission - Expanding the Boundaries of Space Exploration

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been monitoring Voyager 2 over the last few weeks, and the new approach seems to be working, marking a major milestone for this iconic spacecraft.

Although Voyager 2 and Voyager 1 were theoretically designed to last just five years, scientists now hope to expand the mission time for the iconic spacecraft for even more time, collecting data that it may have taken decades for us to reach otherwise.

Related Article: China's New Telescope Array to Look For Earth-Like Exoplanets! Here's What to Know About Miyin Project

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The latest development for Google's AI is that it lost an influential figure in its ranks, a decade later after their first work together, as Dr. Geoffrey Hinton announced his resignation via an interview. However, Dr. Hinton's career is not yet at the end of the line, as he wants to take up the responsibility of warning the world about the dangers and risks of AI, especially in this age.

The present saw significant developments and features for generative AI as led by OpenAI and Google, and many are already going against this, also having the renowned "Godfather of AI," joining the charge.

(Photo : KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Geoffrey Hinton Quits Google to Warn Against AI Dangers

Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, one of the most influential figures in the field of artificial intelligence, recently announced that he is leaving Google via an interview with The New York Times. Hinton joined Google in 2013 after the tech giant acquired his startup, DNNresearch.

Hinton's departure from Google is seen as a loss for the company, but it also signals a new chapter in his career. He is expected to continue working on AI research and development, with a renewed focus on addressing some of the ethical and societal issues surrounding the technology.

In the interview, Dr. Hinton said that he aims to speak freely regarding AI and its dangers, should it continue without international regulation and control of its development. This comes from the famed developer of machine learning who saw its potential and capabilities.

Read Also: OpenAI Wants to Trademark 'GPT' Amid Rise of AI Chatbots

Who is Dr. Geoffrey Hinton and His Work on AI?

As early as 1972 saw Dr. Hinton's work on artificial intelligence, which greatly inspired generative AI developments. In 1987, Hilton and other developers introduced backpropagation, a renowned modern technique in training neural networks used until the present.

Hinton is known for his pioneering work in deep learning in 2012, which is a subfield of machine learning that focuses on training artificial neural networks to recognize patterns in data. His research has led to breakthroughs in speech recognition, image recognition, and natural language processing, among other areas.

Back in 2018, ACM presented Dr. Geoffrey Hinton with the Turing Award for his work on AI development and other contributions to the field.

AI Developments and Those that Oppose It

Hinton has also been a strong advocate for transparency and accountability in AI development, calling for more open research and collaboration between companies and researchers.

While Hinton speaks strongly against AI now, he was not part of the initial open letter to AI companies to stop its development after GPT-4, with known backers such as Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and more.

Google is also one to lead the AI race, particularly with its new division, Google DeepMind, soon to debut its latest developments for all.

Dr. Geoffrey Hinton's departure from Google marks the end of a highly productive partnership between one of the world's leading AI researchers and one of the most innovative technology companies. However, it also represents an opportunity for Hinton to continue pushing the boundaries of AI development and addressing some of the ethical and social challenges that the technology poses.

Related Article: Google Bard Launches New Feature that Will Help Users Code, For Generation and Debugging

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The usage of different AI tools in Samsung's workplace is now prohibited as per the company's newest policy. This comes after discovering employees accidentally leaking sensitive data by uploading a code to ChatGPT.

(Photo : Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 25: The Samsung logo is displayed at the Samsung office on August 25, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. Prosecutors are seeking a 12-year jail sentence. Lee, de facto chief of South Korean conglomerate, faces five charges connecting the bribery scandal involving ousted former President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

Banning AI Usage

Samsung Electronic Co. notified its employee on Monday regarding a new policy. According to Bloomberg's report, the company is now banning employee use of popular generative Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT after the data leak incident from one of its employees. This deals a setback to the widespread of this technology in the workplace.

This effort comes as Samsung is concerned that data transmitted to AI platforms like Google Bard and Bing will be stored on external servers, which makes it difficult for them to retrieve and delete. In a worst-case scenario, the sensitive data that may be confidential could end up being disclosed to other users.

The company noted to the employees that platforms like ChatGPT have been growing in the company both internally and externally. "While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI," the statement added.

Samsung's new regulation for its employees will ban the use of generative AI systems on company-owned computers, tablets, phones, and even on its internal networks. The company clarified that this will not affect the devices sold to consumers, including Windows laptops and Android Smartphones.

Employees will be terminated or will have disciplinary action as a result of breaking the new policies, like submitting any company-related information or personal data to AI platforms that could reveal intellectual property. Samsung stated, "We ask that you diligently adhere to our security guidelines."

Leaking Critical Source Code

Samsung's semiconductor division allowed engineers to use ChatGPT to help them fix their problems in the operations with their source code. However, workers of the company accidentally entered sensitive data, including the new program's source code, internal meeting notes, and hardware-related information.

The company also discovered three incidents of employees leaking confidential information via the platform over the course of 20 days. Because of this, Samsung's trade secrets have become OpenAI's intellectual property as the platform retains user input data to refine its algorithms.

Also Read: Analysts and Executives Suggest Microsoft Should Replace Google on Samsung Phones No Matter the Cost

Samsung is one of the biggest companies in the industry that expressed its concern about Artificial Intelligence. Earlier this year, several Wall Street banks either banned or restricted the use of OpenAI's chatbot service after it became popular. This includes JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., and Citigroup Inc.

Ars Technica reported that Italy also restricted the use of the platform over privacy fears. But only yesterday, OpenAI gives in to the country's data privacy demands, leading to the ban being lifted by the Italian authorities.

Related Article: Samsung Pushes Back on Memory Chip Manufacturing, Anticipates Lowest Profit Since 2009

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NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has made another planet-shaking discovery, as an international team of astronomers recently confirmed two "super-Earth" exoplanets orbiting the nearby M-dwarf star known as TOI-2095.



These newly discovered planets are slightly larger than Earth and have short orbital periods.

2 Exoplanet Candidates

TESS aims to search for transiting exoplanets, including small rocky worlds to gaseous giants, among approximately 200,000 of the sun's brightest neighboring stars.



The satellite has already found 6,400 potential exoplanets, out of which 330 have been verified to date.



An international team of astronomers, led by Felipe Murgas from the University of La Laguna, Spain, has confirmed two additional exoplanet candidates that were being monitored by TESS.



They used photometric observations and radial velocity measurements to determine that the transit signals observed in the light curve of TOI-2095 are caused by planets.



"We report the validation of two transiting planets around the M dwarf TOI-2095 discovered by TESS. We use ground-based high-resolution imaging, TESS photometric data, and CARMENES radial velocities to discard false positive scenarios, measure the planetary radii, and place stringent upper limits on the masses of the transiting candidates," the researchers explained.



Designated as TOI-2095 b, the exoplanet located closer to the star is positioned at a distance of roughly 0.1 AU from it. Its size is approximately 25% larger than Earth, and it orbits around the star every 17.66 days.



Researchers found the equilibrium temperature of TOI-2095 b to be 347 K, and estimate its mass to not exceed 4.1 Earth masses.



TOI-2095 c, the second planet in the system, orbits around the host every 28.17 days and is located at a distance of about 0.137 AU. With a radius of 1.33 Earth radii, the planet has an estimated mass of 7.4 Earth masses. Its equilibrium temperature is calculated to be around 297 K.



The star, TOI-2095, has a spectral type M2.5 V and is around 56% smaller and less massive than the sun. Its metallicity level is -0.24, and it has an effective temperature of 3,759 K. Researchers estimate that the star is at least one billion years old.

Read Also: NASA Hubble, TESS Discover Water Vapor on 'Super Neptune,' an Exoplanet 150 Light Years Away

Habitable Zone

The authors said that the two new exoplanets are located close to the inner edge of TOI-2095's habitable zone. They believe that these planets are good candidates for further studies.



"In particular, extremely precise radial velocity follow-up observations can help to improve the mass measurements (and hence the bulk densities) of the planets and provide some constraints for future prospects for atmospheric characterization," the researchers wrote.

TESS's groundbreaking discovery of these two super-Earths is another exciting development in the search for exoplanets and may provide valuable information for further astronomical research.

The findings of the research team were published in arXiv.

Related Article: NASA's TESS Mission Finds a 'Super-Earth' Orbiting Around One of the Oldest Stars, the Milky Way Galaxy

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new Twitter glitch affected many users, even during the most-awaited Met Gala this 2023.

The outage started on May 1. Most of the affected users are those who are accessing their Twitter accounts via the web.

As of writing, Twitter hasn't confirmed if they are already working on the latest issue. However, reports stated that the glitch already subsided after midnight.

Twitter Glitch's Details

According to Business Insider's latest report, complaints from Twitter users peaked at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Also Read: Twitter Community Notes to Label Misinformation, and Elon Musk Claims No One is Exempted

Over 4,100 reports were received by the Downdetector. The online outage checker said that 4% of the affected users experienced server connection issues.

Meanwhile, 44% of them suffered from website problems. The remaining 52% experienced login issues during the outage's peak.

The most annoying issue that Twitter users experience is their accounts being logged out repeatedly.

Affected Twitter users said that the issue started when they were trying to browse the social media platform via its web version.

After that, the Twitter page will automatically refresh, and they will be redirected to the default website for Logged Out users.

Numerous Twitter users said that they tried the provided login options, such as Google, Apple, and email. However, many of them failed to get back to their accounts.

What caused the Twitter glitch?

Although Elon Musk and his team haven't officially made any statement regarding the latest Twitter Glitch, numerous individuals shared their speculations.

One of them is The New York Times reporter Ryan Mac. He said that a bad front-end deployment caused the Twitter desktop outage.

The journalists explained that this information was provided by two sources who are familiar with Twitter's activities.

"Musk sent an internal email earlier noting that though development is going fast 'system reliability should always be paramount,'" said Ryan.

Todays Twitter desktop outage was caused by a bad front end deployment, according to 2 sources. Ive lost count of the number of outages under Musk.



Musk sent an internal email earlier noting that though development is going fast system reliability should always be paramount.  Ryan Mac  (@RMac18) May 2, 2023

In other news, Elon Musk recently offered his Twitter ask-me-anything service to boost the number of Twitter Blue subscribers.

We also reported about the free Twitter Blue checkmarks, which the billionaire previously rolled out.

For more news updates about Twitter and other social media platforms, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Twitter, Spotify vs. Apple: 'Absurd' App Store Rules Is a Massive Concern for Executives

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Mastodon, the decentralized social network and a popular alternative to Twitter, announced today that they are introducing a new default sign-up option to make the sign-up process easier for new users.



According to the social media company, deciding which Mastodon service provider to start with can be confusing, as the platform and the service provider are not the same. However, this choice is what makes Mastodon different from other social media platforms.

Mastodon has a decentralized network, which means that there is no one central entity or company controlling the entire network.

Instead, Mastodon is made up of multiple independent servers, each run by different people or organizations, but all of which can communicate with one another.

Default Sign-up Option

The new default sign-up option works with a server operated by Mastodon, which makes the onboarding process easier for new users.



Mastodon offers its users the freedom to leave or switch to another server anytime they want. The company is convinced that simplifying the sign-up process will enable new users to interact with others more swiftly, resulting in a greater likelihood of demonstrating the advantages of decentralized social networks.



"We understand that deciding which Mastodon service provider to start with can be confusing," said Mastodon in a statement. "To make this step easier, we now have a default sign-up option that works with a server we operate. If you wish to leave or join a different server, you can do so at any time."

Although decentralization is a crucial part of Mastodon's mission, the company recognizes the importance of offering a product that stands out on its own and is not solely dependent on its ideology.



The company asserts that if it exclusively attracts users who are already interested in decentralization, it will be challenging to make decentralization a mainstream concept.



"Mastodon has grown so much over the past 6 months even despite some of the perceived onboarding challenges," the company said.



"Our platform has become home to diverse discussions, perspectives, and voices, including artists, writers, journalists, and political organizations. We just surpassed a billion posts per month, which validates the very real and engaged conversations happening across Mastodon and the wider Fediverse."

Read Also: Mastodon, Twitter Alternative, Have Mods That Can Read Your DMs and Get You Banned-Elon Musk is Rejoicing

Upcoming Features to Look Out For

The company also announced that they are continuously working on improving content and profile discovery, onboarding, and their extensive set of moderation tools.

They are also bringing some of the most requested features, such as quote posts, improved content and profile search, and groups. Although the platform has not revealed the exact date for the rollout of these features.

Related Article: Twitter Alternative Mastodon Explodes in Popularity Following Elon Musk Acquisition: From 300K to 2.5 Million Active Users

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Australia's nicotine-free vape ban has been announced by Health Minister Mark Butler. He confirmed this effort during a press release on Tuesday, May 2.

Butler said that vaping is making a new generation of nicotine-dependent people in Australia. He added that vaping poses a major health threat to the country's tobacco control efforts.

Australia Nicotine-Free Vape Ban

According to New Scientist's latest report, the Australian government has regular vaping products to be sold in pharmacies ever since 2021.

Also Read: Nicotine-Free Vapes Raise Concerns; Tests Reveal They're as Addictive as Full-Strength E-Cigarettes

These nicotine-containing vapes can be acquired if consumers have prescriptions from doctors and other health professionals.

Meanwhile, nicotine-free vapes are easier to access because they can be purchased at convenience stores, petrol stations, and other retailers. Because of this difference, Australian officials are more concerned with nicotine-free vapes.

"There are many cases of products being falsely labeled as nicotine-free or simply not listing nicotine in the ingredients even when it is there," explained Prof. Oliver Jones at RMIT University of Melbourne.

Allowing Prescribed E-Cigarettes

In his official press release, Mark Butler said that Australia's 2023-24 Budget includes $737 million for their measures against tobacco and vaping products.

"We will not stand by and allow vaping to create another generation of nicotine addicts," stated the Australian health minister.

Butler said that the Australian government proposes stronger enforcement and regulation of all e-cigarette products.

These include new restrictions on packaging, contents, and importation of vapes. Among the efforts included in their latest anti-vape plan are the following:

Ban all single-use, disposable vapes.

Require pharmaceutical-like packaging.

Increase the minimum quality standards for vapes including by restricting flavors, colors, and other ingredients.

Stop the import of non-prescription vapes.

Reduce the allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes.

If you want to learn more about the latest nicotine-free ban effort in Australia, you can click here.

Here are other stories we recently wrote about health:

MIT introduced a new vaccine printer that can produce hundreds of doses each day. A recent study claimed that excessive insulin could be deadly to consumers.

For more news updates about vaping and other health topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: NSW Health Agency Warns Teens About E-Cigarettes! New Anti-Vaping Campaign Arrives

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
T-Mobile, the fastest 5G provider in the US has disclosed that a second data breach took place on February 24 until March 30.

According to the company, the hack has hit more than 800 customers. T-Mobile said that user account PINs, date of birth, and other customer data might have been leaked during the incident.

T-Mobile Data Breach Exposed Hundreds of User's Data

In a report by Ars Technica on Tuesday, May 2, the exact number of the affected T-Mobile customers during the second hack is 838, as per Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey's website.

"The information obtained for each customer varied but may have included full name, contact information, account number and associated phone numbers, T-Mobile account PIN, social security number, government ID, date of birth, balance due, internal codes that T-Mobile uses to service customer accounts (for example, rate plan and feature codes), and the number of lines," the company detailed in a letter sent to the affected users.

Once T-Mobile uncovered the data breach that happened two months ago, the company immediately reset their accounts. This way, the hackers won't be able to switch and take advantage of the SIM cards.

T-Mobile acknowledged the fact that it did not manage to safeguard the customer's information against unwanted outside access. For its part, the company said that it will continue to improve its security to prevent this event in the future.

T-Mobile apologized to the users and promised to continuously make enhancements when it comes to data security.

Previous T-Mobile Security Breach

Back in January 2023, the mobile communications firm took notice that it suffered from a new security breach. The company cited that a "bad actor" was responsible for accessing the customer data from the database, per Tech Times.

This was the first intrusion that hit the company. The data breach took place after the company was declared to be the fastest 5G and 4G LTE provider at the Ookla Speedtest Global Index.

The widespread hack reportedly compromised some data from 37 million subscribers. To avoid identity theft, T-Mobile pre-emptively closed its systems for 24 hours as part of the mitigation process.

While it's assumed that personal details were exposed during the attack, the company highlighted that no finances or customer information were at risk at that time.

Related Article: T-Mobile Subscribers Can Now Link Their Phone Numbers With Alexa For Hands-Free Calling, Texting

What should you do if your information is stolen?

9to5Mac reports that as a customer, you should change your existing PIN and take note of all your account information ahead of the incident.

As for the identity theft cases, the FTC is always there to back you up if you need help in recovering your account. If you think that you account is stolen by a hacker, you can check this guide for you to get started.

If you want to further protect your confidential details from the hackers, you can visit this link to browse over important tips in case your information is lost or robbed.

Read Also: T-Mobile 2G Network Shuts Down in 2024 - Focusing on 4G LTE Instead?

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Samsung Galaxy S23's Astrophoto mode finally arrives in older Galaxy models.

The South Korean gadget maker introduced this camera feature as an exclusive enhancement for the S22 and S23 series.

Now, Samsung finally rolled out this advanced feature to older Galaxy smartphones, such as the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 also received the Astrophoto mode. If you own one of these older devices, then here's how you can get the advanced Astrophoto feature.

Samsung Galaxy S23's Astrophoto Mode Arrives in Older Models!

According to GSM Arena's latest report, the Astrophoto mode can be accessed by the mentioned Galaxy models above via the ExpertRAW app.

Also Read: Redmi Note 12 5G Spotted Selling at a 10% Discount on Amazon: Here's What You Need to Know

However, users still need to have the latest version of the application, which is ExpertRAW 2.0.09.1. If you already have this all, you can check the version manually on your Galaxy S21 or Galaxy Z Fold4.

To do this, just open your smartphone's Settings and check the software update menu. If the mentioned version didn't appear, just visit the ExpertRAW app on Google Play and update it.

Astrophoto Mode: How to Use It?

The Astrophoto mode is a very useful camera feature. However, the quality of its captured photos will still depend on how clear the night sky is.

Also, pollution in your area could affect the image quality of the Astrophoto mode.

With the advanced Astrophoto mode, Galaxy users can capture the night sky by keeping the shutter of their ExpertRAW for around 10 minutes.

You can also take advantage of the Sky guide, which will show you the positions of the constellations and starts in your area.

Since your camera will be open for 10 minutes, Android Police suggested bringing a tripod or any stable smartphone holder.

If you want to learn more details about the advanced Astrophoto mode, you can click this link.

Here are other stories we recently wrote about Android smartphones:

The specs of the upcoming LAVA Blaze 1X 5G were previously leaked; 5000 mAh battery, 15W fast charging, and other features.

Sony Xperia 1V's release date was announced by Sony.

For more news updates about smartphones and other gadgets, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Multiple insiders secured a larger position in Oakley Capital Investments Limited (LON:OCI) shares over the last 12 months. This is reassuring as this suggests that insiders have increased optimism about the company's prospects.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

Check out our latest analysis for Oakley Capital Investments

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Oakley Capital Investments

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Founder Peter Adam Dubens bought UK601k worth of shares at a price of UK3.78 per share. We do like to see buying, but this purchase was made at well below the current price of UK4.70. Because the shares were purchased at a lower price, this particular buy doesn't tell us much about how insiders feel about the current share price.

In the last twelve months Oakley Capital Investments insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

Oakley Capital Investments is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Oakley Capital Investments Insiders Bought Stock Recently

It's good to see that Oakley Capital Investments insiders have made notable investments in the company's shares. We can see that Senior Partner & Co-Founder David Till paid UK196k for shares in the company. No-one sold. This is a positive in our book as it implies some confidence.

Does Oakley Capital Investments Boast High Insider Ownership?

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Oakley Capital Investments insiders own about UK93m worth of shares (which is 11% of the company). I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders.

Story continues

What Might The Insider Transactions At Oakley Capital Investments Tell Us?

The recent insider purchase is heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. Given that insiders also own a fair bit of Oakley Capital Investments we think they are probably pretty confident of a bright future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. You'd be interested to know, that we found 1 warning sign for Oakley Capital Investments and we suggest you have a look.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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A rendering of the new public library planned for a site in the Back of the Yards neighborhood ( Chicago Public Library)

My father and his brother, children of immigrants, grew up near Humboldt Park. When they were young and not playing in the parks, streets or the alleys of their neighborhood, they could be found at the library that was a block from their apartment, devouring books.

They were not unusual then, in that they were part of a vast crowd of youngsters for whom libraries were essential and inspirational parts of life.

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But some encouraging news arrived with the announcement of three new Chicago Public Library outposts: a new Woodlawn branch and two new libraries that will be part of mixed-use developments in Back of the Yards and Humboldt Park.

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Lori Lightfoot, the bruised outgoing mayor, has so far been reluctant to grant my Tribune colleagues requests for an exit interview, but she did offer some words for a news release, saying she looks forward to seeing these new libraries become hubs of activity and lifelong learning.

She loves libraries, once telling me that she has fond memories of the library across the street from her junior high school in Massillon, Ohio, where she could explore the world, have the librarians help you explore the world and help you with homework.

Her library affection is surely further fueled by her wife, Amy Eshleman, who was the assistant commissioner for the CPL during the lengthy tenure of estimable commissioner Mary Dempsey. They used multimillion-dollar investments to open new modern branches and renovated old ones.

A rendering of the new public library planned for a site at North and Pulaski Avenues on the city's West Side. ( Chicago Public Library)

We live, many of us, removed from libraries. Weve got smartphones, iPads, Google and the easy ability to Wiki-whatever. Many of us deem libraries as artifacts of our youth, dusty memories sitting next to those of Riverview, pitching pennies and dial telephones.

So be it, but a vast number of people lack the means to buy computers or books, movies or CDs. To them, libraries are oases that allow people to plug in to our plugged-in age. As such, they become vital parts of life as they become accustomed to this strange new world.

This new trio of locations will increase the number of CPL spaces to nearly 80.

The first? It opened in 1873, with these words from Mayor Joseph Medill: The influence and power of a city, state or nation is not measured by its numbers but by its enlightenment, by its thinkers ...  Smart guy, he also owned the Tribune.

This library was inside a converted water tank at LaSalle and Adams streets, packed with 8,000 books, many from such notable Brits as Queen Victoria, John Stuart Mill and Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and from thousands of others, in response to news that 3 million books that had been in storage in the city had burned in the Great Chicago Fire two years before.

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In 1897, the library moved into the magnificent building on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Washington streets, still standing and operating as the Cultural Center.

Generations spent time there and in what would be the branch libraries that began to dot the city. But for a disgracefully lengthy time, Black neighborhoods were ignored until a prominent Black doctor named George Cleveland Hall convinced philanthropist Julius Rosenwald of the need for a library in Bronzeville.

Rosenwald, the head of Sears, Roebuck & Co., bought land at the corner of 48th Street and Michigan Avenue and gave it to the city. A library rose there, opening in January 1932 it was named for Hall and headed by Vivian Harsh, the citys first Black librarian.

You can visit it still, this handsome building made of Indiana limestone, with an octagonal rotunda with terrazzo tile, brass ornaments and dark English oak.

You can visit any of the citys libraries, such as the oldest, which would be the Blackstone at 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. Built in 1904, it was the citys first branch library. Isabella Norton Blackstone provided the funds for it to honor her late husband, Timothy Beach Blackstone, a railroad executive and the first president of the Union Stockyards. The architect was Solon S. Beman, who also designed much of Pullman, the Fine Arts Building, a few Hyde Park homes and a couple buildings for the Worlds Columbian Exposition of 1893.

A library patron enters the Blackstone Library in Chicago in 2009. (Heather Charles/Chicago Tribune)

When you have a look at the CPL website, I think youll be pleasantly shocked by the mountain of information and events. I would direct your attention to the tours led by the ebullient author/professor/historian Max Grinnell.

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As the CPL system celebrates its 150th anniversary, realize that it exists for all of us, but primarily serves those who cannot afford to buy the latest hardcover books or computers. Most locations have lively cultural programming, book clubs and help for people searching for jobs or trying for a GED diploma. Sometimes they simply offer a quiet and safe place to sit, to think, to dream.

During the Depression, future Nobel Prize-winning novelist Saul Bellow spent time in our libraries, later saying, there were no jobs, (I read) at the public library, along with out-of-work lawyers and other professional people. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and filmmaker David Mamet too hung out there, in the main library downtown, later saying, with great fondness, My alma mater is the Chicago Public Library. I got what little educational foundation I got in the third-floor reading room, under the tutelage of a Coca-Cola sign.

rkogan@chicagotribune.com
America's Largest Family-Owned Italian Beef Restaurant Group's Valparaiso, IN.

Location is Earning Over $30k Per Day

VALPARAISO, Ind., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic Chicago restaurant brands, Buona and The Original Rainbow Cone have announced the successful launch of their first out of state dual concept location in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Large crowd gathered outside of the newly opened Buona/Rainbow Cone restaurant in Valparaiso, Indiana on April 12, 2023.

The 4,900 square feet location which operates on less than an acre of land and features a double drive-thru and 80 seats has surpassed all expectations, with an average daily revenue of over $30,000 for the first two weeks of operation.

The dual brand concept offers an expansive menu tailored to everyone in the family, anchored by Buona's Award-Winning Italian Beef, Chicago Style Hotdogs, All-Natural Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches and Signature Chopped Salad, along with Rainbow Cone's world-famous five-flavor "Rainbow Cone."

The high level of guest satisfaction is reflected in social reviews, with the location receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.

"We are thrilled with the success of our first out of market dual brand location," said Joe Buonavolanto Ill, third generation Buona family member and VP of Franchise Operations at the company. "The combination of Buona's Signature Italian beef and Rainbow Cone's beloved ice cream has been a hit with customers. Our team has worked hard to create a welcoming environment for families to enjoy quality food and memorable experiences together, and it's rewarding to see that effort paying off."

The success of Buona and Rainbow Cone's first dual brand location outside of Illinois is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. The prototype location is paving the way for future expansion and growth for both brands.

The next out of market dual concept locations are expected to open in the Nashville, southern Wisconsin, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale metro areas next year. The company also hopes to continue its national expansion into Arizona and Texas.

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For more information about Buona and Rainbow Cone's franchise programs, visit https://BuonaFranchise.com or https://rainbowconefranchise.com .

About Buona/The Original Rainbow Cone

Buona/The Original Rainbow Cone bring two Chicago, family-owned traditions together, combining Buona's authentic recipe for Italian beef sandwiches and The Original Rainbow Cone's world-famous 5-flavor "Rainbow Cone." Four decades, three generations and several dozen restaurants ago, Joe and Peggy opened the first Buona restaurant in Berwyn, IL, which specialized in their authentic recipe for Italian beef sandwiches. Today, Buona is driven by multiple 3rd generation Buonavolantos and hard-working, dedicated employees who loyally serve Buona customers and surrounding communities. As a result, Buona is the largest family-owned Italian beef restaurant group and Italian beef producer in the country. Rainbow Cone was founded in 1926 by "Grandpa Joe" Sapp, who was never satisfied with just one ice cream flavor and stacked five delicious flavors on a single cone. The company remains 3rd generation family-owned including its original Southside location. For more information, visit https://buona.com and https://rainbowcone.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buona-and-rainbow-cones-first-out-of-market-dual-brand-concept-exceeds-expectations-301813438.html

SOURCE Buona; The Original Rainbow Cone
ReportLinker

Segmented By Component (Hardware, Software), By Platform (Naval, Airborne, Land and Space), By End User (Defense & Space, Homeland Security, Civil Organizations, Others), By User Type (Government & Military, Commercial), By Region.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "C4ISR Market-Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06313394/?utm_source=GNW



Global C4ISR market stood at USD111.40 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach USD154.78 billion in 2028, advancing with a CAGR of 5.93% through 2028. Rising military expenditure on automobiles, increasing global territorial conflicts, and growing terrorism are driving the growth of the global C4ISR market in the forecast years.

C4ISR refers to technology that enables defense and strategic decision-makers to carry out command-and-control orders by providing actionable intelligence.A clearer grasp of an adversarys capabilities and enhanced Situational Awareness (SA) are now partly attributable to recent developments in systems, methodologies, and technologies.



By reducing the amount of time between the initial perception of a threat and the decisions made to neutralize it, such improved SA will help to improve C4ISR capabilities.

Command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, often known as C4ISR, is the militarys "nervous system," a group of sub-systems utilized to maximize the use of real-time Situational Awareness (SA).Any defense operations foundation is C4ISR, which ensures battlefield visibility.



It gathers and analyzes information from numerous sources, compiles it, conducts analysis on it, and then transmits it to all concerned bodies for coordinated and fast action.The services and intelligence organizations are just two of the entities that provide data to C4ISR.



A crucial factor to take into account in this situation is the possibility that none of these stakeholders would desire to reveal their internal architecture, including data and apps. As a result, it is important to establish a collaborative network-centric design that enables all agencies to exchange the identified data when required or necessary while preserving the confidentiality of other data.

Rising Military and Defense Applications

Military and defense applications are a significant driver of the C4ISR market, as they require advanced situational awareness capabilities for intelligence gathering, threat detection, and missile defense.C4ISR systems provide a range of capabilities that enable military forces to collect, process, analyze, and disseminate information, improving their ability to conduct operations in complex and dynamic environments.



The growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other unmanned systems in military and defense operations has also driven the demand for C4ISR systems. These systems require advanced communication and control capabilities to operate effectively, and C4ISR systems provide the necessary infrastructure to support these operations.

Technological Advancements

The emergence of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics has made it possible to build more complex C4ISR systems that can manage massive volumes of data and offer real-time insights.Military organizations are now better able to make decisions based on the information gathered owing to AI-enabled C4ISR systems that can analyze and interpret data more rapidly and precisely.



Cybersecurity has become more of a priority as a result of the rising usage of digital technology in C4ISR systems. C4ISR systems are now more protected from potential cyber assaults owing to developments in cybersecurity technology, including intrusion detection and encryption.

Surging Contractual Tie-ups

The necessity of C4ISR systems is substantial in countries that are engaged in defense activities, particularly countries like the United States and Russia.The ERP solutions are putting into strategic operation efforts, including partnerships and collaborations, as well as improved research capabilities to address this growing demand.



The US Department of Defense has raised its need for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tools, such as unmanned aircraft and ground vehicle systems, since they are necessary for military operations. Thus, in May 2020, the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center of the Department of Defense and Booz Allen Hamilton engaged in a five-year deal for the provision of artificial intelligence services.

Increasing Usage of Unmanned Systems

Unmanned systems, such as drones and unmanned ground vehicles, are increasingly integrated into C4ISR systems.These systems provide enhanced situational awareness, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance capabilities without putting human operators at risk.



Unmanned systems of all kinds, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), are used as C4I and C4ISR assets to provide intelligence for areas of the battlefield on land, at sea, and in the air.ISR system costs have significantly decreased over the years due to improvements in ISR technologies and manufacturing methods.



It is one of the major drivers for the global C4ISR market, with the continuous improvement in the defense and surveillance capabilities of the armed forces and law enforcement.

Market Segmentation

The Global C4ISR Market is divided into components, platform, end user, user type, regions, and competitive landscape.Based on components, the market is divided into hardware and software.



Based on platform, the market is segmented into naval, airborne, land & space.Based on the end user, it is segmented into defense & space, homeland security, civil organizations, and others.



Based on user type, the market is segmented into government & military and commercial.

Market Players

Major market players in the Global C4ISR Market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Boeing Company, BAE Systems Plc, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Thales Group, Elbit Systems Ltd., General Dynamics Corporation. In the interest of gaining more market share and securing new contracts with the armed forces, the corporations are involved developing strategies. To increase their presence in new markets, market participants are proactively developing joint ventures and partnerships with regional producers. In addition to these goals, it is projected that expenditures in R&D would help the businesses in the coming years lure in more clients and grow their market share as they build C4ISR systems that are integrated with AI and quantum networking.

Recent Developments:

o The Indian Defense Ministry and BEL entered into a partnership in March 2022 to provide the Indian Air Forces fighter jets with an advanced electronic warfare suite. The Ministry of Defense and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) inked a contract worth around USD 255 million.

o In order to improve working relationships with different national agencies in charge of maritime security, the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) chose Leonardo in March 2022 to build a Naval Operation Centre (NOC). The NOC will provide command, control, and coordination of operations at territorial water, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and adjacent waters simultaneously.

o Leidos received a contract modification from the US Naval Sea Systems Command in March 2022 to deploy the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 undersea fighting system on the Navys battle boats. The contract had a USD81.1 million value. The surface vessels will be equipped with the AN/search, SQQ-89A(V)15s detection, classification, localization, and tracking capabilities (like submarines, sea mines, torpedoes, etc.)



Report Scope:



In this report, the Global C4ISR Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:

 C4ISR Market, By Component:

o Hardware

o Software

 C4ISR Market, By Platform:

o Naval

o Airborne

o Land

o Space

 C4ISR Market, By End User:

o Defense & Space

o Homeland Security

o Civil Organizations

o Others

 C4ISR Market, By User Type:

o Government & Military

o Commercial

 C4ISR Market, By Region:

o North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

o Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Thailand

o Europe & CIS

Russia

United Kingdom

France

Germany

Italy

Spain

Poland

o Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

Israel

United Arab Emirates

Turkey

South Africa

o South America

Brazil

Argentina



Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global C4ISR Market.



Available Customizations:



Tech Sci Research offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:



Company Information



 Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06313394/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Gubernatorial candidates, from top left, Sharon Hewitt, Jeff Landry, Hunter Lundy, Richard Nelson, and bottom row from left, John Schroder, Stephen Waguespack, and Shawn Wilson speak during a campaign forum, Wednesday April 26, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, La.
Campari makes strong start to year, sees U.S. demand holding up FILE PHOTO: A bartender pours a drink at a Campari inauguration of a new brand house for Aperol, its best-selling beverage, in Venice, Italy

By Federico Maccioni

MILAN (Reuters) -Campari expects demand to hold up in its main U.S. market despite reports of weakness from some rivals, the Italian drinks group said on Tuesday, as strong sales of its Aperol bitter and tequila liquor in particular boosted first-quarter results.

The company reported a 19.6% jump in like-for-like sales to 667.9 million euros ($732.8 million) in the first three months of the year, thanks to price increases and temporary effects such as some shipment phasing and an earlier Easter.

First-quarter adjusted operating profit margins rose to 23.9% from 21.4%.

The results marked a "strong start" to the year, Jefferies analysts said in a note.

Sales in the United States, which typically account for almost half Campari's total turnover, jumped 23%. Last week, peer Remy Cointreau predicted flat organic sales in financial 2023-2024, citing weak U.S. demand.

Campari's first-quarter U.S. sales were lifted by triple-digit growth from Aperol, its best-selling product and the key ingredient in Spritz cocktail, as well as tequila brand Espolon.

"Tequila is starting to become, I think, a global phenomenon," CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz told analysts.

The company said investments put in place to double production across all of its key products were starting to bear fruit as - after reaching full capacity last year - it now has capacity to improve the availability of tequila.

Campari said it expected to launch an international expansion campaign for its tequila brands in 2024 and it is getting more access to liquids and agave pinas, from which the liquor is distilled.

The group confirmed its 2023 guidance for a flat adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margin of 21.1%, given a volatile macro-economic environment.

Kunze-Concewitz said the unwinding of temporary shipping effects would have a negative impact of around 30 million euros on second quarter results.

Milan-listed shares in the group closed up 2.7% on Tuesday, outperforming a 1.7% drop in Milan's blue chip index.

($1 = 0.9114 euros)

(Reporting by Federico Maccioni Editing by Alvise Armellini and Mark Potter)
In the ANAM Quartetthaus, the barrier between audience and performer disappears. You are close enough to a string quartet to see everything: their sheet music, the beads of sweat on their brows, the swift movement of their fingers and bows. The stage rotates so slowly you dont even notice, until you realise your view has changed, and so has the sound. Its live classical music turned up a notch.

The ANAM Quartetthaus looks unremarkable from the outside, but its magic is revealed once the audience enters. Credit: Darrian Traynor

The 52-capacity portable venue outside Melbourne Museum, which was created by Ben Cobham of Melbourne lighting and design studio Bluebottle in collaboration with the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in 2011, returns for another season this month. Six string quartets from Australia and Britain come together for 56 concerts over 11 days, celebrating chamber music from both countries.

Cobham, who once constructed and lived in a cardboard house with his family, knows a thing or two about unusual structures. With a background in theatre and circus, he took inspiration from German Spiegeltents to design the space, replicating the intimacy of historical string quartet performances that had been lost over time.

Theres no embellishment built into the acoustic of the space  its very dry  so the idea is that you hear the sound directly off the instrument into your ear, which is different to a big concert hall, he says. Its such an intimate experience, and very theatrical.
Too many Australians are still languishing in underperforming super funds that will leave them worse off in retirement, the industry regulator has found, with workers urged to make the switch to a better-performing fund.

The latest performance test by the regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), of the choice super sector  where workers pick their own fund rather than letting their employer choose for them  found the poorest performers are among the choice options closed to new members.

APRA deputy chair Margaret Cole says the regulator is increasing scrutiny of dud choice super fund options. Credit: Oscar Colman

Since 2019, the regulator has been publishing performance tests in its campaign to rid the superannuation sector of dud performers.

Its latest heat map of super investment options analyses the performance of choice options that have track records of at least eight years, as of June 30, 2022. The heat map compares the funds performance to a benchmark designed by the regulator. The testing only covers about half of the choice investment options available to members in the accumulation stage.
The nights are getting cold and 55-year-old Roxy is still under the bridge.

She would readily move to the never-used quarantine centre at Pinkenba, but politicians cant agree on whether its doors should open to her.

Roxy, the nonna of the nearly 60 homeless people now living under the Go-Between Bridge while a 1000-bed emergency centre at Pinkenba remains empty. Credit: Tony Moore

While Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner continued to push the Pinkenba facility as accommodation for the homeless on Wednesday, Roxy did what she could to support others sleeping rough.

Roxy speaks for one of Brisbanes fast-growing communities: the burgeoning band of tents and tarpaulins under the Go Between Bridge.
Melbournes skies usually look pretty clear, so you might be tempted to think that air pollution is not a problem. But youd be wrong.

Air pollution caused by truck exhaust causes at least 400 deaths in Australia each year. Truck exhaust pipes spew out fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxide, which cause asthma, coronary heart disease, strokes, bladder cancer, and type-2 diabetes. Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution  including in the womb.

Air pollution caused by truck exhaust causes at least 400 deaths in Australia each year. Credit: Scott McNaughton

If trucks are continually rumbling down your street, youre at greater risk of illness, and it builds over time. Even low levels of pollution can damage your health, but long-term exposure increases your risks.

In Melbourne, weve got a problem in the west. The City of Maribyrnong includes many major truck routes, and it has an adolescent asthma rate 50 per cent higher than the state average. Maribyrnongs hospital admission rate is more than 70 per cent higher than the Australian average for people aged three to 19, and the inner west has a higher incidence of lung cancer than the general Australian population. The suburbs of Yarraville and Brooklyn are ranked seventh and eighth in Australia for their air pollution concentration.
A high school student has been taken to hospital in critical condition after she was hit by a car in Melbournes north-east.

The scene of the incident in Greensborough where a high school student was hit by a car. Credit: Nine News

Emergency services were called to an accident on Diamond Creek Road in Greensborough at 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Victoria Police said it was believed a car struck a pedestrian and the driver stopped to assist.
Victorias eight public universities lost more than half a billion dollars last year, with the sector blaming international student numbers that are still well below pre-pandemic levels, rising costs and investment losses.

The eight universities combined deficit for the 2022 calendar year was $507.6 million, annual reports tabled in state parliament on Tuesday reveal. Its a dramatic downturn from last year, when most of them recorded a surplus.

Monash University vice-chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner said the deficit reflected falling revenue and cost constraints. Credit: Eddie Jim

Peter Hurley, director of the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, said 2022 was always going to be the hardest year for universities, particularly smaller ones, as share markets fell and the loss of international students continued to bite.

These results highlight the importance of international students to the collective health of the university sector. Their return will be causing sighs of relief in university chancelleries across the country, Hurley said.
A man who held on to the roof rack as his Ford Ranger was stolen has fallen onto the road and is in hospital with a head injury.

Around 7.40pm on Monday a Noranda resident saw an unknown person inside his utility which was parked outside his Camboon Road home.

As the thief drove away, the utes owner held on to the Fords roof rack.

He later fell from the ute while it was travelling on Emberson Road in Morley and crashed into another vehicle, but the thief did not stop.
Former Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy has slammed faceless leakers within his party who he says undermined his election tilt last year.

Appearing on 3AWs Neil Mitchell Asks Why podcast on Tuesday, the former leader also took aim at Sky News commentators, who he said were damaging to the Coalition.

Former Liberal leader Matthew Guy. Credit: Jason South

In a wide-ranging interview, the Bulleen MP said there were two people in particular within the partys Victorian branch who he alleges repeatedly leaked against him while he was leader, but did not name them.

Theres a number of them, these faceless leakers of the Liberal Party who profit from gossiping, whether its for themselves personally through their work, or their reputation, Guy said.
FILE PHOTO: A Canadian dollar coin, commonly known as the "Loonie", is pictured in this illustration picture taken in Toronto

By Fergal Smith

TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened against its U.S. counterpart and most other G10 currencies on Tuesday as the price of oil tumbled and investors grew risk averse ahead of interest rate decisions by the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank this week.

The loonie was trading 0.6% lower at 1.3625 to the greenback, or 73.39 U.S. cents, after moving in a range of 1.3529 to 1.3637.

Among G10 currencies, only the Norwegian crown posted a bigger decline. Canada and Norway are both major exporters of oil.

"It's definitely risk aversion across asset classes," said Eric Theoret, global macro strategist at Manulife Investment Management. "The fundamental piece that is compounding the weakness and putting the CAD at the bottom of the performance table is a pretty dramatic decline in crude prices."

Oil fell more than 5% and Wall Street stocks lost ground as investors worried about a possible U.S. debt default and expected further tightening from the Fed and the ECB.

The Fed rate decision is due on Wednesday, while the ECB will make its decision on Thursday.

The Bank of Canada left its benchmark rate on hold for a second straight meeting at 4.50% last month but has warned that it could tighten further if needed to return inflation to its 2% target.

BoC Governor Tiff Macklem is set to speak on Thursday about the challenges and risks in getting inflation back on target.

Canadian government bond yields were lower across the curve, tracking moves in U.S. Treasuries. The 10-year eased 13.9 basis points to 2.838% but was holding within its range in recent weeks.

(Reporting by Fergal Smith, editing by Deepa Babington)
Lowering airfares, addressing staff shortages and improving business class are some of the issues Qantas passengers would like incoming chief executive Vanessa Hudson to tackle when she takes the reins in November.

Alan Joyce will retire before the airlines busy Christmas travel period, and customers will be hoping the new boss will be able to grant some of their Christmas wishes following a record year of complaints in 2022.

Incoming Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson will take over from Alan Joyce in November. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Speaking at Sydney Airport on Tuesday, passenger Claudia Edwards of Mount Eliza, Victoria, said addressing staff shortages were top of her list, after being impacted by delays last year.

Luckily, I was bumped into another flight. But it was pretty horrendous, we didnt arrive home until 11pm and I was travelling with an 11-year-old, so not ideal, she said.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
The competition recognizes students for highlighting different aspects of Japanese culture, connecting to personal experience

18th Annual Japan Center Essay Competition

Award Winners and Presenters

18th Annual Japan Center Essay Competition

Mr. Junichi Furuyama, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Speaking to Award Winners

Melville, NY, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Demonstrating its commitment to empowering students and supporting education, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, proudly sponsored and participated in the 18th Annual Japan Center Essay Competition Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 29th, at Stony Brook University.

The essay competition, organized by the Japan Center at Stony Brook, honors students for work that demonstrates their awareness and understanding of the Japanese culture. The program encourages students to think creatively and critically about their lives in relating experiences to aspects of Japanese culture to help broaden horizons and promote global citizenship through the thought-provoking essays.

"The essay competition provides students with an opportunity to develop a better understanding of cultural activities related to Japan, and we are proud to partner with Canon U.S.A. on this endeavor," said Dr. Iwao Ojima, the President of Japan Center at Stony Brook University. The students wrote powerful compositions and we congratulate them for their great work."

Two hundred and six high school and college students submitted essays for the competition. Contestants were asked to write about one or more aspects of Japan including art, culture, tradition, values, philosophy, history, society, politics, business, and technology in relation to their personal views, experiences, and/or future goals. A panel of Stony Brook faculty judges selected four winners, who received awards including a Canon camera.

High School Division Best Essay Award

1st Place Best Essay Award and Consul General of Japan Special Award

Japan: Unlikely Gateway to My Educational Future by Aidan Sargent (West Hempstead High School)

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2nd Place Best Essay Award

Hope Takes Flight by Keya Annam (Stuyvesant High School)

3rd Place Best Essay Award

Sakura: The Essence of Immortality by Nicola Hsu (Millennium High School)

Uchida Memorial Award

Memoirs of a Bento Box by Kaytie Tanoue (Stony Brook University)

Canon U.S.A., Inc. and the Japan Center at Stony Brook University have a longstanding partnership, which began in 2005 with former president and chief executive officer of Canon U.S.A., Inc., the late Mr. Kinya Uchida. This was the annual events first in-person ceremony since 2019, having been held virtually for the past 3 years. Attendees included the award-winning students, and representatives from the Japan Center at Stony Brook, Canon U.S.A., Inc., and Consulate General of Japan in New York. Each winner took to the stage and read their essay to the audience. Junichi Furuyama, senior vice president and general manager, Finance and Accounting, Canon U.S.A., Inc., spoke at the awards ceremony and congratulated the winners.

As I read each essay, I was very impressed by the students work, said Furuyama. It is important for all of us to understand and appreciate the differences in the various cultures around the world. Developing a mutual understanding is not always easy, but it is worth the effort. That is why this essay contest is so valuable.

For a list of winners, finalists, and semifinalists, you can visit the Japan Centers website. Award-winning essays will be posted in early May.



About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $30.3 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), as of 2022 has ranked in the top-five overall in U.S. patents granted for 37 consecutive years. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To learn more about Canon, visit us at www.usa.canon.com and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA.

# # #

Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Attachments

CONTACT: Logan Crawford Canon U.S.A., Inc. 516-310-2001 lcrawford@cusa.canon.com




MAXIMIZE MARKET RESEARCH PRIVATE LIMITED

Carrier Screening Market is segmented into Type, Medical Condition, Technology and End User for the analysis of the market. Growing awareness regarding the genetic disorder and its cure is expected to drive the market.

Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A global Information Technology & Telecommunication research and business-consulting firm, Maximize Market Research, has published a market intelligence report on the  Carrier Screening Market . The report is a combination of primary data and secondary data and domain expert has analyzed the Carrier Screening 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 2 Bn in 2022 to USD 5.19 Bn in 2029 at a CAGR of 14.6 percent.



Carrier Screening Market Report Scope and Research Methodology

Market Size in 2022 USD 2 Bn. Market Size in 2029 USD 5.19 Bn. CAGR 14.6 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, Medical Condition, Technology and End User 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/186174

The report provides detailed data regarding the latest innovations and mergers and acquisitions happening in the market. The report involves the details of the Carrier Screening Key Players partnerships with local players in major geographic regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa and South America. The report provides analysis of the market through Carrier Screening Key Companies market share and their gross income, recent developments and business strategies, which is expected to help Carrier Screening New Market Entrants. The bottom-up approach was used to estimate the size of the Carrier Screening Market by value and volume. Primary and secondary research methods were used to collect data. The data from interviews with market leaders and opinions from business owners and research analysts. Secondary data were gathered from annual reports of organizations and paid databases. Collected data was later analyzed by using SWOT analysis, PORTERs five force model, which includes drivers, restraints, opportunities and the competitive landscape in the Carrier Screening Market.

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Carrier Screening Market Overview

Carrier screening is a type of genetic test in the medical field, which tells whether a person is carrying a gene for certain genetic disorders. The test is carried out mostly before the pregnancy to know the chances of having a genetic disorder in the child . As they said, Precaution is better than cure so, the growing need to detect the disease early is the major factor that is expected to drive the Carrier Screening Market. The growing trend of using Next-generation Sequencing Technology is a lucrative opportunity for Carrier Screening Key Players to invest in Carrier Screening Market. The cost of a Carrier Screening Test varies as per the complexity of the test, which might hamper the growth of the Carrier Screening Market. Recently, MedGenome, a genetic diagnostic company is adopting inorganic growth to grow their business in developing markets by partnering with other Carrier Screening Companies and advancing their Carrier Screening Solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The report has included all the important segments in the Carrier Screening Market and helps the client to understand the market.

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Carrier Screening Market Dynamics

The growing genetic disorders and the cost effectiveness, accurate results, growing concerns regarding the health of a next generation are expected to drive the Carrier Screening Market. The growth of the Carrier Screening Market is also supported by the evaluation of the inorganic growth by the major Carrier Screening Key Players. The ethical concerns and the stringent regulations in approval of screening test and the lack of awareness is expected to hinder the growth of the Carrier Screening Market.

Carrier Screening Market Regional Insights

North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9 percent in the Carrier Screening Market during the forecast period. The advanced carrier screening techniques, which provides an accurate diagnosis of the disease and the increased awareness regarding the genetic disorders is expected to drive the regions growth throughout the forecast period (2023-2029).

Carrier Screening Market Segmentation

By Type:

Expanded Carrier Screening Customized Panel Testing Predesigned Panel Testing

Targeted Disease Carrier Screening

By Medical Condition:

Pulmonary Conditions

Hematological Conditions

Neurological Conditions

Other Conditions

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By Technology:

DNA Sequencing

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Microarrays

Others

By End User:

Hospitals and clinics

Reference Laboratories

Physician Offices

Others

Based on Type, the expanded carrier screening segment dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Expanded carrier screening looks for multiple carrier mutations that are possible practically and doesnt make assumptions based on ethnicity or family history. Hospitals and clinics i.e. healthcare segment is expected to hold the largest revenue share in the Carrier Screening Market. As the main use of carrier screening is in the diagnosis of gene disorders, cancer patients and others.

Sustainable Packaging Key Competitors include:

Fulgent Genetics Inc.

Illumina Inc.

Diasorin S.p.A.

Natera Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Eurofins Scientific

Myriad Genetics Inc.

Opko Health Inc

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

InVitae Corporation

Sena4

LabCorp

CENTOGENE

Luminex Corporation

BGI Genomics

Gene by Gene

Progenity

Otogenetics Corporation

Pathway Genomics

MedGenome

True Health

ZAI Lab

Azenta

Dante Labs

Ambry Genetics



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Key questions answered in the Carrier Screening Market are:

What is Carrier Screening Market?

What was the Carrier Screening Market size in 2021?

What is the expected Carrier Screening Market size during the forecast period?

What are the global trends in the Carrier Screening Market?

What are the major restraints for the Carrier Screening Market?

Which segment dominated the Carrier Screening Market growth?

What is the demand pattern for the Carrier Screening Market?

What growth strategies are the players considering to increase their presence in Carrier Screening Market?

What are the upcoming industry applications and trends for the Carrier Screening Market?

Who are the leading companies and what are their portfolios in Carrier Screening Market?

Which region dominates the largest market share in Carrier Screening Market?



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, Medical Condition, Technology and End User

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 Information Technology & Telecommunication research firm, has also published the following reports:

Next-Generation Sequencing Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 57.31 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 22.2 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the rising prevalence of chronic medical conditions such as cancer, as well as numerous technical advances in the field of medical sciences.

Hepatitis E Diagnostic Tests Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 178.50 Mn by 2029 at a CAGR of 3.8 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by specific prevalence rate of HEV in the local swine population and available pork products.

Womens Health Diagnostics Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 52.1 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 8.5 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by prevalence of chronic and lifestyle-related illnesses is expected to rise, there is an increase in imaging and diagnostic facilities, more people use point-of-care and quick diagnostic tests, and there are more partnerships and collaborations across stakeholders.

Lung Cancer Screening Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 4.13 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 8.32 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the increased focus on research and development activities of lung cancer diagnostic and screening tests.

Medical Radiation Detectors Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 1.55 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 6.8 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the high usage of radiation therapy in hospitals.

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




KBC Ancora

Regulated information; inside information, Leuven, 2 May 2023 (8.30 hrs CEST)

Changes at the statutory director of KBC Ancora

Marc De Ceuster has been appointed as a part-time managing director of Almancora Societe de gestion with effect from 28 April 2023. From 18 May 2023 he will replace Katelijn Callewaert, whose term of office is coming to an end. Paul Demyttenaere has been appointed as an independent director and will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. Jos Peeters' mandate as director is ending, and he will be succeeded by Mathilde Remy.

The selection procedure was conducted with a view to ensuring continuity. The continued high quality of management of KBC Ancora was of prime importance for the Board of Directors. As a core shareholder of KBC Group, KBC Ancora also needs strong and competent representatives.

Marc De Ceuster to be new managing director at KBC Ancora

The appointment of Marc De Ceuster as a managing director (A director) of Almancora Societe de gestion, statutory director of KBC Ancora, gives KBC Ancora a strong profile. He joins Franky Depickere, who is a full-time managing director of Almancora Societe de gestion SA, statutory director of KBC Ancora SA.

KBC Group announced on 3 April 2023 that it intended to nominate Marc De Ceuster at its General Meeting of Shareholders on 4 May 2023 for appointment to the Board of Directors of KBC Group, and also as Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Marc De Ceuster (b. 1962) holds a PhD in Applied Economics (UFSIA) and a master degree in Law (UIA). He has been Professor of Financial Economics at the University of Antwerp since 2002. He served as Academic Director at Antwerp Management School and is a former member of the General Council of Antwerp Management School. He is also a former member of the Supervisory Board of Arkea Direct Bank. He also spent six years as a member of the Board of Directors of KBC Group on behalf of the Flemish Government.

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He was appointed as an independent director (C director) of Almancora Societe de gestion and as Chairman of the Audit Committee on 29 November 2019. He has been Chairman of the Board of Directors since 26 November 2021. He is succeeded in that role by Paul Demyttenaere.

Paul Demyttenaere to become independent director and Chairman of KBC Ancora

Paul Demyttenaere has succeeded Marc De Ceuster as an independent director (C director) with effect from 28 April 2023, and will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Almancora Societe de gestion.

Paul Demyttenaere (b. 1962) is an agricultural engineer and holds a PhD in Agricultural Science. He studied Middle Management at Vlerick Business School in Belgium. After spending several years as a researcher in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at UGent, he fulfilled a number of management roles at the REO Veiling auction house, where he was general manager from 2008 to 2022. He is a Change Manager at Pork.be and Vives, among others. He has built up a wealth of managerial experience at several companies, including Cera and Euro Pool Group.

Mathilde Remy to become director from the Cera partnership

Five B directors from Cera also have seats as representatives of the Cera partnership on the Board of Directors of Almancora Societe de gestion SA, statutory director of KBC Ancora. Jos Peeters' mandate as director is ending, and he will be succeeded by Mathilde Remy.

Mathilde Remy (b. 1991) holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and Management and a Master's in Management of Social Entrepreneurship from HEC Management School, University of Liege (HEC Liege). She has worked as Sourcing and Master Data Team Leader at Newpharma since May 2019. She became a director of Cera Societe de gestion on 20 December 2019.





Franky Depickere, managing director and Chairman of the Day-to-Day Management Committee, said: I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Katelijn Callewaert and Jos Peeters on behalf of the Boards of Directors and the management of KBC Ancora, as well as on a personal level, for their dedication and invaluable contribution over a number of years. The appointments of Marc De Ceuster as a managing director, Paul Demyttenaere as an independent director and Mathilde Remy as a B director are excellent choices which will assure continuity and will enable Cera and KBC Ancora to continue playing their role within the KBC group to the full.

---------------------------------

KBC Ancora is a listed company which holds 18.6% of the shares in KBC Group and which together with Cera, MRBB and the Other Permanent Shareholders is responsible for the shareholder stability and further development of the KBC group. As core shareholders of KBC Group, these parties have signed a shareholder agreement to this effect.

Financial calendar:

01 September 2023 (17.40 hrs CEST) Annual press release for the financial year 2022/2023

26 September 2023 (17.40 CEST) Annual Report 2022/2023 available

27 October 2023 General and Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders

This press release is available in Dutch, French and English on the website www.kbcancora.be.

KBC Ancora Investor Relations & Press contact: Jan Bergmans

Tel.: +32 (0)16 27 96 72

E-mail: jan.bergmans@kbcancora.be or mailbox@kbcancora.be

Attachment




(Bloomberg) -- Venezuela and China are re-establishing connections after years of cooling ties, with government contacts resuming and joint projects floated in what amounts to a challenge to Washington.

Most Read from Bloomberg

High-ranking officials from China, Venezuelas biggest creditor, met with close aides to President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas as recently as last month to discuss the restructuring of the nations long-standing line of credit, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The two sides also talked about potential areas to renew collaboration, including telecommunications and oil, said the people, asking not to be named discussing internal strategy.

Lea esta nota en espanol.

Lea esta nota en espanol.

A thaw in China relations would offer Maduro a powerful ally as well as the chance of a renewed conduit for oil sales, while potentially handing him more leverage with the US as Washington looks to bring more crude to market to lower prices at the pump for American voters. Venezuela has the largest known reserves in the world, but is subject to international sanctions that have crippled its ability to sell oil.

Today, the relationship between China and Venezuela has reached its highest level of mutual trust, collaboration and work, Maduro said March 27 in a live broadcast bidding farewell to Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela, Li Baorong. We will continue to deepen our strategic relations with China even more.

The outreach is taking place against a backdrop of intensifying US-China rivalry and amid tentative signs that Latin America is again becoming a destination for Chinese loans, increasing Beijings sway across the region. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas meeting with President Xi Jinping last month underscored the mutual interest between China and Latin Americas biggest economy.

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The rapprochement also coincides with Venezuelas economy normalizing after years of recession when China ties went on hold, a hiatus compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.

China became a key lender to Venezuela in 2007, when it first provided funds for infrastructure and oil projects under late President Hugo Chavez. Public data supports estimates that Beijing lent upwards of $60 billion in oil-backed loans through state-run banks until 2015, reaching a level of diplomatic and financial investment unmatched elsewhere in Latin America and perhaps the world.

Hit Bottom

Chinas support filled an investment and security vacuum caused by Washingtons decades-long estrangement from Caracas, and became crucial to the continuation of Chavezs brand of socialism through the transition to Maduro. Collaboration included highways, bridges, power plants and food processing factories, yet many were never finished or are no longer in use.

The relationship between China and Venezuela seriously deteriorated during the last decade due to the failure and endemic corruption around Chinese projects in the country, said Parsifal DSola, director of the China Latin America Research Center in Bogota. Nowadays the Chinese government perceives that the Venezuelan crisis has hit bottom and sees Maduro in a more stable position and less isolated in the region.

Although theres little public data, DSola, who is director of the Andres Bello Foundation, estimates the outstanding debt to be around $11-12 billion, meaning Venezuela has paid nearly 80% of the total it owed to China, which receives oil as repayments of debt. Venezuela hasnt been able to send enough crude to meet its obligations in recent years as its production cratered and crude prices tumbled, leading to one of the steepest economic contractions in modern history. A string of US sanctions further hindered the nations ability to export oil, its biggest source of revenue.

State-run Petroleos de Venezuela SA is currently carrying out a thorough review of contracts after finding billions of dollars in missing oil revenue. Between 5% to 10% of those exports would go toward paying down debt, the people said.

The Venezuelan government has come a long way in paying off the debt with crude oil, said Rodolfo Sanz, a Maduro government lawmaker and former industry minister who is vice president of the Venezuela-China Parliamentary Friendship Group. Its time for Venezuela to elevate the status of economic and political relations with China, he said.

China National Petroleum Corp., a key producer in Venezuelas Orinoco belt, saw output from its Sinovensa joint venture nearly double to 90,000 barrels a day in early April, according to PDVSA data seen by Bloomberg. Production is still about 40% below historic levels of 160,000 barrels a day in 2015.

In a further sign of warming ties, senior Chinese diplomat and former adviser to the Chinese embassy in Venezuela, Lan Hu, has just returned to Caracas as ambassador after four years in the Foreign Ministry in Beijing and a stint as ambassador in neighboring Colombia.

China and Venezuela are comprehensive strategic partners and the two countries have always followed the principle of equality and mutual benefit, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in reply to questions about a reset with Caracas. Practical cooperation based on the principle of win-win cooperation and commercialization bring tangible benefits to the two peoples, it said, declining to comment on specific aspects of the relationship.

The US State Department didnt respond in time for publication after several requests for comment.

Huawei Staffing

The renewed relationship with China has not gone unremarked on Venezuelan state TV, with frequent segments highlighting bilateral projects during the past month or so, including a recent invitation from Beijing to help build a lunar base in approximately five years. Venezuela has no record of space exploration.

Chinese company Huawei Technologies Co., which has been present in Venezuela for two decades, has meanwhile hired more than 100 people in Caracas in the past year, according to two of the people.

In 2019, Maduro asked Huawei to help build out 4G across the nation just days after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting Chinese telecoms firms from selling their equipment in the US. Press representatives for Huawei in Venezuela did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

It was never going to be the case that China would pick up and leave Venezuela, said Margaret Myers, a director at the Inter-American Dialogue and fellow at the Wilson Center. It was always going to be that it would bide its time.

For Venezuelan ruling party lawmaker Sanz, China is a strategic ally of the first order.

Despite the fact that volumes of commercial exchange are lower than in the past, China continues to see Venezuela as an important country, he said. And we will continue to be an important country for China because we have things to offer.

--With assistance from Colum Murphy.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

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Cheyenne, WY (82001)

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Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Members of the Wyoming Trails Advisory Council will meet at 9 a.m., Friday, May 19, at the Cody Hotel, 232 W. Yellowstone Ave, Cody WY.

The public can listen to the meeting via Google Meet by accessing the following information.

WY Trails Council meeting

Friday, May 19  9:00am  3:00pm

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jmm-eonq-hjf

Or dial: (US) 1-475-459-0347 PIN: 165 476 096#

Agenda items include approval of the Recreational Trails Program FY2024 Guidelines, Trails Program updates, and Outdoor Recreation Office updates.

The Wyoming State Trails Advisory Council is a ten-member recreational trail advisory committee appointed by the Governor to advise the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources regarding trail policies, functions, and priorities.

Persons with questions concerning the meeting are asked to call 777-6491.
(Bloomberg) -- Citadel Securities Chief Executive Officer Peng Zhao said he sees automation and artificial intelligence freeing workers for innovative pursuits, not replacing people in the workplace.

Most Read from Bloomberg

I am personally very optimistic with the current AI revolution that were facing, Zhao said Monday at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. Being liberated from the repetitive, mental laboring aspect of what we have to do as humans, that allows humans to focus upon the highest-value portion of planning.

Citadel Securities, the market-making firm that runs parallel to Ken Griffins hedge fund, employs as many researchers as traders, working alongside artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, Zhao said. Griffin said earlier this year that his firms were negotiating contracts with AI technology providers.

Were actively exploring and brainstorming about various, different-use cases, Zhao said. The company and many individuals, including myself, have been playing on this technology in our personal time.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
ReportLinker

Forecasts by Software and Services (Software, Services), by Modality (Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Ultrasound, Positron Emission Tomography, X-ray, Echocardiography), by Therapeutic Area (Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Neurology, CVS, Endocrinology, Immunological Disorder), by End-users (Pharmaceutical Companies, Biotechnology Companies, Medical Device Manufacturer, Contract Research Organisations, Academic and Government Research Institutes) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Pattern Analysis.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Clinical Trial Imaging Market Report 2023-2033" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454844/?utm_source=GNW





The Clinical Trial Imaging Market Report 2023-2033: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.





Factors Such As Increasing Demand for More Precise and Personalized Treatments and Growing Number of Clinical Trials Are Driving the Market Growth



Clinical trial imaging has the potential to personalize treatments by detecting patients who have specific genetic or disease subtype characteristics that would benefit from a specific drug or treatment. By doing so, the effectiveness of treatments can be enhanced and the possibility of harmful side effects can be reduced. With the increasing demand for novel and enhanced drugs and therapies, the number of clinical trials being conducted worldwide is on the rise. Clinical trial imaging plays a crucial role in these trials by allowing researchers to visualize and quantify the impact of experimental drugs and therapies on the body. Advanced medical imaging techniques like MRI, CT scans, and PET scans offer intricate images of organs, tissues, and cells, enabling identification and monitoring of disease progression, as well as evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of new treatments.





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Shortage of Skilled Professional



A major limitation for the clinical trial imaging market is the scarcity of proficient experts. The proficient execution of clinical trial imaging demands skilled professionals such as radiologists, imaging technicians, and data analysts who are trained in the handling of medical imaging technology and possess expertise in data analysis and interpretation. Unfortunately, there is a lack of skilled professionals in the medical imaging field, making it difficult for companies to recruit and retain them. This shortage is more noticeable in emerging markets and specialized areas of imaging, such as nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.





What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report?



 How is the clinical trial imaging market evolving?



 What is driving and restraining the clinical trial imaging market?



 How will each clinical trial imaging submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033?



 How will the market shares for each clinical trial imaging submarket develop from 2023 to 2033?



 What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033?



 Will leading clinical trial imaging markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?



 How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033?



 Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?



 How will the industry evolve during the period between 2020 and 2033? What are the implications of clinical trial imaging projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?



 Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the clinical trial imaging market?



 Where is the clinical trial imaging market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?



 What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?



 What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?





You need to discover how this will impact the clinical trial imaging market today, and over the next 10 years:



 Our 272-page report provides 115 tables and 162 charts/graphs exclusively to you.



 The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them  NOW.



 It contains in-depth analysis of global, regional and national sales and growth.



 It highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors.





This report tells you TODAY how the clinical trial imaging market will develop in the next 10 years, and in line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years.





Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects



 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.



 You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.



 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising clinical trial imaging prices and recent developments.





This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report.





Segments Covered in the Report





Software and Services



 Software



 Services





Modality



 Computed Tomography



 Magnetic Resonance Imaging



 Ultrasound



 Positron Emission Tomography



 X-ray



 Echocardiography





Therapeutic Area



 Oncology



 Infectious Diseases



 Neurology



 CVS



 Endocrinology



 Immunological Disorder





End-users



 Pharmaceutical Companies



 Biotechnology Companies



 Medical Device Manufacturer



 Contract Research Organisations



 Academic and Government Research Institutes





In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets:





North America



 U.S.



 Canada





Europe



 Germany



 Spain



 United Kingdom



 France



 Russia



 Italy



 Rest of Europe





Asia Pacific



 China



 Japan



 India



 Australia



 South Korea



 Rest of Asia Pacific





Latin America



 Brazil



 Mexico



 Rest of Latin America





MEA



 GCC Countries



 South Africa



 Rest of MEA





The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Clinical Trial Imaging Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations.





Leading companies and the potential for market growth



 BioTelemetry, a Philips Company



 Calyx



 Clario



 eClinical Solutions LLC



 ICON plc



 IXICO plc



 Medical Metrics, Inc.



 Medpace



 Medrio, Inc.



 Novitas Life Sciences



 Parexel International Corporation



 Perspectum



 Radiant Sage LLC



 Resonance Health Ltd



 Signant Health





Overall world revenue for clinical trial imaging market, 2023 to 2033 in terms of value the market will surpass US$1,370.7 million in 2022, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2033. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.





How will the clinical trial imaging market, 2023 to 2033 report help you?



In summary, our 270+ page report provides you with the following knowledge:





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for clinical trial imaging market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for software and services, modality, therapeutics, end users and company size, each forecast at a global and regional level  discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues.





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for four regional and 20 key national markets  See forecasts for the clinical trial imaging Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and MEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies.





 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market  including company profiles for 15 of the major companies involved in the clinical trial imaging Market, 2023 to 2033.







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454844/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




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Batavia, NY (14020)

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Market Research Future

Growing Demand for Comprehensive Cybersecurity Solutions Drives the Cloud Application Security Market

New York, USA, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), " Cloud Application Security Market : By Component, By Organization Size, By Industry Vertical, By Region and Forecast till 2030, the market is predicted to thrive substantially during the assessment era from 2023 to 2030 at a healthy CAGR of approximately 15.20% to attain a valuation of around USD 18.04 Billion by the end of 2030.



Companies are increasingly moving business-critical workloads to the cloud as it increases employee flexibility and reduces IT costs. However, concerns about security and visibility also rise, which can risk an organization's security. In such a scenario, cloud application security help to strike the right balance, supporting access while maintaining control to protect critical data.

Key players leading the global cloud application security industry include,

Cisco Systems Inc. (US)

Microsoft Corporation (US)

Fortinet Inc. (US)

Bitglass Inc. (US)

Symantec Corporation (US)

Oracle Corporation (US)

Proof point Inc. (US)

Palo Alto Networks Inc. (US)

Netskope Inc. (US)

Cipher Cloud (US)

Censor Net Ltd. (UK)

Skyhigh Networks (US)

Trend Micro Inc. (Japan)

IBM Corporation (US)

Zscaler (US)

Juniper Networks Inc. (US)

McAfee Inc. (US)

Get Free Sample PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4926

Report Scope:

Report Metrics Details Market Size by 2030 USD 18.04 Billion (2030) Market CAGR during 2023-2030 15.20% Base Year 2022 Forecast 2023-2030 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Key Market Drivers Security breaches target business-critical cloud applications.

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Moreover, organizations that have utilized innovation and digital transformation to remain competitive have led to dramatic development in digital technologies and cloud computing. The proliferation of the cloud computing domain has enabled new, complex business models and orchestrated more globally-based integration networks that predominantly drive the demand in the cloud application security market.

Additional factors boosting the growth of the market include the penetration of ubiquitous artificial intelligence technology and The security infrastructure and critical cloud applications that organizations are targeting to overcome compliances and maintain strong compliance requirements.

Recent data breaches and security concerns plaguing the business on the insecurity of data and assets in the cloud are some of the key driving forces behind the market. Moreover, various cloud application security solutions, including data protection, cloud application discovery, analytics and reporting, and threat protection, are boosting the growth of the cloud application security market.

Industries such as banking, government, telecom, financial services, etc., traditionally following the On-Prem model, are increasingly moving some of their services and solutions to the cloud, which fosters market growth.

Segments



The cloud application security market report is segmented into components, organization size, verticals, and regions. The component segment is sub-segmented into data protection, cloud application discovery, analytics & reporting, threat protection, and others.

The organization size segment is sub-segmented into small & medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises. The vertical segment is sub-segmented into BFSI, government & defense, IT & telecom, healthcare, retail, and others. By regions, the cloud application security market is sub-segmented into Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the rest of the world.

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Competitive Analysis

Fiercely competitive, the cloud application security market appears fragmented due to various large and small-scale players. Matured players are substantially investing in transforming the business landscape in the future. Top companies are developing advanced technology solutions to maintain themselves in the market competition.

These market leaders are substantially investing in R&D to innovate new products continuously. They invest heavily to support their expansion strategies and acquire small yet promising companies from emerging regions.

Key players are incorporating strategic initiatives such as partnership, collaboration, acquisition, product & technology launch, and expansion to gain an edge over their competitors and thus to stay ahead in this market.

Security and data protection technology leaders partner with global distribution companies to expand the reach of their cloud-enabled security solutions in various countries. Such deals present huge opportunities for market players to support their customers with leading-edge cloud-enabled security and data protection solutions. The comprehensive channel approach encompassing sales, technical, logistics, and marketing support and services enables them to drive growth in this promising segment and geography.

For instance, on Apr. 20, 2023, Cyber Security Cloud Inc., a leading provider of cutting-edge automation solutions, announced a strategic partnership with Ordinary Experts, a leading cloud computing firm, to enhance web application security. Cyber Security Cloud offers a cutting-edge solution, WafCharm, that automates the AWS WAF operation and management.

WafCharm's innovative web application firewall management technology will enhance Ordinary Experts' cybersecurity services. The partnership enables Cyber Security Cloud Inc. to provide its clients with an integrated approach to web application security, leveraging WafCharm's advanced technology and Ordinary Experts' extensive cybersecurity expertise.

Regional Analysis



The North American region heading with the increasing demand due to the rising rate of cloud security infrastructure, dominates the global cloud application security market. The region, led by vast technological advancements, offers a favorable platform for cloud application security to evolve further.

Factors such as the increasing demand for security solutions from growing businesses cloud computing market substantiate the market growth in the region. Also, factors such as the rapid adoption of AI and cloud computing are some of the significant driving forces contributing to the cloud application security market in the region.

The Cloud Application Security market in the European region accounts for the second-largest market globally. Vast technological advancements and the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent connected devices are some of the major factors positively impacting the market growth in the region.

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Furthermore, the well-established infrastructure in the region propels market growth, allowing faster implementation of advanced technologies. The increasing number of cyber-attacks in the burgeoning automotive and IT industry in this region is a key driving force pushing up the growth of the cloud application security market in the European region.

The Asia Pacific cloud application security market is increasing. Factors such as the increasing number of businesses in developing countries inclined toward automation and increasingly adopting IoT devices are fostering the growth of the regional market.

Besides, the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), smart, connected, portable devices, and the burgeoning IT sector are major tailwinds to growth in the regional market. Also, the increasing number of prominent players in this market drives the APAC cloud application security market.

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9 Injured by Gunfire at South Carolina Party Now Recovering

COLUMBIA, S.C.Masked gunmen fired without warning into a crowd at a late night teen party at a South Carolina park over the weekend, wounding nine people, a sheriff said.

All nine hit by gunfire are expected to live, as well as a woman who was injured when she was run over by a fleeing car and another person who was cut on the hand, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a Sunday update on the Saturday shooting.

So fortunate and so glad and so thankful that right now we believe that everybody is going to survive, Lott said. Its not because those who were doing the shooting didnt try.

Deputies were called to Meadowlake Park near Columbia around 1:20 a.m. Saturday and found only a few people at the scene. Not long after, hospitals started reporting several gunshot victims arriving in emergency rooms, deputies said.

Teenagers from several high schools had gathered at the park for the afterhours flash party that was announced on social media and not sponsored by the local recreation commission, Lott said.

This was people putting it out on social media and saying, Come, and the bad people came, the sheriff said.

The shooting appeared to be unprovoked, Lott said.

If you think wearing a mask, sneaking around a building and shooting into a crowd makes you a manno, you are a coward, the sheriff said,

Many of the wounded were hit in the back as they tried to run away, Lott said.

Dozens of shell casings from several different weapons have been collected at the park, but Lott said he wasnt ready to say exactly how many people may have been shooting.

The people injured are between the ages of 16 and 20. Lott said some were undergoing surgery Sunday.

Officers arrested two teenagers in a vehicle driving away from the scene with its headlights off and found a gun tossed from the vehicle, but Lott said investigators are still trying to figure out if it was used in the shooting.

Lott said he expects his deputies will be making other arrests soon.
Alibaba Founder Jack Ma Becomes Visiting Professor in Japan

Founder of Alibaba group Jack Ma arrives for the Tech for Good summit in Paris on May 15, 2019. (Thibault Camus/AP Photo)

Jack Ma, the co-founder of Chinese e-commerce Alibaba Group, has taken up a visiting professor position at a research institute affiliated with the University of Tokyo, the university said Monday.

Ma, 58, began his tenure at Tokyo College on that same day, and he will carry out joint research and projects related to sustainable agriculture and food production, the university said in a statement.

The Chinese entrepreneur will also share his rich experience and pioneering knowledge on entrepreneurship, corporate management, and innovation with students and faculty through seminars.

It stated that Ma would further advise and support the institutes major research topics.

Kyodo News reported that his position as a visiting professor at Tokyo College would remain through October.

The Chinese billionaire has been out of the public eye since the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Beijing launched a crackdown on the tech industry in 2020. Ma reportedly returned to China in March.

Last month, he also accepted a three-year honorary professorship at the School of Economics and Management of the University of Hong Kong.

The South China Morning Post reported that Ma will focus on research in finance, agriculture, and innovation entrepreneurship at the university, but there will be no public lecture or speech arrangement.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during Alibaba Groups Initial Public Offering in New York City on Sept. 19, 2014. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

A speech by Ma in early 2020 critical of the CCPs regulatory system is widely seen as what triggered Beijings increased scrutiny of Alibaba, which led to his eventual withdrawal from public events. At the end of 2021, Ma left mainland China and made appearances in Japan, Spain, Australia, and Thailand.

Ma ceded control of Chinese fintech giant Ant Group earlier this year, with the company saying it was changing its ownership structure so that no shareholder, alone or jointly with other parties, will have control over Ant Group.

Ma returned to China in March, and Alibaba Group announced that it would split into six units, each with its own board of directors and CEO. Ten years ago, Ma finished up as Alibabas CEO and later retired from his role as executive chairman in 2019. He stepped down from the Alibaba board on Oct. 1, 2020.

Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Chinas Alibaba Group, speaks during a news conference in Chiba, Japan, on June 18, 2015. (Yuya Shino/Reuters)

Pressured to Return to China

A number of international media outlets reported that the CCP authorities had pressured Ma to return to China, hoping to reverse the outside worlds perception of the deterioration of Chinas business environment. Ma was reportedly reluctant to go back to China initially.

Hua Chia-cheng, director of Research Division II of the Taiwan Economic Research Institute, told The Epoch Times on March 29 that Ma had possibly negotiated terms with the CCP for his return to China.

Hua said the Chinese entrepreneur could be used as a model for private enterprise owners to boost Chinas economic development.

Qiu Wanjun, a professor of finance at Northeastern University in Boston, told The Epoch Times that the CCP may find that Chinas economic future was getting even worse without Alibabas influence.

In the past few years, the CCP has promoted the advancement of the state and the retreat of the private sector, but the contribution of state-owned enterprises to economic development is far less than that of private enterprises. So now, the regime turns to private enterprises for help, Qiu said on March 29.

Ma also owns a philanthropic organization, the Jack Ma Foundation, which focuses on entrepreneurship, education, womens leadership, medical support, and environmental protection.

Alex Wu contributed to this report.
Alleged People Trafficker Facing Extradition to France Over 27 Deaths Will Challenge Evidence

Harem Ahmed Abwbaker in handcuffs at a police station in Gloucestershire, England, after his arrest on Nov. 29, 2022. (National Crime Agency)

LONDONAn alleged people trafficker who was arrested by British police in connection with the deaths of 27 illegal immigrants who died when their small boat sank in the English Channel in November 2021, will face a crucial extradition hearing in August this year.

Harem Ahmed Abwbaker, 32, was arrested in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in November 2022 by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers acting on behalf of French police, who want him to face trial on charges of involuntary homicide and facilitating illegal immigration.

On Tuesday, Abwbaker appeared by videolink from prison at Westminster Magistrates Court in central London for an administrative hearing.

Speaking with the help of a Kurdish interpreter, Abwbaker gave his name and date of birth to District Judge Daniel Sternberg.

Abwbakers lawyer explained they would be challenging the admissibility of evidence being produced by the French authorities at a hearing on Aug. 14, but she said their expert was not available on that day.

Expert Witness Unavailable

The court heard a case management hearing was due to take place on June 5 and Abwbakers defence team said they would make a request on that date for an extra date to allow their expert to give evidence.

Sternberg agreed to adjourn the case and told Abwbaker he would have to appear in 28 days, on May 30, for another brief hearing but that the substantial hearing would be on June 5.

Shortly after his arrest NCA officers handed Abwbaker over to the Metropolitan Polices National Extradition Unit, which processes extradition warrants from foreign countries.

On Nov. 24, 2021 a large dinghy sank in the Channel and the bodies of 27 immigrants were recovered from the water or washed up on the French coast.

Two people survived and the bodies of four or five immigrants have not been recovered.

At the time the French interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, said the survivorsone Somali and one Iraqiwere being treated in hospital for severe hypothermia.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) published an interim report (pdf) in November 2022, which said the vessel was believed to have crossed into British waters before it started sinking.

The MAIB said: The investigation has established that, during the evening of Nov. 23, 2021, about 34 migrants left a beach near Dunkirk, France on board a small inflatable boat to proceed to the UK. During the passage, the migrants got into difficulties and entered the sea.

A French fishing vessel raised the alarm in the early hours of Nov. 24, 2021.

Majority of Dead Were Iraqi Kurds

In December 2021 the Paris prosecutor said 16 of those who died were Iraqi Kurds, four were Afghans, and there were also three Ethiopians, a Somalian woman, an Egyptian, and an Iranian.

The ages of the dead ranged from 7 to 45 and included seven women.

Amanullah Omakhil, 18, told AFP at the time one of the dead had been his cousin Hussein, 24, who had travelled overland from Afghanistan.

Abwbaker, who is believed to be an Iraqi Kurd, was identified by the Paris prosecutor as the people smuggler behind the boat and he was tracked down by the NCA.

In its interim report the MAIB said it was initially believed the dinghy had sunk in French waters because that was where the bodies and the survivors were located.

But it said that in January 2022 the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll, started an investigation when it became evident that some of the events relating to this loss of life had occurred inside UK waters.

The MAIB said the scope of its investigation has focused on the UK search and rescue response at the time; the MAIB is not investigating the reasons why the voyage was being attempted nor the conduct of the voyage itself.

The MAIB said the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dover received a number of phone calls from illegal immigrants as the boat started sinking.

MRCC staff dispatched UK surface and air assets to search the area where the distressed migrants were assessed to be. However, nothing was found until the report from the French fishing vessel later on Nov. 24, 2021.

The number of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel in small boats has risen sharply in recent years, from 1,843 in 2019 to 8,466 in 2020 and then it jumped again to 28,526 in 2021 and 45,755 last year.

During 2022 a total of 45,755 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel on small boats, and between January and November 2022 the Royal Navy and the UK Border Forces Operation Isotrope intercepted small boats in the Channel and escorted illegal immigrants safely to shore.

There were no immigrant deaths at sea between January 2022, when the operation began, and Dec. 14, 2022 when another boat sank mid-channel and four out of the 39 people on board drowned.

Last month Ibrahima Bah, 19, was charged with manslaughter and facilitating attempted illegal entry into the UK in relation to the December 2022 incident and he is due to face trial at Canterbury Crown Court in November.
Cohen & Company Inc.

PHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cohen & Company Inc. (NYSE American: COHN) will release its financial results for the first quarter 2023 on Thursday, May 4, 2023. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) that day to discuss these results.



The conference call will be available via webcast. Interested parties can access the webcast by clicking the webcast link on the Companys homepage at www.cohenandcompany.com. Those wishing to listen to the conference call with operator assistance can dial (877) 524-8416 (domestic) or +1 (412) 902-1028 (international). A replay of the call will be available for three days following the call by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415, with participant passcode 13738623.

About Cohen & Company

Cohen & Company is a financial services company specializing in an expanding range of capital markets and asset management services. Cohen & Companys operating segments are Capital Markets, Asset Management, and Principal Investing. The Capital Markets segment consists of fixed income sales, trading, and gestation repo financing as well as new issue placements in corporate and securitized products, and advisory services, operating primarily through Cohen & Companys subsidiaries, J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC in the United States and Cohen & Company Financial Europe S.A. in Europe. A division of JVB, Cohen & Company Capital Markets is the Companys full-service boutique investment bank with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and SPAC advisory. The Asset Management segment manages assets through collateralized debt obligations, managed accounts, and investment funds. As of March 31, 2023, the Company managed approximately $2.1 billion in primarily fixed income assets in a variety of asset classes including US and European trust preferred securities, subordinated debt, and corporate loans. The Principal Investing segment is comprised primarily of investments the Company holds related to its SPAC franchise and other investments the Company has made for the purpose of earning an investment return rather than investments made to support its trading or other capital markets business activity. For more information, please visit www.cohenandcompany.com.

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Contact: Investors - Media - Cohen & Company Inc. Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Joseph W. Pooler, Jr. Jim Golden or Andrew Squire Executive Vice President and 212-355-4449 Chief Financial Officer jgolden@joelefrank.com or asquire@joelefrank.com 215-701-8952 investorrelations@cohenandcompany.com




American Airlines Pilots Vote to Strike, Southwest Pilots May Follow

President of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association Casey Murray testifies during a hearing before Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee at Russell Senate Office Building in Washington on Feb. 9, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Southwest Airlines pilots began casting strike-authorization votes on Monday, the same day that the American Airlines pilots union announced its members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike.

It comes despite American Airlines stating that it is close to resolving disputed contract issues with its 15,000 pilots.

The outcome of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) vote will be revealed after voting for its 10,000 members concludes on May 31.

This is the first time in Southwests 51-year history that pilots have taken such a vote.

Even if either companys pilots do walk off the job, it wont happen for many months.

Aviation expert Jay Ratliff told The Epoch Times, Its never an immediate we vote to strike today; tomorrow, everythings toast.'

Federal laws governing airlines require many steps between a strike-authorization vote and an actual labor strike.

By taking such a vote, the unions are simply sending the message that were serious and let us show you how serious we are, Ratliff said.

Bad Blood Boiling

As to whether the labor management issues at both airlines can be resolved, Ratliff said, Im much more confident with American Airlines than I am with Southwest because theres such bad blood there thats been boiling.

Southwests culture has shifted from an employee-centric operation to a top-down, profit-oriented management style, so this is not the Southwest of old, and its soured quite a few employees, Ratliff said.

Delta Airlines pilots picket for a new contract at Terminal 4 in JFK International Airport in New York City on Sept. 1, 2022. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The company declined to comment on Ratliffs characterizations, but it released a statement calling SWAPAs strike-authorization vote a contract-negotiating tactic, one that has been used by several airline unions within the last twelve months.

Delta Air Lines pilots voted to strike last fall. But in March, the pilots ratified a contract with a 30 percent pay hike.

However, compared to Delta or any other airline, Southwest faces unique challenges with its pilots union, Ratliff said.

Meltdowns and Money

In addition to resentment over the cultural shift, Southwests pilots are angry over the companys refusal to act on years-old concerns about the airlines outdated computer systems causing mini-meltdowns.

In December 2022, a major meltdown caused Southwest to cancel nearly 17,000 flights and cost the airline $800 million as of January. Last month, the airline said it lost another $325 million during the first quarter, primarily from post-meltdown fallout.

A Southwest Airlines airplane comes in for a landing at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on May 12, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Now the airline is pledging to invest a tremendous amount of money to fix those issues, Ratliff said, and the pilots believe the airline should also invest in its staff.

SWAPAs contract talks have been ongoing for three years.

The union protested against the companys stock buybacks in early December 2022, weeks before the meltdown. SWAPA warned the company in January that a strike vote would be set for May unless contract negotiations proved fruitful.

Considering that backdrop at Southwest, Ratliff said: Im not going to quickly say, Oh, there will never be a strike between the pilots and management. Because its such a toxic environment between the two groups, I wouldnt be surprised if it happened.

Differing Perspectives

SWAPA President Capt. Casey Murray accused the company of showing no willingness to address some of the issues that impact not only our pilots but our customers as well, such as scheduling work rules and technology improvements.

The lack of discussion or commitment by our leadership team to rectify these issues for our passengers and our pilots are driving us to carry forward on this path, Murray said in a May 1 news release.

But Adam Carlisle, Southwests vice president of labor relations, said negotiations would resume this week. Well keep working with the assistance of the National Mediation Board to reach an agreement that rewards our pilots and places them competitively in the industry, he said in a company statement.

The company further explained: The Railway Labor Act outlines specific processes we must follow in negotiations  The mediators are responsible for scheduling the dates and locations of negotiations, as well as what items are discussed.

Mediators have been involved in the negotiations since October 2022.

Stronger Intervention Expected

Despite his concerns about Southwests labor-management climate, Ratliff says in recent years, every single time weve seen a strike vote, the cooler minds prevail.

If either American or Southwest continues toward an actual strike, Ratliff predicted, You are going to see the government a lot more involved.

Federal officials understand that the airline industry is an important component to the economic engine, he said.

Ratliff said that leaders will take every step possible to prevent pilots from striking. Thats especially true after U.S. demand for air travel finally rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic slump.

The last thing the government wants to do is have passengers suffer through more grief and turmoil than what weve already had, Ratliff said.
ANALYSIS: Six Theories About Why Tucker Carlson Left Fox News

Fox News host Tucker Carlson discusses 'Populism and the Right' during the National Review Institute's Ideas Summit at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington on March 29, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

News Analysis

On April 24, Fox News released a statement saying, FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. No reason was given. Since then, a flurry of theories has dominated the headlines.

While Fox gave no reason for Carlsons departure, it also didnt say Carlson was fired.

According to an April 28 report by 19FortyFive, Carlson said hes still employed by Fox. Megyn Kelly, who once held Carlsons 8 p.m. timeslot, corroborated the news.

Tucker Carlson hasnt actually been fired. Hes still an employee of the Fox News Channel, Kelly said during the April 25 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show. The revelation, Kelly said, caught Carlson completely off guard.

And now theyre going to have to negotiate an exit, Kelly posited, expressing doubts that its going to be an amicable parting.

During his own program, No Spin News, fellow former Fox News host Bill OReilly said Carlson was in the middle of planning his Monday evening program when boom: Tucker Carlson is history at the Fox News Channel.

Thats how fast it came, Reilly added. I know he didnt want to go out this way. I dont even know if he knows what the inner decision-making was.

Carlson replaced OReilly after he was fired in 2017 amid allegations of sexual harassment.

The Epoch Times reached out to Fox News to find an answer. Were not going beyond the release issued on Monday, Senior Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications for FOX News Media Irena Briganti responded by email.

In the meantime, rumors and theories of possible reasons have flowed in abundance.

The Vulgar Language Theory

A recent lawsuit exposed an alleged pattern of vulgar language used by Carlson during his time at Fox News.

The Daily Beast reported that, during his deposition with lawyers, Carlson was asked if this wasnt the only time you referred to Sidney Powell as an [expletive].

You know I-I-I cant know and I just want to apologize preemptively, Carlson stammered. I mean youre trying to embarrass me, youre definitely succeeding as I am embarrassed.

Powell isnt the only one Carlson allegedly identified by the vulgar moniker.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Carlson used the same word to describe an unnamed Fox executive and that he was proud of it. While attorneys for Fox had persuaded the court to redact the revelations of his name-calling through private messages from a legal filing, Carlson said he wanted everyone to know what he had said because his disdain for the mystery executive was, as WSJ described, deep and enduring.

The Grossberg Lawsuit Theory

A month before Carlsons egress, Abby Grossberg, a former booker on Tucker Carlson Tonight, filed a complaint against Fox Corporation, Fox News Network, LLC, and Carlson alleging she endured an extremely hostile work environment under the auspices of senior executives subjected to a work environment that subjugates women based on vile sexist stereotypes.

The complaint describes the case as yet another in the long line of cases chronicling the misogynistic environment that permeates Fox News and fosters a toxic workplace where truth remains a fugitive while female workers are verbally violated on almost a daily basis by a poisonous and entrenched patriarchy.

Fox News also released Bill OReilly, Roger Ailes, Ed Henry, and Eric Bolling for alleged sexual harassment.
Australia Offers $50,000 Bonus To Stem Defence Personnel Turnover

Members of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) march during an Anzac Day parade in Brisbane, Australia on April 25, 2022. (Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Australian soldiers and staff will be offered a $50,000 (US$33,170) bonus payment as part of a wider effort to stem the ongoing loss of personnel in the countrys defence force.

Attrition or the rate of personnel leaving the Australian Defence Force (ADF), hovers at around 10 percent each year, which equates to 5,000-6,000 individuals.

The issue has become more pressing in recent years given the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and the looming possibility of conflict.

The Albanese government says the initiative will cost around $400 million (US$265 million) and will be available to permanent ADF members after they have served a minimum of four yearstheir initial mandatory period of service.

Accepting the $50,000 also means the member agrees to extend their term in the military for another three years.

The government expects the Continuation Bonus to affect around 3,400 people in the first three years of the scheme. It will be implemented from next year.

The total ADF workforce numbers at around 85,000. The problem of retention is not just isolated to Australia, but also to the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

When it comes to Defence our people are our greatest asset. We know Defence is facing greater challenges to recruit, retain and grow its workforce than it has for decades, said Defence Minister Richard Marles in a statement on May 2.

The Albanese government is steadfast in its commitment to achieving these goals, as outlined in our response to the Defence Strategic Review.

Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thislewaite said there would be initiatives to alleviate housing stress for defence force members.

The Albanese government is committed to improving support to ADF members and their families to enter the housing market through greater housing flexibility, less mortgage stress, and greater purchasing power, he said.

We need to ensure that ADF housing solutions prepare members for transition to civilian life, with home ownership a critical aspect of support.

The Situation is Desperate: Veteran

Veteran affairs advocate Heston Russell says the bonus reveals just how desperate the situation is for staff retention.

Most people in the defence force arent there for the money, theyre there for the purpose that provides them, he told The Epoch Times. When youre starting to throw money at retention in the defence force, theres clearly a deeper problem.

Theyve definitely done these retention bonuses before, but they were more aimed at people who had achieved certain ranks, and it definitely wasnt after just four years [in the service].

Russell said morale was one major issue within ADF ranks.

On ANZAC Day, I had young soldiers come up to me and say theyre getting out because they literally dont feel like the senior hierarchy have their back after seeing what Ive been going through [with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation] and whats happened the last few years with the war crime reporting case, he added.

Russell launched a defamation lawsuit against the public broadcaster after it alleged he was involved in war crimes in Afghanistan during his time serving in the Australian special forces.

Unique Ideas Being Put Forward to Stem Personnel Issues

Meanwhile, Australian MPs have earmarked potentially adopting the foreign legion concept and tying military recruitment to visa pathways.

If someone is willing to fight and die for our country, we should take them over a $5 million [US$3.3 million] golden visa any day of the week, Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie told The Sydney Morning Herald in reference to the Significant Investor Visa that was used to attract wealthy Chinese migrants to the country.

New Australians, prepared to serve and sacrifice in uniform, are the right sort of people to whom we can offer a home, he said. Countries like France famously operate a foreign legion that allows recruits a pathway to citizenship.

Russell welcomed the prospect of streamlining what is known as lateral transfer from countries like the United States and the UK.

There are so many people who would love to come to Australia, but the process is ridiculous and just filled with so much red tape, he said.

Its a very interesting and great idea. Its kind of like Starship Troopers: service equals citizenship. You have a lot of people in the Asia-Pacific region who come from places where they have to work really hard for the things that we take for granted here.
Barbara Kay: Doomography: The Trend of Plunging Fertility Rates Is Eroding Societal Well-Being

Commentary

With an estimated 1.4 billion people, Indias population has drawn even with Chinas, and will soon surpass it, as Chinas population is in decline and aging, while Indias is growing and young. A startling 20 percent of people worldwide under the age of 25 live in India.

Environmental alarmists will see nothing in this news for India to celebrate. Obsessed with carbon footprints, low fertility rates have no downsides for them. Some of them boast of their personal decision to forego children as a worthy sacrifice to be emulated by others. These extremists are doomographists, people who believe that the worlds most pressing economic and social problems are linked to procreation.

Environmental anti-natalism dovetails with a general cultural shift away from interest in marriage and family. A 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that a rising share of U.S. adults who are not already parents say they are unlikely to ever have children, and although some of them cited the state of the world, or the environment or financial concerns as their reason, the reason given by a full 63 percent of those aged 18 to 49 is that they just dont want to.

I grew up during the Cold War 1950s in the shadow of The Bomb. It was common to hear women vow they would never bring a child into such a volatile and uncertain world. But virtually nobody followed through. The power of the cultural normmarriage and familyeasily triumphed over our entirely reasonable dread. Even couples in straitened circumstances married, choosing to live and procreate in humble conditions, without making home ownership or career security a litmus test for commitment.

Indeed, marriage and family was such a timeless universal paradigm as the basis of society, nobody of my generation could ever have imagined its startling erosion in the last five decadesand not just in the West. The replacement total fertility rate (TFR) is 2.1 live births per woman. Canadas rate is at an all-time low of 1.40. The U.S. fertility rate is only slightly better at 1.8. East Asian countries have the worlds lowest TFR: Taiwans is 0.98; and Hong Kongs is 0.87. Only in Africa is the TFR still high, ranging from 4.7 in Uganda to 6.7 in Niger.

In her 2019 book, Primal Screams, cultural critic Mary Eberstadt calls the culturally suicidal trend of deliberate infertility the Great Scattering. According to Eberstadt, loneliness studies are the hottest trend in sociology. Every year in Japan (TFR 1.4), she writes, some 4,000 elderly Japanese people die without being discovered until the smell of their decomposing bodies alerts their neighbours. Obstetrics in Japan is fading as a profession. In Germany (TFR 1.6), one in four Germans over 70 receives less than a single visit a month by family or friends, and nearly one in 10 receives no visits whatsoever.

A May 2018 Cigna poll cited by Eberhardt found that nearly half of all Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone, and that Generation Zadults then aged 18 to 22is the loneliest generation of all. Loneliness is sad in itself, but it also has public health implications. Eberstadt cites studies showing a causal link between loneliness and overeating, higher stress levels, cardiovascular conditions, and immune dysfunction. That poll was pre-COVID. The cited symptoms are likely even more concerning today.

Autocratic governments can encourage or even, as with Chinas one-child policy, force people to have fewer children, but they have discovered that they cannot do the opposite. Singapore tried. While modernizing in the 1960s after gaining independence from the British, Singapores leaders overtly encouraged sterilization and abortion. Maternity leave was denied after two children.

It worked. Singapore reached its fertility rate target of 2.1 in 1976, a 53 percent plunge over a decade. But as womens education rates went up, the TFR didnt stop declining. Singapore reversed their messaging and invested massively in child care. But no dice. Singapores fertility rate in 1960 was 5.45. Today it is 1.1.

A May article in First Things magazine by Scott Yenor, Anti-Natal Engineering, describes a similar process in South Korea, where, into the 1960s, a South Korean woman might give birth to an average of about six children. Marriage rates were very high. Yenor writes: In 1970, fewer than 2 percent of Korean women between the ages of thirty and thirty-four were unmarried; today, more than 30 percent are. More than 40 percent of South Koreans below the age of forty have stopped dating.  in 2020, more than 52 percent of South Koreans in their twenties preferred a childless marriage, up from about 30 percent in 2015. In fact, South Koreas fertility and marriage rates have recently dipped below anything before seen in human history. The Korea Development Institute reports that, in 2020, more than 52 percent of South Koreans in their twenties preferred a childless marriage, and more than 30 percent of all Korean households comprise only one person.

What makes these startling statistics especially significant is that the trend was not, as a westerner might assume, linked to feminism or political progressivism. South Koreans remain socially conservative, with clear gender roles and a strong sense of family honour. Feminism in South Korea, Yenor says, is more an effect of [programmed] anti-natalism than a cause of it.

As in China and Singapore, the trend was government-led with a view to increasing prosperity. Park Chung-hee, who took power in a military coup in May 1961, wanted women in the work force, and created policies to encourage that end. The government promoted vasectomy and birth control and tripled its family planning bureaucracy. Messaging went from Three children, three years apart to Just have two and raise them well to Even two is a lot!

The transformation was realized, and South Korea went from poor to rich, at the price of fulfilling human connection between the sexes. As fertility rates cratered, the government panicked, and, like Singapore, offered contrary financial inducements plus message reversalMore than one is twice the fun!but too late. Yenor writes that South Koreas government and elite institutions systematically dismantled an old, family-centred culture. Ominously, according to Yenor, relations between the sexes are turning ugly. The result is a culture of barrenness, and, in the words of American cultural observer Hannah Rosin, writing about East Asia, industrial-scale sexual indifference.

Ive never seen a better case made against the harm done to men and women by well-intended social engineering. But who will listen? Doomography rules the global political roost.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
BC Nurses Fired for Not Being Vaccinated Have Labour Board Case Dismissed

VANCOUVERA group of B.C. nurses who lost their jobs for not getting a COVID-19 vaccine had their case against their union dismissed by the Labour Relations Board (LRB) on April 20. The nurses had argued that the union had failed to represent them properly.

In making the decision, LRB Vice-Chair Gurleen Sahota recognized that the nurses who filed the complaints were frustrated because of the length of time their cases are taking. However, Sahota said without a final resolution from the union, judgement cant be made on their applications.

Until the Union has made a final decision regarding the Grievances, the Board cannot review the Unions conduct as a whole, Sahota wrote.

While I recognize the Applicants are frustrated about the time it is taking to resolve the Grievances, this is not a situation where the Union has refused to communicate with the Applicants or has indicated or even implied that it will not be proceeding with the Grievances.

Sahota said once the BC Nurses Union (BCNU) concludes the matter, the applicants can resubmit their applications to the LRB for review.

Corinne Mori, who lost her job with Interior Health working out of Nelson, B.C., has spearheaded the group of 140 nurses fighting to get their jobs back. She said that she and her team had compiled enough research and evidence they claim can demonstrate a violation of Section 12 of the B.C. Labour Relations Code, Duty of fair representation.

Mori says BCNU has not processed hundreds of grievances filed by fired members in a timely manner and has ignored their requests for information for more than 18 months.

The union is not functioning at its job, and they are refusing to represent their terminated members, Mori said in an interview. They havent talked to us since September 2021 and theyve refused to publicly acknowledge us, not once, in a year and a half.

The Epoch Times reached out multiple times to the BCNU but the organization didnt make anyone available for comment or offer a statement.

September 2021 was when B.C. health officials announced that health-care facility workers across the province would be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 effective Oct. 26 that year. The nurses filed their grievances shortly after they were prevented from working that year.

While the BCNU eventually initiated the grievance procedure, Mori claims the case is not progressing, which she says violates requirements of the CBA.

Further, Mori points to a 2019 case where the union successfully argued via an industry-wide application dispute (IWAD) filed four years earlier that nurses would not face discipline for refusing an influenza vaccine, or for not wearing a mask in the workplace. She says the union hasnt been pursuing the case of COVID-19 vaccines the same way.

Mori says the frustration from being ignored led her and 11 of her terminated nursing colleagues to crash the membership meeting in November 2022 and demand a meeting with union leadership.

Staffing Deficits

Mori said that during that meeting, while they were denied the opportunity to speak with other nurses in attendance, they discussed several topics with BCNU leaders. These included high staffing shortages, executive staff turnover within the union after the public health order announcement in September 2021, and timelines of filing grievances.

Mori says she is baffled by the unions call for the government to immediately address staffing shortages, yet its refusal to advocate for rehiring fired nurses.

B.C. nurses are working outside the province because we cannot work in our province, she said. And we still have to deal with critical staffing shortages in this province due to the inability of our provincial government to admit that they were wrong.

Speaking to Global News during a nurses rally in Vancouver in November 2022, BCNU president Aman Grewal highlighted health facilities facing up to 70 percent staffing deficits and nurses forced to work 24-hour shifts, but didnt mention bringing back those who were fired as a possible solution.

In an October 2022 news release in which the union president again expressed disappointment at the burden on the workforce she represents, the topic of the fired nurses again wasnt mentioned.

Grievance Process

In a Feb. 15, 2023, letter one of the fired nurses provided to The Epoch Times, BCNU Labour Relations Officer Kris Vanlambalgen said the union had filed an IWAD with the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC) as a measure to resolve the outstanding grievances from fired nurses.

Due to the actions of HEABC [Health Employers Association of B.C.] and Health Employers, the Affected Nurses have suffered lost wages, benefits, service, and seniority. Additionally, the Affected Nurses with Protected Grounds have also suffered injury to dignity, Vanlambalgen wrote.

The Union is seeking the immediate reinstatement of the nurses impacted by the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies and is pursuing a make-whole order for loss of wages, benefits, service, and seniority, in addition to special damages.

However, the IWAD may not be valid before an arbitrator because, according to section 9.07 of the collective agreement between the BCNUs Nurses Bargaining Association and HEABC, the union was supposed to issue a grievance within 21 days to HEABC once the dispute was recognized back in November 2021 when nurses were officially fired after being on leave without pay.

Among the reasons to dismiss the case against the union, Sahota, the LRB vice-chair, wrote that the Union had been updating the nurses and advising the status of the grievances.

Mori claims the union was not interested in her teams research and data, nor would it share its evidence, if any, that it submitted in the IWAD. That lapse, she said, jeopardized their opportunity to be frontrunners in the battle, if not to meet the protocol in their collective agreement.

We were the first ones that should have been challenging this stuff because we have access to scientific evidence and front-line worker stories, but they didnt let us be the first into these challenges, Mori said.

So other arbitrations have had to go through and theyre relying on (Provincial Health Officer) Bonnie Henrys evidence instead of other documentation and proof that could have been incorporated into these decisions. 

Criticism

Charlene Le Beau, a lawyer with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, filed a petition in March 2022 seeking to end the B.C. governments mandate requiring health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. She said judges across Canada default to government data to justify the measures taken during the past three years.

Theyve manipulated the law in their favour, theres no doubt about it, Le Beau told The Epoch Times.

These are totalitarian times, and the courts are bending themselves into pretzels in order to defer to government science. Almost every COVID challenge is being lost in Canada, and the judges, theyre all parroting the same stuff. Were in a pandemic. The government had to respond in a way to protect public health. They did what they did, and we are deferring to that.

John Rustad, an MLA with the Conservative Party of BC, on the floor of the legislature on Feb. 16 called on the province to reinstate the fired nurses.

I raised the question during question period and I pushed this through a number of channels in the legislature, and the response from the health minister [Adrian Dix] was an unequivocal No, Rustad told The Epoch Times.

Theyre saying because theres people in intensive care and we dont want to put anybody at risk, which is just nonsense because youre talking about family doctors. Youre talking about nurses throughout the system. And youre talking about the fact that every other jurisdiction in Canada has dropped their vaccine mandates and hired back their health-care professionals.

The Epoch Times reached out multiple times to B.C. Ministry of Health for comment but received no reply.
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Biden Earmarks $500,000 for Transgender Youth, Other Groups in Pakistan

Biden 'hell-bent on spending money we dont have,' Rep. Ralph Norman's office says

President Joe Biden speaks about "building on the small business boom" during National Small Business Week in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 1, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

The Biden administration is offering a $500,000 grant to help teach the English language in Pakistan, in part by providing intensive professional development courses for Pakistani transgender youth.

The program will increase participants English language proficiency, employability, and leadership and critical thinking skills, enabling them to become productive members of their community and society, according to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (pdf).

The State Department says the grant is aimed at teaching English language skills to Pakistani youth so they can better participate in the global community and prepare them for success in the workplace.

To reach that goal, the grant gives focus to three components: professional development for English language teachers from nonmainstream institutions, professional development for novice Pakistani English language teachers, and professional development for transgender youth and for Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan.

For the third component of the program, the award must be used to implement intensive professional development courses for Pakistani transgender youth from the ages of 1325, and intensive professional development courses for Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan.

The stated goal of the program is to strengthen the English capacity and professional capability of Pakistani transgender youth and of Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan.

Participating teachers will share what they learned in these trainings with English-language professional colleagues, thereby influencing pedagogy in their schools and communities.

Applicants for the program are encouraged to address the question of what is the most effective way to reach the greatest number of Pakistani transgender youth and Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals from diverse locations across Pakistan?

The budget for the program has a $500,000 limit and a project duration of up to three years.

Transgender Policies and Activism

In 2018, Pakistan enacted the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act (pdf), which prohibits discrimination against transgender people in schools, workplaces, and public settings and guarantees them the right to choose their gender on official documents.

However, at least one U.S. lawmaker has had enough of the efforts to normalize transgender ideology and to provide preferential treatment to transgender individuals.

In 2022, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) took umbrage with a move by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement policy changes that permit LESS invasive screening procedures for transgender passengers by the Transportation Security Administration at U.S. airports.

This and other misguided policy changes were recently announced by DHS. Were facing threats from every direction, and it is bewildering to see this agency seemingly focused more on gender ideology than its core mission, he said in a statement at the time.

In an April 19 post on social media, Norman said, Ill say it: Im fed up with transgender activism. Its gone off the deep end.

While he believes that transgender individuals deserve to be treated fairly, he said that transgender activism is no longer about acceptance or even pride in who they claim to be.

Norman described it as an all-out assault on the senses and an attempt to desensitize Americans, in order to normalize something the majority of Americans view as abnormal.

Norman is equally upset about the administrations move to fund a program in Pakistan that provides favoritism to transgender youth in another country.

Just a cursory glance through this administrations spending reveals dizzying amounts of taxpayer dollars being sent to all sorts of questionable programs, not the least of which is millions to Pakistan for gender programs,' Austin Livingston, spokesman and deputy chief of staff for the South Carolina Republican, told The Epoch Times.

Were over $31 trillion in debt, but this president seems hell-bent on spending money we dont have on programs that are simply not the role or purpose of the federal government. Congressman Norman has railed against that. Its outrageous.
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Blinken Denies Role in Open Letter That Called Hunter Biden Laptop Story Russian Disinfo

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a press conference at the State Department in Washington on April 11, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has denied playing any part in the letter signed by more than 50 former intelligence officials that sought to discredit the Hunter Biden laptop story as a Russian disinformation campaign.

One of the great benefits of this job is that I dont do politics and dont engage in it, Blinken told Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall in an interview on May 1 when asked if he had any role in the letter.

But with regard to that letter, I didntit wasnt my idea, didnt ask for it, didnt solicit it. And I think the testimony that the former deputy director of the CIA, Mike Morrell, put forward confirms that, Blinken said.

The letter Blinken was referencing was signed by 51 former senior intelligence officials ahead of the 2020 presidential election (pdf).

Signatories of the open letter claimed that the contents of a laptop allegedly belonging to Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, had all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.

We want to emphasize that we 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 involvementjust that our experience makes us deeply suspicious that the Russian government played a significant role in this case, the letter stated.

If we are right, this is Russia trying to influence how Americans vote in this election, and we believe strongly that Americans need to be aware of this, it added.

An exterior view of The Mac Shop, where Hunter Biden allegedly brought his laptop for repair but never picked it up, in Wilmington, Del., on Oct. 21, 2020. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

Former CIA Senior Official Testifies

Blinkens comments came shortly after the former deputy director of the CIA, Mike Morrellwho was among the individuals who signed the 2020 lettertold the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees that he had organized the letter after Blinken reached out to him to discuss the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Testimony cited by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)who heads both the House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Governmentstates that at the time Blinken allegedly reached out to Morrell, Blinken was serving as a senior adviser to the Biden campaign.

Morrells testimony was revealed in an April 20 letter Jordan wrote to Blinken stating that lawmakers had learned that the secretary of state played a role in the inception of the 2020 letter while serving as a Biden campaign adviser.

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, the letter reads.

The letter then goes on to share some of Morells testimony before lawmakers in which they ask him, prior to [Secretary Blinkens] call, youyou did not have any intent to write this statement? to which Morrell responds, I did not.

Okay. So his call triggered [the letter], they ask Morell, to which he responds, It did, yes, before reiterating that it absolutely did.

President Joe Biden (L) alongside his son Hunter Biden exit Holy Spirit Catholic Church after attending mass in Johns Island, S.C., on Aug. 13, 2022. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

Blinken Not Engaging in Politics

The letter reveals additional testimony in which Morell told lawmakers that Blinken had emailed him a USA Today article alleging that the FBI was examining whether the Hunter Biden laptop was part of a disinformation campaign.

Morell later told lawmakers during his testimony that his intent regarding the 2020 letter was to share our concern with the American people that the Russians were playing on this issue and to help Vice President Biden.

The Epoch Times has been unable to contact Morrell for comment.

Jordans letter to Blinken seeks materials that could help advance lawmakers oversight and inform potential legislative reforms. Jordan gave Blinken until May 4 to hand over the requested documents.

Subsequent reporting has confirmed that the contents of the laptop as reported by the New York Post were not part of a Russian information operation and that the laptop was dropped off at a computer repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware.

In the May 1 Fox News interview, Hall asked Blinken if he accepts that the laptop is not Russian disinformation.

Again, from my perspective, Im not engaging in politics. I have got a lot on my agenda, things that we have just talked about, trying to help the Ukrainians and the Russian aggression against them, engaging with allies and partners around the world, and dealing with some of the challenges posed by China, Blinken responded.

We have a situation now in Sudan that has fully occupied my time, he said. So thats where my focus is.

The Epoch Times has contacted the State Department for comment.
Cash App Founder Died of Stab Wounds, Had Cocaine in His System, Autopsy Report Says

Cash App founder Bob Lee, who was killed last month in San Francisco, died from multiple stab wounds while having cocaine, alcohol, and other substances in his system, the citys medical examiner said Monday.

The 43-year-old software engineer had two stab wounds to the upper chest and a third to his right hip, according to an autopsy report. The second stab wound to his left chest penetrated only two to three inches but pierced his heart.

A toxicology report included in the autopsy report showed that Lee had ketamine, cocaine, and cocaethylenea byproduct of the liver processing cocaine and alcohol simultaneouslyin his system when he died. The exact amounts of each substance were not given.

Lee was found on the sidewalk in front of a condominium building with stab wounds on April 4, in the upscale Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, at around 2:30 a.m. local time. By the time emergency medical responders arrived at the scene, Lee was unconscious, pulseless, and gasping for breath, according to the report.

Medical responders placed a breathing tube down Lees trachea and rushed him to San Francisco General Hospital. He arrived around 3 a.m., still without a pulse, and doctors tried to save him with blood transfusions, the report showed.

The doctors cut into Lees chest and closed two wounds to his heart with staples. They cross-clamped the aorta and tried to restart his heart using both intracardiac massage and intracardiac epinephrine, according to the report. Lee was transferred from the emergency department to the operating room, where doctors diagnosed an injury to the apex of the right ventricle as well as a wound to the lung.

Lee was pronounced dead on the operating table at 6:49 a.m.

Victims Final Hours Captured on Camera

Nima Momeni, a 38-year-old tech consultant, was arrested on April 13 in Emeryville, a suburb in San Francisco, and charged with Lees murder.

Momeni allegedly stabbed Lee after an argument over Momenis younger sister, Khazar Elyassnia. A detention motion filed by the San Francisco District Attorneys office showed that Momeni was specifically concerned about whether his sister was doing drugs or anything inappropriate.

Surveillance camera footage from the Millennium Tower, where Elyassnia had an apartment, showed Momeni entering the building after exiting a white BMW at around 8:31 p.m. on April 3. Lee is also seen entering the Millennium at around 12:39 a.m. on April 4, per camera footage.

At around 2:03 a.m., surveillance cameras at the Millennium captured Lee and Momeni entering Momenis white BMW. The car was driven to a dark, secluded area southbound on Main Street.

Surveillance camera footage there showed two figures matching earlier descriptions of Lee and Momeni having an apparent verbal confrontation outside of the car for several minutes before a figure matching Momenis description suddenly moved toward the other, according to the document.

Defendant stabbed Victim three separate times, including twice in the chest. One of the stab wounds, showing a direct and clear intent to kill, penetrated Victims heart, the document read.

Immediately after stabbing Victim, Defendant threw the kitchen knife, fled the scene in his white BMW at a high rate of speed, and left Victim to slowly die, the prosecutors added.

Lee started his tech career as an Android software engineer at Google. He later joined Square, a payment processing company founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, to develop its Android mobile app. In 2013, he founded Square Cash, now known as Cash App.

Lee is survived by two daughters.
(Bloomberg) -- Coinbase Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong, board member Marc Andreessen and other officers avoided more than $1 billion in losses by using inside information to sell stock within days of the cryptocurrency platforms public listing two years ago, before bad news sent the share price tumbling, according to a lawsuit filed by an investor.

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The companys board deployed a so-called direct listing instead of a more typical initial public offering and rapidly sold off $2.9 billion in stock before Coinbase management later revealed material, negative information that destroyed market optimism from the companys first quarterly earnings release forward, according to the complaint unsealed Monday in Delaware Chancery Court.

Within five weeks, those shares declined in value by over $1 billion, and Coinbases market capitalization plummeted by more than $37 billion, claimed the investor, Adam Grabski, who said hes held Coinbase shares since April 2021.

Armstrong sold $291.8 million of Coinbase stock as part of the direct listing, according to the complaint, while Andreessens venture capital firm, Andreessen Horowitz, dumped $118.6 million worth of the stock.

As the most popular and only publicly traded crypto exchange in the US, we are at times the target of frivolous litigation, Coinbase said in an emailed statement. This is an example of one of those meritless claims.

The so-called derivative complaint filed on the companys behalf seeks the return of ill-gotten gains from Armstrong and Andreessen, along with President Emilie Choi, Chief Financial Officer Alesia Hass, Chief Accounting Officer Jennifer Jones and former Chief Product Officer Surojit Chatterjee and board members Frederick Ersham, Fred Wilson and Kathryn Haun.

Story continues

The case is Grabski derivatively on behalf of Coinbase Global Inc. v. Andreessen, Case No. 2023-0464-KSJM, Court of Chancery, State of Delaware.

(Updates with shares sold in fourth paragraph.)

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Both Sides Double Down on Debt Ceiling Positions Ahead of Biden-McCarthy Meeting

President Joe Biden speaks about "building on the small business boom" during National Small Business Week in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington on May 1, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

President Joe Biden has invited House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and other congressional leaders to a meeting on raising the nations debt limit, but he has no intention of negotiating on the matter.

Instead, the president will use the May 9 sit-down to remind Republicans of their constitutional duty to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a default on the nations financial obligations, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a May 2 press briefing.

The remarks echoed Bidens own comments from the previous day.

The most important thing we have to do in that regard [the economy] is to make sure the threat by the Speaker of the House to default on the national debt is off the table, Biden said during remarks to small-business leaders at the White House.

America is not a deadbeat nation. We have never, ever failed to meet the debt.

The statements reiterated the presidents insistence that Congress has no choice but to pass an increase in the debt limit as a matter of their constitutional duty to protect the financial integrity of the United States.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks at a press conference in Simi Valley, Calif., on April 5, 2023. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

For his part, McCarthy has said he will consider no increase in the $31.4 trillion borrowing limit unless accompanied by spending cuts. No clean debt ceiling is going to pass the House, McCarthy told reporters on April 26. We cant do that to our children.

The two have been locked in a standoff over the issue since mid-January, and both appear committed to their positions even as the prospect of a potential default draws nearer by the day.

The president also invited Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to the meeting with McCarthy.

Growing Urgency

The president issued his invitation on May 1, the same day Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen heightened urgency to resolve the debt standoff by informing congressional leaders that the nation would likely reach its debt limit in early June, possibly by June 1.

Having exhausted the extraordinary measures at her disposal, Yellen said she would then be unable to continue to satisfy all of the governments obligations unless Congress suspended or increased the borrowing limit.

I respectfully urge Congress to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible, Yellen wrote.

The timing of Bidens invitation was not coincidental.

We knew Secretary Yellens letter would be released yesterday, and the President thought it was a good opportunity to remind congressional leaders of the urgency of preventing default, Jean-Pierre said, adding, It is their constitutional duty. Congress must act.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a press briefing in Washington on May 2, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

After three months of the Biden administrations inaction, the House acted, and there is a bill sitting in the Senate as we speak that would put the risk of default to rest. The Senate and the President need to get to workand soon, McCarthy said in a May 1 statement.

He was referring to legislation passed by House Republicans on April 26 that would temporarily increase the debt ceiling while imposing spending cuts and caps that Democrats find unacceptable.

Origins of the Standoff

Yellen first notified Congress on Jan. 13 that the Treasury was days away from breaching the debt ceiling but could stave off the event using extraordinary measures to manage the nations bills.

The Treasury must borrow money consistently because Congress has authorized deficit budgets for most of the last 50 years. Since approved spending exceeds tax revenue, the Treasury must borrow funds to meet the obligations already mandated by Congress.

McCarthy has said that Republicans will not allow the country to default on its obligations. But he considers it irresponsible to allow further borrowing without also limiting spending in an effort to slow the rapidly increasing national debt.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 7, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The Republican plan, known as the Limit, Save, Grow Act, is considered a nonstarter by Democrats, who say it would cost over 80,000 jobs, severely reduce services for veterans, and damage the environment by repealing green-energy tax credits.

It is Congresss constitutional obligation to act, not hold the full faith and credit of the United States hostage unless we allow them to make cuts to programs hardworking Americans rely upon, Jean-Pierre said. Speaker McCarthys entire agenda isnt just unreasonable, its dangerous.

Divided Congress

Our position remains the same. Both parties can do what we have done in the past, the last three times default faced us. Both parties should pass a clean, bipartisan bill to avoid default together before we hit the critical June 1 deadline, Schumer said in a floor speech on May 2.

The winner-take-all outcome that both sides appear to be working for may be difficult to achieve in a divided Congress.

Republicans narrowly control the House while Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate.

McConnell, who has taken a backseat to McCarthy on debt negotiations, said the chance that any measure the Senate could approve by 60 votes would also pass in the House is essentially zero.

This agreement must be reached because we must never default. And the agreement needs to be reached between the speaker and the president, McConnell said.

Meanwhile, Schumer began moving two bills through the Senate on May 1, a clean two-year debt limit extension, which could be followed by a potentially bipartisan budget bill.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Spending Discussion

While Biden has said he will not negotiate over increasing the debt limit, he is open to discussing spending cuts, according to Jean-Pierre.

[The president] is going to make it very clear in this meeting that it is Congresss constitutional duty to act, that he is not going to negotiate on the debt ceiling, the press secretary said.

Hes willing to have a separate conversation about their spending, what they want to do with the budget, how they see the appropriations process moving forward, what they see with their spending, she said.

The president released his 2024 budget proposal and refused any discussion about spending cuts until Republicans released a fiscal plan of their own, which they did a week ago.

They put forth their vision, their values for the American people. So just a few days after the House Republicans passed their proposal, the president called the four congressional leaders to invite them to a meeting, Jean-Pierre said.

The White House declined to say whether the leaders had accepted the invitation.

I would certainly ask their respective offices to see if they accepted the Presidents offer, Jean-Pierre said.

McCarthy has accepted the invitation according to published reports, though his office did not reply to a request for confirmation by The Epoch Times.

The Epoch Times also inquired to see whether Jeffries, Schumer, and McConnell had accepted the presidents invitation, but no responses were received by the time of publication.

Reuters contributed to this report.
By Not Firing Tucker Carlson, Fox News Takes Lead in Cancel Culture

Tucker Carlson during the 2022 FOX Nation Patriot Awards at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, Fla., on Nov. 17, 2022. (Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

Commentary

Im so old I rememberI think it was about two weeks agowhen Fox News was a leading opponent of cancel culture.

Tribunes of the free press and the First Amendment filled the airwaves with coverage of the dirty dealings, revealed by Elon Musk, between Twitter and government intelligence agencies in suppressing information and people.

Earlier, they exposed the propagandistic lies about the Hunter Biden laptop promulgated by 51 current and former intelligence officials.

Earlier still, they led the charge against the bogus accusations of TrumpRussia collusion that opened the door to the reprehensible cancelation of several patriotic Americans, not to mention the hideous disruption of President Donald Trumps first term.

That was then. This is, unfortunately, now.

The Fox of now canceled its most popular host, indeed the most popular host in all of cable news, by peremptorily taking him off the air with no warningbut without firing him and, therefore, keeping him under contract.

By not firing Tucker Carlson and continuing to pay his handsome check, theyve restricted him from going elsewhere for reasons that in every way run contrary to freedom of the press and indeed place Fox at the head of the cancel culture class.

Possibly the only bigger cancellations that come to mind are when the old Twitter canceled Trump and Facebook suspended him. Both have been rescinded.

Carlsons case may have been for greed, but I doubt it. The economic fallout, which were already seeing, would have been too obvious.

It was ideologically driven. Foxs and News Corps ownersthe Murdochs, as well as woke investment giants such as BlackRock and Vanguardwant their network singing from the same pro-Deep State Never Trump songbook as the others, such as ABC (which recently censored presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.), CBS, NBC, CNN and so forth, not to mention almost all our major newspapers from The New York Times down.

Carlson stood in the way of all this and had to be silenced.

His fans had to be ignored or, better yet, scattered to minor outlets in the hopes that they wouldnt turn into major ones. Thats a lot of people, a number roughly similar to Trumps fans, subtending almost the same areas if you were to draw a Venn diagram.

Carlson, naturally furious at what happened, has employed a pit bull lawyer, Bryan Freedman, to help extricate him from the situation, the downside being that he might have to talk to Don Lemon, who, fired by CNN, hired the same lawyer.

Meanwhile, weve been seeing, for weeks now, leaks of emails and texts showing that Carlson wasnt such a boyish good guy as he appears on television. Some of these included nasty disses about Trump. Others, as reported recently by, predictably, the Daily Mail, reveal him having had disdain for his employers and colleagues, using, shall we say, unpleasant language.

As Moon Unit Zappa said back in the 1980s, Gag me with a spoon. Doesnt everyone do this from time to time to blow off steam?

OK, not absolutely everyone but most of us, anyway. About Moons time, in the 80s, I was writing screenplays for Disney. People working there were so sick of the dictatorial behavior of some of the companys executives that they regularly referred to the studio as Mouseschwitz.

It wasnt meant that seriously, just as much of what Tucker may or may not have said probably wasnt either. But its been coming out recently obviously to tarnish him at a time when hell be engaged in some heavy legal jousting in order to get back on the air and recapture his giant audience.

That he was excommunicated now, roughly a year and a half from an epochal presidential election that will determine so much about the future of our country and the Western world, is far from accidental.

Speaking of which, as most of us know, we live in a time of extreme change, including, obviously, the pervasive epidemic of transgenderism and so-called sexual reassignment that seems to be popping up everywhere we look, wreaking havoc on the basis of our society, the family.

Not inconsequentially, a sex change of sorts of great significance has taken place between our two major political parties, Democrat and Republican. Theyve switched roles. The Democrats that, for most of our lives, were the staunchest defenders of freedom of speech and the press have become the party of censorship, even to the extent, in some instances, of disallowing the Constitution. The Republicans, some part of them anyway, are the ones who defend freedom now.

Mel & Tim put it well years before Moon UnitBackfield in Motion.

As for Fox News, once a nightly viewer, I seem to have become allergic to it, no matter who their replacement hosts are. I wouldnt doubt many of you feel the same.

Roger L. Simons 14th bookAmerican Refugees / Tales of the Mass Migration from Blue States to Redwill be published by Encounter in September.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
California Man Sentenced for Killing His Boss at China-Controlled US Newspaper

Yining Xie, founder and chairman of the U.S.-based Chinese-language newspaper China Press, was shot to death inside the publications office in Alhambra, Calif., on Nov. 16, 2018. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times)

A man who pleaded guilty to killing his boss at a U.S.-based Chinese-language newspapers office in Alhambra, California in 2018 was sentenced to 21 years in state prison on May 1.

Zhong Qi Chen, 64, shot and killed his boss Yining Xie, founder and chairman of China Pressor Qian Bao in Chineseand five years after the incident, he accepted a plea deal in late March reducing his charges from murder to voluntary manslaughter and the intentional use of a firearm.

Chen, a Chinese national with U.S. citizenship, could be seen in a yellow prison uniform with an interpreter standing next to him. Some of his family could be seen in the courtroom.

One of Chens attorneys, Kristen Mason, told The Epoch Times that Chen may be eligible in 13 or 14 years for elderly parolewhich may be granted for those who are at least 50 years old and have been in custody for at least 20 years, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Chen has been in custody since November 2018.

The voluntary manslaughter [charge] was advantageous to us because he was facing [a] first-degree murder charge, which would have been an indefinite sentence, she said. At least now we believe he will get out.

Mason works for The Meehan Law Firm, which has offices throughout Southern and Northern California.

She said she would support an even lighter sentence for Chen if it were possible.

I would have hoped for even more for him just because he is such a gentle, nice, courageous, responsible individual, she said, after spending many hours over the course of five years providing legal counsel.

She said although he committed the crime, Chen had no criminal background and was always known as a kind individual. She said something truly out of character, must have happened the night he killed his boss.

Chens lead attorney, Donald B. Marks, told The Epoch Times he believes Chens sentencing was fair.

We consider the matter was resolved in a fair way and Im happy we got the result we did, he said.

Marks declined to comment on a motive for Chen, which hasnt been revealed to the public.

Chen admitted to using a semi-automatic pistol and shooting the victim three times in the head, four times in the chest, and twice in the back.

On Nov. 16, 2018, Xie, 58, was pronounced dead at 9:40 a.m. with multiple gunshot wounds. He was found on the second floor of the newspapers Alhambra building, according to police.

Chen was arrested on the same day for suspicion of murder, and a handgun was recovered by officers from the scene. Investigators said at the time that they believed that a workplace dispute led to the shooting.

Chen was released three days later after posting a bond for his $1 million bailbefore being arrested again the next day on a Los Angeles County Superior Court warrant with bail set at $6 million. The bail amount was later reduced to $3 million by a judge.

Chen pleaded not guilty later that month to a murder charge, with allegations that he used a handgun and caused great bodily injury and death, according to a statement (pdf) from Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office.

China Presss Close Ties to the Chinese Communist Party

China Press published an obituary in November 2018 with a brief timeline of Xies career.

After graduating from university in 1982, Xie became a reporter for the state-run China News Service. In 1987, Xie became the White House correspondent for the news service. In 1992, he left his position to establish China Press in San Francisco. The newspaper also has editions in Los Angeles and New York.

China Press has long been known in the U.S. immigrant community for its pro-Beijing views and tendency to repeat the Chinese Community Partys propaganda on a wide range of issues.

The publication is under the umbrella of Rhythm Media Group, a California-registered firm founded in 2003 with several Chinese-language media outlets, a film production company, and a cultural center in its profile.

In 2001, the U.S. think tank The Jamestown Foundation listed China Press as an overseas Chinese newspaper directly controlled by the Chinese government.

After Xies death, the newspapers operation reportedly shrunk, with its West Coast edition switched from daily to weekly print distribution in July 2019, the publication announced the previous month.

Epoch Times staff members Zhou Yuejun and Annie Wu contributed to this report.
Chairman of the Journalist Association Guards the Last Frontier of Hong Kong Press Freedom

Ronson Chan Ron-sing, president of the Hong Kong Journalist Association, has been observing Hong Kong's situation closely even though he was in the United Kingdom. (Zheng Zhaodong/The Epoch Times)

April 5 is the 55th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Journalist Association. However, what was meant to be celebratory, is no more but dread and defeat.

Ronson Chan, a former reporter of now-defunct Stand News, became a household name during the 2019 Hong Kong Protests among freedom-seeking Hongkongers and the democracy camp (Yellow Camp).

Chan would regularly livestream on Facebook, following the Hong Kong Police clashing with protesters, abusing first aid responders, medical staff, legislators, and journalists. During the anti-extradition movement, the Hong Kong Police were criticized for their violence and brutality against old or young protesters and social workers who tried to mediate their clashes with protesters.

From tear gas to pepper spray, Chan captured the fierce moments on camera and experienced them firsthand.

Since then, Chan has become the Hong Kong Journalist Association president. But everything was different for him.

On April 1, Chan issued HKJA members a letter. In the note, he expressed his regrets that they could not celebrate the 55th Anniversary together publicly, or organize a publicized event, due to all kinds of reasons.

By that, Chan meant political reasons.

Frankly, I am worried about the freedom of the press and the difficult road ahead as a number of members have been slipping.

Sorrow, worry, and frustration lingered in Chans letter.

Not in the Mood

No banquet, no congratulation, no cake. Chan made it clear he was in no mood for celebration despite everything seemingly slowly returning to normal after months of lockdowns.

But was that the real reason?

When The Epoch Times reporters asked further, Chan said, I do not dare.

He dared not organize any celebrations after witnessing the Democratic Partys experience.

Retaliation of Pro-CC People

The Democratic Party intended to hold a spring dinner party in February. But the dinner party was canceled at the last minute three times by three different restaurants citing emergency maintenance and could not provide service in the evening.

Media reports speculated that pro-government people pressured the restaurant groups and instructed them to refuse service to The Democratic Party.

Chan suspected the potential of HKJAs dinner would also end up like The Democratic Party due to political reasons.

But there was something else on Chans mind.

He was deeply anxious for his former colleagues and friends who once worked alongside him on the front line in the anti-extradition protests. His former colleagues from Stand News had been awaiting sentencing while the National Security Law trial involving former Apple Daily members had begun.

With the drop in the number of HKJA members coupled the fading of local enthusiasm for HKJA events and journalists moving away, everything reminded Chan of surreal feelings and bad times.

There were 900 members at the Hong Kong Journalist Association peak in 2019. However, only 50 percent remained at the beginning of 2023.

Not only was Chan worried for his closest colleagues, the freedom of the press, also had to worry about the longevity of the Association.

Where are Hong Kong Journalists

The decrease in HKJA members originated from the disappearance of news and media agencies and journalistic professionals migrating to other countries.

Chan also explained that some former staff of Stand News and Apple Daily, both defunct, had quit journalism and changed their line of work altogether.

Unrecognizable Faces

Chan said he could not recognize the faces of the journalist on TV when he watched the news lately. Some also appeared to be very green.

He believed the work population had changed drastically.

Hong Kong Journalist Association is never complete Without Hong Kong or Journalists.

Chan hoped the work and responsibilities HKJA had shouldered in the past few years could show his fellow journalists Hong Kong Journalists Association would be the only way to defend the freedom of the press and the rights and interests of journalists in Hong Kong.

With that being said, he pleaded with every journalist to continue encouragement for each other so that the industry could remain tall in the storm.

National Security Law Strangles Press Freedom

In addition to the change of profession and migration, Ronson noticed that the number of students enrolling in journalism at universities had dropped.

Ronson said many were concerned that dipping into a journalistic career was still a safe choice.

He added, the difficulties news and creative freedom face now are getting tougher. Satire comics also became a target for political attacks and criticism.

Being in the journalistic field is not for the faint of heart. Chan agreed that not everyone could bear the pressure, especially the possible legal consequences.

National Security Law, the Biggest Hurdle for Press Freedom

Hong Kong Journalist Association used to be a reputable and respected organization. The annual dinner was usually attended by the governor or the Hong Kong chief executive.

But that changed after the national security law. Suddenly, The Association or its opinions no longer mattered.

In addition to the members letter Cliff Bale, former president of HKJA, penned for the 55th Anniversary.

Bale worked for Radio Television Hong Kong for 29 years, initially as a reporter on political affairs. He reported on Sino-British negotiations on Hong Kongs post-1997 future, political developments, and various elections in Hong Kong.

Bale recalled in the 1960s that, when the Association was first established, it focused on improving journalists salaries and working conditions.

Hong Kongs press freedom reached the most significant turning point in the 1980s.

Article 27 of the Basic Law states that having freedom of the press is part of the fundamental rights of Hong Kong residents.

Later, the Association turned its attention to abolishing or amending outdated colonial laws that would have restricted freedom of speech.

In the amended Television Ordinance, the provision which allowed the government to shut down TV stations was removed permanently, but the crime of sedition remained.

Recently, the Chinese government has been using the sedition provision to arrest several reporters, including a former Association executive committee.

Bale pointed out that after the transfer of sovereignty in Hong Kong in 1997. The SAR government seemed uninterested in continuing safeguarding freedom of speech.

Instead, the government seemed more concerned about restricting access in the name of privacy.

Bale added the ban on fake news, which the authorities enforced, allowes the government to prosecute anyone for anything it disliked.

Bale ended his note to the HKJA members, It would be sad if only pro-Beijing groups and pro-government individuals were allowed to operate and speak. That would be the ultimate death knell for freedom of expression in Hong Kong.
China Refusing Critical Communications With US, Aligning With Russia: US Ambassador

Former U.S. ambassador to NATO ambassador Nicholas Burns testifies during a U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing about Russian activities in other countries' elections, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 28, 2017. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinas communist regime continues to block communications with senior U.S. officials and is increasingly refusing to participate in dialogues about Russia and Taiwan, according to a senior U.S. diplomat.

The United States and Chinas communist regime continue to have major disagreements on a number of critical issues, including Russia and Taiwan, said U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, but the Biden administration maintains it does not want a conflict or cold war with the regime.

Its a complicated relationship. Its very competitive, Burns said during a May 2 talk at the Stimson Center, a D.C.-based think tank.

The Biden administration is not seeking to decouple the U.S. economy from China but will continue to take exceptional measures like the CHIPS Act to protect industries critical to national security, he added.

Were not looking at a separation of these two economies, but there are areas where we have taken and will continue to take measures that would protect our national security interests, Burns said.

China Cuts Communications With US

Clearly communicating the nations intent to China and understanding Chinas own perspectives is increasingly difficult, Burns said, largely because the regime has systematically shut down critical avenues of communication in recent months.

Access [to China] for all the members of our government  has really ebbed and flowed, Burns said. Our view is we need better channels between the two governments, and better channels, and we are ready to talk.

The Biden administration has never sought to cut communications with China, but Chinas communist leadership had become tight-lipped since illegally flying a spy balloon over the United States in February, which was subsequently shot down.

Weve never been shy of talking and we hope the Chinese will meet us halfway on this, Burns said. We had a pretty good pattern of communication until the balloon incident, and that coincided with a public disagreement between us on the issue of Chinese assistance to Russia for Russias illegal war in Ukraine.

CCP Aligns With Russia

The issue of Russia and the regimes possible military support for it continues to be a point of contention, Burns said.

The Biden administration has long warned that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state, could supply Russia with weapons to use in its attempted conquest of Ukraine.

Some independent reports claim that the regime has already own so. A February report by German media outlet Der Spiegel alleges that the regime has disguised military aviation equipment as civil in nature and likewise sent drones to Russia via proxies in the Middle East.

To this day, Burns said, the regime parrots Russian propaganda that the United States and NATO provoked the war.

The press here is blaming the United States and blaming NATO for the war in Ukraine, Burns said.

Burns added that a central issue was the possibility of CCP military assistance, and said the regime would need to be much tougher on Russia if it were to be taken seriously by the international community as a seeker of peace in Eastern Europe.

We would like to see China be much more tough-minded on Russia, Burns said.

What we need to see from China is to push Russia to withdraw its troops so that Ukraine can have all its territory back and can be fully sovereign again in all aspects of that word.

CCP Threats Against Taiwan Continue



Similarly, Burns lamented the regimes continued dedication to building up its military with the apparent goal of invading and conquering Taiwan.

The Chinese position often articulated here in Beijing  is that they say that they want a peaceful resolution of cross-strait differences, but they reserve the right to the use of force, Burns said.

Of course, we reject that.

The CCP claims that Taiwan is a breakaway territory, though it has never controlled the island. Taiwan, meanwhile, maintains a democratic government, thriving market economy, and legal agreements with the United States to purchase the weapons it needs to maintain its self-defense.

Such has been the status quo on the Taiwan issue since 1979, Burns said, and the United States would categorically reject any non-peaceful attempt by the CCP to alter that state of affairs.

Any resolution of the cross-strait differences has to be peaceful, Burns said. They know our position on this issue.
Chinas COVID Narrative Was a Lie From the Beginning

Commentary

Beijings policies and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic have received insufficient scrutiny, particularly considering revelations and policy reversals over the past several months.

In the face of rising evidence to the contrary, the Chinese regime has adamantly maintained for three years that the zoonotic theory is the only true basis for the virus outbreak. Chinese scientists went to great lengths to obfuscate the virus origins by removing at least 13 genome sequences representing the earliest virus strains from public databases early in 2020.

However, according to The New York Times, scientists from Australia, France, the United States, and other countries subsequently discovered previously unseen gene sequences from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan in an online database.

Furthermore, in February, in a classified report based on new intelligence provided to the White House and Congress, the U.S. Energy Department concluded that the pandemic most likely arose from a laboratory leak, according to The Wall Street Journal. This was just the latest in a series of intelligence reports and independent analyses that concluded that the lab leak was almost certainly the most likely explanation for the virus outbreak.

Then there was the abrupt reversal in December 2022 of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings signature zero-COVID policy that was exposed as a complete failure after nearly three years of harsh measures that killed many Chinese and depressed the economy. Even mask mandates are being rescinded in China. As Reuters reported on April 16, Beijings subway has dropped mandatory mask requirements for travelers, which is consistent with a broader policy that relaxed the mask mandate for people using public transport.

And like all failed policies concocted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), zero COVID has subsequently been filed down the memory hole to shift accountability away from the CCP. And foreign media have obligingly avoided condemning Chinas zero-COVID policy since it was reversed, too.

Police officers block Wulumuqi Street in Shanghai on Nov. 27, 2022. Protests against zero-COVID occurred the previous night in response to a deadly fire in Urumqi, Xinjiang. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

It must be remembered that the CCP consists of privileged bureaucrats who are authoritarians first and foremost. In all things, they inherently know what is bestor at least claim they do. The No. 1 objective of the CCP is to cling to political power; everything else is negotiable. And it uses all the tools at its disposal to do so, including the tentacled bureaucracy and surveillance state that reaches every corner and household in the country, as well as the Peoples Police to suppress public dissent, the Great Firewall that restricts access to foreign information sources, and GAPPs total control of the narrative by state-run media that censors any viewpoints except those that are CCP-approved.

A large part of that effort is to control the information available to the Chinese people, as well as to craft and deliver messages intended for internal consumption. Their internal messaging is synergistic with the external propaganda by the state-run media and Chinese diplomatic corps targeted at the United States and other Western countries. Two of their main state media outlets are Xinhua and Global Times, but many more outlets are carefully coordinated to convey CCP-approved narratives. Xinhua and Global Times post articles in Chinese dialects for internal consumption but also in English, French, Russian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and other languages for external consumption.

These media have been hard at work over the past three years conveying the CCP narrative on the pandemic, the supposed benefits to China and the world of Xis zero-COVID policy, the alleged beneficence of communist China in providing medical supplies and Chinese vaccines to other countries, and countering news reports in foreign media that expose the truth about the virus origins and Chinese intransigence in sharing genome sequences and other critical virus-related information with the medical and scientific communities.

Keeping in mind the main CCP objective of retaining power at all costs, it is easy to discern how the above messaging helped accomplish that by convincing the Chinese people that the regime was competently managing the virus, by claiming their government is magnanimously helping other countries combat the virus, by playing on inherent Chinese xenophobia by attacking foreign critics of the regime, and by persuading the Chinese to adhere to strict zero COVID measures to fight the virus.

Peter Daszak (R) and other members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the origins of the COVID-19 coronavirus arrive at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, in Chinas Wuhan city, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Part of the existing social contract between the CCP and the Chinese people is that the regime would deliver economic opportunity and an improved standard of living. As long as the regime can appear to deliver relative prosperity to the average Chinese, the people have been content to tolerate the CCPs authoritarian measuresat least up to a point. That contract crumbled in the second half of 2022 as the pandemic shut down Chinas export economy and people protested in the streets against the zero-COVID policy. And since the CCP cannot withstand major unrest, Xi lost face by reversing his signature policy.

Concluding Thoughts

CCP messaging during the pandemic has been increasingly exposed as lies by foreign governments and researchers, especially as related to the virus origins and Xis zero-COVID policy. Even the World Health Organization has weighed in, requesting that the Chinese be more forthcoming in providing key data about the viruss origins.

As reported by CNN on April 6, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHOs COVID-19 technical lead and head of its program on emerging diseases, has stated that key data from China about the origins of the Covid-19 outbreak [is missing], putting the world in jeopardy (emphasis added).

Furthermore, no one knows the real Chinese death toll from COVID-19 since the first official case was reported in November 2019. The official death toll was static at just over 4,600 from May 2020 through December 2022. The CCP almost certainly underreported it for political reasons to show the world that Chinas response was successful and should be copied by other countries.

After the zero-COVID policy was terminated, China reported an outbreak of a milder strain of the virus beginning in January. Yet the death toll underreporting continued.

TIME quoted an analysis from Zuo-Feng Zhang, chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles: Using a report from the National School of Development at Peking University that found 64% of the population was infected by mid-January, he estimated 900,000 people would have died in the previous five weeks based on a conservative 0.1% case fatality rate. That means the official hospital death count is less than 7% of the total mortality seen during the outbreak.

Yet the Chinese statistics reported by Worldometers on April 24 reflect a mere 503,302 total cases and only 5,272 Chinese deaths to date. Thats far from 64 percent of the population being infected (.64 x 1,454,886,466 = 931,127,338) and an estimated 900,000 deaths!

There can be only one conclusion: the CCPs COVID narrative is nothing but a pack of lies. This is what communists do.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Churches Open for Demonstrators in Hong Kong 2019 Protest Face Risk of HKGovs Retaliation Under National Security Law

On Aug. 4, 2019, in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, police in full gear fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. (David Pang/The Epoch Times)

Recently, local pastors in Hong Kong confirmed with Christian media outlets that the authorities did ask the churches why they allowed protesters into the churches back in 2019 and used community service premises as a gathering space.

On April 17, Christian Times quoted the speech of Fan Kwok-kwong at Shaping the Hong Kong Church Prospect Conference in Hong Kong, who is the Director-General of Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Union.

Fan said, During the Hong Kong Anti-extradition Protests, some missionary churches opened their space for the public to rest and take shelter from the tear gas. At the time, two newspapers headlined the incident.

According to pastors who spoke to Christian media outlets, the Hong Kong government and authorities questioned why the churches allowed people to enter their social service premises for gatherings.

The newspaper quoted Fans distraught reply, that there was already consensus between the government and the missionaries in the past that churches would use the space for social services and prayer gatherings. However, it comes out the existence of the original church and the legal place of use is in doubt, Leung pointed out.

After nearly two years of discussion with the authorities, Hong Kong churches could finally continue to use their premises as a gathering place.

Subsequently, Fan admitted a sense of crisis began to surface after the years-long debate.

What Happened In August 2019?

On Aug. 3, 2019, Christian Times announced on Facebook that churches in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong Island West would open as rest stops, silence rooms, and prayer space for needy citizens.

On Aug 4, 2019, Hongkongers went on a strike to demand the governments response to their five demands. CNN reported that the Hang Seng Index fell nine percent on that day.

And later, CCP mouthpiece media, Wenweipo, headlined that someone (church workers) allowed protesters to take refuge using the churchs name. The red newspaper implied church staff members helping protesters hide from the polices in chase.

During the anti-extradition movement, many churches offered space for followers to find peace and pray amid the ongoing violence and police brutality in Hong Kong.

Peaceful Rally Led to Violent Disperse

Protesters paralyzed the traffic across significant tunnels in Hong Kong, which included the busiest tunnel, Hung Hom Cross-Harbor Tunnel, a lifeline that connected Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

The rally in Tseung Kwan O gathered thousands of protesters onto the streets to show their anger against the Hong Kong government. The Hong Kong people demanded the government withdraw the anti-extradition law, call for an independent inquiry into police brutality against arrested protesters and those detained in San Uk Ling, and the five demands.

The governments warning to the demonstrators referred to demonstrators as rioters.

As the sun went down, police began dispersing the crowd by repeatedly firing tear gas and spraying the crowd with pepper spray. Standoffs and clashes transpired in other places nearby.

The police arrested many they saw on the streets on suspicion of illegal assembly, possession of weapons, and assaulting police officers as some protesters tried to find shelter.

At around 7 p.m., black smoke reached the sky, and citizens scrambled to find a safe way to leave the affected areas; the police locked down most of the exits of MTR stations and bus terminals. As the violence escalated, many innocent citizens, were stranded on the street and had nowhere to go, sought salvage and shelter nearby.

Then at about 8 p.m., Christian Times announced on Facebook that various churches in Hong Kong Districts would open their space as emergency shelters for anyone who sought refuge and needed rest, supplies, medical attention, and protection.

The churches also arranged prayer rooms and silence spaces for those in need. Because of the churches help to the public, Wenweipo accused the religious groups of helping rioters.

National Security Law Persecutes Opposition

Three primary Christian evangelical leaders and two seminary deans attended the church referenced.

In the conference, the religious leaders discussed the situation of churches and how they should respond under the National Security Law.

Choi Siu-kei, director of Alliance Bible Seminary, quoted some of the content in the close-door meeting and said under the NSL, there must be a clear division when using church halls in schools.

Any church gatherings inside a school must have the churchs gathering space separate from the school. Choi also recommended relocation to a new address to avoid unnecessary arguments.

Churches and their leaders who were vocal and proactive during the Hong Kong Protests are under threat in Hong Kong due to the National Security Law. Last year, 90-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen was arrested and charged with colluding with foreign forces under this law, as he was one of the shareholders of the now-dissolved 612 Humanitarian Funds.

According to the estimates from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, the population of Hong Kong was 7.29 million as of the middle of 2022, and 13 percent are believed to be in Christianity or Catholicism.

Politics Becoming A Forbidden Subject In Churches

Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement Director-General Leung Kwok-chuen stated, A year after the National Security Law implementation, HKCRM surveyed from June to August 2021 on Hong Kong churches follow-up in times of adversity. It discovered over 30 percent of the church halls were considering or had already been planning to change how they had been operating amid the political atmosphere and oppression in the society.

Churches Fear and Steer Away From The Regime

Leung quoted the research result and pointed out that the churches were already changing operation strategies.

Interviewees said churches that have made opinions non-public and adjusted their preaching or sermons, accounted for 14.1 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively.

Leung commented, If we look objectively, public opinions made by churches are now considered more prudent. The phenomenon aligns with that of the current society.

In other words, citizens and church leaders are extra cautious of what they say publicly, especially politically, or they may speak against the government.

Choi Siu-kei synthesized data from churches of different sects, and the number of worshipers has dropped by 15 to 25 percent.

Donations dedicated to churches have also decreased by 10 to 20 percent, while the number of pastors has declined by 5 to 10 percent.

The Christian movement director-general was also concerned that the numbers are still unclear and may be more than the surveyed data reported after the pandemic.

Religious groups are protected under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Ordinance, and the Companies Ordinance. Worshipers and churches have the right to enjoy any place, including buildings or property units.

Additionally, there is no specification on the limits of usage or purpose.
A test of faith challenges the souls of all who make the perilous pilgrimage to Abuna Yemata Guh, the monolithic cave church in northern Ethiopia that towers 400 feet above the valley floor.

It was in the fifth century that the Christian priest Father Yemata from Egypt supposedly walked into the Tigray region in the African country and, according to local legend, established a monastery high on a rocky spire, either to reach divine heights or else escape the reach of foes. The church was somehow hewn directly out of the living sandstone, while the spire itself offers protection in the form of sheer cliffs on all sides.

There is only one way to access this monastery, and that is to make the dangerous climb up the spire.

Today, local Ethiopians consider it a test of their faith to scale the almost-sheer slopes barefooted, so as to get a better grip, in a sublime effort to get closer to God. Even young mothers will make the trip carrying their newborns in order to have them baptized.

A monolithic spire towering over a valley in Tigray, Ethiopia, is home to Abuna Yemata Guh, a church hewn from the living limestone. (chiakto/Shutterstock)

A view of mountains in Tigray, Ethiopia, home to Abuna Yemata Guh, a monastery located high on a limestone spire. (Tvede/Shutterstock)

A view from Abuna Yemata Guh church, located in Tigray, Ethiopia. (Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock)

The obscure monastery is still inhabited by some twenty Christian clergymen today, some of whom have lived in these heights for 30 to 40 years, according to The Daily Mail.

The monastic in charge of the temple today, Priest Gebre Rufael Asresseha, has for over 50 years made the precarious climb every day despite the danger. His job is to receive visitors. Although travelers will pass tombs where family members have laid deceased loved ones to rest along the way, local accounts hold that no one has ever died from falling during the journey.

The pilgrimage to Abuna Yemata Guh begins before even reaching the spires themselves. The tiring trek from the valley floor to the cliffside offers ample difficulty before reaching the rocky feet of the monolith. Here, travelers are told by guides to remove their footwear before setting foot and hand into toe-holds polished by centuries of human usage.

On one such sojourn in 2014, photographer Philip Lee Harvey, on assignment for Lonely Planet, commented on how the furious wind keeps you cool, but it just adds to the nervousness of it all during the daunting, two-hour ascent.

The climb to reach Abuna Yemata Guh church is fraught with hazards. (Tvede/Shutterstock)

An aerial view of Abuna Yemata Guh church in Tigray, Ethiopia. (Evan Williams/CC BY-SA 4.0)

A narrow ledge leads the way to the entrance of Abuna Yemata Guh in the Tigray region, Ethiopia. (Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock)

The vertical trail is punctuated by a ridiculously rickety makeshift bridge, a 19-foot sheer wall of rock, and a terrifying gap between two titanic spires leading to the last leg of the jaunt.

The home stretch offers little reprieve, for one must traverse a 20-inch lip along the cliff face looking out over an 820-foot deadly drop into the canyon below. There is a sense of being closer to God up here, some have said.

Until finally, one is met by a robed monk at the monasterys entrancethis being a portal hewn straight into the living rockand one finds sanctuary within. Perhaps it is from a mix of adrenaline and outright fear of death that visitors breath a moment of sublimity once they set foot inside Abuna Yemata Guh.

Some locals attest to the monasterys having a godly presence that the hundreds of other hewn rock monasteries littering the Tigray region do not have.

(Left) A monastic greets visitors at the end of a narrow lip that leads to the churchs entrance; (Right) Looking out upon the valley far below from the entrance to Abuna Yemata Guh. Left: (Charliefleurene/CC BY 4.0); Right: (Felix Friebe/Shutterstock)

A monastic rests amid centuries-old paintings within the church Abuna Yemata Guh. (Vladimir Melnik/Shutterstock)

Tempera-based paintings from the 15th or 16th centuries depict angels and apostles on plaster on the walls of the church. (Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock)

Tempera-based paintings on plaster depict nine of the 12 Apostles in a decorative Christian motif. (Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock)

Inside Abuna Yemata Guh, puddles of wax from candles pepper the floor; meanwhile, the carved walls and dome ceiling are decorated with paintings displaying angel figures and nine of the twelve Apostles. The artwork, executed in a tempera technique on plaster, exhibits a style, iconography, and method dating back to the 15th or 16th centuries. Treasured among their keepings, a precious Bible made of goat skin, among other things, has attracted worshipers to come here for centuries.

Taking it all in, while photographing the devout monks bearing candles who call these elevated chambers home, photographer Harvey described it as the most extraordinary place Ive ever been and also the most inaccessible place Ive ever been asked to take photographs.

Head monastic of Abuna Yemata Guh, Priest Gebre Rufael Asresseha holds up a goatskin Bible, which has brought visitors to the church for centuries. (Kanokwann/Shutterstock)

Paintings adorn the interior of Abuna Yemata Guh, located in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. (Framalicious/Shutterstock)

A Christ and Mary motif with apostles on either side on the walls of Abuna Yemata Guh church. (Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock)

He said, It was easier getting to Antarctica but was worth the effort.

As the faithful place their lives in the hands of a higher power to get here, so must they make their way back down. Ethiopia is home to some of the most ancient strands of Christendom on Earth, including underground churches and inaccessible monasteries such as this. Perhaps the most highly-esteemed of all, Abuna Yemata Guh may leave visitors with some supreme comfort on their journey home.

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Signs Bills Tackling School Safety, Mental Health Issues

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)

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed bills into law on Friday addressing mental health issues and school safety measures following multiple national school shootings and threats on state school campuses.

Gov. Polis signed Senate Bill 23-241, which will aid schools in preparing and preventing emergency and crisis situations through various training and supportive services and add a new state-level Office of School Safety, the bill states.

Today we are taking some important steps to help make Colorado one of the ten safest states and building upon the ongoing work to make Colorado communities safer, Governor Polis said in a statement.

Last year, I was proud to sign a comprehensive public safety plan of action into law to put Colorado on track to becoming one of the ten safest states in the nation, and this legislation today will improve public safety and reduce gun violence. I thank the bill sponsors for bringing this common-sense legislation to my desk.

Student leaders across Denver had called on lawmakers to improve school safety, as many campuses have experienced increased shooting threats or incidents in the 2022-23 school year, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis speaks at a news conference in Boulder, Colo., on Dec. 31, 2021. (Nathan Frandino/Reuters)

In response to such incidents, hundreds of Denver public school students marched to the Colorado Capitol in early April to testify in favor of gun reform, reported Colorado Newsline.

Democrat State Sen. Jeff Bridges said he has a personal connection with victims of gun violence in schools.

Kids cant learn when they dont feel safe, Bridges said in a statement.

I had a friend who hid in the choir room at Columbine for hours. A few years after I graduated from Arapahoe High School, Claire Davis was killed there, and Kendrick Castillo died protecting his classmates at the STEM school just steps outside of my district. School safety is deeply personal to me and my constituents, he said.

This bill dramatically expands the capabilities of our existing school safety programs, and puts them together so they have the collaboration, communication, and coordination they need to more effectively keep Colorado kids safe.

The Office of School Safety will provide students with a new Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program, which will provide grants of up to $100,000 for schools, community organizations, and local governments to address youth violence.

The new office will also provide emergency response resources for schools and the community.

Republican leaders have disagreed with the bill, saying it goes against Colorado residents right to defend themselves and makes neighborhoods even more unsafe.

Republican House leaders Gov Polis just signed FOUR Anti-2nd Amendment bills into law. This not only makes our communities LESS safe, but also lacks support by the public, as shown by the hundreds from around Colorado who expressed their opposition to HB1230. #coleg #copolitics, the Colorado House Republicans said via Twitter.

School Safety-Focused Effort

The governor also signed Senate Bill 23-70 into law, which requires school resource officers complete training from the Attorney Generals office on how to better utilize the state-run Safe2Tell service.

We know that while of course our school districts, our local police departments or sheriffs departments take school safety very seriously, we know that the state needs to step up and help, Gov. Polis said during the signing of the bill.

And what this bill does is were going to create a school safety-focused effort and office that will be responsive, help educate districts about best practicesreally up the bar on student safety across the state of Colorado.

Democrat Senator Chris Kolker, the sponsor of the bill, said the program will improve training for professionals who are helping support students.

As a parent, keeping our students and our schools safe is one of my top priorities, and the Safe2Tell program is a critical avenue for kids to report issues and concerns they are having in school or at home, Kolker said in a statement.

In order for the program to work best, the adults receiving this information must have the best training possible. This new law will ensure that school resource officers are well-equipped to handle these tough situations, and will make our schools and our communities safer as a result.
People who received COVID-19 vaccinations were more likely to develop Bells palsy than those given a placebo, according to a review of multiple studies.

The review, published in the JAMA Network journal on April 27, looked at whether rates of Bells palsy were different between those who received a COVID-19 vaccination and those who were given a placebo.

Bells palsy is a temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the face, with the condition usually improving after a few weeks. The condition has been reported as an adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. However, a causative relationship between the two has so far not been established. For the review, the researchers analyzed 50 studies.

In phase 3 trials of all four major vaccines that were approved and administered globally, the incidence of Bells palsy was found to be significantly higher in the vaccinated group compared to a placebo group, according to the review. The vaccines were manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca.

A placebo is a treatment that does not contain any active ingredients, and participants in the test did not know whether they received a vaccine or a placebo.

For the mRNA vaccine subgroup, there were significantly increased odds of Bells palsy in the vaccinated group compared with the placebo group  However, for the viral vector vaccine subgroup, the analysis yielded insignificant results, the review said.

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests a higher incidence of Bells palsy among SARS-CoV-2vaccinated vs placebo groups.

Observational Studies Find No Association

However, observational studies found no association between the mRNA vaccines and Bells palsy.

In the cohort studies, the analysis indicated no significant evidence of increased odds of Bells palsy in the vaccinated group compared with the unvaccinated group, the review concluded.

The review looked at eight observational studies that reported Bells palsy as an adverse event following Pfizer and Modernas first or second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Overall 13.5 million vaccinated individuals were compared to 13.5 million unvaccinated individuals.

When comparing 22.7 million individuals who received Pfizer vaccines against 22.9 million who received AstraZeneca vaccines, no significant difference was found regarding the odds of developing Bells palsy post-vaccination.

The team also compared 2.8 million individuals previously infected with COVID-19 against 37.9 million vaccinated individuals. The risk of developing Bells palsy after the infection was found to significantly surpass the risk of developing Bells palsy after vaccination. Infected individuals had a 3.23 times higher chance of Bells palsy than vaccinated people.

Dr. Meryl Nass, a board-certified internal medicine physician, biological warfare epidemiologist, and expert in anthrax, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement: I identified this as a side effect of the mRNA COVID vaccines when they rolled out, on Dec. 17, 2020, based on information provided at the VRBPAC meetings for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, 2020 respectively, referring to her blog post. VRBPAC is the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While the rate of Bells palsy after vaccination was said then to be consistent with the expected background rate, I found it to be much higher, Nass said.

She alleged that the Bells palsy side effect must have been obvious to the regulators even before the vaccines rolled out, but it could have been concealed from the public, even in legal documentation given to vaccine recipients under the formality of informed consent.

Medical Complications

In a study from January, researchers with the FDA stated that elderly people who took a Pfizer COVID-19 shot had a small but statistically significant elevation of Bells palsy post-vaccination. The study was conducted using Pfizers old booster shot, which is no longer available in the United States.

In addition to Bells palsy, COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to cause other medical issues.

In New Zealand, an analysis of health records showed that the Pfizer vaccine was tied to several adverse events.

Researchers found increased heart inflammation and a significant association between the vaccine and acute kidney injury among individuals aged 5 and older.

New Hampshire state Rep. Mike Belcher, a Republican, began suffering from ocular migraines after receiving a Pfizer vaccine in April 2021.

Just 12 hours after the shot, Belcher developed severe flu symptoms, and neurological symptoms manifested over the next few days. He started experiencing headaches, vision, memory, and balance problems.

I was hospitalized for maybe four days, and I was discharged with the diagnosis of protracted ocular migraines with some other names stacked on, Belcher told The Epoch Times. I had never had a migraine before, and at that point, I had a migraine for [about] 20-something days straight.
The largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States announced today the launch of the Coinbase International Exchange, expanding access to digital assets for institutional clients. The new venture follows regulatory approval from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), and the new exchange will initially offer Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures.

The Coinbase International Exchange is another step on our plans to scale globallygoing broad and deep, lighting up the mapfirst announced in May of 2022, Emmanuel Goh, Head of Coinbase International Exchange, told Decrypt in an email.

Unlike traditional futures, where buyers and sellers are obligated to execute the deal on a set date regardless of market conditions, perpetual futures dont have an expiration period, meaning that traders can hold their positions indefinitely.

Our international expansion drive will focus on high-bar regulatory jurisdictions, a Coinbase spokesperson told Decrypt in March. We remain focused on offering our products in a safe, compliant way, with sound risk management at the core.

Coinbase Is Speeding Up Plans to Expand Outside the US

Coinbase said it is committed to the U.S., but observed that countries worldwide are increasingly moving forward with responsible, crypto-forward regulatory frameworks as they attempt to position themselves as crypto hubs.

We would like to see the U.S. take a similar approach instead of regulation by enforcement, which has led to a disappointing trend for crypto development in the U.S., Coinbase said. The Coinbase International Exchange is an expansion, bringing the safest, most trusted name in crypto to the global market.

Coinbase said trades on the Coinbase International Exchange will be settled in USD Coin (USDC), and that the new exchange will have several security features, including real-time 24/7 risk management, dynamic margin requirements, and rigorous compliance standards.

Institutional clients in eligible non-US jurisdictions can also access the platform directly through an API, Coinbase said, although retail customers will not initially have access.

Story continues

As more and more markets are moving forward with regulatory frameworks to become crypto hubs, we believe the moment is right to launch this international exchange, Coinbase said.

Coinbase Responds to Wells Notice: SEC Risks Reputational Harm With Enforcement Action

Coinbase has been in a war of words with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and its chair Gary Gensler since the agency charged ex-Coinbase product manager Ishan Wahi and his brother Nikhil with insider trading in July 2022and hinted in a court filing that nine digital assets on the exchange were unregistered securities.

In April, Coinbase asked a federal court to compel the SEC to respond to its request for clearer regulations. Last week, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong took to Twitter to rally crypto community support for a campaign demanding clearer industry regulationssharing that he minted a Stand with Crypto NFT from the Zora marketplace.
Cruz, Comer Probe Whether Biden Admin Coordinated With Environmentalists on Gas Stove Ban Campaign

Senator Ted Cruz (R) addresses the Artemis II crew during a news conference held by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency at Ellington airport in Houston on April 3, 2023. (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images)

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) have accused a coalition of environmentalist groups of working with the Biden administration on a hidden pressure campaign to ban gas stoves.

A group of lawmakers, including Republicans and Democrats, have sought to block any potential bans on gas stoves after Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) member Richard Trumka Jr. raised the possibility of a ban during a December interview with the United States Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG). Two of the lawmakersCruz, the ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee, and Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committeehave gone further in investigating which groups may have coordinated with the Biden administration to promote a gas stove ban.

In March, Cruz sent letters to an environmental group called the Climate Imperative Foundation (CIF) and another environmental group called Rewiring America, requesting they describe what communications they may have had with the CPSC or the Biden White House regarding new gas stove regulations. Cruz also sent a similar set of questions to Consumer Reports, a product research and consumer advocacy organization that took a $375,000 payment from the CIF for the underlying research on an Oct. 4, 2022 article titled Is Your Gas Range a Health Risk?

In a set of April 26 letters, Cruz and Comer accused CIF, Rewiring America, and Consumer Reports of dodging Cruzs questions about whether they coordinated with the Biden administration or the CPSC to promote gas stove bans.

We look forward to your forthcoming prompt and complete response, Comer and Cruz told the three institutions.

Comers inclusion in the latest round of letters could compel more forthcoming responses from the three organizations, because he has subpoena power as a House committee chairman.

Consumer Reports told NTD News that it had received Cruz and Comers latest communication.

Consumer Reports is not advocating for a ban on gas stoves, a spokeswoman for the organization wrote in an emailed statement. Last year, CR tested gas stoves for emissions, and found high levels of nitrogen oxide in some scenarios. We advised people how to reduce the risks with ventilation, like opening a window or installing a range hood. We also offer the pros and cons of going electric. Our tests and results are always completely independent from any outside organization or influence.

NTD News reached out to CIF, Rewiring America, the CPSC, and the White House for comment, but none of these bodies had responded by the time this article was published.

Cruz Identifies CIF As Financier

Cruzs March letters appeared to identify CIF as a financial nexus for a number of groups that either researched health concerns related to gas stoves or platformed calls for banning or otherwise regulating such cooking appliances.

In his initial March letter to CIF, Cruz noted that the organization has opposed gas stoves for years. As one example, Cruz pointed out that CIF Executive Director Bruce Nilles co-authored a New York Times article in May of 2019 titled Your Gas Stove Is Bad for You and the Planet: To help solve the climate crisis, we need to electrify everything.

The Texas senator alleged that Rewiring Americas primary sponsor, The Windward Fund, received $400,000 from CIF in 2021. In a 2020 article announcing its launch, Rewiring America said it was established to address climate change and jump-start the economy by electrifying everythingpresumably including kitchen stoves.

Cruzs March letter to CIF also noted that the organization gave $300,000 to U.S. PIRG in 2021, before hosting Trumka on a webcast in which the CPSC commissioner said, We need to be talking about regulating gas stoves, whether that is drastically improving emissions, or banning gas stoves entirely. And I think we ought to keep that possibility of a ban in mind as we follow along, because its a powerful tool in our toolbox. Its a real possibility.

Cruz said CIF gave $942,000 and $1,100,000 to the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in 2020 and 2021, respectively. RMI helped produce a research report last year that claimed 12.7 percent of childhood asthma cases could be linked to gas stove use.

Cruz also said CIF gave $230,000 to the NYU School of Law in 2021 for a U.S. buildings initiative. The NYU law schools Institute for Policy Integrity published a report in April of 2022, titled The Emissions in the Kitchen, which describes how the CPSC can address the risks of indoor air pollution from gas stoves.

From NTD News
David Krayden: Beijings Intimidation of MPs Family Shows Regimes Arrogance and Years of Weakness From Ottawa

Conservative Foreign Affairs critic Michael Chong rises during question period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 14, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Commentary

Conservative MP Michael Chong has every right to be profoundly disappointed to discover his family in Hong Kong was under surveillance by communist China and the Trudeau government did nothing about it.

Another disconnect between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

Another example of incompetence, cowardice, and pusillanimity towards Chinathat country that Trudeau once praised as the basic dictatorship that can turn its economy around on a dime.

Its another reason to understand that China is perhaps the most arrogant regime in the world, considers itself superior to any diplomatic protocol and willlike all totalitarian regimes in historyalways ignore the rule of law when advancing its foreign policy.

And it will always exploit weakness.

Chong has been around the House of Commons for a long time, 19 years. Hes been in and out of political hot water over the years and those of us who have been watching him during this time would probably agree on one thing: Hes a man of principle.

The MP has also been a staunch critic of communist China and its chronic abuse of human rights: from Falun Gong adherents, to the Uyghurs in the present, and those untold millions that this brutal regime has murdered over its almost 75 years of enforced slavery.

That vocal opposition certainly earned him the umbrage of the Chinese regime, which has reportedly spied on Chongs family members in Hong Kong. That revelation, first reported by The Globe and Mail, came from CSIS, according to the media outlet.

CSIS is the same government agency where at least one whistleblower has privately testified that Beijing has been routinely interfering in Canadian elections and may have bought a Liberal minority government in 2021.

Chong responded to this report with a statement that blended disbelief and rage: I am profoundly disappointed to find out through a Globe and Mail report that the Trudeau government knew two years ago a PRC diplomat, working out of the consulate in Toronto, was targeting my family in Hong Kong, wrote Chong in a May 1 tweet.

The government did not inform me that a diplomat was targeting my family, nor did the government take any action to expel the diplomat responsible for orchestrating this intimidation campaign.

According to the Globe story, China sees Canada as a high-priority target and utilizes incentives and punishment as it threatens, intimidates, and attempts to subvert politicians, business leaders, and Chinese-Canadians.

CSIS reportedly said that China is the foremost perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada and that its agents operate with no fear of reprisals because Canada has no foreign-influence registry.

Although its not clear whether Trudeau or any other top-level cabinet members saw the CSIS report, it is hard to believe that no one was aware of it.

This was and is bombshell material.

The report is no secret anymore and dominated the May 1 question period in the House of Commons.

[Trudeaus] government produced a briefing note which exposed these threats to [Chongs] family two years ago, Official Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said.

And yet the diplomat that worked to punish a Canadian MPs family is still in Canada, when the prime minister could have expelled him. Why didnt he expel this diplomat?

Trudeau replied that he only acted after reading about the story in the media.

It is absolutely unacceptable for any Canadian to be subject to intimidation by a foreign power, particularly threats against family and against families of members of Parliament, he said.

Thats why as the reports came out this morning, I immediately asked officials to follow up on these reports and to get to the bottom of this.

What a joke, with Trudeau resorting to such a tired cliche of getting to the bottom of another example of overwhelming Chinese arrogance and malfeasance.

Has Trudeau attempted to get to the bottom of Chinas extermination of the Uyghurs? At the G-20 summit in Bali last November, one reporter asked him if herding this minority into concentration camps and working them to death constituted a genocide.

As Trudeau responded, he looked very much like an automaton reading prepared remarks from his Chinese masters.

The word genocide, acts of genocide are things to be taken incredibly seriously, he told reporters, his eyes looking every which way but at the journalist who asked the question.

We have objective, historical expert processes to put in place those words, those designations.  The designation of genocide needs to be made by proper international authorities.

At the same conference, Chinese dictator Xi Jinping gave Trudeau such a dressing down that the prime minister had to retreat to the mens room, either to relieve himself or throw up.

This latest report of Chinese hectoring should make all Canadians want to throw up. But as we should have learned from history, roll over for a dictatorship and it will just continue to kick you on the ground.

Michael Chong understands that.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
When faced with a life-changing decision, remember what truly matters

What is the most important thing? From the time I entered the engineering profession, my primary goal was to rise into the partnership of a major design firm. My steps forward were in every sense methodical. I sat for both professional examinations as early as I could. I finished both exams early and passed both on the first try in an industry in which most people failed at least once. I became a registered professional engineer at the age of 27.

Every few years, I stepped up the ladder, rising from draftsman to designer to team leader to lead designer supervising multiple people to department head in charge of land development for a firm handling hundreds of millions of dollars of construction annually.

My big break came at age 45, when I was offered a promotion to senior associate that would have put me in the partnership four years later. This was the opportunity I had sought my entire career and should have been an easy choice. Nevertheless, such a life-changing decision required counting the cost.

I had watched the partners closely for the eight years of my employment there. They worked harder than any of us. They treated us well and always shared the wealth regarding salaries and bonuses. Under their leadership, we provided our clients outstanding service. I admired and respected all of them. Yet there were things about each of their lives that caused me to question the wisdom of joining their ranks.

The long and the short of my concerns revolved around their work weeks of 70-plus hours, never being able to leave the job at the office. None of them seemed to have a life other than work. It was evident their family relationships suffered for it. Although not one was divorced, some of their adult kids were lacking in basic life skills, at least partially due to inadequate guidance from their fathers.

According to Frank Monti, the hardest choice he ever had to make was to decline a promotion, but in hindsight, he knows it was the right one. (Biba Kayewich)

In contrast, although I was one of their hardest-working employees, my work weeks usually ranged from 50 to 55 hours, never exceeding 57 hours. I had an exceptionally happy marriage of more than 20 years at that point and was a highly involved father to my three kids.

So I needed to make a choice. I wanted that promotion so bad I could taste it. I am convinced that I had the skills to succeed all the way to president of the company had I accepted it. However, after much thought and prayer, I knew the cost would be too great.

Today, I still have an exceptionally happy marriage of more than half a century to the same woman, which wouldnt be nearly as strong if I had spent every waking moment on the job. My relationship with my now-adult kids is strong and loving, and they have all developed their life skills to their various potentials given positive parental influence.

Had I been too distracted to help raise the youngest, our problem child, she would likely have gone too far off the deep end to save, and her mother, my bride, would have suffered terribly trying to parent her without me. Today, although that problem child did stray for a time, she is now coming back to the value systems that we taught her. And it goes without saying that I am tremendously proud of all three of them.

To paraphrase what I said to one of the partners at the time, the hardest decision that I ever made was to decline their offer of promotion. I continued at that office as a department head for another eight years, and I still admire those partners and the ones who followed them. I understand that someone must do that job.

There will always be a part of me that wishes I could have accepted that promotion. But even now, more than 25 years later, I know in my heart that it wouldnt have been a good decision. It would have cost me dearly, and Im exceedingly glad to have chosen my family over my career goals. For anyone in the midst of a life-changing decision, I encourage you to understand your own most important thing before making it.

Frank M. Monti, North Carolina
Dehumanizing Tech: New AI System Converts Thoughts Into Text

An AI robot titled "Alter 3: Offloaded Agency," is pictured during a photocall to promote the forthcoming exhibition entitled "AI: More than Human", at the Barbican Centre in London on May 15, 2019. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system capable of reading peoples thoughts by measuring brain activity and converting it into texta development that triggers worries about privacy and freedom.

The study (pdf), published in the journal Nature Neuroscience on May 1, used a transformer model, similar to the one that powers OpenAIs ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot, to decode peoples thoughts. A transformer model is a neural network that learns context, and thus meaning. Test subjects initially listened to hours of podcasts and the brain activity was recorded. The researchers then trained the decoder on these recordings. Later, the subjects listened to a new story or imagined telling a story, which allowed the decoder to generate corresponding text by analyzing brain activity.

Researchers trained the decoders on three subjects. Because our decoder represents language using semantic features rather than motor or auditory features, the decoder predictions should capture the meaning of the stimuli, said the study.

Results show that the decoded word sequences captured not only the meaning of the stimuli but often even exact words and phrases.

Technologies capable of reading peoples thoughts can be beneficial for individuals who have lost their ability to communicate physically. However, they raise concerns about privacy and loss of freedom.

In a March 17 interview with MIT Technology Review, Nita Farahany, a futurist and legal ethicist at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, warned that brain data collection can be used by governments and other powers for nefarious purposes.

An authoritarian government having access to it could use it to try to identify people who dont show political adherence, for example. Thats a pretty quick and serious misuse of the data. Or trying to identify people who are neuroatypical, and discriminate against or segregate them, Farahany said.

In a workplace, the tech can be used in the dehumanization of employees by forcing them to subject themselves to neuro surveillance.

The problem comes if its used as a mandatory tool, and employers gather data to make decisions about hiring, firing, and promotions. They turn it into a kind of productivity score. Then I think it becomes really insidious and problematic. It undermines trust  and can make the workplace dehumanizing.

Non-Invasive Tech, Addressing Privacy Issues

Unlike other language decoding systems that are in development at present, the one developed by researchers in the May 1 study is non-invasive and does not require subjects to get surgical transplants.

Alex Huth, an assistant professor of neuroscience and computer science at UT Austin who led the study, called the results a real leap forward for non-invasive brain readings.

Were getting the model to decode continuous language for extended periods of time with complicated ideas, said Huth, according to a May 1 news release. The decoded results are not word-for-word transcripts. Instead, they capture the gist of what a subject is thinking.

To address worries regarding privacy, the researchers tested the decoders to see if they can be trained without a persons cooperation. The team tried to decode perceived speech from test subjects using decoders trained on data from other subjects.

Decoders trained on cross-subject data performed barely above chance and significantly worse than decoders trained on within-subject data. This suggests that subject cooperation remains necessary for decoder training, the study said.

Researchers also confirmed that decoders trained with a persons cooperation cannot be used to identify the thoughts of that individual should the person consciously resist it. Tactics like thinking about animals or quietly imagining stories can prevent the system from reading thoughts.

A person needs to spend up to 15 hours lying in an MRI scanner, being perfectly still, and paying good attention to stories that theyre listening to before this really works well on them, Huth said.

Jerry Tang, a co-author of the study, believes that while the technology is in early stages, governments should seek to enact policies that protect people and their privacy. Regulating what these devices can be used for is also very important.
Democrat Bill Rewards States for Releasing Prisoners Back Into Communities

Two Democrat lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at reducing the population of incarcerated individuals in the country while also providing grants to states that achieve such objectives.

The Smart Sentencing Adjustments Act would provide states with funds to study the drivers of incarceration and reduce prison populations. States that demonstrate a 20 percent reduction in their prison population over a three-year period will be granted $2 billion over 10 years, according to an April 27 press release of the legislation introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.).

The Smart Sentencing Adjustments Act seeks to prohibit states from enacting overly punitive sentencing laws that do not have evidence-based effects on crime, such as mandatory minimum rules or truth-in-sentencing statutes, during the grant period.

The act also provides grants to organizations led by formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as entities that primarily serve people with a history of being convicted or arrested.

More than 1.2 million people are imprisoned in state and federal facilities, with local jails housing an additional 636,000 people, according to the release.

Data have shown that there is no compelling public safety justification for nearly 40 percent of the prison population to remain incarcerated.

For example, the average sentence of the nearly 66,000 prisoners whose most severe crime was drug possession was over one year. These individuals would be better rehabilitated through treatment or other alternatives.

States will save an estimated $20 billion annually and around $200 billion in 10 years by adjusting the sentences of individuals who do not pose a risk to public safety. Our nation holds the shameful distinction of being the worlds largest jailer, said Booker.

Mass incarceration has caused immense harm by tearing families apart, wasting billions of taxpayer dollars, exacerbating racial disparities, and stripping those who are ready to return to their communities of the opportunity to do so.

Rising Crime Rate

The U.S. crime rate has been rising for at least a decade. According to an analysis of FBI data by research firm SafeHome, violent crime in American cities rose by 12 percent on average between 2010 and 2020. During this period, murder, rape, and aggravated assault rose by 25 percent or more.

In small cities with a population between 100,000 and 249,999, the murder rate surged by over 80 percent in these 10 years.

During an April 7 hearing of the House Judiciary Committee, Republican members attributed rising crime in the United States primarily to soft-on-crime policies of Democrat district attorneys (DAs) funded by billionaire financier George Soros.

Huge amounts of money from George Soros go to a PAC, which then goes to fund these very left-wing DAs that quite normally would never win, said Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.). And thats the issue. The issue is that theyre taking the prosecutors office and making it purely political.

Even worse than that, theyre making the prosecutors office an office that doesnt protect, fight for, or stand up for American victims and victims in the city of New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, and many other places. Its wrongits actually evil. Bad people should be in jail.

Rising Crime in California

Bookers and Cardenass proposed legislation comes as their states are witnessing rising crime rates. In New Jersey, Bookers home state, the homicide rate jumped from 3 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 3.7 in 2020, an increase of over 23 percent.

In Cardenass home state of California, homicides grew by 7.2 percent in 2021 from 2020 while the violent crime rate rose by 6.7 percent during this period.

In an interview with EpochTV in October, Vern Pierson, district attorney of El Dorado County in Northern California, said that the crime wave in the state is driven by well-intentioned but misguided policies aimed at reforming the criminal justice system.

State laws like Proposition 47 and Proposition 57 undermine law enforcement and prosecution while allowing criminal activities to go undeterred, he said. Proposition 47, passed in 2014, made changes to the states sentencing law by downgrading certain theft and drug offenses to misdemeanors from felonies.

If you tell people you are not going to hold them accountable for their actions, theres a consequence for that, Pierson said. And the consequence is increased crime.
Democrats, Republicans Battle Over Supreme Court Ethics Questions in Senate Hearing

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on March 1, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee traded accusations on Tuesday as they debated whether to impose new ethical requirements on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The debate centered around whether the court should be required to provide more detailed financial disclosures or implement stricter guidelines for when a justice must recuse themselves from hearing a case.

The Senate hearing comes as Democratic lawmakers have called for Justice Clarence Thomas to be investigatedor even impeachedfollowing a report detailing gifts and paid vacations he accepted over the years from a wealthy personal friend, Harlan Crow. Its not clear that Crow was directly connected to any cases that came before the court, and Thomas has denied any wrongdoing.

We are here today because the Supreme Court is playing out of bounds of the ethics rules for federal judges, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said at the start of the hearing on Tuesday.

Whitehouse, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committees panel on federal courts, raised accusations that the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia went on numerous hunting trips. While Scalia listed these trips as occasions encompassing personal hospitality, Whitehouse claimed that gun industry advocates, fossil fuel folks, and Republican political figures often tagged along.

Whitehouse then noted Justice Thomass interactions with Harlan Crow, and accused Thomas of failing to recuse himself from election-related cases while his wife, Virginia Thomas, supported Republican challenges to the 2020 election resultsbehavior which Whitehouse termed insurrection activities.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) pushed back against the Democrats on the committee on Tuesday, alleging that they have been working with their allies in the news media in a broad campaign to delegitimize the Supreme Court of the United States because they are angry that there are a majority of constitutionalists on the court and, in a more specific campaign, to attack Justice Thomas because he is a conservative African American.

Cruz also noted instances of liberal justices on the Supreme Court taking gifts and paid vacations without disclosing them. As one example, Cruz stated that the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg took 157 vacation trips during her time on the Supreme Court, including 28 international trips. Cruz said that retired liberal Justice Stephen Breyer took 233 trips, including repeated trips paid for by the billionaire Pritzker family, which has deep ties to the Democratic Party.

The New York Times has not had an expose about Stephen Breyer, Cruz told NTD News after the hearing on Tuesday. The New York Times has not had an expose about Sonia Sotomayor. The New York Times has not had an expose over Ruth Bader Ginsburgbecause they agree with them. This is a political descent into the gutter.

Responding to Republican criticisms that Tuesdays hearing was about delegitimizing the Supreme Court over its perceived conservative leaning in recent rulings, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said the real issue is about whether or not the court should adopt a code of ethics.

Shouldnt the Supreme Court have a code of ethics? Thats it, thats the issue, Hirono told NTD News on Tuesday. And regardless of what motives or anything else that the Republicans keep throwing up, the issue remainsshouldnt there be transparency regarding ethics?

Hawley Says SCOTUS Funding At Stake

During Tuesdays hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) accused Democrats of threatening to withhold security for Supreme Court justices if they did not accept Democrats demands for revised ethics rules.

In a letter (pdf) sent in early April, 15 Democratic senatorsincluding Whitehouse, Hirono, and other members of the Senate Judiciary Committeesuggested using Congress appropriations power as a means of compelling the Supreme Court to adopt stricter ethics rules.

In the absence of [the Supreme Courts willingness to accept new ethics rules], Congress has broad authority to compel the Supreme Court to institute these reforms, which would join other requirements already legislatively mandated, the April 2 letter reads. And Congresss appropriations power is one tool for achieving these changes.

The Democrats letter states that federal courts have advised Congress that it can withhold funds during disputes with a recalcitrant executive branch that wont comply with Congressional demands.

Nothing in the Constitution mandates that the judiciary be treated any differently when Congress is faced with judicial recalcitrance, the letter from the 15 Democrats states.

Hawley noted that the 15 Democratic senators issued this statement at a time when the Supreme Court has faced violent threats, including an alleged assassination attempt. In June of last year, a California man was arrested near Justice Kavanaughs home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, after he notified police that he intended to harm or kill Kavanaugh. The man, 26-year-old Nicholas John Roske, was arrested shortly thereafter. Police found a pistol, ammunition, a speed loader, a chest rig, a belly band holster, a black face mask, burglary tools, and other items in his possession at the time of his arrest.

In March of this year, the judiciary asked for additional security funding.

Hawley rebuked Democrats for suggesting denying funding to the Supreme Court over their demands for new ethics rules.

11 Democrats, including most members of this committee, have signed a letter  calling for the Justicess security appropriationsthe money to keep them safe, the security around their houses, the security of the Supreme Courtto have that withdrawn unless they do what the Democrats want, Hawley told NTD News. If that isnt an assault on the independence of the judiciary, I dont know what is.

From NTD News
Democrats Say Supreme Court Should Adopt Code of Conduct as Republicans Allege Partisan Attack

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) greets University of Virginia School of Law Professor Amanda Frost (L) before she testifies before the committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 2, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Democrats told a tense oversight hearing that the Supreme Court must adopt a code of conduct governing justices behavior or Congress will impose one on them, while Republicans pushed back, saying Democrats have manufactured a phony ethics crisis to justify clamping down on the conservative-led court.

Discussion at the May 2 hearing largely centered on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a conservative jurist recently revealed to have taken luxurious vacations provided by wealthy Republican donor Harlan Crow without publicly disclosing them. Democrats say the gifts in themselves are proof of corruption, but legal experts say Thomas did nothing wrong in not disclosing the vacations, which he was advised didnt have to be reported. Legal experts also point out that there was no conflict of interest because Crow didnt have any business before the Supreme Court.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) had invited Chief Justice John Roberts, whos both the presiding justice of the nations high court and head overseer of the federal judiciary, to testify at the hearing in person, but Roberts declined the invitation, saying his attendance could harm the independence of the judiciary.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said at the hearing that it was judicial malpractice for Roberts to skip the committee hearing.

Robertss letter (pdf) replying to Durbin included a Statement on Ethics, Principles, and Practices signed by all nine Supreme Court justices in which they reiterated that they voluntarily follow the rules established by the Judicial Conference of the United States, a body created by Congress.

Legal experts say it isnt clear that theyre required to do so. Although theyre members of the federal judiciary, Supreme Court justices enjoy a level of independence that the rest of the federal judiciary doesnt. This is because the Supreme Court has a special status because it was created by the U.S. Constitution, not by Congress. Legal experts say this means that only the Supreme Court can regulate the internal workings of the Supreme Court.

Durbin slammed the court.

We are here today because the Supreme Court of the United States of America does not consider itself bound by these rules, he said.

This is not the ordinary course of business, nor should it be a standard for those of us in public service. We wouldnt tolerate this from a city council member or any alderman. It falls short of ethical standards we expect of any public servant in America, and yet the Supreme Court wont even acknowledge its a problem.

If the court will not act, Congress must, Durbin said.

He also said he was troubled by the suggestion that testifying to this committee would somehow infringe on the separation of powers or threaten judicial independence.

In fact, answering legitimate questions from the peoples representatives is one of the checks and balances that helps preserve the separation of powers, Durbin said.

Former Judge Michael Luttig, who was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit by former President George H.W. Bush, filed a written statement with the committee.

Luttig said Congress indisputably has the power under the Constitution to enact laws prescribing the ethical standards applicable to the nonjudicial conduct and activities of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Amanda Frost, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, told the committee that Congress needs to regulate the Supreme Court.

In recent years, justices have repeatedly violated laws regulating judicial ethics, Frost said.

Recurring ethics violations by some justices, combined with the courts failure to address these problems  demand a congressional response.

The Constitution grants Congress the authority to legislate on matters of judicial administration and ethics, and such legislation will strengthen the judicial branch. In light of the Supreme Courts failure to take action, Congress must step in to protect the justices from themselves.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), ranking Republican member on the committee, said the newfound interest in Supreme Court ethics is part of an unseemly effort by the Democratic left to attack the legitimacy of the court that has become more conservative in recent years.

This is not going to work, Graham said.

While committee Democrats accused conservative justices of ethical shortcomings at the hearing, Republicans said Democrats are leading a witch hunt against the conservative-dominated court. Republicans highlighted purported ethical lapses by liberal justices, said the U.S. Constitution doesnt allow lawmakers to regulate the justices behavior, and accused Democrats of undermining the justices personal security by cheering on angry mobs. Republicans also faulted U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for not enforcing a federal law that prohibits picketing at the homes of justices, saying his refusal to act is endangering the justices and their families.

Republicans said threats against the Supreme Court have escalated since the May 2022 leak of the draft majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, finding that there was no constitutional right to abortion and returning regulation of abortion to the states.

The leak was followed by months of raucous protests at the homes of the conservative justices in Maryland and Virginia, targeted harassment of justices in public by left-wing activists, and angry words in Congress. One man was arrested and charged with plotting to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Republicans also repeatedly said at the hearing that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) put the justices lives in danger on March 4, 2020, when he harangued the court at a pro-abortion rights rally outside the courthouse.

Schumer promised unspecified retribution against conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh should they vote to uphold the law then under challenge, a Louisiana statute that required abortionists to have hospital admitting privileges close to where the procedure takes place.

Theyre taking away fundamental rights, Schumer said as the case was being argued inside. I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind!

And you will pay the price! You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.

Roberts released a statement later that same day condemning Schumers remarks.

Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous, Roberts said. All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said at the hearing that the left was engaged in a thuggish shakedown.

Nice Supreme Court youve got there, America. Sure would be a shame if something happened to it, Lee said, expressing his interpretation of Schumers 2020 speech.

The truth is the left simply disagrees with his decisions  and they obviously cant persuade the American people to adopt their radical policies through legislation, so theyre attempting to destroy the courts credibility and intimidate the Republican-appointed justices and their families, starting with Justice Thomas.

Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, told the committee that Democrats concerns about the ethics of the Supreme Court were overblown.

It is impossible to escape the conclusion that the public is being asked to hallucinate misconduct so as to undermine the authority of justices who issue rulings with which these critics disagree, and thus to undermine the authority of the rulings themselves, Mukasey said.
I cut my finger on the metal capsule covering the cork while opening a wine bottle the other day, so I washed the wound, put some vaseline on it, and, lacking a band-aid, I used a small piece of scotch tape.

The previous sentence is a fundamental illustration of why brand names are so vital to most corporations and how difficult it is for them to protect their brands from genericization. All three products listed in the first paragraph above are brand names and should be capitalized.

As should the word Champagne, because it is a place name in France and as such is protected from anyone else using it to market another product. Champagne, strictly speaking, may only come from Champagne.

Which is why 2,352 cans of beer were destroyed a week ago in Belgium. The beer was Miller High Life, a brand of U.S.-produced beer owned by Molson Coors Beverage Co. It is not marketed in Europe by Molson Coors.

The beer that was destroyed in Belgium had been ordered by someone there. His or her identity was not divulged by customs officials.

Molson Coors was happy to have the beer destroyed because the product carries the phrase The Champagne of Beers, a phrase that violates European Union rules that say that certain place names, such as Champagne, are off limits.

This includes wine place names like Bordeaux, Port, Rhine, Beaujolais, and numerous others associated with unique wine districts. Many place names are verboten outside of their own districts.

It works the same way for many other products around the world whose owners might be tempted to use protected place names. Assume that a town in the Duchy of Grand Fenwick named itself Napa and decided to put out a wine using that name. It wouldnt fly.

Champagne is the most obvious wine example of genericization. As with all brand names that eventually become generic, almost all Americans call every bottle of wine that has bubbles champagne. I have even heard people who are serving the Italian bubbly prosecco call it champagne, which it surely is not.

Which is why the first paragraph of this article was wrong. I intentionally didnt capitalize the three terms as examples of how brands can be used as generic terms, like the phrase, Ill have a coke when the requester simply wants a cola.

Band-Aid is a brand of adhesive bandage that was developed 103 years ago and is distributed by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson. There are plenty of other companies making adhesive bandages. The only Band-Aid product is made by Johnson & Johnson.

Chemist Robert Chesebrough formulated a petroleum jelly now called by the brand name Vaseline in the 1870s. The brand is now owned by Unilever.

In the 1930s, Richard Drew, an engineer at 3M, developed what his company later called Scotch Tape. That term has been widely used generically for many yearsmuch to the companys dismay.

Styrofoam, to use another example, is a DuPont brand of polystyrene foam, The term should never be used without a capital S. DuPont rigidly protects this name from being used generically.

Whoever ordered the Miller High Life beer in Belgium may not have realized that the brews slogan would end up costing more than 2,000 cans, along with the loss shipping costs.

It is, however, clear evidence that corporations are extremely protective of their brand images.

Wine of the Week

2021 Chateau Marjosse, Bordeaux Blanc ($16): A completely dry white wine from Bordeaux may not be the most common alternative for most Americans, but this fascinating blend of 45 percent semillon and 35 percent sauvignon blanc is dry and aimed at serving with shrimp, ceviche, and other delicate seafood. Best served cool, not ice cold. From French wine producer Pierre Lurton.
Downing Street Commends Falun Gong for 24-Year Appeal Against CCP Persecution

Representatives of the UK Falun Dafa Association read support letters from politicians at a rally for the 24th anniversary of a peaceful protest, in London on April 29, 2023. (Zoe Wang/The Epoch Times)

Downing Street has praised adherents of Falun Gong for the groups commendable achievement as practitioners in the UK commemorated the 24th anniversary of a peaceful appeal in Beijing.

A number of politicians also expressed support for the group, which has been a target of suppression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for over two decades.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline that promotes the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

Originating in mainland China in 1992, Falun Gong attracted some 70 million practitioners, according to CCP estimates, before former Chinese regime leader Jiang Zemin turned the party apparatus against the practice.

According to the accounts of U.S. journalist Danny Schechter, on April, 25, 1999, around 10,000 to 15,000 Falun Gong practitioners gathered around Zhongnanhai, the CCP leadership compound in Beijing, in a peaceful appeal after riot police in nearby Tianjin used violence and arrested 45 practitioners who protested over a derogatory article.

Falun Gong has previously said the groups intended location was the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration office, which was located beside Zhongnanhai.

Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners line up on the street outside Zhongnanhai, the seat of power of Chinas central government in Beijing, in a peaceful protest on April 25, 1999. (Goh Chai Hin / AFP via Getty Images)

The silent appeal seemed to have had a happy ending after then-Premier Zhu Rongji spoke to a number of representatives and ordered the release of arrested practitioners, but three months later, the CCP formally launched a campaign aimed at eradicating Falun Gong in three months.

Since then, adherents who refuse to denounce their belief have been subject to harassment, exclusion from education or employment, detention, torture, and killing, sometimes by forced organ harvesting.

An independent peoples tribunal chaired by prominent British barrister and judge Sir Geoffrey Nice, KC in 2019 found that adherents of Falun Gong had been and continued to be the main group of victims killed for their organs. Evidence also pointed to forced organ harvesting from Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in recent years.

In a letter sent to Wei Liu, director of the UK Falun Dafa Association, Downing Street said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appreciates the kind gesture of an invitation to attend a commemorative event on April 29.

It is a commendable achievement for the Falun Gong practitioners to uphold their practice in such a way and I would like to extend my congratulations for their peaceful appeal to have reached 24 years, the letter reads.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to the media in Rochdale, England, on April 3, 2023. (Phil Noble  Pool/Getty Images)

Letters from a number of cross-party politicians were also read at the rally in London.

Conservative MP Fiona Bruce, vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Freedom of Religion or Belief, extended her heartfelt compassion for the unjust situation in which Falun Gong practitioners have found themselves in.

She said the APPG stands with the group in its campaign for the right to practice Falun Gong without fear and in peace.

No one should lose a job, miss out on education, be imprisoned, tortured, even killed, simply on account of their religion or belief, she wrote.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch said the Chinese regimes treatment of Falun Gong can safely be described as evil, and encouraged the group to keep fighting for their rights.

Shabana Mahmood, Labour MP and a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said she supports all parliamentary debates in China issues, including the persecution of the Falun Gong, and will continue to monitor the issue closely.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said its deeply shocking to read about the sheer scale of the human rights abuses Falun Gong practitioners have suffered, and said she doesnt believe the UK government is doing enough to object and apply pressure to the CCP.

Bob Doris, a member of the Scottish Parliament, said, The repression and denial of basic civil liberties that have been perpetrated by the Chinese state has been well documented.

These crimes are an ongoing moral and ethical scandal, the Scottish National Party member said.

Doris said the UK government and other democracies must take whatever steps they can to identify and challenge those responsible for persecution, arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trials, torture, summary executions, and forced organ harvesting.
Efforts to Ban China From Purchasing Tennessee Land Draw Politicians Across the Aisle

Democrats concerned of unintended consequences to Nashville's large Kurdish community

A law that will prohibit sanctioned foreign entities and nonresident aliens from property ownership in Tennessee is headed to Gov. Bill Lee for signature, after mostly bipartisan passage in the state legislature.

The bill originally did not include the sanctioned language, but was added through amendments. The first version of the bill stated a foreign business, government, nonresident alien, and agents of such groups could not purchase land in Tennessee if their own country prohibited the U.S. citizens from purchasing real property in that country.

Concerns by Democrats in the legislature were brought up that included possible unintended consequences it could have on the large Kurdish community in the Nashville area, which is home to the largest Kurdish community in North America.

The sanctioned countries that will fall under the amended law are those on the U.S. Department of the Treasurys sanctions programs and country information list, per the legislation.

The list details sanctions that are either comprehensive or selective, with entire countries on the list or certain entities related to a country. Comprehensive sanction examples on the list as of April 27 include Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Somalia while more specific examples include Chinese military companies, counter-terrorism, and Russian harmful foreign activities sanctions.

The Debate

Republican state Rep. Jason Zachary said the bill was about protecting farmland in Tennessee from adversaries of the United States from taking hold of Tennessee land.

The intent of this piece of legislation is to ensure that the communist Chinese government and their foreign businesses cannot come into Tennessee and continue to buy our agricultural land, he said. The Department of Agriculture currently has its latest report which [shows] the Chinese currently own 384,000 Acres of agricultural land. That is up from 192,000 acres in 2019. This piece of legislation addresses a national security threat. It ensures the agricultural land of the state of Tennessee is not owned by our enemies.

The Tennessee state capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 31, 2018. (FaceMePLS via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0)

State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, a Nashville Democrat, questioned whether the bill would prevent Kurdish Americans in Nashville from purchasing land in the future if the Kurdish population were ever sanctioned.

State Rep. Jay Reedy, the Republican sponsor of the bill, said he was not entirely sure but that enforcement would be under the control of the Tennessee Secretary of State.

If we go into the future and the Kurdish population that are here, and of course thats where a lot of the folks who came and fought or served in our military are working towards getting their citizenshipthis would not prevent them from owning property, Reedy said. But as far as maybe in the future, its a good question. I dont have an answer.

Clemmons, an attorney, said the lack of clear answers made him unsupportive of the bill.

Therein lies the problem and [Rep. Reedy] I dont know that youre intending to do anything harmful heremy problem therein lies with the ambiguity of the bill itself and whether or not it will unintentionally do harm to refugees and immigrants that several of us in this room have the pleasure of representing, Clemmons said.

Reedy, in consultation with the Republican Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth, said they had briefly discussed the questions with legal teams after the question was brought up on the House floor.

Those folks that are here legally in this country, were not going after those folks,  Reedy said.

More Democratic Opposition

Other Democrats spoke before the vote, saying the bill could have unintended consequences and even calling the bill immoral.

My fear, along with what Representative Powell and Representative Clemmons have said, are the unintended consequences of your bill, state Rep. Bo Mitchell, a Nashville Democrat, said. Afghani translators that saved many American lives  the Kurds. Ive got a huge population of Kurds in my district as well. The unintended consequences of your bill are going to hurt people that have saved American lives.

Mitchell added he didnt know if some of those refugees came to the Nashville area to escape some totalitarian regimes to have a better life, adding he wanted the bill amended to do what the sponsor intended without harming these other people.

He then asked for the bill to be rolled to later in the days calendar for more questions to be answered and possible amendments made, but that request failed.

State Rep. Justin Jones, another Nashville Democrat, who was also expelled weeks earlier by the chamber for violations of decorum rules, said the bill would impact people already in Tennessee trying to make a livingadding he did not believe it was a moral bill.

He continued by stating he was troubled by the direction of the House and called for support for a multi-racial democracy, before calling the bill shameful.

The bill passed 7218, with six Democrats crossing party lines to vote yes on the bill. As of Tuesday, May 2, the bill had not yet been transmitted to Lees office for signature.

Tennessee has taken strategic steps to secure our state and protect against foreign threats, and the Governor commends the legislature for prioritizing this important issue, Lees press secretary Jade Byers told The Epoch Times in an email. As always, the Governor will review final legislation when it reaches his desk, but he intends to sign the bill.
Crypto exchange Coinbase is being sued for the unauthorized collection and improper use of customers biometric data and for violating Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, according to a lawsuit filed yesterday with a District Court in California.

Plaintiff Michael Massel is seeking $5,000 in damages for every intentional and reckless violation of Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and a further $1,000 for each other violation his legal team can find.

The suit alleges that Coinbases collection of biometric data through its Know Your Customer (KYC) practicesin this case, fingerprints and facial scanswere unlawfully obtained, used, stored and disseminated.

According to BIPA rules, a company wishing to collect biometric data has to inform a person in writing that such data is being obtained, including the specific purpose and length of term for which the data will be stored.

Written consent is also required from the customer and the company has to publish publiclyavailable written retention schedules and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information.

The suit argues Coinbase does none of the above when collecting customers biometric data both before and after creating new accounts.

Coinbase Asks Court to Force SEC to Clarify Crypto Regulations

According to the suit, Coinbase had no legal right to collect and store the data, so the facial recognition data collected prior to opening an account should have been destroyed after the customers accounts were opened, as should the fingerprint data whenever customers log out.

Furthermore, the suit claims that Coinbase collects biometric data to further enhance Coinbase and its online app-based platform and in doing so, wrongfully profits from the data.

Lastly, the suit alleges that Coinbase disclosed, redisclosed, or otherwise disseminated Plaintiffs biometric information to numerous third parties including, but not limited to, Jumio Corporation, Onfido, Inc., Au10tix LTD, Solaris AG, and Liquid Co., Ltd.

Story continues

Decrypt has reached out to Coinbase for comment and will update this article should we receive a response.

Coinbases other legal challenges

Coinbase is also taking heat from U.S. regulators pursuing what the industry describes as a regulation-by-enforcement strategy, whereby agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) prefer to serve up lawsuits and legal threats rather than draft new guidelines for the still-nascent industry.

Earlier this year, the SEC alleged that the staking services offered by exchanges like Kraken and Coinbase were unregistered securities and began a crackdown against them, issuing the former with a $30 million fine and the latter with a Wells Notice.

The hostile climate appears to be driving Coinbasea publicly traded U.S. companyfurther offshore.

Last month the exchange announced it received a license to operate in Bermuda and is in talks with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FRSA), a regulator of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)a crypto-friendly free economic zone in the territory of UAEabout the potential of opening a regulated exchange there.
Equity and the Race to the Bottom

Commentary

Over the last few years, the rallying cry of woke activists has become Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (often abbreviated to DEI). There is little reason to object to such principles on the surface. After all, America was founded on the principle that all people are created equal. Unfortunately, the meaning of words can change over time.

Rather than the Founders vision of equal opportunity for all, the use of the word equity today denotes equal outcomes for all. The implementation of this equity agenda, however well-intentioned, will lead to terrible consequences.

One of the prophets who warned us about the dangers of this understanding of equity was the great twentieth-century novelist Kurt Vonnegut. In his 1961 short story, Harrison Bergeron, Vonnegut imagined a society with perfect equity. Nobody was smarter than anybody else, the narrator says. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else.

As Vonnegut shows, a society looking to equalize outcomes for all citizens is no utopiait is instead a nightmarish horror. The only way to guarantee equal results is to handicap everyone so that they perform at the lowest common level. In the terrifying world of Harrison Bergeron, for instance, the government burdens ballerinas with sashweights and bags of birdshot so they cannot move more beautifully than anyone else.

The push for equity in American society today resembles Vonneguts dystopiabut nowhere more dangerously than in the education system.

At the university level, DEI bureaucracies have grown to absurd sizes, and they dominate much of campus life. A 2021 Heritage Foundation report found 163 DEI personnel at the University of Michigan, 94 at the University of Virginia, and 94 at Ohio State, 86 at the University of California Berkeley, 83 at Virginia Tech, and 80 at Stanford (where Associate Dean for DEI Tirien Steinbach was recently put on leave for galvanizing an unruly protest by confronting a U.S. circuit judge who was trying to deliver a campus lecture).

In a growing number of K-12 schools across the country, such as at Culver City High School in the Los Angeles area, honors classes are being eliminated so as not to perpetuate inequality. Proponents of this idea say that some students can still obtain an honors label by doing extra work.

But more often than not, teachers are simply slowing down instruction for everyone. Students are increasingly taught at the lowest common denominator rather than being challenged to do their best. As one student recently told the Wall Street Journal, There are some people who slow down the pace because they dont really do anything and arent looking to try harder.

Current DEI regulations at the federal and state level, as well-intentioned as these regulations may be, are fostering this approach and handicapping our education system. For example, the Department of Educations 2022 Equity Agency Plan goes so far as to connect DEI policies directly to federal funding for local schools. In their pursuit of ensuring equity, ideologues are killing opportunity for Americas students.

The American Dream is that all citizens will have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals based on their individual talents and hard work. The Declaration of Independence does not guarantee happiness to every citizenit only guarantees the pursuit of happiness.

But the pursuit of the modern idea of equity rather than true equality is simply a race to the bottom. Socialist regimes in Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, and so many other places show that radical egalitarianism simply does not work. America is more successful than these failed experiments because we cling to the principle of equality rightly understood. We cannot let that slip away.

The good news is that many parents are mobilizing against far-left excesses. At the ballot box, school board meetings, and even at the dinner table, parents are standing up and saying enough is enough. They do not want to sacrifice academic excellence for grand social experiments. They want their kids to become educated and ambitious, not indoctrinated and complacent.

Most Americans believe in equality. We want to make sure that everyone has, to the greatest extent possible, an equal place at the starting line. From there, each individual has the freedom to achieve what their desires, ability, and hard work make possible.

Achieving that kind of equality is the American dream, the engine that enables people from any walk of life to realize their dreams. Equity, as activists preach it, trades away this American heritage for abstractions and fantasies. Americans should instead hold fast to the political principles that have guided us to marvelous success and prosperity for nearly 250 years.

From RealClearWire

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Ex-Massachusetts Deputy Chief Indicted on Child Rape Charge

A former Massachusetts deputy police chief is being charged with the rape of a child that occurred when he was a school resource officer nearly 20 years ago, the Middlesex County District Attorneys office announced Monday.

Former Hopkinton Deputy Chief of Police, John Jay Porter, 54, has been indicted by a grand jury on three charges of rape of a child. He is alleged to have assaulted the student while he was assigned as a school resource officer in the Town of Hopkinton school system.

The incidents allegedly occurred in 2004 and 2005 while the victim was a 15-year-old student. The assaults are alleged to have occurred on multiple occasions off school property.

It could not immediately be determined if Porter is being represented by an attorney.

Prosecutors say that as of Friday, Porter was no longer with the Hopkinton Police Department.

The investigation has been handled by the county prosecutors office and the Massachusetts State Police. The arraignment has not been scheduled.
FBI Alert: Week-Long Nuclear Training Exercise Being Held in Major US City

The FBI on Tuesday warned residents of a Texas city that a week-long nuclear incident training exercise it taking place this week.

In a bulletin issued to the public, the FBIs Houston office told Houston residents that the exercise will last starting Monday until Friday. The training exercise will occur around NRG Park/SH 288 to SH 146 to I-10 E to Hwy 225 and at Ellington Field in both Houston and Harris County.

A large-scale, multi-agency nuclear incident TRAINING EXERCISE will take place May 1-5 in southeast Houston and Harris County. The training exercise will NOT pose risks to area residents, the bureau office wrote late last week.

The FBI added: Please do not be alarmed by training-related activity, including presence of military personnel/aircraft and people in protective equipment.

 A large-scale, multi-agency nuclear incident TRAINING EXERCISE will take place May 1-5 in southeast Houston and Harris County. The training exercise will NOT pose risks to area residents. Please do not be alarmed by training-related activity. @HoustonOEM pic.twitter.com/MCNLyC2QNq  FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) April 28, 2023

The FBI did not provide more details about the training.

According to the U.S. Department of Energys National Nuclear Security Administration, a similar major radiological incident exercise was carried out last May in Austin, Texas.

Officials said that other federal agencies involved in the exercise are the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security. Some local agencies such as the Harris County Sheriffs Office, the Houston Police Department, and various emergency services will also be involved, they told local channel KHOU-11 TV.

Local law enforcement agencies as well as the FBI are also still looking for an at-large shooting suspect who killed five people in Cleveland, Texas, located near Houston, over the past weekend. The suspect was identified as Francisco Oropesa, 38, a Mexican national who was in the United States illegally. So far, there have been no leads.

His neighbors reportedly asked him to stop firing his gun because a baby was trying to sleep, officials told local news outlets. Authorities later added that video footage showed Oropesa heading to their house.

The FBI bulletin about training also comes days after President Joe Biden warned North Koreas regime that a nuclear attack would be responded to with overwhelming force from the U.S. military. Biden made those comments when he met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in South Korea last week.

It also comes after Russian officials have repeatedly warned that the Russia-Ukraine conflict will spark a nuclear conflict. Since the war erupted in February 2022, there have been repeated warnings from Kremlin officials about the specter of nuclear conflict between Moscow and the West, although U.S. officials have not said there is any indication that Russia may use a nuclear device.

Every day when they provide Ukraine with foreign weapons brings the nuclear apocalypse closer, said former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who currently heads Russias Security Council, in March. Lets imagine  the leader of a nuclear power visits the territory of Germany and is arrested, Medvedev said, referring to a recent International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin. In this case, our assets will fly to hit the Bundestag, the chancellors office and so on.
Florida Man Guilty in 2017 Serial Killings of 4 People

A Florida man pleaded guilty Monday to randomly shooting four people in a 2017 killing rampage.

Howell Donaldson III entered the guilty pleas to four counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole, according to court records. The surprise plea deal means that Donaldson will avoid the death penalty, prosecutors said.

This coward committed unspeakable acts and wreaked havoc on our community for weeks on end, said State Attorney Suzy Lopez in a news release. He will now be locked away in a prison cell for the rest of his life where he will make no more headlines.

Donaldson, 30, admitted to the shooting deaths between Oct. 9 and Nov. 14, 2017, of Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa, and Ronald Felton. They were each shot in the early morning hours in the Seminole Heights neighborhood with the same type of ammunition while doing everyday tasks such as waiting at a bus stop or crossing a city street.

Police eventually concluded that the killings were linked.

The case wasnt solved until Donaldson asked the manager of a McDonalds restaurant where he worked to hold a plastic bag with something heavy in it while he ran an errand. The manager instead showed the bag to a Tampa police officer who was eating in the restaurant and found it contained a .40-caliber Glock handgun.

Donaldson was taken into custody and the handgun was matched to the slayings. Investigators also used cellphone records and the video to place Donaldson at the locations where the four victims were killed.

The guilty plea Monday came during a hearing that had been set for defense motions seeking to toss out evidence obtained from the McDonalds encounter, which Donaldsons lawyer had contended was an illegal arrest. The trial was scheduled to begin in August.

Family members and investigators attended the hearing. Kenny Hoffa, father of victim Monica Hoffa, said in the news release that it is a small comfort to know that Donaldson will spend his life behind bars. His daughter, a 32-year-old waitress, was killed while walking from her home to meet a friend.

My daughter Monica was like a ray of sunshine with a playful spirit that is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, Kenny Hoffa said. We will continually reflect on Monicas incredible zest for life as her memory lives on through the rest of us.

Lopez said the family members were in agreement with Donaldsons guilty plea. Interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said the investigation was one of the most difficult in recent memory.

Countless hours and sleepless nights were dedicated to finding this killer and restoring peace to the Seminole Heights community he terrorized, Bercaw said.

By Curt Anderson
Florida May Dodge Catastrophic Seaweed Bullet, Oceanographer Says

A Florida oceanographer says he thinks Florida's pristine beaches like this one in New Smyrna Beach will avoid a catastrophic inundation of seaweed some have been predicting this summer. (Dreamstime/TNS)

In whats become an annual occurrence, seaweed has begun washing ashore from Miami south to Key West.

But a Florida oceanographer says that the potentially harmful impact of this seasons sargassum bloom is likely overstated and that most of the state should dodge a catastrophic effect.

Dr. Zack Juddirector of education at the Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart, north of Palm Beachtold The Epoch Times on May 1 that Stuarts beaches didnt have any seaweed on them, and webcams nearby in Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound showed very little.

Strong west winds over 30 mph for several hours the previous day blew the sargassum out to sea.

Growing blooms of sargassum seaweed remain a real problem for Caribbean beaches swamped in it, like this beach in Frigate Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis, on Aug. 3, 2022. (Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo)

Jud said he expected the winds to dictate the beaches cleanliness throughout the summer, with east winds blowing it ashore and west winds blowing it back to sea.

His office, he said, is a five-minute walk from the beach.

Researchers have predicted this years seaweed bloom may be the largest ever recorded.

And the Florida House and Senate have agreed to include $5 million for seaweed cleanup in this years budget, set for passage later this week.

A University of South Florida study released on March 31, 2023, estimates the masss weight at 13 million tons and says a large portion of that will hit the east coast and the ocean side of the Florida Keys, probably in June and July.

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt stretches 5,000 miles from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, USF oceanographers said. As it drifts westward, its leading edge is large but not of record size.

Its whats following it, still in the East Atlantic, thats enormous.

Tourists on beaches covered with sargassum seaweed, in Playacar, Playa del Carmen, state of QuintanaRoo, Mexico, on June 26, 2022. (Daniel Slim/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

The seaweed, in average amounts, is benignproviding habitat, food, protection, and breeding ground for hundreds of marine speciesaccording to a fact sheet by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories.

It can help stop beach erosion.

Jud said the bloom is only incrementally larger than in previous years. Florida beaches have seen significant seaweed come ashore each year since 2018.

The phenomenon began about a decade ago, Jud said, as changing currents started moving seaweed, previously confined to the Sargasso Sea in the central North Atlantic, into currents that ultimately brought it to Florida.

Oceanographers believe it has been amplified by warming ocean waters and fed by more nutrients washing from South Americas Amazon River into the ocean as jungle upstream is cleared for ranchland, Jud said.

The media this year has spun this as an amorphous blob, thats going to hit somewhere like a hurricane or an oil spill, Jud said.

Its not like that. Satellite images show, not one superhighway of sargassum, but floating patches. Some wash-up, then in a few days, theres not as much.

Its received a lot of mainstream media coverage this year, but its been as bad the last couple of years, Jud said.

Problems Further South

He emphasized that seaweed is a real problem, potentially earth-shattering, further south in the Caribbean and Central American nations like Honduras, Belize, and Mexico.

The seaweed keeps turtles and birds from nesting, stinks, and attracts flies as it rots, smothers, and kills coral, and impacts tourism, he said.

But I dont think its necessarily the fate of the east coast of Florida. Im crossing my fingers.

It might be a little worse than in previous years, he said, but were not in the bullseye.

Currents pull the weed first into the Caribbean, and thats why the problem is the worst there, he said. Then the Loop Current drives it around Floridas peninsula, where it merges with the north-flowing Gulf Stream.

That current, he says, is strong. A lot of it stays offshore. Its like a river within the sea.

The Florida Oceanographic Society is particularly interested in the seaweed, Jud said, as Stuart is a center for sea turtle nesting. Mother turtles can crawl easily enough over the seaweed, but hatchlings, two or three inches long, get tangled in it as they try to scramble back to sea.

Good and Bad

The irony is that the No. 1 habitat for them in the ocean is floating mats of sargassum out in the ocean. Its harmful to them on the beach, but necessary to them when its in the open ocean where it belongs.

And, out at sea, its also a fine habitat for sea life like crabs, shrimp, and small fish, plus as a foraging ground for the larger species feeding on them, such as tuna, sailfish, marlin, and mahi mahi, Jud said.

University of South Florida oceanographer Chuanmin Hu told The Epoch Times in an email that the belt is distinct from the Sargasso Sea, a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean known for its calm water and sargassum seaweed.

Online accounts say it was first written about by Christopher Columbus, who in 1492 feared his ships being becalmed by the lack of wind and entangled in the seaweed.

The Sargassum Belt is relatively new, starting from 2011, Hu told The Epoch Times. It is connected to the Sargasso Sea through ocean currents. Sargassum in the belt may be transported to the Sargasso Sea, and vice versa.

Florida businesses and government agencies contacted by The Epoch Times were cautious in their predictions about seaweeds impact on tourism this summer.

Most said they were monitoring the situation and hadnt seen any problems yet.
Former CCP Secretary Pleads Guilty to $28 Million Bribery Charges

Zhou Jiangyong, a former party secretary in Chinas communist regime, pleaded guilty in an April 27 court hearing to crimes of collecting nearly 200 million yuan ($28.91 million) in bribes over some 20 years in his official roles. The verdict is set to be announced soon.

Sacked in 2021 from his position as secretary of the Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee, Zhou stands accused of colluding with capital investors, trading power for personal interest, family corruption, and illegal intervention in the economy, judiciary, and law enforcement.

Zhou has long had a close association with Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Ma once noted the significance of Alibabas hometown of Hangzhouboth for him on a personal level and for his business.

More significantly, however, Zhou has also been listed by the WOIPFG (World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong) for his involvement in the persecution of the peaceful practice.

Falun Gong is a cultivation method for mind and body that promotes living in accordance with the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, and is rooted in ancient Chinese culture and history. The former leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Jiang Zemin, came to consider the spiritual practices popularity as a threat to the communist regimes atheist ideology. He issued an order to ban Falun Gong in 1999, leading to the groups brutal persecutionwhich has resulted in practitioners being imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for their organs across China.

Family Corruption

Zhou is also alleged to have assisted in his younger brothers business expansion, which Alibabas Ant Group had a stake in.

According to state media reports, the younger Zhous company won contracts to build mobile subway payment systems in the coastal hubs of Ningbo and Wenzhou when his brother was the party secretary of those cities.

In 2016, the younger Zhou launched Youcheng United (Ningbo) Information Technology Development Co., which focuses on big data internet systems and payment apps for Chinas metro and subway systems.

This family connection allowed the younger Zhous investors to acquire cheap land and enjoy preferential policies. In return, he is alleged to have charged them higher prices for their investments.

The Ant Groups logo is shown on the conglomerates headquarters in Hangzhou in eastern Chinas Zhejiang Province, on Oct. 13, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Ant Groups Denial

Ant Groups subsidiary, Shanghai Yunxin Venture Capital Management Co., bought a 14.3 percent stake and a board seat in Youcheng United in March 2019.

On Sept. 7, 2019, Zhou Jiangyong personally awarded Jack Ma the honor of Meritorious Hangzhou Person. A few days later, Hangzhous municipal government signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with Alibaba, and Zhou promised that he would unswervingly support the online retailers development.

In November 2019, Shanghai Yunxin bought a 13.5 percent stake in another Hangzhou-based online subway payment provider owned by the younger Zhou.

In less than a year, Ant Group won an auction for a construction site in Hangzhou for 5,194 yuan ($819) per square meter as the only qualified bidder, while the average home prices in the neighborhood exceeded 45,000 yuan ($7,100) per square meter, according to a Financial Times report.

When Zhou was sacked in 2021, it was rumored that the Zhou brothers had bought shares for around 500 million yuan ($72.34 million) before Ants intended initial public offering in 2020. When the listing was suspended, a refund of 520 million yuan ($75.23 million) was made.

However, Ant Group immediately issued a notice denying any wrongdoing associated with the activities of buying shares and seeking the IPO refund.

Graft

Cultivating good connections to the authorities has long been common practice for many of Chinas private businesses that hope to succeed under the ruling Communist regime.

Its very much like how the younger Zhou garnered so much business in Hangzhou, as his elder brother boasted on state TV: He won the business because I was a government official.

Ma also showed his gratitude to Zhou when he won his meritorious person award. Without Hangzhou, there would be no Jack Ma, and there would be no Alibaba, he said.

According to Chinese state media, Zhou was the first official to date to be sacked on charges of colluding with capital investors.
Glenn Youngkin Says Hes Not Entering Presidential Race This Year

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin campaigns for New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) at Get Out the Vote Rally in Thornwood, Westchester, N.Y., on Oct. 31, 2022. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times)

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has confirmed that, at least until the end of this year, he wont be entering the Republican presidential primary field and will instead continue to focus on running his state.

In a May 1 interview at the Milken Institute in Los Angeles with Gerard Baker, editor-at-large for The Wall Street Journal, when Baker asked Youngkin if he would be running for the White House later this year, Youngkin responded, No.

Im going to be working in Virginia this year, the first-term governor added.

Specifically, Youngkin said he will focus on helping Republican candidates win legislative elections in Virginia. The commonwealth currently has a Democrat-majority Senate and a Republican-majority House of Delegates.

I want to hold our House, and Id like to flip our Senate. And I think were doing a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to bring that to voters, Youngkin said. I havent written a book, and Im not in Iowa. Im spending time representing Virginians this year.

Youngkin said hes excited that America seems to be paying attention to whats going on in Virginia.

I believe what were demonstrating is, first of all, we can do this differently, and we can bring common sense solutions to bear on some of these perennially challenging problems. And those common sense solutions work.

Youngkin didnt explicitly deny whether he has 2024 presidential ambitions when Baker pressed him on the matter.

So in the words of LBJ, you will not seek and, if nominated, you will not serve and accept the Republican nomination for president of the United States? Baker asked, referring to President Lyndon B. Johnsons 1968 speech announcing that he would not run for the office again.

Well leave that one to LBJ, Youngkin replied.

An aide to the governor also clarified to NBC News that Youngkin was answering Bakers questions only with 2023 in mind, leaving the door open for a possible announcement in 2024.

This was not an announcement or a definite decline, the aide told the outlet.

Speculation of Announcement

Youngkin, a newcomer Republican who won the governors seat in a dramatic upset over career Democrat and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2021, recently embarked on an overseas tour that drew more speculation that he would jump into the 2024 presidential race.

While another widely floated 2024 contender, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, Youngkin met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei. They both visited South Korea and Japan before returning home.

Both leaders billed these trips as trade missions, although spectators see them as a move for prospective candidates seeking to boost their foreign affairs resumes at a time when the geopolitical threat from the Chinese Communist Party is drawing outsize attention in Washington, especially among Republican lawmakers aligned with former President Donald Trump.

Trump, the dominant 2024 Republican primary candidate, has a list of successes to tout when it comes to dealing with China and the communist regime in North Korea. The former president has devoted much attention to attacking DeSantis as polls have shown the Florida governor as the most potent of the actual and potential primary challengers.

Trump continued that offensive after DeSantis arrived in Tokyo.

The Consultants are sending DeSanctus, and demanding he go immediately, on an emergency Round the World tour of U.S representative population countries, like South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Israel, in order to up his game and see if he can remove the stain from his failing campaign, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

As of May 2, Trump still dominates most polls, expanding his lead over DeSantis to about 40 points. A Wall Street Journal poll released on April 21 found Youngkin receiving only 1 percent or less support among potential 2024 primary voters.

John Haughey contributed to this report.
GOP Officials Raise Alarm Over US Guardsman in TikTok Ad

The logo of Chinese video app TikTok is seen on the side of the company's new office space at the C3 campus in Culver City, in the westside of Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 11, 2020. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)

A video advertisement released by TikTok featuring an Air National Guardsman has drawn concerns among two Republican lawmakers, who say it appears to be a de facto endorsement of the U.S. military of the Chinese-owned video app amid heightened security concerns.

Chinese intelligence and security services use TikTok to surveil, exploit, and manipulate the American people, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote in a letter (pdf) addressed to Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau.

The lawmakers expressed concern over the participation of Jon Lynch, an Air National Guard member based in New Hampshire, in the TikTok ad released last month.

My name is Jon Lynch, and Im a member of the National Guard. I use my TikTok channel to spread helpful and useful information to benefit military members and their families, Lynch said at the beginning of the short video.

The National Guard member states the platform allows him to reach the military community.

TikTok allows me to give other military members and other families these experiences to appreciate this life that theyre in, Lynch said.

The video appears to serve as a de facto National Guard endorsement of TikToks platform, Stefanik and Hawley said in the letter dated April 28, which was first reported by Politico. This is extremely concerning given the known threats TikTok poses to Americansespecially so as TikTok is now banned on all U.S. government devices.

In response, Lt. Col. Greg Heilshorn, director of public affairs at the New Hampshire National Guard, stated Lynch has been running his TikTok channel on his own time with his own equipment.

He has worked with our public affairs office to ensure he is in accordance with military policy, Heilshorn said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

TikTok was founded and owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based tech giant. The ties have raised bipartisan concerns in Congress, especially after leaked recordings revealed that ByteDance engineers in China had repeatedly accessed the platforms U.S. data as of January 2022.

The two lawmakers noted the short-video platform was beholden to Chinas intelligence law, which compels any organization or citizen to support, assist, and cooperate with security and intelligence agencies when asked by Beijing.

While TikToks Chief Operating Officer Vanessa Pappas testified to senators in September 2022 that TikTok has strict controls in terms of who and how our data is accessed and vowed that under no circumstances would we give that data to China, the companys executive declined to make a commitment that the app would cut off flows of Americans data to China.

A woman walks past the headquarters of ByteDance, the parent company of video sharing app TikTok, in Beijing, China, on Sept. 16, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

During a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on March 8, FBI Director Christopher Wray reaffirmed that TikTok poses national security and privacy concerns and could be used as a tool by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to manipulate the thinking of millions of Americans.

The National Guard plays an integral role in carrying out the National Defense Strategy, which correctly identifies China as our most consequential strategic competitor, Stefanik and Hawley said in the letter.

Not only does TikTok play a leading role in manipulating American citizens perceptions of China generally, but influence operations like this could directly undermine the National Guards ability to mobilize in crisis or conflict.

Additionally, TikToks data collection could pose threats to the operational security of National Guard operations, they wrote, noting that TikTok and the CCP continue to actively undermine American interests.

The lawmakers provided Hokanson with a list of questions regarding TikTok, setting a deadline of May 23.

It is therefore imperative that the National Guard Bureau (NGB) clarify its policies on official and unofficial use of TikTok to both Service members and the American people, the letter said.

NGBs spokesperson didnt comment on May 1, saying they will reply directly to the authors of the letter.

Eva Fu contributed to this report.
Health Unions Accept NHS Pay Offer for England

NHS workers on the picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital, London, on May 1, 2023. (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

NHS staff in England including nurses, midwives, and ambulance staff are set to get a five percent pay rise after most health unions voted to accept the governments pay offer on Tuesday.

The deal also includes a one-off payment for 2022 that equals 2 percent of ones salary, and a one-off NHS backlog bonus for staff under the Agenda for Change pay system.

All but four unions agreed to the deal during an NHS staff council meeting on Tuesday, meaning members of all unions will receive the offer.

But Unite and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which voted against the deal, have threatened to stage further strikes.

Reacting to the voting result, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he was pleased the offer was accepted, and confirmed that he intends to implement the offer from next month.

Undated file photo of Health Secretary Steve Barclay. (Jane Barlow/PA Media)

He also said of the offer is final, and urged dissenting unions to recognise the collective decision.

It was negotiated collectively, the RCN were at the negotiating table, indeed [RCN general secretary] Pat Cullen recommended this deal to her own members, he said.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, hailed the very positive result, saying it will be welcomed by NHS leaders.

With four unions having rejected the pay deal individually for their members, we await confirmation of their plans. However, all unions, whether they have voted to accept the deal or not, as well as NHS leaders themselves, remain concerned about the impact of the cost of living on their members and colleagues, in addition to feeling worried about the present difficulties facing their patients and communities, the statement reads.

More Strikes Possible

Unions in March and April balloted their members on the pay deal and the voting results have been split across different unions.

Members of Union, GMB, the Royal College of Midwives, the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have voted to accept the offer, while members of RCN, Unite, the Royal College of Podiatry, and the Society of Radiographers voted to reject the deal.

After the vote on Tuesday, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in a statement that the offer will not solve the NHSs crippling staff shortage and called on the government to reopen negotiations.

She also said the NHS staff council vote is not binding on individual unions and therefore will not stop Unite representing the best interests of our members.

Some 4,000 Unite members, including staff at some hospitals and ambulance services, currently have a strike mandate.

Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said the union will continue to schedule new strikes and re-ballot more NHS members on further actions.

RCNs strike mandate expired on Monday night. The union said it will open a new ballot later this month to seek a new six-month mandate.

Cullen told the BBC that the dispute is far from over as the government is still negotiating with junior doctors and other healthcare workers represented by Unite.

Striking NHS junior doctors on the picket line outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, on March 13, 2023. (Jacob King/PA)

The health secretary has also met junior doctors from the British Medical Association (BMA) to discuss the row over pay.

Doctors are campaigning for full pay restoration, saying that wages have been cut by more than a quarter since 2008.

But the government has said that matching the demands of the union is unaffordable.

Barclay told reporters that the deal covering Agenda for Change staff showed that the government was prepared to work with unions and I hope that we can take that into the discussions with junior doctors.

I think what the deal with the Staff Council shows is the willingness of the government to enter into meaningful, constructive negotiations with trade unions, he said.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said health leaders are concerned over more possible strikes as four trade unions remain in dispute.

Added to that, health leaders are eager for a resolution to be agreed between the government and BMA, as the last junior doctors strikes saw 196,000 appointments and planned procedures needing to be postponed, he said.

So, while the NHS Staff Council outcome is very positive news overall, it is not the line in the sand that will allow the NHS and those relying on its care to confidently move on from the threat of future strikes, or from the underlying issues affecting the NHS that led to this activity being felt as necessary in the first place.

Teachers represented by the National Education Union (NEU) are also striking on Tuesday. The NEU and three other teachers unions, the NAHT, the ASCL, and the NASUWT, last week announced they will coordinate future actions.

PA Media contributed to this report.
U.S. authorities rejected multiple people who sought compensation for COVID-19 vaccine injuries, despite diagnoses from doctors, documents show.

Letters from U.S. officials reviewed by The Epoch Times show officials contradicting doctors who treated patients as they turned down requests for payment.

Cody Flint, an agricultural pilot, was diagnosed by four doctors with a severe adverse reaction to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. Shortly after being vaccinated, Flint experienced intense head pressure, which led to problems such as perilymphatic fistula, the doctors said.

Flint sent a slew of medical files, including evidence of the diagnoses, to the U.S. Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), which compensates people who prove they were injured by a COVID-19 shot.

But administrators for the program rejected Flints application in a denial letter, saying they did not find the requisite evidence that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination caused the conditions from which he suffers.

Flint, in his 30s, felt his first symptoms within an hour of vaccination. An onslaught of severe symptoms followed while he was flying two days later.

One second I went from having burning in the back of my neck and tunnel vision to the very next second I was slumped over in my airplane. The best way I know to describe it, it was like a bomb went off inside my head, Flint said.

CICP administrators told him that compelling, reliable and valid medical and scientific evidence does not support a causal association between the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, perilymphatic fistulas, increased intracranial pressure, Eustachian tube dysfunction, hearing loss, or loss of eyesight.

They also tried to pin the problems on barotrauma. Colloquially known as airplane ear, barotrauma happens when air pressure suddenly changes, and is common as planes climb higher in the sky. Barotrauma causes the fistulas and symptoms of the fistulas began while flying, administrators wrote.

Flint and his doctors asserted in appeal letters that the barotrauma theory doesnt hold up because Flint flies low as he dusts crops. Flints condition is not from barotrauma, Flints doctors told the CICP. As an agricultural pilot, he does not fly more than a couple of hundred feet off the ground which is not of a magnitude to where he is at risk for barotrauma.

Elevated intracranial pressure has been recognized as a complication of COVID vaccination, and given the sequence of events, more probable than not, it is the cause of Mr. Flints elevated intracranial pressure, which had been documented on lumbar puncture, they added. The elevated intracranial pressure led to his perilymphatic fistula. Elevated intracranial pressure is a cause for perilymphatic fistula and more probable.

The CICP determination was reviewed by a panel that sided with administrators. The panel found that the COVID-19 vaccine did not cause Mr. Flint to develop bilateral perlympathic fistulas and related symptoms, Suma Nair, an administrator, told Flint in a final denial letter. There is no compelling causal connection between the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and the symptomology Mr. Flint experienced; the more likely cause of Mr. Flints symptoms is trauma from flying a plane, which would have developed over time.

Administrators cited no studies or other evidence in their letters.

Flint said that the determination was wrong, pointing to a number of papers detailing post-vaccination intracranial and other neurological issues. He also noted a study that said intracranial pressure can cause perilymphatic fistulas.

Nair also said the panel concluded: given the timeline of symptoms, it was not plausible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to have caused the otologic and vestibular issues experienced by Mr. Flint.

Its just all comical to me, Flint told The Epoch Times. I get the shot, Im injured within 48 hours, and they say that that makes it implausible.

Agricultural pilot Cody Flint in a file image. (Courtesy of Cody Flint)

Difficulty Getting Compensation

The case highlights how people who experienced problems after vaccination have struggled to get money from the federal government, even when doctors diagnose vaccine injuries.

Flint is one of 76 people who were rejected as of April 1 because administrators determined they did not show that a covered serious physical injury was sustained as the direct result of the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The CICP may only make such determinations based on compelling, reliable, valid, medical and scientific evidence, the program says.

More than 8,100 applications, as of April 1, have been submitted to the CICP for compensation for a COVID-19 vaccine-induced injury or death. Three hundred and sixty-two in total have been turned down. Just 23 have been accepted. All but two are for a type of heart inflammation called myocarditis or a related condition known as pericarditis, both of which U.S. authorities say are caused by COVID-19 vaccination.

Documents on the denials and acceptances have been largely withheld from the public. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, successful in unearthing information about COVID-19 vaccine safety, have yielded few documents. Administrators located 652 records in response to one request seeking all claims and associated documents. They only released 52 heavily redacted documents, citing exceptions to FOIA. A similar request returned a single page that wasnt already public.

COVID-19 vaccine injuries fall under the CICP, a little-used program before the pandemic that was created by Congress in a 2005 bill, because of a Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act declaration entered during the Trump administration that has not yet been rescinded.

Most administered vaccines in the United States fall under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, enabling people with alleged or actual injuries to take their cases to federal judges in a no-fault system that paid out $4.8 billion between 1988 and 2022.

Decisions on CICP petitions, in contrast, are decided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)the same agency that operates the program.

That potentially creates a conflict of interest, researchers wrote in a 2022 paper, advising Congress to initiate major reforms by either relocating the program or allowing judicial review of determinations.

Some members, including Sens. Cindy-Hyde Smith (R-Miss.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) have expressed interest in reform but no bills have gained traction yet in the divided Congress.

People who apply to the CICP are only eligible for money for unreimbursed medical expenses and lost pay. Survivors of people who die can get death benefits. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program covers past and future healthcare costs, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and legal fees.

The CICP has paid just $6 million to date, including under $5,000 total to the only three people who were injured by COVID-19 vaccines and have been compensated.

HHS and HRSA did not respond to requests for comment.

Dr. Joel Wallskog speaks in a file image. (Courtesy of Dr. Joel Wallskog)

All These People Are Going to Get Denied

Dr. Joel Wallskog was one of the first people to receive Modernas COVID-19 vaccine. He got a shot on Dec. 30, 2020. Within days, he experienced symptoms including a loss of balance, headaches, and leg weakness.

I was completely healthy, very active, Wallskog, 53, told The Epoch Times. Now I take 20 medicines.

Wallskog was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, or spinal cord inflammation. At least two doctors have concluded the injury was caused by the vaccine, records show.

Wallskog transmitted medical records and supplementary documents, such as a study from National Institutes of Health researchers that discussed reports of neuropathic symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination. The same researchers diagnosed multiple people with vaccine injuries.

CICP administrators rejected Wallskogs petition.

The current medical and scientific evidence does not show a causal link between the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and transverse myelitis, other neuro-inflammatory disorders, myelopathy, or thrombotic disorders, including spinal cord infarction, Dr. George Reed Grimes, director of the HRSAs Division of Injury Compensation Programs, wrote in the denial letter.

Furthermore, there is no evidence that your symptoms of lower extremity numbness and tingling with neck flexion, and chronic thoracic pain with weakness and numbness in your legs, is caused by the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, he added.

Administrators did not note the doctors diagnoses or cite any studies.

One doctor had written in office notes that Wallskog suffered a significant reaction from Moderna COVID vaccination.

Wallskog disputed the determination, writing in an appeal that an exhaustive work-up revealed no other cause of my symptoms besides my Moderna shot.

An appeal, or request for reconsideration, sends the determination to a qualified panel, independent of the program, according to federal law. The panel reviews the determination and sends its recommendation back to the program, which makes the final determination.

Twenty-eight studies have documented transverse myelitis following COVID-19 vaccination, a systematic review published in October 2022 found. Those include case reports of transverse myelitis after a Moderna shot. Researchers said the exact mechanisms for vaccine-induced transverse myelitis remain unclear but posited genetic factors play a role.

Wallskog said that as of now, only people who suffer a narrow set of injuries can expect to be compensated by the U.S. government.

Many people have this false sense that the CICP is going to be their answer, and its not, he said. All these people are going to get denied unless they have myocarditis, anaphylaxis, or certain blood clotting conditions.

COVID-19 vaccines at George Washington University Hospital in Washington in a Dec. 14, 2020, file photograph. (Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Outside Compensation

Vaccine manufacturers are not liable for injuries due to laws like the PREP Act. That leaves people with few options when theyre injured.

Wallskog helped found a group called React19, which describes itself as a science-based non-profit offering financial, physical, and emotional support for those suffering from long-term COVID-19 vaccine adverse events.

Drawing from a pool of donated money, the group has so far paid $556,652 to the vaccine injured, with 81 people receiving compensation.

Applicants must provide a medical note or consultation documenting symptoms and signs theyre related to vaccination.

Group officials, including Wallskog, review each application and make a determination during weekly board meetings. They give out grants of up to $10,000.

The donations come from what the group describes as a care fund.

Unfortunately, the care fund is on hold right now because were low on money, Wallskog said. I always say we wish we had more money but at the same point were doing with React what our healthcare organizations and our federal agencies should be doing.

The program could help people like Angie Bluford, who did not apply to the CICP because of the one-year deadline. Bluford wasnt diagnosed with a vaccine injury until 18 months after getting a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination.

React19 is also advocating for reform of the CICP or moving injury claims from the CICP to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, widely considered the superior option. That would require adding the COVID-19 vaccines to the routine immunization schedule, which has already been done; adding vaccines to the vaccine injury table, and congressional approval of an excise tax. Coverage under the national program should be retroactive, React19 says.

Steve Wenger in a file image. (Courtesy of Steve Wenger)

Still Waiting

Its taken more than a year for some injured people to get a determination.

There were still 7,771 applications pending as of April 1.

One was sent in by Steve Wenger, a project manager whose COVID-19 vaccination caused Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder that damages the immune system.

Wenger, who got vaccinated to avoid losing his job, submitted his application in March 2022. He didnt receive confirmation until July 2022. Hes still waiting for the outcome.

The CICP cannot estimate when the medical review will begin or how long it may take to complete, administrators told him in a letter.

Its a waiting game, Wenger told The Epoch Times. To be honest, Im waiting on my rejection letter, because thats what Im expecting.

Wengers pessimism stems from the high rejection rate and the fact no claims for Guillain-Barre syndrome have been approved despite U.S. authorities acknowledging the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine causes the disorder.

Wenger has been dealing with large medical bills, including thousands of dollars for biweekly treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, one of the few drugs that have helped those with lingering injuries from the vaccines. Even if CICP approves Wengers petition, the money likely wouldnt last long.

Ive read stories that medical debt has just absolutely destroyed people, financially buried them, Wenger said. I never envisioned myself being one of those people. But you know, here I am.
Key Insights

Significantly high institutional ownership implies ConocoPhillips' stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

50% of the business is held by the top 16 shareholders

Recent purchases by insiders

To get a sense of who is truly in control of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. With 82% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about ConocoPhillips.

Check out our latest analysis for ConocoPhillips

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About ConocoPhillips?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

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

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. ConocoPhillips is not owned by hedge funds. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 9.3% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 8.0% and 6.3% of the stock.

Story continues

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 16 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. 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 ConocoPhillips

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

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

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of ConocoPhillips in their own names. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$127m of stock. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 17% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over ConocoPhillips. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with ConocoPhillips (at least 1 which is a bit unpleasant) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

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

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Hollywood Rocked After Writers Guild of America Goes on Strike

Television and film writers went on strike against the top Hollywood studios, including NBC, Paramount, Discovery, Disney, and more, according to a union.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers could not agree on a new contract after the old deal expired at midnight on Monday. As a result, representatives at the union voted to call a strike, going into effect at 12:01 a.m. PST on Tuesday, according to a news release from the union.

Companies that will see impacts include Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony, said the union.

The companies behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing, the union wrote. From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a day rate in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers, they have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession. No such deal could ever be contemplated by this membership.

It marks the first WGA strike since 2007 and 2008. Several nightly and weekly shows relied on reruns during that walkout and canceled production until the dispute was resolved.

The union further said that picketing will begin tomorrow afternoon amid reports that several late-night shows, such as the ones hosted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon, would be halted immediately.

Though we negotiated intent on making a fair dealand though your strike vote gave us the leverage to make some gainthe studios responses to our proposals have been wholly insufficient, given the existential crisis writers are facing, the WGA said in a website that included a list of demands.

Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel speak onstage during the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 22, 2019. Reports say Kimmels and Colberts shows will go dark during the strike. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The union also accused Hollywood production companies of having broken this business and have allegedly taken so much from the very people, the writers, who have made them wealthy. It also referenced struggle because it claims it was  given no other choice.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has said it wants to acquire a mutual agreement with the WGA. The Epoch Times has contacted the Alliance for comment.

The AMPTP member companies remain united in their desire to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial to writers and the health and longevity of the industry, and to avoid hardship to the thousands of employees who depend upon the industry for their livelihoods, the organization told People magazine on Monday. The AMPTP is willing to engage in discussions with the WGA in an effort to break this logjam.

All of the top late-night shows, staffed by writers who pen monologues and jokes for their hosts, immediately went dark, reported the Associated Press (AP). NBCs The Tonight Show, Comedy Centrals Daily Show, ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBSs The Late Show, and NBCs Late Night all made plans for reruns throughout the week, the AP reported.

Everyone, including myself, hope both sides reach a deal. But I also think that the writers demands are not unreasonable, host Stephen Colbert argued on Mondays Late Show.

But at least one late-night show wont go dark. Fox News Gutfeld! with host Greg Gutfeld will continue airing new episodes, Fox told the AP on Tuesday.

The WGA strike may only be the beginning. Contracts for both the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the actors union, expire in June. The same issues around the streaming business model will factor into those bargaining sessions. The DGA is set to begin negotiations with AMPTP on May 10.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hospital Cant Be Forced to Give Patient Ivermectin: State Supreme Court

A judge in Wisconsin wrongly tried to force a hospital to give a COVID-19 patient ivermectin, the states top court ruled on May 2.

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Lloyd Carters 2021 order that Aurora Medical Center in Hartford administer ivermectin to patient John Zingsheim was improperly entered because the judge cited no law, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley said in a majority opinion.

An appeals court reversed Carters order, prompting Zingsheims nephew Allen Gahl, who holds power of attorney for his uncle, to ask the states top court to step in.

Gahl advanced several arguments, including that Carter properly exercised its authority when it imposed the order requiring ivermectin administration. Aurora Health Care attorneys opposed the intervention request.

We need not address in depth any of Gahls arguments because we do not know on what basis the circuit court issued the injunction. The circuit court cited no law in either its written order or its oral ruling, as Gahl conceded at oral argument before this court, Bradley said. This in itself constitutes an erroneous exercise of discretion.

The majority said a circuit court erroneously exercises its discretion in the context of a temporary injunction when it fails to consider and make a record of the factors relevant to its determination, citing a ruling in a different case.

Carter initially said that Aurora had to immediately enforce a prescription from an outside doctor for ivermectin. After a hearing, the order was modified to say that the hospital had to credential a doctor identified by Gahl, who could then administer the drug.

Aurora won a stay from an appeals court, which said that the lower court order lacked a legal basis. That was upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court majority.

The justices said that the case was not about whether ivermectin, approved in the United States as an antiparasitic, is effective against COVID-19. U.S. officials say it is not, but some doctors dispute that position.

Representatives for Gahl and Aurora did not respond to requests for comment.

Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley, the only dissenter, said in her dissent that the lower court order was correct, in light of the rights guaranteed by the state Constitution.

Under the Wisconsin Constitution, the just powers of the government derive from the consent of the governed, a consent explicitly premised on the State using these powers to secure the peoples rights. The Wisconsin Constitution exists not only to protect the people from an overreaching government but to empower the peoples government to protect their individual freedom from non-state actors, she wrote. In this case, the circuit court used its equitable power to craft a narrow remedy, ensuring a non-state actor could not override the decision-making autonomy of a Wisconsin citizen to whom the non-state actor owed a duty of care.
House Republicans Unveil Bill to Strengthen Immigration Enforcement

Newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy holds the gavel after he was elected on the 15th ballot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 7, 2023. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

House Republicans on May 2 introduced a wide-ranging bill that will strengthen enforcement of immigration laws along the U.S.Mexico border.

H.R. 2, dubbed the Secure Border Act of 2023, was put forward by Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.).

The crisis at our Southern border is among the gravest threats to U.S. national security in our history, Diaz-Balart said in a statement on the bill. For the last two years, President [Joe] Biden and his Administration have entirely neglected the escalating crisis at our border, and their lack of action has ceded all control to narco-terrorist cartels, who are now among the most powerful in deciding who comes into our country and at what price.

The key provision of the bill relates to the construction of a border wall between the United States and Mexico: under President Donald Trump, materials for the construction of a border wall were purchased. Upon taking office, Biden halted construction on the barrier, suggesting that a wall was racist.

Thus, the materials have sat unused along the border for over two years. According to some estimates, this has cost the United States over $70 million already.

The GOP bill would require Biden to again authorize construction on the wall.

In addition, it would deploy an array of new technology to the border, increase the number of Border Patrol agents, and up their pay.

Republicans also seek to end catch-and-release, a controversial Biden administration policy under which illegal aliens thought to be low risk are released into the interior after being apprehended at the border.

Additionally, the bill seeks to strengthen protections for unaccompanied minors crossing the border after explosive whistleblower testimony alleged that the U.S. government is acting as a crucial middleman for cartel child trafficking operations.

In his statement on the bill, Diaz-Balart said: Minors are now being used by their sponsorsoftentimes adults they have never metto perform brutal and dangerous jobs across the United States, violating child all labor laws and putting these innocent lives at tremendous risk.

He added, It is long past the time to take back control of the border from the drug cartels and establish humane and fair policies that adhere to the rule of law.

The legislation has already won the important support of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who put out a statement supporting and summarizing the legislation (pdf).

The Biden administrations open-border policies have led to an unprecedented national security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border, McCarthy said. For more than two years, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have ignored this crisis.

H.R. 2, McCarthy added, fulfills [Republicans] promise to the American people to deliver solutions to a crisis that affects not just cities and states along the borderbut every city and state across the country.

He concluded, The administration has not taken any meaningful action to secure the border since taking office in January 2021. To the contrary, time and again, they have taken purposeful actions to make it worse. House Republicans will take action to secure the border and restore the rule of law. This is our commitment to America.

The bill seems likely to pass relatively easily through the House, where Republicans hold a slight majority, but will face tougher hurdles in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where it may not even come to a vote. Even if the Senate passed the bill, it would be unlikely to win Bidens support.
Im a Veteran, Ask Me Anything (Again)

Commentary

A few years back there was an article called Did You Ever Kill Anyone? 5 Things Not To Say To A Veteran that made its way through various social media sites popular with military veterans. The story identifies five specific topic areas, such as PTSD and killing in combat, as off-limits to ask veterans about. I thought Id share my personal reaction to that article and the questions it addresses.

As a veteran with multiple combat deployments and more than twenty years of service, I disagree completely with the fundamental premise that there are questions that the American people shouldnt be allowed to ask American veterans.

On the contrary, as veterans, I think we should be talking to our civilian peers about all five of those things, because they are fundamental realities of our way of life. Ive been asked every one of the questions on that proposed conversational no-strike list, and I dont find them offensive.

Some veterans do, and thats OK; that doesnt mean we shouldnt still talk about them. In fact, when it comes to these or any other legitimate questions related to military service, I think our default setting should always be Im a veteran, ask me anything.

Furthermore, instead of zeroing in on what non-veterans should not say to vets, I think we should focus more on how veterans should engage with non-veterans. I think the first thing for veterans to realize is that people asking probing questions about the military are most likely not bad people; theyre just curious people. They probably dont even know that some of the things theyre asking might be offensive or inappropriate, so its up to us to educate them in a way that allows for future dialogue. I guarantee that if youre a veteran, youre going to get asked these kinds of questions; its good to just go ahead and start preparing for them.

A U.S. Army soldier attending the Basic Leader Course at The Noncommissioned Officer Academy Hawaii receives feedback on his briefing skills for his public speaking assessment from his instructor, Staff Sgt. Stefanie Sherrod. (DoD photo by Sgt. Christopher Thompson)

The next thing for us veterans to realize is that we dont know everything and that not every problem in the world can be explained by what we personally experienced in combat overseas. Online, in social settings, and especially in the college classroom, Ive seen too many vets think their opinion matters more simply because theyre veterans; sometimes thats simply not the case. We need to remember that were not all experts in everything, and there are many things we can learn from our non-veteran colleagues as well.

Were not completely blameless either when it comes to thoughtless questions. In hindsight, Im quite sure I asked many unintentionally-inappropriate questions of my friends who had a different profession, religion, sexual orientation, or country of origin from mine. Not because Im an inconsiderate tool bag (well, not just because of that) but because I was genuinely curious. At the end of the day, my non-military friends and I all ended up smarter because we werent afraid to ask each other questionsany questions. I think thats almost always the case.

So, my brothers and sisters in arms, I suggest that we all execute a little tactical patience with the non-veterans we interact with. Until and unless they demonstrate clear intellectually-hostile intent, take any chance you get to practice some positive civil-military engagement.

Remember that if theyre asking you these kinds of questions, its most likely because youre the first veteran theyve ever talked to, and if that is the case, whatever impression you give them is the lasting impression that they will have of all of us, and our entire profession of arms. If they care enough to ask, shouldnt we care enough to answer?

For my part, Im normally just so happy that someone cares enough to ask a real vet a real question about military service that there is almost nothing I wont talk about if asked. This was particularly true during my time in graduate school, when most of my friends and classmates were non-veterans. Both in the classroom and in social settings, we all adopted an informal no offensive questions policy, meaning the person being asked the question wouldnt take offense at anything that was asked, because no offense was ever intended. After all, if someone is asking questions to genuinely better understand someone elses experiences, lifestyle, or worldview, can ANY question truly be offensive?

What Ive done below is imagine a situation where Im back at the bar with some of my young college friends, and how I might answer the five so-called off-limits questions. My intent in writing this is to give veterans some things to think about when responding to these kinds of questions, and to give non-veterans some perspective and some things to think about before asking. I want to emphasize that these questions do not reflect the nuance or the intellectual depth of the ones I usually get asked by my non-veteran friends and especially my former college classmates. These are just the ones that people are being told not to ask.

What follows are my opinions only; every veterans experiences are unique, and individual answers will vary widely, especially in different settings and with different audiences. I dont presume to speak for all of my fellow veterans, as theyre quite capable of speaking for themselves. But I am a veteran, and Im speaking now. So crack open a cold one, lean back in your bar stool, and lets have a conversation. Im a veteran, ask me anything.

I Dont Understand How Anyone Could Join the Military

Of course you dont, thats why were having this conversation in the first place! Lets unpack that statement for a moment. What is it, exactly, that you dont understand? You dont understand how people might sacrifice and risk their lives in support of something bigger and more important than themselves? You might, one day after youve had children, or your own home, or a profession, or a relationship you care deeply about, especially if any of that might suddenly get taken away by someone else. You might also feel differently after youve had a chance to experience different cultures and ways of life, and realize how special the United States really is in the world, and that its worth fighting for.

Its not all about idealism, either. Take a look at the economics: military service could be a ticket to the middle class, a pathway to citizenship, a way to learn a marketable trade, or a way to pay for college. And the benefits package, especially the retirement, is pretty substantial.

The military is an inherently dangerous profession, but its also the most respected instruction in the United States, and the U.S. military is the most powerful one that the world has ever seen. There is tremendous job satisfaction in doing ones part to keep our nation safe, powerful, and rich; plus you get to travel the world, and they pay you for it! After everything I just told you, I think a better statement is I dont understand how anyone could NOT join the military.

How Could You Leave Your Children?

Its because of my children that Im still in. Do you know exactly who and what it is were fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, and elsewhere around the world? I do. Ive seen it up close and very personal, many times. There are a lot of brutal bastards out there who want to kill you, me, AND my kids simply because were Americans.

Watch the videos, hear them in their own words if you dont believe me. My being in the military helps keep ISIL in Syria instead of Syracuse, Al Shabab in Somalia instead of San Diego, and Al Qaeda in Pakistan instead of Philadelphia. It keeps my children in Birkenstocks instead of burqas, in diapers instead of death camps. Me fighting the bad guys over there means theyre not fighting my children over here.

There are genuinely evil people in the world who cant be reasoned with, bought off, or captured and put in prison. They can only be stopped with violence, and someone has to stand ready to meat it out. After all, someone a lot smarter than me once observed if we dont learn to love the battle axe, someone else will. So if you want to join the party and stand on that line so I can stay home and raise my children, Ill give you the number of a couple of really good recruiters.

But ReallyDid You Kill Anyone?

Nope; well not directly, but I assure you it wasnt for lack of trying.

Do You Have PTSD?

No, but many of my friends do. Its a very complex issue that we as a nation are really just now coming to grips with. Not all veterans have PTSD, and not everyone who has PTSD are veterans. In fact, there are more people with PTSD who are NOT veterans. While were on this topic though, asking someone if they have PTSD is a lot like asking someone if theyve ever killed anyone: those are deeply, deeply personal questions that may or may not be appropriate to ask depending on that particular veterans experiences and your individual relationship with him or her. If a veteran feels like you need to know those kinds of things about him or her, you wont have to ask.

Thank You for Your Service, but 

Let me stop you right there. There is no but. Either youre grateful, or youre not. Im cool with however you really feel, but dont try to play it both ways. Ill have more respect for you if you pick one position or the other and stick with it. The reason I cut you off is that the but  in the statement you started to make normally means theres a political point following, usually one that involves why we invaded one country or didnt intervene in another. If you want a political discussion, talk to a politician. Or ask one of our global affairs majors, theyre probably smarter and more politically astute than most of our elected leaders anyway.

Heres the dealIm a soldier. I fight who Im told, where Im told. I dont get to pick my wars like its drop/add day in the registrars office. If the U.S. military picked where we fought, do you think it would be a backwater like Afghanistan or a meat grinder like Iraq? Hell no! If the military got to choose, wed be invading small tropical islands just off the U.S. mainland where they have no standing army and love dogs, home brew, and everything Murica.

Basically, it would be just like Panama City Beach, but with combat pay and nobody actually getting shot at or blown up. Look, we go where the President tells us, when he tells us, for as long as he tells us. And we always fight to win, because in our line of work the losers come home in coffins; combat isnt Call of Duty. So if you dont like the wars he gets us involved in, or the ones he keeps us out of, take it up with him, not with me.

Hey, are we going to talk shop all night? This beer isnt going to drink itself 

This article first appeared in The Havok Journal.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
IN-DEPTH: America Fails to Grasp Chinas Rare Earth Dominance, Analysis Finds

Workers at a factory for Xinwangda Electric Vehicle Battery Co., which makes lithium batteries for electric cars and other uses, in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu Province, on March 12, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Over the past several years, Chinas powerful grip on rare earth elements has motivated action by Congress and multiple presidents.

Millions in government funding went to an American rare earth and critical mineral refinery and a rare earth separation plant.

Just last week, Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Penn.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) reintroduced a bill that would create a tax credit for rare earth magnet production at home.

Yet, a soon-to-be-released paper argues that Americas leaders have failed to address what it characterizes as Chinas top-down, sovereign-monopoly.

A coauthor of that analysis, mine owner and consultant James Kennedy, criticized the bill.

The tax credit will result in massive and exclusive production of low-temperature magnets, he told The Epoch Times in an April 28 interview.

Kennedys analysis highlights Chinas control over the commercial separation of several important rare earthsnamely holmium, terbium, and dysprosium.

Those three elements are crucial for making the high-temperature neodymium magnets in electric cars, weapons systems, and other applications.

Kennedy said that without access to those elements in a separated form, American companies will only be capable of producing low-temperature magnets.

No one will make high-temperature magnets because the tax credit would not cover the differential in cost, Kennedy told The Epoch Times.

Ford CEO Jim Farley poses for a photo at the launch of the electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck at the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Mich., on April 26, 2022. It costs about $10,000 more than a gas-powered F-150. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

It would, he added, assure China retains control over high-temperature magnets and thus EVs [electric vehicles], wind, and U.S. weapon systems.

He made the point even more starkly in an April 17 interview with The Epoch Times. As far as high-temperature magnets are concerned, America isnt even in Chinas league.

This is not a misprintChina controls 100 percent, he said.

Chinas Rare Earths Juggernaut

Kennedy coauthored his paper with rare earth experts from around the planet. Some remained anonymous because drawing attention to Chinas market power could jeopardize their careers.

The analysis warns Americans not to ignore Chinas strategic vision on rare earths, arguing that past assessments by the United States and its allies have erred by assuming the country mainly thinks in terms of financial gain.

Chinas motivations are not merely economic in the traditional sense. Rather, these mineral resources are being leveraged as a geopolitical fulcrum for Chinas economic advantage and technological domination of downstream technologies and related industries, it states.

As rare earth elements have become a geostrategic flash point, the United States and its allies have stepped up support for miners and processors outside of China.

For example, the Department of Defense awarded Australias Lynas Rare Earths $120 million in 2022 to construct a Texas-based rare earth separation plant.

Pavel Molchanov, an energy analyst with the investment services firm Raymond James, noted that Chinas share of rare earth mining has declined recently.

BPs latest energy review shows that China produced 59 percent of the worlds rare earths in 2021. Thats down from much closer to 100 percent in 2010, according to statistics gathered by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Historically, there was no political concern around rare earth supply outside of China, Molchanov told The Epoch Times in an April 25 interview.

Therefore, if the project-level economics were not very attractive, then it simply would not get done.

He attributed the shift in the Wests attitude to Chinas aggressiveness and lack of predictability on the world stage, citing its posture on Taiwan and its support for Russia against Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 20, 2023. (Sergei Karpukhin/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Molchanov also pointed out that America isnt alone in seeking to decouple from China even as it pursues ambitious (or aggressive) climate goals that will increase demand for Chinese-dominated materials. The European Union also wants to reduce its dependence on China for rare earths.

As we look towards the end of this decade, I think China will be well below half of the worlds rare earths supply, Molchanov said.

Kennedy thinks its a little too early for the United States and its allies to celebrate.

When China went from producing 97 percent of the worlds rare earths to roughly 60 percent now, everyone went around blowing their victory horns. Were not winning. Were a stooge. We just got played, he told The Epoch Times.

Kennedy believes China is deliberately moving mining outside its borders while expanding its control over magnets and other valuable downstream products.

China didnt want to pollute its country anymore or exhaust its resources, so it created a margin opportunity for producers, and that is where we are at this exact moment, he said.

If they could do that, they can also reverse it, he added.

Military Weakness

These days, rare earths and other critical materials often enter the news cycle in connection with the so-called green transition from fossil fuels and the internal combustion engine to wind power, solar power, and EVs.

The energy transition has barely begun and the U.S. finds itself increasingly dependent on China for rare earths and other critical materials, said Guillaume Pitron, a French journalist known for writing about rare earths and other raw materials, in the foreword to Kennedys analysis.

Yet Molchanov emphasized that EVs and similar technologies are a relatively small part of the rare earths story.

Neodymium is used in electric vehicles, but I certainly do not want to portray this as purely a question of sustainability or energy transmission. Its actually much more of a national security issue pertaining to aerospace and military applications, he said.

U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Battalion prepare for a Warrior Shield live fire exercise at a military training field in Pocheon on March 22, 2023, as part of the Freedom Shield joint military exercise. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images)

An anonymous critical minerals adviser agreed with Molchanov about rare earths importance to defense.

The adviser, who was involved in drafting Kennedys report, told The Epoch Times how the U.S. bungled critical materials, opening up an opportunity for China: after the events of 9/11 and well into Francis Fukuyamas End of History, America was all-in against terrorism.

While China was expanding in different regions, the U.S. had its eye off the ball. When it finally got terrorism to a low boil, it realized, Wait a minute, theyre all over the world. Theyre all over Africa. Theyre picking up all these resourceskind of like playing Monopoly with someone, and theyre even buying up Baltic Avenue and Mediterranean Avenue, even the little tiny crappy pieces, the adviser said in an April 26 interview.

Strategic competition is always a competition for strategic resources, he added.

Current military technologies already make rare earths a vulnerability. In addition, Western governments are pursuing defense electrification policies that could place more stress on that weak point.

During a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm affirmed her support for the Biden administrations push for rapid electrification of military vehicles.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm tours the Strategic Petroleum Reserve site at Bayou Choctaw, Louisiana, on May 24, 2022. (Jonathan Bachman/Reuters)

The British Army announced plans for battlefield electrification, including through the expanded use of EVs.

Molchanov noted that China is not the only country with large reserves of rare earth metals.

According to BPs latest energy review, Brazil and Russia are also particularly rich in the elements, with reserves dwarfing those of Australia and the United States.

The Russia-Ukraine war has only cemented Russias close connections with China.

The anonymous critical minerals adviser described Americas involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war as a total distraction, including when it comes to critical minerals.

Brazil, meanwhile, has entered into many new agreements with China under its new left-wing president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Arrogance and Miseducation

In Kennedys view, the rare earths issue is in keeping with a broader trend of Western hubris. Washington insiders, he said, have often let him know they havent bothered to read that countrys own English-language reports on its One Belt, One Road and Made in China 2025 strategies.

Westerners, he said, are so arrogant that if they read the reports, they just think that its Chinese grandstanding. But its not. Theyre very consistently delivering on their goals. Look at us. We dont deliver on any of our goals but we do a tremendous amount of grandstanding, a lot of virtue signaling, he told The Epoch Times.

Chinas Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong and Nepals Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi exchange documents during a signing ceremony relating to the One Belt One Road initiative in Kathmandu on May 12, 2017. (PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)

For many analysts who have spoken with The Epoch Times, problems with the quality of STEM education in the United States are a serious issue for the country as it competes with China on rare earths and other critical minerals.

Kennedys analysis stressed Chinas numerous university programs, national laboratories, and other research endeavors devoted to rare earths. The United States and the West, by contrast, are barely competing.

In a recent interview with The Epoch Times, the Claremont Institutes David P. Goldman described engineering education in the United States as alarmingly poor.

The smartest kids go to the big tech companies, where they hope to become millionaires by the time theyre 26, he said.

Angry Birds game characters at the Rovio headquarters in Espoo, Finland, on March 13, 2019. (Anne Kauranen/Reuters)

A lot of the science degrees go to foreigners, the anonymous critical minerals adviser told The Epoch Times.

This education deficit is probably going to be one of the most painful things that we face as a country, Kennedy said, adding that many professors who might have been able to teach the relevant skills four decades ago are retired or deceased.

Rep. Reschenthaler declined to comment to The Epoch Times.
IN-DEPTH: Who Are the 9 Cabinet-Appointed CRTC Commissioners Responsible for Implementing Bill C-11?

The social media pages of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on a cellphone in Ottawa on May 17, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez will soon issue a policy directive to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) informing its commissioners how to go about drafting regulations to implement the new legislative framework outlined in the federal governments recently passed Bill C-11, also known as the Online Streaming Act.

Bill C-11 will bring digital streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube under the CRTCs regulating authority. The new legislation dictates that these streaming platforms must contribute to new Canadian content standards or face steep penalties.

The specifics of this new framework will be outlined in regulations drafted by the CRTC, which will be informed by Rodriguezs policy directive. The CRTC will also hold online consultations with the Canadian public before finalizing the new regulations.

The CRTC is responsible for supervising and regulating all aspects of Canadas broadcasting system, along with the countrys telecommunications service providers and common carriers that come under federal jurisdiction.

The federal government describes the CRTC as an administrative tribunal under Heritage Canadas portfolio that operates at arms length from the federal government.

Meanwhile, official Opposition Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called the commission a small group of privileged insiders close to the prime minister.

The CRTCs eight current commissioners, appointed by the governor-in-councilthe governor general acting on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet between 2018 and this yearwill be responsible for drafting and implementing the new online-streaming regulations in line with Bill C-11.

CRTC Chair and Vice-Chairs

There are currently nine CRTC commissioner member positions, which include one member serving as chairperson and two serving as vice-chairpersons, with the other members representing different regions of the country.

Members are appointed usually for five-year terms.

Alongside the chair and vice-chairs, one member represents the Atlantic/Nunavut region, one Quebec, one Ontario, one Manitoba and Saskatchewan, one Alberta and the Northwest Territories, and one represents British Columbia and Yukon.

The position representing Quebec is currently vacant. Eight full-time appointees hold all the other seats.

Chairperson Vicky Eatrides was appointed in December 2022.

Eatrides began her career practising federal regulatory law in 2000. She joined the federal public service in 2005, where she held a number of increasingly senior executive positions at the Competition Bureau of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). She was assistant deputy minister at ISED for over three years, from October 2019 to January 2023.

At one point during her 12-year tenure at the Competition Bureau, Eatrides served as its senior deputy commissioner and was in charge of enforcing criminal and civil provisions of the Competition Act.

After being appointed as the new CRTC chair, Rodriguez said Eatrides will lead the commission into an evolving and ever-more-important function, and  see to its continued modernization to being more open, transparent, efficient, and effective.

The need for a new approach is underpinned by the dramatic changes that are occurring in our countrys communications ecosystem, he wrote on Feb. 6.

Cabinet also appointed Alicia Barin and Adam Scott in December 2022 as the CRTCs vice-chairs for five-year terms, which took effect in February and January respectively.

Barin, vice-chair of broadcasting, had been an interim CRTC vice-chair since August 2022, while Scott, vice-chair of telecommunications, had been a telecom and spectrum-policy adviser to the federal government for over 20 years.

Scott had worked at ISED since 2001, primarily in the spectrum and telecommunications policy fields.

Barin was appointed as the CRTCs regional commissioner for Quebec in 2019, but didnt serve a five-year term. She also previously worked in the private broadcasting industry at Astral Media.

Ms. Barin has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the various parties the CRTC regulates and the concerns of the Canadian stakeholders they impact, wrote Heritage Canada in a December 2022 release.

Regional Commissioners

The CRTCs current regional commissioners are Ellen Desmond, Bram Abramson, Joanne Levy, Nirmala Naidoo, and Claire Anderson. Three are lawyers and two were previously journalists.

Desmond, appointed as regional commissioner for the Atlantic provinces and Nunavut on a five-year term starting in 2020, was previously director of the legal and administration department for the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board for about 14 years.

Abramson, Ontarios commissioner, also practised law and was previously a trustee of the American Registry for Internet Numbers and also director of the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services.

He is also a graduate of the Women in Film and Televisions Media Leadership Program.

Levy and Naidoocommissioners for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and Alberta and the Northwest Territories respectivelywere both journalists.

Levy previously worked for CBC before becoming director of programming for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, while Naidoo worked for CTV, NBC, Global News, and CBC.

The CRTC describes Naidoo as a strong advocate for human rights and equality of power.

Anderson, commissioner for British Columbia and Yukon, is a lawyer and a citizen of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. The commission describes her as the first indigenous woman to be appointed a CRTC commissioner.

Policy Directive

Although Rodriguez has not yet given the CRTC its policy directive for the new Bill C-11 regulations, his department said a draft directive will be published soon in the Canada Gazette.

A public consultation on the matter will follow, after which the final policy directive will also be published in the Canada Gazette.

The main source of debate surrounding Bill C-11 was a clause saying that user-generated content would be included under the CRTCs regulating authority rather than large streaming platforms only.

Rodriguez has said on several occasions that the government does not intend to regulate individual content creators, but cabinet still rejected a Senate-proposed amendment aimed at removing the clause that would include user-generated content under the CRTCs purview.

The Senate said upon passing the bill into law on April 27 that it takes note of Ottawas public assurance that Bill C-11 will not apply to user-generated digital content.

Eatrides said in a statement on the same day that the CRTC has no intention to regulate creators of user-generated content and their content.

However, she added that the CRTC will adapt its approach in light of any future policy direction.

Rodriguez said in an interview with CTV News on April 30 that he will be even more clear in his upcoming policy directive to the CRTC that user-generated content is not to be regulated.

Its definitely not the intent of the bill. Its not the impact of the bill, either, he told CTVs Question Period host Vassy Kapelos. Im sending a policy direction soon to the CRTC. Its going to be even more clear on that policy.

Rodriguez added that regulating user-generated content would be impossible because of the volume of such content across many digital platforms.

Who could check that? he said. First, were not interested, but even if we were, who could do that? Its impossible.
Japan, Egypt Pledge Strategic Partnership Upgrade Amid Chinas Growing Influence

Japanese leader Kishida embarked on a four-nation tour of Africa to counter China's growing influence in the region

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the first day of the three-day G-7 summit at Schloss Elmau, Germany, on June 26, 2022. (Sean Gallup/Pool/Getty Images)

Japan and Egypt have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to the strategic partnership level as Japan seeks to increase engagement with African countries in the face of communist Chinas growing influence.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Egypt as part of a four-nation tour of Africa on April 30, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for bilateral talks, his office stated.

Japan and Egypt are already important partners that cooperate with each other on the world stage. We have now agreed to elevate our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, Kishida stated on Twitter.

The two leaders discussed regional affairs in the Middle East and Africa, including the situation in Sudan and Russias war in Ukraine, reaffirming the importance of maintaining the rules-based international order.

Japan-Egypt Summit Meeting  1. Introduction 2. Bilateral relations

 Economic cooperation

 Japanese companies expanding into Egypt

 Security 3. Regional affairs

 Situation in Ukraine

 Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)

 Regional affairs More: https://t.co/oxkOXYJDA4 pic.twitter.com/43cddD6WkJ  PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) May 1, 2023

Japan agreed to provide Egypt with yen loans for the Greater Cairo Metro Line and to launch a study focused on ensuring the safety of navigation of the Suez Canal, Kishidas office stated.

Kishida said he would encourage Japanese companies to expand and invest in Egypt, adding that Japan intends to cooperate with Egypt in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Kishida met with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo on April 1. Both leaders agreed to cooperate to strengthen the functions of the United Nations, including through Security Council reform, while Japan pledged to provide Africa with around $500 million in financial aid.

After Ghana, Kishida will visit Kenya and Mozambique. He will stop in Singapore on his way back to Japan and is expected to meet with his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong.

Chinas Influence in Africa Worries Japan

Kishida aims to enhance ties with the four African nations to counter Chinas influence. He told his aides last month that Chinese leaders have traveled all over Africa and Latin America to bolster ties.

At this rate, well lose them, Kishida was quoted as saying by Nikkei Asia.

Last year, Japan pledged to contribute $30 billion over three years to support Africas development and economy. Kishida said his nation aspires to be a partner growing together with Africa.

Of those funds, Japan would invest over 10 billion yen ($72 million) in African startups and provide training to 300,000 Africans in various sectors over three years for human resource development.

The Japanese government will also provide $130 million in food aid and co-finance a $300 million loan with the African Development Bank to boost food production amid the global food and energy crisis.

Chinese state-run media Global Times criticized Japans move, saying that Japan should focus on resolving its own doorstep rather than competing with China in Africa. It stated that China is Africas largest trading partner, with $254.2 billion worth of trade in 2021.

In August 2022, China pledged to waive 23 interest-free loans for 17 African countries that had matured at the end of 2021. But critics warned of the trap behind the apparent largesse of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Chinese leader Xi Jinping poses with African leaders, including Malawis President Arthur Peter Mutharika (2nd row, 2nd R), during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2018. (How Hwee Young/AFP/Getty Images)

Although the exact amount of debt to be waived is unknown, a Chinese online article said Chinas total loans in Africa were $145 billion at the end of 2020.

Economist Davy Jun Huang explained that the CCP timed the waiving of the loans to suit its purpose, which was to gain diplomatic support from the African countries.

Huang believes the CCPs geopolitical competitionthe discourse power in West Africawith the West was also part of the reason for this diplomatic gesture.

In June 2022, the G-7 leaders pledged to raise $600 billion over five years to finance needed infrastructure in developing countries. The European Union announced in 2021 that it would invest 300 billion (about $299.9 billion) over six years for global infrastructure. Both undertakings are seen as rivals to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Mary Hong contributed to this report.
Japan, South Korea Resume Economic Talks After 7 Years as Relations Improve

South Korea Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho attends the G-20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Nusa Dua, on Indonesia resort island of Bali, on July 15, 2022. (Sonny Tumbelaka/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Japan and South Korea agreed on May 2 to resume finance ministers talks that had been stalled for seven years, in the latest sign of thawing ties between the two nations strained by wartime disputes.

South Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, met on the sidelines of the annual Asian Development Bank (ADB) summit in the South Korean city of Incheon.

The two ministers agreed to hold the meeting at an appropriate time this year, Yonhap News Agency reported. The financial dialogue between South Korean and Japanese ministers was last held in 2016.

[As the two countries] consider free trade and market system to be the key of their economic management, there are many areas in which the two governments and the private sectors can join forces, Choo said.

The minister suggested that South Korea and Japan expand cooperation in semiconductors, space, and biotechnology. Choo said the two nations could cooperate to address low birth rates.

Suzuki said he intends to enhance bilateral financial relations with South Korea so that both nations can work together to address global economic challenges.

South Korea and Japan are important neighbors that need to cooperate to address various tasks of the global economy, as well as the regional and international society, Suzuki told reporters.

The announcement came ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas two-day visit to South Korea on April 30, which could mark a resumption of shuttle diplomacy between leaders of both nations.

Kishida will meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during his visit for bilateral talks. This will be their second meeting since they agreed to normalize ties at a summit in Tokyo in March.

It will be a good opportunity to frankly exchange opinions on ways to develop Japan-South Korea relations and the rapidly changing international situation, Kishida told reporters, according to Kyodo News.

South Korea-Japan Complete Normalization

The two countries agreed on the complete normalization of a military intelligence-sharing pact during the summit in March. Kishida said he hoped to open a new chapter in the relations between South Korea and Japan by resuming bilateral visits without being bound by formality.

Yoon had signaled his wish to improve the relationship between Japan and South Korea after he was elected last year.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands ahead of a summit meeting at the prime ministers official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on March 16, 2023. (Kiyoshi Ota/Pool/Getty Images)

At a ceremony to commemorate South Koreas independence from Japanese rule on March 1, instead of asking for an apology from Japan, as previous South Korean presidents had done on that date, Yoon signaled a willingness to work with Japan.

Today, Japan has transformed from a militaristic colonizing power in the past to South Koreas important regional partner that shares the same values and can work together on the issues of security, trade, and global affairs, he said in his speech.

Yoon said that he believes that in the context of the current geopolitical shuffle in northeast Asia, its important to change the previous strategy of maintaining a balance between the United States and China and to join the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy.

The two countries relations have been hampered by historical disputes, including the forced labor of Koreans by Japanese companies during Japans 19101945 colonial rule of Korea and the exploitation of Korean women in Japanese military-run brothels.

In 2018, the South Korean Supreme Court ruled in favor of compensation by Japanese companies that benefitted from forced labor. However, Japan argued that all compensation issues had been resolved under a 1965 treaty between the two nations.

To improve ties with Japan, South Koreas government has decided to use local funds to compensate victims of forced labor instead of pushing Japanese companies to pay compensation.

Ben Zhao contributed to this report.
Los Angeles Looks to Add More Speed Humps After Crash Killed Mother Walking Child to School

A fatal crash near an elementary school critically injuring a 6-year-old girl and killing her mother last week in Los Angeles prompted a committee of the Los Angeles City Council on April 26 to pass two motions for the establishment of a dedicated speed bump program near all schools and to explore increasing school crossing guards.

We have to do the work to ensure that the safety of our children, our mothers, fathers, and grandparents are the priority. I want to use every tool in our toolbox to ensure that the safety of our people takes precedence over traffic time, Councilwoman and Transportation Committee Chairwoman Heather Hutt said during the meeting.

The day before, a truck driver near Hancock Park Elementary School in Mid-Wilshire struck and killed 33-year-old Ghadah Abduljabbar while critically injuring her 6-year-old daughter, who was last reported in stable condition on April 26.

The driver of the truck, a 30-year-old male whose name hasnt been released, was reportedly taken to the hospital for minor injuries the same day, and according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement, also on April 26, theres no evidence of any criminal involvement in the crash. It appears to have been a tragic accident, potentially caused by a medical emergency.

The incident led Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho to emphasize the need for solutions to prevent such tragedies.

We need immediate staffing of crossing guards, more enforcement around schools specific to speed limits and legislation to provide additional safety precautions and measures to ensure safe passages to schools, Carvalho said in a statement to City News Service on April 26. We wish our student a speedy recovery, and extra support will be provided to the school community.

In this file photo, a sign is seen near Sonora Elementary School in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Dec. 1, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Nick Melvoin, a member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board, also expressed his heartbreak at the tragic incident.

The conflict between a car-driven city and students making their way to school is tragically ongoing, he told City News Service the same day. I dont know if a crossing guard, a speed bump, a sign or traffic lights would have prevented this tragedy, but I do know that these measures can prevent future ones.

Its unclear how much the speed bump program would cost.

Despite adequate funding for school crossing guards in Los Angeles, the transportation department is struggling to fill 200 vacancies of crossing guards out of 500 funded positions.

According to a transportation committee staff report, their recruitment has several challenges, including inconvenient working hours, with a two- to three-hour block in the mornings and another in the afternoon when students are dismissed.

Some officials, such as Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, argued during the committee meetingof which shes a memberthat the hourly pay of $22 isnt enough to attract and retain qualified candidates.

Data from the Los Angeles Police Department reveal that the number of traffic-related deaths in Los Angeles increased in 2022, surpassing 300 fatalities for the first time in 20 years.

Just hours before the transportation committee meeting, the tragedy was followed by another accident, in which a 14-year-old student was struck by a vehicle near Berendo Middle School in Downtown Los Angeles.

City News Service contributed to this report.
Major Social Media Platforms Named as Top Offenders Facilitating Sexual Exploitation

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has released its "Dirty Dozen" list of groups its says facilitates sexual exploitation, in this 2021 file photo of a child using a laptop computer. (File Photo)

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) has released its Dirty Dozen list for 2023, calling attention to groups facilitating sexual exploitation.

The centers annual list, released on May 2, has identified social media platforms Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Roblox, and Reddit as among the top offenders for contributing to exploitation.

Additionally, the group asserts that Spotify, the Apple App Store, Kik, GitHub, eBay, Discord, and OnlyFans have rounded out its Dirty Dozen list for 2023.

The group is asking that concerned parties sign petitions that will be sent to each company requesting that they take action to mitigate the damage their companies reportedly facilitate.

The group outlined the alleged offenses of each company starting with Apple, calling them the primary gatekeeper to what Americas children are accessing online  as well as who is accessing them.

According to NCOSE, Apples App Store is deceptive to the core, noting specifically misleading age ratings and descriptions that add risks and dangers to children.

In addition to groups who have already received backlash for potential contributions to exploitation, including OnlyFans and Snapchat, NCOSE pointed out potential harms with some less obvious businesses, including eBay and Spotify.

According to the center, a parent alleged that porn is available on Spotify, potentially allowing children access to the content.

Pornography [including content that normalizes sexual violence, child sexual abuse, and incest] can be easily found on Spotify in the form of thumbnails graphically depicting sexual activity and nudity, as well as audio pornography,' NCOSE reported.

This is despite Spotifys claims that it prohibits sexually explicit content.

When it comes to eBay, NCOSE asserts that: Whatever it is, you can get it on eBay, and that extends to childlike sex abuse dolls and spycams advertised specifically for filming women without their consent.

NCOSE has been conducting analysis on groups and businesses with potentially unethical or dangerous business practices for more than a decade.

In March of this year, it released its decade in review, saying that the annual campaign has galvanized thousands to call on corporations, government agencies, and organizations to change problematic policies and practices.

Since its inception in 2013, the Dirty Dozen List has galvanized thousands of individuals like you to call on corporations, government agencies, and organizations to change problematic policies and practices, the groups website said about the project.

NCOSE claims to have seen major victories over Google, Netflix, TikTok, Hilton Worldwide, Verizon, Walmart, the U.S. Department of Defense, and others, due to its Dirty Dozen project in the past.

When explaining what the group does, NCOSE describes its work, saying it has built the infrastructure that is equipped to stand toe-to-toe against the worlds pornographers, pimps/sex traffickers, sex buyers, and exploitation profiteers.

The groups board of directors includes Ron Degass, co-founder of Covenant Eyes, Former U.S. attorney Ken Sukhia, and the retired Bishop of Arlington, Bishop Paul Loverde.

A Discord spokesperson responded to The Epoch Timess request for comment, saying: Child-harm content is appalling, unacceptable, and has no place on Discord or in society.

We work relentlessly to keep this content off our service and take immediate action when we become aware of it, including banning users, shutting down servers, and when appropriate, engaging with the proper authorities and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The Epoch Times has also reached out via email to the other 11 businesses listed but did not receive a response on the subject in time for publication.
(Bloomberg) -- Right-wing media entrepreneur Ben Shapiro has taken a $4.7 million stake in a struggling Israeli pharmaceutical company and joined the board.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Shapiro, 39, a co-founder of media company The Daily Wire and host of the Ben Shapiro Show podcast, now owns 4.8% of Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., according to regulatory filings published late Monday. That makes him the companys biggest shareholder, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Shapiros investment comes after Orameds stock price collapsed by 80% due to its failure in January in a years-long effort to develop a method to deliver insulin to diabetics orally, rather than by injection. The company has since said it would explore potential strategic alternatives including an acquisition, merger, business combination, or other transaction.

Oramed rose 8.4% to $2.66 at 10:33 a.m. in New York. The company, which is traded in both New York and Tel Aviv, has a market value of $106 million, down from a peak of $1.1 billion in 2021.

This is a pure investment move, Shapiro said in an emailed statement. I identified Oramed as an undervalued stock in January 2023 given its low market cap, publicly disclosed cash holdings, and apparent low burn rate. I have great faith that the board will be able to use the companys capital in effective and diverse ways, including but certainly not limited to its current biotech-centered strategy.

Shapiro bought the shares on the open market, he said. The filings didnt say how much he paid for the stock, though his 1.9 million shares were worth $4.7 million as of Mondays close. He also now holds 20,000 restricted stock units that can be converted into additional Oramed stock over three years, the filings said.

Story continues

Podcasting, Media

His appointment to the board is unconnected to his podcasting and media ventures and is a private business decision, Oramed said in response to questions from Bloomberg News.

Shapiros ownership stake and extensive operational and business background and acumen makes him a valuable addition, the company said in a news release. He bought the shares on the open market and Oramed said it doesnt know what he paid for them.

The Daily Wire, founded by Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing, hosts podcasts by Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson and commentators Candace Owens and Matt Walsh, while producing streaming video content.

The company describes itself as right of center politically and one of the USs fastest-growing media businesses. Its part of a universe of right-leaning media companies that have sprung up in recent years, including the Peter Thiel-backed Rumble Inc. and former President Donald Trumps Truth Social.

(Updates with shares in fourth paragraph, statement from Shapiro in fifth.)

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Michael Zwaagstra: Alberta Election Will Impact Schools in a Big Way

Commentary

The Alberta election campaign is now underway. Polls indicate that it will be a tight race between Danielle Smiths UCP and Rachel Notleys NDP.

With the NDP well ahead in Edmonton and with most of rural Alberta locked in for the UCP, the election will almost certainly come down to Calgary, where the UCP and NDP are neck-and-neck in the polls. This means that Calgary voters essentially get to choose who will be the next premier.

Election campaigns tend to focus a lot on fiscal issues and health care. In Alberta, there is also usually a vigorous debate about which party will best stand up to Ottawas intrusion in areas of provincial jurisdiction. Unfortunately, this means that other important topics, such as education, often receive less attention.

However, voters should pay attention to education because this election will impact Alberta schools in a big way. Perhaps the most obvious difference is on the matter of curriculumwhich is the substance of what students are expected to learn in school.

The UCP government has implemented substantial curriculum revisions at the K3 level and plans to expand implementation to Grades 46 in the fall. However, not only has the NDP promised to halt expansion of the new curriculum, but they also promise to scrap it altogether if elected this spring.

No doubt there have been some significant hiccups in the UCPs rollout of the new curriculum, particularly in social studies. However, the new math and English Language Arts (ELA) requirements mark a substantial improvement over what had been in place before. Specifically, Alberta students are now required to learn the standard algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and will need to demonstrate fluency with basic math facts.

In addition, the new ELA curriculum will help students become more proficient readers. Thats because it places a strong emphasis on explicit and systematic instruction in phonics. Research has long been clear that phonics (sounding out letters and words) is vastly superior to the three-cueing method which essentially encourages students to guess the meaning of words based on their context.

Learning how to read is a human right, as evidenced by the fact that the Ontario Human Rights Commission recently released an extensive report about the state of reading instruction in that province. The Right to Read report pulled no punches as it excoriated Ontario schools for subjecting students to inferior reading instruction, which impacted poor students the most. It called for a total overhaul of the provincial ELA curriculum so that it includes a proper emphasis on phonics.

If the NDP wins the Alberta election, they will no doubt scrap the new ELA curriculum. This might make some well-paid curriculum consultants happy, but it will not be good for Alberta students. Students need explicit and systematic instruction in phonics, and this wont happen if Alberta schools revert to the old ELA curriculum.

Its also important to consider the different approaches of the UCP and NDP on school choice. Alberta currently provides significant school choice to parents, as evidenced by the fact that independent schools are eligible for partial operational funding from the province. In addition, Alberta is the only province to allow charter schools.

Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are run independently. They cannot charge tuition and they must teach the provincial curriculum. There are currently 19 charter school authorities and 34 individual charter schools in Alberta. This number is continuing to increase, largely because the UCP recently lifted the arbitrary cap of 15 charter schools that had previously been in place.

Charter schools meet needs that arent being met anywhere else. Parents who want a more traditional back-to-the-basics approach can send their kids to Foundations for the Future Charter Academy in Calgary while those who want individualized programming for their at-risk kids might choose Boyle Street Education Centre in Edmonton. Meanwhile, some charter schools, such as Valhalla Charter School in northern Alberta, were formed when the local school board planned to close Valhallas only school. In response, community members banded together and created their own charter school.

Although the NDP never abolished charter schools while they were in office, they were never particularly friendly to them either. They certainly expressed no interest in lifting the cap on the total number of charter schools and made no effort to reduce the onerous regulations that made it hard to create new ones. If they get back in power, expect to see significant roadblocks put in the way of any charter school looking to expand.

When Alberta voters, particularly those in Calgary, go to the polls later this month, they had better think carefully about what type of schools they want to have. This election will have a big impact on the type of learning that happens in schools.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Millions of iPhone Users Get Rapid Security Update

Apple on Monday released its first series of rapid security patches targeting security vulnerabilities that are being actively exploited for iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.

According to a notice posted on Monday, the tech giant said the Rapid Security Response updates will deliver important security improvements between software updates. And the firm said, They may also be used to mitigate some security issues more quickly, such as issues that might have been exploited or reported to exist in the wild.'

The update issued on Monday, however, did not detail what iOS or Mac security flaws were addressed. It merely stated that this Rapid Security Response provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users and signaled the download is about 85 MB in size.

Apple also said that the rapid update feature is enabled by default, meaning users likely wont have to manually download the update on Monday.

But it advised that iPhone or iPad users go to Settings, General, Software Update, and then Automatic Updates. There, they should ensure the Security Responses & System Files feature is turned on.

Mac users, meanwhile, should go to the Apple menu, then click on System Settings. After that, click General in the sidebar and click Software Update on the right. There, they should click the Show Details button next to Automatic Updates before making sure that Install Security Responses and system files is turned on.

If you choose to turn off this setting or not to apply Rapid Security Responses when theyre available, your device will receive relevant fixes or mitigations when theyre included in a subsequent software update, it says.

Some Apple users on social media and various tech websites said they were having difficulties installing Mondays rapid security update. An Unable to Verify Security Response message was displayed instead of the update, they said, according to screenshots posted online and multiple tech news websites.

Apple did not provide other details about the update. The Epoch Times has contacted the Cupertino, California-based firm for comment.

It comes as criminals and companies are designing new forms of spyware, including Reign, a newly discovered type of spyware manufactured by Israeli firm QuaDream. Researchers have told Forbes and other outlets that the software was detected in connection to cyberattacks carried out between 2019 and 2021.

Phone hacking tools like Reign must never be underestimated, Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at ESET Antivirus company, told Forbes in a recent report. Its quiet, under-the-radar delivery method enables it to monitor the vast majority of a device and those targeted will have no idea its there. Once deployed to a device, it is extremely difficult to remove Reign.
Moderate Risk After Lab Containing Diseases Seized by Fighters in Sudan: WHO

A sign of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 24, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

A World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Tuesday that a second risk assessment found that there was a moderate risk related to the seizure of a public health laboratory in the Sudanese capital by one of the warring parties.

The situation and the risk are being seen as moderate, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told reporters at a United Nations briefing in Geneva, Switzerland.

This is because the lab cannot provide its main function, that is to provide the analysis and the diagnostics because of the lack of fuel and lack of trained staff, he added.

Dr. Nima Saeed Abid, the WHOs representative in Sudan, said last week that there was a huge biological risk in Khartoum after one of the fighting groups took control of a laboratory containing samples of deadly diseases.

Abid expressed grave concern at the U.N. briefing on April 25, telling reporters via a virtual call from Port Sudan that the situation was extremely, extremely dangerous, adding technicians were unable to secure hazardous materials from the laboratory because armed forces removed them from the building.

We have polio isolates in the lab. We have measles isolates in the lab. We have cholera isolates in the lab, Abid said. There is a huge biological risk associated with the occupation of the central public health lab in Khartoum by one of the fighting parties.

Neither Jasarevic nor Abid revealed which of the fighting sides had taken control of the laboratory, which also reportedly contains a major blood bank.

The public health laboratory is located in central Khartoum, close to flashpoints of the fighting that pits Sudans military against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that grew out of the notorious Janjaweed militias implicated in atrocities in the Darfur conflict.

Conflict

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded since a long-simmering power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary erupted into conflict on April 15. The parties have fought on despite a series of ceasefires secured by mediators, including the United States.

Meanwhile, the warfare has also prompted multiple countries, including the United States, to evacuate their diplomatic staff and shut down their embassies.

A number of countries are in the process of conducting one of the biggest international evacuations in years as their nationals flee the sudden outbreak of fighting.

Evacuees rest onboard a Saudi vessel as it travels from Port Sudan to Jeddah on April 30, 2023. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.N. warned on Monday that the conflict could force 800,000 people to flee the country as battles between rival military factions persisted in Khartoum despite the supposed ceasefire.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of State said a government-backed convoy carrying American citizens arrived at Port Sudan on April 29 in the first U.S.-run evacuation. Port Sudan, which sits near the Red Sea, is located hundreds of miles away from Khartoum.

The U.S. government has taken extensive efforts to contact U.S. citizens in Sudan and enable the departure of those who wished to leave, the statement reads. We messaged every U.S. citizen in Sudan who communicated with us during the crisis and provided specific instructions about joining this convoy to those who were interested in departing via the land route.

We encourage U.S. citizens who want to leave Sudan but chose not to participate in this convoy to contact the Department of State using the crisis intake form on our website, it added.

The fighting has derailed an internationally backed political transition aimed at establishing a democratic government in Sudan, where former autocratic President Omar Hassan al-Bashir was toppled in 2019 after three decades in power.

Two Americans have been killed in the fighting. One was a U.S. civilian who was caught in the crossfire between the two sides, officials said, noting that the other was a doctor from Iowa who was stabbed to death near his home in Khartoum.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Montana ACLU Sues State Legislature Over Censure of Transgender Lawmaker

Montana Democrat transgender legislator Zooey Zephyr speaks on the floor of the state House in Helena, Mont., on April 26, 2023. (Montana House Legislature via Reuters/Screenshot via NTD)

Montana Democrat transgender legislator Zooey Zephyr confirmed on May 1 that Zephyr is working with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to sue the Montana Legislature after it censured the state lawmaker last week.

Taking to Twitter, Zephyr, a biological male who identifies as a bisexual trans woman, said the recent actions by Montana lawmakers violate Zephyrs First Amendment rights and the rights of the 11,000 constituents Zephyr represents.

Montanas State House is the peoples House, not Speaker Regiers, and Im determined to defend the right of the people to have their voices heard, Zephyr wrote, referring to Republican House Speaker Matt Regier.

The ACLU of Montana also confirmed in a separate statement that it had filed a lawsuit in state court challenging House leaderships decision to censure Zephyr.

Representative Zephyr was elected by the people of her district after running on the very principles she is now being punished for defending, said Alex Rate, legal director of the ACLU of Montana.

In his craven pursuit to deny transgender youth and their families the health care they need, Speaker Regier has unfairly, unjustly, and unconstitutionally silenced those voters by silencing their representative, Rate continued. His actions are a direct threat to the bedrock principles that uphold our entire democracy, and we welcome the privilege of defending the people of Montanas 100th House District from this desperate and autocratic effort to silence them.

The Montana House of Representatives voted 6832 on April 26 to bar Zephyr from voting on the House floor after Zephyr broke decorum during a debate over a bill banning transgender medical procedures for minors.

During the debate, Zephyr told fellow lawmakers they would have blood on your hands if they supported a ban on so-called gender-affirming care, which many lawmakers fear could lead to long-term negative health implications for minors.

The lawsuit (pdf) lists the state of Montana, Rep. Matt Regier, and Bradley Murfitt, sergeant-at-arms of the Montana House, as defendants.

Plaintiffs include Zephyr and four residents of Montana House District 100.

Debate Over Gender-Affirming Care

Some House Republicans criticized Zephyrs language during the debate as hateful rhetoric and uncalled-for and demanded Zephyr be censured for taking part in conduct that disrupted and disturbed the orderly proceedings of the Legislatures activities.

Regier subsequently did not allow Zephyr to speak on a number of bills regarding transgender issues, including a bill that sought to define male and female in binary terms in the state code and another that sought to block minors from accessing pornography online.

However, that decision prompted a protest in the gallery on May 1 among some constituents who demanded that Zephyr be allowed to speak. Some of the demonstrators were arrested by police, according to local reports.

Zephyr was later barred from the House floor and gallery for the rest of the legislative session, which ends May 5, with lawmakers including House Majority Leader Sue Vintona Republican who brought the motion to bar Zephyrstating that the Democrats actions had placed legislators and staff at risk of harm.

Zephyr will still be able to vote on bills remotely.

Lawsuit Details

This is an action for emergency declaratory and injunctive relief against Defendants arising out of their unconstitutional Censure and retaliatory silencing of Representative Zooey Zephyr, a member of the Montana House of Representatives who engaged in Constitutionally protected speech, the lawsuit states.

Lawyers for Zephyr say the Democrat being barred from physically entering the Montana State Capitol means Zephyr cannot engage in speech and debate on important matters of public concern.

By depriving Representative Zephyr of her right to freely engage with the legislative process, Defendants have also deprived her 11,000 constituents of the right to full representation in their government, the lawsuit states. Defendants lawless silencing and Censure of Representative Zooey Zephyr extinguishes a vital part of the job her constituents elected her to do.

While Regier has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, his office released a statement late last month noting that all representatives in the Montana House are free to participate in House debates while following the House rules. The choice to not follow the House rules is one that Representative Zephyr has made. The only person silencing Rep. Zephyr is Rep. Zephyr.

The Montana House will not be bullied. All 11 representatives will be treated the same, the statement continued.

The Epoch Times has contacted Regiers and Murfitts offices for comment.

A spokesperson for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the case filed by Zephyr is political activism masquerading as a lawsuit.

The ACLU is trying to use the courts to interfere with the legislature as it carries out its constitutional duties on behalf of Montanans, Emily Flower, Knudsens press secretary, said. Any relief granted by the court would be a gross violation of the separation of powers.
Myth Busted: Hypersonic Missiles Make Great Bunker Busters

Commentary

Reports have been circulating on Twitter and some news services that Russias new super weapon has destroyed an alleged shadow NATO bunker in Lviv, Ukraine, buried 300 to 400 feet underground, killing dozens of people.

An analysis of the claim, such as that provided by Newsweek, shows the claim to be false. Still, podcasts and YouTube channels collectively boasting millions of subscribers have continued to report on the story as if its credible or at least might be credible. That this is the case is understandable as many rightfully dont trust so-called mainstream fact-checkers such as Snopes that have been wrong on such topics as COVID-19 vaccine safety, vaccine effectiveness, masking, lockdowns, natural immunity, election integrity, the Hunter Biden laptop, Russian collusion, etc., etc.

However, beyond the kind of analysis already cited, theres a prima facie case for the falseness of the claim that has largely been overlooked. That being that Russias so-called super weapon, the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile, isnt capable of destroying a bunker 400 or even 300 feet beneath the ground.

Certainly, its possible that shadow NATO bunkers, along with NATO special forces, are operating in Ukraine. And between March 8 and 9, the Kh-47M2 was used to successfully strike and destroy several high-value targets in Ukraine. Its also true that the Kh-47M2, with a maximum claimed speed of between Mach 10 and Mach 12, is a very destructive weapon. And we have all heard that speed kills.

Consequently, its understandable that with all the hype surrounding hypersonic missiles, claims of a scary fast Mach 12 hypersonic missile destroying an underground bunker might be viewed with credulity. After all, if we accept the assumption (a big if) that a Kinzhal missile did strike the ground at Mach 12 directly over the deeply buried bunker, it would release around 16,000 megajoules of energy in a matter of microseconds: about 50 percent more energy than that of a 747 with near-empty fuel tanks striking the ground at 600 miles per hour. Or comparable to the kinetic energy of five full broadsides from an Iowa class battleships nine guns firing 2,700-pound projectiles at Mach 2.25.

Thats an insane amount of destructive energy. However, being an effective bunker buster is about more than impact energy and velocity. Other factors include the structural strength of the penetrator, penetration depth prior to the release of energy, ground coupling, mass, density, cross-sectional density, etc. And while the Kinzhal missile is very fast, it doesnt get high marks in all the other factors that make for being an effective bunker buster. And by looking at some other powerful weapons, we can see just how lacking the Kinzhal is when it comes to underground bunker busting.

First up for comparison is the U.S. Air Forces Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb, which was erroneously presented by much of the media and even the Department of Defense as being a bunker-buster, tunnel-destroying weapon when it was used in Afghanistan in 2017. The 21,700-pound MOAB, affectionately known as the mother of all bombs, generates a destructive blast well over double that of the Kinzhal. Yet, analysis shows its a poor bunker buster, with limited ability to destroy tunnels.

On the other end of the scale is the worlds most powerful bunker buster, the Air Forces 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). Unlike, the MOAB, whose bomb casing is very thin and made of aluminum, the MOPs casing is made of thick, super-strong steel that remains intact even after striking the ground at supersonic speeds and burrowing through hundreds of feet of earth and dozens of feet of concrete prior to detonating. Consequently, unlike the Kinzhal, whose relatively flimsy air frame disintegrates immediately upon hitting the ground, releasing both its kinetic and explosive warhead energy in a matter of microseconds, the MOP is designed to release all of its explosive energy after burrowing down close to the bunker or actually smashing through the bunkers roof.

So, whereas a weapon like the MOP penetrates deep into the earth before releasing its energy, the Kinzhal does not. Bottom line, while the Kinzhal can destroy or heavily damage most surface structures, its ability to damage any bunker quickly diminishes as the depth of the bunker increases.

Now back to the unlikely assumption that a Kinzhal missile struck the ground at Mach 12, immediately over the posited buried bunker. That assumption is almost certainly untrue as the quoted maximum speeds for hypersonic missiles invariably occur at high altitudes where the air is thin. When the hypersonic missile descends toward its intended target, the air density increases, creating more drag and greatly reducing speed. Also, at speeds greater than Mach 5, a plasma charge builds up around a missile that blocks out radio signals, including GPS and GLONASS. So, unless Russia has solved this very difficult technical issue, its possible that the impact speed was more along the lines of Mach 4. This is still very fast and very difficult to intercept, but is a far cry from having a precision-guided missile with an impact velocity of Mach 12.

Not only is it impossible for the Kinzhal to destroy a deeply buried bunker, its also quite possible that its impact velocity will not even be hypersonic, but only high supersonic.

So, myth double busted.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
No Such Thing as Independent Chinese Global Enterprises, Committee Hears

Charles Burton, senior fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute (MLI) and former Canadian diplomat in China, speaks at a round-table hosted by MLI in Ottawa on Sept. 12, 2019. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)

A scholar on China has warned that affording more scrutiny to Chinese state-owned enterprises with regard to foreign takeovers of Canadian companies wont entirely remove the risk of losing strategically to the communist regime.

All Chinese global enterprises are fully integrated into the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] party-state, corporate, military, and security apparatus, because as party General Secretary Xi Jinping has put it  the party leads everything, said Charles Burton before the House of Commons industry and technology committee on May 1.

There are no Chinese industrial enterprises existing independently from Chinas party-state, added Burton, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

Burton and other experts and stakeholders were testifying with regard to the committees study of Bill C-34, which seeks to amend the Investment Canada Act.

Burton was reacting to comments made by Minister of Innovation Francois-Philippe Champagne, who testified before the committee on April 26.

Champagne said that only in exceptional circumstances would state-owned enterprises be allowed to invest in the sector of critical minerals.

Burton said that any foreign investment from China should be subjected to the most stringent national security test regardless of the sector.

He said that any intellectual property that a Chinese company becomes privy to through an investment in a Canadian partner is as a matter of course going to be covertly transferred through Chinese Communist Party channels. The regime will then use the technology to further its own interests, he said.

In making the case about Chinese corporations being under the control of the regime, Burton gave the example of telecommunications giant Huawei.

He said it does not self-identify as a Chinese state-owned enterprise, but like all PRC institutions, its org chart suggests that Huaweis Chinese Communist Party branch takes precedent over the Huawei board of directors in corporate decision-making.

The federal government announced in May last year it was banning Huawei equipment from the countrys 5G wireless infrastructure over security concerns, but it allowed companies who had installed it already until June 2024 to remove it.

Bill C-34, sponsored by Champagne, seeks to strengthen the Investment Canada Act to better protect Canadas economic security.

The bill would grant authority to the minister of innovation and the minister of public safety to impose conditions on a transaction to mitigate the risks without obtaining an order-in-council from the cabinet, as is currently the case. Champagne told the committee this will speed up the review process and make it more flexible.

Jim Balsilie, former Blackberry CEO and now chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators, provided several recommendations to the committee and encouraged the bill be strengthened.

If assets are deemed critical to Canadas prosperity and security, then the [act] needs to ensure they remain in our control regardless of the type of foreign counterparty or nature of commercial relationship, he said.

He also suggested that the federal government should give itself legislative powers to unwind any prior investment, university partnership, joint venture, or merger or acquisition.
Missouri Judge Temporarily Blocks New Restrictions on Transgender Procedures

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (2nd R) speaks at a news conference with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) on Feb. 24, 2023. (Courtesy of the Missouri Governor's Office)

A Missouri judge has ordered a two-week hold on the nations first attempt to regulate medical gender-transitioning of adults and minors via a consumer-protection rule.

Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudos May 1 ruling comes amid a national and international debate over the safety and effectiveness of transgender medical procedures in general.

Disagreements usually have centered on the use of these procedures for youths. But the Missouri rule also focuses on concerns about the well-being of adults.

LGBT civil-rights activists, who petitioned to stop the proposed rule, say its unconstitutional and would cut off transgender people from the health care they want and deserve.

But Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who authored the rule, argues that it would ensure adequate health care for patients embarking on a risky, life-altering course of cross-sex hormones and body-altering surgeries.

If enacted, the rule would require doctors to provide specific warnings and ensure that prospective transitioners receive 18 months of mental health therapy.

Arguing the Science

Both sides argue that scientific findings support their contentions.

But, in her ruling, Ribaudo said she needed more information before deciding which side is correct.

She will consider whether to take further action against the rule, following a May 11 hearing.

On behalf of medical providers and transgender people who oppose the rule, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri (ACLU-MO) issued a statement applauding the judge for temporarily blocking the enactment of extreme and unprecedented restrictions  for trans people of all ages.

One of the plaintiffs, Southampton Community Healthcare, says the rule imposes illogical barriers to necessary care, according to the ACLU-MO statement.

Under the rule, Southhamptons medical professionals also would be required to grapple with how to provide ethical medical care to our transgender patients, the statement said.

AG Is Confident

Madeline Sieren, a spokeswoman for Bailey, told The Epoch Times via email: We remain confident in our position because the Court even acknowledged that it deferred its consideration of the science until a later date.

Our six pages of endnotes speak for themselves: these procedures are experimental. We will continue to fight for all patients to have access to adequate health care, Sieren wrote.

However, Ribaudo noted that Baileys proposed rule represented a novel use of his power to take emergency rule-making actions.

Such a use has never previously been subjected to judicial scrutiny and may impermissibly invade a function reserved to the legislature.

Ribaudo also wrote that opponents of the rule have shown that they are likely to prove they will prevail.

Data Debated

Baileys rule states that theres a lack of data showing that these medical procedures are safe and effective. He said the situation constitutes an emergency because transgender medical procedures that pose very serious side effects have become increasingly popular.

These interventions are undertaken often without any talk therapy at all, Bailey wrote.

High percentages of transgender-identifying people suffer from autism, a history of sexual abuse, and other conditions that would benefit from therapy, he noted in his rule.

Baileys rule asserts that such underlying disorders should be addressed before patients can medically transition.

But the ACLU-MO, in a previous statement, said the use of hormones and surgeries for transgender people is also supported by overwhelming scientific evidence, decades of clinical experience, and the medical consensus of major medical organizations in the United States.

The ACLU-MOs Gillian Wilcox accused Bailey of a dangerous and unlawful twisting of Missouris consumer protection laws.

State, National Context

The legal battle over the proposed rule comes as conservative lawmakers nationwide, including those in Missouri, have either enacted or proposed banning gender-based medical procedures for minors.

A few liberal states, including Colorado, have enacted laws upholding minors rights to these procedures.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, has urged lawmakers to pass transgender medical and sports-participation bills before the legislative session ends May 12.

If they fail to act by that deadline, Parson has threatened to force lawmakers into a special session to get the job done.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
NYPD Officer Dies 33 Years After He Was Shot in a Robbery

A logo of the New York City Police Department in Brooklyn, New York on Feb. 17, 2019. (Mimi Nguyen Ly/ NTD News)

NEW YORKA New York City police officer who spent more than three decades in a vegetative state after being shot in the head during a botched robbery has died, officials said.

Detective Troy Patterson, who was off duty when he was shot on Jan. 16, 1990, died Saturday, Detectives Endowment Association President Paul DiGiacomo said Monday.

Patterson was washing his car on a street in Brooklyn when he was approached by three young men who demanded $20, police said. One of the robbers, who was 15 years old, shot Patterson.

Patterson suffered a catastrophic injury and spent the next 33 years in what news reports describe as a vegetative state, though supporters held out hope that he would regain consciousness.

NYPD Assistant Chief Judith Harrison said during a vigil for Patterson last year that she was hoping for a miracle more than 30 years after the shooting.

DiGiacomo, who visited Patterson in his rehabilitation facility, said the wounded detective could respond with body movements.

A 27-year-old patrolman when he was shot, Patterson was later promoted to detective.

He was a very, very respected member of the NYPD, DiGiacomo said. He will be missed.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said on Twitter:The NYPD mourns his loss and extends our continued support to his family & friends.

The three would-be robbers all served prison time for charges related to the shooting and have been released, DiGiacomo said.
Opposition Parties Push to Summon Witnesses Over McKinsey and Canada Infrastructure Bank Links

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis rises during Question Period in Ottawa on Sept. 27, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Opposition MPs on a committee pressed May 2 to summon witnesses to appear at their study of consulting firm McKinseys role in the creation of the Canadian Infrastructure Bank, but a fiery exchange and a long debate prevented any resolution or even hearing the witnesses set to testify.

Liberal MP Jennifer OConnell said the Tories are inventing scandals and only looking for clickbait in raising a fuss about witnesses not appearing to testify.

Another day, another conspiracy theory by the conservatives, said OConnell.

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis interrupted OConnell, saying You came here deliberately to cause conflict.

Get out of here! OConnell fired back.

Liberal MP Jennifer O'Connell and CPC MP Leslyn Lewis get into a heated exchange in TRAN committee just now. "Get out of here!" Lewis complained that ministers and other stakeholders were not responding to invitations to testify. O'Connell says CPC is pushing more "conspiracy pic.twitter.com/Jui703loaI  Noe Chartier (@NChartierET) May 2, 2023

Lewis opened the meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) by discussing her motion to summon witnesses to appear. The previous committee meeting was cancelled due to witnesses not responding to invitations.

Lewis raised the issue in the House of Commons on April 27, saying she was putting the witnesses on notice. They can come the easy way or they can come the hard way, but they will come to committee and they will answer to taxpayers, she said. The Conservatives tabled the motion the following day.

The committee is conducting a study on the creation of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), which was established in 2017 to fund revenue-generating infrastructure projects with $35 billion in taxpayer money and to attract private investments.

The CIB was the brainchild of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth, a body created by the Trudeau government which was chaired by then McKinsey boss Dominic Barton.

The CIB went on to award $1.43 million in contracts to McKinsey and hired several former McKinsey employees, with former partner Ehren Cory now serving as its current CEO.

Cory had appeared before the Commons government operations committee on Feb. 6 to testify in the context of that committees study on McKinsey contracts, and was also scheduled to testify on May 2.

An hour and a half into the meeting, Cory and other witnesses set to testify were dismissed without having addressed the committee.

While these witnesses were present, Lewis decried that multiple individuals had not responded to the committees invitation, including Minister of Infrastructure Dominic Leblanc and Minister of Innovation Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Other opposition parties also sided with the Conservatives. Im certainly not a conspiracy theorist, said Bloc Quebecois MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval addressing OConnells comment made at the start of the meeting.

I also sent a list of witnesses to the clerk and I also saw that the witnesses I requested basically all declined to appear, with one exception.

NDP MP Taylor Bachrach threw his support behind the Conservatives motion, saying it makes a decent point.

These witnesses were recalcitrant until this motion landed, and all of a sudden theyve expressed a desire to accommodate the committee, he said, adding that if theyre not summoned they could back away again.

Lewis said Canadians have an issue with the CIB because of the lack of transparency of this bank on contracts, on hiring, on salaries, on its project agreements, on its financing arrangements, and on providing accurate information to Parliament on the status of current projects.

All of these things are an affront to transparency, she said.

OConnell responded that Conservatives have not lost their ability to invent scandals where one doesnt exist and to call this an affront to transparency, I would suggest its an affront to reality.

The government operations committee has been studying the contracts awarded to McKinsey over the last few months and no major controversy has been unearthed.

As for the TRAN committee, this is not its first crack at the CIB, having issued a single recommendation with regard to the bank in May last year. The committee recommended that it be abolished, citing issues such as lack of efficiency.

The study was based on research conducted during the previous Parliament, and supporters of the CIB say the bank has since made great strides.

Cory told the government operations committee in February that 27 projects have reached financial closure, with 19 of those being currently in construction.
Orange County Leaders Garner Support for California Bills Against Fentanyl

IRVINE, Calif.Local law enforcement and government leaders stood by an enlarged photograph of colorful, candy-like pills within the City Hall to garner support for two state bills to address the surging fentanyl overdose deaths on April 28.

Every single day, more than 15 Californians will die because of fentanyl poisoning, state Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) said. Remember these are not just numbers and statistics. These are our loved ones.

The assemblywoman said she has introduced two billsAB 955 and AB 1027to help combat fentanyls deadly effect on Californians, especially youth. Fentanyl is now the most deadly drug circulating in the illegal drug market, according to the California Department of Public Health.

A poster of candy-like fentanyl pills is put on display at a news conference held by Orange County officials supporting state bills combating fentanyl poisoning in Irvine, Calif., on April 28, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

AB 955, if passed, will impose longer prison termsbetween three to nine years, up from existing laws two to four yearsfor those possessing fentanyl for sale, which will also be applicable to those selling the drug on social media platforms. The bill is supported by the League of California Cities, which represents 479out of 482cities in California, and nearly 30 law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Newport Beach Police Association, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, and California District Attorneys Association.

AB 1027 would help law enforcement agencies investigate fentanyl-related deaths associated with drug sales on social media platforms, according to the bill author. It would require major social media companies to publicly post their policies on how they handle records of their users communication and for how long they retain such information. On average, platforms hold such information for 24 hours, which is not enough time for fentanyl overdose, according to a representative from the Orange County Sheriffs Department.

We are seeing people and kids dying of fentanyl overdose after they have taken something that they thought was a prescription drug, Petrie-Norris said. Alongside that trend, we are seeing drug traffickers abusing social media platforms to sell to our kids.

Both bills were heard on April 27 by the state Assembly committees, with AB 1027 amended by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and awaiting further discussion.

AB 955 was put on hold and referred for an interim study by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Petrie-Norris said she was disappointed by the hearing result.

[It was the] first time Ive heard that phrase [interim study], Petrie-Norris previously told The Epoch Times while walking out of the hearing on April 27. The reason I agreed to that is that I have a commitment from the chair and the committee members that we will continue to work on and develop this policy, and to continue this process with a select committee hearing in May.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer speaks about state legislation combating fentanyl poisoning in Irvine, Calif., on April 28, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley shared the same sentiments at Fridays news conference.

It is not a Public Safety Committee. It is a pro-criminal committee that supports initiatives to open up our prison doors and not hold people accountable, Spitzer said. We are not dealing with people who are good model citizens. We are talking about drug dealers. We are talking about people who know they are pushing fentanyl into our streets.

Speaking of the Assembly Public Safety Committees decision, Foley said, Thats not justice, and thats not democracy.

This is not a good day. We are outraged by this group of Sacramento legislatures keeping these bills from moving forward, Foley said.

In Foleys home city of Costa Mesa, police have made substantial arrests recently related to fentanyl sales. Police Chief Ron Lawrence emphasized the importance of the state legislature in combatting the growing numbers of fentanyl poisoning.

The Costa Mesa Police Department strongly supports making legislation that will positively assist in reducing the sale and distribution of illegal fentanyl and prevent this crisis, Lawrence said at the news conference. Law enforcement is taking very proactive measures to combat this, but more can be done, and we need the help from our legislators in Sacramento.

A photo of the 14-year-old Alexander Neville, who died after accidentally taking fentanyl, is displayed at a news conference joined by Orange County officials in Irvine, Calif., on April 28, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

In California, fentanyl-related deaths have increased by more than 1550 percent since 2016. In 2021, more than 5700 people died of fentanyl poisoning, including 224 teenagers between 15 and 19 years old, according to the state Department of Public Health.

At 50 times stronger toxicity than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, continues to be laced with other drugs due to its potency and low cost.
Free 24/7/365 Digital Mental Health Support is Now Available to Address Growing Industry Concerns

Counslr announced its partnership with Manhattan-based Tri-Star Construction Corporation

The partnership intends to better support the mental health of employees in construction. Tristars employees will have a direct connection to on-demand and scheduled access to licensed mental health professionals, 24/7/365. The partnership is especially timely given growing mental health concerns arising in the construction industry. Research shows that construction work ranks second highest in suicide rates among major industries. According to a study conducted by the CIRP (Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan), 83% of construction workers have struggled with mental health issues although only a third said they would communicate this to their employers. Burnout is also common among both construction employees and employers.

Counslr announced its partnership with Manhattan-based Tri-Star Construction Corporation

The partnership intends to better support the mental health of employees in construction. Tristars employees will have a direct connection to on-demand and scheduled access to licensed mental health professionals, 24/7/365. The partnership is especially timely given growing mental health concerns arising in the construction industry. Research shows that construction work ranks second highest in suicide rates among major industries. According to a study conducted by the CIRP (Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan), 83% of construction workers have struggled with mental health issues although only a third said they would communicate this to their employers. Burnout is also common among both construction employees and employers.

NEW YORK, NY, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Counslr , a platform providing unlimited access to text-based mental health support with licensed counselors via mobile app, today announced its partnership with Manhattan-based Tri-Star Construction Corporation . The partnership intends to better support the mental health of employees in construction. Tri-Stars employees will have a direct connection to on-demand and scheduled access to licensed mental health professionals, 24/7/365. The partnership is especially timely given growing mental health concerns arising in the construction industry.

While this business can be a stressful one, being able to better serve our clients, architects, subcontractors and vendors by having access to licensed mental health professionals is key to helping us maintain our high standard of service, said Douglas Dupas, Vice President/Dir. of Operations at Tri-Star. One of our core values is dedicated teamwork and having such a helpful resource like Counslr at our disposal helps the entire team stay on top of their game.

Research shows that construction work ranks second highest in suicide rates among major industries. According to a study conducted by the CIRP (Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan), 83% of construction workers have struggled with mental health issues although only a third said they would communicate this to their employers. Burnout is also common among both construction employees and employers.

Mental health and overall well-being have become increasingly high priorities for organizations across various industries, indicating more than ever that mental health knows no boundaries. It doesnt matter who you are or what you do for a living. Mental health impacts all of us, said Josh Liss, CEO of Counslr. This rings even more true for those in the construction business  from site workers to management, we want to provide a different level of support for anyone who may be impacted by stressors in their lives, especially by their line of work.

Story continues

Counslr is the only mental health support app offering truly unlimited access to licensed mental health professionals around the clock, that is completely free to end users.

For more information about Counslr or how to partner, please visit counslr.com .

ABOUT Counslr

Counslr , a 24/7 text-based mental health support platform, enables users to engage in unlimited live text sessions with licensed mental health professionals from the convenience of their mobile phone. Built to help leaders more effectively support their people and make prioritizing mental health easy for everyone, Counslr is delivering on their mission to provide accessible mental health services that improve access, reduce stigma, and eliminate costs. The Counslr mobile app is available on iOS and Android. To learn more about Counslr and its services, visit counslr.com .

Attachments

CONTACT: Carson Quinn ZMPR for Counslr 312.339.9779 carson@zindsey.com




Pastor Artur Pawlowski Found Guilty of Mischief After Speech to Freedom Convoy Truckers in Coutts

Artur Pawlowski speaks at a freedom rally in Edmonton on March 20, 2021, part of a worldwide protest against COVID-19 restrictions. (Courtesy of Artur Pawlowski)

Calgary pastor Artur Pawlowski has been found guilty of mischief for encouraging truckers to continue their blockade of the Coutts CanadaUnited States border crossing during the Freedom Convoy protest, a Lethbridge judge has ruled.

Mr. Pawlowski intended to incite the audience to continue the blockade, said Justice Gordon Krinke in delivering his decision on May 2.

Pawlowski was charged both criminally and under Albertas Critical Infrastructure Defence Act (CIDA). In addition to his mischief charge, Pawlowski was convicted of breaching a release order and wilfully damaging or destroying essential infrastructure.

While Krinke also found Pawlowski counselled other persons to interfere with the use of Highway 4 in a manner which rendered it useless, he has decided not to issue a conviction until a defences constitutional challenge to CIDA has been dealt with.

Crown prosecutors argued that during the Freedom Convoy in February 2022, Pawlowskis 20-minute speech to truckers in Coutts, Alberta, convinced them to dig in at the CanadaU.S. border crossing for another two weeks. The blockade began in January 2022 as a protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truck drivers.

On Feb. 3, 2022, after protestors had made a deal to leave the border crossing and travel to Edmonton, Pawlowski urged them to stay. The eyes of the world are fixed right here on you guys. You are the heroes. Dont you dare go breaking the line, Pawlowski said.

The protesters then decided to stay at the blockade for two more weeks. Pawlowskis lawyers argued during the trial that the pastor was merely expressing his opinion and did not incite the crowd to do anything.

Pawlowski was also charged with violating COVID-19 public health restrictions nearly two years ago, but the charges were stayed by the Crown in December 2022.

Shortly before his trial, Pawlowski said if he were found guilty, then it would mean that Canada is no longer officially a democracy, it becomes a totalitarian police state. Pawlowski said a guilty conviction could also mean politicians are subject to the same charges.

Imagine a pastor giving a passionate speech in a church sermon. He could be liable. Imagine a politician who comes in front of the people and says passionate things that the government doesnt like. He could be liable. So the implications are unbelievable if Im guilty, he said.
Pennsylvania Mulls EV Fee for Road Use

Pennsylvanians pay the highest state gas tax in the nation at 61 cents per gallon. That is on top of the 18.4 cents per gallon for the federal gas tax drivers pay in every state. Gas tax money is used for road repairs, but electric vehicle (EV) drivers dont buy gas, and so dont contribute to the upkeep of roads.

That is why the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee has begun talking about how to capture road use fees from EV users.

As the legislature we need to be certain that our roads and bridges can still be maintained, repaired, and replaced, and provide the proper funding to do so, Democratic state Rep. Ed Neilson, Transportation Committee chairman said during a hearing Monday that explored the issue.

As we continue to switch from gas power to electric, we can no longer depend on gas taxes to be the sole source of funding to maintain our infrastructure and roadways.

More than 30 states have already enacted some type of electric vehicle user fee, Neilson said.

Currently, there are dozens of proposals regarding electric vehicles in Pennsylvania, he said.

Everything from being totally exempt from just about every toll and every tax under the sun, to the more complicated proposals that require self-remittance of fees and are dependent on individuals being truthful and willing to pay  we must recognize the fact our country is at the beginning stages of changing from gas-powered vehicles, to electric vehicles, he said.

In Washington, Congress is making large investments right here in Pennsylvania and assisting on advancing President Bidens infrastructure plan, which will help us move forward.

Road User Fee

Federal and state gas taxes account for 74 percent of Pennsylvanias road funding, according to testimony at the hearing in the Capitol building in Harrisburg. But gas-powered vehicles have become noticeably more fuel efficient, and more EVs hit the road each year, eroding road funding.

It is an issue many states are addressing, with some already implementing EV road user fees.

Currently, EV fees range from $50 to upwards of $230 a year with Georgia and Alaska levying the highest fees on EV drivers, testified Nick Miller, a Pennsylvania state policy lead at the Electrification Coalition, a nonprofit organization working to accelerate the adoption of EVs.

The price of regular gas at the Conoco station off I-81 near Mahanoy City, Pa., was $4.09 on Sunday morning, March 6, 2022. (Jacqueline Dormer/Republican-Herald via AP)

Pennsylvania has one of the highest gas taxes in the nation, Miller said; therefore, it is understandable that the state would have one of the highest fees for EVs. At the current 61 cents a gallon rate, Pennsylvania drivers contribute roughly $290 a year in state gas taxes, which amounts to roughly 2.4 cents per mile, Miller offered as a starting point for a formula to calculate a fee.

After being opposed for years, automakers now support a user fee, testified Wayne Weikel, Vice President of government affairs at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade association representing the automakers that manufacture nearly 98 percent of all new vehicles sold in the United States annually.

Our members are committed to a decarbonized transportation future, Weikel said. Globally, the automakers have committed to over $1.2 trillion of [research and development] before 2030.

An all-electric Chevrolet Silverado and a 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV are on display during a preview at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show at Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Jan. 19, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Today some 90 EVs are for sale, but the variety is expected to expand to 130 by 2030.

We recognize, for states who have for years supplied funding for the roadways based on the gas tax, youll need to recoup those monies from other avenues that would have otherwise been collected from the gas tax, Weikel said.

We believe that EV drivers should be paying their fair share. Its just how one captures that fair share is the important question.

Ultimately, he said the user fee makes the most sense.

The committee also seems to lean toward a user fee but is not the only option.

The tax could be paid while charging, but they felt the plan had some technical challenges.

They discussed charging a tax per mile driven and collecting the amount owed annually with the vehicle registration fee. Or they could take an annual odometer reading or install a GPS-enabled device that tracks the number of miles driven or allow cell phones to track mileage. The committee quickly dismissed ideas that involved tracking movement, recognizing it as unpopular with the public.

The state does want to incentivize more EV use to cut down on air pollution and improve the air for better public health, Rep. Joe McAndrew, a Democrat said in the hearing. He mentioned his children have lung issues.

Why are we not taxing or feeing gas vehicles and disincentivizing gas vehicles for the pollution that theyre creating in the air? McAndrew said.
Peter Menzies: With Bill C-11 Now Law, What to Watch Out for to Fight Online Censorship

Canadians who want to maintain their online liberties should pay attention to the CRTC's every move

Commentary

As of April 28, everything audio and visual on the internet is under the control of Canadas broadcasting and telecommunications regulator and its nine political appointees.

It will be their job, as members of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), to make sure anything that meets the definition of programming (and Im thinking that will include Jordan Petersons shows) is of high standard.

If youre OK with having online content curated by unelected office-holders, you can move on and read something else.

If it bothers you thoughif you dont like the idea of bureaucrats handling complaints about and sifting through the internet wondering if Vatican website videos and J.K. Rowling podcasts are making the internet an unsafe spaceheres what you need to know.

Now that the Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11) has been given Royal assent and become law, the internet is recognized in law to be broadcasting in Canada. That means the CRTC is obliged to ensure internet programming meets aspirations such as serving to safeguard, enrich and strengthen the cultural, political, social and economic fabric of Canada, which is either harmless or hopelessly creepy depending on who you trust to interpret that phrase. Right now, thats nine commissioners appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet. You decide.

Those nine people will be expected to be in line with the intent of Bill C-11 which, according to the Government of Canada website, is to support greater diversity and inclusion in the broadcasting sector. This ensures greater representation of Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, cultural and linguistic minorities, LGBTQ2+ communities and persons with disabilities.

Never mind that a free and open internet has given everyone a voice without needing permission from anyone, the Government of Canada believes the only way to truly participate is by asking a regulators permission to do so.

And yes, thats indicative of the thinking behind Bill C-11.

But in terms of what you can say, watch, or listen to, its unlikely anything will change for at least a year. Thats because Bill C-11 is so vague that it leaves the definition of a myriad of important terms including social media and professional content up toyou guessed itthe CRTCs nine Trudeau appointees.

In the days and weeks ahead, the CRTC will get an Order in Council from cabinet telling it how to interpret Bill C-11.

Then the CRTC will hold some form of public process, or hearing, to define terminology and scope. This is where the media and the public need to pay attention. The CRTC can only make its decisions based on what exists on the record of its proceedings.

So if you want to maintain your online libertiesyour freedoms of choice and expressionyou better pay attention to crtc.gc.ca and urge your favourite media to do the same. Otherwise, you and all your like-minded friends are going under the bus. If you want to be silenced, stay silent.

Because there is an army of self-interested, veteran lobbyists/stakeholders out there ready to drive over you on their way to what they hope is going to be a huge trough of money.

The ink was barely dry on the Governor Generals signature, for instance, before the Coalition for Diversity of Cultural Expression was sucking up with congrats and noting the ball is now in the court of the CRTC to make the rules for each of the new services including audiovisual and audio services and social media. (my emphasis)

The Canadian Media Producers Association and the Writers Guild of Canada are already signalling theyll be putting pressure on the CRTC to ensure what they call a two-tier system doesnt unfold.

These are groups that have a long history of influence with the CRTC and they, along with big cable companiesthis will come as no surpriseare focused on their interests (not yours) when it comes to lobbying the regulator.

There are a lot of aspects to this, but for now the things you have to look out for the most are untrue statements. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, for instance, when asked on CTVs Question Period on April 28 whether Bill C-11 will impact user-generated content, replied, This is about the platforms, its never about the users. He also said that user-generated content (social media posts) is nowhere in the bill.

But of course it is. His own ministry has stated quite clearly that the bill applies to social media.

And dont pay attention when the chair of the CRTC says her organization has no intention to regulate creators of user-generated content.

Because it doesnt have to. As the previous CRTC chair testified, the organization has ways to get the outcomes it wants. And that means regulating companies like Facebook, YouTube and TikTok to make sure they regulate user-generated content (i.e., your stuff) to make sure it meets the CRTCs standards. The commission can then claim it is not doing something that it is ensuring gets donejust as it gets the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council to play crosswalk guard on speech and fuss about whether Happy Days reruns are inherently racist and sexist.

The battle for a free and open internet is not over. Its really just beginning. Pay attention if you care.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Promise to Get Tough on Crime

The Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia, organized by United Voices for Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.Pennsylvanias largest city is gearing up to elect a new mayor. A group of candidates spoke recently at an open house event aiming to provide solutions to rising crime and poverty in the city.

Eleven Democrats and one Republican are vying to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia.

Some of the candidates gathered at the Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, before the May 16 primary election.

Rebuilding Phillys Police Force

Among them, Jeff Brown, owner of a supermarket chain, told The Epoch Times that he would rebuild the police force to reduce the citys crime rate.

Brown, a Democrat, is one of only two non-politicians on the ballot. A fourth-generation grocer, he and his family built a chain of 12 union-represented supermarkets that have employed more than 60,000 local residents, often providing their first work experience, according to Browns website.

Mayoral candidate Jeff Brown at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Brown said: We have a very bad crime situation. And we have a diminished police force. We need to rebuild the police and rebuild our systems to address crime.

Over the years, Philadelphias crime rate has ranked consistently high among U.S. cities. In 2021, homicide victims in the city reached a milestone of 562, and in 2022 the number of homicide victims was 516, as reported by Philadelphia police.

Its poverty rate is also skyrocketing, at 23.1 percentmore than double the nations average.

Brown said a failed educational system is the root cause of the citys poverty.

Well, I think its an ineffective K through 12 education. Education should be a place where you learn to make a living, he said.

You figure out what your God-given talents are. And the school should help you to make a living with those talents. Thats one root cause, Brown said. If we missed you in school, we should help you with the workforce system.

Lack of Parenting; Rising Violence

Candidate Warren Bloom has run for office in Philadelphia six times. In the face of rising violent crimes, Bloom said that lack of parenting is the main cause of violence.

Mayoral candidate Warren Bloom at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Children are born into this community without a proper home, without a mother and a father thats committed to the family  the family is where everything starts. But it has to be a legitimate family, Bloom, a Democrat, said. Put a ring on it, make it legitimate, and make sure your children have the proper upbringing that they need as a moral issue. He added, We need to look for God to solve the problems. We cant do it as human beings. 

Candidate Jimmy DeLeon, a Philadelphia judge for 34 years, said social media is the driving force for much of the violence in the city.

DeLeon, a Democrat, shared his way to stop violence: Anyone thats arrested for having a gun for a straw purchase of a gun, for assaultive behavior, for domestic violence, for rape, on a case-by-case basis, were going to give them a social media ban.

Mayoral candidate Jimmy DeLeon at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

The Biggest Issue is Safety

Rebecca Rhynhart, Cherelle Parker, and Helen Gym, all Democrats, are currently leading the polls.

Rhynhart was elected twice as city controller, Phillys fiscal watchdog. Her top priorities are to make the city safer, cleaner and reform its schools.

Mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia, on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

The biggest issue is safety. We have to get the gun violence down, and we have to make our streets safe, Rhynhart said. There are strategies that have worked tremendously well in other cities to focus on the few hundred individuals that are in the life of violence and offer them a way out with consequences if they dont take it.

Oakland reduces their homicide rate by 50 percent in five years; New Orleans reduces by 27 percent. We can do this here in Philly, Rhynhart said.

Mayoral candidate Helen Gym at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia, on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Helen Gym, a second-generation Korean American, was a two-term city councilwoman. Theres no question the priority issue in our city is about safety and about how people are going to be safe and feel safe, Gym said. I have talked about, on day one, establishing gun violence as a public health emergency. Were going to coordinate all of our city departments, all levels of law enforcement, to come together and take illegal guns off the street, to make sure that we improve our 911 response times.

Mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Cherelle Parker was a two-term city councilwoman and a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representative. Clearly, we have to make our city safer and cleaner and greener. And we need to have access to economic opportunity for all. We want to see gun violence reduced here, Parker said. We have to give people access to the ability to take care of themselves. To increase home ownership, just give people access to opportunities to earn a living wage and to take care of themselves.

Republican David Oh: To Serve All the People

Attorney and three-term at-large Councilman David Oh is the only candidate in the GOP primary. Oh is a former Army lieutenant and assistant district attorney. He is the founder of the city councils Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy Committee.

Mayoral candidate David Oh at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Oh told the audience that he is running for mayor because there are things that I think I could do as mayor that I could not do on the city council.

Were a civic city of 1.6 million people. But in this mayors election, only 300,000 are going to vote, Oh said. So as mayor, its important that we get elected by the voters, but serve all the people, 1.6 million people.

Immigrant Voices

The event also focused heavily on immigrantsa demographic that constitutes 15 percent of the citys population.

We will vote for who protects us! Yuexian Wu, a Chinese immigrant, said.

Now I feel fearful, unsafe to go out at night, Wu said. Even though, as a green card holder, she cannot vote, she said her daughter can vote.

Wu hopes the new mayor will create a safe environment. She says shed like to lose her feeling of fear and feel safe to go for a walk.

Wu is one of nearly 40 Chinese who came to the event with Mingchu Pearl Huynh, the president of the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association.

Its a big step for us. Its not easy because our community doesnt have the background of participating in this kind of political event, Huynh said. We constantly educate them: you have to participate in the community event to make yourself known, and people were thinking about you when they decide policy. Otherwise, you will lose out.

Mingchu Pearl Huynh, the president of the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association, at the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

The forum was organized by United Voices for Philadelphia, a coalition of city organizations that support immigrants in Philadelphia. Founder Andy Toy helped organize the event. He believes that its critical for people to participate in voting.

I think some people dont have that history of voting in their country because their countries were not democracies. So theyre not sure if theyre part of this. And they should be, Toy said. If we all vote, we know we can make a difference.

Andy Toy, founder of United Voices for Philadelphia, helped organize the Mayoral Open House Meeting at Community College of Philadelphia on April 29, 2023. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Attendees were also able to meet city council, judicial, and row office candidatessheriff, register of wills, controller, and city commissioners.

Nancy Wang contributed to this report.
Pornhub Blocks Access in Utah After State Passes New Age Verification Law

A screen displays a minor child sign in front of the logo of the pornographic site Pornhub as regulators require such sites to ensure they are preventing minors being exposed to their content. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)

Pornhub has disabled access to its website in Utah in response to a new law requiring companies publishing adult content to verify users ages before allowing them to view the X-rated material on their platforms.

The pornography website confirmed in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times that it completely disabled its websites for individuals located in the state on May 1.

Individuals in Utah attempting to access Pornhubs site are now greeted with a lengthy video message from the adult entertainer and member of the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee, Cherie DeVille, explaining that they are unable to do so because of the new age-verification law.

As you may know, your elected officials in Utah are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website, DeVille says. While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk.

In addition, mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply. As weve seen in other states, this just drives traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place. Very few sites are able to compare to the robust Trust and Safety measures we currently have in place. To protect children and user privacy, any legislation must be enforced against all platforms offering adult content, DeVille continued.

The adult entertainer goes on to state that Pornhub, which is owned by Montreal-based company Mindgeek, places great emphasis on user safety, but that it ultimately believes the most effective way to protect children and adults using the site is to identify them via their devices, allowing them access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that identification.

Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah, DeVille continued. Please contact your representatives before it is too late and demand device-based verification solutions that make the internet safer while also respecting your privacy.

Utah Bill Tackles Harmful Materials

The move by Pornhub comes after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox last month signed into law Senate Bill 287, also known as the Online Pornography Viewing Age Requirements.

Under that bill, commercial entities that provide pornography or other materials harmful to minors are required to verify users ages through reasonable age-verification methods before they can access such material.

Such methods include digitized information cards or third-party age-verification services that compare the personal information entered by the individual seeking to access the website to material available from either a commercially available database or an aggregate of databases, used by the government agencies to confirm identities or age.

Adult content companies can also use any commercially reasonable method that relies on public or private transactional data to confirm the individuals identity when they attempt to access the material, the bill states.

Commercial entities that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute a substantial portion of material that is harmful to minors online without performing reasonable age verification methods to ensure users are of age may be held liable under the law, including for damages and court costs resulting from the minor accessing the material.

The law defines harmful material as material that exploits, is devoted to, or principally consists of descriptions of actual, simulated, or animated display or depiction of any of the following, in a manner patently offensive with respect to minors: (i) pubic hair, anus, vulva, genitals, or nipple of the female breast; (ii) touching, caressing, or fondling of nipples, breasts, buttocks, anuses, or genitals; or (iii) sexual intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, bestiality, oral copulation, flagellation, excretory functions, exhibitions, or any other sexual act.

The age verification legislation is set to take effect on May 3.

Porn a Public Health Crisis

Pornhubs terms of service state that users must be 18 years or older, or the age of majority in the jurisdiction they are accessing the website from in order to use the site.

If you are under 18 or the applicable age of majority, please do not use the Website. You also represent that the jurisdiction from which you access the Website does not prohibit the receiving or viewing of sexually explicit content, it states.

However, the state of Utah in 2016 declared porn a public health crisis that was creating a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms. A string of other states, including Arizona, have since followed suit.

Read More Evidence of Porn Addiction and a Path to Freedom

Last year, lawmakers in Louisiana passed similar legislation requiring publishers of online material that could be harmful to minors to verify user ages.

Unlike Utah, Louisiana provides a mobile app that allows users to create a digital replica of their driving license which can then be scanned to verify their age, according to Ars Technica.

This is not the first time that Pornhub has found itself at the center of controversy. In 2021, the website came under fire after The New York Times reported that it hosted unlawful content, including nonconsensual pornography and videos of child sexual assault.

While the adult website initially denied the allegations, it later pledged to crack down on illegal content and said it will only allow properly identified users to upload such materials.

The Epoch Times has contacted Pornhub for comment.
Queensland Hands Over $200 Million Quarantine Camp

An audit report investigating the quarantine centre is expected to be released over the next two months. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Australias Sunshine State has given away a $220 million (US$146 million) taxpayer-funded quarantine facility after it housed just 730 travellers over a 14-month period.

The cost equates to around $300,000 per person.

The Queensland Labor government will return control of the facility to the Wagner Corporation upon expiration of the lease, who will then run it as a private hotel.

This is the worst decision ever made by a state government on behalf of taxpayers, Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie told the Courier-Mail.

The premier has never apologised for it and she should because Queenslanders will be paying the price for this waste for a long time to come.

Its a $500,000 a day check-out bill that could have helped Queenslanders in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

People in Sydneys CBD are seen wearing masks and coverings on Jan. 31, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Quarantine Facility Supposed to Keep Queenslanders Safe

In late 2021, Queensland and other state governments said there was an urgent need for quarantine facilities in order to keep Australians safe by lowering the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

As Australia contends with the dangerous Delta variant, Queensland must have alternatives to hotel quarantine that offer enhanced public safety, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in Aug. 2021.

Thats why were getting on with building the 1000-bed, dedicated facility near Wellcamp airport that will greatly reduce reliance on hotel quarantine.

This decisive action will keep Queenslanders safe and support our economic recovery to keep people in jobs.

This was despite the federal government building alternative facilities in the capital of the state Brisbane.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks at a press conference as she gives an update on Queensland COVID-19 Border Controls in Brisbane, Australia on June 30, 2020. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Further, shortly after completing construction in Feb 2022, the country relaxed COVID-19 borders and restrictions, quickly removing the need for quarantine facilities.

The state opposition requested a formal audit to investigate the cost and decisions of the Wellcamp facility near Toowoomba, 127 kilometres west of Brisbane.

Queensland State Audit office said a public report on the facility is still being delayed.

Our audit of the project is largely complete and we are in the process of resolving some follow-up questions with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, they said in an update to its website.
Australian Health Minister Mark Butler is launching a government-led crackdown on Big Tobaccos vaping products that are currently creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.

Butler, who will outline the campaign at the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday, will call vaping products one of the most significant health and behavioural issues Australian schools face and one that has seen four-year-olds hospitalised for poisoning.

This is a product targeted at our kids, sold alongside lollies and chocolate bars, Butler will say in the address.

Vaping has become the number one behavioural issue in high schools, and its becoming widespread in primary schools.

This must end.

Butler will note that Australias hard-won gains against nicotine addiction are under threat, with the reduction in smoking in the country at risk of being undone by a new threat.

Vaping was sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit, he will say.

It was not sold as a recreational product, especially not one for our kids. But that is what it has become: The biggest loophole in Australian history.

Butler has previously called vaping a very serious public health menace and noted that the government was committed to taking action quickly.

Im determined to take action sooner rather than later, he said on April 18.

This thing is getting worse very, very quickly, so there is an obligation, I think, on all governments to take considered, strong action in this area and to do that as soon as we practicably can.

Multi-Million Dollar Package to Regulate

According to the ministers speech, the federal government will be allocating a $234 million boost in the budget for the tougher regulation of e-cigarettes, including new controls on their importation and packaging.

The government will also join up with the states and territories to shut down the sale of vapes in retail and convenience stores while making it easier to get a prescription for therapeutic use.

Additionally, they will tackle the growing black market in vapes by increasing product standards, including restricting flavours and colours.

Meanwhile, a $63 million public health campaign will be established to deter Australians from vaping and encourage them to quit.

Support programs helping Australians quit the habit will be bolstered by a $30 million investment, with education in smoking and nicotine cessation among health practitioners to be strengthened.

The government will commit a further $140 million for a program helping Indigenous people stop smoking, which will be expanded to include vaping.

Research Reveals 4 in 5 Australian Teenagers Use Vapes

The federal crackdown follows a shocking report from the Australian National University (ANU) that found four out of five teenagers surveyed, aged between 15 to 17, found it easy or somewhat easy to buy vapes in retail stores.

The study also found that one-third of current e-cigarette users in Australia were under 25, and half were under 30.

Lead author of the report Professor Emily Banks, from the ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, said the report confirmed there were multiple risks associated with e-cigarettes, particularly for non-smokers, children, adolescents and young adults.

Recent evidence shows vaping is becoming more popular, especially among children and adolescents, even though it is illegal except on prescription, Banks said.

Almost all e-cigarettes deliver nicotine, which is extremely addictive. Addiction is common in people using vapes, and young people are especially vulnerable to addiction as their brains are still developing.

According to the report, in 2019, 11 percent of the total Australian population aged 14 and over reported using e-cigarettes, with around a quarter of people aged 18-24 reporting use and five percent reporting current use.

We tend to trivialise addiction, saying things like Im addicted to chocolate. Addiction is a serious health issue, and people addicted to vapes are going through repeated cycles of withdrawal, irritability, feeling bad and craving until they vape to feel normal again, she said.

For children and adolescents, that can mean having difficulty sitting through a lesson or a meal with family.

Other risks identified in the review included poisoning.

The report found that the risk of small children being exposed to vapes can cause seizures and loss of consciousness caused by nicotine overdose, headache, cough, and throat irritation. There was also evidence of adverse effects on blood pressure, heart rate and lung functioning.

Australian Medical Association President Professor Steve Robson said the findings of the ANU study were evidence there was a need for strong action to be taken on vaping products.

There is now more than enough evidence for strong action to enforce Australias prescription-only model for vaping products, which we know are harmful and can be a gateway to smoking for young people, Robson said.

Australian governments need to act now to enforce existing laws and clamp down on the illegal non-prescription sale of e-cigarettes, as well as strengthen controls on the importation of both nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products. This will help us start to tackle the issue of vapes being marketed and sold to children.

AAP contributed to this article.
RFK Jr. Says Climate Change Being Exploited to Push Totalitarian Controls

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said that climate-related issues are being exploited by wealthy individuals in a bid to enact totalitarian controls over society.

Climate issues and pollution issues are being exploited by  mega billionaires like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Kennedy told radio host Kim Iversen over the past weekend. The same way that COVID was exploited to use it as an excuse to clamp down top-down totalitarian controls on society and then to give us engineering solutions.

And if you look closely, as it turns out, the guys who are promoting those engineering solutions are the people who own  the patents for those solutions, Kennedy said during Iversens show. Its a way theyve given climate chaos a bad name because people now see that its just another crisis thats being used to strip mine the wealth of the poor and to enrich billionaires.

I, for 40 years, have had the same policy on climate and engineering, said Kennedy, the scion of former Attorney General and New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. You can go check my speeches from the 1980s, and Ive said the most important solution for environmental issues [is] not top-down controls, its free market capitalism.

Kennedya longtime environmental activist and lawyerwrote in a 2014 blog post for corporations and other groups that sponsor climate lies should face punishment. But he wrote that he support[s] the First Amendment which makes room for any citizen to, even knowingly, spew far more vile lies without legal consequence before adding at the time: I do, however, believe that corporations which deliberately, purposefully, maliciously, and systematically sponsor climate lies should be given the death penalty, Kennedy wrote for EcoWatch.

Kennedys comments about climate change years ago were highlighted by Fox News and other right-leaning publications after he declared his candidacy for president last month. Although hes better known for his comments about childhood vaccines, Kennedy worked as an environmental lawyer for New York City and also for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Also in the Iversen interview, Kennedy suggested that other than Gates, the World Economic Forum is also exploiting climate-related policies to produce a totalitarian society. The Davos, Switzerland-based group hosts annual meetings each year that include world leaders and top business executives, while in January, speakers at the forum said that governments and businesses should pursue a net-zero policy around carbon emissions and that people dont need cars.

What we have in this country now is not free market capitalismits corporate crony capitalism. Its  a cushy kind of socialism for the rich and a brutal, barbaric, merciless capitalism for the poor, Kennedy also stated in the interview.

Kennedy filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to launch his 2024 bid on April 5. Hes joining self-help writer Marianne Williamson as well as President Joe Biden, who announced his reelection bid last week via campaign video.

When he announced his 2024 candidacy, Kennedy said that he has a desire to work with rural and working-class Americans, and particularly hunters and fishermen. Those individuals, he said, have been alienated from the mainstream environmental community.

Hes also said that hes running because he believes Democrats have gone astray, becoming the party of war, corporate interests, and censorship.

While Biden remains the favorite to win the Democratic nomination for president, a Fox News poll recently showed Kennedy has around 20 percent support among Democrat voters. He also recently drew headlines after being interviewed by ABC News and accused the Disney-owned broadcaster of censoring his comments about vaccines.

We should note that during our conversation, Kennedy made false claims about the COVID-19 vaccines, ABC News Live anchor Linsey Davis said last week after his presidential announcement. Weve used our editorial judgment in not including portions of that exchange in our interview.

On social media, however, Kennedy accused the network of violating federal election laws by editing out his remarks about vaccines. ABC showed its contempt for the law, democracy, and its audience by cutting most of the content of my interview with host Linsey Davis leaving only cherry-picked snippets and a defamatory disclaimer, Kennedy said.

Im happy to supply citations to support every statement I made during that exchange. Im certain that ABCs decision to censor came as a shock to Linsey as well. Instead of journalism, the public saw a hatchet job, he added.
Russia Missile Attack on Ukraine Kills 2, Damages Homes

Fire and smoke raise after artillery shelling near Bakhmut, an eastern city where fierce battles between Ukrainian and Russian forces have been taking place, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on April 29, 2023. (Libkos/AP Photo)

KYIV, UkraineRussia launched its second large salvo of missiles at Ukraine in recent days early Monday, damaging buildings, killing two people and wounding 40 in the eastern city of Pavlohrad but failing to hit Kyiv, officials said.

Air raid sirens began blaring across the capital about 3:45 a.m., followed by explosions as Ukrainian defense systems intercepted missiles.

Eighteen cruise missiles were fired from the Murmansk and Caspian regions, and 15 of them were intercepted, said Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

The head of Kyivs city administration, Serhii Popko, said all missiles fired at the city were shot down, as well as some drones. He didnt provide further details.

The attack follows Fridays launch of more than 20 cruise missiles and two explosive drones at Ukraine, the first to target Kyiv in nearly two months.

In that attack, Russian missiles hit an apartment building in Uman, a city about 215 kilometers (135 miles) south of Kyiv, killing 21 people, including three children.

In Mondays attack, missiles hit Pavlohrad, in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, killing two people and wounding 40, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Seven missiles were shot at the city and some were intercepted but others struck an industrial facility, sparking a fire, authorities said. Damage was reported to 24 apartment buildings, 89 homes, six schools and five shops, according to regional authorities.

Missiles also hit three other areas in the Dnipropetrovsk region, damaging residential buildings and a school, said Serhii Lysak, the regions top official.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Monday that Russia conducted a group missile strike with long-range precision-guided airborne and seaborne weapons on facilities of Ukraines defense industry  all designated facilities were struck.

A Russian-installed official in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, Vladimir Rogov, said the attack hit ammunition and fuel depots in Pavlohrad, which he said would impede Ukraines planned counteroffensive.

The attacks also damaged Ukraines power network infrastructure, which will take several days to repair, according to Ukraines energy minister, Herman Haluschenko. He said that nearly 20,000 people in the city of Kherson and wider region had been left without power, along with others in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Moscow has frequently launched long-range missile attacks during the 14-month war, often indiscriminately hitting civilian areas.

Anticipating the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russian forces are especially focused now on destroying logistical routes and centers of Ukraines armed forces, southern regional military spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk told Ukrainian TV.

Bolstering Ukraines capabilities for the counteroffensive are recent deliveries of American-made Patriot missiles that improve anti-missile defenses. It was not clear whether any of them were employed in trying to stop Monday mornings attack. In addition, Ukraine has been building up its mechanized brigades with armor supplied by its Western allies, who have also been training Ukrainian troops and sending ammunition.

Ukraines Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, has come under periodic attack as Zelenskyy has vowed to reclaim it and other occupied territory.

On Monday, Russian officials reported knocking down at least two Ukrainian drones in Crimea, but they didnt make clear whether any had hit their targets. The peninsula is home to Russias Black Sea Fleet. On Saturday, two Ukrainian drones hit a Russian oil depot in Crimea.

Ukraine doesnt acknowledge responsibility for such attacks.

In what has become a grinding war of attrition, 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.

Troops from Russias Wagner mercenary group and other forces are fighting Ukrainian troops house-to-house to try to gain control of what has become known as the road of lifethe last remaining road west still in Ukrainian hands, critical for supplies and fresh troops.

Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the head of Ukrainian ground forces, said Russia continued to exert maximum effort to take the city but so far had failed.

In some parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions, he said.

In Russias Bryansk region, which borders northern Ukraine, an explosive device derailed a freight train, regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said.

There were no immediate indications who set off the explosive, but Bryansk has suffered sporadic cross-border shelling during the war. In March, two people were reported killed in what Bryansk officials said was an incursion by Ukrainian saboteurs.

By David Rising
San Diego to Purchase 3 Hotels to Provide Affordable Housing Units

OLD BETHPAGE, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: An image of the sign for Extended Stay America as photographed on March 16, 2020 in Old Bethpage, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The San Diego Housing Commission voted unanimously 40 to purchase three hotel properties for nearly $158 million to be converted to permanent affordable housingdependent upon receiving state fundsduring a meeting on April 20.

The Housing Commission is hoping to receive a grant from Homekeya statewide program by the California Department of Housing and Community Development to hasten construction of affordable housing units for the homeless.

According to staff, the application for the grant will be submitted sometime in the next two months and will hopefully be granted by September.

Im excited for the application process to move forward, chair of the Housing Commission Board, Eugene Mitchell, said during the meeting. I want to say thank you to the city and the county. Its a great example of partnership.

Since the acquisition is dependent on grant funds, the purchase from ESA P. Portfolio, LLC will not be final until July 2024.

This decision is a part of the citys Community Action Plan on Homelessnessa 10-year plan adopted in October 2019 to fund and build housing for the homeless.

The plan revealed the city needs another 2,659 permanent affordable housing units by 2029, 60 percent of which would need to be built this year.

Hotel Locations

The properties include a three-story Hotel Circle South building with 165 rooms on 4.5 acres that would be purchased for around $40.5 million. A two-story hotel on Murphy Canyon Road offers 107 units on 4.8 acres and would cost $52 million. Another 140 units in a three-story hotel would cost around $65 million, located on a 4.3 acre site off of Mission Valley Road.

The Extended Stay America hotelslocated at 2085-95 Hotel Circle South, 3860 Murphy Canyon Road, and 7440-50 Mission Valley Road in San Diegoare all near bus stops and major freeways, with pharmacies and grocery stores within walking distance.

According to the purchase agreement, other fees include a finders fee of $783,469 paid to real estate company Marcus & Millichap for finding the properties, and $750,000 to the same company for identifying potential risks with buying and converting the three hotels.

The city will be conducting a due diligence review until October for further consideration of these properties.
SALT LAKE CITY, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster, leading food truck concept and provider of the tastiest Maine lobster rolls across the country, announces their expansion to the Salt Lake City area at an upcoming grand opening at Talisman Brewery in Ogden, UT.

Cousins Maine Lobster was founded in 2012 by Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac. The company started franchising in 2014 and now operates 50 locations nationwide. (PRNewsfoto/Cousins Maine Lobster)

Cousins Maine Lobster Salt Lake City Grand Opening

Friday, May 5, 2023

Talisman Brewing

1258 Gibson Ave

Ogden, UT 84404

12:00  9:00 PM

FMI: https://www.facebook.com/CMLSaltLakeCity

CML Salt Lake City marks the eighth corporate-owned unit and is under the leadership of Jake and Erin Mutscheller.

"We were looking for a strategic western city for our next corporate food truck and Salt Lake City immediately stood out. It is one of the top food truck cities in America and we are thrilled to expand to such a strong market. Jake and Erin have assembled an incredible team to take on this new venture," explained Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster co-founder, who will attend the grand opening.

"Salt Lake is a great foodie city with rapid growth and a strong economy. The community has been incredibly welcoming and the Food Truck League has been a great resource for our development. We are getting an overwhelming amount of booking and catering requests; it's been incredible. We are filling up fast and it just solidifies all we believed in with Salt Lake," Jake Mutscheller elaborated.

About Cousins Maine Lobster

Founded in 2012 by real-life cousins and Mainers, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster began with a food truck and a shared vision to extend the highest-quality Maine lobster to the lobster-starved masses by making it affordable and accessible. After appearing on Shark Tank a few months later, Jim & Sabin partnered with Barbara Corcoran and began franchising, partnering with local entrepreneurs to bring Maine lobster to over 40 cities nationwide. For more information on Cousins Maine Lobster franchise opportunities, visit https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise/ or call 207-387-2707.

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Media Contact:

media@cousinsmainelobster.com

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SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster
This Mothers Day, we strongly suggest loved ones brew up some strong coffee with a pinch of cinnamon and a piece of orange rind. Then, start the chopping and commence scrambling.

Migas, meaning crumbs, likely arrived in Texas as an import from Spain where they use up leftover bread by frying it in oil and scrambling in a few eggs. Tortillas prove popular in Texasso it makes sense that this rustic dish would utilize leftover tortillas. The dish reminds us of our favorite Mexican almuerzo (lunch) dish: Chilaquiles (leftover tortilla chips softened in brothy sauce and topped with fresh garnishes).

The best migas showcase creamy eggs along with the bits and pieces of tortilla stirred into them. For ease on brunch day, we use packaged hearty thick corn tortilla chips from a local shop. Chipotle chile adds its smoky characteristic; use a bit of pureed canned chile or a chipotle-forward hot sauce or dried ground chile.

This recipe should be the starting point for creativity. For example, replace the chicken with cooked chorizo sausage or shredded cooked beef or pork. Swap out the smoky chipotle chile with pickled or fresh jalapeno. Try fresh mozzarella or shredded Chihuahua cheese in place of queso fresco. A handful or two of fresh chopped spinach or baby kale leaves makes an attractive addition. You get the idea. Just dont omit the tortilla chips or you wont be making migas.

Serve migas with a side of cheesy refried beans. Slices of papaya or melon, doused with fresh lime juice, tame the heat.

Remember that whenever you are cooking eggs, all the ingredients should be prepped and ready before you turn on the stove. Set the table. Mom will surely smile.

Chipotle Chicken Migas with Red Pepper

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

4 thin boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets, about 1 pound total

Salt, freshly ground black pepper

Smoked paprika

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 medium-size sweet or Vidalia onion, chopped

1 cup sliced baby bella or button mushrooms

1/2 cup chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers

1/2 cup drained diced canned tomato

1 tablespoon pureed canned chipotle chile or chipotle hot sauce to taste or  teaspoon chipotle chile powder

8 large eggs

1/4 cup half-and-half

2 cups coarsely crumbled homestyle or other hearty corn tortilla chips (about 4 ounces)

1/2 to 3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese

For Serving

Chopped fresh cilantro

Diced ripe avocado

Refried beans, warmed

Tomato salsa

Directions

1. Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Heat oil in a large 12-inch nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add chicken in a single, uncrowded layer and cover with a splatter guard. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes; flip and brown the other side, about 2 minutes. Remove to a plate.

2. Add onion and mushrooms to the pan. Saute until onion is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in red pepper, tomato and chile. Cook until juices have evaporated, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. (You can do this up to 30 minutes in advance.)

3. Shortly before serving, slice chicken thinly. Whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, 2 tablespoons water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Stir in the tortilla chips to moisten them.

4. Heat the onion mixture in the pan over medium heat until sizzling. Add the egg mixture. Reduce the heat to medium-low; gently scramble the eggs with a heatproof spatula. When eggs are nearly set, stir in the cheese and chicken. Continue gently moving around the egg curds until set but still moist, for a total cooking time of about 5 minutes.

5. Remove to heated serving plates. Serve topped with chopped cilantro and diced avocado. Spoon a pile of refried beans on plates. Pass the salsa.
Sudan Conflict Could Prompt 800,000 People to Flee, UN Says

A man walks while smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan, on May 1, 2023. (Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)

KHARTOUMThe United Nations warned on Monday that the conflict in Sudan could force 800,000 people to flee the country as battles between rival military factions persisted in the capital despite a supposed ceasefire.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded over 16 days of battles since disputes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.

The crisis has unleashed a humanitarian disaster, damaged swathes of Khartoum, risked drawing in regional powers and reignited conflict in the Darfur region.

Many fear for their lives in the power struggle between the army chief and RSF head, who shared control of the government after a 2021 coup but fell out over a planned transition to civilian rule.

Both sides agreed on Sunday to extend a much-violated truce by 72 hours, and the U.N. told Reuters the rival forces may hold ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia. But air strikes and artillery rang out on Monday as smoke hung over Khartoum and neighbouring cities.

U.N. official Raouf Mazou said the bodys refugee agency was planning for an exodus of 815,000 people including 580,000 Sudanese as well as foreign refugees now living in the country. The countrys population numbers 46 million.

Some 73,000 have already left Sudan, he said.

Egypt reported 40,000 Sudanese had crossed its border, and those who made the journey said conditions were arduous. Others have gone to Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, or sailed across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia on evacuation boats.

At least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 wounded, the health ministry said. The United Nations has reported a similar number of dead but believes the real toll is much higher.

Hardship, Danger

Foreign governments pulled out their citizens over the past week in air, sea, and land operations, though several countries ended efforts. The U.S. government said on Monday that its convoys from Khartoum to the Red Sea harbour of Port Sudan evacuated more than 700 people over the weekend.

Britain said it was exploring ways to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan along with its international allies, the United Nations and aid organizations after evacuating nearly 2,200 people.

Meanwhile, those Sudanese who stayed behind faced hardship and danger.

I show up to work for two or three hours then I close up because its not safe, said Abdelbagi, a barber in Khartoum who said he had to keep working because prices were rising.

People who ventured onto the streets on Monday were shocked by the transformation.

We saw dead bodies. The industrial area that was all looted. We saw people carrying TVs on their backs and big sacks looted from factories, said resident Mohamed Ezzeldin.

Power and water supplies are uncertain, there is little food or fuel, most hospitals and clinics are out of service and soaring transport costs are making it ever harder to leave.

The U.N. and other aid organizations have cut services, though the World Food Program said it was resuming operations in more secure areas on Monday after staff were killed early in the war.

The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented, said Martin Griffiths, a senior U.N. official for humanitarian and emergency relief who will visit Sudan on Tuesday.

Ceasefire Violations

Victoria, one of the tea sellers who used to dot Khartoums streets before the fighting began, said her children are struggling to understand what is happening.

So I risk my life to try to work and if God helps me, Ill get them some food, and if he doesnt Ill keep trying. But just sitting useless doesnt help and being scared doesnt help, she said.

Jamila, a woman still in Khartoum with her family, is only eating one meal a day because so little food is available. RSF troops are stationed in front of their house and refuse to leave. The sound of fighting is in our ears all day, she said.

Both sides said on Monday they were making progress without commenting directly on the ceasefire violations.

The army said it had cut RSFs combat effectiveness by half and stopped it trying to reinforce its positions in the capital. The RSF said it still controls main locations of Khartoum and was itself beating back army reinforcements.

Reuters could not verify either sides claims.

By El Tayeb Siddig and Nafisa Eltahir
Supreme Court Intervenes After Gun Rights Advocates Challenge Bans in Illinois City

The Supreme Court has requested a further response from city officials in Naperville, Illinois, after they introduced a law restricting gun rights, prompting the National Association for Gun Rights and the owner of a gun store to file a lawsuit against the measure.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has asked the city to provide further information regarding its recently passed ban prohibiting the sale of so-called assault-style weapons.

Barrett, a Trump appointee, gave the city until May 8 to respond to provide the additional information.

The move came after the gun rights advocates asked Barrett to block the ban, as well as another similar Illinois state law, which prohibits the possession of such weapons or magazines.

In an emergency application for an injunction pending appellate review (pdf) filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on April 26, the plaintiffs, which include Robert Bevis, who owns Law Weapons & Supply, argued that the two laws violate a ruling last year that expanded Second Amendment rights, as well as another in 2008.

The rulings they reference are District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008 and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen in 2022.

The Supreme Court ruled last year that a New York law requiring citizens to demonstrate proper cause in order to obtain and carry a concealed pistol or revolver violated the Second Amendment.

In 2008, the court ruled that a District of Columbia law that strictly regulated handgun ownership was illegal.

The Challenged Laws Are Unconstitutional

Additionally, the plaintiffs in the latest lawsuit argue that the bans violate the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right of individuals to bear arms.

This is an exceedingly simple case. The Second Amendment protects arms that are commonly possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes, especially self-defense in the home, the plaintiffs wrote in their emergency application. The arms banned by Respondents are possessed by millions of law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes, including self-defense in the home.

The petitioners went on to argue that the recently passed local and state laws violate the 2008 and 2022 precedents.

Under this Courts precedents, that is all that is needed for citizens to have a right under the Second Amendment to keep such weapons' the plaintiffs continued. There cannot be the slightest question, therefore, that the challenged laws are unconstitutional.

The challenged laws are unconstitutional because [w]hen the Second Amendments plain text covers an individuals conduct, the Constitution presumptively protects that conduct. Plaintiffs desire to keep and bear for lawful purposes (including defense of their homes) the semi-automatic firearms and firearm magazines banned by the challenged laws, they wrote.

The lawsuit names the City of Naperville, Chief of Police Jason Arres, and the State of Illinois as defendants.

Illinois enacted a statewide ban earlier this year, but it has since been blocked by state and federal court judges amid ongoing litigation.

Gun control advocates argue that the laws are needed to help curb violence, pointing to a string of recent mass shootings. However, gun rights advocates say the move is unconstitutional.

Gun Bans Destroying Livelihoods

In Beviss case, the gun shop owner argues that both state and local bans are destroying his livelihood by forcing his company out of business.

Mr. Bevis has extended his personal credit, missed personal payments like home and car payments, maxed his credit limits, and taken out loans to pay the monthly bills, the plaintiffs wrote, adding that his company will be unable to abide by the terms of its 15-year commercial lease for its business property or pay equipment leases and purchase inventory if these bans remain in effect any longer.

In April, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an injunction request by the plaintiffs in the Naperville lawsuit, arguing that if a court deems a weapon to be particularly dangerous, its use, sale, and ownership are not protected by the Second Amendment.

The injunction was also blocked by a district court, meaning the Supreme Court will have the final say on the matter which could potentially impact dozens of states across the country.

The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) welcomed Barretts intervention in a statement on May 1, adding that her request for further information indicates interest from the Supreme Court in granting the request for relief.

Were thankful the Supreme Court is taking the Second Amendment rights of Illinoisans seriously, Dudley Brown, President of NAGR, told the Washington Examiner. Any ban on so-called assault weapons is plainly unconstitutional, and now it is on the city of Naperville to explain the legal justification for their ban. Of course, there isnt any. The bans were ludicrous from the start, and if Illinois had any sense, they would wave the white flag now and save us all some time.

We are aware of the request and anticipated that there would be legal challenges, but at this point we do not have any comment, Linda L. LaCloche, the Director of Communications at the City Managers Office, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement.
Supreme Court Takes Up Wall Street Whistleblower Retaliation Case

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on March 23, 2023. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

The Supreme Court agreed on May 1 to look at a federal investor protection law after a Wall Street whistleblower claimed his former employer fired him for refusing to paint an unjustifiably rosy picture of market outlooks.

The law concerned is the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which was approved by Congress after accounting fraud led to the high-profile collapse of WorldCom Inc., Tyco International, and Enron Corp.

The statute added new criminal penalties for running afoul of securities laws and ushered in strict new rules for accountants, auditors, and corporate officers, along with more stringent recordkeeping requirements, according to Investopedia.

Sarbanes-Oxley also provides that employers are not allowed to discriminate against an employee because the individual reported financial improprieties.

The court agreed to move forward with the case of Murray v. UBS Securities LLC, court file 22-660, in an unsigned order. As is its custom when granting petitions, the court failed to explain its decision. No justices dissented from the order.

Petitioner Trevor Murray wants to resurrect a $900,000 jury verdict he won against respondent UBS after his employment was terminated, allegedly for declining to skew his research reports to complement the companys business strategies.

UBS claimed Murray was let go as part of a larger series of layoffs related to financial problems it was experiencing at the time, including a $2 billion loss months before he was fired that was attributed to a rogue trader.

In his petition (pdf) Murray said that [i]n common with many other federal whistleblower laws, [the Sarbanes-Oxley] text dictates a specific burden-shifting framework for its cause of action: Once an employee shows that his protected activity was a contributing factor in an adverse employment action, the burden shifts to his employer to demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that it would have taken the adverse action absent his protected behavior[.]

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit overturned the verdict, finding that under Sarbanes-Oxley Murray had to prove that UBS deliberately retaliated against him. Other federal courts of appeal have ruled that employees do not have to prove an employers retaliatory intent.

The whistleblower protections of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act  are critical to the integrity of the national economy, according to the petition.

The document also states that one in every two Americans invests in public companies whether directly or through pension and retirement plans and that in the past six years employees have filed more than 850 Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower complaints with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Such lawsuits cannot serve their intended deterrent purpose if [Sarbanes-Oxley] claims are too hard to prove, it states.

Murrays attorney, Robert Herbst of New York, praised the Supreme Court for granting his clients petition.

Trevor Murray and his legal team are heartened by the Supreme Courts grant of certiorari today, Herbst told The Epoch Times by email.

The Second Circuits decision flies in the face of the text of the burden-shifting framework established by Congress decades ago to govern how Sarbanes-Oxley and other whistleblower trials are conducted, he said.

We look forward to arguing this case on the merits, and advancing our contention that the Second Circuits decision should be reversed.

Attorney Eugene Scalia of Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher, who is a son of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, is representing UBS. The Epoch Times reached out to Scalia for comment but had not received a reply as of press time.

Scalia filed a brief (pdf) on March 20 with the Supreme Court, urging it not to take up the case.

Further review is not warranted in this case, the brief stated.

Among the reasons why the court should reject the case is that Murray substantially over-states the alleged conflict between the federal courts of appeal.

In addition, the unambiguous, ordinary meaning of [the laws] text requires proof of retaliatory intent, Scalia wrote.

The case is expected to be heard in the Supreme Courts new term that begins in October.
Tennessees Top Education Official Stepping Down Over Extraneous Politics

Commissioner Penny Schwinn told 'The 74' she has grown tired of culture wars in the classroom

Tennessee Commissioner of Education Dr. Penny Schwinn testified at the House Education Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 23, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

The top education official in Tennessee, Commissioner Penny Schwinn, will leave her position at the end of the school year later this month following four years with the department, Gov. Bill Lee announced on Monday.

In an interview with The 74, a news organization that covers Americas education system, Schwinn said she had grown tired of the distracting culture war battles over race and gender in the classroom.

I see it as extraneous politics and my job is to educate kids, she told the outlet. I knew that my charge, first and foremost, was to move our state forward.

Schwinn led the department through COVID-19 school closures and moves to online learning during that time, leading to criticism from both sides of the aisle for the Republican-appointed commissioner. She also led the department through its implementation of education savings accounts for students in Shelby and Davison Counties, which includes Memphis and Nashville.

During her years of dedicated service, Penny has played a key role in our administrations work to ensure educational opportunity for Tennessee students and secure the next generation of teachers, while navigating historic learning challenges, Lee said in a press release. I have tremendous gratitude for her leadership and wish her much success in her next chapter.

Schwinns Leadership

Schwinn oversaw the education department through some challenging times and also brought some firsts for education in the nation to Tennessee.

This included Tennessee becoming the first U.S. state to make teaching an apprentice-based profession, which makes it free to become a teacher while also being paid to do so.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his State of the State address in the House Chamber of the Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., on Jan. 31, 2022. (Mark Zaleski/AP Photo)

The Grow Your Own initiative has significantly increased the number of teachers, special education and ESL (english as a second language) endorsements, aspiring principals and assistant principals, and school leaders of color, the press release stated.

Schwinn also led the department through Lees controversial school funding reform measures, where last year, a law reconfiguring a 30-year-old funding formula came into effect.

This changed education funding from a former funding formula, which used 46 separate resources to calculate funding needs, to a new formula that focuses more on a set amount of per-student spending and student enrollment, with the possibility of additional funding for specific needs such as special education.

This has increased total funding for education, but some districts are concerned they could lose money as others attract additional funding.

Additionally, Tennessee has invested more in vocational and STEM education for high school and middle school students, and increased access to dual enrollment for high school juniors and seniors.

Schwinn led the states education system through COVID-19 learning loss by prioritizing literacy and learning loss intervention, and creating the largest permanent summer school program and largest tutoring program in the nation, according to the department.

Reynolds Taking Over

Lee has announced that Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds will succeed Schwinn as commissioner beginning July 1.

Lizzettes significant education policy expertise and leadership make her well-suited to continue our work to deliver a high-quality education and expand school choice for Tennessee students, said Lee in the press release. I welcome her to Tennessee and appreciate her service to students, families, and teachers across the state.

She is currently the vice president of policy for ExcelinEd, based in Florida, and previously served as deputy legislative director for then-Gov. George W. Bush, a special assistant and regional representative to the U.S. Secretary of Education, and chief deputy commissioner for the Texas Education Agency.

High school students work in a classroom in Homestead, Fla., on March 10, 2017. (RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images)

Her career reflects a deep commitment to school choice, assessment and accountability, college and career pathways and education policy, the release stated, pointing to Gov. Lees focus on school choice and education savings accounts since taking office.

Schwinns Background

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn will step down at the end of the month. (Tennessee Department of Education)

Schwinn took over Tennessees Department of Education on Feb. 1, 2019, after being chosen one month earlier by Lee shortly after he took office. She came to the department from the Texas Education Agency and replaced former Commissioner Candice McQueen.

Commissioner Schwinn served as the chief deputy commissioner of education at the Texas agency prior to her move to Tennessee. Prior to that, she was the chief accountability and performance officer for the Delaware Department of Education.

She was also an educator with Teach for America in the mid 2000s, working in Los Angeles and Baltimore City public schools. Schwinn is also the founder of a charter school that serves low-income students in South Sacramento.

Sam Pearcy, currently deputy commissioner of operations at the Texas Department of Education, will serve as the departments interim commissioner until July 1.

The Epoch Times reached out to Schwinn for comment but did not hear back.
Akira Amari, a member of the House of Representatives of Japan, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, former Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy, and a champion of Japans economic security, shares his views on the G-7 summit and Japanese leadership at 9:00 a.m. ET on May 2 at a Hudson Institute and Sasakawa USA host discussion.
The Influence of Gangs on Canadas Public Sector Agencies: Federal Report

Hell's Angel's gangs, widely recognized as an outlaw motorcycle gang, have moved steadily to find legitimate business activities in Canada. Pictured are gang members in England. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Almost 30 organized crime groups have influence or access within Canadian public sector agencies or departments primarily at the local or regional levels, according to a federal report.

The level of infiltration into the public sector is unknown for more than 400 other organized crime groups, according to the Public Report on Organized Crime in Canada for 2022, first covered by Blacklocks Reporter.

This infiltration can take many forms. They include bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, interfering with investigations and fixing trials to avoid convictions, and hiding links between the government, the justice system, and organized crime, said the Organized Crime report from 2020, which describes the infiltration in more detail than the current report.

Organized crime infiltration in law enforcement, including correctional services and border services, can help facilitate illegal activities such as smuggling drugs, firearms, and contraband, and poses a high risk to maintaining a lawful and democratic society, it said.

Costs to Taxpayers

Infiltration costs taxpayers a lot, the reports say. Local and regional government contracts are susceptible to infiltration. Public resources are thus misallocated, and project costs can increase up to 50 percent.

Contracts in Quebecs construction industry were hard hit in 2019, with a rise in costs across the industry of 30 percent due to corruption, according to the Charbonneau Commission charged with investigating the matter. The commissions investigation led to the resignation of three mayors in the province and prompted hundreds of criminal charges.

As of the 2022 assessment, Canada had 30 Mafia networks based mainly in Toronto, Hamilton, and Montreal. More than 130 street gangs continue to be the most violent subset of organized crime groups, and are based mostly in British Columbia, Toronto, and Montreal.

Drug smuggling groups numbering about 350 are based mainly in British Columbia and Ontario. For the first time organized crime groups in Atlantic Canada are reported to be involved in fentanyl distribution, said the report.

Organized criminal groups are also well-connected in the private sector, with 41 percent of the groups assessed having links to a combined 1,682 businesses. The nature of the businesses vary, including food and beverage, retail, transportation and warehousing (which often facilitates drug smuggling), construction, and even insurance.
A bizarre stone house built between four granite boulders, conceived of by a couple in the 1970s as a unique mountain getaway, has earned a fanbase for its weird, intriguing features.

Casa do Penedo, meaning house of stone, is located at 2,600 feet of elevation in the Fafe Mountains of Serra da Lameira, Portugal. It was conceived by Leonel and Maria Jose Rodrigues in the spring of 1973 and finished in October 1974. Leonel, a textile engineer, and Maria, a homemaker, had three children together and raised them in the city of Guimaraes.

Casa do Penedo was, and still is, our vacation home in the mountains, the couples son, 55-year-old Vitor Rodrigues, told The Epoch Times. It was made to be discreet and integrated into nature. It was made to not have any technology.  The house remains original, without a telephone, television, and electricity. But it has water and gas.

(Courtesy of Vitor Rodrigues)

(Courtesy of Vitor Rodrigues)

Vitor said the construction began with the roof, which is supported by four large boulders. On the first floor, there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. On the ground floor, there is a dining room, a living room, and a kitchen with a gas stove. The home is heated by fireplaces.

The site even has an open-air swimming pool carved out of another large rock near the house.

In the construction of the house, common materials were used: bricks and cement, and tiles on the roof, Vitor said. The coating is made of small granite stones harvested on site. The interior is entirely made of wood. The four granite boulders were already there, just like that. [They] may have been dragged into place during the last Ice Age.

Vitor says the house was built in that location for two main reasons: It is far from civilization and because it is quiet.

In this place we are free! Free of technology, free of other interference with civilization.  It also has stunning views.

The position of the stone house in the mountains affords visitors incredible views of the surrounding area, including Fafe and many other cities, and Alvao Natural Park. Vitor insists that, despite Casa do Penedos growing fame, the house is not a museum. It remains a cherished vacation home owned by the Rodrigues family, now in the third generation.

Nothing has been changed beyond tightening security measures; since the house is not consistently inhabited, vandals have broken windows many times so they have been replaced with bars and bulletproof glass, according to Ancient Origins.

(Courtesy of Vitor Rodrigues)

(rui vale sousa/Shutterstock)

The stone house has earned itself the nickname the real-life Flintstones house from the media owing to its primitive appearance. It has even been featured in a Portuguese film and a 2018 cell phone advertisement. The Rodrigues family, who speak Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish, now love organizing guided tours to the unique house.

Vitor said: From 2014, when the house was considered to be the strangest building in the world and was reported in a London newspaper, interest in its architecture increased. We noticed that there was a great deal of interest in seeing the house. We had visits from people from all over the world, so we organized guided tours.  We usually receive visits from families, groups organized by appointment, and others who also appear spontaneously.

People love the house, Vitor said, adding that the funniest reactions are those of the Italians; when they enter the house they say, Mama mia!'

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
Abra Berenss Food Is a Celebration of the Midwests Bountyand a Love Letter to the People Who Grow It
Trudeau Says He Spoke With MP Chong About Beijings Threats Against His Family

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters ahead of a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 19, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he spoke with Conservative MP Michael Chong shortly after a news story broke citing top-secret intelligence documents alleging Chongs family members living in Hong Kong were targeted by the Chinese regime in 2021.

Trudeau said in the House of Commons during question period on May 2 that he followed up directly with Chong after the Globe and Mail first published the report on May 1.

Trudeau said he spoke with Chong to reassure him that Canadas national security agencies previously took measures to protect MPs who were on the radar of foreign threat actors.

The prime minister said he received an intelligence briefing on the matter following the Globes report but denied previously knowing about the threats to Chongs family back in 2021.

Security agencies will continue to do this important work in an independent manner, he said.

Speaking to reporters prior to question period, Trudeau also said in French that he would not have prevented Canadas security agencies from warning Chong about the threats.

The Globes May 1 report cited a CSIS intelligence assessment on interference in Canada by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that provided some examples of covert interference activities the regime has carried out in the country.

CSIS reportedly said the CCPs Ministry of State Security (MSS) took specific actions to target Canadian MPs who were behind a 2021 House of Commons motion calling Beijings treatment of the Uyghur minority a genocide.

The assessment, which The Epoch Times has not independently reviewed, also reportedly said the MSS sought information on one of the MPs relatives who may be located in China to enact further potential sanctions.

The Globe wrote that an unnamed national security source identified the MP as Michael Chong.

Conservative MP Michael Chong rises during question period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa March 21, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Chong said in a statement after the report was published that the federal government had never informed him of the alleged threats to his family.

Trudeau said during question period on May 2 that he ensured Chong received a briefing concerning the matter on the same day from Canadas top security officials.

Trudeau said the officials gave Chong all the information he needs on the matter.

Chong rose in the House several minutes later to say that, in September 2019, then-Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale issued a directive ordering CSIS to inform the public safety minister going forward of any matter or action of interest.

Chong questioned when now-Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino was made aware of the CCPs threats to Chongs family in Hong Kong.

Mendicino did not directly answer the question, but said the reported threats are not a partisan issue, adding that the Liberal government has been vigilant in fighting against foreign interference since it took power in 2015.

We have put in place the people, the resources, the tools, and the oversight  to defend our institutions, he said.

Noe Chartier contributed to this report.
MAXIMIZE MARKET RESEARCH PRIVATE LIMITED

Credit Card Issuance Services Market is segmented into Type, Issuers and End User for the analysis of the market. Growing cashless transactions are expected to drive the Credit Card Issuance Services market.

Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A global Information Technology & Telecommunication research and business-consulting firm, Maximize Market Research, has published a market intelligence report on the  Credit Card Issuance Services Market . Over the forecast period, Maximize Market Research expects, the market to grow from USD 1030.28 Bn in 2022 to USD 1754.31 Bn in 2029 at a CAGR of 7.9 percent.



Market Size in 2022 USD 1030.28 Bn Market Size in 2029 USD 1754.31 Bn CAGR 7.9 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, Issuers and End User 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.

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Credit Card Issuance Services Market Report Scope and Research Methodology

The report involves a detailed analysis of the market through credit card penetration and the market share of Credit Card Issuance Services Key Players in the five geographic regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa and South America. The report involves offers, schemes and business strategies of key companies to assist new entrants in the Credit Card Issuance Services Market. The bottom-up approach is used to estimate the size of the market by value and volume. The report analyzes the market through segments: type, issuers and end-users along with their multiple sub-segments. The report provides data regarding growth hubs, competitive landscape, regional insights, investment feasibility and factors restraining the Credit Card Issuance Services Market. Primary and secondary research methods were used to collect data. Collected data was later analyzed by SWOT analysis and PESTLE analysis, which provides political, social , economic and environmental, technological and legal aspects of the market.

Story continues

Credit Card Issuance Services Market Overview

Any bank or financial organization issues a credit card to the customer to pay for their goods and services, it is more like buy now and pay later. The growing demand for cash alternatives in emergencies and down payment funds in buying anything is expected to drive the Credit Card Issuance Services Market. Recently on Feb 28, 2023, SBI Card collaborated with CRED, a credit card payment platform . Such collaborations are also fuelling the growth of the market.

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Credit Card Issuance Services Market Dynamics

The major Credit Card Issuance Services Key Companies are offering purchase protections, benefits and travel perks along with creating new revenue streams for themselves through affiliate marketing and evaluating their organizations through inorganic growth. The growth of the Credit Card Issuance Services Market is also supported by the favourable initiatives by the authorities in digitization of the financial services. The Credit Card Issuance Services Market is expected to slow down due to disruptors and no differentiation from other key competitors.

Credit Card Issuance Services Market Regional Insights

North America held the largest share of the market in 2022 and is expected to grow significantly throughout the forecast period. The report states that North American market accounted for nearly USD 183 Bn in 2022 and the growth is supported by the presence of major Credit Card Issuance Services Key Players such as MasterCard, American Express and Discover Bank in the region. The Credit Card Issuance Services Market in the United States is growing faster than the overall economy as per the research.

Credit Card Issuance Services Market Segmentation

By Type:

Consumer Credit Cards

Business Credit Cards

By Issuers:

Banks

Credit Unions

NBFCs





By End User:

Personal

Business

The consumer credit cards segment held the largest share of the market in 2022. Consumer credit cards provide consumers with the necessary funds for their expenses. The repayment period can vary from months to several years and is sometimes secured with collateral such as a home or car or unsecured, based on things bought through a consumer credit card.

Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-customization/186182

Business segment is expected to hold the largest revenue share in the Credit Card Issuance Services Market. Credit reporting policies for personal and business credit card users differ as personal credit card reports to Experian and TransUnion whereas, business credit card generally reports to credit bureaus for businesses.

Sustainable Packaging Key Competitors include:

Fiserv Inc.

Marqeta Inc.

Stripe Inc.

Giesecke+Devrient GmbH

Entrust Corporation.

GPUK LLP.

Nium Pte. Ltd.

Fis

Thales

American Express Company

SBI

IDFC Bank

HDFC Bank

Standard Chartered

CITI Bank

VISA

CHASE

Capital One

Discover Bank

Wells Fargo

Get the Sample PDF of Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/186182

Key questions answered in the Credit Card Issuance Services Market are:

What is Credit Card Issuance Services Market?

What was the Credit Card Issuance Services Market size in 2021?

What is the expected Credit Card Issuance Services Market size during the forecast period?

What are the global trends in the Credit Card Issuance Services Market?

What are the major restraints for the Credit Card Issuance Services Market?

Which segment dominated the Credit Card Issuance Services Market growth?

What is the demand pattern for the Credit Card Issuance Services Market?

What growth strategies are the players considering to increase their presence in Credit Card Issuance Services Market?

What are the upcoming industry applications and trends for the Credit Card Issuance Services Market?

Who are the leading companies and what are their portfolios in Credit Card Issuance Services Market?

Which region dominates the largest market share in Credit Card Issuance Services Market?



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, Issuers and End User

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

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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.

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Trump to Partake in CNN Town Hall

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump enters a CNN town hall event moderated by Anderson Cooper March 29, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The town hall was days before the Wisconsin primary on April 5. (Darren Hauck/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump, the current frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024, is set to participate in a May 10 town hall in New Hampshire hosted by CNN, which he has long railed against as being part of the fake news media.

However, Trump will apparently cast aside his feud with CNN in the interest of his campaign to appeal to the American people.

Going outside the traditional Republican comfort zone was a key to President Trumps success in 2016. Some other candidates are too afraid to take this step in their quest to defeat Joe Biden, and are afraid to do anything other than Fox News, a Trump adviser told The Epoch Times.

The adviser, who only agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, said that CNN executives made a compelling pitch. The adviser did not specify what the pitch was and what made it persuasive.

Jon Nicosia, a media analyst, told The Epoch Times that Trumps move will help re-legitimize CNN and may be a veiled shot at Fox News.

For Trump supporters, Id be very concerned, media analyst Jon Nicosia, a former editor at Mediaite, told The Epoch Times. But when it comes down to it, Trump is a product of New York and the media. For all his fake news talk, it appears he just cant quit them. But the reality is he spent four years calling them fake news, and this one act re-legitimizes them overnight.

And its not just about CNN, remarked Nicosia.

Its also a veiled shot at Fox News, he said. I dont see him doing this in a world where Tucker Carlson wasnt fired.

Curtis Houck, the managing editor of the conservative media watchdog NewsBusters, told The Epoch Times that the town hall is about CNN as much as it is about Trump.

This is a hail mary of sorts for CNN to even get a brief sugar high of ratings that arent in the basement of cable news. For all the talk about Donald Trump being a menace and danger to not only the lives of journalists, but the country and the world, its all a joke and show for ratings and approval from their thirsty Resistance audience, he said.

The 9 p.m. ET town hall will be moderated by CNN This Morning co-anchor Kaitlan Collins, an alum of the right-wing news site The Daily Caller, at St. Anselm College in Goffstown, N.H. While covering the White House, Collins clashed with Trump.

Nonetheless, Trump will take questions from Collins, Republican voters, and undecided voters.

CNN has a longstanding tradition of hosting leading presidential candidates for Town Halls and political events as a critical component of the networks robust campaign coverage, said CNN in a statement. This event with former President Trump will be the first of many for CNN in the coming months as CNN correspondents travel across the country to hear directly from voters in the runup to the 2024 presidential election.

In response to questions about what was behind the town hall especially given Trumps animosity toward the network, a CNN spokesperson echoed the aforementioned statement from the network.

Since the Trump administration, CNN has seen a leadership change with Chris Licht succeeding Jeff Zucker, who oversaw the outlet during an era of hostility toward Trumps presidency.
Tucker Carlsons Next Move After Departure From Fox News Is Revealed

Carlson is expected to speak at an Alabama fundraiser for disabled adults on Thursday, group says

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is expected to appear at an Alabama fundraiser this week, coming more than a week after his departure from Fox News, according to the organization of the event.

Carlson will speak at the annual fundraiser for Rainbow Omega at 7 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Oxford Performing Arts Center website. Rainbow Omega bills itself as a faith-based non-profit organization that provides vocational and residential programs to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Hell be here Thursday, Tim Hodge, the executive director of Rainbow Omega in Eastaboga, told AL.com on Monday afternoon.

We actually booked him back last fall, Hodge said, referring to the popular former host. The timing for last weeks announcement was unexpected by anybody.

Last Monday, Fox News confirmed that it parted ways with Carlson but neither the company nor Carlson have provided any details about why. Since then, Carlson has released one video that criticized the state of the news media in general.

Anytime you have a featured speaker from the world of politics, with our countrys political divide, you can bet theres a lot of interest, Hodge told the outlet. It was kind of an unusual situation. There has been renewed interest.

Hodge added that Carlson has honored what he said he would do, adding: Were looking forward to him being here and being part of our fundraiser.

Its not clear what Carlson will talk about during the event in Alabama. Hodge stated that Carlson agreed to attend the fundraiser because he believes its a worthwhile cause.

If he announces what he plans to do next, we would have loved to have retroactively known that and promoted that, Hodge remarked, without elaborating. Its an interesting sequence of events that led to where we are.

The final episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News aired on April 24 after he had been at the network for about 14 years. Since Foxs announcement, there has been widespread speculation about why.

Tucker Carlson hasnt actually been fired. Hes still an employee of the Fox News Channel, former Fox host Megyn Kelly said during an April 25 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show. And now theyre going to have to negotiate an exit, Kelly added.

The Epoch Times has contacted Fox News for comment about Kellys claims. A spokesperson responded by directing to the news release announcing his departure from the network.

Meanwhile, left-wing activist group Media Matters of America this week has released a number of secretly recorded videosdubbed FOXLEAKSthat include Carlson making a range of comments, including one where he insults Media Matters. Its not clear how Media Matters obtained the footage.

Ratings Slip

Ratings posted by Nielsen Research show that Fox News Tonight, the replacement for Carlsons 8 p.m. ET show, drew 1.15 million viewers on April 28. Carlsons finale show on April 21 drew 2.65 million viewers, while he averaged about 3 million viewers for the entirety of last week.

Fox News Tonight, which Fox described as a temporary replacement show, posted viewerships of 2.59 million on Monday, 1.7 million on Tuesday, and 1.33 million on Wednesday, and 1.46 million on Thursday, respectively, according to Nielsen. In last weeks statement announcing Carlsons departure, Fox News said that it would use a rotating cast of hosts for a temporary show.

Host Sean Hannitys 9 p.m. ET show also has seen a drop in ratings following Carlsons exit, the data shows.

Notably, after the 2020 election, Fox News saw a decrease in ratings when it declared on Election Night that then-candidate Joe Biden won Arizonas 11 electors. At the time, former President Donald Trump told his supporters should find alternatives to the channel.

For more than 21 years, Fox News Channel has been cable news most-watched network in all categories with more Democrats, Independents, and Republicans now tuning in than either CNN or MSNBC, Fox News said Monday in a statement to the Washington Post about its ratings. Attracting more than 50 percent of the cable news-viewing audience with the top 12 programs in cable news, Fox News powerhouse team of journalists, analysts, and opinion hosts are trusted more by viewers than any other news source. It comes as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called on Fox News to do the right thing after the network parted ways with popular host Tucker Carlson last week.
UK Mission in Sudan Not Over Despite End of Airlift, Foreign Secretary Says

UK military personnel helping evacuees at Wadi Seidna airport in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 29, 2023. (Sgt. Paul Oldfield/UK Ministry of Defence via PA Media)

The British evacuation mission in Sudan is not over yet despite the end of the airlift, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said.

The final evacuation flights left Sudan on Monday evening. According to UK government figures, as of Monday at 5:30 p.m., the number of people repatriated from the war-torn African nation by Britains armed forces stood at 2,197.

British nationals board an RAF aircraft in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 26, 2023. (UK Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)

Anyone seeking to leave will now have to make their own way to safety through Port Sudan or at land borders into neighbouring countries.

Cleverly wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: Weve coordinated the longest and largest evacuation of any Western country. But the hard work in Sudan hasnt finished.

According to the government, British officials are still in Port Sudan to help Britons seeking to leave the country. In addition, HMS Lancaster is off the coast near Port Sudan to support the continued British mission.

Continued UK Presence

Hundreds of people have been killed in a bloody conflict between the Sudanese army and a powerful paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces, which broke out on April 15.

The UK government said on April 23 that the British military had evacuated UK diplomats and their families from Sudan. British Ambassador to Sudan Giles Lever has been relocated to neighbouring Ethiopia to lead the UKs diplomatic efforts in the region to bring fighting to an end in Sudan, the government said.

Medics from the Duke of Lancasters Regiment of the British Army carry medical equipment as they arrive at Wadi Seidna airport in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 27, 2023. (UK Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)

The Royal Air Force (RAF) took over the Wadi Seidna airfield from the Germans on April 25 to begin airlifting other British nationals and their immediate families who wished to leave and were able to get to the airfield. The evacuees were first flown to Cyprus and then to the UK.

After the final flight left Wadi Seidna on April 29, the government advised any remaining UK citizens seeking evacuation to travel to Port Sudan in the east of the country, where the additional evacuation flights had been arranged to depart on Monday evening.

Cleverly told GB News on Tuesday: There is still an ongoing humanitarian situation, we still have a presence at Port Sudan, both a military presence and a number of other government officials to help British nationals and their dependents leave the country.

He added, We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals, because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile, and it is still dangerous.

Significant Cost

The foreign secretary said the Sudan evacuation operation would have a significant cost to British taxpayers.

He told LBC Radio: It has been a long, complicated, and resource-intensive operation. At some point in the future we will have to total up how much this will cost, but it will be a significant sum.

Cleverly said: What we have found increasingly now, as people use those land routes to Port Sudan, in many instances they are less in need of an air evacuation from Sudan itself. There are a number of options available from Port Sudan, including a ferry across to Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right) and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, meet with teams coordinating the evacuation of British nationals from Sudan, during a visit to the Foreign Office Crisis Centre in central London, on April 25, 2023. (Hannah McKay/PA Media)

He added: At the moment we have a warship just off the coast of Port Sudan, we have a cross-Whitehall team of officials in Port Sudan to help British nationals leave the country. We can scale that up, or indeed scale that down, according to circumstances.

In addition to the evacuation, the UK government is also engaged in the wider diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in the region.

Cleverly told the BBC, We have given aid to Sudan, we are giving support to countries in the region, we will continue to push for an extension of the ceasefire and a permanent end to the conflict because that is the best way to maximise the effectiveness of our humanitarian support.

Refugees

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 refugees have crossed from Sudan to neighbouring countries to escape the conflict that erupted last month while hundreds of thousands have been displaced within the country.

Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now crossed to neighbouring countries, Olga Sarrado, spokeswoman at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters at a briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.

At the same briefing, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 334,053 people had been internally displaced within the country since the conflict began.

In many cases, the small convoys are in a sense running the gauntlet between warring factions and its an extremely difficult and dangerous situation for those who are embarking on these journeys, said Paul Dillon, IOM spokesman.

A World Health Organization official said it has delivered six containers of supplies to Port Sudan and has another 30 tonnes of aid stocks waiting in Dubai for delivery.

PA Media and Reuters contributed to this report.
UN Rapporteur Concerned About Hong Kong National Security Case Restricting Employment of Overseas Lawyers

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, sent a letter to Bejing to express her concerns over the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Hong Kong government's proposed amendments to restrict the involvement of overseas lawyers in National security cases within Hong Kong. File photo. (Adrian Yu/The Epoch Times)

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (Special Rapporteur), Margaret Satterthwaite, sent a letter to Bejing to express her concerns over the proposed amendments by the Hong Kong government to restrict the involvement of overseas lawyers in National security cases within Hong Kong, along with the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. Nevertheless, the criticism of the National Security Law and the call for its repeal by the UN Human Rights Committee and other associations faced strong opposition from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Hong Kong government.

At the end of 2022, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress (SCNPC) of the CCP interpreted the Basic Law and decided that the Chief Executive has the power to decide whether a case involves national security and whether overseas lawyers can participate in it, and whether overseas lawyers threaten national security.

The Hong Kong government is currently amending the Legal Practitioners Ordinance to restrict the participation of overseas lawyers in National security cases, which is being considered by the Legislative Council (LC). Satterthwaite questioned whether the proposed arrangement would be tantamount to transferring the judiciarys decision-making power to the executive branch, which could affect the defendants right to choose a lawyer and to seek judicial review. She also pointed out that according to international human rights standards, the government should ensure that lawyers can perform their professional duties without harassment or undue interference.

In addition, Satterthwaite pointed out in the National Security Law of Hong Kong (HKNSL) that the notion of national security does not grant absolute discretion to the state, and the ambiguous charges outlined in the law contradict the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. According to the Covenant, such provisions must be precise and clear, which is not the case with the aforementioned law.

The legal profession in Hong Kong has highlighted a significant gray area within the definition of the four offenses mentioned in the Hong Kong National Security Law. This ambiguity grants the authorities the power to determine whether an individual has committed an offense under the law.

Legal scholar Eric Cheung Tat Ming from the University of Hong Kong pointed out that international human rights standards typically encompass the utilization or threat of force to safeguard freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under the definition of secession. However, Hong Kongs National Security Law does not predicate the offense of secession on the existence of force.

Satterthwaite expressed concern regarding the absence of a jury and the bail arrangements for defendants under the HKNSL. She highlighted that such arrangements could result in indefinite detention without trial for defendants denied bail.

Hong Kong has traditionally relied on jury trials to sentence defendants, especially those facing life imprisonment, as this is a fundamental right that every defendant should be entitled to. However, the Hong Kong governments recent decision to forego juries is purportedly aimed at safeguarding the personal safety of jurors and their family members. This move marks a significant departure from the usual practice of Hong Kong courts in handling most criminal cases.

Article 46 of the Hong Kong National Security Law allows the Secretary for Justice, as the governments representative, to instruct that cases related to the HKNSL may be exempted from a jury trial. This decision may be made to safeguard state secrets or ensure jurors safety. The abandonment of jury trials in national security cases is a significant departure from Hong Kongs legal heritage.

Special Rapporteur Created by UN Human Rights Committee

Focus on Violations of Legal System Rights

In 1994, the UN Human Rights Committee observed a surge in assaults on the autonomy of judges and lawyers, prompting them to establish the role of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. Currently, the esteemed Satterthwaite holds this position, who is renowned as an international human rights scholar. Her expertise includes empirical research methods, measurements, and indicators in human rights, national security, and counter-terrorism. Additionally, Satterthwaite has provided her valuable insights on human rights as a consultant and advisor to prominent organizations such as the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and two UN Special Rapporteurs.

CCP Ignores Letter from Former Special Rapporteur

The website of the Special Rapporteur contains a comprehensive list of legal provisions that pertain to judicial independence and related situations across various countries worldwide. The page dedicated to mainland China displays a letter dated May 1, 2019, from former Special Rapporteur Diego Garcia-Sayan and other experts. However, as of now, the letter is still pending a response from the government.

The UN is concerned about the implementation of the HKNSL

The Human Rights Committee (HRC) urged to repeal

The UN has objected to the implementation of the HKNSL many times.

In March, the National Security Police arrested Albert Ho Chun-yan, the former Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance, in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HKASPDMC). He was remanded on bail on allegations of obstructing justice while he was already on bail for inciting subversion of state power. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) has expressed deep concern about this incident and the ongoing case of the HKNSL. They have strongly urged the release of Albert Ho, highlighting the significance of upholding human rights in the face of political unrest.

The UN Office of the HCHR has voiced concerns about the HKNSL. In his inaugural speech at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on March 7, Volker Turk, the newly appointed UN human rights commissioner, highlighted the CCPs treatment of Uighurs, Tibetans, and other minorities in Xinjiang. He also expressed his dismay and concern over the consequences of the HKNSL.

In February, the trial of the Hong Kong 47 case began, which involved legislators, activists, and community workers who were accused of participating in the pro-democracy movement during the Democratic primary election. During this time, Volker Turk emphasized the significance of complying with international human rights laws, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He also shared the United Nations HRCs 2022 findings, which urged the Hong Kong government to repeal the National Security Law and the crime of incitement.

The HRC issued a report on July 27, 2022, scrutinizing the Hong Kong governments compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The report denounced the arrest of over 200 citizens and the disbandment of trade unions and student unions following the implementation of the HKNSL in 2020. The Commission urged the Hong Kong government to rescind the HKNSL, emphasizing the importance of upholding citizens civil liberties and political rights.

In addition, in March, the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR) released its concluding observations, citing a report highlighting the HKNSLs role in eradicating judicial independence in Hong Kong. The report further reveals that the law has been utilized to pressurize academics, curtail academic freedom, and amplify censorship of satirical content in films and plays, thereby infringing upon the right to form trade unions. The committee also urged abolishing the national security hotline.

In October 2021, the HCHR issued a press release expressing the deep concern of several UN human rights experts regarding the arrest of Chow Hang-tung, the Vice-Chairman of the HKASPDMC, in September. The experts urged the authorities to refrain from using the HKNSL and to review its application, given the potential for the law to stifle fundamental rights protected by international law. At the time of her arrest, Chow was accused of inciting subversion of state power, a charge the experts argued was improperly incitement of rebellion by the authorities.

Amendments to the Legal Practitioners Ordinance

Stemming from the obstruction of Jimmy Lais hiring of a Kings Counsel caused the CCPs concern about the Hong Kong legal profession

The Hong Kong government has amended the Legal Practitioners Ordinance in light of Jimmy Lai Chi-yings recent case. The founder of Next Media Group was charged with conspiring to endanger national security by colluding with foreign countries or forces outside Hong Kong under the HKNSL. He was granted permission by the High Court to hire Tim Owen KC to defend him. Despite the Department of Justices objection failing for the third time at the Court of Final Appeal on Nov. 28, 2022, Chief Executive Johnn Lee announced on the same day that he would request an interpretation of the Basic Law from the NPC. The objective was to clarify whether an overseas lawyer or barrister, who is not fully qualified to practice in Hong Kong, can handle cases related to crimes against national security following the legislative intent and purpose of the HKNSL.

On December 30, 2022, the CCPs Standing Committee issued an interpretation of Articles 14 and 47 of the HKNSL. The interpretation confirms that the responsibility of handling disputes related to hiring foreign lawyers in national security cases falls under the National Security Committee jurisdiction led by Chief Executive John Lee. Additionally, the interpretation emphasized that Hong Kong courts must obtain a certificate issued by the Chief Executive when hearing a case to determine whether the act in question involves national security. This certificate holds binding authority over the courts.

On Jan. 19, John Lee declared at the Chief Executives Question and Answer Session in the LC that the Government would introduce amendments to the Legal Practitioners Ordinance as soon as possible to address the issue of overseas lawyers without full local practicing qualifications taking part in national security cases.

The Department of Justice has proposed amendments to the Legal Practitioners Ordinance that would extend the Chief Executives power to engage overseas lawyers in cases related to national security, not only limited to criminal cases. These amendments would also allow the court to admit barristers on an ad hoc basis. Under the proposed changes, obtaining a certificate from the Chief Executive to confirm the involvement of national security is necessary, and a pre-application screening process and review mechanism have been added. Despite these changes, some pro-CCP Legislative Council (LC) members have questioned the proposals transparency, claiming that the authorities are merely pretending to be open.

Ordinance Amendment Consultation Was only 7 days

The LC has established the Bills Committee on the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2023 and, after conducting two meetings on March 31 and April 4, respectively, has completed the clause-by-clause examination. However, the public consultation period lasted only seven days, spanning the Ching Ming Festival holiday and the weekend, resulting in only four working days for consultation. Despite the limited consultation period, the Bills Committee proceeded with their examination. The number of submissions received from organizations or individuals was limited to six. Out of the five submissions made by the public, a vast majority supported legislative amendments to restrict the participation of overseas lawyers in cases under the HKNSL.

The Bill will resume its Second Reading debate held on April 28 at the House Committee meeting.
US and Philippines Close Ranks Against China

State Department threatens to invoke defense treaty after China Coast Guard provocations

Philippine Coast Guard Petty Officer 3 John Solatre uses the radio on board the BRP Malabrigo to send a message to suspected Chinese militia ships near Philippine-claimed Island of Thitu, locally known as Pag-asa island, at the South China Sea on April 21, 2023. (Aaron Favila/AP Photo)

Commentary

As tensions rise between China and the Philippines over islands and resource rights in the South China Sea, the Biden administration has drawn a line in the sand.

In response to standoffs between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a State Department spokesman said on April 29 that any firing on Philippine Coast Guard vessels would activate a defense treaty.

The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms that an armed attack in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea, on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, the statement read.

Such attacks have arguably already occurred on multiple occasions. In February, the Philippines released video evidence of a China Coast Guard ship firing a military-grade laser at the Philippine Coast Guard. Since 1995, China has occupied Philippine territory at Mischief Reef in the South China Sea, not to mention multiple other artificial islands in the Philippines EEZ.

Article IV of the defense treaty states: Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes. Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.

U.S. military forces could therefore be called upon to defend Philippine coast guard vessels from the China coast guard, naval, or maritime militia vessels, all of which fall under the command of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Given that China and Russia would likely veto any United Nations Security Council action in defense of the Philippines, it remains to be seen if the United States and a coalition of the willingwith the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia as likely participantswill defend the Philippines against the PLAs ongoing aggression.

A Chinese Coast Guard ship with bow number 5201 blocks Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malapascua as it maneuvers to enter the mouth of the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, at the South China Sea on April 23, 2023. (Aaron Favila/AP Photo)

The State Department language that includes mention of the defense treaty is a notable escalation on the South China Sea issue that few media outlets have sufficiently reported, and another that the new Philippine president, Bongbong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., will have a much closer defense relationship to the United States than his bumptious predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

The latter famously broke with the United States to reorient the Philippines toward China and beg for $180 billion in development loans. Only $422 million came through, however, which disappointed the countrys China advocates and likely disillusioned the Philippine electorate over any hope that China was friendly toward the Philippines.

Marcos has increased the intensity of joint military exercises with the United States. On April 28, 18,000 U.S. and Philippine forces completed a three-week military exercise that was the largest ever between the allies.

Earlier this month, the United States and the Philippines announced four new U.S. military sites in the Philippines, including on Palawan Island, which abuts the South China Sea, and two locations in the northern Philippines near Taiwan. The two northern sites will provide naval and air support to rotating U.S. forces, which will help deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

A V-22 Osprey takes off from the USS Wasp as part of the annual joint U.S.-Philippines military exercise on the shores of San Antonio, facing the South China Sea, in Zambales province, Philippines, on April 11, 2019. (Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images)

The fourth site is in central Luzon, north of Manila, that could provide backup to the two northern sites and support Marcos reinvigorated campaign against local communist guerrillas that have waged a 50-year war on Manila.

The Chinese Communist Partys broken promises, territorial aggression against most of its neighbors, and claim to regional hegemony in Asia are causing an arms race between not only the United States and China, but among Chinas neighbors, which are attempting to deter any further Chinese territorial aggression through closer defense cooperation. Japan, India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have territorial disputes with China.

The CCPs ambition to impose itself as a regional hegemon by keeping other superpowers out of Asia was on display in its response to the State Department release.

On April 30, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson issued a written statement saying, The U.S., as a country outside of the region, must not interfere with the South China Sea matter or use the South China Sea matter to sow discord among regional countries.

Beijing and Moscow are trying to assert that they have spheres of influence, much as the United States had in the 19th century over Latin America, that would preclude involvement from the United States and the European Union in Asia or the former Soviet republics. Some of their officials and analysts would even claim that countries in these regions lack sovereignty as regional power concentrates in Beijing and Moscow.

The countries of these regions would beg to differ and are backed by international law and the military and economic power of the United States, the European Union, and allies like Japan and South Korea. As long as Beijing and Moscow do not bribe their way to victory, the democracies of the world can and must resist their attempts at regional hegemony, which could turn into wars for global hegemony at some point in the future.

A lasting peace can likely only be achieved when Moscow and Beijing democratize and thus become part of the supporters of peace, democracy, and human rights globally rather than their main detractors.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
US Army Will Again Fall Short of Recruitment Goals: Secretary Wormuth

U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville testify during a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 10, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Despite the relative success of a new program to help aspiring soldiers meet eligibility requirements, the U.S. Army will again fall short of its annual recruitment goals, according to Defense Department officials.

While testifying before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on May 2, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said: The chief [of staff] and I set a very ambitious goal of 65,000 new recruits this year, and we are not going to make that goal. We are doing everything we can to get as close to it as possible, but we are going to fall short of that.

In October, the Army announced that it had missed its recruitment target for 2022 by 25 percentor 15,000 soldiersmaking it the worst recruitment year on record since the start of the all-volunteer force 50 years ago.

While Wormuth noted that some progress had been made in recent months, she added that it would likely take some time to fully resolve the ongoing recruitment woes that the military has experienced across the board.

We didnt get into this situation in a year, and I think its going to take us more than a year to rebuild our recruiting, she said.

Bipartisan Issue

The issue proved to be of bipartisan concern during Tuesdays budget hearing, with senators on both ends of the political spectrum expressing concern and confusion over how the situation had grown so dire.

Why is recruitment so difficult when retention is so favorable? Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) asked. One would think that those who are serving who are making the decision to reenlist have encountered a good experience, but its not translating into people who have not yet served.

While agreeing that the Army is currently experiencing historically good retention, Wormuth advised that she felt the disconnect was largely due to poor communication on the Armys part.

I think some of it is, again, about reintroducing the Army to the American public, she said.

One area where she said messaging could be improved was in dispelling the notion that joining the Army could slow people down in fulfilling their future career goals.

In fact, I would argue it can accelerate kids towards college degrees, she contended. But we need to do a better job of telling our story, and wed welcome your help with that.

Meanwhile, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) questioned how recruitment problems would affect the U.S. militarys Indo-Pacific strategy to counter Chinese aggression, to which Wormuth replied that the Army was exploring ways to shift and optimize forces to cover areas where needs were most pressing.

National defense strategy requirements are primary, she stressed. Weve got to be able to have the readiness levels and the structure that we need to execute the strategy. And certainly, paying attention to the Indo-Pacific is core to that.

Preparatory Program

Despite the recruitment concerns raised, Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said that he felt the Army was headed in the right direction with the help of its new Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which launched last August at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Noting that he and Wormuth had made a blood oath not to lower eligibility standards for new recruits, McConville said the pilot program had been highly effective in helping Army hopefuls meet those physical and academic standards.

Weve had about a little over 8,000 actually go through the program right now, he advised. Were seeing a 95 percent success rate. I think theres something thereI think its the future.

McConville added that in many cases, program participants exceed the eligibility requirements and go on to do really good things in the Army.

So I think this is something we really need to take a hard look at, and theres a potential for expansion.
US to Send 1,500 Troops to Southern Border Ahead of Expected Surge of Illegal Immigrants

U.S. Marines help to build a concertina wire barricade at the U.S. Mexico border in preparation for the arrival of a caravan of migrants at the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 13, 2018. (Reuters/Mike Blake)

The United States will be sending troops to the southern border with Mexico, the White House announced on May 2.

The move was unveiled ahead of an expected surge of illegal immigrants as pandemic restrictions, known as Title 42, are set to lift on May 11.

The southern border has been hammered over the past two years by an unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants, leaving border control authorities struggling to keep up with limited resources.

Pentagon press secretary Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed in a Tuesday press conference that the Pentagon would be sending 1,500 U.S. military personnel to supplement Border Patrol resources for 90 days. Ryder suggested this could be extended as the need arises.

These 1,500 troops will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support until CBP [Customs and Border Protection] can address these needs through contracted support.

Military personnel will not directly participate in law enforcement activities, Ryder added.

While the first wave of troops will be drawn from active-duty personnel, Ryder said that the Pentagon was looking into other options, including potentially pulling from reserves.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that the move was made in the hopes of freeing Border Patrol agents up to focus on apprehending illegal immigrants crossing the border.

Under President Donald Trump, military servicemembers performed similar functions at the border. When Trump deployed troops to the border in 2018, Democrats blasted the move as a politicization of the military.

In comments to reporters, Jean-Pierre said that the deployment was common practice.

DoD personnel have been supporting [Customs and Border Protection] at the border for almost two decades now, she said, referring to the Department of Defense.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in a statement Tuesday, said the additional forces would help to reduce irregular migration, ensure safe, orderly, and efficient processing, and promptly remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States.

Currently, 2,500 troops are serving in some capacity along the border. The addition of 1,500 new troops, nearly a twofold increase, comes days ahead of the end of Title 42, a COVID-era immigration rule making it easier for illegal aliens to be turned away at the border.

DHS added that Customs and Border Protections investment in new technology and personnel will reduce the need for such assistance moving forward.

Despite an unprecedented flow of illegal migrants across the border, the administration has long refrained from using the word crisis to describe the situation.

President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have each insisted that the border is secure and under operational control.

Last week, Biden signed an executive order authorizing the administration to activate active-duty forces to combat drug trafficking at the southern border.

The decision to send troops to the border comes as Republicans prepare a series of legislation addressing immigration problems along the border.

Last month, House Republicans introduced a bill that would require the Biden administration to resume construction on a border wall between the United States and Mexico. Another GOP bill was unveiled today aimed at strengthening the enforcement of immigration law at the southern border.
Victims of Deadly Harbison Canyon House-Party Shooting IDd

SAN DIEGOAuthorities May 1 publicly identified two San Diego men who were killed last week in a predawn shooting during a crowded house party in a rural neighborhood east of El Cajon.

Jaden Davis, 20, and 29-year-old Seandell Jones were fatally shot by an unknown assailant or assailants in the 800 block of Renfro Way in the Harbison Canyon community early April 27, according to the San Diego County Sheriffs Department.

Deputies responding to a report of eight to 10 gunshots and loud shouting north of Sycuan Casino shortly before 2 a.m. arrived to find numerous people hurrying out of the area on foot and in vehicles, Lt. Joseph Jarjura said.

As the patrol personnel approached the home that the crowd was fleeing, a person flagged them down and told them someone was injured inside.

Entering the residence, the deputies found Davis suffering from gunshot wounds. They rendered first-aid prior to the arrival of paramedics, who airlifted him to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, where he was pronounced dead.

While searching the home for other victims or suspects, deputies found the other mortally wounded victim. Jones died at the scene.

No suspects in the case have been identified, and it remains unclear what prompted the deadly gunfire.

The motivation and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation, Jarjura said Monday.

The house where the shooting took place was being rented through Airbnb at the time of the killings, the lieutenant said.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Will Not Seek Fourth Term in 2024

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is ready to pass the torch as he announced on Monday that he will not be running for re-election in 2024.

Today I announced I will not be running for a fourth term. Weve made Washington a beacon for progress, and now its time to pass the torch, the Democrat said in his announcement.

Inslee was elected governor in 2012 and has served for three consecutive terms. He calls his longevity in office my greatest honor.

Inslee began his career in politics as a state legislator, serving in the Washington State House from 19891993. He was then elected as a U.S. Representative in the 1st (19992012) and 4th Congressional Districts (19931995).

Vice President Mike Pence, at podium, speaks as Gov. Jay Inslee, left, and other officials look on during a news conference at Camp Murray in Washington state on March 5, 2020. Pence was in Washington to discuss the states efforts to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

Inslee has since achieved many political milestones as the governor of Washington, such as the Democrats climate change initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, achieving the lowest COVID death rate in the country, and most recently, introducing further restrictions in an effort to curb gun violence.

Our last decade of Washingtons storied history is one of growth and innovation. I am proud to have played a role in our states leadership on many fronts. Weve passed the nations best climate policies, the most successful family leave benefits, the best college scholarship programs, a fair legal justice system, and the most protective actions against gun violence. Weve shown that diversity is a strength worth fighting for. This has been ten years of dynamic success, Inslee said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Inslee became the first governor of the United States to ban AR-15s, AK-47s, and similar semi-automatic rifles, which has been a controversial issue among politicians and Americans amid increasingly violent use of guns.

Today, were standing on the right side of history by taking action on gun violence to improve the health, safety, and lives of Washingtonians, Inslee said at the time, before signing the bill into law.

No one needs an AR-15 to protect your family, Inslee added about the new law. You only need it to kill other families.

Inslee has faced criticism for certain policy actions during his terms as Washington governor.

HB 1240 clearly violates our state and federal constitutions, which is why it will end up in court immediately, Sen. Lynda Wilson of Vancouver said of the semi-automatic rifle ban in a statement.

Despite the criticism, Inslee is proud of the accomplishments he has achieved that he believes has improved the lives of the people he has served during his reign.

As governor, I have seen my role as inspiring our state ever forward and ever higher. Im gratified to be able to say that this approach has worked to improve Washingtonians lives in many ways and in many places, Inslee said in a statement.

Inslees list of accomplishments includes passing the Clean Energy Transformation Act to transition 100 percent to zero-carbon energy by 2045, improving equity across Washingtons legal justice system through prioritizing more diverse judicial appointments, and pushing back on Republican efforts to roll back abortion access and gender-related care by strengthening legal protections for providers and patients and expanding access, among many others listed by the governors office.

Possible candidates for Washintons next governor include Democrats Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, according to the Seattle Times, along with former Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who might consider a run for the position, according to The Dispatch.

Inslee is committed to continuing to improve Washington and make positive impacts during the remainder of his term until a new governor is elected into office. His term ends on Jan. 13, 2025.

Now is the time to intensely focus on all we can accomplish in the next year and a half, and I intend to do just that. I look forward to continued partnership with legislators and community leaders to address Washingtons homelessness crisis, speed our efforts to expand behavioral health services, continue our fight against climate change, and continue making Washington a beacon of progress for all, Inslee concluded in his statement.
Why China Is More Prepared for Food Shortages Than America

Chinese and American flags are displayed in a company in Beijing, on Aug. 16, 2017. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

Food is essential for survival, which is why youd think food securityincluding long-term emergency food storagewould be more of a priority for our national government.

Especially after how quickly we saw our food supply and supply chains almost come to a halt as a result of the pandemic. While youd think what we went through the past two years would bring a reckoning and renewed appreciation for our agriculture sector, our farming communities are actually experiencing the exact opposite.

In fact, theres a war on Americas farmers happening right now.

Consider the fact that the Chinese government is prioritizing food security. This will put China significantly ahead of America and allow China major leverage over U.S. supply chains.

What China Is Doing to Be Food Self-Sufficient

China has prioritized food security for several decades, with it being at the forefront of the countrys five-year plans.

A farmer dries corn grains at Chengkan village in Huangshan, China, on Sept. 16, 2021. (Shi Yalei/VCG via Getty Images)

Here are some of the ways China is trying to make its country less dependent on other countries for food:

Increased food production: The growing demand for food initially forced China to increase food production. However, in recent years, domestic food production has increased even more.

The growing demand for food initially forced China to increase food production. However, in recent years, domestic food production has increased even more. Boosting agricultural research and development: According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, The political will and ability to confront future food security challenges are demonstrated by the countrys position as the largest public agricultural research and development (R&D) system in the world, with 33 percent of Chinese citizens working in the agriculture sector, more than the entire U.S. population.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, The political will and ability to confront future food security challenges are demonstrated by the countrys position as the largest public agricultural research and development (R&D) system in the world, with 33 percent of Chinese citizens working in the agriculture sector, more than the entire U.S. population. Studying seed modernization: China is investing a significant amount of time and money into seed modernization. The 13th Five-Year Plan aims to achieve 97 percent self-sufficiency of main crops and a 50 percent increase of grain yield growth from new seed varieties. In addition to the billions of dollars put into GMO seed-development programs in China, Chinese scientists are also sending seeds to space to see how seeds grow in different climates. Seeds in China are considered the computer chips of agriculture.

China is investing a significant amount of time and money into seed modernization. The 13th Five-Year Plan aims to achieve 97 percent self-sufficiency of main crops and a 50 percent increase of grain yield growth from new seed varieties. In addition to the billions of dollars put into GMO seed-development programs in China, Chinese scientists are also sending seeds to space to see how seeds grow in different climates. Seeds in China are considered the computer chips of agriculture. Stockpiling food: Starting in 1990, China began stockpiling grain, and theyve continued to do so. According to The Upheaval, Stockpiling rapidly, by the end of the year [2022] Chinawith its 20 percent of the worlds populationis projected to have accumulated and stashed away some 65 percent of the worlds corn and 53 percent of the worlds wheat.

Starting in 1990, China began stockpiling grain, and theyve continued to do so. According to The Upheaval, Stockpiling rapidly, by the end of the year [2022] Chinawith its 20 percent of the worlds populationis projected to have accumulated and stashed away some 65 percent of the worlds corn and 53 percent of the worlds wheat. Preventing food waste: In April 2021, the national Anti-Food Waste Law was put into effect. Under this law, individuals who order excess food can be fined.

In April 2021, the national Anti-Food Waste Law was put into effect. Under this law, individuals who order excess food can be fined. Buying food manufacturing plants in the United States: Multiple Chinese-based companies have acquired food companies in the United States. Ag Web Farm Journal reports, In 2013, Shuanghui International purchased U.S.-based Smithfield Foods. (At the time of sale, Smithfield had 25 U.S. plants, 460 farms, and contracts with 2,100 producers in 12 states.) In 2014, China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation bought two major agricultural trading companies, Noble Agri and Nidera. In 2017, ChemChina paid almost $46 billion for acquisition of Syngenta, giving the CCP aboveboard access to transgenic seeds and crop protection products.

Multiple Chinese-based companies have acquired food companies in the United States. Ag Web Farm Journal reports, In 2013, Shuanghui International purchased U.S.-based Smithfield Foods. (At the time of sale, Smithfield had 25 U.S. plants, 460 farms, and contracts with 2,100 producers in 12 states.) In 2014, China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation bought two major agricultural trading companies, Noble Agri and Nidera. In 2017, ChemChina paid almost $46 billion for acquisition of Syngenta, giving the CCP aboveboard access to transgenic seeds and crop protection products. Buying up farmland in the United States: China continues to buy land in the United States. China already owned over 191,000 acres of U.S. land before acquiring an additional 300 acres in North Dakota. Its such a concern that a House committee voted to block China and other foreign countries (Russia, North Korea, and Iran) from farm purchases in the United States in June 2022. However, to date, nothing official has been passed.

Why China Is Focusing on Food Insecurity

According to The Diplomat, In April 2021, Chinese president Xi Jinping declared that food security is an important foundation for national security.

Why is it so important? There are several reasons.

First, China has experienced significant population growth. As a result, they need more food to feed their booming population. Second, China has suffered famine before. During the 1950s, millions of Chinese citizens died due to hunger. Finally, they want to make sure they control the food. If you control the food, you control the people.

Mexican farm workers harvest celery in a field of Brawley, Calif., on Jan. 31, 2017. (Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping was quoted as saying, The food of the Chinese people must be made by and remain in the hands of the Chinese.

If China is forced to depend on other countries for food to survive, they will not be in control. And thats what they want. They want to control their people, and they want to be the agricultural powerhouse of the world.

China Daily reports: The president highlighted food security as a major issue, calling it one that the nation cannot afford to be complacent about. He repudiated the notions that food security is no longer an important matter in the age of industrialization or that China could rely on the international market as a solution. China must stabilize the production of its staple food and corn, expand the acreage of soybeans and other oil crop cultivation, keep its annual grain output at more than 650 million metric tons and ensure its food self-sufficiency, he said.

How Chinas Food Security Plans Hurt America

It is easy to dismiss Chinas food security plans as something taking place on the other side of the world. But there will be direct repercussions in the United States.

According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, These efforts present several risks to U.S. economic and national security. For example, Chinese companies acquisition of hog herds in the United States may save China money and enhance its domestic capacity; however, this could also reduce Chinas need for U.S.-sourced production and redistributes the environmental effects of hog waste to U.S. communities. If further consolidations and Chinese investments in U.S. agricultural assets take place, China may have undue leverage over U.S. supply chains. Chinas access to U.S. agricultural IP [intellectual property] may also erode U.S. competitiveness in agriculture technology that supports food production. In addition, Chinas illicit acquisitions of GM seeds provides a jumpstart to Chinas own development of such seeds, deprives U.S. companies of revenue, and offers an opportunity to discover vulnerabilities in U.S. crops.

In addition, consider the way America is already hindering its own farmers and food manufacturing plants with new regulations.

While we are investing time and money in green energy and sustainable farming methods, China has dismantled solar farms to create more productive agricultural land.

What You Can Do to Practice Food Self-Sufficiency

The truth is, America is already behind when it comes to food self-sufficiency. If we face something extreme, we cannot depend on our government to feed us. We must be able to feed ourselves.

Stay aware. Know what is happening, so you stay ahead of supply shortages.

Know what is happening, so you stay ahead of supply shortages. Grow your own food. Start collecting seeds and growing food in your own yard.

Start collecting seeds and growing food in your own yard. Start a hobby farm. Now is the time to raise your own meat.

Now is the time to raise your own meat. Support local farms. American farmers and ranchers need your support now more than ever before. Befriend them and support them.

American farmers and ranchers need your support now more than ever before. Befriend them and support them. Stock up. Invest in quality long-term emergency food.

Start your preparations now, friends.

My Patriot Supply is the nations largest preparedness company, with millions of families prepped for any kind of disaster. Specializing in high-quality, affordable food that stays fresh for up to 25 years as well as emergency survival gear. Over 60,100 4 and 5 star reviews. When survival depends on self-reliance, you can depend on My Patriot Supply.
ASEAN, Russia commit to strengthening strategic partnership

ASEAN member states and Russia reaffirmed commitments to strengthen their strategic partnership at the 19th ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials Meeting (ARSOM) held recently in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Taking place on April 27 and 28, the meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary of State and ASEAN-Cambodias SOM Leader, Kung Phoak, and Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and SOM Leader, Andrei Rudenko; and was attended by ASEAN SOM leaders, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Timor-Leste as observer.





At the meeting (Photo: VNA)





At the event, Kung Phoak underlined the two sides long-standing friendship and the importance of Russias firm support for ASEAN Centrality which has been reflected in its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms to promote peace, security, stability and socio-economic growth and prosperity in the region.



He said the bloc and Russia need to further strengthen cooperation within the three pillars of the ASEAN Community to advance their partnership to new heights.



Andrei Rudenko reaffirmed Russias continued commitment to further enhancing the relations and support for the ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture to uphold peace, stability and prosperity in the region.



Participating senior officials from both sides noted the progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action (2021-2025) which guides their endeavours in realising mutually beneficial objectives of the partnership. They said they are committed to the full implementation of the remaining action lines.



The meeting highlighted the importance of reinforcing cooperation in a number of key priority areas such as politics and security, countering terrorism and transnational crime, ICT security, economy, industry, finance, science and technology, smart cities, energy, disaster management, health, connectivity, Initiative for ASEAN Integration, and food security.



Participants also exchanged views on matters of common interest and concern relating to the sides interactions in the regional fora and regional architecture in the Asia-Pacific, stressing the importance of enhancing joint work in the post-COVID-19 recovery period.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ -- Crowley will launch an end-to-end, integrated ocean and rail service between Mexico and the U.S. Midwest region and into Canada. Featuring Crowley's new Mexico-U.S. ocean route in the Gulf, the service will leverage the highly efficient inland rail network of Canadian National Railway Company and its U.S. rail subsidiaries (CN). The companies' combined network provides broad reach across the Midwest and into Canada to increase solutions for global customers in North American markets.

Crowley is a global supply chain provider that provides end-to-end supply chain solutions in the U.S., the Caribbean and Central America, and soon from Mexico via ocean shipping to connect the Midwest and Canada with Canadian National (CN) rail.

"With this collaboration with Canadian National, Crowley has further expanded market reach for our customers and the communities they serve with the fast, reliable transport of goods across the entirety of North America," said Brett Bennett, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics. "Leveraging each side's unmatched supply chain capabilities and commitment to customers long-term, we are creating even more efficiencies to advance the power of today's innovative and demanding global supply chain."

In addition to a new ocean shipping route from Tuxpan, Mexico, to Mobile, Alabama, which avoids inland transportation congestion at the U.S.-Mexico border, the linkage to CN best-in-class rail service from Mobile to the Midwest and into Canada will offer customers the fastest, most environmentally efficient transit times versus emissions from trucks with five to six times less fuel used per ton transported. Ships making a roundtrip between Tuxpan and Mobile weekly in September will carry up to 1,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) containers and more than 200 refrigerated containers.

After transiting on Crowley's vessel from Mexico to the Port of Mobile, containers will be loaded onto daily CN trains traveling through the Midwest into Canada, offering some of the fastest rail service connecting Mobile and Chicago; Detroit; Minneapolis; Memphis; and Canadian cities such as Toronto, and Montreal, among others.

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"We are pleased to be joining Crowley with our extensive inland rail network for this innovative service. We share similar values about providing solutions for complex supply chain needs and we are excited to support their first venture via the Port of Mobile into the U.S. and Canada," said Doug MacDonald, Chief Marketing Officer of CN. "We can better serve our customers in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada by assisting Crowley in providing a reliable, and seamless door-to-door customer experience. The new service will enable more efficient supply chain corridors and increased market access throughout North America."

About Crowley

Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and -operated maritime, energy and logistics solutions company serving commercial and government sectors with $3.4 billion in annual revenues, over 170 vessels mostly in the Jones Act fleet and approximately 7,000 employees around the world  employing more U.S. mariners than any other company. The Crowley enterprise has invested more than $3.2 billion in maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade and the global economy. As a global ship owner-operator and services provider with more than 130 years of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, the company serves customers in 36 nations and island territories through five business units: Crowley Logistics, Crowley Shipping, Crowley Solutions, Crowley Wind Services and Crowley Fuels. Additional information about Crowley, its business units and subsidiaries can be found at www.crowley.com.

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SOURCE Crowley

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Woman Arrested, Charged for Throwing Drink on Rep. Matt Gaetz

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is followed by members of the media as he walks in the U.S. Capitol in Washington on April 26, 2023. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

A woman has been arrested on allegations she threw a drink at Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz over the weekend.

On Tuesday, the Walton County Sheriffs Office confirmed they had arrested 41-year-old Selena Chambers on Saturday after she reportedly threw a glass of wine at Gaetz during an event at Miramar Beach. The sheriffs office said Chambers, a Tallahassee resident, was charged with battery on an elected official.

Chambers was issued a $1,000 bond and was released the day after her arrest.

In a video statement on Tuesday, Gaetz said he and his wife were attending the South Walton Wine and Food Festival and that several people recognized him at the festival and took photos with him. Gaetz said that during this interaction, Chambers approached him and threw her drink whose contents hit him and an individual whom he had been chatting with.

In a written press statement, Gaetz said Chambers was charged with one count of battery on an elected official and one additional count of battery.

The Pensacola News Journal reported law enforcement officials identified the second individual splashed by the drink as Blaine Odom. Police said Chambers threw the drink at Gaetz and Odom and then began walking away yelling and flipping him off.

Gaetz thanked Walton County Sheriffs Office for taking swift action after the alleged attack.

I will never allow the safety of Northwest Floridians to be compromised, Gaetz added. I will be pressing charges against this individual in order to uphold the civility our community deserves.

Odom said he also intends to press charges for the incident.

In Florida, simple battery is considered a first-degree misdemeanor and is punishable by a term of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Battery on an elected official enhances the charge, raising it to a third-degree felony, which is punishable in Florida by up to five years in prison and five years of probation, along with a fine of up to $5,000.

Gaetz alleged that Chambers is a registered Democrat and self-described member of the Resistance. He also claimed that she is an author, and shared an image of a 2017 article she apparently wrote for Literary Hub. Selena Chambers has an author page on Literary Hub that links to a Twitter account; the account is currently set to protected mode.

Whenever theres a conservative who acts out of line, its like the biggest story in the world, Gaetz said in his video discussing the incident. But when you get a radicalized leftist breaking the peace in my community, who traveled here by the way from Tallahassee, Florida, I doubt itll get the same pickup, but we will make sure that there are appropriate consequences through the legal system because thats what the safety of our community demands.

Gaetz Has Been Splashed Before

The incident over the weekend was not the first time Gaetz has been hit with a drink.

In June 2019, a woman was charged for throwing a drink at Gaetz as he left a town hall meeting in Pensacola. The woman in that case, 35-year-old Amanda Kondratyev, pled guilty in August of that same year. A judge sentenced Kondratyev to 15 days in prison over the incident.

This is a breaking news story. This story will be updated as more details come in.

From NTD News
Wrongfully Convicted Kansas Man to Get $7.5 Million Payment

Floyd Bledsoe speaks at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 28, 2016. (Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP)

Oskaloosa, Kan.A Kansas man who spent 16 years in prison for a rape and murder he didnt commit will receive $7.5 million from the county where he was arrested and convicted of the crime.

Jefferson County commissioners approved the settlement last week with Floyd Bledsoe, who was released from prison in 2015 after DNA evidence showed he could not have been the killer of 14-year-old Camille Arfmann in Oskaloosa.

Bledsoe will receive $1.5 million initially, with the rest to be paid over the next 10 years, The Kansas City Star reported.

Bledsoe, who is now 46, was 23 when he was convicted in 2000 of killing the girl. He was arrested even though his brother, Tom, confessed to the killing in 1999, turned himself in and led authorities to the girls body.

According to a lawsuit Floyd Bledsoe filed in 2016, Jefferson County authorities persuaded Tom Bledsoe to recant his confession and framed his brother by hiding evidence of his innocence.

In 2015, DNA testing revealed Tom Bledsoe was the likely source of sperm found in the victim. Tom Bledsoe died by suicide that year after writing a note again confessing to killing Arfmann.

The charges against Floyd Bledsoe were dismissed and he was freed from prison that year.

One of Bledsoes attorneys, Russell Ainsworth of Loevy & Loevy in Chicago, said Jefferson County was facing up to $40 million in liability if the case went to trial.

Jefferson County Commissioner Richard Malm said the countys annual budget is about $20 million and the commission would have had to propose a bond if Bledsoe had not agreed to have the payment spread over 10 years.

In 2019, the state agreed to pay Bledsoe $1.03 million under a mistaken conviction law.
BJP promises to implement Uniform Civil Code, NRC in poll-bound Karnataka





BENGALURU,

IN ITS manifesto for the May 10 Assembly polls, the ruling BJP on Monday promised implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), free cooking gas cylinders thrice a year for BPL families and Atal food centres to provide affordable and healthy food. We will implement the UCC in Karnataka based on the recommendations given by a highlevel committee which is to be constituted for the purpose, according to the manifesto. We will introduce the National Register of Citizens in Karnataka and ensure speedy deportation of all illegal immigrants in the State. The Constitution (of India) allows us to move in the direction of Uniform Civil Code. Justice to all; appeasement to none is our policy, BJP National Present J P Nadda, who was among those present at the release programme, said.

The party also promised to create a special wing in the State called Karnataka State Wing against Religious Fundamentalism and Terror (K-SWIFT). The BJP said it would provide three free cooking gas cylinders to all BPL families -- one each during the months of Yugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi and Deepavali. We will set up an Atal Aahara Kendra in every ward of every municipal corporation in the State to provide affordable, quality and healthy food across the State, the party said in its manifesto. It also promised to launch the Poshane scheme through which every BPL household will be provided with half litre Nandini milk every day and five kg Shri Anna - siri dhanya through monthly ration kits.

The party also promised Sarvarigu Suru Yojane under which the Revenue Department will identify and distribute 10 lakh housing sites across the State to the homeless beneficiaries. According to Nadda, the BJPs Praja Pranalike meaning citizens manifesto is centred around six A. These SixA are Anna (food security), Akshara (quality education), Arogya (affordable health), Aadaya (assured income), Abhaya (social justice for all) and Abhivruddhi (Development), he noted. The BJP said it will launch a scheme called Onake Obavva Samajika Nyaya Nidhi through which it will provide a matching deposit up to Rs 10,000 on five-year fixed deposits made under the scheme for women of SC/ST households. Under the proposed Visvesvaraya Vidya Yojane, the party promised to partner with eminent individuals and institutions for holistic upgradation of Government schools to top class standard. BOGUS, NOTHING BUT JHOOTLOOT BJP MONEYFESTO:CONG:THE Congress on Monday called the BJPs manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly polls as bogus and a JhootLoot BJP Moneyfesto and asserted that people will vote out the party
PM Modi thanks Bill Gates for his appreciation for Mann Ki Baat programme





NEW DELHI,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his gratitude to Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist Bill Gates for his words of appreciation on his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat. PM Modi on Monday tweeted: I thank my friend @BillGates for his words of appreciation. #MannKiBaat reflects the collective spirit of the people of India to make our planet better, something Mr. Gates is also passionate about.

The strong resonance with SDGs is highlighted well in the study by @BMGFIndia. The tweet was in response to Gates post on Saturday, saying, Mann ki Baat has catalysed community-led action on sanitation, health, womens economic empowerment and other issues linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. Congratulations @narendramodi on the 100th episode. Indian Americans on Sunday, too, celebrated 100 episodes of PM Modis Mann Ki Baat. EAM S Jaishankar decided to tune in to the programme live with the diaspora in New Jersey at 1.30 am (local time) on Sunday, hailing it as a platform that has an emotional connect between PM Modi and the people of India. 10 years ago if he had mentioned that at 2.10 at night everyone would be assembling at some place and the Foreign Minister of India would be with you, listening to the PM of India, none of you would have believed me, Jaishankar told members of the diaspora.
Seven judges administered oath in MP High Court





Staff Reporter

JABALPUR,

THE Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court (MPHC), Ravi Malimath, on Monday, administered the oath of office and secrecy to the seven newly-appointed Judges in the High Court. A number of senior judges and members of Bench and Bar participated in the oath-taking ceremony. The new Judges including Roopesh Chandra Varshney, Anuradha Shukla, Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar, Prem Narayan Singh, Achal Kumar Paliwal, Hirdesh and Avanindra Kumar Singh took the oath of office on Monday.

The Department of Law and Justice had on last Thursday issued notification for appointment of the seven judges following the Presidents approval. With the new appointments, the strength of Judges in the Madhya Pradesh High Court now has increased to 36 Judges. However, 17 posts of judges in the High Court are still vacant. The appointment of these judges is expected to bring significant relief in the hearing of pending cases in the High Court. The High Court Collegium, chaired by the Chief Justice of the High Court, had sent the names of these judicial officers for recommendation to the Supreme Court Collegium.

After considering the matter, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended appointment of them as High Court judges. The file of these seven names was sent to the President, and upon receiving approval, the Department of Law and Justice, Government of India issued the appointment order.
In 2019, as a graduate student in plant science at the University of Connecticut, Peter Apicella was an early pioneer in UConn's efforts to begin researching cannabis.

The same year, on the West Coast, a company called Nature's Holiday was throwing money around. In addition to hiring hundreds of employees, renting out posh office space in Culver City, Calif., and buying Teslas for executives, Nature's Holiday was funding cannabis research.

The company had approached Apicella's advisor, Gerald Berkowitz, a horticulture professor at UConn, about contract research on cannabis genetics, a topic of active investigation in the lab.

Nature's Holiday wanted to develop a high CBD strain of cannabis using genetic engineering, which had never been done before.

"Out of nowhere, the Nature's Holiday people called me and said something along the lines of, 'We're interested in working with you,'" Berkowitz said. He had just appeared on national television as a scientist trying to study cannabis. "Anyway, we set up a $960,000 award. They signed off, and they gave the first year's funding to UConn."



But most of the money would never make it to UConn. Nature's Holiday's parent company, the Genius Fund, went up in smoke in 2020 after years of challenges and the death of its founder, a Russian billionaire.

It's a challenge finding research funds

Cannabis research is having a moment right now at UConn. A cannabis research symposium earlier this year attracted researchers, health care practitioners, agronomists and policy wonks from throughout the region. In addition, Berkowitz is about to get one of the first federal grants from the USDA for cannabis research.

But the scientific work on cannabis is in its infancy. And in the confusion caused by competing state and federal cannabis regulations, getting stable research funding is difficult. Most private companies in the industry are small operations that can't capitalize on what scientists do best: basic and translational research.

"For cannabis breeders, we identified a gene that leads to the signal that makes more trichomes and flowers, but the problem is  you need a company that's going to be able to do the (plant) breeding," Berkowitz said. "It takes a lot more interaction between universities and companies than exists today."

'It seemed like a great partnership'

Because Nature's Holiday wanted a face-to-face with someone from Berkowitz's lab, Apicella found himself on an unusual detour after presenting on his cannabis research at a conference in San Jose, Calif.

"It just kind of worked out that we could set up a face-to-face," Apicella said. "I drove down from San Jose almost to Bakersfield."

Driving through endless rows of almond trees in the Central Valley, he eventually found Nature's Holiday's plots. At the time, Nature's Holiday was probably the largest grower of cannabis in California. According to investigative reporting by dot.LA, Nature's Holiday was growing 1,000 acres of cannabis on rented land outside of Huron, Calif. It was staffed by people living out of hotels or who had been paid to move their whole households from Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

"If they had a facility or office out there, I didn't see it," Apicella said, recalling the 100-degree weather. "It was just acres and acres of cannabis."

The towering cannabis plants Apicella found himself wandering through were likely the survivors of a mass-cannabis evacuation. In 2019, Nature's Holiday had come under scrutiny in Las Plumas County, north of Lake Tahoe, when security at the company's growing facility ran afoul of local law enforcement agricultural regulators.

When the local sheriff's department visited, they found armed guards with automatic handguns, unpermitted buildings part-way through construction and open pits for raw sewage, Plumas News reported. The security guards allegedly identified themselves as law enforcement. The visit rattled local officials enough that they considered passing a temporary moratorium on industrial hemp growing county-wide. The measure was narrowly defeated at a Board of Supervisors meeting. Still, the incident spooked the Genius Fund, which uprooted its seedlings for the Central Valley.

Apicella spent several days discussing agronomy and industrial-level cannabis production with Nature's Holiday. He treated the visit like a job interview. Company managers wined and dined him with a fancy steak dinner at the Harris Ranch Resort Restaurant, one of California's largest farm-to-table "dining destinations."

"They were like, 'We need people like you,' but there weren't really details about what the job would actually be like," Apicella said. "But it was probably something agronomy-oriented - design experiments to maximize yield, stop bad things from happening to the crop."

Apicella said he was flattered and excited. He called his girlfriend from the bathroom and told her he was "definitely moving here." Apicella says now that he wasn't being rational at the time.

"I'm just a broke graduate student, and I'm having this really cool experience," Apicella said. "I was thrilled. Gerry was super happy when I told him about it. We were basically thrilled. It seemed like a great partnership."

Building a luxury cannabis empire

The Nature's Holiday corporate parent parent, the Genuis Fund, had sought to position itself as the largest cannabis grower in California. According to dot.LA, the Genius Fund had more than 50 subsidiaries and 300 employees.

"Everyone thought the potential payoff for CBD was so high that if anything went wrong, it was inconsequential in comparison to what the potential payoff would be," said former Nature's Holiday agronomist Aaron Waybright. He said that at the time, he saw a version of what he saw in other cannabis startups: an extreme rush to market. "It was very, very enthusiastic."

But despite the rapid expansion, the company only had a single investor, Russian coal billionaire Dmitriy Bosov. He poured $160 million into building a vertically-integrated cannabis company that would own land, grow weed, and sell it at its dispensaries.

Bosov brought in two men straight out of college, Ari Siegler and Gabriel Borden, to run the operation. According to Rolling Stone, the pair initially bonded over their love of cryptocurrency. They met Bosov while looking for venture capital.

Siegler and Bordon hired mostly college friends and fraternity brothers to staff the upper ranks of company management. Waybright said while he didn't experience animosity with management, and they were friendly, he described the relationship as a clique.

Bosov wanted to make a luxury cannabis empire that was sleek, glitzy, modern, and divorced from stoner culture. They had a fancy storefront and extensive marketing.

With the research contract, if Berkowitz did develop a genetic modification technique for cannabis, Bosov's company would have had the right of first refusal to license it from UConn. Genetically modifying cannabis has proven to be tricky. After genetic modification, cannabis plants tend not to grow well.

But while Berkowitz was setting up for the project, the Genius Fund struggled to find its feet. It's unclear if the company ever made money.

Company in free fall

A crash in CBD prices left the company with product they couldn't sell. Two years, a former CEO's lawsuit, a settlement, a pandemic and the death of Bosov later, the Genius Fund is seemingly no more. The entire staff was unceremoniously laid off on a conference call just seven months after Apicella visited.

"There was an all-hands meeting. Everyone get on a conference call," Waybright said. "In comes the CEO  Due to unforeseen events. It's very unfortunate. We're all impressed at what you've done. But everyone's laid off effective immediately."

Shortly afterward, Waybright said, company lawyers contacted employees to tell them they would remain on the payroll for two months to comply with the Cal-WARN Act, but by then, it was a bit of a free-for-all.

"It was like, oh hey, you're still on the payroll, and by the way, we'll be coming to retrieve your company assets," Waybright said.

Berkowitz's research money is still technically covered by the research contract, but he doesn't expect it ever to be paid. This is not the first time he's had a private company renege. He's working on other cannabis projects, collaborating with a skilled genetic engineer at UConn on a new technique.

"Before the second year, they simply disappeared. No trace of anyone. No phone number, just nothing. They're fugitives," Berkowitz said. "You know it's not like working with the National Institute of Health."

Apicella found the whole cannabis industry too volatile for his taste. He decided to pursue something more stable, which turned out to be functional mushroom cultivation for an agricultural concern in Colorado.

Apicella said the mushroom space was more interesting from a research perspective and safer financially. Cannabis companies often don't have the money to invest in heavy research, Apicella said.

"I feel like I really had my fill," said Apicella, who researches edible mushrooms. "I think I just want a stable career at this point, you know."
EDWARDSVILLE  A four-year, $1.7 million federal grant will support the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Early Childhood Center (ECC) as it helps the children of students, faculty and staff on campus, plus student parents.

According to a press release, The U.S. Department of Education's CCAMPIS or Childcare Access Means Parents in School program offers the award as ECC serves as a life-changing resource on campus to help lift the financial burden of childcare for student parents.

The funding will provide students with young children with life-changing access to childcare services and emergency money, relieving their financial and emotional burden by reassuring them that their children are being well cared for while they are in class, said Miriam Roccia, interim vice chancellor for student affairs and CCAMPIS project evaluator.

Positive early childhood experiences foster the growth and development of tomorrows leaders, said Rebecca Dabbs MacLean, director of the ECC. We see a lot of families, outside of student parents, that would benefit from additional support to afford this high-quality care.

"We are grateful for the support we receive from individuals and businesses and remain committed to doing our part to secure funding that changes lives.

'Wonderful experience'

With this grant support, the ECC helps student parents to offer their high-quality services to those children and families who may benefit most, emphasizing student parent retention and graduation.

I will forever be grateful to the ECC for the educational and social opportunity provided to my youngest daughter and the support to me as a student parent, said Kelly Hatina, a speech-language pathology and audiology student who will graduate with her degree this month. Not only that, but it allowed me to have plenty of time to attend my classes, have time to study and work.

The CCAMPIS grant made all of this possible for me without adding the financial stress, Hatina added. Even though I returned to school later in life it has been a wonderful experience with zero regrets.

Along with Roccia and Dabbs MacLean, the SIUE interdepartmental grant team includes Paula Birke, director of business operations for student affairs; Mesha Gartner, director of financial aid and CCAMPIS off campus care/emergency funds; Yemisi Ola-Afolayan, CCAMPIS off campus care/emergency funds graduate assistant; Katie Eilers, grants and contracts, director of award management; Lealia Williams, family support specialist; Rony Die, associate vice chancellor and dean of students; Mallory Sidarous, director of housing; Christy Horton, ECC assistant director and co-project director; Bonnie Warner, grants and contracts accountant; and Jack Stanley, CCAMPIS project evaluator assistant.

For more information on the SIUE Early Childhood Center and how to donate, visit siue.edu/early-childhood-center. For additional details on giving to the ECC, contact Dabbs MacLean at 618-650-2256.

The SIUE Early Childhood Center recognizes the potential of each child and the vital contributions parents make to the ECC community. The program is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), has a Gold Circle of Quality through IL ExceleRate and is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

The CCAMPIS program is a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Education. This program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based childcare services.

Funds are used to support or establish campus-based childcare programs primarily serving the needs of low-income students enrolled in institutions of higher education.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Caseyville man was charged Monday with felony DUI by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Nelson A. Orozco, 33, was charged May 1 with aggravated driving while under the influence, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department.

According to court documents, on April 30 Orozco allegedly was driving a Ford Mustang while under the influence with a suspended or revoked drivers license.

Bail was set at $30,000.

In an unrelated case, Jonathan R. Messer, 34, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on March 28 Messer allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $25,000.
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EDWARDSVILLE  Madison County Republicans celebrated local accomplishments and talked about hopes for statewide success Friday at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner, held in the Leclair Room at Lewis and Clark Community Colleges N.O. Nelson Campus in Edwardsville.

About 200 people attended the event, according to Republican Party Chairman Ray Wesley. The dinner is one of two major fundraisers each year by the county GOP, along with a golf tournament in the fall.

He said it helps to get together with others in the party.

We not only raise funds here but we get like-minded conservatives together so they can interact with each other, he added. Sometimes we get a lot of good ideas that come out of big meetings like this.

In recent years the Republican Party has had a number of successes in Madison County. In 2016 Republicans took control of the Madison County Board and chairmans seat.

Weve had a measure of success in the last three or four elections, Wesley said.

Since then they have strengthened the partys hold at the county level, including taking several seats in Granite City as well, something that would have been unheard of even just a few years ago.

We werent surprised because we always put up great candidates, he said. It just took us convincing the public that we could manage better than the other side.

Republicans have also swept most of the countywide offices, leaving only the coroners office in Democratic hands.

Coroner is one wed love to have, Wesley said. Well see what happens. (Democrat) Steve Nonn is retiring, and weve had two people announce theyre running.

On Monday, Nonn said Wesley's remarks were premature and he has not decided yet if he will seek re-election next year.

Madison County Republicans have also been able to elect a number of Republican circuit judges, which has also allowed the appointment of more Republican associate judges.

The re-election of state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, and the election of state Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, were also noted.

Were always looking at getting legislation passed, Wesley said. Weve got a few things that are on the hot stove burner, such as gun control.

He noted they were tickled to death that U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn issued an order Friday blocking enforcement of Illinois ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines until a lawsuit challenging the law is resolved.

He also said tax reform is high on their list.

Thats not something were going to give up on, Wesley said. We think the people of Illinois are overtaxed, and there are better ways to spend the states money.

He acknowledged that there has been, and continues to be, some public infighting in the party.

Any time you have an opportunity to make decisions, youre going to have people with different opinions, he said. Thats what weve got. Were going to continue to try to do whats right, and we hope to bring them eventually into the fold so we can work together.

Missouri's Ashcroft speaks

Friday night's keynote speaker was Missouri Secretary of State and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jay Ashcroft, who talked about the connection between the two states, as well as what he said were the failed policies of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Democratic-dominated Illinois General Assembly.

Also speaking were state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, and John Ackerman, representing the state Republican Party and its Election Integrity Committee.

The event was emceed by talk show host Annie Frey.

Ashcroft began his speech talking about a number of hot-button issues and covered a wide range of topics.

Im not happy with the state of our country, and the radical transformation that has happened to our economy, our culture, and our values, he said. He said Chicago is infected with crime and decay, and St. Louis has some of the same issues.

Its amazing that Democrats chose Chicago for its 2024 convention, he said. But lets be honest; does anything else serve as a better backdrop for the impact of their disastrous policies?

Ashcroft also talked about a number of other issues such as the controversy over transgender issues, noting he recently received attention from comments he made on the issue.

You cant change a man into a woman by chopping something off, and you cant change a woman into a man by bolting something on, he said.

Ashcroft noted it took years to get change in Madison County.

We got it done, and it worked, he said.

He told the group it seems Illinois' biggest export now was its people through outmigration, leaving fewer residents.

Nothing will change as long as J.B. Pritzker and a corrupt Democratic machine control Springfield, he said, calling Pritzker a failed governor.

And your state is worse off today than when he got in, Ashcroft said. You dont have a strong state, or a strong economy, when your number one export is your people.

He also talked about his proposals for Missouri.

We dont need any more Democrat plans for how to ruin states and ruin countries," he said. "But we need Republicans to stand up with a policy and a plan to turn back whats been done, to unleash the shackles."

He's signed a Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which said he would fight efforts to increase taxes. He said Illinois needs something similar to help the state release its potential; having it in Missouri puts pressure on Illinois, according to Ashcroft.

He noted he is an engineer and, while politicians fix the blame, engineers fix problems.

Im here because you are all good people, he said, adding that when the region does well it benefits everybody.

Two awards were given out to a man and woman in the party who have had a major impact over the past year. Bethany Behrorst received the Eleanor Schulte Award, which was presented by Harriss. Mark Achenback received the Chuck Hanfelder Award, presented by Elik.

The Madison County Democratic Party traditionally holds its countywide JFK Dinner in the fall.
Appointment as part of leadership transition with former CEO and Founder, Luke Edelman, appointed as Chief Technology Officer.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. and CAMBRIDGE, England, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CS Genetics, a privately held genomics-technology company, today announced the appointment of Jeremy Preston, PhD, as Chief Executive Officer, after serving as Chief Commercial Officer for the past 14 months. Luke Edelman, former CEO and Founder, will move into the newly-created role of Chief Technology Officer.

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Jeremy joined CS Genetics in 2022 after almost two decades in the genomics industry including thirteen years at Illumina, where he held senior leadership positions across sales, marketing, and product management and played a major role in commercializing many of the most rapidly-adopted and widely-used products in genomics.

CS Genetics has developed a next-generation instrument-free platform for single cell genomics that leverages a molecular process known as Kinetic Confinement to produce simple, scalable, and accessible workflows that plug seamlessly into standard lab infrastructure. This disruptive platform will expand the reach of single cell genomics to major underserved segments such as new-to-single cell customers and biopharma, and significantly broaden the use of single cell as a tool for scientific discovery.

"I'm exceptionally excited to hand over the leadership to Jeremy, whose experience launching best-in-class genomic tools will supercharge our growth trajectory through the coming years. I'm also very excited to assume my new role to lead our technology vision and roadmap, our intellectual property strategy, and a newly-formed group focussed on strategic partnerships and collaborations called "CS Labs". With this transition and the recent closing of significant financing, I'm confident we'll establish our platform as a new technology standard in single cell and beyond" said Luke Edelman, founder and Chief Technology Officer at CS Genetics.

Story continues

"After interacting with him over the last several quarters, it's clear that Jeremy is the right leader to take us forward. He's an exceptionally collaborative, team-based leader who naturally inspires a positive and supportive culture. With his unique combination of domain knowledge, network in the genomics community and industry-recognized leadership, Jeremy has the skills and experience to take CS Genetics to the next level as we strive to become a leading technology platform provider in single cell genomics" said Tim Wright, Board Member and General Partner at Time BioVentures.

"Luke has done a tremendous job inventing our core technology and taking it from scientific vision to pre-commercial product, laying the foundations of the company. I'm honored to take the reins from Luke and partner with him to build out CS Labs, which will become an engine for rapid technology innovation, high-value collaborations and strategic partnerships. This is an exciting next step in my career and I look forward to commercializing our first products and establishing our platform as the everyday standard for single cell discovery" said Jeremy Preston, Chief Executive Officer at CS Genetics.

About CS Genetics

CS Genetics is a privately held genomics-technology company based in San Diego, California and Cambridge, UK. The company's product portfolio leverages instrument-free, solution-phase chemical biology that is categorically different to other single cell technologies, providing a clear commercial path globally without the extensive, multi-prong litigation risks borne by other platforms within the single cell market. The company holds a large global intellectual property estate covering its single cell platform and related reagent, workflow, manufacturing and application technologies. For more information, please contact info@csgenetics.com.

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EDWARDSVILLE  Local and area families with autistic children and/or youngsters with developmental concerns now have a new place to bring their children without driving to St. Louis or to Missouri.

On April 27, SSM Health hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Cardinal Glennon Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at Ruth's House Campus at 7325 Marine Road in Edwardsville.

The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed on weekends. Instead of traveling 40 to 60 minutes for medical providers, most visitors will only need to commute from five to 15 minutes.

The center will provide a variety of services for children with autism and developmental concerns, including evaluation, speech, occupational and behavioral therapy. The center is the only one of its kind in southern Illinois.

The facility is funded in part by a $1.5 million grant in 2021 through the state and also through additional fundraising activities with the Knights of Columbus and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Childrens Foundation.

The location is immediately west of the Moose Lodge on Illinois Route 143 and is set well back from the road. A long, single-lane driveway provides access.

The parking lot around the building was packed with vehicles for the ribbon cutting. An employee serving as a parking attendant for the day directed visitors to the back of the building, saying the front portion was slated for "future expansion."

A ranch-style, single-family home is behind the main building and the site overlooks a small pond. Upon entering the back of the building, a long hallway stretches out with L-shaped offices and therapy rooms branching off of the corridor.

Key services included relate to:

Autism spectrum disorders

ADHD

Developmental delays

Behavioral disorders

Language and social issues

The developmental pediatrics team includes neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, a family resource specialist and education coordinator, social worker and an active research team.

Jessica Luitjohan is a pediatric psychologist who delivered opening remarks at the Thursday evening ribbon cutting. As an Edwardsville High School alumna, she said she is thrilled to be back in the area, working at this site.

She treats children and adolescents experiencing developmental disabilities and mental health concerns. She also provides consultations for medically complex children and assessments of patients on the autism spectrum.

"My mission is to help families understand and support their children, so as to help children live their most fulfilling lives," she said.

Besides the $1.5 million grant last year, the site was funded by a $500,000 grant in 2018 and the Okawville Knights of Columbus presented Luitjohan with a check for $278.50 during her remarks.

Cedarhurst CEO and founder Joshua Jennings also spoke and praised SSM for letting his company participate in this development. James Arnold, Edwardsville's community and economic development director, also spoke at the event.

For directions or to make an appointment, call 618-731-7778.

Also for more information, click here.
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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 2, 2023 15:56 2 003a0fdfeebb1025ab3702947bf35022 4 Inforial Indonesian-students Free

Which university do I want to go to? What subject should I major in?

Students often confront these questions as they begin their journey in pursuit of tertiary education. With the sheer number of universities that are now accessible to them, both nationally and internationally, choosing a university and major at this stage in life can be confusing enough on its own, even without the added uncertainty arising from a lack of guidelines or from external pressure, against students better judgment.

This is especially so because a students choice of university or major is frequently portrayed as a factor that can determine the rest of their lives.

According to educational psychologist Irene Guntur from Integrity Development Flexibility (IDF), as much as 87 percent of students start questioning their decisions. They tend to start feeling that they have made a mistake in their chosen university or academic field, prompting them to pivot in decide to work in a completely different field after they graduate.

Meanwhile, a separate study by KnowledgeE shows that the Indonesian education system find it challenging to facilitate students in achieving self-reliance.

Just like each student has their own identity, each student will have their own academic journey: University paths are not one-size-fits-all.

Students should explore and develop their unique passions, interests and talents, with guidance that meets their educational needs as an integral part of their journey to self-discovery through experiential learning and interaction with the world.

With a vision to become a reliable edutech that supports the educational ecosystem by empowering students to discover their true potentials, the eponymous application from PT. Aku Pintar Indonesia (Akupintar.id) is helping over 1 million students address these very dilemmas so they can chart a university path toward realizing their aspirations.

Akupintar.id aims to help improve the quality of education in Indonesia by providing features to access scholastic aptitude tests as well as complete, interactive and effective learning materials for students across Indonesia, said Aku Pintar Indonesia CEO Prasetya Gilang.

Prasetya also underlined the importance of aptitude tests in providing direction, so students can discover their dreams and talents.

It is often overwhelming for high school students confronted with the pressures of decision-making and searching for the right information regarding their desired university or academic programs. They might even feel frightened by the prospect of making a decision that could direct the course of their lives.

The versatile features of Akupintar.id provide a vital handrail as students prepare to enter a new stage in life.

Available to students aged 13 to 18, the app offers superior personality and psychological tests to provide an overview of a students interests and talents, so they can determine an academic career that matches their interests and potentials. Full of insight and guidance, this feature also helps students make decisions by drawing on their sense of identity and inner voice in navigating a process that is often institutionalized.

The Aku Pintar app also provides learning materials and practice questions designed specifically with high school juniors and seniors in mind. In addition, it provides discussion rooms for students and teachers to interact and think critically in a warm and engaging environment, redefining education as a fun and dynamic space of mutual learning.

We present Akupintar.id in Indonesia so students can manage their dreams from an early age, Prasetya said, fostering the concept of learning as a lifelong process.

In commemorating National Education Day on May 2, Akupintar.id celebrates empowering and entrusting students with making their own choices.

The edutech company also offers a webinar on self-development that offers suggestions on majors to match participants interests, while emphasizing that knowing their individual identity and potentials could help students determine the path to their dreams. The webinar also highlights the importance of developing soft skills and a mindset for the future, with the hope that this focus will be maintained throughout the learning process.

These values are at the heart of Akupintar.id as it provides up-to-date learning content and guidelines to help students pursue their interests. These materials are constantly adjusted to align with the national curriculum and the syllabus as set by the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry in the Kurikulum Merdeka (independent curriculum) program.

Students who take part in the webinar will be rewarded with the takeaways of self-reflection and self-discovery for mapping out their university careers.

Listening to others stories can also alleviate their discomfort as they step forward into a new and unfamiliar world. The webinar features insightful speakers who are experts in their fields to share their experiences, with the hope that participants will be inspired and motivated in carving out their journeys in pursuit of their passions.

Students who take part in the Akupintar.id webinar also have a chance at winning irresistible prizes through online photo and video competitions.

The real reward, though, is when students are able to discover their voice and place in the world through guidance and support that validates their dreams in achieving their future.

Akupintar.id does this by providing features and facilities to overcome the issue of equality in education, bringing infinite possibilities for students to realize their dreams.
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Linkedin AFP Hong Kong, China  Tue, May 2, 2023 12:18 2 003a0fdfeebb1025ab3702947bf053be 2 Companies HSBC,bank,banking Free

Global banking giant HSBC announced Tuesday a $9-billion jump in pre-tax profits in the first quarter of 2023, projecting strong earnings for the rest of the year.

The London-headquartered bank reported pre-tax profits of $12.9 billion for the opening quarter, up from $3.4 billion in the same period last year.

Revenue leapt 64 percent to $20.2 billion.

"Our strong first quarter performance provides further evidence that our strategy is working," chief executive Noel Quinn said in a statement.

"Our profits were spread across our major geographies, and all three global businesses performed well as we continued to meet our customers' needs through our internationally connected franchises."

Quinn added that HSBC has also announced its "first quarterly dividend since 2019 of $0.10 per share" and a share buy-back of up to $2 billion.

Pressure has been mounting on HSBC since its largest shareholder, Chinese insurer Ping An, called for the bank to break up its business as part of a "strategic restructuring" to unlock shareholder value.

The company has urged its shareholders to vote down the proposal at its annual general meeting in Birmingham scheduled for May 5.

HSBC bought the UK arm of failed US lender Silicon Valley Bank for a nominal $1.2 in a rescue deal in March.

Quinn said the acquisition fits in with the bank's overall growth plans.

"We remain focused on continuing to improve our performance and maintaining tight cost discipline, but we also saw an opportunity to invest in SVB UK to accelerate our growth plans," he said.

"We believe they're a natural fit for HSBC, and that we're uniquely placed to take them global."

Topics : HSBC bank banking
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Linkedin Emilie Bickerton (AFP)  Tue, May 2, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron's 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

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Linkedin Yerica Lai and Nur Janti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 2, 2023

Ganjar Pranowos presidential bid has gained the support of the All-Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI), one of the countrys largest labor unions that backed President Joko Jokowi Widodo in previous elections.

The KSPSI announced its backing for Ganjar on Monday to coincide with Labor Day, after the leaders of at least 10 labor unions in the confederation met with the Central Java governor in Jakarta.

Ganjar has been nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which counts Jokowi among its members.

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Linkedin Bec Strating and Troy Lee-Brown Melbourne, Australia  Wed, May 3, 2023 02:59 2 003a0fdfeebb1025ab3702947bfaf929 2 Academia South-China-Sea,ASEAN,Dispute,exclusive-economic-zone,tension,UNCLOS,nine-dash-line Free

In a flurry of late-April private talks, Filipino diplomats challenged officials from China over the recent pattern of assertive behavior from Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. The behavior by the Chinese included the early-February targeting of a Philippine Coast Guard ship with a military-grade laser near a disputed shoal and in late-March a Chinese vessel purportedly came within 10 meters of a Vietnamese Fisheries Surveillance vessel while inside Vietnams Exclusive Economic Zone.

Unfortunately for the Philippines and Vietnam, these instances of Chinese assertions within their claimed EEZ have become increasingly common, including the use of coastguard and fishing vessels to harass other vessels for strategic advantage.

This type of grey zone tactic has increased following Chinas rapid artificial island building campaign in the South China Sea and the ruling of the international arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in favor of the Philippines on most of its submissions in its dispute against China in 2016.

For other South China Sea claimant states that similarly reject Beijings so-called nine-dash-line, such as Indonesia, tensions over disputed maritime boundaries continue to permeate their respective relationships with Beijing.

While the prominent nine-dash-line disputes in the South China Sea capture most of the regions attention, there are also examples of Southeast Asian states resolving maritime boundary disputes in positive signs for regional maritime order centered on UNCLOS.

In December 2022, Indonesia and Vietnam concluded an agreement on their respective EEZ boundaries in the South China Sea, after 12 years of negotiation. Clarifying maritime borders may help resolve some of the ongoing issues of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing between ASEAN countries. Indonesia, for instance, recently captured six fishing vessels flying Philippine and Vietnam flags allegedly fishing illegally around Sulawesi and Natuna Islands.

A key feature of intra-ASEAN maritime security problems and maritime disputes is that they are not a consequence of aggressive foreign policies that undermine key provisions in UNCLOS, unlike the way that Chinas nine-dash line might be interpreted. For the most part, coastal Southeast Asian states have sought to deal with ongoing boundary issues by seeking not to intensify tensionsfor example, through avoiding activities in contested zones, by creating provisional arrangements to share resources (such as in the Gulf of Thailand), or, in rarer cases, through international courts or arbitrations.

In July 2003, Malaysia instituted proceedings in the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea against Singapores land reclamation activities, arguing that Singapores extension of the Tuas port impinged on its rights in and around the Straits of Johor. In 2019 a breakthrough emerged when the two states bilaterally negotiated to suspend the expansions of their port limits.

In April 2016, Timor-Leste initiated the worlds first UN Compulsory Conciliation to resolve disputes over maritime boundaries and hydrocarbon reserves in the Timor Sea. At first reluctant to engage in international litigation, Australia was compelled to change its stance. A maritime boundary treaty between Australia and Timor-Leste was signed in 2018 reflecting a shift in Australias foreign policy approach towards the Timor Sea. In particular, the boundary line they devised managed to avoid Indonesia becoming involved in the dispute, mainly due to Australias concerns about unravelling its continental shelf boundaries.

Even Myanmar, often considered a regional destabilizer, resolved a maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal through the use of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea mechanism, with a ruling handed down in March 2012.

The successful and timely resolution of all regional maritime disputes are important to claimant states and the broader region, especially as geopolitical tensions in maritime Southeast Asia remain acute. Successful examples of maritime diplomacy help to maintain order, clarify jurisdictional rights and responsibilities, enable states to access their maritime rights under international law, and facilitate broader cooperation to counter contestation and uncertainty in key maritime domains.

***

Bec Strating is the director of La Trobe Asia and an associate professor of politics and international relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Troy Lee-Brown is a fellow at Defence and Security Institute, University of Western Australia. This article is part of a series of Blue Security articles published with Melbourne Asia Review, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne.
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Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 2 2023

A sense of alarm is in order when Indonesia scores poorly against regional peers in a comparative study on the business environment. After all, this is exactly what legislation over the past few years, notably the far-reaching Job Creation Law, was meant to fix.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) study placed Indonesia in the 58th spot among the 82 countries assessed for their business environment.

That in itself looks pretty bad, but the fact that emerging economies like India (50th place), Vietnam (45th), Thailand (33rd) and Malaysia (26th) did much better is of particular concern, because these all compete with Indonesia for investment from China, the United States, Japan, Europe and elsewhere.

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Linkedin El Tayeb Siddig and Nafisa Eltahir (Reuters) (The Jakarta Post) Khartoum  Tue, May 2 2023

Fighting could be heard in Khartoum early on Monday as the United Nations warned of a humanitarian breaking point, with the rival military forces accusing each other of fresh violations of a cease-fire as their devastating conflict enters a third week.



Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded since a long-simmering power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.



Violence has rocked the capital Khartoum and risks reawakening war in the vast western region of Darfur scarred by a two-decade old conflict, despite numerous cease-fire pledges.



The army and RSF together toppled a civilian government in the October 2021 coup, but are now locked in a power struggle that has derailed an internationally backed transition to democracy and is threatening to destabilize a fragile region.



Both sides said a formal cease-fire agreement that was due to expire at midnight would be extended for a further 72 hours, in a move the RSF said was in response to international, regional and local calls.



The army said it hoped what it called the rebels would abide by the deal, but it believed they had intended to keep up attacks.



At least 528 people had been killed and 4,599 wounded, the health ministry said.



The UN has reported a similar number of dead, but believes the real toll is much higher.



Many fear for their lives as Sudans two most powerful men prosecute war in a country that has faced civil wars, coups and economic hardship for decades.



I have to keep working, especially in these circumstances. Everything is more expensive, said Abdelbagi, a barber in Khartoum. I show up to work for two or three hours then I close up, because its not safe.



The fighting has pitched Sudan toward a civil war, derailing an internationally backed transition aimed at establishing a democratic government and sending tens of thousands of people fleeing into neighboring countries.



It had also deepened the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where a third of the people were dependent on some form of humanitarian assistance before the fighting erupted, said Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.



The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented. We are extremely concerned by the immediate as well as long-term impact on all people in Sudan and the broader region, he said.



Victoria, one of the tea sellers that used to dot Khartoums streets before the fighting began, said her children were struggling to understand what was happening.



So I risk my life to try to work and if God helps me, Ill get them some food, and if he doesnt, Ill keep trying. But just sitting useless doesnt help and being scared doesnt help, she said.



Army leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has said he will never sit down with RSF chief Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who in turn said he would talk only after the army ceased hostilities.



In Khartoum, the army has been battling RSF forces entrenched in residential areas. Fighting has so far seen the more agile RSF forces fan out across the city as the better-equipped army tries to target them, largely by using air strikes from drones and fighter jets.



The conflict has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing across Sudans borders and prompted warnings the country could disintegrate, destabilizing a volatile region and prompting foreign governments to scramble to evacuate their nationals.

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Linkedin Adel Zaanoun (The Jakarta Post) Agence France-Presse/Gaza City, Palestinian Territories  Wed, May 3 2023

From her modest home in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Amina al-Dabai remembers the very different world in which she grew up more than seven decades ago.

Born in 1934, Dabai was still only a child when Israel was created on May 14, 1948.

Now she is one of 5.9 million Palestinian refugees living in the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria according to the United Nations.

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This partnership ushers in a new era of ethical and sustainable fine jewellery

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cullen Jewellery, a leading ethical and accessible brand for premium lab grown engagement rings and fine jewellery, announced its exciting partnership with Clear Neutral, an innovative carbon neutral certification company. This collaboration brings a stunning collection of 100% carbon neutral lab grown diamonds to the market.

Cullen Jewellery Partners with Clear Neutral to Unveil Carbon Neutral Lab Grown Diamonds

Cullen Jewellery is proud to be the first Australian company to offer GIA/IGI-certified and Carbon Neutral-certified diamonds. These exclusive diamonds provide a sustainable accessible option for clients who value quality and elegance. Every step of the diamond production process  from sourcing raw materials to the final polishing of each engagement ring  is meticulously evaluated and carbon offset by Clear Neutral.

Lab grown diamonds have emerged as an environmentally-conscious alternative to mined diamonds, addressing the negative impact of diamond mining on the environment and communities. Cullen Jewellery's carbon neutral lab grown diamonds not only mitigate these concerns but also have their emissions offset through verified environmental projects worldwide.

"We are immensely proud of our partnership with Clear Neutral. By offering carbon neutral lab grown diamonds, we are taking a stand for a sustainable future and providing our clients with an ethical, elegant option that aligns with their values," said Jordan Cullen, Director of Cullen Jewellery.

To celebrate this collaboration, Cullen Jewellery has unveiled a stunning collection of carbon neutral lab grown diamond engagement rings. For more information, visit https://cullenjewellery.com/clear-neutral.

About Cullen Jewellery

Cullen Jewellery was founded in 2018 by Jordan Cullen to celebrate life's cherished moments, conscientiously. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Cullen Jewellery is a leading ethical and accessible brand for premium lab grown diamond and moissanite engagement rings.

Story continues

Cullen Jewellery is committed to operating responsibly and sustainably through its positive community impact and exclusive use of lab grown gemstones. The elegant creations designed by Cullen Jewellery are synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, empowering couples to embody their values for generations to come. For more information, please visit cullenjewellery.com and @cullenjewellery on Instagram.

About Clear Neutral

Clear Neutral is an innovative carbon neutral certification company that partners with companies worldwide to evaluate, reduce, and offset the carbon footprint of their lab grown diamonds. To learn more, please visit clearneutral.org .

Media Contact: Noah Cherkaoui, noah@cullenjewellery.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cullen-jewellery-partners-with-clear-neutral-to-unveil-carbon-neutral-lab-grown-diamonds-301812519.html

SOURCE Cullen Jewellery
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Linkedin Yvette Tanamal (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, May 3 2023

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi has reiterated Indonesias commitment to champion human rights and capacity building in Afghanistan with an announcement that Jakarta would be providing more scholarships for Afghan youths in addition to more medical assistance to the Taliban-led nation this year.

Retno made the announcement on Monday during the Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, where she also met with other international delegates and held a virtual dialogue with several Afghan female public figures.

The meeting of special envoys, which was convened by United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres, aimed to refocus the international communitys engagement and future strategies in Afghanistan.

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Linkedin Nur Janti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, May 3 2023

A shooting incident occurred just before noon on Tuesday at the Central Jakarta headquarters of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), authorities have confirmed.

Two MUI employees were injured during the incident, while the shooter died due to unknown causes at a nearby health facility.

Police are still investigating the motive of the suspected shooter, who has been identified as Mustopa, a resident of Lampung province.

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Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 2, 2023 18:35 2 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b055af33b 1 Middle East and Africa Indonesia,Sudan,evacuation Free

A total of 949 Indonesians had been evacuated out of Sudan as of Monday, as foreign governments scramble to evacuate their citizens out of the North African country amid the ongoing civil war.

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that 930 Indonesians were evacuated via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 13 via Egypt and six via the United Arab Emirates.

Of the 949 Indonesian evacuees, 823 returned home to Indonesia from Jeddah in three batches of repatriation flights in the past few days. Meanwhile, six of the remaining groups arranged their own journeys home.

About 100 evacuees are scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Tuesday aboard a Garuda Indonesia charter flight.

Retno said that the evacuation of Indonesians had been conducted well, despite many other countries still struggling to evacuate their citizens out of Sudan.

I have expressed my appreciation and gratitude to the governments of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates for helping to evacuate several Indonesian citizens out of Sudan, Retno said in a recorded press briefing on Monday.

Since violence broke out between Sudans military and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), many foreign governments have extracted their citizens by airlifts or land travel from the capital Khartoum, the epicenter of the conflict, to a safe zone in Port Sudan on the Red Sea to board ships to flee Sudan.

Saudi Arabia, across the Red Sea from Sudan, has been a major hub for the evacuation efforts. It has evacuated at least 5,197 people of 100 nationalities, including 184 Saudi citizens, its foreign ministry said on Sunday, Reuters reported.

The United States evacuated US and some foreign diplomats on April 22, and by Sunday around 1,000 Americans had left Sudan.

The United Nations estimated on Monday the conflict in Sudan could force 800,000 to flee the country as battles between military factions persisted despite a supposed ceasefire, Reuters reported.

At least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 were wounded according to the Sudanese Health Ministry, over two weeks of battles after disputes between the Sudanese army and the RSF erupted into conflict on April 15.

Both sides agreed on Sunday to extend ceasefires by 72 hours, but air strikes and artillery continued to ring out on Monday in Khartoum and neighboring cities.

There are about 1,200 Indonesians registered with their embassy in Khartoum, but only 937 were present during the conflict.

Most Indonesians in Sudan were students studying Islam. Other than Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Sudan has been one of the most popular spots to study Islam as many religious schools in the country are well known for their recitations of the Quran.

Sudans Islam is also affiliated with the Sufi tradition, which is also popular among some Muslim communities in Indonesia.

Topics : Indonesia Sudan evacuation
Africa Energy Corp. (CVE:AFE  Get Rating)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$0.15 and last traded at C$0.14, with a volume of 85000 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.16.

Africa Energy Stock Down 9.7 %

The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$0.16 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.20. The company has a current ratio of 2.14, a quick ratio of 28.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.01. The firm has a market cap of C$197.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -15.50 and a beta of 1.50.

About Africa Energy

(Get Rating)

Africa Energy Corp. operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in South Africa and Namibia. It holds a 27.5% participating interest in the Exploration Right for Block 2B offshore that covers an area of 3,062 square kilometers located in the west coast of South Africa; 43.85% interest in the Petroleum Exploration License 37 covering an area of 17,295 square kilometers located in the northern Namibian offshore region; and 49% interest in the Exploration Right for Block 11B/12B covering an area of approximately 19,000 square kilometers located in the Outeniqua Basin off the southern coast of South Africa.

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Ervin Investment Management LLC lowered its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) by 3.9% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 6,150 shares of the companys stock after selling 250 shares during the period. Ervin Investment Management LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $281,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Strategic Asset Management LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter. Strategic Asset Management LLC now owns 2,769 shares of the companys stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 49,299 shares of the companys stock worth $2,253,000 after purchasing an additional 224 shares during the period. Empirical Finance LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 21,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $987,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 2.2% during the third quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 10,793 shares of the companys stock worth $436,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the period. Finally, Covington Capital Management raised its stake in Altria Group by 0.7% during the third quarter. Covington Capital Management now owns 31,688 shares of the companys stock worth $1,280,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.68% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on MO shares. Citigroup decreased their price target on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 17th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on 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 assumed coverage on Altria Group in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $45.50.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MO traded down $0.58 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $47.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 910,764 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,150,394. The stock has a market capitalization of $84.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.18, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $45.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.80. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $40.35 and a 12-month high of $57.03.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.01). Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.12 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.06 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 24th were issued a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.97%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 23rd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 120.90%.

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.

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Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL  Get Rating) had its target price upped by Barclays from $370.00 to $415.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, The Fly reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the technology companys stock.

Several other brokerages have also commented on TYL. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $475.00 price target on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $450.00 target price on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Tyler Technologies in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JMP Securities dropped their price target on Tyler Technologies from $465.00 to $415.00 in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Tyler Technologies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $301.00 to $424.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Tyler Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $435.38.

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Tyler Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE:TYL opened at $381.82 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.01 billion, a PE ratio of 104.32 and a beta of 0.84. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $343.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $330.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Tyler Technologies has a 12 month low of $281.11 and a 12 month high of $425.80.

Insider Activity

Tyler Technologies ( NYSE:TYL Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The technology company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $452.22 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $452.13 million. Tyler Technologies had a return on equity of 9.02% and a net margin of 8.31%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Tyler Technologies will post 5.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, CEO H Lynn Moore, Jr. sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Tyler Technologies news, CFO Brian K. Miller sold 838 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $326.37, for a total value of $273,498.06. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 18,456 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,023,484.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO H Lynn Moore, Jr. sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on 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 in the company, valued at approximately $26,867,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 18,898 shares of company stock valued at $6,195,979 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Tyler Technologies

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. CM Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Tyler Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $971,000. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 46.7% during the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 8,681 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,079,000 after acquiring an additional 2,765 shares during the last quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Tyler Technologies during the first quarter valued at $48,000. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Tyler Technologies during the first quarter valued at $254,000. Finally, abrdn plc boosted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 7.1% during the first quarter. abrdn plc now owns 11,453 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,062,000 after acquiring an additional 755 shares during the last quarter. 89.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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Braun Stacey Associates Inc. cut its position in McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD  Get Rating) by 7.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,900 shares of the fast-food giants stock after selling 450 shares during the period. Braun Stacey Associates Inc.s holdings in McDonalds were worth $1,555,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Philadelphia Trust Co. grew its stake in shares of McDonalds by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Philadelphia Trust Co. now owns 3,852 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $1,015,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Bleakley Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter valued at about $7,416,000. Fortress Wealth Group LLC acquired a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter valued at about $400,000. My Legacy Advisors LLC boosted its stake in McDonalds by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. My Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 4,671 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $1,234,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. boosted its stake in McDonalds by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 17,888 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $4,714,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the last quarter. 66.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at McDonalds

In related news, SVP Catherine A. Hoovel sold 2,876 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 1,184 shares of the companys stock, valued at $319,680. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Catherine A. Hoovel sold 2,876 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 1,184 shares of the companys stock, valued at $319,680. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 3,850 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $267.69, for a total value of $1,030,606.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 34,637 shares in the company, valued at $9,271,978.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 8,122 shares of company stock valued at $2,177,681 over the last 90 days. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

McDonalds Stock Performance

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on MCD shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on McDonalds from $288.00 to $312.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Truist Financial lifted their price target on McDonalds from $318.00 to $327.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Citigroup cut their target price on McDonalds from $279.00 to $277.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 1st. Gordon Haskett boosted their target price on McDonalds from $320.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on McDonalds from $280.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $306.83.

Shares of MCD stock opened at $297.58 on Tuesday. McDonalds Co. has a 52-week low of $228.34 and a 52-week high of $298.80. The company has a market capitalization of $217.24 billion, a PE ratio of 31.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.63. The businesss fifty day moving average is $277.01 and its 200 day moving average is $270.98.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The fast-food giant reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by $0.32. The company had revenue of $5.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.58 billion. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 122.21% and a net margin of 29.36%. The firms revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.28 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that McDonalds Co. will post 10.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonalds Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 1st were paid a $1.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 28th. This represents a $6.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.04%. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio is presently 65.24%.

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.

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StockNews.com cut shares of British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI  Get Rating) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Saturday.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of British American Tobacco from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, March 13th.

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British American Tobacco Price Performance

British American Tobacco stock opened at $36.86 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $36.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.56 billion, a PE ratio of 7.26 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. British American Tobacco has a 12-month low of $34.44 and a 12-month high of $45.28.

British American Tobacco Increases Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 22nd will be paid a $0.7006 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.60%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 21st. This is an increase from British American Tobaccos previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. British American Tobaccos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 54.72%.

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. purchased a new position in British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Motco increased its position in British American Tobacco by 1,025.4% during the 4th quarter. Motco now owns 754 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares during the period. Trustcore Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.37% of the companys stock.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

(Get Rating)

British American Tobacco plc is a holding company, which engages in the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products. Its brands include Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, and Pall Mall. It operates through the following geographical segments: United States, Asia-Pacific and Middle East (APME), Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa (AMSSA), and Europe and North Africa (ENA).

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Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Rating) had its price objective lowered by Raymond James from $100.00 to $94.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday, The Fly reports.

BC has been the subject of a number of other research reports. B. Riley lifted their target price on shares of Brunswick from $88.00 to $108.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Brunswick from $100.00 to $110.00 in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Brunswick from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. MKM Partners lifted their target price on shares of Brunswick from $91.00 to $105.00 in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Brunswick in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $102.25.

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Brunswick Stock Up 1.5 %

NYSE BC opened at $86.04 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.86. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $82.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of $78.19. Brunswick has a twelve month low of $61.89 and a twelve month high of $93.15. The stock has a market cap of $6.13 billion, a PE ratio of 10.37 and a beta of 1.53.

Brunswick Increases Dividend

Brunswick ( NYSE:BC Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $2.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.71 billion. Brunswick had a net margin of 8.97% and a return on equity of 36.65%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.53 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Brunswick will post 10.37 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 27th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 24th. This is a positive change from Brunswicks previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Brunswicks payout ratio is currently 19.28%.

Insider Transactions at Brunswick

In related news, VP Christopher F. Dekker sold 7,353 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.29, for a total value of $649,196.37. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 41,455 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,660,061.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, VP Christopher F. Dekker sold 7,353 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.29, for a total value of $649,196.37. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 41,455 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,660,061.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Ryan M. Gwillim sold 5,710 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.28, for a total transaction of $504,078.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 28,522 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,517,922.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.58% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BC. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Brunswick during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 104.7% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 520 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the period. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Brunswick during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brunswick during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $50,000. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 24.5% during the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 843 shares of the companys stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.01% of the companys stock.

About Brunswick

(Get Rating)

Brunswick Corp. engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of recreational marine products, including marine engines, boats, and parts and accessories for those products. It operates through the following segments: Propulsion, Parts and Accessories, Boat, and Corporate/Other. The Propulsion segment manufactures a full range of outboard, sterndrive, and inboard engines, as well as propulsion-related controls, propellers, and rigging parts and accessories.

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Callon Petroleum (NYSE:CPE  Get Rating) is scheduled to be announcing its earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, May 3rd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $2.20 per share for the quarter. Investors that wish to register for the companys conference call can do so using this link.

Callon Petroleum (NYSE:CPE  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 23rd. The oil and natural gas company reported $3.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.44 by ($0.08). Callon Petroleum had a return on equity of 35.68% and a net margin of 37.44%. The firm had revenue of $704.25 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $617.42 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.66 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Callon Petroleum to post $10 EPS for the current fiscal year and $10 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Callon Petroleum Price Performance

Shares of Callon Petroleum stock opened at $33.11 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.42 and a quick ratio of 0.42. Callon Petroleum has a fifty-two week low of $28.91 and a fifty-two week high of $64.08. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $35.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.52. The company has a market cap of $2.04 billion, a PE ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 2.73.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Callon Petroleum

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on CPE shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Callon Petroleum from $56.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Callon Petroleum in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Callon Petroleum from $65.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Callon Petroleum from $43.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Callon Petroleum in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.63.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd increased its position in Callon Petroleum by 14.5% in the 1st quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 2,299 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $136,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its position in Callon Petroleum by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 20,011 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $742,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of Callon Petroleum by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 34,558 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $1,355,000 after purchasing an additional 441 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Callon Petroleum by 25.2% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,296 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $135,000 after purchasing an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Callon Petroleum by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 7,775 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $459,000 after purchasing an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.60% of the companys stock.

About Callon Petroleum

(Get Rating)

Callon Petroleum Co engages in the exploration, development, acquisition, and production of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It focuses on unconventional oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin. The company was founded by Sim C. Callon and John S. Callon in 1950 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

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House Democrats are maneuvering to prepare a fallback option that would force a floor vote on a bill to raise the debt limit  but the process would require the support of at least five Republican members, leaving the prospect of success highly questionable.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) on Tuesday began to deploy what Carl Hulse of The New York Times called Democrats secret weapon: a bill meant to bypass House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and force a vote to increase the debt limit. Democrats had quietly prepared shell legislation that has been sitting around unnoticed and could be used to bring up whats called a discharge petition addressing the debt limit.

[T]he 45-page legislation, introduced without fanfare in January by a little-known Democrat, Representative Mark DeSaulnier of California, is part of a confidential, previously unreported, strategy Democrats have been plotting for months to quietly smooth the way for action by Congress to avert a devastating federal default if debt ceiling talks remain deadlocked, Hulse writes.

Democrats would need a majority of members to sign on to their petition, meaning they would need at least a handful of Republicans to join in, and the complex process only allows them to start gathering signatures in a couple of weeks.

"House Democrats are working to make sure we have all options at our disposal to avoid a default, Jeffries wrote in a letter to colleagues. The filing of a debt ceiling measure to be brought up on the discharge calendar preserves an important option. It is now time for MAGA Republicans to act in a bipartisan manner to pay Americas bills without extreme conditions.

The discharge petition would be a long shot, though.

Several top Democratic lawmakers and aides have privately said that the discharge petition is not their preferred method of preventing a default, with many describing it as the absolute final option, to be used hours before a default would occur, if the White House and congressional leaders cannot strike a deal, The Washington Post reports.

Story continues

Senate Republicans have shown no interest in a clean debt ceiling increase or a short-term extension of the limit, either. The only thing that can get 60 votes in the Senate is something between the president and the House Republican leadership, Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) told reporters.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Monday started the process to put two bills on the Senate calendar: the GOP plan passed by the House and a competing suspension of the debt limit through 2024. Putting the bills on the calendar doesnt guarantee a vote on either, but it does place Democrats clean proposal without spending cuts head-to-head with the House Republican bill, Politico reports. Neither bill would get 60 votes at this point.

This process will ensure that once a clean debt ceiling is passed the House bill is available for a bipartisan agreement on spending and revenue as part of the regular budget process, a Schumer spokesperson told reporters.

Big Four meeting set for next week: McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have accepted President Joe Bidens invitation to discuss the debt limit with him and Democratic congressional leaders at the White House on May 9.

One White House official told NBC News that the meeting is meant to emphasize the urgency of preventing default and spur talks about the 2024 budget, which Biden and Democrats say is the appropriate place for negotiations about the GOP demands for spending cuts.

The need for action is growing increasingly urgent after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers yesterday that the deadline for raising the debt limit could be as early as June 1. Still, the path to avoiding a crisis remains entirely uncertain. The White House is holding fast to its insistence that the debt limit must be raised without conditions, and Republicans continue to insist that wont happen. In the meantime, the two sides continue to lob their attacks.

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSE:CNQ  Get Rating) (NYSE:CNQ) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the sixteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is C$92.47.

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. CSFB dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$93.00 to C$90.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$76.00 to C$82.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$87.00 to C$85.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$87.00 in a research note on Monday, March 27th. Finally, National Bank Financial raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$100.00 to C$110.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Stephen W. Laut sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$80.00, for a total value of C$400,010.00. Company insiders own 2.22% of the companys stock.

Canadian Natural Resources Trading Down 1.2 %

Shares of TSE CNQ opened at C$81.60 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$77.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$77.85. 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$87.92. The stock has a market capitalization of C$89.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.57, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 2.01.

Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ  Get Rating) (NYSE:CNQ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported C$1.96 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$2.21 by C($0.25). The company had revenue of C$9.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$9.46 billion. Canadian Natural Resources had a return on equity of 29.12% and a net margin of 25.86%. As a group, research analysts expect that Canadian Natural Resources will post 8.476386 EPS for the current year.

Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 17th were issued a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.41%. This is a boost from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 16th. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 37.82%.

About Canadian Natural Resources

(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.

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China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. (OTCMKTS:JINFF  Get Rating) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 23,800 shares, a drop of 19.6% from the March 31st total of 29,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 27,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.9 days.

China Gold International Resources Stock Performance

Shares of JINFF stock remained flat at $5.00 during mid-day trading on Monday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,480. The company has a 50 day moving average of $4.01 and a 200 day moving average of $3.30. China Gold International Resources has a 52 week low of $2.30 and a 52 week high of $5.51.

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About China Gold International Resources

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China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. engages in acquisition, development, and exploration of gold and base metal mineral properties. Its project portfolio includes CSH Gold Mine and Jiama Copper Gold Polymetallic Mine. The company was founded on May 31, 2000 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE  Get Rating) to a sell rating in a report released on Friday morning.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on CDE. Canaccord Genuity Group raised shares of Coeur Mining from a sell rating to a hold rating and increased their price target for the stock from $3.00 to $4.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 19th. Raymond James raised their target price on shares of Coeur Mining from $4.00 to $4.25 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $3.65.

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Coeur Mining Trading Down 2.6 %

CDE stock opened at $3.31 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.41 and a beta of 1.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.56. Coeur Mining has a 52 week low of $2.54 and a 52 week high of $4.55.

Insider Transactions at Coeur Mining

Coeur Mining ( NYSE:CDE Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 22nd. The basic materials company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.07) by $0.01. The company had revenue of $210.12 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $204.82 million. Coeur Mining had a negative net margin of 9.95% and a negative return on equity of 10.28%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.05) EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Coeur Mining will post -0.19 EPS for the current year.

In other Coeur Mining news, Director Randy Gress bought 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $2.93 per share, with a total value of $58,600.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 205,213 shares in the company, valued at approximately $601,274.09. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.74% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Coeur Mining

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CDE. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its position in Coeur Mining by 250.1% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 199,762 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $797,000 after buying an additional 142,711 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Coeur Mining by 25.1% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 622,650 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,484,000 after acquiring an additional 124,966 shares during the last quarter. Acrisure Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Coeur Mining during the 4th quarter worth approximately $81,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC grew its position in Coeur Mining by 97.2% during the 4th quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 97,891 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $329,000 after acquiring an additional 48,252 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new stake in Coeur Mining during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.76% of the companys stock.

About Coeur Mining

(Get Rating)

Coeur Mining, Inc engages in the exploration and development of silver and gold mining properties and mines located in United States, Canada and Mexico. It operates through the following segments: Palmarejo. Rochester, Kensington, and Wharf. The Palmarejo segment includes a gold-silver complex. The Rochester segment operates an open pit heap leach silver-gold mine located in northwestern Nevada.

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Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA  Get Rating) has earned an average recommendation of Buy from the ten analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $112.13.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on CPA shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Copa in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Copa from $98.00 to $117.00 in a report on Friday, February 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Copa from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $105.00 to $132.00 in a report on Friday, January 13th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Copa

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in Copa in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in Copa during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in Copa by 136.8% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 689 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 398 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its position in Copa by 16.2% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 1,083 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $92,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in Copa by 292.7% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,292 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $107,000 after buying an additional 963 shares in the last quarter. 75.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Copa Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of CPA opened at $91.56 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $3.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.60 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Copa has a 12 month low of $55.25 and a 12 month high of $98.11. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $90.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $86.22.

Copa (NYSE:CPA  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The transportation company reported $4.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.09 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $890.61 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $887.42 million. Copa had a net margin of 11.74% and a return on equity of 24.49%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 54.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.98 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Copa will post 11.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Copa Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 5th were given a $0.82 dividend. This is a boost from Copas previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 4th. Copas payout ratio is currently 37.96%.

Copa Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Copa Holdings SA engages in the provision of air transportation. It operates through the following geographical segments: North America; South America; Central America; and Caribbean. The firm offers international flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica, Colombia, and other cities. The company was founded on May 6, 1998 and is headquartered in Panama.

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Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI  Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,310,000 shares, a growth of 18.1% from the March 31st total of 3,650,000 shares. Currently, 1.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,990,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Laura B. Nichol sold 5,000 shares of Crown Castle stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.97, for a total value of $604,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,030,118.54. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, COO Christopher Levendos sold 14,472 shares of Crown Castle stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.04, for a total value of $1,795,106.88. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 4,759 shares in the company, valued at approximately $590,306.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Laura B. Nichol sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.97, for a total value of $604,850.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,030,118.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 24,472 shares of company stock worth $3,012,757. 0.47% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Crown Castle

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Crown Castle by 0.6% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,942,098 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $8,230,979,000 after buying an additional 355,184 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Crown Castle by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 33,676,811 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,867,983,000 after acquiring an additional 445,642 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its position in shares of Crown Castle by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 11,343,685 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,538,658,000 after acquiring an additional 203,085 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Crown Castle by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,927,943 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,208,811,000 after purchasing an additional 185,016 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cohen & Steers Inc. grew its stake in shares of Crown Castle by 64.2% during the third quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 8,335,213 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,204,827,000 after purchasing an additional 3,258,264 shares during the period. 90.27% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Crown Castle Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CCI traded down $1.05 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $122.04. 2,060,509 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,014,603. The company has a market cap of $52.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.62 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.52. Crown Castle has a twelve month low of $119.82 and a twelve month high of $193.95. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $129.99 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $135.73.

Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.85 by ($0.88). The business had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.76 billion. Crown Castle had a net margin of 23.81% and a return on equity of 22.12%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.87 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Crown Castle will post 7.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Crown Castle Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.565 per share. This represents a $6.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.13%. Crown Castles payout ratio is 162.18%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CCI has been the topic of several research analyst reports. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Crown Castle from $152.00 to $149.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Moffett Nathanson upgraded shares of Crown Castle from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $161.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Crown Castle from $149.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Crown Castle from $162.00 to $144.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Raymond James lowered their price target on Crown Castle from $154.00 to $147.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $155.56.

About Crown Castle

(Get Rating)

Crown Castle, Inc is a real estate investment trust company, which engages in the provision of access to wireless infrastructure via long-term contacts. It operates through the Towers and Fiber segments. The Towers segment offers access, including space or capacity towers dispersed throughout the United States.

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Lear (NYSE:LEA  Get Rating) had its price target hoisted by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $136.00 to $137.00 in a report released on Friday, The Fly reports.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on LEA. StockNews.com began coverage on Lear in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Barclays began coverage on Lear in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Lear from $133.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of Lear in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, TheStreet raised Lear from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Seven investment 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 a consensus target price of $155.23.

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Lear Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSE LEA opened at $126.90 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $136.37 and a 200-day moving average of $135.67. Lear has a 12 month low of $114.67 and a 12 month high of $158.44. The company has a market cap of $7.49 billion, a PE ratio of 17.97, a PEG ratio of 0.31 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

Lear Announces Dividend

Lear ( NYSE:LEA Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The auto parts company reported $2.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.55 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.60 billion. Lear had a return on equity of 12.32% and a net margin of 1.96%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.80 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Lear will post 11.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 10th were paid a dividend of $0.77 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.43%. Lears payout ratio is 43.63%.

Insider Transactions at Lear

In other news, CEO Raymond E. Scott sold 11,260 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.50, for a total transaction of $1,559,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 16,740 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,318,490. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Marianne Vidershain sold 267 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.44, for a total transaction of $37,764.48. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 272 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $38,471.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Raymond E. Scott sold 11,260 shares of Lear stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.50, for a total value of $1,559,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 16,740 shares in the company, valued at $2,318,490. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 32,178 shares of company stock worth $4,481,445. 0.67% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lear

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Lear by 4.0% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 10,192 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $1,454,000 after buying an additional 390 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lear during the first quarter valued at approximately $657,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in shares of Lear by 81.0% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 19,834 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $2,890,000 after buying an additional 8,878 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its stake in shares of Lear by 47.8% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 1,948 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $277,000 after buying an additional 630 shares during the period. Finally, Aviva PLC increased its stake in shares of Lear by 62.8% during the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 39,256 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $5,598,000 after buying an additional 15,137 shares during the period. 99.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lear Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Lear Corp. engages in the design, manufacture and supply of automotive seats, electrical distribution systems and electronic modules, as well as related sub-systems, components, and software. It operates through the following segments: Seating and E-Systems. The Seating segment consists of the design, engineering, just-in-time assembly and delivery of complete seat systems, as well as the manufacture of all major seat components, including seat covers and surface materials such as leather and fabric, seat structures and mechanisms, seat foam and headrests.

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Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNB  Get Rating) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,290,000 shares, a growth of 14.3% from the March 31st total of 10,750,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,520,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.9 days. Currently, 5.6% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Dun & Bradstreet Stock Down 3.3 %

DNB stock traded down $0.37 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.70. 298,623 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,411,084. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. Dun & Bradstreet has a 12-month low of $10.54 and a 12-month high of $17.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $11.51 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.96.

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Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE:DNB  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The business services provider reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.02). Dun & Bradstreet had a negative net margin of 0.10% and a positive return on equity of 11.67%. The firm had revenue of $595.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $591.03 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.31 earnings per share. Dun & Bradstreets revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Dun & Bradstreet will post 0.87 EPS for the current year.

Dun & Bradstreet Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.87%.

Several brokerages have issued reports on DNB. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Dun & Bradstreet in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Dun & Bradstreet from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $15.00 to $17.00 in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Dun & Bradstreet from $20.00 to $17.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 17th. Raymond James lowered their price target on Dun & Bradstreet from $21.00 to $18.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 17th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group lowered their price target on Dun & Bradstreet from $17.00 to $14.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $15.75.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Anthony M. Jabbour purchased 116,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $10.74 per share, for a total transaction of $1,248,525.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 475,252 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,104,206.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 9.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital International Investors boosted its position in Dun & Bradstreet by 3.9% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 26,497,270 shares of the business services providers stock worth $464,232,000 after acquiring an additional 1,004,250 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position 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 acquiring an additional 2,659,659 shares during the period. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. boosted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 787,025 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 527,550 shares during the period. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in Dun & Bradstreet by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 14,113,815 shares of the business services providers stock worth $165,696,000 after acquiring an additional 138,396 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.

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Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:CEV  Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 11th will be given a dividend of 0.0371 per share on Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $0.45 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 10th.

Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust Stock Performance

Shares of CEV stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.01. 22,897 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,986. The stocks fifty day moving average is $10.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.99. Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust has a 52-week low of $9.12 and a 52-week high of $11.35.

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Institutional Trading of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Logan Stone Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust by 127.2% in the 4th quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC now owns 121,503 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,213,000 after purchasing an additional 68,018 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 194,039 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,937,000 after purchasing an additional 9,081 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $162,000. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust by 12.3% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 25,999 shares of the companys stock valued at $259,000 after purchasing an additional 2,841 shares during the last quarter. 19.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust Company Profile

Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust operates as a closed-end investment fund. It seeks current income exempt from regular federal income tax and California state personal income taxes. The company was founded on January 29, 1999 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

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Eldorado Gold Co. (TSE:ELD  Get Rating) (NYSE:EGO)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$15.84 and last traded at C$15.77, with a volume of 845209 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$15.17.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ELD has been the subject of several research reports. National Bankshares lifted their price objective on Eldorado Gold from C$13.50 to C$16.50 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Eldorado Gold from C$12.00 to C$14.00 in a research report on Friday, February 24th. National Bank Financial downgraded Eldorado Gold from an outperform overweight rating to a sector perform spec overwgt rating in a research report on Monday, January 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus downgraded Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from C$16.00 to C$16.50 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eldorado Gold currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$14.21.

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Eldorado Gold Price Performance

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$13.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$11.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.98, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a current ratio of 3.00. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -44.54, a P/E/G ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.34.

Eldorado Gold Company Profile

Eldorado Gold ( TSE:ELD Get Rating ) (NYSE:EGO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The company reported C$0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.07 by C$0.12. The company had revenue of C$334.27 million during the quarter. Eldorado Gold had a negative return on equity of 1.44% and a negative net margin of 40.58%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Eldorado Gold Co. will post 0.3429723 earnings per share for the current year.

(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.

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Shares of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS  Get Rating) have been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the eight brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two 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. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $29.67.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on EBS. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating for the company. Benchmark upgraded shares of Emergent BioSolutions from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $22.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating and issued a $9.00 price objective (down previously from $23.00) on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of Emergent BioSolutions from a c- rating to a d rating in a research report on Monday, February 27th.

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Emergent BioSolutions Price Performance

Shares of EBS opened at $8.87 on Tuesday. Emergent BioSolutions has a fifty-two week low of $7.74 and a fifty-two week high of $40.45. The company has a market capitalization of $447.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.98 and a beta of 0.93. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.98.

Institutional Trading of Emergent BioSolutions

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 the consensus estimate of $0.31 by ($0.62). Emergent BioSolutions had a negative return on equity of 7.57% and a negative net margin of 19.97%. The business had revenue of $330.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $298.23 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.50 EPS. Emergent BioSolutionss quarterly revenue was down 54.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Emergent BioSolutions will post -1.23 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Gladius Capital Management LP boosted its position in Emergent BioSolutions by 96.8% during the 4th quarter. Gladius Capital Management LP now owns 3,113 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,531 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Emergent BioSolutions in the 4th quarter valued at about $56,000. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC purchased a new position in Emergent BioSolutions in the 3rd quarter valued at about $63,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in Emergent BioSolutions by 43.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,612 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 491 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Emergent BioSolutions in the 1st quarter valued at about $66,000. 80.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Emergent BioSolutions

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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.

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Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Wolters Kluwer fair value estimate is 98.15

Current share price of 120 suggests Wolters Kluwer is potentially 22% overvalued

The 114 analyst price target for WKL is 16% more than our estimate of fair value

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AMS:WKL) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. 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 Wolters Kluwer

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (, Millions) 1.20b 1.22b 1.31b 1.31b 1.31b 1.32b 1.32b 1.33b 1.33b 1.34b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x6 Analyst x4 Est @ 0.34% Est @ 0.33% Est @ 0.33% Est @ 0.33% Est @ 0.32% Est @ 0.32% Est @ 0.32% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.7% 1.1k 1.1k 1.1k 1.1k 998 948 900 855 812 771

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 9.7b

Story continues

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.3%) 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 5.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 1.3b (1 + 0.3%)  (5.7% 0.3%) = 25b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 25b ( 1 + 5.7%)10= 14b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 24b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 120, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Wolters Kluwer 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 5.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.899. 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 Wolters Kluwer

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Professional Services market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Dutch market.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Dutch market.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For Wolters Kluwer, we've compiled three relevant factors you should explore:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Wolters Kluwer , and understanding this should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does WKL'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 Dutch stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS  Get Rating) had its target price cut by Stifel Nicolaus from $260.00 to $245.00 in a research note released on Friday, The Fly reports.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Mizuho boosted their target price on Essex Property Trust from $235.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and set a $250.00 target price on shares of Essex Property Trust in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $250.00 target price on shares of Essex Property Trust in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. They set an underweight rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Essex Property Trust in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $248.33.

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Essex Property Trust Stock Performance

Shares of ESS stock opened at $220.66 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.22 billion, a PE ratio of 29.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.75. Essex Property Trust has a 52-week low of $195.03 and a 52-week high of $333.38. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $214.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $217.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01.

Essex Property Trust Increases Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a dividend of $2.31 per share. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.19%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. This is a positive change from Essex Property Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $2.20. Essex Property Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 122.55%.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ESS. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 4th quarter worth $476,588,000. PGGM Investments increased its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 2,388.0% in the 4th quarter. PGGM Investments now owns 638,766 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $135,367,000 after purchasing an additional 613,092 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 213.0% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 888,858 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $188,367,000 after purchasing an additional 604,863 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new stake in Essex Property Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $124,907,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,818,919 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,651,748,000 after purchasing an additional 390,858 shares in the last quarter. 91.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Essex Property Trust Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Essex Property Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust. It engages in the ownership, operation, management, acquisition, development, and redevelopment of predominantly apartment communities. The company was founded by George M. Marcus in 1971 and is headquartered in San Mateo, CA.

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Fiduciary Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Get Rating) by 0.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,443 shares of the information technology services providers stock after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. Fiduciary Group LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $1,452,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Accenture by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 58,473,666 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $15,045,274,000 after purchasing an additional 816,734 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Accenture by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 46,363,742 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $11,929,391,000 after purchasing an additional 319,707 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in Accenture by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 7,296,119 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,877,293,000 after purchasing an additional 354,513 shares during the last quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC increased its position in Accenture by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC now owns 5,799,259 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,492,149,000 after purchasing an additional 29,646 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its position in Accenture by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 5,598,625 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,440,525,000 after purchasing an additional 219,573 shares during the last quarter. 73.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Accenture

In other news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,423,917.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,423,917.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 556 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.82, for a total value of $153,911.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 42,739 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,831,009.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 15,010 shares of company stock valued at $4,180,030 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Accenture Stock Down 0.3 %

Several analysts have recently issued reports on ACN shares. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and set a $300.00 price target on shares of Accenture in a research note on Monday, March 13th. Citigroup upped their price target on Accenture from $300.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Edward Jones upgraded Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com downgraded Accenture from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Accenture from $311.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $314.00.

Accenture stock opened at $279.42 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $271.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $276.29. The stock has a market cap of $176.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.25. Accenture plc has a 12 month low of $242.80 and a 12 month high of $322.88.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 23rd. The information technology services provider reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $15.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.59 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.73% and a net margin of 11.00%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.54 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Accenture plc will post 11.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 13th will be issued a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 12th. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.25%.

Accenture 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.

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First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. increased its stake in iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF (NYSEARCA:IBDO  Get Rating) by 24.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 45,313 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 8,848 shares during the quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF were worth $1,134,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of IBDO. Community Bank N.A. bought a new position in iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new position in iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Parallel Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC grew its position in iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF by 99.3% during the 4th quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,493 shares of the companys stock worth $87,000 after acquiring an additional 1,740 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vigilant Capital Management LLC grew its position in iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF by 30.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vigilant Capital Management LLC now owns 3,885 shares of the companys stock worth $97,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF Trading Up 0.1 %

IBDO traded up $0.02 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $25.17. 97,021 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 502,040. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $25.15 and a 200 day moving average of $25.07. iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF has a 12-month low of $24.87 and a 12-month high of $25.26.

About iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF

The iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF (IBDO) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a Bloomberg global index of USD denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds maturing between Dec 31, 2022 and Jan 1, 2024. IBDO was launched on Mar 12, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Horizon Investment Services LLC reduced its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) by 7.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,791 shares of the companys stock after selling 393 shares during the period. Horizon Investment Services LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $219,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 159,134,691 shares of the companys stock worth $6,425,858,000 after acquiring an additional 1,275,790 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 71,579,128 shares of the companys stock worth $2,957,671,000 after acquiring an additional 513,208 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 36,302,349 shares of the companys stock worth $1,896,798,000 after acquiring an additional 2,178,596 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,517,169 shares of the companys stock worth $990,002,000 after acquiring an additional 1,192,266 shares in the last quarter. Finally, London Co. of Virginia raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. London Co. of Virginia now owns 6,084,403 shares of the companys stock worth $245,688,000 after acquiring an additional 150,351 shares in the last quarter. 58.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on MO. Citigroup decreased their target price on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target 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. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $45.50.

Altria Group Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of Altria Group stock traded down $1.11 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $46.67. The stock had a trading volume of 3,141,161 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,177,897. The firm has a market cap of $83.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $40.35 and a 12 month high of $57.03. The businesss 50-day moving average is $45.89 and its 200 day moving average is $45.80.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.12 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.06 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 24th were given a $0.94 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 23rd. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.06%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 120.90%.

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.

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Horizon Investment Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW  Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm bought 4,488 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $341,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 153.6% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 350 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 223.5% in the 3rd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 537 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 284.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 672 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 497 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Riverview Trust Co grew its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 47.7% in the 4th quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 622 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. 85.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on PNW shares. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Pinnacle West Capital from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. 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. StockNews.com started coverage on Pinnacle West Capital in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Credit Suisse Group raised Pinnacle West Capital from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $77.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Pinnacle West Capital has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $74.00.

Pinnacle West Capital Stock Down 1.7 %

Pinnacle West Capital stock traded down $1.38 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $77.54. 165,226 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 905,243. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The stock has a market cap of $8.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.48, a P/E/G ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.46. Pinnacle West Capital Co. has a 1-year low of $59.03 and a 1-year high of $81.63. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $77.65 and a two-hundred day moving average of $75.12.

Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported ($0.21) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.18) by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $638.28 million. Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 7.87% and a net margin of 11.18%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 26.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.24 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Pinnacle West Capital Co. will post 4.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pinnacle West Capital Dividend Announcement

The firm 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. This represents a $3.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.46%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio is currently 81.03%.

Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile

(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.

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Shares of Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:INO.UN  Get Rating) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$3.13 and last traded at C$3.21, with a volume of 105040 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$3.33.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, National Bankshares cut their price target on Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust from C$4.25 to C$3.75 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th.

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Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$3.75 and a 200-day moving average of C$4.06. The firm has a market cap of C$103.58 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.

Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Company Profile

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.

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Integris Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 14,036 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $636,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of IEV. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in iShares Europe ETF by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,111,628 shares of the companys stock valued at $495,095,000 after purchasing an additional 409,645 shares during the period. Karpus Management Inc. boosted its stake in iShares Europe ETF by 191.3% during the 3rd quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 786,576 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,701,000 after purchasing an additional 516,596 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in iShares Europe ETF by 77.6% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 632,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,775,000 after purchasing an additional 276,311 shares during the period. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in iShares Europe ETF by 20.3% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 611,389 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,087,000 after purchasing an additional 103,271 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in iShares Europe ETF by 60.3% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 534,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,843,000 after purchasing an additional 200,908 shares during the period.

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iShares Europe ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:IEV traded down $0.57 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $51.51. The company had a trading volume of 25,846 shares, compared to its average volume of 467,572. The firms fifty day moving average is $49.73 and its 200 day moving average is $47.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.89 billion, a PE ratio of 12.47 and a beta of 0.92. iShares Europe ETF has a twelve month low of $36.88 and a twelve month high of $52.37.

About iShares Europe ETF

iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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Hargreaves Lansdown (OTCMKTS:HRGLF  Get Rating) had its target price lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 712 ($8.90) to GBX 707 ($8.83) in a research report report published on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

Separately, Citigroup downgraded shares of Hargreaves Lansdown from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, February 27th.

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Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:HRGLF opened at $9.72 on Friday. Hargreaves Lansdown has a twelve month low of $7.96 and a twelve month high of $11.89. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $9.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.89.

Hargreaves Lansdown Company Profile

Hargreaves Lansdown Plc engages in the provision of investment products and services, financial planning and advice. The company was founded by Peter Kendal Hargreaves and Stephen Philip Lansdown in July 1981 and is headquartered in Bristol, the United Kingdom.

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Keystone Financial Group reduced its stake in shares of SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:SPEU  Get Rating) by 19.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 5,900 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,400 shares during the quarter. Keystone Financial Groups holdings in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF were worth $205,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $57,000. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new stake in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $65,000. Castleview Partners LLC increased its holdings in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 124.7% during the 4th quarter. Castleview Partners LLC now owns 2,227 shares of the companys stock worth $77,000 after purchasing an additional 1,236 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA purchased a new stake in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $87,000. Finally, Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $108,000.

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SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Stock Down 0.2 %

SPEU stock opened at $39.58 on Tuesday. SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF has a 52-week low of $28.16 and a 52-week high of $39.74. The stocks 50 day moving average is $37.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $36.09. The company has a market capitalization of $419.55 million, a PE ratio of 10.42 and a beta of 0.95.

SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Profile

The SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX Europe TMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of Western European companies across the market-cap spectrum. SPEU was launched on Oct 15, 2002 and is managed by State Street.

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Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG  Get Rating) updated its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $1.92-$1.98 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $1.93. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Robert W. Baird lowered shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the company from $26.00 to $25.00 in a report on Thursday, January 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Monday, April 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $23.00 price target for the company. Finally, Raymond James lowered their price target on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from $27.00 to $26.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $25.00.

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Kite Realty Group Trust Trading Down 0.9 %

NYSE KRG traded down $0.18 during trading on Monday, hitting $20.54. The company had a trading volume of 1,116,364 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,606,453. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Kite Realty Group Trust has a one year low of $16.42 and a one year high of $23.10. The company has a market cap of $4.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -293.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.37. The companys fifty day moving average is $20.57 and its 200-day moving average is $20.91.

Kite Realty Group Trust Announces Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 7th were issued a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, April 5th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.67%. Kite Realty Group Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,371.43%.

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CENTRAL TRUST Co raised its holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust by 91.4% in the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,675 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 107.8% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,631 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 846 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 7,854.2% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,909 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 1,885 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 147.5% in the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 3,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 1,788 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in the 2nd quarter worth about $81,000. 96.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Kite Realty Group Trust Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Kite Realty Group Trust operates as a real estate investment trust. It engages in the ownership, operation, acquisition, development, and redevelopment of neighborhood and community shopping centers in selected markets in the United States. The company was founded on August 16, 2004 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.

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Eezy Oyj

EEZY PLC -- INVESTOR NEWS  2 MAY 2023 AT 9:30

Eezy Plc: Invitation to briefing on the Q1/2023 interim report

Eezy Plc will publish the Interim report for 1-3/2023 on Tuesday 9 May 2023 approx. at 8.00.

A Finnish-language webcast for investors, analysts and media will be held on 9 May 2023 at 13.00 (Finnish time) at

https://eezy.videosync.fi/2023-q1-tulos

The webcast will be hosted by interim CEO Pasi Papunen and CFO Hannu Nyman. During the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions via chat.

A recording of the webcast will be later available at the company's website.

Further information:

Hannu Nyman

CFO

Eezy Plc

hannu.nyman@eezy.fi

tel. +358 (0)50 306 9913




Mullen Group (TSE:MTL  Get Rating) had its price target hoisted by TD Securities from C$16.00 to C$17.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. National Bank Financial reiterated an outperfrom under weight rating on shares of Mullen Group in a report on Monday, March 13th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Mullen Group from C$13.00 to C$14.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 10th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Mullen Group from C$15.00 to C$15.50 in a report on Friday. Raymond James cut their price objective on shares of Mullen Group from C$18.00 to C$17.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. Finally, Cormark dropped their target price on shares of Mullen Group from C$19.00 to C$17.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$16.80.

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Mullen Group Price Performance

TSE:MTL opened at C$15.51 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of C$1.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 73.17. The companys 50-day moving average is C$14.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$14.56. Mullen Group has a 12-month low of C$10.83 and a 12-month high of C$15.98.

Mullen Group Dividend Announcement

Mullen Group ( TSE:MTL Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The company reported C$0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.35 by C$0.23. The firm had revenue of C$502.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$496.70 million. Research analysts expect that Mullen Group will post 1.2036889 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, April 30th will be given a $0.06 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.64%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. Mullen Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.45%.

About Mullen Group

(Get Rating)

Mullen Group Ltd. provides a range of trucking and logistics services in Canada and the United States. The company operates in four segments: Less-Than-Truckload, Logistics & Warehousing, Specialized & Industrial Services, and U.S. & International Logistics. The Less-Than-Truckload segment delivers general freight consisting of smaller shipments, packages, and parcels; and pharmaceutical and package products.

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Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC cut its stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Get Rating) by 10.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,850 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,300 shares during the quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $1,710,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Novartis by 18.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,556,539 shares of the companys stock worth $136,587,000 after acquiring an additional 240,710 shares in the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 3.9% in the first quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 4,869 shares of the companys stock valued at $427,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 42.4% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 10,996 shares of the companys stock valued at $965,000 after purchasing an additional 3,272 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 4.5% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 95,477 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,379,000 after acquiring an additional 4,122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 22.8% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 3,528 shares of the companys stock valued at $309,000 after acquiring an additional 655 shares in the last quarter. 8.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Novartis Stock Performance

Shares of NVS opened at $102.54 on Tuesday. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $74.09 and a 1 year high of $105.56. The company has a market cap of $217.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.05. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $90.55 and a 200-day moving average of $88.35.

Novartis Increases Dividend

Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.16. Novartis had a net margin of 13.78% and a return on equity of 23.29%. The company had revenue of $12.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.60 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Novartis AG will post 6.6 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 10th were given a $3.4694 dividend. This is a boost from Novartiss previous annual dividend of $1.18. This represents a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. Novartiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 69.85%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on NVS shares. Morgan Stanley downgraded Novartis from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Novartis from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 3rd. BTIG Research upped their price target on shares of Novartis from $75.00 to $85.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup cut shares of Novartis from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $82.25.

About Novartis

(Get Rating)

Novartis AG is a holding company, which engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Innovative Medicines, Sandoz, and Corporate. The Innovative Medicines segment researches, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells patented pharmaceuticals, and is composed of two business units: Novartis Oncology and Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

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Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) by 5.7% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 8,194 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the period. Raleigh Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $376,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 85.6% during the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 542 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 118.8% during the 4th quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 805 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Altria Group by 39.1% during the 4th quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 886 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 249 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.68% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $45.50.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $47.78 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $85.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a 50 day moving average of $45.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.80. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $40.35 and a 52-week high of $57.03.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.12 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 24th were paid a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 23rd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 120.90%.

Altria Group Profile

(Get Rating)

Altria Group, Inc operates as a holding company, which engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. It operates through the following segments: Smokeable Products, Oral tobacco products, and Wine. The Smokeable Products segment consists of cigarettes manufactured and sold by PM USA and machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco manufactured and sold by Middleton.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Rating) had its price target upped by Royal Bank of Canada from $225.00 to $230.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, The Fly reports.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler raised their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $215.00 to $220.00 in a research note on Friday. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $205.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 29th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. They issued an outperform rating and a $211.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $217.71.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Price Performance

AJG stock opened at $210.52 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $192.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $191.22. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a market cap of $44.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.69. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 52-week low of $148.24 and a 52-week high of $212.16.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Dividend Announcement

Insiders Place Their Bets

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 1st. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.82%.

In other Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. news, Director David S. Johnson sold 1,000 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.62, for a total transaction of $189,620.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 46,508 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,818,846.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director David S. Johnson sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.62, for a total value of $189,620.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 46,508 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,818,846.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 2,850 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.98, for a total value of $515,793.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 90,715 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,417,600.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 27,783 shares of company stock valued at $5,262,891 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AJG. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,431,788,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 40.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,143,144 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $404,069,000 after acquiring an additional 619,008 shares during the period. Axiom Investors LLC DE acquired a new stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 4th quarter worth approximately $116,254,000. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC lifted its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 502.3% during the 3rd quarter. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC now owns 499,542 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $85,532,000 after acquiring an additional 416,605 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 583.5% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 456,737 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $86,113,000 after acquiring an additional 389,914 shares during the period. 82.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

(Get Rating)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following business segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations.

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Stock analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE  Get Rating) in a report issued on Sunday. The firm set a hold rating on the asset managers stock.

Safeguard Scientifics Price Performance

Shares of SFE opened at $1.87 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.41 million, a PE ratio of -2.17 and a beta of 0.89. Safeguard Scientifics has a 1-year low of $1.42 and a 1-year high of $4.68. The companys fifty day moving average price is $2.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.85.

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Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 9th. The asset manager reported ($0.30) earnings per share for the quarter.

Insider Activity

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Safeguard Scientifics news, major shareholder Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. bought 48,032 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $1.53 per share, for a total transaction of $73,488.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 356,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $545,751. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other news, major shareholder Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. acquired 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $1.76 per share, for a total transaction of $88,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 221,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $388,960. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, major shareholder Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. acquired 48,032 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $1.53 per share, with a total value of $73,488.96. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 356,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $545,751. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Corporate insiders own 7.10% of the companys stock.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of SFE. Almitas Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Safeguard Scientifics by 11.7% during the 4th quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 796,632 shares of the asset managers stock worth $2,470,000 after purchasing an additional 83,187 shares during the last quarter. Yakira Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Safeguard Scientifics by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Yakira Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,153,745 shares of the asset managers stock worth $3,577,000 after purchasing an additional 39,180 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. raised its position in shares of Safeguard Scientifics by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 1,104,006 shares of the asset managers stock worth $4,117,000 after purchasing an additional 46,600 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc raised its position in shares of Safeguard Scientifics by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 95,711 shares of the asset managers stock worth $357,000 after purchasing an additional 4,815 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Safeguard Scientifics by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 21,165 shares of the asset managers stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 3,111 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.86% of the companys stock.

About Safeguard Scientifics

(Get Rating)

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc engages in the provision capital to technology-driven businesses in healthcare, financial services, and digital media. The company was founded by Warren V. Musser and Frank A. Diamond in 1953 and is headquartered in Radnor, PA.

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Sealed Air Co. (NYSE:SEE  Get Rating) fell 7.6% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $43.81 and last traded at $44.22. 422,476 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 61% from the average session volume of 1,089,638 shares. The stock had previously closed at $47.87.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Sealed Air from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, April 8th. Credit Suisse Group lowered their target price on shares of Sealed Air from $64.00 to $59.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Sealed Air from $43.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, January 9th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Sealed Air from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Sealed Air from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $57.91.

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Sealed Air Stock Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average is $46.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $49.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 13.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.41.

Sealed Air Announces Dividend

Sealed Air ( NYSE:SEE Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The industrial products company reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.01. Sealed Air had a net margin of 8.71% and a return on equity of 254.05%. The firm had revenue of $1.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.46 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.12 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Sealed Air Co. will post 3.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 10th were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.89%. Sealed Airs dividend payout ratio is 23.95%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sealed Air

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of SEE. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Sealed Air during the 4th quarter valued at $73,895,000. Sarasin & Partners LLP grew its holdings in Sealed Air by 4,708.4% during the 1st quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 1,096,795 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $72,059,000 after acquiring an additional 1,073,985 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Sealed Air by 358.8% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,082,196 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $53,979,000 after purchasing an additional 846,299 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Sealed Air by 93.7% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 583,221 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,052,000 after purchasing an additional 282,200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich purchased a new stake in shares of Sealed Air in the 4th quarter worth approximately $13,729,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.63% of the companys stock.

Sealed Air Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Sealed Air Corp. engages in the provision of food safety and security, facility hygiene, and product protection services. It operates through the Food and Protective segments. The Food segment services perishable food processors in fresh red meat, smoked and processed meat, poultry, seafood, plant-based, and dairy markets.

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Bank of Queensland Limited (OTCMKTS:BKQNF  Get Rating) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,299,600 shares, a growth of 5.1% from the March 31st total of 4,092,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Bank of Queensland Stock Performance

OTCMKTS BKQNF opened at $4.66 on Tuesday. Bank of Queensland has a fifty-two week low of $4.66 and a fifty-two week high of $4.66. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $4.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.83.

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About Bank of Queensland

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Bank of Queensland Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Australia. The company operates in Retail Banking, BOQ Business, and Other segments. It offers personal banking services comprises savings and term deposits, and transactional accounts; debit and credit cards; home, personal, and car loans; and travel, home and content, landlord, and car insurance, as well as investment services comprising online share trading services, and self-managed superannuation funds.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Regis (NYSE:RGS  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report released on Friday.

Separately, Small Cap Consu reiterated a buy rating on shares of Regis in a report on Thursday, March 2nd.

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Regis Trading Down 4.8 %

RGS stock opened at $1.19 on Friday. Regis has a twelve month low of $0.50 and a twelve month high of $1.85. The companys 50 day moving average is $1.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.27. The stock has a market cap of $54.22 million, a P/E ratio of -0.76 and a beta of 1.78.

Institutional Trading of Regis

Regis ( NYSE:RGS Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $59.97 million for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts predict that Regis will post -0.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Regis by 304.4% during the second quarter. FMR LLC now owns 23,687 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 17,829 shares during the period. Magnus Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Regis during the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Regis during the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its stake in Regis by 21.4% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 51,866 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 9,148 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Regis by 28.4% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 50,620 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 11,192 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 30.20% of the companys stock.

Regis Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Regis Corp. engages in the ownership, franchise, and operation of beauty salons. It operates through the Company-Owned Salons and Franchise Salons segments. The segments offer haircutting, styling, hair coloring, and other related services. It also sells hair care and other beauty products. Its brands include Supercuts, SmartStyle Hair Salon, Cost Cutters, First Choice Haircutters, Roosters, Opensalon, and Best Cuts.

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Stryker (NYSE:SYK  Get Rating) had its target price raised by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $288.00 to $315.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Royal Bank of Canadas target price would suggest a potential upside of 7.03% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on SYK. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Stryker from $280.00 to $330.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a hold rating and set a $250.00 price objective on shares of Stryker in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. BTIG Research raised their target price on Stryker from $299.00 to $313.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Stryker from $285.00 to $336.00 in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Stryker from $320.00 to $345.00 in a report on Tuesday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $296.91.

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Stryker Stock Performance

SYK traded down $5.59 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $294.30. The companys stock had a trading volume of 980,711 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,316,574. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $280.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $255.35. The stock has a market cap of $111.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.70, a PEG ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.94. Stryker has a twelve month low of $188.84 and a twelve month high of $306.56.

Insider Transactions at Stryker

Stryker ( NYSE:SYK Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The medical technology company reported $2.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.00 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $4.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.56 billion. Stryker had a net margin of 12.78% and a return on equity of 22.39%. Strykers quarterly revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.97 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Stryker will post 10.02 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director Allan C. Golston sold 5,459 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.27, for a total value of $1,437,190.93. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,537 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,563,885.99. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Stryker news, insider James Andrew Pierce sold 400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.88, for a total transaction of $111,152.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 46,676 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,970,326.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Allan C. Golston sold 5,459 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.27, for a total value of $1,437,190.93. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,563,885.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 347,303 shares of company stock valued at $95,218,362 in the last three months. 5.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of Stryker during the 1st quarter valued at $131,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Stryker by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 673,924 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $180,182,000 after acquiring an additional 9,026 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in shares of Stryker during the 1st quarter valued at $1,444,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Stryker by 21.6% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,056 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $817,000 after acquiring an additional 543 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its position in shares of Stryker by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 3,140 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $839,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.10% of the companys stock.

About Stryker

(Get Rating)

Stryker Corp. is a medical technology company, which engages in the provision of innovative products and services that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. It operates under the MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine segments. The MedSurg and Neurotechnology segment includes surgical equipment and navigation systems, endoscopic and communications systems, patient handling, emergency medical equipment, intensive care disposable products, clinical communication, workflow solutions, products for the treatment of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, traditional brain, and open skull based surgical procedures, orthobiologic, and biosurgery.

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Vaughan David Investments LLC IL bought a new position in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  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 bought 5,451 shares of the natural resource companys stock, valued at approximately $207,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of FCX. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its holdings in 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 last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its holdings in 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 last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in 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 last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 22.0% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 79,686 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $3,964,000 after buying an additional 14,388 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.12% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Freeport-McMoRan

In other Freeport-McMoRan news, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 11,678 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.17, for a total transaction of $504,139.26. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,333 shares in the company, valued at $1,395,815.61. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock.

Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:FCX opened at $37.63 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 1 year low of $24.80 and a 1 year high of $46.73. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $39.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $39.17. The firm has a market cap of $53.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.02 and a beta of 2.01.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 21st. The natural resource company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.05. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 12.07%. The business had revenue of $5.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.25 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.07 earnings per share. Freeport-McMoRans quarterly revenue was down 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 2.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 14th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.59%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 16.76%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Scotiabank raised Freeport-McMoRan from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $41.00 to $50.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Raymond James dropped their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Sunday, April 23rd. TheStreet upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a c rating to a b rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $40.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 26th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $38.42.

Freeport-McMoRan 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.

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Market Research Future

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market Growth Boost by Rising Awareness of emissions of carbon dioxide and other dangerous pollutants from transportation

New York, US, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a Comprehensive Report by MRFR/Market Research Future (MRFR),  Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market Research Report Information by Vehicle Type, Region, Application, Connector Type, and Charging Station Type - Forecast Till 2030, the global Electric Vehicle Charging Stations market is predicted to bolter substantially during the assessment timeframe from 2022 to 2030 at a healthy growth rate of approximately 38.5%. The reports further project the market to attain a valuation of around USD 165.5 billion by the end of 2030. As per the reports, the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations market was worth nearly USD 16.9 billion in 2022.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market Overview:

Intelligent or smart charging refers to a system in which an electric vehicle, a charging app, and the charging station share and communicate data.

Competitive Analysis

The listing of the prominent leaders across the global market for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations includes players such as:

Schneider Electric (France)

Webasto Group (Germany)

ABB (Switzerland)

Tesla (US)

Eaton (Ireland)

EVgo Services LLC (US)

Siemens (Germany)

ChargePoint, Inc. (US)

Among others.





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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=5401



Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market USP Covered

Market Drivers

The global market for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations has recently displayed massive development. The main aspect causing a surge in the performance of the market is the rising number of collaborations among automotive manufacturers for charging infrastructure. Furthermore, the increased carbon dioxide emissions and the government measures to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles are also likely to enhance the market performance over the coming years.

Story continues

Market Restraints

On the other hand, certain aspects may impede the market's growth. The primary parameter restricting the market's growth is the high installation cost.

Report Scope:

Report Metrics Details Market Size 2030 2030: USD 165.5 billion CAGR during 2022-2030 38.5% CAGR Base Year 2021 Forecast 2022-2030 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Charging station, Connector type, Application and Vehicle Type, and Region Key Market Opportunities The introduction of ultra-rapid electric charging stations Key Market Dynamics A rise in interest in electric vehicles strategic actions taken by powerful parties





Browse In-depth Market Research Report (100 Pages) on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market:

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/electric-vehicle-charging-station-market-5401



COVID-19 Impact

Global industrial activities and business operations experienced a major setback given to the rise of the global health crisis in the form of COVID-19. The pandemic affected public health across nearly 225 countries, along with all industrial operations. All these situations led to the imposition of full or partial lockdowns across most regions worldwide. Subsequently, the industry operations were halted, and some businesses shut down. Given the sudden fall in demand for construction activities during the pandemic and the halt of most industrial operations, the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations market experienced many sudden & unexpected issues throughout the pandemic. On the contrary, now that the majority of the globe is being rapidly vaccinated and industrial operations are returning to normal, the market is predicted to witness a considerable expansion and recovery in revenue generation over the assessment period.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market Segment Analysis

Among all the types, the AC station segment is projected to ensure the leading position across the global electric vehicle charging station market over the review era. AC charging stations are the most regular type of plug-in vehicle charging station, with lower power ratings than DC charging stations given to the lower-rated AC onboard chargers. An AC charging station frequently includes one or more contactors to cut the car's power.

Among all the connector types, the other segment is anticipated to secure the top position across the global electric vehicle charging stations market over the review era. Tesla supercharger connector, type 2 (IEC 62196-2), IEC 62196-1), and Type 1/Yazaki (SAE J1772) are included in the others category.



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Among all the application areas, the residential sector is anticipated to ensure the leading position across the global electric vehicle charging stations market over the review era. In residential regions, electricity drawn by level 1 and 2 chargers would be charged at a fixed residential rate (per kWh). Various utilities confer EVs a distinctive time-to-use (ToU) pricing to encourage users to charge during off-peak hours. Off-peak time rates are cheaper than peak-hour prices. Based on the utility and service area, EV-specific ToU charges are split into different brackets, like early evening and mid-afternoon rates.

Among all the vehicle types, the BEV sector is anticipated to secure the leading position across the global market for electric vehicle charging stations over the assessment timeframe. BEVs are fully electric vehicles with rechargeable batteries and no gasoline engine.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market Regional Analysis

The global Electric Vehicle Charging Stations market is analyzed across five major geographies: South America, the APAC region, the Middle East & Africa, the European nations, and North America.

The research reports by MRFR suggest that the North American region ensured the top position across the global Electric Vehicle Charging Stations market in 2022, with the largest contribution of around USD 7.7 billion. The regional market is anticipated to grow over the assessment period substantially. The main parameter supporting the regional market development is the government's desire in North America to lower carbon emissions, along with the focus on the adoption rate of electric vehicles.

The European regional Electric Vehicle Charging Stations market is anticipated to showcase considerable development over the review era. Approximately 76% of the charging stations in the region are concentrated in four nations: the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The aggressive carbon-cutting targets and electric vehicle stock commitments by 2020 are considered the primary parameter supporting regional market development. The region has Germany as the leading growth contributor. On the contrary, the UK Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market is anticipated to display the highest growth rate over the assessment period.



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The Asia-Pacific Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market is predicted to showcase the highest growth rate over the coming years. The rising number of partnerships between car OEMs and aftermarket technology vendors is believed to be the main parameter boosting the regional market's development. Furthermore, the favorable government policies like tax breaks and other incentives for electric vehicle users, high price is not a deterrent across the region. The region has China as the leading growth contributor.

Related Reports:

Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market Research Report: Information by Charger Type, by Charging Method and Region - Forecast till 2030

Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure Market Research Report Information By Charger Type, By Charging Method And By Region Market Forecast Till 2032

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis regarding diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.

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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




Tenet Healthcare (NYSE: THC) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms:

4/26/2023  Tenet Healthcare had its price target raised by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $65.00 to $81.00.

4/26/2023  Tenet Healthcare had its price target raised by analysts at Stephens from $64.00 to $77.00.

4/26/2023  Tenet Healthcare had its price target raised by analysts at Truist Financial Co. from $74.00 to $84.00.

4/26/2023  Tenet Healthcare had its price target raised by analysts at Raymond James from $72.00 to $85.00.

4/26/2023  Tenet Healthcare had its price target raised by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $73.00 to $84.00.

4/26/2023  Tenet Healthcare had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $70.00 to $105.00.

4/20/2023  Tenet Healthcare is now covered by analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald. They set an overweight rating and a $73.00 price target on the stock.

4/19/2023  Tenet Healthcare is now covered by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co.. They set an overweight rating and a $72.00 price target on the stock.

3/23/2023  Tenet Healthcare was upgraded by analysts at TheStreet from a c+ rating to a b- rating.

3/10/2023  Tenet Healthcare was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating.

Tenet Healthcare Stock Performance

Shares of THC traded down $2.09 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $70.19. 345,978 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,614,672. Tenet Healthcare Co. has a 12 month low of $36.69 and a 12 month high of $76.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.79, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.07 and a beta of 2.17. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $60.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.81.

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Tenet Healthcare (NYSE:THC  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.85 billion. Tenet Healthcare had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 28.65%. Tenet Healthcares quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.93 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Tenet Healthcare Co. will post 5.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Trading of Tenet Healthcare

In other news, Director Tammy Romo sold 7,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.95, for a total transaction of $426,650.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 57,598 shares in the company, valued at $3,510,598.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . In other Tenet Healthcare news, EVP Thomas W. Arnst sold 825 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.00, for a total transaction of $50,325.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,778 shares in the company, valued at $1,389,458. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Tammy Romo sold 7,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.95, for a total value of $426,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 57,598 shares in the company, valued at $3,510,598.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its holdings in Tenet Healthcare by 33.3% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 96,880 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,757,000 after acquiring an additional 24,190 shares during the period. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Tenet Healthcare by 22.4% during the 1st quarter. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. now owns 217,715 shares of the companys stock worth $12,937,000 after acquiring an additional 39,875 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in Tenet Healthcare by 107.4% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 23,915 shares of the companys stock worth $1,421,000 after buying an additional 12,382 shares in the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its position in Tenet Healthcare by 22.5% during the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 16,318 shares of the companys stock valued at $970,000 after buying an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Tenet Healthcare by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 29,762 shares of the companys stock worth $1,768,000 after purchasing an additional 841 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.14% of the companys stock.

Tenet Healthcare Corp. engages in the provision of healthcare services. It operates through the following segments: Hospital Operations and Other, Ambulatory Care, and Conifer. The Hospital Operations and Other segment is composed of acute care hospitals, ancillary outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, micro hospitals and physician practices.

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(Bloomberg) -- Electrolux AB rose as much as 10% in early trading on Tuesday on news the Swedish luxury home appliance maker has drawn a takeover approach from Chinas Midea Group Co.

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The companys B shares were up 3.2% at 9:45 a.m. in Stockholm, giving it a market value of roughly 45 billion Swedish kronor ($4.4 billion).

Bloomberg News reported on Sunday that home appliance giant Midea made a preliminary takeover approach in recent weeks. Electrolux has so far not been receptive to the proposal, according to people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because discussions are private.

Midea has been interested in Electrolux for some time and would only want a friendly deal, the people said. Other Asian appliance makers including Samsung Electronics Co. have also looked at the Swedish business, the people added. Midea shares are up about 10% this year, valuing it around $58 billion.

Read more: Electrolux Jumps on Better-Than-Expected 1Q Update

The deal would test the Chinese companys ability to make foreign acquisitions amid growing protectionist measures in Europe and the US, even if dishwashers and refrigerators wouldnt necessarily be deemed a national security risk.

Buying Electrolux would add to previous overseas acquisitions by Midea. The Chinese company, which is based in Foshan in Guangdong province, bought a controlling stake in Toshiba Corp.s home appliance unit in 2016. It acquired German robot maker Kuka AG a year later, which triggered concerns in the German government.

Midea Chairman Paul Fang hinted at interest in acquisitions in America and Europe in 2017 after the firm participated in the bidding for General Electric Co.s white goods unit, which was sold to Chinese competitor Haier Group. Turkeys Arcelik, which did a European deal with Whirlpool Corp. this year, is also a competitor.

Story continues

Read more: Whirlpool, Arcelik Combine Assets in Europe JV: Deal Snapshot

Midea and Electrolux already have some partnerships, and in 2018 they launched the high-end AEG brand in China together.

Key to any deal would be getting the support from the billionaire Wallenberg familys Investor AB, the biggest shareholder in Electrolux. There was speculation in February about Mideas potential interest.

For Midea, we still believe Electrolux could make an excellent addition to its business, DNB Markets analyst Christer Magnergard wrote in a note. But it would be politically challenging for Investor to agree to a sale, as well as unlikely from a timing perspective given the current relatively depressed share price, in combination with Investors circa 70-year ownership in the company.

Spokespeople for Electrolux and Investor declined to comment, while representatives for Midea and Samsung couldnt be immediately reached for comment outside usual business hours.

Electrolux is in the process of laying off 3,800 workers as it seeks to cut costs and turn around its North American business. It reported first-quarter earnings that were better than expected overall, but still showed a net loss, with analysts pointing to negative cash flow.

Mideas net income in the first quarter increased 12% year on year to 8 billion yuan ($1.2 billion), the company said Friday. It also reported net income of 29.6 billion yuan last year, missing analyst estimates.

--With assistance from Christopher Jungstedt and Vinicy Chan.

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The International Monetary Fund has expressed concern that Nigeria may lose an estimated $10bn of foreign direct investment and official development assistance inflows to geo-political tensions.

The IMF in its country focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, released on Monday, said the figure is about a half per cent of the nations annual Gross Domestic Product.

The Washington-based lender said, The losses could be compounded if capital flows between trade blocs were cut-off because of geo-political tensions. The region could lose an estimated $10bn of foreign direct investments and official development assistance inflow is about half a percent of GDP a year based on an average 201719 estimate). The reduction in FDI, in the long run, could also hinder much-needed technology transfer.

The Washington-based lender also noted that Sub-Saharan Africa could stand to lose the most if the world split into two isolated trading blocs centered on China or the United States and the European Union.

According to IMF, economic and trade alliances with new economic partners, predominantly China, have benefited the region.

According to the report, economic trade alliances have also made countries reliant on imports of food and energy more susceptible to global shocks, including disruptions from the surge in trade restrictions following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

However, IMF said that because some African countries benefit from access to new export markets and cheaper imports, the region would not incur a GDP loss.

It added that oil exporters supplying energy to Europe could even gain. IMF called for strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area to better manage these shocks properly.

It added, To better manage shocks, countries need to build resilience. This can be done by strengthening the ongoing regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which will require reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, strengthening efficiency in customs, leveraging digitalization, and closing the infrastructure gaps. Deepening domestic financial markets can also broaden sources of financing and lower the volatility associated with relying too much on foreign inflows. To take advantage of the potential shifts in trade and FDI flows, countries in the region can try to identify and nurture sectors that may benefit from trade diversion like energy. Commodity exporters in the region could potentially displace much of Russias energy market share in Europe.

IMF has urged countries in the region to rely on trade promotion agencies to help identify potential opportunities and build the necessary skills and capacity for exports.

Countries can also rely on trade promotion agencies to help identify potential opportunities, build the necessary skills and capacity for exports, and eventually re-orient production to take advantage of new trade flows. Improving the business environment by lowering entry, regulatory, and tax barriers could also help. What the exact outcomes will be from fragmentation and polarization, and whether these trends will continue are uncertain. What is clear, however, are multilateral institutions will need to continue to facilitate dialogue among nations to promote economic integration and cooperation.
A defamation case brought against Tesla chief executive Elon Musk by critic Randeep Hothi is coming to a close, reportedly costing the billionaire ten big ones.

Lawyers representing Hothi, a vocal member of the TSLAQ short-seller community on Twitter, said in a statement that Musk asked to settle the nearly three-year-old case back in March. Hothi tweeted on Monday that he accepted the alleged offer, "for a modest $10k."

The Tesla skeptic added that he "look[s] forward to receiving a check from him in the mail."

Hothi rose to prominence as a skeptic of Tesla's gigafactory plans and "full self-driving" tech. In 2019, Tesla sought a permanent restraining order against Hothi, alleging he had "stalked, harassed, and endangered" employees while they were out driving in a Model 3.

Additionally, Tesla said Hothi had trespassed on, and installed cameras around, its Fremont, California, facility.

In response, a "defense fund" for Hothi on GoFundMe aimed to raise $100,000, and ultimately secured $229,592. Tesla soon dropped its case without publicly disclosing evidence to back up its claims.

Yet, the saga took another turn about a month later, when Musk claimed in an email to another vocal critic of the company, Aaron Greenspan, that Hothi had "almost killed Tesla employees." Greenspan published the CEO's email, and Hothi later sued for defamation in the Alameda Superior Court of California.

Hothi's lawyers claimed that Musk's comment "prompted an onslaught of hateful Twitter response," saying the CEO's supporters accused "Hothi of being a liar, a murderer, a terrorist, and a deranged maniac," per an August 2020 complaint. Lawyers representing Musk petitioned the court to dismiss the case, but it ultimately moved forward to discovery.

About a year ago, Musk tweeted that Tesla would "never surrender/settle an unjust case against us, even if we will probably lose." Hothi's lawyers cited this tweet in a statement on Monday, saying, "We welcome Musk's belated acknowledgment that this case was just."

Court docs show that Hothi's lawyers filed a request earlier today to dismiss the case.
The federal government has dismissed the allegation that some Nigerians from Igbo extraction were intentionally abandoned in the current evacuation of citizens of the country from Sudan.

It was earlier reported that the chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, issued a directive that the Igbos in Sudan should be left behind in favour of other ethnic backgrounds.

This was learnt in a viral video that circulated on social media claimed Igbo indigenes in Sudan were stranded, while one of the indigenes narrated how they (Igbo) were asked to alight from the bus for Nigerians of other extraction to take their place.

Following the report, an Igbo youth-based group identified as the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) described the alleged abandonment of Igbo indigenes in Sudan during an evacuation exercise as barbaric and wicked.

Meanwhile, in reaction to the allegation, NIDCOM in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun described the allegation as a wicked lie.

The Commission spokesperson said those responsible for spreading the reports didnt bother to cross-check the claim or get the side of the NIDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa.

Balogun explained in the statement that what happened was that during the boarding process, some persons including non-Nigerians jumped into the buses violently, some with daggers, through the windows.

This prompted the officials in order to bring sanity and to abide by the instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to instruct that priority should be given to women, children, and students, to start calling them in according to states in alphabetical order, beginning with Abia State.

The commission added that if some people arrived after the stipulated time or did not show up at the point of pick up, they cant put the blame on its own officials.

NIDCOM in the statement, debunked any accusation of ethnic bias in the onboarding of citizens stranded in Sudan and absolved Dabiri and all other officials of any form of wrong doing.

The full statement reads: It has come to the attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) of a fabricated lie from the pit of hell that the Chairman/CEO, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri- Erewa, prevented some Nigerians, especially of the South East extraction from boarding buses hired by the Federal Government to evacuate stranded Nigerians from the war-torn Khartoum in Sudan.

The ridiculous allegation which was first published by one Chukwujekwu Ilozue of the Daily Independent Newspapers on May 1, 2023, and syndicated by This Day Newspapers, Nigerian Tribune online and other online media, is the height of rascality and mischief.

The said group never bothered to cross check the sponsored false story on Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa or get her own side of the story before spreading the falsehood all over the media in the spirit of fairness, balancing and objectivity.

The allegation by the faceless group, a Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL), signed by one Hon Goodluck Ibem against the indefatigable Abike Dabiri -Erewa who was busy coordinating the two-day conference of Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS), with 64 countries in attendance in Abuja, is most wicked, divisive and a ridiculous fabrication.

Reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff on ground in Khartoum, indicated that when the boarding of buses began , the situation was so chaotic that some people (including Non Nigerians) jumped in violently , some with daggers, through the windows . To bring sanity and to abide by the instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs that priority should be given to women , children and students, the officials started calling them in according to states in alphabetical order , beginning with Abia State.

Reports from Sudan indicate that all who converged at the prescribed locations, were to be picked up, have all been moved in 40 buses either towards Port Sudan or towards Egyptian borders.

However , if some arrived after the stipulated time or did not show up at the point of pick up, they cant blame it on any one.

NIDCOM is focussed, working with other relevant agencies ,on the safe return of stranded Nigerians and will not be distracted by nonsensical, illogical , irresponsible , rascal and unfounded comments meant to distract from the success , safe and secure return of Nigerians from Khartoum, Sudan.
This writer has never been a supporter of Tinubu but accepted that he won more votes in the North and South, fair and square. Regardless of our past reservations about his character, born out by the people of Lagos, his adopted state and Osun, his home state. Tinubu can still join world philanthropists that gave most, if not all their money away, after making it through some vile and dubious means. Tinubu would then restore Nigerias glory, taking Africa along.

Nobel Peace Prize donated by Nobel, like other capitalist venturers made their money from the spoil of wars, slavery and back breaking serfs or child labor. When we get to a certain height and age, we realize that no matter how much we make in riches, we cannot take a farthing with us. Though we might have been reckless and even enjoyed the havoc our reckless adventures had caused while making us very rich, at some point we must finally bow to the call of death.

We all get to a point in life where we come to make peace with our Being or Chi that "all the world's a stage and men and women merely players". This is not about getting into hell or heaven but leaving the world a better place than we met it and raising millions of people out of abject poverty. Indeed, it is not about the only shining beautiful house on top of the hill but how civilized and comfortable people around the hill and us are.

What matters is how our legacy is remembered by the generations to come. The "glories of our blood and state" cannot give us the quality of spirit in health or sustain us forever. Whatever the age of Tinubu, the most supporting comforts left for the rest of our life are a room with a comfortable bed and toilet in order to sleep well. The others are secondary. Even good food and wine must be limited if we do not want to choke to death out of avarice.

Therefore, whatever the Pharaohs thought about themselves, how much gold and slaves were buried with them, they became a feast for ants and the inquisition by explorers and bounty hunters. It is very disappointing that all their dreams of afterlife became the spoil of wars or the means of living for gold diggers, skull miners and mere robbers willing to navigate the stench of hundred years. Even if the children of Tinubu are put in control of his humongous wealth, Nigerians will not play dead and allow them to have a peace of mind.

The Military leaders that had the Bar Beach Show with firing squad and jailed Fela Kuti for foreign currency violation yesterday, are the money launderers and robbers of today. As long as African countries, even the poorest ones like war torn Sudan remain money making destinations for those willing to hold their breath until they make enough to live abroad, it will be difficult to convince the Youths to wallow in poverty where they cannot make a decent living. If we ask ourselves the reasons for these, they are obvious. It is not every Youth that is so desperate to get rich that would take to any crime: terror, white collar, soft or hard crime.

People pursue money for different reasons. Making enough money to keep your body and soul is the first and only step for some of us. Many go beyond this to certify their hedonic pleasures. These could be expensive and sometimes dangerous. The pleasure one gets from sexy friends that money can buy is different from the one people get from love the rich cannot buy or the euphoria of psychedelic substances. Though we all know that there are drugs that are expensive, yet toxic and deadly.

The power gained from making money becomes a propensity to control others by ruling many for no other reasons than to bend to their whims and caprices. Acquisition of women, land and weapons to acquire more become a vicious circle. Any obstacle is set for destruction. The worst part is making more and more money out of greed as in Boesky and Michael Milken of Walls Street. It gets to the stage that not making money just for the heck of it, becomes boring. There are no specific needs but to make money like someone addicted to gambling.

Power derived from the ability to buy your way through whatever you want can be intoxicating as consuming excessive or exotic food, not necessarily for good life because they become detrimental to your health. But for a conspicuous and ostentatious show, daring others that cannot. This is what leads to oppression, violence and wars to retain the overbearing dominance of others, territories and hostile takeover of companies that can compete with you.

Take the case of Gas Flaring that Tinubu must guide against. Nigeria had objectives and goals set by both civilian and military governments. They promulgated laws and regulations ignored by International Oil companies that had the technical abilities. After kickbacks and bribes to those enacting laws and regulations, International companies simply could not make enough profit to implement and stop Gas Flaring. We do not expect those they paid kickbacks to, to punish or force them to implement the operation without profit margin. Or the case of Virgin Airlines that packed up and left when the demands for kickback overtook profit margin.

The law makers and regulators preferred to seek the service of Pa & Sons Company that had neither expertise nor equipment to convert Gas Flaring to useful Natural Gas. But the Pa & Sons Company was willing to give maximum kickbacks that the International Oil companies could not afford. Yet, Pa & Sons Companies intended to subcontract the deal from Nigeria law makers and regulators to the same International Oil companies.

Seriously, Tinubu knows that an average Nigerian is smart enough to understand what was going on. The problem is if that average Nigerian had the opportunity to be the lawyer, lawmaker and regulator to defraud their country, they would without any conscience. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is not every Nigerian that has an equal opportunity to represent the Nigerian Government.

We then wondered how a Pa & Sons Co. like P&ID could conspire with Nigerian lawyers representing the Government in Court of Law and get billions of dollars in judgment against their own country, Nigeria! Tinubu was a Senator, a Governor, Party leader leveraged one position after another before he became President-elect. It takes money and desperation not only to survive in those environments and discard opponents but to get to his desired position.

What Tinubu does with the Presidency at the peak of his career is left to be seen. It is one suspected notion that an average citizen would steal if he can get away with it but another that a man that has accumulated more money than a god would change toward a long life for peace of mind. It is a privileged position to represent the Nigerian Government as a politician or one of the cronies. You have to be lucky to come from nowhere and make it. Without money you cannot afford anything but can use terror to gain recognition.

Farouk Martins Aresa @oomoaresa


In a small coastal town in Japan called Otsuchi, a phone booth stands alone on a hill overlooking the ocean.

Known as the wind phone or the telephone of the wind, it holds a deep and profound meaning to those who visit.

Created by Itaru Sasaki, who lost his cousin in 2010 and was struggling with his grief, the wind phone provided a place where he could talk to his cousin and express his feelings. The wind phone has since become a symbol of hope and healing for many people, helping them come to terms with their loss, and find comfort in knowing their loved ones are still with them in spirit.

Courtesy of Kawartha Conservations efforts to promote mental health awareness and provide a space for visitors to connect with nature, local residents will be able to do so as well.

In a world where talking about death and loss is often avoided, the wind phone is also reminder its important to acknowledge emotions and find ways to cope with them.

We recognize the importance of mental health and the healing power of nature, said stewardship and conservation lands director Kristie Virgoe, who is also a certified forest therapy guide.

The wind phones provide a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with the natural world, reflect on their thoughts and feelings, and find solace in the wind.

Two wind phones are being installed this month. These will be located on the Dragon Fly Trail and along the Point Loop at Ken Reid Conservation Area. The booths will be accessible during regular park hours.

Jack Veitch, manager of community engagement and education for the Canadian Mental Health Association, said the introduction of the wind phones at Ken Reid Conservation Area is a testament to the power of nature in promoting mental health and well-being.

We are delighted to see the introduction of the wind phones at Ken Reid Conservation Area, he said. Connecting with nature has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and the wind phones offer a unique way to do so.

Kawartha Conservation is also offering a series of forest therapy sessions throughout the month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Visitors new and old are encouraged to experience the beautiful healing power of nature by visiting Ken Reid Conservation Area.

For more information about upcoming forest therapy events, visit kawarthaconservation.com.

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Trinity United Church in Cobourg will be pulling out all the stops as they host a grand concert to celebrate the installation of their newly-acquired, 1,201-pipe organ.

On Sunday, May 7 at 4 p.m., the church will open its doors for a solo recital with special guest artist William Maddox, organist and music director at Torontos Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. Tickets are not needed for the event but a free-will offering to the church is appreciated, noted organizers.

The soloist for the concert is Picton-born Maddox. A graduate of Queens University in Kingston, as well as Trinity College of Music in London, England, Maddox has served as instructor of organ in the School of Music at Queens University and became the first Canadian Fellow of the Cambridge Society of Musicians.

Maddox has performed in Canada, the United States and England, including appearances at Roy Thompson Hall, the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Included in the program are Bachs Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and, in honour of the Coronation, Maddox will play Edward Elgars Imperial March, explained organizers.

The new pipe organ installation at Trinity is a fantastic fit of an important piece of Canadian organ building, installed in a beautiful acoustic space. The 1,201-pipe organ is a master of versatility and variety, commented Dr. Debbie Fingas, Trinitys music minister.

It allows for any era of music to be played, featuring a strong principle chorus for Bach, lush strings for romantic music, and a subtle oboe for French repertoire. The brand-new addition of a trumpet stop with pedal extension gives girth and breadth to the instrument.

Fingas had been on the lookout for a new instrument to replace the outdated electronic organ that had previously been in use. When she learned that Blenheim United Church in Chatham/Kent was to be demolished and their pipe organ in need of a new home, Fingas jumped at the chance to have it moved to Cobourg.

In February 2023, Trinity installed the organ from Blenheim United and were able to incorporate elements of the original organ.

We had the opportunity to use some components from the 1901 Trinity United organ that were left in our lofts, said Fingas. A zimbelstern (spinning bells) and 12 pipes in the south facade have been incorporated into the instrument.

It is a joy to play, to listen to and to sing along with.

Fingas holds degrees from the University of Toronto, Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Toronto School of Theology, in addition to the associate diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). She is currently president of the Kawartha-Lakeshore Centre of the RCCO and chair of Music United. Fingas has been music minister for 17 years and plays regularly for Sunday worship.

We are so looking forward to inviting everyone in the community on May 7 at 4 p.m. to hear the instrument played by the incredible William Maddox who will most certainly provide a memorable concert on this beautiful organ, remarked Fingas.

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Northumberland's VIA commuter train 651 where are you?

That is the oft-asked question of the VIA commuter rail service that once delivered citizens in Eastern Ontario, including Northumberland, to Toronto over the years, but was stopped at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

That question was posed by Coun. Randy Barber to Northumberland County chief administrative officer Jennifer Moore following her delivery of the annual state of the county address to Cobourg council at its May 1 meeting.

A bit of an update on VIA rail 651. Is there ongoing discussions? Is it stalled? Is it being studied? Is there any update at all? asked Barber, in the possible hope of getting some good news on that file.

Good news? There was essentially no new news to report regarding if VIA rail 651 will return to service in the future.

There really isnt much of an update, replied Moore. Weve had a couple of conversations with staff of what strategies we should employ to continue the advocacy. There has been some media attention a little further to the east from other municipalities that also benefit from that service. I think their communications they had with VIA were a little disappointing.

Northumberland News has also reported on advocacy efforts and residents concerns as they've pushed to get the commuter train back on track several times in recent years.

There hasnt been any indication at this point that there is going to be a reinstatement of the service, so probably a regrouping at the moment is where we would be at, continued Moore.

In the county report produced by a consortium of concerned eastern municipalities entitled the Case for Getting VIA train 651 Back on Track, the county noted train 651 provides a lifeline of economic renewal in Eastern Ontario providing mobility options, supporting workers, spurring economic growth and supporting public environmental policies for energy use, air quality and carbon emissions.

The report also noted several eastern municipalities partnered in conducting an online survey from July 7 to Aug. 5, 2022 entitled Keeping Your Commute on Track: Survey on Commuter Train Services, in which survey data was collected from 2,811 residents of their past use and anticipated future need for the commuter train.

In pre-COVID train 651 usage, 52 per cent of respondents used the train, 66 per cent of users accessed the train service for work, with 14 per cent for education and medical purposes. A total of 76 per cent of users accessed the service one or more times a week and 22 per cent used it daily. Moreover, 96 per cent of regular users noted they would return if the service resumed.

Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini also hosted a rally involving hundreds of Northumberland residents last September at the Cobourg VIA station in the hopes that Train 651 would be revived for commuters in eastern Ontario.

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Thirteen quilled wiigwaasii makakoons are returning to the lands of the Michi Saagiig, who originally gifted them to the Prince of Wales more than 150 years ago.

Hiawatha First Nation and the Mississauga Nation communities are coming together to welcome these ancestors home for a visit, said Hiawatha Chief Laurie Carr in a media release.

From April 22 to Nov. 19, the 13 birch bark baskets will be on display at Peteborough Museum and Archives under the exhibition titled To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860.

The baskets were first handed to the royal monarch during a cross-country tour, and were gifted by a group of Hiawatha women.

Since then, they have sat in Osborne House on the Isle of Wight in the U.K., and are coming home until the fall so members of Hiawatha and surrounding communities can see them for the first time.

Its an important collection for many reasons, says Lori Beavis, a curator, art educator, executive director for Centre dart daphne in Quebec and a member of Hiawatha First Nation.

After visiting the collection in England, Beavis says she wondered how she could bring it home temporarily so others from Hiawatha can enjoy it.

There are several amazing elements to this collection, says Beavis; the fact it was all kept together, and that it has the makers names attributed to each piece, reflecting the hard work the women at the time put into them.

Its so important to actually know because so often the work is anonymous and where it comes from is a little unknown, she said.

Another important part of the history of these artifacts is that they were not taken from the Michi Saagiig people, but were handed from them to the Prince of Wales.

These were nation-to-nation gifts, so these were not stolen. Theres no malicious or nefarious history to them, so they are coming for a visit and they will go back again, said Beavis.

Thats important to know because it reflects the autonomy of Indigenous peoples. Much of Indigenous historical material reflects how many important historic artifacts were taken away, or how Indigenous people were victimized. But that wasnt the case with these pieces.

At the time the chief of Hiawatha did a presentation to the royal envoy, making a presentation on an equal basis, from a position of power as well. And so often thats forgotten.

These gifted pieces will be on display, and there will also be associated programming including workshops on quillwork too.

Peterborough This Week is working with Hiawatha First Nation to further explore the history of these artifacts and will be doing a future article on them and their significance to Indigenous nationality.

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Michael Tibollo, associate minister of mental health and addictions, left, addresses reporters after Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, right, announced that Four Counties Addiction Services, in partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association, will receive $1,138,800 in funding through the Addiction Recovery Fund on Tuesday May 2, 2023 in Peterborough, Ont.





Twelve residential drug treatment and detox beds are coming to Peterborough, to abate the overdose crisis and prevent further loss of life.

We had more than one person pass away last year, every single week, because of a drug overdose, said MPP Dave Smith, speaking to the need for supports.

Weve had multiple individuals, having multiple visits, sometimes on a daily basis, to the emergency department for overdoses.

On Tuesday, May 2, at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) building on George Street in Peterborough, Smith announced a successful funding application which will mean six treatment and six detox beds are coming to the city to serve people with addictions in the area.

Those who are struggling with addiction will be able to detox in withdrawal management beds, and then move into treatment beds, getting counselling, therapy, relapse prevention and life skills building, said Michael Tibollo, associate minister of mental health and addictions, at the announcement.

There is no site picked yet, but the facility will cover the catchment area for the CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, which is running the centre alongside Fourcast. The plan is to have it open by the fall.

Alongside the $1.138 million provided by the province for the two-year pilot, the city and county are also pitching in $200,000 to cover a shortfall in funding.

Treatment services are part of the growing suite of options, says Smith, and the safe consumption site at the corner of Simcoe and Aylmer streets has been building trust so people can get to treatment.

But (what) we were lacking was that last piece, that residential treatment here in Peterborough, said Smith. When someone says Im ready, I need help, we have it.

In January, Tibollo reached out to Smith with a funding proposal for a Peterborough facility, says the MPP.

And I reached out to a couple of our service providers  and I said this was an opportunity for us, can we put something together? said Smith.

In the weeks after, there were many meetings and while at times it may have looked like it was going south, an application came together.

Tibollo said at the announcement he had numerous conversations with Smith to get through a successful application.

This is a community thats faced a number of challenges stemming from the opioid crisis and too many lives have been lost, said the associate minister.

Treatment and recovery works, says Tibollo, and the two-year pilot will collect enough data to show that and expand services available.

And the growing number of options ensures low barrier, high quality treatment is available close to home.

Smith says hes confident before the two-year period has ended, there will funding lined up to expand the treatment and detox beds available in Peterborough.

This is all about gathering the data to see how effective it is. My belief, we are starting with six (treatment beds) and six (detox beds), and we will demonstrate over the course of the next few years that this is a massive success and I will be coming back for 10 and 48, said Smith.

While standard residential treatment takes 28 days, for the Peterborough site it will be 35.

Fourcast director Donna Rogers says that number of 28 days is based on the amount of time covered by American insurance companies, and more places have been adding longer options, including flexible length-of-time stays according to need.

With 35 days, it gives people more time to engage in therapies and put them on better paths to recovery, said Rogers.

And treatment and detox options will be available for someone multiple times, because often it requires more than one visit for it to stick.

Its not easy and we rarely have perfect trajectories, said Rogers. Every time someone comes back they have a new experience.

Emily Jones is the community development and engagement co-ordinator with Peterborough Police who has also spent nearly two decades working in harm reduction.

She says this is an important resource that will be used to get people where they need.

We have lots of different puzzle pieces and theyre all coming together. One initiative isnt going to solve an entire crisis but we have all these initiatives coming to Peterborough that it's actually going to take effect, said Jones.

With the level of funding available, Jones says this is a really good start, but more money to have more options for people would be appreciated.

While conversations around addiction have turned and are becoming more focused around harm reduction, Jones says there needs to be more of a shift, especially at some of the decision-maker tables.

At the announcement, Mayor Jeff Leal thanked the government of Ontario for moving forward with solutions to help deal with the addictions crisis in the province.

This new centre will go a long way to saving lives and improve care in Peterborough, he said. Like so many other cities across this great province, Peterborough is facing a mental health and addictions crisis.

County Warden Bonnie Clarke called the news a step forward as the city and county deal with weekly deaths due to overdoses.

This staggering loss of life and crisis of drug addiction in our community requires an urgent response to save and heal lives, and thats why this is so important, said Clarke.

Another element of the addictions crisis is how it affects Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

The hospitals CEO, Dr. Lynn Mikula, says Peterborough has a higher rate of overdose and mental health crises compared to other communities.

The bigger challenge is that a busy emergency room is not always the best place for people with substance abuse or that kind of crisis, said Mikula.

So a treatment and detox centre will be a much better option for people seeking help, she notes.

I think this is a huge win for the community, its a demonstration of what can happen when we work together, said Mikula. I am very hopefully we will see a very real impact of fewer people needing the hospital because theyre having a substance abuse crisis  and make people healthier overall.

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A wanted man was arrested and is facing charges across multiple jurisdictions for allegedly stealing a car in Peterborough while wielding a knife, say police.

Peterborough police say the man was arrested in Windsor on Tuesday, May 2, following an incident which happened in Peterborough on Sunday, April 30.

In Peterborough polices original media release, it stated at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Sunday (April 30), officers were called to a parking lot in the area of Lansdowne Street and The Parkway after a woman reported her vehicle was stolen from her at knifepoint.

The victim did not require medical attention, say police.

Officers spotted the vehicle on The Parkway and pursued it onto Highway 115 where the vehicle exited the highway and continued north on Hwy. 7, add police.

Officers were reportedly unable to safely deploy a spike belt before the vehicle turned onto Lansdowne Street at a high rate of speed and headed back toward the City of Peterborough.

The pursuit was then called off for safety reasons.

Through investigation officers identified a pick-up truck the suspect had exited in the parking lot and learned that it was allegedly reported stolen in Kingston on Saturday evening (April 29).

The 30-year-old accused is being held in custody and will face charges in multiple jurisdictions including the following in Peterborough:

 Robbery with violence

 Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

 Assault with a weapon

 Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

 Flight from peace officer

 Motor vehicle theft

 Fail to stop when signaled or requested to do so by a police officer (Highway Traffic Act)

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The empty former bank branch on Park Street near Morrow Park is expected to soon be the new location for Holmes Riseley CPAs and Tax Advisors.

Their offices are currently located on Highway 7 East, next door to Trent Valley Honda; its the building that had been Rolands restaurant for 50 years before closing for good in April 2017.

Holmes Riseley now owns the one-storey commercial building on the southwest corner of Park Street South and Brioux Avenue  formerly Ganaraska Financial Credit Union, which closed for good in October, and an RBC Royal Bank branch for years, prior to that.

The plan is to move the Holmes Riseley accounting offices to this south-end location, city councillors heard from city planner Nolan Drumm at a committee meeting on Monday night  but they need a rezoning first, since the property is zoned only for a bank.

Councillors gave preliminary approval on Monday for the rezoning, which will add office and clinic (except for a veterinary clinic) to the list of permitted uses for the site  however the rezoning needs a final vote at a future city council meeting, to be a done deal.

Not that everyone agreed with the clinic use on Monday night: Coun. Lesley Parnell said some types of clinics wouldnt be compatible with the twin-pad arena and library branch under construction in Morrow Park, or with the surrounding residential neighbourhood.

We cannot exclude use of certain clinics  a clinic is a clinic is a clinic, she said.

Drumm told councillors earlier in the meeting that adding the potential for clinic use had been city staffs idea; he said that its best to add flexibility to zoning, saving the trouble of having to rezone again in later years, if the property were to be sold for other purposes (such as a clinic).

But Holmes Riseley expects to stay in that location for a long time, Parnell said  perhaps as long as 20 or 25 years.

And when their planner Chris Conti was asked at the meeting, he said the owners had no objection to sticking with a simple rezoning to allow an office  they had been going along with the city staff suggestion.

Coun. Keith Riel asked Parnell whether there was a concern there could be a methadone clinic on the property eventually.

Parnell didnt answer with a yes or a no.

Theres other clinics that could be problematic, in such a neighbourhood, she said, adding that the removal of the clinic use would give reassurance to the neighbours.

And the applicant is fine with it, she said.

Coun. Kevin Duguay, a professional planner, said a clinic operates differently from an office, in terms of parking and traffic flow  he liked the idea of removing the clinic use.

But city planner Brad Appleby said staff felt this could be a suitable location for either an office or a clinic into the future.

Mayor Jeff Leal suggested perhaps there will be a need to use every available property in the city for family physician clinics, as doctor recruitment continues.

A motion to remove clinic as a permitted use, and leave it as office use only, lost 6-4.

In favour of dropping the potential clinic use were Coun. Matt Crowley, Coun. Don Vassiliadis, Coun. Kevin Duguay and Coun. Lesley Parnell.

Against it were Mayor Jeff Leal, Coun. Andrew Beamer, Coun. Keith Riel, Coun. Gary Baldwin, Coun. Alex Bierk and Coun. Joy Lachica.

Coun. Dave Haacke did not vote; he declared an interest since hes a client of the accounting firm.

Councillors voted later in favour of both the office and clinic use for the property; only Coun. Parnell voted against it while Haacke again did not vote.

joelle.kovach@peterboroughdaily.com

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By Yousef Saba and Lisa Barrington

DUBAI (Reuters) - Emirates Airline President Tim Clark said on Tuesday that new Saudi airlines and the expansion of regional competitors will not affect the Dubai-based carrier, adding that he sees resilient demand, especially for leisure travel.

A number of Emirates' competitors, such as Air India and Saudia, have expanded their fleet and offerings recently, and new Saudi airlines such as Riyadh Air, NEOM Airlines, and low cost carrier Flynas have launched.

"Does that affect us? No, I don't believe so. If Emirates continues to do what it's always done well ... then as long as it's good, people will use it," Clark told a tourism conference.

"In the case of Saudi airlines, which are now going to be three  Riyadh, NEOM, and Saudia, this is going to be very interesting to watch," he added at the event in Dubai.

"If they're going to spend trillions of dollars, it's great for the area, it's great for the aviation industry. And good luck to them," he said, later adding "bring it on".

Regarding Emirates' own fleet, Clark said there were still some issues getting its remaining Airbus A380s flying after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We had 86 flying last year and we need to get another 20-30 in the air as soon as we can," said Clark, noting supply chain issues were weighing on the refurbishment process.

Clark said Emirates has 165 aircraft on order with "probably more coming".

He said new Airbus A350 passenger jets will likely be flying in August next year, with 50 delivered over a two-and-a-half year compressed delivery schedule.

"We need them as quickly as possible," he said.

Clark said he hoped Emirates would start to get its long-delayed Boeing 777-9s between July and October 2025. In the meantime, the company is refurbishing its old 777s.

"We can never be held at the mercy of the supply chain or manufacturer ... So if the 777 is late again we still have something in the armoury to cover all eventualities."

The aircraft supply chain would come "to some degree of normality" around the middle of 2024, Clark said, adding that air travel demand was resilient and that leisure travel was going to see a big uptick in the next five to ten years.

(Reporting by Yousef Saba and Lisa Barrington; Writing by Tala Ramadan and Clauda Tanios, Editing by Louise Heavens and Alexander Smith)
About 20 Trent University students marched from Sadlier House at 751 George St. N. to PeterboroughKawartha MP Michelle Ferreris constituency office at 417 Bethune St. in Peterborough, Ont. on Monday, waving signs, cheering and singing into a megaphone.

The protest was part of a walkout at 46 universities over stagnating wages and grants for graduate and postdoctoral students.

The students say that provincial and federal scholarships are not enough to cover their tuition and school and living expenses while they are conducting their research.

While some graduate and post-doctorate students turn to jobs outside of school, despite long hours of reserach, it is not always allowed, as grants often come with an expectation students dont work outside their research.

Many graduate students and post-doctorate researchers live on earnings near the poverty line, according to Support our Science. With funding for graduate students stagnant since 2004, the grassroots group orchestrated Mondays national student walkout in the hopes of grabbing attention from the federal government.

The lack of funding is leading not only to a loss of researchers but diversity within the research field, limiting who can do science.

Last year the government commissioned an advisory panel on the federal research support system, led by Frederic Bouchard, dean of arts and science at University of Montreal. A report released publicly in March called for an increase to federal grants for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as well as a steady increase in the budget of the three national research-granting councils.

Compared to the United States  the salary for a PhD student is about $53,000 (U.S.)  and European Union  ranging from $21,000 to $85,000  federal scholarships in Canada are about $17,500 for masters students, $21,000 or $35,000 for a doctoral student and about $45,000 for a postdoctoral student.

Canadas advisory panel report recommended a 10 per cent increase per year over five years in the budgets for the three agencies that award more than $2 billion annually in grants.

While Wilder said those are not small increases, its a combination of all the small increases that should have been happening all along.

 with files from Victoria Nicolaou, The St. Catharines Standard

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King Charles IIIs Coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London.

During the ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.

Here are some FAQs about the event, and some coronation odds and markets available at NorthStar Bets.

When and where is King Charles coronation?

The ceremony will take place at Abbey Church of Westminster at 6 a.m. ET. It will be led by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Who has been invited to King Charles coronation?

Dozens of world leaders, but not U.S. President Joe Biden, are expected to be among the 2,000 attendees at the service. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed last week he plans to attend.

Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the coronation?

Harry, the Duke of Sussex plans to be present, but his wife plans to stay home in Los Angeles with their children. You can wager on their attendance at northstarbets.ca.

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What title will Camilla hold when Charles is king?

Camilla will be the 29th Queen Consort to become Queen. The 74-year-old Charles, 74 and 75-year-old Camilla will be the oldest King and Queen crowned in British history.

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More Coronation facts and figures:

- For the last nine centuries, every coronation ceremony has taken place at Westminster Abbey.

- Since the Norman Conquest in 1066, the person charged with conducting the service has been the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England.

- This is the first British royal coronation since the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

- The day after the coronation, a special concert will be staged and broadcast live from Windsor Castle, a royal residence west of London.

- On May 8 members of the public are invited to take part in The Big Help Out, a national initiative encouraging civic participation.

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Disclaimer This content was produced as part of a partnership and therefore it may not meet the standards of impartial or independent journalism.
I never met Gordon Lightfoot but considered him a childhood friend.

It was this way for generations of Canadians. Mr. Lightfoot, who died Monday at 84, didnt just make music. His songs transcended the studio to magically connect us to one another, to our great country, to our past, to our hopes and heartbreaks.

Bob Dylan said it best: I cant think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I dont like. Every time I hear a song of his, its like I wish it would last forever.

Me too. But trying to reverse-engineer this alchemy is a fools errand.

The Canadian singer-songwriter, who released 20 albums and was well-known around the globe, died Monday at the age of 84 after facing numerous health issues over the past few years.

You could flag Lightfoots exquisite songwriting. Or the bottomless well from which he could conjure earworms. His ability to play with tempo was paranormal. As a lyricist, he was a poet laureate. Listening to Talking in Your Sleep is like reading a Raymond Carver short story. If You Could Read My Mind is the most haunting breakup ballad you will ever hear. Even the fading pause to turbocharge the chorus in Daylight Katy is an act of sheer genius. In silence, he remained in total control.

Gordon Lightfoot was our most enduring and endearing genius.

Its why there are tears in my eyes right now. Canada didnt just lose a troubadour who helped score the soundtrack to our lives. Canada lost a bit of Canada this week.

I have a flashbulb memory of sitting on the floor cross-legged in my childhood bedroom and listening to Canadian Railroad Trilogy. For a kid with a funny name who didnt look like many others in school, Lightfoot became a history teacher, a giver of lore, an emotional healer, a code-breaker to what it meant to be Canadian.

He was a guardian angel on an album cover.

He could make you tap your toes and see the light when life was darkest.

Lightfoot didnt just write songs  he provided free rides we could take when the mood struck. If youve ever driven across this country while blasting Carefree Highway, Sundown or Summer Side of Life, its like Gordon was riding shotgun, a familiar voice bending your ear to help your cynical eyes absorb the beautiful sights.

Gordon Lightfoot made Canada cool.

That he did this for decades while giving a cold shoulder to fame was yet another great reason to admire this great man. Until the end, Lightfoot never lost touch with the small-town boy who wasnt even sure music could earn him a living. He just couldnt help himself. Music, like eating or sleeping, was a biological imperative.

How lucky we were to bask in this unifying force of talent.

I suspect thats why millions of Canadians also have flashbulb memories in which a Gordon Lightfoot song is playing in the background. From first kisses to last goodbyes, from triumphs to kicks in the face, he was always just one play away. His microphone was a national PA system. His guitar was an oracle. And his music  folk, rockabilly, s--tkicker, call it what you want  was most incredible for, as Dylan put it, the lack of clunkers in the sonic mix. Orchestral flourishes, cowbells, triangles, sliding guitars, it didnt matter. Gordon Lightfoot could have recorded an album in which he banged on pots and pans and it would have instantly resonated on the national stage.

The intro whistling on Ribbon of Darkness is captivating. The melancholy of Rainy Day People is somehow uplifting. Even the synths and drum machine effects on Anything for Love work because of his instinctive grasp of chord changes, key signature and the power of lucid lyrics to burrow deep into our connective tissue.

I have no clue about Lightfoots political leanings or where he stood on the big issues. Luckily, he was too busy making music. But listening to his catalogue always felt like you were in the presence of a childhood friend, a wise observer of human existence who had maybe seen and felt too much but was willing to be a tour guide in 4/4 time.

There are columns I dread writing. This is one of them. My heart is too close to the subject. Just as with the passing of Gord Downie and Leonard Cohen, it hurts too much to try to put the loss into words. I cant find the spigot to turn off the tears.

Thank you, Gordon Lightfoot. Thank you for sharing your remarkable gift with a country that needed you more than you could ever possibly know. Thank you for the songs that bridged time and distance to bring us together. Thank you for the gorgeous melodies, harmonies and arrangements. Thank you for the artistic purity. Thank you for Early Morning Rain and Song for a Winters Night. Thank you for turning music into a great equalizer for anyone from any walk of life. Thank you for The Circle Is Small, Me and Bobby McGee and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Thank you for always reminding us of what it means to be Canadian.

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Sales of new and pre-construction condos in the GTA have hit a 14-year low in the first quarter of this year. Unsold inventory climbed to a seven-year high and prices grew at the slowest rate in eight years in the same period, according to a report by Urbanation, a development tracking market research firm.

But there are some signs the condo industry is beginning to stabilize, it said on Monday.

New condo sales plunged 74 per cent annually in the first quarter of this year to only 2,360 units. It was the slowest start to a year since the financial crisis in the first quarter of 2009 and a sharp correction from last years total of 9,242 sales in the same period.

The recent dearth of new product launches at the start of the year means that for the first time in a decade, the Toronto region is heading for a construction slowdown, said Urbanation president Shaun Hildebrand.

He said there will be a lag effect from the lack of new-condo sales.

Thats going to take away jobs. Thats going to lead to a slowdown in deliveries a number of years from now. Whats happening in terms of pre-sale activity has some pretty significant repercussions for the housing supply generally, as well as the local economy, which is very closely linked to the real estate industry, he said.

Although the first quarter saw a pretty decent amount of new construction, those builds are based on pre-sale activity from a year earlier.

After the first three months of 2023 in which developers deferred their project launches, there was an uptick in offerings in April and there are more in the offing, he said.

New projects that came to market did exceptionally well in April when they were priced attractively, said Hildebrand. They tried all sorts of different incentives but at the end of the day its pricing and location.

As well, the resale condo market, a harbinger for the new construction sector, saw a resurgence of activity in the first quarter; prices per square foot rose 1.5 per cent quarter over quarter.

The average price per square foot rose two per cent year over year in the first quarter of 2023 to $1,434, representing the slowest rate of growth in eight years.

Urbanations first-quarter report on Monday followed last weeks report from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board projecting a rise in condo sales due to rapidly rising rents. A one-bedroom apartment cost 15.1 per cent more in the first quarter of this year than last, said the board, adding that consumers, fed up with the high cost of leasing, will be motivated to own rather than pay a landlord.

Last week, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. also projected GTA housing starts could drop as much as 30 per cent this year.

Urbanation reported that the number of unsold new condos rose 73 per cent in the first quarter from a four-year low in the same period last year. Its the highest level of inventory in seven years, equal to 13.2 months of supply, based on the average sales of the last 12 months. Thats up from a record low of 3.2 months supply a year earlier and well above the 10-year average of 8.4 months.

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Alcohol bans for election days confirmed

PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Sermpan Sirikong has confirmed that the ban on the sale of alcohol for the early voting to be observed this weekend and for the national general election on May 14 will be enforced to full effect.

alcoholpolice

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 2 May 2023, 04:56PM

Image: ECT Phuket

Under election law, there will be a nationwide ban on the sale of alcohol from 6pm this Saturday (May 6) through to 6pm Sunday (May 7) for people to cast their votes in the advanced polling on Sunday.

The following weekend, there will be a ban on the sale of alcohol from 6pm Saturday, May 13, through to 6pm Sunday, May 14, for the national general election being held on May 14.

The ban applies to all people in the country. Those caught violating the ban can face a result in a fine of up to B10,000 or even up to six months in jail, or both.

It is the law that everyone has to follow and police will enforce the law to ensure that the ban will be done properly, Maj Gen Sermpan told The Phuket News today (May 2).

Both days, for the advanced voting and the general election, the sale of alcohol will be banned one day in advance. It is like the Buddhist holidays when the sale of alcohol is banned, and everyone must respect that, he added.

The nationwide bans on the sale of alcohol was initially announced through the National News Bureau of Thailand on Apr 26, noting that the bans were to avoid unnecessary incidents or complications.
Chinese outpace Russian arrivals to Phuket

PHUKET: The number of Chinese arrivals over the past week surpassed the number of Russian arrivals by more than 4,000, according to the latest report released by Phuket Immigration.

tourismChineseRussian

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 2 May 2023, 06:00PM

The report, for the period Apr 1-30, was issued yesterday (May 1), marking Russians as the top nationality for international arrivals for the month of April.

In total, 63,476 Russians arrived in Phuket during April, compared with 56,583 for the period Apr 1-26  marking 6,893 new arrivals from Russia in the past week.

However, the number of Chinese arrivals for the month totalled 46,697, up from 35,615 last week  marking 11,082 Chinese arrivals on the island in the past seven days, 4,189 more than the number of Russians arriving in Phuket.

Arrivals from India remained in third place, with 24,897 arrivals during April, up from 21,025 last week (+3,872 in the past seven days).

Tourists from Australia placed fourth for the month with 23,307 arrivals, up from 20,839 last week (+2,468).

British nationals arriving on the island held fifth place, with 17,552 arrivals from the UK during April, up from 15,773 last week (+1,779).

The number of international arrivals for April totalled 304,485, up from 256,590 as of Apr 26 (+47,895).

The number of foreigners registered as staying in Phuket climbed 50,646, from 320,161 as of Apr 26 to 370,807 in total for Apr 1-30.

The latest reports by Phuket Immigration marked a total of four yellow cards issued as warnings during April. All four yellow cards were issued to Thai nationals, in line with the new policy by Phuket Immigration Chief Pol Col Thanet Sukchai to start ramping up pressure on making sure landlords, or householders, were aware of the legality of any foreign tenants.

In total, 29 foreigners were arrested for breach of immigration laws during april, the reports confirmed.

A further 17 people were fined for breach of Section 38 of the Immigration Act, which requires householders to notify immigration of any foreigners staying at their premises.
Thaksin says hell be back soon after Paetongtarn gives birth

BANGKOK: Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wrote on social media that now his seventh and youngest grandchild has been born, he will be back soon because at 73 years old, he wants to care of his grandchildren.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 2 May 2023, 09:01AM

Red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters hold a birthday party for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra in Bangkok on July 26, 2016, when he turned 67 years old. Photo: Bangkok Post / File

Thaksin wrote on Twitter yesterday morning (May 1) that he was delighted with the news that his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra had just borne his seventh grandchild.

He added that all seven were born after he had to leave the country, reports the Bangkok Post.

Id like to ask for permission to return to take care of the grandchildren because I will be 74 years old this July. See you soon, Thaksin wrote.

Ms Paetongtarn, a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai Party, wrote on Instagram that her son was named Phruethasin Suksawat and his nickname was Thasin.

She thanked everyone for giving her moral support and said she would meet the press soon when she had recovered from labour.

On Oct 21, 2008, the Supreme Courts Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail, convicting him of violating the National Counter Corruption Act in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase case.

He was charged with abusing his authority while being prime minister when he gave consent to his then-wife Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra to participate in the auction of 33 rai of land on Thiam Ruam Mit Road in the Ratchadaphisek area put on the block by the Bank of Thailands Financial Institutions Development Fund.

He fled the country in 2008, just before the court handed down the sentence.

He jumped bail after attending the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games with his then-wife in Beijing in August 2008. The couple later divorced and she returned to Thailand.

Thaksin was stripped of his police lieutenant colonel rank in Sept 2015. The board of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School alumni also resolved to withdraw his alumnus achievement awards.

In 2019, His Majesty the King recalled the royal decorations bestowed on him.

In 2010 he told red-shirt protesters who supported him that he would return to join them when the first bullet is fired at them. Bullets were then fired.
Endonovo Therapeutics, Inc.

Los Angeles, CA, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endonovo Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: ENDV) a US-based biotechnology developer, today announced the launch of SofPulse with Academy Medical, Inc., a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Government Reseller.



As was previously announced, Academy Medical will be reselling SofPulse medical devices to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare facilities, thereby ensuring its availability to the countrys military, veterans and their families. This sales launch meeting marks the beginning of the partnership between Endonovo and Academy Medical.

The partnership is expected to benefit military personnel, veterans and their families who are among the largest user groups of these healthcare delivery systems.

SofPulse Included in VHA Procurement System

With the launch of SofPulse into the Federal marketplace Endonovo, along with Academy Medical, have the potential to significantly improve access to SofPulse to military personnel and veterans. The addition of SofPulse into the VHA procurement system offers Endonovo the ability to sell into the largest healthcare Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) in the country. The procurement system is designed to streamline logistics and supply management for medical and surgical items providing veterans and military healthcare facilities with easier access to the products they need.

In making the announcement, Ira Weisberg, President of Endonovos Medical Division said: "The launch of SofPulse in partnership with Academy Medical is an important element in our Go-to-Market Strategy providing an important opportunity to greatly expand its distribution throughout veterans and military healthcare facilities. Together we plan to bring better medical solutions to our veterans and their families and provide improved access SofPulse. We expect to sell $10 million in the next twelve into the federal supply system.

Story continues

Academy Medical is a reliable provider of medical and surgical items to the Federal marketplace with over 45,000 products from more than 30 supplier partners.

The partnership between Academy Medical and Endonovo provides veterans an opportunity to benefit from the devices unique PEMF technology, according to CEO, Tory Crawford, Army veteran.

Improved Healthcare for Military Personnel and Veterans

The sales launch with Academy Medical reaffirms that both companies have joined forces to improve healthcare solutions for military personnel and veterans. The partnership aims to provide better access to medical and surgical supplies, along with telehealth solutions, with the goal of making a tangible impact on the lives of those who have served their country. The VHA, which serves 9 million enrolled veterans annually through its 1,298 healthcare facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites, will benefit from the inclusion of SofPulse medical devices in the VHA procurement system.

The proven postoperative pain and edema reduction solution will be readily available to military personnel and veterans. Together Endonovo and Academy Medical anticipates significant advancements in healthcare for those who have bravely served their country.

SofPulse Postoperative Pain and Edema Relief

Endonovo's SofPulse PEMF devices provide a clinically proven and FDA-cleared alternative to opioid pain management, specifically for reducing postoperative pain and edema. With the launch of sales initiatives surrounding the partnership, Academy Medical aims to expand the distribution of SofPulse devices, benefiting military personnel and veterans with improved recovery times and reduced opioid use. Endonovo's commercialization of the SofPulse line is led by Weisberg, a seasoned expert in revenue growth for medical device companies, positioning the company for success.

Growth Opportunities

Endonovo's mission to revolutionize medical solutions for patients with a range of conditions includes advancing its patented technology for Central Nervous System (CNS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The commencement of the VA partnership with Academy Medical is expected to create significant R&D and growth prospects for SofPulse. In addition, recent FDA clearance inquiries could lead to further partnerships. With SofPulse technology, the Company is well-positioned to develop new therapies and treatments for CNS-related diseases and conditions.

About Endonovo Therapeutics, Inc.

Endonovo Therapeutics is currently structured into two divisions: Legacy  a commercial-stage developer primarily of noninvasive wearable Electroceuticals therapeutic devices for pain relief, general wellness and wound curatives with many of its products marketed under the SofPulse brand name; and its Build Up Strategy  acquiring complementary specialty service providers in the construction industry.

About Academy Medical, Inc.

Academy Medical is a premier Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and distributor of medical-surgical equipment and supplies to the U.S. Federal Government. As a government procurement partner with industry expertise and access to advanced technology, Academy Medicals mission is to leverage its preferred status as an SDVOSB to create a streamlined, more cost-effective process for its government customers and supplier partners.

Academy Medical is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Learn more about partnering with the company in its service-driven business at www.academymedical.net.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, trends, analysis, and other information contained in this press release including words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and other similar expressions of opinion, constitute forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results described within the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could contribute to such differences include those matters more fully disclosed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Company's estimates as of the date of the press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Company's estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Investor Relations Contact:

Endonovo Therapeutics, Inc.

Steve Barnes

(800) 701-1223 Ext. 108

sbarnes@endonovo.com

www.endonovo.com

Media Contact:

Gregory A. McAndrews

Greg McAndrews & Associates

(310) 804-7037

greg@gregmcandrews.com




WATERLOO REGION  A man and a woman are facing drug and weapon charges after a weekend traffic stop that mirrored their arrests a week ago.

Waterloo Regional Police said officers conducted a traffic stop on Saturday morning in the Madison Avenue North and Duke Street East area in Kitchener.

Police learned two of the occupants had warrants for their arrest. Officers also found a canister of bear spray and suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl in the vehicle.

A 26-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both from Kitchener, were charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and several breach-related offences.

A week earlier, the pair was also charged with various drug and weapon offences after a traffic stop in Waterloo.

In that case, police seized a canister of bear spray and suspected cannabis, crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl and crack cocaine.

A third person, a 37-year-old Kitchener woman, was also charged in that traffic stop.

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CAMBRIDGE  Police are searching for a Cambridge male in connection to a dumpster fire that was set in east Galt on Monday.

Firefighters were called about the fire near of Franklin Boulevard and Dundas Street South at around 4:30 p.m. The Cambridge Fire Department put it out and there were no injuries reported.

In a tweet, Waterloo Regional Police said a male suspect fled the scene on foot. They are seeking a warrant for his arrest on charges of arson, and fail to comply.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact investigators at 519-570-9777. Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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GUELPH  Michelle Parkinsons poor health and frequent surgeries give her an insiders view into the problems at Guelph General Hospital.

Ive had the experience of watching this hospital fall to pieces, she said. Something needs to change. Im terrified I will have to go back.

Between January and March, Parkinson, 45, went three times to the emergency department as her gall bladder became infected. She was in great pain each time. The hospital admitted her all three times to help manage her illness, pending surgery.

But only once was Parkinson admitted right to a room, after she sat for 24 hours in a chair in the emergency department.

For her two other visits, she had to wait for many hours in the ER and then spend more days parked in a hallway, before the hospital placed her in a room.

Counting all her admissions this winter, Parkinson spent two days waiting in the ER, four nights parked in a hallway, and 10 nights in a room.

Her history of medical care at Guelph General since 2017 includes 14 surgeries, among them a hysterectomy, a double mastectomy, a postoperative battle with infection, and the removal of her infected gall bladder. Its been a lot.

But until this winter she did not experience hallway medicine. There is no privacy. Its never quiet. The lights are never off, she said. Its awful.

While she was parked in a hallway, the hospital tried to screen off her space. But anybody in earshot could hear about her medical care. She heard conversations about the medical care of other patients.

To use a toilet she had to walk into someone elses room and use theirs. One lady yelled at me. She was like, This bathroom is for the two of us in here!  she recalls.

To tamp down on noise, the hospital stuck a pillow over a loudspeaker to muffle a hallway call bell. Parkinson was given earplugs to muffle the nonstop cries of a demented patient in a nearby room.

She screamed in Greek from morning to night, around the clock, she recalls. Nurses advised Parkinson to flee to the chapel to escape the screaming.

Guelph General Hospital parked patient Michelle Parkinson on a stretcher in this hallway in January. Michelle Parkinson

While in the hallway, Parkinson felt so ill she had to vomit in full view of others. When told her surgery would be delayed, she became emotional.

Im just sobbing, and Ive had enough, and everybody is walking by me, she recalls. Literally everybody, the nurses, the cleaning staff, porters, other patients, visitors, through no fault of their own, are watching me cry.

The hospital parked Alicia Yon, 25, in a hallway for four days in March when her gall bladder became inflamed. The Guelph resident expected a busy place, but she wasnt prepared for what she experienced.

It was really tough, to be honest, Yon said.

She waited 11 hours overnight in the ER before she was placed in a hallway.

She was given a curtain to help shield her. She had a commode chair with a bag below for use as a toilet. She could not eat while waiting for surgery, which was made harder as food smells wafted into the hallway from a lunchroom.

The hallway was loud. She overheard private medical conversations. It was hard for her to walk, but to get to a window, she had to walk to one.

Its so unfortunate that this is the type of care that is given to patients, Yon said. Part of it doesnt really feel like care at all.

Guelph General says it is too small for the fast-growing community and the patients it admits are sicker than ever. In 2017 its daily occupancy was 90 per cent; today it is 102 per cent.

In February the Delhi Street hospital with 216 beds admitted 10 per cent more patients than it did in February 2022, according to Ontario Health data. On average, patients spent almost a full day in the ER in February before being admitted.

With the growing number of people needing a hospital, we are struggling to find space to care for them, said Melissa Skinner, vice-president of patient services. Hallway medicine is not something we want to practise.

The hospital currently has 51 patients ready to be discharged to a facility in the community such as a nursing home. But there is no room elsewhere to take them, Skinner said. Patients must wait days or weeks in a hospital bed for a space to open up elsewhere.

RELATED STORIES Waterloo Region Waterloo nurse speaks out after dementia patient at overwhelmed Guelph hospital endures bathroom indignity

Parkinson saw nurses and other employees trying their best with what they have. Part of the solution must be to give the hospital more space, and more staff who are appropriately trained, she figures.

Yon concurs. I feel like there hasnt been a lot of talk about changing that structure physically and trying to accommodate the need for care, she said.

Parkinson has spoken to Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner about the level of care provided by Guelph General.

I think the (Progressive Conservative) government is letting the community down by not making the necessary investments in our health care system to prevent things like hallway medicine, said Schreiner, a member of the Green party. What we need is a new, bigger hospital.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones declined to be interviewed. A spokesperson for Jones said the government is expanding hospital beds across the province, has initiated a health-care plan to help residents avoid unnecessary trips to emergency rooms, and is upgrading many hospitals, including Guelph General.

The hospital is pondering places for more beds, possibly by converting former medical clinics. It is looking long-term into renovations at its location north of downtown Guelph, or possibly expanding elsewhere. But this will not happen quickly.

It is hard to hear that a patient has not had a good experience, and we want to learn how things could be done differently, Skinner said.

She worries that distressing stories may deter people from seeking care. We want to make sure our community knows that Guelph General Hospital remains a place they can rely on for safe and compassionate care, she said.

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Company Logo

Global Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market

Global Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market

Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product Type, Application, End User, and Technology" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The enzymatic DNA synthesis market value is projected to reach US$ 2,244.88 million by 2028 from US$ 240.96 million in 2022; it is estimated to record a CAGR of 45.1% from 2022 to 2028.



The rising prevalence of genetic disorders and the surging number of product launches are the major factors contributing to the growing market size. However, high costs and complex procedures hinder the enzymatic DNA synthesis market growth.



Surging Number of Product Launches Drives Growth of Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market



Advancements in medical technologies and an increase in investments in R&D by manufacturers have resulted in the launch of various modern systems for genetic and molecular biology studies. Companies in the enzymatic DNA synthesis market are involved in different product development activities.



In April 2022, DNA Script launched a new program for the customers of its SYNTAX System. Under this program, organizations receive early access to the latest advancements in their EDS technology. To add to the DNA Scriptors Early Access Program, the members already include the London Biofoundry and the BASE facility at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.

In November 2021, OriCiro Genomics Inc. launched the OriCiro Cell-Free Switching system. In June 2021, DNA Script commercially launched its SYNTAX platform with the first product - the SYNTAX System. This system is the first benchtop nucleic acid printer powered by enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) technology.

The SYNTAX System is a fully integrated, automated printer that synthesizes 96 DNA oligos in parallel, each of length of up to 60 nucleotides, and delivers them ready for use in molecular biology and genomics workflows, eliminating the need for additional handling.

Story continues

In January 2021, Codex DNA, Inc. signed a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement with Pfizer to access and further develop the novel EDS technology of Codex DNA for its potential application in Pfizer's mRNA-based vaccines and other biopharma products.Such developments help end users meet the rising demand for technically advanced systems that can efficiently manage data and provide accurate results, thereby boosting the market growth.



Growing Demand for Personalized Medicine and DNA Data Storage will Drive Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market Growth During Forecast Period



Personalized medicine revolves around improving healthcare by harnessing early disease detection, preventive medicine, rational drug discovery and development, and therapy monitoring. The genetic profile of a patient assists doctors in precisely calculating a patient's susceptibility to specific diseases and allows them to prescribe the patient a proper medication with reduced side effects.

The bottom-up synthetic biology approach is considered more relevant for developing personalized medicine as it offers more flexibility in building a semisynthetic cell from molecular building blocks for a desired application.

Enzymatic DNA synthesis is expected to make a significant contribution to personalized medicine. It can be used to identify any possible mutations or gene variants affecting a patient's response to a particular drug/treatment by analyzing the patient's genome sequencing or microarray gene expression. Moreover, enzymatic DNA synthesis may furnish better conclusions in the prior identification of infection. Therefore, personalized medicine, especially for treating rare diseases and genetic disorders, is expected to bring new trends in the enzymatic DNA synthesis market.



New storage technologies are required to keep up with the global needs of data generation. Genetic code are perceived to be million-times more efficient at storing data than existing solutions, which are expensive, and consume immense power and space. DNA as a high-density data storage medium can drive breakthroughs in next-generation biosensing and bio-recording technology, and digital storage. DNA data storage is experiencing incredible growth with even giants from non-biological fields, such as Microsoft, entering the space. Enzymatic synthesis of DNA is considered to be a promising approach.

Enzymatic systems synthesize DNA that records rapidly changing environmental signals directly into DNA sequences, a method that could change how scientists study and record neurons in the brain. Thus, growing efforts to harness multiplex enzymatic oligonucleotide synthesis in the context of important applications such as digital data storage will usher in a new era of scientific research and biotechnology.



Product Type-Based Insights



Based on product type, the enzymatic DNA synthesis market is segmented into custom DNA synthesis and DNA library synthesis. The DNA library synthesis segment held the largest market share in 2021. The custom DNA synthesis segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period (2022-2028).



Application-Based Insights



Based on application, the enzymatic DNA synthesis market is segmented into synthetic biology, genetic engineering, therapeutic antibodies, vaccine design, and other applications. The synthetic biology segment held the largest share of the market in 2021. The enzymatic DNA synthesis market for the therapeutic antibodies segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.



End User-Based Insights



Based on end user, the enzymatic DNA synthesis market is segmented into academic & research institutes, biotech & pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic laboratories, and others. The biotech & pharmaceutical companies segment held the largest share of the market in 2021. The academic & research institutes segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period (2022-2028).



Technology-Based Insights



Based on technology, the enzymatic DNA synthesis market is segmented into SOLA, CRISPR, PCR, and others. The PCR segment has the largest share in 2021 and is expected to continue a similar trend during the forecast period. On the other hand, the CRISPR segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.



A few of the major primary and secondary sources referred to while preparing the report on the enzymatic DNA synthesis market are the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and National Science Foundation (NSF).





Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 211 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $240.96 million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $2244.88 million Compound Annual Growth Rate 45.1% Regions Covered Global



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology



4. Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Market Landscape



5. Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers.

5.1.1 Rising Prevalence of Genetic Disorders.

5.1.2 Surging Number of Product Launches.

5.2 Market Restraints.

5.2.1 High Costs and Complex Procedures.

5.3 Market Opportunities.

5.3.1 Growing Demand for Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Procedure.

5.4 Future Trends.

5.4.1 Growing Demand for Personalized Medicine and DNA Data Storage.

5.5 Impact Analysis.



6. Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Global Analysis



7. Global Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 - by Product Type



8. Global Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2028 - by Application



9. Global Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2028 - by Technology



10. Global Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 - by End User



11. Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 - Geographic Analysis



12. Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic on Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market 1



13. Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Market - Industry Landscape 1



14. Company Profiles



15. Appendix



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Telesis Bio Inc

Evonetix

Ansa Biotechnologies, Inc.

Camena Bio

GenScript Biotech Corp.

Molecular Assemblies

DNA Script

Touchligh

Synbio Technologies

Twist Bioscience

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8l60st

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.

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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




WATERLOO REGION  The Grand River Transit bus strike has left people with disabilities in lockdown in their homes, says the executive director of Kitchener Waterloo AccessAbility.

This strike has put people with disabilities back into the lockdown mode like we were during COVID, said Edward Faruzel in an interview Tuesday.

They are literally stuck in their homes, he said.

The agencys 300 members are unable to get around without the Region of Waterloo Mobility Plus and Bus Plus service and many are left with no options, Faruzel said.

People are experiencing anxiety and fear wondering how long its going to be, Faruzel said.

Grand River Transit buses stopped running as 3 a.m. Monday. Unifor Local 4304, representing bus operators, reservationists, fleet mechanics and service attendants, are off the job after the unionized staff did not ratify a tentative agreement that the union bargaining team had presented to members.

Ion train service will continue, as it is maintained and operated by Keolis.

On Saturday, the Region of Waterloo said in a release that the union and the region had reached an agreement. The GRT workers voted on the agreement and rejected it on Sunday.

Unifor Local 4304 Brendan Burke said the union does not have any dates to return to the bargaining table with the employer.

The union is willing and ready to talk, Burke said in an email.

Burke would not be specific about the issues that led workers to go on strike except to say scheduling/work-life balance and wages are big concerns.

Local 4304 represents more than 650 transit drivers and nearly 90 skilled trade and support workers.

In a statement, the region said it remains committed to reaching an agreement that is competitive for GRT employees and affordable for residents and we are ready to continue negotiations as soon as possible.

Faruzel said conventional transit should be considered an essential service.

Its affecting the people who are most vulnerable and they cant do anything about it, he said.

KW AccessAbilitys programming is on hold and some programs are being held via Zoom meetings.

Most of our programs are of a social nature because we want to help people with their mental health. You take that away from them, its tough, Faruzel said.

For many people with disabilities, alternative transit isnt really an option. There are fewer than 10 cabs that are accessible in the region and for some, the cost is prohibitive.

Matthew Griffin, 42, just got a manufacturing job in Cambridge a few weeks ago. He lives in Kitchener near Fairview Park Mall and has been taking the bus from the mall to the Cambridge Centre and then taking another bus to his work near Franklin Boulevard.

For the past two days, he hasnt made it to work.

The Kitchener man, who hasnt had a car since the pandemic struck, fears his employers patience will wear thin very soon. He agrees with Faruzel that transit should be treated as an essential service.

Tanish Aggarwal starts classes at Conestoga College at the downtown Kitchener campus next week. He lives on Eby Street so he can walk to school. The 21-year-old native of India is enrolled in international business.

No access to city transit is difficult, especially for grocery shopping, said Aggarwal, who relies on GRT to get around the region.

GRT had its first strike in 2020. About 730 GRT drivers, dispatchers, mechanics and service attendants were off the job for 11 days. The agreement reached at the time expired on April 30, 2023.

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WATERLOO REGION  An outside consultant will investigate an alleged breach of the Catholic school boards code of conduct.

A motion approved at Mondays Waterloo Catholic District School Board meeting requires the boards education director to appoint an outside consultant to investigate the alleged breach, and provide a formal report back to the board.

This investigation will be part of the review that the Board began immediately upon learning of an alleged Code of Conduct breach and is currently conducting, the board said in its statement.

The statement did not identify who is being investigated, or if it is connected to the recent controversy surrounding the social media use of trustee Wendy Ashby. The statement said the board will have no further comment until the consultants report is presented and the review is complete.

When asked directly if the investigation is connected to Ashby, the boards chief managing officer, John Shewchuk, referred to the boards statement saying it has no further comment.

Ashbys social media posts, which have now been deleted from the Kitchener/Wilmot trustees Twitter account, have drawn criticism from parents and fellow trustees regarding her statements targeted at white Christians.

The most dangerous creature on the planet is the White Christian male. Theyre a Threat to anyone who is not them, one of the tweets read.

Hush money. Buying silence about being underpaid. White women make obedient soldiers for the christofacist patriarchy, a second deleted tweet read.

After the posts circulated on social media, calls began for Ashby to resign from the board, culminating in more than 3,000 signatures on the Parents as First Educators website, and close to 2,700 on Campaign Life Coalition.

Last week, David Menzies, a host on right-wing website Rebel News, appeared as a delegation at the boards meeting, quoting some of Ashbys tweets, and asking the board to condemn her social media actions.

The trustees decided to halt the meeting as the packed room erupted in shouts and jeers during Menzies delegation. Police were eventually called to the meeting, but no arrests were made, and no one was removed.

At Mondays meeting, delegates spoke for a second week about their desires to see Ashby step down. Speakers included retired Catholic board teacher Jane Richards, as well as Conrad Stanley, who unsuccessfully ran for trustee in the Waterloo/Wellesley/Woolwich riding in the 2022 election.

RELATED STORIES Waterloo Region Catholic board denounces trustees tweets after police called to meeting

Ashby attended the meeting virtually, but did not address the comments from the delegates.

Ashby did not respond to requests for an interview, but last week she issued a statement through the board, apologizing to her board colleagues.

Conversations about inequality are often uncomfortable, she said. As a Metis woman and in my professional role, I encounter these discussions regularly and part of these discussions is to challenge our existing systems. A great deal of my education and advocacy work is around understanding and furthering diversity, equity and inclusion.

She said she decided to delete her Twitter account to ensure that my comments and advocacy will not be taken out of context, in the future, and she intends to continue working with her colleagues and the community in her role as a trustee.

Read more about:

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During the lockdown, the Government said we all have to help each other but I thought how many people will be isolated? So I decided Ill paint my car and put all this stuff on it and not only will it put a smile on peoples faces but it will help them to realise you can get through it, no matter what, or that overthinking can [be] stopped, he said.
Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low around 50F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 73F. ESE winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
EDMONTON, AB, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - EPCOR Utilities Inc. (EPCOR) today filed its quarterly results for the period ended March 31, 2023.

EPCOR Announces Quarterly Results (CNW Group/Epcor Utilities Inc.)

"First quarter operational and financial performance met expectations across EPCOR's operations, with strong growth in EPCOR's geographies and in the company's commercial projects," said Stuart Lee, EPCOR President & CEO. "More than $180 million was invested in capital projects to sustain reliable utility service and support community growth, and we recorded $391 million in construction revenues for commercial water projects. EPCOR has a strong position as a North American leader across the water-cycle  sought out by communities and commercial partners for our expertise in water supply and treatment, and water reclamation.

"Today's Annual General Meeting (AGM) marks the release of EPCOR's 2022 ESG Performance Update," added Mr. Lee. "We continue to build momentum on our sustainability journey, advancing our performance towards the targets we set in our 2020 Leading for the Future ESG report. The AGM also marks our leadership transition. As we prepared for my retirement, I worked closely with incoming-President and CEO John Elford, the leadership team, and the Board to prepare for a smooth transition. I would like to thank each one of the 3,500 members of Team EPCOR for their commitment to our purpose, and I look forward to the company's continued success."

Highlights of EPCOR's financial performance are as follows:

Net income was $46 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared with net income of $74 million for the comparative period in 2022. The decrease of $28 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily due to fair value adjustments related to financial electricity purchase contracts, higher depreciation and finance expenses in 2023, partially offset by higher Adjusted EBITDA, as described below.

Adjusted EBITDA 1 was $242 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared with $209 million for the comparative period in 2022. The increase of $33 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily due to higher rates and customer growth and higher construction margins, partially offset by higher staff costs.

Investment in capital projects was $183 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared with $167 million for the corresponding period in 2022, primarily due to higher spending in EPCOR's Distribution and Transmission segment and U.S. Operations segment, partially offset by lower capital spending in EPCOR's Water Services segment.

Story continues

Interim management's discussion and analysis and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are available on EPCOR's website (www.epcor.com) and SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

EPCOR, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems in Canada and the United States. EPCOR also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is committed to conducting its business and operations safely and responsibly. Environmental stewardship, public health and community well-being are at the heart of EPCOR's mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. EPCOR is an Alberta Top 75 employer and is ranked among Corporate Knights' 2022 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section in Appendix 1 to this media release.

Appendix 1 Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EPCOR uses earnings before finance expenses, income tax recovery (expense), depreciation and amortization, changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments, transmission system access service charge net collections and other unusual items (collectively, Adjusted EBITDA) to discuss operating results for EPCOR's lines of business. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers.

The reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA to Net income as reported under IFRS is shown below:

(Unaudited, $ millions)



Three months ended March 31,

2023 2022

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment







Water Services segment

$ 96 $ 83

Distribution and Transmission segment

61 60

Energy Services segment

22 21

U.S. Operations segment

51 33

Other

12 12

Adjusted EBITDA

242 209

Other income

2 -

Finance expenses

(47) (37)

Income tax recovery (expense)

8 (4)

Depreciation and amortization

(100) (91)

Change in fair value of financial electricity purchase contracts(1)

(71) (6)

Transmission system access service charge net collections(2)

12 3

Net income

$ 46 $ 74



1. The change in fair value of derivative financial instruments represents the change in fair value of financial electricity purchase contracts between the electricity market forward prices and the contracted prices at the end of the reporting period, for the contracted volumes of electricity. 2. Transmission system access service charge net collections is the difference between the transmission system access service charges paid to the provincial system operators and the transmission system access service charges collected from electricity retailers. Transmission system access service charge net collections are timing differences, which are collected from or returned to electricity retailers as the transmission system access service charges and customer billing determinants are finalized.

EPCOR Utilities Inc. - Logo (CNW Group/Epcor Utilities Inc.)

SOURCE Epcor Utilities Inc.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2023/02/c6341.html
Last updated on Tuesday, May 2 at 12:15 p.m. Please note: While we endeavour to ensure that all the information below is correct, some of it may have changed since it was first published. Please email Laura Lennie.

How many cases of coronavirus are there in Hamilton*?

There have been 75,721 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton as of Tuesday, May 2, which is 34 more than last reported on Friday, April 28.

*As of Dec. 31, 2021, PCR tests for COVID-19 are only available for high-risk individuals and individuals who work in high-risk settings who are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Therefore, the number of cases reported by Hamilton Public Health will not accurately reflect the number of active cases within Hamilton. According the Ministry of Health individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are presumed positive and they should follow isolation and/or self-monitoring guidelines.

Our COVID-19 case numbers are very much underestimated, Hamiltons medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, said at a city briefing on Jan. 4, 2022. With the rapid spread of Omicron and a reduced access to testing, we are, of course, just reporting on the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the number of cases that are here in Hamilton.

How many people have died from COVID-19?

There have been 689 deaths related to COVID.

Where are the active outbreaks in the community**?

There are currently two outbreaks.

An outbreak has been declared at Hamilton Continuing Care after a suspected case was reported April 26. Six residents have tested positive.

An outbreak was declared at Macassa Lodge long-term care home on the Mountain April 18. Seventeen residents and one other have tested positive.

**As of Dec. 23, 2021 the City of Hamilton has stopped declaring and reporting on outbreaks outside of high-risk settings (hospitals, and complex continuing care facilities or acute care facilities; congregate settings [long-term care homes, retirement homes, shelters, supportive housing, correctional institution]; childcare centres and schools). This number only reflects the number of outbreaks reported by Hamilton Public Health.

Announcements, cancellations and other news

For more on these and other stories, visit hamiltonnews.com.

 With files from the Hamilton Spectator

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Spring has sprung and construction season has begun.

Across the Mountain, about a dozen or so road and sewer projects worth about $40 million have either started or will begin in the coming weeks.

The project affecting the most traffic is the nearly $5 million plan to deal with lose rock that forced the closure of the downbound Claremont Access on March 1.

Theres about 600 metres of steel fencing wall (close to the road level), those will be removed, said Jackie Kennedy, the citys director of engineering. They are attached to the escarpment with cables that run from the top of the wall up to some anchor points in the escarpment, all of that is going to come down and then theres some scaling work that will be done to clean things up, further assessments will be made and if we need to take (further measures) we will.

While the steel walls are not slated to be replaced, any further work will depend on the condition of the escarpment face and what needs to be done to reduce erosion.

The work is expected to run from May to August.

Kennedy said the city is looking at paving the downbound lanes of the Claremont Access and doing other maintenance work there in 2025.

Other road and sewer work planned on the Mountain this year:

CONCESSION STREET/MOUNTAIN BROW BOULEVARD, UPPER GAGE AVENUE TO OAKCREST AVENUE

The $7.5-million project includes road narrowing and water main replacement between Upper Gage and Upper Ottawa and the southside curb lane will be eliminated and replaced by a raised multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists that will connect to Mountain Drive Park. In addition, black ornamental fencing will be installed adjacent to the escarpment along with six to eight benches and four or five solar-powered street lights along the 1.2-kilometre stretch of road. The parking lot at the Bill Foley Parkette near Rendell Boulevard will be turned into a layby (temporary roadside) parking. August to November.

MOUNTAIN PARK AVENUE, UPPER WENTWORTH TO THE PARKING LOST EAST OF POPLAR AVENUE

Work includes widening of the pedestrian pathway and additional bike lane features, tree planting, road resurfacing with minor water main works, reconfiguration of parking lots to accommodate additional parking space, installation of black ornamental fencing (east of Poplar) and street furniture including bike racks, benches and waste receptacles. There will be accessibility improvements such as increased pedestrian and vehicle movement clarity, predictability and visibility as well as simplified road crossing tasks and the provision of accessible pedestrian signals. $3 million. March to November.

FENNELL AVENUE EAST AT EAST 12TH AND EAST 17TH. UPPER WENTWORTH AT EAST 34TH AND UPPER OTTAWA AND SANDALWOOD

Large value replacement. $2.1 million. July to October.

NEBO ROAD, RYMAL TO TWENTY ROAD EAST

Road reconstruction and water main and storm sewer work. $9.5 million. Aug to late 2024.

SCENIC DRIVE, MOHAWK TO CHATEAU COURT

Road reconstruction and addition of a multi-use path on west side where there is no sidewalk. $5.2 million. July to November.

KENILWORTH ACCESS RESERVOIR WATER MAIN AND TUNNEL IMPROVEMENTS

Work will be done on the tunnel that runs through the ground from the top of the traffic circle at Mountain Brow Boulevard to about halfway down the access. $5.4 million. Some work in May and further work January to April 2024.

GARROW DRIVE, CRANBROOK DRIVE TO GARTH STREET

Shave and pave road resurfacing. $1.1 million. June to July

WEST 19TH, MOHAWK TO ELMWOOD

Water main lining work. $1.1 million. March to July

STONECHURCH ROAD AND UPPER GAGE

Traffic signal upgrade. $275,000. Installation time has yet to be determined.

The city will also be doing annual maintenance on the Linc including paving, tree trimming, sweeping, flower bay planting, graffiti removal, rock face maintenance, bridge washing and catch basin cleaning between late May and early June. Cost of the asphalt/paving is about $1.2 million and about $300,000 for the other work. Hamilton Community News will provide more information when it is available.

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If anybody could bring life back to a closed brewery, it was Bill Sharpe.

Sharpe  who died on his birthday, March 21, at age 88 in Perth  was the brains behind Lakeport Brewery, which took over the former Amstel plant on Burlington Street East in March 1992.

The Amsterdam-based Heineken Group had closed the plant down in October 1991 after 10 years of operation and steady losses. About 100 people lost their jobs.

I intend to expand rapidly, Sharpe, president and CEO of the Lakeport Brewing Corp., told The Spectator shortly after buying the plant with partner Cott Beverages for an undisclosed sum.

Within two years, Lakeport had $45 million in sales and 135 employees working on two nine-hour shifts.

Sharpe, a former brewery and soft drink executive, got the plant roaring again by striking alliances with others to challenge the dominance of Labatt and Molson and pioneer the idea of high-quality lower price beers.

This included working with Loblaws president Dave Nichol in developing the wildly successful Presidents Choice Premium Draft Beer. It was a sellout by Christmas 1992, prompting Sharpe to run full-page advertisements apologizing to Nichol for not keeping up with demand. In 1993, the brewery sold one million cases of PC beer.

Bill Sharpe was a legend in the brewing industry and he did so much for Hamilton, said Ian MacDonald, former vice-president of sales for Lakeport, who now runs a beverage company in Trinidad and Tobago.

The things he did in the brewing industry were tremendous. He was a great man and a true visionary. What he did with the brewery was pure genius. Everyone who drinks beer in Canada should raise a beer for Bill.

On social media, his granddaughter Kayla Mcgilvery called him an amazing grandfather, but also an amazing role model and inspiration to me.

Sharpe struck deals with American brewing companies to produce Pabst Blue Ribbon and Lone Star for the Ontario market. He sold beer to Russia, struck a deal with A&P for its own Master Choice beer and produced beer for a grocery store chain in California. He produced Laker, Laker Light and launched a 7.3 per cent alcoholic beer.

The Brewers Retail could not open on Sundays, but Lakeport could because the store was attached to the brewery. The result was long lines of traffic on Burlington Street, made up of beer drinkers from all over.

In 1994, he produced Norois Premium beer for the Metro-Richelieu supermarket chain, cracking the Quebec beer market.

Unfortunately, Lakeport had to seek bankruptcy protection in 1999 after it ran into cash troubles. Sharpe had to sell off popular labels like PC Choice to rivals to buy out Cott when it announced it wanted out of the beer industry. The company also had spent money on new canning and packing lines.

AlphaCorp Holdings came to the rescue, but the investment came with new president, Teresa Cascioli. Sharpe remained as CEO but he left Lakeport at the end of 2000.

The company rebounded and was sold to Labatt in 2007. It closed the Burlington Street plant in 2010 and shifted production to London. The plant has been occupied by Collective Arts Brewing since 2014.

Sharpe was born in Simcoe and graduated from Waterford High School. He attended the University of British Columbia between 1952 and 1957 where he obtained degrees in science and marketing and management.

He made his first mark in the brewing industry when he ran the Pacific Western Brewing Co in Prince George, B.C., between 1978 and 1985. He worked from 1985 to 1989 for Carling OKeefe as vice-president of commercial operations in Winnipeg and Saskatoon. From 1989 to 1992, he worked in Toronto at the Santa Fe Beverage Corp., a division of Molson.

After Lakeport, Sharpe was involved between 2004 and 2006 with an attempt to keep afloat Northern Breweries in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. It foundered over debt troubles. Sharpe also worked as a consultant to the brewing industry.

Sharpe is survived by his wife Jean, stepsons Ken and Jeff, daughters Margaret and Joan, sons Jeff and Rob, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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The unexpected arrival of no trespassing signs on the Port Dover beach late last week caused a stir in Norfolk County and beyond, with residents and social media users wondering if the popular beach would be off-limits this summer.

But the signs do not necessarily mean tourists will not be welcome, according to Peter Knechtel, a local restaurateur whose company, F.W. Knechtel Foods Ltd., owns a section of the largely private beach.

The signs went up, Knechtel told The Spectator, as a proactive measure to start a conversation with the county about how best to manage the beach before droves of sun worshippers arrive.

Were mostly looking at how to make sure that environment is best kept safe for what crowds we have coming this summer, Knechtel said.

He noted the increasing number of Ontario beaches and parks that limit access by charging user fees or requiring reservations.

If the other locations are becoming more restrictive as far as how many people theyre going to allow, that means were going to have a bigger influx to Port Dover, Knechtel said. Were just trying to be prepared for that.

Most of the beach in Port Dover is privately owned.

The county owns a 66-foot strip of beach property running from the end of Walker Street to the water. Otherwise, the beach is owned by the Knechtel family and a cottage park operated by the Buck family that backs onto the water.

In recent summers there have been issues with overcrowding, garbage left on the beach, and visitors putting up tents or roping off areas for their exclusive use. The beachs private owners do not have the resources to respond to these challenges, Knechtel said.

If youre going to invite 20,000 people to your location, you have to make sure you have enough infrastructure in place to handle all that, he said.

Hopefully, with our countys help, we can come up with a plan going into the summer.

Liability for what happens on the part of the beach his family owns is also a concern, Knechtel added.

The sudden arrival of "no trespassing" signs on the Port Dover beach caused a stir within and outside the lakeside town. The beach is almost entirely privately owned by a cottage park and a local restaurateur. J.P. Antonacci

In an email to The Spectator, Port Dover councillor Adam Veri described the ongoing discussions between the beach owners and county staff as positive and cooperative.

The towns position is that we also hope to reach an agreement, but ultimately the owners have the final say and we respect their position, Veri said.

Veri downplayed the notion that barring access to the beach would be a blow to Port Dovers summertime economy.

A closed beach isnt going to kill the town, Veri wrote.

Port Dovers economics have changed. The beachgoers certainly contribute to the local economy, but not at the same ratio as they once did.

Knechtel said putting up the signs isnt anything about trying to lock the town down, or we dont like tourists.

Were a real, living town. Were not just an attraction, he added.

And when thousands of people descend on a small town, problems could occur if you dont try to address it before it happens.

Knechtel did not say whether the signs will be followed by physical barriers, akin to those put up to fence off the beach when social distancing rules were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He hopes the signs make visitors aware the beach is only available to them thanks to the generosity of the landowners.

Thats all we ask, that people respect it as private property, he said.

J.P. Antonacci s reporting on Haldimand and Norfolk is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. jpantonacci@thespec.com

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Ontarios police watchdog has cleared Hamilton police officers of wrongdoing in its investigation into a man in crisis who jumped from an overpass on New Years Day.

The 57-year-old suffered serious injuries when he jumped from the Kenilworth Avenue South overpass onto King Street East on Jan. 1.

According to the Special Investigations Unit report, the man had called 911 asking that traffic be stopped on King because he intended to jump. Officers quickly arrived on scene and the mobile crisis rapid response team (MCRRT) was called. However, the man jumped while the specialized crisis response team was en route.

Joseph Martino, SIU director, concluded that the five officers at the scene acted appropriately.

They quickly halted traffic in the area, called for the deployment of the MCRRT, and did what they could to convince the complainant to not hurt himself, all the while maintaining a comfortable distance, Martino concluded.

Regrettably, the complainant could not be deterred, but that was through no want of trying on the part of the officers on the bridge.

Reach The Spectator newsroom at 905-526-3420 or news@thespec.com

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MONTREAL - State authorities in Maine have hit Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. with a violation notice over fallout from its cleanup efforts after a freight train went off the tracks last month.

Officials sent a notice of violation to the railway after heavy construction equipment deployed to access the crash site caused a significant amount of sediment to enter local waters in violation of a pollution control law, according to Maines Department of Environmental Protection.

Culverts were crushed and dirt has been shifted in and around a number of streams as a result of heavy machinery using the forest management roads, the department said in a release Friday.

Melanie Loyzim, the departments commissioner, sent a second letter instructing CPKC to implement erosion control measures immediately.

On April 15 a Canadian Pacific Kansas City train hit a track washout in a wooded area near Moosehead Lake in northwestern Maine, some 220 kilometres southeast of Quebec City, setting several cars ablaze.

CPKC said last month that locomotives and four derailed lumber cars went up in flames, with crews using booms  absorbent, tubelike barriers  to contain spilled diesel fuel.

Cars carrying drums of ethanol and another hazardous material also skidded off the rails but did not catch fire, CPKC said. State officials said there is no threat to public safety.

Three crew members were taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and released the same day, the railway said.

As of Friday, CPKC had about 60 emergency spill responders and environmental professionals on site to clean it up and monitor soil and surface water quality, the state officials said. Specialized railway equipment arrived Thursday, set to be lined with plastic and loaded with oil-saturated materials from the site.

The remote, forested nature of the area combined with the spring thaw has made cleanup efforts challenging, including for the ingress and egress of people and equipment, Canadian Pacific spokesman Patrick Waldron said in an emailed statement Tuesday.

CPKC is committed to the restoration of the derailment area and full cleanup of the affected environment. CPKC crews are on the ground working in full co-operation with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and other agencies, as we have since the derailment occurred.

The rail line is the same one where the fatal Lac-Megantic disaster unfolded about 90 kilometres further west in 2013. Canadian Pacific did not own the track at the time.

The line  in CP Rails hands until the mid-1990s, and later dubbed the Central Maine & Quebec Railway  was in dire need of an upgrade when the company repurchased it from private equity firm Fortress Investment Group in 2020.

CP plans to invest as much as $90 million over the next three years to bring CMQs rail infrastructure up to Federal Railroad Administration Class 3 standards, Canadian Pacific said nearly three years ago.

Greg Gormick, who heads On Track Consulting, said the accident could have been much worse given the routes rugged topography.

Last week, Canadian Pacific told Maines environmental protection department its response team had recovered nearly 33,000 absorbent pads, 15,000-plus feet of absorbent boom and 12 cubic metres of fluid  oil, water and diesel  using vacuum trucks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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WASHINGTON - Heavy flooding throughout the U.S. Midwest has pushed the edge of the Bad River in Wisconsin ever closer to Line 5, amplifying fears that the controversial pipeline could rupture on Indigenous lands and foul a vital watershed.

Court documents filed Monday show the river overtopped its banks twice last month for a total of nine days, washing away some 2.5 metres of terrain at the point where it comes closest to the line.

The Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa has been in court with Alberta energy giant Enbridge Inc. since 2019 in an effort to compel the pipelines owner and operator to reroute Line 5 around its traditional territory.

There has been a loss of bank separating Line 5 from the Bad River in certain areas, reads a joint status report submitted by both parties.

At the time of trial, the pipeline was roughly 26.5 feet (eight metres) from the bank of the Bad River at the closest point. The shortest distance between the pipeline and the river is now roughly 1718 feet (5.2-5.5 metres).

Late last year, District Court Judge William Conley, who has already rejected calls to shut down the pipeline immediately, ordered both parties to submit contingency plans in the event the risk of a rupture grew too great.

Neither plan was triggered by the flooding, which began April 11 after an abrupt spring melt and persisted for days, worsened by heavy rains, until the floodwaters finally receded fully on April 23, the report says.

But environmental groups are less sanguine.

Line 5 is designed to be underground and not in the rushing waters of a flooding river, where collisions with uprooted trees and other debris could easily cause a breach, said Timna Axel, a spokesperson for Earthjustice, an environmental law group.

Should the soil supporting the pipe become unstable, that could cause what Axel called a guillotine rupture  a vertical break that causes the lines contents to spill from both sides.

Line 5 could easily be exposed and rupture unless Enbridge shuts down the pipeline and purges the nearly 1 million gallons (37,000 barrels) of oil that flow between valves.

Enbridge is diligently monitoring the pipeline, the weather and water levels 24 hours a day, and is prepared with necessary plans, procedures, response personnel and equipment should they be required, the company said in a statement.

The line has been audited multiple times and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has raised no safety concerns at this location, it added.

The full extent of the damage to the riverbank at the so-called meander, where the river and the pipeline are closest, wont be fully confirmed until both the band and Enbridge can visit the site in person, it adds.

Throughout the high-flow events, the parties have been and remain in close communication, sharing imagery, forecasts and interpretations of the data at least daily, the report says.

The parties are co-ordinating a joint in-person field visit to occur as soon as safe and feasible in order to further assess the conditions at the meander and to inspect and, as necessary, re-affix monitoring equipment to the riverbank.

Environmental concerns about Line 5 have long been top of mind in Wisconsin, where the pipeline runs directly through the Bad River Reservation, more than 500 square kilometres of pristine wetlands, streams and wilderness.

Enbridge has already agreed to reroute it, with plans for a 66-kilometre detour of Line 5 around the reservation already more than two years along.

Last November, Conley made clear he had no interest in what he called an automatic, permanent shutdown of Line 5, citing widespread economic consequences and significant public and foreign policy implications.

But a permanent shutdown is exactly what the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a UN advisory body, recommended last week as it wrapped up its most recent session.

The Permanent Forum calls on Canada to re-examine its support for the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline that jeopardizes the Great Lakes in the United States, the panel said.

The pipeline represents a real and credible threat to the treaty-protected fishing rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada.

Line 5 is also under legal siege in neighbouring Michigan, where the state wants the line shut down for fear of a disaster in the Straits of Mackinac, the ecologically delicate area where it crosses beneath the Great Lakes.

Business groups and chambers of commerce on both sides of the border, provincial governments and Ottawa have all rallied behind Enbridge in its effort to portray Line 5s survival as a mission-critical matter of continental energy security.

Allies have argued in court filings as well as public forums that Line 5 is a vital source of energy for several Midwestern states, and an essential link for Canadian refineries that fuel some of Canadas busiest airports.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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While its well known our bodies naturally lose strength as we age, a new study found a sudden drop in muscle function represents a significant risk factor for developing dementia later in life.

According to a recent study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, older women who experienced the greatest drop in muscle function were several times more likely to develop dementia than their counterparts.

The real message is to make sure that the lifestyle that we live, our nutrition and physical activity, is appropriate, said the studys senior author Marc Sim, a senior research fellow at Australias Edith Cowan University, to the Star.

If somebody becomes a little bit slower, theyre less likely to go outside, theyre less likely to interact with people, said Sim. And all these things, over years, can build up and ultimately exacerbate your risk for developing dementia.

To arrive at their results, the researchers surveyed over 1,000 community-dwelling Australian women aged 70 or older, recruited from the previous Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging in Women.

After taking their baseline health measurements, each participant was tested on their hand grip strength and the time it took for them to rise from a chair, walk three metres, turn around and sit back down  also known as the timed-up-and-go (TUG) test.

The tests were repeated five years later to monitor any change in performance. Then, over the next 15 years, the researchers tracked the women, finding almost 17 per cent either developed or died of dementia.

When compared to the earlier tests, the results were striking. Those with the greatest drop in grip strength had over double the likelihood to develop dementia than those with the smallest change. Similarly, women with the greatest dip in TUG scores were 2.5 to over four times as likely to develop or die from dementia.

One of the reasons we think we see this relationship is because a lot of the (dementia risk) factors we see are low physical activity levels, very poor nutrition or lifestyle choices, Sim said. Because hand grip strength and TUG tests are indicators of general health, like cardiovascular function, it makes sense a drop in scores would precede dementia, he continued.

Although the researchers did not repeat their experiment on men, they acknowledged there may be some differences between the sexes: As men and women have a different pattern of risk factors associated with grip strength decline, our findings may be less applicable to men, they wrote.

That said, Sim said he expects to find similar results between the genders based on previous findings. For example, a 2020 study done on both Japanese men and women linked a drop in strength to greater dementia risk across sexes.

For their next project, Sims lab hopes to repeat the experiment on an entirely male cohort.

Lillian Hung, Canada research chair in senior care and an assistant professor of nursing at UBC who is unaffiliated with the study, said the paper has really good data but readers should be cautious  its unknown whether a drop in physical function caused dementia, just that the two are linked.

Sim agreed that they cant prove a causative relationship, but cited previous research suggesting a loss of muscle function preceded cognitive decline  hinting that physical decline, at least in part, leads to dementia.

Roger Wong, a clinical professor of geriatric medicine at UBC also unaffiliated with the study, told the Star he was entirely unsurprised at the results, given what we know about physical healths relationship with the mind.

We know that physical inactivity is associated with a risk of dementia later on  (therefore) if you engage in physical activity and exercise, then it can potentially prevent dementia, Wong said.

Thats the main message  that exercise is good.

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Fashions biggest night, the 2023 Met Gala gathers A-listers from all walks of fame  the Hollywood power players, pop stars, super-influencers and run-of-the-mill nepo babies  on the steps of New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art for an exclusive charity bash that has come to overshadow the Oscars for outstanding style moments.

Like any good party, it has a theme. For 2023, the party paid homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld, a designer whose complex legacy is marked by long, successful tenures at some of the worlds biggest labels.

Whether celebs went the vintage route, or the more custom inspired by option, there were no shortage of Lagefeldian references on the 2023 Met Gala red carpet. Heres who did it best.

Full drama: Billie Eilish, Kerry Washington and Jennifer Lopez

Billie Eilish said she begged designer Simone Rocha (who notably does not make custom looks) to make her a bespoke outfit. The result was an all-black, embellished, halter neck gown paired with sheer gloves and plenty of hair gems.

Blazers were a recurring theme at this years gala. Kerry Washington threw hers over a black lace bra and maxi skirt combo that was elevated by an oversized diamond choker.

Jennifer Lopez went for full theatrics in a cut-out Ralph Lauren gown paired with a sculptural hat.

Skin, more skin: Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid

Credit to Kendall Jenner for trying to push the pants-less trend (she was spotted in a pair of black tights-as-pants earlier this year) with this sparkly Marc Jacobs bodysuit that makes up in sleeve length what it lacks in hem length.

After last years Marilyn Monroe dress controversy, Kim Kardashian played it safe in a custom Schiaparelli gown that was more pearls than fabric, topped with a heavily draped satin shawl.

Gigi Hadids sheer, corseted Givenchy look nodded to a few of Karl Lagerfelds favourite things like fans and flowers. Like so many other guests, she accessorized with gloves (again, sheer) and pearls.

An ode to Choupette: Doja Cat and Jared Leto

Doja Cat channelled Choupette, Karl Lagerfelds beloved white Birman kitty who lived a more lavish life than most of us could dream of. Her outfit featured a head-to-toe sequin look by Oscar de la Renta and very, uh, on-the-nose makeup and actual prosthetics.

But Doja was out-catted by Jared Leto (who famously always goes for it at the Met Gala). This year, Leto wore a full-on Choupette mascot costume to terrify, confuse and delight the other attendees. After the surprise was revealed, he changed into a black cape outfit that was downright tame by comparison.

Classic glamour: Sydney Sweeney, Gisele, Nicole Kidman

Gisele honoured Karl Lagerfeld with a rewear of a Chanel dress she first donned in 2006. The gown featured vertical shimmering panels with an oversized feather topper.

Sydney Sweeney has a contract with Miu Miu, so a Karl-adjacent look wasnt in the cards for the breakout actor. She stuck to to her go-to body-con silhouette with this bedazzled number, but we read the black hair ribbon as an attempt at Chanel-esque styling.

Nicole Kidman, a longtime muse and friend of Lagerfeld, went the ethereal route in feathery Chanel. It's actually the same dress she wore in a 2004 Chanel No. 5 commercial directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Black and white perfection: Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Margot Robbie

Emily Blunts look  a high-neck lace top with a signature Chanel camellia flower  read like an interpretation of Lagerfelds personal uniform.

Jessica Chastain? Yes, that was her  we noticed the shock of platinum blond hair way before we could pay any attention to the gown. Chastain paired her black Gucci gown with sheer black gloves and costumey black shades.

Margot Robbie  the last Chanel ambassador to be chosen by Karl before his death  smartly saved the hot pink for her Barbie movie press tour. Shes wearing Chanel from a 1993 collection (first worn by Cindy Crawford) that features a chain-embellished, see-through corseted waist.

Easy elegance: Dua Lipa, Penelope Cruz, Anne Hathaway

Dua Lipas 1992 Chanel gown  first worn by supermodel Claudia Schiffer  was princess-y without being saccharine, and paired perfectly with an eye-watering $10 million Tiffany & Co. necklace.

Penelope Cruz reportedly pored over Chanel collections for a month before settling on a couture look from 1988 that featured a veillike head covering for a vibe that was equal parts fairy tale and high-fashion Catholicism.

A newly minted Versace ambassador, Anne Hathaways look was a marriage of the two very different fashion houses. The tweed and camellia hair flower are Chanel signatures, while cut-outs and pins (reminiscent of that Elizabeth Hurley dress) are classic va-va-voom Versace. Well call it a fashion compromise.

A touch of softness: Naomi Campbell and Kate and Lila Moss

Naomi Campbell wore a Chanel gown from the 2010 couture collection that featured Grecian-eque pink satin draping with peeks of silver sequin swirls.

Kate Moss seemed to be referencing herself as much as Karl with a slip-style gown that remains her go-to signature. Lilas gown is a Fendi 2018 look, and an example of how Lagerfeld was able to modernize the storied fur brands approach to fuzzy clothing.

Best-dressed of the gents: Pedro Pascal, Bad Bunny, Ke Huy Quan

Shorts? A red coat? Military boots? It shouldnt work but it somehow does, maybe because it was Valentino worn by the beloved, delightful Pedro Pascal.

Bad Bunny was a vision in an all-white double-breasted suit by Jacquemus with a throw of white roses draped over his arms, trailing behind him.

Ke Huy Quan was the most Lagerfeldian of the night in Dior, complete with shades, chains, fingerless gloves and  is that a high collar?

Doubled up: Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang

Olvia Wildes stylist, Canadian phenom Karla Welch, went the non-Chanel route with a pick from the 1983 Chloe collection. Aversion of this Violin dress was worn all the way back in 2013 by fashion darling Chloe Sevigny.

Margaret Zhang, the editor-in-chief of Vogue China, also wore a violin dress, in black.

Best-dressed: Kristen Stewart, Janelle Monae, Florence Pugh

We werent exactly expecting Karl cosplay from Kristen Stewart, the longtime Chanel ambassador and muse, and yet thats exactly what we got. Stewarts satin suit featured a cropped tie and jacket, a Chanel logo belt, white cotton socks and penny loafers (perhaps not surprising for the heel-averse star).

Janelle Monae wowed in a dramatic, A-shaped coat by Thom Browne, practicality be damned. The look transformed before our eyes, as Monae removed layers to reveal a sheer cone dress constructed from concentric hoops.

Debuting a shaved head, Florence Pugh wore a black-and-white satin Valentino gown topped with a two-foot headdress that takes a page out of Sarah Jessica Parkers Met Gala playbook.

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CALGARYFor a province that had, not so long ago, kept the same party in office for 44 straight years, todays Alberta has taken to political competition with gusto.

As the writ dropped Monday, the stakes for this springs election were high.

Polling has the ruling United Conservatives and the opposition New Democrats  and their charismatic leaders  neck and neck as they pitch very distinct visions for the province most commonly associated on the national stage with big cowboy hats, bigger oil deposits and squabbles with Ottawa.

For people who find politics interesting, it doesnt get much better than this, says Lisa Young, a political scientist at the University of Calgary.

But whats in it for the rest of the country?

The short answer, experts say, is that the winner at the end of May will have a big stick when it comes to energy and environmental policy. They may even determine how much time Justin Trudeau will spend trading barbs with provincial leadership.

The outcome may also test the waters of a new kind of Canadian conservatism.

I think its actually a very important election for the rest of Canada, Young says.

The high drama

This election will see a major political comeback. The question is whose.

On the right is the United Conservative Partys Danielle Smith, a former journalist and talk radio host who became premier eight months ago after a leadership race to replace Jason Kenney.

The victory came roughly a decade after Smith, then the leader of the right-wing Wildrose, was punted into political exile after refusing to condemn a candidate who said gay people would spend eternity in the lake of fire, a phrase still used as shorthand in Alberta years later to refer to a politician who has said something they should not have.

Smith was a vocal critic of Kenney and succeeded him by harnessing a more right-wing faction of the party. But she has continued to struggle with controversial comments as premier. (She called the unvaccinated the most discriminated group shed seen in her lifetime.)

On the left is the NDPs Rachel Notley, a lawyer whose father led the provincial party for almost two decades before he was killed in a plane crash.

Notley was at the helm in 2015 when the NDP shocked even itself with a historic result, toppling a Progressive Conservative party that had ruled for the previous four decades.

The NDP was later defeated by Kenney and now Notleys task is to prove that the New Democrats are a real contender, rather than a blip in the history books.

Rural, urban  and Calgary

The traditional election calculus in Alberta holds that Edmonton will go left, the rural areas will go conservative, and that this race will likely be decided in Calgary.

Contrary to stereotypes, the home of the Stampede is the third most diverse city in the country, highly urbanized and counts among its residents many born elsewhere, which can make it hard to predict politically, says Daniel Beland, the director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.

People outside Alberta often think of Alberta as a unified conservative province where people wear cowboy hats, he says. But its a complex province. Its not as simple as the image that some politicians, some Albertan politicians, project of it, and even what the media portray.

The results of the election will have ripple effects outside the province.

Edmonton vs. Ottawa

Even on a regular day, Alberta plays an outsized role in national conversations about environment and energy. The relationship Alberta has with Ottawa in the wake of the provincial election, as shaped by the winner, could have a significant impact on how some of those issues play out across the country.

After the election, once the dust settles, what will be the relationship that Alberta will build with the federal government? says Charles St-Arnaud, the chief economist for Alberta Central, the central banking facility for the provinces credit unions.

There are a lot of crucial economic policies that are set to be put in place, he says, citing net-zero plans as one example.

Its not something that we will be able to do just on our own. It needs discussion in a broader context within Canada.

A Prairie alliance under Smith?

During her time in office, Smith has made national headlines for pushing back at Ottawa, an effort that, if given the runway of another term, could become even more pronounced. Its a strategy demanded by some in Alberta who see themselves as unfairly treated by the federal government, but which would also make it harder to accomplish federal goals, particularly if the Prairie provinces start to band together.

A Smith government would probably link arms with the Moe government in Saskatchewan, Young says.

Once youve got a couple of provinces saying that theyre going to try to opt out elements of Canadian federalism, youve got a real sort of disintegrative impulse happening, which I think will pull on the fabric that holds the country together.

She points to specific proposals, such as the possible creation of an Alberta Pension Plan. Putting the issue to a referendum could be destabilizing to the Canadian plan.

Theres also the fact that the Alberta oil industry is a significant producer of greenhouse gases and that while the government has announced an aspiration to be net-zero by 2050, there arent a lot of details as to how that will happen.

The election of a Smith government would make it extraordinarily difficult for the federal government to go ahead with its planned effort to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, she said.

Two distinct visions of Alberta

As the province continues to get serious about diversifying its economy to be less dependent on oil, some have wondered about the NDPs ability to support new industries.

Furthermore, issues such as equalization  an area where the UCP has been very critical of the funding formula  are less likely to be raised as urgently under an NDP government.

When Alberta heads to the polls on May 29, the outcome will say something about the future of Alberta, Beland says, but also about where conservatism in the country may be heading, and whether populism could be a way forward for other federal and provincial parties on the right.

But in the province that has never seen a minority government, the next four weeks will see a real battle.

It might be really quite tight, and it will be interesting, he says. The campaign will matter.

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Where the leaders are today on the Alberta election campaign trail:

United Conservative Party Leader Danielle Smith:

CALGARY  Talks with voters, visits with volunteer canvassers and participates in a virtual town hall meeting.

_

NDP Leader Rachel Notley:

CALGARY  Joins doctors and a mother to lay out pieces of her health care plan. (10:30 a.m., across from McCaig Tower of Foothills Hospital, 3260 Hospital Dr. NW)

RED DEER  Appears with candidates and local residents to discuss health care and building the Red Deer Hospital. (12:45 p.m., outside Red Deer Hospital, 3942 50a Ave.)

_

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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OTTAWAIn early 2019, during the final months of Charles Bordeleaus seven-year term as Ottawa police chief, an inspector for the citys downtown core came to him with a problem: Things were getting out of hand at the McDonalds, the inspector told him. He didnt have to say which one. It was long past time for an intervention.

For years, the 24-hour fast-food restaurant on Rideau Street, a main drag in the heart of downtown Ottawa, had been a last stop for bar-district leavers seeking greasy fare to soak up the booze. At any time of day, the McDonalds was a wild card, but after midnight it could be pure chaos. It smelled of French fries, beer breath and warm bodies coated in dance-club sweat. Often, there was no discernible lineup in front of the service counter, just a mosh pit of people hungry for cheeseburgers.

Hard-working staff could not keep up with the cleaning; the floor always seemed filthy. Customers reported witnessing drug use and sex acts in the long hallway that led to the bathrooms. Regulars included drunk youth, tourists, homeless people seeking an affordable meal, gang members and a baby raccoon.

As chief, Bordeleau had overseen Ottawas police force through many high-profile challenges, including a shooting on Parliament Hill, two fatal bus crashes and several natural disasters. A fast-food restaurant wouldnt normally warrant his intervention, but the McDonalds situation had reached a boiling point.

Over the previous five years, police had received, on average, 800 calls for help from the restaurant annually, with 928 calls in 2017 alone. Drug use, violent altercations, assaults and stabbings had taken place. Videos posted online had documented the more unusual late-night happenings: two people beating each other with Wet Floor signs, customers screaming at staff members, and, most famously, a brawl in which a man pulled Pocket Rocket, the baby raccoon, out of his sweater. For years, officers had tried to work with store managers to address the issues, but had received little co-operation or response, police said.

The officers were getting fed up, Bordeleau said. It needed intervention at a higher level.

Bordeleau, then 56, was a savvy communicator with inside knowledge of the McDonalds corporate machine. Before joining the police service in 1984, he had spent seven years as an employee of the fast-food chain, working his way up from burger flipper and counter attendant to shift manager. Bordeleau knew how deeply the corporation cared about protecting its public image. And that, he thought, was something he could use to get their attention.

On March 15, 2019, the chief penned a letter.

I am writing to you to request your immediate attention and action in relation to the ongoing criminal activity and social disorder issues at the McDonalds franchise located at 99 Rideau Street, Bordeleau wrote to the CEO of McDonalds Canada. Officers attend this location on a daily basis for  vagrancy, liquor license violations, illicit drug use, and incidents of violence. McDonalds community standards, he wrote, were not reflected at this location.

Bordeleau sent the letter. Then he did one more thing  an unusual move for a police chief. He gave it to the media.

That move set in motion a chain of events that would lead to the restaurant developing an unshakeable reputation  The Worlds Worst McDonalds, some called it  and ultimately to its permanent closure this week after nearly 40 years in business.

The story of how it all went down is one that illustrates the challenges downtown business districts and communities are facing amid a national housing crisis and an epidemic of homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction. Some are worried the McDonalds closure is a canary in a coal mine, a sign of more challenges to come for an area still struggling to recover from the pandemic.

Peter Crosthwaite, the asset manager for the owner of the building that houses the McDonalds, believes the restaurant was forced out of business by bad publicity unfairly instigated by the city and former police chief.

Why should McDonalds be in charge of keeping the streets safe? Crosthwaite said. They blamed a family restaurant for the citys social problems.

The former police chief and city councillor involved in the 2019 intervention believe the restaurants downfall can be traced to a flawed layout that caused security concerns, the owners unwillingness to implement some of the larger recommended solutions, and a bad reputation  earned long before their intervention  that made it a destination for people wanting to engage in criminal activity.

I didnt go out of my way to try to kill McDonalds, said Mathieu Fleury, the former city councillor for the area, who worked with police and others to come up with solutions for the location. But I do think (the closure) alleviates some of the challenges weve seen in the area over the last decade, for sure.

Blood everywhere

The McDonalds at 99 Rideau was located in the heart of downtown in the nations capital. It was a short walk from Parliament Hill and Ottawas historic district, surrounded by museums, art galleries and hotels that draw millions of tourists each year. It sat across the street from citys largest shopping mall. It fell on a direct path between the University of Ottawa and the bars and restaurants of the ByWard Market, making it a destination for late-night crowds streaming out of drinking establishments at closing time.

The area is also home to most of Ottawas emergency shelters and social support services for the homeless and street-involved individuals, all concentrated within a few city blocks. At times, the McDonalds has been a magnet for drug dealers preying on vulnerable people and gang members looking for trouble.

In short, theres a lot going on in the neighbourhood, and the burger shop was at the centre of it.

When the Rideau McDonalds opened on June day in the mid-1980s, the 20-year-old younger sister of Ottawas future police chief was tapped to be a shift manager. Nicole Bordeleau, like her brother, had worked for the fast-food chain since high school, at another location, and was transferred when the new store opened.

Ninety-nine Rideau was a calmer place back then, Bordeleau recalled. There were busy times, sure  they would get slammed on Canada Day and Halloween  but for the most part, things were manageable. I rarely remember calling the police at that time. She paused, then added, I did call them once.

Just the once, but she would never forget it.

To the best of Nicole Bordeleaus recollection, and that of another staff member who was present at the time, the incident happened in the spring of 1987, not long after the store opened. Bordeleau was working behind the counter one evening when she heard shouting from the dining area.

The original restaurant was more than twice its later size, spread across three floors, with an unusual layout: the seating areas were on the main floor and a mezzanine above, while the food service counter and kitchen were below ground. This meant that staff members couldnt see what people were getting up to in the dining areas.

Bordeleau was on the lower level when she heard the commotion from above. Seconds later, down came a man, covered in blood, who appeared to have been stabbed.

Bordeleau and a co-worker rushed to help, guiding the man to the staff room, where they called 911 and looked for something to stop the bleeding. But when the man heard police were coming, he became nervous and took off. Bordeleau learned later that he was not the victim, but the perpetrator, covered in blood that was not his own. The victim had jumped into a taxi and gone to the hospital.

With senior managers at a conference and not quickly reachable, Bordeleau and her staff were left to deal with police and clean up the mess. There was blood everywhere, she remembered. I was 20 years old and having to deal with a stabbing.

Bordeleau was shaken up and, soon after, transferred to another McDonalds. Despite the incident, she has fond memories of the job. She made lifelong friends, gained leadership experience and developed empathy for victims of crime that she would use in her career as a 911 dispatcher.

In the early 2000s, McDonalds underwent a major renovation and shrank significantly in size. Now everything was on one floor, which was better, but several design features would soon become safety issues that Ottawas mayor, city councillors, police and urban planners would urge management to address.

The restaurant had two doors: a front entrance on Rideau, a major thoroughfare, and a back door that led into the ByWard Market. The convenient shortcut encouraged crowds to cut through the restaurant and allowed perpetrators of crime to escape police.

The location of the bathrooms, near the back doors, was another problem. To reach them, customers had to brave a long narrow hallway isolated from the main part of the restaurant, sometimes called the hallway to hell.

The Rideau McDonalds was a challenging place to work. A Reddit user who claimed to be a former manager at the store said in a 2016 Q&A that staff members were threatened, verbally abused, physically and sexually assaulted, and, in at least one case, bitten. In anger, customers have thrown hot food and drinks across the counter. (Poutine really burns, the manager said.) Staff turnover was high, they said, with someone quitting about once a month. (The Star hasnt been able to verify the former staff members identity, or the information provided. McDonalds wouldnt comment.)

There were some hopeful moments, the former manager said. Youre centered in an area with a lot of darkness, and every now again you get to be a light in someones life. Especially with so many people in need in the area.

One such bright moment, and the most infamous incident in the restaurants history, occurred late one night in 2013 as the after-bar crowd descended upon McDonalds. The event would become known as the raccoon brawl, but its important to note that, while a raccoon did make a guest appearance in a video documenting the fight, the animal did not participate in the violence.

Sean Stewart, a 37-year-old barber from Gatineau, is the person behind the viral video. I didnt even know there was a raccoon in it until after I posted it, he said.

Stewart, 28 at the time, lived downtown. He said he arrived at the McDonalds with his girlfriend after 2 a.m., seeking a stack of double cheeseburgers on the way home from the market. The place was packed and smelled of booze and body odour. Its a bunch of people whove just been at the club all night, Stewart said. Think of a disgusting gym. Its hot, its sweaty, its uncomfortable. You get in and you get out as quickly as possible.

Stewart could sense tension in the horde gathered in front of the service counter that night. He had a feeling a fight was about to break out. He handed his phone to his girlfriend and asked her to record while he lined up for the burgers.

The video begins in the middle of the chaos, with young men punching, kicking, choking and knocking or dragging each other to the ground as onlookers shout and jeer. Thirty-eight seconds and approximately 11 punches in, an older man appears on screen. Hes calm, observing the fight with what appears to be bemused detachment. Hes wearing jeans and a hooded zip-up sweater. He opens the sweater, and there it is: a baby raccoon.

The man pulls the raccoon out of his sweater and then the pair momentarily disappear from view. A few frames later theyre back, the man with a cigarette hanging from his lips and the raccoon safely tucked back into the sweater. The sweet furry face can be seen peeking out, observing the chaos. Man and raccoon are not part of the fight, but a sideshow to it, a delightful surprise.

Off camera, a man can be heard shouting in astonishment: This guy has a raccoon! This guy has a raccoon!

Stewart posted the video to his YouTube channel in 2014, under the title McDonalds UFC, but it didnt generate much attention until 2016, when someone reposted the raccoon part as a GIF on the Reddit Ottawa page. The video first went viral in Norway, of all places, Stewart said, somehow generating 5,000 views within a few minutes. It made news headlines around the world: McDonalds brawl in Ottawa feature punches, inexplicable baby raccoon produced from sweater. The video has been watched more than 800,000 times by viewers around the world, mostly in Canada, the U.S. and Brazil.

There was more than one raccoon there that night, according to the Reddit user claiming to be a former manager, but only one  Pocket Rocket, the manager called him  got internet famous. No further information is provided about supposed additional raccoons, except a rumour that the sweater man may have taken them to Toronto, that mecca of raccoons.

Pocket Rocket became an instant legend. Whatever happened at the restaurant from then on would be viewed through the prism of this bizarre moment.

The intervention

The police chiefs 2019 letter had its intended effect: it made national news and drew the attention of McDonalds head office.

When news about the worst McDonalds in Canada  later upgraded to the worst in the world  began circulating, Toronto residents assumed it was the one at Queen and Spadina. It was a surprise, for many, that the distinction went to Ottawa, a government town best known for being a good place to raise a family.

That April, the corporations press office shared a statement from franchise owner Adeel Hashmi with local news outlets, announcing that the 99 Rideau location would kill its overnight shift, shutting down the restaurant at 10 p.m.

As a local business owner, I too am concerned with issues in our neighborhood. We all deserve a safe and comfortable experience when we visit any of the businesses in the area, Hashmis statement said.

I believe that this is the right thing to do for the neighborhood at this time and I look forward to continue working with Ottawa Police, OC Transpo and the City of Ottawa. We all have a role in helping make this neighborhood as strong and safe as it can be.

Then-mayor Jim Watson cheered the move. Far too many police resources were being spent in that restaurant and it was becoming a public safety concern, he wrote on Twitter.

McDonalds also hired additional security and eventually shut down the back entrance on George Street. But according to former city councillor Mathieu Fleury, the franchise owner and managers pushed back against additional measures recommended after a security audit, including adding more surveillance cameras and changing the store layout. The design change was a big ask that would have required a total renovation of the store. It was the feeling of McDonalds leadership, Fleury said, that the problems at the store stemmed from social issues out of their control.

Missing from the picture is McDonalds Canadas perspective on all of this. The franchise owner, manager and corporate office declined multiple interview requests for this story and didnt respond to questions about the events of the past few years. All we have are carefully worded press statements.

Parsed for hidden meaning, those statements might reveal clues on their position. Perhaps in saying residents deserve to feel safe when visiting any local businesses, Hashmi aimed to point out, rightly, that his restaurant isnt the only downtown establishment dealing with crime and security concerns. And in emphasizing that we all have a role in making the neighbourhood safe, maybe he was suggesting authorities could be doing more.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought lockdowns that were devastating for downtown business districts across the country, but especially in Ottawa, which has been slow to recover as federal government employees, who make up a large part of the downtown workforce, continue to work remotely. The weeks-long occupation of Ottawa in 2022 by people calling themselves the Freedom Convoy was another blow to the area.

By the time the lease for the McDonalds at 99 Rideau was up for renewal earlier this year, things had improved. The end of the overnight shift led to a significant reduction in police calls for help at the McDonalds, with only 150 in 2022, compared to 843 in 2018, CTV reported.

In January, Peter Crosthwaite, the asset manager for the building, told reporters that McDonalds had decided not to renew, surprising the city. Whether it was waning business, fatigue with the locations challenges, or the bad publicity is anyones guess  neither McDonalds Canada nor the franchise owner have commented on the reasons for the decision.

The closure of a business that has long been an important hub for people seeking an affordable meal and a place to warm up sparked a city-wide conversation about the housing crisis and the challenges downtown cores are facing amid a national epidemic of mental illness and addiction. Some worry the Rideau McDonalds may be a sign of more tough times to come for a neighbourhood that has struggled to draw customers in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Affordable fast-food chains are a bellwether of the health and vitality in urban communities, says Mary Rowe, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Urban Institute. They are places where citizens from all backgrounds can mingle with people who are not like them. They create equilibrium, making cities dynamic.

When you start to see places like McDonalds struggling, Rowe said, then you know theres something you need to be paying attention to in a particular neighbourhood.

If there is any deeper meaning to be drawn, said city Coun. Stephanie Plante, its that the Rideau McDonalds is a microcosm of the housing crisis, a symbol of what is broken in our cities and a reminder of the urgent need to take action, locally and nationally.

Business owners in the area were reluctant to talk on the record. The increase in street-involved people using drugs and exhibiting signs of psychosis in the neighbourhood has made vagrancy and petty crime a daily battle, and one that many owners dont have the energy to wage after losses suffered as a result of the pandemic.

The biggest problem, I think, is the optics, said David Mangano, owner of The Grand Pizzeria, a ByWard Market restaurant with a large patio located around the corner from the former McDonalds. If youre in the market having dinner with your family, and theres people walking around screaming and spitting  its not good for business. I think every citys dealing with that.

Our biggest fear is to end up like San Francisco, or other urban areas where entire blocks have turned into tent cities, he said. To me the problem is a public health issue. These people need help. Its kind of a mini-pandemic on its own with the drugs.

He wants to see police, social workers and bylaw officers working together in the neighbourhood. And he hopes to see a shift in the public perception of his community. People have started to view it as unsafe, when in reality Ottawa as a whole is far safer than other major cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Crosthwaite, the asset manager for the building, believes strongly that police and city councillors were out of line in how they handled the concerns at McDonalds. They blamed a family restaurant for the citys social problems.

Bordeleau doesnt see it that way. Safety is a shared responsibility, the former police chief said. The main responsibility belongs to the owners of the establishment, with the support of the police and the city, within reason. In this case, the situation became unreasonable, he said.

Were there drunk youths coming to grab a Big Mac and fries after the bar? said Fleury, the former councillor. Yes. Is that in itself a problem? No. The problem, Fleury said, was in the environment that had been created, the tolerance and management of those crowds. I think it became a reputational problem. Once it became known that McDonalds was a place where people could get away with certain behaviours, people went there to engage in those behaviours.

March for McDonalds

A few weeks after the public learned McDonalds would close, a group of university students organized a march to celebrate the restaurants legacy. Two hundred people gathered on a frigid day in March, carrying signs  professionally made  with a raccoon face against the backdrop of golden arches.

Some marchers came in costume: the Hamburgler, french fries. One student wore a raccoon bodysuit and carried around a framed photograph of his brother, Pocket Rocket. The organizer, Keith de Silvia-Legault, a political science student at the University of Ottawa, led the march dressed as Ronald McDonald and spoke with reverence about the 99 Rideau eatery.

Other than Parliament Hill, I would say its our largest landmark, de Silvia-Legault told reporters.

The most notable thing about the march? It was decidedly not a protest, not even a call to action. The students lamented the impact the closure would have on people who relied on McDonalds for an affordable meal, and collected donations for a local food bank, but no one was fighting for it to stay. They were content to celebrate its legacy.

Every good story deserves a good ending, De Silvia-Legault said near the end of the march, having mastered the art of the soundbite.

One morning a few weeks ago, on the first warm day of spring, Rideau Street was packed with people experiencing the joy of wearing short sleeves in the sun after a long winter. Everyone had a McDonalds story. A grandmother said she used to take her granddaughter there for Happy Meals. A man in his 50s said that outside the store was where he bought his first gram of weed. A 33-year-old musician smoking a cigarette outside the Rideau Centre said hed had some good times there, back when the McDonalds was open all night.

The after-hours rush was exciting, the musician said, and he rarely felt unsafe  he would take his guitar and play a bit in the corner. I got arrested once, in the hallway, he recalled, when he got a little overzealous with the guitar playing and refused to leave. One former customer said he didnt care about the closure: it was a dangerous place, he said, and he was banned for life, anyway.

As workers took the McDonalds sign down on Monday morning, a local business owner, who did not want to be named in a story about the restaurant, let out a long, low breath. Good riddance, she said. One less thing to worry about.

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Halifax police officers testified Tuesday that a 26-year-old woman pulled off one constables medical mask and kicked two other officers as city workers removed a shelter for the homeless.

Defence lawyer Asaf Rashid said the case against Natasha Danais is the first of four scheduled trials related to the Aug. 18, 2021, demonstration in front of the former Halifax public library. About two dozen people were arrested during that protest, which saw police pepper-spray some demonstrators. There were also scenes of chaotic pushing, with water bottles hurled toward police.

Danais is facing one charge of obstructing police and three charges of assaulting officers in the trial before provincial court Judge Kelly Serbu.

The protest erupted the day after the election of Premier Tim Houstons Progressive Conservative government, as the issue of low-income housing shortages was heating up in the city. City council had recently adopted a bylaw ordering the removal of tents and sheds that had been popping up around Halifax to shelter homeless people.

Teams of municipal workers had arrived at the scene on Aug. 18, 2021, to dismantle temporary wooden shelters that been erected in front of the former city library.

Video presented in court Tuesday showed police forming a semicircle around the workers to protect them, as housing-rights protesters tried to prevent one of the shelters from being carried on a Bobcat loader to a waiting tractor-trailer. Cries of hold the line! and move back! could be heard on the video from police, along with chants of Shame, shame from the protesters as they pushed back.

Prosecutor Michael Coady called Halifax police Const. Conor Gillam, who had been among the officers trying to fend off the protesters in the park, to describe his arrest of Danais. Gillam testified that he was facing Danais when she pulled off his mask.

At a point when we stopped moving and held our spot, she had grabbed onto my face mask that I was wearing and threw it off and stomped on it and proceeded to yell at me to put my mask back on, he told the court. He said Danais fell behind the police line amid the pushing, and at that point he was ordered to arrest her for obstruction.

He said he saw Danaiss head bang against a police vehicle as she was being placed inside by two officers but added he couldnt see exactly how that happened.

During cross-examination, Gillam said he could not see Danais on the video grabbing his mask, but the officer said he believes she was the person who pulled it off him.

Later on Tuesday, Const. Chris DeLong testified that Danais kicked him in the thigh after she fell through the police line and landed on her back. He said he had a bruise about 13 centimetres in diameter the next day.

However, Rashid asked DeLong why video presented in court appeared to show him kicking Danais earlier in the protest, while she was on her feet, standing before him. The officer denied he kicked her; he said he was raising his knee upward in self-defence.

If I had wanted to kick her it would have looked different than that, he told the defence lawyer.

Rashid suggested that video showed DeLongs left hand on Danaiss throat as officers pushed the protesters back. The officer replied, Definitely, I was pushing her back, yes, but DeLong didnt agree he was pushing on her throat.

In afternoon testimony,Const. Brian Palmeter  who had been standing behind the police line during the protest  told the court Danais had kicked him multiple times on his legs as she lay on her back, adding that one of her kicks aggravated an existing knee cartilage injury.

The court also heard testimony from Const. Amy Edwards, who dealt with Danais at the police station lockup. Edwards said she refused Danaiss request for a blanket because the policy had been to reserve blankets for detainees who would be staying overnight, adding she thought Danais and other protesters would be released that day.

Edwards said there were delays in allowing the arrested protesters to use the sole telephone available to call a lawyer because police wanted to avoid interactions among the detainees.

Rashid is arguing for a stay of proceedings based on police treatment of his client during and following her arrest, saying she wasnt given proper access to legal advice.

The case is set to continue Wednesday with a Crown witness and one defence witness.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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HALIFAX - A former Dalhousie University medical student is appealing his murder conviction for killing a fellow student in 2015 during a drug deal.

A jury in February found William Sandeson guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of 22-year-old Dalhousie physics student Taylor Samson.

Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Jamie Chipman sentenced Sandeson last month to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 15 years.

Sandeson filed a handwritten notice of appeal on Monday stating that the trial judge erred in law by failing to remedy an abuse of process and by not recognizing that his Charter rights had been violated.

The 30-year-old is seeking a stay of proceedings, or that evidence be excluded from the trial because it was allegedly obtained during an unreasonable search and seizure.

Sandeson was convicted of first-degree murder in 2017 for killing Samson, but that verdict was overturned on appeal and a new trial was ordered in 2020.

During his six-week retrial, the Crown argued that Samsons killing was motivated by greed after the victim brought nine kilograms of marijuana to Sandesons downtown Halifax apartment to sell.

Sandeson testified that he feared for his life when Samson lunged at him during an argument over payment.

He said he killed Samson in self-defence and disposed of his body, which has never been found.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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The provincial government announced on Monday the next chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice  using an appointment process the courts own judges described as an aberration.

Judge Sharon Nicklas, who currently serves as one of the courts associate chief justices, will take over from outgoing Chief Justice Lise Maisonneuve when her eight-year term ends on May 31, Attorney General Doug Downey said Monday.

Nicklas was a Crown attorney for over a decade before her appointment to the bench in Kitchener in 2007. She became associate chief justice in 2019, as well as coordinator of the justices of the peace.

Called to the bar in 1994, Nicklas is a graduate of the University of Torontos faculty of law.

It is an honour to have been appointed chief justice, and I look forward to serving the public and the court in this next role, Nicklas said in a statement Monday.

Downey said in a tweet that he believed Nicklas will be a strong leader, steadfast in the effective administration of justice and unwavering in her commitment to all Ontarians.

Downey sparked outrage from the Association of Ontario Judges last year when he asked that potential candidates for the top job apply directly to him, through an email address that only he could access.

The attorney general also wanted judges to provide feedback about potential candidates directly to him  something the judges association said violated the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches of government.

What strikes us as an aberration  is the suggestion that judges ignore the separation of powers and their ethical obligations and communicate directly with the attorney general, association president Judge Julie Bourgeois said in a letter to Maisonneuve that was obtained by the Star last year.

It is our view that the attorney general is inviting members of the judiciary to compromise their ethical obligations. It is also our view that the process as outlined undermines judicial independence and violates our democratic system of separation of powers.

There was further controversy when one of the five candidates for the job, Regional Senior Justice Paul Currie, was charged last month with assault and assault causing bodily harm against his spouse.

Currie had made it to the interview stage of the process, according to an email obtained by the Star that Downey sent to the judges and justices of the peace in January. Its unclear if Currie was still in the running by the time of his assault charges. His next court date is May 23.

The Ontario Court of Justice is one of the countrys busiest levels of court, handling the bulk of the provinces criminal caseload, provincial offences like traffic tickets, and some family matters.

By the time Nicklas takes over as chief justice, the amalgamation of Torontos six provincial criminal courthouses into the new courthouse at 10 Armoury Street will be complete.

The new building, located near University Avenue and Dundas Street West, has been grappling with delays since it started hearing cases in March.

Staffing shortages attributed to burnout and a refusal to work downtown have led to the closure of numerous courtrooms. The result is that trials have had to be adjourned, putting criminal cases at greater risk of being tossed for violating an accused persons constitutional right to a trial within a reasonable time.

Just last week, 25 courtrooms in the new building had to be closed.

The Criminal Lawyers Association has worked closely and productively with Chief Justice Nicklas in her role as associate chief justice on pressing matters for the criminal justice system, including modernization and access to justice, said association president Daniel Brown.

We will continue to work with the chief justice alongside other justice system participants to improve on the many gains made during her predecessors tenure on these important initiatives.

Jacques Gallant is a Toronto-based reporter covering courts, justice and legal affairs for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @JacquesGallant

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For 50 years, the lands in north Pickering have sat in limbo, waiting for a decision on whether or not an airport will be built.

In that time, the municipalities around the airport  Pickering, Markham, Whitby, Stouffville  have been largely built out, thousands of acres of excess federal lands originally expropriated for the airport have been used to create Rouge National Urban Park, the Greenbelt was created, and parts of the nearby Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve were added  and then removed  from protection.

Traffic at Pearson airport, meanwhile, has grown to 35.6 million passengers in 2022, putting a strain on an already congested airport system that has struggled to deal with long lines, flight disruptions and missing luggage.

Both sides of Pickering airport debate optimistic

Residents and local politicians  on both sides of the Pickering airport debate  are optimistic that a new federal study announced in April to analyze current and future airport supply and demand in southern Ontario will finally bring an end to the divisive decades-long saga of what to do with the land. They say its time Ottawa decided on the future of the 8,700 acres that sit in the epicentre of a region facing immense development pressure.

There is one thing in common regardless of what side of the argument you are on  everyone is tired of waiting and just wants to know one way or the other whats going to happen to those lands, said Pickering Coun. Mara Nagy.

Detractors of any proposed airport point to the boondoggle of Montreals Mirabel Airport as a reason not to have one in Pickering. Mirabel was built in 1975 to serve as that citys main airport, but its location was seen as unfavourable for travellers, and passenger travel out of the airport ceased in 2004.

Those who support the Pickering airport say its needed to fill an anticipated demand for air travel and trade in a booming region like the GTHA. Pickering has built its city around the idea that an airport  and the lucrative industry around it  was a done deal.

Pickering airport reports come to differing conclusions

Over the years, reports have led to differing conclusions on what to do with the land, with most finding that eventually an airport would be necessary in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

In 2016, a study commissioned by the federal government found that a new airport was not expected to be required in southern Ontario prior to 2036. That study found that increases in capacity of existing airports in the region would be enough to handle projected traffic demand for the next 20 years.

But according to the lobby group Southern Ontario Airport Network, by 2030 regional air travel demand is likely to outpace the current capacity of the regions airports, which include Toronto Pearson but also Billy Bishop, and smaller airports in Oshawa, Simcoe and Peterborough, as well as Kingston, Waterloo and Hamilton.

The two opposing positions came to a head last week at a heated Pickering council meeting where councillors approved Nagys motion to pull the citys support for the airport in a 6-1 vote, saying there was no real business case for it. That vote reversed the pro-airport stance of the previous council.

But that same day, Durham Regions chair, John Henry, and Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe  the only one who didnt vote in support of Nagys motion, put out a news release lauding the new study and talking about future possibilities if the airport gets a nod.

If the analysis identifies the need for an airport in Pickering, it will attract investment in aviation and aerospace; provide a hub for international businesses; strengthen Canadas advanced manufacturing and aviation sectors; and create thousands of jobs, close to home in Durham, according to the news release.

Population growth in the region sparks federal study

The federal government said the reason for the latest study is the rapid population growth expected in southern Ontario. Ottawa needs to assess the requirement for additional airport capacity in the region with a new study, said Nadine Ramadan, press secretary for federal Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra, in a statement.

Weve been clear that we have no intention of building an airport on the Pickering lands in the near term. This study could lead to the conclusion that an airport on the Lands is not needed in the long term either, said Ramadan, who didnt have a timeline for how long the study will take.

We need to make a final decision on the future of the Pickering Lands, and this study will help us do that.

Local groups say the governments latest statement seems different than the many reports and studies that have come before. But how that message from Ottawa was received seems to differ depending on which side youre on.

Pickering councillor says Ottawas statement quite clear

Nagy said in her view, the federal statement was quite clear, as it lays out that there is no airport in the short term and Ottawa is exploring uses for the land in the long term.

Up until now, the wording and intent has always been a when (an airport would be built) and not an if. said Nagy. And for the first time we are looking at an if and not a when.

But Mark Brooks, a commercial pilot and flight instructor and a member of Friends of Pickering Airport, which is part of the Buttonville Flying Club, said the study is the expected next step in seeing an airport finally come to fruition.

He said Ottawas move also comes just as Durham Region is on the cusp of seeing its growth plan approved for the next 30 years  written with the expectation that an airport is coming.

The airport is not dead, said Brooks. The opposite, in fact, is true.

Pearson airports capacity woes boosts Pickering airport idea

Brooks said Pearson is facing capacity issues, and an airport dedicated to industrial, passenger and cargo capability would take the pressure off that airport  and be a huge economic boon for Pickering.

You are never going to see this assembly of land ever again, he said, adding that it would be closer to the size of Ottawa airport than another Pearson.

Mary Delaney, chair of citizens group Land Over Landings, said that in addition to the new study, an announcement last month from the federal environmental minister about a study of development projects that could impact the Rouge Park will have to include a future airport.

When you combine these two statements together  its clear the government has no intention of building in the near future, and hints strongly that this capacity study will come back with confirmation that there is plenty of capacity already, said Delaney. We have been reading the official line, and between the lines, for decades and we have never seen a clearer line than this.

Delaney, who joined the fight against the airport in the 1970s, said the main concern has always been around the protection of farmland and watersheds. But she said stopping the airport has become even more urgent in the face of a climate crisis.

Final decision on Pickering airport lies with Ottawa

The official position of both Durham and Pickering are only symbolic, as the final decision lies with the federal government. Yet, their positions could influence the consultation process that follows the study, said Jennifer OConnell, Liberal MP for Pickering-Uxbridge.

Our government has been clear that they would not build an airport unless there was community support  which has now been lost  or if there was a strong business case, said OConnell. There hasnt ever been a case made for capacity needs in the past 50 years to even get to a business case.

OConnell said she believes the more economically viable and environmentally friendly solution is to build out existing airports.

I think the question of if we do need capacity in the future, where can we go? this study will actually answer that. And Im hopeful its going to say, You dont need Pickering.

Correction  May 2, 2023: Passenger travel out of Mirabel airport ceased in 2004, but the airport still hosts flights carrying cargo today. A previous version of this article erroneously said the whole airport shut down in 2004.

Noor Javed is a Toronto-based reporter for the Star covering city news with interest in 905 municipal politics. Follow her on Twitter: @njaved

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Torontonians will take to the streets this month as part of Doors Open Toronto, the citys annual celebration of public space and architecture.

This years theme is City of Sound, which looks at musics impact on the development of Torontos buildings and outdoor spaces.

There are 150 free sites to explore through walking tours, demonstrations and more, according to the citys website.

Explorers can take in a variety of musical performances at Fork York National Historic Site, from a Persian classical duo to a Brazilian percussionist.

City Hall is hosting exhibitions, live music and a behind the scenes tour that includes restricted sites like its council chamber and 27th-floor observation deck.

There will also be drum demonstrations, public art displays and free screenings from the National Film Board of Canada.

The Toronto Star is a media partner of Doors Open. The Star will showcase its archival photographs of Torontos music history from past to present during the event.

The city said the event has attracted more than two million visitors to 800 locations since it first began in 2000.

Any buildings that have historical, cultural or social significance can be featured, including peoples homes.

Doors Open takes place over the weekend on May 27 and 28.

MB Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie

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York Regional Police said a suspect wanted in connection to first-degree murder in Vaughan has been arrested.

Officers arrested the suspect while travelling on a stolen vehicle near Jane Street and Finch Avenue, in Toronto.

A Canada-wide warrant search was issued for Illia Ayo, 20, of no fixed address on April 3. Ayo, police said, is known to have associations in London, Ont., as well as in Calgary, Alta.

A second occupant travelling with the suspect in the vehicle was also taken into custody. Police said the man was assisting the murder suspect to avoid being apprehended by authorities.

Ayo has been charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm and ammunition contrary to the prohibition order.

On March 9, York Regional Police answered calls for a shooting near Dufferin Street and Summeridge Drive, in Vaughan. Upon arrival, police found a man who was shot on the side of the road at about 7:30 a.m. Police said the victim was transported to a trauma centre with no vital signs and was later pronounced dead.

The cause of death was determined to be from gunshot wounds, said York Regional Police referring to a post-mortem investigation held a day after the incident.

The victim has since been identified the victim as Alexander Mills-Smith, 24, from Toronto.

A 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were also injured during the incident. In a press release, police said the victims were found with gunshot wounds in Toronto after having fled from the scene in a vehicle.

Police said the man remained in serious condition, while the woman was treated for minor wounds. Both victims have been treated and released from a Toronto hospital.

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Two Toronto police officers are facing theft charges after allegedly stealing the alcohol they seized after an arrest.

In a press release from the Toronto Police Services professional standards unit, police alleged that the officers arrested someone on an outstanding warrant on April 12 and recovered two bottles of stolen alcohol.

TPS said the officers were later seen taking the stolen items to their personal vehicles at 51 Division.

Police executed search warrants and recovered bottles from one officers residence and another officers personal vehicle.

On Tuesday they charged Const. Brian James, 55, and Const. Thomas Victor, 27, with theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and breach of trust.

Both officers are part of the community policing arm 51 Division and are set to appear in court in June.

Const. James is a 27-year veteran of the police service while Const. Victor has served 5 years.

Both constables are suspended with pay under the Police Services Act.

MB Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie

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Plan your trip before youre in your car: The Ministry of Transportation has scheduled 31 closures in Toronto on May 2, 2023 for roadwork on Highway 400, Highway 401, Highway 409, Highway 427 and Queen Elizabeth Way.

Highway 400 northbound between Finch Avenue and Highway 7: three alternating lanes closed until May 7 at 9 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound between Jane Street and 401: one left lane closed until May 5 at 2:30 a.m.

Highway 400 southbound off-ramp at Finch Avenue: one right lane closed until May 5 at 3 p.m.

Highway 401 eastbound at Allen Road: one left lane closed until May 7 at 7 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound at Highway 427: two alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 6 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound between Bayview Avenue and Highway 404: three alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 6 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound between Highway 400 and Morningside Avenue: two alternating lanes closed until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound between Highway 427 and Kipling Avenue: three alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 6 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound between Neilson Road and Whites Road: two alternating lanes closed until May 13 at 7 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound express between Allen Road and Avenue Road: two right lanes closed until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound express between Highway 400 and Morningside Avenue: two alternating lanes closed until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound express between Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue: all lanes closed until May 6 at 6 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound express between Kipling Avenue and Weston Road: two right lanes closed until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 eastbound express between Neilson Road and Whites Road: all lanes closed until May 13 at 7 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound between Brimley Road and Kennedy Road -Scarborough: two alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound between Islington Avenue and Highway 427: three alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 6 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound between Morningside Avenue and Highway 400: two alternating lanes closed until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound between Morningside Avenue and Markham Road: all lanes closed until May 6 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound between Yonge Street and Jane Street: three alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound express at Leslie Street: two right lanes closed from May 2 at 10 p.m. until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound express between Highway 400 and Islington Avenue: two right lanes closed until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound express between Morningside Avenue and Highway 400: two alternating lanes closed until May 5 at 5 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound on-ramp at Dixon Road / Martin Grove Road: all lanes closed until Dec. 4 at 7 a.m.

Highway 401 westbound on-ramp at Kennedy Road -Scarborough: all lanes closed until Dec. 22 at 6 a.m.

Highway 409 westbound between Iron Street and Attwell Drive: one left lane closed until May 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Highway 427 northbound at Burnhamthorpe Road: two alternating lanes closed from May 2 at 9 a.m. until May 3 at 3 p.m.

Highway 427 northbound between Dixon Road / Airport Road and Campus Road / Fasken Drive: two alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 6 a.m.

Highway 427 northbound between Finch Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive: one left lane closed until May 6 at 5 a.m.

Highway 427 southbound between Dixon Road / Airport Road and Eglinton Avenue: two alternating lanes closed until May 6 at 6 a.m.

Highway 427 southbound between Dundas Street and North Queen Street: one left lane closed until May 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Queen Elizabeth Way Fort Erie bound between East Mall and Dixie Road: two alternating lanes closed until May 7 at 5:30 a.m.

Have further to travel? Highway closures for planned roadwork outside Toronto

About this story

This story was automatically generated using open data from Ontario 511. These closures are scheduled for short-term or emergency repairs and maintenance of provincial highways around Toronto, including North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke. The disruptions may be intermittent or ongoing and can change due to weather, emergencies and other factors.

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ReportLinker

Winter Wear Market in Europe 2023-2027. The analyst has been monitoring the winter wear market in Europe and is forecast to grow by $17.02 bn during 2022-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 5.17% during the forecast period.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Europe Winter Wear Market 2023-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454798/?utm_source=GNW

Our report on the winter wear market in Europe provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the rising popularity of digital payment systems, rising demand for premium-quality winter wear, and increase in online spending and sales.



The winter wear market in Europe is segmented as below:

By End-user

 Men

 Women

 Children



By Product

 Coats and jackets

 Sweaters and cardigans

 Shawls and scarves

 Others



This study identifies the increasing focus on R&D and product innovation as one of the prime reasons driving the winter wear market growth during the next few years. Also, new product offerings and rise in number of private-label brands will lead to sizable demand in the market.



The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on the winter wear market in Europe covers the following areas:

 Winter wear market sizing

 Winter wear market forecast

 Winter wear market industry analysis



This robust vendor analysis is designed to help clients improve their market position, and in line with this, this report provides a detailed analysis of several leading winter wear market vendors that include ASOS Plc, Benetton Group Srl, BERSHKA BSK ESPANA SA, C and A Mode GmbH and Co KG, Continental Clothing Co., Debenhams Plc, Hennes and Mauritz AB, Industria de Diseno Textil SA, Kering SA, LTP Group AS, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, Manufy, Marks and Spencer Plc, Matalan Retail Ltd., New Look Retailers Ltd., Primark Stores Ltd., PUNTO FA SL, Stradivarius, Joules Ltd., and Next Retail Ltd. Also, the winter wear market in Europe analysis report includes information on upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. This is to help companies strategize and leverage all forthcoming growth opportunities.

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors.



The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research - both primary and secondary. Technavios market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast accurate market growth.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454798/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




A New Jersey mayor who was blocked from attending a White House celebration this week with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan called Tuesday for the administration to end the federal watch list that he said illegally targets Muslims and others.

During a news conference held Tuesday in South Plainfield by the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah and several other speakers condemned the list as illegal, discriminatory and unconstitutional. They also called on the U.S. Secret Service and other federal agencies to stop using and distributing the list, which the group says has more than 1.5 million names, a majority of which are Arab or Muslim sounding.

CAIR has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBIs dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals. The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration on Monday, Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests.

Khairullah said Tuesday that he has no idea why his information is on the list and that no one in the federal government will tell him, adding that theres no reason to believe Im an unsafe person. Khairullah noted that he has been detained a few times and questioned while traveling, experiences that he called humiliating.

Im not upset about not being at the White House, said Khairullah, who was elected to a fifth term as his towns mayor in January. Im about human rights. I have a platform to address this issue, but about 1.5 million others dont ... an incident like this makes me question the progress I thought we had made.

Selaedin Maksut, the CAIR chapters executive director, said there is no transparency in how or why people are added to or removed from the list, and there is no remedy people can seek to have their names removed.

Two decades after 9/11, we continue to see the harm of the watch lists. We continue to see how it causes difficulties for American Muslims and Americans at large, infringing on their civil rights, Maksut said.

A Secret Service spokesman confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but he declined to detail why. The White House also declined comment.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, New Jerseys two U.S. senators  Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, both Democrats, and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. , a Democrat who represents the district where Khairullah lives  announced that they have formally asked the Secret Service and the Biden administration for an explanation of why the mayor was blocked from attending. The trio also asked that he be notified about the substantive reasons he was denied admission and that his status be reviewed so he may be able to attend such events in the future.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trumps travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. He also has travelled to Bangladesh and Syria to do humanitarian work with the Syrian American Medical Society and the Watan Foundation.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey, where his wife has family.

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

CAIR said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governors mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assads government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the towns mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.

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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo met in Brussels on Tuesday to continue talks on the implementation of a European Union-backed plan to normalize ties between the former war foes.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell convened the meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo. Their agenda included endorsing a declaration on people who remain missing from the 1998-99 war in Kosovo, which was a Serbian province with an armed pro-independence movement at the time.

A statement issued not long after the start of the meeting described the missing persons issue as a humanitarian one and noted the urgent need for additional efforts to alleviate the human suffering of the families craving closure after so many years.

Resolving the issue of missing persons is not only a humanitarian obligation. It is also a crucial enabler for reconciliation and trust between people, Borrell said in a statement.

The governments of Kosovo and Serbia agreed to create a joint commission, monitored by the EU, to resolve the fate of the remaining missing persons. The agreement sets outs details on identifying search locations, exchanging documentation and other procedures.

Kurti and Vucic also were expected to discuss the establishment of an association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo, which is another delicate issue.

The two leaders met in February, when they gave tacit approval to the EUs 11-point plan, and during a March summit in North Macedonia, where both leaders tentatively agreed on how to implement the plan.

The international community will pressure both Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic to continue with a constructive approach, because that is the only way forward, Kosovar analyst Artan Muhaxheri said.

The EU has spent 12 years facilitating negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize its statehood.

Miroslav Lajcak, Borrells envoy to the negotiations, said Tuesdays meeting was a crucial step forward and its important to avoid any actions that could worsen the atmosphere.

Brussels and the United States often intervene to calm down tensions between Belgrade and Pristina, more so in the past year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The war in Kosovo erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people died, mostly ethnic Albanians. NATOs military intervention eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory.

Earlier Tuesday, Kurti posted on social media a call for justice for the deaths of 116 Albanian civilians executed by Serb forces in May 2, 1999 in Studime, a village, 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the capital, Pristina. Kurti demanded punishment for war crimes and justice for the victims.

Kosovo also accuses Serbia of hiding the locations where the bodies of more than 1,600 people still listed as officially missing are buried.

The EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, or EULEX, says it is difficult to find the bodies of as many were buried in small, unmarked graves or even in cemeteries, in an effort by the perpetrators to make the search for the missing more difficult and to hide evidence. Most of the missing are ethnic Albanians, while a few are Serbs.

To move forward normalizing ties, Serbia insists Kosovo must implement a 2013 agreement to establish an association of the municipalities in northern Kosovo with Serb-majority populations. The association would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level.

Kosovos Constitutional Court later declared the plan unconstitutional, ruling it wasnt inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers.

Serbia says no progress is possible in the talks before the association is tackled.

Local elections were held last month in Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives left their posts last year. Ethnic Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted the vote.

Vucic praised the election boycott and sharply criticized Western officials, calling them liars and frauds. He said the Serb minority in Kosovo would no longer tolerate foreign occupation.

They (Kosovo) are threatening Serbia, evoking old days, speaking about their fight for freedom while forgetting it was the Serbs who fought for freedom, and not only against terrorists, but also against NATO aggressors, Vucic said, according to a recording published on Instagram during his flight to Brussels . It will be hard. We have all the big ones in the West against us. Still, law and justice are on our side.

___

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lsemini

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PETIONVILLE, Haiti (AP)  Vigilante killings are surging in Haitis capital and surrounding areas, where an additional five men were slain and set on fire Tuesday by a crowd that left one of the bodies near a police station in an upscale community.

The male victims were apparently brought out alive from the slum of Jalousie outside Port-au-Prince and then killed, according to people in the crowd. Most of the bodies were left strewn along the road that leads to the home of former President Jovenel Moise, who was killed in July 2021. A fifth body was left close to the police station in suburb of Petionville.

Its horrible for them to be killed in front of the eyes of the police, said Jean Marc Etienne, who witnessed the scene while sitting in a park in front of the station. That shows nobody is safe, that anybody can be killed.

The Associated Press visited the police station, where authorities declined to comment. A police spokesman did not return calls for comment.

At least 18 people have been reported killed by crowds in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas since last week, although videos and pictures shared on social media suggest the number is higher. The images largely show crowds pelting men with big rocks and setting fire to gasoline-soaked tires placed around or over their bodies.

The killings come as some Haitians say they are tired and angry over escalating gang violence, with the U.N. noting a 20% increase in killings from January to the end of March, compared with the last quarter of 2022. In addition, 637 kidnappings have been reported so far this year, a 63% increase compared with the last three months of 2022.

The police and the justice (officials) have to take control, Etienne said of the vigilante killings.

Overall, more than 130,000 Haitians have fled their communities as gangs break into homes, set them on fire and kill people in territory held by rival gangs.

On Monday, Prime Minister Ariel Henry condemned the ongoing vigilante killings and ordered people to calm down.

The insecurity we experience is appalling, he said, adding that people should not be dragged into mindless violence.

Some Haitians have condemned the violence on social media, saying that alleged gang members also have a right to life and that they dont support a growing vigilante movement.

Pictures and videos shared on social media have shown Haitians sharpening machetes and using big trucks to block entrances into neighborhoods as they vow to root out gangs that the U.N. says control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.

Over the weekend, Haitis National Police issued a statement saying officers are dismantling gangs across the country that are terrorizing the civilian population.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force, a plea that the U.N.s special envoy to Haiti echoed last week. Its a request that Haitis prime minister first made in October, but the U.N. Security Council has shown no interest.

___

Associated Press reporter Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico contributed.

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TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday he is arranging a trip to South Korea for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol in return for his March visit to Tokyo, aiming to further strengthen their ties before the upcoming summit of the Group of Seven industrialized natioins.

Tokyo and Seoul have been working to repair relations that were strained over wartime history disputes as they deepen three-way security cooperation with Washington in response to growing regional threats from North Korea and China.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Ghana as part of his trip to Africa and Singapore, Kishida said he hopes to visit May 7-8 and exchange views with Yoon on ways to speed up the strengthening of bilateral ties and discuss regional and global issues.

If my South Korea visit is achieved ahead of the G-7 summit, I expect it will be a great opportunity to give impetus to our shuttle diplomacy and have a heart-to-heart exchange of our views on accelerating Japan-South Korea ties and drastically changing the global situation, said Kishida, who is hosting the May 19-21 G-7 summit in Hiroshima.

Later Tuesday, both governments confirmed Kishidas trip and their talks in Seoul.

Yoons office said Kishida will make a working visit to South Korea with his wife, Yuko Kishida, following the presidents invitation during his Tokyo visit in March, marking a fresh start in their diplomacy. Kishidas office said talks between the leaders were scheduled for Sunday.

Kishida will be the first Japanese leader to visit South Korea since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Pyeongchang Olympics in February 2018. The two leaders are expected to focus on cooperation and responses to North Koreas nuclear and missile development.

Japan and South Korea want to ensure their relationship is on track for a considerable recovery ahead of the G-7 summit, where Yoon is invited as one of eight outreach nations. The two leaders are also expected to hold a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines.

But later Tuesday, Japans Foreign Ministry said it strongly protested to South Koreas embassy in Tokyo over a trip by South Korean opposition lawmakers to a disputed island called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea. Seoul controls the island, which continues to strain ties between the nations, including when then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited it in 2012.

The ministry said the visit by the opposition lawmakers to the island was absolutely unacceptable and extremely regrettable.

Washington has been stepping up cooperation with its key Asian allies.

Yoon was in Washington last week and won stronger U.S. commitment on extended nuclear deterrence, including improved information sharing and nuclear submarine visits to South Korea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was at the White House on Monday and Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippines security and noted the deep friendship of the two nations.

Ties between Japan and South Korea have improved rapidly since March, when Yoons government announced plans to use South Korean funds to compensate forced laborers without requiring contributions from Japan. The plan aims to end a dispute stemming from South Korean court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean workers for abusive treatment and forced labor during World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was a Japanese colony.

Since Yoons trip to Japan in March, Tokyo and Seoul have mostly resolved their trade disputes. The two sides also held the first talks between their finance ministers in seven years, seeking strengthened cooperation in resilient supply chains amid Chinas growing influence.

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Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

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Find more of APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific

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BEIRUT (AP)  Israeli airstrikes targeted the international airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo early Tuesday, killing one Syrian soldier and putting the airport out of commission, state media said.

Syrias state news agency SANA, citing a military official, said two civilians and five other Syrian soldiers were wounded, and that Israel had launched airstrikes on other unnamed targets around Aleppo.

There was no immediate statement from Israeli authorities on the strikes.

The airport has been a key channel for the flow of aid into the country after the Feb. 6 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, killing over 50,000 people, including more than 6,000 in Syria.

Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strike targeted a munitions depot by the airport. It also reported Israeli strikes at a military airport in the Aleppo countryside, though Syrian state media did not report on the matter.

In March Israel struck Aleppos airport on two different occasions and put it out of commission for several days.

Israel, which has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment next door, has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of neighboring Syria in recent years, but rarely acknowledges them.

SANA reported on Saturday that Israeli airstrikes over Homs wounded three civilians and that a civilian fuel station caught fire. SOHR said the missiles destroyed an ammunition depot belonging to Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah at a military airport in the countryside of Homs.



Albert Aji reported from Damascus.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An explosion on Tuesday evening struck a base in Iran belonging to the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, killing two workers, local media reported. There was no word on any damages in the blast.

The state-run IRNA news agency said the explosion occurred during a movement of ammunition at the Guard base on the outskirts of the city of Damghan, in northern Semnan province.

The report offered no other details about the source of the explosion. IRNA added that he incident was under investigation.

The semi-official Fars news agency said on its Telegram media channel that two workers at the base were killed and three were wounded in the explosion. It identified the two killed by name but gave no other details.

The Guard, whose expeditionary forces operate across the wider Middle East and aid Iranian-allied militant groups such as the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas group, and Irans military have been targeted before, raising tensions in the region.

In February, satellite photos showed damage to what Iran at the time describes as a military workshop targeted by Israeli drones, the latest such assault amid a shadow war between the two countries. Iran offered no explanation of what the workshop manufactured.

International concerns have mounted over Tehran enriching uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels, with experts warning the Islamic Republic has enough fuel to build several atomic bombs if it chooses.

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DOHA, Qatar (AP)  A closed-door summit on Afghanistan ended Tuesday in Qatar without any formal acknowledgment of the Taliban-run government there, though the United Nations chief said they would hold another meeting in the future.

Activists had worried the gathering in Doha could see the international community reach a recognition deal with the Taliban, even as Afghan women remain largely barred from society under their restrictive measures.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the summit, which the world body described as an event where nations and organizations were trying to reach unified stances on human rights, governance, counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts related to Afghanistan.

No recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government had been anticipated to come out of the meeting, though activists in recent days suggested it was a possibility. The Taliban seized Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

To achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage, Guterres said. And many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons we have learned from the past.

He did not elaborate, though the Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan from 1994 to 2001.

Asked by a journalist if there would be any circumstance under which hed be wiling to directly meet with the Taliban, Guterres said: When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility  but today is not the right moment to do so.

The Taliban themselves were not invited and did not attend the meeting.

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Talibans political office in Doha, told The Associated Press that the new Afghan government dismissed the talks.

If they are not ready to hear us and know our position regarding the issues, how can they reach a convincing and palatable solution? Shaheen said. One-sided decisions couldnt deliver. Afghanistan is an independent country. It has its own voice; we want them to listen to our voice.

Shaheen on Sunday met Andrew McCoubrey, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the United Kingdoms Foreign Office, and Yue Xiaoyong, Chinas special envoy for Afghanistan, in Doha.

As you know, the U.N. envoy has talks with government officials in Kabul, but when it comes to these sorts of conferences ... we are not invited, Shaheen added. We think this is not the solution for Afghan issues and its outcome cant be effective.

Afghanistans acting foreign minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, will travel to Pakistans capital, Islamabad, later this week to meet Chinese and Pakistani officials.

In the time since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, deprived of virtually all their basic rights, according to the U.N.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade and women are barred from working, studying, traveling without a male companion, and even going to parks or bath houses. Women must also cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from working at national and international non-governmental organizations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan remains wracked by poverty and hunger, squeezed like other nations by Russias war on Ukraine.

Guterres offered stinging criticism of the Talibans treatment of women, saying its ban on allowing them to work in aid groups was unacceptable and puts lives in jeopardy.

Let me be crystal clear: We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls rights, he said. We will always speak out when millions of women and girls are being silenced and erased from sight. This is a grave violation of fundamental human rights.

Meanwhile, concerns remain over Afghanistan again becoming a haven for Islamic extremists wanting to strike out abroad. The U.S.-led 2001 invasion came on the back of al-Qaida's Sept. 11 attack on New York and Washington. Since the Taliban takeover, the U.S. has carried out drone strikes targeting suspected militants.

Those concerns have complicated how nations, particularly the West, deal with Afghanistan today.

The Taliban are a terrorist group whose deeply repressive regime has systematically sought to erase more than half of the population from society, an open letter from the activists read. Having denied women and girls almost all of their fundamental human rights, the Taliban has become the only regime in the world upholding a system of gender apartheid.

The countries that took part in the Doha summit included China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Qatar, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula which long hosted a political office for the Taliban, hosted the talks.

___

Associated Press writers Riazat Butt in Islamabad, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Lujain Jo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lujainjo.

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BEIRUT (AP)  The United States and Turkey on Tuesday slapped sanctions on two al-Qaida-linked militants believed to have raised money for two militant groups operating in Syria, the U.S. Treasury said.

The announcement followed another joint move by Washington and Ankara four months ago, when they sanctioned a network of people and companies accusing of helping deliver funds to the extremist Islamic State group.

One of the two sanctioned on Tuesday was a Syria-based militant, identified as Omar al-Sheak. He is suspected of assisting in the financing of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a key al-Qaida-linked group in Syrias rebel-held northwestern Idlib province.

The other militant, said to be based in Turkey and identified as Kubilay Sari, is said to have helped finance Katibat al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad, which the U.S. described as predominantly Uzbek jihadi group that also operates in Idlib.

The U.S. and the United Nations have designated both groups as terrorist organizations.

As terrorist groups continue to seek access to the international financial system, collaboration with our partners increases our ability to more effectively disrupt these facilitation networks, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said in the statement.

Nelson added that Washington will continue working with Turkey and other countries in the region to disrupt the flow of funds to terrorist groups and to degrade their capacity to operate.

The Treasury said al-Sheak, also known as Abu Ahmed Zakour, had held various posts in the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant group, as well as its predecessor, the Nusra Front.

The other sanctioned militant, Sari was said to have funneled money to militant groups through his bank account in Turkey since 2018.

The Uzbek militant group has been active outside of Syria and was accused in the 2017 bombing of the Saint Petersburg metro in Russia and a suicide car bomb attack at the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan in 2016.

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BOISE, Idaho (AP)  A hair found stuck to duct tape wrapping the body of a 7-year-old boy matched the childs mother, a DNA analyst told jurors Monday in the womans triple murder trial.

The hair, found on tape attached to a black plastic bag wrapping the body of Joshua JJ Vallow, contained a partial DNA profile that was compared to three DNA samples, including one from the boys mother, said Keeley Coleman, a DNA analyst for Bode Technology. The results showed the hair came from the mother.

The partial DNA profile matched the DNA profile provided from Lori Vallow Daybell, Coleman said. The probability of randomly selecting a random individual in relation to that profile 1 is 71 billion.

Vallow Daybell is charged with conspiracy, murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of her two youngest children and a romantic rival in what prosecutors say was a doomsday-focused plot carried out with her brother and her fifth husband. The husband, Chad Daybell, is also charged in the case, and the brother, Alex Cox, died of natural causes before the charges were filed.

Idaho prosecutors say the couple espoused strange doomsday-focused beliefs involving demonic possession and zombies to further their plan to kill JJ, his older sister Tylee Ryan, and Chad Daybells previous wife Tammy Daybell so they could collect life insurance and survivor benefits.

Both have pleaded not guilty to murder, conspiracy and grand theft charges, and they are being tried separately. Daybells trial is still months away.

Vallow Daybell has also been charged in Arizona in connection with the the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow.

He was shot and killed by Vallow Daybells brother, Alex Cox, outside of his Phoenix-area home in July 2019. Cox told police the shooting was in self-defense and was never charged in the case. He died of natural causes later that year. Vallow Daybell has not yet had the opportunity to enter a plea in the Arizona case.

The children were last seen alive in September of 2019, just before Tylees 17th birthday. Police discovered they were missing a month later after an extended family member became worried that she wasnt able to get ahold of JJ.

Their bodies were found the following summer buried in Chad Daybells yard. JJs remains were taped, wrapped in plastic and taped again, and Tylees remains had been badly damaged and burned. Some of Tylees bones showed evidence of stabbing or chopping marks, an investigator told jurors last week.

Tammy Daybell died in October of 2019, and her death was initially reported as being from natural causes. But investigators became suspicious after Chad Daybell and Vallow Daybell married two weeks later and eventually had Tammys remains exhumed. An autopsy showed she had been asphyxiated.

On Monday, the DNA analyst told jurors that the hair sample wasnt complete enough to run through the FBI database, but that she was able to compare it to DNA samples from Tylee, Vallow Daybell and Vallow Daybells friend, Melanie Gibb. The FBI database wasnt needed, Coleman said, because she had the three DNA samples from known people.

The trial began last month and was scheduled to last up to 8 weeks or more.

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JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  The mother of one of the three soldiers killed last week when two U.S. Army helicopters collided in a remote part of Alaska said her son loved his country and his family and lifted others up.

Family was everything to him, Stacie Weaver told The Associated Press Monday of her son, Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, of North Logan, Utah, who leaves behind a wife, Kiara, and three young children.

Wayment had a positive outlook and cared about others, Weaver said. He enjoyed the outdoors and was excited to be stationed in Alaska, to fly over rugged landscapes and see the northern lights and wildlife.

Two helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks, collided Thursday about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Healy when they were returning from training, the Army has said. Healy is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) southwest of Fairbanks.

An investigative team from Fort Novosel, Alabama, arrived in Alaska over the weekend and flew to the crash site Monday, said John Pennell, a U.S. Army Alaska spokesperson.

The Army has identified the soldiers who died as Wayment, 32; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Robert Eramo, 39, of Oneonta, New York; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle D. McKenna, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A fourth soldier was injured. That soldiers name has not been released.

Pennell has said that there were no weather or visual constraints known of at the time of the collision.

The Army on Friday grounded aviation units for training after the crash, which occurred a month after nine soldiers were killed when two Army Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters crashed during a nighttime training exercise in Kentucky.

Units are grounded until they complete the training, Lt. Col. Terence Kelley, an Army spokesperson has said. For active-duty units, the training is to take place this week, between Monday and Friday. Army National Guard and Reserve units will have until May 31 to complete the training.

A commander at the level of a two-star general can authorize an exception, he said.

The safety of our aviators is our top priority, and this stand down is an important step to make certain we are doing everything possible to prevent accidents and protect our personnel, Army Chief of Staff James McConville said of the decision to ground flight units for training.

New York U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Monday sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting a review of helicopter crashes within all military branches that were fatal or that involved the loss of aircraft. She requested information on such accidents within the last five years.

She cited a 2021 New York Army National Guard crash that killed three soldiers during training. Since then, we have only lost more service members to catastrophic incidents involving rotary wing aircraft, she wrote.

The Army on Friday said that while both the Alaska and Kentucky crashes are under investigation, there is no indication of any pattern between the two mishaps.

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Hong Kong, China--(Newsfile Corp. - May 1, 2023) - Fintoch Hong Kong Web3.0 Financial Summit Forum is pleased to announce that they are sponsoring an in-depth discussion on the application and impact of Web3.0 technology in the financial field. This time, three heavy hitters, who come from the financial, academic and technical circles respectively, were specially invited. The first person, James Beeland Rogers Jr. (Mr. Jim Rogers), is the founder of Quantum Funds. The second heavy hitter is Mr. Zhu Jiahua, an academic doctor from Taiwan, China. Zhu was a special correspondent of Hong Kong Asia Weekly in Malaysia, a former columnist of Sin Chew Daily, as well as being the former president of Southern University College in Malaysia, a position that he has stepped down from and has now transitioned into being the executive consultant for the college. The third heavy hitter is Mr. Huang Jinqiu, who has a strong background in computer science from the University of Lincoln in the UK. He is a senior journalist of Hong Kong Asia News Weekly and a producer of "Dialogue Brand" on China Central Television.





Chairman of the Board William Thompson

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The three heavy hitters shared their research and practical experience in the fields of Web3.0, blockchain, digital assets, smart contracts, decentralized finance, etc. on the Fintoch Hong Kong Web3.0 Financial Summit Forum, and discussed how Web3.0 technology can change the structure of the financial business and financial market.





James Beeland Rogers Jr

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Fintoch Web3.0 Finance Summit Forum invites VIPs such as Rogers to discuss topics related to the same rights of currency and shares, creating opportunities for users, investors and professional scholars to establish close relationship so as to enable them to join forces in exploring the infinite possibilities of Web3.0 finance. In Hong Kong, Fintoch has reached the pinnacle of the Web3.0 financial era. Fintoch will, as always, persistently promote various technological innovations and product optimizations.

Story continues





Mr. Zhu Jiahua

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Fintoch Web3.0 Financial Summit Forum not only attracted thousands of guests, but also invited the well-known singing duo "Power Station" from Taiwan, China to add the flavor.

After experiencing the initial thriving period and mid-term shock period, Web3.0 has now shown a trend of steady development and growth. In the process of decentralization, some users in the financial industry have also continuously obtained industry dividends from it. In view of this, the much-anticipated Fintoch Hong Kong Web3.0 Financial Summit Forum was successfully held in such a background.

Company: Fintoch

Contact Person: Teodora Walker

Email: help@fintoch.com

Website: www.fintoch.com

Telephone: 1(628) 251-1557

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/164381
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. Secret Service said Monday it blocked a Muslim mayor from Prospect Park, New Jersey, from attending a White House celebration with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests. He said the White House official did not explain why the Secret Service had blocked his entry.

Khairullah, 47, informed the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after he was told he would not be allowed to attend the event.

The group has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBIs dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals. The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trumps travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. He also has travelled to Bangladesh and Syria to do humanitarian work with the Syrian American Medical Society and the Watan Foundation.

It left me baffled, shocked and disappointed, Khairullah said in a telephone interview as he made his way home to New Jersey on Monday evening. Its not a matter of I didnt get to go to a party. Its why I did not go. And its a list that has targeted me because of my identity. And I dont think the highest office in the United States should be down with such profiling.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but declined to detail why. Khairullah was elected to a fifth term as the boroughs mayor in January.

While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening, Guglielmi said in a statement. Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.

The White House declined to comment.

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of CAIR, called the move wholly unacceptable and insulting.

If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has? Maksut said.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey where his wife has family.

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governors mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assads government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the towns mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.

I am Syrian and you know it was very difficult to see what we saw on TV and and social media, and not respond to help people, he said. I mean we felt very helpless.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Oklahomas attorney general asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to grant death row inmate Richard Glossip a stay of execution, saying there were enough problems with Glossips conviction that he deserves a new trial.

In an unusual move for a prosecutor, Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed his motion agreeing with defense attorneys that Glossip deserves a stay.

Drummond said that while he doesnt believe Glossip is innocent, he didnt receive a fair trial. Specifically, Drummond said the key witness against Glossip lied on the stand about his psychiatric condition and his reason for taking the mood-stabilizing drug lithium.

When combined with other problems with the states prosecution, including the destruction of evidence, the state believes Glossips trial was unfair and unreliable, Drummond wrote.

Glossip is scheduled to be executed May 18 for the 1997 murder-for-hire killing of Glossips former boss, Barry Van Treese. Another man, Justin Sneed, admitted robbing and killing Van Treese after Glossip promised to pay him $10,000. Sneed received a life sentence in exchange for his testimony and was the key witness against Glossip.

Drummond has supported Glossips efforts to get his conviction overturned and a new trial ordered.

Nevertheless, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals upheld Glossip's conviction, and last week the states Pardon and Parole Board rejected his request for clemency. Those decisions paved the way for his execution to be carried out May 18.

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WAHPETON, N.D. (AP)  A man accused of intentionally running over an 18-year-old at a street dance in North Dakota had his charges reduced from murder to manslaughter, according to court documents filed Monday.

Shannon Brandt, 42, of Glenfield, North Dakota, initially said he hit and killed Cayler Ellingson in McHenry, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Bismarck, after a political argument in September 2022.

The case drew attention on social media after Brandt told authorities Ellingson was a Republican extremist and that he was afraid that Ellingson was calling people to come and get him, according to court records.

But investigators have since said the case was not political and there is no evidence to support Brandts claim that Ellingson was a Republican extremist.

Brandt was first charged with criminal vehicular homicide but the charge was later upgraded to felony murder. He has also been charged with leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in death.

Foster County State Attorney Kara Brinster was not available Monday afternoon to discuss why the charge was reduced to manslaughter.

Brandts attorney, Mark Friese, said in an email that Brinster chose to reduce the charge and it was not part of a plea deal. The case is still scheduled to go to trial on May 30.

As we have pointed out since the beginning, there is no evidence to support the misplaced allegation of intentional homicide, Friese said. The state and defense forensic experts have provided comprehensive reports confirming this tragedy was an accident. Misplaced media hype and community conjecture is no substitute for evidence. Mr. Brandt is anxious for the truth to be told to a jury at trial.

Instead of life in prison for a murder conviction, Brandt could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years if found guilty of manslaughter.

A probable cause affidavit said Brandt left the scene and was visibly intoxicated when authorities found him at his home in Glenfield.

Ellingson was on the ground when he suffered his fatal injuries, which indicates the injuries werent caused from being struck by Shannon Brandts vehicle and were caused by being run over, according to an autopsy.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida ethics board has dismissed a complaint that allies of former President Donald Trump filed against Republican rival Gov. Ron DeSantis, finding no legal basis for allegations that the governor violated campaign finance laws with a shadow run for the White House.

The Florida Commission on Ethics rejected the complaint in an order filed last week.

The Trump-supporting super PAC MAGA Inc. filed the complaint against DeSantis in March and asked the commission to investigate the governor for allegedly leveraging his office to enrich his national profile.

The ethics panel, which is appointed by DeSantis and the leaders of the state House and Senate, who are both allies of the governor, found no legal basis for the complaints allegations.

There is no inherent reason why respondent, as governor, cannot travel outside the state, and the complaint does not provide additional information to establish that such travel creates a continuing or frequently occurring conflict between his private interests and the performance of his public duties or that it impedes the full and faithful discharge of his public duties, reads the order from ethics commission chairman Glen Gilzean.

Taylor Budowich, the CEO of MAGA Inc., disagreed with the commissions ruling, saying there is abundant evidence DeSantis is running an illegal shadow campaign for president.

It is hardly surprising that another weaponized state entity controlled by DeSantis ignores the facts and the law to protect the governor, he said.

The complaint came as the former president had begun to accelerate criticism of DeSantis, who is widely seen as Trumps most serious challenger for the 2024 GOP nomination. DeSantis has largely avoided firing back at Trump, while the former president peppers the governor with nicknames and takes shots at DeSantis policy positions.

Trump himself faced similar criticism before announcing his own candidacy in November, accused of violating federal campaign laws by raising and spending money for a run ahead of a formal 2024 campaign launch. He was never reprimanded or fined as a result.

While DeSantis has not yet formally announced a 2024 campaign, he is expected to do so after Floridas legislative session ends in May. In the meantime, he has traveled to early-voting states to promote his new book and has met with donors, and just returned from an overseas trade mission.

DeSantis communications team had said the complaint was a politically motivated attack when it was filed but did not immediately return an emailed request for comment on Monday.

Ethics complaints are often used by campaigns to raise questions about opponents by making complaints public, although many are resolved or dismissed without the commission finding violations.

___

Associated Press reporter Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.

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LAS VEGAS (AP)  Jim Marchant, a Nevada Republican who led a movement of candidates who promoted Donald Trumps lies of a stolen 2020 election, announced Tuesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen in the swing state.

The entrance of Marchant, who lost last years race for Nevada secretary of state, may be another headache for national Republicans who are trying to prevent a repeat of the midterms. Voters in Nevada and other battleground states rejected candidates who ran on election conspiracies, allowing Democrats to increase their hold on the Senate.

Democrats face an even tougher environment to keep their slim majority in 2024. Nevada is likely to be one of the nations most competitive Senate races after hosting the closest contest of 2022. Democratic incumbent Catherine Cortez Masto eked out a narrow victory over another high-profile election denier, Adam Laxalt.

Marchant, 66, has been a fierce supporter of Trump and his Make America Great Again movement and describes himself as a MAGA conservative. Hes the first major Republican to challenge Rosen, a first-term moderate.

Theres nothing more precious than our freedom and personal liberty, Marchant told about 200 invited guests at a suburban Las Vegas church. And Im running for United States Senate to protect Nevadans from the overbearing government, from Silicon Valley, from big media, from labor unions, from the radical gender change advocates.

Marchant, a former one-term state Assembly member who also lost a bid for Congress three years ago, raised his national profile last year as the organizer of a coalition of 17 GOP candidates who falsely purported that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. All but one of those candidates lost, including Marchant.

Rosen, 65, was president of a prominent Jewish synagogue before defeating GOP Sen. Dean Heller in 2018. She has not drawn a party challenger since announcing last month that she would seek reelection in the perennial battleground state. Two unknown and nearly unfunded Republicans, Rhonda Kennedy and Stephanie Phillips, and an independent, Bradley Scott Wing, have submitted their names to the Federal Election Commission.

While far-right candidates like Jim Marchant spread baseless conspiracy theories that undermine our democracy, Ive always focused on bringing both sides together to solve problems and stand up for hardworking Nevadans, Rosen said in a statement.

Federal campaign financial reports for the filing period ending March 31 showed Rosen raised more than $10 million for the race and had $6 million to spend. Marchant was not yet listed by the FEC on Tuesday. State election reports showed he spent almost $550,000 on his secretary of state bid.

For the 2024 race, national Republicans are recruiting Sam Brown, a retired Army captain who finished second in last years GOP Senate primary, according to a GOP strategist who works on Senate races. The strategist, who was not authorized to discuss the effort publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Republicans in Washington like Browns ability to raise money from the partys grassroots and his profile as a war hero. Browns face was badly burned in a 2008 explosion in Afghanistan.

Marchant appeared most often during his campaign for secretary of state at remote public places and on far-right media outlets including Steve Bannons War Room podcast, where he endorsed false election claims, including that all Nevada elected officials since 2006 had been installed by the deep-state cabal.

In a brief interview following his Tuesday announcement, with campaign adviser Dick Morris at his side, Marchant did not walk away from his prior claims that the 2020 election was stolen, but said he was now focused on the future.

I have serious doubts, Marchant told The Associated Press. Ive been on record for a long time trying to prove how the election, I believe, was not up-and-up. I think it was probably stolen. There were a lot of ways they were able to figure out how to manipulate the system.

All I want to do is go forward and make sure none of the other ones are stolen, he said.

Marchant also toured rural Nevada counties last year to encourage local lawmakers to get rid of voting machines and adopt paper ballots. He was the architect of a hand-count in rural Nye County, which became one of the first jurisdictions nationwide to attempt the slower, less reliable method of counting votes.

The Nye County effort was ultimately conducted alongside machines due to state regulations, a string of lawsuits and concerns from the Republican Nevada secretary of state, who was censured by the party for pushing back against false claims of widespread election fraud.

Democrat Francisco Cisco Aguilar defeated Marchant in November, running on a platform of repairing trust in elections and protecting poll workers.

Marchant and Laxalt, a former Nevada state attorney general, both lost their midterm races, even as Republican Joe Lombardo won the race for governor. Lombardo distanced himself from Trump at times during his campaign and never offered an endorsement of unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen due to widespread fraud.

Marchants defeat marked a pattern among election conspiracy theorists who sought to gain control of elections in competitive states. Among his coalition of 17 like-minded Republican candidates, only one was elected: Diego Morales, now secretary of state in Indiana. Election deniers lost all top races in swing states.

I will be a commonsense, America-first, for-the-people senator, Marchant told the AP. Thats all that they want. ___

Cooper reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writer Gabe Stern contributed from Reno, Nevada. Stern is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter: @gabestern326.

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd has been convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

Tou Thao, who already had been convicted in federal court of violating Floyds civil rights, was the last of four former officers facing judgment in state court in Floyds killing. He rejected a plea agreement and, instead of going to trial, let Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill decide the verdict based on written filings by each side and evidence presented in previous cases.

There is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Thaos actions were objectively unreasonable from the perspective of a reasonable police officer, when viewed under the totality of the circumstances, Cahill wrote in a 177-page ruling that was filed Monday night and released Tuesday.

Floyd, a Black man, died May 25, 2020, after officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyds neck for 9 1/2 minutes as he pleaded for air. The killing, captured on bystander video, touched off protests around the world and prompted a national reckoning with police brutality and racism.

Chauvin, the senior officer at the scene, was convicted of murder and manslaughter in April 2021 and later pleaded guilty in the federal case. Two other officers  J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane  pleaded guilty to state charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter and were convicted with Thao in their federal case.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution team, said Thaos conviction brings one more measure of accountability in the tragic death of George Floyd while calling on Congress to enact a sweeping police overhaul named for Floyd.

While we have now reached the end of the prosecution of Floyds murder, it is not behind us. Ellison said. There is much more that prosecutors, law-enforcement leaders, rank-and-file officers, elected officials, and community can do to bring about true justice in law enforcement and true trust and safety in all communities.

Defense attorney Robert Paule did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Lawyers for the Floyd family called the verdict another measure of accountability for his death.

Nearly three years after George was killed, the family and Minneapolis community continue to heal as the criminal justice system prevails. With each of these measures of justice, it is even more so demonstrated that police brutality is an illegal  and punishable  act, civil rights attorney Ben Crump and his team said in a statement.

The judge set sentencing for Aug. 7. Minnesota guidelines recommend four years on the manslaughter count, which Thao would serve concurrently with his 3 1/2-year federal sentence.

Unlike the other three former officers, Thao maintained he did nothing wrong. When he rejected a plea deal in state court last August, he said it would be lying to plead guilty.

Cahill based his decision on exhibits and transcripts from Chauvins murder trial, which he presided over, and the federal civil rights trial of Thao, Kueng and Lane. Thao was specifically convicted then of depriving Floyd of his right to medical care and of failing to intervene and stop Chauvin. Cahill wrote that he focused on the evidence that pertained to Thao and not on the other officers or their pleas and guilty verdicts.

Thao is Hmong American, Kueng is Black and Lane is white.

Thao testified during his federal trial that he was relying on the other officers to care for Floyds medical needs while he served as a human traffic cone to control a group of about 15 bystanders and traffic outside a Minneapolis convenience store where Floyd had tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.

Thao said that when he and Chauvin arrived, the other officers were struggling with Floyd. He said it was clear to him, as the other officers tried to put Floyd into a squad car, that he was under the influence of some type of drugs.

His body camera video showed he told onlookers at one point, "This is why you dont do drugs, kids. When an off-duty, out-of-uniform Minneapolis firefighter asked if officers had checked Floyds pulse, he ordered her, Back off!

Thao acknowledged he heard onlookers becoming more anxious about Floyds condition and that he could hear Floyd saying, I cant breathe. But Thao said he didnt know there was anything seriously wrong with him even as an ambulance took him away.

Cahill wrote that he found that key parts of Thaos testimony, and his justifications for his actions, were not credible.

The judge wrote that under Minneapolis Police Department policies, it was objectively unreasonable to (among other things): encourage fellow officers to engage in a dangerous prone restraint for 9 minutes and 24 seconds; encourage those officers not to use a hobble; actively assist their restraint by acting as a human traffic cone; and prevent bystanders from rendering medical aid.

Thaos actions were even more unreasonable in light of the fact that he was under a duty to intervene to stop the other officers excessive use of force and was trained to render medical aid, the judge added.

In keeping with an agreement between the prosecution and defense, Cahill dismissed a more serious aiding and abetting second-degree murder count with a presumptive sentence of 12 1/2 years.

Vice President Kamala Harris and others have called for reviving the the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act this year after it stalled in the Senate amid Republican opposition in 2020 and 2021. The legislation aims to eliminate misconduct, racial discrimination and excessive force in policing nationwide. It would ban the use of chokeholds and end the qualified immunity that protects officers from lawsuits, among other things.

___ For more of APs coverage on the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. is sending Ukraine about $300 million in additional military aid, including an enormous amount of artillery rounds, howitzers, air-to-ground rockets and ammunition as the launch of a spring offensive against Russian forces approaches, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

The new package includes Hydra-70 rockets, which are unguided rockets that are fired from aircraft. It also includes an undisclosed number of rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, mortars, howitzer rounds, missiles and Carl Gustaf antitank rifles. The weapons will all be pulled from Pentagon stocks, so they can go quickly to the front lines. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid has not yet been formally announced.

The latest shipment comes as Ukrainian officials say they are readying a counteroffensive  with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov declaring they are in the home stretch, when we can say: Yes everything is ready. Ukrainian officials have said they are stockpiling ammunition to stow it along potentially long supply lines.

Reznikov said Monday that the key things for the assaults success would be the availability of weapons; prepared, trained people; our defenders and defenders who know their plan at their level, as well as providing this offensive with all the necessary things  shells, ammunition, fuel, protection, etc.

The U.S. in recent months has declined to say exactly how much materiel will be sent to Ukraine, but the latest package resembles other previous deliveries. Officials said there will also be trucks, trailers, spare parts, and other maintenance assistance.

This is the 37th package of Pentagon stocks to go to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022, and it brings the total U.S. military aid to about $36 billion.

Officials have said the weapons and other equipment will help as Ukraine prepares to shift from what has been a long and bloody winter stalemate, focused on heavy fighting in Ukraines east, particularly around the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk province.

The General Staff of Ukraines armed forces said Russia was continuing to concentrate its efforts on offensive operations in Ukraines industrial east, focusing attacks around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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SALEM, Ore. (AP)  Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan announced her resignation Tuesday amid sharp criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for having moonlighted as a highly-paid consultant to a marijuana business.

Fagan, a Democrat, apologized on Monday for working for the marijuana company, but she indicated that she intended to serve out the remaining 20 months of her term. Making matters worse: Fagan worked for two months as a paid consultant for the marijuana business, which has a sketchy financial record, while her office was wrapping up an audit of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

Fagans consulting job, first reported on April 27 by Willamette Week, paid $10,000 per month, with bonuses three times that amount if she helped the company get licensed in other states. The secretary of states salary is $77,000 annually  established almost a decade ago.

In a virtual press conference Monday, Fagan apologized for taking the outside job and attributed it to poor judgment. She told reporters that she quit the moonlighting job. On Tuesday, she bowed to pressure to leave her elected office too.

It is clear that my actions have become a distraction from the important and critical work of the Secretary of States office, Fagan said.

Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek will appoint a successor to Fagan, whose last day is next Monday. No Oregon secretary of state has completed their four-year term for a decade, due to the resignation of a governor who was replaced by a secretary of state and a death in office from cancer of another secretary of state.

Despite its low salary, it is an important job, tasked with overseeing elections and audits of state entities.

The audit released Friday called for Oregons marijuana regulatory agency to reform some rules for marijuana businesses, saying theyre burdens, combined with federal restrictions. Fagan was absent during a Zoom news conference timed with the audits release.

Her spokesman told that news conference that Fagan had recused herself from the audit, but it was too much for politicians across the political spectrum to swallow. Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp and House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson immediately called for her to resign. On Tuesday,

Kotek said she supported Fagans decision.

It is essential that Oregonians have trust in their government. I believe this is a first step in restoring that trust, Kotek said.

Democratic leaders in the Legislature, where Fagan had served before being elected in 2020 to the states second-highest office, issued a joint statement minutes after Fagan announced her resignation, saying she needed to go.

Secretary of State Fagans severe lapses of judgment eroded trust with the people of Oregon, including legislators who depend on the work of the Audits Division for vital information on public policy, said House Speaker Dan Rayfield, Senate President Rob Wagner, House Majority Leader Julie Fahey and Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber.

This breach of trust became too wide for her to bridge. Her decision to resign will allow the state to move on and rebuild trust, they said.

Fagan noted Monday that ethics guidelines allow outside employment. She said the consultancy for an affiliate of marijuana retailer La Mota didnt represent a conflict of interest because any action taken as a result of the audit would be by the governor, Legislature or cannabis commission; and because a wide range of businesses would be affected by any regulation changes, not just her client.

La Motas co-owner has hosted fundraisers for top Democratic Oregon politicians, including Fagan, while the co-owner, her partner and their business allegedly owed $1.7 million in unpaid bills and more in state and federal taxes, according to Willamette Week.

At Mondays news conference, Fagan fought back tears as she said she is deeply honored to serve as Oregon Secretary of state, regardless of the compensation.

I owe the people of Oregon an apology, Fagan said. I exercised poor judgment by contracting with a company that is owned by my significant political donors and is regulated by an agency that was under audit by my audits division.

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The big number 11 years the current projected delay for new rapid transit facing Scarborough riders. A funded LRT project was set to open in 2019. The current subway plan isnt set to open until 2030.

Candidates vying to be the next mayor of Toronto may want to take a break from arguing about Ontario Place or suggesting bike lanes are tools of the devil or whatever and spare a thought for Scarborough transit riders.

Because Scarborough transit riders once again could be getting a raw deal.

That should hardly come as a surprise, of course. Its been decades of raw deals and broken promises for east-end TTC users.

Scarborough residents were promised that the Scarborough RT  built in the 1980s using a bespoke untested technology  would provide high-quality service. But it didnt. In disrepair, itll take its last trip this fall, with the line set to be decommissioned before the end of 2023.

Later, Scarborough residents were promised an extension of the Line 2 subway, with the idea that the subway could open before the SRT shut down. But it wont. It wont even come close. When the RT shuts down this fall, the subway extension will be about seven years away from its planned opening date in 2030  assuming there are no further delays.

In light of that, last year Scarborough residents were made another promise, being told that the buses replacing the SRT for the 35,000 daily riders would, once the old track is removed, run along a new busway following a stretch of the RT route. This would, at least, mean buses wouldnt have to compete with car and truck traffic as riders wait for the subway to open.

But now its looking like that may not happen either.

A report heading to city halls executive committee Tuesday confirms the $49.5 million busway plan approved by the TTC board last September remains unfunded. While previous reports have suggested the busway could open in 2025  following a decommissioning process for the RT  the new report contains no specific date.

Instead, the report says, The bus replacement service will continue operating on-street until either the existing SRT right-of-way between Kennedy Station and Ellesmere Station is converted to a dedicated busway (subject to funding availability) or the [subway extension] begins service, whichever occurs first.

With the busway in limbo, the TTC is offering Scarborough residents yet another promise, where buses will be deployed on two parallel routes, serving northbound stops on Kennedy Road and southbound stops on Midland Avenue. At peak times, buses will need to be scheduled at frequencies of at least one bus every minute to handle demand.

The report says this will help to ensure these services can operate reliably and improve travel times for customers. Ill believe it when I see it.

At this point, skepticism about everything related to Scarborough transit is absolutely justified. Its worth remembering that the original, fully funded plan to replace the Scarborough RT with something more reliable  an LRT line that could provide future connectivity to Malvern  came with a projected opening date of 2019. Before any future delays are factored in, the current 2030 in-service plan for the subway means Scarborough is already dealing with an 11-year delay for better transit.

Let me repeat that again: 11 years.

So lets remember, too the politicians who had a hand in this mess  because, hey, it turns out some of them are running for mayor right now.

Candidate Mitzie Hunter, for example, was part of a cohort of Liberal MPPs who pushed for city hall to scrap the funded LRT plan in favour of the subway, and then didnt offer enough additional funding to keep up with escalating costs, necessitating a series of delays and changes.

Then theres former councillor Ana Bailao, who supported former mayor Rob Fords impulsive moves to cancel the LRT in favour of the subway, despite obvious red flags about the lack of funding, and who later backed former mayor John Torys attempts to salvage the plan instead of simply reverting to the LRT option.

And dont forget city councillor Brad Bradford. He, like Bailao, hung with Tory as a diehard supporter of the Scarborough subway, voting against a move from Coun. Josh Matlow  also a mayoral candidate  to take another look at the LRT alternative once it became clear the SRT would shut down years before the subway was scheduled to open.

On the flip side, Matlow deserves credit for understanding this was a looming disaster earlier than many others, and for repeatedly pushing for options that would have delivered rapid transit for Scarborough sooner.

Some might suggest the Scarborough transit debate is old news, and not worth relitigating in this mayoral election, but tell that to Scarborough transit riders who are looking at seven years or more of bus service before they get their promised rapid transit. Thats not old news  thats their future, and it sure looks like it could be miserable.

This is hardly the time to forgive and forget.

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If your boss asked you to pay him $1,000 in cash to keep your job, expected you to work without safety equipment or holiday pay, or told you to sleep on the floor in the apartment he was renting to you  you would probably quit. I hope you would.

But if you are a temporary foreign worker this may not feel like an option for you.

The Canadian temporary foreign worker program continues to grow, as companies grapple with labour shortages in many sectors. Last year an estimated 220,000 temporary foreign workers came to Canada and this number is likely to be even higher next year as the federal government relaxes restrictions on the program.

Will the number of abuses increase too? Probably, unless we change the way the program is administered.

The biggest problem right now is closed work permits. Temporary foreign workers must stay with the employer who hires them. If temporary foreign workers quit or are fired they can only work for a new employer who happens to have an unfilled labour market impact assessment (LMIA), or they have to return home. And because temporary foreign workers all have closed work permits, they sometimes endure working conditions that Canadian employees would walk away from.

Open work permits, in contrast, would give temporary foreign workers the same flexibility that Canadians take for granted. Open work permits would allow them to quit a job that is abusive and move to any other employer that will hire them. Interestingly, open work permits are already offered to temporary foreign workers who can demonstrate that they are being mistreated. But at that point the abuse has already happened. And many temporary foreign workers are reluctant to report abusive employers because they are (mistakenly) worried about jeopardizing their future chances to apply for permanent residency.

Open work permits are also more flexible for employers. With one, a temporary foreign worker can be promoted easily or moved to where they are needed most within an organization, especially as they gain more experience and their skills improve. Companies needs change quickly, and this flexibility can be crucial in a competitive environment. Some temporary foreign workers could even work at a second part-time, short-term, or seasonal job, if they wanted.

To be sure, some advocacy groups would argue that we should immediately grant citizenship or permanent residency to all temporary foreign workers as soon as they arrive in Canada. However, the amount of bureaucracy involved would also increase dramatically, slowing down a process that is already very cumbersome. When companies are hiring workers they usually need someone immediately. Temporary foreign workers who are seeking work also need to be able to work as soon as possible.

Granting immediate permanent residency to all temporary foreign workers would also give the companies that use the temporary foreign worker program, such as slaughterhouses and fast-food restaurant chains, much greater involvement in deciding who immigrates to Canada. Most Canadians would not be comfortable with more corporate involvement in Canadian immigration decisions.

Of course, with open work permits some companies might complain that their investment  the worker they just recruited  will walk out the door. Temporary foreign workers are more expensive and time consuming to recruit than Canadians. Companies pay $1,000 just to apply for a LMIA that enables them to recruit temporary foreign workers, and they may also have to pay for the workers transportation or housing costs.

However, the risk of their new worker leaving is the incentive for companies to treat their temporary foreign workers well. Companies should not choose workers just because they cannot quit.

Every few weeks we hear about more temporary foreign workers being exploited or mistreated. The government continues to tinker with the temporary foreign worker program, so these abuses continue. Open work permits would enable these workers to walk away from bad jobs, just like any Canadian.

Catherine Connelly is a Canada Research Chair in organizational behaviour at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University and the author of Enduring Work: Experiences with Canadas Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

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FLEX LNG

Hamilton, Bermuda

May 2, 2023

Flex LNG Ltd ("Flex LNG" or the "Company") will release its preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2023 on Tuesday May 16, 2023, on or about 07:00 CEST (1:00 a.m. EST).

In connection with the earnings release, a live video webcast will be held at 15:00 CEST (9:00 a.m. EST) on the same day. In order to attend, use the following link to register and watch the webcast:

https://events.webcast.no/viewer-registration/Pn9ZYoK6/register





We encourage listeners to register for the webcast 5-10 minutes prior to start. A Q&A session will be held after the presentation. Information on how to submit questions will be given at the beginning of the presentation. You can also submit questions by sending an email to ir@flexlng.com.

The presentation material which will be used will be made available on www.flexlng.com and a replay of the webcast will also be made available at this website, as well as on the Flex LNG YouTube channel.





For further information, please contact:

Mr. Knut Traaholt, Chief Financial Officer of Flex LNG Management AS

Telephone: +47 23 11 40 00

Email: ir@flexlng.com





About FLEX LNG

Flex LNG is a shipping company focused on the growing market for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Our fleet consists of thirteen LNG carriers on the water and all of our vessels are state-of-the-art ships with the latest generation two-stroke propulsion (MEGI and X-DF). These modern ships offer significant improvements in fuel efficiency and thus also carbon footprint compared to the older steam and four-stroke propelled ships. We have built up a significant contract backlog, having fixed 12 of our 13 vessels on long term fixed-rate charter contracts. Flex LNG is listed both on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE) under the ticker "FLNG". For more information, go to: www.flexlng.com.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.




A shameful scene unfolded recently outside a meeting of the York Catholic District School Board when adults purporting to protect Ontarios children proved instead to be a direct threat to their well-being.

How else to describe a group of adults, many of them presumably parents of school-aged children, who turned up at the meeting to loudly oppose the possibility that the board will fly the rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ students in June?

How else to describe adults who appeared to hurl insults at those in favour of flying the flag? In a video clip shared widely by various news outlets, shouts of shame and devil incarnate were hurled at an advocate on the pro side of the flag debate. The scene became so tense police were called and security reportedly escorted some of the spectators away.

Some of these spectators may argue that their objection wasnt specifically to the Pride flag itself but to what they believe it stands for: in their minds, the corrupting of children who are allegedly too young to learn in school about the diversity of gender and sexuality.

To this odious notion we say: no one is too young to learn that gay, transgender and non binary people exist, just as no one is too young to learn that cisgender, heterosexual people exist. Queer people are not by their mere existence sexually explicit.

To meet a queer person, to learn what transgender means, to be read a picture book by a drag performer is in no way being exposed to the intimate details of a persons sex life. This belief is not only nonsensical; it is derivative of hateful, age-old myths about queer people as a perverse influence on children.

It is also derivative of a certain brand of anti-LGBTQ politics we commonly associate with the United States. But if last weeks events at the Catholic school board in York Region teach us anything, let it be that Canada is not immune to public displays of hateful rhetoric. These displays may be less common here but even in small doses they are potent. And it is up to all of us  Catholic school board officials and community members alike not to be complacent in the face of them.

It seems a reminder is in order about why Pride celebrations are necessary in schools. Flying the Pride flag isnt a hollow act of virtue signalling; it is an official declaration of support for marginalized kids who desperately need it.

According to a recent survey on anti-queer discrimination in Canadian schools conducted by the LGBTQ advocacy group EGALE, 64 per cent of all participants reported hearing homophobic comments daily or weekly at school.

Meanwhile, 79 per cent of transgender students who had been the victims of physical harassment reported that teachers and staff were ineffective in addressing transphobic harassment.

Just over 30 per cent of respondents who attend Catholic schools said they experienced harassment based on their perceived sexual orientation.

The title of EGALEs report sums up the status of anti-LGBTQ discrimination in Canada: Still in Every Class in Every School.

RELATED STORIES GTA Police called after heated dispute at Catholic school board meeting over raising Pride flag

Two things can be true at once: that we have made enormous progress as a society when it comes to inclusion  and that we havent made nearly enough.

This is why it is critical that schools fly the Pride flag: to signal to kids that even if their peers or their parents reject them because of their identity, the school itself  and those at its helm  do not.

On Monday, when asked about the recent controversy, Education Minister Stephen Lecce made clear his support of LGBTQ students. We will be celebrating what the message of Pride is, which is inclusion and unconditional love to every child in Ontario.

We sincerely hope for the sake of every child that York Regions Catholic school board finds the courage to join the celebration.

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In February, while visiting Barbados, my wife was admitted to hospital after suffering a setback due to her diabetes.

She survived four days before she succumbed to her illness.

This time was very hard on me. It took one week before a doctor signed her medical records for repatriation. Her body was flown back to Canada after more than three weeks.

Travellers need to be aware of this situation and make travel decisions based on critical health concerns. Anyone travelling should review details of their insurance coverage with their insurers to ensure that all their medical needs are guaranteed and satisfied.

Our private health-care plans disburse huge amounts of money to deal with this and I dont believe that we are getting value for this kind of payout.

Sincerely,

Chan Baboolal, Oakville

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OTTAWA - Atlantic fishers are feeling the pinch as Japan brings in cheap Russian product rather than Canadian snow crabs, with federal ministers and provincial premiers saying they are raising the issue with Japanese officials.

But Tokyo is pushing back on claims that its trade decisions are undermining G7 sanctions  or that they are having much of an effect on the Canadian industry.

Snow crab prices have dropped in Newfoundland and Labrador from $7.60 per pound at the start of last years season to an opening price of $2.20 this year.

Fishers in the province have refused to start harvesting this year as they scramble to sell off last years surplus, although the price could still rise.

Analysts say crab is a lucrative species for Atlantic Canada, and it was the countrys second-largest seafood export in 2021. Market prices hit record highs during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but began plummeting last year.

The United States blocked sales from Russia to punish the country for its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and its own Alaska crab fishery collapsed, making Washington reliant on Canada.

But American customers have opted against pricey Canadian crab during a period of inflated food prices, leaving unsold roughly 10 million pounds of Canadian crab that was caught last year.

Meanwhile, Moscow has flooded other parts of the international market with cheap product.

South Korea and Japan are still allowing such imports, and the latter has become the target of an influence campaign by Canadian politicians.

Japanese trade magazine Toyo Keizai reported that as of last October, Japan had increased its imports of all forms of Russian crab by 50 per cent compared with the same period the year before that.

Conservative fisheries critic Clifford Small has raised the issue in Parliament in recent months, saying Ottawa should press Japan to ban Russian crab as a measure of solidarity among G7 countries.

His home province of Newfoundland and Labrador says snow crab exports accounted for $886 million in sales in 2021, but the price crash has now left fishers trying to sell last years catch.

A week ago, Trade Minister Mary Ng would not specify when Small asked whether Ottawa had explicitly requested that Asian allies sanction Russian crab.

We have raised this issue with Japan, she told the House of Commons. We will continue to stand up for Canadian fishers.

Ngs office added Tuesday that Canada still hopes Japan will change course, as part of their ongoing collaboration to isolate Russia.

We are thankful for Japans continued efforts to work with allies to isolate Russia, and have asked Japan to consider Canadas sustainable, ethical and premium snow crab to replace its current supply of Russian products, spokeswoman Alice Hansen wrote in an email.

Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray told the Fisheries Committee on March 27 that she discussed the matter with Tokyos envoy.

I have raised this matter personally twice with the ambassador from Japan to Canada  in fact, once at his residence at a reception. We are taking a Team Canada approach, she said.

We will stand up for our fish harvesters and our fishing industry and help export our top-quality products around the world.

The Japanese Embassy in Ottawa said its been steadfast in sanctioning Russia and banning trade in multiple products. Tokyo removed preferential tariffs on Russian fishery products including crab, which drives up the price for those imports but doesnt block them.

The cause of shifting trade flows is thought to be the soaring price of Canadian crab, as a result of the impact of higher fuel costs and other factors, the embassys economic section told The Canadian Press in a statement.

Should prices normalize, we expect that purchases of Canadian crab will increase.

Small, who is the Conservatives fisheries critic, has asked for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to raise the issue with his Japanese counterpart. Trudeau is widely expected to visit Japan later this month for the G7 leaders summit in Hiroshima.

While Canadian prices may have been higher than that of crab dumped on the Japanese market as a result of U.S. sanctions, we are G7 partners and the government of Canada should be pressing Japan to buy from us, and sanction Russian crab until the Ukraine war is over, he said in an emailed statement.

Small said aggressive Russian dumping left unchecked is causing the biggest Newfoundland fishery shutdown since the calamitous 1992 cod moratorium.

The economic devastation as a result of whats happening is immense.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey raised the issue with Japanese Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi during his visit to St. Johns in March, with the province noting in a statement the negative impact that exports of Russian crab to Japan are having on the provinces crab fishery.

And Nova Scotias government said Fisheries Minister Steve Craig raised the snow crab issue during two recent meetings with Japanese officials, adding the species makes up the provinces second-largest seafood export.

New Brunswicks fisheries department said it was aware of the issue and is promoting exports where it can, such as with the ongoing Seafood Expo Global in Spain. Prince Edward Island did not offer a response.

Still, Japanese officials seem unconvinced that their country is having much of an effect on the Canadian market.

The embassy noted that roughly 90 per cent of Canadas snow crab exports go to the U.S., while Japans share made up only about four per cent before the invasion of Ukraine.

We consider it difficult to believe that the decrease in Japans imports is the main factor having a major impact on the Canadian fisheries industry, the embassy said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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Mitzie Hunter says she will resign as MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood on May 10 to concentrate full-time on her run for mayor of Toronto in a crowded field of candidates.

Im all in, and I want people to know that, Hunter told the Star in an interview Monday.

Contrasting herself with rivals who do not have to quit city council seats or other jobs to seek the mayors chair, the former Liberal education minister said she is leaving the relative security of Queens Park after 10 years because the city is at a turning point or a breaking point in safety, livability and affordability.

Provincial law requires any MPPs or MPs seeking the mayors chair to step down by the May 12 candidate registration deadline for the June 26 byelection to replace John Tory. Other candidates may have to take temporary leaves from their day jobs to run.

It does feel that the stakes are higher for me, but it is so worth it, added Hunter, whose base pay as an MPP is $116,500 a year.

I believe we have to be at a turning point  that we turn the corner as a city.

With eight weeks until the vote, Hunter said she is ready to make the leap of faith despite several public opinion polls putting competitors such as former New Democrat MP and city councillor Olivia Chow, former city councillor Ana Bailao and former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders ahead of her.

Its still pretty early, added Hunter, who came fourth in the 2020 race for Ontario Liberal leader. I believe Im very well-positioned. Im in the top five group, which is good.

Touting her experience in government at Queens Park, as chief executive of CivicAction and as chief administrative officer for the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Hunter said she can bring fresh eyes and a wider perspective to city hall.

Of course, I have not been a city councillor or police chief, but I have the leadership experience and I have the commitment.

Hunter has said she would not use the strong mayor powers Premier Doug Fords government has granted to Toronto, which allow the mayor to override majority votes on council.

Other pledges include a waterfront east light rail transit line to link neighbourhoods and take traffic pressure off area roads, opening 24/7 warming and cooling centres for the homeless, building 400 new shelter beds, opening Toronto Public Library branches on Sundays, free TTC rides for seniors and Wheel-Trans users and eliminating CafeTO fees for restaurants.

Her resignation from the legislature would trigger what is likely to be a hotly contested byelection in Scarborough-Guildwood and reduce the small Liberal caucus at Queens Park to seven MPPs, one further away from the 12 needed for official party status, as the party prepares to choose a new leader Dec. 2.

Another byelection is expected later this year in Kitchener Centre where New Democrat MPP Laura Mae Lindo has said she will step down in July. The Greens are picking their candidate for that riding on Tuesday night.

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The Central government has formally launched a scheme, Vivad se Vishwas I  Relief to MSMEs for providing relief to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) during the Covid-19 period.

The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Department of Expenditure had issued an order on 6 February indicating the broad structure of the scheme.

Final instruction in this regard, extending the relief to cover more cases and relaxing the limits of refunds was issued on 11 April. The scheme commenced on 17 April and the last date for submission of claims is 30 June.

The relief provided under this scheme is in continuation of the efforts of the government in promoting and sustaining the MSME sector.

Under the scheme, Ministries have been asked to refund performance security, bid security and liquidated damages forfeited/ deducted during the pandemic. Certain relief has also been provided to MSMEs debarred for default in the execution of contracts during the pandemic period.

The Ministry of Finance, through this scheme, decided to give the following additional benefits to eligible MSMEs, affected during the COVID-19 period:

95 per cent of the performance security forfeited shall be refunded;

95 per cent of the Bid security shall be refunded;

95 per cent of the Liquidated Damages (LD) deducted shall be refunded; and

95 per cent of the Risk Purchase amount realized shall be refunded.

In case any firm has been debarred only due to default in execution of such contracts, such debarment shall also be revoked, by issuing an appropriate order by the procuring entity.

However, in case a firm has been ignored for placement of any contract due to debarment in the interim period (i.e. date of debarment and the date of revocation under this order), no claim shall be entertained.

No interest shall be paid on such refunded amount.

As per the Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Expenditure to Secretaries of all the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of Union Territories, relief will be provided in all contracts for procurement of Goods and Services, entered into by any Ministry/ Department/ attached or subordinate office/ autonomous body/ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE)/ Central Public Sector Banks/ Financial Institution etc. with MSMEs, which meet the following criteria:

Registered as a Medium, Small or Micro Enterprise as per the relevant scheme of the Ministry of MSME on the date of the claim by supplier/ contractor. MSME could be registered for any category of Goods and Services.

The original delivery period/ completion period stipulated in the contract was between 19.02.2020 and 31.03.2022 (both dates are inclusive).

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has developed a dedicated web page for the implementation of this scheme. Eligible claims shall be processed only through GeM.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation to attend the 56th annual general meeting (AGM) of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB) in South Koreas Incheon from May 2 to May 5.

The Indian delegation, consisting of officials from the department of Economic Affairs, is scheduled to depart on Monday itself.

The meetings will be attended by official delegations of ADB members, observers, non-governmental and civil society organisations, media, financial institutions and banks and other private sector companies.

Sitharaman will interact with global economists, bank Governors and Finance Ministers of the ADB member countries, hold bilateral engagements with countries and international organisations and will also meet business leaders and investors during her visit, official sources said.
Gangster Tillu Tajpuria, who was lodged in Delhis Tihar Jail, has been murdered.

A fellow jail mate attacked Tillu by uprooting the iron grill and stabbing the iron rod in his stomach, where he got badly injured.

Jail personnel hurriedly admitted him to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
FOMO WORLDWIDE, INC.

Pittsburgh, PA, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOMO WORLDWIDE, INC. (US OTC: FOMC) has agreed to acquire Brookwood Media Arts, Inc., (Brookwood; www.brookwood.com), a pioneer in the field of custom content creation and management services. Founded in 1995 in the Greater Philadelphia area, Brookwood is a generalist content provider that supports many fields, including but not limited to:



Enterprises offering online training and instruction to their employees,

Colleges and universities offering coursework to students in specialized fields of study,

Government agencies training staff and employees on regulated products and markets, and

Technology companies adding to their internal and external digital content libraries.

Brookwood generated peak annual revenues of $2.4 million. During the pandemic, the business pivoted towards virtual meetings and remote collaboration services and support that were in high demand at that time. Today, the entity is on a normalized revenue run rate of several hundred thousand dollars and is EBITDA+. Management intends to rapidly expand Brookwoods generalist content repertoire by adding regional sales and corporate development staff via a virtual work environment and by deploying dedicated salespeople at FOMOs corporate HQ in Pittsburgh, PA. Brookwood has also created its own Learning Management System (LMS) through its nearly three decades of content creation for hundreds of embedded customers. This library will be further leveraged for bundled LMS / content sales and should provide cost synergies to FOMOs other planned acquisitions in this industry.

Transaction Details

The Brookwood purchase, previously unnamed while due diligence was underway, is now an exclusive agreement extended through no later than June 30, 2023, at which time, if not sooner, FOMO intends to move to definitive agreement and then close. Consideration of $400,000 is composed of the following: 1) $150,000 cash, 2) $150,000 restricted Preferred B stock, 3) $100,000 performance based earnout driven by sales of at least $1 million in 2024-2025, and 4) an employment agreement for Brookwoods CEO and owner. Although management has agreed to operate the business for 1-2 years, or more if needed, FOMO is interviewing executive candidates with large corporate enterprise experience to strengthen Brookwoods business development and provide a transition plan as needed. FOMOs other signed acquisition targets in LMS and enterprise content creation, including Business Media Solutions, Inc. (BMS), are part of management discussions as a global organization is constructed.

Story continues

Addressing Multi-Billion Dollar Enterprise E-Learning Market:

According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Corporate E-learning Market Research Report, by technology, by training type - Forecast till 2030, this sector will reach a valuation of $117.5 billion by 2030, growing at a 15.6% CAGR during the forecast period (2020-2030):

https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/09/27/2523613/0/en/Corporate-E-learning-Market-Worth-USD-117-57-Billion-at-a-15-60-CAGR-by-2030-Report-by-Market-Research-Future-MRFR.html#:~:text=filingsmedia%20partners-,Corporate%20E%2Dlearning%20Market%20Worth%20USD%20117.57%20Billion%20at%20a,by%20Market%20Research%20Future%20(MRFR)

Management Commentary

Said Brookwood owner Rob Seskin: Combining Brookwood with FOMO and its series of planned enterprise LMS / content acquisitions will help set the business, founded by my family 28 years ago when this industry was nascent, on a course to achieve its true upside potential as part of a much larger organization serving multiple industries in multiple markets in the U.S. and abroad. Its time to take our business to a larger scale leveraging our heritage and reputation. We are excited to be part of the FOMO family. As we move forward, I believe the sum will be greater than the parts.

Said Vik Grover, FOMOs CEO: The Brookwood purchase provides our Company accretive revenues and margin, a platform that will accelerate growth and expansion into high enterprise markets, and potential synergies with our other planned investments including recently announced definitive agreement with BMS. We intend to leverage Brookwood and BMS as a beachhead into online training and compliance and expand into new verticals to multiply our scope and scale. Brookwood is the second in a series of planned transactions that mark a new period for our organization as we transition from value-added solutions for K12 schools to online content, training, and compliance for enterprises, institutions and government generating high margin recurring contractual revenues supporting strong growth and a higher valuation.

Presentation Materials and Further Information for Investors

For further information on FOMO WORLDWIDE, INC. and its strategy for growth, including named and unnamed acquisitions under purchase agreements, please go to our website @ www.fomoworldwide.com/ or see Form 8-K filed on the SECs EDGAR system @ www.sec.gov/.

About Brookwood Media Arts, Inc.

Brookwood Media Arts, Inc. (www.brookwood.com) is has been developing innovative and sound learning solutions and applications for a broad range of industries. The Company provides end-to-end and white-glove solutions for clients in a vast range of industries and verticals, including post-secondary education, enterprises, government agencies, and digital technology companies. Products and services include custom eLearning solutions, virtual event production and support, learning technology solutions, leadership development programs, and the Brookwood Learning Hub LMS.

About Business Media Solutions, Inc.

Business Media Solutions, Inc. (www.intratrain.com & www.inspectitrac.com) is a training, testing, inspections and management systems company specializing in helping companies in the food, agribusiness, animal health and nutrition, and general industries, grow and realize a positive return on their investment. The BMS approach can result in better trained employees, reduced risk, lower costs, and improved ROI.

About FOMO WORLDWIDE, INC.

FOMO WORLDWIDE, INC. ( www.fomoworldwide.com/ ) is a publicly traded company focused on business incubation and acceleration. The Company invests in and advises emerging companies aligned with a growth mandate. FOMO is developing direct investment and affiliations - majority- and minority-owned as well as in joint venture formats - that afford targets access to the public markets for expansion capital as well as spin-out options to become their own stand-alone public companies.

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release about our future expectations, including without limitation, the likelihood that FOMO WORLDWIDE, INC. will be able to meet minimum sales expectations, be successful and profitable in the market, bring significant value to FOMOs stockholders, and leverage capital markets to execute its growth strategy, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. FOMOs business strategy described in this press release is subject to innumerable risks, most significantly, whether the Company is successful in securing adequate financing. Additionally, although the Company has announced letters of intent to acquire additional companies, there is absolutely no assurances that any such transactions will result in a completed acquisition. No information in this press release should be construed in any form, shape, or manner as an indication of the Companys future revenues, financial condition, or stock price.

FOMO WORLDWIDE, INC.

Investor Relations

(630) 708-0750

IR@fomoworldwide.com




Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection has gone up by 22 per cent in Haryana, according to the data released by the Union Finance Ministry.

An official spokesperson said the states GST collection, which was Rs 8,197 crore in 2022, has increased to Rs 10,035 crore in 2023. Compared to Haryanas GST collection with the neighbouring states, Punjab has an increase of 16 per cent, 17 per cent in Himachal Pradesh, 8 per cent in Delhi and 5 per cent in Rajasthan. These figures clearly show that Haryanas growth rate is certainly more than these states, he added.

Expressing his joy over the figures released by the Union government, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Haryana has made remarkable progress in GST collection, which shows that the state is progressing.

Haryana is one of the leading states on the parameters of economic development. The state government is giving all required facilities to big industries as well as Micro, Small and Medium industries. The state government has also improved power availability and connectivity to promote industries. A strong network of roads and railways is spread across the state, he added.

The CM said the GST system implemented in the country on the concept of One Nation-One Tax is very effective. Simplification of the GST process has not only benefited the entrepreneurs, but the revenue of the government is also increasing, he added.

Khattar said more than 50 per cent of Haryana falls in the National Capital Region and the state government is developing this area as a logistics hub. This will increase the immense possibilities of investment in the state. Besides this, emphasis is also being laid on creating quality infrastructure, ensuring ease of doing business and offering an industry-friendly environment in Haryana, he added.
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Jogira Sara Ra Ra, has shared that doing different things is what fuels his passion and pursuit for excellence.

The actor attended the trailer launch of Jogira Sara Ra Ra with his co-star Nikki Tamboli on Monday and spoke to the media about how he must constantly evolve as an actor to serve his audience and do complete justice to the stories that he is a part of.

The actor told the media, You learn every day its a new experience which helps enhance your craft. I cant act the way I used to 20 years ago because today I carry the experience of those many years. Its important to evolve constantly and with experience, your acting also changes.

Over the years, Nawaz has starred in many ground-breaking films, the most memorable though still remains Gangs of Wasseypur in which he played the role of a gangster and left everyone spellbound with what turned out to be his breakout role.

I cant be stuck. If someone tells me that theyll make me a superstar but Ill have to do just one kind of role, Ill shoot myself. Ill quickly get bored, quit it and join some other field, he said.

Jogira Sara Ra Ra is set to release on May 12.
Satyajit Ray is considered as the jewel of Indian cinema. One of the greatest filmmakers of all time, he was born on May 2, 1921, in Kolkata, India. Ray is widely regarded as a cultural icon in India and is known for his contributions to Indian cinema as a director, screenwriter, and composer.

His films are revered for their humanistic approach, nuanced characterizations, and deft use of symbolism. Japanese master Akira Kurosawa says: Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon.

Rays humanistic approach to filmmaking and his focus on character development and naturalistic performances helped to redefine Indian cinema and set it apart from the formulaic, melodramatic films that were popular at the time. His use of music and sound in his films was also groundbreaking, and he is often credited with introducing the use of Indian classical music in film.

Similar to how Bengalis thinking was frequently too multifaceted for their imperial rulers, Rays work is almost too diverse for reviewers to easily take into account. He wrote mystery stories, Ibsen adaptations, and childrens films in addition to being a skilled artist and filmmaker. He participated in discussions of capitalism and was aware of the struggle faced by women in India after independence.

The huge metropolis of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is depicted in the His City trilogy as being in advanced ruin and unable to offer work to its bright, eager young people. Although Ray was always a poet of the personal, these films also make allusions to the Vietnam War, Bangladeshs struggle for independence, and the moral depths to which capitalism can drive the desperate.

His works contribute to the exquisite treasures of Indian cinema. Everyone with an interest in films should watch his work. Ray was given the Honorary Academy Award in 1992 and became the first Indian to be bestowed with the Oscar for Lifetime Achievement.

Ray began his career as a commercial artist and illustrator, but his love for cinema led him to write film reviews and screenplays for Bengali films. His debut film, Pather Panchali (1955), marked a new era in Indian cinema, and it was hailed as a masterpiece by critics worldwide. The film, which was based on a novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, follows the life of a young boy named Apu, who grows up in a rural Bengali village. The film was noted for its stunning cinematography, music, and naturalistic performances, and it earned numerous accolades at film festivals around the world.

Ray went on to direct several other films in the Apu Trilogy, including Aparajito (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959), which further cemented his reputation as a master filmmaker. He continued to make films throughout his career, tackling a wide range of subjects and genres, from the supernatural thriller, Mahanagar (1963), to the satire, Nayak (1966).

In addition to his filmmaking, Ray was also a gifted writer and illustrator. He wrote several books, including a popular series of detective stories featuring the character Feluda, and he illustrated many of his own film posters and book covers. His contributions to Indian culture and art earned him numerous awards and honours, including the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian honour, in 1992.

In 1992 when Ray passed away, Kolkata came to a stop. The man was rightfully hailed as one of the most towering artists. Ray was much more than a bengali or an Indian, he was one of the most important personalities of the world cinema. His legacy continues to inspire filmmakers around the world, and his films remain timeless classics that are cherished by audiences and critics alike. On his birthday, we celebrate his life and his contributions to Indian cinema and culture, and we reflect on the enduring impact of his work.
The Centre and Gujarat governments on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that they will not seek a review of the top courts earlier order directing them to place original records for remitting the sentence of 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano case.

The state and central governments also told the apex court that they would not claim privilege over the documents on remission of sentence and agreed to share the documents with the top court for its perusal. A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna also asked the convicts, who have not filed their response to the pleas, to file their affidavits within two weeks.

As several counsel appearing for the convicts raised objections on not being served the notice on Banos plea and sought time, Justice Joseph said, It is obvious, rather more than obvious, that you all do not want the hearing to be conducted by this bench.

Bilkis Bano and others had approached the top court challenging the premature release of 11 convicts in the gang-rape case and murder of her family members during the 2002 riots.

The apex court has now posted the matter for directions on May 9 and said that case will be listed for hearing in July.

During last hearing, the Centre and state governments claimed privilege over the files relating to the grant of remission to the convicts and said they are likely to seek a review of the March 27 order whereby original files of the remission were sought.

Besides filing a petition against per-mature release of convicts, Bano had also filed a review petition seeking a review of its earlier order by which it had asked the Gujarat government to consider the plea for the remission of one of the convicts.

The review petition was dismissed.

Some PILs were filed seeking directions to revoke the remission granted to 11 convicts.

The pleas were filed by the National Federation of Indian Women, whose General Secretary is Annie Raja, Member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Subhashini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, social activist and professor Roop Rekha Verma and TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

Gujarat government, in its affidavit, had defended remission granted to convicts saying they completed 14 years of sentence in prison and their behaviour was found to be good.

The state government had said it has considered the cases of all 11 convicts as per the policy of 1992 and remission was granted on August 10, 2022, and the Central government also approved the release of convicts.

It is pertinent to note that the remission was not granted under the circular governing grant of remission to prisoners as part of the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it had said.

State government considered all the opinions and decided to release 11 prisoners since they have completed 14 years and above in prisons and their behaviour was found to be good, the affidavit said.

The government had also questioned the locus standi of petitioners who filed the PIL challenging the decision saying they are outsiders to the case.

The pleas said they have challenged the order of competent authority of the government of Gujarat by way of which 11 persons who were accused in a set of heinous offences committed in Gujarat were allowed to walk free on August 15, 2022, pursuant to remission being extended to them.

The remission in this heinous case would be entirely against public interest and would shock the collective public conscience, as also be entirely against the interests of the victim (whose family has publicly made statements worrying for her safety), pleas stated.

The Gujarat government released the 11 convicts, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, on August 15. All the 11 life-term convicts in the case were released as per the remission policy prevalent in Gujarat at the time of their conviction in 2008.

In March 2002 during the post-Godhra riots, Bano was allegedly gang-raped and left to die with 14 members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter. She was five months pregnant when rioters attacked her family in Vadodara.
The campaigning for the first phase of Urban Local Bodies came to an end on Tuesday evening. In the first phase, nine divisions will go to the polls on May 4 from 7 am to 6 pm including 10 Mayor posts in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Agra, Mathura, Gorakhpur, Firozabad, Jhansi, Moradabad and Saharanpur.

This civic polls election has been termed as a semifinal before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and the ruling BJP led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters. However, the opposition leaders including Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party and Mayawati of BSP kept themselves almost aloof from the campaigning.

Akhilesh Yadav held a road show in Lucknow through metro rail on Monday in support of his partys Mayor candidate. Yogi Adityanath had campaigned vigorously in every district and wrapped his first phase electioneering in Lucknow on Tuesday after holding meetings in Prayagraj and Jhansi.

Of the total 75 districts in the state, 37 will go to polls in the first phase and remaining 38 districts will go to polls on May 11 which includes Ghaziabad, Meerut, Aligarh, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly ,Kanpur and Ayodhya Mayor seats.

The counting of votes will be taken up on May 13. A total of 4.32 crore voters will exercise their franchise at 43198 polling booths to elect members for 14,684 posts in this civic poll.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said he does not want to publicize those indulging in cheap politics, in his first public reaction to alleged audio tapes in which the States finance minister is purported to have accused the DMKs first family of corruption.

Stalin, who is the president of DMK, said that Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) has already responded to the matter twice. He himself gave a detailed explanation on this two times. I have time only to do my duties for people. I do not want to talk about anything further on this and give publicity to those indulging in cheap politics, Stalin said.

Stalin said this during his regular Ungalin Oruvan question and answer series in which the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister responds to various questions relating to various political developments.

The Bharatiya Janata Party Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai recently released audio tapes purportedly of Palanivel Thiaga Rajan accusing Chief Minister MK Stalins family of corruption.

PTR has, however, refuted allegations made in the audio clips and called them false and fabricated.

Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shahs statement that if Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forms government in Telangana they will scrap reservations for Muslims, the Tamil Nadu chief minister said, The comments show a grudge on minority communities. The Union Minister has spoken about this for electoral gains. The BJP high command believes that spewing hatred on Muslims makes Hindus happy. But that is not the truth. People who havent cast votes in favour of the BJP are mostly Hindus. They wish for peace and brotherhood. In a country with secularism in the preamble of its constitution, Union Minister himself speaking in such a manner is a breach of the constitution.

Stalin also reacted to the recent CAG report which pointed out the corruption during the AIADMK regime he said, People know about AIADMKs corrupt government very well. Now the CAG report has proved that with evidence. There would be a further course of action and an investigation will be conducted.

As per amendments made to the Prevention of Corruption Act in 2018, certain pre-investigation approvals and sanctions for prosecution are needed to carry forward these investigations. On that base investigation would be done and action would be taken on former AIADMK government ministers and will be taken to the judiciary, he said.

Speaking on his government completing two years, Stalin said that he is fully satisfied with his government and also mentioned the DMK government has fulfilled 75 per cent of poll promises.

In the 5-year tenure of the government, two years is not even half. Yet, we fulfilled 75 per cent of our poll promises. We have rescued and rectified the entire government machinery from the 10-year tenure of the AIADMK Government to a great extent. Still, there is a lot to rectify, Stalin added.
Kerala Congress leader MM Hassan on Tuesday called for a ban on the movie The Kerala Story and claimed that it would create communal divisions in society.

The movie The Kerala Story is produced as part of a Sangh Parivar propaganda. Its impression is to create communal divisions in society. This movie will destroy the secular image of Kerala in the world. So we call for a ban on The Kerala Story. The producer and the director are claiming that it is their creative freedom and justifying this. But it doesnt mean that in that name they will spread lies and communalise society, Hassan said. He further called upon the Kerala government to take the initiative and register case against the makers of the film.

Kerala government should take the initiative and we demand that IPC 153 A be charged against the makers. And this should be banned with regard to spreading communal hatred, Hassan added.

Hassan further said that another drama Kakkukali is played in several places, which allegedly harms the feelings of the Christian community in the state and should also be banned.

Amid the ongoing controversy over the The Kerala Story film, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stressed that he wasnt calling for a ban on the film but it is a misrepresentation of the states reality.

This comes on the heels of his remark that the film may be your Kerala story but not our Kerala story.

Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud and clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality, Tharoor tweeted.

While Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement on Sunday that the movie was deliberately made with the aim of communal polarisation and to spread hate propaganda against Kerala.

The Kerala Story has become a topic for discussion around the numbers being exaggerated in the trailer of the film.

Helmed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film is all set to hit the theatres on May 5, 2023.

The Kerala Story stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani and Sonia Balani in the lead roles.

The trailer of Sens film The Kerala Story came under fire as it claimed that 32,000 girls from the state went missing and later joined the terrorist group, ISIS.
Currently on a six-day visit to the United Kingdom, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday held an exclusive interactive meet with London based Jammu & Kashmir origin students and social groups.

The meeting, which lasted for nearly an hour, consisted of persons engaged in different areas of work and hailing from different regions of the Union Territory including the Ministers own personal Lok Sabha constituency of Udhampur. Also present in the meeting were representatives of the J&K Study Centre branch in London who have their main office in New Delhi.

There were also members of the Dogra organisations of J&K and members of the Kashmiri Pandit activist groups. Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the manner in which they had contributed in correcting the negative narrative about India particularly in the context of J&K by certain vested interests and had also stood up to challenge the anti-India forces in the United Kingdom.

The Minister said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over, he had sought to correct several anomalies of the past which were the legacy of the successive governments since 1947. He said the abrogation of Article 370 had created a sense of belonging among the people of Jammu & Kashmir and given them equal rights vis-a-vis their counterparts citizens in the rest of the country.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that Prime Minister Modi will go down in history for having brought justice to the Pakistan refugees settled in J&K and the daughters of J&K who were deprived of their constitutional rights of citizenship and owning the property.

During the course of the discussion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that if only the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had allowed the then Home Minister Sardar Patel to handle J&K the same manner he was handling other princely states of India, today the part of J&K which is illegally occupied by Pakistan would have been part of India and the issue of Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) would have never risen.

However, he said it is very much on the agenda of the government led by Prime Minister Modi and the BJP as a political party to retrieve the illegally occupied PoJK from the control of Pakistan and restore it back to India.

Different groups interacting with the Union Minister gave him an update about the recent activities conducted by them to unite all the India groups against Anti India forces. They gave a brief about their interactions with different Members of Parliament in the British Parliament in addition to seminars and intellectual meets that they had been holding from time to time. The Minister advised them that time has come to create our own narrative so that the false narratives created by our adversaries do not gain upper hand.

The Minister in turn appreciated the manner in which most of those from J&K who have settled in the United Kingdom made a respectable status for themselves either as professionals or in industry and said that they were not only contributing to the growth of the country where they are settled but also always keen to offer their services to their motherland.
BJPs Kerala vice-president Sobha Surendran on Tuesday levelled serious allegations against state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the alleged corruption in awarding contracts to install Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled cameras in the state.

Speaking to media persons in Trissur, Sobha Surendran alleged that the director of the company which took the tender for the AI cameras, Ramjith, is a benami of Prakash Babu, who is the father-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans son.

She alleged that Opposition leader V D Satheesan has been shielding the chief minister. He is behaving like the deputy CM of Kerala, she said

Satheesan kept mum even after realising that Prakash Babus benami company had taken the contract for the AI camera project. The ruling party and opposition have been cooperating in the state. Satheesan and other opposition leaders were careful not to mention Prakash Babus name. The ruling party and the opposition are working as a mutual help group in the state, Sobha said

She further said the Opposition doesnt want to expose Prakash Babu even though it had revealed the involvement of a Kannur-based industrialist in the project.

When a reporter pointed out that BJP state president K Surendran also kept silent on the name of Prakash Babu, Sobha said just because the party state chief has not said anything on it,doesnt mean that she cannot take a different stance as party vice-president.

Sobha also said that she has forwarded a letter to the Centre demanding a probe by a central agency into the alleged corruption in the AI camera project.

She further said the vigilance probe in the AI camera issue is a mere eyewash as the chief minister is an expert in using the state probe agencies for his benefit.
The ATM Fraud Investigation Cell of Haryana State Crime Branch has nabbed five accused in two different untraced cases of ATM fraud in Faridabad district. Police have also recovered Rs 2.36 lakh in cash from their possession.

A Haryana Police spokesperson said the arrested accused used to station themselves outside ATM kiosks and pretended to stand in a queue to withdraw money. They used to change debit cards on the pretext of helping the victims and later withdrew money from the ATM through shopping or POS machines.

The arrested accused have been identified as Goverdhan, a resident of Palwal district and his two aides identified as Krishan and Lakshman aka Lacchi. All three accused fraudulently withdrew Rs 5,55,684 from the bank account of a woman by changing her ATM on the pretext of assistance in Faridabad.

After getting a complaint in this regard, a case was registered at Thana Mujesar, Faridabad but it was declared untraceable in March 2021. The untraced case was handed over to the State Crime Branch, Haryana which arrested the accused.

Police has recovered Rs 92500 from Goverdhan, while Rs 17500 and Rs 24500 were recovered from Krishan and Lakshman respectively. Apart from this, due to the objection raised by the State Crime Branch at the time of bail, Rs One lakh was also recovered from the accused on the orders of the court, the spokesperson said.

In a separate case, ATM Fraud Investigation Cell has succeeded in arresting two accused identified as Sandeep and Mohammad Shazaad alias Shahid, linked to a fraud case. Both the accused fraudulently withdrew Rs 58000 from the bank account of an Uttar Pradesh native, presently residing in Faridabad in January 2022. Police have recovered Rs 1500 from them.
HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finnish utility Fortum said on Tuesday it's board had frozen the pay of senior management and cut stock options following opposition to the remuneration by Finland's government, the group's majority owner.

The decision follows last year's collapse of Fortum's former Germany subsidiary Uniper and the establishment by the Finnish government of a bridge loan agreement to cover collateral needs in the Nordic power derivatives market.

The Finnish government, which owns 51% of Fortum, on April 13 voted against the company's remuneration plan, and the board later said it would reassess the situation.

Fortum's senior executives will not receive pay rises for 2022 or 2023, and nor will they receive performance bonuses for those years, the company said on Tuesday.

The leadership team has also voluntarily agree to waive stock awards that were scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2024, it added.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto, editing by Terje Solsvik)
The Centre on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the government is considering appointing an expert committee to examine whether a less painful method of execution than hanging by the neck, for prisoners on death row, can be found.

Attorney General (AG) R. Venkataramani, representing the Centre, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala that deliberations are going on and if the court would take up the matter after a week, then he can return with a response.

I have suggested (forming a committee) and we are working towards that and gathering some names, he said.

The Chief Justice, recording Venkataramanis statement, said that the AG states that the government is considering the appointment of committee, and scheduled the matter for further hearing in July.

On March 21, the Supreme Court said it was open to set up a panel of experts, while asking the Centre to initiate a discussion and collect relevant information to examine if there is a less painful method alternative to hanging by neck to execute the death penalty.

A bench headed by the Chief Justice had said one of the aspects could be to look at the matter from the point of view of science and technology.

He further added that is there a method which is consistent with human dignity and socially acceptable, based on todays knowledge of technology and science?

Do we have any data either in India or overseas relating to the circumstances as they transpired in the execution of sentence of death with alternate methods? the bench queried.

The apex court was hearing a writ petition by advocate Rishi Malhotra seeking a direction for quashing of the provision contained under Section 354(5) of the Criminal Procedure Code as ultra vires the Constitution and especially Article 21 being discriminatory and also in contravention of the constitution bench judgment in Gian Kaurs case.

Malhotra had contented that he is challenging the method of execution of death sentence in India  by hanging by neck till the prisoner is dead.

The plea, citing Kaurs judgment, said: the Right to Life including the Right to Live with human dignity would mean the existence of such a right up to the end of natural life. This also includes the right to a dignified life up to the point of death including a dignified procedure of death. In other words, this may include the right of a dying man to also die with dignity when his life is ebbing out.

The apex court, in October 2017, had issued notice to the Centre noting the contention of the petitioner that the convict whose life has to end because of the conviction and the sentence should not be compelled to suffer the pain of hanging.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday refused to pass any interim order on the release of The Kerala Story in the wake of a PIL filed by Advocate Anoop VR against the movie.

While hearing the petition, a division bench comprising Justice N Nagaresh and Justice Mohammed Nias CP asked the petitioner whether he has watched the movie. Advocate Kaleeswaram Raj, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the petitioner has extracted certain passages from the trailer.

To this, the court asked whether the references in the teaser could be considered as the full content of the film. The court said that the petitioner cant bring the concept of hate speech into an art form. This is a piece of art, it cant compare with hate speech, the court said.

This is teaser. Is this part of the film? Have you seen the cinema, the Court asked.

What is available in public domain is trailer and teasor. Film will be released on 5th. Nobody has seen the cinema. What is available in public domain alone can be looked at for the time being, the counsel responded and added that there is no point in discussion after lakhs of people watched the trailer.

What is so big about this? After all it is a story, the court said, adding, Hate speech goes against constitutional morality, the petitioners counsel Kaleeswaram Raj submitted.

This is a piece of art. You cannot compare this with hate speech, said Justice Nagaresh.

If this court feels that this is not hate speech, then nothing else is hate speech, Kaleeswaram Raj responded.

This will have to be tested on the basis of constitutional morality. This goes against secularism. The Censor Board is abetting it, Raj submitted.

You have not seen the film. You do not know the content. You have only seen the teaser and you are blaming the Censor Board, the Bench said.

Advocate Amit Naik, appearing for the director and producer of the movie, submitted that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after applying its mind has granted a censor certificate on the 24th April. The body which is specially constituted under a statute has applied its mind in terms of Section 5b, he submitted.

Appearing for Sunshine Pictures Pvt. Ltd, Senior Advocate S Sreekumar submitted that the petitioner has approached the court without seeing the film, seeing only the teaser with mala fide intensions.

The court has sought instructions from the CBFC and has listed the matter hearing on Friday. The court asked Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) S. Manu to make available the Censor Certificate on Friday.

The petitioner, Advocate Anoop VR, in his petition, sought a stay on the show of the movie `The Kerala Story in its present form. The petition also sought to quash the A certificate granted to the movie as unjust and illegal.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has on Friday declined to entertain a petition to stay the release of the film The Kerala Story. The petition was filed in the form of an interlocutory application in the matter of a pending writ petition seeking action against hate speech crimes.

The bench comprising Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna asked the petitioners to challenge the certification of the film through an appropriate forum rather than seek a stay on the release of the movie.

The film has been opposed by the Left parties, the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has on Sunday come out against the movie, saying it is the product of the Sangh Parivars lie factory and that it was made with the aim of spreading hatred against Kerala.

Congress leader and leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan on Friday urged the state government not to give screening permission for the film.

In this connection, Muslim League state secretary PMA Salam has the other day criticised the CPI-M, based on a statement made by party veteran VS Achuthanandan some years back. Stating that the film makers are making the statement made by former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan 13 years back , as a supportive reference in the trailer of the film, Salam asked as to whether the CPI-Ms attitude is the same now. VS Achuthanandan some years back said that efforts are being made to turn the state into a Muslim nation in twenty years.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold an administrative review meeting in Malda on Thursday. She will leave Kolkata by train tomorrow and reach Malda by evening.

On Thursday, Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will hold the meeting in Malda as a part of a two-month long Janasamjog yatra. This is the first time when the chief minister and Trinamul national general secretary will address two separate meetings in the same the district on the same day.

Banerjee will complete his mass contact drive in north Bengal in Malda and enter south Bengal districts from Murshidabad. Thursday will be the 10th day of the rally.

A senior state government official said Miss Banerjee will review the status of various projects taken up in the district as well as the various social welfare schemes. She will review the law and order situation.

Trinamul Mahila Congress will hold a 32 hour dharna at Gandhi statue from 10 am tomorrow demanding the dues worth Rs 1.15 lakh crore which the Centre has not cleared. The dharna will be led by Chandrima Bhattacharya, president, Trinamul Mahila Congress. Other Trinamul women leaders including Dr Shashi Panja, partys MP Mala Roy, Dr Kakoli GhoshDastidar, partys MP Dola Sen will take part in the dharna. It will end at 6pm on Thursday.

It can be recalled that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took part in a 48-hour dharna to protest against the Centres step-motherly attitude in clearing the dues of West Bengal. The Centre even did not release the dues of the works engaged in 100 days work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme.

A team of 25 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs led by Abhishek Banerjee tried to meet the union minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh in his office to press the demand. In absence of the minister and the minister of state, the MPs submitted the charter of demands to the secretary of the ministry. But nothing has taken place yet.

Both Miss Banerjee and Abhishek have lambasted the state BJP leaders after they urged their counterpart in Delhi not to release funds to West Bengal.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as party chief 24 years after he formed the party with the support of some of his die-hard supporters.

I have three years left of the Rajya Sabha membership during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not taking up any responsibility. After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down, the 82-year veteran leader said during the release of his autobiography, Lok Majhe Sangati  Political Autobiography in Mumbai where top leaders of his party were present in large numbers.

Pawar, who was expelled from the Congress before he formed NCP for opposing Sonia Gandhis candidature for the prime ministership due to her foreign origins, announced the formation of a committee consisting of top leaders to find his successor.

The panel includes leaders like Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, K.K. Sharma, P.C. Chacko, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, and Jaydev Gaikwad. Other ex-officio members are: NCP Mahila Congress President Fauzia Khan, NCP Youth Congress President Dheeraj Sharma and NCP Student Congress President Sonia Duhan, agencies said.

However, NCP leaders and workers, who were shocked by Pawars announcement, made vociferous calls for him to reconsider his decision. Many of them were in tears as they recalled his contribution to the party and making it a force to reckon with not only in Maharashtra but other parts of the country too.

State NCP President Jayant Patil broke down, other senior leaders like Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil Narhari Zirwal, and many more said the decision was not acceptable, made fervent appeals and begged Pawar to retract.

Senior leaders like Ajit Pawar, state party chief Jayant Patil and others attempted to pacify the party workers and the lower-rung leaders and urged them to remain calm.

Pawar said he would continue to strive for the growth of the organisation, to take the ideology and goals of the party to the people, and to serve the people, as they deem fit. Even though he was stepping down from the post of president, he was not retiring from public life, he said.

Reports received from different parts of Maharashtra said NCP workers from Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Ahmednagar and other parts of the state took out processions appealing to Pawar to take back his decision.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel and a Landing Craft Assault ship to the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) as part of the growing defence cooperation between India and the Indian Ocean archipelago.

The Fast Patrol Vessel, capable of coastal and offshore surveillance at high speeds, was commissioned as the MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee. President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Defence Minister Ms Mariya Ahmed Didi were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath described the handing over of the two Made in India platforms as a symbol of the shared commitment of India and the Maldives towards peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

He stated that India, through a robust defence ecosystem, has significantly enhanced its manufacturing capabilities to further support the capacity building of partner countries.

India has emerged as a leading defence exporter in recent years. A defence manufacturing ecosystem has been created which has the advantage of abundant technical manpower. We produce world-class equipment to meet not only our own needs but also for exports, he said.

India offers an enhanced defence partnership to friendly foreign countries, that is accommodative of their national priorities and capacities. We wish to create symbiotic relationships where we can learn from each other, grow together and create a win-win situation for all. Indias commitment to supporting the Maldives will only get stronger with time, Rajnath said.

On Indias strong defence cooperation with the nation, he asserted that the ties emanate from the twin policies of Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

Earlier in the day, Rajnath had a bilateral meeting with President Solih and discussed steps to further promote defence cooperation between the two South Asian neighbours.

Excellent meeting with HEP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the Presidents Office in Male. We discussed a wide range of issues to further strengthen the relations between India and the Maldives, Singh tweeted after meeting the Maldivian leader. on Tuesday.

Rajnath, who is on a three-day visit to the island, has met a galaxy of leaders in the Maldives and visited projects undertaken there with Indias assistance.
The second meeting of the G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group will be held in Mumbai from May 23 to 25, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Beginning on May 23, more than 120 members will attend the 2nd G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting. The Ministry of Home Affairs made the announcement after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal held a meeting at the BMC headquarters in Mumbai to review the preparations being made by the corporation and other agencies.

A total of three Working Group Meetings of the G-20 Council are being held in Mumbai in the month of May.

BMC Commissioner directed all the agencies including BMC to maintain proper coordination and complete the pending works within the prescribed time.

On the sidelines of the meeting, representatives of the Working Group will visit BMC headquarters too.

This visit will cover an inspection of the control room of the Disaster Management Department and a heritage walk of the historic municipal building.

In view of this, the BMC Commissioner also mentioned that the ongoing renovation works in the BMC Headquarters building should be completed on time by maintaining good coordination with all other stakeholder agencies.

The concerned departments should complete the works of roads, sanitation, beautification etc. which fall within the jurisdiction in time and also by keeping in mind the experience dignitaries had during previous G-20 meetings in the city, BMC Commissioner said.

He also added that a review of the preparations in this regard will be taken in the next week.

Principal Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, Government of Maharashtra, Asim Kumar Gupta; Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Ashwini Bhide; Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Ashish Sharma; Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) P. Velrasu; Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr Sanjeev Kumar; Central Governments G-20 Council Director Mrinalini Srivastava, Director General (West Zone) of Press Information BureauMonideepa Mukherjee, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations Joint Commissioner (General Administration) Milin Sawant attended the review meeting.

Joint Commissioner (Municipal Commissioners Office) Chandrashekhar Chore, Deputy Commissioner (Circle 4) Vishwas Shankarwar, Deputy Commissioner (Circle 2) Ramakant Biradar, Deputy Commissioner (Circle 1) Dr Sangeeta Hassanale, K East Wards Assistant Commissioner Manish Valanju, Director (Disaster Management) Mahesh Narvekar, Chief Fire Officer Sanjay Manjrekar, Chief Security Officer Ajit Tawde, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security) Mahesh Chimte, Government of Maharashtras Additional Secretary Milind Hardas were also present in this review meeting along with representatives of various other agencies.
YSRTP leader YS Sharmila brought a truckload of damaged crops to Hyderabad, the state capital, saying she intended to wake up Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao from his deep slumber in order to extend compensation to farmers badly affected by unseasonal rains.

Meanwhile, the chief minister held a meeting with state Finance Minister T Harish Rao, chief secretary and other officials and MLAs on the procurement of paddy of Yasangi or Rabi season.

Even as the government began procurement of the Rabi crop unseasonal rains have caused havoc damaging the crops in the districts. Sharmila visited the Khammam and Mahabubabad districts where the paddy farmers suffered huge losses. She claimed that there has been crop damage on about ten lakh acres.

Today YSRTP is sending this truckload of damaged crops to KCR so that at least during the election year he will wake up from deep sleep and extend appropriate compensation to farmers. The crop loss suffered by farmers due to unseasonal rains is about ten lakh acres but not a single official or MLA visited the farmers to assess their losses, said Sharmila.

She also took a dig at the state government saying the administration was too busy with the inauguration of the grand-looking secretariat to take notice of the damage to crops. However, the truck parked at the YSRTP office in Banjara Hills was prevented by the police from rolling out towards Pragathi Bhavan or the Secretariat.

Sharmila also demanded a compensation of Rs 30,000 per acre for damaged crops calling Rs 10,000 per acre announced by the state government in April too low.

It may be mentioned that Telangana has withdrawn from the Central crop insurance policy but unlike other states is yet to evolve its own insurance policy leaving the farmers at the mercy of the state governments announcement. Last month, the chief minister had embarked on district tours to assess the damage himself and announced Rs 10,000 per acre as compensation.
In probably the first case of a Big Tech giant paying a penalty to the Indian regulators as the government aims to bring a new Digital India Act, Google has paid the entire penalty amount of Rs 1,337.76 crore imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in the Android case.

Reliable sources told agencies on Tuesday that the entire penalty amount has been deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India, within the 30-day deadline given by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in its order.

The Indian market regulator had imposed the penalty on Google in October 2022 for allegedly exploiting its dominant position in the Android market.

Earlier this year, Google announced to comply with the CCIs directives for Android.

The CCIs recent directives for Android and Play require us to make significant changes for India, and weve informed the CCI of how we will be complying with their directives, Google had said in a statement.

Were updating the Android compatibility requirements to introduce changes for partners to build non-compatible or forked variants, said Google.

Through user choice billing, developers can offer users the option to choose an alternative billing system alongside Google Plays billing system when purchasing in-app digital content.

The changes came as a Supreme Court bench said that the findings by the CCI cannot be said to be without jurisdiction or with manifest error and affirmed the NCLAT order, declining to grant interim relief to Google.

The bench directed the NCLAT to dispose of Googles appeal by March 31, and granted Google seven days to deposit 10 per cent of the Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty imposed by the CCI.

Google had alleged that the CCI copy-pasted parts of a European court order without examining associated evidence in India.

The CCI has also imposed a penalty of Rs 936.44 crore on Google in a separate case for abusing its dominant position with respect to its Play Store policies.

In response to Googles announcement of implementing its new Google Play payments policy, the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) had expressed deep concern over the policy change and has demanded that the new policies must be put on hold, since Google charging a nearly 30 per cent service fee on app developers will prove to be a significant blow to the Indian startup ecosystem.
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday reserved its orders in the revision plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with his conviction in a defamation case that subsequently led to his disqualification as Member of Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi had appealed to the Gujarat High Court for an interim stay of his conviction until the court pronounced its order on his petition.

However, the single judge hearing the case, Justice Hemant Prachchhak, has postponed his decision until after the summer vacation, which ends on June 4.

On April 29, Rahul Gandhis lawyer  Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also a Congress leader, argued in the court that his client had not committed any heinous crime or an offence involving moral turpitude, which are the two tests for denying suspension of conviction.

The case stems from a 2019 rally in Kolar, Karnataka, where Rahul Gandhi had said: Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How come all the thieves have Modi as a common surname?

This remark led to a criminal defamation case being filed against him by Surat BJP legislator, Purnesh Modi.

Gandhi had been sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat court, leading to his disqualification as a Member of Parliament.

During the previous hearing, Justice Prachchhak had emphasised that Rahul Gandhi, being an elected representative of the people, should have been more cautious while making statements.

Singhvi had argued that the maximum punishment for a bailable, non-cognizable offence of two years could result in his disqualification, leading to a very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents.

Earlier this year, the Sessions Court in Surat had dismissed Rahul Gandhis plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the Magistrate court, stating that his disqualification would not result in an irreversible loss to him.
In a significant ruling, the Gujarat High Court has said that the local civic body chief would be held responsible if anyone is made to clean manholes or sewer lines manually.

The High Court verdict comes after years of litigations over frequent deaths of sanitary workers sent down to clean manholes and gutter pipelines manually.

At least 282 people have died in Gujarat while cleaning gutters since 1993 when manual scavenging of human excreta was outlawed by the apex court and was followed up by the high court.

Responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the matter, a bench of acting Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav on Monday demanded an immediate end to the practice of manual scavenging.

The ruling said that the municipal commissioner, municipalitys chief officer or village sarpanch would be held liable if anyone is deployed for manual scavenging in their jurisdictions.

The PIL, filed by NGO Manav Garima, sought an end to the practice of manual scavenging that has caused the death of many sanitation workers in Gujarat over last two or three decades.

During the proceedings on the PIL, the Gujarat Government admitted that compensations have been paid only in 137 of 152 such death cases before its consideration.

The High Court also directed the state government to pay compensation to all the legal heirs of the deceased sanitation workers before the next hearing on 19 June.

The state government told the court that local civic bodies have discontinued the banned practice of manual scavenging, but private contractors continue to send down sanitary workers into gutters without any safety gears.
By America Hernandez

PARIS (Reuters) -A French appeals court rejected on Tuesday a complaint filed by minority shareholders against the terms of a government buyout of power giant EDF, clearing the way for a full nationalisation of the company to go ahead.

The court of appeals "rejected all of the plaintiffs' demands", according to a document summarizing the ruling seen by Reuters.

The government last year launched a buyout for the shares it did not already own in EDF with the aim to delist it, stumping up around 10 billion euros ($10.9 billion) to take full control of the debt-laden group.

The buyout is part of President Emmanuel Macron's renewed bet on nuclear energy, which includes building at least six new reactors in coming years.

The association for the defense of minority shareholders (ADAM) had challenged the terms of the offer, saying the buyout price of 12 euros per share was too low. Its head, Colette Neuville, declined to comment on Tuesday, saying time was needed to fully understand the decision and possible legal options.

EDF also declined to comment.

The government's offer will now be reopened under the same financial terms from May 4 to May 17 so that holdout investors can sell their remaining shares and bonds, after which squeeze-out proceedings will begin, the French finance ministry said in a statement.

EDF slumped to a record net loss of 17.9 billion euros in 2022, hammered by an unprecedented number of outages at its reactors.

The French state currently owns 95.82% of the share capital and at least 96.53% of the voting rights of EDF, but the offer was put on hold by ADAM's lawsuit.

(Reporting by America Hernandez, editing by Silvia Aloisi and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday met Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the Maldives and discussed steps to further promote defence cooperation between the two South Asian neighbours.

Excellent meeting with HEP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the Presidents Office in Male. We discussed a wide range of issues to further strengthen the relations between India and the Maldives, Singh tweeted after meeting the Maldivian leader on Tuesday.

Excellent meeting with HEP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President's Office in Male. We discussed a wide range of issues to further strengthen the relations between India and Maldives. pic.twitter.com/4RYp6UNWaG  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 2, 2023

Rajnath, who is on a three-day visit to the island, has met a galaxy of leaders in the Maldives and visited projects undertaken there with Indias assistance.

Last night, he attended a dinner hosted by his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Didi. H.E. @MariyaDidi hosted a dinner to honour her visiting Indian counterpart H.E. @rajnathsingh. Min Didi reiterated that tonights dinner was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of partnership and to renew their commitment to strengthen cooperation and collaboration, the Defence Ministry of the Maldives tweeted.

H.E. @MariyaDidi hosted a dinner to honor her visiting Indian counterpart H.E. @rajnathsingh. Min Didi reiterated that tonights dinner was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of partnership and to renew their commitment to strengthen cooperation and collaboration pic.twitter.com/kEgpSaq8RH  Ministry of Defence (@MoDmv) May 1, 2023

The Indian minister also met Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. Happy to have met with Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid in Male today, he tweeted.

India and the Maldives are working closely to effectively address shared challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, radicalisation, piracy, trafficking, organised crime and natural disasters.

Indias vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), along with its Neighbourhood First policy as well as the Maldives India First policy, seeks to work together to jointly develop the capabilities within the Indian Ocean Region.
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Two men have been arrested on weapons charges amid an investigation into a shooting at a weekend house party in Massachusetts in which one person was killed and five injured by gunfire
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LONDON (AP)  Rabbi Nicky Liss wont be watching King Charles IIIs coronation. Hell be doing something he considers more important: praying for the monarch on the Jewish sabbath.

On Saturday, he will join rabbis across Britain in reading a prayer in English and Hebrew that gives thanks for the new king in the name of the one God who created us all.

Liss, the rabbi of Highgate Synagogue in north London, said British Jews appreciated Charles pledge to promote the co-existence of all faiths and his record of supporting a multifaith society during his long apprenticeship as heir to the throne.

When he says he wants to be a defender of faiths, that means the world because our history hasnt always been so simple and we havent always lived freely; we havent been able to practice our religion, Liss told The Associated Press. But knowing that King Charles acts this way and speaks this way is tremendously comforting.

At a time when religion is fueling tensions around the world  from Hindu nationalists in India to Jewish settlers in the West Bank and fundamentalist Christians in the United States  Charles is trying to bridge the differences between the faith groups that make up Britains increasingly diverse society.

Achieving that goal is critical to the new kings efforts to show that the monarchy, a 1,000-year-old institution with Christian roots, can still represent the people of modern, multicultural Britain.

But Charles, the supreme governor of the Church of England, faces a very different country than the one that adoringly celebrated his mothers coronation in 1953.

Seventy years ago, more than 80% of the people of England were Christian, and the mass migration that would change the face of the nation was just beginning. That figure has now dropped below half, with 37% saying they have no religion, 6.5% calling themselves Muslim and 1.7% Hindu, according to the latest census figures. The change is even more pronounced in London, where more than a quarter of the population have a non-Christian faith.

Charles recognized that change long before he became king last September.

As far back as the 1990s, Charles suggested that he would like to be known as the defender of faith, a small but hugely symbolic change from the monarchs traditional title of defender of the faith, meaning Christianity. Its an important distinction for a man who believes in the healing power of yoga and once called Islam one of the greatest treasuries of accumulated wisdom and spiritual knowledge available to humanity.

The kings commitment to diversity will be on display at his coronation, when religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions will for the first time play an active role in the ceremonies.

I have always thought of Britain as a community of communities, Charles told faith leaders in September.

That has led me to understand that the Sovereign has an additional duty  less formally recognized but to be no less diligently discharged. It is the duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals.

Thats not an easy task in a country where religious and cultural differences sometimes boil over.

Just last summer, Muslim and Hindu youths clashed in the city of Leicester. The main opposition Labour Party has struggled to rid itself of antisemitism, and the governments counterterrorism strategy has been criticized for focusing on Muslims. Then there are the sectarian differences that still separate Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.

Such tensions underscore the crucial need for Britain to have a head of state who personally works to promote inclusivity, said Farhan Nizami, director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

Charles has been the centers patron for 30 years, lending his stature to Nizamis effort to build an academic hub for studying all facets of the Islamic world, including history, science and literature, as well as religion. During those years, the center moved from a nondescript wooden structure to a complex that has its own library, conference facilities and a mosque complete with dome and minaret.

It is very important that we have a king who has been consistently committed to (inclusivity), Nizami said. It is so relevant in the modern age, with all the mobility, with the difference and diversity that exists, that the head of this state should bring people together, both by example and action.

Those actions are sometimes small. But they resonate with people like Balwinder Shukra, who saw the king a few months ago when he officially opened the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, a Sikh house of worship, in Luton, an ethnically diverse city of almost 300,000 north of London.

Shukra, 65, paused from patting out flatbreads known as chapatis for the communal meal the gurdwara serves to all comers, adjusted her floral shawl, and expressed her admiration for Charles decision to sit on the floor with other members of the congregation.

Referring to the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, Shukra said that all the people (are) equal. It doesn't matter'' if you are king, she added.

Some British newspapers have suggested that Charles desire to include other faiths in the coronation faced resistance from the Church of England, and one conservative religious commentator recently warned that a multifaith ceremony could weaken the kingly roots of the monarchy.

But George Gross, who studies the link between religion and monarchy, dismissed these concerns.

The crowning of monarchs is a tradition that stretches back to the ancient Egyptians and Romans, so there is nothing intrinsically Christian about it, said Gross, a visiting research fellow at King's College London. In addition, all of the central religious elements of the service will be conducted by Church of England clergy.

Representatives of other faiths have already been present at other major public events in Britain, such as the Remembrance Day services.

These things are not unusual in more contemporary settings," he said So I think of it the other way: Were there not to be other representatives, it would seem very odd.

Charles commitment to a multifaith society is also a symbol of the progress thats been made in ending a rift in the Christian tradition that began in 1534, when Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church and declared himself head of the Church of England.

That split ushered in hundreds of years of tensions between Catholics and Anglicans that finally faded during the queens reign, said Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the most senior Catholic clergyman in England. Nichols will be in the Abbey when Charles is crowned on Saturday.

I get lots of privileges,'' he said cheerfully. But this will be one of the greatest, I think, to play a part in the coronation of the monarch.
John Badman|The Telegraph

EAST ALTON  A family escaped a fire late Monday night that damaged their home in the 400 block of George Street in East Alton.

Firefighters were called at about 11:30 p.m. Monday to the fire and found a fully loaded shed behind the house engulfed in flames that had spread to the rear of the residence and burned the deck off the house.
Market Research Future

Frozen Seafood Market Research Report Information, By Product Type (Fish, Crustaceans, Shellfish, Mollusks, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Store-based and Non-Store-based) And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World)  Market Forecast Till 2030 By MRFR

New York, USA, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Frozen Seafood Market Research Report Information, By Product Type, By Distribution Channel, And By Region Market Forecast Till 2030, the market is projected to acquire a value of USD 22.71 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030).



Market Scope:

Due to the freezing technique used to produce frozen seafood, the food products have a longer shelf life and are less likely to develop germs. By converting the residual moisture in the frozen seafood items into ice and preventing the majority of the bacterial species found in food goods from growing, the freezing process lowers the rate of decomposition.

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Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details 2030 Market Size 2030: 22.71 Billion CAGR 5.70% (20222030) Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 20222030 Historical Data 2018 & 2020 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Product Type, Distribution Channel, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) Key Market Drivers Growing demand for seasonal fish products

Competitive Dynamics

Market participants are also implementing a variety of strategic strategies to broaden their global reach in response to significant market changes. Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business methods used by producers in the frozen seafood industry to benefit customers and develop the market sector. The market for frozen seafood has delivered some of the most significant benefits.

Story continues

Key Companies in the Frozen Seafood market includes

Premium Seafood Company Inc. (US)

The Sirena Group (Denmark)

M&J Seafood Ltd. (UK)

Beaver Street Fisheries (US)

Mazetta Company LLC (US)

High Liner Foods Inc (Canada)

Mowi ASA (Norway)

Forster Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd. (India)

IFC Frozen Seafoods (Canada)

Castlerock Inc. (India)

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Market USP:

Market Drivers

The primary market factors boosting the growth of the frozen seafood market are an increase in consumer health consciousness and rising demand for seasonal fish items. Seafood appeals to consumers who are concerned about their health, including whole and filleted salmon, tuna, halibut, anchovies, and herring as well as lobster, scallops, shrimp, crab, clams, and oysters. Because of a thriving fish industry and growing aquaculture, it is inexpensive. Packaging that may extend shelf life by limiting microbiological development, avoiding freezer burn, permitting quick freezing, and decreasing drip loss is necessary to maintain seafood quality for these expanding markets. As a result, the demand for frozen seafood is influenced by the rising consumption of packaged seafood products.

Furthermore, the protection of atmospheric oxygen, moisture loss, taste contamination, microbial invasion, mechanical damage, and light exposure must all be taken into account when choosing a container for frozen foods. The films are non-toxic, heat sealable, transparent, light weight, puncture resistant, flexible at low temperatures, free from offensive aromas and tastes, and have a low moisture vapor transfer rate. Therefore, another element boosting the growth of the frozen seafood market revenue is the creation of novel packaging techniques for seafood.

COVID-19 Analysis:

Due of the COVID-19 outbreak's rapid spread to more than 150 nations, there is now a serious public health emergency on a worldwide scale. To combat and control the spread of this disease, a number of nations around the world declared emergencies and announced complete nationwide, statewide, or citywide lockdowns. This had a significant impact on many industries globally and stopped all travel, manufacturing, educational institutions, and non-essential trade. Governments all across the world also shut down fish markets and stopped processing. The trading of frozen fish was forbidden in some virus-affected areas, which caused substantial losses for seafood producers. One of the most efficient strategies to generate revenue in the industry during the epidemic seems to be local sourcing and internet presence.

However, because frozen seafood has a longer shelf life than fresh fish and is expected to do well after COVID, the market for it expanded during the lockdown. Additionally, as consumers got more health aware and prioritized goods that gave their bodies critical nutrients, seafood became a top choice, which had a favorable effect on the frozen seafood industry. The shift in customer purchasing preferences at retail, which has seen a growth in the sales of all types of seafood in grocery stores and through e-commerce channels, is one of the most important factors that has sustained the seafood sector through the upheaval of 2020.

Market Segmentation:

Product Type Insights

Fish, crustaceans, shellfish, mollusks, and other species are included in the segmentation of the frozen seafood market depending on product type. In 2021, the fish sector accounted for the bulk of market revenue for frozen seafood. This is mostly due to widespread consumption, rising public awareness of health risks, and increased demand for chemical-free fish with longer shelf lives. The expanding trend in fish farming and industrial-scale fishing also contribute significantly to the need.

Distribution Channel Insights

Store-based and non-store-based distribution channels are used to segment the frozen seafood business. In 2021, the store-based category led the market, and it is anticipated that throughout the projection period, 20222030, it would grow more quickly than any other segment. The performance of the particular market sectors is driven by the increased demand for frozen seafood. Additionally, during the anticipated time, convenience shops, supermarkets, and hypermarkets are predicted to have a significant impact on the market's success. As a result, the above attributes have a beneficial effect on the market's growth.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (110 Pages) on Frozen Seafood Market: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/frozen-sea-food-market-2708

Regional Analysis:

The market for frozen seafood in North America had revenues of USD 6254.6055 million in 2021 and is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 42.90% during the research period. The availability of cutting-edge and creative cold chain infrastructure facilities is only one of many variables that may affect how well the North American area performs. Future performance of the region is also anticipated to be driven by the spike in seafood consumption relative to red meat. The booming ready-to-cook food industry has spurred the expansion of the frozen fish market. Additionally, the US frozen seafood industry had the greatest market share because consumers are searching for quick and easy meal choices, such as frozen meals, to get around the time restrictions of work and childcare. The market would be driven by consumers' increasing reliance on ready-to-cook items as a result of their busy schedules, particularly millennials. The North American region's market with the fastest growth rate was Canada's frozen seafood industry.

The market for frozen seafood in Europe is anticipated to see the greatest CAGR between 2022 and 2030. The consumption of fish is expected to rise throughout Europe as a result of efforts to lower the risk of heart disease. The market for sustainable frozen fish is anticipated to increase due to the rising popularity of sustainable fish products in France, the UK, and Germany. Additionally, the highest market share belonged to the German frozen seafood industry.

Discover more research Reports on Food, Beverages & Nutrition Industry , by Market Research Future:

Seafood Market Research Report Information By Type (Cephalopods, Shellfish, Mollusks, Level Fish, Groundfish, Salmonids, Fish, and Pelagic), By Retail (Surrounding, Frozen, and Chilled), By Distribution Channel (Retail, Foodservice, and Institutional), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World)  Market Forecast Till 2030

Canned Seafood Market Research Report: Information by Product Type (Tuna, Salmon, Sardines, Prawns & Shrimps, Others), Distribution Channel (Store-Based, Non-Store-Based), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Row) - Forecast till 2030

Frozen Foods Market Research Report Information By Type (Frozen, Frozen Processed), By Distribution Channel (Store-Based, Non-Store-Based), And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World)  Market Forecast Till 2030

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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.

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CLEVELAND, Texas (AP)  A man suspected of opening fire at his neighbor's home and killing five people was arrested Tuesday after a four-day manhunt, authorities in Texas said.

The hunt for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza began Friday after he fled from the scene of the deadly shooting in the rural town of Cleveland, about 45 miles (72.42 kilometer) north of Houston.

The shooting happened after Oropezas neighbors asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard because a baby was trying to sleep. The baby's mother and 9-year-old brother were among the five people killed, who were all originally from Honduras.

Here are some things to know about the case:

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE MANHUNT?

An FBI agent acknowledged Monday that authorities had little to go on in the widening search for Oropeza.

More than 250 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, took part in the manhunt, which had come up empty despite additional manpower, scent-tracking dogs, drones and $80,000 in reward money being offered.

On Monday, a heavy presence of police converged in Montgomery County after a possible sighting, but the sheriffs office later said Oropeza wasn't among the people who were questioned.

Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson confirmed Tuesday that Oropeza was arrested without incident near Conroe, roughly 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) from the home where the shooting happened.

WHO IS OROPEZA?

Oropeza is a Mexican national who has been deported four times, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Oropeza was deported in March 2009, September of that same year, January of 2012 and most recently in July 2016.

The FBI in Houston tweeted Sunday that it was referring to the suspect as Oropesa, not Oropeza, to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. His family lists their name as Oropeza on a sign outside their yard, as well as in public records.

WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING?

Neighbors frequently fire guns in the rural community to unwind. But Wilson Garcia said his baby was struggling to sleep through it, so he and two other people asked Oropeza to move his shooting farther away from their home.

After Oropeza rejected the request, the family repeatedly called law enforcement, Garcia recalled Sunday.

He said while waiting for help to arrive, Oropeza ran toward him and reloaded. Garcia's house was packed with 15 people, several of them friends who had been there to join Garcias wife on a church retreat.

Garcias 25-year-old wife, Sonia Argentina Guzman, and 9-year-old son, Daniel Enrique Laso, were killed, along with Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18. Two of the victims were shot while shielding Garcias baby and 2-year-old daughter.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WITH IMMIGRATION?

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has faced criticism for drawing attention to the victims immigration status.

Abbott offered a $50,000 reward over the weekend for any tips that might lead to the gunman's arrest, and while doing so, he described the victims as illegal immigrants  a potentially false statement that his office walked back and apologized for on Monday.

Critics accused Abbott, who has made immigration reform a signature issue in Texas, of injecting politics into the tragic shooting.

Weve since learned that at least one of the victims may have been in the United States legally, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement. We regret if the information was incorrect and detracted from the important goal of finding and arresting the criminal.

Eze said information provided by federal officials after the shooting indicated that the suspect and victims were in the country illegally. Her statement did not address why Abbott mentioned their status and she did not immediately respond to questions about the criticism.
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Editors Note: This story is part of a series about the honorees for the YWCA of Alton 32nd Women of Distinction Celebration planned May 4 in East Alton.

ST. LOUIS  Ameera Nauman has always put others first in her work.

Originally from East Meadow, New York, Nauman attended Barnard College of Columbia University, the women's college of Columbia. She then went on to medical school in the Caribbean at American University of the Caribbean on St. Maarten. She graduated from there and did her pediatric residency at Nassau University Medical Center, a federally qualified health center in East Meadow.

She and her husband have two little boys. Her husband is from St. Louis, so she moved here to start the pediatric clinic at OSF Health Center which is now cobranded with Cardinal Glennon.

According to Nauman, her volunteering began at a young age.

"I started volunteering when in middle school through clubs like Key Club and World Hunger Action Club," she said. "I liked having something to do every weekend."

Since moving to the Midwest, she has been involved in several organizations that strive to advocate for the health and well-being of children, including the Riverbend Head Start Advocacy Committee and its board. She works closely with Refuge, an organization providing free counseling to the most vulnerable children from birth to 11 years old.

She also has served as president of the Muslim Womens Professional Network, an organization dedicated to help working Muslim women through networking, events and workshops. She said her future goals are to be a good human, raise confident children who care about others, and to continue to be a dedicated pediatrician that can serve our community.

Her advice to young women is to find people who have the same goals as they do, and a similar work ethic to achieve those goals.

"We are the company we keep," she said. "I have been blessed to have strong-willed, outspoken and generous women around me my whole life, and this has allowed me to learn from them and grow with them."
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CHICAGO (AP)  U.S. cities already struggling to shelter thousands of migrants are calling for federal help and an end to Republican political gamesmanship over immigration, concerned that an expected increase in the number of people entering the country when pandemic-era asylum restrictions end on the U.S.-Mexico border May 11 will further strain their budgets and resources.

Chicago has long pledged to welcome migrants. But a tenfold increase in recent days has taxed resources. Migrants awaiting beds in city-run shelters are sleeping on floors in police stations and in airports surrounded by suitcases. They're depending on donors for food, medicine and clothing.

When border crossings increased last summer, Republican governors of border states bussed migrants to cities led by Democrats including Chicago, New York City and Denver, arguing that their own cities were overwhelmed. Texas Republican governor this week vowed to resume a program bussing new arrivals to Chicago and other cities.

More than 8,000 migrants have come into Chicago since August, according to city officials. Some came on busses mobilized by border states; others bought their own flights or got one subsidized by aid groups. The number of new arrivals slowed this winter to about 10 people per day. But toward the end of April, it grew to between 75 to 150 people per day.

Our system is over capacity, Brandie Knazze, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services told city officials Friday. Make no mistake, we are in a surge and things have yet to peak.

Major U.S. cities already were bracing for thousands of new arrivals when a rule that denies asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19 expires May 11. But the uptick has begun sooner than Chicago officials expected, and they fear that bussing from Texas could further overwhelm them.

We simply have no more shelters, spaces, or resources to accommodate an increase of individuals at this level, Democratic mayor Lori Lightfoot wrote in a letter to Texas' Republican governor Greg Abbott on Sunday.

He replied in a letter of his own, promising to send more busses of migrants. He repeated calls for her to pressure President Joe Biden to prevent migrants from crossing the border, and noted that the influx already has strained Texas.

"As the mayor of a self-declared sanctuary city, it is ironic to hear you complain about Chicagos struggle to deal with a few thousand illegal immigrants, which is a fraction of the record-high numbers we deal with in Texas on a regular basis," Abbott wrote.

While migrants tend to stay briefly in U.S. border cities on their way to other destinations, demands for temporary shelter, food and transportation have grown. El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville declared states of emergency ahead of the end of pandemic-related asylum restrictions next week.

Migrants taking shelter in Chicago police stations this week said they want to find work and provide for themselves, but need temporary shelter and assistance navigating a new country. But they have been caught up in the city's struggle to provide shelter to so many.

One of those families has been living on the floor of a police station on the citys northwest side for eight days, sleeping on thin blankets provided by a local church and washing themselves in the stations bathroom sink as they wait for available shelter space.

Every day they tell us the same thing, theres no shelter, that we need to wait, said Ibo Brandelli, on Monday, who left Venezuela with his wife and their two daughters in January.

After surrendering to border authorities and gaining entry to the U.S. in late April, they connected with a community organization providing plane tickets and chose Chicago on the advice of acquaintances.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams called on the federal government last month to give the city more financial aid and asked the U.S. government to speed up work authorizations to people seeking asylum. The city has spent $817 million so far housing, caring for and providing services to migrants, at an average cost of $380 per household per day, according to the city's budget director.

More than 50,000 international migrants have arrived since the spring of 2022, taxing an already stretched shelter system. Under local law and court rulings, the city is obligated to offer emergency shelter to anyone who needs it. The city has tried creative solutions, like leasing out entire Manhattan hotels and setting up temporary shelters during the winter at a cruise ship terminal.

In Denver this month, officials announced that only immigrants with a formal application to stay in the U.S. will be allowed in emergency shelters. Most of those who have come to Denver since last summer would qualify, but immigrant advocacy groups say the policy will lead to more people living on the streets. Denver has spent nearly $13 million sheltering and supporting more than 6,000 migrants.

Victoria Aguilar, a spokeswoman for Denver Human Services, which now runs four emergency shelters for migrants attributed the change to a lack of funding, lack of policy, lack of guidance from our federal government to be able to respond to this crisis appropriately.

Chicago runs eight shelters dedicated to new migrants. City officials said they have struggled to find new spaces capable of housing more than 250 people and say they need federal and state help.

In the meantime, migrant families are finding shelter where they can.

Another Venezuelan family slept on the floor of a northwest side police station for nearly two weeks.

What we want is stability for our children, stability for ourselves, for my children to be able to go to school, said Yessika Chirino, who left Venezuela with her daughters, 15 and 5, seven months ago.

Chirino said she crossed the Mexico-U.S. border into Texas on April 11. A Texas organization helped her fly to Chicago.

She calls Chicago's non-emergency line every day asking about shelter openings.

We dont know what to believe anymore, she said. ___

Associated Press writers Claire Savage in Chicago, David Caruso in New York and Thomas Peipert in Denver contributed to this report.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An explosion on Tuesday evening struck a base in Iran belonging to the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, killing two workers, local media reported. There was no word on any damages in the blast.

The state-run IRNA news agency said the explosion occurred during a movement of ammunition at the Guard base on the outskirts of the city of Damghan, in northern Semnan province.
CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP)  Feuding Mexican cartels briefly blocked roads Tuesday in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas.

At one point, gunmen forced middle-school students off a school bus and used the vehicle as a blockade.

Roads were quickly cleared and officials claimed that one death reported early Tuesday morning was not related to the blockades.

At about a dozen points in and around the city, gunmen carjacked vehicles and left them parked across roadways. The military deployed about 700 troops and two helicopters to quell the violence.

Officials in the northern state of Tamaulipas said the blockages were caused by battles between two rival cartels. Matamoros has long been dominated by the Gulf cartel, but it has splintered into warring factions, one of which is reportedly allied with the Jalisco cartel.

State police chief Sergio Hernando Chavez told local media that there was a confrontation between rival organized crime groups.

He said all the children aboard the hijacked bus were unharmed.

On Monday, in the same area, police said they had arrested a top lieutenant of the violent Metros faction of the Gulf cartel implicated in 23 attacks on police and nine against military personnel.
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MOMBASA, Kenya (AP)  Kenyan officials say the number of deaths linked to a cult on the countrys Indian Ocean coast has risen to 110.

Heavy rains stalled the exhumation process for the third day as government pathologists began autopsies. The official number of victims had been at 103 until Monday and could rise as the investigation continues.
Vantage Market Research, The North Star for the Working World

WASHINGTON, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Dropshipping Market is valued at USD 221.3 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 931.9 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 22.8% over the forecast period 2023-2030.



Market Overview

The demand for exporting services is growing as a result of the growth of the e-commerce industry. Increased smartphone adoption and rising consumer disposable income are a couple of these reasons. Reduced capital expenditures in logistics and inventory have also raised the demand for Dropshipping among merchants. Yet, the problems preventing the Dropshipping business's expansion are fraudulent or illegal operations.

We forecast that the electronics category in Dropshipping market sales will account for more than 33.3% of the market share by 2030 due to increased demand for electronic goods. Since customers can evaluate a wide range of products, take advantage of discounts, and submit a simple return request, e-commerce platforms provide several opportunities for the sale of electronic goods.

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Market Dynamics

Growing Demand for Rapid Delivery of Packages will Support Market Expansion

The demand for better and more effective product delivery services has grown due to the rise of online shopping and consumers' propensity to purchase goods from online retailers. The COVID-19 epidemic has increased customers' inclination to order daily essentials online, which has aided in the rise of the Dropshipping industry. In China, for example, there has been a rise in e-grocery orders due to consumers' preference for online retailers like JD. com, Alibaba Group, and MTDP. Furthermore, JD.com in China has provided a platform for clients to engage directly with manufacturers in Wuhan to handle food and medical package deliveries to reduce the need to prevent direct contact among people.

Story continues

Rising Usage of IoT to Boost Market Expansion

Small business owners can expand their clientele through Dropshipping, diversify their product offerings, and cut costs associated with inventory. The Dropshipping business model requires third-party logistics providers (3PL) to send goods. As a result, the retailer has little control over the supply chain and is unaware of the supplier's inventory levels. Now, the retailer can benefit from the Internet of Things (IoT), which can give updates on any on-the-shelf and off-the-shelf movement of a specific product in the supplier's inventory and real-time information about the supplier's inventory status. IoT-based solutions may make it possible for processes like automatically purchasing products from the manufacturer if inventory drops below a predetermined level to lessen the possibility of a stock-out scenario with the supplier.

Top Players in the Global Dropshipping Market

Alidropship (U.S.)

Doba Inc. (U.S.)

Inventory Source (U.S.)

Megagoods Inc. (U.S.)

Modalyst Inc. (U.S.)

SaleHoo Group Limited (New Zealand)

Shopify Inc. (Canada)

Sunrise Wholesale Merchandise LLC (U.S.)

Printify (U.S.)

Cin7 Orderhive Inc. (U.S.)

Wholesale2b (U.S.)



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Top Trends in Global Dropshipping Market

One trend that Vantage Market Research (VMR) expects to see in the Dropshipping industry is a growing preference for online shopping. The primary forces propelling the drop shipping industry are the rising popularity of online shopping around the globe. Additionally, the market is benefiting from the growing trend of international e-commerce trade.





Another trend that VMR predicts will continue in the Dropshipping industry is the emergence of smartphones. Due to the quick uptake of smartphones, more mobile applications are emerging than ever, which helps the market expand. Customers' experiences are made simple and practical by these mobile applications. The e-commerce business is expanding, further fueling the drop shipping industry, thanks to rising consumer disposable income and smartphone usage.



Top Report Findings

The Domestic category controls most of the Dropshipping market's revenue, based on the Destination segment, because it provides several benefits to both customers and merchants. Sellers can quickly and easily find products from nearby suppliers, which cuts down on shipping expenses and timeframes.





Based on the Product, the electronics category controls most of the Dropshipping market's revenue due to the rising demand for electronic goods. Due to the ability of customers to evaluate a wide range of products, receive discounts, and make simple return requests, the e-commerce platform opens up numerous opportunities for selling electronic goods.



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Recent Developments in the Global Dropshipping Market

February 2022: For enhanced Dropshipping services, Alibaba.com and Dropified partnered. By this partnership, dropshippers can connect Dropified and Alibaba.com, their online stores, so that fulfilment businesses are alerted when an order has been placed and needs to be filled.

March 2020: AliDropship.com presented Sellika, a fresh WordPress plugin that automates updating product details.

December 2022: Trendsetting Boohoo, a UK-based apparel brand, entered the Indian market through Myntra. As part of the debut, Boohoo, Dorothy Perkins (DP), and Nasty Gal will give over 1,500 on-trend styles across categories like dresses, tops, bottoms, and footwear. On Myntra, a specific Online Brand Store (OBS) will contain the three brands.

April 2021: India's top domestic e-commerce site, Flipkart, and the Adani Group, the country's largest foreign infrastructure company, have announced a strategic and business partnership. Adani Logistics, a fully owned subsidiary of Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, will collaborate with Flipkart in this two-way partnership to strengthen Flipkart's supply chain infrastructure and further improve its capacity to serve its rapidly expanding customer base.

Electronics Category of the Product Segment of the Global Dropshipping Market to Projected to Generate a Considerable Revenue in the Forecast Period

For better understanding, based on the Product, the Dropshipping market is divided into Electronics, Fashion, Toys, Hobby, And Diy, Furniture, Beauty, Health, Personal, & Household Care and Other Products.

It is expected that the Electronics segment will dominate market for drop shipping. The development of E-Commerce platforms creates several chances for selling electronic goods, which benefits the Dropshipping sector because customers can evaluate a large selection of products, receive discounts, and benefit from simple returns. Online retailing can now access previously inaccessible locations thanks to the increased availability of reasonably priced electronic goods.

On the other hand, it is anticipated that the Fashion category will be the fastest growing category in the Dropshipping market due to the quickening of globalization and changes in consumer spending patterns. Increasing consumer preference for branded items and the availability of numerous brands on a single platform are also expected to drive the fashion industry.

Asia Pacific Region of the Global Dropshipping Market Forecast to Generate a Considerable Amount of the Total Global Revenue

In 2022, Asia Pacific dominated the Dropshipping market and is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period. The expansion of e-commerce businesses is credited with driving demand for Dropshipping services in the next years and growing the market. The number of internet users in the area is increasing due to the expansion of online retail. By the end of 2025, it is expected to reach USD 3,900 million, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). The recent forecasted expansion of the Indian e-commerce business has led to an increase in startups in the country. Many firms benefit from Dropshipping services since they can concentrate on important marketing tactics while spending less on inventory overall. With the help of dropshippers, small businesses may compete with established market leaders.

A further factor driving the need for online shopping is the rising popularity of smart devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Furthermore, the growth of the telecommunications industry, the widespread use of smartphones and the internet, as well as the widespread attraction of social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter, are all major factors in the rise of this region.

Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 144 Pages and in-depth TOC on Dropshipping Market Forecast Report (2023-2030).

Global Dropshipping Market Segmentation

By Destination

Domestic

International

By Product

Electronics

Fashion

Toys, hobby, and DIY

Furniture

Beauty, Health, Personal, and Household Care

Others

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/dropshipping-market-2104

Scope of the Report:

Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2022 USD 221.3 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 931.9 Billion CAGR 22.8% from 2023 to 2030 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030 Key Players Alidropship, Doba Inc., Inventory Source, Megagoods Inc., Modalyst Inc., SaleHoo Group Limited, Shopify Inc., Sunrise Wholesale Merchandise LLC, Printify, Cin7 Orderhive Inc., Wholesale2b Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/dropshipping-market-2104/request-sample

Key Questions Answered in the Dropshipping Market Report are:

What is dropshipping and how does it work?

What is the current size and projected growth of the dropshipping market?

Who are the major players in the dropshipping industry and what are their strategies?

What are the key trends and challenges in the dropshipping market?

What are the most popular products and niches in the dropshipping market?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dropshipping for businesses?

How does dropshipping differ from other eCommerce models?

What are the legal and regulatory considerations for dropshipping businesses?

How can businesses succeed in the dropshipping market and what are the best practices?

What are the future prospects and opportunities for the dropshipping market?

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Rail Freight Transportation Market Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/rail-freight-transportation-market-0331



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Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Intelligent Power Module Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report by Voltage, Circuit Configuration, Vertical, Current Rating, Power Device, Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Intelligent Power Module Market size is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth of 8.4% CAGR during the forecast period.

Key Market Players

List of Companies Profiled in the Report:

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.

Infineon Technologies AG

Rohm Co., Ltd.

STMicroelectronics N.V.

Microchip Technology Incorporated

Texas Instruments, Inc.

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)

Renesas Electronics Corporation

ON Semiconductor Corporation

Intelligent power modules (IPMs) are hybrid power devices that combine a high-speed, low-loss insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) with an improved protection circuit and gate drive.

IPMs use IGBT semiconductors with high tech current sensing to provide extremely effective short-circuit or over-protection. This makes it possible to keep an eye on the current going through the power device.



In addition, IPM's integrated under-voltage or over-lockout protection strengthens the system's dependability. Lastly, the automatically built intelligent power modules are intended to minimize time to market, cost, and system size. Intelligent power modules, or IPM modules, are utilized in electrical equipment and the technology sector for the primary purposes of power control and power conservation. Concerns about global warming are anticipated to increase the significance of this issue during the predicted period.



Worldwide, machines are so adaptable, compact, and effective at what they are designed to perform that they have supplanted humans in many manual tasks.

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In recent years, the demand for machinery and electronic equipment has expanded dramatically, and it is anticipated that this trend will continue or possibly accelerate in the years to come. Furthermore, automation modernization in various industries, particularly process automation and control automation equipment, is also anticipated to boost the intelligent power module market.



Market Growth Factors

Growing demand for EVs globally



Increasing production and sales of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are anticipated to generate tremendous opportunities for the power electronics industry in the transportation application segment.

In addition, the growing number of charging stations is driving the demand for power electronic components like intelligent power modules (IPMs), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT),power management integrated circuits (PMICs),and standard & power integrated modules.

In light of these factors, the intelligent power module market is estimated to grow with the surging demand and manufacturing of EVs worldwide.



The leading players in the market are competing with diverse innovative offerings to remain competitive in the market. The below illustration shows the percentage of revenue shared by some of the leading companies in the market.

The leading players of the market are adopting various strategies in order to cater demand coming from the different industries. The key developmental strategies in the market are Acquisitions, and Partnerships & Collaborations.



Rising acceptance of GaN & SiC materials in automotive & power semiconductor uses



The most significant benefit of SiC is its dramatically increased efficiency. In addition to its near-immediate adoption in energy-focused businesses, such as electric vehicles and solar energy, SiC boosts the efficiency of electronics among industries and contributes to the global reduction of carbon footprint. SiC is used in photovoltaics, uninterruptible power supplies, motor drives, and power supplies. The increased adoption of GaN & SiC materials in several applications is predicted to contribute to the market expansion significantly.



Market Restraining Factors

Slower adoption of new technologies and complex structure of IPMs may hinder growth



The businesses active in the intelligent power modules market are primarily concerned with integrating many features onto a single chip, which results in an intricate design. The designing & integration of complex devices calls for specialized skill sets, well-tested methodologies, and tool sets, all of which contribute to a rise in the devices' overall cost.

It is anticipated that the high price of the devices would slow the transition toward more modern technical devices, which in turn is anticipated to constrain the growth of the intelligent power module market.

Scope of the Study

By Voltage

Up To 600V

601V - 1,200V

Above 1,200V

By Circuit Configuration

6-Pack

Bridge

7-Pack

Others

By Vertical

Industrial

Consumer Electronics

Transportation

IT & Telecommunications

Others

By Current Rating

Up to 100A

101A to 600A

Above 600A

By Power Device

Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)

Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET)

Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tk7pd0

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.

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Pt Umesh Chandra Pant, alias No 1 and Best Astrologer In India, is a name with an unmistakable personality in the field of Vedic astrology. He earned a distinctive persona in the eyes of people whom he helped with the astrological services and solutions rendering transformative impacts on their lives. Here are some excerpts from our exclusive interview with the man of the moment, Astrologer Pt Umesh Chandra Pant.

Pt Umesh Chandra Pant, also known as The No 1 and Best Astrologers In India, is one of the fewest astrologers in India with a worldwide reputation for providing life-transformative astrological solutions. With profound knowledge and expertise in Vedic astrology, he helped people from different backgrounds to experience the positivity in life. He has earned an unmissable identity of being a trusted and no 1 astrologer in India and around the world. Born in a pious Brahmin family, he witnessed the transcendental power of Sanatana Dharma. Astrologer Umesh embraced astrology as a divine science to help people experience the positive outcomes of peace, happiness, glory, fame, and perpetual prosperity in their lives.

Astrologer Pt Umesh Chandra Pant does not need introduction in the field of astrology, he has also been honored many times for doing good work in the field of astrology. He has been honored with Jyotish Ratna, Jyotish Bhushan, Jyotish Prabhakar, Jyotish Shastracharya and Jyotish Rishi. For the last 7 years, he has consistently been among the top and Best Astrologers of Delhi in a website ThreeBestRated respected and reputed in the world. Recently, in a very reliable survey conducted by many reputed institutions, he has also been ranked among Top 10 Best Astrologers in India and India's best and number one astrologers. Pt Umesh Chandra Pant has been serving in the field of astrology for the last 22 years (since 2000) and is also a student of astrology since 1988. Because continuous learning and making maximum use of astrology based on experiences is their special feature.

Here are some excerpts from our exclusive interview with world renowned astrologer Pt Umesh Chandra Pant.

Q. 1: People are so fascinated with reading daily horoscopes or astrological stuff online these days. How do you define astrology in your own experience?

Astrologer Umesh: Astrology, in many ways, is based on your experiential insights or how deeply you are educated in the principles of Vedic astrology. To my understanding, I consider it a science that meticulously interprets the root cause of problems that people face concerning cosmic factors or planetary connotations. To put it in simple words, astrology helps you have a positive outlook in life. It paves the path for a better understanding of what needs to be done to succeed in your chosen endeavor. It magnifies your inner strength so that you stay positive and spiritually refined in todays clamorous and competitive world.

There are two types of daily horoscope, one is Western Astrology and the other is Indian Vedic Astrology. In Western Astrology, a zodiac sign has been set for a certain period of one month, whereas in Indian Vedic Astrology, according to the horoscope, the chart in which the Moon placed is once horoscope called the Moon Sign. Because western astrology is more in vogue because every ordinary person can know it by looking at his date of birth, but in Indian Vedic Astrology, the moon sign cannot be known without making a horoscope chart. While the daily horoscope of moon sign is more accurate in lieu of western astrology. While you know your correct moon sign according to your birth chart. Overall, if the daily horoscope is well predicted, then it can be very helpful in determining our daily tasks. Both types of horoscopes are available on our website; www.PavitraJyotish.com you can get benefits by reading daily. In our website, Hindi is based on moon sign (basis of Indian vedic astrology) and in English it is available on the basis of sun sign (basis of western astrology), you must read all.

Q. 2: How does it feel like being acknowledged as the No 1 and best astrologer in India? What were the challenges that you overcame to accomplish that feat?

Astrologer Umesh: I am deeply thankful to the people who entrusted their hope and faith to my expertise as an astrologer. I salute all astrology lovers from the bottom of my heart. I dont think I have accomplished anything remarkable, except the fact that I remain committed to serving people at any cost. In the early days, my expertise in astrology was just limited to checking the horoscopes of my relatives and some random people. But the great experience was that my predictions virtually appeared true and solved their quandaries positively. When I witnessed the immensity of power with which astrological solutions helped people find peace and comfort in their lives, I convinced myself to continue serving people astrologically with my knowledge, experience, and expertise. I also waded through many challenges. For example, skepticism of some naysayers doubting the relevancy of astrological solutions in peoples lives. However, those challenges were the least difficult compared to my indomitable willpower. I continued serving people astrologically with the vested interest of making them happy, peaceful, and successful.

I always have the same effort, same prayer - May everyone be happy, may everyone be free from diseases, may everyone's life be happy and no one should be a part of sorrow.

Q. 3: Does astrology really impact a persons life?

Astrologer Umesh: A persons life is impacted by the cosmic influences of planetary bodies relative to how they transit and other factors involved. The role of astrology is how to counterbalance the negative impacts of planetary transits or your horoscope charts (if any) with apt solutions or by employing a set of effective remedial measures, based on the meticulous study of the horoscopes chart of the person. Astrology, therefore, helps you with many positive benefits, including determining the future of your life.

Q. 4: How factual are astrological predictions?

Astrologer Umesh: The accuracy of astrological predictions largely depends on the meticulous study of the horoscope of a person and correct birth details of a person. Just as the importance of data in any scientific study is unavoidable; similarly, astrologers require the accuracy of data to predict something with certainty. Horoscope, therefore, must contain factual inputs, like the date of birth, birth time and birth place of the native, apart from other crucial facts. It leads to determining the accuracy of astrological predictions. Besides, it takes a truly experienced astrologer to study and decode the underlying impressions of the facts outlined in a horoscope and predict accordingly. Thats why I strongly emphasize the importance of consulting a genuine and experienced astrologer. Such professionals can help you with accurate astrological predictions with effective solutions.

Q. 5: Many people ask whether astrology leads to prosperity in a persons life. What do you think about it? How is astrology helpful to have a prosperous life?

Astrologer Umesh: Astrology is not like magic that you use and prosperity will materialize in your life immediately. Its a very pure and delicate science. Therefore, astrology cant make you rich like magic, but it does help you how to gain prosperity, eventually. For example, astrology can work on strengthening your inner weakness, helping you with stronger character refinement. The result of it pans out extremely helpful for a person to achieve success in his/her life. Many business tycoons once were not very educated, but they had indomitable strength of character with which they fought their battles toward success and achieved it.

For example, as an astrologer, I interpret the subtlety of planetary influences and what a persons horoscope reflects that I can use as a effective remedial measure for solidifying the inner character of the person, helpful in his pursuit of success in his chosen endeavor.

Q 6: What is the one truth about astrology that you think people should know?

Astrologer Umesh: I personally believe that people must entrust their faith in astrological solutions as they trust the presence of divinity. As someone who is receiving solutions in astrology, it is your responsibility to show a certain degree of trust in it and follow everything as per instructions to follow all remedial measures. Only then it will work in your life. Thats because trust is the foundation of miracles that astrology can bring forth in your life. If you suspect its efficacy, it will never bring an expected outcome in your life.

Q 7: Are you happy choosing astrology as your career?

Astrologer Umesh: Yes, that goes without saying. I still remember back in those days when I started my astrological practice. The experience of seeing people happy with the astrological solutions I rendered was soul-pleasing and enlightening for me. I cant imagine choosing something else other than astrology for my future career. I am glad that I made the right choice.

Q 8: Thank you so much Pt Umesh Chandra Pant ji, the last question to you is what is the formula for progress in life and how can we get astrological advice?

Astrologer Umesh: If you make good use of your intellect, strong will power, Satsang, faith in yourself and trust in God, then success is certain. The details of contacting me are as follows:

Our Website: https://www.AstrologerUmesh.com/

Contact: My phone numbers / WhatsApp: +91 99105 82401, +91 96676 35701

Email: care@AstrologerUmesh.com

Follow us on Instagram: @astrologerumesh.pant

Follow us on Twitter: @UmeshJyotish

Namaskar! My best wishes to all.
RAIPUR

The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, has truly exemplified his commitment to honoring the invaluable contributions of manual workers by partaking in a splendid feast of "Bore Baasi" on the occasion of Labor Day on May 1 . The ceremony was a grand display of appreciation for the workers and their tremendous efforts towards the development of the state. The Chief Minister's participation in the event is a testament to his genuine concern for the welfare of the workers and his eagerness to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh.

The elaborate feast of "Bore Baasi" was held at the Science College Ground in Raipur, where thousands of workers from across the state gathered to celebrate this significant day. The Chief Minister, with utmost humility, sat alongside the workers on the ground and relished the traditional delicacies of athan, chutney, bhaji, badi-bijauri, and gondli, which are a part of the "Bore Baasi" Tihar celebration.

The Chief Minister highlighted the cultural importance of "Bore Baasi" in the lives of the Chhattisgarhiya workers and expressed his gratitude towards them for their priceless contributions to the state's development. He emphasized that "Bore Baasi" is not just a favorite food for workers, but also a crucial part of their lives. The Chief Minister's acknowledgment of the significance of this traditional meal has gained global recognition and has become a symbol of Chhattisgarh's rich cultural heritage.

Dr. Anil Gupta, a renowned expert on nutrition, explained the remarkable health benefits of "Bore Baasi." The fermentation process involved in its preparation removes excess fat while increasing its nutritional value. It contains high levels of vitamin B-complex, vitamin K, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and selenium, as well as beneficial probiotics that enhance digestion and boost the immune system. Consuming this superfood is especially beneficial for individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure.

The workers present at the event expressed their appreciation for the Chief Minister's labor-friendly policies and his efforts to promote the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh. They highlighted the economic benefits of "Bore Baasi" as a nutritious and budget-friendly food that is easy to prepare and enjoy with pickle or chutney.

Tulsiram Sinha, a laborer, has put forth the significance of sacks in a laborer's life, contending that it is an indispensable component of their quotidian routine. He further expressed his delight and appreciation for the Chief Minister's magnanimous labor-friendly policies, which have truly made the day momentous. It is indeed a joy to witness how sacks have transcended beyond its usual boundaries, with individuals of all classes now reveling in its nourishing and healthful properties.

Santoshi Pal, another assiduous laborer, also shared her heartfelt appreciation for the economic benefits of sacks, elucidating that it is a highly economical and nutritious food for laborers. What is more, she stressed that it is an incredibly facile dish to prepare, requiring only a simple overnight soaking and a dash of pickle or chutney to accompany it.

Another labourer Parmeshwar Sinha eloquently emphasized the immense cultural significance of Bore-Basi Tihar in Chhattisgarh. He lauded the Chief Minister for his astute efforts to preserve and promote the state's heritage and culture. Sinha also expressed his boundless elation on behalf of all laborers in the state, affirming that the event has indeed been a luminous symbol of Chhattisgarhi culture and a source of immense pride for all.
Equity benchmarks climbed in early trade on Tuesday amid continuous foreign fund inflows and record GST collection in April.



Also, a largely firm trend in Asian gauges and buying in index major Reliance Industries and IT counters added to the optimism.



The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 276.61 points to 61,389.05 in early trade. The broader NSE Nifty went up 89.65 points to 18,154.65.



From the Sensex firms, Infosys, Larsen & Toubro, Wipro, Power Grid, Nestle, NTPC, Asian Paints, HDFC, Hindustan Unilever, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra and Tata Steel were the biggest gainers.



Tata Motors, Kotak Mahindra Bank and UltraTech Cement were the laggards.



In Asian markets, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading in the green, while Japan quoted lower.



The US markets had ended marginally lower on Monday.



GST collection in April rose by 12 per cent annually to over Rs 1.87 lakh crore, touching an all-time monthly high, showed finance ministry data released on Monday.



Manufacturing activities in India accelerated further and touched a four-month high in April, boosted by robust new business growth, mild price pressures, better international sales, and improving supply-chain conditions, a monthly survey said on Monday.



"India outperformed the rest of Asia and the developed markets in April with a smart rally mainly assisted by sudden change of strategy by the FIIs who have turned big buyers in the market in the last two trading days.



"Also, good corporate results, particularly from the banking space and record GST collection at Rs 1.87 lakh crore are aiding bullish sentiments. The market is resilient and the undercurrent is bullish," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.



Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were buyers on Friday as they bought equities worth Rs 3,304.32 crore, according to exchange data.



"Adding to the recent optimism would be the robust monthly GST numbers, which hit a new all-time high in terms of collection in April, indicating that the domestic economy continues to be on strong footing despite global macroeconomic challenges," Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said.



Equity markets were closed on Monday on account of Maharashtra Day.



The BSE benchmark had jumped 463.06 points or 0.76 per cent to settle at 61,112.44 on Friday. The Nifty had advanced 149.95 points or 0.84 per cent to finish at 18,065.



Meanwhile, global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.13 per cent to USD 79.41 per barrel.
An issue of great concern for the Congress in the Assembly elections in Karnataka was how the campaigning by national leaders on either side of the divide would impact the scenario and whether the end result could be a deviation from the local issues that the party had diligently stuck to in the months leading up to the polls.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign in Karnataka picking up pace, it has become a struggle for the Congress to react to him and yet ensure that the electioneering does not turn into a war of words over Modi.

This was evident when former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in his public rally in Turuvekere on Monday, said Modi needs to understand that the elections in Karnataka are not about him.

You (Modi) come to campaign in Karnataka for elections, but don't speak about Karnataka. You speak about yourself. You have to say what you did in Karnataka for the past three years. You also have to speak in your speeches about what you will be doing in the next five years, what you will do for youth, education, health and to fight corruption, he said.

Interestingly, with Rahul's disqualification as Lok Sabha MP, following his conviction in a defamation case, happened just as the campaigning in Karnataka was to pick up, there was concern in the party over whether the issue, of national significance, could end up overshadowing local issues when the leader campaigns in the state.

However, according to a Karnataka Congress leader, there was no doubt within the party that the disqualification issue related more to national politics, and when Rahul would speak in the state, he would place his focus on issues such as price rise, unemployment, the perceived corruption of the BJP government and lack of development.

Rahul's retort was to Modi having talked about the Congress hurling various types of abuses at him.

It is though felt that the war of words over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge allegedly calling Modi a venomous snake could have made it that much more difficult for the party to ensure that the election does not turn into a scenario where the focus is on Modi and on national issues rather than the local leadership of the BJP and the perceived failures of the state government.

According to a senior state Congress leader, the headlines in the media coverage might have got momentarily affected, but the issues on the ground remain the same. We are running a positive campaign. We have attacked the state government but we have also conveyed to the people what we will do to alleviate their suffering. We have given concrete guarantees which we will implement as soon as we will come to power, the leader said.
Gangster Tillu Tajpuriya, an accused in the Rohini court shootout, was murdered by rivals inside Tihar jail on Tuesday morning. Prison officials said the attack happened around 6.30 am.

Though Tillu, along with another injured undertrial prisoner, was rushed to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.

Tillu was reportedly attacked by rival gang members Yogesh Tunda, Deepak Teetar, Riyaj Khan and Rajesh. The men broke the iron grills of their ward on the first floor of jail no 8 before attacking Tillu who was lodged in a ground-floor ward of Jail no 9.

"This morning around 7 am, information was received from DDU Hospital regarding two undertrial prisoners who were brought to the hospital from Tihar Jail. One of them, Sunil alias Tilu was brought in an unconscious state. He was declared brought dead later. Another person, Rohit is undergoing treatment and is out of danger," Akshat Kaushal, additional DCP west district, Delhi Police was quoted by Hindustan Times.

Tillu is an accused in the murder of Jitender Maan alias Gogi that occurred at Rohini courts complex in 2021. Gogi, a gangster with over 19 criminal cases against him, was being produced before the court on September 24 when two gunmen disguised as lawyers gunned him down.
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday refused to pass an interim order on Congress leader Rahul Gandhis plea seeking stay on two-year conviction awarded by a lower court in a defamation case.

Judge Hemant Prachchhak said he would pass the order after the summer vacation.

The Congress leader is seeking a stay on the conviction given to him by a lower court in Surat. While the lower court and the sessions court in Surat granted him bail till he moves the higher court, challenging the decision, a stay on the sentence was denied.

Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared on behalf of Gandhi while Nirupam Nanavati appeared on behalf of BJP leader Purnesh Modi, the complainant.

Purnesh Modi had filed a complaint against Gandhi after he made a controversial remark on 'Modi' surname at a rally in Karnataka in 2019. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi had asked as to how all thieves have got the 'Modi' surnamea reference to fugitive businessmen Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi.

Singhvi requested the court to pass an interim order, but the judge said he would pronounce the order post vacation.

Earlier, beginning his submissions, Nanavati pointed out that Gandhi was adopting double standards. Citing newspaper clippings in which Gandhi has been quoted saying that he would continue to speak and is also reported to have said that the conviction is a gift, Nanavati said: If you are a motormouth, you speak. If you do not want to apologize, it is your right but do not cry in the courtroom like a crybaby. The advocate also read out the remark made by Gandhi after the convictionMy name is Gandhi and I am not Savarkar and wont apologize.

Nanavati further argued that if Gandhi is a motormouth and is facing 12 similar cases, then he should not say that he was wrongly convicted.

Gandhi, who represented Kerala's Wayanad in Lok Sabha, was disqualified as MP after the lower court convicted him and awarded a two-year jail term.

Putting forth his submissions, Singhvi questioned as to what if the Election Commission declared a by-election in Wayanad. The Election Commission, he said, isnt bothered that the case is being heard in the high court.

Singhvi went on to say that for an MP, the disqualification is a matter of big significance. He also said that the speeches made during election campaigns should be treated with greater latitude.

Justice Prachchhak started hearing the case on April 29. Tuesday's was the second hearing.

Earlier, Judge Gita Gopi had recused herself from hearing the case, saying not before me.
With much of the hopes that were pinned on the Indian governments flagship Act East Policy (AEP) being dashed to the ground because of circumstancesincluding the political instability in MyanmarIndia, in an exercise of its military diplomacy, has reached out to the ASEAN nations by sea.

On Tuesday, the navy chiefs of India and SingaporeAdmiral R. Hari Kumar and Rear Admiral Sean Watjointly inaugurated the opening ceremony of the inaugural ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-23) at Changi Naval Base, Singapore.

The Indian Navy chief is on an official visit to Singapore from May 2-4.

Indias AEP seeks to connect with South-East Asian nations. Besides making strategic and military sense in the backdrop of Chinas growing naval might in the region, India is also keen to cement commercial relationships with the ASEAN to sell an increasing range of military hardware and equipment.

A big obstacle to the AEP has been the ongoing political turmoil in neighbouring Myanmar, particularly after the military coup of February 1, 2021.

AIME-23 will take place in two phases. The Harbour Phase at RSS Singapura, the Changi Naval Base, from May 2-4, followed by the Sea Phase from May 7-8 in the South China Sea.

The sea phase will see the participating ships tracking the movement of simulated vessels of interest, cued by alerts from the ASEAN and the Royal Singapore Navys monitoring systems besides also practising the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES).

Nine shipsincluding Indias homemade guided missile destroyer INS Satpura and guided missile stealth frigate INS Delhisix aircraft, and more than 1,800 personnel from the ASEAN member states and Indiawill take part in the exercise.

An official release said: The visit of the CNS signifies high level of bilateral defence engagements with Singapore as well as Indias recognition of ASEAN Centrality to the region. Participation of the Indian Navy in the inaugural ASEAN  India Maritime Exercise is therefore a milestone event in this context.

On November 22, 2022, while addressing the India-ASEAN Defence Ministers meeting at Cambodias Siem Reap, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had highlighted in his address the centrality of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific region besides being the cornerstone of Indias AEP.

Significantly, the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue on April 11, 2022, had reaffirmed to promote regional stability and prosperity, with an inclusive regional architecture, abiding by the rule of law, the freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, and ASEAN centrality besides stressing on the importance of adherence to international law to meet challenges to the rules-based order, including in the South China Sea.

Singapore is co-hosting the AIME in its capacity as the country coordinator for ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations from 2021 to 2024.
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Global Precision Irrigation Market

Global Precision Irrigation Market

Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Precision Irrigation Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Product, Application, and Country Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global precision irrigation market was valued at $2,238.7 million in 2022 and is forecast to reach $4,471.2 million by 2027 at a CAGR of 14.84%.

Owing to the growing demand for food and grains, the growth in the precision irrigation market is expected to be driven by the increasing adoption of digital and smart agriculture equipment and technologies.

Some of the primary benefits related to precision irrigation market in the agricultural field include yield monitoring and field mapping, crop scouting, weather tracking and forecasting, irrigation management, and farm economics.

The precision irrigation market is in a growth phase. Since 2010, the adoption of precision irrigation has increased, especially by medium and large-scale farmers. Increased awareness regarding the benefits of precision irrigation market has increased the adoption rate of these solutions. High technological advancement in some regions of the world is another driver toward the adoption of precision irrigation by farmers.

In precision irrigation, by delivering water and nutrients directly to the roots of plants, farmers can cultivate healthier crops and get bigger yields, which helps them to meet the growing demand for food without using up limited resources. This enhances the wide acceptance of precision irrigation among farmers.

Precision irrigation enables farmers to increase profitability by achieving higher yields per hectare, better-quality crops, while using less water, fertilizer, and energy. It helps farmers save water and reduce their water bills by avoiding over-watering their crops, which can lead to water waste and increased costs.

Market Segmentation

Precision irrigation is used in several applications, such as on-field and controlled environment agriculture, including greenhouse and indoor farming. The demand for precision irrigation for on-field was the largest in 2021 and is expected to remain a major application segment during the forecast period.

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The two major methods of precision irrigation are drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. In 2021, drip irrigation was the largest method and is projected to remain so until 2027.

The market share is dominated by hardware solutions. Automation and control systems, sensing and imaging systems, and others make up the bulk of the hardware systems for precision irrigation solutions.

Asia-Pacific generated the highest revenue of $584.0 million in 2021, which is attributed to the large-scale adoption of advanced technologies and an increasing number of precision irrigation startups backed by the government, institutional, and corporate funding in the region.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analyzing the company's coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

Recent Developments in Global Precision Irrigation Market

In June 2022, Rivulis and Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.'s subsidiary Jain International Trading merged with an aim to have definitive transaction agreements.

In February 2022, CALSENSE introduced irrigation management as a service or IMaaS. IMaaS consists of a unique and valuable way of irrigation management, which removes the need for customers to secure funds for purchasing smart irrigation controllers, sensors, and software.

In May 2022, HUNTER INDUSTRIES launched a 12"" eco-indicator that offers greater visibility from a distance. Eco-Indicator makes it quicker and easier to verify system operation from afar. The rugged 12"" device also provides a convenient visual signal when the system is pressurized also running. Its further elevated height offers a clear line of sight over tall shrubs, flowers, as well as grasses.

In March 2022, HydroPoint and Aliaxis partnered for smart water management. Through this partnership, Aliaxis and HydroPoint joined forces in the field of smart irrigation systems along with leak and flow monitoring services for the building industry. The new partnership would further allow both companies to build upon each other's strengths.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 287 Forecast Period 2022 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $2238.7 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $4471.2 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 14.8% Regions Covered Global

Industry Outlook

Market Strategies and Developments

Business Strategies

Product Developments and Innovations

Market Developments

Corporate Strategies

Mergers and Acquisitions

Partnerships, Collaborations, and Joint Ventures

Snapshot of Corporate Strategies Adopted by the Key Players in Global Precision Irrigation Market

Ongoing Trends

Growing Popularity of Precision Irrigation as a Service

Precision Irrigation as a Tool for Sustainable Agriculture

Ecosystem/Ongoing Programs

Consortiums and Associations

Government Initiatives Landscape

Business Opportunities

Focus on Low-Cost Precision Irrigation Solutions to Enter Untapped Markets

Rise in Adoption of Robots and Drones in Precision Irrigation

Business Drivers

Need for Optimal Water Usage in Agriculture

Decreasing Labor Force in Agriculture

Increasing Adoption of Fertigation and Chemigation

Business Challenges

High Initial Investment

Lack of Technological Infrastructure

Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles

Rivulis

CALSENSE

Galcon

Holman Industries

HUNTER INDUSTRIES

HydroPoint

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.

K-Rain

Lindsay Corporation

Nelson Irrigation

NETAFIM

Rachio inc.

Rain Bird Corporation

The Toro Company

Valmont Industries, Inc.

Trimble Inc.

Prospera Technologies

CropX Inc.

Pycno

Arable

Acuity Agriculture

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hhv0wa

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As the countdown for Karnataka Assembly elections begins, the Congress, buoyed by pre-poll surveys predicting victory, will release its manifesto on Tuesday. This comes a day after BJP released theirs, promising a slew of measures.

Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar confirmed the manifesto release on Monday. "The Congress is coming to power. We are going to implement our five guarantees. Tomorrow we are releasing our manifesto," Shivakumar.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge will release the manifesto in Bengaluru in the presence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah, state unit president DK Shivakumar and Chairman of the Manifesto Committee Dr Parameshwaraji, among other party leaders.

Earlier, the party had promised to release a separate manifesto for the coastal region of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. He then added that the manifesto will emphasize the promotion of industries, startups and the fisheries sector.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will return to Karnataka on Tuesday. As per sources, the Prime Minister will address public meetings at Chitradurga, Hospet, and Sindhanur before participating in a roadshow at Kalaburagi this afternoon.

BJP election-in-charge of the Mangaluru section Uday Kumar Shetty said the Prime Minister will address a huge public gathering at Mulki in Dakshina Kannada district. More than three lakh people will participate in the meeting which will cover the 13 assembly segments in the two districts, Shetty said.

Besides Modi and Amit Shah, who is camping in the state, senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi will address a public meeting at Mandya and participate in three roadshows at Chintamannni, Hosakote, and CV Raman Nagar. Rahul Gandhi will also address two public rallies and one roadshow at Chikmagalur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat achieved a milestone as it completed its 100th episode on Sunday. One of its kind public outreach programme, the show has brought about significant transformation in the Indian demographic, initiating mass movements towards various social causes ranging from cleanliness, environment protection, and promotion of 'make in India' products to showcasing the countrys jan shakti, says the report by BJPs think tank, Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC).



The PPRC, after analysing the 100 editions of Mann Ki Baat, says driven by peoples suggestions and Modis broad vision, India has stepped on a new path of development along with building immense national cohesiveness.



Fuelled by PMs constant motivation and spark of encouragement, Mann Ki Baat as a platform has created heroes from the ground by invoking the populations deeply embedded self-reliance. The analysis of the first 100 editions of Mann Ki Baat asserts the fact that the platform has emerged as a medium to celebrate Indias distinct culture, identity, and political setup, states the report.



The report argues that Mann Ki Baat has transformed the countrys mindset and inculcated a positive outlook amongst people through powerful messages coupled with a practice of open dialogue.



During his monthly programme, Modi had taken up various topics to engage with people, and cited examples of ordinary Indians who are engaged in silent reformative works across the country. His invocation of these people turned the latter into mini-celebrities, apart from highlighting the work they were doing.



It was through Mann Ki Baat that a sense of resilience and unity was maintained and sustained in the face of adversities brought by the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. The prime minister has celebrated Indias cultural richness and diversity, reinvigorating Indias ancient soul. The PM has celebrated Indias luminary figures, propagated the teachings and learnings of various ancient texts and different religions and festivals, and promoted tourism, illustrating the beauty of incredible India, PPRC said.



The report cites the recent IIM Rohtak survey, commissioned by Prasar Bharati, saying the programme has been heard by over 100 crore people in the last eight years. According to this IIM report, 23 crore individuals tune in to the programme regularly while another 41 crore constitute an occasional audience. It was the prime ministers ability to establish an emotional connection with the audience, his decisive leadership, and his empathetic approach that made the programme popular, the report claims.



The IIM study adds that 73 per cent of listeners felt optimistic about the countrys progress. Additionally, 58 per cent have reported an improvement in their living conditions and 59 per cent have mentioned an increased trust in the government.



The PPRC report says the PMs numerous appeals on Mann Ki Baat to revive Khadi have resulted in a significant jump in sales and production of Khadi across India (179 per cent and 115 per cent growth respectively from 2013 to 2020), directly resulting in the empowerment of the artisans and weavers involved in Khadi production, significantly boosting their income by 33 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.



Prime ministers appeals on Mann Ki Baat to make Swachhata a mass movement have been more than fruitful, with numerous people-driven movements being reported from all corners in the country. Another crucial issue addressed by the PM on Mann Ki Baat was the sex ratio across the country. The PMs Mann Ki Baat has helped make Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao a success story by invoking maximum peoples participation. From 943 in 2011, Indias sex ratio has improved to 1020 in 2019-21, as per NFHS-5 data, PPRC says.



The report says the PMs monthly radio address has had a significant impact on the psyche and attitudes of the general public, turning various government initiatives into mass movements.



The programme was broadcast in 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, and 11 foreign languagesFrench, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashto, Persian, Dari and Swahili.



Dr. Sumeet Bhasin, director of PPRC, says, Mann Ki Baat, apart from its role in reconnecting Indians with their rich legacy, narrated inspiring stories from all the corners of the country, instilled positivity during the Covid-19 pandemic, and promoted a lifestyle for environment, and most importantly, awakened the society for collective action.


The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hurting religious sentiments of devotees by equating Lord Hanuman with the Bajrang Dal, and demanded an apology from him.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said it is shameful that the prime minister has drawn such a parallel which is an insult to crores of devotees of Lord Hanuman.

"The prime minister is insulting our faith in Lord Hanuman. He should apologise to the country as he has hurt our religious sentiments as well as of crores of devotees of Bajrang Bali. No one has given the prime minister the right to insult Bajrang Bali," he told reporters.

Taking out a copy of the devotional hymn Hanuman Chalisa from his pocket, he said, "Can Bajrang Dal be compared with Lord Bajrangi? Will we tolerate it? We will not tolerate this insult. How can they insult our Bajrang Bali ji."

The Congress is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and the Popular Front of India (PFI) "spreading hatred" among communities on grounds of caste and religion, the party said in its election manifesto for the May 10 Karnataka assembly polls released on Tuesday.

The action will include a "ban" on such organisations, the party promised.

The BJP accused the Congress of "insulting" Lord Hanuman by promising to ban the Bajrang Dal.

Congress general secretary in-charge for Karnataka Randeep Surjewala charged that the prime minister and his associates refuse to speak about scams under the BJP's "40 per cent commission" government and are merely looking for excuses for polarisation.

He said Lord Hanuman depicts piousness and commitment to reverence and duty and symbolises service and sacrifice.

"To compare Lord Hanuman with any individual or organisation is an insult and PM is hurting the feelings and sentiments of millions of devotees of Hanuman ji. Of course, these canards were manufactured in the factory of B L Santhosh, the self-nominated Chanakya," he said, in a swipe at BJP national general secretary Santhosh.

"PM must apologise for equating Lord Hanuman with Bajrang Dal. Millions of Hanuman bhakts will fight this with full rigour.... For Modi ji and the BJP, each election is about divisions on grounds of religion instead of answering the basic issues of nauseating corruption, back-breaking price rise, rampant unemployment, ugly and unacceptable concentration of wealth and an all pervading atmosphere of hate," he tweeted.

"Constitution and law are clear - any individual or organisation spreading hatred or enmity must be proceeded against in accordance with law. The duty to follow raj dharma is of Prime Minister and Chief Minister but they refuse to do so," he charged.

He said the people of Karnataka are ready to defeat the "40 per cent commission" government.

The Congress has accused the BJP dispensation in Karnataka of engaging in rampant corruption and "taking 40 per cent commission in all kinds of work done by the government".

Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram said, "When did 'Bajrang Dal' become 'Bajrang Bali'? The BJP has a special talent to twist words and facts. Those who find fault with the Congress manifesto should at least read the words of the manifesto without distorting the words."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for promising to ban the Bajrang Dal in its Karnataka election manifesto. He called it the party's attempt at trying to lock up those who worship Lord Hanuman.

He claimed that the Congress had earlier locked up Lord Ram and now it wanted to lock up those who chant 'Jai Bajrang Bali' (Hail Lord Hanuman).
In a major political move in Maharashtra on Tuesday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar said he is stepping down as the party chief. It is time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take, Pawar said in an official statement.

Pawar's move comes amid speculations about his nephew Ajit Pawar. The veteran leader said a committee of NCP members will formed to decide on the election to the post of the party president. He said the committee should have top party leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, K K Sharma, P C Chacko, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Jaydev Gaikwad.

One of the country's top Opposition leaders, Pawar has played in key role in holding together the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance that comprises the NCP, the Congress and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction).

Talking about his political journy so far, Pawar said: This entire journey of being in public life, which began on May 1, 1960, has continued unabated for the past 63 years. I have three years left of Rajya Sabha membership in Parliament, during which I will focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India in various capacities during this period, with a caveat of not taking any responsibility."

It is necessary to take a step back, he said.

Pawar made the announcement at the launch of his revised version of the autobiography which was met with protests by party workers and leaders who asked the octogenarian leader to revoke the decision.



While Patil and Awhad broke down after Pawar's decision, party MP Praful Patel requested him to withdraw his decision. Patel said Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before announcing his resignation.

-with agency inputs




Geoffrey Hinton, the legendary computer scientist and artificial intelligence (AI) pioneer, has announced his departure from Google, where he has been working part-time for the last decade. Hinton's groundbreaking work on neural networks has been a driving force behind the development of AI systems, and his departure has raised concerns about the future of the technology.

Hinton, who is 75, stated that he left Google so he could speak freely about the risks of AI, rather than because of a desire to criticise Google specifically. I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google, Hinton said in his tweet.

Geoffrey Hinton also issued a warning about the dangers of developments in the field. He has voiced concerns about the potential for deliberate misuse of AI technology by malicious actors, technological unemployment, and existential risk from artificial general intelligence.

Hinton, who is often referred to as the "Godfather of AI," has been a leading figure in the deep learning community for many years. His seminal 1986 paper on backpropagation and several other foundational deep learning techniques have shaped the field of AI.

Hinton has been a pioneer in deep learning and neural networks, which underpin modern AI systems like ChatGPT. Speaking to the BBC, he cautioned that AI chatbots could soon become more intelligent than humans. He also noted the fundamental difference between biological and digital systems, which he said created a new kind of intelligence that was distinct from human intelligence. Hinton stressed that he did not want to criticise Google, but had resigned in part due to his age.

In addition to his work at Google, Hinton was also a professor at the University of Toronto and a fellow of the Royal Society. In 2017, he co-founded and became the chief scientific advisor of the Vector Institute in Toronto, a research organization focused on AI and machine learning.

Hinton, who was awarded the Turing Award in 2018 for their work on deep learning, has been a vocal advocate for responsible AI development. His departure from Google is a sign that even those who helped create the technology are concerned about its potential risks.

As AI continues to advance and become more integrated into society, it is crucial that researchers and developers like Hinton continue to speak out about the technology's potential dangers. While AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries and improve our lives in countless ways, it is important to approach its development with caution and foresight.
Kenyan self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie will face terrorism charges over the death of 109 people. Nthenge Mackenzie has been accused of inciting followers to starve to death 'to meet Jesus', AFP reported.



Nthenge Mackenzie founded the church of Good News International in 2003. authorities have been exhuming bodies in the Shakahola forest since April 23. they have also rescued some followers in emaciated condition-- they were hiding in bushes.

Nthenge Mackenzie was arrested on April 14. After a brief hearing, the case was moved to the High Court in Kenya's second-largest city of Mombasa, where the suspects will face terrorism charges, prosecutor Vivian Kambaga told AFP. Relatives of the victims were present at the hearing.

"There is a court (in Mombasa) that is gazetted to handle cases under the prevention of terrorism act," Kambaga told a magistrate. Ezekiel Odero, a high-profile televangelist, is also expected at the high court in Mombasa in connection with the same case. Odero could face charges of murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering.

Odero and Nthenge Mackenzie share a 'history of business investments'. This includes a television station used to spread radicalised messages among the followers.

In the wake of the horrific incidents, Kenyan President William Ruto has vowed to intervene in religious movements in the country home to about 4,000 churches.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday he is arranging a trip to South Korea for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol in return for his March visit to Tokyo, aiming to further strengthen their ties before the upcoming Group of Seven summit.



Tokyo and Seoul have been working to repair relations that were strained over wartime history disputes as they deepen three-way security cooperation with Washington in response to growing regional threats from North Korea and China.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Ghana as part of his multi-nation trip to Africa and Singapore, Kishida said he hopes to visit May 7-8 and exchange views with Yoon on ways to speed up the bolstering of bilateral ties and discuss regional and global issues.

If my South Korea visit is achieved ahead of the G-7 summit, I expect it will be a great opportunity to give impetus to our 'shuttle diplomacy' and have a heart-to-heart exchange of our views on accelerating Japan-South Korea ties and drastically changing the global situation, said Kishida, who is hosting the May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima.

Later Tuesday, both governments confirmed Kishida's trip and their talks in Seoul.

Yoon's office said Kishida will make a working visit to South Korea with his wife, Yuko Kishida, following the president's invitation during his Tokyo visit in March, marking a fresh start in their diplomacy. Kishida's office said talks between the leaders were scheduled for Sunday.

Kishida will be the first Japanese leader to visit South Korea since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Pyeongchang Olympics in February 2018. The two leaders are expected to focus on their cooperation and responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

Japan and South Korea want to ensure their relationship is on track for considerable recovery ahead of G-7, where Yoon is invited as one of eight outreach nations.

The two leaders are also expected to hold trilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines.

Washington has been stepping up cooperation with its key Asian allies.

Yoon was in Washington last week and won stronger US commitment on extended nuclear deterrence, including improved information sharing and nuclear submarine visits to South Korea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was at the White House on Monday and Biden reiterated US commitment to the Philippines' security and noted the deep friendship of the two nations.

Ties between Japan and South Korea have improved rapidly since March, when Yoon's government announced plans to use South Korean funds to compensate forced labourers without requiring contributions from Japan.

The plan aims to end a dispute stemming from South Korean court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean workers for abusive treatment and forced labour during World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was a Japanese colony.

Since Yoon's trip to Japan in March, Tokyo and Seoul have mostly resolved their trade disputes. The two sides also held the first talks between their finance ministers in seven years, seeking strengthened cooperation in resilient supply chains amid China's growing influence.
Khader Adnan, a Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody died early on Tuesday. Adnan was observing a hunger strike for nearly three months. Adnan began his strike shortly after being arrested on February 5.



Khader Adnan's death raises the potential for conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups during a period of already high tensions. Shortly after his death was announced, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a volley of rockets into southern Israel.

Adnan, a member of the Islamic Jihad militant group, had gone on hunger strikes several times after previous arrests. That included a 55-day strike in 2015 to protest his arrest under so-called administrative detention, in which suspects are held indefinitely without charge or trial.

Adnan reportedly refused to undergo medical tests and receive medical treatment and was found unconscious in his cell. According to an Israeli rights group HaMoked, Israel is currently holding over 1,000 Palestinian detainees without charge or trial.

As of April 2023, about 4,900 are being held in Israeli prisons; they are according to Palestine, political prisoners who are fighting to end Israel's illegal occupation. Khader Adnan has been executed in cold blood, the WAED Prisoners Association in Gaza told Reuters.

Our fight is continuing and the enemy will realise once again that its crimes will not pass without a response. Resistance will continue by all might and determination, Palestinian Islamic Jihad told Al Jazeera.

--With PTI inputs
India has decided to temporarily relocate its Embassy from the violence-hit Sudanese capital city of Khartoum to Port Sudan in view of the prevailing security situation in the African country.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said this on Tuesday.

"In view of the prevailing security situation in Sudan, including attacks in Khartoum city, it has been decided that the Indian Embassy in Khartoum will be temporarily relocated to Port Sudan," Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. "The situation will be assessed in the light of further developments," the MEA said.

Port Sudan is a port city on the Red Sea in eastern Sudan. It is located at a distance of around 850 km from Khartoum. India has been operating military aircraft and naval ships from Port Sudan to evacuate its citizens from the African country.

The Indian embassy in Khartoum is located just opposite to the airport in the city and that zone has seen a lot of fighting. In the last few days, Indian officials worked round the clock to evacuate Indians, people familiar with the matter said.

No Indian official resides in the embassy complex. They were largely operating from their places of stay in view of the intense fighting.

Under 'Operation Kaveri', India has been taking its citizens in buses from the conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan, from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in the Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships.

From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flights or the IAF's aircraft. India has set up separate control rooms in Jeddah and Port Sudan.

"The Embassy may be approached at following numbers: +249 999163790; +249 119592986; +249 915028256 and E-mail: cons1.khartoum@mea.gov.in," the MEA said in a statement.
Uganda's deputy minister for labour was shot and killed by his bodyguard early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to the army and local media.

According to reports, Deputy Minister for Gender and Labour Charles Engola, a retired army colonel in the government of President Yoweri Museveni was gunned down at his home on Tuesday morning.

The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then turned the gun on himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.

Uganda Parliament speaker Anita Among condoled his death. "This morning I received sad news that Hon Engola has been shot by his bodyguard and after, shot himself. May his soul rest in peace. That was God's plan. We can't change anything," BBC quoted Among as saying.

BBC reported that multiple people might have suffered injuries in the incident and eyewitnesses said walked around the neighbourhood shooting in the air.

Army spokesman Brig Felix Kulayigye said in a short statement that an unfortunate incident led to the killing of Engola. We shall inform the public the details as we jointly investigate the matter, Kulayigye said on Twitter.

The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Police detectives are now at the scene. The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages.

Witnesses claim that the soldier was yelling that he had not been paid for a long time despite working for a minister, the online newspaper NilePost reported.

The incident is likely to create shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years. In 2021, a former army chief in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala.
ReportLinker

Real-time payments market forecasted to witness double-digit CAGR between 2022 and 2028. Real-time payments are steadily gaining momentum as a preferred payment system. The outbreak of the pandemic led to a shift in the way consumers and business globally made payments, thereby increasing the dependence on newer payment methods such as BNPL, one-click payments as well as real-time payments.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Real-Time Payment Market 2023" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454557/?utm_source=GNW

Real-time payment systems offer benefits in terms of cost reductions and payment success rate to consumers and businesses alike. Thus, the market size of real-time payments is forecasted to see a double-digit CAGR from 2022 through 2028, with the value reaching billions of euros by 2028, as spelled out by the new report. Large firms are also modernizing their payment ecosystem to further streamline instant transfers, thus as of July 2022, close to three-quarters of firms globally using real-time payment system regraded their capabilities as highly important. The introduction of Zengin in Japan prompted other countries globally specially India, Brazil, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, and the UK among others to implement their own instant payment systems. While UPI in India and PIX in Brazil are the frontrunners in usage of instant payment systems, countries in other regions such as MENA, Africa, and Latin America are also catching up. For instance, in Australia, the New Payments Platform (NPP) has had more than a billion transfers representing a value of over trillions of euros since its launch. Likewise, PromptPay, the real-time payments system in Thailand saw a value of transactions amounting to certain billion euros as of October 2022, according data cited in the latest report. Unlike other nations where real-time payment solutions emerged due to a collective efforts of the government and the central bank, Colombias real-time payment system, Transfiya developed as a result of private arrangements to support the countrys financial inclusion goals and has seen constant growth since its launch. Furthermore, CliQ in Jordan, Fawri+ in Bahrain, and GhIPSS Instant Pay, in Ghana are some other instant payment systems worldwide that are seeing growth in adoption and usage.



Despite slow growth of the real-time payment infrastructure in Europe, countries in the region are taking steps to encourage usage and adoption.



The payment landscape in Europe changed with the launch of SEPA in 2008, which led to the smooth functioning of credit transfers as well as direct debit in the EU. To encourage growth of alternative payment methods such as real-time payments, the ECB launched the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement Scheme and later the SEPA Instant. However, the adoption and usage of SEPA Instant in Europe varied across nations. For instance, Luxembourg, Malta, and Italy were the top 3 nations in Europe with the highest share of respondents claiming access to SEPA Instant, and Greece has the lowest share of respondents having access to the system, as per the new report. Germany, on the other hand, had the highest number of participants in both SEPA and SEPA Instant and the number of real-time payment transfers is forecasted to grow at a double-digit CAGR between 2021 and 2026, reaching a number in billions as of 2026. To encourage the growth of SEPA Instant, banks offering SEPA will also be obliged to provide SEPA Instant services in Europe. Additionally, in countries such as Netherlands, the share of real-time payment transactions in terms of volume is forecasted to witness a rise of several percentage points by 2026. The real-time payment system of Russia, SBP, also showed constant progress in volume and value of transactions from Q1 2021 to Q2 2022, according to the new publication.



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Kolkata, May 2 (PTI) The Kolkata port, now known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), will flag off a cargo ship on May 4 to undertake a trial run for a facility at Sittwe in Myanmar, Union minister Santanu Thakur said here on Tuesday.

The initiative is part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport project.

The objective of the project is to provide alternative connectivity to the North East region from Kolkata Port through Sittwe Port up to Paletwa in Myanmar by waterway and Paletwa to Zorinpui by road in Mizoram.

A cargo of 300 tonnes of cement from Ramco Cements Limited will be exported to Myanmar and it will reach Sittwe Port on May 9, Minister of State for Sports, Shipping and Roadways Santanu Thakur said on the sidelines of a felicitation event of port users.

"This will connect Myanmar through inland waterways and it will open another gateway to North East via Sittwe Port," Thakur said.

Speaking at the event, SMP Chairman H L Harandh said that the port has a cargo handling target of 74-75 million tonnes in the current fiscal.

In FY'23, the port handled 65.66 million tonnes of cargo, registering a growth of 12.87 per cent over the previous financial year.
NEW DELHI and MUMBAI, India , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid World Asthma Day-2023, a leading pharmaceutical company  Alkem Laboratories has announced the launch of its initiative 'Reliever Free India' to raise awareness about Asthma among physicians and Asthma patients.



This initiative aims to spread awareness of the hazards of over-usage of reliever medications and substitute it with SMART therapy i.e., needing only one inhaler for both 'daily' and 'reliever' Asthma treatment.



A World Health Organization (WHO) report reveals that the incidence of Asthma is on the upswing as over 339 million people globally suffer from this disease, and it remains a leading cause of chronic illness in children. Despite the high incidence of the disease, Asthma is often misunderstood and not given the kind of attention it needs to curb the increasing incidence. [1]



Throwing light on the initiative  'Reliver Free India' campaign, Alkem spokesperson said, "Today, on World Asthma Day-2023, we all need to come together to raise awareness about Asthma and improve the lives of millions affected by it. The campaign  'Reliver Free India' urges all stakeholders such as patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and people at large to work together to address the challenges posed by Asthma and to ensure that everyone living with Asthma receives the proper care and support they need. Through the 'Reliver Free India' campaign, we also seek to educate individuals about the importance of managing their Asthma effectively and working with their healthcare providers to create a comprehensive Asthma action plan. This is the right time to promote Asthma awareness and encourage action to improve the lives of people suffering from Asthma Together, we can make a difference in the fight against Asthma."



Management of Asthma shall ideally involve regular treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. However, currently, the majority of the Asthma burden in India leading to increased morbidity and mortality is due to over usage of short-acting bronchodilators (commonly known as 'as needed usage of Reliever Inhaler') and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids for the regular day-to-day treatment of Asthma.



Global Initiative for Asthma strives to reduce the Asthma burden by reducing the usage of as-needed reliever medications and recommending the usage of single inhalers consisting of long-acting bronchodilators with corticosteroids for both as-needed and regular day-to-day treatment of Asthma.



Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of people around the world, causing difficulty breathing, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. The theme for World Asthma Day-2023 is 'Asthma Care for All', with a focus on encouraging healthcare leaders to ensure the availability of and access to effective, quality-assured medications.



About Alkem Laboratories Ltd.:



Established in 1973 and headquartered in Mumbai, Alkem (NSE: ALKEM), (BSE: 539523), (Bloomberg: ALKEM.IN), (Reuters: ALKE.NS) is a leading Indian pharmaceutical company with global operations, engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. The Company produces branded generics, generic drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and nutraceuticals, which it markets in India and International markets. With a portfolio of more than 800 brands in India, Alkem is ranked the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in India in terms of domestic sales (Source: IQVIA March 2023). The Company also has a presence in more than 40 international markets, with the United States being its key focus market.



For more information on Alkem Laboratories Ltd., please visit www.alkemlabs.com.



Reference:



[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/asthma



Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2067659/AlkemPulmocareLogo.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, May 2 (PTI) The civil aviation ministry is keeping a close watch on the developments at crisis-hit Go First and the proceedings that are expected at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) this week, a senior official has said.

Faced with a severe financial crunch as more than half of its fleet is grounded due to the non-availability of Pratt & Whitney engines, Go First on Tuesday filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the NCLT and has also decided to cancel all flights for May 3 and 4.

Against this backdrop, the senior government official said the ministry is keeping a close watch on the developments related to Go First, including the admission of the airline's application by the NCLT.

The country's civil aviation sector is strong and growing but the external issue of global supply chain disruptions is a primary reason for the Go First situation, the official added.

Domestic air traffic touched an "all-time high" of 4,56,082 passengers in a single day on April 30.

Go First, which has been flying for more than 17 years, carried 29.11 lakh domestic passengers in the first quarter of this year and its market share during this period was 7.8 per cent.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said it was unfortunate that the operational bottleneck related to engine supplies has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

Against the backdrop of the airline filing an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings, the minister said, "It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course".

Faced with a severe financial crunch, the budget carrier has also decided to cancel flights for May 3 and 4.

"Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines. The Government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved," Scindia said in a statement.

He noted that it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

"It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course," he said.

Further, Scindia said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights.

It is incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for passengers, so that inconvenience is minimal, he added.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Cash-strapped airline Go First has decided to cancel all its flights for three days starting from Wednesday, extending the suspension of operations by one more day, according to a communication.

The airline, which has filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings, earlier in the day said flights will be suspended for two days -- May 3 and 4. It operates around 180-185 flights daily.

Amid uncertainties over its future course, Go First said it would provide a full refund of tickets.

"We regret to inform that due to operational reasons, Go First flights scheduled for 3rd, 4th and 5th May 2023 have been cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations," the airline said in a notice on its website.

"We acknowledge the flight cancellations might have disrupted your travel plans and we are committed to providing all the assistance we can. We thank you for your patience," it said.

Earlier in the day, Go First CEO Kaushik Khona said flights will be suspended on May 3 and 4.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Nearly two years ago, Go First filed draft papers for an initial public offering worth Rs 3,600 crore amid the pandemic headwinds.

The fund-raising plan did not take off, engine supply woes mounted and two years later, the Wadia group-owned airline has run out of funds to fly. And ironically, the decision to seek voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings has come at a time when the country's aviation sector is on an upward trajectory.

Flying for more than 17 years, Go First, earlier known as Go Air, has remained relatively ambitious in terms of expansion of fleet and network compared to its more aggressive competitors.

The no-frills carrier flew 109.02 lakh domestic passengers and the market share stood at 8.8 per cent in 2022.

"We don't like the whole decision (filing for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings)...it will be very painful for employees and stakeholders," Go First CEO Kaushik Khona told PTI on Tuesday but was quick to add that the decision has been taken in the interest of everyone.

Currently, the airline has liabilities of nearly Rs 9,000 crore.

The cash-starved airline reported a loss in the range of Rs 1,800 crore, including an Rs 800 crore notional loss due to accounting standards in the financial year ended March 2023.

The developments at Go First on Tuesday also came weeks after the airline asserted that its promoters -- Wadias -- are not looking to exit from the loss-making aviation business.

The budget airline started domestic operations in 2005-06 with the first flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad and then in 2018-19, launched international operations.

Since commencing operations, Go First placed two orders for 72 A320 neo planes each with Airbus, one in 2011-12 and another in 2016-17.

On May 13, 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic headwinds were blowing strong, the airline announced rebranding itself as 'Go First' with a focus on an ultra-low-cost business model.

As it filed an application on Tuesday for insolvency resolution proceedings, Go First said it has been forced to take the decision due to "serial failure" of Pratt & Whitney engines resulting in the grounding of 50 per cent of the fleet and is no longer in a position to continue to meet its financial obligations.

To keep the airline afloat, promoters have infused funds worth Rs 3,200 crore in the last three years and out of the total amount, Rs 2,400 crore was injected in the last 24 months. An amount of Rs 290 crore was pumped in April this year.

"This brings the total investment in the airline since its inception to approximately Rs 6,500 crore," the airline said in a statement.

Further, Go First has received around Rs 1,000 crore from the government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines and that the government has been assisting the airline in every possible manner.

The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved, he said, adding that it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

While domestic air traffic is soaring, Go First is grappling with turbulence due to engine supply woes while the once-stories Jet Airways is struggling to restart operations despite finding a bidder under the insolvency resolution process.

"It has come to our knowledge that the airline (Go First) has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course," Scindia said.

More than 180 Go First flights will be out of the skies on Wednesday and Thursday. 'What next' is the question before the airline, stakeholders, authorities and passengers as the aviation space encounters another turbulent episode.
Srinagar, May 2 (PTI) Art is missing from Kashmir for 40 years, says debutant filmmaker Tariq Bhat, who hopes to showcase the Valley and its people in a positive light through his film "Welcome to Kashmir".

The 42-year-old said filmmaking was a long cherished dream to make a film on Kashmir, in Kashmiri language and starring people from the Valley.

"We had to take the initiative to do something about the Kashmiri youth because art is missing from 40 years in Kashmir. So, it is my duty to restore that art form in Kashmir," Bhat told PTI in an interview.

"It is our duty to show the positive side because all of my artists are Kashmiris and are youth. Once this movie gets released, they (Bollywood filmmakers) will get inspired and more jobs can be created by this art form."

The filmmaker, who hails from north Kashmir's Sopore area, said he travelled to Mumbai to realise his dream only to discover that producers there were not willing to take a chance on a Kashmiri film that did not have blasts and gun firing.

When Bollywood comes to Kashmir, Bhat said, they have only one point of view that they have to show that Kashmiris are villains and Kashmir is burning.

"We were looking for producers, but, there was a catch. We were asked if you are not showing firing or blast, then why were we making a film on Kashmir? There was no producer. Then we had to put our own money into it. So, I am the producer of the movie as well. We used our own resources, he said.

He claimed that the film was one of a kind and a movie made by Kashmiris for Bollywood.

"All the cast is Kashmiri. All the crew is also from Kashmir except for a couple of technicians. This movie is for Bollywood. It has been a very long time since we have done a Bollywood movie from Kashmir, he said, claiming that his is the first film since 1960s film "Mainzraat" that has been shot entirely in Kashmiri language.

After that, this is the first kind of movie where we are showing entire Kashmir and this is a movie made by Kashmiris for Bollywood, he added.

The movie also introduces a song in Kashmiri sung by Kashmiri sensation Ishfaq Kawa.

So, the entire Bollywood, entire world is going to see a proper Kashmiri song because we want to show our positive culture, he said.

"Welcome to Kashmir" revolves around a girl who dreams to work for women empowerment and women safety in Kashmir.

She comes to Kashmir and one of her followers, who is a drug addict, kidnaps her, he said, narrating the story.

"In the movie we show how drugs hypnotise our youth and how we have to control drugs. We are showing a positive image of Kashmiri people and positive image and bravery of Kashmiri police, how they handle the situation and get the girl back to safety," he added.

Lead actor of the film, Ahmad Shahab, who is making his debut with the movie, said it was a really good opportunity for him.

Many actors (from Kashmir) have to go to Mumbai in search of work. I am really grateful that this golden opportunity came to me. The experience was really wonderful. It was a great platform, he said.

Shahab said his role is kind of a mix of a protagonist and an antagonist.

This movie touches the current affairs of the nation like drug addiction, women empowerment. It was a huge platform to talk about the youth fighting drugs. It is really necessary for us to be aware of these things.

I was really excited about the movie. I got to explore those places in Kashmir which I never had seen. So, it was a great experience. It is a moment of pride for all of us that this movie totally made in Kashmir by Kashmiris. This should be inspiring for other actors, other people who want to pursue this field, the actor said.

Bhat, who unveiled the movie's poster here on Tuesday, said they are in talks with distributors for a suitable release of the film.
Washington, May 2 (AP) President Joe Biden reiterated US commitment to the Philippines' security and noted the deep friendship of the two nations as he hosted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for White House talks on Monday as concerns grow about the Chinese navy's harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.

Marcos' visit to Washington comes after the US and the Philippines last week completed their largest war drills ever and as the two countries air forces on Monday will hold their first joint fighter jet training in the Philippines since 1990.

The Philippines this year agreed to give the US access to four more bases on the islands as the U.S. looks to deter China's increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea.

Meanwhile, China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard patrols and chasing away fishermen in waters that are close to Philippine shores but that Beijing claims as its own.

But as Biden sat down with Marcos, the US president went out of his way to note the progress in the US-Philippine relationshipone that has had ups and downs over the years and was in a difficult place when Marcos took office less than a year ago.

We are facing new challenges and I couldn't think of a better partner to have than you. Biden told Marcos at the start of their Oval Office meeting. The United States also remains ironclad in our commitment to the defence of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support the Philippines military modernisation.

Marcos said the relationship was essential as Philippines and the Pacific find itself in possibly the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.

Monday's Oval Office meeting is the latest high-level diplomacy with Pacific leaders by Biden as his administration contends with increased military and economic assertiveness by China and worries about North Korea's nuclear program. Marcos' official visit to Washington is the first by a Philippine president in more than 10 years.

The US president last week hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit during which the two leaders introduced new steps aimed at deterring North Korea from launching an attack on its neighbours. Biden is scheduled to travel to Japan and Australia in May.

Following the meeting, the White House announced the transfer of three C-130 aircraft and two coastal patrol vessels to the Philippines.

The two countries also said they adopted defence guidelines aimed at deepening cooperation and interoperability between the two nations' militaries across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.

The administration also said it is launching a new trade mission focused on increasing American investment in the Philippines' innovation economy, new educational programming and more.

Increased Chinese harassment of vessels in the South China Sea has added another dimension to the visit.

On April 23, journalists from The Associated Press and other outlets were aboard the Philippine coast guard's BRP Malapascua near Second Thomas Shoal when a Chinese coast guard ship blocked the Philippine patrol vessel steaming into the disputed shoal.

The Philippines has filed more than 200 diplomatic protests against China since last year, at least 77 since Marcos took office in June.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Saturday called media reporting on the encounters a stark reminder of Chinese harassment and intimidation of Philippine vessels as they undertake routine patrols within their exclusive economic zone."

"We call upon Beijing to desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct, Miller said.

US and Taiwanese officials have also been unnerved by recent critical comments by China's ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, over the Philippines granting the US military increased access to bases.

Huang at an April forum reportedly said the Philippines should oppose Taiwan's independence if you care genuinely about the 1,50,000 OFWs in Taiwan, using the acronym for overseas Filipino workers.

China claims the self-ruled island as its own. The Philippines, like the US, has a One China policy that recognises Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations with Taiwan. Marcos has not explicitly said that his country would assist the United States in any armed contingency in Taiwan.

The officials described Huang's comments as one of many recent provocative actions by the Chinese to put pressure on the Philippines.

One official said that Marcos still desires to work closely with both Washington and Beijing but that he finds himself in a situation in which the steps that China is taking are deeply concerning.

Close US-Philippines relations were not a given when Marcos took office. The son and namesake of the late Philippines strongman had seemed intent on following the path of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who pursued closer ties with China.

Before Marcos took office last year, Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs on the White House National Security Council, acknowledged that historical considerations could present challenges to the relationship with Marcos Jr. It was an oblique reference to long-standing litigation in the United States against the estate of his father, Ferdinand Marcos.

A US appeals court in 1996 upheld damages of about USD 2 billion against the elder Marcos' estate for the torture and killings of thousands of Filipinos. The court upheld a 1994 verdict of a jury in Hawaii, where he fled after being forced from power in 1986. He died there in 1989.

Marcos noted that he last visited the White House when his father was in power.

Biden and Marcos met in September during the UN General Assembly, where the US president acknowledged the two countries' sometimes rocky past.

During their private meeting at the UN, Biden, a Democrat, stressed to Marcos his desire to improve relations and asked Marcos how the administration could fulfill your dreams and hopes" to do that, a senior administration official said.

Marcos is also slated to visit the Pentagon, meet Cabinet members and business leaders and make remarks at a Washington think tank during his visit. (AP) RHL
Kampala, May 2 (AP) A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to local media.

The victim, Charles Engola, served in the government of President Yoweri Museveni as the junior minister in charge of labour. He was a retired army colonel.

The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then shot himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.

The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Police detectives are now at the crime scene.

The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages.

Witnesses claim that the soldier was yelling that he had not been paid for a long time despite working for a minister, the online newspaper NilePost reported.

The incident is likely to send shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years.

In 2021, a former army chief in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala. (AP)



GRS
Cairo, May 2 (AP) Sudanese fleeing the fighting between rival generals in their capital flooded an already overwhelmed city on the Red Sea and Sudan's northern borders with Egypt, as explosions and gunfire echoed on Tuesday in Khartoum.

Many exhausted Sudanese and foreigners arrived in Port Sudan, the country's main seaport, joining thousands who have waited for days to be evacuated out of the chaos-stricken nation.

Others have been driven in packed buses and trucks, seeking shelter in Egypt, Sudan's northern neighbour.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident, all (residents of) our street fled the war.

The fighting, now in its third week, has turned Khartoum and its neighbouring city of Omdurman into a battlefield. Fierce clashes taking place inside residential neighbourhoods that have become ghost areas, residents say.

The conflict, which capped months of worsening tensions, pits the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, against a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Al-Fatih's family managed to get out of Khartoum over the weekend after they spent the past two weeks trapped in their home in Khartoum's neighbourhood of Kafouri, a major flashpoint since the fighting broke out on April 15.

They arrived in Port Sudan late on Monday, after an exhausting 20-hour trip, he said. There, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been there for more than a week, with no food and other services, he said.

Port Sudan has become a hub for foreign governments to evacuate their citizens air and sea.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border city of Wadi Halfa to finalise their paperwork to be allowed into Egypt.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman is a Sudanese university student who crossed into Egypt along his family, through the Ashkit crossing point late on Monday. They spent their night at a community hostel in Egypt's southern city of Aswan, and plan to board a train to Cairo later on Tuesday, he said.

Abdel-Rahman's family went first to the Arqin crossing point over the weekend. It was overcrowded and they couldn't reach the customs area. They then decided to move to the Ashkit crossing after they heard from people there that the crossing would be easier, he said.

It's a chaotic situation (in Arqin), he said over the phone. Women, children and patients are stranded in the desert with no food, no water.

Abdel-Rahman reported widespread destruction and looting particularly in upscale neighbourhood in the capital. He said a neighbour told them by phone said armed men in RSF uniform stormed their home in Khartoum's Amarat neighbourhood on Friday, a day after they fled the capital.

Many Sudanese have taken to social media to complain that their homes were stormed and looted by armed men.

We are lucky that they didn't at home at the time of storming, he said. We could be ended up dead bodies.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighbouring countries, including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to UN agencies.

Now we're seeing some extremely fast-moving situations along the borders, said Paul Dillon, spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration, told a news briefing on Tuesday in Geneva.

At the Sudanese borders with Ethiopia, he said, between 900 and 1,000 arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia where there's a desperate lack of wash services, food, shelter, water, medical assistance.

At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals, many of whom  mainly women and children - have taken shelter under trees in an extremely hot weather.

This leaves them particularly at risk of exploitation and abuse, she warned.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing the conflict to neighbouring countries could surpass 800,000.

We hope it doesn't come to that, but if violence doesn't stop we will see more people forced to flee Sudan seeking safety, he wrote on Twitter Monday.

Early on Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of the capital, with fierce clashes taking place around the military's headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace in Khartoum, residents reported.

The military's warplanes were seen flying overhead across the capital, they said.

The fighting has come despite both sides declared on Sunday a second, three-day extension of a humanitarian cease-fire to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Doctors' Syndicate. Doctors can's move safely. Hospitals were still occupied.

Morgues across the capital are overcrowded with dead bodies and people were still unable to collect their dead to bury, he said. Many injured also did not have access to hospitals, he added.

At least 436 civilians have been killed and more than 1,200 injured since the fighting began, according to figures on Monday by the Doctors' Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties.

As of a week ago, the Sudanese Health Ministry had counted at least 530 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with another 4,500 wounded, but those figures haven't been updated since.

The truce extension was a result of increasing international pressure on rival generals to stop fighting and engage in negotiation amid worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks potentially in Saudi Arabia, which joined the United States in pressing for cease-fire, according the UN envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes.

The power struggle has derailed Sudan's efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was derailed in October 2021 when then allied generals, Burhan and Dagalo, removed a western backed transitional government in a coup. (AP) PY

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/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES/

VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Group Eleven Resources Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV: ZNG) (OTC: GRLVF) (FRA: 3GE) is pleased to announce an increase in the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), as described in the Company's news release dated May 01, 2023.

Group Eleven Resources Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Group Eleven Resources Corp.)

The Company now intends to issue up to 16,666,666 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.09 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (from $1,000,000 previously). All currency in this news release is denominated in Canadian dollars.

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one non-transferrable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 36 months from the date of issue at an exercise price of $0.15 per Warrant Share.

The Private Placement will be made available to subscribers pursuant to the accredited investor and friends, family and business associate exemptions provided under sections 2.3(1) and 2.5 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions.

The Company expects to pay finder's fees in connection with the Private Placement to certain eligible finders in the form of: (i) a cash commission of 6% of the gross proceeds raised under the Private Placement from investors introduced to the Company by the finder; and (ii) the issuance of such number of non-transferable common share purchase warrants of the Company equal to 6% of the Units issued under the Private Placement from investors introduced to the Company by the finder.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement primarily for follow-up drilling on the Company's Ballywire zinc-lead-silver discovery at the PG West project (100%-interest) in Ireland, as well as for general and administrative purposes. There may be circumstances, however, where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of funds may be necessary.

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Michael Gentile currently holds 26,366,614 Common Shares and 6,508,333 Warrants, each Warrant entitling Mr. Gentile to purchase one additional Common Share upon payment of additional consideration to the Company. These Common Shares and Warrants represent approximately 16.66% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and approximately 19.95% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis. Mr. Gentile has agreed to subscribe for up to 15% of the Private Placement which, in the event the Company issues the full 16,666,666 Units in the Private Placement, would result in Mr. Gentile subscribing for 2,433,333 Units for aggregate cash consideration of $219,000. Following the completion of the Private Placement, Mr. Gentile would beneficially own and control an aggregate of 28,799,947 Common Shares and 7,725,000 Warrants, representing approximately 16.46% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and approximately 19.99% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis.

The Private Placement is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals including acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada.

The ownership percentages of Common Shares described above are based on the Company having 158,301,502 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this news release and 174,968,169 Common Shares outstanding upon completion of the Private Placement.

About Group Eleven Resources

Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSX.V: ZNG; OTC: GRLVF and FRA: 3GE) is a mineral exploration company focused on advanced stage zinc exploration in Ireland. Additional information about the Company is available at www.groupelevenresources.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bart Jaworski, P.Geo.

Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the anticipated proceeds to be raised under the Private Placement; the use of any proceeds raised under the Private Placement; and the payment of finder's fees in connection with the Private Placement.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required regulatory approvals for the Private Placement; market uncertainty; and the inability of the Company to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Private Placement.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will obtain the required regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange approvals for the Private Placement; the Company will be able to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Private Placement; and the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as currently anticipated.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 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 and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE Group Eleven Resources Corp.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2023/02/c1588.html
Colombo, May 2 (PTI) Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari on Tuesday met Sri Lanka's top military leaders and exchanged views on several matters of bilateral importance, while recalling the longstanding friendship between the two countries, amid China's growing influence in the island nation.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari, who arrived here on Monday on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka, called on the Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF), Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at Air Force Headquarters here.

As part of Indias commitment towards capacity building of Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force presented AN-32 propellers to ensure high operational readiness of the aircraft held with Sri Lanka Air Force.

"Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari #CAS @IAFMCC donated AN-32 propellers to Commander @airforcelk at Katunayake Air Base on behalf of Government of India. Highlights Indias resolute commitment towards capacity building of SriLanka Armed Forces," the the Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted.

The Chief of the Air Staff is visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of Air Marshal Pathirana. He was received upon arrival by the Commanding Officer SLAF Station Colombo, Air Commodore Suresh Fernando, and was presented a Guard of Honour which was conferred by the Colour Squadron of the SLAF, Sri Lanka's News 1st channel reported.

He also met with the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera at the Navy Headquarters, Colombo.

Upon his arrival, he was welcomed at the portals of the Navy Headquarters in compliance with naval tradition.

"Visit of Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari #CAS @IAFMCC to Sri Lanka: Day 2 engagements in the morning. Meeting with Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Commander @airforcelk. Meeting with Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander @srilanka_navy," the Indian mission tweeted.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari also met with Maj. Gen Senarath Yapa, Commandant National Defence College, Sri Lanka and delivered a talk on the transformation of the Indian Air Force to the senior Sri Lankan Armed Forces officers attending the College, it added.

He also gifted books worth 10 million Sri Lankan Rs to the prestigious college.

During the discussions, the two sides exchanged views on several matters of bilateral importance, whilst recalling the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

After his arrival here on Monday, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari sought the blessings of Lord Buddha at the sacred Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

The visit will enhance the existing professional ties and bonds of mutual cooperation between both nations, an official statement said.

"The visit symbolises strong relations and close cooperation between the two friendly neighbours, with Sri Lanka being accorded the status of 'Priority One' partner by India. Underlining the strong bonds of friendship between the two services, the Indian mission said in a statement Monday.

"The visit of Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force would strengthen the existing relations between the two countries and facilitate discussions on common security challenges and enhancing capacity and capability building initiatives towards ensuring Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), as propounded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the statement said.

In February 2021, at the invitation of the Commander, Sri Lanka Air Force, a 22 aircraft contingent of the Indian Air Force participated in the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

In addition, the Indian Air Force was the first responder by deploying its assets expeditiously for providing 12T medical supplies in May 2020 and 100T nano fertilisers in November 2021.

In August last year, Vice Chief of Indian Navy Vice Admiral S N Ghormade paid a two-day visit to Sri Lanka and handed over a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to the island nations Navy to further boost bilateral defence partnership.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was present at the handover ceremony which took place as India celebrated the 75th anniversary of its independence. The ceremony to hand over the aircraft also happened a day before Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship docked at Sri Lankas Hambantota port.

India's concerns come amidst China's growing influence in Sri Lanka - which is currently struggling to come out of a severe economic crisis.

Beijing has loaned billions of dollars to Sri Lanka as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to build infrastructure in Asia. However, some of the infrastructure projects under the BRI have not worked in Sri Lanka's favour.

In 2017, for example, China Merchants Port Holdings took a majority share with a 99-year lease in Hambantota port - where the Yuan Wang 5 was docked - after Colombo struggled to repay the debt incurred to build it.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Doha, May 2 (AP) A closed-door summit on Afghanistan ended Tuesday in Qatar without any formal acknowledgment of the Taliban-controlled government there, though the United Nations' chief said they would hold another meeting in the future.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the summit, which the world body described as nations and organisations trying to reach unified stances on human rights, governance, counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts.

No recognition had been anticipated to come out of the meeting, though activists in recent days criticised the possibility.

To achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage, Guterres said. And many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons we have learned from the past.

He did not elaborate, though the Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan from 1994 to 2001.

Asked by a journalist if there would be any circumstance under which he'd be wiling to directly meet with the Taliban, Guterres said: When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility  but today is not the right moment to do so.

Absent from the meeting were the Taliban themselves, who took over Afghanistan in August 2021.

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's political office in Doha, told The Associated Press that the new Afghan government dismissed the talks.

If they are not ready to hear us and know our position regarding the issues, how can they reach a convincing and palatable solution?" Shaheen said. "One-sided decisions couldn't deliver. Afghanistan is an independent country. It has its own voice; we want them to listen to our voice.

Shaheen on Sunday met Andrew McCoubrey, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the United Kingdom's Foreign Office, and Yue Xiaoyong, China's special envoy for Afghanistan, in Doha.

As you know, the UN envoy has talks with government officials in Kabul, but when it comes to these sorts of conferences ... we are not invited," Shaheen added. "We think this is not the solution for Afghan issues and its outcome can't be effective.

Afghanistan's acting foreign minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, will travel to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, later this week to meet Chinese and Pakistani officials.

In the time since the Taliban seizing power, Afghanistan has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, deprived of virtually all their basic rights, according to the UN.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade and women are barred from working, studying, travelling without a male companion, and even going to parks or bath houses.

Women must also cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from working at national and international non-governmental organisations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan remains wracked by poverty and hunger, squeezed like other nations by Russia's war on Ukraine.

Meanwhile, concerns remain over Afghanistan again becoming a haven for Islamic extremists wanting to strike out abroad. The US-led 2001 invasion came on the back of al-Qaida's September 11 attack on New York and Washington. Since the takeover, the US has carried out drone strikes targeting suspected militants.

Those concerns have complicated how nations, particularly the West, deal with Afghanistan today.

Activists had worried the Qatar summit could see the international community reach a recognition deal with the Taliban even as women remain largely barred from society.

The Taliban are a terrorist group whose deeply repressive regime has systematically sought to erase more than half of the population from society, an open letter from the activists read. Having denied women and girls almost all of their fundamental human rights, the Taliban has become the only regime in the world upholding a system of gender apartheid.

The countries that took part in the Doha summit included China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Qatar, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula which long hosted a political office for the Taliban, hosted the talks. (AP)





GRS
Cairo, May 2 (AP) Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners joined growing crowds at Sudan's main seaport Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation. After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital of Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table. The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said on Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a weeklong cease-fire starting Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks. The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Burhan and Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudan's northern border with Egypt. Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the country's Red Sea coast. The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday. He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now, everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food and other services. Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air. Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later Tuesday, Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and the sick.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late Monday. They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt. Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting. He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies," he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighboring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to U.N. agencies. Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said at a news briefing Tuesday in Geneva. At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the military's headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said. Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky cease-fire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Sudan Doctors' Syndicate. Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 injured since the fighting began, according to figures provided Monday by the Doctors' Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. As of a week ago, the Sudanese Health Ministry had counted at least 530 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with another 4,500 wounded, but those figures haven't been updated since.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there has been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting cease-fire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudan's former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and Western diplomats in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately," he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudan's efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in Oct. 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo, then allies, removed Hamdok's Western-backed transitional government in a coup. (AP)

NSA
Islamabad, May 2 (PTI) The third and crucial round of talks between Pakistan's coalition government and former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan party began on Tuesday night to end a deadlock over the timing of provincial and federal elections, an issue that has rocked the country's politics.

The talks were being held in the backdrop of the controversy with Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) seeking early polls  particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where assemblies were dissolved in January  and the government maintaining that provincial and federal elections across the country be held on the same day in October.

The talks being held in the Parliament House were scheduled to begin at 11.00 am today but were delayed until 9.00 pm. As the two sides announced last week, they would discuss each others proposals to end the deadlock over elections.

The government side included Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq from the Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N) and they are joined by Yusuf Raza Gilani and Syed Naveed Qamar from the Pakistan Peoples Party and other parties in the coalition government.

The PTI, which is the main opposition party, fielded its Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry and Senator Ali Zafar for talks.

The two sides sounded optimistic ahead of the talks. Qureshi, who is leading the PTI, said that his team was attending the talks to find a solution to the political problems.

We have come with the hope that our proposal will be taken seriously, he said, without elaborating on the proposals.

Tarar representing the government side said that the official delegation was serious in talks. We want all decisions to be taken in the meeting, he said.

Earlier, Imran Khan said that the government should dissolve all assemblies by May 14 to pave the way for holding elections in the entire country on the same date. However, the government is not ready to dissolve assemblies.

The first round of talks was held on April 27 which went on for two hours and the rivals decided to meet again after consulting their party heads.

It was followed by the second round on April 28 when two sessions were held and at the end Dar said each side had tabled two proposals, which would be presented to the respective leadership.

The issue of elections has rocked Pakistani politics as Imran Khan demanded snap polls when he was voted out of power in April last year.

As he failed to reach his goal through protest, Khan dissolved the assemblies in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces where his party was in power.

As per the law, elections should be held within 90 days of the dissolution of an assembly.

However, the government used delaying tactics by citing a lack of funds and a rise in terrorism for setting a date for polls in the two provinces while pushing the narrative that provincial and federal elections should be held on the same day in the country after the completion of the term of the National Assembly in August.

The issue was later heard in the Supreme Court which ordered that elections should be held in Punjab on May 14 and the government should provide Rs21 billion for its to the Election Commission of Pakistan. It had set April 27 as the last date for the provision of funds.

The government has not provided the funds and openly announced that it will defy the order to hold the elections on May 14.

The talks began when the apex court indicated that it was ready to show flexibility on the election date if the political parties agreed on a consensus to hold provincial and federal elections in the entire country on the same date.
Henryetta (Oklahoma), May 2 (AP) Authorities discovered the bodies of seven people while searching a rural Oklahoma property for two missing teenagers, state investigators confirmed.

The bodies were found near the town of Henryetta, a town of about 6,000 located about 145 km east of Oklahoma City, on Monday, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesman Gerald Davidson said.

He said the state medical examiner will have to identify the victims, but authorities were no longer searching for the missing teens or a man they may have been with.

We've had our share of troubles and woes, but this one is pretty bad, Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice told reporters.

Rice declined to confirm the identities of any of the victims, where the bodies were found or any details about weapons that may have been discovered on the property.

We believe there's no other threat to the community, he added.

A missing endangered person advisory had been issued earlier Monday for 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol cancelled the advisory Monday afternoon.

The advisory for Webster and Brewer had said they were reportedly seen traveling with Jesse McFadden, who was on the state's sex offender registry. Oklahoma Department of Corrections prison records show McFadden was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 and released in October 2020.

Court records show McFadden was scheduled to appear in court Monday for the start of a jury trial on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography. A message left Monday evening with McFadden's attorney in that case was not immediately returned.

Brittany Brewer's father told KOTV in Tulsa that one of the bodies discovered was his daughter.

Brittany was an outgoing person. She was actually selected to be Miss Henryetta ... coming up in July for this Miss National Miss pageant in Tulsa. And now she ain't gonna make it because she's dead. She's gone, Nathan Brewer said.

In a separate Okmulgee County case, the bodies of four men were found October 14 in the Deep Fork River in Okmulgee, a town of around 11,000 people that is about 65 km south of Tulsa. Joseph Kennedy, 68, is facing four counts of first-degree murder in that case. (AP) RHL
Mumbai, May 2 (PTI) A car carrying two retired Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) rammed into a divider after suffering a tyre burst on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai on Tuesday evening, leaving them injured, police said.

The accident took place on the 5.6km-long sea bridge when the two retired cops were heading towards Worli in central Mumbai, an official said, adding they sustained minor injuries.

The crash led to a heavy traffic jam for a brief period on the Worli-bound lane of the bridge he said.
Gariaband, May 2 (PTI) An armed Maoist carrying a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in a forested patch of Gariaband district in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, police said.

A joint team of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), district force and the CRPF had launched an anti-Naxal operation/area domination exercise from the Jugad police station in the district, located about 170 km south-east of state capital Raipur, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gariaband Tukaram Kamble said.

The security forces reached a forested patch near Karlajhar village around 9:20 am where a group of armed Maoists opened fire at them. The police force retaliated and the gun-battle lasted for about 30 minutes, he said.

Sensing their defeat, Maoists slipped into the jungle. While searching the area, the body of a Maoist and a .303 gun were found on the encounter spot, said the SP.

The deceased, identified as Nandlal alias Amlu Netam -- a resident of Rikshapathra village under Shobha police station limits -- was a deputy commander of Maoist Udanti LOS (Local Organizing Squad), Kamble said.

Nandlal was involved in Maoist activities for the past several years and carried a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, the SP said.
Mumbai, May 2 (PTI) The Congress suddenly remembers its stature as a national party when it is dealing with other parties and this attitude was evident during the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, NCP leader Sharad Pawar has said.

In an updated version of his Marathi autobiography 'Lok Majhe Sangati' (People Accompany Me) which focuses on events post 2015, Pawar accused Congress leaders of stubbornness when discussions were on to form the MVA government.



The unlikely alliance of the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena came into existence after the Sena fell out with the BJP post 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Congress is undoubtedly central to the opposition unity. But when it comes to reconciling with other parties and giving them importance, it suddenly realises its nationwide strength. This is my observation, Pawar wrote in the book, launched here on Tuesday.

He later flagged this "arrogant attitude" of the Congress in an interview where he compared the Grand Old Party to a landlord who has lost his lands and can not maintain his mansion but keeps boasting about past glory, he said.

The Congress's attitude during the talks, which eventually led to the formation of the MVA, tested his patience, and at one point he even felt that the parleys could not continue, Pawar wrote.

The NCP leader also said the Congress had contested the 2019 Assembly polls with a defeatist mentality, but his and the NCP's aggressive campaign helped the party increase its tally slightly.
Shillong, May 2 (PTI) The Voice of the People Party (VPP), which has four MLAs in the Meghalaya Assembly, has got recognition as a state party, a senior official of the Election Commission said.

The recognition was based on a review of the VPP's poll performance in the recently concluded assembly election, he said.

"I am directed to state that on the basis of a review of poll performance, the Commission vide its letter dated April 10, 2023, granted recognition to the Voice of the People Party as a state party in Meghalaya under the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968," EC Under Secretary Manish Kumar said on Monday.

As requested, a reserved symbol of the winnower (a device used for separating chaff from the grain) was allotted, he said.

A notification in this regard will be issued in due course, Kumar added.

VPP president Ardent Basaiawmoit welcomed the decision, saying, "We are happy with the EC recognition, and we will keep on working for welfare of the people of the state."
World's Largest In-Home Fitness Franchise Announces Recent Expansion Across 18 New Territories

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As demand for in-home services increases across the globe, GYMGUYZ, the world's largest in-home and on-site personal training franchise, announces the addition of 18 new territories over the last year, contributing to its overall growth goal of another 75 territories by the end of 2023.

GYMGUYZ is proud to be the largest in-home and on-site personal training company in the world.

This news comes on the heels of the brand's 15-year anniversary, paving the way for its next era of growth. To set the stage for accelerated development, GYMGUYZ recently opened a two-story, 18,000 square-foot headquarters in Melville, New York.

As the brand continues to grow in size, it also grows in its service offerings. GYMGUYZ has launched highly-successful new fitness programs outside of in-home workouts, offering B2B fitness programs at corporations, schools, and senior living centers. The brand has fast become a critical provider in the Corporate Wellness space, developing on-site and at-home fitness programs for some of the world's largest corporations.

"We're growing according to a clear strategic plan that leverages our core competencies of exceptional fitness expertise, mobile logistics, equipment distribution, and proprietary systems that can deliver complex corporate fitness programs," said Josh York, Founder & CEO of GYMGUYZ. "As the global home fitness market is expected to hit $17.3 billion this year, we're not only able to be at the forefront of that market, but also see an opportunity to capture share in an adjacent market as well with relatively low effort."

GYMGUYZ has expanded into 18 new territories, including: Toms River, Red Bank, and Freehold New Jersey; Eastern Long Island; Paradise Valley, Mesa/Tempe, and Scottsdale Arizona; West Hartford, Connecticut; Tampa, Florida, and Greenwood Village/Aurora, Colorado. Several of the franchisees behind these new territories are existing owners, validating the franchise opportunity and proving that multi-unit growth will continue to guide GYMGUYZ's 2023 development strategy. These achievements have set the foundation for a remarkable 2023 as GYMGUYZ continues to prove itself as a standout, premium franchise that's winning by differentiating its brand experience.

Story continues

The 15-year strong business model is transforming lives every day by offering convenient, customized, and creative workouts. Clients and companies in over 1,300 cities are being delivered a Certified Personal Trainer, state-of-the art equipment, and tailored workouts right to their homes, offices, corporate campuses, or other preferred settings. Key to GYMGUYZ's strong performance in 2023 will be a brand new business intelligence system that will help franchisees manage their businesses, and several additional complimentary services.

"We're the future of fitness because our business model performs better than fad fitness trends, such as tech-connected workout equipment. We provide the ultimate in workout accountability and directly eliminate the obstacles to getting fit," added York. "Our franchisees are motivated every day to fulfill our mission of changing lives by delivering clients exceptional results, and we look forward to growing our franchise system with likeminded individuals as we continue to expand across the U.S."

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GYMGUYZ is proud to be the largest in-home and on-site personal training company in the world. GYMGUYZ brings the workout to their clients and provides convenient, customized and creative workouts. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and founded in 2008 by fitness specialist Josh York, the brand utilizes a fleet of branded vehicles that bring enough state-of-the-art fitness equipment to provide a fantastic workout 365 days per year, along with an expert personal trainer to their customers' doors. In 2019, the brand was recognized as No. 5 on Inc. Mag's 10 Hottest Franchise Businesses in America, which highlighted their growth of more than 801% over the last three years. GYMGUYZ also scored the first and second place spots on Franchise Gator's annual list of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Franchises. The fastest-growing fitness concept in the U.S., GYMGUYZ is now servicing over 1,300 cities internationally, including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. For more information on GYMGUYZ and franchising opportunities, visit http://www.gymguyz.com/.

Media Contact: Taylor Nortman, Fishman Public Relations, 847-945-1300 or tnortman@fishmanpr.com

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Harirampur (WB), May 2 (PTI) Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar has done nothing as an MP, except for conspiring in New Delhi to stop funds for the development of West Bengal.

Addressing a rally in Harirampur in Majumdar's Balurghat constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district, Banerjee claimed that the Centre was withholding West Bengal's "rightful dues" as it wants to teach the state's poor a lesson for not voting for the BJP in the 2021 assembly polls.

Hitting back, Majumdar said his performance as a first-time MP is reflected in the Sansad Ratna Award he received this year, and the Centre stopped MGNREGA funds as the West Bengal government failed to provide utilisation certificates.

Banerjee said, "During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Sukanta Majumdar of BJP won by around 34,000 votes. We accepted the people's mandate. He became state BJP president in 2021. Show me one instance in which he met Balurghat's BJP leaders after that! Leave alone meetings, can he show ten developmental projects undertaken by the Centre for the people of Dakshin Dinajpur?"

"Instead of working for the development of the state, Sukanta Majumdar is busy writing to his Delhi leaders, asking them to stop the money meant for the poor people of Bengal," he claimed.

Abhishek, the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is the TMC's national general secretary, was addressing the rally as part of the 'Trinamooley Nabajowar' (new wave in Trinamool) programme ahead of the panchayat elections.

"They stopped the funds as they want to teach the poor a lesson since the people of Bengal didn't vote for BJP in the 2021 assembly elections," he claimed.

"Next time, don't vote on religious issues, don't vote on caste issues. Instead, vote for your rights. BJP is making people suffer for not voting for them. I ask the BJP leaders to fight with TMC politically, don't harass the poor," he said.

Rejecting the allegations as baseless, Majumdar said Banerjee is not aware of his achievements as an MP because of his poor attendance in Parliament.

"The allegations are baseless. The development works I have undertaken in the area through the Railways Ministry and other departments of the Union government are very much visible. The people of my constituency are aware of it. I don't need TMC's certificate," he said.

"It is quite obvious that he is not aware of my achievements as an MP as his attendance in Parliament is poor," Majumdar claimed.

He said the Centre stopped the MGNREGA funds as West Bengal failed to submit utilisation certificates on the money spent.

"There has been rampant corruption," he alleged.
Guwahati, May 2 (PTI) Indian Youth Congress President Srinivas B V has been asked to appear at Dispur police station here on Tuesday in connection with a complaint filed by a now-expelled Congress leader, alleging harassment and gender discrimination.

Srinivas' petition in the Gauhati High Court appealing for quashing of the FIR against him will also be taken up by the court again later in the day.

When contacted, Congress leaders here could not confirm whether Srinivas will appearing in person before the police.

Expelled Assam Youth Congress president Angkita Dutta had filed a complaint at the Dispur police station on April 19 alleging that Srinivas was ''persistently harassing and torturing her for the last six months by making sexist comments, using slang words and also threatening her of dire consequences if she keeps complaining against him to the senior party office bearers''.

She had also mentioned in the complaint that during the party's recent plenary session at Raipur, the accused had heckled, held her arm, pushed her, used slang words and said that he would ruin her career in the party if she complained against him.

The police had registered the FIR under various sections of the IPC related to harassment of women and the IT Act.

A five-member Guwahati police team went to Bengaluru on April 23 and pasted a notice at his residence directing him to appear at the Dispur Police station by May two.

Srinivas had filed a petition in the Gauhati High Court on April 26, appealing quashing of the FIR against him.

The Court of Justice Ajit Borthakur, after hearing both sides, had posted the matter for further hearing on May 2.

Srinivas had approached a local court in Bengaluru on April 28 for transit anticipatory bail, but his plea was rejected.

Prior to filing the complaint, Dutta had made allegations against Srinivas in a series of tweets in the micro-blogging site Twitter on April 18.

The Congress had issued a show cause notice to her and later expelled her from the primary membership of the party for six years for anti-party activities.

Srinivas had also served a legal notice to Dutta demanding an apology.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of "using" a part of the Rs 100 crore kickbacks allegedly received from the 'south group' liquor lobby to meet its expenditure for the Goa Assembly poll campaign in 2022.

The accusation has been made in the agency's supplementary charge sheet filed in the Delhi Excise policy linked money laundering case.

It has arraigned as accused a media publicity company, Chariot Productions Media Pvt. Ltd., and its owner-promoter Rajesh Joshi in the prosecution complaint. A Delhi court took cognisance of this charge sheet on Monday.

"A careful perusal of findings of investigation has revealed that several persons, including Rajesh Joshi and his company Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd, are actually involved in several processes/activities connected with a part of proceeds of crime ie. the kickbacks of Rs 100 crore received from the South Group," the ED alleged.

"Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd is not only involved in making payments through banking channel but also in cash through hawala network... and the actual

beneficiary of these payments is AAP as these payments were used for meeting expenditure of Goa Elections in year 2022," it alleged.

It said the money laundering investigation launched by it in this case last year under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) found that "a part of proceeds of crime of Rs 30 crore were transferred through hawala network to make payments to vendors for advertisement in Goa election campaign of AAP."

"The payment was made both through banking channel as well as through cash," the ED said.

It added, as part of the charge sheet filed in this case last month before a local court, "a part of money trail of proceeds of crime of Rs 80 lakh (approx) is traced back to advertisement vendors and survey for AAP during Goa elections."

"All these transactions are inter-connected which represent the utilisation of proceeds of crime of Rs 100 crore through various multiple processes and activities which are interconnected for the reason that ultimately all the money was used by the leaders of AAP, including ministers and their associates in AAP government who were the architect of this liquor scam," it alleged.

The AAP has repeatedly denied these allegations.

The agency, like in an earlier charge sheet, again mentioned the name of AAP leader and MP Raghav Chadha as part of a statement recorded of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's secretary C Arvind.

Chadha has not been named as an accused in the charge sheet.

"...that at Dy CMs (Sisodia's) residence there was a meeting of Raghav Chaddha, ACS Finance of Punjab Govt, Excise Commissioner, Sh Varun Roojam, FCT and officers from Punjab Excise where Vijay Nair was also present," the ED said.

In a statement, Chadha said he has not been named as an accused in a complaint filed by the ED and that news reports in this context are "factually wrong, incorrect and appear to be part of a malicious propaganda to harm my reputation and credibility."

"I have not been named as an accused or even a suspect in any of the complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate. There are no allegations whatsoever against me in the said complaints. It appears that in the complaint my name is mentioned as an attendee to some meeting though the basis of making such an allegation is not clear. I vehemently and unequivocally deny commission of any alleged offence in any manner, in relation to the said meeting or otherwise," he said.

Nair, the communications in-charge for the AAP, was arrested by the ED in this case apart from Joshi.

The 'south group' liquor lobby is allegedly linked to Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao's MLC daughter K Kavitha and YSR Congress MP from Ongole Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta and others.

The ED also said that Kavitha held "multiple meetings" with Nair prior and post the policy was drafted and came in effect.

"Similarly, Magunta Sriniavasulu Reddy also held meetings with the CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal wherein Kejriwal welcomed his entry into the Delhi liquor business," the ED said.

A total of 12 people have been arrested by the ED in this case till now including Sisodia, who is in judicial custody at present.

The agency also mentioned the statements given to it by Buchi Babu, an accountant allegedly linked to Kavitha, who told the ED that the 'south group' "kickbacks are related to the Delhi excise policy and the top leaders of AAP such as Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia (minister concerned) as revealed by Buchi Babu and Arun Pillai."

"They (Buchi Babu and Arun Pillai) have revealed that Vijay Nair was working with the support and sanction of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for all his excise

policy related activities including formulation as well as implementation," it said.

It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP.

The policy was subsequently scrapped and the Delhi lieutenant governor recommended a CBI probe, following which the ED registered a case under the PMLA.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The CBI has searched the premises of a suspended NIA superintendent of police who was recently booked in a case of extortion of over Rs 60 lakh from Manipur-based businessmen, officials said.

The CBI had registered an FIR against National Investigation Agency (NIA) SP Vishal Garg and Inspector Rajib Khan, both posted in Imphal, for allegedly collecting "huge amounts of money" from Manipur residents by "threatening" to falsely implicate them in NIA cases.

The agency conducted searches at three locations, including at the residences of Garg in Faridabad in Haryana and Khan in Imphal in Manipur, and seized "incriminating" records, they said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will also issue notices to the people who were allegedly forced to pay money to these officers.

The CBI took over the probe in the case following a reference from anti-terror agency NIA that had conducted an internal investigation against these officers and concluded that Khan was allegedly collecting money on behalf of Garg.

The NIA's internal investigation showed that Garg was supervising a probe in an FIR registered on March 9 last year over allegations that members of terrorist organisations Kangleipak Communist Party, United National Liberation Front and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak were raising funds in Manipur.

These groups are banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The NIA had assigned the case to Inspector Tushar Bisht.

"Inquiry further revealed that Vishal Garg, being SP, NIA, Imphal Branch, was the head of the branch and the first supervisory officer...On the directions of Vishal Garg, Rajib Khan, was assisting in the investigation of the said case," the inquiry report said.

It said the probe revealed "a clear modus operandi" of Garg and Khan wherein certain businessmen and professionals were called for examination, mostly without legal notices, and in Garg's presence, were threatened with false implication in NIA case.

Later, Khan would offer help to them in return for money which was decided after negotiation. Khan would collect the money and close the matter, it said.

"Khan had collected Rs 10 lakh from Inaocha Takhellambam, Rs 20 lakh from N Momon Singh and Rs 30 lakh from Laishram Hemanta Singh, all residents of Imphal, during the period from May to August, 2022, at the instance of Garg, the then SP Imphal," an official said.

The NIA in its complaint to the CBI said that inquiry has also found a possibility of threatening of other people and witnesses, and extortion of huge amounts of money from them.

"Inquiry has revealed indulgence of Vishal Garg, the then SP, NIA, Imphal, and Md. Rajib Khan, Inspector, in corruption and criminal practices. Therefore, it is requested that needful action may please be taken at your end (CBI)," it said.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The second meeting of the G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group will be held in Mumbai from May 23 to 25.

More than 120 members will attend this meeting and on the sidelines of this meeting, representatives of the Working Group will visit BMC headquarters too, an official statement said here.

This visit will cover inspection of the control room of the Disaster Management Department and a heritage-walk of the historic municipal building.

On Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal held a meeting at the headquarters of the civic body in Mumbai to review the preparations being made by the BMC and other agencies.

The work done by Mumbai in the last few years in the field of disaster management has been recognised not only at the national level but also at the global level, the statement read.

The scheduled meeting of Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group of the G-20 Council is an opportunity to highlight this achievement to the world.

Keeping this in mind, the BMC Commissioner directed all the agencies including BMC to maintain proper coordination and complete the pending works within prescribed time.

In view of this, the BMC Commissioner also mentioned that the ongoing renovation works in the BMC Headquarters building should be completed on time.

He also directed that all works should be completed by maintaining good coordination with all other stakeholder agencies.

A total of three Working Group Meetings of the G-20 Council are being held in Mumbai in the month of May.

In view of this, the BMC Commissioner stated, the departments concerned should complete the works of roads, sanitation, beautification etc. which fall within the jurisdiction in time and also by keeping in mind the experience dignitaries had during previous G-20 meetings in the city.

He also added that a review of the preparations in this regard will be taken in the next week, the statement said.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) In the first 8 months of implementation of old excise policy in Delhi since September 2022, more than 1.68 lakh litres of illicit Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and over 3,800 litres of foreign liquor was seized by the Excise department of Delhi government.

In the same period, 57,333 litres of country liquor was also seized by the enforcement teams of the Excise department, said a senior officer of the department.

Total 282 excise cases were registered and 280 people were arrested in various offences. More than 100 vehicles, mostly used in inter-state smuggling, were also impounded, he said.

The Delhi government last year withdrew its new excise policy 2021-22, after a CBI probe was recommended by Lt Governor VK Saxena into alleged violation of rules and procedural lapses in its implementation.

The policy implemented on November 17, 2021 was wrapped up on August 30, 2022.

The government went back to old excise policy that was in operation prior to November 17, 2021.

The enforcement activities will pick up further as the excise intelligence branch (EIB) of the department has been strengthened with 24 Delhi Police personnel joining the unit recently, the excise department officer said.

Earlier, 39 Delhi Police personnel were repatriated in August 2022 amid the raging controversy over alleged irregularities in implementation of the Excise Policy 2021-22.

After fresh deputation of Delhi Police personnel, the EIB now is boosted with four sub inspectors and 10 head constables and constables each, he said.

A further request for 20-25 personnel is to be made to the Delhi Police for an enhanced level of enforcement activities, the officer added.

The EIB is normally headed by an assistant commissioner of police, and the unit keeps a check on interstate smuggling of various kinds of intoxicants and drugs.

It also gathers intelligence for detecting the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor and drugs, illegal serving of liquor at unlicensed premises, and liaises with various units of Delhi Police to combat bootlegging.

The Excise department officials said the emphasis was to ensure effectiveness of enforcement activities of the department by active involvement of revenue officials like sub divisional magistrates and tehsildars.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Observing that the State is under the obligation to ensure compliance of environmental norms for the safety of citizens, the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday directed the Ludhiana district magistrate to give Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the 11 people who died allegedly after inhaling toxic gas in the Punjab city.

The deceased included three children and they died after allegedly inhaling toxic gas in the city's thickly populated Giaspura locality on Sunday, with high levels of hydrogen sulphide detected in the air and authorities suspecting that it emanated from a sewer.

Following the incident, the Ludhiana administration has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation each for the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those who were taken ill in the incident.

Initiating suo motu action based on media reports, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel constituted an eight-member fact-finding joint committee, which will be headed by the Punjab State Pollution Control Board's chairperson.

"In the meanwhile, the district magistrate, Ludhiana, may ensure payment of compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the heirs of 11 persons who have died, deducting the amounts, if any, already paid within one month," the bench also comprising Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel said.

"The committee may mention the details of persons who have died and persons injured with extent of injuries suffered by them. It may also recommend measures to be taken in future to prevent such incidents," it said.

The NGT said the State has to pay compensation in absence of identified private operators with liberty to recover the same from persons found responsible.

"The State is under obligation to ensure compliance of environmental norms for safety of citizens," the green panel said.

The eight-member committee will also comprise of Regional Director (North), Central Pollution Control Board; Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC), Lucknow; nominee of the director of PGI Chandigarh; nominee of the National Disaster Response Force; Punjab State Pollution Control Board; Ludhiana district magistrate; and Commissioner of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation.

"State PCB will act as nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The committee may meet within one week from today and complete its task preferably within one month," the NGT said.

"It will be free to interact with any other department, institution or individual and undertaking visit to concerned sites. The committee will be free to function online or offline as the situation may warrant. The committee may give its report to this tribunal on or before June 30," it said.

The incident came to light on Sunday morning when some people, who had come to a grocery store in the Giaspura locality, fainted. Four died on the spot, while the others were rushed to a hospital.

The 11 deceased belonged to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Giaspura has a very high migrant population. Several industrial and residential buildings are located there.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that its order staying the Uttarakhand High Court directions for the removal of encroachments from 29 acres of land claimed by the railways in Haldwani will continue during the pendency of petitions in the matter before it.

On January 5, the apex court had in an interim order stayed the high court's directions for the removal of encroachments from 29 acres of land, terming it a "human issue" and saying 50,000 people cannot be uprooted overnight.

The pleas challenging the high court order came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices S K Kaul and A Amanullah which said that the interim order of stay "is made absolute during the pendency of the petitions" and listed the matter for directions in the first week of August.

According to the railways, there are 4,365 encroachers on the land. The occupants were earlier staging protests in Haldwani, asserting that they were the rightful owners of the land. Nearly 50,000 people, a majority of them Muslims, belonging to over 4,000 families reside on the disputed land.

The apex court was on Tuesday informed that an adjournment letter has been circulated in the matter.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, said this matter needs to be heard and decided and the bench can fix it for hearing in July.

"You have got the protection in this matter. It is not an easy solution to find out, looking at the problem. But the solution was not which the high court found," the bench observed, adding it had already stayed the high court directions.

"We had recorded the reasons why we were staying that order," it said.

The bench then asked the lawyers appearing for the railways as well as the state about how much time they will take to find a solution.

It noted in its order that the state's counsel has submitted that the endeavour is on to work out a reasonable solution as early as possible.

"An adjournment letter has been circulated... The interim order is made absolute during the pendency of the petitions," the bench said, while listing the matter for directions in the first week of August.

The apex court had earlier also issued notices to the railways and the Uttarakhand government seeking their responses to a batch of pleas challenging the high court order for the removal of encroachments.

"Apart from that, there are issues of occupants claiming rights in the land as lessees/auction purchasers. We have cavil to the way the directions have been passed in the impugned order as there cannot be uprooting of 50 thousand people overnight within seven days," the bench had noted in its January 5 order.

"In the meantime, there shall be stay only of the directions passed in the impugned order(s). That has also to be coupled with complete restraint on any further occupation of land and/or construction whether by the existing occupants or by anyone else," it had said.

In its December 20 last year order, the high court had ordered the demolition of constructions on alleged encroached railway land at Banbhoolpura in Haldwani.

It had directed that a week's notice be given to the encroachers after which the encroachments should be demolished.

The residents have submitted in their plea that the high court has gravely erred in passing the impugned order despite being aware of the fact that proceedings with regard to the title of the residents including the petitioners are pending before the district magistrate.

There are religious places, schools, business establishments and residences on an area spread over 29 acres of land in Banbhoolpura.

The petitioners have claimed they have valid documents that establish their title and valid occupation.
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by Vishal Yadav seeking parole to pursue filing of an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging his conviction and life sentence in the killing of business executive Nitish Katara in 2002.

Vishal's cousin Vikash Yadav is a co-accused in the case and serving prison term. The high court noted that Vishal was granted custody parole in 2015 but he did not avail it.

It said consistent refusal to accept custody parole for filing of Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the apex court does not work to his advantage since it is not as if there is a denial in exercising a constitutional right, but rather to calibrate it and allow it along with safeguards which are necessary for securing life, liberty and protection of the victim and witnesses.

Even in 2018 when the high court had rejected his parole, it had noted that the petitioner would be granted custody parole for filing an SLP and an application in that regard could be moved.

This opportunity was not availed on that stage as well, which also does not work to the advantage to the petitioner, the court said.

Justice Anish Dayal said Vishal's contention of denial of a constitutional right in context of the plea for parole, therefore, has to be appreciated, viewed, weighed, sifted and winnowed in this light and not viewed in isolation.

"The petitioner (Vishal) is not precluded from pursuing his remedy to file an SLP before the Supreme Court, irrespective that it is 8 years after the decision that he wishes to assail," the high court said.

It dismissed Vishal's plea seeking to be released on regular parole for four weeks to pursue filing of the SLP against the high court's judgement which had upheld his conviction and enhanced the sentences.

"Rejection of parole by this court in June 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic relying on the exception carved out in the circular of 2020 regarding the release of prisoners and excluding those whose sentence was not to be considered for remission, shows that the petitioner's case was indeed exceptional," it said.

The court added that past conduct (pre-trial, during investigation, during trial and in custody) of the petitioner as well as that of co-accused Vikas was "serious, exceptional, acute and grave, to say the least, and cannot be ignored or taken lightly for the purpose of considering this plea".

Justice Dayal said it would not be prudent to assess the petitioner's plea as a simple segregated isolated plea for filing the SLP and completely ignore and overlook his past conduct.

The court said it cannot turn a blind eye to these facts and circumstances.

Vishal sought to be released on parole on the ground that since the records of the case are voluminous running into 2000 pages, his presence with his advocate is required for the preparation and finalisation of the SLP.

He has undergone 18 years and 4 months of incarceration and was last released on parole for 10 days in May 2014 and since then 8 years have elapsed, the plea said.

The parole plea was opposed by the police as well as by Nilam Katara, mother of victim Nitish Katara, on the ground that he had earlier also made a similar prayer and the court in 2015 had declined to release him on parole and only custody parole was granted.

Special public prosecutor Rajesh Mahajan said the petitioner refused to avail custody parole for reasons unknown and the right to file SLP is always available from jail.

He said complainant Nilam Katara and witness Ajay Katara, on account of threat to their lives at the hands of the accused persons, have been provided security which is still continuing and this aspect was also considered by the high court while enhancing the period of life sentence.

On October 3, 2016, the Supreme Court awarded a 25-year jail term without any benefit of remission to Vikas and Vishal for their role in the sensational kidnapping and killing of Katara.

Another co-convict Sukhdev Pehalwan was also handed down a 20-year jail term.

Prior to this, the Delhi High Court, while upholding the life imprisonment awarded to Vikas and Vishal Yadav by the trial court, specified a 30-year sentence, without any remission, to both of them. It awarded a 25-year jail term to Pehalwan.

All three were convicted and sentenced for kidnapping Katara from a marriage party in February 2002 and then killing him for his alleged affair with Vikas' sister Bharti Yadav.

Bharti is the daughter of Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav who is in jail in connection with another murder case.

Katara was murdered as Vishal and Vikas Yadav did not approve of his affair with Bharti because they belonged to different castes, the lower court said in its verdict.
Kozhikode/Kannur (Kerala), May 2 (PTI) The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala on Tuesday continued its attack against the controversial Hindi film, 'The Kerala Story'. The party claimed that the film was "BJP sponsored" and part of the "Sangh Parivar agenda" to divide people and create animosity among them in the state.



CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged that the film, which is portrayed as "unearthing" the events behind "approximately 32,000 women" allegedly going missing from Kerala, was an attempt of the BJP and RSS to poison the minds of the people.



Speaking to reporters in Kannur, Govindan urged the public to resist such efforts by working together with each other.



State Public Works and Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas referred to the press conference held a day earlier by BJP state chief K Surendran and said that it clearly indicated that the movie was "sponsored" by the saffron party.



"It is also clear from the press conference of the BJP state president that it (movie) is a Sangh Parivar agenda to divide the people and create animosity among them," the minister told reporters.



Riyas said that the BJP and Sangh Parivar were trying to spew venom in Kerala society whose secular mindset and friendly attitude was one of the major reasons -- besides the natural beauty and historical places in the state -- for around 1.58 crore tourists from across India and the world visiting the southern state.



He said the growth seen in Kerala's tourism sector was not seen anywhere else in the country.



Riyas alleged that the attempts to "distort and defame" the image of the state was supported by the BJP state president in his press conference.



Surendran, on Monday, held a press conference in Kozhikode where he claimed that recruitment to the Islamic State (IS) terror outfit from Kerala could not be denied and that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was aware of the exact figures.



"IS has a very strong presence in Kerala... You cannot deny the IS recruitment from the state," the BJP leader claimed, adding that if the figures cited in the film were the bone of contention, then that could be discussed.



"The Chief Minister knows the exact figures of IS recruitment," he claimed.



The BJP leader contended that if IS and terrorism did not have a presence in the state then why would a man come from Uttar Pradesh to Kerala to set a train on fire. He was referring to the recent incident in which a passenger on a train in Kerala poured petrol on three others and set fire to them.



'The Kerala Story', starring Adah Sharma, is set to be released in cinemas on May 5. Written and directed by Sudipto Sen.



According to the CPI(M) and the Congress in Kerala, the film falsely claims that 32,000 women got converted, radicalised and were deployed in terror missions in India and the world.
Boddie-Noell

To Celebrate, Restaurants Will Support the Navy SEAL Foundation Throughout June

HAMPTON ROADS, Va., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hardees franchise operator Boddie-Noell Enterprises has a longtime presence in Hampton Roads and recently made it even bigger with new menu choices at the nearly 60 restaurants in the region and multi-million dollar renovations across all locations.



In addition to its new line of Charbroiled 100% Angus Beef Burgers, the local Hardees are introducing Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders Platters for the first time at any Hardees in the country as a meal. The Platter includes a choice of either three or five tenders with choice of sauce, combined with slaw, new crinkle-cut fries, toast and a drink. This tasty meal can be enjoyed with the newly introduced Refreshing Lemonade or Brewed Fresh Tea. All new menu items are available now.

To demonstrate its long-term commitment to the Hampton Roads area, franchisee Boddie-Noell has recently invested more than $10 million in restaurant remodels here that include a more attractive contemporary exterior and interior (photos available).

The Hampton Roads area has played a major role in our Hardees business for decades, said Mike Boddie, Boddie-Noell Hardees president. Were furthering that commitment by introducing the new Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders Platters and crinkle-cut fries for the first time at any Hardees in the country. We know theyre going to be a big hit with our customers and were excited to be the first to do it.

To celebrate the exciting new menu additions and remodels, Hardees is partnering with the Navy SEAL Foundation for a special FRYDAY promotion in June. For every new crinkle-cut fry sold each Friday during June at a Hampton Road area Hardees, 25 cents will be donated to the Navy SEAL Foundation, a Virginia-based nonprofit which provides critical care for the warriors, veterans and families of Naval Special Warfare.

The transformative new menu and enhancement of its restaurants is only the latest in Hardees food innovations that Boddie-Noell has been bringing this area for many years. Boddie-Noell was the first to create and introduce the Made From Scratch Breakfast Biscuit at one of its Virginia Beach Hardees locations back in the 1970s before anyone else in the quick service business had done so, as well as the first to offer Fresh Fried Chicken. Then, a decade ago, Boddie-Noell rolled out the Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders here which have been widely popular as a Hardees menu item throughout the nation.

Story continues

About Boddie-Noell Enterprises

Boddie-Noell is proud to have been a Hardees franchise operator for 61 years in 2023. Family-owned, Boddie-Noell is the largest Hardees franchisee in the United States with 330 restaurant locations in four states. The company is based in Rocky Mount, N.C. For more information, visit www.bneinc.com.

CONTACT: Lindsay Priester

919-971-4451

lindsay@rickrountree.com






New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) A 45-year-old woman was killed in an accident in southeast Delhi's Kalkaji area, police said on Tuesday.

A PCR call was received on Monday at 7.57 pm about the accident in front of Gate Number-2, Kalkaji Mandir where a woman was reported to be injured, a senior police officer said.

After reaching the spot near the electric pole number 39, opposite Astha Kunj Park, a woman identified as Guddy was found dead, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) Rajesh Deo said.

A car was also found damaged. The driver of the offending vehicle -- Sameer Shah (28), a resident of Faridabad in Haryana, -- was caught at the spot, the DCP said.

The body was shifted to AIIMS hospital. A case under sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC has been registered and the driver has been arrested, Deo added.
Mumbai, May 2 (PTI) A 38-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly robbing a man at knifepoint in suburban Chembur here, police said on Tuesday.

Three accused were involved in the crime that took place last week and one of them was arrested on April 29, an official said.

The accused allegedly stopped the victim and two of his colleagues near Vashi Naka, threatened him at knifepoint and robbed him, he said.

Based on CCTV footages from the scene, the police zeroed in on the accused and apprehended one of them, the official said, adding that a case under section 392 (robbery) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Mumbai Police Act has been registered.
Thane, May 2 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday directed Thane district officials to formulate a comprehensive policy for property tax and construction in the 27 villages included in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.

Shinde held a meeting with various committees representing the villages and civic officials in Mumbai.



A proposal to construct a memorial of spiritual leader Sawalaram Maharaj was also discussed at the meeting, an official release said.
MATT TIERNAN, Chariho, Boys Volleyball, Senior; Tiernan had 36 kills in a five-set win against Mount St. Charles. Tiernan also had 28 kills in a loss to La Salle Academy.

SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Junior; Bergel allowed just three hits and one run as Wheeler defeated St. Bernard. It was the first loss of the season for the Saints.

BRANDON TAVARES, Stonington, Golf, Junior; Tavares shot a 4-under 32 in a win against Woodstock Academy. The round was the best by a Stonington golfer in a number of years. Tavares also had a round of 1-under and another at even par during the week.

TYLER BRAYMAN, Westerly, Boys Volleyball, Sophomore; Brayman finished with 23 kills, 10 assists and three blocks in a win against Cranston West. It was the first loss of the season for Cranston West.

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In a recent interview with Fox News Mark Levin, former US President Donald Trump spoke regarding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump shifted from blaming Chinas incompetence for the virus to suggesting that the Chinese government intentionally released the virus to sabotage his reelection campaign in 2020.

During the interview, Trump expressed frustration that he did not receive enough credit for his administrations handling of the pandemic. He then claimed that he was one of the first people to suggest that the virus may have originated from a lab leak in China.

Trump then went on to suggest that China may have intentionally released the virus in order to retaliate against his administrations heavy-handed economic policy. He implied that China wanted him out of office and that the tariffs and taxes he imposed on China could have been a motivating factor behind the viruss release.

Nobody knew what it was. We heard stories, China, I was probably the first one. I said it came from the lab in Wuhan. I knew that. For one thing, you saw body bags all over the place around that lab. There were body bags all over that area, and nobody talks about it. But in Wuhan, you had, through satellite pictures and other things, you had pictures of body bags all over the place. And you could see little lines, you know, from way up, but they couldnt be anything else. But I said, and Ive said right from the beginning, it was the lab in Wuhan. It got out. It got out of the lab. I think it was incompetence, I really believe it was incompetence.

People said I was charging China so much money in tariffs and taxes and a lot of people said they did it to get me out.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Over 20 rockets were fired at southern Israel on Tuesday afternoon in about three minutes. Code red sirens were heard in Sderot and a number of yishuvim in the Gaza Strip.

Residents reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke, indicating the launch of Iron Dome interceptor missiles. One rocket fell in the courtyard of a home and another rocket fell in a building site in Sderot. A 25-year-old foreign worker was knocked unconscious and seriously injured by rocket shrapnel. Two other workers were lightly injured by shrapnel.

The three victims were treated at the scene and evacuated to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon.

According to Israel Police, there were five rocket strikes in populated areas.

One of the rocket strikes in Sderot can be seen below:

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will hold a situational assessment on the escalated security situation later on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Gaza terror groups launched three rockets into Israel after Israel announced the death of senior Islamic Jihad terrorist Khader Adnan, who was found unconscious in his cell in an Israeli prison following an 86-day hunger strike.

Fortunately, the rockets exploded in open areas and no injuries were reported. Following the launches, the IDF carried out tank strikes against terror targets in the Gaza Strip. Residents of Gaza border area communities were instructed to remain close to safe areas until further notice.

Adnan was arrested on February 5 for terror-related activities for the 13th time and has been on a hunger strike since then. He has refused to receive medical treatment while in prison.

The Islamic Jihad terror group has threatened in the past that it will view Adnans death as an elimination by Israel. Following his death on Tuesday morning, Islamic Jihad and Hamas threatened to make Israel pay for his death.

This isnt the first time that Adnan used a hunger strike as a tactic to be released from an Israeli prison. He was released in 2015 after a 56-day hunger strike and in 2012 after a 66-day hunger strike.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




In a recent article for National Review, conservative Fox News legal commentator Andy McCarthy implored Republicans to banish their belief that Donald Trump could win the presidential election in 2024.

In the article, titled Why Trump Cant Win, McCarthy explained that Trumps political momentum is waning  despite his sky-high poll numbers with GOP voters. He noted that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will jump in the race and that peoples belief that Trump has already beaten him is just silly. Trump, he argues, has already reached his ceiling; DeSantis isnt even close to it and polls already have him beating Joe Biden.

The governor is clearly doing everything a politician in his position would do to prepare a formal candidacy, but the best case for him as president is that hes inclined to solving problems rather than tweeting about them, McCarthy writes. His best move is to finish the ongoing legislative session and rack up more accomplishments. That will take a few more weeks.

If DeSantis gains significant support after announcing, that would be a hopeful sign that Republicans still have a self-preservation instinct, McCarthy writes.

It is in the interests of the mediaDemocratic complex to obscure this fact for now because Democrats desperately want Trump to be the Republican nominee, he opined. But the question for every Republican is not Trump or DeSantis? Nor is it, How would you vote in a matchup between Trump and Biden? It is: Regardless of whether you would vote for Trump in a matchup with the Democratic nominee (likely Biden), do you believe Trump could beat the Democratic nominee in a national election in which the vast majority of voters will not be Republicans?

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




A miscreant who attacked a Jewish man at a Walmart in near Boca Raton, Florida, is potentially facing federal hate crime charges, the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office says.

According to prosecutors, 34-year-old Daniel Scanlan struck an older Orthodox Jewish man from behind, grabbed his yarmulka, and spewed an anti-Semitic slur at him. He then spat in the yarmulka, threw it to the ground, and again struck his Jewish victim.

A female bystander who attempted to intervene had her cellphone snatched from her hands and thrown to the ground, causing minor lacerations to her left elbow. The suspect then unleashed a furious tirade of sexist insults at her.

Scanlan was quickly picked up by police and now faces two count of robbery without firearm and two counts of battery on a person 65 years or older, with hate crime charges likely in the offing.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
$1 of each case sold will benefit the families of US Service Members and Veterans

BOSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harpoon Brewery  the maker of New England's Original IPA  announces the release of two new lager beers, American Flyer Light and American Flyer Lager. $1 of each case sold will support military families and those of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. American Flyer Light is a light lager that benefits Folds of Honor. American Flyer Lager is a golden lager and benefits Fisher House Foundation.

"As a company that proudly employs several veterans, we have brewed up something special: two new light and refreshing lagers, American Flyer Light and American Flyer Lager, that help support the families of the American military, service members, veterans, and first responders year-round," said Dan Kenary, CEO and Co-Founder of Mass. Bay Brewing Company. "Folds of Honor and Fisher House Foundation are doing incredible work in support of families of American patriots  we're proud to give back to these nonprofits and amplify their mission."

American Flyer Light is a flavorful yet crushable light lager coming in at 4.2% ABV. American Flyer Light is brewed in partnership with Folds of Honor, which helps provide academic scholarships to families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. With every case sold, $1 will go to Folds of Honor. With just 120 calories per can, this crisp and golden light lager is sold in 12-pack 12oz cans and 6-pack 12oz bottles.

"Harpoon Brewery is now aiding Folds of Honor by donating a generous portion of their new product back towards the organization," said 2019 Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Camille Banks. "Each purchase will generate financial support for Folds of Honor and educational scholarships for so many. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Harpoon Brewery again for their wonderful support."

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American Flyer Lager is a bright, crisp and full-flavored golden lager at 5% ABV. $1 from each case equivalent from American Flyer Lager will be donated to Fisher House Foundation to help support the foundation's efforts to provide temporary free lodging for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers across the country. American Flyer Lager will be available in 12-pack 12oz cans.

"Fisher House Foundation appreciates that Harpoon has supported nonprofits for years and are thrilled with this newest effort," said David A. Coker, President of Fisher House Foundation. "Harpoon truly understands that our military and veteran community deserves to be honored and how important it is to provide the resources to help them heal."

Harpoon's American Flyer Light and American Flyer Lager are both available now starting today for $13.99 - $14.99. To find the two new brews near you, check out the Harpoon beer finder: https://www.harpoonbrewery.com/beer-finder/.

About the Harpoon Brewery

The Harpoon Brewery was founded in 1986 by beer lovers who wanted more and better beer options. When the Brewery was founded, Harpoon was issued Brewing Permit #001 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, since it was the first to brew commercially in Boston after a dormant period of about 25 years. Since then, it has expanded to a second brewery in Windsor, VT. Harpoon's line of craft beer features its award-winning IPA and seasonal beers, along with special limited releases. In 2014, Harpoon became an employee-owned company.

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Beginning in 2022, it expanded its mission to include first responders. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master's degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor's degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded about 44,000 scholarships totaling about $200 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.

About Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 94 comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $575 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. For more information visit www.fisherhouse.org.

Cision

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SOURCE Harpoon




In the course of US House Speaker Kevin McCarthys visit to Israel this week, he was asked by Yisrael Hayom about President Bidens reluctance to invite Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to the White House.

If that [a visit to the White House] doesnt happen, Ill invite the prime minister to come meet with the House, McCarthy said. Hes a dear friend, as a prime minister of a country that we have our closest ties with.

In response to how soon the visit should be, McCarthy said: I think its too long now. He should invite him soon. He added that he invited President Isaac Herzog to speak to a joint session of Congress in June to mark Israels 75th anniversary.

McCarthy then said jokingly: President Biden hasnt talked to me about the debt ceiling for the last 80 some days so I think that Netanyahu might be in good company if he treats me the same way.

McCarthy reiterated the quip during a press conference in Jerusalem following his speech to the Knesset, when he was again asked about Netanyahu being invited to Washington.I expect the White House to invite the prime minister over for a meeting, especially with the 75th anniversary, he responded.

The president still hasnt talked to meIm a little like Netanyahu, he said to the sound of laughter from reporters.

Later on Monday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in response to McCarthys comments that he thinks Netanyahu will be invited to the White House at some point in the future but there are no plans for an imminent invitation.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Agudath Israels Connecticut office is pleased to announce that more than $500,000 has been awarded to Orthodox schools across Connecticut. It took many months of collaborative work between nonpublic school representatives and the state, but we are grateful to Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker and the Department of Education for their partnership, said Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, director of Agudath Israels Connecticut office.

Starting in summer of 2022, Agudath Israel and other nonpublic school coalition partners reached out to the state about releasing approximately $12 million in federal COVID funding which had not yet been disbursed. This money, originally allocated under the Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools program (EANS) created during the pandemic, needed to be reallocated under a different, more flexible program called the Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund program (GEER), in order for nonpublic schools to be able to make use of them without multiple restrictions.

Now reallocated under GEER, the money can be used for a wider range of schools and school expenses, including smart boards, special education tutors, cleaning supplies, learning materials, and more.

These additional funds will bring significant tangible benefits to nonpublic school students across the state, said Rabbi Weisenfeld.




The White House said Monday it now estimates that just since December Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine has rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

In what has become a grinding war of attrition, 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.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. estimate is based on newly declassified American intelligence. He did not detail how the intelligence community derived the number.

Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in November that Russia had suffered well over 100,000 killed or wounded in the first eight months of the war. The new figures suggest that Russian losses have dramatically accelerated in recent months.

Troops from Russias Wagner mercenary group and other forces are fighting Ukrainian troops house-to-house to try to gain control of what has become known as the road of life  the last remaining road west still in Ukrainian hands, which makes it critical for supplies and fresh troops. Both sides have cited gains in recent days.

Kirby said nearly half those killed since December are Wagner forces, many of them convicts who were released from prison to join Russias fight. He said the Wagner forces were thrown into combat and without sufficient combat or combat training, combat leadership, or any sense of organizational command and control.

The White House has repeatedly sought to highlight the cost  both human and weaponry  to Russia of Bakhmut, which it argues has limited strategic importance to the overall trajectory of the war. Some analysts, however, note that taking control Bakhmut could be helpful to Russian efforts to advance on the larger cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in the Donetsk region

Kirby said the Russian casualty count for this little town of Bakhmut was in line with some of the fiercest periods of fighting during World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front, and the Guadalcanal campaign, the first major Allied offensive against Japan.

Its three times the number of killed in action that the United States faced on the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II and that was over the course of five months, Kirby said.

Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the head of Ukrainian ground forces, said Russia continued to exert maximum effort to take Bakhmut but that it so far had failed.

In some parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions, he said.

Kirby declined to say how many Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded in the fighting. Milley said in November that Ukrainian casualties were probably also about 100,000.

(AP)




Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill allowing the death penalty in child rape convictions, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that banned capital punishment in such cases.

DeSantis, a Republican, also signed two other components of his criminal justice legislative package during a ceremony at a policing museum in a city outside Orlando.

The governor, who is expected to announce a run for president in the coming weeks, has leaned into an aggressive conservative agenda on crime and other issues ahead of his expected candidacy as he seeks to bolster support among the Republican base.

The signings came as DeSantis has faced widespread criticism over his battle with Disney and marked his first appearance after an overseas trade mission, with the routinely on-message governor returning to practiced rhetoric about his ability to implement conservative policy.

Were really delivering a big agenda, he said. So this is one important  but admittedly very small part  of an overall large agenda and very bold agenda thats really setting the terms of the debate for the country, quite frankly.

The death penalty law DeSantis signed is intended to get the conservative-controlled U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a 2008 ruling that found it unconstitutional to use capital punishment in child sexual battery cases.

Florida is among a handful of states with existing laws that allow for capital punishment on child rape convictions but has not used the punishment given the high court ruling. The Florida Supreme Court has also ruled against the use of capital punishment in sexual battery convictions.

The legislation, which goes into effect Oct. 1, would authorize the state to pursue capital punishment when an adult is convicted of sexually battering a child under 12 and provides a framework in the states capital punishment laws for prosecutors to do so. It was approved in the Florida Legislature with bipartisan support.

DeSantis said he believed the the Supreme Courts decision was wrong, adding, This bill sets up a procedure to be able to challenge that precedent and to be able to say that in Florida we think that the worst of the worst crimes deserve the worst of the worst punishment.

Late last month, DeSantis also signed a bill to end a unanimous jury requirement in death penalty sentencing, allowing capital punishment with jury recommendation of at least 8-4 in favor of execution.

The governor on Wednesday also signed into law a bill to enhance criminal penalties around the selling of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs that are packaged or disguised in the form of candy or other food products.

The third bill DeSantis signed requires the Florida Supreme Court to develop a uniform bond schedule for state courts to follow and bars a chief judge from setting bond below the schedule. It also forbids a person from being released before his or her first court appearance if charged with a violent or heinous crime. The law is part of DeSantis criticism of so-called bail reforms in liberal jurisdictions.

The Republican supermajority in the Florida statehouse has focused heavily on the governors legislative priorities this year, with DeSantis expected to use the raft of new conservative laws as the foundation for his 2024 presidential run.

(AP)




A terrorist opened fire at three Israeli cars driving out of the yishuv of Anvei Chefetz in the Shomron on Tuesday morning.

One driver, a 39-year-old man, was injured from glass shards and was treated by emergency paramedics at the scene and evacuated in light condition to Laniado Hospital in Netanya. Two other drivers were treated for shock.

A senior security official said after the attack that a great neis had occurred as the terrorist shot directly at the windshields of the cars and only one person was injured by shrapnel.

A terrorist who got out of a vehicle at the Shufa intersection near Avnei Chefetz fired at three vehicles, a statement from Rescuers Without Borders said. One vehicle was damaged. The drivers continued driving until the Tanim Crossing.

A large number of IDF forces arrived at the scene and launched a manhunt for the terrorist.

Yossi Dagan, the head of the Shomron Regional Council, called on the government to immediately restore the Shufa military checkpoint and embark on a military operation.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The U.S. Secret Service said Monday it blocked a Muslim mayor from Prospect Park, New Jersey, from attending a White House celebration with President Joe Biden to belatedly mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Shortly before he was set to arrive at the White House for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said he received a call from the White House stating that he had not been cleared for entry by the Secret Service and could not attend the celebration where Biden delivered remarks to hundreds of guests. He said the White House official did not explain why the Secret Service had blocked his entry.

Khairullah, 47, informed the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after he was told he would not be allowed to attend the event.

The group has called on the Biden administration to cease the FBIs dissemination of information from what is known as a Terrorist Screening Data Set that includes hundreds of thousands of individuals. The group informed Khairullah that a person with his name and birthdate was in a dataset that CAIR attorneys obtained in 2019.

Khairullah was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trumps travel ban that limited entry to the U.S. of citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. He also has travelled to Bangladesh and Syria to do humanitarian work with the Syrian American Medical Society and the Watan Foundation.

It left me baffled, shocked and disappointed, Khairullah said in a telephone interview as he made his way home to New Jersey on Monday evening. Its not a matter of I didnt get to go to a party. Its why I did not go. And its a list that has targeted me because of my identity. And I dont think the highest office in the United States should be down with such profiling.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Khairullah was not allowed into the White House complex, but declined to detail why. Khairullah was elected to a fifth term as the boroughs mayor in January.

While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening, Guglielmi said in a statement. Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.

The White House declined to comment.

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of CAIR, called the move wholly unacceptable and insulting.

If these such incidents are happening to high-profile and well-respected American-Muslim figures like Mayor Khairullah, this then begs the question: what is happening to Muslims who do not have the access and visibility that the mayor has? Maksut said.

Khairullah said he was stopped by authorities in 2019 and interrogated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for three hours and questioned about whether he knew any terrorists. The incident happened when he was returning to the United States after a family visit to Turkey where his wife has family.

On another occasion, he said he was briefly held at the U.S.-Canada border as he traveled back into the country with family.

The group said Khairullah helped the New Jersey Democratic Party compile names of local Muslim leadership to invite to the White House Eid celebration and over the weekend was a guest at an event at the New Jersey governors mansion.

Khairullah was born in Syria, but his family was displaced in the midst of the government crackdowns by Hafez al-Assads government in the early 1980s. His family fled to Saudi Arabia before moving to Prospect Park in 1991. He has lived there since.

He became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and was elected to his first term as the towns mayor in 2001. He also spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter in his community.

Khairullah said he made seven trips to Syria with humanitarian aid organizations between 2012 and 2015 as a civil war ravaged much of the country.

I am Syrian and you know it was very difficult to see what we saw on TV and and social media, and not respond to help people, he said. I mean we felt very helpless.

(AP)




The coronation of King Charles III and his wife Camilla as king and queen of the UK is scheduled to take place this Shabbos, on May 6, at Westminister Abbey in London.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal are flying to the UK on Thursday to represent the State of Israel at the ceremony.

On Friday, Herzog will participate in a reception King Charles is holding at Buckingham Palace at 4 p.m. in honor of the heads of state, kings, presidents, prime ministers and royal families attending the coronation.

In order to avoid chillul Shabbos, the Herzogs will walk to the official coronation ceremony  scheduled for 10 a.m. on Shabbos morning at Westminister Abbey  from their nearby residence.

A statement from the Presidents Residence said: The President will act in all matters related to honoring Shabbat in coordination with the Chief Rabbi of British Judaism, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who will also participate in the coronation ceremony and will even offer a special prayer. According to a Kikar HShabbat report, Herzog also discussed the issue with the Chief Rabbanim of Israel.

King Charles invited Rabbi Mirvis and his wife to sleep at King Charles royal residence on Friday night so they can walk to the ceremony.

The oil that will be used for the coronation ceremony was consecrated in Jerusalem on Friday, March 3.

According to a statement from Buckingham Palace, the oil was consecrated by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem in a special ceremony at The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The oil was created using olives harvested from two groves on the Mount of Olives, at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene and the Monastery of the Ascension. The Monastery of Mary Magdalene is the burial place of His Majestys grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece.

The olives were pressed just outside Bethlehem. The oil has been perfumed with essential oils  sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin and amber  as well as orange blossom.

The Coronation oil is based on the oil used at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the formula of which has been used for hundreds of years. It will also be used for the anointing of Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said: I am honoured and grateful that His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III and Archbishop Hosam Naoum have consecrated the oil that will be used to anoint His Majesty The King. I want to thank especially His Beatitude for providing this Coronation Oil, which reflects The Kings personal family connection with the Holy Land and his great care for its peoples. I am also delighted that the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem shared in the consecration of the oil.

Since beginning the planning for the Coronation, my desire has been for a new Coronation Oil to be produced using olive oil from the Mount of Olives. This demonstrates the deep historic link between the Coronation, the Bible and the Holy Land. From ancient kings through to the present day, monarchs have been anointed with oil from this sacred place.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Three members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party visited Yad Vashem on Tuesday.

The anti-immigration AfD party has repeatedly downplayed the horrors of the Holocaust and has engaged in numerous incidents of antisemitic rhetoric, including calling the Holocaust memorial in Berlin a monument of shame.

The party is boycotted by the Israeli government and the Israeli embassy in Berlin doesnt maintain ties with its members but Yad Vashem is apparently open to all.

Today, three AfD Bundestag members toured Yad Vashem, wrote Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan. Yad Vashem is open to all, especially to those in need of intensive Holocaust education. The AfD and its members have still a long way to go in understanding the Holocaust and addressing the German responsibility of this past.

The visit was organized by the German Embassy in Israel. Yad Vashem refused the request of the embassy to hold a ceremony with the AfD members in the Yizkor tent.

A Twitter debate developed on the issue in response to Dayans tweet and he replied to one respondent: The AfD party is a party with anti-Semitic tendencies and Holocaust denial. Vad Yashem has no relationship with it and its memberswe unhesitantly refused the German embassys request to hold a ceremony in the Yizkor tent but entry to Yad Vashem is open to all. Thats the entire story.

Dayan also responded in English to a social media user who questioned his decision, as seen below:

I can add many more quotes from AfD members. Thats the reason Yad Vashem does not have any contact with the party and its members. No YV execs met them. We rejected the German embassy request to lay a wreath. But we are open to all, including antisemites. Thats all. https://t.co/IXkwj1BSJf  Dani Dayan (@AmbDaniDayan) May 2, 2023

In 2017, the AfD party was the first far-right party to win seats in the Bundestag since the end of World War II.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in response to 37 rockets being launched towards southern Israel on Monday. The IDF stated that the strikes were carried out in an effort to protect Israeli citizens and to stop the attacks from the Gaza Strip.

According to reports, explosions were heard in the northern part of Gaza, and Palestinian media outlets have confirmed that the Israeli airstrikes have caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Despite the intensity of the airstrikes, there have been no immediate reports of casualties.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
HMRC has claimed it has 'robust plans' in place to mitigate any disruption caused by hundreds of its staff going on strike from next week.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union last week confirmed 432 HMRC workers will go on strike for 18 days in May and June amid a campaign over pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms.

The union said members working as customer service advisers in Glasgow and Newcastle-upon-Tyne will walk out on 10 May for three days.

They will also walk out between 15 and 19 May, 22 and 26 May and 29 and 31 May, as well as 1 and 2 June.

Over 400 HMRC staff are set to walk out for 18 days in May and June from next week

It comes just days after 133,000 civil servants in 132 government departments walked out amid claims of bullying and an 'ideological war' on the workforce.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: 'Our hard-working members in HMRC are fed up with being treated with disdain by a government that doesn't seem to care about its own staff.

'If they did, ministers would be able to stop this strike action by making a fair offer to help our members through the cost-of-living crisis and beyond.'

The union predicts the walkouts will cause 'significant problems' for businesses across the UK, with HMRC's helpline, student loans unit, PAYE registrations and employment allowance all set to be affected.

Penalties, expenses and benefits, as well as one of the Government's flagship small business policies, Employment Allowance, are also expected to be impacted.

An HMRC spokesman told This Is Money: 'Discussions are continuing between HMRC and the civil service unions.

'We have robust plans in place to ensure we continue delivering critical services for our customers during any industrial action.'

HMRC did not respond to a request for clarification on what 'critical services' it was prioritising or whether its call centres would be affected.

It could be another frustrating wait for many small businesses, who have been facing delays as HMRC takes months to secure basic tax details.

It comes as HMRC seen huge cuts to its customer service workforce, from 25,000 to 19,500 over five years.

In February, the Institute of Chartered Accounts of England and Wales said understaffing at the tax office was causing delays and hindering economic activity.

One accountant called the service 'diabolical', although HMRC said it was responding to most correspondence within 15 days.

Michael Izza, chief executive at the ICAEW, said: 'We're calling on ministers to set up an emergency taskforce to identify steps to eliminate HMRC's backlog and improve its service standards, so that in the future it supports, not inhibits, business growth and maximises the tax receipts needed to fund public services.'
MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd.

Chicago, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The healthcare IT integration industry is poised for significant growth in the near future. As healthcare providers continue to invest in digital systems and networks, the need for integration solutions will increase as well. This will create a need for better interoperability standards and data exchange, which will be a major focus of healthcare IT integration. Additionally, the development of artificial intelligence-based solutions, such as machine learning and natural language processing, will help to automate certain processes and further streamline the integration of healthcare data. Finally, the emergence of blockchain technology could also play an important role in the healthcare IT integration industry, as it could provide a secure, immutable platform for the sharing of patient information.

Healthcare IT Integration market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $3.9 billion in 2021 and is poised to reach $7.1 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2021 to 2026 according to a latest report published by MarketsandMarkets. The growth in the healthcare IT integration market is mainly driven primarily by the increased use of connected care technologies during COVID-19, rapid adoption of electronic health records and other healthcare IT solutions, urgent need to integrate patient data into healthcare systems and favourable government policies, funding programs, and initiatives to deploy healthcare IT integration solutions. On the other hand, the interoperability issues and the high cost associated with healthcare IT integration solutions are restraining the growth of this market.

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Healthcare IT Integration Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2021 $3.9 billion Estimated Value by 2026 $7.1 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% Market Size Available for 20192026 Forecast Period 20212026 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product & service, end-user and region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunity Growing demand for telehealth services and remote patient monitoring solutions Key Market Drivers Rapid adoption of electronic health records and other healthcare IT solutions

The healthcare IT integration market has been segmented on the basis of product & service, end-user and region. Based on products, the healthcare IT integration market has been segmented into interface/integration engines, medical device integration software, media integration solutions, and other integration tools, used in system integration. Based on services, the healthcare IT integration market is further classified into implementation and integration, support and maintenance; training and education; and consulting services. The services segment accounted for the largest share of the global healthcare IT integration market in 2020. The large share of this segment is attributed to the surging requirement to build, design, and implement standardized, interoperable networking platforms.

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Furthermore, support and maintenance services accounted for the largest share in the services segment. These services are key in helping healthcare organisations comply with regulations related to healthcare IT integration, which drives the growth of the support and maintenance services segment.

North America accounted for the largest share of the Healthcare IT integration market in 2020. This can be attributed to the growing demand to curtail the soaring healthcare costs and the rising need to improve the overall efficiency of healthcare organizations in the region. Market growth in North America is further propelled by the availability of government funding for healthcare providers for the development of state-wide and nationwide healthcare information exchanges in the US, rising preference for telehealth solutions and home healthcare facilities due to the growing number of COVID-19 patients, and the presence of large hospitals that demand integrated healthcare networks. The Asia Pacific market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth in this regional market can be attributed to the growing patient volume and the rising need for accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Key Market Players:

Key players offering healthcare IT integration products and services in this market include Infor (US), InterSystems Corporation (US), Cerner Corporation (US), Orion Health (New Zealand), NextGen Healthcare, Inc. (US), iNTERFACEWARE, Inc. (Canada), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (US), Epic Systems Corporation (US), AVI-SPL, Inc. (US), Corepoint Health (Lyniate) (US), and Oracle Corporation (US). These companies adopted strategies such as service launches, business expansions, agreements, partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions to strengthen their presence in the healthcare IT Integration market.

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Hypothetic Challenges of Healthcare IT Integration Market in Near Future:

Security Concerns: With the increased integration of healthcare IT systems, there is a heightened concern regarding the security of patient data, as well as the potential for malicious attacks on healthcare IT systems.

Lack of Interoperability: Many healthcare IT systems are not currently designed to work with each other, meaning that data cannot be shared between systems. This can lead to inefficiencies and data silos.

Cost and Resource Limitations: Implementing and maintaining healthcare IT systems can be expensive, and may require significant investments of time, money, and resources.

User Training Requirements: It is essential for healthcare providers to be properly trained in the use of any healthcare IT system. This can be a significant challenge, since users may need to learn new technology quickly and efficiently.

Regulatory Compliance Issues: Healthcare IT systems must comply with a range of regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, HITECH, and other laws. Ensuring compliance can be a significant challenge.

Top 3 Use Cases of Healthcare IT Integration Market:

Electronic Health Records (EHR) Integration: The integration of EHRs with other healthcare IT systems helps in improving the accuracy and efficiency of patient care. EHR integration enables healthcare providers to store, access, and exchange patient data more securely and quickly, resulting in better healthcare outcomes.

Clinical Decision Support (CDS): CDS integration helps healthcare providers make better decisions in real-time, by integrating evidence-based clinical information with patient data. This enables healthcare providers to provide personalized, evidence-based care to their patients.

Telemedicine: Telemedicine integration allows physicians to remotely monitor and diagnose patients, providing access to care for those who may not have access to healthcare centers. This integration helps to reduce the cost of care and makes healthcare more accessible to those who need it.

Recent Developments:

In September 2021 Lyniate (US) launched Lyniate Rapid -a healthcare API gateway and manager designed to help health teams create and safeguard APIs, including Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-based APIs.

In April 2021, Lyniate (US) acquired Datica, Inc.(US). The acquisition of Datica Integration Business (from Datica, Inc.) has extended the ability of its customers to connect and aggregate the data from multiple systems of record through FHIR.

In January 2021 Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) signed an agreement with Capsule Technologies Inc. (US) aiming to acquire Capsule Technologies, Inc. under its Connected Care segment, to expand its product offering in the segment.

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Related Reports:

Healthcare Interoperability Solutions Market

Healthcare IT Market

Healthcare Cloud Computing Market

Medical Device Connectivity Market

Healthcare Middleware Market

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Reported Full-Year 2022 and Updated Full-Year 2023 Outlook

Total Thomson Reuters FY 2022 Reported FY 2023 Outlook 2/9/23 FY 2023 Outlook 5/2/23 Total Revenue Growth 4% 4.5% - 5.0% 3.0% - 3.5% Organic Revenue Growth(1) 6% 5.5% - 6.0% Unchanged Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1) 35.1% ~ 39% Unchanged Corporate Costs Core Corporate Costs Change Program Opex $293 million $122 million $171 million $110 - $120 million $110 - $120 million n/a Unchanged Free Cash Flow(1) $1.3 billion ~$1.8 billion Unchanged Accrued Capex as % of Revenue(1) Real Estate Optimization Spend(2) 8.2% n/a ~ 7% $30 million Unchanged Depreciation & Amortization of Computer Software $625 million $595 - $625 million Unchanged Interest Expense (P&L) $196 million $190 - $210 million Unchanged Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted Earnings(1) 17.6% ~ 18% Unchanged Big 3 Segments(1) FY 2022 Reported FY 2023 Outlook 2/9/23 FY 2023 Outlook 5/2/23 Total Revenue Growth 5% 5.5% - 6.0% 3.5% - 4.0% Organic Revenue Growth 7% 6.5% - 7.0% Unchanged Adjusted EBITDA Margin 42.4% ~ 44% Unchanged

(1) Non-IFRS financial measures. See the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section below as well as the tables and footnotes appended to this news release for more information.

(2) Real estate optimization spend in 2023 is incremental to the Accrued Capex as a percent of revenue outlook.



The information in this section is forward-looking. Actual results, which will include the impact of currency and future acquisitions and dispositions completed during 2023, may differ materially from the companys outlook. The information in this section should also be read in conjunction with the section below entitled Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Material Risks and Material Assumptions.



Thomson Reuters and TPG to establish Elite as an Independent Legal Technology Company

In April, TPG and the company announced the signing of a definitive agreement for TPG to acquire a majority stake in Thomson Reuters Elite business, which provides financial and practice management solutions to the worlds leading law firms, helping customers automate and streamline critical finance and accounting workflows. The proposed transaction values the business at approximately $500 million. Upon closing of the transaction, the company expects to receive proceeds of approximately $400 million while retaining a 19.9% minority interest and board representation in the business, supporting Elite strategically going forward. TPG Capital, TPGs U.S. and European late-stage private equity business, will become the majority shareholder of the standalone business.

London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG) Ownership Interest

Thomson Reuters indirectly owns LSEG shares through an entity that it jointly owns with Blackstones consortium and a group of current LSEG and former Refinitiv senior management. During the first quarter of 2023, the company sold 24.5 million shares that it indirectly owned for $2.3 billion of gross proceeds. As of April 30, 2023, Thomson Reuters indirectly owned approximately 47.4 million LSEG shares which had a market value of approximately $5.0 billion based on LSEGs closing share price on that day.

Return of Capital and Share Consolidation

On April 4, 2023, the company announced it had finalized its planned uses of its approximate $2.3 billion of gross proceeds related to disposition of shares in LSEG. As the company had previously disclosed in February 2023, it plans to use the gross proceeds to provide returns to shareholders. In connection therewith, approximately $2.2 billion will be returned to shareholders through a return of capital transaction consisting of a cash distribution of $4.67 per common share and a share consolidation, or reverse stock split, which will reduce the number of outstanding common shares on a basis that is proportional to the cash distribution. This transaction is subject to shareholder approval at our annual and special meeting of shareholders on June 14, 2023. Woodbridge, our principal shareholder, has indicated that it plans to vote in favor of the transaction. Provided we receive shareholder and court approval, we expect to complete the proposed transaction by the end of June 2023. Any funds retained by the company from the proceeds and as a result of eligible opt-out shareholders opting out of the return of capital transaction will be used to pursue organic and inorganic opportunities in key growth segments, as well as other general corporate purposes.

Dividends, Temporary Suspension of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP), and Share Repurchases

In February 2023, the company announced a 10% or $0.18 per share annualized increase in the dividend to $1.96 per common share, representing the 30th consecutive year of dividend increases. A quarterly dividend of $0.49 per share is payable on June 15, 2023 to common shareholders of record as of May 18, 2023.

Due to administrative complexities associated with the timing of the proposed return of capital transaction, Thomson Reuters will temporarily suspend its DRIP for any dividend payable in advance of completion of the return of capital transaction, which we currently expect to apply to only the quarterly dividend payable on June 15, 2023. This means that even if shareholders previously elected to reinvest their cash dividends in additional Thomson Reuters shares, any such dividend will not be reinvested but will be paid in cash. Thomson Reuters plans to resume the DRIP in connection with future dividends after completion of the Return of Capital Transaction. This temporary suspension of the DRIP will not have an impact on shareholders who currently receive their dividends in cash.

The company completed its $2 billion normal course share repurchase program in the first quarter of 2023. As of April 30, 2023, Thomson Reuters had approximately 471.0 million common shares outstanding.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters (NYSE / TSX: TRI) (TR) informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. The company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit tr.com.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

Thomson Reuters prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

This news release includes certain non-IFRS financial measures, which include ratios that incorporate one or more non-IFRS financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA and the related margin (other than at the customer segment level), free cash flow, adjusted EPS and the effective tax rate on adjusted EPS, accrued capital expenditures expressed as a percentage of revenues, selected measures excluding the impact of foreign currency, changes in revenues computed on an organic basis as well as all financial measures for the Big 3 segments. Thomson Reuters uses these non-IFRS financial measures as supplemental indicators of its operating performance and financial position as well as for internal planning purposes and the companys business outlook. Additionally, Thomson Reuters uses non-IFRS measures as the basis for management incentive programs. These measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to the calculation of similar measures used by other companies and should not be viewed as alternatives to measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable IFRS measures in the appended tables.

The company's outlook contains various non-IFRS financial measures. The company believes that providing reconciliations of forward-looking non-IFRS financial measures in its outlook would be potentially misleading and not practical due to the difficulty of projecting items that are not reflective of ongoing operations in any future period. The magnitude of these items may be significant. Consequently, for outlook purposes only, the company is unable to reconcile these non-IFRS measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures because it cannot predict, with reasonable certainty, the impacts of changes in foreign exchange rates which impact (i) the translation of its results reported at average foreign currency rates for the year, and (ii) other finance income or expense related to intercompany financing arrangements and foreign exchange contracts. Additionally, the company cannot reasonably predict (i) its share of post-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, which is subject to changes in the stock price of LSEG or (ii) the occurrence or amount of other operating gains and losses that generally arise from business transactions that the company does not currently anticipate.

ROUNDING

Other than EPS, the company reports its results in millions of U.S. dollars, but computes percentage changes and margins using whole dollars to be more precise. As a result, percentages and margins calculated from reported amounts may differ from those presented, and growth components may not total due to rounding.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, MATERIAL RISKS AND MATERIAL ASSUMPTIONS

Certain statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, statements in Mr. Haskers comments and the 2023 Outlook, "Thomson Reuters and TPG to establish Elite as an Independent Legal Technology Company, London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG) Ownership Interest, Return of Capital and Share Consolidation and Dividends, Temporary Suspension of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP), and Share Repurchases sections, are forward-looking. The words will, expect, believe, target, estimate, could, should, intend, predict, project and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. While the company believes that it has a reasonable basis for making forward-looking statements in this news release, they are not a guarantee of future performance or outcomes and there is no assurance that any of the other events described in any forward-looking statement will materialize. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond the companys control and the effects of them can be difficult to predict.

Some of the material risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, those discussed on pages 19-33 in the Risk Factors section of the companys 2022 annual report. These and other risk factors are discussed in materials that Thomson Reuters from time-to-time files with, or furnishes to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Thomson Reuters annual and quarterly reports are also available in the Investor Relations section of tr.com.

The company's business outlook is based on information currently available to the company and is based on various external and internal assumptions made by the company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Material assumptions and material risks may cause actual performance to differ from the companys expectations underlying its business outlook. In particular, the global economy has experienced substantial disruption due to concerns regarding economic effects associated with the macroeconomic backdrop and ongoing geopolitical risks. The companys business outlook assumes that uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions will continue to disrupt the economy and cause periods of volatility, however, these conditions may last substantially longer than expected and any worsening of the global economic or business environment could impact the companys ability to achieve its outlook and affect its results and other expectations. For a discussion of material assumptions and material risks related to the companys 2023 outlook, please see page 65 of the companys 2022 annual report. The companys annual report was filed with, or furnished to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. SEC and are also available in the Investor Relations section of tr.com.

The company has provided an updated outlook for the purpose of presenting information about current expectations for the periods presented. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which reflect expectations only as of the date of this news release.

Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS

MEDIA

Andrew Green

Senior Director, Corporate Affairs

+1 332 219 1511

andrew.green@tr.com

INVESTORS

Gary Bisbee, CFA

Head of Investor Relations

+1 646 540 3249

gary.bisbee@tr.com

Thomson Reuters will webcast a discussion of its first-quarter 2023 results and its 2023 business outlook today beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). You can access the webcast by visiting ir.tr.com. An archive of the webcast will be available following the presentation.
Xylem (NYSE:XYL  Get Rating) will be issuing its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Thursday, May 4th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.62 per share for the quarter. Xylem has set its FY23 guidance at $3.00 to $3.25 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance at $3.00-$3.25 EPS.Persons that are interested in participating in the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Xylem (NYSE:XYL  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 7th. The industrial products company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.13. Xylem had a net margin of 6.43% and a return on equity of 15.72%. The firm had revenue of $1.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.63 EPS. The companys revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect Xylem to post $3 EPS for the current fiscal year and $4 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Xylem Stock Up 0.6 %

Xylem stock opened at $104.50 on Tuesday. Xylem has a twelve month low of $72.08 and a twelve month high of $118.58. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $101.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $105.57. The company has a market capitalization of $18.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 53.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54.

Xylem Increases Dividend

Insiders Place Their Bets

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 22nd were issued a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 21st. This is an increase from Xylems previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.26%. Xylems dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.35%.

In other news, CEO Patrick Decker sold 56,298 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.19, for a total transaction of $5,527,900.62. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 287,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,235,909.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, SVP Hayati Yarkadas sold 15,942 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.43, for a total transaction of $1,601,055.06. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,146 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,219,822.78. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Patrick Decker sold 56,298 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.19, for a total transaction of $5,527,900.62. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 287,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,235,909.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Xylem

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Evergreen Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Xylem by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 5,319 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $588,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Xylem by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 5,586 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $618,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Xylem by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 38,304 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,235,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL grew its holdings in shares of Xylem by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 66,243 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,648,000 after purchasing an additional 299 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund grew its holdings in shares of Xylem by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 6,457 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $564,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.57% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. TheStreet raised shares of Xylem from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Raymond James downgraded shares of Xylem from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. Mizuho reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $105.00 price objective on shares of Xylem in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Xylem in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Xylem from $123.00 to $121.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six 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 price target of $114.80.

About Xylem

(Get Rating)

Xylem, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and application of engineered technologies for the water industry. It operates through the following business segments: Water Infrastructure, Applied Water, and Measurement and Control Solutions. The Water Infrastructure segment focuses on the transportation, treatment and testing of water.

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Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC  Get Rating) is scheduled to be issuing its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Thursday, May 4th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.25 per share for the quarter. Parties that wish to listen to the companys conference call can do so using this link.

Physicians Realty Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DOC opened at $14.33 on Tuesday. Physicians Realty Trust has a fifty-two week low of $13.42 and a fifty-two week high of $18.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.15, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.83. The business has a 50-day moving average of $14.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.79.

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Physicians Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 4th were given a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, April 3rd. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.42%. Physicians Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 200.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Physicians Realty Trust

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DOC. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Physicians Realty Trust during the 1st quarter worth about $102,000. BOS Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Physicians Realty Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $158,000. Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new position in Physicians Realty Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $180,000. Cerity Partners LLC acquired a new position in Physicians Realty Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $185,000. Finally, FMR LLC grew its stake in Physicians Realty Trust by 26.6% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 10,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 2,214 shares during the last quarter. 91.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on DOC shares. Compass Point cut their price objective on Physicians Realty Trust from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Physicians Realty Trust in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. They set an underweight rating and a $14.00 price target on the stock. Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and set a $15.00 price target on shares of Physicians Realty Trust in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. StockNews.com lowered Physicians Realty Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Physicians Realty Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 28th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $17.27.

About Physicians Realty Trust

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Physicians Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the acquisition, development, owning, and managing of healthcare properties. Its principal investments include medical office buildings, outpatient treatment facilities, acute and post-acute care hospitals, as well as other real estate integral to healthcare providers.

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NuStar Energy (NYSE:NS  Get Rating) will be releasing its earnings data before the market opens on Thursday, May 4th. Analysts expect NuStar Energy to post earnings of $0.17 per share for the quarter. Persons interested in registering for the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

NuStar Energy (NYSE:NS  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The pipeline company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $429.96 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $349.77 million. NuStar Energy had a return on equity of 149.25% and a net margin of 13.23%. On average, analysts expect NuStar Energy to post $1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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NuStar Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NS opened at $16.03 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $15.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 22.56, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.04. NuStar Energy has a one year low of $12.80 and a one year high of $17.75. The firm has a market cap of $1.78 billion, a PE ratio of 44.53 and a beta of 1.85.

NuStar Energy Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NuStar Energy

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 12th. Investors of record on Monday, May 8th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.98%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 5th. NuStar Energys payout ratio is currently 444.46%.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in NS. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in NuStar Energy by 6.2% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 48,558 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $700,000 after buying an additional 2,827 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of NuStar Energy by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 12,661 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $183,000 after acquiring an additional 764 shares in the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its holdings in NuStar Energy by 35.9% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 786,680 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $11,344,000 after purchasing an additional 208,000 shares during the last quarter. ING Groep NV boosted its position in NuStar Energy by 82.8% during the first quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 234,000 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $3,374,000 after purchasing an additional 106,000 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its position in NuStar Energy by 20.1% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,426,223 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $20,566,000 after purchasing an additional 239,046 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.30% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on NS shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised NuStar Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the company from $20.00 to $19.50 in a report on Monday, March 6th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of NuStar Energy in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Raymond James raised shares of NuStar Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $20.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of NuStar Energy from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on NuStar Energy from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $18.25.

About NuStar Energy

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NuStar Energy LP engages in the transportation of petroleum products and anhydrous ammonia, and the terminalling, storage, and marketing of petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Pipeline, Storage, and Fuels Marketing. The Pipeline segment provides transportation of refined petroleum products, crude oil, and anhydrous ammonia.

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John Bean Technologies Co. (NYSE:JBT  Get Rating)  Investment analysts at William Blair cut their FY2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of John Bean Technologies in a research note issued on Wednesday, April 26th. William Blair analyst L. De. Maria now expects that the industrial products company will earn $5.30 per share for the year, down from their prior estimate of $5.50. The consensus estimate for John Bean Technologies current full-year earnings is $5.30 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for John Bean Technologies Q4 2023 earnings at $1.60 EPS.

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A number of other analysts have also commented on JBT. StockNews.com assumed coverage on John Bean Technologies in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet lowered John Bean Technologies from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th.

John Bean Technologies Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of John Bean Technologies stock opened at $107.35 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.42 billion, a PE ratio of 26.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.40. John Bean Technologies has a 52 week low of $81.59 and a 52 week high of $126.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $106.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $100.01.

John Bean Technologies (NYSE:JBT  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.22. John Bean Technologies had a return on equity of 18.50% and a net margin of 5.87%. The business had revenue of $529.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $513.54 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.87 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Institutional Trading of John Bean Technologies

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in shares of John Bean Technologies by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 5,821 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $689,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of John Bean Technologies by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 6,476 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $761,000 after buying an additional 282 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of John Bean Technologies by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,992 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $354,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in shares of John Bean Technologies by 11.5% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 30,180 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,575,000 after buying an additional 3,120 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of John Bean Technologies by 55.8% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 16,840 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,995,000 after buying an additional 6,030 shares during the last quarter. 98.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at John Bean Technologies

In related news, Director Caroline Maury Devine sold 300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.17, for a total value of $30,651.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 45,249 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,623,090.33. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In the last quarter, insiders sold 900 shares of company stock valued at $95,787. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

John Bean Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 6th were given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.37%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 3rd. John Bean Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 9.80%.

About John Bean Technologies

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John Bean Technologies Corp. is a technology solutions provider, which engages in the food, beverage, and air transportation industries. It operates through the JBT FoodTech and JBT AeroTech business segments. The JBT FoodTech segment designs, manufactures, and services technologically food processing systems for the preparation of meat, seafood and poultry products, ready-to-eat meals, shelf stable packaged foods, bakery products, juice and dairy products, and fruit and vegetable products.

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TD Asset Management Inc lifted its holdings in Rollins, Inc. (NYSE:ROL  Get Rating) by 5.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 761,165 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 38,236 shares during the quarter. TD Asset Management Inc owned approximately 0.15% of Rollins worth $27,813,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rollins in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Tobam acquired a new position in shares of Rollins in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Rollins in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Fred Alger Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rollins in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rollins in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $44,000. 38.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have issued reports on ROL. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Rollins from $37.00 to $40.00 in a report on Friday. Redburn Partners started coverage on shares of Rollins in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com cut Rollins from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $43.40.

Rollins Trading Down 2.3 %

Rollins stock opened at $41.27 on Tuesday. Rollins, Inc. has a one year low of $31.43 and a one year high of $43.06. The company has a market cap of $20.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.60 and a beta of 0.66. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $37.30 and a 200-day moving average of $37.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.65.

Rollins (NYSE:ROL  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The business services provider reported $0.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $658.02 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $643.78 million. Rollins had a net margin of 13.77% and a return on equity of 31.07%. Rollinss revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.15 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Rollins, Inc. will post 0.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rollins Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th will be given a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.26%. Rollinss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.53%.

Rollins Profile

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Rollins, Inc engages in the provision of pest and termite control services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries to both residential and commercial customers in the United States, Canada, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, Mexico, and Australia.

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Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Get Rating) by 6.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 385,553 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 21,726 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned about 0.16% of Travelers Companies worth $72,287,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of TRV. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can bought a new position in Travelers Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at $42,750,000. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 74.7% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 625,735 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $95,863,000 after acquiring an additional 267,460 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp increased its position in Travelers Companies by 129.0% in the third quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 443,382 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $67,927,000 after purchasing an additional 249,765 shares during the period. Cornerstone Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in Travelers Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $37,535,000. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new stake in Travelers Companies during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,472,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.59% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Alan D. Schnitzer sold 150,829 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $188.53, for a total transaction of $28,435,791.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 196,914 shares in the company, valued at $37,124,196.42. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.31, for a total transaction of $3,706,200.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,107 shares in the company, valued at $1,687,618.17. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Alan D. Schnitzer sold 150,829 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $188.53, for a total value of $28,435,791.37. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 196,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at $37,124,196.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 228,051 shares of company stock worth $42,423,406 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.07% of the companys stock.

Travelers Companies Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:TRV opened at $181.76 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $41.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.50, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $149.65 and a 12 month high of $194.51. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $175.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $181.63.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The insurance provider reported $4.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.64 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $9.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.98 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 13.41% and a net margin of 7.41%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.22 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 14.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Travelers Companies announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, April 19th that authorizes the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the insurance provider to reacquire up to 12.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Travelers Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This is a boost from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.10%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TRV has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Roth Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Friday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Travelers Companies from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Travelers Companies from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Travelers Companies has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $191.73.

About Travelers Companies

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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.

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Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Get Rating) by 7.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 806,352 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 58,336 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned approximately 0.22% of Prudential Financial worth $80,200,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cowa LLC grew its holdings in Prudential Financial by 9,930.2% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 771,824 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $912,000 after acquiring an additional 764,129 shares during the period. Mariner LLC increased its holdings in Prudential Financial by 2,197.4% in the first quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 690,184 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $81,560,000 after purchasing an additional 660,142 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Prudential Financial by 6.0% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,353,887 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $750,839,000 after buying an additional 356,957 shares during the period. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 102.9% during the third quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 496,298 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $42,572,000 after buying an additional 251,751 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 31,654,749 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,715,345,000 after acquiring an additional 168,175 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.33% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 4,126 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.20, for a total transaction of $409,299.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,241 shares in the company, valued at $1,214,307.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 11,405 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.95, for a total value of $1,151,334.75. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,300 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,241,685. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 4,126 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.20, for a total transaction of $409,299.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,214,307.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Prudential Financial Price Performance

Several research analysts recently weighed in on PRU shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Prudential Financial from a neutral rating to a sell rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $98.00 to $96.00 in a research note on Monday, January 9th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Prudential Financial from $110.00 to $99.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and issued a $106.00 price target on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on Prudential Financial from $104.00 to $88.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $100.67.

NYSE PRU opened at $86.31 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average is $87.02 and its 200-day moving average is $96.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The company has a market capitalization of $31.67 billion, a PE ratio of -21.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.38. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 12-month low of $75.37 and a 12-month high of $111.80.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 7th. The financial services provider reported $2.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.57 by ($0.15). Prudential Financial had a negative net margin of 2.33% and a positive return on equity of 13.31%. The business had revenue of $12.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 12.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, February 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 2.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 21st were paid a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.79%. This is an increase from Prudential Financials previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 17th. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -126.90%.

Prudential Financial Profile

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Prudential Financial, Inc engages in the provision of insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services to both individual and institutional customers. It operates through the following segments: PGIM, U.S. Businesses, International Businesses, Closed Block, and Corporate and Others.

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Moors & Cabot Inc. decreased its position in Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI  Get Rating) by 20.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,781 shares of the companys stock after selling 728 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc.s holdings in Cummins were worth $607,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in Cummins by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,071 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,229,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its holdings in Cummins by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 329,159 shares of the companys stock valued at $79,752,000 after acquiring an additional 15,735 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its holdings in Cummins by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 9,932 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,406,000 after acquiring an additional 578 shares in the last quarter. Westpac Banking Corp raised its holdings in Cummins by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 22,150 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,367,000 after acquiring an additional 1,087 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Column Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Cummins by 25.1% in the 4th quarter. Column Capital Advisors LLC now owns 958 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.94% of the companys stock.

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Cummins Stock Down 0.2 %

NYSE:CMI opened at $234.58 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $236.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $241.16. Cummins Inc. has a 52-week low of $184.27 and a 52-week high of $261.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 1.27. The company has a market cap of $33.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.00.

Cummins Dividend Announcement

Cummins ( NYSE:CMI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 6th. The company reported $4.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $4.52. Cummins had a return on equity of 24.58% and a net margin of 7.66%. The firm had revenue of $7.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.21 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.85 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 32.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Cummins Inc. will post 19.06 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $1.57 per share. This represents a $6.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.68%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 23rd. Cumminss dividend payout ratio is 41.56%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CMI has been the topic of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on Cummins from $231.00 to $227.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Cummins from $264.00 to $262.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 20th. StockNews.com started coverage on Cummins in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Credit Suisse Group increased their price target on Cummins from $287.00 to $291.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Cummins from $247.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $254.25.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Sharon R. Barner sold 5,540 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.34, for a total value of $1,397,963.60. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 16,144 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,073,776.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Director Georgia R. Nelson sold 1,933 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.64, for a total value of $486,420.12. Following the transaction, the director now owns 21,742 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,471,156.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Sharon R. Barner sold 5,540 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.34, for a total value of $1,397,963.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 16,144 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,073,776.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 16,709 shares of company stock valued at $4,245,545. 1.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Cummins

(Get Rating)

Cummins, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and market of diesel and natural gas engines. It operates through the following segments: Engine, Distribution, Components, Power Systems, and New Power. The Engine segment manufactures and markets diesel and natural gas-powered engines under the Cummins brand name, for the heavy- and medium-duty truck, bus, recreational vehicle, light-duty automotive, construction, mining, marine, rail, oil and gas, defense, and agricultural markets.

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Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Get Rating) by 63.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 297,747 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 116,017 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB owned 0.07% of Ingersoll Rand worth $15,557,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Putnam Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 207.6% in the third quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 9,004,468 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $389,533,000 after acquiring an additional 6,077,376 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 7,055.2% in the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,486,250 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $194,075,000 after acquiring an additional 4,423,551 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 4.1% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 32,413,371 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,402,201,000 after acquiring an additional 1,286,810 shares in the last quarter. CCLA Investment Management acquired a new stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the third quarter worth $55,658,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 1.9% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,054,298 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,218,134,000 after acquiring an additional 823,749 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.73% of the companys stock.

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Ingersoll Rand Trading Up 0.2 %

Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $57.12 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average is $56.24 and its 200-day moving average is $54.51. 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 Inc. has a 1 year low of $39.28 and a 1 year high of $60.39. The company has a market cap of $23.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.59 and a beta of 1.42.

Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend

Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The industrial products company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.13. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 10.22% and a return on equity of 9.99%. The company had revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.54 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 2.39 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 1st were issued a $0.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 28th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.14%. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $1,500,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 102,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,171,360. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.75% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

IR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $52.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ingersoll Rand currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $58.80.

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

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COEUR DALENE, Idaho, May 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) announced today that President and CEO Phillips S. Baker, Jr. received this years Selwyn Blaylock Canadian Mining Excellence Award. The award, given by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), recognizes an individual who has demonstrated distinguished service to Canada through exceptional achievement in mining, metallurgy, or geology.

Established in 1948, the award is named after Selwyn Blaylock, an executive who oversaw mining and processing innovations. This is CIMs highest award given to an individual.

"I am honored to receive an award that pays tribute to a man who had such a consequential life producing the metals the world needed in the first half of the last century," said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President and CEO. "This award reflects the innovations Hecla is making at all our mines and particularly at the Lucky Friday with our new mining method, the Underhand Closed Bench. Innovations are making Hecla the fastest growing established silver miner, now producing 45% of silver mined in the United States and soon to be Canadas largest silver miner. And like the metals that Blaylock produced in his time, silver is a metal the world needs because of its role in the fastest growing renewable source of energy  solar."

The prestigious award was presented to Mr. Baker at CIMs annual Awards Gala.

ABOUT HECLA

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) is the largest silver producer in the United States. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006220/en/

Contacts

Anvita Mishra Patil, Vice President  Investor Relations and Treasurer

Cheryl Turner, Communications Coordinator

Investor Relations

800-HECLA91 (800-432-5291)

Email: hmc-info@hecla-mining.com

Website: www.hecla.com
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. In a perfect world, we'd like to see a company investing more capital into its business and ideally the returns earned from that capital are also increasing. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. Although, when we looked at HELMA Eigenheimbau (ETR:H5E), it didn't seem to tick all of these boxes.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on HELMA Eigenheimbau is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.071 = 23m  (449m - 130m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022).

Thus, HELMA Eigenheimbau has an ROCE of 7.1%. On its own that's a low return on capital but it's in line with the industry's average returns of 7.1%.

View our latest analysis for HELMA Eigenheimbau

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for HELMA Eigenheimbau compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

How Are Returns Trending?

In terms of HELMA Eigenheimbau's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 8.8% over the last five years. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's earnings from here on to see if these investments do end up contributing to the bottom line.

Story continues

In Conclusion...

To conclude, we've found that HELMA Eigenheimbau is reinvesting in the business, but returns have been falling. Since the stock has declined 55% over the last five years, investors may not be too optimistic on this trend improving either. Therefore based on the analysis done in this article, we don't think HELMA Eigenheimbau has the makings of a multi-bagger.

One final note, you should learn about the 5 warning signs we've spotted with HELMA Eigenheimbau (including 1 which doesn't sit too well with us) .

While HELMA Eigenheimbau may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Students Use Insilico Medicine's AI Platform to Find Targets for Glioblastoma and Aging

Andrea Olsen from Oslo, Norway; Zachary Harpaz from Boca Raton, Florida; and Chris Ren from Shanghai, China co-authored a paper using Insilico Medicine's PandaOmics AI target discovery system to uncover three potential targets for glioblastoma and aging.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three high school students  Andrea Olsen from Oslo, Norway; Zachary Harpaz from Boca Raton, Florida; and Chris Ren from Shanghai, China  co-authored a paper using a generative artificial intelligence (AI) engine for target discovery from Insilico Medicine (Insilico) called PandaOmics to identify new therapeutic targets for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most aggressive and common malignant brain tumor, accounting for 16% of all primary brain tumors. The findings were published on April 26 in the journal Aging .

Olsen, a student at Sevenoaks School in Kent, UK, began interning at Insilico Medicine in 2021, after discovering her interest in neurobiology and technology. For the current paper, the fifth scientific paper she has co-authored before turning eighteen, she and other researchers used PandaOmics to screen datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus repository maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and found new therapeutic targets implicated for treating both aging and glioblastoma multiforme.

Ren, a student at Shanghai High School International Division, has an interest in biology and biomarkers and joined them in the summer of 2022.

While there would seem to be a clear connection between aging and cancer, Olsen says their findings were more nuanced. Sometimes, instead of aging, the body switches to cancer mechanisms, which was really interesting to discover. She hypothesized that the body is trying to preserve itself in a way that it is switching back to embryonic processes of cell division. GBM is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to uncontrolled growth of glial cells, or cells that surround neurons in the brain. Even with existing therapies, the median survival for GBM patients is only 15 months.

Harpaz, a student at Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, had an early interest in computer science and AI and soon developed a passion for biology as well. I wanted to combine my two favorite topics, computer science and biology, into what I think is the most interesting field of biology - aging research, Harpaz says. He discovered generative AI drug discovery company Insilico Medicine whose founder and CEO, Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, connected him with Olsen. The two young researchers began collaborating on the glioblastoma project and ultimately presented findings at the Aging Research and Drug Discovery (ARDD) conference in Copenhagen, where they together launched the Youth Longevity Association (TYLA).

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In this latest paper, the three teens used PandaOmics to analyze the genes and identified three that were strongly correlated with both aging and glioblastoma and could serve as potential therapeutic targets for new drugs.

We selected the genes that were overlapped to be highly correlated in 11 of the 12 datasets, and we split our data into young, middle aged, and senior groups, said Harpaz. We mapped this to the importance of the gene expression to survival. After identifying two genetic targets for glioblastoma and aging  CNGA3 and GLUD1  they cross-referenced their findings with earlier findings from Insilico around genes strongly correlated with aging and identified a third target  SIRT1.

I learned a lot about conducting a research project, said Ren, who helped review the three targets. The PandaOmics platform really made the project accessible to me. As a high school sophomore, I did not have sufficient experience for advanced research and analysis, however, I was still able to navigate the PandaOmics platform after a brief period of training to process and compare datasets of glioblastoma.

The students say they are eager to continue their studies in AI and biology into college and to move the GBM research forward from target discovery to drug development.

The best way to take this research further is going to be using Insilicos Chemistry42 software, where we can take the targets we identified through PandaOmics and generate small molecules, potential drugs, with these targets that have the potential to treat glioblastoma and aging at the same time, says Harpaz.

Prior to her internship at Insilico, Olsen says: I never knew that AI could be so helpful in finding completely new therapeutic targets. For me, that was an incredible opportunity to dive into the field of research, aging, longevity, and neuroscience. It really kick-started my entire career.

I am truly impressed by the commitment of these young researchers, says Zhavoronkov. I hope their work will inspire other young people excited about science and technology to look at how they can use AI tools to discover new targets and treatments for both aging and disease.

About Insilico Medicine

Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage end-to-end artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, connects biology, chemistry, and clinical trials analysis using next-generation AI systems. The company has developed AI platforms that utilize deep generative models, reinforcement learning, transformers, and other modern machine learning techniques to discover novel targets and to design novel molecular structures with desired properties. Insilico Medicine delivers breakthrough solutions to discover and develop innovative drugs for cancer, fibrosis, immunity, central nervous system (CNS), and aging-related diseases.

For more information, visit www.insilico.com

Attachment

CONTACT: Brita Belli Insilico Medicine 475-225-0843 brita@insilico.com




A prominent Palestinian militant died on Tuesday in Israeli custody after an 87-day hunger strike, authorities said, the first such fatality in more than three decades, and tensions around Gaza soared as his Islamic Jihad faction swore revenge.

Khader Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead after efforts to revive him, Israels Prisons Service said. He had previously refused the services medical care, it added.

Since 2011, Adnan had conducted at least three hunger strikes in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. The tactic has been used by other Palestinian prisoners, sometimes en masse, but the last hunger-striker who succumbed was in 1992.

A lawyer for Adnan accused Israel of medical negligence.

We demanded he be moved into a civilian hospital where he could be properly followed up (on). Unfortunately, such a demand was met by intransigence and rejection by the Israeli prison authorities, lawyer Jamil Al-Khatib told Reuters.

Adnan, 45, was from Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Islamic Jihad has a limited West Bank presence, but is the second most powerful armed group in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

FIGHT IS CONTINUING

Our fight is continuing and the enemy will realise once again that its crimes will not pass without a response, Islamic Jihad, which preaches Israels destruction, said in a statement.

Three rockets were launched from Gaza toward Israeli border communities, falling in open areas but setting off sirens which sent residents rushing to shelters, Israels military said

Israel said it was cancelling a military drill that had been planned for the Gaza Strip periphery on Tuesday pursuant to a situational assessment. In the West Bank, Israeli authorities said a man was wounded in a shooting near a Jewish settlement.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the Gaza rockets reported by Israel or the West Bank incident. Israel and Islamic Jihad fought a brief war across Gazas border in August.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, Adnan had been arrested by Israel 12 times, spending around eight years in prison, mostly under so-called administrative detention  or detention without charges.

Israel says such detentions are required when evidence cannot be revealed in court due to the need to keep intelligence sources secret. The Palestinians says they deny due process of the law.

This time, Adnan was arrested and indicted in an Israeli military court on charges that included links to an outlawed group and incitement to violence, the Prisons Service said.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The United Nations warned on Monday that 800,000 people may flee Sudan as rival military factions battled in the capital despite a supposed ceasefire and foreign states wound down evacuations.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded over 16 days of battles since disputes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.

There seems little prospect of a quick resolution to the crisis, which has unleashed a humanitarian disaster, damaged swathes of Khartoum, risked drawing in regional powers, and reignited conflict in the Darfur region.

Both sides agreed on Sunday to extend a much-violated truce by 72 hours and the U.N. told Reuters they may hold truce talks in Saudi Arabia. But air strikes and artillery rang out on Monday as smoke hung over Khartoum and neighbouring cities.

U.N. refugee deputy chief Raouf Mazou said his agency was planning for an exodus of 815,000 people including 580,000 Sudanese as well as foreign refugees now living in the country.

Some 73,000 have already left Sudan, he said.

Sudanese who ventured onto the streets were shocked by the transformation.

We saw dead bodies. The industrial area that was all looted. We saw people carrying TVs on their backs and big sacks looted from factories, said resident Mohamed Ezzeldin.

Many fear for their lives in the power sruggle between the army chief and RSF head, who had shared control of government after a 2021 coup but fell out over a planned transition to civilian rule.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese have fled their homes, some congregating in hubs like Atbara northeast of Khartoum while they work out plans or head for the Egypt and Chad borders.

At least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 wounded, the health ministry said. The United Nations has reported a similar number of dead but believes the real toll is much higher.

BREAKING POINT

Foreign governments have pulled out their citizens over the past week in a series of operations by air, sea and land, though several countries have ended efforts.

Those remaining face hardship and danger.

I show up to work for two or three hours then I close up because its not safe, said Abdelbagi, a barber in Khartoum who said he had to keep working as prices were rising.

Egypt said 40,000 Sudanese had crossed its border, while others have gone to Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, or journeyed over the Red Sea on evacuation boats.

Power and water supplies are uncertain, there is little food or fuel, most hospitals and clinics are out of service and soaring transport costs are making it ever harder to leave.

The U.N. and other aid organisations have cut services, though the World Food Programme said it was resuming operations in more secure areas on Monday after staff were killed early in the war.

The U.N. fears for the wars impact both on Sudan and the broader region, said Martin Griffiths, a senior official for humanitarian and emergency relief matters, warning the country was at breaking point.

The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented, said Griffiths, who will visit Sudan on Tuesday. Agencies are importing supplies through Port Sudan, but need security guarantees to take them on to Khartoum.

Victoria, one of the tea sellers that used to dot Khartoums streets before the fighting began, said her children are struggling to understand what is happening.

So I risk my life to try to work and if God helps me Ill get them some food and if he doesnt Ill keep trying. But just sitting useless doesnt help and being scared doesnt help, she said.

VIOLATIONS

Jamila, a woman still in Khartoum with her family, is only eating one meal a day because so little food is available. RSF troops are stationed in front of their house and refuse to leave. The sound of fighting is in our ears all day, she said.

Both sides said on Monday they were making progress without commenting directly on the ceasefire violations.

The army said it had cut RSFs combat effectiveness by half and stopped it trying to reinforce its positions in the capital. The RSF said it still controls main locations of Khartoum and was itself beating back army reinforcements.

Reuters could not verify either sides claims.

Army leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF head General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, have been under pressure to enforce a ceasefire and give safe passage for aid.

But though they have nominated representatives for talks on monitoring the ceasefire they have agreed, both are also digging in for what could be a protracted battle.

Burhan has said he would never sit down with Hemedti. The RSF leader said on Monday he would either hand Burhan over to justice  or to the cemetery.

In Khartoum, the army has been battling RSF forces entrenched in residential areas. Fighting has so far seen the more agile RSF forces fan out across the city as the better equipped army tries to target them largely by using air strikes from drones and war planes.

SOURCE: REUTERS
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

How familiar are you with the Kia Challenge?

Even if you answered Not at all, you may have still heard about the TikTok trend of people hot-wiring and stealing Kias and Hyundais for fun.

This was an alarming turn of events for the owners of around 8.3 million at-risk cars, a number estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While both Kia and Hyundai have announced software updates to address the issue, many of those vehicles are still unprotected, according to the NHTSA  including the cars owned by both writers of this article.

For full transparency: Ryan drives a Hyundai, Drew drives a Kia and neither vehicle is currently eligible for the software updates. So this article is more than just another assignment  its also the advice were following to protect our cars.

What is the Kia Challenge?

The Kia Challenge started in Milwaukee with a group called the Kia Boyz. They gained local notoriety in 2021, but found a national audience in July 2022 when a TikTok video showed how to hot-wire a Kia with only a screwdriver and a USB cable.

Kias and Hyundais were targeted because of an ignition software vulnerability, according to the NHTSA. Several models from 2011-2022 dont have anti-theft technology thats become the industry standard. And when the Kia Challenge became a viral trend, it caused a spike in car theft.

In 2021, 6,970 Kias and Hyundais were reported stolen in Milwaukee, compared with 895 Kias and Hyundais in 2020, according to the office of the attorney general of Wisconsin. And Milwaukee is just one affected city  Atlanta, Chicago and Denver also have seen increases in thefts of the vehicles. You can check for data on car thefts in your area through USAFacts, a nonprofit that collects U.S. government data. The organization compiled data on reported car thefts from more than 500 police departments and federal agencies nationwide.

How the Kia Challenge may affect your insurance

Having your vehicle stolen is a nightmare. After filing a police report, you may also have to submit separate insurance claims for the vehicle and any valuables inside, which will likely affect your insurance rates.

Now, the increased risk for specific Kia and Hyundai years and models has made insurance companies wary of covering those vehicles. In an emailed statement, State Farm confirmed it has temporarily stopped accepting applications in some states for some Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Progressive has taken a similar stance, saying in an emailed statement that the company has seen theft increase by a factor of 20 in some areas. A spokesperson confirmed via email that the company will continue insuring current customers but has issued fewer new policies and increased premiums in some locations.

What you can do to stay insured

If you drive a Kia or Hyundai, here are a few ways to improve your chances of staying insured and keeping your rates in check.

Contact your carmaker

Kia and Hyundai have rolled out free anti-theft software updates for models at the highest risk. Contact your manufacturer to see if your model is eligible, and if not, what options you have.

For example, Drew found out his Kia is eligible for the software update, although the update wont roll out for his particular car until sometime this summer.

Ryan was able to get reimbursed for a steering wheel lock (with receipt) after a phone call to Hyundai confirmed his car is ineligible for the software update. Hyundai did announce plans to reimburse owners for alternative anti-theft devices like alarm kits.

Kia owners: Call 800-333-4542.

Hyundai owners: Call 888-498-0390 or visit HyundaiAntiTheft.com.

Contact your insurer

Its hard to predict how the software update will impact Hyundai and Kia owners car insurance in the near term, but theres hope the update may eventually ease any cost burden for affected drivers. In an emailed statement, Progressive encouraged owners to get the software update as soon as possible and said it will monitor the softwares effectiveness and adjust Progressive policies accordingly.

If you havent acted yet, make the call to your agent or company soon. Most people don't want to deal with insurance until they have to file a claim, says Scott Holeman, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, an organization consisting of insurance carrier member companies.

You can start by asking the following questions:

Do I have the coverage I need? Comprehensive coverage pays for car theft and vandalism, and rental reimbursement coverage helps pay for a rental car if you need it.

Comprehensive coverage pays for car theft and vandalism, and rental reimbursement coverage helps pay for a rental car if you need it. How are my rates impacted? Dont be surprised if your rates go up when you renew your policy, especially if you live in a high-crime area. Generally, the more popular a car is to steal, the more expensive it is to insure.

Dont be surprised if your rates go up when you renew your policy, especially if you live in a high-crime area. Generally, the more popular a car is to steal, the more expensive it is to insure. How can I get a better price? Ask about discounts and other ways to lower costs. For example, if you dont drive much or if you park in a garage, you might qualify for lower rates. And let your insurer know if youve gotten the software update or installed anti-theft devices.

Shop around

Some rate increases are outside your control. The good news is that auto insurance is a highly competitive industry, Holeman says. Even if you drive an at-risk Kia or Hyundai, some insurers will offer better rates than others, so dont be afraid to shop around, Holeman says.

NerdWallet recommends comparing car insurance quotes at least once a year. You should also shop around any time you move, buy a new car or experience a big life change like getting married.

How to avoid getting your car stolen

There are a few best practices you can follow to reduce the odds of having your car stolen, regardless of its make:

Park smart. When possible, park in highly visible areas, such as under a streetlamp or in secure locations like garages. Lock your doors, close your windows and keep valuables out of your car.

When possible, park in highly visible areas, such as under a streetlamp or in secure locations like garages. Lock your doors, close your windows and keep valuables out of your car. Install an anti-theft system. Consider adding protection like an aftermarket engine immobilizer or alarm system.

Consider adding protection like an aftermarket engine immobilizer or alarm system. Add visual deterrents like a steering wheel lock or blinking light. The presence of an anti-theft device may make would-be thieves think twice about stealing your car, Holeman says. Hyundai and Kia also offer window stickers for customers who get the software update. You could even buy a fake anti-theft blinking light or window sticker online.

like a steering wheel lock or blinking light. The presence of an anti-theft device may make would-be thieves think twice about stealing your car, Holeman says. Hyundai and Kia also offer window stickers for customers who get the software update. You could even buy a fake anti-theft blinking light or window sticker online. Track your car (just in case). If your car doesnt have a vehicle recovery system, consider adding one. You can even hide a small tracking device like an Apple AirTag somewhere in your car, Holeman says.

All the prevention in the world can't protect you entirely from car theft. However, following these steps gave us peace of mind, and we hope it helps you, too.

Drew Gula writes for NerdWallet. Email: dgula@nerdwallet.com. Ryan Brady writes for NerdWallet. Email: rbrady@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @reallyryanbrady.

The article Kia and Hyundai Thefts Could Affect Your Insurance Rate Soon originally appeared on NerdWallet.
SCHENECTADY  If you walk past 438 Hulett St. today, youre unlikely to even glance at the lot: Its nothing more than paved parking fringed by grass. Theres no sign of the gasoline-fueled fire that a decade ago this week incinerated a gray and burgundy home and killed a stay-at-home father and three young children.

For physical evidence of the damage done that night in Hamilton Hill, you could consider the life of the child who lived through the blaze but suffered burns over 75 percent of her body.

The fast-moving fire that ripped through the house before dawn May 2, 2013, killed 32-year-old David Terry; Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donovan Duell, 11 months old. The oldest child in the house, 5-year-old Safyre Terry, was rescued by firefighters and has done remarkably well despite her profound injuries, Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said.

But like the house that used to stand there, the criminal investigation into the arson might as well have disappeared. Ten years after the destruction shocked the Capital Region and beyond  prompting letters of support to Safyre from President Barack Obama and other notable figures  no one is behind bars for the quadruple homicide.

McCarthy, a former investigator for the district attorneys office, calls it the worst crime he can recall from his dozen years in office. The fire was clearly a case of arson and, he said. Although the city has had success in solving such crimes, this remains one unfortunately where the outcome is not quite what I would like it to have been or be.

Left: David Terry and Donavancq Duell, 11 months, were among the four fatal victims of the fire on Hulett Street. Right: From left: Michael Terry, 2, SaFyre Terry, 5, Layah Terry, 3, and Donavan Duell, 11 months. Only SaFyre survived the 2013 fire. (Photos provided by Liz Dolder) Top: David Terry and Donavancq Duell, 11 months, were among the four fatal victims of the fire on Hulett Street. Bottom: From left: Michael Terry, 2, SaFyre Terry, 5, Layah Terry, 3, and Donavan Duell, 11 months. Only SaFyre survived the 2013 fire. (Photos provided by Liz Dolder)

As the 10-year anniversary of the fire approached, the Times Union reviewed public records, including reams of court documents, and interviewed people close to the case to examine its current status and the chances it will ever be solved.

In the 34 years that I practiced law, it was one of the biggest cluster-bleeps that Ive ever seen, said retired Albany attorney Cheryl Coleman, who represented Jennica Duell, the mother of Safyre and her three dead siblings, in a federal perjury case related to the fire.

A month after the fire, federal prosecutors charged 27-year-old Robert A. Butler of Saratoga Springs with arson resulting in personal injury and death  a death penalty-eligible offense. Statements to Schenectady police and grand jury testimony from Duell and two other purported eyewitnesses, then-18-year-old Schenectady High School dropout Bryan Fish and Saratoga Springs horse groomer Richard Ramsey, implicated Butler. All three witnesses claimed they traveled in a car from Saratoga Springs to Schenectady and saw Butler start the fire.

All three later admitted they had lied. In February 2014, federal prosecutors dropped their case against Butler.

Thomas Kubisch, an investigator for Butlers public defense team and a former longtime Albany homicide investigator, had uncovered evidence pointing to another potential culprit: Edward Leon, a delivery truck driver from St. Johnsville. The presumed motive was jealousy. Leons ex-girlfriend, Brianne Frolke, had been engaged to David Terry. In the weeks leading up to the fire, Leon had repeatedly threatened Terrys life, calling him a dead man walking who would not make it to his wedding day.

The motive for this crime is as old as time itself: jealousy and a mans love for a woman, Kubisch said.

If Butler "didnt have lawyers and an investigator who were able to uncover what really happened, we might be talking about the execution of an innocent man," Assistant Federal Public Defender Timothy Austin, who represented Butler, told the Times Union.

Though Leon has never been charged with arson, he was arrested in November 2014 on two perjury counts. A year later, a federal jury only needed an hour of deliberation to convict him of lying to a grand jury about his whereabouts during the fire. Leon, now 50, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released May 24, 2022, and now lives in the Syracuse area. Leon could not be reached for comment.

The other perjury cases ground through the system for three more years.

Paul Buckowski Left: Edward Leon with his ex-wife, Tara Brooker, in a March 3, 2014, interview with the Times Union in St. Johnsville. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) Right: Edward Leon arrives at U.S. District Court in May 2016 to be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for lying to a grand jury about his whereabouts on the night of the Schenectady blaze. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) Top: Edward Leon with his ex-wife, Tara Brooker, in a March 3, 2014, interview with the Times Union in St. Johnsville. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) Bottom: Edward Leon arrives at U.S. District Court in May 2016 to be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for lying to a grand jury about his whereabouts on the night of the Schenectady blaze. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Botched

Critics of the fire probe question why Schenectady police, agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and federal prosecutors quickly zeroed in on Butler instead of Leon. Frolkes father had called police saying he suspected Leon had set the fire. He said his tip had been dismissed.

Prosecutors initially claimed that Butler had set the fire because Terry had recently kicked him out of the Hulett Street house because he believed Butler had struck Duell, Butlers girlfriend. A Schenectady detective claimed he smelled gasoline on Butler the day of the fire. Forensic testing did not reveal any presence of it.

A Schenectady detective interrogating 25-year-old Duell, who had a history of drug use, told her that she had been heard screaming no, no, no at the fire scene. Duell insisted she had been in Saratoga Springs using drugs with Butler at the time of the fire. A detective told her, Youre not in trouble. ... Help us help your kids. Help us put this behind you.

The detective said she could also speak to her mother. At some point, Duells story changed. She claimed she had witnessed Butler light the fire, an account that she repeated to a grand jury three weeks after the fire.

Im only doing this for my kids, Duell told the detectives. You guys want me to say this and Im saying it. Yes, I did try to stop (Butler).

Fish initially told police he never left Saratoga Springs that night. That changed when an ATF agent entered the interrogation room and told Fish that a news reporter had photographed him at the scene. It was a trick, but Fish bought it, telling the agent, OK, I guess I was there.

Fish then claimed Butler wanted to kill Terry and two other adults in the house for f__ing with his and Jennicas life. Fish even said that his brother drove the car to Schenectady.

Ramsey, the horse groomer, then 44, was also interviewed by investigators. In October 2013, he told a grand jury that he had allowed Butler to borrow his car in the hours before the fire. But Ramsey would give divergent statements, including one claiming that he had driven to Schenectady and also witnessed Butler start the fire.

Kubischs investigation provided ample evidence that none of them had left Saratoga Springs that morning.

For instance, about 10:30 on the morning of the fire, Duell, Fish and Butler had been caught on camera in a Stewarts shop in Saratoga Springs where a promotional video was being filmed. Duell appeared upset. Other customers had recalled that a television news station was on in the store reporting about the fire.

Butler, Duell and Fish borrowed money from a woman to take a cab to Schenectady. He said Duell borrowed the drivers phone, called a friend and  in footage captured on security video inside the taxi  said, Dave has been having an issue with his girlfriends ex and he threatened to kill Dave  an apparent reference to Leons threats to Terry.

All three witnesses went to federal prison for lying under oath. Duell received 11 years and three months in prison. Fish got nine years. Ramsey was sentenced to seven years and three months. All are now out of prison. Fish is in a halfway house in Pittsburgh.

Its actually unbelievable how botched the investigation was, Cheryl Coleman said last week. Right from the beginning, they seized on one guy, Butler. Then when they found out that he didnt do it ... instead of admitting what they did wrong, they went and they charged (the three witnesses) with perjury for doing what they forced them to do. It was just awful.

Richard Hartunian, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District who had brought the charges against Butler, told reporters in 2016 that the investigation into the Hulett Street fire had been challenging. Were not going to rest and we are hopeful that we are going to be able to bring charges that truly address the ultimate issue here  the commission of a horrible arson homicide case that took so many innocent victims, he said. Hartunian resigned the following year after Donald J. Trump was elected president.

Grant Jaquith, who succeeded Hartunian, left in September 2020 to become a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims. In a news release about his departure, the U.S. attorneys office noted Jaquiths many significant prosecutions, including how he obtained perjury convictions for lies witnesses told during an arson homicide investigation where a father and his three young children were killed and another child was seriously maimed.

Contacted last month, Hartunian declined to comment beyond saying that he would have no knowledge of the status of the case after six years away from the office. He referred a reporter to U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman, whose office has assigned a prosecutor to the case.

Freedman said that the offices investigation is ongoing, and so we cannot comment on it. But on the 10th anniversary of this horrific event, we want the public to know that we continue to pursue justice for the victims and their families.

Amanda Hay, a spokeswoman for ATF, said she could not comment on an active investigation.

As an added twist, just weeks after the fire, Duell moved in with Leon and Frolke, his former girlfriend. Prosecutors cited evidence that Leon and the other perjury defendants had all been involved in the arson. It clearly suggested prosecutors suspected that all of them had plotted to set it  but if thats the case, this theory has never resulted in charges. And if there is evidence of the witnesses involvement beyond their own bogus statements, it has never been made public.

When U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe sentenced Duell for her false statements, he said there was no doubt in my mind that Leon was involved in setting the fire.

Man with a gas can

According to federal prosecutors, Leon in early 2012 was overheard threatening to burn down the Montgomery County house where he lived with Frolke and her children if she decided to leave him. In January 2013, Frolke began dating David Terry, and they planned to marry.

Kubisch obtained screenshots of Facebook posts in the months before the fire in which Leon repeatedly threatened Terry. Dont ever let me find you, Leon told Terry on Feb. 4.

On Feb. 12, Leon messaged Frolke, in words aimed at Terry, that he knew where he lived and could have fun.

On March 17, 2013  six weeks before 438 Hulett St. burned  a fire broke out in Frolkes home on New Street in St. Johnsville. While it was initially ruled an accident, prosecutors later said Leon had been seen walking toward the home carrying a gas can. He was not charged in that case.

Six days before the Hulett Street fire, Leon left Frolke a voicemail telling her to give him David Terrys address so he could take care of this once and for all, prosecutors said in court papers. In the hours after the fire, they said, Leon became distraught and spoke of killing himself.

Provided/Times Union

In November 2013, Leon testified before a grand jury that he had not been in Schenectady on the day of the fire. But Kubisch, Butlers defense investigator, later revealed that surveillance video showed Leons van near 438 Hulett St.  50 miles from his home  at the time of the fire. The van was captured by Schenectady street camera surveillance traveling up Hamilton Street in the direction of Hulett Street at 4:13 a.m. Nearly eight minutes later, the rear of the van was spotted at Duane Avenue and Craig Street.

What is Leon doing for the other six minutes? Kubisch said.

Leon also acknowledged being at the fatal scene in an exclusive interview with the Times Union in March 2014, a month after the charges against Butler were dropped. The interview took place a week after federal law enforcement officials swarmed the small village of St. Johnsville, where Leon grew up, to interview people close to him about his background and movements on the night of the fire.

Just two months after his initial grand jury appearance, Leon testified to a radically different set of facts: He said he had been within 50 to 60 feet of 438 Hulett St. at about 4:15 that morning. Leon claimed he had planned to confront Terry, and also said he had spotted a small fire on the homes front porch by the door, with flames maybe 2 feet high, and left without calling 911 or raising any other sort of alarm.

David Gruenberg, Leons attorney in the perjury case, declined comment.

At his perjury sentencing, Leon denied setting the fire. That the only thing I actually did do was lie before the grand jury testimony, he told Sharpe. I had nothing to do with anything else. That morning in question, I had no idea who was at the place where I saw a fire and I got out of the area. Thats about all I have.

All right, thank you, the judge snapped back. I believe that about as much as I believe anything you told the police, the grand jury and anybody you spoke to about this back at the time.

No hope? Of course not.

All victims deserve justice, said Schenectady Police Chief Eric Clifford, who at the time of the fire was a lieutenant. Certainly, Safyre does and all of her family members who were taken on that tragic day deserve justice. We certainly want to be able to give that to them. ... I refuse to believe that just basically because of the hiccups that we suffered 10 years ago that this case is not solvable.

With the 10-year anniversary coming up, Clifford said he would talk with his assistant chiefs to see if a multi-agency team could be put together to take another look at the case. He did not say why that effort had to wait for the anniversary.

Joseph L. Giacalone, a retired New York City police sergeant who commanded the Bronx Cold Case Squad and is the author of the recently released book The Cold Case Handbook, explained the difficulty in solving a case such as the Schenectady arson homicide. (Giacalone did not work on the Schenectady case. The Times Union provided its salient facts.)

Giacalone, who teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, said such cases can often turn on a tip from the public, missing information or a new witness. But when a case has become such a mess, he added, people may believe the crime will never be solved and be reluctant to come forward.

Do I say that there is no hope? Of course not, Giacalone said. All I can tell you is, good luck getting anybody to talk to you at this point.

Giacalone said the evidence against Leon, including his presence near the scene and threats against Terry, appeared to be circumstantial. They should have been able to make that case, but since they didnt, I think trying to make another case afterward is going to be rather difficult, he said.

History shows wrongful arrests do not always doom subsequent justice. In 2007, two men faced first-degree murder charges in Rensselaer County in a 2002 double murder. The charges were dropped when the blood and DNA of another man were found at the scene. He was convicted and is serving life in prison.

Giacalone said human error can play a large part in explaining why cases go cold.

Cops are human beings. They make mistakes too  and sometimes those mistakes, you cant recover from. And when youre dealing with cases with lots of evidence or no evidence, these mistakes can be extremely costly.

No one bears the cost of the Hulett Street fire more than Safyre Terry, who lost her father and siblings in the fire and saw her mother sent to prison for lying about the circumstances of the crime. In addition to her burns, her injuries have taken part of her right arm and left foot.

Shes now a teenager being raised by her aunt  the sister of her late father. In spite of her monumental loss, those closest to her describe Safyre as thoughtful and empathetic. And despite all that has been taken from her, she remains grateful for the people who saved her that night 10 years ago.

In March 2022, when Schenectady Fire Chief Ray Senecal retired and received the ceremonial walkout at the Schenectady Fire Headquarters on Veeder Avenue, Safyre was there to thank the chief.

It was just a few blocks from the empty lot on Hulett Street.
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LAKE GEORGE  The man charged with shooting and killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis after she and a group of friends accidentally turned into his driveway has petitioned to be released from custody on bail. His attorney described his jailing as being illegally detained and called the judges phrasing on the matter Orwellian.

Kevin D. Monahan, 65, was charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of the Schuylerville woman after he allegedly fired two blasts from a 20-gauge shotgun at a car Gillis was riding in around 10 p.m. on April 15. That vehicle, a second car and a motorcycle mistakenly drove up his driveway in the rural town of Hebron.

Judge Adam D. Michelini ruled against a bail request the following Wednesday in Washington County Court, as Gillis' friends and family drew an audible sigh of relief in the courtroom.

In court documents filed last Thursday, Monahans attorney Kurt Mausert argued jail without bail violated New Yorks current bail law because he did not pose a flight risk and questioned whether Michelinis ruling was the least restrictive means, calling that phrasing a form of Orwellian speak. He also argued Monahans jailing was hampering trial preparations as he struggled to meet with him and share evidence.

State Supreme Court Justice Robert J. Muller scheduled a hearing for this Thursday in his courtroom in Lake George.

Mausert questioned prosecutors' bringing up Monahans past charge of aggravated assault with a weapon, which was later dismissed, and an alleged disturbance at the county Department of Motor Vehicles in which he started photographing workers when asked to set up an appointment.

They portrayed him as some sort of hot head just waiting to go off, Mausert wrote. But they could not explain why my 65-year-old client had no criminal convictions of any sort to match his alleged bad personality.

Police said they had to negotiate with Monahan for about an hour before he was arrested, with Monahan insisting police come up the hill to his house as officers and state troopers remained a good distance away to avoid being shot. During that time, Monahan was on the phone with a police dispatcher and at one point called his attorney for advice, police said.

Mausert and the Washington County district attorneys office have not returned calls for comment.

Monahan is in the Warren County jail due to an administrative decision, Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said when Monahan was arrested. Public records indicate Gillis' father is a Washington County correction officer.

Monahan is due in court at 11 a.m. Thursday.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  When Tim Coll arrested Shahed Hussain for running a drivers license scam, it was the beginning of a long and controversial relationship.

Coll was an Albany-based FBI agent focused on terrorism. Hussain, facing criminal charges and deportation after the 2002 bust, agreed to become an informant and operative. Together, Coll and Hussain would zero in on a Central Avenue mosque and its imam, a man the FBI suspected had terrorism ties.

Whether that suspicion was justified remains controversial, as do the methods used in a sting that imprisoned Yassin Aref, the imam, and Mohammed Hossain, the owner of an Albany pizzeria.

At Colls direction, Hussain allegedly convinced the men, using a $50,000 loan as an enticement, to participate in a phony plot for the purchase of a shoulder-fired missile to be used, supposedly, in a terrorist attack. Did they really understand the scheme? Did Hussains tactics amount to entrapment?

And should the FBI have been working with a guy of such dubious morality and honesty? (Coll in a deposition said Hussain was good at being deceptive.)

Roughly two decades later, those questions remain about a case that, with the benefit of hindsight, seems symbolic of an ugly bloodletting following Sept. 11, 2001.

The case and later stings involving Hussain were, as a New York Magazine article put it, legal landmarks in the War on Terror, helping establish the legitimacy of secret evidence, warrantless wiretapping, and the governments practice of inventing terror plots to entrap ordinary Americans with no prior connection to violent Islamic groups.

Weep for civil liberties and the Constitution. Then fast forward to 2018, when three days after Arefs release from prison, a limousine with bad brakes accelerated downhill in Schoharie and crashed near the Apple Barrel Country Store, killing 17 passengers, the driver and two pedestrians.

That limo, of course, was owned by Shahed Hussain. The trial of his son, Nauman, the now 33-year-old operator of Prestige Limousine accused of criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter, starts Monday.

The crash leads to more questions centered on Shahed Hussains FBI relationship, including how he and his family were able to operate an outlaw limo company and other businesses that seemed to flout rules. Unpaid taxes and unsafe conditions at their hotel didnt seem to matter. Neither did reckless driving or unusual fires or an obviously unsafe stretch limo, or  the list could go on.

Did the FBI allow Hussain to act with impunity, putting the public in danger?

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik said she wants more information. Accusing the agency of being less than forthcoming to her prior requests, the North Country Republican also said she wants to hear directly from the agents who handled Hussain.

In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Stefanik said, Additional work is needed for full transparency regarding the FBIs apparent lack of adherence to their confidential human source programs standard operating procedures.

Stefaniks request brings us back to Tim Coll, who retired from the FBI in 2020 but isnt avoiding attention.

Coll recently announced hes running to be the public safety commissioner in Saratoga Springs. The Democrat is challenging incumbent James Montagnino and has been endorsed by the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee.

Normally, you wouldnt expect a retired FBI agent to talk much about his career, especially with regard to undercover informants. But retired FBI agents dont normally run for office, have their former informants tied to a high-publicity criminal trial  or have a member of the House Intelligence Committee openly demanding explanations of their work. His career is his record. Voters deserve the full story.

As my colleague Larry Rulison reported Friday, an internal FBI report found that Nauman Hussain reached out to an agent immediately after the Schoharie crash to ask what he should do. The agent told Hussain to go to police and tell the truth, the report says, and calls from Shahed Hussain to the FBI were not returned.

But what about previous moments when the Hussains found themselves in legal trouble? Did the family contact the FBI after the crash because they had received help previously?

Kathy Manley, an attorney who worked on the Aref and Hossain defense, told me she believes Coll was making calls on Shahed Hussain's behalf as recently as 2016, after the operative was publicly confronted on his work with the FBI.

So what is Coll saying? Not much so far.

When I contacted him for this column, he directed me to the FBI statement issued after Stefaniks latest request and said it would serve as his public comment. In that statement, the agency for the first time denied culpability for the crash.

"The FBI did not take any action which allowed Prestige Limousine to operate, nor did we take any action to interfere with the prosecution of the case," a spokesperson said.

That statement doesn't address many of the questions raised by Hussains work and life. Coll should say more. So should the FBI.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
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SCHENECTADY  I killed my mother.

That statement allegedly uttered by double-homicide suspect Nicholas Fiebka to a jail guard booking him for the murder of his mother and her boyfriend is expected to be a focal point of an evidence-suppression hearing on Wednesday.

Authorities contend that Fiebka made the remark when the booking officer asked the then-19-year-old Schenectady man if he had suffered any personal losses as part of a screening to assess whether he posed a suicide risk.

His attorney, Mark Sacco, will argue that the statement should be kept out of Fiebkas upcoming trial on the grounds that it was illegally obtained because the defendant had not yet been read his Miranda rights and spoke without knowingly and intelligently waiving his right to remain silent, according to documents filed in Schenectady County Court.

Fiebka, who turned 20 in February, faces a maximum sentence of life without parole if convicted of first-degree murder in the Nov. 21 killings of his mother, Alesia Wadsworth, 60, and William Horwedel, 61, in the Princetown home they shared.

A grand jury also indicted the defendant on four counts of criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated criminal contempt and a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of a rapid-fire modified device.

He no longer faces the charge of felony tampering with physical evidence after it was dismissed earlier this year by County Court Judge Matthew Sypniewski, citing a lack of evidence.

Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said there is a possibility that we will appeal the judges decision to dismiss that charge. Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Christina Tremante Pelham is the lead prosecutor on the case.

The defendant, who was living in Schenectady at the time of the killings, has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. He remains jailed without bail.

At a lengthy preliminary hearing in November, State Police investigators testified that Fiebka fired 44 shots in about 30 seconds from an AK-47 with a drum magazine.

A Ring camera system recorded a man walking into the house at 1155 Reynolds Road wearing a hoodie and a mask that concealed his face. The camera recorded the sound of gunshots. The masked man left moments later, investigators testified.

The suspected shooter fired whats described in the indictment as a rapid fire modification device, a binary trigger system. Such a system increases a weapons firing speed by allowing it to shoot one bullet when the trigger is pulled and one when it is released. A 30-round magazine can be emptied in three seconds.

Wadsworth was found on the kitchen floor near an open dishwasher. Horwedel, whose two sons are state troopers, was found on a couch in the living room.

The indictment also contends Fiebka violated a January 2022 order of protection barring him from having any contact with his mother.

At the November hearing, one of Horwedels sons testified that Fiebka still visited his mothers home daily even after he moved into an apartment on Union Avenue in Schenectady near Union College. Fiebka had been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation as part of the order of protection his mother had against him.

A State Police investigator told the court during the earlier hearing that he found an AK-47 in a duffel bag and roughly 100 rounds of ammunition with imprints similar to those recovered from the crime scene, as well as a mask.
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MEMPHIS, Tenn.. (AP)  A former Memphis police officer who hit Tyre Nichols with a stun gun during a traffic stop that preceded Nichols brutal beating by other officers won't be charged criminally, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

Nichols' slaying was one in a string of violent encounters between police and Black people that have spurred protests and renewed debate about police brutality.

Five officers were charged with second-degree murder in Nichols' death and his family has sued the officers and the city of Memphis.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said his office did a thorough investigation of Preston Hemphills role in the arrest, reviewing hours of body camera footage and interviewing witnesses multiple times.

By no means do we endorse the conduct of Officer Hemphill at that first traffic stop ... but we do not believe that criminal charges are appropriate," Mulroy said.

Attorneys for Nichols family said in a statement that they are supportive of the decision not to pursue charges because of Hemphills cooperation. Mulroy said Hemphill has cooperated fully with the investigation into Nichols death.

Hemphill was fired Feb. 3 after an internal Memphis Police Department investigation showed he violated multiple department policies for his role in the Jan. 7 arrest of Nichols, who died in a hospital three days later. Five other officers have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in Nichols death.

The officers who have been fired and charged are Black, as was Nichols. Hemphill is white.

Nichols was beaten after police stopped him for what they said was a traffic violation and he fled the stop. Video released after pressure from Nichols family shows officers holding him down and repeatedly punching, kicking and striking him with a baton as he screamed for his mother.

Hemphill was not present for the initial traffic stop nor when other officers forcibly removed Nichols, 29, from his vehicle and put him on the ground, Mulroy said.

He had to make his decisions based on what he knew, or what he thought was happening, and following the lead and in support of the other officers," Mulroy said. "He acted on limited information in a matter of seconds at the direction and in support of the other officers. He did not pursue Mr. Nichols, was not present at the second incident where the actual beating took place that led to Mr. Nichols death."

Hemphills body camera showed that from the very beginning of the traffic stop he and two other officers approached Nichols with force that was disproportionate for the alleged offense of reckless driving, according to a statement from the disciplinary hearing that took place before he was fired.

Along with breaking rules regarding the use of a stun gun, Hemphill was also fired for violations of personal conduct and truthfulness, police have said.

Hemphills Lawyer, Lee Gerald, said the decision did not come as a surprise.

As we all know, Mr. Hemphill was not present at the second scene, Gerald said. However, as we prepared a defense our investigation brought to light evidence showing that Officer Hemphills actions did not violate Tennessee or federal law.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS  In an effort to acknowledge a history of systemic racism, Mayor Ron Kim said he is seeking to pass a resolution Tuesday that would apologize for past injustices and form a Restorative Justice Panel to begin a community-wide dialogue on racism in the city.

The resolution, which would ultimately lead to the creation of what Kim calls a restorative justice program, also reinstates the first point of 50 in the citys Police Reform Task Forces original recommendations that sought to acknowledge, apologize, reconcile and review past injustices. That first point was eliminated by the previous City Council.

It was the number one recommendation, Kim said. I also think this is a broader view of something the city and the United States at large should grapple with, race relationships and how we address those.

He said he is not focused solely on police, but also how racism affects housing and employment. However, Kim said he does not have specific ideas on what he thinks the panel will address, or in what form such restorative justice would take. Restorative justice practices repair to the harm caused by crime and conflict, as opposed to punishment.

Its well-documented that there are problems, Kim said. For example, from the 1960s to the 1980s, urban renewal decimated whole swaths of Saratoga Springs and largely that was based on race. What our resolution does is establish a forum where we talk about these things.

The 11-member panel would seek ways to promote restorative justice, a means of allowing a victim to address the victimizer, seek some kind of reparations and move forward together in a positive way.

However, not everyone is on board with the plan. That includes Commissioner of Public Safety Jim Montagnino who called the resolution a litany of self-loathing statements that apply collective guilt to an entire city.

I dont know if there is a rational person alive who doesnt think there are racists or serious injustices, Montagnino said. But to take this to a point of self-condemning an entire city is a step way too far.

The citys police union agrees. It released a statement saying that the resolution concentrates on the idea that Saratoga Springs law enforcement has supported and allowed racism and hate to occur within its ranks, as well as its application of laws that were duly enacted by state and local legislative bodies. The members of the Saratoga Springs PBA dispute and deny any false idea that its members are racist or allow any laws to be applied in a racist way or based in hate.

We do not dispute that there are racist people in this world, and that hate drives decisions made by some, the statement read. We do dispute that it is a problem within the police department that must be apologized for. This resolution does nothing to create a positive relationship between the community and its police force, it only panders to a small minority of non-city residents intent on disruption and chaos.

Others do like the resolution. Kristen Dart, a member of the Police Reform Task Force and the chair of the citys Civilian Review Board, said its good to start the conversation.

The mayor and the council are finally taking the steps that the community has been asking for since the end of the Saratoga Springs Police Reform Task Force, Dart said. As a fourth generation Saratogian, I grew up with stories of how it has felt to be Black in Saratoga. My grandmother could walk through neighborhoods and tell me all of the neighbors who lost houses and business due to urban renewal and other racist practices that affected our community. Hopefully this will be another step forward in acknowledging the harms done and creating positive change moving forward.

Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi agreed saying we need to start talking about this, but it needs to be a broader conversation.

Lexis Figuereo, who heads Saratoga Black Lives Matter, said that he is hopeful, but skeptical.

It can be a good thing if done right, but the police union and the police department are not willing to move forward on this, Figuereo said. Thats a big barrier.

He thinks, too, that things are getting done for the citys small Black population as members of the City Council are up for re-election.

It sounds good, but we will see what happens, Figuereo said.

Kim said the panel would be appointed by members of the City Council, which would hear its recommendations on restorative justice Dec. 19.

In addition to Kims resolution, Sanghvi is proposing to use all forfeiture and seized assets funding for the treatment of addiction, homelessness and other restorative justice initiatives, a move police also oppose.
Company Logo

Global Hospitals and Outpatient Care Centers Market

Global Hospitals and Outpatient Care Centers Market

Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Global Market Report 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global hospitals and outpatient care centers market grew from $4,019.8 billion in 2022 to $4,262.62 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The hospitals and outpatient care centers market is expected to grow to $5,203.57 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 5.1%.



Mobile and IoT technologies are being implemented by hospitals to provide information to various stakeholders in the hospital ecosystem. This technology offers real time visibility of patient health through active and passive data collection. This technology can monitor medical conditions and prevent life threatening diseases.

Data generated through I0T devices is becoming critical for patient care managers, and patients to diagnose, track and treat medical conditions. Major hospitals adopting IoT technology in the USA include HCA, Mercy Virtual Care Centre, and Kaiser Permanente. Thus, this technology enables healthcare providers to make accurate and informed decisions on patients' health.

Access to healthcare services in developing countries is expected to improve. Effective implementation of health plans is the core reason for the improvement in healthcare access in many developing regions such as India, China and many Latin American countries. Some of the country-specific health reforms which are set to improve healthcare access are China's urban resident basic medical insurance and new rural cooperative medical insurance schemes, Brazil's unified health system and Mexico's popular health insurance. Hence, increasing access to healthcare services is expected to be a major driver of the hospitals and outpatients care centres market.



North America was the largest region in the hospitals and outpatient care centres market in 2022. Asia-Pacific was the second largest region in the hospitals and outpatient care centres market. The regions covered in the hospitals and outpatient care centres market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.



The countries covered in the hospitals and outpatient care centres market are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, and Vietnam.







Scope

Markets Covered:



1) By Type: Hospitals; Outpatient Care Centers

2) By End User Gender: Male; Female

3) By Type of Expenditure: Public; Private



Key Attributes:

Story continues

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 350 Forecast Period 2023 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $4262.62 billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $5203.57 billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.1% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Report Structure



3. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Characteristics



4. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Product Analysis



5. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Supply Chain



6. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Customer Information



7. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Trends And Strategies



8. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market - Macro Economic Scenario



9. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Size And Growth



10. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Regional Analysis

11. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Segmentation

12. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Segments



13. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Metrics



14. Asia-Pacific Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



15. Western Europe Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



16. Eastern Europe Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



17. North America Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



18. South America Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



19. Middle East Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



20. Africa Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



21. Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market Competitive Landscape



22. Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The Hospitals And Outpatient Care Centers Market



23. Market Background: Healthcare Services Market



24. Recommendations

25. Appendix



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Kaiser Permanente

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

HCA Healthcare

Tenet Healthcare

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Mayo Clinic

Community Health Systems

Cleveland Clinic

davita inc

Ramsay Health Care

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h42dk9

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.

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Thats why as a New Yorker, a conservationist, and a wildlife photographer, I urge our state lawmakers to take action to ban wildlife killing contests  events in which contestants compete to indiscriminately kill coyotes, foxes, bobcats or crows. Wildlife killing contests destroy our states ecosystems, violate fair chase principles of hunting, contravene modern science-based management principles, and diminish the joy of wildlife lovers and photographers such as myself, who see these creatures as an essential and wondrous part of our natural communities.

Dozens of killing contests occur here in New York every year. Contestants compete to kill the most, the largest, and even the smallest of target animals, with prizes of cash and high-powered rifles. Using unethical electronic calling devices and bait, hunters slaughter native species like coyotes and foxes en masse. Referring to their targets as vermin and pests, participants adhere to outdated prejudices to justify this killing. This past February the 15th annual Statewide Coyote Contest, in Sullivan County, boasted a new record of 124 dead coyotes.

Many participants justify these contests by claiming that they necessarily manage coyote populations, but countless peer-reviewed studies over the last 30 years have proven that indiscriminate killing actually creates a rebound effect, serving only to increase breeding and destabilize packs.

Moreover, these killing contests are occurring in the midst of a biodiversity crisis where wildlife populations are plummeting worldwide and result in the loss of animals serving key ecological roles in our ecosystems. Coyotes in particular provide natural services to our ecosystems like removal of sick animals from the gene pool, restriction of transmission of zoonotic diseases such as Lyme disease, and protection of groundnesting birds by limiting populations of mesocarnivores that prey on birds and consume their eggs.

Although other bloodsports like dogfighting and cockfighting have been outlawed nationwide, wildlife killing contests continue to be legal in most states. However, opposition is growing rapidly, and eight states have banned these contests: Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington.

Now is the time for New York to become the ninth state to ban these barbaric contests. Legislation (A.2917/S.4099) introduced this session would make it unlawful to organize killing contests.

Let it be noted: In no way, shape or form is this bills purpose to ban all hunting. The purpose is simply to end the competitive mass killing of wildlife (fishing competitions would not be banned) for no other reason than trophies, prizes and thrills. These slaughter contests have nothing to do with ethical, sustainable hunting for food.

Relegating this bloodsport to the history books would mean a long-overdue recognition that coyotes and other predators have intrinsic and extrinsic value as living members of our natural communities, and provide a critical link in the web that balances and sustains all life.

Its time for these archaic, wasteful contests to be brought to an end.

Melissa Groo of Ithaca is an ambassador for Project Coyote and a wildlife photographer, writer, speaker and educator.
Back in 2015, Texas was the poster child for historical revisionism when a state-approved textbook described enslaved people brought here from Africa as workers. One would think the controversy would have made public officials think twice about sticking racist political agendas into childrens education.

Not so, as weve witnessed in recent battles over how children are taught about the nations sordid past when it comes to slavery and the denial of civil rights for Black Americans.

So it appears to be welcome news that the College Board says it will reverse its capitulation to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis when it sanitized its Advanced Placement course in African American studies. The accommodation of the Republican presidential aspirants demand to whitewash American history was an affront to Black Americans and the spirit of education itself.

In the Texas episode eight years ago, a textbook, World Geography, featured a graphic illustration that read, The Atlantic Slave Trade between the 1500s and 1800s brought millions of workers from Africa to the southern United States to work on agricultural plantations  as if they were just migrant laborers, not victims of an abominably cruel practice that the nation fought the Civil War to eradicate.

Publisher McGraw-Hill and the Texas State Board of Education insisted it was just an error. Never mind that it came in a year when new Texas textbooks also made no mention of the Ku Klux Klan or Jim Crow laws and barely acknowledged racial segregation.

That wasnt the end of the effort to shape the teaching of Black history and issues to the agendas of conservative politicians and media influencers. No longer hiding behind so-called errors, some shamelessly latch on to the fabricated issue of critical race theory being taught in public schools  it isnt  and rail against teaching children about systemic racism or even that slavery was the main cause of the Civil War.

Mr. DeSantis in January threatened to bar the AP African American studies course from being taught in Florida schools, claiming it was historically inaccurate. The board issued new guidelines that de-emphasized content that conservatives like Mr. DeSantis object to  such as reparations and Black Lives Matter. Scholars decried the changes as intellectually dishonest and against the entire point of AP courses to introduce high school students to college-level material and earn them college credit.

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The College Board said this week it would address the complaints, though in trying to straddle the barbed wire political fence, it parsed that this wasnt about politics, but about trying to ensure that the course would be accessible to as many students as possible. Please. Thats the weasely way of saying it didnt want Mr. DeSantis banning the course in Florida, so it kowtowed to him.

If were to produce citizens capable of looking squarely at this nations challenges, they need an education that looks honestly and squarely at the history that has brought us this far. So, sure, kudos to the College Board for reversing a bad decision, but shame on it for bowing in the first place to a demagogue on a crusade to censor unpleasant truths that dont fit the political narrative he and his base prefer to reality.
[May 02, 2023] AITX's Subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Contracted to Supply Robots to Major Network TV Series

Detroit, Michigan, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (the Company) (OTCPK:AITX), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), has entered into a contract to furnish several of its robots to appear in a high-profile, major television network series.

Our amazing robotic technology has once again caught the attention of Hollywood productions, said Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. Three upcoming movies, including the highly anticipated Blue Beetle are featuring a variety of RADs ROAMEO, ROSA and SCOT, but this production stands to far surpass all others. The prime-time television series, due for release in early June 2023, will feature several of RADs robots interacting with cast members. The popular television network typically receives 3.5  5 million US viewers during the programs anticipated prime-time schedule. The Company expects international distribution of the series which could greatly expand viewership. Reinharz added, This is such a big, highly visible opportunity for RAD that weve sent a robotic engineer to support the show for the entirety of the production schedule. As with our other placements in TV and movies, were not paying for this visibility, and were very excited to be part of it. RAD has received permission to share and promote video clips and images of the RAD robots in-studio and on-set once the promotion for the series begins. The Company expects to release additional information as permission and the schedule from the production company and network allows. AITX, through its subsidiary, Roboic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide a cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers this tremendous costs savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house.



RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time. CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX)

AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.stevereinharz.com, www.radsecurity.com , www.radgroup.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz . ### Steve Reinharz

949-636-7060

@SteveReinharz



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[May 02, 2023] PGIM Strengthens Alternatives Offering With Agreement to Acquire Majority Interest in Deerpath Capital

PGIM, the $1.2 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in Deerpath Capital Management, LP and its associated affiliates. Deerpath Capital is a U.S. private credit and direct lending manager focused primarily on financing private equity sponsor-backed companies in the lower middle market. Deerpath Capital currently has more than $5 billion in assets under management. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005415/en/ David Hunt, CEO, PGIM (Photo: Business Wire) Deerpath Capital will retain its investment and operational independence as part of PGIM Private Capital (PPC) and will receive significant support from PGIM as part of the strategic partnership. Deerpath Capital co-founders James Kirby and Tas Hasan will continue to manage the business as chief executive officer and chief operating officer. "This partnership with Deerpath Capital reflects our ambition to further grow our alternatives platform," said David Hunt, president and CEO of PGIM. "It complements PGIM Private Capital's existing direct lending capabilities by adding expertise in the lower middle market-sponsored space, further enhancing the direct origination platform of PGIM Private Capital's core middle market-focused direct lending platform." Bringing together the benefits of global scale and deep asset-class expertise across public and private markets, PGIM seeds, develops and manages a broad range of liquid and alternative strategies for some of the largest institutional investors globally. The partnership with Deerpath Capital enhances PGIM's existing global alternatives offering, which is currently $237 billion in assets under management in strategies across real estate, private credit and other alternatives. "We are thrilled to welcome the Deerpath team to PGIM Private Capital," said Matt Douglass, president and CEO of PGIM Private Capital. "We originat billions of dollars of loans every year, and the combination of Deerpath's lower middle market capability and PPC's focus on the core middle market will help materially accelerate the growth of both platforms going forward."



The Deerpath team will work closely with PGIM Private Capital's Head of Alternatives Jeff Dickson, who oversees direct lending alongside PGIM Private Capital's corporate mezzanine, energy mezzanine and sustainable power investment platforms. Dickson will collaborate with Deerpath co-founders Kirby and Hasan to maximize the potential between the two companies' complementary deal sourcing capabilities. "PGIM Private Capital has been a global leader in debt investing for more than 50 years and is an ideal strategic partner for Deerpath. Their deep understanding of the asset management business, global footprint and distribution network will help Deerpath grow our direct lending platform, while allowing us to preserve our investment and operational independence," said Kirby, co-founder, president and CEO of Deerpath Capital Management, LP.

Since its inception in 2007, Deerpath Capital has deployed over $8.8 billion of invested capital in more than 850 investments, across a broad range of industries and transaction types. Deerpath Capital has direct origination and execution capabilities throughout the United States with origination offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles. In addition, it has offices in London, Seoul and Australia to support international investors. Deerpath's more than 80 employees bring deep, specialized expertise in lower middle market direct lending. Sera Global served as exclusive financial advisor to Deerpath Capital, and Purrington Moody Weil LLP served as Deerpath's legal counsel. BofA Securities served as exclusive financial advisor to Prudential, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP served as legal counsel. The closing of the transaction is subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals. ABOUT PGIM PGIM is the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a leading global investment manager with more than $1.2 trillion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2022. With offices in 18 countries, PGIM's businesses offer a range of investment solutions for retail and institutional investors around the world across a broad range of asset classes, including public fixed income, private fixed income, fundamental equity, quantitative equity, real estate, and alternatives. For more information about PGIM, visit pgim.com. ABOUT PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.2 trillion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2022 has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees help make lives better by creating financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for nearly 150 years. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com. Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI) of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom, or with Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom. ABOUT DEERPATH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP Deerpath Capital Management, LP is a leading provider of senior debt financing to U.S. lower middle market companies backed by private equity sponsors. Since its inception in 2007, the direct lending firm has deployed more than $8.8 billion in more than 850 investments. As of March 2023, the firm had more than $5 billion of AUM. For more information, please visit deerpathcapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005415/en/

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[May 02, 2023] SANDSIV and CX Powercert Services Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Customer Experiences in South East Asia

Alliance brings together advanced technology and consulting services to deliver tailored CX solutions for businesses in the region ZURICH, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SANDSIV , a leading provider of CX and Voice of Customer technology, has formed an alliance with CX Powercert Services , Asia's premier consulting firm and a global top 10 contender as ranked by Thinker 360. This collaboration combines SANDSIV's innovative CX technology with CX Powercert Services' industry-leading consulting expertise, delivering a comprehensive suite of solutions customized to address the distinct requirements of the region. The inclusion of CX Powercert Services in SANDSIV's partner network bolsters the latter's presence in the APAC market, establishing the alliance as a frontrunner in providing unparalleled CX solutions to businesses throughout the area. This potent union of award-winning consulting services and the globally acclaimed CX technology, sandsiv+, sets the partnership apart. Organizations in Malaysia now have the opportunity to capitalize on the collective wealth of experience both partners bring to the table, designing and executing customer experience programs that foster customer loyalty and drive business growth. The partnership is dedicated to delivering bespoke CX solutions that not only cater to the specific needs of businesses but also surpass their expectations. This is achieved by offering an end-to-end managed CX program, encompassing Training and Certification, Coching and Consulting, and Advisory Services.



Discover how SANDSIV and its partners are revolutionizing CX worldwide by visiting https://sandsiv.com/partners/ . Flash quotes:

Maria Bombarda, Global Partnership Manager of SANDSIV, said: "We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with CX Powercert Services to expand our cutting-edge innovative CX technology across the Malaysian region. We are confident in our ability to assist our clients in leveraging the benefits of automation to optimize their business operations, provide unparalleled customer experiences, and achieve significant growth in their respective industries." A. Santhakumaran, Founder of CX Powercert Services commented: "We are excited to share the news of our partnership with SANDSIV. With this collaboration, we are confident in our ability to help businesses in the region streamline their operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive growth. By leveraging the power of automation and our innovative technology solutions, we are committed to delivering unparalleled results for our clients and helping them achieve success in their industries." Company Profiles: SANDSIV is an innovation leader in Customer Experience Management (CXM) enterprise solutions. With its cutting-edge sandsiv+ CXM software solution, SANDSIV empowers businesses worldwide to deliver differentiated customer experiences and foster long-lasting customer loyalty. The company's commitment to excellence and innovation has enabled it to expand its partner program and establish a world presence that is constantly growing. | https://sandsiv.com/ CX Powercert Services is an award-winning consulting firm in Asia, specializing in national and international customer experience improvement and transformation programs. With over 15 years of experience, CX Powercert Services has completed over 140 projects for 50+ clients. CX Powercert Services was awarded the Silver Award in the CX Excellence Awards Asia 2021 and is ranked No.4 for Customer Experience and Loyalty Influencer by Thinker 360. Their innovative approach and fresh thinking have earned them endorsements for creativity and insight in the industry. | http://www.cxpert.asia/ Related Resources: https://sandsiv.com/sandsiv-successfully-expands-its-partner-program-across-the-globe/ https://sandsiv.com/sandsiv-and-cx-touchpoints-group/ Media Contact: Silvia Bello

Digital Marketing Manager

[email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2066222/SANDSIV_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sandsiv-and-cx-powercert-services-forge-strategic-partnership-to-elevate-customer-experiences-in-south-east-asia-301811355.html

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[May 01, 2023] BlackBerry Announces Commencement of Review of Portfolio and Business Configuration

WATERLOO, ON, May 1, 2023 /CNW/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced that the BlackBerry Board of Directors (the "Board") will initiate a review of its portfolio of businesses. The assessment will assist the Board as it considers various strategic alternatives to drive enhanced shareholder value. These alternatives include, but are not limited to, the possible separation of one or more of BlackBerry's businesses. "BlackBerry is executing on a strong, well-resourced plan to deliver revenue and ARR growth, as well as significant improvements in non-GAAP EPS and cashflow this fiscal year. Although we expect achievement of this plan to deliver significant shareholder benefits, we do not believe that this is fully reflected in the market's current valuation of the Company," said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO. "Accordingly, the Board and management believe it is an appropriate time to initiate a comprehensive review of the Company's portfolio. The review aims to identify and evaluate opportunities to further enhance shareholder value. As we undertake this review, we remain fully focused on delivering our plan and remain committed to our customers, partners and employees." The Board has not set a timetable for completing the process and does not intend to disclose developments relating to it unless, and until, the Board has approved a specific agreement or transaction or has terminated its review. There can be no assurance that the process will result in any transaction. BlackBerry will continue with the previously announced sale of substantially all of its non-core patents and patent applications to Malikie Innovations Limited, a newly formed subsidiary of Key Patent Innovations Limited. Completion of the transaction is conditional upon, among other things, satisfaction of all regulatory conditions. BlackBerry has retained Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Perella Weinberg Partners as financial advisors to assist in the review. About BlackBerry BlackBerr (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 215M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety, and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.



BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere. For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.

Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. Investor Contact: BlackBerry Investor Relations

+1 (519) 888-7465

[email protected] Media Contact: BlackBerry Media Relations

+1 (519) 597-7273

[email protected] This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding BlackBerry's plans, strategies and objectives including its expectations with respect to increasing and enhancing its product and service offerings, and other statements that are not historical facts. The words "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "could", "intend", "believe", "target", "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by BlackBerry in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including anticipated activities related to the portfolio review, as well as other factors that BlackBerry believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including but not limited to, BlackBerry's expectations regarding its business, strategy, opportunities, financial performance and prospects, the launch of new products and services, general economic conditions, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, competition, and the launch of the portfolio review process. Many factors could cause BlackBerry's actual results, performance, achievements and portfolio review process to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the risks discussed in BlackBerry's Annual Report on Form 10-K and the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" section of BlackBerry's MD&A (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). All of these factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BlackBerry's forward-looking statements. Any statements that are forward-looking statements are intended to enable BlackBerry's shareholders to view the anticipated performance and prospects of BlackBerry from management's perspective at the time such statements are made, and they are subject to the risks that are inherent in all forward-looking statements, as described above, as well as difficulties in forecasting BlackBerry's financial results and performance for future periods, particularly over longer periods, given changes in technology and BlackBerry's business strategy, evolving industry standards, intense competition and short product life cycles that characterize the industries in which BlackBerry operates. Further, there can be no assurance regarding the potential outcome or timing of the portfolio review process. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of today and BlackBerry has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blackberry-announces-commencement-of-review-of-portfolio-and-business-configuration-301812342.html SOURCE BlackBerry Limited

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[May 01, 2023] Applications open for the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2023

New LowCarbonSG award category announced SINGAPORE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Applications for the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2023 are now open, and this year sees the introduction of a brand new category recognising companies making progress in reducing their carbon emissions. Now in its eighth year and taking place on November 3, 2023 , the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards is the Singapore benchmark of excellence in corporate sustainability. Organised by UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, it recognises businesses whose operations or solutions have demonstrated excellence in embodying the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact , in the areas of environment, human rights, labour and anti-corruption, as well as companies who have attained the triple bottom line. The new invite-only LowCarbonSG awards category is helmed by the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) Singapore, jointly launched by GCNS and World Bank's CPLC in 2018. This awards category recognises businesses that have made outstanding improvements in their carbon emissions (at least 5% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions) over a 24-month period through a commendable level of effort and / or investment. The launch of the new award coincides with the fifth anniversary of CPLC Singapore, which is spearheading the nationwide capability-building LowCarbonSG Programme. The programme is supported by the National Environment Agency and Enterprise Singapore, and helps local companies mitigate their climate impact while reducing operational costs and risks via its industry-leading Carbon and Emissions Recording Tool (CERT). "We are delighted to open applications for this year's Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards, with the addition of our new LowCarbonSG awards category, providing a prestigious new green credential for companies making real impact when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint, said Esther Chang, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Singapore. "At a time when the need for climate action grows in urgency globally, and Singapore continues to toughen its climate targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the LowCarbonSG award cuts through the noise, providing an independently validated confirmation of a company's progress in reducing their carbon emissions and playing their part in securing a greener and more sustainable future for all." Based on data collected via its CERT tool, shortlisted candidates from the LowCarbonSG Programme, who qualify for the LowCarbonSG award, will be invited to apply. After an on-site validation process, three winners will be selected by CPLC Singapore and the LowCarbonSG Award knowledge partner, The Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education, to receive the prestigious accolade, which will be awarded by the GCNS Guest of Honour during the Apex Awards Gala. Other Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards categories include Sustainable Business  companies that demonstrate excellence in implementing sustainable business practices within the core operations, and Sustainable Solutions  companies that excel in developing products or services that address the sustainability needs of other businesses. Apex Awards entries for the Sustainable Business and Sustainable Solutions categories are shortlisted by the awards' knowledge partners ENGIE Impact and Frost & Sullivan respectively. Following this, site visits will be carried out with the shortlisted companies, who will present their case to a panel of industry experts to decidethe final winners via a unanimous vote.



Companies who excel in each sustainability category of the awards stand a chance of winning the coveted Apex Award. Last year, Sodexo Singapore was awarded this top honour, thanks to the company's holistic approach to sustainability, spanning food waste management, its inclusive workplace and impactful youth programmes. Other 2022 Apex Award winners included urban space solutions provider Keppel Land Limited ; pulp and paper manufacturer APRIL Group , and Singapore telco StarHub in the Sustainable Business category, and in the Sustainable Solutions category, Environmental Solutions Asia for its innovative circular economy approach to waste management; Hydroball Technics (SEA) for its energy conservation solution; and N&E Innovations for its eco-friendly disinfectant 'C2plus'.

Applications for this year's Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards will close on June 9, 2023. To find out more information and apply, please visit https://apexawards.unglobalcompact.sg/ Notes to Editors About UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS)

UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) is the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As the leading voice on corporate sustainability, GCNS drives multi-stakeholder action to forge a more sustainable future, founded on the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through various platforms and partnerships, GCNS advances the stewardship of sustainable business practices and Singapore's national agenda of becoming a regional sustainable business hub. Apex Awards knowledge partners & partner quote Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education; Knowledge Partner for LowCarbonSG awards category The Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education (Newcastle Australia IHE) is a wholly owned entity of The University of Newcastle, Australia. As the Asia Pacific hub of the University, Newcastle Australia IHE delivers highest quality programs and undertakes collaborative research in partnerships with education institutions in Singapore and across the regions. Over the years, it has graduated more than 6,000 graduates from 39 countries, and its alumni are making meaningful and lasting contributions to businesses and the wider community in Singapore and worldwide. Strategically located in the heart of Singapore, Newcastle Australia IHE aims to be the nexus of nations, opening its degrees to students from all walks of life. With a team of leading academics, teaching and learning staff based locally, it brings the University's excellent support schemes directly to students. Spokesperson Quote Professor Tony Travaglione Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education (Newcastle Australia IHE). "We are experiencing unprecedented CO2 emissions resulting in a climate crisis. To mitigate this, all businesses would need to accelerate to a low carbon economy. The University of Newcastle is ranked Top 5 in the world for partnering for a sustainable future in the 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. We are privileged to be the GCNS Knowledge Partner for LowCarbonSG, Apex Awards 2023." Frost & Sullivan; Knowledge Partner for Sustainable Solutions awards category Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com . Spokesperson Quote Ravi Krishnaswamy, Senior Vice President  Asia Pacific, Energy, Sustainability & Industrial Practice Frost & Sullivan, Singapore "As Singapore advances its 2030 Sustainable development agenda through its Whole-of-Nation movement, it is incumbent upon businesses here not just to contribute to this unique initiative by adopting green practices, but also to capitalise on global growth opportunities through development of innovative sustainable solutions. Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Award offers a one its kind platform for such companies, to share best practices and learn from each other, while being evaluated for a prestigious industry recognition." ENGIE Impact; Knowledge Partner for Sustainable Business awards category ENGIE Impact delivers sustainability solutions and services to corporations, cities and governments across the globe. ENGIE Impact brings together a wide range of strategic and technical capabilities, to provide a comprehensive offer to support clients in tackling their complex sustainability challenges from strategy to execution. With 21 offices worldwide and headquarters in New York City, ENGIE Impact today has a portfolio of 1,000 clients, including 25% of the Fortune 500 Companies, across more than 1,000,000 sites. Spokesperson Quote Malavika Jain Bambawale, Managing Director, APAC ENGIE Impact "It is encouraging to see more businesses are seeing investments in sustainability programs not only as actions of a good corporate citizen but also see these investments making business sense. The Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards is an excellent initiative that not only recognises businesses that excel in sustainable practices within their core operations but also allows businesses to learn from collective experiences. This knowledge exchange is a critical part of the journey as we see organisations starting to face more complex challenges to implementing their sustainability programs. ENGIE Impact is proud to be the knowledge partner of the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards." View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/applications-open-for-the-singapore-apex-corporate-sustainability-awards-2023-301810542.html SOURCE UN Global Compact Network Singapore

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[May 02, 2023] Woxsen University launches Woxsen Summer Program for 9th-12th graders

Live the University Life this summer and Build a Strong University Application for Higher Studies by meeting peers from across the country, discovering new avenues and connecting with various viewpoints, thinking and practices. HYDERABAD, India, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Woxsen University is pleased to announce the launch of its Woxsen Summer Program which has garnered pan India participation from students across CBSE, IB & Cambridge schools. The inherent advantage of this program is that it gives an edge to the student's profile and future university application and learn about the world that exists behind the scenes of their ideal higher education. "Woxsen Summer Program has been exclusively designed to pique the interest of this tech-savvy generation of budding scholars and future leaders. It will provide them an opportunity to explore the various STEAM and Non STEAM based domains available to arrive at their career choice. The program is loaded with various co-curricular activities and competitions curated to help build their profile and experience the true University campus life," said Vishal Khurma, CEO, Woxsen University. Woxsen Summer Program is meticulously designed with an aim to provide Budding Scholars (9th & 10th Graders) and Future Leaders (11th & 12th Graders) a Top Ranked University expeience. This is an exciting opportunity for students to explore evolved academic career opportunities while experiencing the vibrant culture and community of the university.



Budding Scholars  9th and 10th Graders: STEAM based competitions like Science Bee and Experiments

Experiments Youth Parliament, debate competitions and more

more Visit to Tech Park, a peek into the world of works

Day of community service at a local village

Inspired Designs using 3D printing

Celebration night, rewind and unwind Future Leaders  11th and 12th Graders:

App Development competition using coding techniques

Entrepreneurial Challenge, bring out start-up ideas

Creative writing, character building, storytelling and more

more Visit to Innovation Hub and Incubation Centre

Incubation Centre Day of community service at a local village

Celebration night, rewind and unwind This entire program will be executed by faculty of university who teach the university level students. These faculty have a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields and are committed to providing participants with the best possible learning experience. The Woxsen Summer Program (WSP) will take place from 22nd May - 2nd June, 2023. Applications for the program are now open and interested students are encouraged to apply at the earliest to secure their spot. Click here to register for WSP, https://summerprogram.woxsen.edu.in/ About Woxsen University, Hyderabad: Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, is one of the first private universities of the state of Telangana, India. Renowned for its 200-acre state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, Woxsen University offers new-age, disruptive programs in the fields of Business, Technology, Arts & Design, Architecture, Liberal Arts and Humanities, Law, Sciences. With 100+ Global Partner Universities and Strong Industry Connect, Woxsen is reckoned as one of the top universities for Academic Excellence and Global Edge. Woxsen is Ranked #13, All India Top 150 B-Schools by Times B-School Ranking 2022, Rank #15, All India Top Pvt. B-School, BusinessWorld 2022 and features in India's Best B-Schools beyond IIMs by Dalal Street Investment Journal 2023. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1771070/Woxsen_University_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/woxsen-university-launches-woxsen-summer-program-for-9th-12th-graders-301811989.html

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[May 02, 2023] Independent Cloud Computing Leader Vultr Expands Global Footprint by Launching a New Data Center Location in Tel Aviv to Service the Growing Tech Ecosystem in the Country

Vultr, the world's largest privately-held cloud computing company, today announced the latest expansion of its global footprint in Tel Aviv, Israel, to provide democratized access to cloud infrastructure to the growing technology ecosystem in the country. With the addition of Tel Aviv and its new location in Manchester, England, Vultr is continuing its cadence of global expansion by moving closer to eclipsing the data center availability offered by the big three hyperscaler cloud providers. The Tel Aviv data center location puts Vultr on the map in Israel, where AWS and Azure have yet to establish availability zones. Vultr offers a full-stack infrastructure in both Tel Aviv and Manchester, including cloud and GPU compute, Kubernetes clusters, managed databases, storage-as-a-service, and more. Establishing access to infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) in Israel is the latest advance in Vultr's quest to provide full-stack infrastructure services in geographic regions underserved by the hyperscale cloud providers and democratize access to affordable cloud services for all organizations. Vultr's availability in Tel Aviv now means that organizations with operations in Israel can access cloud compute infrastructure and services domestically to work locally and collaborate globally while maintaining data compliance and minimizing costly data transfer fees. The same applies to Vultr's Manchester data center location, which complements Vultr's presence in London and fortifies Vultr's already-solid position in the U.K. and beyond. Headquartered in Tel Aviv, BBT.live uses Vultr for compute instances with its secured network connectivity solution, Beroadband, enabling service providers to offer uncomplicated connectivity to their startup and enterprise customers around the world.



"Vultr's adaptable model and exceptional engagement allow us to set up our Points of Presence (PoPs) on demand and deliver our services within a matter of hours rather than weeks to expand our business to new geographies rapidly," said Erez Zelikovitz, EVP, Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Product Officer at BBT.live. "We are delighted that Vultr is available at a Tel Aviv data center, close to our headquarters, which complements our already extensive list of locations across North America, Europe, and Asia where BeBroadband-Cloud PoPs are hosted." "By bringing affordable, enterprise-grade cloud services to organizations around the world, Vultr is leveling the playing field for businesses striving to introduce breakthrough innovation in startup nations like Israel," said J.J. Kardwell, CEO of Vultr's parent company, Constant. "Vultr is breaking the big three hyperscalers' stranglehold on customers in need of cloud infrastructure, who must endure the lock-in and exorbitant pricing associated with these inflexible cloud behemoths in exchange for IaaS access that isn't customized to each organization's unique profile of needs."

Technology, digital, and cyber security startups, alongside established enterprises in the country, now need high-performance cloud resources. Vultr is stepping into the market to provide access to flexible cloud resources - spanning from bare metal options to GPU compute available on demand. Vultr ensures that access to these valuable resources isn't limited to just the tech giants. Businesses looking to power generative AI solutions like ChatGPT or run other compute-intensive applications can now leverage the flexibility and cost-saving advantages Vultr brings to an ever-growing number of data center locations. Vultr will host two events in Tel Aviv for the launch of its availability in Israel. A media breakfast briefing at The Norman Hotel on Tuesday, May 16, from 9:30-10:30 am IST. The industry event, Cloud as You Are, at Pop & Pope on Tuesday, May 16, from 6:00- 8:00 pm IST. For more information on both events and attendance information, visit https://experience.vultr.com/Tel-Aviv-Launch.html. About Constant and Vultr Constant, the creator and parent company of Vultr, is on a mission to make high-performance cloud computing easy to use, affordable, and locally accessible for businesses and developers around the world. Constant's flagship product, Vultr, is the world's largest privately-held cloud computing platform. A favorite with developers, Vultr has served over 1.5 million customers across 185 countries with flexible, scalable, global Cloud Compute, Cloud GPU, Bare Metal, and Cloud Storage [A1] solutions. Founded by David Aninowsky, and completely bootstrapped, Constant has become one of the largest cloud computing platforms in the world without ever raising equity financing. Learn more at www.constant.com and www.vultr.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005629/en/

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[May 02, 2023] H2 Green Steel in 1.79 billion green steel deal with Marcegaglia

STOCKHOLM, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- H2 Green Steel has signed a 7-year agreement with Italian steel group Marcegaglia. The agreement will cover delivery of green steel from H2 Green Steel's plant in Boden, Sweden, to Marcegaglia's operations in Southern Europe, UK and Poland. Marcegaglia is a family-owned company and a leading player in the European steel industry. They have 37 steel plants across three continents with core business activities that cover flat and welded pipes insulation, construction, and guardrail divisions, stainless steel long products, flat products, tubes and cold drawn bars and heavy plates. "H2 Green Steel came in as a challenger in a traditional market a couple of years ago, and have proven with speed, perseverance, and a great team that they are a force to be reckoned with. We believe in the partnership approach in business, and we took this approach from day one with H2 Green Steel as they are a key player for us on our decarbonization journey which is essentially all about future-proofing our business," says Antonio Marcegaglia, Chairman and CEO at Marcegaglia Steel. Marcegaglia is both an investor in H2 Green Steel and an early off-take customer. The partnership has now developed further, as the off-take agreement is converted into a seven-year supply agreement valued at about 1.79 billion. "This is a very milestone agreement for us at H2 Green Steel and a real celebration on our journey. Not only for the value of about 1.79 billion, but also because of the quality player that Marcegaglia is in the steel industry. Marcegaglia have been true partners to H2 Green Steel. They challenge us every step of the way, but are incredible supporters of our team and our project," says Henrik Henriksson, CEO at H2 Green Steel. CONTACT: Karin Hallstan, Head of Public and Media Relations, phone: +46 76 842 81 04, email: [email protected] The following files are available for download:







https://mb.cision.com/Main/20623/3761365/2024668.pdf H2 Green Steel in a1.79 billion green steel deal with Marcegaglia https://news.cision.com/h2-green-steel/i/marcegaglia-ravenna,c3173242 Marcegaglia-Ravenna

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/h2-green-steel-in-1-79-billion-green-steel-deal-with-marcegaglia-301812829.html SOURCE H2 Green Steel

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Confirm Hr, Inc.

Confirm honored for unique approach blending science and tech into performance reviews

Confirm brings science to performance reviews, including ChatGPT tools for auto-drafting reviews

Confirms Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) approach mirrors how work is done today - in networks vs. strict, top-down hierarchies. With Confirm, all employees can recognize who at their company they turn to for advice and help, and who energizes them, so analysis can spot correlations and trends and identify true top performers. The platform features ChatGPT tools that help auto-draft reviews for managers to review and edit.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Confirm , the first platform to inject the science of Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) into performance reviews to ensure talent decisions are based on data, announced today that it has been honored by Fast Company in the 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards . Confirm won Honorable Mention in the Workplace category for Using science in performance reviews.



Traditional performance reviews used in most companies today were invented by the U.S. military 100 years ago. Based on a top-down, hierarchical model, they do not fit the current, modern way of remote and hybrid work between employees, who operate in networks and are more cross-functional, communicating mostly through Slack, Google docs, email and other online platforms. Confirms ONA approach mirrors how work is done today. With Confirm, all employees can recognize who at their company they turn to for advice and help, and who energizes them, so analysis can spot correlations and trends and identify true top performers. The companys ONA-based reviews create a fairer playing field by expanding leaders visibility of an employees impact and ensuring performance decisions are based on larger sets of data rather than only the opinions of a single manager.

To do this, Confirms platform asks every employee a few simple questions that take only a minute to answer, such as, Who do you go to for help and advice? and Who energizes you? Then, using network data, Confirm spots trends and correlations to help leaders identify who they cant afford to lose and who needs additional support.

This years World Changing Ideas Awards showcases innovative companies in categories such as workplace, health, climate, energy and AI. A panel of Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 2,200 entries. The 2023 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Italy to Singapore to New Zealand.

Story continues

Fast Companys Spring 2023 issue (on newsstands May 9, 2023) will showcase some of the worlds most inventive entrepreneurs and forward-thinking companies that are actively tackling global challenges. The solutions cover everything from water reuse in urban environments and modular housing to an initiative combating book bans and a program that spotlights trans-friendly salons around the world.

Until Confirm, performance reviews hadnt changed appreciably in decades, said Josh Merrill, co-founder and CEO of Confirm. We are proud of the work were doing in this area, and thank Fast Company for recognizing the impact Confirm and ONA are making in the workplace.

Its thrilling to see the creativity and innovation that are so abundant among this years honorees, says Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. While its easy to feel discouraged by the state of the world, the entrepreneurs, companies, and nonprofits featured in this package show the limitless potential to address societys most urgent problems. Our journalists have highlighted some of the most exciting and impactful work being done todayfrom housing to equity to sustainabilityand we look forward to seeing not only how these projects evolve but how they inspire others to develop solutions of their own.

Other recent Confirm milestones include:

Launching a new feature that leverages GPT-4 to give HR pros engagement survey insights in minutes.

Its acceptance into the Second Annual SHRMLabs WorkplaceTech Accelerator Program , which supports the most promising startups elevating HR and solving present-day challenges and gaps in the workplace

Launching a new GPT-powered solution that automatically drafts reviews for managers based on inputs from peers and managers.



About the World Changing Ideas Awards

World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Companys major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.



About Confirm

Confirm is the first platform to inject science into performance reviews, ensuring advancement is based on data, rather than company politics or the loudest voice in the room. Designed for the new world of network-based and remote work, Confirm is the first to leverage organizational network analysis (ONA) in performance reviews, quantifying employee influence and impact, and giving leaders clear visibility into who they cant afford to lose. Leading businesses such as Thoropass and Deel rely on Confirm to make data-driven decisions on employee development, promotion and retention. Learn more at http://confirm.com .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bbf529e4-40bd-4b86-bf1d-2263d9f0e0b2

CONTACT: Media contact: Kerry Metzdorf Big Swing kerry@big-swing.com 978-609-0766




[May 02, 2023] Innovation and Excellence: Discovering a World of Possibilities at NICMAR University

PUNE, India, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As one strolls through the lush green campus of NICMAR university, one can feel the buzz of energy and excitement in the air. NICMAR has been a leader in management education for over four decades and is now expanding its horizons with a range of new initiatives. It is committed to achieving innovation and excellence in every aspect of its operations with its state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories to the vibrant community of students, faculty, and industry leaders. From its range of courses to its commitment to gender equality and industry-academic partnerships, NICMAR is at the forefront of revolutionizing the education sector. Expanding Horizons: NICMAR's New Programs for Today's Business Environment NICMAR has a faculty of experienced professionals who are experts in their fields and are dedicated to helping students succeed. Their range of courses includes the MBA ACM (Advanced Construction Management), Postgraduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying and Contract Management (PGD QSCM), MBA in Advanced Project Management (APM), MBA in Real Estate and Urban Infrastructure Management (MBA REUIM), PGD in Management of Family Owned Construction Business, and the Integrated MBA (BBA+BBA Hons. + MBA). In 2023, NICMAR added eight new full-time programs to its already impressive list of courses, the Master of Planning (Urban Planning), MBA (7 Choice-Based Immersive Specializations), MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, MBA in Family Business Management, MBA in Sustainable Energy Management, MBA in Environmental Sustainability, PhD, and B. Tech in Civil Engineering. These new programs will equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing business environment. NICMAR's new offerings are a step in the right direction and will undoubtedly produce more leaders and innovators who will make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields. Shattering Stereotypes: Women in Construction Forum (WIC India) Paves the Way for Gender Equality in the Industry Along with broadening its selection of courses, NICMAR is also advancing gender equality in the construction sector. To encourage more women to work in the construction industry and rise to leadership roles in civil engineering and related fields, the university launched the Women in Construction Forum (WIC India) on social media platforms like LinkedIn. The WIC Forum aims to bridge the gender gap by providing a place for women to connect, share their experiences and knowledge, and access professional progress opportunities. Need for a Dedicated Forum for Women In Construction



The goal of the Women in Construction Forum (WIC) is to focus on developing an interactive information-sharing hub, a community to conduct/post research and surveys, a forum for discussions and debates, and to seek assistance with one's initiatives. The Forum will not only encourage gender diversity in the construction industry but may also increase opportunities for women, thus creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for India.

Industry-Academic Collaboration: A Key to Success at NICMAR NICMAR's industry-academic connect initiatives are also high, as the university has many MOUs (memorandum of understanding) with the industry. YelloSKYE NICMAR recently signed an MOU with YelloSKYE, an end-to-end service provider of analytics for the construction, solar and other industries, to establish a Centre in Drone Technologies (CDT) at NICMAR University and to enable students and business leaders to better comprehend, utilize, and adopt drone technology. The partnership between YelloSKYE and NICMAR will provide valuable opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge and skills in using drones in the construction and real estate industries. This partnership will not only impart valuable skills and knowledge but also offer placement, internships, and research opportunities to students, supporting their professional development. SoftTech Engineers Limited NICMAR also signed an MOU with SoftTech Engineers Limited, a leading software products company in AEC (Architectural Engineering and Construction) solutions, to foster a strong industry-academia relationship. These initiatives will involve sharing knowledge on the most recent technological advancements in the built environment sector, and collaborative research projects that will eventually boost the AEC ecosystem. Through this partnership, NICMAR students will have access to the latest trends and technology in the AEC sector, giving them the practical information and skills they need to excel in the field. AmpliNxt NICMAR has taken another giant leap forward by signing an MOU with AmpliNxt, a leading provider of incubation and acceleration services for startups in the AEC domain, to encourage and attract new-age entrepreneurs and startups to venture into the AEC domain, propelling them towards success. With this industry-academic collaboration, students can collaborate with business leaders on research projects, internships, and placements. These initiatives allow students to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting and enhance their practical skills. NICMAR: Where Learning Meets Community The NICMAR campus itself is a testament to the university's commitment to excellence. Future-focused classrooms, world-class laboratories, and vast, digitally empowered auditoriums and conference halls provide an infrastructure that supports the learning process. Living at NICMAR is a unique experience as well. Students are surrounded by a supportive community that is constantly on their side. They mature academically and psychologically, make friends for life, and polish up their minds. Students can participate actively as collaborators, leaders, and innovators at NICMAR. With quality academics, enrichment opportunities aplenty, and a supportive community, NICMAR students are well-equipped to take on the world and make a positive impact. About NICMAR University As India's most progressive Built Environment University, NICMAR, is synonymous with discovery, knowledge, and innovation of the highest order. Since its inception in 1983, NICMAR has been diligently pursuing its mission to advance education, refine skills, and provide unparalleled training in the built environment domain as a distinguished society and public trust, steered by esteemed academicians and industry leaders. NICMAR leads the way in cultivating and fostering the future leaders in multidisciplinary domains of sustainable energy, architecture, infrastructure, construction, real estate, project, and business management with a comprehensive range of niche undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. With an unwavering commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, NICMAR is poised to empower the built environment sector with the next generation of forward-thinking and visionary youth. Media contact:

Manjulla Nair

Corporate Communications

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/innovation-and-excellence-discovering-a-world-of-possibilities-at-nicmar-university-301812843.html

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[May 02, 2023] Mubadala to Invest US $500 Million in U.S. Broadband Company Brightspeed, Alongside Apollo Funds

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and ABU DHABI, UAE, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed, a U.S.-based broadband and telecommunications services company, and Mubadala Investment Company ("Mubadala"), the Abu Dhabi sovereign investor, today announced that Mubadala will invest US $500 million in Brightspeed. With this investment, Mubadala will become a minority shareholder alongside investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE: APO) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "Apollo"). Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Brightspeed is the fifth-largest incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) in the U.S., with the capability of serving more than 6.5 million homes and businesses in mainly rural and suburban communities across the U.S. Midwest, Southeast and parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Brightspeed officially launched operations in October 2022 and began the build-out of its state-of-the-art fiber optics network, which started serving its first fiber customers in March 2023. Brightspeed's planned fiber optics transformation is expected to reach up to 3 million homes and businesses over the next five years, including in many places where fiber and advanced technology have not historically been deployed. As data volumes increase and demand for faster, reliable connectivity rapidly grows as a result of the rise of cloud services, video streaming, IoT applications and 5G technologies, companies like Brightspeed play a crucial role in providing essential digital infrastructure solutions. Brightspeed is rooted in an ambition to help bridge the digital divide. This investment will help accelerate Brightspeed's growth plans to bring high-speed, dependable internet connectivity to communities where access to fiber internet has been limited in the past. Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer of Real Estate and Infrastructure Investments at Mubadala, said: "Digital infrastructure is driving growth and development across all sectors of society, enabling people and economies to reach their full potential. As a responsible global investor, Mubadala sees huge opportunity in supporting Brightspeed's growth strategy in transitioning large swathes of the U.S. to fiber connectivity and promoting digital equity and inclusion. We're delighted to be partnering with Apollo and Brightspeed to capitalize on the growth opportunities in fiber deployment and create not only sustainable, long-term value, but also support the digital infrastructure development across the U.S."



Bob Mudge, Chief Executive Officer for Brightspeed, said: "We are in the early stages of our company's growth trajectory, and we are grateful for Mubadala's endorsement of Brightspeed's vision and strategy. The added investment from another well-respected institutional investor is a testament to the value we will create and the connections we will enable for homes and businesses across our 20-state footprint." Aaron Sobel, Apollo Private Equity Partner, said: "We are pleased to welcome our longtime partners at Mubadala as Brightspeed shareholders and believe this commitment validates our transformational thesis and the strength of the management team."

This transaction also represents Mubadala and Apollo's growing relationship since the expansion of their global strategic partnership in 2022. Last February, the firms announced an agreement focused on private credit investment opportunities and deal origination across asset classes. The Brightspeed investment is part of Mubadala's rapidly growing digital infrastructure portfolio headed by its Executive Director Mounir Barakat. In 2022, Mubadala invested US $350 million into Princeton Digital Group, a leading pan-Asia data center company focused on expanding world-class data center services to meet increasing demand across Asia. Mubadala has also invested 800 million into CityFibre, the UK's largest independent full-fiber platform. To date, CityFibre has enabled connectivity for more than 2 million homes in the UK through its advanced fiber network. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and conditions. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as legal counsel to Brightspeed. King & Spalding LLP is serving as legal counsel to Mubadala. About Mubadala?Investment Company

Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi. Mubadala's $284 billion (AED 1045 billion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. We leverage our deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates. For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com For media enquiries, please contact: [email protected]; [email protected] About Brightspeed

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 6.5 million homes and businesses. Brightspeed's vision is to promote a world where people and businesses have access to the connectivity they need to accomplish what is important. Our more than 4,000 employees are committed to bridging the digital divide by deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes staying connected simple and seamless. For more information please visit www.brightspeed.com. Media contact Erik Carlson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mubadala-to-invest-us-500-million-in-us-broadband-company-brightspeed-alongside-apollo-funds-301812497.html SOURCE Brightspeed; Mubadala

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[May 02, 2023] Kimberly-Clark and Productsup streamline global data flow to Amazon

Brand manufacturer Kimberly-Clark leverages the Productsup Product-to-Consumer (P2C) platform to accelerate its global brand presence through seamless content syndication BERLIN, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Productsup announced today that Kimberly-Clark , the global manufacturer of brands such as Huggies, DryNites, Kleenex, and Cottonelle, has overcome their content syndication challenges to achieve the desired business results with the company's powerful Product-to-Consumer (P2C) platform. With Productsup, Kimberly-Clark creates customized content per country and automatically sends it to Amazon's marketplace worldwide. "Every retailer has its own online content needs. Whether it concerns ecommerce players or brick & mortar customers, every algorithm is different," said Sophie van Logtestijn, Customer Business Manager eCommerce at Kimberly-Clark. "That is why it's important to have a correct foundation to build on. Productsup helps us in building this foundation. Our goal is to continuously improve our online shelf presentation. Productsup offers a fully automated content platform and the necessary support to make this happen." Kimberly-Clark leverages Productsup to ensure all of its brands provide customers with a personalized yet unified experience across any channel. For instance, Productsup's partnership with Amazon allows it to automaically publish product content worldwide within all of Amazon's product categories. Kimberly-Clark can now optimize its commerce performance on Amazon with the assurance that all product data, images, and videos are published with the highest quality and at maximum speed to achieve optimal conversion.



"Managing a consistent brand across the globe provides many challenges, such as ensuring all online website visitors are presented with accurate and consistent product content in the correct language," said Koen Looijmans, Executive Vice President, Retail at Productsup (formerly Founder & CEO of World of Content). "Since working with Kimberly-Clark, we've been able to ensure that all of its product content is always optimized and published correctly, enabling the company to reach more consumers around the world and provide them with a positive experience." This partnership started between Kimberly-Clark and World of Content, which was acquired by Productsup in June of 2022. Read the full case study to learn more about how Productsup works with Kimberly-Clark. For more information about Productsup's advanced product content syndication capabilities for marketplaces, visit https://www.productsup.com/products/marketplaces-px/ .

About Productsup Productsup helps brands, retailers, service providers, and marketplaces navigate commerce complexity. The Productsup product-to-consumer (P2C) platform processes over two trillion products a month, empowering long-term business success as the only global, strategic, scalable platform managing all product-to-consumer information value chains across any platform, any channel, any technology. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Berlin, Productsup has grown to over 300 employees spread out across offices worldwide and works with over 1,000 brands, including IKEA, Sephora, Beiersdorf, Redbubble, and ALDI. Learn more at www.productsup.com . CONTACT: Evan Neville, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kimberly-clark-and-productsup-streamline-global-data-flow-to-amazon-301813226.html SOURCE Productsup

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[May 02, 2023] Mid-City Transit Expands Electric Vehicle Efforts in New York; Adds Four EV Buses to Middletown City School District

WALL, N.J., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mid-City Transit, a Student Transportation of America (STA) company, announced today the launch of its Electric Vehicle (EV) program in Middletown, New York. In total, four EV buses have been assigned to the Middletown City School District's fleet and have replaced a handful of higher-emission vehicles. The initiative, which required more than $1 million dollars in upgrades, new buses, and related infrastructure in Middletown, was funded through a combination of company investment and a grant from the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program. This movement toward EV is part of the STA's ambitious Green Fleet initiative, currently led by Rachel Lane, STA's Vice President of Electrification & Sustainability. The company has committed to adding additional EV vehicles to its nationwide fleet to lessen the organization's impact on the environment. "I am thrilled to see Mid-City Transit's forward momentum toward zero emissions and of course, the state of New York's continued support for a greener future. The Middletown City School District has been a great partner throughout this project, and we share the same goals when it comes to sustainability and progress," said Lane. "EV buses not only help to reduce harmful pollutants from affecting the environment, but they also bring significant cost savings from operations, maintenance, and fuel perspective. There's a lot of good that comes out of EV adoption, and we're thrilled to see Middletown benefit from that." "It's definitely an exciting time for our scholars, school community, Mid-City Transit, and the EV industry," sad Amy Creeden, Superintendent of the Middletown City School District. "We are all happy to see the EV buses in the fleet's rotation and serving our student routes already. Transportation services are essential in our District and there's something really great about knowing we have seen some early success as a result of the addition of the EV buses. It's only been a few weeks, but the EV buses are proving to be efficient, environmentally friendly, and quieter [than the diesel buses] when driving around our neighborhoods."



The New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program awarded STA, Mid-City Transit's parent company, a grant of $800,000 in late 2022 to purchase four new EV vehicles. Mid-City Transit was selected to receive the vehicles and its maintenance teams have already been trained in EV maintenance. Chargers have also been installed at the terminal. A regionally based company, Elm Electric, in collaboration with Orange and Rockland Electric Utility, provided Mid-City Transit and the Middletown City School District support with the infrastructure updates, including installing the electric vehicle charging stations at the terminal. Middletown-based Fusco Engineering and Land Surveying provided the survey for the second phase of infrastructure development.

"Over the last year, STA has made steady progress rolling EV buses out into new markets and we are investing in the communities we serve," said Lane. "We're not slowing down either. We're actively identifying new markets, finding District partners that are willing to advocate for EV, and collaborating with our partners like Mid-City Transit to explore grant and funding opportunities that can support infrastructure updates. We're optimistic that Middletown will find success with EV and it's a great milestone to celebrate." Lane's team will now track battery life, monitor component life, and collect other key data as the electric buses service Middletown's routes. With electric fleets planned for urban, suburban, and rural areas, this information will give the company actionable intelligence into the performance of electric vehicles in distinct operating environments. To date, STA has steadily rolled out alternative-fuel vehicles, including 20 electric buses and 2,900 propane buses. The company has received a Green Fleet Magazine Sustainability All-Star Award for its leadership in the space. Through the help of grants, incentive projects, strategic partnerships, and investments, STA plans to continue to expand its electric bus initiative into additional markets in the coming months. About Student Transportation of America

Founded in 1997, Student Transportation of America (STA) is an industry leader in school transportation, safety, and fleet services. STA operates more than 16,000 vehicles, providing customers with the highest level of safe and reliable student transportation, management, logistics, and technology solutions throughout the U.S. and Canada. Services are delivered by drivers, dispatchers, maintenance technicians, managers, information technology professionals, and others, who are caring members of their local communities. For more information, please visit www.rideSTA.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mid-city-transit-expands-electric-vehicle-efforts-in-new-york-adds-four-ev-buses-to-middletown-city-school-district-301813228.html SOURCE Student Transportation of America

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[May 02, 2023] KinderCare Thanks Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is here and KinderCare Learning Companies has 35,000 reasons to celebrate as they acknowledge and thank teachers and staff at their programs around the country. KinderCare's family of brands serves more than 194,000 children ages 0-12 years old in 40 states and the District of Columbia. "Teachers are more than educators: They are an essential part of the support team for each family they serve," said Dr. Marquita Davis, Chief Academic Officer for KinderCare. "At KinderCare we're proud to provide a professional home for the thousands of career educators in our centers and programs." In addition to celebrating all of their teachers around the country, KinderCare is recognizing this year's Esteemed Educators - teachers who have been part of the KinderCare family for 40 years or longer. The 2023 Esteemed Educators are: Janyth Benson from Auburn, Wash.

from Auburn, Wash. Gail Blair from Sterling Heights, Mich.

from Sterling Heights, Mich. Martha Drummins from Indianapolis, Ind.

from Indianapolis, Ind. Uma Goel from Hazelwood, Mo.

from Hazelwood, Mo. Antoinette Johnson from West Covina, Calif.

from West Covina, Calif. Dawn Mahaney from South Windsor, Conn.

from South Windsor, Conn. Deloris Ann Rhynes from Gulfport, Miss.

from Gulfport, Miss. Cynthia Rojic from Bloomingdale, Ill.

from Bloomingdale, Ill. Abby Staschke from Dearborn, Mich.

from Dearborn, Mich. Mary Williams from Brookhaven, Ga.

from Brookhaven, Ga. Patricia Wright from El Paso, Texas KinderCare is looking for more teachers who are passionate about educating our country's youngest learners. With an award-winning company culture - validated by seven consecutive Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards - KinderCare centers and programs offer something for every stage of a teacher's career, whether they're just starting out or a seasoned worker looking to return to the workforce.



The company offers competitive salary and benefits, including significantly reduced child care rates, as well as a friendly and creative atmosphere where teachers are part of a team of caring, skilled professionals. For more information or to apply, please visit our website.

About KinderCare Learning Companies As a leading provider of early childhood and school-age education and care, KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from all backgrounds. KinderCare supports hardworking families in 40 states and the District of Columbia with differentiated flexible child care solutions to meet today's dynamic work environment: In neighborhoods, with KinderCare  Learning Centers that offer early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old and with Creme de la Creme  , which offers a premium early education model using a variety of themed classrooms;

that offer early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old and with , which offers a premium early education model using a variety of themed classrooms; At work, through KinderCare Learning Companies for Employers , providing customized family benefits for employers across the country, including employer-supported child care benefits, on-site and near-site early learning centers and back-up care for last-minute child care, and

, providing customized family benefits for employers across the country, including employer-supported child care benefits, on-site and near-site early learning centers and back-up care for last-minute child care, and In local schools, with Champions before and after-school programs. KinderCare programs meet the highest standards, validated by independent, third-party evaluation including: Gallup , measuring workforce engagement,

, measuring workforce engagement, National Association for the Education of Young Children , ensuring individual early learning center quality through a rigorous accreditation process,

, ensuring individual early learning center quality through a rigorous accreditation process, Cognia , accreditation for before- and after-school programs

, accreditation for before- and after-school programs BRIGANCE  and TerraNova  assessments of children's development, academic progress and achievement, and

assessments of children's development, academic progress and achievement, and WELL Health-Safety Rating, validating health and safety practices in our facilities. Headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,000 early learning centers and sites. In 2023, KinderCare earned its seventh Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award - one of only four organizations worldwide to achieve this milestone for seven consecutive years. To learn more, visit KC-Learning.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005441/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Summit Announces the Promotion of Darin Grimm to Senior Vice President of Claims

Summit Consulting LLC ("Summit"), a leading provider of workers' compensation insurance coverage in the southern United States, announced today the promotion of Robert (Darin) Grimm, DBA, to senior vice president of Claims. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005826/en/ Darin Grimm (Photo: Business Wire) Dr. Grimm joined Summit as an underwriter in 2003. Since then, he has held roles of increased responsibility in several departments including Sales, Marketing and Claims, most recently serving as vice president of medical claims. "I am extremely pleased to announce that Darin is assuming responsibility for this important part of the organization," says Carol Sipe, Summit's president and CEO. "Darin's broad experience has prepared him well for this new role." Dr. Grimm succeeds Bob O'Halloran, who will retire on May 5, having served as senior vice president of Claims since 1999. Mr. O'Halloran spent more than 30 years in the insurance claims field and was inducted into the Florida Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame in 2012. Ms. Sipe shares, "Bob's influence is evident in every aspect of our claims operation. Beyond technical expertise, I believe Bob's most lasting impact comes from how he views and treats the injured workers we sere. His influence extends well beyond Summit to the entire industry."



Dr. Grimm earned a Bachelor of Arts in business and professional leadership from Southeastern University, a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University and a Doctor of Business Administration from University of South Florida's Muma College of Business. About Summit Consulting LLC ("Summit")

Based in Lakeland, Florida, Summit is a leading provider of workers' compensation insurance coverage in the southern United States and is a member of Great American Insurance Group. Summit manages the day-to-day operations of five workers' compensation insurance companies that include its two affiliates, Bridgefield Employers Insurance Company and Bridgefield Casualty Insurance Company, and three non-affiliates, BusinessFirst Insurance Company, RetailFirst Insurance Company and Retailers Casualty Insurance Company. Summit provides its comprehensive workers' compensation insurance services to businesses in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Summit has offices in Lakeland, Florida, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Gainesville, Georgia. For more information, visit www.summitholdings.com. About Great American Insurance Group Great American Insurance Group's roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the operations of Great American Insurance Group are engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. Great American Insurance Company has received an "A" (Excellent) or higher rating from the A.M. Best Company for more than 115 years and is currently rated "A+" (Superior). The members of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG), also based in Cincinnati, Ohio. AFG's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFG. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005826/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Hasura Expands GraphQL Data API Automation to Oracle, MySQL & MariaDB Users

GraphQL innovation leader Hasura today announced support for Oracle, MySQL and MariaDB three of the top global databases, all developed using Hasura GraphQL data connectors. Available today in beta, these powerful remote relationship capabilities significantly reduce the time and effort necessary to build APIs to connect these and other data sources. These integrations allow Hasura users to instantly connect to these databases and many other data sources built on or with them, including AWS RDS, Azure MySQL, Google Cloud SQL for MySQL and Oracle MySQL Cloud Service. Used in conjunction with existing connectors for Snowflake, Hasura users now have the best of OLTP and OLAP interconnection for development of customer-facing or internal applications. "According to our latest research, we find that Oracle, MySQL and MariaDB are some of the most widely used databases in the world. And the amount of time that developers at the companies who use them spend creating APIs to connect them with other sources is immense," said Paul Nashawaty, Principal Analyst, TechTarget Enterprise Strategy Group. "Shortening the time to value for these teams enables them to focus on more critical tasks. In addition, DIY (vs. buying) approaches to data source interconnection can reach a point of diminishing returns with regard to performance as connected databases and data consumer numbers increase." "Our clients use relational databases extensively. Hasura has been an essential tool for us to accelerate value delivery by minimizing the amount of time we spend on API development," said Erik LaBianca, CTO of Synaptiq. "With Hasura's release of the Oracle connector, we can now extend the same value acceleration to our larger enterprise customers who leverage Oracle throughout their business."



Hasura GraphQL data connectors offer strong benefits for the following use cases: Modernizing legacy applications to newer frontend frameworks like React, NodeJS, etc., with no change to the database

Building new applications on top of existing data

Combining data from MySQL, Oracle, and MariaDB with newer data sources (such as PostgreSQL and existing GraphQL APIs) Hasura GraphQL Data APIs can be set up quickly and easily and require no custom coding. Users can connect a Hasura GraphQL API to their Oracle, MySQL or other data sources with just a few clicks of a mouse, eliminating weeks or months of time in API development. In addition, Hasura auto-generates documentation for users' APIs, making it easier for developers to start working with data from different sources immediately. This eliminates hours of training and significantly reduces total cost of ownership.

Hasura provides an alternative to RESTful API architecture, providing a single endpoint that returns structured data based on the queries it receives instead of having a separate endpoint for each type of data. This makes data easier to obtain, and also reduces the number of HTTP requests that need to be sent. Since Hasura GraphQL APIs only return the data that is requested, they can be less resource-intensive than traditional RESTful APIs. "Today's announcement builds on a series of innovations, including the development of our data connectors and our support for Postgres and Snowflake, that together give Hasura users the optimal combination of OLTP and OLAP support," said Tanmai Gopal, co-founder and CEO of Hasura. "With support for the four top global databases, including the two announced today plus Microsoft SQL Server and Postgres, there's almost nothing our customers can't build using Hasura." About Hasura Hasura is helping to build the modern world of globally relevant, data-driven applications and APIs. Hasura's range of data access solutions helps organizations accelerate product delivery by instantly connecting data and services to applications with GraphQL APIs. Hasura was open-sourced in July 2018 and is used by tens of thousands of developers as the data access layer for modern applications. Hasura has also seen adoption across Fortune 500 corporations, fast growing startups & product development agencies. We are a globally distributed team, with offices in San Francisco & Bangalore. For more information, go to: https://hasura.io or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005513/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Grove Point Financial Expands Presence With Addition of Five New Firms

Grove Point Financial, a boutique independent broker-dealer and investment advisory platform, today announced the addition of five new firms whose personnel collectively oversee $135 million in client assets. With the support of Grove Point, the financial professionals gain access to integrated technology, comprehensive investment solutions, and personalized business development support from industry experts. The following financial professionals and their firms were attracted to Grove Point's service model, shared vision, and commitment to success: Greg Frazier, Frazier Financial Services

John Gutierrez

Kirk Miller

Jeffrey Moore

John Vecchio, J.T. Vecchio Co. "We are constantly listening to our financial professionals' needs and evolving to meet them where they are. The addition of Greg, John, Kirk, Jeffrey, and John prove the value of our high-touch level of engagement," said Rob Engle, Executive Vice President of Business Development. "As a committed business partner, we're excited to offer each of these firms the competitive edge they need to attain their growth oals."



Combining the feel of a boutique firm with the tools and resources of a large firm, Grove Point is dedicated to cultivating an environment where financial professionals grow and thrive. These additions come on the heels of Garner Group Financial, Forward Financial, and Nied Financial joining Grove Point in Q4 2022. About Grove Point Financial

Grove Point Financial, LLC (Grove Point Financial) operates out of its headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. The firm provides broker-dealer and RIA services to more than 500 financial professionals across the U.S. Grove Point Financial is guided by a mission of delivering service excellence based on relationships, where all financial professionals thrive in an intimate and accessible culture that values partnership above all else. Securities offered through Grove Point Investments, LLC (GPI), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Grove Point Advisors, LLC (GPA). GPI and GPA are subsidiaries of Grove Point Financial, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Kestra Holdings. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005906/en/

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[May 02, 2023] New Data Show Enrollment Declines in Schools of Nursing, Raising Concerns About the Nation's Nursing Workforce

According to new data released today by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the number of students in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs decreased by 1.4% last year, ending a 20-year period of enrollment growth in programs designed to prepare new registered nurses (RNs). With declines also recorded in master's and PhD programs, collective action must be taken to strengthen pathways into nursing to ensure the nation's healthcare needs are met. Despite the decrease in enrolled students, nursing schools turned away thousands of qualified applicants last year due largely to a shortage of faculty and clinical training sites. "Consistent with declines across higher education, nursing programs are enrolling fewer students, which raises serious concerns about how this will impact the nation's nursing supply," said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. "With enrollments trending downward, academic and practice leaders should work together to ensure that schools are able to accommodate all qualified applicants to meet the growing demand for nurses to provide care and serve as faculty, researchers, and leaders." Each year, AACN initiates a national survey of nursing schools with baccalaureate and higher degrees to compile data on student enrollment and graduations, faculty and dean demographics, applications received, and qualified applications turned away, among many other key benchmarks. Conducted in Fall 2022, AACN's latest annual survey, titled 2022-2023 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, contains data reported by 974 schools of nursing, which represents a 90.6% response rate. Enrollment Declines by Program Level Most individuals pursuing a career as a registered nurse in the U.S. enter the profession with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree offered at 844 colleges and universities. Data from AACN's Fall 2022 survey show that enrollment in BSN programs declined by 1.4% or 3,518 students from 2021 to 2022. This was the first time since the year 2000 that enrollments decreased in these programs (see trend chart here). From 2001 through 2021, enrollment in entry-level BSN programs climbed from 77,958 to 256,578 students. Though a one-year decline may not signal a trend, any decrease in these critical programs raises concerns and deserves further investigation. Also at the baccalaureate level, the number of students in RN to BSN degree-completion programs decreased significantly for the fourth consecutive year. These bridge programs for nurses entering the nursing profession in associate degree or diploma programs provide an important pathway for nurses looking to advance their education to better meet patient care needs and employer expectations. Last year, enrollment in RN to BSN programs decreased by 16.9% or 19,871 students. This downward trend follows an enrollment surge in RN to BSN programs, which saw a rapid increase from 30,684 students in 2002 to 139,587 enrolled students in 2018. Today, fewer than 100,000 students (98,734) are enrolled in these programs. AACN is exploring the causes that may be contributing to this trend, including declines by program type and any variations by region. AACN is also looking at any correlation between the increase in the number of nurses entering the profession with a baccalaureate and the number of nurses needing to complete a post-licensure BSN program. At the graduate level, students in master's programs decreased by 9.4% (13,965 fewer students) since 2021, marking the second year of enrollment decline. Master's nursing programsprepare individuals for a variety of roles in administration, teaching, research, informatics, and direct patient care. Currently, 658 schools of nursing nationwide offer master's degree programs with a population of 131,524 students. AACN continues to monitor master's program enrollments to identify any factors that may be influencing student demand, including the steady increase in enrollment in the practice doctorate.



Enrollment in PhD nursing programs continued to decline, with a 4.1% decrease (183 students) from 2021 to 2022. Since PhD program enrollment began to dip in 2013, enrollments has decreased by 14.8%, from 5,145 students in 2013 to 4,381 students in 2022. This downward trend over the last 9 years has created great concern among academic nursing leaders responsible for preparing future nurse scientists, educators, and leaders. In its report on the Future of Nursing: 2020-2030, the National Academy of Medicine, Science, and Engineering called the lack of robust enrollment in the PhD in nursing "a major concern for the profession and for the nation." AACN's research and data team are examining survey findings to determine factors that may impact enrollment declines, including program characteristics and applications received. Last year, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs showed virtually no growth with a less than one percent increase (0.6% or 242 students) in enrollment. DNP programs are designed to prepare nurses for practice at the highest level, including Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives). Enrollment in DNP programs has grown steadily over the last two decades from 70 students in 2003 to 41,021 students last year. DNP programs are now offered at 426 schools of nursing.

Applications to Schools of Nursing In addition to enrollment and graduations, AACN tracks applications to schools of nursing in order to better assess interest in nursing education and careers among prospective students. Last year, the total number of applications to baccalaureate and higher degree programs decreased by 5.3%, with programs receiving 721,182 applications in 2021 and 683,002 in 2022. Applications were down in entry-level BSN (-2.4%), RN to BSN (-14.5%), and master's (-7.3%) programs. In more promising news, applications increased to both DNP (+1.4%) and PhD (+3.7%) programs, which may signal that efforts to promote careers in nursing science are having an impact. AACN also tracks qualified applications not offered admission to nursing programs. Even though enrollments were down across program levels last year, thousands of qualified students were turned away from four-year colleges and universities. In 2022, a total of 78,191 qualified applications (not applicants, students may apply to more than one program) were not accepted at schools of nursing nationwide. Within this total, applications turned away included 66,261 from entry-level baccalaureate, 1,239 from RN-to-BSN, 5,907 from master's, 4,583 from DNP, and 201 from PhD nursing programs. Given the persistent shortage of nurse faculty, AACN remains concerned that more than 10,000 applications were turned away from graduate programs, which may further limit the pool of potential nurse educators. The primary barriers to accepting all qualified students at nursing schools continue to be insufficient clinical placement sites, faculty, preceptors, and classroom space, as well as budget cuts. For a graphic showing the number of qualified applications turned away from entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs over the last 20 years, click here. "Maintaining optimal nurse staffing levels is a top concern raised by health system leaders and hospital administrators across settings," said Dr. Trautman. "To meet this objective, pathways into nursing must be protected and supported by all stakeholders with an interest in ensuring access to quality health care." AACN is leading the charge to advocate for more federal support for nursing education, including funding for students interested in a nursing career and for schools of nursing to support faculty development and the infrastructure needed to accommodate more students. AACN is also calling for full participation among nursing schools in NursingCAS, the profession's centralized application service for students seeking to enter nursing school to begin or advance their education. Through NursingCAS, students are alerted to open enrollment slots at schools of nursing, which will help to ensure that all available seats are filled, and fewer qualified applicants are turned away. About the AACN Survey Now in its 42nd year, AACN's annual survey of baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs is conducted by the association's Department of Research and Data Services. Information from the survey forms the basis for the nation's premier database on trends in enrollments and graduations, student and faculty demographics, and faculty and deans' salaries. These data are essential for policymaking at the local, state, and federal levels as well as for benchmarking by participating institutions. The annual AACN survey is a collaborative effort, with data on nurse practitioner programs collected jointly with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and data on clinical nurse specialist programs collected with the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Complete survey results are compiled in three separate reports, including: 2022-2023 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing

2022-2023 Salaries of Instructional and Administrative Nursing Faculty in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing

2022-2023 Salaries of Deans in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing To obtain copies, visit AACN's website. View Highlights from AACN's 2022 Annual Survey About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 865 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005952/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Harbor Peak Breaks Ground on a New Fiber Conduit System Connecting Data Centers Throughout Ashburn, Virginia

Harbor Peak Network Solutions LLC (Harbor Peak), a joint entity specializing in dark fiber, interconnect and network planning services on a carrier-neutral basis, announces it has broken ground on a new middle-mile network infrastructure build in Ashburn, Virginia that will facilitate connectivity among numerous private and public data centers. Initially announced in January, the Harbor Peak project sets out to bring a seven-mile, multi-duct fiber cable system to facilities throughout Ashburn's Data Center Alley. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005798/en/ Harbor Peak's executive leadership team, from left to right; Felix Dialoiso, Founder & CEO, Harbor Link; Stephen Brown, VP of Operations, Express-Tek; Bruce Ghrist, General Counsel; and Tae Chong, Business Development. (Photo: Business Wire) The Harbor Peak conduit and fiber ring is designed to address the ongoing data center intrconnection needs in the burgeoning Northern Virginia market. The planned route features conduit for fiber optic cables to enable multi-path, high-speed connectivity, with initial availability of at least 864 count fiber. The underground infrastructure system will provide local and long-haul dark fiber capacity and conduit access, with easy access points to enable interconnection. The network will enable lateral connections into the many data centers surrounding the conduit system, and interconnect to Harbor Link's 60-mile conduit build along I-95 to Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, totaling approximately 300 route miles between the networks.



"We at Harbor Peak are thrilled to get construction for this venture underway in Ashburn," comments Felix Dialoiso, Founder and CEO of Harbor Link, a partner in Harbor Peak. "We're on a mission to interconnect Data Center Alley, and provide the market with increased access to high speed, reliable fiber optic cable connectivity. And it doesn't stop here. When this first phase is complete, we will continue construction to connect the system to Manassas." Harbor Peak is an innovative network company that specializes in the development of infrastructure to support the digital transport needs of carriers, OTTs and technology clients.? With a focus on securing fiber routes and computing facilities that provide for diversity, scalability and cost efficiency, the company's capabilities also include last mile access in metro areas and data centers.

When complete, the network will offer data center operators throughout the region access to a resilient conduit and fiber network ring that meets or exceeds G.652.d fiber specifications and standards. Carriers, data center providers and network operators will be able to utilize the Harbor Peak network to meet their connectivity requirements for either conduit or dark fiber access with leased options as well as long-term indefeasible right or use (IRUs). The system is expected to be ready for service by the end of Q'2 2024. The network route traverses key data center facilities located on Beaumeade Circle in Ashburn (21551, 21571, 21800), 22271 Broderick Drive; 44470 Chilum Place; Guilford Drive (44610 ,44633, 44664); 21955 Loudoun County Parkway; 45761 Maries Road; Red Rum Drive (21635, 21741); UUnet Drive (21821, 21830); 44621 Waxpool Road, Digital Loudoun Plaza; Round Table Plaza and Devin Shafron Drive. For more information and ongoing updates, please visit: https://harborpeak.net/ashburn-project/ To learn more about Harbor Peak, click here. About Harbor Peak: Harbor Peak specializes in dark fiber, interconnect and network planning services on a carrier neutral basis. Capabilities also include last mile access in metro areas and data centers. Our focus is securing fiber routes and computing facilities that provide for diversity, scalability and cost efficiency.? Harbor Peak is an innovative network company that builds infrastructure to support the digital transport needs of carriers, OTTs and technology clients.? View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005798/en/

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HUMBL, Inc.

HUMBL, Inc.

Motherland Samoa 2023 Festival

San Diego, California, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HUMBL, Inc. (OTCQB: HMBL) HUMBL announced today that it has been selected as the official digital wallet and ticketing technology provider for the Motherland Samoa 2023 festival to be held in the capital city of Apia, Samoa on June 3rd, 2023.



A fantastic lineup of global Pacific Island musical artists are heading back to Samoa in honor of the countrys independence day celebrations. The list of 21 musicians and bands includes award winning artists Fiji, J Boog, HP Boyz, Lisi, Savage, Tomorrow People, Bina Butta, DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown, Wayno, Lani Alo, DJ Tikelz, DJ 651, Mautoatasi & Matalena, Mr Tee, Zipso, Pacific Love Band, and more.

The festival is proudly presented by PacifiCast, a global cultural agency that supports Pacific Islander talent in sports, music and the arts. The festival is led by PacifiCast, New Zealand (NZ) Director Tana Tupai, who promises to ignite the country like never before.

The celebration is grounded by the Samoa Tourism Authority: We are excited to work with PacifiCast to bring such an innovative festival to Samoa. The opportunity to bring our talented artists back during such an iconic time in our history of independence will be remembered for the ages, said Honourable Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Samoa Minister of Tourism. Samoa is changing and so are our needs. This festival rallies our community and encourages our diaspora to travel and connect back to their cultural Motherland.

General Admission tickets will be issued inside the HUMBL Wallet, a digital wallet super app which is available for download on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store at no charge.



In a first for Samoa, attendees will receive commemorative proof-of-attendance NFT tickets in their HUMBL Wallet after scanning into the event; as well as sponsor airdrops, product discounts and offers in the HUMBL Wallet in the days surrounding the festival.

Story continues

Motherland Samoa 2023 Festival attendees will simply need to download and show their HUMBL Wallet to gain entry to the festival, receive airdrops and more.

Special VIP and Sponsorship packages are also available for sale via HUMBL Tickets on the Motherland Samoa 2023 website: www.motherlandfest.com.au , and will be accompanied by a VIP partner dinner on the evening prior to the event.

Official auction merchandise, as well as special artist memorabilia and collectibles, will also be Verified by BLOCKS and cataloged on the BLOCKS Registry for lifetime tracking and authentication on blockchain.

Those customers without access to a smartphone will be able to stop by HUMBL Hubs pop-up locations in downtown Apia in the week leading up to the festival to receive tickets on paper, ensuring maximum inclusion for all residents that want to attend.

In addition to PacifiCast, additional local partnerships who have stepped in to help make the event possible include Samoa Tourism Authority, Taumeasina Island Resort, and Vodafone Samoa, among others.

We deeply value the relationships we have built in the Oceania Region and look forward to serving the Motherland Samoa 2023 Festival and its attendees both locally, and from around the world, through the HUMBL technology platform for this historic event, said HUMBL CEO, Brian Foote.

About HUMBL

HUMBL is a Web 3 platform with product lines including the HUMBL Wallet, HUMBL Search Engine, HUMBL Social, HUMBL Tickets, HUMBL Marketplace and HUMBL Authentics.

The company also has a commercial blockchain services unit called HUMBL Blockchain Services (HBS) for corporate and government clients.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimates," "projects," "intends," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully execute its expanded business strategy, including by entering into definitive agreements with suppliers, commercial partners and customers; general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technical advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, regulatory requirements and the ability to meet them, government agency rules and changes, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. Except as may be required by law, HUMBL undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

Contact

HUMBL, Inc.

PR@HUMBL.com

Attachment




[May 02, 2023] VLCM Named HPE Aruba Networking's 2023 West Region Partner of the Year

VLCM, a leading provider of innovative networking solutions, has been awarded the 2023 West Region Partner of the Year by HPE Aruba Networking. The award was presented at the annual Aruba Atmosphere conference, which brings together industry leaders and technology experts to discuss the latest trends and innovations in networking solutions. This award marks the second time VLCM has won the West Region Partner of the Year award, showcasing its unwavering commitment to excellence and further solidifying its status as a top-tier HPE Aruba Networking partner. HPE Aruba Networking recognizes its partners for their exceptional performance, client satisfaction, and dedication to innovative networking solutions. This year, VLCM was recognized for its outstanding performance and contribution to the growth and success of Aruba Networking. "We're thrilled to reeive this prestigious award from Aruba Networks," says Darci Piz, VP of Marketing at VLCM. "Winning this award for the second time demonstrates our team's commitment to providing exceptional service and solutions to meet our clients' networking needs."



As a leading Aruba partner, VLCM offers a wide range of networking solutions, including wireless, switching, security, and management. The company's certified engineers and technicians work closely with clients to design, deploy, and manage secure and reliable networks that meet their business requirements. "We're honored to be named the 2023 West Region Partner of the Year by Aruba Networks," says Brandon Madsen, Chief Revenue Officer at VLCM. "We thank Aruba Networks for its recognition and our clients for their continued trust and partnership. We remain committed to delivering innovative networking solutions that help our clients achieve their business goals."

About VLCM VLCM is a leading enterprise technology and cybersecurity provider that has served organizations across the United States for over 40 years. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company is dedicated to caring for its clients, team, and vendors to ensure everyone can enjoy life at work and at home. With over 20,000 satisfied clients from all verticals and sizes, VLCM boasts a team of over 130 employees, including over 25 certified engineers, who offer award-winning IT services designed to equip organizations with the right technology to power their business goals. VLCM solves complex business problems by leveraging its technical expertise and partnerships with industry-leading hardware and software solutions providers. About HPE Aruba Networking Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, provides secure edge-to-cloud networking solutions that enable businesses to capitalize on the dynamic customer experiences happening at the Edge. The Edge is anyplace where work is done, whether it's an office, hospital, school, or home. Aruba's mission is to help customers achieve their networking goals with simpler, faster, and more automated networks that analyze data using AI-based machine learning. Aruba takes a cloud-native approach to help customers meet their connectivity, security, and financial requirements across campus, branch, data center, and remote worker environments, covering all aspects of wired, wireless LAN, and wide area networking (WAN). Aruba's core offerings are designed to provide reliable and secure networking solutions that meet the specific needs of modern businesses. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005764/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Winchester man and company fined $10,000 for use of professional engineer's seal

TORONTO, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - The Ontario Court of Justice at Cornwall fined a corporation and its principal $10,000 for applying a facsimile of a professional engineer's seal to design drawings without the knowledge or consent of the professional engineer. 6993231 Canada Inc. (d.b.a. Empire Construction) and its principal, Edsel Byers, were retained by a client to assist with the construction of a canvas structure on the client's property. In preparing design drawings for the client, Empire Construction and Mr. Byers copied a professional engineer's seal from a previous set of drawings onto the new drawings, without the professional engineer having reviewed the new drawings and without the professional engineer's knowledge or consent. Empire Construction and Byers then gave the improperly sealed drawings to the client, who submitted them to the Township of North Dundas in connection with a permit application. On April 26, 2023, Mr. Byerspled guilty to one count of breaching section 40(2)(c) of the Professional Engineers Act and Empire Construction pled guilty to one count of breaching section 40(3)(b) of the Professional Engineers Act in connection with this conduct. His Worship Brian Snyder imposed a $5,000 fine on Mr. Byers and a $5,000 fine on Empire Construction.



Matthew Howe (counsel) and Annecy Pang (student-at-law), both from the Toronto law firm Polley Faith LLP, represented Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) on the matter. PEO would like to thank the Township of North Dundas and the engineer for their cooperation in this investigation. Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) administers the Professional Engineers Act to serve and protect the public interest by licensing Ontario's 90,000 individual practitioners and engineering firms. Professional engineers can be identified by the P.Eng. after their names. When retaining the services of an engineer or engineering firm, the public may search the directories of licensed professional engineers and authorized professional engineering companies at the website: www.peo.on.ca. Inquiries regarding unlicensed individuals and unauthorized companies may be made to PEO through its enforcement hotline at 416-840-1444 or 1-800-339-3716 ext 1444 or the e-mail address [email protected].

SOURCE Professional Engineers Ontario

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[May 02, 2023] Airbus Perlan Mission II Back in Air to Set World Altitude Record

Airbus Perlan Mission II, the world's first initiative to pilot an engineless aircraft to the edge of space, has successfully completed a flight test campaign in the U.S., clearing the way for an attempt later this year to set a new aviation world altitude record for manned, level flight. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005975/en/ After COVID-19 delays, Airbus Perlan Mission II stratospheric research glider returns to the skies to set 90,000-foot world altitude record. The Nevada-based nonprofit The Perlan Project will collect climate science and aerospace engineering data en route to the edge of space above El Calafate, Argentina. (Photo: Business Wire) "Over the past decade, we have been on a thrilling adventure to inspire, educate and explore in the stratosphere, and Airbus has been a great partner on that journey as together we've attempted - and achieved - the seemingly impossible," said Ed Warnock, CEO of The Perlan Project. The pressurized Perlan 2 glider,which set the subsonic world altitude record at over 76,000 feet in 2018, set sail yesterday from the U.S. for the long journey to El Calafate, Argentina. Above the Patagonian Andes where atmospheric conditions are optimal, expert pilots and engineers from the nonprofit The Perlan Project will attempt to soar the experimental glider to its service ceiling of 90,000 feet.



"If a glider, which is a truly zero-emission aircraft, can become the highest-flying aircraft of all time, it sends a powerful message that decarbonization of aviation is no impediment to achievement, and can even be an enabler," said C. Jeffrey Knittel, Airbus Americas Chairman and CEO. As a research platform that emits no exhaust, Perlan 2 is ideally suited to the high-altitude atmospheric research the team will conduct to inform more accurate climate-change models. The aircraft will soar to altitudes where the air density is similar to the atmosphere on Mars, providing unique opportunities for aerodynamic studies related to turbulence, extreme weather and future space exploration.

The aircraft will also carry aloft experiments designed by school students through The Perlan Project's STEM partnership with Teachers in Space. Airbus began its title sponsorship of The Perlan Project in 2014, facilitating the completion of Perlan 2's construction. The glider, described by Warnock as "a space capsule with wings," is equipped with sophisticated life support systems and instrumentation to ensure pilot safety. The aircraft is able to soar without an engine to its record altitudes thanks to very rare air currents known as "stratospheric mountain waves," which form when mountain winds are strengthened by the polar vortex. The Airbus Perlan Mission II team, made up of some of the aviation industry's most celebrated test pilots and world-renowned climate scientists, will conduct its 2023 flying campaign from late July through mid-September, when stratospheric mountain waves are most likely to occur in the Southern Hemisphere. After setting multiple successive records in prior years, the team took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Images/Video: bitly.com/perlanpress About Airbus Perlan Mission II Airbus Perlan Mission II is an initiative to fly an engineless glider to the edge of space, higher than any other winged aircraft has operated in manned, level flight, to open up a world of discoveries related to high-altitude flight, weather and climate change. This historic endeavor is the culmination of decades of research and engineering innovation, and the work of a tireless international team of aviators and scientists who volunteer their time and expertise for the nonprofit The Perlan Project. The initiative, based in Minden, Nevada, is supported by Airbus and a group of other sponsors that includes Dennis Tito, Weather Extreme Ltd., Raytheon (United Technologies), BRS Aerospace and Thales. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005975/en/

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[May 02, 2023] STELLAR Broadband Expands Gigabit Fiber Internet Service to City View Apartments

LANSING, Mich., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- STELLAR Broadband, a fiber internet service provider, has expanded its service to City View Apartments, a new mixed-use development that includes 172 apartments, a 5,00 square foot fitness and training center, and 13,500 square feet of commercial co-working space in Downtown Lansing. City View is set to become a focal point of the capital city. It is a great place to live, work, and play. STELLAR Broadband will provide City View residents with high-speed, reliable internet service. The company's fiber optic network can deliver speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, more than enough for streaming video, gaming, and working from home. Committed to providing the best possible service, STELLAR offers a variety of features including 24/7 customer support, a satisfaction guarantee, and a variety of security features. "STELLAR Broadband's long-standing partnership with WestPac has been successful in delivering the best technologies to meet WestPac's vision and best serve its residents," said Richard Laing, Presiden of STELLAR Broadband.



"Through our partnership with STELLAR, our properties are designed with a full portfolio of the highest quality technologies, including multi-gigabit Internet and managed Wi-Fi, access control and door entry, video surveillance, and more. STELLAR brings it all together seamlessly, so we can focus on what we do best: providing our residents with the best possible experience," said Pat Smith, CEO of WestPac. "KMG Prestige is committed to optimizing net operating income from the very beginning of the development process. We understand that construction is a temporary phase, but operations are ongoing. That's why we partner with WestPac communities and STELLAR Broadband to build a solid foundation that will delight residents for years to come," said Dave Grinzinger, Regional Vice President at KMG Prestige.

About Spartan Net Co, dba STELLAR Broadband

STELLAR Broadband services over 139 multi-tenant communities with multi-Gigabit fiber internet, providing technology design and installation services across a full portfolio of technologies, including structured wiring, consulting, entry and access control, engineered Wi-Fi, security, voice, television, and various IoT solutions. To learn more, visit: www.stellarbb.com About WestPac

WestPac is a real estate development and management firm with a 50-year track record of success. They have been involved in over 7 billion dollars in real estate including multi-family, from student housing to memory care for seniors, master planned communities and resorts properties including hotels and condominiums as well as office and retail space. WestPac is committed to developing exceptional investment opportunities with a long-term objective of optimizing yields while safeguarding capital. To learn more, visit: www.WestPaccommunities.com About KMG Prestige

With comprehensive operating expertise built over three decades of managing properties of all types and sizes throughout North America, KMG Prestige is a recognized leader in the multi-family property management sector. KMG offers a wide range of initiatives designed to enhance property performance and asset value. Their commitment and state-of-the-art operating systems are unmatched in the industry. To learn more, visit: www.kmgprestige.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stellar-broadband-expands-gigabit-fiber-internet-service-to-city-view-apartments-301813784.html SOURCE STELLAR Broadband

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[May 02, 2023] Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Declares Quarterly Common Stock Dividend and Preferred Stock Dividend

The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (the "Company") has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock, which is the same as the first quarter of 2023 and a $0.02, or 7.1%, increase from the second quarter of 2022. Based on the Company's common stock closing price of $27.03 on May 1, 2023, the dividend yield is approximately 4.4%. The common stock dividend is payable on June 2, 2023 to common shareholders of record as of May 19, 2023. The Board also declared a quarterly dividend on the outstanding shares of the Company's 6.875% Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A preferred stock"). The Series A preferredstock is represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/400th ownership interest in a share of Series A preferred stock. The dividend of $171.88 per share (equivalent to $0.43 per outstanding depositary share) is payable on June 1, 2023 to holders of record as of May 17, 2023.



About Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NYSE: AUB) is the holding company for Atlantic Union Bank. Atlantic Union Bank has 109 branches and approximately 125 ATMs located throughout Virginia, and in portions of Maryland and North Carolina. Certain non-bank financial services affiliates of Atlantic Union Bank include: Atlantic Union Equipment Finance, Inc., which provides equipment financing; Atlantic Union Financial Consultants, LLC, which provides brokerage services; and Union Insurance Group, LLC, which offers various lines of insurance products.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006143/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Dyno Therapeutics to Present New Data on Optimized AAV Capsids with Transformative Therapeutic Delivery Potential at 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT)

Dyno Therapeutics, Inc., a techbio company pioneering applications of artificial intelligence to engineering AAV capsids that can expand the potential of genetic medicine, today announced a Dyno Scientific Symposium and the presentation of four research abstracts at the upcoming 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) being held May 16-20, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif. Among the results to be presented is a breakthrough in CNS delivery: Dyno's AI-guided design and subsequent in vivo characterization of a novel AAV capsid that delivers genetic payloads to a significant and potentially therapeutically relevant fraction of neurons across the central nervous system (CNS), including deep brain structures, via IV administration in non-human primates. Dyno Scientific Symposium Title: "The Capsids You Need: AI-Guided Design and In Vivo Validation of AAV Capsids for Better Delivery to Muscle, Eye and CNS"

Date and Time: Friday, May 19 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. PT

Location: Petree Hall C Dyno's scientific symposium will describe the transformative properties of Dyno's license-ready capsds across therapeutic areas, including a breakthrough in CNS delivery aided by generative AI. Dyno is leveraging its platform to additionally design optimized capsids for muscle and eye delivery, towards significantly expanding the potential of genetic medicine.



Symposium speakers:

Eric Kelsic, Ph.D., CEO and Co-founder

Adrian Veres, Ph.D., CSO and Co-founder

Jamie Kwasknieski, Ph.D., Head of Platform

Yvette Leung, MBA, Head of Corporate Development Research abstracts showcasing Dyno's capsids:

Title: "Crossing the Non-Human Primate Blood Brain Barrier with Machine-Guided AAV Capsid Design"

Date and Time: Wednesday, May 17 at 12:00 p.m. PT

Poster/Abstract Number: 382 Title: "Optimizing Intravitreal Delivery to the Non-Human Primate Retina with Machine-Guided AAV Capsid Design"

Date and Time: Friday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. PT

Poster/Abstract Number: 1284 Research abstracts featuring Dyno's platform capabilities: Title: "A Robust Machine Learning Algorithm for Improving AAV Capsid Performance"

Date and Time: Wednesday, May 17 at 12:00 p.m. PT

Poster/Abstract Number: 467 Title: "Automated Micro-TFF System Streamlines Purification and Operator Time in a Lean rAAV Manufacturing Operation"

Date and Time: Thursday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. PT

Poster/Abstract Number: 887 About Dyno Therapeutics Dyno Therapeutics is solving the in vivo gene delivery challenge while broadly partnering with gene therapy developers towards maximizing patient impact. Dyno's platform combines artificial intelligence (AI) with high-throughput experimentation to accelerate the design of AAV capsids with properties that significantly outperform current in vivo gene delivery vectors, towards expanding the range of diseases treatable with genetic medicines. To date, Dyno has partnered with leading gene therapy developers, including Astellas, Novartis, Roche, Sarepta and is broadly open to partnering across therapeutic areas. Dyno was founded in 2018 and is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. Visit www.dynotx.com for additional information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005812/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Guess? Announces Finance Reorganization and Appointment of Markus Neubrand as Chief Financial Officer

Guess?, Inc. (NYSE: GES) today announced that Markus Neubrand, currently Group Chief Financial Officer of MCM Worldwide (MCM Global AG), has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Guess?, effective August 1, 2023. Mr. Neubrand will succeed Interim Chief Financial Officer Dennis Secor, who will remain with the Company as Executive Vice President through March 31, 2024 to support a smooth transition. In addition, Fabrice Benarouche has been promoted to Senior Vice President Finance, Investor Relations and Chief Accounting Officer, effective immediately. Carlos Alberini, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "After a rigorous search process, we are thrilled to welcome Markus as our Company's next Chief Financial Officer. Markus is an accomplished finance and operating executive who also brings deep apparel industry experience and strong leadership, operational and strategy skills. We look forward to partnering with him as our team continues to execute our business plan and build on the momentum we have generated from our transformation strategy and the elevation of our brands." Mr. Alberini added, "We are also pleased to recognize Fabrice's contributions to Guess? with his promotion and expanded responsibilities. In addition, on behalf of everyone at uess?, I want to thank Dennis for his service over the past year as Interim Chief Financial Officer. We are grateful that he will continue to support the team in the coming months to help ensure a smooth transition."



About Markus Neubrand Mr. Neubrand brings two decades of finance and operations experience in the fashion industry to Guess?. He currently serves as Group Chief Financial Officer of luxury fashion brand MCM Worldwide (MCM Global AG), a role he has held since January 2021. Previously, he spent 17 years at Hugo Boss, in roles of increasing responsibility, including Managing Director Scandinavia and Group Director Financial Planning at the headquarters in Germany, and culminating with his role as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Hugo Boss Americas from 2014 to 2020. Mr. Neubrand began his career at Deloitte in Germany. He received a Master's degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart.

About Fabrice Benarouche Mr. Benarouche has served as the Company's Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations since 2014 after having joined Guess? in 2006 and serving in various other financial roles. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Benarouche was a manager at Ineum Consulting (Deloitte Consulting) in France. Mr. Benarouche received a Master of Science in Information Technology from Telecom SudParis. About Guess?, Inc. Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, eyewear, footwear and other related consumer products. Guess? products are distributed through branded Guess? stores as well as better department and specialty stores around the world. As of January 28, 2023, the Company directly operated 1,046 retail stores in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The Company's partners operated 562 additional retail stores worldwide. As of January 28, 2023, the Company and its partners operated in approximately 100 countries worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230501005776/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Douglas Elliman Inc. to Host First Quarter 2023 Results Conference Call

Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG) will conduct a conference call and webcast to discuss its first quarter 2023 results on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. (ET). Participants should pre-register for the call using the following link: https://conferencingportals.com/event/XyPNvEjm. Registered participants will receive an email with a calendar reminder, dial-in number and conference ID that allows immediate access to the call on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Participants who do not wish to pre-register may access the live webcast at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/320287461. Please join the webcast at least 10 minutes prior to start time.



A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call ends on May 10, 2023 through May 24, 2023 at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/320287461. About Douglas Elliman Inc.

Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG, "Douglas Elliman") owns Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which is one of the largest residential brokerage companies in the United States with operations in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey, the Hamptons, Massachusetts, Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada. In addition, Douglas Elliman sources, uses and invests in early-stage, disruptive property technology ("PropTech") solutions and companies and provides other real estate services, including development marketing, property management and settlement and escrow services in select markets. Additional information concerning Douglas Elliman is available on its website, investors.elliman.com.

Investors and others should note that we may post information about Douglas Elliman on our website at investors.elliman.com or, if applicable, on our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube or other social media platforms. It is possible that the postings or releases could include information deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in Douglas Elliman to review the information we post on our website at investors.elliman.com and on our social media accounts. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006123/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Russell Budd Recognized as 2023 Trailblazers Plaintiffs' Lawyer by the National Law Journal

The national law firm of Baron & Budd is pleased to announce that President and Managing Shareholder Russell W. Budd has been recognized as a 2023 Trailblazers Plaintiffs' Lawyer by The National Law Journal. The award recognizes legal professionals who have made a significant impact on the practice or policy in their area. The selection committee remarked that they were impressed by Budd's long career as a plaintiff's attorney handling cases ranging from asbestos to opioids. Budd has more than four decades of experience representing victims of corporate wrongdoing and has been a trailblazer for the entirety of his career. Budd's leadership is unrivaled, and he has played a major role in many of the largest cases to ever hit the U.S. court system. Serving as a Baron & Budd shareholder since 1985 and president and managing shareholder since 2002, Budd presides over one of the nation's largest plaintiffs' firms. Baron & Budd has achieved national acclaim for its work, trying hundreds of cases to verdict and settling tens of thousands of cases for hundreds of billions of dollars in areas of litigation as diverse as pharmaceuticals, mesothelioma, water contamination, fraudulent banking practices, and other consumer fraud issues.



Most recently, Budd was appointed to the Plaintiffs' Settlement Negotiation Team for In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL 2804. Together with co-counsel, Budd and his firm represent more than 700 public entities and 8 states' Attorneys General in litigation against prescription opioid manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers. The Settlement Negotiation Team has negotiated more than $46 billion in settlements with the nation's largest drug distributors, manufacturers, and dispensers. Budd also successfully negotiated combined settlements from pharmacies of $274 million in New Mexico.

ABOUT BARON & BUDD, P.C. Baron & Budd, P.C. is among the largest and most accomplished plaintiffs' law firms in the country. With more than 45 years of experience, Baron & Budd has the expertise and resources to handle complex litigation throughout the United States. As a law firm that takes pride in remaining at the forefront of litigation, Baron & Budd has spearheaded many significant cases for hundreds of entities and thousands of individuals. Since the firm was founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has achieved substantial national acclaim for its work on cutting-edge litigation, trying hundreds of cases to verdict and settling tens of thousands of cases in areas of litigation as diverse and significant as dangerous and highly addictive pharmaceuticals, defective medical devices, asbestos and mesothelioma, California wildfires and environmental contamination, fraudulent banking practices, e-cigarettes, motor vehicles, federal whistleblower cases, and other consumer fraud issues. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006215/en/

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[May 02, 2023] Model N and Impartner Partner to Offer Comprehensive Revenue Management Solutions

TMCnet News Model N and Impartner, two in the revenue optimization and partner relationship management, respectively, announced their strategic partnership. The integration of Model N and Impartner's platforms will allow high-tech companies to manage, optimize, and accelerate every aspect of indirect sales motions. This collaboration will provide a unified partner experience, which will benefit both companies and customers.



Model N provides a comprehensive revenue management solution that enables companies to optimize pricing, incentive programs, rebates, and channel performance. Meanwhile, Impartner's partner relationship management solution streamlines channel management processes, enabling companies to boost partner engagement, recruitment, and revenue growth. The combination of these solutions creates a powerful ecosystem of revenue management tools for high-tech manufacturers. Model N is a publicly-traded company based in San Mateo, California, founded in 1999. It provides cloud-based revenue management and regulatory compliance solutions to life sciences, technology, and manufacturing companies. Innovative companies trust Model N to optimize their revenue and compliance processes.

Impartner is a privately-held company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, founded in 1997. It is a leading provider of cloud-based partner relationship management solutions, with over 3 million users across the globe. The company's solutions enable companies to optimize their partner programs, boost partner engagement, and increase partner revenue. The Model N and Impartner integration is expected to provide significant value to high-tech companies that rely on indirect sales channels. In a recent report titled 'Leverage Data Management Solutions to Connect and Drive Channel Revenue," Forrester (News - Alert) Research found that high-tech executives reported a unified channel partner portal would be extremely valuable to their organization's revenue management processes. The Model N and Impartner partnership enables manufacturers to identify opportunities, inconsistencies, and the ability to enrich valuable information, a proven industry pain point. "Working with Impartner, an award-winning PRM provider, brings Model N and Impartner unparalleled capabilities for our joint customers," said Gloria Kee, Vice President of Product Management at Model N. Users can access the entire enhanced channel and revenue management platform in a single location, which allows for a unified partner experience for our customers." "When companies reach key revenue milestones, they often consider their partnership program's potential - and as the program grows, so does the complexity," said Gary Sabin, Vice President of Product Management at Impartner. "Our partnership with Model N simplifies the revenue optimization and compliance aspects of the program management into a centralized workplace, enabling flawless operational expansion." The Model N and Impartner partnership is a promising development for the high-tech industry. By combining their solutions, these two companies are providing a comprehensive revenue management ecosystem that will benefit both companies and their customers. As high-tech companies continue to rely on indirect sales channels, this partnership will prove to be a valuable asset for revenue optimization and compliance processes.





Edited by Greg Tavarez



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Fortune Business Insights

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global Hydrogen Generation Market size is projected to grow from USD 145.67 Billion in 2020 to USD 220.37 Billion in 2028 at CAGR of 5.6% during forecast period.

Pune, India, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global hydrogen generation market is expected to reach USD 220.37 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. The market is set to gain traction from the high demand for fuel cell-based buses and electric vehicles (EVs), especially in North America and Asia Pacific. In December 2019, Hyundai, for instance, planned to invest around USD 6 billion in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology to increase the sales of electric vehicles worldwide. This information is given by Fortune Business Insights in a study, titled, Hydrogen Generation Market, 2021-2028. The study further mentions that the hydrogen generation market size was USD 145.67 billion in 2020.

Key Industry developments:

In July 2021-Cerulean Winds, in partnership with px Group announced a contract to assist onshore green hydrogen plants and related industrial infrastructure in England and Scotland for its 200-turbine floating wind-to-hydrogen project based in the North Sea. According to the contract, px Group will operate the hydrogen generation facilities and the related onshore infrastructure with the grid connections and onshore substations.

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Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 5.6% 2028 Value Projection USD 220.37 Billion Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2020 USD 145.67 Billion Historical Data for 2017-2019 No. of Pages 240 Segments covered Hydrogen Generation Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (On-site and Portable), By Technology (Steam Methane Reforming, Water Electrolysis, Partial Oil Oxidation, and Coal Gasification), By Application (Ammonia Production, Petroleum Refinery, Methanol Production, Transportation, Power Generation, and Others) and Regional Growth Drivers Rising Adoption of Desulfurization in Refining Industry to Boost Growth Key Players Focus on Bagging New Orders to Gain Competitive Edge

Growth Driver:

Rising Adoption of Desulfurization in Refining Industry to Boost Growth

With growing concerns over climate change and air pollution, there is a growing demand for clean energy. Hydrogen is considered a clean and sustainable energy source, as it produces zero greenhouse gas emissions when used in fuel cells or burned with oxygen. Hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, which are experiencing significant growth in investment and adoption. As the use of renewable energy grows, so does the potential for hydrogen production. The hydrogen generation market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by a range of factors including increasing demand for clean energy, government support, and technological advancements in hydrogen production and delivery.

Story continues

COVID-19 Impact :

The pandemic has severely affected the global hydrogen generation industry, owing to decreased demand and cash-flow among regional players and traders. However, a number of policymakers have announced proposals to take advantage of the reduced carbon emission levels brought about by the closure of the manufacturing and transportation industries, boosting demand for clean fuel alternatives. For example, in December 2020, the Japanese government announced a new fund worth more than USD 19 billion as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package for the hydrogen industry. This will improve the outlook of the hydrogen generation market during the coronavirus outbreak.

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/hydrogen-generation-market-100745

This Report Answers the Following Questions:

What are the growth drivers and obstacles in the market?

Which companies would lead the market in terms of revenue?

What are the key strategies adopted by the companies?

How will the ruling bodies promote the usage of hydrogen generation processes?

Segmentation:

Based on technology, the market can be segmented into steam methane reforming, electrolysis, coal gasification, and others. Among these, steam methane reforming is expected to be the dominant technology during the forecast period due to its wide use in industrial applications. However, electrolysis is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing adoption of renewable energy sources.

Based on generation and delivery mode, the market can be segmented into centralized production, distributed production, and merchant production. Among these, centralized production is expected to be the dominant segment due to its high efficiency and economies of scale.

Based on application, the market can be segmented into transportation, industrial, power generation, and others. Among these, the industrial segment is expected to be the largest segment during the forecast period due to the high demand for hydrogen in refineries, chemical production, and other industrial applications.

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Competitive Landscape-

Key Players Focus on Bagging New Orders to Gain Competitive Edge

The major companies present in the market are mainly engaging in receiving new orders from the industry giants for their in-house hydrogen generation systems. As the number of new hydrogen facilities is increasing, the demand for such systems is also surging rapidly.

A List of Key Manufacturers Operating in the Global Market:

Air Liquide (France)

Air Products (US)

Iwatani Corporation (Japan)

Hydrogenics (Canada)

Linde (UK)

Praxair, Inc (US)

Messer Group (Germany)

Showa Denko K.K. (Japan)

Epoch Energy Technology Corporation (Taiwan)

Idroenergy Spa (Italy)

McPhy (France)

Proton OnSite (US)

LNI Swissgas (Switzerland)

Airgas (US)

Parker Hannifin (US)

FuelCell Energy (US)

Hydrogen Generation Market Segmentation:

By Type:

On-site

Portable

By Technology:

Steam Methane Reforming

Water Electrolysis

Partial Oil Oxidation

Coal Gasification

By Application:

Ammonia Production

Petroleum Refinery

Methanol Production

Transportation

Power Generation

Others

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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. Industry SWOT Analysis

4.5. Porters Five Forces Analysis

5. Qualitative Analysis  Impact of COVID-19

5.1. Impact of COVID-19 on the Hydrogen Generation Market

5.2. Steps Taken by the Government to Overcome the Impact

5.3. Key Developments in the Industry in Response to COVID-19

5.4. Potential Opportunities and Challenges due to COVID-19 Outbreak

6. Global Hydrogen Generation Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028

6.1. Key Findings / Summary

6.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type

6.2.1. On-site

6.2.2. Portable

6.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Technology

6.3.1. Steam Methane Reforming

6.3.2. Water Electrolysis

6.3.3. Partial Oil Oxidation

6.3.4. Coal Gasification

6.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Application

6.4.1. Ammonia Production

6.4.2. Petroleum Refinery

6.4.3. Methanol Production

6.4.4. Transportation

6.4.5. Power Generation

6.4.6. Others

6.5. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region

6.5.1. North America

6.5.2. Latin America

6.5.3. Europe

6.5.4. Asia Pacific

6.5.5. Middle East and Africa

Continued.

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[May 02, 2023] Colibri Real Estate Unveils New Online Pre-Licensing Courses for Aspiring Real Estate Agents in Michigan and Massachusetts

Colibri Real Estate, the leading provider of real estate courses nationwide, today announced the release of new online pre-licensing classes for aspiring real estate agents in Michigan and Massachusetts. "We are here to provide education and guidance for real estate professionals every step of their career, and we want preparing to get a license to be a positive experience when getting started in real estate," said Andrew Robinson, Head of Product, Content, and Innovation, Colibri Real Estate. "With our new courses, we are excited to provide a more engaging, highly visual learning experience so that learners will have more active and productive interactions with the material and, ultimately, will walk away with greater confidence in what they need to know to successfully begin their career in real estate." Colibri Real Estate's online course for real estate licensing offers flexibility and convenience for aspiring agents to learn at their own pace. New material in the real estate pre-licensing courses will include the following: Discrete, easily digestible 25-minute lessons

More real-world examples, including Tips from an Agent, scenarios, and In Practice eamples

Short videos, particularly to help with complex concepts

Chapter video summaries for easy review

Updated photography to bring the content to life and sustain attention

Icons to quickly identify and categorize content

Flashcards and other activities that help each learner identify whether they understand or need to review course content



For more information and to enroll in Michigan real estate pre-licensing courses, go to: https://www.colibrirealestate.com/real-estate/michigan/license/.

For more information and to enroll in Massachusetts real estate pre-licensing courses, go to: https://www.colibrirealestate.com/real-estate/massachusetts/license/. ABOUT COLIBRI REAL ESTATE Colibri Real Estate empowers aspiring and seasoned real estate professionals to start or advance their real estate career through unmatched learning solutions. Colibri Real Estate is part of the Colibri Group, an education company composed of elite brands that provide learning solutions to licensed professionals. For more information, visit https://www.colibrirealestate.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006239/en/

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Scribe Therapeutics Announces Oral Presentation at 2023 American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting

Scribe Therapeutics Inc., a molecular engineering company creating genetic medicines through its CRISPR by Design approach to genetic modification, today announced a presentation on its X-Editor (XE) technology at the 26th American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting, taking place in Los Angeles, Calif. and virtually from May 16-20, 2023.

Scribe's suite of XE genome editing tools are comprehensively engineered from natural CRISPR-Cas enzymes to exhibit increased activity, specificity and deliverability. The company's presentation will include data demonstrating the potential of the company's platform and CRISPR by Design approach to overcome challenges with efficacy and safety that existing technologies face.

Oral Presentation Title: Comprehensive Engineering of CasX Holoenzyme to Create an X-Editor with High Activity, Specificity and Deliverability

Abstract Number: 262

Session Title: Genom & Epigenome Editing Technologies I









About Scribe Therapeutics

Scribe Therapeutics is a molecular engineering company focused on creating best-in-class in vivo therapies that permanently treat the underlying cause of disease. Founded by CRISPR inventors and leading molecular engineers Benjamin Oakes, Brett Staahl, David Savage, and Jennifer Doudna, Scribe engineers bacterial immune systems into genetic medicines through its CRISPR by Design approach leveraging all previous iterations of CRISPR technology. The company is backed by leading individual and institutional investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Avoro Ventures and Avoro Capital Advisors, OrbiMed Advisors, Perceptive Advisors, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., funds managed by Wellington Management, RA Capital Management, and Menlo Ventures. To learn more about Scribe's mission to engineer the future of genetic medicine, visit www.scribetx.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502006186/en/
[May 02, 2023] Caseware International Acquires Longstanding Distributor in Australia & New Zealand

TORONTO, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caseware International, a global leader in cloud-enabled audit, financial reporting and data analytics solutions, today announced that it has acquired Caseware Holdings Australia Pty Ltd (d/b/a Caseware Australia & New Zealand), an independent distributor servicing Australia, New Zealand, and other Asian-Pacific countries for over 25 years. Caseware Australia & New Zealand provides Caseware solutions such as Working Papers, IDEA analytics and numerous cloud applications, including self-managed super funds and financials to the accounting, corporate and government-related markets. They have been a pioneer in adapting Caseware's offerings to the cloud and were the first distributor to introduce a fully cloud-based application (SMSF Audit) in 2015. "Two years ago we embarked on a journey to bring the biggest and fastest-growing distributors into the Caseware family," said David Osborne, CEO Caseware International. "Caseware Australia & New Zealand marks the end of that journey, and together with the five other acuired distributors, we can all firmly approach the market as One Caseware. It is great to formally welcome Craig and the entire Australia-based team to Caseware International. We have had a tremendously collaborative relationship for many years, and this acquisition only strengthens our future together."



Craig Waldon, who will continue to lead the business, stated, "Since joining in 2001, I have seen the business grow significantly and have appreciated the long-term relationships our customers in Australia and New Zealand entrust to us. The opportunities for our business, staff and customers will only increase as a result of becoming part of a global business. I look forward to working more closely with the entire Caseware team." "Given the pace of change in our market, joining forces now made perfect sense," added Chairman Solly Lew who started the business in 1997. "I'm so pleased with our success in delivering transformative solutions to our customers over the years, and under Caseware International's ownership, I believe the company will be better positioned for the future."

The acquisition of Caseware Australia & New Zealand marks Caseware International's seventh acquisition in less than two years. Caseware is committed to delivering exceptional service and value to its customers and will continue to explore opportunities to strengthen its position in the market. About Caseware International

Caseware is the leading global provider of desktop and cloud-enabled solutions for audit, assurance, financial reporting and data analytics for accounting firms, corporations, and government regulators. Caseware's innovative tools and platforms help more than half a million customers in 130 countries work smarter, dig deeper and see further as they transform insights into impact. For more information, visit www.caseware.com. About Caseware Australia & New Zealand

Since 1997, Caseware Australia & New Zealand has been the exclusive distributor of Caseware products in Australia and New Zealand and specializes in software development and support for Australian Auditors, SMSF Auditors and Financial Reporters. Products include Audit, SMSF Audit, Analytics and Financial Reporting and are specifically built and supported in Australia for Australian and New Zealand legislative and regulatory requirements. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2066432/Caseware_International_Inc__Caseware_International_Acquires_Long.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/caseware-international-acquires-longstanding-distributor-in-australia--new-zealand-301811983.html SOURCE Caseware International Inc.

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Environmental, social and governance, or ESG, initiatives are a hot topic across various industries and platforms. From workplaces to social media, the significance of ESG issues is being discussed more and more, these days.

In the past, companies could attract new customers, investors and employees through the quality of their products and services alone. However, this is no longer always the case. While offering a certain quality of products and services remains important, stakeholders are interested in knowing how engaged companies are in supporting sustainable ESG initiatives.







It is becoming increasingly crucial for companies to demonstrate their commitment to ESG values to win the loyalty of their customers, investors and employees.

How do organizations respond to this?

According to Precisely, the answer is to move faster, remain compliant and accurately demonstrate and quantify a commitment to ESG initiatives, along with a data strategy that must prioritize data integrity  data thats accurate, consistent and has context.

Taking that into account, Precisely partnered with customers worldwide to build trust in data for effective ESG reporting processes. The Precisely Data Integrity Suite, combined with expert services, helps customers integrate multiple sources of ESG data in real-time and improve data quality and governance while complying with industry regulations.

Organizations that use data integrity in their ESG reporting processes see benefits such as improved alignment of ESG data with other datasets, enhanced organization of data from multiple sources, more robust standards and controls for data accuracy and consistency and better governance of data storage and exchange between systems.

Vontobel, an investment firm with Swiss origins, took a proactive step toward maintaining data integrity by collaborating with Precisely, aimed at enhancing the company's investment strategies, with a particular focus on ESG compliance. By partnering with Precisely, Vontobel aims to stay ahead of the curve and provide its clients with the most effective investment solutions that align with their sustainability goals. The firm's commitment to sustainability and data integrity highlights its dedication to delivering exceptional services to its clients.

Investors, employees and consumers alike want to know the companies theyre investing in, working for, and buying from not only meet their personal standards of ethics but are doing their part to create a better world, said Precisely Chief Revenue Officer Pat McCarthy. To stay compliant and achieve meaningful outcomes businesses need to prioritize data integrity in sustainability reporting and build trust in the data fueling their decisions.

With new research from IDC showing that data management concerns are the leading driver for ESG investment, there is no better time for businesses to leverage trusted data to drive accurate reporting processes, achieve meaningful outcomes and unlock true business value from ESG-focused initiatives. And Precisely is the answer to achieve that.

Edited by Alex Passett
Regret is human nature . . .

Most people have dozens of regrets regarding their lives ranging from marriage, to career choices and even down to breakfast options.

Regret is a common state of affairs for most humans.

For instance . . . We're pretty sure Anheuser-Busch regrets their marketing decisions after enduring more than 5 BILLION worth of market cap losses.



In fairness, here's a prog blog screed arguing that trans people are beyond reproach and not subject to a very common human sentiment . . . At least according to "the science" they share . . .



"The Kansas legislature was hyper-focused on isolating and targeting transgender youth in Kansas even though we know the stakes are this high.



"The explanation some legislators are giving for bills banning gender-affirming care stems from the assumptive idea that people will change their minds. This is, at best, speculation and is certainly a flimsy justification for creating punitive measures targeting children and their medical providers.



"This claim also stems from outright ignorance over the process of transgender medical treatment. Intense psychological examinations take place before starting treatment is even considered. Did our legislators claim to know more about this process than our medical care providers trained specifically to handle these medical issues?



"The World Professional Association for Transgender Health says evidence of later regret is scarce, with less than 1% of people who have transitioned expressing regret for their decision. Perhaps our legislators should examine actual medical procedures and the large body of data-driven evidence stating gender transition is not something people come to later regret."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Equal time given that this local leader is one of the top ranking Kansas politicos to earn victory despite midterm disappointment . . . Here's the latest presser from his office . . .



AG Kobach delivers results in first 100 days in office

TOPEKA - (May 1, 2023) - Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach entered office a little more than 100 days ago. In that time, hes advanced an agenda that fights fraud and crime, increases protections for Kansas taxpayers, pushes back against federal overreach from the Biden administration and eliminates fees for Kansans to exercise their constitutional rights.



I am grateful to Kansas voters every day for the opportunity to defend our constitution, protect the rights and property of Kansans and serve our great state, Kobach said in a press conference Monday afternoon.



Protecting Kansans from price gouging



Within his first few weeks in office, Kobach filed a lawsuit against a middleman for Kansas gas utilities arguing that the company manipulated gas prices during a 2021 winter storm. The Attorney General alleges that Macquarie Energy artificially inflated prices for natural gas, causing heating rates to skyrocket. Kansas families felt the pinch.

Kansas families deserve protection from price gouging and market manipulation, Kobach said. Companies in Kansas must play by the rules.



Fighting crime by shutting down the supply of fentanyl and stopping organized retail crime



On the campaign trail, I promised to do everything I could to reduce the flow of fentanyl into Kansas and to prevent retail crime in Kansas, and today Im happy to say Im delivering on that promise with help from Kansas lawmakers, Kobach said. Im confident that the Governor is likely to sign the crime bill.



The Kansas Legislature recently passed a crime bill that increases the penalties in fentanyl cases and that helps combat organized retail crime by allowing multi-county crimes to be prosecuted directly by the Attorney Generals Office.



The Legislature provided additional and badly needed resources to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that will assist in combatting fentanyl trafficking and preventing crimes against children. The Legislature also provided resources to replace outdated scientific equipment at the laboratory and overdue improvements to KBIs facility in Great Bend.



I am grateful to the Kansas legislature for giving the Kansas Attorney Generals office and the KBI the tools needed to protect Kansans and their rights, Kobach said.



Additionally, the Attorney General is working with law enforcement partners including the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to create task forces that will find ways to shut down the supply of fentanyl in our state and root out organized retail crime in Kansas.



Eliminating state investments in ESG funds



One of Kobachs top priorities since entering office is protecting Kansas investments. He pushed for and helped draft a new law that requires the Kansas pension system to invest solely in funds based on the highest return on investment instead of using social-issue litmus tests as part of their investment strategy.



ESG investing uses the retirement savings of Kansans as leverage to starve companies of capital if those companies support the gun industry, do not meet woke environmental standards, dont bow down at the identity politics altar, or do not support abortion. The nest eggs of Kansas teachers, police officers and other state employees should not be jeopardized by those pushing a political ideology, and Im pleased to be able to deliver on that campaign promise, Kobach said.



The Attorney Generals Office also joined a lawsuit challenging a Biden administration Labor Department rule on ESG investing for private retirement funds. That suit is pending. The suit alleges that the rule makes it easier for fiduciaries to use individuals retirement money to advance a woke agenda, while making it harder for actual investors to police such conduct.



Pushing back against overreach from the Biden administration



As a former professor of constitutional law, Kobach promised to defend the U.S. Constitution from federal overreach. During the press conference, he pointed to a number of lawsuits the office has filed against the Biden administration since he took over, as well as letters sent to federal authorities pushing back against unconstitutional actions. Specifically, Kobach talked about his lawsuit against the Biden administrations illegal listing of the lesser prairie chicken as an endangered species.



This listing clearly violates the property rights of Kansas ranchers, farmers, and other landowners, Kobach said. If the listing goes into effect, drilling new oil wells in western Kansas will be nearly impossible, and Kansas ranchers will have to get cattle grazing plans approved by the federal bureaucracy. Even the green energy infrastructure the President claims to love so much will come to a halt.



Kobachs office is also engaged in lawsuits against the Biden administration that challenge:



A Department of Homeland Security program that grants an immigration amnesty to hundreds of thousands of foreigners



An ATF rule that subjects pistol stabilizing braces to the National Firearms Act



An EPA and Army Corps of Engineers rule that would redefine the Clean Water Act term, Waters of the United States, so that federal agencies would have jurisdiction over not just navigable waters but nearly every ponds, stream, ditch and other bodies of water in America, which will impact farmers, developers, and other property owners.





Restoring the number of attorneys in the AGs Office



When Kobach entered office, there were 25 attorney positions vacant, hindering the ability of the office to do all of the work required of it. This was gradual attrition that occurred because AG salaries were well below major counties and far below private firms.



I explained this to the legislature, and they appropriated additional funds to solve the problem. Im happy to report that as a result we have been successful in hiring some very well qualified attorneys from across the state, Kobach said. So far, we have filled seven of the 25 vacancies and we are in the process of interviewing and making offers to more.



###





You decide . . .


Let's get this out of the way first . . .

KC politicos are always willing to play tougher with Latinos than the Black community because this cowtown has a natural disposition against n00bs. We understand & support this local character trait even if the view doesn't really apply to a townie like TKC.



Still, to preempt any criticism . . .

Nope, TKC isn't cousins with 4th District At-Large candidate Crispin Rea and this blog DOES NOT make political endorsements. In fact, longtime readers know that we've thrown more than a few insults toward Crispin over the years AND basically ran one of his old bosses out of town.

More to the point . . . Politicos in KC come and go and none of it really impacts this blog one way or another given that our biggest struggle is always to keep paying for the bandwidth & coffee which powers this dump.

All of that is to say . . . We've got more than enough criticism for every contender seeking elected office and we barely tolerate my mom's chihuahua . . . There's no such thing as a TKC favorite.

Now . . .



We want to examine one of the main contradictions confronting 4th District At-Large candidate Justin Short. The sordid topic of his police union support.

Consider . . .



As an outspoken member of the Kansas City LGBT commish . . . He's one of the most progressive candidates currently running for office.

In fact, last year he penned this criticism using a controversial term that had already been disavowed by most mainstream Democratic Party leaders . . .



"This is what we mean by defund the police."



To be fair, he was tweeting about a ridiculous robot police dog that deserves scorn from taxpayers.

But overall . . .

There's no denying that Mr. Short is decidedly liberal in his views on topics ranging from trans healthcare to an unbridled support for Prez Biden.

And here's the point . . .

Mr. Short's EXCEPTIONALLY progressive outlook provides a stark contrast to the overwhelmingly conservative perspective expressed by the police union and their Kansas City Northland stronghold. Yet, he has their proud endorsement.

Of course we understand the reasoning behind this . . .

Police union leaders seemingly fear Crispin Rea's affiliation with the prosecutor's office and the leading 4th District candidate hasn't done much to remove himself from Mean Jean's shadow.

But more likely . . .

Police union support hinges on Northland crony politics that already proved unsuccessful in the primary. Of course the cops aren't REALLY getting behind the LGBT commish leader . . . They're doing a favor for Northland politicos who are pushing Justin Short because his parents are rich and have quite a few connections.

And that underhanded strategy deserves criticism . . . Moreover . . .



KANSAS CITY POLICE SUPPORTERS STILL AREN'T SERIOUS ABOUT LOCAL POLITICS AND THEIR PROGRESSIVE CONTRADICTION ERODES PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT!!!

Sorry but most of the Northland doesn't eat at the 3-star Briarcliff restaurants where this kind of back scratching is respected and/or rewarded.

Furthermore . . .



We've always believed that the people of Kansas City have a pretty good B.S. detector and this contradiction is a big part of the reason that the Northland skipped the primary.

A conspiracy theorist might suggest that Justin Short is a clandestine police supporter and will betray his progressive promises . . . But there's no reason to believe that . . . Mr. Short deserves to be trusted and taken at his word when he advocates strongly for LGBT rights, tenant issues and seems to fall in line with most of the views of his activist colleagues.

However . . .

Once again police political leadership attempts to sell a contradiction that isn't the least bit convincing.

These are the same political bunglers who supported Mayor Quinton Lucas and then cried about him for years after their error was apparent. Now, they're employing a similar tactic and hoping that nobody will pay attention.



Our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community did, in fact, notice and believes that that the sketchy strategy merits greater scrutiny.

Developing . . .


For tonight, a quick peek at police action, court cases and ongoing investigations as this town continues along a violent path with record-breaking homicide numbers.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

KCPD investigating after 44-year-old woman dies from 'apparent trauma' Saturday Kansas City, Missouri police are investigating a homicide that occurred over the weekend near the 1700 block of East Missouri Ave.Just after 2:30 p.m., officers were called on a welfare check at the address above.Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Jamie Craig, 44, inside an apartment suffering from apparent trauma.

Days later, police releasing few details after man shot, killed by KCK officer KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Police have not said if the man who was killed by a Kansas City, Kansas officer last week was armed. Kansas City, Missouri police are investigating the incident. KCPD said the KCK officer who was hurt had minor injuries.

Kansas City Police Department says former attorney's accusations are false KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Police Department says a review determined a former attorney's allegations about department practices are false. Ryan McCarty, a former associate general counsel for KCPD, released a scathing letter to public last winter, calling for former Interim Chief Joseph Mabin to be fired.

Kansas City man accused of severely beating stranger with metal pipe at 31st, Van Brunt A 30-year-old man faces two felonies for allegedly beating a stranger with a metal pipe to the point of fracturing his neck and jaw in a daylight attack on Kansas City's East Side. Jackson County prosecutors charged William R. Andrews, of Kansas City, with armed criminal action and first-degree assault, a Class A felony under Missouri law.

Missouri police arrest 4 Romanian nationals in connection to $1 million jewelry heist in Florida Missouri police arrested four Romanian nationals this week who are accused of stealing over $1 million worth of jewelry from a business in Florida. On April 11, two women and a man walked into a jewelry business on Scenic Highway 30A in Walton County, Florida.

Juvenile charged with assaulting Harrisonville police officer at prom KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A juvenile student was taken into custody over the weekend after allegedly assaulting a police officer at a high school prom. The juvenile, who's name is not being released, is awaiting potential charges in connection to the incident, which was reported around 9:15 p.m.

KU student from Overland Park found dead at sorority house, no foul play suspected LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Police said a 19-year-old University of Kansas student was found dead at her sorority Saturday morning. The Lawrence Police Department stated officers responded to the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house at 10:30 a.m. and found the student dead in her bed and already beyond life-saving measures.

Kansas City, Kansas, police identify remains as man missing since 2021 KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Detectives identify the remains of a missing man found in mid-April. Kansas City, Kansas Police said a hiker found the remains of 32-year-old Justin Siwek in Wyandotte County. Siwek disappeared in June 2021. His family said they found his car parked at a hotel near Kansas Speedway.

Ambulance driver wasn't speeding before deadly crash near 71 Highway, Bannister WARRENSBURG, Mo. - Police are still investigating a deadly weekend crash involving an ambulance. Emergency officials in Johnson County, Missouri said their driver wasn't speeding when she crashed on Sunday evening. A patient being taken to Kansas City died in the crash.

South KC residents say more jobs, more recreational facilities needed to reduce youth crime By John Sharp Providing more programs for youth, more jobs and more recreational facilities and activities were among the suggestions to reduce rising rates of youth violence in the south Kansas City area discussed at a community meeting April 21.

Kansas City-area school districts awarded thousands to pay for security upgrades JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Kansas City-area school districts receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants to improve school safety. The School Safety Grant Program covers costs of both physical security upgrades as well as technology upgrades and equipment that would be used during medical emergencies.

How Kansas City Regional Police Academy is teaching recruits to spot, stop excessive force KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In late April, a former Colorado police officer was found guilty of failing to intervene when a fellow officer pistol-whipped and strangled an unarmed man. The conviction became the first in the state under a new accountability law that was adopted in 2020 after the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis Police Officer while three other officers looked on.

Developing . . .
Credit where it's due . . . At least 12th & Oak is making this move before the general election.

Still . . . Like it or not . . .

SLAVERY REPARATIONS IS THE MOST DIVISIVE ISSUE CONFRONTING KANSAS CITY AND THREATENS TO RUIN LOCAL PROGRESS ATTRACTING NEW RESIDENTS!!!

Put simply . . . Over the past 50 years other cities have proven that high-income residents DO NOT like paying for this kind of social justice controversy.

Don't believe TKC?? Look at Detroit and any part of D.C. outside of Georgetown . . . The controversial California exodus also proves our thesis correct.



Accordingly . . .



Here's some of the copy the mayor's office sent out tonight . . .



Mayor Quinton Lucas tapped Terri Barnes, president of the Nia Project, to chair the commission.



Building a better community for all requires our City to address past wrongs, ongoing patterns of discrimination, and tools by which we may create equal opportunity for all Kansas Citians, Lucas said. I thank the members of the Mayors Commission on Reparations for engaging in the important review and work essential in providing a template for City Council, Kansas City businesses, and our entire community for how we can support long-term equitable growth for all parts of Greater Kansas City.



Other commission members include:



Kansas City Black United Front advocate Will Bowles; Seigfreid Bingham partner Fritz Riesmeyer; Brothers Liberating Our Communities Founder Cornell Ellis; Descendent Freedman Alliance Executive Director Kenneth Ford; Communities Creating Opportunities Executive Director Danise Hartsfield; LISC Greater Kansas City Program Officer Kelli Hearn; UMKC Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Bridgette Jones; Dionne King of DMK Consults; Lincoln Prep student Madison Lyman; Greenline Initiative CEO and Co-Founder Ajia Morris; KC Defender founder Ryan Sorrell; UMKC Associate Professor of Economics Linwood Tauheed.



Kansas City Reparations Coalition members Mickey Dean and Ester Holzendorf are ex-officio members of the Mayors Commission on Reparations.

#################



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas appoints 13 members to Commission on Reparations KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced 13 appointments Monday to the city's new Commission on Reparations. Lucas and 10 other U.S. mayors, including St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, pledged to form a commission "to study and develop" proposals to pay reparations for slavery to Black residents in their cities nearly two years ago.

Developing . . .


Once again we're watching a new low in Kansas City editorial practice.

This isn't the last straw or the tipping point but merely the ongoing demise of a great institution that that this cowtown is witnessing with regret.

We'd like to believe that, even in the digital era, there's a path forward for the last almost-daily newspaper in a major metropolitan city.

Sadly, the newspaper is content to repeat 12th & Oak talking points rather than offer any unique insight or perspective.

But let's make it plain . . .

KANSAS CITY STAR UNDERMINING TRUST IN POLICE AMID THIS 2023 HOMICIDE SURGE IS IRRESPONSIBLE!!!

In fact, it's an active disservice to the community and public safety.

Again . . . We have our legit disagreements with police, especially their recent political choices . . . We'll get into that later.

HOWEVER, taking aim at trust in police is NEXT LEVEL rhetoric that will (continue to) have serious implications on local streets.

To be fair . . .

Editorial scribes are often to timid to devise this kind of garbage on their own . . . Instead, we contend that this destructive logic (or lack thereof) emanates from our mayor & so many members of council who have engaged in drawn out war with police leadership and "local control" despite the ongoing murder surge.

As always, we ask readers to judge for themselves . . .



Here's the money line . . .



Why should we  or any resident of Wyandotte County  have confidence in the agencys decision to hand the investigation into Hendersons death across the state line to Kansas City, Missouri, police? We dont, and for good reason.



The KCPD cant be trusted to investigate its own officers when theyre involved in fatality shootings.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

6 days after KCK police killed a man, KCPD is silent. How can we trust investigation? | Opinion We wish we could say with a degree of certainty that we can trust the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department's handling of an investigation into how a traffic stop ended in the shooting death of 25-year-old Amaree'ya Henderson of Kansas City.

Related reading . . .

A whistleblower claimed KCPD withheld evidence in criminal cases. The Police Board denies it The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners announced Monday that a former Kansas City Police Department employee's claims that the department unethically funneled criminal evidence away from prosecutors and denied public records requests was "inaccurate."

You decide . . .
Strengthening Its Position as the Leading IAM Consultancy and System Integrator in the U.S.

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / iC Consult Americas, a subsidiary of iC Consult Group, the world's leading Identity and Access Management (IAM) consultancy and system integrator, and managed services provider for IAM, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Edwards as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Jonathan Edwards succeeds Brad Kirkpatrick in the role.





Jonathan Edwards





Jonathan Edwards brings with him an impressive track record in consulting, delivery, and strategy. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Professional Services at iC Consult and as Vice President of Strategy and Consulting at SecureITsource, a company acquired by iC Consult in 2021.

Under Jonathan's leadership, iC Consult Americas will focus on further growth in North America and expanding the IAM Managed Services, Implementation, and Advisory portfolio. This strategic direction aligns with the company's commitment to providing customers with the most advanced and secure IAM solutions.

Commenting on the appointment, Jurgen Biermann, CEO of iC Consult Group, said, "I am confident in Jonathan's ability to lead iC Consult Americas to new heights. His extensive experience and deep understanding of our industry make him the ideal choice for this role. We're proud to have a homegrown talent like Jonathan take the helm of our U.S. operations."

Jonathan Edwards added, "I am honored to be appointed as the new CEO of iC Consult Americas. I look forward to working with our talented team to expand our reach, deliver exceptional value to our customers, and reinforce our position as the market leader in IAM solutions."

Background: iC Consult's Growth Strategy

iC Consult is one of the world's leading service and consulting companies specializing in IAM. Serving as a trusted advisor in all aspects of IAM, iC Consult offers a broad portfolio of solutions with deep technical expertise. The Managed Services offerings ensure that clients can maximize their investment in IAM solutions. The company, which has been held by The Carlyle Group as a majority owner since 2021, employs more than 800 people across 12 countries worldwide and is currently rapidly driving the internationalization of its business, to support its wider global growth objective.

Story continues

Interested readers can find further information at https://www.ic-consult.com/en/.

About iC Consult

iC Consult is the world's leading independent consultancy, systems integrator, and managed services provider for Identity & Access Management with more than 800 employees worldwide. We are committed to excellence and innovation, and with the best-in-class technology in the IAM space, we provide our customers with next-level cybersecurity solutions. Our service portfolio covers Managed Services for IAM, including advisory, architecture, implementation, integration, support, and operations. iC Consult is headquartered in Germany with offices in Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, Spain, Bulgaria, the UK, the U.S., Canada, India, and China. The world's largest brands trust in our expertise, to secure and manage their most valuable assets: their identities.

Contact Information:

Ulli Rottmuller

Head of Marketing

ulli.rottmueller@ic-consult.com \

Related Files

230502_iC Consult Americas_Jonathan Edwards.pdf

SOURCE: iC Consult Group

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View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/752426/iC-Consult-Americas-Appoints-Jonathan-Edwards-as-CEO




Pricey grocery options endure threats this morning . . . Here are the basics of the story and police advice that customers should steer clear . . . Check-it:



Olathe police says the threat was called at 9:01 a.m. by a male. The building was evacuated and is being cleared by Olathe officers.



"We hope to restore normal business operations as soon as possible," Olathe police said in a statement.



Another bomb threat was called earlier Tuesday morning at 8:35 a.m. at another Whole Foods location at 6621 West 119th St. in Overland Park.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Police give 'all clear' after bomb threats at KC area Whole Foods stores Tuesday morning KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police have determined there is no danger after bomb threats were called in Tuesday morning to Whole Foods Market stores in Overland Park and Olathe. At around 8:35 a.m. Tuesday, Overland Park police say a male caller claimed a bomb was in the Whole Foods store located at 6621 West 119th St.

Olathe police take precautionary action after multiple bomb threats in the region The Olathe, Kansas Police Department says it's taking precautionary action after receiving news of a bomb threat at an area grocery store. Police temporarily asked the public to avoid the area around a Whole Foods Market located at 14615 West 119th Street after a threat was received over the phone earlier this morning.

Police give 'all clear' after bomb threats at KC area Whole Foods stores Tuesday morning KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police have determined there is no danger after bomb threats were called in Tuesday morning to Whole Foods Market stores in Overland Park and Olathe. At around 8:35 a.m. Tuesday, Overland Park police say a male caller claimed a bomb was in the Whole Foods store located at 6621 West 119th St.
A social media trend targets economy car drivers . . . Here's the latest tragedy for a local worker . . .



KCPD says the damage to her Kia is consistent with one of those cases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it's to blame for at least 14 crashes and eight deaths.



As many as 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias have been involved.



Officers say after-market alarm systems or things like the club may prevent the thieves from stealing. Also, a GPS device in the vehicle could help the police locate it faster if it's taken.



The victim, she's left without transportation, paying out of pocket for the damage.



KCPD says social media shouldn't be allowing these "how to videos" on stealing cars and encourages victims to get them taken down.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Northland woman believes stolen, damaged Kia is connected to recent TikTok trend KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City woman in the Northland believes she was the latest target of a TikTok trend that has led to crashes and deaths across the country. Kansas City police says Kias and Hyundais make up 30% of car theft cases right now in Kansas City, Missouri.

Further reading . . .

Hyundai and Kia to Give Away Free Steering Wheel Locks After TikTok Thefts Hyundai Motor Co., parent company of and , is reportedly going to distribute free steering wheel locks like it's 1999 in response to that were popularized on the viral video network . The free steering wheel locks are being given away in addition to an upcoming update to anti-theft software in 3 million Hyundai and Kia models, according to .

NYPD's answer to TikTok car theft challenges: 500 free AirTags The New York Police Department is turning to Apple AirTags to combat a rise in stolen vehicles it blames on a TikTok car theft challenge. In a press conference on Sunday, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city is handing out 500 free AirTags to help residents track their cars in case they've been stolen.

Criminals are stealing hundreds of thousands of Kias and Hyundais - and TikTok is to blame Bria Jenkins was enjoying an evening at home last November, watching television with her kids and waiting for a Domino's delivery. But when she opened the door to grab the pizza from the delivery driver, she got a serious shock: There was broken glass strewn on the ground and her 2013 Kia Optima was gone - stolen from right in front of her house.

Developing . . .
Greece is expecting to have a record tourism year, surpassing 2019 before the Coronavirus pandemic struck the world in early 2020, bringing lockdowns and nearly shutting off international air traffic completely

After being confined by island fever but allowed out again due to the easing of COVID-19 pandemic health measures, Australians are now seeking to travel to various places, and Greece is a favorite destination.

According to the online travel research company, Webjet, bookings to Athens from Australia have skyrocketed by 369.5%, making it one of the top destinations for the summer months. This marks a significant increase from last year, when air travel was more restricted, and Athens only placed ninth in popularity.

Athens is also ranked fourth as the most popular destination booked by 18-25-year-olds during the summer months. Despite the citys lack of charm compared to many European cities, its coffee shops and funky neighborhoods have developed a buzz that appeals to young travelers.

According to News.com.au, Greece is dominating TikTok travel bucket lists, with #greekislands and #santorini racking up a combined total of 12 million views in Australia over the last four months.

Greece seems to have a unique spell over Aussies during the European summer season, said David Galt, CEO of Webjet OTA, in an interview with the news site. Greece also has a Greek Diaspora of 424,750, according to the 2021 census.

The article also noted that with the promise of glistening blue waters and sunshine, Greece has jumped right into the top three most searched international destinations for EU summer.

Greece is expecting to have a record tourism year, surpassing 2019 before the Coronavirus pandemic struck the world in early 2020, bringing lockdowns and nearly shutting off international air traffic completely. In 2022, Greece essentially ended its health restrictions, with vaccination proof no longer required and life returning largely to normal. However, the virus is still making people ill, hospitalized, and causing fatalities.

Read more at thenationalherald.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Chris Phutully
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.
In recent years, Indian passport holders have been facing several challenges when it comes to international travel, including visa restrictions and lengthy application processes.



(TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - May 2nd, 2023 - In recent years, Indian passport holders have been facing several challenges when it comes to international travel, including visa restrictions and lengthy application processes. However, 2023 has brought with it some new visa rules for Indian citizens that are expected to have a significant impact on their travel plans. These changes have been announced by several countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. The implementation of these new visa rules is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of these countries while facilitating travel for Indian passport holders.

Its worth noting that the implementation of these new visa rules is not unique to Indian passport holders. Many countries around the world have been tightening their visa requirements in recent years, as a response to the global security threats and the need to manage immigration. The process of obtaining a visa can be time-consuming and expensive, and it can often be a barrier for those who wish to travel abroad. However, its important to understand that visa regulations are put in place for the safety and security of the host country, and travelers must comply with them to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. With proper planning and preparation, Indian passport holders can still enjoy the benefits of international travel while adhering to the new visa rules.

In this blog, we will discuss these new visa rules in detail and how they may affect Indian traveler

United States of America:

One of the most popular destinations for Indians, the USA, has announced new visa rules for Indian passport holders. The US has introduced a new travel authorization system that requires Indian citizens to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they can travel to the United States. This ETA will be valid for two years and will allow multiple entries to the country. Indian citizens who have had a passport update after obtaining their previous US visa will need to ensure that their new passport information is updated with the US authorities to avoid any complications during their travel.

United Kingdom:

The UK has announced new visa rules for Indian passport holders, which will come into effect from January 2023. Indians visiting the UK for tourism or business purposes will need to obtain a Visitor Visa, which will be valid for up to six months. However, Indian students and workers will still be able to apply for a longer-term visa, such as a Tier 4 Student Visa or a Tier 2 Work Visa. Indian citizens who have had a passport update after obtaining their previous UK visa will need to ensure that their new passport information is updated with the UK authorities to avoid any complications during their travel.

Canada:

Canada has also introduced new visa rules for Indian passport holders. Indian citizens will now need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they can travel to Canada. This ETA will be valid for up to five years and will allow multiple entries to the country. However, Indian citizens will still need to obtain a visa if they plan to work or study in Canada. Indian citizens who have had a passport update after obtaining their previous Canadian visa will need to ensure that their new passport information is updated with the Canadian authorities to avoid any complications during their travel.

Australia:

Australia has introduced new visa rules for Indian passport holders, which will come into effect from July 2023. Indian tourists and business visitors will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they can travel to Australia. This ETA will be valid for up to three months and will allow multiple entries to the country. Indian citizens who have had a passport update after obtaining their previous Australian visa will need to ensure that their new passport information is updated with the Australian authorities to avoid any complications during their travel.

European Union:

The European Union (EU) has also announced new visa rules for Indian passport holders. Indian citizens will need to obtain a Schengen Visa before they can travel to any of the 26 countries that make up the Schengen Area. This visa will allow Indian citizens to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within six months. Indian citizens who have had a passport update after obtaining their previous Schengen Visa will need to ensure that their new passport information is updated with the EU authorities to avoid any complications during their travel.

United Arab Emirates:

If you are an Indian passport holder looking to work remotely from the UAE, you may be interested in the new Green Visa category recently introduced by the UAE. With this visa, you can stay in the UAE for up to one year and make multiple entries without the need for a sponsor. However, please note that you may need to update your passport before applying for this visa.

Singapore:

If you are an Indian passport holder planning to travel to Singapore for business or tourism, please be aware of the new visa rules that will come into effect from April 2023. Under these rules, you will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you can travel to Singapore. This ETA will be valid for up to 90 days and will allow multiple entries to the country. Dont forget to check the latest Indian visa rules before applying for your ETA.

In conclusion, keeping your passport updated is crucial for Indian citizens to take advantage of the new visa rules that offer free visas for Indian passport holders in several countries. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates and requirements before planning any international travel. We recommend that Indian passport holders regularly check the official government websites of the countries they plan to visit for the latest information on visa requirements and regulations.

For more details visit us at visadone.com

https://visadone.com/visa/

###
(Bloomberg) -- Carl Icahn, the famed activist investor whos made a career out of starting corporate brawls, found himself on the receiving end of criticism Tuesday after Hindenburg Research disclosed a short call against his investment firm.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Shares of Icahn Enterprises LP closed down 20% in the biggest one-day drop on record, after Hindenburg claimed in a lengthy report that the company is overpriced, and said it found evidence of inflated valuations for some of its assets.

Icahn hit back at Hindenburg hours after the report came out, saying that the firms performance would speak for itself over the long term as it always has.

We stand by our public disclosures, Icahn said in a statement. We believe strongly in hedging our positions to mitigate risk, especially in markets that we are living in today, Icahn added.

We think Icahn, a legend of Wall Street, has made a classic mistake of taking on too much leverage in the face of sustained losses: a combination that rarely ends well, Hindenburg said in the report.

The missive pits Icahn, 87, against Hindenburgs founder Nathan Anderson, who has made a name for his research firm in recent years by targeting corporate giants like payments company Block Inc. and billionaire Gautam Adanis business empire.

In Tuesdays report, Hindenburg claimed Icahn Enterprises value is inflated by 75% or more, noting that it trades at a premium of more than 200% to its net asset value. Other closed-end holding companies like Dan Loebs Third Point and Bill Ackmans Pershing Square trade at discounts to their NAV, according to Hindenburg.

The report also raises questions about the size of Icahn Enterprises dividend yield and the way in which it has been financed in recent years.

Story continues

Icahn has been using money taken in from new investors to pay out dividends to old investors, Hindenburg said in the report. Such Ponzi-like economic structures are sustainable only to the extent that new money is willing to risk being the last one holding the bag.

Hindenburgs report also singled out Jefferies Financial Group Inc., which it said is the only large investment bank that publishes research coverage on Icahn Enterprises. Jefferies analyst Daniel Fannon currently has a buy rating on the stock, with a target price of $70.

Jefferies research assumes in all cases, even in its bear case, that IEPs dividend will be safe into perpetuity, despite providing no support for that assumption, Hindenburg wrote. Representatives for Jefferies didnt have an immediate comment.

Read more: Icahn Enterprises Plunge Just One of Hindenburgs Many Hits

While Hindenburg has been active since 2018, when Anderson incorporated the company from an apartment in New York, Icahn has been stalking the corporate world for around 50 years. He wrote Tuesday that Icahn Enterprises continues to believe that activism is the best paradigm for investing.

A decade ago, he and activist hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman went to war over Herbalife Ltd., with Ackman calling the nutritional-supplements companys model a pyramid scheme and going public with a $1 billion short bet. Icahn, who at one point owned almost a quarter of Herbalifes shares, defended the multilevel-marketing model and publicly assailed Ackman for years  on stages and television, in documentaries and online  after an initial CNBC phone-in argument between the two billionaires.

Ackman weighed in on the Hindenburg report via Twitter on Tuesday, calling it a must read.

In 2015, a debate at a Delivering Alpha conference between Icahn and BlackRock Inc. Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink quickly devolved into a verbal slugfest. Icahn called an open letter by Fink, which argued that corporate CEOs shouldnt repurchase shares just to satisfy activists, a sales pitch for BlackRock and called the firm an extremely dangerous company over its exchange-traded funds.

More recently, Icahn has battled with DNA-sequencing company Illumina Inc., saying the board of the company set a new low in governance by pursuing its acquisition of Grail Inc. over antitrust regulators objections. In a meeting with Illumina CEO Francis deSouza and Chairman John Thompson in early March, Icahn was quoted as saying he would not even support Jesus Christ as an independent candidate over his board nominees who answer to me.

Icahn said later that month that Illumina had taken out of context certain things that were supposedly said during discussions meant to be private in the hopes of achieving peace rather than war.

On average, companies targeted by Hindenburg fell about 15% the day after a negative report appeared and were down 26% six months later, according to February calculations by Bloomberg News.

--With assistance from Katherine Burton.

(Updates chart, shares throughout to reflect market close.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
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InnSuites Hospitality Trust

Phoenix, AZ, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE American: IHT) reported a strong annual improvement of results in Fiscal Year 2023, (February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023), with Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests doubling, increasing by 106%, to $523,171 as compared to $254,144.



Earnings Per Share based on this Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interest amount was $0.06, also more than doubling, up $0.03 from the prior year of $0.03.

Total Revenues increased to approximately $7.5 million, which is an approximate increase of 11% from the same prior Fiscal Year total of $6.7 million.

Consolidated Net Income before non-cash depreciation expense was $1,439,437 for the Fiscal Year ended January 31, 2023.

IHT hotel operations are contributing to a solid start in the current 2024 Fiscal First Quarter, with both the Tucson Hotel and Albuquerque Hotel achieving record results for the combined months of February, March, and April 2023 of the current Fiscal Year.

These are all positive signs for InnSuites, as progress continues heading in the right direction as the Travel Industry, and InnSuites Hospitality Trust (IHT) specifically, continue to rebound and thrive.

InnSuites Hospitality Trust (IHT), in late 2019, made a diversification investment in new development privately held UniGen Power, Inc. (UniGen), a company developing a patented, high profit potential, efficient clean energy generation innovation. IHT holds convertible bonds and warrants that, when fully exercised, could result in IHT holding an approximate 25% ownership stake in UniGen.

UniGen has confirmed that prototype design engineering for the UPI 1000 NG engine is now complete. Parts and tooling are arriving, and continue to arrive weekly. Engineering work is on hold, while UniGen concentrates on its next round of capital raising.

UniGen is a high risk investment offering high potential investment return when successful.

Story continues

Based on a 96 core super computer  simulated test together with advanced software, UniGen has confirmed that the UPI 1000 NG engine with the addition of recent technological advancements, is approximately 33% more fuel efficient than first estimated and will emit only approximately 25% of the maximum admissions allowed by CARB, the strictest of the regulatory standards issued by the state of California. The UniGen design is to produce generators fueled not only with relatively clean natural gas but also with other even cleaner fuels such as ethanol and hydrogen (that emits only water).

Said James Wirth President, CEO, and IHT Board Chairman:

With 2024 Fiscal First quarter revenues continuing to increase to record levels, the recently completed profitable Fiscal Year 2023, which is IHTs second consecutive profitable Fiscal Year in a row, also confirming this strong upward trend, and with continuing progress on the UniGen diversification, IHT management believes that due to real estate held on the books of IHT at book values believed to be significantly below current market value and due to the high diversification profit potential ahead, the IHT future looks bright. IHT continues its stock buyback program due to the belief that market IHT stock valuations, significantly understate the future potential of IHT.

Said Sylvin Lange Chief Financial Officer (CFO):

IHTs strong hotel operating results and IHTs increasingly strong balance sheet, both reflect significant improvements, reflected in two successful, consecutive profitable Fiscal Years.

Fiscal Year 2023 extended IHTs uninterrupted, continuous annual dividends to 52 years, since 1971, with semi-annual dividends paid February 1, 2023, and anticipated for July 31, 2023.

For more information, visit www.innsuitestrust.com and www.innsuites.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

With the exception of historical information, matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements regarding IHTs review and exploration of potential strategic, operational, and structural alternative diversification investments, and expected associated costs and benefits are forward-looking. Actual developments and business decisions may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that could cause IHTs actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include the uncertain outcome, impact, effects and results of IHTs success in finding potential qualified purchasers for its hospitality real estate, or a reverse merger partner, the success of and timing of the UniGen clean energy diversification innovation, the continuation of semi-annual dividends in the year(s) ahead, and other risks discussed in IHTs SEC filings. IHT expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing, other than as required by applicable law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Marc Berg, Executive Vice President

602-944-1500

email: mberg@innsuites.com

INNSUITES HOTEL CENTRE

1730 E. NORTHERN AVENUE, #122

Phoenix, Arizona 85020

Phone: 602-944-1500




May 5th is World Astronaut Day, and in celebration of the UAE's outerspace achievements in the last six years, we think some recognition is in order for the nation's first astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri.

In December 2017 arrived, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai had the idea of sending the first UAE astronaut to space. A little under two years later, this goal was reached when UAE citizen Hazza Al Mansouri made history by becoming the first Emirati astronaut to travel to space.

Let's take a look at the journey of Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati to go to space:

1. He was a former pilot

Coincidentally, the first astronaut from the UAE is a former pilot. In a room with hundreds of hopefuls, he was picked for this assignment. Hazza Al Mansouri's selection process started in December 2017. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre authorities oversaw the selection process after 4,022 applicants expressed interest in joining this esteemed programme.

Read More: UAE to Welcome Two New Emirati Astronauts

2. Sultan Al Neyadi was chosen as his back-up

Al Neyadi, who just performed the first spacewalk by an Arab astronaut last week, was chosen as Al Mansouri's back up in 2019. The duo was instructed by international specialists in the discipline. For their training, they were sent to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, in the United States, the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, in Russia, and the European Space Agency, in Germany.

Before travelling to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to get ready for the final launch scheduled for September 25th, they passed their final qualifying exam on September 2nd.

3. He was accompanied by fellow astronauts from Russia and Kazakhstan

Al Mansouri was accompanied by Russian commander Oleg Skripochka and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir from Kazakhstan. The selected spacecraft for this mission was a Russian Soyuz MS-15.

4. He snapped this iconic image of him in a Kandura in space

Not only was this the first time for someone to wear a kandura in space, but Al Mansouri was the first astronaut to wear his cultural attire in outerspace of all nationalities...and he looked great doing it!
Russia's Ministry of Defense has changed its rhetoric and is actively describing strike campaigns ahead of a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

That's according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrinform reports.

"The Russian MoD has recently shifted its rhetoric and is actively describing strike campaigns, likely in an effort to portray a proactive approach to growing concerns in the Russian information space regarding a Ukrainian counteroffensive," ISW analysts said.

Russian forces conducted another large-scale missile strike against Ukraine on the night of April 30 to May 1.

"Ukrainian sources reported that nine Tu-95 and two Tu-160 strategic bombers took off from Murmansk Oblast and near the Caspian Sea and launched 18 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense shot down 15 of the missiles. Geolocated footage from Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, shows that one of the missiles struck the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant and caused a massive explosion on impact," ISW experts said.

However, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed on May 1 that the strikes targeted Ukrainian military-industrial objects and "successfully disrupted" the production of military resources. Russian milbloggers claimed that the missiles struck Ukrainian air defense systems and a transportation hub in Pavlohrad.

Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat noted that the fact that both the Tu-95 and Tu-160s carried far fewer missiles than their maximum load suggests that Russia continues to struggle with adequate production of such munitions.
In the United Kingdom, as part of the multinational training operation, the New Zealand Defence Force personnel are helping turn Ukrainian recruits into capable soldiers, providing them with skills needed to survive and be effective in frontline combat.

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In particular, 65 professionals from New Zealand are in the United Kingdom, where they will instruct Ukrainian recruits in mastering such skills as weapon handling, marksmanship, combat first aid, and offensive and defence operations in various environments.

A reminder that, on August 15, 2022, the New Zealand Government and New Zealand Defence Force officially announced a further significant deployment of 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukrainian soldiers.

Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The European Commission has adopted exceptional and temporary preventive measures on limited imports from Ukraine as regards five EU member states bordering Ukraine.

Thats according to the Commissions press service, Ukrinform reports.

The European Commission has today adopted exceptional and temporary preventive measures on imports of a limited number of products from Ukraine under the exceptional safeguard of the Autonomous Trade Measures Regulation. These measures are necessary given the exceptional circumstances of serious logistical bottlenecks experienced in five Member States, the report reads.

The measures concern only four agricultural products  wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed  originating in Ukraine. They aim to alleviate logistical bottlenecks concerning these products in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The measures will enter into force on May 2 and will last until June 5, 2023.

During this period, wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed originating in Ukraine can continue to be released for free circulation in all the Member States of the European Union other than the five frontline Member States: Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The products can continue to circulate in or transit via these five Member States by means of a common customs transit procedure or go to a country or territory outside the EU.

In parallel lines, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia have committed to lift their unilateral measures on wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed and any other products coming from Ukraine.

While addressing concerns of farmers in those Member States neighbouring Ukraine, the measures uphold the EU's strong commitment to support Ukraine and preserve its capabilities to export its grains which are critical to feed the world and keep food prices down, in the face of the huge challenges posed by the unprovoked Russian aggression, reads the report.

It is also noted that these measures are part of the overall support package that the Commission is putting forward and will be complemented with a financial support for farmers in the five Member States and further measures to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain exports via Solidarity Lanes to other Member States and third countries.

The European Commission is ready to reimpose preventive measures beyond the expiry of the current Autonomous Trade Measures Regulation on June 5, 2023, as long as the exceptional situation continues.

The Commission is also ready to launch an assessment of the situation of the Union market for other sensitive products under the expedited safeguards procedure proposed by the body.

As reported earlier, five EU countries appealed to the European Commission with a request to introduce protective measures against "excessive" agricultural exports from Ukraine, which affects the market situation, leads to a drop in prices and, thus, affects the interests of farmers in EU states neighboring Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal Augusto Santos Silva have discussed the interaction between the countries on Ukraines path towards the EU and expectations from the NATO summit in July, the needs of Ukrainian defenders and the peace formula.

These issues were considered at a meeting in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports with reference to the presidents press service.

Zelensky thanked Portugal for the decisions and practical steps in support of Ukraine since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion. In particular, Zelensky emphasized the importance of Portugal's support for the decision to grant Ukraine the status of the EU candidate, the Euro-Atlantic course of Ukraine and the strengthening of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He also expressed gratitude to Portugal for providing shelter to tens of thousands of Ukrainians who were forced to flee the war.

"Most importantly, I would like to thank your society, which, thanks to the actions of the government and parliament, was united in support of Ukraine and Ukrainians. This is a very important signal of faith in Ukraine," he said.

The President of Ukraine and the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal discussed the interaction between Ukraine and Portugal on the path of Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of starting negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU by the end of this year.

This will be a powerful incentive for Ukrainian society and Ukrainian defenders who have been holding back the aggressor for more than 14 months," Zelensky emphasized

The President also outlined Ukraine's expectations from the NATO Summit in Vilnius, in particular, the creation of a mechanism of effective security guarantees for the period until Ukraine's membership in the Alliance.

Special attention was paid to the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. The President thanked for Portugal's support of Ukraine's peace initiatives, particularly within the UN.

"Ukraine is interested in involving as many countries as possible in the holding of the Global Peace Summit," Zelensky said, noting that he expects Portugal will actively support Ukraine's efforts in the preparation of the Peace Summit.

Zelensky thanked for the security support provided by Portugal, including the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks. He informed the delegation of the Portuguese Parliament about the priority needs of Ukrainian defenders in the context of preparing for a counteroffensive. The President expressed hope that the Government and the Parliament of Portugal would be able to make the necessary decisions to enhance the capabilities of Ukrainian defenders on the frontline.

During the meeting, the President stressed the willingness of the Ukrainian state to strengthen the political dialogue with Portugal. The parties also discussed the upcoming high-level bilateral events.

Photo: Presidents Office
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Published May 2, 2023

MONROE, LA  The University of Louisiana Monroe Honors Program invites the public to a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly renovated Honors Lounge. The ceremony will be Monday, May 8, at 2:00 p.m. in the Honors Lounge, 105 Strauss Hall, 500 Bayou Drive in Monroe.

The Honors Lounge suite consists of three rooms and is a private space exclusively for Honors students to gather, socialize, and study. The $40,000 renovation updated the rooms flooring, paint, and furniture. The renovation was made possible by a generous donation from Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Marcus Clark (Ret.) The funds were donated from Justice Clarks retirement excess campaign funds. Justice Clark and his wife Allyson Clark are both ULM alumni. Additional donors for the project were Lori French, Dupuy Flooring, and the ULM Foundation Warhawk Advancement fund.

Agnes Ugokwe, a pre-pharmacy freshman from Alexandria, says the new renovations have made the Honors Lounge a place she loves to study. Its the little touches that make it stand out compared to anywhere else on campus, she said.

The largest room of the Honors Lounge includes a ping pong table and plenty of room for studying. On one wall is the Honors library with built-in bookshelves, featuring dozens of textbooks, free to the Honors students to reference. Opposite the library wall is another line of shelves, but these are packed with office and art supplies, like sticky notes, markers, paper clips, and paintbrushes. Theres even a sink to clean supplies. Another section of the Honors Lounge features a coffee bar, table space to study, and a gaming center with board games, card games, and video games.

Beau Benoit, a toxicology sophomore from Benton, thinks the renovations will help recruit new students to the Honors program. Everybody is proud to call this an Honors Lounge. Theyre wanting to show it off and send pictures to friends and family saying, Look at this cool space we can hang out in. This is for us, said Benoit.

About the ULM Honors Program

The ULM Honors Program is a unique program that seeks intellectually curious students who desire to challenge themselves with new ideas and to work with similarly motivated students.

The program is open to any student of any major and offers various options while working within the degree. Honors students are exposed to more in-depth topics and work closely with the Honors Faculty.

Honors students learn in smaller, discussion-based courses. Additionally, Honors students are eligible for exclusive Honors Housing in Bayou Suites, as well as extra Honors-only scholarships.

For more information, visit www.ulm.edu/honors.
| By Emily Chappell

Come July 1, recreational cannabis will be legal in Maryland, allowing those over 21 to purchase and use the substance without a medical card. But even with the upcoming changes, the need for medical cannabis  and the experts who study it  still greatly remains.

On April 26, at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC)  which was established in 2013 by the Maryland General Assembly  held what is likely to be its final meeting, as the public body is dissolved, and the states new cannabis administration takes over.

And while a separate entity outside of UMSOP, the MMCC has held a partnership with the school and its pioneering MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program, which was the first graduate program in the United States dedicated to the study of medical cannabis. The schools relationship with the MMCC began in 2018, said Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS, co-director of the Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis program and an associate professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research.

The MS program has a community of almost 400 alumni, and more than 300 students are currently enrolled, she added.

Maryland is entering a new phase of cannabis use and access. And I know that education is going to play a vital role in ensuring not only the continuation of a robust medical program here in Maryland, but the successful rollout of nonmedical cannabis use here in the state, Sera said. Our MS and certificate programs give our students  who are clinicians, scientists, public health professionals, educators, advocates, and entrepreneurs  a scientific foundation for the medical use of cannabis and the development of well-informed cannabis policies. Our students are trailblazers who are already moving the industry forward in Maryland, and around the United States, and the world.

UMSOP and the MMCC have shared the same goal, Sera added, of ensuring that there are safeguards and protections in place around medical cannabis.

For UMSOP graduate Jacquie Cohen Roth, MS 21, a member of the programs first graduating class, the need for experts trained like her is greater now than ever.

Cohen Roth is the founder and CEO of CannabizMD  a medical cannabis industry platform empowering industry professionals to deliver quality patient care and client service  and the nonprofit Tea Pad  a professional-level networking group for the cannabis industry  as well as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Pharmacys MS program, where she teaches state and federal laws and policies.

I think the critical need moving forward with this adult use industry is public health education, Cohen Roth said. Overarching, our health care providers have not been educated.

Cohen Roth said there are 6 million certified medical cannabis patients across the United States now, and if you include the illicit market  100 percent of America has access to cannabis in some form. A majority of states now have a medical cannabis program as well.

And meanwhile, less than 9 percent of medical schools in the U.S. include [cannabis education] in their curriculum. So, there's this void that I'm focused on helping fill, she added.
(Bloomberg) -- The International Monetary Funds chief said China is shifting its thinking about participating in debt restructuring after being confronted by countries unable to pay what they owe, signaling hope the worlds second-largest economy will help provide relief for distressed nations.

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China  now the biggest lender to developing economies  has joined traditional western creditors from the Paris Club in recognizing the need to create a better mechanism for debt overhauls, Kristalina Georgieva said in an interview with Stephanie Flanders, the head of economics and government at Bloomberg News, at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California.

One of the biggest challenges for the country is simply gaining an understanding of the scope of its own lending, given the historical lack for coordination between disparate government agencies and entities, Georgieva said. While China long resisted providing relief, citing its own status as a developing country, that thinking is beginning to change, she said.

Why? For a very simple reason, the IMF chief said. Because they are now being burned. Nothing makes you more eager to understand debt restructuring than when a country says Sorry, I cant pay you back.

My view is that we have to drag them  maybe thats an impolite word  we need to walk together. Because if we dont, there will be catastrophe for many, many countries.

More than 70 low-income nations face a collective $326 billion debt burden, with more than half of them already in or near debt distress, including Zambia, Ethiopia and Ghana. In many cases, China is the largest creditor, including Zambia, where about 75% of the debt that needs to be restructured is owed to the nation, Georgieva said.

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Efforts to restructure those debts, and rescue those economies from crisis, have been hampered over disagreements between traditional creditors like the Paris Club  mainly Western rich nations  and new entrants like China.

That failure of cooperation among creditors was a key theme at last months Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank. That included the so-called Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable, which was broadly tasked with hammering out a way forward for resolving debt treatment among all creditors.

China participated quite constructively in the discussions and has offered to host some technical meetings of the roundtable, Georgieva said.

The IMF chief said that a March visit to China and meetings with Premier Li Qiang and vice ministers showed her that China wants to work with the Group of Seven nations and the IMF. She added that the funds review of members quotas, or weighting of countries at the lender, is important for adequately addressing the growing importance of emerging markets like China.

Unless we address it, the strength of the IMF as a meeting place is going to be affected, she said. The 15th review concluded in 2020 with no increase in quotas. The 16th is currently ongoing and expected to be completed in mid-December.

China at last months meetings softened its insistence that multilateral lenders like the World Bank take haircuts, or losses, on their debt along with all other creditors. That came amid an apparent concession by the World Bank to boost ultra-low interest loans and grants to countries in debt distress.

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Wirkn doubles down on thesis that all hourly hiring is truly local and mobile-first

MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Hourly recruitment is vastly different from corporate hiring: It is more decentralized, informal, local, seasonal, and transactional. Wirkn's latest 3.0 release builds upon these differences to accelerate and improve retail, restaurant, mall, hospitality, and franchise hiring right in your neighborhood.

Making Hiring Faster for Managers

Hiring managers no longer have time to track down paper resumes, voicemail messages, or cross-platform applications. Wirkn's experience shows that they want an app that centralizes all applications and allows them to filter candidates by availability, skills, and locations. Wirkn caters to all of this with a community of 500k+ hourly job seekers.

It promotes video introductions to prescreen candidates, unified messaging that supports custom candidate messaging, and workflows that bring the experience together. Support for centralized or decentralized recruitment adapts to different recruitment models and regional differences. Wirkn's newly released Hiring Manager Companion app (iOS + Android) allows organizations of any size to bring this functionality together to manage field recruitment with ease and speed.

Wirkn, Friday, April 28, 2023, Press release picture

Making Applying Easy for Candidates

Today's candidates want easy. They want to apply via their phone in seconds, not minutes. They want to see available jobs on a map so they can apply based on location preferences rather than having to fill out multiple fields. They want acknowledgment that an actual person received their application. They are OK with submitting a video introduction, and they prefer back-and-forth messaging with the Hiring Manager over jumping on a call. Wirkn's new and improved candidate experience is enhanced to get the word out quickly to local candidates and yield quality applicants, all the while providing a more on-brand experience.

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Wirkn, Friday, April 28, 2023, Press release picture



Making Wirkn Accessible to Businesses of All Sizes

Wirkn's latest release supports Freemium adoption, whereby any business in Canada or the United States can set up their frontline hiring channel instantly and start recruiting for free. The aim is to democratize recruiting tools to help make frontline positions more accessible to all candidates and all employers. Employers can upgrade at any point for $29/month to unlock more functionality or publish more open positions. Enterprise options exist for larger organizations transforming their hourly recruitment channel.

Wirkn, Friday, April 28, 2023, Press release picture

Claim your Brand on Wirkn

Businesses can start by claiming their brand and linking their Wirkn job board to their website and social channels, creating a more modern and inviting candidate experience. Their account allows them to post one job for free (forever) and grants access to a hiring dashboard, a custom Now Hiring QR code to display in their window and at the cash, unified messaging, and applicant sourcing tools to respond on-the-fly to interested candidates. A set of KPIs allows Employers to identify the best candidate sources and optimize their omnichannel and physical recruitment strategies. All the tools to properly manage field recruitment have been built into the Wirkn platform and Hiring Manager companion App.

Commitment to Mall Transformation

Wirkn's growing ecosystem of mall customers will benefit from all the innovations in Wirkn 3.0. Already, many power users within malls that rely on Wirkn to staff up have adopted Wirkn's Companion App to hire candidates faster. In the coming months, mall job boards will get a facelift to enhance the candidate experience, generate more candidate traffic, and further anchor malls in the local communities they serve. The application addresses the need for malls to provide a modern way to attract the next generation of mall-based employees.

"We value our partnership with Wirkn because it helps solve one of our clients' biggest post-pandemic challenges: staffing. CF has always been committed to services that meaningfully support our clients, and connecting retailers with candidates ensures our shopping center community continues to thrive", explains Caleigh Silmser, Senior Manager, Brand at Cadillac Fairview.

Wirkn, Friday, April 28, 2023, Press release picture

Wirkn's Commitment to Frontline Workforce

Humanizing the recruitment of hourly staff is a central tenet of Wirkn's thesis. Attracting and retaining a thriving hourly workforce drives more robust profits, better service, and a more on-brand experience. Employers who deploy Wirkn benefit in many ways:

Access to a growing talent pool of 500k+ hourly candidates

Leverage Wirkn's proprietary algorithms to post across job boards, Google, and social media

Encourage conversions via a digital-first, hyperlocal experience designed to drive applications

Leverage video introductions to allow strong candidates to rise to the top

Make Hiring Managers part of the solution with tools designed to allow them to triage candidates faster

Wirkn will be working closely with malls, retailers, restaurants, neighborhood associations, and franchises over the coming quarters to get more employers onboard and generate more candidate traffic.

Test drive Wirkn today

Employers can claim their brand on Wirkn.com and post their first job for free by signing up at hiring.wirkn.com

Candidates can find open jobs at wirkn.com.

Larger brands and franchises looking to improve their candidate reach and flow should email sales@wirkn.com .

Media inquiries? Write to us: media@wirkn.com .

About Us

Founded in Montreal, Wirkn is a dynamic hyperlocal recruiting app transforming hourly recruitment for malls, restaurants, retail, and hospitality. Our team is committed to making the job search and hiring process straightforward, more efficient, and enjoyable for everyone involved, starting with the Hiring Manager. Try Wirkn for free today at wirkn.com

SOURCE: Wirkn





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VILNIUS, Lithuania , May 2, 2023 /CNW/ -- Incogni, a privacy protection company, has filed a complaint and enforcement request with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) against GfK Group, the largest market research company in Germany. The complaint alleges that GfK has consistently ignored data deletion requests from Incogni's clients, including nearly 500 requests from Dutch customers exercising their right to erasure under Article 17 of the GDPR. Incogni's complaint also includes a request for enforcement, which seeks formal appeal to the DPDA to take necessary action to ensure GfK's compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Incogni Logo (PRNewsfoto/Incogni)

"Companies placing obstacles in the way of consumers exercising their data protection rights represent a widespread problem. Incogni believes that data privacy is a fundamental aspect of safeguarding individual privacy rights, promoting democratic values and fostering human development in the digital age. We are taking legal action to ensure that data deletion requests are taken seriously by companies that acquire, hold, or trade personal information", says Darius Belejevas , Head of Incogni.

GfK Group is the largest market research company in Germany, providing data and intelligence to the consumer goods industry. The group has been making it unnecessarily difficult for Incogni's clients to have their personal data deleted.

The GDPR grants people in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) with the right to be forgotten. This means that companies are obliged to delete residents' personal information when asked to do so.

Residents of these jurisdictions can exercise this right by submitting appropriate requests to any company that holds their data, including companies like the GfK Group. The GDPR also prohibits such companies from interfering with the exercise of these rights, often punishing infringements with significant fines.

The scope of Incogni's actions extends beyond the current complaint against GfK, as the company considers the effective handling of data deletion requests as the first step in a broader mission to establish a more equitable and privacy-focused digital landscape.

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"Companies that process large amounts of user data, particularly data brokers, often make it very difficult for people to have their data removed. Many such companies require sensitive personal information to complete a removal request", concludes Belejevas.

The repercussions of the requested action by the DPA are not limited to the EU. For instance, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) also grants residents the right to be forgotten. However, the US data broker industry largely depends on most individuals not possessing or not exercising such rights. With more and more states implementing data privacy protection laws, impacted companies are expected to closely follow proceedings like this one.

Incogni is a personal information removal service that helps customers opt out from data broker databases. With the launch of people search site removals, Incogni is now one of the most comprehensive personal information removal services on the market, covering 180+ data brokers. The company's mission is to empower individuals to take control of their personal information and protect their privacy. With its user-friendly platform and automated removal requests, Incogni makes it easy for customers to opt out of data broker databases, saving them hundreds of hours of tedious work.

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May 2 2023

A former car rental facility carved out of a B-listed Georgian terrace in Edinburgh's New Town is in line for conversion to a 51-bed hotel under plans filed by Hackland + Dore.

With much of the interior fabric at 10 Picardy Place lost with the insertion of a steel/concrete structure, with floor slabs intersecting windows, the way is clear to begin efforts to rehabilitate the building. This includes pushing floorplates 1.2m from the listed facade, establishing a void between old and new screened by a glass curtain wall that also serves to introduce light and ventilation.

In doing so the majority of existing fabric can be retained including the structure and roof, with interventions limited to introducing a rear fire escape stair within a car lift void. Localised incisions to the floor slab will also allow the insertion of a service lift and internal courtyard.

Championing this light-touch approach the applicant wrote: "This separation offers a two-fold benefit: the existing floors work independently of the facade as well as removing the visual intrusion of floors passing halfway across windows."

Extending through to Broughton Street Lane the proposals include the reinstatement of iron railings and stone entrance steps.
The president of upcoming UN climate talks Sultan Al Jaber on Tuesday called on participants to drastically ramp up their use of renewable energy ahead of the key summit in the United Arab Emirates later this year

Berlin, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2023 ):The president of upcoming UN climate talks Sultan Al Jaber on Tuesday called on participants to drastically ramp up their use of renewable energy ahead of the key summit in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

The meeting in November needs "ambitious, transparent and accountable commitments from countries and businesses", Al Jaber said in a speech at the opening of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, a meeting of climate diplomats in Berlin.

"We will accelerate delivery in sectors like renewables that must triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040," he added.

The summit chief's call echoes a key target laid out by the International Energy Agency.

Al Jaber had already raised the potential target at a closed-door meeting with G7 leaders in Japan last month.

While setting out a goal for faster renewables expansion, Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, did not call for a complete end to the use of fossil fuels.

Rather, the future COP28 chair said the focus must be on removing the emissions such fuels produce.

"We must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero-carbon alternatives," said Al Jaber.

Climate activists have criticised the decision to hold COP28 in the oil-rich UAE and the choice as COP president of Al Jaber, who also serves as the Gulf state's minister of industry and advanced technology.
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(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd May, 2023) SHARJAH, 2nd May, 2023 (WAM)  H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the University of Al Dhaid on Tuesday. The MoU was signed between the University of Al Dhaid, the University of Bristol, and the Royal Agricultural University in the United Kingdom at the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre.

The MoU was also signed by Dr. Evelyn Welch from the University of Bristol and Dr. Peter McCaffery from the Royal Agricultural University. Its Primary aim is to enhance cooperation among the three universities to develop scientific and educational expertise.

The MoU focuses on three educational fields, namely veterinary medicine, sustainable agriculture, and desert science. Additionally, the parties involved can discuss ways of cooperation in various research fields.

Dr. Sheikh Sultan watched a visual presentation dealing with the most prominent programmes and specialisations offered by the two universities, listening to a detailed explanation of the fields that will be offered.

According to the MoU, the University of Al Dhaid, the University of Bristol and the Royal Agricultural University will cooperate to offer four programmes: Bachelor of Sustainable Agriculture, Bachelor of Animal Science, Bachelor of Desert Sciences, and a PhD programme in veterinary medicine.

These programmes and majors will be offered at the University of Dhaid, which will be opened next year.

At the end of the signing, the Ruler of Sharjah received a souvenir from the University of Bristol delegation. Dr. Sheikh Sultan and the delegations of the University of Bristol and the Royal Agricultural University toured the corridors of centre and viewed its most prominent holdings.

The signing witnessed the presence of Dr. Khalifa Musabeh Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Protocol Department, Ali Ibrahim Al Marri, Head of the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre; Dr. Muhadditha Yahya Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private education Authority; Dr. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, and a number of academics and university representatives in the country and the United Kingdom.
Kathmandu, May 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2023 ) :A US mountaineer has died on Everest in the fourth fatality on the world's highest peak this climbing season.

Jonathan Sugarman, 69, was on an acclimatisation rotation at around 6,400 metres (21,000 feet) when he died on Monday, his expedition organiser said.

"He was feeling unwell and passed away at Camp 2. Efforts are underway to bring (back) his body," Pasang Tshering Sherpa of Beyul Adventure told AFP.

"We are trying to send a helicopter but it is snowing and the weather is not favourable," he said.

Beyul Adventure is a local partner of US-based expedition organiser International Mountain Guides, which confirmed "with deep sorrow" Sugarman's death.

"We can confirm that this event was not the result of a climbing accident or route condition that would be of potential impact or safety concern to any other teams on the mountain," IMG chief Eric Simonson said in a statement on the company's website.

Last year, Sugarman reached Camp 3 on Everest before abandoning a climb.

This year's spring climbing season on Everest had a tragic start last month with the death of three Nepali climbers.

The trio were crossing the treacherous Khumbu icefall as part of a supply mission when a block of glacial ice fell and swept them into a deep crevasse.

Nepali guides -- usually ethnic Sherpas from nearby valleys -- are essential to the multimillion-dollar industry, bearing huge risks to prepare climbing routes and carry food and equipment.

- Traffic jam - Nepal has issued 466 permits to foreign climbers, and since most will need a guide, more than 900 people will try to summit this season, which runs until early June.

This could result in heavy traffic and bottlenecks en route to the summit, especially if there is a shorter climbing window because of unfavourable weather.

On average, around five climbers die every year on the world's highest peak.

But in 2019, 11 people died, with four of the deaths blamed on overcrowding.

It is possible that climate change is exacerbating the risks, with climbers reporting widening crevasses, running water on previously snowy slopes and more glacial lake formation.

Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm.

More than 600 climbers are aiming to summit other Himalayan mountains this season.

Last month Northern Irish climber Noel Hanna, 56, died on Annapurna, the world's 10th highest mountain, which has an even higher death rate than Everest.

The 56-year-old adventurer was returning after a successful summit of the 8,091-metre (26,545-foot) peak when he died at Camp 4.

A day later, record-holding Indian climber Baljeet Kaur, 28, and compatriot Arjun Vajpai, 30, were both rescued from Annapurna after a search lasting hours.

Later, a third Indian climber, Anurag Maloo, 34, was rescued alive after falling 300 metres (985 feet) into a crevasse.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against the smugglers of wheat, sugar and Urea, adversely impacting Pakistan's foreign remittances and usurping the right of its people

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2023 ) :Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against the smugglers of wheat, sugar and Urea, adversely impacting Pakistan's foreign remittances and usurping the right of its people.

The prime minister, who chaired a meeting to review the measures to curb the smuggling of the said commodities, said he would not rest until the country got rid of the menace of smuggling.

He said he would never allow some black sheep to usurp the country's foreign remittances and the right of its people.

He said due to Allah's blessing and the government's efforts, Pakistan had got a bumper wheat crop breaking the record of the last ten years.

He said the people of Pakistan had all the rights over the produce achieved consequent to the farmers' hard work and the government's efforts, despite the heavy rains and floods.

The prime minister reiterated that he would never allow the smugglers to create problems for the people.

He said the government was also carrying out plans to achieve even more wheat production by next year.

He said the government had also started implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure an uninterrupted supply of Urea to the farmers for the next crop.

He resolved that the government would make all-out efforts to make Pakistan reemerge as a wheat exporter country.

The prime minister also formed a steering committee under him to curb the smuggling.

Prime Minister Shehbaz directed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to personally visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to meet the provincial authorities and submit a report.

He said the officials involved in the smuggling or showing negligence would be removed and departmental proceedings would be initiated against them.

He also instructed to confiscate the goods being smuggled and hold proper investigation to trace out the real culprits.

He also called for increasing the number of anti-smuggling courts and building their capacity to cope with the menace, besides ensuring early hearings and strict punishment to the culprits.

The prime minister also asked for taking to task all the mill owners, dealers and warehouse owners involved in the smuggling. He also asked SUPARCO to extend support for monitoring the smuggling activities through satellite.

He lauded the efforts of the law enforcement agencies for curbing the smuggling.

The meeting was briefed in detail about the anti-smuggling efforts on the district and provincial borders.

It was told that the number of joint check posts of the Federal board of Revenue (FBR) and law and enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Balochistan's bordering districts had been increased to 10, besides the regular joint patrolling being carried out there.

The meeting was told that during the last few weeks, around 6,000 tons of smuggling goods were recovered from Khuzdar.

Moreover, the smuggling goods weighing 4,342 tons were confiscated just during the last week from convoys of trucks or warehouses.

It was also told that, on a tip-off by the intelligence institutions, the officials facilitating the smuggling were removed and replaced by the reputable ones.

The prime minister also lauded the efforts of the LEAs and intelligence officials for curbing the smuggling.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Rana Sanaullah, Syed Murtaza Mahmood, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Advisor Ahad Cheema, heads of the intelligence agencies and other relevant officers.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) The future of the International Space Station after the year of 2030 will be very much determined by the global commercial space industry, Space Foundation CEO Tom Zelibor told Sputnik.

"In terms of what happens after 2030 and the International Space Station, that is a future that will be shaped, if not driven by the global commercial space industry," Zelibor said. "The technologies and capabilities that are coming online from these space-oriented enterprises are a game-changer for everyone. Having those types of commercial resources available will allow not only for greater flexibility and choice, but also far more customized approaches to address the needs of those desiring low Earth orbit access for research or other commercial possibilities."

Today, there are companies approaching nations to provide potential orbiting platforms, and "that is a far different environment than our current space station or any other previous ones our nations have put into place," Zelibor added.

Last month, the Russian government extended the lifespan of the Russian segment of the ISS until 2028. The United States, Japan, Canada, and the participating countries of the European Space Agency have confirmed they will support continued space station operations through 2030, according to NASA.

When asked whether he thinks that space cooperation between Russia and the United States will continue and is needed after the ISS ends its existence, Zelibor stated, "I think there will always be ways for the US and Russia to work together in space."

"As the first two nation-state pioneers of space, we have a leadership responsibility to ourselves and one another to keep pushing towards the next great challenge," he said. "That is something both of our countries do quite well."

Commenting on whether cooperation in space will soon be moved from the state level to the level of private companies, Zelibor praised the "unmatched" creativity and diverse approaches that the private sector has offered.

"Today, more than 90 countries have access to space and the rise of the commercial space industry has helped make that expansive growth possible. Allowing commercial companies to provide space services allows civil space agencies/organizations to focus on other important assignments that might not otherwise get the attention they deserve," he explained.

On Thursday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said during a congressional hearing that the ISS will be deorbited between 2030 and 2031.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) Brazil has pledged 49,426 Euros ($54,000) in funding for a new research center project led by the UN chemical weapons watchdog OPCW, the UN agency said.

"I express sincere appreciation to the Government of Brazil for its contribution.

The ChemTech Centre is a major investment that will uphold the norm against chemical weapons," OPCW chief Fernando Arias said.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons set up a trust fund to support the construction and operation of the Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Centre).

Brazil is a member of the OPCW's governing body. The UN agency oversees efforts to eliminate the entire class of chemical weapons, which are classified as weapons of mass destruction.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) Over 200 Russian nationals, who were evacuated from conflict-torn Sudan, have arrived in the motherland along with accompanying individuals and freight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Four Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have delivered more than 200 people from Sudan to Russia along with their accompanying persons and cargo," the defense ministry said.

Earlier in the day, the Russian defense department said that it had evacuated Russian diplomats, military officials, nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States and other friendly countries from conflict-torn Sudan.

On April 15, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese regular armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, with the epicenter located in Khartoum. The parties to the conflict have introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires since then, but the conflict has not been settled yet.

According to Sudan's Health Ministry, around 600 people have died in the clashes. The World Health Organization has reported over 450 dead and more than 4,000 injured.
Russia has lodged a strong protest to Polish Charge d'Affaires in Moscow Jacek Sladewski over the forcible seizure of the school building in Warsaw, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) Russia has lodged a strong protest to Polish Charge d'Affaires in Moscow Jacek Sladewski over the forcible seizure of the school building in Warsaw, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"On May 2, the Charge d'Affaires of Poland in Russia, J. Sladewski, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, to whom a strong protest was expressed in connection with the seizure of the school building at the Russian Embassy in Poland on April 29 by the Polish security forces," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Warsaw's actions will not be left without a response.

The ministry also said that the seizure of the school building is another step made by Poland "aimed at trying to annoy Russia and destroy our relations."

"Warsaw willingly offers the territory of the country as a springboard for pumping weapons to the Kiev regime, sends Polish mercenaries to Ukraine, and takes an openly aggressive hostile position towards Russia," the ministry added.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The industrial laser market size is estimated to increase by USD 2,639.7 million from 2022 to 2027, with a CAGR of 7.55%, according to a recent market study by Technavio. This report also offers a 5-year historical (2017-2021) data projection of market size, segmentation, and region. Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report - Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Industrial Laser Market 2023-2027

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. The Bargaining Power of Buyers & Suppliers and the Threat of New Entrants, Rivalry, and Substitutes have also been analyzed and rated between LOW-HIGH to provide a holistic view of market favorability.

Find Technavio's Exclusive Analysis of Price Sensitivity, Adoption Lifecycle, Customer Purchase Basket, Adoption Rates, and Purchase Criteria

One of the core components of the customer landscape is price sensitivity , an analysis of which will help companies refine marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage .

Another key aspect is price sensitivity drivers (purchases are undifferentiated, the purchase is a key cost to buyers, and quality is not important) , which range between NEUTRAL and HIGH.

Furthermore, market adoption rates for all regions have been covered.

Vendor Analysis

The global industrial laser market and highly competitive with the presence of numerous players. To stay ahead of the competition, vendors are continuously innovating and introducing new and advanced products in the market. They are also investing heavily in research and development activities to improve the quality and functionality of their products. Some of the key vendors covered in the report include:

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Calmar Laser Inc. - The company offers industrial lasers such as compact fiber-based lasers and seed lasers.

Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd. - The company offers industrial lasers such as diode lasers, CO 2 lasers, and UV lasers.

II VI Inc. - The company offers industrial lasers such as CO 2 lasers, diode lasers, and CW lasers.

IPG Photonics Corp. - The company offers industrial lasers such as Low power CW fiber lasers, Quasi-CW fiber lasers, and Mid-IR hybrid lasers.

Aisin Corp.

FANUC Corp.

Jenoptik AG

Laserline GmbH

Lumentum Holdings Inc.

MKS Instruments Inc.

nLIGHT Inc.

Novanta Inc.

Nuphoton Technologies Inc.

Precitec GmbH and Co. KG

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Add credibility to strategy

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Grow your profit margin with Technavio - Buy the Report

Chart & Data Table on 5-Year Historic (2017-2021) Market Size, Comparative Analysis of Segments, and Y-O-Y Growth of Industrial laser market

The market is segmented by type (macro processing and micro-processing), power output (more than 1.1 KW and less than 1 KW), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The market growth in the macro processing segment will be significant over the forecast period. The segment includes a wide range of different laser types, such as CO 2 lasers, fiber lasers, and solid-state lasers. Macro-processing lasers are typically more powerful than other types of industrial lasers. They are often used for cutting, welding, and drilling thick materials, such as metals, plastics, and composites. They are used in various industrial applications, ranging from automotive and aerospace manufacturing to shipbuilding and heavy machinery production. Macro-processing lasers serve as an essential tool for many industrial manufacturers that require precision, speed, and accuracy in their manufacturing processes. Many such factors drive the growth of the segment.

Market Dynamics

Driver - The growing demand from several industries will drive the growth of the market. Industrial lasers find extensive applications in various end-user industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and healthcare. In the automotive industry, laser welding is used to join components, such as doors, hoods, and roofs, because of its precision and durability. In the electronic industry, industrial lasers are used to cut and shape components such as printed circuit boards and mark product surfaces. Many such diverse applications of industrial lasers across industries drive the growth of the market in focus.

Trend - Government support and initiatives are identified as the key trend in the market. Many governments across the world are providing funding for research and development in the field of industrial lasers. For instance, in 2021, the EU announced funding of USD 2.39 billion under its Horizon Europe program for the development of advanced technologies, including laser technologies. Similarly, in the US, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides funding to small businesses to conduct R&D on laser technologies. Such supportive government initiatives will positively influence the market growth over the forecast period.

Challenge - The emission of dangerous gases during laser cutting is a major challenge in the market. The laser-cutting process involves the emission of harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. These emissions can have a negative impact on humans as well as on the environment. According to a study by the University of Cambridge, the use of industrial lasers in metalworking, such as laser cutting, could result in the emission of fine particulate matter, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Similarly, another study by the European Union (EU) Joint Research Centre found that the melting of metals using lasers can result in the emission of poisonous gases such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The concerns over the emission of such dangerous gases during the melting process are expected to negatively influence the market growth over the forecast period.

Chart & Data Table on Historical Market Size (2017-2021), Historic Industry Size & Analysis of Vendors and Countries

The market is segmented by region APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America. An analysis of key leading countries has been included.

APAC will account for 34% of the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of the regional market is driven by the presence of a strong manufacturing sector and the increasing adoption of automation and digitalization by manufacturers in the region. The increasing demand for miniaturization and precision in manufacturing processes and increasing investments in research and development of advanced manufacturing technologies are other major factors driving the growth of the industrial laser market in APAC.

In addition to the forecast, the report also highlights the key opportunities by analyzing drivers, trends, challenges for the market. VIEW a PDF SAMPLE!

What are the key data covered in this industrial laser market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the industrial laser market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the industrial laser market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the industrial laser market industry across APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of industrial laser market vendors

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The robotic laser cutting market size is expected to increase by USD 127.47 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 14.61%. The market is segmented by end-user (automotive Industry, metal Industry, aerospace Industry, and others) and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The laser cutting machine market size is expected to increase to USD 1.25 billion from 2021 to 2026. The market is segmented by end-user (automotive, aerospace and defense, electrical and electronics, industrial machinery, and others), product (fiber, solid-state, diode, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

Industrial Laser Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.55% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,639.7 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.0 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 34% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Aisin Corp., Amonics Ltd., Calmar Laser Inc., FANUC Corp., II VI Inc., IPG Photonics Corp., Jenoptik AG, Laserline GmbH, Lumentum Holdings Inc., MKS Instruments Inc., nLIGHT Inc., Novanta Inc., Nuphoton Technologies Inc., Precitec GmbH and Co. KG, PRIMA INDUSTRIE Spa, TroGroup GmbH, TRUMPF SE Co. KG, Universal Laser Systems Inc., NKT AS, and Hans Laser Technology Industry Group 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 through Technavio's Industrials Market Reports

Table of contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global industrial laser market 2017 - 2021

4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

4.3 Power Output 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 Macro processing - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.4 Micro processing - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.5 Market opportunity by Type

7 Market Segmentation by Power Output

7.1 Market segments

7.2 Comparison by Power Output

7.3 More than 1.1 kW - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.4 Less than 1 kW - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.5 Market opportunity by Power Output

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

9.2 Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.7 South America - 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 Japan - 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 Calmar Laser Inc.

12.4 Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd.

12.5 II VI Inc.

12.6 IPG Photonics Corp.

12.7 Jenoptik AG

12.8 Laserline GmbH

12.9 Lumentum Holdings Inc.

12.10 MKS Instruments Inc.

12.11 NKT AS

12.12 nLIGHT Inc.

12.13 Novanta Inc.

12.14 PRIMA INDUSTRIE Spa

12.15 TroGroup GmbH

12.16 TRUMPF SE Co. KG

12.17 Universal Laser Systems Inc.

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

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Global Industrial Laser Market 2023-2027

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WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) The Russian Embassy in Poland told Sputnik on Tuesday that it sent a protest note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country in connection with the forcible seizure of the school building in Warsaw.

On Saturday, Warsaw mayor's office officials, accompanied by Polish police, arrived at the Russian embassy's school building and stormed the premises after breaking the door. The Russian Foreign Ministry pledged a "harsh reaction and consequences for the Polish authorities and Polish interests in Russia" in response to "such an insolent move." The same day, the ambassador said that a new building will be found to house the school so that the studies could continue.

"The Embassy has sent a protest note to the Polish Foreign Ministry," Russia's diplomatic mission in the country said.
Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin, who for years featured in Paris Fashion Week until he was excluded over his failure to condemn the Ukraine offensive, died aged 59

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2023 ) :Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin, who for years featured in Paris Fashion Week until he was excluded over his failure to condemn the Ukraine offensive, died aged 59.

A spokesperson for his fashion company told AFP on Tuesday that "Yudashkin has passed away".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Yudashkin "made a major contribution to the development of Russian culture".

President Vladimir Putin "expresses his deepest condolences", Peskov said.

The designer had been battling cancer for several years, according to Russian media.

In 1991, Yudashkin's Faberge collection -- echoing the decorative eggs -- caused a sensation in Paris.

Since then, he regularly took part in the Paris Fashion week with collections sometimes inspired by his homeland, such as "Ballet" or "Catherine the Great".

In 2008, he helped design the Russian army's uniforms.

In March 2022, France's fashion federation cancelled Russian Yudashkin's show for his failure to condemn the offensive in Ukraine.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) Russia did not receive any information about negotiations on the grain deal this week. the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Tuesday, commenting on the corresponding media reports.

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a senior Ukrainian source, that negotiations on the Black Sea Grain Initiative, with the participation of all parties to the deal, are scheduled for Wednesday.

Later in the day, a source familiar with the talks told Sputnik that the talks will be this week in Turkey, but there is no final date yet.

"The Russian side did not receive any information about any meeting," the ministry said.
(@FahadShabbir)

South Korea and the United States pushed forward with the construction of a shooting range for US troops in the city of Changwon in the southeastern part of the country despite concerns of local residents, the Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday, citing sources

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) South Korea and the United States pushed forward with the construction of a shooting range for US troops in the city of Changwon in the southeastern part of the country despite concerns of local residents, the Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

The shooting range is located about 1-1.5 kilometers (0.6-0.9 miles) from apartment complexes and shopping malls, and the local authorities were unaware of the logging work in Changwon's downtown until local residents raised concerns over noise, safety risks and other related issues, according to Yonhap.

The South Korean Defense Ministry responsible for the project did not consult with the local officials as the construction falls under the Status of Forces Agreement, regulating the status of US forces in the country, which is "not subject to domestic laws," the news agency stated.

The ministry has so far given no details regarding the construction works, citing military secrecy.

The Changwon local authorities will convey the residents' concerns over the project to the government and take measures to minimize its impact on the people's lives, Yonhap added, citing a city official.
(@FahadShabbir)

UN chief Antonio Guterres held a second day of talks with world powers Tuesday on how to deal with Afghanistan's Taliban leaders amid warnings from the Kabul administration that the meeting could be "counter-productive"

Doha, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2023 ) :UN chief Antonio Guterres held a second day of talks with world powers Tuesday on how to deal with Afghanistan's Taliban leaders amid warnings from the Kabul administration that the meeting could be "counter-productive".

The talks in Doha were arranged by Guterres after the Taliban government banned Afghan women from working for the United Nations, prompting the world body to put its huge relief operations in Afghanistan under review.

Women are also banned from working for other NGOs, and are barred from almost all secondary and university education and most government jobs.

The talks involve envoys from the United States, Russia, China and 20 other countries and organisations, including major European donors and neighbours such as Pakistan, but exclude the Taliban government.

"Any meeting without the participation of IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) representatives -- the main party to the issue -- is unproductive and even sometimes counter-productive," said the head of the Taliban political office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen.

"How can a decision taken at such meetings be acceptable or implemented while we are not part of the process? It is discriminatory and unjustified," he said.

Meanwhile, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will lead a delegation to Islamabad at the end of the week for talks with Pakistani and Chinese officials, the ministry said Tuesday.

Muttaqi, who is subject to a UN travel ban, has previously been given exemptions to travel to the neighbouring country for talks.

The UN Security Council last week unanimously condemned the ban on its Afghan women staff, which the world body says has seriously threatened its efforts to aid the population.

Women's groups staged protests on Saturday fearing the Doha meeting could propose steps toward recognition of the Taliban administration that returned to power in August 2021.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday however that "is not up for discussion" at the talks, which are being held behind closed doors.

The meeting would discuss human rights, including women's rights, Afghanistan's governance and ways to counter terrorism and drug trafficking, Djurric said.

Guterres wants "a common understanding with the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues", he added.

The UN review of its Afghanistan operation is due to be completed on Friday. The world body has said it faces an "appalling choice" on whether to stay in the country.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2023) Ugandan Labor, Employment and Industrial Relations Minister Charles Okello Engola was shot dead by his bodyguard on his way to work, police spokesperson Fred Enanga said on Tuesday.

"He was shot at his residence in Kyanja by one of his bodyguards who allegedly fired several shots at close range.

He fled from the scene up to the trading centre at Kyanja, Ring Road where he entered a salon and also shot himself dead," Enanga told reporters, as quoted by Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor.

The minister's private secretary, Ronald Otim, was also reportedly seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Ugandan Minister of Information and Communication Technology Chris Baryomunsi said that Engola was on his way to a cabinet meeting when he was shot dead, the report added.
By: Cassidy Delamarter, University Communications and Marketing

A faculty member in USFs College of Education is putting a video game twist on his course designed to provide students with more expertise in trending educational technologies, such as augmented reality. Associate Professor Sanghoon Parks course uses a superhero character to guide students through a Candyland-like maze and checks in with them throughout their journey via a new chatbot he developed named RAMI, which stands for Regulatory Advisor for Motivation Inhibition.

Park just wrapped up his first semester using RAMI, which appears every time a student logs into the course and asks the student about how theyre feeling and if they are facing any challenges. The chatbot, funded by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, was developed with help from a team of students and Reginald Lucien, assistant dean at the Judy Genshaft Honors College. It assists students by providing motivational tips and strategies. Park uses that information to help guide his teaching and class support.

Motivation plays a critical role in students persistence, retention, achievement and satisfaction, Park said. I wanted to create something that could help students maintain their motivation while enrolled in multiple online courses.

For more than two decades, Park has dedicated his research to studying motivational design, motivational regulation and online learning experience analysis  all fundamentals he now shares in his course where he teaches students about the current trends in instructional technology. Many of his students, future teachers and instructional designers like himself are tasked with learning and developing creative ways to empower and prepare individuals in a rapidly evolving world where digital learning is essential.

My course begins with this big question: Do you want to be an instructional technology hero? Park said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, instructional designers stepped up to the challenge of transforming to virtual learning environments and coming up with environments with innovative solutions for teachers and students alike.

Parks utilization of technology to engage his own students online has been so extraordinary, he was recently awarded the USF Innovation in Online Design and Teaching Award by Innovative Education, which created an in-depth video about his course that will soon be featured on the Florida Board of Governors website.

Sangs exceptional online teaching practices and significant contributions to the design, development and delivery of student-centered online teaching and learning have been outstanding, said Christine Brown, associate vice president of Innovative Education. He truly demonstrates the impact of well-designed, high-quality digital course materials and has been able to prove sustained excellence and innovation in online teaching practices that support student engagement, student learning gains and student satisfaction.

With highly engaged course design, students often experience high self-efficacy, Park said. As a result, more than 90% of students complete the course with a grade of A every semester. I take great pride in my teaching strategies and activities, and I enjoy supporting online students to find their own way in their dream careers.

Park was born in South Korea where he served in the military and began his undergraduate career. His passion for motivational design started when he was a student and took his first online course. With a new curiosity to learn about technology and the ways it might impact the future of education, Park decided to apply to a university in the United States.

My mother did not want me to study more, she wanted me to become a teacher in South Korea, get married and just live happily ever after, Park said.

He made his mother a deal: He would apply to one university and if he was accepted, he would go. Luckily for me and unfortunately for my mother, I got an acceptance letter!

Parks international connections continued over the years. He and his doctoral students recently attended an international conference in the metaverse  a virtual world  with South Korean, Chinese and Japanese universities. There, he presented on how chatbots, such as RAMI, can be used as a learning companion, especially for online courses.

Interdisciplinary education doctoral student Stephen Schilling took Parks course and says he sees a lot of potential in a chatbot like RAMI. As a virtual social studies instructor, Schilling feels the implementation of chatbots could be a helping hand.

I feel like many conversations I have with students can be first confronted with this type of product, Schilling said. As a teacher who often has motivational discussions with students, this could help me further target my phone calls and what needs to be addressed in those calls.

Now that his course has concluded, Park is evaluating RAMI and is working to develop a revised version based on feedback from students. He hopes to eventually invite colleagues across the university to incorporate the chatbot into their own courses.

In addition to Lucien, Parks research team includes Ariadne Herrera, Emily Fendrick, Alvaro Lazaro, Nischal Olety and Sydney Driscoll.
Firearms Research Center at UW Receives Major Gift

The Firearms Research Center (FRC), housed in the University of Wyoming College of Law, has announced a major gift of $82,500 from Marty Daniel, the founder, owner and board chairman of Georgia-based firearms manufacturer Daniel Defense.

We are grateful for Marty Daniels support of our efforts to bring more voices to the firearms discussion, create a pipeline for law school graduates prepared to serve as firearms attorneys, enhance our online presence and act as a reliable, nonpartisan resource for firearms-related information and research, says George Mocsary, FRCs director and co-founder. This donation will allow us to build out our website so our work, and the work of diverse others, will be available and accessible to the public.

FRC was officially launched in January of this year. This is the centers first major donation.

The national dialogue on firearms and the Second Amendment is often one-sided and misinformed, Daniel says. Academics, lawmakers, regulators, media and members of the legal community will all benefit from a center that produces groundbreaking scholarship and research based on facts -- not feelings or a political agenda.

This Firearms Research Center is already doing incredible work, and I am proud to do my part to support them.

About Marty Daniel

Marty Daniel graduated from Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville, Ga., in 1980. In 1985, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering technology from Georgia Southern University. In 2000, he founded Daniel Defense to create custom rifles and accessories, and he continues to serve as its owner and board chairman. Since its founding, Daniel Defense has evolved into one of the most recognizable brands in the firearms industry and continues to be a leader in the industry.

About the Firearms Research Center

Housed in the University of Wyoming College of Law, FRC was founded in 2023 by legal scholar George A. Mocsary and firearms historian Ashley Hlebinsky to establish more voices in the firearms discussion; create a pipeline of graduates prepared to serve as firearms lawyers; and act as a reliable, nonpartisan resource for firearms-related information. By bringing together scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines and experts without traditional academic backgrounds, FRCs aim is to foster a broad discourse and produce meaningful change in how firearms are discussed and understood. FRC will serve as a resource for academics, practitioners, lawmakers, members of the media and the public on the uses and roles of firearms in society -- both past and present. For more information, visit www.firearmsresearchcenter.org.
Integer Holdings Corporation

PLANO, Texas, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE: ITGR) today announced participation in the upcoming Bank of America Securities 2023 Healthcare Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Joseph Dziedzic, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jason Garland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, are scheduled to present on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Interested parties may access a live or archived webcast of the presentation through the companys investor relations website at investor.integer.net.

About Integer

Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE: ITGR) is one of the largest medical device outsource (MDO) manufacturers in the world serving the cardiac, neuromodulation, vascular, portable medical and orthopedics markets. The Company provides innovative, high-quality medical technologies that enhance the lives of patients worldwide. In addition, the Company develops batteries for high-end niche applications in energy, military, and environmental markets. The Company's brands include Greatbatch Medical, Lake Region Medical and Electrochem. Additional information is available at www.integer.net.

Investor Relations: Media Relations: Andrew Senn Kelly Butler andrew.senn@integer.net kelly.butler@integer.net 763.951.8312 214.618.4216




The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But when you pick a company that is really flourishing, you can make more than 100%. To wit, the Wacker Chemie AG (ETR:WCH) share price has flown 160% in the last three years. Most would be happy with that. In the last week the share price is up 1.0%.

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

View our latest analysis for Wacker Chemie

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 imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During three years of share price growth, Wacker Chemie moved from a loss to profitability. That kind of transition can be an inflection point that justifies a strong share price gain, just as we have seen here.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

It is of course excellent to see how Wacker Chemie has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. If you are thinking of buying or selling Wacker Chemie stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Wacker Chemie the TSR over the last 3 years was 179%, 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 Wacker Chemie shareholders are down 8.7% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 1.5%. 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. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 0.6% per year over half a decade. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. 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 2 warning signs for Wacker Chemie (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about.

But note: Wacker Chemie may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Israeli strikes on north Syria's Aleppo province overnight killed four Syrian officers and three Iran-backed fighters, putting the area's international airport out of service, a war monitor reported Tuesday.

During more than a decade of war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli missiles targeted "the Aleppo international airport area and the Nayrab military airfield area" nearby late Monday, reporting explosions at both facilities and "severe damage."

Strikes "completely destroyed" a munitions depot in the Nayrab airfield area, killing four Syrian army officers and "three pro-Iran foreign fighters, said the Britain-based monitor, which relies on a vast network of sources on the ground, raising the toll from four dead.

Israeli missiles also slammed into Syrian air force factories in the Safireh area of Aleppo province, "causing extensive material damage," it said, adding that the sites were used by pro-Iran fighters.

The Observatory and state media said the strikes knocked out the Aleppo airport.

Officials did not immediately provide further information on when the facility was expected to reopen or the nature of the damage.

"At around 11:35 p.m. (2035 GMT) ... the Israeli enemy carried out an air attack with several missiles... targeting Aleppo international airport and a number of sites in the vicinity of Aleppo," state news agency SANA said, citing a military source.

"A soldier was killed and seven people were wounded including two civilians," SANA said, reporting "material losses.

Previous Israeli strikes have put both Aleppo and Damascus airports out of service.

While Israel rarely comments on the strikes it carries out on Syria, it has repeatedly said it will not allow its arch-foe Iran to extend its footprint in the war-torn country.

Iran-backed militias have a heavy presence in the Aleppo region after providing key ground support to the army in its recapture of rebel-held districts of the city in 2016.

On March 22, an Israeli missile strike destroyed a suspected arms depot used by Iran-backed militias at Aleppo airport, the Observatory said at the time, with authorities saying that raid put the airport out of service.

On March 7, three people were killed in an Israeli strike on the airport that also brought air traffic to a halt.

On Saturday, three civilians were wounded in Israeli air strikes near the Syrian city of Homs, state media reported, with the Observatory saying a Hezbollah munitions depot at the Dabaa military airport was destroyed.
Jack Ma, a co-founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, will be a visiting professor at Tokyo College, a research institute run by the prestigious University of Tokyo, the university said Monday.

Ma will carry out research in sustainable agriculture and food production, it said in a statement.

The university said that Ma, who also heads his own Jack Ma Foundation, a philanthropic organization, will share his rich experience and pioneering knowledge on entrepreneurship, corporate management and innovation, with students and faculty.

Chinese regulators singled out Alibaba for scrutiny in a recent crackdown on technology and internet companies, having put the brakes on a planned initial public offering in 2020 of Alibabas financial affiliate Ant Group.

That came after he had criticized Chinas regulators and financial systems in a speech in Shanghai. Ma kept a low profile for several years and traveled overseas before returning to China recently.

His appointment began Monday and runs through the end of October, the university said.

Tokyo College, founded in 2019, connects the University of Tokyo with researchers and institutions abroad, including College de France.

Its research focuses on themes such as the digital revolution, Japan viewed from within and outside, the future of humanities and the value of life.

Ma co-founded e-commerce firm Alibaba in the 1990s and was once Chinas richest man. He is well known in Japan as a friend of Masayoshi Son, the founder and chief executive of SoftBank Group Corp.
U.S. President Joe Biden assured his Philippine counterpart Monday of the the United States' commitment to the Southeast Asian archipelago as tensions rise with China.

"The United States also remains ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support the Philippines military modernization goals," Biden said.

The two leaders signed a new defense cooperation agreement Monday to strengthen Philippine security and support military modernization.

That agreement builds on the conclusion last week of the largest-ever war drills between the two nations as well as an agreement earlier this year in which the Philippines agreed to give the U.S. access to four more bases on the islands.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., known in his country as "Bongbong," is the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. On Monday, he said the archipelago nation has had a front-row seat to increased tensions in the South China Sea.

"There are also the issues, geopolitical issues that have made the region where the Philippines is possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in  in the world right now," Marcos said. "And so it is only natural that  for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and Asia Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions."

China has repeatedly harassed Philippine navy and coast guard patrols and disagrees with Manila's approach.

"The key to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region lies in the fact that regional countries adhere to mutual trust, unity and cooperation and firmly hold the lifeline of their security in their own hands," Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said last month at a ministry briefing. "We once again remind the relevant regional country that blindly catering to nonregional forces will not only fail to safeguard their own security but will exacerbate tensions, endanger regional peace and stability, and will inevitably harm themselves in the end."

Analysts say this reflects a shift in the relationship.

"It's been a dramatic turnaround over the last eight months, a real quick pace of deepening and institutionalizing the defense relationship," said Brian Harding, who studies Southeast Asia at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Southeast Asia experts say this is not an either-or situation for the Philippines. Beijing recently sent its foreign minister to Manila to meet with his counterpart, indicating a strong partnership.

"I think the Philippines and this President Marcos is probably navigating those dual strategic or national interests: security on one side, perhaps with the United States, trade and investment on the other side," Marc Mealy, senior vice president for policy at the US-ASEAN Business Council, told VOA on Monday. "China is the number one trade partner for all of the countries in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines."

In a joint statement, the leaders of the U.S. and Philippines leaders also said they would work together as allies on such efforts as promoting "inclusive and broad-based prosperity," investing in "the clean energy transition," fighting climate change, upholding international peace and stability, and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The leaders' joint statement did not mention that Marcos was visiting the U.S. under diplomatic immunity, despite a 2012 U.S. contempt order against him over his father's estate, which was to be used to pay damages to human rights victims of martial law under the senior Marcos' rule.

Prior to Marcos' visit, a group, identifying its makeup as "concerned Filipinos and US Citizens," released late last month an open letter to the White House that raised issues over what they described as "inconvenient realities stashed in Mr. Marcos' political baggage," such as his moves to silence critics and his approach to human rights.

"His official visit to the United States is as good a time as any to remind the U.S. public that his rise to the presidency is the fruit of at least three decades of his family's efforts to recast his father's dictatorship as 'a golden age' for Filipinos," the group said, raising his father's record of imprisoning political opponents and torturing dissidents.

"We understand that in advancing the United States' diplomatic agenda President Biden must deal with his official counterpart in the Philippines as a matter of course," read the letter, signed by leaders of seven organizations. "Nonetheless, we hope that America's 'ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines' will not devolve into an uncritical engagement with the Marcos administration."

Nike Ching contributed to this report.
Authorities in Cameroon say anglophone rebels have attacked military posts near the countrys port city of Douala, killing several people. The attack is the closest the separatist conflict has come to Douala since fighting broke out in 2017.

Officials in Cameroon say at least 15 heavily armed rebels attacked a military post Monday in Matouke, a farming village less than 40 kilometers west of Douala.

Officials say the separatists killed at least six people and wounded many others without giving a figure.

The government said it is yet to confirm the identities of victims but rebels and villagers said they killed five troops and a civilian.

Speaking via a messaging app, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, governor of Cameroon's Littoral region, which includes Matouke and Douala, said he visited the injured in a military hospital Monday night.

Diboua said both the military and civilians will not accept separatists extending attacks and disorder to Douala, an economic hub in central Africa. He said the military presence has been increased on the border between Cameroon's Littoral region and the English-speaking Southwest region, where the fighters came from. He said civilians have been mobilized to denounce suspected fighters in their towns and villages.

Its the first time rebels have attacked so close to Douala, a seaport of about four million people that supplies 80% of imported goods for the landlocked Central African Republic and Chad.

On several occasions, troops have reported suspected fighters in the city and made arrests.

Speaking via a messaging app, Francis Mbah, a clearing agent at the Douala seaport, said any attacks on the economic hub would impact all of Cameroon and central Africa.

"This attack close to the economic capital of Cameroon is a sign that the government still has a lot to do to reinforce security permanently, he said. It is a bad signal given that there are many citizens, Cameroonian citizens, living in the economic capital. This is a call for the government to step in and say this crisis must be stopped."

Cameroons English-speaking separatists have been fighting since 2017 to carve out an independent state from the French-speaking majority nation.

The rebels have vowed to attack all military posts along the borders with Cameroons Francophone regions.

The military says separatists have attacked their positions in the French-speaking West region at least 40 times since the conflict erupted.

The International Crisis Group estimates that six years of fighting has killed about 6,000 people and displaced more than half-a-million.
Chinas foreign minister called for stability and a crackdown on cross-border criminal activity along the countrys border with Myanmar, during an unusual visit to the volatile region on Tuesday.

The 2,129-kilometer border runs through densely forested mountains and has long been notorious for drug smuggling into China from the Golden Triangle region where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.

The United Nations says the production of opium in Myanmar has flourished since the military seized power in 2021, with the cultivation of poppies up by a third in the past year as eradication efforts have dropped off and the faltering economy has led more people toward the drug trade.

During his visit, Foreign Minister Qin Gang said local Communist Party and government departments, the Peoples Liberation Army, police and civilian bodies should join in strengthening the border defense system.

Qin called for improvements in maintaining distinct and stable borders, and severely cracking down on cross-border criminal activities.

It is necessary to coordinate border management, border trade development, and bilateral relations, he was quoted as saying in a ministry news release.

Fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic armed groups has also occasionally flared along the border, sending refugees and sometimes mortar fire into China.

China has sought to maintain contacts with all sides, although it has been criticized for expressing unequivocal support for the junta after it said it would back Myanmar no matter how the situation changes.

Myanmar has been wracked by violence since the armys overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover was met with massive public opposition, which security forces quashed with deadly force, in turn triggering widespread armed resistance.

Despite the security challenges, China has sought to encourage legal trade between the sides and recently reopened border crossings after closing them for more than 1,000 days as part of strict COVID-19 control measures.

During his visit to the Wanding-Ruili crossing point, Qin promoted the concept of a China-Myanmar economic corridor to aid business and other development on both sides, the Foreign Ministry said.
Disposable vapes used by more than a million Australians will be banned under sweeping new reforms.

The government wants to end the sale of e-cigarettes in shops in the most significant tobacco and vaping control measures in a decade. Under new rules announced Tuesday, vapes will only be sold in Australian pharmacies and in "pharmaceutical-like" packaging.

Australia has some of the worlds lowest rates of smoking because of plain package laws introduced over a decade ago, high taxes and education campaigns.

But there are growing concerns about e-cigarettes.

The government in Canberra has accused the tobacco industry of using vaping to try to create a new generation of nicotine addicts.

Nicotine e-cigarettes can only be sold in Australia with a prescription, but there is a thriving black market.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, describes e-cigarettes as a public health menace.

He is proposing new controls that seek to drastically limit the sale of vapes in stores, while restricting their flavors and colors. All imported non-prescription and single-use, disposable vapes would also be banned.

Vaping was sold to governments and to communities all around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit. It was not sold as a recreational product and, in particular, not one for our kids, Butler told the National Press Club in Canberra Tuesday. But that is what is has become  the biggest loophole, I think, in Australian healthcare history.

However, the government plans to make it easier for Australians to get e-cigarettes for legitimate" therapeutic purposes, including quitting smoking.

Vaping is widely seen as a safer alternative to smoking tobacco and a product to help smokers quit. It involves heating a liquid in an e-cigarette and turning it into a vapor that users inhale.

There has been no response, so far, to Australias proposed vaping reforms from the tobacco industry.

British American Tobacco says on its website that its vapor products play a major role in providing smokers with a reduced risk alternative to cigarettes.

But the company acknowledges that these products are not risk free and are addictive adding that it is fully committed to working in a regulated market.

In 2022, more than 2.5 million school students in the United States used e-cigarettes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, despite the legal age for using such products being 21.

Data from Englands National Health Service for 2021 showed that reported consumption of e-cigarettes among 11 to 15-year-olds had risen to 9% - up from 6% in the previous year. Only adults aged over 18 can legally buy vapes or e-cigarettes in the United Kingdom.
Germany expelled Russian diplomats mid-April in order "to reduce the presence of intelligence services" in the country, the government said Monday, in justifying a decision that triggered retaliatory expulsions by the Kremlin.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that "the activity of these people was not in line with their diplomatic status," adding it had been in contact with Russia in recent weeks about the matter.

Berlin had previously not provided a justification for the departure of the diplomats, a move that triggered the expulsion of some 20 German embassy staff in Moscow. Germanys Foreign Ministry confirmed the embassy staff left Moscow on Monday.

"Unlike the members representing Russia in Germany, our colleagues have always concerned themselves with behaving in accordance to their diplomatic status," the ministry said.

A close economic partner with Russia before the military offensive in Ukraine, Germany has since moved away from Moscow, supporting Kyiv in the conflict both financially and militarily.

Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian espionage in Germany has grown at a rate rarely equaled in recent years, according to German security services.

In spring 2022, Germany had already expelled some 40 Russian diplomats who Berlin believed to represent a threat to its security.

Last October, the head of German's cybersecurity agency, Arne Schoenbohm, was fired after news reports revealed his proximity to a cybersecurity consultancy believed to have contacts with Russian intelligence services.

A month later, a German reserve officer received a suspended prison sentence of a year and nine months for spying for Russia.
After a brief hiatus, anti-government demonstrations organized by opposition leader Raila Odinga resumed Tuesday in some parts of Kenya, including the capital, Nairobi.

Odinga and his supporters say they had hoped President William Rutos government would let them express their opinions through peaceful protests.

Instead, "at the crack of dawn, police got stationed in all parts of [the] Nairobi metropolis and the city center to prevent us from proceeding with our peaceful protests as we had planned," Martha Karua said.

It wasn't only the police that were unleashed, Karua noted at a press conference held later in the day. Karua is a former justice minister who was also Odingas running mate.

"As we have earlier warned, hooligans hired by the Kenya Kwanza illegitimate regime were unleashed to cause mayhem and destroy property and blame it on our peaceful protests," Karua said.

Odinga doesn't recognize Ruto's recent election victory, even after legal challenges by the veteran leader ended up with the supreme court deciding Ruto had won.

Karua said, because of todays conditions, the Odinga camp was not able to present critical petitions to certain offices as planned.

"We intended to present petitions to the IEBC, showing that the results that were announced last August were doctored, and demand an audit of the servers," Karua said.

"We also intended to petition the office of the president, I am saying this very deliberately, the office of the president with evidence the cost of food, fuel, electricity fees remain unacceptably high. The third office we were to visit was the National Treasury, where we wanted to petition for the immediate release of all funds owed to counties and for the timely payments of salaries to all civil servants."

There was heavy police presence in many parts of the city, including in the central business district. Local reports show police firing tear gas to disperse a small crowd of protesters. Also, a minibus was set on fire.

On Monday, during a speech on International Workers Day, Ruto said he respects the opposition and acknowledged its right to protest, "but we also know what democracy looks like. We also know what human rights are. It is nothing to do with violence. Its nothing to do with anarchy. Its nothing to do with destruction of property and destruction of livelihoods and destruction of peoples businesses. That is not democracy. That is not human rights."

Odinga had suspended protests last month, agreeing to dialogue with Rutos camp. But he later said the government was not negotiating in good faith. Odinga supporters say theyll protest again on Thursday.
Israeli jets hit targets across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, in response to rocket barrages fired by militant groups earlier in the day following the death of a Palestinian hunger striker in Israeli custody.

Plumes of smoke spiraled into the night sky as the jets hit targets including training camps of Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the coastal enclave.

At the same time, sirens sounded near the southern Israeli town of Sderot and other areas around Gaza as Hamas radio reported that militant factions were continuing their bombardment of Israeli targets.

The fighting, about a month after the last cross-border exchange of fire between Israel and Gaza, came after the death of Khader Adnan, a senior member of the Islamic Jihad group, who died after 87 days on hunger strike.

Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead after efforts to revive him, Israel's Prisons Service said. He was the first Palestinian hunger striker to have died in an Israeli prison in more than 30 years.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in blockaded Gaza and the occupied West Bank to rally in support of Adnan and to mourn his death, which Palestinian leaders described as an assassination.

In Gaza, an umbrella group of armed Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for a series of rocket barrages fired toward Israel during the day.

The Israeli military said at least 26 rockets were fired from Gaza. Two landed in Sderot, wounding three people, including a 25-year-old foreign national who Israel's ambulance service said sustained serious shrapnel wounds.

In the West Bank city of Hebron, shops observed a general strike. Some protesters burned tires and hurled stones at Israeli soldiers who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at them. There were no reports of injuries.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met security officials to assess the situation. An Israeli Defense Force official said Israel would respond at a time and a place of its choosing.

Since 2011, Adnan had conducted at least three hunger strikes in protest of detentions without charges by Israel. The tactic has been used by other Palestinian prisoners, sometimes en masse, but none had died since 1992.

Adnan's lawyer, Jamil Al-Khatib, and a doctor with a human rights group who recently met him accused Israeli authorities of withholding medical care.

"We demanded he be moved into a civilian hospital where he could be properly monitored. Unfortunately, such a demand was met by intransigence and rejection," Al-Khatib told Reuters.

Adnan, 45, was a baker and a father of nine from Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Islamic Jihad sources said he was one of its political leaders. The faction has a limited West Bank presence but is the second most powerful armed group in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where Israeli forces fought a brief war against it last August.

Lina Qasem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights in Israel said she saw Adnan on April 23, at which point he had lost 40 kg and was having trouble moving and breathing but was conscious.

"His death could have been avoided," Qasem Hassan told Reuters, saying several Israeli hospitals had refused to admit Adnan after he made brief visits to their emergency rooms.

The Prisons Service said hospitalization had not been an option as Adnan had declined "even a preliminary inspection."

Physicians for Human Rights said Israeli authorities had denied requests by Adnan and his family to visit him in prison.

Speaking from the family's home in the northern West Bank town of Arraba near Jenin, Adnan's wife, Randa Musa, said: "Our message to all the resistance groups is, we do not want the weapons that were not used to free the sheik (Adnan) to be used after his death. We do not want to see any bloodshed."

Before the rockets, Hamas radio said an Israeli tank shelled one of the group's observation posts in Gaza.

"Our fight is continuing and the enemy will realize once again that its crimes will not pass without a response," Islamic Jihad, which preaches Israel's destruction, said in a statement.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, Adnan had been arrested by Israel 12 times, spending around eight years in prison, mostly under so-called "administrative detention," or detention without charges.

Israel says such detentions are required when evidence cannot be revealed in court due to the need to keep intelligence sources secret. Palestinians and rights groups say Israel routinely uses such detentions, which deny due process, to hold hundreds of Palestinians for prolonged periods of time.

This time, Adnan was arrested and indicted in an Israeli military court on charges that included links to an outlawed group and incitement to violence, the Prisons Service said.
Invalda INVL

The INVL Sustainable Timberland and Farmland Fund II (STAFF II), a fund that invests in forest and land which is managed by INVL, the leading investment management and life insurance group in the Baltics, secured an additional EUR 9.4 million of investor commitments to reach a size of EUR 90.7 million.

STAFF II has a target size of 100 million. The Fund currently manages 17,000 hectares of forests and land.

Investors trust in our fund opens up more opportunities for growth and creating long-term value for investors. At present we have put investors money to work in the Lithuanian, Latvian and Romanian markets, and we continue actively seeking further acquisitions in Central and Eastern European countries, says Martynas Samulionis, STAFF IIs Managing Partner.

STAFF II invests in sustainably developed forest and farmland in the Baltic Sea region and countries of Central and Eastern Europe and is intended for institutional and private investors from European Union (EU) countries. In its activities, the fund adheres to global sustainable management practices and, in consolidating top-quality forest and land holdings, places strong emphasis on sustainable forest and farmland management and social responsibility. STAFF II invests in EU countries that offer attractive investment returns and a stable regulatory environment.

The fund is administered by the Apex Group, one of Europes largest providers of fund service. STAFF II operates under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and invests in individual countries in keeping with the regulatory restrictions set by those countries.

The person authorized to provide additional information is:

Martynas Samulionis

Managing Partner of the INVL Sustainable Forest and Agricultural Land Fund II

E-mail martynas.samulionis@invl.com




Two Kenyan preachers have appeared in separate courts, accused of encouraging their followers to harm themselves to meet Jesus. Kenyan authorities have exhumed the bodies of more than 100 people, with postmortems on 10 of them showing they died from starvation and lack of oxygen.



Pastors Paul Mackenize and Ezekiel Odero appeared in court to answer charges that they allegedly killed their followers by urging them to fast to death in order to meet Jesus.



Mackenize and his accomplice were re-arrested after a judge in the town of Malindi declared that the court could not rule on terrorism charges preferred by the prosecution.



The prosecution said last week that they would charge the pastor with radicalization and terrorism. The pastor was taken to the Shanzu Law Court in Mombasa, where judges hear terrorism-related cases.



Mary Kithi, 46, was in court to witness the proceedings. Kithi is searching for her niece and her six children, who were followers of Mackenzie.

"I was in court to find out what the judge would rule and where our loved ones were. They disappeared," she said. "We have yet to locate them, let alone their bodies. The children's mother called us three weeks ago, but we couldn't reach her when we called back. We have no idea where she is. She informed us that all of the children had died."

Kenyan investigators have exhumed at least 110 bodies from the Shakahola forest along the coast, where people met their deaths.

Due to heavy rains in the forest, exhumation of the bodies has been temporarily halted, but efforts to rescue more survivors continue.



More than 400 people have disappeared, according to the Kenyan Red Cross.



Odero, who has been linked to the Shakahola deaths, appeared in Mombasa Law Court to answer for similar deaths in Kilifi County.

The followers and supporters of Odero demanded his release.

Mumina Alaso, a Kilifi County human rights defender, says justice must be served to all those who died as a result of the pastors' misleading teachings.

"It's really bad," she said. "Most of the Ezekiel people have come to chant that they want the pastor to be released, while there are so many people who have lost their loved ones. And some who have not yet found their loved ones with the cult pastors.  I feel that justice has to be done for the people who have lost their lives being forced to fast and even their children who were forced to fast."

Oderos lawyers, led by Danstan Omari, said no one has come forward to claim that the pastor killed any of his church members.

He says allegations have been made that the pastor is involved in transporting bodies to Shakahola.



"I am appealing to all Kenyans who have ever come to the church, who have ever brought their patients, who have ever brought a patient who died and that patient was taken to Shakahola, to go to any nearest police station in the country and provide that evidence. Because up to now, none of those people who have ever taken anybody to pastor Ezekiels church [has] provided that evidence. There isn't anyone," he said.



Odero will appear in court again Thursday, but it's unclear when Mackenzie will appear to answer terrorism-related charges.
The growing rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran after years of mistrust was visible on Monday as Saudi Arabia helped evacuate Iranian citizens fleeing the war in Sudan.

The Saudi navy carried the 65 Iranian citizens from Port Sudan to Jeddah, and they will fly onward to Tehran.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani called the transfer "a positive event" that had taken place thanks to Saudi-Iranian cooperation.

Ahmed al-Dabais, a senior Saudi military officer handling the operation, told Iranian evacuees in a video carried by local television that the two countries were good friends and brothers and that they should regard the kingdom as their own country.

Saudi Arabia, across the Red Sea from Sudan, has been a major hub for the evacuation effort as countries have worked to pull thousands of foreign citizens out of the conflict that suddenly erupted on April 15.

Revolutionary Shi'ite Muslim Iran and conservative Sunni Saudi Arabia had feuded for years, backing opposing sides in wars and political struggles across the Middle East in a tussle for influence that fed conflicts and inflamed sectarian hatred.

Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the kingdom's Tehran Embassy following Riyadh's execution of a Shi'ite Muslim cleric.

However, the two major oil producers agreed to end their rift and reopen diplomatic missions in a deal brokered in March by China.
Somalias army said it has killed 67 al-Shabab militants and seized large amounts of explosives in an operation in the north-central Mudug region.

Brigadier General Mohamed Tahlil Bihi told reporters Tuesday the military was acting on intelligence about movements of the al-Shabab group.

Bihi said the operation in the Harardhere district of central Mudug region took place at around 1 a.m. when 120 jerrycans containing improvised explosive devices were offloaded from a boat and carried in a vehicle that was guided by 69 militants. Bihi said Somalias National Army fired rocket-propelled grenades at the vehicle and destroyed it. He said only two militants were captured alive.

VOA could not independently verify the armys casualty figures.

Somalias army has been conducting joint offensives with local militias against the Islamist militants since last July as part of an all-out war against the group.

In a town hall meeting Monday night, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared that al-Shabab would be eliminated by the end of the year.

Mohamud said the second phase of the operation would soon begin in Somalias South West State and in the Jubaland region.

Somalia is also depending on troops from Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya after the neighboring countries in January agreed to jointly launch military operations against al-Shabab strongholds.
The Somali government has launched its first national population and housing census in decades, which is expected to take two years.

"We will be counting those who live in the Somali territory and the houses they live in," Dr. Abdi Ali Ige, head of the Somali Population and Housing Census, told VOA's Somali Service Tuesday.

Ige, who will be overseeing the project, said the data collectors will be following a standard methodology used internationally to conduct the count.

"We are using combination of de facto and de jure methodology. That means we are counting population we find on the day of the counting," he said. "[For] the nomadic population and the homeless, we are using de jure methodology. That means we are asking people where they usually live  it's combination of two methodologies because Somalis have different population strata."

30,000 data collectors

Ige said the census will start in the urban population then move to the rural and nomadic populations.

"Before the count is conducted, there will be mapping of the country using satellite imagery of towns and cities, villages, and rural areas," he said.

He said mapping will take about eight months. There will also be training for the 30,000 data collectors before the counting starts in October 2024.

"The census will be concluded from two weeks to one month  every house will be knocked," he said.

1.4 million displaced

The United Nations estimates that 1.4 million Somalis have been displaced by the current droughts. Ige said the census team is aware of the population movement and it will be targeting the temporary nomadic settlements using satellite imagery.

"Every village or district has a temporary nomadic settlement," he said, explaining that the timing of the census will coincide with autumn rains, when nomadic communities return to their places of origin.

Somalia last conducted a formal census in 1975, which recorded a total population of 4.2 million, Ige said. He said a second census took place in 1984 but was not published. Since that time, population figures given by Somali and United Nations officials estimate Somalis to number between 12 and 16 million.

The United Nations Population Fund, which is supporting the Somali government census, also expressed confidence in the project during the launch in Mogadishu.

"We are going to be delivering a modern census for Somalia through modern technology," says Niyi Ojuolape, UNFPA country representative.

"We plan to have modern data security; we are also going to be processing the data that we will be using through the latest technology."

Ojuolape said the team that is conducting the census is made of both UNFPA and the Somali national bureau of statistics; and includes demographers, statisticians, GIS (geographic information system) analysis, IT and communications specialists.

Ige said consultations have been made with the federal states and Somaliland about conducting the census.

But officials expect challenges, particularly in areas controlled by al-Shabab militants. Ojuolape says officials will be using technology to conduct census mapping and get estimates of the people living in those areas.

"There are certain places that may be difficult for us to reach and we will need satellite imagery to help us to get those figures," he said.

"In addition, satellite imagery will also help us to validate whatever figures we get at the end of the day because the two must work together."

Data will help government plan

Ige said the Somali government told the team that so-called inaccessible areas will be free by October next year.

"But we have a plan used in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Colombia. We have a model, which is satellite imaging known as Grid 3, which we will use if we are unable to reach a place," he said.

Officials described the census as a critical exercise that will allow the Somali government to plan and implement policies and programs that meet the needs of its citizens.

"Generation of data and utilization of data is at the heart of governance," said Salah Jama, the deputy prime minister of Somalia, who launched the census.

"It is paramount for good government. It is paramount for development gains."

If concluded successfully, the census will also come ahead of the 2026 elections. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud promised to prepare direct elections in a televised Mogadishu town hall Monday night.

Assuring the citizens that their information will be kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes, the government urged citizens to participate in the census and provide accurate information.
Somalia has begun evacuating its citizens from Sudan, with more than 100 returning home on a flight from Khartoum Sunday night, and more flights promised in the coming days. The situation is being watched with special interest by a network of Somalis who were educated in Sudan in the years after the Somali government and schooling system collapsed. As Mohamed Sheikh Nor reports, these Somalis are still grateful to Sudan for the education they received and are hoping the fighting ends soon.
Ugandan lawmakers have passed a harsh anti-LGBTQ bill after minor changes. If signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni, as expected, some same-sex acts could be punishable by the death penalty. Anyone found guilty of promoting homosexuality could face up to 20 years in prison.

The bill, which passed Tuesday with the support of 301 legislators and only a single dissenting vote, was a modified version of the Anti- Homosexuality Bill of 2023 .

An earlier version of the bill passed in March was sent back to Parliament by President Yoweri Museveni, who suggested three amendments.

This included distinguishing between being a homosexual and actually engaging in same-sex acts. Museveni argued that the law needed to be clear so that what is being criminalized is not how the person identifies but rather their actions and any promotion of homosexuality. The legislation mandates a life sentence for someone convicted of homosexuality.

The president also argued against a clause penalizing property owners whose premises are used by gay or lesbian people, saying it presented constitutional challenges and would be problematic to enforce.

Musevenis third recommendation was that mandating the public to report any same-sex acts should be restricted to cases involving children and vulnerable people. Failure to comply would fetch a jail sentence of five years. To ensure there was a quorum, Speaker Anita Among took a roll call for members and closed the doors of Parliament to ensure no one could leave.

Among asked legislators to remain steadfast in opposing homosexuality.

Lets protect Ugandans. Lets protect our values, our virtues, she said. We have a culture to protect. The Western world will not come and rule Uganda. We may disagree, but we disagree respectfully.

Western medical and psychiatric associations regard sexual orientation as innate and part of normal human diversity. LGBTQ rights defenders say the proportion of sexual minorities remains constant from country to country  including those with punitive laws.

Frank Mugisha, a gay rights lawyer and founder of a banned LGBTQ rights organization, Sexual Minorities Uganda, said Musevenis amendments make a bad bill worse.

This bill increases the penalty for reporting from three years to five years, he said. And, also, this bill, yes, it doesnt criminalize the identity or identifying as an LGBTQ person, but in promotion its vague. If then someone identifies as LGBTQ person, wont that be seen as promotion?

Fox Odoi Oywelowo, the sole lawmaker voting against the bill, said, even with modifications, it will lead to abuse of the LGBTQ community.

The bill awaits being signed by Museveni, something he promised to do once Parliament considered his recommendations.
The United Nations food relief agency has suspended aid deliveries to Ethiopias northern Tigray region amid an internal investigation into the theft of food meant for hungry people, according to four humanitarian workers.

The World Food Program is responsible for delivering food from the U.N. and other partners to Tigray, the center of a devastating two-year civil war that ended with a cease-fire in November.

More than 5 million of the region's 6 million people rely on aid.

WFP informed its humanitarian partners April 20 that it was temporarily suspending deliveries of food to Tigray amid reports of food misappropriation, one of the four humanitarian workers told AP. Three other aid workers confirmed this information. They all insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to a journalist on this matter.

Last month, AP reported that the WFP was investigating cases of food misappropriation and diversion in Ethiopia, where a total of 20 million people need humanitarian help due to drought and conflict.

A letter sent by the WFP's Ethiopia director April 5 asked humanitarian partners to share any information or cases of food misuse, misappropriation or diversion that you are aware of or that are brought to your attention by your staff, beneficiaries or local authorities.

At the time, two aid workers told the AP that the stolen supplies included enough food to feed 100,000 people. The food was discovered missing from a warehouse in the Tigray city of Sheraro. It was not clear who was responsible for the theft.

Tigrays new interim president, Getachew Reda, said last month he discussed the growing challenge of diversion and sale of food aid meant for the needy with senior WFP officials during a visit by the agency to Mekele, the regional capital.

A spokesperson for the WFP in Ethiopia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Participants at a United Nations-convened international meeting on Afghanistan in Qatar agreed Tuesday to work together to find a way to engage with the country's fundamentalist Taliban authorities on issues such as human rights, governance, counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts.



U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and special envoys on Afghanistan from nearly two dozen countries, including the United States, China and Russia as well as international organizations, attended the talks that began on Monday. The Taliban criticized the session for excluding them.



At the outset, Guterres told a post-meeting conference in the Qatari capital of Doha that it was about developing a "common international approach" and not about recognition of the Taliban government.



The clarification stemmed from a senior U.N. official's suggestion in the run-up to the Doha meeting that attendees would also discuss recognizing the Taliban's men-only government.

Taliban takeover

The Taliban seized power in August 2021 when U.S. and NATO troops departed the country after nearly two decades of involvement in the war with the then-insurgent Taliban.



No foreign government has recognized the new administration in Kabul, known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in part because of its bans on women's access to work, education and public life.



"The current ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations and national and international NGOs is unacceptable and puts lives in jeopardy," Guterres said Tuesday. "Let me be crystal clear, we will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women and girls' rights."



The Taliban government has banned girls' education beyond the sixth grade and barred most women from workplaces, including those working with the U.N. and nongovernmental organizations.

"When it is the right moment to do so, I will obviously not refuse that possibility. Today is not the right moment to do so," Guterres said when asked if he would be willing to hold a direct meeting with the Taliban.



The U.N. chief noted that delegates at the meeting were worried about the stability of Afghanistan and expressed serious concerns over "the persistent presence of terrorist organizations" and "the spread of drug trafficking that posed a risk for the region and beyond.



"Participants agreed on the need for a strategy of engagement that allows for the stabilization of Afghanistan but also allows for addressing important concerns," he said.



"To achieve our objectives, we cannot disengage. Many called for engagement to be more effective and based on lessons which we have learned from the past," the secretary-general said without elaborating.

The United Nations is due to conclude by Friday its ongoing review of Afghan operations in the aftermath of the Taliban ban on its female staff, prompting fears the global body could be preparing to withdraw from the country.



Guterres stopped short of ruling out the withdrawal possibility, while noting that Afghanistan is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with 97% of Afghans living in poverty.



"Two-thirds of the population  28 million  will need humanitarian assistance this year to survive. Six million Afghan children, women, and men are one step away from famine-like conditions. Meanwhile, funding is evaporating," he said.



The U.N. chief noted the world body has received only $294 million, or 6.4%, of its $4.6 billion Afghan humanitarian response plan for 2023.



Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban permanent representative-designate to the U.N., hailed Guterres' announcement that the meeting participants had agreed to maintain engagement with Afghanistan.



"I believe a major flaw of the meeting was the exclusion of the IEA, the main party to the issue. Any meeting without their participation can neither be productive nor help in solving issues," Shahen, who currently heads the Doha-based Taliban political office, told VOA by phone.



He said that Afghanistan faces many challenges, and the Taliban would want to resolve them in line with "our own principles." Shaheen pointed out that the Afghan nation had also been demanding the removal of international financial sanctions that were imposed on the country after the Taliban takeover.



"But there was no discussion on the issue at the just concluded meeting. These sanctions are inflicting collective punishment on the poverty-stricken Afghan people. We welcome any gathering that aims to resolve issues, but if the purpose is to put pressure on us, it won't work. The IEA is a reality, and no one should ignore it."



Hibatullah Akhundzada, the reclusive Taliban chief, has repeatedly rejected international calls for removing bans on women and girls, saying he will not allow any foreign interference in his Islamic governance.



The Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Only three countries recognized their government then, including neighboring Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The hardline group had at the time wholly banned girls from receiving an education and women from working outdoors.



They had also hosted al-Qaida leaders blamed for plotting the deadly September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
Sudans warring military factions agreed Tuesday to a new, weeklong cease-fire starting Thursday, South Sudan announced, although more airstrikes and shooting in the Khartoum region continued to shatter the latest short-term truce.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir stressed the importance of a longer truce and the naming of envoys to peace talks, to which both sides agreed.

But the eventual results of the May 4-11 cease-fire deal between Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo was unclear because of the extensive violations that undermined previous truce agreements that ran from 24 to 72 hours.

With fighting now in its third week, the conflict has forced 100,000 people to flee Sudan for safety and is creating a refugee crisis in neighboring impoverished countries, the United Nations said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said his government would support talks in Sudan between the rival factions but also was "being careful about not interfering in their domestic matters."

"The entire region could be affected," he said in an interview Tuesday with a Japanese newspaper, as an envoy from Sudan's army chief, met with Egyptian officials in Cairo.

The U.N. World Food Program said Monday it was resuming work in the safer parts of Sudan after a pause earlier in the conflict after some aid workers were killed.

The agency said in a statement on Monday that distribution of food is expected to commence in the states of Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile in the coming days to provide life-saving assistance.

"The risk is that this is not just going to be a Sudan crisis, it's going to be a regional crisis," said Michael Dunford, the aid agencys East Africa director.

Even though they agreed to a new cease-fire, the commanders of the army and RSF, who had shared power as part of an internationally backed transition toward free elections and civilian government, have shown no definitive sign of backing down.

But neither seems able to secure a quick victory. That has raised the specter of a prolonged conflict that could draw in other countries.

The United Nations migration agency said in Geneva that at least 334,000 people have been internally displaced in Sudan since deadly fighting broke out last month between two military factions, in addition to the 100,000 who have fled the country.

The new figures come a day after the U.N. refugee agency made an ominous prediction that the fighting could cause more than 800,000 people to flee the northeastern African country.

Raouf Mazou, the deputy head of the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said Monday that the agency was preparing for 815,000 people to flee Sudan into seven neighboring countries. He said that included 580,000 Sudanese along with foreign refugees now living in Sudan.

UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said in a tweet Monday that the agency hopes its planning figures turn out to be too high, but he said that if violence doesnt stop, we will see more people forced to flee Sudan seeking safety.

Fighting between Sudanese government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continued Tuesday despite the extension of yet another cease-fire agreement. Sudans health ministry says more than 500 people reportedly have been killed and more than 4,000 wounded since the fighting began on April 15 after relations between the two factions fell apart. The two generals leading the warring parties were allies in Sudans transitional government after a 2021 coup.

A string of temporary truces has been widely ignored by both sides. The cease-fires were established by the two warring factions to allow people safe passage and to open a means for the country to receive humanitarian aid. However, while fighting has abated in some parts of the capital, heavy fighting has continued elsewhere. Each side has blamed the other for the infractions.

The top U.N. official in Sudan, Volker Perthes, told The Associated Press on Monday that Sudan's warring generals have agreed to send representatives  potentially to Saudi Arabia  for negotiations.

The Sudanese ambassador to the United States, Mohamed Abdalla Idris, told VOA he hopes the cease-fire will eventually lead to meaningful long-term peace talks.

He said, a cease-fire, truce, is a two-way traffic, and said peace can only be realized if all parties respect the terms of any deal.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dispatched U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths to Sudan to assess the situation there.

The fighting in Sudan has forced foreign governments to pull their citizens from the country.

Russias military announced Tuesday that more than 200 people will be evacuated on four military transports.

Hundreds of Americans reached the eastern city of Port Sudan this weekend, watched over by U.S. military drones. Saudi officials said Monday that a U.S. Navy ship took more than 300 evacuees from Port Sudan to the Saudi port of Jeddah.

The U.S. State Department said Monday that three U.S. convoys evacuated more than 700 people since Friday and more than 1,000 U.S. citizens have been evacuated since the violence started.

Michael Atit in Khartoum; Margaret Besheer at the United Nations; Anthony LaBruto; John Tanza, Nike Ching at the State Department contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The White House said Monday it now estimates that just since December, Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine has rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

In what has become a grinding war of attrition, 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.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. estimate is based on newly declassified American intelligence. He did not detail how the intelligence community derived the number.

General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in November that Russia had suffered well over 100,000 killed or wounded in the first eight months of the war. The new figures suggest that Russian losses have dramatically accelerated in recent months.

Troops from Russia's Wagner mercenary group and other forces are fighting Ukrainian troops house-to-house to try to gain control of what has become known as the "road of life"  the last remaining road west still in Ukrainian hands, which makes it critical for supplies and fresh troops. Both sides have cited gains in recent days.

Kirby said nearly half those killed since December are Wagner forces, many of them convicts who were released from prison to join Russia's fight. He said the Wagner forces were "thrown into combat and without sufficient combat or combat training, combat leadership, or any sense of organizational command and control."

The White House has repeatedly sought to highlight the cost  both human and weaponry  to Russia of Bakhmut, which it argues has limited strategic importance to the overall trajectory of the war. Some analysts, however, note that taking control of Bakhmut could be helpful to Russian efforts to advance on the larger cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in the Donetsk region

Kirby said the Russian casualty count for "this little town of Bakhmut" was in line with some of the fiercest periods of fighting during World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front, and the Guadalcanal campaign, the first major Allied offensive against Japan.

"It's three times the number of killed in action that the United States faced on the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II, and that was over the course of five months," Kirby said.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, head of Ukrainian ground forces, said Russia continued to exert "maximum effort" to take Bakhmut but that it so far had failed.

"In some parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions," he said.

Kirby declined to say how many Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded in the fighting. Milley said in November that Ukrainian casualties were probably also about 100,000.
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Japan's Ambassador to the U.S. Koji Tomita will speak at a National Press Club Headliners Newsmaker on Tuesday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fourth Estate Room.

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB LOGO. (PRNewsFoto/NATIONAL PRESS CLUB) (PRNewsfoto/National Press Club) (PRNewsfoto/National Press Club)

Japan's Ambassador to the U.S. Koji Tomita will outline key issues for the upcoming G7 Hiroshima Summit at a Headliners Newsmaker event.

Leaders of the G7 member states of France, the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada and the EU president will meet May 19 to May 21 in Hiroshima. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the 2023 president of G7, said Japan chose Hiroshima, a city which experienced the horrors of nuclear war, as a "fitting location to express its commitment to peace." During a visit to Washington in January, Kishida said the G7 leaders should demonstrate a strong will to uphold international order and rule of law after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ambassador Tomita is on his second diplomatic tour in the US. He served as deputy chief of mission in 2012. He has also held diplomatic posts in Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom, and various posts in the foreign ministry. He also acted as Japan's Sherpa for the G20 Osaka Summit in 2019. As a student, he completed a study abroad program at Davidson College in North Carolina.

This event is open to credentialed media and club members.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C.

PRESS CONTACT:

Cecily Scott Martin

members@press.org

202-662-7525

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/japans-ambassador-to-the-us-koji-tomita-to-speak-at-a-national-press-club-headliners-newsmaker-on-tuesday-may-9-301812466.html

SOURCE National Press Club
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday said Russia must pull out of Ukraine, blistering Russia's killing of the children and distancing himself from some in his Republican party who oppose additional major U.S. aid to Ukraine to stave off the Russian invasion.

In Israel on his first trip abroad as speaker, McCarthy emphatically stressed his support for Ukraine and rejected a suggestion that he does not support sending military and financial aid to Kyiv. At a news conference, he also amplified his positions on other issues back home, including his demand for debt limit negotiations with President Joe Biden.

I vote for aid for Ukraine. I support aid for Ukraine, McCarthy said, responding to a question from a Russian reporter.

I do not support what your country has done to Ukraine, I do not support your killing of the children either," McCarthy told the Russian reporter, adding. You should pull out.

He said, We will continue to support  because the rest of the world sees it just as it is.

McCarthy touched down in Jerusalem leading a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers, his first foray abroad as the new House speaker and the first to address the Israeli Knesset in 25 years.

Domestic politics followed his trip overseas, and the Republican speaker said that he still has not yet heard a response from Democrat Biden about negotiations over the U.S. debt ceiling, which are tense as deadlines near for action to prevent big economic trouble.

The president still hasn't talked to me, McCarthy said, quipping that he feels a little like Netanyahu, referring to the Israeli Prime Minister who has yet to receive a call from the U.S. president.

Later Monday, President Biden called McCarthy along with other congressional leaders and invited them to a May 9 meeting at the White House to discuss the nations debt ceiling, according to administration officials.

House Republicans last week put an opening offer on the table, passing a sweeping package that would raise the debt limit by $1.5 trillion into 2024 in exchange for a long list of spending restrictions and other conservative policy priorities that Democrats oppose. Biden has said he would veto the bill if it should be approved by the House and Senate.

Biden had previously refused to engage in talks on the debt ceiling, saying it must be raised with no strings attached to prevent a potentially catastrophic default on the nation's already accrued bills.

McCarthy made it clear a so-called clean debt ceiling will not be possible with House Republicans.

We will not pass a debt ceiling that just raises it without doing something about our debt, McCarthy said.

The Republican leader, who was elected speaker in January after a tumultuous internal party battle, led the congressional delegation on a trip he has made many times before, often with Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the former Democratic House majority leader, who was again at his side.

The trip came as Congress was soon to face again a request to send major aid to Ukraine. McCarthy will need to navigate Republican politics as the debate plays out, particularly from the Trump-aligned wing that has raised opposition to spending overseas to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin's Ukrainian aggression.

Early on as party leader, McCarthy had said there would be no blank check for Ukraine, but he has since insisted that as speaker he will back the U.S. effort against Russia even as he works to ensure oversight of American taxpayer money abroad.

Democratic former speaker Nancy Pelosi recently looked back on her own historic trip to Kyiv last year, at the outbreak of the war, and said Ukraine and democracy must win.
In a massive global crackdown on fentanyl trafficking on the darknet, U.S. law enforcement agencies and their international partners announced Tuesday the arrests of nearly 300 suspects and seizure of a large cache of drugs, cash, virtual currency and weapons.

The 2-year-old law enforcement action, code named Operation SpecTor, spanned three continents and involved the collaboration of eight countries. It was part of a Justice Department initiative led by the FBI known as JCODE, which aims to dismantle darknet marketplaces that sell drugs and other illegal goods.

The Justice Department described the takedown as the largest international law enforcement operation targeting fentanyl and opioid traffickers on the darknet.

The operation netted 288 arrests, 850 kilograms of drugs, including 64 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, $53.4 million in cash and virtual currencies and 117 firearms.

The total number of arrests was the highest ever for any JCODE operation and more than double that of the largest previous law enforcement action, officials said.

The seizures were also larger than in any prior operation.

Our message to criminals on the dark web is this, You can try to hide in the furthest reaches of the internet, but the Justice Department will find you and hold you accountable for your crimes, Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference in Washington.

Officials said they collaborated with law enforcement agencies in Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The operation had an unusual public awareness component. For the first time, the FBI deployed agents around the country to knock and talk with numerous buyers of drugs on the darknet and to warn them about the dangers of their drug buys, FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate said.

The risks of buying drugs from the dark web are far too real and far too prevalent, and users never know which pill may be their last, Abbate said.

The FBI-led operation is part of a broader effort by U.S. law enforcement agencies to curb fentanyl trafficking.

Last month, the Justice Department announced charges against the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious drug trafficking organization based in Sinaloa, Mexico, and its facilitators around the world.

Garland described the cartels fentanyl trafficking operation as the largest, most violent, and most prolific in the world.

The Sinaloa is one of two major Mexican cartels that dominate the U.S. fentanyl market. The other one is known as the Jalisco Cartel.

Officials say the cartels cook fentanyl using precursor chemicals imported from China.

The announcement comes at a time when the United States is grappling with an opioid overdose crisis that claimed more than 100,000 American lives in the 12-month period ending in August 2022.

Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl were behind more than two-thirds of the deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Law enforcement officials say drug traffickers are increasingly turning to the dark web to sell illegal drugs, often in exchange for cryptocurrency.

The Justice Department showcased several prosecutions executed previously as part of Operation SpecTor.

Anton Peck of Boca Raton, Florida, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in December 2022 for allegedly peddling drugs from various darknet markets under the name Syntropy. He and two co-conspirators received cryptocurrencies before mailing parcels containing fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine to customers around the country.

Christopher Hampton of Cerritos, California, was charged in November 2022 with leading an organization that pushed millions of fake pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine to thousands of customers on the darknet. Hampton operated on at least nine darknet marketplaces, according to court documents.

The alarming spike in fentanyl deaths has prompted Republican demands that the Biden administration label the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and unleash the full force of the law against them.
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By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

The saying "like a moth to a flame" may have to be revised as artificial light does not attract insects but 'captures' them, according to new research.

It interferes with the systems they use to orientate their body when flying, say scientists.

Lead author Dr. Samuel Fabian, of Imperial College London, said: "Our results suggest artificial lights may only trap passing insects rather than attract them directly from farther away."

The centuries-old adage indicates sometimes things that seem irresistibly inviting might hurt you.

It was first used to emphasize a type of attraction that might cause someone's destruction.

In Shakespeare's 1596 work "The Merchant of Venice", one of the main characters, Portia, compares men to annoying pests.

She says: "Thus hath the candle singed the moth."

Until now, the leading theory has been nocturnal insects use the moon's light to navigate - and mistake artificial lights for it.

But the idea doesn't explain why diurnal counterparts also gather around lights, reports New Scientist.

It also predicts that insects will fly in a spiral toward lights, which isn't what they do.

To get to the bottom of the mystery Dr. Fabian and colleagues filmed insects in the wild around lights using a high-speed camera.

They also used motion capture in an enclosure to trace the precise movements of other insects including dragonflies and moths.

The study showed when insects fly above lights, they often invert themselves and try to fly upside down, causing them to plummet.

Just after insects pass under a light, they start doing a loop-the-loop. As their climb angle becomes too steep, they stall and start to fall.

When they approach light from the side, they also may circle or 'orbit' the light.

The videos revealed insects fly at right angles to lights rather than directly at them.

But inversions and stalls sometimes result in individuals falling on lights - making it appear deliberate to the naked eye.

Dr. Fabian explained: "What is common to all three behaviors is the insects are keeping their backs to the light - triggering what is known as the dorsal light response."

This reflex exists in some fish as well as many insects. It's a shortcut for animals to work out which way is up - and keep their bodies upright.

It relies on the fact that, even at night, the brightest hemisphere in the visual field is usually up.

There are circumstances in which the phenomenon might lead an insect awry - such as at dawn or dusk.

But insects use a combination of methods to tell which way is up - and different species rely on the dorsal light response to different

degrees.

The researchers discovered oleander hawkmoths and fruit flies, for example, didn't invert or orbit near lights.

However, in many species, the dorsal light response appears hard-wired. And in a simple computer simulation, virtual insects gave a dorsal light response also inverted, stalled and orbited - just like they did in the videos.

Dr. Roman Goulard, of Lund University in Sweden who was not involved in the study, showed in 2018 that shining lights upwards from below made hoverflies more likely to crash.

He said: "I think it's a totally plausible idea the dorsal light response induces this rotational behavior that traps insects around lights at night.

The dorsal light response provides a credible answer to a question that has been around for at least 2,000 years - going back to the Roman era.

Dr. Roy van Grunsven at Dutch Butterfly Conservation in the Netherlands, who has studied the effect of artificial lights on insects, said: "I've never been convinced by the other theories."

Dr. Fabian hopes the research will help find ways to minimize the damaging effects of artificial lighting on insects - which might be contributing to their global decline.

He said: "Reducing bright, unshielded, and upward facing lights will mitigate the impact on flying insects at night."
Russia and China have far superior armaments to those of the West. The former has won the war in Syria and is preparing to win in Ukraine. Despite its best efforts, Nato, which has already failed in the Middle East by proxy jihadists, is unable to reverse the reality on the battlefield.

The way of thinking of the former colonial powers leads them to imagine that Russia and China will use their military superiority to impose their way of life on the rest of the world. But that is not their intention at all and that is not what they are doing.

Moscow and Beijing are constantly calling for the application of international law. Nothing more. The Russians want peace at home, while the Chinese hope to trade everywhere.

The events in Ukraine have made us forget Russias repeated demands since 2007: it demands its own security guarantees, in particular the absence of arsenals belonging to third countries stored on its neighbours territory. Russia does not have the means to defend its borders, the largest in the world. Therefore, it cannot ensure its security if enemy armies are massing on several fronts on its borders, except by practicing the "scorched earth strategy" of Marshal Fedor Rostopchin. This is the meaning of all the negotiations for the reunification of Germany. The USSR was opposed to this, unless the New Germany undertook not to store Nato weapons in the East. This was the meaning of all the negotiations with the former Warsaw Pact states. And this was also the meaning of the negotiations with all the states of the former USSR. Moscow has never been opposed to a state choosing its allies and eventually joining NATO. It has always objected if joining NATO implied the installation of NATO weapons stocks on its territory.

Moscow was not satisfied until 1999, when 30 OSCE member states signed the Istanbul Declaration, known as the "Charter for Security in Europe", which sets out two major principles :

 the right of each State to choose the allies of its choice and

 the duty of each State not to threaten the security of others in ensuring its own.

It was the violation of these principles, and it alone, that led to the Ukrainian conflict. This was the meaning of President Vladimir Putins speech at the Munich Security Conference in 2007, where he denounced the failure to comply with OSCE commitments and the establishment of a "monopoly" governance of the world.

The West, which considered Russia to be a bankrupt country, agreed that it was right, but laughed at its impotence. They were wrong: Russia has risen up and overtaken them. Today, she uses her strength to make us respect the principles we have sworn to uphold, not to impose her way of thinking on us.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the West has neglected the commitments it made during the Cold War in order to build a "New World Order", as Margaret Thatcher and George Bush Sr. put it; a New World Order "based on rules" that the West itself defined. We have thus accumulated violations of our engagements and, consequently, of international law.

There is a fundamental incompatibility between International Law, which originated at the Hague Conference of 1899, and Anglo-Saxon Law: International Law is a positive convention. It is elaborated by unanimity. That is, it is accepted by each of those who apply it. On the contrary, Anglo-Saxon law is based on custom. It is therefore always behind the evolution of the world and privileges those who have dominated it.

Since 1993, Westerners have begun to replace, one by one, all international treaties to rewrite them in Anglo-Saxon law. Madeleine Albright, who then represented the United States under President Bill Clinton on the UN Security Council, was the daughter of Professor Josef Korbel. This Czech diplomat, who became a professor at the University of Denver, taught that the best way for the United States to dominate the world was not to conquer it militarily, but to make it adopt its own legal system, as the British Crown had done in its empire. After serving as ambassador to the UN, Madeleine Albright became Secretary of State. When President George W. Bush succeeded Bill Clinton, it was Josef Korbels adopted daughter, Condoleezza Rice, who took his place after the Colin Powell interlude. In practice, for two decades the West has patiently destroyed international law and imposed its rules, to the point where it now arrogates to itself the emphatic title of "International Community".

On March 21, 2023, in Moscow, the Russian and Chinese presidents, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, agreed on a common strategy to ensure the triumph of international law. In their minds, it is neither more nor less than dismantling everything that Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice have achieved.

Russia, which held the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in April, decided to hold an open debate on the theme: "Maintaining international peace and security: effective multilateralism based on the defence of the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter".

The session, chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, was not intended to unpack the dirty laundry accumulated since the demise of the Soviet Union, but to begin to mobilize as many states as possible. In the framework note (S/2023/244), circulated by Russia before the debate, Moscow explained how the Western unipolar order was replacing international law. It also warned about the role of non-governmental actors, the so-called "NGOs", in this arrangement. He also emphasized that making human rights a criterion of good governance and not an objective to be achieved, transforms them into a political weapon and seriously harms their improvement. Generally speaking, international tribunals are used to say what is right and not what is wrong. They are no longer used to resolve disputes, but rather to create hierarchies; to divide and not to unite. The Note concluded with a series of questions including: "What could be done to restore the culture of dialogue and consensus within the [United Nations] Organisation, including the Security Council? What is the best way to demonstrate that the current situation, marked by a selective approach to the norms and principles of international law, including the Charter, is unacceptable and cannot continue?

The intervention of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres of Portugal, did not allow for any progress. He limited himself to presenting the future program of the United Nations. The large number of participants in the debate then divided into three groups.

Russia praised the UN Charter and deplored its evolution over the past thirty years. It pleaded for equality between all sovereign states and denounced the exorbitant power of the West and its unipolar organization. It recalled that the special military operation in Ukraine was the consequence of a coup detat, in 2014 in Kiev, and that therefore the problem was not Ukraine, but the way we conduct international relations. In passing, Russia warned the UN Secretary General and reminded him of his duty of impartiality. It stressed that if the documents of the next summits of the Organization do not respect this principle, they will divide the world a little more instead of uniting it.

The Group of Friends for the Defense of the UN Charter and the Group of 77 have taken up the Russian approach.

A second group, composed of Westerners, repeatedly deflected the debate to the Ukrainian issue, refusing to take into account the Maidan coup, emphasizing the violence of the Russian "invasion" and recalling its human price.

A third group fired sharper arrows. Pakistan denounced the notion of "networked multilateralism" as contrary to an international order of sovereign and equal states. It also rejected any prospect of a "unipolar, bipolar or even multipolar world if it is to be dominated by a few ultra-powerful states. Ethiopia and Egypt denounced the role of non-state actors in the world.

While Russia and China had reminded various delegations before the debate of the international treaties that the New World Order is blatantly violating, there was no mention of specific cases in this debate, with the exception of Ukraine, which was addressed by the West.

However, one must anticipate the multiple claims of non-Westerners, i.e. governments representing 87% of the worlds population.

Thus:

 Finland committed itself in writing in 1947 to remain neutral. Its membership in Nato is therefore a violation of its own signature.

 the Baltic States committed themselves in writing, when they were created in 1990, to preserve the monuments honouring the sacrifices of the Red Army. The destruction of these monuments is therefore a violation of their own signature.

 the United Nations passed Resolution 2758 on October 25, 1971, recognizing that Beijing, not Taiwan, is the sole legitimate representative of China. As a result, Chiang Kai-sheks government was expelled from the Security Council and replaced by Mao Zedongs. Therefore, for example, the recent Chinese naval manoeuvres in the Taiwan Strait do not constitute an aggression against a sovereign state, but a free deployment of its forces in its own territorial waters.

 the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty committed signatory states not to transfer nuclear weapons to a third country. However, as part of NATO, the United States has transferred tactical (not strategic) nuclear bombs to some of its overseas bases. In addition, it has trained foreign military personnel to use them. This is a violation of their signature by the United States as well as by Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

 etc, etc.

Ultimately, what we in the "West" have to fear from Russia and China is that they will force us to be ourselves and honour our word.
Lyle and Erik Menendez. Photo: Mike Nelson/AFP via Getty Images

Ryan Murphy is done combing through Court TV archives to find his next true-crime subject. The second season of Netflix and Murphys hit anthology series, Monster, will follow the real-life story of the Menendez brothers, convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was announced on May 1 with a video that contains the 9-1-1 call a sobbing Lyle made on the night his parents died. Netflix plans to release an accompanying documentary that promises unprecedented access to the brothers, according to a press release. The murders occurred in 1989, when Jose and Mary Louise Kitty Menendez were fatally shot in their Beverly Hills home. Months later, police began investigating the brothers for their role in their parents death. Erik broke down and confessed to his psychologist, who told his mistress Judalon Smyth. The brothers were convicted only after they were tried together and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Court TVs coverage of their first trial served as a precursor to our true-crime-obsessed culture today. Lyle and Erik remain incarcerated. Murphys latest fictionalized dive into true crime will air in 2024.
It hasn't been the best quarter for JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE:JKS) shareholders, since the share price has fallen 12% in that time. But that doesn't undermine the rather lovely longer-term return, if you measure over the last three years. In three years the stock price has launched 223% higher: a great result. To some, the recent share price pullback wouldn't be surprising after such a good run. The fundamental business performance will ultimately dictate whether the top is in, or if this is a stellar buying opportunity.

Since the stock has added US$182m to its market cap in the past week alone, let's see if underlying performance has been driving long-term returns.

See our latest analysis for JinkoSolar Holding

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. 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.

JinkoSolar Holding was able to grow its EPS at 1.7% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. In comparison, the 48% per year gain in the share price outpaces the EPS growth. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did three years ago. It's not unusual to see the market 're-rate' a stock, after a few years of growth.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

We know that JinkoSolar Holding has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts.

A Different Perspective

While the broader market lost about 0.8% in the twelve months, JinkoSolar Holding shareholders did even worse, losing 1.9%. 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. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 22%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand JinkoSolar Holding better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with JinkoSolar Holding (including 1 which is potentially serious) .

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If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Good morning,

More from Fortune: 5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home Looking to make extra cash? This CD has a 5.15% APY right now Buying a house? Here's how much to save This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home

Were less than six months into 2023, and there have been three regional bank failures.

Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March, and on Monday, First Republic Bank was shut down by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Last week, I spoke with an analyst who pointed out that in addition to SVBs bank run causing First Republic trouble, a decades-old business model of offering wealthy borrowers substantial mortgages, usually at low rates, wound up putting the bank in a vulnerable position amid the Feds rate hikes in the past year.

Now, JPMorgan Chasethe largest bank in the U.S.has taken over First Republic, in a deal negotiated by regulators. JPMorgan will acquire the substantial majority of First Republics assets, including $173 billion of loans, $30 billion of securities, and $92 billion of deposits. How did JPMorgan position itself for such an acquisition?

My colleague Shawn Tullys new report, JPMorgan clears the First Republic wreckageand notches a $92 billion coup for investors who love the deal, provides insight. Congress passed a landmark law in 1994 that allowed Americas banks to merge across state lines with few restrictions, Tully explains. The total share of the nations deposits that any one entity could hold was limited to 10%, as well as restricting the percentage within a state to 30%.

By 2014, the nations three largest players, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, had grown quicklyin part via their respective rescues of Washington Mutual, Merrill Lynch, and Wachovia in the Great Financial Crisisto exceed the 10% ceiling. Hence, the rule has essentially blocked the three behemoths from acquiring any rival lenders for a decade, Tully writes. The 1994 act, however, provided a loophole that allowed waivers from the 10% maximum for buyers that stepped up to rescue failing lenders that the FDIC stood poised to shut down.

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JPMorgan benefited from this loophole when the banking giant purchased virtually all the assets of First Republic from the FDIC clearing the wreckage from the second largest banking failure in U.S. history, a disaster exceeded in scale only by the 2008 collapse of WaMu, Tully writes.

So what do JPMorgan shareholders have to gain? JPMorgan achieved what looks like a coup for its shareholders that at the same time stabilized the shaky outlook for regional banks, he writes.

For starters, the deal has already given JPMorgans stock a boost. The bank was able to land First Republics assets in an auction that included a number of rival bidders. Despite the competitive nature of the purchase, CEO Jamie Dimon appears to have secured highly favorable terms. Start with those $92 billion in deposits. Theyre far from the hot money amassed from tech hotshots and super-high-net worth individuals that fled when the bad news started spreading.

He continues, Many of the customers parked their millions at First Republic because it provided them with inexpensive jumbo home loans, a practice that Dimon declared dead on the conference calls where he and CFO Jeremy Barnum explained the transaction. You can read more about what shareholders have to gain and how JPMorgan was already leading in the deposit wars here.

Sheryl Estrada

sheryl.estrada@fortune.com

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE:JNPR) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript April 25, 2023

Juniper Networks, Inc. beats earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $0.48, expectations were $0.43.

Operator: Greetings. Welcome to the Juniper Networks Q1 2023 Financial Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. Please note, this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to your host, Jess Lubert. You may begin.

Jess Lubert: Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, and welcome to our first quarter 2023 conference call. Joining me today are Rami Rahim, Chief Executive Officer; and Ken Miller, Chief Financial Officer. Todays call contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. These risks are discussed in our most recent 10-K, the press release furnished with our 8-K filed today, the CFO commentary posted on the Investor Relations portion of our website today and in our other SEC filings. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of today, and Juniper undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Our discussion today will include non-GAAP financial results. Reconciliation information can be found on the Investor Relations section of our website under Financial Reports. Commentary on why we consider non-GAAP information a useful view of the Companys financial results is included in todays press release. Following our prepared remarks, we will take questions. We ask that you please limit yourself to one question so that as many people as possible who would like to ask a question have a chance. With that, I will now hand the call over to Rami.

Rami Rahim: Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us on todays call to discuss our Q1 2023 results. We delivered better-than-expected results during the first quarter with total revenue of $1,372 million, growing 17% year-over-year and exceeding the midpoint of our guidance. Total product sales grew 23% year-over-year and we saw year-over-year growth across all customer solutions and all geographies. Profitability was also strong in Q1 as our non-GAAP gross and operating margin both exceeded expectations, resulting in non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.48, above the high end of our quarterly guidance range. These results reflect healthy customer demand for our solutions as well as the improvements were seeing in the availability of supply.

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Our teams continue to execute extremely well, and we remain confident in our positioning from a technology, go-to-market and supply chain perspective, to capitalize on our customers digital transformation and cloudification initiatives that are likely to further increase network requirements over the next several years. As expected, total orders softened during the March quarter, declining more than 30% year-over-year. I do not believe this reflects true underlying demand due to our customers consumption that previously placed early orders and the reduced need for new early orders as lead times have improved. With that said, we believe customer ordering patterns are normalizing and we would expect to see a return to more traditional seasonal patterns on a sequential basis starting this quarter.

This would imply that our year-over-year order declines should improve on a go-forward basis, and return to year-over-year growth potentially as soon as Q4 of this year. From a vertical basis, I remain extremely encouraged by the momentum were seeing in our enterprise business, which grew nearly 30% year-over-year in Q1 with double-digit revenue growth in both the campus and branch and the data center. We also saw strong momentum in the channel where deal registration grew by more than 30% year-over-year, and in the commercial market, where orders grew by 40% year-over-year. As of the March quarter, the Enterprise accounted for more than 40% of our total revenue and represented both our largest and our fastest-growing vertical for a second consecutive quarter.

Our Enterprise campus and branch business performed exceptionally well in Q1 with revenue growing nearly 50% year-over-year. Our customers are clearly recognizing the value of our cloud-native AI-driven architecture, which helps them optimize user experiences from client to cloud and minimize operating costs through proactive automation. Revenue from the Mistified segment of our business, which is defined as products driven by Mist AI grew by nearly 60% year-over-year in the Q1 time frame with new logos increasing by nearly 30% year-over-year. Wi-Fi momentum continues to outpace the market and we are seeing record pull-through of wired switching as well as increased attach of our AI-driven SD-WAN offerings. Important wins this quarter included a top-tier U.S. bank, one of the largest U.S. retailers, a leading global logistics provider and a top pharmaceutical company just to name a few.

Not to be overlooked, our Apstra pipeline continued to build as new logos more than doubled on a year-over-year basis and we experienced strong hardware pull-through for every dollar of software, which we view as a positive indicator for our Enterprise data center prospects. Given our level of portfolio differentiation, balanced against our relatively modest share in the large markets where we compete, I expect us to grow both Enterprise revenue and orders during the year even in a more challenged macro environment. Our service provider business also performed well in Q1 due in large part to the timing of supply which enabled us to fulfill prior orders with some of our larger Tier 1 Service Provider customers, particularly for our MX and PTX platforms.

While revenue with these customers is likely to remain lumpy on a quarter-to-quarter basis, Im optimistic about our ability to grow this business during the year based on the momentum were seeing around customer 400-gig wins, many of which remain large opportunities in the early stages of deployment. We also continued to see strong early interest in our cloud metro portfolio, led by our Paragon automation suite. In fact, our ACX7K platform saw another quarter of triple-digit year-over-year order growth. With further enhancements to this portfolio expected later this year and next, we expect momentum within this business to build through the year and become more material to revenue in 2024 and beyond. Id like to acknowledge we continue to see accounts across each of our customer verticals, more closely scrutinizing budgets and project deployment time lines due to the macro uncertainties that are happening around the world.

While order cancellations continue to remain extremely low, as supply improves, we are seeing more customers reschedule delivery dates to better match current project time line. This is proving to be particularly true in the cloud vertical, where certain customers are digesting prior purchases, and we saw a series of projects pushed to future periods during the March quarter. While these delays may negatively impact our ability to grow our cloud business in the current year, based on the conversations weve had with many of these accounts, were confident these delays are a function of timing and remain positive regarding our long-term growth outlook in cloud. In summary, I remain confident in our strategy and optimistic regarding our ability to navigate market uncertainty.

Quickest and Easiest Masters Degrees to Get Online

SFIO CRACHO/Shutterstock.com

My enthusiasm is fueled by our continued Enterprise momentum, the success were seeing around Service Provider 400-gig deployments, the ongoing strength of our backlog which remains well above historical levels and the improvements were seeing in supply. Longer term, I continue to see attractive growth opportunities in the cloud, while we already maintain a meaningful footprint and remain closely engaged with many of these customers on potential new opportunities both in the wide area and the data center that could present additional growth drivers. Finally, I remain encouraged by the improved diversity of our business which is lessening our sensitivity to any one customer or vertical and enabling us to navigate pockets of weakness in the market by pivoting resources to the greatest areas of opportunities.

Based on these dynamics, coupled with our Q1 actuals and expectations for Q2, we are raising our full year revenue outlook and currently expect to deliver at least 9% growth for the year. We continue to remain focused on delivering improved profitability and expect to deliver greater than 100 basis points of operating margin improvement in 2023. I will now turn the call over to Ken who will discuss our quarterly financial results in more detail.

Ken Miller: Thank you, Rami, and good afternoon, everyone. I will start by discussing our first quarter results, then provide some color on our outlook. We ended the first quarter of 2023 with $1,372 million in revenue, above the midpoint of our guidance and up 17% year-over-year. We delivered non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.48, which is above the guidance range, driven by the higher-than-expected revenue and gross margin. From a customer solution perspective, we saw year-over-year revenue growth in all areas. AI-driven enterprise led the way with revenue growth of 48%, automated WAN solutions revenue grew 21% and cloud-ready data center revenue increased 3%. Looking at our revenue by vertical. On a year-over-year basis, Enterprise increased 29%, Service Provider increased 28% and Cloud decreased 14%.

Total software and related services revenue was $232 million, which was an increase of 2% year-over-year. Annual recurring revenue, or ARR, was $293 million and grew 39% year-over-year. Deferred revenue from our SaaS and software license subscriptions grew 68% year-over-year. We remain confident in our outlook for total software growth and ARR growth. Total security revenue was $182 million, up 13% from the first quarter of last year due to the timing of shipments related to improved supply. In reviewing our top 10 customers for the quarter, 5 were Service Providers, 4 were Cloud and 1 was an Enterprise. Our top 10 customers accounted for 30% of total revenue as compared to 32% in Q1 2022. Non-GAAP gross margin was 57.8%, which was above the midpoint of our guidance, primarily driven by favorable customer mix and higher revenue volume.

While supply has improved for the majority of our products, we continue to experience supply constraints for certain components and supply chain costs remain elevated. If not for those elevated supply chain costs, we estimate that we would have posted a non-GAAP gross margin of approximately 59%. Non-GAAP operating expenses increased 10% year-over-year and 3% sequentially, primarily due to headcount-related costs. Non-GAAP operating margin was 14.8% for the quarter, which was above our expectations, driven by higher revenue and better-than-expected gross margin. As Rami mentioned, bookings were down more than 30% year-over-year in the first quarter. As a reminder, in Q1 2022, we were still getting a lot of early orders as customers were dealing with supply constraints and extended lead times.

In Q1 2022, our product orders were over $1.1 billion. Now customers are consuming those early orders and are no longer placing early orders as supply constraints have improved and lead times are shortening. This combination is resulting in a year-over-year decline in bookings, which we expect to moderate going forward. Our backlog remains elevated but declined by more than $350 million due to improvements in supply and order patterns normalizing. Due to the continuation of these factors, we expect backlog to further decline in 2023, but remain elevated relative to historical levels exiting the year. Cash flows from operations was $192 million in the quarter. We paid $71 million in dividends, reflecting a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share.

We also repurchased $140 million worth of shares in the quarter. We exited the quarter with total cash, cash equivalents and investments of approximately $1.2 billion. Im very pleased with our financial performance in the first quarter. This is a testament to our teams dedication and commitment to delivering excellence. Now, I would like to provide some color on our guidance which you can find detailed in the CFO commentary available on our Investor Relations website. At the midpoint of our guidance, we expect second quarter revenue of $1,410 million, which is 11% growth year-over-year. Our confidence is driven by the strength of our demand forecast, our elevated backlog and an improved supply outlook. Second quarter non-GAAP gross margin is expected to be approximately 58%.

We expect second quarter non-GAAP operating expenses to be flat sequentially. Turning to our expectations for the rest of 2023. With the order and backlog visibility we have and our current expectations for supply, we are raising our full year revenue guidance from at least 8% to at least 9% growth. This increase in our revenue expectation reflects the Q1 overachievement and the expectations embedded within our Q2 guidance. For the remainder of 2023, we expect to see sequential revenue growth more in line with normal seasonal patterns. However, the degree of seasonality will be impacted by availability of supply and the timing of customer requested delivery dates. We expect non-GAAP gross margin to slightly expand to approximately 58% in 2023.

This is above the prior guidance of flat to slightly up versus 57.4% in 2022. However, gross margin results will depend on revenue mix and the future trajectory of supply chain costs. With this in mind, we expect non-GAAP operating margin to expand by greater than 100 basis points on a full year basis. Our non-GAAP EPS is expected to grow double digits on a full year basis. Finally, Im pleased to announce we have declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share to be paid this quarter to stockholders of record. In closing, I would like to thank our team for their continued dedication and commitment to Junipers success, especially in this dynamic environment. Now, I would like to open the call for questions.

See also 11 Best Waste Management Stocks to Buy Now and 35 Most Beautiful Places In The World.

To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
Meloni unveils tax cuts and labour market reforms on 1 May.

The Italian government on Monday approved a decree that scales back welfare benefits for the poor and unemployed, as well as unveiling tax cuts for low-income earners and making it easier for businesses to hire workers on short-term contracts.

The measures were part of a package of labour market reforms announced by premier Giorgia Meloni following a cabinet meeting on International Workers' Day.

The "reddito di cittadinanza" or citizen's income scheme that the government is scaling back is a monthly allowance for families and individuals with low income, designed to help with basic expenses such as food, bills and rent.

The subsidy has long been in the sights of the right-wing coalition government led by Meloni, amid claims that the welfare programme is subject to abuse and discourages people from seeking employment, particularly for low-paying jobs.

Meloni said that from next year the subsidy will be divided into two separate benefits to distinguish between "those who can work and those who cannot".

Primo maggio: il Governo festeggia con i fatti. Anche oggi al lavoro per migliorare la condizione dei lavoratori. #1maggio pic.twitter.com/1nJmb14UDl  Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 1, 2023

The state will subsidise people unable to work due to disability or family commitments, with monthly payments of up to 500, while those deemed fit to work will have their benefits reduced, to a maximum of 350 a month, and will be required to attend employment training programmes.

Under the 1 May reforms the government will introduce tax cuts, from July to December, to benefit those with an annual income of less than 35,000.

In a video message Meloni said she was "extremely proud" of the move which she hailed as "the most important tax cut in decades", claiming that it would boost pay packets for low earners by up to 100 a month.

The reddito di cittadinanza is a flagship policy of the Movimento 5 Stelle party whose leader Giuseppe Conte was Italy's prime minister when the scheme was introduced in 2019.

Conte slammed the Labour Day reforms on Monday, claiming the measures would "cost the already poor and underpaid workers dearly".

Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico, blasted the government's efforts to make it easier to hire workers on short-term job contracts, claiming the move "steals the future from the next generations."
While this article may not act as a guide to raising a baby genius, it will give you an idea of the early years of one of the greatest geniuses of the modern age, who, being human, was undoubtedly once a baby and then a child before assuming the appearance of the bearded old man in the iconic portrait.

Our main character is none other than the legendary Leonardo da Vinci, born on 15 April 1452 in the middle of the night in the small town of Vinci or, more precisely, the hamlet of Anchiano, halfway between Florence and Pisa.

Weve chosen to feature Leonardo because the year 2019 marks the 500-year anniversary of his death on 2 May 1519 at Clos Luce, a castle in the city of Amboise, France. On that day, as Francis I was holding his head and lamenting the loss of that great man, Leonardo whispered his last words: I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have. It was the perfect farewell of a genius  or so the legend goes.

This year, a number of cultural institutions will be celebrating the anniversary of the death of that astounding polymath. The most eagerly anticipated event will be the mega-exhibition at the Louvre, scheduled for the autumn of 2019 and likely to be one of the greatest cultural events in recent decades.

Well be focusing on the mysterious early years of the man of the year. But before we begin, we have to warn you that the little we know about those years is based on scant historical records and lots of wild conjecture.

Piero di Antonio da Vinci

Not surprisingly for the time and place, Leonardo was born out of wedlock. From his DNA, we know that Leo was the illegitimate son of the Florentine notary Piero di Antonio da Vinci and the orphan girl Caterina di Meo Lippi, so while Leos father came from a wealthy family, his mother was considered a nobody. Also a notary, Leonardos grandfather Antonio made a record of his grandsons baptism, including all witnesses who attended the event  and what instantly stands out is that Leos mother was not there. It was clear that this would not be a happy family and that the baby was not wanted  at least, not at first.

Baby Leonardo may have lived with his mother during the first years of his life, but by 1457, at the age of five, we find him staying in the house of his grandfather, Ser Antonio, in Vinci. Living in the same house was Leonardos grandmother Lucia, the descendant of a majolica artist-craftsman family, and Leonardos young uncle Francesco, who was a member of the silk guild of Florence. Leonardos father, who married another woman several months after the childs birth, soon moved to Florence, where he served as a notary for the Medici family, married three more times and had thirteen children.

And what about Leos mother, Caterina? We know that she married a farmer and that they had four children together. Beyond that, we know next to nothing. She and Leonardo may have met years later in Milan, a few months before Caterinas death, and we know that Leonardo paid her funeral expenses.

With so little solid information, the road was wide open for a string of speculative theories on Caterinas origins. A perfect example is the story of a Chinese girl captured by Mongol raiders and sold as a slave, first in the Crimea, then in Constantinople and finally in Venice. Having arrived in the Italian Maritime Republic she was bought by a wealthy Florentine businessman, Ser Vanni, and brought to his house in Tuscany to help his wife with the chores. Vanni happened to be one of Piero Vincis clients, and it was there in the Vanni household that the sexual assault on Caterina took place and where she conceived Leonardo. The book that sets forth this theory is now a bestseller in China  no surprises there.

The story is certainly a spectacular fantasy, but its not completely unrealistic. In Renaissance Italy, domestic slaves were often referred to as Tartars or Orientals. According to Italian university researchers who have been reconstructing Leonardos fingerprints from those found on his drawings and paintings, the central whorl, a common fingerprint pattern found in the Middle East, suggests that Leonardos mother may have come from that area. Approximately 60 per cent of the Middle Eastern population evidently have the same pattern, which leads us to ask: did Leonardo da Vinci have Turkish, Arab, Tartar or even Chinese origins?

Whether thats true or not, it makes for a great story. But the best is yet to come. The theory goes on to suggest that the scenery behind the Mona Lisa resembles a typical Oriental landscape such as Leonardo might have seen on a Chinese fan in his mothers possession. Furthermore, the Mona Lisa herself is apparently not the image of Francesco di Giocondos wife, Madama Lisa Gherardini, but a disguised portrait of Leonardos mother Caterina. Yes, the most famous European portrait of all time is now thought to be the likeness of ... (drum roll) ... a Chinese slave in Europe, 500 years ago  the mother of a genius. It just goes to show the power of globalisation is nothing new.

But lets go back to the small town of Vinci and the house of Leonardos grandfather Antonio. How did Leonardo spend his time? Later in his life, the artist would record only two childhood episodes in his codices. The more famous one reads as follows:

It seems that it had been destined before that I should occupy myself so thoroughly with the vulture, for it comes to my mind as a very early memory, when I was still in the cradle, a vulture came down to me, he opened my mouth with his tail and struck me a few times with his tail against my lips.

Sigmund Freud used this quote, which is incorrectly translated into English from the Codex Atlanticus (the vulture is actually a kite), in his highly debated work Leonardo da Vinci and a Memory of His Childhood (1910). An interesting read. About sexuality. Guess you probably knew that.

The second incident occurred at a time when Leonardo was exploring the Tuscan mountains around Vinci and one day happened upon a mysterious cave. The darkness of the cave terrified young Leonardo, as did the unknown danger of what might be lurking inside. But his curiosity drove him to explore what was there in spite of his fear. Leonardo most likely wrote the story to illustrate the power of human curiosity. Then again, some pseudo-historians prefer to see the cave as, yes, a stargate or time machine that he could have used for time travel or close encounters of the third kind  no doubt the perfect explanation for Leonardos futuristic engineering projects.

The earliest record of Leonardos artistic talent is mentioned in a biography written by Giorgio Vasari a few decades after the artists death. In it, Vasari describes how a family friend asked Ser Piero if his talented son could embellish his new shield. Leonardo responded by painting some terrifying images of fire-breathing snakes on the round plaque. The monsters looked so real and frightening that Piero sold the shield to a Florentine art dealer and made a huge profit in the process.

Whether this story is true is unknown, but we do know that Ser Piero brought young Leonardo along to Florence to improve his artistic aptitudes. Perhaps Leonardos father thought that, as an illegitimate child, his son would not have the opportunity to become a notary like himself and the boys grandfather. Leonardos skills in arithmetic were also apparently inadequate. Florence, however, had a variety of successful artist studios where Leonardo could serve as an apprentice, and a career as an artist was considered a respectable position.

The decision was made: the young boy would become an artist. In 1466, Leonardo was documented as frequenting the workshop of the great master Andrea del Verrocchio (featured in a marvellous exhibit in Florence this year), with such immortal schoolmates as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio and Lorenzo di Credi, all future masters of the Florentine Renaissance. The situation could not have been better: Florence was one of the most advanced cultural centres in Europe at that time, and Verrocchios talent scout atelier was the best place for a boy as gifted as Leonardo to grow and learn. Verrocchio was moreover not only a painter but also an architect, sculptor and goldsmith. The resulting exposure to a vast range of technical skills that included mechanics, chemistry and carpentry as well as painting, drawing and modelling enabled Leonardo to improve all his skills and gifts. As he learned how to use the different paintbrushes, colours and pencils, he developed an irresistible passion for the natural sciences and soon concluded that deduction was the only road to real knowledge: theory alone was no longer enough. Taking part in the ateliers creations between 1466 and 1476 also helped to shape Leonardo into the man we know today, a man whose passion for observing and comprehending the laws of nature and physics was focused on improving his skill as a painter. This, then, was the learning environment of one of the greatest maestros of Italian art and culture.

The earliest work of art associated with Leonardo is The Baptism of Christ (1472), a painting attributed to Verrocchio and on display at the Uffizi. This painting was clearly the work of different hands, and as Ser Vasari documented once again, Leonardo was among them. But while Leonardo was only one of several apprentices who contributed to the works creation, his skill and style so surpassed the rest that Verrocchio himself  so goes the story  put down his brush, never to paint again. While that may be exaggerated, almost all art historians agree that Leonardo painted the more beautiful of the two angels as well as the backdrop to the scene. There is also no doubt that both the figures painted by Leonardo and that of John the Baptist, most likely the work of Botticelli, reveal a modern spirit unlike any prior Florentine creation. The golden generation was rising. Leonardo was now a fully-fledged artist; and so, our story comes to an end.

The Baptism of Christ

But before we say over and out, lets go back to the beginning to answer one more question: what did Leonardo look like in his younger years? What was his outward appearance before he assumed the look of a wise Greek philosopher? His biographers describe him as first, a nice-looking boy and later, a handsome man: tall and graceful, strong and valiant. According to tradition, he was the model for his master Verrocchios carving of the famous bronze David, now housed in the Bargello National Museum in Florence. If this is true, we can imagine the young Leonardo as a good-looking youth, slender and muscular with long, curly hair  and on his face, just a hint of an enigmatic smile.

In our city, Rome, unfortunately nothing is left of his Roman years. But a gem of his early years is displayed in the Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums. It is a beautiful and charming unfinished painting by the master, the well-known Saint Jerome in the Wilderness, painted probably around 1480 in Florence.

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The Last Supper, all you need to know
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PRISTINA, Kosovo  The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo met in Brussels on Tuesday for talks to implement a European Union-backed plan to normalize ties, and agreed to cooperate on resolving cases of missing persons. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell convened the meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo. Their agenda included endorsing a declaration on people who remain missing from the 1998-99 war in Kosovo, which was a Serbian province with an armed pro-independence movement at the time.

A statement issued not long after the start of the meeting described the missing persons issue as a humanitarian one and noted the urgent need for additional efforts to alleviate the human suffering of the families craving closure after so many years.

Resolving the issue of missing persons is not only a humanitarian obligation. It is also a crucial enabler for reconciliation and trust between people, Borrell said in a statement.

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The governments of Kosovo and Serbia agreed to create a joint commission, monitored by the EU, to resolve the fate of the remaining missing persons. The agreement sets outs details on identifying search locations, exchanging documentation and other procedures.

Kurti and Vucic also discussed a draft on the establishment of an association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo, which is another delicate issue.

Their views were quite apart on the nature of the association, said Borrell, adding that the parties agreed to start negotiations in the near future.

Vucic was very worried with no solution in sight, complaining that Pristina does not want to fulfil its obligation from ten years ago.

Kurti said the draft was incompatible with Kosovos constitution and also with he European values of minorities rights.

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The two leaders met in February, when they gave tacit approval to the EUs 11-point plan, and during a March summit in North Macedonia, where both leaders tentatively agreed on how to implement the plan.

Borrell urged Belgrade and Pristina to continue using this framework to push this process forward. And this is directly linked to the European future of both Serbia and Kosovo.

Kurti complained that Serbia had violated eight out of 11 points of the EU-backed plan since it was agreed on in February.

The international community will pressure both Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic to continue with a constructive approach, because that is the only way forward, Kosovar analyst Artan Muhaxheri said.

The EU has spent 12 years facilitating negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize its statehood.

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Miroslav Lajcak, Borrells envoy to the negotiations, said Tuesdays meeting was a crucial step forward and its important to avoid any actions that could worsen the atmosphere.

Brussels and the United States often intervene to calm down tensions between Belgrade and Pristina, more so in the past year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The war in Kosovo erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule, and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people died, mostly ethnic Albanians. NATOs military intervention eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory.

Earlier Tuesday, Kurti posted on social media a call for justice for the deaths of 116 Albanian civilians executed by Serb forces in May 2, 1999 in Studime, a village, 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the capital, Pristina. Kurti demanded punishment for war crimes and justice for the victims.

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Kosovo also accuses Serbia of hiding the locations where the bodies of 1,621 people still listed as officially missing are buried.

The EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, or EULEX, says it is difficult to find the bodies of as many were buried in small, unmarked graves or even in cemeteries, in an effort by the perpetrators to make the search for the missing more difficult and to hide evidence. Most of the missing are ethnic Albanians, while a few are Serbs.

To move forward normalizing ties, Serbia insists Kosovo must implement a 2013 agreement to establish an association of the municipalities in northern Kosovo with Serb-majority populations. The association would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level.

Kosovos Constitutional Court later declared the plan unconstitutional, ruling it wasnt inclusive of other ethnicities and could entail the use of executive powers.

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Serbia says no progress is possible in the talks before the association is tackled.

Local elections were held last month in Serb-dominated communes in northern Kosovo after Serb representatives left their posts last year. Ethnic Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted the vote.

Borrel expressed grave concern that with the very low turnout ... this election does not offer a long-term political solution.

They have the potential to lead to escalation and to undermine the implementation of the agreement, he said. It is not what we want to happen. I hope nobody wants it to happen, but it is a big risk and therefore I have urged both parties to find a solution that enables Kosovo Serbs to strengthen and return to the institutions they left in November last year. 

___

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lsemini

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COLUMBIA, S.C.  Democrats in the South Carolina Senate turned debate about a bill to set guidelines for history curriculum on subjects like slavery and segregation into discussion about why the body cant take a vote on a hate crimes bill. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight South Carolina and Wyoming are the only states in the U.S. without a law allowing extra punishment for hate crimes  which a judge or jury determines were motivated by hate over someones race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or physical or mental ability.

For the past three years, a hate crimes bill has made it through the South Carolina House and to the Senate floor, only to stop there. The outlook for the bill this year is grim. The Republican-dominated chamber has not held any debate or brought the proposal up for a vote despite the support of survivors of a racist attack that killed nine at a Charleston church, in addition to business leaders.

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You look at the news all day long, I think we can agree, hate is all around us. Hate exists. So why is this bill more important than the hate crime legislation? Democratic Sen. Kevin Johnson asked.

This bill actually has the potential to address hate, said Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, about allowing students to come to their own conclusions based on facts about the history of slavery and segregation. That bill doesnt. That bill isnt going to change how people act.

The bill would allow a judge to add an additional five years in prison to an offenders sentence  if they are indicted and convicted for a violent crime that is proven to be motivated by hate toward the victims race, religion or other backgrounds.

It is named the  Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act  after the Black South Carolina senator and pastor who was killed in June 2015, along with eight of his church members in a racist attack at a Charleston church. The shooter was convicted of federal hate crimes and sentenced to death.

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Supporters have brought in the survivors of the attack to urge lawmakers to pass the bill. They have gathered dozens of business leader s to say the lack of a hate crimes bill makes South Carolina look backward and less business-friendly.

So far, Massey, who in his role as chair of the Senate Rules Committee and as the party leader in the chamber, is the public face against the proposal. He has said before that he doesnt think it will solve the problem of hate.

Democratic Sen. Darrell Jackson said uncertainty over a bills impact hasnt stopped the Senate from voting for meaures before that even if they dont have a huge impact, say something about what the state thinks is important or believes in.

Why chose hate crimes as the one bill you are going to put the flag down on? Jackson asked. The one bill that we are going to say that is when we are putting an end to the feel-good stuff?

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Massey said he thinks it would further division.

There are a number of people who think that not only is it feel-good legislation, it is bad legislation, Massey said.

Debate on the education bill will continue Wednesday. Supporters said it will allow teachers to teach lessons about the history of racism and slavery in the U.S.

It also sets up an appeal process for lessons or books that a parent thinks are inappropriate for a child starting at the principal, then moving to the superintendent, local school board and state school board. Appeals would be limited to parents and guardians.

Despite the diversion Tuesday, there is no indication the hate crimes bill has a chance in the final five days of the 2023 session.

Democrats, who only have 16 of the chambers 46 seats, cant get past objections by a handful of Republican senators that have prevented the hate bill from coming up for debate.

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Republicans meanwhile can use special legislative maneuvers to get past Democratic objections to bills like Tuesdays education proposal and have done so repeatedly since gaining three seats in the 2020 elections.

The side debate on hate crimes between Jackson and Massey was at times contentious. Jackson suggested Massey knows he doesnt have the votes to defeat the bill, so he is thwarting the will of the people by not even letting it come up.

Respectfully, if we have folks on the left who dont like the agenda that is being set, go out and win a fricking election, Massey said.

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When Barry Humphries died last month, the ABC kicked off the 7pm news with his obituary. It was a generally fitting tribute. Nevertheless, I braced myself for the part where it would be made clear that as illustrious as the decedents achievements had been, a couple of things he said late in his life did not meet the exacting moral standards of the national broadcaster.

The reprimand was duly delivered at the obituarys end, courtesy of a young comedian who gravely told the camera that it was a pity that Humphries, in his declining years, lost his ability to read the room.

Barry Humphries, who died in April aged 89. Credit: Nic Walker

What exactly does it mean to read the room? People seem to think its an awfully clever thing to say. And theyre beginning to aim this directive not just at public figures such as Humphries, but at the rest of us too. Were all expected to read the room now. So, how do we go about doing it?

First, notice that were talking about the room. The definite article seems important. Nobody has accused Humphries of forgetting how to read a room. Comedians prize the ability to read the rooms they perform in. To lose that knack would indeed be a calamity.
New Brand to Unite Marketplace Brands and Simplify Customer Experience

CARMEL, Ind., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KAR Auction Services, Inc. d/b/a KAR Global (NYSE: KAR) announces it is rebranding to OPENLANE. The change reflects the company's transformation to a more asset-light, digital marketplace company and signals a new simplified, customer-first approach to used vehicle remarketing. OPENLANE will serve as both the parent company brand and the go-to-market brand for the company's digital marketplaces in the US, Canada and Europe. Consolidating platforms, offerings and operations into OPENLANE will help focus the company's strategy and investments, accelerate innovation and simplify the overall customer experience. The company's corporate name will change to OPENLANE, Inc. effective May 15, 2023. The company's common stock will continue trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KAR."

OPENLANE

"Our vision is to build the world's greatest digital marketplace for used vehicles, and we are advancing that vision by bringing together all of our sellers, buyers and vehicles under OPENLANE," said Peter Kelly, CEO. "Over the past decade, we've built and acquired some of the leading digital platforms in our industry. Combining the best features and functionality from this technology and unifying our supporting operations will help us create the fastest, easiest and most active digital marketplace available. With flexible sale formats and thousands of cars offered each dayincluding exclusive, first access to a significant majority of North America's off-lease inventorycustomers will be able to list, bid and buy anytime, anywhere."

In 2022, the company's marketplaces facilitated the sale of approximately 1.3 million vehicles, with a gross merchandise value of over $23 billion, across a network of more than 50,000 franchise and independent dealers, OEMs, financial institutions, rental and recovery companies and fleet operators.

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The first OPENLANE branded marketplace will be launched in Canada where the company will combine the existing ADESA and TradeRev platforms beginning in June 2023. In the US, the company successfully integrated CARWAVE into BacklotCars in 2022 and is currently rolling out the new live-auction format on a national scale. Once completed, the company will focus on integrating its US dealer-to-dealer and off-lease platforms into a new, combined marketplace branded OPENLANE. And in Europe, the company has completed its consolidation of the ADESA Europe, ADESA UK and GWListe dealer-to-dealer technology into a single, consolidated marketplace that is expected to also adopt the OPENLANE brand.

"KAR catalyzed the digital transformation of remarketing through our acquisition of OPENLANE in 2011. So it is fitting to anchor the next era of our companyand our industryon the OPENLANE brand," said Kelly. "From CPO-ready off-lease cars to higher-mileage older vehicles, to fleet, rentals, recoveries and everything in between, OPENLANE will have the right car for every lot in every geography. And with thousands of unique users engaging on our marketplaces each day, sellers can have confidence they're receiving the best, most competitive market price available."

Concurrent with this announcement, the company has launched a new corporate website at corporate.openlane.com. The site contains investor information, additional details on the full portfolio of OPENLANE's product and services, and a new employer brand page highlighting life at OPENLANE and more than 150 current job openings.

The new "wheel and key" OPENLANE logo was designed by the company's in-house marketing team and represents a nod to both the company's automotive heritage and the circle of data, technology and people that will power the future of digital remarketing.

Today's brand announcement does not impact AFC, the company's financing company servicing independent dealers across North America.

OPENLANE Contacts: Media Inquiries: Analyst Inquiries: Laurie Dippold Mike Eliason (317) 468-3900 (317) 249-4559 laurie.dippold@openlane.com mike.eliason@openlane.com

About Us

KAR Auction Services, Inc. (to be renamed OPENLANE, Inc.) (NYSE: KAR), provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. The company's unique end-to-end platform supports whole car, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services. Our integrated marketplaces reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for customers around the globe. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, the company has employees across the United States, Canada, Europe, Uruguay and the Philippines. For more information and the latest company news, visit corporate.openlane.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements made that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as "should," "may," "will," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our annual and quarterly periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Cision

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SOURCE KAR
There has been a bit of uncertainty today around exactly how legendary Australian satirist Barry Humphries will be honoured after Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said he didnt know NSW, Victoria and the federal government were planning a co-state funeral.

In the United Kingdom for the coronation of King Charles III, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Humphries would receive a state funeral which the three governments would co-host.

However, Andrews was unaware when asked about the concept on Wednesday.

I cant confirm for you where the service will be, or where the funeral will be, Mr Andrews told reporters at state parliament.

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As far as I know, thats not settled, and were still talking to the family.

Humphries died last month at St Vincents Hospital in Sydney aged 89 following complications from hip surgery stemming from a fall earlier this year
London: Anthony Albanese has said he has no issues swearing allegiance to King Charles III during a public oath at this weekends historic coronation service and warned republicans that staging a vote on Australias future head of state was not imminent.

The Australian prime minister met the King during a private audience at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday, in what was described as an insightful and rewarding meeting, where he reiterated there was an invitation for the royals to visit Australia next year.

The King greets Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Buckingham Palace. Credit: PA

In an interview with controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan on Britains TalkTV, Albanese said he was certain that Australia would become a republic at some stage in the future but he preferred not to be a prime minister who presides over just constitutional debates.

He said his priority remained achieving constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and it was also possible to be a lifelong republican and still respect institutions.
Washington: The White House says it estimates that just since December Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine has rebuffed a heavy assault by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

In what has become a grinding war of attrition, 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 defence.

Ukrainian servicemen ride atop by an APC towards frontline positions. Credit: AP

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US estimate is based on newly declassified American intelligence. He did not detail how the intelligence community derived the number.

General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in November that Russia had suffered well over 100,000 killed or wounded in the first eight months of the war. The new figures suggest that Russian losses have dramatically accelerated in recent months.
On 27 and 28 April 2023, at the invitation of the Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers of Kosovo, Mr. Hekuran Murati, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, visited Pristina, Kosovo. He met with political leaders and the Customs management team, led by the Director General of Kosovo Customs, Mr. Agron Llugaliu, to review the progress of Customs reform and modernization and to explore further possibilities for expanding cooperation.

Dr. Mikuriya met the Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers of Kosovo, Mr. Hekuran Murati, who appreciated the WCOs support in modernizing Customs, recalling that Customs duties and taxes are the major sources of revenue for the country, but that it also contributes to improving the business environment. He went on to meet the Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Mr. Xhelal Svecla, who introduced the National Center for Border Management where Customs and Police share information and conduct joint risk assessment, together with food and sanitary agencies. In appreciation of WCO Secretary Generals visit to his country, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Dr. Besnik Bislimi, met with Dr. Mikuriya on 2 May at the WCO Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.

Secretary General Mikuriya was also received by the President of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, who pledged her political commitment to continuously improving Customs performance through anti-smuggling and rule of law, as well as achieving the highest international standards of Customs management.

The WCO Secretary General also visited the Customs Headquarters to interact with Customs management team and observe the use of technology in Customs clearance and control at borders. He had visited the Border Crossing Point (BCP) at Merdare to observe the modern infrastructure and also visited the BCP at Vermica, bordering Albania, where he was joined by the Albanian Director General of Customs, Mr. Genti Gazheli. With the two Directors General of Customs, he observed the one-stop border operation zone where border procedures of both Albania and Kosovo take place.

During his stay, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya gave a lecture at the University of Pristina, elaborating on the WCOs theme of the year and engaging in dialogue with the students. He talked about the importance of nurturing the next generation and promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride, which is highly relevant to educational institutions. Dr. Mikuriya also spoke at the national television to raise public awareness of Customs contribution to the sound economic development.
LONDON, May 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA UK (KBRA) releases research that provides an overview of the proposed policy initiatives under the EUs Green Deal Industrial Plan. This includes the Net-Zero Industry Act, the European Hydrogen Bank, the Critical Raw Materials Act, and the reform of the electricity market design. This report is part of KBRAs ongoing series on regulatory updates in the EU. The first report of this series provides an overview of the European Green Deal.

The European Commission (EC) announced the Green Deal Industrial Plan in February 2023, which aims to accelerate progress towards the regions 2050 net-zero emissions target by scaling up the EUs manufacturing capacity for net-zero technology and products. EU officials wanted to create a more level playing field for the region and maintain the global competitiveness of its green industries in recognition of the global clean technology race, with large investments being made by the US, China, Japan, India, and others.

Click here to view the report.

Related Publications

About KBRA

KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRAs ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005652/en/

Contacts

Emilie Nadler, Director, ESG

+44 20 8148 1060

emilie.nadler@kbra.com

Gordon Kerr, Head of European Research

+44 20 8148 1020

gordon.kerr@kbra.com

Karim Nassif, Senior Director

+353 1 588 1245

karim.nassif@kbra.com

Garret Tynan, European Head Project Finance & Infrastructure

+353 1 588 1235

garret.tynan@kbra.com

Business Development Contact

Mauricio Noe, Co-Head of Europe

+44 20 8148 1010

mauricio.noe@kbra.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") announces that it has received its Environment Permit for its Kenville Gold Mine project in southeastern BC.

The Company has received the Final Environmental Permit for discharge under the Environmental Management Act issued to the Company for the Kenville Mine Project by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. This permit authorizes:

Discharge of effluent to ground and surface water from the underground operation.

Associated works including the New Mine Access Portal, Waste Rock Storage Facility, sumps, effluent storage tanks, pipelines, mine contact water collection system, and flow measuring devices.

Ximen Mining Corp, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Photo of rock truck and Longtom to be deployed at Kenville Gold Mine.

Ximen Mining Corp, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Kenville Site: Photo of CEO Christopher Anderson at drink water directly from Discharge Channel

"The Kenville Gold Mine, established in 1888, was one of the first underground gold mines in British Columbia. We have worked tirelessly on obtaining the necessary permits for this specific site, and now we are proud to announce that the Kenville Gold Mine is well on its way to becoming one of the greenest and most sustainable gold mines in Southern British Columbia," says Christopher Anderson, CEO of Ximen Mining.

"With high expectations and a strong sense of commitment, we are working hard to achieve the next phase of milestones, which will ultimately bring the Kenville Gold Mine to fruition. As we move forward, we anticipate providing a steady flow of updates to keep everyone informed," adds Anderson.

The permit includes the following conditions:

Provide surface water runoff control works for all areas of the site where runoff is generated. (Completed & being Review)

Implement the Site-wide Water Management Plan (WMP) and ensure the WMP is kept up-to date. (Completed)

Implement the Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) and review the NMP annually. (Completed)

Conduct a discharge monitoring program (three specified sites) - (Completed)

Conduct a surface water monitoring program (seven sites) - (Completed)

Within 45 days of commencement of discharge, submit a summary report for the water quality results of the discharge from the underground mine. (Completed ready for submission)

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The Company is extremely pleased to have received this all-important environmental permit. The required documentation is now being prepared and once approved the authorized works will be constructed and the underground mine development will kick-off.

Technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations:

Sophy Cesar,

604-488-3900,

ir@XimenMiningCorp.com

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen`s two Gold projects, The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under an option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

Ximen Mining Corp, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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 to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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: Ximen Mining Corp.





View source version on accesswire.com:

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The Town of Fort Erie is lifting its moratorium on short-term rentals as of May 8.

The council made the decision at an April 24 council meeting after Ward 4 Coun. Joan Christensen introduced the idea of lifting the moratorium. Christensen said she wanted to make the change ahead of a SHORT-TERM RENTAL LAND USE STUD staff will present to council on May 29.

While council waits for the report, Christensen said she didnt want local businesses to lose another summer tourism season.

With respect to the short-term rental planning study, there is a significant issue affecting businesses in Ridgeway and the businesses in Crystal Beach and possibly other parts of our community, Christensen said.

Following COVID-19, we still have tourism down and we do not have the opportunity to offer people places to stay to come here to spend time and frequent our businesses and support them.

Mayor Wayne Redekop said he understood from a business viewpoint, short-term rentals could have a strong economic impact, but there are also negative impacts that should be considered.

The reason there's a moratorium is because we decided to embark upon a land-use study and we didn't want to exacerbate a system where we might be creating more existing nonconforming uses in areas that we might decide we do not want to have short term rentals, he said.

There may be some positive benefits for the community. I don't deny that. But let's not forget that there's also a flip side to that.

Redekop said he didnt support lifting the moratorium and asked for a recorded vote.

The decision was approved with a 4-3 vote, with Redekop, Ward 6 Coun. Ann-Marie Noyes and Ward 3 Coun. Darren Flagg voting against it.

As of May 8, a maximum of 250 short-term rental licenses in Fort Erie can be issued each year.

Considering the number of existing numbers of short-term rentals, lifting the moratorium could see another 55 licenses issued.

Short-term rental license applications will be accepted online only on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on short-term rental application requirements, visit: https://www.forterie.ca/pages/ShortTermRentals.

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A former police officer who sexually assaulted multiple woman at a massage business he operated out of his Port Colborne home will learn his fate this summer.

David Kukoly, 53, appeared in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Friday for a sentencing hearing on five counts of sexual assault stemming from incidents that occurred between 2016 and 2018.

I committed my life to protecting others, the former Niagara Regional Police constable told the judge.

I did the best job I could.

Kukoly claimed he initially believed the women had provided consent.

I was wrong. There was no consent and for that I am truly sorry for everybody involved, both victims and all of my family.

Several victims read victim impact statements to the judge, detailing how the assaults have impacted their lives.

Judge Richard Blouin is expected to deliver his decision in June.

Kukoly, who is not a registered massage therapist, had operated an in-home massage business starting in 2014.

He never told clients he was a police officer.

He had built up a steady clientele over time, with satisfied customers recommending him to other women because he was super cheap.

Police launched an investigation in December 2019 after allegations of sexual assault were posted on Facebook, leading multiple women to report they had been touched in a sexually inappropriate manner during their massages.

One victim was nine months pregnant at the time.

Kukoly told her he had experience with prenatal massage.

The woman, who was a week away from giving birth, agreed to his recommendation of a pectoral massage to help with lactation.

She said the massage quickly turned sexual in nature.

At the time of the offences, Kukoly was on administrative leave from the police service.

In accordance with the Police Services Act of Ontario, he was suspended with pay following his arrest in January 2019. He retired from the force in July 2020.

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Two Niagara men are among 119 people arrested in an investigation that led to more than 550 stolen vehicles valued at $27 million recovered by Toronto police.

Toronto Police Service last Wednesday released results of Project Stallion, an ongoing auto theft investigation.

More than 300 charges have been laid against 119 people.

Among those arrested was a 24-year-old Niagara Falls man. He faces charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

A 38-year-old Beamsville man was charged with theft of motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Young offenders are among the people charged, including people from out of province, police said.

The investigation was launched in November 2022 by Toronto police and its organized crime investigative support team.

Message for the criminals: Were coming after you, Supt. Ron Taverner said at a press conference to announced the arrests.

Police said thieves are using sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, and are using those vehicles to carry out other crimes or to ship them overseas where they are resold for well above their value.

Police said there are many ways to prevent auto theft, including warning, immobilizing and tracking devices, along with the basics of removing fobs from vehicles and placing them in safe farady pouches or boxes, locking doors, closing windows and parking indoors.

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VANCOUVER - The B.C. Securities Commission alleges a now-defunct cryptocurrency platform based in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island committed a multimillion-dollar securities fraud by diverting customer assets to online cryptocurrency gambling sites.

In a notice of hearing issued last month, the commission says David Smillie and his numbered company, which did business as ezBtc, lied to customers about its crypto asset trading platform.

The commission alleges Smillie and the company diverted about $13 million worth of bitcoin and ether, another cryptocurrency, to two online gambling sites without authorization from customers.

The regulator says the company was dissolved in October 2022, but between 2016 and 2019 customers transferred 2,300 bitcoin and 600 ether tokens into wallets hosted by the platform.

Smillie and the firm allegedly told customers their digital assets were mostly held off-line in so-called cold storage, but they never truly maintained enough to cover users assets.

Smillie and ezBtc were never registered under B.C.s Securities Act, and the commission claims agreements with customers amounted to futures contracts, which fall under the commissions jurisdiction.

Online court records searches show the company and Smillie face a number of lawsuits in British Columbia dating back several years, and the B.C. Securities Commissions director of enforcement Doug Muir said the hearing notice comes after a lengthy probe into the firm.

In this case, like in all of our cases, we need time to investigate, so we need to be able to gather evidence that we are satisfied, Muir said Tuesday. So, that takes time to gather. Our investigations are often time consuming and complex and this one is an example of that.

Muir said the matter is administrative rather than criminal in nature, meaning the firm and Smillie wont face jail time, but may face monetary penalties or even banishment from public markets should the commission succeed in proving its case.

Const. Gary OBrien with the Nanaimo RCMP said the detachments investigation into the company in 2019 didnt find enough evidence to lay criminal charges.

All I can say is that the matter was investigated and there was insufficient evidence gathered by the primary investigator to pursue criminal matters, so they decided it would probably be best to go from a civil angle, OBrien said Tuesday. Thats the only information that I could provide at this point.

OBrien said the file could be reopened should any victims or the securities commission reach out to investigators with new information.

Sergei Goshko, an Ontario-based software engineer, said he used the ezBtc platform for cryptocurrency trading until it stopped allowing him access to his funds before its website disappeared completely.

Goshko filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court in 2021 through a numbered company, and he said he was out between $70,000 and $80,000.

His lawyers, though, werent able to find Smillie and he was unaware the B.C. Securities Commission was taking action against ezBtc and its founder.

I guess its a good thing, so maybe therell be some progress, Goshko said Tuesday. Maybe they will finally find him.

Smillie could not be reached for comment.

The commission says Smillie and his company must attend its offices in downtown Vancouver on June 27 to fix a date for a hearing into the regulators allegations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.

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VICTORIA - British Columbia residents who find themselves entangled in new property bylaws because their home has been changed to a 55-plus age restriction now have more protection.

The government brought in changes in November to the Strata Property Act to end all rental restriction bylaws except for those buildings that are designated for residents age 55 and over, prompting hundreds of strata properties to adopt the age restriction.

The B.C. government said it has now expanded the list of exemptions to allow those under 55 to remain at those properties to include their future children, dependants or partners.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said Monday theyve heard from some people who said they could lose their homes if they have additions to their family.

We know starting a new family can be both exciting and very stressful and losing your home because you are starting a family is one stress that we want to eliminate, he said at the legislature. The changes were making now can allow young families, if they are choosing to have a child, to continue to stay in the units they are living in.

Kahlon said the amendments to the act will keep promoting seniors housing while allowing residents to stay in their homes even if their family structure changes.

B.C.s seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie said its an important change that balances the desire of many seniors to live in buildings that focus on creating a senior-friendly environment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2023.

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Joint partnership aims to generate 500,000 hours of outdoor activity this May

FREEPORT, Maine, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean has gone "off the grid" for a second consecutive year, pausing all social media channels to prioritize time outside and encouraging followers to join them. On May 1, the company wiped its social media profiles clean, leaving behind expert-informed resources, tips and tools to support people in getting outside for their own mental wellbeing  however, wherever and whenever they can.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean is going off the grid for a second consecutive year, pausing all social media channels to prioritize time outside and encouraging followers to join them.

To encourage participation, L.L.Bean has partnered with social fitness app Strava, inviting users to log their outdoor time in the app as part of the L.L.Bean Feel-Good Challenge, with a goal to spend a combined 500,000 hours outside during the month of May. Participation in the challenge will raise money for Mental Health America, with whom L.L.Bean has engaged in a two-year partnership focused on outdoor mental wellness research and programming.

Studies have shown spending time outdoors  whether in green spaces like parks or forests, blue spaces such as near lakes, rivers and coastlines, or even in urban environments  has significant mental health benefits, including greater creativity, lower levels of stress, increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety.

"My great-grandfather Leon Leonwood Bean believed that nature is the most powerful antidote to the stresses of life, a conviction confirmed by modern research," said Shawn Gorman, L.L.Bean Executive Chairman. "Our priority at L.L.Bean is to support our customers on their outdoor journeys, outfitting them in quality gear and creating greater accessibility to outdoor activities. We're honored to partner with Mental Health America and Strava to encourage as many people as possible to experience the restorative power of time spent outside."

Mental Health America's President and Chief Executive Officer Schroeder Stribling added that time outside is a simple act one can take to prioritize their own wellbeing. "Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can have tremendous benefits for our mental health, helping to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of calmness and relaxation. Being in nature can also improve our cognitive function and creativity, serving as a grounding force among the stressors of our daily lives. Whether it is a walk outside or a visit to a local park, just a few minutes outside can make a meaningful impact and lead to improved mental health."

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Through its partnerships with Mental Health America and Strava, as well as ongoing research focused on the benefits of experiencing "awe" in the outdoors, L.L.Bean aims to further inspire and enable people to experience the restorative power of time outside and the proven mental wellness benefits it provides.

For additional information on Mental Health Month and to explore Mental Health America's resources, visit mhanational.org/may. For more information on L.L.Bean's partnership with Mental Health America, visit Inside L.L.Bean.

About L.L. Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In 2022, L.L.Bean donated $5.5 million to outdoor and community-enriching organizations focused on increasing access to and inclusivity in the outdoors. L.L.Bean operates 56 stores in 19 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan and 12 stores in Canada in partnership with Jaytex Group. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.

About Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA's work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal. Learn more at MHAnational.org.

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SOURCE L.L.Bean
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says the Popes willingness to return artifacts stored at the Vatican Museum is another step forward on Indigenous Peoples journey with the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

We asked for the return of our sacred items, and they will make their way home soon, said Chief RoseAnne Archibald in an emailed statement.

Pope Francis said Sunday that talks were underway to return the artifacts. He was asked about the issue during a news conference on a flight back home from Hungary and said that in the case where you can return things, where its necessary to make a gesture, better to do it.

Much of the Vaticans current collection is from a former pope who decided to hold a world exposition in 1925. A message went out at that time to missionaries around the globe to send items. More than 100,000 objects and works of art were displayed.

The Vatican has said parts of its collection were gifts to popes and the church.

Francis said Sunday that the restitution of the Indigenous things is underway with Canada  at least we agreed to do it.

Returning artifacts is vital, said Audrey Dreaver, an artist, curator and instructor at the First Nations University of Canada in Regina. The artifacts give communities connection to history, build pride and help healing, she added.

But Dreaver, who is nehiyiwak or Plains Cree, said there are a lot of questions about the Vaticans process of repatriation.

Who are they going to give it to? What is their plan to return things, Dreaver asked. Who exactly are they talking to?

Taking the items amounted to intellectual and psychological colonization, she said, and their return should not perpetuate that harm.

There must be discussions with Indigenous experts and communities about how to repatriate the exhibits with the respect and care needed, Dreaver said.

If they havent reached out to Indigenous people who work in the museum field, how transparent are they being?

Indigenous delegates who travelled to Rome to meet with Francis last year toured the Anima Mundi museum and requested the return of the items, which included ceremonial masks, wampum belts, embroidered gloves and headdresses. One item they saw was a rare kayak that the Inuvialuit Regional Corp. had requested be returned.

Many objects were taken away from Indigenous people after the Canadian government outlawed cultural practices through the Indian Act in 1876. Ceremonial items and other important objects were seized, then sold, given to museums or destroyed.

Indigenous curators and experts have said they have been unable to get access to the unknown number of objects in the Vaticans possession.

The pontiff travelled to Canada in July for a six-day tour, during which he apologized for the churchs role in residential schools. He also said what happened in residential schools amounted to genocide.

Archibald said returning the artifacts will mark another advancement.

She also pointed to the Vaticans recent denunciation of the Doctrine of Discovery, which was used to legitimize the seizure of Indigenous land.

All the actions came after pressure and petition from Indigenous people, she noted.

There are many other injustices that the Catholic Church must make right, she said.

We will not rest until our survivors and little ones who never made it home can have peace.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2023.

 With files from The Associated Press

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CHICAGO (AP)  U.S. cities already struggling to shelter thousands of migrants are calling for federal help and an end to Republican political gamesmanship over immigration, concerned that an expected increase in the number of people entering the country when pandemic-era asylum restrictions end on the U.S.-Mexico border May 11 will further strain their budgets and resources.

Chicago has long pledged to welcome migrants. But a tenfold increase in recent days has taxed resources. Migrants awaiting beds in city-run shelters are sleeping on floors in police stations and in airports surrounded by suitcases. Theyre depending on donors for food, medicine and clothing.

When border crossings increased last summer, Republican governors of border states bussed migrants to cities led by Democrats including Chicago, New York City and Denver, arguing that their own cities were overwhelmed. Texas Republican governor this week vowed to resume a program bussing new arrivals to Chicago and other cities.

More than 8,000 migrants have come into Chicago since August, according to city officials. Some came on busses mobilized by border states; others bought their own flights or got one subsidized by aid groups. The number of new arrivals slowed this winter to about 10 people per day. But toward the end of April, it grew to between 75 to 150 people per day.

Our system is over capacity, Brandie Knazze, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services told city officials Friday. Make no mistake, we are in a surge and things have yet to peak.

Major U.S. cities already were bracing for thousands of new arrivals when a rule that denies asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19 expires May 11. But the uptick has begun sooner than Chicago officials expected, and they fear that bussing from Texas could further overwhelm them.

We simply have no more shelters, spaces, or resources to accommodate an increase of individuals at this level, Democratic mayor Lori Lightfoot wrote in a letter to Texas Republican governor Greg Abbott on Sunday.

He replied in a letter of his own, promising to send more busses of migrants. He repeated calls for her to pressure President Joe Biden to prevent migrants from crossing the border, and noted that the influx already has strained Texas.

As the mayor of a self-declared sanctuary city, it is ironic to hear you complain about Chicagos struggle to deal with a few thousand illegal immigrants, which is a fraction of the record-high numbers we deal with in Texas on a regular basis, Abbott wrote.

While migrants tend to stay briefly in U.S. border cities on their way to other destinations, demands for temporary shelter, food and transportation have grown. El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville declared states of emergency ahead of the end of pandemic-related asylum restrictions next week.

Migrants taking shelter in Chicago police stations this week said they want to find work and provide for themselves, but need temporary shelter and assistance navigating a new country. But they have been caught up in the citys struggle to provide shelter to so many.

One of those families has been living on the floor of a police station on the citys northwest side for eight days, sleeping on thin blankets provided by a local church and washing themselves in the stations bathroom sink as they wait for available shelter space.

Every day they tell us the same thing, theres no shelter, that we need to wait, said Ibo Brandelli, on Monday, who left Venezuela with his wife and their two daughters in January.

After surrendering to border authorities and gaining entry to the U.S. in late April, they connected with a community organization providing plane tickets and chose Chicago on the advice of acquaintances.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams called on the federal government last month to give the city more financial aid and asked the U.S. government to speed up work authorizations to people seeking asylum. The city has spent $817 million so far housing, caring for and providing services to migrants, at an average cost of $380 per household per day, according to the citys budget director.

More than 50,000 international migrants have arrived since the spring of 2022, taxing an already stretched shelter system. Under local law and court rulings, the city is obligated to offer emergency shelter to anyone who needs it. The city has tried creative solutions, like leasing out entire Manhattan hotels and setting up temporary shelters during the winter at a cruise ship terminal.

In Denver this month, officials announced that only immigrants with a formal application to stay in the U.S. will be allowed in emergency shelters. Most of those who have come to Denver since last summer would qualify, but immigrant advocacy groups say the policy will lead to more people living on the streets. Denver has spent nearly $13 million sheltering and supporting more than 6,000 migrants.

Victoria Aguilar, a spokeswoman for Denver Human Services, which now runs four emergency shelters for migrants attributed the change to a lack of funding, lack of policy, lack of guidance from our federal government to be able to respond to this crisis appropriately.

Chicago runs eight shelters dedicated to new migrants. City officials said they have struggled to find new spaces capable of housing more than 250 people and say they need federal and state help.

In the meantime, migrant families are finding shelter where they can.

Another Venezuelan family slept on the floor of a northwest side police station for nearly two weeks.

What we want is stability for our children, stability for ourselves, for my children to be able to go to school, said Yessika Chirino, who left Venezuela with her daughters, 15 and 5, seven months ago.

Chirino said she crossed the Mexico-U.S. border into Texas on April 11. A Texas organization helped her fly to Chicago.

She calls Chicagos non-emergency line every day asking about shelter openings.

We dont know what to believe anymore, she said. ___

Associated Press writers Claire Savage in Chicago, David Caruso in New York and Thomas Peipert in Denver contributed to this report.

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OTTAWA - Does Tucker Carlson really think the United States should invade its northern neighbour to free it from the tyranny of Justin Trudeaus Liberal government? Canadians may not find out the answer.

A Fox News documentary focused on that question was set to be released on Monday, but it is off the schedule after the controversial hosts abrupt departure from the network last week.

A spokesperson for Fox News said there are no further episodes of Tucker Carlson Originals running on the Fox Nation streaming service.

Carlson, who was one of the networks most popular hosts, occasionally targeted Canada and its federal Liberal government on his show and was a vocal supporter of last years Freedom Convoy movement.

Nearly a year after people demonstrating against COVID-19 measures took over downtown Ottawa and several border crossings, Carlson questioned why the United States hadnt yet taken action in response to Canadian public-health restrictions  which by the time of his comments had largely ceased to exist.

Why are we not sending an armed force north to liberate Canada from Trudeau? And I mean it, Carlson said Jan. 26.

Moments later, Carlson laughed and added, Im just talking myself into a frenzy here.

A former U.S. ambassador to Canada said in an interview that that kind of comment, combined with Carlsons dominant presence in the media landscape, was dangerous.

You know, some people in Canada thought this was humorous and a joke, said Bruce Heyman, who was former president Barack Obamas representative in Ottawa from 2014 until the day of Donald Trumps inauguration in January 2017.

But it was not a joke, because of the people that he attracts and inspires, Heyman said of Carlsons viewers.

I feel he was a dangerous actor.

Joke or not, Carlsons comment prompted condemnation north of the border, including from NDP MP Matthew Green, who sought unanimous support from his colleagues on Jan. 31 for a motion condemning the comments. He didnt get it.

Carlson mocked the failed motion the next day, saying he thought Canadians would enjoy his comments because theyre always flattered when you talk about them. ... They dont really know how to handle it or what it means, but it doesnt matter  theyre excited.

Last month, Fox released a trailer for O Canada.

It featured a montage of people being arrested  including Peoples Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier and prominent members of the Freedom Convoy movement  spliced with clips of several former U.S. presidents talking about liberating the citizens of other countries.

Bernier said he did an interview with Fox in January or February for the documentary on the subject of his arrest for violating public health orders in June 2021, when he was appearing at a variety of rallies against COVID-19 restrictions.

Carlson had interviewed Bernier on his show not long after the arrest, which took place in Manitoba.

I was put in jail for a non-crime for 12 hours, Bernier said in an interview Monday.

He insisted that Canadian media organizations did not cover the event adequately: I know that a lot of Canadians didnt know what happened to a leader of a national party fighting for freedom of choice.

Media reports at the time quoted an RCMP spokeswoman who said Bernier was arrested for the continuation of the offence of violating the current public health orders in Manitoba.

Bernier said he thought Carlson was making a joke, and does not agree with the idea of the U.S. interfering in Canadian affairs. But he said that Fox was the only platform for him to talk about his message, because Canadian media organizations have been ignoring him.

They asked me to speak about my experience as a national leader, and I did, he said.

He added: Im not there to judge how Tucker covered the Jan. 6 event, referring to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol Hill riots.

The New York Times reported that in the lead-up to a Dominion Voting Systems defamation trial against Fox News, executives discovered private messages in the companys legal filings that were sent by Carlson and contained highly offensive and crude remarks.

The Times report said the messages were a catalyst in Foxs decision to cut him loose. The lawsuit, which accused the network of making false statements about the companys voting machines and tabulators, was settled out of court at the last minute.

Heyman said that the network and its hosts embrace of conspiracy theories around the results of the 2020 election were hazardous.

Not only did Fox News, Tucker Carlson and others portray the set of circumstances around Jan. 6 in a false way, but they knew it, and they knew it in advance and they went ahead anyway, he said.

Carlson averaged 3.03 million viewers in 2022, and his was the second-most popular program on cable television.

That reach extended into Canada, where he emboldened any number of people during the Freedom Convoy, Heyman said.

In a video posted to Twitter last week, Carlson hinted at a possible return.

Where can you still find Americans saying true things? There arent many places left but there are some and thats enough. As long as you can hear the words, there is hope. See you soon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2023.

 With files from The Associated Press.

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In light of the growing controversy at the York Catholic board in his own riding, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said flying the Pride flag is a signal of respect that is welcome in all publicly funded schools.

Asked about the issue after an announcement Monday in Burlington, Lecce said he strongly supports flying the rainbow flag at schools and board buildings in June in support of Pride month.

I think school boards, parents, educators, government  weve got to come together, weve got to depoliticize an issue that is actually about the mental health and safety of children, he said. I do hope that school boards will continue to celebrate Pride in a constructive, positive way.

Lecce said raising the Pride flag is a tradition thats been done by all levels of government, all politicians of all stripes for many years. I think its something thats done to send a signal of respect and inclusion, and I would welcome that in publicly funded schools.

Last week, police were called to a meeting at the York Catholic District School Board after public delegations for and against various LGBTQ activities next month led to confrontation.

Domenic Scuglia, director of education for the York Catholic board, said in a statement Monday that it has a long-standing flag policy which states that only Canadian flags are to be flown on school board property but a new policy will soon be presented to trustees.

Scuglia said the board supports 2SLGBTQIA+ students who sadly face bullying and harassment at schools across the country. The YCDSB believes that 2SLGBTQIA+ students are loved by God and are valued members of our school communities.

In recent years, a handful of Catholic school boards, including Toronto and Halton, have faced criticism for refusing to fly Pride flags in June  decisions that were later reversed.

The recent controversy in the York Catholic board has spilled over into Torontos Catholic board, with protesters targeting the school where Paolo de Buono teaches.

De Buono, an advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in Catholic schools, was at the York Catholic board meeting on April 25 because he was supposed to make a deputation, although he says it was declined by the board. Parents opposed to the rainbow flag became so disruptive during the meeting that they were escorted out of the room. Some later yelled at him in the hallway, calling him devil incarnate and shouting, Shame on you.

Two days later, a small group of protesters showed up in Toronto outside St. Antoine Daniel Catholic School, where de Buono teaches Grade 7 and 8. The board said students remained indoors during recess and lunch to avoid protesters and that measures were in place to ensure minimal disruption. Police were also called and remained on site to monitor the situation.

Its very misguided. Clearly, their target is me, de Buono told the Star on Monday. To show up that way and have such anti-inclusive messages, like the rainbow has been perverted, is going to hurt students.

The protesters, he added, have made this leap that, because he makes social media posts on the importance of inclusion, thats all he talks about in class.

I teach in a very balanced way, he said, but there is a history in Catholic education where this area of inclusion has been left out and its not where it should be today and so I make a point to teach inclusively and spread the message because its so important.

Trustee Maria Rizzo, who represents Ward 5 (North York) where the school is located, said its not fair that an employees outside work agenda has been brought into the workplace when it interferes with students and staff feeling safe in a space that is supposed to be safe for everyone.

But Rizzo isnt letting the protesters off the hook, adding theres got to be consequences for people who are hate-spewers  This is unacceptable. They say that theyre there for the kids, but theyre not.

She implored protesters to act like adults and not target the school.

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Miraee, Iranian living in U.S., wins international editorial cartoon contest

OTTAWA, ON, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - World Press Freedom Canada (WPFC) is delighted to announce La Presse's Vincent Larouche as the winner of the 2023 Press Freedom Award.

Logo LPC (CNW Group/World Press Freedom Canada)

The award is given annually to a journalist who has overcome secrecy, legal maneuvers, political intimidation, interference, or other safety risks to produce an outstanding body of public interest reporting.

WPFC has also selected Rachel Pulfer, executive director of Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), as the winner of the 2023 Spencer Moore Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award honours the recipient's sustained and demonstrable commitment to improving press freedom and freedom of information.

Press Freedom Award

In March 2022, Larouche uncovered a secret trial conducted in the Quebec Court of Appeal, in which prosecutors pursued charges against a police informant. Larouche leveraged confidential sources, access to information legislation, court documents, and more to peel back the layers of this phantom case, which ran counter to Canada's open court principle.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada deployed significant resources to block La Presse in court, in addition to refusing to hand over its list of court file numbers opened in Quebec on criminal matters. Larouche's coverage prompted Quebec's justice minister to vow such a trial will never be conducted in shadow again. The practice was condemned by the Bar of Quebec and chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Much information related to the trial remains sealed. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal of the Quebec Court of Appeal decision that maintained the blanket of secrecy.

"Secret trials remove the media's ability to scrutinize proceedings and hold the government and justice system accountable. The resulting lack of information can fuel public mistrust in our institutions, which undermines our democracy," says WPFC president Heather Bakken.

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Citation of Merit

WPFC is also awarding a Certificate of Merit to freelance journalist Justin Ling, who has a long track record of breaking through walls of silence around police cold cases, contributing to the nationwide discussion on access to information and press freedom, and shedding light on sophisticated networks of disinformation that contribute to alienation and radicalization in Canada. This was highlighted in his 2022 coverage of the "Freedom Convoy" protests  for which he received physical, legal and political threats from organizers and protesters.

A certificate of merit is also awarded to Charlie Pinkerton who broke the story of Greenbelt developers attending the wedding party of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's daughter. Pinkerton resigned from his job at QP Briefing, which is owned by iPolitics, over alleged interference. The Toronto Star subsequently published the story.

WPFC commends former QP Briefing editor Jessica Smith Cross who also resigned over the purported interference from the top.

Spencer Moore Award

After the fall of Kabul in 2021, Pulfer spearheaded an effort to rescue Afghani journalists and human rights defenders targeted by the Taliban.

Pulfer and the JHR team have helped evacuate some 2,000 vulnerable Afghans, including journalists, interpreters and human rights defenders. The Toronto-based organization's subsequent Afghan Journalist-in-Residence initiative further provided fully paid placements for 10 of these newcomers at leading Canadian newsrooms.

Led by Pulfer since 2011, JHR is a Canadian charity that empowers journalists around the world with the skills to cover human rights stories fairly and effectively in their environments. It also advocates for press freedom issues in Canada.

"Rachel Pulfer has dedicated her career to promoting press freedom issues in Canada, and abroad, as a fundamental tenet of human rights and democracy," says Bakken. "She has worked tirelessly to make a real impact by ensuring journalists are supported in their bid for safety and job security  even against all odds."

International Editorial Cartoon Contest

Ali Miraee, an Iranian cartoonist living in the United States, is the winner of WPFC's international editorial cartoon contest which awards a cash prize of $1,500.

Anne Darenne of France was the second place finisher. Miguel Morales Madrigal of Cuba won the third prize.

This year's theme for the cartoon contest is: 'Free Speech or Free For All?' Curated by committee member and Le Droit cartoonist Guy Badeaux, the contest drew 470 submissions from 62 countries.

May 3 Luncheon

The awards will be distributed at WPFC's annual World Press Freedom Day Luncheon at Ottawa's National Arts Centre on May 3. The awards luncheon will feature keynote speaker Anna Maria Tremonti, a multiple-award-winning journalist, and Irene Gentle, Torstar's VP of Inclusion and Strategic Partnerships, who will participate in an armchair discussion about the rise of online harassment against female and marginalized journalists.

We would like to thank the Canadian Commission for UNESCO , our patron sponsor, and the Canadian Bankers Association , our sustaining sponsor. Thank you also to Power Corporation of Canada , our platinum sponsor.

About World Press Freedom Canada

World Press Freedom Canada is an Ottawa-based, non-profit volunteer organization that promotes free expression and media rights. It celebrates UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day on May 3 by honouring the award winners. This year is the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.

Follow us on @CDN_WPF and @worldpressfreedomcanada

SOURCE World Press Freedom Canada

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Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Clouds, a little sun, and continued cool with a few scattered showers popping up during the day. .

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy and chilly.
Today

Partly to mostly cloudy and chilly.

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy and chilly.

Tomorrow

Clouds and some sun. Again, we can't entirely rule out a stray shower, but most should be dry.
WEST READING, Pa. - The Berks County Trail Challenge is encouraging people to hit the trails to improve their health and wellness.

Reading Hospital director of community engagement, Courtney Powers, said it stems from the community health needs assessment.

"Health education and prevention and initiatives to address chronic disease have been a recurring theme," said Powers.

Now in its sixth year, participants will be able to find placards with a symbol on multiple trails around the county. Those symbols will be recorded on a challenge card.

"At the end of the challenge they would submit that and be entered to win a prize," said Powers.

Participants can add up to two trails not on the list. The challenge can be done alone or on guided hikes.

"Something new this year is we are including a guided hike schedule where the trail guides will be Spanish speaking," said Powers.

The Berks County Parks and Recreation Department and the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club have partnered. Among the trails is the Union Canal Trail.

People can register for the challenge on BeWellBerks.org. Group hikes will take place at the following times and places:

Pagoda to Peace Rock White Trail, June 3, 10 a.m.

Antietam Lake to Mount Penn Loop, Saturday June 17, 10 a.m.

Perimeter Trail Loop, June 24, 10 a.m.

Green Hills Preserve, Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m.

Ridgeway Trail at Gibraltar Hill, July 15, 10 a.m.

Ridgeway Trail at Gibraltar Hill, July 29, 10 a.m.

Sand Spring and Tom Lowe Trails, August 12, 10 a.m.

Pagoda to Peace Rock White Trail, August 19, 10 a.m.

Neversink Trail, Orange Loop, August 26, 10 a.m.

Neversink Trail, Orange Loop, September 9, 10 a.m.

Perimeter Trail Loop, September 16, 10 a.m.

Union Canal Trail, October 14, 10 a.m.

"We all realize the importance of getting outside and the connection that recreation and being outside in our open spaces has to leading a healthy lifestyle," said Lisa Gauker with the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department.

The challenge will run until October 31.
READING, Pa. - An officer-involved shooting that took the life of a quadruple homicide suspect in March has been ruled justified.

Berks County District Attorney John Adams issued the findings of his investigation Tuesday into the use of deadly force against Vaughn Perkins.

Adams said the investigation found police officers discharged their weapons lawfully and acted in self-defense and defense of one another. They will not face any criminal charges in connection to the incident.

The fatal encounter happened March 30 in the 900 block of Spring Street, Wyomissing Borough.

Perkins, considered armed and dangerous, was suspected of killing two people in Philadelphia and was also a suspect in a Camden, Nj. double homicide. Authorities say he was traced by pings on his cell phone. Those pings were distributed to PSP Troopers which eventually led them to Berks County.

Perkins was considered armed and dangerous with prior assaults involving a weapon.

At approximately 8:48 p.m., Perkins Lexus license plate was captured on the Wyomissing Police Departments license plate readers and patrol officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Perkins failed to stop and a short pursuit ensued.

Investigators say Perkins drove his vehicle recklessly through the backyards of a residential area to escape apprehension. The vehicle struck numerous objects and was rendered inoperable.

Authorities say Perkins failed to comply to the commands to surrender and raised a long rifle, pointing it at officers. Two patrol officers and two PSP Troopers discharged their firearms, striking Perkins multiple times.

DA John Adams' investigation concluded that officers/troopers were reasonable in their belief that they and others were in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury due to Perkins actions of refusing to comply with all police commands and by pointing a long rifle at them.

Adams also said it is reasonable to believe that Perkins had the intent and means to inflict death or serious bodily injury to the officers/troopers, and the use of deadly force under these circumstances was reasonable and therefore privileged under Pennsylvania Law.

Vaughn T. Perkins was on a violent crime spree. He was armed and dangerous and despite that fact, officers attempted to apprehend him peacefully," said Adams. "He failed to comply with their verbal commands, threatening the officers and causing them to use deadly force. While it is unfortunate that a life was lost, officers involved displayed courage for the protection of the public and each other.
READING, Pa. - A former Berks County doctor who pleaded guilty to rape and related charges in late 2022 was sentenced Monday.

Justin Rutherford received 26 years and 10 months to 70 years in prison, followed by 12 years of special probation, after entering a non-negotiated plea to rape of a child, rape of an unconscious person, sexual abuse of children and invasion of privacy charges.

Berks County District Attorney John Adams says Rutherford entered a non-negotiated plea to multiple charges.

Rutherford, a former doctor from Amity Township, was arrested in 2021 after a tip to a state hotline led to an investigation by the Berks County District Attorney's Office.

8:06 DA: Hidden camera discovery leads to rape investigation Authorities said the suspect's crimes had nothing to do with his employment as a physician.

According to court documents, Rutherford used a hidden bathroom camera to record people in his home in various states of undress and without their consent. Investigators found thousands of video and photo images at the time of his arrest. He was also charged with sexually assaulting two underage victims. Rutherford was arrested in 2021, after the district attorney's office says a state hotline received a tip.

"This is not behavior we would ever believe a doctor would commit," Adams said.

While awaiting sentencing, Rutherford was charged in a separate case when he allegedly tried to have one of the witnesses against him murdered. Authorities say they intercepted jailhouse communications from Rutherford in which the suspect detailed the address, schedule, car and other personal information of one of his victims and discussed having them murdered.

Adams says the alleged murder plot of a witness against Rutherford was not factored into his sentence Monday.

"After reviewing the charges, I thought the sentencing was fair and just for the horrific offenses that this individual committed," Adams said.

"Justin Rutherford is continuing to face additional charges, criminal solicitation to commit murder," he added.

Adams had previously said that the charges against Rutherford had nothing to do with his job as a physician.
PMI

Prophecy Market Insights' latest research report on the X-Ray Security Screening Systems Market provides a comprehensive analysis of the current market scenario, growth opportunities, challenges, and emerging trends. The report offers insights into the market's size and share, key market players, distribution channels, and consumer preferences. It also examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the market and provides a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape, including strategic alliances, mergers, and acquisitions.

Covina , May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Botox is a brand name for a type of purified protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulin. It is used in medicine and cosmetic procedures to temporarily paralyze muscle activity. Botox injections are a popular and minimally invasive treatment for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as treating certain medical conditions. In cosmetic procedures, Botox is injected into specific muscles to temporarily block nerve signals that cause muscle contractions. This can help smooth out wrinkles and fine lines in the treated area, giving the skin a more youthful appearance. Botox is commonly used to treat forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines between the eyebrows. Botox is considered a safe and effective treatment when administered by a qualified healthcare provider. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects, including pain at the injection site, swelling, bruising, and muscle weakness. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of Botox with a healthcare provider before undergoing treatment.

Attributes Details Botox Market Value (2020) US$ 5.15 billion Botox Market Projected Value (2030) US$ 10.60 billion Botox Market CAGR (2020  2030) 7.50%.

Request a sample or make an inquiry by clicking the following link:

https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-sample/990

Key highlights

In September 2022, the anti-wrinkle injection from Revance Therapeutics, which is a competitor to market leader AbbVie's Botox, which has long dominated the cosmetic market, was given approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The injection offers an appealing substitute for currently available therapies with the ability to give long-lasting benefits with as few as two treatments per year.

In December 2022, Gufic biosciences launched Indias first indigenous botulinum toxin injection Zarbot. Compared to other botulinum toxin brands, this injection was produced utilizing the pure Hall strain and patented technique, which produces thin film formulation.

Story continues

Analyst View

The population of the world is ageing, and as people age, fine lines and wrinkles grow more frequently. The demand for Botox is anticipated to increase as the population ages because it is a popular and successful therapy for delaying the effects of ageing. As people become more aware of the various cosmetic treatments available, the demand for Botox is expected to increase. The rise of social media and the prevalence of beauty influencers have contributed to the growth of the cosmetic industry, including the Botox market. Advances in technology are improving the efficacy and safety of Botox treatments. For example, the use of micro-needles and micro-injections is improving the precision of Botox administration, which may lead to better outcomes and increased patient satisfaction and demand for the growth of Botox Market is likely to increase within the forecast period.

Detailed Segmentation analysis of Botox Market:

By Product Type:

Botulinum Toxin Type A

Botulinum Toxin Type B

By Application:

Cosmetics

Therapeutics Chronic Migraine Spasticity Muscle Spasms Overactive Bladder Others



By End-User:

Hospitals

Clinics

Beauty Clinics and Spas

By Geography:

North America United States Canada

Europe United Kingdom Germany France Italy Spain Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa



Browse 60 market data tables* and 35 figures* through 140 slides and in-depth TOC on Global Botox Market, By Type (Botulinum Toxin Type-A and Botulinum Toxin Type-B), By End-use (Therapeutic Use and Aesthetic Use), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) - forecast till 2029

Key Market Insights from the report:

The Botox Market accounted for US$ 5.15 billion in 2020 and is estimated to be US$ 10.60 billion by 2030 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.50%. over the forecast period. The market report has been segmented on the basis of type, end-use, and region.

By type, the botulinum toxin type-A segment held a prominent share of the global botox market in 2018. Increase in prevalence of cervical dystonia, spasticity, glabellar lines, and crows foot and rise in the use of botulinum toxin type-A are key factors propelling the global market

By end-user, the therapeutics end-use segment dominates the global market, owing to global rise in the cases of migraine and increase in the demand for non-surgical therapeutic procedure, which is noninvasive or minimally invasive in nature

By region, North America is the largest supplier of botox and dominates the global botox market, owing to the rise in awareness level regarding non-surgical esthetic and therapeutic procedures. The global market in North America is expected to maintain its dominant position over the forecast period. The global botox market in Europe is the second largest supplier of botox and is expected to expand over the forecast period, due to increase in geriatric population

Competitive Landscape & their strategies of Botox Market:

The prominent player operating in the global botox market includes

Allergan, Inc.

Ipsen Pharma SA

Merz Pharma GmbH & Co.

KGaA

Medytox, Inc.

US Worldmed

LLC

Metabiologics, Inc.

Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd.

Revance Therapeutics, Inc.

Allergan, Inc.

Ipsen Group

Merz Pharma GmbH & Co.Top of Form

What are the Recent Driver Factor in the Botox Market?

Increasing Demand for Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures: Botox is a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. As more people seek non-surgical cosmetic treatments, the demand for Botox has increased.

Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: Botox has therapeutic applications and is used to treat chronic conditions such as migraines, spasticity, and muscle spasms. The growing prevalence of these diseases has led to an increase in demand for Botox.

Growing Awareness about the Benefits of Botox: With advancements in technology and greater accessibility to information, more people are becoming aware of the benefits of Botox. As a result, the demand for Botox has increased, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.





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Prophecy Market Insights is a leading provider of market research services, offering insightful and actionable reports to clients across various industries. With a team of experienced analysts and researchers, Prophecy Market Insights provides accurate and reliable market intelligence, helping businesses make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. The company's research reports cover a wide range of topics, including industry trends, market size, growth opportunities, competitive landscape, and more. Prophecy Market Insights is committed to delivering high-quality research services that help clients achieve their strategic goals and objectives.

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WEST READING, Pa. - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued preliminary findings Tuesday on their investigation into the fatal explosion at R.M. Palmer Company that killed 7 people and injured 11 others.

NTSB investigators say at the time of the explosion on March 24, about 35 office staff and 70 production employees were working in both Building 1 and Building 2 of the West Reading facility. In post-accident interviews, Palmer employees from Building 2 told investigators they were sanitizing equipment when they detected an odor of natural gas.

Building 1 employees told NTSB officials they recalled the smell of rotten eggs around the same time. Because natural gas is odorless, strong-smelling chemical additives are mixed in before distribution to help reduce the risk that leaks will go undetected. The most common odorant added to natural gas is methanethiol, which has a characteristic rotten egg or sulfurous odor.

UGI Corporation (UGI) provided natural gas service to the Palmer buildings through two natural gas mains adjacent to the accident site. One 4-inch-diameter steel main was located in front of Building 2 along South Second Avenue, and one 1.25-inch-diameter Aldyl A plastic main was located along Cherry Street between Buildings 1 and 2.

The factory buildings had two natural gas pipeline meter sets regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. UGI reported no known work in the area and no pressure spike in gas usage prior to the explosion.

Investigators from the NTSB examined the accident site, secured evidence and completed interviews with Palmer employees and members of the public nearby at the time of the accident.

Future activity in this ongoing investigation will focus on a review of collected evidence, identifying the source of the explosion and related industry practices and regulations.
A Taco Bell with a drive-thru may be coming to South Bethlehem, pending review by the city's Zoning Hearing Board.

The proposed location is 1620 E. Fourth St. in an Industrial Redevelopment (IR) zone. The use as a restaurant requires a special exception to the zoning code. The property is about three blocks east of the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino.

The zoning appeal was filed by Summerwood Corp. on behalf of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park Inc., according to the meeting agenda. Northampton County records show that Lehigh Valley Industrial Park owns the 3.3-acre lot. Summerwood operates "quick-service" restaurants, an industry term for "fast food."

Taco Bell was founded in 1962 in Downey, California, by Glen Bell, who had created his own version of a "crunchy taco" 11 years earlier. Customers called the filled tortillas "tay-kohs" at first, according to Taco Bell's website. Over the years, the menu has included quesalupas, nacho fries and Doritos Locos Tacos.

There are now more than 7,200 restaurants in the U.S. and more than 1,000 international Taco Bells.

Yum! Brands owns Taco Bell, along with KFC, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger Grill. Shares in the company are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol YUM. The closing price Tuesday was $142.94. At that price, Yum! Brands is worth $40 billion.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 17, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. It will also be available on the city's YouTube channel.

Also that night, the Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School is applying for zoning relief for signs outside its 2040 Avenue C building, and to put up a six-foot high fence.

Meeting agendas are subject to change. See the city website for agendas.
EMMAUS, Pa.  Emmaus Borough Council and community members received a presentation Monday night on addressing toxic chemicals that have plagued the borough's water system for the past one-and-a-half years.

Five borough wells have been found to have elevated levels of a chemical group linked to harmful health effects in people and animals.

One of the wells, 69 News has since learned, is no longer in use due to the heightened amount.

On Monday night at St. John's United Church of Christ, representatives from Gannett Fleming  the borough's environmental consultant  offered a feasibility study which outlined three options, their costs and recommendations to remedy the water problem. All the costs are significant, according to the consultant, and include two categories: capital costs and annual costs associated with maintenance.

The borough has filed a lawsuit against dozens of companies that produce chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The borough is alleging the companies were cognizant the chemicals contaminated the water, and they failed to provide safer alternatives. The borough wants the money to pay for the cleanup costs.

Last fall, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found elevated levels, per current standards of PFAS, in two wells. The chemicals are said to break down slowly, if at all, in the environment.

Gannett Fleming reported Monday night that three other borough wells meet current state DEP standards but will not meet proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

After two wells were tested and found to have elevated levels, the state DEP informed the borough that a complete study to pinpoint potential solutions should be conducted.

"Our goal is zero," said borough Manager Shane Pepe. "You know, we don't want any of this in our water system."

It's been a long year and a half for some Emmaus community members concerned over the contents of their water. That includes Pepe, who says he has had some sleepless nights.

"It's a major concern," Pepe said of PFAS, which are also known as "forever chemicals."

"The studies are showing that it's linked to cancer," Pepe said, "but, you know, there's not enough study material out there, as far as what levels are acceptable to consume and what's not."

Even the EPA doesn't know just how harmful PFAS are to people or the environment at this point, according to its website.

Gannett Fleming, the company contracted to complete the study to reduce the level of PFAS found in the borough's water, presented four options Monday night. Officials say one option  creating all new wells  is off the table. The three potential remedies are as follows: The borough can pay to treat the water. Water from a neighboring well system can be purchased. Emmaus can opt to do a combination of the first two options.

"There are technologies that can effectively treat the wells," said Lori Kappen, a senior project engineer with Gannett Fleming. "...They basically absorb these compounds out of the water."

Kappen said the technologies would take between 24 to 30 months "to get that fully implemented." Over a 20-year annualized model, this option would cost between $24 million to $30 million.

A second option would involve purchasing water from the Lehigh County Authority's Allentown system, which has excess supply and capacity, according to Michael Brown, vice president of Gannett Fleming.

"The borough's system is less than a mile from the City of Allentown's system," Brown said. "You would need some improvements, which essentially involve pipelines to connect the two systems, and you would need a pump station to kind of push the water from the city to the borough to maintain your current service level."

This proposal would take up to 18 months to complete. This option over a 20-year annualized model would cost between $35 and $45 million.

"I think we should stay with the wells in here in Emmaus," said Terry Heckman, who has lived in the borough for 27 years.

Some, like Heckman, say they worry because PFAS are still being studied, and some neighboring systems have not had their water tested for the chemical group.

A third option would be "a hybrid approach," Brown said. He noted wells four, six and seven  the three wells that meet current standards but not the proposed new standards  could be treated and still have a connection that would offset the loss of the two elevated level wells. This option over a 20-year annualized model would cost between $30 million and $40 million.

Brown said the cost to establish a bulk purchase from LCA is not yet known, but would be somewhere between $3 per thousand gallons to more than $4 per thousand gallons.

"It does have a pretty significant impact on these annual costs," Brown said.

The hybrid costs would involve the purchasing of equipment and a lower amount of water to purchase.

Capital reinvestment is another consideration for taxpayers. This involves the equipment such as pumps, pipelines and treatment facilities. Pipelines should be productive for about 50 years. Pumps usually have a 20-year service life, while treatment components typically last between 20 years to 30 years.

"For capital costs, the bulk option is cheapest," Brown said. "The present work costs  by the time you factor in the annual costs  the treatment option is the most economical."

Brown acknowledged "there is a lot of bad news," but added recent federal funding programs have money specifically designated for this purpose. Emmaus could also be considered for a state grant aimed at helping municipalities remove PFAS from their water.

"That's something that, obviously, we're hoping that we're at the top of their priority list," Pepe said, "but it's a competitive grant, and with more and more communities, you know, testing positive for PFAS, you know that money's going to dry up pretty quickly."

"Can't provide any guarantees, but you guys are positioned well," Brown said.

The federal funds cover capital costs, but do not cover annual costs.

The multi-million-dollar price tags associated with all three options, Heckman said, are concerning.

"More of a cost is going to come down on the rural residents," Heckman said. "We've already jumped $30 a quarter, so we're already paying from $96 to $126 a quarter for the water."

No vote was taken at the meeting Monday night, but one could be taken at the council meeting scheduled for May 15.
STROUDSBURG, Pa. - We're hearing from a longtime friend of the missing Stroudsburg woman whose remains were found last week.

"Once you met her, you didn't forget her, that's for sure," said Tracy Perez, who spoke to us in a Zoom interview from her home in New York.

Perez knew Dana Smithers ever since the two of them were in elementary school.

"I moved from Brooklyn, New York to Stroudsburg, so that was a culture shock for me in, I believe, 6th grade, and she was in 5th, and I was at the bus stop and she came right over and started talking to me, even though I was miserable at the time, honestly. So we became fast friends," said Perez.

They stayed friends as they both grew up and eventually became mothers. Perez said it was Smithers' children that convinced her Smithers didn't just run away.

"I knew she wouldn't just leave them. There's no way," said Perez.

Smithers disappeared on May 28 of last year. Perez and other community members immediately tried to support the family.

"We did a bake sale, we did a basket raffle, we did GoFundMe. Just trying to get the word out there, mainly because we figured if we get the word out to enough people, maybe someone knew something," said Perez.

As the weeks turned into months, Perez said it got harder to hold onto the hope Smithers would return safely.

"I had a glimmer of hope, but to be honest, I kind of felt in my gut early on that it wasn't going to be a good outcome," said Perez.

That feeling was proven right when Smithers' remains were discovered last Thursday in the woods off Route 611.

"Just knowing for sure was heart wrenching, because that glimmer of hope that I had was gone now," said Perez.

Now, Perez says she and Smithers' family need answers.

"I want to know what happened, and if someone is responsible for something, they need to be punished," said Perez.

We are still waiting on the results of Smithers' autopsy that might provide some answers as to how Smithers died. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac tells us the remains could only be identified through dental records, so it could be some time before we get any answers.
UPPER PROVIDENCE TWP., Pa. - Crews in Montgomery County had a special rescue mission this weekend.

Firefighters helped pull a deer from water in Upper Providence Township.

Two firefighters put on water gear to get the deer, which was stuck in between two locks of the canal in the Lock 60 area of Schuylkill Canal Park, said the Upper Providence Township Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Crews carried the deer to the woods and covered her with blankets to help warm her.

A game warden confirmed the deer will be okay, the fire department said.
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - Seven students in Warren County, New Jersey are accused of attacking a person while walking home from school.

The Phillipsburg Police Department responded to a report of an assault that happened at the intersection of Filmore and Hudson streets in Phillipsburg on April 26 around 3:45 p.m., according to a news release from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

After investigating the report, authorities charged seven juveniles with aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and criminal restraint with the risk of serious bodily injury.

"The Phillipsburg Police Department and Phillipsburg School District will not tolerate any violence against our citizens. All crimes will be investigated thoroughly and enforced to the fullest extent of the law," the prosecutor's office said.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. - A woman was seriously injured after being run over by her own car.

The accident happened Monday around 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Helms Mill and Dalton roads in Hackettstown, New Jersey, police said.

The 61-year-old woman was getting out of her car when she realized it was not in park. As she tried to stop the car from rolling, she fell out of the car and it rolled over part of her body, police said.

The car kept going and hit a parked vehicle.

The woman had serious injuries but they were not considered life-threatening, Hackettstown police said.

She was taken to the hospital and issued a summons for having an unregistered vehicle.
CAIRO (AP)  Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners joined growing crowds at Sudan's main seaport Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated from the chaos-stricken nation. After more than two weeks of fighting, areas of the capital of Khartoum appear increasingly abandoned.

The battle for control of Sudan erupted on April 15, after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Other nations have tried to convince the two generals to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table. The government of South Sudan, which officially split from Sudan in 2011, said Tuesday that the two rival generals have agreed in principle on a weeklong cease-fire starting on Thursday, and on engaging in peace talks. The statement did not elaborate on the possible venue or timing for the talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke with both Burhan and Dagalo over the phone, the government said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from either the army or the paramilitary.

Meanwhile, civilians were packing buses and trucks for Sudans northern border with Egypt. Many others headed to Port Sudan, on the country's Red Sea coast. The relative calm of the port city, from which many foreign governments have evacuated their citizens, seemed the safer option.

Much of the capital has become empty, said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan on Monday. He said they had been trapped for two weeks, and that by now, everyone on his street had left.

When they arrived in Port Sudan after a 20-hour journey, they found thousands, including many women and children, camping outside the port area. Many had been in the open air for more than a week, with no food or basic services in the sweltering heat. Others crowded into mosques or hotels inside the city.

Tariq Abdel-Hameed was one of around 2,000 Syrians in Port Sudan hoping to get out by sea or air. Some 200 Syrians have been evacuated since the crisis began, including 35 on Friday on a vessel bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The first Damascus-bound flight was scheduled to take off later Tuesday, Abdel-Hameed said, with about 200 on board, mostly pregnant women and sick people.

At the congested crossing points with Egypt, thousands of families have waited for days inside buses or sought temporary shelter in the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Yusuf Abdel-Rahman, a Sudanese university student, said he and his family entered Egypt through the Ashkit border crossing late Monday. They had first gone to another crossing point, Arqin, but said it was too crowded to make the attempt. Families with children and the sick were stranded in the desert landscape with no food and water, waiting for visas which are mandatory for Sudanese men to enter Egypt, he recounted.

In Khartoum, Abdel-Rahman said he had seen widespread destruction and looting. He knows many people whose homes have been commandeered by the paramilitary forces and thinks they are lucky to have left before their home was stormed.

We could have ended up dead bodies," he said.

The fighting has displaced at least 334,000 people inside Sudan, and sent tens of thousands more to neighboring countries  Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, according to U.N. agencies. Aid workers are increasingly concerned about lack of basic services in these areas.

Between 900 and 1,000 people arrive daily at the border with Ethiopia, Paul Dillon, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said at a news briefing Tuesday in Geneva. At least 20,000 people crossed into Chad, which borders the Darfur city of Genena where clashes last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the Chad Country Director with the International Rescue Committee, described dire conditions for the arrivals there, many of them women and children who have no choice but to seek shelter from the heat under sparse trees.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries could surpass 800,000.

Early Tuesday, the sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed though many parts of Khartoum, with fierce clashes taking place around the militarys headquarters, the international airport and the Republican Palace, residents said. Warplanes were seen flying overhead, they said.

The fighting continued despite the newest extension of a shaky cease-fire, meant to allow safe corridors for healthcare workers and aid agencies working in the capital.

The war never stopped, said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, Secretary of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate. Morgues across the capital are filled with bodies and people are still unable to collect the dead for burial, he said.

At least 447 civilians have been killed and more than 2,255 wounded since the fighting began, according to figures provided Tuesday by the Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. The Sudanese Health Ministry said it counted at least 550 people killed, including civilians and combatants, with more than 4,900 wounded as of Monday.

In addition to the South Sudanese proposal, there has been other suggestions aimed at stopping the violence and avoiding a worsening humanitarian disaster. Both sides agreed to send representatives for talks that would potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, according the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. The kingdom has joined the United States in pressing for a lasting cease-fire.

Another proposal, put forward by Sudan's former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who met this week with regional leaders and Western diplomats in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, set forward a series of five steps to help the two sides reconcile.

This war can lead to a global emergency unless halted immediately," he said.

The power struggle has derailed Sudans efforts to restore its democratic transition, which was halted in Oct. 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo, then allies, removed Hamdok's Western-backed transitional government in a coup.

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
JERUSALEM (AP)  A high-profile Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after a hunger strike of nearly three months, Israels prison service announced. His death set off protests in the West Bank and a round of cross-border fighting between Gaza militants and the Israeli military.

Late Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had started airstrikes on Gaza targets, in response to earlier rocket salvos from the coastal strip, run by the militant Hamas group. There was no immediate word on casualties or damage. After a brief pause, the aerial bombardment and rocket fire resumed at dawn Wednesday.

The death of Khader Adnan has also drawn attention to the tactic of hunger strikes  used by prisoners around the world yet considered a particularly crucial tool for Palestinians held by Israel with few other means at their disposal.

Adnan, 45, a leader of the militant Islamic Jihad group, helped introduce the practice of protracted hunger strikes by individual prisoners as a form of protest. Palestinian detainees have mostly used hunger strikes to challenge administrative detention, a controversial tactic in which more than 1,000 Palestinians and a handful of Israelis are currently being held without charge or trial.

On Wednesday, two officials from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said a cease-fire has been brokered by Egypt and other regional players. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms of the deal were pending further discussions over when Israel will hand over Khader's body for burial.

Adnan first grabbed international headlines and inspired solidarity protests over a decade ago, when he staged a 66-day hunger strike against his administrative detention. That galvanized hundreds of other prisoners to join the strike, which ended with a deal for his release. He was later arrested again.

Through all levels of Palestinian society  from squalid refugee camps in Gaza to wealthy businesses in the West Bank  Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention are celebrated as national heroes. Israel considers Palestinian prisoners to be terrorists.

Adnan, who was arrested a dozen times and spent nearly a fifth of his life in Israeli prison, became a potent symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israels open-ended occupation, now in its 56th year. His use of hunger strikes as a bargaining chip against Israeli authorities  during two other strikes in 2015 and 2018 that lasted 56 and 58 days, respectively  motivated many other desperate Palestinians in administrative detention to refuse food.

Israels prison service said Adnan had been charged with involvement in terrorist activities following his February arrest. Last week, an Israeli military court denied him bail. A hearing on his appeal was repeatedly postponed.

After the news of his death broke, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired 26 rockets at populated areas in southern Israel, sending shrapnel flying. Three foreign workers were wounded at a construction site in the city of Sderot, Israels rescue service said, without identifying their nationalities. One of the foreigners, a 25-year-old man, was reported to be in serious condition. A few hours later, the military said six mortars shells were fired at Israel, most of them falling short and not reaching Israeli territory.

This is an initial response to this heinous crime, said a coalition of Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups, led by the enclaves militant Hamas rulers. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called it an assassination," accusing Israel of medical neglect.

Early Wednesday, the Israeli military said its aircraft struck military posts, training sites, weapons storage facilities and an underground tunnel belonging to Hamas. Palestinian residents reported several explosions by Israeli air raids in northwestern Gaza City and other parts of the Strip. Hamas had earlier evacuated military and security targets in anticipation of Israeli strikes.

Air raid sirens sounded and Israeli municipal councils opened public bomb shelters. Field fires broke out. Shrapnel punched holes into pavement, shattered windows and charred cars. Four rockets were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome missile defense system, authorities said.

The Israeli military responded with tank fire into Gaza and said it was planning further retaliation. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under regulations, said that the army assessed that Islamic Jihad fired the rockets with Hamas' knowledge.

The security establishment will act with determination and force against anyone who tries to harm the citizens of Israel, said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

A general strike was announced across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians flocked to military checkpoints in the occupied territory, slinging stones. Israeli forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. A suspected Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank lightly wounded an Israeli man. Earlier Tuesday, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired another three rockets that landed in empty fields in Israel.

A march commemorating Adnan in the northern city of Jenin, a hotbed of Palestinian militancy, spiraled into violence Tuesday when Palestinian security forces prevented protesters from reaching the Palestinian Authoritys headquarters. As Palestinians fired into the air and chanted against the PA, long derided for its security cooperation with Israel, Palestinian security forces fired tear gas into the crowd.

With violence surging over the past year and the Israeli military launching near-nightly arrest raids in the West Bank, the number of Palestinians in administrative detention has swelled to the highest number in two decades. Israel says the tactic helps authorities thwart attacks and hold dangerous militants without divulging incriminating material for security reasons.

Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with the secret nature of the evidence making it impossible for administrative detainees or their lawyers to mount a defense.

As a result, Palestinian prisoners have turned to hunger strikes  whether in large groups with hundreds refusing food, or individually, for decades. Since the 1967 Mideast war, when Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, Israel has jailed thousands of Palestinians. The strikes are often aimed at protesting prison conditions  including the very fact of open-ended detentions  or winning concessions such as family visits.

Over the years, with starving prisoners' shriveled bodies drawing international condemnation, Israeli governments have at times accepted their demands to avoid deaths in custody. The most famous of these deals involved Adnan's lengthy hunger strikes and releases from prison in 2012 and 2015.

But the current Israeli government, the most right-wing in the country's history, has vowed to take a hard-line against the Palestinians. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, has cracked down on security prisoners, shortening shower times to four minutes, closing prison bakeries and restricting exercise time and family visits.

Ben-Gvir demanded Tuesday that prison officials exhibit zero-tolerance" and ordered prisoners be confined to their cells.

Rights groups blamed Israel for Adnans death, alleging that authorities ignored warnings about his life-threatening condition. Adnan's lawyer said the Israeli prison service retaliated by placing him isolation after he began his hunger strike. He said Adnan had appealed to Israeli authorities to transfer him to a hospital.

We lay the responsibility for his death at the feet of the Israeli authorities," said Dana Moss from Physicians for Human Rights Israel. Hunger strikes are one of the few non-violent tools left to Palestinians as they battle against Israels unfair legal system."

The Israeli prison service said Adnan was in a prison medical facility, but had refused medical treatment until the last moment when his legal proceedings moved ahead. The prison authorities said he was found unconscious in his cell early Tuesday and transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hundreds gathered at Adnan's home in the West Bank town of Arraba, near Jenin, holding posters bearing his image and calling for revenge. In a rare call for de-escalation, Adnan's widow, Randa Musa, asked Palestinians not to respond with violence.

"We do not want a single drop of blood shed," she told the crowd. We do not want rockets to be fired."
WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Lebanese politician Omar Harfouch, leader of the Third Republic party and one of the main reformist voices in Lebanon, risks a jail term if he returns to his home country. Harfouch said that the Lebanese political authorities issued an arrest warrant against him after he spoke at a symposium on terrorism at the European Parliament, where some Israeli citizens were allegedly also present. On his social media, Harfouch stated that he could face up to 15 years in prison. He currently resides in France.

Lebanese Laws

Lebanese law prohibits Lebanese nationals from having any contact with Israel and Israeli citizens in any form. Lebanon-Israel relations are addressed in the 1943 Lebanese Criminal Code and the 1955 Lebanese Anti-Israeli Boycott Law.

"Crimes committed against the external security of the State" is the section of the 1943 Lebanese Criminal Code that deals with treason, espionage, and illicit links with the enemy. The penal code deals with the "enemy" in general, as the State of Israel was not yet in existence.

The Lebanese Parliament Boycott Law against Israel, passed June 23, 1955, prohibits citizens from entering into any contract with any organization or person holding Israeli nationality or located in Israel. The law also forbids the importation of goods from Israel, either directly or indirectly, as adopted by the Council of the Arab League in 1951. The penalties for breaking this law are imprisonment or hard labor for three to 10 years.

"This Must Come To An End"

About the arrest warrant, Harfouch said on Lebanon's OTV channel: "Three weeks ago, I participated in a symposium about the war on terror and the financing of terrorism. I was proud that I was invited to this symposium in the European Parliament. Many Lebanese saw my speech, and thanked me for being the first Lebanese with enough courage to accuse the Europeans of their part in financing terrorism... But all of a sudden, someone - I don't know who - decided there had been Israelis in the hall. It turned into an issue, and I was accused of collaborating with Israelis and the Israeli lobby, and they wanted to take me for interrogation as soon as I landed at the airport. I don't care who was in the hall - whether they were from Israel, from New Zealand, or from Australia. I want to deliver the voice of truth and justice to any place possible. I wasn't at a restaurant or a hotel. I was at the heart of the EU and was talking to members of the European Parliament."

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Harfouch added that it was unreasonable and antisemitic to expect him to inquire whether each person he meets abroad is Jewish or Israeli: "Let me tell you, and I said this in interviews, I will not inquire about any person's nationality. I will not ask anyone whether he is Jewish or Israeli... This falls squarely under the [European] law forbidding antisemitism. I would be antisemitic to the point that I suspected someone because his name or the way he looks indicated that he was Jewish, and I asked him whether he was Jewish in order to find out whether he is an Israeli citizen. For that, I would be put on trial for antisemitism, in France and all over Europe, because my Lebanese country, whose passport I hold, forbids me from meeting with Israelis. We should put an end to this. There are 15 million Lebanese living all over the world, and they cannot ask every person they meet every day whether or not he is Israeli."

Now that there are many Israelis in the Gulf States, Harfouch said, the Lebanese boycott of meetings with Israelis has become exceedingly unreasonable. "See the Lebanese living in the Gulf. Today, there are Israelis in the Gulf - in the UAE, in Dubai - what should they do if their boss at work turns out to be an Israeli? Should they resign, abandon their children, and return to Lebanon? This must come to an end."

"I Don't Want To Liberate Jerusalem, I Want To Liberate Lebanon"

Harfouch had previously expressed his views on Lebanon-Israel relations. During an interview with Lebanon's MTV channel, he said: "The facts are that Lebanon had not recognized Israel and had considered it to be an enemy, but when the [maritime] border demarcation took place, and the line was drawn between Lebanon and Israel, Lebanon de facto recognized the State of Israel."

On the status of Jerusalem, he added: "The liberation of Jerusalem is part of Hizbullah's ideology, but I, Omar Harfouch, as a Lebanese - why would I want to liberate Jerusalem? From whom should I liberate Jerusalem? My country is Lebanon... Why am I supposed to outdo the Palestinians, and liberate their country or their capital city for them?

"The Palestinians accepted this state of affairs. They recognized Israel, signed a peace agreement with it, and divided the land. Whether [Israel] abides by the agreement or not - that is the Palestinians' problem; I want to solve Lebanon's problems...

"Lebanon is important to me. I don't care about praying in Jerusalem. If they want to pray - Lebanon is full of mosques, and they can go on pilgrimage and pray in Mecca. This ideology is foreign to us. We don't want to liberate Jerusalem. I am a Lebanese man who does not want to liberate Jerusalem. I want to liberate Lebanon from this cartel of corruption, and the sectarianism."

To view MEMRI TV clips on Harfouch, visit https://www.memri.org/tv.

To read MEMRI reports on Harfouch, visit https://www.memri.org/.

ABOUT MEMRI

Exploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends.

Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is located in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew.

MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org

MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv

Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm

Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab

MEMRI Twitter: https://twitter.com/memrireports/

MEMRI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59Cpk70K2TwdmApJOTuW9g/videos

MEMRI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memrireports/

Contact Information:

MEMRI

media@memri.org

202-955-9070

www.memri.org

SOURCE: Middle East Media Research Institute





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/752523/Lebanese-Politician-Omar-Harfouch-Risks-Jail-Time-In-Lebanon-For-Speaking-At-European-Parliament-Terror-Symposium-With-Israeli-Citizens-Allegedly-Also-Present




Millions of people across the UK and beyond are preparing to celebrate the coronation of King Charles the third, and the big event is having a big impact on fashion and decor.

WFMZ's Eve Russo chatted our friend and style expert Patricia Mae Olson to find out more.
Jenna Barclay (@jennaabarclay), an influencer from the early 2000s, recently gave followers a look into her childhood bedroom  and its like traveling into the past.

The Los Angeles-based content creator, who has more than 365,500 TikTok followers, has been known to create nostalgic content with a particular emphasis on the mid-2000s. Since showing glimpses of her bedroom in previous TikTok videos, commenters have requested a more in-depth look at her Wisconsin-based space  which she last decorated in 2008 with a lovely brown, leopard-print motif.

Amid her vintage haven, Jenna has old magazines  including a gold collectors Backstreet Boys fan mag  CDs, disposable cameras, beauty products, Victorias Secret swimsuits, a pair of tanning goggles and a bunch of high school yearbooks. Her room looks particularly Y2K, she says, because she stages it for videos.

I have a lot of beauty products in here, she says. Some of them are really, really old that I found in an old makeup bag, and then some have actually just been sitting here, like the Clinique Happy and this Escada perfume. Im pretty sure I used those actively the last time I lived in this room.

Jenna also shows off her Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen metallic nail polishes and an iconic MAC Cosmetics lip gloss.

MAC lip gloss in Purr was my shade because Paris Hilton wore it, she admits.

To her surprise, Jenna managed to unearth her once coveted Dooney & Bourke handbag with the classic monogram.

My Dooney is my prized possession, she says. I dug her out of the back of the closet. I thought she was long gone, so I was really excited that it was actually still in the back of the closet.

As for her favorite part of her room? Thatd be this old TV.

And then this. This is the best thing in the room, I think, she says. Its a TV with a VCR built in, and it actually works. And I have a huge VHS collection.

In a circular, purple cardboard box that reads my stuff in collaged letters, Jenna sifts through several random notes, letters and receipts from adolescence.

Story continues

This box is from middle school, she reveals. Its full of notes, photos  I mean, you name it, its in there. Theres even, like, a Backstreet Boys fake all-access pass that I think came with the VHS.

Jenna then looks through her closet, which many people ask about.

Everybody always asks about the closet. Ive actually taken most of the clothes that were in the closet back to where I currently live, she explains, before going through her hangers. Weve got Abercrombie jackets. Weve got this tweed jacket that I thought was really cool in, like, 2006. A lot of fur collars on everything. And these are all my old clothes, so theres old homecoming dresses. That skirt is from 2005, I wanna say.

This video made me so nostalgic. I miss my childhood.

Naturally, commenters felt especially nostalgic after watching Jennas room tour.

My toxic trait is that I would never leave that room and get a flip phone and live in a delusion that its still the early 2000s, @sea_chel96 joked.

OMFG flashbacks, one of my friends had this same brown decor (with a splash of turquoise of course), @michaeljaimie wrote, to which Jenna replied, The ELITE color combo.

Omg I still have that VS rainbow heart bikini, @13reezy revealed.

This video made me so nostalgic, @sjb996 said. I miss my childhood.

Jenna is just one of a plethora of millennial TikTok influencers whove carved out their niche personality and aesthetic on the beloved video-sharing platform. The inclination for these creators to lean into nostalgia, an expert suggests, is partially because it sells.

Its a psychological thing. You feel comfort when you go back in time, Lisa Sciulli, the department chair at Indiana University of Pennsylvanias Eberly School of Business told NBC News. You reminisce about when times were simpler.

Jenna also previously partnered with Kelloggs to promote the re-release of the formerly discontinued Frosted Grape flavor of Pop-Tart, which was one of the original frosted flavors from 1967.

By reinventing your product again, in a nostalgic way, it shifts your product lifecycle and extends your brand, Sciulli says.

Jennas content resonates with two demographics that crave the same thing: Millennials who may have actually lived through this decade and Gen Z-ers who are seemingly fascinated by all aspects of it. Regardless of the generation in which you were born, nostalgia, with its cyclical nature, was bound to make trends from the aughts desirable and, dare we say it, even coveted again.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

The post Leopard print, Abercrombie and vintage Victorias Secret: One woman gives a tour of her early aughts bedroom, and its basically a time capsule appeared first on In The Know.

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TikTok creator reveals how Chinese influencers take photos to pretend theyre in the United States: 'I will never get over how American Core is a real thing'

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Bride accuses former bridesmaid of allegedly stealing bachelorette funds
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:JAPSY  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 14,300 shares, a growth of 18.2% from the March 31st total of 12,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 39,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Japan Airlines Price Performance

Shares of JAPSY traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $9.61. 22,730 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 32,105. The company has a market cap of $6.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.81 and a beta of 0.55. Japan Airlines has a fifty-two week low of $7.69 and a fifty-two week high of $10.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The firms fifty day moving average is $9.51 and its 200 day moving average is $9.71.

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About Japan Airlines

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Japan Airlines Co, Ltd. engages in scheduled and non-scheduled air transport, aerial work, and aircraft maintenance services. It operates through the Air Transport and Others segments. The Air Transport segment engages in air transport business, airport passenger service, ground handling service, maintenance service, cargo service, passenger transport service and airport area business.

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Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KOP  Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 346,700 shares, an increase of 8.1% from the March 31st total of 320,700 shares. Approximately 1.7% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 94,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.7 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on KOP shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Koppers from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Barrington Research upped their price objective on shares of Koppers to $40.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James & Associates grew its position in shares of Koppers by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 12,470 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $259,000 after acquiring an additional 423 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Koppers by 9.2% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 863,779 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $17,949,000 after acquiring an additional 72,564 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D bought a new position in shares of Koppers during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,688,000. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Koppers by 16.0% during the 4th quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 503,296 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $14,193,000 after acquiring an additional 69,596 shares during the period. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System bought a new position in shares of Koppers during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $243,000. 88.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Koppers Stock Up 1.0 %

KOP stock traded up $0.32 during trading on Monday, reaching $33.13. The stock had a trading volume of 62,359 shares, compared to its average volume of 90,782. Koppers has a one year low of $20.11 and a one year high of $38.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03. The companys 50 day moving average is $33.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.07. The company has a market capitalization of $689.44 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.12 and a beta of 1.82.

Koppers (NYSE:KOP  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 27th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.19. Koppers had a net margin of 3.20% and a return on equity of 22.39%. The business had revenue of $482.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $503.25 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.77 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Koppers will post 4.38 EPS for the current year.

Koppers Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 10th were given a dividend of $0.06 per share. This is an increase from Kopperss previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. Kopperss dividend payout ratio is currently 8.05%.

Koppers Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Koppers Holdings, Inc engages in the provision of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals and carbon compounds. It operates through the following segments: Carbon Materials and Chemicals, Railroad and Utility Products and Services, and Performance Chemicals. The Carbon Materials and Chemicals segment manufactures carbon pitch naphthalene, creosote, and carbon black feedstock.

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Ljosleidarinn

The three municipalities  The City of Reykjavik and the Municipalities of Akranes and Borgarbygg  which own Reykjavik Energy (Orkuveita Reykjavikur; OR) and the ultimate owners of Ljosleiarinn (Reykjavik Fibre Network; RFN) have approved to increase equity to be offered to new shareholders.

By virtue of this mandate, further preparations will now be made by Reykjavik Energy (Orkuveita Reykjavikur; OR) and Reykjavik Fibre Network. Corporate Banking of Arion Bank has been hired as a consultant and to oversee the sale of new equity.

RFNs Fibre Optic Network

The aim of the share capital increase is to strengthen RFN for the long term in the wholesale communications market and take advantage of the opportunities that the ongoing development of the Companys new, more robust national backhaul fibres will bring about. RFNs network is currently available to around 125,000 homes and businesses in the country. All major retail companies in the telecommunications market in Iceland utilize the network to some extent to provide their services to their customers. RFNs national backhaul network is a national fibre ring that also extends to Icelands West Fjords. Telecommunications companies and others use that backhaul for data transfer within their respective systems, where data transfer within the mobile networks  between mobile masts and connection centres  is most extensive.

Municipalities' Resolutions



In a notification to the Stock Exchange on October 24th 2022, Reykjavik Fibre Network reported on the shareholders' meeting's approval of the company's board's proposal to increase the equity. The resolution was made subject to its confirmation by the City of Reykjavik and the Municipalities of Akranes and Borgarbygg, which are the three municipalities that own Orkuveita Reykjavikur. OR now holds all shares in Reykjavik Fibre Network. Borgarbygg confirmed the decision of the shareholders' meeting November 2nd 2022, and following are the resolutions of the other two owners: (Translations made by RFN.)

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The Municipality of Akranes April 25th 2023.

"The town council approves the share capital increase of Ljosleiarinn ehf. and adopts the minutes of the town executive committees meeting [April 24th 2023]: The municipal council of Akranes welcomes the forward-looking spirit expressed in the submitted resolution of the shareholders' meeting of Ljosleiarinn ehf. October 24th 2022 regarding the increase of share capital to further strengthen the company's competitive position and thereby simultaneously strengthen Iceland's competitiveness, the country's electronic communications security and the communications security within Iceland. The residents of Akranes were among the very first in Iceland to enjoy fibre optic connections to their homes and are therefore well aware of the increase in quality of life that robust and reliable telecommunications connections bring. The municipality of Akranes extends thanks for the detailed analysis and data that have been submitted to support the decisions of the owners of Orkuveita Reykjavikur in this important matter for Icelandic society. The municipal council of Akranes, for its part, approves to increase the share capital of Ljosleiarinn ehf. for up to ISK 3,250,000,000 in nominal value (three billion two hundred and fifty million kronur), i.e. 33.33% of the company's total share capital, or to the extent that Orkuveita Reykjavikurs share in the company will never be less than 66.67% of the total share capital of Ljosleiarinn ehf. and that the authorization expires on December 31st 2024 to the extent that it is then still unused."

City of Reykjavik on May 2, 2023.

"It is proposed to approve the authorization to increase the share capital of Ljosleiarinn ehf. about up to ISK 3,250,000,000,- in nominal value, (three billion two hundred and fifty million ISK), i.e. 33.33% of the company's total share capital, or to the extent that Orkuveita Reykjavikur's share in the company will never be less than 66.67% of the total share capital of Ljosleiarinn ehf. The amount is based on scenario A hybrid and takes into account a detailed risk assessment submitted to the city executive committees focus group. Furthermore, it is suggested that it be approved that the choice of methodology and arrangements for issuing new share capital be prepared under the responsibility of Orkuveita Reykjavikur and its board, and that the plans be presented to the citys executive committee. The Board of Directors of Ljosleiarinn ehf. will be authorized to determine the tender rate and payment terms of the new shares and in which phases the authorization will be used. This approval is subject to the value of the new share capital in Ljosleiarinn ehf. being utilized to pay off company debt . and strengthen the company's position in the competitive market. Furthermore, Ljosleiarinn ehf. shall reassess and prioritize investment plans based on an analysis of their costs, benefits, and risks. It is also proposed to approve that this authorization for a share capital increase expires on December 31st 2024 to the extent that it is still unused at that time."

Arion Bank for advice and supervision

As stated above, a specific chain of responsibilities in the process ahead is assumed regarding the roles of the Boards of Reykjavik Energy and Reykjavik Fibre Network, respectively. The structure of the process is now being prepared in collaboration with Corporate Banking of Arion Bank's advisers, but the bank has been hired to advise and oversee the sales process.

Contact:

Breki Logason

Head of Communications

breki.logason@ljosleidarinn.is




Shares of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SSNLF  Get Rating) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $40.60 and last traded at $40.60, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $40.60.

Samsung Electronics Price Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $40.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $40.60. The stock has a market cap of $5.24 billion, a PE ratio of 15.15 and a beta of 0.88.

About Samsung Electronics

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Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. engages in the manufacturing and selling of electronics and computer peripherals. The company operates through following business divisions: Consumer Electronics, Information Technology & Mobile Communications and Device Solutions. The Consumer Electronics business division provides cable television, monitor, printer, air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and medical devices.

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Horizon Investment Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. (NYSE:AMN  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,085 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $317,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 177.4% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 527 shares of the companys stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 337 shares during the last quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $3,553,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund lifted its position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 22.4% during the 3rd quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 83,563 shares of the companys stock worth $8,854,000 after purchasing an additional 15,270 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 9.8% during the 3rd quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 9,247 shares of the companys stock worth $980,000 after purchasing an additional 824 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can acquired a new position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $5,784,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.94% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at AMN Healthcare Services

In other AMN Healthcare Services news, Director Mark G. Foletta sold 6,042 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.35, for a total value of $509,642.70. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,073 shares in the company, valued at approximately $680,957.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Denise L. Jackson sold 4,515 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Saturday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.26, for a total value of $493,308.90. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,002 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,639,118.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Mark G. Foletta sold 6,042 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.35, for a total value of $509,642.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,073 shares in the company, valued at $680,957.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 12,015 shares of company stock worth $1,132,393. Insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

AMN Healthcare Services Price Performance

Shares of AMN traded down $6.01 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $82.71. The company had a trading volume of 380,315 shares, compared to its average volume of 781,272. The company has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.02, a P/E/G ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.27. The companys 50-day moving average is $86.54 and its 200-day moving average is $101.43. AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $81.15 and a twelve month high of $129.04.

AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE:AMN  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 16th. The company reported $2.48 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.17 by $0.31. The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. AMN Healthcare Services had a return on equity of 49.69% and a net margin of 8.47%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 17.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.95 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. will post 8.28 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on AMN shares. StockNews.com started coverage on AMN Healthcare Services in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $148.00 price target on shares of AMN Healthcare Services in a report on Monday, February 13th. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on AMN Healthcare Services from $147.00 to $128.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 3rd. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on AMN Healthcare Services from $130.00 to $109.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 21st. Finally, Truist Financial cut their price target on AMN Healthcare Services from $140.00 to $105.00 in a report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AMN Healthcare Services has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.20.

About AMN Healthcare Services

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AMN Healthcare Services, Inc provides healthcare workforce solutions and staffing services to healthcare facilities across the nation. Its workforce solutions include managed services programs and recruitment process outsourcing. It operates through the following segments: Nurse and Allied Solutions, Physician and Leadership Solutions, and Technology and Workforce Solutions.

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Addison Advisors LLC lowered its stake in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDA  Get Rating) by 0.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 48,574 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 308 shares during the quarter. Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF comprises approximately 1.4% of Addison Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Addison Advisors LLCs holdings in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF were worth $2,269,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of FNDA. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF by 20.4% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 14,737 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $788,000 after acquiring an additional 2,500 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF by 42.1% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 6,748 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $361,000 after buying an additional 1,998 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF by 38.9% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 5,946 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $318,000 after buying an additional 1,666 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF by 67.6% in the 1st quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 14,113 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $754,000 after buying an additional 5,691 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF in the 1st quarter worth $2,364,000.

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Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:FNDA traded down $1.26 on Tuesday, reaching $46.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 208,759 shares, compared to its average volume of 243,152. The company has a market cap of $5.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.49 and a beta of 1.19. Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF has a 52-week low of $42.35 and a 52-week high of $53.85. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $48.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $48.67.

Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF Company Profile

The Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF (FNDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell RAFI Small Company US index. The fund tracks a fundamentally selected and weighted Russell index of small firms based on adjusted sales, retained operation cash flow, and dividends plus buybacks.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FNDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDA  Get Rating).

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Glencore plc (LON:GLEN  Get Rating) has been given an average rating of Buy by the thirteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 613.33 ($7.66).

GLEN has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group set a GBX 700 ($8.75) price objective on shares of Glencore in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 575 ($7.18) target price on shares of Glencore in a report on Monday, April 24th. Credit Suisse Group set a GBX 625 ($7.81) target price on shares of Glencore in a report on Friday, February 17th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Glencore to a buy rating and set a GBX 560 ($7.00) target price on the stock in a report on Monday, March 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada set a GBX 540 ($6.75) price objective on shares of Glencore in a research report on Monday, April 3rd.

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Glencore Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of LON GLEN opened at GBX 469.80 ($5.87) on Tuesday. Glencore has a 12-month low of GBX 106.98 ($1.34) and a 12-month high of GBX 584.50 ($7.30). The stock has a market cap of 58.91 billion, a PE ratio of 459.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 64.96. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 474.34 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 511.82.

Glencore Increases Dividend

About Glencore

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.51%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 31st. This is a boost from Glencores previous dividend of $0.13. Glencores dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3,529.41%.

(Get Rating)

Glencore plc produces, refines, processes, stores, transports, and markets metals and minerals, and energy products in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It operates through two segments, Marketing Activities and Industrial Activities. The company produces and markets copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, chrome ore, ferrochrome, vanadium, alumina, aluminum, tin, and iron ore.

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Local Bounti (NYSE:LOCL  Get Rating) is one of 34 public companies in the Agricultural production  crops industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Local Bounti to similar companies based on the strength of its valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Local Bounti and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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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%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

65.3% of Local Bounti shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.4% of shares of all Agricultural production  crops companies are owned by institutional investors. 36.3% of Local Bounti shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 17.2% of shares of all Agricultural production  crops companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Local Bounti 0 1 4 0 2.80 Local Bounti Competitors 103 172 491 23 2.55

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Local Bounti and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Local Bounti presently has a consensus target price of $2.85, indicating a potential upside of 457.51%. As a group, Agricultural production  crops companies have a potential upside of 58.38%. Given Local Bountis stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Local Bounti is more favorable than its competitors.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Local Bounti and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Local Bounti $19.47 million -$111.07 million -0.40 Local Bounti Competitors $1.63 billion $21.77 million 0.53

Local Bountis competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Local Bounti. Local Bounti is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Volatility and Risk

Local Bounti has a beta of 1.75, suggesting that its share price is 75% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Local Bountis competitors have a beta of -23.30, suggesting that their average share price is 2,430% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Local Bounti competitors beat Local Bounti on 7 of the 13 factors compared.

About Local Bounti

(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.

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Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO  Get Rating) insider Joshua Harris sold 79,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.64, for a total transaction of $4,957,956.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 36,017,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,256,137,828.64. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Joshua Harris also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, May 1st, Joshua Harris sold 208,924 shares of Apollo Global Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.74, for a total transaction of $13,316,815.76.

On Monday, April 24th, Joshua Harris sold 63,988 shares of Apollo Global Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.36, for a total transaction of $4,054,279.68.

On Wednesday, April 19th, Joshua Harris sold 193,537 shares of Apollo Global Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.65, for a total transaction of $12,705,704.05.

On Monday, April 17th, Joshua Harris sold 286,157 shares of Apollo Global Management stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.09, for a total transaction of $18,625,959.13.

Apollo Global Management Stock Performance

Shares of Apollo Global Management stock traded up $0.33 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $63.72. 2,039,937 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,775,898. Apollo Global Management, Inc. has a 1 year low of $45.62 and a 1 year high of $74.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.36, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The business has a 50-day moving average of $64.05 and a 200-day moving average of $64.04.

Apollo Global Management Announces Dividend

Apollo Global Management ( NYSE:APO Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The financial services provider reported $1.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by ($0.14). The company had revenue of $728.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $704.24 million. Apollo Global Management had a negative net margin of 29.29% and a positive return on equity of 116.88%. As a group, analysts expect that Apollo Global Management, Inc. will post 6.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 21st were paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 17th. Apollo Global Managements payout ratio is -28.67%.

Institutional Trading of Apollo Global Management

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in Apollo Global Management by 174.5% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 6,275 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $390,000 after acquiring an additional 3,989 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Apollo Global Management in the first quarter worth $1,112,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Apollo Global Management during the first quarter valued at approximately $202,000. APG Asset Management N.V. bought a new stake in Apollo Global Management in the first quarter worth about $457,000. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Apollo Global Management during the first quarter valued at approximately $511,000. 68.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

APO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America cut their target price on Apollo Global Management from $78.00 to $72.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Apollo Global Management from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $84.00 to $88.00 in a report on Friday, February 10th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Apollo Global Management from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 10th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Apollo Global Management from $69.00 to $68.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Apollo Global Management from a d+ rating to a c rating in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $73.06.

About Apollo Global Management

(Get Rating)

Apollo Global Management, Inc provides asset management services. It offers its clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade to private equity with a focus on three business strategies: yield, hybrid, and equity. The company was founded by Marc Rowan in 1990 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, April 19th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Thursday, May 4th will be paid a dividend of 0.254 per share by the construction company on Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $1.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 3rd.

Armstrong World Industries has increased its dividend payment by an average of 9.3% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 4 consecutive years. Armstrong World Industries has a dividend payout ratio of 19.1% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Armstrong World Industries to earn $5.26 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.02 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 19.4%.

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Armstrong World Industries Trading Down 1.2 %

AWI stock opened at $67.83 on Tuesday. Armstrong World Industries has a 1-year low of $66.06 and a 1-year high of $94.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 1.35. The company has a market capitalization of $3.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.17, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.11. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $71.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $73.87.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Armstrong World Industries ( NYSE:AWI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The construction company reported $1.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $310.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $310.86 million. Armstrong World Industries had a return on equity of 41.94% and a net margin of 16.32%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.02 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Armstrong World Industries will post 4.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms have recently commented on AWI. Bank of America lowered their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $90.00 to $87.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $77.00 to $78.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on Armstrong World Industries from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Credit Suisse Group restated an outperform rating and set a $100.00 price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Finally, Loop Capital lowered Armstrong World Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the company from $98.00 to $75.00 in a report on Thursday, January 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $83.63.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Armstrong World Industries news, SVP Mark A. Hershey sold 6,835 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.14, for a total value of $547,756.90. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,218 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,062,790.52. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Armstrong World Industries

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AWI. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 8.3% in the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,100,350 shares of the construction companys stock worth $99,043,000 after acquiring an additional 84,500 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 7.5% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 708,267 shares of the construction companys stock worth $56,116,000 after buying an additional 49,432 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 608,552 shares of the construction companys stock worth $41,740,000 after buying an additional 18,795 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 508,548 shares of the construction companys stock worth $34,881,000 after buying an additional 21,009 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 451,757 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,986,000 after buying an additional 37,952 shares during the last quarter.

About Armstrong World Industries

(Get Rating)

Armstrong World Industries, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and trade of commercial and residential ceiling, wall, and suspension system solutions. It operates through the following segments: Mineral Fiber, Architectural Specialties, and Unallocated Corporate. The Mineral Fiber segment produces suspended mineral fiber and soft fiber ceiling systems for use in commercial and residential settings.

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Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Rating) had its target price cut by B. Riley from $200.00 to $198.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, The Fly reports. B. Riley also issued estimates for Arch Resources Q2 2023 earnings at $7.68 EPS and FY2023 earnings at $35.27 EPS.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on ARCH. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Arch Resources from $185.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Friday, February 17th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Arch Resources from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th.

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Arch Resources Price Performance

Shares of ARCH opened at $119.69 on Friday. Arch Resources has a 1-year low of $110.97 and a 1-year high of $183.53. The stock has a market cap of $2.24 billion, a PE ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 1.93 and a quick ratio of 1.41. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $137.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $143.54.

Arch Resources Cuts Dividend

Arch Resources ( NYSE:ARCH Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The energy company reported $10.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $10.46 by ($0.44). Arch Resources had a net margin of 33.74% and a return on equity of 100.83%. The company had revenue of $869.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $767.03 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $12.89 earnings per share. Arch Resourcess revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Arch Resources will post 36.74 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a None dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a $2.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a yield of 0.8%. Arch Resourcess payout ratio is currently 1.63%.

Insider Activity at Arch Resources

In related news, CFO Matthew C. Giljum sold 199 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.08, for a total value of $28,074.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 12,236 shares in the company, valued at $1,726,254.88. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, VP Rosemary L. Klein sold 1,549 shares of Arch Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.00, for a total transaction of $255,585.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 7,999 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,319,835. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Matthew C. Giljum sold 199 shares of Arch Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.08, for a total transaction of $28,074.92. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 12,236 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,726,254.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 9,337 shares of company stock worth $1,430,173 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 5.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Arch Resources

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of Arch Resources by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,371 shares of the energy companys stock worth $325,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Arch Resources by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 78,779 shares of the energy companys stock worth $10,823,000 after purchasing an additional 4,910 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Arch Resources by 58.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 8,190 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,125,000 after purchasing an additional 3,007 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Arch Resources by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 519,483 shares of the energy companys stock worth $71,366,000 after purchasing an additional 14,434 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC purchased a new position in shares of Arch Resources during the 1st quarter worth approximately $619,000. 88.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Arch Resources

(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.

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Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,750,000 shares, a growth of 17.3% from the March 31st total of 4,050,000 shares. Approximately 12.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 556,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 8.5 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Peter S. Ho sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.40, for a total transaction of $534,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,681 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,318,428.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 2.11% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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Institutional Trading of Bank of Hawaii

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Boothbay Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of Hawaii during the third quarter worth approximately $204,000. Hendershot Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 6.0% in the 4th quarter. Hendershot Investments Inc. now owns 151,363 shares of the banks stock valued at $11,740,000 after purchasing an additional 8,569 shares during the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 11,738 shares of the banks stock valued at $893,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares during the last quarter. Marble Harbor Investment Counsel LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Marble Harbor Investment Counsel LLC now owns 158,047 shares of the banks stock valued at $12,031,000 after purchasing an additional 2,163 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ExodusPoint Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Bank of Hawaii in the 3rd quarter valued at $349,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.29% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Bank of Hawaii Price Performance

BOH has been the subject of several analyst reports. Compass Point cut shares of Bank of Hawaii from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $71.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, January 24th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating for the company. DA Davidson dropped their target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $76.00 to $55.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $83.00 to $60.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, TheStreet cut shares of Bank of Hawaii from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $66.25.

Shares of BOH stock traded down $0.63 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $47.80. The companys stock had a trading volume of 737,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 491,269. The business has a fifty day moving average of $56.64 and a 200-day moving average of $70.21. The stock has a market cap of $1.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.97. Bank of Hawaii has a twelve month low of $34.71 and a twelve month high of $85.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43.

Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The bank reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.23 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $229.07 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $177.67 million. Bank of Hawaii had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 19.01%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.32 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Bank of Hawaii will post 4.45 EPS for the current year.

Bank of Hawaii Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.86%. Bank of Hawaiis dividend payout ratio is presently 52.83%.

Bank of Hawaii Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Bank of Hawaii Corp. is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers financial products and services, including loan, deposit and insurance products, private banking and international client banking services, trust services, investment management, and institutional investment advisory services.

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B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS  Get Rating) is scheduled to post its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Thursday, May 4th. Analysts expect B&G Foods to post earnings of $0.27 per share for the quarter. B&G Foods has set its FY23 guidance at $0.95-1.15 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance at $0.95-$1.15 EPS.Individual interested in listening to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 positive return on equity of 8.97% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. The firms revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.39 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect B&G Foods to post $1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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B&G Foods Trading Down 2.0 %

NYSE:BGS traded down $0.33 on Tuesday, hitting $16.06. 62,391 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,074,552. The stock has a market cap of $1.15 billion, a PE ratio of -109.27 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a current ratio of 3.75, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.70. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $15.04 and a 200-day moving average of $14.01. B&G Foods has a fifty-two week low of $10.91 and a fifty-two week high of $27.91.

B&G Foods Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.73%. B&G Foodss payout ratio is currently -506.67%.

Several brokerages recently commented on BGS. TheStreet upgraded B&G Foods from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on B&G Foods in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $15.70.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other B&G Foods news, CFO Bruce C. Wacha sold 12,500 shares of B&G Foods stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.81, for a total transaction of $185,125.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 46,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $688,531.71. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 2.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BGS. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of B&G Foods in the 1st quarter worth approximately $60,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of B&G Foods in the 4th quarter worth approximately $121,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of B&G Foods by 15.0% in the 4th quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 13,211 shares of the companys stock worth $150,000 after acquiring an additional 1,723 shares in the last quarter. NCM Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of B&G Foods by 47.5% in the 4th quarter. NCM Capital Management LLC now owns 15,222 shares of the companys stock worth $170,000 after acquiring an additional 4,903 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning acquired a new position in shares of B&G Foods in the 4th quarter worth approximately $187,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.71% of the companys stock.

B&G Foods Company 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.

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Key Insights

Fiamma Holdings Berhad's estimated fair value is RM1.04 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Fiamma Holdings Berhad's RM0.98 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Peers of Fiamma Holdings Berhad are currently trading on average at a 19% premium

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Fiamma Holdings Berhad (KLSE:FIAMMA) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Fiamma Holdings Berhad

The Method

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM54.3m RM51.1m RM49.5m RM49.0m RM49.1m RM49.8m RM50.8m RM52.0m RM53.5m RM55.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -9.97% Est @ -5.91% Est @ -3.06% Est @ -1.07% Est @ 0.32% Est @ 1.29% Est @ 1.98% Est @ 2.46% Est @ 2.79% Est @ 3.02% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 12% RM48.5 RM40.8 RM35.3 RM31.2 RM27.9 RM25.3 RM23.0 RM21.1 RM19.3 RM17.8

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM290m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 12%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM55m (1 + 3.6%)  (12% 3.6%) = RM679m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM679m ( 1 + 12%)10= RM219m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM509m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.0, the company appears about fair value at a 6.0% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Fiamma Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 12%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.049. 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.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Fiamma Holdings Berhad, we've compiled three relevant elements you should further examine:

Risks: To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Fiamma Holdings Berhad . Future Earnings: How does FIAMMA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every 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.

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Canandaigua National Corp raised its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Get Rating) by 40.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 5,059 shares of the information technology services providers stock after buying an additional 1,458 shares during the quarter. Canandaigua National Corps holdings in ServiceNow were worth $1,964,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of NOW. Polen Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of ServiceNow by 26.5% in the 3rd quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC now owns 3,953,299 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,492,805,000 after purchasing an additional 827,285 shares during the last quarter. Tiger Global Management LLC grew its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 51.8% during the 3rd quarter. Tiger Global Management LLC now owns 1,694,117 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $639,716,000 after purchasing an additional 577,933 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,866,914 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $6,369,116,000 after purchasing an additional 320,130 shares during the period. Stockbridge Partners LLC grew its stake in ServiceNow by 79.6% in the 1st quarter. Stockbridge Partners LLC now owns 483,554 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $269,286,000 after acquiring an additional 214,243 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. grew its stake in ServiceNow by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 2,378,372 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $898,098,000 after acquiring an additional 187,393 shares during the period. 86.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at ServiceNow

In other ServiceNow news, insider Christopher Bedi sold 377 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $464.59, for a total value of $175,150.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 16,990 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,893,384.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other ServiceNow news, insider Christopher Bedi sold 377 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $464.59, for a total value of $175,150.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 16,990 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,893,384.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO William R. Mcdermott sold 704 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $456.35, for a total value of $321,268.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 52,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at $23,918,525.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 62,245 shares of company stock valued at $28,445,676 in the last three months. 0.24% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ServiceNow Trading Down 2.0 %

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on NOW shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of ServiceNow from $500.00 to $525.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. BNP Paribas upgraded ServiceNow from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $410.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Friday. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price objective on ServiceNow from $600.00 to $575.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 27th. Robert W. Baird upgraded ServiceNow from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $475.00 to $548.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on ServiceNow from $500.00 to $510.00 in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $526.33.

NOW traded down $8.86 on Tuesday, hitting $441.55. The company had a trading volume of 347,142 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,651,172. The firm has a market cap of $89.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 229.80, a PEG ratio of 5.87 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The companys fifty day moving average price is $448.74 and its 200 day moving average price is $422.08. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 1 year low of $337.00 and a 1 year high of $521.58.

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.

Further Reading

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).

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Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,240,000 shares, a drop of 5.7% from the March 31st total of 7,680,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,280,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Approximately 1.4% of the companys stock are short sold.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, General Counsel Suzette M. Long sold 8,000 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.04, for a total transaction of $2,008,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 8,776 shares in the company, valued at $2,203,127.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, General Counsel Suzette M. Long sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.04, for a total transaction of $2,008,320.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 8,776 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,203,127.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Daniel M. Dickinson sold 6,070 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.22, for a total transaction of $1,524,905.40. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,038 shares in the company, valued at $1,265,646.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 37,953 shares of company stock worth $9,514,484. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Caterpillar

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CAT. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 13.8% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 229,219 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $52,454,000 after purchasing an additional 27,749 shares during the last quarter. Lincoln National Corp grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 23,541 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,387,000 after purchasing an additional 2,418 shares during the last quarter. Narwhal Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Narwhal Capital Management now owns 21,104 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,829,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 9.3% during the 1st quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 2,216 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $507,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 29.3% during the 1st quarter. Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. now owns 1,239 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $284,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.02% of the companys stock.

Caterpillar Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CAT opened at $217.32 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $226.60 and a 200 day moving average of $231.88. The stock has a market cap of $112.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.10. Caterpillar has a 12 month low of $160.60 and a 12 month high of $266.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $4.91 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.79 by $1.12. The company had revenue of $15.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.27 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 11.52% and a return on equity of 50.98%. Caterpillars revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.88 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Caterpillar will post 15.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 24th will be issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 21st. Caterpillars payout ratio is 35.48%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on CAT shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $228.00 to $225.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $200.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $210.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $210.00 to $208.00 in a research report on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $228.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $237.82.

Caterpillar Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Caterpillar, Inc engages in the manufacture of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. It operates through the following segments: Construction Industries, Resource Industries, Energy and Transportation, Financial Products, and All Other.

Further Reading

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CGI Inc. (NYSE:GIB  Get Rating) (TSE:GIB.A) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 860,200 shares, a decrease of 9.6% from the March 31st total of 951,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 161,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.3 days. Approximately 0.4% of the companys stock are short sold.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on GIB shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of CGI from C$125.00 to C$140.00 in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Raymond James raised their price objective on CGI from C$134.00 to C$138.00 in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Desjardins upped their target price on CGI from C$136.00 to C$140.00 in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on CGI from C$130.00 to C$145.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on CGI in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

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CGI Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE GIB traded up $0.89 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $102.30. 112,125 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 156,161. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $94.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $88.65. CGI has a 52 week low of $72.23 and a 52 week high of $102.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.93.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CGI

CGI ( NYSE:GIB Get Rating ) (TSE:GIB.A) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The technology company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.03. CGI had a return on equity of 20.81% and a net margin of 11.18%. The firm had revenue of $2.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.46 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that CGI will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of CGI by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,152,074 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $538,122,000 after purchasing an additional 50,028 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in CGI by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 4,920,312 shares of the technology companys stock worth $474,157,000 after buying an additional 193,951 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in CGI by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,442,260 shares of the technology companys stock worth $334,237,000 after buying an additional 70,174 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in CGI by 109.5% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,952,238 shares of the technology companys stock worth $340,127,000 after buying an additional 2,065,815 shares during the period. Finally, Fiera Capital Corp raised its stake in CGI by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 3,693,683 shares of the technology companys stock worth $318,618,000 after buying an additional 90,969 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 48.54% of the companys stock.

About CGI

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CGI, Inc engages in the provision of information technology and consulting services. It operates through the following segments: Western and Southern Europe, U.S. Commercial and State Government, Canada, U.S. Federal, Scandinavia and Central Europe, UK and Australia; Finland, Poland, and Baltics, Northwest and Central-East Europe, and Asia Pacific.

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Canadian Utilities (TSE:CU  Get Rating) had its target price hoisted by CIBC from C$39.00 to C$40.00 in a research report report published on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Scotiabank set a C$41.00 price objective on shares of Canadian Utilities and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. National Bankshares raised their price target on shares of Canadian Utilities from C$34.00 to C$37.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 27th. CSFB raised their price target on shares of Canadian Utilities from C$38.50 to C$40.50 in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Finally, Veritas Investment Research raised shares of Canadian Utilities from a sell rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 9th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Canadian Utilities has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$40.07.

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Canadian Utilities Price Performance

Shares of CU stock opened at C$39.34 on Friday. Canadian Utilities has a 12-month low of C$33.24 and a 12-month high of C$41.94. The firm has a market capitalization of C$7.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 135.78. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$37.20 and a 200-day moving average of C$36.72.

Canadian Utilities Dividend Announcement

Canadian Utilities ( TSE:CU Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported C$0.66 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.70 by C($0.04). The business had revenue of C$1.11 billion for the quarter. Canadian Utilities had a return on equity of 9.20% and a net margin of 15.61%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Canadian Utilities will post 2.3212405 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 4th will be paid a $0.449 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.57%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 3rd. Canadian Utilitiess dividend payout ratio is presently 86.89%.

About Canadian Utilities

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Canadian Utilities Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electricity, natural gas, and retail energy businesses in the United States, Australia, and internationally. It operates through Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate & Other segments. The Utilities segment provides regulated electricity transmission and distribution services in northern and central east Alberta, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories; and integrated natural gas transmission and distribution services in Alberta, the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan, and Western Australia.

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Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,210,000 shares, an increase of 13.8% from the March 31st total of 3,700,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 345,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 12.2 days. Approximately 9.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Core Laboratories

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Core Laboratories by 35.3% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 41,821 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $922,000 after purchasing an additional 10,903 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Core Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at $142,000. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in shares of Core Laboratories by 328.1% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,858 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,424 shares during the last quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA boosted its holdings in shares of Core Laboratories by 9.4% in the 1st quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA now owns 779,017 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $17,177,000 after purchasing an additional 67,196 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new position in shares of Core Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at $119,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.44% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on CLB. Bank of America cut shares of Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $21.50 target price for the company. in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Core Laboratories in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of Core Laboratories from $18.00 to $19.00 in a report on Monday. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Core Laboratories from $21.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Core Laboratories from $24.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Friday.

Core Laboratories Trading Down 4.7 %

NYSE CLB traded down $1.03 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $21.00. 165,462 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 352,924. Core Laboratories has a 1-year low of $13.19 and a 1-year high of $31.42. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $22.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $979.23 million, a PE ratio of 40.72, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 2.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 2.38.

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.01. Core Laboratories had a net margin of 4.72% and a return on equity of 15.23%. The firm had revenue of $127.57 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $130.12 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.20 earnings per share. Core Laboratoriess revenue was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Core Laboratories will post 0.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Core Laboratories Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th will be issued a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 5th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. Core Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.00%.

Core Laboratories Company Profile

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Core Laboratories NV engages in the provision of proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement, and reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry. It operates through the Reservoir Description segment and Production Enhancement segment. The Reservoir Description segment encompasses the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid, and gas samples and provides analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products.

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Curtiss-Wright Co. (NYSE:CW  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 393,200 shares, a drop of 8.7% from the March 31st total of 430,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 154,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days. Currently, 1.0% of the companys shares are sold short.

Curtiss-Wright Price Performance

Shares of CW stock traded up $1.88 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $171.71. The companys stock had a trading volume of 144,986 shares, compared to its average volume of 162,334. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $173.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $170.17. The company has a market capitalization of $6.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.56 and a beta of 1.24. Curtiss-Wright has a fifty-two week low of $124.37 and a fifty-two week high of $182.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53.

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Curtiss-Wright (NYSE:CW  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The aerospace company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.02 by ($0.10). Curtiss-Wright had a net margin of 11.51% and a return on equity of 16.56%. The firm had revenue of $758.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $752.23 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.40 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Curtiss-Wright will post 8.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Curtiss-Wright Dividend Announcement

Insider Buying and Selling at Curtiss-Wright

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Investors of record on Friday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. Curtiss-Wrights dividend payout ratio is currently 9.99%.

In other news, CEO Lynn M. Bamford sold 2,223 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.42, for a total value of $376,620.66. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 17,356 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,940,453.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Curtiss-Wright news, CEO Lynn M. Bamford sold 1,337 shares of Curtiss-Wright stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.10, for a total transaction of $228,760.70. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 18,998 shares in the company, valued at $3,250,557.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Lynn M. Bamford sold 2,223 shares of Curtiss-Wright stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.42, for a total value of $376,620.66. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 17,356 shares in the company, valued at $2,940,453.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 8,586 shares of company stock worth $1,459,205. Insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CW. Benjamin Edwards Inc. acquired a new stake in Curtiss-Wright during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 26.8% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 303 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright in the 4th quarter valued at about $54,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 91.3% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 350 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. 84.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CW has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Curtiss-Wright from $196.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Curtiss-Wright from $183.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Curtiss-Wright from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Curtiss-Wright has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $186.80.

Curtiss-Wright Company Profile

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Curtiss-Wright Corp. is a global integrated business that provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to the aerospace and defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding commercial power, process, and industrial markets. It operates through the following three segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power.

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Doliver Advisors LP trimmed its position in shares of VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW  Get Rating) by 4.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,698 shares of the virtualization software providers stock after selling 119 shares during the period. Doliver Advisors LPs holdings in VMware were worth $331,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in VMware by 8.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,338,363 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $1,526,461,000 after buying an additional 1,102,577 shares during the period. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. raised its holdings in shares of VMware by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. now owns 6,152,810 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $655,028,000 after buying an additional 333,245 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of VMware by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,372,625 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $611,781,000 after buying an additional 143,362 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of VMware by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,408,400 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $388,115,000 after buying an additional 186,229 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in shares of VMware by 28.5% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,716,536 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $289,205,000 after buying an additional 602,026 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 45.85% of the companys stock.

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VMware Trading Down 2.4 %

Shares of NYSE VMW traded down $3.08 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $123.90. The stock had a trading volume of 134,367 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,190,096. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $120.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $119.45. The firm has a market cap of $53.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.72. VMware, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $91.53 and a fifty-two week high of $132.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.15, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.83.

Insider Transactions at VMware

VMware ( NYSE:VMW Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The virtualization software provider reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.36 by $0.13. VMware had a return on equity of 327.30% and a net margin of 9.84%. The company had revenue of $3.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.64 billion. Research analysts anticipate that VMware, Inc. will post 4.89 EPS for the current year.

In other news, CFO Zane Rowe sold 35,715 shares of VMware stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.53, for a total transaction of $4,447,588.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 174,162 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,688,393.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 40.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

VMW has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of VMware from $142.50 to $125.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of VMware from $142.50 to $139.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 6th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on VMware in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on VMware from $131.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, VMware presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $133.69.

VMware Company Profile

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VMware, Inc engages in the provision of cloud infrastructure and business mobility. Its products include Software-Defined Data Center, Hybrid Cloud Computing, and End-User Computing. It supports modernizing data centers, integrating public clouds, empowering digital workspaces and transforming security.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:ETG  Get Rating) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 22nd will be given a dividend of 0.1001 per share on Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.54%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 19th.

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund has raised its dividend payment by an average of 6.8% annually over the last three years.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund Trading Down 1.6 %

NYSE:ETG traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $15.93. The company had a trading volume of 158,445 shares, compared to its average volume of 117,758. Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund has a fifty-two week low of $14.37 and a fifty-two week high of $19.50. The businesss fifty day moving average is $15.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.90.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund

About Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 3.4% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 581,868 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,975,000 after buying an additional 19,114 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 7.5% during the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 315,903 shares of the companys stock worth $5,090,000 after purchasing an additional 21,933 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 1.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 217,904 shares of the companys stock worth $4,484,000 after purchasing an additional 2,999 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 10.3% during the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 207,077 shares of the companys stock worth $3,336,000 after purchasing an additional 19,256 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James & Associates raised its position in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund by 9.7% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 111,982 shares of the companys stock worth $2,305,000 after purchasing an additional 9,871 shares during the period.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund is a closed-end investment fund company. Its investment objective is to provide a high level of after-tax total return. The company invests primarily in global dividend-paying common and preferred stocks and seeks to distribute a high level of divided income that qualifies for favorable federal income tax treatment.

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Geneva Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in Envestnet, Inc. (NYSE:ENV  Get Rating) by 0.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,066,352 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 1,100 shares during the quarter. Envestnet makes up 1.5% of Geneva Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Geneva Capital Management LLC owned 1.93% of Envestnet worth $65,794,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Envestnet by 86.2% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,398 shares of the business services providers stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 647 shares during the last quarter. FourThought Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Envestnet by 51.5% in the 3rd quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 2,111 shares of the business services providers stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 718 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Envestnet by 25.0% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,417 shares of the business services providers stock worth $108,000 after purchasing an additional 483 shares during the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Envestnet in the 4th quarter worth approximately $202,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Envestnet by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,346 shares of the business services providers stock worth $249,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the last quarter.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Envestnet

In other news, SVP Barry D. Cooper sold 530 shares of Envestnet stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.93, for a total value of $30,172.90. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 30,242 shares in the company, valued at $1,721,677.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Barry D. Cooper sold 530 shares of Envestnet stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.93, for a total value of $30,172.90. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 30,242 shares in the company, valued at $1,721,677.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Shelly Obrien sold 8,800 shares of Envestnet stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.84, for a total value of $500,192.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 23,709 shares in the company, valued at $1,347,619.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.44% of the companys stock.

Envestnet Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of Envestnet stock traded down $0.91 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $61.56. The companys stock had a trading volume of 147,630 shares, compared to its average volume of 435,419. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a P/E ratio of -37.38 and a beta of 1.22. Envestnet, Inc. has a 1-year low of $41.72 and a 1-year high of $79.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $60.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $59.43.

Envestnet (NYSE:ENV  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 23rd. The business services provider reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $292.87 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $296.27 million. Envestnet had a negative net margin of 6.53% and a positive return on equity of 6.63%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Envestnet, Inc. will post 1.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on ENV. JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of Envestnet in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Raymond James lifted their price target on Envestnet from $71.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Envestnet in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Envestnet from $53.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Envestnet from $40.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.75.

Envestnet Company Profile

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Envestnet, Inc engages in the provision of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness. It operates through Envestnet Wealth Solutions and Envestnet Data and Analytics segments. The Envestnet Wealth Solutions segment provides unified wealth management software and services to empower financial advisors and institutions.

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Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Rating) and Permex Petroleum (OTCMKTS:OILCF  Get Rating) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Nabors Industries and Permex Petroleums net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nabors Industries -4.03% -26.14% -3.19% Permex Petroleum N/A N/A N/A

Insider & Institutional Ownership

72.0% of Nabors Industries shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Nabors Industries shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nabors Industries $2.86 billion 0.32 -$350.26 million ($14.97) -6.54 Permex Petroleum $880,000.00 6.66 -$2.71 million N/A N/A

This table compares Nabors Industries and Permex Petroleums top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Permex Petroleum has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Nabors Industries.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Nabors Industries and Permex Petroleum, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nabors Industries 1 5 2 0 2.13 Permex Petroleum 0 0 1 0 3.00

Nabors Industries presently has a consensus target price of $177.86, suggesting a potential upside of 81.78%. Given Nabors Industries higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Nabors Industries is more favorable than Permex Petroleum.

Summary

Permex Petroleum beats Nabors Industries on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Nabors Industries

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Nabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It also provides performance tools, directional drilling services, tubular running services, and innovative technologies. It operates through the following business segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment operates in land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses on maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment refers to the Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, draw works, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is h

About Permex Petroleum

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Permex Petroleum Corporation is a junior oil & gas company with assets and operations across the Permian Basin of West Texas and the Delaware Sub-Basin of New Mexico. Permex Petroleum Corporation is based in VANCOUVER, British Columbia.

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Dublin, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Luxembourg: CBD and Cannabis Regulation 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report offers a detailed summary of the current regulatory framework in place for CBD, hemp and cannabis in Luxembourg.

It covers everything from hemp cultivation and processing, to finished products and extracts, and the country's medical and recreational cannabis policies.

Hemp and CBD are not considered narcotics in Luxembourg, but there is little regulation of them. Luxembourg is likely to begin supplying its own cannabis for medical use after relying on imports since medical cannabis was legalised in 2018.

The country might further relax its laws on cannabis if neighbouring Germany legalises it, but Luxembourg is currently not as cannabis-friendly as many thought it would be.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary



2 Outlook



3 Hemp and CBD



4 Extracts And Synthetics



5 Finished Products Containing CBD and Extracts



6 Importing And Exporting



7 Minor Cannabinoids



8 Medical Cannabis



9 Recreational Cannabis



10 Relevant Laws



11 Relevant Bodies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bubz1

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




Formidable Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK  Get Rating) by 225.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 37,032 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 25,663 shares during the quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLCs holdings in Nokia Oyj were worth $172,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NOK. Capital Growth Management LP purchased a new position in Nokia Oyj during the 3rd quarter worth $29,250,000. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership grew its stake in Nokia Oyj by 8.7% during the 3rd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 84,525,880 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $360,925,000 after purchasing an additional 6,733,618 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Nokia Oyj by 30.2% during the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 18,990,180 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $81,088,000 after purchasing an additional 4,409,180 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in Nokia Oyj during the 3rd quarter valued at about $16,575,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its stake in Nokia Oyj by 9.6% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 40,918,648 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $223,416,000 after purchasing an additional 3,569,621 shares during the last quarter. 7.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com cut Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. UBS Group cut Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 31st. Raymond James reduced their price target on Nokia Oyj from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 21st. TheStreet raised Nokia Oyj from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, DNB Markets cut Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Nokia Oyj has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $5.73.

Nokia Oyj Price Performance

NOK stock opened at $4.16 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.33. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $4.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $4.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.43 billion, a PE ratio of 5.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.42 and a beta of 0.97. Nokia Oyj has a 1 year low of $4.08 and a 1 year high of $5.34.

Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The technology company reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $5.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.74 billion. Nokia Oyj had a net margin of 16.78% and a return on equity of 11.57%. Nokia Oyjs revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.08 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Nokia Oyj will post 0.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Nokia Oyj Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 25th will be given a $0.0329 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 24th. This is a positive change from Nokia Oyjs previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. This represents a $0.13 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.17%. Nokia Oyjs dividend payout ratio is 10.13%.

About Nokia Oyj

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Nokia Oyj engages in the provision of network infrastructure, technology, and software services. It operates through the following segments: Mobile Networks, Network Infrastructure, Cloud and Network Services, and Nokia Technologies. The Mobile Networks segment offers technologies for Radio Access Networks (RAN) as well as Microwave Radio Links (MWR) for transport networks.

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Fuchs Petrolub (OTCMKTS:FUPBY  Get Rating) and COSCO SHIPPING (OTCMKTS:CICOY  Get Rating) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability and risk.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Fuchs Petrolub and COSCO SHIPPINGs gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Fuchs Petrolub $3.40 billion 1.60 $299.32 million $0.51 19.21 COSCO SHIPPING $58.12 billion 0.32 $16.30 billion N/A N/A

COSCO SHIPPING has higher revenue and earnings than Fuchs Petrolub.

Dividends

Profitability

Fuchs Petrolub pays an annual dividend of $0.18 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. COSCO SHIPPING pays an annual dividend of $2.45 per share and has a dividend yield of 42.1%. Fuchs Petrolub pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

This table compares Fuchs Petrolub and COSCO SHIPPINGs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fuchs Petrolub N/A N/A N/A COSCO SHIPPING N/A N/A N/A

Risk and Volatility

Fuchs Petrolub has a beta of 1.03, meaning that its stock price is 3% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, COSCO SHIPPING has a beta of 1.55, meaning that its stock price is 55% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Fuchs Petrolub and COSCO SHIPPING, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fuchs Petrolub 0 0 3 0 3.00 COSCO SHIPPING 2 0 0 0 1.00

Fuchs Petrolub currently has a consensus target price of $43.00, indicating a potential upside of 339.00%. Given Fuchs Petrolubs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Fuchs Petrolub is more favorable than COSCO SHIPPING.

Summary

COSCO SHIPPING beats Fuchs Petrolub on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Fuchs Petrolub

(Get Rating)

Fuchs Petrolub SE engages in the development, production, and sale of lubricants and related specialties. Its products include engine oils, motorcycle lubricants, service fluids, greases, corrosion preventives, cleaners, and concrete release agents. It also provides analytical, technical, open gear, and coating services. The company was founded by Rudolf Fuchs in 1931 and is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany.

About COSCO SHIPPING

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COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd., an investment holding company, engages in the container shipping, container terminals, and other terminal related businesses in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Mainland China, and internationally. The company operates through Container Shipping Business and Terminal Business segments. It offers freight forwarding and transportation, vessel chartering, marine, vessel management, manning, and liner agency. The company was formerly known as China COSCO Holdings Company Limited and changed its name to COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd. in November 2016. COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

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Gagnon Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 27.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,658 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 3,602 shares during the period. Gagnon Securities LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $667,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Defender Capital LLC. bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter worth $246,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter worth $124,000. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter worth $222,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.3% in the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 273,936 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,274,000 after purchasing an additional 770 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 24.5% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 9,630 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $467,000 after purchasing an additional 1,895 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.24% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on WFC. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $60.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Friday, January 6th. Cfra raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a buy rating and set a $50.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $47.00 to $46.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $49.45.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 4.8 %

Shares of WFC stock traded down $1.94 on Tuesday, hitting $38.45. The stock had a trading volume of 16,277,830 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,319,449. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $40.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $43.44. The company has a market cap of $145.23 billion, a PE ratio of 11.21, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.12. Wells Fargo & Company has a one year low of $35.25 and a one year high of $48.84.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.06 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 10.07% and a net margin of 15.93%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.88 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 5th will be issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 4th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.12%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 34.38%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Wells Fargo & Company news, EVP Kleber Santos sold 34,698 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.27, for a total value of $1,605,476.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,590 shares in the company, valued at $906,429.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

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Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage products and services, and consumer and commercial finance. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management.

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Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. boosted its position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 4.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 143,549 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 5,714 shares during the period. Bank of America comprises 1.5% of Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 16th largest position. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $4,754,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BAC. Roundview Capital LLC lifted its position in Bank of America by 1.5% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 135,764 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,596,000 after acquiring an additional 2,013 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 150.3% during the first quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 1,985 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $82,000 after buying an additional 1,192 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 4.2% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 405,098 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,698,000 after buying an additional 16,319 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the first quarter worth $586,000. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the first quarter worth $534,000. 68.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bank of America Trading Down 4.4 %

NYSE BAC traded down $1.27 on Tuesday, hitting $27.77. The companys stock had a trading volume of 25,851,482 shares, compared to its average volume of 55,061,652. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. Bank of America Co. has a 1-year low of $26.32 and a 1-year high of $38.75. The companys 50-day moving average is $29.98 and its 200 day moving average is $33.23. The firm has a market cap of $222.27 billion, a PE ratio of 8.72, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.36.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $26.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $25.28 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 11.72% and a net margin of 21.85%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.80 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.17%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 1st. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on BAC. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $41.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Odeon Capital Group downgraded Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $35.20 price target for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on Bank of America from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on Bank of America from $38.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of America has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $36.83.

Insider Transactions at Bank of America

In other news, insider Matthew M. Koder sold 214,745 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.91, for a total transaction of $7,711,492.95. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 214,747 shares in the company, valued at $7,711,564.77. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Bank of America news, insider Matthew M. Koder sold 105,054 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.27, for a total value of $3,600,200.58. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 319,803 shares in the company, valued at $10,959,648.81. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Matthew M. Koder sold 214,745 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.91, for a total transaction of $7,711,492.95. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 214,747 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,711,564.77. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Bank of America

(Get Rating)

Bank of America Corp. is a bank and financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and nonbank financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, Global Markets, and All Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers credit, banking, and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses.

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Greentown China Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:GTWCF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,291,500 shares, an increase of 16.7% from the March 31st total of 1,107,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Greentown China from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, January 15th.

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Greentown China Stock Performance

OTCMKTS GTWCF remained flat at $1.63 during mid-day trading on Monday. Greentown China has a one year low of $1.63 and a one year high of $1.63. The company has a 50 day moving average of $1.63.

Further Reading

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i-80 Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:IAUX  Get Rating) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,240,000 shares, a decrease of 15.9% from the March 31st total of 6,230,000 shares. Currently, 3.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,050,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.0 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of IAUX. Windsor Group LTD acquired a new position in i-80 Gold during the 1st quarter worth $57,000. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new position in i-80 Gold during the 4th quarter worth $71,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management acquired a new position in i-80 Gold during the 1st quarter worth $74,000. Cannell & Co. acquired a new position in i-80 Gold during the 4th quarter worth $85,000. Finally, HM Payson & Co. acquired a new position in i-80 Gold during the 4th quarter worth $102,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.17% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on IAUX. National Bank Financial increased their target price on shares of i-80 Gold from C$4.25 to C$5.50 in a research report on Friday, January 13th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on i-80 Gold from C$4.25 to C$4.50 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th.

i-80 Gold Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of IAUX traded up $0.01 on Monday, hitting $2.54. The companys stock had a trading volume of 715,242 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,002,068. The company has a market capitalization of $626.01 million and a P/E ratio of -7.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.71. i-80 Gold has a fifty-two week low of $1.52 and a fifty-two week high of $3.18.

i-80 Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:IAUX  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.05). i-80 Gold had a negative return on equity of 16.61% and a negative net margin of 214.32%. The business had revenue of $11.65 million for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that i-80 Gold will post -0.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About i-80 Gold

(Get Rating)

i-80 Gold Corp., a mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of gold and silver mineral deposits in the United States. It holds a 100% interest in the Lone Tree property covering an area of approximately 12,000 acres located in Battle Mountain-Eureka, Northern Nevada; Ruby Hill property located in Battle Mountain Trend, Northern Nevada; McCoy-Cove project covering 31,000 acres located in Battle Mountain Trend, Nevada; and Buffalo Mountain property located in Battle Mountain Trend, Northern Nevada as well as controls Granite Creek Project located in Getchell Trend, Northern Nevada.

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Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. reduced its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) by 2.7% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 23,706 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 652 shares during the quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc.s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $5,222,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ITW. Keystone Financial Group increased its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Keystone Financial Group now owns 3,082 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $679,000 after acquiring an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter worth $1,474,000. Fortress Wealth Group LLC purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter worth $234,000. Horan Capital Advisors LLC. increased its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Horan Capital Advisors LLC. now owns 17,362 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,825,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC increased its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 43.9% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 11,339 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,498,000 after acquiring an additional 3,461 shares in the last quarter. 79.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently commented on ITW shares. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $259.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $232.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $211.00 to $205.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $213.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $228.64.

Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Trading Up 1.6 %

In other Illinois Tool Works news, CEO Ernest Scott Santi sold 235,656 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.29, for a total value of $58,039,716.24. Following the transaction, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . In other news, Vice Chairman Christopher A. Oherlihy sold 60,137 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.26, for a total transaction of $14,809,337.62. Following the 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, CEO Ernest Scott Santi sold 235,656 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 213,538 shares in the company, valued at approximately $52,592,274.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Shares of ITW opened at $245.81 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $173.52 and a 12-month high of $253.37. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $234.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $227.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.13, a P/E/G ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 1.10.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.60 by ($0.26). Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.04% and a return on equity of 87.15%. The firm had revenue of $3.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.95 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.5 EPS for the current 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 given a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.13%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is currently 53.58%.

About Illinois Tool Works

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Illinois Tool Works, Inc engages in the manufacture of industrial products and equipment. It operates through the following segments: Automotive OEM, Test and Measurement and Electronics, Food Equipment, Polymers and Fluids, Welding, Construction Products, and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment produces components and fasteners for automotive-related applications.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Get Rating) CMO Christopher W. Brandt sold 2,450 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,063.02, for a total value of $5,054,399.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 7,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,699,017.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

CMG traded up $14.68 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $2,053.96. The stock had a trading volume of 288,790 shares, compared to its average volume of 304,632. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 1-year low of $1,196.28 and a 1-year high of $2,077.29. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $1,668.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,571.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.32.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The restaurant operator reported $10.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.89 by $1.61. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 45.01%. The company had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.70 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 43.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Chipotle Mexican Grill

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CMG. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 79.5% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 948 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,500,000 after buying an additional 420 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 15.5% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 171 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $271,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 3,032 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $4,796,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 777 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,229,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 38.9% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 218 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $345,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.26% of the companys stock.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on CMG. KeyCorp boosted their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,780.00 to $1,870.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. StockNews.com upgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,743.00 to $1,910.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,000.00 to $2,100.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,600.00 to $1,750.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,021.37.

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.

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Integer (NYSE:ITGR  Get Rating)s stock had its maintains rating reissued by 1-800-FLOWERS.COM in a research report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on ITGR. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Integer in a research report on Friday, February 24th. They set an overweight rating and a $85.00 price target for the company. KeyCorp boosted their price objective on Integer from $86.00 to $96.00 in a report on Friday. Bank of America started coverage on Integer in a report on Thursday, March 30th. They issued a neutral rating and a $86.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Integer in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Integer has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $89.25.

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Integer Stock Down 2.5 %

ITGR stock traded down $2.09 on Friday, hitting $80.68. 94,940 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 340,196. Integer has a 12-month low of $50.05 and a 12-month high of $86.18. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $76.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $71.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.79. The stock has a market cap of $2.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.14.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Integer

Integer ( NYSE:ITGR Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.05. Integer had a return on equity of 9.54% and a net margin of 4.71%. The firm had revenue of $378.79 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $352.43 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.78 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 21.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Integer will post 4.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Shell Asset Management Co. raised its holdings in Integer by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 4,521 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $281,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its stake in Integer by 12.4% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 1,591 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $99,000 after buying an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its stake in Integer by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 10,901 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $678,000 after buying an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG increased its stake in Integer by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 28,783 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $1,791,000 after buying an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC increased its stake in Integer by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC now owns 25,012 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $1,938,000 after buying an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.42% of the companys stock.

About Integer

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Integer Holdings Corp. engages in the manufacture and development of medical devices and components. It operates through the Medical and Non-Medical segments. The Medical segment includes the cardio and vascular, cardiac and neuromodulation, surgical, orthopedics, and portable medical product lines. The Non-Medical segment comprises customized battery power and management systems, charging and docking stations, and power supplies.

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Integris Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 6,744 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $367,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of EWJ. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 15.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 202,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $12,462,000 after acquiring an additional 27,428 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 37.8% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 92,661 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,807,000 after purchasing an additional 25,415 shares during the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 15.3% in the 1st quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 89,447 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,511,000 after purchasing an additional 11,850 shares in the last quarter. Wit LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $239,000. Finally, Founders Financial Securities LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $2,797,000.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Trading Down 1.0 %

iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock traded down $0.58 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $58.19. The company had a trading volume of 907,026 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,903,734. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 12 month low of $47.64 and a 12 month high of $59.35. The company has a market capitalization of $10.04 billion, a PE ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $57.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $55.68.

About iShares MSCI Japan ETF

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).

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NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today, Iranian American journalist, author, and women's rights campaigner Masih Alinejad presented a draft resolution condemning transnational repression and the targeting of journalists to U.N. member states during an observance of World Press Freedom Day and called upon the UK to sponsor the resolution. In February, journalists in London at Iran International TV were forced to close their bureau and relocate to Washington after being warned that authorities could no longer protect them from threats originating with Iranian agents.

Draft Resolution on Transnational Repression and The Targeting of Journalists

"The UK government actually asked one of the biggest [broadcasters], Iran International TV, to stop its activities and to move from the UK. It was advice. So, I want to call on you, the UK government  and the General Assembly to pass this [resolution]," Alinejad told delegations in attendance in the General Assembly Hall.

Alinejad, who was forced into exile in 2009, is an outspoken critic of the Islamic Republic, and the founder of a campaign against gender apartheid practices in that country, where women who choose to appear in public without a hijab risk fines, arrest, imprisonment, and death. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice announced conspiracy charges against Iranian agents that sought to kidnap Alinejad from New York and rendition her to the Islamic Republic. Earlier this year, the Justice Department filed charges in a murder-for-hire plot directed against her by the Iranian regime.

Within Iran, the Intelligence Ministry has reportedly ordered journalists and activists to remove posts on social media about chemical attacks perpetrated against schoolgirls, and dozens of journalists have been arrested over the last seven months because they reported on nationwide anti-regime protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly violating the compulsory hijab laws.

Prior to the World Press Freedom Day events, Alinejad said, "The Islamic Republic uses the tools of the state  surveillance, intimidation, violence, and a corrupt judiciary  to browbeat people into submission, but they are failing. Even though being a journalist in Iran can land you in jail, can get you killed, can get you tortured, they are failing. But they cannot be left to fight alone. More than 70 journalists are in prison in Iran, and their weapon is their voice. We have to take strong action."

Story continues

To request an interview with Alinejad, please email mystealthyfreedom-press@proton.me.

ABOUT MY STEALTHY FREEDOM

My Stealthy Freedom is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to challenging the compulsory hijab laws of the Islamic Republic. Founded by Masih Alinejad in 2014, My Stealthy Freedom supports Iranian women's rights and promotes the cases of women who through acts of civil disobedience to fight discriminatory laws. My Stealthy Freedom informs and educates the public about discriminatory laws in Islamic Republic that punish women and strives to empower Iranians to resist and be a voice for the voiceless in Iran.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/masih-alinejad-calls-upon-un-to-back-journalists-facing-transnational-repression-and-violence-301813572.html

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Journey Advisory Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) by 53.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,174 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,800 shares during the period. Journey Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $431,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. Phocas Financial Corp. bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Selway Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Exos TFP Holdings LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. 73.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays dropped their price target on Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 14th. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. 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 stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.21.

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

Shares of Charles Schwab stock opened at $51.81 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $59.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.25. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.00 and a 1-year high of $86.63. The company has a market cap of $92.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.16, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.88.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) last issued 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 firm had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.13 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.77 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.38 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.93%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 27.32%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 121,066 shares of the firms 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 completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 60,223,399 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,687,789,378.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 129,030 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.76, for a total value of $10,291,432.80. Following the completion of the sale, 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 document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 121,066 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.84, for a total value of $9,423,777.44. Following the completion of the sale, 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. In the last three months, insiders bought 81,000 shares of company stock worth $4,706,960 and sold 676,962 shares worth $53,960,539. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Charles Schwab Profile

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The Charles Schwab Corp. is a savings and loan holding company, which engages in the provision of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. It operates through the Investor Services and Advisor Services segments. The Investor Services segment includes retail brokerage and banking services to individual investors, and retirement plan services, as well as other corporate brokerage services, to businesses and their employees.

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KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE:KAR  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,840,000 shares, a decline of 5.3% from the March 31st total of 6,170,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 627,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 9.3 days. Currently, 5.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Stephens restated an equal weight rating and set a $13.00 price target on shares of KAR Auction Services in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Barrington Research reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of KAR Auction Services in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Bank of America lowered shares of KAR Auction Services from a buy rating to an underperform rating and cut their target price for the stock from $23.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Monday, January 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of KAR Auction Services from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.17.

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KAR Auction Services Stock Performance

KAR Auction Services stock opened at $13.69 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 11.22 and a beta of 1.47. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $13.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. KAR Auction Services has a twelve month low of $11.15 and a twelve month high of $17.66.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KAR Auction Services

KAR Auction Services ( NYSE:KAR Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 21st. The specialty retailer reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $372.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $361.39 million. KAR Auction Services had a net margin of 15.88% and a return on equity of 4.20%. Research analysts expect that KAR Auction Services will post 0.43 EPS for the current year.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of KAR. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its holdings in KAR Auction Services by 138.0% in the third quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 152,731 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $1,706,000 after purchasing an additional 88,560 shares during the period. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in KAR Auction Services by 7.5% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 40,719 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $454,000 after purchasing an additional 2,830 shares during the period. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in KAR Auction Services by 12.9% in the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 23,044 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $257,000 after purchasing an additional 2,632 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new stake in shares of KAR Auction Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $618,000. Finally, Zuckerman Investment Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of KAR Auction Services by 1.8% during the third quarter. Zuckerman Investment Group LLC now owns 1,771,603 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $19,789,000 after buying an additional 31,955 shares during the last quarter.

KAR Auction Services Company Profile

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KAR Auction Services, Inc engages in the provision of used car auction services and salvage auction services in North America and the United Kingdom. It operates through the following segments: ADESA Auctions and Automotive Finance Corporation (AFC). The ADESA segment provides whole car auctions and related services to the vehicle remarketing industry in North America.

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The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Olympus (OTCMKTS:OLYMY  Get Rating) in a report published on Friday, The Fly reports. The brokerage issued a neutral rating on the stock.

Olympus Price Performance

OTCMKTS OLYMY opened at $17.50 on Friday. Olympus has a twelve month low of $16.43 and a twelve month high of $19.96.

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Olympus Company Profile

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Olympus Corp. engages in the manufacture and sale of precision machineries and instruments. It operates through the following segments: Medical, Scientific Solutions, Imaging, and Others. The Medical segment covers digestive, surgical, and ultrasonic endoscopy as well as endoscopic treatment tools. The Scientific Solutions segment manufactures and sells biological and industrial microscopes, industrial endoscopes, and non-destructive testing equipment.

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Piedmont Office Realty Trust (NYSE:PDM  Get Rating) issued an update on its FY23 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $1.80-$1.90 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84.

Piedmont Office Realty Trust Price Performance

PDM stock opened at $6.45 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $7.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.08. Piedmont Office Realty Trust has a 52-week low of $6.12 and a 52-week high of $16.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $797.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.42 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a current ratio of 1.78.

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Piedmont Office Realty Trust (NYSE:PDM  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.11. Piedmont Office Realty Trust had a net margin of 26.04% and a return on equity of 8.05%. The firm had revenue of $147.21 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $151.34 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Piedmont Office Realty Trust will post 1.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Piedmont Office Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 17th. Investors of record on Friday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 13.02%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 23rd. Piedmont Office Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 70.59%.

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Piedmont Office Realty Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd grew its position in Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 3,499.2% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 4,643 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 4,514 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Piedmont Office Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $101,000. Captrust Financial Advisors bought a new stake in Piedmont Office Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $108,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 40.7% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 10,199 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $108,000 after purchasing an additional 2,950 shares during the period. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new stake in Piedmont Office Realty Trust in the 4th quarter worth approximately $118,000. Institutional investors own 82.88% of the companys stock.

About Piedmont Office Realty Trust

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Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc engages in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, and operation of office properties. It operates through the following geographical segments: Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, DC/Northern Virginia, Boston, Orlando, Minneapolis, and New York. The company was founded on July 3, 1997 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

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Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Get Rating) had its target price upped by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 5,110 ($63.84) to GBX 5,250 ($65.59) in a research note published on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 6,600 ($82.46) price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,900 ($86.21) to GBX 7,400 ($92.45) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,100 ($63.72) to GBX 5,000 ($62.47) in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Jefferies Financial Group set a GBX 7,500 ($93.70) price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,840 ($72.96) to GBX 5,800 ($72.46) in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Two equities 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 6,134.62 ($76.64).

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Up 0.1 %

Rio Tinto Group stock opened at GBX 5,049 ($63.08) on Friday. The firm has a market cap of 63.11 billion, a PE ratio of 818.31, a P/E/G ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.63. The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 5,487.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 5,579.58. Rio Tinto Group has a twelve month low of GBX 4,424.50 ($55.28) and a twelve month high of GBX 6,406 ($80.03).

Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend

Insider Transactions at Rio Tinto Group

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 9th were issued a dividend of GBX 185.35 ($2.32) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. Rio Tinto Groups payout ratio is 6,596.43%.

In other Rio Tinto Group news, insider Kaisa Hietala acquired 500 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 5,313 ($66.38) per share, with a total value of 26,565 ($33,189.66). In other news, insider Kaisa Hietala purchased 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 22nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 5,313 ($66.38) per share, with a total value of 26,565 ($33,189.66). Also, insider Peter Cunningham sold 5 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,586 ($69.79), for a total transaction of 279.30 ($348.95). In the last three months, insiders acquired 1,410 shares of company stock valued at $7,455,580. Company insiders own 14.67% of the companys stock.

About Rio Tinto Group

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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.

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West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST  Get Rating) SVP Silji Abraham sold 8,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $365.60, for a total value of $2,932,112.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,209 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,538,810.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Silji Abraham also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, March 9th, Silji Abraham sold 1,500 shares of West Pharmaceutical Services stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.57, for a total value of $483,855.00.

West Pharmaceutical Services Price Performance

NYSE WST traded up $0.77 on Tuesday, hitting $366.90. 171,844 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 553,556. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $338.95 and a 200-day moving average of $278.62. The company has a current ratio of 3.70, a quick ratio of 2.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $206.19 and a 52 week high of $372.06. The stock has a market cap of $27.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.29, a P/E/G ratio of 7.42 and a beta of 1.09.

West Pharmaceutical Services Dividend Announcement

West Pharmaceutical Services ( NYSE:WST Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.31. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 24.73% and a net margin of 19.15%. The company had revenue of $716.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $697.28 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.30 EPS. West Pharmaceutical Servicess revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 7.69 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 26th will be issued a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 25th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.21%. West Pharmaceutical Servicess payout ratio is 10.44%.

Institutional Trading of West Pharmaceutical Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. acquired a new stake in West Pharmaceutical Services in the first quarter valued at $1,386,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 10.4% during the 1st quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 6,412 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $2,222,000 after acquiring an additional 602 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 34.6% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 55,304 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $19,161,000 after acquiring an additional 14,217 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors grew its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 19.4% during the 1st quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 1,405 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $487,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the period. Finally, Amalgamated Bank grew its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 20,294 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $7,031,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the period. 91.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WST has been the subject of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on West Pharmaceutical Services from $250.00 to $290.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. StockNews.com started coverage on West Pharmaceutical Services in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on West Pharmaceutical Services from $315.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Finally, Stephens upgraded West Pharmaceutical Services from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $330.00 to $400.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $313.00.

West Pharmaceutical Services Company Profile

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West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following business segments: Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. The Proprietary Products segment offers proprietary packaging, containment and drug delivery products, along with analytical lab services, to biologic, generic and pharmaceutical drug customers.

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VNET Group reissued their maintains rating on shares of Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Rating) in a report published on Friday morning, Benzinga reports.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on SO. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Mizuho upgraded shares of Southern from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $72.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price 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. Guggenheim boosted their target price on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $79.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price 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. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Southern has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.14.

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Southern Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE:SO opened at $74.09 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $68.79 and a 200-day moving average of $68.05. The company has a market cap of $80.87 billion, a PE ratio of 23.90, a PEG ratio of 5.09 and a beta of 0.51. Southern has a one year low of $58.85 and a one year high of $80.57.

Southern Increases Dividend

Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. Southern had a net margin of 11.53% and a return on equity of 10.80%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.97 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Southern will post 3.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a $0.70 dividend. This is a boost from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.78%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is 87.74%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 852 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.31, for a total value of $57,348.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 22,059 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,484,791.29. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, 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 transaction of $359,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,516,356.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 852 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.31, for a total transaction of $57,348.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,059 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,484,791.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 7,134 shares of company stock valued at $502,179. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southern

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SO. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Southern by 127.6% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 421 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the period. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN purchased a new stake in shares of Southern in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Southern in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Southern in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Bourgeon Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Southern by 192.0% in the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 511 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.78% of the companys stock.

Southern Company Profile

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The Southern Co is a holding company, which engages in the generation and sale of electricity. It operates through the following segments: Traditional Electric Operating Companies, Southern Power and Southern Company Gas. The Traditional Electric Operating Companies segment refers to vertically integrated utilities that own generation, transmission and distribution facilities, and supplies electric services in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM  Get Rating) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Friday.

STM has been the topic of several other research reports. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of STMicroelectronics in a research report on Tuesday, January 17th. They set an overweight rating on the stock. Craig Hallum lifted their price target on shares of STMicroelectronics from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 26th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of STMicroelectronics from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of STMicroelectronics from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of STMicroelectronics from $45.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $54.33.

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STMicroelectronics Stock Performance

NYSE:STM opened at $42.97 on Friday. STMicroelectronics has a twelve month low of $28.35 and a twelve month high of $53.53. The company has a 50-day moving average of $48.81 and a 200-day moving average of $42.54. The firm has a market cap of $39.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a current ratio of 2.56, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

STMicroelectronics Dividend Announcement

STMicroelectronics ( NYSE:STM Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The semiconductor producer reported $1.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.97 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.19 billion. STMicroelectronics had a net margin of 25.30% and a return on equity of 37.62%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.79 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that STMicroelectronics will post 4.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 27th will be issued a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 26th. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.56%. STMicroelectronicss dividend payout ratio is 5.33%.

Institutional Trading of STMicroelectronics

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in STMicroelectronics by 153.1% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 896 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 542 shares during the last quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of STMicroelectronics during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Ellevest Inc. grew its position in shares of STMicroelectronics by 286.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 1,355 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 1,004 shares during the period. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of STMicroelectronics during the 1st quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, PSI Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of STMicroelectronics by 60.0% during the 1st quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 800 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. 6.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

STMicroelectronics Company Profile

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STMicroelectronics NV engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of components, application-specific integrated circuits, full custom devices and semi-custom devices for analog, digital and mixed-signal applications. It operates through the following segments: Automotive and Discrete Group, Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group, and Microcontrollers and Digital ICs Group.

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National Bankshares upgraded shares of Suncor Energy (TSE:SU  Get Rating) (NYSE:SU) from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have C$61.00 price objective on the stock, up from their prior price objective of C$60.00.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Raymond James cut their target price on shares of Suncor Energy from C$53.00 to C$50.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 16th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Suncor Energy from C$54.00 to C$52.00 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Eight Capital upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from C$43.00 to C$50.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Suncor Energy from C$52.00 to C$53.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Finally, National Bank Financial increased their price objective on shares of Suncor Energy from C$57.00 to C$60.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$54.29.

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Suncor Energy Price Performance

TSE:SU opened at C$41.77 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of C$55.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.40, a PEG ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.67. Suncor Energy has a one year low of C$36.38 and a one year high of C$53.62. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$43.18 and a 200 day moving average price of C$44.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.72, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.83.

Suncor Energy Announces Dividend

Suncor Energy ( TSE:SU Get Rating ) (NYSE:SU) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 14th. The company reported C$1.81 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$1.68 by C$0.13. The firm had revenue of C$13.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$12.92 billion. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 15.56% and a return on equity of 23.89%. Analysts anticipate that Suncor Energy will post 6.506135 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 24th were issued a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 2nd. Suncor Energys payout ratio is 31.85%.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

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Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada.

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Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE:NOVA  Get Rating) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty-four ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $34.95.

NOVA has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on Sunnova Energy International from $51.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on 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 dropped their target price on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $31.00 to $28.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Sunnova Energy International in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. They set a sector outperform rating and a $28.00 target price on the stock. Finally, B. Riley dropped their target price on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $32.00 to $31.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th.

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Sunnova Energy International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NOVA opened at $17.23 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.02, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 1.75. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $16.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.35. The firm has a market cap of $1.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.90 and a beta of 2.08. Sunnova Energy International has a 52 week low of $12.46 and a 52 week high of $31.47.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sunnova Energy International

Sunnova Energy International ( NYSE:NOVA Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported ($0.70) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.58) by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $161.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $159.54 million. Sunnova Energy International had a negative return on equity of 13.71% and a negative net margin of 30.75%. Sunnova Energy Internationals quarterly revenue was up 146.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.30) earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Sunnova Energy International will post -1.16 earnings per share 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 shares were sold at an average price of $14.03, for a total value of $33,672.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 19,974 shares in the company, valued at $280,235.22. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 4.20% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sunnova Energy International

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NOVA. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Sunnova Energy International by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 16,530,455 shares of the companys stock valued at $381,192,000 after acquiring an additional 261,186 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Sunnova Energy International by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,537,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $210,596,000 after acquiring an additional 114,448 shares in the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its position in Sunnova Energy International by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 5,615,457 shares of the companys stock valued at $87,713,000 after acquiring an additional 296,499 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its position in Sunnova Energy International by 410.2% in the 3rd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 3,731,515 shares of the companys stock valued at $82,392,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000,199 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Electron Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Sunnova Energy International by 30.1% in the 4th quarter. Electron Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,379,638 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,867,000 after buying an additional 781,893 shares during the last quarter.

Sunnova Energy International Company Profile

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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.

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April Marks the Sixth Straight Month of Year- Over-Year Gains

IRVINE, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total April sales of 32,351 vehicles, an increase of 7.5 percent compared to April 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 120,735 vehicles; an increase of 7.5 percent compared to the same time last year. With 26 selling days in April, compared to 27 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 11.6 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

CPO sales totaled 4,765 vehicles in April, a decrease of 10 percent compared to April 2022.

Sales Highlights

Best April sales since 1994 with 32,351 vehicles sold.

Best-ever April sales of CX-30 with 5,954 vehicles sold.

Best-ever April sales of CX-9 with 3,311 vehicles sold.

Best-ever sales of CX-50 with 4,305 vehicles sold.

Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported April sales of 4,459 vehicles, a decrease of 25.7 percent compared to April last year. Year-to-date sales total 15,785 vehicles; a decrease of 16.6 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported April sales of 3,777 vehicles, an increase of 609 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 23,040 vehicles; an increase of 94 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at News.MazdaUSA.com.

Follow MNAO's social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

Story continues

























Month-To-Date

Year-To-Date

























April April YOY % % MTD

April April YOY % % MTD



2023 2022 Change DSR

2023 2022 Change DSR























Mazda3 2,619 3,594 (27.1) % (24.3) %

9,914 13,086 (24.2) % (23.5) %

Mazda 3 Sdn 1,093 1,361 (19.7) % (16.6) %

4871 5,065 (3.8) % (2.9) %

Mazda 3 HB 1,526 2,233 (31.7) % (29.0) %

5043 8,021 (37.1) % (36.5) %























Mazda6 0 7 (100.0) % (100.0) %

0 332 (100.0) % (100.0) %























MX-5 Miata 967 658 47.0 % 52.6 %

3,557 2,263 57.2 % 58.7 %

MX-5 553 224 146.9 % 156.4 %

1896 748 153.5 % 156.0 %

MXR 414 434 (4.6) % (0.9) %

1661 1,515 9.6 % 10.7 %























CX-3 - 0 - -

- 0 - -

CX-30 5,954 4,545 31.0 % 36.0 %

25824 14,039 83.9 % 85.8 %

CX-5 14,333 16,404 (12.6) % (9.3) %

53060 67,057 (20.9) % (20.1) %

CX-9 3,311 3,107 6.6 % 10.7 %

13147 13,570 (3.1) % (2.2) %

CX-50 4,305 1,700 153.2 % 163.0 %

14069 1,756 701.2 % 709.1 %

MX-30 17 78 (78.2) % (77.4) %

32 258 (87.6) % (87.5) %

C90 845 0 - -

1114 0 - -

C9P 0 0 - -

18 0 - -

CARS 3,586 4,259 (15.8) % (12.6) %

13,471 15,681 (14.1) % (13.2) %

TRUCKS 28,765 25,834 11.3 % 15.6 %

107,264 96,680 10.9 % 12.0 %























TOTAL 32,351 30,093 7.5 % 11.6 %

120,735 112,361 7.5 % 8.5 %













































*Selling Days 26 27





101 102





























Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com. (PRNewsFoto/Mazda North American Operations) (PRNewsfoto/MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS)

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TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD  Get Rating) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the nine research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $214.00.

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com started coverage on TopBuild in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised TopBuild from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $201.00 to $227.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 10th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their target price on TopBuild from $205.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 8th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On TopBuild

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its holdings in TopBuild by 33.4% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 28,673 shares of the construction companys stock worth $5,968,000 after acquiring an additional 7,179 shares in the last quarter. Seascape Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of TopBuild by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. Seascape Capital Management now owns 8,174 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,701,000 after purchasing an additional 646 shares in the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its holdings in TopBuild by 29.8% during the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 6,537 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,361,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the period. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in TopBuild by 9.7% in the 1st quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,450 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,134,000 after buying an additional 480 shares during the period. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in TopBuild by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 9,264 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,928,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.56% of the companys stock.

TopBuild Stock Performance

NYSE:BLD opened at $222.07 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $201.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $180.40. The company has a market cap of $7.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.94 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 1.96. TopBuild has a fifty-two week low of $140.66 and a fifty-two week high of $227.08.

TopBuild (NYSE:BLD  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The construction company reported $4.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.02 by $0.38. TopBuild had a return on equity of 30.81% and a net margin of 11.10%. The firm had revenue of $1.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.24 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.12 EPS. The companys revenue was up 22.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that TopBuild will post 15.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

TopBuild Company Profile

(Get Rating)

TopBuild Corp. engages in the installation and distribution of insulation products and other building products to the U.S. and Canadian construction industry. It operates through the following segments: Installation, Specialty Distribution, and Corporate. The Installation segment provides insulation installation services nationwide through its TruTeam contractor services and business branches located in the U.S.

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Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its holdings in Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Get Rating) (TSE:BMO) by 4.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 10,205,642 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 456,804 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal makes up about 1.4% of Toronto Dominion Banks investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest position. Toronto Dominion Banks holdings in Bank of Montreal were worth $927,304,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Bank of Montreal by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 7,432 shares of the banks stock worth $877,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Bank of Montreal by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 426,005 shares of the banks stock worth $50,256,000 after acquiring an additional 22,030 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Bank of Montreal in the 1st quarter worth approximately $225,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Bank of Montreal by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,478,058 shares of the banks stock worth $2,651,736,000 after acquiring an additional 1,293,280 shares in the last quarter. Finally, USS Investment Management Ltd grew its holdings in Bank of Montreal by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. USS Investment Management Ltd now owns 145,939 shares of the banks stock valued at $17,199,000 after buying an additional 3,071 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 42.78% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on BMO. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Bank of Montreal in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$151.00 to C$147.50 in a report on Thursday, January 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $152.70.

Bank of Montreal Trading Down 3.5 %

BMO traded down $3.15 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $86.70. The company had a trading volume of 875,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 569,089. The stock has a market cap of $61.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.22, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.14. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $90.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $93.65. Bank of Montreal has a 52 week low of $81.57 and a 52 week high of $110.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Get Rating) (TSE:BMO) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The bank reported $2.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.33 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter. Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 13.65% and a net margin of 22.13%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Bank of Montreal will post 9.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of Montreal Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 28th will be given a $1.075 dividend. This represents a $4.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.96%. This is a boost from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. Bank of Montreals payout ratio is 34.50%.

Bank of Montreal Profile

(Get Rating)

Bank of Montreal engages in the provision of banking and financial services to individuals and institutions. It operates through the following segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking (Canadian P&C) and United States Personal and Commercial Banking (U.S. P&C). The Canadian P&C segment refers to retail banking and financial operations in Canada.

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Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its stake in U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Rating) by 124.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,695,512 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,493,405 shares during the quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank owned about 0.18% of U.S. Bancorp worth $117,481,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Retirement Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in U.S. Bancorp in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new stake in U.S. Bancorp in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new stake in U.S. Bancorp in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in U.S. Bancorp in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Mendota Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in U.S. Bancorp in the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.83% of the companys stock.

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U.S. Bancorp Stock Down 7.2 %

Shares of NYSE:USB traded down $2.37 on Tuesday, reaching $30.57. The company had a trading volume of 13,999,160 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,995,103. U.S. Bancorp has a 52-week low of $30.49 and a 52-week high of $53.37. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $38.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $42.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.83 billion, a PE ratio of 8.76, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90.

U.S. Bancorp Dividend Announcement

U.S. Bancorp ( NYSE:USB Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $7.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.14 billion. U.S. Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.70% and a net margin of 19.21%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 28.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.99 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.28%. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is currently 51.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling at U.S. Bancorp

In related news, Director Scott W. Wine acquired 30,438 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $32.85 per share, for a total transaction of $999,888.30. Following the purchase, the director now owns 30,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $999,888.30. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Scott W. Wine acquired 30,438 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $32.85 per share, for a total transaction of $999,888.30. Following the purchase, the director now owns 30,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $999,888.30. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Alan B. Colberg acquired 10,000 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction on Friday, April 21st. The shares were bought at an average price of $34.14 per share, with a total value of $341,400.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,050 shares in the company, valued at approximately $343,107. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on USB. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $41.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. UBS Group downgraded shares of U.S. Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $68.00 to $52.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of U.S. Bancorp from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $52.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, March 20th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $54.00 to $39.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, U.S. Bancorp presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $50.35.

About U.S. Bancorp

(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.

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Toronto Dominion Bank increased its holdings in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) by 32,224.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 225,994,826 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 225,295,680 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab makes up 28.2% of Toronto Dominion Banks investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. Toronto Dominion Bank owned approximately 12.45% of Charles Schwab worth $18,816,289,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SCHW. Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 7.5% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 20,822 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,847,000 after purchasing an additional 1,452 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 4.3% during the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 6,263 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $528,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 25.4% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,064 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,101,000 after acquiring an additional 2,648 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 7.5% during the first quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,807 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $321,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 16.6% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,239 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $104,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.49% of the companys stock.

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Charles Schwab Stock Performance

Shares of Charles Schwab stock traded down $2.36 on Tuesday, reaching $49.45. 13,492,997 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 22,376,889. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52 week low of $45.00 and a 52 week high of $86.63. The company has a 50 day moving average of $59.51 and a 200 day moving average of $72.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $88.59 billion, a PE ratio of 14.16, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.38 and a quick ratio of 0.38.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.13 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 34.82% and a return on equity of 27.36%. The companys revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.77 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.02%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on SCHW. Redburn Partners lowered shares of Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $85.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Barclays lowered 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. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $72.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.21.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Charles Schwab news, President Richard A. Wurster acquired 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $54.39 per share, with a total value of $108,780.00. Following the acquisition, the president now owns 101,391 shares in the company, valued at $5,514,656.49. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, President Richard A. Wurster bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $54.39 per share, for a total transaction 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Marianne Catherine Brown bought 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,984 shares in the company, valued at $533,844.48. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders acquired 81,000 shares of company stock valued at $4,706,960 and sold 676,962 shares valued at $53,960,539. 6.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.

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U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Rating) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a sell rating in a note issued to investors on Monday.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $57.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Argus reduced their target price on U.S. Bancorp from $63.00 to $58.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on U.S. Bancorp from $60.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Friday, January 6th. Citigroup reduced their target price on U.S. Bancorp from $54.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upgraded U.S. Bancorp from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $52.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, March 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, U.S. Bancorp currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $50.35.

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U.S. Bancorp Stock Down 3.9 %

USB stock traded down $1.34 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $32.94. The company had a trading volume of 19,077,664 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,000,959. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $38.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $42.62. The company has a market capitalization of $50.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.76, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.93. U.S. Bancorp has a 52 week low of $31.26 and a 52 week high of $53.37.

Insider Buying and Selling at U.S. Bancorp

U.S. Bancorp ( NYSE:USB Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $7.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.14 billion. U.S. Bancorp had a net margin of 19.21% and a return on equity of 16.70%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 28.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.99 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director Scott W. Wine acquired 30,438 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $32.85 per share, with a total value of $999,888.30. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 30,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at $999,888.30. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other U.S. Bancorp news, Director Alan B. Colberg acquired 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $34.14 per share, for a total transaction of $341,400.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,050 shares in the company, valued at $343,107. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Scott W. Wine acquired 30,438 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $32.85 per share, with a total value of $999,888.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 30,438 shares in the company, valued at $999,888.30. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of U.S. Bancorp

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Dillon & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp during the 1st quarter worth $245,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 108,282 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,904,000 after buying an additional 1,557 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 70,799 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,586,000 after buying an additional 5,096 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp during the 1st quarter worth $3,399,000. Finally, Altus Wealth Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp during the 1st quarter worth $201,000. 71.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.

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US Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 5,644 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $571,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Red Tortoise LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC raised its position 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 valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares during the period. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. My Personal CFO LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Johnson Midwest Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 66.7% in the 4th quarter. Johnson Midwest Financial LLC now owns 390 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.85% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on PM. Societe Generale began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Monday, January 23rd. They set a sell rating and a $90.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $109.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $95.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. UBS Group raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $106.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $110.60.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

PM stock traded down $3.84 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $95.51. 1,172,339 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,421,217. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $97.70 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $98.13. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $82.85 and a one year high of $109.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $148.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.68.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.04. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 128.55% and a net margin of 10.80%. The company had revenue of $8.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.03 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.56 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 23rd were issued a dividend of $1.27 per share. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.32%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 22nd. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 90.88%.

Insider Transactions at Philip Morris International

In related news, insider Werner Barth sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.35, for a total value of $786,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 87,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,588,020.35. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Chairman Andre Calantzopoulos sold 80,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $8,028,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 1,007,048 shares of the companys stock, valued at $101,057,266.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Werner Barth sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.35, for a total value of $786,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 87,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,588,020.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 117,064 shares of company stock valued at $11,738,763. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Get Rating).

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The charitable arm of McBride Sisters Wine Company will focus its 2023 efforts on supporting women in the wine industry, and applications officially open today, May 2.

OAKLAND, Calif., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund today announces its continued commitment to invest in professional women on their journey to learn and master the business of wine. Specifically, it will focus its efforts on supporting women pursuing professional advancement within at least one key area of the wine industry including Sommelier Certification, WSET Certification or Business of Wine Education course completion.

MSC Logo (PRNewsfoto/McBride Sisters Collection)

Established in 2019, the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund has invested to date more than $3 million in the professional advancement and career growth of high-potential, professional women working in male-dominated industries, with a particular focus on women of color. Via monetary grants, advertising credits, scholarship funding and mentorship programs, the SHE CAN Fund has received support from corporate partners such as Facebook (Meta), Morgan Stanley, and Brand Now, plus industry organizations including the Wine Institute and The Court of Master Sommeliers, as well as individual seed impact investors.

This year, women who are currently working in and seeking leadership positions in the wine and spirits industry, as well as entrepreneurs in related fields, are encouraged to apply to the 2023 McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund. Grantees can apply for one of three scholarships, from courses and exams issued through either (1) Court of Master Sommeliers or (2) Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), or (3) Business of Wine Education online course work focusing on areas such as Supply Chain Value, Sales & Marketing, Viticulture, Mass Wine Production, Winery Operations, Point of Purchase, and Importing & Exporting.

"I'm very excited to announce this year's Fund focus on the business of wine," says Robin McBride, Co-Founder of McBride Sisters Wine Company and The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund. "This area is where my sister Andrea and I can lend most of our personal expertise to professional women and students entering the wine industry. Our experience building our business from the ground up and touching every aspect of the wine business hands-on gives us the ability to showcase how broad the wine industry is and how to lead from within it."

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In addition to scholarships, the 2023 SHE CAN Fund will award 30 women  #SHECANTHRIVE 2020 initiative grantees  membership to 510media's Hope Academy , an organization providing mentorship, training and community. 510media's Hope Academy was founded to address the resource gaps in Black entrepreneurial and creative endeavors, and is committed to helping facilitate solutions that address Black economic challenges.

Since its inception, the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund has provided over thirty wine education scholarships and has built a national membership database of over 6,000 women. Additionally, it has donated $100,000 to Southern University's College of Agriculture as part of its initiative and academic scholarship program for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), supporting the next generation of diverse wine industry talent.

"I am particularly excited about 510media Hope Foundation's involvement with our #SHECANTHRIVE 2020 sisters," states Agnes Uboma, Chief Social Impact Officer at McBride Sisters Wine Company. "Both Nana Kofi Nti and Courtney Smith helped me to better understand and account for culture-specific psychological challenges and behavioral economics African American entrepreneurs traverse in addition to the daily grind that all entrepreneurs must surmount to be successful. I am confident that 510media Hope Foundation's classes and workshops will guide the #SHECANTHRIVE 2020 sisters in creating bespoke mental models tailored to their business needs."

Eligible applicants can learn more and apply for submission beginning today at www.mcbridesistersfund.org . Grant recipients will be announced in the fall.

About the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund:

At its inception, The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund was created by the McBride Sisters Wine Company founders Robin McBride and Andrea McBride John to promote the professional advancement of women in the wine industry in a concerted effort to help close the gender and race gap. In its first year, the fund awarded scholarships of nearly $40,000 to empower women to strive for change and to create opportunities for themselves and others, where there had not been before. Today, the Fund is rapidly growing, and runs three programs:

#YESSHECAN is dedicated to the professional advancement of women in male-dominated fields. Each year, the Fund shifts its focus to support different communities of professional women via monetary business grants, scholarships for professional training and certifications, and mentorship opportunities to aid in career advancement.

A subset of #YESSHECAN, the Fund's #SHECANTHRIVE program provides programming, resources, and grants for Black women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The SHE CAN Fund launched the program in 2020 with rapid relief grants and support services in response to the international COVID-19 pandemic, during which Black-owned businesses were disproportionately hit the hardest. Since the launch, 77 Black women entrepreneurs have received grants and services totaling more than $2.5 million from impact investors.

Launched in 2021, #SHECANGreaux is The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund's first-ever initiative and academic scholarship program directed towards Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), created in partnership with Southern University's College of Agricultural Family and Consumer Sciences (SU Ag). A play on words inspired by the uniquely French heritage of Black Creole history in Louisiana, as well as SU Ag's rally "Geaux Jags," #SHECANGreaux was created with the goal of generating a pipeline of HBCU students to lead the wine industry's future of diverse professionals.

Please find more information at https://www.mcbridesistersfund.org/ .

About the McBride Sisters Wine Company:

McBride Sisters Wine Company was founded by sisters, Robin McBride and Andrea McBride John, who believe wine companies should be accessible, sustainable, socially conscious and culturally aware. We are the largest Black-owned and largest all women-founded wine company in the United States. Our mission is to transform the industry, lead by example and cultivate community, one delicious glass at a time. We produce wine across two hemispheres, from premier coastal winemaking regions which are at the root of our story  where Andrea and Robin each grew up  in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Central Coast of California. We offer a unique portfolio of leading brands; McBride Sisters Collection, Black Girl Magic Wines, and SHE CAN Wines and spritzers. We are Wine for the New World. For more information, please visit mcbridesisters.com or follow along on Instagram at @mcbridesisters, @mcbridesisterscollection, @blackgirlmagicwines and @shecanwines.

Enjoy Responsibly.  2023 McBride Sisters Wine Company, San Luis Obispo, CA

McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund - McBride Sisters Wine Company (PRNewsfoto/McBride Sisters Collection)

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SOURCE McBride Sisters Collection
Jessica Belcourt, Shane Letendre and Michelle Pozzi of Woonsocket help clean-up a historic stretch of River Street is part of Earth Day activities in the area on April 22
Marks Second Acquisition Since Ascend Partners and CareAbout Health Made Equity Investment in MSPB in December 2022

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB), a primary care-focused, multi-specialty physician group practice in South Florida, today announced it has acquired Cohen Medical Associates, a primary care practice with five physicians across two locations in Delray Beach, FL. The acquisition is the second of its kind since Ascend Partners (Ascend) and CareAbout Health (CareAbout) made an equity investment in MSPB in December 2022.

CareAbout Health provides management, resources, value-add services, technology, and other support to its portfolio of medical groups and healthcare focused companies.

"With the acquisition of Cohen Medical Associates, we are delighted to welcome its highly experienced founder, Dr. Robert Cohen, as well as the other physicians, medical professionals and patients to the MSPB family," said Casey Waters, CEO of MSPB. "On behalf of the entire MSPB team, we look forward to working together to continue to provide high quality, accessible care to our patients."

"MSPB and Cohen Medical Associates share a long-standing commitment to delivering comprehensive, quality primary care to the South Florida community," said Carlos Lira, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches. "This acquisition will enable Cohen Medical Associates to become a part of MSPB's highly effective and efficient care coordination network, allowing us to grow MSPB's reach and help even more patients in South Florida."

This acquisition will increase MSPB's primary care provider network by approximately 15% and will support Cohen Medical Associates expansion into value based care with the full support of CareAbout and MSPB.

About Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB)

MSPB, founded in 1995, is a primary care-focused, multi-specialty physician group practice, serving South Florida. MSPB is a value-based care focused, integrated healthcare delivery system, committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality care, with respect and integrity for our patients and the community. MSPB now has more than 95 Providers, spread across 35+ offices in Palm Beach and Broward counties and offers primary care, cardiology, interventional cardiology, neurology, hematology & oncology, gastroenterology, concierge medicine and laboratory services. For more information, please visit: mspbhealth.com.

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About Cohen Medical Associates

Cohen Medical Associates provides complete family healthcare including routine visits, laboratory testing needs, and emergency appointments. Combined, the staff has over 100 years of high-quality medical experience, making them one of the most well-respected and highly-regarded regarded in the area.

About Ascend Partners

Ascend Partners is a growth-oriented, healthcare-focused private equity partnership whose mission is to build thriving communities by investing in companies and entrepreneurs who are improving healthcare access, affordability, and quality for vulnerable and underserved populations. Founded in 2019, Ascend is led by co-founders In Seon Hwang, former global head of Healthcare at Warburg Pincus and member of the Executive Management Group, and Dr. Richard Park, founder and former CEO of CityMD, a leading patient-centric healthcare services company in New York and New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.ascendpartners.com.

About CareAbout Health

CareAbout Health provides management, resources, value-add services, technology, and other support to its portfolio of medical groups and healthcare focused companies. CareAbout Health is helping align incentives to create a world where patients, providers, and payers work together in a seamless, coordinated manner toward common goals: higher quality, lower costs, better outcomes, and healthier communities. For more information, please visit www.careabout.com.

Ascend Capital Partners is a growth-oriented, healthcare-focused private equity partnership whose mission is to build thriving communities by investing in companies and entrepreneurs who are improving healthcare access, affordability, and quality for vulnerable and underserved populations.

Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB) is a primary care-focused, multi-specialty physician group practice in South Florida.

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SOURCE CareAbout
Dust storm in Illinois leaves at least 6 dead after dozens of vehicles crash on major highway, officials say
JPMorgan Chase is buying most assets of First Republic Bank after the bank's failure. Pictured is a First Republic Bank ATM in Los Angeles, on March 17.
Police release name of man shot and killed in Carbondale; two suspects are in custody
REPORTSINSIGHTS CONSULTING PVT LTD

Reports Insights analyzes that the methyl ethyl ketone market is growing with a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period (2023-2030), and the market is projected to be valued at USD 14.80 billion by 2030 from USD 10.71 billion in 2022, propelled by the high demand for powder coatings in the automobile and electronics industries.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a recent report by Reports Insights, the methyl ethyl ketone market is poised for strong expansion and is expected to reach USD 14.80 Billion by 2030. The market, which was valued at USD 10.71 billion in 2022, is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% during the period 2023-2030. The report highlights the increasing adoption of methyl ethyl ketone in construction activities, which is proliferating the global market growth. Reports Insights study also provides insights into the market's competitive landscape, market segmentation, regional outlook, and emerging technologies in the methyl ethyl ketone market.

Global Methyl Ethyl Ketone Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis, By Grade (Regular Grade, Urethane Grade, and Others), Application (Solvent, Synthetic Rubber, Paraffin Wax, Lacquer and Varnishes, Paint Remover, Glues, Catalyst Production, Intermediate, and Others), End-Use (Rubber Industry, Industrial & Institutional Cleaning, Paint and Coatings, Pharmaceutical, and Others), and By Region, Forecast Period 2023  2030.

Get Sample Report@ https://www.reportsinsights.com/sample/673864

Methyl ethyl ketone is widely used as an industrial cleaning agent due to its corrosive nature. Methyl ethyl ketone is used to remove adhesives, and other types of coatings, namely dirt, glue, paint, and others. Further, methyl ethyl ketone is often used to prepare surfaces before new paint is applied, such as in aerospace assemblies, automotive, and marine applications.

Methyl ethyl ketone is commonly used as a curing agent for the manufacturing of fiberglass plastics and unsaturated polyester resins. In this process, methyl ethyl ketone is used as a catalyst for the production of both vinyl and polyester resins. Furthermore, the natural properties including solvent and exceptional properties as an organic compound make methyl ethyl ketone ideal for manufacturing useful compounds including plastics, liquids, chemical intermediates, and textiles.

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For instance, in the paint and coating industry methyl ethyl ketone is widely used in the production of lacquer, varnishes, adhesives, printing inks, and others. Further, methyl ethyl ketone is a useful component in products like dry-erase markers due to its slow evaporating property and is commonly used as a solvent to ensure the efficient flow of ink.

Moreover, methyl ethyl ketone is also used in the manufacturing of antiseptics, anesthetics, lotions, and drugs in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries. Thus, the rapid growth of the pharmaceutical industry on account of increasing healthcare expenditure is expected to contribute to the growth of the market in the coming years.

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Report Attributes Report Details Market Size By 2030 USD 14.80 Billion Forecast Period 2023-2030 CAGR (2023-2030) 3.6% Base Year 2022 Study Timeline 2017-2030 Key Players Exxon Mobil Corporation, Maruzen Petrochemical, Sasol Limited, Merck KGaA, Zibo Qixiangtengda chemical Co., Ltd., Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., ENEOS Group, Solventis, INEOS Solvents, and TASCO Group By Grade Regular Grade, Urethane Grade, and Others By Application Solvent, Synthetic Rubber, Paraffin Wax, Lacquer and Varnishes, Paint Remover, Glues, Catalyst Production, Intermediate, and Others By End-Use Industry Rubber Industry, Industrial & Institutional Cleaning, Paint and Coatings, Pharmaceutical, and Others Report Coverage Company Ranking and Market Share, Growth Factors, Total Revenue Forecast, Regional Competitive Landscape, Business Strategies, and more. By Geography North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa

Key Market Takeaways



The global methyl ethyl ketone market size is estimated to exceed USD 14.80 billion by 2030 with an astonishing CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Based on grade, the regular grade segment accounted for the highest share contribution to the methyl ethyl ketone market statistics in 2022.

In the context of application, the synthetic rubber segment is expected to contribute significant shares to the growth of methyl ethyl ketone market statistics during the forecast period.

By end-use industry, the rubber industry segment is anticipated to contribute the largest shares to the market growth in 2022.

North America will create favorable circumstances for market growth in terms of value and volume due to growing automobile industry particularly in the U.S.

Global Methyl Ethyl Ketone Market Segmentation Details:

Based on Grade, the regular grade segment contributed the highest market shares in 2022. Regular grade methyl ethyl ketone exists in the liquid state at room temperature and has sweet odour. Moreover, methyl ethyl ketone is widely used as a plastic welding agent due to its ability to dissolve polystyrene and various other plastics.

Additionally, methyl ethyl ketone is a volatile and colorless liquid that is used as an organic intermediate and solvent in the production of paints, plastics, and other chemicals. Methyl ethyl ketone is also used as a solvent in the production of pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Thus, all the above-mentioned factors are driving the growth of the segment.

Based on Application, the solvent segment accounted for the highest market share in the year 2022 due to the increasing use of methyl ethyl ketone as a solvent in various industries, such as paints and coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and chemical intermediates. In the paints and coatings industry, methyl ethyl ketone is used as a solvent for the production of various resins, such as nitrocellulose, acrylic, and epoxy resins. Methyl ethyl ketone is also a common ingredient in paint and paint products, including lacquer and other varnishes as well as paint remover and glue and in dyes to ensure efficient flow of the ink. Thus, the aforementioned factors are driving the demand for the market.

Based on End-Use Industry, the rubber industry segment is anticipated to offer substantial shares in the global methyl ethyl ketone market. Methyl ethyl ketone is increasingly used as a hardener for the manufacturing of synthetic rubber which is further used in conveyor belts, engine bearings, tires, clutches, industrial goods, and seals for drinking water. Thus, the increased production of synthetic rubber is driving the demand for methyl ethyl ketone, in turn, boosting the growth of the segment.

Based on region, in the year 2022, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share contribution to the market growth. The automotive industry is a major end-use for paints and coatings and the increased production of automobile particularly in countries such as China and India are driving the demand for methyl ethyl ketone for the production of paint and coatings.

For instance, as per the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), in 2022, the total production of motor vehicles including cars and commercial vehicles in China is estimated to be 27,020,615 with a 3% growth from the previous year. Thus, the growing automotive industry is driving the demand of methyl ethyl ketone.

Competitive Landscape

As per the research Exxon Mobil Corporation, Sasol Limited, and Merck KGaA, among others are major market players that comprise the latest market circumstances. These companies have strong research and development capabilities and a strong presence in the market through their extensive product portfolios and distribution networks. Further, the methyl ethyl ketone market is expected to grow steadily due to rising demand from construction industries especially in the Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe regions which are estimated to boost the market statistics in the coming years. Additionally, the development of bio-based MEK to meet the growing demand of suitable solutions in various end-use industries is anticipated to increase the competition in the market.

Find What You Need With Our Detailed Table Of Contents (TOC) & Summary Of Methyl Ethyl Ketone Market Report @ https://www.reportsinsights.com/industry-forecast/global-methyl-ethyl-ketone-market-statistical-analysis-673864

Recent Developments

In May 2021, Nouryon announces its intention to spin-out Nobian, its base chemicals business, strengthening focus on key growth end-markets.

In June 2020, Nouryon has completed a project to double the capacity for organic peroxides at its plant in Itupeva, Brazil. The expansion will add capacity for products including methyl ethyl ketone peroxides (MEKP) as well as dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO) pastes and waxes.

List of Major Global Methyl Ethyl Ketone Market:

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Maruzen Petrochemical Co. Ltd.

Sasol Limited

Merck KGaA

Zibo Qixiangtengda chemical Co., Ltd.

Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V.

ENEOS Group

Solventis

INEOS Solvents

TASCO Group

Global Methyl Ethyl Ketone Market Segmentation:

By Grade Regular Grade Urethane Grade Others

By Application Solvent Synthetic Rubber Paraffin Wax Lacquer and Varnishes Paint Remover Glues Catalyst Production Intermediate Others

By End-Use Industry Rubber Industry Industrial & Institutional cleaning Paint and Coatings Pharmaceutical Others



Frequently Asked Questions in the Methyl Ethyl Ketone Market Report

What was the market size of the methyl ethyl ketone industry in 2020?

What will be the potential market valuation for the methyl ethyl ketone industry by 2030?

What are the key factors driving the growth of the methyl ethyl ketone market, as well as the opportunities that may impact the markets future development?

What is the dominating segment in the methyl ethyl ketone market by grade?

Based on current market trends and future predictions, which geographical region will have the fastest impact on the methyl ethyl ketone market's growth in the coming years?

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Union Pacific maintenance of way worker. [Photo: Union Pacific]

On April 21, the Brotherhood of Maintenance Way Employee Division (BMWED) announced a pathetic campaign, alongside 14 other rail unions, calling for a temporary halt of stock buybacks. The No Stocks Buyback campaign calls for the temporary stoppage of the pumping of billions of dollars into propping up share values until safety improves across the railroad industry.

Since 2015, six publicly traded freight companies have made more than $165 billion in stock buybacks, $46 billion more than invested in safety. The record profits used to finance these buybacks came from continuous cuts to safety and working conditions, including the infamous Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) attendance policy, which leaves train crews on call 24/7. While these have benefitted the bottom line of shareholders, they have produced a never-ending string of disasters, including the derailment and toxic chemical spill in February in East Palestine, Ohio .

Federal data cited by the union shows that the number of derailments over a decade has increased for the seven major US freight railroads (reduced in recent weeks to six, after the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern). The data showed about two derailments for every million miles traveled in 2022, more than the rate of 1.71 per million miles in 2013.

The pathetic solution of the rail union bureaucracy, however, is to grovel before the railroads to invest in safety, not Wall Street. They propose that the railroads stop buybacks only until PSR is ended and until the rate of safety accidents decreases, and workers feel safe on the job. After that, the railroads would be free to continue squandering tens of billions of dollars squeezed out of the sweat of railroaders on manipulating their own stock. The union statement urges railroaders: Add your name to tell railroad CEOs to take the pledge now.

One CSX maintenance of way worker spoke with contempt about the BMWEDs campaign. These carriers do not care what the unions have to say about buybacks and safety. The unions had an opportunity to call a strike, and they didnt do it. The companies are not threatened one bit by words because its been demonstrated that action will not follow. Its time for workers to stop asking and start taking.

The campaign is meant to rein in not railroad management but railroad workers themselves. The union bureaucracy is trying to redirect the growing anger and militancy of railroaders into harmless moral appeals to railroad CEOs.

The same union bureaucrats played a key role in the conspiracy to block the railroaders from striking and imposed a despised national rail contract last year. They attempted to ram through the sellout, brokered by the Biden Administration, which addressed none of the issues of safety and attendance policies which they now are pretending to campaign around. When workers, including in the BMWED, the third-largest rail union, rejected this contract, they delayed for weeks in order to buy Biden and Congress time until after the midterm elections to prepare legislation to ban a strike and enforce the contract.

The union bureaucracy reacted furiously to the challenge from below by the rank-and-file. In response to the growing influence of the Railroad Workers Rank-and-File Committee, whose statements were being read by thousands of workers and which was holding meetings with hundreds of people, BMWED president Tony Cardwell penned an open letter attacking fringe groups with dangerous ideas, and threatened that any unsanctioned or illegal strike would be faced with legal repercussions and financial penalties.

The RWRFC responded to Cardwell, declaring: You are the fringe, Mr. Cardwell, not us. We have voted to strike and to reject your garbage contracts. We, the workers, outnumber you 1,000 to 1.  I f you are not willing to abide by the will of the membership, then get out of the way.

Since they helped ram ban a strike by their own members, the rail unions have shifted their focus towards bogus public pressure campaigns appealing to the morality and common sense of the rail CEOs. For example, when CSX CEO Joseph Hinrich granted maintenance workersbut not rail crewsfour days paid sick leave, up from zero, Cardwell praised his courage for being willing to step out and do something for his workers.

This serves to cover up the fact that the railroads have been emboldened by Congress intervention. Only days after the strike ban, three Class I railroads announced pilot programs to reduce crew sizes from two to one, and Union Pacific announced it would begin outsourcing locomotive maintenance.

Railroaders, meanwhile, still want to wage a fight. This was shown by the strike authorization vote by BMWED members in March and April over the continuous underpayment of wages.

The rail union bureaucrats even continue to refer to Democratic Party politicians as friends of labor, five months after the strike ban.

SMART-TD, the second-largest rail union, recently concluded its North Americas Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Legislative Conference, which took place in Washington, DC on April 25 and 26. At the conference, according to a Facebook posting by the union, they heard from pro-labor officials including Marty Walsh [the Secretary of Labor until he resigned in March], [Wisconsin Senator] Tammy Baldwin, [billionaire governor of Illinois] J.B. Pritzker and president Joe Biden.

Joe Biden speaks at the North America's Building Trades Unions Legislative Conference, April 25, 2023. [Photo: Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation Workers]

The evident function of the conference, aside from providing an all-expenses paid working vacation for SMART-TD union bureaucrats, was to discuss how the union officialdom could continue to support Democratic Party election campaigns. Walsh said at the meeting, 'Who you vote for has consequences and that this is how we restore and expand access to the middle class in this country: through good, union jobs. President Biden, saying perhaps more than he intended, was quoted saying, We need to finish the job. and that he learned a long time ago: Theres labor, and then theres UNION labor.

The post prompted hostile comments from railroaders. Bunch of lip service, one said. Biden and Walsh were a complete joke for the railroad contract. They work just as much in cahoots with corporate America as the Republicans. And SMART folded up like a lawn chair throughout the process! Thankfully the majority of members pushed the matter right to its bitter end so we could see exactly where everyone stood on the issue when time ran out.

This was, in fact, only the latest such union convention where the union bureaucracy rubbed elbows with top politicians. SMART-TDs leadership conference last summer was addressed by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, only days before the Presidential Emergency Board issued its report which sided with the railroads on every issue. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen convention last year, held on the Las Vegas Strip, was addressed by Walsh and Pelosi. At that convention, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien also sent a veiled threat to railroad workers, instructing them to keep their criticism in-house and away from public view.

These conventions are only some of the most vulgar signs of the complete integration of the union apparatus with the capitalist state. In comments made in January, SMART-TD Jeremy Ferguson openly defended the ban on a strike by his own members, declaring, I dont blame Biden. He had to put the country first and the economy first, and that Biden supported us by invoking the Presidential Emergency Board.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (13895143h) British Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Michael Gove departs 10 Downing Street following a cabinet meeting in London, Britain, 02 May 2023. Cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, United Kingdom - 02 May 2023 - ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Michael Gove has been accused of fuelling the housing crisis amid a deeping row with builders.

The Home Builders Federation said the Secretary of States approach to planning would lead to fewer new homes being built after Mr Gove personally intervened to block a new development in Kent because it was too generic.

Berkeley Group, the company behind the project, is now preparing a legal challenge to Mr Goves decision, labelling it irrational.

Steve Turner, executive director at the Home Builders Federation said: The Housing Secretary is personally intervening to block developments that the local authority actually wants to see go ahead. Regardless of the supposed aims the outcome seems to always be the same: fewer new homes built.

This may be clever politics but the long-term social and economic consequences will be huge.

Mr Gove refused Berkeley Homes planning permission to build a 165-home scheme last month. He said: The design of the proposal does not reflect the expectations of the High Weald Housing Design Guide, being of a generic suburban nature.

Berkeleys housing project was originally given the green light by the local council, Tunbridge Wells, which said the scheme had exceptional benefits [and] would deliver much needed housing.

The proposed project is within the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty and Mr Gove said he had also given great weight to the the harm to landscape and scenic beauty that the development would have.

The intervention marks the first time the housing secretary has blocked a decision based on the aesthetics of the development and housebuilders are concerned that it could set a dangerous precedent.

Berkeley has also rejected the suggestion that it has proposed unattractive housing. In a letter sent to Mr Gove last week, representatives said: Berkeley Group is renowned for creating exceptionally well designed homes. It is proud of that tradition.

Lawyers Ashurst said the Housing Secretary makes a number of assertions of bad design without any reasoning or indeed without referring to any evidence. They claimed his statements make absolutely no sense.

Story continues

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities declined to comment.

The legal row between Mr Goves department and Berkeley adds to a deepening rift between housebuilders and the Secretary of State.



Mr Gove angered the industry by accusing them of operating like a cartel and further inflamed tensions last year after accusing builders of constructing ugly homes.

He said: So many of our volume house builders use a restricted pattern book with poor quality materials. That is a reason why communities say no, they do not want ugliness to be imposed on them.
On April 25, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at San Diego State University in California hosted a public lecture, The war in Ukraine and how to stop it, presented by David North, the International Editorial Board Chairman of the World Socialist Web Site.

The event was part of an international meeting series that has included events in Brazil, the UK, Canada, Sri Lanka, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, centered on explaining the historical background to the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and elaborating a socialist and internationalist strategy to stop the war.

Over 120 students attended the meeting in San Diego, filling the room to capacity. An image taken of the meeting showing the audience nearly universally wearing masks drew enthusiastic support from workers, scientists and Long COVID advocacy groups.

In addition to the revolutionary perspective put forward on the need for an internationalist, socialist and anti-war movement to prevent a third nuclear war, the meeting also signified a major advance in the fight against mass infection. It proved that, contrary to the narrative promoted by the bourgeois media, workers, students and youth are more than willing to accept mitigation measures that protect themselves and those around them.

North began his lecture by helping students to place the current war in Ukraine in the broader historical, political and economic framework of the imperialist wars of the 20th and 21st centuries, all of which have been accompanied by atrocity propaganda designed to paint political enemies as inhuman in order to justify war.

North laid out the propaganda campaigns that accompanied World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, and the more recent wars in Serbia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and now Ukraine, stating, Monsters are created as they are needed. Today it is Putin, who is also being joined by another monster being built upChinese president Xi Jinping. There is an inexhaustible supply, depending on the immediate geopolitical need.  people can be made monsters and monsters can be made heroes.

The invocation of national defense and the use of atrocity propaganda to justify war were major themes throughout the talk. North explained that the causes of war cannot be measured by who fired the first shot, just as the complex processes which led to World War I could not be understood by the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.

The attempts by the US-NATO imperialist powers to pin the war entirely on Putins invasion of Ukraine are both reductive and intentionally disingenuous, as they seek to conceal the larger historical encirclement of Russia by NATO, particularly since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the ensuing three decades of unending war.

Map showing the eastward expansion of NATO since 1949 CC BY-NC-SA 4.0] [Photo by Patrickneil

North explained that the ICFI and IYSSE oppose the Putin government and its invasion of Ukraine, as well as the Zelensky government, while tearing apart the false claims that Zelensky is conducting a war of national defense. Drawing connections between the present lies of national defense and those of World War I, North stated:

After all, the German socialists said the war was legitimate because they were fighting Russian barbarism. The French socialists said, ignoring the fact that they were allied with that very Russian barbarism, that they were fighting Prussian barbarism. The British said they were defending the integrity of the Belgian nation, ignoring the fact, of course, that they presided over a vast empire of colonial slaves, and that Belgium, the pretext for Britains entry into the war, was itself presiding over a colonial empire which conducted atrocities in the Congo which were only exceeded in a later period by the Nazis in Germany.

During the question and answer portion after the lecture, North spoke further on this question, stating, The more fundamental question is not who fired the first shot, because thats an incident. The real implications of the war emerge later on. So, if you want to evoke the question of defense, what about the issue of the expansion of NATO? Could Russia claim that it is threatened? After all, since 1991, the boundaries of NATO have moved forward 800 miles to the east. They are now ringed by NATO states. Is that a threat?

North added:

We dont accept the concept of national defense. Every country is divided into classes.  Every bourgeoisie is defending its economic interests, which it presents as the defense of the nation, even though the workers themselves have no interest in defending the access of American multinational corporations and transnational corporations to lithium in Russia or copper, rare earths. What does it benefit from all of this? The concept of national defense is a reactionary concept. Because the basic problem, the most fundamental contradiction in the world today, is the contradiction between the objective development of a globalized economy and the archaic nation-state system. The imperialists try to break out of that contradiction by conquering ever more territories. And yes, and then using propaganda, the ideology of national defense to justify whatever theyre doing.

North then stressed the deeply reactionary character of both the Ukrainian and Russian bourgeoisie and how both national governments are diametrically opposed to the interests of the working class, stating, We dont recognize the concept of Russian national defense either. This is a lie. Putin is an enemy of the Russian working class. But our policy in response to this is to unify the Ukrainian and Russian working class, which share a revolutionary history.

North explained that the litmus test of any political organization which claims to be socialist and represent the international working class is its stance on imperialist war. This was proven decisively by the betrayal of the Second International at the outbreak of World War I. He emphasized that Lenin sought to cut through the lies and propaganda to explain imperialist war on the basis of a deeper examination of its underlying socioeconomic causes.

Describing Lenins argument, that the same contradictions of capitalism which produce imperialist war also lead to socialist revolution, North stated:

No matter how isolated the revolutionary forces appeared to be, they were articulating policies and interests which would eventually find mass support. And they were confirmed in February 1917, when out of the crisis generated by the war, the chain of imperialism broke at its weakest link. The masses came into action in Russia and set into motion a process of revolutionary struggle that was to change the world, and even the United States. Remember, the American working class had nothing, not even the most elementary form of effective industrial unions, until the Russian Revolution, which transformed the consciousness of masses of people.

In concluding his lecture, North highlighted the developments in world economy since 1914, including globalization and the vast advances in technology and communications, which have tremendous revolutionary potential. He noted, If I can say anything which is really optimistic, it is that at a very early stage of this unfolding conflict, we already see a level of activity by the working class which was not apparent in 1914, 1915 or even 1916. The war is accompanied even in its initial stages by a growing radicalization of masses of workers around the world.

Throughout the meeting, North encouraged students to attend the World Socialist Web Sites International Online May Day Rally on Sunday, April 30, emphasizing that the primary question confronting the working class and youth is to build a revolutionary socialist leadership to put an end to imperialist war.

Reporters with the World Socialist Web Site spoke with a number of students after the meeting who shared their assessment of the lecture.

One student said, I understand that there is a deep-rooted context to war, that it doesnt just happen overnight, and I think Norths talk really emphasized this.

He added, When the war broke out in Ukraine, I dove back into studying world politics and looked into some declassified documents from the 90s prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. There was a promise made to Gorbachev that not an inch eastward would be taken by the US and its allies. Since 1991 and the dissolution of the USSR, there has been a massive movement eastward.

The student also raised the economic interests involved in US imperialist interests in the war in Ukraine, saying, The current challenges to the US dollar have to be one of the biggest motivations for the US to start war. This war, although fought against Russia now and heading towards a conflict with China, is also war against the US own allies.

David North speaking with San Diego State University students after IYSSE meeting on April 25, 2023. [Photo: WSWS]

Like David North said, There is an evil power perspective that is put forward: insert name here wakes up one morning and decides to attack somebody else, and that becomes the US justification to get involved, because we are supposedly so virtuous and have to protect the little guy, when we are the one bombing the little guy, bombing countries that cant defend themselves.

On the question of uniting Russian and Ukrainian workers and workers internationally to build a socialist anti-war movement, he said, I fully agree with that. It is optimisticsome would say idealistand it has failed in the past. But I would say that it is up to us to make sure that it doesnt fail again.

The role played by Lenin and Trotsky as central to the preservation of genuine socialism and opposition to imperialist war also resonated with students, who made clear that they view the International Committee of the Fourth International and the IYSSE as the bearers of the historical legacy of Leninism and Bolshevism, what Trotsky referred to as The party of irreconcilable revolutionary opposition to all capitalist regimes.

One student commented, Its all connected.  you can apply what Lenin said then to right now. Another added, I think the question of building effective leftist political parties after what did exist as a leftist political movement had abandoned those principles, and the difficulty to getting back to a real Marxist analysis and movement, has strong implications for us as students. Its strengthening to know that that was rebuilt and its definitely a task thats in front of us as well.
Millions of workers took to the streets in France on May Day to reject the illegitimate pension law formally adopted by President Emmanuel Macron and to express their opposition to his government. He imposed his two-year increase in the pension age with open contempt for the opposition to his cuts from over three-quarters of the French people. However, the validation of the cuts by the Constitutional Council last month has not resolved but intensified the crisis.

The government has not only failed to legitimize its pension law, now promulgated by Macron. By imposing a law that is not recognized as such by the vast majority of the population, the Macron government has cast its own legitimacy into question in the eyes of masses of workers. It confirms a central point made by the Parti de legalite socialiste: The decisive task facing the working class to halt the cuts is to bring down Macron.

Millions of people marched yesterday across the country in what were, in many cities, the largest protests yet since the trade unions began calling nationwide strike protests against Macrons cuts in January. Union officials estimated near-record numbers of marchers in most of the largest cities. These included Paris (550,000), Marseille (130,000), Toulouse and Bordeaux (both 100,000), Nantes (80,000) and Lyon (45,000).

Record numbers of workers attended as well, moreover, in smaller cities, where a large percentage of the population marched against the cuts. These included Limoges and Caen (both 40,000), Brest and Grenoble (both 33,000), Bayonne (30,000), and Lorient, Nimes and Clermont-Ferrand (25,000 each).

Tens of thousands of riot police were mobilized nationwide, including 5,000 in Paris, and the courts authorized the use of drones to spy on protesters in Paris, Bordeaux and other cities. Police violently attacked May Day rallies in cities across the country, with heavy clashes breaking out including in Marseille, Nantes, Lyon, Rennes and Paris. The Interior Ministry reported that 108 policemen were injured, while 291 people were arrested.

In Paris, clashes erupted soon after the march began, with police charging sectors of the march and trying to separate them into several detachments, each surrounded by riot police units. They repeatedly fired tear gas at and baton-charged protesters, who threw paving stones at lines of riot police.

Two policemen were seriously burned when a Molotov cocktail exploded in a police squad.

Finally, when the march arrived at Nation Square in Paris, fires broke out after riot police sealed off the square and bombarded protesters with water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades.

WSWS journalists interviewed demonstrators in Paris. Toya, a worker from Mali, from which French troops recently withdrew after a nine-year war, said he was marching to mark the day of the international working class and oppose war.

We are against the war in Ukraine. We are against war everywhere, Toya said, emphasizing that workers around the world need peace. I was in Mali when the French intervention began.  Between the French people and the Malian people, there are no problems. The problems are at the level of the politicians. But we have nothing against the French people, and the French people have nothing against the Malian people.

The WSWS spoke to Gaetan, Quentin and Guillaume, three students studying in Paris-area universities, who had come together to the protest.

May Day is the international workers day, Gaetan said. We are students, but our parents have struggled all of their lives in their jobs. If my father is forced to work until 64, it will get hard for him because he does heavy labor. We are thinking of everyone who is struggling to get by. Taking two years from us, that is a catastrophe for us. He added, Were not in agreement with the cuts, or especially the way they were put through.

Quentin, Guillaume and Gaetan [Photo: WSWS]

Quentin said Macron doesnt give a damn about the people; his ministers are all hopeless. We have to force them to leave. There is not a single minister who doesnt have some major problem, who hasnt done something wrong.

Quentin noted that he does not support Macrons intervention to send weapons to Ukraine, as the French government has a long record of fueling bloody conflicts this way. France has sold a lot of weapons  it was put on trial because of the weapons it sold that went to the war in Yemen, he said.

He added that the struggle against Macrons cuts is not over and even that it will intensify as Macron brings in further austerity measures rejected by the French people: When he does his cuts to welfare spending, its going to get ugly, like when he does his law on immigration.

Guillaume concluded, We have to say no to the reform, no to this method of government. We are here to defend democracy; that is why we are here.

The WSWS also spoke to Kevin and Celine, a delivery and logistics worker who joined the 2018-2019 yellow vest protests against social inequality during Macrons first term in office.

Asked why she was coming out to protest on May Day, Celine denounced Macrons pension cuts. Im not 30 years old yet, and Ive injured my left arm, it has lost 80 percent of its function. If they tell me to work until I am 64, it will simply be impossible. They are sending people to their deaths.

Kevin and Celine [Photo: WSWS]

She emphasized that the movement against Macron is not dying down after the adoption of the law, as political anger is mounting, and the unelected Constitutional Council has no legitimacy to impose the cuts. I saw the yellow vests, Celine said, and this is bringing people together even more. It is a measure that affects everyone. When I talk to people, absolutely everyone is in agreement: We do not want this law.  And the Constitutional Council, it is just a rest home for political retirees.

She emphasized her opposition to the ongoing NATO escalation of the war with Russia in Ukraine. Workers have no interest in this, she said. Who will serve as cannon fodder? It wont be Macron or Putin. Its always the same people who do the dying.

Celine emphasized that what is taking place is a collapse of French democracy, as the government and the banks work systematically to seal off any possibility for the population to force state policy to align itself even vaguely with public opinion.

She said, We try to use democratic methods, Macron rams the cuts through without a vote. We tell ourselves we have the Constitutional Council, but then it validates the cuts anyway. We protest in the streets, the police beat us up, and no one listens to us. What are we supposed to do? The most serious thing is that you can protest, try to change things at the ballot box, but there is no way to get our message through.

In France, across Europe and beyond, workers face capitalist governments that are entirely impervious to their demands for an end to austerity and war. The union bureaucracies attempts to calm the situation by appealing for mediation with Macron have proven utterly futile, from the standpoint of the working class, and reactionary. There is nothing to negotiate with Macron, who has dispensed with the fiction that he governs based on the consent of the governed. The working class is engaged in a political struggle against the capitalist state whose revolutionary implications are evermore apparent.

The working class is compelled to take the struggle out of the hands of the union bureaucracies, who are negotiating with Macron, when two-thirds of the French people support a general strike to halt the economy. By negotiating with Macron instead of working to bring down his government, the union bureaucracies themselves are trampling on the will of the working class.

The way forward is to build independent rank-and-file organizations of struggle, fighting to mobilize the mounting political anger in the working class into a movement for a general strike to bring down Macron, repeal his illegitimate cuts and link the struggles in France to an international movement in the working class against austerity and war, and for socialism.
The classified version of Australias Defence Strategic Review (DSR) featured a detailed discussion of potential scenarios for war, including the prospect of a US conflict with China over control of Taiwan, the Sydney Morning Herald reported this morning. This was not passive analysis, it indicated, but active war gaming.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter and an Australian Defence Force MRH90 land at Sam Hill Airfield in Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area in Central Queensland [Photo: Australian Department of Defence]

A declassified copy of the report was released by the federal Labor government on April 24. It called for the largest Australian military build-up since World War II, centring on the acquisition of offensive strike capabilities, including missile systems.

The DSRs recommendations, accepted in full by the Labor government, overturn decades of defence policy, under which the nominal purpose of the military has been the protection of the Australian mainland and its approaches. Instead, the review advocated impactful projection throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The public version of the DSR linked this to the prospect of major conflict in the Indo-Pacific. It repeated Washingtons lies about Chinese aggression, and noted deepening strategic competition between the US and China.

But the public document was remarkably vague on how concretely a war between the US and China would develop. Notably absent from the 110-page document was the word Taiwan, given that it is a focal point of the US war drive.

It was already known that the classified version featured four chapters that had been excised from the publicly-released document. It had also been reported before that these dealt with scenarios.

The Sydney Morning Herald article is the most direct indication yet of what those scenarios consist.

The article, by Matthew Knott, stated: Sources familiar with the classified version of the governments defence strategic review said former defence chief Angus Houston and former defence minister Stephen Smith commissioned detailed analysis from experts within the Defence Department about specific scenarios that could draw Australia into armed conflict and shatter stability in the Indo-Pacific.

These included a possible war fought between the United States and China over the self-governing island of Taiwan.

The apparent centrality of Taiwan to the classified review exposes the fraudulent claims that the US and Australia are engaged in a defensive response to Chinese threats and a military build-up.

Chinas position on Taiwan is the same that it has held for decades. In reality, it is the US that has transformed the island into a potential flashpoint for war.

Since the 1970s, almost the entire international community, including successive US administrations, adhered to the One China policy. Under this doctrine, the Chinese Communist Party government in Beijing was recognised, at least de facto, as the sole legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan. In consequence, US governments did not have open diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Over recent years, the US has overturned this policy in all but name. The Biden administration, deepening measures initiated by Obama and Trump, has developed diplomatic ties with Taiwan, while expanding direct weapons sales and stationing troops on the island.

The clear aim is to goad China into an attack on Taiwan, which would be used as the pretext for a full-blown US war against Beijing. Senior American officials have openly foreshadowed a direct conflict, with top US Air Force General Michael Minihan predicting a war between the US and China over control of Taiwan by the end of 2025.

Notably, the public version of the DSR has an urgent timeline for some of its military proposals, especially the acquisition of strike capabilities, identical to that put forward by Minihan.

The prominence of Taiwan in the classified document raises several questions. Does the DSR recommend that Australia join a US-led war with China over Taiwan? That issue has repeatedly been sidestepped by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other senior Labor ministers.

The other obvious question is: What conceivable threat to Australia would be posed by direct Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule in Taiwan, an island of 23 million people, 160 kilometres from mainland China and 5,600 kilometres from Australia that has been viewed as a part of China since a Chinese nation existed?

The public DSR desperately tries to present the Australian military build-up as defensive in nature. But the only concrete threats posed by China that it identifies are cyber-warfare, possible attacks on trade routes and sabotage of undersea cables. How would direct CCP rule in Taiwan affect any of these things?

It is likely that the government would respond that open CCP rule in Taiwan would threaten human rights and democracy. But if that is the case, why doesnt Australia prepare for war against Israel, over its oppression of the Palestinians, or Saudi Arabia over its brutal dictatorial governance? What about American imperialisms human rights record over the past 80 years, including in the criminal occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, or Australias own for that matter?

Knott raises none of these questions. He skates over the issue of Taiwan, precisely because it demonstrates that there is nothing defensive about the Australian military build-up. Its aim is to prepare for involvement in an aggressive US-led war, aimed at asserting the hegemony of US imperialism over China, which is viewed as a threat only because its economic growth challenges an American capitalism in protracted decline.

Instead Knott attempts to bolster the defensive narrative. Another scenario, which he dwells on at far greater length, is the prospect of China developing a military base in a Pacific nation, such as the Solomon Islands or Vanuatu.

This, Knott wrote, would bring the Chinese military within just 2000 kilometres of the Australian mainland and upend the current balance of power in the south Pacific. His source was more blunt. He said the message in the classified DSR was that if this occurred, Youre f**ked.

Over recent years, a number of Pacific states have sought to balance between the US and China. The attraction of the latter is that it has provided economic aid and financing, when the US and its allies have provided a pittance. But there is no indication that China is seeking to establish a military presence in the Pacific.

Even if it did, this would hardly threaten the US mainland, 12,000 kilometres from the Pacific islands. Nor would it be the basis of some kind of attack on Australia, as Knott implies. The public DSR itself acknowledges that there is almost no prospect of an invasion of Australia at any point in the future.

The real issue is that the Pacific is crucial to American imperialisms own plans for aggressive conflict with China. Any Chinese presence is viewed as a potential block to the provocations and military operations that Washington is developing against China, including detailed plans, first drawn up by the Pentagon in 2010, for an Air Sea Battle throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The fact that these issues are central to the classified DSR exposes the real character of the Australian Labor government's intense interest in the South Pacific. Since Labor took office last May, its Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been visiting the region almost continuously. She has travelled to all of its 18 nations. Wong has presented this as an expression of Labors commitment to the Pacific family and our shared values.

In reality, as the WSWS has explained, she has lectured, hectored and bullied the leaders of these small, impoverished states, warning them that any deviation from alignment with the US and Australia will not be tolerated.

This is a continuation of the US and Australian threats against the Solomon Islands in April, 2022. In that month, it was revealed that China and the Solomons had signed an economic and security agreement. The US, with the backing of Australia, threatened military intervention if this included Chinese military basing on the islands.

In other words, Australia and the US are deeply concerned about self-determination and self-governance in Taiwan, which has never been deemed an independent country by the international community. But at the very same time, they are trampling on the self-determination and self-governance of sovereign nations such as the Solomon Islands.

Knotts article highlights the role of the Australian press corps as state-aligned war propagandists. Since the release of the DSR over a week ago, there has not been one critical commentary in the mainstream press, questioning the plans for a vast military build-up, or exposing the bogus pretexts under which it is being carried out.

The article, moreover, is not based on a leak in any traditional sense of the term. Instead, it has all the hallmarks of a controlled release by the military command and the government themselves.

Even still, the article underscores the fact that one of the most sweeping changes in the entire history of Australian imperialism is being carried out based on scenarios and war-gaming that is being hidden from the population. That again highlights the fact that these war plans are incompatible with democracy.
The following speech was delivered by Andre Damon, a writer and editor for the World Socialist Web Site and member of the Socialist Equality Party (US) Political Committee, to the 2023 International May Day Online Rally held by the World Socialist Web Site and the International Committee of the Fourth International on April 30.

Dear Friends and Comrades,

As we meet to celebrate May Day, the world is at war.

The former Soviet Union has become a battlefield. Hundreds of thousands are dead or wounded on both sides, with young recruits and old men sent to their deaths over a few meters of land. The war in Ukraine has displaced millions of people and has had devastating cultural and social consequences.

But in the plans of the imperialists, this is just an opening skirmish.

The International May Day 2023 online rally

Masses of troops are on the move around the world. Throughout Europe, new battle lines are being formed, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. While over 150 active-duty NATO troops are already inside Ukraine, tens of thousands more have been deployed to Russias borders, ready, in the words of one commander, to fight tonight.

In the Pacific, the chain of islands surrounding the Chinese mainland, one of the most populous and economically vital areas of the world, is being transformed into a militarized bastion for war with China.

At this very moment, war planners at the Pentagon are discussing and preparing for scenarios in which large portions of humanity are killed in a strategic nuclear exchange, and human civilization collapses in the ensuing nuclear winter.

The war in Ukraine was provoked, instigated and prolonged by the United States. The global eruption of American imperialism after the dissolution of the USSR has transformed into a war against Russia and active preparations for war with China.

The United States proclaims that this is an age of great power conflict as it prepares, in the words of last years NATO statement, for warfighting against nuclear-armed peer-competitors.

UN Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meets NATO troops at an airbase in Tallinn, Estonia on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP) [AP Photo/Leon Neal]

Twenty years ago, the Bush administration launched the invasion of Iraq, a brutal, illegal and criminal war that killed over 1 million people and destroyed an entire society.

It was a war promoted through lies. The White House conspired with the media to propagate a blatant falsehood: the claim that Iraq was creating weapons of mass destruction to justify the occupation and pillage of the country.

Today, the lies that led to the invasion of Iraq are seen not as a horrible aberration but as a model to be followed in the accomplishment of the ruling classs goals.

The media-orchestrated lie pioneered by weapons of mass destruction has become a permanent state of affairs. The financial system is sound. COVID-19 is mild. Children dont get COVID-19. The pandemic is over. Masks dont work. The lies pile one on top of the other until its almost impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Everything about the war was sold to the public through lies. It is not a proxy war  NATO is not involved, said the White House. I will not send American servicemen to fight in Ukraine, Biden declared. All of these lies have fallen, one by one, like dominoes, until all that is left is the reality that two nuclear-armed powers are at war with one another.

The struggle against war requires not just the refutation of the blatant falsehoods with which the imperialists justify their crimes but a serious explanation.

What was the imperialist war? asked Leon Trotsky of World War I.

It was the revolt of the productive forces not only against the bourgeois forms of property but also against the boundaries of capitalist states. The imperialist war expressed the fact that the productive forces are unbearably constrained within the confines of national states. We have always maintained that capitalism is incapable of controlling the productive forces it itself develops and that only socialism is capable of incorporating the productive forces which have outgrown the boundaries of capitalist states within a higher economic entity.

These words, written to describe the 20th century, apply with even greater validity to the 21st, which is reliving the industrial barbarism of Verdun and the Somme, but fought with drones and AI-powered weaponry.

Everywhere, the old, reactionary social order is violently straining against the globalized productive forces; to combat the progressive power of artificial intelligence and global communications networks, the sludge of the Dark Ages is being dredged up and spewed into public consciousness, to corrupt public opinion and condition public consciousness for a new world war.

Senator Rand Paul (Republican-Kentucky) questions top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on COVID-19 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

Russian musicians are not allowed to perform in America unless they swear allegiance to the war effort. American scientists, who advocate open scientific collaboration with their Chinese colleagues, are accused of creating COVID-19.

The racist libel has reared its hideous head once again. Anti-scientific bigotry is everywhere promoted, with the ruling class straining to re-litigate the Scopes trial and finally put the scientists in their place.

No one should underestimate the threat posed by the war plans of the imperialistsarmed with 21st century weapons and 21st century propaganda methods. After all, there has never been a world war where multiple combatants possessed nuclear weapons.

But it would be a far greater mistake to underestimate the forces that will be brought into struggle against this war. Because for all the destruction unleashed by the modern instruments of war, the creative and progressive forces forged by the modern world are stronger.

The working class, united in a global productive process, interconnected through global communication mechanisms, is immeasurably more powerful than the forces of reaction.

A woman from the Hausa tribe in northern Nigeria looks at her smartphone. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) [AP Photo/Ben Curtis]

But mobilizing this great force requires perspective and leadership. We gather today to build this leadership: to unite the forces of the Trotskyist movement, from Australia to Sri Lanka, the entire Eurasian landmass and the Americas, to proclaim the struggle for the birth of a new, socialist society from the agonies of the old.

Will it be possible to build a revolutionary leadership to stop a Third World War and save human civilization? That question will be determined through strugglethrough the actions of those gathered here today and those they will inspire and educate.

I urge all participants in this years May Day: Do your part to take forward the struggle against war as the struggle for socialism.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held a meeting April 27 at Berlins Humboldt University on the topic: The war in Ukraine and how to stop it. It was the first meeting in Germany of an international series on the causes of the NATO proxy war in Ukraine, held by the youth and student movement of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).

The university chapter of the IYSSE distributed free FFP2 (N95) masks to the participants, set up air filters and took further protective measures to ensure the safety of all participants and speakers. IYSSE spokesman Gregor Kahl stressed at the beginning that the convening of a public meeting against the war in Ukraine was of great importance:

The danger of nuclear war has never been greater than it is today. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed on both sides of the conflict. But both the Zelensky regime and the Putin regimeand above all the imperialist NATO powerscontinue to escalate the war. They have agreed to include Ukraine in their alliance and thus to enter directly into the war against Russia.

Gregor Kahl speaking at the IYSSE meeting on the war in Ukraine [Photo: WSWS]

According to Kahl, the IYSSE is implacably opposed to all warring parties and fights for a united socialist movement of workers and youth against the war in Ukraine and the war policies of the NATO powers, which have systematically prepared the war.

The IYSSE invited Johannes Stern, the editor-in-chief of the German edition of the World Socialist Web Site, to give a Marxist assessment of the background to the war and to explain the socialist and internationalist perspective against the war.

At the beginning of his speech, Stern stressed that the IYSSE and its parent organizations, the Socialist Equality Party and the International Committee of the Fourth International, opposed and condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, from the outset. Stern declared:

The IYSSE opposes Putin and the Russian oligarchy, but from a left-wing, socialist standpoint, not a right-wing, pro-imperialist one. We have comrades in Russia and Ukraine who are opponents of both the Putin regime in Russia and the Zelensky regime in Ukraine. Putin represents a faction of the Russian oligarchy that emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy and the restoration of capitalism. However, the claim that the invasion was unprovoked is a lie and a clumsy attempt to remove the war from its larger historical context.

Such an understanding, however, is necessary in order to develop a perspective for ending the war, he continued. In his subsequent remarks, Stern stressed six points about the conflict, which are essential for an understanding of the historical, economic, social and political roots of the war:

The conflict can only be understood in the context of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The war is the continuation of a three-decades-long and expanding war of the imperialist powers. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the reaction of the Russian oligarchy to the decades-long imperialist encirclement. The propaganda about a struggle for freedom and democracy is refuted by the rise of far-right and fascist forces in Ukraine. The ruling class in Germany, which has already tried to annex Ukraine and subjugate Russia in two world wars, is using the conflict to implement long-cherished militarization plans. War cannot be understood apart from the growing economic, social and political crisis of the capitalist great powers.

Johannes Stern, editor of the German-language edition of the WSWS, speaking at the IYSSE meeting at the Humboldt University in Berlin [Photo: WSWS]

As part of this analysis, Stern discussed the Stalinist betrayal of the October Revolution, which culminated in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of capitalism in the early 1990s. He proceeded to examine the wars of aggression of the NATO powers in violation of international law over the past three decades and analyse the propaganda with which the corporate media justified these wars.

Stern placed particular emphasis on the role of German imperialism, which already played a leading role in the dismemberment of Yugoslavia and the occupation of Afghanistan. Now the federal government is pursuing the declared goal of bringing Europe under German supremacy. Stern traced the eruption of German militarism and showed that the German elite in the war against Russia relies on fascist organizations that operate in the tradition of Ukrainian Nazi collaborators.

The new epoch initiated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz immediately after the beginning of the war marks the greatest German rearmament programme since the fall of the Hitler regime and has been ideologically prepared, especially at Humboldt University. In order to achieve their global war aims, the ruling class must set about eliminating all social achievements of past class struggles.

On a capitalist basis, Stern said, there is no way to stop the looming world war. The cause of the war lies in the capitalist contradictions manifested in all countries, between the world economy and the nation-state, as well as between social production and private appropriation.

It has always been the maxim of the great Marxistsabove all Lenin and Trotskythat the same economic, geopolitical and social contradictions that drive the imperialist ruling elites on the path of war also create the objective impulse for the radicalization of the working class and the outbreak of revolutionary struggles. This is happening again.

The struggles of the working class, which are developing worldwide, form the basis for a struggle against war, continued Stern. But the necessary prerequisite for a successful struggle is the building of a conscious socialist and revolutionary leadership in the working class. This means the building of the IYSSE and the Fourth International worldwide.

The presentation was followed by a lively discussion. One participant raised the question of whether governments of the Global South such as the Lula government in Brazil could be alliance partners in the fight against war. The participant referred to the move by several governments to circumvent the US dollar as a global currency and to handle international trade in their national currencies.

Stern replied that the working class, as an international class, was the only social force capable of confronting war. A central political doctrine of the last century is that capitalist governments are not allies in this struggle, but opponents. The efforts of various bourgeois regimes to oppose the domination of US imperialism with a multipolar world order are reactionary and part of the development towards a third world war.

Another participant was enthusiastic about the presentation and analysis, and asked how it could be explained that there was no mass movement against the war. Ulrich Rippert, founding member and longtime chairman of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP), replied that parties such as the Greens and the Left Party, which were at the forefront of previous anti-war protests, had turned out to be the most fervent warmongers.

Clara Weiss, an IYSSE member in the United States, noted that the Trotskyist youth movement was the only organization at the universities that opposed the war and held rallies and public assemblies to win young people over to a socialist program. This is no coincidence. In order to win the fight against war, it is necessary to build the International Committee of the Fourth International, which throughout its history has defended socialism and revolutionary internationalism.

The discussion continued long after the end of the event. In the coming weeks, the IYSSE will organise regular meetings at Humboldt University, to which all interested parties are warmly invited.

The IYSSE will continue its nationwide series of meetings. The next meetings will take place on May 4 in Munich and on May 5 in Leipzig. Further events will follow in Bochum (11.5.), Frankfurt (12.5.), Cologne (16.5.) and Stuttgart (17.5.). More detailed information about the events can be found here.
MiniLuxe Holding Corp.

Toronto, Ontario, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiniLuxe, Inc. (MiniLuxe) a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiniLuxe Holding Corp (TSXV: MNLX), today announced the first store-in-store launch of Paintbox (acquired last year by MNLX) with a new Boston outpost for Paintbox and plans to launch a ready-to-wear Paintbox press-on product offering that allows clients to experience nail art at home and on-the-go.



Based in New York City and founded in 2014 by beauty editor and trend expert, Eleanor Langston, Paintbox has been redefining the nail-care industry through its creativity and proprietary modern nail art designs. The brands expansion builds on Paintboxs extensive history of collaborations with high fashion and luxury brands and leverages MiniLuxes base of existing nail studios that offer a new channel for Paintbox services and products.

By extending Paintboxs core IP of iconic and instantly recognizable nail looks, we have been able to offer Paintbox services and products in one of our MiniLuxe nail studios with a store-in-store test. We also look forward to launching Paintbox press-on nails during New York fashion week later this fall, said Tony Tjan, MiniLuxes Chairman.

MiniLuxe used its South End location in Boston to test this new Paintbox store-in-store format that includes some of Paintboxs most popular nail art looks that will now be part of MiniLuxes talent certification program. The footprint of less than 200 square feet presents the opportunity for a fast payback and if the test proves successful, an opportunity for scale across other MiniLuxe studios and new partner channels. Additionally, since MiniLuxes acquisiton of Paintbox, the average order value has been at near a 50% premium to MiniLuxes historical AOV, pointing to an opportunity for MiniLuxe to continue to add higher gross margin premium offerings.

Paintboxs proprietary line of non-toxic nail polishes and manicure kits have also given the company the foundation to create what it believes will be the industrys most curated, best looking, and highest performing press-on nails. The company will launch Paintbox press-on nails through its e-commerce platform with collaboratiopns and partnerships during New York Fashion week in the later part of the year.

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We are thrilled to see early positive traction with our customers reception of the store-in-store offering of Paintbox at MiniLuxe, says Elizabeth Lorber, MiniLuxes Chief Commercial Officer who is leading the post-merger integration of the brand, and believe this is the first step to unlocking the significant value of Paintboxs creative IP. Further, the upskilling opportunity created through Paintboxs digital education and certification program is empowering our valued team members with skill in sophisticated nail art.

These new Paintbox initiatives allow MiniLuxe to further amplify its vision as a talent empowerment platform for nail care and beauty professionals and to be become the brand authority for nail care  the most used beauty service that remains early in its innovation curve and growth.

About MiniLuxe

MiniLuxe, a Delaware corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts is a digital-first, socially-responsible lifestyle brand and talent empowerment platform and marketplace [lets consider] for the nail and waxing industry. For over a decade, MiniLuxe has been setting industry standards for health, hygiene, high quality services, and fair labor practices in its efforts to transform the nail care and waxing industry. Underlying MiniLuxes mission and purpose is to become one of the largest inclusionary educators and employers of diverse self-care professionals across an omni-channel ecosystem and talent empowerment platform.

Today, MiniLuxe derives its revenue streams from nail care and waxing services across an omni-channel ecosystem of on premise with company-owned studios and partnerships and off-premise on-demand services. The company also develops and sells a proprietary retail and e-commerce line of clean nail care and waxing products that are also used in MiniLuxe services. MiniLuxe is driven by a fully-integrated digital platform that manages all client bookings, preferences, and payments and provides designers with the ability to manage scheduling and client preferences, track their performance and compensation, and access training content. Since its inception, MiniLuxe has performed nearly 3 million services. www.miniluxe.com

For further information

Anthony Tjan

Executive Chairman, MiniLuxe Holding Corp.

atjan@miniluxe.com

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.




TEMPE, Ariz., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moov , the world's largest and fastest growing marketplace for used semiconductor equipment, has received an honorable mention for enterprise innovation in Fast Company's 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards . Moov is leading the digital transformation of the $100bn+ high-tech manufacturing equipment supply chain. Moov received this award for its aftermarket service suite, which uses technology to ensure high value assets arrive as and when expected.

Moov Technologies (PRNewsfoto/Moov Technologies)

The award, which was specifically for a new product or service launched in the past year, included a number of competitive entries in the enterprise category for "innovative approaches to B2B products and services that make systems more equitable, sustainable, or accessible." Moov received an honorable mention for its aftermarket service suite , which, in uncertain times, ensures the secure, reliable delivery of high value manufacturing equipment eliminating barriers chipmakers face in expanding production through buying used equipment. Moov's aftermarket suite includes logistics and tracking, digital inspections, refurbishing and insurance from an ecosystem of best-in-class service providers.

"We're excited to be named among Fast Company's World Changing Ideas this year. Our aftermarket suite is just another example of how Moov is leveraging technology to bring reliability, ease, and security to the secondary market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment," said Moov co-founder and CEO Steven Zhou.

This year's World Changing Ideas Awards which will be featured in Fast Company's Spring 2023 issue (on newsstands May 9, 2023) will showcase some of the world's most inventive entrepreneurs and forward-thinking companies that are actively tackling global challenges. The solutions cover everything from water reuse in urban environments and modular housing to an initiative combating book bans and a program that spotlights trans-friendly salons around the world.

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"It's thrilling to see the creativity and innovation that are so abundant among this year's honorees," says Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. "While it's easy to feel discouraged by the state of the world, the entrepreneurs, companies, and nonprofits featured in this package show the limitless potential to address society's most urgent problems. Our journalists have highlighted some of the most exciting and impactful work being done todayfrom housing to equity to sustainabilityand we look forward to seeing not only how these projects evolve but how they inspire others to develop solutions of their own."

About the World Changing Ideas Awards: World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company's major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

About Moov Technologies Inc.

Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, and Austin, Texas, Moov is a technology-driven marketplace and asset management platform that matches buyers and sellers of pre-owned semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Built by a team with more than 50 years of experience in the manufacturing equipment brokerage industry, Moov's platform ensures accurate listings and faster transactions. CEO Steven Zhou and Managing Director Maxam Yeung co-founded the company in 2017. To learn more, please visit Moov.co .

ABOUT FAST COMPANY

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.

Cision

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SOURCE Moov Technologies
(Bloomberg) -- Morgan Stanley said its in talks with US prosecutors and regulators to resolve a probe into its block-trading practices.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The firm is currently engaged in discussions regarding potential resolution of the investigations by the enforcement division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York into various aspects of the firms blocks business, the bank said Tuesday in a regulatory filing.

The firm has previously said inquiries focus on whether employees shared or used information regarding impending block transactions in violation of securities regulations. The company has discharged two bankers who had been put on leave in relation to the issue, and said the move was tied to allegations about their communications regarding block trades and client activity.

Morgan Stanley disclosed the investigations last year, and said it faces potential civil liability from allegations that it caused stock prices to drop before completing a block trade. Spokespeople for the SEC and Justice Department declined to comment.

Shares of the bank were little changed in early New York trading, after gaining 1.5% this year through Tuesday.

Wall Street has been watching closely as prosecutors dig into how banks work with hedge funds and other buyers to privately carry out stock sales big enough to move prices. Company founders and other major stakeholders hire bankers to help them discreetly unload large blocks of stock without sending the price into a tailspin. The banks, in turn, often work with hedge funds willing to take the risk of acquiring a slug of equities on short notice.

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Conversations for those deals can stray into legal gray areas, and if sellers see prices slip just before deals are done, they are known to question whether information leaked. Bloomberg has previously reported that the Justice Department had sought communications involving more than a dozen professionals at Wall Street firms, including at Morgan Stanley and some of its key clients.

In December, Pawan Passi, who led the US equity syndicate desk and the banks communications with investors for equity transactions, and an underling, Charles Leisure, formally exited the bank. They initially submitted resignations but their notice period was cut short and departure accelerated over unwillingness to work closely with the bank through the probe, people with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg at the time.

How Block Trades Work and Why They Arouse Suspicions: QuickTake

(Updates with shares in fifth paragraph.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Warren Buffett. CNBC/YouTube

Most investors expect Berkshire Hathaway stock to outperform the S&P 500 over the next five years.

That's according to a new Bloomberg MLIV Pulse survey of 352 professional and retail investors

Shares of Warren Buffett's Berkshire gained 3.3% in 2022, compared to the S&P 500's loss of 18%.

More than half of investors expect shares of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway to outperform the S&P 500 Index over the next five years.

A new Bloomberg MLIV Pulse survey with 352 respondents found that 53.2% of professional investors and 54.4% of retail investors think the stock will beat the broad market index in that span.

Meanwhile, 13% of professional investors and 8.1% of retail investors responded that Berkshire stock will lag the S&P 500 over the next five years, while 33.3% and 37.5% of each respective group said it will be close to the S&P 500.

Last year, shares Berkshire gained 3.3%, compared to the S&P 500's loss of 18%.

And with Wall Street anticipating a looming recession, the survey found that 44.6% of investors think now is the right time to buy defensive stocks, with 20.2% favoring growth stocks, 16.5% tech stocks, and 18.8% saying other.

Ahead of this week's annual Berkshire shareholder meeting, 80% of investors said the biggest portion of Buffett's legacy will be buying stocks for less than what they're worth. His annual shareholder letter came in second.

The Bloomberg survey comes as Buffett himself has been relatively quiet with Berkshire's investing portfolio in recent years.

While he boosted stakes in five top Japanese companies last month, his conglomerate is currently holding a massive pile of cash that totals roughly $130 billion as he has avoided megadeals even as last year's bear market lowered asset prices.

But Buffett has cautioned investors against deploying their money the same way he does. Instead, he has urged them to park money in a low-cost index fund.

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He said the same to Tim Ferris in 2008 when the podcaster asked him how to invest $1 million.

"You will not get that advice from anybody because nobody gets paid to give you that advice," Buffett said. "You will have all kinds of people telling you how much better they can do for you than that, and how if you just give them a wrap fee, or give them commissions, or whatever it may be, that they will do better  but they won't do better."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The award-winning Dropout star brought the va-va-voom energy in an Oscar de la Renta mini dress and amped-up ringlets

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Amanda Seyfried at the 2023 Met Gala

Amanda Seyfried returned to the Met Gala in perhaps her most mini look to date.

For this year's event, themed "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," the Dropout star, 37, looked drop-dead gorgeous wearing an Oscar de la Renta micro gown made with draping beaded strings and gleaming metallic wires. Outfitted by Elizabeth Stewart, Seyfried also wore gold sandal heels and Cartier jewelry for added bling.

The Lancome Ambassadress's beauty look consisted of a dark berry lip color and matching violet eyeshadow. She also channeled '70s glam with a voluptuous curly hairstyle.

This year's dress code is influenced by the 60-year-spanning career of the late fashion designer Lagerfeld, who was once at the helm of Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi, Chanel and his self-named house.

The exhibit inside will hold approximately 150 of the visionary's sketches, from which museum curator Andrew Bolton drew inspiration when compiling the pieces inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Be sure to check out all of PEOPLE's Met Gala coverage to get the latest news on fashion's biggest night.

Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Amanda Seyfried at the 2023 Met Gala

RELATED GALLERY: The Best Met Gala Looks of All Time

Seyfried is no stranger to the star-studded event in New York City, traditionally held annually on the first Monday in May.

The award-winning silver-screen star made her debut there in 2013  a year that spotlighted "PUNK: Chaos to Couture." Then, Seyfried rocked a marble-pattern Givenchy Haute Couture gown with a train and, to match the edgy concept, a voluminous French braid ponytail.

Two years later, she made a comeback. Celebrating the "China: Through The Looking Glass" showcase, Seyfried selected a white Givenchy sleeveless mock-neck gown decorated with flower appliques.

Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock

Related: 5 Fun Facts About Amanda Seyfried's 2023 SAG Awards Look

Her most recent visit to the Met Gala was in 2018 for the institute's "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic" exhibit.

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Channeling goddess energy, the Mamma Mia! actress opted for an airy pleated mustard-yellow gown, cinched at the waist with a leafy metallic gold belt, and a crown on top of her curls. Both pieces were designed by Prada.

During this past awards season, Seyfried stopped the carpet more than once in her looks, whether she was making a statement as a retro princess in Prada at the SAG Awards or glittering in a gold statue-esque gown pulled from Dior's couture archives at the Critics Choice Awards.

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"Im not signing any of this s---, he told Josh Horowitz on a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

Bill Hader is sharing why he is unwilling to sign Star Wars merchandise, and the answer may surprise you.

Hader, 44, who was a voice consultant for droid BB-8 with Ben Schwartz in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), reveals how "autograph people don't like me. I won't sign things."

The Oklahoma native appeared on a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast when he described an incident to host Josh Horowitz that turned him off from signing his John Hancock on merch.

Related:Bill Hader on How His Real-Life Panic Attacks Informed His Performance in 'Barry'

"I used to sign stuff, and then one time I saw somebody and they had their kid come up to me to sign a BB-8 thing and it was three in the morning," Hader remembered. "I was leaving the Inside Out premiere and then we went to an after-party thing and it was super late and this guy kept his kid up all night. [He was like], 'Go over there so he'll sign it so I can sell it online.' "

"I was like, 'That's f----- up,' " Hader said. "And so now, I just kind of blanket, like, I'm not signing any of this s---."

Although director J.J. Abrams attributed the BB-8 character to the Noelle actor, according to The Hollywood Reporter, he does not feel like he should take credit for the role.

Amanda Edwards/FilmMagic

"I came in and did like voice stuff for it that didn't work," Hader added. "Then, he brought me in later and said, 'Hey, do you want to do this.' It was like a  talk box thing and then I did that. And the reason he hasn't had me come back is because anybody can do that.  It's like a machine that you can operate."

Related:Ali Wong and Bill Hader Had a Matching Sneaker Moment in the Comfy Brand We've Spotted on Jennifer Garner

Hader appeared in a cameo in the tragicomedy horror film, Beau is Afraid, starring Joaquin Phoenix. The film, directed by Ari Aster, opened in theaters on April 1.

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Read the original article on People.
Nine years after he won his fourth and final acting Emmy for playing Walter White on Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston has a solid shot at triumphing in the corresponding Best Drama Guest Actor category for reprising the role on the prequel series Better Call Saul on AMC. In fact, he has three chances to win at least his fifth acting Emmy this year since he could also earn notices for Best Movie/Limited Actor for Paramount Plus Jerry and Marge Go Large and for Best Drama Actor for Showtimes Your Honor. If all three nominations come to fruition, he will be only the fourth person and second man to ever compete for three acting Emmys at once.

Cranstons highly anticipated Better Call Saul appearance consists of several flashback scenes in which he reunites with his Breaking Bad cast mates Bob Odenkirk and Aaron Paul. His two episodes aired shortly after the premiere of Jerry and Marge Go Large, in which he stars opposite Annette Bening as Jerry Selbee, a recent retiree who figures out a way to repeatedly win Michigans WinFall lottery. He then headlined the second season of Your Honor, which focuses on his character, former judge Michael Desiato, infiltrating the New Orleans mob following a brief prison stint.

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The only male actor who will have preceded Cranston in garnering three Emmy bids in one year is Will Geer, who achieved the feat posthumously in 1978. His haul included his sixth drama supporting actor mention for The Waltons and two notices in the now-defunct Best Single Appearance in a Comedy or Drama Series categories (lead: The Love Boat; supporting: Eight is Enough). He ultimately came up short in every contest, respectively losing to Robert Vaughn (Washington: Behind Closed Doors), Barnard Hughes (Lou Grant) and Ricardo Montalban (How the West Was Won).

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SEE Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) could sail to Emmy win if Succession men split votes

In 1972, Glenda Jackson technically became the first performer to simultaneously receive three Emmy nominations, but she was only eligible to win two actual awards. As the star of the miniseries Elizabeth R, she amassed one Best Drama Actress and two Best Single Performance by a Lead Actress bids. She ended up taking both prizes, overcoming a potential vote split with herself in the latter category.

Geer was followed on the list of concurrent triple category contenders by Blythe Danner (2005) and Laurie Metcalf (2016). Danners first of two drama supporting actress wins for Huff was accompanied by respective lead and guest bids for the telefilm Back When We Were Grownups and the sitcom Will & Grace, on which she lost to S. Epatha Merkerson (Lackawanna Blues) and Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives). Metcalf received her three notices for Getting On (comedy actress), The Big Bang Theory (comedy guest actress) and Horace and Pete (drama guest actress) and was respectively bested by Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live) and Margo Martindale (The Americans).

SEE Carol Burnett: Celebrating the TV legend as she turns 90

According to Gold Derbys current odds, Cranston is widely expected to be nominated for his guest appearance on Better Call Saul but faces greater hurdles elsewhere. However, he may benefit from the fact that Jerry and Marge Go Large is a strong Best TV Movie contender due to its broad appeal as a lighthearted comedy.

Cranstons past success in the drama lead category also certainly helps, as does the compellingly complex nature of his performance on Your Honor. Judging by his body of work, it may be hard to deny him an immediate abundance of Emmy love.

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?

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Cyclist Richard Wanstall, 54, of Marblehead, Massachusetts was struck by driver Alex Goss, 27, of East Haven, Vermont at around 9 a.m. Saturday morning, during the Rasputitsa gravel race in Burke, Vermont. According to police reports, the crash was head-on and occurred when Wanstall crossed into the northbound lane. In a statement, Vermont State Police said, At this time, neither speed nor impairment are believed to be contributing factors in the collision. The incident remains under investigation.

Although the race was not canceled, it was rerouted, and participants became aware of the crash throughout the day. Many reported a somber tone. The race organizers halted celebratory social media posts, and released a statement on Instagram and Facebook, We are deeply saddened by the news that one of our community members died today, after colliding with a vehicle while on course. We do not have any information at this time other than what the state police have publicly released so far, but we will reach out to our community with updates as we learn more.

Rasputitsa has been running since 2014, and has a reputation of being welcoming to and supportive of all cyclists. The event features three course distances: 100K, 70K, and 40K, to encourage as many people as possible to participate. Its known for its muddy, grueling climbs and its party-like atmosphere. Wanstall was taking on the 100 km. course. A dedicated cyclist and father of four children, he had made the 3-hour drive the night before, for the 8 a.m. race start. Along with more than 1,800 other riders from around the country, Wanstall was excited for the challenging course.

Race director Heidi Myers stated that she and all race organizers were focused on supporting the family and all riders who witnessed the scene.

The Vermont State Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have other information to contact them at 802-241-5000.

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In light of Netflixs new docuseries Queen Cleopatra casting a Black woman in the title role, Egyptian officials are pushing back, calling it a blatant historical fallacy. But The Daily Show guest host Dulce Sloan isnt buying it.

To kick off her week guest-hosting the show, Sloan mocked Egyptian officials for their outrage, after they claimed the ancient queen was actually fair-skinned and Greek.

Oh, OK. Egypt is concerned about historical accuracy. I didnt hear you complain when all them Mummy movies came out, Sloan mocked.

What are you talking about? We got mummies coming back from the dead, chasing Brendan Fraser, and yall dont have a problem, she continued. And then a Black woman plays Cleopatra, and all of a sudden its like Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, that didnt happen, that didnt happen! No. The Mummy, that was real. This, uh-uh.'

Sloan went on to joke that Egypt must be worried that Netflixs series is going to turn their cultural history into a Blaxploitation film, mocking what that would look like too. But, in the end, Sloan conceded that Egypt can maintain ownership over the depiction of Cleopatra  provided they relinquish someone else.

So, OK, you can have Cleopatra. But then we get Jesus, Sloan said. I mean, its only fair. We all know Jesus was Black because he was found guilty in court. And he did nothing wrong!

You can watch the full segment from The Daily Show in the video above.

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Motiv Power Systems

Motiv Power Systems Pilots Refrigerated EV Truck with Carrier Transicolds Pulsor eCool Unit

The fully integrated zero-emissions refrigerated truck is capable of all-day delivery of refrigerated goods.

ANAHEIM, Calif., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Motiv Power Systems , the leading innovator of medium-duty EV trucks and buses driving the backbone of modern commerce, today unveiled its pilot of a fully integrated zero-emissions refrigerated truck featuring Carrier Transicolds Pulsor eCool unit, one of Carriers newest refrigeration solutions for all-electric vehicles.



A Motiv truck equipped with Carriers Pulsor eCool technology is capable of all-day delivery of refrigerated goods.

Motiv will deploy its refrigerated truck in the U.S. as part of a summer pilot program. Through collaboration with Carrier Transicold, Pulsor eCool technology will be fully integrated with Motivs drive system, creating the ideal solution for last-mile delivery and temperature-controlled electrification.

"The Carrier Transicold Pulsor eCool unit integrates perfectly with the size of delivery vehicles Motiv specializes in, said Jim Castelaz, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Motiv Power Systems. With zero direct emissions and the full vehicle battery integrated for both cooling and driving all day, this pilot program with Carrier Transicold enables businesses to reliably deliver refrigerated goods like food, flowers and pharmaceutical products on daily routes.

An all-electric Motiv truck featuring the Pulsor eCool unit is on display at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo this week in Anaheim, California (Booth 5453).

The Pulsor eCool unit leverages Carrier Transicolds E-Drive technology  first developed for its Vector trailer refrigeration units  allowing for rapid temperature pull-down and high refrigeration capacity through electric power. The unit is optimized for urban logistics players that are increasingly turning toward battery-powered vehicles to help them maintain temperature integrity throughout the delivery cycle.

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Offering exceptional efficiency for its class, the Pulsor eCool unit is designed to use a light- or medium-duty electric vehicles battery system without requiring its own power pack, said Scott Parker, Product Manager, Trailer Products, Carrier Transicold. Its an ideal fit for companies that are considering battery-powered vehicles to deliver refrigerated products in urban areas.

The Pulsor eCool system is another example of how Carrier Transicold is helping customers, including those with fleets deploying Motivs electric trucks, to reduce their carbon footprint. In addition, fully electric refrigerated trucks help fleets meet sustainability goals and comply with important emissions regulations  including the Zero-Emission Truck TRU requirement set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), effective at the end of 2023.

To learn more, visit: www.motivps.com .

About Motiv Power Systems

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems delivers medium-duty 2-6 ton payload commercial battery-electric trucks and buses, along with charging infrastructure and guidance for deploying commercial fleets. Specializing in step vans, shuttle buses, and box trucks, Motiv is a leading provider of daily-use zero-emission vehicles for moving people and moving goods that are the backbone of modern commerce with 98 percent uptime and intense customer-driven focus. The companys solutions offer fleets up to 85 percent operations and maintenance cost savings in addition to providing operators and riders a healthier and more comfortable experience without polluting the communities they serve. For more information about the companys products, services, or career opportunities, please visit motivps.com .

At the 2023 ACT Expo, Motiv Power Systems featured a fully integrated zero emissions refrigerated truck using Carrier Transicolds new Pulsor eCool system.



Contact:

For Motiv Power Systems:

LaunchSquad

MotivPS@launchsquad.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/779345b0-4ba2-4f7d-b8d4-77f536398276




Andrew Levitt  best known as his bubbly, mama bear drag persona Nina West  is no stranger to life on the road. In addition to a laundry list of film and TV credits, the RuPauls Drag Race Season 11 fan-favorite and Miss Congeniality winner has for years toured the country as Nina and, more recently, as the beloved Edna Turnblad in the national tour of Hairspray. (The latter begins its three-week stint at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday.)

But its only within the last year that touring in any capacity has begun to feel dangerous. Anti-drag bills are sweeping across the U.S., with Tennessee banning public drag shows as of March, and over a dozen other states introducing similar legislation, including Arizona, Kentucky and Oklahoma. Levitts holiday drag revue, A Drag Queen Christmas, toured 35 dates between Thanksgiving and New Years, and he, in conversation with TheWrap, recalled how each one was met with protesters, bomb threats and worse.

The main composition of those protesters happened to be Proud Boys or people Proud Boy-adjacent, representing groups and organizations that felt and feel that drag is a danger to our society, Levitt said. That was a really scary period of time.

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And while Hairspray is less a drag show and more a show that features a man in drag  Levitts character, Edna, is protagonist Tracy Turnblads doting mother, famously played in previous iterations by Divine in John Waters original 1988 movie, Harvey Fierstein in the 2002 Broadway musical and John Travolta in the 2007 movie musical adaptation. Returning to the Hairspray stage after his Christmas tour came with a bit of relief, Levitt admitted, because a theatrical environment was more conducive to being a place of discourse. No Hairspray performance thus far  and Levitt has starred in over 420 of them  has been met with a protest.

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Even so, the performer said it feels different in different cities and states that may not be as welcoming to queerness. I mean, I can see their faces. Its theater. Were live in front of an audience and I can see their faces and I can tell when people are uncomfortable by my presence on the stage, he said. I am energized by that. That focuses me even more on the importance of the story.

In telling that story  one of a segregated 1962 Baltimore and the brazen teen who finds a way to bring her community together  Levitt believes that Hairspray may provide a part of the answer we need to overcome todays divisions. He reflected on it all  and teased what may lay ahead  in our conversation below.

Credit: Jeremy Daniels

You grew up a queer kid in rural Ohio. Do you at all relate to Tracy Turnblads experience of burning bright in a small town?

Unlike Tracy, I was really ashamed of my difference. Theres a beautiful naivete or youthful energy about Tracy where shes not listening to other people tell her whats wrong with her, right? She doesnt own that. That hasnt entered her psyche in any way. She feels shame in her own way in how she deals with her body, but she also celebrates herself. In my queerness, I just heard from such a young age that that was wrong. And so I oftentimes would allow other peoples opinion of me or their judgment of me  or their judgment of the other before I knew it applied to me at my very young age. That would absolutely dampen my light. So I dont know that I shined brightly as much as I really could have as a kid because my queerness was, I thought, a weakness.

Now here we are all these years later and I see that my queerness is my strength. Its my armor. Its my shield; it is my cape; it is the thing that gives me, I think, my passion and my drive in my day-to-day life. I personally feel like thats why this story is so important. The story was written by specifically queer voices, and the Broadway musical was crafted by queer voices, so there are queer undertones to every aspect of this show. And I think its really awesome that I get to be kind of a torchbearer for someone like Divine and John Waters  and then Jack OBrien, whos the originally director, and Jerry Mitchell, the original choreographer, and Harvey Fierstein, the original Edna and one of the secret ghost writers of the show, to today. And theyve all entrusted me with it.

In what ways have you tried to make Edna your own?

When I was asked to do this, I had some reservations. I said yes, but I didnt want people to compare me to Harvey or to even, really, more so dangerously John Travolta  because thats the film that everyone most recently had the most access to. So a lot of people whod never seen the Broadway show saw Travoltas version and thought, Oh, thats Edna. And to me, its a version of Edna, and I love Travoltas Edna, but its not the Edna that I wanted to share. And so in the process of working on the show very early on in the rehearsal process, Jack OBrien and Harvey both said to me youve gotta let go and strip it down  stop putting all the bells and whistles on it and just tell her story. Your version of her will come to life. And thats exactly what happened. I have wrested my Edna in I think a lot of heart. The character calls for being really exposed, being very protective, being a mother, being also a definitive force of knowledge but also having no idea what the world actually holds at all. And so shes unaware of her limitless potential by being limited in her own perspective.

It feels today pretty prescient that Hairspray examines division in America. Taking the musical to different audiences in different states  some of which may have anti-drag bills on the table  is the show received in different ways based on where youre performing it?

This is a complicated question. I left the tour in the month of December to go do a drag queen Christmas tour, and we were protested at every single stop. The main composition of those protesters happened to be Proud Boys or people Proud Boy-adjacent, representing groups and organizations that felt and feel that drag is a danger to our society. That was a really scary period of time. We had bomb threats every night, we had bomb sniffing dogs at every venue, we had protesters at every stop. At one city, we had to be escorted by police 35 miles outside of city limits so that no one would drive us off the road.

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RuPaul Calls Bills to Restrict Drag Shows, Trans Rights a Classic Distraction Technique': Hey, Look Over There!

So going from that experience back into Hairspray, I will admit to you, I felt a little bit of relief because it felt like a theatrical environment was more conducive to being, I think, a place of discourse. It felt a little bit more safe. I do think the presence of Edna as a male actor definitely has a different connotation to the audience right now and it feels different to me than it did on the first leg of the tour. I can say that, especially, really more conservative markets, right? It feels different. It feels like the eye of the viewer  I mean, I can see their faces. Its theater. Were live in front of an audience and I can see their faces and I can tell when people are uncomfortable by my presence on the stage. I am energized by that. That focuses me even more on the importance of the story.

Does Hairspray at all feel in conversation with the real-world conversations were having right now?

The story is  yes, Tracy wants to integrate The Corny Collins Show, which, you know, race relations in this country  things arent good. Theyre not good for our BIPOC communities, theyre not good for the women in this country, its not good for our Jewish brothers and sisters, its not good for our LGBTQIA+ people, its not good for anyone whos different than a white, cis, heteronormative presenting person. And I think Hairspray is not the answer, but I do think Hairspray provides an answer. If there are a bunch of puzzle pieces that are going to help us in this time period have conversations, I think this is a puzzle piece.

It speaks more to whats happening in this country than what we otherwise thought. Its scary. Living in this country right now as a queer person is scary. When you see Equality Florida say, The state of Florida is not a safe place for LGBTQIA+ travelers to go to, Im thinking: Whats happening? Whats really happening in this country? And what does that mean for the future of this show touring around the country? And I dont know. And I would hope that the Broadway League or that other lobbyists who are invested in telling thoughtful, artistic stories and are invested in lobbying state legislatures to continue to tell these stories. But I would also hope that we continue past the confines of a professional theater setting, because really, it doesnt matter professionally if a tour can go in and out of a market if people who are LGBTQIA+ cant even walk down the street safely.

Credit: Jeremy Daniels

You have always tied your drag to activism and guiding the youth. What hope can you shed on the times were living in?

We have to remember that we do need one another more than we ever thought. We dont exist in bubbles and we dont exist in a vacuum. So whats happening to the Jewish community in this country is a part of our movement as LGBTQIA+ people, and I believe that whats happening in the LGBTQIA+ movement is directly affecting people of color in this country. All of this rhetoric and this divisive conversation thats tearing the threads apart of each individual community is actually just tearing apart the foundation of this country  Hope might be in short supply, but its not lost, and I really feel like if we all pull together  I dont know how this happens  but my hope is: go to a drag queen story time and provide support the library or the privately owned business or the parents or the kids who are attending that by showing support and showing up for that. Donate your money to organizations that desperately need it that are on the frontlines like the ACLU. This is going to require us to get on the frontlines and to truly show up.

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Lizzo Claps Back at Tennessee Drag Ban by Bringing Drag Race All Stars Onstage: Why Would I Not Create a Safe Space?

What do you envision doing after Hairspray?

Im gonna be honest with you about the challenges of my dreams and where I was going and where I am going. I am an activist and I am a staunch defender of my community, and I really, for so many years, have tried to maneuver a career within a family space or a childrens space, and thats proving really difficult right now. And that is a form of activism, by the way: drag queens showing up. It always has been. My dream has always been to be a part of the Disney family and do voiceover work and to be a very nontraditional, unconventional drag queen. Drag exists in many spaces, and I believe it to be really, truly punk and rock n roll for a queen to be in these childrens spaces telling our stories in very palpable, tangible ways that kids and their families can have access to. And I hope that my next chapter continues to go down that path, but Im also very aware of the work thats gonna have to be done for that to continue. Im recognizing now that I have to continue the work to actually open the door for somebody else to walk into that space after me. I hope its gonna happen in my lifetime because I wanna do it, thats the dream for me. But I also believe that its much more important to fight for our decency and our rights and our access to healthy lives. I cant believe in 2023 that this is a conversation that Im having. All of these things that are coming under attack in all of these different state legislatures to our community that put our community at risk, those are our fights. So I think whats next for me is to be much more visible after I leave the tour and become a much more present force in this activism and in this fight for our community. Also, I think, elevating myself and my story to help others be elevated as well  hopefully through television and film, but were fighting for a lot more than that.

So is that also to say that something like Drag Race: All Stars isnt really on your priority list right now?

I mean, listen: If they asked me, I would say yes. And I think Drag Race is a form of activism. There is something about that show being in peoples houses and homes all over the world that I do think changes peoples minds. So I think its a wonderful part of the sauce of the recipe.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity and flow of conversation.

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Eileen Saki, who appeared in several iconic late-70s television shows and for years played the owner of Roses Bar on M*A*S*H, has died, her rep confirmed Tuesday. She was 79.

Saki, who was born and raised in Japan, passed away peacefully in Los Angeles yesterday, May 1, her rep Camilla Pines told TheWrap on Tuesday. Pines said Saki, who survived a lung cancer diagnosis in 2004, had recently got a second chance at auditioning and working in the industry that she loved so much, even shooting a couple of big commercial projects before her January diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

She was often recognized by face or even just voice by people who knew they knew her from somewhere  and loved talking to young actors about the journey, Pines said.

On M*A*S*H, Saki played Rosie, the back-talking proprietor of the 4077s favorite after-work haunt, which was based on a real Korean War-time bar in Seoul. She was featured in eight episodes during the series run, though the character was played by a different actor in parts of the first two seasons.

Saki appeared on an array of now-iconic shows, including CHiPs, Good Times, The Greatest American Hero and Gimme a Break! She also scored small roles in films like Splash and Mel Brooks History of the World: Part I.

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She is survived by her husband Bob Borgen.
NEW YORK  "Fashion does not belong in a museum," reads an entryway to a new exhibit celebrating exactly that - the work of the late designer Karl Lagerfeld - at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Lagerfeld shared that sentiment with Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Andrew Bolton when they first met, Bolton said at a press preview for the exhibit on the first Monday in May ahead of the Met Gala.

He believed fashion was not art  it belonged on the street. So, I really dont know what he would think of all this! Im not sure he would come," the curator told the Associated Press over the weekend.

The German-born couturier, who died at 85 in 2019, is not just the center of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute's spring exhibit. Lagerfeld is also the theme for Monday night's annual Met Gala. The dress code, "in honor of Karl," pays tribute to his work as creative director of many fashion houses, including Chanel, Fendi and Chloe.

The museum welcomed dozens of preview attendees to "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" Monday, with many decked in Chanel or Fendi  looks surely created with intent to honor the fashion titan and his 65 year career. The exhibit opens to the public on Friday.

Met Gala 2023: How to watch, everything to know as stars dress to honor Karl Lagerfeld

Met Gala 2023 theme: What to know about iconic, controversial designer Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld interested in everything 'except mediocrity'

Carla Bruni, the former French first lady who was a close friend of Lagerfeld's, said that he was interested in everything "except mediocrity."

Bolton spoke Monday on the challenges of creating an exhibit dedicated to Lagerfeld, whose career spanned decades. The solution was a thematic representation focused on his work with the idea to provide a glimpse of Lagerfeld's creative process as opposed to a retrospective look.

Set in more than a dozen galleries, the exhibition features contradictory themes including "Romantic Line/Military Line," "Historical Line/Futuristic Line," "Artisanal Line/Mechanical Line," "The Satirical Line" and "Ornamental Line/Structural Line" among others.

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The show allows the viewer to be immersed into Lagerfeld's career and legacy, giving a taste of his work life and creative vision.

Lagerfeld's designs serve as the exhibit's the main attraction. Digital elements include an iPhone centric presentation featuring quotes and a recreation of the designer's messy, chaotic workspace  including what looked to be a cup of Diet Coke.

Guests attend the press preview of The Costume Institute's exhibition titled Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 1.

Many of Lagerfeld's sketches, which he was famous for, accompany his designs, bringing the viewer on an accelerated trip from conception to completion.

Designer Thom Browne says 'every person  every young designer' should visit Met exhibit

Designer Thom Browne, who dressed Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker at last year's Met Gala and who recently was noted as part of Time's annual Time 100 list, was among the crowd previewing the exhibit.

"The celebration of 65 years of design every person  every young designer  should see because it shows all the work that just goes into creating what Karl was  the icon that he was," Browne told USA TODAY.

"I think he's inspired all of us  indirectly, directly," Browne said. "Just even his work ethic  the idea of his starting everything from a creative point of view should be inspiring to all of us."

Lagerfeld took a strong interest in fashion during his teen years. After moving to Paris at age 14, Lagerfeld worked under French designer Pierre Balmain as a junior assistant and later as an apprentice.

Following stints with Balmain and Jean Patous fashion house, Lagerfeld began designing collections for luxury brands including Chloe, Fendi, Valentino and shoemaker Charles Jourdan. His sartorial stature soared to new heights in the '80s when he revitalized French fashion house Chanel with zeitgeisty looks and launched his own eponymous label.

Lagerfeld became a darling of the celebrity world, gaining the admiration of high-profile stars such as Lady Gaga, Kristen Stewart and Beyonce. Some of these stars, including Kendall Jenner and Naomi Campbell, paid tribute to the designer's legacy by appearing on a commemorative May cover of Vogue alongside other models he "loved most."

One thing the exhibit didn't focus on was Lagerfeld's own words, apart from those that grace the entryway.

Met exhibit skips Lagerfeld's controversy and unfiltered commentary

While Lagerfeld is regarded as an iconic designer  he is also remembered for his unfiltered commentary on migrants, the #MeToo movement and gay men who want to adopt children, to name a few instances.

Model Alliance fires back: Karl Lagerfeld calls models 'stupid,' 'sordid creatures'

What was most interesting to Bolton, he told the Associated Press, was to focus on the work, and that was daunting enough. He examined 10,000 items before slowly winnowing the show down to about 200.

There could be 10, 20 different shows on Karl," Bolton said. "To me, I thought the way to get to know him better, and understand his contradictions, was through his work. And at end of the day, he says, thats his legacy  the body of work you see here."

"Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" will be open May 5 through July 16 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY; Jocelyn Noveck, The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karl Lagerfeld exhibit to open at Met Museum: Designs, sketches, more
The Goop founder, who won her countersuit against retired optometrist Terry Sanderson in March, originally asked for her legal fees to be reimbursed

Kevin Winter/Getty

Gwyneth Paltrow won't be reimbursed the attorney's fees she incurred for her ski trial after all.

Lawyers for the 50-year-old Goop founder and Terry Sanderson, the retired optometrist who sued the star, agreed in a ruling published on Saturday to table the matter, according to The Associated Press.

It was not made immediately clear why the fees were dropped in District Court Judge Kent Holmberg's final ruling, per the AP.

On March 30, the jury in the case found Paltrow not liable and concluded that Sanderson was "100 percent" at fault in their 2016 ski collision.

Related:Gwyneth Paltrow Was 'Very Stressed' During Trial, Says Source: 'In a Lighter Mood Now' (Exclusive)

The Oscar winner was originally awarded the $1 in damages and reimbursement of her legal fees that she asked for in her countersuit.

Sanderson, 76, originally sought for over $3 million in damages when he sued her in 2019, claiming Paltrow caused him lasting health problems after crashing into him at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, on Feb. 26, 2016. She testified that he was the one who hit into her, and the jurors ultimately sided with her.

Getty

Ahead of the trial's start on March 21, Judge Holmberg lowered that amount to $300,000; Paltrow, meanwhile, countersued for the $1 and legal fees.

Related:Gwyneth Paltrow Found Not Liable in Utah Ski Crash Case, Terry Sanderson '100 Percent' at Fault

Following her favorable verdict, Paltrow said she was "relieved" to have the eight-day trial behind her.

As she exited the courtroom following the verdict, Paltrow leaned in to Sanderson and told him, "I wish you well." Sanderson said he responded to her, "Thank you, dear."

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.

Later, she shared her mindset about the trial on social media.

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"I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity," she said in a statement after the verdict. "I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Karl Lagerfeld's famous Birman cat Choupette may have declined to attend the Met Gala, even though the theme was set to honor her late paw-rent, but tributes to the cat were not limited.

Jared Leto dressed up in a full animal suit, appearing like a massive version of the cat before removing his oversize feline head and changing into a black, jewel-collared look featuring a cape.

As he changed, Leto wiped sweat from his brow before facing press. Leto has been known to don some pretty reaction-inspiring looks on the Met Gala's carpet in past years. In 2019, Leto brought an extra special accessory: A replica of his own head.

Biggest Met Gala 2023 moments: Rihanna closes red carpet, Kim Kardashian honors Karl Lagerfeld

Jared Leto, dressed as Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette

Doja Cat also showed up in a purr-fect look, complete with prosthetics.

The Planet Her rapper, 27, stunned at the New York City fashion event Monday night with a look that seemed to honor the late designer's pet.

More looks: Bad Bunny looks dapper on Met Gala red carpet in open-back Jacquemus suit, rosette cape

Exes at fashion's biggest night: Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson both attend the 2023 Met Gala, photographed speaking inside

Doja Cat also showed up in a purr-fect look, complete with prosthetics.

And Janelle Monae showed up with a bright white kitty purse in hand.

Choupette is a star in her own right  and still very much alive.

So, naturally, there was much chatter about whether the fashion designers muse would attend Mondays Met Gala honoring him  but the cat took to Instagram to dispel rumors that she would be escorted up the stairs in New York.

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Many people invited me to walk the red carpet of the #METGALA2023 in tribute to Daddy, but we preferred to stay peacefully & cozy at home, the Choupette Lagerfeld account said in an Instagram post on Monday. We pay tribute to my Daddy every day since his parting and we are very moved to see one more day dedicated to him.

Cardi B steps out for Met Gala 2023: See her head-turning Karl Lagerfeld looks

(Choupette is represented by a pet marketing agency, which likely penned the post on her behalf.)

The white Birmin with stunning blue eyes and creamy markings akin to baked Alaska was born Aug. 15, 2011. At 10 weeks or so, she was given to Baptiste Giabiconi, one of Lagerfelds model friends in Paris.

It was Giabiconi who named her Choupette, a nickname in French for cute girl. Giabiconi asked Lagerfeld to care for the cat for two weeks while he was on holiday. As Lagerfeld described to New York magazine in 2018: When he came back, I told him that the cat was not returning to his house, and I kept it, this kind of genius creature.

Karl Lagerfeld is the Met Gala theme: What to know about the iconic, controversial designer

An iconic callback: Nicole Kidman dazzles at Met Gala in custom Chanel dress designed by Karl Lagerfeld

Contributing: Charles Trepany, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who was in a cat suit at the Met Gala? It was actor Jared Leto
I begged my dad to leave me in the car doing homework rather than accompany him inside the supermarket, so I get it, but also, huh. Kim Kardashian brought her oldest daughter North West to New York for the Met Gala on Monday, May 1, even though presumably the nine-year-oldhas school? Since kids are personae non grata at the event since 2018, the youngster had to wait in the car while her mom walked the iconic steps in a custom Schiaparelli pearl outfit, and then, one assumes, went back to the hotel to chill with her nanny while Kim Kardashian was inside.

For the all-important walk from the hotel to the car, Miss West found her own way to honor the night's theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, in a vintage Chanel jacket and jeans, per People. She also carried the same Chanel conch shell clutch her mom wore a few days earlier.

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" - Street Sightings MEGA

This is not a coincidence. As writer Emily Kirkpatrick wrote in her (very good) fashion and pop culture newsletter The Mess just four days ago, Kim was also working overtime this week to launch North unto the public. With North deciding to shutter her TikTok, which was going to be the familys toehold on that platform, the traditional branding and promotion of her eldest child has officially begun in earnest. First we got the mother-daughter step-and-repeat at the Fashion Los Angeles AwardsKim followed up that red carpet appearance by posting a photo of North wearing an Aaliyah T-shirtwhile illuminated by this James Turrell installationwith this image, its almost like shes gifting[artistic masterpieces] to her daughter to start her branding journey off on the right foot.

And if you think Emily or I are overthinking this, consider the very real possibility of a North West skin care brand sometime in the near future. The devil works hard, but the KarJenner daughter branding machine works harder!

Anyway, she looks nice, and again, she is nine.

Originally Appeared on Glamour
Miami-Dade Countys local government would lose its police department to a newly elected sheriff under a bill that passed the Florida Legislature on Monday despite objections by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Backed by the Florida Sheriffs Association, the legislation would kill the Levine Cava plan backed by the county commission to retain most of the police department under the mayors authority after a sheriff takes office in 2025 as mandated by a recent amendment to the Florida Constitution.

While Levine Cava wanted to surrender limited county policing duties to the sheriff, the bill heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature requires Miami-Dade to hand over its entire police department.

READ MORE: A new sheriff is coming, but Miami-Dade County wont turn over its police force

Miami-Dades police union backed the legislation that bars the county from retaining police officers once the sheriff takes office in January 2025. Steadman Stahl, president of the local Police Benevolent Association union, said a powerful sheriff assures voters can make a clear choice when it comes to public safety.

You will have a sheriff who will be responsible for crime, whether its good or bad, said Steadman Stahl, president of the local Police Benevolent Association union. If its not working out, the voters will remove them.

Miami-Dade is the only county in Florida where the mayor also holds the powers of sheriff, an arrangement forced to end after voters statewide approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 requiring independent sheriffs.

Backers of Miami-Dade retaining a police force argued the county should be allowed to have officers assigned to areas outside of city limits that would operate independently from the sheriff. Municipalities can maintain their own police forces under Florida law, while the sheriff has countywide jurisdiction.

The Florida Sheriffs Association sued, saying state law gives a sheriff exclusive policing authority in a countys unincorporated areas outside of municipal limits. The legislation that passed the Senate on Monday clarifies the law in favor of the sheriffs.

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The legislation (House Bill 1595) allows for a gradual shift in what the public will see from county law enforcement once the new sheriff takes office in January 2025. The bill allows a three-year transition to shift MDPD squad cars to the sheriff motif, including deputy badges with stars and a color scheme dominated by dark green.

Three municipalities that use county police for municipal services  Cutler Bay, Miami Lakes and Palmetto Bay  would have their contracts taken over by the sheriffs office under the legislation. The bills sponsor said the legislation is the most logical result from the passage of the amendment requiring an elected sheriff.

This is an implementation of the will of the voters, said Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, a Republican who represents West Kendall. This is very simple and not complicated. Its one police department.

READ MORE: Florida Legislature is close to declaring a winner in Miami-Dades sheriff war

The bills passage came the same day that Miami-Dades current police director, Freddy Ramirez, filed to run in the Democratic primary for sheriff in 2024. Though allied with his boss and fellow Democrat, Levine Cava, Ramirez said he supports the legislation letting the sheriff take command of the entire Miami-Dade police force.

We have to make sure there is continuity with the Miami-Dade Police Department, he said in an interview. And that the transition is seamless. So nobody is left behind.
Jock Zonfrillo, the renowned Scottish chef, author, and MasterChef Australia judge, died Sunday in Melbourne at 46.

His family confirmed the news in a statement posted to Zonfrillo's Instagram account, calling for fans to let the family grieve privately for their "irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son, and friend." A cause of death was not disclosed.

"With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday," the family's statement said. "So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky."

Jock Zonfrillo on 'MasterChef Australia'

Ten Jock Zonfrillo on 'MasterChef Australia'

Zonfrillo's death came just as season 15 of MasterChef Australia was set to launch, and the show's network and production company announced Monday that the premiere had been postponed.

"Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family," the companies said in a statement. "Jock's charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed. MasterChef Australia will not air this week."

Born in Glasgow in 1976, Zonfrillo began his culinary journey as a dishwasher at the age of 13. He left school at 15, quickly becoming one of the Turnberry Hotel's youngest apprentices ever. At 17 he began working for British chef Marco Pierre White, and by 22 he was head chef at Cornwall's Hotel Tresanton.

Zonfrillo became the head chef at Sydney's Forty One in 2000, and moved on to open several renowned restaurants in Adelaide, like Restaurant Orana and Nonna Mallozzi. His television career flourished in 2019 when he joined MasterChef Australia as a judge alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, replacing the show's original hosts.

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His 2021 memoir Last Shot detailed his troubled past and journey to becoming a chef.

In total shock to hear of the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo. Had the best time working with him for this years @MasterChefau. Jock was very generous with his time and spirit in the show and will be so very missed. Sending heart felt love and condolences to all of his pic.twitter.com/Ssa9qOKiFr  Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) May 1, 2023

Fellow celebrity chef Jamie Oliver paid tribute to Zonfrillo on Monday, recounting their time working together on MasterChef Australia.

"In total shock to hear of the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo. Had the best time working with him for this year's @MasterChefAU," he wrote on social media. "Jock was very generous with his time and spirit in the show and will be so very missed. Sending heartfelt love and condolences to all of his family, friends and the MasterChef team and contestants."

Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo's passing. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time Gx  Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) May 1, 2023

MasterChef star Gordon Ramsay also shared a heartfelt tribute to Zonfrillo. "I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia," he wrote. "Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time."

Zonfrillo is survived by his wife of six years, Lauren Fried, and his four children.

Related content:
MSNBCs Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinksi went after Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley for criticizing President Joe Bidens age last week.

The former South Carolina governor said Biden is likely to die in office if he is reelected, Brzezinksi summarized. Who does this? Im sorry, it just seems really untoward.

The Morning Joe team compared the criteria for Haleys long-called for competency tests for older politicians  specifically those over the age of 75  with the age of former president Donald Trump, who is also over 75.

Also Read:

Morning Joe Rips Into Callous Texas Governor for Shameful Tweet Calling Shooting Victims Illegal Immigrants (Video)

Haley went for Bidens age of 80 in an interview with Fox News.

He announced that hes running again in 2024, and I think that we can all be very clear and say with a matter of fact that if you vote for Joe Biden you really are counting on a President Harris, she said. Because the idea that he would make it until 86 years old is not something that I think is likely.

I wish Joe Biden the best of health, but its only sensible to consider the reality of an already slipping president serveing through his mid-80s, Haley added.

Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates told NBC News, As you know, we dont directly respond to campaigns from here. But honestly, I forgot she was running.

Also Read:

The View Hosts Defend Met Galas Karl Lagerfeld Theme: Its Honoring the Art Not the Man

Brzezinski and company also dissected the Republican strategy to shape a vote for Biden into a vote for Kamala Harris because Joe Biden is hard to hate.

Theyve struggled, the hardcore extremists, to have a message thats anti Joe Biden and nasty enough to really resonate, Elise Jordan said. And so they know that Kamala Harris isnt as popular as Joe Biden also and shes unpopular. among Republican primary voters.

Biden announced his campaign for re-election last week. The Morning Joe guests pointed out that Trump is only three years younger than Biden.

Also Read:

Morning Joe Baffled by Russian Foreign Ministers Backing of Tucker Carlson: Could Not Have Had a Better Propagandist (Video)
Airbnb guests say hosts have ruined their stays by switching properties or addresses at the last minute. Here are ways to avoid becoming a victim. hikesterson/Getty, Image Source/Getty, Tyler Le/Insider

In a "bait and switch" Airbnb scam, a host changes addresses or units at the last minute.

Scammed guests have ended up in properties that are of worse quality or not what they paid for.

An expert says scammed guests should document everything and never cancel bookings themselves.

Anticipating a busy summer in Orange County, California, Jack Bouroudjian booked a two-bedroom condo on Airbnb months in advance. But when the day of the trip arrived, the host informed Bouroudjian that the condo was no longer available  the air conditioning was broken.

A road in Orange County, California. Stephanie Starr/EyeEm/Getty Images

Luckily, the host happened to have another unit at the ready.

"We really didn't have a choice," Bouroudjian told Insider. "I would've gone to a hotel, but it was a holiday weekend."

So he accepted the new property  which was farther from the family he was visiting and a lot smaller.

Instead of the two bedrooms Bouroudjian had booked for himself, his wife, and his daughter, the Airbnb had only one bedroom and a loft with a pull-out couch. Instead of two bathrooms, there was just one.

"Sometimes you end up with a bad trade, and you take a hit," Bouroudjian, who has worked as a trader on the New York Stock Exchange, said.

But it wasn't just a bad trade. Following his stay, Bouroudjian read through the host's reviews on Airbnb, where other users shared stories of the host changing their stay at the last minute.

Bouroudjian and his family appeared caught in a "bait and switch."

Airbnb on a phone. RightFramePhotoVideo/Shutterstock

The move is simple. An Airbnb user books a listing with clear photos and an address, only to be told at the last minute that something has gone wrong: The host sent the incorrect address, the property was accidentally double-booked, or the Airbnb has a serious issue that's made it unavailable.

After being directed to the "correct" property, or to another property, the guest discovers it's worse than what they booked  in terms of location, size, amenities, or all three.

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In a statement, Airbnb said it prohibited bait-and-switch tactics and investigated all related allegations, providing support to guests and removing bad actors from its platform.

All the Airbnb users interviewed by Insider said they were able to get some or all their money back from the company. But they all added that they were shocked that they, as experienced users, had been tricked. And in all cases, it ruined their stays, they said.

Scammers will tell guests last minute that a property has been trashed or that they've "double-booked."

Jill and Isaac Parkinson faced issues in Montenegro in 2019. Jill and Isaac Parkinson

Airbnb hosts use all kinds of explanations as to why a property is suddenly no longer available. Bouroudjian was given the excuse of a broken air conditioner; a 2020 Vice article said scammers had also blamed unavailable properties on plumbing issues or on previous guests trashing the space.

Another popular method is a false "double-booking," which Jill and Isaac Parkinson said they experienced in October 2019. The couple were planning to fly out of Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, when they learned that the airline they'd booked with had gone bankrupt. They needed a last-minute place to stay until they could get an alternative flight, so they booked an Airbnb.

As the couple started walking to the address, the host contacted them to tell them that their Airbnb had accidentally been double-booked. Luckily, the host said, they had a much bigger and better Airbnb the pair could stay in instead.

The Parkinsons were initially thrilled to hear that an Airbnb host had another  bigger  property available. Then they saw it.

The entrance to the Parkinsons' Airbnb in Montenegro. Jill and Isaac Parkinson

Excited to get a bigger place, the Parkinsons accepted the host's offer, switched walking directions, and headed to the new address. But while the new Airbnb was much more spacious, it was nowhere near as nice as the place they had originally booked.

There was only one light in the entire space, Jill said, and not a single outlet worked. Instead of the full kitchen they'd booked, there was only a hot plate and a coffee machine.

"It didn't feel like anyone should be living there," Jill said. The couple decided to leave in search of a nearby hotel.

As the pair carried their luggage down the stairs of the Airbnb, Jill said they overheard other guests in the building questioning whether they were going to get their money back from the company. That confirmed to her that it was a scam, she said.

The couple reached out to Airbnb, which refunded their stay, offered them credit toward a future stay, and mailed them a branded apron.

Hosts will sometimes advertise a desirable address, then switch last minute to a less-desirable one.

Conversations between Jasmine Alvarez and her Airbnb host. Airbnb screenshots courtesy of Jasmine Alvarez

Another common, upsetting situation is when an Airbnb host advertises a property at a desirable address, only to switch the location to a less-attractive spot at the last minute.

That's what happened to Jasmine Alvarez on Halloween. She had booked a four-bedroom townhouse in West Hollywood, California, for herself and 11 friends within walking distance of the area's bars and Halloween festivities.

Leading up to the trip, Alvarez received a message from the host. He told her the property's address was actually on North Oxford Avenue in Los Angeles  2.7 miles away from the listed address and technically in a different city.

It was "miles away from everything that we wanted to do," Alvarez told Insider. But with the short notice, Alvarez's group wasn't able to find a similarly sized Airbnb for the holiday weekend. They were stuck staying at the other property and had to rely on ride-hailing instead of walking.

A spokesperson for Airbnb said that the company's policies stated that hosts should not provide inaccurate location information and that they couldn't substitute listings without a guest's agreement.

After the trip, Alvarez filed a complaint with Airbnb. They gave her a $315 refund on the $1,492 stay, which she said wasn't enough to cover the roughly $400 they spent on Uber rides over the course of the weekend.

Brian Thomas experienced an address switch in 2020 when he traveled from Tennessee to Houston to ring in the new year with his significant other.

A sign on a wall points to an Airbnb accommodation. (Brian Thomas' Airbnb not pictured.) David Bokuchava/Shutterstock

Thomas had chosen an Airbnb over a hotel so he could cook dinner and have space for his at-home workouts.

But when he entered a code provided by his host for the complex's parking lot, the gate didn't open. He tried again, failed again, and messaged the Airbnb host.

The host told Thomas that he was at the wrong apartment. The address on Airbnb was incorrect; the actual listing was about a 10-minute drive away.

He went to the other address and, "immediately, we realized the quality of the apartment was not what they had advertised," Thomas said, adding: "I was furious."

The furniture was old, the kitchen lacked cooking utensils, and the entire space was more outdated than the listing pictures showed, Thomas said.

"It was not what was advertised," he said.

So Thomas and his partner packed up their bags and headed to a hotel.

Thomas said he immediately asked for a refund from the Airbnb host, who denied the request. He then filed a complaint with Airbnb support, receiving partial credit for the $600 Airbnb stay.

"We lost a lot of money, especially since it was New Year's," Thomas said.

Bait and switches "are one of the common scams I receive," said Michelle Couch-Friedman, a consumer advocate and the founder of Consumer Rescue, a group that mediates problems between consumers and companies.

Reviews mentioning an inaccurate location on an Airbnb listing. Airbnb

After working with hundreds of consumers, Couch-Friedman said there were a handful of steps guests could take to avoid ending up in a bait and switch.

First and foremost, she said, users need to understand that Airbnb is not a management company.

"Airbnb is just a listing site. It's like a dating service  they're the middleman," she said.

That means that, like a prospective date, it's up to the user to vet a host. She suggests booking only with Superhosts, a status hosts can earn from the company when their properties get consistently high ratings and when they are judged to be responsive to guests' inquiries.

Couch-Friedman also encourages travelers to book Airbnbs that have plenty of reviews  and to make sure they read those reviews beforehand.

"You want to see reviews, and you want to scroll through all those reviews," she said. "The worst reviews might be buried."

For example, Hollywood Home, the Airbnb host Alvarez used, had a four-star rating at the time she booked the property. Seeing that rating might convince an Airbnb user that the host is great. But reading the reviews tells a different story. Insider found that across 365 reviews of the host's 28 listings, more than 40 mentioned the host switching the address.

Finally, Couch-Friedman said, Airbnb users can avoid these situations by having a conversation with the host before the scheduled stay.

"Get a feel for that person," she said. "Most scammers don't have time for that. They don't want to interact with anybody."

Even with those precautions, a bait and switch can still happen.

Two travelers leave a vacation rental. Hero Images Inc/Getty Images

"Unfortunately, a lot of times a bait and switch doesn't reveal itself until the renter shows up at the property or they find out 24 hours beforehand," Couch-Friedman said.

If you find yourself in a bait-and-switch situation, Couch-Friedman said the best way to get a full refund was to immediately reach out to the host through Airbnb's resolution center, the online portal the company uses for settling issues that arise during a stay. If you stay in the Airbnb without notifying the company, it could be more challenging to get a full refund.

Airbnb doesn't send a host their payment until 24 hours after a guest checks in, Couch-Friedman added, so you should file a complaint within that 24-hour period. Airbnb's AirCover policy allows guests to report any issues within three days, but the longer you stay at a property, the more challenging it can be to get a full refund, she said.

While you wait for a resolution, document everything, Couch-Friedman said. Take screenshots of the original listing, as well as pictures of the new property.

And be sure to keep any conversations with a host within the Airbnb app. Scammers, Couch-Friedman said, often try to switch to phone calls or other messaging platforms, such as WhatsApp, so there's no paper trail.

Finally, Couch-Friedman said, guests should not cancel the listing themselves. Sometimes hosts will urge travelers to do so, but "as soon as you press cancel, that releases the money from Airbnb to the host," she said, adding: "As far as Airbnb is concerned, that's the end of the contract."

As for Bouroudjian, he reached out to Airbnb about his case, and the company offered him a voucher for a future stay, which he said he declined.

He has a trip to Italy on the horizon, but he doesn't plan on using Airbnb again.

"I'm going straight to the hotels and booking," he said.

Read the original article on Insider
Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

The Region is Seeing an Increase in Demand for Creative and Advanced Packaging Solutions in a Variety of End-use Industries, Including Food & Beverage, Medicines, and Electronics. North America Nanotechnology Packaging Market Was Assessed at US$ 5.96 Billion in 2020, With a CAGR of 12.3% Predicted From 2021 to 2026.

NEWARK, Del, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The nanotechnology packaging market is anticipated to expand significantly in the coming years, with a projected value of US$ 17,210.0 Million in 2023 rising to US$ 87,412.0 Million by 2033. This growth is driven by various factors, including the continual breakthroughs in nanomaterials and packaging technology that offer countless opportunities for innovation and expansion.



One of the most promising areas for nanotechnology packaging is its potential to revolutionize industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Another important trend in the future of nanotechnology packaging is the development of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Nanotechnology has the potential to play a key role in the development of biodegradable, recyclable, and renewable packaging materials.

For instance, scientists are investigating the use of nanocellulose as a sustainable packaging material capable of replacing plastic and reducing waste.

Smart packaging is another development in the future of nanotechnology packaging. Nanotechnology can enable the development of nanosensors and nanomaterials for smart packaging that can give real-time monitoring and data analysis. To ensure the safe and appropriate use of nanotechnology in packaging, continual research and development is required.

Find an overview of market size and forecast along with the research methodology. The sample report is available in PDF format: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-17112

The active packaging industry is anticipated to be worth $22.8 Billion by 2025, driven by factors such as expanding demand for convenience foods and ready-to-eat meals, growing awareness about food safety and quality, and technological breakthroughs in packaging materials and technologies.

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Controlled release packaging is another important segment recording a CAGR of 6.6% in the nanotechnology packaging market. The growth in this market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for functional and innovative packaging solutions, rising awareness about food safety and quality, and advancements in nanotechnology and materials science.

From 2020 to 2026, the food and beverage segment is predicted to increase at a 14.1% CAGR. This growth is driven by factors such as:

Increased packaged and processed food demand.

Rising consumer awareness about food safety and quality.

Technological breakthroughs in packaging materials and technologies.



The pharmaceutical segment is anticipated to be worth US$ 10.9 Billion by 2025, driven by factors such as the rising need for new drug delivery systems, increased knowledge about drug safety and quality, and breakthroughs in nanotechnology and materials science.

The nanotechnology packaging market in North America was valued at US$ 5.96 Billion in 2020, with an expected growth rate of 12.3% from 2021 to 2026. This growth is fueled by the need for sustainable packaging, increased research and development, and the abundance of packaging manufacturers in the region.

Ask an Analyst: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-17112

Europes nanotechnology packaging market is also anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2021 to 2026. Germany is a significant market in Europe for nanotechnology packaging, with a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Competitive Landscape:

The nanotechnology packaging industry is becoming fragmented as firms focus on transitioning toward nano packaging due to its significant advantages for end-user packaging. The majority of players are still focused on traditional packaging, but different acquisitions, collaborations, and new inventive technologies are transforming the market into a competitive one.

Nov 2019 - The NanoPack Project, which is funded by the EU, conducted a series of antimicrobial efficacy tests on its novel film to demonstrate its capacity to extend shelf life. During the testing, NanoPack's film demonstrated the ability to increase the shelf life of perishable commodities such as bread, cherries, and yellow cheese, even though the film is based on a combination of natural nanomaterials and essential oils to improve food safety and reduce waste.

Key Companies Profiled:

Amcor Limited, 3M Company, Bemis Company, Inc., Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, and Honeywell International Inc.

Key Segments Covered in the Nanotechnology Packaging Market Report

Packaging Type Outlook:



Active Packaging

Controlled Release Packaging

Intelligent Packaging



Application Outlook:

Food & Beverages

Pharmaceutical

Personal Care & Cosmetics

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ)

Japan

The Middle East & Africa (MEA)



Didnt find your desired data? Ask For Customization: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-17112

Table of Content (ToC):

1. Executive Summary | Nanotechnology Packaging 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 (TOC Continue...)

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/nanotechnology-packaging-market

Have a Look at Related Research Reports of Packaging:

Nanotechnology for food packaging Market Type: Nanotechnology for food packaging Market - Global industry segment analysis, regional outlook, share, growth; Nanotechnology for food packaging 2018 to 2028 by future market insights.

FMCG Packaging Market Analysis: The global FMCG packaging market is expected to reach US$ 418.8 Billion in 2022, with sales growing at a CAGR of 5.7% through 2032. As per the report, rigid packaging is the most preferred type for FMCG packaging, accounting for almost 63.2% of the global FMCG market by 2032. With a favourable demand outlook, the market size is projected to top US$ 726.6 Billion in 2032.

Beverage Packaging Market Outlook: The global beverage packaging market is expected to secure US$ 156.7 Billion in 2032 while expanding at a CAGR of 4.1%. The market is likely to hold a value of US$ 104.8 Billion in 2022.

Flexible Packaging Paper Market Share: The flexible packaging paper market is on track to grow at an estimated CAGR of 4% during 2022 to 2032. Paper film packaging of items produced by manufacturing industries as well as household objects has emerged as the eco-friendly alternative of the plastic packaging and is here to stay. Flexible packaging paper is mainly used for packaging of several food items such as confectioneries, snacks, coffee, sugar, etc.

Packaging Automation Market Demand: The global packaging automation market is projected to register at a moderate-paced CAGR of 8.05% over the forecast period. The packaging automation market is currently valued at US$ 74.53 Billion in 2023. By 2033, demand for Packaging Automation is expected to reach a high of US$ 161.66 Billion.

Packaging Tapes Market Forecast: The global packaging tapes market is set to enjoy a market valuation of US$ 71.7 Billion in 2021, and register a CAGR of 4.8% % to reach US$ 120.1 Billion by 2032. The packaging tapes market revenues are estimated to propel with the top 3 countries projected to hold 30 to 35 % of the global packaging tapes market by the end of 2022.

Packaging Bins Market Size: The Global sales of packaging bins stood at around US$ 1.9 Bn in 2021 and is slated to increase at a CAGR of 4.4% to reach a valuation of US$ 3.0 Bn by 2032.

Packaging Laminates Market Sales: The packaging laminates market size is projected to be valued at US$ 6,274.7 Million in 2022 and is expected to rise to US$ 10,410.2 Million by 2033. The sales of packaging laminates are expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period.

Packaging Jars Market Growth: The global packaging jars market is projected to have a moderate-paced CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period. The current valuation of the market is US$ 33,040.4 Million in 2022. The market value of the packaging jars market is anticipated to reach a value of US$ 43,974.3 Million by the year 2032.

Packaging Foam Market Value: The global packaging foam market was valued at US$ 6.6 Bn in 2022 and is projected to record a CAGR of 5.7% during the review period from 2022 to 2026.

About Future Market Insights, Inc.

Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, Stevie Award - recipient market research organization and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) provides in-depth insights into governing factors elevating the demand in the market. It discloses opportunities that will favor the market growth in various segments on the basis of Source, Application, Sales Channel and End Use over the next 10 years.

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The California native, who joined the network in 2019, found time to wed her beau two weeks before she was set to cover the coronation of King Charles

Andrew Leo | @leowedphoto

Molly Hunter has found her prince  and his name is William!

On the Today show Tuesday, the NBC News foreign correspondent shared that she recently wed her beau in a ceremony that took place in London on April 22.

"A little birdie told us that you got married," co-host Hoda Kotb said to Hunter, who had just finished a report on the upcoming coronation of King Charles. "Congratulations!"

As Hunter thanked the show's hosts for their well wishes, she beamed while pictures from her wedding on her Instagram feed filled the screen.

Related:All the Celebrity Weddings of 2023

In the photos, the journalist and her new husband descend the steps of Chelsea Old Town Hall as their guests threw confetti in their wake.

"Still floating, @willtt," she captioned a carousel of shots. "The best thing I've ever done. (Rookie mistake to keep mouth quite so wide open while confetti is pelted / gently tossed in your direction.)"

On Tuesday's show, Hunter also revealed that her wedding was well-timed, given her upcoming busy schedule, which involves covering the historic royal event on May 6.

Related:NBC News Correspondent Savannah Sellers Is Married! Inside Her Three-Day Tuscany Wedding Celebration

"That was last weekend," she said. "Took a nice little week off before Coronation Week of course," she joked, and added that she was "packing all sorts of big events."

Andrew Leo | @leowedphoto

The California native, who graduated from Williams College in 2009, previously worked at ABC News for eight years including as a London-based correspondent. Hunter joined NBC in February 2019 and initially worked out of the news organization's Chicago office.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As for more specifics about her new husband, Molly was mum, but co-host Craig Melvin made sure to share one fitting detail.

Story continues

"By the way, fun fact, Molly's husband's name? William  she married her own prince!" he said.

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Read the original article on People.
The Air Jordan 1 High OG silhouette is the gift that keeps on giving and its latest iteration, the "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" colorway has finally been given an official release.

Set to celebrate the official premiere of the Spider-Man film, dropping in June, the spidey-themed sneaker acts as an updated take on the shoe's classic "Chicago" colorway, boasting a comic book-inspired upper. Arriving in a "University Red/Black/White" color palette, the shoe features circular graphics and tonal designs in a bid to mimic the motion-smearing animation style of the films. Elsewhere, a clean white base arrives paired with striking red accents and black patent leather panels across the sneaker's ankles and Swooshes.

Rounding out the sneaker's design is a pair of Wing motifs at the ankle, complete with "NIKE AIR" tongue tags and printed insoles. Finally, the shoe is complete with white midsoles and translucent red rubber outsoles. In celebration of the film's release, the new sneakers are set to land in special-edition packaging.

Take a look at the striking sneakers above, set to land on May 20, priced at $200 USD.

In other footwear news, take a look at the Air Jordan inspired by luxury handbags.
After a strong weekend against the Kansas Jayhawks, Oklahoma softball swept the weekly Big 12 honors, the conference announced on Tuesday. Jayda Coleman was named Big 12 Player of the Week and Jordy Bahl Big 12 Pitcher of the Week.

Coleman and Bahl were pivotal in helping the Sooners secure their 11th-straight Big 12 title.

Oklahoma outscored the Jayhawks 30-2 in the three-game sweep. They enter the last week of the regular season 45-1 and on a 37-game winning streak.

Coleman was a dominant presence against the Jayhawks, recording two doubles, two home runs, and six runs batted in. She also scored five runs, collected 14 total bases, stole a base, and drew a walk.

The weekly honor was the second of the year for Coleman and the third of her career.

Bahl earned weekly honors with 6.2 innings scoreless innings across her two appearances. She threw a complete game shutout against the Jayhawks on Friday night in the Sooners 8-0 win over Kansas. She allowed just four hits and no walks and recorded seven strikeouts. In the series and Big 12 clinching finale, Bahl came in and threw 1.2 innings and allowed just one hit, no walks, and struck out three Jayhawks.

Bahl has gone 36.2 innings pitched without allowing a run. She hasnt allowed a run over her last eight appearances, including five starts. Her last earned run allowed came on March 31 against the Texas Longhorns.

This Jordy Bahls second Pitcher of the Week award of 2023 and the fifth of her career.

The sweep marks the second time in 2023 that the Sooners have taken home both the Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week awards in the same week.

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The Sooners return to action mid-week at Tulsa. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT and can be seen via ESPN+ and heard on 107.7 The Franchise in Oklahoma or nationwide on The Varsity Network app.

More Softball!

Updated Big 12 softball standings heading into final week of the regular season Sooners beat Kansas 8-2, clinch 11th straight Big 12 Championship Oklahoma Sooners blast Kansas Jayhawks in 14-0 win Oklahoma remains No. 1 in D1Softball's top 25, Texas moves into top 5 Big 12 standings update: Oklahoma sweeps Baylor, Longhorns sweep Oklahoma State

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The actress and Vogue China editor were unexpectedly twinning at Monday's night annual fashion event

Christopher Polk/WWD via Getty Images; Ron Adar/Shutterstock Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang at the 2023 Met Gala

Met Gala 2023 attendees were seeing double with Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang!

During Monday night's annual fundraising gala at N.Y.C.'s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the actress and director, 39, and Vogue China editor, 29, walked the red carpet wearing nearly the same dress in different hues.

Wilde and Zhang both rocked a Chloe frock based on a 40-year-old Karl Lagerfeld design, in honor of the night's theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty."

While Wilde opted for a white version of the side cutout gown, which was created by Chloe creative director Gabriela Hearst, Zhang wore a black creation of the floor-length dress that featured a ruffled skirt and cape with a long train with gold embellishments at the bottom.

Though Zhang chose black for her look, she stood out thanks to her blue long bob and black shades. Meanwhile, Wilde decided to debut a blonder hairstyle during the evening with warm highlights in her curtain bangs.

Be sure to check out all of PEOPLE's Met Gala coverage to get the latest news on fashion's biggest night.

Related: Celebrity Stylist Karla Welch on Dressing Olivia Wilde in Bold Outfits: "She Always Looks Bangin' " (Exclusive)

The Don't Worry Darling director accessorized her look with embroidered gold arm cuffs that matched the design on the front of the dress and chevron-shaped drop earrings, carrying a gold clutch.

Designer Hearst, 46, told Vogue that Wilde's dress was based on a shorter one Lagerfeld had created in 1983 and was from Chloe's spring collection from that year. The collection was inspired by music, and Wilde's look "referenced a violin crafted by a 17th century Italian luthier named Nicola Amati."

"What I loved about the original design was the musical inspiration of it, and the surrealistic touch on it," she told the publication, who hosts the annual fashion event.

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"There was something quite timeless that we could bring back to the Met Gala in 2023," Hearst added. "We made it a gala dress instead of a cocktail dress, and I think it worked beautifully."

RELATED VIDEO: Olivia Wilde Shines Bright in Chloe Cutout Gown (and New Blonde Hair) at Met Gala

As well as Chloe, Lagerfeld was also at the helm of Chanel, Fendi and his own eponymous label.

Wilde, who has now attended the Met Gala five times, also wore Chloe for the gala's afterparty, opting for a silver netted gown which she wore over a pair of black lingerie.

This year marked the first Met Gala Wilde has attended since 2016, when she was pregnant with her now-6-year-old daughter Daisy. She shares her daughter with ex Jason Sudeikis, along with their 9-year-old son Otis.

The actress  who arrived with her fellow then-pregnant pal Emily Blunt  looked stunning in a black dress, featuring silver details and a metallic choker, which Wilde complemented with a smokey eye and a sleek ponytail.

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Zoro realizes the ties regarding Enma, Shimotsuki Village, and Wano in the latest episode of One Piece. Here are the details on the release date of episode 1061, titled The Strike of an Ifrit! Sanji vs. Queen.

When One Piece Episode 1061 Releases

One Piece Episode 1061s release date in the United States is Saturday, May 6. The episode will be out in Japan on Sunday, May 7, at 9:30 a.m. JST.

For international audiences, Crunchyroll is simulcasting the series. The episode with English subtitles will be out an hour and a half after its release in Japan. In the United States, the corresponding schedule on Saturday would be as follows:

10:00 p.m. ET

9:00 p.m. CT

7:00 p.m. PT

Where to Watch One Piece Episode 1061

One Piece is streaming on Crunchyroll, and some past episodes are also on Hulu. The English dub is available on both Crunchyroll and Hulu, but only Crunchyroll offers Japanese-language audio with English subtitles for viewers to choose from.

One Piece Episode 1060 Recap

Zoro and King continue their battle, but Zoro is still unable to control Enma. He reminisces on the history of his swords and his childhood. In his village, he used to talk about swords with an old man who is rumored to be a samurai. The old man gives Zoro some swords he forged to practice with. He explains how each sword has a personality, and its a swordsmans job to tame them. He then talks about the greatest sword he made, which he named after the great king of hell. Zoro realizes he was talking about Enma.

Meanwhile, Momonosuke continues to try to control the Flame Clouds to keep Onigashima from crashing into Wano. Apoo and Drake are fighting CP 0, and two Numbers enter the battle. Zoro remembers the origins of Shimotsuki Village and realizes that the old man was Shimotsuki Kozaburo. He changes his thinking on how to control his swords power. Suddenly, more of Kaidos men approach Zoro, offering to help King defeat him. However, something in Zoros Haki changes, and the henchmen are knocked out.

The post One Piece Episode 1061 Release Date & Time appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
For its Pre-Fall 2023 showcase, Louis Vuitton took to the streets of Seoul, swapping its typical Parisian setting for South Korea. Tapping local talent to spread its message, the French fashion house joined forces with Squid Game's director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, to act as the show's creative advisor.

It comes as no surprise then, that actor-slash-model Hoyeon Jung would feature on the runway, opening the show in a vibrant blue jacket, paired with a studded leather skirt and chunky black combat boots. Completing the runway opener, the look boasted a seemingly patent red bag.

Marking a new era in the brand's relationship with South Korea, the showcase also featured a partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, in a bid to boost the country's tourism and in turn, its economy. Elsewhere, the womenswear collection comprised travel-themed pieces through checkerboard prints, relaxed tailoring and sporty motocross-inspired silhouettes.

Take a look at Jung in action above.

While you're here, check out the best looks from this year's Met Gala and its after-parties.
Ugandas parliament has advanced the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act, which will stand as one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the world if it is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.

Although Museveni sent the so-called Anti Homosexuality Bill back to parliament for revisions in April, the amended bill is functionally the same, according to The Guardian. The bill, which advocates have nicknamed Kill the Gays, maintains the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality, which refers to any same-sex act in which the victim is a minor, the offender is living with HIV, the offender is a parent or guardian, or if the victim is disabled.

Additionally, the bill punishes the promotion of homosexuality with a 20-year prison sentence, and would charge those who knowingly allow their premises to be used for acts of homosexuality with a seven-year jail sentence. However, a measure that previously would have required people to report homosexual activity was amended to only apply when a child is involved; failure to report carries a jail sentence of five years or a fine of 10 million Uganda shillings, or roughly $2,682 USD. Although Museveri also requested that the revised bill include provisions related to rehabilitation of persons who have in the past been engaged in homosexuality but would like to live normal lives again, the updated bill contains no such language.

371 MPs voted in favor of the bill on Tuesday. The bill will now head back to Musevenis desk to be signed into law, returned to parliament, or vetoed. If Museveni returns it to parliament, it will pass into law without the presidents assent.

Many African countries  and former British colonies around the world  have laws criminalizing homosexuality as a legacy of colonialism. According to a 2014 Washington Post analysis, 57% of countries with anti-gay laws have a British colonial origin, with almost 70% of countries with British colonial origins continuing to criminalize queerness.

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TOPSHOT - LGBT refugees from South Sudan, Uganda and DR Congo walk on the way to their protest at the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 17, 2019.

LGBTQ\+ Ugandans Are Fleeing as Kill the Gays Legislation Advances

A version of the bill will likely be signed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Activists have condemned the legislation, with Ugandan human rights lawyer Nicolas Opiyo telling The Guardian in April that the wave of homophobia and transphobia in Uganda has nothing to do with Ugandan or African values.

It is a disguised campaign by American evangelicals through their local actors, Opiyo alleged. Their campaigns have now been organized under what appears to be local professional entities such as Christian lawyers groups, parliamentary forums and so forth.

In fact, according to a 2020 analysis by Open Democracy, American evangelical groups have spent millions of dollars in Africa since 2007. One group called the Fellowship Foundation wrote the original Kill the Gays legislation in 2009; between 2008 and 2018, the group sent more than $2o million to Uganda alone. Other groups spending money on activities in Africa include Alliance Defending Freedom, which is also behind much of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation proliferating in state legislatures around the U.S.

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Vice media is on the verge of filing for bankruptcy and is seeking a buyer, according to a Monday report in the New York Times.

Citing two people with knowledge of the companys operations, the Times said a bankruptcy filing could arrive in the coming weeks, but that Vice is still hoping a buyer will swoop in to avert it. Vice did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Monday.

Five companies have expressed interest, according to the Times, which added that the chances of a sale are growing dim.

Vice was worth as much as $5.7 billion in 2017 after a fresh funding round, as well as investments from Disney and Fox. Should it fall to bankruptcy, its largest debt-holder, Fortress Investment Group, could wind up in control, the sources told the Times. The company would continue operating while Fortress explored a sale, or takes over, after 45 days.

Vice Media Group has been engaged in a comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives and planning, Vice said in a statement to the Times. The company, its board and stakeholders continue to be focused on finding the best path for the company.

Vice, which began as a magazine, has grown to include a movie and TV studio, ad agency, HBO show and alternative news organization. At one point, during its heyday in 2015, Disney considered acquiring Vice outright for $3 billion, the Times reported.

Also Read:

Why Comcast Needs to Enter the M&A Game: Buy Out Hulu or a Competitor | Charts
As strike action is set to get underway in Los Angeles and New York, the Writers Guild of Great Britain has officially instructed its members to halt work on projects within the jurisdiction of the Writers Guild of America.

A statement released by the WGGB on Tuesday afternoon local time reads as follows: We understand that these are difficult times and that many writers are in need of work but we are advising our members not to work on projects in the jurisdiction of the WGA for the duration of the strike following a motion of solidarity passed by our lay governing body, our Executive Council and in line with our affiliation agreement with the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds, of which we are a member.

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The WGGB said in April that it was ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with its U.S. counterpart if a strike goes ahead, and by the looks of it, the org is staying true to its word  even though it may be limited in what it can realistically achieve.

Unlike in America, U.K. writers arent required to be part of the WGGB in order to work in the field. As such, screenwriters who arent members of the WGGB will still be free to work despite WGA action. Nonetheless, the WGGB is making it clear that this will be strongly discouraged. As part of its official statement, the trade union referenced Rule 13 of the WGA strike rules which pertain to non-members.

The Guild does not have the authority to discipline non-members for strikebreaking or scab writing. However, the Guild can and will bar that writer from future Guild membership. This policy has been strictly enforced in the past and has resulted in convincing many would be strikebreakers to refrain from harming the Guild and its members during a strike. Therefore, it is important for members to report to the Guild the name of any non-member whom you believe has performed writing services for a struck company and as much information as possible about the non-members services.

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In the U.K., the situation for writers is different in that the writers room model is not as common and deals struck with broadcasters like the BBC and ITV have secured strong minimum terms for scribes. However, in the age of streaming, discussions about residuals are still murky, even for British talent, which makes the U.S. conflict far more relatable than in years past.

So, what exactly does this all mean for U.K.-based writers who are members of both the WGGB and the WGA?

Effectively, writers who are U.K. residents with contracts under a WGGB collective agreement (for example, with the BBC or ITV) can continue to work. However, if theyre a U.K. resident and their contract is with a U.S. company under WGA terms, then that work will fall under strike action.

Writers who are U.K. residents with a contract with a U.S. company under terms outside of the WGGB or the WGA are advised to contact both orgs for more information.

Lisa Holdsworth, chair of the WGGB, said: We know that strike action is a last resort and one that requires individual sacrifice. The resounding majority of WGA members who voted for this action have shown the collective strength of their feeling and their resolve to stand firm on issues that affect writers the world over.

I know that my fellow WGGB members will share my message of solidarity to our colleagues overseas, and I know many will also have understandable concerns about the impact on their work here, at a time when the traditional boundaries around genre and jurisdiction fall away, and when writers here face their own challenges. Were your union  were here to support and advise you, and now is no different  so dont hesitate to reach out to us.

The WGA called a strike on Monday night after failing to reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Picketing will begin on Tuesday outside of Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Warner Bros., and the other major studios in Los Angeles.

One of the key issues in the WGAs contract renewal with the AMPTP is career sustainability for writers working in a markedly changed landscape. Writers at almost every level now work longer hours at lower wage rates. Theyre pushing to get more money on the front-end of dealmaking because the backend of profit participation, syndication sales and international licensing is disappearing in the age of streaming.

On the other side of the table, the leaders of studios, networks and streamers are trying to keep businesses afloat in a challenging economic climate where theyre more accountable for keeping profits flowing.

In a statement, the AMPTP said on Monday that the major sticking points are the guilds proposal for a TV staffing minimum and a minimum number of weeks of guaranteed work on a TV season. The WGA outlined the major differences between the two sides, which include the AMPTPs refusal to consider a streaming residual that would pay more for hit shows.

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Kelly Shannon was excited when she found out she was pregnant. With a daughter under the age of 2, Shannon and her husband had been actively trying for a second child.

The Alabama couple's happiness quickly turned to heartbreak when testing revealed just three days before Christmas there was an 87% chance the baby had Down syndrome.

Shannon had asked for genetic testing because the couple wanted to tell family the baby's gender at Christmas. She was pregnant with a girl.

"I spent the next few weeks trying not to get too attached, but it's hard not to love a baby you have prayed for," Shannon told ABC News.

At an appointment with a maternal fetal medicine specialist in January, Shannon was counseled on resources available for parents of children with the disorder. However, more scans and test results showed there was evidence of swelling in the baby's head and body wall, a heart defect and a tumor on the baby's abdomen that was about one-third the size of the baby and growing.

PHOTO: Kelly Shannon photographed with her daughter (Courtesy of Kelly Shannon)

While none of the baby's conditions on its own would warrant a termination under the guidelines of the one hospital in the state still providing abortions, Shannon's specialist strongly believed this combination of symptoms made it extremely unlikely the pregnancy would survive to term or through labor and delivery. Her physician believed the hospital would be able to provide her with abortion care despite Alabama law prohibiting abortions at all stages of pregnancy.

"The likelihood of the baby surviving was negligible," Shannon said. "Even if she did survive to term, it would be unlikely she'd survived through labor. And if she did survive through labor, then we'd be looking at multiple corrective surgeries immediately after birth."

A report from her physician that was shared with ABC News confirmed the doctor had "conveyed the high likelihood that the findings may lead to an intrauterine demise [of the fetus] due to heart failure or neonatal demise."

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MORE: Texas abortion law means woman has to continue pregnancy despite fatal anomaly

Dr. Carrie Rouse, a maternal fetal medicine specialist in Indiana who did not treat Shannon but reviewed some of her records, said that if she would have seen Shannon she would have counseled her on the same options: continuing her pregnancy and providing her the best care available, including potentially delivering early, or terminating the pregnancy.

These are the same options Shannon's specialist in Alabama gave her, according to physician reports shared with ABC News.

"It is truly a tragedy that someone's options for what to do with their pregnancy and their own body is dependent on their zip code," Rouse told ABC News. "I just feel so sad for her and for her family and her physicians that are put in this position to where she can't access -- and they can't provide -- the care that she has been counseled about and has opted for in her own home. It's so hard. It's devastating."

States that Have Restricted Abortion Rights Since Roe v. Wade was Overturned (ABC News Photo Illustration)

Alabama is one of 15 states that has ceased nearly all abortion services since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June, ending federal protections for abortion rights.

Shannon and her husband decided to pursue termination and she filled out the necessary paperwork. An abortion would need to be approved by several hospital committees made up of doctors.

MORE: Alabama governor signs controversial abortion ban into law but will likely face legal challenges

On Jan. 20, Shannon's specialist called her and informed her that while one committee had approved the abortion, a higher-level committee denied permission, telling Shannon this was the hardest phone call she had to make in her professional career, Shannon said.

"That was probably the lowest, maybe the lowest or second lowest point of the whole traumatic experience," Shannon said. "I was sitting in my car talking to her and I couldn't form words. I just sat there and sobbed. I was in a parking lot and I pulled out my phone, and I texted my husband, I was like, 'I need you to come see me and I need you to bring our daughter.'"

"I didn't even feel like I had the ability to get out of the car until I saw her and had a reason. I didn't have any motivation to move until I could see my daughter again," Shannon added.

PHOTO: The hospital where she received an abortion provided Kelly Shannon with mementos. (Courtesy of Kelly Shannon)

Shannon said the committee -- made up of 13 physicians in the University of Alabama, Birmingham's Maternal Fetal Medicine Department -- said its decision was final unless the fetus developed a complication called hydrops fetalis, in which large amounts of fluid build up in a baby's tissues and organs causing extensive swelling.

"The committee felt that since each condition was by itself potentially survivable -- not that they would lead to any kind of quality of life, just that they could potentially lead to life -- that under Alabama law they did not think that my case met the criteria for termination," Shannon said.

Shannon's fetus did not develop hydrops, so she was left unable to access abortion care, she said.

"The other thing that was happening was the state district attorney in Alabama was also going on the news and actively talking about pursuing convictions for anybody in performing abortions in Alabama," Shannon said.

MORE: Supreme Court keeps status quo on abortion pill for now, Thomas and Alito dissent

"UAB is the only place in the state that provides that service, so they were also trying really hard to make sure that they could protect their ability to do that for other women," Shannon said.

ABC News requested comment from Shannon's doctor, but they declined. Instead, UAB Hospital said in a statement to ABC News: "UAB does not perform elective abortions. We provide care to women who present to us in need of pregnancy-related care within the law."

PHOTO: Kelly Shannon photographed with her daughter (Courtesy of Kelly Shannon)

Shannon had to drive to Richmond, Virginia, to access abortion care. She left at 11 a.m. and arrived in Richmond at 2 a.m., after stopping several times along the way, she said.

The hospital arranged housing for Shannon at no cost through a hotel partner. While her insurance was employer-based and covered the procedure, Shannon said she received a $2,089 bill from Virginia Commonwealth University. She said she had already paid about $600 for the procedure.

The couple said it still hopes to grow their family when they are ready.

"This has been the single most painful and traumatic experience of my life and our lives, and anybody who wants to stand up and say that abortions are wrong or that people shouldn't be able to make their own decisions about abortion care just need to recognize that it's not a black and white issue," Shannon said. "It is complicated and I wouldn't wish this on anybody."

Alabama mother denied abortion despite fetus' 'negligible' chance of survival originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
IKEA Canada co-workers share their experiences in Build your career with IKEA campaign

BURLINGTON, ON, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - A job needs to have meaning. According to a recent survey commissioned by IKEA Canada, nearly nine in 10 Canadians (85 per cent) agree that it's important to them to work for purpose-driven employers that live their values. IKEA, one of the world's original purpose-led brands, today launched a brand campaign with a difference. It features the stories of co-workers from IKEA Canada's 7,400-strong workforce nationally, who together aspire to create a better everyday life for the many people.

IKEA Canada co-workers share their experiences in Build your career with IKEA campaign (CNW Group/IKEA Canada)

"As we continue to grow our operations in Canada, including opening a new small-format store location in Scarborough Town Centre this summer, we seek to recruit quality talent while creating a life-long relationship with our existing co-workers," said Tanja Fratangeli, Acting CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Canada. "The Build your career with IKEA campaign puts our co-workers centre stage and highlights the diversity of opportunities we facilitate."

The IKEA survey shows that opportunities for professional development matter to Canadians, with two-thirds (67 per cent) seeking out companies that offer opportunities to work in different areas of the business, while nearly eight in 10 (77 per cent) want to learn new skills. The Build your career with IKEA campaign demonstrates the wide variety of career paths that are possible at the leading home furnishing retailer.

Co-workers featured in the campaign include Ramiro Pintor Penagos, a new Canadian who relocated here from Colombia in 2019. Following 25 years in the military, he started a new career path at IKEA Calgary as a Goods Flow co-worker.

"My family moved to Canada to build our future here, and we're grateful for the opportunities it has offered us. The IKEA culture makes it a supportive environment where you can learn new skills. My daughters Laura and Diana have joined me in working at IKEA Calgary, and have expanded their careers into sales and operations," he said.

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Through inspiring and emotive storytelling, Build your career with IKEA aims to showcase several ways that careers have been built at, and with the support of, IKEA. Other co-workers featured include Soly Joyal, a Recovery and Quality co-worker in Beauharnois, and Daphne Emmanuel, a Shopkeeper from IKEA Halifax. The campaign demonstrates that no matter what, the most important priority is for the individual whether it's building towards career or personal goalsthere's an opportunity to grow with the company. Featuring iconic IKEA items mixed with personal items unique to a number of co-workers, Build your career with IKEA offers a glimpse into the ways the company creates space and opportunities for all who are a part of, or interested in joining, the IKEA family.

"At IKEA, our purpose is our superpower. We strive to be an employer that demonstrates our values every day," said Tanya Bevington, Country Communications Manager at IKEA Canada. "Whether it's planting trees, making meals for our community or marching for Pride across the country, our co-workers come together around ideas we all believe in."

CAMPAIGN RESOURCES

Explore the personal stories of the co-workers participating in the Build your career with IKEA campaign. Learn more about their IKEA journeys and the ways that the company's purpose comes to life every day:

ABOUT THE IKEA SURVEY

IKEA Canada worked with Hill+Knowlton Strategies and used the Leger Opinion online panel to survey 1,500 Canadians over the period of April 14th to 16th, 2023. Sampling was done within age, gender, and region quotas. The length of survey was less than 5 minutes. Data was weighted on age, gender, and region according to 2016 census figures. An associated margin of error for a randomly selected sample of n=1,500 would be 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA

Founded in 1943 in Sweden, IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer, offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 389 IKEA stores in 32 countries, including 15 in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 26 million visitors to its stores and 189 million visitors to IKEA.ca. IKEA Canada operates business through the IKEA vision - to create a better everyday life for the many people and does so through its local community efforts and sustainability initiatives. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit IKEA.ca.

For media inquiries:

Lisa Huie

Public Relations Leader

IKEA Canada

Lisa.Huie@Ingka.IKEA.com

IKEA Canada Logo (CNW Group/IKEA Canada)

SOURCE IKEA Canada

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View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2023/02/c2572.html
Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday focused on protecting children online and holding social media companies accountable as cries mount for improved safety features.

The legislation would mandate independent annual audits to assess risks to minors, require social media companies to have more options for minors to protect their information and disable certain features, provide more parental controls and give academic and public interest organizations access to datasets to foster research.

PHOTO: Stock photo pf teens on their cellphones. (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images)

The Kids Online Safety Act of 2023 builds on the 117th Congress' version by delineating important definitions and guidelines to better concentrate on immediate hazards to children. The legislation focuses on specific dangers online, including the promotion of suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse and sexual exploitation.

MORE: FDA warns against 'very unsafe' social media trends targeted at teenagers

Though the bill failed last year, Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said he's noticed a "powerful change" recently, and after conversations with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, he said, "I fully hope and expect to have a vote this session."

"We cannot afford to allow more children to die or suffer as a result of this toxic content driven and children and driving them down dark rabbit holes," Blumenthal said during Tuesday's press call introducing the bill.

PHOTO: Sen. Richard Blumenthal speaks with reporters about reproductive rights for U.S. veterans, on Capitol Hill, April 19, 2023, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP, FILE)

During the call, the senators brought on researchers, parents whose children have been affected by social media trends and young adults who told their own stories about the addictive and harmful features on social media apps.

"Right now, the burden of safety on social media and online platforms falls squarely on me on my peers, and on parents. And when, not if, we are faced with harmful content or interactions online, there are a few places to turn," said Zamaan Qureshi, youth advocate and co-chair of Design It For Us, self-described as a "coalition of young activists and organizations advocating for safer social media and online platforms for kids, teens and young adults."

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MORE: Whistleblower Frances Haugen calls Facebook danger to children and democracy

Joann Bogard, who described losing her 13-year-old son Mason in 2019 after he participated in a viral social media challenge called the choking game, said well-intentioned parents are no match for social media companies when it comes to monitoring their children's content.

"I kept asking myself, 'What did I miss?'" she said. "I had safety features turned on his devices watchdog apps to alert me if he searched inappropriate content and connected phone regularly and we had candid conversations about online safety. But even the parents who do everything right can't protect them from these corporations who are deliberately designing these products to keep iPhone screens on."

MORE: Social media companies prioritizing profit over harmful content: Senate report

Blumenthal and Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, have spearheaded the bipartisan push for more oversight of social media companies, blaming "Big Tech" for blocking attempts by Congress to regulate their platforms.

At a February hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard from advocates also pushing for more social media safety features and victims of cyberbullying as they continued discussions about the various harms of social media and the lack of protection tools.

PHOTO: Sen. Marsha Blackburn questions Internal Revenue Service Commisioner Daniel Werfel during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on 'The President's Fiscal Year 2024 IRS Budget and the IRS's 2023 Filing Season,' April 19, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, FILE)

As ABC News previously reported, in addition to the 2023 Kids' Online Safety Act, the dozens of proposals to restrict Big Tech in Congress include a measure from Sens. Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren that would create a new consumer protection agency to regulate the tech industry and a bill from Sens. Tom Cotton and Brian Schatz that bans social media for children under 13.

Blumenthal and Blackburn both rejected an age limit ban Tuesday, voicing concerns over the collection of personal information.

Bipartisan pair of lawmakers push to protect children online originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The former Victorias Secret Angel posed for SI Swimsuit three times between 2011 and 12.

Izabel Goulart was photographed by Stewart Shining in a New York studio. Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Izabel Goularts SI Swimsuit debut in 2011 was a memorable one, as the Brazilian model posed for not one but two features. That year, a traditional beachside photo shoot took place in Singapore with Steve Erle, in addition to a unique body paint feature. For the latter, Goulart worked with photographer Stewart Shining and makeup artist Joanne Gair in a New York studio. She returned to the magazine the following year after posing for Bjorn Iooss in Panama.

In addition to her work with SI Swimsuit, Goulart is most recognized as a former Victorias Secret Angel. She has also worked with notable brands like Armani Exchange, David Koma, Alberta Ferretti and more. Today, the 38-year-old is working on launching a fitness platform, Body by Iza.

She called her SI Swimsuit body paint feature, which was her first time working with the medium, a great experience. Goulart wore a painted-on blue bikini with a paisley pattern and ruffled top and bottom, both with gold keyhole accents.

Oh yeah, sure, Ill do that again, Goulart said toward the end of her photo shoot. She noted with a laugh that the ensemble was one she would proudly wear to Carnival, an annual street festival in her native Brazil.

Below are 10 of our favorite photos from her body paint feature in 2011.

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

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Three men have been arrested in connection with a string of robberies that targeted Asian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose police announced on Monday.

Joel Contreras Barron, 26, Francisco Rincon, 28, and Juan Rodriguez-Ramirez, 26, are accused of 13 robberies, five grand thefts and countless vehicle burglaries. The crimes allegedly occurred between December 2022 and February of this year.

Rodriguez-Ramirez, of Richmond, California, was the first to be apprehended on Feb. 25 by Stockton police. Barron, of Antioch, California, was arrested on April 14 following car burglaries at the Grand Century Mall, while Rincon, also of Richmond, was nabbed on April 26.

Authorities reportedly recovered stolen property, around $6,000 in cash and high-capacity magazines and ammunition in subsequent searches.

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The trio were booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail and San Joaquin County Jail on multiple felony charges. Prosecutors are still determining whether to add hate crime enhancements.

Its very difficult to prove a hate crime unless somebody says something very specific that they're committing this crime for the purposes against a protected class, said Deputy District Attorney Charles Huang, as per NBC Bay Area.

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The arrests follow recent, multiple arrests for similar crimes in the Bay Area.

Three men taken into custody on April 17 are now facing hate crime charges for allegedly targeting Asian Americans during robberies earlier in the day.

Another trio of alleged thieves was apprehended on March 30 and April 13 for similarly targeting Asian American victims.

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A separate individual was also arrested and charged with hate crimes for robberies that occurred between April and August last year.

Story continues

Investigations continue, and anyone with information on the robberies or similar cases is urged to contact Detective Yee #4342 of the San Jose Police Robbery Unit at 4342@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4166.

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Shein pumped the brakes on its IPO ambition shortly after Russias invasion of Ukraine threw capital markets into chaos. Now, a group of U.S. lawmakers could pose another impediment to any revived plan.

On Monday, nearly two dozen members of the House of Representatives led by Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat from Virginia, and John Rose, a Republican from Tennessee, urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to hold off on registering the e-tail Goliath until it can independently certifyfree from state influencethat it doesnt use forced labor from Chinas persecuted Uyghur minority.

More from Sourcing Journal

We strongly believe that the ability to issue and trade securities on our domestic exchanges is a privilege, and that foreign companies wishing to do so must uphold a demonstrated commitment to human rights across the globe, they wrote in a letter addressed to SEC chair Gary Gensler.

They go on to mention credible allegations of the Singapore-headquartered firms use of underpaid and forced labor, fingering, in particular, a Bloomberg investigation that used isotopic testing to find traces of Xinjiang cotton in garments ordered from Shein on two separate occasions, a violation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)

While Shein claims its products do not utilize Uyghur forced labor and it works with third parties to audit its facilities, experts counter these types of audits are easily manipulated or falsified by state-sponsored pressure, the letter said, using an acronym for the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where the majority of the predominantly Muslim population resides. Other experts argue that it is appropriate to presuppose that any product made in the XUAR is made with forced labor.

Story continues

Wexton and others have previously questioned if de minimis laws in the United States, which exempt from tariffs any shipment less than $800 in value, are allowing online companies like Shein to circumvent potential customs enforcement. Notably, Representative Earl Blumenauer, the Oregon Democrat behind a bill that seeks to better regulate such imports, is one of the letters signatories. Others include James P. McGovern, the Massachusetts Democrat who introduced the UFLPA to the House of Representatives in 2021, Christopher H. Smith, the New Jersey Republican who chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and Gregory Meeks, a Democratic New Yorker who is a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Shein said that the company has no suppliers in the Xinjiang region. Rather, they hail from Brazil, Turkey and southern China. It also has zero tolerance for forced labor.

We take visibility across our entire supply chain seriously, and we are committed to respecting human rights and adhering to local laws in each market we operate in, a spokesperson said. Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labour Organizations core conventions.

NEW: As @SHEIN_Official reportedly prepares for an IPO, Americans deserve to know whether clothes they're buying are made w/forced labor.@RepJohnRose & I are leading a bipartisan effort to uphold human rights & certify we keep products sourced from forced labor out of the U.S. pic.twitter.com/JzVn5ZpPkg  Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) May 1, 2023

But Laura Murphy, professor of human rights and contemporary slavery at the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University, said that any efforts to shine a light on supply chains are positive ones.

Ultra-fast fashion companies like Shein are a black box for supply chain visibility because they source from so many suppliers and so many small factories, said Murphy, who recently testified before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Anything the government can do to require more transparency is a good thing.

Allison Gill, forced labor director at Global Labor Justice-International Labor Rights, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that is a member of the Coalition to End Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region, agreed.

The call for scrutiny of Shein is welcome, given credible concerns of forced labor in Sheins supply chain, she told Sourcing Journal. Shein, like all companies with exposure to risks of Uyghur forced labor, should map and disclose its supply chain and redirect any sourcing of goods or inputs from the Uyghur region and work with its suppliers to exclude Uyghur forced labor or inputs made with forced labor. I would urge Congress and the SEC to extend this scrutiny to any company with credible forced labor risks in their operations or supply chains, in line with the administrations whole of government approach to combating forced labor.

None of these criticisms are new to Shein, which has become, through its explosive growth and initial reticence for public statements, a lightning rod for the controversies that surround fast fashion, a business model that critics say promotes overconsumption and literal mountains of waste. It has batted away its naysayers with initiatives designed to recast its narrative. When the Temu rival was accused of ripping off indie designers, it launched Shein X to incubate small-time creatives. When environmentalists said its throwaway garments were polluting the planet, it sprung a $50 million extended producer responsibility scheme with a Ghana-based nonprofit. If air-freighting merchandise from Chinaspecifically the city of Guangzhouproved too carbon-intensive, well then it would build warehouses in the United States and Canada and localize production in Brazil.

In December, the Romwe owner parried reports of garment and warehouse worker exploitation with news that it would be spending $15 million over the next three to four years on factory upgrades. Shein upped the ante last month, announcing that it would now shell out an additional $55 million over the next five years to empower its ecosystem of third-party manufacturing suppliers with technological improvements, upskilling programs and facility enhancements. Some $10 million of that is earmarked for services for the communities, including accommodation and lifestyle facilities for 40,000 workers. More than $5 million will go to building and staffing 60 childcare centers over the next five years. These will eventually provide services for Shein workers at no charge.

Much of this work has already commenced. So far, 31 factories covering 97,000 square meters have undergone facility enhancements, upgrades and expansion, Shein said. It plans to do the same for another 100 factories this year and up to 300 factoriesjust under half of the 700 it audited in 2021 and 10 percent of the total that the Wall Street Journal says it works withwithin four years. In 2022, it conducted more than 380 training sessions for workers on topics such as enterprise management, organizational structure and business processes. This year, its poised to roll out more than 480, including courses focused on lean production.

But not all of the math meshes, said Samatha Taylor, the third-generation garment producer behind The Good Factory in England. She knows from experience just how expensive new machinery can be. And housing improvements, divided by the number of workers, come up to $250 a head. The minute you break down the numbers it sends alarm bells ringing, she told Sourcing Journal.

Since Shein doesnt own its own factories, Taylor finds it hard to believe it would just give its suppliers the money with no strings attached. If I was a gambling person, Id put money that theyre going to use that as [the] basis to justify the low costs per item they pay suppliers, saying that its a repayment of a loan for factory upgrades, she said.

Theres more: Shein has built a so-called Centre of Innovation for Garment Manufacturing, or CIGM, with echoes of Boohoos model factory in the United Kingdom. Spread over 58,450 square meters in Chinaa representative wasnt able to get more specific by press timethe CIGM marks the e-tailers commitment in action to elevate the garment industry through research and development, establishing best practices in lean and agile production and imparting key learnings to Sheins manufacturing suppliers to drive organizational and process transformation, for the transformation of Sheins garment manufacturing hubs around the world, it said.

With an infusion of $40 million over five years, the center will tackle innovative lean production solutions for garment manufacturing, such as the use of Automated Guided Vehicles to promote automation and efficiency throughout the production process.

Elizabeth L. Cline, author and professor of fashion policy at Columbia University, is another skeptic. She said Shein appeared to be aggressively researching how to tighten the screws on its global workforce.

The companys new facility aimed at lean, on-demand manufacturing innovation is, of course, great news for Shein, as itll massively boost productivity and compel other companies in the industry to operate in the same hyper-efficient way in order to compete, Cline told Sourcing Journal. As has been established, Sheins on-demand sourcing model is a nightmare for labor rights, as it means unpredictable order volumes, last-minute changes, and unreasonable timelines to get a never-ending stream of new products to customers.

Ditto for its investments in childcare and housing, which she said are further indicators of the companys expectation that workers commit their entire lives and existence to producing clothes. Shein, Cline said, should be pouring this money into improving wages that one recent investigation found could be as little as 3 cents an hour, which the company later denied was true. The world doesnt need an innovation center aimed at creating even faster, cheaper fashion, she added.

Ayesha Barenblat, founder and CEO of fashion watchdog organization, Remake, pointed out that Shein scored just 8 out of 150 points in its 2022 Fashion Accountability Report. She said that its supply chain is shrouded in secrecy with no public information about the conditions its workers toil under, including wages and number of hours worked.

Moreover, while the brand purports in this latest greenwashing scheme to be aligned with the International Labor Organization, with 100 percent of products made in China, workers do not have the right to organize and the only way to get such low prices is at the human cost of its workforce, she said. While a $70 Million investment over five years, on paper, sounds wonderful, Sheins focus on agility [and] lean and on-demand [manufacturing[ creates the opposite of an empowering environment for its supply chain workers.

Shein sees things differentlyand its obvious itd like everyone else to as well. The last thing it wants to be known as is the biggest national threat youve never heard of, as a new coalition calling itself Shut Down Shein put it. But the regulatory gauntlet, now a tighter squeeze with rising anti-Beijing sentiment and growing national security concerns over viral Chinese-founded apps like TikTok, could be its toughest challenge yet. If history is any indication, however, nevertheless, it will persist.

Over the last 10 years, Shein has been at the forefront of transforming the fashion industry by promoting our innovative on-demand production model that reduces redundant production and creates more value for our consumers, the industry, and society as a whole, Tony Ren, Sheins general manager of supply chain, said in a statement. Shein will continue to strive for the empowerment of the fashion industry using cutting-edge innovation exploration, research and training.

Click here to read the full article.
A man was arrested outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening (2 May) after throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds, police said.

He was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found, but he was not carrying a gun. The man was also carrying a suspicious bag and a controlled explosion was carried out.

It comes just days before the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday (6 May), as preparations for the ceremony begin.

The first glimpses of the coronation have been revealed as rehearsals took place in central London in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Both the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and Gold State Coach were marched down the Mall accompanied by hundreds of soldiers on horseback, setting off shortly after 12:20am on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, members of the public watching the coronation have been invited to swear allegiance to the new King, marking the first time they have been given an active role in the ancient ceremony.

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St Edwards Crown to be resized for King Charles IIIs coronation

Tuesday 2 May 2023 05:00 , Ellie Muir

King Charles III will wear St Edwards Crown for his coronation next year, but it will need to be resized before the significant event.

The crown has been removed from the Tower of London to allow for modification work to begin before the ceremony on 6 May 2023, Buckingham Palace has said.

Read the full story below:

St Edwards Crown to be resized for King Charles IIIs coronation

The fascinating history behind the chair King Charles will sit on at his coronation

Tuesday 2 May 2023 04:00 , Ellie Muir

Story continues

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.

Kate Ng reports:

The fascinating history behind the chair King Charles will sit on at his coronation

When is the coronation of King Charles III?

Tuesday 2 May 2023 01:40 , Ellie Muir

King Charles IIIs coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May, 2023.

In a statement, representatives said: Buckingham Palace is pleased to announce that the coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023.

The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Read the full story below:

King Charles coronation date, timetable and everything you need to know

Royal photographer explains what we can expect from King Charles coronation

Monday 1 May 2023 23:40 , Ellie Muir

A royal photographer has revealed what the British public can expect to see as the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla unfolds on Saturday 6 May.

Tim Rooke, who has photographed the royal family for Shutterstock for the past 30 years, tells The Independent that he believes the coronation will have all the pomp and significance youd expect of a royal event despite being significantly smaller than the 1953 coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Kate Ng reports:

Royal photographer explains what we can expect from King Charles coronation

What will Queen Consort Camilla wear to the coronation?

Monday 1 May 2023 23:00 , Ellie Muir

It is understood that the King will opt for a more modern choice of clothing for the ceremony. Instead of the traditional silk stockings and breeches worn in coronations past, it has been reported that the monarch will be crowned in his military uniform.

Therefore, it is expected that Camillas coronation dress will also be more modern compared to previous versions, which tend to include ornate designs and lavish materials.

Kate Ng reports:

What will Queen Consort Camilla wear to the coronation?

What happens in sacred anointing ceremony?

Monday 1 May 2023 22:00 , Ellie Muir

The King will not forego the most sacred part of the ceremony: the anointing of the sovereign. This tradition is so sacred that it was hidden from public view during Queen Elizabeths own anointing  and it has been revealed that Charles will do the same.

The mysterious anointing ceremony, known as the Act of Consecration, will take place before the investiture and crowning, and is carried out by the Archbishop. At Charless coronation, the Archbishop of Canterbury will be the one to anoint the King.

Read the full story below:

What will happen during King Charles anointing in coronation ceremony?

Whats the difference between Camillas Queen and Queen Consort titles?

Monday 1 May 2023 21:30 , Ellie Muir

Queen Consort Camilla will officially be named Queen Camilla at King Charles IIIs coronation on Saturday (6 May).

The invitations for the Kings forthcoming coronation revealed Camilla Parker-Bowles new title. She was referred to as Queen Consort following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year.

The decision is unprecedented since the late Queen Elizabeth II said in February last year that it was her sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort. Buckingham Palace confirmed last month that Camilla will be known as Queen after the coronation.

Read the full report below:

Whats the difference between Camillas Queen and Queen Consort titles?

Prince Harrys waxwork at Madam Tussauds reunited with royal family for coronation

Monday 1 May 2023 20:30 , Ellie Muir

A wax figure of the Duke of Sussex has been reunited with the rest of the royal family figurines at Madame Tussauds London as Harry returns to the UK for the coronation.

The 38-year-old announced, along with the palace, in April that he would be attending the crowning of his father, the King, and his stepmother, the Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey on Saturday (6 May).

Read the full story below:

Prince Harrys Madam Tussauds wax figure reunited with royal family for coronation

All the ways the coronation ceremony is expected to break from royal protocol

Monday 1 May 2023 19:30 , Ellie Muir

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned next month during a symbolic coronation ceremony.

Although there are many ways the coronation will be similar to Queen Elizabeth IIs 70 years ago and to her father King George VIs coronation in 1937, there will also be a few key differences as King Charles announces departures from tradition.

Read the full story below:

All the ways King Charles coronation is expected to break from royal protocol

Meet the Pages of Honour and Ladies in Attendance at the coronation

Monday 1 May 2023 18:30 , Ellie Muir

The King and Queen Consort each have four Pages of Honour supporting them on the day of the coronation  schoolboys who are family friends or close relatives.

Prominent among them is Charless eldest grandson Prince George, the nine-year-old future monarch, as well as Camillas three grandsons.

The Queen Consort will also have two Ladies in Attendance  her sister Annabel Elliot and her trusted friend the Marchioness of Lansdowne  whose roles will be to support her through elements of the service.

Meet the Pages of Honour and Ladies in Attendance at the coronation

New screen will give King Charles privacy during coronation anointing

Monday 1 May 2023 17:30 , Ellie Muir

The King will have greater privacy than afforded previous monarchs during one of the most sacred moments of the coronation.

Charles will be shielded by a new partition, featuring an embroidered design celebrating the Commonwealth, when he is anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury during his crowning on May 6.

Read the full story below:

New screen will give Charles privacy during coronation anointing

Photo of Charles at start of Cambridge studies released for first time

Monday 1 May 2023 16:30 , Ellie Muir

A photograph taken of the King for his matriculation at the University of Cambridge has been released for the first time.

Trinity College, Cambridge, where Charles studied for three years, shared the picture of the 18-year-old prince taken in October 1967, ahead of the coronation next week.

Photo of Charles at start of Cambridge studies released for first time

Camilla to wear Queen Elizabeth IIs crimson coronation robe for ceremony

Monday 1 May 2023 15:30 , Ellie Muir

Camilla will wear the coronation robes made for Queen Elizabeth II when she is crowned Queen Consort next Saturday 6 May.

Buckingham Palace has released new photographs and details about the coronation robes the King and Queen Consort will wear at the ceremony next weekend.

Read the full story below:

Camilla to wear Queen Elizabeth IIs coronation robe for crowning ceremony

Royal expert says hes interested to hear what William says about King Charles at coronation tribute

Monday 1 May 2023 14:30 , Ellie Muir

A royal expert has said that he is intrigued to hear what William will say about King Charles and Queen Camilla at the coronation tribute.

Prince William is expected to make a heartfelt and loving tribute to his father King Charles III and step-mother Queen Camilla after the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Thursday (7 May).

Read the full story below:

Royal expert predicts what William will say about Charles at coronation tribute

Thomas Markle says he refuses to be buried by daughter Meghan

Monday 1 May 2023 13:30 , Ellie Muir

Thomas Markle Sr has said he will not allow his daughter, Meghan Markle, to bury him while he is still alive.

The Duchess of Sussexs father, 78, claimed in the Australian news programme 7News Spotlight that his daughter had not called him in four years.

Read the full story below:

Thomas Markle says he refuses to be buried by daughter Meghan

Everyone we know invited to King Charles coronation  from Prince Harry to Princess Charlene of Monaco

Monday 1 May 2023 12:30 , Ellie Muir

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be joined by 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey for their coronation on 6 May.

Among the senior members of the royal family, a number of celebrities, actors, and politicians in attendance. The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the ceremony.

Read the full report below:

Everyone we know whos been invited to King Charless coronation

Prince Harry waxwork reunited with royal family

Monday 1 May 2023 11:30 , Roisin O'Connor

A wax figure of the Duke of Sussex has been reunited with the rest of the royal family figurines at Madame Tussauds London as Harry returns to the UK for the coronation.

The 38-year-old announced, along with the palace, in April that he would be attending the crowning of his father, the King, and his stepmother, the Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey on Saturday (6 May).

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, has decided to remain at home in Los Angeles to be with the couples son Prince Archie on his fourth birthday.

To reflect this, Meghans figure will remain in the Awards Party Zone  with US-based celebrities  where the couples waxworks were moved in 2020 following the Sussexes stepping back from royal duties and moving to California.

Full story:

Prince Harrys Madam Tussauds wax figure reunited with royal family for coronation

All the foreign royals attending King Charles IIIs coronation

Monday 1 May 2023 10:54 , Peony Hirwani

King Charles IIIs coronation, which takes place on Saturday 6 May, is set to be attended by 2,000 guests, including foreign monarchs across the world.

Below is a list of all the foreign royals who have confirmed their attendance so far.

All the foreign royals attending King Charles IIIs coronation

Long live King Charles acclamation to welcome monarch to Westminster Abbey

Monday 1 May 2023 10:24 , Peony Hirwani

The words long live Queen Camilla, long live King Charles in Latin will greet the royal couple as they enter Westminster Abbey for the coronation.

They are part of the Vivat acclamations which will be sung at the central London ceremony on May 6.

Read more:

Long live King Charles acclamation to welcome monarch to Westminster Abbey

Bank Holiday Monday: What time do supermarkets open and close today?

Monday 1 May 2023 09:54 , Peony Hirwani

Britons are being treated to two bank holiday weekends in a row, as the early May bank holiday and the coronation weekend of King Charles III arrive one after the other.

Monday 1 May is the early May bank holiday, while Buckingham Palace announced last year that Monday 8 May would also be a bank holiday to give the country an extra day to celebrate the coronation.

With warmer spring weather expected this coming weekend and Big Lunches and street parties planned for the following one, British people have plenty to look forward to in the coming fortnight.

However, it could also mean closures across some supermarkets on more days than usual.

Many people will be looking to stock up for the long weekends and ensure they have plenty of food and drink for gatherings, parties, or just to relax with.

Here are the opening times for Sainsburys, Tesco, Morrison, Lidl and more.

What are supermarket bank holiday opening times today?

Thomas Markle says he refuses to be buried by daughter Meghan

Monday 1 May 2023 09:18 , Roisin O'Connor

Thomas Markle Sr has said he will not allow his daughter, Meghan Markle, to bury him while he is still alive.

The Duchess of Sussexs father, 78, claimed in the Australian news programme 7News Spotlight that his daughter had not called him in four years.

He said that he suffered a debilitating stroke last year and expressed disappointment that she did not reach out.

If she doesnt turn up for a stroke, if that doesnt move her, what would? he said.

The Independent has contacted representatives of the Sussexes for comment.

Full story:

Thomas Markle says he refuses to be buried by daughter Meghan

Coronation Concert stage with Windsor Castle backdrop revealed as 20,000 set to attend

Monday 1 May 2023 09:14 , Peony Hirwani

The Coronation Concert will feature a Union Flag-shaped stage, first look images show.

The stage will also have a halo-like screen surrounding the roof, which the broadcaster said will symbolise the Crown protecting the nation.

Read more:

Coronation Concert stage with Windsor Castle backdrop revealed

When was the Queens coronation?

Monday 1 May 2023 08:44 , Peony Hirwani

As the country gears up to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6 May 2023, many will be remembering the crowning of his late mother 71 years earlier, a defining event in 20th-century British history.

Joanna Whitehead reports.

When was the Queens coronation?

The curious culinary history of royal coronation food

Monday 1 May 2023 08:14 , Peony Hirwani

From coronation chicken to King Charless veggie quiche, The Independents Ben Parker unpacks how different dishes have shaped the monarchys image.

The curious culinary history of royal coronation food

The Windsors Coronation Special: Exceptionally witty, uproarious send-up of the royals

Monday 1 May 2023 07:34 , Peony Hirwani

The brilliant writers once again render our reigning family into a highly amusing gallery of grotesques, writes The Independents Sean OGrady.

The Windsors Coronation Special is an exceptionally witty, uproarious send-up: review

Brian May, Kermit the Frog and Atomic Kitten together at last!: Nothing is weirder than the royal pop concert

Monday 1 May 2023 07:04 , Peony Hirwani

As Katy Perry and Take That prepare to perform during Charless coronation weekend, The Independents Katie Rosseinsky salutes the chaotic and confusing tradition of incredibly divergent celebrities coming together to sing for royalty.

The Queen wore earplugs: Royal pop concerts have always been weird

Everyone we know invited to King Charles coronation  from Prince Harry to Princess Charlene of Monaco

Monday 1 May 2023 06:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be joined by 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey for their coronation on 6 May.

Here are all of the royals and celebrities who have confirmed they will be attending the Kings coronation:

Everyone we know whos been invited to King Charless coronation

King Charless coronation quiche recipe sparks mixed reaction

Sunday 30 April 2023 22:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have chosen a quiche as their signature dish for the upcoming coronation, but the decision has received mixed reactions amidst an ongoing egg shortage in the United Kingdom.

Following the announcement, many royal watchers took to social media to share their thoughts about the classic French dish.

Kate Ng reports:

King Charless coronation recipe sparks mixed reaction

Tom Cruise and Winnie the Pooh to feature in King Charles Coronation Concert

Sunday 30 April 2023 21:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

The unlikely duo of Tom Cruise and Winnie the Pooh have been announced as the latest acts in King Charles IIIs Coronation Concert.

Dame Joan Collins, Sir Tom Jones, adventurer Bear Grylls and former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, will also appear in a series of pre-recorded sketches revealing little-known facts about the monarch.

Tom Murray has the full story:

Tom Cruise and Winnie the Pooh to feature in King Charles Coronation Concert

Charles and Camilla: A timeline of their 50-year relationship, from friendship to marriage

Sunday 30 April 2023 20:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

Having first met in 1970, Charles and Camilla were married 17 years ago at Windsor Guildhall in a low-key ceremony.

For most royal fans, the couples journey will always be intrinsically linked to the story of Charles and his ex-wife Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales.

Over the years, the public, and other members of the royal family, became more accepting of the match. Yet for decades the couple were pursued by gossip and scandal following Charless fraught marriage to Diana.

Here, we detail Charles and Camillas complicated love story:

A timeline of King Charles and Camillas 50-year relationship

How Prince Archie will celebrate his fourth birthday on Coronation Day

Sunday 30 April 2023 19:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace announced that, while Harry will attend the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla on 6 May, Meghan will remain in Montecito with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

It is believed that Archies fourth birthday  which falls on 6 May, the same day as the coronation  was one of the factors that informed the couples decision.

Since then, it has been reported that the occasion will be marked with a low-key party at Harry and Meghans home in California.

How Prince Archie will celebrate his fourth birthday on Coronation Day
JAMAICA-UK-PROTEST-ROYALS

People calling for slavery reparations, protest outside the entrance of the British High Commission during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Kingston, Jamaica on March 22, 2022. Credit - (Photo by Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images)

King Charles IIIs May 6 coronation will be a moment of celebration for the British royal family. But for many of the 14 Commonwealth realm countries still tied to the British monarchy, it could be a time where calls to drop the monarchy resurface, given the death of the popular Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen kept a lot of these attachments to the Commonwealth and the monarchy alive for so many generations after independence, says Matthew Smith, director of the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at University College London. Now that we have King Charles III, its a very different relationship.

Nowhere is that more true than in the Caribbean, where Britains history of colonization and slavery is leading to transitions out of the modern Commonwealth, which some believe is a form of neo-colonialism. In 2021, Barbados became the first country to transition to a republic since Mauritius in 1992. Officials in at least six other Caribbean countries have signaled they intend to remove the monarch as their sovereign. Heres which countries could be next.

More from TIME

Read More: Heres the Full Schedule for King Charles IIIs Coronationand What to Expect

The pressures of going it alone

More than a dozen countries are part of the commonwealth realm, including Canada, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, and New Zealand, though the monarchys role in these nations is mostly symbolic. Over 40 additional countries are part of the Commonwealth of Nations, many of which do not officially recognize the royal family as sovereign.

The British commonwealth formed after World War II, as former territories of the British Empire sought to become independent. The connection allowed countries to be self-governed, while still maintaining access to resources such as scholarships and preferential trade with Britain.

Story continues

When the empire dissolved, it posed new challenges for the colonized countries that had become dependent on Britain for a variety of resources. The Commonwealth affiliation offered support for countries still navigating their new independence, along with cooperation on international goals. Being part of the Commonwealth as conceived could alleviate pressures of going it alone as an independent nation, Smith says.

This was a draw for many of the Caribbean nations who were early in their development when the Commonwealth formed, Matthew says, and virtually unknown on the global stage. As theyve become a lot more assertive and have a presence that is not just an addendum to the Empire, there is a view that that should be sufficient to carry them through.

Further still, some believe that the Commonwealth is essentially a form of neocolonialism, a modern continuation of civilizing missions in which Western forces aimed to bend Indigenous cultures into their own images.

Royal insignia used across the Commonwealth employed racist iconography, and education opportunities in Britain were promoted as better than those available locally. Its continued a certain kind of genocidal approach to Indigenous knowledge, explains Jahlani Niaah, a lecturer in the Institute of Caribbean Studies at The University of the West Indies.

It is one of the lingering touchstones of the colonial past that continues the farce of a civilizing mission as a necessarily good, post-colonial institution for political cooperation and cultural good, says Niaah.

Many of the benefits first promised by the Commonwealth have not materialized, Niaah says. Were relying on those arrangements to bring us serious socio-political transformation, but they have just made us more financially imbalanced.

Members of Australia and New Zealands governments have both hinted at transitioning into republics in the near future. Following Queen Elizabeth IIs death, Adam Bandt, a member of Australias Green Party, shared his condolences on Twitter, along with a call for Australia to move forward away from the monarchy.

We need [a] Treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a Republic, he said. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has previously said she expected a transition to happen in [her] lifetime.

Read More: King Charles Ancestors Owned Slaves, New Documents Reveal. Heres Everything We Know

The legacy of slavery in the Caribbean

The calls for change are loudest in the Caribbean, where the monarchys legacy is deeply entangled with slavery. Anti-monarchist sentiment has grown alongside racial justice movements, Smith says.

During the period of imperialism, colonialism, and slavery, the African heritage elements to the Caribbean were significantly undermined by the dominant imperial structure, Smith says. Now were at a moment in time where consequences and motivations of thatprofit and human exploitationare much more widely known and understood. And that brings that entire relationship into sharper focus and greater questioning.

Rising calls for change confirm this. Last spring, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge faced widespread protests during a visit to the Caribbean spring that was widely condemned.

The couples first major engagement in Belize was canceled before they arrived, after locals staged a protest against their visit. A government committee in the Bahamas called for the royals to issue a full and formal apology for their crimes against humanity. Photos from the tripwhich showed the couple shaking hands with Jamaican children through wire fences and looking into a crowd from a Land Rover during a military paradewere viewed by many as a callback to colonialism.

During a meeting with the Duke and Duchess, Jamaicas Prime Minister informed them that the country would be moving on from the monarchy. The visit stimulated a conversation about relevance, Niaah says. It provided the perfect gauge for checking the mood of the region.

The transition process varies by nation. Both Australia and the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines held failed referendums on becoming republics in 1999 and 2009, respectively.

Jamaica looks closest to following Barbados next. The move would add significant momentum for the Caribbean, given that Jamaica was once one of Britains largest colonies in the region.

Niaah says its clear the relationship is not mutually beneficial, describing how certain trade arrangements have made it so that Jamaican sugar is more affordable in the U.K. than in Jamaica itself.

Its that kind of absurdity that shows how the rules seem to only favor one side.
Disney is inviting guests to go set-jetting to see the real-life destinations that inspired Encanto.

Courtesy of Adventures by Disney

Disney just announced three new Adventures by Disney itineraries for 2024, including a one-of-a-kind trip to Colombia inspired by beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film Encanto. This set-jetting trip invites guests to explore Colombias incredible landscapes and immerse themselves in the countrys diverse cultures to experience the inspiration behind the movie.

Courtesy of Adventures by Disney

The eight-day, seven-night trip will include guided tours in Bogota, a visit to a coffee farm, an arepa-making class, time in vibrant Cartagena, trekking a dry forest, and snorkeling among the Rosario Islands. Guests traveling on the inaugural Adventures by Disney Colombia season will also get a signed lithograph featuring Encanto visual development art.

Courtesy of Adventures by Disney

Related: I Took a Disney Expedition Cruise to Antarctica With My Whole Family  and It Was the Best Trip We've Ever Taken

In a statement shared with Travel + Leisure, Encanto directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush said, Our hope was always that Encanto could celebrate just some of the many different people and cultures we experienced in Colombia  we are thrilled and touched that so many people have felt seen by the Madrigals story and now have this opportunity to experience its magic for themselves.

Courtesy of Adventures by Disney

As the lead trip developer for this itinerary, Chantel Pevey traveled to Colombia to craft the perfect adventure that would immerse families in the country and in the world of Encanto.

When we see inside the character Antonios room, we glimpse amazing wildlife and tropical plants that were inspired by the second most biodiverse country in the world  some of which guests might be lucky to spot during their adventure," she told T+L. "The Madrigal family home is a detailed representation of the colorful architecture that guests will find in the Coffee Region and Cartagena. And the rhythms that inspired a soundtrack which kept people singing along  guests might just find themselves wanting to dance as they wander the cobbled streets of a Colombian town! We hope fans of the film 'Encanto' are inspired to 'set-jet' to Colombia and see just how magical a place it truly is.

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Courtesy of Adventures by Disney

Disney is also debuting an eight-day trip to Canadas Atlantic Coast and Maritime Provinces, where guests will visit a maple syrup farm in Nova Scotia, learn about Indigenous culture on a visit to the Millbrook Cultural Heritage Centre, and enjoy the gorgeous scenery during outdoor water activities. And an enhanced New Zealand itinerary will highlight the countrys breathtaking nature, charming small towns, and bustling cities on a 12-day trip.

Adventures by Disney offers guided group trips to destinations around the world, with over 40 itineraries (including land tours, river cruises, and expedition cruises) offered on all seven continents. Expertly planned trips are hosted by Disney Adventure Guides who bring a dose of Disney storytelling to each trip and make sure the experience is seamless.

Bookings for these new 2024 adventures open on May 12. Find more information about these new itineraries and the 40+ trips currently offered on the Adventures by Disney website.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Dog Gets Head Stuck in Tree

(Photo credit: Perytskyy / Getty Images)

Normally, when you hear a story about an animal getting into a sticky situation involving a tree, its a cat. Being stranded in between branches is practically feline folklore. But one New Hampshire dog managed to do not only the impossible, but the improbable  by getting his head stuck in a tree.

Dog gets stuck in tree

According to the Milford Fire Department, some kind of critter enticed a dog while out on a walk. Then, the dog chased it toward a tree. The pup was determined to catch their prey. So the dog such stuck his head directly into a hole in the trunk of a tree  then couldnt get his noggin out!

My husband and I decided to take a walk on the trail in Milford and our dog, Gracie, went after something in the tree and got her head stuck, the dogs owner, Kimberly Schumacher, wrote in a post on WMUR-TVs public Facebook group, u local New Hampshire.

Schumacher emphasized that the dog was on a leash when the incident occurred. No one knows what the critter was, though the best guess is a squirrel, a chipmunk, or a rabbit.

Firefighters pull dog out of tree

The local fire department responded to Schumachers call for help.

We called them and they came right out and rescued her, Schumacher wrote. They were very responsive, kind, and gentle. They had to cut parts of the tree to get her out.

The Milford Fire Department shared pictures from the harrowing rescue on Facebook.





On April 28th the Milford Fire Department was dispatched to a reported dog whos [sic] head was stuck in a tree behind the Boys and Girls Club, the caption read. MFD responded and worked to help free the dog. After a short time the dog was removed without injury. Great job MFD crew!

Social media users showered the comments section with love  and a little snark.

Bet he wont do that again, Facebook user Justin Lavoie wrote.

But did you also save the squirrel he was chasing? Joe Vallier asked.

Bugs Bunny Strikes Again, Colin Fletcher wrote alongside a GIF of the infamous cartoon character.

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How to prevent dog walking mishaps

Luckily, this story had a happy ending and no injuries occured. But not all pups are so lucky. If you have a dog that thinks walks mean free rein to chase critters, read up on how to train your dog to stop pulling on the leash. Also, learn how to promote better walking behavior.

The post Dog Gets Head Stuck in Tree appeared first on DogTime.
MILAN  The first Elie Saab bridal collection to be paraded on the runway headlined a strong edition of the five-day Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, which closed on April 23 in the Spanish city.

The brisk business in the bridal market and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions globally helped the fair return to pre-pandemic attendance, which totaled 21,500 visitors, up 15 percent compared to 2022 when the trade show staged its first physical fair in two years.

More from WWD

Organizer Fira de Barcelona said Asian buyers, notably absent last year as reported, were back in force, with key retailers from China, Japan, South Korea and other countries in the Southeast Asia region among the 1,500 buyers who browsed through the fairs pavilions and attended the runway shows.

This edition confirms the take-off of the global bridal fashion market after the pandemic and its good prospects for growth, as well as the positioning of Barcelona as the undisputed appointment to see trends and close business deals due to the quality and internationality of the firms it brings together, said show director Albasari Caro.

According to Market Research, the global bridalwear market is poised to reach $83.5 billion in 2030, posting a compound annual growth rate of 4 percent over the next seven years.

Speaking with WWD at the time of her appointment last October, Caro made it clear that she was planning to forge ahead in the sign of continuity, while further fueling the fairs international appeal and as the industrys point of reference.

The Elie Saab show held as part of the Bridal Night gala event at the citys Maritime Museum was inspired by the work of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, an ukiyo-e painter and printmaker whose close-ups of blooming flowers and serene landscapes were echoed in the evanescent and intricately embroidered gowns the Lebanese house sent down the runway.

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The Elie Saab bridal runway show at the 2023 edition of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week.

Walking the runway in Barcelona for the first time is a remarkable occasion for us just as presenting our collection A sense of wonder during Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week in an exclusive show is a real pleasure, said Elie Saab Jr., the companys chief executive officer. Saab followed in the footsteps of guest designers Viktor & Rolf last year.

The Elie Saab collection hinged on lightweight and whimsical gowns that put an emphasis on the neckline and waist, a trend seen elsewhere at the five-day event. Floral embellishments done with sequins and pearls with an iridescent finish, as well as feathery details, added to the contemporary romantic vibe that ran through the collection.

Jesus Peiro, Sophie et Voila, Isabel Sanchis, Yolancris and Rosa Clara were among the 34 bridal specialists joining Saab in showcasing their spring 2024 collections on the catwalk across the five days.

A roster of international brands was also part of the showcase, such as Vietnamese label Joli Poli, Ukrainian brands Wona Concept and Eva Lendel, Canadas Ines Di Santo, who made her Barcelona debut this year, and Polish firm Agnieszka Swiatly.

Pronovias-owned Italian brand Nicole Milano embraced the neck- and waist-enhancing trend with a younger spin, parading gowns with high slits or plunging V-necks, oftentimes featuring voluminous ruffled skirts, as in a strapless minidress with a rebellious flair.

A look from the Nicole Milano bridal collection at the 2023 edition of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week.

Overall, the trade show featured 350 exhibitors, two-thirds of which were international including Tony Ward, Zuhair Murad, Jenny Packham and Stephane Rolland, which shared the showroom area at the fairgrounds with Ines Di Santo and Saab. Around 30 percent of the brands made their first appearance at the show this year.

The fair also introduced the seminal edition of the Barcelona Bridal & Fashion Awards, bestowing prizes on the best bridal and occasionwear creations recognizing their design, quality and sustainability credentials.

The nine winners included Vivienne Westwood for the best wedding dress; Viktor & Rolf Mariage for best womens bridal collection, and Carlo Pignatelli for best groom fashion. Professor Jimmy Choo OBE, who since 2015 has been the creative director of The Atelier Couture brand, was awarded with a lifetime achievement prize.

The Barcelona Bridal & Fashion Awards at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week.

The next edition of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week will be held from April 17 to 21, 2024.

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
Netflix

Netflix just dropped a new action movie, AKA, and its got everyone taking. The French film follows special agent Adam Franco, played by Alban Lenoir, who is assigned with infiltrating a criminal gang and killing a warlord.



But, of course, things dont go so smoothly with tonnes of fights, action and betrayals in this thriller. The ending, in particular, left our jaws on the floor so in case you were just as taken aback as us, here is the end of Netflixs AKA explained.

What is Netflixs AKA about?

A busy hotel in France is blown up by a criminal group led by warlord Moktar Al Tayeb, so agent Adam Franco is tasked with infiltrating the gang of Victor Pastore, who is a longtime friend of Moktar, to find the man responsible.

With the help of colleagues Cisko and Mona, Adam has to gain the trust of Victor and his henchmen while trying to take Moktar down once and for all.

Netflix

What happens at the end of AKA?

Adam tracks down Moktar and his cousin, Assan, but soon finds out he isnt a terrorist after all but was brought from his home in Sudan to France to discuss politics, but in reality, it was to kill him. As Moktar took a stand against Frances intentions to exploit Sudans resources, French authorities want him dead and the explosion was not planned by him, but was an attempt to kill him.

His wife, Imane, was killed and his daughter was shot and undergoing treatment at the facility that Adam tracked them to. But, it was too late for Moktar as the centre is stormed by French authorities and he is shot.

Before he died, though, he said he wanted to protect his daughter which Adam did by escaping the facility in an ambulance with Assan after a shootout with the remaining officers. Then, Assan takes Moktars daughter so they can be together as a family.

Victor and Natalya both die and their daughter, Helene, is arrested and their son, Jonathon, is taken to childs services by Adam.

Adam reunites Jonathon with his Helene after shes released from prison, and he also kills another French agent to ensure Helene and Jonathans safety. The movie ends with Adam deciding to go against the authorities as he questioned their morality.

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Netflix

AKA is streaming on Netflix now.





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VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Nevada Sunrise Metals Corporation ("Nevada Sunrise" or the "Company") (TSXV: NEV) (OTC: NVSGF) announced today that it has signed a binding purchase and sale agreement with Global Energy Metals Corp. ("GEMC", TSXV: GEMC) for GEMC to acquire the Company's remaining 15% interest in the Lovelock Cobalt Mine and the Treasure Box mineral properties (the "Properties") in Nevada (the "Transaction").

Nevada Sunrise Metals Corporation logo (CNW Group/Nevada Sunrise Metals Corporation)

Upon closing of the Transaction (the "Closing"), consideration for the purchase of the Properties will be paid to Nevada Sunrise in the form of 2,500,000 common shares of GEMC (the "Consideration Shares"). Closing is planned to occur on or before June 30, 2023, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval and the satisfaction of certain other conditions. In addition to a regulatory 4-month hold period, Nevada Sunrise has agreed to additional voluntary hold periods with respect to the Consideration Shares, which will vest in four tranches over a 12-month period from their date of issuance.

About Nevada Sunrise

Nevada Sunrise is a junior mineral exploration company with a strong technical team based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, that holds interests in gold, copper and lithium exploration projects located in the State of Nevada, USA.

Nevada Sunrise owns 100% interests in the Gemini, Jackson Wash and Badlands lithium projects, all of which are located in the Lida Valley in Esmeralda County, NV. The Company owns Nevada water right Permit 86863, also located in the Lida Valley basin, near Lida, NV.

The Company's key gold asset is a 20.01% interest in a joint venture at the Kinsley Mountain Gold Project near Wendover, NV with Copaur Minerals Inc. Kinsley Mountain is a Carlin-style gold project hosting a National Instrument 43-101 compliant gold resource consisting of 418,000 indicated ounces of gold grading 2.63 g/t Au (4.95 million tonnes), and 117,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 1.51 g/t Au (2.44 million tonnes), at cut-off grades ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 g/t Au 1.

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1 Technical Report on the Kinsley Project, Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A., dated June 21, 2021 with an effective date of May 5, 2021 and prepared by Michael M. Gustin, Ph.D., and Gary L. Simmons, MMSA and filed under New Placer Dome Gold Corp.'s Issuer Profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Nevada Sunrise has the right to earn a 100% interest in the Coronado VMS Project, located approximately 48 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Winnemucca, NV.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release may contain forwardlooking 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 and include disclosure of anticipated exploration activities. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forwardlooking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forwardlooking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Such factors include, among others, risks related to the results and outcomes of the Company's exploration activities and future exploration plans at its projects; reliance on technical information provided by third parties on any of our exploration properties; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; current economic conditions; future prices of commodities; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays due to pandemic; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Three Months ending December 31, 2022, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Although Nevada Sunrise has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Nevada Sunrise disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Nevada Sunrise Metals Corporation

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2023/02/c6534.html
Here's what you need to know to plan a trip to Havasu Falls this year.

Kevin Boutwell/Getty Images

The beauty of Havasu Falls needs little explanation. The waterfall topples off fiery red rock and drops into a turquoise pool that is so bright it looks fake. It is a site people have traveled from all over the world to see and photograph  and after it closed in March 2020 for the pandemic and subsequent flooding, traveler hype has only increased.

This year, for the first time since early 2020, Havasu Falls is once again welcoming visitors  but it takes plenty of planning and a long hike to get there. The falls are located west of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona  more specifically, the site is found on the Havasupai Reservation, a Native American reservation for the Havasupai people. The landscape, which is managed by the Havasupai, should be respected to ensure it remains in good condition for both the next group of travelers and the Tribe.

To that end, the number of visitors that can access Havasu Falls and the surrounding lands is restricted, and obtaining a permit takes luck  in addition to lots of planning. And travelers who obtain a coveted permit must be prepared to trek into the remote falls (or book a helicopter ride).

Its a complicated process, and there is plenty of false information out there. Weve outlined the basics below, but keep your research to websites run and maintained by the Havasupai  namely HavasupaiReservations.com and TheOfficialHavasupaiTribe.com.

Putt Sakdhnagool/Getty Images

When to Visit Havasu Falls

The official tourism season runs from February to November, but most travelers visit between May and September. During the heart of summer, June to August, the heat can be extreme, and rains and flooding can occur. The months of May and September typically offer slightly cooler weather, although its worth noting that the temperature of the turquoise pools found at the base of the falls is roughly 70 degrees all year long.

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The forecast for Supai, the capital of the Havasupai Reservation, can be found on weather.com.

How to Get a Permit for Havasu Falls

A campground or lodge reservation  required for all visitors  includes all the necessary permits, tags, fees, taxes, and entry passes. So, in order to get a permit to visit Havasu Falls, youll need to book a campground or lodge reservation on HavasupaiReservations.com.

That said, reservations opened for the 2023 tourism season on February 1, 2023 and sold out quickly. Those who didnt score a reservation and still want to visit Havasu Falls in 2023 can visit the official Havasupai reservation site each day at 8 a.m. (GMT-7) when reservations that were canceled or transferred are released.

Its worth noting that youll need an account on HavasupaiReservations.com to make a reservation, so youll want to register on the site in advance so you can quickly claim an available reservation. If youre traveling with a group, the reservation can be put under one persons name.

Choosing Between the Campground and the Lodge

All visitors must book a stay at either the Havasupai Campground or the Havasupai Lodge. Both reservations include the permits needed to access Havasu Falls.

For 2023, all campground reservations are for four days and three nights and are $395 per person. The camping is dispersed, meaning you can camp wherever you want for about a mile along both sides of Havasu Creek. The campground is located between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls, providing campers with easy and direct access to the landscapes biggest sites. There are no designated or assigned campsites at the campground, but there are restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking water. Campfires and alcohol are not permitted.

Like the campground, all lodge reservations are for four days and three nights. The rate per room is $1,980, and each room has two queen beds that sleep four adults (making the per-person nightly rate $495 for a group of four). The lodge is located in the community of Supai and is a two-mile hike (around 45 minutes) from Havasu Falls. There is a store and cafe where travelers can purchase food. The Havasupai Lodge is currently closed but will open in July 2023.

anirav/Getty Images

Hiking Into the Havasupai Reservation and Havasu Falls

The falls, campground, and lodge are all located in a canyon, so youll leave your car at the top and hike down. Most travelers park at Hualapai Hilltop and begin the eight-mile descent to the community of Supai, where the Havasupai Lodge is located. Those with campground reservations will need to continue another two miles. Theres a handy map on the Havasupai website.

To avoid hauling all your gear in and out of the canyon, travelers can reserve a pack mule before their visit. The cost per pack mule is $400 round trip, and one pack mule can carry up to four 32-pound bags. There is also a helicopter service into the canyon.



What to See Besides Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls gets all the hype, but Navajo Falls above it and Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls below it are similarly spectacular. All hikers traveling to Havasu Falls will naturally pass Navajo Falls, which is a grand series of cascades and pools surrounded by lush vegetation.

Around a mile downstream from Havasu Falls is Mooney Falls, which is arguably the second most popular site. Mooney Falls is an impressive 100-foot waterfall that smashes into stunning travertine pools of blue-green water. Those looking to bypass the crowds know to go to Beaver Falls, which is around three miles from Havasu Falls and the Havasupai Campground. Beaver Falls is a series of swimmable pools fed by small cascades.

And finally, since the Havasupai Reservation sits within a canyon on the edge of Grand Canyon National Park, visitors can expect nonstop canyon and desert landscape views from the trail, campground, and falls.

Cultural Importance of the Havasupai Reservation and Havasu Falls

For many centuries, the Havasupai moved freely in and around the Grand Canyon. When the Havasupai Reservation was established in 1880, it effectively confined the Tribe to the land at the base of Havasu Canyon. The Tribes new space limitation restricted their ability to hunt, grow food, and support their growing community, yet it did include the area surrounding Havasu Falls, which was historically used for cremations. Even the name of the Havasupai Tribe comes from the turquoise, mineral-rich pools of water that gather at the base of the many falls along Havasu Creek.

Christian Bradshaw/Getty Images

Rules for Visitors to Havasu Falls

There are several rules for visitors who make the journey to the Havasupai Reservation and Havasu Falls. For campers, bear canisters and bags are a must to keep critters out, and campfires are not allowed. All visitors should know that alcohol is not allowed on the reservation and everything you bring in  including trash  must be packed out.

Where to Stay Nearby

Since the hike to the Havasupai Lodge and Campground is several miles, most travelers choose to stay overnight near the trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop. The go-to spot is Grand Canyon Caverns, which is located on Route 66 near Seligman, Arizona. The inn is just over an hour from Hualapai Hilltop and the trailhead into the canyon.

How to Get There

Part of Havasu Falls appeal is that it is hard to access  only those willing to put in the time to make advance reservations and hike in are rewarded with the beauty of the falls and the canyon.

The trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop is close to three hours by car from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) and over 3.5 from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
American nationals are searched by the U.S. soldiers before boarding a ship in Port Sudan, Sunday, April 30, 2023. Sudans army and its rival paramilitary say they will extend a humanitarian cease-fire another 72 hours as of midnight. The decision follows international pressure to allow the safe passage of civilians and aid but also comes after days of continued fighting despite the earlier truce. | Smowal Abdalla, Associated Press

As fighting continues in Sudan, evacuating foreign nationals has been difficult. The U.S. has managed to evacuate a total of nearly 1,000 people since the fighting began two weeks ago.

An evacuation mission took place Sunday from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Port Sudan and back. Two convoys carried U.S. citizens, as well as staff from the U.S. embassy to Saudi Arabia out of the country Sunday, CNN reported.

We continue to assist U.S. citizens and others who are eligible with onward travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where additional U.S. personnel are positioned to assist with consular and emergency services, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement, per NPR.

According to CNN, Saudi Arabia has been involved in the evacuations and says it has evacuated 5,197 people of 100 nationalities from Sudan.

The assets and the capabilities  both military and civilian  in Saudi are involved in taking civilians from Sudan, Saudi Arabian Defense Ministry spokesman General Turki Al-Maliki told CNN. As long as its safe, well keep doing our role.

What caused the conflict in Sudan?

Fighting began April 15, as tensions between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces rose after working on plans to return the country to civilian rule. Both sides blame the other for initiating the fighting, and it remains unclear what first started it.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands have been wounded from the conflict, largely taking place in the capital city of Khartoum.

Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of Sudans armed forces, claims he would never sit down with RSF chief General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who in turn said he would talk only after the army ceased hostilities, according to Reuters.

There are no direct negotiations, there are preparations for talks, U.N. special representative in Sudan, Volker Perthes, told Reuters.
Geoffrey Hinton told MIT Tech Review about his worries over how AI tools, which he helped pioneer, will be used. Noah Berger/Associated Press

Geoffrey Hinton told MIT Tech Review he worries how AI tools he helped create will be used.

He said "bad actors like Putin or DeSantis" could use AI tools in wars and elections.

Hinton said Putin "wouldn't hesitate" to use "hyper-intelligent robots" to kill Ukrainians.

The "Godfather of AI" said he's worried about how people will use the AI tools he helped create, name-dropping Russian President Vladimir Putin and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in an interview with the MIT Technology Review.

"Look, here's one way it could all go wrong," Geoffrey Hinton told the MIT Tech Review. "We know that a lot of the people who want to use these tools are bad actors like Putin or DeSantis. They want to use them for winning wars or manipulating electorates."

Hinton told the MIT Tech Review he thinks generative AI tools will soon be able to make their own "subgoals," meaning the machines would be able to figure out how to make larger decisions that could potentially be used for bad.

"Don't think for a moment that Putin wouldn't make hyper-intelligent robots with the goal of killing Ukrainians," Hinton said. "He wouldn't hesitate. And if you want them to be good at it, you don't want to micromanage them  you want them to figure out how to do it."

Hinton declined to comment further when contacted by Insider. Representatives for DeSantis and Putin did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment ahead of publication.

Putin spoke about the importance of AI in a 2017 talk to students, saying that "whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world," Russian outlet RT reported.

After a decade at Google, Hinton announced he was leaving the company on Monday. He told The New York Times he has regrets about his role as a pioneer of AI technology. Hinton, along with two of his graduate students at the University of Toronto, laid the foundation for AI development.

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"I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn't done it, somebody else would have," Hinton told the Times.

Hinton said on Twitter that he left Google, not in critique of the company, but so he "could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google," and noted that "Google has acted very responsibly."

In his interview with the Times, Hinton shared his worries about the dangers of AI.

"It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things," Hinton said.

Other AI experts, including Elon Musk, who cofounded ChatGPT creator OpenAI in 2015 and is currently building his own rival AI project, released an open letter in March calling for a six month pause on training AI systems that would be more powerful than OpenAI's latest release, GPT-4.

The letter notes that the authors are not calling for a pause "on AI development in general" but "merely a stepping back from the dangerous race to ever-larger unpredictable black-box models with emergent capabilities."

In a March interview, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he and the company are "a little bit scared" of what artificial intelligence might be able to do in the future.

"I think if I said I were not, you should either not trust me, or be very unhappy I'm in this job," he told ABC News.

Hinton, for his part, told the Times that he thinks it might be too late to stop the tech giants' AI race, and that careful collaboration and discussion around controlling the technology may be the only solution.

"I don't think they should scale this up more until they have understood whether they can control it," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
He doesn't have a care in the world!

California is a pretty interesting place to begin with, but residents of a quiet residential area near Los Angeles got quite the surprise on Friday, April 28. An eyewitness for @abc7newsbayarea got some amazing video footage of a huge black bear wandering down the street as if he lived just a few houses down.

Viewers are shocked at the massive size of the nonchalant bear, who'd recently woken from hibernation. Add that to the random location he chose to explore, and you've created the perfect storm for a startling situation.

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Woah--that black bear is seriously massive! We knew the animal was going to be big since it's mentioned in the video's description, but actually seeing his sheer size is impressive. We're so glad everyone and their pets were inside while he was wandering around!

We're sure he was looking for food after months of hibernation--as animals do--and that neighborhood just happened to be nearby. There must've been a trash can with something yummy inside that he could smell!

Still, commenter @crech007 made a great point when she said, "I'm sure he didn't appreciate that comment about his weight." No kidding! Even though bears tend to lose 15-30% of their body weight every hibernation season, this guy is still an absolute unit. Just imagine how big he must be before he hibernates in the fall!

We sure hope this big bear was able to find a snack and leave the residential neighborhood safely, though. Even as such a large animal, he's not invincible against people or cars.

"Weve taken so much of their habitat its so sad," wrote @the4thperspective. You're so right! That's probably why this bear was in a suburban area in the first place.

To help keep bears out of neighborhoods as much as possible, California residents are encouraged to keep trash bins and pet food containers secure.

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Leon Levine, the Family Dollar Store founder who shared his fortune with health care, education and community causes in Charlotte and beyond, died Wednesday. He was 85.

Levines name marks institutions across the region. The self-made man who never finished college started one of North Carolinas biggest scholarship programs. The creator of one of the Southeasts biggest foundations combed The Charlotte Observer for troubled charities to help.

The Leon Levine Foundation has granted more than $450 million, with more than half the total awarded since 2008. The figure doesnt include gifts by Levine and his wife, Sandra.

The depth and breadth of Leon Levines generosity has transformed our philanthropic landscape, retired Foundation For The Carolinas President and CEO Michael Marsicano said in a statement. Imagine a legacy that reaches virtually every citizen in our community with generosity. This is the legacy of Leon Levine.

Family Dollar founder Leon Levine remembered in Charlotte for philanthropic legacy

The Southeastern Council of Foundations ranked the Levine foundation the 21st-largest by assets in the region in 2017 with $534.5 million. The foundations current assets total about $700 million. That seems likely to grow: In a 2009 Observer interview, Levine said the foundation would receive the couples wealth when they passed.







A teena ge businessman





Levine was born in Wadesboro, the youngest of four children whose father died when he was 12. He began helping his mother and brother Sherman run The Hub, the family department store in Rockingham.

I learned a lot about business and people in that store, he said in a 2009 Observer interview. You quickly learned the customer is the most important person.

Sherman and Leon, then 19, bought a chenille bedspread factory in Wingate in 1956 but it struggled because of its small size. Levine took classes at Wingate College in mornings and ran the factory in the afternoons.

At 22, Levine used $6,000 to open the first Family Dollar Store on Charlottes Central Avenue in 1959. He had first visited a chain of stores in Tennessee that sold items under $1, according to the foundations website. Levine decided his store would sell everything  cleaning supplies, clothing, household goods  for $2 or less.

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A second store opened by 1960. The company began selling shares in 1970. A year later, its 100th store opened, in Brevard; its 1,000th in 1985. By 2019, more than 8,000 stores were operating.

The chains competitive niche: small stores in neighborhoods, within easy reach of their lower-income customers. Most items are still priced below $10. Levine found store locations by checking supermarket parking lots for fresh oil stains  a signal that neighbors drove old, leaking cars. Motor oil was a bestseller.

The late 50s and 60s were the era of mall building. Leon Levine was something of a contrarian to that. He did not go into the malls, he stayed in the neighborhoods, community historian Tom Hanchett told The Observer in 2018. He had brilliant foresight.

Levines first wife, Barbara, died of breast cancer in 1966. Levines daughter from that marriage, Mindy, died at 25 in 1987. He married Sandra Levine in 1978.

Leon and Sandra Levine donated $1 million to the Critical Needs Response Fund to deal with the citys emergency charity needs in December 2008.

Honoring customers

The foundation was created in 1980. By 2019, health care had gotten 31% of its grants, followed by education, Jewish values, human services and community causes.

Tom Lawrence, the foundations president, said in a 2020 Observer interview that he believed Levine viewed the foundation as a way to honor the discount retail customers who had built Family Dollar.

When he was in business, one of his focuses was on buying his inventory  he was one of the great negotiators of his time, Lawrence said. The benefit of that was not just to the bottom line but to benefit the customers, to give back.

Theres a lot of visibility with larger named organizations around the Charlotte area, but what gets lost is that literally hundreds of groups have been funded by his foundation, Lawrence said. The vast majority of grants were given to causes that just needed operating funds.

Levine and his wife remained deeply involved in the foundation well into his 80s.

They love the work and the foundation  he has called it his second career, Lawrence said. The first decades of his life was about building a business and making money; now its philanthropy. Both are board members, and not a grant goes through this process without his having reviewed it, with me and the board, and his signing off on it, even the small ones.

In 1980, the couple donated $1 million toward the creation of Shalom Park and in 1997 gave an additional $2.5 million. The giving continued: In 1991, they gave $10 million to help build the Levine Science Research Center at Duke University.

Were not on an ego trip, Levine told The Observer in 2009. These people want our name up there because it helps them raise more money.

When the Museum of the New South raised $8.2 million in its 1998 capital campaign, it was renamed the Levine Museum of the New South in honor of the couples $1 million donation.

In 2002, in honor of the late Barbara Levine, the foundation gave $1.1 million for an endowment fund to advance breast cancer genomics research. In 2003, the foundations $5 million created a scholarship fund at Central Piedmont Community College and its $10 million donation helped create the Levine Childrens Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center.

In 2009, following a deep recession, the foundation worked with Foundation for the Carolinas and others to create the Critical Need Response Fund, which distributed nearly $7.6 million.

It also awarded $7.4 million to UNC Charlotte to begin the Levine Scholars Program. It was the largest individual academic gift in the universitys history and in scope rivaled the venerable Morehead-Cain scholarships at UNC Chapel Hill. The Levines added $12.9 million in 2014 to extend the program.

Leon Levine announces the expansion of the Levine Scholars Program at UNC Charlotte Wednesday morning on Oct. 29, 2014.

An additional $8 million went to Queens University of Charlotte for a wellness and recreation center.

In 2010, the foundation invested $10 million in Project L.I.F.T., a public-private partnership that works with schools in west Charlotte. The foundation gave $15 million that year for the Levine Center for the Arts cultural campus of museums and theaters in uptown Charlotte. It gave $20 million to Carolinas HealthCare System, now Atrium Health, for the Levine Cancer Institute. At the time it was the largest gift ever to a Charlotte institution.

In 2016, the foundation awarded $25 million to Carolinas HealthCare for a second building at the Levine Cancer Institute.

Levines impact reached well beyond Charlotte, with donations of nearly $70 million going to groups outside of Mecklenburg County. The foundation gave $5 million to Appalachian State, for example, $2.5 million to Campbell University and $1 million to Richmond Community College.

In 2002, the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans estimated the familys net worth at $800 million. In 2022, the Levines were no longer listed.

Family ties frayed

Family ties sometimes splintered. In 1987, days after a disappointing earnings year, Levine announced that two relatives, cousin and company president Lewis Levine and Leon Levines son Howard, a senior vice president, had left the company. Lewis Levine later said hed been fired, while Howard Levine said he was pushed out, adding at the time that he and his father dont have a personal relationship.

The younger Levine started a discount womens clothing chain in Philadelphia. By 1996, he had reconciled with his father and returned to Family Dollar. Howard Levine was named president and chief operating officer in 1997 and took over as CEO in 1998. Leon Levine retired as chairman of the discount chain in 2003.

Dollar Tree bought Family Dollar in 2015 for $8.5 billion and a few months later Howard Levine stepped down as CEO, ending nearly 50 years of family ties. Three years after the acquisition, Dollar Tree closed the chains Matthews headquarters in favor of a consolidated site in Chesapeake, Va.

Hugh McColl unveils the Sandra and Leon Levine Medal for Life in Sept. 21, 2010. The Sandra and Leon Levine Medal for Life will be awarded to individuals whose actions call forth the best in human nature and inspire us all to reach our highest potential.

Editors note: Bruce Henderson, who reported and wrote this story, is a retired Observer reporter.
LONDON  Luxury store openings in Europe increased by 77 percent in 2022 as international travelers returned to the U.K. and the Continent and splashed their money on high-end merchandise, said Savills in its latest Global Luxury report.

The international estate agent said Europe accounted for 23 percent of new luxury retail openings worldwide, second only to China and ahead of North America.

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Anthony Selwyn, co-head of prime global retail at Savills, said that a relatively fast recovery in luxury spend in the region, helped in part by the return of international visitors, has no doubt helped move Europe back up the agenda for expanding luxury brands.

He added that a recalibration of rents on a number of key luxury streets, combined with improved availability in some cases, had further bolstered leasing activity.

Globally, there was an 11 percent increase in new luxury store openings in 2022 compared with the previous year. China accounted for 41 percent of all new openings worldwide, despite ongoing lockdowns throughout the country.

The Middle East saw an increase of 125 percent compared with 2021, albeit from a relatively low base. Savills said that in the wake of the pandemic, luxury brands have been refocusing on relatively underserved affluent markets, with Dubai remaining a primary focus alongside emerging locations such as Doha, Qatar.

Marie Hickey, commercial research director at Savills, said research showed that brands are now open to a wider variety of locations, a trend we expect to continue. While the major luxury destinations of Milan, London and New York will continue to hold the greatest appeal to many acquisitive luxury brands, availability challenges in these markets will temper activity over the next 12 to 18 months, meaning that new store activity in markets beyond this top tier will continue to expand.

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Savills added that London was one of the most active luxury markets in Europe last year, with the highest number of store openings. Bond Street, in particular, has been a hot destination for brands following Great Portland Estates redevelopment project at the north end of the street, near Hanover Square.

A former archbishops seminary on Milans Corso Venezia has been revamped by the Ferragamo family-owned Lungarno Collection to house the Portrait Milano hospitality and retail destination.

The central segment of Bond Street is now the most in demand, with Gucci refurbishing a space at 144 to 146 New Bond Street, next door to Chloe, and near stores including Fendi and Alaia. Moncler and Off-White are also moving to the neighborhood.

Savills said, such is the demand for space on central Bond Street, that rents are set to rise in the next 12 to 24 months, and they will soon be among the highest on the street, where rents are already dizzying.

Saint Laurent has reportedly broken a record for rent on the street, and in the U.K., paying more that 13 million pounds annually for a multistory property, according to The Sunday Times of London.

The new Saint Laurent store will sit on the corner of Grafton Street and New Bond Street, slightly south of where its sister brand Gucci will open. Saint Laurent has declined to comment on the rent, or the move.

As reported, megabrands have been migrating northward to New Bond as the big luxury groups, and property companies, snap up real estate on the northern, Oxford Street end, which in years past had been a hodgepodge of retail with few major fashion brands.

The Savills report said there are many opportunities at the very north end of the street where the rents are cheaper.

Savills said that brands should be open to being pioneers in this segment of Bond Street to take full advantage. With the redevelopment of the Fenwick department store and Victorias Secret space in this northern quarter, a variety of new opportunities will be delivered in the coming years.

The report also highlighted Milan, which it said was exceeding all expectations. Demand for new space is growing, which has helped to drive prime headline rents above pre-COVID[-19] levels.

It added that demand was not abating.

Winning formats in Milan, and Italy as a whole, are those that combine concepts and experience, such as Portrait Milano by Ferragamo in Corso Venezia, and the new Louis Vuitton space in the historic former Traversi garage in Via Bagutta, near Piazza San Babila.

The report went on to say that, worldwide, the ultra-luxury brands led the charge with regard to store openings and accounted for 68 percent of all new openings in 2022.

Fashion and accessory brands stepped up their activity last year, with a 21 percent increase in new store openings year-on-year, Savills said. By contrast, there was a decline in new openings by jewelry and watch brands.

The softening, Savills said, was driven by reduced activity by the jewelry brands. By contrast, the specialist watch brands continued to expand their stand-alone boutiques at the same level seen the preceding year.

Saint Laurent will soon be moving into a pricey, six-story store on the corner of Grafton and New Bond Streets in London.

In Europe and elsewhere, watch brands took advantage of the pandemic to focus on domestic customers and affluent, underserved, second-tier cities. We saw store openings across a wider variety of markets, 16 in total, whereas in 2019 it was only across eight markets.

The report said Dublin in particular saw a flurry of luxury watch brands, largely via a partnership with a local operator, establish stand-alone boutiques in the city. The openings were fueled by the countrys expanding luxury watch spend.

Looking ahead, Savills said it expects demand for retail space to grow, and for retailers and brands to plant their flags in new regions and neighborhoods.

The report referred to Bains forecast for the global personal luxury market to grow by 5 to 7 percent a year through to 2030, representing a total expansion of more than 50 percent to 580 billion euros.

With brands continuing to drive sales growth through their owned store network, realizing this market potential will no doubt mean that more stores will open globally. Brands will also upsize existing stores in key markets, said Savills. This is likely to mean a continued focus on major global and destination cities, with smaller, highly affluent gateway cities, particularly those in Europe, moving up the agenda.

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Paleontologists rejoice, because Nilpena Ediacara National Park in South Australiaone of the best-preserved fossil sites in the worldjust opened as the world's newest national park. Located about a five-hour drive north of Adelaide in the rugged Australian outback, it holds millions of years of history.

The 150,000-acre plot of land includes the former Ediacara Conservation Park, which became protected by the government in 2007, before additional land was acquired in 2019 with plans to expand the park to 10 times its original size. Now, visitors can tour the lands and behold the 550-million-year-old biological artifacts for themselves.

Nilpena Ediacara National Park Nilpena Ediacara National Park

Geologist Reg Sprigg first discovered groundbreaking impressions of animals akin to modern-day anemones or sea worms here in 1946. These type of animals were previously believed to have been the missing link between single-cell organisms and the more complex, predatory animals associated with the Cambrian Explosion, otherwise known as the Biological Big Bang. This taxonomic period eventually became known as the Ediacaran biota after the after the Ediacara Hills where they were discovered.

Impressions of the creatures, which range anywhere from a few centimeters to several feet long, were unusually preserved due to the gentle waves of the shallow sea floor, which is now the land of the national park. As a result, the microcosm was protected from storms and other meteorological events that may have otherwise disturbed the creatures, leaving behind incredible fossils.

Nilpena Ediacara National Park Nilpena Ediacara National Park

University of California, Riverside paleobiologist Mary Droser, the lead scientist at Nilpena, has made significant Ediacaran biota discoveries since she and her team began studying the area more than two decades ago.

Each fossil bed is a snapshot of the Ediacaran seafloor," Droser told National Geographic. "So you have this amazing record where we can look at things like reproduction, competition, whether they moved, population structure, and how they grewall these insights into where they fit in with our understanding of animal evolution."

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Nilpena Ediacara National Park Nilpena Ediacara National Park

But in addition to revealing crucial details about the evolution of life on earth, Droser explained why Nilpena Ediacara National Park also has a lot to teach us about climate change and even understanding life on other planets.

"The Ediacara biota extinction was likely the first of the big mass extinctions caused by global environmental change, she added. "Hundreds of millions of years ago, this ocean lost its oxygenlike its doing todayand turned into a desert over time; that's natural, but whats happening today isnt.

Nilpena Ediacara National Park Nilpena Ediacara National Park

Though stabilized with rock walls and gravel, the fossil beds are too delicate for visitors to explore on their own. However, guided tours of Nilpena Ediacara National Park can be booked through the national parks website.
Get the looks from Sofia Richie's stunning French wedding

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Last weekend, Sofia Richie, daughter of music legend Lionel Richie, tied the knot to husband Elliot Grainge in a stunning wedding in the South of France. The weekend was filled with gorgeously curated outfits from the bride and groom along with high-profile guests like sister Nicole Richie and long-time friend Paris Hilton.

Sofia showcased the wedding journey on social media, posting several gorgeous looks on Instagram that had everyone buzzing. The bride wore three beautiful Chanel dresses for her rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and after-party, and it was all documented on Vogues Instagram.

To help you achieve Sofias Hollywood glam wedding look for less, weve rounded up style look-alikes you can snag before wedding season.

So, what are we wearing? Subscribe to Revieweds weekly Style Check newsletter to get the answers from stylish people

For the classic chic wedding: Azazie Irelynn Wedding Dress

Get the looks from Sofia Richie's stunning French wedding

Sofia wore a stunning custom Chanel gown on her big day with a halter neckline, intricate lace detailing and a dramatic train. If youre not up for spending thousands, you can get this sequined mermaid-style Irelynn dress from Azazie Bridal. The dress is a great dupe for Sofias with its lace fabric and halter top neck. The high leg slit helps add a sultrier look to the gown. Her hair was tied back to show off her gorgeous teardrop earrings like these drop earrings from Blue Nile.

For the traditional wedding: BLACK By Vera Wang Notch Slim Fit Tuxedo

Get the looks from Sofia Richie's stunning French wedding

Elliot wore a classy and sleek black Tom Ford tux one wedding day, and this BLACK by Vera Wang tux captures a similar, sophisticated look. Its slim-fitting with a grosgrain-faced lapel that elevates the tuxedo. The flat-front trousers also feature a grosgrain stripe down the pant leg to match. The tux is entirely made of wool, making it extremely durable and long-lasting. This Pronto Uomo Bow Tie is also a close match to the one Elliot wore.

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For the groomsman: tuxedo For 1905 Collection Tailored Fit Tuxedo Separate Jacket

Get the looks from Sofia Richie's stunning French wedding

Lionel walked Sofia down the aisle in a sleek black tux similar to this 1905 Collection Tux Jacket from Jos A. Bank. It features a satin vest along with satin detailing along it. The jacket is fully lined with a narrow-notch lapel, one-button closure and side vents. Itll pair well with this Jos A. Bank bowtie, made entirely of silk. The jacket is entirely made of wool and is available in both Regular and Big & Tall sizes.

For the bridal shower: Sasha La Mer Jacqueline Set

Get the looks from Sofia Richie's stunning French wedding

During Sofias wedding weekend in the South of France, she wore a flowy Chanel maxi dress that matched the French coastal setting, and this Jacqueline Set from Sasha La Mer is nearly identical to Sofias. Its white with a black V-neckline that flows seamlessly into a large black bow, just like the Chanel dress. The set is made of eucalyptus fibers and soft viscose and features a sleeveless vest top and airy pleated pants. This pearl box purse goes perfectly with the dress and is a cost-effective dupe to the Chanel bag Sofia was seen wearing. A classy pearl necklace like the Freshwater Pearl Strand from Shane Co. will help add pizzazz to the low neckline.

For the Maid of Honor: On the Guest List Black Satin One-Shoulder Maxi Dress

Get the looks from Sofia Richie's stunning French wedding

Maid of Honor Nicole Richie wore an elegant black one-shouldered gown to her sisters wedding, and this One-Shoulder Maxi Dress from Lulus is a great affordable option if youre in need of a bridesmaid gown. Its satin with a cinched waist to help accentuate your curves. The gown has a lightly-pleated bodice and flows out into a maxi skirt to complete the elegant look. Nicole paired the dress with teardrop diamond earrings like these vintage-inspired earrings from Blue Nile.

For the reception: Kerrigan Linen Dress

Get the looks from Sofia Richie's stunning French wedding

Sofia rocked a Claudia Schifferinspired Chanel dress during her wedding after-party. Her timeless mini-dress looks quite similar to this Kerrigan Linen Dress from Reformation. It has a tank sleeve similar to Sofias and has an asymmetrical ruching detail at the waist that flows into a wrap skirt. These white bow heels are just like the ones Sofia paired with her dress and help complete the look along with these breathtaking sapphire drop earrings from Blue Nile.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Sofia Richie wedding: Shop dupes of the bride's elegant wedding looks
Louis Vuitton got creative in a big way to promote its pre-fall collection.

This past weekend, the luxury fashion house took over a bridge in South Korea for its most recent runway show, Elle reported. The brand also collaborated with Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk who helped put together the event.

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The show took place on the pedestrian-friendly lower deck of the Jamsugyo Bridge, which spans around a half a mile, according to Womens Wear Daily. The entire structure was flooded with orange and blue light. The audience sat in chairs on one side of the bridge, while models walked in the center and South Korea as the backdrop to the collection.

The first model to walk the runway was Squid Game actress Hoyeon Jung. Also in attendance was Chloe Grace Moretz, Jaden Smith and many K-pop stars.

For Seoulites, [the Jamsugyo Bridge] is a living monument, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Louis Vuittons womenswear creative director, told WWD. It is also a real fictional character thats very present in many films. Its an inspiring place to stage a show. Its a genuine catwalk.

Dong-hyuk told WWD he was afraid it might rain, or that heavy wind might interrupt the runway. However, as the models walked the length of the catwalk he appreciated natures effects on the modelsspecifically the way the breeze sent their hair flying.

The bridge show marks the first time the brand has held a pre-collection runway show in South Korea. There has been a recent push by global luxury brands to reach out to South Korea owing to the rise in K-pop music and the countrys popular film and television productions, according to the Associated Press.

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However, there are also obvious financial incentives. As weve previously reported, South Koreans now spend more per capita on luxury goods than any other nation, outpacing their Chinese and American counterparts. So it pays for luxury houses to cater to them.

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Michaela Coel, one of this years Met Gala co-chairs, anointed the carpet in a gilded, chocolate brown gown by Schiaparelli Couture, a continuation of her collaborative relationship with the fashion house, as shes recently been seen in several of their looks.

We can see the homages to Karl here in the chain and in the loops and the pearls. Its a collaboration between my stylist Georgia [Medley] and [Schiaparelli designer] Daniel [Roseberry], Coel said of her sheer dress. Im just like a total tourist in this industry. Im here to serve and Im here to honor their creative vision. I wanted to have a little gold, and he created like this second skin. Theres 130,000 crystals, 26,000 mixed stones, and over 3,800 hours of work to make this dress.

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The actress and screenwriter, who was pictured in a sequined, lime green Gucci gown on the cover of Vogues November 2022 issue, said she couldnt help but have the question in the back of my mind of why she was chosen by Anna Wintour as one of the 2023 Met Gala co-chairs. So, Coel asked her.

I felt a strange sense of peace because yesterday I was at the pre-dinner and Anna said  what I like about you is that you are unafraid to be yourself and Karl  her dear friend [and] fashion icon  she felt his journey was to try and learn to be unafraid of being himself, Coel shared. So she felt like he would like that about me, and suddenly I just felt very much at ease about being here.

Michaela Coel wearing Schiaparelli attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City.

The Met Gala, held as the annual fundraiser for New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute, has been organized and presided over by Wintour since 1995. It is timed to coincide with the unveiling of the museums annual fashion exhibition and this years is focused on Karl Lagerfeld. Titled Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, the collection honors the life and legendary career of the late designer who passed away on Feb. 19, 2019, and features more than 150 pieces including sketches.

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The dress code simply reads In honor of Karl, leaving it mostly up for interpretation for the stars attending  and their stylists.

The Met Gala program features Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and Vogues Wintour as the nights co-chairs.

See all the best looks from 2023 Met Gala red carpet here.

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VANCOUVER, BC, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - NEXE Innovations Inc. ("NEXE" or the "Company") (TSXV: NEXE) (Frankfurt: NX5) (OTC: NEXNF), a compostable and innovative materials company, is pleased to announce its financial results for the three-month period ended February 28, 2023 ("Q3 2023").

During the quarter, the Company was focused on setting up its operations at its 54,000 square foot facility in Windsor, Ontario (the "Windsor Facility"). Subsequent to the end of Q3 2023, the Company announced the Windsor Facility had been fully commissioned to produce food-grade components for its proprietary single-serve beverage pods and the final handoff from the vendors and contractors of its end-to-end systems is now complete. The Company is currently in the process of completing and transferring various certifications from its Surrey, British Columbia facility to the Windsor Facility, including Organic, Kosher, and Fair Trade.

The end-to-end manufacturing facility is a key part of NEXE's operating strategy, which is expected to lead to higher margins, protect our intellectual property, reduce supply chain risks, and provide the ability to scale and expand into additional markets faster. The Windsor Facility is equipped for compounding resin, injection molding key components of NEXE's proprietary single-use fully compostable pod, and dosing and sealing the pods for commercialization. NEXE also expects to provide roasting and grinding capabilities in order to provide a fully integrated coffee solution to potential clients.

NEXE end-to-end component manufacturing process (CNW Group/Nexe Innovations Inc.)

NEXE finished goods process (CNW Group/Nexe Innovations Inc.)

Key Highlights

Given the significant advancements made with the vertically integrated manufacturing process, NEXE decided not to continue running a parallel production of its current composite pod and started the transition to the new injection molded pod in Windsor ahead of its original second half of 2023 schedule. As a result of this transition, NEXE started to reduce its current composite pods inventories to prepare for the switchover. This resulted in lower revenues in Q3 2023 compared to the previous two quarters.

NEXE is in the process of acquiring the BPI certification. The BPI certification is a third-party verification of ASTM D6400 and D6868 standards for compostable products. Being awarded the BPI certification means the product has gone through a rigorous testing process that confirms the Company has met the ASTM compostable standards. As part of the process, NEXE submitted the new version of the injection molded pods to an independent third-party (approved by BPI) to conduct testing. The independent third-party has issued a final report confirming the NEXE pod and associated components comply with international standards required for certification as compostable materials, including standards AS 4736 (Australia), ASTM D6400 (equivalent to European EN 13432), International standard ISO 17088, and ISO 18606. The results will be submitted by the third-party testing agency directly to BPI for validation and certification. Although the BPI certification is prominent in North America, it is not required to produce or sell our products.

For the calendar year 2023, a key strategic focus is on growing the Company's customer base, focusing on private label and co-manufacturing segments of the market. To date, samples for testing the NEXE single-use coffee pod have been sent to over 50+ potential clients across various channels, including medium sized artisanal/local brands, and large CPG companies. Multiple companies have indicated strong interest after testing and have entered into final sales discussions with NEXE, including conducting on-site due diligence.

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"We are engaged in very productive conversations with potential clients," stated Ash Guglani, President, NEXE Innovations, "as clients test and visit the Windsor Facility to conduct due diligence, they are impressed at what we have been able to accomplish to date. This is an exciting time for NEXE."

Financial Position

The Company continues to be very disciplined with deploying capital and keeping expenses at a minimum. The Company is also in the process of consolidating certain operations to Windsor. At the end of Q3 2023, the Company had a working capital of $24.9 million with cash and GICs of $18.1 million that will help weather increased volatility in the financial markets and with executing NEXE's strategy.

NEXE expects there to be a rapid increase in demand for compostable alternatives. Recently it was announced that the EU commission is planning to make single-serve coffee pods mandatorily compostable as part of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). NEXE's expected capacity and end-to-end manufacturing capabilities will strengthen NEXE's position in a large and growing market. The global single-use pod market currently stands at 60+ billion pods per year and is estimated to grow between 7-8% per year.

The Company's Q3 2023 financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis are available on NEXE's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and the Company's website at www.nexeinnovations.com.

*NEXE Innovations Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Keurig. Keurig is a registered trademark of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

**NEXE Innovations Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Nespresso. Nespresso is a registered trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A

About NEXE Innovations Inc.

NEXE Innovations Inc. is a leader in innovative compostable materials technology based in British Columbia, Canada. The first product developed by NEXE Innovations is one of the only patented, fully-compostable, single-serve coffee pods for use in existing major single-serve coffee machines.

For more information about NEXE's compostable materials and how it is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products, visit www.nexeinnovations.com and follow us on social media @nexeinnovations.

On behalf of the Company:

Ash Guglani

President & Director

For investor relations contact:

Kam Mangat

VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements or information, which include, but are not limited to, statements in respect of the Company completing and transferring various certifications, expectations regarding the benefits of end-to-end manufacturing, acquisitions of BPI certifications, growth of the Company's customer base, indications of interest from potential clients, Company's use of working capital, consolidation of operations and the Company's overall business strategy and the Company's long-term growth and development plans. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to execute on its business strategy and those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended February 28, 2023 under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties". Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, receipt of necessary approvals and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Michaela Coel has made her shining arrival on the 2023 Met Gala carpet.

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star and co-chair for this year's gala walked the carpeted steps in a gilded, semi-sheer gown by Schiaparelli. The long-sleeved, curve-hugging gown included 130,000 crystals embroidered onto a dark brown silhouette, including star-shaped adornments along the chest and abs, as well as chain detailing, pearls, and gold leaves wrapped around the arms.

Jamie McCarthy - Getty Images

The star added an array of statement accessories, including an ornate diamond-and-gold necklace which was attached to the gown's turtleneck. She also wore chunky gold pendant earrings and rings, capping off the look with anatomical gold heels with toe-shaped detailing.

She wore her hair in straight-back cornrow braids, and her glam included a sharp wing with sparkly red eyeshadow, paired with a nude lip.

Dimitrios Kambouris - Getty Images

The I May Destroy You creator previously made her Met Gala debut 2021, where she honored American fashion in an electric blue, off-the-shoulder jumpsuit by Balenciaga, which was covered in sequins and included the house's signature pantaboots. She skipped the necklace, letting the plunging wide neckline keep focus, and wore an array of rings including a large circular sapphire ring.

ANGELA WEISS - Getty Images

2022 was a busy year for the Emmy winner, who joined the MCU with the role of Dora Milaje warrior Aneka in the Black Panther sequel. In her cover interview with Vogue last November, the actress said that she saw playing a queer character in such a popular franchise as an opportunity to help address antigay policies in Ghana, where her parents were born.

"That sold me on the role, the fact that my character's queer," she told the outlet. "I thought, 'I like that, I want to show that to Ghana.'"

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Rep. Bud Shuster, R-Pa., kept building roads in his Altoona-based congressional district, even when there was no place left to go. Shuster, who died last week at the age of 91, was best known as the powerful House Transportation Committee chair, a throne from which he was given the sobriquet The King of Asphalt, in a way that was not always meant as a complement.

The congressmans Macadam Opus is Interstate 99 which bisects Pennsylvania north to south, and is a godsend to motorists made skittish by truck traffic on Interstate 81, because it is only a slight exaggeration that you can drive on it for miles without seeing another car.

Shuster, who has been called the last of the great power barons in the American Congress, was rife with the complexities that power barons almost always possess. Hold Shuster up to the light and what you see depends on the angle of the rays.

Tim Rowland

His background is faintly Santosesque, as even his own autobiographical notes dont always jibe. In some ways he seems the pupa stage of modern political rancor. He rode into office on the coattails of Richard Nixon, defending the embattled president for firing Archibald Cox.

Calling Cox a cheat, Shuster called for an investigation of the Special Prosecutor's Office "to determine the extent of criminal violations," adding that "(t)his pompous, pious, self-righteous, supposedly independent special prosecutor is far worse than just political."

Sound familiar?

Before becoming fixated on transportation, he dabbled in the FBI trope of communists beyond every curtain, most notably in the feminist and civil rights movements. Yet Shuster was no fool. Seeing a better lane, so to speak, he traded in the abrasive partisanship and conspiracy theories for a fiefdom in American transportation.

Certainly it was a more lucrative path. Because he held the purse and regulatory strings, he was beloved by people in the industry. On learning of his death, Railway Age praised Shuster for victoriously moving high-dollar transportation authorizations through the House and fending off captive shipper attempts to dial back rail regulatory freedoms 

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When Shuster was shepherding through the $217 billion Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act (BESTEA), wags who had read the fine, project-awarding print, suggested BESTEA really stood for the Bud E. Shuster Transportation for All Eternity Act.

Millions of dollars flowed into his re-election warchest, even as he generally ran unopposed. His last serious opponent was Nancy Kulp  Miss Jane on the Beverly Hillbillies  in 1984, whom Shuster destroyed after bringing in Jed Clampett (Buddy Epsen) to record a radio spot calling Culp too liberal for me.

This was a different time, and if you wanted to make money in excess of your government salary, you couldnt just post to social media grubbing for thousands of small-dollar donations because the liberals were out to get you. If politicians wanted to get paid, they had to provide something of value in return.

And if you delivered the goods, no one really cared about your ethics, not in the industry, anyway. When Shusters live-in former aide and lobbyist Ann Eppard was indicted in 1998 for financial crimes, no one outside of government saw the problem.

"Frankly the indictment did not affect our business relationship at all," Pennsylvania transportation consultant Joseph W. McMahon said at the time. "She helped us to get to visit with a number of legislators  Chairman Shuster, of course."

Of course. Within a few years, the case against Eppard and the ensuing ethics investigation of Shuster had largely fizzled and life went on.

Not knowing what the future held, many of us felt Shuster represented all that was wrong with Washington: wasteful spending, money politics, questionable ethics.

What we didnt understand was that for better or worse, this slipperiness was the oil, dirty as it might get, that kept the engine running. When Shuster lorded over the Transportation Committee and Sen. Robert Byrd prowled Appropriations, they were careful to see that everyone got a share. Even the lowliest opposition-party back-bencher would have something to take home for the district, because thats what the people expected and meeting these expectations was key to re-election.

Consequently, no one got too far out of line and no one was above putting ideology on hold long enough to get a new bridge.

Is this an argument for more graft and sleaze in politics? Not exactly. But show me a politician whos selling access, passing out pork and looking the other way while his squeeze is on the take, and Ill show you a politician whos not urging his followers to take up arms and overrun the Capitol of the United States.

Tim Rowland is a Herald-Mail columnist.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Shuster's scandals didn't matter, so long as he brought home the bacon
GIVAT HAREL, West Bank  Lawyer Yotam Eyal is Orthodox, lives on land claimed by Palestinians and believes Israel needs to rigorously preserve its conservative Jewish values and identity. He supports attempts by the country's ultra-right-wing government to weaken its judiciary.

Tech executive Ronen Keler, from beachy, foodie, liberal Tel Aviv, is a secular Jew. He says that what is happening in Israel right now is about a populist government intent on engineering a "dictatorship." He opposes the reforms.

Makbula Nassar, an Arab Palestinian citizen of Israel and radio host from Nazareth, the north Israel city associated in the Bible with Jesus' hometown, says reforms or not, Israel is not the democracy it claims to be.

Israelis of all kinds have poured into the streets for months to protest the reforms. And the battle for where Israel goes as it marks its 75 anniversary this year  what kind of country it is or becomes  is far from over.

This week, Israel's Knesset, or Parliament, returned from its Passover holiday recess. Ahead of the monthlong break, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused his efforts to get the reforms approved by lawmakers.

He wanted to lower the political temperature. He had good reason.

Since January, hundreds of thousands of Israelis on most Saturdays  the Jewish Sabbath  have angrily taken to the streets to protest the proposed overhaul. There have also been smaller pro-reform counterprotests, mostly in Jerusalem and Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a perennially volatile area partly administered by the Palestinian National Authority but effectively controlled by Israel's military. As many as 200,000 people, police said, gathered on the evening of April 27 outside the Knesset in support of the judicial overhaul.

Israelis opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan set up bonfires and block a highway during a protest in Tel Aviv on March 26, 2023.

The delay came amid spiraling walkouts by airport workers, unions, teachers, bankers, hi-tech workers, military reservists  the engine of Israel's middle class, the backbone of its security establishment, which relies on reservists. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, warned of an impending societal collapse  perhaps even civil war. The White House, Israel's most committed ally, a country that figures heavily in its overall Middle East foreign policy, is Israel's largest supplier of military aid and is traditionally important to American Jews, urged Netanyahu to "walk away" from the overhaul. Leading American Jewish groups described what they were seeing in Israel as "painful" and implored Israel's political leaders to make concessions for the common good.

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Ron DeSantis' stop in Israel: An appeal to religious voters, Jewish and evangelical

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy: Speaks to Knesset, the Israeli legislature, about 'special relationship'

"These reforms would give unchecked power to the government," says Rabbi Avidan Freedman, 42, who lives in Efrat, an Israeli community in the West Bank where most of the residents are Orthodox Jews. ''And that is something that's a really bad idea. And that's dangerous, regardless of your political position."

Shrugging off the 'fascist-adjacent' label

There are at least half a dozen specific proposals encapsulated in the reforms. However, at their core, all are about one thing: how much power the 15 unelected justices who sit on Israel's Supreme Court should be allowed to wield over the country's legislative and executive branches, according to Ami Pedahzur, a U.S.-based expert on Israeli politics and incoming professor at Israel's University of Haifa.

As it stands, the court can strike down cases it deems "unreasonable." To some, that is a slippery and vague concept. Proponents of the reforms say that standard favors the court's liberal, secular instincts.

"If you try to explain to someone how the system in Israel works, especially the justice system, they look at you like you're crazy," says Simcha Rothman, one of the most prominent of the reform's architects.

Parliament member Simcha Rothman, right, leans in to speak to Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's finance minister, in Jerusalem on March 27, 2023.

Rothman, a lawyer and member of the Knesset from the far-right Religious Zionist Party, is controversial. Israeli media has described him as leading a "constitutional coup" and "fascist-adjacent," claims he both shrugs off as ridiculous.

"If a terrorist kills someone, can you demolish his house? The law is very clear: yes. But it actually depends on the court's panel of judges. No one knows," Rothman says in an interview in his Knesset office. He delivers this example with an intense stare.

To emphasize his point, Rothman, who is 42 and known in Israel for his disputatious manner, especially with journalists, makes a show of wetting one of his fingers and pointing it upward into the air as if he's trying to test the direction of the judicial wind.

"No one knows," he reiterates.

A few days after the interview, Rothman was briefly trapped by protesters in a room where he was speaking at the World Zionist Congress, in Jerusalem. Video footage from the scene shows him being held in a locked room as demonstrators outside shout "shame" and "democracy" before he is rescued by Israeli police.

A view of homes built on the Israeli settlement Givat Heral in the West Bank, on April 18, 2023.

'I don't want Israel to become Iran'

Jonathan Rosenblum, 72, is a friend and ally of Rothman's and the founder of Jewish Media Resources, a Jerusalem-based organization that tries to help journalists in Israel better understand Orthodox communities. He describes Rothman as a "true genius."

He also says that what he is trying to do is misunderstood.

"I'm not interested in living in a theocracy,'' he says. ''I don't want Israel to become Iran. "The idea that anything that has any roots in Jewish law somehow turns Israel into a theocracy is misinterpretation."

Israel is one of the few countries in the world  the United Kingdom and New Zealand are two others  without a written constitution. Instead, it relies on a growing collection of laws, customs and precedents. Unlike the U.S. Congress, the Knesset is a unicameral legislature, meaning it has one lawmaking chamber. Checks on its power come from the government of the day and Israel's Supreme Court  the 15 unelected justices.

Supporters of the reforms like Rothman want not only to give the Knesset the power to override Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority vote. They also want to give the ruling government coalition a much more active role in appointing judges.

Opponents say minority rights, civil liberties and Israel's democracy itself are at stake. That is partly because the reforms are being championed by segments of Netanyahu's coalition government who are deeply religious, ultra-nationalist and have dated views on how Israeli society should be run and organized on everything from LGBTQ rights to whether leavened bread products should be allowed in hospitals during Passover.

A Supreme case: How a couple's wedding cake got caught up in Israeli judicial reform

"I believe in Judaism as something that is important to the identity of Israel," says tech executive Keler, 59, a reservist in Israel's navy  a commander who spent 25 years as a submarine captain. "But these reforms are being pushed by people in Netanyahu's coalition with bad intentions  right-wing extremists, the extreme Orthodox religious people. This isn't about left versus right, it's about extreme versus non-extreme."

Like many Israelis who have joined the protests against the reforms, Keler views his participation as nothing less than helping to safeguard Israel's political system. He also suspects that Netanyahu's interest in backing the reforms has little to do with the longest-tenured prime minister in Israel history's impartial constitutional interest in checks and balances.

Ronen Keler, center, listens to a briefing ahead of a protest by reservists from Israel's in Jerusalem on April 20, 2023.

And everything to do with Netanyahu's entanglement in a criminal trial on multiple corruption charges connected to accusations he granted political favors in return for luxury gifts and favorable news coverage.

Netanyahu strenuously denies the claim. However, his interest in weakening the powers of Israel's Supreme Court has grown in virtual lock-step with his personal legal woes. In fact, prior to announcing the parliamentary time-out on the reforms in late March, Netanyahu was able to get the Knesset to pass a law that takes power away from the attorney general to declare a leader unfit for office. This is the only proposed Netanyahu judicial reform that has actually become law. This would benefit someone, for example, convicted on corruption charges.

Still, as the Knesset gears this week up to once again debate the reforms, Israel's political leaders have claimed that negotiations aimed at some kind of compromise have been gathering momentum.

Yet for many Israelis, it's hard to imagine what compromise might look like. For them, their views on the reforms appear wholly inseparable from their beliefs about the ultimate character of a state formed 75 years ago this spring in the wake of the Holocaust, and as a refuge from the blight of worldwide antisemitism.

Israel may be a military, technological and economic powerhouse in the Middle East region. It is also a small country, with a population just under 10 million people, about 74% of whom identify as Jewish, according to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.

However, while Israel's Jews share many traditions and concerns, they are also highly divided. Among those who identify as Jewish, approximately 45% are secular, with the remainder observing different levels of religious strictness. But religious and secular Jews live entirely different lives and occupy vastly different social spheres. And their views contrast sharply on issues such as marriage, divorce, required military service and gender segregation. While secular Jews don't want religion anywhere near public policy, religious Jews strongly favor the idea that the government should promote religious beliefs and values.

Complicating matters, in a fractious debate about the proper role of religious values and beliefs in government, both sides feel their democratic rights are being trampled on.

Men and women separated at concerts

"The feeling among people like me is that even when 'our side' wins an election, our values and priorities are not represented because left-wing judges on the court, sometimes extreme left-wing ones, have these veto rights," says Ori Sobovitz, 43, an Orthodox Zionist who lives in Eli, a West Bank settlement.

"If religious people want to have their concerts separated for men and women, why can't they? This is what Jewish Halakha  Jewish law  says should happen. They are not talking about changing anyone else's life. They are not saying, 'Listen, Tel Aviv, we are demanding separate male and female concerts for everyone.' No, they are saying, 'For us, we want it separate.' The Supreme Courts says, 'No.' Why? Because it discriminates. This is about values. Who says your values are better than mine?"

But the frequency of the Israeli Supreme Court striking down laws is low. According to the Israel Democracy Institute, an independent research center, during the past 30 years Israel's Supreme Court has invalidated legislation in 22 cases  about 0.8 cases per year. The IDI has concluded that Israel's highest court does not strike down laws more frequently than other Supreme Courts worldwide. From 1995 to 2016, for example, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated legislation about 2.3. times per year, according to the IDI's calculations.

However, on another metric  the number of petitions Israel's Supreme Court receives seeking to invalidate laws  its activity has risen sharply.

This could help explain why when lawyer Eyal talks about his fight for justice  why he believes the reforms are needed  he's concluded the state of Israel is not on his side.

"We feel that we have a judicial system against us," he says. He bemoans "activist judges" who jailed, for example, Israeli teenagers because they protested forced evacuations from Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, a self-governing Palestinian area that is ruled by Hamas, which the U.S. and other countries have designated a terrorist organization. He said the same standard was not being applied to current protesters.

Eyal, 34, is building a house for his young family in a fragrant valley surrounded by rocky terrain and majestic hills. On his West Bank settlement, Givat Hirel, there is an award-winning winery, a busy nursery, fancy homes with dramatic hilltop views and lush green gorges below  one of which is said to be one of the battle sites of the Maccabean Revolt, an ancient Jewish uprising against Greece's Seleucid Empire.

About 90 families live on Givat Hirel, which was founded in 1998 with encouragement from Ariel Sharon, Israel's then foreign minister. Sharon sought to entrench Israeli control over the area by inserting outposts that would disconnect Palestinian communities, which can be seen nestling in the hillsides surrounding Givat Hirel.

Yotam Eyal, a lawyer, looks out over the hillside view from Givat Hirel, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on April 18, 2023.

In February, Givat Hirel became of of nine settlements retroactively awarded full legal status by Netanyahu's government, with whom Israel's settlers have found common cause. In a prominent spot on the settlement, next to a large water tower emblazoned with Israel's flag  two blue stripes on a white background with a Star of David  there is a placard that marks the achievement. Scrawled on the sign, the signatures of about two dozen Israeli politicians. One of them is Rothman's.

Eyal is adamant that one of the reasons the reforms are necessary is because, in his view, even when Israel's government legalizes a settlement such as Givat Hirel, many of the rights that should be afforded him by that status tend to get struck down by the Supreme Court. Yuval Shany, an Israeli legal expert who did the IDI's calculations, says that it's not that the Supreme Court is striking down a lot of laws, it's that laws are not getting passed because lawmakers think the courts will strike them down. He says that the court tends to side with the government on issues related to West Bank settlers and Palestinians who bring claims of mistreatment before the court.

And he says he fears that without the reforms the country will lose aspects of its identity. In addition to those born to a Jewish mother or father, currently anyone with a Jewish grandparent or who has converted to Judaism is permitted to emigrate to Israel. Some of the reforms backer want to create a stricter definition of what kind of Jew can become a citizen.

As an air raid siren sounds across the hills  and across all of Israel  for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Eyal points out that the siren's wail is the best example yet why Jews need a state. He feels Israel's liberal traditions threaten this.

"I don't want to force everyone to be a religious person," he says. "What I am saying is that we need to look at the values religion gives us and make those part of the state."

'On the margins of Israel's democracy'

While explanations like Eyal's fail to convince Israel's secular Jews, they also don't mean much for the country's Arab citizens. Arab Israelis, who make up 20% of Israel's population  its largest minority group  have largely avoided the protests.

The five million Palestinians who live in Gaza and the West Bank have been even further removed from the protests that have roiled Israel since the start of the year  even as the protests in Israel have coincided with a spike in West Bank violence.

"Whether it's Netanyahu, his coalition or the opposition, they are all not much different when it comes to Palestinian rights, statehood or self-determination," says Mustafa Barghouti, a former Palestinian lawmaker and onetime presidential candidate.

"They don't want it."

And inside Israel, for decades, the government can seem unconcerned about the rights of its Palestinian citizens. Israel's Arabs disproportionately live in higher-crime, lower-income areas. Many struggle to find adequate housing.

The Knesset in 2019 passed a law that enshrined the right of national self-determination as "unique to the Jewish people," not all its nationals.

The move effectively downgraded the rights of Israel's Arab citizens, though they do have the right to vote and can serve in the military. Most choose not to.

"We live on the margins of Israel's democracy," says Muhammad Dahleh, a Jerusalem-based human rights lawyer who prefers to describe himself as a "Palestinian citizen of the state of Israel." Dahleh, 55, says it "gives me hope" when he sees Israel's Jews protesting the reforms but he says there are a number of factors that make it difficult for Israel's Arab citizens to participate in them, not least Israel's military, security services and police.

"They all, in a way, see Palestinians inside Israel as the enemy," he says.

"And actually I think the feeling is kind of mutual," he adds.

"Then, there is, of course, the Jewishness of all this  it's about the Jewish state, Jewish democracy, how religious or not Israel should be; plus, the presence of the Israeli flag is overwhelming. All this makes it very tricky for us as Palestinians living in Israel."

Nasser, 49, the radio host from Nazareth, is not discouraged.

She has two weekly shows during which she talks with people who call in to discuss different topics: Palestinian-Israel issues, discrimination, racism.

"I am not neutral," she says. "Sometimes we shout a lot."

She says she thinks of Israel as a "very sick democracy. It's a democracy for Jews; discrimination for Palestinians. Of course I can't deny, if I compare myself to someone in Egypt or Libya or Iraq, that Israel is more democratic. And I have more privileges than my people in the West Bank. But is this the comparison we want?"

Nasser says she understands why "white, mainstream Tel Aviv-y" and Arab Israeli protest leaders have, for the most part, taken a tactical decision to not encourage Israel's Arab citizens to join the protests, fearing their participation in large numbers could be seized upon by right-wing extremist groups for propaganda purposes and to justify  falsely  attacks by Jewish extremists on peaceful demonstrators.

But she says as the demonstrations have gone on, Jewish extremists have increasingly sought to make a closer connection between the protest's aims and Israel's Arab citizens, and this is a connection she finds both scary and inevitable.

"There will be a moment when we will join. It's not now but it's going to happen."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel now in battle for future as Benjamin Netanyahu pushes reforms
Gov. Kevin Stitt made good on his promise to sign legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors, including surgery and hormone therapy.

The bill is the latest in a national wave of state legislation and political rhetoric that has led to protests and heightened anxiety among the LGBTQ community about what comes next. Several groups have promised to launch a legal challenge.

We cannot turn a blind eye to whats happening across our nation, and as governor I am proud to stand up for whats right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma," Stitt said in a news release after he signed the bill Monday.

Here is what the new law would ban regarding gender-affirming care

Along with an immediate ban on surgery, Senate Bill 613 prohibits puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, or other drugs to suppress or delay normal puberty after a six-month grace period meant to assist minors with "gradually decreasing and discontinuing use of the drugs or hormones."

The bill clarifies that "gender transition procedures" do not include behavioral or mental health counseling, medication to treat depression or anxiety, medication to treat precocious puberty, and services for individuals born with ambiguous genitalia. It also doesn't include treatment for complications of gender transition procedures or any treatment where the individual is in immediate danger of death or impairment of a major bodily function.

More: Proposed ban on gender-affirming care for minors survives legislative deadline

Stitt first called for a statewide ban last year as lawmakers blocked OU Children's Hospital from providing some gender care to LGBTQ youths. A few months later, he repeated that appeal in his state of the state speech, setting the tone for what he expected lawmakers to accomplish this year.

The legislation survived several rounds of amendments, and the final version doesn't contain some of the more controversial provisions that have been proposed.

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Tea Beene gathers with supporters of trans rights during a rally in front of the Griffin Media building, 100 W Main, in downtown Oklahoma City.

For example, some lawmakers voted to ban insurance coverage for adults undergoing transition, but that section was left out of the bill the governor signed. Another trans health care ban for young adults also was considered this year, but hasn't made it into any legislation that's still alive.

As Senate Bill 613 moved across the House floor, the author also removed language that would have immediately revoked the license of health care providers who perform gender transition procedures for minors. Those providers, however, are still subject to the criminal component of the legislation, which makes it a felony to carry out such actions on behalf of anyone under the age of 18.

The new law also allows a child who received the procedure to sue the provider upon reaching the age of majority, and until the child reaches the age of 45.

Emily Hildebrandt's 15-year-old son was receiving care at OU Children's Adolescent Medicine Roy G. Biv program last year when it was forced to close.

When that happened, her son lost access to his psychologist.

"The banning of health care and gender-affirming care makes our kids' mental health more vulnerable. It also makes it harder to obtain care overall," Hildebrandt said Tuesday after Stitt signed the bill. "Our doctor is no longer able to practice at Children's, leaving us in a bind and my teenager without a psychologist to be able to process who they are and learn how to be themselves," she said.

The advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma called the bill "intentionally cruel policy." Just a few days ago, ACLU of Oklahoma posted that it and Lambda Legal "will take any necessary legal action against a proposed ban on their health care currently being considered by the state."

More: Transgender, nonbinary Oklahomans worry about direction of state laws on education, health

Gender transition has sparked nationwide debate

According to the Human Rights Campaign, Oklahoma is the 19th state to ban gender-affirming care for people under 18. A dozen other states were in the process of considering similar bans. The group said it is tracking more than 800 anti-LGBTQ bills across the country.

"Many of these  more than 110  would limit or prevent transgender people from accessing gender-affirming care, while others are bathroom bans, curriculum censorship bills or anti-drag performance bills," the Human Rights Campaign said.

The bill's author said it will let individuals reach a higher level of maturity before making life-changing decisions.

"These children are in very real distress. They deserve to have attention focused on their behavioral and mental health care, not rushing them into making adult decisions as a child," said state Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville.

Allies of the trans community have said that society's lack of understanding and acceptance leads to poor mental health outcomes, especially for children. A 2022 national survey found that 45% of LGBTQ youths seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. For transgender and nonbinary youths, that number rose above 50%.

"These bills do not help this. As the parent of a transgender son, this horrifies me," Hildebrandt said. "This is impacting and harming so many individuals. Not only those who identify as transgender, but also everyone who loves and supports them as well."

Correction: One sentence in an earlier version of this story incorrectly said the law made it a felony to perform gender transition procedures for anyone under the age of 45. It should have said under the age of 18. The age was stated correctly elsewhere in the story.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma bans surgery, hormones for trangender youths
Sawaya Photography - Getty Images

Lemon Gulch, the 52-mile trail system in the Ochoco National Forest, initially met with huge support from the community and nearby areas but was recently withdrawn from consideration by the United States Forest Service (USFS).

Plans for the system had been in development for years, but on April 26th, the district rangers office published the final environmental assessment essentially banning the project from moving forward.

According to the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA), the Lemon Gulch trail system was one piece of a master plan by the Ochoco Trails coalition aimed at increasing non-motorized trail opportunities in the Ochoco National Forest. One of the main objectives was to relieve user conflicts on existing trails.

The Forest Service's 1990 forest management plan calls for 468 miles of non-motorized trails on the 850,000-acre forest. Currently, there are only 156 miles of trails (33 percent of the original plan), and mountain bikes can only access 112 of those miles (24 percent).

Singletracks reports that the USFS received more than 820 comments from the public, and a large proportion of the comments were in support of the project, however in a press release, the Ochoco National Forest said some individuals felt they were not considered during the planning process, despite the agencys multiple attempts to gather public input.

Much of the opposition came from residents of Prineville who were concerned about how such a large trail network and the increase in visitors would impact the town. Singletracks reports that Prineville residents formed a Facebook group called Dont Bend Prineville, referencing Bend, Oregon, inferring that they dont want Prineville to be a hub for outdoor recreation the way Bend is. Other opponents concerns were centered around how the trails may impact cattle grazing.

But, ask anyone in Bentonville, Arkansas and theyll tell you mountain biking trails are good for local businesses, good for the community, and good for morale. Especially in a small town like Prineville that has experienced decline over the years.

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COTA posted their disappointment on social media saying, COTA is extremely dismayed by the Forest Services decision. Although around 75 percent of public comments supported the project (a *huge* margin by todays standards), the Forest Service capitulated to a few special interests that opposed the project.

In a statement, Emmy Andrews, COTAs Executive Director said, This is a huge blow to mountain bikers, to our relationship with the Forest Service, and to the future of multi-stakeholder collaboration.

According to Central Oregon Daily, District Ranger Slater Turner said the Ochoco National Forest will look for opportunities in the future to have a broader community conversation about non-motorized trails on the Forest. But for now, no new trails, and no opportunity for growth.

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Between birth and the age of 18, the average American child is currently recommended to receive 16 different vaccines, some of which require multiple doses. What does this all add up to? A lot of time in the doctors office.

For some children, going to the doctor isnt a cause for alarm. For others, a doctors appointment can be nerve-wracking, and their anxiety can increase even more if that visit involves shots. And with the Pfizer vaccine now available for kids over the age of five, a lot of kids are begging their parents to skip the shot out of anxiety.

The degree of anxiety varies widely, but virtually all children have some amount of hesitation or worry about shots, says Dr. Nicole Beurkens, child psychologist, best-selling author, and nutritionist.

Dr. Amy Lee, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist at Cleveland Clinic Childrens, agrees that being nervous about new or stressful situations is a completely normal reaction for all children.

She says, During the infant and preschool years, children receive a lot of vaccines, and even young children develop memories of aspects of the experience that may have been surprising or frightening. The injection experience requires a child to be still, adults may need to restrain them, and there is a brief episode of pain that very young children may be surprised by. Everything about these experiences is remembered, even if children do not have words for the experience.

In addition, a childs flight, fight, or freeze behaviors may kick in when faced with an injection, according to Dr. Lee. And as Dr. Aude Henin, Founding Co-Director of the Child Cognitive-Behavioral Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, notes, its something that can easily continue into adolescence and even adulthood.

So, what can you do to soothe your childs nerves? And decrease shot anxiety in the future? Read on for our experts top tips and tricks that can help younger and older children help dread the doctor (and those scary shots) a little less.

Story continues

Related: Its Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot, So Here's Everything You Need to Know About How Effective It Actually Is

For Young Children

No matter what age your child is, if they are very fearful, it can be helpful to talk with their pediatrician ahead of time to book a longer appointment, Dr. Henin recommends, adding, This will allow the child time to settle in without needing to rush through the injection. You may also want to book more than one appointment to prepare for the injection so that the child can face their fear gradually.

Also, from little ones to older kids, Dr. Henin says that unless absolutely necessary, avoid forcing or coercing the child. She says, Needle-related fears often get worse because the childs anxiety is met with negative reactions from adults and may even result in being physically restrained. These experiences lead the child to associate getting a shot with increased fear and distress and can lead to a negative spiral of anxiety and avoidance.

If your child is four or younger, Dr. Lee advises waiting to tell your child about the shot until right before the nurse enters the exam room. This can lessen anticipatory anxiety.

And while its understandably tough to see your child so upset, Dr. Henin emphasizes that its important for you to stay calm. She adds, Children can be especially sensitive to their parents anxiety or distress when they are stressed themselves. Here, Dr. Lee says that its helpful to use your normal voice so your child will feel that everything is okay.

There are some creative things you can do to keep your child calm during the appointment. Lee suggests bringing a toy along or another comfort item. To provide a distraction, Lee says that toys, bubbles, and singing work especially well for babies; toddlers will also enjoy those things along with pop-up books and noisemakers.

Role-playing before the appointment can also be an effective tool to keep kiddos calm. Dr. Beurkens says, Children, especially young ones, benefit from acting things out in play so they can know what to expect and work through their feelings. Do some pretend play or role-playing with puppets or dolls where you go through the steps of the appointment, how they might feel, and what they can look forward to after its done.

Related: Think Your Child Has the Flu? Here Are the Exact Symptoms To Look OutPlus the Best Treatment Options

For Older Children

For children five and older, Lee recommends telling your child about the shots on the day of the appointment or one day before.

Lee goes on to note that older kids tend to ask more questions than little ones, so when they ask, What will happen? be straightforward and explain that they will get a vaccine in their arm or leg with a needle. If they follow that up with, Why? simply say that its to keep them healthy. And if they ask about pain, matter-of-factly say that there will be a small pinch for a few seconds.

Talking with your older kids about what to expect is key, and it can be helpful to go through the steps. Dr. Beurkens says, Let them know when youre going, what will be happening, who will do what, and what will happen at the end. Preparation helps kids feel more secure and in control, which reduces anxiety.

Also, if your child is struggling with substantial anxiety before the appointment, it can be beneficial to reflect on past experiences and how they came through them successfully.

Dr. Beurkens says, If the child has had other experiences with shots that they recall, it can be helpful to revisit those experiences to help reduce their anticipatory anxiety. Talk about how their last appointment with shots went, how they felt before, and how they felt after. It can be helpful for them and you to have a reminder that theyve gotten through this before.

Another way to prep for a vaccine appointment is to look at cartoon images of needles online or play doctor so that they can practice giving pretend injections to you, and vice versa, as Dr. Henin suggests.

Additionally, plan something to look forward to. Dr. Beurkens explains, When a child is anxious about an upcoming event, it helps to have something positive to look forward to when its done. This allows them to temper their anxiety about the discomfort of a shot with the happiness they will feel at getting a treat, playing at the park, or doing something special when they leave the office.

During the visit, Lee recommends distracting school-age children with videos, stories, counting, jokes, or talking about an activity. Effective distractions for teens include games, videos, and music.

One tried-and-true anxiety buster for anyone, from 9 to 99, is deep breathing. While receiving the shot, Lee says that you can encourage your child to take three relaxed belly breaths.

Related: Vaccines for Adults: The Ones You Really Need and Why

And when its all over, no matter what age your child is, lay on the praise, using phrases like, You were so brave, and You really helped yourself stay calm. Also, this is an excellent opportunity to reward and provide comfort.

Reward the child for any attempt to tolerate their anxiety, even if it didnt go perfectly, Dr. Henin says. Rewards can include praise or special time with a parent. Comfort the child if they experience any pain or distress. Hugs and snuggles can go a long way.

Lastly, Dr. Henin says that if your childs fear is severe, its important to seek help. She says, Cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes a technique called progressive exposure is highly effective to treat phobias in children and teens, including needle phobia.

Next up, learn why its important to stay up-to-date with your childrens vaccines.

Sources

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Kindergartners at Sequiota Elementary School draw during class on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Children in Springfield who attend a formal preschool program are significantly more prepared to learn once they get to kindergarten than those who don't, according to a report released Tuesday.

The 2022 Readiness for Kindergarten report from the Mayor's Commission for Children showed 23.9% of students evaluated in the fall were not prepared  a lower rate than what was found in studies from 2014, 2016 and 2020  and the amount dropped more, to just 20.4%, if the child had attended a formal preschool program.

"More children are attending preschool and pre-K programs in Springfield," said Melissa Duncan Fallone, associate professor at Missouri State University, who prepared the report.

"Pre-K is important for preparing children for kindergarten but it is especially important for low-income students."

The report, typically released every four years, showed the level of readiness was also related to socioeconomic status.

Among students who qualify for free or reduced price school meals, a national measure of poverty, just 63% were prepared for kindergarten compared to 86% of the students who pay the regular price. But that gap closed significantly, according to the report, when comparing kids of different financial means who all attended pre-K.

The Mayor's Commission for Children has completed six kindergarten readiness studies since it was created in 2004, part of an effort to encourage and support the development of early childhood programs in Springfield and the area.

Sequiota Elementary School kindergarten teacher Rachel Hoing leads students during a writing exercise on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

"The data that we've heard is an important part of that and shows why that focus is so important," said Springfield City Council member Matt Simpson, who also serves as mayor pro tem.

"The numbers that we heard today represent lives in our community  lives with hopes and dreams and potential that we all need to make sure they have the ability to realize."

Report comes as child care, education a focus in Jefferson City

Simpson said the report shows the progress that has been made in Springfield and the work that remains to get as many children prepared to learn in kindergarten as possible.

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The commission started studying kindergarten readiness because national research has repeatedly shown that if a child is prepared to learn at that age, they are more likely to read at grade level and stay on track to graduate high school with peers.

Gerry Lee, associate executive director of the Missouri School Boards' Association, said state lawmakers who are looking at ways to expand early childhood education need to have a copy of this report. He is a member of the Mayor's Commission on Children and a former Springfield school board member.

"That is the hot topic right now in Jeff City and this data needs to make its way to our delegation to make sure that they see that," he said. "This is really important stuff, knowing the results of pre-K."

Sequiota Elementary School kindergarteners pair up with another student during a writing exercise in teacher Rachel Hoing's class on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

For each study, kindergarten teachers evaluate between 312 and 435 students. This year, 360 students from classes all over the Springfield district were evaluated:

A look at how many students were unprepared in each report:

2022  23.9%

2018  26%

2016  24.7%

2014  28.5%

2010  20.4%

2006  24.7%

Fallone pointed out that in the 2022 study, nearly 53% of students were prepared and 32% were well prepared. The report showed girls were more likely than boys to be "well prepared" for kindergarten.

Sequiota Elementary School kindergarten teacher Rachel Hoing leads students during a writing exercise on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

SPS preschool program growing but short-staffed

The percentage of kindergarten students who attend preschool has grown in recent years. It hovered at 68% in 2014 and 2016 but jumped to 86% in 2022.

Superintendent Grenita Lathan said the district has enough space to serve 900 students in preschool but can only serve 750 right now because of staffing shortages.

"We place students on a waiting list so as we add staff, we add more students," she said.

Lathan said the district built the Adah Fulbright Early Childhood Center to meet the growing demand for preschool. "It is our goal to increase seats across the district."

She said the district has experienced an uptick in behavior issues among the youngest learners in Wonder Years, the district's preschool program.

"It is a challenge for us," she said. "We plan to add some additional positions to actually support our Wonder Years program around behavior for the upcoming school year."

She said kindergarten teachers complete a one-on-one assessment of each child who enters kindergarten.

Sequiota Elementary School kindergarten teacher Rachel Hoing helps students during a writing exercise on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Elizabeth Andrews, a pediatrician and member of the Mayor's Commission for Children, said parents are becoming more aware of Wonder Years but she still encounters families who do not know the preschool program is available through the district.

She said the report showed there was a strong connection between going to preschool and being prepared to learn in kindergarten.

"It was really refreshing to see that being prepared was more dependent upon pre-K attendance than it was socio-economics," she said.

More: Springfield's top seniors from each high school honored, discuss future plans

Outlook for future studies

Brigitte Marrs, executive director of the Mayor's Commission for Children, said districts are now required to assess and report kindergarten readiness and report the results to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

For that reason, Marrs said the 2022 report may be the last. There is a possibility, however, that the commission will do one more, in 2026, since it will be 20 years after the first.

She said the $10,000 cost of the study was paid for by the Musgrave Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Report: Children who go to pre-K are better prepared for kindergarten
Last Fridays shootout between the crew of a vintage motoryacht, the 165-foot Kalizma and Yemeni Coast Guard (YCG), continues to raise more questions than answers, though more details have emerged. The Associated Press reported that the three-man security team on the yacht, once owned by Richard Burton, believed that two small, unmarked skiffs pursuing the vessel were pirates. Aashim Mongia, the yachts manager, told the wire service there was no chance of mistaken identity and that the boats were pirates masquerading as security forces. If it was the Yemeni Coast Guard, why did they open fire? Mongia asked, per the AP.

The yachts owner Shirish Saraf said that the vessel was on its way to Egypt through the Gulf of Aden and was chased by the smaller vessels for four hours. It remains unclear which side started the firefight, but witnesses on board the vessel said that over 150 rounds were exchanged. The YCG issued a statement today saying that their patrol boats introduced themselves and tried to communicate with the yacht via the VHF radio-bridge to bridge COMMS, but the yacht captain did not respond to the repeated calls.

More from Robb Report

The yacht, which had undergone an extensive refit in 2020, was on its way to Egypt when the incident happened.

The yacht, said the YCG, was not flying a flag and was sailing in Yemeni territorial waters. After hailing the vessel, the statement said, Kalizma increased its speed and fired on the coast guard vessels, which returned fire. One Yemeni soldier was killed and others were wounded, with damage to the vessels. One of the yachts security guards was reportedly shot in the neck. Bullet holes were photographed across Kalizmas wooden hull.

Kalizmas managers say Indian aircraft patrolling the area identified multiple pirate skiffs, and that other distress calls regarding pirates had been made from merchant ships. The team said that the yacht made repeated but unanswered calls to the other vessels and that the vessels had no AIS tracking numbers.

Story continues

Bullet holes in the stern.

The YCG said in the statement that the Yemeni government reserves its rights regarding what resulted from the incident, as the yacht entered the territorial waters of Yemen and was sailing without showing a flag.

Whether this is a question of mistaken identify on behalf of the yacht crew or a legitimate pirate threat is still unclear. Its also not clear how much damage the yacht sustained.

Kalizma was built in 1906. Burton bought the vessel in 1967 for $220,000. The boat was later purchased by Saraf, an Indian investor who owns Samena Capital. The vessel is able to accommodate up to 10 guests, with 10 crew. It was completely refurbished in 2020, according to its website, with both new interior and exterior layouts.

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After becoming a regular attendee of the Met Gala, Hailey Bieber opted to take this year off, and so did her husband Justin. Neither of the Biebers were spotted on the Met steps this evening in New York City for the museum's Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty theme.

They were actually photographed in Los Angeles on Saturday:

thecelebrityfinder/Bauer-Griffin - Getty Images

In the weeks leading up to the event, rumors spread that Hailey wouldn't attend after a screenshot of a DM she allegedly sent spread on social media. I'm not going to the Met Gala this year, the message read. Gearing up for our next Rhode launch so decided to sit this one out but will be back next year.

Hailey recently opened up about how challenging 2023 has been for her mental health. She wrote on her Instagram Story in late April, I like to make jokes about how I feel because sometimes its easier than admitting Im having a hard time. But truthfully since 2023 started I have had some of the saddest, hardest moments Ive ever had in my adult life and my mind and emotions have been fragile to say the least. And I know woman other people feel the way I feel, so just know youre not alone. 

Instagram

The same week, Us Weekly reported how Justin has struggled watching Hailey be in so much pain.

It breaks Justins heart to have seen Hailey struggling emotionally the way she has been these past few months, the source said. He loves his wife more than anything and knows she has a heart of gold.

Justin knows her truth and despite what some people may say or think, he knows she only wants the best for people and has the best intentions, the source continued. Justin knows that life is all about the ups and downs, and he knows shell get through this. But its been difficult seeing her upset and all he can do is be by her side and be there for her no matter what.

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ReportLinker

Medical Device Packaging Market in North America 2023-2027. The analyst has been monitoring the medical device packaging market in North America and is forecast to grow by $4280 mn during 2022-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 9.84% during the forecast period.

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 Equipment and tools

 In-vitro diagnostic

 Devices

 Implants



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 Pouches

 Trays

 Clamshells

 Boxes and others



This study identifies the technological advances in medical device packaging as one of the prime reasons driving the medical device packaging market growth during the next few years. Also, growing demand for flexible packaging solutions and increasing m and a, partnerships, and collaborations will lead to sizable demand in the market.



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This robust vendor analysis is designed to help clients improve their market position, and in line with this, this report provides a detailed analysis of several leading medical device packaging market vendors that include 3M Co., Amcor Plc, Aphena Pharma Solutions, AptarGroup Inc., Berry Global Inc., CCL Industries Inc., Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Glenroy Inc., KP Holding GmbH and Co. KG, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp., Oliver Healthcare Packaging Co., Placon Corp., Plastic Ingenuity, Printpack Inc., SCHOTT AG, Sonoco Products Co., Steripack Group Ltd., Tekni Plex Inc., and West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. Also, the medical device packaging market in North America analysis report includes information on upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. This is to help companies strategize and leverage all forthcoming growth opportunities.

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors.



The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research - both primary and secondary. Technavios market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast accurate market growth.

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Jacopo Raule - Getty Images

Sofia Richie's wedding to Elliot Grainge at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the south of France took the internet by storm last weekend. The daughter of superstar Lionel Richie, Sofia wore three bespoke Chanel gowns during her nuptials. As tonight's Met Gala is themed around Karl Lagerfeldwho famously worked for Chanel for many yearsmany hoped Richie would be in attendance in Chanel.

"Working with Chanel was not only an honor but a true dream of mine," she said. "Having the opportunity to create this dress and work so closely with Madame Olivia Douchez, premiere of haute couture salons, and observing their art and immaculate attention to detail was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Despite her current link to Chanel, Sofia Richie (now Sofia Richie Grainge) will be skipping the 2023 Met Gala, as she's currently in the Maldives on her honeymoon. The newlyweds are staying at One&Only Reethi Rah in North Mate Atoll in the Maldives. As the fastest flight from New York to the Maldives takes nearly 19 hours, and Richie posted an Instagram from the Maldives this morning... she definitely won't be appearing at the Met this evening.

Richie, 24, has attended three Met Galas before. In 2017, she wore Topshop to the Rei Kawakubo-themed Met Gala:

Rabbani and Solimene Photography - Getty Images

In 2016, she was again in Topshop to the "Manus x Machina" gala. "This time is different," she said that year. "Last time, I went with Stella McCartney, and I didnt know what to expect. Im obsessed with fashion and always have been, so thats what I look forward to  seeing what everyone is going to wear."

Jamie McCarthy - Getty Images

And in 2015, Richie made her Met Gala debut in Stella McCartney at the "China: Through The Looking Glass" themed-gala.

Dimitrios Kambouris - Getty Images

Though we will not be seeing Richie and her new husband this year, hopefully they will appear next year.

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BOISE, Idaho  For decades, the federal government has incentivized drilling, mining, logging and livestock grazing on Americas public lands via antiquated laws and leasing programs dating back as far as the late 1800s. Never has there been a similar system for acquiring public lands in order to protect them, rather than exploit them.

That could soon change.

The Bureau of Land Management unveiled a draft rule late last month that would place conservation on equal footing with energy development and other traditional uses  a proposal that seeks to confront the agencys long record of prioritizing extraction across the federal estate. A key provision of that rule would grant the BLM, which oversees one-tenth of all land in the United States, the authority to issue conservation leases to promote land protection and ecosystem restoration.

The rule would be a major shift in federal land management and could help the Biden administration achieve its goal of protecting 30% of Americas lands and waters by 2030  better known as 30x30. The U.S. is still a long way from meeting that national conservation target on land: roughly 12% of all U.S. lands are now permanently protected, compared to 23% of waters, according to federal data.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland called the proposal a smart path to ensure healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clear water and balanced decision-making on our public lands.

For too long, land management planning has been dominated by extractive industries, she told reporters last month at the Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference. This proposal is a long time coming and will go far to help address the growing pressures were seeing on our public lands from fossil fuel development and the impacts of the climate crisis.

The leases would be made available to restore public lands or provide mitigation for a particular action, the rule states. People, organizations or companies would be able to sponsor lands for up to a decade, depending on the individual proposal, and public access of leased areas would generally remain open, although the agency notes some lands could be temporarily closed during restoration work.

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While many of the details have yet to be worked out, environmental groups and public land advocates have widely celebrated the proposal as a key first step toward better management of Americas public lands.

Its a really exciting opportunity and its so timely, Helen OShea, a renewable energy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told HuffPost. I really do think public land managers are facing such unprecedented challenges right now. Time is not our friend.

Conservation is not solely a use of federal lands, OShea stressed, but a strategy for combating climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as protecting communities whose livelihoods rely on public lands.

Its an investment, she said.

A Bureau of Land Management sign stands near a designated road in Gold Butte, Nevada.

A Bureau of Land Management sign stands near a designated road in Gold Butte, Nevada.

A cry for help

The BLM, which is part of the Interior Department, oversees 245 million acres of federal public land  more than one-third of all federally managed acres in the U.S.  and has an at-times bifurcated multiple-use mandate to simultaneously manage development on public lands while safeguarding natural, cultural and historic resources for current and future generations. In other words, it must strike a balance between commerce, recreation and conservation.

But over its nearly 80-year history, the agency has largely dropped the ball on its stewardship mandate. Today, 90% of BLM land is open to drilling and 60% is leased for grazing, while less than 14% is protected from development. At least 54 million acres  one-fifth of all BLM land  fall short of the agencys own land-health standards, degradation that is primarily driven by unsustainable livestock grazing, according to a 2022 analysis by watchdog organization Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

President Joe Bidens BLM isnt shying away from this reality, noting in its proposed rule that public lands are increasingly degraded and fragmented due to adverse impacts from climate change and a significant increase in authorized use.

Conservation leasing could help to turn the tide by opening the door for private citizens to fill well-documented funding and resource gaps at the federal bureau.

Madeleine West, director of public lands at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, called the BLM rule a cry for help.

The BLM is not maintaining quality land, broadly, and they dont right now feel they can do it with the regulations and resources that they have, West said. So theyre putting some new ideas on the table, like conservation leasing, to try to give them those resources. If you dont like this rule, then I suppose youre fine with BLM-managed lands largely being developed.

Along with issuing and monitoring conservation leases, the rule directs the BLM to incorporate land health assessments into land use decisions and to prioritize the creation of new areas of critical environmental concern  an agency designation that limits environmentally harmful activities like mining and drilling.

Unsurprisingly, the rule has further spotlighted the fierce political tug of war over the future of federal lands and waters. Industry and its allies have made clear they are happy with the lopsided status quo.

In an interview with S&P Global, Mallori Miller, vice president of government relations for the Independent Petroleum Association of America, an industry trade group, lamented that historically there was never a choice between mineral extraction or conservation but now the door is open.

This rule is a complete shift of mindset and priority that is not consistent with the way federal land has ever been managed since the 1800s, she told the publication. This is incredibly concerning for any competing interests.

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) went as far as to argue that conservation is not supposed to be on equal footing with grazing and other uses. He said the rule would directly conflict with the Taylor Grazing Act, the 1934 law that regulates grazing on public lands.

And in an exchange with Haaland during a budget hearing on Tuesday, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) slammed the BLM proposal as nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to eliminate economic activities on federal lands in Wyoming and across the West.

Cattle graze on U.S. Forest Service land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana. The 2015 grazing fee is $1.69 per animal unit month (cow and calf).

Cattle graze on U.S. Forest Service land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana. The 2015 grazing fee is $1.69 per animal unit month (cow and calf).

But the pro-development status quo that Rosendale, Barrasso and others want to protect has had deleterious effects.

For many years, we have been subsidizing private companies by allowing them to degrade public lands and not asking them to pay for the damage, said Sara Brodnax, director of public lands policy at the National Audubon Society. Simply put, the status quo has been privatization of public lands.

OShea agrees its past time for a major shift.

Business as usual, the way weve treated public lands in the past, really has not gotten us to a great place, she said. If we dont start thinking differently and creatively, things are not going to improve.

The draft rule is open for public comment until June 20. More than 10,000 comments have already been submitted, which gives a taste of the battle that is going to play out over what activities should be allowed on lands leased for conservation.

Any land subject to a conservation lease must be available for leasing for oil, gas and mineral resources in the subsurface, one anonymous commenter wrote.

A growing push

Leasing public lands to safeguard them from development is not a new idea. And without a formal system to do so, activists have tried unsuccessfully within existing federal leasing programs.

Climate activist Tim DeChristopher spent 21 months in prison after monkeywrenching an oil and gas lease sale in Utah in 2008. The then-27-year-old University of Utah student successfully bid on 14 parcels valued at $1.8 million without any intention of drilling or paying the government.

In 2016, writer and activist Terry Tempest Williams and her husband formed a company, Tempest Exploration Co. LLC, and purchased two oil and gas leases on 1,120 federal acres near their home in Grand County, Utah. The BLM subsequently revoked the leases after Williams wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times that she planned to keep whatever oil and gas lies beneath these lands in the ground until science finds a way to use those fossil fuels in sustainable, nonpolluting ways. At the time, the BLM said it had little choice but to cancel the leases since the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 requires lease holders to exercise reasonable diligence in developing and producing.

While fossil fuel companies are able to stockpile leases, often for less than $2 per acre, and sit on them for years without ever producing a drop, the Williamses were told to take a hike.

An aerial view of gas and oil development in the Plateau Creek Drainage in western Colorado.

An aerial view of gas and oil development in the Plateau Creek Drainage in western Colorado.

Few people have done more to advance the idea of conservation leases than Shawn Regan, vice president of research at the Property and Environment Research Center, or PERC, a right-wing, Montana-based think tank that promotes free market environmentalism and has historical ties to fossil fuels. Regan points to Williams and DeChristophers cases to highlight how legacy use it or lose it rules have biased public land management in favor of extraction.

We have these use it or lose it requirements that define use in these really narrow ways that preclude conservation groups from participating in the leasing markets that affect the use of vast swaths of the American West, he told HuffPost. Conservation should be considered a valid use of public lands, and groups should be able to acquire those leases and decide to conserve them in some form or restore them.

Regan argues the inability of conservationists to participate in federal land leasing, even when they are willing to pay more than a driller or rancher, has only helped fuel conflict in Western states.

Land management in the West, especially on public lands, is really a controversial issue. It generates a lot of political and legal conflict, he said. Theres not a way for these groups to negotiate to increase conservation on public lands. They basically have to fight it out in the political arena or through litigation. So theres a ton of that.

Why dont environmentalists just buy what they want to protect? Well, in many cases they cant, Regan said.

Devil is in the details

The forthcoming conservation leases are likely to fall into two main categories: mitigation and restoration or land enhancement.

On the mitigation side, a solar developer might obtain a conservation lease to offset damage a commercial project causes to wetlands or wildlife habitat, perhaps as a condition of a development permit. Alternatively, individuals or organizations could voluntarily step up to conserve or improve public lands. For example, a major environmental organization might propose using privately secured funds to restore a degraded watershed.

Asked about specific projects that might fit within the new framework, OShea pointed to human-made structures called beaver dam analogs that mimic natural beaver dams, slowing water flows and improving water quality.

Whether or not that is going to be the kind of thing that BLM includes in conservation leases, I dont want to presume, she said. But its certainly a very climate-resilient, climate-friendly kind of restoration. And thats what I hope well see  restoration for biodiversity, climate and communities.

A Bureau of Land Management sign welcomes visitors to Leslie Gulch in southeast Oregon.

A Bureau of Land Management sign welcomes visitors to Leslie Gulch in southeast Oregon.

Regan sees existing partnerships on private lands as a potential model for federal conservation leasing.

There are a lot of very effective new, voluntary tools being developed to enhance private land conservation, including occupancy agreements, habitat leases, etc., he said.

In 2021, a multi-generation ranching family in Montanas Paradise Valley, just north of Yellowstone National Park, entered into a unique agreement with PERC to protect 500 acres of winter-range habitat for elk. Under the elk occupancy agreement, the ranchers set aside a chunk of their private land as elk habitat in exchange for PERC paying for a 1.25-mile wildlife-friendly fence to keep the familys cattle from grazing on the parcel. The project is the first of its kind in Montana, according to PERC, which spearheaded the agreement with the help of other conservation organizations.

Regan noted that such an agreement would not have been allowed on a grazing allotment on public land, as it would have violated the terms of the lease. There is not a legal authority to acquire a grazing lease or a portion of a grazing lease, or even negotiate with a leaseholder to modify grazing practices, he said.

The BLM rule specifically states that conservation leases would not override valid existing rights or prevent future development approvals as long as they are compatible with the conservation use. But it is unclear to what extent, if any, the BLM will greenlight conservation leases in areas with existing drilling, mining and grazing.

West, OShea and others said they are encouraged to see the BLM asking specific questions of the public as it tries to build a conservation leasing framework. As part of its public comment period, the BLM is seeking input on whether certain lands should be off-limits to conservation leasing, if the rule should clarify specific actions allowed under a conservation lease, and whether leases should be limited to protecting specific resources.

Building out a new program or a new tool is always complicated, OShea said. With all things, the devil is in the details. You have to roll up your sleeves and figure out how we actually make this work.

Risks and guardrails

While environmental advocates largely agree that conservation leases are a step in the right direction, some experts warn that the proposal is not without risks and stress the importance of establishing guardrails to prevent unintended consequences.

While mitigating adverse environmental impacts from development is a positive thing, the new BLM rule could potentially open the door for conservation leases being used to justify greenlighting projects that cause unnecessary harm to other public lands, Mark Squillace, a professor of natural resources law at the University of Colorado Boulder, told HuffPost.

Im largely positive about the proposal, he said. But I do think that it raises some questions. Obviously it would be nice to have some mitigation of adverse impacts if they are going to occur anyway, but I dont think we should use it as an excuse to allow some things that we otherwise would not allow on public lands.

The 550-megawatt Desert Sunlight Solar Farm is one of the world's largest of its kind, sitting on 3,800 acres of federal land in Desert Center, California.

The 550-megawatt Desert Sunlight Solar Farm is one of the world's largest of its kind, sitting on 3,800 acres of federal land in Desert Center, California.

Squillace also worries about legal issues that could arise from the BLM outsourcing a portion of its stewardship mandate.

One of the things that makes me nervous about this proposal is the idea that the government is turning over to the private sector, even NGOs, their responsibility to protect and conserve our public lands, he said. Right from the get-go, you have to worry that this is a government responsibility and why are they delegating this to a private concern.

Squillace recognizes staffing and resource constraints at the BLM, but said it will likely prove much harder to hold a third party responsible if it fails to comply with requirements of a conservation lease or follow through on land restoration work.

Even people with the best of intentions holding some of these conservation leases may not have the expertise or the resources or the wherewithal to actually accomplish what they are doing, he said. At the same, time they may feel empowered or willing, at least, to keep the public out of some of these public areas.

Regans main concern is that the rule will fall short of something that allows for competing interests to negotiate and resolve conflicts over public lands. If the BLM ultimately decides that conservation leases can only be obtained in areas not currently open to extraction and other uses, that would severely limit the opportunities under this new leasing framework.

How much land are we talking about here and where is it? he said. And then what are the opportunities for conservation and restoration on that remaining sliver?

Instead of creating an entirely new, complex system of leasing specific to conservation work, as the BLM is proposing, Regan supports reforming existing oil and gas, mining and grazing leasing programs to enable conservation as a valid use.

Several experts HuffPost talked to agreed that robust monitoring will be critical to the success of a future conservation leasing program.

Monitoring has always been a challenging piece of the conservation lifecycle, OShea said. There are sort of two goals. Are you meeting whatever the objectives were of your restoration or conservation effort? And then how do you take that information and learn from it? Thats never more critical than it is now with climate change and trying to figure out what do species need, what do habitats and vegetation types need, in terms of management, if they are going to thrive under the extreme stress of climate change.

Squillace said the BLM in particular has a poor track record of keeping tabs on activities it approves on public lands.

Thats how were going to tell if its working or not, he said of monitoring. It just happens too often with the government  they make a decision and they kind of walk away from it. And the person whos implementing the decision does what they want or they do things different from what was approved and theres nobody thats checking.

This story has been updated to provide additional context about PERCs funding.

Related...
Donald Trump Jr. on Monday griped that Fox News has not booked him as a guest in a long time, blaming censorship.

I used to be on Fox three, four, five, six, 10 times a week, he said on the Steak for Breakfast podcast.

I havent been on in nine months. Not a call, not an invite, not anything, he continued. So I understand what it appears like theyre trying to do to the America First movement. You know, Tucker was another one of those voices.

The former presidents oldest son attributed his long-term absence from the channel his father once revered to a larger issue of right-wing outlets turning against him and others.

Ive been watching the censorship happening, even in conservative mainstream media, Trump Jr. said. You saw what Fox did to Tucker Carlson last week, and the week before that, it was Dan Bongino.

Trump attributed Carlsons firing by Fox News to the cable personalitys America First agenda, such as questioning the United States support of Ukraine to defend itself against the Russian invasion. He claimed that Carlson was shown the door after saying that former President Donald Trump was the only person who understands foreign policy and the risks of the U.S. proxy war with Russia.

Carlson was ousted after Fox News settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. The conservative channel rode the ex-presidents false cries of balloting fraud from the likes of Carlson to feed its ratings.

Carlson was also found to have sent highly offensive messages that alarmed Fox execs. He privately mocked spreaders of the election lies while publicly boosting the conspiracy theories. He also privately disparaged the former president.

Trump Jr.s father experienced what some observers called a soft ban by Fox News between late September 2022 and late March, when he did not have an on-air interview, The Associated Press reported.

As for the reason behind the sons absence from the channel, we reached out to Fox News and got no immediate response.

Related...
Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn, who led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw an overhaul of the states K-12 funding structure, announced Monday that she will leave the position on June 1.

Schwinn, one of Gov. Bill Lees first-term cabinet appointments in 2019, led the state's education department through seismic changes, including school closures and learning loss brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, implementation of a controversial school voucher program, natural disasters like flooding and tornadoes that destroyed school facilities, and the overhaul of the state's education funding formula set to take effect in July.

My North Star is kids. It has been from day one and it will be for the rest of my career, Schwinn told The Tennessean in an interview Monday morning. Whether I'm driving down the road and see a kid in a car or at my kids soccer game or in a Kroger, I know that I'm personally responsible for that child's education and that I take that very seriously.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn listens to students as they work on English language arts assignments during summer school at Whitthorne Middle School in Columbia, Tenn. in 2021. Schwinn said Monday she will leave the department June 1.

Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds, who currently serves as the vice president of policy at Florida-based ExcelinEd, will take Schwinn's place on July 1, Lee announced in a news release. Reynolds' career "reflects a deep commitment to school choice, assessment and accountability," the governor's office said.

"Lizzette's significant education policy experience and leadership make her well-suited to continue our work to deliver a high-quality education and expand school choice for Tennessee students," Lee said in a statement. "I welcome her to Tennessee and appreciate her service to students, families and teachers across the state."

Funding plan: In win for Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee lawmakers pass major education funding overhaul

ExcelinEd was founded by then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2008 and advocates for a wide range of student-centered policies, according to its website. Reynolds, a lifelong Texan, specializes in assessment, accountability and school choice. She previously worked as then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush's deputy legislative director. She also served as chief deputy commissioner for the Texas Education Agency  a role Schwinn took on in 2016 after Reynolds left.

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Deputy Commissioner of Operations Sam Pearcy will serve as interim commissioner in June.

While Schwinn did not say where she is going next, she did say she plans to stay in Tennessee.

I'm going to be cheerleading for the entirety of her time here, Schwinn said of Reynolds. There will not be a bigger supporter of her  good days, bad days or otherwise  than me.

In response to Schwinn's resignation, House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, said her tenure was "defined by a strategic and purposeful scheme to undermine the integrity" of public schools, and "steer precious resources from underfunded schools to private entities."

Clemmons cited the governor's Education Savings Accounts program, charter school expansion, establishment of the state Charter School Commission, the state's funding overhaul for K-12 schools, and the new third grade retention policy.

"Perhaps no administration has done more to harm our schools and students and strategically undermine teachers than Schwinn and Lee," Clemmons said in a statement. "Once we finally get rid of Lee and hopefully elect someone who truly values public education, it will take years to undo the damage these two have intentionally caused to Tennessees public education system. Unfortunately, an entire generation of students, including my own children, will have been irreparably and adversely impacted by these conspirators immoral motives.

Of Schwinn's departure, JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, said the group wishes Schwinn well, and "although her accomplishments have been mixed, the results will ultimately be determined over time."

"Governor Lee now has an opportunity to shift the Tennessee Department of Education in a new direction. A new leader needs to look inward, as well as outward," Bowman said in a statement. "The TDOE needs to rebuild and fill critical positions in the Department to serve the needs of parents, pupils, educators, and school districts. Outwardly, the TDOE needs to reconnect with the stakeholders here in Tennessee. We look forward to working with the Lee Administration and the new Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds to continue making Tennessee the best place to raise a family and educate all children.

Leading through upheaval

Sworn in February 1, 2019, Schwinn has helped lead the state through a global pandemic, flooding and tornadoes and calls for additional school security in the wake of shootings.

"During her years of dedicated service, Penny has played a key role in our administration's work to ensure educational opportunity for Tennessee students and secure the next generation of teachers, while navigating historic learning challenges," Lee said in a statement.

But it all started with upheaval of a different kind: five troubled years of technology and delivery issues with the state's testing system, TNReady.

The No. 1 thing I was told to do on my first day in this job by the governor and the General Assembly was to get the assessment working and  knock on wood, weve still got a couple days more  but that thing is working, Schwinn said.

During the pandemic, Schwinn led the state's school districts through controversies over school closures and reopening and school mask mandates, a consistent face of the state's response alongside Lee and former Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey.

If given the opportunity to handle pandemic response differently, Schwinn said she would be mindful of communicating with the wide variety of school districts in the state  something she said the department became more focused on later in the pandemic.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn led the department during the COVID-19 pandemic. She announced Monday she is leaving on June 1.

"During COVID, it was such a difficult emotional time for everyone and people felt very strongly in whatever they were doing, whatever their belief system was, however they were approaching it," Schwinn said. "I would go to one district, let's say Metro Nashville  very, very different than if I go an hour and a half down the road to Lincoln County. Literally, there wasn't social distancing or masks and it was just two different communities handling something in two different ways."

Schwinn also spoke to the tragedy at the Covenant School in March when a shooter killed three children and three adult staff members. She said she lives in the neighborhood where the private Christian school is located and that her son attends school just a half-mile away.

More: State guidance on masks, virtual learning to schools is confusing. This timeline will help.

More: Tennessee schools chief: State committed to keeping 'propaganda like critical race theory' from classroom

We drop our kids off at school and the biggest promise that we expect is that we get them back at the end of the day, Schwinn told The Tennessean.

Schwinn said its not the first time a school shooting has hit close to home, citing the 2018 school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, that left 10 dead and 13 injured. She said the commitment to school safety is "very real" among state leaders  especially those who are parents.

Its not just an operational challenge, its a personal one because we are parents of children, and they are our most precious resource, Schwinn said. We should do whatever we can to keep our kids safe.

She stopped short of detailing how, saying shes not law enforcement and cant speak to the issue, but emphasized finding common ground.

Our common ground is a deep belief in protecting our kids and educating them well, and if we can get to that as the common ground as our purpose forward, we will find the best solutions for Tennessee, Schwinn said. That's how we got literacy passed. It's how we got TISA passed. Its how we do big things.

Policy changes

During her four years at the helm of the department, Schwinn led the department to significant policy changes, establishing the early literacy-focused Reading 360 program, an apprenticeship program to train new teachers while offering classroom experience, establishing permanent summer school options, and initiating an overhaul of the state's system for funding K-12 education.

The big things that I'd hoped we'd be able to do as a state we've gotten done faster and at a bigger scale than I had expected, Schwinn said. Weve stayed the course on things like literacy and acceleration and a new school funding formula and an apprenticeship program, and all sorts of wonderful things."

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn joined the state from Texas. She announced Monday she will be stepping down June 1.

Schwinn said she is proud of what her department, along with districts, teachers, kids and families, have accomplished in the last four years, praising them for navigating complex issues like the pandemic and the politicization of education.

More: Tennessee Supreme Court rules in favor of Gov. Bill Lee's controversial school voucher program

Tennessee schools chief: 'We're in a really difficult time in public education'

Schwinn played a key role in formulating policies after the COVID-19 pandemic to address learning loss and literacy achievement  something she views as a key accomplishment during her tenure.

I'm really proud of our work of literacy and know that we'll keep our foot on the gas pedal there, Schwinn said. Its so important.

Work to equip quality teachers, and increase minimum salaries is another highlight, she said, citing the legislature's recent approval of policy to make teacher pay a minimum of $50,000 by 2027.

Tennessee's voucher fight

This year, Schwinn also led the department through implementation of Lee's school voucher program, known as education savings accounts.

The program offers more than $8,000 in state funding to low-income students to attend a non-public school of their choice in Shelby and Davidson counties.

The program was an early legislative win for Lee, seeing narrow approval by the legislature in 2019, but it stalled for several years during lengthy court battles. Beginning last fall, the department was in the clear to implement the program, and so far a few hundred students are enrolled in private schools.

The program remains one of the most controversial education initiatives of the Lee administration, with critics arguing to drains valuable resources away from traditional public schools.

Overseeing implementation of the program this year, Schwinn said the departments focus is giving parents quality data about the school options available.

Having a first year pilot implementation, that allowed us to really understand from a parent perspective, how do we give families accurate, good quality information so that they can make the best decision for their kids, Schwinn said. It is not about pushing kids into any one type of pathway. It's about saying, if this is an option, we want to make sure parents know all of their options.

Schwinn said she anticipates more action on school choice in the coming years, noting Reynolds' past work on school choice initiatives.

Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn and Gov. Bill Lee held a news conference on the state's efforts to revamp how it funds education on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Schwinn announced Monday she will step down June 1.

She really has a very, very strong, significant background in school choice policy. I think that's one of the things that really spoke to the governor's office, Schwinn said. I anticipate that she will really take that school choice platform and that will be one of her big legacies.

In response to Reynolds' appointment, Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, criticized the governor's school choice agenda.

"Gov. Bill Lee wants to end public education as we know it by diverting tax dollars to private academies and his extreme friends who run charters," Campbell told The Tennessean in a text message. "The last commissioner rubber stamped his ideological agenda, and it looks like the new one is ready to double down on these corrupt policies."

Schwinn also oversaw formulation and policy decisions to overhaul the state's funding formula for schools and school districts. In 2021, alongside Schwinn and her team garnered feedback from 18 committees of lawmakers, stakeholders, and school administrators, held town halls across the state, and fielded 1,300 public comments to formulate a school funding policy to replace the state's outdated Basic Education Program funding plan.

I think our TISA process showed here's what it can look like when you actually want to listen to all stakeholders, Schwinn said. It was a fast process, but we brought in so many people  a much more robust policymaking, I think, framework than we've seen before.

Lawmakers approved the new Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement funding structure in 2022, which assigns a set amount of funding to each child, and additional funding for specific needs. Overall, the state has made 20% more state dollars for public education.

What I've learned is that when you have more voices, you get to a better outcome, Schwinn said. You just have to make sure that you know how to actually include everyone, make sure they're heard, and be very transparent about  these are the non-negotiables and this is the sandbox we're playing in, but let's build the best product for our kids.

But TISA also has its critics, who say the state still isn't adequately funding K-12 education. The state remains in the bottom in overall K-12 spending per pupil.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Penny Schwinn out as Tennessee Education Commissioner; replacement set
Bondo elders pass on traditions to young women and girls in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Africa and it can sometimes end in tragedy. BBC Africa Eye has been hearing from one man who believes his girlfriend died after having her genitalia cut.

Short presentational grey line

Fatmata Turay was 19 years old when her mother called her to come home to their village.

She was to be initiated into the Bondo society, a centuries-old tradition involving music and dancing where young women are prepared for adulthood.

Thirty-six hours later, Fatmata was dead.

From the day of her funeral on 18 August 2016, her boyfriend, journalist Tyson Conteh, took out his camera and started filming.

In a later recording he looked straight down the barrel of the lens to explain why he wanted to document what was happening.

"I want to use this film, which is so much passionate to me, to create a debate. Fatmata does not want to see another girl, a woman, die. That's her wish."

He said Fatmata had been speaking to him in his dreams, and wanted him to expose the truth of her death and put an end to the practice of FGM.

In his film, Tyson Conteh shows images of his late girlfriend Fatmata Turay

FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, often focusing on the clitoris.

The United Nations Population Fund has documented the practice in 92 countries, but it is most prevalent in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

In countries like Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti, a form of FGM called infibulation is practised where the labia is removed and then used to almost completely seal the vaginal orifice, leaving a small opening for urine and menstrual blood. When the woman marries, they must be cut open before they can have sex.

There are no health benefits to FGM. The World Health Organization warns it can lead to urinary, vaginal and menstrual problems, as well as complications during childbirth and death.

In Sierra Leone, it is estimated that 83% of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM.

One of the main reasons for the procedure is to tame a women's sexual desire. If they are "cut", it is thought it will protect their virginity and once they are married, they will remain faithful to their husband.

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"An uncut woman loves sex more than a cut woman. That's why we reduce the urge in them," said Aminata Sankoh, a soweis, the name given to the women who perform the cutting in Sierra Leone.

'It took me a week to urinate'

Conteh got rare access to film the all-female Bondo society, an age-old bedrock of beauty, art and culture.

It is a celebration where the traditional role of a wife and mother is conferred from Bondo elders to young women.

It is seen as an expected and necessary rite of passage.

However, part of the initiation process is undergoing FGM. Conteh was not allowed to film this.

Soweis Ngaima Kamara sees FGM as a central part of her culture

"In our culture, our people have for a long time been initiated into the society," said Ngaima Kamara, a leading soweis.

"If you are not initiated, you will be ashamed of washing with me at the stream. If I pass by you, I will blank you. If we meet somewhere I can tell you I do not talk to an uncut woman. Like you are sick."

In his documentary, Conteh recounted what happened to Fatmata just over a day after attending the Bondo ceremony.

"We met her body laid on a mat, just outside the house in the floor. And it was wrapped in white," he said.

"You see the blood coming out. You see like there is blood and we realised that she had died in the Bondo society after she was mutilated."

The police arrived and Fatmata's body was taken to the mortuary in Makeni.

Her mother and the soweis were arrested.

Six days later, a post-mortem was carried out by Sierra Leone's only pathologist at that time, Dr Simeon Owizz Koroma.

Rugiatu Turay, who has campaigned against FGM, says she was lucky to have survived being cut when she was 11

Also present was Dr Sylvia Blyden, the then minister for social welfare, gender and children's issues.

Dr Blyden is a supporter of the right of consenting adult women to practise FGM but is strongly against underage and forced FGM.

In a public statement, she released details of the post-mortem and said FGM had nothing to do with Fatmata's death. The soweis and Fatmata's mother were released.

Conteh investigated the possibility of whether his girlfriend's death was covered up to protect the Bondo society. Dr Blyden maintains she would never substitute the truth over the reputation of the Bondo society.

Rugiatu Turay, no relation to Fatmata Turay, was Dr Blyden's deputy minister at the time and is a long-time campaigner against FGM.

She founded and runs the Amazonian Initiative Movement, an organisation in Sierra Leone focused on ending FGM.

She said she was lucky to survive after she was cut when she was 11 years old.

"Plenty people have died. We know, we all know. We should be honest,' she said.

"I almost died. If I wanted to pee. It took me a week to be able to urinate. One week. Even after initiation ended, my vagina swelled."

'Bondo will end'

Ms Turay questioned why Dr Blyden was present at the post-mortem.

"Why do you allow your minister to go into a mortuary to do a post-mortem? Even if she is a doctor, she has no business there.

"She stood with the soweis. That shows that she already took sides. We believe that the result, which we never saw, was changed. We believe that. We cannot bargain the lives of women for votes."

Dr Blyden denied speaking publicly about Fatmata's cause of death but stands by her claim that Fatmata did not die as a result of FGM, saying the findings of the post-mortem matched Fatmata's medical history.

She said any suggestion of a cover-up was false and malicious and added that the autopsy was conducted in full view of family, human rights organisations, police and medical personnel.

She argued that it was her duty as a minister to attend the autopsy and denied she was there for any political gain.

BBC Africa Eye approached Dr Owizz with the allegations in the film, but he declined to respond.

Four years ago, Ms Turay set up the first Bondo society without FGM, called Alternative Rites or Bloodless Bondo.

She believes that the Bondo itself could end if women do not stop practising FGM.

"If women or anybody continues to advocate the cutting in Bondo, it will reach a point when Bondo ends. It will reach a point where Bondo will stop."

You can watch the full BBC Africa Eye documentary, FGM: For the love of Fatmata here.
The man who runs General Motors' most profitable region  North America  will retire and be replaced by the head of Cadillac.

GM announced Tuesday that Steve Carlisle, 61, will retire after 41 years with the company. Carlisle will be replaced by Rory Harvey, 55, who is vice president of Global Cadillac effective June 1.

Steve Carlisle, president of North America, is set to retire. Here he is pictured at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, introducing the new XT6 SUV and announcing Cadillac will be General Motors' lead on electric vehicles.

Carlisle has held his current job since 2020. On Friday, GM revealed in government filings its top executives' 2022 total compensation. Carlisle took home $8,794,966 last year, down from $8,980,204 in 2021.

Before heading North America, Carlisle led Cadillac for two years. Carlisle had also been president and managing director of GM Canada from 2014-2018. Over the course of his career with GM, Carlisle has held several other senior leadership positions.

Harvey will step into the role of leading North America on June 1. He has led Cadillac since 2020 and first joined GM 30 years ago. Harvey's held a variety of management positions in Europe and the Middle East.

Id like to thank Steve for his tremendous leadership, collaboration across the company and dedicated years of service to GM, President Mark Reuss said in a statement. Along with Rory, Steve has played a significant role in the transformation of the Cadillac brand over the last several years and under his leadership our North American business is strong and well-positioned for future growth.

Rory Harvey, 55, will become GM's new president of North America on June 1, 2023.

More: GM looks to put government decoding expert on its board of directors

More: GM terminates hundreds of contract workers at tech center, other locations to cut costs

GM made other executive changes announced Tuesday that include promoting John Roth to Harvey's job as vice present of Global Cadillac effective June 1. Roth, 54, is currently global vice president of Customer Care and Aftersales. Prior to that, Roth served as president and managing director of GMs Africa and Middle East Operations from 2018-2020. He also served as vice president of Sales, Service and Marketing for GM Canada from 2013-2018. He has been with GM for 32 years.

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Replacing Roth in his current job is GM's executive chief engineer of Battery Electric Trucks and SUVs, Josh Tavel. Tavel, 44, will take over as global vice president of Customer Care and Aftersales effective June 1. Tavel has been with the automaker for 21 years and served as executive chief engineer of Battery Electric Trucks and SUVs since 2019. He has been the chief engineer for a variety of GM products, including midsize trucks, medium duty trucks and vans as well as for autonomous and electric vehicles.

Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GM names Harvey new president of North America; Carlisle to retire
Fire Chief Jason St. Onge met with business owners on historic Mackinac Island in late April to warn them about the potential threat of electric bike battery fires, urging them to take action to reduce the threat to iconic buildings that simply can't be replaced.

"Almost all fire chiefs are concerned," St. Onge told the Detroit Free Press. "There's so little data on why these things are malfunctioning. I'm being as proactive as I possibly can, reading everything I can find. These battery fires are breaking out all across the country. They're catastrophic. These fires are killing people."

'Shooting fire'

The island had two e-bike battery fires last year, St. Onge said. An e-bike battery incident in July in the Harrisonville section of the island burned a home and put the homeowner and two firefighters in the hospital. The homeowner was charging the battery in the kitchen, St. Onge said.

He posted on the Mackinac Island Fire Department's Facebook account July 20 that firefighters were dispatched to a home at 6:49 p.m. and all three people had to be transported to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

A bicycle battery exploded in a home on Mackinac Island while being charged in the kitchen in July 2022, sending the resident and two firefighters to the hospital.

"It was the first time in our 204-year history we had firefighters hospitalized overnight," St. Onge told the Free Press. "They had inhalation and respiratory injuries. Deputy Chief Larry Rickley was only 100 yards away when he heard the explosion. He beat all the trucks there and went in without any equipment. He crawled into the building and kicked the battery (charging indoors) out the front door. It was shooting fire."

Last fall, a local resident reported to St. Onge that his e-bike battery caught fire at home and it was contained but the resident wanted the chief to know, he said.

Businesses and local residents are urged not to charge batteries indoors or in hallways or common spaces, and people are heeding the advice, St. Onge said. The Grand Hotel has banned e-bike batteries from its facilities, and Island House is in the process, he said.

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Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island on July 21, 2021.

Yet island bike rental shops continue to see a growing appetite for e-bikes, he said. Motorized vehicles have been banned on the island for more than a century. But not motorized bicycles. The island is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, a governor-appointed board.

Only Class 1 pedal-assist bicycles are allowed in the state park, along with Amigo-style scooters for persons with disabilities as defined by specific federal law. Steve Brisson, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, said pedal-assist brings the island into compliance with laws protecting people with disabilities as interpreted by the court decision Bertrand v. City of Mackinac Island.

More: Historic Mackinac Island home owned by doctor, nurse destroyed in fire

Tourist season is just beginning on the island known for its horse-and-carriage rides and bicycles.

"It's no secret we have many 100-plus-year-old buildings made of wood," St. Onge said. "I did speak to the owner of several dormitory housing buildings, and he was quite alarmed and intends to put a ban in his buildings. I mentioned to him that the save-all sprinkler systems are wildly ineffective against these fires. That really changed our conversation."

Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Dowd, who is often found at the front desk of the Windermere Hotel, has been reelected every year since 1975. She oversees an international tourist destination that attracts an estimated 1 million visitors each year.

"Mackinac Island is so precious and we have to continue to protect it," Dowd said in a statement Monday.

Fatal bike battery fires in New York

Mackinac Island officials are monitoring news nationally, St. Onge said.

New York City, which has seen a spike in e-bike use since the start of the pandemic in 2020, has seen a spate of battery fires. An e-bike powered by a lithium ion battery, being charged near the front entrance of a multifamily building in Astoria, Queens, was blamed for a fire that killed two children who couldn't get out in time, NPR reported April 11.

Including that fire, New York City has had five fire-related deaths involving e-bike blazes, out of 59 total e-bike-related fires this year, NPR reported.

ABC7 in Chicago reported on March 6 that an e-bike battery fire in the Bronx destroyed homes and businesses and injured five firefighters and an emergency medical services responder. More than 200 firefighters and EMS responded.

Late last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced it had received reports of more than 200 incidents since the start of 2021 in which micro-mobility devices such as e-bikes and scooters caught fire or overheated  incidents that led to the deaths of 19 people, NPR reported March 11.

No excuses

St. Onge said people often make excuses for these bike battery fires, saying the equipment was old or defective or bike owners failed to follow protocol.

"It doesn't matter to me. They're blowing up," he said. "The fire we had in July was a factory-made model bike from a reputable brand. It wasn't aftermarket. Then people tell me you can buy bags to put batteries in for charging, to contain if there is an explosion and seal it off. What does that tell you? Your coffee maker doesn't sell those fire bags, and your microwave company doesn't either. If these companies have developed fire bags, it may stop exploding parts but it won't stop noxious gas."

Mackinac Island Fire Chief Jason St. Onge stands at the site of a home fire on March 15, 2022. This fire was not the result of an e-bike battery.

Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, attended an emergency preparedness training with St. Onge in recent days, learning that batteries shoot flames after they explode and basic sprinkler systems aren't effective on batteries that burn so hot so quickly.

"A fire of that nature could be devastating for downtown. Not only for our businesses, but the lives it could affect. We have employees that live downtown; we have hotels downtown. And we have to do everything we can to keep it as safe as possible," Hygh said. "Knowing the types of fires these bike batteries cause, why take the risk?"

Now Mackinac fire officials carry steel 5-gallon buckets in case of emergency, to put a burning battery, as they can rekindle up to 8 hours later, St. Onge said.

"If Keurig coffee makers were doing this, no one would buy one. You'd say, 'I'm not having that son of a (expletive) in my house,'" St. Onge said. "I mean, I can't stop you from bringing stuff into your home. But this is just mind-boggling to me."

More: Historic Mackinac Island hotel undergoing massive $28M property renovation

More: Longtime customer buys a favorite hotel on Mackinac Island

More: Mackinac Island bars, restaurants, shipping have been transformed by women

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mackinac Island fire officials issue warning on e-bike battery fires
As our nation waited with bated breath last week to learn whether the evacuation of our diplomats from embattled Khartoum, Sudan would succeed, I thought back to a similar event in 1997 when, as US Ambassador to Guinea, our embassy was instrumental in evacuating Americans from next-door Sierra Leone. Such happenings are thankfully rare but occur often enough so that our 256 diplomatic establishments around the world must be prepared for potential worst-case scenarios.

Each US Mission (embassy or consulate) maintains an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), updated frequently, which includes A-Z details on who does what and how, when certain things happen. It also includes contingencies for potentially dangerous scenarios, based on local conditions, whether political (election violence, anarchy, coup, war), accidental (plane crash, blackout), or natural (volcanic eruption, tidal wave, cyclone). The EAP also outlines responsibilities and coordination between the Mission, the US Department of State in Washington, and Department of Defense elements which might be needed to support an evacuation. Missions also have an Emergency Action Committee (EAC)  usually chaired by the Deputy to the Ambassador  which convenes whenever events arise that require emergency planning and responses. The EAC advises the Ambassador on what steps to take, when.

Most instances of politically induced violence are like a heating pot of water, with advance warnings for each temperature rise  so missions can monitor the worsening situation and react to each stage. This involves warnings to US citizens through the Department of State website to avoid travel there, advising Americans in-country to leave while commercial travel is possible, and drawing down embassy staffing to essential personnel. This is also true for certain natural cataclysms like volcanoes or approaching storms.

But events like the Sudan conflict are exceptions. While the US has been concerned with Sudans stability since 2019 when the military ejected a long-term dictator and established a haphazard transitional government first with civilians, then without  the outbreak of conflict on April 15 between two military factions came without warning. However, the US Mission was not unprepared - due to the ongoing unstable political and economic environment, our Khartoum Embassy was already at minimal staffing, document holdings were no doubt kept to a minimum, and our diplomats were there mostly without family, ready to draw down further or evacuate. And for quite a long time the US State Department Sudan travel advisory for American citizens was do not go there.

When fighting erupts suddenly, like it did across Sudan, Embassies establish open lines with Washington to keep the US government informed of unfolding events and advise on courses of action, take an accounting of the welfare and whereabouts of Embassy staff, activate the in-country warden network of US citizens who are the point persons for communicating with Americans throughout the country. The first information Washington always wants to know is the status of American citizens in a country  since their safety is every Ambassadors first priority.

If a crisis is short term  a few days  then sheltering in place is usually the best option. But if the situation deteriorates  with intensifying combat, a breakdown of law and order, targeted violence against foreigners, unavailability of water, food, electricity, or other essentials  then there will be immediate planning for a NEO (noncombatant evacuation operation) by the US military.

As with each crisis, each NEO will be different and there will be multiple factors, many quickly changing. Issue One is whether the environment is permissive (cooperation from combatants) or non permissive. Other considerations include: is the airport operational; will it require navy support; should it be over land; where can people gather to be evacuated; etc.? And what is the status with neighboring countries  will they assist US efforts as Djibouti and Ethiopia did in this case  or are they hostile to the US? In the Sudan case, there were two organized military forces fighting each other, and even though both agreed not to open fire on US forces conducting the evacuation, command/control was uncertain, so there was a high degree of risk. Thanks to God it went well, without casualties or hostile fire.

But in such situations, left behind are the local Embassy staff who have provided long and loyal service to the US Government, and who now face the dangerous environment. While the US suspends operation of the Embassy, the local staff will be the ones to keep the lights on (if possible). Unfortunately, in some circumstances they may be specifically targeted for having worked for Americans.

Also left behind in Sudan are many American citizens  in the country despite the official Travel Advisory. Of the estimated 16,000, most are likely dual national Sudanese-Americans, who are either permanent residents or there for family reasons. A much smaller number of non-Sudanese Americans are there to pursue professional or personal interests. Given the size of Sudan (about Alaska and Georgia combined) and the situation on the ground, so far it has been impossible to launch a rescue effort for all Americans in the country who might wish to leave. But Washington is keeping track of all US citizens asking for evacuation, and I am certain there is ongoing planning for possible further operations, including the potential to use US naval vessels to evacuate Americans who can reach Port Sudan. This case still has not ended and acute dangers remain.

For me, the Sudan evacuation reinforces a belief built up over my long diplomatic career, that if traveling overseas I would much rather be an American citizen than a citizen of any other country  because we are better prepared to help our citizens in danger than anyone else. The most important lesson to remember is before traveling abroad, read the State department information on where you are traveling, and if there is a warning to not go there, please dont.

Ambassador Tibor Nagy was most recently Assistant Secretary of State for Africa after serving as Texas Techs Vice Provost for International Affairs and a 30-year career as a US Diplomat. Follow him on Twitter @TiborPNagyJr

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Nagy: When U.S. Embassies have to evacuate
It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad.

In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), which has not only revenues, but also profits. While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing.

See our latest analysis for Choice Hotels International

Choice Hotels International's Earnings Per Share Are Growing

If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. Impressively, Choice Hotels International has grown EPS by 17% per year, compound, in the last three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away satisfied.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. Our analysis has highlighted that Choice Hotels International's revenue from operations did not account for all of their revenue in the previous 12 months, so our analysis of its margins might not accurately reflect the underlying business. While Choice Hotels International did well to grow revenue over the last year, EBIT margins were dampened at the same time. If EBIT margins are able to stay balanced and this revenue growth continues, then we should see brighter days ahead.

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The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. For finer detail, click on the image.

You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Choice Hotels International's future profits.

Are Choice Hotels International Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Since Choice Hotels International has a market capitalisation of US$6.6b, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a large percentage of shares. But we are reassured by the fact they have invested in the company. Notably, they have an enviable stake in the company, worth US$1.6b. This totals to 24% of shares in the company. Enough to lead management's decision making process down a path that brings the most benefit to shareholders. Looking very optimistic for investors.

Should You Add Choice Hotels International To Your Watchlist?

For growth investors, Choice Hotels International's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. This EPS growth rate is something the company should be proud of, and so it's no surprise that insiders are holding on to a considerable chunk of shares. The growth and insider confidence is looked upon well and so it's worthwhile to investigate further with a view to discern the stock's true value. What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Choice Hotels International you should know about.

The beauty of investing is that you can invest in almost any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Authorities have arrested the sister of Alder Marin-Sotelo, the man accused of fataly shooting a Wake County deputy in August who escaped from a Virginia prison Sunday.

Adriana Marin-Sotelo was arrested in High Point, North Carolina, and charged with helping her brother escape from the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia, according to federal court documents obtained by ABC11, The News & Observers news gathering partner.

The documents allege she paid someone $2,500 to leave a car in the jail parking lot for Alder to use.

Around 1:40 a.m. Sunday, Alder escaped from jail. However, authorities did not realize he had escaped until about 4 a.m., when jail officials notified the local sheriffs office in Prince Edward County.

Images from the FBI show Alder getting into an early 2000s red or burgundy Ford Mustang with a 30-day temporary tag.

In August, Alder was arrested along with his brother Arturo Marin Sotelo in connection with the shooting death of Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd.

Byrd was shot multiple times near in a rural area near a gas station on Auburn Knightdale and Battle Bridge roads. After evading police for multiple days, the brothers were arrested near Winston-Salem.

According to the Prince Edward County Sheriffs Office, Alden was being held in Virginia on federal gun charges.

Marin-Sotelo is considered extremely dangerous by the FBI. Anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately and should not approach him.
PROVIDENCE  One morning late last week, Secretary of State Gregg Amore wasn't in his office. He was in the classroom.

Reprising his role as a civics teacher, Amore stood before several rows of Classical High School students at desks and rattled off a series of numbers: 15, 19, 24, 26. He asked, "What are those?"

A few brows furrowed. A couple curious glances were exchanged.

Amore answered his own question: constitutional amendments that secured and strengthened voting rights for women and minorities. He then whipped out a pocket-sized version of the document, something he stashes in a convenient spot, as one would keep a pen handy.

Amore has made about 10 such presentations at various schools since March and is booked through the rest of the year. It's not necessarily a new gig for a guy who taught civics at East Providence High School for nearly three decades before becoming secretary of state. Yet still, he's on a mission: Get kids a better civics education, get them registered to vote and get them to see that voter suppression isn't a thing of the past.

Secretary of State Gregg Amore gives Classical High School students a mini-civics lesson. Amore has made about 10 such presentations at various schools since March and is booked through the end of the year.

Report finds deficiencies in civics education in RI

For this job, Amore is a natural. During his time as a state representative, he helped to pass the Civic Literacy Act in 2021, which pushes public schools to improve their civics curriculums. A 2022 report from Tufts' Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement found that civics education in Rhode Island's public schools was in less than stellar shape.

Nearly a quarter of teachers and administrators said civics wasn't a big priority, and fewer than half of teachers said their districts had standalone civics classes.

More: What's next for Secretary of State-elect Amore? He wants same-day voter registration

"When it came to specific support that districts may or may not be providing, teachers reported a lackof time, training and resources for teaching civics," the report read. "More than half (55%) of teachers said they dont have access to civics-related professional development opportunities, and 36% of administrators alsosaid there was not access to civics professional development in their district."

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Amore sees fixation on state exams as one of the obstacles to a serious civics education.

"Every time I have conversations with folks about the role of government, even the Department of State, I'm disappointed," he said. "So my guess is that the civics gap we have is not relegated to our students, and there's a lot of reasons for that. One is that  there's been a real move toward standardized testing. And so in the elementary schools where social studies used to be a kind of standalone piece of the curriculum, I think it got placed on the back burner because there was so, so much focus on math and ELA scores."

'Democracy in peril': Agreement seeks to bolster civics education in RI public schools

Secretary of State Gregg Amore: "I'm actually worried about our teachers because  they should be able to freely discuss ideas without pushing ideas, and spark critical thinking."

Amore worries discussions may be muted 'out of fear'

In that Classical High School classroom, Amore doesn't just focus on the past  he asks students about the present. Where had they seen voter suppression in the news? In the South, in the form of poll watchers and restricted access to drop boxes that make it easier for voters to cast their ballots.

Yet the honest teaching of history and disenfranchisement has become a political lightning rod, even in Rhode Island, where bills to limit how history is taught  and whose history is heard  have been filed in the State House, despite having a slim chance at passage.

More: RI lawmakers hear impassioned debate on bill to limit teaching of racism, gender identity

"I'm actually worried about our teachers because  they should be able to freely discuss ideas without pushing ideas, and spark critical thinking," Amore said. "And I think a lot of the conversation around restrictions as to what can and can't be taught mutes that discussion out of fear, and then in turn doesn't allow our students to critically think."

A reboot for Project Insight? Amore wants to revive it.

This isn't all Amore has on his plate. He envisions rebooting Project Insight, which launched in the 1970s. The program is a Rhode Island version of Project Close Up, which puts students in the nation's capitol for a short stay so they can meet lawmakers, immerse themselves in government and learn how to become engaged citizens. The local version would do all of that at the State House.

Amore also wants to encourage schools to expand one-day voter registration programs to 180-day initiatives that would allow kids to learn how to sign up year 'round. At each school he visits, Amore recruits students who can be involved in those efforts and others, asking them to be liaisons for his office.

Secretary of State Gregg Amore jokes that he never leaves the office. "I think I'm an optimist because I spent my entire career with high school kids," he says.

Nearing the end of an interview that stretched 40 minutes, Amore ticked off an ambitious to-do list that includes a new history museum for Rhode Island. He joked that he never leaves the office.

That is, unless he goes back to school.

"I think I'm an optimist because I spent my entire career with high school kids," he said. "Maybe after four years here with all these adults, I'll lose my optimism. But I'm still in classrooms, so I do think we have the capacity to right the ship and come back to the middle."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI secretary of state wants better civics education in RI schools
Flooded Yishun flat from burst underground pipe (Photos: Derrick Goh Soon Hee/Facebook)

SINGAPORE - A ground-floor flat in Yishun was flooded with mud water after an underground pipe burst on Monday (1 May).

The Public Utilities Board (PUB) told Yahoo Southeast Asia that they were alerted to a pipe leak at Block 401 Yishun Avenue 6 at around 1.20 pm on Monday.

Water supply to some units had to be cut off for about two hours for urgent repair works before it was restored at 4.30pm. During the cutoff, a water wagon was arranged to supply water to affected residents.

A plumbing contractor was sent to the scene to clean up the affected unit together with Nee Soon Town Council.

Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament Derrick Goh also took to Facebook to share the incident, saying that cleaners from 800 Super, a homegrown environmental services provider, were engaged to help move furniture out of the flat and clean the unit.

How the pipe leak was discovered

According to Mandarin newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, the owner of the unit is a 52-year-old taxi driver who had spent $100,000 on brand new furniture and decorations for his four-bedroom unit in November last year.

At around 1pm on Monday, he and his wife had heard the sound of running water, which his wife assumed was rain.

Upon walking to the house window, he discovered that the water pipe had burst. The drain hole in the master bedroom's toilet began gushing out muddy water a few moments later.

Furniture in the unit was completely soaked and a thick layer of mud was left after the water had receded. The unit was only completely clean at around 7.15pm that evening.

A video showing silty water gushing out of the unit has also been uploaded on Instagram page Sgfollowsall on Tuesday (2 May).

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.
RFA/Health Care Access Reporter

Santiago Ochoa is a bilingual journalist covering health care access at the Yakima Herald-Republic in Yakima, Washington. Before joining the Herald, Ochoa reported for Flint Beat in Flint, Michigan, covering the citys Latino populationhealth care, education, community building and more, and winning top honors in the Michigan Press Associations feature category. He served as photographer and later editor for his college newspaper, The Michigan Times. When hes not working, Ochoa enjoys cross-country trips on his motorcycle, going to the movies, reading and skiing.
Crime and Courts Reporter

Donald W. Meyers is a multimedia journalist at the Yakima Herald-Republic covering crime and courts. He is also the writer behind It Happened Here, a weekly history column. Before coming to Yakima, Meyers covered a wide variety of beats at The Salt Lake Tribune, Daily Herald, and daily and weekly newspapers across New Jersey. He is also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, serving as a regional officer in the organization as well as on the national Freedom of Information Committee.
Yakima County Government, Lower Valley Reporter

Hi, Im Phil Ferolito, longtime reporter with the Yakima Herald-Republic, where I have gained an array of experience from covering small city governments and school districts to big-picture issues concerning county government, crime and the Yakama Nation, a federally recognized tribe with important historical and cultural ties to the land. I began with the Herald-Republic in Oct. 2000 as a copy editor, designing pages, writing headlines and proof-reading stories. Over the years I have covered four Lower Valley municipalities, Granger, Toppenish, Wapato and Harrah, and the Yakama Nation. My goal always has been to shine a light in dark places and bring readers closer to concerning issues, important people, and other events in our community.
Easterday Dairy in more trouble after dozens of contamination plan violations, says OR
Kids with hearing loss in Eastern WA often must travel for care. Tri-Cities lab is helping
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson arrives on April 27, 2023, at the University of Washington's Hans Rosling Center for Population Health in Seattle. Attorney General Ferguson launched an exploratory campaign for governor on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, one day after incumbent Jay Inslee announced he would not run again.
If politicians dont listen to the CEOs and economists telling them to hurry up and resolve the debt-ceiling crisis, a more formidable master may intervene: the stock market.

Business leaders attending this years Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., are as frustrated as anybody that Democrats and Republicans in Washington, D.C., are manufacturing an artificial crisis in which Congressional failure to raise the federal borrowing limit could force the U.S. government to default on its obligations.

The government hit the Congressionally-authorized borrowing limit in January. Since then, the Treasury Dept. has been shifting money among accounts to keep paying the nations bills. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on May 1 that the Treasury is likely to run out of maneuvering room by early June, forcing it to prioritize payments, leaving some bills unpaid. All Congress needs to do is pass a new law raising the borrowing limit, but Republicans demand spending cuts as a condition of doing that, and Democrats say no way. Result: Impasse.

Before Yellen pegged the X Date at early June, many analysts thought it wouldnt arrive until late summer. But federal tax revenue has been lighter than expected, speeding up the timeline. If debt-default D-Day really is barely a month away, markets may start to flinch, given that the consequences of a U.S. default, even a minor or technical one, could devastate markets.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 17: Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) delivers a speech about the economy at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 17, 2023 in New York City. Speaker McCarthy visited the NYSE to talk about the state of the economy and the conditions Republicans want Democrats to agree on, in exchange for lifting the federal debt ceiling. One condition proposed would expand the age range of the work requirement for low-income people to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Food Assistance Program (SNAP). The federal government faces a historic default this summer if Congress fails to act, according to warnings from nonpartisan forecasters. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

It could be markets that force lawmakers to do their jobs, Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, told Yahoo Finance at the Milken conference. It shouldn't be, but I can't help but reminding people, 'Hey folks, do your job without making stock markets do it for you.'

Every finance pro at the Milken conference knows theres precedent for the stock market forcing Congress to act in an emergency. TARP. That was the Troubled Assets Relief Program, the huge bailout bill that helped stabilize the banking sector during the 2008 financial crash.

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TARP failed to pass on its first vote, which took place just after Lehman Brothers failed and the government took control of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Other Wall Street titans were tottering. The S&P 500 (^GSPC), already down 19% for the year, fell another 7% in one day. Congress got the message and four days later passed TARP after all. Markets absolutely tanked and policymakers called everybody saying, 'What do we do?' MacGuineas recalls. That could happen here again.

Most analysts think Congress will raise the debt limit one way or the other, with the main question being how much damage it could cause if it happens like TARP did, beyond the last second. I dont think the United States is going to default, former Treasury Steven Mnuchin said at the Milken conference. If the date was Sept. 1, people wouldnt start negotiating till August. This will be solved.

Republicans have passed a bill that raises the borrowing limit for about one year, in exchange for $4.5 trillion in spending cuts during the next decade. There's no chance Democrats who control the Senate will approve that bill, plus President Biden has said he'll veto it. Democrats want to raise the debt ceiling for two years or more and address spending cuts separately, which Republicans say would only delay needed action to reduce the federal debt. Biden is due to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to start negotiations on May 9, with with few breakthroughs expected until markets demand them.

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
The luxury lifestyle hotel property is set to open in summer 2023, with Hamilton's to follow shortly thereafter in the fall of 2023

DETROIT, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago-based international real estate and hospitality investment leader Oxford Capital Group, LLC and local partner Detroit-based Hunter Pasteur, in collaboration with Detroit-based Chickpea Hospitality, announces Hamilton's, a ground floor restaurant for The Godfrey Hotel Detroit, which will open shortly after the hotel's projected opening in summer 2023.

Rendering of The Godfrey Hotel Detroit Exterior

Hamilton's is a vibrant neighborhood tavern focused on providing the community with an approachable, yet refined dining experience. Hamilton's will accommodate 93 guests in its dining room and bar, and 38 on its outdoor terrace on Michigan Avenue, allowing guests to enjoy the modern, urban aesthetic. Hamilton's food and beverage offerings highlight local and seasonal ingredients along with a thoughtful beverage program while staying focused on classic American fare. Hamilton's will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a bustling, inviting environment.

"Corktown is already a popular destination for food and drink in Downtown Detroit. We are excited to add to its offerings by introducing Hamilton's to the neighborhood for guests and locals alike," said Matthew Kalt, senior vice president and principal of Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC.

"We are honored to be collaborating on this luxury lifestyle project in the historical Corktown neighborhood," shares Samy Eid, co-owner of Chickpea Hospitality Group. "It has been an exciting experience working closely with the Hunter Pasteur and Oxford Capital teams to curate a dining experience for all to enjoy."

"Our development team is excited to partner with the Phoenicia Group at the Godfrey Hotel. The Eid Family has a distinguished track record of success and a well-earned reputation in the restaurant industry as best in class operators," says Seth Herkowitz, chief operating officer of Hunter Pasteur

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The 227-room luxury lifestyle hotel will feature the brand's indoor-outdoor I|O Rooftop lounge with expansive views of downtown Detroit and Corktown serving craft cocktails and bites, a 6,000 square foot ballroom that will accommodate events of more than 350 guests, a welcoming hotel lobby bar for guests and locals, and a fitness center. The site is located just a few blocks from the Michigan Central Train Station, which Ford Motor is developing into a new $1B+ campus and will bring more than 5,000 new jobs to Corktown.

Oxford Capital Group and Hunter Pasteur, along with The Forbes Company, are also developing Perennial Corktown, a seven-story apartment community of 188 units that include a combination of studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units; Perennial Corktown Townhomes, made up of seven townhouses at 10th and Church Street; and a three-story parking garage at 1501 Church St., adjacent to The Godfrey Hotel; with additional residential phases being finalized.

In addition to the above, Oxford Capital Group's recent projects in downtown Detroit include the December 2021 acquisition of The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Hotel. The 453-room property is currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation, which includes a comprehensive refresh of the guest rooms, public spaces, meeting rooms, and ballrooms, as well as new tenants in the two ground floor retail spaces including recently signed, Sullivan's Steakhouse, which is set to open in 2023.

Additionally, Hunter Pasteur Homes is developing City Modern, a development located at the intersection of Downtown & Midtown in the heart of Brush Park. City Modern includes Townhomes, Carriage Homes, The Duplettes, Historic Homes, and the Flats (apartments)  creating a total of 410 contemporary residential units. The buildings will be constructed to sustainable standards using high-quality, lasting materials, and the community features The Mews, thoughtfully designed and landscaped pocket parks throughout the development.

About Oxford Capital Group, LLC

Chicago based Oxford Capital Group, LLC is an award-winning international real estate investment, development, and management firm that focuses on large-scale acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, and operationally intensive real estate. Oxford, its affiliates, and principals have been involved in over $3 billion of real estate and private equity investments, with a primary focus on hospitality (16,000+ hotel rooms); hospitality anchored mixed use projects including multi-family (2,000+ units); senior housing (3,000+ units); urban retail; and parking. Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC is its wholly owned hotel management affiliate, which specializes in operating, managing, and branding distinctive, high design luxury lifestyle hotels, and food & beverage venues. Oxford Living, LLC is its senior housing investment and management platform. Oxford Residential, LLC is its multi-family development affiliate.

About Hunter Pasteur

Founded in 1999, Hunter Pasteur (HP) has grown to become one of Southeast Michigan's largest and most respected developers. Over the past two decades, HP has built and developed over 2,000 luxury single family homes and multifamily condominiums throughout Metro Detroit, including thriving communities in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Commerce Township, Detroit, Lake Orion, Novi, Northville, South Lyon, West Bloomfield and many more. HP and The Forbes Company also have over 2,000 luxury multi-family units currently under development, valued at over $1 Billion in costs. A passionate advocate for the critical role housing plays in economic and community development, Hunter Pasteur has been honored as "Multifamily Construction Builder of the Year" by the Home Builders Association of Southeast Michigan. To learn more, visit https://www.hunterpasteur.com/

About Chickpea Hospitality

Established in 2019 by Samy Eid, Chickpea Hospitality owns and operates Leila Detroit, The Phoenicia, and Forest Restaurants. Alongside Samy, Matthew Hollander and Nicholas Janutol manage and run all day-to-day operations. Chickpea Hospitality is passionate about offering our guests a unique and thoughtful dining experience. We are highly focused on building a team of service professionals with passion for the industry. Our incredible team and the guests we serve are our number one priority. Chickpea Hospitality also owns and operates several highly successful restaurants in Detroit and the Metro Detroit area including Leila Detroit, The Phoenicia, and Forest Restaurants.

Oxford Capital Group, LLC (PRNewsfoto/Oxford Capital Group, LLC)

Cision

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SOURCE Oxford Capital Group, LLC
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Presedintele Germaniei, Frank Walter Steinmeier, vine la Timisoara la finalul acestei luni

Presedintele Germaniei, Frank Walter Steinmeier, va face o vizita la Timisoara la finalul acestei luni, mai exact in zilele de 25 si 26 mai. Este prima vizita a unui sef de sat strain la Timisora dupa foarte mult timp. [citeste mai departe]
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- The exchange rate of the national leu currency resulting from the quotations announced on Tuesday by the banks authorized to operate on the currency market is as follows: Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help your

- Defence Minister Tilvar to meet North Macedonia President Pendarovski.National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar will meet in Skopje on Tuesday with President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and his Macedonian counterpart Slavjanka Petrovska, told Agerpres. Fii la curent

- The interim chairwoman of the Senate, Alina Gorghiu, claims that a possible merging of next year's elections is perfectly constitutional, the coalition will decide whether one of the scenarios that can be taken into account will materialize. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste

- Deputy Prime Minister Kelemen Hunor submitted, on Tuesday, his candidacy for a new mandate as president of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR).The elections will take place at the UDMR Congress that will be held in Timisoara, at the end of April. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi

- Industrial output in Romania registered a 1.8pct decrease, as a gross series, in 2022, compared to the previous year, according to the data published on Tuesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook

- Annual inflation in Romania dropped to 15.1% in January 2023, from 16.4% in December 2022, as food prices increased by 22.47%, non-food prices by 11.88%, and service prices by 10.27%, according to data with the National Statistics Institute (INS) published on Tuesday. Fii la curent cu cele

- The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) stocks closed higher on Tuesday, on trades of RON 35.283 million (EUR 7.197 million), told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help your friends know more about Romania!

- Romania's General Immigration Inspectorate (IGI) reported on Tuesday that in 2022 approximately 19,000 residence permits were issued, over 9,000 applications for work permits were registered and approximately 1,000 illegal immigrants were found by the Bucharest immigration police. Fii la curent
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- Defence Minister Tilvar to meet North Macedonia President Pendarovski.National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar will meet in Skopje on Tuesday with President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and his Macedonian counterpart Slavjanka Petrovska, told Agerpres. Fii la curent

- Trucks leaving the country through southern Giurgiu Border Crossing Point have to wait 210 minutes at the border control due to the large number of means of transport that transit the border.In order to streamline the circulation, Giurgiu Border Police Inspectorate (ITPF) has increased the number

- As many as 62,294 people, including 6,761 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Tuesday, February 28, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reported on Wednesday, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro 

- The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) stocks opened higher on Tuesday, with trades of RON 5.16 million (EUR 1.05 million) 90 minutes into the trading session, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help your

- More than 36,000 people are expected to attend, on the weekend between 3 and 5 March, the first edition of Massif Festival, in Poiana Brasov, "the first festival which turns a mountain resort into a party of epic proportions," the organizers announced on Tuesday. Fii la curent cu cele mai

- Approximately 2.5 million people, including 400,000 minors, and over 700,000 vehicles have passed through the Siret border crossing point since the outbreak of the armed conflict in Ukraine, Suceava County Council Chairman Gheorghe Flutur said on Tuesday. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri.

- As many as 63,388 people, including 6,739 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Monday, February 13, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reported on Tuesday, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro 

- The General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF) informs that on Tuesday, 58,159 people, including 6,843 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania through the border points. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Parvis Invest Inc. (TSXV: PVIS) ("Parvis" or "the Company"), a technology-driven real estate company focused on broadening access to institutional quality real estate investment opportunities, today announced a co-agency agreement with Equiton, a leading Canadian private equity real estate investment firm, to distribute two Equiton products on the Parvis platform.

Parvis Invest Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Parvis Invest Inc.)

Through this co-agency agreement, investors registered on the Parvis platform will have turnkey access to a leading private real estate investment trust (REIT) opportunity with monthly distributions in addition to the varying, premium development projects listed on the platform. The two funds set to be listed include the Equiton Apartment Fund and Equiton Income and Development Fund, both designed to provide investors with access to a diversified portfolio of institutional quality real estate investments.

"We believe in Canadian real estate. Its strong fundamentals have helped many people build wealth for their families. That's why we're so excited about this partnership with Equiton, " said David Michaud, Chief Executive Officer of Parvis. "From the beginning, we've wanted to build a platform that helps more people build long-term value and wealth. But investors who want access to private real estate investment face barriers. Now, through our tech-enabled platform, we can provide access to both individual and pooled investment opportunities - allowing investors to find the right fit for them, no matter what their investment objectives might be, with little hassle. This is an important step forward for our business, and I couldn't be more excited about it."

As of May 2, 2023, the Equiton Apartment Fund comprises 32 properties across 17 communities in Ontario and Alberta, with a total of 2,548 residential units with a targeted annual net return of 8-12% per year.

The Equiton Income and Development Fund provides access to a diversified portfolio of institutional grade real estate assets including income producing (commercial/industrial/lending) as well as development projects. The Fund targets an average annual net return of 12% to 16% over a 10 year period.

Story continues

Both Funds specialize in acquiring multi-residential properties in Canada and increasing their value through active management and monthly distributions to investors from rental income and capital appreciation.

The listing of these funds follows Parvis' signing of an agreement to provide Exempt Market Dealer (EMD) services to Harvestd and Parametric, which opened up an exciting vertical for the company.

About Parvis

Parvis is a technology-driven real estate investing platform. Focused on broadening access to institutional quality real estate investment opportunities, Parvis promotes greater access in this historically inaccessible and illiquid asset class. Enabled by blockchain technology, Parvis makes finding, tracking, and maximizing investments an experience that is both frictionless and empowering. Parvis, headquartered in Vancouver, employs experts in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Additional information about Parvis is available at www.parvisinvest.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com

About Equiton

Founded in 2015, Equiton is a recognized leader in private equity investments. We partner with advisors to offer easy access to all types of investment grade real estate through our proven, high-performing investment solutions that provide a variety of benefits including cash flow and capital appreciation. Our real estate expertise and dedication to investors led to tripling of our AUM from 2020 to 2022 during a global pandemic. Our exponential growth is a direct outcome of our leadership team understanding how the industry works and how to create long-term wealth through real estate investing. To learn more about our investment solutions visit https://equiton.com/

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer's prospective financial performance or financial position. . Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: final acceptance of the Exchange of the Qualifying Transaction and the issuance of the Final Exchange Bulletin; commencement of trading of the Common Shares; and the Company's business plans and role in the real estate industry. To develop the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company made certain material assumptions, including but not limited to: prevailing market conditions; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the ability of the Company to execute and achieve its business objectives. 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. Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: adverse market conditions; changes in general economic, business and political conditions; changes in applicable laws and regulations; compliance with extensive government regulation; reliance on key and qualified personnel; risks associated with the real estate and technology industries in general; and the risk factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Filing Statement. The foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation.

Neither the 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. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or Filing Statement prepared in connection with the Qualifying Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Qualifying Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Cision

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SOURCE Parvis Invest Inc.

Cision

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- The degree of occupancy of accommodation places was 85%, in central Sinaia, during the May 1st mini-holiday, and tourists were able to enjoy winter sports in Sinaia, the Association for the Promotion and Development of Tourism (APDT) Prahova announced on Tuesday. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi

- The National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics - ICI Bucharest launched, on Wednesday, within the Critical Infrastructure Protection Forum, the first European institutional platform for trading digital assets - ICI D|SERVICES (ICI Decentralized Services). Fii la curent cu cele

- Defence Minister Tilvar to meet North Macedonia President Pendarovski.National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar will meet in Skopje on Tuesday with President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and his Macedonian counterpart Slavjanka Petrovska, told Agerpres. Fii la curent

- Rare diseases affect approximately 5% of the population and represent a public health problem, the minister of Health, Alexandru Rafila, declared on Tuesday, adding that one of the priorities is the creation of a register of patients suffering from these conditions, told Agerpres. Fii la curent

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- President Klaus Iohannis participated on Tuesday in the video-conference with President of the European Council Charles Michel and a group of European leaders, in the preparatory meeting for the special European Council, which takes place on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. Fii la curent cu

- The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, had a meeting with the delegation of the Hanwha Aerospace company from South Korea, on Tuesday, and the discussions focused on the fields of energy security and defense, Ciolacu wrote on Facebook. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri.

- Bucharest Prefect Toni Grebla spoke on Tuesday about the "indolence" of the local authorities regarding the seismic retrofitting of buildings, as "year after year" European funds available at the Development Ministry remain unspent. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro
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- Social Democratic Party (PSD) president Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday, in a press conference, that he hopes "with all his heart" that the milestone in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) on special pensions be fulfilled in a timely manner.He was asked if it is true that the representatives

- Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu, the national leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), said on Wednesday that there will be a working group on the law on special pensions patterned on the education laws. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro

- 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 he still believes that military pensions are not special pensions and 22 states of the European Union are of the same opinion, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook

- The ministry of Labor should have come up with a bill last year to solve the problem of special pensions, more precisely to bring these pensions as close as possible to contribution, MP Raluca Turcan, former minister of Labor, said on Monday. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste

- Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday that he expects the government to present him a briefing on the World Bank reports on the special pensions law, noting that the bill should pass through Parliament until the end of this legislative session, told Agerpres. Fii

- 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

- Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu deemed on Monday as a false topic the possibility that the head of state may not appoint him prime minister at the government rotation, adding that the protocol concluded by the current coalition will be respected, told Agerpres. Fii
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- Prime minister Nicolae Ciuca welcomes the provisional agreement reached by the European Commission with the five states, Romania included, affected by the grain situation in Ukraine, which provides for a new support package worth 100 million euros for the affected farmers. Fii la curent cu cele

- 32 Israeli deputies sent an appal to the Cabinet of Israels Minister of foreign Affairs with the call to provide As wide an international support as possible to the national aspirations of the peoples of South Azerbaijan. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro

- 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

- Romania will restrict grain and oilseeds exports from Ukraine, will implement additional security measures for the means of transport transiting the country's territory and will introduce direct customs controls for all agri-food products coming from Ukraine, the Ministry of Agriculture and Development

- The Minister of Agriculture, Petre Daea, will discuss on Wednesday with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mikola Solski, about the impact of Ukrainian grain imports and the measures that can be taken to manage this crisis.According to the Minister of Agriculture, Petre Daea, the discussion between the two

- The Minister of Agriculture, Petre Daea, stated on Wednesday that all products entering the country, including those from Ukraine, are checked by the state institutions in customs, and they do not represent a danger for human consumption or animals. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri.

- The joint plenum of Parliament on Tuesday adopted a Statement of Support for Ukraine in the context of the completion, on February 24, 2023, of one year since the start of the war of aggression by the Russian Federation. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro

- As many as 62,294 people, including 6,761 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Tuesday, February 28, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reported on Wednesday, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro 
Last Wednesday, April 26th, one of the few existing replicas of the vessel that has led researchers from around the world to determine that the origin of cocoa was in Ecuador was unveiled in Budapest.

The unique piece arrived in the Hungarian capital as part of Ecuador's international program to promote the history of one of its featured and famous products.



On this occasion, the Embassy of Ecuador in Hungary organized a private event, in which the iconic vessel was handed over to the collection of the Szamos Chocolate Museum, where the vessel has been exhibited to the public since last Thursday, April 27th.



Personalities from the academic, diplomatic and cultural world attended the event, where Gabriella Kelenyi Szamos, owner of the Szamos Marzipan, thanked the Ecuadorian people for their confidence in honoring, preserving and making known the history of one of the most traded products in the world, which is the mission of the museum they successfully manage.



Likewise, Ambassador Jose Luis Salazar Arrarte, during his speech provided technical data about the find and made it clear that one of his missions is to make this interesting history known to the world.



"Ecuadorians feel proud of our land, and this discovery gives us one more reason to be grateful for the country where we were born, with all the resources we have there.



To think that today, after thousands of years, that the chocolate that a person eats here in Hungary or in any part of the world, has at least a minimum percentage of our seeds, fills our hearts with much more pride", he said.



During the event, attendees not only had the opportunity to learn about the history of the pot and part of the Ecuadorian culture, but also had the opportunity to taste chocolate-based delicacies such as the champagne Chocolate in a bottle, with the smell and taste of chocolate of Ecuadorian origin.



The context

The discovery took place in 2007, when a group of French and Ecuadorian scientists found some pieces of these vessels, in the middle of a half hectares of archaeological remains, located between the rivers Valladolid, Palanda and Chinchipe, where the Mayo-Chinchipe culture cultivated one of the sweetest agricultural treasures of humanity around 5,300 BC: cacao, the main ingredient of chocolate.



The Yachak (name of Kichwa for the wise) was the one who conducted the ceremonies, and in it a sacred drink was consumed based on the fermentation of the cocoa paste.



Theobroma cacao is the Latin name for this marvelous product and it means food of the gods, its name was given by Carl Linnaeus, in the eighteenth century, reassuring that this food has been of great value for centuries.



Suggested highlight: The Ecuadorian vessel will be permanently exposed at the Szamos Chocolate Museum, located in Budapest, Kosshut Lajos square 10.
The mandatory wearing of masks in Hungary will no longer apply from May 1 in view of the countrys benign epidemiological situation, the National Public Health Centre (NNK) announced on Friday.

From Monday, neither employees of health and social-care institutions nor visitors will have to wear masks in these settings.



Hospital heads will still have the authority to mandate the use of masks in hospitals or certain departments within the hospital.



MTI Photo: Attila Kovacs
President Katalin Novak received Pope Francis with military honours in front of the presidential office, Sandor Palace, in the Castle District on Friday.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban and House Speaker Laszlo Kover attended. The pontiff arrived in a Fiat 500X accompanied by three hussars of the count Ferenc Nadasdy Hussar Regiment. The Pontifical Anthem and the National Anthem of Hungary were played, and an equestrian parade was held.



President Novak and Pope Francis then introduced the members of their delegations to each other.



The members of the Hungarian delegation are Prime Minister Viktor Orban, House Speaker Laszlo Kover, Constitutional Court head Tamas Sulyok, Supreme Court head Andras Varga Zs., Public Prosecutor Peter Polt, Deputy PM Zsolt Semjen, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, Culture and Innovation Minister Janos Csak, Regional Development Minister Tibor Navracsics and Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, Hungarys Ambassador to the Holy See.







The papal delegation includes Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vaticans chief diplomat, Peter Erdo, the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Bishop Andras Veres, the head of the Conference of Hungarian Catholic Bishops, and Greek Catholic Metropolitan Fulop Kocsis, among others.



After the introductions, Francis and Novak proceeded into Sandor Palace where he wrote an entry in the guest book, and Novak presented him with his gifts.



In the Carmelite Monastery housing the Prime Ministers Office, the pope met representatives of the state, civilian life and the diplomatic corps.



Following his meeting with President Novak, Pope Francis briefly greeted young people, and this was posted on the Presidents official social media page. The video shows the Holy Father and the head of state together, with the pontiff saying in Spanish: I greet young people!



Pope Francis Laments 'Soloists of War'







Pope Francis in a speech in Budapest on Friday lamented how "we must watch as the choir singing the dream of peace is eclipsed by the soloists of war pressing forward."



Meeting Hungarian politicians, diplomats and other dignitaries in the Prime Ministers Office as part of his apostolic visit to Hungary, the pope said that peace was not achieved by following strategic interests but by pursuing policies focusing on everyones interests, people, the poor and the future.



Citing EU founder Robert Schumann, Francis said: World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.



Referring to Ukraine, Francis said the present era posed many dangers, but where are the creative efforts safeguarding peace? International politics is more about inciting antagonism rather than finding solutions  regressing into a kind of warlike infantilism, the pope said.



Referring to Europes role, he said it should summon the lost, embrace peoples, and consider nobody as an eternal enemy. Pointing to the founding fathers of the community, he said they had been able to cast their glance across national borders and over immediate needs  and build unity rather than deepening divisions.



Pope Francis on European Unity







Europe, a melting pot of 27 nations, needs harmony and unity that does not crush the individual parts that fit well into the whole, Pope Francis said in a speech delivered in Budapest.



He quoted Hungarys Fundamental Law: We hold that individual freedom can only be complete in cooperation with others  We believe that our national culture is a rich contribution to the diversity of European unity.



I am thinking of a Europe that does not become hostage to its parts and a victim of self-aggrandising populism, but is also not  a representative of an abstract supra-nationality that ignores the life of its people.



This small-minded path of ideological colonialism erases differences, such as so-called gender culture, or puts narrow concepts of freedom before the reality of life, boasting as an achievement, for example, the right to abortion, the pope said. Europe needs to be humane and person-centred, with effective policies for the family and birth, the pontiff said, praising Hungarys carefully tended family policy.



Referring to Budapests landmark Chain Bridge as an illustration, the pope said its iron couplings summoned an image of Europe consisting of many different links, whose strength is provided by unity.



Christianity helps in building such a Europe, he said, adding that Hungary was a bridge-builder since its different denominations live side by side, without conflict, respecting each another and cooperating in a constructive spirit.



Francis called Budapest a city of saints, mentioning King Saint Stephen as an example, whose instructions to his son were a kind of spiritual testimony to the Hungarian nation, especially when it came to passages in which the sainted king advocated love and charity not only towards kinsmen and relatives, or noblemen, or the rich, or neighbours and people living here, but towards strangers, too.



He quoted Stephen as advocating the practice of love, adding be meek and never resist truth.

The pope thanked Hungarys leaders for their support of charity and educational institutions inspired by Christian values, as well as the help they provide to Christian communities worldwide, particularly in Syria and Lebanon.



Cooperation between the church and state is productive, he said, adding that for it to remain so, their boundaries must be preserved. It is important that every Christian remember this and hold the Gospel as a point of reference, and adhere to the free and liberating decisions of Jesus and not commit to the unique logic of power, Francis said.



He welcomed healthy secularisation, which he said was not synonymous with the kind of secularisation that is allergic to all sacred aspects and sacrifices itself on the altar of profit.



Concerning the complex topic of openness to others which has caused a lot of debate, Francis said Christians should look to the legacy of St. Stephen, Hungarys first Christian king. We must address the problems without excuses and without delay by thinking of Christ, who is there among our many brethren fleeing conflicts, poverty and climate change, he said.



He added that this was an issue that we must face together because it will affect everyone sooner or later. He said a common secure and lawful mode of action was urgently needed to face a life-changing challenge which cannot be stopped by rejection; it must be accepted to create a future which will only exist if it is a common future.



This will call to the front the followers of Jesus, those who want to follow the example of the witnesses of the Gospel, he said.



Before his talks with President Novak, the pope made the following entry in the Sandor Palace guest book: I have arrived as a pilgrim and a friend of Hungary, a country with a rich history and culture.



In Budapest, the city of bridges and saints, I am thinking of the whole of Europe and pray that it can be a home for peace in unity and solidarity, and a messenger of inclusion.



President Presents Pope Francis With Gifts







President Katalin Novak on Friday presented Pope Francis with several gifts on the occasion of his apostolic visit to Hungary.



Novak presented Francis with an album of Biblical drawings by Hungarian children and youth. The pope was also given stems of a special rose named after St. Elisabeth. The president also presented the pope with a Virgin Mary robe of Andocs.



She noted on Facebook this week that Pope Francis had elevated the church in the southern Hungarian village to the rank of minor basilica. The pope was also given a decorative book on the Holy Crown of Hungary.



Novak: Hungarians See 'Man of Peace' in Pope Francis



Hungarians and millions worldwide see Pope Francis as a man of peace, President Katalin Novak said in her greeting to the pontiff at the Carmelite Monastery on Friday. The president expressed hope that Francis could talk to Kyiv, Moscow, Washington, Brussels, Budapest and everyone without whom there can be no peace.



Here in Budapest, we ask that you personally take action in the interest of securing an urgent, just peace, she said.



We believe that the arrival of the Holy Father in Hungary is no accident, but the right time and place to meet, to ring the bells and declare peace, Novak said. God, when the time is right, brings together and gives strength to those who trust the power of love, unity and peace, she added.



Hungarians want to rise to the heights where they can find the unity of Christs faithful and well-intentioned people seeking peace, Novak said.



She said Hungarians wanted the popes apostolic visit to give an impetus to that rise to a height from where we can get a view of the path to spiritual renewal and peace. It is we, Hungarians and Europeans who must stay on the right path, Novak said.



We can receive encouragement, guidance and affirmation for that, but it is only we European people and leaders who can use the free will given to us in a way that will lead to a more peaceful, more democratic and stronger Europe.



Novak noted that St. Pope John Paul II visited Hungary when the country needed him most, at the time of the new beginning after the fall of communism. This, she said, was also true of Pope Francis visit, because now is the time when Hungary and Europe need him most.



Your Holiness reaffirms in us that there is a basis for, sense in, and future for life based on Christian values in the 21st century, too, Novak said. And we also reaffirm this for Your Holiness. This is what we give each other: life, the protection of the family and the sustaining power of Christianity.







We are allies, Novak said, adding that Hungary and the pope both protected life, woman, man, our persecuted Christian brethren, as well as the freedom of those who think and act differently. Novak said this alliance had been made tragically timely by the war in Ukraine.



She underscored the exemplary assistance Hungary was providing to the 1.5 million refugees who have fled to Hungary, saying Hungarians saw the pain of the families who have been torn apart. But we mothers primarily want to win peace, not the war, she said.



We dont want to send our sons and husbands to the frontlines. As Hungarys first female president, Novak thanked Francis for his encouragement to women in starting families, raising children, and their role as community leaders.



Orban Meets Pope Francis







Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Pope Francis in the presidential Sandor Palace in Budapest on Friday, the PMs press chief said. In the one-on-one talks, Orban said Hungarys Fundamental Law declares Christianity as one of the nurturing forces of the Hungarian nation, Bertalan Havasi said.



Hungary would not exist without Christianity, and its future depends on sticking to that path, Orban said, adding: The Christian path is that of peace.



MTI / PM's press office photos
Celebrating mass on Sunday morning in Budapest, Pope Francis asked participants to "be open doors" and appealed to world leaders asking them "to build peace and to give the younger generations a future of hope, not war, a future full of cradles not tombs".

In his homily delivered in Kossuth Square in front of Parliament, the pope said Let us try to be  in our words, deeds and daily activities  like Jesus, an open door: a door that is never shut in anyones face, a door that enables everyone to enter and experience the beauty of the Lords love and forgiveness.



Let the Lord of life enter our hearts, with his words of consolation and healing, so that we can then go forth as open doors within society. Be open and inclusive, then, and in this way, help Hungary to grow in fraternity, which is the path of peace, said the pontiff.



He said that this morning, in this place, we sense the joy of our being Gods holy people. All of us were born of his call. He called us together, and so we are his people, his flock, his Church.



Noting that we are diverse and come from different communities, the pontiff said it is good for us to be together: bishops and priests, religious and lay faithful.



Pope Francis: Beautiful to Share Joy of Being Together







It is beautiful to share the joy of being together with the ecumenical delegations, the leaders of the Jewish community, the representatives of civil institutions and the diplomatic corps, Pope Francis said on Sunday morning, celebrating mass at the square in front of Parliament.



This is the meaning of catholicity: we Christians, all of us called by name by the Good Shepherd, are summoned to receive and spread his love, to make his fold inclusive and never to exclude others. The pope called Jesus the door that leads us back into the world.



He urges us to go forth to encounter our brothers and sisters. Let us never forget that all of us, without exception, are called to this; we are called to step out of our comfort zones and find the courage to reach out to all those peripheries that need the light of the Gospel.



He called it sad and painful to see the closed doors of our selfishness with regard to others; the closed doors of our individualism amid a society of growing isolation; the closed doors of our indifference towards the underprivileged and those who suffer; the doors we close towards those who are foreign or unlike us, towards migrants or the poor.



Closed doors also within our ecclesial communities: doors closed to other people, closed to the world, closed to those who are irregular, closed to those who long for Gods forgiveness.



Please, let us open those doors! Let us try to be  in our words, deeds and daily activities  like Jesus, an open door: a door that is never shut in anyones face, a door that enables everyone to enter and experience the beauty of the Lords love and forgiveness.



Be open and inclusive, then, and in this way, help Hungary to grow in fraternity, which is the path of peace, said Pope Francis.



Cardinal Peter Erdo, the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, led the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the mass. Closing the ceremony, Erdo thanked Pope Francis for coming to us, to people whose language is so different that it is difficult to find even a similar language all around the world.



To people who have insisted on western Christianity for a thousand years, he added. He thanked the pope for travelling to Hungary to visit the poor and refugees who had arrived from neighbouring Ukraine. We thank you for visiting the poor, sick children and young people who represent the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity to our church, the cardinal said.



Erdo also said that people living along the Danube had learnt that the river was not only a border but it also connects people if bridges are built. He cited the example of King Saint Stephen, Hungarys first king, who is today respected as a saint by the Catholic and the Orthodox churches because he was an advocate for Christ in a period when there was full unity between the churches of the East and West.



Pope Francis, in his closing prayer appealed to world leaders asking them to build peace and to give the younger generations a future of hope, not war, a future full of cradles not tombs.



He said he entrusted to patroness Magna Domina Hungarorum all Hungarians, and the faith and the future of the entire continent of Europe and the cause of peace. The pontiff thanked all Hungarians for their warm welcome and affection paid to him during his entire visit.



With gratitude for these days, I keep you in my heart and I ask you to pray for me. Isten aldd meg a magyart! [God bless the Hungarians!], he said.



The mass was attended by President Katalin Novak, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Parliamentary Speaker Laszlo Kover, among others.



Pope Francis Commemorates Hungary's Martyred Priests







The many bishops, priests, religious women and men martyred during the Communist persecution testify to the unwavering faith of Hungarians, Pope Francis said in his address in Saint Stephens Basilica on Friday afternoon.



The pope commemorated Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty, quoting the late cardinal as saying that if a million Hungarians are praying, I will have no fear of the future. Be welcoming, bear witness to the prophetic message of the Gospel, but above all be women and men of prayer, because the future depends on this, the pope said.



He thanked Hungarian priests, monks, and their co-workers for their faith and faithfulness. The pontiff made special mention of the Hungarian Sisters of the Society of Jesus, whom he had met in Argentina after they left Hungary during the religious persecution, saying they had been especially kind to him.



The pope said one of the Churchs most important tasks was to interpret changes in the world and seek to meet pastoral challenges as best we can. In this changing world we want to testify that Christ is our future.



Our lives, for all their frailty, are held firmly in his hands. If ever we forget this, we, clergy and laity alike, will end up seeking human ways and means to defend ourselves from the world, either withdrawing into our comfortable and tranquil religious oases, or else running after the shifting winds of worldliness.



In both cases, our Christianity will lose its vigour, and we will cease to be the salt of the earth, said the pope.



Francis warned, however, that in Hungary, with a solid tradition of faith, we witness the spread of secularism and its effects, which often threaten the integrity and beauty of the family, expose young people to lifestyles marked by materialism and hedonism, and lead to polarisation regarding new issues and challenges.



The Church, therefore, is faced with the temptation of locking itself up and becoming militant, said the pope, adding that this reality could also offer an opportunity for discussion and asking questions.



Christian communities have an obligation for dialogue, an obligation that they should be capable of responding to questions and challenges without fear or rigidity, he said.



On arriving at the basilica, the pope was greeted by Cardinal Peter Erdo, the head of the Hungarian Catholic Church, and Bishop Andras Veres, the leader of the Hungarian Bishops Conference.



In his address, Veres said Hungary was going through an extremely big social, political, spiritual, and religious transformation and the Church was seeking ways to face the new challenges. The Hungarian Catholic Church is working to be an active participant in the changes rather than being a passive observers, he said.



Among the challenges, Veres mentioned secularisation, hedonism, indifference to biblical values, as well as difficulties of passing on the faith in the family and the dwindling number of priests. At the same time, he pointed to new and welcome expressions of religious life such as new religious movements, Catholic schools and universities, and greater presence and involvement of laymen in church life.



Addressing the pope, the bishop said Hungarians would welcome his guidelines on this way because we want to make a credible testimony in a changing world that our future is in Christ.



Pope Francis Pays Visit to Batthyany-Strattmann Children's Home in Budapest







Pope Francis paid a private visit to the Laszlo Batthyany-Strattmann Roman Catholic childrens home where he met blind and visually impaired children on Saturday morning.



The pope was shown around in the facility where the homes residents gave a short programme and presented the pontiff with gifts prepared by them. Pope Francis received a blue-and-white and yellow-and-white small bag representing the Argentinian and the Vatican flag.



He was also presented with a yellow-and-white rosary with a small Franciscan cross made of wood and two letters, one carrying the message of the homes children in Italian and Braille and the other telling the story of the healing of a blind boy.



Accepting the gifts, Pope Francis said thanks for the tenderness with which he was welcomed in the institute. Thank you for the songs, the gestures, and your eyes. Thank you, mister director, for opening this meeting with the prayer of Saint Francis, said the pope.



The pontiff said it was a lot easier to mastermind various ideas and ideologies than accepting reality just as it is, yet that is the way to follow the Gospel.



Pope Francis: 'We Need A Church Fluent in Language of Charity'







Pope Francis said we need a Church that is fluent in the language of charity in St. Elizabeths Church where he met poor people, refugees and representatives of the Greek Catholic community, in Budapest on Saturday morning. In the church, named after the Hungarian saint patron of the poor, the pope thanked the Church in Hungary for its generous and wide-ranging service to charity.



Thank you too, for having welcomed  not only with generosity but also with enthusiasm  so many refugees from Ukraine, he said. The pontiff afterwards heard testimonies of life including a Roma woman from Mariapocs, in north-eastern Hungary, a father and his family who fled the war in Ukraine and the Budapest-based Csak Egyet charitable foundation aiding homeless people.



The pontiff said that Saint Elizabeth, to whom the Hungarian people have great devotion and affection, spoke the language of charity. He said that when it comes to aiding the poor, the sick and the homeless it is not enough to provide bread to fill stomachs; we need to fill peoples hearts!



The pope said that charity is much more than material and social assistance. It has to do with the whole person; it strives to put people back on their feet with the love of Jesus: a love that helps them to recover their beauty and their dignity.



Pope Francis: 'No One Can Take Your Place in the History of the Church and The World'







Appearing before some 11,000 young Hungarians, Pope Francis said on Saturday afternoon that remember that no one can take your place in the history of the Church and the world: no one can do what only you can do.



In his address at the event in the Papp Laszlo Sports Arena, the pope spoke about the importance of dreams, ambitions, community-building and team-work, also highlighting the importance of silence and prayer. Calling those in attendance in the arena his friends, the pontiff told them that each of you is precious to Jesus, and also to me!.



Remember that no one can take your place in the history of the Church and the world: no one can do what only you can do. Let us help each other, then, to believe that we are loved and precious, that we are made for great things. Let us pray for this and encourage one another in this! said the pope.



Speaking about the followers of Jesus, the pontiff said Jesus does not want his disciples to be like schoolchildren who merely repeat lessons learned, but young people who are free and press ahead, fellow travellers of a God who listens to their needs and is attentive to their dreams.



Jesus does not shatter their ambitions, but corrects them about the right way to achieve them. He accepts their desire for greatness, but he insists on one thing that we too must always remember: it is not by stepping upon others that we become great, but by stooping to help them.



We do not achieve greatness at the expense of others, but rather by serving them, Pope Francis said. He said that Jesus never disparages our expectations but, on the contrary, raises the bar of our desires, adding that Jesus would agree with a proverb of yours, which I hope I pronounce well: Aki mer az nyer (Those who dare, win the prize).



The pope encouraged his audience to aim high, put your talents to good use and invest in the great goals of life. The event was introduced by a greeting speech of the Hungarian lead bishop Ferenc Palanki, and the testimonies of four youths.



The pope was presented with the gifts given by the youth that included a soccer ball carrying the signature of the legendary player Ferenc Puskas, a Rubiks cube and a bottle of sweet wine from the Tokaj region.



Pope Francis Receives Budapest Mayor





Pope Francis on Saturday received Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony who was accompanied at the meeting by his wife, daughter and son, the mayors office said.



The office noted in a statement that on the first day of his visit, the pope described Budapest as a city of history, bridges and saints, adding that at Saturdays meeting he said that instead of walls, bridges are needed.



Karacsony expressed thanks to the pope for giving the citys residents an opportunity to gain strength and courage from his visit and remarks about Budapest during a period of crises.



The statement cited Karacsony telling Pope Francis that Budapest is a free and diverse city of solidarity which pays special attention to supporting those in need, the poor and refugees. It added that Karacsony and the pontiff had shared similar views concerning social justice, climate protection and environmental protection.



Karacsony welcomed the fact that the Vatican had chosen the Chain Bridge as the symbol of the papal visit, referring to the need for building bridges between people, which the mayor also considers his mission, according to the statement.



Pope Francis Warns of Risks of 'Shifting From Communism to Consumerism'







Pope Francis, in his address at the Pazmany Peter Catholic University on Sunday afternoon, warned of the risks of shifting from communism to consumerism in a closing event of his three-day visit to Budapest.



Meeting representatives of academic and cultural life at the university Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, the pontiff emphasised the importance of self-knowledge, the recognition of ones limitations and curbing the presumption of self-sufficiency. He said the first of two thoughts he wanted to leave with his audience was Know thyself, citing the famous maxim from the temple of Delphi.



Knowing yourself, the pope said meant that we must be able to recognise our limitations and, consequently, to curb the presumption of self-sufficiency. He said that once we realise that we are creatures, we become creative, adding that we learn to immerse ourselves in the world instead of attempting to dominate it.



The second thought Pope Francis said he wanted to leave with those present concerned truth. He cited Jesus who said that the truth will make you free. He said that Hungary had seen a succession of ideologies that imposed themselves as truth, yet failed to bestow freedom. Today too, the risk remains. I think of the shift from communism to consumerism. Common to both those isms is a false notion of freedom.



Communism offered a freedom that was restricted, limited from without, determined by someone else. Consumerism promises a hedonistic, conformist, libertine freedom that enslaves people to consumption and to material objects, the pope said.



He said it was easy to pass from limits imposed on thinking, as in communism, to the belief that there are no limits, as in consumerism! To pass from a blinkered freedom to an unbridled freedom.

Closing his address, Pope Francis expressed hope that every university will always be a beacon of universality and freedom, a fruitful workshop of humanism, a laboratory of hope. I bless you from the heart, and I thank you for all that you are doing. Koszonom szepen! (Thank you very much!), said the pontiff.



Pope Francis Bids Farewell to Budapest





Pope Francis left Budapest following an official farewell ceremony on Sunday afternoon, with his aircraft taking off from Liszt Ferenc International short after 6pm. The pontiff concluded a three-day apostolic visit to Hungary.



He was bid farewell by President Katalin Novak, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen, Hungarian church leaders and around a hundred of volunteers waving flags of Hungary and the Vatican. Novak earlier handed over a bundle of cheese-straws she had personally prepared for the pope as a farewell gift.



MTI Photos
Spots are still available for the EntrepreneurShip Investigation(ESI) camp for local middle school students, sixth through eighth grade, who think they have what it takes to be their own boss.

ESI camp is put on through the collaborative efforts of the York County Development Corporation, York Chamber of Commerce, University of Nebraska Extension-York County and York Public Schools.

The University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources offers the interactive curriculum of ESI, which then is taught by educators and professionals from York Public Schools and Nebraska Extension-York County. YCDC and the York Chamber line up speakers, lunch-and-learns and field trips to Lincoln for participants.

The students will meet a total of seven times over the course of two weeks and will develop entrepreneurial skills, do case studies and participate in various activities to become successful, young entrepreneurs.

Emily Perry, YCDC development coordinator, said they encourage the students to come up with an idea or two of what they would like to do for their business and they will develop a business plan for their product.

In previous years, a couple of students have made planters out of tree stumps and hydro-dipped water bottles. Perry said, The more creative they are, the more fun they will have.

Each student will seek funding through meetings with business executives and investors from the areas. The students can receive a $50 loan," that they will eventually have to pay back at the end of the camp.

Perry shared, I want our students to be able to walk out and think critically and develop those interpersonal skills, so being able to reach out to a marketing person and asking them what they are looking for or selling their products and being able to talk to customers about their product. I hope they also gain confidence that comes from knowing what they are doing and what their goals are.

At the end of the camp, the students are given the opportunity to sell their product during York Balloon Days sidewalk sales. After paying back their loan, the students get to pocket the rest.

Perry said, One thing YCDC really focuses on is workforce in York, so these students are hopefully going to choose to come back to York County. Not only are we helping them develop connections with local employers that will hopefully be long-lasting, but were also saying Here, have some experience with marketing and if you really like that, heres a person you can talk to or If you really like finance, heres a person you can talk to about that. A lot of these students havent been exposed to that sort of experience. Giving them a platform with education and professional guidance will get them to that first step of what they want to do.

The ESI camp dates are:

Wednesday, July 5

Thursday, July 6

Friday, July 7 (Lincoln Trip)

Tuesday, July 11

Wednesday, July 12

Thursday, July 13

Saturday, July 15 (Sidewalk Sales)

The maximum camp fee is no more than $50, which will be due two weeks after notification of acceptance into the program. Registration closes Friday, May 5. More information can be found on www.yorkdevco.com.
Hero MotoCorp, the worlds largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, sold 396,107 units in April 2023. The company also managed to take the top spot in the Indian market, as its biggest competitor - Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India Limited, could wholesale only 3.74 lakh units last month. Well, in comparison to the corresponding month of the last year, Hero MotoCorp has registered a negative year on year growth. The homegrown brand sold a total of 4.18 lakh units in April 2022. While the major chunk of sales came from motorcycles, scooters sales stood low at 27,277 units.

The brand sold a total of 3,68,830 motorcycles in April this year. Also, the domestic sales are observed at 3,86,184 units, while Hero MotoCorp exported a total of 9,923 two-wheelers from India. The Company expects the momentum to build-up in the coming months on account of a combination of multiple factors, including a slew of new product launches, a healthy growth in country's GDP and positive consumer sentiments.

Echoing the brand promise of Hero MotoCorp and Harley Davidson of enabling #FreedomonWheels, Dr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, presented a purpose-built Harley-Davidson Road King to a specially-abled employee, Chitra Zutshi. The handover ceremony was organized at Heros Global Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, where Chitra piloted the motorcycle herself at the testing track under the supervision of an expert.

Also read - Maruti Suzuki Brezza: 5 Things Making Compact SUV A Best-Seller In India

Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the Companys motorsport division concluded an impressive run at the Sonora Rally 2023. Ross Branch and Sebastian Buhler who represented Team Hero MotoSports at their first outing in North America, crossed the finish line of the rally securing the 7th and 10th overall positions respectively.

In April, VIDA  Powered by Hero  the Companys emerging mobility brand - became the official electric-mobility partner of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. 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 N2N Connect Berhad (KLSE:N2N), since the last five years saw the share price fall 57%. The falls have accelerated recently, with the share price down 17% in the last three months. This could be related to the recent financial results - you can catch up on the most recent data by reading our company report.

It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that.

Check out our latest analysis for N2N Connect Berhad

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During the five years over which the share price declined, N2N Connect Berhad's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 9.2% each year. This reduction in EPS is less than the 16% annual reduction in the share price. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on N2N Connect Berhad'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. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for N2N Connect Berhad the TSR over the last 5 years was -49%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

While the broader market lost about 4.7% in the twelve months, N2N Connect Berhad shareholders did even worse, losing 18% (even including dividends). Having said that, it's inevitable that some stocks will be oversold in a falling market. The key is to keep your eyes on the fundamental developments. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 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. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand N2N Connect Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with N2N Connect Berhad (including 1 which doesn't sit too well with us) .

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.

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Mid-size SUVs are the new blockbusters for carmakers. While most manufacturers are already enjoying success in this segment, others want to participate and post profits. New name on the list is coming from Japan. Yes, Honda has been testing its new mid-size SUV on Indian soil since long. The company released the first teaser in January this year and confirmed that the new SUV will go on sale by summer this year. As per recent reports, it has been confirmed that it will be called Honda Elevate. The global unveiling will take place on June 6 in India, followed by its launch in our land first, then in international markets.

2023 Honda Elevate Mid-Size SUV: Design

In the new images, it is visible that the Honda SUV has a noticeable road presence. Although design highlights are neatly tucked away under the camouflage, its stance is bold, nonetheless. The bonnet is high-set and flat-ish. Also, the font face is upright, and it is expected to get a large radiator grille with a chunky slat on the top. Flanked by slim headlamps on either side, LED DRLs will utilise a slim, whisker-like approach. Moreover, the lower air dam will be accentuated by a skid plate.

Around the sides, the Hondas Creta rivalling offering will have dual-tone alloy wheels, likely to be 17 inches. The glass area will be large with a quarter-glass in place. Also, the roof rails will add to the butchness. The tail section of the SUV will don wraparound tail lamps, and the registration plate will sit on the boot lid. The bumper is likely to get a dual-tone finish with a silver skid plate. Also, the black cladding will run across its length and breadth.

Also read - 2023 Honda Shine 100 First Ride Review: Should Hero Splendor Be Scared?

2023 Honda Elevate Mid-Size SUV: Price & Specs

Under the bonnet, the powertrain will be borrowed from the City facelift. The 1.5L NA petrol will be utilised here in its RDE-spec avatar. It will be E20 compatible as well. The company is also said to be preparing to offer the strong-hybrid setup on the Elevate. If it happens, the Honda Elevate could join the bandwagon with Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. The prices could very well start from around Rs 11 lakh and go up to Rs 19 lakh for the top-spec strong hybrid variant.

2023 Honda Elevate Mid-Size SUV: Interior

A modern yet practical layout for the dashboard is anticipated on this Honda like others. Feature list might comprise a large touchscreen infotainment unit, digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charger, ventilated front seat, electric sunroof, automatic climate control, up to 6 airbags, and Honda Sensing safety suite.
Go First, formerly known as GoAir, a Wadia Group-owned airline, today announced to file an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Delhi. The airline declared to cancel all filed till May 5, as it goes bankrupt amid severe cash crunch. Nearly two years ago, Go First filed draft papers for an initial public offering worth Rs 3,600 crore amid the pandemic headwinds. The fund-raising plan did not take off, engine supply woes mounted and two years later, the Wadia group-owned airline has run out of funds to fly. Here's a look at the history of the Go First:

Go First: History

Flying for more than 17 years, Go First, earlier known as Go Air, has remained relatively ambitious in terms of expansion of fleet and network compared to its more aggressive competitors, reported PTI. The budget airline started domestic operations in 2005-06 with the first flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad and then in 2018-19, launched international operations.

On May 13, 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic headwinds were blowing strong, the airline announced rebranding itself as 'Go First' with a focus on an ultra-low-cost business model.

Go First: Market Share

The no-frills carrier flew 109.02 lakh domestic passengers and the market share stood at 8.8 per cent in 2022. The airline trail behinds IndiGo, which is the largest airline with over 50 percent market share, Air India, which holds nearly 10 percent market share in India and Vistara, with around 9 percent market share. Go First is better in terms of share from SpiceJet and AirAsia India.

Go First: Fleet

Since commencing operations, Go First placed two orders for 72 A320 neo planes each with Airbus, one in 2011-12 and another in 2016-17. The P&W issue has grounded almost 25 planes of the airline.

Go First: Losses And Liabilities

Currently, the airline has liabilities of nearly Rs 9,000 crore. The cash-starved airline reported a loss in the range of Rs 1,800 crore, including an Rs 800 crore notional loss due to accounting standards in the financial year ended March 2023.

Go First: What's The Issue?

As the airline filed an application on Tuesday for insolvency resolution proceedings, Go First said it has been forced to take the decision due to "serial failure" of Pratt & Whitney engines resulting in the grounding of 50 per cent of the fleet and is no longer in a position to continue to meet its financial obligations. To keep the airline afloat, promoters have infused funds worth Rs 3,200 crore in the last three years and out of the total amount, Rs 2,400 crore was injected in the last 24 months.

An amount of Rs 290 crore was pumped in April this year. "This brings the total investment in the airline since its inception to approximately Rs 6,500 crore," the airline said in a statement. Further, Go First has received around Rs 1,000 crore from the government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines and that the government has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved, he said, adding that it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

Go First: Future

While domestic air traffic is soaring, Go First is grappling with turbulence due to engine supply woes while the once-stories Jet Airways is struggling to restart operations despite finding a bidder under the insolvency resolution process. More than 180 Go First flights will be out of the skies on Wednesday and Thursday. 'What next' is the question before the airline, stakeholders, authorities and passengers as the aviation space encounters another turbulent episode.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on release of the movie 'The Kerala Story' on grounds that its a 'worst kind of hate speech' and an 'audio-visual propaganda'.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph a BV Nagarathna was told by senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha that the trailer of the movie, which is scheduled to be released on Friday, has garnered 16 million views. Pasha said, "This movie is the worst kind of hate speech. It is completely audio-visual propaganda".

The bench said, "There are varieties of hate speeches. This film has got certification and has been cleared by the board. It's not like a person getting on the podium and starts giving uncontrolled speech. If you want to challenge the release of the movie, you should challenge the certification and through appropriate forum." Sibal then said that he will do whatever necessary.

Justice Nagarathna said the petitioner should first approach the high court. Pasha said there was no time left as the movie is scheduled to release on Friday.

"This is not a ground. Otherwise everyone will start coming to the Supreme Court", the bench said. Pasha said that is why he has filed an intervention application in the hate speech matter. Justice Joseph said though he may not be advising the petitioner but for seeking appropriate remedy a substantial writ petition needs to be filed.

The Hindi film is based on the theme of religious conversion.
Maharashtra Board Result 2023: Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education is expected to announce the result release date of Maharashtra SSC, and HSC results soon on the official website. According to past trends, the Maharashtra Board will release the HSC results before the SSC results in 2023. According to the latest reports, the Class 12 results will be revealed in the second week of May, and the Class 10 results will be released in the third week of May.

The outcome date will be posted here as soon as it is verified. From 2018 through 2022, Maharashtra SSC results were issued in the first week of June, the second last week, or the last week of June, with the exception of 2021, when the results were released in July and no exams were held due to COVID.

Maharashtra Board Result 2023: Here's how to check

Visit the official website of the board at mahahsscboard.in

On the homepage, click on the results (Class 10, 12) link

After being redirected to another page, enter the required details

Post submitting the same, the result will open up on the screen

Go through the same and download it

Take its printout for future reference

Around 15,77,256 candidates across the state registered for the Maharashtra 10th exams 2023 and are awaiting their Maharashtra SSC Result 2023. There were 8,44,116 boys and 7,33,067 girls among the total candidates who took the tests, which were held in a total of 5,033 exam centers. Students will be able to view their results by providing their roll number and the first name of their mother.
New Delhi: Jailed gangster Tillu Tajpuriya, an accused in Delhi's Rohini court shootout case, was killed allegedly by rival gang members in Tihar jail, prison officials said on Tuesday. According to the prison officials, Tillu Tajpuriya was immediately taken to Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

"This morning around 7 am, information was received from DDU Hospital regarding two undertrial prisoners who were brought to the hospital from Tihar Jail. One of them, Sunil alias Tilu was brought in an unconscious state. He was declared brought dead later. Another person, Rohit is undergoing treatment and is out of danger," Akshat Kaushal, Additional DCP West District, Delhi Police said.

The police said that a prisoner named Yogesh Tunda, who was lodged in Jail No. 8 and other members of the rival gang attacked Tillu, who was lodged in Jail No. 9 with an iron grill.

"Yogesh alias Tunda and Deepak alias Teetar attacked Tillu Tajpuriya by breaking the iron grills of the ward which separated both gangs in the same ward," the official said.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.

On September 24 last year, two shooters shot and killed Jitendra Gogi in Rohini Court No. 207 during a shootout.

Sources had said in September last year, a day before the Rohini shootout, (shooters) Umang and Jagdeep took weapons from a crook named Rakesh Tajpuria in Murthal.

"Then on the same day, Umang and Jagdeep took the dress of lawyers from a person near AIIMS. Meanwhile, Tillu was in constant touch with both of them through WhatsApp calls from jail," sources said.
Pune: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday likened veteran Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawars announcement to step down as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and likened his decision to the 'resignation' of Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Sanjay Raut took to Twitter and tweeted, Fed up by dirty politics and allegations, Shiv Sena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray too had resigned as the Shivsena Pramukh. History seems to have repeated itself... But owing to the love of Shivsainiks he had to withdraw his decision...Like Balasaheb , Pawar Saheb too is the soul of the state's politics.

Fed up by dirty Politics and allegations , Shivsena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray too had resigned as the Shivsena Pramukh. History seems to have repeated itself... But owing to the love of Shivsainiks he had to withdraw his decision...

Like Balasaheb , Pawar Saheb too is the pic.twitter.com/A0wq3XcnLU  Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) May 2, 2023

Raut's party Shiv Sena (UBT) is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi that also comprises NCP and the Congress.

Sharad Pawar Steps Down As NCP Chief

Springing a surprise, Pawar on Tuesday said he was stepping down as the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the political outfit he founded and helmed since 1999. He made the announcement at the launch of a revised version of his autobiography.

The NCP patron also stated that he will not contest any more elections. "After this prolonged period of political career from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Pawar said after the launch of the second edition of his autobiography Lok Maze Sangati.

Pawar further said that he would continue working in the political, social and cultural life. "I have three years tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections now," the veteran leader said.

Recalling his political career, the NCP supremo said, "Since the formation of the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999, I have had the privilege of being elected as its President, which today is in its 24th year. This entire journey of being in public life, which began on May 1, 1960, has continued unabated for the past 63 years, having served Maharashtra and India in various capacities during this period. I have three years of tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections henceforth. In these three years, I will concentrate more on issues concerning to state and the country. I will not take on any additional responsibilities. I started my political career on May 1, 1960. Yesterday we celebrated May Day. After this prolonged political career, one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy. I will never take the position of sticking to a post after so many years. Therefore, you might feel uneasy. But I have decided to retire from the post of the NCP chief."

The four-time chief minister of Maharashtra has previously served as the Minister of Defence in the Cabinet of P V Narsimha Rao and as Minister of Agriculture in the Cabinet of Manmohan Singh. He was the first and former president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was founded in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress.

Speaking after the release of his autobiography, Pawar said that it was time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take. The NCP leader, however, said that he would not take retirement from public life even after resigning from the party post.

"Even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life. Constant travel has become an integral part of my life. I will continue attending public events, and meetings. Whether in Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Delhi or any other part of India, I will be available to all of you as usual. I will continue to work round the clock to solve the people`s problems," he said.

Pawar Constitutes Panel

Sharad Pawar also recommended a committee of senior NCP leaders to decide on the future course of action. The committee will include Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, P C Chacko, Narhari Zirwal, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujabl, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Jaydev Gaikwad and chiefs of party frontal cells, Pawar said.

Protests By NCP Leaders, Workers

After his announcement, several NCP leaders and workers were seen chanting slogans asking Pawar to take back his decision. Pawar`s decision came as a surprise for many of his partymen. NCP MP Praful Patel said, "We have requested Sharad Pawar ji with folded hand to withdraw the decision. I request him to withdraw the decision on behalf of all. The state and the country need his leadership."

In an attempt to pacify agitated party workers, Patel said, "Repeating the same thing won`t solve any purpose and it's meaningless. We senior leaders will talk to Pawar Saheb." NCP leader Anil Deshmukh, who was present at the meeting in Mumbai where Pawar announced his decision, said that the state and the country need Pawar Saheb. There is an insistence by everybody that Pawar Saheb remains as the chief of the party (NCP) and we have urged him to review his decision, he told a Marathi news channel.

Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar supported the latter`s decision to step down from the party President's post. "Pawar Sahab himself had said about the necessity of change in the guard a few days ago. we should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won`t take it back," Ajit Pawar said.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday launched a series of attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that he and his family were being constantly "abused" by the BJP. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said these in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s recent claim that Congress abused him "91 times".

Reacting to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge`s venomous snake remark, the PM on Saturday said that till now the Congress party and its leaders have abused him 91 times. "During the Karnataka election campaign, PM Modi said that Congress has abused him 91 times. PM and his team have time to count the abuses but people from his party are abusing me and Aaditya every day. They are using abusive language, why is PM not stopping them? We will answer them in the same language," Uddhav said in Mumbai on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.

The former Maharashtra chief minister alleged that their abusive language shows their culture. I am asking the RSS: do you accept such an offspring (BJP), Thackeray said. Referring to the criticism he has faced for joining hands with the Congress and NCP, Thackeray said, When I go with the Congress and NCP, they (BJP) claim that I have forsaken Hindutva. If that is the case, then what about (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwats visit to a mosque, he said.

Speaking about the Barsu refinery protest, Uddhav Thackeray said, "I will visit Barsu on May 6 to meet the local people who are opposing the proposed oil refinery. No one can stop me from visiting Barsu, it`s part of Maharashtra. Notably, the residents of Barsu village in Ratnagiri have been protesting against the setting up of the refinery.

"The golden land of our Mumbai was sold for the bullet train. Why this bullet train will do? Who will go from Mumbai to Ahmedabad? I don`t know how many "Khokhas" they have taken from this. I will break them if they break Mumbai from Maharashtra, all projects have been shifted to other states," Uddhav said.

Maharashtra Day, commonly known as Maharashtra Diwas, is celebrated to mark the bifurcation of the "Bombay" state on a linguistic basis into two states: Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Bombay Reorganization Act came into effect on May 1, 1960, as a result of several protests and movements that demanded the creation of an individual state.

Moreover, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut also said, "There were attempts to separate Mumbai so they wanted to divide Shiv Sena and they did it because it will not be possible if Shiv Sena is here. We are not scared of you...In 2024 (Assembly polls) MVA will come into power." "There is some such force sitting in Delhi which wants to break Maharashtra once again and wants to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, but no one can separate Mumbai from Maharashtra as long as we have breath," he alleged.

Speaking on the Kharghar mishap, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said, "There`s still no FIR pertaining to Kharghar mishap. We demanded a special investigation into the same. This government is insensitive, the incident is a black spot in the history of Maharashtra and this happened in front of Union Home Minister Amit Shah."

As many as 13 people, who attended the open-air Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony on April 16, at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, died from heatstroke.
New Delhi: Jack Ma, the creator of Alibaba Group, is currently a professor at a new university in Tokyo. After going dark for a while as Beijing tightened down on tech entrepreneurs in late 2020, it appears that the billionaire is finally prepared to resume his public persona. Although the billionaire has accepted a visiting professor position at the college, he hasn't started teaching full-time.

He has a contract with the college that runs through the end of October 2023, but he has the option to renew it annually. Ma has enrolled in a college run by the University of Tokyo that was established in 2019. (Also Read: Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023: Best Deals On Mid-Range Smartphones)

According to reports, this college was established to serve as a hub for communication between the University of Tokyo and foreign researchers as well as research organisations. (Also Read: Top Smartphones Likely To Launch In May 2023 In India: Check Price, Specifications And More)

He will be educating students at the university in a variety of ways, including by giving advice on significant research topics and giving lectures on management and business startup.

According to the Financial Times, Ma's most recent action is one of the few public commitments he has made outside of China. The billionaire vanished from China in the latter part of 2021, but he later turned up in places like Australia, Japan, and Thailand.

After living abroad for more than a year, Jack Ma returned to mainland China as the Chinese government eased off on the crackdown.

Ma has largely shied away from the spotlight, but after criticising China's regulatory system, he was apparently held responsible by a large number of individuals for the government's decision to launch a widespread crackdown on regulations.

"Ma's trip back to China had great symbolic value. He is an example of the nation's entrepreneurial confidence, according to Brian A. Wong, a former executive of Alibaba and the author of The Tao of Alibaba. Additionally, he claimed that Ma's return indicates "Alibaba is refreshing."

In addition, Wong stated, "Jack retired from the company and is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations, but his views and opinions still matter and have influence behind the scenes."
New Delhi: Retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had last month issued a new circular, prescribnig the details of internal procedures that will be implemented if a request for a higher pension is submitted by the employee.

Releasing its circular with subject 'application for validation of option / joint options- scrutiny of information and wage details submitted by the employee and employer', the retirement fund body said that an online facility has been deployed and is available up to 03.05.2023 for receipt of the two things through the employers: a) Application forms for validation of joint options from the employees who retired prior to 01.09.2014 and B) Joint option forms from the employees who were members on 01.09.2014.

Who is Eligible For EPS Higher Pension?

As per the SC judgment and EPFO circular, the following employees are eligible to apply for a pension on higher wages -

The employees and employers who had contributed on basic salary in April14, exceeding ceiling of Rs 5000 or Rs 6500;

Who did not exercise/opt for a joint option for pension on higher wages prior to April 1, 2014; and

Employee who was a member of EPF/EPS prior to April 1, 2014 and continued to be a member on or after April 1, 2014.



How To Apply For EPS Higher Pension?

All the eligible employees may apply for pension on higher wages, online through the EPFO employee portal

Check out this link - https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberInterfacePohw/no-auth/pensionOnHigherWages/getPohwHomePage?_HDIV_STATE_=13-0-63C2597FAE3EF4E6C816693BF2FB132E)

The employees need to also submit an undertaking to deposit the contributions along with the interest due till the date of payment.

The EPFO said that Applications/Joint options will be examined by Field.

"In case, the requirements are complete, the wage details submitted by the employers will be verified with the data available with the field offices. The cases where FO details and employers details match, the dues will be calculated and an order will be passed by APFC / RPFC-II / RPFC-I for depositing / transferring the dues. The cases where there is a mismatch, the same will be informed to the employer and the employee / pensioner by APFC / RPFC-II. They will be given a time of one month to complete the information," EPFO added.

However, if application form or joint option which is submitted by the employee is not approved by the employer, before any rejection, an opportunity will be given to the employer for providing any additional proof or evidence or correct any mistakes / errors (including those made by employees / pensioners). Such opportunity will be for a period of one month and under intimation to the employees / pensioners, EPFO said.

"In cases where the submitted information is not complete or seems erroneous or any information in application/ joint option form needs correction request or not found eligible, APFC/RPFC-II will seek information from the employers under intimation to the employees / pensioners within one month. If complete information is received, the case shall be processed further as at 3 above. However, if, complete information is not received within one month, the order will be passed on merit by the APFC /RPFC-II/RPFC-I," the EPFO circular said.

The retirement fund body further added that any grievance by the applicant can be registered on EPFIGMS after submission of his request form and payment of due contribution, if any.

"The registration of such grievance shall be under specified category of higher pension with reference to Supreme Court Judgment dated 04.11.2022. All such grievances shall be addressed and disposed of at the level of Nominated Officer. Grievances will be monitored by the Officer in-Charge of Regional Office and Zonal Office," it added.
Karachi: Fatima Bhutto, author, activist, and the granddaughter of Pakistan's late prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, set a new precedent by visiting a Hindu temple here after her marriage, stirring the social media with some users praising the gesture while others wondering what was she doing there. The intimate nikkah ceremony of Fatima, 40, niece of slain premier Benazir Bhutto and daughter of Murtaza Bhutto, took place at her grandfather's library here on Friday.

Fatima and her husband, Graham Gibran stirred social media when they visited the ancient Mahadev Temple in Karachi on Sunday as a homage to Hindu Sindhis laying the roots of Karachi in ancient times.

Accompanied by her brother Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto junior and Hindu leaders at the temple, Fatima and her husband, a Christian, poured milk over the deity as per rituals.

The gesture received a mixed response after their picture hit social media.

"Lovely to watch such images," a Twitter user commented on the picture.

"Lovely," another user wrote.

But many wondered what she was doing in a Hindu temple.

"What is the essence of this rasam (ritual)," another Twitter user asked.

"So in Sindh secularism is to follow Hinduism," another said.

Fatima's brother in a tweet said that due to the difficult circumstances felt by our fellow countrymen and women, we all felt it would be inappropriate to celebrate lavishly.

"Please keep Fatima and Graham (Gibran) in your prayers," he stated.

The ceremony was attended by Fatimas loved ones in our grandfathers library, a place that means a lot to my dear sister. Due to the difficult circumstances felt by our fellow countrymen and women, we all felt it would be inappropriate to celebrate lavishly.  Zulfikar Ali Bhutto    (@BhuttoZulfikar) April 28, 2023

According to media reports, Fatima's husband Graham is an American citizen.

Yesterday, Graham and I married in a small nikkah ceremony in my family home, 70 Clifton. pic.twitter.com/Mf4s4Ti9Lh April 29, 2023

We wont be having any other ceremonies, Im not one for opulent weddings but especially now it feels so inappropriate given what so many are struggling through. I missed my darling father tremendously, but he was with us. I felt him in my heart and among us as everyone present pic.twitter.com/4rHJBQtVgD  fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) April 29, 2023

The Bhutto family has remained a formidable force in Pakistan politics but has also been hit by tragedies.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged by the late military dictator Zia ul Haq in April 1979 after a military coup.

His eldest daughter, Benazir Bhutto who also served as premier, was assassinated in Rawalpindi in December 2007.

Her brother Murtaza Bhutto was also killed along with six other party activists in September 1996 near the Bhutto's residence in Clifton by the police at a time when his sister was the prime minister.

Her younger brother Shahnawaz Bhutto was found dead in his apartment in France in 1985.
InsightAce Analytic Pvt. LTd.

Companies covered in this report are Atolla, Ave & Edam, Bare Anatomy, Clinique Laboratories, LLC, CODAGE, Coty Inc., Curology, Inc., DermaCare, Evreda Skincare, FitSkin Inc, Function of Beauty, Glory Skincare

Jersey City, NJ, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The newly published report titled Global Personalized Skincare Market By Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Covid-19 Analysis, Revenue (US$ Billions) and Forecast Till 2031. of InsightAce Analytic showcases in-depth industry analysis and an extensive study on the market forecast, exploring its significant factors.

"According to the latest published InsightAce market report, Personalized Skin Care Market Size was valued at 18.55 Billion in 2022 & is predicted to reach 43.43 Billion by 2031 at a 10.1 % CAGR during the forecast period for 2023-2031".

Every person's skin type is different, so instead of the usual way of shopping, consumers need a medication tailored to their own needs. Personalized skincare products are designed and customized, taking into account various factors such as age, gender, skin type, genetic background, ingredients, skin problems, and user experience. Beauty companies collect consumer information in the form of questions, queries, consultations, digital format, or home inspection tools and use advanced technology and science to provide the most popular personalized skincare products. These products contain a variety of skincare options, including oils, face creams, lotions, serums, cleansers, and more.





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The technological advances in the beauty industry, adoption of the Internet and social media platforms by users to market products, high prevalence of skin and lifestyle diseases worldwide, increasing people's choice in personal health care, rising consumer spending, rising R&D activities to develop advanced skincare products, surging personalized beauty treatments and products, and the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to develop cost-effective personalized skincare products are expected to drive the market growth opportunities in the coming years. The proliferation of skin, hair, and lifestyle changes has made consumers eager to find solutions to their specific skin problems. Therefore, growing consumer awareness about skincare is expected to fuel the market demand over the next few years. However, the high rates of customized skincare products and the few side effects associated with these products are estimated to slow down market growth over the forecast period.



Story continues

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the beauty and cosmetics industry due to lockdown restrictions in various countries across the globe. However, Covid-19 has also encouraged the entire beauty industry to move online. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated existing consumer trends and propelled online activities to be more prevalent than offline activities, which produced the desires for various products in the consumers.

Key Industry Developments from Leading Players:

In November 2021, Coty Inc. (US), the world's largest beauty company, collaborated with Orveda, an ultra-premium skincare brand made in France. The diversity-owned Haute-professional skincare offers the combination of the best of nature with cutting-edge dermatological and biotechnology benefits to help consumers achieve a healthy skin glow that rivals makeup

In August 2021, Function of Beauty (US), a leader in customizable hair, skin, and body care products, acquired Atolla, a personalized skincare company with a patented at-home skincare test and a data-driven product recommendation system that helps inform tailored formulations and regimens over time

In January 2021, Marianna Naturals Corp. (Canada) and Perfect Corp. launched a real-time skin diagnostic tool that analyzes four popular beauty concerns: spots, wrinkles, texture, and dark circles

The prominent players in the personalized skincare industry include:



Atolla (the US)

Ave & Edam (Germany)

Bare Anatomy (India)

Clinique Laboratories, LLC (the US)

CODAGE (France)

Coty Inc. (the US)

Curology, Inc. (the US)

DermaCare (the US)

Evreda Skincare (Canada)

FitSkin Inc (the US)

Function of Beauty (the US)

Glory Skincare (the US)

insitU Cosmetics Ltd. (UK)

IOMA Paris (France)

It's The Buff (the US)

Kiehl's LLC (the US)

Kura Skin, Labote (the US)

Lancome (France)

L'Occitane Group (France)

L'Oreal, Marianna Naturals Corp. (Canada)

My Beauty Matches (UK)

Neutrogena (the US)

Romy Paris (France)

Sequential Skin (UK)

Shiseido Company (Japan)

Skin Authority (the US)

Skin Inc. (Singapore)

SkinAI LLC (Our Skin) (the US)

SkinCeuticals (the US)

Skinsei Skincare (the US)

SKINSHIFT (the US)

SKINTELLI (the US)

EpigenCare (the US)

Vitruvi (Canada)

Younique, LLC (the US)

Yours Skincare (the US)

Personalized Skin Care Market Report Scope:

Report Attribute Specifications Market Size Value In 2022 USD 18.55 Billion Revenue Forecast In 2031 USD 43.43 Billion Growth Rate CAGR CAGR of 10.1 % from 2023 to 2031 Quantitative Units Representation of revenue in US$ Billion and CAGR from 2023 to 2031 Historic Year 2019 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2031 Report Coverage The forecast of revenue, the position of the company, the competitive market structure, growth prospects, and trends Segments Covered By Product, By Application Regional Scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa Country Scope U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Mexico ;The UK; France; Italy; Spain; China; Japan; India; South Korea; South East Asia; South Korea; South East Asia

Personalized Skincare MarketRegional Analysis:



North America is projected to hold the highest revenue share of the personalized skincare market over the forecast years due to the rising awareness among the population about personal care, growing healthcare expenditure, and increasing innovations of personalized skincare products. Apart from this, Asia-pacific is estimated to be the rapidly growing regional market in the coming years, owing to the rising health-conscious people, growing skin problems, and increasing R&D investments to innovate effective and safe skincare products.





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The Global Personalized Skincare Market Segments:

The Global Personalized Skincare Market Estimates (Value US$ Billion) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2019 to 2030 based on Products

Face Cream

Moisturizing Lotion

Face Serum

Face Cleanser

Other Products

The Global Personalized Skincare Market Estimates (Value US$ Billion) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2019 to 2030 based on Applications

Consultation/digital questionnaires

Apps and specialized hardware

Home test kits

Other IoT/AI Based technologies

The Global Personalized Skincare Market Estimates (Value US$ Billion) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2019 to 2030 based on Region

Europe

North America

Latin America

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

North America Personalized Skincare Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Billion) by Country, 2019 to 2030

U.S.

Canada

Europe Personalized Skincare Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Billion) by Country, 2019 to 2030

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific Personalized Skincare Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Billion) by Country, 2019 to 2030

India

China

Japan

South Korea

Australia & New Zealand

Latin America Personalized Skincare Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Billion) by Country, 2019 to 2030

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

The Middle East & Africa Personalized Skincare Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Billion) by Country, 2019 to 2030

GCC Countries

South Africa

Rest of the Middle East & Africa





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PARIS: French police clashed with hundreds of black-clad anarchists in Paris and other cities during union-led protests against President Emmanuel Macron's increase in the retirement age, as workers staged Labour Day rallies across Europe. Demonstrators pelted Paris police with Molotov cocktails and fireworks, torched building materials and smashed up bus stops. Protesters marching peacefully booed the police as they responded with tear gas and baton charges.

Emergency services used water canon to put out a fire that blackened the windows of nearby flats. One officer was badly injured when he was struck by a fiery projectile.

Violence also erupted in Lyon and Nantes, where some vehicles were set ablaze and business premises were trashed. Nearly 200 people were arrested on a day some 7,82,000 people took to the streets, according to the interior ministry.

Macron last month raised the retirement age by two years to 64 despite multi-sector strikes, in a move that drove his popularity down to near the record lows seen during the "Yellow Vest" crisis of 2018-2019.

The reform has crystallised discontent against a president perceived by many as aloof and indifferent to their daily hardships, and he has been met during walkabouts aimed at rebuilding support by heckling and pot banging.

"They (government) are trying to change the subject quite quickly, but let's say it's not working. So much the better!" said sculptor Antoine Eveillo.

Trade unions had called for a big turnout as they seek to force a U-turn by Macron's government, which forced its pension law through without a final vote in the National Assembly, where it lacks a working majority.

Opinion polls show a substantial majority of French people oppose the higher retirement age.

"The executive cannot govern without the support of its people," said Sophie Binet, leader of the hard-left CGT union.

Binet said the CGT had not yet decided whether to participate in talks with the government on other labour-related issues such as salaries, working conditions and hardship benefits.

The moderate CFDT union will take part in those discussions, its leader Laurent Berger said.

But Berger also dismissed suggestions that a rare alliance between the leading trade unions was being tested now that the pension bill had been signed into law.

The pension system is a cornerstone of France's cherished social protection model. A banner reading "Retirement before arthritis!" summed up the disgust felt by many at being told to work longer.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy's three main unions rallied in the southern city of Potenza, protesting against a labour package approved by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's rightist government.

During a parade in the Swiss city of Zurich, demonstrators threw water balloons at police and spray-painted properties.

Macron says the French reform is needed to help shore up one of the industrialised world's most generous pension systems.

French pension payments as a share of pre-retirement earnings are comfortably higher than elsewhere and a French man typically spends longer in retirement than those in other OECD nations.

Retired metalworker Michel Maingy said he felt the battle over pensions was lost. Even so, there were still fights to be won in negotiations over working conditions, he said.

"We need to keep our chins up," he said ahead of the Nantes protest.

A hardening of the political opposition risks complicating the rest of Macron's reform agenda, including an employment bill that would require those receiving the minimum welfare benefit to work or get training for 15-20 hours per week.

Fitch cut France's sovereign credit rating on Friday by one notch to 'AA-', citing the social unrest and potential political deadlock.
As if carmakers were waiting for the mercury to rise, so it can be raised furthermore. I am saying so because a host of new car launches are lined-up for this month. What we know so far is that the bar is set to go high with a multitude of interesting cars coming our way. The list includes hatchbacks, luxury SUVs, lifestyle vehicles, and mid-size SUVs. Also, powertrain choices arent just limited to petrol and diesel on this list. An electric car and a CNG-powered hatch are a part of this list. So, without wasting any more words, lets start with the list.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Expected to launch this month, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny is one of the most anticipated launches in the country. The lifestyle SUV was unveiled at the 2023 Auto Expo in a 5-door format with a 1.5L petrol engine. It sits under the sub-4m mark to take advantage of the small car tax, and therefore, is expected to have an attractive starting price.

MG Comet EV

While the electric hatchback is already launched in the country, prices are only announced for entry-level grades. The Chinese-owned British brand is expected to reveal the prices of the remaining variants by this month. The Comet EV is targeted at urban masses with a stupendously-low running cost of roughly Rs 2 a kilometre.

Tata Altroz iCNG

Showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year, the Tata Altroz iCNG gets dual-cylinder technology. It manages to house two small cylinders in the cavity designed for the spare wheel. Nevertheless, the overall fuel capacity remains the same as a full-size cylinder, without compromising on the boot space. Moreover, the spare wheel has been moved under the body.

Kia Seltos Facelift

It is tough to say that a month passes by and no new mid-size SUV press release was received. Well, in May it is expected from Kia as the company might launch the Seltos facelift in the country. The Kia Seltos is long due for a major facelift, and it might just happen this month. Although, the brand is tight-lipped about any of its plans.

Also read - New Honda Mid-Size SUV Breaking Cover On June 6 - Here's All About New Hyundai Creta Rival

BMW X3 M340i

Bavarains are also preparing to launch a rather bombastic SUV on our shores - BMW X3 M340i. The midsize luxury SUV will be launched with the same engine as the 3-Series M340i - a 3.0L 6-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, belting out 360 PS and 500 Nm of max output. It might also get the M treatment to enhance its visual appeal.
The Wadia group-owned Go First airline (formerly known as Go Air) has announced to cancel all flights from May 3 till May 5, 2023 amid severe fund crunch. The airline's chief Kaushik Khona said on Tuesday said the budget carrier has temporarily suspended all the flights, domestic and international and has also filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Delhi. Khona said the airline has grounded 28 planes, more than half of its fleet, due to non-supply of engines by Pratt & Whitney (P&W). This has resulted in a fund crunch.

"It is an unfortunate decision (filing for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings) but it had to be done to protect the interests of the company," he said speaking to PTI. The airline has informed the government about the developments and will also be submitting a detailed report to aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Flights will be suspended on May 3-5. Further, once the NCLT admits the application, then the flights will be restarted, Khona said.

Due to operational reasons, GoFirst flights for 3rd, 4th and 5th May 2023 have been cancelled. We sincerely apologise to our loyal customers. Please visit https://t.co/qRNQ4oQROr for more information. We assure that well be back with more information soon. #GoFirst pic.twitter.com/QAJlL017QS  GO FIRST (@GoFirstairways) May 2, 2023

Go First's Detailed Statement To Zee News

GO FIRST has had to take this step due to the ever-increasing number of failing engines supplied by Pratt & Whitneys International Aero Engines, LLC, which has resulted in GO FIRST having to ground 25 aircraft (equivalent to approximately 50% of its Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet) as of 1 May 2023. The percentage of grounded aircraft due to Pratt & Whitneys faulty engines has grown from 7% in December 2019 to 31% in December 2020 to 50% in December 2022.

This is despite Pratt & Whitney making several on-going assurances over the years, which it has repeatedly failed to meet. More precisely, GO FIRST has been forced to apply to the NCLT after Pratt & Whitney, the exclusive engine supplier for GO FIRSTs Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet, refused to comply with an award issued by an emergency arbitrator appointed in accordance with the 2016 Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC).

That order directed Pratt & Whitney to take all reasonable steps to release and dispatch without delay to GO FIRST at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by 27 April 2023 and a further 10 spare leased engines per month until December 2023, with the objective of GO FIRST returning to full operations and achieving GO FIRSTs financial rehabilitation and survival.

If Pratt & Whitney were to comply with the orders in the emergency arbitrators award, GO FIRST would be able to return to full operations by August/September 2023. Despite the emergency arbitrators order, however, at the date of this press release, Pratt & Whitney has failed to provide any further serviceable spare leased engines at all, and has stated that there are no further spare leased engines available for it comply with the emergency arbitrators award.

GO FIRST deeply regrets the disruption and inconvenience that this will cause to its customers, travel partners, creditors, and suppliers and, in particular, to its own employees who have remained loyal to and grown with GO FIRST over the years. GO FIRST has taken todays step in order to protect the interests of all stakeholders. It has been forced to take this step despite the infusion of substantial funds to the tune of INR 3,200 crores by the promoters into the airline in the last three years, INR 2400 crores of which were injected in the last 24 months, and INR 290 crores in April 2023 alone.

This brings the total promoter investment in the airline since its inception to approximately INR 6,500 crores. GO FIRST has also received significant support from the Government of Indias exceptional Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, for which it is extremely grateful. However, even this collective and significant support has not sufficed to prevent the enormous damage caused by Pratt & Whitneys defective and failing engines.

The grounding of close to 50% of its A320neo fleet due to the serial failure of Pratt & Whitneys engines, while it continued to incur 100% of its operational costs, has set GO FIRST back by INR 10,800 crores in lost revenues and additional expenses.

Moreover, GO FIRST has paid INR 5,657 crores to lessors in the last two years of which approximately INR 1600 crores was paid towards lease rent for non-operational grounded aircraft from the funds infused by the Promoters & Government of Indias Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme.

In order to recover these (and other) losses, GO FIRST has sought compensation of approximately INR 8000 crores in the SIAC arbitration. If GO FIRST is successful in the arbitration, it is hoped that, GO FIRST will be able to address the liabilities of its creditors, small and large. However at this stage, in the absence of Pratt & Whitney not providing the required number of spare leased engines in accordance with the order issued by the emergency arbitrator, GO FIRST is no longer in a position to continue to meet its financial obligations.

While GO FIRST awaits admission into the NCLT proceedings, it is committed to attending to as many queries as possible from its stakeholders. Once the NCLT processes GO FIRSTs application under section 10 of IBC, an Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) will take over and operate GO FIRST. GO FIRSTs Board & Management will cooperate fully with the IRP and trusts that the IRP will address the concerns of GO FIRSTs stakeholders as appropriate.

GO FIRST has been forced to apply to the NCLT because of the recurring and persistent issues with the GTF (geared turbofan) engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney, coupled with Pratt & Whitneys failure to repair those engines and/or provide sufficient spare leased engines as it was required to do pursuant to its obligations under the relevant agreements entered into between GO FIRST and Pratt & Whitney.

GO FIRSTs management repeatedly sought to engage with Pratt & Whitney on the engine issue, but Pratt & Whitney did not respond constructively. Instead, despite its contractual obligations to provide a spare leased engine within 48 hours of failure, it refused to provide sufficient spare leased engines to GO FIRST and refused to repair GO FIRSTs engines.

As a result, GO FIRST was left with no option but to commence an arbitration against Pratt & Whitney under the 2016 Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)  seeking compensation in excess of INR 8000 crores and other final relief  as well as to seek interim, emergency relief as permitted by those Rules. By an award dated 30 March 2023, an emergency arbitrator appointed in accordance with the SIAC Rules found that GO FIRSTs current financial position was due in large part, if not wholly, to the number of grounded aircraft caused by the unavailability of Pratt & Whitneys engines.

Among other things, the emergency arbitrator ordered Pratt & Whitney to take all reasonable steps to release and dispatch without delay to GO FIRST at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by 27 April 2023, and a further 10 spare leased engines per month until December 2023.

Pratt & Whitney has refused to comply with the emergency arbitrators order and to date, it has provided no spare leased engines at all nor provided any certainty with respect to the timeframe for the provision of spare leased engines in the future. It has also failed to induct faulty engines for repair.

After Pratt & Whitney failed to comply with the emergency arbitrators order, GO FIRST approached the emergency arbitrator again, the emergency arbitrator confirmed the orders in the emergency arbitrators award in a second award dated 15 April 2023. Had Pratt & Whitney complied with the emergency arbitrators award, all of GO FIRSTs aircraft would have been operational by August/September 2023, ensuring profitable operations in the fast-growing Indian aviation market.

As a result of Pratt & Whitneys failure to comply with the emergency arbitrators award, GO FIRST is being driven to take steps to enforce the award in the U.S. and other international jurisdictions.

GO FIRST deeply regrets the current situation, which has forced it to apply to the NCLT. With Pratt & Whitney failing to abide by the directions in the emergency arbitrators award by providing spare leased engines, and with further engine failures expected in the next 3-4 months, the operations of GO FIRST will be made unviable.

The additional consequence of Pratt & Whitneys actions has also driven some lessors to repossess aircraft, draw down letters of credit and notify further withdrawal of aircraft. The culmination of these actions will result in a severe depletion in the number of aircraft available for GO FIRST to operate going forward, thereby making it further unfeasible for GO FIRST to continue its operation and meet its financial obligations.

Prior to the acute issues caused by the serial failure of Pratt & Whitneys engines, GO FIRST enjoyed a market share of 10.8% in FY20, and was consistently profitable from 2010-2020, with a comparable EBITDAR to its largest competitor from 2016-2020. In FY22 GO FIRST reported EBITDAR better than that of the largest competitor by almost 3.4%. The operating costs of the company continued to be lower than that largest competitor from 2020-2022.

For over 17 years, GO FIRST has proudly served 84 million passengers. GO FIRST anticipates and expects that that once the application under section 10 of IBC is admitted, the appointed Interim Resolution Professional will sustain GO FIRSTs operations, allowing it to serve many more passengers in the years to come.
A chopper, in which Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar was flying, made an emergency landing after it was hit by a vulture in the sky on Tuesday in Kolar district of Karnataka. Sources said that a major tragedy was averted and the pilot managed to land the chopper safely. The incident happened when Shivakumar was travelling to Mulubagal from HAL airport in Bengaluru. While Shivakumar`s chopper was in the air, it was hit by the vulture.



Due to the impact, the front glass of the helicopter was damaged and broken. After the incident, Shivakumar returned to Bengaluru.



On April 6, the landing of the chopper carrying former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa was aborted as littered plastic bags came flying near the helipad on the outskirts of Jewargi town of Kalaburagi district.



Yediyurappa had arrived in the town to participate in Vijay Sankalp yatra. The temporary helipad was constructed in the town to facilitate the movement of leaders. But, as the authorities had not ensured its maintenance and not followed protocols, plastic bags in the region came flying at the time of landing of the chopper.

The pilot aborted landing and kept hovering in the air until the authorities got the helipad area filled with plastic sheets and waste cleaned.
In a shocking and scary video, a US Coast Guard HH-60 helicopter almost crashed into the sea after being hit by bad weather while evacuating a passenger onboard a cruiseliner. The video is shared by a Twitter handle Breaking Aviation News & Videos, which further said the incident took place in Southern California after a rescue operation was undertaken to evacuate passengers onboard a cruise ship in the United States. It's not yet clear when the incident took place as choppers are making multiple rounds to rescue passengers onboard the ship.

As reported by AP, a rare and powerful tornado sent residents of a coastal city in Virginia fleeing for cover over the weekend as it peeled roofs from buildings and pushed homes from their foundations. It was the most powerful tornado ever to hit Virginia Beach, Virginia, officials confirmed Monday. No one was reported injured, despite few residents being prepared for tornadoes. Several people described taking cover under stairwells; most lack basements because the water table is so high.

U.S Coast Guard HH-60 almost crashes into the sea after being hit by bad weather while evacuating a passenger onboard a cruiseliner.



Damion Bailey pic.twitter.com/HXjWWMDJD7  Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) May 2, 2023

Wreckage from destructive weather dotted the U.S. Monday as officials took stock of unrelated tornadoes and flooding damage from over the weekend, stretching from Florida to Maine.

Elsewhere, officials were assessing damage Monday in West Virginia, Maine, Florida and California. The National Weather Service confirmed a Saturday tornado in Florida. And high water on the Mississippi River is testing flood defenses in Iowa and Illinois as the river crests in the area Monday.

In California, a late-season weather system brought showers and the possibility of high-elevation snow in the Sierra Nevada through the week. Fears of flooding shut down of parts of Yosemite Valley over the weekend. But the National Park Service said the Merced River did not rise as much as expected and the valley reopened on Monday.
MUMBAI: Actor Arjun Rampal, who has suffered back injury, is on his way to recovery post which he will resume shooting for the film 'Crakk- Jeetega toh Jiyega', starring Vidyut Jammwal. A source informed that Arjun suffered the back injury recently while working out at the gym.

"And being the dedicated actor that he is, Arjun tried his best so that the shoot does not get stalled," the source added. However, the shoot got affected due to Arjun's health condition. The source said, "Everyone has been applauding Arjun's zeal for this film. He was performing all his stunts really well. Sadly, he suffered an injury while working out at the gym. And since it is something untoward, Arjun will have to rest it out for a few days."

"Arjun is very dedicated, even after being injured, he has been insisting to keep his stunts on hold as he would like to perform it and not have a body double do it," the source added.

Meanwhile, the actor is all set to experience fatherhood for the fourth time as his girlfriend and live-in partner Gabriella Demetriades took to social media and announced her second pregnancy. The famous model shared several photos donning a flowy orange gown as she flaunted her baby bump.

Several stars took to comment section and dropped adorable messages wishing the couple.

Boyfriend Arjun Rampal dropped heart and evil eye emojis in the comments.

Kajal Aggarwal commented: "Congratulations."

Actor Amy Jackson wrote: "Oh my loveeee! So so happy for you and your beautiful family."

Malaika Arora, Amrita Arora and other stars dropped heart emojis in the comments section.

Arjun and Gabriella welcomed theri first child - Arik Rampal in 2019. The two met through mutual friends in 2018 and since then have been together.

For the unversed, Gabriella Demetriades is a renowned South African model and also a designer. She owns a fashion label named 'Deme Love'. Arjun also has two daughters - Mahikaa Rampal and Myra Rampal with his former wife and supermodel Mehr Jesia. His daughter Myra made her runway debut with Dior's fashion show in Mumbai earlier this month.

On the work front, Arjun Rampal was seen in 'Dhaakad', co-starring Kangana Ranaut. He also featured in the web-series 'The Final Call'. The actor is best-known for his performances in films such as 'Ra.One', 'Om Shanti Om', 'Rock On!!', 'Heroine', 'Raajneeti' and 'Inkaar' to name a few.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday hit out at the makers of the movie "The Kerala Story", accusing them of indulging in "gross exaggeration" and "distortion" of the state's reality. Tharoor's assertion came in response to those accusing him of double standards over his criticism of the film, referring to his 2021 tweet in which he had said that he had been approached by three Kerala mothers whose daughters are stuck in Afghanistan having been taken there by their misguided husbands. "The Kerala Story", starring Adah Sharma, is set to be released in cinemas on May 5. Written and directed by Sudipto Sen, the film is portrayed as "unearthing" the events behind "approximately 32,000 women" allegedly going missing from Kerala.

According to the CPI(M) and the Congress in Kerala, the film falsely claims that the women converted, got radicalised and were deployed in terror missions in India and the world. In a lengthy Twitter post tagging his 2021 tweet on the three Kerala mothers who had approached him, Tharoor said, "Many are spreading this 2021 tweet of mine as if it undermines my present objections to the trailer and publicity for 'The Kerala Story'." "Yes, I was approached then by three Kerala mothers and was aware of a fourth, and I was open about my concerns about their daughters' radicalisation. But four cases are a far cry from the 32,000 that the film-makers are alleging," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Many are spreading this 2021 tweet of mine as if it undermines my present objections to the trailer & publicity for "The Kerala Story". Yes, I was approached then by three Kerala mothers and was aware of a fourth, and I was open about my concerns about their daughters' <a href="https://t.co/R8Vn1RsfpU">https://t.co/R8Vn1RsfpU</a></p> Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1653385159771815936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



If there really were so many ISIS female members from Kerala, that would mean double the number when you count their husbands, whereas even Western intelligence sources say the number of ALL Indians in ISIS does not approach three figures, Tharoor said. "This gross exaggeration and distortion of the Kerala reality is what I am objecting to," he added. Film's producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has said the film is a true story and every scene in the film is true, but it deals with three girls. "However, we are not changing our stand. If we look at the issue, the number of 32,000 is what we have stated and we are staying by it. But the film is not, so they're two different things," he told PTI.

"Since the matter has become sub judice, I would not like to elaborate on that. If we are asked this question... 'How did we get to this number and everything?' We'll answer those questions there (in court)," he said. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Sunday slammed the makers of the film, saying they were taking up the Sangh Parivar propaganda of projecting the state as a centre of religious extremism by raising the issue of 'love jihad' -- a concept rejected by courts, probe agencies and the home ministry. "The Kerala Story" is backed by Sunshine Pictures Private Limited, founded by Shah, who serves as the producer, creative director and co-writer of the film. The film's writer-director Sudipto Sen's earlier movies are "Aasma", "Lucknow Times" and "The Last Monk".
Congress, which is confined to power in three states in India, has much at stake in Karnataka. While Karnataka is often dubbed as BJP's 'Gateway To South', it's also the southern state where Congress has a chance of winning a majority on its own. Also, a win in Karnataka will be a shot in the arm for the Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election. On the other hand, the BJP which came to power in Karnataka owing to defections, has its pride at the stake in the state. The election is also a litmus test for BS Bommai's leadership who was given the state's reign midway after BS Yediyurappa's ouster.

The Lingayat Challenge

BJP has much to prove this time to win the confidence of the Lingayat sect. The forced ouster of former CM Yeddiyurappa saw BJP bringing in another Lingayat leader BS Bommai as a replacement. However, the Congress not only raked up corruption allegations against him but also accused the BJP of insulting him, a charge returned by the saffron party. Now, with senior Lingayat leaders Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi joining the Congress, the opposition party is confident of regaining the Lingayat votes that constitute around 17 per cent of the state's population and influence around 70 to 100 seats.

Muslim Reservation

The ruling BJP has scrapped the 4 per cent reservation given to Muslims in Karnataka and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well as other BJP leaders unequivocally termed it against the constitution. The state was also hit by the hijab ban which grabbed the national headlines as well. This may have united the Muslim voters against the BJP but only poll results will tell whether these issues polarised the non-Muslim voters in favour of the saffron party.

Also Read: Analysis: How Congress May Have Fallen Into BJP's Polarization Trap In Karnataka

Congress Party's Social Engineering

The Congress has alleged that the BJP is trying to polarise the elections. To counter this, Congress has built a powerful social engineering which encompasses 'AHINDA' (Muslims, OBCs, Dalits) which constitutes a majority population of the state. With BJP also facing anti-incumbency, a minor shift in voting patterns and percentages will give Congress an advantage over the BJP.

Just like the previous election, if the JD(S) manages to keep its traditional voters in the Old Mysuru region, the election may become a tough nut to crack for the BJP. It's likely that HD Kumaraswamy will again support Congress in case of a hung assembly. The BJP will have to find a way to make bigger inroads into the JD(S) strongholds.

'40 Per Cent Commission'

The BJP government is also facing corruption allegations. In 2021, many contractors alleged that the BJP ministers expected a 40 per cent commission in all government projects. The Congress then ran PayCM campaign. To play safe, the BJP did not field former minister KS Eshwarappa and his son who is accused of demanding a cut from a contractor who later committed suicide. However, whether people will trust the BJP on the issue is hard to say. The Congress is aggressively using the '40 per cent commission issue as a poll plank.

Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar

As of now, while Congress clearly appears to have an upper edge in the Karnataka polls, the bigger challenge for the grand old party is the rift between state party chief DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramiah as both the leaders want to become the chief minister and none of them is reportedly ready to accept the junior post. While Shivakumar and Sidaramaiah have scaled down their rhetorics as they publicly said that the decision of the CM face lies with the party's high command. However, their aspirations for the post is well known. This is the one reason the Congress has not announced its CM face in the polls.

Karnataka has seen greater political instability which has eroded democratic values and people's faith in electoral politics. It's incumbent upon the state leaders to work for the aspirations of the people rather than appearing power-hungry. The contest is closest ever this time and it will be in the state's good if a stable government with a single-party majority is elected on May 10.
New Delhi: National Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that he has decided to step down as the party president. At a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan here, Pawar declared his decision which was opposed by NCP workers and leaders. I have chosen to quit as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party, he said. Pawar also declared a panel of senior party leaders to plan a future course of action. Party workers and leaders, however, asked Pawar to revoke his decision. They vowed not to leave the venue until he changed his decision.

A four-time Maharashtra chief minister, who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar was instrumental in stitching together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

#WATCH | "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," says NCP chief Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/tTiO8aCAcK May 2, 2023

Also Read: Amid Buzz Around Ajit Pawars BJP Move, Sharad Pawar Warns Of Tough Action If Anyone Tries To Break NCP

However, the Rajya Sabha member with three more years to go, assured that he would remain active in public life through social-politics, as in the past over 55 years.



VIDEO | NCP workers, appealing #SharadPawar to take back his decision of stepping down as party chief, raise slogans, hailing the veteran leader. pic.twitter.com/9O8Dihy8nR  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 2, 2023

Sharad Pawar's Tenure As NCP President

Pawar has helmed the party since its inception in 1999 ending a tenure of 24 years. "After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back, Pawar said while quitting the president post. He also leads Maha Vikas Aghadi, a regional political alliance based in Maharashtra.

Also Read: Naroda Gam Riots Accused Acquittal 'Murder Of Judiciary, Constitution': Sharad Pawar

Pawar hails from Baramati of Maharashtra. He is the head of the Pawar Family a powerful political family and a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics. Other politicians from the family include his daughter Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar his nephew, Rohit Rajendra Pawar a nephews son and other members of his extended family.
Cow Smuggling Case: Tihar Jail inmate and main accused in the cow smuggling case, Anubrata Mondal, submitted a request to be transferred to Asansol Jail. Strongly objecting to that, the ED informed Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday that it will take six months to extradite Anubrata back to Delhi for the cow smuggling case after he was detained in Asansol. "Now consider Tihar Jail to be your home for the next three to four years," ED attorney Nitesh Rana said in court yesterday. The ED further inquired as to Anubrata's motivations for relocating from Tihar to the West Bengal government's Asansol prison.

After Anubrata, the ED detained his daughter, Sukanya Mondal, as part of the investigation into cow smuggling. Anubrata spoke up about it at Rouse Avenue Court. He said, "It was unfair to arrest her." Currently, both the father and daughter are detained at Tihar Jail. Sources claim that Sukanya spoke to Anubrata on the phone while in jail, with the authorities' approval. Sukanya also spoke with Sehgal Hossain, Anubrata's bodyguard, who was detained in Tihar in connection with the cow smuggling case.

The Trinomool Congress' (TMC) Birbhum district president filed a request for his transfer to Asansol Correctional Home (West Bengal) in March before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court. At the conclusion of his judicial custody earlier on Monday, the TMC leader was produced in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court. Wheelchair-bound Anubrata was transported to court while sporting a white t-shirt from the jail. After hearing the arguments made by the defense attorneys and special public prosecutor (SPP) Nitesh Rana, special judge Raghubeer Singh granted him three days' custody. The Rouse Avenue Court extended Anubrata's remand till May 4. However, the accused was allowed to meet with the attorneys while in ED custody. Additionally, it instructed the ED to arrange for the medical examination of the accused within 48-hours.

Earlier on April 27, the Rouse Avenue Court granted three days' custody of Sukanya Mondal, daughter of Anubrata, to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to interrogate her in the cattle smuggling case. In order to determine the modus operandi, track the money trail, and find the proceeds of the crime, the ED requested a three-day remand. She was also going to be questioned about the crime while sitting alongside her father and TMC strongman Anubarata. Sukanya Mondal was detained on the evening of April 26. Anubrata, the 'Bahubali' leader of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was detained by the CBI in July of last year in connection with a cattle smuggling case.
Institutional trading platform B2C2 has tapped crypto exchange Bullish to continue to deliver liquidity across the crypto market.

"For us, the decision to add Bullish came from their unique approach to exchange liquidity, coupled with their strong management team," a spokesperson from B2C2 said. "We have seen the industry follow suit as Bullish recently broke into the top 10 exchanges by volume per CoinMetrics."

Per public data via CoinGecko, Bullish has facilitated more than $600 million in trading volume over the past 24 hours. The top pairs include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the markets' largest stablecoins, USDT and USDC.

"[This partnership] allows Bullish's deep and unique liquidity to be accessed by B2C2's large, institutional client base," a spokesperson for Bullish told Decrypt via email. "Both Bullish and B2C2 take very seriously the counterparts we partner with. The fact that we have chosen to work together enhances the credibility of both organizations."

Peter Thiel-backed Crypto Exchange Bullish Calls Off $9B SPAC Plan

Bullish launched in November 2021 and has since reportedly reached a total trading volume of over $200 billion.

The exchange is backed by some notable names such as PayPal co-founder, Peter Thiel, hedge fund managers Alan Howard and Louis Bacon as well as Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li.

Liquidity providers and exchanges

The relationship between liquidity providers and exchanges is often overlooked, however, they are symbiotic and are important to a healthy ecosystem.

"Our relationship with exchanges is important for the provision of liquiditywe provide an integral role in enhancing liquidity and transparency by providing consistent bid/ask spreads and adding to order book depth, resulting in a better trading experience for the market," the B2C2 spokesperson said.

Crypto Liquidity Provider B2C2 Offers to Purchase Loans from Genesis

The crypto-trading firm located in the United Kingdom, B2C2, has touted itself as "a leading crypto-native liquidity provider across market conditions for institutions globally" because of internal data. In 2022, they won the FX Markets best liquidity provider for crypto derivatives award.
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of making "hate speeches" in poll-bound Karnataka and urged the Election Commission to put a ban on campaigning by them in the wake of Supreme Court orders on such speeches.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ajay Maken, Vivek Tankha, Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera met the Election Commission and gave them a memorandum demanding immediate action against such "hate speeches".

"The home minister says such things which polarise the country and create division in society..., neither the Constitution provides for such a thing nor does the oath they take while assuming the high office. We have pointed this out to the Election Commission," Tankha told reporters after the meeting.

He asked what the home minister meant by saying that "there would be riots in India if the Congress comes to power". "Does he mean to say that the Congress is getting the riots done...The real thing is that people holding constitutional positions should not make such kind of hate speeches. It is against the law and immediate action should be taken against them as per Supreme Court orders," he said.

The Congress memorandum by AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Surjewala, said it has clearly emerged after the successive rallies of three star campaigners of the BJP - Union minister Amit Shah, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and party president J P Nadda - that they are first making unverified and false allegations and thereafter following it with malicious and deliberate statements targeting religions with the intent to promote enmity between different groups.

"We reiterate our concern that this is a case of a well hatched criminal conspiracy to committing offences against public tranquillity, and offences relating to elections and offences related to criminal intimidation, insult and annoyance," the memorandum said.

It added that the pattern has started adversely affecting the election process and the inaction from this commission is furthering the agenda of creating communal disharmony.

"We reiterate our request to this commission to ban Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath and J P Nadda from all campaign activities till the conclusion of the election," Surjewala said in the memorandum. The opposition party has alleged that the BJP leaders are trying to "scare, divide and mislead the society through 'hate speech' in the country".

Khurshid said, "We have made a complaint earlier but no action has been taken on our complaint yet." "We have said that if there is no action against such people who hold responsible positions and repeatedly make such statements which amount to hate, then it will keep increasing and there should be an end to such speeches immediately. The EC has assured us that it will look into the complaints seriously," he said.

Tankha said, "If constitutional authorities do not follow the law and the Constitution and will indulge in hate speeches, then neither the Constitution permits this nor does the oath that they have taken."

What these three people have said comes under the purview of "hate speech" and the EC should take action against them, he said, adding that the EC has constitutional responsibility and there was concern and seriousness displayed by them during the meeting.

"Home minister is a big position and is a protector of the country and should not be talking about riots like this," Tankha said the Congress delegation gave the EC copies of the Supreme Court order on hate speeches and called for immediate action as per the law of the land and the SC verdict.

"We have made representations specifically against three people - Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"We have urged the Election Commission to take action as per law against these people in the wake of Supreme Court orders which called for immediate action on hate speeches," he said.

The three BJP leaders have been alleging that "if the Congress comes to power, there would be riots" in the state, which amounts to hate speech as such speeches lead to a division in society, the Congress leaders said.

The Congress memorandum also said the BJP has given advertisements to spread "false, unverified and malicious allegations" against the Congress with the aim to influence the voters against the party in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka.

"The Commission allowing publication of BJP's advertisements containing prima facie unverified, false and malicious allegations, while at the same time disallowing INC's advertisements containing verified allegations and claims, clearly removed the level-playing field that must be maintained by the Commission.

"In the interest of justice, equity, good conscience and for the sake of free and fair elections, we sincerely request this Commission to pass strictures against the BJP and its representatives to further issue directions to take down all political advertisements where the BJP has deliberately made false and unsubstantiated claims, direct the state authorities to register an FIR against the publishers, authors and representatives of the BJP," the party said.

Amit Shah had made remarks at a poll rally in Bagalkot in Karnataka on April 25 and in Vijayapura, alleging that the state of Karnataka will be afflicted by communal riots. The Congress has already complained to the EC on April 28.

"The Commission may note the pattern, which is being followed by Mr Amit Shah, Mr Ajay Bisht (Adityanath) and now Mr J P Nadda. It may be reiterated that the BJP and its leaders first raise unverified and false allegations against the INC and its leaders, thereafter bring in malicious allegations which involve religion and which tends to promote or create enmity between groups on grounds of religion," the memorandum said.

Extending the scope of its 2022 order beyond three states, the Supreme Court had on Friday directed all states and Union territories to register cases against those making hate speeches even if no complaint has been made.

A bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna termed hate speeches a "serious offence capable of affecting secular fabric of the country". The bench said its October 21, 2022 order shall be made applicable irrespective of religion and warned any delay in registering cases will be treated as contempt of the court.
New Delhi: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's son and party leader Priyank Kharge on Monday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'nalayak' with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying he is 'outdoing his father in abuse politics'. Priyank, who is seeking reelection from Chittapur in Karnakata's Kalaburagi district, said that Modi claiming to be a son of the Banjara community and promising to take care of them was 'inept' because he and his party had created confusion about reservations for the SC community. His remark came days after Mallikarjun Kharge linked PM Modi to a 'venomous snake'.

Priyank Kharge, while addressing a poll gathering, quoted from one of PM Modi's speeches and said, "When you (PM Modi) came to Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) what did you tell the people of Banjara community? "Aap sab log dariye mat. Banjara ka ek beta Dilli mein Baitha hai (You do not be afraid. A son of Banjara is sitting in Delhi)." "Aisa nalayak beta baitha to kaise hota bhai? Ghar kaise chalega? (If an inept son is sitting in Delhi, how can you run the family?)," he asked.

BJP slams Priyank Kharge for calling PM Modi 'Nalayak'

Hitting out at the Congress, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur said Priyank Kharge is 'outdoing' his father Mallikarjun Kharge in 'abuse politics' by insulting Prime Minister Modi. He said that the Congress leaders have resorted to 'abusing' Modi, his family and community after seeing the 'overwhelming support' for the prime minister among the people of Karnataka.

"After Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges poisonous snake remark, son Priyank outdoing father in 'abuse politics' has insulted our PM as Nalayak Beta," Thakur said in a tweet.

Galibaj (abusive) Congress count your days, Karnataka will give a befitting reply to you, he added.

Congress leaders are frustrated to see people of Karnataka extending overwhelming support to PM Shri @narendramodi ji. Hence Cong leaders have again resorted to abuse Modiji, his family and community. After Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges poisonous snake remark, son  Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) May 1, 2023

BJP president JP Nadda said opposition leaders have been using such language against PM Modi to 'please' their masters, a reference to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

He said the Congress is going through 'mental bankruptcy' and its leaders have been following the Gandhi family in using derogatory language against the Prime Minister.

"They are doing so to please their senior leaders," he said.

The BJP leader claimed the Congress has already lost the election in the southern state and that is why 'venom' is coming out from its' leaders who are in "frustration".

Congress has become mentally bankrupt and is frustrated as they have already



Listen to what BJP National President Shri @JPNadda said regarding the derogatory words used by Priyank Kharge, Mallikarjun Kharges son, against PM Modi! pic.twitter.com/yEpo1Srk3E  BJP (@BJP4India) May 1, 2023

People do not approve of such language and their love for the Prime Minister has been growing, Nadda said.

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya also took a swipe at Priyank and asked what would he be doing if he was not the son of Mallikarjun Kharge.

"It is quite rich for someone who is feeding off his father's name, to call a democratically elected PM 'nalayak'. It is fine to disagree with the PM, criticise him, but calling him names shows a depraved mind. Junior Kharge should focus on defending his seat and not punch above his weight," he tweeted.

What would Priyank Kharge be doing if he wasnt Mallikarjun Kharges son? It is anybodys guess! It is quite rich for someone, who is feeding of his fathers name, to call a democratically elected PM nalayak. It is fine to disagree with the PM, criticise him, but calling him pic.twitter.com/ohDGFPEwFA  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 1, 2023

Mallikarjun Kharge defends son after his 'Nalayak' remark on PM Modi

Mallikarjun Kharge stoutly defended his son and said he never made such comments.

The Congress president said, "No. No. It is very wrong. He never said it. Don't put these words into his mouth. He attacked the parliament member (not Modi) who abused him. So, don't put these words into his mouth (saying it was meant) for Modi."

He also said that this was being misquoted 'purposely'.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday questioned why Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment charges by female wrestlers, wasn't arrested despite a case was registered against him under the 'non-bailable POCSO Act'. After meeting the protesting grapplers at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Sidhu also questioned why the FIR against Singh was 'delayed'. The WFI chief, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, is in the eye of a storm after top Indian wrestlers levelled sexual harassment charges against him.

"To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice. Why was the FIR delayed? Not making the FIR public reflects that the FIR is mild and not corroborative to the complainant's complaint," Navjot Singh Sidhu said in a tweet.

He added that the intent is 'questionable' and the 'motive' is to protect the accused.

"Are things being swept under the carpet? Why is the officer who delayed the FIR not being tried under Section 166 of IPC as he was duty bound to register an FIR which is mandatory in case of a cognizable offence as per Lalita Kumari vs Govt. of UP judgement of The Honble Supreme Court?," the Congress leader asked.

He also said that with Brij Bhushan being at the helm of affairs, a fair investigation is 'impossible'.

The only way forward to a meaningful investigation and to uncover the truth is 'custodial interrogation', Sidhu said, and added that without it, a fair investigation is 'meaningless'.

To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice !!! . why was the FIR delayed ? . Not making the FIR public reflects that the FIR is mild and not corroborative to the complainants complaint.. intent is questionable and motive is to protect the accused pic.twitter.com/5ZXxE3AlfO  Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) May 1, 2023

A group of top wrestlers, who first levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Singh in January, resumed their sit-in on April 23 at the Jantar Mantar to demand that the findings of the Centre-appointed panel that probed the charges be made public.

It is notable that Singh has been booked under sections of outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking, and Section 10 of the POCSO Act in two FIRs.

Subsequently, two FIRs were filed against the BJP MP, the first pertaining to allegations levelled by a minor, which has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging modesty.

The second FIR has been registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints by adult complainants under relevant IPC sections pertaining to outraging of modesty.

Singh, however, has denied the charges against him.
Dazed after a lightning bolt in the form of Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar`s abrupt move to step down, scores of party workers laid siege at the Y.B. Chavan Auditorium, blocking the 82-year-old leader and his wife Pratibha Pawar from leaving till he withdrew his decision. As the shellshocked top NCP leadership and hundreds of workers heard Pawar`s speech and decision to sign off as the party charioteer after 24 years, many were seen breaking down, some unabashedly weeping, and most with moist eyes, unable to believe their ears. Many top leaders like state President Jayant Patil, senior leaders Praful Patel, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Fauzia Khan, Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Narhari Zirwal, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Sunil Tatkare, Vidya Chavan, Dhananjay Munde, and others made fervent appeals, some `begged` with folded hands, urging Pawar to reconsider and retract.

For nearly two hours, the agitated workers kept up a chant of slogans like "Take back your decision", "Sharad Pawar zindabad", "We need you, the country needs you", "We are orphaned", et al. They were in no mood to listen to Ajit Pawar or Patel, Sule or Deshmukh who pleaded that Pawar Saheb was in the auditorium since 11 a.m. and needed to go home. "He has to have his meals at specified hours in view of his health needs...Please permit him to leave now... A delegation of senior leaders will meet him today itself and convey your sentiments afresh," appealed both Ajit Pawar and Patel separately. Unimpressed, many of the workers threatened to "quit from all their posts right now", some warned of "an indefinite sit-in", others gave an ultimatum of "indefinite hunger strike" till Pawar withdrew his decision.

The drama continued for almost two hours as Pawar and Pratibha sat and watched helplessly, without a sip of water or anything to eat, surrounded by emotional party leaders and workers from all over. Reports came in of strong reactions by NCP workers from Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Ahmednagar and other parts of the state, with hundreds of activists clamouring for Pawar to take back his decision. Both Ajit Pawar and Patel took pains to convince the protesting workers to at least let the senior Pawar couple go home, eat and take rest, but they were in no mood to relent. Finally, with the help of senior leaders and his security personnel, the Pawar couple was guided out of the auditorium, as the workers let off thunderous roars of protests.

Outside the venue, scores of NCP workers, women and youth activists squatted or lay sprawled on the floor with a relay chant on an indefinite sit-in, and asking Pawar to continue as NCP chief, and when Sule tried to intervene, they barely allowed her to speak or listened to her pleas with folded hands. Earlier at noon, Pawar, 82, dropped a political bomb when he suddenly decided to quit as party supremo, at a critical juncture for the organisation, the state and national politics. The occasion was the release of Pawar`s autobiography, `Lok Majhe Sangati - Political Autobiography`, coming exactly 63 years after he joined politics way back on May 1, 1960, and has been an elected representative for 56 years of his political career. While Ajit Pawar supported his uncle`s decision, almost the entire party stood against him, creating a piquant situation for the Pawar clan and giving anxious moments to the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, along with Aditya Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut are likely to meet Pawar Sr. later this evening, according to party circles.As the political scenario shifted to Pawar`s home Silver Oaks, the Mumbai Police tightened security in and around, as top leaders from the NCP and other parties started trooping in to meet the reluctant Maratha political warhorse.
New Delhi: India has decided to temporarily relocate its embassy from the violence-hit Sudanese capital city of Khartoum to Port Sudan in view of the prevailing security situation in the African country.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said this on Tuesday. "In view of the prevailing security situation in Sudan, including attacks in Khartoum city, it has been decided that the Indian Embassy in Khartoum will be temporarily relocated to Port Sudan," it said. "The situation will be assessed in the light of further developments," the MEA said.

Port Sudan is a port city on the Red Sea in eastern Sudan. It is located at a distance of around 850 km from Khartoum.

Evacuation Of Indians From Sudan Continues

India has been operating military aircraft and naval ships from Port Sudan to evacuate its citizens from the African country. The Indian embassy in Khartoum is located just opposite to the airport in the city and that zone has seen a lot of fighting.

In the last few days, Indian officials worked round the clock to evacuate Indians, people familiar with the matter said. No Indian official resides in the embassy complex. They were largely operating from their places of stay in view of the intense fighting.

Operation Kaveri

Under "Operation Kaveri", India has been taking its citizens in buses from the conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan, from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in the Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships.

From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flights or the IAF's aircraft. India has set up separate control rooms in Jeddah and Port Sudan.

"The Embassy may be approached at the following numbers: +249 999163790; +249 119592986; +249 915028256 and E-mail: cons1.Khartoum@mea.Gov.In," the MEA said in a statement.
Thirthahalli (KTK), May 2 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he speaks only about himself even in Karnataka and not about anything else. He also sought to know why Modi was silent on the issue of corruption in Karnataka and never takes the name of his party's Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, his predecessor B S Yediyurappa and the state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra. Gandhi reminded the people that the May 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka is not about Narendra Modi but about their future and their children.

"Have you seen the meeting of the BJP? Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives and does not take the name of any leader. The way I mention the name of former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress state president D K Shivakumar, or Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, but Modi will never talk about their leaders," Gandhi said at a public meeting here in Shivamogga district.

VIDEO | When the water issue among Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa arose, did you (PM Modi) help Karnataka? says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Shivamogga. #KarnatakaAssemblyElections2023 pic.twitter.com/8YvRrMEMGe  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 2, 2023

He said Modi never ever takes the name of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai or former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa "as if they do not exist." Every person of Karnataka is wondering why Modi is not taking the name of his own leaders including the state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, who is contesting from Thirthahalli, Gandhi said.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi Slams Congress' Karnataka Manifesto That Promises To Ban Bajrang Dal

The former Congress president alleged that during the recruitment of sub-inspectors, rampant corruption took place but Modi never took the name of Karnataka's Home Minister.

"There are two reasons behind it (not taking the names of his leaders). One is that Narendra Modi talks only about Narendra Modi. For example, there is an election going on in Karnataka and others are talking about the people of Karnataka, development and corruption but Narendra Modi talks only about Narendra Modi in the Karnataka election. He never speaks a word on what the BJP government did in the last three years," Gandhi said.

Calling the BJP government in Karnataka, 'a government by theft, which came into power by destroying democracy," Gandhi asked Modi why he was silent on corruption.

Why does the Prime Minister never utter a word on its (BJP government's) corruption, he sought to know.

"If you are afraid of taking the name of Yediyurappa, Bommai or Home Minister, then at least explain what did you do to check corruption? What steps did you take to stop corruption?" Gandhi said. The Congress leader said, the contractors' association wrote to the Prime Minister that there is "40 per cent commission charged on everything" but he did not answer. He told the crowd that this election is not about Modi.

"This election is not about Narendra Modi. This election is about your future, about your children, about your youth, mothers and sisters. This is Karnataka's election. The most important election is corruption, price rise and unemployment. In the last three years BJP has broken the world record on corruption. They have done 40 per cent corruption.
Rudraprayag: In view of the possibility of rain and snowfall in the high Himalayan regions, an alert has been issued for the next 2-3 days by the Meteorological Department. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said that an appeal has been made for the safety of the pilgrims coming to visit Kedarnath Dham."Till the weather is fine, the passengers should stay at the same place and travel intermittently," he said.

He said that at present there is continuous snowfall in Kedarnath Dham and the yatra is being controlled. Passengers are not allowed to go to Kedarnath after 10:30 am from Sonprayag.

Appealing to all the passengers, he said, "All the passengers should take special care of their safety and cooperate with the district administration by following the guidelines issued by the state government and the district administration.

"He expected all the pilgrims to start their journey to Kedarnath only when the weather is fine. Earlier on April 25 the day the doors of Kedarnath Dham opened, the Uttarakhand government stopped accepting registration applications from pilgrims for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra in view of heavy snowfall on the pilgrimage route and a warning of inclement weather by the Met Department.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for the heavy snowfall on the Kedarnath Dham route. The weather is expected to remain inclement in Kedarghati over this week, according to an official statement.

"The weather is expected to remain bad in Kedarghati for the next week. On the alert of the Meteorological Department, the state government has stopped the registration of the visit to Kedarnath Dham. The heavy snowfall in Kedarnath has created difficulties for the administration," read the statement.

"Registration of pilgrims for the Kedarnath pilgrimage has been stopped in view of the snowfall of three to four feet on the Kedarnath pedestrian route and Dham and the warning by the Mete Department," it added. The Yatra began from Yamunotri Dham on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya.
Mumbai: Dharmendra and Hema Malini, one of Bollywood`s most iconic couples, are celebrating their 43rd marriage anniversary today. On Tuesday, the actor-turned-politician thanked her fans for their heartfelt wishes. Taking to Twitter, Hema dropped a string of throwback pictures and wrote, "I personally thank all those who have wished us on our wedding anniversary today. It has been a wonderful journey spanning 43 years of togetherness and with all your good wishes, will continue to be a smooth journey in tandem. Few photos over the years."

She dropped some more pictures and wrote, "Here are a few more spanning our years together." Soon after she dropped the pictures, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons. "Wish u a happy marriage Anniversary Dharm Sir & Hema Ma`am, "a user wrote. Another user commented, "Perfect Jodi of Bollywood ever." "Wow 43 years. Congratulations, "a user commented.

I personally thank all those who have wished us on our wedding anniversary today

It has been a wonderful journey spanning 43years of togetherness and with all your good wishes, will continue to be a smooth journey in tandem Few photos over the years pic.twitter.com/5x2PadxyyX  Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) May 2, 2023

Here are a few more spanning our years together pic.twitter.com/wtTQSw9m7b  Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) May 2, 2023

These photos taken today on our 43rd anniversary pic.twitter.com/O1T0MIlcxd  Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) May 2, 2023

Married in 1980, the couple has stood strong, hand-in-hand, turning their marriage into one of the most successful celebrity weddings in Bollywood. She also added new photos taken on the occasion of their 43rd anniversary. Hema could be seen dressed in a red saree while Dharmendra wore a pink T-shirt with a black cap.

Dharmendra and Hema appeared in films like `The Burning Train`, `Sholay`, `Raja Jani`, `Baghavat`, `Dharm Aur Qanoon`, `Do Dishayen` and many more. The duo shared two daughters, actor Esha Deol and Ahana Deol and also have five grandchildren. Esha and her husband Bharat Takhtani are parents to two daughters Radhya and Miraya. Ahana is married to Vaibhav Vohra and has three children, a son Darien and twin daughters, Astraia and Adea.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Dharmendra will be next seen in director Karan Johar`s upcoming film `Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani` alongside Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The film is all set to release on July 28, 2023. Apart from that, he also has Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon`s upcoming untitled romantic film.
New Delhi: We often see people celebrating victories, engagements and marriages, however, in a rare sight, Tamil actress Shalini celebrated her divorce. In a photoshoot that has gone viral on the internet, the actress is dressed in a red gown as she poses after her divorce. In the first picture, Shalini could be seen tearing apart a picture she had with her husband. In the second picture, she is holding a poster which reads, I got 99 problems but a husband aint one. In another post, she could be seen holding the letters DIVORCED.

Sharing a long note along with the pictures, Shalini wrote, A Divorced womans Message to those who feel voiceless. Its okay to leave a bad marriage cause You deserve to be happy and never settle for less, take control of your lives and make the changes necessary to create a better future for yourself and your children.



Adding further, she wrote, DIVORCE is NOT a FAILURE!!! Its a turning point for you and to lead positive changes in your lives. It takes a lot of courage to leave a marriage and stand-alone So to all my BRAVE WOMEN out there I dedicate this.

As soon as the post went viral, fans came out in her support and appreciated her for standing up for her happiness. Don't worry aka u get happiest life now on words, a user commented. You are one hell of a strong woman, another user commented. Same da I'm divorced now I'm happy bt i ve problem it's difficult 2 one time meal bt I'm happy wit my son's, a thrid user wrote.

According to ETimes, Shalini married her ex-husband Riaz in 2020 and later gave birth to a daughter named Riya. However, she later accused him of physical and mental abuse and thye headed for a divorce. Shalini made her debut with television serial Mulluma Malarum. She was last seen in the reality show Super Mom.
New Delhi: The Pixel 6a is the device you should consider if you're seeking for a nice phone for less than Rs 30,000. You can now purchase it on Flipkart for much less money thanks to offers on smartphones. It's interesting that the Google mid-range phone is offered on the online store with bank offers as well as exchange offers.

The item, which was previously over Rs 30,000 in price, is now available on Flipkart for less than Rs 27,000. You can trade in your old phone for the new one to further reduce the price. (Also Read: Amazon Great Summer Sale 2023: Best Deals On Mid-Range Smartphones)

The Google Pixel 6a is now available on Flipkart for Rs 27,900, down from its initial price of Rs 43,900. However, SBI card holders are eligible for a Rs. 1250 discount on the Pixel 6a. This will reduce the cost to Rs 26,000 instead. (Also Read: Where is Jack Ma? Reports Say Alibaba's Founder Is Now A Professor)

Currently, Flipkart will also pay up to Rs 26750 for your old phone. That entirely depends on the make and model of your old phone. If you have a mid-range phone, don't expect to receive the exact amount that Flipkart has quoted.

However, if you are exchanging in a high-end Samsung phone or an older iPhone, you might get closer to Rs 15,000 in return. Therefore, the price of the device will drop to Rs 16,900 even if you receive the minimum value for your old phone of Rs 10,000.

The 6.1-inch OLED screen of the Google Pixel 6a has a full-HD+ resolution. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used to protect the display. An octa-core Google Tensor SoC, a Titan M2 security coprocessor, 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 128GB of internal storage power the smartphone.

The smartphone has two rear cameras, one with a 12.2-megapixel primary sensor and the other with a 12-megapixel secondary lens.

The Google Pixel 6a has an 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front. The Pixel 6a supports 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth v5.2 for connectivity. Additionally, the smartphone has a USB Type-C port for charging. A 4,410mAh battery with support for fast charging is built into the Pixel 6a.
Pfizer (PFE) beat Wall Street consensus on its earnings Tuesday for the first quarter, largely boosted by the company's COVID-19 portfolio. Though the company has several new drugs in the pipeline, investors are leery on the company's outlook given its reliance on the pandemic.

"We are assuming in our model that even in a 'trough' scenario, the COVID-19 products still contribute revenues to (Pfizer). In the event both products generate lower volumes than we expect, this would present further downside to our valuation," said Goldman Sachs analysts in a note Tuesday.

Pfizer remains the only vaccine company whose stock didn't get the same boost as its balance sheet did from the pandemic, even as it enjoyed market domination globally.

CEO Albert Bourla told Yahoo Finance in an interview Tuesday he is not happy with the stock price, currently trading at about $39 per share, but knows that uncertainty spooks investors.

"The multiple that is assigned to our stock is the bottom of the range," Bourla said.

While demand for the company's COVID products is uncertain, there is also risk in the company's 2023 outlook as it prepares to launch 12 products in the second half of the year. That's because they still require FDA action and approval.

"We understand the setup: anything following Pfizer's COVID success looks like a rough patch, M&A misses loom larger than home runs. Investors may view Pfizer's risk aversion, despite >$100B deal capacity, as a frustrating miscalculationnot Merck frustrating, but frustrating nonetheless," BMO Research analysts said in a note in February, prior to the company's $43 billion acquisition of Seagan, a global biotech company that focuses on cancer research and treatments.

FILE - A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 in New York. Pfizer reports their earnings on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

COVID products

Bourla has noted that 2023 will be a transition year for the company's COVID-19 products, as vaccine uptake and Paxlovid treatment use will vary based on U.S. government decisions. That includes FDA's decision on when Paxlovid will be fully approved and what the needs will be for the COVID vaccine, Comirnaty.

Story continues

The company, like others which benefitted from the pandemic, is seeing a reduction in its COVID-19 suite of products, which alone accounted for a significant boost to the company's bottom line in 2022, helping it achieve $100 billion in revenues for the year.

By comparison, 2023 is starting off slower, as evidenced by negotiations with the European Union and the 26% decline in COVID revenue compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, CEO Bourla said that the supply of doses that were already purchased by governments last year are expected to last through the year.

But, he said, the COVID portfolio isn't a total loss.

"Even with Comirnaty's decline, our COVID franchises remained significant contributors to the business with a combined $7.1 billion in revenues during the quarter," Bourla said on the earnings call Tuesday.

The company expects Comirnaty to provide revenues of $13.5 billion and Paxlovid to provide $8 billion in revenue for the year, and it reaffirmed its guidance for total 2023 revenues between $67 to $71 billion.

19 products in 18 months

Beyond COVID, the company reported 5% operational growth. It is awaiting an FDA decision on its RSV vaccine, for pregnant women.

Pfizer is also anticipating its new pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar 20, which recently received FDA approval, will provide significant revenue for the year. The Prevnar product revenues totaled $6.8 billion globally last year and the newest formula is expected to dominate as it provides broader protection.

The company is reaffirming at least 19 product launches in the next 18 months in total, and expects a more robust second half of the year.

Pfizer is also working on its portfolio beyond vaccines. The company did not provide an update on its oral diabetes and weight loss drugs, which entered trials late last year, which could eventually compete with branded injectables like Novo Nordisk's (NVO) Ozempic and Wegovy and Eli Lilly's (LLY) Mounjaro.

But chief scientific officer Mikael Dolsten told Yahoo Finance that the company expects the two compounds to generate data late this year or early next year and that the company will select the most efficacious of the two to move forward.

"We think oral will allow very high efficacy...and bring this segment further into primary care," Dolsten said.

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New Delhi: Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova on Tuesday expressed 'regret' after a tweet posted by the country's defence ministry purportedly showed an image of Goddess Kali over a blast fume. She said that Ukraine 'regrets' the defence ministry's depiction of Goddess Kali in a 'distorted manner' and that the European country 'respects unique Indian culture'. She added the depiction has already been removed.

"We regret Ministry of Defense of Ukraine depicting Hindu goddess Kali in distorted manner. Ukraine & its people respect unique Indian culture & highly appreciate India's support. The depiction has already been removed. Ukraine is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect & friendship," Emine Dzhaparova said in a tweet.

We regret @DefenceU depicting #Hindu goddess #Kali in distorted manner. #Ukraine &its people respect unique #Indian culture&highly appreciatesupport.The depiction has already been removed.is determined to further increase cooperation in spirit of mutual respect&friendship.  Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) May 1, 2023

Earlier last week, the Twitter handle @DefenceU posted the image with the caption 'Work of Art' and triggered angry reactions from many Indians who accused the Ukrainian defence ministry of insensitivity and hurting the sentiments of Indians.

In the picture, the artist depicted the blast in a unique yet offensive blend of famous American actress Marilyn Monroe in her 'flying skirt' pose with the face and detailing resembling Hindu Goddess Kali.

Some Indian Twitter users even sought External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's intervention.

"Please take note of this defamatory post that shows Maa Kali in a bad light," a user said and tagged Jaishankar.

Following online outrage, the tweet was deleted by Ukraine's defence ministry.

Emine Dzhaparova had recently visited India, the first visit by a Ukrainian minister to India since the start of the Ukraine war in February last year. During her visit, she held talks with several senior Indian leaders.
Crypto exchange Poloniex has agreed to pay $7.59 million to settle allegations that it allowed violations of international sanctions on its platform, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

Between January 2014 and November 2019, the trading platform allowed customers who appeared to be located in sanctioned jurisdictions to make transactions.

The value of these transactions amounted to around $15.3 million for 232 customers who were mainly in the Crimea region of Ukraine, but also in Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria.

The Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which enforces economic sanctions, said Poloniex had reason to know the locations of the accounts in question based on both Know Your Customer (KYC) information and IP addresses.

OFAC noted that controls introduced by late 2017 substantially reduced the rate of the alleged violations, as did additional compliance measures introduced when Poloniex was acquired by Circle in February 2018. However, some apparent violations continued in 2018 and 2019, related to a small number of accounts in Crimea.

This action highlights that online digital asset companies  like all financial service providers  are responsible for ensuring that they do not engage in transactions prohibited by OFAC sanctions, such as providing services to persons in comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions, a statement from OFAC said.

To mitigate such risks, online digital asset companies should develop a tailored, risk-based sanctions compliance program.

Regulatory fallout for legacy business

In November 2019, the Poloniex platform was spun out by Circle as Polo Digital Assets and sold to an unnamed Asian investment firm. That deal did not include Poloniexs U.S. arm, which Circle then wound down. The Treasury said Poloniex now has no business operations and no employees.

A Circle spokesman told the Wall Street Journal that the company had agreed to assume certain potential regulatory liabilities associated with the acquisition of Poloniex.

Story continues

We are pleased to put this legacy issue behind us, they added. Decrypt has reached out to Circle and will update this article should we receive a response.

The agreement follows a previous settlement in August 2021, when Poloniex agreed to pay $10.4 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to settle charges of operating as an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange.

The mothballed business is not the only crypto exchange to have faced scrutiny relating to its sanctions compliance. Last year, working with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), OFAC fined Bittrex $53 million for facilitating a similar list of apparent sanctions violations.
Record Revenue of $48.6 million for the quarter - 204% growth year-over-year

Pro Forma Consolidated1 Revenue grew 42% year-over-year

Record Adjusted EBITDA2 of $4.5 million for the quarter, a 62% increase year-over-year

Record Adjusted Free Cash Flow2 of $3.9 million for the quarter, a 41% increase year-over-year

(All figures in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/

TORONTO, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - PopReach Corporation ("PopReach" or the "Company") (TSXV: POPR) (OTCQX: POPRF), a multiplatform digital technology company, announced its financial results for the three and fifteen months ended December 31, 2022.

PopReach Corporation (CNW Group/PopReach Corporation)

"We are thrilled to report record financial results for the December quarter that clearly demonstrate the significant financial scale we've now achieved. We've achieved record pro forma results and are delivering strong cash flow generation while building a diversified organically growing business," said Jon Walsh, CEO of PopReach. "Our recent acquisitions of Schiefer Chopshop (SCS) and OpenMoves in 2023 further demonstrate our ability to execute strategic deals, as we work to build the most effective and complete suite of advertising and marketing solutions for brands and publishers to reach their customers."

Financial Highlights for the three months ended December 31, 2022

Record Revenue of $48.6 million, a 91% increase from $25.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and a 204% increase from the three months ended December 31, 2021

Revenue of $48.6 million represents a 32% increase from Pro Forma Consolidated 1 Revenue of $36.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and a 42% increase from Pro Forma Consolidated 1 Revenue of $34.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021

Gross profit of $17.1 million, compared to $11.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022

Net loss of $18.0 million ($(0.08) per basic and diluted share), which included year end non-cash charges for write downs of intangibles and goodwill of $17.5 million

Record Adjusted EBITDA 2 of $4.5 million, compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and an increase of 62% from the three months ended December 31, 2021

Adjusted Free Cash Flow 2 of $3.9 million (85% Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion rate), compared to $2.5 million (83% Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion rate) for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and an increase of 39% from the three months ended December 31, 2021

Cash as at December 31, 2022 was $7.8 million

Total debt as at December 31, 2022 was $52.1 million, including $37.3 million of senior lender debt and $13.8 million of convertible debt

Story continues

Change in Fiscal Year-End



In connection with the reverse takeover transaction completed by the Company on April 28, 2022 (the "RTO Transaction") the fiscal year-end of the Company was changed from September 30 to December 31. As a result of the change, the Company has a fifteen month fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The Company made the change to provide improved comparable information with its industry peers going forward.

However, comparative information between the fifteen month fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and the fiscal period from the date of incorporation (January 25, 2021) to September 30, 2021 is not particularly relevant or useful. Therefore, the Company is only providing financial highlights for the fifteen months ended December 31, 2022 below without comparatives to the prior fiscal period.

Financial highlights for the fifteen months ended December 31, 2022:

Revenue of $125.3 million

Gross profit of $53.3 million

Net loss of $23.9 million

Adjusted EBITDA 2 of $14.1 million

Adjusted Free Cash Flow2 of $12.2 million (86% Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion rate)

1 Please refer to "Selected Unreviewed and Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information" section of this press release

2 Please refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this press release



Significant developments for the three months ended December 31, 2022

On September 8, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests of Ubiquity Agency, LLC (" Ubiquity "), an omnichannel marketing network and technology platform, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $44.3 million.

On September 8, 2022, the Company amended its senior credit facility with the Bank of Montreal to fully exercise the accordion option to increase the non-revolving term facility by $15 million to $40 million in order to fund the acquisition of Ubiquity. After the amendment, the facility consists of a $40 million non-revolving term facility and an unamended $8 million revolving facility. All other material terms of the facility remain unchanged.

Subsequent events

On April 18, 2023, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of Schiefer Media, Inc. (" SCS "), a brand transformation company, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $14.9 million.

On April 26, 2023, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests of OpenMoves LLC ("OpenMoves"), a B2B and B2C performance and growth marketing company, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $7.5 million.

Selected Unreviewed and Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information

The Pro Forma Consolidated Revenue provided above is presented as if the RTO Transaction and the acquisition of each of Q1Media, Inc. ("Q1Media"), NotifyAI, LLC ("NotifyAI"), Crucial Interactive Holdings Inc. ("Contobox"), and Ubiquity were completed at the beginning of the three month period ended December 31, 2021.

The unreviewed and unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Revenue provided above (the "Pro Forma Revenue") is derived from the Revenue figures presented in PopReach's financial statements, and in Management's Discussion and Analysis, filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for the applicable periods ("As Reported Revenue") after taking into account the following adjustments: (i) As Reported Revenue for the three month period ending September 30, 2022 increased by $11.4 million to reflect Pro Forma Revenue for the period of $36.9 million; and (ii) As Reported Revenue for the three month period ending December 31, 2021 increased by $18.3 million to reflect Pro Forma Revenue for the period of $34.3 million.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). However, the Company considers certain non-IFRS financial measures as useful additional information to assess its financial performance. These measures, which it believes are widely used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties to evaluate its performance, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, nor should they be construed as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS measures include "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Adjusted Free Cash Flow".

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is a non-IFRS measure of financial performance. Company management defines Adjusted EBITDA as IFRS Net income (loss) adding back finance costs, income taxes, depreciation amortization, gain/loss on disposal of assets and extinguishment of loans, fair value gain/loss on financial liabilities and contingent consideration, and excludes discontinued operations and the effects of significant items of income and expenditure which may have an impact on the quality of earnings, such as impairments where the impairment is the result of an isolated, non-recurring event. It also excludes the effects of equity-settled share-based payments, foreign exchange gains/losses, changes in deferred revenues, changes in deferred cost of sales, and other extraordinary one-time expenses. See reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA in the table below.

Company management defines "Adjusted Free Cash Flow" as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, such as acquisition of property and equipment and additions to intangibles, and income taxes paid during the applicable period. See reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow in the table below.

The presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS and may be different from non-IFRS financial measures used by other companies.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are useful financial metrics to assess its operating performance on a cash basis before the impact of non-cash and extraordinary one-time items.

The following table presents the Company's calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow for each period:





For the three months ended





December 31,



September 30,



June 30,



March 31,





2022



2022



2022



2022

Net loss

$ (17,974)



$ (1,886)



$ (1,443)



$ (820)

Add:























Finance costs



1,274





688





673





688

Income tax expense (recovery)



526





282





(356)





(672)

Depreciation and amortization



3,698





3,070





2,396





1,718

Impairment loss on intangibles and goodwill



17,548



















Fair value loss (gain) on financial liabilities



(530)





(33)





(5)







Loss on disposal of property and equipment



1



















Loss on extinguishment of loan















1,216







Share-based compensation expense



386





353





131







Change in deferred revenue of in-app purchases



225





268





(62)







Change in deferred cost of sales



(110)





(56)





(100)







Extraordinary one-time expenses



187





245





469





518

Foreign exchange loss (gain)



(95)





39





(110)





(37)

Loan forgiveness



(617)



















Non-recurring income



(2)

















(378)

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 4,517



$ 2,970



$ 2,809



$ 1,017

Less:























Acquisition of property and equipment



(38)





(21)





(13)





(15)

Additions to intangible assets



(544)





(466)





(202)







Taxes paid



(76)





(27)





(510)







Adjusted Free Cash Flow

$ 3,859



$ 2,456



$ 2,084



$ 1,002





Financial Statements and MD&A

PopReach's Financial Statements for the three and fifteen months ended December 31, 2022, and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the same periods, are posted on its corporate website at www.popreach.com and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

About PopReach Corporation

PopReach, a Tier 1 Issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange, with shares also trading on OTCQX Best Market, is a multiplatform technology company focused on acquiring, optimizing and growing companies and assets that provide services, technology or products within the digital media ecosystem. The Company's portfolio includes: PopReach Games, a free-to-play mobile game publisher; NotifyAI, a push notification subscription and monetization platform; Q1Media, a digital media advertising services provider; Contobox, an award-winning personalization, eCommerce and creative advertising technology platform; and Ubiquity, an omnichannel marketing network and technology platform; SCS, a brand transformation service provider; and OpenMoves, a B2B and B2C performance and growth marketing platform.

Additional information about the Company is available at www.sedar.com .

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to and the business, financials and operations of the Company. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements and future events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Investors are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

SOURCE PopReach Corporation

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2023/02/c6044.html
ReportLinker

By Type (Power Transformer & Distribution Transformer), By Rating (1-500 MVA, Upto 1000 KVA & Above 500 MVA), By End User (Industrial, Commercial, Residential & Utility), By Phase (Three Phase & Single Phase), By Insulation (Oil Immersed & Dry), By Region, Competition.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Power & Distribution Transformer Market  Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454826/?utm_source=GNW



Global Power & Distribution Transformer Market was valued at USD 50,923.69 million in 2022 and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.98% during the forecast period.

Transformers and distribution of power to step-up and step-down voltage levels for a number of applications, including transmission and distribution, transformers are frequently employed in power systems.A static electrical machine called a transformer alters the amounts of voltage and current in a circuit without altering the frequency of the power source.



The principle of electromagnetic induction underlies how transformers work. While the electromagnetic induction-based operating principle of all transformers is typically the same, their design, purpose, and winding configurations make them suitable for various purposes.

Technological Advancement of Smart Grid

The key market trend for the global power & distribution transformer business is the rising need for consistent and dependable electrical energy worldwide.Several industrialized nations are currently concentrating their efforts on modernizing their aging energy infrastructure.



The need for I.O.T. compatible distribution transformers will rise as smart grid technology develops. For instance, AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) devices are predicted to see a significant growth rate as a result of the grid modernization activities done by the state and federal governments throughout the area. By 2027, it is predicted that countries such as Mexico will invest USD 6.3 billion in the infrastructure of smart grids and another USD 2.1 billion in LED and smart street lighting, which might open up a wide range of opportunities for the concerned industry players. A smart grid is thought of as a highly effective and affordable technology that can reduce carbon emissions into the environment. Future prospects for the North American transformer business might result from such improvements to the regions present networks.

Government Initiatives Power Transformers

As part of its infrastructure plan, which was presented in 2016, the Canadian government anticipates investing over USD 180 billion over the following 12 years in projects related to transportation, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, commerce, and tourism.Similarly, as part of its Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Initiative, the Canadian government announced in 2021 that it would contribute up to USD 964 million over four years for projects related to smart renewable energy and grid modernization (SREPs).



Thanks to the proper application of governmental laws and support of grid growth, 98 million smart meters have been placed in the US by the end of 2020.The market may see growth during the projected period as a result of governments in many North American nations investing in advanced metering infrastructure to update the energy grid and minimize transmission and distribution losses.



Moreover, it is anticipated that increased investment in the modernization of Europes transmission and distribution networks will result from the rising energy demand from the expanding commercial and residential sectors, supporting the European market for distribution transformers in the years to come.

Latest Investments

North America is predicted to have a high CAGR over the forecast period.In 2019, the California Public Utilities Commission granted a permit for the construction of the Artesian 230-kV Substation Expansion Project in San Diego County, California.



The commission additionally observed that SDG&Es (San Diego Gas & Electric) stated goal for the proposed project is to build a new substation in order to meet the stringent dependability criteria of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).The West Ashville substation project in New York was initiated by the national grid in 2019.



It is predicted that the majority of the project is expected to be in the countys western section, with minor components in San Diego City, and the decision was taken in response to low voltage problems that would develop on the existing electric transmission system if the local load rose fast.National Grid decided to construct a new substation in the Town of Harmony to alleviate pressure on the existing system and to supply the region with constant and steady electricity.



The Power & Distribution Transformer market is anticipated to expand throughout the projected period as a result of these most recent advances.

Market Segmentation

The Global Power & Distribution Transformer market is divided into Type, Rating, End User, Phase, and Insulation.Based on type, the market is further segmented into power transformers & distribution transformers.



Based on the rating, the market is further segmented into 1-500 MVA, up to 1000 KVA & above 500 MVA.Based on end users, the market is segmented into industrial, commercial, residential & utility.



Based on phase, the market is segmented into three phases & single phase. Based on insulation, the market is further segmented into oil-immersed & dry.

Market Players

Major market players in the Global Power & Distribution Transformer market are Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Hitachi Ltd, CG Power & Industrial Solutions Ltd, Hyundai Electric & Energy System Co., Ltd, GE Grid Solutions, Schneider Electric SE, Eaton Corporation plc, Hammond Power Solutions Inc, Olsun Electrics Corporations, TBEA Co., Ltd, Jiangsu HuaPeng Transformer Co. Ltd, Toshiba Corporation, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.



Report Scope:



In this report, the Global Power & Distribution Transformer market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:

 Power & Distribution Transformer Market, By Type:

o Power Transformer

o Distribution Transformer

 Power & Distribution Transformer Market, By Rating:

o 1-500 MVA

o Upto 1000 KVA

o Above 500 MVA

 Power & Distribution Transformer Market, By End User:

o Industrial

o Commercial

o Residential

o Utility

 Power & Distribution Transformer Market, By Product:

o Multi-turn Valve

o Quarter-turn Valve

o Others

 Power & Distribution Transformer Market, By Phase:



o Three Phase

o Single Phase

 Power & Distribution Transformer Market, By Insulation:



o Oil Immersed

o Dry

 Power & Distribution Transformer Market, By Region:

o North America

o Europe

o Rest of the World



Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Power & Distribution Transformer market.



Available Customizations:



Tech Sci Research offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:



Company Information



 Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06454826/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Prime Mining Corp.

Strong treasury funds ongoing expansion drilling within known high-grade and emerging high-potential areas

Figure 1

Resource Area Pits, and Generative Target Locations

Figure 2

Northeast View of Resource Area Indicating Expansion Potential

Figure 3

Cross-section of Guadalupe East Indicating Continuous High-Grade Envelope

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Mining Corp. (Prime or the Company) (TSX-V: PRYM, OTCQX: PRMNF, Frankfurt: 04V3) is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its Los Reyes gold-silver project, located in Sinaloa State, Mexico.



Resource Highlights:

The addition of 100,000 metres (m) of Prime drilling has doubled the current MRE compared to the April 2020 resource, with a discovery cost of approximately $US 25 per gold equivalent 1 (AuEq) ounce (oz).

At the resource gold cut-off grade of 0.22 gpt, Primes updated open pit MRE contains: 1.47 million Indicated AuEq ounces at a 1.68 grams per tonne (gpt) average grade. This represents a 73% increase in Measured and Indicated AuEq ounces, and 26% increase in AuEq grade. This is 1.0 million ounces of gold at 1.16 gpt and 35 million ounces of silver at 40.4 gpt. 0.73 million Inferred AuEq ounces at a 1.26 gpt average grade. This represents a 175% increase in AuEq ounces and 8% increase in AuEq grade. This is 0.5 million ounces of gold at 0.85 gpt and 18.4 million ounces of silver at 31.5 gpt.

Using a higher 1.0 gpt gold cut-off grade, the MRE highlights a robust, extremely high-grade open pit resource that contains in excess of 1.0 million AuEq Indicated ounces at an average AuEq grade of 3.70 gpt (see Table 2 for more details).

The MRE has a high-grade open pit mill resource and a lower grade heap leach portion.

The MRE includes drilling completed before December 31, 2022 from only the three main zones at Los Reyes: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central.

This MRE does not include positive results from: Mariposa, Las Primas and Fresnillo; highly prospective exploration targets outlined in Primes February 27th news release; over 20,000 m drilled to-date during 2023.





Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Kunz commented, Congratulations to our exploration team for doubling the known gold-silver resource at Los Reyes while simultaneously increasing the average grade and improving the quality and confidence in the mineral resource estimate. Included in the open pit resource tonnes and grade is a notable high-grade mill feed component. The key elements of our on-going discoveries made over the past two years are the size and scale of the high-grade mineralization. On-going metallurgical testwork is confirming the relatively simple, high-recovery nature of the resources. With the additional proceeds from the early warrant exercise, we will have the flexibility to increase the drill program as we maintain our success-based approach to exploration.

Story continues

Scott Smith, Executive Vice President of Exploration, added: We remain hard at work drilling known extensions to the resource and new generative exploration areas highlighted earlier this year. We are targeting yet another doubling of our mineral resource. Since the MRE year-end drilling cut-off, we have already drilled an additional 20,000 metres at Los Reyes that are not included in todays mineral resource estimate. In the majority of the mineral envelopes, our resource pits pull right to the extent of our drilling - these represent immediate expansion opportunities with our ongoing 2023 drilling. Prime has already increased its 2023 drill program to 45,000 m, and the team is already planning for an expanded fall drill program.

With ongoing drilling success, the Company believes there is significant potential to expand the MRE.



Table 1  2023 Resource Estimate at 0.22 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade

($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2

Process

Stream Assurance

Category Ore

Tonnes Average

Gold

Grade Contained

Gold Average

Silver

Grade Contained

Silver Average

AuEq Contained

AuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) Mill Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 M+I 16.6 1.66 888 60.2 32,182 2.44 1,304 Inferred 10.8 1.18 411 47.2 16,390 1.79 623 Heap Measured (M) - - - - - - - Leach Indicated (I) 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 M+I 10.5 0.37 125 9.1 3,081 0.49 165 Inferred 7.3 0.37 86 8.3 1,944 0.47 111 TOTAL Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 M+I 27.2 1.16 1,013 40.4 35,263 1.68 1,470 Inferred 18.1 0.85 497 31.5 18,334 1.26 734

Resource Description

The Los Reyes resource is composed of three main areas: Guadalupe, Z-T and Central (see Figure 1  Resource Area Map). Resources were estimated assuming a gold price of $1700 and silver price of $22, and various processing, operating cost and other economic parameters as described in Note 2 below. Resources are reported from blocks within an economically constrained pit, containing gold grades greater than 0.22 gpt. The resource areas remain open along strike and at depth (see Figure 2  Resource Area 3D view).

The majority of the Los Reyes resource is contained within a high-grade envelope (see Figure 3  Guadalupe East cross-section). For example, at a 1.0 gpt gold cut-off, the Los Reyes MRE contains in excess of 1 million gold equivalent ounces at an average grade of 3.70 gpt AuEq in the Indicated category and 374,000 ounces at a grade of 3.07 gpt AuEq in the Inferred category (see Table 2).

Table 2  2023 Resource Sensitivity Estimate at 1.0 gpt Gold Cut-off Grade

($1700/oz gold price, $22/oz silver price, economic pit-constrained estimate)2

Assurance

Category Ore

Tonnes Average

Gold

Grade Contained

Gold Average

Silver

Grade Contained

Silver Average

AuEq Contained

AuEq (millions) (gpt) (k ozs) (gpt) (k ozs) Grade (gpt) (k ozs) 1.00 g/T Measured (M) - - - - - - - Cutoff Indicated (I) 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 M+I 8.8 2.59 731 85.6 24,212 3.70 1,045 Inferred 3.8 2.30 281 59.2 7,208 3.07 374

For the purposes of this MRE, all resources are assumed to be mined using conventional open pit methods (see Note 2 for further assumptions).

The MRE was estimated using a drilling cut-off date of December 31, 2022. It is based on a resource block model developed from almost 50,000 metres (m) of drilling completed by previous property owners, and over 100,000 m of drilling completed by Prime, of which more than 90% is diamond drill core.

This MRE was completed under the supervision of John Sims, a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists since 2004, an Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 guidelines, with over 35 years of related experience. Prime will file a NI 43-101 compliant updated Technical Report in support of this resource update within 45 days of this release. The following information is available on our website, including the full drill hole table up to December 31, 2022:

Link 1  PDF Figures

Link 2  PDF Drill Hole Table

Figure 1 Resource Area Pits, and Generative Target Locations

Resource Area Pits, and Generative Target Locations





Figure 2 Northeast View of Resource Area Indicating Expansion Potential





Northeast View of Resource Area Indicating Expansion Potential

Figure 3 Cross-section of Guadalupe East Indicating Continuous High-Grade Envelope





Cross-section of Guadalupe East Indicating Continuous High-Grade Envelope

Next Steps

With the resource areas remaining open along strike and at depth, Prime will complete an increased 45,000m exploration drilling program at Los Reyes in 2023. Overall, Primes discovery cost over the past three years is less than $US25 per AuEq ounce. Supported by a strong treasury bolstered by the recently announced warrant acceleration (see Primes April 11, 2023 news release), Prime will continue to drill the highly prospective Guadalupe, Z-T and Central Zones in order to expand known resources and further explore newly developing resource areas. Work will also continue on other technical areas including metallurgical test work, geotechnical assessments, mine and processing stream optimization and trade-offs, environmental studies and social contributions.

Notes

Gold equivalent grades are calculated as in-situ contained grades, applying the assumed ratio of gold to silver prices using the following formula: AuEq grade (gpt) = Gold grade (gpt) + Silver grade (gpt) x ($22 / $1700). Relative recoveries are not considered in the in-situ contained grade estimate but are stated below and utilized in the resource shell economic pit constraints. All dollar values are in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Resource estimate is based on economically constrained pits using the following optimization parameters (all dollar values are in US dollars): $1700/ounce gold price and $22/ounce silver price

Mill recoveries of 93% and 83% for gold and silver, respectively

Heap leach recoveries of 73% and 25% for gold and silver, respectively

45-degree pit slopes, with an assumed 5% ore loss and 5% dilution factor applied to the 5x5x5m resource block model

Mining costs of $2.00 per tonne of waste mined and $2.50 per tonne of ore mined

Milling costs of $15 per tonne processed and heap leaching costs of $4 per tonne processed

G&A of $1.60 per tonne processed

3% royalty costs and 1% selling costs were also applied

Unless otherwise noted, an overall 0.22 g/T gold cut-off was applied to all ore blocks



QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures

Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled in predominately HQ size (63.5 millimetre mm), reducing to NQ or BQ size ranges (47.6 mm and 36.5 mm respectively) when required. Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m long along the core axis with allowance for shorter or longer intervals if required to suit geological constraints. After logging intervals are identified to be sampled and split, and one half is submitted for assay. RC drilling returns rock chips and fines from a 133.35 mm diameter tricone bit. The returns are homogenized and split into two halves, with one half submitted for analysis and the other half stored.

Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified reference materials and blanks as well as preparation duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up approximately 8% of the samples submitted to the laboratory for each drill hole.

Samples are picked up from the Project by the laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango or Hermosillo Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay, including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element analysis completed in North Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250-gram split to at least 85% passing 75 microns.

Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with detection by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a full suite of elements.

Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an upper detection limit of 10 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21.

Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC accredited assay laboratories. Drill core assay results range from below detection to 200.0 gpt gold and 4,955.0 gpt silver.

Qualified Person

Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of Exploration, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release.

Additional Notes

Primes mineral resource estimate as of May 2, 2023 are classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the CIM Definition Standards) in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver Project

Los Reyes is a rapidly evolving high-grade, low sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. Historic operating results indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Primes acquisition, recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies. The Project remains underexplored and holds potential for additional discovery and resource expansion.

Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent approximately US$30 million on direct exploration activities and has completed two phases of comprehensive drilling totaling over 100,000 metres. Results to date suggest the three known main deposit areas, Guadalupe, Central and Z-T, are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries outside of the currently defined resource areas.

About Prime Mining

Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the Los Reyes Project. The company has a well-planned capital structure with a strong management team and insider ownership.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Kunz

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Daniel Kunz

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Prime Mining Corp.

1307 S. Colorado Ave.

Boise, Idaho 83706

Telephone: +1 (208) 926-6379 office

email: daniel@primeminingcorp.ca

Scott Hicks

Executive Vice President

Prime Mining Corp.

710  1030 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC, V6E 2Y3

Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128 office

email: scott.hicks@primeminingcorp.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the perceived merit of the Companys properties, including additional exploration potential of Los Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the Companys exploration and development plans in Mexico. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates, including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions, variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license, changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters, delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Companys objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated April 22, 2022, available on www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/47c31c0c-f60d-4021-a00e-a06d5de93c93

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76f2d31a-8c45-426b-a34e-3aea34bad223

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf35ebb1-663c-4ff0-a0a7-66725eb43e18




(Bloomberg) -- Qantas Airways Ltd. named Vanessa Hudson as its first female chief executive officer, handing her the task of rebuilding the 103-year-old airlines battered reputation.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Hudson, who has worked at Qantas for almost three decades and is currently chief financial officer, will assume the top job in November. CEO Alan Joyce, one of aviations longest-serving and highest-profile leaders, is stepping down after 15 years in the role.

Hudson, 53, will be handed an airline delivering record profits amid surging demand for air travel in the wake of Covid-19. Yet she also inherits strained ties with union leaders angered by Joyces job cuts, and bruised relations with passengers fed up with pandemic-related cancellations, delays, lost luggage and high ticket prices.

Qantas shares dropped 2.2% to A$6.59 at 12 p.m. in Sydney, valuing the airline at A$12 billion ($8 billion).

Hudson started with Qantas in 1994 as an internal auditor before becoming catering product manager three years later. She has since held leadership positions in commercial planning and sales and distribution. She was the airlines chief customer officer before the pandemic.

Chairman Richard Goyder said Hudson beat almost 40 other candidates from around the world, most of them men. Ultimately, it came down to a choice between Hudson and Olivia Wirth, the head of Qantas loyalty business, he said.

The man Hudson replaces is famed for turning around one of Australias most iconic brands at least twice and enriching shareholders. But Joyce leaves behind a divisive legacy after a series of employee cuts over the past decade. Most recently, he slashed more than 8,000 jobs during the coronavirus crisis.

Story continues

Read more: The Five Key Challenges Facing New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson

At a press conference at Qantas headquarters near Sydney airport on Tuesday, Hudson  seated alongside Goyder and Joyce  was peppered with questions about how shed fix the airlines broken bonds with unions, staff and travelers.

Im coming into this position valuing the contribution that our people make every day, Hudson said. Im really looking forward to meeting the unions.

A top priority, she said, was taking care of customers. Underscoring Hudsons challenge, Transport Workers Union National Secretary Michael Kaine simultaneously issued a statement warning she faced an uphill challenge to rebuild the company.

The new CEO must turn Qantas in a new direction away from the dismantling of standards it has seen for the last decade and a half, Kaine said. Our door is open.

The earlier-than-expected succession announcement allows Joyce to hand over the reins over a six-month period. Goyder had previously said Joyce would remain in charge until at least the end of 2023. At the press conference Tuesday, Joyce singled out Hudsons leadership skills and said he would have retired years ago if it hadnt been for Covid-19.

Hudson, who has two daughters aged 18 and 21, hadnt hidden her ambitions to lead the airline. She put her hand up for the role in an interview with Bloomberg Television in March last year. If the board were to give me the opportunity to step into Alans shoes, I would be incredibly honored and proud, she said at the time.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Provides advisors with fiduciary solutions to manage clients investment property wealth and integrate customized CRE investment portfolios to diversify financial planning, generate passive income.

AUSTIN, Texas, May 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As more wealth advisors seek new ways to expand their practices and better serve clients evolving needs, including the integration of real estate investments with tax-optimized strategies, Realized today announced that it will launch an end-to-end platform for wealth advisors (and fiduciaries) to better manage investment property wealth. This platform can help advisors incorporate curated portfolios of commercial real estate (CRE) investments as part of their long-term financial planning for clients.

The Realized platform delivers enhanced portfolio construction capabilities, including the use of stable, cash-flowing properties such as DSTs. This enables an advisor to offer clients a CRE portfolio that can bring diversification and tax management to a broader investment strategy and complement traditional wealth management portfolios like stocks, bonds, or ETFs that may already be in place. This represents approximately $6.4 trillion in new potential AUM for advisors.

DSTs, or Delaware Statutory Trusts, offer fractional investments in large commercial properties that are professionally managed and are 1031 Exchange-eligible. DSTs offer investors access to high-quality, stabilized assets that feature the tax sheltering advantages typically only accessible via direct real estate ownership. By virtue of Realizeds ability to customize DST portfolios based on an investors specific needs and risk tolerance, with an investment as little as $25,000, Realized is enabling advisors to offer their clients alternative investment vehicles that generate passive risk-adjusted returns.

David Wieland, CEO and co-founder of Realized, said, "These innovations align directly with advisors desire to grow their practices and augment the services they offer clients through the addition of an asset class they previously didnt have the tools to effectively manage. At the same time, these innovations also help advisors meet the increasing client demands for more impactful ways to maintain passive income, manage risk, and preserve wealth across generations. Through our proprietary wealth management technology and access to institutional-grade real estate data and insights, we are leading the charge to demystify this vibrant asset class that we believe was previously only accessible to large institutions."

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Adding Commercial Real Estate to Advisor Practices

Wieland noted that Realized designed its platform to be user-centric and intuitive. Through a simplified investment process, Realized is expanding the variety and utility of the CRE portfolios it constructs for wealth advisors on behalf of their clients. These enhancements allow an advisor to potentially manage a greater portion of a clients household balance sheet. This, in turn, can enable advisors to grow AUM while offering more comprehensive wealth management in a construct similar to many of the investment portfolios that have become popularized by more traditional asset classes, such as equities.

Goals-Based Portfolios bring the same simplified investment strategy made mainstream by 401k target date funds to CRE. These portfolios aim to align with specific investment strategies, including capital preservation, income generation, or growth. These portfolios seek to have predefined allocations (e.g., 20% in student housing, 30% in apartments, etc.) with simplified asset options based on the inventory of offerings available.

Optimized Portfolios allow for further personalization while removing human bias from the investment selection process. The Realized algorithm provides a 90% confidence interval for the ten-year income potential for commercial real estate portfolio options. Advisors can build portfolios aligned with income needs, plus diversify with different deals based on property type, geographic preferences, or risk tolerance.

Performance Tracking Tools such as advisor portals and integration into wealth management reporting systems allow advisors to easily review each clients positions, distributions, and variance against projections.

Valuation and Billing via the DST industrys only source of quarterly Net Asset Values (NAVs) are prepared in partnership with a nationally recognized "Big 4" accounting firm.

Secondary Market to provide potential liquidity options to navigate life events or make portfolio adjustments. To date, the platform has completed transactions with 16 unique DST sponsors at an average trade value of over 93% of par value. Realized plans to further enhance this capability by launching its SEC- and FINRA-reviewed alternative trading system for fractional CRE investments.

Additionally, investment portfolios constructed by Realized all feature a quantitative measure of diversification in a clients CRE portfolio based on characteristics such as Sponsors, property types, market rent, and tenant type.

In February 2023, Realized announced platform enhancements that included fee-based accounts, Confidence Scores, and white-label investment plans and portals for advisors.

Stephanie Elliott, president at Realized Financial, added, "We are always aiming to strike a balance between technical advancement and user experience. It is essential to elicit feedback from our industry partners and those who will most benefit from our offerings to ensure that they find value and utility in the offering as they think about incorporating alternative asset classes into long-term financial planning."

About Realized Holdings

Through Realized Financial, Inc. (Realized Financial), Realized Holdings (Realized) provides real estate wealth solutions to individuals and families that own legacy investment properties and other appreciated financial and capital assets. Investors and their advisors use the Realized platform to transfer wealth from legacy properties and assets into passive commercial real estate investment portfolios  comprised of DST and Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) investments and customized to their specific needs. To learn more, visit www.realized1031.com.

No public market currently exists, and one may never exist. DST/QOZ programs are speculative and suitable only for Accredited Investors who do not anticipate a need for liquidity or can afford to lose their entire investment.

These investments are sold by PPM that discloses all risks, fees, and expenses. An investor should consult with his/her tax advisor prior to investing.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005167/en/

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Delvens

Delvens published an exclusive market intelligence report, titled Global Recloser Market Trends Analysis Report by Phase Type (Three Phase, Single Phase, and Triple-single Phase), Control Type (Electronic and Hydraulic), Voltage Rating (Up to 15 kV, 16-27 kV, and 28-38 kV), Insulation Medium (Oil, Air, and Epoxy), Region, Supply & Demand Side Analysis, and Segment Forecasts, 2023-2030.

New York, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Recloser Market is expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2030 from $1.4 billion in 2022, registering impressive expansion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. Some of the major players are ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Hubbell, and Eaton Corporation among others.

Global Recloser Market Trends Analysis Report by Phase Type (Three Phase, Single Phase, and Triple-single Phase), Control Type (Electronic and Hydraulic), Voltage Rating (Up to 15 kV, 16-27 kV, and 28-38 kV), Insulation Medium (Oil, Air, and Epoxy), Region, Supply & Demand Side Analysis, and Segment Forecasts, 2023-2030.

To Understand Business Strategies, Request for a Sample Report at: https://www.delvens.com/get-free-sample/recloser-market-trends-forecast-till-2028

The power demand is quite strong in growing countries like China and India. Additionally, the distribution industry has a high demand for reliable power infrastructure. Standard circuit breakers were unable to handle the load changes and protracted power outages brought on by circuit breaks. Because recloser can manage load imbalances and automatic power resets, this has driven the market for them. Recloser technology has the potential to replace outmoded circuit breakers with automated innovations that can diagnose and fix faults while also assuming the electrical supply.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Some of the key players operating in the global recloser market are ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Hubbell, Eaton Corporation, Tavrida Electric, G&W Electric, S&C Electric, Hughes Power System, Entec Electric & Electronic, Brush Group, Elektrolites, NOJA Power, ILJIN Electric, Ghorit Electricals, Ningbo Tianan Group, Arteche Group, Nikum Energy Control, Shinsung Industrial Electric, Huayi Electric, and Ensto Group among others

Story continues

Recent Developments

In 2020, Switchgear expert C&S Electric Company is purchased by Siemens for 296 million dollars. The purchase includes the Indian operations of C&S Electric's businesses that produce LV & MV power busbars, LV & MV switchgear components, and protection and metering devices. The acquisition includes C&S Electric's Indian operations for its companies selling LV & MV power busbars, LV & MV switchgear components and panels, and protection and metering devices. The owners will keep the Etacom busbars business as well as other divisions of the company such as medium voltage switchgear and package sub-station, lighting, diesel generating sets, EPC, and so on. In the most recent fiscal year, C&S, an organization with more than 50 years of history in India, generated revenues of Rs. 1241 crore.

Recloser Market Overview

As recloser circuits can reduce the maintenance costs of existing circuits and implement the Internet of Things in the power distribution industry, their market share is predicted to increase. The development of superior recloser types that can handle failures at high voltage levels is being funded by the global power distribution electronic equipment sector. High voltage levels, Medium voltage levels, and Low voltage levels are the three categories under which the recloser market study is categorized. The 38 kV disturbance can be addressed automatically by deploying the high-voltage recloser, eliminating the need for human resources.

Report Scope

Report Feature Descriptions Growth Rate CAGR of 5.7% during the forecasting period, 2023-2030 Historical Data 2019-2021 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Base Year 2022 Units Considered Revenue in USD billion and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 Report Segmentation Component, Enterprise, End-User, Industry, and Region. Report Attribute Market Revenue Sizing (Global, Regional and Country Level) Company Share Analysis, Market Dynamics, Company Profiling Regional Level Scope North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa Country Level Scope U.S., Japan, Germany, U.K., China, India, Brazil, UAE, South Africa (50+ Countries Across the Globe) Companies Profiled ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Hubbell, Eaton Corporation, Tavrida Electric, G&W Electric, S&C Electric, Hughes Power System, Entec Electric & Electronic, Brush Group, Elektrolites, NOJA Power, ILJIN Electric, Ghorit Electricals, Ningbo Tianan Group, Arteche Group, Nikum Energy Control, Shinsung Industrial Electric, Huayi Electric, and Ensto Group Available Customization In addition to the market data for Recloser Market, Delvens offers client-centric reports customized according to the companys specific demand and requirement.

Recloser Market Segmentation Analysis

The electronic segment, by control type, to emerge as the largest segment of the recloser market from 2023-2030.

The electronic category is expected to have the biggest market share over the projection period based on the control type. Electronic control recloser are used in end-use industries including energy (utilities, oil & gas, renewables), substations, and overhead distribution lines. Global demand for grid modernization, including distribution automation, is one of the key drivers propelling the growth of the electronic control recloser market.

By voltage rating, the segment up to 15 kV will develop at the highest CAGR between 2023 and 2030.

By voltage rating, the segment with ratings up to 15 kV is the largest and will experience the highest CAGR between 2023 and 2030. Due to the expansion of residential power distribution capabilities to meet the rising demand for energy in residential regions, the category is also anticipated to develop at the greatest CAGR. Additionally, the market for recloser with voltage ratings up to 15 kV is likely to be driven by rising urbanization, rising investment in smart grid projects, and expanding commercial, residential, and industrial sectors.

Recloser Market Regional Insights

Due to its extensive industrial sector, which includes oil refineries, petrochemical facilities, gas processing facilities, etc., North America is regarded as one of the most important markets among all other regions. These facilities require dependable power supply systems that can withstand any situation, including emergencies like blackouts or brownouts.

Europe has also shown enormous potential for a more competitive market with the rise in energy demand in the residential and commercial sectors. A multitude of factors, including the growing desire for modernization, integration, and a largely consumption-based economy, are driving this trend.

Market size for recloser in Brazil and other developing countries is to blame for the increase in demand for automated power distribution systems in Latin America. Due to its reliance on oil imports, Latin America also faces less price volatility than other regions like Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

During the forecast period, Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the recloser market. The region's recloser business is growing as a result of increased funding for infrastructure improvement, automatic distribution systems, and smart grid initiatives. Power production, transmission, and distribution infrastructure have been developed in this area as a result of the region's growing population, industrial expansion, and rapid urbanization.

Due to increased industrial development brought on by modernization policies adopted by governments in many nations, the Middle East and Africa have seen an increase in power consumption. Rapid industry growth and a shortage of competent labor in these regions contributed to a rise in demand for distribution automation systems.

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Recloser Market Outlook

Driver: increasing generation of renewable energy and the amount invested in it

Thanks to promising energy storage, hydrogen, and renewable energy technology, start-ups in the US and Europe have raised record amounts of money for their projects. Since 2010, 70% of all investments made in the power sector with the help of public financial institutions have been in renewable technology. Despite the government's critical role in providing strong policy support, more than 60% of investments in renewable energy come from the private sector. Because of the development of renewable energy sources, the current participants in the recloser business have a sizable opportunity.

Restraints: There are affordable alternatives to recloser



Many safety system manufacturers have started making less expensive recloser substitutes. One of the markets for automated recloser that is expanding the fastest is in developing nations like China and India. However, because these are cost-conscious markets, price is a key consideration when making purchases. The expansion of the recloser market in these high-growth regions is threatened by the availability of less expensive alternatives like PVB for recloser.

Opportunities: Increasing financial support for smart grids

The energy sector is witnessing increased investment across the board, but the power sector has grown the most recently, largely due to increased spending on grid infrastructure and renewable energy sources. The transfer of power is tracked and managed by a smart grid from the point of generation to the last consumer. While reducing costs and acting as a crucial enabler of energy security, it maximizes system dependability, stability, and resilience. The financial incentive structure described in these regulations may be one-sided, with distributors liable to punishment for not meeting the standards, or two-sided, with distributors being eligible for a bonus for their extra effort and contribution.

Challenges: Dearth of investments by governments in grid stability

Financing renewable energy still faces several difficulties, many of which are firmly established like the current financial sector. Short loan periods, hefty capital expenses, and a dearth of sufficient government funding are some of these difficulties. However, they are not investing enough to ensure grid stability. Recloser need a large upfront expense to install, but they are essential for line upgrades.

Global Recloser Market Table of Contents

Phase Type Outlook

Three

Single

Triple-single

Control Type Outlook

Electronic

Hydraulic

Voltage Rating Outlook

Up to 15 kV

16-27 kV

28-38 kV

Insulation Medium Outlook

Oil

Air

Epoxy

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



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LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RentSpree , the industry's premier end-to-end rental management software, announced the formation of the first ever "Rental Industry Leadership Board" composed of the top multiple listing services real estate executives across the United States. This advisory board will play a crucial role in shaping the way MLSs embrace and interact with rentals in 2023 and beyond.

RentSpree (PRNewsfoto/RentSpree)

Advisory Council members include:

Art Carter , CEO, California Regional MLS

Brian Donnellan , President and CEO, Bright MLS

Dionna Hall , CEO, BeachesMLS

Nicole Jensen , CEO, realMLS

Michael Lucarelli, Cofounder & CEO, RentSpree

More than 44 million Americans have relied on rentals as a primary housing option, yet MLSs have shown varying levels of success in accommodating and supporting this residential segment. The Rental Industry Leadership Board aims to facilitate the exchange of information among influential executives to determine the most effective ways for the industry to embrace rentals for the benefit of agents and consumers alike.

"Our industry can certainly do a better job in supporting agents and consumers who interact with rentals," said realMLS' Jensen. "Working closely with other leaders who appreciate the importance of rentals will help us navigate the future and affect positive change."

The Board will aim to ultimately produce key guidance for articles and whitepapers to disseminate pivotal insights and learnings throughout the entire industry.

"Ultimately, we are in the business of helping brokers," said Carter at California Regional MLS. "For us to be most successful at that, we need to empower agents so they can effectively meet people where they're at. In today's world that most definitely includes the ever-growing rental market."

Board members will also have exclusive first-look access to RentSpree's product roadmap and key industry data, allowing them to leverage insights to optimize their MLSs and inform critical decisions. They will also have the opportunity to provide direct feedback regarding RentSpree's product development direction, which will ensure the company's rental services are most effective and efficient and continuously improving customer experiences.

Story continues

"We are thrilled to be bringing together a group of top real estate executives who will play a vital role in guiding the future of rentals in the MLS space," said RentSpree's Lucarelli. "This board will be instrumental in helping the industry embrace rentals in a way that supports consumers' housing needs."

He added, "Transparency across the industry is particularly top of mind for us as we can make a huge difference to an enormous number of agents. We are laser focused on helping MLSs increase rental data as a value-add to agents, consumers, and the organizations themselves."

About RentSpree

Los Angeles-based RentSpree is a provider of award-winning rental software that helps seamlessly connect real estate agents, owners, and renters to simplify and automate the entire rental process, from listing to lease. The all-in-one platform is known across all 50 states for its easy and secure interface and suite of rental tools, including tenant screening, rent payments, marketing and renter management. To date, RentSpree has partnered with more than 250 of the most influential MLSs, real estate associations and brokerages to serve over one million users in the U.S. RentSpree is ranked 625th on Inc. 5000's fastest-growing private companies in 2022. Visit RentSpree.com for more information.

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SOURCE RentSpree
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Rokmaster Resources Corp. (TSXV: RKR) (OTCQB: RKMSF) (FSE: 1RR1) ("Rokmaster" or "the Company") is pleased to announce work has commenced in preparation for its upcoming diamond drill program (see News Release dated April 12, 2023) on Rokmaster's Revel Ridge Project ("Revel Ridge").

Rokmaster Resources Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Rokmaster Resources Corp.)

Crews have arrived on site and are busy preparing the access road and site infrastructure. The initial drillhole will target down-dip of the 2022 channel sampling on the southeastern extension of the Revel Ridge Main Zone ("RRMZ"). Additional targets which aim to expand the RRMZ on the northwestern extension will be tested in the near future.

John Mirko, President and CEO, comments:

"The Rokmaster team and all of our fantastic contractors are glad to return to the Revel Ridge Project for another drill campaign. The Revel Ridge Project has always positively advanced between the time of a drill arriving and leaving the Project. The updates to the MRE and the PEA are being thoroughly developed and the Company will release the results as soon as available."

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Eric Titley, P.Geo., who is independent of Rokmaster and who acts as Rokmaster's Qualified Person.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

Rokmaster Resources Corp.

John Mirko,

President & Chief Executive Officer.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term in defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

About Rokmaster

Rokmaster's flagship Revel Ridge Project is host to a high-grade gold and polymetallic orogenic sulphide deposit which has been the subject of a PEA Technical Report dated December 8, 2020, and a Technical Report of an Updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate1 on the Revel Ridge Property, dated January 17, 2022. The 2023 drill program is designed to efficiently expand the volume of the Revel Ridge Main Zone as defined by the updated Mineral Resource Estimate, which currently remains open in all directions:

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Measured & Indicated (M&I): 1.36 million gold equivalent ("AuEq") Measured & Indicated (M&I) ounces contained within 6.73 million tonnes with an average grade of 6.27 g/t AuEq.

Inferred (Inf): 1.22 million AuEq ounces contained within 6.00 million tonnes at an average grade of 6.33 g/t AuEq.

Footnote 1. (Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate of the Revel Ridge Polymetallic Property Revelstoke Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada, William Stone, Ph.D., P.Geo. Fred Brown, P.Geo. Jarita Barry, P.Geo. David Burga, P.Geo. Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET Stacy Freudigmann, P.Eng. F.Aus.IMM. P&E Mining Consultants Inc. Report 411 Effective Date: November 15, 2021 Signing Date: January 17, 2022 filed on SEDAR.)

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("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. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from Rokmaster's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future vents or results or otherwise.

SOURCE Rokmaster Resources Corp.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2023/02/c9081.html
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Metzel/Getty Images

Russia's economy could face more pressure as the EU eyes sanctions loopholes, the Financial Times reported.

It could involve sanctioning countries that re-export banned products into Russia.

Meanwhile, the US proposed a full export ban on Russia, but found little support in the G7.

The Russian economy could come under more pressure as the European Union reportedly looks to close sanctions loopholes.

EU officials are discussing new measures that would penalize countries for re-exporting banned products to Russia, sources told the Financial Times.

The proposal would give the EU power to restrict specific products from nations participating in prohibited trade with Russia. Under the mechanism, such states would be given a warning, after which they would be targeted by export controls.

However, some EU members are concerned about the proposed sanctions, citing a risk to geopolitical relations while the mechanism's legality would also need to be reviewed, the FT reported.

"How do you avoid the unintended side-effects of pushing certain countries in a different direction to where you want them to go? You have to be very careful on how you use carrots and sticks," one diplomat told the FT.

If implemented, the measure would add extra pressure to Russia's economy, which has already been squeezed by sanctions on its oil exports.

The EU has already tried to persuade countries in Central Asia as well as Turkey and the UAE to get tougher on Russian efforts to evade sanctions, the FT said.

Meanwhile, the US has urged the G7 to apply an all-encompassing export ban on Russia, given the loopholes. Other members have not joined such calls, but indicated willingness to deal with the re-exporting issue in the G7's upcoming meeting.

Official statistics from the Kremlin have suggested that Russia's economy has proven far more resilient in the face of Western sanctions than expected.

But other signs point to a record worker shortage as the war in Ukraine adds pressure on the labor force. Other dim views on Russia's economic prospects have piled up lately too.

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Russia's economy is becoming increasingly primitive as its war in Ukraine drags on, and the repercussions could push it down the same path the Soviet Union endured three decades ago, according to Russian economist and University of Chicago professor Konstantin Sonin.

And an adviser to Finland's central bank said Russia is experiencing "reverse industrialization" as Western sanctions and its continued war on Ukraine weigh on long-term economic growth.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Samsung has banned the use of AI tools in the workplace. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Samsung has banned employees from using ChatGPT in the workplace, per Bloomberg.

This comes after Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code to ChatGPT in April.

Other companies including Amazon, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs have restricted AI use.

Samsung has introduced a new policy banning employees from using generative AI tools like Open AI's ChatGPT and Google Bard in the workplace, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

In an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg, the company expressed concerns about data being shared on AI platforms and ending up in the hands of other users.

The new policy comes after Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code by uploading it into ChatGPT in April, the memo said.

Staff are now banned from using generative AI tools on company-owned devices including computers, tablets, phones, and internal networks, per Bloomberg.

"We ask that you diligently adhere to our security guidelines and failure to do so may result in a breach or compromise of company information resulting in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment," Samsung wrote in the memo.

It added that the company is reviewing its security measures to "create a secure environment" for employees to use AI but at present it's "temporarily restricting the use of generative AI."

Samsung, OpenAI, and Google did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the ban.

Wall Street Banks including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan were among the first companies to restrict employee use of ChatGPT over concerns about third-party software accessing sensitive information.

These banks also feared that the chatbot could share financial information that could lead to regulatory action.

Tech giant Amazon similarly warned staff against using ChatGPT because of instances of the chatbot's responses resembling internal Amazon data, Insider's Eugene Kim reported in January.

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OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, introduced new measures in April to address concerns about managing data on the chatbot. This included giving users the ability to disable chat history.

"When chat history is disabled, we will retain new conversations for 30 days and review them only when needed to monitor for abuse, before permanently deleting," the company said.

OpenAI is also working on a ChatGPT Business subscription for professionals and businesses who want greater control over how their data is used and stored.

Google said it helps Bard improve by selecting a "subset of conversations and use automated tools to help remove personally identifiable information," according to its website.

"These sample conversations are reviewable by trained reviewers and kept for up to 3 years, separately from your Google Account."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co. is banning employee use of popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT after discovering staff uploaded sensitive code to the platform, dealing a setback to the spread of such technology in the workplace.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Suwon, South Korea-based company notified staff at one of its biggest divisions on Monday about the new policy via a memo reviewed by Bloomberg News. The company is concerned that data transmitted to such artificial intelligence platforms including Google Bard and Bing is stored on external servers, making it difficult to retrieve and delete, and could end up being disclosed to other users, according to the document.

The company conducted a survey last month about the use of AI tools internally and said that 65% of respondents believe that such services pose a security risk. Earlier in April, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code by uploading it to ChatGPT, according to the memo. Its unclear what the information encompassed.

A Samsung representative confirmed a memo was sent last week banning the use of generative AI services.

Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT has been growing internally and externally, Samsung told staff. While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI.

Samsung is just the latest big company to express concern about the technology. In February, only a couple of months after OpenAIs chatbot service stirred up a storm of interest in the technology, some Wall Street banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. either banned or restricted its use. Italy also barred the use of ChatGPT over privacy fears, though it reversed its stance in recent days.

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Read More: IBM CEO Sees 30% of Back-Office Jobs Replaced by AI in Five Years

The new Samsung rules ban the use of generative AI systems on company-owned computers, tablets and phones, as well as on its internal networks. They do not affect the companys devices sold to consumers, such as Android smartphones and Windows laptops.

Samsung asked employees who use ChatGPT and other tools on personal devices to not submit any company-related information or personal data that could reveal its intellectual property. It warned that breaking the new policies could result in being fired.

We ask that you diligently adhere to our security guideline and failure to do so may result in a breach or compromise of company information resulting in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, Samsung said in the memo.

In the meantime, the company is creating its own internal AI tools for translation and summarizing documents as well as for software development. Its also working on ways to block the upload of sensitive company information to external services. Last month, ChatGPT added an incognito mode that allows users to block their chats from being used toward AI model training.

HQ is reviewing security measures to create a secure environment for safely using generative AI to enhance employees productivity and efficiency, the memo said. However, until these measures are prepared, we are temporarily restricting the use of generative AI.

Explainer: The Tech Behind Those Amazing, Flawed New Chatbots: QuickTake

--With assistance from Sohee Kim.

(Updates with Samsung confirmation)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Scorpio Tankers Inc.

MONACO, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) ("Scorpio Tankers" or the "Company") today reported its results for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company also announced that its board of directors (the "Board of Directors") has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share.



Results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company had net income of $193.2 million, or $3.40 basic and $3.27 diluted earnings per share.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company had adjusted net income (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $195.6 million, or $3.44 basic and $3.31 diluted earnings per share, which excludes from net income a $2.3 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, write-off or acceleration of the amortization of deferred financing fees on certain lease financing obligations and related extinguishment costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company had a net loss of $84.4 million, or $1.52 basic and diluted loss per share.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company had an adjusted net loss (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $14.9 million, or $0.27 basic and diluted loss per share, which excludes from the net loss (i) a $67.7 million, or $1.22 per basic and diluted share, aggregate write-down of vessels held for sale and loss on the sale of vessels, and (ii) $1.9 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, write-off or acceleration of the amortization of deferred financing fees on the debt or lease financing obligations relating to these vessel sales and related debt extinguishment costs.

Declaration of Dividend

On May 1, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share, with a payment date of June 30, 2023 to all shareholders of record as of June 13, 2023 (the record date). As of May 1, 2023, there were 59,455,820 common shares of the Company outstanding.

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Transition to a New CFO in September 2023

The Company announced that Brian Lee, the Chief Financial Officer, will be stepping down at the end of September 2023 and will be replaced by Christopher Avella. Mr. Lee has been the Chief Financial Officer of Scorpio Tankers since the start of the Company in 2010.

Mr. Avella has been with Scorpio Tankers since 2010. He is currently the Chief Accounting Officer (since 2021) and Controller (since 2014). He also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Hermitage Offshore Services Ltd. between 2019 and 2021. Prior to joining Scorpio Tankers, he was with Ernst & Young in its audit practice from 2002 through 2006 and its transaction advisory services practice from 2006 through 2010 where he was a senior manager. Mr. Avella is a certified public accountant and has a B.S. in accounting from Rutgers University, an M.B.A. from Seton Hall University, and an M.S. in finance from Georgetown University.

Emanuele Lauro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, Brians leadership and experience has been instrumental in the growth and development of the Company over the last 13 years. He has been with us since the beginning and leaves the Company in its strongest financial position with a well-trained team poised to maintain high standards. While we will miss Brians unparalleled temperament and character, I am truly grateful for his contributions to the Company and wish him the best on a well-deserved retirement.

Summary of First Quarter 2023 and Other Recent Significant Events

Below is a summary of the average daily Time Charter Equivalent ("TCE") revenue (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) and duration of contracted voyages and time charters for the Company's vessels (both in the pools and outside of the pools) thus far in the second quarter of 2023 as of the date hereof (See footnotes to "Other operating data" table below for the definition of daily TCE revenue):



Pool and Spot Market Time Charters Out of the Pool Average Daily TCE Revenue Expected Revenue Days (1) % of Days Average Daily TCE Revenue Expected Revenue Days (1) % of Days LR2 $ 53,000 2,600 39 % $ 30,500 890 100 % MR $ 37,000 4,850 35 % $ 21,800 450 100 % Handymax $ 37,000 1,260 34 % N/A N/A N/A

(1) Expected Revenue Days are the total number of calendar days in the quarter for each vessel, less the total number of expected off-hire days during the period associated with major repairs or drydockings. Consequently, Expected Revenue Days represent the total number of days the vessel is expected to be available to earn revenue. Idle days, which are days when a vessel is available to earn revenue, yet is not employed, are included in revenue days. The Company uses revenue days to show changes in net vessel revenues between periods.

Below is a summary of the average daily TCE revenue earned by the Company's vessels during the first quarter of 2023:

Average Daily TCE Revenue Vessel class Pool / Spot Time Charters LR2 $ 47,356 $ 29,887 MR $ 34,616 $ 21,637 Handymax $ 38,349 N/A

The Company is in discussions with a group of financial institutions for a term loan and revolving loan of up to the aggregate of $750.0 million to $1.0 billion. This facility is expected to bear interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.95% per annum. The proceeds of this facility are expected to mainly be used to repay (and re-finance) more expensive lease financing, along with financing certain of the Companys unencumbered vessels. The credit facility is subject to credit approval from the banks, customary conditions precedent, and negotiation and execution of definitive documentation.

In March 2023, the Company entered into a time charter-out agreement on an LR2, STI Jermyn, for three years at a rate of $40,000 per day. This charter commenced in April 2023. During 2022 and so far in 2023, the Company has entered into a total of 15 time-charter out agreements (ten LR2s and five MRs), the terms of which are described in the fleet list below.

In January 2023, the Company exercised the purchase options on STI Brooklyn, STI Rambla, STI Rose and STI Ville on the AVIC Lease Financing and repaid the aggregate outstanding lease obligation of $77.8 million as part of these transactions.

In March 2023, the Company exercised the purchase option on STI Sanctity on the Ocean Yield Lease Financing and repaid the aggregate outstanding lease obligation of $27.8 million as part of this transaction.

The Company has also given notice to exercise the purchase options on six LR2 product tankers and eight MR product tankers that are currently financed under lease financing arrangements (STI Steadfast, STI Supreme, STI Grace, STI Jermyn, STI Lavender, STI Lobelia, STI Magnetic, STI Marshall, STI Miracle, STI Magic, STI Mystery, STI Marvel, STI Mythic, and STI Magister). These repurchases are expected to occur in the second and third quarters of 2023 and result in an aggregate debt reduction of $352.7 million.

The Company has executed or received commitments for three separate secured credit facilities for up to $391.5 million in aggregate. These facilities are expected to be collateralized by 22 vessels and bear interest at SOFR plus margins of between 1.90% and 1.975% per annum. The proceeds of these facilities are expected to be used to repay more expensive lease financing. $274.1 million has been drawn from two of these facilities as of the date of this press release.

Since January 1, 2023 and through the date of this press release, the Company has repurchased an aggregate of 3,614,768 of its common shares in the open market at an average price of $52.22 per share.

On May 1, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized to reset the 2023 Securities Repurchase Program up to an aggregate of $250 million of the Companys securities.

In March 2023, the Board of Directors appointed Ms. Sujata Parekh Kumar as an independent director to its Board of Directors. Ms. Kumar has over 40 years of experience in entrepreneurship and industry across a number of sectors including logistics, financial services, insurance, and shipping.

Securities Repurchase Program

On February 15, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a new Securities Repurchase Program (the "2023 Securities Repurchase Program") to purchase up to an aggregate of $250 million of the Companys securities which, in addition to its common shares also currently consist of its Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2025 (NYSE: SBBA).

Below are purchases of the Companys securities made in the first quarter and second quarters of 2023.

From January 1, 2023 through February 15, 2023, the Company purchased an aggregate of 1,891,303 of its common shares in the open market at an average price of $50.27 per share. These purchases were made under the previous securities repurchase program, which ended on February 15, 2023.

From February 16 through the date of this press release, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 1,723,465 of its common shares in the open market at an average price of $54.37 per share.

On May 1, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized to reset the 2023 Securities Repurchase Program up to an aggregate of $250 million of the Companys securities.



There is $250.0 million available under the 2023 Securities Repurchase Program as of May 1, 2023.

Lease Repayments

In January 2023, the Company exercised its purchase options on two MR product tankers (STI Brooklyn and STI Ville) and two LR2 product tankers (STI Rose and STI Rambla) which were previously financed on the AVIC Lease Financing. These purchases resulted in a debt reduction of $77.8 million.

In March 2023, the Company exercised the purchase option on STI Sanctity which was previously financed on the Ocean Yield Lease Financing. This purchase resulted in a debt reduction of $27.8 million.

In March 2023, the Company gave notice to exercise its purchase options on two LR2 product tankers that are currently financed under the 2021 CSSC Lease Financing (STI Grace and STI Jermyn), in addition to one LR2 product tanker (STI Lavender), and three MR product tankers (STI Magnetic, STI Marshall, and STI Miracle) which are currently financed under the $670.0 Million Lease Financing. All of these leases bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50% per annum. The purchases are expected to occur in May 2023 and result in a debt reduction of $149.8 million.

In April 2023, the Company gave notice to exercise its purchase options on one LR2 product tanker (STI Lobelia), and five MR product tankers (STI Magic, STI Mystery, STI Marvel, STI Mythic, and STI Magister) which are currently financed under the $670.0 Million Lease Financing. These leases bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50% per annum. The purchases are expected to occur in June 2023 and result in a debt reduction of $147.3 million.

New Executed or Committed Financings

The Company has executed or received commitments for three separate credit facilities for up to $391.5 million in aggregate (the "New Facilities").

The first credit facility (the "2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility") is from a group of European financial institutions for a credit facility of up to $225.0 million. The 2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility was executed in January 2023 and $184.9 million was drawn in February 2023 and $40.1 million was drawn in March 2023. Thirteen product tankers (STI Opera, STI Duchessa, STI Venere, STI Virtus, STI Aqua, STI Dama, STI Regina, STI San Antonio, STI Yorkville, STI Battery, STI Milwaukee, STI Madison, and STI Sanctity) were collateralized under this facility as part of these drawdowns. The 2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility has a final maturity of five years from the signing date and bears interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.975% per annum. The borrowings for the MRs are expected to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $0.63 million per vessel for the first two years, and $0.33 million per vessel for the remaining term of the loan. The borrowings for the LR2s are expected to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $0.8 million per vessel for the first two years, and $0.45 million per vessel for the remaining term of the loan. The remaining terms and conditions of the 2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility, including financial covenants, are similar to those set forth in the Companys existing credit facilities.

The second credit facility (the "2023 $49.1 Million Credit Facility") is from a North American financial institution for a credit facility of up to $49.1 million. The 2023 $49.1 Million Credit Facility was executed in February 2023 and was fully drawn in March 2023. Two LR2 product tankers, STI Rose and STI Rambla, were collateralized on this facility upon drawdown. This facility has a final maturity of five years from the drawdown date of each vessel and bears interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.90% per annum. The borrowings are expected to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $1.2 million in aggregate with a balloon payment at maturity. The terms and conditions of the 2023 $49.1 Million Credit Facility, including financial covenants, are similar to those set forth in the Company's existing credit facilities.

The third credit facility commitment (the "2023 $117.4 Million Credit Facility") is from a European financial institution for a credit facility of up to $117.4 million. The 2023 $117.4 Million Credit Facility is expected to be used to finance two Handymax product tankers, four MR product tankers and one LR2 product tanker. The 2023 $117.4 Million Credit Facility is expected to have a final maturity of five years from the drawdown date of each vessel and bear interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.925% per annum. The terms and conditions of this credit facility, including financial covenants, will be similar to those set forth in the Company's existing credit facilities. The 2023 $117.4 Million Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions precedent, and the execution of definitive documentation, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.

The proceeds of the New Facilities are expected to be used to repay more expensive lease financing.

$750.0 Million to $1.0 Billion Term Loan and Revolving Loan

The Company is in discussions with a group of financial institutions for a term loan and revolving loan (the Credit Facility) of up to the aggregate of $750.0 million to $1.0 billion. The Credit Facility is expected to consist of a 50% term loan and 50% revolving loan, have a final maturity of five years from the signing date (but not later than June 30, 2028), and bear interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.95% per annum. Proceeds from the Credit Facility, primarily, are expected to be used to repay (and re-finance) more expensive lease financing, along with financing certain of the Company's unencumbered vessels. The terms and conditions, including financial covenants, of the Credit Facility are expected to be similar to the Companys existing credit facilities. The Credit Facility is subject to credit approval from the banks, customary conditions precedent, and negotiation and execution of definitive documentation. There is no assurance that we will enter into the Credit Facility on the terms described above (which may be subject to change) or at all.

Diluted Weighted Number of Shares

The computation of earnings or loss per share is determined by taking into consideration the potentially dilutive shares arising from the Companys equity incentive plan. These potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings or loss per share to the extent they are anti-dilutive.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Companys basic weighted average number of shares outstanding was 56,834,813. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Companys diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 59,111,952 which included the potentially dilutive impact of restricted shares issued under the Company's equity incentive plan.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call on May 2, 2023 at 8:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time and 2:00 PM Central European Summer Time. The dial-in information is as follows:

US Dial-In Number: 1 (833) 630-1956

International Dial-In Number: +1 (412) 317-1837

Conference ID: 10178106

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information.

There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the internet, through the Scorpio Tankers Inc. website www.scorpiotankers.com . Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

Webcast URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/5d8emazp

Current Liquidity

As of April 27, 2023, the Company had $586.6 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. Within the next two weeks, the Company is expected to receive approximately $100 million from the Scorpio tanker pools with respect to the monthly cash distribution for April. The Company is also expected to draw down approximately $117.4 million from a credit facility that has been committed but is pending closing (described above, under the heading "New Executed or Committed Financings").

Drydock, Scrubber and Ballast Water Treatment Update

Set forth below is a table summarizing the drydock, scrubber, and ballast water treatment system activity that occurred during the first quarter of 2023 and the estimated expected payments to be made, and offhire days that are expected to be incurred, for the Company's drydocks, ballast water treatment system installations, and scrubber installations through 2023 and 2024:

Number of (3) Aggregate costs in millions of USD (1) Aggregate offhire days (2) LR2s MRs Handymax Q1 2023 - actual (a) 8.5 61  2  Q2 2023 - estimated (b) 9.9 96  4  Q3 2023 - estimated 5.3     Q4 2023 - estimated (c) 8.2 180  5  FY 2024 - estimated (d) 64.2 1,215 11 32 12

(1) These costs include estimated cash payments for drydocks, ballast water treatment system installations and scrubber installations. These amounts include installment payments that are due in advance of the scheduled service and may be scheduled to occur in quarters prior to the actual installation. In addition to these installment payments, these amounts also include estimates of the installation costs of such systems. The timing of the payments set forth are estimates only and may vary as the timing of the related drydocks and installations finalize.

(2) Represents the total estimated off-hire days during the period, including vessels that commenced work in a previous period.

(3) Represents the number of vessels scheduled to commence drydock, ballast water treatment system, and/or scrubber installations during the period. It does not include vessels that commenced work in prior periods but will be completed in the subsequent period. The number of vessels in these tables may reflect a certain amount of overlap where certain vessels are expected to be drydocked and have ballast water treatment systems and/or scrubbers installed simultaneously. Additionally, the timing set forth in these tables may vary as drydock, ballast water treatment system installation and scrubber installation times are finalized.

(a) Includes one BWTS installation.

(b) Includes three BWTS installations.

(c) Includes five scrubber installations and one BWTS installation.

(d) Includes seven scrubber installations.

Debt

Set forth below is a summary of the principal balances of the Companys outstanding indebtedness as of the dates presented:

In thousands of U.S. Dollars Outstanding Principal as of December 31, 2022 Outstanding Principal as of March 31, 2023 Outstanding Principal as of April 27, 2023 1 Hamburg Commercial Credit Facility $ 33,732 $ 32,909 $ 32,909 2 Prudential Credit Facility 39,286 37,899 37,437 3 2019 DNB / GIEK Credit Facility 38,338 36,559 36,559 4 BNPP Sinosure Credit Facility 80,576 80,576 75,122 5 2020 $225.0 Million Credit Facility 37,765 36,482 36,482 6 2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility (1)  225,000 216,525 7 2023 $49.1 Million Credit Facility (2)  49,088 49,088 8 Ocean Yield Lease Financing (3) 114,860 84,372 83,687 9 BCFL Lease Financing (LR2s) 68,310 65,598 64,733 10 CSSC Lease Financing 121,276 117,635 116,421 11 BCFL Lease Financing (MRs) 53,202 49,202 47,750 12 AVIC Lease Financing (4) 77,769   13 2020 CMBFL Lease Financing 38,090 37,279 37,279 14 2020 TSFL Lease Financing 40,607 39,777 39,777 15 2020 SPDBFL Lease Financing 83,511 81,887 81,887 16 2021 AVIC Lease Financing 84,635 82,822 82,822 17 2021 CMBFL Lease Financing 68,045 66,415 66,010 18 2021 TSFL Lease Financing 49,997 48,902 48,902 19 2021 CSSC Lease Financing 48,631 47,315 46,877 20 2021 $146.3 Million Lease Financing 133,699 130,404 127,109 21 2021 Ocean Yield Lease Financing 63,933 62,490 62,009 22 2022 AVIC Lease Financing 113,804 111,512 111,512 23 IFRS 16 - Leases - 3 MR 21,138 19,063 18,338 24 IFRS 16 - Leases - $670.0 Million 475,939 464,813 461,061 25 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2025 70,571 70,571 70,571 Gross debt outstanding 1,957,714 2,078,570 2,050,867 Cash and cash equivalents 376,870 612,655 586,596 Net debt $ 1,580,844 $ 1,465,915 $ 1,464,271

(1) The 2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility was executed in January 2023, with $184.9 million and $40.1 million drawn in February and March 2023, respectively. Thirteen product tankers (11 MRs and two LR2) were collateralized under this facility as part of these drawdowns. The 2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility has a final maturity of five years from the signing date and bears interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.975% per annum. The borrowings for the MRs are expected to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $0.63 million per vessel for the first two years, and $0.33 million per vessel for the remaining term of the loan. The borrowings for the LR2s are expected to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $0.8 million per vessel for the first two years, and $0.45 million per vessel for the remaining term of the loan. The remaining terms and conditions of the 2023 $225.0 Million Credit Facility, including financial covenants, are similar to those set forth in the Companys existing credit facilities.

(2) The 2023 $49.1 Million Credit Facility was executed in February 2023 and was fully drawn in March 2023. Two LR2 product tankers were collateralized on this facility upon drawdown. The 2023 $49.1 Million Credit Facility has a final maturity of five years from the drawdown date of each vessel and bears interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.90% per annum. The borrowings are expected to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $1.2 million in aggregate with a balloon payment at maturity. The terms and conditions of the 2023 $49.1 Million Credit Facility, including financial covenants, are similar to those set forth in the Company's existing credit facilities.

(3) In September and October 2022, the Company gave notice to exercise the repurchase options on STI Sanctity, STI Steadfast, and STI Supreme on the Ocean Yield Lease Financing. In March 2023, the Company exercised the purchase option on STI Sanctity resulting in a debt reduction of $27.8 million. The remaining transactions are expected to occur in the second and third quarters of 2023 resulting in debt reductions of $27.8 million per vessel.

(4) In January 2023, the Company exercised the repurchase options on STI Brooklyn, STI Rambla, STI Rose, and STI Ville on the AVIC Lease Financing and repaid the aggregate outstanding lease obligation of $77.8 million as part of these transactions.

Set forth below are the estimated expected future principal repayments on the Company's outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2023, which includes principal amounts due under the Company's secured credit facilities, lease financing arrangements, Senior Notes Due 2025, and lease liabilities under IFRS 16 (which also include actual scheduled payments made during the second quarter of 2023 through April 27, 2023):

As of March 31, 2023 (1) In millions of U.S. dollars Total Repayments/maturities of unsecured debt Vessel financings - announced vessel repurchases and maturities in 2023 and 2024 Vessel financings - scheduled repayments, in addition to maturities in 2025 and thereafter Q2 2023 - principal payments made through April 27, 2023 $ 27.7 $  $  $ 27.7 Q2 2023 (2) (3) (4) 356.7  324.9 31.8 Q3 2023 (4) 79.9  27.8 52.1 Q4 2023 57.3   57.3 Q1 2024 51.5   51.5 Q2 2024 56.8   56.8 Q3 2024 (5) 92.1  42.7 49.4 Q4 2024 (6) 88.4  38.2 50.2 2025 and thereafter 1,268.2 70.6  1,197.6 $ 2,078.6 $ 70.6 $ 433.6 $ 1,574.4

(1) Amounts represent the principal payments due on the Companys outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2023.

(2) Repayments include the Company's exercise of its purchase options on two LR2 product tankers (STI Grace and STI Jermyn) which are currently financed under the 2021 CSSC Lease Financing. These purchases are expected to occur in May 2023, and the aggregate outstanding lease liability is expected to be $46.9 million at the date of purchase.

(3) Repayments include the Company's exercise of its purchase options on eight MR product tankers (STI Magnetic, STI Marshall, STI Miracle, STI Magic, STI Mystery, STI Marvel, STI Mythic, and STI Magister) and two LR2 product tankers (STI Lavender and STI Lobelia) which are currently financed under the IFRS 16 - Leases - $670.0 Million lease financing. These purchases are expected to occur in May and June 2023, and the aggregate outstanding lease liability is expected to be $250.2 million at the dates of purchase.

(4) Repayments include the Companys exercise of its purchase options on two LR2 product tankers (STI Steadfast, and STI Supreme). These vessels are currently financed under the Ocean Yield Lease Financing. The purchases are expected to occur in the second and third quarters of 2023 with a debt reduction of $27.8 million per vessel.

(5) Repayments include (i) $15.0 million for the scheduled purchase options on three MR product tankers (STI Topaz, STI Ruby, and STI Garnet), which are currently financed under the BCFL Lease Financing (MRs); and (ii) $27.7 million for the scheduled maturity payments on the 2019 DNB / GIEK Credit Facility.

(6) Repayments include (i) $10.2 million for the scheduled purchase options on two MR product tankers (STI Onyx and STI Amber), which are currently financed under the BCFL Lease Financing (MRs); and (ii) $28.0 million for the scheduled maturity payments on the Hamburg Commercial Credit Facility.

Explanation of Variances on the First Quarter of 2023 Financial Results Compared to the First Quarter of 2022

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded net income of $193.2 million compared to a net loss of $84.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The following were the significant changes between the two periods:

TCE revenue, a Non-IFRS measure, is vessel revenues less voyage expenses (including bunkers and port charges). TCE revenue is included herein because it is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance irrespective of changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot voyages, time charters, and pool charters), and it provides useful information to investors and management. The following table sets forth TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:





For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars 2023 2022 Vessel revenue $ 384,431 $ 174,047 Voyage expenses (7,269 ) (2,023 ) TCE revenue $ 377,162 $ 172,024

TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by $205.1 million to $377.2 million, from $172.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Overall average TCE revenue per day increased to $37,500 per day during the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $15,415 per day during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The average number of vessels was 113.0 during the three months end March 31, 2023 as compared to 129.3 during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in the average number of vessels was due to the previously disclosed sales of 18 vessels during the year ended December 31, 2022. TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 reflected the continued strength in the product tanker market that began at the end of the first quarter of 2022 and has continued in 2023. Initially, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions around the globe, the conflict in Ukraine, and strengthening refining margins resulted in significant increases in ton-mile demand as trade routes shifted and volumes increased. More recently, volumes and trade routes continue to be impacted by the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions, particularly in China, along with the implementation of sanctions on the export of Russian crude oil and refined petroleum products. These changes have accelerated a structural shift in the product tanker market that had been years in the making, where increasing demand for the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products is outpacing the growth in the worldwide fleet of product tankers given a near record low orderbook for newbuilding vessels. TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was subdued for most of the quarter which reflected the continued adverse market conditions that were brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The end of the quarter reflected an improving spot market for product tankers which was triggered by myriad factors including (i) the easing of COVID-19 restrictions around the globe which resulted in increased personal mobility and the demand for refined petroleum products; (ii) strengthening refining margins which, combined with low global refined petroleum product inventories, increased demand for the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products, and; (iii) the volatility brought on by the conflict in Ukraine, which disrupted supply chains for crude oil and refined petroleum products, changing volumes and trade routes, and thus increased ton-mile demand for refined petroleum products.







The Company also had an increased number of vessels operating outside of the Scorpio pools during the three months ended March 31, 2023, which led to an increase in voyage revenue and voyage expenses for this period.

Vessel operating costs for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by $11.2 million to $73.7 million, from $84.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Vessel operating costs per vessel per day remained consistent at $7,244 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $7,290 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The aggregate reduction is due to the sale of 18 owned or lease financed vessels during the year ended December 31, 2022 (seven of which closed during the first quarter of 2022).

Depreciation expense  owned or sale leaseback vessels for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by $3.6 million to $40.5 million, from $44.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. This decrease was attributable to the sale of 17 of the Company's owned or sale leaseback vessels during the year ended December 31, 2022 (16 of which were in the first quarter of 2022). These vessels were written down to their net realizable value upon being designated as held for sale, and depreciation expense ceased being recorded upon that designation.

Depreciation expense - right of use assets for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by $0.2 million to $9.5 million from $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Depreciation expense - right of use assets reflects the straight-line depreciation expense recorded under IFRS 16 - Leases. This decrease is attributable to the sale of one of the Company's right of use asset vessels. This vessel was written down to its net realizable value upon being designated as held for sale during the first quarter of 2022, and depreciation expense ceased being recorded upon that designation. The Company had four LR2s and 17 MRs that were accounted for under IFRS 16 - Leases during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023, increased by $9.8 million to $22.3 million, from $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation related costs. Due to the increase in stock price and a recent grant, the amortization of the restricted stock awards are expected to increase general and administrative expenses by approximately $8.0 million per quarter in the upcoming quarters. The awards granted to employees vest ratably in years three, four, and five following the initial grant.

Net loss on sales of vessels for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $67.7 million. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company entered into agreements to sell 17 vessels, consisting of two LR2s, 12 LR1s, and three MRs. Seven of these sales closed within the first quarter of 2022 (six LR1s and one MR) and the remaining sales closed within the second and third quarters of 2022.

Financial expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by $5.5 million to $43.5 million, from $38.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was primarily attributable to 400+ basis point increases in benchmark rates, primarily LIBOR, during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was partially offset by the overall reduction in the Company's average indebtedness to $2.0 billion from $3.1 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, arising from the aforementioned sales of 18 vessels (and repayments of the related debt or lease financing obligations), the exercise of purchase options on 27 lease financed vessels (six in August 2022, 16 in December 2022, four in January 2023, and one in March 2023), the maturity of the Convertible Notes Due 2022 in May 2022 and the conversion of the Convertible Notes Due 2025 in December 2022. Additionally, the Company recorded $2.3 million of debt extinguishment related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $1.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022. This was accompanied by an aggregate decrease of $5.3 million in the amortization of deferred financing fees and accretion on both the convertible notes and debt assumed in business combinations, which were $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $6.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022.





Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income or Loss

(unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars except per share and share data 2023 2022 Revenue Vessel revenue $ 384,431 $ 174,047 Operating expenses Vessel operating costs (73,674 ) (84,832 ) Voyage expenses (7,269 ) (2,023 ) Depreciation - owned or sale leaseback vessels (40,491 ) (44,108 ) Depreciation - right of use assets (9,490 ) (9,720 ) General and administrative expenses (22,271 ) (12,454 ) Net loss on sales of vessels  (67,738 ) Total operating expenses (153,195 ) (220,875 ) Operating income / (loss) 231,236 (46,828 ) Other (expense) and income, net Financial expenses (43,532 ) (38,001 ) Financial income 4,185 188 Other income, net 1,348 193 Total other expense, net (37,999 ) (37,620 ) Net income / (loss) $ 193,237 $ (84,448 ) Earnings / (loss) per share Basic $ 3.40 $ (1.52 ) Diluted $ 3.27 $ (1.52 ) Basic weighted average shares outstanding 56,834,813 55,409,131 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (1) 59,111,952 55,409,131

(1) The computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 includes the effect of potentially dilutive unvested shares of restricted stock. The computation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 excludes the effect of potentially dilutive unvested shares of restricted stock and the Convertible Notes Due 2022 (which were repaid in full upon maturity in May 2022) and Convertible Notes Due 2025 (which were fully converted to common shares in December 2022) because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.





Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited) As of In thousands of U.S. dollars March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 612,655 $ 376,870 Accounts receivable 233,592 276,700 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 9,642 18,159 Inventories 8,364 15,620 Total current assets 864,253 687,349 Non-current assets Vessels and drydock 3,054,586 3,089,254 Right of use assets for vessels 681,344 689,826 Other assets 83,665 83,754 Goodwill 8,197 8,197 Restricted cash 783 783 Total non-current assets 3,828,575 3,871,814 Total assets $ 4,692,828 $ 4,559,163 Current liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 69,362 $ 31,504 Lease liability - sale and leaseback vessels 205,560 269,145 Lease liability - IFRS 16 147,167 52,346 Accounts payable 24,086 28,748 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 62,325 91,508 Total current liabilities 508,500 473,251 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt 490,385 264,106 Lease liability - sale and leaseback vessels 803,610 871,469 Lease liability - IFRS 16 336,519 443,529 Total non-current liabilities 1,630,514 1,579,104 Total liabilities 2,139,014 2,052,355 Shareholders' equity Issued, authorized and fully paid-in share capital: Share capital 743 727 Additional paid-in capital 3,053,538 3,049,732 Treasury shares (779,725 ) (641,545 ) Retained earnings 279,258 97,894 Total shareholders' equity 2,553,814 2,506,808 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 4,692,828 $ 4,559,163





Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars 2023 2022 Operating activities Net income / (loss) $ 193,237 $ (84,448 ) Depreciation - owned or sale leaseback vessels 40,491 44,108 Depreciation - right of use assets 9,490 9,720 Amortization of restricted stock 3,821 4,494 Amortization of deferred financing fees 1,160 1,806 Non-cash debt extinguishment costs 1,148 1,586 Accretion of convertible notes  4,128 Net loss on sales of vessels  67,738 Accretion of fair value measurement on debt assumed in business combinations 338 889 Share of income from dual fuel tanker joint venture (1,441 ) (174 ) 248,244 49,847 Changes in assets and liabilities: Decrease / (increase) in inventories 7,256 (2,589 ) Decrease / (increase) in accounts receivable 43,108 (27,137 ) Decrease / (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,516 (3,156 ) Decrease / (increase) in other assets 685 (27 ) Decrease in accounts payable (3,743 ) (17,162 ) (Decrease) / increase in accrued expenses (27,589 ) 5,758 28,233 (44,313 ) Net cash inflow from operating activities 276,477 5,534 Investing activities Net proceeds from sales of vessels  225,815 Distributions from dual fuel tanker joint venture 845 240 Drydock, scrubber, ballast water treatment system and other vessel related payments (owned, leased financed and bareboat-in vessels) (8,483 ) (14,279 ) Net cash (outflow) / inflow from investing activities (7,638 ) 211,776 Financing activities Debt repayments (138,641 ) (191,163 ) Issuance of debt 274,088 3,806 Debt issuance costs (5,244 ) (184 ) Principal repayments on lease liability - IFRS 16 (13,204 ) (13,666 ) Decrease in restricted cash  2,003 Dividends paid (11,873 ) (5,837 ) Repurchase of common stock (138,180 )  Net cash outflow from financing activities (33,054 ) (205,041 ) Increase in cash and cash equivalents 235,785 12,269 Cash and cash equivalents at January 1, 376,870 230,415 Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, $ 612,655 $ 242,684





Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries

Other operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

(unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, 2023 2022 Adjusted EBITDA(1) (in thousands of U.S. dollars except Fleet Data) $ 286,386 $ 79,425 Average Daily Results Fleet TCE per revenue day (2) $ 37,500 $ 15,415 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,244 $ 7,290 Average number of vessels 113.0 129.3 LR2 TCE per revenue day (2) $ 43,292 $ 14,475 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,497 $ 7,228 Average number of vessels 39.0 42.0 LR1 TCE per revenue day (2) N/A $ 12,320 Vessel operating costs per day (3) N/A $ 7,170 Average number of vessels N/A 10.7 MR TCE per revenue day (2) $ 33,517 $ 16,305 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,109 $ 7,364 Average number of vessels 60.0 62.6 Handymax TCE per revenue day (2) $ 38,349 $ 15,949 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,102 $ 7,231 Average number of vessels 14.0 14.0 Capital Expenditures Drydock, scrubber, ballast water treatment system and other vessel related payments (in thousands of U.S. dollars) $ 8,483 $ 14,279





(1) See Non-IFRS Measures section below. (2) Freight rates are commonly measured in the shipping industry in terms of time charter equivalent per day (or TCE per day), which is calculated by subtracting voyage expenses, including bunkers and port charges, from vessel revenue and dividing the net amount (time charter equivalent revenues) by the number of revenue days in the period. Revenue days are the number of days the vessel is owned, sale leasebacked, or chartered-in less the number of days the vessel is off-hire for drydock and repairs. (3) Vessel operating costs per day represent vessel operating costs divided by the number of operating days during the period. Operating days are the total number of available days in a period with respect to the owned, sale leasebacked or bareboat chartered-in vessels, before deducting available days due to off-hire days and days in drydock. Operating days is a measurement that is only applicable to owned, sale leasebacked, or bareboat chartered-in vessels, not time chartered-in vessels.





Fleet list as of May 1, 2023

Vessel Name Year Built DWT Ice class Employment Vessel type Scrubber Owned, sale leaseback and bareboat chartered-in vessels

1 STI Brixton 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 2 STI Comandante 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 3 STI Pimlico 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 4 STI Hackney 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 5 STI Acton 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 6 STI Fulham 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 7 STI Camden 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 8 STI Battersea 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 9 STI Wembley 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 10 STI Finchley 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 11 STI Clapham 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 12 STI Poplar 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 13 STI Hammersmith 2015 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 14 STI Rotherhithe 2015 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 15 STI Amber 2012 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 16 STI Topaz 2012 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 17 STI Ruby 2012 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 18 STI Garnet 2012 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 19 STI Onyx 2012 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 20 STI Ville 2013 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 21 STI Duchessa 2014 49,990  Time Charter (4) MR Not Yet Installed 22 STI Opera 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 23 STI Texas City 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 24 STI Meraux 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 25 STI San Antonio 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 26 STI Venere 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 27 STI Virtus 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 28 STI Aqua 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 29 STI Dama 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 30 STI Regina 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 31 STI St. Charles 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 32 STI Mayfair 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 33 STI Yorkville 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 34 STI Milwaukee 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 35 STI Battery 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 36 STI Soho 2014 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 37 STI Memphis 2014 49,990  Time Charter (5) MR Yes 38 STI Tribeca 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 39 STI Gramercy 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 40 STI Bronx 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 41 STI Pontiac 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 42 STI Manhattan 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 43 STI Queens 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 44 STI Osceola 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 45 STI Notting Hill 2015 49,687 1B SMRP (2) MR Yes 46 STI Seneca 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 47 STI Westminster 2015 49,687 1B SMRP (2) MR Yes 48 STI Brooklyn 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 49 STI Black Hawk 2015 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 50 STI Galata 2017 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 51 STI Bosphorus 2017 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 52 STI Leblon 2017 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 53 STI La Boca 2017 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Yes 54 STI San Telmo 2017 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 55 STI Donald C Trauscht 2017 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 56 STI Esles II 2018 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 57 STI Jardins 2018 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 58 STI Magic 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 59 STI Mystery 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 60 STI Marvel 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 61 STI Magnetic 2019 50,000  Time Charter (6) MR Yes 62 STI Millennia 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 63 STI Magister 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 64 STI Mythic 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 65 STI Marshall 2019 50,000  Time Charter (7) MR Yes 66 STI Modest 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 67 STI Maverick 2019 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 68 STI Miracle 2020 50,000  Time Charter (8) MR Yes 69 STI Maestro 2020 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 70 STI Mighty 2020 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 71 STI Maximus 2020 50,000  SMRP (2) MR Yes 72 STI Elysees 2014 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 73 STI Madison 2014 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 74 STI Park 2014 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 75 STI Orchard 2014 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 76 STI Sloane 2014 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 77 STI Broadway 2014 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 78 STI Condotti 2014 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 79 STI Rose 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 80 STI Veneto 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 81 STI Alexis 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 82 STI Winnie 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 83 STI Oxford 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 84 STI Lauren 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 85 STI Connaught 2015 109,999  Time Charter (9) LR2 Yes 86 STI Spiga 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 87 STI Kingsway 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 88 STI Solidarity 2015 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 89 STI Lombard 2015 109,999  Time Charter (10) LR2 Yes 90 STI Grace 2016 109,999  Time Charter (11) LR2 Yes 91 STI Jermyn 2016 109,999  Time Charter (12) LR2 Yes 92 STI Sanctity 2016 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 93 STI Solace 2016 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 94 STI Stability 2016 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 95 STI Steadfast 2016 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 96 STI Supreme 2016 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 97 STI Symphony 2016 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 98 STI Gallantry 2016 113,000  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 99 STI Goal 2016 113,000  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 100 STI Guard 2016 113,000  Time Charter (13) LR2 Yes 101 STI Guide 2016 113,000  Time Charter (14) LR2 Yes 102 STI Selatar 2017 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 103 STI Rambla 2017 109,999  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 104 STI Gauntlet 2017 113,000  Time Charter (15) LR2 Yes 105 STI Gladiator 2017 113,000  Time Charter (14) LR2 Yes 106 STI Gratitude 2017 113,000  Time Charter (16) LR2 Yes 107 STI Lobelia 2019 110,000  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 108 STI Lotus 2019 110,000  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 109 STI Lily 2019 110,000  SLR2P (3) LR2 Yes 110 STI Lavender 2019 110,000  Time Charter (17) LR2 Yes 111 STI Beryl 2013 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 112 STI Le Rocher 2013 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 113 STI Larvotto 2013 49,990  SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed Total Fleet DWT 7,852,182





(1 ) This vessel operates in, or is expected to operate in, the Scorpio Handymax Tanker Pool, or SHTP. SHTP is a Scorpio Pool and is operated by Scorpio Commercial Management S.A.M. (SCM). SHTP and SCM are related parties to the Company. (2 ) This vessel operates in, or is expected to operate in, the Scorpio MR Pool, or SMRP. SMRP is a Scorpio Pool and is operated by SCM. SMRP and SCM are related parties to the Company. (3 ) This vessel operates in, or is expected to operate in, the Scorpio LR2 Pool, or SLR2P. SLR2P is a Scorpio Pool and is operated by SCM. SLR2P and SCM are related parties to the Company. (4 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in October 2022 for three years at an average rate of $25,000 per day. (5 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in June 2022 for three years at an average rate of $21,000 per day. The daily rate is the average rate over the three year period, which is payable during the first six months at $30,000 per day, the next 6 months are payable at $20,000 per day, and years two and three are payable at $19,000 per day. The charterers have the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $22,500 per day. If this option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $24,000 per day. (6 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in July 2022 for three years at an average rate of $23,000 per day. The daily rate is the average rate over the three year period, which is payable in years one, two, and three at $30,000 per day, $20,000 per day, and $19,000 per day, respectively. The charterers have the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $24,500 per day. If this option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $26,000 per day. (7 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in July 2022 for three years at a rate of $23,000 per day. The charterers have the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $24,000 per day. If this option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $25,000 per day. If this second option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $26,000 per day. (8 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in August 2022 for three years at a rate of $21,000 per day. The daily rate is the average rate over the three year period, which is payable during the first six months at $30,000 per day, the next 6 months are payable at $20,000 per day, and years two and three are payable at $19,000 per day. The charterers have the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $22,500 per day. If this option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $24,000 per day. (9 ) In April 2023, STI Connaught replaced STI Goal on a time charter which initially commenced in August 2022 for three years at a rate of $30,000 per day. The charterers have the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $32,000 per day. If this option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $34,000 per day. (10 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in September 2022 for three years at an average rate of $32,750 per day. The charterer has the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $34,750 per day. If this option is declared, the charterer has the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $36,750 per day. (11 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in December 2022 for three years at an average rate of $37,500 per day. The daily rate is the average rate over the three-year period, which is payable during the first six months at $47,000 per day, the next 6 months are payable at $28,000 per day, and years two and three are payable at $37,500 per day. (12 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in April 2023 for three years at a rate of $40,000 per day. The charterer has the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $42,500 per day. (13 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in July 2022 for five years at a rate of $28,000 per day. The charterers have the option to convert the term of this agreement to three years at $30,000 per day, which must be declared within 30 months after the delivery date. (14 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in July 2022 for three years at an average rate of $28,000 per day. The charterers have the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $31,000 per day. If this option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $33,000 per day. (15 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in November 2022 for three years at an average rate of $32,750 per day. (16 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in May 2022 for three years at an average rate of $28,000 per day. The charterers have the option to extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $31,000 per day. If this option is declared, the charterers have the option to further extend the term of this agreement for an additional year at $33,000 per day. (17 ) This vessel commenced a time charter in December 2022 for three years at an average rate of $35,000 per day.





Dividend Policy

The declaration and payment of dividends is subject at all times to the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. The timing and the amount of dividends, if any, depends on the Company's earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, fleet renewal and expansion, restrictions in loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors.

The Company's dividends paid during 2022 and 2023 were as follows:

Date paid Dividend per common share

March 2022 $0.10 June 2022 $0.10 September 2022 $0.10 December 2022 $0.10 March 2023 $0.20

On May 1, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $$0.25 per common share, with a payment date of June 30, 2023 to all shareholders of record as of June 13, 2023 (the record date). As of May 1, 2023, there were 59,455,820 common shares of the Company outstanding.

Conflict in Ukraine

The ongoing military conflict in Ukraine has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the trade of refined petroleum products. This conflict has resulted in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union countries, among other countries and jurisdictions, implementing sanctions and executive orders against citizens, entities, and activities connected to Russia. Some of these sanctions and executive orders target the Russian oil sector, including a prohibition on the import of oil from Russia to the United States or the United Kingdom, and the European Union's recent ban on Russian crude oil and petroleum products which took effect in December 2022 and February 2023, respectively. The Company cannot foresee what other sanctions or executive orders may arise that affect the trade of petroleum products. Furthermore, the conflict and ensuing international response has disrupted the supply of Russian oil to the global market, and as a result, the price of oil and petroleum products has experienced significant volatility. The Company cannot predict what effect the higher price of oil and petroleum products will have on demand, and it is possible that the current conflict in Ukraine could adversely affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations, and future performance.

About Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns, lease finances or bareboat charters-in 113 product tankers (39 LR2 tankers, 60 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 7.3 years. Additional information about the Company is available at the Company's website www.scorpiotankers.com , which is not a part of this press release.

Non-IFRS Measures

Reconciliation of IFRS Financial Information to Non-IFRS Financial Information

This press release describes time charter equivalent revenue, or TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss, and adjusted EBITDA, which are not measures prepared in accordance with IFRS ("Non-IFRS" measures). The Non-IFRS measures are presented in this press release as we believe that they provide investors and other users of our financial statements, such as our lenders, with a means of evaluating and understanding how the Company's management evaluates the Company's operating performance. These Non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The Company believes that the presentation of TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss with adjusted earnings or loss per share, basic and diluted, and adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors or other users of our financial statements, such as our lenders, because they facilitate the comparability and the evaluation of companies in the Companys industry. In addition, the Company believes that TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss with adjusted earnings or loss per share, basic and diluted, and adjusted EBITDA are useful in evaluating its operating performance compared to that of other companies in the Companys industry. The Companys definitions of TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss with adjusted earnings or loss per share, basic and diluted, and adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as reported by other companies in the shipping industry or other industries.

TCE revenue, on a historical basis, is reconciled above in the section entitled "Explanation of Variances on the First Quarter of 2023 Financial Results Compared to the First Quarter of 2022". The Company has not provided a reconciliation of forward-looking TCE revenue because the most directly comparable IFRS measure on a forward-looking basis is not available to the Company without unreasonable effort.





Reconciliation of Net Income / (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income / (Loss)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 Per share Per share In thousands of U.S. dollars except per share data Amount basic diluted Net income $ 193,237 $ 3.40 $ 3.27 Adjustment: Write-offs of deferred financing fees and debt extinguishment costs 2,315 0.04 0.04 Adjusted net income $ 195,552 $ 3.44 $ 3.31





For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Per share Per share In thousands of U.S. dollars except per share data Amount basic diluted Net loss $ (84,448 ) $ (1.52 ) $ (1.52 ) Adjustments: Loss on sales of vessels 67,738 $ 1.22 $ 1.22 Write-offs of deferred financing fees and debt extinguishment costs 1,855 $ 0.03 $ 0.03 Adjusted net loss $ (14,855 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.27 )

Reconciliation of Net Income / (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA

For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars 2023 2022 Net Income / (Loss) $ 193,237 $ (84,448 ) Financial expenses 43,532 38,001 Financial income (4,185 ) (188 ) Depreciation - owned or lease financed vessels 40,491 44,108 Depreciation - right of use assets 9,490 9,720 Amortization of restricted stock 3,821 4,494 Net loss on sales of vessels  67,738 Adjusted EBITDA $ 286,386 $ 79,425

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forwardlooking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forwardlooking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forwardlooking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "target," "project," "likely," "may," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements.

The forwardlooking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forwardlooking statements include unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the continuing impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including its effect on demand for petroleum products and the transportation thereof, expansion and growth of the Companys operations, risks relating to the integration of assets or operations of entities that it has or may in the future acquire and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized within expected timeframes or at all, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, including the impact of the conflict in Ukraine, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of offhires, and other factors. Please see the Company's filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

James Doyle - Head of Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Tel: +1 646-432-1678

Email: investor.relations@scorpiotankers.com




(Bloomberg) -- Gary Gensler is again blasting hedge funds and private equity firms for the fees they charge investors, as the Securities and Exchange Commission plows ahead with plans to boost oversight of the private fund industry.

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Today, private fund advisers receive multiple levels and types of feesfrom management to performance to portfolio company fees., the SEC chief said in remarks prepared for a Managed Funds Association trade group conference. Thats not to mention consulting, advisory, monitoring, servicing, transaction, and directors fees, among others.

Since taking over as the head of Wall Streets main regulator two years ago, Gensler has championed new regulations to add scrutiny to hedge funds and private equity firms. In one such move, the SEC is scheduled to vote Wednesday to require more detailed information in confidential forms that firms file with the agency each quarter.

Separately, the SEC has floated making hedge funds and private equity firms include in quarterly reports to investors specific measures of performance and that account for all costs. Wall Streets main regulator has also proposed banning the firms from giving preferential treatment for certain investors, charging fees for services that arent actually performed, or limiting liability for breaching a fiduciary duty.

For their part, industry lobbyists have been bracing for a fight, arguing that their investors are sophisticated and agree to fees ahead of time. Furthermore, Bryan Corbett, president and chief executive officer of MFA, which represents the hedge fund industry, has said some of the SECs plans would actually harm investors.

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Corbett on Monday called the SECs rulemakings very problematic and said they would lead to industry consolidation.

Firms often charge investors fees of as much as 2% of money they manage and 20% of profits. On Tuesday, Gensler bristled at the costs to investors such as retirement funds.

Fees and expenses range well into the hundreds of billions of dollars each year, said Gensler. We have a number of projects across the capital markets around efficiency. Most important to this group is the private fund adviser proposal.

Hester Peirce, a Republican SEC commissioner who has often clashed with Gensler over his policy agenda, quipped earlier at the conference on Tuesday about how tense the industry was over his plans.

Peirce said the last time she was at the Plaza Hotel ballroom, where the event was being held, she was with people from an industry that was even angrier with the SEC than hedge funds: crypto. Rest easy there are people who have it worse than you, she said.

(Adds MFA comment in sixth paragraph.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
PLEASANTON, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Sensiba San Filippo LLP (SSF), a Top 100 U.S.-based accounting and business consulting firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of five new partners effective May 1, 2023.

Sensiba San Filippo LLP, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

The largest group of partner promotions in the firm's 45-year history reflects SSF's ongoing commitment to expanding its offerings to serve clients more effectively. These promotions grow the firm's partners to 24, nearly half of which are women-well above the accounting industry average.

"We are proud and pleased to welcome these distinguished professionals to our partnership," says John Sensiba, Managing Partner of Sensiba San Filippo. "This is our largest class of new partners, reflecting our growth in recent years. All five have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to not only to serving clients but also to our firm's people-first focus of serving fellow team members and our communities."

Sensiba San Filippo LLP, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Brian Beal leads SSF's Risk Assurance Services. As a former web developer and information security officer, Beal assists clients in managing security, privacy, and confidentiality risk. Beal is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information System Auditor (CISA).

Sensiba San Filippo LLP, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Misha Kelly specializes in financial statement audit engagements of venture capital funds ranging from emerging manager funds through large institutional multi-fund entities investing in technology, life sciences, real estate, and other high-growth sectors.

Sensiba San Filippo LLP, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Yuri Li works extensively with technology clients, including software, hardware, SaaS, and life science companies. She assists with tax planning, consulting, compliance, and accounting for income taxes under ASC 740. She is a licensed CPA in the states of Massachusetts and California and is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Sensiba San Filippo LLP, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Press release picture

Jodie Rolih joined SSF in 2018 after serving as a principal at the forensic and financial accounting firm Hemming Morse, LLP. Rolih is based in our Fresno office and specializes in tax planning, compliance, and consulting for high-net-worth individuals, multi-generational family groups, and privately held small and medium size businesses in various industries. She is also a Certified Public Accountant and holds the Certified in Financial Forensics designation.

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Fiona Wu

Tax Partner

Fiona Wu is dedicated to serving venture capital clients. Wu provides tax compliance and consulting services to her venture capital fund clients across the U.S. Wu, a licensed CPA in California, is fluent in English and Mandarin.

About Sensiba San Filippo

Sensiba San Filippo's comprehensive accounting, tax, and consulting services help businesses and people solve problems, navigate complexity, and build a foundation for sustainable growth. We're passionate about collaborating with clients to increase efficiency, mitigate risk, and prepare to embrace emerging opportunities. As a certified B Corp, we foster a culture where people, families, and communities thrive. We support our clients' international accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting needs as an independent member of Morison Global. For more information, visit ssfllp.com .

###

Contact:

Marc Stevens

Brand and Communications Manager

marketing@ssfllp.com

(925) 271-8700

SOURCE: Sensiba San Filippo LLP





View source version on accesswire.com:

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EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sepion Technologies, a leading battery technology company devoted to commercializing lithium-metal batteries for long-range, fast-charging, and low-cost electric vehicles (EVs), announced today the appointment of Brian C. Sisk, Ph.D. as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

In this role, Sisk will oversee Sepion's battery materials development, cell engineering, and strategic partnerships. With experience working across the supply chain with cell manufacturers and automotive companies, Sisk is expected to accelerate the commercialization of Sepion's innovative battery solutions for the fast-growing EV and e-mobility marketplace.

Before joining Sepion, Sisk was Senior Director of Energy Storage Systems for Rivian where he developed battery systems for the company's award-winning R1T truck, R1S SUV, and Electric Delivery Van for Amazon and other customers. He oversaw formation of the company's world-class battery labs in California and Illinois as part of these initiatives.

Prior to Rivian, Sisk served as Vice President of Cell Product Development at A123 Systems where he contributed to the company's market leadership for low-voltage 48V and 12V automotive batteries. He also led A123's transition from a vendor of legacy technology to a leading Tier-1 supplier of world-class EV and 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) batteries. Before A123, he was Director of Design Analysis for Johnson Controls Power Solutions, spun out as Clarios. There he created a team dedicated to pioneering battery management algorithms and simulation capabilities, and supported strategic analysis of new markets for automotive batteries.

"Sepion brings a unique approach to replacing graphite anodes with lithium metal by utilizing cutting-edge nanoscience at the crossroads of polymer chemistry and liquid electrolytes. This combination allows Sepion's customers to safely unlock the long-promised performance and economic benefits of lithium metal anodes while using lithium-ion manufacturing infrastructure," said Peter Frischmann, CEO and Co-Founder of Sepion Technologies. "We welcome Dr. Sisk to our diverse and talented team. His vast experience and leadership will enable Sepion to accelerate cell component validation and fine-tune our value propositions to serve the dynamic needs of the EV industry. Additionally, his deep understanding of the entire battery value chain will be invaluable in building relationships with aligned partners as we continue to expand our customer base."

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"I am excited to join Sepion Technologies and work with the accomplished team here to drive innovation and bring new products to market," noted Sisk. "I am confident that my experience and knowledge across the development spectrum from cell components and cell engineering to EV pack design and evaluation will enable us to accelerate our product development and build strong partnerships with key players in the market."

Sepion is committed to delivering battery technology designed for seamless adoption by the automotive industry. Its innovative material solutions will help customers achieve their sustainability goals while reducing costs and increasing reliability. With the addition of Sisk, the company is well-positioned to accelerate its growth and achieve its vision of becoming a leading materials supplier in the battery industry.

Sisk received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and earned his MS and BS in Chemistry from Western Kentucky University. He is the lead inventor of eight patents on new modeling, battery management and control algorithms and has contributed to 20 total granted battery-related patents.

For more information about Sepion Technologies, visit its website at Sepiontechnologies.com or on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Sepion Technologies

Headquartered in Emeryville, Calif., Sepion's core innovationscentered on soft membrane materials and liquid electrolytesare designed for manufacturing, enabling incumbent lithium-ion cell manufacturers to repurpose existing infrastructure to deliver a step change in battery performance with minimal switching costs. Sepion was founded on research conducted at the Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and spun out with the support of the prestigious Cyclotron Road energy technology incubator, now part of the Activate organization. Sepion's roots extend to the US Department of Energy's innovation hub, the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), and awards from ARPA-E, Advanced Manufacturing Office, California Energy Commission, and New Energy Nexus have amplified their growth. Sepion is on a mission to sustainably power humankind with breakthrough battery products.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005285/en/

Contacts

Agency Contact:

PJ Jennings

Jennings & Associates Communications, Inc.

760-431-7466  Office

760-580-1114  Mobile

pj@jandacommunications.com
ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript April 26, 2023

ServiceNow, Inc. beats earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $2.37, expectations were $2.04.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen thank you for standing by and welcome to the ServiceNow, Inc. Q1 2023 Earnings Conference Call. I would now like to turn the call over to Darren Yip, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Darren Yip: Good afternoon. And thank you for joining ServiceNows first quarter 2023 earnings conference call. Joining me are Bill McDermott, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Gina Mastantuono, our Chief Financial Officer; and CJ Desai, our President and Chief Operating Officer. During todays call, well review our first quarter 2023 results and discuss our guidance for the second quarter and full year 2023. Before we get started, we want to emphasize that information discussed on this call, including our guidance, is based on information as of today and contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We undertake no duty or obligation to update such statements as a result of new information or future events.

Please refer to todays earnings press release and our SEC filings including the most recent 10-Q and 2022 10-K for factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Wed also like to point out that we present non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Unless otherwise noted, all financial measures and related growth rates we discuss today are non-GAAP, except for revenue, remaining performance obligations, or RPOs, current RPOs and cash and investments. To see the reconciliation between these non-GAAP and GAAP measures, please refer to todays earnings press release and investor presentation, which are both posted on our website at investors.servicenow.com.

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A replay of todays call will also be posted on our website. With that, Ill turn the call over to Bill.

Bill McDermott: Thank you very much Darren. And thank you everyone for joining us today. ServiceNow had an outstanding first quarter. Subscription revenue grew 27% in constant currency, which was 150 basis points above the high end of our guidance. cRPO grew 25% in constant currency, a 100 basis points above our guidance. Operating margin was 26%, two full points above our guidance. We have 66 deals greater than a $1 million in net new ACV. We saw a strong, sustained demand to ServiceNows platform. In January, we committed the company to performing beyond expectations. We said it, we did it. Our Q2 guidance reflects our strong conviction in the fundamentals of this business. We remain laser-focused on net new innovation, new business growth and profitability.

ServiceNow is a growth company that consistently executes in any environment, and we will continue to do exactly that, execute. Looking at the big picture, there is no question this remains a complicated macro environment, C-Level leaders are managing an endless array of headlines and mixed signals. When you filter all that noise, it comes down to one simple reality, there is an app for everything, but nobody wants every app. This consolidation is a tailwind for ServiceNow as the intelligent platform for end-to-end digital transformation. We are now seeing conversations up level to business transformation. This is bringing CEOs directly into the process as principal executive sponsors. Nearly 40% of CEOs think their company will no longer be economically viable in a decade if they continue on the current path.

They arent interested in turf battles between departments, they want enterprise level investments to drive business impact. This isnt merely an inspection of what historically has been a big call center, this is CEOs engaging on a strategic level, insisting on a clear roster of technology partners to drive very specific business outcomes. For example, when it comes to technology in the age of generative AI, its a build, buy, operate conversation. They are looking for a single platform that can orchestrate the entire technology value chain. ServiceNow does just that. Businesses are also working hard to transform their customer experience. The AI opportunity here is when you integrate the front, middle, and back offices to better serve that customer.

This is a ServiceNow core competency. On the internal side, its about reducing the number of touchpoints for employees to get work done. People cant maximize their potential by juggling multiple systems with different user experiences. Our customers use ServiceNow as the one-stop digital hub to create a consumer grade experience at work. Whether its efficiency, productivity, cost takeout, or business model innovation, ServiceNow has never been more relevant. This is a message I hear directly from CEOs who know they need to shake things up and they want our help to do it. Once again, these secular trends are fueling ServiceNow. About 70% of global tech equity value comes from firms that rely on network effects, and we see growing platform adoption across all of our businesses.

ITSM was in 18 of our top 20 deals with three deals over $1 million. ITOM was in 14 of the top 20 with five deals over a $1 million. With increased focus on cost takeout, ITAM had a very strong quarter in 14 of our top 20 with three deals over $1 million. Security and Risk were in 12 of the top 20 with three deals over $1 million. Customer workflows was hot in Q1 in 18 of the top 20 with nine deals over $1 million. And this is worth emphasizing because ServiceNow is more relevant than ever as businesses invest in a differentiated experience for their end consumers. Very exciting indeed what were doing with customer service management. Employee workflows was in 10 of the top 20 with four deals over a $1 million. Creator workflows was in 18 of the top 20 with three deals over a $1 million.

Major global brands continue to accelerate their own transformation by working with ServiceNow, Marriott, Grupo Bimbo, Navy Federal Credit Union, Travelers, the U.S. Air Force and Schneider Electric, just to name a few. Look at banking as one example. PNC works with ServiceNow to modernize the way it manages disputes, which will reduce losses and improve case closures. We also saw major co-innovation milestones in the quarter. For example, ServiceNow and AT&T have created a global telecom product to help communication service providers manage 5G and fiber network inventory. Q1 was also the latest step forward for our organic innovation machine. The ServiceNow Utah release was engineered to drive faster business outcomes for our customers. The release includes AI-powered process mining, with robotic process automation capabilities, additional search enhancements, expanded workforce optimization and health and safety incident management.

These are all designed to help increase automation, simplify experiences and offer greater organizational agility. It bears repeating that while customers are aware of market excitement for individual technologies like generative AI, they expect a platform strategy to integrate the various tools. ServiceNow has AI, process mining, RPA, low-code and many other technologies built natively into a single workflow automation platform. Of course, we will have much more to say about all of this at our Knowledge event in Las Vegas on May 16. I hope you can join us. Id also like to extend a warm welcome to Deborah Black, Vice President, Engineering at Netflix, who is the newest member of ServiceNows Board of Directors. Were so proud to have Debbies leadership on our journey to be the defining enterprise software company of the 21st century.

In closing, Ill simply reiterate things weve said consistently. First, businesses need ServiceNow. Enterprise software is mission-critical, the demand environment is robust. Second, ServiceNow is a unique company performing at a very high level. We are delivering strong growth, aggressively managing costs and creating immense shareholder value. The company has momentum everywhere. Were performing very well across the best places to work scorecards including Glassdoor. Our brand recognition is increasing as we rise on lists like Fortunes Most Admired Companies, our market opportunity is expanding, and this is the early days of a truly generational growth story. Finally, we know the trust is the ultimate human currency. What we have here is a platform, a culture and a company that is built entirely on trust.

The results tell that story. We just eclipsed the $2 billion threshold in a single quarter, and we were the fastest ever to do that on an organic basis. This is about a fast growth, durable, predictable cloud business model. This will be the red thread at our Financial Analyst Day in a few weeks. We look forward to seeing you all there. Businesses work with ServiceNow, people work with ServiceNow, the world works with ServiceNow, and were only getting started. Id like to thank you very much for your time today. Im looking forward to your questions. And for now, Ill hand things over to Gina.

software, tehnology, laptop

Photo by Danial Igdery on Unsplash

Gina Mastantuono: Thank you, Bill. Q1 was a tremendous quarter with strong beats across our top line and profitability guidance metrics. We saw resilient demand as the Now Platform continues to deliver the productivity improvements enterprises are looking for in the current macro environment. The quarter was yet another example of consistent execution from our team. In Q1, subscription revenues were $2.02 billion, growing 27% year-over-year in constant currency, exceeding the high end of our guidance range by 150 basis points. RPO ended the quarter at approximately $14 billion, representing 24% year-over-year constant currency growth. Current RPO was approximately $7.01 billion, representing 25% year-over-year constant currency growth, a 100-basis-point beat versus our guidance.

From an industry perspective, energy and utilities, government and transportation and logistics led the way, followed by strong growth in education. Financial services net new ACV also continued to grow despite a tough comp and volatility in the banking sector. New customer ACV growth remained an area of strength, and the average deal size was up significantly year-over-year. Our renewal rate was a best-in-class 98% in Q1, continuing to demonstrate the stickiness of our business as the Now Platform remains a mission-critical part of our customers operations. Our customer cohorts have also continued to show solid expansion. We ended the quarter with 1,682 customers paying us over $1 million in ACV, up 20% year-over-year. Were continuing to see healthy customer engagement with enterprise buying patterns demonstrating the extensibility of the Now Platform.

We closed 66 deals greater than $1 million in net new ACV in the quarter, up from 52% a year ago. In Q1, 18 of our top 20 deals contained five or more products, showcasing how ServiceNow is providing customers the single platform they need to orchestrate their technology value chain. Turning to profitability. Non-GAAP operating margin was 26% and 200 basis points above our guidance, driven by continued disciplined spend management. Our free cash flow margin was 35%. We ended the quarter with a robust balance sheet, including $7.2 billion in cash and investments. Together, these results continue to demonstrate our ability to drive a strong balance of world-class growth and profitability. Moving to our outlook. Our pipeline continues to look robust for the remainder of the year, and were excited about what the Utah release and Nows 2023 can further contribute to those opportunities.

While weve seen market resiliency, we continue to prudently factor in the evolving macro cost with each of our guidance. As Bill mentioned, we remain laser-focused on balancing net new innovation and new business growth with cost management and profitability. With that in mind, lets turn to our 2023 guidance. We are raising our subscription revenue outlook by $25 million at the midpoint to a range of $8.47 billion and $8.52 billion, representing 23% to 23.5% year-over-year growth on both a reported and constant currency basis. We expect subscription gross margin of 84%, operating margin of 26%, a free cash flow of 30%. And we continue to expect GAAP diluted weighted average outstanding shares of 206 million. For Q2, we expect subscription revenues between $2.04 billion and $2.045 billion, representing 23.5% to 24% year-over-year growth on a constant currency basis, excluding a 50 basis point FX headwind.

We expect CRPO growth of 22.5% on a constant currency basis, excluding a 50 basis point FX tailwind or 23% on a reported basis. We expect an operating margin of 23%, and we expect $205 million GAAP diluted weighted average outstanding shares for the quarter. In summary, Q1 was a very strong quarter. Were extremely proud of our teams performance, and we cant thank our employees enough for their continued hard work and dedication. Its their collective commitment to our culture that has enabled us to be named one of Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, yet again in 2023. The consistency of our results exemplifies the strength of our platform and our people. Were delivering great experiences that drive powerful employee engagement, fierce customer loyalty and significant productivity gains.

ServiceNows intelligent automation is a deflationary force that helps enterprises retool their business to get more done with less. And since we use the Now Platform ourselves extensively, we continue to see the benefit from those efficiencies, generating incremental opportunities for further operational leverage. Thats why ServiceNow is so well positioned to become the defining enterprise software company of the 21st century. You can hear more about that momentum in our new products and long-term opportunities at our upcoming Investor Day on May 16 in Las Vegas. We look forward to seeing you there. And with that, Ill open it up for Q&A.

See also 11 Best Waste Management Stocks to Buy Now and 35 Most Beautiful Places In The World.

To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
CHICAGO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the sexual lubricant market will grow at a CAGR of 8.74% during 2022-2028.

Sexual Lubricant Market

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3792

Browse In-Depth TOC on the Sexual Lubricant Market

50 - Tables

116 - Charts

316  Pages

Sexual lubricants have a growing consumer base and increasing sales is boosting the market. In developed countries, most of the sales come from the retail network. However, the same is not valid in developing countries. Vendors must focus on social and digital media to promote their products. For instance, Durex Play and K-Y Jelly/lubricants by Reckitt Benckiser can be purchased through various online websites, such as Amazon.com, Wallsgreen.com, CVS.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com, Drugstore.com, Annsummers.com, and Lovehoney.com.

Furthermore, the company has its online store, Durex.com, for direct-to-consumer purchases. Durex has over 79 websites worldwide to sell its products in different countries. Other vendors have also promoted their products on social media. Arizton believes that promoting sexual lubricants online will complement the marketing of these products in the future by creating awareness about the product among end-users. Hence, this is expected to drive down the demand for sexual lubricants during the forecast period.

Sexual Lubricant Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 2.22 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 1.34 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 8.74 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Product, Gender, Distribution Method, and Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Fastest Market APAC Market Dynamics The Increasing Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction

A Surge in Demand from Baby Boomers

Easier Accessibility to Sexual Lubricants

Evolving Gender-Neutral Tone

Story continues

Looking for More Information on the Global Sexual Lubricant Market? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3792

The global sexual wellness industry has long remained male-dominated and required a glance by vendors to refocus their growth strategies. Women have largely remained objectified in advertisements, campaigns, promotional gimmicks, and packaging strategies. Over the years, several women's groups have advocated for higher investments in and distribution of female sexual wellness products based on gender equality.

The global sexual wellness industry has witnessed significant growth in focus on women customers. Promoting the product remains a key to growth for any brand in the market, and the same applies to lubricants used by females. Some countries with a successful female sexual wellness product promotion history include Brazil, Papua New Guinea, India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, among others. The surge in online sales channels has further raised the stakes for vendors competing in the market. With enhanced and much-improvised ways of connecting and communicating with women customers today, vendors in the sexual lubricants market possess a key to growth.

The U.S. Sexual Lubricant to Create More than $722.52 Million by 2028

The US sexual lubricants market is highly competitive across the US. Online sales grow rapidly due to the convenience and privacy they offer. Many established brands launched direct-to-consumer channels, allowing them to establish stronger relationships with customers. The demand for sexual lubricants from online channels is rising across the US. The increased presence of online retailers, such as Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay, in developing countries would push for robust growth in the future.

Looking for More Information About the US Sexual Lubricant Market? Download the Free Sample Report Now: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3797

Purchasing sexual lubricants through e-commerce platforms assures safe and discreet delivery. This gives e-commerce platforms a competitive advantage over drug stores, retail chains, and grocery stores. Adult stores and specialty shops offer a wider range of products and cater to specific niches, such as bondage discipline, domination-submission, sadism, and & masochism (BDSM) or vegan-friendly lubricants. Drugstores and mass merchandisers, such as Walmart and CVS, also stock a range of sexual lubricants, often located in the family planning section. However, the distribution landscape of the US sexual lubricants market evolves and expands as the market continues to grow and cater to diverse consumer needs.

Market Trends & Opportunities

Growing Popularity of Private-Label Brands

Private label brands are products that retailers sell under their label rather than the original manufacturer's label. Introducing private label brands in the U.S. sexual lubricant market has allowed retailers to offer their customers a wider range of products at a competitive price. This has increased competition in the market and given consumers more options to choose from. Private label brands typically offer similar quality to established brands at a lower cost, making them a popular choice among cost-conscious consumers.

Nevertheless, private-label brands constitute a significant chunk of the market share in the U.S., with retail sales worth over USD 50 million (about 15% of the U.S. market share). Further, Trojan by Church & Dwight is the largest condom brand in the country. Although Trojan lubricants have not made significant progress in sales and acceptance among U.S. customers, brand awareness and a loyal Trojan condom user base are expected to fuel the growth of Trojan lubricants during the forecast period.

Increase in Festivals, Tradeshows, Expos

The U.S. sexual lubricant market has witnessed rising demand over the last couple of years due to increased festivals, trade shows, and expos related to sexual wellness. People in the U.S. are adopting enhanced and direct routes toward sexual wellness. With time, systematic efforts to relate sexual wellness with the daily routine are being emphasized. Brands are constantly striving to reduce the misconception created between obscenity and the sexual wellness of individuals. The increase in the number of brands catering to the needs of women as a part of sexual wellness is further pushing opportunities for growth in the future. Such factors paved the way for sexual wellness festivals, adult trade shows, and expos over the past few years.

At the beginning of 2023, one of the sexual wellnesses B2B trade shows, "STIMULATE," is starting in Nashville, US. The tradeshow is created to connect industry suppliers, retailers, online sellers, and vendors. The tradeshow will offer complimentary retail education to the attendees. Several brands will participate in the tradeshow with an opportunity to highlight their key innovative product offerings and explore a new method of reaching out to the audience. Institutional investors also watch such occasions to capitalize on suitable revenue-generating opportunities.

Key Company Profiles

LifeStyles

Church & Dwight

Karex Berhad

Reckitt Benckiser Group

BioFilm

Aytu BioPharma

BILLY BOY (MAPA)

Bodywise

CalExotics

CC Wellness

Cupid Limited

Elbow Grease

Empowered Products

Good Clean Love

Guy & O'Neill

Hathor Professional Skincare

HLL Lifecare Ltd

ID Lubricants

Japan Long-Tie (China)

Kaamastra

Live Well Brands

Lovehoney Group

M.D. Science Lab

Mayor Laboratories

Nulatex

PHE

PJUR Group

Ritex

SASMAR PHARMACEUTICALS

Sensuous Beauty

SHUNGA

Sliquid

The Yes Yes Company

Tenga

Trigg Laboratories

Thai Nippon Rubber Industry (TNR)

Topco Sales

Taiwan Fuji Latex

XR Brands

Market Segmentation

Product

Water-Based

Silicone-Based

Oil-Based

Hybrid

Gender

Male

Female

Distribution Channel

Offline

Online

Geography

North America

The US

Canada

APAC

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Singapore

New Zealand

Indonesia

Malaysia

Thailand

Europe

Germany

The UK

France

Italy

Russia

Spain

Poland

Sweden

Denmark

Norway

Latin America

Mexico

Brazil

Argentina

Peru

Chile

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia

The UAE

South Africa

Table of Content

1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

3 RESEARCH PROCESS

4 SCOPE & COVERAGE

4.1 MARKET DEFINITION

4.1.1 INCLUSIONS

4.1.2 EXCLUSIONS

4.1.3 MARKET ESTIMATION CAVEATS

4.2 BASE YEAR

4.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

4.3.1 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

4.3.2 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY GENDER

4.3.3 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

4.3.4 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY GEOGRAPHY

5 REPORT ASSUMPTIONS & CAVEATS

5.1 KEY CAVEATS

5.2 CURRENCY CONVERSION

5.3 MARKET DERIVATION

6 PREMIUM INSIGHTS

6.1 MARKET DEFINITION

6.2 REPORT OVERVIEW

6.3 RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT

6.4 BRANDING STRATEGIES

6.5 OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGE ANALYSIS

6.6 SEGMENT ANALYSIS

6.7 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

7 MARKET AT A GLANCE

8 INTRODUCTION

8.1 OVERVIEW

8.1.1 GOVERNMENT POLICIES & REGULATIONS

8.1.2 RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT

8.1.3 MANUFACTURERS

8.1.4 DISTRIBUTION LANDSCAPE

8.2 GLOBAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

8.3 MICRO & MACRO ECONOMIC FACTORS

8.4 KEY OBSERVATIONS

8.5 SWOT ANALYSIS

8.6 BRANDING STRATEGIES

8.7 ADVERTISING & MARKETING STRATEGIES

8.8 PROMOTIONAL STRATEGIES

8.9 PRICING ANALYSIS

8.10 VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

8.10.1 RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS

8.10.2 MANUFACTURERS

8.10.3 DISTRIBUTORS / DEALERS

8.10.4 RETAILERS

8.10.5 END-USERS

9 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES & TRENDS

9.1 INCREASING INFLUENCE OF INTERNET IN DRIVING PURCHASES

9.2 GROWING POPULARITY OF PRIVATE-LABEL BRANDS

9.3 RISING FOCUS ON PROMOTIONAL & MARKETING ACTIVITIES

9.4 INCREASING USE OF DATING APPS IN APAC

9.5 INCREASE IN FESTIVALS, EXPOS, AND TRADESHOWS

9.6 SHIFT TOWARD FEMALE-CENTRIC SEXUAL WELLNESS PRODUCTS

10 MARKET GROWTH ENABLERS

10.1 INCREASING PREVALENCE OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

10.2 SURGE IN DEMAND FROM BABY BOOMERS

10.3 EASIER ACCESSIBILITY TO SEXUAL LUBRICANTS

10.4 EVOLVING GENDER-NEUTRAL TONE

11 MARKET RESTRAINTS

11.1 STRINGENT REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

11.2 INCREASING CONCERNS OVER SIDE-EFFECTS

11.3 LACK OF AWARENESS AMONG CONSUMERS IN DEVELOPING REGIONS

11.4 LOW CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS IN POTENTIAL STARTUPS

12 MARKET LANDSCAPE

12.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.1.1 KEY INSIGHTS

12.1.2 DEMAND INSIGHTS

12.1.3 SUPPLY INSIGHTS

12.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.3 VENDOR ANALYSIS

12.4 DEMOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

12.5 CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR & AWARENESS

12.6 FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

12.6.1 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS

12.6.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS

12.6.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS

12.6.4 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY

12.6.5 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES

13 PRODUCT

13.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

13.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

13.3 WATER-BASED

13.3.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.3.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

13.4 SILICONE-BASED

13.4.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.4.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

13.5 OIL-BASED

13.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.5.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

13.6 HYBRID

13.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.6.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

14 GENDER

14.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

14.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

14.3 MALE

14.3.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

14.3.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

14.4 FEMALE

14.4.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

14.4.2 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

15 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

15.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

15.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

15.2.1 MANUFACTURER, PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION

15.2.2 DISTRIBUTION THROUGH RETAIL STORES

15.2.3 DISTRIBUTION THROUGH ONLINE WEBSITES

16 GEOGRAPHY

16.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

16.2 GEOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW

17 NORTH AMERICA

17.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

17.2 PEST ANALYSIS

17.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

17.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

17.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

17.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

17.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

17.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.5 PRODUCT

17.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.6 GENDER

17.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

17.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.8 KEY COUNTRIES

17.8.1 US: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17.8.2 CANADA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18 APAC

18.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

18.2 PEST ANALYSIS

18.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

18.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

18.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

18.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

18.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

18.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.5 PRODUCT

18.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.6 GENDER

18.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

18.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8 KEY COUNTRIES

18.8.1 CHINA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.2 JAPAN: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.3 INDIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.4 SOUTH KOREA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.5 AUSTRALIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.6 SINGAPORE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.7 NEW ZEALAND: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.8 INDONESIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.9 MALAYSIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

18.8.10 THAILAND: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19 EUROPE

19.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

19.2 PEST ANALYSIS

19.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

19.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

19.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

19.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

19.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

19.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.5 PRODUCT

19.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.6 GENDER

19.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

19.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8 KEY COUNTRIES

19.8.1 UK: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.2 GERMANY: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.3 FRANCE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.4 ITALY: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.5 RUSSIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.6 SPAIN: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.7 POLAND: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.8 SWEDEN: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.9 DENMARK: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

19.8.10 NORWAY: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20 LATIN AMERICA

20.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

20.2 PEST ANALYSIS

20.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

20.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

20.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

20.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

20.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

20.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.5 PRODUCT

20.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.6 GENDER

20.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

20.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8 KEY COUNTRIES

20.8.1 BRAZIL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.2 MEXICO: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.3 ARGENTINA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.4 PERU: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

20.8.5 CHILE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

21.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

21.2 PEST ANALYSIS

21.2.1 POLITICAL FACTORS

21.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS

21.2.3 SOCIAL FACTORS

21.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

21.3 LEADING TREND ENABLER & RESTRAINT

21.4 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.5 PRODUCT

21.5.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.6 GENDER

21.6.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.7 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

21.7.1 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.8 KEY COUNTRIES

21.8.1 SAUDI ARABIA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.8.2 UAE: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

21.8.3 SOUTH AFRICA: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

22 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

22.1 COMPETITION OVERVIEW

22.2 VENDORS RANKING

23 KEY COMPANY PROFILES

23.1 BIOFILM

23.1.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

23.1.2 BIOFILM IN GLOBAL SEXUAL LUBRICANTS MARKET

23.1.3 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

23.1.4 KEY STRATEGIES

23.1.5 KEY STRENGTHS

23.1.6 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

23.2 CHURCH & DWIGHT

23.2.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

23.2.2 BUSINESS SEGMENTS

23.2.3 CHURCH & DWIGHT IN GLOBAL SEXUAL LUBRICANTS MARKET

23.3 KAREX BERHAD

23.4 LIFESTYLES

23.5 RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP

24 OTHER PROMINENT VENDORS

24.1 AYTU BIOPHARMA

24.1.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

24.2 BILLY BOY (MAPA)

24.3 BODYWISE

24.4 CALEXOTICS

24.5 CC WELLNESS

24.6 CUPID LIMITED

24.7 ELBOW GREASE

24.8 EMPOWERED PRODUCTS

24.9 GOOD CLEAN LOVE

24.1 GUY & O'NEILL

24.11 HATHOR PROFESSIONAL SKINCARE

24.12 HLL LIFECARE LIMITED

24.13 ID LUBRICANTS

24.14 JAPAN LONG-TIE (CHINA)

24.15 KAAMASTRA

24.16 LIVE WELL BRANDS

24.17 LOVEHONEY GROUP

24.18 MAYER LABORATORIES

24.19 M. D. SCIENCE LAB

24.2 NULATEX

24.21 PHE

24.22 PJUR GROUP

24.23 RITEX

24.24 SASMAR PHARMACEUTICALS

24.25 SENSUOUS BEAUTY

24.26 SHUNGA

24.27 SLIQUID

24.28 TAIWAN FUJI LATEX

24.29 THE YES YES COMPANY

24.3 TENGA

24.31 TRIGG LABORATORIES

24.32 THAI NIPPON RUBBER INDUSTRY

24.33 TOPCO SALES

24.34 XR BRANDS

25 REPORT SUMMARY

25.1 KEY TAKEAWAYS

25.2 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

26 QUANTITATIVE SUMMARY

26.1 MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

26.2 MARKET BY PRODUCT

26.3 MARKET BY GENDER

26.4 MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

26.5 NORTH AMERICA

26.5.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.5.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.5.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.6 APAC

26.6.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.6.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.6.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.7 EUROPE

26.7.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.7.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.7.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.8 LATIN AMERICA

26.8.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.8.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.8.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.9 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

26.9.1 PRODUCT: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.9.2 GENDER: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

26.9.3 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL: MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

27 APPENDIX

27.1 ABBREVIATIONS

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The nature of investing is that you win some, and you lose some. Unfortunately, shareholders of Kin and Carta plc (LON:KCT) have suffered share price declines over the last year. In that relatively short period, the share price has plunged 66%. On the bright side, the stock is actually up 33% in the last three years. Furthermore, it's down 64% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders.

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.

View our latest analysis for Kin and Carta

Kin and Carta wasn't profitable in the last twelve months, it is unlikely we'll see a strong correlation between its share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Arguably revenue is our next best option. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually expect strong revenue growth. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size.

In the last twelve months, Kin and Carta increased its revenue by 26%. We think that is pretty nice growth. Unfortunately it seems investors wanted more, because the share price is down 66% in that time. It is of course possible that the business will still deliver strong growth, it will just take longer than expected to do it. For us it's important to consider when you think a company will become profitable, if you're basing your valuation on revenue.

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 Kin and Carta's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet.

A Different Perspective

Kin and Carta shareholders are down 66% for the year, but the market itself is up 2.8%. 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 2% 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. Take risks, for example - Kin and Carta has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

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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 British exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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You cant rely on much in the talent market this year. But one things for certain: It doesnt (really) matter what you doas long as you do it well.

More from Fortune: 5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home Looking to make extra cash? This CD has a 5.15% APY right now Buying a house? Here's how much to save This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home

Between the disruption of the pandemic, ChatGPT, offshoring, and wave after wave of layoffs, the job market is evolving more rapidly than most agile workers can keep up with. Nearly 70 million new jobs will be created worldwide, and 83 million will be eliminated by 2027, predicts the World Economic Forums 2023 Future of Jobs report. In the grand scheme of things, that means theres little any individual worker can do to remain immune to shifting norms. But one thing they can do: upskill.

The skills gap is so big that its one of the main barriers preventing companies from modernizing their business model, companies told WEF. Theres clearly a need for training and reskilling; to keep up with the fast-shifting landscape, WEF finds, nearly half (44%) of an individual workers skills need to be updated.

The long-term trend is pretty undeniable that the demand for skills outpaces the supply of skills, Dan Shapero, chief operating officer of LinkedIn, tells Fortune. He added that 2022 was the tightest labor market hed seen in his 15 years at LinkedIn. This year is a little more balanced, he acknowledged, but still tight.

Workers might want to consider these top 10 skills, which employers say are rising in importance over the next five years:

Creative thinking Analytical thinking Technological literacy Curiosity and lifelong learning Resilience, flexibility, and agility Systems thinking A.I. and big data Motivation and self-awareness Talent management Service orientation and customer service

And a bonus 11th skillleadership and social influence. (In other words, you should probably get on Twitter or TikTok.)

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With items like A.I. and big data, systems thinking, and technological literacy, employers seem to recognize the growing importance of artificial intelligence and other sophisticated tech in the workplace. Over the next five years, WEF wrote, A.I. and digitization will change nearly a quarter of all jobs.

But businesss highest priorities for worker skills are evergreen, largely intangible traits and soft skills like creative thinking, motivation, and lifelong learning. Employers desire for strong cognitive skills reflects the growing importance of complex problem-solving, WEF wrote.

Even Apple CEO Tim Cook has long encouraged workers with strength in these soft skills to apply to the tech giant. He seeks out four particular traits in new hires, he told students at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy last year: the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, curiosity, and expertise.

Those are the things that we look for in people, and its been a very good formula for us, Cook remarked. We look for people that think differently, that can look at a problem and not be caught up in the dogma of how that problem has always been viewed.

Neither hard nor soft skills require a degree

Following the seismic shifts of the past three years, industry leaders have been remarking on a skills-based revolution. Often, that can mean moving away from degree requirements and toward a focus on upskilling across the board.

Non-degree-holding candidates can learn new skills at roughly the same pace as college grads, Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera, wrote in the WEF report. But getting those two different kinds of workers on equal footing will require public and private sectors to work together on providing an affordable and flexible path that can help workers reskill and transition into jobs of the future.

That should be great news for workers. But the problem is, unlike knows how to code or has managerial experience, portraying soft skills like creative thinking and curiosity can be difficult to put on a resume.

Instead, you could consider writing that youre always looking to develop and grow in your role, Zahra Amiry, Omnicom Media Groups talent attraction associate director, told Fortune in March. An interviewer will pick up on that and ask what you are doing to develop and grow, she said, explaining that you show glimpses of your best aspects on a CV. Its all about dropping hints so by the time you get to the interview, you can wow them.

Luckily for workers, LinkedIns Shapero believes the power is in their hands, and thats unlikely to shift anytime soon.

Employers are still having difficulty finding the people they need, even in the current labor market, he said. [Thats] because the long-term trend towards your technical skills is just undeniable, and we cant keep up with it.

In terms of who has the upper hand between bosses and workers, every year will probably feel a little bit different, Shapero acknowledged. But the long-term trend, I think, is pretty clear.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home

Looking to make extra cash? This CD has a 5.15% APY right now

Buying a house? Here's how much to save

This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home
Skylight Health Group Inc.

TORONTO, May 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skylight Health Group Inc. (TSXV:SLHG; OTCQX:SLHGF) ("Skylight Health" or the "Company") announces today that the Company does not expect to be in a position to complete its year-end audit and complete and file its annual financial statements and related management discussion and analysis for the 2022 financial year and, as a result, the Ontario Securities Commission may issue a cease trade order against the company restricting trade in the securities of the Company.



As previously reported in the Companys financial statements for the third quarter of 2022, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern and to realize the carrying value of its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments when due was dependent on the Company generating positive cash flows and additional financing sufficient to fund its cash flow needs. The Company is considering various strategic alternatives.

Additionally, the Company announces that Grace Mellis has resigned from the Companys Board of Directors, effective April 28, 2023 to pursue other opportunities. The Board of Directors and the Companys management team would like to thank Ms. Mellis for her contribution and wishes her all the best in her future endeavours.

About Skylight Health Group

Skylight Health Group (TSXV:SLHG: OTCQX:SLHGF) is a healthcare services and technology company, working to positively impact patient health outcomes. The Company operates a Florida based primary care health network comprised of physical practices providing a range of services from primary care, sub-specialty, allied health, and laboratory/diagnostic testing. The Company is focused on helping small and independent practices shift from a traditional fee-for-service (FFS) model to value-based care (VBC) through tools including proprietary technology, data analytics and infrastructure. In an FFS model, payors (commercial and government insurers) reimburse on an encounter-based approach. This puts a focus on volume of patients per day. In a VBC model, the providers offer care that is aimed at keeping patients healthy and minimizing unnecessary health expenditures that are not proven to maintain the patients well-being. This places an emphasis on quality over volume. VBC will lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced cost of delivery and drive stronger financial performance from existing practices.

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Forward Looking Statements

This press release may include predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgments, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our opinions only as of the date of this release. Please keep in mind that we are not obligating ourselves to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events. When used herein, words such as "look forward," "believe," "continue," "building," may be, or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements made by us herein are often discussed in filings we make with the Canadian and United States securities regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at: www.sec.gov, and Canadian Securities Administrators, available at www.sedar.com, and on our website, at skylighthealthgroup.com.

For more information, please visit our website or contact:

Investor Relations:

investors@skylighthealthgroup.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.




Visit Booth #550 for product demos with SolarWinds engineers and experts

CORK, Ireland, May 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI), a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software, today announced it will attend SITS, Europes leading event for IT service management (ITSM), service desk, and IT support professionals. SolarWinds will showcase its easy-to-use ITSM product portfolio May 10  11 at ExCeL London.

"A companys digital transformation journey is an opportunity for IT support teams to provide a level of service never seen before," said Charles Damerell, senior director of Northern Europe sales at SolarWinds. "At SITS, were excited to showcase how SolarWinds ITSM solutions can improve the management of IT operations and the prioritization of support cases, helping ensure IT services meet the needs of users and the business."

Attendees are invited to visit SolarWinds solutions engineers and product experts for live product demonstrations at Booth #550 and to learn how SolarWinds ITSM solutions provide a centralized management hub for IT support and help desk agents. Attendees are also invited to attend an informative session led by SolarWinds ITSM Solutions Architect Michael Kent titled "Exceptional Services to Succeed, the Power of Unifying IT Services in a Fast-Paced Digital Landscape" on Wednesday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Theatre 1.

The SolarWinds ITSM portfolio includes SolarWinds Service Desk, a software as a service (SaaS)-based solution IT teams use to centralize internal IT support incidents and service requests. IT teams can deploy SolarWinds Service Desk along with SolarWinds observability solutions to make it easier to deliver fast responses and remediate unexpected events, increasing productivity, improving user satisfaction, and helping them meet critical service-level agreements (SLAs). Other solutions in the SolarWinds ITSM portfolio include SolarWinds Web Help Desk, SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere, SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support, and SolarWinds Dameware Mini Remote Control.

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Additional Resources

Connect with SolarWinds

#SWI

#SWIevents

SWIitsm

#SWIproducts

About SolarWinds

SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI) is a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software built to enable customers to accelerate their digital transformation. Our solutions provide organizations worldwideregardless of type, size, or complexitywith a comprehensive and unified view of todays modern, distributed, and hybrid network environments. We continuously engage with IT service and operations professionals, DevOps and SecOps professionals, and database administrators (DBAs) to understand the challenges they face in maintaining high-performing and highly available hybrid IT infrastructures, applications, and environments. The insights we gain from them, in places like our THWACK community, allow us to address customers needs now and in the future. Our focus on the user and our commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT management have established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in solutions for observability, IT service management, application performance, and database management. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com.

The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies.

 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

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INCHEON, South Korea (Reuters) - South Korea's finance minister said on Tuesday that the trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan and China has became more important as the global economy stands at an inflection point.

Minister Choo Kyung-ho said such cooperation would not only help the three countries, which account for more than 20% of the world economy, but also the Asian region and the world, during his opening remarks at a trilateral meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors.

The countries' economic leaders met on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank's annual meeting of the board of governors held in Incheon, South Korea.

(Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Kim Coghill)
(Bloomberg) -- The finance ministers of South Korea and Japan met for the first time in nearly seven years, in another sign of thawing ties between the two countries.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Relations between Japan and South Korea have entered a new phase, South Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said, noting that dialog between the two countries has expanded recently.

Korea would like to see communication channels with Japans government and private sector recovering faster, and cooperation over geopolitical risks and supply chain issues to strengthen, Choo added.

The meeting took place at a conference venue in South Korea where the Asian Development Banks annual meeting is being held May 2 through May 5. Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is also set to visit South Korea on Sunday.

Given the active dialog thats taking place at the summit level, I think its important that discussions are carried out in the finance track as well, Japans Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said.

Suzuki also said Japan would like to respond together with South Korea to international issues related to North Korean missiles and Russias Ukraine invasion. Japan fully agrees on expanding its exchange with South Korea in sectors including technology and human resources.

The two countries agreed to continue to strengthen relations, and consented to holding a formal finance ministers meeting in Japan this year, South Koreas finance ministry said in a statement following the meeting. The talks are being resumed after being halted in 2016.

The two parties didnt discuss a currency swap deal at the meeting, Suzuki told reporters after the meeting. Some market participants had anticipated related discussions to take place, since a swap deal between the two countries expired in February 2015.

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South Korea and Japan have been working to rebuild trust after relations between the two countries turned their coldest in decades in the past few years. A dispute over whether Japan had sufficiently compensated for its past colonization of the Korean Peninsula threatened cooperation from trade to security.

South Korea, Japan Leaders Meet to End Feud and Heal Trade Rift

Hints of improving relations came after a formal summit between the two countries was held in March for the first time in 12 years. A security dialog among the two countries senior officials took place in the following month for the first time in five years, and the two nations are currently making moves to mend ties on the trade front.

--With assistance from Erica Yokoyama.

(Updates with additional details, comments from Suzuki)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
BOSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- South Watch, LLC ("South Watch" or the "The Company"), a provider of comprehensive outsourced fund administration services, today announced a strategic investment by Everlane Equity Partners ("Everlane"), a Boston-based private equity firm focused on partnerships with growing service companies.

Everlane Equity Partners & South Watch Logo

Headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, South Watch currently oversees 50+ funds and $3 billion in assets. The Company provides full third-party fund administration and middle-office services, including fund setup, accounting, tax preparation and operational support to alternative asset managers nationwide. Fund managers working with South Watch receive the custom, high-touch service they would aim to achieve with an in-house team, while avoiding the costs and difficulties of building and managing a team of experts internally.

"Today's announcement enables South Watch to strengthen our market position and orients us for significant long-term growth. With Everlane as a strategic and financial partner, we are well positioned for the next phase of growth," said Paul Timmins, Founder and Co-Managing Partner of South Watch. Kirby Richards, Co-Managing Partner added, "The partnership with Everlane feels like a natural fit as their team shares our core values of best-in-class service paired with a genuine commitment to customer success." Their third Partner, David Loescher, further commented, "This investment demonstrates our commitment to scaling our business and continuing to build out additional services to benefit our clients." The Company will continue to be led by Timmins, Richards, and Loescher and clients will enjoy the same outstanding service they've come to know.

"We are pleased to announce our partnership with the South Watch team," said Evan Horton, Managing Partner at Everlane. "This is an opportunity for us to back proven leaders with a track-record of success in the fund administration space. As second-time founders, they possess a clear vision for the future of the company  one that we're excited to support to fruition." Harry Banks, Operating Partner at Everlane commented on what attracted the team to a strategy in outsourced fund administration saying, "strong tailwinds in the larger industry, in addition to increasing scrutiny from both regulators and investors, has driven a need for outsourced support in these areas that are essential to the success of funds but ultimately distract managers from focusing on investment strategy and fundraising." Daniel Vetrano, Principal at Everlane emphasized, "South Watch represents a scalable model that delivers tremendous knowledge and value to their clients and will serve as a strong foundation for the future growth of this platform. We are optimistic about the opportunity for inorganic growth through the addition of ancillary services that will ultimately streamline operations and provide value to fund managers and their investors."

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About South Watch

Since its founding in 2016, South Watch has built a reputation for white glove service, transparent and client-focused communications, and expertise in hedge fund administration. South Watch uses cutting-edge technology to augment an array of services which includes fund administration, tax preparation, and outsourced CFO services. For more information, please visit www.southwatchllc.com.

About Everlane Equity Partners

Everlane Equity Partners is a Boston-based private capital provider focused on equity investments in high quality companies that are well-positioned for future growth. Everlane uses its fully committed capital base and experience investing in small capitalization and middle market companies to accelerate value creation alongside management teams that have meaningful go-forward financial participation in their businesses. Everlane is flexible in its approach, structuring both majority and minority partnerships across services industries such as business, financial, healthcare, industrial, and Information Technology. For more information, please visit www.everlaneequity.com.

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SOURCE Everlane Equity Partners I, LP
SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

SkyQuest's report on the fluorescence spectroscopy market offers insights into the rapidly growing industry. With data, trends, and opportunities presented in a concise and accessible manner, the report caters to a diverse audience, ranging from industry experts to speculators. By examining both primary and secondary market drivers, the report provides a comprehensive outlook on the current market situation and future projections, making it an essential resource for prospects in this industry.

Westford, USA,, May 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global fluorescence spectroscopy market size is expected to reach USD 39.5 billion by 2030 and exhibit a CAGR of 7.8% in the forecast period (20232030), according to Skyquest's latest research report. The growing demand in various fields, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environmental science and materials science and the increasing use of fluorescence

Government Initiatives and Trends to Promote the Use of Fluorescence Spectroscopy

At a global scale, increasing demand for fluorescent probes and dyes, advancement in technology, growing demand for personalized medicine, and Increasing research activities are several trends promoting the growth of fluorescence spectroscopy.

Several government initiatives are fueling the growth of fluorescence spectroscopy. The NIH is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research. As a result, the NIH has been investing in research programs and funding grants related to fluorescence spectroscopy, which is expected to drive market growth in the US.

Get sample copy of this report:

https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/fluorescence-spectroscopy-market

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology End-user Segment Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology end-user types dominated the global market due to fluorescent spectroscopy's use in drug discovery. It is also increasing the need for fluorescence spectroscopy in developing drugs and quality control. In addition, the market report suggests there is a growing need for effective and efficient drug development processes followed by an increasing demand for personalized medicines.

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Molecular and Cell Biology is the Leading Application Segment

In terms of application, the molecular and cell biology segment is the leading segment due to the demand for durable packaging. In addition, the increasing demand for fluorescent probes and dyes in molecular imaging, cellular analysis, and drug discovery will drive the market's growth.

North America and Asia-Pacific are the leading Markets for Using Clean Energy

Region-wise, North America is one of the largest growing markets with a huge emphasis on drug discovery and molecular imaging. The presence of a large number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic research institutes, and government funding for research and development activities in the region.

Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region due to increasing investment in research and development, the growing pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and the rising demand for personalised medicine.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/fluorescence-spectroscopy-market



Browse in-depth TOC on " Fluorescence Spectroscopy Market "

Pages - 242

Tables - 66

Figures - 75

Fluorescence Spectroscopy Market Report Suggests:

The global market size is projected to grow by 39.5 billion by 2030 owing to increasing demand at various end-use.

In terms of application, the molecular and cell biology segment dominates due to the demand to study the interactions between biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins.

In terms of type, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology end-user segment is projected to gain more popularity due to its use of it in drug discovery.

North America and Asia Pacific are leading markets and will continue to exhibit dominance in the global market mainly due presence of major market players

Fluorescence Spectroscopy Market Segmentation:

The global Fluorescence Spectroscopy market report is segmented based on End-user, application, and region.

By End-User

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

Academic research institutes

Contract research organizations (CROs)

Environmental testing companies

Forensic laboratories

Food and beverage companies

Others

By Application

Molecular and cell biology

Biochemistry

Environmental Sciences

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology research

Food and beverage testing

Material sciences

Others

By Region

North America

U.S

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

UK

Spain

RoE

Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

RoLA

Middle-East and Africa

South Africa

GCC Countries

Rest of MEA

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/fluorescence-spectroscopy-market

Fluorescence Spectroscopy Market Major Company Profiles:

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Bruker Corporation

PerkinElmer, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Shimadzu Corporation

HORIBA, Ltd.

JASCO Corporation

Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

Hitachi, Ltd.

GE Healthcare Life Sciences

BioTek Instruments, Inc.

FLIR Systems, Inc.

Photon Technology International, Inc.

Rigaku Corporation

Renishaw plc

B&W Tek, Inc.

Edinburgh Instruments Ltd.

Ocean Optics, Inc.

Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc.

WITec GmbH

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Medical Device Contract Manufacturing Market

Global Durable Medical Equipment Market

Global Propolis Market

Global Nootropics Market

Global Helicobacter pylori H. pylori Diagnostics Market

About Us:

SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally.

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Splash Beverage Group, Inc.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV) ("Splash" or the "Company"), a portfolio company of leading beverage brands, today announced it has entered into a distribution agreement with Stein Distributing for the distribution of all four Splash brands in Idahos largest city, Boise.

Stein Distributing, founded in 1956, is a premier distributor in the state of Idaho that carries top tier brands from the Anheuser-Busch portfolio. The company services an area that covers over 30,000 square miles in 10.5 counties with a population of over 700,000 people.

Robert Nistico, CEO and Chairman of Splash Beverage Group, commented, This agreement with yet another strong Anheuser Busch distributor gives us a strong foothold in Idahos capital and most populous city. Our agreement calls for the distribution of all four Splash brands and with Steins commitment to excellence and deep roots in Idaho, we are confident well see strong growth in all four brands.

About Splash Beverage Group, Inc.

Splash Beverage Group, an innovator in the beverage industry, owns a growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands including Copa di Vino wine by the glass, SALT flavored tequilas, Pulpoloco sangria, and TapouT performance hydration and recovery drink. Splashs strategy is to rapidly develop early-stage brands already in its portfolio as well as acquire and then accelerate brands that have high visibility or are innovators in their categories. Led by a management team that has built and managed some of the top brands in the beverage industry and led sales from product launch into the billions, Splash is rapidly expanding its brand portfolio and global distribution.

For more information visit:

www.SplashBeverageGroup.com

www.copadivino.com

www.drinksalttequila.com

www.pulpo-loco.com

www.tapoutdrinks.com

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as expect, estimate, project, budget, forecast, anticipate, intend, plan, may, will, could, should, believes, predicts, potential, continue and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, the risks disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2021, and in the Companys other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

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Contact Information:

Splash Beverage Group

Info@SplashBeverageGroup.com

954-745-5815




JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nine new Ecosystems have been selected to join the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice ( SLECoP ), a global movement of leaders devoted to advancing STEM learning opportunities for all. The announcement was made at the annual convening of the SLECoP May 1 to May 3 in Jacksonville, Fla.

STEM Ecosystems powered by TIES (PRNewsfoto/TIES Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM)

The new ecosystems joining the SLECoP are the Riverside County Office of Education in California, Coastal Virginia STEM Hub (COVA STEM HUB), STEM Husavik in Iceland, The Ozarks Ecosystem (O-STEAM) in Missouri, Learning Ecosystems Northeast in Maine, the statewide Alabama STEM Ecosystem, Central Susquehanna EcosySTEM in Pennsylvania, as well as ECOSTEM21 Naharia and ECOSTAEM21 Kiryat Shmona in Israel.

"We are thrilled to welcome these nine new Ecosystems, with their unique talents, lived experiences and resources to our Community of Practice," said Judd Pittman, Chairman of the SLECoP's Leadership Coordinating Council. "We know that they will learn from and grow with the existing communities expanding opportunities for more diverse scholars to realize the promise of a STEM career."

Now with 111 individual ecosystems in more than 40 states across the U.S., as well as in Kenya, Israel, Mexico, Iceland and Canada, the SLECoP is a collective of thought leaders and innovators who understand thriving communities are built through collaboration among schools, institutions, businesses and industry.

STEM Learning Ecosystems, supported by TIES which serves as its backbone, unite community stakeholders across sectors who understand that communities thrive through a robust and competitive STEM workforce, and work to ensure all students are engaged STEM learners who are college and career-ready.

As the LC2's Chairman, Pittman sees great promise in the new Ecosystems, and is eager to embrace their leadership and experience.

"The past few years have accelerated change, spotlighted educational disparities, and ignited new opportunities for reimaging educational systems," Pittman said. "The Community of Practice is stronger than ever because of the collective power of diverse ideas from new and existing Ecosystems. Welcoming new, productive relationships are the cornerstone of a vibrant Community of Practice."

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The SLECoP has grown steadily since its inception in 2015, with new ecosystems joining the global initiative and working with one another to build meaningful connections among community partners, and to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of the future.

For more information, please contact Xan Black at XanBlack@TiesTeach.org.

ABOUT THE SLECoP

The SLECoP is supported by numerous funders and partners, including the Amgen Foundation, the Broadcom Foundation, the Lemelson Foundation, the Qualcomm Foundation, the Steinman Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation and other foundations and businesses.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stem-learning-ecosystems-grows-to-111-301813079.html

SOURCE TIES Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
Students Use Insilico Medicine's AI Platform to Find Targets for Glioblastoma and Aging

Andrea Olsen from Oslo, Norway; Zachary Harpaz from Boca Raton, Florida; and Chris Ren from Shanghai, China co-authored a paper using Insilico Medicine's PandaOmics AI target discovery system to uncover three potential targets for glioblastoma and aging.

Abu Dhabi, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three high school students  Andrea Olsen from Oslo, Norway; Zachary Harpaz from Boca Raton, Florida; and Chris Ren from Shanghai, China  co-authored a paper using a generative artificial intelligence (AI) engine for target discovery from Insilico Medicine (Insilico) called PandaOmics to identify new therapeutic targets for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most aggressive and common malignant brain tumor, accounting for 16% of all primary brain tumors. The findings were published on April 26 in the journal Aging.

Much of the technology behind PandaOmics is being developed in Insilicos Generative Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Research and Development Center in Abu Dhabi, the regions largest AI-powered biotechnology research center.

Olsen, a student at Sevenoaks School in Kent, UK, began interning at Insilico Medicine in 2021, after discovering her interest in neurobiology and technology. For the current paper, the fifth scientific paper she has co-authored before turning eighteen, she and other researchers used PandaOmics to screen datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus repository maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and found new therapeutic targets implicated for treating both aging and glioblastoma multiforme.

Ren, a student at Shanghai High School International Division, has an interest in biology and biomarkers and joined them in the summer of 2022.

While there would seem to be a clear connection between aging and cancer, Olsen says their findings were more nuanced. Sometimes, instead of aging, the body switches to cancer mechanisms, which was really interesting to discover. She hypothesized that the body is trying to preserve itself in a way that it is switching back to embryonic processes of cell division. GBM is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to uncontrolled growth of glial cells, or cells that surround neurons in the brain. Even with existing therapies, the median survival for GBM patients is only 15 months.

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Harpaz, a student at Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, had an early interest in computer science and AI and soon developed a passion for biology as well. I wanted to combine my two favorite topics, computer science and biology, into what I think is the most interesting field of biology - aging research, Harpaz says. He discovered generative AI drug discovery company Insilico Medicine whose founder and CEO, Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, connected him with Olsen. The two young researchers began collaborating on the glioblastoma project and ultimately presented findings at the Aging Research and Drug Discovery (ARDD) conference in Copenhagen, where they together launched the Youth Longevity Association (TYLA).

In this latest paper, the three teens used PandaOmics to analyze the genes and identified three that were strongly correlated with both aging and glioblastoma and could serve as potential therapeutic targets for new drugs.

We selected the genes that were overlapped to be highly correlated in 11 of the 12 datasets, and we split our data into young, middle aged, and senior groups, said Harpaz. We mapped this to the importance of the gene expression to survival. After identifying two genetic targets for glioblastoma and aging  CNGA3 and GLUD1  they cross-referenced their findings with earlier findings from Insilico around genes strongly correlated with aging and identified a third target  SIRT1.

I learned a lot about conducting a research project, said Ren, who helped review the three targets. The PandaOmics platform really made the project accessible to me. As a high school sophomore, I did not have sufficient experience for advanced research and analysis, however, I was still able to navigate the PandaOmics platform after a brief period of training to process and compare datasets of glioblastoma.

The students say they are eager to continue their studies in AI and biology into college and to move the GBM research forward from target discovery to drug development.

The best way to take this research further is going to be using Insilicos Chemistry42 software, where we can take the targets we identified through PandaOmics and generate small molecules, potential drugs, with these targets that have the potential to treat glioblastoma and aging at the same time, says Harpaz.

Prior to her internship at Insilico, Olsen says: I never knew that AI could be so helpful in finding completely new therapeutic targets. For me, that was an incredible opportunity to dive into the field of research, aging, longevity, and neuroscience. It really kick-started my entire career.

I am truly impressed by the commitment of these young researchers, says Zhavoronkov. I hope their work will inspire other young people excited about science and technology to look at how they can use AI tools to discover new targets and treatments for both aging and disease.

About Insilico Medicine

Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, is connecting biology, chemistry, and clinical trials analysis using next-generation AI systems. The company has developed AI platforms that utilize deep generative models, reinforcement learning, transformers, and other modern machine learning techniques for novel target discovery and the generation of novel molecular structures with desired properties. Insilico Medicine is developing breakthrough solutions to discover and develop innovative drugs for cancer, fibrosis, immunity, central nervous system diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and aging-related diseases. In early 2023, the Company opened the Insilico Medicine Generative Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Research and Development Centre in Abu Dhabi, the regions largest AI-powered biotechnology research center. The R&D hub brings together global talent in artificial intelligence and software development to expand the capabilities of Insilicos end-to-end AI-driven drug discovery platform, Pharma.AI, explore aging research and sustainable chemistry, and support the digital transformation of healthcare in the region.

For more information, visit www.insilico.com

Attachment

CONTACT: Jamila Alhammadi Insilico Medicine 475-225-0843 j.alhammadi@insilicomedicine.com




TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / EYEfi Group Technologies Inc. (CSE:EGTI)(OTC PINK:EGTTF)(Frankfurt:5OV) ("EYEfi") would like to advise that its contract with Telstra, in relation to the services provided to Department of Transport (DoT), is coming to an end. In FY2022, Telstra provided circa AUD $300,000 in contract revenue to EYEfi for servicing the DoT. EYEFi has been advised by Telstra the project has been decommissioned as part of a major managed services review, which unfortunately the EYEfi solution is part of and no longer be required.

The Company has not received the final letter from Telstra detailing the end date but has started decommissioning some of the services.

The loss in revenue will have a material impact on EYEfi's operations and the board is undertaking a strategic review of the business. Simon Langdon and management are proactively managing company expenditure and sales activities across all product lines including the Axis camera opportunity.

---- end ---

About EYEfi in detail:

EYEfi is connecting the world's people and devices with the world around them, in real-time and in ways not previously possible.

EYEfi is a software and electronics engineering company that has developed, patented and commercialized an innovative spatial technology; spatial, predictive, approximation and radial convolution (SPARC) and an associated product suite, that turns sensors, cameras and smartphones (fixed, mobile, airborne, portable or handheld) into geo-target co-ordinate acquisition devices.

EYEfi has also developed IIoT sensor hardware and associated cloud software, as a second pillar within its product offering. EYEfi Cloud is a next generation cloud platform that provides a secure and centralized environment where customers can manage their EYEfi product deployments and applications.

On behalf of the board of directors of

EYEFI GROUP TECHNOLOGIES INC.

"Simon Langdon"

Simon Langdon, CEO

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For more information contact:

Simon Langdon

Chief Executive Officer

EYEfi Group Technologies Inc.

Email: info@eyefi.com.au Anoosh Manzoori

Chief Executive Officer

Shape Capital Pty Ltd

Telephone: +61.409 252 088

Email: anoosh@shape.capital

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. NO SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information.

The forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, opinions and analyses of management made in light of its experience and perception of historical trends in the delivery of services through its Cloud, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors management of EYEfi believes are appropriate, relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. All of these assumptions, estimates and opinions will necessarily be subject to change due to future events and other circumstances outside the control of EYEfi, including the effect of the Covid 19 virus. EYEfi has based the forward looking information on various material assumptions, including: despite the threat of the Covid 19 virus, EYEfi will sustain or increase profitability although on a slower projection then previously planned, and will be able to fund its operations with existing capital and projected revenue from its current agreements with its Channel Partners; EYEfi will be able to attract and retain key personnel in future if required; the general business, economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which EYEfi operates will remain positive as its services can be provided in EYEfi's Cloud although deliver of its hardware may be affect by supply chain disruptions; that the general regulatory environment will not change in a manner adverse to the business of EYEfi; the tax treatment of EYEfi and its subsidiary will remain constant and EYEfi will not become subject to any material legal proceedings; the economy generally; competition, and anticipated and unanticipated costs.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors, assumptions and exclusions is not exhaustive.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the Canadian Securities Exchange. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: EYEfi Group Technologies Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/752401/Telstra-Sales-Update




(Bloomberg) -- Two months after Tesla Inc. unveiled plans to drop the usage of rare earths in its future models, ferrite stocks in South Korea are skyrocketing on bets that the material will be an alternative.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Samwha Electronics Co., which manufactures magnetic materials such as ferrite core and ferrite absorbers, surged by the daily limit of 30% on Tuesday, taking its gains over seven sessions to nearly 270%. EG Corp., a Korean iron oxide manufacturer which supplies to ferrite core makers across Asia, also jumped by the daily limit. CQV Co. and Union Materials Corp. also soared.

The surge comes amid growing speculation that ferrite is the most likely candidate to replace rare earths in Teslas electric vehicles, following a surprise announcement by the EV maker early March. The sector got an added boost as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Elon Musk in the US late last month, where the two discussed potential business cooperation.

Read: Tesla Comments Spur Plunge in China Rare-Earth Miner Shares

Stock prices are rising on expectations that Tesla is reviewing using ferrite instead of Chinese rare earths, said Yoon Joonwon, a fund manager at DS Asset Management Co. But the replacement is impossible in the short run and we dont know if those companies will become a supplier of Tesla, he added.

Read: Teslas Vision of EVs Without Rare Earths Will Spur Magnet Race

A March note by research firm Adamas Intelligence said its a proven concept that ferrite may replace rare earths for Tesla. Analysts say Chinas reported move to ban exports of some rare-earth magnet technology  which was translated in Korean media only recently  is also contributing to the rally.

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Samwha Electronics is the second biggest gainer so far this year on the benchmark Kospi Index, which has risen 13%. Local funds piled into the stock during April 21-28 with net purchases of $1.2 million, according to exchange data.

Other Samwha group names also spiked on Tuesday with Samwha Electric Co. and Samwha Capacitor Co. up 30% and 11%, respectively.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
FILE PHOTO: The dating app Tinder is shown on a mobile phone in this picture illustration

By Alexander Marrow

(Reuters) - Tinder owner Match Group has said it will quit Russia by June 30, citing the need to protect human rights, one of many Western firms to leave since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine last year.

"We are committed to protecting human rights," Match said in an annual impact report published on Monday. "Our brands are taking steps to restrict access to their services in Russia and will complete their withdrawal from the Russian market by June 30, 2023."

Many digital services providers with few staff in Russia, such as Spotify and Netflix, pulled out shortly after Moscow began its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.

Match, whose brands include dating applications such as Tinder, Hinge and PlentyOfFish, has made few public statements about its Russian operations, but flagged negative impacts on its European business in March 2022.

Match did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.

Match shareholder Friends Fiduciary Corp said Match had set an example for others to follow in tying its decision to the human rights risks faced by the Ukrainian people.

The European police agency Europol said in September that dating apps were among the online platforms being "hijacked" by individuals for human trafficking purposes, drawing attention to the plight of Ukrainian refugees.

Jeff Perkins, executive director at Friends Fiduciary, told Reuters that a business that trades on trust had good reason to leave Russia:

"It's not a good look for a trusted brand to be continuing operations in a nation where the head of state has been indicted by the International Criminal Court."

The ICC issued an arrest warrant on March 17 against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine.

Moscow denies committing war crimes including forced deportations of children, and says the ICC decision is meaningless as Russia is not a member.

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Toronto Community Benefits Network

TORONTO, May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) is thrilled to announce Desjardins Group as the presenting sponsor for the third Annual Building Diversity Awards Program (BDA).

BDA is Canada's premier Awards and Recognition Program. It recognizes construction industry leaders advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in their workplaces through community benefits agreements and best practices developed by The Centre for Global Inclusion. TCBN welcomes beloved TV personalities Patricia Jaggernauth and Sebastian Clovis as the evening's hosts, with the keynote delivered by renowned real estate developer, urban revitalization strategy consultant and Award-winning broadcaster Majora Carter.

"We believe in the value created through diversity and the inclusion of people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and experiences. Diversity makes us stronger and helps bring more skills and perspectives to the table. We are proud to be a part of the movement that recognizes industry leaders who are creating a more inclusive environment and welcoming diverse workers into construction jobs," said Salwa Salek, Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Desjardins Group.

The work towards inclusion is timely as the largest generation of our time is retiring, and the pressure to find new workers increases. At the same time, billions of dollars are being invested in public infrastructure projects across the country.

The Building Diversity Awards recognize industry leaders making internal systems change to ensure Black, Indigenous and other racialized workers, including women, youth and newcomers, benefit from the expanding economic opportunities found in construction.

"Results are tangible when industry invests in diversity. Not only is there a social return on investment for individuals and local communities, but there is also an economic incentive that benefits our entire society. Community Benefits movements globally are changing how we build neighbourhoods, infrastructure and commercial developments.

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"As a community-labour coalition, we are excited to review this year's nominations, and they are the heart of the awards. We can't wait to spotlight these trailblazing efforts by the industry to reflect better who we are, from both public and private developments, large and small," Rosemarie Powell, TCBN Executive Director.

Award recipients will be selected by a committee of diversity, equity and inclusion experts from inside and outside the industry.

Join us on Saturday, May 13, 6:00 pm. Learn more and get your tickets today at https://buildingdiversity.ca/ .

CONTACT

Kareem Perez, Marketing & Communications Consultant

Toronto Community Benefits Network

kperez@communitybenefits.ca

416-564-4890

About Toronto Community Benefits

The Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) is a 120 member community-labour coalition representing an innovative coalition made up of trade unions, trades training centres, workforce development agencies, grassroots groups and community organizations serving under-represented groups that works closely with governments, employers and foundations. Founded in 2013 members of the TCBN coalition are committed to negotiating Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) ensuring that community members are accessing publicly funded jobs resulting from infrastructure construction contracts, and that hiring targets for diverse groups are met.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of $407.1 billion. It was named one of the World's Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes magazine. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms, and subsidiaries across Canada. Ranked among the world's strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has some of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.








United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript April 26, 2023

United Microelectronics Corporation beats earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $0.22, expectations were $0.16.

Operator: Welcome, everyone, to UMC's 2023 First Quarter Earnings Conference Call. . And for your information, this conference call is now being broadcasted live over the Internet. Webcast replay will be available within 2 hours after the conference is finished. And please visit our website, www.umc.com, under the Investor Relations, Investors, Events section. And now I would like to introduce Mr. Michael Lin, Head of Investor Relations at UMC. Mr. Lin, please begin.

Michael Lin: Thank you, and welcome to UMC's conference call for the first quarter of 2023. I'm joined by Mr. Jason Wang, the President of UMC; and Mr. Chi-Tung Liu, the CFO of UMC. In a moment, we will hear our CFO present the first quarter financial results followed by our patents key message to address UMC's focus and second quarter 2023 guidance. Once our President and CFO complete their remarks, there will be a Q&A section. UMC's quarterly financial reports are available at our website, www.umc.com, under the Investors Financial section. During this conference, we may make forward-looking statements. based on management's current expectations and beliefs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the risk that may be beyond the company's control.

For a more detailed description of these risks and uncertainties, please refer to our recent and subsequent filings with the SEC and the ROC security authorities. During this conference, you may view our financial presentation material, which is being broadcast live through the Internet. Now I would like to introduce UMC's CFO, Mr. Chi-Tung Liu, to discuss UMC's first quarter 2023 financial results.

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Chi-Tung Liu: Thank you, Michael. I would like to go through the first quarter 2023 investor conference presentation material, which can be downloaded or view in real time from our website. Starting on Page 4, the first quarter of 2023. Consolidated revenue was TWD 54.2 billion, with gross margin at 35.5%. The net income attributed to the stockholder of the parent was TWD 16.2 billion, and earnings per ordinary shares were 1.31. Wafer shipments in this quarter come at 126,000 equivalent wafers which was a decline of 17.5% quarter-over-quarter, which also fall in the better end of our previous guidance of 17% to 19% decline for the first quarter. Utilization in first quarter is as we guided around 70%. For Page 5, the sequential comparison, revenue declined 20.1% and to TWD 54.2 billion.

Other than the 17.5% wafer shipment decline, there's also a negative impact of 3% plus impact from the ForEx due to NT dollar appreciation. Gross margin rate was 35.5%, which is a 34% decline to TWD 19.2 billion. Operating expenses was lower than the level of Q4 last year at TWD 5.78 billion. This is a typical first quarter seasonal factor. So we do expect this number to increase in the second quarter of 2023. Nonoperating income total reached TWD 4.64 billion, which is quite a significant improvement from the fourth quarter of last year. mainly due to the recovery in the stock market for our portfolio. And net income is TWD 15.38 billion and net income attributable to the shareholders of the parent is with a net income margin of 29.9%. EPS is 1.31 for the first quarter of 2023.

Semiconductor, Technology, Component

Photo by Jonas Svidras Unsplash

On a year-over-year comparison on Page 6, revenue declined 14.5% and net income declined by 18.3%. So the first quarter of 2022 was 1.61 in EPS, and this quarter is as mentioned, 1.31 for the first quarter of 2023. So on Page 7, cash remained nearly unchanged around TWD 171 billion. Due to the continuous CapEx, we can -- we have seen our total assets increased to TWD 549.6 billion. On Page 8, our blended ASP for wafer equivalent has inched up in Q1 '23. For Page 9, our geographic breakdown. For revenue, Asia showed a bigger decline from 54% in the previous quarter to 50% in the first quarter and every other region has increased sequentially. And for Page 10, IDM has shown a stronger growth in the first quarter. Now the percentage of revenue reached 23% when tablets represent about 77% of our total revenue.

In terms of segment breakdown on Page 11, this quite meaningful mainly driven by when computer and consumer and also communication are all showing some decline in percentage of revenue. On Page 12, our revenue for 14-nanometer technology and below represent around 41% of our total revenue, although 28 and 22 nanometers still on 26%, so about 2% decline from 17% to 15%. Q1 2023 was the lowest point in terms of available capacity, mainly due to the annual maintenance schedule for selected sites. Quarter 2, you will go back to the normal. And also on top of that, will be P6, our Tainan fab expansion will start to kick in, and we can see the capacity increase for fab 12A. So overall, we will see a low single-digit increase in our available capacity from quarter 2 2023.

On Page 14, our annual budget for CapEx remain unchanged. -- around $3 billion. And it's going to be a little bit front-end loaded in the first half and 90% will be related to 12-inch expansion and 10% is more related to 8-inch capacity. So the above is a summary of UMC results for first quarter of 2023. More details are available in the report, which has been posted on our website. I will now turn the call over to President of UMC, Mr. Jason Wang.

Jason Wang: Thank you, Chi-Tung. Good evening, everyone. Here, I would like to share UMC's first quarter results. In the first quarter of 2023, our business was impacted by sluggish wafer demand as the customer continue to digest elevated inventory levels. In line with the guidance previously provided, wafer shipments fell 17.5% quarter-over-quarter and utilization rate dropped to 70%, while average selling prices stayed firm during the quarter. Better in a less favorable foreign exchange rate, revenue in the first quarter fell 20.1% quarter-over-quarter. Despite lower utilization, gross margin remained firm at 35.5% and reflecting improved structural profitability and optimize the product mix. Although demand weakened across major end markets, our automotive and industrial segment posted growth during the quarter.

Automotive sales, in particular, accounted for 17% of overall first quarter revenue. While this partially reflects decline in other segments, we expect automotive to remain a significant revenue contributor and growth -- key growth driver for UMC going forward as the IC content in car continue to increase driven by electrification and alternatives driving. Entering the second quarter of 2023, we expect customers' inventory correction to linger given the softness in overall end market demand. As a result, our wafer shipment will be flat this quarter. Meanwhile, the company continues to implement strict cost control measures to ensure our profitability remains intact through near-term cyclicality. Going forward, we believe our strategy of focusing on the development of a differentiated solution across numerous larger and specialty technology platforms such as , RFSOI, BCD will help us secure future business and expand our presence in the IC industry.

While positioning for the future business growth, UMC is also committed to maintain a high dividend payout ratio. In Q1, the Board of Directors proposed to distribute a cash dividend of approximately TWD 3.60 per share, subject to shareholders' approval. Now let's move on to the second quarter 2023 guidance. Our wafer shipment will remain flat. ASP in U.S. dollar will remain flat. Gross profit margin will be in the mid-30% range. Capacity utilization rate will be in the low 70% range. Our 2023 cash-based CapEx will be budgeted at . That concludes my comments. Thank you all for your attention. Now we are ready for questions.

See also 13 Most Profitable Industrial Stocks Now and 16 Best Places to Live in Florida.

To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
Smart Ring Company Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with Continued Commitment to Scientific Accuracy and Innovation

SAN FRANCISCO, May 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OURA, the company behind the smart ring that delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance, today announced the formation of a Medical Advisory Board to continue delivering on its commitment to advancing the science and technology behind the Oura Ring. Founded in Finland in 2013, OURA has evolved from its early days as a sleep tracking device to include more holistic data and insights to inform all aspects of health, including reproductive health, cardiovascular health, physical activity, and more.

The Medical Advisory Board will consist of Dr. Kiarra King, Dr. Rebecca Robbins, Dr. Christine Noa Sterling, and Dr. Matthew Walker, with plans to add new members in the coming months. Each of these experts offers a unique and diverse perspective on a variety of health-related topics, including fertility, pregnancy, menopause, sleep, and more, and will help co-create research, inform feature development, and build content to educate the OURA Community.

"OURAs health sensing capabilities and products have been grounded in science since its inception 10 years ago, and we are strengthening that foundation today with the formation of our Medical Advisory Board," said Shyamal Patel, Head of Science at OURA. "The guidance and insights from this esteemed group of scientific and medical thought leaders will be critical in ensuring that we remain rooted in science and a trusted brand as we pursue our mission to improve the health and well-being of OURA members around the world."

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, OURA has experienced tremendous growth in the last decade, most recently announcing its first US-based, large-scale retail partnership with Best Buy, which now offers the Oura Ring at more than 850 stores nationwide. In 2022 alone, OURA sold its millionth Oura Ring and received a $2.55 billion valuation less than a month later; released the Oura Horizon, a perfectly round, sleek, and elegant design containing OURAs powerful Gen3 technology; launched its partnership with Natural Cycles, the first FDA-cleared birth control app, to improve its reproductive health offering and provide a seamless cycle-tracking solution; announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Gucci, delivering research-grade technology crafted with Guccis legendary style; and developed innovative health monitoring features including Blood Oxygen Sensing, Workout Heart Rate, Daytime Heart Rate, Period Prediction, and more.

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"We have so much to be proud of since OURA was founded by a small team in Finland in 2013," said Tom Hale, OURA CEO. "What started with three friends searching for a wearable device to keep their lives in balance has evolved into a community of members in 230 countries and a global organization that has launched three generations of hardware, released 43 unique health-enhancing features, tracked over 2.3 billion hours of sleep, and carved out space in the wearable technology market for the innovative form factor our members have come to know and love."

The public response to OURA has been overwhelmingly positive. In 2020, Oura Ring was named one of TIMEs Best Inventions changing how we live. In 2021, a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fast Company acknowledged OURA as one of the 10 Most Innovative Workplace Companies and placed Oura Ring on its list of World Changing Ideas. In 2022, the company continued to solidify its position as a leader in the wearable industry by being placed on the CNBC Disruptor 50 list and winning over 20 awards, including the 2022 GQ Fitness Awards, Esquire 2022 Gadget Awards, and SELF Home Fitness Awards. And in 2023, OURA has been recognized as a recipient of the 27th Annual Webby Awards, PopSugars 2023 Fitness Awards, and Womens Health 2023 Fitness Awards, among others.

Looking ahead, OURA is continuing to invest heavily in research and development in key focus areas, including womens health, illness detection, sleep, stress, and mental health. Collaborating with a variety of research institutions, such as the University of California San Diego and the University of California San Francisco, OURA has contributed important studies to the growing body of literature on COVID-19 and reproductive health and demonstrated the strong potential for consumer wearables in the future of public health.

To learn more about OURA and the newly formed Medical Advisory Board, visit http://www.ouraring.com/medical-advisory-board.

About OURA:

OURA is the company behind Oura Ring  the smart ring that delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance. With sleep as its foundation, Oura Membership fosters healthy habits to make wellness and recovery a mindful, daily practice. Validated against medical gold standards and driven by continuous monitoring of individual biometrics, the lightweight and comfortable Oura Ring is one of the most accurate wearables available. For organizations, Oura For Business connects individual well-being with collective outcomes by making performance measurable, actionable, and attainable. Founded in Finland with offices in Oulu, Helsinki, San Francisco, and San Diego, OURA has raised more than $350 million and is valued at $2.55 billion. For more information, please visit http://ouraring.com/.

The Oura Ring is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, monitor, or prevent medical conditions/illnesses.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230502005455/en/

Contacts

Alexis McDowel

alexis.mcdowel@ouraring.com

Kristin Messina

kristin.messina@ouraring.com
Lapina / Shutterstock.com

You are going through an old coin collection, maybe a jar you found at an estate sale and or something that was left at a thrift shop. Suddenly, something pops and you realize you have a special coin in your possession out of the blue. What should you do next?

$2,000 Quarter? Check Your Pockets Before You Use This 2004 Coin

Learn: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch

First and foremost, youll want to make sure of the coins authenticity. There are several different criteria to look at in order to identify a rare coin and how to value its worth, and a few practical steps to take from experts who know coinage. Heres what to do if you find a valuable rare coin.

Dont Clean It

Avoid the temptation to clean or polish your rare coin, as doing so can drastically reduce its value, says Paul Zaldivar, a Civil Engineer and the founder of fitnhome.com. Collectors prefer coins in their original state, with a natural patina or tarnish.

Cleaning old coins can reduce their value by removing the patina, which is the natural tarnish that builds up on the surface over time, adds Kamil Faizi, owner of Challenge Coins 4 U. Any cleaning could damage the coin, so its best to leave it in its original condition.

Years ago, I was visiting a coin store in downtown Chicago when an elderly woman came in to sell her late husbands collection, recalls Donn Pearlman, PNG spokesman and affiliate member. Unfortunately, she first used a kitchen scrub brush to make the coins bright and shiny in the mistaken belief that it would enhance their value. The dealer politely explained that one of the old silver dollars would have been worth nearly $1,000 dollars but with the severe surface damage of numerous, tiny abrasion marks  scratches  it now exhibited, he could only offer $100.

Related: Check Your $2 Bills  They Could Be Worth Upwards of $4,500

Handle With Care

Use clean hands or gloves to hold the coin by its edges, suggests Zaldivar. Touching the coins surface can leave oils or dirt that may damage the coin over time.

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Carefully handle potentially valuable coins only on the edges  the rims  to avoid causing wear or fingerprints on the front and back of the coin, says Pearlman. The condition, the state of preservation, often is a major factor in determining a coins value.

Pearlman cites the example of a common early 1900s Indian Head cent. in worn condition might be worth only a few dollars, but that same coin in original mint red, superb condition may be valued at hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on its grade, he describes.

Store Properly

Store your rare coin in a protective holder or sleeve, ideally made of archival-quality materials. This will help protect it from damage, moisture, and other environmental factors, advises Zaldivar.

Do Some Research

Faizi recommends getting your rare coin graded. Professional grading can add value to a rare coin, especially if its in excellent condition, says Faizi. Look for a reputable grading service and have your coin authenticated to maximize its value.

Learn more about your coin, its rarity, history, and potential value, Zaldivar advises. Consult reputable sources like coin catalogs, numismatic websites, and books to gather information.

Get Professional Opinions

Coins are valued based on their rarity, condition and historical significance, Faizi explains. You can research the coin online, consult with a professional appraiser, or bring it to a reputable coin dealer to get an accurate estimate of its value.

Reach out to reputable coin dealers or professional numismatists for their opinions on your coins authenticity, grade, and value, says Zaldivar. You can find local dealers or attend coin shows to connect with experts.

Dont Set the Coin in Jewelry

Refrain from setting your rare coin in jewelry, as this can damage the coin and significantly diminish its value, warns Zaldivar. Keep the coin in its original state to maximize its appeal to collectors.

While setting a rare coin in jewelry may seem like a good way to show it off, it can actually diminish its value, Faizi says. Altering the coin in any way can reduce its value, so its best to leave it in its original state.

Sell the Coin  Maybe

If you decide to sell the coin, you could be making a pretty penny out of an old one. Just make sure to do all your homework before committing to a buyer so you get the most you can for your coin.

If you decide to sell your valuable coin, choose a reputable dealer, auction house, or online platform, Zaldivar explains. Before committing to a sale, ensure you understand their fees, commission rates and sales process. Following these steps ensures your rare coin is well-preserved and retains its maximum value.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What To Do If You Find a Valuable Rare Coin
Hey there! Dan DeFrancesco in NYC, and we've got an update on the cocaine hippos, which are now wreaking havoc across Colombia.

Today, we've got stories on why JPMorgan stands to benefit from its acquisition of First Republic, another big warning sign in the real-estate market, and all the weird stuff people leave in their Ubers.

But first, is it easy to use?

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

wealth management and tech wall street 2030 4x3

Samantha Lee/Business Insider

1. Looks matter.

A tool is only as good as its ease of use.

And on Wall Street, where the volume of information continues to rise, application design and user interface is taking center stage.

User interface and user experience have long been underappreciated in finance, which is ironic considering the public nature of the work. But firms are quickly catching on to the importance of making sure the tools they build are easy to use.

Just look at one of the most powerful hedge funds in the world.

Citadel, the $57 billion hedge fund run by billionaire Ken Griffin, is increasingly focused on UI and UX in recent years, setting up a specific team to focus on the efforts in 2020.

Insider's Bianca Chan has all the details on Citadel X, the team making sure the hedge-fund's high-powered tools are built to fit seamlessly into employees' workflows. Bianca spoke to people across the firm about the impact Citadel X has had, from helping the firm move away from Excel to streamlining the work of portfolio managers and traders.

Working on user experience can be a thankless job. When a tool works well, you might not think to credit the person who designed it. But the second there is any issue, you'll be quick to curse them out.

The process-driven world of finance makes it an interesting use case for those focused on design. As Bianca's story highlights, engineers need to balance the importance of enabling users to access the information they need with the risk of overburdening them with too much.

Story continues

If this all seems unimportant to you, consider the stakes. Better UX and UI means a more efficient employee, which means being able to do more with less, which means better margins and more revenue.

Read more about Citadel X, the $57 billion hedge fund's user experience and interface team.

In other news:

college graduation bored

Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Shutterstock

2. What does First Republic's failure mean for Wall Street? If you're still trying to understand the collapse of yet another regional bank, we've got you covered. From why First Republic failed, to the potential knock-on effects at other banks, here's a full rundown.

3. Speaking of First Republic, there's already one clear winner. JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon might have you believe the bank was just doing its civic duty by acquiring First Republic from regulators. However, JPM stands to benefit big from the purchase. Here are five reasons JPMorgan comes out a winner.

4. The canaries in the coal mine that is the real-estate market are starting to die. Lenders are shoring up their provisions to protect against loan losses, a sign of their concerns about the sector. More on why lenders are preparing for losses.

5. Deutsche Bank doubles down on dealmaking. The German bank is building out its investment bank as it eyes a potential return of M&A, the Financial Times reports. More on Deutsche Bank's strategy.

6. Lessons learned from Y Combinator. Three founders who participated in the startup accelerator's most recent class share what they learned from the program. Get the rundown.

7. More people keep asking for their money back from Blackstone's real estate investment trust. For the sixth consecutive month, Blackstone limited withdrawals from the $70 billion BREIT, Reuters reports. More here.

8. We're all helping foot the bill for rich people who fly private. Despite now accounting for one in every six flights, private jet travelers pay just 2% of the taxes that fund the FAA. A new report highlights how commercial flyers are subsidizing the jet-setting lifestyle of the ultra-wealthy. Click here for more.

9. The strangest things left in an Uber. The company released its annual "Lost and Found Index" that details the most interesting items left behind in cars. Here's a rundown of some of the most-unique finds.

10. Where it actually pays to go to college. As the cost of tuition continues to rise, some have derided college as a waste of money. But these 31 schools actually offer a good return on your investment. Check out the full list. (You'll be surprised by the top three.)

Curated by Dan DeFrancesco in New York. Feedback or tips? Email ddefrancesco@insider.com, tweet @dandefrancesco, or connect on LinkedIn. Edited by Jeffrey Cane (tweet @jeffrey_cane) in New York and Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Carolina Mandl and Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BEVERLY HILLS, California (Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co CEO Charlie Scharf said on Tuesday the banking industry is "extremely strong" but added he expects more volatility as market participants assess the health of financial institutions.

"Talking about regional banks as one - it just makes absolutely no sense," Scharf said at the Milken Institute Global Conference. "Unfortunately, there will be a lot of volatility and turmoil," he said, adding that "the majority of the banks that we look at are still extremely strong."

He did not expect more bank failures comparable to the recent collapses of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank. Despite the turmoil, consumers and businesses remain in good financial health, Scharf said.

Peter Orszag, CEO of financial advisory at Lazard Ltd, called on officials to signal their intentions to guarantee uninsured deposits at banks for a six-month period, echoing actions during the 2008 financial crisis.

Such moves would shore up confidence and stop depositors from pulling out money from small and mid-sized banks, said Orszag, who previously served as director of the office of management and budget in the Obama administration.

Lazard advised First Republic Bank before it was seized by regulators and sold to JPMorgan on Monday.

Protections for bank depositors under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp should be raised to $25 million from a current $250,000 per person, per bank, former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Increasing the backstop for bank accounts used for business purposes was a promising potential reform, the FDIC said on Monday.

"I'm all for raising the level of FDIC insurance premium, but I would not go too far," Scharf said. "This insurance that exists, it's not the government insurance, it's the rest of the banking industry coming together and there's no reason why the banks should subsidize the ills that happened at all of the banks across the system unconditionally."

(Reporting by Carolina Mandl and Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Beverly Hills, California,; Writing by Tatiana Bautzer; Editing by Chris Reese and Matthew Lewis)
Evaluation recognizes overall superior performance in community lending, investment and service

WHEELING, W.Va., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WesBanco, Inc. (Nasdaq: WSBC), a diversified, multi-state bank holding company, announces that its affiliate, WesBanco Bank, has once again earned the highest composite rating of "Outstanding" from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for its work in meeting the credit needs of the communities in which it operates, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

WesBanco Logo (PRNewsfoto/WesBanco, Inc.)

Through the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), the FDIC evaluates a financial institution's record of helping to meet the credit needs of the local communities where the bank operates. WesBanco has earned the top ranking for eight consecutive evaluation periods, with the most recent evaluation period from July 2019 to November 2022.

"At WesBanco, we are committed to helping build vibrant, successful communities, so we are proud to receive once again the FDIC's highest Community Reinvestment Act rating for our efforts to support economic growth and financial inclusion in the areas we serve, particularly in low- and moderate-income areas," said Todd Clossin, WesBanco President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our community banking roots are more than 150 years strong, and this rating reflects our team's ongoing commitment to providing funding, programs and employee volunteerism that help people and businesses in all of our communities."

WesBanco was evaluated on its operations in six states: Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. Examiners used the Large Institution CRA Examination Procedures, which consist of three tests: Lending, Investment and Service. Among the highlights of the FDIC's evaluation of WesBanco:

Lending: WesBanco was cited as a leader in making community development loans that significantly impact the communities it serves. During the evaluation period, the bank extended more than 650 community development loans totaling approximately $1.5 billion. It offers innovative, flexible products to address needs within the assessment areas, such as the WesBanco CRA Freedom Series loan products designed with special underwriting criteria and reduced fees to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income borrowers.

Investment: The evaluation recognized WesBanco for having a significant level of qualified investments and grants that demonstrate responsiveness to the credit and community development needs of the assessment areas. During the evaluation period, the bank made more than 1,100 qualified investments (including donations) totaling approximately $170 million. For example, the WesBanco Bank Community Development Corporation endowed $350,000 to fund a grant program for non-profit organizations providing emergency relief to individuals and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Service: WesBanco was cited for having services tailored to the convenience and needs of the assessment areas, particularly low- and moderate-income geographies and individuals, with delivery systems accessible to all portions of the communities served. Additionally, WesBanco employees contributed nearly 30,000 hours of qualified community development services during the evaluation period.

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Copies of the performance evaluation more fully describing the FDIC's examination conclusions are available to the public in each of WesBanco's branches as part of the bank's Public File or by contacting LaReta J. Lowther, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Development and CRA at lowther@wesbanco.com.

About WesBanco, Inc.

Founded in 1870, WesBanco, Inc. is a diversified and balanced financial services company that delivers large bank capabilities with a community bank feel. Our distinct long-term growth strategies are built upon unique sustainable advantages permitting us to span six states with meaningful market share. Built upon our 'Better Banking Pledge', our customer-centric service culture is focused on growing long-term relationships by pledging to serve all personal and business customer needs efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, our strong financial performance and employee focus has earned us recognition by Forbes as both one of America's Best Banks and Best Midsize Employers. In addition to a full range of online and mobile banking options and a full-suite of commercial products and services, WesBanco provides trust, wealth management, securities brokerage, and private banking services through our century-old Trust and Investment Services department, with approximately $4.9 billion of assets under management (as of December 31, 2022). WesBanco's banking subsidiary, WesBanco Bank, Inc., operates 194 financial centers in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Additionally, WesBanco operates an insurance agency, WesBanco Insurance Services, Inc., and a full service broker/dealer, WesBanco Securities, Inc. Learn more at www.wesbanco.com. Follow @WesBanco on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wesbanco-earns-eighth-outstanding-fdic-community-reinvestment-act-rating-301812312.html

SOURCE WesBanco, Inc.
Key Insights

Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad's significant retail investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

A total of 7 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

28% of Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad is held by insiders

If you want to know who really controls Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad (KLSE:MATRIX), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that retail investors own the lion's share in the company with 28% ownership. 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 28% ownership in the company. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad.

Check out our latest analysis for Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Matrix Concepts Holdings 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 Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Matrix Concepts Holdings 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 Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad. Because actions speak louder than words, we consider it a good sign when insiders own a significant stake in a company. In Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad's case, its Top Key Executive, Tian Hock Lee, is the largest shareholder, holding 26% of shares outstanding. With 8.5% and 3.9% of the shares outstanding respectively, Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia and Ambang Kuasa Sdn Bhd are the second and third largest shareholders.

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We also observed that the top 7 shareholders account for more than half of the share register, with a few smaller shareholders to balance the interests of the larger ones to a certain extent.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. 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 Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad. It has a market capitalization of just RM1.8b, and insiders have RM496m worth of shares in their own names. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 28% stake in Matrix Concepts Holdings 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.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 19%, of the shares on issue. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

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

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

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

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Citigroup, the biggest foreign lender in Hong Kong, will increase staff at its commercial banking unit in the city by 100 to tap growing opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, according to a senior executive.

The increase in headcount is needed after the bank recorded 11 per cent year-on-year growth in new corporate clients in the first quarter of this year, said Anson Kwok, head of the commercial bank at Citigroup Hong Kong. The number of new corporate clients in April returned to pre-Covid-19 levels last seen in 2019, he added.

"The worst is over and the outlook for 2023 is positive," Kwok said last week. "We have seen that many companies have new business expansion plans for the post-Covid-19 era, after the borders of Hong Kong were fully reopened earlier this year."

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The strong growth in new corporate clients suggests Hong Kong has returned to normal after three years of interruption by the coronavirus pandemic. The city started easing its Covid-19 restrictions in September before fully reopening its border in January this year. The mask mandate, the last such restriction, was lifted on March 1.

Anson Kwok, head of the commercial bank at Citigroup Hong Kong. Photo: Enoch Yiu alt=Anson Kwok, head of the commercial bank at Citigroup Hong Kong. Photo: Enoch Yiu>

Kwok said business had, in fact, started to pick up in the later parts of last year, when the city started removing restrictions and China started to open up in November. In 2022 as a whole, Citi's commercial bank signed up 40 per cent more new corporate clients in Hong Kong compared with the previous year.

"We are confident that we are on track to meet our five-year growth target, to double our revenue from commercial banking in the period from 2021 to 2026," Kwok said.

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The rapid development of the Greater Bay Area has emerged as a growth engine for the bank, Kwok said. About 39 per cent of Citigroup's new commercial clients in Hong Kong came from the development zone, while 15 per cent were from other parts of mainland China, with the rest coming from other local and Asian companies.

"The Greater Bay Area is definitely a focus of expansion in the coming years," Kwok said. Growth in the region will create "big business opportunities", he added.

Citi's commercial bank held a Greater Bay Area summit in April in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, which was attended by more than 300 corporate clients. The bank also offers a talent training programme in the development zone, with more than 200 Hong Kong and mainland university students taking part this year. The bestperforming participants will have the opportunity to do internships in Hong Kong and the mainland.

Hong Kong's capital market will resume activity this year after the local stock exchange introduced new listing reforms last month, Kwok says. Photo: AP alt=Hong Kong's capital market will resume activity this year after the local stock exchange introduced new listing reforms last month, Kwok says. Photo: AP>

Citigroup has also set up a special team to serve clients' subsidiaries and has successfully got new corporate clients that are the Hong Kong subsidiaries of companies headquartered in the United States, Britain and South Korea.

Another source of growth are new clients from the new economy, biotechnology, cloud storage, education and artificial intelligence sectors, which have a great demand for services such as foreign exchange, corporate loans and capital market fundraising, Kwok said.

"Many companies delayed their listing plans last year due to the uncertainties of the market," he said. "However, we believe the capital market will resume activity again in the rest of this year, after the stock exchange introduced new listing reforms last month."

Bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) on Friday added Chapter 18C to its listing rules, allowing companies with at least HK$10 billion (US$1.3 billion) in valuation to sell shares through initial public offerings (IPOs), even if they have yet to earn a single dollar in sales. The threshold will be reduced to HK$6 billion if they have at least HK$250 million in sales in the financial year before their IPO.

HKEX's previous rules, among the most stringent in the world, required at least HK$80 million in combined profits in the three years preceding a new listing.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
OVERLAND PARK, KS / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2023 / Technology advances in the transportation industry are changing rapidly - from autonomous driving to innovations in safety and security, companies are continually looking for new ways to navigate complex logistics challenges quickly and find new solutions for efficiency and transparency.

Given how quickly the industry adopts these advances it's important they patent innovations. Patents not only offer legal protection, but they also safeguard the organization's competitive advantage, attract investment, and lead to licensing opportunities.

Zarif Haque , Founder and CEO of Kansas-based expert vehicle transport technology company, Draiver , is very familiar with the patent process. After several years owning auto dealerships and rental car companies, Haque founded Draiver, which is now one of the most successful transport logistics companies in the United States. To date, Draiver has had 15 patents issued around the world and has an additional pending.

"Our best-in-class AI technology allows us to deliver vehicles faster and to get those vehicles where our customers need them, exactly when they need them," Haque says. We've worked for years, using data-informed strategy to create these patents, which benefit our customers around the world."

Draiver has a unique hybrid tech and SaaS business model, which has enabled unprecedented scale in the vehicle delivery space. The company now moves 6,000 cars daily for automotive and truck dealers, vehicle service centers, fleet companies, rental agencies, OEMs and other businesses. Their patents or patent-pending revolutionary technology is used globally to solve common vehicle delivery issues.

ID Validate

One technological innovation that Draiver introduced is ID Validate , an AI-powered identification verification and facial recognition technology the company uses to address compliance issues and protect against fraud and loss. Draiver customers have the opportunity to have each independent contract driver ID verified, matching the ID to the individual with a selfie, using the Draiverfacial recognition software. Customers can also perform ID verification via a texted or email link to the contractor and be notified by text when the ID verification is complete. Carrier fraud, where criminals imitate haulers and other subcontractors, including drivers with falsified documents, accounted for 84 percent of claims involving fraud or deception in 2022.

Story continues

"The goal behind ID Validate is to keep everyone in the transport industry safer," says Haque. "This service, coupled with GPS tracking, ensures driver accountability and transparency of each move along a route."

Draiver Inspect

Draiver Inspect technology simplifies the inspection process. With one click, customers can use the AI-integrated technology to detect damage and conduct remote vehicle inspections and appraisals.

Draiver Inspect can be used for trade-in appraisals, lease maturities and upgrade programs, and reduces risk and expenses.

Inspections are crucial at both pick-up and drop-off locations. This technology helps drivers and customers take their time and inspect vehicles thoroughly, protecting everyone in the process.

Importance of Patents

Patents highlight a company's unique capabilities and expertise, such as proprietary technologies, processes, or methods that the company has developed. They are particularly important for start-ups like Draiver , as they can protect the company for 20 years from anyone trying to copy technology that is critical to the new company's success.

Patents provide much-needed legal protection that can help a start-up avoid costly legal disputes. In addition, they can be used to generate revenue through licensing agreements, which can diversify the company's revenue streams, and are an essential part of finding investors and opening up new markets.

"When you have patent protection, you can have more honest discussions with potential investors and suppliers without the worry of getting numerous NDAs signed in advance or having your idea misappropriated," says Haque . "Your technology is what's giving you a competitive advantage, and how you will increase your revenue and profit and ultimately grow your business."

As such, founders looking to safeguard their unique technology should consider applying for patents, as they help founders protect their business's market position, and allow for more transparent and clear communications that can help build trust with investors.

About Draiver

Draiver is a leading vehicle delivery company offering best-in-class AI logistics software with a vetted, insured driver marketplace. The company's full suite of services is available in North America and South America. Clients include global Fleet and Rental Companies, OEMs, Large Automotive Groups, and single location businesses. (www.draiver.com)

CONTACT:

Patricia Galea

Patricia.Galea@Draiver.com

SOURCE: Draiver





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/752458/Zarif-Haque-on-The-Importance-of-Patenting-Technology-Innovation-in-Transportation




Allied Market Research

The global zero-touch provisioning market is experiencing growth due to various factors, including rise in need for eliminating manual configuration, increased adoption of cloud services, and rise in adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT). By component, the platforms segment held the highest share in 2022, By region, LAMEA would showcase the fastest CAGR by 2032.

Portland, OR , May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global zero-touch provisioning market generated $3 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $9.5 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 12.6% from 2023 to 2032. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscapes, and competitive scenarios. The report is a helpful source of information for leading market players, new entrants, investors, and stakeholders in devising strategies for the future and taking steps to strengthen their position in the market.

Request Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/74988

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $3 Billion Market Size in 2032 $9.5 Billion CAGR 12.6% No. of Pages in Report 335 Segments Covered Component, Device Type, Complexity, Enterprise Size, Deployment Model, Industry Vertical, and Region



Drivers Rise in need for eliminating manual configuration Increased adoption of cloud services Growing incorporation of Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) Opportunities Introduction of 5G networks

Restraints



Certain technical and organizational issues High costs for implementation

COVID-19 Scenario:

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of zero-touch provisioning solutions as businesses started recognizing the benefits of automation and digital transformation. Scalability, flexibility, and affordability are the key factors that make zero-touch provisioning solutions attractive to businesses.

Also, due to the shift toward remote work, zero-touch provisioning tools became essential for protecting remote devices and networks. In a nutshell, the pandemic increased the demand for user-friendly zero-touch provisioning solutions. Companies were looking for solutions that are easy to deploy and manage and do not require highly specialized technical knowledge.

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The report comprehensively analyzes the global zero-touch provisioning market, covering its various segments such as component, device type, complexity, enterprise size, deployment model, industry vertical, and region. The report provides an analysis of each segment and sub-segment with the help of tables and figures. This analysis helps market players, investors, and new entrants in determining the sub-segments to be tapped on to achieve growth in the coming years.

Procure Complete Report (335 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/zero-touch-provisioning-market/purchase-options

By component, the platforms segment held the largest share in 2022, garnering nearly three-fourths of the global zero-touch provisioning market revenue, and is projected to maintain its dominance by 2032. The services segment, on the other hand, would showcase the fastest CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period.

By device type, the switches segment captured the largest share of nearly one-third of the global zero-touch provisioning market revenue, and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. However, the IoT devices segment would display the fastest CAGR of 18.6% from 2023 to 2032. The routers, access points, firewalls, and others segments are also studied in the report.

By network complexity, the complex network architecture segment held the major share in 2022, contributing to more than half of the global zero-touch provisioning market revenue and is projected to rule the roost by 2032. However, the dynamic network environment segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 17.2% from 2023 to 2032. The multi-vendor environment segment is also analyzed in the report.

By industry vertical, the IT and telecom segment held the largest share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global zero-touch provisioning market revenue. On the other hand, the healthcare segment is projected to maintain its dominance in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Simultaneously, the same segment would also exhibit the fastest CAGR of 17.7% throughout the forecast period. The segments assessed through the study include BFSI, manufacturing, retail, and others.

By region, the market in Asia-Pacific was the largest in 2022, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the global zero-touch provisioning market revenue. However, the market in LAMEA is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 18.1% throughout the forecast period. The other provinces studied in the report include North America, and Europe.

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The key players of the global zero-touch provisioning market analyzed in the research include ZPE Systems, Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Arista Networks, Inc., Nokia, Extreme Networks, Google LLC, Red Hat, Inc., Riverbed Technology, Cisco Systems, Inc., and Juniper Networks, Inc. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry.

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A Maryland woman was killed late Sunday when she was struck by a vehicle after entering a travel lane on foot on Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County, police said.

Virginia State Police Sgt. Brent Coffey said the incident took place at 11:07 p.m. about two miles south of the Thornburg exit. The victim, 38-year-old Crystal D.V. Durruty of Frederick, Maryland, had run into the center lane when she was struck by a 2020 Kia Sorento that was heading south on the highway.

Durruty died at the scene. The Kia driver, a 39-year-old Philadelphia man, immediately stopped at the scene, Coffey said.

Coffey said the victim was a passenger in a sedan that had stopped on the right shoulder of the southbound lanes. It was not clear why she entered the interstate.

No charges have been filed, though an investigation is ongoing. Coffey said the Kia driver did not have time to avoid the collision.

It was at least the fifth fatal accident involving a pedestrian in Spotsylvania since November. Victims ranging in age from 36 to 72 have been killed on Lafayette Boulevard, Lee Hill School Drive and Tidewater Trail. The most recent fatality prior to Sunday took place April 6 when a 59-year-old man was struck and killed while crossing State Route 2 in the area of Bowman Drive.
A murder suspect who eluded Fredericksburg police for more than three weeks after a March 26 slaying in the city wanted an explanation Tuesday for why he is still in jail.

Aaron Randolph Carter, 19, who is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Jasiah Smith, was in Fredericksburg General District Court for his initial court appearance. During the brief hearing, Carter asked Judge John R. Stevens, Why am I not getting a bond?

Oak trees planted at James Monroe High School in honor of Jasiah Smith Karen Smith placed the oak sapling in the ground and adjusted the slender trunk so it would 

The judge mentioned the seriousness of the charge against Carter, along with the fact that he was already on bond for drug and firearms charges at the time of the slaying.

Carter is scheduled to return to court May 16, when he will likely either name his attorney or have one appointed for him. An arraignment and a preliminary hearing would then be scheduled.

Carter and 16-year-old Lorenzo A. Brooks were both apprehended last month in Temple Hills, Maryland, and have since been brought back to Fredericksburg.

Brooks is charged with first-degree murder and has a preliminary hearing scheduled in city juvenile court. If a judge finds there is sufficient evidence to take his case to trial, Brooks could be tried as an adult.

Smith, a senior at James Monroe High School, was found lying in a parking space in the 400 block of Chadwick Court on March 26. He had been shot a dozen times, court records state, though the reason for the shooting has not been announced.

City police identified Carter and Brooks as the suspects, but were unable to find them until April 20. The U.S. Marshals Service helped city police track them down.

Both suspects are also charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Hundreds of Americans fleeing two weeks of deadly fighting in Sudan reached the east African nations port Saturday in the first U.S.-run evacuation, completing a dangerous land journey under escort of armed drones.

American unmanned aircraft, which have been keeping an eye on overland evacuation routes for days, provided armed overwatch for a bus convoy carrying 200 to 300 Americans over 500 miles or 800 kilometers to Port Sudan, a place of relative safety, U.S. officials said.

The U.S., which had none of its officials on the ground for the evacuation, has been criticized by families of trapped Americans in Sudan for initially ruling out any U.S.-run evacuation for those among an estimated 16,000 Americans in Sudan who wish to leave.

U.S. special operations troops briefly flew to the capital, Khartoum, April 22 to airlift out American staffers at the embassy and other American government personnel. More than a dozen other nations have already been carrying out evacuations for their citizens, using a mix of military planes, navy vessels and on the ground personnel.

A wide-ranging group of international mediators  including African and Arab nations, the United Nations and the United States  has only managed to achieve a series of fragile temporary cease-fires that failed to stop clashes but created enough of a lull for tens of thousands of Sudanese to flee to safer areas and for foreign nations to evacuate thousands of their citizens by land, air and sea.

Since the conflict between two rival generals broke out April 15, the U.S. has warned its citizens that they needed to find their own way out of the country, though U.S. officials have tried to link up Americans with other nations evacuation efforts. But that changed as U.S. officials exploited a relative lull in the fighting and, from afar, organized their own convoy for Americans, officials said.

Without the evacuation flights near the capital that other countries have been offering their citizens, many U.S. citizens have been left to make the dangerous overland journey from Khartoum to the countrys main Red Sea port, Port Sudan. One Sudanese-American family that made the trip earlier described passing through numerous checkpoints manned by armed men and passing bodies lying in the street and vehicles of other fleeing families who had been killed along the way.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the convoy carried U.S. citizens, local people employed by the U.S. and citizens of allied countries. We reiterate our warning to Americans not to travel to Sudan, he said.

From Port Sudan, away from the fighting, the Americans in the convoy can seek spots on vessels crossing the Red Sea to the Saudi port city of Jeddah. U.S. officials also are working with Saudi Arabia to see if one of the kingdoms naval vessels can carry a larger number of Americans to Jeddah.

U.S. consular officials will be waiting for the Americans once they reach the dock in Jeddah, but there are no U.S. personnel in Port Sudan, officials said.

Two Americans are confirmed killed in the fighting that erupted April 15. One was a U.S. civilian whom officials said was caught in crossfire. The other was an Iowa City, Iowa, doctor, who was stabbed to death in front of his house and family in Khartoum, in the lawless violence that has accompanied the fighting.

In all, the fighting in the east African country has killed more than 500 people,.

The U.S. airlifted out all its diplomats and military personnel and closed its embassy April 22. It left behind several thousand U.S. citizens still in Sudan, many of them dual-nationals.

The Biden administration had warned it had no plans to join other countries in organizing evacuation for ordinary U.S. citizens who wanted out, calling it too dangerous. There were no known U.S. government personnel on the ground in Sudan assisting the convoy.

Photos: Sudan battles intensify
Update: Authorities have arrested the sister of Alder Marin-Sotelo, the man accused of fatally shooting a Wake County deputy in August who escaped from a Virginia prison Sunday.

Adriana Marin-Sotelo was arrested in High Point, North Carolina, and charged with helping her brother escape from the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia, according to federal court documents obtained by ABC11, The News & Observers news gathering partner.

The documents allege she paid someone $2,500 to leave a car in the jail parking lot for Alder to use.

Around 1:40 a.m. Sunday, Alder Marin-Sotelo escaped from jail. However, authorities did not realize he had escaped until about 4 a.m., when jail officials notified the local sheriffs office in Prince Edward County.

Images from the FBI show him getting into an early 2000s red or burgundy Ford Mustang with a 30-day temporary tag.

In August, Alder Marin Sotelo was arrested along with his brother Arturo Marin Sotelo in connection with the shooting death of Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd.

Byrd was shot multiple times near in a rural area near a gas station on Auburn Knightdale and Battle Bridge roads. After evading police for multiple days, the brothers were arrested near Winston-Salem.

According to the Prince Edward County Sheriffs Office, Alder Marin Sotelo was being held in Virginia on federal gun charges.

He is considered extremely dangerous by the FBI. Anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately and should not approach him.

Earlier story:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the search for two fugitives from North Carolina who escaped from a Virginia jail early Saturday morning.

One of the men, Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo, is accused of murder in the death of Wake County Sheriffs Deputy Ned Byrd.

Monday night, the FBI said Marin-Sotelo left the jail in an early 2000 red or burgundy Ford Mustang with a 30-day temporary tag.

On Monday morning, the Prince Edward Sheriffs Office in Prince Edward County, Virginia, posted on Facebook that two inmates had escaped from the local Piedmont Regional Jail.

Marin-Sotelo, 26, and Bruce Callahan, 44 escaped from the jail sometime over the weekend, according to a statement from Prince Edward County Sheriff L.A. Tony Epps.

Epps statement did not specify how the two men escaped, but said his office was notified of the escape around 4 a.m. Monday.

Both men have ties to North Carolina, the statement said.

Marin-Sotelo and his brother, Arturo Marin-Sotelo, were charged with murder in the shooting death of a Wake County Sheriffs Deputy.

On Aug. 11, 2022, Byrd was found shot multiple times in a rural area near a gas station on Auburn Knightdale and Battle Bridge roads. His canine partner, Sasha, was still in the unmarked SUV.

The brothers evaded capture for several days before being taken into custody near Winston-Salem.

Callahan is also from North Carolina, according to authorities. He has been convicted on federal weapons and drug charges.

By 6 p.m., the U.S. Marshals said a reward of up to $5,000 would be given for tips leading to Callahan. A similar reward was not indicated for finding Marin-Sotelo.

Piedmont Regional Jail is 140 miles north of Raleigh in a rural section of Virginia, about halfway between the cities of Lynchburg and Richmond.

On Monday afternoon, the Wake County Sheriffs Office tweeted that they had been made aware of the situation and stated that Marin-Sotelo and Callahan had escaped from the jail around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

We are working with our partners and are ensuring all resources are being used to find Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo, the tweet said.

The FBI announced it had joined the search for the two men via Twitter on Monday afternoon.

The FBI is instructing anyone who sees Marin Sotelo to call 911 and not approach him.

The U.S. Marshals Service said people can also call its 24-hour tip line at 313-202-6458.
Vermont on Tuesday became the first state in the country to change its medically assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to take advantage of it to end their lives.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill that removes the residency requirement for the decades-old law.

Last year in a court settlement, Oregon agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement of its law allowing terminally ill people to receive lethal medication. It also agreed to ask the Legislature to remove it from the law.

Before Vermont removed its residency requirement Tuesday, it had reached a settlement with a Connecticut woman who has terminal cancer to allow her to take advantage of its law, provided she complies with other aspects of it.

We are grateful to Vermont lawmakers for recognizing that a state border shouldnt determine if you die peacefully or in agony, said Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization, in a statement. Patients routinely travel to other states to utilize the best healthcare options. There is no rational reason they shouldnt be able to travel to another state to access medical aid in dying if the state they live in doesnt offer it.

Vermont is one of 10 states that allow medically assisted suicide. Critics of such laws say without the residency requirements states risk becoming assisted suicide tourism destinations.

Mary Hahn Beerworth, executive director of the Vermont Right to Life Committee, testified before a legislative committee in March that the practice was, and remains, a matter of contention.

To be clear, Vermont Right to Life opposed the underlying concept behind assisted suicide and opposes the move to remove the residency requirement as there are still no safeguards that protect vulnerable patients from coercion, said Beerworth, adding she had a number of concerns including what liability Vermont could incur if the drugs failed to end a patients life.

Supporters of Vermonts medically assisted suicide law say it has stringent safeguards, including a requirement that those who seek to use it be capable of making and communicating their health care decision to a physician. Patients are required to make two requests orally to the physician over a certain timeframe and then submit a written request that they signed in the presence of two or more witnesses who arent interested parties. Witnesses must sign and affirm that patients appeared to understand the nature of the document and were free from duress or undue influence at the time.

Lynda Bluestein, 75, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Diana Barnard, a physician from Middlebury, sued Vermont in federal court last summer, claiming its residency requirement violated the Constitutions commerce, equal protection, and privileges and immunities clauses. Barnard specializes in hospice and palliative care and has patients from neighboring New York state, which, like Connecticut, doesnt allow medically assisted suicide.

Bluestein said Tuesday that the change in Vermont means that so many other people in the Northeast can take advantage of the state's law.

"Im thinking even more importantly that this is going to cause other states, the other jurisdictions that have medical aid in dying, to look at their residency requirement, too," she said.

For Cassandra Johnston, 38, of Clifton Park, New York, the news was such a relief." She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last year and lives a 40-minute drive from Vermont.

It gives me such a peace of mind to know that if I need that peaceful and compassionate option that it's right next door, Johnston said. And it's life-changing for someone like me. It really is.

Rathke reported from Marshfield, Vt.
The rollout in January of a new payment portal for mental health care providers treating Nebraskans on probation came with technical challenges that went undetected for more than two months and left some health care providers unpaid for longer.

The state Office of Probation Administration spent seven years rebuilding its voucher payment processing portal, which thousands of mental health and substance use care providers across the state have used since 2006 to seek payment for care they provide to clients on probation, according to the office.

Nebraska's probation office pays around $50 million each year to state service providers that evaluate, treat, counsel and sometimes house probationers who otherwise could not afford the treatment.

And the office spent months last year preparing the hundreds of organizations and thousands of individual providers with email blasts, trainings and town hall sessions for the January launch of the new payment portal, said Gene Cotter, the deputy administrator of the office's operations division.

But when the new portal went live Jan. 1, each provider had to register for the new system all at once  a process that required more support from probation office employees than the state had anticipated  while a breakdown in the new system halted payments to some providers for months, Cotter said.

Though the system worked flawlessly for some providers, others submitted payment requests that went unfulfilled for nearly four months, leading to a backlog of approximately 1,500 unpaid bills at its peak, Cotter said.

It's not clear exactly how much money the state owed providers when the backlog peaked, Cotter said, but from April 21-27 the office processed 1,215 vouchers that amounted to nearly $2 million in payments, many of which were backlogged from weeks or months prior.

The payments the office processed over that period  which totaled $1.94 million  were paid to 260 separate health care and house providers, for an average of about $7,400 per provider.

For some providers, the months-long delay in payments  which generally took about 14 days to process under the previous system  caused intense financial stress, as payroll and other business expenses have continued to stack up while payments from a once-reliable funding source stopped coming.

Dameon Gilfillan, who operates the for-profit treatment provider Alcohol & Drug Solutions with his mother, Jody, said the probation office owed their company approximately $100,000 as of Tuesday  with some of that money still due from services they had provided in January.

Gilfillan, who also operates New Life Place, a transitional living facility that he said relies nearly entirely on probation vouchers to operate, said the state requirement to staff the living facility around the clock didn't waiver, even as the state failed to deliver payment.

Ive told them  literally  I may have to close my doors," Gilfillan said recalling his dealings with the probation office that date back months. "I am at stake of not making payroll. 'Could you please just get a couple vouchers paid out this week?'

And thats just bulls***," he added. "And its embarrassing. Its embarrassing. I shouldnt have to sit there and email another colleague and say, Hey, can you please give us some money? when its already ours, in my opinion. Its already owed to us.

"Im not asking for a loan or an advance. Im asking for payments from January, for Christs sake.

Jody Gilfillan said the probation office had paid out a few of their company's vouchers in the first four months of 2023, but the Gilfillans were still waiting for payment for most of the services they have provided to clients on probation.

At times, she said, she has resorted to paying New Life Place's bills out of the separate bank account for Alcohol & Drug Solutions.

And at least once, she said, she had dipped into her personal savings to make payroll.

She said the whole ordeal  which had not been resolved when the Gilfillans each spoke to the Journal Star on Tuesday  had caused her to pause as Alcohol & Drug Solutions kept receiving client referrals from the same office that owed her company thousands.

"Any time I get a referral thats a voucher client, I get kind of a knot in my stomach thinking, Eh, we need to take them  ethically, we need to take them into treatment,'" she said. "'They meet criteria. They need help.'

"But yet, I dont want to wait three or four months for payment with this client."

No providers who spoke with the Journal Star reported that the payment delays prevented them from offering services to probationers or any other clients.

Topher Hansen, the CEO of the nonprofit service provider Centerpointe, said the probation office owed his organization approximately $6,000 as of late April  and the office hadn't provided a timeline for when the continued delays might be resolved.

And a spokesperson for an Omaha-based residential facility said the state owed their organization more than $60,000 in unfulfilled voucher payments.

The delays haven't been universal.

Tina Arsiaga, a Lincoln-based counselor who operates the addiction recovery practice Connecting Links, said her organization "has experienced timely payment" for services rendered to clients on probation in recent months  just as the organization always has over nearly two decades as a provider for probationers, she said.

And Donny Larson, the executive director of the Norfolk-based Womens Empowering Life Line, said the probation office "has been an integral partner" of the organization for years.

"As a funding source, they have been consistent and timely in reimbursements for as long as we have partnered with them," Larson said in an emailed statement. "Any deviation from consistent payments should in no way be represented as a pattern of behavior or an ongoing concern for providers."

More than a dozen treatment and transitional living providers either declined to comment on the payment delays or did not return to phone calls or emails seeking comment.

The drawn-out nature of the delay has been a point of particular friction for the Gilfillans, who said the probation office had provided vague updates on the payment issues as providers faced mounting financial worries.

"Do they  give you a time frame? No," said Jody Gilfillan, who has been a counselor in Lincoln for more than 40 years and who started her own practice in 2010.

"Do they apologize for it? No, she said.

Cotter, the deputy administrator, said that the probation office wasn't notified of the widespread payment delays until early March, and even then did not realize the full scope of the issue.

"The more apparent it becomes, the more vigorously we apply resources to it," said Cotter, who said the probation office had hired or reassigned 25-30 staff members to process payment vouchers in March, but that it took weeks longer to train and credential those new hires.

Meanwhile, Dameon Gilfillan said, providers who were owed money were not given a clear answer on when the issue might be resolved.

Emails obtained by the Journal Star seem to support Gilfillan's account of the office's messaging to providers, which he said amounted to: "(We're) pretty much being told that, Dont worry. Help's on the way."

That help finally arrived last week for many providers, according to Cotter, who said the probation office had reduced its backlog from 1,500 pending vouchers to 626 as of Thursday.

Cotter attributed the breakdown in part to issues registering all of the state's care providers into the new payment portal  a process that remained ongoing Friday  and generally to "growing pains and a new IT system."

In a phone interview Friday, Cotter said probation staff would work through the weekend to make continued headway on the backlog of unpaid vouchers, more of which arrive each day.

The probation office, Cotter said, hopes to clear the backlog by mid-May  4 months after unpaid vouchers began to mount.

Photos: The scene after Nebraska's six-week abortion ban fails to advance
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott appears likely to become the second South Carolinian to enter the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

In announcing formation of an exploratory committee to determine the potential of a campaign, Scott made clear his mission is not about opposing former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley or even GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trump. Scott says his campaign is and would be about hope. As the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, Scott said he understands both the power of hope and the difficulty of overcoming obstacles.

Before his announcement, Scott wrote in the New York Post:

Theres not enough that can be said about the power of hope.

When I look around America today, I see a people yearning for it, but instead being sold a drug of victimhood and the narcotic of despair by the radical left.

Somethings changed. Its not the people that have changed.

No, the American people still have their defining desire and passion for greatness.

Whats changed is the message theyre told day in and day out by leaders who cant see beyond the past.

The hope isnt gone, it just needs to be nurtured and shared.

Scott faces long odds in becoming the nominee -- and some will say his campaign is about a potential nomination for vice president or a future run for the presidency.

Pundits best be careful because Scott knows how to overcome.

When I fought back against their liberal agenda," he said, "they called me a prop. A token. Because I disrupt their narrative. I threaten their control.

During a trip to Iowa, Scott bemoaned Democratic leaders as needlessly dividing the country by fostering a culture of grievance. He positioned himself as the antidote to the the radical left, a self-made success story as the son of a single mother who overcame poverty.

In the New York Post, Scott further stated, Millions of Americans can tell you that obstacles came first and the opportunities came second. But its those opportunities that give us a reason to take on those obstacles, rather than throw in the towel before the fight even begins.

Yet, today, theres a cycle in which people want you to believe what they say in spite of what you see. 

I am living the American dream. I have held the truth, the unalienable truth, that all men and women are created equal and endowed by our Creator with the right to be free. I am not merely a believer in the principle of America; I am an eyewitness. 

America can do for so many what it has done for me.

Scott may not become president in 2024 or ever, but for someone looking to lead America, he has the right message. We share his call for a rebirth of hope in a nation that is intrinsically good and needs to remind itself of no less.
Some Like It Hot, a musical adaptation of the cross-dressing movie comedy that starred Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, has waltzed away Tuesday with the most number of Tony Award nominations. Three shows received nine nominations each: & Juliet, which reimagines Romeo and Juliet and adds some of the biggest pop hits of the past few decades, New York, New York, which combined two generations of Broadway royalty in John Kander and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Shucked, a surprise lightweight musical comedy studded with corn puns. Kimberly Akimbo, with Victoria Clark playing a teen who ages four times faster than the average human, rounds out the best musical category. Ariana DeBose will host the June 11 awards celebration.
Editor's note: This story was changed to reflect Avelo's updated flight schedule.

Avelo Airlines will push off from the gate for the first time at Colorado Springs Airport Wednesday.

The low-fare carrier announced earlier this year that it would add exclusive nonstop service from the Colorado Springs Airport to Los Angeles via the Hollywood-Burbank Airport.

The first inbound Avelo flight will arrive at 11:55 a.m. with the first departure set to take off at 1:55 p.m., airport officials said.

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The route, typically planned to operate twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays, will run Mondays and Fridays from May 5 to May 15. The new flights will provide Colorado Springs the only nonstop flights to L.A. on a Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. United previously offered nonstop service to Los Angeles International Airport but discontinued that service at the start of the year.

Avelo, a new airline, took flight for the first time on April 28, 2021. It serves about three dozen destinations across the U.S. Colorado Springs is Avelos only destination in the Mountain Time Zone besides Boise, Idaho.

Avelo's launch is the first of several new routes being added at Colorado Springs Airport this spring and summer.
Courts throughout the country have deliberated for years on whether elected officials have the right to block their constituents on social media. Now, Colorado lawmakers are trying to take the decision into their own hands.

If made law, House Bill 1306 would give all elected officials in the state the power to block someone from viewing or interacting with the official's social media pages  for any reason. This would apply to their personal social media accounts, even if they use them for official business, but not accounts attached to a specific political office.

The bill passed the House in a 43-20 vote on Monday and is now being sent to the Senate for consideration.

"There have been quite a few pieces of confusion and litigation around this issue," said bill sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. "This bill conforms our law with the 6th Circuit to assure that public accounts stay public and private accounts are private."

The bill aligns state law with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in Lindke v. Freed last year. The court ruled that an elected official can block individuals from their social media account if the account isn't paid for by government funds, if the official has no legal duty to have an account, and if the account remains with the official after they leave office.

However, court rulings have been inconsistent regarding whether the First Amendment restricts public officials from blocking private individuals on social media.

The 2nd Circuit found it unconstitutional for then-President Donald Trump to block people on Twitter in 2019. The U.S. Supreme Court later tossed the case as moot because Trump was no longer president.

That same year, the 4th Circuit ruled against the chair of a county board of supervisors for blocking a constituent and, in 2022, the 9th Circuit ruled against school district officials for blocking parents. But in 2021, the 8th Circuit ruled in favor of a Missouri state representative who blocked a constituent.

The Supreme Court last week announced it will hear two cases regarding whether it is unconstitutional for elected officials to block people on social media.

"Courts nationwide recognize that social media is a powerful tool for social and political discourse," said Catherine Ordonez, a lawyer representing ACLU of Colorado, while testifying against HB 1306. "It affords, perhaps, the most powerful mechanisms available to a private citizen to make his or her voice heard."

Ordonez said when an elected official uses social media as a tool for governance, such as to communicate official news or information to the public, it becomes a kind of digital town hall. Excluding constituents from participating in this town hall, she said, violates their First Amendment rights.

Ordonez said, even if the bill becomes law, it won't prevent Coloradans from being able to sue elected officials for blocking them under the First Amendment.

"It will only invite more litigation," she said.

In Colorado, these kinds of cases have largely resulted in settlements. Senate President Leroy Garcia, state Sen. Ray Scott, Lafayette Mayor Christine Berg and Thornton Council Member Jan Kulmann were all sued for blocking or limiting constituents on social media. In all four of those cases, the elected officials settled out of court and agreed not to block constituents in the future.

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Federal judge declines to block Facebook from showing Loveland man 'pornographic ads'

Rather than preventing residents from participating in a town hall, bill sponsor Rep. Matt Soper said blocking some constituents would stop them from disrupting the town hall for others. Soper, R-Delta, compared someone leaving abusive or spam comments on the posts of elected officials to individuals screaming at each other during an in-person town hall.

"At a town hall, we would be able to ask those two individuals to leave," Soper said. "We're asking for the ability to do the same in the digital world."

Soper said lawmakers have experienced constituents posting obscene materials or links to scam websites in the comments on their posts, but the lawmakers are currently unable to remove the comments or block the posters.

In Colorado, state lawmakers are encouraged to not use personal social media accounts for legislative matters and to "not let the public interact" through the accounts. But if they do, lawmakers are instructed to not block, ban or otherwise restrict an individual's access to the account, according to the legislature's 2022 social media guidelines presentation for new lawmakers.

"It really does go to the health, safety and welfare of the General Assembly," Soper said. "We have people that are currently posting sexually soliciting messages on our social media pages. We have people who are posting luring messages on our social media, ones that are truly scams that are out there. We have intimidation and harassment."

While HB 1306 lists bullying, harassment or intimidation as reasons for an elected official to block a constituent, it specifies that an official can block anyone, for any reason, at the official's own discretion.

Critics of the bill said this unlimited control would lead to elected officials blocking constituents and deleting comments simply because they don't agree with the official's politics.

"When you start saying 'at people's discretion,' then you get into the risk of going into the First Amendment," said Rep. Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, who voted against the bill. "We don't want people bullying, we don't want people harassing, but at what point do we say 'I have a good idea and you don't' and that's the problem that we hit? Who decides that?"

Monday's vote on the bill was mostly along party lines, with all but four Democrats voting in support of the bill and all but three Republicans voting in opposition.

Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, was one of the only Democrats to oppose the bill. He said when a person chooses to run for elected office and become a public official, facing constituents on social media is simply part of the job.

"I signed up for this job and that just comes with the territory," Lindstedt said.

The bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration in the coming days. The Senate must take action on the bill before the end of the session on May 8 in order for it to become law.

SCOTUS hears challenge to Colorado stalking law, with questions about modern 'sensitivity'
Today is May 2, 2023 and here is what you need to know:

Polis, lawmakers ask voters to counter impending property tax spike

Gov. Jared Polis on Monday unveiled a much-anticipated proposal to offer tax relief to Coloradans, a key provision of which is to ask voters to fix the problem via the ballot box this November.

The proposal seeks to do three things: Provide immediate property tax relief, address the problems that arose from the voter-approved repeal of the Gallagher Amendment in 2020, and provide a mechanism to prevent property tax rates from increasing faster than income, tied to the Denver-Boulder Consumer Price Index.

The move comes as the Colorado lawmakers stare down the barrel of looming crisis, one in which property taxes are expected to increase this year by as much as 50% for many homeowners.

Flanked by Democratic lawmakers, business owners, homeowners and other supporters, Polis said the proposal will reduce residential property tax increases by 50% on average.

Critics immediately called the proposal insufficient  akin to bringing a squirt gun to a burning building. Proponents said the multipronged approach offers tangible relief.

Colorado lawmakers want to block constituents on social media

Courts throughout the country have deliberated for years on whether elected officials have the right to block their constituents on social media. Now, Colorado lawmakers are trying to take the decision into their own hands.

If made law, House Bill 1306 would give all elected officials in the state the power to block someone from viewing or interacting with the official's social media pages  for any reason. This would apply to their personal social media accounts, even if they use them for official business, but not accounts attached to a specific political office.

The bill passed the House in a 43-20 vote on Monday and is now being sent to the Senate for consideration.

Colorado's Jared Polis signs $38.5 billion state spending plan into law

Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed the main bill that puts into place the spending plan for Colorado's state government for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

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The budget, at $38.5 billion, is the largest in history and about $1.2 billion more than the current year's spending plan.

Most of the increase, about $822 million, is for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and intended to cover the expiration of enhanced federal Medicaid matching funds tied to COVID-19 emergency declarations.

Surrounded by all six Joint Budget Committee members, the first time since 2018, the governor called the budget prudent and fiscally responsible. He noted its record investment in K-12 education and its first-time funding for universal pre-kindergarten education for 25,000 families.

The budget also includes investments in water that the governor said will draw down tens of millions in federal dollars that will support water projects, as well as the state water plan.

Nearly 1 in 4 DPS students with a threat assessment deemed high level of concern

More than 350 students so far this school year have had a threat assessment, at least 42 of whom across Denver Public Schools (DPS) required a pat down the week an East High School student shot two administrators five weeks ago.

There are approximately 89,200 students in the district.

A threat assessment is in response to a behavior and can lead to a student being placed on a safety plan, similar to one 17-year-old Austin Lyle was under. Police accuse Lyle of shooting two East High School administrators who patted him down for weapons on March 22.

Treasury's Yellen says US could default as soon as June 1

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen notified Congress on Monday that the U.S. could default on its debt as early as June 1, if legislators do not raise or suspend the nation's borrowing authority before then and avert what could potentially become a global financial crisis.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders, Yellen urged congressional leaders to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible to address the $31.4 trillion limit on its legal borrowing authority. She added that it is impossible to predict with certainty the exact date of when the U.S. will run out of cash.

We have learned from past debt limit impasses that waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States," Yellen said in the letter.
Anger, sadness and general unwellness have created an undertone of tension on the Colorado College campus in Colorado Springs, which has lost three students in less than six months.

Two confirmed suicides happened in April and in May, on the last day of school. A third student died a few weeks ago, with the cause not yet determined, Dean of Students Rochelle T. Dickey said Thursday.

Its just really devastating, certainly to the families, to the friends and for our campus, she said.

Two of the deaths occurred on campus; the third while the student was at home, she said.

The number is high for such a short period of time and unusual for the small liberal arts campus that has about 2,100 students, Dickey said.

Weve definitely seen an uptick, she said, adding that other colleges and universities also are posting increases.

Two students at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill took their lives within a 48-hour period at school in the fall of 2021, and Saint Louis University, Dartmouth College and West Virginia University reported losing multiple students to suicide during the pandemic.

Nationwide, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10-34, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The trend is continuing.

El Paso County has recorded 15 deaths by suicide in the 18- to 24-year-old age group to date this year, compared with 17 total for 2021, said Dr. Leon Kelly, El Paso County coroner and chief medical examiner.

IF YOU NEED HELP 988 is the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. To chat online with a Lifeline counselor, visit 988lifeline.org. More resources are available at Colorado Crisis Services, a 24-hour hotline for any crisis, at (844) 493TALK (8255) or by texting TALK to 38255.

Stressors for the age group include difficulty transitioning into adulthood, lack of purpose or meaning in their lives, substance abuse, intimate partner issues and legal troubles, he said.

Many are carrying those same emotional challenges they had as older kids in school into their early adult years, Kelly said. Thats a very tough period for folks who dont have a support system or who dont engage the support system they have  which is likely to be the case in high-achieving kids who complete suicide.

A large group of Black, Brown and White students are rallying for change, three students said Thursday after classes.

Because while they cant exactly point the finger at the college, which is known as being as expensive and academically rigorous as Ivy League schools, they say administrators arent paying enough attention or spending enough money on students mental health, which they say has worsened to a critical point.

There have been concerns about student mental health and safety for years because there is a lot of pressure and anxiety, said Eve Stewart, a junior studying sociology.

Students petitioned for a day of bereavement in the spring but only received a 45-minute pause to process the suicides, she said. A few weeks ago, they didnt know for hours which student had died.

I mentally ran through all of the people I knew who were struggling, and then I went back to my paper, Stewart said. It seems like us creating the grades that gives CC its elitist status as an institution is more important than our wellness.

The student newspaper, the Catalyst, published three and a half blank pages and a half-page explanation in its Oct. 7 edition. Editors wanted to give staff time off to deal with the emotionally draining and psychologically taxing period.

Some students blame the block plan, a schedule in which students dive deeply into one class for three-and-a half weeks, get a four-and-a-half day break and do it all over.

Everyone has a complex life, Stewart said. We cant sit here and say CC is the reason those people passed, but we definitely have the belief that CC, particularly the block plan, exacerbates a lot of stress and creates greater pressure and anxiety.

Said Kat Falacienski, a sophomore English major, We are essentially encouraged to push through it.

When finals happen every month at the end of a block, its normal to be crying all the time and not sleeping, said senior Samantha "Sammy" Ries, whos on a pre-med track.

Studies conducted by the campus Wellness Resource Center showed that 16% of students had seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months and 41% had developed a plan.

Also, 13% of students said they had experienced unwanted sexual contact, which students identified as another problem contributing to mental imbalance among their peers.

Ries said two of her friends had been raped, and the alleged attacker remains on campus attending classes. Stewart also said she had been sexually assaulted as a freshman and was scared to walk to her dorm the rest of the year. A Title 9 complaint resulted in "consent training" for her assailant, she said.

Nearly 900 students, parents and alumni had signed a petition as of Thursday, calling for a study of the block plans effects on mental health.

The college has used the block plan as a distinguishing factor for 51 years. As it stands, the model that essentially condenses a class that normally lasts an entire semester into less than one month of study is so demanding of time that students must choose between academic success and attending to mental health, having a social life and on some days, even taking a break to eat, Ries said.

The group of students demanding change has grown to 450 supporters, nearly one-fourth of the campus population.

The group issued a list of 10 problems they want changed, including that students can take at least one absence for a mental health day without penalty, the campus develop an anonymous reporting line for unsafe classroom environments and that there be a team added to support survivors on campus.

Dickey agrees theres work to be done and says upgrades are underway.

Theres always room for improvement, and we want to do better, she said.

The campus has several suicide-prevention programs in place, she said, peer-support, training on bystander intervention and a course on Mental Health First Aid, a national program that teaches skills to respond to signs of mental illness and substance use.

Administrators are talking about forming a task force on mental health, which would include students, parents, staff and alumni, Dickey said. College officials also are looking at implementing mandatory mental health training, one of the students requests.

The school is working on earning a Healthy Minds designation in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Dickey said. The standing requires schools to complete 10 mental health services and training programs.

Colorado College also likely will join the Suicide Prevention Collaborative for El Paso County, she said.

There are things we can do internally, and there are some helpful partnerships we can employ as well, she said. This is something our whole community has to be engaged in.

Post-pandemic, college-age adults are reporting increased anxiety and attention and concentration problems, said Amy Garcia, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks in Colorado Springs.

The latter can spark feelings of persistent irritability, which can lead to a lack of motivation, social isolation or low moods, she said.

These young adults were entering a transitional period in their lives  not only in their roles but their personality building  and were taken away from social interaction, influence and experiences that help them gain self-awareness during that transition, she said.

Connecting the body and mind in a holistic way can help, Garcia said. Individual therapy, campus groups and call lines also are available.

The most important thing for these young individuals to remember is that they are not alone in this, she said. There are so many others their age that are struggling after the pandemic or became more aware of how much they were struggling during it.
After more than four weeks of testimony, El Paso County prosecutors called their final witness, Kevin Clark, on Monday in the murder trial of Letecia Stauch, who is accused of killing her 11-year-old stepson Gannon.

Clark, a former crime analyst for Colorado Springs police and the current director of crime strategies and intelligence for the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office, spent the entire day on the witness stand, the majority of which was spent reviewing the prosecutions timeline of events.

However, the most significant portion of testimony came at the end of the day when Clark reviewed numerous Google searches made from Stauch's phone before her arrest.

Stauchs Google searches indicated that she was concerned about being charged in connection with Gannon's death. Some of her searches included:

 Hiding IP address

 Need a fake ID, legit

 Several searches regarding face transplants or plastic surgery

 What do they do when they find a body in another state

 How do they identify bodies found in another state

 Spanish girl names

 How long before a body starts to decompose in a bag

 How do people avoid the FBI

District Attorney Michael Allen pointed out that defense attorney Will Cook and Stauch had been looking at the Google searches on a laptop and laughing during much of that testimony.

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"I don't know what's so funny over here, judge," Allen said to Judge Gregory Werner, referring to Cook and Stauch laughing at the defense table.

Clark, who testified more than once in the trial, also reviewed Google searches made by Stauch in the days leading up to and the days following Gannon's reported disappearance, many of which refer to her searching for a new job outside of Colorado and a general unhappiness in her marriage. Many of these searches were made publicly available in Stauch's arrest affidavit from 2020.

Clark also went over an extensive alleged timeline of events from the investigation, starting with the day before Gannon was reported missing, Jan. 26, 2020, and ending with the day Gannons body was found in Florida, March 17, 2020.

The timeline acted as a summary of the prosecution's case against Stauch, and the significant facts presented up to this point in the trial.

The timeline begins with Stauch discussing with family members how Gannon wasnt feeling well and how he accidently burned himself with a candle the night before the prosecution alleges she killed her stepson.

Clark described in vivid detail all communication Stauch had before detectives took her phone on Jan. 29.

Clark said he believes on the afternoon of Jan. 27 Stauch killed Gannon before reporting him missing, that she loaded his body into her car on Jan. 28 and left them both in the Colorado Springs Airport parking lot until later that day when Clark said she drove to Douglas County to dispose of Gannons body.

During this timeframe Al Stauchs text messages begin to show suspicion of his then-wife, accusing her of not telling the full truth in the early evening of Jan. 28.

Clark alleged that Stauch picked up Gannons body from the Douglas County location on Jan. 30, left with it in a rented van on Feb. 1 and finally dumped it over a bridge in Florida on Feb. 4, all evidence that had previously been referenced at trial over the past four weeks.

Clark also testified that Stauch tried to buy a second fake polygraph after her first was denied by fakepolygraph.com, which had been discussed at several points at trial. Clark testified that a list of questions such as Did you murder your stepson? were found in Stauchs notes app on her phone under the title Telling the truth?

After Clarks testimony Allen told the court that the prosecution is prepared to rest its case Tuesday morning, when the defense is expected to call its first witness. Josh Tolini, Stauchs defense attorney, said defense expert Dr. Dorothy Lewis and Dr. Ronda Niederhauser, Stauchs doctor before her arrest, will testify for the defense.

Tolini stated Lewis' testimony may take the majority of the day.

Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to reflect Kevin Clark's accurate job title with the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court heard on Tuesday that they should not upend 150 years of property rights, encourage trespassing and open the floodgates to lawsuits challenging, segment by segment, whether people can wade and fish in waterways that cut across private land.

On the other hand, the justices also heard that Colorado stands alone among western states in failing to ensure the public has recreational access to certain streams and rivers  an obligation dating back to statehood.

Those weighty policy dilemmas stem from a rudimentary legal question: Can 81-year-old Roger Hill ask a court to declare he may stand in his favorite fishing spot in the Arkansas River without getting chased off for trespassing?

"Its just hard for me to believe, in a state that prizes so much its outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities, that the state of Colorado would say, 'Sorry, public, you cannot bring this lawsuit and the state is allowed to basically deny that it has any responsibility to protect public access,'" Mark S. Squillace, an attorney for Hill, told the justices during oral arguments.

The facts of the case are relatively straightforward. Hill enjoys standing on the bed of the Arkansas River to fish in a spot owned by Mark Everett Warsewa and Linda Joseph. The property owners have attempted to deter Hill's trespassing by throwing rocks, firing a gun and threatening to call authorities. Hill filed a lawsuit in Fremont County asking a judge to declare the state actually owns the riverbed and, consequently, Warsewa and Joseph cannot exclude him.

"We dont want people to have to get arrested or issued a criminal summons and risk an altercation in order to have the legal relations resolved," said Justice William W. Hood III in explaining the purpose of a declaratory judgment. "We want their status to be resolved in the abstract so we dont have ugly situations."

The complication arises through a pair of legal theories that govern property rights for rivers and streams. Under the "equal footing doctrine," each state, upon its admission to the union, gained ownership of beds underneath rivers and streams that were navigable at the time  meaning 1876, in Colorado's case. Non-navigable riverbeds were property of the United States and conveyed to private owners through land patents, which is how Warsewa and Joseph came to own the disputed riverbed.

Second, the "public trust doctrine" provides that states hold, "in trust" for the public, the title to navigable waterways, namely to protect commerce. Hill's lawsuit ultimately seeks to declare his preferred portion of the Arkansas River navigable at statehood, thus making it state-owned and, ultimately, open to public use.

However, there are several roadblocks unique to Colorado.

"What do we do about the fact that our court has said on numerous occasions that we dont have a public trust doctrine?" asked Justice Melissa Hart.

"What do we do with case law from this court, over a century old, that has said a couple of different times the rivers in Colorado were not navigable at statehood?" added Justice Monica M. Marquez.

Last year, the Court of Appeals cleared the way, in part, for Hill's lawsuit. A three-judge panel agreed Hill could not technically seek a court ruling on behalf of the state that Colorado owns the riverbed, as Hill had no special interest in the property other than using it like any member of the public.

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At the same time, the panel allowed him to pursue a declaratory judgment that he could not be excluded from the spot, as Warsewa and Joseph had taken action specifically against him for using the riverbed.

"If, as Hill alleges, the relevant segment of the river was navigable at statehood, then the Warsewa defendants do not own the riverbed and would have no right to exclude him from it by threats of physical violence or prosecution for trespass," wrote Judge Ted C. Tow III.

Multiple outside organizations weighed in to the Supreme Court urging a reversal. They pointed out Colorado already works with private property owners to achieve public access in waterways, and it would be dangerous to give people standing to sue only if they trespass on private land and are threatened with violence or prosecution.

"Incentivizing trespass is not sound public policy, will inflame tensions between private property owners and stream-based recreationists, and undermines the existing efforts of ... landowners to resolve potential conflicts with river users through negotiated access agreements," wrote the Colorado Farm Bureau and multiple landowners on the Western Slope.

However, 12 professors of natural resources and property law pointed out that Colorado is the only western state that has not acknowledged whether its waterways are navigable and open to public access. In other states, court cases have affirmed the duty to hold waterways "in trust" for the public, which the other branches of government have then implemented. Although there have been efforts to enact the public trust doctrine in Colorado, they have been unsuccessful.

"We may be an outlier," observed Hart, "but it may be because of our political branches that were an outlier."

Members of the Supreme Court recognized the many apparent contradictions within Hill's case. For example, the Court of Appeals ruled Hill could not ask for the state to be declared the riverbed owner, but that would be the only logical explanation if he were permitted to fish there lawfully.

And crucially, Hill must show he has a legally protected interest at stake to even pursue his lawsuit  but whether he has an interest hinges on the public's right to access the riverbed in the first place.

In the state's view, the desire to fish unmolested is not specific enough to give Hill standing to sue.

"The interest that hes seeking to vindicate is one that, under his theory, belongs to the whole public," said former Solicitor General Eric R. Olson. "Theres nothing special about him."

The case is State of Colorado v. Hill.
Barry Morphew Tuesday filed a $15,000,000 federal civil rights lawsuit which states that he was wrongfully arrested, jailed and prosecuted for the alleged murder of his wife, Suzanne, nearly two years ago, for "a crime he did not commit."

The lawsuit lists 20 defendants involved in the unsolved case, including the entire prosecution team headed up by 17th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley, law enforcement officials, such as Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze, Chaffee County, and numerous investigators with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, some of whom no longer work for the organizations.

Mrs. Morphew was reported missing May 10, Mother's Day 2020, but the last proof-of-life photo was a cellphone selfie she sent her lover the day before at around 2 p.m. Hundreds of people turned out to search for her including divers, volunteers on horseback and hikers who combed through sometimes treacherous mountain terrain.

The complaint alleges that Morphew was targeted by law enforcement as Suzanne Morphew's alleged murderer as early as May 13, 2020, around the time they found her bicycle helmet off to the side of the highway just under a mile from the couple's home.

The 185-page complaint was filed by three law firms: Samler and Whitson, Eytan Law and Fisher and Byrialsen. In a prepared statement, Attorney Jane Byrialsen said: "Barry Morphew's Constitutional Rights were trampled on, he and his daughters have suffered great harm, and we will not tolerate such abuses of power."

The complaint alleged that investigators lied, omitted and manufactured information, which would fit their theory that Barry Morphew murdered his wife in a fit of rage over the affair and hid her body sometime between the afternoon of May 9 into the early morning of May 10.

The complaint goes after multiple officers personally and in their official capacities. State law enforcement organizations are also being sued.

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The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said it would have no comment regarding the complaint and similarly, when contacted, the FBI said it "will not comment on pending litigation." A number of the investigative people named in the lawsuit did not return The Denver Gazette's request for comment.

Nearly two years ago, Chaffee County District Judge Patrick Murphy found probable cause for Morphew to be arrested on charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence. Four months later, Murphy found probable cause for Morphew to stand trial on those charges.

Soon after, the 129-page arrest affidavit  which Murphy said was "by far, the lengthiest and most detailed affidavit the Court has ever seen in almost 30 years of experience with criminal cases"  was unsealed. That day, the-then-53-year-old Morphew was released from jail on $500,000 cash bail and walked out of a Chaffee County courtroom flanked by both adult daughters.

In April 2022, on the eve of Morphew's trial, the prosecution filed a motion to dismiss the case without prejudice, meaning the case can be filed again.

Suzanne Morphew, 49, disappeared from the couple's Maysville home east of Salida in May 2020. Investigators have not found her remains. It was this fact that led prosecutors to the decision to dismiss the case.

Without this crucial evidence, and without the victims body, the People cannot move forward at this time in good faith, they wrote.

Spezze told The Denver Gazette in an earlier interview that investigators continue to look for Suzanne Morphew.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin approved a plan that would send an additional 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in preparation for the possibility of an influx of immigrants next week when Title 42 expires.

The troops are expected to arrive as early as a week from this Wednesday, according to Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, one day ahead of when Title 42, which was invoked at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and has allowed border authorities to more quickly expel migrants, is set to expire.

DHS AND STATE DEBUT PLAN TO SCREEN MIGRANTS AT OUTPOSTS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

"For 90 days, these 1,500 military personnel will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support, until CBP can address these needs through contracted support," Ryder said in a statement. "Military personnel will not directly participate in law enforcement activities. This deployment to the border is consistent with other forms of military support to DHS over many years."

The department is also looking at how "we might replace these deploying forces in stride with other sources to include potentially forces from the reserve component and contracted support," he added. They will "be very much focused on support tasks to the CBP."

Ryder said the troops would come from the Army and the Marine Corps but did not say what units would deploy to the border.

The Department of Homeland Security also issued a statement regarding the implementation of "sweeping measures with our regional partners to reduce irregular migration, ensure safe, orderly, and efficient processing, and promptly remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States." It also noted, "DoD personnel will be performing non-law enforcement duties such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support. DoD personnel have never, and will not, perform law enforcement activities or interact with migrants or other individuals in DHS custody."

The Biden administration is concerned about tens of thousands of immigrants traveling through Mexico who are preparing to cross the border on May 12, when they will no longer be subject to being immediately turned away.

Biden most recently approved 2,500 National Guard deployments from 25 states and U.S. territories last October.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Troops are limited in what they can do on the border due to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prevents U.S. active-duty military from enforcing domestic laws unless explicitly authorized by the U.S. Congress. National Guard soldiers were exempt from that law, but because they were deployed under Title 10 active-duty orders, they were barred from enforcing federal law, including immigration laws.

DOD has supported the Department of Homeland Security on the southern border for 18 of the last 22 years, and every year since 2006, Ryder said.

Original Location: Active-duty troops heading to southern border will largely do support tasks

Washington Examiner Videos
A reporter asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during Monday's briefing whether President Joe Biden's position was that he would not meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) "until McCarthy gives in."

Her answer sounded a lot like "yes."

THE DEMOCRATS' BIDEN WAITING GAME IS FINALLY OVER

FILE - President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as he departs the Capitol following the annual St. Patrick's Day gathering, in Washington, March 17, 2023. There are stark differences in how President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy want to shore up the government's finances. The Democratic president primarily wants higher taxes on the wealthy to lower deficits; the GOP congressional leader favors sharp spending cuts. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) J. Scott Applewhite/AP

"The president said he's happy to meet with McCarthy but not on whether or not the debt limit gets extended," Jean-Pierre said. "That's not negotiable." She later added, "We've been very clear on what we will negotiate about, which is appropriations and the budget."

By Monday evening, the White House had changed its tune ever so slightly, requesting a May 9 meeting with McCarthy and other top congressional leaders from both parties. McCarthy hasn't given in yet.

"This afternoon, President Biden called Speaker McCarthy, who is leading a CODEL in Israel, to invite him to a meeting at the White House on May 9 with [House Minority] Leader [Hakeem] Jeffries, [Senate Majority] Leader [Chuck] Schumer, and [Senate Minority] Leader [Mitch] McConnell, who the President also called today," the White House said in a statement.

Biden isn't blinking yet. "President Biden will stress that Congress must take action to avoid default without conditions and invited the four leaders to the White House to discuss the urgency of preventing default, as well as how to initiate a separate process to address the budget and fiscal year 2024 appropriations," a White House official said.

It is a slight shifting of the goalposts and change of tactics, however. Two things have forced the White House's hand.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen indicated in a letter to McCarthy and other congressional leaders that the U.S. would risk default absent a debt ceiling increase as early as June 1, conceding "the actual date that Treasury exhausts extraordinary measures could be a number of weeks later than these estimates."

This nevertheless means that Biden and his Capitol Hill interlocutors may have less time to reach a deal and resolve the crisis than originally anticipated. The Congressional Budget Office has similarly revised its timeline based on federal receipts being less than projected previously.

McCarthy's House has passed, however narrowly, a set of spending cuts paired with a debt limit extension of $1.5 trillion or until March 31, 2024, whichever comes first. While that exact package cannot survive in its present form, this happened much earlier than Democrats expected, and the Democratic Senate has yet to be able to pass a clean debt ceiling extension.

Even before McCarthy prevailed on the first vote, congressional Democrats were starting to splinter over debt ceiling talks. Many, including key swing vote Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), concluded that negotiations were necessary.

The White House has appeared confident, based on past showdowns over either the debt ceiling or government funding, that Democrats could win this argument. Biden, as vice president, was involved in negotiations that led to spending cuts and a delayed resolution of the debt ceiling, which was followed by a credit rating downgrade. He has therefore wanted to avoid a repeat.

Government shutdowns sapped the momentum of the Newt Gingrich-led Republican majorities. The debt ceiling showdown under former President Barack Obama similarly dissipated the Tea Party House majority's political capital. In both cases, the Democratic incumbents were subsequently reelected as president, recovering from much poorer midterm election showings than Democrats experienced on Biden's watch last year.

Nevertheless, Biden faces significant risks from default himself. He already receives poor marks on the economy, with growing GDP and low unemployment. A default or near-default would raise the risk of a recession, likely making those approval ratings worse and endangering his reelection prospects. And it's worth noting that while Obama and former President Bill Clinton were reelected after their fiscal fights, Republicans also retained their House majorities both times.

Republican pollsters have also detected signs they could win this debate. An April American Viewpoint poll of 87 battleground congressional districts conducted for American Action Network found that 50% oppose raising the debt ceiling without cutting government spending. A larger majority of independents lean toward the Republican position.

An Echelon Insights poll found that 74% thought Biden should "agree to negotiations and try to find common ground around the debt ceiling" that would include "some reductions in government spending" as opposed to 26% who said he shouldn't negotiate but instead insist on a clean increase "without any other provisions."

That choice may not be the way the debate is framed in the media heavily consumed by swing voters. It also does not guarantee that voters, who like negotiations and spending cuts in the abstract, will back the specific cuts Republicans are proposing. But there is at least some evidence that the GOP position can be reconciled with public opinion.

Both Biden's presidency and McCarthy's speakership hang in the balance, as do things of even greater consequence.

"We have learned from past debt limit impasses that waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States," Yellen wrote. "If Congress fails to increase the debt limit, it would cause severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position, and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

While the two sides remain far off, if Biden and Democrats get into a room with McCarthy and McConnell, there is no telling what might happen.

On Monday night, we got one step closer to that happening.

Original Location: Biden inches closer to talking to Republicans about debt ceiling impasse

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied having any role in a letter signed by dozens of intelligence figures alleging that the Hunter Biden laptop story was Russian disinformation.

In an interview with Fox News's Benjamin Hall, Blinken said that he stays out of political matters in his position, which would include involvement in the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. He added that testimonies to Congress from other intelligence figures vindicated his statement.

RON JOHNSON CLAIMS ANTONY BLINKEN LIED TO CONGRESS ABOUT CONTACT WITH HUNTER BIDEN

Antony Blinken (left) and Hunter Biden (right) AP

"One of the great benefits of this job is that I don't do politics and don't engage in it. But with regard to that letter, I didn't  it wasn't my idea, didn't ask for it, didn't solicit it. And I think the testimony that the former deputy director of the CIA, Mike Morell, put forward confirms that," Blinken said.

However, Blinken refused to say that he now accepts that the laptop story wasn't misinformation, saying that his attention is elsewhere.

"Again, from my perspective, I'm not engaging in politics. I've got a lot on my agenda with the things that we've just talked about, trying to help the Ukrainians and the Russian aggression against them, engaging with allies and partners around the world, and dealing with some of the challenges posed by China. We have a situation now in Sudan that has fully occupied my time. So that's where my focus is," he responded.

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Blinken has come under fire recently for undisclosed contacts he may have had with Hunter Biden during the time of the scandal, even drawing the attention of Congress.

The Functional Government Initiative, a government watchdog group, obtained a series of emails from Blinken during his time in the Obama administration through a Freedom of Information Act request. The emails showed Blinken and Hunter Biden corresponding and setting up personal meetings through Blinken's private AOL email address during his time as deputy secretary of state.

Original Location: Blinken denies role in intelligence letter calling Hunter Biden laptop story Russian misinformation

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The future of movies and television is up in the air after the first Hollywood writers strike in 15 years began Tuesday.

The Writers Guild of America West and East voted to strike after failing to reach a deal with major studios over the last six weeks.

LA SCHOOL STRIKE: TEACHERS DANCE IN THE RAIN WHILE PARENTS SCRAMBLE FOR CHILD CARE

"Though our Negotiating Committee began this process intent on making a fair deal, the studios' responses have been wholly insufficient given the existential crisis writers are facing," the Writers Guild of America West tweeted late Monday night. "Picketing will begin tomorrow afternoon," the account added.

The board of directors of the WGA West and council of the WGA East made the decision to strike after six weeks of negotiating with Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal, and Sony, "under the umbrella" of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the WGA West said.

The Writers Guild of America West building is pictured, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

It is the first WGA strike in Hollywood since 2007, which lasted 100 days, per Vulture, and places lingering doubt over the future of the television companies, movie studios, and streaming platforms which rely on writers to bolster their success in the age of new media.

Writers have been vying for a larger percentage of the profit from streaming. If the strike continues, TV and movie production across California and the East Coast are likely to halt. Topical television, such as late-night talk shows, are likely to feel the brunt of the strike, as without writers to come up with jokes and material quickly, they will struggle to stay afloat.

Shortly after the strike was announced, talk shows, including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, announced they are shutting down, per Deadline Hollywood.

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The WGA has 11,500 unionized screenwriters, per the Associated Press. As soon as the writers' contracts ran out at midnight on Tuesday, the strike began.

Original Location: Hollywood writers strike: Writers Guild of America fails to reach deal with studios

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A Minnesota state senator was caught in an embarrassing situation when he appeared shirtless during a legislative Zoom meeting.

Toward the end of a nine-minute Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor meeting over Zoom on Monday, the meeting head appeared to be calling attendance as the camera showed different members who were present online. When GOP state Sen. Calvin Bahr was called on, he responded, "Yes," and his black screen briefly flashed on.

DAUNTE WRIGHT SHOOTER RELEASED FROM MINNESOTA PRISON AFTER 16 MONTHS

For around a second, at the six-minute and 43-second mark, Bahr's screen showed him lying shirtless in bed, largely covered by a blanket. His background drew attention too; it featured an animation from Schoolhouse Rock's "I'm Just a Bill" cartoon.

Bahr quickly realized his mishap and turned his screen off, turning back to a black screen superimposed with his name.

At least two in-person meeting attendees could be seen laughing in the background for several seconds afterward.

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Bahr, a business owner and truck driver, was first elected to the state House in 2016, then was elected to the state Senate in 2022.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Bahr for comment.

Original Location: Minnesota state senator appears shirtless in legislative Zoom meeting

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Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are set to hold a hearing on Supreme Court ethics reform.

The high court has been rocked by various reports about justices' private lifestyles and the failure to disclose gifts or key financial activity to the public. In response, many top Democrats, such as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL), have called for an ethics overhaul.

FEINSTEIN ABSENCE: SENATE JUDICIARY PANEL ADJOURNS WITHOUT VOTE ON KEY JUDICIAL NOMINEES

Durbin invited Chief Justice John Roberts to appear before the panel's hearing this week, but he declined, citing concerns about the separation of powers. It is very rare for a Supreme Court justice to testify about the court before a congressional panel.

"I'm disappointed that he did  but he declined. We're going forward, and I think we're going to propose a bipartisan code of ethics," Durbin told MSNBC. "I think we can come up with a bipartisan measure and move forward and say to the Supreme Court: The highest court in the land should not have the lowest standard of ethics in the federal government."

Some of the controversies plaguing the court include a ProPublica report that Justice Clarence Thomas went on luxury vacations that appear to have been funded in part by conservative billionaire Harlan Crow and that he didn't disclose it. Crow also bought property from Thomas that wasn't disclosed, per the report.

Then revelations emerged that Justice Neil Gorsuch sold property shortly before ascending to the court without disclosing it. The property was sold to an individual who leads a law firm that has participated in Supreme Court business in the past.

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There have also been reports about Roberts' wife's business dealings. All of these developments have fed fodder for Democrats displeased with the court's rulings, particularly the overturn of Roe v. Wade last year.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has been leading an effort to enact a code of conduct for the court.

Original Location: WATCH LIVE: Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on Supreme Court ethics

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A much-needed overhaul of the procedures for investigating and disciplining Colorados judges is underway at the State Capitol. Thanks in part to extensive Gazette coverage exposing the systems failings, the Legislature advanced key reforms last week enhancing accountability for a judiciary that has lacked adequate oversight.

A Senate committee approved three bills revising various aspects of the judicial discipline process  one of which would require statewide voter approval. All of the proposals follow allegations about judicial misconduct that went unpunished or were handled too leniently. Those allegations surfaced in 2021 in news accounts and prompted hearings by a special legislative committee.

The alleged incidents of judicial misconduct were at the core of threats by a former high-ranking Judicial Department official who had faced firing over financial irregularities. She threatened to make the allegations public in a sex-discrimination lawsuit  and allegedly received a multimillion-dollar consulting contract that later was canceled after it went public.

Although two investigations launched by the state Judicial Department werent able to prove the contract was the result of a quid pro quo, the probes revealed a number of shortcomings that included concerns with the process for filing misconduct complaints against judges and the overall experience by the victims who filed.

The reforms embodied in the package of pending legislation have the potential to make some meaningful improvements.

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House Bill 23-1205 would create an independent ombudsmans office for judicial discipline. The offices duties would include creating and maintaining an anonymous reporting system for Judicial Department personnel to submit complaints as well as investigating and reporting on instances of misconduct the office receives.

House Bill 23-1019 would, among various provisions, require the states Commission on Judicial Discipline to disclose publicly more information about the allegations, investigations, and complaints it receives and the type of discipline it imposes. Importantly, the bill would repeal the requirement that records on a judicial investigation remain confidential when the the commission doesnt seek the disciplined judges removal or retirement.

House Concurrent Resolution 1001 would create the Independent Judicial Discipline Adjudicative Board. It would conduct disciplinary hearings and hear appeals of informal orders from the Commission on Judicial Discipline  effectively serving as a check and balance on the Judicial Discipline Commission. Whenever the commission orders a formal hearing to discipline a judge or a state Supreme Court justice, or when a judge or justice wants to appeal an order for informal remedial action from the commission, a panel of the new board would run the hearing.

Taken all together, the reforms stand to pry open the closed doors behind which the states judiciary long was able to conceal its improprieties from the public. Thats a worthy end in itself, of course, because the public  which votes on the retention of judges and Supreme Court justices  at last will have more to go on in determining which incumbents no longer are worthy of serving on the bench.

Just as important is the publics overall trust in the judiciary in general. Colorados justice system cannot afford a further erosion of confidence. Even after going through the legislative meat grinder  the current legislation already has been extensively amended  this endeavor only can shore up public confidence. Its a welcome development.
Colorado might be known for its mountains, but dont skip the unique water destinations around the state this summer.

1. Lake San Cristobal

Lake San Cristobal is the states second-largest natural lake.

Find this destination in Lake City  a town thats often called the most remote spot in the lower 48.

Home to great fishing, camping and boating, this is a great spot to escape for some water activities.

2. Arkansas River

One of the most popular rivers in the state for rafting is the Arkansas River.

Two great spots to hit the whitewater include in the Buena Vista area and Canon City through Royal Gorge.

Dont have your own equipment? There are plenty of local tour guides that can help deliver a great experience.

3. Grand Lake

Found on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake is the states largest natural body of water.

Its a great place for camping and spotting wildlife.

Plus, a visit here makes it easy to visit the less-crowded side of the national park.

4. Dillon Reservoir

Looking to kayak in the heart of ski country? Dillon Reservoir is a great place to do it.

Kayaks are easy to rent at the Frisco Marina and the many tiny islands that dot this lake are fun to explore amid wraparound mountain views.

5. Curecanti National Recreation Area

Consisting of three large reservoirs, Curecanti National Recreation Area is a cant-miss boating destination on a warm summer day.

One of the reservoirs here  Blue Mesa Reservoir  is the largest body of water in the state with 96 miles of shoreline.

Rent a pontoon boat and while youre in the area, plan a visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, too.
Student board representative Abigail Troup was shaking.

The bitter atmosphere at an April 13 School District 49 board meeting went from bad to worse during public comment, the Pikes Peak Early College senior said. Community members lobbed personal attacks at each other and at school leaders. One woman was escorted out of the building for cursing at a parent.

For the first time in her 13 years as a student in the district, Troup feared for her safety.

Syndi Ellis, another student board representative who sat at the dais beside Troup, took note of her friends nerves and felt she needed to act.

So Ellis spoke up, calling out the inappropriate behavior displayed by the adults in the room.

You need to consider us as your kids because when there was a moment where we wanted to leave because it wasnt safe, it didnt feel safe anymore, thats not OK, Ellis said during the meeting.

School leaders across the country are grappling with behaviors that flout the rules of board room decorum as they say the focus has shifted toward partisan politics at the expense of the students they serve. In the Colorado Springs area, school districts have upped security measures and restructured meetings in an attempt to reframe the focus on their primary mission.

Its like they need a reminder, Hey, youre here for us, and they seem to forget that sometimes, Ellis told The Gazette. They get so personal and so angry about, you know, somebody makes a comment, and it instantly sets everybody ablaze: Oh, I disagree. I dont like that. Were not always going to agree with what somebody else says, and thats fine, but you cant let that dominate why youre there.

Why so much security?

Mirroring scenes from across the country, board room temperatures since the pandemic have risen to new heights in Colorado Springs School District 11, according to spokesperson Devra Ashby. In one regard, she said, its great to see participation increased. The community is more engaged than ever.

But that engagement has given way to name calling, fear mongering and, in some cases, more outright displays of aggression.

Protesters and counter-protesters came face-to-face in March over a staff conduct policy that some board members suggested should prohibit teachers from asking students their pronouns, a policy that still remains in subcommittee drafting.

Protesters on either side of the line flashed concealed handguns at one another, Superintendent Michael Gaal said, in an apparent attempt at intimidation. Police were called to mediate tensions and separate the groups outside the district office before the March 8 board meeting.

During the meeting, an audience member charged the dais with a letter to the board president despite rules prohibiting such threatening actions, prompting security to step in and escort the man to the hallway. A number of people were removed for breaking rules of decorum that evening, and security and police de-escalated several potentially unsafe situations.

The mans letter asked, Why so many police and why so much security? The answer was simple. Youre why, Gaal later told the man. When community members act out of order, theres no telling their motivations or whether they are armed.

And Ive got kids trying to come in to celebrate their school spotlight and sit up at the dais and thank a teacher, Gaal said. It's a dichotomy. Its an oxymoron.

Gaal issued a letter to the D-11 community several days later urging parents to start acting more like children, who he said handle divergent opinions with much more grace than has been displayed by some of their elders.

Most of our public comment is about very personally or politically charged issues, of which I would say it is difficult to prove one side right or wrong, Gaal said. Do both sides want to find a way that works for families, or do both sides just want their side to be right?

In D-49, three "letters of no trespass"  one of which was later rescinded  have been issued so far this school year. The letters are a legal method of managing disruptive behaviors by barring individuals from school grounds. Zero letters were issued in the previous two years, a spokesperson said.

Tensions in the district came to a head at a Nov. 10 meeting in which board member Ivy Liu was publicly censured and asked to resign in a resolution passed by a 3-2 majority. Liu, in turn, called for board President John Graham to resign.

Liu, who still serves on the board, had earlier that month come under fire for quoting Hitler on social media in what she said was an attempt to point out toxic ideologies and indoctrination infiltrating Americas education system.

Decorum violations saturated the meeting. Crowd members held up signs and repeatedly shirked the boards request to stop speaking out of turn. The audience erupted into a frenzy of boos and applause after the board censured Liu. On several occasions the audience yelled over board members discussion and comments.

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Lindsey Lee, the co-chair of community organization Neighbors for Education and a parent of two district children, said there have been several fiery meetings since November, although none have quite reached that level of animosity. Lee, however, experienced what she said was the most direct attack against her in April.

Lee used her public comment to commend teachers in light of a board resolution recognizing teacher appreciation week in May. She ended her comment as she has ended all comments since November: Ivy Liu should resign.

A woman seated behind her  and next to a group of young scouts receiving their merit badges  said something to the effect of, That purple shirt (expletive), in reference to Neighbors for Education's identifying purple shirts, Lee said. Security removed the woman shortly thereafter.

When the woman briefly returned to retrieve her purse, she allegedly remarked to Lee, Im leaving, but youre still (an expletive).

The incident was a deciding factor that prompted Ellis and Troup to speak out, they said.

Lee said she was proud they stood up for themselves and put the adults on notice. She apologized after the meeting for any part she might have played in creating a hostile atmosphere.

I felt chastised, and I hope any reasonable grown-ups in the room did as well, Lee said.

A shared responsibility

D-49 has tightened up security protocols since November due in large part to behaviors demonstrated that night, said Graham, the board president. People were hitting others with their signs and requesting to be escorted to their cars in fear of harassment or worse.

The board at the time served as the primary enforcer of decorum, requesting from the dais that the audience calm down, he said. The board also used security only on an as-needed basis when it anticipated large turnouts.

Today, security attends every D-49 school board meeting and walks into the audience to stop unruly behavior.

"The safety and security of our campuses and buildings is non-negotiable," Graham wrote in an email. "Repeated violations of decorum are a significant distraction to doing the work of the district."

D-11 doubled its security presence from one guard to two following the March meeting. A guard now sits at the front of the room closest to the dais in a seat traditionally reserved for the chief academic officer, the most important person on (Gaals) team.

School leaders say it is the responsibility of all in attendance to uphold the rules of decorum to avoid more drastic measures like X-ray machines, pat-downs or purse bans. That responsibility extends to audience and board members alike.

As models of expected conduct, Graham said board members behavior has quite a bit of influence on that of the community. Recent infighting and profanity at the dais have muddied the waters and complicated matters.

Graham pointed to D-49s seventh annual voice of the workforce survey as evidence that sour board behavior has troubling impacts. While more than three-quarters of respondents said they trusted district CEO Peter Hilts, who is a regular target of pointed accusations from some public and board commentators, less than half of district employees said they trusted the school board. The survey saw record participation with 92% of employees responding.

When observers witness behavior from the board that doesnt meet those standards in or out of the boardroom, it welcomes, or at least implies that violations of decorum are permitted, tolerated, or even encouraged. It promotes unacceptable behavior in others, Graham said.

But the passion at the heart of especially volatile public comments doesnt have to be a negative, Gaal said. In fact, if he were to grade those comments, he would award them positive marks for that passion.

What they lack is a connection to a hypothesis, a data-informed if/then statement, he said. If a change were to happen, how might it impact student achievement and why?

Solutions are not binary, he adds, and people should remember that district leaders are making decisions for 22,000 families with different backgrounds and needs.

To that end, D-11 has restructured its board meetings to place students front and center with a celebration of their achievements and school spotlights to begin each meeting. Students are also invited to the superintendents chair to give shout-outs to beloved educators.

The shift anchors each nights discussion in the student experience, Gaal said. He hopes to add student representatives to the dais much like D-49 in an effort to further ground the audience in its universal mission.

What I want to do is reframe both sides to what were all here for, Gaal said. I want them to make sure that they make a connection to our student achievement, our student enrollment and the districts engagement with its community. Make yourself make that one step further.

Since speaking out, Ellis said she and Troup have received nothing but support from the district and broader community. Students' voices matter, she said, and they should never be afraid to speak up for what is right.

She and Troup say they hope their comments will encourage better behavior in the future.

"School board meetings are supposed to be boring," Troup said.
Colorado House Democrats plan to offer amendments to Gov. Jared Polis' sweeping housing proposal to restore at least part of what was stripped out by the state Senate.

The sponsors of Senate Bill 213  Democratic Reps. Iman Jodeh of Aurora and Steven Woodrow of Denver  have a series of amendments in eight areas. Those include an effort to put back into the bill one of the provisions that proved most controversial among Senate Democrats: statewide control of zoning.

That control is currently under the purview of local governments, particularly those with home rule authority granted under the state constitution and affirmed by 50 years of state Supreme Court decisions.

The amendments were first reported by Colorado Public Radio.

The state Senate, under pressure from urban Democrats, took out the zoning provision last week after weeks of contentious hearings and debates.

Should those House amendments be adopted, it will produce dueling versions of the bill that will have to be resolved in the session's closing days.

It also will likely put representatives of local governments, the bill's most ardent opponents, back to square one in their efforts to find a compromise.

The Senate put another 17 amendments on the bill when it was in front of the full chamber on April 26. Some of those amendments had been sought by opponents such as the Colorado Municipal League, which represents hundreds of small and large cities and towns across the state.

Kevin Bommer, CML's executive director, also sought an agreement from the governor's office and House Democrats that the bill that came out of the Senate would remain largely unchanged in order for CML to change its opposition to support. But those Senate amendments raised new concerns about additional mandates added to the bill.

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The original bill drew opposition from dozens of cities and towns across the state, as well as from the mayors of Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs.

The decision to restore some of the bill's most controversial aspects also pits moderate Senate Democrats against the progressive wing of the House Democratic caucus. It's unusual for a bill that had been so thoroughly rewritten by one chamber to get its original concepts back in.

Another provision set to be proposed in the amendments will deal with accessory dwelling units, known as ADUs. Under the bill as introduced, the Department of Local Affairs was charged with coming up with an ADU model code, which would then allow ADUs as a "use by right" in any jurisdiction that also allows single-unit detached housing. A "use by right" in zoning grants property owners the right to construct such dwellings without approval from a local government. That provision was removed by the Senate, but House sponsor will seek to add it back.

Under that amendment, property owners could build ADUs within Tier 1 and Tier 2 urban municipalities, which would include most of the cities along the Front Range.

Another amendment would restore the language around transit-oriented communities.

Under the original bill, those communities were also to be under a model code that would impose minimum residential density limits for multifamily residential housing and mixed-income multifamily residential housing in Tier 1 and Tier 2 municipalities.

The bill as amended by the Senate defined those areas as being within one-half mile of an existing fixed-rail transit station. But the original bill's sweeping requirements also disappeared.

The amendments don't indicate whether DOLA's role, which was set to drastically shift into an enforcer of model state-developed zoning codes, would also be put back into the measure.

Senate Bill 213 will be heard by the House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee when the House adjourns after its morning floor work on Tuesday.
Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas has been appointed to the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission.

She will serve on the board as a representative of local governments. She replaces commission Chair Selina Baschiera, who recently left Arapahoe County government and stepped down from the commission on April 30.

Thomas is in her second term as a Douglas County commissioner.

Thomas' appointment was made by the commission's other four members. The other commissioners are appointed by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court, the governor, the state Senate and the state House.

I am truly honored to be selected by the current board members of the Independent Ethics Commission for this important assignment to serve the public interest and represent our local governments, Thomas said in a statement Tuesday. Please know that I will bring the same diligence and commitment to this commission that I have always applied to my lifetime of public service. I look forward to working with such esteemed and accomplished individuals on this Commission who have set an impressive standard of thoughtful and considered thoroughness and fairness.

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The ethics commission was created by voters through Amendment 41, a 2006 ballot measure backed by then-state board of education member Jared Polis.

The commission reviews ethics complaints filed against elected officials, except for those representing school boards and special districts. However, legislation currently moving through the General Assembly would allow the commission to accept complaints against special district officials, special district employees, school district officials like board members, and school district employees. House Bill 1065 is currently awaiting Senate action.

Among the commission's most notable rulings is a decision against Gov. John Hickenlooper, who was fined $2,750 for violations of the state's gift ban, a case that cost taxpayers $127,000 in attorney fees.

Another prominent ruling came against Republican former Secretary of State Scott Gessler. He was fined $1,578.90 for improper use of state funds to attend a political convention, and for using petty cash from his office without providing receipts. Gessler appealed that case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, costing taxpayers more than $500,000 in attorneys fees. The high court declined to hear the case.

Currently, the commission has on its agenda several complaints against former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters. Those complaints are on hold while a criminal case in Mesa County proceeds against Peters.
Colorado businesses have been required to provide equal pay to employees performing the same work since 2021. But many women say they still face pay discrimination in the workplace.

Lawmakers are trying to address the gaps with Senate Bill 105, which cleared its last major legislative hurdle on Monday. If enacted, the bill would implement measures to enforce the state's existing Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and make other updates to the law.

The House passed SB 105 on Monday, following its passage in the Senate last month. The bill will now go back to the Senate to approve changes from the House, and then to Gov. Jared Polis for final consideration.

"It took us 39 years to get to the place that we got to in 2019," said bill sponsor Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. "This bill is taking some of the things we've learned over the last few years with the implementation of the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and clarifying some things."

Colorado passed the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act in 2019. The law, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2021, included several mandates intended to even the playing field for workers, such as requiring employers to notify employees of promotion opportunities, including pay or a pay range in job postings and allowing employees to sue employers for gender-based pay discrepancies.

SB 105 would require the Department of Labor and Employment to investigate pay inequities and enforce equal pay mandates. The bill would also extend the maximum back pay period for pay inequalities to six years and allow employers to not notify employees about career development changes that are not technically promotions or jobs that other candidates could be considered for.

The bill passed the House in a 41-21 vote, and the Senate in a 24-11 vote.

The votes were almost entirely along party lines, with all but one Republican  Sen. Perry Will of New Castle  voting against the bill, and all but two Democrats voting in support of it: Reps. Shannon Bird of Westminster and Bob Marshall of Highlands Ranch.

Many critics raised concerns about negative effects the original Equal Pay for Equal Work Act had on businesses and workers, specifically pointing to the requirement that employers include pay or pay ranges in job postings.

In 2021, the Wall Street Journal reported that national companies excluded Coloradans from applying for remote work positions because of this requirement.

"A bill that is supposed to be helping close the gender gap in worker pay could be making it harder for Colorado women to find a job," said Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton. "Most remote workers are women, so why wouldn't we want to try to fix this?"

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The House amended the bill to exempt out-of-state companies with fewer than 15 employees working remotely in Colorado, only making those companies provide notice of remote job opportunities. The exemption is set to last through July 1, 2029.

Republicans said this change didn't go far enough.

Rep. Ken DeGraaf, R-Colorado Springs, said the bill would now incentivize companies to only employ up to 15 Coloradans remotely to avoid falling under the law.

"It's a good indication of the unintended consequences that legislation like this will have," DeGraaf said. "If this is good for business, we don't have to do it. The free market will tend to do it by itself."

Democrats defended the bill, saying it is needed as some businesses arent following the requirements under the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

In 2021, women working full-time in Colorado were paid 83% of what men earned, according to the Womens Foundation of Colorado. Thats higher than 78% in 2020 before the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act took effect, but still falls short of the states all-time high of 86% in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The difference is exacerbated for women of color.

During public hearings on the bill, Michelle Siemer said, after working at the same company for over 20 years, she was still paid less than the men she supervised.

Siemer, an Eagle County mother of three, said she spent decades collecting accolades and additional responsibilities at her job. But while Siemer had the same duties as many of the male senior managers at her company, she remained a manager, and her pay reflected the lower status. Siemer said she advocated for promotions and raises but was repeatedly denied, leading her to leave the company last year.

"This is clearly an issue that impacts Colorado families in every corner of our state," Gonzales-Gutierrez said. "Almost half of our workforce is women, and many of them are primary breadwinners for their families."

"This is the right thing to do at this point," she said.

Gonzales-Gutierrez sponsored the original Equal Pay for Equal Work Act in 2019, along with other SB 105 co-authors Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Sen. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. SB 105 is also sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver.
Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed the main bill that puts into place the spending plan for Colorado's state government for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The budget, at $38.5 billion, is the largest in history and about $1.2 billion more than the current year's spending plan.

Most of the increase, about $822 million, is for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and intended to cover the expiration of enhanced federal Medicaid matching funds tied to COVID-19 emergency declarations.

Surrounded by all six Joint Budget Committee members, the first time since 2018, the governor called the budget prudent and fiscally responsible. He noted its record investment in K-12 education and its first-time funding for universal pre-kindergarten education for 25,000 families.

The budget also includes investments in water that the governor said will draw down tens of millions in federal dollars that will support water projects, as well as the state water plan.

"This is not a flashy budget," said JBC Chair Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. "This is a practical, thoughtful budget, where we are standing up, shoring up, catching up, and making good on the guarantees that we have made to our workers, our providers, our retirees, and to our families."

In calling the budget a "moral document," Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, said it reflects Colorado values of opportunity, independence and responsibility.

Opportunity comes from the investments in K-12 and higher education, as well as in pre-kindergarten, while independence is tied to countering "bad decisions made by downstream lower basin states," Bridges said, adding that the budget spends on both water infrastructure projects and in lawyers, negotiators, and researchers who will protect the state's Colorado River water.

Responsibility comes from investments in public safety, fire, police and the National Guard, he said, adding, "The budget is moral, it is balanced, and it is finished."

Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, thanked Zenzinger for her patience, which Kirkmeyer said the chair needed with some folks more than others.

"It's a get it done kind of budget," said Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, calling it a budget that is about good government accountability and transparency.

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Kirkmeyer also commend efforts to raise Medicaid provider rates by 3%, funding the Office of School Safety and money for veterans services.

She called the budget "fiscally conservative," one that leaves the state in very good shape, particularly with reserves totaling $4.6 billion.

Her only disappointment is not paying off the debt to K-12, but she said that should happen next year.

Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, R-Watkins, reserved his remarks in defense of TABOR.

Now in its 30th year, it has served the state well, Bockenfeld said, as reflected in the strong general fund reserve balance.

TABOR's constraints have continued to manage the state's general fund spending, he added.

"This is a good, solid budget that meets the objectives of the Colorado citizens," he said.

Bockenfeld was among the signatories to a letter on Saturday seeking to have the budget bill returned to the General Assembly to correct an error in the funding for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. House Republicans threatened to have every bill read at length in the House until that was done, but with the budget bill now signed, they've pivoted to seeking negotiations with House Democrats on the bills remaining on the calendar in the session's final seven days.

The ceremony was not without wistfulness. It is the last budget for JBC staff director Carolyn Kampman, who has been on the JBC staff since 1994 and has had her hand in every budget since. Kampman, who was appointed JBC director in 2019 and led the JBC staff during the COVID years, has announced she will retire before Nov. 1, when the next cycle of budget work begins.

"Every process she has touched has gotten better, and we are very grateful to her, and we want to acknowledge her leadership because it is evident throughout the pages of this budget," Zenzinger said.
An effort to roll out Colorado's legal psychedelics industry cleared its last major legislative hurdle on Saturday with the House's passage of Senate Bill 290.

If made law, the bill would help to implement Proposition 122, passed by Colorado voters in November. The ballot measure legalized the magic mushroom hallucinogenic compounds psilocybin and psilocin for medicinal use, and decriminalized the personal use, sharing or growing of the compounds and other "natural medicines."

The bill will next be sent back to the Senate to approve changes made by the House. Then, it will go to Gov. Jared Polis for final consideration to become law.

"I want us to do everything we can to honor the will of the voters," said bill sponsor Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. "I want us to move forward with optimism that this is going to make a difference for our state and that it is going to help people who really need help and who haven't been helped by more traditional medicines."

The passage of Prop 122 made Colorado the second state in the country to legalize and regulate the market for mushrooms, following Oregon in 2020.

Under the ballot measure, Coloradans 21 years or older can access mushrooms at state licensed healing centers, under rules to be promulgated by the state Department of Regulatory Agencies. SB 290 seeks to move the regulatory authority of the healing centers to the Department of Revenue, which oversees marijuana.

The bill would also limit the size of home grow operations to a 12-foot-by-12-foot area in a locked and enclosed space, and make it a petty drug offense to openly and publicly consume the substances, or to possess or use them at all if under 21 years old.

The House passed the bill in a 45-18 vote on Saturday, following the Senate's 25-10 approval last week. Lawmakers in both chambers were mostly split along party lines, with all but four Republicans opposing the bill, and all but one Democrat  Rep. Steven Woodrow of Denver  supporting it.

Opponents of the bill largely raised issue with Prop 122 itself.

"What private citizens do behind closed doors is their business," said Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, who voted against the bill. "Why are we trying to have government interference with something that is not currently a problem? We are creating laws that are going to create problems."

In the Senate, many lawmakers criticized the bill for prohibiting local governments from banning the mushroom healing centers or from enacting more restrictive regulations and penalties. These restrictions were explicitly included in Prop 122, but were denounced by elected officials on both sides of the aisle as violating local control.

Critics also pointed out that Prop 122 passed in a narrow margin, receiving 53.6% approval from voters. Most voters in rural counties rejected the ballot measure.

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Federal judge declines to block new law against 'abortion reversal' amid state's non-enforcement pledge

"I'll tell you right now, I voted 'no' on 122. But nonetheless, a majority of Coloradans voted 'yes,'" Amabile said in response. "This bill is written to give fidelity to the will of the voters."

Amabile also defended the natural medicines legalized in Prop 122, saying they "have a lot of promise" in treating people with mental illnesses.

In 2018 and 2019, the Food and Drug Administration granted psilocybin status as a breakthrough therapy, accelerating the development and review of using the drug to treat major depressive disorder. New York University researchers also have seen promising results when looking at the effects of using psilocybin to treat alcohol addiction.

Rep. Rick Taggart, one of two Republicans to vote "yes" on the bill in the House, said he supported it because the legislature has to implement the licensure and regulation for healing centers before 2025.

SB 290 pushed the deadline for regulators to begin accepting licensure applications to Dec. 31, 2024  Prop 122 had set the deadline at Sept. 30, 2024. This means licenses for the healing centers will begin being issued in 2025, and lawmakers have one full legislative session to continue working on any needed bills.

"I'm concerned if we don't approve this we're going to be in real trouble in terms of the licensing side of this with our organizations within the state," said Taggart, R-Grand Junction.

Senators amended SB 290 to clarify that unlicensed practitioners can receive compensation for providing services related to natural medicine, though they cannot sell the substances. Another amendment updated the criminal component of the bill to require that offenders knowingly committed the criminal acts and to only apply to offenses committed on or after July 1. These changes addressed concerns frequently raised during public hearings on the bill.

In the House, lawmakers amended the bill to make the following changes, all of which will need to be approved by the Senate before the bill can be sent to the governor:

Require that home grow operations be on the grower's property in an enclosed and locked space

Clarify that people on parole and probation can use the natural medicines without adverse consequences to their legal cases

Allow criminal records to be sealed for convictions regarding natural medicines that are now legal

Require applicants to provide their fingerprints to law enforcement to get a license for a healing center

Require the state to collect data regarding law enforcement incidents, consumer protection claims, and impacts to health, behavioral health and health care systems regarding the natural medicines

Sponsors of the bill said they expects lawmakers will need to make more adjustments to the state's new psychedelics industry next session.

Housing voucher program for homeless foster youth awaits Polis' signature
Gov. Jared Polis on Monday unveiled a much-anticipated proposal to offer tax relief to Coloradans, a key provision of which is to ask voters to fix the problem via the ballot box this November.

The proposal seeks to do three things: Provide immediate property tax relief, address the problems that arose from the voter-approved repeal of the Gallagher Amendment in 2020, and provide a mechanism to prevent property tax rates from increasing faster than income, tied to the Denver-Boulder Consumer Price Index.

The move comes as the Colorado lawmakers stare down the barrel of looming crisis, one in which property taxes are expected to increase this year by as much as 50% for many homeowners.

Flanked by Democratic lawmakers, business owners, homeowners and other supporters, Polis said the proposal will reduce residential property tax increases by 50% on average.

Critics immediately called the proposal insufficient  akin to bringing a squirt gun to a burning building. Proponents said the multipronged approach offers tangible relief.

The proposal allows seniors covered under the state's homestead property tax exemption to keep that exemption when they downsize into another residence, the governor said.

It will hold harmless the things property taxes pay for  police, fire, local hospitals and K-12 education  by tapping the state's TABOR surplus.

Under the proposal, the state would "de-Bruce" state revenue up to a new limit that adds 15% annually to the calculation. To de-Bruce means to eliminate the spending limit, and to spend all tax revenues collected. That would allow the state to keep an additional $167 million in 2024, which in turn would reduce the state's TABOR surplus from $2 billion to $1.8 billion, and reduce taxpayer refunds by $46 in 2024.

Under the proposal, the state would use the $167 million as property tax relief.

The measure also will differentiate between property taxes assessed on primary homes versus property taxes assessed on second and third homes, with subsequent homes getting less of a break. It will not affect second homes that are used as rental property, a concern for resort communities that rely on short-term rentals during tourist seasons.

The proposal has a 10-year sunset.

A companion bill, according to Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, will enact changes on the assessment side. That measure is expected to receive bipartisan support.

The supporters at Monday's press conference included Scott Wasserman from the Bell Policy Center, who has filed two ballot measures to reduce property tax increases. Also in attendance Monday were J.J. Ament, CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and former state Sen. Mike Kopp, president and CEO of of Colorado Concern, which sounded the alarm on property tax increases more than a year ago.

Property values are reassessed every two years, and 2023 is an assessment year.

Voters' decision to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020, paired with skyrocketing home values and the biennial assessment, is expected to result in an increase in property taxes by as much as 50% in some metro area counties.

The Gallagher Amendment, approved by voters in 1982 and meant to drive down homeowners tax burden, pegged the contribution of residential property taxes to 45% of the total, resulting in the residential assessment rate decreasing over time from 21% in 1986 to 7.15% by 2020.

In 2023, the residential assessment rate across Colorado is 6.765% - meaning only 6.765% of the property value is taxed. The non-residential assessment rate stands at 27.9%. Non-residential property includes commercial property, land for agricultural purposes, land for mineral extraction and energy production, and vacant land.

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In the latest valuations, all nine Denver metro area counties show double-digit increases in median value that followed the red-hot real estate market of 2021 and early 2022.

Assessments, for example, are up 33% on the median home in the city of Denver, and a whopping 47% on the median home in Douglas County.

Wasserman said the proposal will lean on reducing taxable value, and for lower-valued homes, this will really have an impact.

One concept expected to be included is the assessment rate for second homes. While supporters are expected to cite high values of such second homes, it could also affect resort communities that rely on short-term rentals.

While the idea of charging different property tax assessment rates on second homes has been around for a while, it's never come to fruition because county assessors have maintained they have no data on just which homes are considered second homes. The bill is expected to provide a one-year delay to allow assessors to figure that out, along with the resources to do it.

"This has been a big issue for a number of years," Wasserman said.

The bill is expected to differentiate between homes that are rented out for substantial portions of the year versus those that are only occasionally rented out or not at all.

The bill to be introduced Monday is not the only solution being proposed on property taxes.

Senate Bill 108 would allow local governments to offer temporary property tax credits or mill levy reductions and later eliminate the credits or restore the mill levy without going to voters for permission. The bipartisan bill cleared the state Senate and is now ready for debate before the House.

In a statement Monday, Advance Colorado said voters deserve a real long-term solution to the property tax crisis and not the measure proposed by the governor and legislature.

Weve got a five-alarm fire in Colorado and our governor showed up with a squirt gun," the statement said. "We have heard reports of seniors already walking into their county treasurers office with tears in their eyes at the prospect of losing their home."

Fields added that the governor and legislature are "paying for part of this relief" with money taxpayers are already owed, creating a "fake cap on property tax increases, and going after even more of our TABOR refunds."

Advance Colorado's Michael Fields was one of the proponents behind Proposition 120 in the 2021 election, a property tax reduction measure that voters rejected by more than 14 percentage points.

Weighing on the proposal, House Republicans criticized Polis and the Democratic majority for waiting until the 11th hour to fix a problem they knew was coming all along.

While we at the Capitol were making too many new laws that were way too expensive, real Coloradans across the state have been opening up their mail and finding tax bills they cannot pay," said House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington.

As to the proposal's plan to use TABOR surplus dollars, Lynch said Democrats are treating TABOR like an ATM.

"The people of Colorado should be skeptical of the governors hastily introduced plan with only one week left in the session," he said. "He seems to want to convince us this plan will solve all financial shortfalls, such as school funding, teacher pay, fire and police, and resolve Colorados property tax issues for homeowners and businesses. Given this sugar-coated plan must be approved by voters, it's concerning the governor has no Plan B if it fails.
A Shein is focusing on investing in the Brazilian market after the repercussion of the controversy surrounding the end of the tax exemption on purchases of up to US$ 50 (about R$ 250), announced by the Lula government.

In this scenario, the Chinese retailer announced plans to nationalize 85% of sales in the next four years, opened the first office in Brazil and signed a contract with Coteminas (Companhia de Fabrics Norte de Minas), aiming to serve the Brazilian market and the Latin America.

However, in the view of analysts of the BTG Pactual, the challenges for Shein in the Brazilian market are expected to increase, due to the taxes higher and local costs.

In the banks view, the Chinese retailer has three main competitive advantages:

Speed to market as the retailer uses on-demand manufacturing to produce a steady stream of fashion pieces in very small quantities, leveraging a network of suppliers that are all located in Guangzhou Province, China. China

Powerful social media approach, Shein has directly positioned itself as a go-to brand for social media savvy Gen Z and is highly engaged with newer platforms such as TikTok

Low prices, while exploiting some tax loopholes to keep prices competitive

Despite Sheins competitive pricing in the local market, our proprietary research [usando uma cesta de oito produtos em 15 paises]indicates that the retailers products are 1% more expensive in Brazil than in the States, making it one of the most expensive global markets for the Chinese platform, comment the banks analysts.

Impact on Brazilian retail

However, for BTG, Sheins plans for the Brazilian market should diversify its production matrix, improve service levels and leverage the already high engagement and organic traffic on its platform, which has a longer visit duration and pages per visit than peers.

However, these moves also mean that Chinas giant will compete under the same conditions as the retailers locations, which can lead to higher prices.

In addition, analysts point out that the Chinese company will face challenges similar to those of its peers to increase local production capacity. An aspect that, according to them, is already a major bottleneck for successful global retailers, such as Zara.

We see this as a competitive advantage for local players, although Sheins speed to market and powerful selling approach remain a significant strength in a highly competitive market, concludes BTG.
A Petrobras (PETR4) announces changes in its positioning and the risk assessment that the market continues to make about what Shein represents for Brazilian retailers are some of the corporate highlights this Tuesday (2).

A Petrobras (PETR4) wants to show the world that the Brazil has all the attributes to lead the global development of offshore wind energy during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), the largest event in the exploration industry Petroleum and offshore gas, taking place in Houston, Texas (USA), this week.

However, the companys president, Jean Paul Prates, canceled its participation due to scheduling reasons.

Without its main executive, the mission of positioning Brazil as a global leader in offshore wind energy will be in the hands of a delegation made up of directors and managers of the state-owned oil company.

In addition, Petrobras announced that, as of last Saturday (29), the average selling price of diesel A for distributors it was cheaper. Fuel went from R$ 3.84 to R$ 3.46 per liter, a reduction of R$ 0.38 per liter or 9.89%.

shein in retail

A Shein is focused on investing in the Brazilian market, and announced plans to nationalize 85% of sales over the next four years, opened the first office in Brazil and signed a contract with Coteminas.

However, in the view of analysts of the BTG Pactualthe challenges for Shein in the Brazilian market are expected to increase, due to the taxes higher and local costs.

For the bank, Sheins plans for the Brazilian market should diversify its production matrix, improve service levels and leverage the already high engagement and organic traffic on its platform, which has a longer visit duration and pages per visit than the peers.

However, these moves also mean that Chinas giant will compete under the same conditions as the retailers locations, which can lead to higher prices on Shein.

AMER3

A Americans (AMER3) announced last Monday (1st), a Labor Day holiday, the resignation of Jose Timotheo de Barros, director who had been removed from office since February 3rd.

Barros was removed from office amid investigations into the accounting breach announced by Americanas in January of this year.
Last month, when state inspectors visited Promedica Skilled Nursing in West Des Moines, they had a backlog of 23 complaints to investigate at the facility  the oldest of which had been filed in September of last year.

Nineteen of those complaints were substantiated and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals cited the home, which has since changed its name to Harmony West Des Moines, for the death of a female resident who was left screaming in pan after contracting gangrene of the genitals and going into septic shock.

The woman died March 6  more than five months after the state fielded the first of the uninvestigated complaints against the home.

Heres a look at the age of pending complaints now before the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, the state agency that oversees nursing homes, hospices, surgical centers, dialysis centers and other medical facilities in Iowa:

Pending complaints against nursing homes:

30-60 days old: 35 cases (down 56% from last year)

61-90 days old: 24 cases (down 72% from last year)

91-120 days old: 26 cases (down 41% from last year)

More than 120 days old: 22 cases (down 89% from last year)

More than one year old: 0 cases (down from 24 last year)

Total: 107 cases (down 74% from last year)

Pending complaints against other health care entities:

30-60 days old: 13 cases (down 46% from last year)

61-90 days old: 22 cases (same as last year)

91-120 days old: 7 cases (down 70% from last year)

More than 120 days old: 19 cases (down 65% from last year)

More than one year old: 0 cases (no data from last year)

Total : 61 cases (down 50% from last year)

Source: Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals

Since last June, when the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals reported that two dozen nursing home complaints had languished for a year or more without being investigated, the agency has made dramatic improvements in the timeliness of its investigations.

DIA attributes the previous backlog of complaints to restrictions on inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But as the Promedica case shows, there still are instances where it may take several months for a nursing home complaint to be fully investigated, by which time many other complaints against the same facility may have accumulated.

In some instances, including Promedica, residents have died or been sexually abused in care facilities while complaints against the home await investigation by the state.

In February, DIA investigated the death of a U.S. Army veteran, Marvin Pete Jacobs, who suffocated while waiting to have his airway suctioned by the nursing staff at the Fonda Specialty Care facility in Pocahontas County,

By the time DIA inspectors visited the home to look into Jacobs death, there was a backlog of 10 uninvestigated complaints against the facility. Only one of the complaints was deemed substantiated, but DIA fined the home $10,000 for Jacobs death. That penalty was reduced to $6,500 when the home agreed not to appeal the case.

Last November, inspectors visited Lyon Countys Rock Rapids Care Centre after the home accumulated 10 separate complaints. All of the complaints were substantiated by DIA, but the agency issued no citations or financial penalties. A few months later, the home shut down due to a lack of staffing and relocated all of its residents without giving families or regulators the 60-day notice outlined in state law.

A few weeks earlier, inspectors visited the Aspire of Gowrie nursing home in central Iowa. At the time, there was a backlog of 10 complaints against the home, all of which were substantiated. The home was ultimately cited for 30 regulatory violations, including a failure to protect multiple female residents from sexual abuse, and federal officials fined the home $196,247.

At various times over the past several months, DIA has compiled a backlog of complaints against several other care facilities, including:

Centerville Specialty Care: In February, when inspectors visited this southern Iowa nursing home, DIA had accumulated seven complaints against the care facility, four of which were substantiated.

 Windmill Manor: In February, when inspectors visited this eastern Iowa nursing home in Coralville, there was a backlog of 12 complaints at the home, none of which were substantiated. The home was, however, cited for seven regulatory violations and fined $3,412.

 Aspire of Washington: Last fall, inspectors visited this eastern Iowa nursing home in response to 11 separate complaints, all of which were substantiated.

 Oakwood Specialty Care: Last October, inspectors visited this southern Iowa nursing home in Albia. At that time, there was backlog of 12 uninvestigated complaints against the home. Ten of the complaints were substantiated.

 Ravenwood Specialty Care: Last October, inspectors visited this Waterloo care facility in response to a backlog of 19 complaints, 18 of which were substantiated.

 Westwood Specialty Care: Last August, inspectors visited this Sioux City home to investigate 15 separate complaints, 11 of which were substantiated.

The latest data from DIA indicates there are now 59 uninvestigated complaints against nursing homes that are 30 to 90 days old. An additional 48 complaints are 91 days old or older. These 107 complaints represent a sharp reduction of 74% from June 2022, when there were 410 pending complaints that were at least 30 days old.

DIA spokeswoman Stefanie Bond has said the number of uninvestigated complaints last year was high due to the COVID-19 pandemic that struck in March 2020. She said after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, suspended inspections at nursing homes, it developed a COVID-19 focused infection control process that directed state agencies like DIA to focus their inspections strictly on infection prevention.

As a result, Bond said, complaint investigations were temporarily limited to those involving infection issues and those involving allegations of immediate jeopardy to residents health and safety. That, in turn, led to a growing nationwide backlog of uninvestigated complaints and the inspections that are needed to recertify care facilities, she said.

Although CMS suspended or reprioritized most complaint survey activity during the pandemic, which caused a backlog of complaints, DIA surveyors continue to work diligently to address Iowans concerns at health care facilities in a timely manner, Bond said.

She added that with regard to complaints alleging residents have been placed in immediate jeopardy due to violations likely to cause serious injury, impairment, or death, DIA has investigated 100% of those complaints within the timeframe specified by CMS.

The status of new cybersecurity laws proposed in Iowa The status of new cybersecurity laws proposed in Iowa
A Mason City man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for first-degree theft Monday.

According to court records, 32-year-old Oliver Jay Morehouse stole a silver 2014 Dodge Journey around 5:15 a.m. Oct. 15 on East State Street. The report does not specify how or where Morehouse was arrested. He was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail at 7:41 a.m. the same day.

Morehouse has two prior theft convictions and a pending case on his record. He has been sentenced to 60 days in jail after stealing alcohol from Casey's General Store located on 12th Street Northwest in Mason City in October. A concurrent sentence will be served for stealing a pair of boots from Walmart that same month.

An unauthorized use of a credit card charge is pending after Morehouse allegedly used a stolen card to attempt to extract money from the ATM machine at Hy-Vee east in Mason City last September. His attempts failed.

He initially will be jailed at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale. He is eligible for parole for good behavior.

Close A large crowd of grand march spectators recognized Morgan Francis and Nate Moore at the bottom of the staircase. Nate Moore and Morgan Francis were all smiles before entering the gymnasium. Facing front, from left are Maycee Moriarty of Clear Lake, Claudia Sewell of Mason City High School, Meya Hartman of Clear Lake, and Ameila Collins of West Hancock High School. Ammy Mendoza and Reign Krumwiede served as emcees. Caden Douglas and Eden Nielsen are shown on the stage at prom. Jake Larson and Shelby Goepel. Evan Boothroyd is shown with Jaden Spear of Algona High School. Riley Hanson and Abby Kuper of Algona High School are pictured at the West Hancock prom. Rylan Barnes and Parker Hiscocks stop for photos during the grand march. Mitchell Smith and Maddie Bruggeman are shown in the grand march. Jake Wood and Emma Faust exit the prom stage. Cade Schisel and Makenzie Erdahl finish their grand march. West Hancock High School's 2023 prom was held in Britt on April 29 A large crowd of grand march spectators recognized Morgan Francis and Nate Moore at the bottom of the staircase. Nate Moore and Morgan Francis were all smiles before entering the gymnasium. Facing front, from left are Maycee Moriarty of Clear Lake, Claudia Sewell of Mason City High School, Meya Hartman of Clear Lake, and Ameila Collins of West Hancock High School. Ammy Mendoza and Reign Krumwiede served as emcees. Caden Douglas and Eden Nielsen are shown on the stage at prom. Jake Larson and Shelby Goepel. Evan Boothroyd is shown with Jaden Spear of Algona High School. Riley Hanson and Abby Kuper of Algona High School are pictured at the West Hancock prom. Rylan Barnes and Parker Hiscocks stop for photos during the grand march. Mitchell Smith and Maddie Bruggeman are shown in the grand march. Jake Wood and Emma Faust exit the prom stage. Cade Schisel and Makenzie Erdahl finish their grand march.
While some LGBTQ youth and supporters said they were looking at leaving Iowa in response to a flurry of legislation targeting transgender youth, others at an Iowa Safe Schools conference Friday discussed strategies to make Iowa a safer, more comfortable place for LGBTQ youth within the new legal confines.

People who attended Iowa Safe Schools 18th annual Governors Conference in Altoona said its been a tough year to be a transgender youth in Iowa. Gov. Kim Reynolds recently signed laws banning gender-affirming care for minors, and banning transgender students from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity. Another bill awaiting the governors signature would ban school staff from using a students preferred name or pronouns without parental permission and would require schools to inform parents if such a request is made.

Reynolds was invited by Iowa Safe Schools to attend the event or send a letter or video, but she did not respond, Becky Tayler, the executive director of Iowa Safe Schools, said. Former Republican Gov. Terry Branstads administration typically sent letters of welcome or a communications or community member attended the conference to discuss issues impacting LGBTQ students.

While there wasnt a ton of allyship in Branstads administration, Tayler said its disappointing that lawmakers arent taking the opportunity to talk with the kids who will be directly affected by recent legislation.

But she said its important to keep in mind, with or without the governor and Republican lawmakers participation, the goal of the conference stays the same.

Its about holding individuals who create laws and legislation and really steer the state, its about holding those individuals accountable, Tayler said.  Its also really an act of resistance. Its an act of were going to continue to show up, you arent going to legislate us out of existence, and we still have so many allies here in Iowa, where students can connect and find safe spaces.

Just under 800 people attended the conference, which held panels and workshops on how to advocate for change in schools and at the Statehouse, as well as navigating mental health and gender-affirming health care support systems in Iowa and surrounding states.

Addressing the future of transgender youth health care in Iowa

Basil Lee, a 14-year-old student in Oskaloosa, said his family had to cancel a doctors appointment Tuesday to discuss starting puberty blockers. While his mother is supportive, they have decided to wait until Lee is 18 to pursue hormone treatment therapy. Under Iowas former system for gender-affirming care, he would not have been eligible to start taking testosterone until he was 16, but could have experienced less dysphoria by taking puberty blockers.

I dont really like having to be involved in a bunch of, like, politics and news and stuff because Im not a politics person, Lee said. There just so much  it makes me stressed, and a lot of its stupid in my opinion, but I have to be involved in it right now because my life literally depends on it. So thats kind of exhausting some days.

Lee said he plans to move out of state for college, and does not want to move back to Iowa after completing a degree.

The University of Iowa Health Care LGBTQ Clinic staff hosted a panel and information booth answering questions on the future of gender-affirming care for transgender youth in Iowa. The clinic will soon no longer be allowed to prescribe hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers. But employees said they are working with Iowa health care workers on improving systems for transgender patients to be called by their chosen name and gender while receiving any care. They also are setting up connections with out-of-state care providers in areas like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois to help patients continue treatment once the the ban goes into effect.

Brenda Thacker, an Ames mother of three LGBTQ children, said the past several months have been difficult for her family. She and one of her children are looking at gender-affirming health care options in the surrounding states following Iowas ban on puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy.

When Thacker moved her family to Iowa from the South, she said her children felt like they could actually be themselves in Iowa.

But this has made us think twice about wanting to stay, Thacker said. Because, you know, theres a target on your back now, because of the bans, and everything theyre doing.

Thacker said theyre trying to adapt to the new rules and culture, and that being around other LGBTQ families and individuals, like others at the conference, makes things easier. But she said if Iowa politicians continue targeting transgender people in legislation, she will leave to a more LGBTQ-friendly state for her children.

And if it gets too bad, well move, Thacker said. I will sell my house and leave to keep my kids safe.

Teachers, students deal with restrictions on name use, bathrooms in schools

When Reynolds signed the bathroom bill into law, many schools were required to change their practices on transgender students use of gender-specific facilities overnight. The law, effective immediately, prohibited transgender youth to use the bathroom and locker room corresponding with their preferred gender. Schools were allowed to provide alternative accommodations, such as single-occupancy restrooms, with parental consent.

Meredith Mauro, an administrator with the Heartland Area Education Agency, held a panel discussing ways schools could still support transgender youth while complying with new state laws. For example, if students are not comfortable changing for gym class in a locker room corresponding with their birth gender, they can still be given the option to not change for the class. Mauro said there were instances where it also helped cisgender students who were not comfortable changing around others in locker rooms.

Thats a way youre still within the law, but youre lifting kids up and youre making them feel like a part of the whole, not a separate, Mauro said.

Further changes to LGBTQ policies in Iowa schools may be coming. A bill Reynolds has not signed yet, Senate File 496, would prohibit teachers from addressing a child by their preferred name and pronouns if it differs from the ones assigned at birth. The Senate added penalties for staff who knowingly break these rules: educators or administrators in violation would be subject first to a warning, and any subsequent violations of the rule would result in a Board of Education Examiners disciplinary hearing for the teacher or administrator.

The bill also states schools cannot provide false or misleading information on a childs gender identity to their parents. Justin Bensley, a 17-year-old student in the Linn-Mar Community School District, said he was most concerned about these provisions, as his family is not accepting of transgender people. These measures not only put him at risk of problems at home, Bensley said, but would make school more difficult, as his teachers currently use a name and pronouns different than what he was assigned at birth.

I would have to force myself back into the closet, Bentley said.

Mauro emphasized that the most important thing educators and supporters could do to help transgender students, regardless of new restrictions, is make sure they can serve as a trusted adult to children in need. Transgender youth are at a much higher risk of suicide than the average population. The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention group, found in 2022 that more than half of Iowa transgender and nonbinary youth reported seriously considering suicide, and 22% attempted suicide.

Another Trevor Project study found that LGBTQ youth were 40% less likely to attempt suicide when they had at least one accepting adult in their life.

Mauro said advocating for big change is important, but said those with transgender youth in their lives shouldnt let perfection get in the way of progress.

As long as students see that we are trying, were doing better for them, were making what change we can at our level in the system  doing something is always better than doing nothing, Mauro said.
Profile evaluation and suggestion [ #permalink

Hi!!



Thanks in advance for the answers.



Im a 23 years old male from Italy looking for a boost in its career. Ive already taken the GMAT (690; 47Q, 38V)



I already have an undergraduate degree as well as a master in a private Italian University (not well know outside but with good placements within the country).



Right now Im working at KPMG Advisory in the Risk and Compliance sector (In public sector particularly, started as an internship but ended with a contract offer) and Im evaluating the two paths in front of me:



- taking another Master at IESE business school (the new Master in Management), Ive already been accepted to it, hoping to find a better job



- working for some years at KPMG (I guess 3-4 years, with more years my gmat will expire), and invest in a MBA (maybe Bocconi or IESE).



Im still thinking to the two path and of course my objective is to invest 40-50k once, so between a MiM at IESE or a MBA in a good business school.



Of course I would like to know if I take any chance for an MBA if I still go on working at KPMG.



Thank you again!!



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Sovah Health-Martinsville is increasingly becoming more of a burden on the Martinsville Police Department, Police Chief Rob Fincher reported.

On April 24, about 30 people including City Council members and city staff attended a community meeting at Chatham Heights Baptist Church. Fincher customarily shares the neighborhood crime statistics at similar meetings, but this time most everyone appeared surprised to learn the No. 1 location for crime in Northside is 320 Hospital Drive, the address of Martinsvilles only hospital.

When you compare this years crime statistics with last year, the city has seen a 13% reduction in general calls for service, Fincher said at the meeting. The calls in Northside tend to be assault and battery. There are general traffic areas with problems, shoplifting at The Villages [shopping center on Commonwealth Boulevard,] but the hospital takes the most time. They may not fully fund their security. We get everything there from suspicious persons, mental health, accidents, disturbances in the ER [emergency room], larcenies on floors  people going in rooms and stealing stuff, you name it.

Sovah Health spokesperson Corey Santoriello said although Sovah Health holds the health and safety of its patients and staff in the highest regard, over the past year the hospital has seen an increase in behavioral health patients as well as an increase in the time it takes to get them placed appropriately.

Often the hospital is left with the responsibility of supervising a mental patient for an extended period while waiting on the services of other organizations outside Sovahs control.

In response to this identified need for additional support for behavioral health patients in our Martinsville community, we have partnered with a community support organization that provides treatment for developmental, emotional, mental health and substance abuse disorders for transition of care, as appropriate, Santoriello wrote by email. In addition to partnering with this agency, our security team has expanded over the past twelve months with the addition of three new security personnel, and we are actively determining the need for an additional position assigned to our Emergency Department.

Martinsville Vice Mayor Aaron Rawls said concerns of the hospital are often made known to him by residents in the community.

Sovah Health has been one of the more frequent topics of conversation among concerned citizens, local health care professionals, and members of the city administration, said Rawls. Ive fielded a significant amount of information, but nonetheless, Chief Finchers data came as a surprise to me. We are due for another check-in with Sovah leadership.

Fincher provided more details regarding Sovahs increasing demands on his department. He noted that his figures include mental health calls and patients leaving against medical advice.

At the hospital for 2022 we had 294 mental health calls, which accounted for 3,566 total manpower hours. We had 533 other calls which accounted for 803 manpower hours, Fincher said. Those other calls for service include a wide range of calls to include disorderly conducts, refusing to leave, assaults, trespassing, serving warrants, animal bites, well-being checks with patients leaving (AMA being the primary cause), drug violations and follow-up investigations.

Fincher said the sheer number of hours demanded by his department by the local hospital was shocking.

According to an August 2018 poll of 3,500 emergency department workers across the nation, almost seven out of 10 doctors in emergency departments said violence was increasing with assaults on health care staff growing by double-digits. Many of those assaults go unreported, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Between April and June of 2022, Press Ganney, a health care database company, reported 57 nurses were assaulted across 483 medical facilities in the country.

Medical facilities across the commonwealth and the nation have responded with increased training for its personnel including de-escalation techniques, and Santoriello said Sovah was responding as well.

As a facility, we are also administering security needs and workplace violence risk assessments to develop mitigation strategies, wrote Santoriello in an email.

Said Rawls: I would like to collaborate to ensure we are being good stewards of our previous and limited police resources. I think thats a majority view on Council and hope we can work together to do what is right for Martinsville.
DANVILLE, Va.  Woodside Village resident Nicky Stephens wants the apartment complex to be tidied up and made safer to live.

She hates the fact that a fatal shooting happened in her community, especially where children live.

I just hate it for the children, Stephens, 50, said during an interview outside the apartment building where she lives. Its not safe for the kids to come out and play.

It was in the early morning hours Monday  shortly after midnight  when Danville police officers responded to Woodside Village Apartments in the 1300 block of Piney Forest Road.

When they arrived, they found 37-year-old Marcus Hairston shot. Officers administered CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, police wrote in a news release.

Stephens had known Hairston for decades, since they were children, she said.

Ive never known Marcus to be a troublemaker, she said.

Hairston didnt live at the complex, but came by to visit his children and their mother who lives there, Stephens said.

Stephens 62-year-old neighbor, Jimmy Gunn, also had kind words for Hairston.

He was one of the good ones, Gunn said.

Another person suffered injuries described as non-life threatening at the scene. Later, authorities were alerted that a third victim arrived at Sovah Health-Danville with a gunshot wound also described as non-life threatening.

Danville Police Capt. Keith Thompson said Monday afternoon the department had a person of interest in custody.

More investigation is proceeding, Thompson said.

The incident occurred between two groups of people and was not a random act of violence, he said.

It was specific between the victims and the suspects, Thompson said.

Gunn and Stephens said perpetrators from outside the apartment complex are bringing violence there.

It seems like its always an outside entity that comes in, Gunn said. They come in here and bring trouble and disappear.

Being part of an older population in the complex, Gunn and Stephens said they do not go out at night because it is unsafe.

Stephens uncle, 64-year-old Carl Davis, stops by the complex four or five days a week to visit his girlfriend. But when the sun goes down, he stays indoors as well.

I come here and I dont go out, Davis said. If I go to the store, I dont go after dark.

Another homicide occurred at Woodside Village less than a year ago when 23-year-old Darick Lamont Richardson II was fatally shot in a parking lot there last July.

The complex needs lighting and security cameras at the premises to reduce the likelihood of criminal activity, Stephens said. Many of the areas in the neighborhood are dark, with no visibility at night, enabling perpetrators to commit offenses out of sight.

They know to come late at night, she said. They know the areas to go where to park.

Also, the property is filthy, with trash piling up at its trash-box sites, she added.

It smells like trash and death up here, Stephens said. Kids shouldnt have to live like that.

During a H.E.A.R.T (Heal and Engage After Recent Trauma) walk held in the neighborhood by the Danville Police Department, Chief Scott Booth was appalled at the propertys appearance.

Look at the conditions, he said.

Drink cups, bottles and other detritus littered the parking lot and grassy areas, which had weeds as tall as adult people in some spots. A trash-bin overflowed with trash bags, many of which piled around the structure.

The goal of H.E.A.R.T. walks is to express to the community the police department cares about their well-being, the news release from the police department stated. The walks are conducted not to discover more information on the investigation, but to check in on our residents.

The department has put together a group in the city to improve the complex and has been working with property management for about a year about maintaining and cleaning up the neighborhood. Woodside Village has had multiple owners over the past two years, Thompson said.

We need cameras, we need lighting, we need upkeep, Thompson told the Danville Register & Bee at the walk.

A new company purchased the property in March.

As of now, nothing has changed at all, Thompson said. I feel like Im in a third-world country.

Woodsides Village property manager would not comment on the record for this story.

Last August, the city turned off the complexs water supply because the management company did not pay its bill.

After receiving calls about the disconnection, the mayor, city council members and the city manager discussed what was happening. After finding out the management company was behind in its bill, officials decided to turn the water back on for residents.

Booth said conditions like those at Woodside Village, with litter, piles of trash, overgrown grass and weeds and general disrepair, can be a breeding ground for crime.

People are going to feel comfortable with littering, urinating in public and committing more serious crimes, said Booth, referring to the broken windows theory of law enforcement.

According to the broken windows theory, dilapidated conditions at a property or in a community  including broken windows and other blight  make an area an easy target for criminal activity. Conversely, improving a propertys condition and appearance can help deter or reduce illegal acts at a site.

As for Stephens, she remembers what she and Hairston always said to each other after seeing one another.

Wed say, be safe out there, she said.

Thats pretty much the mantra out here, Gunn said.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact the Danville Police Department by calling patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4; investigations at 434-799-6508 option 1, and option 1 again; 911; or Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000.

In addition, residents may approach any officer they see, use social media, email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use the crime tips app CARE.

Photos: Police host H.E.A.R.T. walk after homicide
Two historians and three projects will be recognized Friday during the biennial Montana Historic Preservation Awards at The Myrna Loy Theater in Helena.

Hosted by the Montana State Historic Preservation Office of the Montana Historical Society, recipients include:

Historian Ellen Baumler (Outstanding Contributions to Historic Preservation);

Historian Chere Jiusto (Outstanding Contributions to Historic Preservation);

The Como Schoolhouse Corp. (Outstanding Historic Preservation Stewardship, the Como School in Ravalli County);

Grove & Co., LLC (Outstanding Local Preservation Project, F.M. Mack General Store in Augusta);

Fagg Family Properties, LLC and HGFA Architects (Outstanding Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Project  Governors Award, the Kate Fratt Memorial Parochial School in Billings).

Recognizing Montanas outstanding heritage places and those people who help preserve them remains a cornerstone to successful historic preservation in our state, state Historic Preservation Officer Pete Brown said in a news release.

Certificates will be presented to owners of 25 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 and 2022. The properties are from 16 counties. Also recognized will be Delia Hagen, author of the award-winning document Black Montanas Heritage Places.

Two retiring Historic Preservation Review Board members, C. Riley Auge of Columbia Falls and Carol Bronson of Great Falls, also will be recognized for their eight years of service.

This preservation awards ceremony represents a significant event for us to acknowledge those places and people that make Montana the special and unique place it is, said National Register Coordinator John Boughton.

The awards ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at The Myrna Loy Theater at 15 N. Ewing St. The free event is open to the public, and all with an interest in Montana history are encouraged to attend.

For more information: https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/NationalReg/AwardsCeremony or contact Melissa Munson (melissa.munson@mt.gov or 406-444-7715) or John Boughton (jboughton@mt.gov or 406-444-3647).
The Helena City Commission has issued a letter of support for embattled Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the transgender lawmaker ousted Wednesday by House Republicans over comments in opposition to anti-trans legislation.

"As elected officials, we stand in support of Representative Zooey Zephyr and representative democracy," reads the statement sent out via email Saturday regarding the Missoula Democrat. "The Montana House of Representative's (sic) actions to bar Representative Zephyr from the House Floor, thus preventing her from actively participating in the body to which she was duly elected, has silenced 11,000 Montanans.

"As Montanans, we value individuality and a collective respect for privacy and basic human dignity. To target Representative Zephyr for her steadfast advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities and personal life experience is to undermine core Montana values."

With the final day of the Legislature slated for Friday, the commission urged the House to "immediately allow Representative Zephyr to attend and speak during the remaining House Floor sessions and restore her full participation in committee and interim committee proceedings."

The letter was signed by Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins and City Commissioners Emily Dean, Melinda Reed and Andy Shirtliff.

City Commissioner Sean Logan's signature does not appear.

Logan said in a phone interview Monday it was a conscious decision to not sign on to the letter.

"As a non-partisan elected official, I don't see a benefit to inserting myself into what amounts to a partisan conflict at the state Legislature," he said. "Obviously, my colleagues have every right to make such a statement, but as a city commissioner, I'd prefer to keep my efforts focused on the responsibilities that I have."
A Helena judge on Monday put a temporary block on an administrative rule that would have required preauthorization for abortions covered by Medicaid, changed what counts as a medically necessary abortion and limited who can provide abortions in Montana.

The temporary restraining order was issued after three abortion providers  All Families Healthcare, Blue Mountain Clinic and Planned Parenthood of Montana  filed a lawsuit last Friday challenging the administrative rule and asking for a block on the law while the litigation played out.

The rule was initially set to take effect Monday, but a press release from Planned Parenthood of Montana said it was delayed to May 8 after the lawsuit was filed. The Montana Legislature has also passed a bill seeking to do the same thing as the rule, but would instead codify the policy.

The order from Judge Mike Menahan said the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in showing the rule violates the state Constitution's guarantees of privacy and equal protection, as upheld by the state Supreme Court's past Armstrong and Weems decisions that recognized the right to an abortion from a provider under the patients choosing and that abortion care cannot be limited to physicians only. His order also cited the Jeannette R. v. Ellery case, which said the state health department is required to cover medically necessary abortions through Medicaid.

Plaintiffs have established that absent immediate injunctive relief, enforcement of the rule will result in immediate, grave health consequences for Medicaid-eligible Montanans seeking abortion care," Menahan wrote.

He continued   Granting a temporary restraining order will serve the public interest by ensuring that Medicaid-eligible Montanans continue to have access to constitutionally protected abortions and safe, effective medical care.

In a statement Monday, the plaintiffs welcomed the order.

We are incredibly grateful that the court stopped this dangerous, unconstitutional new Medicaid rule from going into effect on May 8," a statement from the plaintiffs read.

" ... It shouldnt matter what zip code you live in, how much money you make, or what insurance you use  everyone deserves access to the full range of reproductive health care services available in Montana. We will continue to fight this rule to protect pregnant Montanans with low incomes and their freedom to make decisions about their bodies, lives and futures.

The state Department of Public Health and Human Services, which is the defendant in the lawsuit, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the temporary restraining order.
A Helena judge on Tuesday afternoon denied the request from Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, to gain access to the House floor as the Montana legislative session nears its end.

Zephyr had sought a temporary restraining order to stop Speaker of the House Matt Regier from blocking her from accessing the House floor. The Senate voted to sine die, or end the session, Tuesday afternoon and the House now must finish the business left before that chamber.

Zephyr was still allowed to vote remotely, but has been forbidden from accessing the House chamber since last week. Republicans, who voted in lockstep to keep her out of the House, argued it was necessary following her support for protesters who had disrupted the chambers proceedings earlier that week. Seven were arrested after the protest on misdemeanor charges; law enforcement has said they are not aware of damage or violence during the event.

Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan wrote that the plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed on the merits of the case and that they sought "injunctive relief which far outpaces the facts at issue here."

Menahan also cited the separation of powers between the judicial and legislative branch in his order.

"Because the constitution explicitly reserves this power for the Legislature, the courts powers are conversely limited," he wrote.

Menahan continued that even if the court were to find the House of Representatives, Regier or the Sergeant at Arms named in the lawsuit acted unlawfully, it "does not have the authority to issue a broad permanent injunction to effectively remove all legislative authority under Article V Section 10 in relation to a single member."

Zephyr released a statement Tuesday calling the ruling "dangerous and undemocratic."

"What this ruling implies is that the Legislature isn't beholden to the Constitution  that there is no right to free speech in the face of the supermajority," Zephyr wrote.

In a statement late Tuesday, Regier welcomed the order.

The Montana courts have recognized that the judicial branch has no power to revise or overrule the power expressly held by the Montana state Legislature to conduct its business. The House is continuing its work for the people of Montana," Regier said in an emailed statement.

The complaint was filed by the Montana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in Lewis and Clark County District Court on Monday. It alleges that the ban violated Zephyrs rights to free speech under the state and federal constitutions, and her right to equal protection under the state constitution.

Earlier in the day the state attorney general told the court in filings that the state constitution dictates that each chamber of the Legislature is the sole body that sets rules for and governs its own members and the request from plaintiffs would violate the separation of powers between branches of government.

During the protest, Zephyr stood at her desk on the House floor with her microphone raised and engaged with the crowd.

The rally and subsequent protest were held in response to Republicans in the House preventing Zephyr from speaking on the House floor for several days, after comments she made two weeks ago. The freshman lawmaker had told representatives a week ago they should be ashamed for voting in favor of a bill that would ban some gender-affirming care for transgender minors. She also told them they would have blood on your hands for doing so.

Republicans have advanced several bills affecting trans people this session. Regier had been adamant that Zephyr would again be recognized should she apologize  something she declined to do.

Regier made the motion to ban Zephyr under a provision of the Montana Constitution that allows each house to expel or punish a member for good cause shown with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its members.

 Reporter Sam Wilson contributed to this story.
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is hosting a webinar to help local businesses receive recovery funding through a state grant program implemented to assist those greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Back to Business webinar will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 3. Representatives from DCEO will be on hand to provide information, assist businesses with the application process and to answer any questions related to eligibility.

The Back to Business programs new round of grants has $175 million available to provide to qualifying restaurants, hotels, and creative arts organizations.

To participate in the webinar, registration is required to RSVP@sgop.ilga.gov.

Applications for the Back to Business program are due on May 10. More information on the program can be found at dceo.illinois.gov/smallbizassistance/b2b.html.
DECATUR  The city will move forward with a complete separation of the combined storm and sewer pipes that serve the near west side.

The city council voted 5-1 Monday evening to finalize the scope of the Oakland and Grand Area Sewer Separation project.

The council already approved a $829,600 professional services agreement with Texas-based AECOM Technical Services for design work last October. And a complete separation was already in order for the sewer north of U.S. 36.

However, left undecided until now was whether to pursue a complete separation south of there, which would require the building of a large storm sewer across Fairview Park that would discharge storm water directly to Stevens Creek, or to construct a large storm water detention lagoon near U.S. 36 to hold rainwater until it could be discharged back into the combined sewers in Fairview Park.

The council, following the recommendation from city staff, voted to move forward with a complete separation.

The cost gap between the cheaper lagoon option and the more expensive complete separation shrank from about $3 million to just $500,000 after the city received approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation to use the Illinois 48 right-of-way for the sewer pipes, negating the need for the city to dig a new and likely expensive utility tunnel.

"It was a significant cost increase and I'm thrilled that it was able to come down to a half-million dollars," said Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. "It's still a half-million dollars, but it's much better than $3 million."

Beyond that, city officials say that the separation will make it easier to do other separation projects in the future. And it is in line with recommended practices from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA in 2012 identified fixes needed to Decatur's aging sewer system, beginning several years of negotiations with city officials. The federal agency ultimately required a detailed study of the sewer system that took place in 2016. Results showed an estimated $70 million in needed repairs.

Even before that, city officials have long identified sewer infrastructure needs, having crafted a sanitary sewer master plan in 2010 and a storm water master plan in 2009. The city has tackled several major sewer rehabilitation projects in the last decade as part of those plans.

"I don't want to be on the wrong side of the EPA again either," Moore Wolfe said, responding to a comment from Councilman Pat McDaniel urging the council to follow staff's recommendation.

The lone 'no' vote was Councilman David Horn, who disputed the cost savings, arguing that the alternative option, which would create the retention pond that would store stormwater before releasing it back into the combined sewer, would actually be $2 million cheaper. He said the city should fight the Sanitary District of Decatur over a $1.5 million charge for storing stormwater under the scenario.

"Decatur needs to modernize its approach to reducing flooding in the city  and retention basins store stormwater," Horn said. "Essentially what we're doing is we're creating a bathtub. And when there's floodwaters, the bathtub fills up. When the floodwaters are gone, we open up the drain and we let the water flow in a controlled manner for which there is absolutely enough space in the pipe to do that."

Horn suggested the basin be used for recreation during dry times. However, it fell on deaf ears.

Not voting was Councilman Chuck Kuhle, who was not present for the meeting.

In other action:

The council voted to give city manager Scot Wrighton the authority to execute an agreement with Springfield-based Having-a-Ball Productions for event management services for the city's Centennial Lake Fest celebration in July.

The festival, slated for July 7-9, will celebrate the 100th birthday of Lake Decatur. The tentative budget is set at $128,000. Costs are being covered by the Staley Family Foundation.

Also approved was an agreement with IDOT for the resurfacing of Illinois 121 from University Avenue to about a half-mile northwest of Interstate 72. The work is expected to cost about $7.73 million with the city's portion at $25,000. It is expected to begin this summer and be completed in 2024.

And at the beginning of the meeting, Moore Wolfe and Council members Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory and McDaniel were sworn in for new terms.

Moore Wolfe ran unopposed while the Cooper, Gregory and McDaniel were the top three finishers in a four-man field that also included Macon County Board member Karl Coleman.

Cooper and Gregory were incumbents while McDaniel returned to the council after a two-year hiatus. He previously served from 2011 to 2021.

History photos: Fun on Lake Decatur No sweat? Catchings some Zs To each his own Temporary dam Floating water bed Taking it easy Sailors' delight Sh-h-h-h, quiet please Beautiful balmy evening Warm stroll on cold water Wind surfing The water's fine Tourist attraction Crappie report Hanging in there Holiday sailing Mapping bottoms Lost Bridge "Decatur Belle" "Sport Speedster" Sand Creek Bridge Seaplane Shimmering waters Evening canoe ride The Scratcher Skipping stones
DECATUR  A tragedy that burns forever bright in the hearts of a bereaved family has become a beacon of fire safety aimed at saving the lives of Millikin University students.

That beacon glowed brightly on Monday as students filed into the schools University Commons building to pick up free equipment designed to keep them alive: fire safety ladders, extinguishers and combination smoke and C02 detectors.

And, just to drive the fire safety message home even further, there was a talk by a safety expert from the State Fire Marshals Office and advice on how to escape and survive a blaze in your home.

Its all provided courtesy of the Nick Project, set up in memory of Millikin student Nick Schwalbach who lost his life in a fraternity house fire in June of 2000 at the age of 21.

The project began back in 2016 and is particularly aimed at students living in off-campus housing. Its now set up as an endowed fund that spends close to $2,000 a year to provide the giveaways and safety education program for students.

The vital spark that got all this going is the will and determination of Sophia Schwalbach, the little sister who had to endure, and endures, the emotional family agony of losing Nick. When she got to Millikin as a freshman in 2016, she launched into the fundraising that would flower into the safety initiative she named in memory of her brother.

I never wanted another family to go through what my family goes through on a daily basis, said Schwalbach, 26, who went on to do her masters degree at the college and now works in sales for Archer Daniels Midland Co.

And Im very happy this event is again taking place today at Millikin.

She remembers how a group of senior girls came up to her in her sophomore year and told her they had put out a kitchen stove fire in their off-campus home using a Nick Project extinguisher.

So yes, this kind of event works, it really does, Schwalbach said.

One student already feeling a little safer Monday was Ryan Janssen, a 20-year-old junior from Nokomis studying to be a physical education teacher. He was carrying away a safety ladder and plans to keep it handy: I am living off-campus next year and Im not sure if our house has some of these tools, he said.

Im on the second floor and so I figured I would come and take some safety precautions. Getting students involved in this and giving them the opportunity to come get these things for free for their home to stay safe, well, I think it's awesome.

Nicole DeLiberis, Millikins director of Campus Life Residential Communities, said the school also hands out Nick Project equipment in the fall as well, catching students at both ends of the semester with the means to stay safe.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: A look back at Decatur firefighters through the years 
DECATUR  Colton S. Betscher is due back in court in June on charges he fire-bombed his Decatur ex-girlfriends $38,000 sport utility vehicle, destroying it.

The 26-year-old defendant, who now lists an address in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is pleading not guilty to a charge of committing aggravated arson when people were present. He also denies charges of possessing an incendiary device and criminal damage.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur police said the offenses date to September 18 when Betscher had an argument with his girlfriend, punched and damaged her $200 television and then threatened to burn her house down.

The affidavit said he left but soon returned and was witnessed by a neighbor lighting a bottle on fire and dropping it inside the girlfriends 2020 GMC Terrain. Police said the improvised fire bomb, known as a Molotov cocktail, set the vehicle ablaze next to a house in the 2200 block of Grandview Drive where the girlfriend was indoors.

The GMC was parked very close to the house. Officers could see the GMC appeared to be burned beyond repair, the affidavit said.

Decatur Fire Department personnel reported the flames were as high as the second story windows when they arrived. The vinyl siding was melted off of the house.

Police said the girlfriends mother told officers Betscher had called her phone and admitted he had set the vehicle on fire. She advised that Colton said he overreacted, the affidavit said.

The phone was on speaker and multiple witnesses corroborated that Colton admitted to setting the fire.

Betscher is free on bail of $200,000 after posting a $20,000 bond. He appeared in Macon County Circuit Court April 26 for the latest in a series of pretrial hearings and Judge Lindsey Shelton had ordered a background report into his character.

She also ordered Betscher to be back in court for another pretrial hearing June 2.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson
DECATUR  Joel M. Thornton-Smith, the Decatur man who left his wife with bloody wounds after first shooting her with a BB gun and then knocking her to the floor, was sentenced to 18 months probation.

Thornton-Smith was also sentenced to 30 days in the Macon County Jail but that was canceled out with credit for 28 days he has spent incarcerated since his arrest for the offenses on March 24.

The 35-year-old defendant had taken a plea deal negotiated by Chief Public Defender Michelle Sanders that saw him admit a charge of domestic battery involving bodily harm. A further charge of committing aggravated battery with a deadly weapon was dismissed when he appeared in Macon County Circuit Court on April 20.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur police said Thornton-Smith attacked his wife after accusing her of cheating on him. Officers saw the scabbed over BB wound in her left shoulder and a bleeding laceration to the back of her head.

Thornton-Smith claimed his wife had punched him in the groin and he had then Russian leg-swept her to the floor, causing her to strike her head on a space heater as she fell. Police then quoted him as saying he had blacked out and didnt remember anything else that happened.

In addition to the probation and jail time, Thornton-Smith was also ordered to complete an anger management program.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson
DECATUR  Within a few minutes of it being unveiled, Decatur's newest public art attraction was already at the forefront of numerous photos.

And if all goes as planned, the red and white, 36-inch metal letters that spell Decatur and a 7-foot outline of Illinois will be included in many more pictures visitors to the area near the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater in Nelson Park along Decaturs lakefront.

Its important to us to always do what we can to keep things new and fresh, said Teri Hammel, executive director of the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. This will be a little something that kind of goes with the Devon and mirrors it together to make a great attraction.

The attraction was envisioned by Hammel years ago as a way to promote tourism and a sense of community in Decatur.

We saved up our pennies and we were able to help bring this to Decatur, she said of attraction, which is situated in such a way that Lake Decatur sits behind it.

The visitors bureau partnered with the Community Foundation of Macon County and Decatur Park District to fund and install the attraction.

Natalie Beck, president of the community foundation, said the hope is that the attraction will be a popular stop for families, visitors and community members.

Everything we do comes back to the people, she said. We have more projects coming.

Members of Decaturs building trades unions and park district staff helped with the installation, which also included the concrete slab and landscaping. The metal structure was installed Tuesday, before it was revealed.

They came down here, installed that thing and then vanished, said Clay Gerhard, executive director of the park district. This is just going to be a great amenity to show the pride our community has in the city of Decatur.

For protection, the attraction will have lights illuminating it during the evening. We do have cameras on the sign from the Devon parking lot, Gerhard said. Its going to get used and we know that.

The letters were ordered two months ago, according to Gerhard. The union members had the concrete poured two weeks ago.

Then the workers came in this morning, installed the letters, put the landscaping in and the electrical work, Gerhard said.

Hammel said she has eight grandchildren ready to visit the large Decatur signage.

They can get in there, no matter big or tall or small, she said. They can all participate and get their pictures taken in cute little ways to show theyve been to Decatur, Illinois.

13 photos of Decatur's Joyland Amusement Park View from Lake Shore Drive Super slide Resident's eye view Miniature golf course Joyland train Giant Slide Dismantling Joyland Derailed train car Controversy Blue Bird Awaiting sale of equipment Auction block Airview
SPRINGFIELD  Six people were killed and dozens injured after multiple crashes involving 72 vehicles Monday on Interstate 55 south of Springfield as blowing dust choked off visibility, authorities said.

Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wis., was identified Monday night as one of the people who died, and state police said the Montgomery County Coroners Office was working to identify the other five and notify their families.

State police said 37 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Their ages ranged from 2 to 80 years old, state police said.

The crashes, first reported about 10:55 a.m., occurred in both the northbound and southbound lanes along a two-mile stretch between mileposts 76 and 78, north of Farmersville, which is about 15 miles south of Springfield. All of the deaths were in crashes on the northbound side, police said.

The interstate remained shut down late Monday night and would remain so until all vehicles are removed and the Illinois Department of Transportation inspects the roadway, state police said. They said earlier in the day they expected it to remain closed until late morning or early afternoon on Tuesday.

The closure was between mileposts 63 and 80, which is between Zanesville about 12 miles north of Litchfield in Montgomery County and Divernon, which is about 17 miles south of Springfield in Sangamon County.

Visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust, state police said in a statement issued Monday afternoon. "... The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility."

Interstate 55 in southern Sangamon and northern Montgomery counties remains closed in both directions because of numerous crashes caused by a dust storm, which has greatly reduced visibility. (photo via @wics_abc20) pic.twitter.com/rYbWKndJa6  IDOT_Illinois (@IDOT_Illinois) May 1, 2023

After the initial crash, 20 commercial vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger vehicles become involved in the pileup, state police Maj. Ryan Starrick said during a news conference Monday afternoon. State police later put the total at 72 but indicated the count was preliminary.

During the crashes, at least two semis caught fire, and both had been been extinguished by 2:30 p.m. Starrick also said there were unconfirmed reports of an explosion.

I-55 traffic was being diverted using state Routes 104 and 48 through Taylorville, according to a tweet from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

The Auburn Travel Center in Divernon was being used for reunification for those able to safely leave the scene from the north side, but by 4 p.m., state police began to direct travelers to the Mr. Fuel Travel Center in Litchfield where troopers and deputies were "working to get people reunified."

The National Weather Service reported Monday night that the high winds are expected to subside a bit overnight but still reach 30 mph to 35 mph on Tuesday.

Blowing dust causing a multiple car pile up on I-55 between Divernon and Farmersville. Visibility less than a quarter of a mile. Visibility can become zero at times. If you encounter blowing dust on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/8NS4zT76zg  NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) May 1, 2023

Kevin Schott, director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, said it had been an emotional day, but no first responders had reported injuries, despite their eyes being full of dust.

"This is a difficult scene, something that is very hard to train for, something that we haven't experienced locally before," he said, adding that they were "very lucky" to have the quality of first responders that were on scene keeping each other safe.

Schott said the most difficult part was "trying to get to the victims in a rapid manner. Multiple vehicles were involved, some were on fire" and responders had to search every vehicle to check for injuries.

They've found those who were involved in the crash have been upset, "visibly so and understandably so," he added.

More than 30 agencies, including law enforcement, fire departments and EMAs, responded to the scene. Hazardous materials teams responded as a precaution and the Illinois EMA offered support, Starrick said, noting some fuel spillage resulted from the crash.

Fire engines remained on scene late Monday afternoon in case of hot spots and reignited fires, Schott said.

Other agencies like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army also responded to offer assistance and support.

Starrick also said multiple helicopters responded to the scene and at least one person was airlifted.

"My heart goes out to the families; my heart goes out to anybody that found themselves in this situation," Starrick said.

State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said he visited the area on Monday afternoon and saw how hazardous the conditions were.

"Im amazed at the work of the first responders from numerous agencies working to save lives in an extremely difficult situation," he said in a statement.

Lee Enterprises reporter Erin Henkel contributed to this report.

Photos: Multiple crashes lock traffic on Interstate 55 IMG_1505.jpg Traffic IMG_1514.jpg IMG_1516.jpg 050223-illinois-crashes IMG_1519.jpg IMG_1520.jpg Dust IMG_1523.jpg IMG_1525.jpg IMG_1532.jpg Windstorm Crashes Windstorm Crashes Windstorm Crashes Windstorm Crashes Windstorm Crashes Windstorm Crashes Illinois Windstorm Crashes Illinois Windstorm Crashes Illinois
CHARLESTON  The Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees will hold a special virtual meeting Thursday, May 4, to vote on the proposed contract with the faculty and academic support union.

In a press release, the university reported that the meeting will occur at 9 a.m. over Zoom and contain only one action item  a vote to approve a successor agreement for the University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 at Eastern. The agenda and link to the virtual meeting are available at eiu.edu/trustees/documents.php.

Thursday's special meeting was scheduled after the union's membership voted on April 25 to accept the tentative contract agreement from university administration following a recent strike. The union has said 92% of its membership voted in favor of the contract.

The union suspended its strike at 8 a.m. April 14 after receiving what the administration described as its "last, best and final" contract offer earlier that week.

When the union delivered its intent to strike to President David Glassman in March, union President Jennifer Stringfellow has said they "made the decision to do whatever it took to stand up for our profession and to improve learning conditions for our students. Because of our resolve and solidarity, we did just that.

On April 6, the union went on strike after a year of bargaining and mediation with EIUs administration failed to produce a new contract to replace the one that expired in September.

Faculty and staff will reportedly receive an overall raise of 15% over the four years of the tentative contract, retroactive to September. The union represents 450 faculty, lab coordinators, advisers, recruiters, and counselors.

Glassman has reported that the university's "final" offer will 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.

The proposal contract also includes parental leave for new parents, including adoptive parents, which was previously not offered to university employees.

Close Eastern Illinois University studio art master's students Lilly Lee of Toledo and Peyton Morrow of Mattoon stand on the "Art 13" exhibit floor Monday morning in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon train depot. The exhibit features the work of Lee, Morrow and 11 of their classmates in the studio art program. Lake Land College President Josh Bullock, at left, and Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman sign an agreement on Thursday to help students who have paused their education complete degrees. EIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay Gatrell, who will become the university's next president this summer after Glassman's retirement, sits to the right watching the signing in the Foundation and Alumni Center at Lake Land's campus in Mattoon. English professor Jeannie Ludlow greets her students at the start of a Spanish literature class Friday afternoon in Coleman Hall as Eastern Illinois University's classes resumed after the faculty and academic support professionals union suspended its strike that morning. Economic professor Teshome Abebe, at left, elementary education major Joshua Doty, and mathematics and computer science professor Bogdan Petrenko get pizza as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals, along with student supporters, shared a meal Wednesday afternoon at Morton Park in Charleston. Teaching, learning and foundations instructor Denise Reid serves as a pivot point in the picket line as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic supporter professionals, along with student supporters, march Wednesday afternoon in front of EIU's Old Main in Charleston. Union members hold signs of support for striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals on Thursday in Charleston. Rocco, 14, is bundled up by his owner, Eastern Illinois University student Bella Manrique of Champaign, during the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department's Easter egg hunt for dogs Saturday morning at Morton Park. Eastern's chapter of University Professionals of Illinois (UPI), also held informational informational pickets Thursday morning and late afternoon in front of Old Main and its administrative offices. Eastern Illinois University professor of Spanish Carlos Amaya, left, prepares to cast a ballot Wednesday in Booth Library in the EIU University Professionals of Illinois' strike authorization vote. Eastern Illinois University beach volleyball player Emily Wilcox of Fort Wayne, Indiana, leaps for the ball alongside Panther teammate Ella Collins of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, during a match with Missouri Baptist on Monday afternoon at Sister City Park in Charleston. Eastern Illinois University students D'Ajanae Jackson, at left, Aryanna Southworth and Danielle Frank make a knotted fleece blanket during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Fall 2022 Eastern Illinois University graduate Benjamin Ellison of Pekin tries on his graduation gown with the help of Herff Jones employee Mark Krevin in the Student Recreation Center before the commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday in adjacent Lantz Arena. Eastern Illinois University graduate student Victoria Tegge is shown Friday night looking over stacks of knotted fleece blankets that student volunteers assembled in preparation for the annual One Stop Community Christmas on Saturday in Lake Land College's West Building in Mattoon. Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman, at left, and Lake Land College President Josh Bullock speak during the Community Update Breakfast held by the Charleston and Mattoon Chambers of Commerce on Friday at the Unique Suites Hotel in Charleston. The Eastern Illinois University College of Education covered its float Saturday morning with 1990s and 2000s pop culture imagery to go with the "Bring the Beat Back" theme of EIU's 2022 homecoming. Elise Warner and Taylor Sprenkle, freshmen at Eastern Illinois University, read stories about individuals who lost their lives to suicide. The stories came from loved ones who wanted to share information about those who died and were attached to bookbags spread around the Library Quad at EIU. Warner said the display was very impactful. The display, titled Send Silence Packing, was creating by the organization Active Minds and sponsored by Aetna and the State of Illinois Central Management Services. Grand-daughter of Zella Powell, Carla Wright, and Stephanie Wright-Griggs speak on Friday during a dedication and ribbon-cutting of Powell-Norton Hall on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. In this file photo, Eastern Illinois University student photographer Jessica Nantes takes a photo of Ceci Brinker, the university's director of student life. "EIU" letters and props were set up for students to mark their first day of the semester with a photo. Eastern Illinois University, 2022-2023 Eastern Illinois University's 2022-2023 academic year included the announcement of the next president, a faculty and academic support staff strike, a new partnership with Lake Land College, and more. Eastern Illinois University studio art master's students Lilly Lee of Toledo and Peyton Morrow of Mattoon stand on the "Art 13" exhibit floor Monday morning in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon train depot. The exhibit features the work of Lee, Morrow and 11 of their classmates in the studio art program. Lake Land College President Josh Bullock, at left, and Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman sign an agreement on Thursday to help students who have paused their education complete degrees. EIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay Gatrell, who will become the university's next president this summer after Glassman's retirement, sits to the right watching the signing in the Foundation and Alumni Center at Lake Land's campus in Mattoon. English professor Jeannie Ludlow greets her students at the start of a Spanish literature class Friday afternoon in Coleman Hall as Eastern Illinois University's classes resumed after the faculty and academic support professionals union suspended its strike that morning. Economic professor Teshome Abebe, at left, elementary education major Joshua Doty, and mathematics and computer science professor Bogdan Petrenko get pizza as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals, along with student supporters, shared a meal Wednesday afternoon at Morton Park in Charleston. Teaching, learning and foundations instructor Denise Reid serves as a pivot point in the picket line as striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic supporter professionals, along with student supporters, march Wednesday afternoon in front of EIU's Old Main in Charleston. Union members hold signs of support for striking Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support professionals on Thursday in Charleston. Rocco, 14, is bundled up by his owner, Eastern Illinois University student Bella Manrique of Champaign, during the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department's Easter egg hunt for dogs Saturday morning at Morton Park. Eastern's chapter of University Professionals of Illinois (UPI), also held informational informational pickets Thursday morning and late afternoon in front of Old Main and its administrative offices. Eastern Illinois University professor of Spanish Carlos Amaya, left, prepares to cast a ballot Wednesday in Booth Library in the EIU University Professionals of Illinois' strike authorization vote. Eastern Illinois University beach volleyball player Emily Wilcox of Fort Wayne, Indiana, leaps for the ball alongside Panther teammate Ella Collins of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, during a match with Missouri Baptist on Monday afternoon at Sister City Park in Charleston. Eastern Illinois University students D'Ajanae Jackson, at left, Aryanna Southworth and Danielle Frank make a knotted fleece blanket during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Fall 2022 Eastern Illinois University graduate Benjamin Ellison of Pekin tries on his graduation gown with the help of Herff Jones employee Mark Krevin in the Student Recreation Center before the commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday in adjacent Lantz Arena. Eastern Illinois University graduate student Victoria Tegge is shown Friday night looking over stacks of knotted fleece blankets that student volunteers assembled in preparation for the annual One Stop Community Christmas on Saturday in Lake Land College's West Building in Mattoon. Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman, at left, and Lake Land College President Josh Bullock speak during the Community Update Breakfast held by the Charleston and Mattoon Chambers of Commerce on Friday at the Unique Suites Hotel in Charleston. The Eastern Illinois University College of Education covered its float Saturday morning with 1990s and 2000s pop culture imagery to go with the "Bring the Beat Back" theme of EIU's 2022 homecoming. Elise Warner and Taylor Sprenkle, freshmen at Eastern Illinois University, read stories about individuals who lost their lives to suicide. The stories came from loved ones who wanted to share information about those who died and were attached to bookbags spread around the Library Quad at EIU. Warner said the display was very impactful. The display, titled Send Silence Packing, was creating by the organization Active Minds and sponsored by Aetna and the State of Illinois Central Management Services. Grand-daughter of Zella Powell, Carla Wright, and Stephanie Wright-Griggs speak on Friday during a dedication and ribbon-cutting of Powell-Norton Hall on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. In this file photo, Eastern Illinois University student photographer Jessica Nantes takes a photo of Ceci Brinker, the university's director of student life. "EIU" letters and props were set up for students to mark their first day of the semester with a photo.
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Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

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BRISTOL, Va.  City School Board members finalized their primary qualifications for the divisions next superintendent on Monday so ads for the position can begin appearing this week.

Board members spent more than 20 minutes during Mondays monthly meeting debating whether certain aspects should be required or preferred before finalizing a list of 11 deemed the most important.

Board members are working to replace current Superintendent Keith Perrigan who will take over at Washington County, Virginia, schools in July after six years at the helm in Bristol.

The board unanimously agreed the successful candidate must meet three requirements: live in Virginia, have teaching experience and they must be included on the list of eligible superintendents approved by the Virginia Department of Education  a status that candidates must apply for and be certified.

The board prefers the successful candidate live in the city of Bristol, Virginia, once hired, possess a doctorate degree and have experience as a building level administrator.

We would like for them to demonstrate an expertise in curriculum and instruction, demonstrate experience in budgeting and finance, demonstrate a consistent presence in the schools, school activities and the community, to be advocates for the schools and communicate effectively on behalf of the school division, Board Chair Randy Alvis said after the meeting.

The agenda included a public hearing where members of the community could suggest their priorities for the next superintendent but no one showed up to speak.

The board did issue an online survey last month which received more than 150 responses.

Vice Chair Breanne Forbes Hubbard thanked the community for calls, notes and other communication.

We really truly did read everything, we considered everything and we are thankful for all that, she said.

Alvis said much of the information gleaned from the survey responses will translate to the next phase.

Well take that survey and dissect that data and develop some really good interview questions from that, Alvis said.

The Virginia School Boards Association is overseeing the search process for the city. Once it receives the qualifications, the listing will go live and they will begin accepting applications.

Last month the board and established a basic timeline of accepting applications during the first four weeks of May. They plan meet again with VSBA representatives on June 5 to refine the search process then begin narrowing the field. Interviews with top prospects are expected to be scheduled in June.

That next meeting with VSBA will not be open to the public or news media, nor will the interviews.

They need to know for the job posting. If you say required and they dont have that, then theyre not a candidate. You can eliminate yourself. The preferred gives folks a good idea of what we want in our superintendent.

Asked if one of those criteria stood out, Alvis initially said its a combination of them all but one may matter more.

Weve had good superintendents since Ive been here. For the most part theyve been loved by the community and theyve been advocates across the Commonwealth, Alvis said. I guess, if there is one thing, the criteria of an advocate. As a board we want Bristol to be relevant across the Commonwealth and to do that youre going to have to be active in Richmond.
Mansa Musa inherited the throne of the Mali Empire between 1307 and 1312 (Mansa means "sultan" or "emperor" in the Mandinka language) and cemented the empire's position at the center of a vast medieval trade network that connected Asia, the Middle East and Europe via Africa by annexing 24 cities. A percentage of all the gold mined in the empire was sent as tribute to the king. Some sources say it was as much as 1 to 1.

An elaborate 14th-century map called the Catalan Atlas features a prominent illustration of Mansa Musa seated on a plush throne, crowned in gold, holding a scepter in one hand and a large golden orb in the other.

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" " This detail from the Catalan Atlas Sheet 6 shows Mansa Musa crowned in gold, holding a scepter in one hand and a large golden orb in the other. Bibliotheque nationale de France/Wikimedia Commons

"This Moorish ruler is named Musse Melly [Mansa Musa], lord of the negroes of Guinea," reads the map's description. "This king is the richest and most distinguished ruler of this whole region on account of the great quantity of gold that is found in his lands."

The 14th-century Arab historian Al-'Umari provides a secondhand account of Mansa Musa's opulent throne room, supposedly dripping in gold.

"[The king of Mali] has with him his arms, which are all of gold  sword, javelin, quiver, bow and arrows," wrote Al-'Umari, who then described the members of the Malian royal court. "Their brave cavaliers wear golden bracelets. Those whose knightly valor is greater wear gold necklets also. If it is greater still they add gold anklets."

Historians warn that we should take these ancient accounts with a grain of salt, since they are often biased and almost certainly exaggerated, but they also carry elements of truth.

Kathleen Bickford Berzock is the associate director of curatorial affairs at Northwestern University's Block Museum, where she curated a stunning exhibit about the trans-Saharan trade network that made Mansa Musa so fabulously rich. She says that the "broad strokes" of the stories surrounding Mansa Musa are factual even if the details were embellished over time.

"Certainly Mansa Musa and other rulers from these West African kingdoms had access to huge amounts of wealth, and the gold itself was considered the purest, most valuable gold of its day," says Berzock. "Whether he was the richest man in the history of the world, I don't know."
Some $150 billion in nonmilitary U.S. aid flowed into Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020, plus billions more from its allies and international organizations.

For those two decades, Afghanistan's economic development aid largely funded education, health care, governance reforms and infrastructure  including schools, hospitals, roads, dams and other major construction projects.

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One notable result in terms of education was that far more students were enrolled in school. The number of students jumped from 900,000 in 2001 to more than 9.5 million in 2020. Foreign aid helped build about 20,000 elementary schools, and the number of universities grew sharply as well. The number of Afghans enrolled in higher education programs soared from 7,000 in 2001 to about 200,000 in 2019. There were no female college students in 2001, but there were 54,861 in 2019.

The share of girls among all students reached 39 percent in 2020, versus only an estimated 5,000 in 2001.

Likewise, aid increased access to health care for most of the population. Life expectancy rose over the two decades by about a decade, to 64.8 years in 2019, according to the World Bank.

Afghanistan also made progress in terms of governance reform, with the adoption of a new constitution in 2004 that established a framework for liberal democratic governance and protecting human rights. It held four presidential and provincial council elections and three parliamentary elections.

The country also adopted hundreds of new laws and regulations regarding education, health, insurance, budgeting, mining, women rights and land titling.

International aid helped construct and pave thousands of miles of roads and streets, either rehabilitated or built from scratch.

Other infrastructure projects included hydroelectric dams and solar power plants to generate electricity, bridges and irrigation and drinking water projects.
The Vatican is participating in a peace mission to Ukraine in order to put an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Pope Francis said in an interview on Sunday evening on the papal plane en route to Rome after his three-day visit to Hungary.

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I am ready to do whatever is necessary. There is a mission underway, but it is not yet public. When it is, I will reveal it, the Catholic bishop said, without giving further details about those efforts. I believe that peace can only be made by opening the channels. Peace can never be achieved through isolation, said the Pope.

Pope Francis gave an interview on the plane to Rome after his three-day visit to HungaryPHOTO: BALAZS LADOCZKI  ORIGO

Everyone was interested in the path to peace

As he saidHE DISCUSSED THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE WITH PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBANand Metropolitan Hilarion, Governor of the Diocese of Budapest-Hungary of the Russian Orthodox Church. At the meetings, we didnt just talk about Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. We discussed all these things. Everyone was interested in the road to peace, emphasized Pope Francis.

Since the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine last February, the head of the Catholic Church has been urging peace on an almost weekly basis, and has repeatedly expressed his willingness to act as a mediator between Kiev and Moscow.

On Thursday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denisz Smihal discussed peace efforts, the humanitarian situation, and the churches of Ukraine with Pope Francis in the Vatican. Smihal also invited the head of the Catholic Church to visit the Ukrainian capital. The 86-year-old Pope Francis has already spoken about that

AS PART OF A PEACE MISSION, HE WOULD VISIT KIEV, BUT ALSO MOSCOW.

In the interview, Pope Francis also spoke about his health in connection with his hospitalization at the end of March, when he needed medical care for bronchitis.

Pope Francis also held a face-to-face meeting with Viktor Orban

SOURCE: MTI/MINISTERS PRESS OFFICE/MINISTERS PRESS OFFICE/BENKO VIVIEN CHER

I didnt lose consciousness, but I had a high fever and at three in the afternoon the doctor took me straight to the hospital, Pope Francis explained what happened on March 29. It was severe and acute pneumonia in the lower part of the lungs. Thank God, I can report this. My body took the treatment well, thank God, added Pope Francis, who contracted pneumonia at the age of twenty-one, and his life could only be saved by removing half of his lung.

He emphasized that for the time being there are no changes regarding his planned trips to Portugal, France and Mongolia. On the way back to Rome, Pope Francis thanked the members of the press entourage, thanking the journalists for their work,HE SAID ABOUT HIS VISIT TO HUNGARY THAT THREE WERE INTENSIVE BUT GOOD DAYS.

We need peace, a world full of cradles and not graves

As we reported earlier, Pope Francis also urged peace in his speech during his three-day visit to Hungary. In his speech on the day of his arrival in the Carmelite monastery, he said:IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IN, WE HAVE TO WATCH UNTIL THE END, AS THE DREAM OF PEACE IS SADLY SACRIFICED TO THE SINGING CHOIR, WHILE THE SOLOISTS OF WAR MAKE THEIR WAY. Peace will never come from pursuing strategic interests, but from a policy that can keep everyones interests in mind, paying attention to the people, the poor and the future, he declared. Quoting the words of Robert Schuman, one of the founders of the European Union, he pointed out: world peace can only be preserved if we make creative efforts commensurate with the threats that threaten it. In the historical period of our time, countless dangers lurk, but where are the creative efforts for peace?  asked the head of the church, referring to Ukraine.

He also went on to say that Europe, which includes twenty-seven nations, needs harmony, a whole that does not crush the parts, and parts that fit well into the whole. In this regard, he called the wordings of the Hungarian Basic Law indicative: We confess that individual freedom can only unfold in cooperation with others, and: We believe that our national culture is a rich contribution to the diversity of European unity, he quoted.

IM THINKING OF A EUROPE  HE CONTINUED  WHICH DOESNT BECOME HOSTAGE TO ITS PARTS AND A VICTIM OF SELF-REFERENT POPULISM, BUT IT DOESNT BECOME A DRIPPING LIQUID, EVEN GASEOUS THING, A REPRESENTATIVE OF A KIND OF ABSTRACT SUPRANATIONALISM, WHICH DOES NOT TAKE KNOWLEDGE OF ABOUT PEKS LIFE

.This is the vile path of ideological colonialism, which erases differences, such as the so-called gender culture, or puts narrow concepts of freedom before the reality of life, boasting, for example, the right to abortion as an achievement.

Holy Mass of Pope Francis at Lajos Kossuth Square, April 30, 2023, BudapestPHOTO: ATTILA POLYAK  ORIGO

Instead, a person- and people-centered Europe is needed, where an effective birth and family policy works, he said, praising Hungarys carefully cultivated family policy.

At his Sunday mass on Kossuth Lajos Square, the Pope asked you to keep your doors open! At the end of the ceremony, the head of the Catholic Church asked world leaders to build peace, pleading for a future full of cradles and not graves. He put it like this:

Lets be open to each other and inclusive in order to help Hungary grow on the path of brotherhood and peace!

He added: we need peace, a future full of cradles and not graves.

This is what Pope Francis thinks about the Hungarians

When asked in an interview on Sunday evening, Pope Francis recalled that he first came into contact with Hungarians in the 1960s, when he continued his studies in Chile, where he met, among other things, Hungarian Jesuits who had been expelled from their country, as well as Hungarian nuns who ran a school not far from Buenos Aires, where Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as a special chaplain, visited twice a month. He also mentioned the association of Hungarian secular believers that operated in the Argentine capital. He added that he memorized two Hungarian words, gulyas and tokaji, but he does not forget how much he was touched by the pain of the Hungarians who were forced to flee and wanted to return home.

He mentioned the nuns of Maria Ward, known as the founders of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the story he had heard that they wanted to convince Cardinal Mindszenty to go to Rome. Pope Francis stated that he was informed of the enthusiasm-filled mood of 1956, which lasted for a short time, and of the disappointment that followed.

He said that his image of Hungarians had not changed, and that the recent visit had further enriched it. He noted that the Hungarians he knew, even the simpler people, were highly educated. He added that Hungarians speak a foreign language because they do not speak Hungarian outside of Hungary, except in heaven, since it takes an eternity to learn the Hungarian language.

My opinion of the Hungarians has not changed, I experienced the same style that I knew before, he declared.
The Queensland Governments acknowledgement for the need to produce a pipeline of digital talent to support the ICT industrys growth and the broader Queensland economy has been commended by the AIIA in response to the Governments release of its digital economy strategy.

While saying it is encouraged by the Governmentt acknowledgement, the Australian Information Industry Association says multiple avenues are needed to achieve the digital talent goals, including upskilling the existing workforce, supporting career changes, and supporting skilled migration in the sector.

And the AIIA says it is also encouraged by plans to attract under-represented cohorts including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those with disability and those in remote and regional communities.

Recognising the need to improve connectivity for regional communities is important to growing the sector and the technology available for these communities. This can include supporting greater agritech and healthtech for regional communities, while boosting employment opportunities. Digital technologies mean that location should be no barrier to working in the industry., the AIIA says.

The AIIA says it welcomes the Governments Queenslands Digital Economy Strategy, outlining the states plans to support a thriving digital economy and focus on providing customer-centric government services for all Queenslanders.

More than 114,000 people are employed in Queenslands technology workforce, with more than half of these jobs employed in non-digital industries, reflecting the wide reach digital technologies have, the AIIA notes.

The strategy recognises the important role IT plays in the economy and growth opportunities the digital economy offers. Recognising the importance of providing leading digital services for all Queenslanders, the strategy acknowledges the role of government adopting and supporting digital services.

Recognising the need to improve connectivity for regional communities is important to growing the sector and the technology available for these communities. This can include supporting greater agritech and healthtech for regional communities, while boosting employment opportunities. Digital technologies mean that location should be no barrier to working in the industry. 

According to the AIIA, the focus to close the digital divide for Queenslanders, combined with providing digital government services, offers the opportunity to provide readily accessible resources that are quick and efficient for everyone to access, and this is likely to result in reduced costs for government and best practice for service delivery adopted, helping all Queenslanders.

As Queensland builds towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Palaszczuk Government has the opportunity to implement measures that will become a lasting legacy for the ICT sector. As Queensland shows itself to the world, all aspects will be on show, including the states ICT capabilities. This once in a lifetime opportunity presents opportunities to create lasting positive reforms that can support local procurement and capability, the AIIA observes.

AIIA CEO Simon Bush said: It is very pleasing seeing the Queensland Government recognise the importance of the digital economy now and the possibilities it offers for the next decade and beyond. We have seen the uptake of digital services accelerate significantly in recent years and Queensland needs to continue this momentum.

The importance of working to support a strong pipeline of talent to work in the digital economy cannot be overstated. The sector currently faces skills shortages in key areas. The AIIA would like to continue working with the Queensland Government to see upskilling, career transitioning and micro-credential passports to support the workforce. Along with growing the number of students studying IT skills at school and into VET and tertiary tech courses, and developing digital traineeships and apprenticeships, it is clear that many pathways are needed to support skills in the sector.

We encourage the Queensland Government to look at ways it can support local IT providers through its procurement processes. This is a simple strategy that can lead to increased local capabilities and growing the local industry, avoiding the need to look offshore for skills or services. This will deliver many returns to the local economy.

Our digital economy offers incredible opportunities for all states. Those who move first and adopt a strong focus on embracing and implementing digital technologies will reap the benefits for years to come. All Queenslanders stand to benefit from this strategy. The AIIA and its members look forward to working with the Queensland Government to implement and deliver this strategy. 
Insight A centrist, third-party alternative for 2024 is a nice idea --- but a nightmare in practice By Doyle McManus Los Angeles Times/(TNS) Published May 2, 2023 Embed from Getty Images



WASHINGTON  Now that the presidential campaign is underway, that low moan you hear is the sound of voters contemplating their likely fate: a choice between two elderly retreads, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Last week's NBC News poll confirmed a consensus: Hardly anyone is yearning for this rematch. A whopping 70% of Americans don't want Biden to run, including 51% of Democrats. Almost as many, 60%, don't want Trump to run, including about a third of Republicans. But Americans are inventive. Can't some political entrepreneur find a way out of this dilemma? Enter the Washington-based group No Labels, which has done admirable work promoting bipartisan cooperation in Congress. Its leaders say they've been mortally disappointed by Biden and Trump, and they're determined to offer a third-party alternative. In 2016, Trump pledged "to be a break from the stale version of conservatism that had previously dominated the GOP," the group's founder, former Democratic fundraiser Nancy Jacobson, wrote last year. Likewise, in 2020, Biden vowed "to steer Democrats away from their activist base toward unity." Yet "both presidents ended up caving largely to their supporters on the various extremes," she said. Jacobson's big idea is to put a new party on the ballot and nominate a bipartisan ticket chosen from the center, such as Sen. Joe Manchin III, a West Virginia Democrat, and former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Maryland Republican  both of whom have talked with No Labels and haven't ruled out running. Jacobson, who once worked for Bill Clinton and Al Gore, says she hopes to raise $70 million and get a ticket on the ballot in all 50 states. No Labels has already qualified as a party in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and Alaska. In a three-way race, she noted, a candidate doesn't need a majority to win a state's electoral votes. "All you need is 34%," she said. "This is a unique American moment," she told me last week. "Can you imagine a Democrat and a Republican walking arm-in-arm down Pennsylvania Avenue?" It's an appealing picture, even if the strolling heroes are the not-quite-charismatic Manchin and Hogan. What could go wrong? Plenty, worried Democrats warn.

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For one thing, history strongly suggests that a third party can't win  as in, it's never happened. The closest anyone has ever come was Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, with 27%. The unintended result: He split the Republican vote and delivered the White House to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. More recently, Ross Perot managed to win 19% in 1992. Nobody else has come close. The lesson: 34% is harder than it looks.

That means a third-party ticket would almost surely be a spoiler, taking just enough votes from one of the two major-party candidates to tip the outcome. That's arguably what happened in 2000, when Gore lost the decisive state of Florida to George W. Bush by 537 votes. (Ralph Nader was a third-party candidate.) And in 2016, when Hillary Clinton lost Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania to Trump by less than 1%. (Green Party candidate Jill Stein was the wild card then.)

The 2024 presidential election promises to be close; head-to-head polls show Biden and Trump evenly matched. Early polls aren't predictive, of course, but five of the last six presidential elections have been won by margins of less than 5%. There's no reason to expect this one will be different.

Democrats worry that Biden voters will be less committed and more likely to drift toward a third party than Trump's supporters.

That's reflected in the NBC poll: Almost 70% of Republican voters said they were determined to vote for Trump, no matterhow many indictments he's facing.

"A third party would probably take more votes from Biden than Trump," said William A. Galston, a former Clinton aide who worked with No Labels for a decade but has split from the group over its presidential project.

Many Republicans agree, although they've been less vocal about it. A third-party candidate like Manchin would "be most likely to help Trump," Rich Lowry, editor of the conservative National Review, wrote recently.

The biggest problem with Jacobson's vision is more basic: The choice between Biden and Trump isn't just a coin flip between alternative policies. Trump has publicly proposed the "termination" of parts of the Constitution that get in his way. Biden, whatever his flaws, is committed to preserving our basic institutions.

"There is no equivalence between President Biden and a former president who threatens the survival of our constitutional order," Galston said. "The risks of a second Trump presidency are simply too high to take chances."

Jacobson says No Labels is alert to those dangers and won't nominate a candidate unless there's a clear path toward a win.

"We are committed that we will not have this experiment spoil" the election, she said. "If it looks like it's going to spoil  there are offramps." Meaning No Labels could withdraw from the race.

"This is an insurance policy," she added. "What happens if something happens to Biden?"

But offramps don't always stay open. Once a party is on the ballot, it may not be easy to take it off.

A centrist third-party ticket may sound appealing in theory. In practice, it looks less like an insurance policy and more like a landmine.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Previously:

 04/25/23: Trump seems to have a firm grip on GOP polls --- but his rivals think they can do better

 04/04/23: Ukraine is counting on its spring offensive against Russia. Biden has a stake in it too

 03/22/23: Silicon Valley Bank's collapse may be a blessing in disguise

 03/07/23: DeSantis wants to displace Trump as the GOP's 2024 nominee. But he has hurdles to overcome

 02/21/23: Biden's 2024 presidential campaign harks back to past Dem triumphs

 02/14/23: Chinese balloon is gone, but it's still making US-China relations harder to manage

 01/24/23: Biden said the pandemic is over. But, aw shucks!, the pandemic just won't cooperate

 01/17/23: The war in Ukraine could become a long, frozen conflict. Are we ready for that?

 01/10/23: The real winner from the House fight?

 12/28/22: Why Trump will never go to jail over Jan. 6

 12/20/22: Democracy around the world is looking a little healthier, at least next to the alternative

 12/13/22: Biden's policy makes Ukraine fight by rules Russia doesn't follow

 12/09/22: Iran protests have shoved the nuclear issue off center stage. It will be back

 09/20/22: Biden sent the wrong message on COVID. He can still fix it

 09/20/22: Putin's brutality in Ukraine can get worse. Get ready for a chilly winter

 09/13/22: China's economy is slowing, its population aging. That could make it dangerous

 06/28/22: To deter China on Taiwan, Biden needs to reassure

 05/24/22: India has become a US partner in countering China --- a limited partner, that is

 05/11/22: Slow Joe's premature self-congratulation won't help the US in Ukraine

 05/03/22: Can the US deter Putin from using his arsenal of battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine?

 04/08/22:Biden's budget is big. Dems will vote to make it bigger

 03/22/22: Ukraine's resistance offers a useful lesson to Taiwan

 03/15/22: China wanted to appear neutral between Russia and Ukraine. It isn't

 02/22/21: Who needs an invasion? Putin's offensive against Ukraine has been underway for a long time

 02/09/21: If Putin wants an exit from the Ukraine crisis, the offramps are open

 11/30/21: Biden wants to focus on China. Putin has another idea

 11/23/21: Our oldest president just turned 79. He might have something to learn from the second-oldest

 11/16/21: Can Biden and Xi talk their way out of a slide into conflict?

 10/13/21: Congress has a chance to take bipartisan action on Facebook. Don't let it slip away

 09/24/21: Can Dems win on crime issues with murders rising? Biden thinks so

 06/29/21: Can Dems win on crime issues with murders rising? Biden thinks so

 04/20/21:Afghanistan's war -- and America's stakes in it -- won't end when the troops leave

 03/31/21: Here's why our new cold war with China could be a good thing

 02/25/21: Sen. Joe Manchin drives Dems crazy. Here's why they need more senators like him

 08/11/20: Goodbye to traditional political conventions --- and good riddance



 05/19/20: We won't end COVID-19 with 'test and trace'

 04/07/20: Joe Biden is stuck in his basement. It just might help him win

 03/10/20: Where did Bernie's revolution go wrong?

 03/05/20: Dems give Trump good reason to smile

 02/18/20: Who will be the Un-Bernie?

 02/11/20: Buttigieg wants to be the Goldilocks candidate. It just might work

 01/21/20: The world according to Bernie

 09/04/19: Trump's draft deal with the Taliban looks ugly, but it may be the best we can get

 04/22/19: Something is missing from media-fawning Buttigieg campaign --- his stance on major issues

 03/14/19: Biden, If He Runs, Will Face A Cruel Irony

Doyle McManus

Los Angeles Times

(TNS)

Doyle McManus is an American journalist, columnist, who appears often on Public Broadcasting Service's Washington Week.
100 years ago,

May 2, 1923

NEWTON  Sheriff Ky Jones, assisted by Grover McClane and Dallas Woodard, loaded a motor truck at the south courthouse door on Monday forenoon with a distilling outfit discovered at the home of Elmer Smith in the Grandville-Hunt City Township line vicinity last fall, and by order of the court poured the liquor out and destroyed the vessels and machinery that had been taken from his possession. The location of the destruction was at the dump near the Faller mill at the Embarras river. The material destroyed included a 50 gallon still, four five gallon jugs of mash, two five gallon cans of mal, five quarts of wine, one pint of "white mule," and a six burner heater ... PARIS  The mystery of the death of Charles Dalrymple of Terre Haute, brother of Mrs. Howard Piper of Paris, was cleared up today when Charles Johnson, 17 years old, formerly of Chrisman, confessed to pushing Dalrymple off the trestle at Hopkinsville, Ky., several weeks ago, and that after his death he robbed him of $125.

50 years ago, 1973

MATTOON  Mayor Roger Dettro received some cheering news Tuesday night during the Mattoon City Council meeting from Charles West of 1609 Piatt, a long-time watchdog of the council. West, who has closely scrutinized the activities of Mattoon's city councils for many years, told the mayor: "You have got three lawyers on the council this time. If you can't run it right this time, you should leave town." West was referring to the fact that newly elected commissioners James Bennett and Richard Kiger are both lawyers. The third lawyer West was referring to is City Atty. Joseph Spitz. During the council caucus, which is regularly held before the regular council meeting, Dettro said he believed the new council should discuss controversial issues during the regular meeting, not in caucus ... MATTOON  Roy G. "Sparky" Sparks, 47, of 2801 Marshall was named Mattoon fire chief Tuesday night by the city council. Sparks replaces Lawrence Metzelaars, who has been working for the state as an arson investigator since Jan. 1. Sparks, a 25-year veteran of the department, will earn $9,840 a year as fire chief. He moved up from the position of assistant fire chief, which pays $9,000 a year.

25 years ago, 1998

CHARLESTON  A Charleston man, who just four years ago started to learn to read, was presented in Chicago with a Spotlight on Achievement award for his literacy accomplishments. Richard Farris, 59, was chosen as one of the ten award winners in Illinois. The award is sponsored by the secretary of state's office, Metropolitan Band Group and the Illinois Literacy Foundation. Farris said the reason he had not learned to read was that he dropped out of school when he was 15 years old. Farris, who is from a family of 14, said he had to go to work to support his brothers and sisters. People throughout Farris's adult life tried to get him to learn to read, but he said he would not listen. Farris said a friend told him about an adult literacy program called Project PAL (Partnership in Adult Literacy). Farris credits his teacher, Marilyn Wuersch of Charleston, with helping and encouraging him. He now enjoys reading, especially the Bible, and likes to write poems ... CHARLESTON  Local businesses may benefit if a proposed bus service for EIU students becomes a reality. In student elections last week, there was overwhelming support for the idea of a bus service to connect the campus to the square and other key retail areas. The proposed route would run from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., starting at Carman Hall on the south side of the campus, going down Seventh Street, to the square, over to Sixth Street, to Walker's Super Saver Foods, Wal-Mart and then back to campus. Many students have also expressed an interest in a weekend service that would go to Mattoon locations such as the Showplace 8 movie theater, Student Body President Kim Harris said.

20 big artists who played at Eastern Illinois University  The 5th Dimension Kool and the Gang Bachman Turner Overdrive The Carpenters Creedence Clearwater Revisited Ciara Counting Crows Goo Goo Dolls Howie Day Commodores Cheap Trick James Brown REO Speedwagon Ted Nugent Kansas Aerosmith James Taylor Sly and the Family Stone Foreigner Styx
CHARLESTON  The Booth Collaborative Advisory Committee at Eastern Illinois University recently honored a student from Mattoon as a winner of the 2023 Award for Excellence in Student Research and Creativity.

Taylor Spidle, a senior majoring in biological sciences, won second place for In Vitro Characterization of Fluorogenic Chemical Tools to Study Human Carboxylesterases (CESs). Spidle is the child of Tim and Marlo Spidle of Mattoon and is a 2019 graduate of Mattoon High School.

The Booth Library Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creativity program promotes and recognizes excellence in student research. The program encourages students to enhance their studies by utilizing the wealth of information available at Booth Library and other research venues.

All entries were original works completed by Eastern students within the last 12 months. The award recipients were selected on the basis of excellence, creativity and the use of research resources.
Avgol Americas Inc. confirmed Tuesday plans to create 52 jobs and spend $100 million in capital investments as part of adding production lines to its Mocksville operations.

The company said the lines involve a sixth multibeam spun-laid production line and a laminate finishing line, both designed to meet the growing domestic demand for its ultra-lightweight nonwoven fabrics.

The additional production lines represent the fifth expansion at Avgols flagship facility since it purchased the plant from Unifi Inc. in 2001.

The company plans to break ground on 63,000 square feet of additional manufacturing and ancillary space in May and to be machine-ready by late November/early December. The high-tech machinery is projected to be fully operational in November 2024.

According to the company and Davie County Economic Development Commission, the Mocksville plant becomes with the expansion the worlds largest single producer of non-woven fabric.

The addition of this new line enables us to have even greater production capacity, delivering component materials that are Made in America and offering more sustainable options for the growing North America market and around the world, Sivan Yedidsion, Avgol acting chief executive, said in a statement.

This new line also enables the Mocksville facility to deliver additional melt-blown nonwovens, ensuring we have extra capacity to meet market demand.

The jobs would have an average annual wage of $55,647. They are pledged to be created by Dec. 31, 2024.

The expansion would bolster Avgols overall Mocksville workforce to at least 312 at its 178 Avgol Drive campus. The company has been made eligible for up to $1.1 million in performance-based incentives from the county and $416,788 from Mocksville.

In February, Mocksville was provided with a $400,000 state rural infrastructure grant toward expansion of a building occupied by Avgol. The company plans to add 18,000 square feet through the grant funding.

Melt-blown nonwovens are made by extruding a thermoplastic resin through small nozzles surrounded by high-speed blowing gas. The randomly deposited fibers form a nonwoven sheet ideal for absorption and filtration, among other applications.

Serving the growing baby diaper, adult incontinence, and feminine hygiene markets along with satisfying sustained demand for melt-blown filtration and medical materials, this investment enables Avgol to deliver an improved degree of service across the entire domestic region while consolidating and strengthening our existing position, Yedidsion said.

Another aspect of the investment includes adding cutting-edge lamination capabilities, which enables Avgol to offer enhanced-performance products into the existing markets the company serves and explore new opportunities in other markets.

Delivery of the equipment from Italy is expected early next month, and the line should be operational by early fall. Mocksville will become the first Avgol plant with lamination capability.
A Winston-Salem man was sentenced to prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to an assault charge connected to the man beating the manager of Brothers Pizzeria at 214 W. Fourth St., authorities said.

Judge Richard E. Gottlieb of Forsyth Superior Court sentenced Brandon Juwan Sessoms, 25, to serve one year and 10 months to three years and 10 months in prison, the Forsyth County District Attorneys Office said.

Sessoms pleaded guilty to assault inflicting serious bodily injury for the injuries he inflicted on Michael Scotto Di Frega, the district attorneys office said.

Scotto di Frega was working as the manager of Brothers Pizzeria about 2:30 a.m. Dec. 5, 2021 when a fight broke out between customers in the pizzeria, the district attorneys office said. Scotto di Frega tried to stop the fight.

When he approached the group, Sessoms approached Scott di Frega from behind and punched Scotto di Frega on the side of his head, knocking him into a booth against the wall, the district attorneys office said.

As Scotto di Frega fell down onto the bench inside the booth, Sessoms then threw another punch, striking Scotto di Frega in the head, the district attorneys office said. While Scotto di Frega was pinned down in the booth, Sessoms kicked at him twice and stomped on him four times.

In addition, a handgun clattered across the floor during the incident, police said.

When Winston-Salem police arrived at Brothers Pizzeria, Scotto di Frega was in and out of consciousness, the district attorneys office said.

Scotto di Frega suffered injuries to his face and head as well as a concussion. Emergency medical technicians treated Scotto di Frega who was later taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for further treatment, police said at the time.

Scotto di Frega was diagnosed with an acute concussion, and he felt its effects for several months, the district attorneys office said.

Officers watched surveillance footage of the incident, and they identified Sessoms as the suspect, the district attorneys office said.

Sessoms also pleaded to two counts of carrying a concealed gun, possession of a stolen firearm, possessing a gun with an altered serial number and several drug offenses, the district attorneys office said.
WINNEBAGO -- With a five-year court battle decided in its favor, the Winnebago Tribe's economic development leaders hope to grow the market for tobacco products produced on the northeast Nebraska reservation.

A federal judge last week ruled the state of Nebraska cannot collect revenue from tobacco sales on the Winnebago Reservation under a 1998 settlement reached by major cigarette manufacturers and 46 states, including Nebraska. The ruling ends a lawsuit in which tribe-owned cigarette makers had sued over the state's efforts to regulate tribal tobacco sales.

"Now maybe we can go forth like any other company involved in regular capitalism and try to expand our business," said Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the tribe's economic development corporation. "We're just like everybody else  a business trying to move forward."

The ruling also could pave the way for the tribe to work with the state to follow regulations for sale of its cigarettes in markets outside the reservation.

"Ending this controversy is a big step in respecting each other's sovereignty," Morgan said.

HCI Distribution and Rock River Manufacturing, both subsidiaries of Ho-Chunk, sued state officials in April 2018, saying Nebraska's efforts to regulate the tribe's production and sale of tobacco products on its reservation were unconstitutional and an attack on the tribe's sovereignty. Nebraska has no regulatory authority over the tribe's cigarette operations that take place on tribal land, the lawsuit argued.

Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard agreed, saying in his 37-page ruling, " this court will not allow the state to infringe on the Winnebago Tribe's sovereignty by allowing state authority over a lawful tribal business selling goods on its own reservation."

The ruling settled the lawsuit's major issue.

"This ruling protects the Winnebago Tribe's economic and public health interests in regulating its own tobacco sales," said Nicole Ducheneaux, an attorney representing HCI and Rock River.

Gerrard ruled the tribal companies must comply with state regulations for sale of tobacco products outside the reservation's borders.

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office had no comment on the ruling, a spokeswoman said.

The dispute between the tribe and state dates back farther than the lawsuit's 2018 filing.

Since 2014, Ho-Chunk has operated Rock River Manufacturing, a factory that makes its own Fire Dance and Silver Cloud brands of cigarettes in Winnebago. The tribe collects its own tobacco taxes that fund health, education and infrastructure programs.

In March 2014, the Nebraska Department of Revenue issued tax assessments against several reservation-based cigarette retailers, claiming they made sales subject to state cigarette tax laws. That action led to compact negotiations to settle a dispute over whether Nebraska laws apply to HCI and Rock River's manufacture, sale and distribution of cigarettes. Negotiations on the compact broke down in 2016.

Federal agents in January 2018 raided four Ho-Chunk sites in Winnebago and seized records.

HCI and Rock River responded with their lawsuit, saying Nebraska and the 45 other states party to the 1998 settlement of lawsuits against the largest American tobacco manufacturers were being pressured by those "Big Tobacco" manufacturers to expand their jurisdiction onto Native reservations. Tribal manufacturers were not party to the settlement.

Under that settlement agreement, tobacco manufacturers that were not part of the settlement are required by state law to either make settlement payments as the participating manufacturers do or make deposits into an escrow account. Those payments were enacted as a way to keep companies not party to the settlement from underselling the big manufacturers.

Nebraska's attempt to force HCI and Rock River to make those payments for sales on the reservation violated federal law granting tribes sovereignty to regulate their own activities on trial territory, the lawsuit said.

After the federal raid, HCI and Rock River saw a sharp decline in revenue, and Morgan said five or six workers at the tribe's cigarette factory were laid off. Morgan said he hoped with the lawsuit now decided, production and sales can return to pre-raid levels and those jobs can again be filled, providing another source of employment and revenue on the reservation.

A look at the largest Native American tribes in the US today Biggest Native American tribes in the U.S. today #42. Tsimshian (Alaska Native) #41. Cree #40. Yuman #39. Yakama #38. Arapaho #37. Colville #36. Ottawa #35. Menominee #34. Kiowa #33. Ute #32. Houma #31. Crow #30. Shoshone #29. Paiute #28. Cheyenne #27. Puget Sound Salish #26. Osage #25. Aleut (Alaska Native) #24. Delaware #23. Hopi #22. Alaskan Athabascan (Alaska Native) #21. Comanche #20. Tlingit-Haida (Alaska Native) #19. Pima #18. Tohono O'odham #17. Seminole #16. Potawatomi #15. Inupiat (Alaska Native) #14. Yup'ik (Alaska Native) #13. Yaqui #12. Chickasaw #11. Pueblo #10. Lumbee #9. Creek #8. Iroquois #7. Apache #6. Blackfeet #5. Sioux #4. Chippewa #3. Choctaw #2. Navajo #1. Cherokee
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Could ear, nose, and throat issues play a role in autism?

Researchers have long tried to pinpoint a reason that some people have autism or autistic traits.

A new study from the United Kingdom builds upon evidence about one potential factor, finding that young children with ear, nose and throat problems were more commonly diagnosed with autism later.

This isnt to say that all young kids who have ear infections will eventually be diagnosed with autism. It also doesnt mean that all people with autism had these upper respiratory infections as a young child.

But this could be part of a long list of potential reasons, working together in various combinations, according to investigators at the University of Bristol and Aston University in England.

Read more here:

What is meth mouth?

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that has been around for a long time, creating multiple health issues for users.

But there is another downside to this drug: It can ravage the dental health of users.

Meth was first used during World War II by both sides, to increase the focus and energy of soldiers. However, in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, amphetamines were classified as Schedule II drugs, meaning they could only be used for medical reasons, since they have such a high risk of abuse and addiction.

In the past few decades, there has been an explosion in the abuse of this man-made substance.

Read more here:

Drinking and driving in the senior years: a recipe for disaster

Older drivers using alcohol or drugs are much more likely to be at fault in a car crash.

Researchers studying the issue say that calls for sober-driving campaigns aimed at seniors.

"Our research shows just how much aging increases the risk of being at fault for injury or fatality in a drug- or alcohol-related traffic accident," said lead author Dr. Satish Kedia. He's a professor in the division of social and behavioral sciences at the University of Memphis School of Public Health in Tennessee.

His team's analysis of nine years of U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data revealed that substance use in older drivers increased the likelihood of being at fault in a crash by two to four times.

Read more here:

Why people love selfies

Selfie shots might seem shallow but theyre actually serving a deeper psychological purpose, a new study suggests.

So-called "third-person" photos -- shots taken to include the photographer, such as selfies or group shots -- are better at depicting the deeper meaning of an event in a persons life, by showing them actively participating in that moment, according to researchers.

On the other hand, "first-person" photos -- the photographer's eye view of a scene -- best represent the physical experience of an event, the authors explained.

Read more here:

How junk food ads play on your emotions

Those TV ads for juicy burgers may trigger your emotions, making you believe youll be happier if you run out and get one for yourself.

Unfortunately, a similar ad for salad does not appear to have the same emotional impact, according to new research from the University of Michigan.

"Many people think that eating highly processed foods like cheeseburgers and french fries will make them happier, and these beliefs are especially strong in people struggling to control their intake of highly processed foods," said study author Jenna Cummings, a former University of Michigan research fellow.

"Regulating fast-food advertisements and changing beliefs about how highly processed foods affect emotions could help people eat more nutritious foods," she said in a university news release.

Read more here:

Warning signs of oral cancer

Do you know the warning signs of oral cancer?

Some oral cancer symptoms are common and easily identifiable. Other symptoms are surprising, and you might miss them.

First, what is oral cancer?

According to the American Dental Association, the term oral cancer encompasses throat, mouth, tongue and jaw cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be approximately 54,540 new cases of oral or oropharyngeal cancer, with approximately 11,580 deaths, in the United States in 2023. These cancers commonly occur in the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx (the throat area behind the mouth), gums and other areas of the mouth.

Read more here:

Warning Signs of Oral Cancer TUESDAY, April 25, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Do you know the warning signs of oral cancer?

How to relieve a stress headache

You had a rough day at work and got stuck in traffic on the way home, and suddenly your head starts pounding.

Stress headaches can be debilitating in the moment, but you dont have to suffer indefinitely.

If you're struggling with stress, you're not alone. More than one-quarter of adults in the United States reported they're too stressed out to function, according to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association.

Can stress cause headaches? Yes, in fact the most common type of primary headache is a tension headache, also referred to as a muscle tension headache or stress headache, according to Harvard Health.

Read more here:

You're more likely to die from guns in a small town than in a big city

Gun deaths in the United States are more likely in small towns than big cities, and suicides are a big reason why.

Gun suicides are more common than gun homicides, according to a new study. Those suicides have played a large part in the increase in gun deaths over the past few decades.

Our study has found that the divide in total intentional firearm deaths between urban and rural counties is increasing, with rural counties bearing more of the burden. In the 2000s, the two most rural county types had statistically more firearm deaths per capita than any other county type, and by the 2010s, the most urban counties-- cities -- were the safest in terms of intentional firearm death risk."

Read more here:

***

Get more recent health news from HealthDay here:
Welcome back to Late Edition Crime Beat Chronicles, a Lee Enterprises podcast with host Nat Cardona. On this podcast, youll hear true crime stories as told by journalists from regional newspapers across the country.

For the next series of episodes, we will be diving into the 1990 cold case murder of Susan Negersmith in Wildwood, New Jersey. Youll hear from reporters, past and present, who covered the case as it has unfolded throughout the years and the many twists and turns along the way.

Susan Negersmith was a 20 year-old woman from Carmel, New York. She was visiting Wildwood, New Jersey, on Memorial Day Weekend with friends in 1990. She said goodbye to her friends in the evening of Saturday, May 26, and by the early hours of Sunday morning, Susans partially clothed body was found behind a dumpster near a Wildwood restaurant. Her death was originally ruled accidental, although there were signs of a struggle.

An important thing to note about Susan Negersmiths weekend trip with friends to Wildwood: this area is a destination for a debaucherously good time. Tourists flock there in the warm weather months to party hard. Theres a boardwalk packed with restaurants and bars packed with people from all over. Drinking heavily is a main activity. The reputation of the area for all of these things quickly comes into play in the early days of the investigation ... at the expense of solving Susans case in a timely fashion.

And for more on that, we are joined by Bill Barrow, a reporter at the Press of Atlantic City who has largely taken on following the case in recent years following Yvette Craig. Bill talks about how the case evolved in recent years and where the case stands now folling the 2022 arrest of Jerry Rosado, a Millville, New Jersey, man accused of sexually assaulting Negersmith.

However, a motion for dismissal was made on Rosados behalf on the grounds that his sexual assault charge exceeded the statute of limitations governing crimes in 1990, when Negersmiths body was found.

Rosado was released from the Cape May County jail March 30, a day after an appellate panel published their opinion siding with the defense. We'll have more details on that in the fourth episode.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Read more about the case

Past seasons and episodes
A Sarpy County woman's "thank-you" card and donation to Planned Parenthood in response to a 37-year-old man's anti-abortion mailing did not justify a protection order, the Nebraska Court of Appeals said in an opinion Tuesday.

Isaac Koch, who recently moved to Alabama from the Nebraska town of Richland, near Columbus, last year appealed a Colfax County judge's denial of a harassment protection order against the woman, identified in the order as "Susan S.," whom he didn't know.

According to the order, Koch sent an envelope to her address and others containing a pamphlet called "Life in the Womb," which contained a link to a video that compared the Holocaust to "premeditated miscarriage" and described abortion as "murder of children in the womb."

In response, the woman sent him a handwritten thank-you note "for the lovely reminder about misinformation. I have donated to Planned Parenthood in your name."

Koch said the act seriously intimidated him and served no legitimate purpose.

He sought a protection order preventing her from harassing him and his two children, who don't live with him, for a year, and ordering her to "withdraw any donation and provide written proof to [him] within 10 business days."

Koch claimed Planned Parenthood was conducting activities in other states that is illegal in Nebraska and therefore it is illegal to donate to that organization in Nebraska. And he contended her actions were crimes, including conspiracy to commit murder.

When the judge denied his request for a protection order, Koch appealed.

Writing for the panel, Court of Appeals Judge Riko Bishop said: "Even assuming that Susans alleged conduct could be considered by a reasonable victim as seriously terrifying, threatening, or intimidating, Koch did not allege sufficient facts to show that Susan had engaged in a harassing course of conduct as required by statute."

It involved a single letter, not a series of events.

It is the second appeal involving Koch and a protection order that the Court of Appeals has ruled on in less than a year.

In September, they affirmed his plea-based conviction for attempted violation of a domestic abuse protection order where he admittedly tied himself to a chair and covered his mouth with duct tape in an attempt to get the woman who had a protection order against him in trouble.

He was sentenced to 60 days in jail in the case.
One person was hospitalized Monday afternoon after he was shot by Lincoln Police and Nebraska State Patrol investigators in a west Lincoln parking lot, according to authorities.

The shooting occurred at about 2:45 p.m. Monday when three members of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force  a unit made up of plainclothes investigators from the Lincoln Police Department, State Patrol and Lancaster County Sheriff's Office  confronted a white man who had been following them near Northwest 27th and West O streets, Chief Lancaster County Sheriffs Deputy Ben Houchin said.

At least one State Patrol trooper and one Lincoln Police officer shot at the armed man before "immediately" rendering first aid, according to the State Patrol.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews took the man to a local hospital following the shooting, authorities told reporters Monday afternoon.

The man, who has not been identified, was in critical condition Monday afternoon.

No officers were injured in the shooting, which happened in a parking lot just west of Northwest 27th Street along West O Street.

Authorities did not release the identity of the officers involved Monday. Both investigators have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with each agencys policy, according to the State Patrol.

The man who police shot was armed, but it's unclear if he fired toward police, the State Patrol said. Investigators recovered a firearm at the scene.

"Clearly, the officers involved perceived a deadly threat and responded according to that perceived threat," Col. John Bolduc, the head of the State Patrol, told reporters at the scene Monday afternoon.

Houchin indicated the man had been following the investigators in his vehicle in the moments before the shooting. Bolduc said what led up the confrontation was unclear, but indicated the man had been the subject of a narcotics investigation prior to Monday's shooting.

"This is part of a larger effort to combat drug and weapons trafficking in the city," he said. "And this incident resulted from that type of investigation."

In the minutes after the shooting, several police officers  some wearing plainclothes and others armed with long guns  converged on the Super 8 motel a block east of the shooting scene and took one man into custody.

Im as close as police will let the me get to the scene at Northwest 22nd and West O streets in #LNK, where scanner traffic indicates the Nebraska State Patrol was just involved in a shooting. @JournalStarNews pic.twitter.com/qgeL12P1Mp  Andrew Wegley (@andrewwegley) May 1, 2023

Houchin said the man who was shot is believed to have been staying at the Super 8, but his relationship to the second man was unclear.

The second man was not directly involved in the shooting, Houchin said. Police took him to the Lincoln Police headquarters after detaining him.

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, which employs deputies who serve on the same task force as the investigators who shot the man Monday, will conduct an investigation into the shooting.

Bolduc said the appointment of the Sheriff's Office to lead the investigation is the "best practice," since the Sheriff's Office is "a third agency" and was not involved directly in the shooting.

Members of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force generally drive unmarked cruisers and wear plainclothes as they investigate drug and weapons crimes. Task force investigators don't wear body cameras.

In that instance, a plainclothes investigator, Adam Strode, shot and killed German Pedraza at an apartment near 19th and G streets as the Columbus man reached for a handgun. A grand jury later cleared Strode of any wrongdoing in the shooting.

The Sheriff's Office is expected to release additional details on Monday's shooting at the agency's media briefing Tuesday morning.

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The Nevada man who was shot by narcotics investigators Monday afternoon amid a confrontation in a west Lincoln parking lot had fired a gun toward police before they returned fire, wounding him, authorities alleged.

The man, identified Tuesday as 35-year-old Chace Abney, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries after investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol and Lincoln Police Department shot him at about 2:45 p.m. Monday in a parking lot near Northwest 27th and West O streets, according to authorities.

Abney remained in critical condition as of Tuesday morning, said Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner, whose agency is investigating the shooting.

At least one Lincoln Police officer and one state trooper shot Abney after the 35-year-old fired one round from a 9 mm handgun toward police, Wagner said. No officers were injured in the shooting.

At a news conference at the Sheriff's Office's headquarters Tuesday morning, where Wagner appeared alongside nearly a dozen local police officials, the sheriff suggested Abney's shooting seemed justified and declined to name the officers involved while painting a clearer picture of what authorities say led up to the incident.

The investigators  both of whom work on the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, an interagency unit that also includes Lancaster County Sheriff's Office deputies and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police officers  had been conducting surveillance at the Super 8 motel at 2635 W. O St., Wagner said.

The investigators were not looking into Abney, but Wagner said the 35-year-old followed the officers in his Chevrolet Malibu across O Street to a parking lot at 123 N.W. 28th St.

Wagner said the investigators, wearing police vests or badges over plainclothes, confronted Abney and shouted repeated commands  though it's unclear how many commands  to exit the sedan.

Instead, Wagner alleged, Abney pointed a handgun at police and fired one round. Wagner said he wasn't sure if Abney was inside or outside the car when the shooting transpired.

The investigators returned fire, striking the 35-year-old more than once, the sheriff said. Wagner declined to say how many times Abney was shot.

"From preliminary information  it appears that (the officers) were justified in their actions," Wagner said.

Wagner said it remains unclear why Abney followed police from the hotel, where he had been a guest but was not staying in the room police were surveilling.

"I'd be guessing if I told you," he said.

Investigators haven't found the projectile Abney is accused of firing toward police, but Wagner said they did recover a shell casing from his 9 mm, which was reported stolen Monday in Norfolk, the sheriff said.

The involved officers immediately rendered first aid to Abney before Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews responded and took him by ambulance to Bryan West Campus.

Abney had most recently been living in New York and had outstanding warrants in New York, Arizona and California, Wagner said. He had ties to Lincoln and had been here for about a week prior to Monday for a family function, the sheriff said.

Members of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force generally drive unmarked cruisers and wear plainclothes as they investigate drug and weapons crimes. Task force investigators don't wear body cameras.

The task force is made up of 35 investigators, including 11 investigators and four sergeants from the Lincoln Police Department, according to the agency's latest annual report. Capt. Ryan Dale of LPD leads the unit.

Wagner said none of the involved investigators  including the two who fired and a third who was on scene but did not shoot at Abney  were wearing body worn cameras. He also said there was not dashcam footage of the incident.

Both investigators have been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with each agencys policy.

The sheriff deferred to the State Patrol and Lincoln Police Department to individually identify the officers who shot Abney.

Col. John Bolduc, who leads the Nebraska State Patrol, definitively declined to do so.

"We do not release the names of officers involved in officer-involved shootings," he said at Tuesday's news conference. "We never have. And that policy is not likely to change any time soon."

In fact, a State Patrol spokesman said, it would be a violation of the agency's contract with the state troopers union, which only allows Bolduc to disclose information on internal investigations to the Legislature, the state's crime commission, the Nebraska Police Standards Advisory Council, the Equal Opportunity Commission or a complainant involved in an investigation.

And Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins also declined to identify the police officer involved in Monday's shooting, though she said the department would assess whether the officer or their family would be at risk of harm before making a final decision on the matter.

"So we have to be very careful how we go through this process," she said, later adding: "It's gonna be up to  to really me looking at the assessment, looking at the threat against the officers that could be posed. It may go to a grand jury. And so, we can't give you information until we understand where it's gonna be going."

If Abney dies of his injuries, Nebraska state law requires a grand jury to investigate his death. The law doesn't call for a grand jury to be convened for nonfatal police shootings.

Other law enforcement agencies in the state have been more transparent than the State Patrol or Lincoln Police Department in such nonfatal shootings.

The Antelope County Attorney identified a Neligh Police officer who shot a Norfolk woman last May in a nonfatal incident.

And in Omaha, police officials have repeatedly identified officers involved in nonfatal shootings, doing so at least three times in the last two years, including in November 2022, June 2022 and December 2021.

Wagner, who acknowledged the officers' names may never be made public if Abney survives the shooting, said he was withholding their identities to remain in line with the other involved agencies' policies.

"I'm gonna abide by their policy on this," he said. "They can make the decision, if and when they want to release their officers' names."

Ewins declined to say how experienced the officers were, but they must have at least three years of experience to apply for a position on the specialized task force, which Ewins lauded Tuesday in the aftermath of the shooting.

"They go out there all the time, the task force, and they risk their lives every single day," she said. "And they do a great job. And this just another example of the great job that they did.

"You know, when people  drugs are one of those things that we just don't know what people's behavior will be. And so, understand that  it's hard to understand why someone would go after the police officers. But it doesn't make sense. Drugs don't make sense."

Investigators found methamphetamine and marijuana in Abney's car after police confronted and shot him, Wagner said. Authorities do not know if he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the shooting.

In the minutes after the shooting, several police officers  some wearing plainclothes and others armed with long guns  converged on the Super 8 motel a block east of the shooting scene and took one man into custody.

His arrest was unrelated to the shooting, authorities said.

In his remarks Tuesday, Wagner noted the parallels between Monday's shooting and the most recent police shooting in Lincoln before Monday, which transpired in November 2021, when a State Patrol trooper working for the same task force shot and killed a 27-year-old man near 19th and G streets in Lincoln.

"You might remember that, I think, the last officer-involved shooting we had in Lincoln was the same scenario," he said. "Task force officers from the narcotics task force."

In that instance, a plainclothes State Patrol investigator, Adam Strode, shot and killed German Pedraza at an apartment near 19th and G streets as the Columbus man reached for a handgun, according to authorities. A grand jury later cleared Strode of any wrongdoing in the shooting.

Neither Pedraza nor Abney had been sought by investigators on the day of their shooting, only crossing paths with task force investigators by happenstance.

Police maintain Pedraza had been the subject of an ongoing narcotics investigation at the time of his death, but investigators were not seeking him the day they contacted him at 19th and G streets, according to investigators' own testimony.

Wagner, who brought up the previous shooting to highlight "the work (task force investigators) do is dangerous," dismissed the notion that the parallels between the two shootings might be cause for concern.

"Not to me," he said.

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
The city's proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year is about $92.4 million, a 6% increase over the current budget.

However, property valuations have gone up anywhere from 10%-30% based on the most recent valuation done by the Lancaster County Assessor's Office.

Whether people's property taxes go up depends largely on what the city and other taxing entities, such as the county and Lincoln Public Schools, do with their tax levy.

Members of the City Council on Monday heard from about a half-dozen people about why it's important for them to stick to the budget they approved last year and not take advantage of a "windfall" from increased valuations.

Lynn Fisher, general manager of Great Place Properties, said that if the city is serious about affordable housing, "you'll do everything you can to keep property taxes as low as possible."

Fisher said that property tax increases lead rental property owners to raise rents, something many of them are already doing in anticipation of potential property tax increases.

Bud Synhorst, president and CEO of the Lincoln Independent Business Association, said that by his calculations, the city has collected $102 million more than it budgeted over the past three fiscal years, or an average of $34 million a year.

Synhorst said now would be a good time to "hold the line" and only take the amount of money it needs to pay for the already approved budget.

"This would be a responsible time to step back," he said.

Councilman Richard Meginnis, who proposed the nonbinding resolution, said his purpose was to try to "give a little notice" to property owners about what might happen with their property taxes in the next year.

Meginnis, who is president of commercial real estate company NAI FMA Realty, said many owners of both residential and commercial properties start raising rates ahead of time in anticipation of cost increases, such as rising property taxes.

Declaring the intent now to stick to the previously approved budget would allow those owners to institute small increases now rather than forcing them to potentially institute larger increases if the budget is changed later this year, he said.

Some council members said they were uncomfortable giving the next City Council budget direction, even if it is nonbinding, especially with a city election Tuesday that will put at least three new members on the council.

"I don't personally feel we should be proposing any statement of intent to the next council," said Councilwoman Michelle Suarez, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Jane Raybould, who was elected to the state Legislature last year. Suarez is not seeking election to the seat.

Councilwoman Sandra Washington, who is not up for reelection this year, agreed with Suarez that she didn't want to try to influence what a future council might do with the budget.

Still, Washington said she appreciated the chance to discuss the issue.

In the end, Meginnis asked to delay a vote on the resolution for a week, which the council unanimously decided to do.

In other business Monday, the council voted to approve a plan to redevelop a home near 84th and A streets into a new headquarters office for Hoppe Development.

Fred Hoppe, who is a principal in the business, wants to add an 8,200-square-foot office building to the house at 1620 S. 84th St. and use the existing house for conferences and as a reception area.

Hoppe owns the house, which abuts several acres of undeveloped land he owns east of 84th Street, as well as his backyard.

Nearly all the neighbors who live in the area support his plans, he said, which he came up with because he wants to keep the property suitable for the neighborhood.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department had opposed the plan, but the Planning Commission approved it, except for a proposal to keep access to the site on 84th Street, which goes against the city's access management plan.

The council, however, narrowly approved an amendment that will allow the property to keep the 84th Street driveway for the office redevelopment, but would require it to relinquish it in the future if the site develops further.

The vote on the amendment was 4-3, with Tom Beckius, James Michael Bowers, Suarez and Washington supporting it, and Richard Meginnis, Bennie Shobe and Tammy Ward voting against it.
When firefighters show up to a blaze or medical emergency across much of the United States, they most likely are volunteers. Its also likely the department is understaffed, struggling to replace old equipment and facing uncertainty about its next generation of firefighters.

So much of our country relies on the volunteer fire service, said Kimberly Quiros, chief of communications with the National Volunteer Fire Council, a nonprofit advocacy organization. Right now, were seeing less volunteers and more calls (for emergency response), but a lot of communities don't have the tax base and support to switch to a career staffing model.

More than 80% of the nations fire departments are made up entirely or mostly of volunteers, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Volunteers comprise 65% of U.S. firefighters overall but participation has dwindled, from nearly 900,000 volunteers in 1984 to a low of 677,000 in 2020. Meanwhile, fire departments responded to more than triple the number of calls over that same period.

With volunteer departments stretched thin, some states began their own response. Lawmakers from both parties advanced bills to provide financial benefits or tax breaks for volunteers or funding for new equipment, in hopes of incentivizing firefighters to join up or stay in service. Without state investments to keep volunteer agencies afloat, the lawmakers say, taxpayers would have to support full-time firefighters or face public safety risks.

While some departments brought on full-time paid firefighters to fill the gaps volunteers cant cover, many communities, especially in rural areas, cant afford the cost of a professional fire service. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that the time donated by volunteer firefighters saves communities nearly $47 billion each year.

Counties would have to increase taxes to have paid departments out there, or insurance premiums would go up substantially, said Mississippi state Rep. Donnie Scoggin, a Republican. The amount of money volunteers save us makes a huge difference for the taxpayer, and right now we are not able to recruit and retain enough firemen.

Scoggin sponsored a bill, passed unanimously this session and signed into law, that will establish a Length of Service Award Program for volunteer firefighters in Mississippi. For every year of service, they will receive $500 placed in an investment fund, eligible to be withdrawn with interest when they retire from the department.

We see this as a means to recruit new firefighters and encourage retention of the valuable firefighters we already have, said John Pope, president of the Mississippi Firefighters Association and chief of the Collins Fire Department. Its going to save lives.

Fire agency leaders say the reasons for volunteer departments struggles are myriad. Many young people are leaving rural areas, which are more likely to rely on volunteer service. The rise in two-income households means fewer people have available time to volunteer. Most states now have extensive training requirements, which can be a time-consuming and costly barrier for new recruits.

At the same time, many fire departments now are expected to respond to medical emergencies, hazmat incidents, active shooter situations and other scenarios that drastically increased call volumes.

It seems like theres more and more runs every year, theyre almost full-time, said Michigan state Sen. Jon Bumstead, a Republican and former volunteer firefighter. Theres no health care, no retirement. If we're going to fully man these departments, we've got to start offering more than what we are now.

Bumstead sponsored a bill that would expand worker compensation benefits to volunteer firefighters and part-time police officers. He noted that volunteer firefighters face risks even while training and shouldnt have to pay out of pocket if theyre injured or develop a health issue. He also called for future legislation requiring the state to cover the costs of the extensive training programs it requires volunteers to undertake.

The Pennsylvania Senate voted unanimously earlier this year to establish three pilot programs at community colleges and universities to offer fire training to interested high school students.

In South Dakota, lawmakers voted this year to allocate $5 million to help volunteer fire departments cover equipment costs.

To equip one firefighter can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000, state Rep. Kevin Jensen, the bills Republican sponsor, said. Over 99% of the landmass in South Dakota is covered by volunteer fire departments that get no formal funding. Some departments are using outdated equipment but don't have the money to do anything about it.

The COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for fire departments to conduct the pancake and chili fundraisers that traditionally propped up their budgets, Jensen said, setting them back further. He said some fire agencies had to turn away volunteers because they cant equip them.

Last year, New York lawmakers unanimously passed a measure enabling municipalities to enact property tax breaks of up to 10% for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

Meanwhile, Wyoming lawmakers enacted a law last month to allocate $9 million to the states volunteer firefighter pension fund, replacing money that had been diverted to keep a fund for paid firefighters solvent.

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After a weekend of pressure that included protesters on his lawn, Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston said Tuesday he's not budging on his position on abortion, which in effect killed a proposal supported by all of his Republican colleagues in the Legislature to sharply limit abortion rights.

"I've already taken a whipping and I'm not backing off because I think that's right."

As he spoke during an interview on the sidelines of the legislative chamber, about a dozen anti-abortion activists who gathered outside his office early Tuesday morning had dispersed.

With Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston needing 33 votes to end a filibuster that had trapped her proposal (LB626) to reduce the current abortion ban in Nebraska from 20 weeks to about six weeks, based on ultrasound detection of embryonic cardiac activity, her motion to free the bill failed on a 32-15 vote.

"I think there is huge support for 12 weeks as being something sustainable and considered to be reasonable," Riepe said.

"Neither side would get exactly what they want but could live with it."

"We live in a pluralistic society," Riepe said, where a variety of views are in play.

"I'm pro-life," he said. "But I can't live someone else's life."

Riepe said "a few people showed up at my house with signs" during the weekend and he has experienced "some level of disappointment expressed by some of my colleagues" along with concerns personally raised by Gov. Jim Pillen.

"I respect the governor," he said, "and I know this is close to his heart."

Pillen, he said, is "a reasonable individual with good core values  but I'm not really good at obedience."

"I'm a big boy  I served in the Navy  and I think I'm right."

Riepe said he represents what might be described as "almost a purple district" instead of either a red (Republican) or blue (Democratic) district, one that was previously represented by Steve Lathrop, a Democrat.

For many voters in his district, this issue is women's rights, he said.

"I have to be sensitive to that," Riepe said, "but my votes also need to truly reflect what I feel."

"We'll always have differences," Riepe said. "But no one has to surrender."

Photos: The business of governing in Nebraska in 2023
Reginald G. Turner, 2000 block of Clark Street, Racine, possession of a firearm by a felon, obstructing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, first degree sexual assault (domestic abuse assessments), false imprisonment (domestic abuse assessments, use of a dangerous weapon), strangulation and suffocation (domestic abuse assessments, use of a dangerous weapon), stalking resulting in bodily harm (domestic abuse assessments, use of a dangerous weapon).
1. Yes. Of course. Local governmental entities have the most direct impact on our lives.

2. Yes. Its always important to weigh in on local issues; otherwise we cant complain.

3. No. Im not that familiar with the issues or the candidates this year. Ill sit it out.

4. No. My vote doesnt seem to matter much, so Im not going to make the effort.

5. Unsure. I havent decided whether to take part this time around.

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KEARNEY  Technology for better animal care is in the plans for Hilltop Pet Clinic, which is moving to a new location this summer under new owners Brandon and Paola Beebout.

The Beebouts purchased Hilltop Pet Clinic in September 2020 from longtime owner Roger Neil, who opened the clinic in May 1977.

Currently, the Beebouts are remodeling their future facilities at 2907 W. 37th St. in northwest Kearney. The 6,700-square-foot building will accommodate expanded services and staff. The parking lot also is being expanded.

When the move is complete, the clinics name will change from Hilltop to Beebout Veterinary Medical Center to reflect the expanded services to be offered to clients in Kearney and surrounding areas.

Brandon Beebout is pursuing a pilots license so that he can extend his veterinary services across all of Nebraska.

He said last week that Beebout Veterinary Medical Center will feature a state-of-the-art orthopedic surgery suite as well as an underwater treadmill. According to a press release, the technology will add to the physical rehabilitation department that already features stance analyzer, laser therapy, cold compression therapy and regenerative medicine in the form of platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy.

Currently, such treatment options are limited in the state of Nebraska outside of Lincoln and Omaha, Beebout said. We believe its important to offer these expanded services to Kearney and surrounding rural areas.

Beebout Veterinary Medical Centers medical team consists of four veterinarians who offer their individual expertise. In addition to Drs. Brandon and Paola Beebout, other veterinarians are Brad Adrian and Maria Beck.

Currently, Hilltop employs four veterinary techs. That number will expand to six or seven at the new facility, Beebout said.

Brandon Beebout originally is from Ainsworth in north-central Nebraska. He earned his biology degree in 2010 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and worked at Hilltop under Roger Neil during his undergraduate tenure. Beebouts dream of returning to Kearney to practice at Hilltop Pet Clinic was realized in 2017.

He met his future wife at vet school, and they made stops in Baton Rouge, San Diego and Denver before returning to Nebraska.

Paola Beebout is from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. She earned her undergraduate degree in animal science from Cornell University prior to veterinary school.

Dr. Paola is bilingual, which brings an added benefit for our Spanish-speaking clientele, said a press release. The couples son, Mateo, was born in November 2022.

Beebout Veterinary Medical Center's new location will be 2 miles from Happy Tails Pet Lodge and Grooming at 6920 30th Ave., which is also owned and operated by the Beebouts.

Brandon Beebout is familiar to many in the Kearney area because he is The Pet Doctor on NTVs Good Morning Nebraska on Monday mornings.
KEARNEY  Citing dry conditions, Kearney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Aaron Jameson has issued a burn ban until measurable moisture reduces the fire threat.

According to a city of Kearney press release, there is always a statewide open burning ban on bonfires, outdoor rubbish fires and fires for the purpose of clearing land. However, a permit can be obtained from the local fire chief on a form prescribed by the state of Nebraska.

No open burn permits will be issued during the burn ban in an effort to preserve the lives and property of the citizens that KVFD serves.

Warmer conditions, wind and low relative humidity have caused vegetation to dry quickly. Jameson encourages residents to avoid burning in burn barrels during the ban.

According to the city's press release, extreme caution should always be used when using burning barrels. Burning barrels should always have an appropriate screen on top to prevent burning debris from escaping the barrel.

"We appreciate the assistance and cooperation of our residents in this matter of safety," Jameson said.

People with questions or concerns can contact KVFD at 308-233-3226 or check the city's website at www.cityofkearney.org.
KEARNEY  UNK assistant history professor Nathan Tye will discuss author Willa Cathers connections to Kearney during an upcoming event, "Willa Cather's Kearney," part of the Brown Bag Lecture Series.

The event will be Wednesday, May 10 at noon at Kearney Public Library, 2020 First Ave.

Known to readers for her reimaginings of Red Cloud, Nebraska, in classics like My Antonia and O Pioneers!, Willa Cather is one of Nebraskas most beloved authors. Closely identified with Red Cloud and Lincoln, Cather also had deep connections to Kearney residents.

Coinciding with Cathers and Kearneys 150th birthday celebrations, this talk will illuminate the lives of Cathers friends and family in Kearney as well as her two visits to the community in the 1920s and 1930s.

The event is hosted by the UNK Department of History.

Tye specializes in Nebraska history, the history of the American West and Midwest, labor history, gender and sexuality history and digital and public history. His research on Cather and her connections to Kearney was published in the fall 2022 edition of Willa Cather Review.

For more information, contact Tye at 308-865-8860 or tyen@unk.edu.
A local panel discussion and forum centered on the history and threat of banning books will be held next week at Carthage College.

The Freedom to Read: The History and Threat of Book Banning is the topic of the next Courageous Conversation co-sponsored by the Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism, the Kenosha Public Library and Carthage.

The in-person panel discussion will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union on the campus at 2001 Alford Park Drive. Free visitor parking is available in the South Upper parking lot and South Lower parking lot.

Julius Crump, assistant professor of religion, and director of Equity and Inclusion for Faculty and Academic Integration at Carthage College, will facilitate the panel discussion. Panelists will include:

Barbara Brattin, director of the City of Kenosha Library and the Kenosha County Library System, and the chairperson of the Wisconsin Library Services

Jacqueline Witter-Easley, professor of education at Carthage College and co-director of Teaching Commons

Gregory Bennett Jr., executive director of Peace in Our Streets  Kenosha Inc., and

Carthage College students: Brisedya Bautista Gonzalez, Miles Chubin, Kyah Jernigan and Sydney Anderson

The panel will discuss the historical context and recent attempts to ban and challenge books in schools and public libraries, and the effect such efforts have on restricting information, freedom of thought and cultural, racial and religious diversity.

The audience will also have an opportunity to ask questions and the evening will conclude with an action plan for attendees.

The forum comes as a growing number of book bans have been enacted at school libraries in a handful of states, but the surge from activists challenging public libraries nationwide to remove certain literary materials from their shelves has also gained momentum.

Locally, the novel Homegoing, the award-winning novel by author Yaa Gyasi sparked debate last fall as an elected official challenged the Kenosha Public Library to offer a less controversial alternative to the book, which is the National Endowment for the Arts selection for this years Big Read event that commenced April 4. The novel contains some graphic details, including the rape of a teen, among the depictions of the plight of Ghanaians captured and enslaved during the 18th century. While past Big Reads have been geared toward family literacy, Kenosha Public Library officials have said this years title is intended for adults. While the novel is available at public libraries locally, it is not in Kenosha Unified school libraries or part of the districts curriculum.

Two weeks ago, a meeting of the Salem Community Library Board drew a room packed with residents on either side of the book ban debate, although no specific titles were targeted. A majority of people who spoke at the library board meeting favored allowing novels and publications addressing race, equity, discrimination, gender and sexuality issues and wanted them available for use in the public library. However, those critical decried the availability of such materials and questioned who should be allowed to read or view them.

For more information about the upcoming Courageous Conversation, visit the coalitions Facebook page at Facebook.com/KenoshaCFDR.

These were the top 10 books people wanted removed from schools and libraries in 2021 1. 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe 2. 'Lawn Boy' by Jonathan Evison 3. 'All Boys Arent Blue' by George M. Johnson 4. 'Out of Darkness' by Ashley Hope Perez 5. 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas 6. 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie 7. 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' by Jesse Andrews 8. 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison 9. 'This Book is Gay' by Juno Dawson 10. 'Beyond Magenta' by Susan Kuklin
Thousands of dedicated middle and high school student musicians from across the state are preparing for the Wisconsin School Music Association State Solo & Ensemble Festivals.

UW-Parkside will host the event on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

The WSMA State Music Festival is an enriching experience for all participants, both performers and their supporters, said Donna Hewitt, Festival Manager for UW-Parkside. It is also an opportunity for our music program to showcase our facilities and emphasize how much we value and support the efforts of our school music colleagues, their students and their families.

Students must earn a starred first rating in Class A (which consists of the most difficult music) at a WSMA District Music Festival to qualify for WSMA State Music Festivals. The participants, in grades 6-12, can choose from a variety of instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble categories for their performances in district festivals throughout the state.

Over the past six months, WSMA has held over 140 such events, involving more participants than any other student activity.

We are extremely committed to providing Wisconsin students access to programs like WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festivals that contribute to a well-rounded education. This states musical youth continue to demonstrate their exceptional growth and achievement through these and other opportunities facilitated by our exceptional music educators, said WSMA Executive Director Laurie Fellenz.

Nine other university campuses will host performances by more than 11,000 students, making this event one of the largest of its kind in the nation. UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater held festivals on April 29. Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point festivals will be held on May 6. An evening Jazz Festival will take place on May 5 at UW-Green Bay.

Learn more about WSMA State Music Festivals and other programs by visiting wsmamusic.org. Festival information, including schedules and results, will be posted as available.
Shrimp and cheese tacos (tacos gobernador)

Start to finish: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 pound medium (41 to 50 per pound) shrimp, peeled, deveined (tails removed), cut into -inch pieces and patted dry (see headnote)

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

3 tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided

1 small white OR yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced

1 green bell pepper OR poblano chile, stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced

3 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced

8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups)

 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more to serve

3 tablespoons pickled jalapenos, chopped, plus 1 tablespoon brine

Eight 6-inch flour OR corn tortillas (see headnote)

Directions

Season the shrimp with  teaspoon each salt and pepper; set aside. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium, heat 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper and  teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and shrimp, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn opaque, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl; wipe out and reserve the skillet. Stir in the cheese, cilantro and pickled jalapenos and their brine into the shrimp mixture. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Divide the filling evenly among the tortillas (about  cup each) and spread it to cover half of each tortilla. Fold the unfilled sides over and press.

In the same skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add 4 of the tacos and cook until golden brown on the bottoms, about 2 minutes. Using a wide spatula, flip the tacos and cook, adjusting the heat as needed, until browned on the second sides, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a platter.

Cook the remaining tacos in the same way using the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Serve sprinkled with additional cilantro.

Optional garnish: Lime wedges OR guacamole OR sour cream OR a combination
TOWN OF TIFFANY  A 74-year-old man is dead after a structure re Monday in Dunn County.

According to a media release from the Dunn County Sheriffs Office, at 8:19 a.m. Monday, authorities received a report of a structure fire at a home on 50th Street in the Town of Tiffany.

The Dunn County Sheriffs Office, Glenwood City Fire Department, and Boyceville EMS responded to the scene.

The media release said while engaging the fire, firefighters found a 74-year-old man in the home who was pronounced dead at the scene by the Dunn County medical examiner.

The incident remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriffs Office, Dunn County Medical Examiners Office and Glenwood City Fire Department.

Assisting at the scene was the Boyceville Fire Department.
With the Wisconsin fishing opener Saturday, Xcel Energy is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to be aware of high water levels on rivers near the companys hydroelectric plants.

Due to high river flows, boat restraining barriers upstream of Xcel Energys hydro plants on several rivers have washed away or remain uninstalled. Recreation is not recommended until river flows recede to lower levels.

Typically, at this time of year Xcel Energy crews install a cable with a series of floats that runs across the rivers to mark a restricted area for boaters upstream of the dams.

The barriers will be installed when the rivers subside and it is safe to do the work.

Locations impacted include the Holcombe, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls and Dells plants on the lower Chippewa River. Also, the boat barriers upstream of the St. Croix Falls Plant on the St. Croix River and the Superior Falls Plant on the Montreal River have failed due to high river flows and debris.

Xcel Energy encourages boaters to take precautions that would protect them in the event of a mechanical failure.

The fast river flows mean there is not much time for rescue before a boat would drift from the barrier location downstream to the dam. Power is being generated at the powerhouses and excess water is being discharged through the spillway gates.

Boating, canoeing or kayaking above or below a dam can be very dangerous, especially if the flow changes and your boat is anchored in a hazardous area, said Rob Olson, Hydro Operations at Xcel Energy. Flow conditions can change quickly and boaters would have little or no time to react.

Many of the accidents and fatalities that occur near dams could be prevented by using common sense, practicing safety, staying clear of dams and understanding the dangers to be found near them.

Xcel Energy offers these tips for personal safety near dams:

Obey all warning signs, barriers and flashing lights, horns and sirens

Wear a personal flotation device  a life jacket

Always stay outside buoy lines and away from restricted areas near dams

Never swim or wade near a dam

Never boat or fish alone when near a dam

Leave your boat motor running to provide maneuvering power

Stay clear of spillways. Changing currents and boiling waves can make boat control difficult near dams

Reverse currents occur below dams. They can pull a boat back toward the dam into the spillway and capsize it

Never anchor boats below a dam because water levels can change rapidly

Bring a cell phone and contact 911 in an emergency

For more information, visit: Xcel Energy public safety. The website also includes information to help residents respond in a timely fashion in the unlikely event of a dam failure, including inundation maps and details about Xcel Energys dam failure warning sirens.
BEAR CREEK

Our neighbors Jill and Randy Steadter drove Leroy and me to Wausau on Thursday for a doctor appointment for Leroy. We stopped at the Mullen Cheese Factory on the way home and had battered fried cheese curds and, of course, ice cream.

Friday Leroy and I went to Tomah for some appointments and visited Bob and Linda Stump and Mandi Moore.

Ken and Sue Olsen played cards at the Senior Center on Tuesday in Tomah.

Ken and Sue Olsen worked at the American Legion fish fry on Friday evening.

Bonnie Hedding visited her mom, Kate Batten, at Shennington after church on Sunday.

Ken and Sue Olsen visited Jim Bernhardt at Clifton on Sunday.

News is scarce this week. I think the weather has been so cold we like it better at home.

SOUTH SIDE

Every year we check to see if March goes out like a lion or a lamb. This year it was pretty much lamb-like and waited a full month for April to do the job, and she did it so well that the lion continued to roar on May Day. The only difference between March and this month is that March includes about a foot of snow to clean up when she leaves us. So if we had a choice between the two, Im in favor of the current situation, where all I have to contend with is the wild noisy wind buffeting my house and making the tree branches dance.

Last Tuesday Christopher Young joined me for a trip to Grand River Dental in La Crosse, returning through Ontario and stopping for supper at Rivers End. Wednesday Sally Dana picked me up along with Carol Bradley, Darlene Martalock and Diane Johnson for a trip up to Tomah for lunch with a group of Kendall Public Library book club members. The owner operator of the Peking Restaurant, Joanna, gave us an interesting talk on her childhood in China and her new life here in the United States. Friday Christopher and I dined at the Elroy Eatery.

Its been a whole week already since the Royall High School trip to Washington, D.C., and Chip Marty and son Brett are enjoying the memories of their journey to the nations capitol.

Allan Vlasak and his cousin David Vlasak had a good time last Wednesday as they drove down to Milwaukee for the Brewers game, and it was especially good as the Brewers won.

Last Tuesday the two sessions of the Kendall Library book club met and discussed Mary Higgins Clarks Ive Got My Eye On You. Wednesday a group of the book club members met at Peking Chinese Restaurant. That evening Lynette Vlasak and Sally Dana joined the Kendall Lions and Stepping Stones 4-H members for roadside cleanup in the Kendall area. After their labor the workers enjoyed pizza at the Hidden Inn in town. Friday Cheryl Neitzel, Char Neitzel and Sharon Kobleski Lindquist came up from Port Washington and joined Lynette and Sally for a visit at the library. Sunday Lynette and Sally supped at Tabor Bar & Grill.

As we enter a new month, this may be a good time to remember our New Years resolutions. Mine are easy to remember because my resolution is not to make any, but I do like to think about my favorite natal day song that we sang in our Sunday School. A Happy birthday to you, a happy birthday to you, every day of the year may you feel Jesus near, a happy birthday to you, a happy birthday to you, the best that you ever had. With Jesus in your heart, every day will be blessed even in the crisis times as he will help you through them. Amen.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers the 2023-24 general inland fishing season will open on Saturday, May 6. All regulations and license requirements apply.

Anglers participating in the opener will likely find a mixed bag of fishing conditions throughout the state but strong populations of their favorite fishes. No matter where anglers decide to fish, all Wisconsin residents and non-residents over the age of 16 are required to purchase a fishing license. Anglers can buy licenses through Go Wild, the DNRs license portal, or from a license agent.

The hook and line fishing and trout fishing regulations are available online and in print in English, Spanish, Hmong and large print versions.

As anglers head out to their favorite fishing locations, the DNR would like to remind them to:

 Follow all regulations and license requirements.

 Minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species by removing plants and animals from your boat before and after launching, draining all water from compartments and never moving live fish away from any waterbody.

 Practice responsible catch and release if you are letting your catch go.

 Follow safe boating procedures and always wear a life jacket.

Wisconsin boasts more than 13,000 miles of trout streams, with nearly 5,400 high quality, Class 1 trout streams. Those looking to fish trout streams can use the DNR TROUT tool to find locations of DNR fishing easements and classified trout waters. For anglers looking for spots with easy access, try one of the several ponds stocked with catchable trout in the area.

With more than 15,000 inland lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, 1,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, and 260 miles of the Mississippi River, Wisconsin offers anglers of all skill levels a variety of places to cast a line. To find new places to fish and other fishing information, download the 2023 Wisconsin Fishing Report or contact your local fisheries biologist for more information.
A new slate of officers was elected Sunday, April 30, at the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party Convention in Black River Falls.

William Garcia, chair of the La Crosse County Democratic Party, was elected as chair of the 3rd Congressional Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

He succeeded Philip Swanhorst, chair of the Eau Claire Democratic Party, who was serving as chair of the 3rd Congressional District on an interim basis.

The 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party of Wisconsin is made up of eighteen county parties in the 3rd Congressional District of Wisconsin. Their goal is to coordinate information and activities to elect Democratic candidates at all levels of government.

We are focused on returning the 3rd CD to Democratic representation in 2024, Garcia said. The Democratic Party is focused on passing legislation that makes the lives of Wisconsinites safer, healthier and happier. We are certain that our message will resonate with 3rd CD voters as we head into the 2024 campaign cycle.

The convention was hosted by the Jackson County Democratic Party, chaired by Linda Heller.

Also elected at the convention were Vice Chair for the Northern District Philip Swanhorst, of Eau Claire County; Vice Chair for the Eastern District Rick Christofferson, of Portage County; Vice Chair of the Central District David Wulf, of La Crosse County; Vice Chair of the Southern District Wayde Lawler, of Vernon County; Treasurer Adam Balz, of Monroe County; Secretary Margaret Breisch; and Representative to the Executive Board Janet Heller, of Jackson County.

In addition to the officer elections, the convention heard from Wisconsin State Senator Jeff Smith, of Eau Claire County, and State Senator Brad Pfaff, of La Crosse County. They also heard from Representative Jodi Emerson, of Eau Claire County, and Representative Katrina Shankland, of Portage County.

Video thank yous were sent from Governor Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul and Democratic Party Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler.

The convention voted on ten resolutions of party principles to be sent to the Democratic party of Wisconsin State Convention, set for June 10-11 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

These resolutions featured calls to restore reproductive rights in Wisconsin, establish stronger red-flag and gun safety laws, and increase funding for schools and health care.

Also passed were resolutions asking for the party to send more funding to county parties and to chapters of the College Democrats.
Officials confirmed that rail tracks damaged after a BNSF Railway freight train derailed in De Soto have been repaired and returned to service.

BNSF Railway contractors made repairs and reopened the line Saturday, said BNSF spokesperson Lena Kent.

Theyve got that all repaired and theyre at full speed already, running rail overnight, said Craig Thompson, secretary of Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Two locomotives and 10 train cars derailed Thursday, April 27, just south of De Soto. Multiple freight containers on rail cars plunged into the Mississippi River. Crews from Crawford, Vernon and La Crosse counties, along with state and federal agencies, worked around the clock to remove train cars and debris.

Two containers carrying paint drifted down the Mississippi River. La Crosse area marine companies F.J. Robers and J.F. Brennan assisted in the retrieval of those containers as well as any other cars that derailed into the river and riverside clean up.

About 2.5 million pounds of materials were moved to the La Crosse County landfill in the days after the accident.

John Noyes, president of F.J. Robers, said the next step is for BNSF to add additional riprap to the base of the track, which runs along the Mississippi River.

Some residents expressed concern the tracks should not have been open due to high river waters and area flooding. The track is owned by BNSF, which is held to federal standards on how the track must be inspected, when it can run and when it should be shut down.

BNSF or the Federal Rail Administration would be responsible for shutting down the tracks if it was unsafe to operate.

BNSF was monitoring and inspecting lines through Crawford County during the flood, said Crawford County Emergency Management in a statement.

The Federal Rail Administration is conducting a full investigation into the derailment.

Highway 35, which runs parallel to the track, has been closed from Genoa to Ferryville due to machinery traffic. Crawford County Emergency Services anticipated the highway would reopen Wednesday.
Two more suspects implicated in a Rockland gun store burglary are in custody.

Police arrested 18-year-old Robert Benson of La Crosse and 20-year-old Autumn Sample of Onalaska. Both are being held in the La Crosse County Jail.

A third suspect, 25-year-old Nehemiah Sample of Trempealeau, was arrested in Arkansas last weekend.

Nehemiah Sample, Benson and Mackey Drake, 22, La Crosse, are accused of breaking into The Smoking Gun during the overnight hours of April 25 and stealing 41 firearms and $740 in cash.

Mackey was interviewed by police and identified Nehemiah Sample and Benson as the two others who broke into the store. Mackey has yet to be charged in the case but is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a probation violation.

Autumn Sample is accused of receiving at least one of the firearms. She is also accused of harboring one of the suspects. She is the brother of Nehemiah Sample, and the complaint identifies her as Bensons girlfriend.
Social media companies would have to verify the age of Wisconsin users and get parental permission for children to open accounts under a bill unveiled Monday by Republican Rep. David Steffen.

The measure would also stop children under 18 from using their accounts between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., but parents could opt out of all requirements for their child.

Lawmakers across the country have been pushing to limit childrens access to social media. Nearly half of states nationwide have recently banned the popular video sharing app TikTok from state-owned devices, in many instances with bipartisan support. Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers banned the app in January.

Steffen announced his plans last month to propose more precautions for all social media platforms.

Today, social media companies, advertisers and predators have easy, electronic access to our kids. It has become obvious that this has been at the expense of the health and well-being of our children, he said in an April statement. Its our job as parents or guardians to keep our kids safe, but the current online environment has made that nearly impossible.

Under the bill, which Steffen provided to The Associated Press before circulating for co-sponsors Monday, social media platforms would have 21 days to verify the age of Wisconsin residents with accounts created since 2019 and get permission from a parent or guardian to allow children to access existing accounts or create new ones. Parents would also receive full access to their childs account.

Platforms that dont comply with the law could be fined $100 a day for each account in violation.

The bill would also require social media platforms to set protections for minors, including limits on data sharing and advertising for youth accounts.

To pass, the proposal needs approval from both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature and then a signature from Evers.

His spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, did not return a voicemail seeking comment Monday.

Steffen said in a statement that he modeled the measure after a law Utah lawmakers passed in March. Questions have arisen about whether and how that law will be enforced, and its likely to face legal challenges. Arkansas lawmakers also passed a bill last month modeled after the Utah legislation that will offer another test of the enforceability of social media limits for children.

Steffen isnt the first Wisconsin lawmaker to advocate for increased scrutiny of social media companies. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin proposed a bipartisan bill in March to allow the Commerce Department to regulate and potentially ban platforms. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who leads a House subcommittee on China, has criticized TikTok and pushed for more regulation of the app as concerns grow over the platform being used for Chinese surveillance.
Wisconsin lawmakers voted Tuesday to accept more than $324 million in settlement funds tied to a multistate lawsuit related to the manufacture and sale of opioids.

The state budget committee voted unanimously to accept the money, which relates to a multistate lawsuit against two opioid manufacturers and three major pharmacy chains. The lawsuit was brought against the companies claiming they fueled the nations opioid addiction epidemic.

Thirty percent of the money headed for Wisconsin will go into state coffers, with the rest going to counties.

The funds are the result of settlements with opioid manufacturers Teva and Allergan and pharmacy chains Walmart, Walgreens and CVS.

Under the agreement, the companies also will be required to change how they sell and dispense prescription opioids.

Teva and Allergan already have agreed to implement strict limitations on the marketing, promotion, sale and distribution of opioids.

Where do US opioid trials and settlements stand? Explaining the current state of the opioid crisis Purdue Pharma Other drugmakers Distribution companies Pharmacies Consulting company
A judge has found a former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd guilty of aiding and abetting manslaughter. Tou Thao was the last of the four former officers facing judgment in Floyds killing. He rejected a plea agreement last summer. Instead of going to trial, he let Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill decide the verdict based on written filings by each side and stipulated evidence presented in previous cases. Thao already had been convicted in federal court of violating Floyds civil rights.
A Minnesota state senator is getting social media attention after casting what should have been a routine vote at a legislative commission hearing. Republican Sen. Calvin Bahr, of East Bethel, can be seen voting shirtless while in bed during a Zoom meeting of the Legislative Audit Commission on Monday. A School House Rock Im Just a Bill character is on the wall behind his head. Immediately after the vote, Bahr turned the camera off and left a black screen showing only his name. A GOP Senate spokeswoman told The Minneapolis Star Tribune that Bahr, who had worked until 4:45 a.m. Monday, would not comment on the video.
DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania -- Richard Tems was about as loyal of a Donald Trump supporter as you can get.

The Bucks County businessman and GOP committeeman has fiercely defended former President Donald Trump in editorials, interviews with reporters and conversations with anyone within earshot. He voted for Trump twice and believed he was the right president at the right time.

But eight years after the New York businessman and entertainer came down the escalator in Trump Tower in June 2015, Tems said he would move on in next year's Pennsylvania primary. He plans to vote instead for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the Republican nomination for president.

"Why? Well, because DeSantis has done a brilliant job in Florida," Tems said. "He took a tiny little victory the first time, and he turned that state dark red by implementing good conservative policies. He brought in the right kind of people, and he turned that state from being purple, or occasionally blue, to very red."

Tems said what Trump did brilliantly was recognize the public was unhappy with the governing class. But "DeSantis knows that to win, you have to build coalitions, and that is what he did," Tems said. "He spent four years governing conservatively and building a coalition that not only gave him a win last November, it had coattails for all Republican candidates."

By the time the dust cleared in Florida last year, no statewide elected Democrats were left standing for the first time in modern politics. DeSantis won reelection over former Gov. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., by 19 percentage points, even carrying Democratic Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

"It's not just that he won -- it's that he changed the state and what people think is the way it should be run," Tems said. "That's why I believe he would be a better president than Trump. ... The problem I had with President Trump is he was lousy at staff. They were backfighting, leaking, all having their own agendas, and he kept getting in the way of his own great successes. It was just horrible."

The only way Tems votes for Trump again is if it becomes a choice between him and President Joe Biden.

In my two-week trip throughout Pennsylvania, talking to Republican voters ahead of next year's closed party primary, several common and at times conflicting themes came from conservative voters. First and foremost, they want to win. They've lost three major elections in a row here, and they are very aware that Trump has been at the front of or at least behind each of those losses.

Second, they still like Trump and liked his policies and are furious at what they consider never-ending attacks from the political elite in both parties and in the press aimed at him.

And third, they may not say it out loud as Tems did, they are less resistant to moving away from Trump than polling suggests. This may be in part because they don't want to tell pollsters what they really think.

Carol Sides of Lycoming County was torn.

"It's just that I like both of them," said Sides, who sits on the local county Republican committee. "I like my association with Trump and with his family. They were fun years, to say the least. But then, with DeSantis coming up and reading everything that he's doing for Florida. I mean, he's unbelievable for his age and his background. I think that he did a wonderful job there, and he is a gentleman beyond words, so I am undecided."

She admitted she is weary of the Trump drama.

Huntingdon County Republican Committee Chairman Arnie McClure said bluntly that he's done with Trump.

"I'd really like to move on from the drama," he said, "and I think that DeSantis gives us Trump policies without the drama."

McClure ran a poll during the county's annual Lincoln Day Dinner two weeks ago at the height of Trump's indictment sympathy. The former president received 112 votes, whereas DeSantis received 69.

"In a county where 80% of the vote went to Trump, 80%, and DeSantis hasn't even started running for office yet, those are pretty good numbers for the Florida governor," McClure said.

McClure can't wait to run the poll once DeSantis is actually in the race.

Though Trump leads DeSantis in every national poll, many of DeSantis's supporters said that would all change once he jumps in and starts punching back.

"The press and some of these Republicans are measuring his worth before he even gets in the ring," Tems said. "I think it's too early to jump in. Trump didn't just jump in until June of 2015, didn't start leading in the polls until after that first debate."

A survey conducted last week by Public Opinion Strategies, the gold standard of Republican polling firms, showed DeSantis leading Biden in Pennsylvania by a 3-point margin, 45% to 42%. The same poll showed that Trump trails Biden by 4 points, 42% to 46%.

A simultaneous survey also found that in Arizona, DeSantis would beat Biden 48% to 42%, while Trump would narrowly lose to the sitting president, 44% to 45%. Trump lost both states to Biden in 2020 and led the losses in the midterm elections in Pennsylvania in both 2018 and 2022 for the U.S. Senate contests, with Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and John Fetterman, D-Pa., defeating their Trump-backed opponents.

Democratic state Sen. Sharif Street has proposed that Pennsylvania lawmakers move the 2024 presidential primary up by a month to March 19, 2024. The measure has bipartisan support. If it passes, Pennsylvania, always known for its importance in general elections, will become even more important in the primaries.
My name is William Philip Roth, and I was born and raised in Winona, Minnesota. I really like it here.

On the first day of grade school, which would have been around the 1st of September 1952, my mother walked me up to Central School. The first person I met on that playground was kind of a funny-looking guy with sort of a Sherlock Holmes suit coat on. His name was Roger Sutter, and he became one of my great friends for many, many years until September 22nd, 1996.

We were in a car wreck together; a drunk driver hit us, and Roger was killed. I should have been, but I wasn't. They had to cut the car apart to get me out.

I've had some bad head injuries. I've been in many accidents, but if I told you this, you wouldn't even believe me because it's impossible to survive all that.

I got a job at Watkins and that's where I ended up and I really liked working in Watkins. After I got sick, they treated me very well. I wasn't feeling well. I got off work at 2 o'clock, and I was having dreams when I fell asleep. I dreamed that I was trapped underwater or in a cave or in mud and I couldn't breathe. I'd wake up gasping for breath. It got to a point where I was afraid to go to sleep.

Well, that's congestive heart failure.

If I had gone earlier to the doctor which I should have, I'd probably be in a little better shape but I'm still alive. I went in to get my gallbladder taken out. The doctor really saved my life because he said, "I don't like the way your heart's beating." He said, "I want to have you come in and we'll give you some tests."

A week later I went in, it was early in the morning, and they hooked me up, but I never got on the machine. The tech had a look on his face like, "Oh my God" and he goes, "I got to get a doctor now" and he ran out. I already knew that this ain't going to be good.

The heart was severe. I had a feeling that this isn't all, they're going to find other stuff. So, two days later they found late stage three colon cancer. It was just a ton of things all at once.

I never smoked and I always exercise faithfully, but my lifestyle probably wasn't conducive to a real healthy life. When I say I never smoked I hung out in bars, so I was getting all that secondhand smoke. The rest of those barstools are empty because those guys and women die. I'm joking  I know it's not funny.

You got to look back sometimes with a little bit of humor. If you didn't you might have a hard time making it.

One thing I learned when they took me in and found the heart thing: My drinking was getting very heavy, although I never missed a day at work. When I saw that machine looking like a merry go round with the lights, I stood there, and I knew not only was I going to quit drinking, but I'm done now. It was actually quite easy to quit drinking. I was surprised because I had friends who had died, if not directly from alcoholism, but pretty close.

In 1969 I was studying for finals. A lot of my buddies had flunked out of school or dropped out. A lot of them ended up going back, a couple of them got their master's degrees and they did very well and the ones that didn't go back did very well too. A lot of them are dead now too.

They were at Prairie Island, and they were having a big party. I had a 1960 Ford that I bought from my aunt up in Ashland, Wisconsin for a dollar. I studied for a while and then headed out to the party because how many parties can you have in your life?

My plan was to drive across the lake, across Highway 61, and there were no stoplights, only a stop sign. Bob Kosadowski, who was older than me but was one of my best friends, waved at me. I see this now like a movie in slow motion. He waved at me, and I waved at him, and that sun hit me. I never liked the sun. I didn't see this semi coming down the highway at 70 miles an hour. It hit me and it hit me hard.

It just destroyed my car, and it also destroyed the semi totally. I got out through the roof without a scratch on me. This is impossible.

All I saw running back at me was Bob whose face was as white as paper. The driver was in the truck, and he had a goose egg on his head like I've never seen. We got him out. He spent the night in the hospital, but he was fine which makes me feel good because the accident was technically my fault.

The police officer said we've got to get some lights here. So, I probably was responsible for having the lights there. They didn't name them the William Roth Memorial Lights.

This became like a pattern in my life. I haven't even told you half of them, there are some that are just horrible.

My life was filled with a lot of humor but also a lot of heartbreak. I love Winona and I love my old friends.

I always took life seriously. I always thought that life was fun, and I didn't think that I was going to have fun anymore, but I have.
Retired Winona teacher Margie White was one of two recipients of the Educator Award presented by the South East Retirement Association of Minnesota last month.

Presented at SEREAMs annual spring conference in Rochester, Mary Osborne from Faribault was the other recipient.

The award is given typically to two retired educators for both their careers in the classroom and contributions to education outside the classroom.

Apart from teaching first through fifth grades in Dakota and at Washington-Kosciusko in Winona over 35 years, White stayed active after retiring in 2001.

Shes been involved with not only SEREAM but the American Association of University Women, the Learning Club of Winona, the teaching groups Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma, and her church. In addition, shes been active in over 10 community groups in the area.

She is really a worthy recipient, Edna Thayer from SEREAM said. Shes been very active in contributing to the community and she was an excellent teacher.

White received both her bachelors and masters degrees from Winona State University. She said teaching and working with children has always been something she has wanted to do.

I really appreciate and am honored to even receive the award, because it is really something special, White said.

Staying active in the education landscape was important to White after she retired.

I think you really need to. Its good to keep that networking up. We also need to have organizations to keep our pensions going, White said. And to just be aware of whats going on in both teaching and around the world. You cant just crawl into a hole once youve retired.

White was also a faculty union representative from 1975 to 1997, and was active in negotiations including the county schools merger to Winona District 861.

Thats 22 years so she must have been a good negotiator, Thayer said. She has a very unassuming personality. Shes always smiling and very helpful to everyone.

White said shes proud of both her teaching career and her work toward education after retirement.
Here are the Walworth County's weekly criminal complaints from April 25 - May 1. The cases still need to make their way through the Walworth County Court System. All information is from criminal complaints filed in Walworth County Circuit Court. To follow the cases, go to wcca.wicourts.gov.

Genoa City man charged after driving a vehicle into a house, spitting on an officer

Ron E. Didriksen, 19, of W1000 Aralia Rd., Genoa City, has been charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety; throw or discharge bodily fluids at a public safety worker; and obstructing an officer. Bloomfield Police officers responded to a residence in the Village of Bloomfield on April 8 for a report of a vehicle crashing into a house. An officer observed a residence with significant damage. There was a vehicle located near the residence with Didriksen, the defendant, sitting in the drivers seat. According to the complaint, the defendant was attempting to push past citizens who tackled him to the ground. Several of those citizens noted that the defendant was driving at an excessive rate of speed while rounding curves before crashing into the residence. Nobody was injured in the crash. When the officer approached the defendant, he had a strong odor of intoxicants, had glassy and bloodshot eyes, and his speech was lethargic. While in the back of the back of the squad car, the defendant urinated. Once they arrived at the jail, he refused to get out of the squad car and had to physically be dragged out. In an attempt to buckle the defendant in the backseat to take the defendant to Lakeland Medical Center for a legal blood draw after refusing sobriety tests, he spit in the face of the deputy.

Darien man charged after attempting to flee, in possession of drug paraphernalia

Jacob A Raglin, 37, of 20 block First St., Darien, has been charged with two counts of felony bail jumping, obstructing an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. On April 19, officers were dispatched to a residence in the village of Darien for a possible overdose. Upon arrival, a man, Raglin, the defendant, ran out the back. The defendant acquired a bicycle in his attempt to flee, but officers caught him and he was taken into custody while in possession of a smoking pipe.

Lake Geneva woman charged after hitting her partner, causing a raucous at the hospital

Kelsey R Blackshaw, 34, of 600 block Walworth St., Lake Geneva, has been charged with substantial battery, domestic abuse assessments; disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments; and disorderly conduct. On April 21, a Lake Geneva police officer made contact with a woman at a residence in the City of Lake Geneva who was bleeding from her eye. The injured woman said that Blackshaw, the defendant, had hit her in the eye, which made her unable to see. The woman was treated for an open globe injury and a laceration to her cornea that required surgery to close to the wound. Later, an officer made contact with the defendant, Blackshaw, who said the argument began when they were drinking, but couldnt remember what they were arguing about. The defendant was arrested and was transferred to Lakeland Medical Center for a jail clearance, where she continued to yell, scream, and kicked the doors of the squad car. At the hospital, the defendant attempted to escape twice by running towards a stairwell and the exit doors.

Elkhorn woman charged after being in possession of 3 unopened packages of Suboxone, a Schedule II narcotic drug

Jamie M Grosse, 49, of 100 block S Lincoln St., Elkhorn, has been charged with felony bail jumping and possession of narcotic drugs. Delavan police conducted a traffic stop on April 22 just after midnight in the City of Delavan after finding the cars registration was expired. When officers ran the drivers information, Grosse, she was found to have a warrant for child support contempt of court in another county. A search was done of the vehicle, where the defendant was found to be in possession of three unopened packages of Suboxone, a Schedule II narcotic.

Lake Geneva man charged after resisting officers and threatening them

Conor C Schultz, 26, of 600 block Haskins St., Lake Geneva, has been charged with threatening a law enforcement officer; resisting an officer; and disorderly conduct. The defendant, Schultz, was kicked out of the Hogs and Kisses by a bouncer in the City of Lake Geneva on April 7 for being extremely intoxicated. An officer made contact with the defendant, but Schultz initially refused to identify himself. The defendant then attempted to square up with the officers, but was subdued up against a wall where he continued to try and pull away. While being transported to Mercy Hospital, Schultz forcibly head-butted the cage in the squad car and threatened to kill the officer.

Lake Geneva man charged with substantial battery, domestic abuse assessments after incident on April 23

Jose Arreola-Reyes, 31, of 800 block Wisconsin St., Lake Geneva, has been charged with substantial battery, domestic abuse assessments, repeater. Lake Geneva Police responded to a report of two people fighting in the hallway of an apartment complex on April 23. When an officer entered the apartment complex, Arreola-Reyes, the defendant, was scrubbing the carpet in an attempt to clean up blood stains with bleach. The defendant then ran out of the building, but didnt make it far as he was quickly apprehended after a physical struggle. An officer met with a woman who had a large amount of blood on her head and face after being struck six times by the defendant. She was taken to the hospital where she had to have a cut on her head stapled shut. She also had extensive swelling and bruising above her left eye.

Lake Geneva woman charged with several drug-related offenses after being found in a hotel room in Elkhorn

Lisa M Anderson, 40, of 1200 block Madison St., Lake Geneva, has been charged with two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, second and subsequent offense; possession of narcotic drugs, second and subsequent offense; possession of methamphetamine; neglecting a child; possession of cocaine, second and subsequent offense; possession of a controlled substance, second and subsequent offense. Upon arrival to the Holiday Inn in the City of Elkhorn, they made contact with Anderson, the defendant, who was staying in one of the rooms with her young daughter. Throughout the search of the room, several items were found including a glass pipe containing methamphetamine; an Acetaminophen-Hydrocodone pill, a Schedule II narcotic; MDMA; and 0.4 grams of cocaine.
There has long been a debate among experts about how best to teach children to read in the United States. The debate involves two methods for teaching words: learning words as a whole, or breaking words down into their basic sounds.

Recently, however, many are starting to favor what they call the science of reading. The goal is to use methods that many years of research have shown to be effective to teach children to read.

The science of reading idea is helpful for struggling readers, but schools and teacher training programs have been slow to use it.

A push to teach all students in this way is gaining ground as schools look for ways to help students who fell behind in school during the pandemic.

History of teaching reading

The other method involved phonics. Phonics teaches how sounds work in combination to form words and parts of words.

Supporters of this method argue that students need detailed lessons about the building blocks of language. That means spending lots of time learning letter sounds and ways to combine them into words.

In 2000, a governmental group, the National Reading Panel, released findings of its research on methods for teaching children how to read. It said phonics was important, along with several related methods.

However, what came to be used after this study was known as balanced literacy. It borrowed from both phonics and whole literacy methods. Its goal was to get children to read books they enjoyed as quickly as possible.

Michael Kamil is a professor of education at Stanford University who sat on the national reading panel. He said, It wasnt a true compromise. The method often led to students learning how to guess words, instead of how to say them correctly.

Now, schools are putting more attention on phonics and other elements of the science of reading to help with poor reading performance. Makers of schoolbooks are adding more phonics, and schools are ending some popular programs that lacked the method.

What is the science of reading?

The science of reading uses research from many fields that relate to how a childs brain learns to read. In practice, the method calls for schools to focus on the building blocks of words.

Students no longer memorize word spellings. Instead, they learn the elements that make up a word. For example, with the word unhappy, students would learn how un- changes the meaning of the base word happy.

Why does it matter?

For some children, television shows like Sesame Street and parents reading to them is enough. But 30 to 40 percent of children will need more teaching that is part of the science of reading, said Timothy Shanahan. He is a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Other children fall somewhere in between. Theyre going to learn to read, said Shanahan who also was one of the members of the 2000 panel and the former director of reading for Chicago Public Schools. Theyre just not going to read as well as they could be or should be.

Colleges of education are often still teaching balanced literacy, even with concerns about its effectiveness. That means new teachers have little experience in using what are being called evidence-backed teaching methods.

Shanahan said that means parents often have to help their children learn to read, paying for one-on-one teaching or workbooks. Extra help can be costly, and it adds to the lack of equality in education.

As a result, some chapters of the NAACP, a civil rights group, are pushing for the science of reading to be used in schools. They say learning how to read is a civil rights issue.

What should parents do?

Amelia Malone is a director at the National Center for Learning Disabilities in Washington. She said parents must read to their children. If not, she suggests helping teachers when they ask for it and pushing evidence-based methods in their childrens schools.

Parents can be part of the solution, she said, if we educate them on why this is kind of the movement we need.

Im Gregory Stachel. And Im Anna Mateo.

Heather Hollingsworth reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

Quiz - Evidence-based Reading Methods Called for in US Schools Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

focus  v. to cause (something, such as attention) to be directed at something specific

phonics  n. a method of teaching people to read and pronounce words by learning the sounds of letters, letter groups, and syllables

literacy  n. the ability to read and write

guess  v. to form an opinion or give an answer about something when you do not know much or anything about it

chapter  n. a group of people in a certain area who make up a division of a large, national organization

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A Swiss radio station recently carried out a social experiment on air, testing robot-created content and voicing.

The 13-hour experiment took place on the French-language station Couleur 3. During the period, listeners heard the cloned voices of five human presenters. The stations programming also included music created by artificial intelligence (AI) methods.

The programming informed listeners about the experiment every 20 minutes.

AI is taking your favorite radio by storm, a voice said. "Our clones and AI are here to unsettle, surprise and shake you. And for that matter, this text was also written by a robot.

Recent AI developments have led to the creation of a series of tools that permit robots to lead different human activities. These tools belong to a group of systems known as generative AI. The tools use machine learning methods to train AI systems on huge amounts of data to produce human-quality results.

One of the most highly publicized generative AI tools is called ChatGPT. It received wide attention by demonstrating the ability to quickly produce written answers to questions at a level and quality similar to humans.

The development of generative AI systems has led to some criticism of the technology. Critics have warned that such systems, if used incorrectly, could cause economic, cultural and social harms.

The Swiss stations chief, Antoine Multone, told The Associated Press that Couleur 3 was able to carry out the experiment because it is already known for doing provocative things.

Multone defended the project as a lesson on how to live with AI. I think if we become ostriches ... we put our heads in the sand and say, Mon Dieu, theres a new technology! Were all going to die! then yeah, were going to die because it (AI) is coming, whether we like it or not, Multone said by phone. We want to master the technology so we can then put limits on it.

Station officials said it took three months to train the AI to understand the needs of the station and learn the special requirements of its programming.

Music that aired during the experiment was completely or mostly created by AI methods. Multone claimed that was a worlds first for a radio station.

The experiment included human-sounding robot voices providing false short news stories meant to be too futuristic to be believed. These included a story about a temporary ban on spaceship flights over Geneva because of noise complaints. Another informed about the opening of the first underwater restaurant in Lake Zurich, while another told about visitors from outer space coming to Switzerland.

Multone admitted there was a lot of discussion among employees about whether to go through with the experiment. He said he would have been willing to stop the project if his team was not fully supportive.

The station said in a statement it received hundreds of messages on the day of the experiment, with some supporting and others opposing. One person complained of unfunny jokes. Another listener admitted to not recognizing the programming as an experiment. One critic called the project a waste of time for a station that gets public financing.

Multone said about 90 percent of listener reactions suggested the experiment was a good idea. But many said they found the human element missing. Many listeners noted, You can sense these are robots, and there are fewer surprises, less personality.'"

Multone said some listeners were even more forceful, urging station officials to give us back our humans!"

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

clone  v. to make an exact copy of a person, animal or plant

artificial intelligence  n. the development of computer systems that have the ability to perform work that normally requires human intelligence

provocative  adj. causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.

complaint  n. a statement that you are unhappy or not satisfied with something

personality  n. a set of emotional qualities that makes a person different from other people

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If it passes, a new bill from state lawmakers in Wisconsin would limit the way young people can use social media services such as Twitter and TikTok.

Wisconsin is the third U.S. state, after Utah and Arkansas, to move forward with age restrictions on social media. Both Arkansas and Utah now have laws that require those under 18 to get their parents permission before using the services.

The law in Utah also prevents children from using apps such as TikTok between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.

The proposal in Wisconsin includes similar restrictions.

The states say they are making the changes to protect the mental health of young people. The laws would permit parents to read private messages sent to their children. In addition, the social media companies are going to be asked to check the age of users in Arkansas, Utah and possibly in Wisconsin.

Those who campaign for privacy say some of the rules go too far. For instance, permitting parents to read their childrens private messages may be harmful to some; and age requirements could give personal information and data to technology companies.

Wisconsin state lawmaker David Steffen showed the details of his bill on Monday. The Wisconsin plan comes as more state and national leaders are becoming concerned about the information gathered by social media companies. Many state and federal administrations do not permit those who use government-owned phones or computers to use Chinese-owned TikTok.

In an April statement, Steffen said Its our job as parents and guardians to keep our kids safe, but the current online environment has made that nearly impossible.

Steffens bill will become law if it is passed by both houses of the Wisconsin state legislature and is signed by Governor Tony Evers. Evers is a Democrat, and Steffen and many Wisconsin legislators are Republicans, so it is not certain to become a law. However, Evers did support banning TikTok from state-owned devices.

While states are passing laws to restrict social media use, experts say it is not clear how effective they will be. Legal experts say it is likely that social media companies will challenge the laws in court. Those who follow the behavior of children who use technology say laws will not stop children from using social media.

Gaia Bernstein wrote a book about technology addiction.

In Southeast Asia, theyve been trying this for years, she said of age restrictions. Kids always get around it.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

app n. a program that runs on a smart phone or computer

guardian n. a responsible adult (but not a parent) who is legally permitted to take care of a child

challenge v. to oppose or push against

addiction n. the state of being unable to stop doing something, such as use a drug or technology to the point that it is harmful

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LEXINGTON  Walmart customers in Lexington were welcomed inside the newly transformed Supercenter at 200 Frontier Street on Friday, April 28 as the much-anticipated project is now complete.

The stores associates marked the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony, community celebration, and a community inspired mural unveiling by a local artist.

During the mornings celebration, Walmart store manager Christel Armstrong highlighted the Supercenters transformed departments as well as the new interactive features now available to customers, including:

New $1 Shop at the front of the store

New Grab & Go Lunch area at the front of the store

Online Grocery Pickup expansion to better suit customer needs

Additional self-checkout lanes

Remodeled bathrooms

New mothers room for customer use

At Walmart, were investing in our communities and finding new ways to save our customers time and money, said Christel Armstrong, Lexington Walmart store manager. By remodeling our stores and expanding time-saving services, such as Grab & Go areas and Grocery Pickup, we are making shopping easier for busy families.

To reinforce Walmarts dedication to the communities it serves, the store manager presented $8,500 in grants to local nonprofit organizations, including:

$2,000 to the Orthman Community YMCA

$1,500 to Micahs House

$2,000 to the Lexington Community Foundation

$1,000 to the Charitable Funds of Lexington

$2,000 to Dawson County Family Partners

The Supercenters new mural is an eye-catching piece that reflects the diversity and local cultures of Lexington, and is part of Walmarts Community Mural Program, the largest public-facing art installation celebrating communities across America. Walmarts Community Mural Program is an important part of each store transformation and furthers Walmarts commitment to the local community.

In addition, Lexington Walmart customers can save time and money by shopping when, where, and how they want. The Lexington store continues to offer the following innovations:

Pickup  Walmarts Pickup option has become a favorite among busy shoppers. It provides the convenience of online shopping and allows them to quickly collect their groceries without stepping out of their vehicles. The best part is that Walmart Grocery Pickup is completely free of charge. Furthermore, customers using SNAP in most states have the option to avail themselves of the pickup service as well.

Delivery  Walmarts convenient delivery service is also a hit with customers. Even more, Walmart has now made both pickup and delivery contact free. Express delivery  customers now have the option to have their deliveries made in under two hours.

Walmart Pay  a touch-free way to pay

Walmart+  This membership program is designed to save customers time and money with free Walmart.com delivery (no minimums), free delivery from stores ($35 minimum), discount on fuel, use of the Scan and Go app, free 6-month Spotify Premium membership, Paramount+ Essential plan subscription, as well as early access offers throughout the year. Walmart+ costs $98/year ($12.95/month) and includes a 15-day free trial period (Available for sign-up at walmart.com/plus). Items available for free delivery include groceries, electronics, toys, and household goods.

To take advantage of these Walmart shopping features, customers can download the Walmart app through Apple Store or Google Play.
A 22-year-old Lincoln woman is facing felony charges after she allegedly bit a corrections officer at the Lancaster County jail while she was being booked there on suspicion of DUI, according to police.

Police arrested Fiona Walker on suspicion of DUI and resisting arrest, among other charges, after she fled a traffic stop at 14th and O streets at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Lincoln Police Sgt. Chris Vollmer said.

Walker resisted officers' attempts to take her into custody near 13th and N streets after she fled the traffic stop, Vollmer said, but police forcibly removed the 22-year-old from her car and took her to the Lancaster County jail.

She remained combative upon her arrival at the jail, Vollmer said, biting a corrections officer in the face as the guard tried to help remove her from the police cruiser.

The jail officer wasn't seriously injured and did not receive medical treatment for the bite, which left an "obvious bite impression" but did not draw blood, Vollmer said.

In addition to the DUI-related charges Walker already faced, police cited her on suspicion of felony assault on an officer or healthcare worker.

She remained at the county jail Monday.

Photos: Majestic sandhill cranes in Nebraska Flying in a clear blue sky Pair of sandhill cranes at sunset near Gibbon, Nebraska Sandhill cranes on and above a field near Gibbon Sandhill cranes Cranes Cranes Sandhill cranes Cranes Cranes Cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes flying high Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes The Nebraska Project cranes The Nebraska Project The Nebraska Project Sandhill Cranes Sandhill crane Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Rowe Bird Sancutary Cranes in January Cranes in January Cranes in January Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Sandhill cranes Cranes at sunset Cranes in the water Cranes fly in waves over trees at sunset Sandhill cranes begin to roost at sunset Sandhill cranes glide in for a landing to roost for the night Viewing sandhill cranes from Richard Plautz viewing site A sandhill crane flies above a field south of Gibbon Sandhill cranes silhouetted against the evening sky Sandhill cranes fly over a field Sandhill cranes flock near an irrigation pivot Sandhill cranes forage for food in a field A pair of sandhill cranes glide in a clear blue sky Sandhill cranes gather near farm machinery Sandhill cranes on the Platte River in Nebraska
The Nebraska Court of Appeals last week ruled that an Omaha man could be tried on the two felonies for which he's charged, despite flimsy evidence on the record to justify a continuance that pushed his trial beyond the speedy-trial deadline.

But Justin Rashad's case resulted in a split decision rarely seen in the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

And it may not end up being the last word in the case where the 27-year-old stands accused of shooting his father in the head.

Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley, whose office represents Rashad, said Friday he anticipates filing a motion for further review, asking the Nebraska Supreme Court to take a look.

"It's our opinion this case is of a nature the highest court should enter a clarification ruling," Riley said Friday.

It all revolves around the right, under state statute, for a criminal defendant to be brought to trial within six months of the filing of an information against him or her, and the process by which prosecutors can exceed it.

Lots of things can stop the clock from ticking down, for instance if a defense attorney asks for a continuance or files a motion to keep certain evidence from going in front of the jury.

But here, Rashad's trial date initially was set for Oct. 18, 2021, until in late September District Judge Marlon Polk told the attorneys he had a homicide jury trial set for Oct. 13 and, as a result, Rashad's case would need to be continued.

When Rashad's attorney, Korey Taylor, objected, the Douglas County Attorney's Office asked Polk to find good cause for the continuance, which he did, and reset trial for Feb. 14, 2022, based on: "the court being in trial and the availability of both counsel."

Taylor asked to clarify, pointing out he had availability in November and December.

Polk stuck with the date, but reduced bond. Rashad got out of jail the next day.

On Feb. 3, 2022, Rashad's attorney filed a motion to throw out the case on speedy-trial grounds. Polk overruled it.

On appeal, his public defender argues that the prosecutor failed to sufficiently demonstrate good cause to continue his Oct. 18, 2021, trial. And, even if there was good cause to continue it, the state failed to prove good cause to continue trial past Nov. 12, 2021, when his speedy-trial clock expired.

On the other side, the state maintained the judge properly found good cause to continue the trial to February 2022.

Writing for the majority of the three-judge panel, Judge David Arterburn said: "Though the evidence presented was thin, the court reasonably relied on the statements and knowledge of the prosecutor in making its findings."

He said they gave deference to the fact that Polk was presiding over another trial when Rashad's trial initially was set to begin.

"We find that based on the courts schedule only, good cause existed at the time the continuance was granted to continue trial beyond the November speedy trial deadline," Arterburn wrote.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Lawrence Welch Jr. said: "On this record, I conclude it is too thin in relation to the states burden, and I respectfully dissent from my colleagues."

At the hearing on the continuance no exhibits were offered or received and no detail was given as to why the other trial took precedence. The court simply granted the states motion, he said.

"I give deference to the finding that the other trial existed," he said. "The issue lies in there being no indication as to why that trial was scheduled ahead of Rashads trial or why the trial could not have been otherwise accommodated."

On Friday, Riley said obviously it's a big deal for Rashad, who is charged with two serious felonies.

He said the opinions serve as an alert to the courts and the prosecutors that a stronger record and more thorough reasoning would be more palatable to appellate courts.

The right to a speedy-trial isn't something to be trifled with, Riley said.

Photos: Nebraska volleyball takes show on the road to Central City
A week after she was notified that she would be banned and barred from the Capitol after shouting at lawmakers in the chamber, Melody Vaccaro was back at the seat of state government on Thursday.

Vaccaro, the executive director of Nebraskans Against Gun Violence, was escorted out of the building on April 19 with a notice informing her not to return unless she scheduled an appointment after she yelled shame at senators following passage of a bill loosening gun laws in the state.

The priority bill (LB77) of Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon allows individuals to carry concealed weapons without a permit or first completing a safety course, and invalidated local ordinances that regulated firearms.

The bill overcame a filibuster to pass on a 33-14 vote and was signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday.

Vaccaro was sitting in the balcony of the chamber with about two dozen members of Nebraskans Against Gun Violence and Moms Demand Action, another organization that advocates for stronger gun laws, when she reacted to the vote.

She was quickly taken to the security office, told she was banned and barred from the Capitol and surrounding grounds, and escorted out of the building, as state senators and others began to raise questions about whether the action by the Nebraska State Patrol was lawful.

Earlier this week, however, Vaccaro was notified in a letter  also dated April 19  that the ban she thought was for life was only going to last seven days, and that she wasnt actually barred from participating in the democratic process on Capitol grounds.

As previously explained, this bar does not prohibit you from entering the Capitol Complex Area for official business, all matters that deal with the Legislature, and events in the Capitol Complex Area, the letter states.

That language appears to conflict directly with the earlier notice: You have been banned and barred from the Nebraska State Capitol and the Nebraska State Capitol grounds. You are not to enter the Nebraska State Capitol or the Nebraska State Capitol grounds except for scheduled appointments to conduct business.

Vaccaro, in a phone interview on Friday, said the second letter seemed to suggest that she could, in fact, continue to be present at the state Capitol.

It is infuriating to me that they would send me the letter changing the definition of what banned and barred means and what the letter says, she said, and changed it in such a way I could have been participating in what was happening in the Legislature.

Daniel Gutman, an attorney representing Vaccaro, said the mixed signals sent by the Nebraska State Patrol indicate the problems with the ban and bar policy that became immediately evident after it was issued.

In addition to infringing upon her First Amendment rights, Gutman said Vaccaro was not afforded a hearing, which violated her right to due process, and not informed of how she could regain her rights through an appeal, even though the State Patrol indicated to reporters a process was available.

The notice received by Vaccaro this week informs her that she can challenge the administrative decision within 30 days, but with the ban only lasting seven days and having expired, Gutman noted there was nothing for his client to appeal at this point.

(The State Patrols) lifetime ban was an extreme and unprecedented response to a single incident of nonviolent protest, Gutman said. While were encouraged that NSP has retracted its lifetime ban, proper procedures need to be implemented to ensure this never happens again.

Other public institutions have detailed procedures for individuals who have been banned and barred to follow in order to appeal those decisions.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department, for example, can remove and bar individuals from all spaces owned and operated by the university, as well as issue citations and subject them to prosecution.

Anyone who has been banned from UNLs property is required to file an appeal within five business days of being barred. They can also request a temporary waiver if they have a legitimate need to visit campus for attending to official UNL business, according to the policy.

The ACLU of Nebraska, in a blog post on its website, said while all types of expression are constitutionally protected in public forums like the Rotunda, streets, sidewalks and green spaces at the Capitol, that speech was not necessarily protected in every circumstance or location.

Law enforcement and government officials can put in place nondiscriminatory and content neutral time, place, and manner restrictions on First Amendment rights, according to the ACLU of Nebraska, which applies to spectators inside the legislative chamber.

Vaccaro said the experience of being banned for life and later allowed back to the Capitol wont change her approach to her advocacy and activism, but said it might have raised questions or concerns for others about how they engage with the state lawmaking process.

I think its going to, and maybe already has, moved people to question what our civil rights are in this state and where the line is for political speech, she said. I think those questions need to be answered.

With the ban lifted, Vaccaro was present in the Rotunda for Thursdays debate over a bill (LB626) from Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston that would have banned abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.

That bill fell one vote short of the threshold needed to shut off debate and fell off the agenda.

Vaccaro's arrival was met by chants of our house from friends and supporters that could briefly be heard inside the chamber.

Top Journal Star photos for April 2023
Despite this year's filibuster-laden travails that have blocked and delayed action on major legislation while burning this session's 90-day legislative clock, senators will be able to address all the major issues still pending before they adjourn, Speaker John Arch of La Vista says.

Tax reduction bills, the two-year state budget package, school aid reform, tax exemptions for donations to private schools, a green light to proceed with construction of a new state prison, voter photo ID legislation, all will be considered before the 2023 legislative session is completed about a month from now.

"And hopefully justice reform along with committee priorities," Arch said during an interview in the speaker's office immediately following the dramatic conclusion of a three-day legislative week.

Just before heading home for a four-day weekend break on Thursday, senators blocked a bill to sharply limit access to a legal abortion in Nebraska, triggering a boisterous celebration in the Capitol Rotunda by abortion rights advocates that echoed through the hallways.

That was a largely unexpected result that probably matched the unique character of this legislative session.

Even though the session-long filibuster sparked by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha to express her determined opposition to a bill (LB574) that would prohibit transgender youth from obtaining puberty blockers, hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery has slammed on the brakes, "We will address the big issues in the time remaining," Arch said.

"I think when we're done we can look back and say that we were able to accomplish what we were sent here to do.

"The number of bills passed does not equate to their impact," he said.

"It's the quality of those bills that has far greater impact," the speaker said.

While the Legislature is poised to give the go-ahead to launch construction of a new $350 million state prison, Arch also has his eye on accompanying justice reform.

"The consensus is that we need to do both," he said. "We can do better with how we help incarcerated people move back into society" upon completion of their prison terms.

Arch said "the overriding principle" that has guided him in managing a sharply divided Legislature that has been under what may have been a unique form of stress this year has been to "protect the institution."

"Senators come and go, issues come and go, but the institution must remain and be passed on to future generations," the speaker said.

Undamaged, unharmed, undiminished, secure.

Despite this session's unique filibuster that in effect has been applied to the session itself, Arch said he has resisted calls to quickly change the Legislature's rules and procedures in response to that challenge.

"We can give consideration over the summer as to whether we need to adjust," he said. "We have to make sure that if the filibuster rule is changed, that doesn't stop the minority voice," he said.

"My commitment is to the institution," the speaker said.

"The minority voice must be protected," Arch said. "At some point, we will all be in the minority. We must allow the minority to speak.

"It would be unwise to damage the institution because of the current situation," he said.

"My desire has been to provide a steady hand through our disagreements," Arch said.

Despite the deadlock and the backlog and the stress applied to this session, "we are moving bills," he said.

Arch, a health care administrator who previously had been chairman of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, was elected speaker in January.

Photos: The business of governing in Nebraska in 2023
 Flash

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg in Beijing on Monday.



Noting that China and Mongolia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners, Qin said that China stands ready to work with Mongolia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, pursue mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and enhance political mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples.

Qin expressed China's willingness to further synergize the development strategies of both countries, promote the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and improve cooperation on mining and interconnectivity and other areas to build a China-Mongolia community with a shared future featuring peaceful coexistence, mutual assistance and win-win cooperation.

Battsetseg said that the Mongolian side abides by the one-China principle, adding that the country believes that the Taiwan question and issues concerning Hong Kong and Xinjiang are purely China's internal affairs.

Mongolia appreciates and supports China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, Battsetseg said, adding that Mongolia is willing to deepen political mutual trust and expand practical cooperation with China, and make bilateral ties a model for the region.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on sandstorm prevention and control, and jointly promote sustainable development. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
The crowd sheltered by a tent overlooking a UW-Madison construction site included some of computings more familiar names.

There was Larry Landweber, an original member of the Internet Hall of Fame for his work in establishing the first network gateways between the United States and countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Tom Rudkin, co-developer of PowerPoint, was there. So was Guri Sohi, an expert in the design of high-performance computer systems and prime inventor of a circuit that helps computers run multiple instructions at once. Brian Pinkerton, who created WebCrawler, was on hand. John Morgridge, who grew Cisco Systems from about 35 employees to 50,000 during his tenure as chief executive officer, spoke about his earliest days in computing.

The occasion? A ceremonial groundbreaking for a 350,000-square-foot home for the School of Computer, Data and Information Sciences, a building that looks to the future of computing on a campus that has long been part of the industrys past.

Scheduled to be completed in late 2025, the seven-story building will itself reflect the latest in technology while providing a home for a school currently scattered but growing by leaps and bounds. With 3,400 students, computer science is the single largest major on campus. Data science wasnt launched until 2019 and includes 900 students today. Information science and statistics will also claim space there, as well as some related programs in biostatistics and web data management.

Overall CDIS enrollment stands at about 5,000 students.

The School of Computer, Data and Information Sciences is itself a new entity, formed in 2019 after then-Chancellor Rebecca Blank formed a study group to examine how rapid growth in student demand could be met physically as well as administratively. Programs that make up CDIS today were previously spread across campus organizational charts.

A related goal was better serving students in other majors who wanted to take basic computing courses, arguably necessary in todays world, and better serving Wisconsin companies that needed such talent. It wasnt so long ago that most comp sci students from UW-Madison left the state; today, the tide is turning.

The results are already being noticed. The computer science program moved up five places (from 17th to 12th) in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, which may not be scientific but is reflective of reputational attitudes. Its likely a recognition that UW-Madison has stepped up its game in many ways.

With a strong base of graduates and others who have touched the program over time, the $260 million cost of the building is being privately funded. Wisconsin-born Morgridge and his wife, Tashia, represent a big chunk of that money. The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which patents and licenses university discoveries, also contributed heavily.

There was also a practical reason why no public money has been sought to date: Neither the UW-Madison nor the UW System can borrow money on their own, which is a rarity among major universities, public or private. The state of Wisconsin must authorize projects that involve even a minimal amount of tax money, which critics say leads to costly delays and unnecessary management fees beyond ordinary architectural and construction processes.

Meanwhile, just a few blocks away from the new CDIS site on the corner of West Johnson and Orchard streets, the College of Engineering is looking to replace a Stalin-esque building that has long outlived its usefulness. Student demand for an engineering degree rivals computer science, yet UW-Madison is turning down record numbers of students from Wisconsin and elsewhere because there is no place to put them. A proposal for a new building within the engineering campus is pending and requires legislative approval because about half of its cost would be public.

With artificial intelligence coming of age, the CDIS building will likely witness a generational change in computing science. A new engineering building would allow the campus to train more students, to help more companies and to help solve some pressing Wisconsin and world problems. It would be a shame if the CDIS building wasnt followed by a modern engineering structure to keep UW-Madison among the nations research leaders.
GOP | STATE FREEDOM CAUCUS NETWORK

BILLINGS, Mont.  The banishment of transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr from Montana's House floor has showcased the rising power of hard-line conservatives  organized under the banner of the State Freedom Caucus Network  who are leveraging divisive social issues to gain influence in 11 statehouses.

In Montana, they led the charge to enshrine a ban on gender-affirming care for minors that the governor signed Friday. In South Carolina, they slowed the budget process this year with failed amendments to punish universities with diversity programs. In Wyoming, they tried to make certain library books "crimes of obscenity."

Across the country with varying levels of success, the groups have followed the playbook of the House Freedom Caucus, an eight-year old alliance of GOP conservatives determined to pull Republicans in the U.S. Congress to the right.

After debuting on the second anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the U.S. Capitol, the Montana Freedom Caucus' 21 members over the past two weeks successfully pushed GOP leaders to punish Zephyr, a Democrat, following her statements and actions in support of the transgender community.

The dispute brought Zephyr a national stage from which to advocate for transgender issues. Though she's seized the moment and drawn support from the left, her elevated profile could work to the GOP's advantage as Republicans try to paint Democrats as extremists heading into 2024, said University of Montana political analyst Robert Saldin.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a moderate Democrat and farmer, will be up for reelection in a race considered pivotal for control of the Senate.

"This is what the Freedom Caucus folks wanted," said Saldin. "Now Zephyr is the second most well-known Democrat in Montana. To the extent that she's the face of the party in Montana, that's great for the Freedom Caucus."

Zephyr's punishment appears unprecedented in Montana. It comes after the state's political landscape careened sharply Republican over the past 15 years, giving the GOP a two-thirds supermajority in the statehouse. That shift sidelined the thinning ranks of Republican moderates  and brought to the fore social issues once on the legislative fringe.

"They like to call us extremists, but we're seeing the extremists on the left take front and center stage here," said Montana Freedom Caucus chair and state Sen. Theresa Manzella. "We're getting behind the right issues, the issues that are dear to our hearts and those of our constituency." The caucus and its members

also repeatedly misgendered Zephyr by using the wrong pronouns to reference her. Manzella indicated that will continue.

A party-line vote

Montana's Republican House Speaker stopped recognizing Zephyr's requests to speak on April 18 after she told colleagues they'd have blood on their hands if they restricted gender-affirming medical care.

Days later, Zephyr was ousted from the floor on a party-line vote for the remainder of the session, accused of egging on boisterous demonstrators in the House gallery who demanded she be allowed to speak.

State Rep. Bob Phalen, a Freedom Caucus member, said the moves against Zephyr capped a session in which the caucus played a key role passing laws banning gender-affirming care for minors and restricting the dissemination of pornography.

The group now includes one fifth of statehouse Republicans and Phalen said he expects it to grow with the addition of freshman lawmakers whose votes aligned with Freedom Caucus priorities and will thereby earn entry.

Network origins

The State Freedom Caucus Network is the brainchild of Republican strategist Andy Roth and U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, who in the lead-up to the 2020 election devised expanding the House Freedom Caucus model to the states.

The network uses House Freedom Caucus members to establish state-level affiliates, with congressmen including Biggs, U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina informally advising lawmakers in their states  hoping to create a pipeline of conservative lawmakers to higher office. Each backed Trump's false statements about fraud in the 2020 election.

Since its founding, the national network has supported Republican primary candidates with modest funds for attack ads in at least one state, but its primary function has been to advise lawmakers on policy and strategy, said Roth, the network's president.

The state-level strategy mirrors that of the House Freedom Caucus, which led the GOP rebellion against U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy's bid for Speaker in January, extracting major concessions from leadership and coveted committee assignments.

The majority of the 11 states with caucuses are controlled by Republican governors and Legislatures. Roth said that's by design. The national network advises its state members to "be loud" against Republicans who have compromised on fiscal and cultural conservative principles, Roth said.

"We're getting behind the right issues, the issues that are dear to our hearts and those of our constituency."

State Sen. Theresa Manzella,Montana Freedom Caucus
Five men from the Bronx have been charged in Dane County with running a nitrous oxide ring outside concerts at the Near East Side venue The Sylvee, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Madison police witnessed the group selling dozens of intoxicating gas-filled balloons to concertgoers on Thursday, shouting Ice Cold! Whippets! as their customers stumbled around in the street after inhaling the gas, according to the complaint.

The men were arrested outside The String Cheese Incident show that night.

Each man  Lewis Miguel Almonte, 25; David R. Colon, 26; Hector J. Jimenez, 25; Omar Edward Flores, 26; and Raymond F. Correa, 30  faces one charge of delivery of nitrous oxide to a person over 21 years old. Correa faces a felony count of obstruction and causing a soft-tissue injury to an officer because he injured an officers knee while being tackled after trying to flee the scene on foot, according to the complaint.

A Dane County Court commissioner on Monday ordered the men held on cash bonds ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.

According to the complaint:

Officers began staking out the area outside The Sylvee in the 100 block of South Livingston Street around 9:30 p.m. because people had been arrested for nitrous oxide sales there before.

As the concert let out, the group of men unloaded a pair of nitrous oxide tanks, one of them labeled Pepsi-Cola Bottling, on East Main Street and began filling multicolored balloons with the tanks gas.

In view of the police, the group began selling the balloons to concertgoers with cash and through money-exchange apps, shouting: Weve got grade A nitrous! Three for $20 or $10 apiece.

One officer lost count of how many balloons were sold by the men.

When the suspects were taken into custody, the area where they were filling the balloons was littered with empty balloons or balloon pieces from balloons that had popped, the complaint says.

Officers watched as concertgoers who had inhaled the gas stumbled around in the street, leaning on cars and otherwise appeared stupefied by the contents.

When police moved in to arrest the subjects, they found a little over $2,000 in cash on Flores and CashApp notifications on Colons cellphone showing transactions as high as $50.
On a gray and rainy Monday morning, Carl Frank Farley, 64, was in high spirits as he prepared to move in to his new apartment. With him he had his dog, Deacon, a small stack of clothes and an air mattress.

For the past four weeks, Farley has been staying at a motel after a deadly fire in the early morning hours of March 18 at his former residence, the Monona Hills Apartments just east of Madison in the city of Monona. The fire left one resident dead and the building uninhabitable.

All that would fit in the interior of a 1994 Toyota Camry. Thats what I have, Farley said.

Farley was one of 13 former Monona Hills residents who moved in to Oak Ridge at University Park, a subsidized senior living apartment building on Madisons West Side, on Monday. Many of the former residents of the Section 8, low-cost apartments at Monona Hills, 353 Owen Road, were seniors. For the past six weeks, most of the displaced residents have been in flux, bouncing among motels or staying with family and friends. The uncertainty has been challenging.

The burden of homelessness is not simply meals and shelter, Farley said. Theres this huge struggle when you dont have the permanence.

Shortly after the fire at Monona Hills, Cheryl Huie, property manager of Oak Ridge, said she and her team were determined to help the displaced residents find housing. After connecting with several former Monona Hills residents, Huie worked with the Dane County Housing Authority to provide incoming residents with rental vouchers. All of the former Monona Hill residents also received a $500 Visa gift card the day of their move-in from Oak Ridge developer JT Klein.

It was definitely a collaborative effort, Huie said. Im feeling very proud, seeing the results now and people moving in with smiles on their faces.

Sixty-seven households were displaced by the apartment fire, housing authority Executive Director Karyn Knaak said. So far, the agency has issued 44 vouchers to displaced residents to find new housing. Some residents have decided to stay with friends and family as they wait for Monona Hills to be rebuilt, Knaak said.

A fresh start

Mary Gorman, 76, was another one of the formerly displaced residents who moved in to Oak Ridge on Monday. Gorman was excited to have a place to call home, but she also had her hesitations.

Ive been a Madison East-Sider for decades, and moving this far west feels like Im moving to Chicago, she said with a laugh.

Something Gorman was looking forward to was reuniting with some of her former neighbors who also moved to Oak Ridge. When she caught sight of former Monona Hills resident Robert Colwell during move-in, the two embraced in a tight hug.

Colwell, 64, moved in to his new apartment Monday with the help of his sister, with whom he stayed after the fire. He described the fire as a traumatic experience, recalling standing out in the cold with his neighbors looking for a warm place to go. He had lived at the complex for almost 15 years before he was displaced.

That fire was terrible, Colwell said. About eight apartments were just toast, and they belonged to my friends. They lost everything.

Although he remains emotionally tied to his former residence, Colwell is excited for a fresh start and grateful for those who helped him along the way.

This place is a palace compared to where I used to live, Colwell said as he toured his new one-bedroom apartment, which is equipped  like all the apartments at Oak Ridge  with stainless steel appliances and full-size washers and dryers. The building also offers several amenities such as a fitness center, pool and patio. A lot of people have done a lot of work to help me move in here.

In the coming months, Huie is looking forward to seeing how Oak Ridges newest residents settle in to their new home. Monday marked the largest move-in of new residents from the same community since Oak Ridge was built.

My hope for them is that they meet a lot of new friends and are able to share what bonded them in Monona Hills, Huie said. They bring in that camaraderie, and so I look forward to seeing the things that made their home in Monona Hills special. I want them to bring that here.
A second group of Dane County supervisors said Monday night that Rep. Shelia Stubbs should not lead the Department of Human Services, throwing the Madison legislators bid to lead the countys largest agency into further uncertainty before it heads to the full board later this week.

The boards Personnel and Finance Committees unanimous decision against Stubbs nomination comes as the political fight surrounding it has been marked by public condemnation of a racial epithet directed at Black supervisors by one of Stubbs Black supporters during a different confirmation hearing last Thursday.

But unlike that hearing, which focused on the political questions and controversy surrounding Stubbs nomination, supervisors on Monday said she did not have the management experience to lead the Department of Human Services.

Stubbs, who has held public office for the last 16 years, told supervisors that she has not personally led an organization larger than her eight-person state Assembly office or her church, which has about a dozen ministers.

Stubbs did emphasize her experience working on budgets in the state Legislature and on the County Board, where she for a time chaired the committee that has oversight of the Department of Human Services.

Its a different skill set, Sup. Mike Bare, 32nd District, said of the responsibilities of the countys Human Services director.

The department oversees a nursing home, youth justice programs, protective services, mental health and addiction services, and more. Its budget is about $242 million.

In my opinion, looking at Rep. Stubbs work history, I dont see the level of management experience needed at the scale that this department requires, said Board Chair Patrick Miles, 34th District.

In her testimony before the committee, Stubbs touted past support from organized labor in her political campaigns and her work with Human Services staff while she served on the board.

People trust me, Stubbs said. I think you need a trusted voice when youre dealing with any of these issues.

County Executive Joe Parisi, who nominated Stubbs last month, has called the boards ongoing rejection of her nomination unprecedented.

The tenor of the previous confirmation hearing came up repeatedly as supervisors debated Stubbs bid on Monday.

At the start of her remarks at Monday nights hearing, Stubbs condemned the use of a racial slur directed at Black supervisors by one of her supporters at last weeks meeting.

But when asked Thursday night about the comment and other alleged threats against Black supervisors, Stubbs said: People say what they want to say because this is a democracy.

On Monday, Stubbs faced repeated criticism for that.

That was a troubling moment, Bare said.

Parisis support

In his continued support for Stubbs, Parisi has named her experience holding public office and work in the community as her top qualifications for the job.

For Parisi, no other nominee to lead a county department has faced the opposition that Stubbs has, and Stubbs has said her nomination is being treated differently because she is Black.

On Monday, Parisi released details about the hiring process for the last seven department head confirmations in the county. None of those had a Black woman as the nominee.

Supervisors have contended the selection process that landed on Stubbs has not included the level of vetting seen in past nominations.

In the previous two hunts for a Human Services director, a national recruiter was used in one and another faced a public town hall with the other applicants, supervisors have said at the confirmation hearings.

Sup. Heidi Wegleitner, 2nd District, who chairs the Health and Human Needs Committee, said she requested information on all applicants to the job as well as notes from the interviews of the finalists, reference checks and the job posting.

There were four finalists for the job, including Stubbs and Astra Iheukumere, Human Services interim director for the last year and the departments previous deputy director.

Three of the last seven director nominations  for the Dane County Regional Airport, Human Services and the Alliant Energy Center  involved the use of a recruiter, said Greg Brockmeyer, the countys head of administration.

The board did not request information on other finalists or other documentation in any of those seven cases, Brockmeyer said.

The Human Services director position was posted for two weeks without utilizing a recruitment firm, and we garnered 25 applicants, which is considered a very successful recruitment, Brockmeyer said.

We use a variety of recruitment strategies in order to attract a diverse pool of highly qualified applicants, Brockmeyer said.

Brockmeyer did not list how long positions were posted in any of the examples save two: a corporation counsel job open for six weeks because at first only one person applied, and a director for the Alliant Energy Center position that was open for two weeks.

Increasing tension

Sup. Matt Veldran, 4th District, claimed Parisi nominated Stubbs as a political challenge to the board.

He called us political. I think its patently false. I think its just the opposite, said Veldran, who apologized to Stubbs for getting caught amid the political battles between the board and Parisi.

The idea that were just a rubber stamp is a hard thing to swallow, he said.

Room with a view: See inside and outside Wisconsin's Capitol dome Capitol Dome exterior Looking up at the dome Capitol renovations Looking at the dome from the first floor View of rotunda View of ceiling of the rotunda Looking down from the Oculus Deck Spiral staircase in the dome View from top of dome Inside the dome View from top of dome View of East Washington Avenue View of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard View of "Resources of Wisconsin" Rappel down the dome Supermoon behind the dome Capitol dome bathed in green
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va  Officials in Virginia, Maine, and Florida assessed damage Monday from major storms over the weekend, including some that caused power outages and wrecked homes.

The City of Virginia Beach declared a state of emergency after a tornado moved through the area and damaged over 100 buildings, downed trees and caused gas leaks. No injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi River crested at midday Monday in Davenport, Iowa, peaking slightly lower than forecast but still high enough to test the city's flood defenses and to keep officials on guard. The rising river in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois was caused by a surge of water from melting snowfall to the north.
TEXAS | MASS SHOOTING

CLEVELAND, Texas  Authorities on Monday still had not captured a gunman in Texas who killed five neighbors from Honduras. As the search dragged through a third day with false alarms and few apparent leads, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faced backlash over drawing attention to the victims' immigration status.

An FBI agent on the scene near Houston acknowledged they have little to go on in the widening manhunt for Francisco Oropeza, 38, who was deported four times since 2009, but who neighbor say lived on their street for year prior to Friday night's shooting i the rural town of Cleveland.

Twice on Monday, a sheriff office in a neighboring count alerted the public about possible sightings, but neither turned u Oropeza.

Abbott offered a $50,000 re ward over the weekend for tip that might lead to the gunman and while doing so, the three term governor described all the victims as "illegal immigrants  a potentially false statemen that his office walked back an apologized for Monday.

Critics accused Abbott, who has made hard-line immigration measures a signature issue in Texas, of putting politics into the shooting.

More than 250 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, are now part of a growing search that has come up empty despite additional manpower, scent-tracking dogs and a total of $80,000 in reward money on the table.

On Monday, a heavy presence of police converged in Montgomery County after a possible sighting, but the sheriff's office later said none of the persons were found to be Oropeza.

A few hours later, the department reported another possible sighting, tweeting that several schools "secured their campuses" and again asked residents to avoid the area. That search, too, turned up nothing.

Both were among the first times since the shooting that authorities announced a possible sighting.

"I can tell you right now, we have zero leads," James Smith, the FBI special agent in charge, said Sunday.

Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous after fleeing the area Friday night, likely on foot. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, which occurred after the suspect's neighbors asked him to stop firing off rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.

Police recovered the AR-15style rifle that they said Oropeza used in the shootings. Authorities were not sure if Oropeza was carrying another weapon after others were found in his home.
ANOTHER VIEW | EAU CLAIRE LEADER-TELEGRAM

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' announcement last week that Republican legislators are working on some sort of medical marijuana bill was welcome news.

We have a hard time believing the timing was an accident  it took place on 4/20  the movement appears to represent a shift in the Republican caucus' approach. Prior sessions saw bills for medical marijuana or full legalization go nowhere, with staunch opposition from legislative Republicans.

Wisconsin is considerably out of step with other states on the question of whether to legalize marijuana use. Both Illinois and Michigan allow adults to use marijuana recreationally. Minnesota and Iowa allow medical use.

As we noted back in January, this isn't a red state/blue state issue. No one would call Louisiana or Mississippi strongholds for the Democrats. But both allow for medical marijuana and have decriminalized possession. Utah, by far one of the most conservative states, allows medical marijuana.

Being out of step with other states can cause headaches, but it isn't an inherently troublesome issue. States, under a federalist system, have considerable latitude to govern themselves. Being out of step with Wisconsin residents, on the other hand, is more problematic.

Polling suggests legislative opposition is badly out of sync with most of the state's residents. An October poll from Marquette University's law school showed 64% of people favor full legalization. That was up from 59% in 2019.

That 2019 poll showed support for medical marijuana was even stronger, with 83% of those surveyed in favor of it. Support that strong rarely occurs for anything.

Those levels of support show something else, too. There's virtually no downside to a politician supporting medical marijuana. Opposition, on the other hand, could carry a political penalty. The simple reality is that Republicans in state government can read the trends as well as anyone, and they know the foot-dragging approach from prior years is wearing thin with voters.

Vos, R-Rochester, isn't the only Republican to have made comments suggesting a real shift is underway. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said in January a bill could pass during the current session. For the first time, there appears to be genuine public support from Republican leaders in both chambers.

Being one of only 11 states that still absolutely prohibits marijuana use in any form isn't a badge of honor. Nor is the federal government's stubborn refusal to abandon its stance that marijuana has no valid medical uses.

Changes to Wisconsin's approach are justified by financial incentives with the likely windfall from taxes for any form of marijuana legalization in the state. They are justified by political calculations. And, most of all, they are justified by the opinions of the people of this state.

It is past time for the Legislature to get serious about this issue and to unveil a reasonable proposal for members to vote on. Vos and LeMahieu should pick up the pace.
Challis Hot Springs set for rededication ceremony

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation on Wednesday will host a rededication ceremony for Challis Hot Springs following its acquisition from the Hammond family, whose ancestors had homesteaded there in the late 1800s.

The hot springs will become a unit of the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park during an 11 a.m. event at 5025 Hot Springs Road in Challis. Gov. Brad Little will be among the attendees.

We are happy to add the springs to our park, which showcases the areas past and natural resources with ghost towns, mining, Native American history, and an extensive recreational trail network, Susan Buxton, the states director of parks and recreation, said in a news release.

The departments acquisition also includes a campground with 54 spaces for rents and RVs, according to the release.

Idaho gas prices up 7 cents this week, to $3.71

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is down this week. Not in Idaho.

Gem State drivers are paying $3.71, up seven cents from a week ago, according to AAA Idaho, while the national average has slipped six cents to $3.61. Idahos price is the 11th highest in the United States.

Pump prices in other parts of the country have been dropping because of cheaper crude oil. While that hasnt happened here yet, at least the Idaho average has slowed down, with prices moving only a penny since last Thursday, AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said in a news release. Lately, the state and national averages have been two ships passing in the night, but if fuel demand remains high, gas prices everywhere will be under a lot of pressure to follow suit.

Despite the uptick over the last week, Idahos average is roughly 70 cents per gallon cheaper than a year ago, Conde said.

The lowest prices reported Tuesday morning across the Magic Valley, according to GasBuddy: $3.49 in Twin Falls, $3.69 in Jerome, $3.30 in Burley, $3.89 in Hailey and $4.09 in Ketchum.

California ($4.87) continues to have the nations highest per-gallon price, followed by Hawaii ($4.78), Arizona ($4.70), Washington ($4.60) and Nevada ($4.26). Mississippi, at $3.18, has the lowest price at the pump.

Also:

Idaho ranked third behind Utah and Washington in the 2023 Best States rankings, released Monday by U.S. News & World Report

, the global authority in rankings and civic journalism. The Gem State ranked among the top 10 states in three categories: Economy (No. 2), fiscal stability (No. 2) and infrastructure (No. 10).

The

Hailey Public Library will host a free slideshow presentation from Nils Ribi

, titled For the Love of Photography, on Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Town Center West, 116 S. River St. Ribis photography has been published in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and other national and regional publications.

 Times-News
BANGKOK, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Grand Palace, high-end shopping malls, and the Pattaya Pier in and around Bangkok are once again bustling with activity as Chinese tourists flock to Thailand during the five-day Labor Day holiday.

For nearly a decade, Suchart has been a familiar sight on Pattaya Beach, setting up beach chairs and preparing for visitors who come to relax, drink coconut water, and ride speedboats out to sea.

Chinese tourists were once a staple of Suchart's daily routine, with the business receiving almost a hundred of them on peak days. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to the tourism industry, resulting in a significant decline in visitors.

Thankfully, Suchart is happy to see the beach come alive again this year.

"With more Chinese tourists after the pandemic, our economic situation has also improved. If they continue to return, it would benefit workers in all industries," he said.

According to data from the Kasikorn Research Center in Thailand, as of April 30, the country has received more than 737,000 Chinese tourists this year, a 30-fold jump from the same period last year.

Since late April, Mandarin has become a common language in Bangkok's major tourist destinations, and Chinese social media platforms are replete with young travelers sharing their shopping and travel experiences in Thailand.

This has made Chanapan Kaewchaiyawuth, vice president of the Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association, extremely happy. He said the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand every day has recovered to one-third of the pre-pandemic level, with around 10,000 visitors.

Local tourism outlets have eagerly anticipated the return of Chinese tourists in significant numbers. According to Chanapan, travel agencies have made comprehensive preparations to accommodate a large influx of Chinese tourists during the holiday period.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association, predicted that with the rising number of flights between Thailand and China during the summer, followed by the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, Chinese tourist numbers are expected to recover up to 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

Hotels in Thailand are fully equipped to cater to Chinese visitors. As it is currently the off-season with fewer European guests, those in the tourism industry are longing for the arrival of more Chinese tourists during the Labor Day holiday and beyond, she told Xinhua.

Marisa said the Tourism Authority of Thailand has organized roadshows in major Chinese cities this year, and hotels affiliated with the association have actively competed to woo Chinese tourists.

Kevalin Wangpichayasuk from Kasikorn Research Center noted a significant shift in the preferences of Chinese tourists, with younger travelers and small group tours becoming increasingly popular. These tourists prefer to explore local food and fashion, as well as visit off-the-beaten-path travel destinations.

Marisa has also recognized the trend of Chinese travelers seeking new experiences. She hoped that in the future, Chinese visitors will continue to venture beyond popular tourist destinations and explore emerging areas with unique offerings.

For Suchart, the fact that Chinese guests have shifted from group tours to independent travel means that more local businesses will benefit. "Independent travelers are more likely to explore and spend money in multiple areas rather than staying in one place," he said. 
A bright ray of love and compassion has just broken through the ugly cloud of misinformation about transgender kids that was created in the just-concluded legislative session.

At a time when extremist legislators, particularly from the northern climes of the state, seemed hellbent on punishing these kids, a courageous panhandle librarian was selected for a national award for supporting LGBTQ teens, despite backlash from some in her community.

Denise Neujahr, a librarian at the Community Library Network based in Post Falls and Hayden, will receive the American Library Associations Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity in June. The award is for the Rainbow Squad Program she initiated in 2019 to bring LGBTQ kids and their allies together on a monthly basis to interact in a non-threatening atmosphere.

Neujahr said the program lets the kids be themselves without any judgment or bullying, which they experience daily at school, church or home.

Quote In spite of the fact that nobody has been able to point to evidence of a transgender problem in Idaho, legislative miscreants targeted this bullied minority, causing untold grief and dread for them and their families.

Neujahrs work is important because of the hysteria raised about transgender youth by some legislative troublemakers this year. Transgender-bashing has become the foremost national culture war issue this year, designed primarily to stoke fear and score political points.

In spite of the fact that nobody has been able to point to evidence of a transgender problem in Idaho, legislative miscreants targeted this bullied minority, causing untold grief and dread for them and their families. And it is not as if these kids did not already have more than enough derision, severe depression and suicidal ideation to deal with before the legislators piled on.

Legislators who have claimed to be dead-set against the government meddling in family medical decisions, could not wait to prohibit families with trans kids from getting the gender-affirming care prescribed by their doctors. In fact, the Legislature provided in House Bill 71 that those doctors could spend up to 10 years in prison for providing that care. That will certainly give more doctors a good reason to move out of state, making it more difficult for even the extremists to find a doctor.

Dorothy Moon, the head of the extremist branch of the Idaho GOP, appears to believe that people choose to be in the LGBTQ community, speaking of the LGBTQ+ ideology. It is not a choice and it is not an ideology. Rather, according to medical experts, it is biology with an element of genetics. As one expert put it, The idea that a persons sex is determined by their anatomy at birth is not true, and weve known that its not true for decades. Gender identity comes from the brain, not the body.

Moon claims that doctors must be prevented from providing gender-affirming care because it is harmful to children. Mainstream doctors in Idaho and across the country say that is flat-wrong and attest that gender-affirming treatment is essential to the well-being of transgender kids. Indeed, one recent study showed 60% less depression and 73% less suicidality in kids who received such care.

HB71 will be challenged in court and likely be declared unconstitutional. The state will be stuck with paying substantial attorney fees for both sides. The proponents of the legislation probably knew this would be the result but decided that point-scoring with their base was more important, even if it caused immense fear and heartache for transgender kids and their families.

In this combative atmosphere, where facts have played little part in the war against transgender kids, it is encouraging to see people like Denise Neujahr standing up for an oppressed minority group and extending a hand of compassion and inclusion. Despite the ugliness emanating from the Legislature, decency is still alive and well in the Gem State.
A VERY accessible and fast transportation system  the Metro Manila Subway Project  will definitely improve the lives of many Filipinos in most parts of the Greater Manila, including the Philippines most competitive highly urbanized Quezon City.

Two underground subway train stations, at Quezon Avenue and East Avenue, are now under construction after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) held a groundbreaking ceremony attended by contractors and government officials last Friday.

QC first district Cong. Juan Carlos Arjo Atayde (second from right) joins government officials and private contractors during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Metro Manila Subway Project Contract Package 102 for the two underground stations and runners in Quezon Avenue and East Avenue last Friday.

Quezon City first district Rep. Juan Carlos Arjo Atayde, who attended the Fridays groundbreaking event, lauded the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for accelerating the construction of the subway project.

This project will improve the lives of the residents not only in Quezon City, but all over the NCR [National Capital Region], Atayde, the 32-year-old freshman lawmaker, said. It will also help ease the traffic in Metro Manila. So its admirable to see the start of this project.

Although the DOTrs target finish and start of the full operation of these two subway train stations  Quezon Avenue and East Avenue is still in 2028, the current young actor expressed satisfaction to the project saying its worth the wait.

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It will give the commuters the convenience and the comfort aside from the job opportunities that it will bring, he added. I know its going to be sustainable, accessible and safe for our daily commuters.

According to the DOTr, the subway can accommodate around 519,000 passengers everyday.

The governments transportation agency also said in various reports that the travels from Valenzuela City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport  approximately runs 33.1 kilometers would be trimmed to 45 minutes by train across 17 stations.

The regular travel time by car is one hour and 38 minutes.

The entire subway will interlink with various railway systems such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1, MRT 3, MRT 7, and the Grand Common station. The LRT 2 at the Anonas Station will also be connected at the subway. It will joined also with two stations of the North to South rail.

Atayde said the 3.1-kilometer tunnel railway and two underground stations will help commuters to travel fast to Quezon Citys central business districts, government offices and private offices, which is beneficial to the districts economic progress.

What can I say for? Quezon Citys economy will continuously progress and grow once this project becomes operational in 2028, Atayde said, a member of 16 committees in the congress including Metro Manila Development and Appropriations.

Quezon City under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, was named last October as the overall Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in the country by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during its 10th Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Awarding ceremony.

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A vast search was underway in Texas Monday for the man suspected of shooting dead five neighbors, including a nine-year-old boy, after they asked him to stop firing his rifle in his yard late at night.

The FBI in Houston said more than 250 law enforcement officers from a dozen agencies were actively searching for the man, Francisco Oropesa, a 38-year-old Mexican national.

Oropesa is accused of attacking his neighbors on Friday night in the small town of Cleveland, in southeastern Texas, after they allegedly asked him to stop shooting his semi-automatic AR-15 because the noise was keeping a baby awake.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Oropesa, who he said was in the country illegally.

The short statement by Abbott, a Republican, also referred to the suspect as having killed five illegal immigrants, sparking immediate criticism on social media over his focus on the victims immigration status.

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Five human beings lost their lives and Greg Abbott insists on labeling them illegal immigrants,' tweeted Julian Castro, the former Democratic mayor of the Texas city of San Antonio.

The victims were originally from Honduras.

Abbott also said he will continue working with state and local officials to ensure they have all available resources to respond to this horrific crime.

Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the five victims that were taken in this senseless act of violence, he added.

CNN reported that Oropesa had been deported from the United States at least four times since 2009, citing a source from US immigration authorities, adding that his current immigration status was unclear.

Greg Capers, the sheriff of San Jacinto County where the shootings took place, said his thoughts were with the slain little boy, whose age was previously stated as eight.

I dont care if he was here legally, Capers told reporters over the weekend. I dont care if he was here illegally. He was in my county. Five people died in my county and that is where my heart is.

 Ill do what I want 

The FBI offered an additional $25,000 reward for Oropesa.

Capers described a horrifying scene when the authorities arrived at the victims residence after receiving a call about harassment around 11:30 pm Friday.

Bodies were strewn from the front door to an inside bedroom, where two deceased women were found lying on top of two traumatized children who survived the massacre.

In my opinion, they were actually trying to take care of the babies and keep them babies alive, Capers told ABCs Houston station KTRK.

All the victims had been shot from the neck up, almost execution style, basically in the head, the sheriff said.

Several residents were in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds.

Capers said the suspect had been drinking and allegedly told his neighbors Ill do what I want to in my front yard,' before barging into their house and opening fire.

The Honduran foreign minister, Enrique Reina, called for the gunman to face the full weight of the law.

In response to yet another US mass shooting, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday, The president believes prayers alone are not enough.

Congress must act, Jean-Pierre said. Because what makes tragedies like this one all the more heart-wrenching is the fact that it is entirely within our power to take these weapons of war off our streets.

The Texas killings appeared to be the latest in a series of US shootings spawned by normally banal interactions: a teenager mistakenly knocking on the wrong door, a cheerleader accidentally stepping into the wrong car, someone mistakenly driving into the wrong driveway, a ball rolling into a neighbors yard.

There have been more than 180 mass shootings  defined as four or more people wounded or killed  so far this year in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

With more firearms than inhabitants, the United States has the highest rate of gun deaths of any developed country  49,000 in 2021, up from 45,000 the year before.

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit South Korea next week, Japans foreign ministry said Tuesday, as the two US allies pursue warmer ties.

Kishida will hold talks on Sunday with President Yoon Suk Yeol on the first trip to South Korea by a Japanese premier since 2018.

It comes after the leaders agreed to end tit-for-tat trade curbs at a March summit in Tokyo, de-escalating a bitter dispute over Japans use of wartime forced labor.

Japans foreign ministry and the South Korean presidential office both confirmed the May 7-8 trip after Kishida told reporters that it was being arranged.

He called the visit a good opportunity to hold a candid exchange of opinions over accelerating Japan and South Koreas relationship, and the rapidly changing international situation.

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Kishida, who is on a tour of four African nations and Singapore, added that his trip to South Korea would give momentum to shuttle diplomacy between the neighbors.

The two leaders had pledged in March to restart regular mutual visits, a practice suspended for over a decade, and Kishida has invited Yoon to the G7 summit in Hiroshima later in May.

Through Prime Minister Kishidas visit to Korea, shuttle diplomacy between the leaders will begin in earnest, South Koreas presidential office said in a statement.

Often-testy relations between the countries deteriorated after South Koreas Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of forced labour in World War II.

But Yoon, who took office a year ago, has been keen to end the spat and form a united front against regional challenges including North Korea.

Earlier this year, Seoul announced a plan to pay those affected without Tokyos involvement.

In further efforts to thaw ties, Japans trade ministry said last week it had started the process to add South Korea back to a so-called white list of trusted trade partners, having downgraded it in 2019. AFP

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Guinea-Bissaus President Umaro Sissoco Embalo warned on Monday that he will not set another date for the legislative elections scheduled for June 4.

I will not make another decree to set another date for the elections. I have already done it twice, Umaro Sissoco Embalo told reporters after a ceremony at the Presidency of the Republic to mark Labor Day.

The elections will take place on the 4th June and they must be orderly and transparent, said the Guinean Head of State. Umaro Sissoco Embalo dissolved the National Assembly, the countrys parliament, in May 2022 and scheduled parliamentary elections for December 18 of the same year, but the government, after meetings with political parties, proposed that the elections be postponed to May this year.

The Guinean President ended up scheduling the legislative elections for June 4. There is nothing to prevent the elections on June 4th, because it is a consensual date. The parties are free to participate. Guinea-Bissau will not be held hostage by anyone and what happened on February 1 will not happen again and anything will have an appropriate response, said Umaro Sissoco Embalo. Adding that the date of the elections was determined together with the government and the parties with parliamentary representation.

On February 1, 2022, a group of armed men attacked the Government Palace while a meeting of the Council of Ministers was taking place, which was also attended by the Guinean President, as well as several members of the Government of Guinea-Bissau. The Guinean authorities qualified the attack as an attempted coup detat, a charge also defended by the Public Ministry.

Sources linked to the electoral process admitted last week that Guinea-Bissau needs US$3.5 million to make the legislative elections viable and is waiting for the international community to mobilize that amount.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Government of Guinea-Bissau signed in March the Electoral Cycle Support Project, for the period between 2023 and 2025, in the amount of 5.3 million euros. Guinea-Bissaus legislative elections are budgeted at 7.9 billion francs CFA (about 12 million euros), according to Guinean Finance Minister Ilidio Te.
The Brazilian President, Lula da Silva, is due to visit Angola in August, the Brazilian ambassador in Luanda told the media, noting the high expectations and prospects for strengthening cooperation in areas such as tourism and defense.

With no dates yet set, the expectation of the Brazilian government and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is that the visit will take place under the presidency of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), currently held by Angola, to Sao Tome and Principe, so it is still dependent on confirmation of the CPLP summit, which should take place in late August.

Expectations are the highest. President Lula has already indicated that he wants Angola to be the first country in Africa to be visited by the nature of the bilateral relationship, by Angolas role, which is the gateway to Brazils policy for Africa, by the historical and economic weight of the relationship, Rafael Vidal declared.

The diplomat said that a series of understandings are being prepared in the area of sustainable tourism and defense, including the training and capacity building of Angolan troops to join the United Nations rapid intervention forces in Africa, as well as agreements in the maritime and land transport sector and instruments to implement the cooperation agreement in the area of irrigated agriculture.
During the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, Kenya can be used by the United States as the hub for reaching the 1.3 plus billion African market, Kenyas senior government official has said as Washington has been trying to strengthen its the trade partnership with Africa.

During his recent visit to Washington, DC, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Alfred Mutua, told the American government that Kenya is open for business and encouraged American investors to invest in the country. Mutua also said the US is setting up a framework to allow Kenyans to apply for jobs and to get work visas on time and encouraged them to use this opportunity. While attending a bilateral session for negotiations on the Kenya-US Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP), Mutua welcomed the fact that the two countries have agreed to partner in the areas of trade and investment for job creation and visas for youth empowerment, health, food security, climate change, regional peace and security.

This comes as there were more good news for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA agreement in December 2022, when a MoU was signed between the US and the AfCFTA Secretariat at the US-Africa Leaders Summit. The MoU covers expanded engagement between the two regions and intends to promote equitable, sustainable, and inclusive trade; boost competitiveness; and attract investment to the continent.

The US also pledged to invest USD 55 billion in Africa over the next three years. Trade between the two regions has been steadily rising for some time. To that end, the US has often expressed its support for AfCFTA, stating that it wants to see the growth of Africas economic power in the world. But Bidens administration has also been focusing on trade agreements that dont disadvantage US businesses and consumers. At the Summit, the Biden administration noted that since 2021, the US has assisted in closing more than 800 two-way trade and investment deals worth around USD 18 billion across 47 African countries, including the US-Kenya STIP signed in July 2022.
LUSAKA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Monday joined the rest of the world in commemorating this year's International Workers' Day, also known as Labor Day, with President Hakainde Hichilema underscoring the importance of harmony in the labor sector for economic growth and job creation.

Hichilema said it will be difficult to create jobs without economic growth which could be disrupted when there is disharmony between employers and employees.

"When we have industrial disharmony, it means that you are slowing transactions, it means that you are suspending transactions, it means that you are suspending medical services. And when you do these things in many industries, you basically slow the economy down, and when you slow the economy down, you will basically not create any jobs," he said during the main event held in the capital Lusaka.

The theme for this year's event is "Accelerating economic growth for job creation." The event was marked by a march past by workers and an exhibition of the various products and services offered by both the public and private sectors.

The Zambian president said enhancing and improving conditions for employees will only be realized if businesses are operating profitably and making money for reinvesting.

He commended the employees in the country for their hard work and the industrial harmony that has existed in the country in the past year between employers and employees.

He further said the government is keen to ensure improved working conditions for workers and is currently working on laws to ensure that this becomes a reality.

Peneyambeko Alina Munkawa, officer-in-charge at the International Labor Office Country Office for Zambia, said economic and social systems should not only focus on achieving statistical targets but also address human needs and aspirations.

She said providing quality jobs is the best way to fight inequality and poverty, adding that quality jobs will enable people to support themselves and build their own futures.

Blake Mulala, president of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions, said the unemployment rate in the country is a source of concern and needs to be tackled because many people who are eligible for employment currently do not have jobs.

He further called for the strengthening of laws to ensure better working conditions for workers, adding that the labor union will not tolerate investors who are only interested in making profits at the expense of workers.

Brenda Tambatamba, minister of labor and social security, said her ministry will continue to work with other stakeholders to promote decent work agenda in the country.

The government, she said, is committed to seeing improved job creation because it is evident that a well-managed labor sector is key to the economy's performance. 
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Humans have consciousness. However, is it just a result of evolution or does it serve a crucial purpose? Professors Albert Newen from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and Carlos Montemayor from San Francisco State University, U.S., propose a fresh theory to address this issue. They identify two tiers of consciousness, each with two distinct roles, in the January 1, 2023 edition of the Journal of Consciousness Studies.

The initial phase of consciousness is fundamental arousal, and the subsequent phase is broad vigilance. "These phases correspond to two fundamental functions that are interdependent," explains Albert Newen of the Bochum Institute for Philosophy II, elucidating why he rejects the notion of consciousness as an incidental byproduct of evolution. As per the alarm hypothesis, primary arousal developed throughout evolution to induce a state of alarm in the body, which helped maintain the organism's existence. This occurs when critical life functions, such as respiration, nutrition, or temperature control, are disrupted abruptly, and survival is at risk.

Basic arousal puts organisms into a state of alarm

Carlos Montemayor illustrates, "When we expose ourselves to scorching summer heat, we begin to sweat automatically. Normally, such gradual, involuntary adaptations are adequate to maintain our body temperature. They occur unconsciously." He continues, "However, if we abruptly enter an extremely hot environment, these gradual adjustments are no longer sufficient. The organism is at risk of being harmed, for instance, by sunburn. Typically, the body reacts with a pain signal that puts us in an alert state, prompting us to take immediate action."

Reflexes such as avoidance and escape are activated when sudden pain arises. Thus, fundamental arousal has the fundamental function of triggering an alarm state in a biological organism, halting all gradual adaptation processes like sweating and initiating a swift avoidance and escape reaction that preserves life. Basic arousal, spurred by pain, endures and ensures that individuals care for their body beyond the initial reflex response.

General alertness enables new behaviors

Newen and Montemayor propose that humans and several animals have also developed general vigilance based on this mechanism. It facilitates various forms of learning that require focused attention. If the body is alarmed, organisms can employ general alertness not only to activate reflexes but also to initiate novel actions. Newen elaborates, "For instance, it assists us in comprehending that the threat of fire can be eliminated not only by running away, but also by employing a fire extinguisher in some situations."

Newen and Montemayor derive evidence for their theory primarily from two animal studies conducted by experimental research groups. In one study from 2020, led by Yuri Saalmann at the University of Wisconsin, macaques were anesthetized, similar to humans undergoing surgery.

In this state of unconsciousness, the researchers selectively stimulated a particular region in the brain, the central lateral thalamus. As soon as the stimulation was applied, the macaques became conscious. When the stimulation ceased, they returned to an unconscious state. "The stimulation acted as a switch to trigger consciousness," explains Carlos Montemayor. However, it only prompted fundamental arousal because the macaques could feel pain, see things, and react to them, but they were unable, unlike regular wakefulness, to participate in learning tasks.

Crucial role of the thalamus

A second experiment, conducted by Michael Halassa at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, provides additional evidence that mice possess general wakefulness in their daily lives. The animals were trained to respond to a sound differently than to a light signal. They were also capable of interpreting a third signal that indicated whether they should focus on the sound or the light signal. "Given that the mice learned this quickly, it is clear that they have acquired learning with focused conscious attention and, therefore, possess general vigilance," concludes Albert Newen.

Other regions of the thalamus, notably the activation of a central area called the nucleus reticularis, were significantly involved. The alarm theory of consciousness fills a gap in major rival theories of consciousness, such as the global workspace theory of the brain and the information integration theory, which assign only a minor role to the thalamus.

Humans also have reflexive self-consciousness, which is the ability to reflect on oneself, one's past, and one's future. "Whether some animals have basic forms of reflexive self-consciousness is still an open question," says Newen. "This type of consciousness will be explored in future research."

More information: Albert Newen et al, The ALARM Theory of Consciousness: A Two-Level Theory of Phenomenal Consciousness, Journal of Consciousness Studies (2023). DOI: 10.53765/20512201.30.3.084
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Dementia is associated with not only neurological changes, but also a lot of grief and anxiety. Credit: Shutterstock

People diagnosed with dementia are more likely to self-harm within the first six to 12 months after initial diagnosis, highlighting the need for health services to offer more follow-up support in this crucial period.

In what is believed to be the largest study of its kind, researchers with expertise in medicine, psychiatry and psychology at UNSW Sydney looked at NSW hospital data captured for more than 180,000 people admitted to hospital between 2001 and 2015.

The researchers analyzed statistics relating to two cohorts of patients admitted to hospital: 154,811 people recorded as having dementia, and 28,972 people admitted for self-harm injuries. The findings were reported in the paper published May 1 in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia.

UNSW Medicine & Health's Dr. Adrian Walker, who was the study lead author, says while smaller studies and anecdotal evidence had previously suggested a link between dementia diagnoses and self-harm, the NSW hospital data supports the findings in a large population setting.

"We were interested in finding people who came to those health services and had been diagnosed with dementia to see if we could find out, what are the rates and predictors of self-harm among people living with dementia?" Dr. Walker says.

"We know that that's an important question because dementia itself is associated with not only a lot of neurological changes, but also a lot of grief and a lot of anxiety. And it can create this perfect storm of factors that may contribute to self-harm."

Drilling into the data

When the researchers examined the data, they saw that of the people recorded as having dementia by health services (hospitals and outpatient facilities), 692 of them went on to be readmitted to hospital for self-harm.

Women accounted for the majority of both people initially admitted to hospital with dementia (60%) and initially admitted because of self-harm (53%). But when researchers looked at the number of people who went on to self-harm after being admitted initially with dementia, the ratios between the sexes flipped, with men making up 60% of those admissions.

"Generally, women tend to be over-represented in people diagnosed with dementia, as well as people who self-harm, compared to men," says Dr. Walker.

"The fact that there are more men at the intersection of self-harm and dementia is concerning, though we should also be careful not to forget the substantial number of women living with dementia who self-harm."

And when the researchers drilled down further into those numbers, the episodes of self-harm for both men and women appeared alarmingly soon, within 12 months of the first hospital visit for dementia.

Scientia Associate Professor Simone Reppermund is a psychologist with UNSW's Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry and supervising author of the study. She says the figures suggest health services, including primary care physicians, should view dementia diagnoses with a new sense of urgency.

"The message to clinicians and indeed, the outside world, is that it is really important, once a person gets a diagnosis of dementia, that psychosocial and mental health supports are kicking in straight away," she says.

"We would like to see people who are initially diagnosed to get the support very early on to prevent self-harm and suicide later on. Even without dementia, men 85 and over are in the age group with the highest age-specific suicide rates, so it's doubly important we offer extra care for people diagnosed with dementia."

Lived experience

The researchers also spoke with a number of advocates, some of them living with dementia and others who were caregivers. Mr. Stephen Grady was one of the advocates with lived experience of dementia and spoke of his own reaction when he was first diagnosed at the relatively young age of 60 while enjoying a successful career as a measurement scientist.

"So here was me as a very high functioning member of society, one of the leading people in my field," Mr. Grady says.

"And then suddenly after being diagnosed, it felt like I went from a valuable contributor to society to having no value at all. So, there's this whole question of, okay, 'Is your life over, is it still worth living?' These are the kinds of questions that I believe a lot of us ask ourselves, but it's only when you find the value in your life again, that you can refute them."

Mr. Grady, now 68, says the hospital data confirms what he has long known anecdotally as an advocate for people living with dementia: that the first 12 months after diagnosis are crucial.

Is self-harm a precursor to dementia?

The researchers also looked for evidence of a reverse trajectoryhow many people, with no history of dementia, went on to develop dementia after being first admitted because of self-harm?

They saw a similar story to the path from dementia to self-harm: again it was more men475, or 55% of all those previously admitted for self-harmwho went on to develop dementia. But with 395 women who traveled the same path from self-harm to dementia diagnosis, it is clear that this is an issue affecting both sexes.

"At this stage, we should also be careful not to read too closely into the causal relationship between self-harm and dementia," says Dr. Walker.

"Whether self-harm might lead to dementia, or dementia might lead to self-harm, is still an open question. Indeed, it could be both, and it could also be neitherthere could be something else going on. But what is clear in the numbers is that the two are linked."

Other findings of the research were:

Those living with dementia who self-harmed tended to be younger at their initial dementia diagnosis than those with no record of self-harm.

Being divorced, widowed or separated predicted a lower likelihood for people with dementia to present to hospital for self-harm than those that were still living with a partner.

People living with dementia with complex psychiatric profiles also had a higher risk of presenting to hospital for self-harm.

The research team plans to extend these findings by drilling deeper into the health outcomes for people living with dementia who self-harmed. Specifically, they are interested in how health service use impacts self-harm.

"Self-harm indicates substantial mental health distress, so it would be good to know how mental health services respond to self-harm in people living with dementia," says Dr. Walker.

More information: Adrian R. Walker et al, Risk factors for dementia and selfharm: A linkage study, Alzheimer's & Dementia (2023). DOI: 10.1002/alz.13080
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Credit: Pixabay

A new Flinders University-led study recommends people with IBD be screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common and debilitating respiratory condition, to improve their long-term health.

OSA is linked to a variety of medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, Parkinson's, anxiety and depression and gastro-esophageal reflux disease, with Flinders and SA Health researchers developing a new screening tool to identify possible sleep apnea in IBD patients. IBD is a chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory condition that is increasing in frequency worldwide.

"We are developing a novel screening tool for sleep apnea which could help identify and manage OSA in IBD patients who already battle with abdominal pain, along with possible daytime sleepiness, obesity, increasing age, smoking and other health and well-being problems and long-term risks," says Flinders University sleep researcher Dr. Alex Barnes, from the SA Health Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Gastroenterology Department based at the Flinders Medical Center.

"Our study of 670 IBS patients found moderate to high risk of OSA in about 22.6% of the cohort, many of whom were struggling with their pain burden, weight, smoking, depression and at least mild daytime sleepiness."

The study finding published in the Crohn's and Colitis 360 journal recommends the use of an accessible OSA screening for IBD clinics in order to refer patients to a sleep specialist.

"Identification of those with OSA will allow screening for associated cardiovascular complications and commencement of treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)," says co-author Dr. Reme Mountifield, also from the SAHLN Gastroenterology Department and Flinders University Sleep Health group, who collaborated with other SA Health and University of Adelaide experts in the new study.

"While the study's online questionnaire had limitations, overseas research has already confirmed OSA is more common in people with IBD, so a simple screening tool for OSA using typical IBD clinic parameters would be a useful way to start addressing this often undiagnosed problem."

Associated gastrointestinal symptoms often leads to disrupted sleep leading to poor sleep quality, with active IBD associated with elevated TNF-a (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) levels which may influence the course or severity of OSA.

Inadequate and disrupted sleep has a negative effect on the health and well-being of four out of 10 Australians who are estimated to have sleep problems, with a majority of about 1.5 million adult Australians living with undiagnosed serious sleep disorders.

More information: Alex Barnes et al, Simple Novel Screening Tool for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn's & Colitis 360 (2023). DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otad016
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Unstandardized coefficients and 95% confidence interval limits for final cross-sectional model. Blue lines indicate positive coefficients and red lines indicate negative coefficients. Education reference level is High School education; Zygosity reference level is DZ, Marital Status reference level is Single, BMI reference level is Healthy, all other ordinal variable reference levels are Never or the lowest level measured. N = 1017, n for ordinal variables provided in Table S2. Credit: Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32588-3

Neuroscience Research Australia and the University of New South Wales, Australia, research has examined the sociodemographic, psychosocial, cognitive and life event predictors of well-being. The study, published in Scientific Reports is titled "Predicting well-being over one year using sociodemographic factors, personality, health behaviors, cognition, and life events." The team found a slight well-being advantage to being a conscientiousness extravert with a good workout routine.

The study repurposed data from 1,017 healthy adults enrolled in TWIN-E (Twin study in Well-being using Integrative Neuroscience of Emotion), a 2012 study looking for endophenotype markers of mental health that included personality evaluations based on web-based neurocognitive tests.

The results showed that neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness and cognitive reappraisal were the strongest predictors of well-being at the initial assessment. Extraversion was the strongest predictor of change in well-being, followed by the extent to which the individual perceived themselves to have experienced positive or negative events over the one-year period.

One explanation offered by the authors is the tendency for individuals higher in extraversion to have more abundant social connections that may facilitate maintenance or improvement in well-being over time. However, there was no capture of this information anywhere in the data.

What does jump out from the data provided, though not part of the current study, is the large swings in individual assessment categories as correlated to well-being. For example, getting more than eight hours of sleep per night was negatively correlated to well-being in the baseline assessment and was the most significant correlation to positive well-being in the follow-up. There were also dramatic flips in positive and negative correlations to exercise frequency, low body mass index and smoking behavior (past and current).

Additionally, a sustained negative impact on well-being was associated with spending time with family as well as volunteering three or more times per week.

The researchers suggest that while personality traits are useful predictors of well-being, recent life events and health behaviors are also important.

More information: Miranda R. Chilver et al, Predicting wellbeing over one year using sociodemographic factors, personality, health behaviours, cognition, and life events, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32588-3 Journal information: Scientific Reports

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Optimization of the specific activities of 111In-FAP6-IP-DOTA in HT29 tumors over time as a function of molar amount of FAP6 conjugate injected while maintaining the dose of radioactivity constant (~10 MBq). Arrows: a = 4T1 tumors; b = liver; c = kidneys. Credit: Society of Nuclear Medicine

A pair of articles published in the May issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine illustrate the promise of the novel FAPI radiotracer in diagnosing, staging, and treating multiple types of cancer. Results from the largest study of patients undergoing 68Ga-FAPI PET demonstrate the superiority of 68Ga-FAPI over standard 18F-FDG PET in evaluating multiple types of cancer. In a separate study, a newly designed FAPI-targeted treatment was found to suppress tumor growth in several common cancers in a preclinical setting. These advances have strong potential to provide more precise staging and management for cancer patients.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts are involved with tumor growth, migration and progression. A sub-population of cancer-associated fibroblasts express fibroblast activation protein (FAP). FAP is prominently expressed in solid tumors but virtually absent from healthy tissues, which makes it an attractive diagnostic and therapeutic target for fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI).

In the first study, 324 patients with 21 different tumor types underwent 68Ga-FAPI PET over a three-year period; 237 of them also received 18F-FDG PET imaging. Researchers compared 68Ga-FAPI PET and 18F-FDG PET in terms of uptake across tumor entities. They also examined whether there was a correlation between 68Ga-FAPI uptake on PET scan and FAP expression on stained tissue samples.

Uptake was significantly higher for 68Ga-FAPI as compared to 18F-FDG in primary lesions of pancreatic cancers and sarcoma and in metastatic lesions of pancreatic cancers. 68Ga-FAPI PET showed superior detection for local and regional disease in sarcoma as well as for distant metastatic disease in sarcoma and cancers of the pancreas, head and neck, bile ducts, lung, and bladder. A positive correlation was also found between radiotracer uptake and FAP expression levels in the tissue samples.

"68Ga-FAPI PET can be used as a tool for diagnosis of tumors, with the potential for more precise staging and management of patients with the aforementioned tumor entities," said Nader Hirmas, MD, ScD, a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Essen University Hospital in Essen, Germany. "It could also be used as a tool to screen patients who would potentially benefit from FAP-directed radioligand therapy."

In the second study, researchers developed a new FAP radiopharmaceutical therapy that targets naturally occurring cancer-associated fibroblasts. "In previous tumor models, researchers altered cancer cells to express high levels of FAP as a target for therapy. In this study we sought to create a treatment that would be effective in the natural tumor environment," said Philip S. Low, Ph.D., presidential scholar for drug discovery and Ralph C. Corley distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

A 57-year-old male with stage 1B pancreatic adenocarcinoma (T2N0M0). (A) FAPI maximum-intensity projection (B) fused FAPI PET/CT (C) FAPI PET and (D) accompanying low dose CT along with concomitant (E) FDG maximum-intensity projection (F) fused FDG PET/CT (G) FDG PET and (H) accompanying high dose CT. Arrows point towards primary lesion in the pancreas (FAP SUVmax 25.1, FDG SUVmax 6.2). Credit: Society of Nuclear Medicine

Researchers used a modern bioanalytical method (single cell RNA-seq) to determine which cells in 34 human breast, ovarian, colorectal and lung tumors expressed FAP. Two radiopharmaceutical conjugatesFAP6-DOTA and FAP6-IP-DOTA (the latter of which contains an albumin-binder to prolong circulation and improve tumor uptake)were developed and tested on human FAP-expressing cells. Radiopharmaceutical therapies of 177Lu-FAP6-DOTA and 177Lu-FAP6-IP-DOTA were also investigated in a mouse model.

FAP was found to be overexpressed on 5% of human tumor cells; cancer-associated fibroblasts constituted 77% of this FAP-subpopulation, while 2% were cancer cells. FAP6-IP-DOTA was shown to exhibit high FAP affinity, prolonged circulation, increased tumor uptake, and minimal retention in healthy tissue. In addition, single doses of 177Lu-FAP6-IP-DOTA suppressed tumor growth by nearly 50% in all tested tumor models without causing reproducible toxicities.

"These data suggest that this newly designed FAP-targeted radiotherapy should be capable of treating many more types of human cancers in which the FAP expression is limited to only the cancer-associated fibroblasts," noted Spencer D. Lindeman, Ph.D., visiting scholar in the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University. "This could be a powerful and versatile tool for the field of clinical nuclear medicine."

More information: Nader Hirmas et al, Fibroblast-Activation Protein PET and Histopathology in a Single-Center Database of 324 Patients and 21 Tumor Entities, Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.122.264689 Spencer D. Lindeman et al, Fibroblast Activation ProteinTargeted Radioligand Therapy for Treatment of Solid Tumors, Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.122.264494 Journal information: Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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In recent years, experts have debated whether most birthing individuals would benefit from labor induction once they reach a certain stage of pregnancy. But a new statewide study in Michigan suggests that inducing labor at the 39th week of pregnancy for people having their first births with a single baby that is in a head down position, or low risk, doesn't necessarily reduce the risk of caesarian births. In fact, for some birthing individuals, it may even have the opposite effect if hospitals don't take a thoughtful approach to induction policies.

"Some people in the field have suggested that after 39 weeks of gestation, medical induction should be standard practice," said lead author Elizabeth Langen, M.D., a high-risk maternal fetal medicine physician and researcher at University of Michigan Health Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, of Michigan Medicine.

"We collaborated with peer hospitals to better understand how labor induction may influence cesarean birth outcomes in real world maternity units outside of a clinical trial. In our study sample, we found inducing labor in this population of women and birthing people did not reduce their risk of cesarean birth."

The new research, published in the American Journal of Perinatology, was based on more than 14,135 deliveries in 2020 analyzed through a statewide maternity care quality collaborative registry. The collaborative, known as the Obstetrics Initiative and which began in 2018, includes at least 74 birthing hospitals and centers on reducing primary cesarean birth rates in low-risk pregnancies.

Results conflict with national trial findings

The study was conducted in response to published research in 2018 from a multicenter trial known as "ARRIVE" (A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management.)

Findings from ARRIVE indicated that medical induction at 39 weeks gestation in first time low risk pregnancies resulted in a lower rate of cesarean deliveries compared to expectant managementor waiting for labor to occur on its own or for a medical need for labor induction.

Michigan researchers mimicked the same framework used in the national trial and analyzed data from the collaborative's data registry, comparing 1,558 patients who underwent a proactively induced labor versus 12,577 who experienced expectant management.

"We designed an analytic framework mirroring the previous trial's protocol using retrospective data, but our results didn't reinforce a link between elective induced labor in late pregnancy and a reduction in caesarian births," said senior author and U-M professor of nursing Lisa Kane Low, Ph.D., C.N.M., a midwife and researcher at Michigan Medicine and the U-M School of Nursing.

In fact, results from the general Michigan sample were contradictory to the ARRIVE trial: Women who underwent elective induction were more likely to have a cesarean birth compared with those who underwent expectant management (30% versus 24%.)

In a subset of the sample, matching patient characteristics for a more refined analysis, there were no differences in c-section rates. Authors noted that time between admission and delivery was also longer for those induced.

Expectantly managed women were also less likely to have a postpartum hemorrhage (8 % versus 10 %) or operative vaginal delivery (9 % versus 11 %), whereas women who underwent induction were less likely to have a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (6 % versus 9%.) There were no other differences in neonatal outcomes.

Authors point to several possible explanations for why the two studies had conflicting results. One key difference was that the Michigan study collected data after births for the purpose of quality improvement in a general population of low-risk births. The ARRIVE trial, however, used data collected in real time as part of a research study.

A significant difference between individuals in a clinical trial and the general birthing population, Low says, may revolve around shared decision-making. Before trial enrollment, participants undergo a thorough informed consent process from trained study team members.

For the ARRIVE trial, this meant 72% of women approached to be in the study declined participation. Meanwhile, previous research has indicated that women in the general U.S. population often may feel pressured into agreeing to have their labor induced.

"Better outcomes may have occurred in the trial because the participants were fully accepting of this process," Low said.

"Further research is needed to identify best practices to support people undergoing labor induction," she added. "Prior to initiating an elective induction of labor policy, clinicians should also ensure resources and a process to fully support shared decision-making."

Inequities impacting likelihood of induced labor

Michigan researchers also found that the practice of inducing labor at 39 weeks was not applied equally across demographic groups, with those being induced more likely to be birthing people who are at least 35 years old, identify as White non-Hispanic and who are privately insured.

The racial disparity in the data is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data that shows more white women undergo induced labor than birthing individuals of any other racial or ethnic group.

"These findings suggest that the practice of elective induction of labor may not be equitably applied across birthing people," Langen said. "We can only speculate about the reasons for these differences, but it's important that we pursue equitable application of evidence-based practices for all who would benefit."

Hospitals across the Michigan collaborative varied in size, teaching status and location but the sample size for induced deliveries was not adequate to analyze the impact of specific hospital factors on outcomes, authors note.

However, the team's additional analysis found cesarean birth rate after induced delivery did not differ between large hospitals and the rest of the collaborative.

"Inductions of labor for both medical indications and individual preferences will continue to be part of modern obstetrics, making it important to pursue strategies that optimize the induction process and outcomes," Langen said. "Future work should include a health equity approach and include the voices of pregnant people and their experiences of changes in care management."

More information: Elizabeth S. Langen et al, Outcomes of Elective Induction of Labor at 39 Weeks from a Statewide Collaborative Quality Initiative, American Journal of Perinatology (2023). DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1761918
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Emergency room visits for mental health crises spiked among children, teens and young adults from 2011 to 2020, researchers from UConn School of Medicine and other institutions report in the May 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The increase continues a disturbing trend first noted in 2006, and underscores the need for socio-behavioral interventions.

Concerns about young adult, teen and child mental health have risen in the wake of the isolation and disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. But American youth's mental health troubles began more than a decade before the pandemic, according to data from emergency departments in hospitals nationwide.

UConn School of Medicine psychiatric epidemiologist T. Greg Rhee and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Yale University School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System analyzed data from the 2011-2020 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). NHAMCS is an annual survey of hospitals across the US.

The ten years of survey results included 49,519 mental health-related visits for youth from the ages of 6 to 24 years old. They looked at the reasons for the visits, the length of stay, and the treatment offered, as well as the sex, ethnicity and geographic location of the patient.

Their results showed strikingly similar trends across all youth groups and regions of the country: mental health-related visits rose every year, climbing from 7.7% of all pediatric emergency visits in 2011 to 13.1% of all pediatric emergency visits in 2020. And the proportion of mental health emergency visits for suicide-related causes increased as well, from less than 1% to more than 4% of pediatric visits.

"We knew it was increasing over time, but this is the first nationwide study to look at this since 2016," says Rhee. "Our results suggest that a growing number of youth have unmet mental health needs in the community, but the emergency department is not the optimal treatment setting for children with mental health needs," Rhee says.

The study results show largely similar trends across all regions of the country, and all races and ethnicities. And the rise in emergency mental health visits and suicide-related causes has been touching younger and younger children over time, as well as rising amid adolescents 12-17 and young adults aged 18-24. Until recently, suicide-related issues in elementary school aged children were vanishingly rare.

"We don't know why younger generations are starting to be more at risk for suicide, but evidence-based suicide prevention efforts should include children and early adolescents," Rhee said. Studies have shown, for example, that programs to help preschoolers manage their emotions lead to reduced mental health problems in adolescence.
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A new study by physician-scientists at University Hospitals (UH) Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute has shown that non-optimal temperatures have a significant impact on the cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden across the globe. The study, recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, provides evidence that urgent action is needed to address this issue and is the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive quantification of global temperature-related CVD burden.

The study utilized the global burden of disease methodology to investigate non-optimal temperature, low temperature-, and high temperature-related CVD deaths, as well as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally. According to the World Health Organization, DALYs are the years lived with a disability due to prevalent cases of the disease or health condition in a population.

Researchers found that in 2019, non-optimal temperature contributed globally to nearly 1.2 million CVD deaths and almost 22 million DALYs. Low temperature contributed to more than 1.1 million CVD deaths and close to 20 million DALYs. High temperature contributed to about 93,000 CVD deaths and 2.09 million DALYs. That same year, non-optimal temperature was the ninth most common attributable risk factor for CVD deaths globally, surpassing alcohol use, low physical activity, and other environmental factors such as radon and lead exposure.

Furthermore, the study found that between 1990 and 2019, CVD deaths related to non-optimal temperature increased by 45%, while low temperature increased by 36%, and high temperature increased by 600%. The increase was more pronounced in countries with low income than in countries with high income.

"Our study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the global temperature-related CVD burden," said Sadeer Al-Kindi, MD, lead author, cardiologist at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, Co-Director of the Center for Integrated and Novel Approaches in Vascular Metabolic Disease (CINEMA) at UH, and Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

"The findings are alarming and underscore the significant impact of temperature on global public health. It is crucial that policymakers and public health officials take these findings into account when designing strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on public health."

"These study findings are particularly concerning for individuals living in low socioeconomic regions who are more vulnerable to the effects of non-optimal temperature on CVD. It is imperative that we take a multi-faceted approach to tackle the health impacts of climate change, including improving access to healthcare, increasing public awareness, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Sanjay Rajagopalan, MD, senior author, Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine.

This latest study is a continuation of the research group's legacy in advancing understanding of the impact of the environment on cardiovascular disease. The group's previous work has shed light on the effects of air pollution, exposure to traffic-related noise, and other environmental factors on cardiovascular health. By quantifying the burden of non-optimal temperature-related CVD at the global level, this study adds to the group's efforts to identify and address the environmental factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Issam Motairek, MD, a research fellow at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute who also contributed to the study said, "The study's findings demonstrate the importance of understanding the relationship between temperature and cardiovascular disease burden, especially in the context of global climate change. By identifying the populations most at risk, we can design targeted interventions to reduce the impact of non-optimal temperatures on public health."

More information: Sadeer Al-Kindi et al, Cardiovascular Disease Burden Attributable to Non-Optimal Temperature: Analysis of the 1990-2019 Global Burden of Disease, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (2023). DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad130 Journal information: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
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A night in a well-ventilated bedroom benefits your next-day performance. This conclusion is drawn from an international DTU-based research project studying how poor air quality in the bedroom affects your sleep.

"It has previously only been sparsely documented that bedroom air quality can affect your sleep. Our study has now clearly proven that it can," says Pawel Wargocki, Associate Professor at DTU Sustain.

He has headed an international research project that has conducted a number of studies to determine if and how bedroom air quality affects sleep. One of the researchers' findings is that a night in a stuffy bedroom may contribute to poorer sleep and next-day work performance.

In the research project's studies, measurements have been made in more than 100 households, which agreed to let the researchers measure the air quality in their bedroom while they slept. In addition, their sleep was tracked and their cognitive abilities tested. The measurements were made by researchers in both Denmark and at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China. The study is published in the journal Building and Environment.

Need for twice as much ventilation as the rules prescribe

At night, both people and furnishings affect bedroom air quality. As a consequence of the body's metabolic processes, we humans affect air quality while we sleep. Computers, TV screens, furniture, and clothes also pollute air quality in the bedroom. Together, this pollution accumulates during the night if it is not diluted by, for example, ventilating.

"The air quality in the bedroom can affect your cognitive abilities, such as your ability to concentrate, to understand, and to react. Sleeping in a well-ventilated bedroom benefits your cognitive abilities," says Pawel Wargocki.

The new studies from DTU suggest that twice as much ventilation in the bedroom as the currently recommended level in Danish building regulations is needed to support your sleep optimally.

An open window improves air quality in the bedroom

In Denmark, there is normally not high outdoor air pollutiontypically from traffic and industryand an open window may therefore be enough. But, in China, the study showed that air pollution is so high that the indoor air quality was polluted with health-hazardous particles from the outside during the night when the window was open.

"An open window is recommended when air pollution is low and if there is no ventilation system in the home. Otherwise, the best solution is mechanical ventilation," says Pawel Wargocki.

In Denmark, mechanical ventilation has been part of the building regulations' recommendations for newly built and renovated homes since 2008. But this is not yet the norm in Danish bedrooms, nor is everyone able or willing to sleep with the window open.

"We're studying whether other technologies such as air purifiers can ensure just as clean air in the bedroom as mechanical ventilation or an open window," says Pawel Wargocki.

From plexiglass box to own bed

The researchers' conclusion is based on a number of sub-studies, including having a large number of volunteers spend the night in a so-called climate chamber; a transparent plexiglass box that makes it possible to monitor and analyze air quality minutely during the night. They have measured what type of emissions we humans produce and how they affect sleep.

Although measurements from the plexiglass box are accurate, very few people sleep unaffected in unfamiliar surroundings and with measuring equipment attached to their bodies. Therefore, the researchers have also conducted a study in people's own bedrooms. More than 100 households let the researchers study the air quality in their bedrooms while they slept with windows and doors open and closed, respectively.

"An open window improved the air quality in the participants' bedrooms so much that they slept better. The following morning, their cognitive abilities also tested better," says Xiaojun Fan, Ph.D. student at DTU and lead author of the latest sub-study under the study, published in the scientific journal Building and Environment.

"This suggests that bedrooms should be ventilated with clean outdoor air or supplied with air equivalent to clean outdoor air during the night," says Xiaojun Fan.

An open door is not enough

The air quality in each bedroom was measured via a box, while the participants' sleep quality was monitored through a wristwatch. The participants were also asked to update an electronic log before and after sleeping so that the researchers could take into account any activities that could affect their sleep. When they woke up, they had to record their experience of the night's sleep and undergo a three-minute test of their cognitive abilities.

The researchers have also examined whether sleeping with the windows closed, but with the door open to the rest of the home, made a difference. However, no effect on the participants' sleep quality could be seen.

"During the night, we humans generate emissions in the bedroom, not in the rest of our home. When you sleep with the door open, air from elsewhere in the home mixes with the air in the bedroom, which dilutes air pollution in the bedroom, but it isn't necessarily clean air that comes from the other rooms in the home," explains Pawel Wargocki.

About the research project

Since 2019, an international group of researchers has been working to document the importance of ventilation and fresh air to sleep quality. The project has been conducted in collaboration with Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China, with support from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE.

The latest study, which builds on knowledge from the group's previous experiments, has been published in the journal Building and Environment. It was conducted in Danish bedrooms in the period from September to December 2020.

Over a two-week period, researchers monitored the air quality in the bedrooms while tracking the participants' sleep quality. The participants were asked to sleep as usual for a week, with either the window or door open or closed. Some of the participants continued in the experiment for another week, where they had to do the opposite. During each night, the different parameters characterizing the air quality in the bedroom were measured, while the participants wore a wristwatch tracking how quickly they fell asleep, how often they woke up, whether sleep was light, deep, or REM sleep, etc.

Participants also kept an electronic log of the day's activities and the night's sleep, which they updated 10 minutes before bedtime and again when they got up. Each morning, they also did a three-minute test of their cognitive abilities.

The study concluded:

that an open window improves air quality in the participants' bedrooms.

that the participants sleep better if the window is open and they perform better

if they sleep with the window open.

that an open door to the rest of the home does not have a measurable effect on sleep quality.

When does air quality affect our sleep?

If ventilation keeps CO 2 from persons sleeping in a bedroom below 750 ppm, then the air quality in the room is so good that it does not affect sleep quality. If CO 2 exceeds 2,600 ppm, the air quality is so poor that it affects sleep quality to such an extent that cognitive abilities are affected the next day; this may also be the case at lower CO 2 concentrations.

CO 2 is used as an indicator of how good the ventilation is in rooms where there are people. Indoor CO 2 is mainly released by humans due to the metabolic processes of the body. The concentration is measured in mg/m3 or in ppm (ppm, parts per million, refers to the number of carbon dioxide molecules per million molecules of dry air).

Below 750 ppm: Adequate ventilationno negative effect on sleep quality. This will be a typical measurement for a well-ventilated bedroom.

Between 750 ppm and 1150 ppm: Possibly insufficient ventilationin some cases, sleep quality may be adversely affected.

Above 1150 ppm: Insufficient ventilationsleep quality will be adversely affected. CO 2 levels that are higher than 1150 ppm will typically occur in bedrooms that are not fitted with a ventilation system and where windows and doors are closed.

levels that are higher than 1150 ppm will typically occur in bedrooms that are not fitted with a ventilation system and where windows and doors are closed. Above 2600 ppm: Insufficient ventilationboth sleep quality and next-day performance are adversely affected.

More information: Xiaojun Fan et al, A field intervention study of the effects of window and door opening on bedroom IAQ, sleep quality, and next-day cognitive performance, Building and Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109630
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Women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Some of that is age; in the U.S., women outlive men by five to six years, and advanced age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's. But there's more to it than that, so Alzheimer's researchers continue to look for other reasons why women have an elevated risk of the deadly neurodegenerative disease.

Stress may be one such reason. A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that the effect stress has on the brain differs by sex, at least in mice. In stressful situations, levels of the Alzheimer's protein amyloid beta rises sharply in the brains of females but not males. In addition, the researchers identified a molecular pathway that is active in brain cells from female mice but not male mice, and showed that it accounts for the divergent responses to stress.

The findings, published May 2 in Brain, add to a growing collection of evidence that sex matters in health and disease. From cancer to heart disease to arthritis, scientists have found differences between males and females that could potentially affect how men and women respond to efforts to prevent or treat chronic diseases.

"How women respond to stress versus how men respond to stress is an important area of research that has implications for not just Alzheimer's disease but other conditions, too," said co-corresponding author Carla M. Yuede, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry. "In recent years, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has prioritized understanding sex differences in medicine. Stress is one area in which you can clearly see a difference between males and females. This study shows that reducing stress may be more beneficial for women than men, in terms of lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease."

Stress falls into the category of socioeconomic risk factors, along with factors such as depression and social isolation, that together account for an estimated 8% of the risk of developing Alzheimer's. That risk calculation, however, doesn't take gender into account. Women consistently report higher levels of stress than men, and stress affects women's bodies differently than men's in many ways, such as cardiovascular health, immune responses and other issues.

Corresponding author John Cirrito, Ph.D., an associate professor of neurology; Yuede; and first author Hannah Edwards, a graduate student in Cirrito's lab, reasoned that stress also may affect women's brains differently than men's, and these differences may help explain the sex imbalance in Alzheimer's disease.

To find out, they measured levels of amyloid betaa key Alzheimer's proteinin the brains of mice every hour for 22 hours, beginning eight hours before the mice experienced stress. The experience was equally stressful for male and female mice, as measured by the levels of stress hormones in their blood. But the responses in their brains were not the same.

In female mice, amyloid beta levels rose significantly within the first two hours and stayed elevated through the end of the monitoring period. In male mice, brain amyloid levels did not change overall, although about 20% of them did show a delayed and weak rise in amyloid levels.

Further experiments revealed that the difference comes down to a cellular stress response pathway in brain cells. Stress causes the release of a hormone known as corticotropin releasing factor. Neurons from female rodents take up the stress hormone, triggering a cascade of events that results in increasing levels of amyloid beta in the brain. In contrast, neurons from male rodents lack the ability to take up the stress hormone. It is not known whether there are similar sex differences in how human neurons take up stress hormones.

"There's a fundamental biological difference between males and females in how they respond to stress at the cellular level, in both mice and people," Cirrito said. "We don't think that stress is the sole factor driving the sex difference in Alzheimer's disease. There are many other differences between men and womenin hormones, lifestyle, other diseases they havethat undoubtedly contribute in some way. But that stress is driving one aspect of this sex difference I think is very likely."

More information: Hannah M Edwards et al, Sex-dependent effects of acute stress on amyloid- in male and female mice, Brain (2023). DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad052 Journal information: Brain